Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 345, Section 344: Memory Orb
"Xion..."

Harry immediately turned his attention to Sheehan, who was working on his Herbology notes.

“Sheen, it’s clear we know less about you than the Daily Prophet.”

Hermione said resentfully, raising the newspaper that had just been delivered to her. Besides Hagrid's story, it also included a section describing the newly opened shop:
A series of books that sold out completely, worthy of being included in the Ministry of Magic Education!

"This report is too exaggerated... and the author is Rita?"

I said, "Do you remember? She just compared Armando to an idiot."

Ron was full of praise, and Rita even mocked the old headmaster of Hogwarts. It's hard to imagine what she was thinking when she wrote such a long string of exaggerated compliments.

Justin took out his newspaper and immediately saw the exaggerated content that Ron had mentioned:

Grimm's Bookstore sold ten times more books in just eight hours than other stores sold in twenty-four hours!
Rita's benchmark is the eight hours that Green Bookstore is open, plus the total twenty-four hours of operation and non-operation of other bookstores.

Based on this, she obtained an even more outrageous figure.

Of course, it was also because of this kind of perspective that she easily made Grimm's Bookstore the best bookstore in the entire British magical world.

While the group was engrossed in reading the newspaper, Bai Yi arrived with a copy of the Daily Prophet.

Sheen reached out his hand, and Bai Yi landed in his palm. He tapped his wand slightly with his right hand, and some pumpkin juice, bacon bits, and small toast pieces floated into Bai Yi's unique gold-patterned plate.

After the messenger, covered in snow and exhausted, had recovered, Sheen looked at the Daily Prophet.

Is Grimm's Bookshop the best bookstore in the wizarding world? Absolutely! And without a doubt!

Journalist Rita Skeeter sincerely explains...

Upon seeing this exaggerated content, Sheen quickly put it away, though his thoughts were somewhat wandering.

After Grimm's Bookstore opened, his Alchemy Notebooks conveniently found a place to be published...

"I'm not surprised."

Hermione, of course, remembered something; she raised her face.

"Rita is a person who is used to flattering others."

Why is Rita trying to curry favor with Sheen?

Ron muttered something, then suddenly looked up at Sheen with a very strange look in his eyes.

Sheen, it seems, was recognized by the Joint Committee of the International Alchemy Congress as the most talented alchemist in the last six hundred years...

Moreover, he was the youngest member of the Joint Committee of the International Alchemy Congress and the second young wizard from Hogwarts to receive the Gold Medal for Pioneering Contribution to the International Alchemy Congress.

Headmaster Dumbledore was five years older than him when he received this award!

At this age, and in many ways, Sheehan surpassed Headmaster Dumbledore.

The long period of time spent together made it difficult for Ron to adapt—Sheen was quite a celebrity, after all.

"Hermione, look."

Justin was always more composed and thoughtful than them, and at that moment he was pointing to Rita Skeeter's name.

"What is this? You mean..."

Hermione suddenly realized what was happening and paused in her hand, which was holding the newspaper.

For the past few days, they had been searching for a newspaper that could expose Lockhart's true colors, and a journalist who was capable of grabbing attention and loved digging up this kind of news—and now, the journalist was right in front of them.

Inside the auditorium, the discussion never stopped, and everyone naturally accepted the fact that Sheen had opened another shop.

Once you hear that a young wizard has single-handedly defeated a basilisk with a sword, you won't be surprised by any other news about that young wizard.

However, this only applied to the wizards of Hope Hut. In the Great Hall, the eyes of all four grades were fixed on the long tables.

"Mr. Green has finally opened a shop! I can buy an endless collection of Green's Notes now..."

Hannah said shyly but excitedly, and the badgers around her nodded vigorously, clearly nodding in agreement.

Normally, Grimm's Notebook helps them learn magic, and at the end of the semester, one Grimm's Notebook is enough for young wizards to pass—no matter the subject. It's truly a divine tool.

The Gryffindors and Ravenclaws were equally excited, as were the Slytherin long table—

"It's just a notebook..."

Pansy snorted.

"Buy ten sets!"

"Malfoy squinted as he spoke."

Gore and Crabbe nodded without hesitation.

“Miss Parkinson, you will understand.”

Seeing Pansy looking over in a panic, Malfoy said in a serious tone.

……

The discussion in the auditorium gradually became more heated; Grimm's Bookstore had just launched a brand new series.

Its shop is located in Hogsmeade Village, and older wizards will soon be able to find it.

So the little wizards asking for help with shopping, the little wizards trying to sneak out, and the curious older wizards all joined this discussion on the eve of Christmas.

Just then, Malfoy's owl brought him bags and bags of candy from home.
This was common, so he once again proudly opened them at the Slytherin table—inside were the complete Grimm's Notebooks.

At the same time, an owl brought Neville a small package from his grandmother.

Neville excitedly opened it and showed it to the curious crowd. It was a glass ball the size of a marble, seemingly filled with white smoke.

"You know, this is my memory ball! I haven't forgotten many things lately, and Grandma forgot to send me one too..."

He explained,

"I have to hold it tight now, like this, if it turns red—oh..."

His face immediately fell, because the memory orb suddenly turned bright red.
"...I've forgotten something again..."

Neville desperately tried to recall what he had forgotten, and the memory orb slid down the long table to Sheehan's side.

Sheen picked it up gently, but something strange happened: the memory orb was flashing red.

This made Sheen frown.

"You mean, you've placed dozens of plans on your strategic map, and now you've forgotten one or two?!"

Ron and Harry were dumbfounded.
"Sheen, you should take a rest."

They said in unison.

Sheen, however, quietly held the memory orb, inside which red smoke swirled.

"Neville, your memory orb."

He silently handed the memory orb to Neville, then turned and left the auditorium.

"Oh, oh, thank you..."

Neville carefully caught the ball, then looked at the little wizard whose back was now the only thing visible.

He could sense that Sheen was confused, something he had almost never seen in him before.

As Sheen walked through the foyer, he could see Mr. Filch, the caretaker, standing inside the gate, checking a long list and watching each face warily, making sure no one who shouldn't be there slipped out the door.

Mr. Filch's double chin jiggled:

"Annoying! Annoying! It's that annoying time again. That wretched wizard, go to Hogsmeade and buy stink bombs, burp powder, and buzzing bugs..."

(End of this chapter)