After Quirrell left, Peeves and Sean remained behind. Peeves described what he had just seen.
"Candy?" Sean frowned, unable to make sense of it.
Using sweets to lure Adam out? Was Adam some kind of rodent? And even if he found him—what then?
Sean felt a headache coming on.
Quirrell himself wasn't the problem.
The real danger was Voldemort.
A master of magic with vast knowledge—compared to him, Sean was still just a beginner.
—
The late-night tracking continued for days. By Saturday, Sean was completely exhausted.
"Wake up! It's Saturday!" Cassius shook him excitedly.
"I know… let me sleep…" Sean mumbled, his already curly hair now a complete mess.
"This is our first Hogsmeade weekend as third-years! We're not wasting it in the dorm!"
That snapped Sean awake.
Right—third years could now visit Hogsmeade with permission.
He had already gotten Hearn to sign his form during the summer.
"…Fine. I'll get ready."
—
Chris was already waiting in the common room. The three of them headed to the castle entrance, where Professor McGonagall collected permission slips.
"Have a pleasant weekend," she smiled.
"Look—that's Harry Potter," Cassius pointed. "Wood's explaining Quidditch to him."
Sean glanced over.
Harry had just been recruited as Gryffindor's Seeker—the youngest in a century.
"This year won't be easy for Slytherin," Sean said casually.
Cassius perked up instantly.
"Slytherin's the best. We've won six years straight. Fame doesn't win matches—skill does."
Sean didn't have the heart to tell him—
That streak was about to end.
—
"You look tired," Chris said.
"Yeah… insomnia," Sean admitted.
"Try a Sleeping Draught."
"…I'd rather not drink something worse than earwax-flavored beans," Sean grimaced.
—
After a twenty-minute walk, they arrived at Hogsmeade.
Bustling. Lively.
Almost like Diagon Alley.
"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks!" Cassius said eagerly.
"Let's go to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop," Chris countered.
"Pub."
"Tea shop."
The argument escalated instantly.
"…Three Broomsticks first," Sean decided.
"Ha! Victory!" Cassius grinned.
Chris fell silent, clearly unhappy.
Sean noticed.
"…You okay?"
"I'm fine," she said coldly.
He immediately recognized it—
Classic saying one thing, meaning another.
Sean had no idea how to handle it.
Two lifetimes—
Still a straight man.
—
At the Three Broomsticks—
"Look who it is! Sean Grylls—the tournament champion!" Madam Rosmerta greeted warmly.
Wizards raised their drinks in acknowledgment.
"Three butterbeers," Sean ordered.
Rosmerta smiled. "Not to offend, but ours is better than the Leaky Cauldron's."
…She wasn't wrong.
Chris, however, stayed silent—drinking quickly, one glass gone in moments.
"What's with her?" Cassius whispered.
"…Don't ask," Sean replied.
—
After leaving the pub, Sean suddenly said,
"Let's check out Gladrags Wizardwear."
Chris's expression softened slightly.
As expected—
Shopping worked.
—
They wandered through the streets, filled with Hogwarts students.
Then—
Sean froze.
Through a shop window—
He saw Quirrell.
"Let's go in here," Sean said immediately.
The sign read:
Honeydukes.
—
Inside, students crowded around sweets—fudge, chocolates, candies of every kind.
Quirrell stood nearby, filling a paper bag.
Sean walked over casually.
"Professor Quirrell—you like sweets too?"
Quirrell stiffened.
"Y-yes… they're quite good…"
"Then I'll get some too," Sean said, grabbing a bag.
He carefully watched Quirrell's selections—
and copied them exactly.
"What are you doing? You'll never finish all that," Cassius said.
"It's fine. Want some?"
"No. Too sweet."
"Chris?"
"…Maybe a little."
Sean wasn't really asking.
He was observing.
If Quirrell was using candy for something—
Sean needed the same ingredients.
—
After returning to Hogwarts, Chris's mood improved slightly.
Sean, however, headed alone to a quiet room near the library.
Inside—
The Mirror of Erised.
And within it—
The golden scepter.
Completely unguarded.
"…Hiding in plain sight?" Sean muttered.
He couldn't see the Philosopher's Stone—so it was likely still with Dumbledore.
"Honestly… this feels reckless."
The defenses protecting the Stone—
were laughably weak.
Even first-years could pass them.
This wasn't security.
It was a test.
For Harry.
From the moment Hagrid took him to Vault 713—
it had all been planned.
Curiosity.
Investigation.
Trial.
And finally—
the Mirror.
Only someone pure of heart could retrieve the Stone.
—
Dumbledore controlled everything.
But now—
Sean wasn't so sure anymore.
—
By the end of the month, Sean applied for early exams again.
Like before, he only kept Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"You don't even need to attend classes…" Cassius groaned.
Everyone envied him.
Even Hermione.
"Look at her—studying like crazy," Ron scoffed. "Still not like Sean."
Hermione approached Sean with a book.
"Sean, could you help me with a spell?"
Before he could answer—
Draco appeared.
"You're Slytherin. Why help a Gryffindor?"
"Afraid she'll outperform you?" Sean said calmly. "Want me to tutor you instead?"
Draco flushed.
"I just wasn't paying attention! No way she's better than me—a M—"
"Watch your words."
Sean's tone turned cold.
Draco froze.
He backed off immediately.
—
"Sean's amazing," Harry said.
"Yeah, scared Malfoy off just like that," Ron grinned.
—
A month later—
On the eve of Halloween—
Theo finally delivered it.
A single—
fully matured—
Mandrake leaf.
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