Transfiguration, Finite Incantatem, Disillusionment Charm.
These were the practical spells Sean had chosen for himself, covering attack, defense, and concealment.
Mastering the latter two spells to an [Expert] level, boosting his combat skills, and unlocking the [Skilled] title in the spellcasting domain were among Sean's top priorities.
After all, starting with Standard Spells, Grade 4, the difficulty of learning charms spiked dramatically.
Sean needed to prepare for future spellwork.
"A very fine choice," Professor Flitwick said approvingly, gesturing for Sean to open Standard Spells, Grade 4. The book detailed the pronunciation and wand movements for Finite Incantatem.
"Finite Incantatem is a fundamental counter-spell in the charm system. It's highly effective for dispelling low-level curses and control spells—go ahead, Mr. Green, cast a spell."
Sean silently cast Aguamenti, producing a stream of water, and noted down the counter-spell's mechanics.
He knew some dark magic had specific counter-spells, like Professor Snape's Sectumsempra. But clearly, certain counter-spells, like Finite Incantatem, could handle a wide range of dark magic.
It was a versatile spell. Sean had initially thought of it as purely defensive, but on reflection, its magical principle wasn't about shielding the caster—it dismantled the opponent's spell entirely.
"Finite Incantatem!" Professor Flitwick declared, waving his wand. The water vanished without a trace.
"Did you feel that, Mr. Green?" Flitwick asked, crossing his arms and gently placing Standard Spells, Grade 4 on the worn desk.
"My magic was blocked, Professor," Sean replied, sensing that the flow of magic from his wand tip had been interrupted, causing his spell to collapse.
"Excellent! Sharp perception!" Flitwick said, pacing excitedly. "Try it—end it, dismantle it. Remember, Mr. Green…"
"Finite Incantatem!" Sean mimicked the professor's wand movement, imagining he was cutting off his opponent's spell. His wand slashed downward sharply.
[You practiced Finite Incantatem at a beginner level. Proficiency +3.]
The Aguamenti spell Flitwick had just cast vanished instantly.
"Remarkable progress!" Flitwick exclaimed.
---
In the classroom, Hermione had been poring over A Simple Introduction to Ancient Runes for five days. She was naturally drawn to the mysterious, powerful script and had borrowed a stack of related books from the library.
Justin, meanwhile, was casually acting as Sean's practice partner—after all, Sean couldn't exactly cast Finite Incantatem at thin air.
[You practiced Finite Incantatem at a beginner level. Proficiency +3.]
[You practiced Finite Incantatem at a beginner level. Proficiency +3.]
The practice continued until Sean officially mastered the spell.
After that, he spent the rest of the time guiding an enthusiastic little Hufflepuff.
Neville had recently been sending feathers flying everywhere, so Justin was determined to learn Finite Incantatem to help. That way, Neville wouldn't be so nervous about practicing with a small board, worried he'd lose control and hit someone.
What Sean didn't expect was that his newly learned spell would soon face a real test.
---
As October deepened, the weather grew colder.
The mountains around the school loomed gray and misty, occasionally dusted with thin layers of snow. The lake's surface was starting to freeze.
Young witches and wizards bundled up in gloves and scarves, spending most of their time chatting, doing homework, or playing games by the fireplace.
On a Friday afternoon in the Charms classroom, the lack of a fireplace made the room feel especially chilly. Paired with Professor Flitwick's new lesson on Aguamenti, everyone was extra cautious, wary of soaking themselves with an errant stream of water.
Flitwick demonstrated the wand movement again, fluid and graceful, like tracing a winding stream in the air. "Keep your wrist loose, not stiff. The incantation is 'Aguamenti,' pronounced crisp and clear, like a bubbling spring—not like you're chucking rocks."
The classroom soon filled with whispers and the whooshing of wands.
Justin carefully waved his wand, producing a thin trickle of water. It was weak but on target, and he let out a relieved sigh.
He glanced back to see Sean shaping his water stream into an arched bridge, then with a flick of his wand and a muttered spell, making the water vanish cleanly before it could fall.
"Wow, that's incredible," Justin murmured, a proud smile spreading across his face.
"Very good, Mr. Green! Two points to Ravenclaw!" Flitwick said, nodding approvingly at Sean. "And nice progress, Mr. Finch-Fletchley—one point to Hufflepuff."
Justin's smile grew warmer.
Amid the crowd of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, a flash of fiery red hair stood out.
Seamus Finnigan, notorious for his string of explosive mishaps, was under Flitwick's close watch. The professor had assigned him extra practice and kept a sharp eye on him—almost as much as he watched Sean.
Seamus frowned, his face a mix of focus and determination. He reminded himself not to fail again—or at least, not to cause another explosion.
Gripping his wand tightly, as if taming a wild horse, he recalled Flitwick's words about "force" and "flow." He had to succeed at least once.
"Aguamenti!" Seamus shouted, swinging his wand forward with all his might.
But things didn't go as planned.
No clear fountain, not even a sprinkle.
Instead, a deafening boom rang out, like a water balloon bursting under high pressure. A ridiculously thick, uncontrollable jet of water—more like an invisible water buffalo charging full force—shot from Seamus's wand.
Flitwick had his back turned, and by the time he noticed, the icy torrent was hurtling toward him.
But behind the water, a pair of bright green eyes gleamed.
"Finite Incantatem!" Sean called, his wand flashing with a brief pulse of light. The water slowed in midair, as if hitting an invisible barrier, and faded away.
[You practiced Finite Incantatem at a skilled level. Proficiency +10.]
Sean lowered his wand as Flitwick, trembling with anger, turned around.
"Three points from Gryffindor!" the professor snapped.
Though he calmed down a few seconds later, he still sentenced Seamus to write a hundred times:
[I am a wizard, not a baboon brandishing a wand.]
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