"Mr. Potter, you resemble your parents very much," Dumbledore said with a gentle smile, his tone carrying a touch of nostalgia.
Ian blinked, momentarily taken aback, then lowered his gaze.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I've never met my parents. I'm an orphan. If it weren't for Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I'd probably still be living in the orphanage."
He thought to himself that surely, faced with such a pitiful story, Dumbledore wouldn't have the heart to continue probing him.
But, as it turned out, Dumbledore absolutely could.
[Ding! Albus Dumbledore's use of Legilimency on the host has been detected! The system has automatically scripted a 'life story' in the host's mind!]
Hearing the mechanical voice in his head, Ian's mouth twitched slightly.
The old bee really was that suspicious—using Legilimency on him already?
Thankfully, with the system's help, he wasn't worried about Dumbledore detecting anything unusual.
If Harry could play the role of "Saint Potter," then so could he… just a matter of acting!
Ian grumbled inwardly, but outwardly, he maintained a blank, slightly bewildered expression as he looked at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore's eyes softened with a hint of apology as he gazed back at Ian.
Dumbledore hadn't intended to use Legilimency on a young wizard, but Ian Potter's identity was too unique, requiring him to proceed with caution.
However, after casting Legilimency, Dumbledore's gaze softened as he looked at Ian.
What he saw was a young boy who had grown up in an orphanage yet remained kind-hearted and optimistic. Despite the hardships life had dealt him, he bore no resentment toward the world and, instead, held hope and anticipation for the future.
Dumbledore withdrew his gaze, smiling at Ian. "My boy, perhaps you don't know this yet, but your parents were truly remarkable wizards."
"Oh, really?" Ian replied with a deliberately sarcastic smile. "Would a pair of outstanding wizards abandon their child?"
"When the head of the orphanage found me, all I had on me was a tag with my name. My parents… abandoned me."
As he spoke, Ian reached into his collar and pulled out a thin red string with a small silver tag attached, engraved with the name "Ian."
"This is the only thing I have that connects me to my past."
Dumbledore looked at the silver tag in Ian's hand, remaining silent for a few seconds before speaking slowly. "Your parents never abandoned you, Ian."
"On the contrary, they loved you very much."
"Ian, your parents had to leave you for special reasons," Dumbledore said, a trace of sadness in his voice. "They sacrificed their lives to protect you and your brother."
Hearing Dumbledore's words, Ian's face displayed shock and disbelief, though inwardly, he couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.
Mother.
He knew Dumbledore wasn't lying—his parents had indeed died to protect him and Harry, especially Lily. Ian's first memory upon entering this world had been of Lily standing protectively in front of him and Harry.
"Sacrificed…" Ian murmured, repeating the word, his eyes slightly reddening. "Could you tell me… how they sacrificed themselves?"
He let his acting shine, bringing tears to his eyes almost instantly!
Dumbledore was silent for a moment before he slowly began to explain the events of that night to Ian.
He kept it simple, without mentioning the prophecy, only saying that James and Lily had fought Voldemort fiercely to protect their children but were tragically killed in the end.
After listening to Dumbledore's story, Ian remained silent for a long while.
Even though he had known the truth all along, hearing it directly from Dumbledore couldn't help but stir something within him.
Motherly love is truly remarkable!
Seeing Ian's teary eyes, even the usually strict Professor McGonagall felt a maternal tenderness rise within her.
She spoke softly, "Ian, your parents were heroes—remarkable wizards. Your father, James Potter, was brave and clever, and your mother, Lily Evans, was a beautiful and kind-hearted witch."
"But… if they were still here, I would rather they weren't heroes. I just want them as my mom and dad," Ian said, his voice choked with emotion.
His words moved everyone present, and the Granger family felt a wave of sympathy for him. Hermione walked over to Ian and held his hand, as if lending him strength.
"Ian, you have me, and Mom and Dad!"
Hermione said, looking at him with unwavering determination. "We'll always be here for you. We're your family."
Feeling the warmth of Hermione's hand, Ian couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth within himself.
Watching Ian and Hermione together, a glimmer of insight passed through Dumbledore's eyes.
Love is the most powerful magic, indeed!
"Professor Dumbledore," Ian began, taking a deep breath to gather his courage, "you mentioned my brother earlier… My brother… is he still alive?"
"Yes, Ian, he is," Dumbledore replied with a gentle smile. "His name is Harry, and he is also currently living in the Muggle world."
"Professor Dumbledore, may I… may I meet him?" Ian asked, looking at Dumbledore with a hint of hope in his eyes.
"Of course, Ian, you and your brother will definitely meet," Dumbledore said with a smile. "However, not just yet. Right now, we have something more pressing to attend to—you and Miss Granger need to go to Diagon Alley to purchase your school supplies."
Hearing this, Ian felt a bit disappointed, but he understood that such things couldn't be rushed.
In truth, he really did want to meet Harry, the black-haired, green-eyed boy from his early memories.
Ian sighed inwardly, but he kept his expression calm and obediently nodded. "Understood, Professor Dumbledore."
"Good, Ian," Dumbledore said, smiling. "Now, let's head to Diagon Alley."
He stood up and took a golden pocket watch from his pocket. "This is a Portkey. It will take us to London." Dumbledore handed the pocket watch to Ian, who took it, feeling its unexpected weight. Though it appeared ordinary, it had a substantial heft in his hand.
"What should I do, Professor?" Ian asked, looking hesitantly at the watch in his hand.
"It's quite simple, my boy," Dumbledore replied, indicating for the Granger family to hold onto the watch as well. He murmured the password, "Portus."
The moment the words left Dumbledore's mouth, Ian felt a dizzying sensation, as if he were being pulled into a void. He and the Grangers held tightly onto each other as they spun away.
A few seconds later, their feet were on solid ground again.
Ian opened his eyes in a daze, and what came into view was a shabby bar.
Ian's eyes flashed, and he subconsciously clenched the pocket watch in his hand.
The Leaky Cauldron...