Hogwarts Raven (Harry Potter)

"Is that really the case?"

She wasn't sure if it was just because she hadn't read any magic books yet that she couldn't grasp the feeling they were talking about. Maybe once she did, she would understand?

"No problem at all!"

"Of course it is."

The two little boys answered in perfect unison.

That made Hermione even more convinced, maybe this really is just how wizard are.

"Alright, I'll remember it."

Of course, she wouldn't give up on learning because of this.

However, it was at this moment that a question was born. One that would go on to trouble this future legendary witch for most of her life.

Ding-Ding-Dang~

Just as Hermione was trying to memorize everything, half-comprehending and repeating it over and over in her mind, suddenly, the wind chime at the front door jingled crisply and unexpectedly.

"Welcome to Ollivander's Wand Shop."

Old Ollivander practically bolted to the front, like a reflex.

They saw a small boy being gently nudged through the door first, looking slightly nervous and unsure. Behind him, an enormous figure, burly and towering, began squeezing into the shop.

Although the doorway wasn't particularly narrow, it clearly wasn't designed for someone of that size. The man had to use all his strength just to wedge himself inside.

"Oh, my heavens!" The Grangers were both startled.

"A g, giant!" Hermione's face turned pale as she quickly took several steps back.

"Not a giant, half-giant," The large man said with a hearty laugh. He wasn't the least bit upset and instead corrected Hermione's wording. His gaze landed on Ian inside the shop.

"Didn't expect to see you here, Ian."

The half-giant was, of course, Hagrid. Spotting Ian, he lit up with joy and immediately gave him a massive bear hug.

Of course, it looked like he was about to suplex Ian right into the ground.

"I didn't expect to see you here either, Professor Hagrid." Ian's legs dangled in the air like paddles, and only after being held for quite a while did he finally touch the ground again.

"I'm here to help a student with shopping, Dumbledore's orders. Of course, I've got some personal motives too," Hagrid replied, as straightforward and unguarded as ever. "Looks like you're here for the same reason?"

He looked toward Hermione, who had just picked out her wand as he said this.

"This was a paid commission by Mr. Granger. They're unfamiliar with the magical world, and their daughter, Miss Hermione Granger, will be attending Hogwarts this year."

Ian gave Hagrid a brief introduction.

"You're really lucky." Hagrid turned to the Grangers. "Ian is very well-liked at school. With his help, your daughter will fit right into Hogwarts in no time."

His words brought clear delight to the Granger couple.

So it turned out this little wizard they'd met really hadn't been bluffing.

"That's exactly what we were hoping for. We'd also be grateful if you could look after our Hermione from time to time," Mr. Granger responded graciously and sincerely.

He had noticed how Ian addressed the massive man as Professor.

"No problem at all! Ian's friends are my friends! If this young lady ever needs help, she can come find me anytime, then it will be alright! In fact, if she just tells people she's Ian's friend, no one at school will dare bully her!"

Hagrid laughed heartily and thumped his chest as he made this bold promise.

His words made the Grangers even more aware of the weight behind Ian's self-proclaimed "little emperor" status.

So it was true after all, he really was a big-shot school boss.

"Is this student the one you're guiding this year?" Ian noticed the look in the Grangers' eyes and quickly turned toward the bespectacled boy, feigning ignorance as he asked.

The boy was even more reserved than Hermione. He wore thick glasses, had messy black hair, and a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.

His identity was one known throughout the entire wizarding world.

Ian guessed that Lupin hadn't come to Diagon Alley today because he knew Harry Potter would be here, and wasn't sure how to face the orphan of his best friend.

"Yes, that's right! This is the Boy Who Lived, the one who defeated Voldemort, Harry Potter." Hagrid immediately pulled Harry to the front and introduced him proudly.

His voice was filled with delight, and after introducing Harry, he took the initiative to introduce Ian to Harry as well. "This is Ian, the genius wizard who made a whole bunch of boys and girls also become the Boy-Who-Lived."

That… sounded incredibly strange.

Harry Potter's expression immediately turned alarmed.

"..."

Ian, for his part, was completely speechless.

Fortunately, Hagrid quickly realized that his phrasing was a little… ambiguous.

"Uh, what I meant is, he's a little hero who defeated a Dark wizard who had infiltrated the school and saved everyone. He's about to become the youngest recipient of the Order of Merlin."

Hagrid explained somewhat awkwardly. He only knew what most people knew, what had been spread around publicly. Only a few truly understood Voldemort's identity.

Most people believed the enemy Ian had defeated was one of Voldemort's most loyal followers.

Well…

That wasn't entirely wrong either.

"Wow, you're amazing!"

Harry Potter exclaimed, wide-eyed. He began to feel a bit inferior. Ian was only a little older than him, but in every way, he seemed far more capable.

Even his appearance was so striking… This must be the kind of Boy-Who-Lived the wizarding world truly admired, not him. He had already experienced firsthand in the taverns outside how much of his fame felt hollow.

And because of that, the real Boy-Who-Lived was starting to feel like he didn't deserve the name.

"That is nothing special, I am only at third place at Hogwarts," Ian replied honestly, assessing his own skill level.

Neither Hermione nor Mrs. Granger had much of a reaction to Harry Potter's introduction. After all, the two adults and one child had only just been introduced to the magical world today. They didn't really understand the magical history or the legend surrounding Harry Potter.

That made Harry feel a little more at ease, at least for the moment.

Of course, that peace didn't last long.

"So it was you! I recognized you the moment you walked in!" Old Ollivander suddenly sprang forward with a reaction that immediately made Harry feel overwhelmed again.

"H-Hello, sir…"

All he could do was quickly respond with a polite greeting.

"I've been thinking I'd be seeing you soon, Harry Potter. You have your mother's eyes, exactly the same. I remember when she came here to buy her wand like it was yesterday."

"She bought a wand ten and one-quarter inches long, made of beautiful willow, a truly excellent wand. And your father's was eleven inches, made of mahogany. Excellent for transfiguration."

Old Ollivander clearly hadn't had his fill of showing off his incredible memory.

After saying all that to Harry, he turned and looked toward Hagrid.

"Rubeus Hagrid! I can't believe you're the one who brought him here. That makes me very happy. Yours was that sixteen-inch oak wand, wasn't it?"

"I remember that wand very clearly."

Old Ollivander wore a reminiscent expression.

"Yes, it was a very, very fine wand," Hagrid added, nodding in agreement, though his words prompted Ollivander to let out a heavy sigh.

"But I suppose they've destroyed your wand by now. Such a shame… what a dreadful Ministry of Magic."

Ollivander showed regret over the wand's destruction, and a trace of displeasure at the Ministry's actions.

"Uh… yes, they totally wrecked it, beyond repair," Hagrid said, clearly dodging Ollivander's gaze. His face was a bit stiff and awkward.

"But I imagine you've still kept it, haven't you?" Ollivander looked at Hagrid with bright, knowing eyes.

Hagrid didn't dare meet his gaze.

"I gave it a… proper resting place," Hagrid tried to imply that he had buried the wand, but his massive hands were still tightly gripping a battered pink umbrella.

"That's good."

Ollivander's eyes paused on the umbrella for a moment but chose not to press further.

He turned back to Harry Potter.

"I'm deeply sorry that a wand I sold brought harm to you, to your family, and to so many innocent people." The old man's gaze lingered on the lightning scar on Harry's forehead.

"Thirteen and a half inches. A very powerful wand, exceptionally powerful. But I gave it to the wrong master… If I had known what it would be used for…"

His face showed a trace of remorse.

(To Be Continued…)

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