Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 233: End of July
Sheen had never had any concept of the original owner's family.

Are they all people without magic, or wizards from the magical world?

He was slightly curious as he entered the tower.

The pages of the Book of Admission have remained untouched by human fingers for a thousand years since the four great powers placed it there when the castle was completed.

Normally, apart from the past headmasters of Hogwarts and the professors responsible for welcoming students, no one else has ever seen the Book of Admission and the Pen of Acceptance.

Now, his little bag was trembling, and the pocket that Headmaster Dumbledore had given him had popped out.

That's right, it looked just like a Niffler, crawling out of the pocket as if it were a real Niffler, taking a letter out of its belly and handing it to Sheen:

I've always believed that it's not a pleasant thing for a wizard to not know his own birthday; it means he and the world have lost another reason to celebrate.

The letter burst into flames a few seconds later, and at the same time, it seemed to grant some kind of permission, making the somewhat blurry Book of Access clear before Sheen's eyes.

"Thank you."

Sheen looked north towards where the principal's office was located and said.

Far away, beyond the corridors, the spiral staircases, and the bubbling kettle in the principal's office.

Behind the kettle, Dumbledore blinked as if sensing something.

Although she knew the principal would not receive her thanks, Sheen would remember these acts of kindness.

He stepped forward and carefully opened the Book of Admission, his movements as cautious and expectant as Professor McGonagall's every year when she would peruse it.

He not only looked forward to that date, but was also very curious about the two alchemical creations.

This is almost one of the most exquisite alchemical creations at Hogwarts.

The Book of Admission feels smooth to the touch, though the black dragon leather cover is already peeling off a bit.

As you turn the pages, time seems to flow through your fingers; the names of all those who have attended Hogwarts over the past ten centuries appear and are turned away again.

Further back, Sheen saw his name: Sheen Green, born on July 27th.

Although there were no other records about the original owner's background, the moment Sheen saw that date, he felt as if he had gained some connection with the world.

Perhaps, as Dumbledore said, birthdays give people another reason to celebrate in the world.

Before these two legendary artifacts became blurred, Sheen seized the time to observe them.

He noticed that the feathers of the Pen of Acceptance were not much different from those of the Birch Bird in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, but strangely, the Birch Bird feathers repelled water, and the ink bottle was empty.

So how is it written?

Sheen stared blankly at the silvery liquid slowly flowing from the tip of his pen.

“Sheen—”

Hagrid called from the doorway. Sheen gently put down his book and then quickly walked towards the door.

"Well—Dumbledore secretly asked me to bring you here—"

Hagrid, with his stubble, wanted to pat Sheen on the shoulder, but instinctively withdrew his hand.

It was no easy feat; he restrained himself—and then he proudly twitched his mustache.

"Hagrid, I'm very grateful."

Sheen said.

"Oh, oh—no need, oh really—thank you for something like this—"

As Hagrid spoke, his voice grew softer and softer.

He was a straightforward and righteous person. Despite having a large physique, he was always saddened by trivial matters.

Outside the tower, Sheehan noticed that Hagrid was finally much more relaxed. He no longer thought of hiding in the house, waiting for Headmaster Dumbledore to expel him.

So Sheen easily arranged to meet him in the Forbidden Forest that evening. Hagrid repeatedly insisted that, without their confinement, the young wizard was not allowed to wander into the Forbidden Forest at night.

Of course, he automatically ignored the school rule that young wizards were not allowed to enter the Forbidden Forest.

……

The gloomy March had given way to the stormy April, with many nights filled with wind and rain. A rare clear day was a rare treat, so many young wizards gathered at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

As evening approached, the young wizards reluctantly returned to the castle.

Sheen stepped onto the grass, which had just dried for half a day, in the exact opposite direction from the path taken by the little wizards back to the castle.

Against the flow of the crowd, he saw some particularly bright stars that seemed to have already begun to shine.

Stars and astronomy are connected to divination and magic. Simply put, celestial phenomena can help wizards who understand them to foresee the future.

This is not like Professor Trelawney's occasional accurate prophecies, but a genuine, traceable branch of magic.

Sheehan had always found Professor Trelawney's prophecies rather frightening. In a short period of time, she would make a hundred prophecies, and not only were all of them false, but one of them was actually true.

And she herself didn't know if it was true.

Is there anything more terrifying than this?
Sheen didn't want to know his fate, but he was extremely curious about divination.

Centaurs are mysterious creatures who have truly mastered the magic of prophecy. Sheen doesn't know if he can find them in the Forbidden Forest, nor does he know if Ferenze is currently interested in being a professor of divination.

But he wanted to give it a try.

He always harbored the most genuine passion for magic.

The Forbidden Forest is getting closer, and the sign of Haig on Sheen's map is getting closer as well.

A small booklet was also attached to the top left corner of the plan map, recording his performance in the previous battle before the level:

Herbalism helped him get through the devil's web, transfiguration conjured a flute to hypnotize Cerberus, spells helped him pass the key challenge, dark magic helped him defeat the chess pieces, and alchemy created a broom and paper airplanes that bought him precious time...

From this perspective, knowledge truly is power.

Sheen gazed at the night sky, now adorned with countless stars.

Magic, and what else awaits him?

……

"There are still two hours until curfew. I can only make an introduction for you, but whether it will agree is another matter."

Hagrid, seeing that there was still plenty of time, said...

Sheen followed Hagrid to a clearing in the woods, where the ground was covered with soft moss and trees grew out of it.

Their branches are covered with lush leaves, and soft, dappled moonlight pours into the open space.

Hagrid sat on the muddy ground with his back against a tree trunk, his arms tightly crossed over his chest. He had little interest in the tedious and incomprehensible astronomy, but he always knew one thing: centaurs were no friendly magical creatures, and he'd better keep a close eye on Sheen.

A tall, horseman stood in the middle of a treeless clearing, his eyes an unusually blue.

"Sheen Green".

He said.

Then some noise came from the woods, like the sound of galloping hooves. Soon, a large group of centaurs appeared in front of Sheen and Hagrid.

"Ferenzer, you'd better remember this, it's the knowledge of the centaur people!"

A slightly older, but not much older, centaur roared.

　Four o'clock at night

　　
　
(End of this chapter)