The Old Ones of Hogwarts

Chapter 12: The Strongest Prophet!

About three and a half hours later.

Ian had already completed the purchase of the vast majority of items under Snape's guidance.

The items needed for first-year students at Hogwarts are actually not that many. Besides the necessary textbooks, they only need to purchase some equipment for Potions and Herbalism.

Three sets of plain work robes.

Plain pointed hat worn during the day.

And a pair of protective gloves—any gloves made of a material similar to dragon skin would do. The gloves Snape bought for Ian were dragon skin gloves made of Hungarian wood bees.

It is expensive.

Its protective effect is also top-notch.

Since Ian didn't have a single Galleon, he naturally had no say in the choice of gloves and could only watch as Snape paid for most of the necessities for him.

to be frank.

Although he gave almost all of his savings to Ms. Elena to help his siblings make ends meet this winter, Ian also kept a decent amount of pounds for himself.

He had originally intended to exchange his money at Gringotts for the wizarding world's currency, but Snape had no intention of taking him there. Left with no other option, Ian, carrying a currency unusable in the magical world, could only watch as Snape finalized the list of everything he would need for school.

Many of the things Snape bought didn't actually match the items on the list very well; in fact, many things became more luxurious and expensive.

but.

Whenever Ian tried to ask something, Snape would always manage to deflect all of Ian's questions with sarcastic remarks.

There's always a reason why something is expensive.

As a first-year student about to start school at Hogwarts, Ian naturally didn't have the confidence to argue with Snape and could only watch as Snape decided on all the items he needed to buy.

Every time Ian saw Snape take out his purse to pay, his suspicions about Snape would deepen. The Snape he knew was not so enthusiastic and responsible.

As many fan fictions have suggested, Snape may have been a wizard with exceptional charisma, but he was clearly unqualified as a professor at Hogwarts.

Leaving aside the fact that he often mocks the junior wizards from other houses, most people don't have a very good opinion of him because of his "house discrimination" that is comparable to racial discrimination.

however.

During this shopping trip to Diagon Alley, Ian not only constantly experienced Snape's sharp tongue, but also felt Snape's seriousness and rigor in his studies.

Buy the best crucibles.

The protective gloves and plain work gowns are also made of the best materials.

Even the initial batch of study materials purchased were brand new, undiscounted items. This was clearly outside the scope of Hogwarts student loans.

Say something.

Even setting aside the fact that they were first-hand goods, the items Snape bought for Ian were still exquisite and high-quality products.

Whether it's a brass crucible worth tens of gallons or gloves made of Hungarian tree bee skin, these are undoubtedly top-quality items among their kind.

Hogwarts is indeed a historic magic school, but Ian, who understands the most basic economics, would never believe that Hogwarts' student loans could be so generous.

The economics problem is easy to understand; it's a problem that can be easily grasped in any context. If Hogwarts' student loans were sufficient to allow an orphaned young wizard to purchase these luxury items, how much of a terrifying economic impact would Hogwarts generate in the wizarding world each year?

"Hogwarts is not that wealthy."

Ian's judgment was not unfounded.

If Hogwarts' student loans were truly that plentiful, then Ron, Harry Potter's best friend and the character portrayed as cuckolded in many fanfictions, certainly wouldn't be in such dire straits.

Think about it.

They've already reached second grade.

He was still using his older brother's discarded magic wand.

Is this a scene that might occur when Hogwarts has a large enough student loan pool? You know, Ron's sister bought second-hand books and equipment when she enrolled as a freshman.

As members of a pure-blood family, it's impossible that the Weasleys couldn't have received student loans. Given their financial situation, it's reasonable to assume that the student loans could only support them in purchasing a batch of secondhand goods.

Families who win the lottery can immediately go on a trip and only return penniless likely rely on student loans to support their children's education.

It is the most reasonable and economically sound common sense that a young wizard from a poor family can barely afford to buy a batch of second-hand textbooks with the help of student loans.

however.

At this moment.

The things Snape bought for Ian were all luxury items among necessities, which naturally made Ian make too many connections and guesses.

What kind of guilt did Snape have towards himself that led him to spend so lavishly on his help?

If the parents did not offer sacrifices to Heaven.

Ian felt that the gloves made of Hungarian tree bee skin were burning hot to the touch!

"Professor, is Hogwarts really that meticulous?"

Ian couldn't contain his doubts any longer, and after Snape bought him a limited edition telescope, he finally couldn't help but ask.

"As a student, it's far more important to think about how you can acquire more knowledge at Hogwarts than to ponder these boring and meaningless things here."

Snape responded expressionlessly, coldly watching Ian stuff the prepared items into the suitcase, and then quickly walked towards the next destination of necessities.

Ollivanders Wand Shop.

This is arguably a more important destination than any textbook, the only wand shop in Diagon Alley and even the British Isles, and a starting village that many magical world travelers will inevitably arrive at.

The passage of time has left the shop's signboard weathered and worn, and its small, dilapidated storefront makes it hard to believe that this is a legendary place that every young wizard must visit.

Compared to the opulent Gringotts and Flourish and Blotts, Ollivanders Wand Shop looks unremarkable, yet it is one of the "territories" that Voldemort never thought of conquering.

Such a unique and unreplicable business is so powerful, just like the many aristocratic families in ancient China, whose influence remains unaffected by the passage of time.

"This is the last stop."

Snape was quick to pay, but he was very sparing with his words.

Ian had been looking forward to this moment for a long time. He looked at the inconspicuous little shop's mottled signboard, his eyes filled with anticipation and a little bit of indescribable nervousness.

It's no wonder he was so anxious.

after all.

Based on his limited understanding of this world, aside from Harry Potter and the beautiful Hermione, this place is definitely one of the most mysterious places.

It is said that the entire Harry Potter story is inseparable from prophecy, and Ollivanders Wand Shop is the most chilling prophetic location in both the original works and fan fiction.

The failure of the mysterious man.

The death of Dumbledore.

These predictions from others are nothing compared to the obvious.

Ollivanders Wand Shop, the one that reveals the wand's choice of wizard, possesses the most chilling prophecy in the world—the futures of powerful figures like Dumbledore and Voldemort can be said to have been predetermined by Ollivanders' words. Even Harry Potter could not escape the prophecy surrounding his wand choice.

If you were to ask Ian whether the owner of Ollivander's Wand Shop possessed some extraordinary prophetic talent, he would probably be the first to express his disbelief.

The ending was hinted at in the first season.

Who can predict your future better than anyone else?