Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 270: Dream

After the first Animagus transformation, in order to return to human form, Shin must imagine his human form as clearly as possible.

This is usually enough. However, deformation may not happen immediately, so don't panic.

With practice, one will be able to switch freely between animal and human forms simply by imagining what a creature looks like.

But... how long will the practice take?

This problem troubled Sheen, making him feel inexplicably uneasy.

Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore left quickly, and the place soon returned to its silent, lifeless state.

Lightning flashed across Spider's End, a neighborhood even the Dursleys looked down upon. But to a cat, everything here was new and exciting.

After wandering around, the black cat can even close its eyes and, relying on its senses, quietly sneak to a place it wants to go.

It seems that it is gradually mastering the abilities of the magical cat Lil.

However, problems arose as a result.

It can't live as a magical creature forever.

Before Professor McGonagall left, she told him not to worry, as wizards would soon be able to master Animagus shapeshifting.

At the latest, it will be no more than a day.

But... I am not an ordinary Animagus.

If he hasn't turned back by the end of the day, he'll have to call for the professor.

During Sheen's practice.

The night passed quickly, and dawn broke.

The stormy night still left behind puddles, which were now slowly flowing into the dirty river.

The sun rose above the cluttered street in front of the house, illuminating the last bronze plaque of Spider's End; sunlight also crept quietly into the small living room.

Sheen fell asleep in a cushion made by transfiguration, and when he woke up, the cooing of an owl came from outside the window.

That night, he entered a dream.

The dream was filled with mist, and in the dream, he had complete control over his cat-like body.

He recalled the description in "The Metamorphosis of the Soul":
“Those who do not know that they possess a double body... interpret what they see as a dream, but those who know clearly understand that they are not dreaming, but have conjured a double body.”

In Norse mythology, these dreams allow the possessor to utilize the dream and its corresponding setting to bring the thoughts of its owner to life.

Sheehan recalls Harry from his past, dreaming that Nagini attacked Mr. Weasley, and that dream came true.

He dreamt of Wormtail's first interaction with Voldemort, and that dream came true...

Upon waking, the black cat shook his head and remained motionless in the same spot as always, imagining his wizard body. This time, he quickly sensed his own body.

This means that he can now control his Animagus in real life!
The arrival of success thrilled Sheen.

When he transforms,

A crisp sound came from above. Sheen looked up and saw that an owl had smashed the window, scattering shards of glass all over the floor.

Professor Snape remained expressionless, simply grabbing the owl and preparing to throw it into the fireplace.

In the end, it was the owl's signature on the letter that distracted him, allowing the large owl to flap away.

—To Mr. Sheehan Green.

Sheen quickly took and opened the letter.

Sunlight fell on the letter, smoothing out the slightly wrinkled pages and revealing the handwriting:

Dear Mr. Green:

Holliss has had no sick orphan go untreated for a long time. This can only be thanks to you. Do you know what I was thinking when I cried?

There will always be people who hold the most genuine kindness in their hearts towards the world.

The children here are all very nice. Sean from the farm wrote you a little poem, and I wanted to let you know:

Dear Mr. Green:
If I send you a book,

I won't send you poems.

I want to give you a book about plants and crops.

Let me tell you the difference between rice and barnyard grass.
Let me tell you about a weed that lives in constant fear.

Hoping for it to sprout
spring.

Spring has passed; would you like to come to Hollissée and see these seeds sometime?
—Your loyal friend: Roland Taylor

Sheehan's gaze remained unfocused for a long time. He put away the letter, only to find Professor Snape right beside him.

Snape's face turned cold. This fool was always so unguarded with him. He could tell what stupid thing this fool had done just by glancing at him.

These ridiculous reasons led to his coffers being emptied...

"White... Stupid! You probably always have these naive thoughts in your head."

Snape scoffed, speaking with a tone of utter disdain for his lack of ambition.

"May I go out for a moment, Professor?"

Sheen asked.

"Ha—you self-righteous, well-meaning Mr. Green—what do you think you're doing? And you're inferior to them in..."

Snape's words caught in his throat, and after a long while, he woke up as if from a nightmare.

What makes him different from them?
He swallowed his words, and whenever he looked into that fool's calm eyes, he always forgot that he and he had once been in the same situation.

A broken, almost non-existent family; ever-present poverty and frailty; utterly naive ideas...

Snape's gaze kept wandering over this familiar place, and he vaguely saw a hook-nosed man yelling at a cowering woman and a little boy, while the dark-haired boy cried in the corner.

As he scanned the bedroom, he vaguely saw a greasy-haired boy sitting alone in the dark, pointing his wand at the ceiling and swatting flies...

He's repeating what happened to him before; he's always been good at doing this...

He felt a deep pain in his heart, realizing that he was no different from those he despised.

He heard someone mocking him: "Severus, you've really done something good—you hated those people so much, and fought them for so long. In the end, you've become just like them. What ideals in this world are worth such a price of depravity?"

His throat trembled, and he couldn't utter a word.

The sound seemed to be forced out:
"I'll come—and take you there—"

Professor Snape looked unwell and remained silent on the way.

"Professor, can we go to Diagon Alley?"

Sheen was going to get some Galleons; there was always somewhere they could be more useful than staying in the vault.

Professor Snape said nothing to Sheen's words once again, but simply gave Sheen a deep look before using Apparition to arrive at Diagon Alley.

The sun-drenched streets were bustling with noise.
The snow-white buildings of Gringotts are right in front of me.

The fairies were always very respectful to the professors. Once inside, the fairy-driven cars sped along small tracks, passing through the bank's underground passages to reach the various vaults.

Even the whirlwind speed couldn't change Snape's gloomy face in the slightest; only the goblins seemed to shrink even more intimidated by Professor Snape's oppressive aura.

Upon opening the vault door, the sight of dangling Galleons caused Professor Snape's expression to change drastically for the first time:
"This is your vault?! What have you done?!"

(End of this chapter)