Vast Magic

Everything about magic was fresh and fascinating to Sean.

Even History of Magic, which made the young wizards complain bitterly, was no exception.

Sean was more than willing to explore the past of Vampire Hunters, to examine the wrongs committed by these wizards who specialized in hunting vampires, and to find out why Article Twelve of the Non-Wizard Half-Human Treatment Guidelines had declared this profession illegal.

The fascination of history absorbed Sean, and his concentration lasted until night fell.

Sean lay flat on his four-poster bed, with Gifford Ollerton's story passing through his mind.

He was a famous Giant Slayer who became a local hero after killing Hangis of Upper Bawnton, a giant, and was also one of the figures featured on Chocolate Frog Cards.

Compared to the present day, the fifteenth century he had lived in had far more giants, which was why people like Ollerton were needed to curb their numbers and protect the wizarding world.

Werewolves, vampires, goblins, Doxies, trolls...

Sean could not help imagining the epic history of wizards, imagining them gripping their wands, chanting spells, and embarking on magnificent adventures across this land of magic.

His breathing gradually steadied as the breeze of Hogwarts, like an invisible hand, turned History of Magic to a page covered in Sean's notes:

Miranda was a witch who had once studied at Hogwarts.

Not only could she not understand Hogwarts's outdated textbooks at the time, but as the youngest member of her family, she was often teased by her sisters.

After realizing that it was difficult to make others listen to her, this angry young wizard invented the Bat-Bogey Hex.

She once used the spell on her sisters and resolved to write an accurate, easy-to-understand book.

Bathilda Bagshot's annotation:

Magic always embraces a wizard's beliefs. It is so generous to wizards who meet its conditions; any wizard can create such miracles.

Sean's notes had been crossed out and rewritten again and again, until only three forceful words remained:

Magic, Infinite Possibilities.

(Magic, infinite possibilities.)

Sean had also fantasized about how he should cherish such an opportunity when a miracle like magic came into his life.

In the end, his answer was—well, I have to learn the hell out of it.

When he emerged from the Library once again, the weekend had quietly slipped away.

Sean held a large stack of books in his arms, and the moonlight was as beautiful as it had been on the night he received his admission letter.

He could always understand why Hermione so often carried so many books—

because there was still so much to learn.

Yet all the time he had only amounted to one small weekend, which was not even enough for him to make a rough pass through the history of magic.

As for dazzling Astronomy, he had only glimpsed one hidden corner of it through the history of magic.

That was Divination and Prophecy.

This led him to roughly read through all thirteen Astronomy books, until he finally found a few clues in an old book that Madam Pince had solemnly handed to him.

"Wizards use Astronomy to connect the universe with themselves and find inspiration for magic.

The magic wizards most wish to explore always returns, in the end, to the vastness of the universe.

Prophecy, fate, time and space... all will eventually sink into the brilliant river of stars."

Sean's enthusiasm radiated from within. As he read the words in the book, his thoughts surged like flames in a fireplace:

In the Forbidden Forest, a tribe of Centaurs was hidden away, and they observed the stars to foresee the future;

In distant Azkaban, Sirius clung to life with regret in his heart.

His name, Sirius, was also called the "Black Dog Star." It corresponded to his Animagus form while also revealing his reliability and loyalty.

Sean harbored a faint suspicion:

The power of magic did not exist only in bursting spells, steaming cauldrons, and magical creatures...

It had existed for so long that it had even surpassed the history of wizards.

Astronomy was precisely one of the most profound branches of magic, profound enough to be associated with words like fate.

In Sean's bag, that old book was carefully stored away.

Whenever he had free time, he practically traveled back and forth between the Practice Room and the Library.

And the book he read most often was that old volume.

His only regret was—

He could not fully understand the book. Sometimes, waiting for Centaur Teacher's classes was torture.

Sean even wondered whether he could meet him in advance.

But Professor Snape spent the entire weekend in the Dungeon, leaving Sean with no way to brew potions.

Still, there were gains as well as losses. His spell proficiency had reached an entirely new stage:

Levitation Charm: Beginner (21/900)

Lumos Charm: Beginner (19/900)

Scourgify: Apprentice (297/300)

Advance: Three Beginner Charms can unlock the Beginner Charms Title

Charm Talent: Green

Sean took his wand from his bag. By then, his energy had mostly recovered.

With just a little time left before curfew—

He arrived at the entrance to the Secret Room.

The moment the Owl Portrait appeared, it cried out noisily:

"Young Wizard! Clever Young Wizard! Answer my question!"

Sean quietly waited for it to pose its question. Although Justin's attempt had failed, the Owl Portrait had already begun turning a blind eye to their comings and goings.

Even if Sean failed to answer, he could still enter.

"By a tranquil river emerged the wise and beautiful Lady Ravenclaw. Where was this lakeside located?"

The pure white owl tucked the Parchment beneath its claws and looked at Sean with great confidence.

"The highland river valleys of Scotland."

After thinking back for a few seconds, Sean calmly gave his answer.

"How did you—"

Mr. Owl's tiny pince-nez slowly slipped down. Its fluttering wings froze, and the sky-blue door gradually emerged.

"Thank you."

Before the Owl Portrait disappeared, Sean softly thanked it.

Lady Ravenclaw might have left behind more than just that Diadem.

In fact, Hogwarts' location, Hogwarts' name, and even Hogwarts' Moving Staircase were all connected to that beautiful and wise lady.

Her wisdom and ideals had become part of the castle.

Which was why the remarkable Owl Portrait she left behind did not seem out of place to Sean.

"We heard you, Sean."

The moment he entered the Practice Room, Justin and Hermione hurried over with Magic Lanterns in hand.

Sean was somewhat surprised that they had studied so late today, then he saw the anticipation in their eyes.

"All right, this is a story about the four founders..."

Sean's steady voice rang out.

Justin said, "Cool," then lit his wand and sat down around Sean.

Hermione lit her wand as well. The two sat upright in their chairs, their breathing gradually quieting.

"Godric Gryffindor—people believed that he was born more than a thousand years ago in some wilderness in western England.

That wilderness was later named after him—Godric's Hollow.

As for Helga Hufflepuff, the commonly accepted explanation was that she came from Wales, a land of broad valleys.

It was famous for charms related to food.

As for Mr. Slytherin and Lady Ravenclaw..."