It was a rather unusual Christmas gathering.
Before long, Professor Snape stepped out of the fireplace, his expression as frosty as ever. Even though the room was warm and well-equipped, he still swept his cloak sharply behind him before sinking into a chair with his trademark scowl.
Inside the cottage stood a Christmas tree, its top star glowing with a soft golden light.
Snow fell in fine flakes outside, and under Professor McGonagall's instructions, Sean had been bundled up into a fluffy ball—thick sweater, heavy winter coat, scarf, and tiny gloves.
Beside Sean lay what looked like a diary—something Headmaster Isolt seemed to have left behind. It recorded stories from Ilvermorny's past, and at the moment, a Quick-Quotes Quill was scribbling away, soon to be read aloud by a straightforward little brooch:
> "Isolt's early childhood was peaceful and full of love. Her parents adored her, and the family often helped their Muggle neighbors in secret, using magic to heal both people and livestock.
>
> "Isolt Sayre's mother, Leona Sayre, was born into the Gaunt family—one of the pure-blood lines and descendants of Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders of Hogwarts. But Leona, unlike most of her relatives, rejected the ideology of blood purity and chose instead to be kind to Muggles.
>
> "Isolt's father, William Sayre, was a direct descendant of the famous Irish witch Morrigan. Morrigan was an Animagus who could transform into a crow.
>
> "And so William gave his daughter the nickname 'Morrigan,' because from a young age, she felt deeply connected to all things in nature…"
The voice blended with the crisp crunch of snow beneath Sean's boots and Professor McGonagall's gentle conversation.
"Which house were you sorted into?"
"Horned Serpent, Professor."
"I see… Olivia told me Ilvermorny occasionally has all four house statues choose the same student…"
"Yes, Professor. I chose Horned Serpent."
"A fine choice indeed…"
Sean answered her while they sat at the table.
Oddly enough, even though they saw each other daily, he rarely had the chance to share a meal with his professors.
The Christmas tree was decorated with all sorts of quirky trinkets—from glittering holly berries to cats that meowed nonstop. The flowerpots had been enchanted; whenever the fireplace lit up, they burst into Christmas carols. Hearing a flowerpot sing "O Come, All Ye Faithful" was hilariously absurd.
Especially because the pot only knew half the lyrics.
More than once, Professor Snape yanked a garden gnome out of the big pot, stone-faced, because whenever the pot reached a forgotten verse, the gnome would make up its own—always something crude and foul-mouthed.
During these moments, Professor McGonagall and Sean would quietly watch Snape hurl the gnome across the room.
The gnome would glance pitifully at Sean, then shuffle off under Snape's icy glare.
This Christmas, the snow was lovely—and the wizards were, too.
Snow tapped against the windows of wizards, and wizards stepped out of fireplaces.
…
At dawn, Sean had to get moving again.
He needed to learn how to craft Undetectable Extension storage pouches, and he still needed to track down a Wampus—in that regard, Headmaster Isolt might offer him some help.
He was also fascinated by Isolt's mention of a ghost's "final death"… though who knew where she had drifted off to now?
Predicting a ghost's wandering path was harder than guessing how many points Harry might lose to Snape on any given day.
More importantly, Sean still had classes.
Yes—Ilvermorny did hold lessons even during Christmas, though they were all electives. Students could attend or continue their holiday fun instead.
The professors didn't teach complicated material, either—mostly magic games and simple activities.
This was all written on the back of the Horned Serpent prefect's song sheet, and Sean felt rather good about yesterday's choice.
The prefect was very thoughtful, after all.
"Wonderful…"
As Sean got out of bed, a drifting voice appeared.
It was Headmaster Isolt.
"No matter the time," she said warmly, "a home is always the foundation of love."
Sean paused, the book in his hand halfway open… How did she know what he was thinking?
"I know, child. You're curious about many things right now—so why not attend Care of Magical Creatures?
"You'll like the professor we've brought back.
"As for the ultimate death of a ghost… well, when night falls, the story gains much more flavor."
Headmaster Isolt gently ushered Sean out the door.
The moment he stepped outside, the little cottage vanished. But it was a special kind of disappearance—Sean knew it would reappear the moment he returned.
As for Care of Magical Creatures…
In Hogwarts, it was a third-year elective.
But at Ilvermorny, it seemed even younger students could join.
Likely a tradition passed down from the founders.
In his notes, Sean had read:
> "After Isolt became friends with William the Pukwudgie, he introduced her to countless magical creatures. They adventured together and fought side by side.
>
> "They battled a Hodag, observed a Horned Serpent hunting, and watched newborn Wampus kittens play in the dawn sunlight. A great horned serpent lived in the nearby river—it was fascinated by Isolt, and she adored it as well…"
So Sean set off along the snowy path—
Excited to meet… an older Hufflepuff alumnus.
A truly "old" alumnus—Newt Scamander should be about ninety by now.
Thinking of this, Sean's quill didn't stop moving, constantly sketching Professor Tyra's runic arrays.
His constant studying also brought good news:
> [Title: Advanced Alchemist]
> Greatly increases sensitivity to alchemical magic.
> Greatly enhances alchemical talent.
> Greatly improves control over alchemical rituals.
On the path of alchemy, Sean would continue to advance quickly.
In three more days, he could probably complete a prototype.
So he thought.
…
By the time he entered the castle, Sean had already changed into his Ilvermorny robes.
The school uniform was a blue-and-cranberry robe, symbolizing James's beloved cranberry pie and the Ravenclaw House Isolt once longed to join.
A golden Gordian Knot clasp held the robe together.
The clasp commemorated the brutal battle they once survived and was modeled after the brooch Isolt had found in the ruins of the original Ilvermorny stone cottage.
Now, that historical artifact rested on Sean's robes—though he had no idea.