...
No need to guess, it's obvious.
The last sentence came from a Slytherin student. Even though students of all ages were somewhat afraid of Ian, they couldn't help but gossip about him in private.
Rumor had it that within Slytherin College, there was a "Prince Resistance Alliance." Most of its members were little wizards of various ages who had been bullied or humiliated by Ian.
Upon discovering the existence of this organization, Ian curiously asked Aurora about it and was surprised to learn that Miss Daphne Greengrass was elected as its leader.
Presumably, everyone thought she was the most at odds with Ian and had suffered the most at his hands. To Ian's regret, Miss Daphne Greengrass never spoke ill of him within the alliance, and she had hardly ever expressed any opinion about him at all.
"That's a very clever approach."
Aurora's view on this perplexed Ian a bit.
"That's considered clever? Shouldn't I be the magnanimous one for not holding grudges against her?" Ian thought Miss Daphne Greengrass might still have a rebellious streak.
However.
Aurora had a completely opposite opinion.
"She joined that organization simply to collect activity fees. Daphne and her girlfriend are indeed out of money now; they're relying entirely on the treats provided by little elves to cheat money from the people in the alliance."
Aurora explained the situation to Ian in great detail, even as Ian snatched quite a bit of rare food from her plate, something the little German girl didn't mind.
"How do you know all this so clearly?"
Ian was slightly surprised, placing the broccoli he didn't like into Aurora's bowl. Finally, Aurora, who had maintained a calm demeanor, glared at him fiercely.
"If you don't like it, then don't take it."
Aurora picked out all the broccoli again, clearly showing that she didn't like such healthy food either. Understandably so, since the healthier the food, the worse it tastes.
"The little elves secretly put it on my plate; they're worried I'll suffer from malnutrition due to picky eating." Ian was a bit helpless. Nowadays, the little elves made sure he drank three cups of unicorn blood every day. This was probably because not long ago, Ian had complained to them in the kitchen about not being tall enough.
The effect was indeed remarkable.
Ian had grown almost a centimeter in the past few days. Who knew if the little elves had added something else to the milk.
"You are indeed a picky eater."
Aurora looked at the plate full of meats in front of Ian.
"This is all protein, definitely high-quality food." Ian believed his diet was absolutely healthy, given that whenever he ate fried chicken, he added plenty of chili powder. The chili powder sped up his heartbeat and increased his metabolism, helping him better process the fat in the fried chicken.
"Let's get back to talking about Daphne and those students."
"In fact, Daphne even secretly hinted to others that resisting you was not as good as submitting to you... I think Daphne and her girlfriend are indeed quite smart."
"If you extend an olive branch to her and her family, I believe they wouldn't refuse. After all, things that happen at Hogwarts rarely remain unknown secrets."
Aurora's words carried a distinct implication, suggesting she might have already learned about the Voldemort matter and was hinting to Ian that she and other pure-blood families knew as well.
"Do they have spies at the school? No, it must be portraits acting as their eyes and ears." Ian recalled that there indeed seemed to be portraits in that underground room.
Aurora neither confirmed nor denied his speculations.
"It's also possible that Dumbledore is building your reputation."
She shared her own views and guesses.
"Building my reputation for what?"
Ian blinked.
"You're just a first-year student, yet you've already accomplished many incredible things. I think even if you don't want to, your future certainly won't be ordinary."
"Just like my grandfather said, destiny gives someone talents and simultaneously imposes historical missions on that person, just like Albus Dumbledore's life."
Aurora looked up at the little wizard sitting across from her.
"This mission doesn't depend on what you think or do; as long as you're somewhere, major events will happen that draw you in."
"My grandfather believes no one understands this better than Dumbledore and himself. In this perspective, it's only logical for Dumbledore to prepare your reputation in advance."
"Your talents exceed theirs, the miracles you can achieve will be greater... This will ultimately lead you to an undertaking they couldn't complete."
Aurora might be echoing Grindelwald's predictions, which could explain why Grindelwald had so much affection for Ian and why he didn't interfere much with Ian's thoughts and growth.
This Great Prophet from the previous century probably firmly believed that even if he did nothing, Ian would eventually walk the path he couldn't finish, swept along by destiny.
"I don't want to fight Muggles, nor do I wish to carry the rise and fall of wizards on my shoulders." Ian pouted, showing none of the ambition that the Mirror of Erised depicted.