Recalling the past, Professor McGonagall's lips trembled. In the end, she stayed silent.
"I thought… we were supposed to do this together…"
Snape's lips moved awkwardly as he finished the sentence, his voice sounding a little stiff.
"I'm taking him with me today," McGonagall said, dropping the first topic and moving straight to her second demand.
"You're making him soft with all this pointless emotional coddling…" Snape's expression soured.
"I believe it's exactly the opposite," McGonagall countered.
"Hmph—"
Snape said nothing more. He had already gotten what he wanted.
That fool Green was always surrounded by brainless, muscle-headed idiots like Potter…
If the boy was heading to Hogsmeade, that moron had better keep his distance. Everyone knew the escaped convict Sirius Black had been the Dark Lord's most capable lieutenant. What Black wanted most was no secret to anyone.
"You should know about the safe house," McGonagall said suddenly before she left.
"What?"
Snape looked genuinely surprised.
"He has a Portkey that leads to a house protected by the Fidelius Charm."
McGonagall spoke calmly.
"…The Secret-Keeper… me?"
Snape stayed quiet for a moment.
"You and me both," McGonagall said with a slow nod.
"Hah…" Snape let out a cold laugh. "What else have you people given him? An unregistered Portkey, a hidden safe house… Why not just hand him an unregistered wand while you're at it? Then he could become the perfect little criminal the Ministry would have one hell of a time arresting."
McGonagall paused. For the first time, she looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Don't tell me…"
Snape's eyes widened in shock. He had never expected someone to already do what he himself had been planning but hadn't yet carried out.
"It's not what you're thinking…"
McGonagall seemed to find the words difficult.
"I don't think I want to hear the rest," Snape said flatly.
He had zero respect for Ministry laws, but he was growing very curious about the more mysterious branches of the McGonagall family.
He had assumed they were all like his old professor here.
Interesting. Very interesting…
The corner of Snape's mouth twitched with the hint of a smile before he pressed it down.
An unregistered Animagus carrying an unregistered Portkey, a safe house, and a wand…
It was hard to imagine what could actually threaten the boy—unless he went looking for danger himself.
And then Snape's faint smile died completely.
Because that idiot seemed to love walking straight into danger.
While Snape's face grew thunderous, Sean quietly ran his fingers over the Portkey and wand hidden in his bag. Grandpa Marcus truly lived up to his reputation as a decorated Auror—he had managed to get his hands on so many illegal items.
Looking at everything now, Sean realized he had a pretty complete set of escape routes ready.
…
Sean spent the final week of summer vacation at McGonagall's villa.
That also meant that if he wanted to return to Hogwarts, the best way was to take the Hogwarts Express.
Professor McGonagall seemed to like the idea of him riding the train with the other students and his friends.
During that week on the farm, Sean noticed the animal population had noticeably thinned out. If his gaze lingered on any creature for more than ten seconds, the next time he saw it, it usually ended up in one of the farm's giant cauldrons.
The owner of the farm, Grandpa Marcus, was a spry old wizard who was more than happy to team up with Professor McGonagall to teach Sean the Patronus Charm.
Surprisingly, all three of their Patronuses were cats.
McGonagall's was noble and graceful. Sean's was lively and solid. Marcus's… was extremely plump.
Floating there, it looked more like a big dog.
McGonagall had teased the old wizard about it more than once. Marcus would stiffen his neck and insist things like, "I was quite slim in my younger days," "Can't a Patronus put on a few pounds?" and "Being a bit fatter is better—it blocks curses more effectively."
Naturally, with guidance from both a professor and a veteran Auror, Sean successfully produced a corporeal Patronus and raised his proficiency all the way to [Proficient].
As for Fiendfyre, he only had ten percent left. Within three days of the new term starting, he would achieve Dark Arts Master status.
"Do you want to go to Hogsmeade?"
On the morning of September first, as they prepared to head to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Professor McGonagall looked up from her newspaper and asked suddenly.
Sean met her gentle gaze but didn't answer. McGonagall seemed to understand anyway. She smiled and stood up from her chair.
"Come along then, child. It's time. Off to Hogwarts."
Grandpa Marcus and the little McGonagalls saw him off as usual, walking quite a distance. Even after they reached Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Sean could still hear the old wizard's parting words ringing in his ears.
"I know Sirius Black escaped—be careful, my boy, but don't worry too much. We'll catch him.
More importantly, live with joy. A life full of energy and spirit is what really matters…"
Lost in thought, Sean blinked and suddenly found himself stepping through the solid metal barrier with Professor McGonagall, arriving on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
They looked up at the Hogwarts Express—a gleaming scarlet steam engine puffing clouds of white smoke. The platform was packed with witches and wizards saying goodbye to their children.
The Weasley family appeared at that moment, along with Harry, Hermione, and Justin.
"Oh, Professor McGonagall! What a pleasure to see you—are you escorting a first-year?
Oh my goodness! Sean! Child, is that you?"
Mrs. Weasley hurried over enthusiastically. She seemed a little surprised that Sean was once again with Professor McGonagall—just like the last time they went to the Burrow—but she couldn't quite figure out why.
After all, the boy in front of her was named Sean Green, not Sean McGonagall or anything of the sort.
"Mrs. Molly," Sean said warmly.
"So wonderful to see you!"
Mrs. Weasley pulled him into one of her famous bone-crushing hugs.
Professor McGonagall watched with a slightly furrowed brow, leaving Mrs. Weasley looking puzzled.
"Sean!"
Justin, Hermione, and Harry ran over together. Ron brought up the rear; he had been staring at Percy, who had just shown up.
"Look over there," Ron said, waggling his eyebrows.
They all turned. Percy was saying loudly:
"Ah, Penelope!"
As he spoke, he smoothed his hair, his face turning pink again.
The young wizards exchanged glances and all turned away, trying not to laugh.
Mrs. Weasley's face went a little red too—especially with a professor standing right there.
Not far away, Percy strode toward a girl with long curly hair, puffing out his chest dramatically so she could clearly see his shiny new Prefect badge.
"Um… children, the train is about to leave," Mrs. Weasley said hurriedly.
She kissed each of her children in turn, then moved on to Hermione, Justin, and Harry.
When she leaned toward Sean, Professor McGonagall stopped her.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley. He needs to board now."
Professor McGonagall's face remained completely expressionless.