The Old Ones of Hogwarts

Chapter 9.9: A Gift of Fate

It's not just that Dumbledore isn't there.

There's no surprise element of the owl delivering the message yet.

Ian felt his magical journey had been anything but smooth. Everyone else's starting point guide was either the gentle Professor McGonagall or the burly Hagrid, a rich but foolish man whose favorability was incredibly easy to cultivate. Why was it that his guide was the most unpopular half-blood prince at Hogwarts?

Yes.

The man now sitting in the orphanage director's office, wearing a long, black, mop-like robe and with greasy hair that hadn't been shampooed in years, was none other than Snape, the current headmaster of Slytherin.

This professor has many titles, such as a potion genius, a sufferer of chuunibyou (adolescent delusions of grandeur), and an ultimate, invincible pure love warrior with all his buffs stacked.

of course.

Perhaps Snape's most well-known label is that he was once a Death Eater who followed the Dark Lord—Ian knows that he is now Dumbledore's double agent, but this fact cannot cover up his former identity as a Death Eater.

A fearsome aura cannot be faked.

Therefore.

Now that Snape has become his mentor, this is not good news for Ian.

"Ian, come in quickly!"

Because the orphanage director was sitting directly opposite the entrance, she saw Ian being surrounded by people immediately and quickly smiled and waved to him.

Ian entered.

He then closed the door behind him.

A chorus of children's wails could be heard outside.

"Poor little Ian will finally have a better life, thank God." While saying this with a happy expression, Ms. Elena introduced Ian to the gloomy Snape, "This is Ian, the most sensible and pitiful child here."

"I believe that although he comes from a poor background, he will definitely become one of the most outstanding children in your area. I think even the children from noble families are not as intelligent as Ian."

Ms. Elena was lavish in her praise of Ian.

This made Ian slightly embarrassed. After all, he was an adult soul of a transmigrator, and it was really too unfair to compare him with other people's children.

"Hopefully that's the case."

Snape, sitting opposite Ms. Elena, was also observing Ian.

From the moment Ian walked in, his gaze never left Ian's face. The stern expression and complex look in his eyes left Ian somewhat puzzled.

Is this... a feeling of guilt?

【Thought Perception】This extraordinary characteristic, derived from 【Psychology】, gives Ian the special ability to perceive the most intense emotions and deepest desires of others.

at this time.

Because Snape's mind was not at peace, Ian immediately sensed his emotions. This unusual state reminded Ian of something Dumbledore had once said.

The professor who visited later felt he owed him a great deal.

Is this professor the Snape standing right in front of me...? Ian felt a strange sensation. He was clearly not Harry Potter, nor could he be Lily Potter's illegitimate son.

So, where did Snape's emotions come from?

"What are you doing! How is this possible!?"

suddenly.

Just as Ian was filled with doubt.

A look of disbelief flashed across Snape's eyes, his face began to show surprise and uncertainty, and his gaze toward Ian took on a sharp edge that made one feel as if they had a fishbone stuck in their throat.

"what?"

Ian was startled and took a few steps back.

Elena was also puzzled by Snape's reaction.

"Leech-of-Mind! Mr. Prince, Dumbledore didn't tell me you had this hidden talent!" Snape's eyes flickered violently.

Surprise? Unease? Worry?

He stared at Ian with an unusually cold expression, yet the emotional fluctuations he revealed became increasingly apparent. These perceptions of emotion only deepened Ian's suspicions.

What exactly is this Potions Professor in front of us?

Surely I can't be the illegitimate child of the other person and a Muggle! Because he couldn't have Lily Potter, he found a Muggle like Lily Potter, gave birth to me, and then abandoned me in an orphanage?

That's impossible!

This is... absolutely mind-blowing, so illogical!

Ian grew increasingly curious.

His perception became increasingly obvious.

therefore.

"I said! That's enough!"

Snape's tone suddenly rose several octaves.

The voice was stern.

"I...I can't control it..."

Ian was extremely nervous. He hadn't expected Snape to be able to detect the [Mind Perception] probe, nor had he expected that this ability would be mistaken for the [Levitation of Mind] magic.

"Professor, perhaps if you control your emotions, the situation will ease a bit?" There was no other way; Snape in front of him was in a serious state of agitation.

Ian could only whisper a reminder to the other party.

"Phew~"

Snape took a deep breath, his expression grim. After closing his eyes and adjusting himself for a moment, Ian's clear senses began to blur.

"What did you see?"

When Snape opened his eyes again, disbelief still lingered on his face.

"I didn't see your memories, I could only sense your emotions. Are you feeling a little confused?" Ian answered the question honestly.

Now that the other party has noticed his abnormality, it's clearly impossible to hide this ability. For wizards, having special talents isn't a problem.

"A natural Legilimency...that's good...Mr. Prince, do you feel that because you have some gifts from fate, you can be so proud that you can do whatever you want?"

Snape's eyes now held a clear hint of annoyance.

His tone was as cold as it could possibly be.

He seemed to be squeezing out the words through gritted teeth, his voice quite loud, causing Ian to subconsciously glance at Ms. Elena. However, Ms. Elena was looking at the two of them with a smile on her face.

He would nod occasionally.

obviously.

The scene of Ian and Snape's conversation, whether heard or seen by Ms. Elena, is now likely far removed from the actual events.

"Confusion Spell..."

Ian looked at Ms. Elena, who seemed to be isolated in another world.

I don't know why.

I felt inexplicably choked up.

"I'm asking you a question, Mr. Prince. You dare to disregard a professor before even enrolling? If this were Hogwarts, I would definitely give your school a piece of my mind..."

Snape abruptly stopped mid-sentence, his tone somewhat sarcastic. His gloomy face contorted with an expression as if he had swallowed something choking him.

"I'm sorry, Professor, I really can't control it."

Ian was quite helpless.

"If you can't control it, then learn how to control it!"

Snape shouted at him.

"Forehead……"

Perhaps it was Ian's acting skills that worked; looking at Ian's innocent and pitiful expression, Snape bit his cheek and his tone softened a bit.

"As a professor at the academy, I'm only giving you this friendly warning this time: before you have enough strength, any action that might provoke other wizards is a foolish provocation."

"Hogwarts has always been tolerant of its students, but only if you are a well-behaved little brat and don't cause trouble like those annoying Gryffindors."

Snape's voice was extremely serious.

only.

When Gryffindor is mentioned.

His tone, however, carried an undisguised contempt.

What is Gryffindor?

Ian tried to change the subject, his expression blank and bewildered.

"Heh, they're just a bunch of simple-minded, muscle-bound idiots. At Hogwarts, smart people choose to stay away from them, or they'll immediately become unfortunate."

Snape was very enthusiastic in his mockery.

This response is clearly a typical example of the saying "a word from a wise man is worth more than a single conversation."

He didn't explain at all that Gryffindor was a house.

"Okay, Professor."

Ian did not press for answers or refute them.

Instead, it acted obediently, as if it were being trained.

This eased Snape's furrowed brow considerably.

"Madam, I need to take this child with me ahead of time to complete some necessary procedures," he said, turning to Ms. Elena instead of looking at Ian.

next moment.

Just like Elena, who had been offline for a long time, her eyes and expression finally returned to normal, and she responded to Snape with a smile.

"Of course, of course, the old principal has already completed all the formalities, and Ian can go with you now." After saying that, she urged Ian to pack his luggage.

Because I've been preparing all along.

Most of Ian's belongings had already been packed into large boxes.

then.

He quickly dragged a huge suitcase out. Since Ian was only eleven years old at the time, he was only a little over a head taller than the suitcase.

I just stepped out of the bedroom.

Ian saw that Ms. Elena, several other orphanage staff members, and almost all the children were waiting for him in the orphanage yard.

Snape stood in an open space some distance away, exuding an aura that kept strangers at bay—even acquaintances probably wouldn't want to get close.

"Ian, Ian, will you bring us back chocolate?"

"Don't worry, Ian, I'll take care of your room and the stroller."

"Waaaaah, Brother Ian, please don't die! They said they'll never see you again."

……

The children all showed reluctance at Ian's impending departure.

He was the leader of the children in the orphanage.

Everyone had a very deep affection for Ian... Even the five-year-old girl who mistook not seeing him for being dead held a significant place in her heart.

perhaps.

One day, this weight and affection will change with the passage of time, fading as everyone grows older and goes their separate ways.

But the reluctance everyone feels at this moment will not be diminished in the slightest.

"Ian, don't look back, your future will be bright." Ms. Elena touched Ian's face, her eyes filled with tears, and gave him this profound advice with a look of relief.

The other children might not understand the meaning, but that doesn't mean Ian couldn't either.

"Professor, I can come back during my vacation, right?"

He shouted at Snape in the distance.

"That's your problem, don't bother me with such stupid things."

Although Snape's tone was full of impatience, he remained quietly standing in the shadows by the wall, without urging Ian in any way.

"Of course I'll come back. This is home, isn't it?"

Ian stepped forward and hugged Ms. Elena, saying, "Without your dedication and the changes you've made here, this orphanage wouldn't be as full of joy and laughter as it is now."

"We will all have a future, I promise." Ian's voice was very serious.

"Ian...you don't have to do this..." Ms. Elena's voice choked with emotion as she hugged Ian tightly. The children nearby started chattering excitedly.

"It's my turn to hug Ian!"

"Anna! You've been holding me for too long!"

"Alan! You've wiped your snot all over Ian's clothes!"

……

I said goodbye to almost everyone.

Ian refused the help of others and dragged his suitcase toward Snape.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Ian and Snape exchanged a few words, after which Snape led Ian out of the large iron gate and gradually disappeared into the smog-filled streets of London.

"Ian will definitely make something of himself. He's such a sensible and endearing child." The cook in the kitchen cried his heart out, his voice filled with unwavering conviction.

"Yes, I would never doubt that."

Ms. Elena also gave her approval. She wiped her eyes and turned around to comfort the children, but found that her pockets felt heavy.

It was as if they had a premonition of something.

Ms. Elena quickly reached in and took it out.

She pulled out a thick envelope.

"When?"

Ms. Elena was somewhat taken aback.

She opened the envelope.

His hands slowly began to tremble uncontrollably.

"This child..."

Her voice was trembling.

All I saw was...

The brand-new envelopes were filled with pounds sterling. Although the denominations were small and scattered, they added up to a considerable sum.

It's enough to provide the children in the orphanage with enough food and warmth for a winter.