"So, you guys are wizards, what's life like, can I pet your owl?"
Harry was sitting blank-faced while Ron was extremely pale as he drove the car to follow the Hogwarts Express. They both knew that bringing a muggle into the world of magic could incite an abnormal amount of trouble.
"Hey Harry," Ron whispered, "if we push him off, no one will know."
"We can't do that Ron," Harry said horrified at the thought, "we're not murders,"
"Well, what do we do then!!" Ron practically shouted the last part.
Harry sighed as he covered his head in his hands. This was not something they could fix on their own.
Vincent was busy observing Harry and Ron with curious eyes. Ron was half a head smaller than him with fuzzy red hair and freckles. He had a skinny body of sorts and an average face.
He then turned his attention to Harry. Although he was the same size as Ron, he was extremely skinny for a boy his age. He had messy black hair and goggle-like glasses. What was most noticeable was his lightning-like scar and bright green eyes. He actually had a handsome face in the making.
"So, what're your names?" Vincent asked for perhaps the eleventh time that flight.
He has been trying to get some answers, but both of the boys were stuck in their own thoughts.
"Harry Potter," Harry muttered
"Ron Weasley," Ron said just as unenthusiastic as Harry
"I'm Vincent, Vincent Wong,"
"A foreigner?" Harry asked curiously as he tried to forget his misery.
"Apparently, half Chinese, part American," Vincent said with a smile knowing that someone was talking to him.
"Apparently?" Ron asked trying to take his mind off the negatives.
"Well that's what I was told by the orphanage before I ran away," said Vincent.
He managed to lock pick Hedwig's cage open. Hedwig hopped onto his lap and nuzzled into his palm making him smile.
"I'm sorry for asking," apologized Harry, "I don't have any parents as well."
Harry knew what it was like to have no parents, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with the boy.
Here's a polished version for smoother flow and clarity:
"No worries," Vincent waved off Harry's concern, glancing out at the passing greenery and train tracks. "Well, since we've got time, why don't you tell me what Hogwarts is like while we drive? Not like we've got anything better to do, right?"
Harry and Ron exchanged a quick glance, Ron nudging Harry to go ahead. Despite some hesitation, Harry decided to humor the strange boy—after all, he was right. There really wasn't anything else to do.
Harry talked about his own life. He lived with his aunt, uncle, and cousin which sounded like a living hell to Vincent. Harry was constantly neglected, and it was only until last year when someone told him the truth that Harry was wizard, and that the Dark Lord known as Voldemort had killed Harry's parents as well as try to kill Harry himself. He failed, losing all his power and leaving a lightning bolt scar on Harry's forehead.
From then on, Harry met Ron and a girl called Hermione. Together they were able to stop Voldemort from coming back to his full power.
Vincent noticed that Ron turned a deathly white while Harry had a slightly angry look on his face.
"It's a taboo to say you-know-who's name, the only ones who have the courage are Harry and the greatest Wizard of our time, Dumbledore," Ron explained when he saw Vincent's confused face
"Dumbledore?" Vincent thought of the old man who loved sherbet lemons, "that old man is that well regarded?"
"Hey, how did Hedwig get out?" Harry asked curiously, just noticing the white owl snuggling up to Vincent
"Hope you don't mind, I picked the lock," Vincent said pulling two small picks out of his shoe.
Harry looked thoughtful before nodding at Vincent, "It's cool, I've been meaning to let him spread his wings for a while now."
As if on cue, Hedwig flew out the car window and alongside them. They stayed like this until the sky started to get dark. That's when trouble hit.
...
"Umm, I don't know a lot about magic cars, but that doesn't sound good."
Vincent and Harry both looked at Ron for confirmation as they heard the car engine making creaking and wheezing sounds.
"It should be fine, I mean it never driven this far before." Ron tried his best not to look worried as he focused on where the train below them was going. His rat Scabbers kept making squeaking noises as if it was concerned at the danger, they were in.
"I think I see Hogwarts!" Harry said excitedly
Vincent looked out the window with great expectations and wasn't disappointed. The giant castle in the distant looked majestic under the moonlight. Each tower that made up the whole stood tall and proud. The giant lake that was underneath them looked so clean and clear to the point that Vincent thought he saw something move underneath.
"This is Hogwarts," he thought excitedly, "I'm really here!"
All of a sudden, the car started puffing smoke out of the engine, it proceeded to dip towards a giant looking tree.
"Ron, do something!" Harry yelled as he held on for dear life.
"Stop, you, stupid car!" Ron yelled as he continually smacked the dashboard with his wand, which was pointless.
Vincent just sat there looking at the two of them panicking. He let Hedwig fly out of the car just in case she got hurt.
CRASH!!!
The impact threw Harry and Ron forward in their seats. Vincent, however, managed to leap out the window just in time. He grabbed onto a nearby branch, using it to slow his fall, then swung from one branch to another before landing gracefully with a backflip.
Vincent winced sharply, clutching his stomach. The injury he'd sustained earlier that day hadn't healed, and that stunt certainly hadn't helped. He could still feel the sharp pain of cracked ribs and let out a low grunt.
Harry watched in astonishment at Vincent's agility, his eyes wide. He then glanced over at Ron, who sat frozen in his seat.
"Harry, my wand broke," he showed Harry the wand which would have been snapped in two, if not for a piece barely holding it together," Mom's going to murder me,"
"Uh, don't worry, I'm sure we could get that fixed," Harry said, trying his best to sound optimistic.
"Hey guys, are you alright?" Both Harry and Ron looked out to see Vincent sitting on the ground. He held a hand to his stomach in obvious pain.
Right before Harry or Ron could say anything, the tree branches started moving. Vincent watched in half amazement and half horror as he watched Harry and Ron get bombarded by the tree branches. The car eventually got out of the branches before drying out of the range of the tree.
Next second the car opened all the doors ejecting everything inside. Their luggage and themselves. The two boys landed on the ground with their luggage around them. They watched as the car made off.
"No!" Ron shouted in panic, "come back, dads going to kill me otherwise!"
"If I was that car, I'd probably be fed up as well," Vincent said to Harry as they watched Ron try to 'convince' the car to come back.
"Barriers locked, wand broken now we crash into the only tree that's willing to hit back, our day sucks!" Ron complained as he carried his luggage alongside Harry and Vincent.
"Maybe flying a car to school wasn't the best idea," Vincent muttered as he tried to not grimace in pain which didn't go unnoticed.
"Dude are you alright?" Ron asked in concern as he saw how bad Vincent was sweating. "Was it the landing?"
"It's not your fault Ron," Vincent has a smile, "I was in a fight earlier this morning, dude broke a few ribs of mine."
"A few ribs?!" Ron and Harry looked at each other in alarm, "we'll get you to the school's nurse, she'll fix you up in no time."
Vincent felt grateful towards the two boys, despite having just met they treated him as a friend. Vincent never had a proper friend before, so this was something new to him.
"Thanks, guys,"
...
"I wonder if we missed dinner?" Harry asked
"Hope not," Ron said as they climbed the stairs, "maybe we can sneak in, you holding up alright Vince?"
"Yeah I'm fine," Vincent said as they continued climbing the stairs before reaching an enormous door.
Vincent was busy admiring the door while Harry and Ron both took a peek inside.
"Looks like we missed the sorting, wonder if Ginny's in Gryffindor, also where's Snape?"
"Ginny?" Vincent thought weirdly as he remembered the redhead, he compared her to Ron and found their hair similar. "Siblings?"
"Maybe he quit!" Harry said excitedly
"Maybe he's standing right behind you."
They all turned around with both Ron and Harry jumping slightly. Vincent observed the man in front of him. Snape was a tall lean man with long black hair that ran down from all sides except his front. He had pitch-black eyes and sallow like skin accompanied by a hook-like nose. Coupled with his black robes he looked like...
"You have vampire teachers as well?" Vincent asked curiously
Despite how serious the situation was, Harry and Ron laughed silently into their sleeves while Snape looked like he was going to burst a vein.
"Hey, hey you alright mister vampire?" Vincent just waved his hand in front of Snape's face, "Your veins are popping out, you're not out of blood or anything right, well I only saw that type of face on a guy who was constipated."
At this point, Harry and Ron were trying to keep a neutral face but they were dying on the inside with laughter causing their mouths to twitch.
"ENOUGH!" Snape roared at Vincent who just stood there confused, "now you will all follow me!"
With that, he turned around and started walking away. Vincent looked back and saw the two boys with twitching smiles come to follow. Ron gave Vincent a pat.
"No matter how bad things get today, that was worth it."
Vincent looked confused before following them, thinking about what he did wrong.
...
"So," Snape looked at the three boys, "the train isn't good enough for the famous Harry Potter and his faithful sidekick Weasley. Wanted to arrive with a bang, did we boys?"
"No, sir, it was the barrier at King's Cross, it—"
"Silence," said Snape coldly, "What did you do with the car?"
"It ran away sir," Vincent spoke up, "or drove away?"
Snape's eye twitched as he gave Vincent the evil look which was ignored by said person. Vincent was too busy admiring Snape's office full of floating jars with questionable contents in them. Snape took a deep breath as he turned back to Harry and Ron.
"You were seen!" Snape showed them a newspaper titled, Evening Prophet, "a total of six muggles, saw your little stunt. Your father works in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office, right Weasley? Dear, dear, his own son."
Snape smiles at Ron's pale face while Harry looked absolutely ashamed of what their actions had done for Ron's dad's career.
"I noticed in my search of the park, that considerable damage had been done to the Whomping Willow." Snape went on
"Whomping Willow?" Vincent thought, "Sounds fitting."
"The tree did more damage to us then we—" Ron began
"Silence!" snapped Snape, "and your last offense is him!"
He pointed straight at Vincent who didn't really seem fazed by it.
"Bringing a muggle into the wizarding world without consent is a violation of the law." Snape stated coldly, "I don't have the authority to expel or punish you, so I'll fetch the people who do have that happy power. You will wait here."
Harry and Ron both looked extremely pale while Vincent tried to comfort the two of them.
"You guys will be fine," he said, "I'm pretty sure Dumbledore wouldn't punish you guys too harshly."
"Thanks for the optimism man," Ron said dejectedly, "you're from a different world, so you wouldn't know a lot on how things work here."
Vincent just scratched his head in annoyance looking at the two depressed boys.
"Wait, how do you know Dumbledore's here?" Harry asked
Harry did remember mentioning Dumbledore, however, he did not mention he was the headmaster of Hogwarts.
Just before Vincent could answer, the door opened entering Snape and an elderly woman who looked extremely angry. She scanned both Harry and Ron before her eyes landed on Vincent's. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened in shock as she saw the two rods sheathed on the sides of his waist. She then recovered her composure before staring angrily at Harry and Ron.
"Explain." despite her not yelling, those words held incredible power over them.
Ron launched into the full story, starting with how he and Harry got stuck at the barrier.
"— so, we had no choice, Professor McGonagall, we couldn't get on the train and Vincent," he looked at Vincent who scratched his head embarrassed, "was trying to hide and got caught up in our mess."
"Why didn't you send us a letter by owl?! I believe you have an owl?" Professor McGonagall said coldly to Harry
"I—I didn't think—"
"And that," McGonagall said bluntly, "is the problem."
A knock came on the door and Snape, now looking happier than ever, opened it. There stood a wizened old man with long flowing white hair, the strongest wizard of all time, Dumbledore.
Vincent's eyes started watering up slightly, it's been so long since had seen the old man. Dumbledore spotted Vincent as well making his eyes widen in surprise before giving a quick nod. Vincent didn't feel to put off by the lack of attention, they could catch up later.
Dumbledore started straight at Harry and Ron in silence for a long time before talking, "Please explain why you did this."
As Harry explained the story, Vincent was observing the old man. He looked no different than he did all those years ago. Dumbledore was still the kind old man that helped him become the person he was today.
"We'll go get our stuff," said Ron, feeling hopeless
"What are you talking about, Weasley?" barked Professor McGonagall.
"We're being expelled, right?" Ron said, as if it were obvious.
Vincent glanced at Dumbledore. If he knew the headmaster at all, he doubted Dumbledore would take such a drastic step.
"Not today, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said calmly, prompting hopeful looks from both Harry and Ron. "However, I must impress upon you the seriousness of your actions. What you've done is extremely grave, and there will be consequences. I'll also be writing to both of your families this evening. If this happens again, I may have no choice but to expel you."
Snape looked extremely displeased and tried to reason with Dumbledore, "But Professor Dumbledore, even excluding the damage and offenses they've caused, they still brought a muggle into our world, hence breaking a major law."
"That's where your mistaken Severus." Dumbledore finally smiled that evening, "it wasn't them that had introduced him to this world, but me. It's been a while, how are you, Vincent?"
Everyone, except McGonagall who already knew, stared at Vincent in shock. Vincent tried to stand up but fell down due to the pain. Dumbledore and McGonagall both frowned at this.
"Hey mister, yeah I'm doing well," Vincent gave a small smile, "got a lemon sherbet on you?"
Dumbledore chuckled as he took out a wrapped piece of candy and handed it to Vincent who popped in his mouth, "It's been five years and you still think I keep those around."
"Chocolate, really?" Vincent made a face before both he and Dumbledore started laughing together leaving everyone else in the room to look in confusion.
"Professor McGonagall, I'll leave these two in your care, I'll take Mr. Wong to Madam Pomfrey for treatment."
"Yes, Headmaster." McGonagall nodded
Dumbledore lifted the chair Vincent was sitting on with magic before escorting him out of the office.
Snape gave a snort as he followed suit leaving only Harry, Ron and McGonagall in the office.
...
"Professor, who is Vincent?" Harry asked curiously
He had never seen anyone act so natural around Dumbledore like that before.
"Have you heard of London's vigilante?" McGonagall asked
"You mean the Trespasser?" Harry asked, recalling it had been mentioned on the news.
It was more rumor than fact. He remembered his uncle dismissing it as foolish—fighting crime without any authority. But at Harry's age, heroes inspired him. So when he heard about the Trespasser, he felt a spark to help others too.
"I think I saw him in the newspaper," Ron added, recalling how Ginny had been reading about the vigilante just yesterday morning, something that caught his attention due to how strange it was. Ginny Weasley wasn't one to read newspapers, she wasn't Hermione after all.
"Vincent Wong is the Trespasser," McGonagall dropped the revelation casually, as if it were no big deal.
Harry and Ron sat in stunned silence, absorbing the news. After a long pause, they both stood, visibly shocked.
"WHAT?!!"
...
"Can you send Sister An a letter to let her know I'm alright?"
Vincent lay in the hospital wing while Madam Pomfrey tended to his wounds. Dumbledore stood quietly to the side, watching.
"Don't worry," Dumbledore said with a gentle smile. "I sent her a letter as soon as we arrived. Funny how things tend to work out, wouldn't you say, Madam Pomfrey?"
The nurse huffed, clearly unimpressed. "Don't look at me. I haven't the faintest idea what that boy's been through—but I'd wager you had more than a little to do with it."
Dumbledore gave a sheepish chuckle, knowing full well she wasn't wrong.
"So, are you sending me back to London?" Vincent's voice grew serious, a flicker of hope in his eyes.
Since discovering magic, Vincent had always dreamed of attending Hogwarts. Now that he was so close to that dream, he was reluctant to return home. Yet if Dumbledore asked, he would go—he didn't want to cause the old man any trouble.
After a moment's thought, Dumbledore asked, "Which would you prefer?"
Vincent looked straight at him while Madam Pomfrey, who just finished up, sat to the side watching the two.
"I want to stay and explore this world," Vincent said seriously.
They both stayed there in silence as they looked at each other. Dumbledore finally sighed and gave Vincent a smile.
"You've constantly been sending me messages through Sister An for some time now," Vincent gave a wry smile as Dumbledore continued, "since you seem to truly want to be here, then perhaps I can bend the rules."
Vincent froze for a moment, stunned—then suddenly jumped out of bed and threw his arms around Dumbledore in a tight hug. Both he and Madam Pomfrey were caught off guard, but they soon exchanged warm, knowing smiles.
For all he'd done, for how he carried himself, it was easy to forget that Vincent was still just a twelve-year-old boy—one who had spent most of his life alone. In that moment, the weight he carried slipped away, if only briefly. Right now, Dumbledore and Sister An were the two people in the world who meant the most to him.
...
"How the hell does anyone find their way around here?" Vincent thought as he wandered the corridors of Hogwarts.
If it wasn't for the map that Dumbledore gave him and the live pictures, that Vincent was fascinated by, he would have been running around in circles forever.
"Excuse me, who are you and what are you doing here?"
He turned around to see a brown bushy-haired girl with dark brown eyes. Vincent stared at her for a bit making the girl nervous.
"Cat."
The girl looked confused, "excuse me what?"
"You look like a cute cat."
Vincent then realized what he said as the girl went as red as a tomato.
"Wait!" he said in a panic, "Sorry, didn't mean to blurt that out!"
"...uh, ok," the girl nodded her head quickly, more than willing to look past that, "I'm Hermione Granger, can I ask who you are and what year you're in?"
"I'm Vincent Wong," Vincent said, "I'm not in any year."
"Oh, so you're a first-year?" she asked confused.
From what she could see, Vincent was the same age as her.
"Well, that's complicated," he said scratching the side of his face, "I'm a muggle that got dragged here by a redhead and a boy in glasses."
"Wait really?! You're the muggle that Ron and Harry brought?! Did they really fly to Hogwarts in a car?! Are those two expelled?!" Hermione's eyes went wide, "No muggle has ever attended Hogwarts before!"
"Well, there's a first time for everything." Vincent thought before answering, "Yes I'm the muggle they brought, yes they flew a car and no they're not expelled."
"Phew, thank goodness," Hermione gave a sigh of relief.
"Oh, that's right, do you know where the Gryffindor Tower is?" he asked.
"Oh, I was heading there just now, I was just looking for those two troublemakers," she said in a huff.
"You really care about those two, don't you?" Vincent asked as they made their way to the Gryffindor Tower.
"They're the first friends I've ever had that stayed with me," Hermione said with a smile, "not many people make friends with a bookworm like me."
"Really, you seem to be more than just a bookworm to me you know," Hermione's head turned to look at Vincent who was still looking at the map, "although I've only just met you, I think you're a kind and caring person."
Hermione looked at Vincent who was making notes on the map, so he doesn't get lost in the future.
"Thank you," Hermione said gratefully.
"No problem," Vincent gave her a smile, something that she returned in kind.
They soon found their way to a giant picture depicting a Fat Lady. In front of it stood Harry and Ron.
"There you guys are, you guys really flew a car?! I was afraid you guys got expelled?!"
"Hey Hermione, good to see you too," Ron said sarcastically before he saw Vincent, "Hey Vincent, you staying in Hogwarts?"
"Yeah, Dumbledore made an exception."
"Wait, really?! That's awesome! Now we can be buddies!" Ron said with a laugh while Harry smiled.
"We're happy your here, your stomach alright?" Harry asked worryingly.
"Yeah, that Madam Pomfrey is amazing!" Vincent said remembering how fast it took to heal.
Hermione was about to scold them again before Ron cut her off, "Skip the lecture, and tell us the password?"
"It's wattlebird, but that's not the point—"
The portrait opened to reveal the whole Gryffindor house still awake. Hands reached out to grab Harry and Ron leaving Vincent and Hermione to rush after them.
"Brilliant!" yelled a boy that Vincent would later learn his name was Lee Jordan, "Inspired! What an entrance! Flying a car into the Whomping Willow, people will be talking about that one for years—"
Many people rushed in to congratulate the two of them. They managed to push their way to the stairs that led to the dormitories.
"Night," the two of them waved as they headed up the stairs leaving Hermione to scowl at them.
"Vincent?"
Vincent turned around to see a certain redheaded girl.
"Hey Ginny," he greeted with a smile.
"It is you!" Her eyes turned round in shock, "why are you here?"
"Your brother accidentally dragged me here in his car," Ginny gave a horrified look at Vincent before apologizing.
"I'm sorry for my brothers' actions!"
"No need, I've always wanted to see the world of magic so it's fine."
Both Hermione and Ginny looked confused. If Vincent was a muggle, how did he know of magic beforehand?
Before they could ask two pairs of hands lifted him up onto their shoulders. Vincent would later learn that these two twins were Ron's brothers, Fred and George.
"Let's give it up for the first muggle in history to have attended Hogwarts!"
Vincent was helplessly shown around the common room like a trophy for a long half-hour before being able to head to bed.
"Night Hermione, night Ginny, see you tomorrow," they waved back as he made his way to the dormitories bed.
He picked an empty bed that seemed void of luggage before taking off his hoodie and laying it on the desk beside it. He took off his makeshift sheathes with his rods and placed them to the side as well before laying on the bed.
"I'm at Hogwarts," he said, thinking that it might be a dream
He had a full-on smile before falling to sleep.
...
"You're letting him stay?" McGonagall asked, arms folded, as she stood in Dumbledore's office. The headmaster sat at his desk, calmly flipping through a stack of papers.
Severus Snape stood nearby, his expression tight with disapproval.
Dumbledore looked up at them with a faintly amused glint in his eyes. "Yes. And why not? There's no rule expressly forbidding it."
"Albus," McGonagall said sharply, "admitting a Muggle to Hogwarts could spark serious backlash from the Ministry."
Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Let them grumble. I've never shied away from upsetting the Ministry before."
Snape's eyes narrowed. "I share Professor McGonagall's concerns. What exactly is your purpose here? What role does this boy play in your grand design?"
Dumbledore paused mid-turn of a page, his hand freezing in place. He set the papers aside and folded his hands over them, the lightness in his demeanor vanishing.
"Destiny," he said quietly, "has a strange way of pulling people into its web. No matter how much we try to avoid it, it finds a way—shaping lives, for better or worse."
Snape's frown deepened. "You believe the boy is bound to some destiny?"
Dumbledore let out a long sigh, and for a moment, he looked every bit his age—worn, tired, burdened.
"What if I told you both that one day, that boy will make a choice... a single decision that will either bring about the downfall of our world—or save it?"
McGonagall and Snape exchanged startled glances, the weight of his words settling heavily in the room.
"Albus," McGonagall whispered, her voice trembling, "what are you saying?"
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. A long silence followed. When he opened them again, his gaze was distant, fixed on something unseen.
"I'm saying... I don't know. Not yet. But I intend to find out."