Ravenclaw did leave something for future generations, but the other founders did not consider this. After hanging the apple, Gryffindor then spoke to Ian.
"Of course, Salazar's acknowledgment might help you find the deed you want... If you haven't dug up his descendants' bones to make those books."
He even knew about Ian's interest in Hogwarts' deed.
"Do you usually spy on the little wizards?" Ian had never seen Gryffindor's figure in the portraits, yet he didn't expect the other party to seem to know so much about him.
"The portraits are part of Hogwarts, and they can know most of the things Hogwarts witnesses." Gryffindor patted the leaves on himself.
"Of course, as portraits of the founders, we are certainly more special than other portraits, and each of us has a secret room in Hogwarts. Except for Helga's, which is not deliberately concealed, the others are hidden where no one else can find them." Gryffindor's explanation probably clarified why Ian's Living Map could only find the Room of Requirement.
Because only this room didn't hide its existence in Hogwarts' 'system'.
"So you also have a secret room."
Ian's heart stirred slightly.
He knew the entrance to Slytherin's Secret Chamber, and perhaps he could explore it once he learned Parseltongue, and he felt curious about the secret rooms of the other two founders.
"You can't see me in the castle's portraits because I always stay in my little room. In fact, if it wasn't for finding your behavior truly outrageous, I wouldn't have chosen to come out and talk to you." Gryffindor raised an eyebrow, his voice carrying a hint of a reminder.
"Salazar is very vengeful, and his portrait must be like him. If you suddenly find his secret chamber, be careful that it might be his portrait intentionally letting you find it."
Gryffindor's words made Ian frown slightly.
"I'll be careful."
Ian sighed a bit helplessly. Were it not for last night's indulgence, what he actually wanted to create was a talking skeleton, which might seem more respectful than turning the Gaunt Clan into books?
"Haven't you encountered the portrait of Slytherin's ancestor at school?"
He remembered there was no portrait in the secret chamber, but it's hard to tell, as there were indeed too many secrets at Hogwarts that he could not know in the original work.
"Yes, but I guess he must have made and left a portrait of himself." Gryffindor replied with certainty, and after pondering for a moment, he continued, "Although we had a dispute back then for some reason, this school is ultimately the labor of love of the four of us."
"He merely left, not that he didn't care about this place." Ian agreed with this view, as undoubtedly all four founders had unique emotions and ties to Hogwarts.
Ian nodded thoughtfully before suddenly asking curiously, "Why haven't I seen Lady Helga? Is this Room of Requirement her secret room?"
Faced with this question, Gryffindor just sighed.
"There is her portrait in the Hufflepuff common room, but it doesn't carry much of her aura, perhaps because her death was too sudden back then."
Gryffindor's portrait showed some sadness; even though it was just a character in a painting, his emotions for the other founders were apparently no different from Gryffindor himself.
"Hmm?"
Ian also somewhat understood what the portrait meant by 'aura'.
He truly researched the essence of portraits. A portrait with "wisdom" doesn't necessarily require the person's death. The reason these portraits can move and think doesn't depend on the painter. Yes, the level of wisdom in the portraits entirely depends on the 'spiritual aura' left by the depicted wizard.
Wizards leave their 'spiritual aura' in places they frequent while alive. The stronger the wizard, the stronger the 'spiritual aura' they leave. The painter's skill affects how much of this 'spiritual aura' they can convey in the portrait. Some skilled painters may even imbue their personality traits into the painting.
In certain circumstances, this might cause a powerful and intelligent wizard to potentially have an even more capable portrait. Of course, this would certainly affect how well the portrait represents the wizard. From this perspective, it's barely inaccurate for this young Gryffindor portrait to say he's more like the real person.
"Did Hufflepuff's ancestor die suddenly?"
It's not the first time Ian heard such a claim. Dumbledore had mentioned to him when discussing the founders' three transactions that Hufflepuff's ancestor's end was unfortunate.
"Such tragedy isn't for you little wizards to gossip about." Gryffindor had no intention of answering Ian's question, he just sighed heavily with great sadness.
"Then can you tell me about the transaction Hufflepuff witnessed?" Ian opted to step back, feeling that he had uncovered a significant ancient secret.
"I know the transaction you mentioned exists, but I don't know its specific content. After all, I'm just a portrait, and Gryffindor, who made me, didn't imbue me with memories of that aspect." Gryffindor in the portrait shrugged and, after a moment's hesitation, added.