Sean looked at Dumbledore and asked seriously, "Professor, how can the pocket watch be countered?"
"It's actually very simple," Dumbledore replied. "All someone has to do is kill you again within seven days."
The moment Sean heard this, he nearly said he already knew a second death within seven days would finish him. But then he realized what Dumbledore meant.
In a wizard's battle, if someone can kill you once, they can likely kill you again right away.
If an enemy knows about the pocket watch and wants to kill Sean, they only need to strike a second time immediately after the first. That would truly end Sean's life.
For example, last night, if Quirrell had known the pocket watch's power, he could have cast a second Killing Curse right after the first one hit Sean. That would have killed Sean for good. That's why Dumbledore said the pocket watch's biggest drawback is its fame.
Of course, even with this flaw, the pocket watch remains a highly valuable magical item, no doubt about it.
And there aren't many who know about the pocket watch. Even Snape, standing in front of Sean, didn't know its specific power before this moment.
After discussing the pocket watch, the two sides chatted briefly. Then Dumbledore said goodbye and left.
Just as Dumbledore left, Snape was about to follow. He suddenly paused, turned to Sean, and said, "Sean, there are still three days until the end of the semester. I hope to see your paper during this time. If you're fine, get up and write it."
After saying this, Snape turned around and strode out of the ward, leaving Sean stunned, staring at Snape with a blank face.
Leaving homework for a patient during hospitalization, is that humane?
--
Blaise sat in the ward, watching his good friend writing a paper rapidly on the hospital bed. He really didn't know what expression he should show.
When he received the letter Sean had sent that morning, he was surprised to learn Sean was in the school hospital. But when he saw the letter asking him to fetch papers and books from Sean's room and feed Kulkan, Blaise wasn't sure Sean didn't have any serious problems.
Originally, Blaise wanted to comfort Sean and ask about what happened last night, but Sean didn't say a word and just started writing his paper on the bed with his things. If Madam Pomfrey hadn't been determined to keep Sean for two more days for observation, Blaise felt Sean might have already left for the library.
Looking at Sean now, Blaise suddenly wondered if he was too lazy on weekdays. Shouldn't he take his studies more seriously? After thinking about it, Blaise finally came to a conclusion. He must have woken up too early this morning. Otherwise, how could he have such an outrageous idea of studying hard? Just kidding, can studying be as interesting as falling in love?
Just when Blaise was bored and about to eat a piece of fruit on the bedside table, the ward door was pushed open again, and a familiar voice sounded.
"I haven't been to the Hogwarts ward for a long time. It has changed a lot."
The moment Sean heard the voice, he broke away from his paper-writing focus. He turned his head to the ward door. Gideon was standing there. He didn't speak to Sean immediately but looked at Blaise, nodded, and said, "Blaise, right? I had a party with some old friends last month, and your mother happened to be there. We chatted for a while and mentioned you. Now that I see you in person, you really are a pretty good guy, very energetic."
Blaise took his mother's surname. His mother, Madam Zabini, is in her seventh marriage. However, the end of the first six marriages was not due to divorce, but because Madam Zabini's first six husbands all died in accidents. It's said that her seventh husband is currently seriously ill, and the cause of the illness is still unknown.
In fact, when Madam Zabini's third husband died, his distant relatives went to the Ministry of Magic to ask someone to investigate her. As a result, the Ministry confirmed there was no problem with the cause of death—it was truly an accident. The three subsequent husbands were also investigated, and their deaths were ruled as accidents or illness, proving Madam Zabini's innocence.
But because of this, the wizarding world calls her the Black Widow.
Normally, Blaise really doesn't like people mentioning his mother. It's not because he doesn't love her—on the contrary, Blaise loves his mother very much. But most people who mention her in front of him have bad intentions and speak without thinking. That's why Blaise dislikes it when people bring up his mother.
Of course, when Gideon mentioned his mother, Blaise showed no dissatisfaction. He knew his mother's wealth and influence in the wizarding world meant only powerful people dined with her. Given Gideon's age and Sean's reaction, Blaise guessed his identity.
The head of the Bulstrode family, old Mr. Gideon Bulstrode.
He stood up, setting aside the peach in his hand. Blaise said respectfully, "Excuse me, is this Mr. Bulstrode?"
Gideon nodded and said, "Smart boy… I want to talk to Sean now. Could you please step aside for a moment?"
"Okay, I won't disturb you anymore." Blaise stood, bowed slightly to Gideon, nodded to Sean, and left the ward.
At this time, Gideon glanced at Blaise leaving the ward, walked to Sean's side, and looked at the paper Sean was writing. "Do you have homework after the exam?" he asked.
"This is the paper Professor Snape asked me to write about the final exam questions," Sean replied.
"Oh?" Gideon looked at Sean's paper again. "Can I take a look?"
Making way for him, Sean nodded and said, "Of course."
Gideon took the paper and read it in detail. As he read, his face gradually became serious. He examined the paper carefully until he reached the part Sean was writing. Then he looked up at Sean and said, "Although I heard your grades are quite good, I didn't expect that at your age, you've already reached this level."