About three hours later.
Under Snape's guidance, Ian had completed the majority of his shopping.
Regarding the items needed by Hogwarts' first-year students, there really weren't too many. Besides the necessary textbooks, some Magic Potion Class and Herbology equipment were required.
Three sets of plain work robes.
A plain-top hat for daytime wear.
And a pair of protective gloves—gloves made from materials similar to Dragon Hide would do. Snape purchased for Ian gloves made from Hungarian Tree Bee Dragon Hide.
They were expensive.
But the protective effect was top-notch.
Since Ian didn't have a single Golden Galleon, he naturally had no say in the choice of gloves. He could only watch as Snape dished out money to buy most of the necessities for him.
To be honest.
Though he had given most of his savings to Lady Yelena for his siblings' livelihood over the winter, Ian had actually left himself with a fair amount of Pounds.
He originally intended to exchange them into Wizarding World's currency at Gringotts, but Snape showed no intention of taking him there. As a result, Ian was left carrying currency unusable in the Magic World, solely relying on Snape to decide all the items he needed for school.
Many of the items Snape purchased didn't truly match what's listed on the shopping list, often opting for items far more luxurious and expensive.
But.
Whenever Ian wanted to ask about something, Snape would always respond with a scathing comment that utterly squashed Ian's doubts.
There are good reasons for things being expensive.
As an incoming first-year student at Hogwarts, Ian did not have the confidence to argue with Snape and could only watch as Snape decided all the items he needed to buy.
Each time Snape took out his money bag to pay, Ian's suspicion of Snape deepened a little, as the Snape he knew wasn't known for such warmth and responsibility.
Just like in many fan novels, Snape might be a wizard with considerable charisma, but he certainly didn't qualify as a competent professor of Hogwarts.
Often mocking students from other houses aside, his "house discrimination" ideology rightfully earned him many unfavorable judgments.
Yet.
During this shopping trip in Diagon Alley, aside from constantly feeling Snape's sharp tongue, Ian also sensed Snape's seriousness and meticulous attention towards his education.
The crucible should be top-end.
Protective gloves and plain work robes were also the best quality.
Even the initial batch of learning materials were new with no discounts, clearly beyond the coverage of Hogwarts student loans.
To be fair.
The items Snape bought for Ian were top-notch, even without discussing the newness and originality claims.
Whether it's the brass cauldron costing dozens of Galleons or the gloves made from Hungarian Tree Bee Dragon Hide, they are definitely top-grade among similar items.
Though Hogwarts is indeed a historically rich Magic Academy, Ian, armed with basic economic knowledge, wouldn't believe Hogwarts loans could be so generous.
Economics is an easily understood concept applicable anywhere. If Hogwarts student loans were enough to buy a child born to a poor family such luxury items, then Hogwarts would need to create terrifying economic effects yearly in the Magic World.
"Hogwarts couldn't be so wealthy."
Ian's assessments weren't baseless.
If Hogwarts loans were truly that sufficient, Ron, the good friend of Savior Harry Potter often portrayed in fan novels, surely wouldn't be so impoverished.
Think about it.
Already in the second year.
Still using his brother's discarded wand.
Could this happen under wealthy Hogwarts loans? Note that Ron's sister bought second-hand books and equipment when she enrolled.
As a member of the Pure-blood Clan, the Weasleys could undoubtedly access student loans. Judging by their financial situation, loans supporting their buying second-hand goods seems most reasonable.
Winning the lottery and immediately traveling, only returning when broke—they probably rely economically on student loans for the children's schooling.
A little wizard from a poor family barely able to buy second-hand textbooks with student loans, this should rightly align with common socio-economic knowledge.
Yet.
Snape's purchases for Ian exclusively belonged to the luxury category among necessities, making Ian inevitably indulge in excess speculation and guessing.
What kind of debt does Snape bear to go so lavishly in aiding him?
If his parents hadn't met divine wrath.
Ian thought he might burn his hands holding those Hungarian Tree Bee Dragon Hide gloves!
"Professor, is Hogwarts really aiming for perfection?"
Ian couldn't withstand his inner doubts, so after Snape bought him a limited-edition telescope, he finally voiced his question.
"As a student, thinking about how to acquire more knowledge at Hogwarts is far more meaningful than pondering some trivial, idle matters," Snape responded expressionlessly, coldly watching Ian pack his prepared things into his suitcase, then strode quickly toward the next destination.
Ollivander's Wand Shop.
This destination was arguably more important than any textbook, the sole wand shop in Diagon Alley and even the British Isles, a place all magical world transmigrators would necessarily visit in the Newbie Village.
The passage of time had left this shop's sign with signs of wear and tear, with a tiny and shabby storefront that revealed nothing of being the legendary place every little wizard must visit.
Compared to the splendor of Gringotts and Li Hen Bookstore, Ollivander's Wand Shop seemed unimpressive, yet it remained one of the territories Voldemort never contemplated conquering.
Exclusivity and unreproducible business stand strong like Ancient China's many powerful families, unaffected by the tides of time.
"This is the last stop."
Snape was straightforward when paying, yet stingy with words when speaking.
Ian had long anticipated this moment, gazing at the weathered sign of the inconspicuous store, eyes filled with expectation and a hint of indescribable nervousness.
No wonder he felt so anxious.
After all.
From his limited understanding of this world, beyond Harry Potter and the beautiful Hermione, this location certainly stood as one of the most mystically significant places.
It's said the entire Harry Potter tale revolves around prophecy, and whether in the original or fan stories, Ollivander's Wand Shop remained the eeriest prophecy site.
Prophecies of the Mysterious Man's failure.
Dumbledore's death.
Other prophecy odds are petty.
Ollivander's Wand Shop, which declared that the wand chooses the wizard, holds this world's most unsettling prophecy—even mighty beings like Dumbledore and Voldemort, their futures spoken for by Ollivander's Wand Shop. Not even Harry Potter could escape the prophecy during wand selection.
If say that the owner of Ollivander's Wand Shop lacks a gift far exceeding ordinary prophets, Ian might be the first to leap forward expressing disbelief.
The ending of the first book hints at it.
Whose prophecies surpass yours!