Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 383, Section 381: Familiarity

After the fog cleared, the Ravenclaw Tower was left with only the pale blue of the pre-dawn hours.

As the first rays of morning light streamed into the lounge, the wizard, his hair slightly disheveled, abruptly stood up. He habitually surveyed his surroundings, finally lowering his gaze with a look of utter dejection.

Ms. Aesop, who dreamed of entering Ravenclaw House, actually met Ravenclaw herself. When Sheen heard the excitement in her voice, Sheen naturally felt the joy of sharing in her happiness.

But the thought that he was just seconds away from meeting one of the four greatest wizards of thirteen centuries ago, and possibly the most learned one at that, made Sheen extremely annoyed.

He instinctively picked up the book "Hogwarts: A History" from the bedside table; the words on it were faintly glowing in the pre-dawn light.
The founders of Hogwarts were the four greatest wizards of their time:
Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff.

The school's four houses are named after them. They established the school, far from the prying eyes of Muggles...

"Royna Ravenclaw..."

He muttered to himself.

He easily made the connection to something: Rowena Ravenclaw, who was indeed still lingering in the borderlands.

As for who she is waiting for, that is obvious.

So, if he could see her, perhaps he could help her in any way he could.

Regardless, he felt a great deal of gratitude towards the woman who founded Hogwarts.

"Hogwarts..."

Sheen read it out subconsciously.

He looked at the walls covered with blue and silver decorations, and the bookshelves above the bed that had been filled with different colors over time.

He looked up slightly; the arched window was draped with blue silk, and outside lay the scenic Quidditch pitch and the vast, thriving Forbidden Forest.

Through the wall, he could almost see the Transfiguration office with its fireplace burning fiercely, and the cellar filled with the steam rising from the crucibles.

Is Professor Binns still dozing in the staff lounge?
In the greenhouse, are the mandrakes throwing another party?

Sheehan suddenly realized that Hogwarts Castle was becoming more and more familiar, more and more like...home.

……

early morning.

After a night of rain and snow, the castle was covered with a thin layer of white frost.

The corridor gradually came alive with people, and with them, wandering ghosts appeared.

Sheen glanced past the gloomy, blood-soaked Barrow, past the amiable, fat monk conversing with the Gryffindors, pondered for a moment, and then slowly walked up to Lady Grey.

She was gazing at the outline of the distant mountains, exuding an aura that kept strangers at bay.

"Green."

she says.

Good morning, Ms. Helena.

Sheen said.

"You don't need to deliberately avoid that title."

Ms. Gray's expression remained neither sad nor happy.

The proper title would be Lady Ravenclaw, but the young wizard in front of her would always consider it a little more.

Just like the last time the crown was destroyed.

But for Ms. Gray, it had been a long time since she had heard that title.

She would feel apprehensive and ashamed, but also harbor a strange sense of anticipation.

"Ms. Ravenclaw."

Sheen readily accepted good advice.

“Ms. Ravenclaw, oh—”

Ms. Gray then gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Have you ever thought about death?

Sheen asked.

"A festival about ghosts that I can't look forward to? Sorry, that's my biggest fear."

Ms. Gray said.

“Ms. Ravenclaw, if I told you that someone still cares about you, would you still be willing to celebrate the holiday?” Sheehan asked cautiously.

“Green…foolish yet sincere.”

Ms. Gray seemed to be in a better mood, and she was even more playful than usual.
"This is a day of shame for me, and a punishment I deserve. The ghost has existed for centuries, and there is no way to free it from despair."

Even you, Green, the one she chose.

As for waiting, will anyone still wait for me? In this world, not a single tear will be shed for me anymore; this is my own doing.

Her voice was ethereal, as if she were mocking herself.

Will you celebrate this?

Sheehan stared into her eyes.

It was only then that Ms. Grey showed a rare hint of panic; touching upon a ghost's obsession always made the ghost feel uneasy.

Even if the young wizard in front of her says something that is absolutely impossible, Helena Ravenclaw will still subconsciously think about it.

"Of course, but she won't forgive me."

After Helena Ravenclaw finished speaking, she gave a bitter smile and drifted away.

Sheen remained standing there, his gaze deep yet gleaming with a faint light.

Several seconds passed before Sheen walked toward Hope Hut—he had already gotten his answer.

Hope Cottage.

Things are changing here every day.

Justin and Hermione have been constantly renovating the cabin, and now it not only has a place to practice spells, but also a kitchen, a garden, and even a round table with deep patterns.

Around the round table were some gray and white, translucent chairs.

Compared to the previous round table, it was much more solemn.

Sheen glanced at it, then returned to his seat and began his day of studying.

The primary task remains the cat-and-leopard biscuit, since it allows him to use unique abilities such as Legilimency, Confusion Charm, and Oblivion Charm;

Secondly, it is about improving one's combat power, including the continuous practice of black magic, polymorph, and spells.
Now there's an additional task: to test one's own strength.

Sheehan naturally thought of the previous Christmas, when the retired Marcus helped him learn many practical skills.

……

The days are drawing to a close during the Christmas season.

The young wizards rarely went out anymore.

They spend all their time studying and doing homework.

Sales of Grimm's Bookstore books skyrocketed.

Inside the auditorium, the atmosphere became even more tense.

The workload at Hogwarts doesn't decrease during holidays; on the contrary, it becomes terrifyingly heavy.

Harry and Ron had already suffered a lot before joining Hope Lodge.

With only three days left, it doesn't seem like the time to be having fun.

Ron has recently taken to going up to other people's desks and asking about the progress of their Gryffindor assignments.

Their situation is so obvious that you don't even need to ask; you only need to look at the flying quills to know.

But Ron seemed not to notice, often mentioning it casually:

"Oh, Dean, you must be almost finished writing, right?"

"On the contrary, it's just the beginning."

Dean responded curtly, then looked somewhat confused.
"Are you done?"

Ron had been waiting for this, so he quickly started boasting about himself, leaving Dean stunned.

“If Voldemort returns, Ron will be the first to die. He is neither good at protecting himself nor does he do anything worthwhile. He is no match for Voldemort.”

Hermione commented.

(End of this chapter)