Back in the dorm, Sean knocked on Cassius's door.
Cassius opened it in his robe, looking half-asleep.
"Sean? Can't sleep again?"
"Don't even mention sleep," Sean grimaced. "I'm never drinking that Sleeping Draught again."
He still suspected he hadn't fallen asleep—
He'd been knocked out by the smell.
—
"Cassius, I'll be leaving school with Professor Dumbledore for a while," Sean said.
"Can you take care of Jerry?"
Cassius's roommates all turned to look.
Leaving with the Headmaster?
That had to be something serious.
"…Can I ask where you're going?" Cassius asked.
"Not really."
"How long?"
"…No idea."
Cassius sighed.
"Alright. I'll take care of him."
—
Sean had already moved the Wizard's Heart back into Merlin's chamber.
His room was safe.
The Marauder's Map, however—
He took with him.
Even outside Hogwarts—
He wanted to keep an eye on Quirrell.
—
On the surface, this was just a casual goodbye.
But in reality—
It was part of the plan.
The news of Sean leaving with Dumbledore—
Had to spread.
Naturally.
And Cassius—
Was the perfect messenger.
—
Meanwhile—
In the Headmaster's office—
Dumbledore had gathered the six professors who created the trials.
McGonagall and Snape already knew.
The other four—
Confused.
"Tonight," Dumbledore said calmly,
"we will remove all protections around the Philosopher's Stone."
—
They were stunned.
The defenses had just been completed.
"Professor," Hagrid asked,
"is something wrong with the Stone?"
Quirrell stood nearby—
Hands fidgeting nervously.
—
"Yes," Dumbledore said.
"It will be moved. To a safer location."
—
Quirrell's heart sank.
No…
Without the Stone—
Voldemort couldn't be revived.
"P-Professor… where will it be moved?" Quirrell asked.
"That," Dumbledore said gently,
"is a secret."
—
Quirrell forced a smile.
Inside—
He cursed the old man a hundred times.
—
That night—
The professors dismantled every trial.
Hagrid quietly moved Fluffy back into the Forbidden Forest.
Sean watched it all—
On the Marauder's Map.
—
The next morning—
At breakfast—
Dumbledore made an announcement:
"Effective immediately, the restriction on the third-floor corridor is lifted."
—
Shock rippled through the hall.
Especially—
Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"But… that room protects the Stone," Harry said.
"What does this mean?"
Hermione frowned.
"…It means the Stone isn't there anymore."
"Should we check?" Ron suggested.
They all nodded.
—
At the Slytherin table—
Cassius had already spread the news.
"Dumbledore is taking our Sean with him!" he bragged.
"Slytherin pride!"
Chris looked at Sean.
"…Why you?"
Sean grinned.
"Because I'm outstanding?"
—
Thanks to Cassius—
By noon—
Half the school knew.
By afternoon—
Everyone would.
—
But by then—
Sean and Dumbledore were already gone.
—
They Apparated—
To the Leaky Cauldron.
From there—
They had to use Muggle transportation.
Even Dumbledore—
Had limits.
Apparition couldn't cover extreme distances.
And it required familiarity with the destination.
Too far—
Too dangerous.
Especially with a passenger.
—
So—
They took a bus.
Then headed to Heathrow Airport.
—
On the way, Sean asked:
"Professor… is Nurmengard still operational?"
"Yes," Dumbledore said.
"Its defenses are intact."
—
Sean found that… unsettling.
If it's so secure…
How did Voldemort break in later?
—
After a two-and-a-half-hour flight—
They arrived in Vienna.
A historic city.
And a stronghold of wizarding activity.
—
"Hold on, Sean," Dumbledore said.
"We're visiting an old friend first."
Sean placed his hand on Dumbledore's arm—
A twist—
A pull—
—
They appeared outside a department store.
"…Professor?"
"The Austrian Ministry of Magic," Dumbledore said.
He tapped the revolving door three times with his wand.
Ding.
—
They stepped through—
And the world changed.
—
Inside—
Elegant.
Classical.
Almost like an opera house.
—
A staff member approached.
"How may I assist you?"
"I'm here to see Ugo Soria," Dumbledore said.
"…Your name?"
"Albus Dumbledore."
—
A white-haired elderly man approached quickly—
Grasping Dumbledore's hands warmly.
"Dumbledore! Welcome to Vienna!"
"Minister Soria," Dumbledore greeted.
—
Sean blinked.
That's the Minister of Magic?
The man looked even older than Dumbledore.
—
"It's been a long time," Dumbledore said.
"I'm old now," Soria chuckled.
"Not what I used to be."
His gaze shifted to Sean.
"And this is?"
"The finest student at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said.
"Sean Grylls."
—
"Ah. A pleasure."
Soria nodded.
"Come. Let's talk in my office."
—
As they followed him—
Sean couldn't help but think:
…How many "old friends" does Dumbledore have?
And how many of them come with stories?
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