After returning from Diagon Alley, Albert locked himself in his room and began studying the magic of this world. Through careful experimentation and observation, he gradually developed a basic understanding of how magic worked in the world of Harry Potter.
He discovered that magic was essentially a force used to manipulate the fundamental rules of reality. It originated from living creatures—hence, only wizards and magical beings, who naturally possessed magical power, could wield it. Casting spells required three key elements: a strong will, correct pronunciation, and specific gestures. The will determined the intention and result of the spell, while pronunciation and gestures served as catalysts that activated the magic in a precise and effective manner.
To Albert, this system of spellcasting felt similar to using a console in a role-playing game to complete tasks—direct and efficient. Magic could accomplish feats such as levitating objects, repairing items, and generating light. These effects blatantly defied the laws of energy conservation and entropy, which fascinated him even more.
As he delved deeper into magic, he began to look forward to learning the "basic rule" spells—those that formed the foundation of the entire magical system.
He also studied wands and learned that they were crafted from materials taken from magical creatures and enchanted wood. Wands functioned as magical regulators and converters, enhancing a wizard's ability to focus and direct magic. Magical creatures, possessing stronger innate magic than most wizards, provided core materials for these instruments.
Albert found that with enough knowledge and practice, a wizard could eventually cast spells silently and without a wand—this advanced technique was known as wandless and silent spellcasting. Though such methods offered stealth and speed, they came with limitations. Without verbal incantations and the wand's amplifying effect, the magic was less potent and less efficient, often producing weaker results.
Given his talent and intelligence, Albert quickly mastered several basic spells, including the Wand-Lighting Charm (Lumos), the Levitation Charm (Wingardium Leviosa), and the Mending Charm (Reparo). However, he was limited in what he could practice within the confines of his small room.
Spells that required open space, specific ingredients, or fire were off-limits due to safety concerns. Additionally, complex or unstable spells could cause accidents and risk alerting Mrs. Gary, the head of the orphanage, or drawing attention from the other children.
With no other choice, Albert suppressed his curiosity and resolved to wait patiently until the school year began.
That wait felt endless.
Finally, September 1st arrived.
At precisely nine o'clock in the morning, Albert arrived at King's Cross Station. He wanted to board the train early to choose a compartment where he wouldn't be disturbed. At Hogwarts, only a few individuals outside of the protagonist trio—like the Weasley twins, Cedric Diggory, or perhaps a few pretty girls—interested him. He wasn't eager to spend the journey with anyone else.
The station was bustling with activity, and Albert stood between Platforms 9 and 10, carefully scanning his surroundings. He needed to find a way onto Platform 9¾ without attracting attention.
Soon enough, he saw several oddly dressed individuals—clearly wizards—nonchalantly walking straight toward the solid barrier between the platforms. One by one, they vanished into it.
Albert clenched his teeth, suppressing the urge to complain aloud about the absurdity of it all. Then, with a firm stride, he followed them toward the wall. The moment he touched it, he felt himself pass through a hidden gateway. The surroundings dimmed briefly before light returned.
What appeared before him was a gleaming red steam locomotive, with a sign reading Hogwarts Express mounted proudly on the front.
Albert paused, taking a deep breath. With his keen senses, he realized this platform existed in a pocket dimension—an alternate phase of reality, overlapping the original King's Cross Station. It amazed him how magic could bend space like this.
"This is completely unscientific," he muttered under his breath. But instead of questioning it further, he boarded the train alongside the others.
The train wasn't crowded yet, so Albert walked toward the rear carriages. He noticed a pattern: older students occupied the front compartments, while younger ones gathered toward the back.
Selecting an empty compartment, he slid the door shut behind him and stowed his luggage. Then, he unzipped his backpack and released Feiju, his feline companion who had been cooped up for far too long.
Stretching and yawning, Feiju meowed and rubbed against his legs affectionately.
Albert smiled slightly, understanding her silent request for attention. But he was engrossed in the book he had just pulled out: Hogwarts: A History. While other kids his age might have found such reading dull, Albert saw it as the perfect pastime.
Feiju persisted, bumping her head against his hand.
Without looking away from the book, Albert reached into his bag and pulled out a piece of grilled dried fish. He handed it to her casually, then patted her head.
Satisfied, though slightly miffed, Feiju took the fish in her mouth and wandered out of the compartment, her tail swaying in the air.
Albert wasn't concerned. Feiju, though still a kitten, was no ordinary cat. She was a cat demon—clever and capable of taking care of herself.
Some time later, Feiju returned abruptly, leaping into his lap as though frightened. Her ears were flat, and her fur bristled slightly.
Albert raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
He soon had his answer.
Hot on Feiju's tail came a girl about his age. She had thick brown hair, slightly protruding front teeth, and wore a crisp new Hogwarts uniform. Albert recognized her instantly—she bore a striking resemblance to a young Emma Watson.
Hermione Granger.
The famous heroine of the Harry Potter series. Known for her intelligence, strong will, and encyclopedic knowledge, Hermione was often labeled a "know-it-all" by her peers. She consistently ranked at the top of her class. Yet, in J.K. Rowling's original storyline, she was paired with Ron Weasley—a romantic outcome Albert found deeply unsatisfying.
"Sorry!" Hermione gasped, catching her breath. "I didn't mean to startle your cat. I was just—she looked so interesting, and I followed her down the corridor…"
Albert glanced down at Feiju, who buried her face in his robes.
"She's easily startled," he replied coolly. "But no harm done."
Hermione looked curiously at the book in his hands. "Hogwarts: A History? You're reading that too? Most kids haven't even opened it."
Albert closed the book gently. "It's better to be prepared."
Hermione's eyes lit up. "Exactly! I've read it cover to cover twice already. Did you see the part about the enchanted ceiling in the Great Hall? Or the moving staircases?"
Albert nodded. "Yes. The part about the Founders' magical artifacts was also intriguing."
She stepped forward, eyes still wide with interest. "Mind if I sit here for a bit? Most compartments are already filling up, and it's not often I meet someone else who appreciates a good book."
Albert hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"Sure."
Hermione sat down across from him, placing her small stack of books beside her. She smiled awkwardly. "I'm Hermione Granger, by the way."
"Albert," he replied simply.
Feiju peeked out again, still wary, but slowly relaxed.
As the train began to move, the two of them chatted lightly—mostly about the school, spells they hoped to learn, and what kind of house they might be sorted into. Hermione was particularly insistent on proving herself, determined to show that a Muggle-born like her could excel in the wizarding world.
Albert listened quietly, occasionally offering his own thoughts. Though he wasn't usually one for conversation, he had to admit—Hermione's enthusiasm was infectious.
Outside the window, the city slowly gave way to the countryside. Fields and forests rolled past under a cloudy sky. In that moment, as the train steadily made its way toward Hogwarts, Albert felt something stir within him—a strange combination of anticipation, excitement, and curiosity.
A new life awaited.
A world of mystery, magic, and adventure had finally opened its doors to him.
And he was ready.