Sean had never known that networking could be so exhausting.
Sitting in a London coffee shop, Sean took a sip from his cup and frowned slightly. Perhaps it was because he couldn't appreciate fine things, but he always found coffee difficult to swallow. Even adding milk and sugar couldn't save the taste. In comparison, tea was much more to his liking.
Watching Sean, Gavin shook his head with a smile and ordered him a cup of tea.
"Your performance today was quite surprising. I originally thought you'd be impatient or dislike this sort of thing, but you seem to have adapted quickly."
Taking a sip of the tea the server brought, Sean's brow relaxed. He said to Gavin, "I can distinguish between good and bad things. As long as something's good, even if I don't like it, I'll do it. And I'll do it to the best of my ability."
"Do you know what benefits you'd get if you sincerely called me grandfather?"
Sean naturally knew, but somehow he just couldn't say it out loud. Perhaps it was because from the beginning, Sean had been at odds with Gavin, or perhaps he didn't want their relationship to be influenced by too many external factors. In any case, Sean had never been able to say that heartfelt "Grandfather".
"Let it happen naturally."
Chuckling softly, Gavin seemed to understand something and stopped pursuing the topic. Instead, he picked up his coffee, took a sip, and said, "If there are no major accidents, you should be able to be promoted and become an official Wizengamot member this time. Although many Wizengamot members don't have official positions in the Ministry, they at least have nominal roles there. So have you decided? Do you want an official position in the Ministry, or do you want to temporarily hold a nominal position there?"
Hearing this, Sean suddenly understood what Gavin and Dumbledore had been discussing when they left his office.
"So what you and Professor Dumbledore were talking about earlier... that's what you meant?"
Nodding with a smile, Gavin said, "You're quite perceptive. Yes, that's what we were discussing. I once asked Dumbledore whether you could apply for combined examinations in your fifth year. That is, taking both O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s together. I think with your abilities, you should be able to pass them all with Outstanding grades, right?"
"But Professor Dumbledore doesn't want me to apply for combined examinations in fifth year, does he?"
"Exactly. Dumbledore insists you complete all seven years of study. He says this is an experience everyone must have. Only by completing all seven years can you have a complete student life, which would be an invaluable treasure for your future. Although I personally think what Dumbledore says is nonsense, I have to admit his words do have some merit. So I'm telling you about this and letting you make the decision yourself."
Sean had always been conflicted about this choice.
On one hand, there was indeed less and less for Sean to learn at Hogwarts. He rarely went to the library recently. Not because he was slacking off, but because there weren't many books in the library that could help him anymore. Even conducting research in his own room was the same. As for Hogwarts courses, even setting aside his specialities in Potions and Transfiguration, the other subjects weren't difficult for Sean either.
But on the other hand, Sean still had some unfinished business at Hogwarts. For example, studying alchemy with his two alchemy teachers, researching his alchemical inventions, and completing the research and papers on life alchemy left by his teachers. Also continuing to challenge the Ancient Runes professor. Her expertise in Ancient Runes was the most impressive Sean had ever seen, and he could continuously learn advanced Ancient Runes knowledge from her while studying alchemy.
These were all things that couldn't be completed after leaving Hogwarts.
This conflict continued until Sean and Gavin finished dinner and returned to Hogwarts. Both choices had good aspects, but also required giving up some things. Originally, Sean had been glad he could officially become a Wizengamot member before graduation, but now he suddenly realised that for him, the best way would be for the opportunity to formally join the Wizengamot to appear when he graduated, not two years early like now.
"If only I could come back to audit classes after leaving Hogwarts."
As his words ended, Sean suddenly raised an eyebrow. What if that were actually possible?
Sean remembered that the Wizengamot administrative organisation also had authority over magical examinations and magical schools, and seemed to have some kind of position stationed at Hogwarts. If he could take on this position, he could stay at Hogwarts long-term and travel between Hogwarts and the Ministry.
Moreover, next year a certain pink toad seemed to be coming to Hogwarts. When that toad was dealt with and her position at Hogwarts became vacant, Sean would only need to parachute into that position, which would actually save some trouble.
Additionally, it should be noted that the Wizengamot administrative organisation nominally belonged to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Ministry's largest department. Once his purposes at Hogwarts were achieved, he could choose to transfer laterally to Auror Headquarters, bringing him very close to becoming Minister of Magic.
Of course, Sean's ideas were still very immature and needed careful consideration and planning.
Thinking of this, Sean wrote his thoughts in a letter and went to the owlery to mail it to his grandfather.
The next morning, Sean attended classes normally. Sitting in the classroom, Sean actually felt somewhat like he was in another world.
After class ended, Sean and Blaise went to Snape's office together. Blaise ran directly to the end of the corridor to wait for Sean, while Sean knocked on the door and walked straight in.
"Something wrong?"
Nodding, Sean said to Snape, "Professor, I'd like to apply for Apparition training classes."
Snape looked at Sean, still expressionless, but his eyes had moved from the book in his hands to look at Sean. He asked, "Why?"
"Professor, the situation's been bad recently; the Ministry's in chaos. As for the reason for the chaos..." At this point, Sean clearly saw his Slytherin Head's body stiffen slightly, so he immediately changed his approach. "Besides, the other two champions in the third round will know how to Apparate. I think I should learn it too."