Hogwarts Study Panel.

Chapter 168: The Ritual

"Sheen and Harry's are better than ours,"

Fred said, touching Harry's sweater.

"Clearly, Mom is more attentive to people who aren't family."

"Why aren't you wearing yours, Ron?"

George asked,

"Come on, put this on. This sweater is both beautiful and warm."

"I don't like dark purple-red."

Ron complained half-jokingly as he pulled the sweater over his head.

"Your sweater has no letters on it."

George said,

"She probably thinks you won't forget your own name. We're not stupid either—it's she who often calls us Jored and Fudge."

"What are you all arguing about? Oh, Mr. Green."

Percy Weasley walked over, seemingly trying to make a rapport.

He had a package in his hand, and was obviously unpacking his Christmas presents; he already had a bulging sweater draped over his arm. Fred grabbed it.

"P stands for prefect! Hurry up and put them on, Percy, we're all dressed."

"I—don't—want—to—wear—"

He mumbled something, but the twins, without thinking twice, insisted on putting the sweater over Percy's head, knocking his glasses askew.

"You two!"

Percy chased after the Weasley twins again.

"Okay, that's not the point..."

Ron said helplessly, nudging Harry.

Harry was about to open a box without even realizing it.

"Harry, let's go back to Hope Cottage and take another look."

Sheen guessed what it was and quickly stopped Harry.

"oh oh……"

Harry then seemed to snap out of his daze and looked at Sheehan with gratitude.

His mind was filled with the joy of sharing the secret with his companions—Sheen must know more than they did. But he almost forgot that he only wanted Sheen to know, not everyone else to know.

The refreshments consisted of turkey sandwiches, toast, rum-soaked jam pudding, and Christmas cake. Although Sheen didn't feel much of a craving, Harry and Ron both felt a bit sleepy after eating.

"This is just lunch... I heard that dinner will include 800 barrels of flavored mead and the songs of the eccentric sisters..."

That's what Ron said.

When Harry took out the Invisibility Cloak, everyone fell silent.

It was a liquid, silvery-gray substance that slid down to the floor, pooling together and shimmering.

"This is...my father's."

Harry stared blankly at the note in his hand.

"He must love you very much, Harry. You should use it yourself first."

Sheen said, and Ron's little thoughts vanished.

Yes, Harry has to use it himself.

It looks like Harry will be going out for a night stroll soon.

Sheen thought that, if he remembered correctly, Harry would be able to see the Mirror of Erised during this nighttime stroll.

Sheen wasn't particularly curious about the Mirror of Erised; he already possessed the magic he craved most.

The Christmas holidays have arrived, and the little wizards are having a blast.

But Sheehan always had more important things to do, so he left Hope Hut.

"Harry, Harry...don't you think Sheen has become more talkative...like just now, he wouldn't have said such a long string of words..."

Ron nudged Harry with his elbow.

"Really? It seems so..."

Harry nodded.

The reason for Sheen's unusual behavior is the same as the reason why almost all the professors disappeared abnormally.

Principal's Office.

Dumbledore smiled broadly, especially after watching a Potions professor stare at the kettle for more than ten minutes; his eyes gleamed with even more cunning.

"oh--"

Dumbledore suddenly remarked,

Snape glanced instinctively toward the door, then glared fiercely at Dumbledore.

"You should get your throat checked, Albus."

He said somberly.

"The person I want to see recently isn't Bobby... it's your letter, Minerva."

Dumbledore's beard stood up completely.

Minerva McGonagall nervously snatched the letter from the owl's talons that had flown in. It was a notice from the Ministry of Magic, informing them that the ceremony was about to begin and requesting everyone's attendance.

Not only her, but also Professor Snape, Flitwick, Professor Sprout, and others received them.

As Dumbledore looked at the letter, his gaze seemed to penetrate the ancient walls of Hogwarts and reach the wizard who had to transform himself into a cat to run there in such a panic.

"Black Cat, what do you guys think of the black cat? It's the lucky sculpture on the third floor."

Dumbledore blinked.

"I see your taste is as bad as ever, Albus."

"Snape said coldly."

"The lucky black cat".

Professor McGonagall nodded slightly.

"certainly--"

Dumbledore crossed his fingers and laughed heartily.

He neither admitted nor denied it, but simply gave Professor Snape a meaningful look.

The stone beast with the drip spout in the principal's office.

A black cat leaped into the air and suddenly transformed into a little wizard dressed in a black robe.

Sheen didn't give a password this time either. Just as he was about to try it with the pile of cockroaches, the dripping stone beast couldn't wait to jump away.

The wall behind it instantly split in two, revealing a spiral staircase that slowly moved upwards.

"He's here—Oh my God—"

The fat lady suddenly ran into the picture frame in the principal's office.

"Elegance, my lady, is especially important in times of crisis."

Sir Cadogan rode proudly on his pony, comforting the fat lady.

Madame Vionette, dressed in a formal white gown, pulled the plump lady over, and together they nervously watched the doorway.

Then, the brass door knocker in the shape of a griffin was pulled.

A head appeared, followed by a figure in a long black robe.

"What an exciting moment!"

Dumbledore stood up, wearing the robes he wore to the opening banquet, a purple cloak that trailed on the ground, and a pair of buckled high-heeled boots.

Behind the crescent-shaped glasses were a pair of bright, deep blue eyes.

"Then, I will read it—"

……

"I hereby declare—'The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Ministry of Magic have jointly issued a special adoption order, effective immediately!'"

Dumbledore winked at Sheehan.

Then Sheehan was embraced by Professor McGonagall, who came running gracefully, almost jogging over.

He used to jog like that, and now—the sound of the wind in his ears is getting louder and louder.

Professor Flitwick clapped enthusiastically, while Professor Sprout smiled like the warm winter sun.

……

Sheehan didn't know how he got out of the headmaster's office; he only knew that a light drizzle had started at Hogwarts, and that he had found shelter in the castle.

On the principal's office desk, the names on a list had also changed:

[Sheen Green, Guardians: Minerva McGonagall; Severus Snape]

(End of this chapter)