Everything about magic was fresh and interesting to Shawn, even History of Magic, which made young wizards complain incessantly. Shawn was happy to explore the history of vampire hunters, the wrongdoings of these wizards who specialized in hunting vampires, and why Article Twelve of the "Code of Conduct for the Treatment of Non-Wizard Part-Humans" made this profession illegal.
History's fascination immersed Shawn. This focus continued until dusk. Shawn lay flat on his four-poster bed, his mind drifting through Gifford Ollerton's story. He was a famous giant slayer who became a local hero for killing the giant Hengist of Upper Barnton, and he is also one of the Chocolate Frog Card figures.
In the fifteenth century, compared to now, the number of giants was very large. Therefore, people like Ollerton were needed to limit the number of giants and protect the wizarding world. Werewolves, vampires, goblins, imps, trolls... Shawn couldn't help but let his imagination run wild about wizarding epics, imagining wizards holding wands, chanting spells, embarking on magnificent adventures in this land belonging to magic.
His breathing gradually steadied. Hogwarts breeze was like an invisible hand, flipping that A History of Magic to a page covered with Shawn's notes:
[She not only couldn't understand Hogwarts backward textbooks at the time, but as the youngest family member, her sisters also loved to tease her. Finding her words hard for others to hear, this angry young wizard invented the Bat-Bogey Hex. She once used this curse on her sister and resolved to write an accurate, understandable book]
[Magic always embraces wizards' beliefs. It is so generous to wizards who meet conditions—any wizard can create such miracles]
Shawn's notes were crossed out and revised, finally leaving only three powerful words: Magic, Infinite Possibilities.
Shawn had also fantasized about how he should cherish such an opportunity when magic, such a miracle, descended. Finally, his answer was: Well, I need to master it all.
Emerging from the library once again, the weekend time had quietly slipped away. Shawn held a large stack of books. The moonlight was as beautiful as the night he received his admission letter. He could always understand why Hermione often carried so many books—because there was still so much to learn.
Yet his free time could only accommodate a small weekend, which was barely enough for him to roughly sort through History of Magic. As for brilliant Astronomy, he only glimpsed a hidden corner of magical history: Divination and prophecy. This led him to read through all thirteen Astronomy books roughly.
Finally, he found some clues in a book so old that Madam Pince solemnly handed it to him. "Wizards use astronomy to connect the universe and themselves, finding inspiration in magic. The magic wizards most want to explore always ultimately returns to the universe's vastness. Prophecy, destiny, spacetime... will eventually sink into the brilliant galaxy."
Shawn's enthusiasm flowed from within. As he read the text, his thoughts surged like flames in a fireplace: In the Forbidden Forest, centaur tribes hid, predicting the future by observing the night sky. In distant Azkaban, Sirius Black clung to life with regret. His name, Sirius, also called the "Dog Star," corresponded with his Animagus form, revealing his reliability and loyalty.
Shawn harbored a vague speculation: that magic's power didn't only exist in bursting spells, hazy cauldrons, and magical creatures... It had existed so long, even surpassing wizarding history. And Astronomy was one of magic's most profound parts, profound enough to be linked with words like destiny.
In Shawn's bag, that old book was carefully stored. During all available time, he was almost shuttling between two points, going back and forth between the practice room and the library. And he read this old book most often. The only regret was that he couldn't fully understand this book. Sometimes waiting for the centaur teacher to teach was agonizing. Shawn even wondered if he could contact him early.
Professor Snape stayed in the dungeons the entire weekend. Shawn had no way to brew potions. But loss came with gain. His Charms proficiency reached an entirely new stage:
[Levitation Charm: Entry level (21/900)]
[Lumos: Entry level (19/900)]
[Scouring Charm: Apprentice level (297/300)]
[Advancement: Three Entry-level charms can unlock Entry-level title in the Charms domain]
[Charms Talent: Green]
Shawn took out his wand from his bag. His energy had mostly recovered. With a little time before curfew, he came to the hidden room's entrance.
The instant the owl portrait appeared, a noisy voice rang out. "Young wizard! Clever young wizard! Answer my question!" Shawn quietly waited for it to pose the question. Although Justin's action failed, the owl portrait had already turned a blind eye to their coming and going. Even without answering, Shawn could enter.
"From the peaceful lakeside emerged the wise and beautiful Ravenclaw. Where does this lakeside exist?" The pure white owl placed the parchment back under its claws, looking at Shawn quite confidently.
"Scotland's highland valleys," Shawn recalled for a few seconds and calmly stated this answer.
"How did you—" Mr. Owl's small pince-nez glasses slowly fell. Its flapping motion froze. The sky-blue door gradually revealed itself.
"Thank you." Before the owl portrait disappeared, Shawn softly thanked it. What Lady Ravenclaw left behind might not only be that diadem. In fact, Hogwarts' location, Hogwarts' name, and even Hogwarts' rotating staircases were all related to this beautiful, wise lady. Her wisdom and philosophy merged into this castle, so much so that this wonderful owl portrait she left behind didn't make Shawn feel out of place.
"We heard, Shawn." Just entering the practice room, Justin and Hermione surrounded him, holding magical lanterns. Shawn was somewhat surprised they studied so late today, then saw their expectant eyes.
"All right, this is a story about the four founders..." Shawn's voice rang out steadily.
Justin said, "Cool," then lit his wand and sat down around Shawn. Hermione also lit her wand. The two sat upright in chairs, slowly lowering their breathing.
"Godric Gryffindor: regarding him, people believe he was born over a thousand years ago in some moor in western England. This moor was later named after him—Godric's Hollow. As for Lady Hufflepuff, the generally accepted explanation is that she came from Wales, with its open valleys, a place famous for its skill in food-related charms. As for Mr. Slytherin and Lady Ravenclaw..."