Ian's Doubt

Movies are, after all, just movies.

They are constrained by special effects and camera angles, presenting nothing more than the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Diagon Alley.

Only when truly setting foot here did Ian realize that this was by no means the provincial market many joked about, nor some backward, dilapidated relic of a bygone era; it was the most bustling gathering place for wizards in the British Isles!

"It's truly... dreamlike!"

Ian's mood was incredibly stirred.

He hadn't felt the nausea and retching that should have accompanied his first Apparition. Reflecting on it now, he realized it must have been the effect of that disgusting potion Snape had given him, which had tasted significantly better than milk.

He hadn't expected Snape to possess such a meticulous side; it subverted Ian's perception of the man's character and, at the same time, made him recall Dumbledore's words once more.

What kind of debt could possibly drive Snape to show him such uncharacteristic consideration?

Could it be that my parents in this life actually died during one of his missions while he was a Death Eater? Ian felt deeply puzzled, his mind racing with thoughts.

Just then.

"Keep up."

Snape had already released his grip on the back of Ian's neck and was striding forward without looking back. Ian immediately dragged his massive trunk along behind him.

People bustled to and fro on the street. Snape didn't turn his head, yet he maintained a pace that allowed Ian to keep up without getting lost in the sea of people.

"Professor, where are we going? Is it the bank?"

Ian asked curiously.

"That is called Gringotts. Do not use the foolish notions of Muggles to speculate on the rules of the wizarding world." Snape's tone was icy, though he did offer the reminder.

"Rein in your mind. Everyone here is a wizard; they will not show you leniency just because you are a child. Dark wizards could snatch you away for evil experiments at any moment." Snape intimidated Ian with a sinister tone, clearly warning him not to use [Thought Perception] to probe other wizards.

"I'll try..."

Ian attempted to empty his mind, which did indeed lower the sensitivity of his extraordinary [Thought Perception] ability. He truly couldn't fully control this trait.

To shift his focus, Ian began to grow curious about the magical creatures living alongside wizards.

Beyond magical beasts, creatures from fantasy stories like giants and dwarves existed in this fantastical world Ian now inhabited. He was very curious to see just how ugly the faces of real goblins were.

However, Snape did not lead him toward Gringotts.

"Give me all the textbooks required for a first-year at Hogwarts." The first stop Snape took Ian to was Flourish and Blotts, which sold all manner of magical books. It was unclear which pure-blood family stood behind it, but it could be said to hold a monopoly on the sales of textbooks for the entire British wizarding world.

Much like the schools before Ian had transmigrated, which would designate specific bookstores for students to purchase workbooks and supplies, Ian didn't believe there wasn't some form of profit-sharing behind such a similar arrangement.

"Very well, Professor Snape."

The clerk in the bookstore was clearly no stranger to Hogwarts teachers; he even seemed somewhat timid when facing Snape, though it was impossible to tell if he was a former Hogwarts graduate.

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

"Are you so concerned about a meaningless piece of paper?"

Snape was squinting at him again.

"I just feel like something is missing."

Ian blinked.

"Hmph, what a ridiculous obsession."

Snape sneered, reached into his robes, pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, and tossed it toward where Ian stood as if it were trash.

Ian hurriedly reached out to catch it.

He saw that in the most prominent position on the paper, a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake formed a large letter "H." This was his acceptance letter.

``` Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Prince:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School

"Are you satisfied now, Mr. Troublesome?" Snape's voice remained as drawn-out as ever, and he even annoyingly bestowed a nickname upon Ian.

"I had actually hoped to see a Hogwarts owl."

Ian curled his lip.

"Instead of focusing your attention on useless vanity, you should be thinking about how to learn useful skills at school, so as to avoid ending up with a pathetic life like those Hufflepuffs."

As Snape said this, the shop assistant preparing the books for Ian happened to walk over, carrying a large stack of them.

Judging by the assistant's expression—resentful yet afraid to lash out—Ian felt that while Snape was lecturing him, he had also taken the opportunity to mock the assistant.

This guy truly had a wretched personality.

"Thank you."

Ian didn't want to be held in contempt by association with Snape, so he quickly thanked the assistant with a sincere expression and took the thick stack of books from his hands.

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

"Becoming a Hufflepuff is something to be very proud of." The assistant whispered this to vindicate Hufflepuff as he crouched down to hand the books to Ian.

"I think so too."

Ian replied in a low voice with a smile.

The assistant felt a sense of relief and patted his head.

"15 Galleons, please."

At this moment, the bookstore's front desk spoke up to Ian at the right time. Before Ian could respond, Snape pulled out a small money pouch and walked to the counter to pay for the books.

"Is this a student loan, Professor?"

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

"That is not a problem for you to worry about."

Snape responded coldly.

After he finished paying, he saw Ian struggling to stuff textbooks into his suitcase, which already had little room left. He immediately raised his hand and cast a spell on the clothes and miscellaneous items inside Ian's trunk.

"Shrinking Charm."

The next moment, as all the cluttered items shrank, Ian was able to put the books into the case with ease.

"That's truly magical!"

Ian's expression was full of excitement.

"A friendly reminder: this magic will only last for 24 hours. If you haven't taken the items out by the time it expires... heh, you wouldn't want to see that scene."

After Snape finished speaking, he flicked his robes and walked toward the door.

Ian hurried to keep up.

It had to be said, with Snape's spell, the suitcase felt much lighter to drag. The wonder of magic was truly enough to make Lavoisier unable to keep the lid on his coffin.

Mass isn't conserved!?

That's so unscientific!

I love it!

The desire to learn magic grew even stronger in Ian's heart.

"Professor! Wait!"

Facing Snape's quickened pace, Ian had to frantically move his legs, which were a good deal shorter.

Following that, Ian was led by Snape to purchase other necessities, watching the entire time as Snape kept pulling out money to pay.

Even when buying a cauldron for brewing potions, the shop assistant had already brought out the standard student starter set, but Snape spoke up and had the assistant swap it for a brass cauldron.

It was more expensive.

Much more expensive than a standard one.

"Professor, the letter says to buy a pewter, standard size 2 cauldron." Ian clutched his letter, speaking with some uncertainty.

Unexpectedly, while paying, Snape responded directly with a mocking tone.

"It seems Mr. Prince feels he has already mastered all knowledge, and has actually started instructing me, a Potions professor, on what the correct choice is?"

It was a mockery filled with venom.

Ian was left somewhat speechless.

If it weren't for the fact that Snape was the one constantly footing the bill, he would have mustered the courage to snap back a few words—to be honest, Ian felt even more bewildered now than he had before.

Could it be?

Did Snape really kill his own biological parents against his conscience while serving as a Death Eater? If not, how else could one explain the unusually preferential treatment Snape showed him?

He couldn't make heads or tails of it!

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