Harry Potter: Prince of Shadows

Within the Hogwarts Library, Ian remained oblivious that his Transfiguration class performance had sparked an in-depth conversation in the headmaster's office—a conversation between the present and future heads of Hogwarts.

He found Transfiguration enthralling, and seeing his proficiency climb was even more gratifying:

[Transfiguration (Level 3) 114/800]

Once he'd made that notable leap in skill, time had slipped into afternoon. Glancing up at the clock on the wall, he saw there were still a good fifty minutes until Potions. Mindful of Hogwarts' quirky, traitorous staircases, he decided to end his library session early.

Nonetheless, he planned to borrow a few books for evening study.

****

"Look at me—over here!"

"I contain five hundred ways to identify magical creatures!"

"Interested in cooking skills, by any chance?"

"I hold more knowledge than my spine can handle—help!"

Yes, Hogwarts' library was quite remarkable. Even outside the Restricted Section, Ian still encountered multiple volumes capable of speaking aloud.

They weren't what he needed, though. Methodically tracing each shelf by the library's classification system, he unearthed several titles he'd already meant to read:

A Brief Enrollment Record Through Hogwarts' History

A Detailed History of Medieval Wizards

Legends of the Mysterious Realm

The Land of Illusion: Limbo

…

Though these wouldn't directly enhance his power, they might hold critical secrets he urgently sought. He was hoping for any trace left in history by Professor Mara or Pandro, as well as clues to his own link with the Mysterious Realm. Ian also suspected that Ariana could have been related to some past Hogwarts student's family centuries ago.

A friendly older student had offered to help investigate, but if Ariana's brothers had graduated too long ago, that help might lead nowhere.

Ian always took his friends' troubles to heart.

Should the books in the public stacks prove insufficient, he'd find a way to sneak into the Restricted Section at night—like so many others had done. One more student flouting rules wouldn't hurt, after all.

As the Sorting Hat had said:

he possessed traits of multiple Houses.

****

"I'd like to borrow these,"

Ian announced, placing seven or eight books on Madam Irma Pince's desk. A gaunt, elderly woman, she resembled a half-starved buzzard.

"A Ravenclaw first-year, then?"

She was busy tidying a feather duster.

It took a certain temperament—likely lonely or widowed—to spend all day, every day, organizing and protecting Hogwarts' library.

"Yes, ma'am,"

Ian replied, adopting a polite, proper tone.

"I do like Ravenclaw students. You care for these books more than most,"

Madam Pince noted, giving Ian a softer look.

Her gaze drifted to the books he wanted to borrow.

"Typically, I only allow first-years to check out five books at a time,"

she said, implying he was asking for too many.

"Might I be an exception?

Ma'am, I only wish to learn more and become a wizard who can contribute to the world. I never knew my father; rumor says he died soon after I was born…

They say he fell battling You-Know-Who, perhaps in the final hours before dawn.

I hope to succeed, so he'll see I haven't wasted his sacrifice.

He died to give me a better life, and so I must become someone worthy."

Ian spontaneously borrowed his roommate Michael's tragic backstory.

It had undeniable emotional punch.

At the same time, he made an attempt at bribery.

With Mind Sense in low-key operation, he knew precisely how best to approach her.

"Ma'am, I brought some nice gummies from home. Perhaps next time I return my books, I could bring you some to try?"

For an older, solitary librarian, it proved an effective method.

"No eating candy while reading books,"

Madam Pince retorted without outright refusal—under older codes, a non-refusal was effectively permission.

"I'd never harm these volumes, I promise. I'll have them back in perfect condition,"

Ian agreed obediently, causing her to relax even more.

"You're rather likable—and you remind me of my first love. Don't disappoint me or mistreat these precious books."

Finally, she recorded Ian's borrowing.

"Certainly, and thank you for helping me."

Though he doubted her first love had been as handsome as himself, he concluded she wasn't nearly as unyielding as many students had alleged.

Leaving the library,

Ian encountered few students on his way back. Aside from other Ravenclaws, rarely did anyone roam that corridor leading to the library.

****

"Mrrow…hss…!"

Suddenly,

he caught sight of a bristling cat standing in his path. It issued a low, menacing rumble, baring teeth like a highway robber. This was Argus Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris. Her temperament, as peculiar as Argus Filch himself, made her scowl at Ian like a tiny tyrant.

"Excuse me, could you let me pass?"

Ian attempted reason.

But:

"Hss… hiss…!"

Mrs. Norris snarled even more aggressively.

"Fear Descends!"

Ian liked only gentle cats, so he wasted no time drawing his wand and awarding Mrs. Norris a "toll fee" for blocking the path.

"Eeoww!!"

Wailing, Mrs. Norris hid her face with her paws, rolling on the floor as though haunted by nightmares. The corridor was empty, so no one witnessed her plight.

The spell would last a few minutes. Dodging the distressed cat, Ian returned to the Ravenclaw common room. After stashing his newly borrowed books in his dorm, he checked the clock:

Half an hour left.

But:

"Quickly, or we'll be late for Potions!

My brother said we absolutely cannot be late!"

"The older students claimed we'd have to drink a whole bottle of Love Potion if we're late!"

"I heard it was giant-eyed spider venom…?"

…

The Ravenclaw first-years were all in a panic, certain they'd be severely punished for tardiness. With their bright, youthful minds, they failed to realize that Snape hardly rewarded lateness in such a bizarre way.

Being so young, no matter how clever, they still lacked worldly experience.

"We do have plenty of time,"

Ian murmured,

yet he also sped along with them.

This upcoming Potions class,

Ravenclaw was sharing with Slytherin.

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