Those Slytherin students weren't as keen on studying. As soon as they spotted Ian from a distance, they turned right around, not daring to take a risk near the little Hogwarts troublemaker.
Indeed.
Ian already had some "reputation" among the Slytherin students, mainly because the story of [Marcus having a bathroom accident in the hallway and wizards being trapped in Holy Fire] had circulated widely. This story originated from the Weasley twins of Gryffindor. As long as it embarrassed Slytherin, the Weasley brothers were willing to praise anyone.
The artistic embellishments were quite pronounced, and Ian, who enjoyed listening to the story, didn't like that the brothers weren't paying him royalties for it.
"That wretched Mrs. Pince, she must've sneaked off for a twilight romance." Ian waited for ages but Mrs. Pince still hadn't come back, so he stood up and cast a Scouring Charm on his own behind.
Just about to leave.
When Ian saw a familiar face from his year.
It was Qiu Zhang.
Ian developed his first Paru.
"My partner, have you managed to sell the map?" Ian greeted enthusiastically. Qiu Zhang shook her head, showing a slightly helpless expression.
"It has to wait till evening, of course. I don't want to be caught by the professors and get detention." She clearly understood that such maps had more uses for little wizards than just preventing getting lost during the day.
"Alright, very reasonable."
Ian nodded.
"When I was going back to the common room, I heard the senior students saying you were waiting here for the place to open. Has Mrs. Pince really taken leave?" Qiu Zhang, also a studious Ravenclaw little wizard, asked.
Since their House had a tendency to worry others might study behind their backs, they wanted to verify it firsthand even if they received word.
"More like AWOL!"
Ian was slightly indignant.
"I heard there's a new supply for the Defense Against the Dark Arts class... No, a new professor. Just now, a Gryffindor senior said Mrs. Pince went with Hagrid to pick up that professor." Ian was somewhat skeptical of anything coming from Gryffindor mouths. Why would a librarian need to be involved in picking up a professor?
"What a pity, I was going to borrow a copy of 'Standard Spell: Level 2'." Getting ahead in learning was a Ravenclaw norm, and Qiu Zhang was among the best at it.
Of course.
Ian thought it might have something to do with Qiu Zhang also attending his little classes.
"I'll be teaching the content from that book soon enough, just remember to come to class." Ian and Qiu Zhang returned to the common room together, passing by several curious little Ravenclaws along the corridor.
"You couldn't have already finished learning the knowledge of all seven years, could you?" Faced with this peer slightly shorter than herself, seemingly just starting to grow, Qiu Zhang's eyes were filled with admiration.
"Impossible... Just gathering all the study materials for seven years would take a month or two just to read." Ian shook his head, not boasting about himself.
"So, it should take me a month or two to finish." He thought his answer was very honest. Yet, Qiu Zhang's expression of disbelief still seemed a bit exaggerated.
"You're really amazing, some say you might be more gifted than Dumbledore at your age." Qiu Zhang exclaimed, not doubting whether Ian was exaggerating.
After all, the in-depth yet straightforward courses in the common room each night already demonstrated Ian's talent. Most who attended Ian's little class would never doubt his learning capability.
"Who said that? His insight is incredibly sharp! Tell me, I need to praise him." Ian's mood lifted again, sweeping away the gloom from being shut out of the library.
"A lot of people are saying that." Qiu Zhang thought for a moment, then continued asking, "Can I ask what content you'll teach in tonight's little class? The map hasn't sold yet, and my pocket money isn't much, so I'd like to choose courses that interest me the most."
She seemed a bit embarrassed, that kind of awkwardness from being strapped for cash.
"We're partners, aren't we? Can't I trust you? Just put it on your tab, and I'll deduct it from your share." Ian wasn't actually stingy with friends. He just felt that breaking a rule once would lead to a second time, just like how many companies in the Muggle world start spiraling down from the first insider deal.
"Thank you, but I'm not weak in every subject." Young wizards always have their own pride; since Qiu Zhang persisted, Ian naturally wouldn't continue promoting his classes.
After all, he's not a gym personal trainer.
"Tonight's a Defense Against the Dark Arts class to help cover any gaps." Ian was evidently a bit too cautious and even changed a word to avoid potential risks.
"Okay, we haven't had that class since term started, I'll be sure to join tonight's SCP gathering." Like many little wizards, Qiu Zhang was very eager for the mysterious Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
However.
Her words made Ian halt, staring at her in bewilderment.
"What gathering did you say?" Ian's voice had an air of strangeness.
"The SCP gathering."
Qiu Zhang tilted her head, puzzled.
"Hiss~"
Ian took a sharp breath inward.
"Who came up with that name! How ominous!" He really hadn't expected to be hosting a group of "C-Class Wizards" at a gathering, given how the name SCP Foundation was legendary in his past life.