Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 480, Section 478: Leaving School

"This is a day of shame for me, yesterday that I feared."

I wanted you to see this, to understand my mistake…

Dumbledore gazed at the distant horizon with his pale blue eyes, as hymns from the church drifted down on the wind.

"As you know, my behavior when I was young and impetuous proved that power is my weakness and my temptation."

Strangely enough, child, perhaps those who are best suited to wield power are those who never scheme or plot, just like…

Dumbledore conjured a chair with his wand, sat down, and took a bouquet of white flowers from his robes.

He placed the flower in front of the epitaph and gently wiped away the dust with his hand.

"But I'm always safer at Hogwarts, and I consider myself a good teacher—"

"You have always done a great job. You are the best principal."

"I hope this isn't just flattery, but if my actions satisfy you, it proves that I haven't been stagnant all these years."

But there's one thing that puzzles me—I thought everyone was dragging yesterday's corpses along, but look, I met you, child, you've surprised me countless times.

Could you please tell me, Mr. Green, why happiness satisfies you so easily?

Dumbledore looked up and gazed kindly at Sheehan.

He had witnessed too much insatiable greed, but he never expected to see a clear, transparent stream one day.

There must be some kind of fire within this child that sets him apart from others.

“Happiness is just a state of being, Professor.”

Sheen said seriously,

"Without pain, one cannot intensely experience happiness; that is merely comfort and mediocrity, not true happiness and good fortune."

"Ah... so misfortune has brought you wealth? This is the first time I've ever heard of such a thing,"

Dumbledore's words took a sharp turn, and he suddenly said,

"Or have you witnessed so much misfortune that you even accept your current life with a sense of contentment?"

Is it mine? Or Minerva's? Or perhaps Severus's?

Sheehan knew that Headmaster Dumbledore was always perceptive, but he seemed to have underestimated the old wizard's keen senses.

Dumbledore didn't press further. If he had to entrust the future to someone, he would feel most at ease.

Then he could not find anyone more suitable than the little wizard in front of him.

"Well, those who know the future should always maintain some mystery."

Let's hurry back, I hope I can still have afternoon tea in the auditorium..."

Dumbledore smiled, as if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Of course, his mistake is still unforgivable, but he has finally had a chance to atone for it.

Even better, dear Mr. Green said he was the best headmaster.

Oh, Merlin, is there anything more satisfying than this?

Dumbledore hummed an unknown tune, somewhat like the Christmas carols that Professor Sprout had instructed the young wizards to sing.

He took Sheen and placed some flowers in the cemetery. A few seconds later, they stood together in front of a monument.

Behind them are statues of three people: a disheveled man wearing glasses, a long-haired, beautiful and kind woman, and a baby boy sitting in his mother's arms.

"Do you think we'll be carved out one day? Oh, I'm not talking about the lucky black cat statue on the fourth floor."

Dumbledore said with a smile.

He seems to enjoy teasing people more than usual.

"I……"

Sheen was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

“I hope never, Sheen. Let the statue on the fourth floor be your last statue.”

After Dumbledore finished speaking, he Apparated away with the young wizard.

After all... statues are meant to commemorate wizards, but living wizards don't need commemoration.

……

The remaining days of the summer term seemed to pass in a dazzling sunlight. Summer vacation arrived amidst the eager anticipation of the young wizards.

Before they knew it, they would be taking the Hogwarts Express home.

The group of people in the cabin gathered together; in theory, they could have met in the private room.

But no one could have imagined that someone would be put in solitary confinement during summer vacation.

"He probably hates you too... Sheen."

Ron craned his neck, looking around, and only after not seeing Snape did he whisper,
"What do you and Harry have in common? I guess Quidditch. Snape never liked Quidditch players..."

"Don't talk nonsense, Ron!"

Hermione stopped him in an annoyed tone.

"Hermione, then tell me why?"

Ron stiffened his neck,

“Maybe it’s your eyes—you and Harry both have green eyes! None of us have that!”

He was shouting and yelling.

"Sheehan is staying on as a teaching assistant, Mr. Weasley!"

Hermione couldn't listen anymore.

"what?"

Ron was dumbfounded.

"Sheen, why are you in such a hurry..."

Ron couldn't understand.

"Not everyone is like you, getting an 'E' in Potions and still thinking Professor Snape is targeting you."

Let's keep quiet for a while—keep quiet.

Hermione waved her wand and cast a small spell, and Ron suddenly found himself unable to speak, as if he didn't have a mouth at all.

He kept touching his mouth, and Justin couldn't help but laugh.

Next up were Neville and Harry.

The cabin members always practiced spells in this way, and these little, interesting spells made their magical learning more fun.

Sheehan always practiced with Justin, while Neville always practiced with Harry.

Hermione and Ron ended up together, which was unexpected.

Hermione believed that no one but herself and the elusive Sheen could teach Ron.

"I can't believe you could become a teaching assistant at Hogwarts—there's never been anything like it in Hogwarts history, a second-year wizarding teaching assistant—that would be a huge boost to your resume—"

As Ron studied the undoing of the curse with his notes, Hermione said expectantly.

Her expression was just like Ron's yesterday, when he transformed into a rat-headed, turtle-bodied creature and placed it on Hermione's desk.

"Will you still have time, Sheehan? I mean, during the summer vacation?"

Justin was clearly more concerned about this matter.

"Professor Snape will give me a week off."

Sheen thought for a moment, then replied with a smile.

"One week!"

Only then, with Harry's help, did Ron break the spell, and he exclaimed in surprise.
"I'm telling you, Sheen, there's no end to learning magic!"

"Remain silent—"

Hermione waved her wand.

"Hermione, this is your second attack of the day. You have one more turn—"

Ron tilted his head to avoid it, but ended up running into Hermione's second curse, and in the end, he dejectedly asked Harry to break the curse.

"Now, after you've finished eating, line up and follow me—"

Suddenly, a bright voice rang out in the Great Hall. It was Professor McGonagall, who was about to guide the young wizards onto the train.

(End of this chapter)