"You know, we're all kids that Miss Yelena picked up. She often brings back children, but a few weeks ago, she brought back a quiet uncle."
"That uncle is a good person, often teaching us to write and draw, but he only comes out before six o'clock. After six, no matter what happens, he doesn't come out."
Catherine's description piqued Ian's interest.
"Can you take me to find him?"
Ian put away his luggage, stuffed his small suitcase into the wardrobe, and locked it. Then he followed Catherine to a corner room that he remembered as unused.
"Knock, knock~"
Catherine helped Ian knock on the door.
"Is Hogwarts fun?"
She couldn't resist lowering her voice to ask.
"Of course, when you're old enough for school, I'll take you to Hogwarts. You can walk around there without worries." Ian patted Catherine's head fondly.
"Do mages all walk sideways?"
Catherine's imagination was quite unique.
"Uh... that's a metaphor. It means you don't have to worry about bullying at school. If anyone bothers you, just tell me, and I'll give them a good lesson."
Ian stifled a laugh as he explained to Catherine.
The little girl seemed thoughtful.
"I get it!"
She suddenly slapped her forehead.
"You're the school bully!"
Catherine looked like she had discovered some big revelation, her eyes shining.
"I'm no school bully. I only pick on bullies." Ian quickly defended his reputation with a serious face, which didn't fool Catherine.
"Then I got it! You're the bully of all bullies! King of Kings!"
This was clearly a smart girl.
"..."
Ian helplessly wiped his eyes.
"Let's just knock on the door. Isn't he in the room?"
He changed the topic.
"No, this uncle never leaves the room at night." With that, Catherine raised her little hand again, gently knocking on the door.
The force was very slight.
Perhaps the person inside couldn't hear it clearly.
"Let me do it."
Ian raised his fist and pounded hard on the door.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
The violent noise made the doorframe shake a few times.
"That's the aura of a school bully."
Catherine's eyes sparkled, as if convinced of her judgment.
"Who is it?"
Before Ian could correct her, a tired voice came from inside the door. Perhaps when Catherine knocked lightly, the person inside was sleeping.
"Uncle, my brother is back. He said he wants to see you." Catherine shouted towards the door and then lowered her voice to whisper to Ian.
"I don't think he'll see us. Once it's past six, even if gold coins rain outside, I feel this uncle won't step out of his room."
She had just finished her confident statement.
"Creak~"
The old wooden door was opened by someone.
"I heard someone mention gold coins? Where can I pick them up?" A tousled head popped out from the doorway, with an unkempt beard and a somewhat weathered face.
Clearly looking only in their thirties, but so young with wrinkles and gray hair. Light brown hair mixed with many gray strands.
Just from appearance, this matched Ian's stereotype of a vagrant.
"Huh?"
The little girl was dumbfounded when the door opened, and the "strange uncle" came out.
"Maybe Uncle Lupin is in a good mood today. This is my brother. He's the uncle Miss Yelena saved." With a somewhat red face, Catherine was very embarrassed, feeling like she got slapped in the face, she couldn't stay still. Immediately, she introduced the two to each other and dashed towards the dining hall.
Stewed carrot and cabbage with meat.
Who doesn't love that?
If you go late, you won't get any.
The little girl justified her actions to herself.
"Lupin?"
Ian was slightly bewildered as he sized up the tall, thin man. He wore a torn cotton coat, showing obvious signs of patching everywhere.
"Remus Lupin?"
Ian, somewhat doubtful, confirmed again.
"Remus John Lupin… do you know me?" The weathered-looking man corrected Ian, equivalent to verifying his identity that perhaps not many people still remembered.
Of course.
Ian's knowledge about this person wasn't much, but he knew some of the general details, not just because of memories from a past life, but also from asking professors about this poor soul at school.
It's mainly about researching the Wolf Poison Potion. There are many werewolves in the world. If he could produce a cheap and effective potion, he would surely gain the werewolves' favor and enthusiasm.
To put it simply.
Ian actually did come up with a few things. Werewolves indeed count as an infectious disease, not the shortcut Animagus form he initially speculated. Similar to the famous "Dragon Pox," werewolves are also a magical disease, more precisely, an infectious disease called "Mad Wolf Syndrome."
It spreads through saliva and blood contact among people. Trying to help werewolves remove side effects through discovering a new Animagus form is not feasible.
"I know a little?"
Ian blinked in response.