No one moved. For a moment it felt like the world had stopped — though in reality it was only about ten seconds.
Albert bent down and picked up the pale-yellow envelope. There was no stamp; a line of emerald-green handwriting ran across the front:
Mr. Anderson
Tibber Alley, No. 1
As Albert read, a notification popped into his mind:
Quest triggered: The Wizard's Path.
You possess the potential to become a Wizard, but you are not yet qualified. You now have a precious opportunity to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and become a student.
Reward: 10,000 experience, 2 skill points, Wizard Bloodline +1.
Wizard Bloodline?
Albert froze. What on earth was this?
Two skill points were tempting. Getting into Eton would only grant one point, and Albert had scraped together just three skill points over many years—points he was reluctant to spend.
What made it stranger still was the setting: this was the world of a novel.
The magical world from the Harry Potter books?
Albert flipped the envelope. Sure enough, the Hogwarts crest stared up at him — a large H surrounded by a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake.
"Mom, do zoos train owls to be postmen now?" Nia asked, eyes wide as she stared at the bird still lingering nearby.
"Nia, nobody uses owls for mail. At least, normal people don't. This has to be a prank," Daisy said, glancing at Herb. She frowned. "Herb, what's wrong? Aren't we supposed to be leaving?"
"Let me see the letter," Herb said.
Albert handed the envelope to his father.
"Dear!" Daisy snapped, more annoyed than frightened.
Herb didn't notice. He tore open the envelope, slid out the parchment, scanned it, and then said, "Children, I think our plans are going to have to wait."
"Herb, what is it? What does it say?" Daisy demanded, voice sharpening.
"Dad, read it out loud," Nia begged. Albert's face showed almost nothing. If he hadn't already experienced transmigration and the system panel, he might have been shocked. But two shocks had dulled the effect; finding himself in a novel's world was only slightly less bizarre than the rest.
"Alright," Herb said. He unfolded the parchment and read:
Principal of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:
Albus Dumbledore
(Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, First Class Sorcerer of the Merlin Order)
Dear Mr. Anderson:
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by July 21.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall (Deputy Principal)
"Hogwarts… school?" Daisy's eyes widened. She had already begun to suspect what the envelope might be — an admission letter.
"Magic? Is there really magic in this world?" Nia breathed, barely containing her excitement. "I want to learn magic too! I want to go to school there."
"Nia, let me see!" she tried to lean forward, but Albert gently pulled her back.
"Let Dad finish reading," Albert said, and guided his mother to sit down.
"I absolutely will not let you go to any Hogw—" Daisy started, boiling over.
Herb cleared his throat and continued, softer now. He looked oddly distant for a moment, then said, "When I was about your age, my father—your grandfather—was disappointed that he never received a letter like this."
"I asked him once what Hogwarts was. He just said it was a school," Herb continued. "One time, when he was drunk, he told me he was a Squib. I didn't understand then. I think… I think grandfather would be very happy to know his grandson received a letter from Hogwarts."
Albert knew what a Squib was, of course, but he'd never thought his family had any real connection to wizards. Besides, his skill bar didn't show anything related to magic—or at least not yet.
"Yes, I should call him," Herb said suddenly. "He'll be thrilled."
"Herb Anderson!" Daisy exploded. "Albert should go to Eton College! He will achieve things we can't even imagine—he won't go to some school we've never heard of! Do you understand? This affects his future! I will not allow it—"
"Mom, we haven't confirmed whether magic exists yet," Albert said, slipping an arm around her to steady her. "The letter said 'we await your owl.' Maybe we should write back or ask them to send someone to prove magic exists. If they can't, then it's a hoax."
Daisy's face softened for a moment, then hardened again. "Fine. Let that school prove it. I'm calling the police and having those fraudsters jailed."