"It was probably for the exact reasons you're thinking of.
"Back in 1811, they finally found a definition that most of the magical world could agree on. The new Minister for Magic, Grogan Stump, issued a decree:
"A 'Being' is defined as 'any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws.'"
Mr. Scamander didn't pause for Hermione, whose eyes had gone wide, or for Neville, who looked completely lost and stunned. Instead, he continued his explanation.
"The Trolls were questioned without goblins present. It was determined that they couldn't understand a single word said to them, so they were classified as Beasts—even though they walk on two legs.
"Merpeople were invited to become Beings for the first time, communicating through translators.
"Fairies and Gnomes, despite having a humanoid appearance, were firmly placed in the 'Beast' category."
Sean's quill scratched against the parchment as he took notes. He knew that since wizards are such independent, highly individualistic people, it always takes a truly great wizard to step up and push the history of magic forward.
"Of course, it didn't end there. We're all familiar with the extremists who campaign to classify Muggles as 'animals.'
"And as we all know, the Centaurs rejected the status of 'Being,' demanding to remain classified as 'Beasts.' Meanwhile, werewolves have been bounced between the Beast and Being Divisions for years.
"At one point, the Werewolf Support Services were housed in the Being Division, while the Werewolf Registry and Capture Unit were placed under the Beast Division..."
Mr. Scamander's voice seemed to get buried under the crisp sound of snow falling outside the door.
After finishing his explanation, he looked toward Sean with clear, slightly expectant eyes.
Sean didn't speak immediately. After finishing his transcription, he wrote down a magical concept in his notebook that was nothing short of revolutionary:
[Omniscience is Omnipotence]
Since wizards can choose human emotion and moral boundaries as their faith—like the cruel necessity of trust, or the belief in love—then naturally, one can also choose pure reason.
His experiences in the Lands Between had long ago taught Sean that knowledge and emotion hold equal magical weight.
"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Scamander."
Sean exhaled a long breath.
"I think it's time for me to get going," Newt said, looking at Sean with a bright, knowing gaze as he smiled and said his goodbyes.
"Ah—you, you..."
Hermione didn't understand the riddle passing between the two of them, nor did she understand why a master like Scamander was leaving so soon.
"Goodbye, Miss Granger, Mr. Longbottom, and my dear young Mr. Green."
Newt picked up his case and walked out of the shop.
He had experienced some incredibly interesting stories at Ilvermorny and Diagon Alley. He was already imagining how delighted Tina would be when he shared these stories—and the magical animal cookies—with her.
And so, only Sean, Hermione, and Neville were left in the shop.
Oh, and of course, the silent Professor Quirrell.
"Even assuming Goblins count as people... how are you getting back?" Hermione looked at Sean suspiciously. She had a reasonable suspicion that Sean would use a method that was logical, but illegal.
The good news: Sean always followed the rules.
The bad news: He followed his own rules.
"I'm going with Professor Tyra," Sean said.
"Fine. See you at Hogwarts."
Hermione seemed relieved. She took one last lingering, secret look at the fairytale cookies, then turned to leave the shop.
"Did you open your Christmas presents yet?" Sean asked suddenly.
"I... I saved some for last. Why?" Hermione hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice trying to sound tougher than she felt.
"I just meant that Christmas was a week ago," Sean replied.
"I know!"
Hermione stomped away.
After sending Neville off as well, Sean began to think carefully about magical theory. He thought for a moment, then wrote the first line in his Book of Wizards:
[Wizards must possess a deeper understanding of their wisdom and the ultimate form of magic born from that wisdom: Ritual Magic. This is their only advantage when facing a magical world fraught with danger...]
---
By sunset, the sun was hidden behind a curtain of snow.
The daylight wasn't harsh at all. The whole world shimmered with a soft glow, wearing a mask of quiet, humid gentleness.
Diagon Alley looked exactly as it always did. The shop windows were filled with spellbooks, potion ingredients, and cauldrons, all glittering in various colors.
At the entrance of the most eye-catching shop in the alley, the sign had been updated again. It read:
[COMING SOON: WAMPUS CAT COOKIES]
One could only imagine the sensation this new announcement was about to cause.
Sean held more than just a notebook in his hands. He took a Pensieve out of his Book of Wizards; inside, strands of silver substance swirled like smoke.
"You seem troubled?"
Professor Quirrell spoke up. His voice chimed in right as Sean was coming out of his deep thought, so it didn't feel abrupt at all.
"I've forgotten some things, Professor," Sean said.
"If the Pensieve isn't working, perhaps you could learn Occlumency... Of course, I only mean to say, I have some shallow experience with it," Quirrell said.
Sean looked up sharply—how could he have forgotten!
Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Snape were both masters of Legilimency. To operate under their noses without being discovered, a wizard had to be an Occlumens.
And Professor Quirrell was obviously an expert in this field—whether the ability came from Voldemort or was Quirrell's own achievement, the knowledge itself wouldn't be any different.
"What do you mean?" Sean asked cautiously.
"Before I went to the forests of Albania, I had only achieved a minor level of success. Later... 'He' forced me to learn..."
Professor Quirrell seemed to recall a painful memory. His expression froze for a second before quickly returning to normal.
This was a pleasant surprise. The answer he had been searching for so long was right next to him.
"Occlumency... it is a branch of magic that protects the mind from magical intrusion and influence. I have used it—used it deeply—when I tried to resist. But back then, my power was simply too weak..."
"Some people call it mind-reading, but the human heart is not a book to be browsed through at will. Thoughts are not etched inside the skull for someone to drill in and read."
" The heart is a complex, multi-layered thing, Mr. Green—at least, most minds are."
"But magic can still exert influence, such as through the Memory Charm, the Confundus Charm, and Legilimency."
"To defend against this, a wizard needs to minimize the fluctuations of their own thoughts as much as possible. Mr. Green, if you are willing to trust me, you can start by testing what it feels like to resist."
"It is, after all, quite different from simply zoning out," Quirrell said nervously.