It must be said.
Though Professor Snape was sharp-tongued and not particularly pleasing in appearance, the dear professor had many other merits.
For instance, he left Ian with a generous sum of Galleons.
Although today's purchases of various necessities were expensive, the money pouch—clearly affected by the Undetectable Extension Charm—still held a staggering fortune of one hundred and fifty Galleons!
Don't underestimate this number.
An average clerk at the Ministry of Magic would likely need two months to earn that amount, and that's if they saved every Knut in Gringotts without spending a single one.
Consider this:
The Weasleys couldn't even afford a wand that cost seven Galleons.
So, one can imagine—one hundred and fifty Galleons is definitely a sum many would envy, whether young or adult wizard.
"Geez, even if my parents really did sacrifice themselves for me, this is a bit much," Ian muttered, feeling the situation grow increasingly bizarre. Was his mother truly a replica of Lily Potter?
Don't mess with me!
It's only the '90s!
Neither Muggles nor the wizarding world should have that kind of technology!
"So scary! So scary!"
Despite his unease, Ian was more focused on learning magic.
After moving everything into the neat little wooden house Snape had provided, Ian couldn't wait to pull out his wand and open the unavoidable Hogwarts textbook—Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1.
At dusk.
The last ray of sunlight faded from the sky.
With the arrival of night,
Ian chose the simplest and most commonly used spell.
"Lumos!"
He concentrated, following the textbook's instructions. He synchronized his thoughts with his wand, took a deep breath, and softly recited the incantation.
The next moment—
A faint light appeared at the tip of his wand.
Briefly.
Then vanished.
Clearly, it was a failed attempt, but Ian wasn't discouraged. On the contrary, his eyes sparkled with excitement.
When it comes to learning,
Most people are limited by various constraints, unable to improve or recognize their own progress. This is the primary reason many give up on mastering a skill.
However—
For Ian,
This was not a concern.
Lumos (Rank 0): 3 / 50
With that single failure, a new skill bar appeared on Ian's panel. He had experienced similar things many times before.
"Looks like my magical talent isn't bad!"
Looking at the panel,
Ian felt a surge of excitement.
One attempt earned him three points of proficiency. He would master this spell—reach the most basic level—with no more than twenty tries.
When skill acquisition can be quantified digitally,
It's like a god revealing a health bar.
"Lumos!"
"Lumos!"
"Lumos!"
Inside the empty wooden house,
White light flickered on and off.
The repeated attempts—
Reflected Ian's passion for magic,
And his anticipation for the extraordinary powers magic might awaken.
Hogwarts.Headmaster's Office.
As the most powerful wizard of the age, Dumbledore sat behind a solid wood desk in faded floral pajamas, looking like an ordinary old man.
The desk lamp glowed steadily—though connected to no wires—like an old-fashioned oil lamp. In the center of the desk lay an open book:
Aurora Grindelwald
Dumbledore's eyes were fixed on this dazzling name, shining behind his silver glasses.
Tap ~ Tap ~ Tap ~
His fingers drummed rhythmically on the desk. Staying up late likely meant something troubled him.
Rumble ~
The sound of gears turning echoed.
Dumbledore didn't look up.
A figure strode briskly into the office.
"Albus, you never told me Ian is a natural Legilimens!" Snape's voice thundered, filled with accusation.
The portraits on the walls covered their ears—some even leaned forward, eager for the drama.
"I think some things are better discovered on one's own. Just like I didn't tell Mr. Prince about your deep connection to him."
Dumbledore finally looked up, voice calm and gentle. He waved a hand, and the books on the desk closed automatically.
Book of Admittance
This was its name.
The names of all future Hogwarts students were inscribed by the Quill of Acceptance. These two magical artifacts governed Hogwarts' admission system.
Of course—
The one on Dumbledore's desk wasn't the original Book of Admittance, but likely a replica connected to it. The real one and its quill were securely locked away in a tower no student had ever entered.
"His situation isn't normal!"
Snape stood stiffly in the office, face tinged with fear. "Occlumency has no effect, and I've tried more than once."
"He claims he can only sense my emotions, but I believe he can do far more, Albus. I've never seen such intrusive Legilimency."
Snape stared fixedly at Dumbledore.
"Some people truly are beyond extraordinary, Severus. You, of all people, should understand that," Dumbledore replied, still unfazed.
"I've seen natural Legilimens before, but none with such invasive power. His talent is dangerous!"
Snape's tone was grave, and his worry clear.
His intense gaze made Dumbledore sit up straighter, slightly uneasy.
"Extraordinary talent is not a bad thing."
Dumbledore's voice remained gentle.
"We agreed! He would simply attend school, graduate, and live an ordinary life! Damn it! And now next year, you're bringing that person to the school!"
"This is the worst time for extraordinary talent. He just needs to live quietly, like the other students, without such… drama!"
Snape sounded as though he were grinding his teeth.
"I don't think Mr. Prince's life is ours to decide," Dumbledore said. He understood Snape's trauma-driven reaction, but didn't agree.
"Not even parents have that right. I know what you're thinking—and I advise you to let go of it."
Dumbledore looked directly at him.
Snape was silent.
Then he said,
"He will hate you."
Dumbledore answered softly,
"You think I care?"
Snape scoffed.
"Severus, if the years have taught me anything, it's to never assume I'm absolutely right.
To try shaping others' lives with our own will is pure folly.
Even the most powerful magic cannot undo the harm caused by such actions."
The light from the desk lamp glinted off Dumbledore's glasses and Snape's tense face.
"We are all failures. So what right do we have to define what a correct life is?"
Snape's expression shifted dramatically—like a Phantom Kid.
"You're not a failure—the greatest wizard alive, Headmaster of Hogwarts. Even now, the wizarding world fears your power."
"Albus, excessive modesty makes you seem disingenuous."
Snape snorted coldly.
Dumbledore simply shook his head.
"I tell you about Ian not to change him, but because I hope you might change."
"Severus, you need him—not the other way around."
Snape's face darkened.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
He raised his voice several degrees.
Dumbledore only smiled.
"I don't need you arranging my life either!"
Snape narrowed his eyes.
"Whatever you're planning—swear to me. Make an Unbreakable Vow that Ian isn't part of it."
Clearly, Snape didn't trust Dumbledore entirely.
"First, like many others, you overestimate my wisdom. Second, if it brings you peace… of course."
Dumbledore shrugged and drew his wand.
In this world, the Unbreakable Vow is a sacred magical pact.
Two wizards point their wands at each other before a witness and recite the vow. Breaking it results in dire consequences.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Dumbledore put his wand away, unbothered.
"I still don't know what you're up to—bringing that person to Hogwarts. Just make sure you fulfill your duty as Headmaster."
"Protect every student."
With the vow made, Snape's expression eased slightly.
Still, he looked unconvinced.
"That is my duty."
Dumbledore's voice was firm and steady—
Reassuring.
"When that person arrives, I'll keep an eye on him."
Snape flung his robes, face stern, and left swiftly. Dumbledore lowered his head, once again gazing at the Book of Admittance.
"Dumbledore! That Snape has changed!"
"Hesitating like that—what a disgrace to Slytherin! He should've been in Hufflepuff!"
"I want to meet this child. If he frightened Severus, he must be something special!"
"No matter how talented, can he outshine me? Hogwarts has never lacked prodigies!"
…
Once Snape left,
The portraits came to life, filling the office with lively chatter.
Dumbledore was unmoved.
He raised his hand, and the book on the desk opened again.
Still that name.
Still his contemplation.
Aurora Grindelwald
Ever since seeing this name in the Book of Admittance, Dumbledore had paid a visit to Nurmengard.
The surname clearly traced back to the original Dark Lord:
Gellert Grindelwald
Aurora wasn't a direct descendant, but a blood relative—one who, for some reason, had inherited Grindelwald's rare talent.
Recently,
The very words Dumbledore had used with Snape were influenced by his conversation with Grindelwald.
"Albus, your failure—and mine—comes from trying to change too much, and too many, forgetting we're merely powerful wizards.
We can deflect fate, but not define it. I only want this child to walk her own magical path, carrying my reflections."
These were Grindelwald's words.
Sincere.
Difficult to ignore.
Still—
Dumbledore hesitated.
Could Grindelwald have ulterior motives?
He may not lie,
But few in the world understood manipulation through language better than Gellert Grindelwald.
Dumbledore's admission of lacking cleverness was no false modesty. He had accumulated many regrets from being too clever.
And because of that—
Grindelwald's words resonated deeply.
And that's why—
Dumbledore remained cautious.
After all,
Grindelwald had changed more in Nurmengard than Dumbledore ever imagined.
He remembered it well.
1979…
On a certain day that year—
The usually sullen Grindelwald had regained his youthful vitality.
For the first time in decades, Dumbledore was so shaken, he rushed to visit him.
"Dumbledore, I want you to witness this changing world with me—not hinder it.
You can stop me. You can stop that clown Tom. But you cannot stop the rise of the legend."
That year,
Grindelwald decorated his chamber, ate steak, and looked twenty years younger.
And now,
The children born in 1979 are entering Hogwarts.
"The legend you spoke of… is it your descendant?"
Dumbledore whispered, gently tracing the name in the Book of Admittance—his voice barely audible to himself.
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