Hogwarts: Bloodline Legend-Chapter 575 - 165: Safety Measures! Ian’s Birthday!

As the afternoon sunlight quietly climbed up the window frame, the orphanage's small dining room was decorated warmly and uniquely.

Colorful balloons gently swayed, and a handmade "Happy Birthday Ian" banner hung on the wall. The meal was much more sumptuous than usual, and a small cake was an ever-present feature.

"Make a wish."

Lady Yelena personally placed the celebratory hat on Ian's head.

"Hmm."

Ian closed his eyes, silently made his wish, and then blew out the candle symbolizing his step into the age of twelve. The eagerly waiting children all received a small piece of cake.

"What wish did you make?" Lupin, who was also present at Ian's birthday celebration, was curious about what desires a child like a little wizard might have in his heart.

"Guess?"

Ian blinked his eyes, offering no answer.

The little girl Mia, who had been staring at the cream Ian picked off his plate, reluctantly shifted her gaze from it.

"If you say your wish, it won't come true. Uncle Lupin, you're definitely up to no good." The little girl's righteous tone was certain, with a childish innocence shared by all kids.

"..."

Lupin had no idea how to respond. He had only wanted to use this opportunity to talk about the little wizard's dreams, but unexpectedly, in the children's eyes, he had become the villain.

"I was wrong."

Seeing several children looking at him, he could only express a guilty look and admit his mistake. The little wizard laughed gleefully, and quietly took out a small notebook to jot down today's events.

"Today, sunny, Senior Lupin had untoward intentions towards me, nearly making innocent me fall for it. Luckily, my rapport is so good that I avoided an encounter that would be heart-wrenching to hear."

He seemed to be writing facts, yet had learned to use more rhetorical skills, with exaggerated expressions expertly practiced.

"What are you doing?"

Mia curiously approached, wanting to see Ian's notebook.

However.

Ian swiftly tucked the notebook into his chest, not allowing the little girl to succeed. Speaking of the most gossip-loving person in the orphanage, it surely had to be this mischievous girl embodying Gryffindor College traits.

"Where's my gift? Mia! Didn't you prepare a birthday present for me?" After putting away the notebook, Ian confidently shifted Mia's attention.

"Impossible! Of course, I prepared one!" Mia instantly took out her prepared birthday gift, a small box wrapped in beautiful paper.

"Ian, this is the sound of the sea. I hope you're as happy every day as I am listening to the waves." Inside Mia's gift box was her most treasured, favorite shell necklace.

"Me! I have one too! I've prepared a gift for you as well!"

"Look at mine first! Ian! Check out my gift first!"

"This is all my wealth! They can only belong to you!"

...

With Mia's start.

The children flocked, holding their gift boxes, rushing to Ian. They prepared heartfelt gifts with their sincerest intentions for Ian.

Tom, a shyly smiling little boy, gave Ian a small wooden carving he made himself. The wood wasn't smooth, even somewhat rough, but "Best Brother" was engraved on it.

Jack also brought Ian a Bible, its pages yellowed and cover slightly worn. Jack said the book had accompanied him through many lonely nights, providing endless comfort and strength. Now, he wished to pass that strength to Ian, hoping God would always protect him.

Daniel also gave a book, his grandmother's "Witch Doctor Decryption." Ian flipped through it, thinking even from a wizard's perspective, the book was quite ridiculous.

Some of its formulas.

Just hearing them was nauseating.

The book had reportedly been passed down eighteen generations in Daniel's family... Of course, Ian couldn't refuse a friend's gift and happily thanked Daniel for it. Perhaps by taking the book, Daniel might break his family's "curse" of averaging no more than 30 years old.

"Here's my gift!" Catherine tightly clutched a painting she drew herself—a picture of Ian and all the little friends happily running on the grass.

She eagerly handed the painting to Ian, her eyes shimmering with anticipation.

"It's beautifully drawn. I think I'll frame it in my room alongside my Van Gogh works. Maybe you'll become an outstanding artist in the future."

Ian encouraged Catherine.

"I... Ian, I, I don't just want to be an artist, you know."

Catherine's eyes reflected happiness exaggeratedly, but also some anxious hesitation. Her expectations for a magic world lingered in her heart.

"No problem, of course, no problem... You can certainly achieve your dreams. Here, have a drink." Ian poured a cup of blue fizzy water for Catherine.

The little girl didn't hesitate.

She drank it all eagerly.

She wanted more. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Other children immediately shouted for drinks, and Ian happily poured a glass for each, although the color was lighter than Catherine's.