Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 85, Section 84: Quirrell

It's a strange thing to be surrounded by a bunch of portraits, especially when those portraits don't actually have much say in the matter.

The atmosphere in the headmaster's office became serious, and Headmaster Dumbledore, with his long, white beard, finally waved his hand.

A floating letter spun rapidly and landed in front of Sheen.

Sheehan heard the crackling of the fireplace mixed with the bubbling of bubbles, followed by Dumbledore's kind voice:

"Oh—an important step, let's hear what the professors have to say—"

A tense atmosphere spread. Sheen remembered that the criteria for scholarship evaluation were set by the principal, who would make a comprehensive decision based on his academic progress and professors' evaluations.

Sheehan guessed that most of those envelopes contained comments from the professors.

He hadn't expected the scholarship approval process to be so formal, but it seemed normal, as this amount of Galleons was not small.

With a tearing sound, Sheen heard a familiar and stern female voice:

"I hereby formally and strongly recommend Mr. Sheehan Green for this special scholarship with the utmost seriousness..."

He fully deserves this grant and has the potential to become the pride of Hogwarts.

—Minerva McGonagall.

—Vice Headmaster of Hogwarts and Head of Gryffindor House.

Professor McGonagall nodded slightly to Sheehan, her eyes softening considerably.

"Oh—that's a very high compliment, isn't it?"

Sheehan saw Headmaster Dumbledore wink.

The portraits beside him also whispered and echoed each other. Principal Everard, with a white beard, stroked his beard and nodded slightly, his bright eyes shining beneath the black brim of his hat.

"—Give it to him."

At that moment, the second envelope was opened, and a cold, sinister voice emerged.

The entire principal's office fell silent for a moment.

So the third envelope opened naturally:
"Yes, in my capacity as the Dean of Hufflepuff College and Professor of Herbalism, I strongly recommend Mr. Sheehan Green for this additional scholarship."

In those dark and cramped days that no one knew, dear Mr. Green tenaciously found a way out of life. Why can't we spread some more sunshine as he grows up?

Sincerely,
Pomona Sprout.

In the greenhouse,
Professor Sprout glanced instinctively toward the castle, then waved her wand with a broad smile. A light rain instantly fell in the greenhouse, seeping into the roots of the magical plants. Professor Sprout knew that they would grow even better next year.

"Hmm...very good..."

Professor Dumbledore interlaced his fingers, and the evaluations of several professors were announced in turn.

Without exception, the professors were very optimistic about young Ravenclaw. The incessantly chattering portrait painters fell silent for a moment, then looked at Sheehan in surprise, until—

“Mr. Green, of course, of course…”

A stuttering voice made Principal Delis Deventer frown. With her keen sense for dark magic, she had long suspected that this Defense Against the Dark Arts professor seemed to be... unusual.

The moment Professor Quirrell's voice rang out, Sheehan felt a slight tension. Although his Defense Against the Dark Arts notes had consistently been rated excellent, even Sheehan himself probably couldn't decipher Professor Quirrell's thoughts. "I...I recommend Mr. Green. He's...he excels in Defense Against the Dark Arts. His...his talent deserves...he needs this scholarship, he needs to be seen, even if only once. Therefore, I recommend him for...for..."

When that stuttering voice rang out, Sheen felt as if he were being violently pounded on a drum.
Because he knew that the person who wrote this letter was still Quirinus Quirrell, a cowardly but intelligent and talented Ravenclaw, not the twisted Voldemort.

In fact, Professor McGonagall said that the recommendations of the three professors were sufficient.

Sheehan had initially thought that Professor Quirrell wouldn't even get involved, but the fact that the professor sent this letter was almost unbelievable.

Far away in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Professor Quirrell, with his comical and timid appearance, had a near-perfect Defense Against the Dark Arts notebook at his side.

His head was unusually free of pain, and his empty gaze seemed to sharpen for a moment—a talented but troubled Ravenclaw needed help, and a sudden surge of courage compelled him to write the letter:

"What if...what if...what if I'm the only one left..."

“Useless thoughts… my foolish servant! His mind is full of absurd ideas about good and evil…”

A dark, suffocating voice echoed in Quirrell's mind, and Professor Quirrell clutched his head in pain.

"There is no good or evil, right or wrong, in this world, only power! And the delusions of those who are powerless to acquire it... You'd better remember this! Next time, don't do such a stupid thing again..."

Professor Quirrell seemed terrified of the voice; he trembled and his face contorted, yet he dared not even scream.

"One wrong choice can lead to a permanent tragedy..."

Professor Dumbledore's gaze was distant and unfocused; no one heard his voice, only the sound of the wind and the gurgling of the kettle.

The previously chattering portrait artists were now stunned, for all seven professors had given them extremely high praise. Their scrutinizing gazes had gradually softened, and now grew increasingly fervent.

"It's unbelievable!"

A portrait exclaimed in a low voice.

As Headmaster Dumbledore tapped the silverware, Professor McGonagall announced loudly:
"Please be quiet—"

So Dumbledore naturally stood up:
"In view of Mr. Sheen Green's achievements and qualities demonstrated in his magical studies, I hereby declare—"

Headmaster Dumbledore waved his wand, and a beautifully packaged, perfectly sturdy yet supple bag floated to Sheehan's feet.
“Mr. Sheen Green, you have been awarded this scholarship.”

The portraits erupted in enthusiastic applause, and even Headmaster Dumbledore clapped his hands lightly.

Sir Cadogan, who was eavesdropping behind the headmaster's office door, screamed and even picked up Lady Violet.

Principal's room.

Sheehan caught the bag, knowing that his gentle, diligent, exciting, tiring, and urgent Hogwarts time had come to a perfect end at this moment.

This is not the end, but the beginning of another story...

"When you stand on the threshold of entering the best stage of your life, you will suddenly be attracted by the unknown. My child, the real danger is not to step into the unknown, but to reject this call."

Headmaster Dumbledore smiled kindly and gestured slightly for Sheehan to open the bag.

The moment Sheen honestly opened it, he froze.

(End of this chapter)