HR Chapter 63 You Remind Me of My First Love

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Hogwarts Library.

Immersed in the vast sea of knowledge, Ian was oblivious to the fact that his performance in Transfiguration had sparked a deep conversation between the current and future headmasters in Dumbledore's office.

The world of Transfiguration was utterly captivating.

The steady growth of his proficiency was equally exhilarating.

[Transfiguration (Level 3) 114/800]

After a significant leap in his progress, Ian glanced up to find that the afternoon had already slipped away.

He checked the enchanted clock on the wall.

There were still fifty minutes until Potions class began. Knowing the unpredictable nature of Hogwarts' moving staircases, he reluctantly decided to cut his library visit short.

Of course, he couldn't leave empty-handed.

To ensure he had something to study that evening, Ian resolved to borrow a few books.

"Over here! Over here!"

"I can teach you five hundred ways to identify magical creatures!"

"Fancy a bit of culinary magic?"

"My knowledge is so vast, it's practically spilling out of my pages!"

...

It had to be said that Hogwarts' library was truly extraordinary. Even outside the Restricted Section, Ian encountered several enchanted books that could speak.

However, these weren't the tomes he was after. Following the library's meticulous classification system, Ian browsed the shelves and selected several books he had long intended to read.

"A Brief Record of Hogwarts' Enrolled Students Through the Ages"

"A Detailed History of Wizards in the Middle Ages"

"Legends of the Twilight Zone"

"The Land of Illusion: Limbo"

...

While these books didn't promise to enhance his magical abilities, they held secrets Ian was eager to uncover. He hoped to find traces of Professor Mara and Pandero in the annals of history.

He also wanted to understand the connection between himself and the Twilight Zone. Additionally, Ian suspected that Ariana might be linked to a Hogwarts student from centuries past.

Though the kind-hearted prefect had promised to help him investigate, if Ariana's elder brothers had already graduated, the prefect might not be able to uncover much.

Ian always took his friends' concerns to heart.

Perhaps the books in the public section wouldn't answer all his questions, but he could only explore step by step. If necessary, he could always find a way to sneak into the Restricted Section at night to seek the remaining answers. 

After all, the Restricted Section was breached repeatedly every year, so one more rule-breaking student wouldn't make much difference.

As the Sorting Hat had said, Ian possessed traits from multiple Houses.

"I'd like to borrow these books, please."

Ian placed a stack of seven or eight books on Madam Irma Pince's desk. The thin, sharp-faced librarian resembled an underfed vulture, her eyes narrowing as she inspected the pile.

"A Ravenclaw, are you?"

Madam Pince was currently tending to her enchanted feather duster, which fluttered about like a restless bird.

Being able to organize and guard the library at Hogwarts 365 days a year, Madam Pince was clearly either divorced or widowed— or perhaps simply married to her books.

"Yes, ma'am." Ian maintained his polite demeanor.

"I've always liked Ravenclaws. You lot understand how to care for books better than the other Houses." Madam Pince's gaze softened slightly as she looked at Ian.

She glanced at the books he wanted to borrow.

"Normally, I only allow young wizards to borrow five books at a time." Madam Pince's tone hinted that Ian was pushing his luck.

"Perhaps I could be an exception?"

"Ma'am, I only wish to learn more and become a wizard who can contribute to the world. I never knew my father; he likely died shortly after I was born."

"I heard he fell fighting You-Know-Who, probably just before dawn. I hope to achieve something so he knows I haven't wasted the protection he gave me."

"He died to create a better life for me, so I must strive to excel." Ian borrowed his roommate Michael's backstory, weaving it into his plea.

It was a touching tale, and in a way, perhaps, maybe, supposedly... wasn't this a new form of truth? While playing the sympathy card, Ian also attempted a bit of subtle persuasion.

The extraordinary trait of [Thought Perception] was now used with finesse by Ian. Though its effects were somewhat diminished, it was enough to guide him on how to proceed.

"Ma'am, I brought some delicious Honeydukes' sweets from Hogsmeade. Next time I return the books, I'd be honored to bring some for you to try."

Elderly, solitary individuals often fell for such gestures.

"No eating sweets while reading." Madam Pince didn't refuse, and in the absence of any modern concept of "Tang Niu's Inequality," not refusing naturally implied consent.

"Of course, I promise they'll return home intact." Ian nodded obediently, and Madam Pince's gaze softened further.

"You're quite likable, and you even remind me of my first love from childhood. I hope you won't betray my trust or these precious books."

Madam Pince finally registered Ian's book loans.

"Of course, thank you for your help."

Ian quickly expressed his gratitude while clutching the stack of books.

Though he didn't believe for a second that Madam Pince's first love could have been as handsome as him, he also felt that she wasn't as difficult to persuade as many young wizards claimed.

Leaving the library, Ian found the corridors unusually quiet. Aside from a few Ravenclaws, few students frequented the path leading to the library.

"Hiss~ Hiss!!!"

Along the way, Ian encountered a bristling cat, which growled at him with a low, menacing sound, baring its teeth like a territorial bully. This was Mrs. Norris, the caretaker Argus Filch's cat, whose temperament was as peculiar as her owner's.

"Please move aside." Ian attempted to reason with her.

However.

"Hiss~ Hiss!!!!" Mrs. Norris only growled louder.

"Adventus Timoris!"

Ian had little patience for ill-tempered cats. Without hesitation, he drew his wand and cast a spell in the deserted corridor.

"Meow! Meow!! Meow!!!"

Mrs. Norris covered her eyes with her paws, rolling on the ground in terror and emitting cries like a distressed kitten. It was unclear what she was experiencing, but the spell's effects would last a few minutes.

Stepping around the bewildered cat, Ian returned to the Ravenclaw common room to drop off the borrowed books in his dorm.

Checking the time, he saw there were still thirty minutes left.

However.

"Hurry! Hurry! My brother told me we must never be late for Potions class!"

"Seniors say latecomers are forced to drink a whole bottle of love potion!"

"I heard it's a vial of giant spider venom!"

...

The Ravenclaw first-years were in a panic, dreading the consequences of being late to Potions class. Their clever little minds couldn't fathom why Snape would reward them in such a way.

Perhaps it was because they were still too young and inexperienced. No matter how bright, their minds were still just that— bright.

"There's plenty of time."

Ian said this, but in action, he quickly joined the group hurrying toward the Potions classroom.

This class, Ravenclaw would be sharing with Slytherin.

(End of Chapter)