Hogwarts Raven

Movies are, after all, just movies. 

They are constrained by special effects, by camera angles, and what they present is merely a glimpse of Diagon Alley.

When Ian truly stepped foot here, he realized it was far from the small-town market many people jokingly described, nor was it some backward, decaying relic of the past. It was the most prosperous gathering place for wizards in the British Isles!

"This is really... a dream come true!" Ian was thrilled.

He didn't experience the usual nausea that accompanies Apparition for the first time. Upon reflection, he thought it must have been due to the potion from Snape, which was far superior to milk in terms of taste.

He never imagined Snape could have such a thoughtful side, which completely challenged Ian's perception of the man. This also made him think back to what Dumbledore had said.

What kind of debt could cause Snape to show such unexpected kindness, something so unlike his usual nature? "Could it be that my parents in this life actually died during one of his Death Eater missions?" Ian thought, his mind racing.

At that moment,

"Keep up."

Snape had released his grip on Ian's neck and walked ahead without turning back. Ian quickly grabbed his large suitcase and followed behind.

The street was crowded, but Snape maintained a steady pace, ensuring Ian could keep up without being lost in the throng.

"Professor, where are we going? Is it the bank?" Ian asked curiously.

"That's Gringotts. Don't apply Muggle logic to try to understand the rules of the wizarding world." Snape's voice was cold, but he still offered a brief reminder to Ian.

"Focus your mind and control your power. Everyone here is a wizard. They won't spare you just because you're a child. Dark wizards could easily capture you for some nefarious purpose." Snape's ominous tone was a clear warning for Ian to avoid using his heightened awareness to provoke other wizards.

"I'll try..." Ian tried to clear his mind, which did reduce the sensitivity of his heightened awareness somewhat. He truly couldn't fully control this ability.

To distract himself, Ian started to get curious about the magical creatures that lived alongside wizards.

Besides magical creatures, fantastical beings like giants and dwarves existed in this magical world. Ian was particularly curious about how truly ugly real goblins looked.

However, Snape didn't take him to Gringotts.

"The books required for first-year at Hogwarts," Snape directed Ian to their first stop, Flourish and Blotts Bookseller, a shop that sold various magical books. Behind it, a pure-blood family likely monopolized the textbook sales for the entire wizarding world in Britain.

Just like the schools Ian attended before crossing over, where students were instructed to buy workbooks and textbooks from specific bookstores, Ian didn't believe there wasn't any form of vested interest behind this arrangement.

"Alright, Professor Snape."

The bookstore clerk was evidently familiar with Hogwarts staff. He even seemed a bit intimidated by Snape, though Ian wasn't sure if he was a former Hogwarts graduate.

"I don't even know which textbooks I need. I haven't received my acceptance letter from Hogwarts yet." Ian mumbled from behind Snape.

"Do you really care about a meaningless piece of paper?" Snape glanced at him.

"I just feel like something's missing." Ian blinked his eyes.

"Ha, what a laughable obsession."

Snape sneered, then reached into his robes to pull out a crumpled piece of paper, tossing it at Ian's position as if he were discarding trash.

Ian hurriedly extended his hand to catch it.

On the paper, the most prominent feature was a large letter "H" formed by a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake. This was Ian's acceptance letter.

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards (ICW), Merlin's Order First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Sorcerer of Wizengamot)

Dear Mr. Prince,

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

Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall

…

At the end of the notice, there was a long appendix, mostly listing the items that new students needed to purchase. Ian quickly skimmed through it and got a general idea.

"Well, now, Mr. Picky, are you satisfied?" Snape's voice was as drawn-out as usual, and he even gave Ian a nickname that was somewhat irritating.

"I thought I'd see Hogwarts' owl, though." Ian pouted.

"Instead of focusing on useless vanity, you'd be better off thinking about how to learn useful skills at school so you can avoid a miserable life like those Hufflepuffs."

As Snape said this, the bookstore clerk, carrying a large pile of books, happened to walk over. From the clerk's expression, which was a mix of frustration and reluctance, Ian felt Snape might have been teaching him a lesson while also mocking the clerk.

This guy really had a terrible personality.

"Thank you."

Ian didn't want to become the target of resentment because of Snape, so he quickly and sincerely thanked the clerk, taking the thick stack of books.

"Don't believe Snape. Hufflepuff has produced many great wizards, like Newt Scamander, the author of Where to Find Magical Creatures."

"Becoming a Hufflepuff would be an honorable thing." The clerk whispered in defense of Hufflepuff as he handed the books to Ian.

"I think so too." Ian smiled and quietly responded.

The clerk patted his head with a satisfied expression.

"15 Galleons, thank you."

At this moment, the front desk of the bookstore spoke up just in time. Before Ian could respond, Snape pulled out a small pouch and walked over to the counter to pay for the books.

"Is this a student loan, Professor?" Ian was still hoping to exchange money at Gringotts himself.

"That's not your concern," Snape replied coldly.

After paying, Snape noticed Ian struggling to stuff the books into his already overstuffed suitcase. He then raised his hand and cast a charm on the clothes and items in Ian's bag.

"Reducio."

The next moment,

As various messy items shrank and Ian was easily able to place the books into his suitcase.

"That's amazing!"

Ian's expression was full of excitement.

"Just a friendly reminder, this magic only lasts for 24 hours. If you don't take the items out by then... Heh, you wouldn't want to see that kind of scene."

After saying that, Snape swished his robes and walked toward the door.

Ian quickly followed.

Indeed, with Snape's charm, the suitcase felt much lighter. The magic was truly incredible— it was like even Lavoisier couldn't keep his coffin lid down.

'The conservation of mass is broken!?'

'This is so unscientific!'

'But I love it!'

Ian's desire to learn magic grew stronger.

"Professor! Wait up!"

With Snape's increasing pace, Ian could only sprint with his much shorter legs.

Then,

Ian was led by Snape to purchase other necessities, and throughout the entire process, Ian watched as Snape continuously pulled out money to pay.

In fact,

When they were buying a refining potion's cauldron, the clerk had already brought out the standard student set, but Snape instructed the clerk to replace the cauldron with a brass cauldron instead.

It was more expensive.

Much more expensive than the regular one.

"Professor, the letter said we need to buy a tin cauldron, standard size number 2," Ian said uncertainly, holding his letter.

Unexpectedly,

Snape responded with a mocking tone as he paid.

"It seems Mr. Prince believes he has learned all there is to know and now feels the need to advise me, the Potions Professor, on what the correct choice is?"

The biting sarcasm left Ian speechless.

If it weren't for Snape constantly paying for everything, Ian would have had the courage to retort— honestly, he was more confused now than ever before.

Could it be that

Snape really killed his biological parents while serving as a Death Eater, betraying his conscience? If not, how could Snape's special treatment of him be so unusual?

He was at a loss!

(End Of Chapter)