Both Sean and Snape followed behind Dumbledore silently like two children who had just committed a serious mistake.
Sean felt genuinely nervous.
After all, he'd just used Dark Magic directly in front of multiple professors.
Meanwhile, Snape's thoughts were even more chaotic.
How had Sean learned Sectumsempra?
And more importantly—
how exactly was Dumbledore planning to punish him for it?
Inside the wizarding world, many accomplished wizards eventually developed signature magic unique to themselves.
Potion masters created private formulas.
Powerful wizards invented personal spells.
And once such knowledge was passed down to another person, it usually meant only one thing.
Master and apprentice.
That relationship was practically confirmed in the eyes of other wizards.
Especially for a spell like Sectumsempra.
From an outsider's perspective, Snape had clearly accepted Sean as his direct successor already.
But only Snape himself knew the truth.
He had never taught Sean Sectumsempra at all.
Unfortunately—
there was absolutely no way anyone would believe him now.
The moment they entered the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore slowly sat down and sighed deeply.
Snape immediately began explaining before Dumbledore could even speak.
"Dumbledore, I truly didn't teach him."
"I have no idea where he learned—"
Dumbledore raised both hands calmly.
"Relax, Severus."
His voice remained gentle.
"I didn't bring you here because of that."
Then Dumbledore's expression became slightly more serious.
"I simply think perhaps you should pay closer attention to our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor."
Snape's eyes narrowed instantly.
"Because," Dumbledore continued quietly, "nobody else currently has a reason to deliberately create chaos inside Hogwarts."
Silence filled the office briefly.
Finally, Snape nodded once.
"…Understood."
Dumbledore smiled softly.
"Good."
"Now leave us for a moment."
"I'd like to speak privately with little Sean."
Snape gave Sean an extremely complicated look before turning and leaving silently.
The office door closed softly behind him.
Then Dumbledore gestured toward a nearby chair.
"Sit down, Sean."
Sean sat carefully while remaining completely alert internally.
Dumbledore folded his hands together thoughtfully.
"To be honest…"
"…I still don't fully understand how you accomplished all this."
His blue eyes sparkled faintly.
"I heard long ago that you were secretly training Slytherin students."
"And even threatening to reform them."
Sean coughed awkwardly.
Dumbledore smiled slightly.
"But I must admit…"
"You've done remarkably well."
"In fact, better than many professors in this castle."
Sean blinked slightly.
Dumbledore continued calmly:
"You took students who ranked near the bottom of Hogwarts academically…"
"…and transformed them completely."
"Very few people could accomplish something like that."
Then his expression grew thoughtful.
"You also gave two Houses already hostile toward each other an opportunity to cooperate."
"Frankly…"
"If regulations permitted it…"
"…I might already be considering offering you a teaching position."
Sean nearly choked.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore kept speaking.
"Charlie's use of Herbivicus today was excellent."
"Both his timing and execution matched fully trained adult wizards."
Then Dumbledore looked directly into Sean's eyes.
"Students simply do not grow that quickly through ordinary teaching."
"Not without experiences resembling life-and-death combat."
The office became quiet briefly.
Finally, Dumbledore spoke again.
"I don't particularly care how you achieved it."
"And I have no intention of asking what special magic you used."
Then he leaned forward slightly.
"I only wish to ask one thing."
"Can you do the same for other students?"
Sean immediately shook his head without hesitation.
"Sorry, Professor."
"Training Slytherin students already pushes my limits."
That part technically wasn't false.
The training room itself had infinite space.
But Sean had absolutely no intention of using precious clones as permanent login devices for random students throughout Hogwarts.
He only helped Slytherin because many of those children came from influential families.
Helping them would benefit his future plans significantly.
But future first-years?
No chance.
Sean never acted without personal gain.
At least not intentionally.
Still, Sean added politely:
"If you want, though…"
"…I can still help improve other students another way."
Dumbledore studied him silently for several seconds.
Then, with a small wave of his hand, a cup of tea appeared before Sean automatically.
"Go on."
Sean didn't bother hiding his thoughts.
"Actually, motivating students isn't difficult."
"The easiest House to handle is Gryffindor."
Dumbledore immediately looked interested.
Sean continued calmly:
"Just arrange opportunities for Slytherin and Gryffindor to compete openly."
"I guarantee Gryffindors will become more motivated than if they drank stimulant potions."
Dumbledore chuckled quietly.
Sean continued:
"As for Hufflepuff…"
"…they're peaceful and naturally lazy."
"So the best method is forcing them into situations they dislike avoiding."
"Eventually they'll improve simply to escape discomfort."
Then Sean shrugged.
"Ravenclaw doesn't need help."
"Their study atmosphere already functions perfectly."
"In most other areas, Hogwarts itself works very well already."
"There's not much I'd change."
Dumbledore remained silent for a very long time after hearing all that.
Finally, he asked quietly:
"Where exactly did you learn these ideas?"
His eyes seemed unusually deep now.
"You always seem to possess… fascinating theories."
Sean smiled lightly.
"Most of them come from a distant country called the Dragon Kingdom."
"Though the Muggle world also has many educational theories worth studying."
"Dragon Kingdom…"
Dumbledore's expression suddenly looked slightly nostalgic.
"I've wanted to visit for many years."
"Unfortunately…"
"…certain responsibilities make leaving difficult."
"You'll have the chance someday, Professor."
Sean glanced absentmindedly toward Fawkes resting quietly nearby.
"Phoenixes are remarkable creatures."
"Their feathers create powerful wands."
"Their tears heal nearly anything."
"And even death cannot truly destroy them."
Sean's voice softened slightly.
"They always find ways to begin again."
Dumbledore smiled faintly.
"Rather like you, Sean."
"You always manage to surprise people unexpectedly."
Then suddenly—
Dumbledore changed the topic entirely.
"Tell me, Sean."
"What do you know about the Order of the Phoenix?"
Sean's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I know of it, Professor."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully.
"Then what do you think about allowing Charlie and the others to join eventually?"
Sean immediately became cautious internally.
He had no idea what this old fox truly intended.
So instead of answering directly, Sean asked his own question.
"Professor Dumbledore…"
"You already possess many talented followers."
"If you want recruits, why not use your own people?"
Internally, Sean added silently:
I'm not handing my people over to become your pawns.
Dumbledore sighed softly.
"My people…"
"…are all exceptionally bright children."
Then he smiled helplessly.
"And almost all of them are Gryffindors."
"You know what those children are like."
.....
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