11: Ian's Doubts

A film was ultimately just a film.

Limited by special effects and camera shots, it could only present the tip of Diagon Alley's iceberg.

Only when he truly set foot here—

Did Ian realize that it was absolutely not the county-town market so many people mocked it as, nor was it some backward, dilapidated remnant of a bygone era. It was the most prosperous gathering place for wizards in the British Isles!

"This is... magical!"

Ian was thrilled.

He did not feel the nausea and sickness that should have accompanied his first Apparition. Now that he thought about it, it was probably the effect of that disgusting potion Snape had given him, which tasted much better than milk.

He had not expected Snape to have such a considerate side. It somewhat overturned Ian's understanding of Snape's character, and it made him think once again of what Dumbledore had said.

What kind of debt—

Could make Snape show him such care, so unlike Snape's usual nature?

Could it be that my parents in this life actually died during one of his missions as a Death Eater? Ian was deeply puzzled, his mind constantly turning it over.

Just then—

"Keep up."

Snape had already released the hand gripping Ian's neck. Without looking back, he strode forward, and Ian immediately dragged his enormous suitcase after him.

The streets were crowded with people. Snape did not look back, yet he kept his pace at a speed Ian could follow, ensuring that he would not get lost in the sea of people.

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

Ian asked curiously.

"It's called Gringotts. Do not use Muggle foolishness to speculate on the rules of the Wizarding World." Snape's tone was cold, though he still reminded Ian.

"Rein in your mind. Everyone here is a wizard. They will not show you mercy just because you are a child. A Dark Wizard could capture you at any moment for some evil experiment." Snape deliberately tried to frighten Ian. Clearly, he was warning him not to use Mind Perception to pry at other wizards.

"I'll try..."

Ian attempted to empty his mind. That did indeed dull the sensitivity of his Mind Perception Extraordinary Trait considerably. He truly could not completely control this ability.

To distract himself—

Ian began taking an interest in the Magical Creatures living alongside wizards.

Besides Fantastic Beasts—

Creatures from fantasy tales, such as giants and dwarves, almost all existed in the fantastical world Ian now lived in. He was extremely curious about just how ugly real goblins looked.

However—

Snape did not take him to Gringotts.

"Get me all the textbooks required for Hogwarts first-years." The first stop Snape took Ian to was Flourish and Blotts, a bookstore that sold all kinds of magical books. Who knew which Pureblood family stood behind it? It could be said to monopolize textbook sales throughout the British Wizarding World.

Just like the schools before Ian's transmigration, which designated certain bookstores for students to buy exercise books and textbooks, Ian did not believe such an arrangement existed without some exchange of benefits.

"Certainly, Professor Snape."

The clerk clearly recognized Hogwarts teachers. He even seemed somewhat afraid when facing Snape, and Ian wondered whether he might have once graduated from Hogwarts.

"I still don't even know what textbooks I need. I haven't even received my Hogwarts acceptance letter." Ian muttered from behind Snape.

"You care so much about a meaningless piece of paper?"

Snape gave him another sidelong glance.

"It just feels like something's missing."

Ian blinked.

"Heh. What laughable obsession."

Snape sneered, then pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his robes and tossed it toward where Ian stood as though he were throwing away rubbish.

Ian hurriedly reached out and caught it.

There it was.

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

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(President of the International Wizarding Union, First Class Order of Merlin, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot)

Dear Mr. Prince:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of required books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl's reply by July 31.

Deputy Headmistress

Minerva McGonagall

There was also a long appendix after the notice, mostly listing things new students needed to buy. Ian gave it a quick scan and more or less understood it all.

"Well then, Mr. Fussbudget, are you satisfied now?" Snape's voice was still drawn out, and he had even given Ian an irritating nickname.

"I thought I'd get to see a Hogwarts owl."

Ian pursed his lips.

"Rather than focusing on useless vanity, you should think about how to learn useful skills at school, so that you do not end up living as miserably as those Hufflepuffs."

As Snape said this—

The clerk preparing Ian's books happened to walk over carrying a huge stack.

Judging from the resentment on his face that he did not dare express, Ian felt that while Snape was lecturing him, he had also taken the opportunity to mock the clerk.

This guy truly had an atrocious personality.

"Thank you."

Ian did not want to be hated by association because of Snape. He hurriedly thanked the clerk with a sincere expression and accepted the thick stack of books from him.

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

"Becoming a Hufflepuff would be a very honorable thing." As the clerk crouched down to hand Ian the books, he spoke quietly in Hufflepuff's defense.

"I think so too."

Ian replied with a smile, equally quietly.

The clerk immediately looked gratified and patted his head.

"Fifteen Galleons, thank you."

At that moment, the bookstore's cashier addressed Ian. Before he could respond, Snape took out a small Money Bag and went to the counter to pay for the books.

"Is this a student loan, Professor?"

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

"That is not something you need concern yourself with."

Snape answered coldly.

After paying—

He saw Ian struggling to cram the textbooks into a suitcase that had little space left, so he raised his wand and cast a spell on the clothes and miscellaneous items in Ian's luggage.

"Shrinking Charm."

The next moment—

As all sorts of clutter shrank down, Ian easily placed the books into the suitcase.

"This is amazing!"

Ian looked exhilarated.

"A kind reminder: this spell only lasts twenty-four hours. If you fail to take those things out before the time is up... heh, you will not want to see what happens."

After saying that—

Snape flicked his robes and headed for the door.

Ian hurried after him.

And honestly, with Snape's spell on it, even dragging the suitcase felt much easier. Magic truly was so miraculous that it would have made Lavoisier unable to stay in his grave.

Mass isn't conserved!?

This is completely unscientific!

I love it!

Ian's desire to learn magic grew even stronger.

"Professor! Wait!"

Faced with Snape's quickening pace, Ian could only desperately pump his much shorter legs.

Then—

Snape took Ian around to purchase the other necessities, and throughout the entire trip, Ian watched Snape repeatedly pull out money to pay.

What was more—

When they were buying a cauldron for brewing potions, the clerk had already brought out the standard student starter set, but Snape told him to replace the cauldron with a Brass Cauldron.

It was more expensive.

Much more expensive than an ordinary cauldron.

"Professor, the letter says I need a standard-size number two pewter cauldron." Ian clutched his acceptance letter and spoke uncertainly.

Unexpectedly—

As Snape paid, he replied with a mocking tone.

"It seems Mr. Prince believes he has already mastered all knowledge, if he has begun instructing me, a Potions Professor, on what the correct choice should be?"

The venomous sarcasm—

Left Ian speechless.

If Snape had not been the one paying for everything, Ian would have found the courage to retort a few times. To be honest, Ian was even more confused now than before.

Could it be—

That Snape had killed his biological parents against his conscience during his time as a Death Eater? If not, why would Snape treat him with such extraordinary favor?

He could not make sense of it no matter how much he thought about it!

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