Hogwarts Study Panel.

Chapter 576, Section 574: Dumbledore's Retirement Plan

During the dinner, many people were also unwrapping their Christmas presents.

Most wizards now have a Magic Hand Mirror, since Sheen set the price of the first Magic Hand Mirror at one Galleon.

It can barely cover the costs.

Of course, if you include the labor costs of the wizards at the Jade Workshop, then it won't be enough.

Fortunately, Sheehan is perhaps the young wizard with the most accumulated wealth in all of Hogwarts, which is what enabled him to take such a step.

The money in the vault was increasing every day, and to this day, Sheen had no idea how much wealth he had amassed.

But it can be predicted that there will be more than any ancient pure-blood family.

In front of Sheen, Professor Trelawney was helped to a seat. She looked around at everyone in a panic, and seemed to feel a little relieved when Professor Binns also sat down.

"Don't be the first to stand up — don't be the first to stand up —"

She kept muttering to herself, which made Professor McGonagall extremely angry.

"I don't believe this will have much of an impact."

Professor McGonagall said coldly, "Unless there's a ruthless executioner waiting outside to kill the first person who walks into the hall."

Dumbledore couldn't help but chuckle softly, and Professor Trelawney seemed to have been greatly insulted.

"Those without the third eye will always think that the words of the knowledgeable are unbelievable, but when the truth unveils its mysterious veil, they will be amazed at the perfect fit of fate."

Professor Trelawney said casually, glancing at Sheehan.

"That would be best."

Professor McGonagall said coldly.

Warm snowflakes were falling from the enchanted ceiling of the auditorium, and thousands of candles flickered gently above the mistletoe and holly wreaths.

The four academy tables were piled high with roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, and magical firecrackers, filling the air with a sweet aroma.

Sheen saw Mr. Filch open his Christmas present, which contained the third-generation Magic Hand Mirror.

Mr. Filch looked over with a mixture of surprise and bewilderment, and Sheehan was able to meet his gaze.

Mr. Filch gave Sheehan a thick scarf with multiple layers of fleece.

Sheen is currently wearing it around her neck, and you can still vaguely see the "SG" embroidered on the scarf.

When exchanging gifts, they always left notes between them.

Mr. Filch's handwriting is visible on the edge of today's scarf:

Merry Christmas, Mr. Green. The Scottish winter is getting colder; may you stay a little warmer on days when your fireplace doesn't follow you around.

Sheehan, too, had a small parchment in the gift box he gave to Mr. Filch:

Merry Christmas, Mr. Filch. Along with my blessings, here's a Christmas-themed guide to dealing with the magical creations of Trick Room. Hopefully, it will lighten your workload today.

The fireplace in the auditorium burned exceptionally brightly, and Christmas always passed in this extra warm atmosphere.

I don't know when it started, but it seems that every wizard gives Sheen a scarf on Christmas Day.

For example, Justin, Harry, Hermione—and Professor McGonagall as well.

In addition to this, Sheen will also receive many top hats, jackets, robes and other items.

That way, he wouldn't need to go to the Tuofan clothing store in Diagon Alley for the entire winter.

By the time the wizards were unwrapping their gifts, more than ten minutes had already passed since the banquet began.

It wasn't until Sheehan felt his stomach was about to burst from the Christmas feast that Headmaster Dumbledore slowly rose from the center of the main seat.

His long, silvery beard trembled slightly as he gently tapped his wine glass, the clinking sound silencing the entire auditorium.

"Merry Christmas,"

He opened his arms, his blue eyes behind his half-moon glasses gleaming with delight. "Before you all finish the last pudding, please allow me a few precious minutes."

The young wizards restrained their movements and looked curiously at the main guest seats.

Dumbledore continued, "Many years ago, I sat among you, looking up at the Headmaster as I do now, giving my address. I never imagined then that I would one day become that rambling old man standing on the faculty bench."

He paused for a moment, his voice softening further, "And tonight, this talkative old man has something to announce to you."

Whispers filled the auditorium.

Sheehan saw Justin put down his fork, and Ron stopped tearing the cannon.

"first,"

Dumbledore said, "I am extremely pleased and proud that I have found a successor to me as headmaster of Hogwarts—and I, after finishing my last period of work, have decided to retire completely."

Yes, you heard right. This means I can finally focus on researching several long-neglected dessert recipes and enjoy the warmth of a truly comfortable pair of wool socks.

The entire auditorium seemed to be under a silent spell. After a moment, a murmur of discussion rose up like a tide.

"What Headmaster Dumbledore just said was—"

Hermione covered her mouth in surprise, her gaze darting between the faces of the crowd, as if waiting for someone to tell her that she had misheard.

"retire!"

Ron's big chicken leg fell out of his mouth.

Dumbledore tapped his cup again, his tone regaining its usual composure: "The damp chill of the Scottish Highlands is too much; look, my old arms and legs are almost too weak to lift—but thankfully, I found the right person before they completely give up. That's all this old man has to say—"

"Finally, Mr. Green, could you help me back to the principal's office? As you can see, my knees are really badly rusted."

Sheen was taken aback.

How could he not know that Headmaster Dumbledore was unwell?

With a slightly grave expression, he helped the headmaster up and left the Hogwarts Great Hall in complete silence.

Headmaster Dumbledore's health is fine, but Sheehan is reminded of Nick Lemaître.

He knew that wizards could live longer than ordinary people, but he really didn't know if wizards would have health problems at this age.

What if wizards, like the alchemist Nicolas Flamel, experienced physical problems?

This is impossible to know.

"Headmaster Dumbledore—your health—"

Sheen asked carefully.

"Oh, sorry to interrupt, child. I think I'm not concerned with the present tonight; let's talk about the future."

"Dumbledore said kindly."

"What do you want to say?"

Sheen asked thoughtfully.

Headmaster Dumbledore no longer pressed some of his weight onto him, which made him realize that Headmaster Dumbledore was in good health.

"As you can see, we need one person to stay at Hogwarts, and one person to go on a great adventure—"

Dumbledore said with a smile, "Forgive an old man's desire to squander; he still has some adventurous spirit left to be explored—it wouldn't be so pleasant to take it to the grave."

"Are you going to find Voldemort alone?"

Sheen's eyes sharpened.

"Don't look at me like that, dear incoming principal. Aren't you doing the same thing?"

Dumbledore still had his eyes narrowed, and he looked all smiles.

"—You know that."

Sheen was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, we have made many efforts, and more importantly, we have fought. Of course, you have done far more work than I have."

I must commend your excellent work efficiency, but this is too dangerous. We didn't have a choice before, did we? Hmm—

Tianmu wouldn't tell me that a child named "Green" is about to attend Hogwarts.

But you see, we need to be more conservative now; we can't be so radical anymore. I think staying at Hogwarts is the best option for you. As for me, I'll bring along a few old friends and put to good use of my old bones.

Dumbledore seemed to sigh, "We've reached the point where we need to say these things, boy. It's dangerous and foolish for old people to think of young people as too naive."

Dumbledore looked at Sheehan, his deep blue eyes reflecting the warm glow of the fireplace.

The gaze was unlike that of an old wizard looking at a young wizard, or the headmaster of Hogwarts looking at a student.

Sheen is more likely to interpret such a gaze as that of a friend.

"We've always been in this together, kid. But before, the work you did was a bit more dangerous, and now we have to share the risks. Little Hangorton hasn't been very peaceful lately, I only just heard the news. And since my legs are starting to rust, I've decided to go for a walk."

Dumbledore was implying something.

"you----"

Sheen noticed that his heart was pounding.

What does Headmaster Dumbledore know?

Does he know Voldemort is at Riddle Hall? Or does he know Voldemort's current situation?

Who is Voldemort's other servant? If Headmaster Dumbledore knew of Voldemort's whereabouts, did he know who Voldemort's other servant was?

"It seems we've both been doing a lot of work behind the scenes. Oh, perhaps I've gotten the better end of the deal this time?"

Dumbledore remained as kind and approachable as ever.

It's like a retired old man chatting with someone.

But no one would underestimate such a wise man.

How did you discover that—?

Sheen asked tentatively.

"Albania, I've noticed this place for a long time. It's a vast and inclusive forest that sometimes doesn't resist even the most unexpected creatures that slip in."

Finding anything in such a vast forest is difficult. So I could only ask some of my old friends to keep an eye out for every wizard going there.

Dumbledore spoke eloquently, not at all bothered to share her plans with Sheehan.

So it was a screening wizard?

Sheen thought to herself, "It's not that simple."

"I found Peter quite easily in a tavern. Of course, this is all thanks to Miss Tonks, who I've introduced to you before. She's an excellent Auror, our newest member, and an Animagus in disguise."

Dumbledore tapped his fingers rhythmically on his leg.

"us?"

Sheen caught a strange word.

"An old, outdated organization, full of stubborn guys of all ages."

Dumbledore seemed unwilling to dwell on the topic, glossing over it lightly before turning to Sheehan. "And you, child. Is there anything you want to tell me? Anything?"

"Professor Trelawney made a prediction not long ago—"

Sheen pondered, "She said: He is still cunning—I—we need to be careful—Seventh."

,"oh----"

Dumbledore seemed to be deep in thought.

"This means,"

Sheen continued, "If we had even one chance, we could wipe him out completely—"

His breathing quickened slightly, and a hint of determination crept into his usually calm and composed demeanor. "This could be the last chance."

The magical world is too vast.

If Voldemort truly saw something, such as the existence of more than one person at Hogwarts whom he couldn't defeat, then he might have simply disappeared into the darkness.

Can wizards live forever?

Sheehan didn't know, but he knew that Voldemort had gone further than anyone else on the path to immortality.

Perhaps Dumbledore wasn't afraid of Voldemort, or perhaps he himself wasn't, but a Voldemort who was no longer obsessed with killing Harry could cause terrible destruction.

Sheehan couldn't help but think of Professor Snape's description of dark magic: "Dark magic is a diverse and ever-changing art, a never-ending process. To fight it is like fighting a multi-headed monster; as soon as you cut off one head, a new one, more ferocious and cunning than the first, immediately sprouts up."

In the days that followed Christmas, the wizards were all enthusiastically discussing the matter of the successor to the headmaster.

Regarding Sheen, who was summoned away that day, the wizards directly bestowed upon him the title of successor.

Fred and George would always suddenly appear, tip their hats to Sheehan, and then loudly proclaim, "The great Mr. Green—the Headmaster of Hogwarts—Fred (George) pays his respects to you!"

This caused the wizards to chuckle quietly.

-

Unlike before, the wizards are now less likely to approach Sheen.

Even Hermione and Justin were included, but Sheehan didn't have time to pay attention to them.

Two weeks have passed, and he remains immersed in the Transfiguration, pondering that blind confidence.

[You have practiced a magical transformation to expert standards. Proficiency +50]

The panel's booster sounded, but Sheen frowned.

He still hasn't broken through to the Master level. Is there some secret he still doesn't know?

He looked closely at Headmaster Dumbledore's notes, but his gaze had already wandered elsewhere.

[Name: Sheehan Green]

[Transfiguration Talent: Purple (Master Transfiguration title already granted). Note: Regular wizards have Green.]

Transfiguration Classification:

Magical Transformation: Expert Level (14500/30000)

Material Deformation: Expert Level (1300/30000)

Soul Transformation: Expert Level (550/3000)

[Evaluation: A wizard who has reached the Master level in the field of shapeshifting is an outstanding figure even among the best, capable of fighting against many wizards who have barely reached the Master level.]

In two weeks, Sheen gained a total of 15,000 proficiency points.

While magical and material transformations are progressing rapidly, soul transformations have remained largely stagnant.

After all, Sheen has never been able to fully understand his own "magical loop".

Fortunately, the evening was shrouded in mist.

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