Hogwarts Library.
Madam Pince carefully examined the note from Dumbledore in hand, then looked up at the unfamiliar young man in green robes before her, her gaunt face filled with suspicion.
The handwriting on the note undoubtedly belonged to Dumbledore. She recognized that slender cursive at a glance.
The note's contents were simple as well: it permitted the wizard holding it to browse every book in the library without restriction. And if there were no restrictions, that naturally included the Restricted Section.
That alone was enough to make her suspicious.
Hogwarts managed forbidden books very strictly. Even with a professor's note, students could usually borrow only a particular volume. It had been a long time since she had heard of anyone being allowed to browse every forbidden book as they pleased.
Not to mention that the young man before her was not even a Hogwarts student.
"—Since this is Albus's wish."
Madam Pince drew out her words slightly and nodded with obvious reluctance, adding, "Some of the books cannot be taken out, even with the headmaster's permission. They may only be read in the library."
"Of course, no problem!"
Zheng Qing agreed with a beaming smile.
He had come to the library partly because he was interested in "a piece of school history" from this world and wanted to check the yearbooks from the past few years to see who had changed history; the other reason was to look up the areas around Hogwarts where unicorns most often appeared. As for the forbidden books Madam Pince was worried about, he was not particularly interested in them.
"—Also, pets are forbidden in the library." Madam Pince stared at the Qilin on the young wizard's shoulder and added sternly.
The Yellow Flower Cat immediately flew into a rage and widened its eyes.