booktalesy Chapter 158, Section 157: The Zhang Family's Train Brings Home the Wandering Sons
Chapter 158, Section 157: The Zhang Family's Train Brings Home the Wandering Sons
Chapter 158, Section 157: The Train Home, the Wanderer Returning Home
The Defense Against the Dark Arts exam, led by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, is rather unusual. What's intriguing is that the other young wizards' Defense Against the Dark Arts exams certainly don't use this psychological test.
This can be discerned from the whispers among the other young wizards as they left the classroom. Albus Dumbledore's test for the other young wizards on Defense Against the Dark Arts consisted largely of the same old questions testing magical skills related to defense against the Dark Arts.
This is true for all grades.
There are a large number of test takers.
The only one Ian received was a psychological test. Ian guessed that Albus Dumbledore probably felt he was practicing dark magic too frequently and was worried that his mind would be corrupted by it, so he wanted to use this test to understand his psychological state.
Ian wasn't surprised that Albus Dumbledore knew how many times he would practice magic each day. After all, Albus Dumbledore had demonstrated his precognitive abilities at Hogwarts more than once, and Ian guessed that it was probably related to Albus Dumbledore's authority as headmaster.
In any case, the old headmaster's concerns were not without merit. If anyone else practiced black magic so frequently, they would probably go crazy like a noseless person after a few months.
However, Ian was slightly different.
"Dark magic doesn't seem to have any corrosive effect on me." Ian didn't know why, but he had never felt any effects from the side effects of magic.
Aurora's assessment was that Ian was probably already so dark that he couldn't get any darker. Ian didn't quite agree with this clearly misunderstanding. He felt that he was a wizard with the essence of "truth, goodness, and beauty," and that his pure heart had kept him from being tainted by evil.
While answering questions on the psychological test form, Ian shared his views with Albus Dumbledore, who was clearly much more accommodating than Aurora.
"That is indeed a possibility."
Albus Dumbledore smiled and reassured Ian. No one knew the judgment he was making; the headmaster was the one whose emotions and thoughts were hardest for a young wizard to discern.
"This test will give us the answers."
Albus Dumbledore seemed to care a great deal about Ian’s psychometric test scores, but even a wise man like him probably couldn’t have predicted that the psychometric test would be meaningless to Ian.
With a full level of Psychology Proficiency (Level 6), Ian can ponder the analytical perspectives behind each problem, thereby finding the answer choices that allow him to become a "true, good, and beautiful" little wizard.
Similar tables.
Before even enrolling in school, he had already studied many types of test forms, all for the purpose of improving his proficiency in "Psychology Mastery". Although this form was quite different from the test forms he had studied in the Muggle world, the underlying logic was not too different. After all, wizards and Muggles are not that different in their way of thinking.
"It's done!"
After Ian put down his pen, he handed the psychological test form back to Albus Dumbledore. He felt that the old headmaster had overlooked something, and he certainly did not expect that he was a well-rounded, all-around warrior.
A mere psychological test.
He insisted on showing Albus Dumbledore a once-in-a-century "Saint Mary" child.
"very good."
Albus Dumbledore nodded slightly, without grading or checking Ian's psychological test form, and simply indicated that Ian could leave the somewhat empty examination room.
"Aren't you going to give me a score right now?" Ian wasn't worried about being caught cheating; he was just impatient and wanted to know his exam results as soon as possible.
"Actually, this test will not affect your final grade. Your practical exam already gave us the most satisfactory results half a semester ago."
Albus Dumbledore maintained his smile.
"what?"
Ian paused slightly, "You mean Professor Quirrell's matter?"
Half a semester ago, the only thing he could think of related to the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam was the battle with Tom that Albus Dumbledore had witnessed throughout.
"That's right." Albus Dumbledore confirmed Ian's guess, his tone gentle. "Although few people know that you defeated one of the most powerful dark wizards of this century, my Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and I are aware of it, and we both agree that no one could have handled it better than you in that situation."
"No other exam can demonstrate your achievements in Defense Against the Dark Arts better than that battle, so your grade will certainly be the answer you expected."
Albus Dumbledore's voice was calm and measured, his words reasonable. To solo the noseless enemy unscathed was indeed a feat of top-tier Dark Magic defense. If it wasn't at the level of instantly killing Voldemort, Ian's performance was already the best possible outcome in any encounter.
"Then why are you telling me that this psychological test is my final assessment?" Ian thought back to when he first walked in and asked Albus Dumbledore about the test content.
He clearly remembered how Albus Dumbledore had responded to him.
"Hahaha, obviously, you've fallen for my trick." Albus Dumbledore's sly smile revealed a cunning nature, and his mischievous eyes made the young wizard realize that the old wizard was up to something.
"So, this was one of your pranks?"
Ian felt that things were probably not as simple as he thought.
"No, no, no, given how dangerous the spells you've learned this semester are, I do think it's necessary to periodically check if you're affected by dark magic."
"Isn't this my duty as headmaster?" Albus Dumbledore winked at Ian, his actions leaving the young wizard somewhat helpless.
"All right."
Ian sighed heavily, stood up, bowed, and left the empty examination hall. Outside, many pairs of eyes watched his expression with great tension.
These young wizards seemed to be trying to gauge the difficulty of the exam from Ian's expression.
"Professor, I heard the exam will involve us fighting a giant dragon, is that true?"
"If it's a dragon, I'm doomed! I haven't even mastered the simplest disruptive spell, Flock of Birds. When I was reviewing this morning, all I could summon was a flock of flightless dodos."
"Didn't you all see that?! Sitting inside is our headmaster, Mr. Albus Dumbledore! The exam content is obvious... we definitely have to resist the seduction of the male succubus!"
……
Unsure how long the rumors about Albus Dumbledore being a male succubus would last, Ian was immediately surrounded by a group of familiar junior wizards after leaving the examination hall, all eager to hear his story. To be honest, this situation put Ian in a bit of a bind; he genuinely didn't know what types of tests the other junior wizards would be taking.
"Actually, everyone doesn't need to be nervous. This year's exam is relatively easy." Ian gave a vague answer, and even if the other junior wizards found it difficult, they would never doubt his statement.
After all, everyone knows that Ian's mastery of magic far surpasses that of his peers, so what is a very simple test for Ian may be very difficult for other candidates.
If the exam content is indeed simple, Ian can say that he is thinking from other people's perspectives, and no matter what the final outcome is, he can have a reasonable explanation for his answer.
"I'm so clever!" After dealing with a group of junior wizards and having completed all his exams, Ian was planning to go back to the House of Requirement to rest.
As he walked toward the stairs, he saw George and Fred, the two Gryffindor twins, who looked dejected after finishing their exams.
He looked so worried, as if his gold had been stolen.
"What's wrong with you guys? Did you not do well on the test?"
Ian has the same quirky sense of humor as other Ravenclaw students, and he likes to ask other students' grades during final exams, even if he already knows the answer.
"It's not so much that we didn't do well on the test, it's like the sky has fallen. We were caught cheating by Professor McGonagall." Fred sighed heavily, his tone tinged with regret.
He was clearly not regretting his grades, but rather that his cheating had failed.
"It's all your fault, Fred! I told you we needed to study seriously for three days before the exam—no, two days!—and you insisted on telling me your cheating idea was flawless!"
Equally frustrated, George began shifting the blame.
"So what? Weren't you also exclaiming that my idea was brilliant and that we would go down in history?" Fred immediately retorted, not to be outdone.
The two brothers have this kind of personality that likes to bicker with each other.
"Damn it! Who would have thought your seemingly brilliant idea would actually be such a disaster! Not only did you fail to steal market share from this little brat in front of us, but you also made us all look like clowns!"
George angrily began to berate his twin brother.
"Your cheat kit sold more than ten copies, so it should be pretty good, right?" Ian thought to himself, secretly pleased, but on the surface, he still made a sarcastic remark to "comfort" him.
"That was a good fart!"
George pulled a small ant out of his ear. If you looked closely, you could see that it wasn't a living thing, but rather had a plastic-like texture.
"The quiz assistant can only answer questions we already know the answers to. It's terrible! If I already know the answers, what use is it to help me?"
"Not only did it not get me a good grade, but I also got caught cheating by Professor McGonagall and made to stand in the exam room for the entire morning!"
"Ian, do you know what it feels like to have ants crawling in your ear while you're under a spell that prevents you from scratching? If I could, I'd rather dance ballet with the Dementors of Azkaban!"
George's frustration and annoyance are easy to understand; it's clear that Professor McGonagall's methods of dealing with cheaters are quite different from Professor Felius Frivi's.
of course.
Both punishments are memorable for cheaters.
"The main problem was that I was too pressed for time... I wasn't able to get these answer-answering assistants working properly in the end. Next year, I'm sure I'll be able to fix the problems with the answer-answering assistants next year."
"We'll just put it in our heads then, and Professor McGonagall definitely won't be able to catch us." Fred's tone carried an obvious hint of guilt.
Ian was horrified by his innovative ideas.
"You stupid answer-answering assistant! To hell with it! I'll have to come up with the ideas next year!" George threw the little ant back to Fred and demanded the right to the idea in a resentful tone.
"Alright, alright, we still need to think about how to deal with this year's practical exam." Fred, feeling guilty, chose to back down.
"Can you tell us what the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam is about in the second year?" George asked, seeing Ian approaching. At Hogwarts, almost every subject has only one professor, so the exam location and the professor administering the exam are essentially the same.
"I'm only a first-year student, how would I know about second-year material?" Ian rolled his eyes, feeling that the two brothers were clearly grasping at straws in their desperation.
"What if you saw it?"
George pressed on, still somewhat unwilling to give up.
"Ian is right, George. He's just a first-year student. Not only could he not know, but I don't think even those students who have already taken the exams could give us the answers. Every year, the professors prepare several different exam questions. Who knows whether we'll encounter difficult or easy questions?"
Although Fred was only one grade ahead of Ian, his understanding of the final exams was more detailed than that of most third- or even fourth-year wizards. This might be related to the fact that he was the one researching cheating methods this year, and thus had collected a lot of information related to the exams.
"I wish we could conjure up a few big dung balls."
George sighed.
"Maybe we can fake being sick, and then we won't have to face that dreadful Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," Fred suggested, an idea that caught George's eye.
They were clearly unaware that the head of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class had been replaced by the old headmaster.
Ian didn't intend to correct the two men's views, because he suddenly had a bright idea and decided to promote his work, which was quite useful in these kinds of situations, to the twins.
"Want some quick-fix truancy candy? It's one of my latest inventions." Ian's skin is definitely even thicker than it was at the beginning of the semester.
His work is actually a pirated version of two twins' unborn ideas.
"Quick-acting skip-class candy? That name sounds amazing!" George was immediately drawn to Ian's pitch, and he watched eagerly as Ian pulled out a handful of candy.
With a variety of candies, including gummies, hard candies, and even bubble gum, Ian tries his best to satisfy all the little wizards' preferences, which is an essential detail in marketing.
Of course, although these candies come in different varieties, they are essentially the same in structure—a notable feature of quick-fix candies is that they are usually available in two different colors.
The two colors of candy have different functions: one part is used to induce the "illness" effect, and the other part is used to remove the effect.
As for the specific color, it is further classified according to the disease it is meant to cause. Spitting candy might be a combination of purple and orange-yellow, while nosebleed nougat might contain a combination of red and another color.
"Oh my god! You're a genius! I'm completely convinced that I lost to you before! You are the greatest inventor at Hogwarts!" Fred looked at the candy in his hand with a shocked expression. He was deeply impressed by the effect and creativity of the candy. He never thought that there could be such a practical prank product.
"Look at others! Fred! How come you can't come up with such an idea!" George even started to criticize his twin brothers with disappointment.
"If Ian hadn't invented it, how would you know I wouldn't have come up with such an idea in a few years!" Fred immediately retorted to George, as was his usual instinct.
He was clearly unaware that he had revealed some truths, and with an envious look, he exclaimed to the young wizard, "Why don't I have a brain as sharp as yours!"
Even Ian, with his thick skin, felt a little embarrassed.
"Trust me, this kind of chocolate is the best choice for a big exam." Ian quickly picked up a green and blue chocolate from a pile of candies.
He also incorporated his own creative ideas into it. As for stealing the twins' work in advance... well, how can the actions of a "prophet" be considered despicable and shameless?
"What are its effects?"
"Can you make us vomit blood? I'd prefer dozens of kilograms!"
George and Fred stared excitedly and expectantly at the chocolate in Ian's hand.
"It's called a smallpox outbreak!"
Ian solemnly introduced his creative idea: as the name suggests, this chocolate candy could make the user exhibit all the symptoms of a high-level smallpox infection within thirty seconds.
"Huh? What kind of illness is this?"
George and Fred were both somewhat surprised.
"Wait, I think I've heard Dad mention that before."
Fred looked like he was racking his brains trying to remember.
"Anyway, it's really impressive. It'll definitely exempt you from exams, and who knows, you might even get an early summer vacation." Ian handed two chocolate candies to George and Fred respectively.
"How much? We're very, very poor."
George intends to negotiate the price.
however.
The little wizard shook his head.
"I would prefer that you pay me based on your own abilities. Some of the complex foundational work in my alchemical research requires someone to help me complete it."
Ian wanted to delegate some of the sculpting work for alchemical creations to the twins, which didn't require much skill and whose alchemical abilities far surpassed those of their peers.
"You actually want us to work for you! You're such a brat who likes to enslave people!" Fred immediately started to boast and shout in an exaggerated manner.
"But he doesn't want money, Fred, this is free." George was very tempted and gave Fred the reason that made him decide immediately.
"And he even said we're capable! There aren't many people with that kind of vision!" Clearly, being recognized was very meaningful to both George and Fred.
"You're right, we should help this great classmate who shares our ideas. He might just be the future of our prank world, a rising star!"
Fred changed his mind.
"So? What do you mean?"
Ian immediately seized the opportunity to ask.
The two brothers exchanged a glance.
"Deal! Ian!"
They high-fived Ian, then happily ran towards the exam location with their quick-acting skip-class candy. Ian watched them disappear around the corner and silently pulled out a bunch of magical gas masks.
"Well, maybe Aurora is right. Sometimes I really am too bad." Ian pondered that he would have about three hours to spread panic after the two brothers were isolated by Madam Pomfrey.
These slow-moving products should be able to be sold quickly—perhaps because he had just mentioned Aurora, Ian walked to the stairs and saw Aurora holding a notebook and doing a "pre-exam cramming."
"You actually get nervous about exams?" Ian leaned closer, somewhat surprised. He remembered that Aurora always seemed confident during other exams.
The German girl looked up at Ian upon hearing this, "I heard that Dumbledore is conducting the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam. He previously threatened to give me the most difficult exam."
Aurora's tone was somewhat apprehensive. As Albus Dumbledore's apprentice, she was indeed subject to stricter requirements from Albus Dumbledore than other young wizards—to be honest, this didn't surprise Ian. He was just curious that Albus Dumbledore would threaten people.
"How did he threaten you?"
Ian looked at Aurora with considerable surprise.
Aurora gave her a very serious answer.
"Dumbledore told me last night, after he saw my grandfather, that when he came back to his office to teach me magic, he would prepare a different Defense Against the Dark Arts test for me."
Done.
Aurora continued to bury her head in her notebook, looking worried.
"Um?"
Ian was waiting for her to continue, but Aurora remained silent. He could only reach out and cover the notebook that Aurora had opened in her hand.
"And then? Where is the threat to you?"
The young wizard asked, quite puzzled.
"Um?"
Aurora also looked confused.
"Isn't that a threat?"
She recalled that she hadn't missed anything.
"Huh? Did I hear that right?"
Ian was completely dumbfounded.
"I've prepared a different kind of Defense Against the Dark Arts exam for you." Aurora, probably afraid that Ian wouldn't understand, put her wand against her throat and spoke in the old headmaster's aged voice.
She used body transformation techniques, and her tone and intonation were incredibly lifelike.
"??????"
Ian's expression made Aurora seem to realize something.
She added, "I just understood the hidden meaning in his words. Ian, you should also take some time to practice your reading comprehension skills."
"I can recommend some books that I've studied," the German girl said with great enthusiasm, though her exceptional reading comprehension skills clearly indicated that the books she was reading weren't exactly respectable.
"No need, no need, I'm fine as I am." Ian quickly waved his hand to refuse and tried to change the subject. "Although I would like to help you a little, my exam content is probably not the same as yours... Actually, Headmaster Dumbledore is not the kind of person who likes to make things difficult for others."
talking.
Ian then told Aurora about the test items on his psychological test form.
The German girl seemed thoughtful after listening.
"Like I said before, Ian, we need to decipher the meaning behind what people say. I think Dumbledore lied to you; there must be another layer of meaning behind that psychological test."
Aurora began her analysis, "I believe that your psychological test results are closely related to the test scores of all our other students."
have to say.
Even after a year of friendship with Aurora, Ian still found it hard to understand some of Aurora's puzzling remarks, perhaps just like how some junior wizards would feel when they heard him rambling on.
"Why are other classmates being dragged into this?"
Ian adopted a look of complete attentiveness.
Aurora paused for a moment and organized her thoughts.
"We all know that the Dark Lord you speak of is no longer a threat, so for Dumbledore, all he needs to do now is prevent others from becoming the so-called third Dark Lord."
"The best way to defend against the threat of dark magic is to eliminate the wizards who are proficient in dark magic at the source." Aurora spoke calmly and eloquently, with a somewhat didactic air about her.
"??????"
The little wizard's expressions were priceless.
The German girl seemed to "understand" that Ian had problems with reading comprehension.
"Remember when I told you that Dumbledore wanted me to supervise you? It's a similar situation." She thoughtfully summarized the points for Ian.
"Yes, that's it. The answer is obvious. Dumbledore thinks that as long as you don't cause any problems, everyone's defenses against the dark magic will definitely be fine."
"If you pass the psychological test, we all pass. If you fail the psychological test... then there's a big problem. I think he'll take the kind of harmless treatment you keep mentioning." Aurora clearly had more than just some misunderstandings about Ian; she also had some prejudice against Albus Dumbledore's way of doing things.
Even after studying magic under Albus Dumbledore and becoming the apprentice of the greatest white wizard of the century, some of the views on Albus Dumbledore that he had developed since childhood did not change much.
"You think that if Headmaster Dumbledore discovers I have psychological problems, he'll kill me?" Ian's eyes widened in disbelief. Holding the magic to summon [Dumbledore's Truth], he certainly didn't think his headmaster would do such a thing; he just found Aurora's imagination truly frightening.
"Otherwise what? You still don't understand our principal."
Aurora didn't respond directly, but instead asked in a cryptic tone, "Do you think Dumbledore will be merciful when eliminating a threat like you?"
"I'm pretty sure he won't even mourn for you." To be fair, this analysis from Aurora's perspective isn't wrong. After all, judging from some of Albus Dumbledore's early experiences, the headmaster does have a decisive and ruthless side, but it's a side that Albus Dumbledore rarely lets Ian see.
The German girl was unaware of some of the secrets between Ian and Dumbledore.
"Your analysis is making me a little nervous... Luckily, I think my answers are fine, otherwise I would definitely blame you for not being able to sleep tonight."
Ian patted his chest, looking like he was still shaken.
"Looks like you succeeded in cheating."
Aurora closed her notebook—she waved to Ian and headed towards the exam hall, clearly able to tell when it would be her turn to take the exam.
"Being able to see the future is cheating, isn't it?"
Ian said goodbye to his good friend and finally climbed the stairs back to the Room of Requirement. Due to some unexpected accidents, he needed to rush to make some more limited-edition gas masks.
Those wealthy, life-conscious people in Slytherin had a taste for this.
Just as Ian was working hard to catch up on the work.
the other side.
"Please come in."
Albus Dumbledore's gentle voice echoed from inside the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam room as Aurora entered, facing her own Defense Against the Dark Arts exam.
"Um?"
As the doors closed automatically, Aurora noticed something that many of the young wizards hadn't: a peculiar lamppost emitting a hazy white light was set up in the classroom.
"That was a necessary measure to prevent the exam questions from being leaked. After all, time was very tight, and I wasn't able to prepare different practical exam questions for the young wizards of different grades."
Albus Dumbledore took the initiative to answer Aurora's question.
Aurora seemed thoughtful.
"Will it cause us to lose our memory of the exam?"
She bluntly stated her guess.
Upon hearing this...
Albus Dumbledore chuckled. "It seems you still don't have a very good impression of me. Of course, I won't just arbitrarily alter the memories of you little wizards."
"This lamp is only meant to ensure that for a period of time after you leave this classroom, you won't be able to recall the specific details of what you were required to complete for this exam."
The former principal also explained the purpose of the lampposts without any hesitation.
"If you don't like it, I can turn it off. After all, you won't affect the other young wizards' exams." He waved his hand and turned off the lamppost that was emitting a hazy white light without waiting for Aurora's reply.
The empty classroom looked exactly the same as when Ian had taken his exams.
"Are you trying to test my Patronus Charm?" Aurora clearly had her own guesses and judgments about Albus Dumbledore's possible "difficulty".
"There's no rush with this magic. I think you'll complete it eventually, it just needs some time to settle." Albus Dumbledore's deep gaze revealed no emotion.
"What sediment? Happy memories?"
Aurora frowned and began to press for answers.
"I think what you lack most is a firm belief," Albus Dumbledore responded softly, giving Aurora no time to think before uttering his startling words.
"Before we begin the exam, I need you to do something for me." With that, Albus Dumbledore took an exam paper out of the drawer.
His drawer contained many similar exam papers, but they were all just copies of the same exam paper.
"What's wrong?"
Aurora, out of curiosity, sat down opposite Albus Dumbledore.
"Help me pick out the answers that, from your perspective, you think Mr. Prince's answers deviate from the facts." Albus Dumbledore gave Aurora a gentle push under her surprised gaze.
He then pushed the test sheet towards Aurora on the other side.
"Is this the psychological test form you gave Ian?" Aurora thought of her previous conversation with Ian and looked at the completely filled test paper with some confusion.
"He has already finished the answer sheet. What's the point of having me make corrections?" Aurora hesitated as she looked at the quill pen that was being handed to her.
"Of course it makes sense."
Albus Dumbledore glanced at the corner of his desk.
All I saw was...
On the spacious and tidy desk were several identical copies, each with different markings and annotations, along with labels indicating who had made those markings.
William, Michael, Cho Chang... are all friends of Ian's.
"You're the last one, so I can only get the final answer to this test once you've finished revising and commenting." Albus Dumbledore's gentle tone made Aurora's expression stiffen slightly.
She couldn't help but begin to have doubts.
"After I walk out of this door, will I really remember what you asked me to do?" It can only be said that when it comes to conspiracy theories, Ian is definitely not number one in Hogwarts.
"Are you just naturally suspicious?"
Albus Dumbledore covered his forehead, somewhat speechless.
He found it somewhat difficult to understand what kind of information Grindelwald had instilled in his apprentice.
……
The Hogwarts exams have come to a successful conclusion.
The year-end banquet will begin before the young wizards leave school.
This will be the last time all the students at Hogwarts will gather together for a feast this term, so the house-elves will naturally make it an extra special occasion.
When the time came, the students and professors arrived at the auditorium one by one and gathered together.
Even some senior students who usually skip dinner to maintain their figures came, since it was the last dinner of the semester, and almost everyone gathered at this banquet.
of course.
The reason for using the adjective "almost" is that there were indeed two people who were absent from the dinner party: the Gryffindor twins who were urgently taken away for isolation in the afternoon.
Ian's works have always been of the highest quality and are of the highest standard. His imitations of smallpox outbreak symptoms were so realistic that they terrified Albus Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey, who were in charge of the exams.
Mrs. Pomfrey was the one who was most terrified, her face turning deathly pale. How to describe her panic? Well, even Ian's gas mask had won the favor of the school doctor.
Upon seeing that Mrs. Pomfrey had bought Ian's gas mask, the other students, upon hearing that the twin brothers had been infected with the "plague," naturally rushed to give Ian Galleons one after another.
Sold out.
It's true that all the gas masks were sold out.
Even the extremely poor Miss Daphne Greengrass, who valued her life very much, managed to buy a gas mask from Ian at a 20% discount through persistent pestering.
She gave up her final grades, and the meager profits she earned from taking exams for others by changing the appearance of compound decoctions flowed back into Ian's hands.
This made Ian feel a pang of guilt. He felt like Bruce Wayne of Hogwarts, as if no Galleon could escape his grasp.
"Hogwarts has its own Batman."
Ian always seems to find excuses to justify his actions.
.........
The banquet hasn't started yet.
The Great Hall had been redecorated by house-elves, with blue and gold, symbolizing Ravenclaw, filling almost every corner. Not only were flags and banners hung high, but even the tableware from each house was engraved with the Ravenclaw logo.
It's hard to say whether the house-elves, being close to Ian, were happy for him and therefore put extra effort into decorating the hall. Of course, it's also possible that Ian mentioned it to the house-elves while eating hot pot in the kitchen.
Anyway, in previous years, the decorations here would only change after the house grades were announced. It can only be said that the early changes to the layout made the Slytherin students somewhat angry but dared not speak out.
"It's just the Academy Cup!"
They comforted themselves with this thought.
"It seems everyone has already arrived."
The auditorium was packed with people.
Albus Dumbledore, dressed in a rare red robe, stood up and slightly raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.
The former principal still wielded considerable authority.
The auditorium fell silent instantly.
Everyone looked at Albus Dumbledore with respect, except for Grindelwald, who seemed to have been deprived of his right to take the exam and was still resentful, and he visibly pursed his lips.
He picked up the wine on the table and took a few sips, while Albus Dumbledore, standing beside him, seemed not to notice and began his final summary of the study session.
"I imagine everyone is exhausted from the stress of exams and is practically starving. But before we begin the dinner, please bear with this old man's clichés."
"Those who know me well know that I don't like giving these kinds of speeches either, but our Professor McGonagall reminded me that if I don't say a few words at a time like this, everyone will probably forget that I, the headmaster, even exist," Albus Dumbledore quoted Professor McGonagall's complaint about him.
Laughter immediately filled the auditorium.
The sound gradually subsided.
Albus Dumbledore then continued in a gentle voice, "This year has been absolutely fantastic, both for you and for me."
"Everyone has gained more than in previous years, and your little minds are certainly filled with more knowledge. The summer vacation should also allow you to digest it all."
"Next semester, there will be even more and richer knowledge waiting for you to learn, so please enjoy the holiday to the fullest."
"This will be a precious memory for you, especially when you are as old as our Professor Lockhart and are troubled by all sorts of trivial matters and work, you will find it even more precious."
Albus Dumbledore also took the opportunity to tease Lockhart, and after a humorous opening, he began his annual statistical report.
"I think everyone is already aware of this year's College Cup, but we still need to go through a process... Let me see, the specific scores for each college should be like this."
"Gryffindor remains firmly in fourth place, as expected. I hope you can work harder next year, make fewer mistakes, and improve your score to 360."
Albus Dumbledore did have an affection for Gryffindor, so he commented on it a bit more when he mentioned it, but he also knew that it was almost impossible to prevent Gryffindor from making mistakes.
The headmaster didn't even mention trying to improve the rankings, only suggesting that the students should aim for higher scores, which shows he had a good understanding of the habits of Gryffindor students.
Professor McGonagall was sighing.
A flawless version after careful inspection!
He wanted to glare at the two biggest cancers in the academy, but couldn't find a target. In the end, he could only silently pick up a glass of red wine on the table and drink it all in one gulp.
"Third place, Hufflepuff, 511 points, very good, a full 130 points more than last year. I think I have seen your hard work."
"As for the second place, Slytherin, first of all, it is a pity that you did not win the Quidditch tournament, but your score of 730 points also shows your excellence."
Albus Dumbledore paused briefly, glancing almost imperceptibly at Professor Snape. He and Snape both knew how much of the abnormal House Credits were inflated.
"Gurgle~"
Snape also started drinking to cover his embarrassment. Although he and Aurora didn't get along, Aurora was still the best Slytherin student he had encountered in recent years.
He would never let go of an opportunity to earn extra points.
Unfortunately.
Such a huge lead still couldn't allow Slytherin to continue its glory—Snape glared at his nephew, not knowing the reason but realizing what was behind it all.
"Finally, let us congratulate Ravenclaw on their return to the House Cup title after several years. I think this is the best gift for this year's Ravenclaw graduates." Albus Dumbledore concluded by announcing the House Cup champions.
He was too embarrassed to announce the champion's final score, so he deliberately omitted it, since he really couldn't bring himself to say the score of 4,682.
"We won! We won!"
"We really are the best!"
"All the other colleges combined didn't get as many points as us! We're awesome!"
"No! It should be 'The young professor is amazing!'"
……
Regardless of how bizarre this result may be.
Cheers erupted again at the Ravenclaw table. Slytherin was furious, but no one dared to step forward and accuse anyone of rigging the House Cup results.
They were a rather precocious group, well-versed in the ways of the world, so even though they suspected that all the professors were helping the Ravenclaw half-blood cheat and illegally obtain points, they dared not raise any questions. They could only look at the faculty seating area with resentful eyes.
"Coo coo coo~"
"Coo coo coo~"
The professors, who had unspoken grievances, all used drinking as a way to mask their helplessness. The young wizards, who knew the truth but were powerless to correct it, clearly couldn't understand their frustration.
"Just endure it for seven years."
More than one professor consoled themselves with this thought. Looking at Albus Dumbledore's attitude, they knew that even if they "petitioned" the principal's office, it wouldn't make much difference.
"Of course, we still have some procedures to go through. As in previous years, I still have some points to allocate. Let me take a look at the list."
Albus Dumbledore looked down at the parchment in his hand.
"First, there's Gryffindor..."
This is an essential part of the annual bonus program, used to recognize students who have achieved outstanding results during their studies, as well as those who have provided assistance to the school or other junior wizards.
It's not just about major accidents; even saving a classmate from choking on a cherry pit can earn you praise and bonus points from the principal during the end-of-term review.
This is different from what Ian remembered.
"And then there's Miss Aurora Grindelwald, who used her superb magic to save seven reckless young wizards during the unexpected incident with the Ash Snake."
"This act of helping a fellow human being, and of kindness and courage, deserves fifty points for Slytherin House," Albus Dumbledore said, his tone full of encouragement.
However, Aurora at the Slytherin table had a furrowed brow and showed no reaction to the compliments and congratulations from her classmates. She was scrutinizing Albus Dumbledore's choice of words.
"I was just helping my classmates and didn't want their blood to splatter on my clothes. Washing clothes is a hassle." Most of the other young wizards probably couldn't quite grasp the way of thinking behind this statement.
They thought Aurora was just being tsundere... but in reality, she was probably just stating a fact. In any case, Albus Dumbledore definitely earned her points.
I don't know if they want to guide Aurora onto the right path.
"Finally, there is our Mr. Ian Prince, who, with his wisdom and courage, risked his life to find the dark wizard who had infiltrated the school."
"Faced with a powerful dark wizard, he demonstrated his decision-making and rationality, successfully preventing the dark wizard from carrying out his evil plan before the situation spiraled further out of control."
"This is an honor and achievement I have never seen in my coaching career. He not only saved us all, but also avenged our poor Professor Quirrell."
To be honest, this was the first time Albus Dumbledore made Ian realize that he truly understood the art of language, that there was no falsehood in his words, yet he embellished Ian in many ways.
Killing Voldemort could indeed be considered revenge for Quirrell, and he even embellished Professor Quirrell's "sacrifice"... This was roughly the final characterization of Quirrell's death by him and the Ministry of Magic.
"Quirkro really got off easy." Ian guessed that Voldemort's affair might not have been exposed, or that the Ministry of Magic did not want to admit that Voldemort was still alive, so they came up with the conclusion that a dark wizard infiltrated Hogwarts to kill the professor, and was then stopped and dealt with by the students.
Just as Ian was trying to figure out what the "higher-ups" meant.
After a brief pause, Albus Dumbledore spoke again in a loud voice.
"Therefore, I would give him a hundred points; this achievement deserves such recognition." As soon as he finished speaking, a clamor immediately arose in the auditorium.
The sound was deafening.
"Oh my god! Why didn't you tell us this! You actually killed a dark wizard without saying a word!" William grabbed Ian's arm in shock.
"A terrifying dark wizard capable of murdering a professor!" Michael added from the side, raising his voice as if afraid the other houses at the long tables wouldn't hear him.
"You're amazing!"
"The young professor has once again quietly saved us all! Why 'once again'? Don't you know his gas mask already saved us once before?!"
"Yes, yes, two indecent Gryffindor students almost spread a terrible plague throughout the house! I heard they contracted a nasty disease that only spreads between men and women!"
"Oh! Such kindness! I can only repay you with my body! Let's fall in love, little Ian!"
……
Cheers erupted continuously at the Ravenclaw house table, and even from the Gryffindor house, who always respected and admired any brave and powerful wizard.
Even if this wizard is not from their academy.
"Nothing much, nothing much, don't kiss me... Who spilled watermelon juice on my clothes! Don't help me take my clothes off!" Even with a gas mask on, Ian couldn't resist the enthusiasm of others.
He began to evade attacks from female and even male students, as if facing a formidable enemy. However, Albus Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and the other professors seemed quite pleased to see this scene.
Now, let the banquet begin.
The auditorium was filled with noise.
The College Cup award ceremony, which was a foregone conclusion, finally ended. Albus Dumbledore only announced the start of the banquet after Ian was chased around the Great Hall by a group of people.
Countless different and abundant dishes appeared on the table. The dazzling array of food and their hunger finally diverted the energy of the group of classmates who had been chasing Ian.
The senior students proved with their actions that their "liking" for Ian couldn't compare to their love for food, and everyone started to feast at the long tables in their respective colleges.
Ian also fled to the Slytherin table. His act of sitting next to Aurora not only did not elicit any resistance, but the little witch who was originally sitting there even hurriedly wiped the table for him before getting up—in the eyes of these young wizards, Ian dared to kill a dark wizard today and would probably dare to kill their parents tomorrow.
How could I not be afraid?
How many adult wizards from the Slytherin pure-blood family haven't been dark wizards?
"This is to create momentum for you."
Aurora began her commentary and analysis again.
"Maybe, let's not talk about this tonight. Could you pass me your grilled steak... I don't want the one you've already ate." Ian's stomach had been rumbling for quite some time.
"Your gas mask can even put food in your mouth." Aurora was somewhat impressed by Ian's design. Ian, who was eating at the time, did not take off his gas mask.
He was terrified that he might be attacked again.
"Of course! These are my creations! Actually, after this commotion, these gas masks of mine also have a purpose: they can protect against the damage from at least five hundred kinds of vicious magical potions."
Ian looked like he was actually losing out the more others bought.
Perhaps his behavior is a bit obnoxious, but as I said before, his products are definitely worth the price; you won't lose out if you buy them.
of course.
German girls can sometimes have very unique perspectives on problems.
"So, are you planning to release an upgraded version of these five hundred kinds of vicious potions in the future, given their damage?" she asked, her tone suggesting she had already seen through Ian's intentions.
"..."
The little wizard was speechless.
Normally, only the truth being revealed would put him in such an awkward position.
"Who are you planning to trick with that candy next semester?" Aurora asked curiously, seemingly already full, propping her face up with one hand on the long table.
"How can you call my candy a scam? You've used the wrong words again!" Ian corrected Aurora's words, ignoring her question.
"You really screwed over the Gryffindor twins. They're still in isolation at the infirmary. Even after they took your antidote, Madam Pomfrey still doesn't feel comfortable letting them attend the dinner."
Aurora used her other hand to snatch the onion rings that Ian was about to fork away.
"Their demand is to avoid the exam, so tell me if their demand has been met or not!" Ian's even more tricky answer successfully shut Aurora up.
"..."
The German girl was at a loss for words.
"And their feedback is all five-star reviews!"
Ian's statement is indeed based on facts, and many young wizards can attest to this, after all, they saw him selling gas masks in the corridor when the twins were carried away wrapped in a transparent container.
"Oh! He actually used us to make a second windfall!"
This was George's exclamation at the time.
"Even though we were used, do you remember? I just said he was the future of pranks, and it turns out my judgment was absolutely brilliant!"
This is Fred's five-star review.
That's how Ian understood it at the time.
……
The joyous time at the dinner party began and ended.
As the new day dawned, the young wizards' wardrobes and bookshelves were emptied, and all their luggage was packed into suitcases and sent ahead of time by the house-elves onto the Hogwarts Express.
The early morning when the first rays of dawn appear.
It's the start of the holiday.
A school year has passed quickly, and it's time for the young wizards to go home.
The Hogwarts Express stopped early, and after the house-elves had helped the young wizards with their luggage, it welcomed the passengers who needed to be escorted back on their journey.
"This train is really quite retro." It was Ian's first time riding the Hogwarts Express, so everything on the train was quite novel to him.
The Hogwarts Express is a typical steam train with a long body and spectacular steam chimneys. The body is composed of multiple carriages, which are closely connected to form a long train. From the outside, it is impossible to tell that it is a magical alchemical creation.
of course.
This is immediately apparent upon entering. The interior is divided into several sections, including passenger cars, a dining car, and sleeper cars. Each car is exquisitely decorated and appears much more spacious than it does from the outside, clearly the result of a seamless expansion spell applied to the train.
"Our little brother will be starting school next year, and you absolutely have to prank him then. We'll all profit off his misfortune together," George and Fred said, standing right next to Ian. They didn't seem to care about missing the dinner due to quarantine; in fact, they were enthusiastically trying to discuss with Ian how to prank Ron Weasley.
not only that.
They even have new suggestions for the quick-acting truancy candy that previously had a "smallpox-like" effect.
"The Black Death! Let's spread a contagious Black Death in the school! Let our little brother be patient zero!" George excitedly shared his idea.
"The Black Death? Using your brother as a bio-mother? Don't you think your mother would kill you?" Ian looked at the two people sitting opposite him with great surprise.
Aurora did not leave Hogwarts, nor did she know what she was doing there. To avoid being harassed by the upperclassmen, she chose to enter the same train car as the twins.
After all the young wizards boarded the train and found their seats, a slight jolt followed by the rhythmic sound of wheels hitting the rails.
The train began its long voyage.
Steam rose from the locomotive in the morning light, mingling with the surrounding mist, creating a slightly tense atmosphere for the journey.
"It was just a prank, it's not like I'm catching the real Black Death... The look on your face... ugh, could there really be a plague hidden in your quick-acting truancy candy?!"
George's startled expression left Ian rather helpless.
"Of course, it's just a simulated symptom; I couldn't find a real virus even if I tried."
He felt that the two brothers' alchemy skills needed improvement.
"That's good, that's good. After all, he's our own brother. It wouldn't be good if he really got sick..." Fred said, still feeling a lingering fear as he recalled the discomfort he felt when he had smallpox symptoms.
"Yeah, yeah, we're counting on him to experiment with more prank products." George's agreement made Ian swallow back the words "What if I pay more?" that were already on his lips.
He didn't even ask.
The twin brothers had already demonstrated to him just how extraordinary the bond between the Weasley brothers was. Of course, Ian figured the two brothers were probably just joking. However, unless it was truly a life-or-death crisis, the claim that they would use their own brothers as experimental subjects was probably not unfounded.
The Gryffindor twins are ruthless individuals who don't even spare themselves.
"I heard you have a younger sister?"
Ian tried to change the subject.
however.
These words immediately alerted George and Fred.
"What are you doing, Ian! Let me tell you! Don't even think about hitting on my sister! You already have all the underage witches in the entire academy!"
Freyt's eyes were very sharp.
George also wore a wary, alert expression.
"..."
Ian had no idea the two brothers would react so strongly. Just moments before, when they were talking about their younger brother, they seemed ready to offer him up at any time for their pranks.
"I was just asking casually."
Ian patted his forehead in exasperation.
"It's scary to even ask a random question... How about we give you Ron? We're sure we can come up with a transformation candy that will turn Ron into a little witch."
George is known for his outrageous statements.
His words were immediately endorsed by Fred.
"Oh! My little brother has become a little sister! That's wonderful!"
He even clapped and cheered.
"..."
Ian regretted his decision to share a booth with the two brothers—he looked out the window with a strange expression and silently mourned for Ron, who was now the younger twin.
"It can be made! This candy can definitely be made!"
"It's bound to be a huge hit!"
The two brothers were still discussing the new ideas that had just emerged.
Ian quietly ate his breakfast, admiring the beautiful view outside the window.
As he drew ever closer to London, the legendary Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, farmland flashed past the window, lush trees, the occasional village in the distance, and the endless mountain ranges all told Ian that he was heading back to the world he had come from.
After a period of time.
"The Daily Prophet..." Ian still didn't join the two brothers in their planning and research on the transformation candy. He looked at the wizarding world's daily newspaper being delivered into each carriage.
The headline above is very eye-catching.
A Rising Star: The Child Who Saved Hogwarts
It must be said that some of Aurora's views may not be without merit. The Daily Prophet, which has been controlled by Grindelwald, has even begun to publicize Ian's feat of defeating a dark wizard during his school days.
The praise was lavish, and although it didn't mention who the dark wizard was, it still portrayed him as a powerful dark wizard who had killed countless adult wizards. Ian glanced at the contents and felt his ears turn red, showing how exaggerated the praise was.
"I heard about this from my dad! He said you could very well get the Order of Merlin, Second Class!" George and Fred also paused their research and came over to look at the news in the newspaper.
"Is this your father's opinion?"
Ian was somewhat surprised. To be fair, obtaining a second-class Merlin Medal by defeating a dark wizard was quite rare, even among adult wizards.
Not to mention that Ian is only an eleven-year-old child. If he is awarded the Order of Merlin, Second Class, he will break the record for the youngest recipient of the Order of Merlin. An eleven-year-old recipient of the Order of Merlin, Second Class is absolutely unbelievable and will definitely cause a sensation and raise questions in the wizarding world.
Out of a desire for stability.
The Merlin Order is unlikely to make such a decision.
"It's a deal between the Ministry of Magic and Headmaster Dumbledore. They'll recommend you to the Order of Merlin. I think you're definitely going to get this medal."
Although George was not very old, he was clearly quite intelligent in some ways, and Fred beside him nodded with a confident expression.
"To be honest, we still don't know how you defeated a dark wizard." Fred seemed to want Ian to recount the specific process of defeating the dark wizard.
"Forehead."
Ian began to consider what he could and could not say.
And at that very moment.
"Phew~"
suddenly.
The space rippled.
The Dark Phoenix appeared before Ian. The two brothers, who had been intensely discussing their idea of transforming into candy, were so startled they nearly fell off their seats.
"What kind of magical creature is this!?"
"A bird! It can even Apparate!"
obviously.
The two people recognized the way the Black Phoenix appeared, but they did not recognize that the Black Phoenix was a phoenix. This may be because the appearance of the Black Phoenix is very different from that of a normal phoenix.
"This is my partner, its name is Anti-inflammatory." Ian introduced his Black Phoenix, but for the sake of his reputation, he did not go into detail about the species of the Black Phoenix.
There are countless big mouths at Hogwarts, with George and Fred being the most prominent examples. Ian felt that if he were to open his mouth, explaining why he had a phoenix would become incredibly difficult.
"Hehehehehe~"
The black phoenix let out a sharp cry, as if greeting the two of them, but it was clearly very perfunctory. After the cry, it dropped what it had brought and burrowed into Ian's robe.
It was a small leather suitcase.
It was created by Albus Dumbledore.
The space inside wasn't very large, but it was enough to hold Ian's dangerous items—such as his helpful Dementor and the black-robed skeleton that couldn't fit his money bag.
"You don't actually have an owl as your pet, but a magical creature that looks incredibly powerful!" George exclaimed, exchanging a glance with Fred.
The two of them started taking turns playing the victim.
"My mom and dad have to support us and my younger siblings, so we've always struggled financially. That's why we don't even own an owl. That's why we're so determined to make money."
"Yes, we need to help our parents share the burden." They were clearly trying to fool the little wizard, probably hoping to gain his sympathy.
however.
"I'm an orphan, I don't even have a mom or dad, I grew up scavenging through garbage dumps." Ian had no rivals at the sob story contest, he put an end to the two brothers' attempts to elicit sympathy with just one sentence.
The carriage fell into complete silence.
"Would you like some snacks?"
Just at this time.
A figure that appears in many stories about Hogwarts arrived at Ian's carriage. The train conductor pushed a cart full of food past and began enthusiastically promoting it.
The train conductor's cart is an elaborately designed wooden structure, coated with waterproof varnish, making it both practical and beautiful. Each level of the cart is filled with different magical snacks, which are not only delicious but also possess various wonderful magical effects, allowing the young wizards to enjoy the treats while experiencing the fun of magic.
"No need, thank you."
The twin brothers always responded to the train conductor in this way. They did earn a lot of money at school, but almost all of their limited funds were invested in researching new props.
"I do need some pumpkin pies and sour lollipops."
Ian bought some and shared it with the twins. He was never stingy with sharing his food, and the snacks on the Hogwarts Express were never sold at exorbitant prices.
"Oh! You're so generous! We definitely have to work together next year! Let's not compete anymore!" George and Fred's earlier attempts to gain sympathy were probably just to bring up this topic. They didn't take many of the snacks Ian bought; each of them just ate a pumpkin pie.
Perhaps because they didn't feel like thinking about creative ideas while eating, the twin brothers started chatting with Ian again.
"To be honest, your receiving the Merlin Medal will definitely cause a sensation next semester, but perhaps your limelight will be stolen by another junior wizard who will be enrolling next semester."
George lowered his voice, looking mysterious.
"You mean that person?"
Fred seemed to realize something as well.
"Who?"
Ian was asking a question he already knew the answer to.
He always knew how to provide emotional value to others.
"Of course, it's the famous Harry Potter!! You might not know, but Harry Potter defeated that terrifying Mysterious Man when he was very young!"
"He saved the entire wizarding world. All wizards regarded him as a savior. He was just a baby at the time. It's hard to imagine how glorious he was at Hogwarts!" Fred said with an amazed tone, showing that he was also full of expectations for Harry Potter.
"His magical talent must be very strong, and he may become your rival!" George held an extremely firm belief in Harry Potter.
but.
After exchanging a glance, he and Fred stood up and put their hands on Ian's shoulders, seemingly to comfort the young wizard who might be feeling "crisis".
"However, although Harry Potter is amazing and we like him a lot, we'll definitely stand by your side and help you, since you're the first person we met."
"That's right, that's exactly it. We're like-minded friends, and even Harry Potter can't change that." The twin brothers seemed to approve of Ian more.
I wonder if it was because of Ian's pumpkin pie. Of course, it could also be that what happened last night made them truly convinced that Ian is the future of the prank world.
"I am touched by your attitude, but I have no intention of competing with Harry Potter... You may not know that I am not a person who likes to show off."
Ian's response drew a chorus of boos from the twins.
The young wizard's sincere response was clearly not believed by them.
"Anyway, next semester is sure to be interesting." George seemed to wish the Hogwarts Express would turn around on the spot and he could return to school to start the next semester immediately.
"Yes, it's bound to be interesting... I'm looking forward to it too." Ian looked out the window again. The closer they got to London, the more misty the drizzle seemed to become.
The scene was not clear.
It was as if Ian could no longer predict the future.
As if by some unseen destiny, he embarked on his magical journey a semester earlier than the trio, and many things seemed to have already changed silently.
They are destined to cause unpredictable butterfly effects.
but.
"It's not necessarily a bad thing."
Ian raised his hand and gently wiped the car window.
The hazy view outside seemed to become clearer after he wiped it. As the train approached the London station, he and his twin brother began to pack their things and head towards the door.
"Won't you come over to our house for a visit?"
George and Fred saw their parents who had come to pick them up.
They turned and extended an invitation to Ian.
There will be opportunities in the future.
Ian waved goodbye.
After the two brothers walked toward the Weasleys, he reluctantly stuffed the Black Phoenix into his small suitcase, dragged his luggage toward the wall that led to the Muggle train station.
A single step across.
It's a completely different world.
The bustling Muggle train station was crowded with ordinary people waiting for their trains. They didn't notice Ian's arrival or anything unusual about the station.
See you next semester.
Ian looked back at the stone wall leading to a world of magic and fantasy, left the train station, and walked toward a dilapidated car that was already waiting there.
An elderly woman with white hair kept looking around in front of the car.
"Long time no see, dear Director Elena." Ian stepped forward and gave the orphanage director a hug, as if he were rediscovering some long-lost emotion.
"You've grown quite a bit taller, little one."
Dean Elena helped Ian put his luggage into the trunk.
"The food at school is pretty good."
With a big smile, Ian stuffed a large bag of small cakes into the old man's hands.
"You even brought gifts for the other little ones, haha." Elena excitedly and carefully placed the small cake on the passenger seat.
"This is a gift for you, and I've also prepared gifts for others." Ian remembered that the orphanage director loved cake, but she only ate it a few times a year. Many kind people donated to the orphanage, but the emaciated old woman preferred to leave the limited food for the children.
"Where's your school's professor? Didn't he say he'd send you back to London?" Headmistress Elena patted Ian's hair, expressing her dissatisfaction with Hogwarts School for Gifted Youngsters.
"He left when he saw you; there were other students he needed to escort." Ian chose to tell a little lie to avoid causing Ms. Elena unnecessary worry.
"I still can't believe it, our little Ian actually got into a good school. I hope the rich kids at school aren't bullying you?"
Ms. Elena pushed Ian into the back seat of the car.
She walked back to the driver's seat and started the car.
"The students are all very easy to get along with. There is no bullying at Hogwarts, at least I haven't seen any." Ian blinked and spoke in a very cheerful tone.
"That's good! This means your school must have very strict management."
Elena breathed a sigh of relief.
The dilapidated car drove towards home under her control.
"You don't need to worry about my studies. I just want to know if my younger siblings miss me." Ian temporarily put the magical world behind him. Whatever the future held, what had happened and what shouldn't have happened had already happened.
Life has to go on.
(End of this chapter)