Not only was Dumbledore nowhere to be seen—
There wasn't even the classic owl-delivered letter moment.
Ian felt that his journey into the magical world was off to a rough start. Other new students got kind-hearted guides—like the gentle Professor McGonagall, or the lovable, simple-minded Hagrid, whose affection could be won with a smile.
So why was it that his guide turned out to be the most unlikable man in Hogwarts—the Half-Blood Prince?
Yes.
Dressed in his black, greasy robes, with hair that clearly hadn't seen shampoo in years, the man now sitting in the orphanage director's office was none other than Severus Snape, Head of Slytherin House.
Snape had many titles—Potions Master, reigning champion of brooding, and the poster boy of painfully pure-hearted love.
Of course—
His most infamous label was that of a former Death Eater.
Ian knew Snape was now Dumbledore's double agent. But that didn't erase the past, nor did it cancel the instinctive fear Snape's presence inspired. That aura of danger? Not something you could fake.
Which was exactly why—
Having Snape as his escort to Hogwarts didn't feel like a blessing.
"Ian, come in!"
The orphanage director, seated directly across from the door, was the first to spot Ian being ushered in by the crowd of kids. Smiling warmly, she beckoned him forward.
Ian stepped inside—
And closed the door behind him.
From outside came a chorus of childish groans and giggles.
"Oh, poor little Ian finally has a brighter future ahead of him. Thank the Lord," Director Elena muttered, eyes still sparkling as she turned to Snape. "This is Ian—our brightest, kindest boy. I know he doesn't come from much, but I'd wager he'll outshine even the noble-born children in your school."
Ian scratched his neck, a bit sheepish. He was, after all, a reincarnated adult soul. Comparing him to regular kids really wasn't fair.
"I certainly hope so."
Snape's cold eyes were locked on Ian.
From the moment Ian had stepped in, Snape hadn't looked away. His stiff, unreadable expression made Ian uneasy. That look in his eyes—it wasn't just distant. It was conflicted.
...Was that guilt?
[Thought Perception], the Extraordinary Trait Ian had gained from his high-level Psychology skill, let him sense people's strongest emotions and deepest desires.
And right now—
Snape's inner world was anything but calm.
Which only made Dumbledore's earlier words come rushing back: "He feels he owes you a great deal."
So this was the professor Dumbledore had meant?
Ian was baffled.
He wasn't Harry Potter.
He wasn't some secret lovechild of Lily Potter either—was he?
So where was this guilt coming from?
"Impossible… what are you doing?!"
Suddenly—
Snape's eyes sharpened with shock, his body tense with disbelief. His stare pierced through Ian like a dagger.
"Wha—?"
Ian stumbled backward, startled.
Even Director Elena looked confused by Snape's reaction.
"Legilimency! Mr. Prince, Dumbledore failed to mention you had this talent."
Snape's voice trembled, eyes flickering between surprise, unease, and—was that fear?
The sheer emotional chaos in the man's heart made Ian's own confusion deepen.
What on earth was going on?
Was he actually Snape's illegitimate child? Had Snape given up on Lily and found a lookalike Muggle instead?!
No. That was way too insane.
Still—
The more curious Ian got, the stronger his senses became.
Which was why—
"I said, enough!"
Snape's voice cracked like a whip, cutting through the room.
"I… I can't control it…"
Ian stammered, heart racing. He hadn't expected Snape to detect his ability, much less mistake it for Legilimency. And the misunderstanding wasn't entirely inaccurate.
"Professor… maybe if you calmed your emotions a bit, this wouldn't be so intense?" Ian ventured, voice small.
"Hmph."
Snape exhaled sharply and closed his eyes. After a moment of internal adjustment, the wave of emotion Ian sensed slowly began to fade.
"What exactly did you see?"
Snape's eyes opened again, narrowing.
"I didn't see memories. I only sensed your emotions," Ian said honestly. "I think… your heart's a little restless?"
There was no point in hiding it now. With a professor like Snape, secrecy wouldn't help. And in the wizarding world, special talents weren't necessarily a bad thing.
"A natural Legilimens… wonderful. Tell me, Mr. Prince, do you think a little gift from fate gives you the right to pry into whatever you like?"
Snape's voice turned icy.
His gaze sharpened to a blade.
Ian glanced at Elena. Her face was serene, smiling as she watched them—completely unaware of the tense exchange happening before her.
A Confundus Charm.
Of course.
Whatever she was seeing or hearing, it wasn't the truth.
Ian's chest tightened for a reason he couldn't explain.
"I'm speaking to you, Mr. Prince. Or have you decided to ignore professors even before enrolling? If we were at Hogwarts, I would already be deducting points from your Hous—"
Snape abruptly cut off.
His face twisted as if he'd bitten his own tongue.
"I'm sorry, Professor… I really can't control it."
Ian looked genuinely helpless.
Snape's jaw clenched.
For a long moment, he stared at Ian, as if debating whether to hex him on the spot. But eventually, the man let out a long breath and spoke in a calmer tone.
"Hogwarts is lenient with its students—but only if they behave. Do not go around flaunting your gifts, especially ones that can provoke other wizards."
"Be nothing like those brainless, hot-headed Gryffindors."
His tone dripped with disdain.
"Gryffindors?" Ian blinked innocently.
Snape snorted. "A bunch of arrogant fools who think courage makes up for their lack of sense. Stay away from them, or misfortune will follow."
…Not exactly the clearest explanation.
"Understood, Professor."
Ian nodded obediently.
Snape's brows finally loosened.
"Director, I'll be taking the boy now. We have formalities to complete."
Director Elena, as if waking from a dream, blinked and smiled.
"Of course, of course. The Headmaster already arranged everything. Ian can leave with you right away."
Ian had been packed for days, so he quickly grabbed his large suitcase—almost as tall as he was—and wheeled it to the front.
Outside—
All the children and staff had gathered in the courtyard.
Snape stood a little ways off, radiating an aura so cold and hostile that even the bravest child wouldn't dare approach.
"Ian! Will you bring back chocolate?"
"Don't worry, I'll keep your cart safe."
"Don't die, okay? They said we won't see you again…"
…
The kids were reluctant to see him go.
To them, Ian wasn't just the "big brother" of the orphanage—he was the heart of their world.
Maybe one day that bond would fade as time passed and everyone moved on.
But today—
Their sincerity was pure.
"Ian, don't look back. Your future will be bright."
Director Elena stroked Ian's cheek, her voice trembling with emotion.
Ian understood her meaning. Others might not.
"Professor," he called, "can I come back during holidays?"
"That's your business," Snape replied coldly, though he made no move to rush him.
"I will come back. This place is home, after all."
Ian gave Elena a hug. "Without your love and stubborn heart, this orphanage wouldn't be the joyful place it is now."
"We'll all have a future—I promise."
Tears glistened in her eyes. Around them, the other children cried out:
"My turn to hug Ian!"
"Anna! You're hugging too long!"
"Alan! Don't wipe your snot on Ian's coat!"
…
After a round of tearful goodbyes, Ian refused help and wheeled his suitcase toward Snape himself.
Together, the two of them stepped out the iron gates, their figures swallowed by the foggy streets of London.
"Ian's going to do great things. He's a good kid," one of the kitchen staff sobbed.
"I've never doubted it," Director Elena said quietly.
Then—
Her hand brushed her coat pocket.
She froze.
Reaching in, she pulled out an envelope.
"…When did he…"
Tears welled in her eyes as she opened it.
Inside were stacks of small-denomination bills—nothing flashy, but together, enough to feed the orphanage through the winter.
A quiet gift.
From a child who had already given them so much.
(End of Chapter)