Chapter 239: Dumbledore's Judgment
"Teacher..."
"Teacher?"
This was the first time Snape had spoken up during their conversation.
Snape looked at Sean, eyebrow slightly raised, asking: "Who is this teacher you're referring to?"
Sean's expression stiffened. He suddenly realized that he seemed to have... possibly... maybe... not told his Head of House about Teacher Antonius.
This...
Was troublesome.
"Well..." Sean turned to look at Dumbledore, hurriedly saying: "Professor Dumbledore, I need to go back and ask Teacher Antonius about this, so I can't..."
Before Sean could finish, Dumbledore waved his hand with a smile: "It's fine. Nicolas can't come to Hogwarts for the time being anyway. You can first tell Severus about Mr. Antonius."
You're gloating, aren't you?
You must be gloating, right?
Dumbledore, you're definitely gloating!
Sean looked at the obviously gleeful Dumbledore and said to Snape somewhat ingratiatingly: "Professor, I was just... through Madam Pince's introduction at the library, I'm learning alchemy from a ghost hidden within Hogwarts. Professor, you know my recent Transfiguration thesis is related to alchemy, so..."
Snape looked at Sean expressionlessly: "What you study and who you find to teach you is your freedom and has nothing to do with me. You don't need to tell me these things.
However, I hope you don't forget your main business. The second half of the second-phase thesis, give it to me in one week."
"Professor, didn't you say half a month before?" Sean's face collapsed.
Snape looked at Sean sideways, a familiar cold smile curving his lips: "Since you have time to learn other useless things, naturally you have more time to devote to writing papers."
Having said this, Snape stood up from his chair, looking down at Sean: "Of course, you can also choose to put down the thesis. That's your freedom, isn't it?"
If I really dared to put it down, that would be truly terrible!
Looking helplessly at Snape, Sean could only accept his fate: "I understand. Within one week, I'll definitely give you the next part of the thesis."
"I hope so."
With those words, Snape turned and left directly.
Watching Snape disappear at the headmaster's office door, Sean turned around and looked resentfully at Dumbledore.
"Professor Dumbledore, you did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Sean, I don't know what you're talking about. I was just conveying Nicolas's meaning."
Old fox!
Sean left the headmaster's office.
He had originally thought he could manipulate Dumbledore a little this time, but just after starting, he was turned around and tricked by Dumbledore. Although Sean felt Dumbledore might not have been intentional at first, after seeing Snape's reaction, there was definitely an intentional component.
"Sigh..."
Sighing with some frustration, Sean returned to his room, preparing to complete the second-phase thesis within a week without rest.
Watching Sean leave, Dumbledore still wore a smile on his face.
Just then, from the portraits of former headmasters behind him, Phineas said to Dumbledore: "Dumbledore, what do you think of this child?"
"A good child. I must admit, my previous understanding of him was insufficient, so my judgments were somewhat unfair. However, my previous judgments weren't completely wrong either.
This child is intelligent, powerful, ambitious, and particularly outstanding in learning and research abilities. Moreover, his speed of mastering magic is quite astonishing. Under my observation, every time he duels with someone, he can learn many spells and techniques from his opponent. Even young Tom wasn't as capable as this child in this regard."
"Then according to what you're saying, isn't this child very dangerous?"
"No, quite the opposite. These characteristics will make this child very excellent. His relationship with Severus and his relationship with Antonius both prove one point. This child greatly respects his teachers and is willing to maintain relationships with them.
Of course, his previous use of the Patronus Charm also proves he's not someone whose heart harbors darkness. But this isn't the most important thing. To judge a person, you look at their network of relationships. Their friends, family, teachers. From these aspects, you can see what kind of person they probably are."
"So how exactly do you want to treat this child?"
This time it was Dilys Derwent asking Dumbledore. She was always caring toward Hogwarts children.
"Guide him onto the right path. His relationship with Harry is also good, and I'll guide them to continue deepening their relationship. Of course, nothing will be forced. His future ultimately depends on himself.
Also, speaking of the future, this child seems to..."
Having said this, Dumbledore fell into contemplation again.
However, he didn't think for too long before standing up directly. Led by the phoenix Fawkes, he disappeared from the headmaster's office and went straight to the Ministry of Magic.
Dumbledore naturally wouldn't go back on the handling method he had promised Sean.
Moreover, recently, the Slytherin Brotherhood's reach had indeed been extending a bit too far.
Slytherin House was Hogwarts's Slytherin, not the Slytherin of these ambitious politicians. This time, using Sean's matter as an opportunity, it was perfect to handle this properly and cut off these people's hands reaching into Hogwarts.
The first Quidditch match after Christmas was Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw.
Sean originally hadn't planned to watch but couldn't resist Blaise's pleading. With the thought that he'd been too tired recently and should relax a bit, Sean half-reluctantly accompanied Blaise to sit in the Slytherin stands. At worst, he could use the Time-Turner later to make up for this time.
There were very few people in the Slytherin stands. After all, there really weren't many Quidditch fanatics like Blaise in all of Slytherin House.
Taking out his wand and casting a warming charm on himself, Sean yawned, preparing to use this time to rest a bit. Potions could restore his condition, but they were powerless against psychological fatigue.
His eyelids drooping, just as Sean was about to rest, a voice suddenly spoke beside him.
"Are you here to cheer for Ravenclaw?"
Stunned for a moment, Sean turned to look and discovered that somehow Luna had sat beside him. She appeared to be dressed very lightly and was shivering slightly.
What was this situation?
Luna's standard character setup, being bullied and having no clothes to wear?