Hogwarts Raven

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The girl was undeniably beautiful. Even under Ian's discerning gaze, he couldn't find a single flaw on her face. 

She surpassed any beauty standard he'd encountered online. Her skin was as fair as white snow, glowing faintly in the sunlight. A cold, elegant aura radiated from her delicate features, accentuated by her platinum-blonde hair, through which golden light danced.

"I've seen you before," She said, her voice young and clear.

"Uh, I think that must have been in Diagon Alley. I bought my wand before you did," Ian replied, recognizing her immediately.

Ollivander's Wand Shop. He had nearly bumped into her aloof parent there.

"Is that so?" She replied noncommittally, her gaze fixed on his face. Her heterochromatic eyes shimmered like gemstones.

"Yeah, that's right." Ian raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit self-conscious under her intense scrutiny. Little girls had stared at him before, but never with such unique and captivating eyes.

He found her beauty truly dazzling. Despite having features arguably more handsome than a young Leonardo DiCaprio, he felt slightly inferior to this girl.

"Can I help you with anything? Kraft had to step out, so I'm temporarily in charge," She finally looked away. Kraft was likely the bookstore owner's name.

"I'd like to sell these three books back to him and then pick out some potions textbooks," Ian said, offering a warm smile. It wasn't teenage infatuation; he had the mind of an adult. Of course, he wouldn't entertain such thoughts about a young girl.

Leaving a good impression was simply about getting a good price.

Hmm. What's the charm of a minor compared to golden galleons?

"Selling and buying books? Certainly."

Her gaze fell on the three thick wizarding books covering most of his chest.

"So you're the overambitious little wizard Kraft mentioned," She said, recognizing the titles with surprise.

Her impolite remark was clear. Ian had become a subject of amusement in the bookstore owner's conversations.

Ian's smile stiffened.

"Sorry," She quickly apologized, as if she'd committed a grave offense.

"Thud!"

The book on her lap fell to the ground. Flustered, she bent down to retrieve it, offering a sincere explanation to Ian. It was unexpected behavior for someone with such an aloof demeanor.

"I didn't mean to mock you. Those were Kraft's exact words. I was just repeating them... Uh, I think he was definitely mocking you, though."

'Wow! Your explanation just made it worse!'

"Magical script is indeed a bit difficult for me," Ian forced a smile. He hadn't expected such an indescribable sense of marvel from this seemingly aloof and arrogant girl.

"Yes, it's the same for me."

She placed the book back on the table and took the three from him. Ian noticed the book she'd been reading: Runes Analysis and Research. A title he hadn't heard of. Or perhaps it wasn't a book at all. 

Most book covers had gilded titles, but hers was handwritten with a quill. Maybe it was a notebook? In any case, it was likely more advanced than the basic books he'd bought.

"It's a third-year elective. I was just curious," Ian sighed pretentiously, avoiding any show-off behavior.

"Are you a first-year new student at Hogwarts?" Her eyes sparkled.

"Yes, Ian Prince. If nothing goes wrong, we'll probably be classmates?" Ian remembered she'd also recently bought a wand.

"Maybe. The headmaster hasn't approved my application yet... I'm Aurora Grindelwald."

She seemed nervous during the introduction. Her heterochromatic eyes held his, making him feel puzzled. Was she expecting a handshake?

Thinking this, Ian extended his hand.

She hesitated, then quickly shook it.

"That's a nice name," Ian complimented her habitually. Her surname felt familiar, but he couldn't quite place it, as if it were hidden behind a fog.

"Thank you. You're quite brave too," She said, seemingly relieved.

Her words left Ian scratching his head.

Noticing his confusion, Aurora's eyes darted away. She quickly looked at the three books.

"Kraft said if you came to sell the books, he'd buy them back for three golden galleons."

This was clearly a change of topic, but Ian didn't notice. He felt disappointed.

"The old man actually gave specific instructions." Ian had planned to tell a little white lie to get a better price, but the bookstore owner had been thorough.

"I kept them in great condition and only read them for a few days. Maybe they're worth four golden galleons!" Ian probed relentlessly.

Unexpectedly, "That makes sense. Four golden galleons, then," she readily agreed.

Leaving Ian at a loss.

"Uh... Then could you get me some second-hand potions textbooks?" Ian had to swallow the pile of arguments he had prepared.

"Sure. I think the potions books are..." Aurora looked around the cluttered bookstore, her eyes growing blank.

"I'll find them myself."

He noticed her embarrassment. Fortunately, he was familiar with the bookstore and quickly located potions textbooks from first to seventh year from the scattered piles.

"How much?"

Ian looked at the towering stack of books, unease settling in. He wasn't sure if the money in his pouch, combined with the earnings from selling the magical script books, would be enough.

'Curse this knowledge monopoly! This corrupt wizarding world! Was there no Big Boss in the wizarding world to bring down the price of these magical books?'

"Let me see..." Aurora tried to check the prices on the back of the books, but most of the price tags were worn or torn off.

The aloof girl now looked bewildered.

"How much do you think they're worth?" After a long pause, Aurora feigned calmness and probed.

"I think... one golden galleon?" Ian responded with the belief that shameless audacity often prevails.

"Hiss, at that price, if Kraft finds out, he'll be so mad he'll jump up and hit... hit his own face!" Aurora gasped.

Her strange description left Ian puzzled. But now wasn't the time to ponder why Kraft wouldn't hit Aurora.

"I'm not buying. I'm renting. I'll return them eventually."

Ian, of course, couldn't afford to spend a single galleon on books worth far more. He planned to simply copy the contents with a quill. Wizarding quills had automatic transcription capabilities.

"He'll notice, won't he?" Aurora's tone was hesitant.

'Renting books? The shop didn't offer such a service.'

"There are so many books here, and he only took over a few months ago. He's clearly never organized the inventory. How would he know you rented some out cheaply?"

Ian lowered his voice, employing his most persuasive "reasonable" analysis. It wasn't that he couldn't afford to buy them, but renting was more cost-effective. After all, a single book could only provide so much knowledge. He was destined to need many, many books.

"Think about it. He's too lazy to even cast a simple organizing charm. That proves tha he doesn't care much about these books. Meanwhile, I'm a book lover who treasures knowledge."

"Miss Grindelwald! You must understand this! The purpose of knowledge is to be learned, not to rot in a corner until it turns to dust!"

Ian, having honed his exaggerated eloquence while running his divination stall, began his brainwashing leaving the girl named Aurora dumbfounded.

Her gaze at Ian was filled with admiration.

"I admire your eloquence, but Kraft would never agree. He cares a lot about golden galleons." Aurora hesitated but still shook her head.

"I don't deny that, but clearly, neither of us knows the actual price of these books, right?" Ian glanced at the door, then put on his most sincere expression.

"As a customer, I definitely don't want to get the short end of the stick."

His words made Aurora nod in agreement.

(To Be Continued)