The Old Ones of Hogwarts

Chapter 20: The Professor's Weakness! We've Got It!

Ian really doesn't like dealing with riddle people.

He only likes to be the riddle teller.

Fortunately, although the mysterious witch had picked up some of the bad habits of wizards, her love of riddles wasn't too serious. Seeing Ian's bewildered little eyes, she gave him a detailed explanation.

"You and that little girl have often talked about a dark wizard named Tom on the grass by the river over the years, and about how dangerous it is to go to that school called Hogwarts... Maybe next time you should keep your voices down a little." The mysterious witch had clearly gotten used to Ian's "dullness."

This was truly an answer Ian hadn't expected.

But it seems so reasonable.

observe?

It's more like eavesdropping!

Ian inwardly grumbled at the other person, but on the surface he forced an awkward smile, "I didn't expect that you had been secretly observing me for so long."

What else could he say?

Of course, I can only mention some classic questions and answers from "The Road to Civil Servant Promotion"! Ian learned them before he transmigrated but never had a chance to use them. I never expected that he could use them in such a strange place now.

"An investigation, yes...an investigation." When the mysterious witch narrowed her eyes, they resembled crescent moons. She didn't look innocent and lovely; instead, she seemed to have a cunning, fox-like quality.

"We've talked for a long time, and I've answered many of your silly questions, but until now, I don't recall ever hearing you call me 'teacher'?"

It was still that slightly languid and gentle tone, but beneath the witch's seemingly calm voice lay a barely perceptible sharpness.

"That's because you haven't told me your name yet." Ian immediately perked up, bowed slightly, and proved with his actions that he was not truly "dull-witted".

"You can call me Teacher Mara."

The witch Mara's lips curled into a slight smile. Her smile seemed to hold a deeper meaning, like a flower blooming in the rainforest—beautiful yet thorny.

"Teacher Mara."

Ian blurted it out immediately.

He looked like a well-behaved child.

but.

At the same time, he was also wondering to himself—in the Harry Potter stories that most people are familiar with, he seemed to have never heard of any famous witch with this name.

Is it a pseudonym?

Or was this teacher's name simply buried under the dust of history over time? Hmm, then it seems this teacher wasn't an exceptionally powerful wizard. After all, the names of the most outstanding individuals, whether it's the four great wizards of Hogwarts or Merlin, never fade with time.

of course.

Teacher Mara may come from a much earlier era, or perhaps this wasn't her original name, but a name she gave herself as her memories faded.

Thinking about this...

Ian couldn't help but recall some of the things that Teacher Mara had said earlier. His heart stirred slightly, and he couldn't help but ask with a bit of curiosity and doubt.

"Teacher Mara, you said you no longer possess the power and magic you had when you were alive?" Ian asked cautiously, but still drew the witch's intense and intimidating gaze.

"Do you think I can't teach you anything?"

The witch smiled broadly.

"Of course not, I'm just curious about those runaway cutlery. Weren't they enchanted?" Ian avoided eye contact with the witch by looking around.

"The mortal world can take away my magic, strip me of my power and bloodline, but..." The witch leaned back on the bench, raising her slender finger to point to her head.

"Knowledge will never betray its owner, my apprentice. Remember, knowledge is the most precious treasure we possess, and it will accompany us on every journey."

"Until...the very end."

For the first time, the witch finally gave Ian a serious and meaningful lecture.

"at last?"

Ian looked at the witch.

"For me, and for all the souls here, that represents the unknown future," the witch replied with a smile, her tone even carrying a hint of anticipation.

Every soul lingering in the dreamlike illusion still harbors a lingering obsession. To be honest, Ian is genuinely curious about what kind of obsession plagues Mara, who is full of anticipation for the future. However, because this might touch upon the scars of some souls, he dares not ask why she remains in the dreamlike illusion.

"Teacher Mara, what kind of knowledge can I learn?" Since he had already been addressed as "teacher," Ian naturally hoped to learn with great eagerness.

"Spells or potions, which do you want to learn first?" The witch Mara was clearly very confident in her abilities; her tone and demeanor spoke volumes.

"You can also brew potions?"

Ian was somewhat taken aback.

I wonder who is stronger in this field, Mara or Snape? Perhaps it's Snape from many years later.

"certainly."

The witch Mara nodded noncommittally, then suddenly changed the subject, "However, this is a very high-barrier field. Few people can appreciate the wonderful feeling of the crucible simmering over a low flame, emitting white smoke and a truly fragrant aroma. Even fewer can truly feel the magic contained in the liquid flowing into people's veins."

Her long, drawn-out voice seemed to contain the mystery of ancient legends.

only.

How do you hear it?

Ian's name sounds familiar.

"Um, are you going to tell me next that, as long as I'm not a fool, you can teach me how to increase my reputation, cultivate glory, and even prevent death?"

How could I not be familiar with it!

Snape's opening remarks to the new students every year!

Do all you potions players use the same script?

"Oh."

The witch Mara was slightly taken aback at first, then let out a soft laugh, "It seems that I still have a trace of my existence in the mortal world."

What does that mean?

Ian's thoughts raced.

He immediately understood what the other person meant—Snape was a plagiarist!

Have you ever written such words?

Ian's eyes lit up.

My gossipy nature was aroused.

He felt he had discovered Snape's great secret.

"Of course, I should have left behind a book."

The witch Mara whispered softly, as if lost in memories, yet unable to grasp the recollections that had faded with time. A trace of sadness flashed across her delicate face.

but.

Ian, however, was unaware of it.

He was still reeling from the shocking revelation that Snape was a plagiarist.

Thinking about it, it does make sense!

Snape once received a book left behind by his teacher, Mara!

Perhaps they went looking for it on purpose?

After all, Snape had a passion for potions and would naturally seek out those unknown ancient potion books. It was indeed possible that he would obtain the potion books left behind by Teacher Mara.

Phrases like "A king cannot be humiliated" and "Bearing the burden of all living beings, ruling alone for eternity" are examples. Our mixed-race prince may have seen the inspiring words that ignited his adolescent spirit in Teacher Mara's book. From then on, he copied down these words and made them his opening remarks to the new students every year.

hiss!

The more I think about it, the more likely it seems!

Ian felt he had caught Snape red-handed!

after all.

Just as Wu Cheng'en couldn't have written Journey to the West after playing Black Myth, Teacher Mara is an old ghost who has been dead for many years. It's impossible that she stole Snape's classic quotes, right?