Hogwarts Raven

'Ding!'

'Congratulations, you have obtained the Extraordinary trait [Butcher's Instinct].'

In the kitchen, just as Ian was about to deliver the final blow to the hen, a look of surprise flashed across his face. He immediately began to examine the effects of this new trait.

Acquiring an Extraordinary trait signified a deeper understanding of a skill, a mastery that transcended mere proficiency.

Just like his Psychology trait, which had granted him "Thought Perception."

What effect did this Biology Dissection trait have?

Ian checked the trait description and discovered that [Butcher's Instinct] allowed him to instantly analyze the optimal anatomical structure of any creature.

It was a useful skill, but perhaps not revolutionary.

Looking at the hen he had caught, Ian felt as if he could see through its feathers, directly pinpointing the most efficient strike point.

With a swift motion of the knife, there was a "crack" and the hen's life was instantly ended.

The decisive move earned praise from the cooks nearby.

"Wow, Ian, your butchering skills are getting better and better!"

After slaughtering the chicken, Ian continued to help by cutting up the chicken meat.

A few swift cuts and the chicken was neatly divided.

Ian smiled and responded, "Heh, I've definitely gotten more skilled."

Since acquiring the Extraordinary trait, his progress has been rapid.

These "Extraordinary traits" were certainly remarkable, but they still felt… limited. Ian couldn't help but wonder, if he learned magic, would the Extraordinary traits associated with magic be even more powerful and awe-inspiring?

Unfortunately, he would have to wait another two weeks before the owl arrived with his letter.

Until today, Ian still didn't understand why Dumbledore wanted to do a home visit first.

Did the aura of the Wood Orphanage really have such a strong influence?

At his desk in the morning, Ian realized he could no longer concentrate on reading.

"Two weeks! I really want to learn magic!"

…

The days dragged on, and Ian felt the time passing unbearably slowly. This wasn't just impatience; it was a yearning, an excitement akin to anticipating the arrival of a long-awaited treasure.

It was the kind of excitement anyone would feel when about to step into a new world – a world of magic, a world beyond the mundane reality.

…

On this day, Ian decided to skip work.

Though he was the "boss" of his own little stall, he needed to make an adult decision. Wasn't it just a simple trip to Diagon Alley?

Could this really stump him?

Ian gathered his "fortune" and set off, relying on his faint memories of the original story, attempting to locate the [Leaky Cauldron] in the vast expanse of London.

It was a bar invisible to Muggles and only visible to wizards. Through the bar, he could enter [Diagon Alley], the heart of the wizarding world.

In the original story, Harry Potter entered Diagon Alley the same way.

So, Ian decided to give it a try.

However, he only knew the name of the pub and had no idea where it was located.

The streets were teeming with people.

Ian blended into the crowd. He traversed several blocks, but no matter how he scanned the shops on both sides of the street, he couldn't spot the pub.

"Minotaur Tavern… Jenny's Feast Hall… Tomorrow's Restaurant… KFC."

There were a variety of shops, but none of them were the ones he was looking for.

It was just like Platform Nine and Three-Quarters in the original story. The Leaky Cauldron was only visible to wizards – logically, Ian should be able to see it too; he knew he just hadn't found the right place.

"Hmm?"

As Ian continued his search, he felt a sense of unease, a feeling of being watched.

'A mugger?'

'Was organ trafficking even prevalent nowadays?'

Ian quickened his pace, turning several corners and glancing behind him. There was a figure in a black cloak, their face obscured.

Hmm.

Suddenly, everything seemed to make sense.

This outfit wasn't for cosplay.

A dark wizard, perhaps trafficking young wizards? Who knew what their motives were? It couldn't possibly be as simple as wanting an heir to inherit their dark magic.

"I'm being targeted!" Ian's heart tightened.

He felt a surge of panic.

Luckily, he spotted the entrance to the subway station. He hurriedly jogged towards it – the figure in the black cloak didn't follow him inside.

Perhaps the person didn't dare to use magic in a crowded place.

After all…

Kidnapping young wizards and going against the Ministry of Magic were two entirely different levels of crime. The intensity of the pursuit they'd face would be vastly different.

'It was probably akin to the difference between petty theft and terrorism, wasn't it?'

Ian's heart pounded.

He was relieved and quickly boarded the subway. An hour later, he was back at Wood Orphanage.

"That was truly dangerous! The magical world is definitely a chaotic place!" Ian muttered to himself.

At the entrance of the Orphanage, with its eerie, square building, Ian, his small frame moving slowly, entered. He didn't notice the two figures watching him from the shadows.

One of them was the man Ian had considered a "dark wizard."

Dumbledore's calm voice gently echoed next to the cloaked figure.

"Do you think you've been too cautious, stopping him from engaging with the magical world early?"

The cloaked figure remained silent.

Like a statue in the dark, his thoughts drifted back an hour ago when he had cast a mysterious spell on Ian, preventing him from seeing the Leaky Cauldron, which was right in front of him. It turned out that Ian hadn't failed to find the place; rather, he had been unable to see it due to magical interference.

"Diagon Alley isn't a playground for children. There are plenty of dark wizards there. I don't want him to end up like that foolish..."

The cloaked figure stopped abruptly, turned, and gazed at Dumbledore with deep eyes. After a long silence, a hoarse voice broke the quiet.

"He belongs to Slytherin."

He said no more, but after leaving that cryptic remark, the cloaked figure disappeared with a sudden Apparition, leaving behind only a faint breeze and the dissipating magic.

"Wood Orphanage…"

Dumbledore remained behind, silently watching the worn-out gates of the Orphanage. He stared at the faded nameplate as if lost in thought, a complex expression appearing on his face.

"I hope this time, I won't make a mistake again."

With a heavy sigh, Dumbledore turned and melted into the night.

But as he left, his figure appeared somewhat hunched.

(End of Chapter)