Professor McGonagall's Guilt

Diagon Alley.

The countless shops left Silan dazzled.

His gaze skipped between strange spellbooks, potion bottles, owls, and potion ingredients he had never seen before. He lingered on each item only briefly before something even more novel drew his attention away.

Although he had expected a scene like this, seeing the magical world with his own eyes still left Silan utterly astonished.

"Child, this is the educational fund issued by Hogwarts. You may need to spend it carefully..."

McGonagall handed Silan a small money pouch.

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall. This is already a great deal of money to me."

McGonagall knew perfectly well that this money could only cover the bare minimum of expenses, and even then, life would still be tight.

She considered paying for a proper set of school supplies for the child herself. That way, he could save the money he had left and use it to improve his living conditions.

But saying something like that outright might be too hurtful.

Silan looked over the supply list, then raised his head and asked, "Professor McGonagall, are there any secondhand shops where I can buy these things? It might save some money."

"Child, perhaps I can help you."

McGonagall held those words back. Her lips parted, but in the end, she said nothing.

After all, the child had already come up with a solution himself.

Though they had only known each other for a short while, McGonagall had already realized that beneath this gentle-looking child's exterior was an unexpected streak of stubbornness.

"Of course there are. But it takes some discernment. I can teach you. Perhaps we need a quick lesson in practical knowledge."

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall."

The two wandered through Diagon Alley, searching for secondhand versions of the items on the list.

Along the way, McGonagall explained some of the common sights and goods found in Diagon Alley.

She discovered that Silan was actually very clever. He always listened attentively, and whenever he encountered something he did not understand, he would ask questions or even build on what she had said with thoughts of his own.

Whether or not the child was Fabian's son, McGonagall found that she liked him.

"Though the Prewett brothers were both Gryffindors, perhaps he'll end up in Ravenclaw House?" McGonagall could not help thinking.

Before long, they had bought most of the items on the list.

These secondhand goods all had their flaws. Though McGonagall had carefully chosen items that were fully functional, their appearance was rather hard to praise.

The cauldron had a small chip along its rim, and the crystal potion vials were rather cloudy...

The work robes and pointed hat had no patches, but they were clearly old, worn, and ill-fitting. Even the owl looked somewhat listless.

As for the books... their contents were complete, but the bindings on some had already begun to come apart.

In short... everything looked shabby and worn-out.

But all of this had been Silan's own choice.

Compared to appearances, the child cared more about practicality.

If McGonagall had not stopped him, Silan might have bought those even cheaper work robes covered in patches.

The owl was not a required item. McGonagall had given it to him.

Though she had hinted that he could choose a better one, the child still picked a listless owl.

There was no other reason. It was simply cheap.

That made McGonagall feel somewhat guilty.

"There's only one thing left... a wand..." Silan checked the list.

"Child, you cannot buy a secondhand wand."

McGonagall took the list and checked it carefully. Once she confirmed that only the wand remained, she led Silan toward Ollivanders Wand Shop.

"You must buy a wand from Ollivander. They have been making fine wands since 382 BC."

The two passed through a narrow lane and arrived at the entrance of Ollivanders Wand Shop, where their attention was immediately drawn to a towering figure.

He was extraordinarily tall, with wild, tangled hair and a coarse beard. His hands and feet were also abnormally large, making the boy beside him look like a doll.

"Oh, Professor McGonagall, I never expected to run into you here."

The giant's voice was somewhat muffled.

McGonagall noticed them as well—it would have been difficult not to notice someone of his height.

"Hagrid. What a coincidence..." McGonagall's gaze fell on the boy beside Hagrid. "It seems you found a good wand."

"Yes, this was an important task Professor Dumbledore entrusted to me."

When Hagrid mentioned "important task," he could not help giving a pleased little snort. Dumbledore's trust made him proud.

Seeing the skinny boy around his own age, wearing round glasses, Silan's gaze could not help drifting toward his forehead. Perhaps everyone meeting Harry Potter for the first time wanted to see the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead?

Harry was also studying the pale-faced boy before him. Seeing his shabby clothes, he thought, Maybe he has a terrible aunt too, just like me.

While the two adults talked, the two children silently watched one another.

"Galloping Gorgons! This child looks exactly like Fabian!"

Noticing Silan, Hagrid let out an exaggerated cry. His voice crashed into McGonagall's ears like a rumbling carriage.

She shot Silan a quick glance, then stepped close to Hagrid and asked hesitantly, "You think he resembles Fabian too?"

"Resembles him? I'd say they're practically identical!"

Hagrid's thick beard trembled wildly, sweeping across his chest like a broom and leaving it spotless.

"What's your name, child?"

"Silan Prewett, sir."

"Prewett! Good heavens!" Hagrid cried out. He stared wide-eyed at McGonagall, then abruptly lowered his voice. "Professor McGonagall! Where did you find him? I never heard Fabian had a child."

"It still hasn't been confirmed."

Though she said that, the way McGonagall looked at Silan had already changed.

"We should go buy the wand now. Hagrid, take Harry back."

McGonagall watched the pair's retreating backs in a daze until Silan spoke to her.

"Professor McGonagall, was my father, Fabian Prewett, also a wizard? What kind of person was he? I have no memory of him at all. Whenever Mrs. Hazel mentioned him, she always called him a heartless man. But I don't think he was like that."

Silan looked up at McGonagall, his eyes filled with just the right amount of sadness, while a smile mixed with poorly concealed pain touched his face.

Of course, this was simply Silan's usual method. After all, the squeaky wheel got the grease.

Sure enough, seeing Silan like this, McGonagall felt a sharp pang in her heart.

"No, child. Your father... Fabian was a great wizard. He was no ungrateful man. He died protecting the wizarding world, fighting evil wizards without hesitation. He and his brother faced five Death Eaters..."

McGonagall could not continue.

No matter how she described those glorious deeds, she could not erase the harm this child had suffered.

Silan lowered his head and pressed his lips tightly together. After a long while, he finally asked softly, "Was my father brave?"

"Without a doubt! He was a hero."

"Thank you for telling me about my father, Professor McGonagall. He was a brave man. My mother and I both forgive him."

McGonagall could not speak.

A hero's child wore old, tattered clothes, and not one of his school supplies looked intact. Yet even so, he held no resentment. He only asked whether his father had been brave, only said that he and his mother forgave him!

Faced with such a kind-hearted child, endless guilt welled up within McGonagall. Like a small knife, it stabbed at her heart with every beat.

"Child, I'm a little tired. Could I wait outside for you?"

"Mr. Ollivander will help you find the wand that suits you."

"Of course, Professor McGonagall."

Silan smiled and entered Ollivanders Wand Shop. The moment he stepped through the door, a small screen appeared before his eyes.

[Congratulations, you have triggered: Perpetual Guilt]

[Description: You did nothing wrong! It is all the world's fault! People feel guilty toward you. Within the time limit (30 days), collect Guilt Points to exchange for trait entries.]

[Current Guilt Points: 134]

Current exchangeable trait entries:

[Spell Inspiration: Little fool! Can you even understand these spells? You are more likely to gain inspiration while learning spells. (Cost: 200)]

[Soundless Concealment: Shh! No one is looking at you. Your presence is slightly reduced, making you less likely to draw attention. (Cost: 180)]

[Alchemist's Hand: It's about to explode! Do you want your hands or gold? Your chance of successful alchemy is slightly increased. (Cost: 200)]

(Author's note: "Galloping Gorgons!" is a common wizarding expression used to convey surprise or anger.)