No one moved. The air seemed to freeze for what felt like an eternity, though it was merely ten seconds.
Albert crouched down and retrieved the pale yellow envelope from the ground. It bore no stamp, only a line of elegant text written in emerald green ink. He read it aloud in a soft voice:
Tibe Avenue, No. 19, Mr. Albert Andersson.
As the words left his lips, a strange sensation coursed through him, and a notification appeared in his mind:
Quest: The Path of a Wizard
You have the potential to become a wizard, but you are not yet qualified. Now, a rare opportunity awaits you to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and become a student.
Rewards: 10,000 experience, 2 skill points, Wizard Bloodline +1.
Wizard Bloodline?
Albert blinked, puzzled. What in the world was that?
The promise of two skill points was tantalizing. After all, becoming an Eton student had only granted him one point, and over the years, he'd scrimped and saved to accumulate just three skill points, which he hadn't even dared to spend.
But more shocking was the realization that he was in a novel world—the magical universe of Harry Potter?
Turning the envelope over, Albert's eyes fell on the Hogwarts crest: a bold "H" encircled by a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake.
"Mom, do zoos train owls to deliver mail now?" Nia asked, her eyes fixed curiously on the owl lingering nearby.
"Nia, I doubt anyone would use an owl to send a letter. At least, no normal person would. This is probably just a prank," Daisy replied, glancing at her husband's furrowed brow. "What's wrong, dear? Is it time to head out?"
"Nothing, Albert. Let me see the letter," Herbert said softly.
"Here you go." Albert handed the envelope to his father.
"Dear!" Daisy's tone carried a hint of frustration.
Herbert, oblivious to his wife's irritation, opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of parchment. After a quick glance, he said, "Children, it looks like our plans will have to wait."
"Herbert, what's going on? What's in that letter?" Daisy's voice grew sharper, sensing something odd in her husband's demeanor.
"Dad, what does it say?" Nia chimed in, unable to contain her curiosity. Albert, however, remained calm, his expression unchanged.
"Let's head back to the living room," Herbert said, closing the door and ushering his family inside.
Even after the door shut, the owl remained perched outside, waiting.
"Herbert, you'd better explain yourself," Daisy said, her anger barely contained. She was eager to see her son in an Eton uniform, not tangled up in some bizarre situation.
"Dad, read it out loud. I'm curious who could predict exactly where I'd be," Albert said, his tone steady. He already suspected what the letter contained. Having experienced transmigration and the mysterious interface, the idea of living in a novel's world didn't seem that far-fetched.
Besides, he was no stranger to the Harry Potter series, having read the books and even written a fanfiction novel himself. He'd done plenty of research and knew this world well.
"I'll read it," Herbert said, glancing at his unflappably calm son before beginning.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Order of Merlin, First Class)
"Hogwarts… School?" Daisy's eyes widened in disbelief. "An admission letter?"
"Magic? Is there really magic in this world?" Nia's face lit up with uncontainable excitement. "I want to learn magic too! I want to go to a magic school!"
"Albert, let go of me!" Nia huffed as her brother gently restrained her from snatching the letter.
"Nia, let Dad finish reading," Albert said, gesturing for his father to continue while guiding his fuming mother to sit down.
"Son, I won't let you go to this… Hogwarts," Daisy declared, her voice trembling with anger. She was convinced her husband knew something he wasn't sharing.
Herbert cleared his throat and resumed reading:
Dear Mr. Andersson,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of required books and equipment.
The term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 21st.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress
Herbert handed the letter to Albert, who glanced at it briefly before passing it to his eager sister. Nia grabbed it and rushed to her mother's side.
Daisy scrutinized the letter, her expression darkening. "You knew about this?"
"I'll never allow Albert to attend some unknown school. This must be a prank. We should call the police and catch whoever's behind this!" she said, her voice rising.
"Mom, does the owl mentioned in the letter mean we need to write back?" Nia asked suddenly.
Daisy didn't respond, her gaze fixed on her husband with an intensity that could have burned a hole through him.
"Dad, do you know something?" Albert asked.
"Not exactly," Herbert said, rubbing his temple. "When I was your age, my father—your grandfather—was disappointed that I never received a letter from Hogwarts. I asked him what Hogwarts was, and he only said it was a school. Later, when he was drunk, I pressed him about why he wanted me to go there. He just said he was a 'Squib,' but I never understood what that meant."
Herbert's voice grew quiet, his memories tinged with sadness. "I think I understand now. My father would be thrilled to know his grandson got a letter from Hogwarts."
Albert knew exactly what a Squib was, but he hadn't expected any connection to wizards in his own family. His skill panel showed no magical abilities, or he would have noticed long ago.
"I should call him. He'll be overjoyed!" Herbert said, suddenly animated, as if ready to pick up the phone.
"Herbert Andersson!" Daisy snapped. "Albert is going to Eton. He has a bright future ahead, not at some school we've never heard of. This is about his future! I won't allow it!"
"Mom, we don't even know if magic is real," Albert said, gently placing a hand on his mother's arm to calm her. "The letter says the owl is waiting for a reply. Maybe we should write back and ask Hogwarts to prove magic exists. If they can't, it's proof they're lying."