In the corridor.
Ian's back looked rather disheveled.
He became the first student to be kicked out of the classroom by Snape since the start of the term, and even though Snape didn't issue a permanent ban, the Old Bat's roar echoed through most of Hogwarts.
"I asked you to prove that my potion had a soul, not to kiss Snape directly in class!" Ian blamed the wicked Peeves for the incident.
"He was the one who leaned in! He kissed me first! He must have done it on purpose!"
With a sore head from being flicked hard, Peeves held his head full of grievances. He didn't dare argue with Ian, as Bloodman Barrow was now only the second most terrifying figure in his mind.
"You ruined my first place!" Ian kicked Peeves on the backside, sending him flying more than ten meters away.
"Boo hoo hoo! My first kiss! That damn Potions Professor must take responsibility for this!" Peeves, turning into the "Whining Monster," flew off towards Snape's office.
Not knowing what mischief he was planning in Snape's office, Ian listened to Peeves' mutterings, suspecting that tonight Snape's bed might have an extra head under the covers.
"I approve of this marriage."
In the empty corridor.
Ian looked aimlessly out the window at the Quidditch pitch, where the senior teams were practicing, and it seemed like Slytherin was about to crush Gryffindor.
Perhaps only Harry Potter could save the Gryffindor team; before the Savior joined Gryffindor, Slytherin Team had won the Quidditch Cup for several consecutive years.
Even Marcus, who was wetting his pants a few days ago, was now performing excellently on the pitch. His aggressive style made him an "outstanding" Seeker. It's no wonder he could gather so many people to ambush Ian in the corridor, as being a Quidditch player always earned much support from fellow students.
"I haven't received my compensation yet, and he has the nerve to be out playing!" Ian resisted the urge to interfere with the fairness of the match, otherwise, he might have made Marcus fall off his broom.
In recent days, Ian had done a lot of research on [Legilimency], thanks to the books written by his beautiful step-sister; he had even developed a Level 2 [Legilimency] magic ability.
Paired with the Extraordinary Traits of [Thought Perception], often mistaken for being a born Legilimens, he had quickly grasped the Level 1 ancient dark magic [Soul Stealing].
This magic differs from the Unforgivable Curse called [Imperio], though there are similarities. Thanks to the past few days' study, Ian's [Imperio] spell had also reached Level 2 proficiency.
Of course, the two spells only have some commonality in principle; compared to [Imperio], which directly destroys others' rationality and thoughts, [Soul Stealing] focuses more on forcibly invading others' consciousness, browsing and implanting false memories based on [Legilimency].
It can even permanently alter one's cognition, making them perceive joyful events as sorrowful for a lifetime, and transform inherently sad events into lifetime sources of happiness.
The effect is terrifying, though the book records a countercurse. However, it seems only Mara... Teacher Morgan knows what the countercurse is; the beautiful step-sister hasn't documented it in her book.
Perhaps she hasn't learned it herself?
Overall, compared to [Legilimency], [Soul Stealing] is much more aggressive and even Occlumency's effect on this magic is greatly weakened.
According to the book "Spiritual Manipulation: From Thought Extraction to Soul Stealing," [Soul Stealing] falls into the realm of a deeply involved soul-level magic.
"Miss Helena!"
While wandering towards the library at Hogwarts, Ian encountered the ghost he hadn't been able to find for days. She was floating in front of her mother's portrait, reminiscing about the past with a sorrowful expression.
The founder's daughter was a tall, consistently graceful ghost whose upbringing gave her a gentle and noble appearance despite her ghostly state.
Bloodman Barrow's infatuation with Helena Ravenclaw wasn't without reason; her beauty inherited from Rowena Ravenclaw, and her slightly delicate demeanor easily made her some people's ideal.
"Little Ian, I saw Peeves heading to the dungeons."
Helena Ravenclaw did indeed have several interactions with Ian; when he first arrived at Hogwarts, Ian was worried that Peeves might appear while he was using the bathroom.
Fortunately, Lady Helena was willing to point out Peeves' whereabouts.
This Ravenclaw ghost was very helpful, and her seemingly unwise experiences stemmed from her extreme fondness for aesthetics and being a romantic.
Indeed.
Ian might have gained Helena Ravenclaw's help for this very reason.
Even though the loss of the Crown taught her a lesson she never regained her former innocence, a little wizard like Ian, whose looks exceeded even Tom Riddle's, was sure to win her affection more easily.
"I know, Peeves and I are quite familiar now; he told me he's going to warm up Snape's bed." Ian no longer needed to guard against possible ambushes from Peeves.