Who would have expected such a mind-blowing idea!
"Don't talk nonsense, if the professors find out you're spreading rumors about Dumbledore, I bet you'll accidentally encounter the most difficult exam when you graduate."
Penelope absolutely did not believe the male prefect Ditrik's words. You have to know, Dumbledore is over a hundred years old, how could he possibly have a child in their teens?
Everyone knows Dumbledore has been single his whole life, dedicating it all for the goodness of the world! Penelope, who got her hands on Dumbledore's notes, still greatly respects her headmaster.
"If it was just Gryffindor gossip, I wouldn't believe it either, but there are rumors over in Slytherin saying they found Snape furious alone in his office."
"The room was filled with a disgusting stench. Snape was guarding a reddened crucible like a madman, he didn't even notice a few students who heard the commotion and entered his office."
"He kept saying Dumbledore was downright a scoundrel, a hypocritical, cowardly, lustful pure villain... Slytherin said Snape discovered Ian was Dumbledore's child and thought it was disgraceful that Dumbledore secretly had an affair with some woman from the Prince family and kept it hidden."
"Anyway, he cursed for a long time, and what he said was quite unpleasant. The words of Slytherin students still hold some credibility." The male prefect Ditrik looked around as if afraid of being the source of gossip.
After finishing.
He also made a gesture of prayer.
Not sure if he was praying for Dumbledore to forgive his offense of repeating Snape's remarks, or hoping Merlin would protect him from being caught spreading gossip.
"Hiss..."
Penelope took a sharp breath on the spot. She went over the things she knew in her mind again, if Ian Prince changed his surname to Ian Dumbledore.
Hmm?
It doesn't seem impossible? The remarkable talent, Dumbledore's attitude, and the professors' attention all seem to make it a reasonable explanation?
Penelope was trying to gradually understand it all.
She rubbed her chin as if she had turned into Hogwarts' detective.
"Nice! This is truly excellent!"
Ian wasn't aware that in his senior's mind, he had become Hogwarts' servant of three surnames. He was feeling happy because the little wizards he taught all learned the "Obstacle Curse".
He checked the skill level he increased, to inspire the remaining few underachievers' interest in learning, Ian began to persuasively talk about the practical uses of the "Obstacle Curse".
"When being chased by magical creatures, it can help us gain a bit of time." Ian provided a general description of possible scenarios where the "Obstacle Curse" could be applied.
Among the little wizards gathered together, William, who came to sit in on the lesson, raised his hand—he was the typical down-and-out poor fellow, and for helping Ian with all his homework, it was a reward hard for Ian to refuse.
"Do you have a question, Mr. Smith?" Ian tried to appear as if he was not familiar with William, even though everyone knew William was suspected to be his lackey.
This was still able to be called avoiding suspicion.
"Do I just need to run faster than everyone else?" As expected, there's something awakening inside William, after all, what his family did still resulted in everyone staying together for some reason.
"Uh... that's not impossible." Ian thought William might be better suited to be a Death Eater, as such tradition seemed to have always existed among Death Eaters.
At this time, Michael also raised his hand.
"I've got a better idea!"
His dark face was brimming with excitement, his teeth visible under the firelight, even whiter than the skin of many white boys and girls around.
Maybe whether it's wizards or muggles, black people always have unique secrets for whitening their teeth.
"As we all know, we detest Snape's mockery, if we could transform into a Snape to mock the enemy, perhaps the enemy's firepower would be attracted by our transformed Snape! You must know, most of the wizards here in the United Kingdom graduated from Hogwarts!"
Quite the "you must attack the enemy with taunting first", Michael always has whimsical ideas making Ian feel as if he was somehow inspired.
"Genius! You're really a genius!" Ian excitedly led the applause, ensuring he didn't think transforming into a Snape would taunt enemies in a life-and-death battle. But if from a corner walked out a Tom Riddle? Still the no-nosed, eerie laughter version.
Avada Kedavra warning, who wouldn't be scared!
This definitely has some practical operational space.
"Ian Young Professor, since you called Michael a genius, why not add a point for Ravenclaw?" A little wizard stirred up the atmosphere below.
The students' thoughts are very simple, gathering together easily brings joy, and perhaps years later, those present will fondly remember today.
"Alright, alright! Ravenclaw adds one point!" Ian pleasantly makes an exception, since everyone learned the "Obstacle Curse", he genuinely feels accomplished.
Hearing Ian's joking addition of points, everyone cooperated with a shout of joy. The atmosphere on site was delightful, it was a gathering of seekers for knowledge.
It began from personal interest, a thirst for knowledge, and win-win.
It appears quietly.
Yet certainly won't vanish quietly.
Fate made Ian choose to teach through flames,
Thus, the sparks ignite from here. It will spread, expand, encompass everything, and then usher in the moment capable of reaching far and wide—just as it has been throughout history.
...
The hall of Hogwarts.
The silent night.
A crisp and long sound suddenly echoed fervently from the giant hourglass surrounded by wind-shaped eagles, as if a bead gently fell from the top to the bottom.
Ravenclaw adds one point.