For a transmigrator determined to study hard, pursue scientific research, and dedicate his life to the modernization of socialism...
For someone who had meticulously planned his journey into scientific academia for over a decade...
For someone who had read hundreds of core journals before turning eleven, fully prepared to become a scientist...
...
What could be more cruel than telling him that the world he lived in wasn't governed by science—but by magic?
Despair? Hopelessness? A complete collapse of his worldview? Words could hardly describe how Jon Hart felt at that moment.
With trembling hands, he opened the fourth and final letter.
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Albus Dumbledore (President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Grand Sorcerer, Order of Merlin, First Class).
Dear Mr. Hart,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to 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's response no later than July 31st.
Sincerely,
Deputy Headmistress (Female), Minerva McGonagall
There was no mistaking the contents of the letter—it was exactly what he remembered!
It was only 1992, five years before J.K. Rowling would write the first Harry Potter book... So this couldn't possibly be a prank.
That left only one explanation—the world he had lived in for over a decade was, in fact, the world of Harry Potter.
The air around him suddenly felt... enchanted.
"What's wrong, dear?" Judy quickly noticed the strange look on her son's face.
"N-nothing..." Jon stammered, then handed over the letter. "Just... another school's acceptance letter."
Eric and Judy exchanged puzzled looks and took the letter.
Five minutes later.
"I think this must be some kind of joke," Mr. Hart said solemnly.
"Exactly! A magic school? That's completely absurd!" Mrs. Hart echoed in a shrill voice.
Jon forced a bitter smile. According to his memories, Hogwarts should soon be sending a professor to explain the wizarding world to his parents...
"I think we should call the police. This prank's gotten out of hand," Eric muttered.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Someone's here?" Judy quickly straightened her apron and went to open the gate.
Standing outside was a stern-looking woman wearing square glasses that resembled a cat's eye markings. She wore a deep green cloak, and her jet-black hair was pulled into a tight bun.
"Are you the guardian of Mr. Jon Hart?" she asked in a firm voice.
"Hello, I'm his mother. May I ask who you are?" Judy asked politely.
"Minerva McGonagall," the woman replied. "I'm a professor."
Jon glanced up at the stern-faced woman, a bit embarrassed... He suddenly remembered the "stray cat" he'd kicked away near the mailbox ten minutes ago.
"Oh, welcome, welcome!" Judy said brightly, ushering Professor McGonagall inside. "Are you from Eton College, by any chance?"
"What?" Professor McGonagall frowned slightly, then shook her head. "I work for Hogwarts."
"Hogwarts?" Judy blinked in confusion at the unfamiliar name.
"Wait a moment!" Eric interrupted, glancing at the letter again. "You're saying... Professor McGonagall... Hogwarts... this isn't a joke?"
He was so shocked he began to stutter.
"Of course not," Professor McGonagall replied with mild disdain. "Hogwarts is a school for individuals with special talents—a wizarding school with over a thousand years of history."
"So you mean... the letter is real?" Judy asked, her face turning pale.
"As Mugg—ordinary people, it's understandable that you're unaware of magic, but..."
"Ah!" Judy shrieked.
Professor McGonagall, who had been standing in the doorway just moments ago, suddenly vanished—and in her place sat a tabby cat.
"What... what's going on?" Eric stammered, more flustered than he'd ever been in his life.
"But magic does exist."
The tabby cat strolled gracefully into the room, shot Jon a sharp glare, then leapt onto the sofa and transformed back into Professor McGonagall.
She turned to Jon and spoke calmly, "Mr. Hart, unlike your parents, you are not an ordinary person. You are a naturally born wizard. Joining Hogwarts will allow you to truly develop your gifts."
Seeing Jon still standing there in a daze, McGonagall assumed he was stunned by what she'd just said—this kind of reaction was common when visiting young wizards from Muggle families.
"Perhaps you still doubt my words, Mr. Hart," she continued. "Have you noticed any abilities that set you apart from others? Have strange things ever happened when you were scared or angry?"
Exceptional abilities... Does having a photographic memory count? Could I be one of those so-called memory savants?
Strange occurrences during emotional outbursts... Well, since transmigrating, Jon had the mindset of someone nearing forty, and he rarely reacted like a child. He'd never really lost control of his emotions—so of course, no accidental magic had occurred.
So... he really was a wizard? A so-called "Mudblood" born to Muggles?
As Jon's stunned expression slowly began to fade, Professor McGonagall stood up.
"Mr. Hart, now you and your parents must decide—will you attend Hogwarts and become a true wizard?"
"The list of required textbooks and school supplies was included in the letter. You'll need to visit Diagon Alley in London to purchase everything."
"Oh, and the address for Diagon Alley..."
Professor McGonagall pulled a small wand from her cloak, gave it a flick, and a line of glowing letters appeared on the wall:
"117 Charing Cross Road, Westminster, London."
"Well then, goodbye, Hart family."
With that, she stepped out of the room and disappeared.
Wait! Judy hurried to the door, but by the time she reached it, the professor was already gone.
Clearly, not everyone got the Chosen One treatment—being personally escorted to Diagon Alley by a professor.
"Was that a dream?" Judy murmured as she returned to the living room.
"No, Mom, I don't think so," Jon replied with a helpless smile. "There's no way all three of us dreamed the exact same thing."