Hogwarts Study Panel.

Chapter 598, Section 596: The Empty Talisman Restores

Stepping through the morning dew, Sheen left Hagrid's hut.

He could imagine that once Fudge began to take measures, the peace in the wizarding world would eventually be maintained.

As the rulers of the magical world, wizards, when well-prepared, can handle some riots without too much difficulty.

It is inevitable that people will feel uneasy.

Even if news of Voldemort's return spread within the Ministry of Magic, causing widespread panic, what about the current staff...

Are wizards just living a peaceful life?

By winning over the giants, controlling the raging werewolves, and guarding Azkaban to prevent the expansion of terrorist forces, more innocent lives can be saved.

Hogwarts was quiet in the early morning.

Sheen's footsteps crunched on the grass.

Water was hidden beneath the dew-covered lawn, and the collapsed grass bounced back up as the little wizard's shoes stepped over it.

The stormy night lasted so long that the newly risen sun hadn't yet been able to send the raindrops back to the sky.

But anyway, at least the weather has cleared up.

Sheen prepared to return to his hut to practice dark magic and transfiguration, and waited for the fog to gradually thicken.

During this process, he saw a very familiar figure.

"Mr. Grindelwald."

He said.

The tall wizard standing on the Black Lake embankment grinned widely, and then appeared a second later under the beech tree next to Sheen.

"You've come for the guards of Azkaban, haven't you?"

Sheen said, putting away the book in his hand.

The tall wizard remained noncommittal, his aggressive gaze sweeping over the tops of every tower in Hogwarts: "I've heard that in Naniwich, if someone dies, they say, 'That person's library has closed down.'"

Sheen didn't understand, but listened patiently.

"You said, how many copies of a book with the name Grindelwald were printed in his library?"

"I have no idea."

Sheen is an honest boy.

"You should know, after all, you and he are so alike."

Grindelwald stared at the young wizard with that intense, offensive, and dry self-gaze.

"picture?"

Sheen couldn't understand it.

He knew that Dumbledore's feelings for Grindelwald were more about parting ways.

Just like you can't force a fish to swim in the clouds.

The enlightened Headmaster Dumbledore realized their mistake and unhesitatingly chose another path.

This also applies to Professor Snape and Lily.

Sometimes Sheehan would have a vague thought that Professor Snape would eventually follow the same path as her.

Their wills, after her death, became a conspiracy.

Returning to Grindelwald, Sheen had absolutely no idea what the Dark Lord was thinking.

His actions were as unpredictable as Fred and George throwing snowballs at Voldemort's head, or Ron eating three chicken legs in one bite and then choking and being rushed to the school hospital.

"Green, you amusing little wizard, you probably don't even know who you are."

Grindelwald's white hair fluttered as he said with interest, "Sometimes they think wizards like that are great, don't they? Possessing a heart that can't be approached, yet can't be extinguished."

Sheehan assumed that Grindelwald had been imprisoned for many years and had lost his mind.

He turned to the side, then prepared to politely say goodbye.

"I'll send someone to Azkaban. But don't you want to talk to me? He says that in all these years, you are the only achievement he can praise. He chose you, and perhaps he'll print your name in a hundred copies."

Grindelwald's lips curled into a cold smile. "Isn't that enough? But he handed you over to me. You see, he sent me here, so I came. He told me to pay special attention to you, how rare—and I did. My eyes, after resting for so long, still told me more."

"What?"

Sheehan suddenly realized that Grindelwald was a famous prophet.

I've noticed that he seems to like you.

Grindelwald said in a low voice.

Sheen realized that he was having a hard time getting on the same wavelength as this feared Dark Lord.

"He doesn't care about himself; if he needs to die one day, he'll be willing to sacrifice himself."

Grindelwald's voice lowered even further.

"Perhaps you are right. What did you see?"

Although she didn't know what Grindelwald had seen, given Dumbledore's dangerous pursuit of Voldemort, Sheehan knew that if he matured any slower, Dumbledore might still meet with misfortune.

Voldemort could use Gauntlet's Ring to lure Dumbledore, who longed to see his family, and he could also use other Horcruxes to lure Dumbledore, who wanted to kill him.

"Heh—that's how it is. I told you I saw you, but you're not curious. You think his safety is more important than yours, but what's annoying is that he thinks so too."

Grindelwald leaned against the beech tree, as if mocking himself.

Sheen is getting more and more confused.

Grindelwald was disapproving of Dumbledore's actions in hunting down Voldemort.

What did he see in himself?

Compared to playing cryptic games with Grindelwald here, Sheen would rather go back and grind for skill proficiency.

"I see through the hearts of many people—filthy, vulgar, disgusting—but I can't understand people like you. He used to be like me, but he's completely different now."

Grindelwald was still muttering things Sheehan didn't want to hear, "I need to figure this out. Oh, here's the opportunity. Starting this summer, you'll be studying with me, understand?"

In Sheen's ears.

Many people's hearts—this kind of opportunity—

Learn dark magic from a dark lord!

As the wizard's dim pupils gradually brightened, even Grindelwald felt a strange sense of irritation rise in his heart.

He wasn't listening at all.

"Ha—greedy wizard, do you understand?"

Grindelwald said.

"Understood, Professor Grindelwald."

Sheen nodded vigorously.

"You've changed quite quickly—but I'm very satisfied."

Grindelwald knew that he hadn't listened to him at all, but for some reason, a hint of admiration appeared in his eyes.

How similar they are: a little wizard who has extremely high expectations for magic and cannot tolerate anything else in his eyes.

"Even though he asked me for this, you'd better not embarrass me."

Did you hear that?

Inside Hagrid's cabin, the fireplace was still burning.

A voice rang out.

"certainly."

Another voice was concise and to the point.

"You should come back."

The older voice said.

"What?"

The deep voice was puzzled once again.

"Did he have anything else to say?"

Dumbledore's face was now visible in the sunlight.

"He told me to find—Green—"

"There are only two people in the world who shouldn't be called that."

"Dumbledore—this isn't funny."

"Severus, it's been so long, stop torturing yourself."

Snape remained silent, seemingly unwilling to discuss this further with Dumbledore.

"You see, if you die, people will mourn for you. He was chosen by your own hand, or perhaps you snatched him away."

Dumbledore explained patiently.

Don't mention it.

Snape gritted his teeth.

The night he caught up with Minerva McGonagall was just as shameful as the night he went to the Gryffindor Tower—but he never regretted it.

"You should understand, Severus. There's only one thing in the world you can always be proud of. Even a thief, a robber..."

"Disgraceful executioner."

Dumbledore pressed on relentlessly.

"What do you want me to say?!"

Snape growled, "I won't tell him anything, Dumbledore. There's never been a man in this world who would betray himself—"

His voice suddenly fell silent.

"----son."

Dumbledore looked him over carefully from head to toe as if he were seeing him for the first time, and then let out a kind laugh.

Gentle and melodious.

"That's enough!"

Snape angrily tried to push the door open and leave.

You have to tell him.

Dumbledore kept him there with just one sentence.

"What are you saying?!"

Snape stared at him in disbelief.

"This heavy burden has robbed you of your wisdom, Siever."

Dumbledore narrowed his eyes, his smile undiminished as he looked at him. "Even if you don't tell him, he'll find out. It's too easy."

"If we drag this out any longer—if we delay any longer, it will also—"

Snape spoke in short, paused sentences.

"Really? I think that only takes the time it takes to read a newspaper, 1"

Dumbledore continued, "You'll be back soon after you go back. He needs you as his spy, because he has no more eyes and ears here."

"I know."

Snape's expression shifted between light and dark.

"He's planning to kill him, not just Harry Potter. As for killing Lucius, I hope that plan can delay him a little longer."

"Dumbledore said slowly."

Snape snorted; he truly didn't care about Lucius Malfoy's life.

"Well, perhaps it's time for the substitute professor to change roles. Our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is returning—time is running out, and the wizarding world is becoming increasingly dangerous. I need to find some people to teach the kids."

Dumbledore spoke to Snape about his plans as if he were talking to an old friend.

"I can do it."

Snape said.

"Oh, of course you can, Severus. You are certainly very good, but how many dark wizards have you killed so far?"

We're facing far more formidable opponents than just a few kittens. I'll find an experienced wizard to assist you; do you agree to that?

Dumbledore suggested gently.

If Professor Snape were a cat, his fur would be completely groomed by now.

He snorted and nodded.

"If you agree, then let's part ways here, Severus."

Dumbledore looked at him with that expectant, kind gaze. "You should be very careful. You know someone is watching you."

Snape did not answer; with a flick of his robe, he disappeared into the hut.

Looking at the crackling fire in the fireplace, Dumbledore's lips curled into a slight smile.

See? That's how it is. Even a heart made of stone can be warmed up, no matter who it is.

That very day.

The heavy rain has stopped.

The Great Hall was as noisy as ever, especially in the days since Professor Snape's return.

"He's back."

Perhaps only Ron would find Professor Snape's return more terrifying than Voldemort's return.

"Who? Voldemort?"

Harry was startled.

This rumor has been spreading like wildfire lately.

The Ministry of Magic has taken so many actions, even replacing the guards at Azkaban.

These days, the Magic Hand Mirror is announcing news like this every day.

Harry and his friends practiced magic even more diligently, despite Sheen's absence and Hermione's volatile temper.

But Justin showed a rare talent for teaching. Although his practice was not so good, as the compiler and editor of Grimm's Notebook, he always had profound and effective insights.

He often taught young wizards for free at the Castle Cat Club.

After the wizards' grades improved significantly, many of the younger wizards affectionately called him Professor Finley.

However, Harry's mood remained somewhat heavy, not only because of Professor Lupin's resignation and Professor Snape's return.

It's mostly just a rumor.

Fortunately, he has been seeing Sheen dining in the auditorium recently.

This greatly relieved his tension.

He bet that many wizards here are like that.

On the last day of the semester, the exam results came out.

Sheen still got full marks.

During his meal in the auditorium, he overheard quite a few snippets of gossip about the wizards.

This was perhaps the only time he could relax during the day, so he would doze off while listening.

Percy achieved a high score on the Ultimate Wizarding Test (NEWT), while Fred and George also managed to get some points on their Common Wizarding Level Test (0.WL).

Ravenclaw won the House Cup for the third consecutive year, largely thanks to the outstanding performance of a certain young wizard. This meant that the end-of-term banquet was held amidst blue and turquoise decorations, and the Ravenclaw tables were especially lively, with everyone celebrating.

Most of the wizards had forgotten the bad news from a while ago, and they were eating, drinking, chatting and laughing together.

That morning, Sheehan also saw Professor Snape again after a long time.

He sat in the main seat and occasionally glanced at Sheen when she dozed off.

As she was leaving, Hermione announced some unexpected news.

"I went to see Professor McGonagall this morning, just before breakfast. I've decided to give up Muggle research."

Hermione said to the dozing Sheehan and the surprised Justin.

"But you got 320 points."

Justin said.

"I know,"

Hermione sighed and said, "But I can't stand another year like this. That time-tamper was driving me crazy. I've already returned it."

Without Muggle research and divination, I can have a normal schedule again.

"Yes, I support it."