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The Mage's Path: Chapter 7
🕑 Added 2024-07-21 09:03:59 +0000 UTCHi all, Here’s the last chapter of the week. A bigger chapter than usual. It’s more focused on the plot so there aren't many game elements in this one. There are still some things from the training montage that I need to address, but I will reveal them gradually. Once I have 10 chapters up, I will create a status post to keep you updated on their progress.
Chapter 7
Harry stepped through the gate and found himself back in the familiar confines of the school library. Behind him, the gate flickered and vanished, leaving no trace that it ever existed. His head turned as he heard the wall clock's rhythmic ticking. Time had resumed, indicating that he had completed the dungeon.
"We're back," Harry said. "Welcome to Earth."
Celeste poked her head out from his shirt pocket, her tiny eyes wide with wonder. "It worked!? We're really-"
"Keep your voice down," Harry interrupted her, looking around to ensure no one was watching. "I can't have anyone notice you, or there will be some awkward questions. A fairy only exists in people's imaginations in this world."
Celeste grumbled but didn't protest. She looked around with curiosity and whispered. "So this is the school? It's just another library. I'm sick of seeing one, to be honest."
"It's only a small part of the school," Harry told her.
A notification popped up on his HUD, demanding his attention:
======Congratulations!
Main Quest: Dive into the Tutorial Dungeon—Completed!
Rewards: 1000 XP, World Map unlocked.
Sub-Objective Rewards: 500 XP, 100 pounds, and a piece of equipment (automatically stored in inventory).
Note: Your physical changes will go unnoticed by everyone except your relatives. ======
Harry grinned. He now had a healthy influx of money, so he didn't have to worry about ever going hungry again. After spending the past few months being fed properly, he wasn't willing to return to how it was before.
He tapped the side of his Gamer's Specs to turn off the HUD. He was tired of seeing it in his field of vision, so he planned to take a break for the rest of the school day. He glanced back at the clock and realised he needed to get back to class.
"Celeste," he said, "I need you to hide in my shirt pocket until school's over."
The tiny fairy crossed her arms, her wings buzzing in annoyance. "Seriously? I finally get to see your world, and you want me to hide in your pocket?"
"Please," Harry insisted. "I promise we'll explore later, but right now—"
"Fine," Celeste huffed. "But I expect you to buy me some delicious food as compensation."
"Deal."
The book Mrs Woods gave him was lying in his chair. He picked it up and approached her desk. It felt surreal to speak with her after so long. To her, it would have been less than an hour since their last conversation.
"Thank you for the book, Mrs. Woods," Harry said, placing it on her desk. "It was... enlightening."
Mrs. Woods looked up, a warm smile spreading across her face. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Harry. Did you find it helpful?"
"More than you know."
As he turned to leave, Mrs. Woods called out, "Harry? You seem... different somehow. More confident."
Harry paused at the door, a small smile playing on his lips. "I've just found a new perspective on things."
The hallway bustled with activity as Harry made his way to class. Students jostled past, caught up in their worlds, oblivious to the transformative journey he'd just experienced. None of them noticed that he had grown explosively in the last hour.
He had stored all his equipment in his inventory, except for his pouch, which he kept in his pocket. Dudley's clothes were still too big for him, but after his growth spurt, they fit him much better than before. He planned to buy himself some new clothes when he had the opportunity.
Harry entered the classroom; the familiar chatter of his classmates filled the air, but it died down as heads turned towards him. Harry felt a flicker of unease. Was the system wrong? Could they see the changes after all?
Then Dudley's voice cut through the silence, high-pitched with disbelief. "Bloody hell! What happened to you?"
All eyes snapped back to Harry, scrutinising him closely. He shifted uncomfortably under their gaze, resisting the temptation to hunch his shoulders as he had in the past.
"What are you on about, Dudley?" Piers Polkiss, Dudley's best friend and fellow bully, asked.
Dudley's face reddened, his cheeks quivering with indignation. "Are you blind? Look at him! He's taller, and... and... he's not so scrawny anymore!"
The class erupted into laughter, not at Harry but at Dudley's apparent delusion. Harry felt a mix of relief and amusement wash over him. The system had been right—only his relatives would see the change.
"I think you need your eyes checked, Big D," another classmate chimed in, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes.
Dudley's confusion quickly morphed into anger. He stomped towards Harry, his meaty fists clenched at his sides. "I know what I see! You've done something, haven't you, freak?"
The word 'freak' struck Harry like a physical blow, bringing back memories of numerous taunts and physical altercations. But this time, something was different. He didn't cower or try to make himself invisible. Instead, he stood tall, meeting Dudley's gaze steadily.
"I haven't done anything, Dudley," Harry replied. "Maybe you need to borrow my glasses?"
Dudley's face contorted with rage. He raised a fist, ready to strike, when the teacher's voice rang out.
"Dudley Dursley! Take your seat this instant!"
Dudley hesitated, his fist still raised. For a moment, Harry thought he might ignore the teacher and attack anyway. But then, with a final glare, Dudley lowered his arm and stomped back to his desk.
Sitting in his seat, Harry sensed a slight movement in his pocket. He heard Celeste's soft voice murmur, "Good job, Harry. I think you've shaken up the fat lump."
Harry suppressed a grin, settling into his chair. The familiar routine of class began, but everything felt different now. The world around him hadn't changed, but he had. Nobody was going to push him around, especially Dudley Dursley.
The final bell's shrill ring echoed through the halls, signalling freedom. Harry grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulder as he headed for the door. As Harry moved through the crowd of noisy students, he felt a small vibration against his chest. Celeste, tucked away in his pocket, was buzzing with energy.
"Finally!" Her muffled voice reached his ears. "I thought that torture would never end. How do you endure this every day?"
"It's not so bad," Harry whispered. "Tomorrow's the last day before the summer holidays. Then we'll have two whole months without school."
"Two months? Oh, happy days!"
Harry exited the main entrance, inhaling deeply as he stepped into the afternoon air. The scent of freshly cut grass combined with the earthy aroma of recent rain. His moment of calm shattered like glass.
"Oi, Potter!" Dudley's bellow cut through the cacophony of after-school chatter. "Think you can just run away?"
Harry's muscles coiled, fight-or-flight instinct kicking in. He turned, eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. Dudley stood like a bull ready to charge, his meaty fists clenched at his sides. Piers, rat-faced and sneering, stood behind him, along with two other boys, Malcolm and Gordon.
"Destroy them!" Celeste urged.
Harry ignored her suggestion. He bolted, trainers slapping against the pavement as he sprinted away from the school. The thundering steps behind him told him Dudley and his gang had given chase.
"You can't escape, freak!" Dudley's voice was closer than Harry expected.
Harry's eyes darted frantically, searching for an escape route. The neat rows of suburban houses offered no sanctuary. Then he spotted it—a patch of trees at the end of the street, wild and unkempt. He veered off the path, plunging into the green sanctuary.
Branches whipped at his face as he weaved between gnarled trunks.
"Up ahead," Celeste whispered urgently, her head poking out of his pocket. "That big oak. We can make a stand there."
Through the foliage, Harry spotted the massive tree. Its sprawling branches reached towards the sky, offering both shelter and opportunity. He skidded to a stop beneath it, his back pressed against the rough bark, chest heaving as he gulped in the air.
"What now?" he asked.
"You've got magic now, remember? Use it!"
The realisation hit Harry like a jolt of electricity. In the heat of the moment, he'd almost forgotten the power at his fingertips. The crashing sounds of Dudley and his friends grew louder, branches snapping as they bulldozed through the undergrowth.
"Right," Harry muttered, raising his hand. He focused, drawing on the magic he'd spent months mastering in the dungeon.
A shimmering distortion formed above his palm, coalescing into a razor-sharp gust of concentrated air. With a flick of his wrist, he sent it upwards, the invisible blade slicing through a thick branch directly over the approaching bullies.
For a heartbeat, everything went still. Then, with a thunderous crack that echoed through the trees, the branch fell just as his pursuers arrived.
Twin cries of pain and shock pierced the air as the heavy limb crashed down on Dudley and Piers. Harry felt a twinge of satisfaction at managing to nail them.
"My arm!" Piers wailed. "It's broken!"
"Get up!" Malcolm urged, panic evident in his tone. "We need to get out of here!"
Harry peered around the tree trunk, watching as Gordon and Malcolm struggled to help Dudley and Piers to their feet. Piers cradled his arm, his pointed face ashen with shock and pain. Dudley, for once, seemed at a loss for words, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion.
"This isn't over, Freak!" Dudley finally managed to shout as they retreated.
As their voices faded into the distance, Harry slumped against the tree, his heart still racing from the encounter. The realisation of what he'd done—using magic outside the dungeon, against real people—began to sink in.
Celeste flew out of his pocket, hovering before his face. Her tiny features were alight with excitement. "That was brilliant! Did you see their faces? Priceless!"
Harry couldn't help but grin. The memory of Dudley's shocked expression was indeed satisfying. "It was pretty amazing," he admitted.
"So," Celeste said, rubbing her tiny hands together. "Where are you going to take me to get some food? All this excitement has made me famished!"
Harry chuckled, the tension of the moment dissipating. He thought for a moment, considering their options. "We can get some fish and chips. There are plenty of takeaway shops in Greater Whinging. You'll love it—crispy battered fish, thick-cut chips,..." His mouth watered at the thought.
"Sounds delicious," Celeste agreed, her wings fluttering in anticipation. "Let's go!"
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The aroma of salt and vinegar wafted from the grease-stained paper bag as Harry made his way to a secluded bench in the park. The weight of the food, a feast by his standards, felt like a well-earned reward after months in the dungeon.
"The coast is clear," Harry murmured, setting the bag down. Celeste zipped out of his pocket; her tiny eyes wide with anticipation.
Harry unwrapped the package, revealing golden-brown fish fillets nestled atop a mountain of chips. He popped open the bottle of Coke and took a sip.
"This smells divine!" Celeste exclaimed, hovering over the spread. "What should I try first?"
Harry broke off a small piece of battered fish. "Start with this. It's the best part."
As Celeste nibbled on her morsel, her face lit up with delight. Harry dug in, savouring each bite. It was a symphony of flavours he'd dreamed about during his time in the Dursleys' cupboard.
"What's that fizzy drink?" Celeste asked, eyeing the Coke bottle with curiosity.
"It's called Coca-Cola," Harry replied, struggling to find the words to describe it. "Here, try some."
He carefully poured a tiny amount into the bottle cap, offering it to the fairy. Celeste took a sip and immediately recoiled, her face scrunching up in disgust.
"Bleaghh!" she sputtered, sticking out her tongue. "That's revolting! You humans have the strangest tastes."
Harry laughed. It was probably for the best that she didn't like the drink. She was already hyperactive enough.
He glanced at his watch. He should have gone home to do his chores, but he was in no hurry to return to Privet Drive. By now, Dudley would have tattled on him about their encounter.
A steely resolve settled in Harry's gut. Things were different now. With his magical abilities, he refused to be their glorified servant any longer. His uncle wouldn't take kindly to this defiance, of course. He might need to offer a small demonstration to get the message through Vernon's thick skull.
"Might as well check the notification," Harry muttered, tapping his Gamer's Specs to reactivate the HUD. A flurry of messages cascaded across his vision, but one in particular caught his eye:
======Congratulations! You've completed the Wandless Mage quest!
Rewards: 1000 XP; 5 path points.
"The path points are definitely a nice reward," Harry murmured.
After reading the notification, another one appeared in its place.
The system detects the player has 2500 experience points stored in their cache. Do you wish to spend it to acquire the 'Accelerated Growth' title?
Description: Accelerated Growth is a title that fundamentally alters your character's progression trajectory. Upon reaching level 10, it activates, reducing the experience required for subsequent level-ups. The effect is permanent and compounds with each level, allowing for swifter advancement through the ranks. ======
"You want to take all of my valuable experience away, you greedy thing," Harry sighed.
It was an investment in his future growth. While the initial cost might seem steep, he would be saving a lot more experience in the long run.
Harry felt torn. While he recognised the value in the title, he was reluctant to part with so much experience. Finally, he decided to acquire it, reasoning that he could always work harder to recoup the experience.
"This better be worth it."
Harry opened his menu, navigated to the status screen, and saw his new "Accelerated Growth." His gaze shifted to his experience cache, and he felt the urge to cry when he saw that most of his experience points had vanished.
While he was still in his menu, he navigated to the settings tab and scrolled down to the Skill Acquisition option. With a moment's hesitation, he toggled it back on. This would allow him to continue learning skills through repeated actions. He'd turned it off after gaining the "Book Worm" skill from reading all the books in his possession. There were two reasons for this caution.
First, his laser focus on mastering wandless magic meant he couldn't afford distractions, even if acquiring a plethora of skills in the dungeon might have been advantageous. Second, and perhaps more crucially, he wanted to carefully curate his skill set. Each subsequent skill required more effort to acquire. Quality over quantity was the best way forward.
Harry's focus shifted to the newly unlocked feature. "Hey, Celeste, want to see something cool?"
The fairy looked up from her chip, cheeks comically puffed out. "Mmph?"
Chuckling, Harry focused on accessing the World Map. A translucent overlay shimmered into view, England's familiar shape crisp and clear while surrounding countries remained greyed out.
"Whoa," he breathed, zooming in on their location. Little Whinging and Greater Whinging appeared in stunning detail—street names, landmarks, and even tiny icons representing Celeste and himself in the park.
Celeste fluttered closer to inspect the magical map. "This is incredible! But why are some areas more detailed than others?"
Harry zoomed out, noticing the discrepancy. The Whinging area was the most detailed, as it was where he spent most of his time. London, the destination of a recent school trip, also provided information about the places he had visited.
"I think it's based on personal knowledge," he said. "The more we explore, the more detailed the map becomes."
The World Map was more than just a fancy GPS. It regulated the spread of the Gamer ability around the world. Currently, it was confined to England, limiting quests, dungeons, and other opportunities to its borders. Expanding to other countries required meeting specific criteria.
Curious, Harry accessed the database and found the information he was looking for.
======To unlock another country, complete four of the following requirements:
Close six dungeons.
Reach Levels 10, 20, 30, and so on.
Complete a side quest related to the intended country.
Complete 10 side quests.
Own property in the intended country.
Make a friend who is native to the target country.
Explore the country (uncover 1% of its map).
Master the basics of the country's language (non-English only).
*As the player explores further, he may discover additional ways to unlock a country.
Countries available to unlock: Scotland; Wales; Ireland; Iceland; France; Norway; Germany; Holland; Belgium; and Denmark.
Note: Gaia cannot hold back the dungeons indefinitely. The player must unlock new countries at a steady rate to access dungeons and repair dimensional cracks. Gaia will make allowances for the first year to allow the player to grow. ======
Some of the requirements were more difficult than others to meet. The most straightforward approach to unlocking new countries was to conquer dungeons, level up, and tackle side quests. Of course, he'd seize any opportunity to meet the other criteria as they arose.
He needed to locate the dungeons first. The most reliable method involved keeping an eye out for environmental anomalies, such as withering plants and dying trees. Each dungeon had an increasingly negative impact on its surroundings as time passed. The need to clear them before irreversible damage occurred weighed on him. Even that paled in comparison to the disastrous consequences of a Dungeon Break, in which the monsters would emerge into the unsuspecting world.
A sharp hoot pierced through his musings. Harry's gaze snapped upward, landing on a barn owl perched in a nearby tree.
"Well, hello there," Harry addressed the owl. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to keep a secret? Our little fairy friend here isn't exactly common knowledge."
Celeste, indignant at being referred to as 'little,' brandished a tiny fist at the bird. "You better stay quiet, or I will make you wish you were dead!"
The owl, seemingly unperturbed by the fairy's threat, swooped down from its perch. Harry flinched instinctively as it landed on the bench beside him. To his utter astonishment, the bird extended its leg, revealing a letter securely fastened there.
Harry blinked rapidly, convinced he must be hallucinating. "What in the world?"
The owl hooted again, radiating an air of impatience that seemed impossibly human.
Harry reached out and carefully untied the letter. The moment it was free, the owl took flight, returning to its branch and promptly tucking its head beneath its wing.
"That's... certainly an unconventional method of communication," Celeste observed. "Is this standard practice in your world?"
"Heck no," Harry replied, turning the large envelope over in his hands. The parchment felt thick and expensive—nothing like the cheap paper he was accustomed to. His fingers traced over an ornate wax seal, bearing an intricate coat of arms he didn't recognise.
He removed two unusual sheets of paper from the envelope. His hands trembled as he read the first letter, his mind reeling from what it contained. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A place where magic was taught, where others like him existed. It explained so much while also raising a thousand new questions.
"What is it?" Celeste asked, her tiny form vibrating with curiosity. "You look like you've seen a ghost!"
"It's... it's a school for magic," Harry said. "They want me to attend."
Celeste's eyes widened. "A whole school? Full of human magic users?"
Harry nodded and proceeded to read the second parchment. The list of required items, which included wands, cauldrons, and spell books, appeared fantastical but undeniably real. But, amidst his excitement, a seed of doubt germinated.
"This can't be right," he muttered. "The Dursleys would never allow this. And how do they even know about me?"
He glanced at the owl, which had roused itself and was watching him expectantly. An idea formed in his mind.
"I need answers," Harry declared, flipping the parchment over. He scribbled a hasty reply:
Dear Professor McGonagall,
Thank you for your invitation. I'm afraid I don't understand much about Hogwarts or the magical world. Could someone please come to explain things to me in person? I have many questions.
Sincerely, Harry Potter
He hesitated, then added a postscript:
P.S. Please don't contact my aunt and uncle about this. They don't approve of anything 'abnormal'.
Harry approached the owl cautiously. "Um, could you take this back to Hogwarts?"
The bird extended its leg once more, allowing Harry to attach his response. With a soft hoot, it spread its wings and took flight, quickly disappearing into the afternoon sky.
"So," Celeste said, settling on Harry's shoulder, "what now?"
Harry took a deep breath. "Now, we wait. But Celeste, if this is real—if there's a whole world of magic out there—it would explain everything. My parents must have belonged to this magical community. And they most likely went to Hogwarts, which explains why I am also receiving an invitation."
Harry and Celeste finished their meal while discussing the implications of this new development in their lives. He hoped that someone would come and explain this school to him; otherwise, he would ignore it and continue to gain strength through the Gamer system. Was it even worthwhile to attend the school?
"Hey, Celeste," he said, a smirk tugging on his lips. "It says here I can bring an owl, cat, or toad to Hogwarts. Which do you think you could imitate best? Given your size, I'd say a toad is your best bet."
Celeste's face flushed an impressive shade of purple, her wings buzzing with indignation. "Why, you little—" She snatched up a chip and hurled it at Harry's face. "Shove it, Potter!"
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Harry approached Number 4 Privet Drive with a mixture of dread and determination. The sun had dipped low, casting long shadows across the immaculate lawn. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation to come.
As he walked through the door, his Gamer's Specs automatically activated, displaying information about his relatives.
Vernon Dursley - Level 27 - Sales Director
Petunia Dursley - Level 23 - Housewife
Dudley Dursley - Level 6 - Student
His Aunt Petunia's shrill voice assaulted his ears. "There you are, you little miscreant!"
Uncle Vernon's purple face loomed into view, his moustache quivering with rage. "How dare you attack poor Piers! After all we've done for you!"
Harry's eyes flicked to Dudley, lurking in the background with a smug grin plastered across his face. The sight made his blood boil.
"I didn't attack anyone," Harry said. "They were chasing me. I defended myself."
"Liar!" Aunt Petunia screeched. "Duddykins told us everything. You caused that branch to break and fall on Piers. You could have hurt our Duddykins!"
Uncle Vernon's meaty hand shot out, grabbing Harry's arm. "That's it. Into the cupboard with you. No meals for a week!"
For a moment, Harry considered letting them lock him away. It would be easier, familiar. But then he felt Celeste shift in his pocket, a reminder of everything he'd been through, everything he'd learned. No more.
As Vernon tried to drag him towards the cupboard, Harry planted his feet. "No," he said, his voice low but firm.
"What did you say, boy?" Vernon's face darkened dangerously.
Harry met his uncle's gaze unflinchingly. "I said no. I'm not going in there. Not ever again."
Vernon's grip tightened painfully. "Now you listen here, you ungrateful little—"
In one fluid motion, Harry raised his free hand, channelling his magic.
A razor-sharp gust of wind materialised, slicing through the air with a high-pitched whistle. It struck the wall beside them, carving a deep gouge in the plaster.
The Dursleys froze, their faces a comical mix of shock and terror. Dudley's smug grin vanished, replaced by wide-eyed fear.
"H-how..." Petunia stammered, her face pale as milk.
Harry shook off Vernon's now-slack grip. "I have magic," he said. "Real magic. And I'm done being your prisoner and punching bag."
He walked to the back door, turning to face his stunned relatives. "I want Dudley's second bedroom. You have one hour to clear it out."
"Now see here," Vernon began, some of his bluster returning.
Harry raised his hand again, causing all three Dursleys to flinch. "One hour," he repeated. "Or I start taking this house apart, piece by piece."
To emphasise his point, he sent another wind blade into the ceiling, showering them in dust and plaster.
"You're a freak!" Dudley wailed, cowering behind his mother.
"Maybe," Harry agreed, a cold smile playing on his lips. "But I'm a freak who's done being pushed around. One hour."
With that, he turned and exited the house, leaving his shell-shocked relatives in the ruined entryway. He heard frantic whispers and the sound of Dudley's thundering footsteps on the stairs as the boy rushed to clear out his second bedroom.
Harry leaned against the door, his heart pounding. He'd done it. He'd stood up to them at last.
Celeste popped her head out of his pocket. "That was amazing!"
A grin spread across Harry's face. "Thanks. I think things are going to be very different around here from now on."
"They were so disturbed by your magic that they didn't comment on your physical changes," Celeste said, snickering.
Harry sighed. "I was really looking forward to their reaction."
The following morning, sunlight streamed through the window of Harry's new bedroom. He stretched luxuriously, still marvelling at the space after years confined to the cupboard. Celeste dozed on a makeshift bed crafted from a tissue box, her tiny snores barely audible.
Harry glanced at the alarm clock. He had slept late, a luxury he had never enjoyed before. He would no longer wake up early to prepare breakfast for his relatives.
As Harry sat up, he realised that he had forgotten something. "Oh, right," he muttered. "The equipment from the dungeon boss."
He grabbed his pouch to access his inventory and retrieved the item. It appeared in his palm: a plain, unadorned ring. Harry reached for one of his appraisal scrolls and examined the ring.
======Occlumens Ring | Level: - | Epic | Type: Support | Enchantment Slots: -
Description: A powerful artefact that shields the wearer's mind from intrusion. This ring, forged by an unknown master craftsman, draws upon ancient protective magics to create an impenetrable mental fortress around the wearer's thoughts, emotions, and memories. Even accomplished Legilimens will find their attempts to breach the wearer's mind thwarted.
*Defence: -
*Durability: ∞ ======
"Legilimency? Mind-reading?" he whispered, slipping the ring onto his finger. It adjusted seamlessly to fit, and with a mere thought, it vanished from sight.
"Celeste," he called softly, rousing the fairy. "Wake up. You need to see this."
As Celeste fluttered over, rubbing sleep from her eyes, Harry explained the ring's properties. Her tiny face lit up with excitement.
"This is huge, Harry!" she exclaimed. "If there are mind-readers out there, then this ring is important. What if someone could find out about your ability?."
Harry nodded. It was the best piece of equipment he could have received at this point.
After a quick shower, he headed downstairs, Celeste nestled securely in his shirt pocket. As he approached the kitchen, the shrill ring of the doorbell cut through the morning quiet. Harry changed course and opened the front door.
A tall, stern-looking woman stood on the doorstep. Her black hair was pulled back into a sleek, no-nonsense bun, not a single strand out of place. She wore a sharply tailored suit that, while not designed for fashion, exuded an air of authority and professionalism. Despite her severe appearance, there was a glimmer of warmth in her eyes as she regarded Harry.
Professor McGonagall - Level 111 - Transfiguration Professor
Harry was taken aback by the level displayed above the professor's head.
"Mr Potter," she said, her Scottish brogue evident even in those two words. "I'm Professor McGonagall from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Might we speak somewhere private?"
"Of course, Professor," he managed, glancing over his shoulder to ensure no eavesdropping Dursleys. "There's a park nearby. We could talk there."
Professor McGonagall nodded, and they set off down Privet Drive. As they walked, Harry could feel Celeste squirming in his pocket, no doubt bursting with curiosity.
Once they reached the secluded bench in the park, Harry took a deep breath. "Professor, before we begin, there's something... someone you should meet."
McGonagall's eyebrows rose slightly, but she remained silent, waiting.
Harry opened his pocket. "You can come out now."
Celeste shot out of Harry's pocket, hovering between him and the professor. "Finally!" she exclaimed, stretching her tiny arms. "I thought I was going to suffocate in there!"
Professor McGonagall's reaction was instantaneous. Her eyes widened, and she leaned forward, peering at Celeste with a mixture of shock and fascination. "Merlin's beard," she breathed. "What manner of creature is this?"
Celeste bristled, her wings buzzing indignantly. "Creature? I'll have you know I'm an Umbra Fairy, the most powerful magical being you've likely ever encountered."
McGonagall's gaze snapped to Harry's, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Mr Potter, where did you acquire this... fairy? I've never seen anything quite like her in all my years."
Harry hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's a long story, Professor. Celeste is my friend and... well, my familiar, I suppose. We've been through a lot together."
The professor's brow furrowed deeply. "I see," she said, though her tone suggested she didn't see at all. "Well, Mr Potter, it seems we have even more to discuss than I initially thought."
As they settled onto the park bench, Professor McGonagall fixed Harry with a penetrating gaze.
"Mr Potter," she began. "Before we delve into the details of your magical heritage, there's something I must address. I find myself rather perplexed by the timing of your Hogwarts letter."
Harry tilted his head. "What do you mean, Professor?"
The stern witch straightened her emerald cloak, choosing her words carefully. "You see, Hogwarts letters are typically sent out a week or two before a student's eleventh birthday. Yours, however, seems to have reached you significantly earlier than expected."
"But my birthday isn't until the end of July. That's still over a month away."
"Precisely," McGonagall nodded, her gaze intensifying. "Which makes this situation all the more unusual. In all my years at Hogwarts, I've never seen a letter dispatched so far in advance of a student's birthday."
His birthday had changed as a result of his time in the dungeon. As soon as he left the dungeon, it must have triggered the letter to be sent out. He would keep his birthday the same as before for consistency's sake.
"I'm not sure why the letter came early, Professor," he said. "Is it a problem?"
The witch shook her head. "Not a problem, per se, but certainly a mystery. Now, shall we proceed with explaining your magical heritage?"
As Professor McGonagall delved into Harry's history, he listened intently, his face a mask of controlled curiosity. When she mentioned Voldemort as the murderer of his parents, however, he couldn't contain his confusion any longer.
"I'm sorry, Professor," Harry interrupted, his brow furrowed, "but are you certain about that? About Voldemort killing my parents?"
McGonagall's eyebrows rose slightly. "Of course, Mr Potter. It's a well-established fact in our world. Why do you ask?"
Harry hesitated, weighing his words carefully. He knew the truth about Uriel, but revealing that information could raise too many questions that he wasn't prepared to answer. Instead, he opted for a more cautious approach.
"It's just... I've had dreams, maybe visions, of that night," he said slowly. "They don't quite match up with what you're telling me. I'm not saying you're wrong, Professor, but I think there might be more to the story."
The professor's expression softened. "I see. Mr Potter, while I don't discount your experiences, it's important to understand that dreams and memories, especially of traumatic events, can be unreliable. The facts as we know them are clear, but..." she paused, considering her next words, "if you have specific concerns, we can certainly look into them."
Celeste, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, chimed in. "Maybe the wizarding world doesn't have all the facts?"
"Perhaps," McGonagall conceded. "The events of that night have always been shrouded in mystery. If there's more to uncover, Mr Potter, rest assured we will do so."
Harry nodded. He knew he was sitting on a bombshell of information, but he wasn't about to share it with anyone. It was nobody's business but his own.
Professor McGonagall checked her watch. "I must be leaving soon. Shall we proceed with our plans for your introduction to the wizarding world? I believe a trip to Diagon Alley will be most illuminating for you."
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Harry visits Diagon Alley and begins training his attributes.
Thanks for reading.
