The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 2 The Letter Delivered by the Owl

London, on the banks of the Thames.

The gentle river flows quietly, and a cool breeze blows, rustling the leaves on both sides, adding a touch of tranquility and melodiousness to the summer afternoon.

"Fish and chips again..."

Beside the river, not far from the bridge pier, through the sparse bushes, a few intermittent complaints could be heard.

Ino skillfully opened the paper bag. Although she complained about the lack of food and its monotony, her hands did not stop moving at all. She picked up a piece of golden and crispy fried fish and ate it in big bites.

Compared to Wellington beef and Cornish pies, fried fish and chips that cost a pound and can fill you up is currently the best value option.

After finishing the last piece of fried fish in the bag, he picked up the water bottle and took a big gulp before leaning contentedly against the bridge pier.

Some people resist loneliness, while others enjoy it, but undeniably, loneliness always represents strength and the ability to survive. It's like sheep and rabbits; without the ability to survive, they would never dare to experience loneliness.

Beneath the bridge pier, Ino gazed at the factory billowing thick smoke in the distance, lost in thought.

"London in '91... The only major event I can remember is that little boy with the scar on his head receiving his acceptance letter on Privet Drive."

The inexplicable fragment that appeared in his mind made him laugh out loud in self-deprecation.

Ino sometimes thought that if the transmigrator really was the protagonist, then his grades would definitely not be up to par.

Unlike the protagonists in novels who venture into the business world at the age of three and trade futures at the age of five, it took him a full ten years to barely integrate into this unfamiliar country.

As for financial investments, shorting the ruble, etc., don't even think about it.

It's a very real problem: no matter where you are, a person's potential and achievements are pretty much determined from the moment they are born.

Without the necessary background support, even if one manages to make some profit by chance, it will only end up becoming someone else's money bag.

Ino was very open-minded about this. He knew very well that those who had failed before would most likely still fail even if they had another chance to start over.

The most crucial factor in determining success is never so-called opportunity, but rather the original code that was programmed before birth.

Like a Steinway piano, if you weren't born into a family with one, you might never own one in your life.

"Being mediocre isn't really a bad thing..."

……

Due to its temperate maritime climate, London is destined not to experience extreme heat.

Even in the height of summer in June, 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit is already its limit.

Time flies, and I'm soundly taking a nap.

While fast asleep, Ino was suddenly awakened by a rustling noise.

Having lived in London for 11 years, he immediately made a clear judgment upon sensing something amiss. It was nothing more than common birds of prey like pigeons, doves, or ravens.

He was conscious, but his eyes seemed glued shut, and he still refused to open them. He lazily raised his arm and made a shooing motion towards the air.

His long years of wandering had taught him that dealing with these timid little creatures was as simple as waving his hand around, and they would soon leave.

However, this time it unexpectedly failed.

The brief attempt to drive them away not only failed to achieve the desired result, but instead emboldened the other party to become even more aggressive. Ino even felt her fingers being pecked.

This brazen behavior infuriated him, and without caring whether the other person understood him or not, he immediately stood up and rebuked them:

"What, do you really want me to have an extra meal... um!"

Upon opening his eyes and seeing the scene before him, the angry shouts abruptly ceased.

It was as if someone had suddenly pressed the pause button on a movie playing on a phone, and everything became unusually quiet.

Before Ino stood an innocent-looking, grey and white scops owl, or, to put it another way... an adorable, chubby-faced English chicken.

Of course, that's not the point.

The key point is that a letter with a sealing wax stamp was tied to the other person's right leg.

To be honest, for a moment, he felt like someone was playing a prank on him.

What a classic scene...

But I also felt a mix of excitement and trepidation, knowing that this was London.

To verify, Ino didn't hesitate and immediately untied the letter from the owl's leg, then began to read it carefully:

"...Dear Mr. Svenburn: We are pleased to inform you that you have been admitted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with the term beginning on September 1, 1991...Vice Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall, Sincerely!"

The familiar beginning and the familiar name were enough to give him the answer.

In 1991 England, it was still a full seven years before the wildly popular wizarding novel was published.

"At this time, Rowling might have just met the thin, dark-haired boy who inspired her on a train in Manchester..."

Ino murmured as he put the envelope away; he had now basically ruled out a prank.

Just kidding, who would be so bored as to train an owl just to amuse a homeless orphan, especially since the names and titles in the letters match up?

I gathered my scattered thoughts.

But what's troubling him right now is that, in his memory, there hasn't been a magical upheaval in the past ten years. Maybe he sent it to the wrong person?

Ino quickly shook his head, dismissing his unreliable idea. Perhaps the Muggle school might have sent the wrong acceptance letter. But Hogwarts admissions…

If the Book of Admission and the Pen of Acceptance go wrong, the entire British magical world will be thrown into chaos.

On the other side...

As Ino's thoughts drifted, lost in thought while holding the letter, the grey and white scops owl kept glancing around with its big black eyes.

Perhaps sensing the boy's impoverished and frugal life, it did not approach him for snacks as usual.

On his round, chubby face, there was even a hint of human contemplation.

The way it looked was as if it was contemplating whether to catch a few mice to give to the boy as snacks. After all... a little wizard who received a Hogwarts acceptance letter and then starved to death was probably one of a kind.

A dozen minutes later.

A simple reply, along with the adorable owl, disappeared into the clouds.

"All plans have been disrupted..."

Ino rubbed her temples helplessly.

To be honest, the moment he saw the Hogwarts acceptance letter, in addition to the overwhelming excitement, he also felt an indescribable joy at the realization of his childhood dream.

After a brief period of excitement, Ino realized a problem: it was 1991, and starting school at this time meant that his future campus life would be full of surprises.

First year: Two-Faced Man; second year: Basilisk; third year: Dementor… truly, every year is different.

"It would be so much better if I were the same age as Percy, or at least George or Fred. Going to school with the Savior would be a death sentence!" Ino complained wearily.

If you're careful in the first few years, you can get through them relatively peacefully, but the three years after the Goblet of Fire ends... it's not something you can easily avoid by simply staying out of trouble.

During the final battle, if the Death Eaters storm Hogwarts, it would be easy for them to be caught in the crossfire.

"At worst, I'll just drop out of school in fifth grade..."

After much thought, this was the only way Ino could find to temporarily cope with the future calamity.

A new book release marks a new journey. Thank you to all our readers, both new and old, for your support.

(End of this chapter)