Sean's flying grade was terrible—something Snape knew very well. But Sean's extraordinary magical talent was enough to make up for that weakness.
Generally speaking, wizards required external tools to fly: broomsticks, flying carpets, magical creatures, and the like. Animagi could also transform into winged animals to achieve flight.
According to Quidditch Through the Ages, no magic had ever been invented that allowed a wizard to fly in human form.
But Voldemort had created the Flying Spell.
In terms of speed, the Flying Spell could not compare with Apparition. Apparition was a form of spatial magic that allowed a wizard to travel vast distances instantly.
However, a wizard couldn't cast spells while Apparating. With the Flying Spell, on the other hand, a wizard could fly while casting magic—essentially the same as casting spells while riding a broom.
If an enemy fled on a broomstick, pursuing them with Apparition was far less practical than chasing them on a broom—or with the Flying Spell.
After all, Apparition required a landing point. A wizard couldn't simply Apparate and remain suspended in midair.
Snape had clearly chosen his bait carefully. The Flying Spell was extremely tempting to Sean.
Back when Sean had given up on flying lessons, he had even considered inventing a spell himself someday—one that allowed him to fly without relying on a broomstick.
And Snape's meaning clearly went beyond teaching him just the Flying Spell.
He was also offering to teach other advanced magic.
"Professor, I want to learn it," Sean said.
He looked at Snape, waiting for the conditions.
Sean didn't believe Snape would offer one-on-one lessons in advanced magic so easily.
"You possess magical talent far beyond ordinary people," Snape said. "If you use it well, your future achievements will be limitless. I would very much like to cultivate a truly great wizard."
"But I fear creating another Dark Lord with my own hands."
Sean understood immediately.
In his heart, Snape had already acknowledged Sean's extraordinary talent. And Dumbledore also had high expectations for Sean, believing he might one day become an important force against the Death Eaters.
That was why Snape had begun considering training him.
If Sean stood on Hogwarts' side, then the stronger he became, the more he could help Dumbledore.
But if he followed the same path as Tom Riddle and fell into darkness—if he one day threatened Hogwarts itself—then Snape would regret it for the rest of his life.
"I need proof," Snape said seriously. "Proof of your heart."
Sean suddenly felt a bad premonition.
"How do I prove that?" he asked cautiously.
"There is a type of magic that can examine a person's inner thoughts."
Snape had not even finished speaking when Sean's scalp tingled.
"Damn… Legilimency."
The first time Sean had visited Dumbledore's office, he had worried that someone might eventually try to read his mind.
That was why he had secretly entered the Restricted Section and learned Occlumency.
Snape intended to use this simple and brutal method to examine Sean's heart. If he could not find dark or malicious thoughts within Sean's mind, then he would teach him advanced magic.
Both Dumbledore and Snape wanted to verify Sean's character.
But Dumbledore had chosen to observe him over time.
Snape, on the other hand, preferred a far more direct approach—even knowing that it could cause mental harm to a student.
Sean was truly panicking now.
He had learned Occlumency and had already reached the second stage—able to suppress certain emotional memories deep within his mind, essentially hiding them.
But the man standing before him was not only an Occlumens, but also a master Legilimens.
Sean's tricks would never fool Snape.
Trying to stop Snape before he actually cast the spell, Sean quickly spoke.
"Professor, I've heard of that spell. Legilimency, right? I heard it can damage the subject's mind."
Snape looked unsurprised.
"So you know of it. Yes, it is Legilimency."
"Professor… you're not planning to use that on me, are you? Just to prove that I'm on the side of the light?" Sean said quickly. "I think we could use another method instead."
"To ensure I will not regret my decision in the future," Snape said calmly, "I am willing to use unconventional means."
Sean grew anxious.
But he also didn't want to give up the opportunity to learn advanced magic.
His mind raced, searching for a solution.
Then suddenly, he had an idea.
"Professor, I'm willing to make an Unbreakable Vow," Sean said.
"I will swear loyalty to you and to Dumbledore. I will never betray Hogwarts."
Sean deliberately mentioned Dumbledore.
He also dared to swear loyalty to Snape because he knew that Snape was secretly on Dumbledore's side. Deep down, Snape was still a good man.
Even if the vow were real, Snape would never force Sean to harm innocent people.
For the first time, Snape's normally expressionless face showed hesitation.
"Grylls," he said slowly, "you know far too much. More than some adult wizards."
"Professor, I'm willing to swear the vow to prove I stand with Hogwarts," Sean said solemnly. "I will never fall into darkness or do anything to harm Hogwarts."
Compared with Legilimency, what was a vow?
Sean had never intended to oppose Hogwarts or Dumbledore anyway.
He would never break such a vow.
Snape looked at Sean's serious expression and suddenly realized something.
Perhaps he had been acting rather foolishly.
A child was willing to swear a magical vow to prove his loyalty—yet he had been prepared to invade that child's mind with Legilimency.
An Unbreakable Vow required a third person to act as witness.
But who could they possibly ask?
Another professor?
That was impossible. If Professor McGonagall discovered that Snape had forced a child to swear such a vow, she would surely condemn the idea as absurd.
Dumbledore?
Snape would probably receive a lengthy lecture instead.
Because of Sean's words, Snape abandoned the idea of testing him with Legilimency.
And he also abandoned the idea of actually making the vow.
Instead, he chose the same approach as Dumbledore.
Time.
He would observe Sean's character over time.
Snape sat down behind his desk and said without looking up,
"You may return to your dormitory."
Sean felt a little disappointed.
After all, it had been a chance to grow stronger. With Snape personally guiding him—and with the Magic vision to help—learning advanced magic would have been much easier.
"Yes, Professor," Sean said helplessly, turning to leave the office.
"After tomorrow's training, remain at the Quidditch pitch," Snape suddenly added.
"I will teach you the Flying Spell."
"Whether you can learn it or not will depend on yourself."
Sean's heart leapt with joy.
In the end, Snape had chosen to trust him.
"Professor, I'll do my best."
By taking the initiative to prove his loyalty, Sean had not only avoided the danger of Legilimency but had also gained Snape's trust.
What could have been a disaster had turned into an unexpected opportunity.
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