Harry spent the rest of his birthday completing his tutorial quest in the cramped confines of his cupboard. The Dursleys, still shocked by his earlier defiance, had left him alone—probably hoping he'd starve or come crawling back apologetically.
They would be disappointed.
Using [Observe] on various items in his cupboard had been easy enough, though depressing. Every possession was labeled as "Poor Quality" or "Worn." His blanket, his clothes, even the spider in the corner (which, hilariously, was labeled as [Common House Spider - Level 0 - Harmless]).
The physical exercises had been harder in the limited space, but Harry had managed push-ups, sit-ups, and various stretches. Each completed exercise had given him a small notification:
[Exercise Completed: 1/10]
By the time he finished all ten, his muscles burned and his HP had dropped to 87/100, but he'd gained something precious:
[+1 STR, +1 VIT]
The meditation had been the strangest part. Harry had simply sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused on his breathing. The System had provided a helpful timer and breathing pattern to follow. As the thirty minutes passed, he felt... calmer. More centered.
[+1 WIS, +1 INT]
[Skill Created: Meditation - Level 1][Effect: Increases MP regeneration by 10% while active. Grants mental clarity.]
By the time he completed the quest, the sun was setting, and Harry was hungry, thirsty, but triumphant.
[QUEST COMPLETE: Understanding the System]
[Rewards Granted:]
500 XP Basic Inventory Function Unlocked 5 Stat Points Mystery Box (Common) x1
[Level Up! You are now Level 3!]
[You have 10 unspent stat points!]
Harry grinned in the darkness. He now had a total of ten stat points to distribute. But before that, he wanted to check his Inventory and that Mystery Box.
Inventory, he thought.
A new window appeared, showing a grid of empty squares with a few items already present:
[INVENTORY - 50 Slots]
Broken Glasses x1 Worn T-Shirt (Dudley's Hand-me-down) x3 Worn Jeans x2 Mystery Box (Common) x1
Harry blinked. His belongings had automatically been stored? He reached for his glasses and thought about withdrawing them. Instantly, they appeared in his hand.
"Brilliant," he whispered, then stored them again with a thought. This was incredibly useful. He'd never lose things again, and he had fifty slots for storage!
Now for the Mystery Box. Harry focused on it.
[Mystery Box (Common)][Contains random reward appropriate for user's level][Open? Yes/No]
Yes!
The box in his inventory glowed and vanished, replaced by new items:
[Rewards Received:]
100 Galleons Beginner's Guide to Magic (Book) Nutrient Potion x5 Enhanced Eyeglasses (Replaces broken glasses)
Harry's breath caught. Gold? A book about magic? And potions? He quickly withdrew the Nutrient Potion.
[Nutrient Potion][Quality: Common][Effect: Restores 50 HP, removes [Malnourished] debuff for 24 hours, provides one day's worth of nutrition][Note: Tastes like chicken soup]
Without hesitation, Harry drank it. The liquid was warm and did indeed taste like chicken soup—the best chicken soup he'd ever had. Warmth spread through his body, and he watched in amazement as his HP bar filled completely.
[HP: 100/100]
[Status Effect [Malnourished] temporarily removed!]
[STR +2, VIT +2, DEX +1 (temporary boost for 24 hours)]
Harry felt ALIVE. His muscles didn't ache anymore. His ever-present hunger vanished. He felt stronger, faster, more energized than he'd ever been in his life.
This is what being healthy feels like, he realized with a mixture of wonder and anger. The Dursleys had kept him in a state of near-starvation for fifteen years. But not anymore.
He drank a second Nutrient Potion immediately.
[Effect Duration Extended: 48 hours]
Good. He had three more potions, which meant he could stay healthy for over a week. By then... well, by then he'd hopefully be at Hogwarts.
Hogwarts. The magical school. Harry hadn't received his letter yet, but he was fifteen now. Surely it would come soon?
Before he could think more about it, Harry heard the letterbox rattle. He froze. Mail at this hour?
Quietly, he opened his cupboard door and crept into the hallway. On the doormat lay a thick envelope made of yellowish parchment, addressed in emerald-green ink:
Mr. H. PotterThe Cupboard under the Stairs4 Privet DriveLittle WhingingSurrey
Harry's heart hammered as he snatched up the letter. He used [Observe] on it.
[Hogwarts Acceptance Letter][Quality: Magical][Description: Official acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Contains important information about your magical education.][Note: Additional hidden message detected - requires 15 INT to perceive]
Hidden message? Harry's INT was exactly 15 after his meditation! He focused harder on the letter, and suddenly he could see a faint secondary glow around the envelope.
[Secondary Letter Detected: Gringotts Bank - Urgent Financial Discrepancy Notice]
Harry's eyes widened. A letter from the bank? About financial discrepancy? But he'd never had any money except what the Dursleys grudgingly spent on him...
He tore open the main envelope first. Inside were several pieces of parchment. The first read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.
Yours sincerely,Minerva McGonagallDeputy Headmistress
Today was July 31st—his birthday. They were cutting it close!
The second piece of parchment listed supplies: wand, cauldron, books, robes, and more. Harry's excitement dimmed slightly. How was he supposed to buy all this? He had 100 Galleons from the Mystery Box, but was that enough?
Then he remembered the hidden letter. Harry carefully felt around the envelope and found a second, smaller piece of parchment concealed by magic. He pulled it free:
GRINGOTTS WIZARDING BANK
Mr. Harry James Potter,
This letter has been charmed to reach you on your 15th birthday, bypassing magical interference that has prevented previous correspondence.
We regret to inform you of serious irregularities regarding your accounts. Our records indicate that Lord Potter possessed substantial assets, yet you have been accessing only a MINOR TRUST VAULT (Vault 687).
According to our records:
Potter Family Vault (Vault 1) remains SEALEDMultiple additional vaults registered to Potter estate remain UNOPENEDPotter family properties listed as INACCESSIBLEFamily seat on Wizengamot listed as PROXY-HELD by Albus DumbledoreEstimated total assets: EXCEEDS 50,000,000,000 GALLEONS
Legal guardianship and financial management have been handled by Albus Dumbledore under emergency provisions from 1981. These provisions expired when you turned 15.
We request your immediate attendance at Gringotts to rectify these matters and claim your rightful inheritance.
Signed,RagnokAccount Manager - Potter EstateGringotts Bank, Diagon Alley
Harry read the letter three times, his hands shaking.
Fifty BILLION Galleons?
Multiple vaults?
Properties?
Dumbledore had been controlling his money?
[Quest Alert!]
Quest Name: Reclaim Your Heritage
Type: Main Quest
Difficulty: A-Rank
Description: You have discovered that your inheritance has been hidden and mismanaged. Travel to Gringotts Bank to claim what is rightfully yours and uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.
Objectives:
Reach Gringotts Bank (0/1) Meet with Account Manager Ragnok (0/1) Take Full Inheritance Test (0/1) Claim Potter Family Vault (0/1) Discover Hidden Bloodlines (0/1)
Rewards:
5,000 XP Access to Potter Family Vaults Full Financial Independence Hidden Bloodline Information Title: Lord Potter ??? (Additional rewards based on performance)
Failure: Remain ignorant and poor
Time Limit: 7 days
[Accept Quest? Yes/No]
YES! Harry thought viciously. Someone had been stealing from him—keeping him in poverty while sitting on BILLIONS of Galleons. The rage that burned through him was white-hot, but Gamer's Mind kept him thinking clearly.
He needed to get to Gringotts. But how? He didn't know where Diagon Alley was, and he certainly couldn't ask the Dursleys.
Wait. The Hogwarts letter mentioned awaiting his owl. Did wizards use owls for mail? And someone would come to take him to get his school supplies, surely? They wouldn't just expect a child raised by non-magical people to figure it all out.
As if summoned by his thoughts, there was a loud CRACK from outside, followed by three sharp knocks on the door.
Harry jumped. The Dursleys were asleep—it was nearly eleven at night. Who would be knocking now?
Cautiously, Harry opened the door.
Standing on the doorstep was the largest man Harry had ever seen. He was almost twice as tall as a normal man and at least five times as wide, with a wild tangle of black hair and beard covering most of his face. But his eyes were kind, beetle-black and crinkled in a smile.
"Harry Potter?" the giant rumbled. "Blimey, yeh look just like yer dad, but yeh got yer mum's eyes."
Harry used [Observe] instinctively.
[Rubeus Hagrid][Level: 45][Title: Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, Friend of Magical Creatures][HP: 850/850][MP: 450/450][Relationship: Friendly (60/100) - Knew your parents, feels protective of you][Description: Half-giant wizard. Expelled from Hogwarts in his third year but allowed to stay on as gamekeeper. Loyal to Dumbledore but genuinely kind-hearted. Slightly naive. Terrible at keeping secrets.][Threat Level: Minimal (protective of you)]
Level 45! This man was powerful, yet the System marked him as friendly and protective. And he knew Harry's parents.
"I'm Hagrid," the giant said warmly. "Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts. I'm here ter take yeh ter get yer school things. Didn't yeh get yer letter?"
"I just got it tonight," Harry said, then made a decision. "Mr. Hagrid, I also received a letter from Gringotts Bank about my accounts. Can we go there first? It seems urgent."
Hagrid's bushy eyebrows rose. "Gringotts wrote ter yeh? That's unusual. But aye, we'll go ter the bank first thing tomorrow. I'll take yeh ter the Leaky Cauldron tonight—Tom'll give yeh a room. Can't have yeh staying with these Muggles any longer if Gringotts is involved."
"Muggle?" Harry asked.
"Non-magical folk," Hagrid explained. "Like yer aunt an' uncle. No offense meant."
"None taken," Harry said firmly. "I'd be happy to leave."
Hagrid grinned. "Tha's the spirit! Got yer things packed?"
Harry thought of his Inventory with its pitiful contents. "I don't have much to pack."
Hagrid's face darkened. "They didn't treat yeh right, did they? I told Dumbledore it was a bad idea, leavin' yeh with Muggles, but he insisted..."
There was that name again. Dumbledore. The man who had placed Harry here. The man who controlled his money.
"I'm ready to go," Harry said. "Let me just grab my letter."
"Right then. We'll take the Knight Bus—it's a magical bus for stranded witches an' wizards. Hold on ter yer stomach, though. It's a rough ride!"
Fifteen minutes later, Harry found himself on the strangest purple triple-decker bus he'd ever seen, hurtling through the streets of London at impossible speeds. Despite Hagrid's warning, Harry found the experience exhilarating. His Gamer's Body prevented motion sickness, and Gamer's Mind kept him from panicking.
[Skill Increase: Motion Resistance - Level 1]
They arrived at a shabby-looking pub called the Leaky Cauldron. It was wedged between a bookshop and a record store, but somehow Harry's eyes wanted to slide right past it.
[Low-Level Notice-Me-Not Charm Detected][Your 15 INT allows you to perceive the enchantment]
Inside, the pub was crowded with oddly-dressed people drinking and chatting. The moment Hagrid walked in with Harry, the entire room went silent.
"Bless my soul," whispered an old bartender. "Harry Potter... what an honor!"
Suddenly everyone wanted to shake Harry's hand. A pale young man with a turban (who made Harry's scar prickle uncomfortably) introduced himself as Professor Quirrell. A woman in violet robes nearly cried while thanking him for "defeating You-Know-Who."
Harry used [Observe] on several people:
[Professor Quirinus Quirrell][Level: 45][Title: Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor][HP: 680/680][MP: 890/890][STATUS: ??? - ANALYSIS BLOCKED][Relationship: Neutral (50/100) - Acting friendly but something is wrong][Warning: This person is hiding something. Recommend extreme caution.]
Harry's instincts screamed danger. That STATUS block and warning... Something was very wrong with Professor Quirrell. He made a mental note to avoid the man.
Finally, Hagrid rescued him from the crowd and got him a room upstairs.
"Sorry 'bout that, Harry," Hagrid said. "Yer famous in our world. Yeh defeated You-Know-Who when yeh were just a baby."
"Voldemort?" Harry asked. The System had given him that name when analyzing his scar earlier.
Hagrid flinched. "Don't say the name, Harry! Most folk call him You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"Why? It's just a name."
"Aye, well... most folk are still scared, even though yeh defeated him fifteen years ago."
Harry had so many questions, but Hagrid yawned hugely. "Get some sleep, Harry. Big day tomorrow at Gringotts. I'll meet yeh here fer breakfast at eight."
Alone in his room—an actual room with a real bed, not a cupboard—Harry pulled up his Status Window. He still had those 10 stat points to distribute. Looking at his stats and thinking about tomorrow's bank visit, Harry made his decisions:
INT: +3 (15 → 18) - He needed to be smart to understand what had been done to his accounts WIS: +3 (13 → 16) - He needed wisdom to make good decisions with his wealth CHA: +2 (10 → 12) - He'd need to negotiate with goblins LUCK: +2 (5 → 7) - Never hurt to be luckier
[Stats Updated!]
Harry felt the changes immediately. His thoughts became sharper, clearer. He could see connections he'd missed before. The world seemed to make more sense.
Lying in a real bed for the first time in memory, Harry stared at the ceiling. Tomorrow he would reclaim his inheritance. Tomorrow he would learn the truth about his family, his wealth, and why he'd been left in poverty.
Tomorrow, Harry Potter's real life would begin.
[Quest Reminder: Reclaim Your Heritage - Time Remaining: 6 days, 22 hours]
Harry smiled in the darkness. He was ready.
[Chapter 2 END]