The Old Ones of Hogwarts

Chapter 11.11: Ian's Doubts

Movies are just movies, after all.

Limited by special effects and camera angles, what it presents is ultimately only the tip of the iceberg of Diagon Alley.

When you actually set foot here.

Ian realized that it was definitely not the small town market that many people joked about, nor was it some backward and dilapidated remnant of the old era. It was the most prosperous wizarding community in the British Isles!

"This is...dreamlike!"

Ian was very excited.

He didn't feel the nausea and vomiting he should have felt during his first Apparition. Only now, belatedly, does he realize that it must have been the effect of Snape's nauseating potion, which tasted much better than milk.

Ian was surprised to find that Snape could be so thoughtful, which overturned his perception of Snape's character and reminded him of Dumbledore's words.

What kind of debt is it exactly?

How could Snape show him such attentiveness that is out of character for Snape?

"Could it be that my parents in this life actually died during his mission with the Death Eaters?" Ian felt very puzzled, and his mind kept thinking.

And at that very moment.

"Keep up."

Snape had already released his grip on Ian's neck and strode forward without looking back. Ian immediately followed behind, dragging his enormous suitcase.

The streets were bustling with people. Snape didn't turn around, but he maintained a pace that Ian could keep up with so he wouldn't get lost in the crowd.

"Professor, where are we going? To the bank?"

Ian asked curiously.

"That's Gringotts. Don't try to understand the rules of the wizarding world with the stupid ideas of Muggles," Snape said coldly, but still reminded Ian.

"Keep your mind focused. These are wizards. They won't be lenient with you just because you're a child. Dark wizards could capture you at any time for evil research." Snape intimidated Ian, clearly warning him not to use his Mind Senses to provoke other wizards.

"I'll try my best..."

Ian tried to clear his mind, which did indeed reduce the sharpness of his extraordinary [Mind Perception] ability considerably. He truly couldn't fully control this ability.

To distract oneself.

Ian began to wonder about the magical creatures that lived alongside wizards.

Apart from magical creatures.

Creatures from fantasy stories, such as giants and dwarves, almost all exist in the fantasy world Ian now lives in. He is very curious about just how ugly real fairies look.

however.

Snape, however, did not take him to Gringotts.

"Give me all the textbooks I need for my first year at Hogwarts." Snape's first stop with Ian was Flourish and Blotts, a bookstore selling all sorts of magical books. It was unclear which pure-blood family was behind it, but it practically monopolized the textbook sales rights for the entire British wizarding world.

Just like the schools Ian had attended before his time travel, where students were instructed to buy workbooks and books from certain bookstores, Ian didn't believe there was no transfer of benefits behind such similar situations.

"Yes, Professor Snape."

The bookstore clerk was clearly familiar with the teachers at Hogwarts; he even seemed a little intimidated when facing Snape, and it was unclear whether he was a former graduate of Hogwarts.

"I don't even know which textbooks I need. I haven't even received my Hogwarts acceptance letter yet," Ian muttered to himself, standing behind Snape.

"You care about a piece of paper that has no meaning?"

Snape is squinting again.

"I just feel like something's missing."

Ian blinked.

"Ha, what a laughable obsession."

Snape scoffed, reached into his pocket, pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, and tossed it toward where Ian was standing, as if it were some kind of trash.

Ian hurriedly reached out and caught it.

All I saw was...

In the most prominent position on the paper, a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake form a large letter "H." This is Ian's acceptance letter.

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(President of the International Wizarding Federation, First-Class Member of the Order of Merlin, Archmage, Chief Wizard of Wizengamo)

Dear Mr. Prince:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of required books and equipment. The term begins on September 1st. We look forward to your reply by owl by July 31st.

Vice Principal (Female)

[Respectfully submitted by Minerva McGonagall]

……

Following the notification was a long appendix, which listed items that new students needed to purchase. Ian quickly skimmed through it and got a general idea.

"Now, Mr. Nosy, are you satisfied?" Snape's voice was still drawn out, and he even gave Ian a rather annoying nickname.

"I thought I'd see Hogwarts owls."

Ian pursed his lips.

Instead of focusing on useless vanity, think about how you can learn useful skills in school so that you can avoid ending up like those Hufflepuffs.

When Snape said this.

Just then, the shop assistant who was preparing books for Ian walked over carrying a large stack of books.

Judging from his somewhat resentful yet hesitant expression, Ian felt that Snape might have been subtly mocking the shop assistant while reprimanding him.

This guy really has an extremely nasty personality.

"Thanks."

Ian didn't want to be resented because of Snape, so he quickly thanked the clerk sincerely and took the thick stack of books from the clerk's hands.

"Don't believe Snape. Hufflepuff has produced many great wizards, such as Master Newt Scamander, the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

"It would be a great honor to be a Hufflepuff," the clerk said in a very low voice as he knelt down to hand the book to Ian, affirming the Hufflepuff's honor.

"I think so too."

Ian smiled and responded in a low voice.

The shop assistant patted his head with a sense of relief.

"15 Galleons, thank you."

At this moment, the bookstore's clerk spoke to Ian at the opportune moment. Before Ian could respond, Snape took out a small purse, walked to the clerk, and paid for the books.

"Is this a student loan, Professor?"

Ian actually wanted to go to Gringotts to exchange the money himself.

That's not something you should worry about.

Snape responded coldly.

He paid the money.

Seeing Ian struggling to stuff textbooks into his already cramped suitcase, she immediately raised her hand and cast a spell on the clothes and other items in Ian's storage box.

"Shrink quickly."

next moment.

As all sorts of odds and ends shrank, Ian easily put the books into the box.

"This is truly amazing!"

Ian looked very excited.

"Just a friendly reminder, this magic will only last for 24 hours. If you don't take the item out by then... well, you don't want to see that."

Snape finished speaking.

He tossed his long robe aside and walked towards the door.

Ian quickly followed.

To be honest, with Snape's spell, even the suitcase felt much lighter to drag. The magic was truly amazing, making Lavoisier turn in his grave.

Quality is no longer being maintained!?

That's so illogical!

我喜欢！

Ian's desire to learn magic grew stronger.

"Professor! Wait!"

Faced with Snape's quickened pace, Ian could only frantically move his much shorter legs.

then.

Ian was led by Snape to start buying other necessities, and throughout the process he watched Snape constantly taking out money to pay.

even.

When purchasing a cauldron for brewing potions, the shopkeeper had already brought out the standard student initiation suit, but Snape asked the shopkeeper to change the cauldron to a brass cauldron.

More expensive.

It is much more expensive than a regular crucible.

"Professor, the notice says I need to buy a tin crucible, a standard size 2," Ian said uncertainly, clutching his notice.

Unexpectedly.

Snape, however, responded with a sarcastic tone when it came time to pay.

"It seems Mr. Prince thinks he has mastered all the knowledge, and is now instructing me, the Potions professor, on what the right choice is?"

It was full of sarcastic and venomous remarks.

This left Ian speechless.

If it weren't for the fact that Snape was constantly paying, he would have dared to retort no matter what—to be honest, Ian was even more confused now than before.

Could it be...?

Did Snape really kill his own parents while he was a Death Eater? If not, why would Snape treat himself with such unusual favoritism?

Puzzled!