The Disillusionment Charm is definitely a spell taught to older students, no question about it.
So, when Sean decided he wanted to learn it, even Professor Flitwick was a bit surprised.
His first thought was that Sean might be planning some late-night wandering, but he quickly dismissed that idea—Mr. Green's reputation for following the rules was well-known.
That left only one other explanation.
"Oh, my dear boy," Professor Flitwick said, his eyes crinkling with a smile, "I had the same idea when I was your age—learning different spell combinations to become a dueling master…"
Sean's intentions were instantly seen through, and he gave a small nod, which made Professor Flitwick's smile widen.
"Dueling, eh? Brings back memories. But if you're set on learning the Disillusionment Charm, why not pair it with the Quietus Charm?"
Professor Flitwick chuckled as he spoke.
The Quietus Charm, found in Standard Book of Spells: Grade 1, reduces the volume of sound.
Sean immediately saw how it could work with the Disillusionment Charm—one hides sound, the other hides sight.
"But first, let's see what spells you've already mastered," Professor Flitwick said, clearly intrigued by Sean's choices. "Show me, Mr. Green."
Sean nodded and waved his wand.
After hearing the clear incantation, Professor Flitwick watched as a robe in front of a wardrobe transformed into a wild boar.
"Advanced intermediate Transfiguration! Quite impressive!" Professor Flitwick's eyes sparkled with admiration. "I'm delighted to see you're putting your talents to good use."
There was a knowing tone in his voice.
"Now, the Disillusionment Charm, Finite Incantatem…" Professor Flitwick hopped down from his chair in the staff room, practically buzzing with excitement.
"A wise choice! But why not try this?"
Sean looked puzzled as Professor Flitwick waved his wand. A robe floated up, transforming into a shield above the wardrobe, blocking the professor. With another flick, the shield morphed into a spear.
"What do you see, Mr. Green?"
"A combination of the Levitation Charm and Transfiguration, Professor."
Sean's eyes lit up like he'd discovered a new world. He instantly recalled the battle at the Ministry, where Dumbledore summoned a glass shield to block a Killing Curse and then turned it into sand to attack Voldemort—a masterful high-level spell combination.
But then, a question struck him.
"Wizards can't cast two spells at the same time, can they?"
Professor Flitwick's voice was high-pitched but brimming with wisdom.
"Oh, but I've heard that powerful wizards can cast two spells simultaneously. Casting a spell requires three key elements: the correct wand movement, precise incantation, and focused intent. To cast two spells at once, a wizard must split their focus, channeling magic for both spells at the same time. It's an immense challenge for the mind."
As he spoke, Professor Flitwick transformed the spear into a sword, which began circling Sean.
Sean realized the professor was maintaining two spells at once.
His emerald-green eyes gleamed with a thirst for knowledge, and Professor Flitwick could see it clearly.
With a flick, the professor turned the sword back into a robe, letting it fall into Sean's hands.
"So, you're wondering how to cast two spells at once, especially as a young wizard? The answer, of course, is the Silent Spell."
The professor had Sean cast a silent Levitation Charm on a teapot on the table, then continued, "If a wizard can cast silently, they could, in theory, chant one spell aloud while casting another silently. Another practical approach is to maintain a continuous spell effect, then cast an instantaneous spell afterward. Try casting a Lumos Charm, Mr. Green."
Sean kept the teapot floating and noticed it required less sustained magic once it was aloft, especially since he was skilled enough not to need his full focus on it.
"Lumos!" he called out.
Light sparked from his wand tip, but moments later, the teapot crashed to the floor with a shatter.
"Remarkable talent!" Flitwick clapped, beaming. "The key is to guide two distinct streams of magic, Mr. Green."
Sean nodded thoughtfully, sensing the two flows of magic. The Lumos Charm's energy had tangled with the second stream in an instant, causing his failure.
"Practice, Mr. Green. It takes mastery," Professor Flitwick said with a wink, casually repairing the teapot.
Sean realized his Lumos Charm wasn't proficient enough. He gave a quiet nod.
If he could master it, as the professor suggested, could he use a Levitation Charm to snatch an opponent's wand and follow it with a Repelling Charm? Or maybe distract someone with a levitated stone, then hit them with a Repelling Charm? Or, like the professor, use Transfiguration to reshape an object and attack with a Levitation Charm?
Compared to a young wizard limited to one spell, his combat potential would be far greater.
Sean didn't think he could cast two incantation-heavy spells or maintain two continuous spells at once. Even Professor Flitwick only made the sword move after completing the Transfiguration.
He recalled Hermione mentioning in fifth year that she couldn't maintain a Stunning Spell on Winky the house-elf while casting a Disillusionment Charm on Harry. The more complex the spells, the harder it was to cast them together.
Still, even pairing a Levitation Charm with any other spell would significantly boost his dueling skills.
Of course, against advanced magic, even two spells might not be enough. But what if Sean mastered two complex spells?
Knowledge, it seemed, was never enough.
Over the next hour, Professor Flitwick patiently explained the Disillusionment Charm's techniques—a spell fifth-year students typically learned, which made the caster blend into their surroundings like a chameleon.
"Stand still," the professor said with a warm smile.
Sean stood quietly as Professor Flitwick approached, tapping his wand on Sean's head. Sean looked up curiously.
A strange, cool sensation flowed from the tap, spreading through his body. It felt like an invisible film sliding over his skin, making him completely transparent.
He knew this was the Disillusionment Charm at its best—not only did his colors blend with the background, but his outline and shadow vanished, as if he were wearing an Invisibility Cloak.