Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 166: Application to Leave School

As the train was about to depart from Hogwarts, the wizards lined up and left the snow-covered castle.

In the distance, one can see a giant with a string of small figures, leaving black, winding lines on the snow.

The Ravenclaw Tower always had a great view, but Sheen just stared blankly at the horizon for a long time.

Sheen put the thick, resilient paper into his bag and began making the last type of cookie.

Hopefully, there were fewer people in the cabin. Justin and Hermione had just left, and Harry and Ron had been searching for something in the library for the past few days. So when Sheen arrived at the cabin, he saw Neville practicing the Clear Water Charm.

The wooden table spat out the alchemy books in the first row on the left. Just as Sheen was examining them, a loud bang suddenly came from beside him.

He turned his head and saw it was Neville, who had used the Water Spring spell to splash himself. The sound was the sound of a huge ball of water hitting the ground.

Sheehan looked at the damp part of his notebook and heard Neville's broken voice, as if he were about to cry:

"I'm...I'm sorry, Sheen..."

He was soaked to the bone himself, yet he was the one who apologized first.

Several feet of snow had accumulated outside, and a cold front was blowing in from the frozen lake, making Nawi shiver.

Sheen waved his wand, and the window closed. As the fireplace dried the books and Neville, Sheen heard Neville whisper:

“Sheen… if you’re going to kick me out of the cabin, I’ll leave right now…”

Neville looked at Sheen with teary eyes, which confused Sheen somewhat... What was all this about?
“You know, Neville, no one can get rid of you.”

Sheehan seemed to be simply stating a fact.

"But I... I ruined your book."

Neville was shivering from the cold.

"They're just wet, Na'vi, they'll dry out."

Sheen probably realized it was a rumor from Harry or Ron. Last time, he heard them say: If you dare touch Sheen's book, you'd better be more powerful than ten trolls combined.

"Sheen—it's all my fault. Everyone knows I'm practically a dud."

Neville's round face was filled with self-reproach. He gripped his wand tightly, which had some marks on it, as if it had been left from a battle.

"I think sometimes the problem isn't with you."

Sheen said.

"What...what's the problem?"

Neville placed his wand behind his back, as if that would make the rest of the conversation unrelated to the wand.

But he still knew that the saying "the wand chooses the wizard" was not just Mr. Ollivander's boast; almost all wizards in Britain agreed with this principle.

Even his grandmother was furious that he kept his father's wand with him.

“You always understand, Neville. I know it’s hard, but maybe it’s time to face it, isn’t it…”

Sheen gazed into Neville's eyes, spoke softly, and casually turned the book in his hand over.

After who knows how long, the damp books were finally dried.

"Should I... get a different wand...?"

Neville stared blankly at Sheehan. How could he not understand? Yet he still seemed about to cry.

He looked at the wand in his hand, wondering if he shouldn't be so foolish...

"But... I want to have it. Sometimes, especially at night, I want my dad to know that I'm at Hogwarts... just like him."

Sheen—did I disappoint him…?

Sheehan turned his head: "Once a problem is stated, it's already half solved. Neville, why did you let your wand leave your hand?"

"What does it mean?"

Neville didn't quite understand.

"Choice is something like this—facing two bad outcomes or two good outcomes, otherwise why would it be called a choice?"
The good news is, Neville, you have two wonderful choices, and even better, this might not be a choice at all.

You can carry your father's wand with you, right? I suspect it might be useful in some special way. Try this—Finite.

With a wave of Sheen's wand, the wooden table, which was still transforming itself, came to a stop.

Neville hadn't quite grasped what was happening; he just subconsciously followed Sheen's lead and cast the spell, never expecting that he would succeed on his first try.

Although he couldn't completely stop the wooden table from deforming, it was a huge difference from before when he couldn't even learn the Levitation Spell.

"why is that?"

Neville stood there, dumbfounded.

"Because it is the wand of the legendary Auror Frank Longbottom, now inherited by his son Neville Longbottom. It is born to be used in battle and in protection."

Sheen stared at the wand and said, as if he had expected this.

"You can have two wands, Neville, and it will remain your companion when you need to attack or defend."

Sheen rarely spoke so much, and when he finished speaking, Neville was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Sheen walked to the door, and the cold wind from Hogwarts brushed against his face, but he could smell a sweet and soft pumpkin aroma.

Neville does need a wand, but Frank Longbottom's wand is not entirely useless.

Neville, wielding his father's wand, displays terrifying power in certain areas.

For example, he never made a mistake in the practical training of black defense, and he succeeded in fighting Boggart every time, with amazing results.

In the DA course, Nawi's learning speed surpassed that of 99% of his classmates, with disarming, stunning, and screaming attacks coming in quick succession, and the Patronus appearing whenever he wanted.

Thinking about it from this perspective not only helps to explain Neville's unpredictable magical talent, but also makes the battle of the Department of Mysteries from Neville's point of view even more exciting.

Neville himself was probably puzzled. Faced with a huge horde of Death Eaters, he, who was usually useless at everything, suddenly disappeared, replaced by the surging power of his wand.

Because the wand contains the will of the legendary Auror, Frank Longbottom.

"I...it's too late!"

After a long while, Neville finally ran out of Hope Cottage. He had made up his mind to buy himself a wand, but the Hogwarts Express had already departed, and even if he applied to leave school now, there was no way he could catch it.

"Or perhaps, it's just right."

A form had appeared in Sheen's hand without him noticing. He flicked his wrist, and the form fell to the ground, clearly stating:

Dear Mr. Green:

I think I've agreed to help Longbottom apply for leaving school so that guy can come back sooner.

That child is incredibly honored to have a friend like you. If you change your mind and decide to spend Christmas with the Longbottom family, please be sure to contact me promptly.

—Your loyal: Augusta Longbottom

"Hurry up."

Sheen blinked, and his voice faded into the snow-covered castle of Hogwarts.

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(End of this chapter)