Days at Hogwarts

Chapter 6 Hogwarts Acceptance Letter

"What has sustained me for decades is the belief in taking care of my comrades' families and friends. I have a farm in Scotland, and I share the rent with them every year."

"I've always felt this is my responsibility, the meaning of my life. I was the only one who came back alive, so I should shoulder this responsibility. Year after year, people I've never met have gradually passed away, but I'm still alive."

"With the passing of my last comrade's widow, I have no more attachment to this world."

"That day, the mayor suddenly came to tell me that I had a distant grandnephew who needed care. It was you. They said you had encountered misfortune and needed a shelter."

"I agreed, and they sent you over a few days later. That afternoon, I saw the kid; his clothes were tattered, he was barefoot, and he was covered in mud."

"You know what happened next."

As Loren listened to Bates recount his past experiences, his heart felt warmed. But looking at his pale beard and deep wrinkles, he suddenly felt a pang of pity.

This old man, burdened by guilt due to an accident, lived a solitary life far from civilization. He deserved honor, yet he endured a life of loneliness and hardship.

Loren didn't know how to comfort him, so he patted Bates on the shoulder and said, "Thank you."

Bates didn't say anything more, and the two of them just stared at the wilderness until late at night.

……

In the days that followed, Loren never mentioned werewolves again. He was also very curious about whether werewolves were afraid of silver bullets, whether they were invulnerable to swords and spears, and whether they ate raw meat.

But every time he looked at Bates' beard and wrinkles, he didn't mention it again.

And so, Bates occasionally taught some combat and reconnaissance skills he had learned in the army, but otherwise lived a quiet and uneventful life.

Loren flipped through the two strange books again and again, trying to figure out what kind of world this was. Was the person who sold him the books Nicolas Flamel himself, or someone else?

The more he thought about it, the more familiar the name Nicolas Flamel seemed, as if he had heard of him in a past life. But ultimately, there was no answer.

Ordinary days continued until 1991, when Loren turned 11.

The mountains are much cooler in summer than other places, and the pasture is at its best. Goats roam freely on the hillside, and Loren leans against a rock with a book in hand, reading.

He had read the travelogue in the latter part of "A Comprehensive Explanation of Pictographic Symbols" many times, but there was no other pastime during his time on the mountain.

Pete had long since given up being a shepherd and gone to the city. At first, he said he was going to study, but later I heard he was learning to repair cars from his uncle.

The current shepherd is Loren, and Bates said he would send him to a boarding school in the city to attend public school in a few years.

Loren had no other plans; he did not object to this arrangement.

A commotion arose among the sheep. Loren looked up and saw a greyish-brown owl wobbling as it flew over.

Are there owls in these mountains?

Loren was a little confused; he had never seen it before.

As it drew nearer, Loren watched the owl fly over, a letter clutched in its talons.

This strong sense of déjà vu reminded him of something, and his eyes widened as he stared blankly at the owl getting closer and closer.

The owl wobbled down in front of him, placed the letter in his hand, and then stared at him with its round little eyes.

Loren hurriedly pulled a piece of cheese from his bag and handed it to him.

The owl flapped its wings, nuzzled Loren's hand with its tiny beak, and picked up the cheese. The rich, authentic goat cheese was made by Loren himself.

Loren Morgan swore he really saw a surprise in the owl's eyes.

Ignoring the owl, Loren eagerly opened the letter, looking at the large "H" in the middle of the envelope, the logo, and the animals surrounding it.

The first page, in the center, reads:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(President of the International Wizarding Federation, First-Class Member of the Order of Merlin, Archmage, Chief Wizard of Wizengamo)

The main text follows:

Dear Mr. Morgan:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been admitted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of required books and equipment.

The semester is scheduled to begin on September 1st. We will await your reply by July 31st via owl.

Vice Principal (Female)

Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall

The second page lists the items for new students, including:

【uniform】

First-year students need to:

1. Plain black work robe with three sides

2. A plain, pointed hat (black) for daytime wear.

3. A pair of protective gloves (made of fire-resistant leather or similar material)

4. A winter cloak (black, with silver buttons)

Please note: All student uniforms must have name tags attached.

【textbook】

All students need to prepare the following books:

Standard Spells, Beginner Level, by Miranda Gossack

The History of Magic, by Bathilda Bagshot

"The Theory of Magic," by Adbe Wolflin

"A Beginner's Guide to Metamorphosis," by Emerick Sweech

"A Thousand Wonderful Herbs and Mushrooms," by Philida Spohr

"Potions and Magical Elixirs," by Arseni Giger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by Newt Scamander

Black Magic: A Guide to Self-Defense, by Quentin Trimb

[Other Equipment]

A magic wand

One crucible (made of pewter, standard size 2)

A set of glass or crystal medicine bottles

A telescope

A brass balance

Students may bring an owl, a cat, or a toad.

Parents are especially reminded that first-grade students are not allowed to bring their own flying brooms.

Loren's hands trembled slightly as he unfolded the letter.

This isn't 80s Britain, it's the magical world of Harry Potter!

He had always planned to go to famous places to make money when he got a little older, like Wall Street or Silicon Valley.

But what happened to Grandpa Bates kept reminding him that this was not a normal world.

Loren was always filled with apprehension when he envisioned the future. He might continue living his life in an orderly fashion, or he might encounter some extraordinary things, but he could never feel at ease.

Now, the world has never been so clearly presented to Loren!

He spent the entire afternoon carefully examining the letter, looking at the printing, the ink, the cursive script, turning it over and over again, seemingly never tiring of it.

Finally, darkness fell. Loren, with a heart full of joy, drove the sheep down the mountain and delivered them to the residents, then ran towards the cabin.

"Grandpa Bates! I have some amazing news!" Loren handed the letter to Bates, who was making a new chair.

Bates looked at the barely suppressed smile on Loren's face, then glanced at the exquisite letter. He wiped his hands haphazardly on his clothes a few times before picking up the letter.

Bates finished reading the letter in no time.

"Are you sure this strange magic academy isn't some kind of scam?" Bates wasn't too skeptical about the existence of magic, after all, he was a werewolf, but he was afraid it might be some new kind of hoax.

"I don't think so..."

Loren was aware of the situation, but he didn't know how to explain it to Bates in this situation.

Just as the two were tugging at the letter, a middle-aged woman in a black dress, wearing black-rimmed glasses, walked by on the roadside. She had a serious expression and walked briskly.

This is not a normal situation. Half an hour before coming up the mountain, Bates could spot the figure in the mountains. This person is not going up the mountain normally.

Bates sized up the woman.

"I'm sorry, another student was too enthusiastic and caused a slight delay," the person explained.

"I am Minerva McGonagall, the Vice-Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry..."

Next, Professor McGonagall gave Bates and Loren a basic introduction to Hogwarts.

Bates was initially skeptical, but Professor McGonagall transformed the wood on the ground into a group of tabby cats that circled around him. No one would doubt a group of meowing cats surrounding you, and Bates finally believed it was real.

Bates and Loren were both in a state of confusion and didn't say much.

Professor McGonagall made an appointment with the two of them to take Loren to Diagon Alley the next day to buy items needed for the start of school, and then left quickly.

(End of this chapter)