Chapter 63: You Look Like My First Love

Hogwarts Library

Immersed in the vast ocean of knowledge, Ian was unaware that his performance in Transfiguration class had sparked a deep conversation between the current and future Headmasters in the Headmaster’s office.

The world of Transfiguration was endlessly fascinating.

The steady improvement of his skills made it all the more enjoyable.

[Transfiguration (Level 3) 114/800]

With his proficiency increasing noticeably, time passed in the blink of an eye.

By the time Ian checked the clock on the library wall, he realized that there were only fifty minutes left before Potions class. Given the notoriously unpredictable behavior of Hogwarts’ staircases, he had no choice but to wrap up his study session early.

Of course, to ensure he had something to read later in the evening, Ian decided to borrow a few books.

"Look at me! Look at me!"

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

"Interested in improving your cooking skills?"

"I have more knowledge than anyone! I'm about to burst with information!"

…

It had to be said—Hogwarts’ library was truly magical. Even outside the Restricted Section, Ian encountered several books that could speak.

However, none of these were what he was looking for.

Navigating the shelves according to the library’s categorization, Ian carefully selected several books he had long intended to read:

A Brief Record of Hogwarts’ Incoming Students Throughout History

A Detailed Explanation of Medieval Wizarding History

Legends of the Shimmering Mirage

The Veil Between Worlds: Limbo and Beyond

Though these books wouldn’t directly improve his magical abilities, they contained secrets he was eager to uncover. Ian wanted to trace the historical footprints of Professor Mara and Pandero. He also sought to understand his own connection to the Ethereal Realm.

Additionally, he had begun to suspect that Ariana might be related to a student who attended Hogwarts centuries ago. Though his upper-year Ravenclaw senior had promised to help him look into it, if Ariana’s brothers had graduated long ago, it was unlikely she would find much useful information.

Ian had always been deeply invested in his friends’ matters.

Perhaps these books in the public archives wouldn’t answer all his questions, but he had to start somewhere. If necessary, he could always figure out a way to sneak into the Restricted Section later. After all, the Restricted Section was practically an open secret—students sneaked in every year. One more rule-breaker wouldn’t make much of a difference.

As the Sorting Hat had once said, Ian embodied the traits of multiple houses.

"I need to borrow these books."

Ian placed seven or eight books on the desk of Madam Irma Pince, the library’s strict and skeletal-looking caretaker, who resembled an underfed vulture.

"A Ravenclaw student?"

Madam Pince was currently dusting her prized feather duster.

Considering that she spent all 365 days of the year tending to the library, it was safe to assume she was either widowed or had never married.

"Yes, ma’am," Ian replied politely.

"I like you Ravenclaws. You respect books more than the students from other houses," she said, her gaze softening slightly.

She glanced at the stack of books Ian had chosen.

"Normally, I only allow students to borrow five books at a time," she added, clearly hinting that he had taken too many.

"Perhaps I could be an exception?"

Ian gave her an earnest look.

"Madam, I only wish to learn more and become a wizard who contributes to the world. I never knew my father—he died shortly after I was born, possibly in the fight against the Dark Lord.

"I was told he fell just before dawn, giving his life to ensure a better future for me. I want to make sure I live up to his sacrifice."

Ian had borrowed this tragic backstory from his roommate, Michael.

It was, in a way, a form of truthful deception—using real emotions in a different context. While playing on sympathy, Ian also subtly attempted to bribe her.

With his Mind Perception ability, he could subtly sense which approach would work best.

"Madam, I brought some excellent sweets from home. Next time I return these books, I’d love to share some with you."

Elderly and solitary, Madam Pince was precisely the kind of person who would appreciate small gestures of kindness.

"No eating in the library," she responded sternly—but she didn’t reject the offer outright.

Given that the infamous Tartine Inequality (which humorously states that bribing with sweets is more effective than bribing with money) had yet to be formulated, her reaction essentially meant she had accepted.

"Of course! I promise these books will return in perfect condition," Ian assured her immediately.

Madam Pince’s expression softened even more.

"You’re quite charming. You even look like my first love. Don’t disappoint me—or these precious books."

With that, she finally signed off on his book loan.

"Thank you, Madam. I truly appreciate your kindness," Ian said, bowing slightly as he carefully gathered his books.

While he highly doubted that Madam Pince’s first love was as handsome as he was, he found her far easier to persuade than most students claimed.

On his way back to the Ravenclaw Tower, Ian encountered very few students. Aside from Ravenclaws, not many took this quiet route to the library.

That was when a menacing growl stopped him in his tracks.

"Rrrr… Rrrr!!"

A bristling cat blocked his path, baring its teeth and growling like a territorial beast.

Mrs. Norris.

The notoriously ill-tempered companion of Argus Filch.

"Please move aside," Ian requested, hoping for reason.

But instead—

"RRRRRR!!!"

Mrs. Norris hissed louder, her eyes filled with hostility.

Ian sighed.

He liked well-behaved cats. This one, however…

"Fear Descends."

Without hesitation, Ian flicked his wand, sending a subtle yet effective jinx toward Mrs. Norris.

"MEOWWWWW!!!"

The cat let out a wailing cry, covering her eyes with her paws and rolling on the ground in sheer panic. Whatever horrors she was experiencing, Ian didn’t care to know.

The spell would last for a few minutes. That was more than enough time for him to walk away.

With that, Ian stepped around the panicked cat and made his way back to the Ravenclaw dormitory, where he safely stored his books.

Checking his watch, Ian noted that he still had half an hour before Potions class.

But—

"Move! Move! My brother told me—never be late for Potions!"

"The upper-year students say if you’re late, Snape makes you drink an entire vial of Amortentia!"

"I heard it’s Acromantula venom instead!"

…

A group of panicked first-years rushed past him, desperate to avoid Snape’s wrath.

Ian raised an eyebrow.

"The time isn’t that tight."

Still—

Instead of walking, he picked up his pace and followed the rest of the group.

After all, this lesson was with the Slytherins.

And Severus Snape was not the kind of professor one wanted to test.