Chapter 307: A Student with Teachers is Like a Treasure
The weight of restriction settled over Sean like a heavy cloak. No magical items meant the Pure White Pocket Watch would remain locked away in his dormitory, its life-saving power beyond his reach. If Voldemort truly had him in his crosshairs, his margin for error had shrunk to a razor's edge. One misstep, one moment of vulnerability, and the green flash of Avada Kedavra would find its mark.
Sean's jaw tightened as he considered his options. His body possessed considerable magical resistance, true enough, but against a Killing Curse wielded by a master of the Dark Arts? Unless he could transform into his Animagus form in time and rely on the White Serpent King's formidable defences, death would claim him in an instant.
Without the Watch, his Serpent King's Eyes could only be invoked once. Another trump card effectively halved.
Damn troublesome indeed.
Yet not all news carried shadows. Sean's academic standing would default to perfect marks this year, excusing him from the stress of final examinations. Though strangely, the prospect of missing those tests felt more like punishment than privilege. The competition for top academic honours would fall to Hermione and Catherine now.
The Triwizard matters reached a temporary lull as night deepened around Hogwarts. Dumbledore's warm invitation persuaded Maxime, Karkaroff, Bagman, and Crouch to remain as guests. The late hour and promise of fine spirits proved too tempting to resist.
Sean, Fleur, and Krum departed the chamber under professorial escort. Hagrid's massive frame guided Fleur toward the Beauxbatons carriage, while Moody's distinctive gait led Krum to the Durmstrang ship. Snape's black robes billowed as he accompanied Sean through the castle's shadowed corridors.
"Professor," Sean ventured as they approached the Slytherin dungeons, "I'd like to visit the third floor now, if you'll permit it."
Snape's dark eyes fixed on his student. He understood perfectly where Sean intended to go. "After consulting with your alchemy mentors, report to my office."
The Potions Master's tone carried an unmistakable edge of command. "Of course, if you consider it unnecessary..."
Sean caught the dangerous glint in Snape's expression and smiled diplomatically. "Professor, you know I always answer when you summon me."
For a moment, Snape seemed caught off guard by the earnest response. Then his lips curled into something resembling disdain. "Spending excessive time with Zabini has made your tongue as silver as his."
With a dramatic sweep of his black robes, Snape strode away, the fabric snapping like wings in his wake.
Sean watched his Head of House disappear around a corner before turning toward the third floor. The familiar classroom door yielded to his touch, revealing Nicolas and Antonius deep in animated conversation. Relief flooded through him like warm honey.
"Teacher Antonius, Teacher Nicolas," Sean bowed slightly, "my apologies for the delay. Unexpected circumstances arose."
Antonius waved away the concern with characteristic gentleness. "Think nothing of it. Hogwarts buzzed with Triwizard excitement today. A small delay matters little."
"Actually, the delay wasn't due to general festivities." Sean's voice carried a note of wry amusement. "I was selected as Hogwarts' champion."
Nicolas raised an eyebrow, his ancient features creasing with curiosity. "The tournament employs an Age Line this year, does it not? You should be too young for participation."
Having lived at Hogwarts throughout the preparations, Nicolas possessed intimate knowledge of the competition's rules and restrictions.
Antonius leaned forward, concern evident in his gentle eyes. "Sean, how did you circumvent Dumbledore's barrier?"
"That's precisely the problem, Teacher Antonius. I never registered at all."
The implications struck both masters simultaneously. Understanding passed between them like lightning, and the atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken dangers.
Antonius rose swiftly, crossing to Sean with fluid grace. "What position does Hogwarts take? Do they acknowledge your non-participation in the selection?"
"They're aware, but the Goblet of Fire binds participants through ancient contract magic. Once a name emerges from those flames, participation becomes mandatory. Even the professors lack the power to dissolve such bonds."
Sean spoke matter-of-factly, though internally he recognised alternatives existed. Destroying the Goblet completely would shatter the contract, but such an act would involve three separate Ministries and untold diplomatic consequences. The ancient artefact remained untouchable.
"When does the first task commence?" Antonius asked, his voice tight with concern.
"November twenty-fourth."
Nicolas turned to his fellow master, eyes bright with sudden inspiration. "Antonius, perhaps we can provide Sean with specialised preparation before then."
"Special training?" Antonius mused. "Can magical items be employed in tournament competition?"
Alchemical creations naturally fell under the magical items classification.
Nicolas shook his head, then brightened. "Not exactly. However, items crafted by the champions themselves are permitted. Provided they're created in advance under official supervision, potions and alchemical works can be utilised during competition.
Many participants specialise in such arts. The tournament couldn't reasonably demand competitors abandon their greatest strengths. Hence, this allowance exists.
Of course, this represents a very old regulation. With the tournament's revival, I wondered whether modern rules might differ."
"The same provisions apply, Teacher Nicolas."
"Excellent!" Nicolas clapped his hands together. "This opens fascinating possibilities for Sean's preparation."
Understanding dawned in Antonius's eyes like sunrise. He nodded appreciatively. "I see your thinking, Nicolas. You wish Sean to master alchemical puppet creation in the time remaining."
Nicolas smiled with satisfaction. The meeting of brilliant minds produced immediate comprehension. When he spoke the first half of an idea, Antonius grasped the complete concept.
"Alchemical puppets?" Sean's brow furrowed with doubt. "Can such skills be mastered in less than a month?"
Antonius regarded his student with warm encouragement. "First, you underestimate your own capabilities. Second, with both of us as instructors, worry becomes unnecessary. Third, your competition puppets won't rival Lisa's sophistication. We're discussing consumable constructs, nothing more. The challenge is entirely manageable."
His voice carried absolute confidence. "We'll design simple puppets, easily constructed and controlled. You need only craft them before the supervisors when the time arrives."
"Thank you both." Gratitude coloured Sean's words as tension melted from his shoulders. "I feel considerably more confident now."
Indeed, relief washed over him like cool water. With sufficient alchemical puppets at his disposal, even Voldemort would struggle to target him through a swarm of animated defenders. The constructs would provide cover, confusion, and precious seconds to react.
Of course, before that advantage could be realised, Sean needed to prioritise mastering Apparition. The ability to vanish from danger might prove even more valuable than any puppet army.
The pieces of his strategy were falling into place, each element strengthening the others. With proper preparation and his teachers' guidance, even the Dark Lord's schemes might find no purchase against him.