"Merlin's beard..." Blaise breathed in sharply with shock.
He had imagined many different kinds of magic that Sean might demonstrate, but he had never once thought that the magic Sean was referring to would be this particular transformation. This was simply too outrageous to believe!
"Animagus... This is an actual Animagus transformation... But I have never seen such an impossibly large Animagus form in my entire life," Andy stammered.
"This is truly an Animagus? Good grief, Professor McGonagall's Animagus form is probably not even as large as one of Sean's teeth when compared to Sean's transformed state!" Jason added in amazement.
While Blaise and the other three stood there completely surprised and at a loss for words, Sean looked carefully at the massive stone pillar standing next to him and felt eager to test his new strength. He vaguely felt certain that with his current physical power, he could probably shatter the thick stone pillar completely with just one swing of his tail. However, considering carefully that this was still Hogwarts after all, and if he caused extensive structural damage to the Chamber, it would inevitably attract the unwanted attention of the professors, Sean reluctantly suppressed those destructive thoughts.
Sean felt somewhat disappointed at not being able to test his abilities in actual combat. He looked at the scattered basilisk remains lying around the Chamber, feeling unsure if it was directly related to his transformation into a white serpent form. A strong, nagging desire to fight and prove himself kept brewing steadily within his mind. He felt absolutely certain that with his current Animagus physical form, even without any magical aid whatsoever, he could successfully challenge most dangerous magical beasts—and perhaps even some truly powerful magical creatures.
Whoosh...
Sean smoothly returned to his normal human form from his White Serpent King state.
Stretching his human body carefully, Sean reflected that his previously frenzied fighting spirit while in White Serpent King form had clearly been driven primarily by animalistic instincts—much like how Peter Pettigrew's natural timidity and cowardice had been amplified and influenced by his rat Animagus form over the years. Sean felt he needed to be significantly more cautious and aware of this effect in the future. While engaging in duels was certainly desirable for growth and experience, mindless and fervent aggression driven purely by instinct was completely unacceptable behavior.
"Will you three come back with me now, or do you want to stay here a little longer?" Sean asked.
"Will we be discovered by anyone if we choose to stay down here?" Blaise asked with concern.
"Probably not at all. It is Christmas holiday after all, and we are probably the only perverts in the entire castle who would actually come to this abandoned girls' bathroom to cause any trouble," Sean replied dryly.
Sean raised an eyebrow meaningfully at this particular point.
Of the four people present here today, absolutely none of them could possibly escape the accurate label of being a pervert!
Blaise and the others quickly followed Sean back out of the Chamber.
While the Chamber of Secrets had certainly looked quite impressive at first glance—magnificent and architecturally impressive in its ancient design—it was ultimately only worth a passing visit. There were not any living caged basilisks for people to observe and study, so there was really no practical point in staying any longer than necessary.
The four of them left efficiently along the pipe passageway, and the concealed entrance closed smoothly behind them as they exited back into the bathroom.
Sean immediately cast a Disillusionment Charm on both himself and Blaise for safety. Seeing that no one had been around when they had first entered the bathroom, they naturally had to be even more cautious and careful when leaving it. It would not matter particularly much if the four of them knew each other was somewhat perverted, but if anyone else in the school discovered this fact, it would be an absolute social disaster.
Me!
Sean Bulstrode!
A genuinely renowned Slytherin student!
He had killed both Quirrell and the basilisk with his own hands, and made truly great contributions to protecting Hogwarts!
His research papers had been published in The Golden Crucible—the highest and most prestigious journal of Potions—for three consecutive times, and were highly praised by people throughout the wizarding community!
And then... he would be known as a pervert who sneaks into girls' bathrooms...
Sean felt absolutely certain that if he was really seen by other students, he would immediately transfer to Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in America, because Europe would no longer have any place left for him socially.
Of course, the potentially embarrassing matter was not discovered in the end. Sean returned safely to his private room with a deep sigh of relief, then carefully pulled Kulkan out from inside his robes and placed her gently on the bed.
Looking at the still visibly angry Kulkan, Sean raised his eyebrows slightly and said casually, "Kulkan, do you happen to remember that I acquired a dragon breeding farm last year?"
Hearing the magical word "dragon" mentioned, Kulkan immediately turned her head sharply and asked with barely contained impatience, "Dragon? What dragon are you talking about?"
"A dragon breeding farm—I actually own one now. I heard from Aldridge earlier that this year's harvest has come in successfully. I have had someone carefully keep aside some fresh dragon blood and a small amount of dragon meat for you—not just the usual dragon skin and scales that most people trade. I am just wondering if you might be interested in having some?" Sean offered.
With a lightning-quick flick of her body, Kulkan immediately swooped over Sean's shoulders, wrapped herself affectionately around his neck, and nuzzled her head against his cheek. "Oh, that incident earlier was just an accidental bump against the wall! I cannot possibly get genuinely mad over such a small and unimportant thing. You are being far too sensitive about it. I am just feeling a little sleepy, that is all. I am a snake after all, and it is winter currently. Being lazy and sleepy is perfectly normal for my species during this season, is it not right?"
"What about the dragon blood and dragon meat I mentioned?" Sean asked knowingly.
"They are absolutely essential! I must have them!" Kulkan replied with firm determination.
After Christmas holiday ended, Hogwarts gradually resumed its normal academic study routine once more.
With the invaluable help of a large and steady supply of new mental recovery potions and his naturally troll-like enhanced physique, Sean managed his increasingly heavy workload and ongoing thesis research and writing with relative ease and efficiency.
Meanwhile, Hermione and the other ambitious students who had foolishly signed up for every single available course—those students in better financial circumstances regularly used expensive potions to keep up, while those less fortunate were simply left to struggle and fend for themselves as best they could. Halfway through the semester already, those students who had signed up for absolutely all the courses were visibly exhausted, especially Hermione Granger, who was constantly striving desperately for first place in everything.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Sean frowned slightly with genuine concern at Hermione's violent coughing fit. After a brief moment's thought, he stepped forward quietly and glanced at Madam Pince, who was busily sorting books in the distance. Sean discreetly took out two different potions from his bag and placed them carefully on Hermione's desk.
"Drink them both," Sean said simply.
Hermione looked up at Sean with surprise. She was about to say something in response when she was interrupted by yet another round of painful coughing fits.
Sean looked at her with concern and whispered seriously, "Hermione, when calculating final grades, only your top two elective courses will actually count toward your overall score. If you are merely trying to prove something to yourself or others, there is absolutely no need to push yourself to this dangerous extent."
"I understand what you are saying, Sean, but... cough cough cough..." Hermione tried to protest.
"Drink the potions first before arguing," Sean insisted.
"These potions are quite expensive, I cannot possibly—" Hermione began.
"Your constant coughing has been disturbing my studies and concentration, so drink them immediately," Sean interrupted firmly.
Looking at Sean's completely expressionless and even somewhat serious face, Hermione fell silent for a long moment, then smiled warmly at him with genuine gratitude. She knew perfectly well that Sean had not really asked her to drink the potions for that stated reason at all.
After another moment's grateful consideration, Hermione carefully took the two potions Sean had given her and drank them down one by one without further protest.
As the potions went down her throat, Hermione's violent coughs immediately began to subside noticeably, eventually disappearing completely.
At the same time, Hermione could clearly feel her depleted energy rapidly recovering throughout her entire body. Her mind, which had been feeling increasingly sluggish and foggy, was now sharp and clear once again.
"Thank you so much, Sean," Hermione said sincerely.
"As for the advice I gave you, you should think about it very carefully," Sean replied.
"At least until the end of this school year, I am committed. I will definitely beat both you and any other competitors this year and become the top student for this academic year!" Hermione declared with renewed determination.
"Well, then I will simply wait and see if you can manage it," Sean said with a faint smile.
After saying a proper goodbye to Hermione, Sean returned to his own desk, gathered his things together, and left the library. He was approximately halfway through completing the second phase of his research paper, and it was definitely time to discuss his progress with his Head of House.
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