Hogwarts's Great Hall are brightly lit.
The banquet of the new academic year was held as scheduled, and the long table was filled with delicious food and shiny gold plates. On High Table, Ian was wearing a professor's robe, with a calm expression, as if the hustle and awe of previous years had nothing to do with him.
In the past year, his name has already been heard in Wizarding World.
Some people rank him with Dumbledore, and some even call him "the leader of wizards in the new era".
Therefore, when he appeared on High Table as if nothing had happened, even the old professors couldn't help but look sideways--
That kind of understatement is more oppressive than any title.
"It seems that my classes may be overcrowded this year."
Ian sipped tea and smiled slightly.
"Stop irritating us old bones."
Flitwick Professor Ke couldn't help but shake his head. The small man leaned on the dining chair and joked privately with Mind Magic,
"I feel embarrassed for Dumbledore about being squeezed off the list of 'The Greatest Grand Wizard of the 20th Century' by you."
Ian raised his eyebrows. "The principal himself doesn't care about that kind of false reputation, so naturally I don't either."
"But you have to be a little proud, right?" Flitwick ke smiled half-seriously.
"There is pride." Ian put down the teacup and said in a relaxed tone, "Especially since I received dozens of anonymous love letters from witches this month. It seems that reputation can really cause trouble."
Flitwick ke coughed and couldn't hide his laughter. "How many times have I advised you? You should find a serious girl to settle down with."
"I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you." Ian looked calm, with a hint of playfulness in the corner of his mouth, "Marriage is not part of my research plan."
"Alas," Flitwick ke shook his head and sighed, "Then I won't talk too much. I just want to ask, do you really plan to continue what you are doing?"
Ian's eyes narrowed slightly, and his tone suddenly became calmer. "I have no choice.
But I can guarantee that my method will be the most efficient and least expensive."
This sentence made the air still for a moment.
Flitwick ke sighed, "In that case, I will no longer hesitate. Now that I have decided to stand on your side, I will not regret it anymore."
Ian smiled softly with a gentle expression, "You will find that you have made the right decision. Don't worry, I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do."
There was a brief silence between the two.
Flitwick Ke suddenly changed the subject. "By the way, I've used your the Library a few times. It's really a miracle.
I never thought that one person could organize hundreds of years of knowledge in such a systematic way.
If this knowledge could be opened to the whole world, Wizarding Civilization's progress could be advanced by at least three hundred years."
"That's why I want to continue." Ian looked calm, but with unquestionable determination.
"I want to build a system that allows knowledge to grow continuously.
No longer dependent on blood, no longer restricted by power.
Let Wizarding Civilization rely not on genius, but on accumulation."
Flitwick ke nodded with respect in his tone. "I agree with your idea.
However... I noticed that I only have Level 2 access.
What is hidden in the higher levels?"
Ian just smiled and did not answer.
That smile is gentle, but like Abyss, it's hard to see the bottom of it.
In fact, at this moment, only Snape and Bellatrix actually have level three access rights--
Their lives are firmly bound to his magical contract.
The other ones, Death Eaters, are only given the lowest level of permissions.
Among all the people, the only ones who have obtained the fourth level authority are his aunt Amelia and cousin Susan.
However, the little girl knew nothing about it.
That layer of permissions comes with security protocols --
As long as they are in danger, the alchemy Talisman donated by Ian will immediately trigger the signal.
"World Gate" will open directly and teleport them out of danger.
If even the transmission fails, the gate will self-destruct--
Even if the entire laboratory is sacrificed, their lives must be exchanged.
"I only have so much family."
He once said calmly,
"Experiments can be reconstructed, but people cannot."
--
After finishing Mind Stone's communication, Ian's sight passed across the opposite side of the Great Hall.
Susan·Bones is sitting at the long table of Hufflepuff, looking unhappy.
He frowned slightly and whispered in his heart:
"Little Susan, why are you so troubled?"
The girl's voice echoed in his mind, with dissatisfaction. "You didn't go home all summer, and you didn't write me a letter."
Ian laughed, "Oh, you saw it too, my aunt and I are really busy these days."
"I have to say something if I'm busy." Susan hummed, "You promised to take me to London to play."
"Okay, okay, I was wrong." Ian said in a softer tone, "Then how should I compensate?"
"It can't be fixed."
"Then I will take you on a trip for Christmas. You can choose the location as you like."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Then I want the whole vacation."
"Can three days be okay?"
"Huh, not sincere."
Ian laughed out loud, "Okay, the whole holiday will be arranged for you."
"That's pretty much it." Susan smiled with satisfaction.
Ian added, "There is also good news. Hufflepuff has a chance to win House Cup this year, and I guarantee that the principal will not interfere again."
"Really? Then we will definitely win!"
"Don't be proud." Ian changed his tone, "It's easy to make mistakes if you are proud."
"I know!" The girl's tone was brisk, as if the haze had been swept away.
--
Soon, Sorting Ceremony ended and the banquet officially began.
Ian glanced at the freshmen seats and confirmed that everything was roughly consistent with the original timeline.
The only difference is--
Harry Potter and Ron·Weasley are sitting safely on the long table of Gryffindor,
They didn't crash into the school in a speeding car like they originally did.
Ian smiled slightly.
Voldemort's diary has been taken away by him, and Dobby's memory has long been erased.
That House-elf has no reason to interfere with the fate of Harry.
He raised the wine glass, gently swayed the golden liquid, and said silently:
"It seems that Death is right - Corrective Force of destiny did not interfere again this time."
The candlelight flickered, reflecting in his calm eyes.
In that deep light, there is no pride or joy,
Just think calmly--
With a trace of certainty about the future.