Ian and Hermione continued searching for Harry on the train until they reached a compartment at the very end.
Just as Ian was about to knock on the door to inquire, he heard voices coming from inside.
"Ron, would you come with me to look for my brother? Hagrid said he's also starting as a first-year this year, and he should be on this train."
This is 100% Harry's voice!
Ian's eyes lit up and he reached out to push open the door of the carriage.
Inside, Harry and Ron turned to see who had entered. When their eyes landed on Ian and Hermione, Harry froze for a moment before his expression lit up.
"Ian… you're Ian! My brother, my little brother!" Harry shot up from his seat and strode over to Ian, gripping his shoulders tightly. "Ian, I've finally found you."
His brother—his very own brother, the family he had been longing for.
Harry pulled Ian into a tight hug, his eyes instantly reddening. It was as if he wanted to make up for ten years' worth of lost embraces all at once.
"When Hagrid told me, I could hardly believe it," Harry said emotionally, his voice trembling as tears streamed down his face. "Aunt Petunia always said that on the night our parents died, you… Ian, you're alive! It's so wonderful—you're really alive!"
Ian hugged Harry tightly in return, gently patting his back while smiling warmly, "Yes, Harry, I'm alive. We've finally met."
His act of familial love was turned up to the maximum!
From this day on, Ian vowed to embody the "emotional legacy" that Lily left for Harry.
"Hagrid said you look a lot like Mum, with her red hair and green eyes." Harry let go of Ian, carefully examining the pair of green eyes that matched his own. His gaze was filled with closeness and joy.
Ian smiled and brushed Harry's messy black hair aside. "Professor Dumbledore said you look a lot like Dad, Harry."
Harry scratched his head sheepishly and chuckled.
"Dumbledore told me you've been living with our aunt and uncle all this time. Have they treated you well?" Ian asked, concern evident in his voice.
Harry fell silent for a moment before forcing a smile. "Of course they have."
Ian glanced at Harry's slightly scrawny frame, and a trace of sadness flickered through his heart. "Harry, they didn't treat you well, did they?"
"It's not ...so bad, really," Harry quickly replied, not wanting his younger brother to worry about him.
Besides, he wasn't entirely lying. Compared to Ian, who grew up in an orphanage, Harry thought his life was already better.
Even though Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon didn't like him, and Dudley often bullied him, at least he had never been homeless, had never gone hungry, and had received an education.
But Ian? His younger brother had endured who knows how much hardship in an orphanage just to grow up to this age.
If Ian knew how richly dramatic Harry's inner thoughts were, he would surely laugh out loud and tell him he was overthinking.
Seriously, back at the orphanage, Ian had been the most popular kid. Every age group of women adored him!
And after meeting the Grangers? Let's just say things escalated. He was now enjoying a cozy connection with the future Minister for Magic while being taken in by the Grangers.
Harry exchanged a few more words of concern with Ian before remembering Ron and Hermione, who had been momentarily ignored.
"Ian, is this your friend?" Harry's gaze shifted to Hermione, and a trace of astonishment flashed in his eyes.
Just a moment ago, he had been so focused on his brother that he hadn't noticed the pretty girl standing next to him.
"She's Hermione, she is my.. um, my good friend," Ian introduced, pausing mid-sentence when he nearly blurted out "girlfriend." Considering their current age, he quickly corrected himself.
Hermione gave Ian a subtle look but didn't expose his little slip of thought.
"Hi, I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger," Hermione said with a smile, extending her hand to Harry. "Ian talks about you all the time, Harry."
"Hello, Hermione." Harry held Hermione's hand and shook it gently, "Nice to meet you."
Harry then gestured toward Ron. "This is my new friend I just met on the train—Ron Weasley."
"H-Hello, Ian" Ron was shaking right now, "It's nice to meet you."
"Hi, Ron" Ian and Hermione extended their hands to Ron who shook them with great excitement.
Ron looked thrilled and a little overwhelmed, thinking to himself that he was now friends with the Potter brothers. This was a story he could boast about for ages!
Ian noticed Ron's mix of nervousness and excitement, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Ron, it's really nice to meet you," he said with a faint smirk.
So this is the guy who ends up as Hermione's canon pairing in the books and movies, Ian thought.
He glanced at Hermione standing beside him and inwardly chuckled.
Well, not now, he thought smugly.
Little Hermione has been fooled by him since she was a child. He wants to steal his girlfriend? No way!
Harry pulled Ian to sit down and took out a purse from his arms: "This is for you, Ian," he said, handing it over. "And this—your birthday gift, little brother," he added, holding out a small box.
Ian took the purse and the box, and felt his palm sink.
"Harry..." Ian looked at the two items in his hands, his expression filled with emotion.
Everything Ian had done for Harry was ultimately for "the greater good," but Harry's genuine sincerity toward him felt good.
"This is the money Mum and Dad left for us. I was worried you wouldn't have the key..." Harry explained with a smile. "And this is your birthday present. It's two months late, but I hope you like it."
Ian opened the box, and inside was an exquisite watch.
"Thank you, brother," Ian said, looking up at his brother with bright, earnest eyes. "This is the best birthday gift I've ever received."
Harry grinned and ruffled Ian's hair. "I'm glad you like it."
"Oh, right!" Ian suddenly remembered something. "Harry, look, this is your birthday present from me."
Ian placed the glass case with the little green snake on the small table by the window. "I bought it at the Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley."
"And there's this." Ian pulled out a pouch and handed it to Harry. "When I went to Gringotts last time, I had the same thought as you. Here's 100 Galleons for you."
Harry looked at the little green snake on the table and the pouch of Galleons Ian handed him. His eyes turned red with emotion.
"Ian..." he murmured.
Ian—his little brother—thought so much about him. He bought him a birthday gift, saved money for him...
And as for what he had given Ian in return?
It didn't seem like nearly enough.
Isn't it normal for an older brother to care for his younger brother? Isn't that how it should be?
But Ian… his little brother… actually wanted to give back, too.
"Why are you crying, Harry?" Ian asked, a bit flustered as he looked at Harry's red eyes. "Don't cry, don't cry. Harry..."
Harry sniffled and smiled. "I'm not crying, Ian. I'm just so happy."
"Oh, that's good." Ian let out a sigh of relief. "You scared me for a moment—I thought you didn't like the gift."
"I love it, Ian. This is the best birthday gift I've ever received," Harry said with a smile, his gaze falling on the little green snake. A glimmer of admiration appeared in his eyes. "It's so beautiful, Ian."
Ian chuckled nervously. "Right? I thought so too."
On the side, Ron watched the interaction between Ian and Harry, his envy of Harry rising to a new level.
Look at the bond between those brothers! And then look at him and his brothers...
Ugh, comparing yourself to others really is maddening!