It was late at night.
Ian's explanations had indeed been thorough and detailed. The solid foundation brought by understanding one thing and understanding everything, along with his complete grasp of every detail, made the dozen or so Ravenclaw young wizards all feel that they had gotten their money's worth.
They gained knowledge.
Ian gained today's share of Sickles, as well as Potions Mastery proficiency from revisiting familiar knowledge and finding new insights. A full seven or eight points of proficiency was no small increase.
"Let's meet again tomorrow! If you think it's worthwhile, come!"
Ian bid farewell to the young wizards, each more enthusiastic and grateful than the last, then returned to his dormitory while savoring the sense of accomplishment that came from teaching others and reaping generous rewards.
Inside the dim dormitory.
Michael Jordan's snores rose and fell. William, who had been frightened into a little quail by Aurora that afternoon, was not, as Ian had expected, burying himself in study beneath a small desk lamp.
His entire body was wrapped up in his blanket. It did not look like he was sleeping at all; he had curled himself into a ball, occasionally wriggling inside it.
If Ian had not sensed only fear, unease, and a hint of... disbelief, he would have suspected his roommate was enjoying a magical version of the Holy Grail at night.
Eleven years old?
People in Europe and America did tend to mature earlier.
"The descendant of a German auror really does feel it more deeply." Ian figured William had perhaps not recovered from that afternoon's Potions class. He might very well lose a precious new friend because of it.
There was nothing to be done about that.
It depended on whether William could think it through himself. Ian had never experienced Europe's past