Hogwarts: Proficiency Panel

Chapter 518 519: A Letter from Lupin

The final week of the summer holidays had arrived.

A light drizzle had been falling over Hogwarts, but by the time Sean stepped out

of the dungeons, the rain had stopped. The sky was a clean, refreshing shade of

pale grey, and the grass beneath his feet felt damp and springy.

Sean moved through the corridors like a gentle breeze, a violet-covered book

with gold trim floating steadily beside him. On the cover, six emerald-patterned

words stood out: The Wizarding Magical Annals.

Even more eye-catching was the small subtitle at the bottom of the spine: A

Volume of the Green Series.

There wasn't a wizard in Great Britain who didn't recognize that series. Its

fame rivaled that of the Chudley Cannons in Quidditch or the Weird Sisters in

the music industry. No witch or wizard was willing to be without a copy of

Green's Notes; it had become the most comprehensive and indispensable

reference guide in the magical world.

If you didn't own a "Green's"... well, Merlin help you, you were already miles

behind the starting line. Your children and grandchildren would struggle to keep

up with their classmates simply because they lacked the clarity his notes

provided.

Professor Flitwick, the Charms Master at Hogwarts, had publicly declared them

the finest introductory texts he had ever seen. Even international schools like

Ilvermorny in America and Uagadou in Africa placed massive seasonal orders with

Green's Bookshop.

According to an informal survey by the Daily Prophet, there was nearly one

"Green's" for every wizard in the country, making it the best-selling series in

recent history—surpassing even The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

Consequently, the new series—The Wizarding Magical Annals—currently in pre-sale,

had become the most anticipated release of the year. Wizards everywhere were

holding their breath. Rumor had it that the manager of Flourish and Blotts,

under immense pressure from frantic customers, had once considered sneaking into

Hogwarts to "borrow" the manuscript. He had quickly abandoned the idea, however,

because of one undeniable fact:

Hogwarts was more than just a school. It was Albus Dumbledore's fortress.

Now, the manuscript of that very book hovered before the young wizard's eyes. He

read as he walked, occasionally knitting his brow and tapping his wand to the

parchment to add or refine a passage.

In the distance, the clouds began to part. Snowy, Sean's white owl, swooped down

through the mist, a slightly damp letter clutched in her beak. She landed on

Sean's shoulder, ruffling her feathers before transforming into a small,

flickering fire-lizard. She scurried across the ground, the heat of her form

instantly drying her wings until they were pristine again.

"Thank you, Snowy."

Sean tucked her into the Wizard's Tome hanging at his waist. Through the portal,

he caught a glimpse of the cozy interior—a roaring hearth and a table laden with

food.

He turned his attention to the letter. it came from the nearby village of

Hogsmeade, and the sender was exactly who Sean expected.

Dear Mr. Green,

I find myself at a loss for words to describe the depth of my gratitude for the

trust and help you have given me. My time at the bookshop has been the brightest

and most peaceful period of my life in decades.

If you are still willing to employ a 'furry' wizard, I can find no reason to

refuse. I am writing to formally express my desire to remain and to ask for your

final thoughts on the matter.

Your faithful servant, Remus Lupin

Sean had expected this. However, the fact that Lupin was willing to stay at the

shop as a manager rather than accept a professorship at Hogwarts still surprised

him slightly. He knew it wasn't because Lupin preferred organizing shelves; it

was because the man felt a profound need to repay Sean's kindness.

Sean summoned Snowy back out and quickly scrawled a reply:

To Mr. Lupin:

Time flows like water, Remus. I believe Hogwarts' need for a professor is

currently greater than Green's Bookshop's need for a manager. The post of

Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor will allow you to realize your true

value and fill your life with purpose.

I hope you follow your heart's true calling.

—Sean Green

Snowy nipped Sean's wrist affectionately before taking flight, her white wings

disappearing into the clouds over the emerald-rimmed mountains.

Lupin's letter served as a reminder for Sean. Third year would bring new guards

to the school. If he didn't want to receive a "kiss" from a Dementor, he needed

to master a proper Patronus Charm.

Currently, Sean could only manage an incorporeal mist. His proficiency was stuck

at [Novice]. He needed to reach at least [Proficient] for a solid, corporeal

Patronus to manifest reliably.

There was a saying about the spell: The Patronus Charm has long been associated

with those who fight for noble causes. Those capable of summoning a corporeal

Patronus are often the first chosen for high-ranking positions in the Wizengamot

and the Ministry.

Whether it was because dark wizards found the spell impossible to cast, or

because powerful "white" wizards were naturally drawn to it, the saying held

true.

Sean was currently heading toward the Transfiguration office for a session with

Professor McGonagall. Fortunately, his mastery of the Shrinking Solution had

just reached [Expert], and Snape had granted him a rare morning off.

As Sean walked, the sound of raised voices echoed from a corridor up ahead. He

stopped, flattening himself against a suit of armor near a corner.

Since he was the only student in the castle, an argument could only mean a

disagreement between professors.

"You should let him go," Professor McGonagall's voice rang out, sharp and

authoritative.

"I'm afraid he isn't going anywhere," came the low, silky rebuttal. Sean

recognized Snape's voice instantly.

"They will all be there, Severus," McGonagall pressed.

"Hmph. Those fools? A hundred of them could vanish—a thousand—and it wouldn't

matter in the slightest."

"Mind your tongue, Severus. You are a Professor of this school."

"I am also the man whose name is on the adoption papers, Minerva. I have a say

in this." Snape was clearly not backing down.

"There is no danger! We will all be present, and Dumbledore will have everything

under control," McGonagall countered.

"Dumbledore..."

The mention of the Headmaster's name seemed to act like a match to a powder keg.

Snape's voice dropped to a terrifyingly dark register. He remembered how the boy

he watched over—the boy who had moved through countless dangers without a

scratch—had ended up in the hospital wing after following one of Dumbledore's

"plans," suffering under a curse from the world's most dangerous wizard.

"You would do best," Snape hissed, "never to mention that man's name to me

again!"

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