Chapter 177: Second Trip to Diagon Alley
Compared to standard Wizard's Chess, Sean's version was... interesting.
Ron couldn't even beat Harry with this set. His knight fell in love with the opposing queen, prompting his own king to angrily dispatch another knight to hunt them down. Harry won without lifting a finger.
"Merlin's beard! Does the knight have to fall in love with the queen?!" Ron shouted, his face turning a brilliant shade of red.
His outburst attracted a crowd of curious students. Soon, the Great Hall was filled with exclamations of frustration and amusement.
"You're in love with the enemy queen?! You're forfeiting?! Damn it! This is my match!"
"You don't like violence? Then why are you a knight?! Go be a decoration!"
"Merlin's beard—the enemy is at the gates, and you say you're too full to walk... well, we're doomed."
Strangely, this game, which relied on ninety percent luck and ten percent skill, swept through the Great Hall. Even the upper-years were intrigued by the erratic pieces, though they often ended up too annoyed to sleep. They couldn't understand why their pieces would leap off the board shouting "Freedom!" only to shatter on the floor below.
Fortunately, the pieces had a self-repairing charm. They lived to frustrate another wizard another day.
"Sean, want to play?" Ron asked, emerging from the crowd as students made way for him.
Sean nodded, eager to test the chess set's functionality. He had a theory: were the pieces disobedient because his proficiency was too low? And could the creator of such items truly control them?
"Oh, I'll give it my all, Sean," Ron said, cracking his knuckles.
But as soon as the game began, Ron was dumbfounded.
"Knight, if you're not afraid, move forward two squares..."
The Bishop nudged the Knight.
"Of course I'm not afraid! I am a noble knight, brave and fearless!" The Knight turned around, marched two squares forward, and yelled, "Huzzah!"
Ron lost quickly, his pieces ignoring his commands entirely. Yet, when Sean ordered a Black Knight to move, his White Knight obeyed as well.
Hypothesis confirmed. Sean left the Great Hall.
Room of Hope.
Sean looked at his plan. Beside [Create Magical Creature Mrs. Norris Biscuit], he wrote: [Grind Wizard's Chess to Adept], [Find next Intermediate Alchemical Creation].
Imbuing magical items with will increased the difficulty, but Sean felt a divine guidance when crafting them—his magical intuition, or talent.
He could create items imbued with his own will, but what should he choose?
Finding these options moved to the top of his list. Although he hadn't given up on the magical creature biscuits, progress had to be step-by-step. Unlocking the 'Adept' title might bring unexpected benefits, perhaps a new special talent.
Morning.
Heavy snow blanketed the castle and grounds. The statues wore thick white coats, and Hagrid's hut looked like a gingerbread house dusted with icing sugar. The Black Lake was frozen solid, smooth and translucent, and the trees were frosted white. The house-elves in the kitchens were busy preparing hot stews and sweet puddings.
Sean enjoyed his breakfast, never missing a meal in the Great Hall, no matter how busy he was.
The weather was bright. An owl delivered a special letter.
Dear Sean Green,
A lovely child of the McGonagall clan. Know that there are some very cheerful people waiting for you here.
Love you to death,
Marcus McGonagall
Marcus McGonagall? Sean didn't know the name, but he could guess the relation. He looked up at the High Table, where Professor McGonagall gave him a gentle nod.
Leaving the hall, Sean found Professor McGonagall waiting by the third-floor staircase.
"They all want to meet you. And they've prepared Christmas gifts," she said softly.
So, Sean began to pack. He considered gifts from the wizarding world and sought out the Weasleys.
"Mr. Weasley, I might need you to go to Hogsmeade. I'll pay..." Sean started in the corridor.
"The Great Green—what are you saying? George, that's the best joke I've heard all day!" Fred looked incredulous, circling Sean. "Strange, no fever, so why the nonsense?"
"Gigantic fool! You're our VIP!" George blinked, his teasing tone completely sincere.
"By the way, take this! And—"
"Whatever you need, we'll get it—"
The twins spoke in unison, then vanished.
Sean looked at the note in his hand. It was an attachment to a Ministry of Magic permit: [Approval for Weasley & Green's Wizard Wheezes].
He pocketed the permit, his step lighter.
Snow fell for hours, settling into a quiet afternoon. Under a massive Christmas tree in the Entrance Hall, Professor McGonagall stood with a suitcase, dressed in simple robes. When Sean arrived, they set off.
Apparition was forbidden within Hogwarts, but not outside the grounds.
"Of course—that's more like it!" Sir Cadogan watched from a portrait, his face squashed against his pony's flank but grinning crookedly. The two ladies watched silently, their vision blurred by the snow.
"The first time Apparating can be unpleasant..." McGonagall warned.
Sean nodded.
"But... Severus sent something." She handed Sean a potion. "Hold my hand tight, child. First, we go to Diagon Alley to buy you some..."
After drinking the potion, the Apparition caused Sean little discomfort.
Instantly, the sounds of a bustling street filled his ears. Witches and wizards hurried along the cobblestones; toads, owls, and rabbits wove between them. Shops and shoppers alike radiated holiday cheer.
Last time, Sean had counted every Knut. This time, things were different.
Outside, Hogwarts became a distant symbol. Severus Snape remained in the gloomy dungeon, as if it were his only place.
Sir Cadogan muttered on the wall outside the dungeon:
"Coward, Severus, coward... always wrapping yourself in black, hiding your other side deep down, marching on alone and lonely. You should have been a knight..."
The knight slowly moved away.
"But oh, King... how can a knight who has never felt love have the confidence to bring happiness to others?"
(End of Chapter)
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