(22) He and Tom are really alike!

Ian's performance in the Transfiguration class elevated his status among the first-year Slytherins. As for the upper-year students, they remained in observation mode.

After all, until Ian demonstrated strength capable of earning their respect, they weren't about to blindly place all their hopes in the basket of the so-called Savior. However, given Voldemort's uncertain fate, they were also cautious not to offend this Slytherin "Savior"—unless their brains had been stomped on by a troll.

Thus, their attitude toward Ian was one of neutrality: neither antagonistic nor ingratiating, merely watchful.

Ian understood their mindset and didn't mind it. As long as they didn't create trouble for him, he wasn't interested in concerning himself with them. He knew that gaining the respect of the upper-year students wouldn't happen overnight.

His current strategy was clear: gradually build his reputation, infiltrate Slytherin's inner circles, and subtly undermine potential adversaries from within.

Imagine, four years from now, when Voldemort is resurrected, and those pure-blood families discover that all their heirs have sided with the Savior.

What a spectacular scene that would be.

Of course, Ian wasn't naïve enough to place all his hopes on the possibility of these pure-blood wizards defecting in the future.

Ultimately, defeating Voldemort would depend on his own strength.

Strength is the foundation for everything!

Ian took a deep breath, calming his thoughts, then turned to the group of first-year Slytherins surrounding him.

"All right, everyone, class is over now. Could you give me a bit of personal space?" His tone remained gentle.

"Of course, goodbye, Prefect Potter."

"See you tomorrow, Prefect Potter."

"Goodbye, Prefect Potter."

The Slytherin students were very obedient, bidding him farewell before dispersing.

"Why are they calling you 'Prefect,' Ian?" Harry asked, confusion evident on his face.

Cassandra tilted her chin arrogantly. "Because Potter is the male prefect for Slytherin's first-years."

"What?" Ron exclaimed, his voice full of disbelief. "That's impossible! Prefects are only for fifth to seventh years! How could Ian…"

Seeing Harry's confused expression and Ron's incredulous reaction, Ian sighed and once again explained the concept of Slytherin's hidden prefects.

After hearing the explanation, Harry's eyes widened, his face full of astonishment. "So, you're like the leader of Slytherin's first-years now? Ian?"

Ian awkwardly nodded. "Uh… you could say that."

Harry let out a heavy sigh, clearly contemplating whether his younger brother might be led astray in Slytherin. Initially, he had worried that Ian might be ostracized or even bullied in Slytherin, considering the house's reputation as a group of dark wizards in his mind.

But now, it seemed that Ian was not only fitting in but thriving—he had even become the leader of Slytherin's first-years. This development was far beyond what Harry had anticipated.

Ian, noticing Harry's inner turmoil, turned to Draco and Cassandra. "Draco, Cassandra, I need to have a word with my brother. You two go ahead back to the common room."

He needed to feed Harry some comforting words… er, enlightening brotherly advice. It wouldn't do to have Dumbledore thinking there was a rift between them—his carefully crafted image would crumble.

Cassandra frowned slightly but didn't object. She simply nodded at Ian. "Fine, we'll head back first. Don't stay out too late."

"Goodbye, you three." Cassandra and Draco gave Harry and the others a nod.

After saying their farewells, Cassandra and Draco left, giving Ian and the others some privacy.

Watching the pair walk away, Ian turned to Harry. "Don't worry, Harry. I'm doing really well in Slytherin."

Harry opened his mouth to respond, but ultimately, his words came out as a resigned sigh. "All right, Ian. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."

Ron stood by, his face twisted in conflict as if he wanted to speak but didn't know how to phrase it.

"I don't understand, Ian," Ron said hesitantly, his concern evident. "You should've been in Gryffindor, like Harry. It just makes sense."

Ian fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "Maybe I really do have qualities that belong to Slytherin."

"That's impossible!" Ron blurted out, his emotions flaring. To him, Ian was no different from Harry—both were righteous heroes, and Ian was so kind and friendly. How could Ian possibly have Slytherin traits? Slytherin, the house known for producing dark wizards!

"Come on, Ron Weasley," Ian said with a grin, playfully punching Ron on the shoulder. "You're not saying you'd stop being my friend just because I'm in Slytherin, are you?"

"Of course not!" Ron replied instantly, his voice firm. "Ian, you'll always be my friend!"

Before Ian could respond, Hermione threw her arms around him, her voice muffled as she declared, "Ian, even if you were a dark wizard, I'd still stay by your side."

Ian chuckled softly, his hand moving to ruffle the hair of the little witch in his embrace. He didn't say anything, but his heart swelled with affection for Hermione. How could his Hermione be so sweet?

Turning to Harry, Ian released Hermione and clasped Harry's hand tightly. "Harry, Slytherin isn't only full of dark wizards. There are plenty of good people in our house too."

Ian raised examples immediately: "Draco may have a sharp tongue, but deep down, he's not bad. Cassandra, though a bit tsundere, genuinely cares about me."

"Ian, maybe you're right. Slytherin isn't only full of bad people," Harry admitted after taking a deep breath. "I just... I just..."

"You're just worried about me, Harry," Ian said with a gentle smile, patting Harry's shoulder. "I understand, big brother."

"Ian, you're my brother, my only family," Harry said, holding up his wrist to show Ian the small green snake he had gifted him. "As long as you're happy in Slytherin, that's what matters."

Ian glanced at the little green snake wrapped around Harry's wrist and smiled warmly. "Don't worry, Harry. I know what I'm doing."

Convincing Harry worked—Ian was a natural at persuasion after all.

Thus began Ian's eventful journey at Hogwarts.

It had to be said, Ian's charisma at Hogwarts was remarkable. Whether it was Slytherin or Gryffindor, Ian could easily strike up conversations and get along with everyone.

However, this only caused Dumbledore to focus more closely on Ian.

"He's so much like Tom, isn't he?" Dumbledore remarked, turning to the portraits on the wall. "The same extraordinary talent, the same wide social circle, the same ability to be so well-liked."

The portraits fell silent, unsure how to respond to Dumbledore's observation.

Tom Riddle—or rather, Voldemort—was a topic veiled in taboo.

A Dark Wizard from Hogwarts—a wizard who almost destroyed the wizarding world.

"Albus, surely you don't think this boy could be the next Tom?" Phineas Nigellus scoffed, crossing his arms. "While Slytherin may produce its share of Dark Wizards, you can't condemn every Slytherin because of one man."

He truly felt exasperated. The reputation of Slytherin had been utterly tarnished by Voldemort.

"No, Phineas, you misunderstand," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "I just… I only hope Ian doesn't follow Tom's path."

"Relax, that Potter boy clearly isn't a supporter of blood purity," Phineas said confidently. "The kid's not only close to the 'Golden Boy' twin brother of his but also friends with that Weasley kid and a Muggle-born witch."

Hearing Phineas's words, Dumbledore fell silent. After a long pause, he finally spoke softly, "I hope I'm just overthinking. But, Phineas, Tom's legacy left too deep a scar on the wizarding world."

At this, Phineas also grew quiet. Tom Riddle's actions had indeed left an indelible shadow on their world.

They couldn't bear to endure such an ordeal again.

"Phineas," Dumbledore said suddenly, turning to look at the portrait. "Keep an eye on Ian around the castle for me. If anything unusual happens, let me know immediately."

"Haah.." Phineas nodded. "Rest assured, I will."

Although he didn't believe Ian would become the next Tom Riddle, since Dumbledore had entrusted him with the task, Phineas Nigellus decided he would keep an eye on the young Potter.

Meanwhile, Ian was blissfully unaware that he had once again attracted Dumbledore's attention.

He continued to live his daily life, attending classes, studying, practicing magic, and occasionally visiting the Gryffindor common room to socialize.