The Grangers exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with concern and resignation.
So, another magical child in the house.
They'd had their suspicions for a while. After all, Hermione had always been… different. Strange things happened around her, and they'd struggled to understand until a professor from the magical world explained it all.
At eleven, Hermione would attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn control.
Now, after the zoo incident, it was clear Qin Yu was the source of the chaos—and his power seemed far more volatile than Hermione's.
Please let them turn eleven soon, the Grangers silently pleaded. Before our nerves give out.
"Qin, can you move the tree?" Mr. Granger asked tentatively.
Qin Yu shook his head, embarrassed. "Sorry, I can't control my abilities yet."
"Right. Should've guessed," Mr. Granger muttered, restarting the car. "We'll have to take the long way home."
The fallen tree was left for the locals to handle.
Qin Yu knew the magical world had rules—and enforcers.
The Ministry of Magic monitored wizardkind, ensuring no disruptions to the Muggle world.
His Obscurus-fueled outbursts, like uprooting a tree, would surely draw their attention.
Would they take him away? The uncertainty gnawed at him.
Unbeknownst to Qin Yu, a witness had observed the zoo chaos: Professor Minerva McGonagall, disguised as a tabby cat.
She'd been keeping tabs on Harry Potter, per Dumbledore's orders. But today, she'd also spotted Qin Yu and Hermione.
Apparating to Hogsmeade, she hurried to Hogwarts to report.
Dumbledore, intrigued by the Parselmouth boy and the powerful Muggle child, decided to investigate personally.
"I solved this problem before you!" Hermione declared proudly.
Since Qin Yu's arrival, her academic dominance had waned. Math, science, history—he surpassed her in everything except art (and only because his drawings were terrible).
"Wow, amazing," Qin Yu replied distractedly.
His mind was elsewhere, a sense of foreboding weighing on him.
Then his eyes widened.
Outside the window floated a white-bearded man, smiling kindly.
"D-D-D—" Qin Yu stammered.
Hermione blinked. "D what? Are you okay?"
"You don't see him?" Qin Yu asked.
"See who?"
Dumbledore stepped through the window, waving a hand. Hermione yawned and slumped onto the table, asleep.
"She's unharmed," Dumbledore assured. "Merely resting for our conversation."
"I know you'd never hurt her," Qin Yu said, laying it on thick.
"You know of me?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"Hermione told me about the wizarding world. You're… kind of a big deal."
Perfect scapegoat, Qin Yu thought.
"Then I'll skip the introductions," Dumbledore chuckled. "Child, you're no ordinary boy, are you?"
"I—I know I have this uncontrollable power. Strange things happen around me. Are you here about the tree? I didn't mean to—"
"The tree?" Dumbledore looked surprised. "Ah, another complication."
"Wait, you didn't know?" Qin Yu flushed.
"No matter. I'm here to help." Dumbledore's gaze deepened as he studied Qin Yu.
After a long pause, he murmured, "An Obscurus… How rare."
"A what?" Qin Yu's voice trembled.
"A powerful, dangerous force—one unseen for decades. But with guidance, you'll master it."
Dumbledore's presence was calming, his words carrying weight.
"Should I tell him everything?" Qin Yu wondered.
As if reading his mind, Dumbledore said, "The past is behind us. What matters is how you wield your power moving forward."
He saw something in Qin Yu—a spark, a key to future possibilities.
"In a few days, someone will escort you to Hogwarts," Dumbledore offered. "There, you'll learn to harness your magic. Will you come?"
The system chimed:
"Ding! Crossroads ahead! Choose wisely—
「1」Reject Hogwarts. Reward: 10,000 Galleons + Complete Guide to Magic.
「2」Accept Hogwarts. Reward: 1,000 Galleons."
Ten thousand Galleons was tempting. With that wealth and knowledge, he could thrive independently.
But Qin Yu wanted the experience—the magic, the camaraderie, the adventure.
After a moment, he bowed slightly. "Thank you, Professor. I'd be honored to attend Hogwarts."
"Ding! Reward: 1,000 Galleons! May this aid your studies. Happy learning!"
At least the system's polite, Qin Yu mused.
Dumbledore beamed, producing a letter from his robes.
"I anticipated a new student," he said, handing it over. "Saves an owl the trip—they do tend to misdeliver."
Qin Yu unfolded the Hogwarts Acceptance Letter, his name gleaming on the parchment.
This—this was the dream of countless Harry Potter fans in his past life. And now, he held it.
Overwhelmed, he hugged Dumbledore.
"Thank you. I feel safe now."
Dumbledore patted his head. "The future is bright, child."
With a pop, he vanished.
The room was silent once more.
Hermione slept on, a faint smile on her lips, lost in sweet dreams.