Chapter 3: 03: A lil Prophecy show
With expectations of Professor McGonagall's arrival, Ivan spent a few more days at the orphanage.
No unexpected situations occurred, and everything remained as peaceful as usual.
Then, on that day, a figure appeared at the orphanage's door; it was Professor McGonagall, just as Ivan had predicted a few days earlier.
Upon seeing a visitor, the children who were playing stopped immediately. They began to tidy their clothes and tried their best to present themselves favorably.
Clearly, the children viewed Professor McGonagall as a beacon of hope for leaving the orphanage.
Professor McGonagall made an effort not to dwell on the sight of the needy children. She walked directly toward the main building of the orphanage and encountered a young girl who was cleaning.
"Good morning, I have an appointment with Mrs. Mena. Is she available?" she inquired politely.
The young girl, recognizing the importance of the visitor, quickly fetched Mrs. Mena.
Mrs. Mena, a kindly old woman in her sixties with thinning white hair and eyes magnified by reading glasses, appeared surprised.
"Hello," she greeted the visitor.
Mrs. Mena couldn't quite place the face: "Excuse me, who are you?"
"I am the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Minerva McGonagall. I believe you were informed of my visit, regarding Mr. Ambrosius's admission to our school?"
"Uh..."
Mrs. Mena initially looked puzzled as she took the papers handed to her, then her expression brightened: "Ah, yes, of course, but I didn't expect someone of your stature to come here personally."
"We occasionally provide direct support to children who show exceptional talent," Professor McGonagall explained, having prepared all necessary documentation and subtly reinforced with Confundus Charms to ensure smooth communication.
Professor McGonagall accepted the papers back from Mrs. Mena. To an outsider, they might have appeared almost blank, yet to Muggles like Mrs. Mena, these documents seemed comprehensive, dispelling any doubts with their magically enhanced persuasiveness.
"Excuse me, may I see Mr. Ambrosius now?"
"Oh, of course!"
Mrs. Mena, treating Professor McGonagall with the utmost respect befitting a guest of her stature, led her eagerly to Ivan's room.
Along the way, she spoke highly of Ivan. She described him as a kind and intelligent boy who was not only well-mannered and sensible but also took on a nurturing role for the younger children in the orphanage, significantly easing the burden on the staff.
"That boy is very smart! Your school will certainly not regret selecting young Ivan!"
Professor McGonagall listened attentively to Mrs. Mena's praises. As a dedicated educator, gathering more insights about Ivan would enable her to better support his transition and future success in the wizarding world.
"Here we are, this is young Ivan's room."
Mrs. Mena knocked gently and called out. Ivan opened the door, and Professor McGonagall was standing right there.
After ensuring that Ivan was ready to receive his guest, Mrs. Mena excused herself, leaving them to talk privately.
"Hello, Professor McGonagall."
Ivan invited her into the room naturally and offered her a cup. "I apologize, I only have boiled water to offer."
"That's quite alright," Professor McGonagall replied, her gaze fixed on Ivan with a hint of curiosity. "I must ask, you seem to know who I am?"
"Rather than knowing, it's more accurate to say I anticipated your visit," Ivan explained, sitting across from Professor McGonagall.
"From the admission letter I received, Hogwarts is a school for magic, correct?"
"Yes," Professor McGonagall confirmed, nodding. "I am the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall, and I will also be your Transfiguration professor."
"Transfiguration..." Ivan mused, already familiar with the concept. "Could you demonstrate it for me?"
Professor McGonagall obliged without hesitation. She drew her wand and transformed a nearby cabinet into a cat, then promptly changed it back. "Wow."
While Ivan had witnessed such magic in films and even seen glimpses of Professor McGonagall teaching in his uncontrollable prophecies, experiencing it firsthand still filled him with awe.
Such a large cabinet morphed into a cat—this was enough to overturn any scientist's understanding of reality.
"It's simply part of our curriculum," Professor McGonagall said with a smile. "You'll learn to do this and much more at Hogwarts."
"That's fantastic!" Ivan responded, his excitement palpable. "You must be wondering how I knew your name beforehand."
"I assure you, I didn't overhear your conversation with Mrs. Mena."
"But since you teach at a school of magic, I presume you can appreciate my particular circumstances, can't you?"
Ivan gestured towards a mirror placed to the side and explained, "For instance, when I look at reflective surfaces like mirrors, water, or glass, certain images appear to me."
"Images?" Professor McGonagall's brow furrowed in curiosity. "Could you elaborate?"
"Certainly," Ivan replied. "In just a few minutes, Mrs. Mena will arrive with snacks..."
He then proceeded to detail the future as he had seen it through his prophetic ability. Ivan described not only the types and quantities of snacks but also Mrs. Mena's exact reactions upon entering the room and how Professor McGonagall herself would respond—all with striking clarity.
"..."
Professor McGonagall was visibly taken aback by Ivan's assertion: "You're saying you saw the future? You made a prediction?"
Prophecy was a form of magic Professor McGonagall was aware of, yet she had always been skeptical of its reliability. Much like her reservations about Professor Trelawney, whose predictions she often regarded as dubious at best, McGonagall was generally dismissive of prophecies.
Knock knock.
Just then, a knock came at the door. As it opened, Mrs. Mena entered, placing several plates of snacks in front of them, speaking the exact words Ivan had predicted.
"Excuse me, is there any problem?" Mrs. Mena inquired after noticing Professor McGonagall's startled expression.
"No, it's all right," Professor McGonagall managed to reply, her mind racing as she reconsidered her stance on prophecy.
"I just feel a little..."
"At a loss?" After the voice fell, Professor McGonagall realized that her reaction was exactly the same as what Ivan had just told her.
'How is that possible? '
Professor McGonagall quickly looked at Ivan, and saw the boy smiling as he picked up a cookie and put it in his mouth.
"I'm glad you don't mind." Mrs. Mena smiled at Professor McGonagall and closed the door: "Well, excuse me."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone