Aris had recently discovered that reading books could earn academic points.
Originally, he had planned to borrow some textbooks from Luna, such as Standard Spells, to try learning spells in advance. After all, his magical talent was exceptional, and he even possessed a natural ability to cast spells without a wand.
Theoretically, it should have been no problem.
However, Xie Nuo had strongly recommended The Quibbler instead.
Seeing the expectant and sincere expression on the uncle's face, Aris couldn't refuse. He accepted it gladly, not wanting to hurt the older man's feelings.
He had expected reading to yield points—after all, the system was clearly designed for top students. And what defines a top student, if not endlessly solving problems and reading relentlessly?
What he hadn't expected was that even reading magazines could earn him points.
This was a completely unexpected bonus.
It seemed the system was not strict about the boundaries of "books." As long as it contained knowledge, it counted.
The night grew darker, but the light in the little house stayed on well into the early hours.
With his super-speed reading ability, Aris finished all the recent issues of The Quibbler, earning an extra 300 points before finally drifting into a contented sleep.
More importantly, thanks to his photographic memory and super thinking ability, he now had a deeper understanding of the world.
Although the magazine lacked the authority of the Daily Prophet, its analysis of events was uniquely insightful. Combined with Aris's prior knowledge, he could piece together details that would otherwise have remained hidden.
For instance, he now knew how the Lucius family and other pure-blood families manipulated the Ministry of Magic and shamelessly plundered property. One issue even ridiculed the Minister of Magic, reducing him to a figure of mockery.
Even Dumbledore had been criticized, simply for giving discreet advice to Minister Fudge.
Aris was secretly amazed.
A magazine had the courage to openly attack the highest official of the wizarding world—and yet, it still existed. Truly, this was remarkable.
Gradually, he fell into a restless sleep.
Strange visions haunted him: shrill screams, flashes of green spelllight, and distorted faces with no noses or eyes staring at him in terror.
It was not a restful night.
Morning came slowly.
The sun's rays spilled over the green grass outside, and the breeze rippled through the leaves, creating a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere.
It was a new day.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
A rapid series of knocks jolted Aris awake.
Luna didn't bother checking whether he was dressed—she simply barged in, as usual.
"Aris, get up!"
"???" The groggy boy blinked, turning to see the little girl at the side of his bed. Her long golden hair glimmered in the morning sun, and her fair face was strikingly beautiful.
"Father said the professors from Hogwarts will arrive soon. You need to get up quickly!" Luna pulled at his sleeve without hesitation, speaking with a seriousness unusual for her.
Aris groaned. In his mind, little Luna had always been elf-like and gentle, yet here she was, acting downright bossy.
Reality, it seemed, could differ from movies.
Shaking his head, Aris got up.
"The professors are coming already?" he asked, glancing at the sun. "What time is it?"
"Almost nine o'clock," Luna replied calmly, her tone ethereal and almost detached. "I guess you didn't sleep well last night."
"I didn't," Aris yawned. He didn't care about the little girl barging in; he got up and dressed.
Glancing at the magazines piled on the table, he rubbed his temple. Staying up late clearly wasn't healthy—even for him.
He quickly gathered himself and went downstairs with Luna.
Before he could even touch the breakfast Xie Nuo had left, a crackling sound came from outside the house.
Xie Nuo stood abruptly.
"Here they come!" he announced.
Aris' heart skipped a beat. That crackling noise… it sounded familiar, like the sound of wizards Apparating, just as he had seen in the movies.
Before he could ponder further, there was a knock at the door.
"Excuse me, Mr. Lovegood. Long time no see!"
Xie Nuo opened the door, and a woman's voice called out, naturally serious with a slight stiffness.
A witch in dark green robes stepped inside.
"Professor McGonagall!"
Xie Nuo smiled politely. "Long time no see! I wondered which Hogwarts professor would mentor this child, and I didn't expect it would be you!"
"Principal Dumbledore takes this child very seriously," Professor McGonagall said, her lips tight as she attempted a smile. Those familiar with her knew this was her usual way of smiling.
"Of course. After all, this child is a little special."
Xie Nuo stepped aside to welcome her.
Professor McGonagall's gaze immediately fixed on Aris, a mixture of curiosity and seriousness in her eyes.
"You must be Aris Shafik, I presume?"
"I am!" Aris stood up, straightening his posture.
"Oh, don't be nervous," Professor McGonagall said, stepping closer. "I am Minerva McGonagall, and I will be your professor at Hogwarts from now on."
Then, with a tilt of her head, she looked at Xie Nuo with curiosity.
"Why is this child here?"
McGonagall's tone revealed she was still unsure about Aris's origins and wanted clarification.
Before Xie Nuo could answer, Luna spoke in her calm, unique tone:
"He was unconscious on the grass, so I brought him inside. It was almost dark, and I thought… we couldn't just leave him there overnight."
"Of course!" Professor McGonagall nodded repeatedly.
Her tone softened, and her smile returned.
"You did the right thing. You are clever, and when you arrive at Hogwarts, I am certain you will be sorted into Ravenclaw. It is a house filled with kind and intelligent children like you."
Turning her gaze back to Aris, her tone became gentle.
"And you… do you have any questions for me?"
Aris thought for a moment and nodded.
"Yes. There is indeed a question."
His clear eyes and innocent face conveyed sincerity.
"Professor McGonagall… could you tell me the nature of magic?"