Sean B stepped out of the tent, wand in hand.
Ignoring the stunned gazes around him, he walked straight toward the professors' rest garden.
When the professors saw him—
they were just as confused.
Their eyes instinctively shifted toward the direction of the Hidden Valley Forest.
"Sean? Why are you here?" Minerva McGonagall asked, rising to her feet.
Severus Snape frowned deeply, staring at him.
Only Albus Dumbledore noticed something different.
Just like that earlier encounter in the corridor—
he could sense it.
A fluctuation of space magic.
"Professor Dumbledore," Sean B said,
"I need to tell you something."
Dumbledore glanced at Barty Crouch Sr. beside him.
"Come with me."
They stepped aside.
The other professors watched in silence.
Sean's sudden appearance—
was far too strange.
Not far away—
Coates, seated beside Kellyn, kept glancing over.
Why is that kid here?
Did something happen in the forest?
Their conversation appeared calm.
From the outside—
nothing seemed wrong.
Sean spoke.
Dumbledore listened.
Then—
a nod.
They returned.
"Professor, what's going on?" McGonagall asked.
"I believe," Dumbledore said,
"Professor Coates should explain that."
All eyes—
turned.
Coates' heart skipped.
Panic flashed across his face.
His hand moved toward his pouch—
"You're not going anywhere."
With a flick of Dumbledore's wand—
Coates froze in place.
Like he'd been nailed to his seat.
"What is the meaning of this, Dumbledore?!" Crouch demanded.
"Mr. Crouch," Dumbledore said calmly,
"there has been cheating in the Hidden Valley Forest."
"I trust you will investigate."
At that exact moment—
a red signal flare shot into the sky.
The first.
Crouch hesitated.
"…Is this related?"
"It is," Sean B answered.
"Wagadu smuggled a Runespoor into the forest using their trophy."
"What?!" Crouch's face changed instantly.
"I'll go personally," he said, rising.
"Take David Morley and Pomona Sprout with you," Dumbledore added.
According to Sean—
the creature only became uncontrollable after Coates used a potion.
Now that Coates was restrained—
three professors should suffice.
To avoid panic—
Dumbledore concealed the truth about the Forbidden Forest.
"Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape—come with me to Hagrid's."
He turned.
"Sean, you too."
"Professor Snape—bring Coates."
Snape grabbed Coates by the shoulder.
The man couldn't move—
but his eyes were filled with terror.
How was I exposed…?
If the master's plan fails…
"Professor Flitwick," Dumbledore said,
"the students are in your care."
"Of course," Filius Flitwick replied.
With a crack—
Dumbledore Apparated.
Sean B arrived outside Hagrid's hut.
Snape and McGonagall followed.
Along with Coates.
Above—
a massive magical barrier already covered the Forbidden Forest.
Rubeus Hagrid was dragging out his flying motorbike.
"Professor! Something's wrong—"
"I know," Dumbledore said.
"Herpo has entered the centaur territory."
"…What?!"
Snape.
McGonagall.
Hagrid.
All stunned.
"Sean here," Dumbledore continued,
"has returned from one hour in the future."
"The other Sean is still in the forest."
Snape gave Sean a strange look.
So you broke into my office…
and used the Time-Turner.
"We must stop Herpo," Dumbledore said.
"His main soul is still bound within the Golden Scepter."
"He has not yet regained full power."
"I will face him."
"You assist the centaurs."
Sean had told him almost everything.
Including Merlin's secret chamber.
Except—
the Wizard's Heart.
That—
he kept hidden.
"Professor," McGonagall said,
"it's too dangerous. Sean shouldn't go."
"He will be essential," Dumbledore replied.
"The Scepter must be retrieved."
"Let's go."
Dumbledore called out.
From the castle—
Fawkes soared toward them.
"Move."
Snape grabbed Sean like a sack—
and launched into the air.
They entered the forest.
Ahead—
battle had already begun.
Herpo's twelve followers—
against more than twenty centaur warriors.
Yet—
they held their ground.
Calm.
Efficient.
Sean narrowed his eyes.
These people…
They're stronger than Death Eaters.
"Wait—Professor."
He stepped toward the immobilized Coates.
Reached into the man's pouch.
And pulled out—
the mask.
The Pain Mask.
The moment it touched his hand—
Sean froze.
That feeling.
Familiar.
Like the Wizard's Heart.
But different.
The magic inside—
was gentle.
Not violent.
Yet—
uneasy.
Disturbing.
Another artifact made from murdered wizards…?
"There is something wrong with it," Dumbledore said quietly.
"Professor," Sean replied,
"he used this to amplify his magic… and—"
He glanced at Hagrid.
Didn't finish.
Dumbledore understood.
"I will take this."
Just like before—
when he had taken the Golden Scepter package.
Sean didn't argue.
The mask wasn't comparable to the Wizard's Heart.
But one question lingered—
How did it stabilize magic so… peacefully?
He would need answers.
If they survived this.
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