Chapter 15: Magic, Here I Come!

The weather was a bit chilly.

Ian glanced back at the gradually closing gate, then looked up at the weathered sign that read "Ollivanders Wand Shop." He felt as though he had just uncovered the greatest scam hub in the wizarding world.

“What a cunning villain,” he muttered, judging Ollivander harshly. He even thought that Voldemort’s many followers might not just be because Voldemort threatened others with a big stick—Ollivander must bear some blame too!

Just think about it!

If, as a child of about ten, you encountered a fortune teller who told you that you would one day become a great general, and then, as you grew up, you happened to meet Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, who could possibly resist?

Most people would probably mistake such a tragedy for destiny!

“The root of the chaos in the wizarding world has been found!” Ian thought. With this discovery, he was sure he could write an outstanding paper. Unfortunately, Hogwarts didn’t have any journals that could publish such brilliance.

“Maybe I should consider the Daily Prophet—it’s such a famous publication, the pay must be good.” As Ian let his mind wander, he looked around for Snape.

The unreliable professor hadn’t left Ian behind. Ian spotted Snape standing outside a shop and quickly jogged over.

“Professor! I’ve uncovered a groundbreaking secret!”

Ian thought that if he could get a Hogwarts professor to co-sign his article, the chances of the Daily Prophet accepting and publishing it would increase significantly. And maybe he could earn a little more money.

“Mr. Prince, I have no interest in the childish and foolish ideas of you children. Now, you should choose a pet that will aid your studies,” Snape said coldly, glancing at the wand tucked in Ian’s pocket.

Then he raised his hand and tapped the glass window of the shop in front of them. Only then did Ian realize it was a pet store, filled with many caged animals.

Cats, toads, owls, lizards, and mice—varied breeds, some even with magical lineage—but none stirred Ian’s heart.

Admittedly, Ian had a fondness for owls.

However, Hogwarts already housed many owls. To Ian, those free-to-pet owls were far more cost-effective than ones he’d have to pay for and care for himself.

By comparison, Ian wanted to keep some special pets of his own.

“Professor, can I buy whatever pet I want?” Ian tentatively asked.

“Hm,” Snape snorted through his nose.

“In that case, can I have a phoenix?” Ian blinked.

A lion... well, lions were majestic creatures, and asking for one might be too much. Faced with Ian’s wild fantasy, Snape’s eye twitched noticeably.

“Are you sure you haven’t had too much calming potion and still haven’t woken up?” Snape was genuinely stunned; he had never met someone so shameless!

“A phoenix? I wish I could have one! Who’s going to give me one?”

“Do birds with phoenix bloodline count? I saw they make wands from phoenix feathers in that shop,” Ian implied that phoenixes must be common.

As a child from a Muggle orphanage, such an understanding was reasonable—but Ian truly wanted a phoenix.

How cool would that be?

“Except for members of the Dumbledore family, no wizard this century has earned a phoenix’s favor. I advise you to forget such unrealistic fantasies,” Snape rolled his eyes and continued in a slow, deliberate tone, “Unless, of course, Mr. Prince has enough influence to persuade Dumbledore to give you his phoenix.”

Clearly, this was a sarcastic remark aimed at Ian.

“Why don’t you ask the professor to speak for me? Dumbledore would surely honor you with that!” Ian wasn’t shameless by nature; he’d just found a way to deal with Snape.

As expected, just that one sentence left Snape utterly speechless.

“You’re a sharp-tongued one!” Snape finally shot Ian a fierce glare.

“If your brain wasn’t so much like a troll’s, you wouldn’t be indulging in impossible fantasies but would instead quietly choose a cat or a mouse.”

“They are the best partners for potion experiments,” Snape suppressed his irritation but still gave his advice slowly.

But such advice hardly matched most people’s idea of a pet.

“That’s an experimental subject, not a pet,” Ian sighed helplessly.

“Is there a difference?” Snape sneered coldly. “Perhaps you belong in Gryffindor—only mediocre fools there have sympathy and affection for these creatures.”

He had to diss his most hated house again.

Ian chose to ignore him.

“Forget it. I’ve spent enough today. I don’t want any of these animals. I can barely take care of myself,” Ian said, leaning against the glass wall, watching for a while.

In the end, he couldn’t find an animal he liked.

He had an adult’s soul, so naturally, his tastes in pets differed from ordinary children.

“That’s your choice,” Snape said without pressing further.

He swished his robe and turned away.

“Since I can’t have a phoenix, can I have a snake?” Ian hurried after him, dragging his suitcase, which Snape had been watching over.

“First-year students are not allowed to keep dangerous pets,” Snape slowed his pace, waiting for Ian to catch up, giving him a disdainful sidelong glance.

“I thought you gave up? Changing your mind again? Too bad, you’ve lost the chance to buy one,” Snape’s lips twitched slightly—the expression on his usually impassive face flickered.

“No, I think I’ll get one in second or third year,” Ian said. He wasn’t sure if Harry Potter was his classmate, but to get the perfect pet, he might have to rely on the chosen one.

Yes.

Ian wanted to keep a basilisk.

That was the pet a mature soul desired!

Big was the ultimate truth!

“Hmph, it seems Mr. Prince isn’t unwilling to keep a pet but feels none in the store are worthy of him. I hope you don’t regret this foolish decision.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you: even pets with a hint of magical bloodline are far beyond the means of a young wizard like you.”

Snape looked right through Ian.

“Thank you for the warning, Professor,” Ian nodded, showing no sign of the troubled expression Snape had expected.

This made Snape frown slightly.

Ian, meanwhile, casually looked around at the various magical shops.

“Get ready,” Snape suddenly stopped.

Before Ian could turn to ask why, Snape’s hand grabbed the back of Ian’s neck again.

The next moment, Ian felt the world spin wildly.

He knew this was the sensation of Apparition activating. Compared to the previous time when he felt nothing, this time he felt a bit dizzy and nauseous.

Not severe.

Perhaps Snape’s potion had partially lost its effectiveness?

As Ian’s thoughts wandered...

With a rush of clarity, the Apparition journey ended. The bustling streets of Diagon Alley vanished, replaced by a quiet, peaceful village.

In the distance, the gentle babbling of a stream mingled with the occasional hoot of an owl. The air was filled with the sweet scents of magical food and candy.

This was Hogsmeade.

A magical village nestled in the embrace of the Scottish Highlands.

“Before school starts, you’ll be living here,” Snape said, leading curious Ian to a secluded cabin.

Before Ian could feign confusion and ask what this place was, Snape pulled out a key and tossed Ian the small remaining pouch of Galleons.

“If I catch you running around again, you won’t like the consequences,” Snape warned sternly, then turned and walked away without hesitation.

His back looked somewhat rushed, as if he was eager to deal with something—surely he hadn’t forgotten to turn off a precious potion brewing before leaving?

“He sounded like he was telling me not to... run around anymore?” Ian noticed something unusual in Snape’s words.

But looking at the stacks of textbooks in his suitcase, what Ian wanted most now was to become a true wizard. Everything else could wait.

“Magic! Here I come!”