While Sean was lost in thought, strange, oddly-shaped clouds drifted past them.
Below, a train appeared, chugging along as it wound its way around a high, snow-capped mountain. It immediately reminded Sean of the Hogwarts Express, and it made him realize something else.
Just like his time at Hogwarts, he had gone to Ilvermorny and met many witty, charming wizards. He had gathered more "threads of connection," and these threads were likely the reason he could stay in these dream-states for longer.
Next time I enter the dream space, I should take a closer look at these threads. They seem to vary in size, Sean noted in his notebook as time slipped away through the clouds.
Outside the massive carriage window, soft wisps of cloud seeped through the cracks in the door, settling onto Sean's parchment. It was an invitation he had been drafting, and he now folded it into a paper airplane, watching it wobble away into the distance.
Far off in Diagon Alley, at the soon-to-open Fairytale Workshop, Quirrell looked up respectfully as the paper plane landed on his desk. He glanced toward the direction it had come from, while miles away, a young wizard was busy studying a small mirror in his hand.
An hour passed. The sun began to dip below the horizon, dyeing the sea of clouds a soft pink.
"We're almost to Diagon Alley," Newt announced.
"Diagon Alley?"
Sean, who had been buried in books about Two-Way Mirrors, blinked and repeated the name, sounding a bit dazed.
"Of course, dear. You didn't think we could fly straight into Hogwarts, did you? It's a No-Fly Zone," the miniature Professor Taylor chirped from inside the mirror.
Finally, it clicked for Sean why Harry and Ron's car had spiraled out of control, and why he'd had to sign that flight permit earlier. Without it, his broom probably wouldn't have even left the ground back in his first year.
He nodded and looked out the side window. The glass was open, letting in the golden sunlight. He could hear the muffled roar of traffic from the Muggle streets far below and the distant, bustling hum of the crowds in Diagon Alley.
Since it was Christmas break, a huge chunk of the Hogwarts student body had swarmed the alley.
As Sean stared out, wondering where they would land, William stepped out of the wooden door of the Book of Wizards and handed him a pair of binoculars.
"Thanks, William."
Adjusting the focus, Sean spotted a familiar face.
"I keep feeling like someone is watching us, Mom," Hermione said, frowning as she held onto a woman's hand.
"Well, honey, they probably just think you're adorable," the woman replied with a bright smile.
"Mom!" Hermione huffed, stomping her foot.
Sean, surprised he could hear them so clearly, looked at William.
"Just a little something made by the goblins, Mr. Wall," William said, standing perfectly straight. Wearing a tiny, custom-tailored suit, he looked every bit the reliable butler.
"The Engorgement Charm and the Summoning Charm... used for sound? Summoning audio. That's brilliant," Sean remarked, turning the binoculars over in his hands to study them. Beside him, his quill began scratching away on its own, sketching the runic array of the device.
"Oh, yes. Quite," William said, his back slouching for a split second before snapping back into a rigid posture.
"Mind if I take it apart and put it back together?" Sean asked.
"As you wish," William replied with a slight shiver.
"Thanks, William. Scarpin's Revelaspell!"
Sean grinned. With a flick of his wand, the binoculars disassembled themselves. Various parts and materials floated in mid-air. After a moment, Sean grasped the manufacturing process, though he knew he still lacked the hands-on experience to replicate it perfectly.
> [System: You have practiced crafting Sonic Binoculars at a beginner level. Proficiency +3]
The system notifications were popping up fast. He set the binoculars down as the dragon-drawn carriage came to a halt in mid-air.
"Apparition time, dear," the mini-Professor Taylor said.
"What about the dragons? And Mr. Scamander?" Sean asked.
"Oh, don't worry. We'll be back soon. We're heading to the Hebrides; I have some materials to pick up," she said, producing a long list. It looked like every single part of a dragon was on that list.
Sean wasn't entirely sure how she planned to "collect" them, but he nodded anyway.
"William, I'll leave things to you," Sean said, turning to the Pukwudgie.
"It would be my honor!" William puffed out his chest.
---
Diagon Alley was packed.
Most of the kids were swarming Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Close runners-up were Quality Quidditch Supplies and Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
Inside the Quidditch shop, Sean spotted Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas eyeing a Nimbus 2001 with pure envy. Outside the ice cream parlor, he saw Neville, who was being ushered along toward Flourish and Blotts by Hermione.
"Stop eating, Neville," Hermione said, exasperated.
"Oh—okay, sorry," Neville mumbled, following her obediently. Neither of them noticed the young wizard in the corner of the alley testing out a pair of homemade Sonic Binoculars.
And Sean didn't notice when a curly-haired Magizoologist in an old brown trench coat suddenly appeared beside him.
"Professor Taylor told us to head to the Fairytale Workshop first. She needs some time to gather her supplies," Newt said shyly. He sounded nothing like the version of himself from the dream world.
"Got it, Mr. Scamander," Sean replied. He briefly imagined Professor Taylor wrestling a dragon, then shook the thought away. The dragon probably wouldn't last two rounds with her.
The two of them walked down the cobblestone street. Along the way, several wizards recognized Newt and excitedly asked for autographs. Newt signed them all with a bashful smile.
As they passed Flourish and Blotts, Sean noticed they had a permanent section dedicated to the Fantastic Beasts series. Right in the center of the window display was Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Coincidentally, Hermione was standing right there, holding a copy of that very book. Beside her, Neville's eyes went wide.
"Hermione..." Neville nudged her, trying to pull her out of the book.
Hermione looked up sharply. The book in her hand was open to the title page, which featured a moving photograph of a young Newt Scamander.
"Professor Scamander!"
Hermione's jaw dropped. Seeing the man from the book walk right off the pages felt like a dream. But as she looked closer, the shock turned into pure delight.
"Sean!"
---