At Hogwarts' Christmas feast, everyone ate with relish—
including Sean, who was about to set off on a long journey.
After finishing the section introducing Ilvermorny Castle, Sean naturally shifted his attention to studying how to inscribe the Undetectable Extension Charm.
And a new question appeared—what kind of container should he choose?
Most wizards chose something simple and portable, like a trunk—Newt, for instance, and Professor Tayra as well.
Other wizards' choices were all over the place: some etched it into the pockets of their robes; some into bags; Mr. Weasley had even chosen the boot of his flying car.
This wasn't urgent—not really. Sean had only just unlocked the Undetectable Extension Charm, and he'd only just gotten some precious materials from Professor Tayra.
But Sean also knew his time was short.
He had to master making an Undetectable Extension bag as soon as possible, so he could move on to learning how to build stable living environments and climates for creatures.
That involved stable weather charms and Transfiguration—and the undisputed master in that field was none other than the old Hufflepuff alumnus.
Just imagining running into Mr. Scamander at Ilvermorny and not being able to consult him made Sean feel like he'd missed the best possible chance.
So making an Undetectable Extension item became Sean's top priority. Before the feast even ended, he kept practicing on matchboxes:
[You practiced the Undetectable Extension Charm to a beginner's standard once. Proficiency +3]
[You practiced the Undetectable Extension Charm to a beginner's standard once. Proficiency +3]
…
[Undetectable Extension Charm: Beginner (250/300)]
His week of effort hadn't been wasted. When Sean focused on a single spell, he could grind it to near-Competent in no time.
And so the feast ended with the students' bellies round and full.
Sean watched the students file out.
"See you tomorrow, Sean," Harry and Ron yawned, saying goodbye.
"See you after Christmas break," Sean nodded.
"What do you mean, after Christmas break?" Ron didn't get it, but he was too sleepy to ask. He left with Harry, who looked equally dead on his feet.
The Castle Kneazle Club had a big event tonight—they needed to grab a nap, or they'd miss it.
After all, it was the Christmas-descending Castle Kneazle.
Maybe they'd really see it on Christmas!
Just thinking about it was exciting.
When they reached the portrait hole, they saw Sir Cadogan having Christmas dinner with two or three monks, a few former Hogwarts headmasters, and his plump little dapple-gray pony.
He shoved his helmet up, raised a jug of mead in salute, and slurred, "Merry—uh—Christmas! The Fat Lady's drunk, so I'm here. Password?"
"Base mongrel dog," Ron said.
"So are you, sir!" Sir Cadogan shouted. The portrait sprang forward and let them in.
And there, in the North Tower near Gryffindor Tower, the door to the Alchemy office quietly opened.
Sean knew Professor Tayra had many offices in Hogwarts—she often did different kinds of work in different rooms.
She even helped with maintaining the castle itself.
But Sean had never been here—
This place felt like an internal Ministry transport node: at least five fireplaces stood in the room, all connected to the Floo Network, all burning with green flames.
The walls and ceiling were rough-hewn stone, rounded; greenish lights hung from chains.
Beneath an exquisitely carved mantel ahead of them, a fire crackled—casting Professor Tayra's delighted face in warm light.
"Come, my student. You remember the trick to using Floo Powder, don't you? Don't say it wrong. Ilvermorny Castle—"
As she spoke, she grabbed Sean and strode to the hearth. She scooped a handful of glittering powder from the bottle on the mantel and threw it into the flames.
Green fire swallowed them both.
…
Ilvermorny Castle stood atop Mount Greylock. Now, everything was blanketed in snow.
In that white world, a fireplace inside a stone hut suddenly flared to life—
and out of the flames stepped two travel-worn witches.
After multiple transfer points, Sean had finally reached…
the castle?
Sean scanned the area in confusion. All he saw were snow-covered rocks and mountains.
He turned back. They had come out of a plain stone hut.
"A stone-hut hearth… Eugenia Herrera, you really went all out…"
Professor Tayra seemed familiar with the place. She was studying the runes and symbols carved into the hut.
"My student—do you know where this is?" Tayra said, unable to resist the runes. With a snap of her fingers, she softened a rock and had it gently nudge Sean forward, closer to the hut.
"Issy Sayre and her No-Maj husband, James Stewart's stone cottage," Sean thought for two seconds and answered.
So this was Ilvermorny's earliest form—the place where its two founders had first begun teaching.
"I don't recall that being widely known—remarkable wisdom."
A stranger's voice spoke up. Sean turned and saw an elderly witch.
Her hair was moonlight-silver, tied into a neat bun, with a few unruly curls falling by her ears.
Oddly, her robes were blue and berry-red, lending her an unusual presence.
"My dear Mr. Hermes—at last you've arrived at the Ilvermorny Castle that has waited so long for you."
The headmistress spoke warmly, excitement in her voice.
Her enthusiasm caught Sean off guard—she was about to take his hand—
but Professor Tayra, still half-entranced by runes, had already stepped between them. Her eyes flashed with danger.
"Eugenia Herrera. Stay three feet away from my student."
Eugenia Herrera actually took two steps back.
Because every veteran in alchemy knew the "protective mentor" tradition: if you tried to lay hands on an old master's student, those old monsters would really throw down.
And Tayra—second only to Nicolas Flamel—wasn't just a title in alchemy. It also meant she had the combat power to keep her creations.
"Relax, Olivia. We've been friends for fifty years," Headmistress Herrera said with a smile.
"Yes," Tayra replied, her expression… strangely pointed. "Fifty years, and you still haven't produced a single decent student."
The hut fell silent for a long moment.
Then Headmistress Herrera sighed and shot Tayra a helpless glare.
"Ancient history. You've arrived at the perfect time—the statues are still awake…"
~~~
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