"Ghosts are really strange—there's the friendly fat friar, the Headless Nick, and even some professors…"
Justin opened his assignment, which had a rough outline written on it.
"Oh, if only he wouldn't suddenly get confused. Cedric said there's never been such a long assignment for first-years. He tried looking for Professor Binns but couldn't find him, and I guess even if he did, the professor might not change his mind. A one-foot essay… Merlin, that's really tough. Sean, did you finish it?"
Justin closed his notebook, embarrassedly, with a hopeful light in his eyes.
"Yes."
Sean nodded, then took a sheet of parchment and a light-blue notebook from his bag.
The parchment contained the key points of the essay written by Michael and the others, while the light-blue notebook was Sean's own organized summary of History of Magic.
He also had another identical notebook for his own thoughts and inspirations.
"Oh my god! Sean, you actually finished it?!"
Justin covered his mouth in shock.
"Although I always thought this wouldn't be hard for you, it's still a bit unbelievable every time it happens…
Are we really in the same year as you…"
His voice trailed off almost to a whisper.
"I'll only look at a tiny bit of the outline, I definitely won't copy your work.
If I ever did that, may I never set foot in the kitchens again."
Justin suddenly became serious, his gray-blue eyes showing sincerity and barely noticeable unease.
"Mm."
Sean handed the notebook to Justin and left the Great Hall for the library.
Early morning was when he had the most energy, perfect for tackling difficult tasks.
For example, fully organizing History of Magic, combining it with Modern History of Magic, Important Magical Events of the 20th Century, Directory of Contemporary Famous Wizards, and other books to create a framework uniquely his own.
Sean believed this would help him excel in History of Magic.
The library's oak tables were reddish-brown, with magical lanterns, crystal balls, and flower arrangements nearby.
Immersed in the wonders of magical history, Sean couldn't help but marvel at how lively wizards could be, for example:
[In the Middle Ages, Muggles were especially afraid of magic, but they weren't good at identifying it.
Sometimes they really caught a wizard or witch, but burning them had little effect.
The wizard or witch would cast a basic spell to freeze the flames while being burned,
enjoying the gentle, tingling warmth of the fire while pretending to scream in pain.
The diviner Wendelin loved being burned, allowing herself to be caught in all sorts of disguises,
a total of forty-seven times.]
This was far from Sean's imagined picture of burning witches and wizards,
and even farther from his idea of what wizards were like.
After finishing the Middle Ages section, Sean had to face the same problem again:
Where could he find potion ingredients?
Perhaps Professor Sprout had extra materials?
Perhaps he could find a way to buy some in Hogsmeade, if he found a secret passage in the castle.
Or maybe he could ask Professor Sprout—could first-years use Hogwarts potion ingredients after class to practice brewing potions? And then secretly practice?
But this method carried extreme risk and required utmost caution.
Still, there are always more methods than obstacles. Sean took out his notebook to organize his complex thoughts.
But when he opened the first page, he froze:
[Emeric was a short-lived but extremely vicious dark wizard…]
He flipped further:
[Ulric, hearing the call of the divining bird, firmly believed he had died and become a ghost…]
No!
In the Great Hall, Justin was completely absorbed, holding the parchment. His gaze was fixed, and he occasionally whispered:
"Oh, you can write it like this too… truly a genius…"
He realized something and opened the light-blue notebook, leaving his hand hovering over the pages.
[Find the ingredients for potion brewing]
"Sean wants to practice potion brewing himself?"
That was his first thought.
"Sean is struggling because he has no ingredients?"
That was his second thought.
"I have them."
That was his final thought.
He carefully put away the parchment and notebook, and before Herbology class started, he dashed back to the Hufflepuff common room.
Vines twisted around the room, and the tables were always stocked with steaming milk, pumpkin juice, and all kinds of sweets and pies.
He followed a small path lined with candles into the dormitory and opened his luxurious trunk.
Among scattered letters and postcards were jars and crystal bottles.
A closer look revealed that all first-year potion ingredients could be found here, two sets of each.
He remembered the conversation at Slug & Jiggers Apothecary:
"Are you sure you want a full set packed?"
"Yes, please, sir."
"Oh, my generous lady, I truly do not wish to deceive a beautiful lady like you…
These potion ingredients aren't even on Hogwarts' supply list.
Even so, you still need them?"
"That's precisely why, pack two sets, sir."
At that moment, Justin vaguely understood his mother's foresight.
"Dear Finley, if everyone has something, you need it even more; if no one has it, you should have it even more. Small purchases are the proper investments.
And the best investment, you always know, dear, is sincerity and love."
"I think I understand now…"
Justin stared at the full trunk for a long time. The perfectly crisp white collar of his shirt still seemed to carry the warmth of his mother's iron.
Hogwarts Library.
Sean stepped out of the archway, waiting for the stairs to rotate into position.
He wasn't planning to retrieve the notebook from Justin because second-period Herbology was about to begin.
Besides, there was nothing in the notebook that needed to be secret—just some notes on handling herbs and ideas for finding potion ingredients.
After class, he could exchange the truly useful notes with Justin and get the notebook back.
Eight o'clock.
Soft sunlight danced on the armor, and the scent of greenhouse grass lingered even in the outer corridors.
Sean pushed open the oak doors,
and a few young witches and wizards had already arrived at the greenhouse.
He saw Professor Sprout put down her hoe and smile warmly, nodding at him.
"This way! Sean!"
Michael grabbed Sean's arm and pulled him next to Anthony and Terry.
"Why do I feel like the professor is watching you?"
Michael craned his neck and said.