"Did you know? Professor Lockhart is releasing a new book!"
"Really? Even though he's very strict and loves to scare people, I'm still a fan of his. Didn't he say this year he had no plans to publish any new books?"
"Professor Lockhart said Hogwarts inspired him. He wants to write a brand-new story about Hogwarts. I even sneaked a peek at his manuscript in his office!"
"What is it? Does it have anything to do with us?"
"It's 'Magic Dumbledore'! It's a biography of our great headmaster! This is the first time Professor Lockhart writes from someone else's perspective!"
"Oh! That's really exciting! Maybe we'll see the story of Dumbledore battling Grindelwald!"
...
Grindelwald seems to be really letting loose, and under Lockhart's name, he actually plans to release a book. Ian doesn't doubt the value or authenticity of this book; he's just curious if the real Lockhart has indeed croaked. Otherwise, how could Grindelwald pull off such a thing?
"Quirrell, Grindelwald, Voldemort... none of them can stop my love for learning." Ian returned and borrowed a few books in the library, studying diligently until closing time, working harder than usual because his Alchemy would likely achieve Extraordinary Traits in the coming days.
...
The sky grew darker.
Leaving the library, Ian glanced out the window. The clouds and lightning were even more intense than when it started raining; raindrops poured down like lines.
They obscured the distant Forbidden Forest and dampened Ian's desire for a night stroll. He could only return to the Ravenclaw common room and decided to give the little wizards a spell class.
The little partners listened attentively.
Ian taught with enthusiasm.
"Five points for Ravenclaw!"
Finally, when everyone skillfully mastered the Accio, Ian ended the evening's tutorial with what seemed like a recent customary joke.
The little wizards, while dissatisfied, began to return in turns, and some stayed behind in the common room to practice magic. Of course, many began self-studying Muggle courses to tackle the bronze eagle head. Whether higher or lower year students, all had frequently been troubled by the bronze eagle head.
Recently, the clever little witches didn't like chatting with Ian because they found that each time they had a pleasant conversation with Ian, they would encounter tricky questions from the bronze eagle.
"It must be in love with you."
This was Qiu Zhang's sentiment often mentioned to Ian. Ian had tried reasoning with the bronze eagle, but it remained displeased with others taking up Ian's time.
Because of love?
Of course not.
"Look, I've even learned to be selfish. This is the wisdom you've bestowed upon me, but I want more wisdom," was the bronze eagle's original response to Ian.
It indeed seemed much cleverer and more personified than before, making Ian feel like he was training a magical version of artificial intelligence.
Of course.
The bronze eagle denied Ian's view on this point and firmly believed it was about to have real life.
"Let me out, you silly bird!"
When everyone had gone to bed, Ian smoothly slipped out of the common room. The rain was likely to last all night, but his destination wasn't the Forbidden Forest; it was the Room of Requirement—regardless of why Quirrell had returned early, it wouldn't hurt to brew more Infinite Firepower Potions.
"Snape's asleep, Quirrell's in the kitchen, alright, alright, the Zero Dollar Purchase operation begins!" Ian first confirmed the positions of dangerous individuals in the silent corridor. He really didn't want to freeload Snape's precious materials, but who got Snape to mock his payment behavior last time?
To avoid being further mocked by the good uncle for his foolishness and smartness, Ian could only save his Galleons tearfully, and each time he had to take some other materials to create confusion.
This was a necessary task that indeed kept Snape from being so vigilant. Why else would one say Snape's teachings were hands-on? Ian had observed that those who stole Snape's materials at Hogwarts were definitely not just him and the twins; each seventh-year student belonged to habitual offenders.
"I'm just taking a little more than others." After putting away his Living Map, Ian began his wanderings, even having the mind to inquire with the artworks about Gryffindor's adventures.
"He was chased by a dog and ran who knows where." The artworks were happy to describe the founder's ordeal to Ian, vividly recounting the spectacular scenes of the afternoon.
"Worthy of a founder, he indeed has extraordinary agility, able to run all over Hogwarts without being bitten." Ian listened eagerly, though he was simultaneously puzzled; if his Evil Dog chased Gryffindor and found the Treasure Vault, it should have returned to lead him there.
Did Gryffindor's artwork find a way to deal with the Evil Dog painted by himself?
Probably so.
Realizing this, Ian felt a bit unwilling again.
"I need to think of a way to lure him out again, then next time I see him, I'll directly paint some King Kongs to chase him. I don't believe a piece of artwork can deal with King Kongs."