"A born Legilimens... that's quite something... Mr. Prince, do you think that being bestowed with such a fate means you can be as arrogant as you please?"
Snape's eyes were now clearly filled with annoyance.
His tone was cold beyond measure.
It was as if he was forcing the words out through gritted teeth, his voice loud enough that Ian couldn't help but glance at Lady Yelena. However, Lady Yelena was smiling and watching the two of them.
She even nodded occasionally.
It was quite apparent.
Whether Lady Yelena was hearing or seeing what was happening between Ian and Snape, neither truly matched the actual scene unfolding.
"Confundus Charm..."
Ian looked at Lady Yelena as if she was isolated in another world.
For some reason.
He felt an inexplicable pang in his heart.
"I'm asking you a question, Mr. Prince. You're not even in school yet and you dare ignore a professor. If this were at Hogwarts, I'd have already docked your house..."
Snape's tone, somewhat sarcastic, broke off suddenly, his gloomy expression as if he'd swallowed something that stuck in his throat looked just as unpleasant.
"I'm sorry, Professor, I really can't control it."
Ian was quite helpless.
"Can't control it! Then learn to control it!"
Snape scolded sternly.
"Uh..."
Perhaps it was Ian's acting skills that worked, seeing Ian with an innocent and pitiful look, Snape bit his cheek, and his tone began to soften a bit.
"As a professor of the college, I'll only kindly warn you this time: any behavior that might provoke other wizards is a foolish provocation until you have strong enough skills."
"Hogwarts is very tolerant of students, but, the premise is that you behave like a rule-abiding child, not like that bunch of annoying Gryffindors who're always getting into trouble."
Snape's voice was extremely stern.
However.
When mentioning Gryffindor.
There was an undisguised disdain in his tone.
"What's Gryffindor?"
Ian wanted to change the subject, his expression innocent and bewildered.
"Ha, just a bunch of simple-minded fools with brawn, at Hogwarts, wise people keep their distance, otherwise they'd meet misfortune immediately."
Snape was mocking with full vigor.
This kind of response was clearly the epitome of giving a lengthy speech that doesn't explain Gryffindor is a house.
"Alright, Professor."
Ian didn't pursue or refute further.
Instead, he acted obediently as if being reprimanded.
This relaxed the tight frown on Snape's face quite a bit.
"Lady, I need to take this child ahead of time to handle some necessary paperwork." He no longer looked at Ian, but turned to Lady Yelena and spoke.
The next moment.
It was like Lady Yelena, who had been out of touch for quite a while, finally had her eyes and expression return to normal, responding to Snape with a full smile.
"Of course, of course, that old headmaster has already processed all the paperwork, Ian can leave with you now." After finishing, she urged Ian to pack his luggage.
Since he had always been preparing.
Most of Ian's things were already packed into a large suitcase.
Thus.
He quickly dragged a massive suitcase out. Since Ian was only eleven years old, he was only slightly taller than the suitcase.
As soon as he stepped out of his bedroom.
Ian saw that including Lady Yelena, a few other orphanage staff, and nearly all the children, were waiting for him in the yard of the orphanage.
Snape stood on a distant open space, exuding an aura of keeping strangers at a distance—and likely even acquaintances wouldn't want to get close.
"Ian, Ian, will you bring us back some chocolate?"
"Don't worry, Ian, I'll help keep your room and your tricycle tidy."
"Boo hoo, Ian brother, please don't die, okay? They say we won't see you again."
...
The children showed their reluctance over Ian's impending departure.
As the king of the orphanage kids.
Everyone had deep affections for Ian... even that five-year-old girl who mistook not seeing him for dying held Ian in a significant place in her heart.
Perhaps.
One day, these feelings and friendships will change with time, fade with the growth of ages and the path each takes.
But the reluctance everyone was showing at this moment would not lessen by a single bit because of that.
"Ian, don't look back, your future will be bright." Lady Yelena touched Ian's cheek, her eyes brimming with tears as she gave meaningful advice with a gratified expression.
Though the other children couldn't grasp the meaning, it didn't mean Ian couldn't.
"Professor, I can come back during holidays, right?"
He called out loudly to Snape in the distance.
"That's your business, don't bother me with such stupid things."
Though Snape's tone was full of impatience, he stood quietly in the shadow by the wall, without urging Ian at all.
"Of course I'll come back, this is home, isn't it?"
Ian stepped forward to embrace Lady Yelena, "Without your dedication and changes, this orphanage wouldn't be filled with joy and laughter like it is now."
"We all have a future, I guarantee it." Ian's voice was serious.
"Ian... you don't have to..." Lady Yelena's voice choked a bit, hugging Ian tightly. The children nearby began to chatter.
"It's my turn to hug Ian!"
"Anna! You're hugging too long!"
"Allen! You're getting snot on Ian's clothes!"
...
He practically said goodbye to everyone.
Ian refused help from others, dragging his suitcase over to Snape by himself.
Under everyone's gaze, Ian and Snape exchanged a few words, and soon Snape led Ian out of the big iron gate, gradually disappearing into the fog-laden streets of London.
"Ian will surely make something of himself; he's such a sensible child, it's heart-wrenching," the cook in the kitchen wept, her voice full of a firm belief.
"Yes, I've never doubted it," Lady Yelena also reassured, wiping the corners of her eyes, turning to comfort the children, only to find a heavy feeling in her pocket.
As if anticipating something.
Lady Yelena quickly reached in.
She pulled out a thick envelope.
"When did this happen?"
Lady Yelena was a bit taken aback.
She opened the envelope.
Her hands slowly started to uncontrollably tremble.
"This child..."
Her voice was trembling too.
Inside the pristine envelope were numerous Pounds, though in small denominations, they were scattered, but collectively they constituted a considerable sum.
Enough to let the children of the orphanage have a nutritious winter.