A short while later, Ron came running in, panting, with Neville.
He placed Scabbers's cage on Sebastian's desk and bid a fond farewell.
"Scabbers, although I'll miss you, you are a rat destined to contribute to the progress of the Wizarding World."
"I hope you can show your worth here with Professor."
After speaking, he smiled at Sebastian and happily walked away.
Unlike the cheerful Ron, Neville had been sitting awkwardly in his seat since entering the office.
His hands were unconsciously clasped together, and he sat ramrod straight in his chair, stiff as a puppet, not daring to move an inch.
Only after Ron left the office did he stammer, "Professor, you... you were looking for me?"
Looking at Neville's nervousness, Sebastian smiled.
The young man was good in every way, except he was too unconfident and too easily flustered.
Not only that, he also possessed the unique stubbornness of Gryffindor.
For example, even now, he stubbornly used his father's wand, even though the wand was a poor match for him and couldn't unleash its proper power.
"Neville, relax," he said gently, "I heard you've made great progress and can now cast a non-corporeal Patronus Charm."
"Could you cast the Patronus Charm now so I can see your progress?"
Neville nodded, stood up, took a deep breath, and then raised his wand, shouting loudly, "Expecto Patronum!"
Immediately, wisps of silvery-white smoke were released from the tip of his wand, forming a thin curtain of light.
Seeing this, Sebastian nodded with satisfaction.
To be honest, being able to consistently cast a non-corporeal Patronus Charm without assistance showed that Neville had definitely not been lazy after class.
Moreover, in terms of the fluidity of spell casting, he had already reached the level of most students; Neville just hadn't realized it himself.
"Very good, Neville, you've made great progress," Sebastian encouraged, "Actually, at your current level, you could do even better."
"Really, Professor?" Neville's nervousness significantly dissipated. "What should I do?"
"It's simple, just as I suggested before, switch to a wand that is a better match for you."
Hearing this, Neville lowered his head again, his face flushed red: "But... I..."
Sebastian shook his head helplessly.
This wasn't the first time he had suggested Neville change his wand, but every time the subject came up, Neville's reaction was similar to now.
"Neville, more than twenty students can now cast a corporeal Patronus Charm, which means the teaching of the Patronus Charm will soon enter the next stage."
"According to my estimation, this won't take too long, probably around Halloween."
"I've always felt that you have the ability to cast a corporeal Patronus Charm before Halloween, provided you use a suitable wand."
Seeing Neville's stubborn expression, Sebastian changed his approach and used Ron as an example.
"Do you remember Ron's performance in his first year? At that time, his wand wasn't suitable either, so in his first year, he performed rather ordinarily in Charms."
"But ever since he changed to a new wand, his progress has been very noticeable. As his roommate, I believe you can recognize the difference before and after."
Neville gripped the wand in his hand tightly, his knuckles turning white from the effort.
"Professor, this is my father's wand. I want it to witness my growth on behalf of my father."
Sebastian said gently, "This is what I think: your father's wand should remain for him to use, and your growth should be witnessed by him personally."
Hearing this, Neville's heart trembled, and he looked at Sebastian in confusion.
Hmm?
Witness personally?
But Father lives at St. Mungo's, and according to the doctors, he can never leave there in this life.
Suddenly, Neville's eyes widened, and an uncontrollable surge of excitement welled up in his heart.
He swallowed nervously, his voice trembling as he asked, "Professor, do—do you have a way to cure my parents?"
Sebastian nodded, smiling, "There is a way, but you need to personally treat them."
"This is an advanced application of the Patronus Charm that I researched. I originally planned to tell you once you could cast a corporeal Patronus Charm."
"Now it seems I need to give you some motivation in advance."
Neville's eyes immediately reddened.
How many years had it been? This was the first time he had heard there was hope for his parents' recovery.
He asked impatiently, "Really, Professor? What should I do?"
Sebastian smiled slightly, his tone calm and firm: "The most urgent task is for you to get a wand that suits you, and then successfully cast a corporeal Patronus Charm as soon as possible."
Hearing this, Neville wished he could immediately cast the Patronus Charm successfully, and then have Professor teach him the advanced application of the Patronus Charm.
He looked down at the wand in his hand, as if saying some kind of farewell to himself: "Professor, I'm willing... I'm willing to change wands!"
Seba nodded slightly, relieved: "In that case, you should write to your grandmother. This Saturday, we'll meet together, and I'll explain this matter to her personally."
"I believe your grandmother also has many questions she wants to ask me."
To be honest, after the first Duelling Club in September, he had wanted to meet Neville's grandmother and discuss Neville's education with her.
But he didn't go over Neville's head to talk to his grandmother directly, because he knew Neville was a sensitive and timid child.
Sebastian had heard that Neville's grandmother was a strict old lady, and she had always been very strict with Neville, and Neville had always been very afraid of his grandmother.
If he were to directly approach Neville's grandmother, it would only cause the child more doubts and uneasiness.
The child would likely keep guessing what he and his grandmother had talked about.
This way, it would not only fail to improve Neville's unconfident personality but might even have the opposite effect.
Of course, it was precisely because of Neville's personality that he was so cautious about meeting his parents.
If it were Ron, Sebastian would have contacted Mrs. Weasley without hesitation long ago.
Hearing that Professor wanted to meet his grandmother, an unnatural expression appeared on Neville's face, and his heart was even more flustered.
But thinking of the hope of saving his parents, he still gritted his teeth and said firmly.
"I'll go back and write to Grandmother."
...
...