In the Apocalypse, I Can Enter Hogwarts

Chapter 97 The Magic Mirror of Erised

Professor McGonagall, upon hearing Ian's answer, was not angry at all; instead, she said happily:

"It seems you understand all of this, which is excellent. I was just thinking about how to tell you this. I don't require you to publish it now, or even this year. As long as you can finish your thesis before graduation, that's enough."

Ian breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this; he really didn't want to disrupt his study plans for the sake of an award or a paper.

Looking back, this result is quite good. After several years of reflection, he may actually be able to compete for the so-called Most Promising Newcomer Award.

"No problem, I'll definitely finish my thesis before graduation," Ian replied confidently.

……

Time flies, and Ian spent the rest of his days in quiet contentment.

With weekly Transfiguration club sessions and twice-weekly Snape lessons, his magical abilities were slowly but steadily improving, with no major weaknesses.

As Christmas approaches, Hogwarts is enveloped in a joyful and relaxed atmosphere. Under this atmosphere, all the professors have chosen to reduce or even stop assigning homework, and no points will be deducted. In short, everyone will have a good Christmas.

Of course, this record still needs to be kept, and we'll process it all together when we get back from the holiday...

In this environment, Ian completely forgot about his plans. After all, this was his first Christmas in the magical world, and he wanted to have some kind of ceremony.

He was wearing a second-hand camera that Ivy had given him around his neck. Although it was second-hand, it was actually just as Ivy had said, except that it was unpackaged and looked almost new.

He strolled around the campus, selecting locations and angles, and then took photos. He planned to make a Hogwarts photo album to take back before returning to the apocalypse, so that Eileen could also see it.

Having spent so much time together, he had long regarded Eileen as family. Moreover, the discovery of the special parasite last time made him even more certain that there might really be no survivors in the apocalypse, and ordinary people would have absolutely no chance of winning against the special parasite.

Ian took photos of the kitchen, auditorium, corridors, staircases, and classrooms, some by himself and others by random passersby.

Wandering aimlessly through the castle, one might not only discover hidden gems of beauty, but also... get lost...

Yes, Ian felt he was losing his way down the stairs to the upper floors. He could barely make out that he was on the sixth floor of the castle, but as time passed, he pushed open door after door, trying to find the way he came, but still couldn't find any corridor to leave through.

But he still didn't plan to summon the phoenix. He found the adventure in the ancient castle quite interesting and thought it was all very fascinating.

Finally, he pushed open a door. Behind the door was another abandoned classroom, with desks and chairs haphazardly placed in the corner. Facing the door was something that seemed out of place in this dilapidated room: an exceptionally ornate mirror, almost reaching the ceiling, supported at the bottom by two dragon claw-shaped feet.

Looking at the inscription engraved on the top of the gold frame: Erised straehrou oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi.

"The Mirror of Eris...hasn't it been placed yet..." Ian murmured to himself, looking at the mirror that was arguably the most recognizable in the entire series.

"I think so... but I placed it where it was destined to be the day before Christmas," an old voice said slowly.

Ian knew who it was without even guessing. "So, dear Headmaster, you're also planning to use the mirror to test my desires?"

Hearing his somewhat teasing tone, Dumbledore, unusually embarrassed, said, "I'm sorry, I never intended to do that. It's just that someone triggered the magic I set up on the door, so I came to check the situation."

"Ha, even if it's a test, I don't care. But since I've encountered it, I'll use it to reflect on my inner self," Ian said nonchalantly.

Dumbledore nodded and said softly, "Yes, it reflects our inner selves, revealing our strongest and most urgent desires. But its true nature, I think you know without me saying it..."

Upon hearing this, Ian suddenly laughed: "Hahaha, of course, seeing the principal give our savior a lesson in mind analysis in the future, that would be one of the few truly fun things to do."

Dumbledore's expression immediately turned somewhat helpless, much like a true old man facing his mischievous grandson—unable to scold or punish him, yet forced to make things very awkward for him...

"It just so happens that I also need to talk to you, which saves me the trouble of making a trip to the eighth-floor office. But wait a minute, let me take a look in the mirror."

Joking aside, he still respected Dumbledore very much; this centenarian was indeed remarkable.

As he spoke, Ian slowly walked to the Mirror of Erised. Dumbledore looked at the figure standing there motionless and chose not to disturb him, but simply waited quietly.

After a long silence, a complex sigh escaped.

Dumbledore, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "Would you mind talking to an old man like me? I sense you're feeling somewhat sad, and it seems like such emotions shouldn't be present at your age..."

"I'm fine, I just want to go home... but I can't go back..." Ian's voice was low. He had only been standing for a few minutes, but an inexplicable feeling of exhaustion made him sit down on the ground to rest.

"I can't go back either, but Hogwarts is my home now." Dumbledore also sat down on the ground, looking straight at Ian.

"Furthermore, I hope you won't dwell too much on the past, as it will plunge you into endless sorrow. I'll move this mirror to another place in a bit."

"Well, it's up to you. I'm not going to look at it again anyway," Ian said nonchalantly. "Besides, compared to my past self, I'm incredibly lucky to have come to Hogwarts..."

Seeing the sincere expression on the other person's face, Dumbledore suddenly said with a touch of mischief:

"Then you can consider this place your home. Perhaps when I go on another great adventure in the future, that principal's office will be where you live, and my portrait will hang there."

Ian rolled his eyes immediately upon hearing this and refused without hesitation, saying, "Don't even think about it. If you don't clean up this mess, who will want to settle down here? Besides, what about Professor McGonagall? To her, Hogwarts is just as important as you."

After thinking for a moment, he said thoughtfully, "Perhaps, after graduation, I'll come back and apply for the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, provided that you completely resolve the trouble left by Tom."

-------------

(P.S.: New book, please add to your favorites, recommend, invest in, and vote with monthly tickets.)

A heartfelt thank you to all the readers! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

The seedlings need your help and support!

(P.S.: New book, please add to your favorites, recommend, invest in, and vote with monthly tickets.)

A heartfelt thank you to all the readers! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

The seedlings need your help and support!

(End of this chapter)