Movies are, after all, just movies.
They are constrained by special effects and camera angles, ultimately presenting only the tip of the iceberg that is Diagon Alley.
Only when truly setting foot here did Ian realize that it was definitely not the county fair market that many joked about, nor some backward and dilapidated relic of an old era, but rather the most bustling wizarding hub in the British Isles!
"This is... dreamlike!"
Ian was thrilled.
He didn't experience the nausea and dizziness that should have accompanied his first Apparition. In hindsight, he figured it must have been the effect of Snape's Nauseating Potion, which, surprisingly, tasted much better than milk.
He hadn't expected Snape to have such a meticulous side. This somewhat subverted Ian's perception of him and made him recall Dumbledore's words once again.
What kind of debt could make Snape show such uncharacteristic attentiveness?
"Could it be that my parents in this life actually died during his missions as a Death Eater?" Ian wondered, his mind constantly churning.
At that moment—
"Keep up."
Snape had already released the grip on Ian's neck and strode forward without looking back. Ian immediately dragged his large suitcase and hurried after him.
The street was bustling with people. Though Snape never turned around, he maintained a pace that allowed Ian to keep up, ensuring he didn't get lost in the crowd.
"Professor, where are we going? Is it the bank?" Ian asked curiously.
"It's called Gringotts. Don't use Muggle's foolish assumptions to speculate about the rules of the wizarding world."
Snape's tone was cold, yet still instructive.
"Restrain your mind. This place is full of wizards. They won't go easy on you just because you're a child. Dark wizards might snatch you away for their twisted experiments at any moment."
Snape's sinister tone was an obvious warning—one directed at Ian, cautioning him against using Mind Perception to probe other wizards.
"I'll try..."
Ian attempted to clear his mind. This significantly dulled the sharpness of his Mind Perception, though he still couldn't completely suppress it.
To distract himself, Ian became curious about the magical creatures that coexisted with wizards.
Beyond the expected magical animals, creatures from fantasy lore—giants, dwarves, and others—were all part of this world Ian now inhabited. He was particularly eager to see what goblins really looked like.
However—
Snape didn't take him to Gringotts.
"Give me all the textbooks required for a Hogwarts first-year student."
Their first stop was Flourish and Blotts, the bookstore that monopolized the textbook sales market for the entire British wizarding world. It was unclear which pure-blood family backed it, but Ian suspected financial incentives played a role—just like how schools in his past life forced students to buy from specific stores.
"Okay, Professor Snape."
The bookstore clerk, seemingly accustomed to dealing with Hogwarts professors, looked a little nervous in Snape's presence—perhaps a former Hogwarts student?
"I don't even know which textbooks I need. I haven't even received my Hogwarts acceptance letter yet," Ian muttered behind Snape.
"Are you so fixated on a meaningless piece of paper?" Snape shot him a glare.
"I just feel like something's missing," Ian admitted, blinking.
"Heh, what a ridiculous obsession."
Snape sneered, reached into his robes, and pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment. He tossed it toward Ian with the same indifference as if discarding trash.
Ian quickly caught it.
On the parchment, a large H was formed by a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake—Hogwarts' emblem.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(President of the International Confederation of Wizards, First-Class Order of Merlin, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot)
Dear Mr. Prince,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of required books and equipment. The term begins on September 1st. We await your owl with your reply by July 31st.
Deputy Headmistress,
Minerva McGonagall
A long appendix followed, listing all the required items. Ian skimmed through it, quickly getting the gist.
"Now, Mr. Fussbudget, are you satisfied?" Snape drawled, bestowing him with an irritating new nickname.
"I was hoping to see the Hogwarts owl," Ian pouted.
"Instead of indulging in pointless vanity, you should focus on learning useful skills at school—lest you end up as downtrodden as those Hufflepuffs."
At that moment, the bookstore clerk approached with a towering stack of books.
Judging by his subtle expression—resentful yet hesitant—Ian suspected Snape's remark had been a pointed jab at him as well.
Snape truly had a knack for being unpleasant.
"Thank you," Ian quickly said, not wanting to share in Snape's bad reputation. He sincerely took the books from the clerk.
The clerk crouched down, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don't believe what he says. Hufflepuff has produced many great wizards—like Newt Scamander, the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."
"It would be an honor to be a Hufflepuff."
"I think so too," Ian whispered back with a smile.
The clerk smiled, patting Ian's head. "That'll be 15 Galleons, thank you."
Before Ian could react, Snape had already withdrawn a small pouch and stepped up to pay.
"Is this a student loan, Professor?" Ian asked, half-joking.
"That's not something you need to concern yourself with."
After settling the payment, Snape watched as Ian struggled to fit the books into his already-packed suitcase. With a flick of his wand, he muttered, "Reducio."
The clothes and miscellaneous items inside Ian's suitcase shrank instantly, leaving ample space for the books.
"This is amazing!" Ian's excitement was evident.
"Let me offer a word of caution—this spell lasts only 24 hours. If you don't remove your belongings in time… Heh, you wouldn't want to witness that mess."
With that, Snape flicked his robe and strode out the door.
Ian hurried to follow.
He had to admit—thanks to Snape's spell, the suitcase was significantly lighter. Magic truly defied the laws of physics.
Mass conservation? Who cares!
He loved it!
Ian's desire to master magic grew stronger.
"Professor! Wait!"
As Snape quickened his pace, Ian had no choice but to scramble after him.
Thus, they continued shopping for school supplies, with Snape paying for everything.
Even when they reached the cauldron shop—
The clerk had already taken out the standard-issue pewter cauldron when Snape cut in, instructing him to replace it with a brass cauldron—a significantly pricier option.
"Professor, the letter says we need a standard pewter cauldron, size two," Ian hesitated, showing his letter.
Without missing a beat, Snape responded with a sneer.
"It seems that Mr. Prince believes he has already mastered all knowledge and is now fit to instruct me, a Potions Master, on what the correct choice should be?"
Ian was left speechless.
This whole situation only deepened his confusion.
Could it really be that Snape had killed his parents in a Death Eater mission and was now overcompensating?
Completely baffling.
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