Outside the classroom, the stone walls glowed under candlelight as an owl hooted loudly. Mr. Owl, as they called him, balanced on one claw, adjusting his glasses like he was performing a circus trick.
His other claw clutched a parchment scroll tightly, his big eyes gleaming as brightly as the day Professor McGonagall appeared in the fireplace.
Next to a soft cushion, beside a gold-edged letter, sat a cozy-looking sweater with a blue-and-white collar. A note rested on top:
"My mom sent a bunch of sweaters, not just for you.
Your friend, Hermione Granger"
As if to prove it, two more sweaters were stacked nearby, clearly labeled: For Justin and For Neville.
Sean's smile was subtle, a small curve of his lips, but it was enough to catch the attention of a few curious eyes peeking through the door's crack.
Mr. Owl flapped his wings and squawked, "Little wizard! Dumb little wizard!"
"Please, keep it down…" Justin pleaded, pressing his hands together.
The owl stopped mid-squawk, swiveling his head 180 degrees. Then, he cracked one eye open, as if he could see through the sky-blue door.
Sean tucked the sweater into his wardrobe. Just when he thought that was all, he noticed another sweater under Justin's package—noticeably larger, with a crumpled note:
"Sean, I… didn't have anything else…"
Sean's smile grew. His Quick-Quotes Quill scratched across the back of the note, scribbling a reply:
"Thanks, it's more than enough."
In one morning, Sean had received three sweaters—and now faced the dilemma of which to wear. More importantly, what could he give in return?
Friendship, like any bond, doesn't last if it's one-sided. It's a long, steady effort, blurring the edges of time.
As the fireplace roared brighter, Sean glanced at the door, wondering if they should cast a Silencing Charm on Mr. Owl to keep his squawks from reaching him.
Sean quietly pocketed the wand he'd been practicing the Silencing Charm with and walked toward the door, hugging the three sweaters.
The three little wizards spying through the crack panicked and bolted for the spiral staircase.
"Haha! Dumb little wizards!" Mr. Owl cackled, then quickly clapped a claw over his beak. "A Ravenclaw owl shouldn't laugh like that…"
Sean made sure the coast was clear before pushing the door open.
Carrying the three sweaters and his broom, he stepped into the Ravenclaw Tower.
The biting wind didn't bother him anymore—not with his new sweaters. His first three sweaters.
But, as it turned out, there were more to come.
---
"Up ahead, take the turn—"
A wizard with vibrant red hair popped out from behind a portrait. It was Fred Weasley.
"Weird—how'd Ron know Green would be there?"
An identical face lifted another portrait. George blinked. "Unless he's a clock, he's way too predictable!"
"Even then, it'd have to be a clock that pays… Ssss—"
Fred's words were cut off as his face paled.
"What're you mimicking? A rattlesnake? Hiss… Professor Snape."
George straightened up as he set the portrait back in place.
Professor Snape glared at them, his wide robes billowing like storm clouds. With a flick of his wand at the secret passage, he swept away.
"Rare… That's rare…" Fred muttered, frozen in place.
"We survived?" George patted Fred up and down, nodding when he confirmed his twin was unharmed.
"Something's off…" Fred said, swatting away George's hand from his face.
"Of course it's off!" George stepped forward, swaying dramatically as they bickered and moved on.
They didn't notice the extra items now in their hands.
---
At the end of the corridor, Sean spotted the fiery orange hair blazing like flames. Fred and George's steps always had a bounce to them.
"Two Galleons, please!" Fred said, waving his hand theatrically before bowing.
"We almost got obliterated back there, though," George added, shaking his head with a grin as he held up a set of clothes.
"But a job's a job—risk included!" Fred pulled a pair of boots from his bag and stuffed them into Sean's already full arms.
"Wait a sec…" George squinted at the three sweaters in Sean's hands. "A sweater hoarder?!"
Before Sean could respond, Fred chimed in, "No discounts for that!"
Sean let them ramble, unsure if he could even leave yet. He reached into his Undetectable Extension Charm bag, slipped two gold Galleons into Fred's hand, muttered a thanks, and turned to go.
"He's got an Undetectable Extension Charm bag! You see that, George?" Fred said.
"Unless a rattlesnake blinded me… we need to do more business with him!" George replied.
Back in his dorm, Sean realized he didn't need to choose a sweater after all. Nestled among the others was a jet-black one with a green collar.
Without thinking, Sean pictured the dark, brooding eyes at the dungeon door. Sure enough, a note was tucked inside:
"Wear."
As blunt as ever.
Stepping out of Ravenclaw Tower, the chill of October didn't faze Sean. His mind was on a packed schedule of spells to practice.
His Silencing Charm was at [Beginner] level, not far from [Skilled] with a bit more practice.
The Disillusionment Charm, though, was tougher. It was the most complex spell Sean had tackled so far, as Professor Flitwick's notes made clear.
The Silencing Charm took up three paragraphs in the notes. The Disillusionment Charm? Ten full pages, covering history to every tiny detail.
Staring at [Disillusionment Charm: Locked (0/30)] on his skill panel, Sean's resolve hardened.
His ordinary green talent might not make the Disillusionment Charm easy, but if he could pull it off just once…
One success, and Sean could grind it to thirty through his panel.
At the apprentice level, he'd gain new insights.
Progress doesn't care about talent.
October's winds didn't just howl through the corridors—they made the classroom fireplace flicker too, though Mr. Owl's "hoot" seemed to stoke the flames higher.
Justin and Hermione pretended to be busy, sneaking glances at Sean practicing his Silencing Charm.
Only Neville was truly focused, carefully tending to a Venomous Tentacula.