Chapter 1
In the early morning light, a handsome young boy sat silently at his desk, staring at the envelope resting before him. His name was Adam Lee. He was of mixed heritage—half-Chinese and half-French-American—and today marked the day before his eleventh birthday in this lifetime.
Originally, his plans for the morning were simple: wake up early, head out for a morning jog through the quiet neighborhood, then enjoy breakfast while reading a book on business strategy. Just like every other day. But this morning, a fat, round-faced owl with feathers puffed like a Scottish highland hen swooped in through his open window and shattered that peaceful routine.
In fact, one could say it shattered his entire peaceful life.
His ambitions had always been clear: study diligently, inherit his mother's chain of seven thriving Chinese restaurants and his father's three Michelin-starred French establishments, maintain his health through discipline and fitness, and live an ordinary but fulfilling life. But now, his eyes were fixed on the ornate crest on the thick, yellowed envelope. A lion, a snake, a badger, and an eagle circled the bold capital letter "H"—the unmistakable emblem of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
And in that instant, Adam couldn't help but picture a pale, noseless man in flowing black robes suddenly barging into his otherwise predictable future, cackling maniacally—"Hehehehe."
Just then, another thought hit him like a Bludger to the back of the head: he remembered that he and the so-called "Boy Who Lived" had been born in the same year, only six days apart. If this letter wasn't some elaborate prank, that meant he would be starting school the same year as Harry Potter.
What a terrible stroke of luck.
There were no fantasy books titled Harry Potter in this world. No record of the events that would unfold at Hogwarts during the 1991–1998 school years. But he knew. In startling detail.
And if everything followed the pattern from that alternate reality, he was about to walk into seven years of absolute chaos in the so-called safest magical school in the world.
Year One: Professor Quirrell brings Lord Voldemort's soul fragment into the castle, hunting the Philosopher's Stone hidden beneath a Cerberus, a trapdoor, and an obstacle course of life-threatening magical puzzles.
Year Two: The Chamber of Secrets is opened, a Basilisk slithers through the plumbing system, and students are Petrified, while the school is nearly shut down.
Year Three: Dementors, soul-sucking wraiths of the Ministry, surround the school due to the escape of Sirius Black, a wrongly imprisoned man believed to be a murderer.
Year Four: The Triwizard Tournament is resurrected and turned into a trap to resurrect Voldemort—who returns in full form after using Harry's blood in a ritual.
Year Five: The Ministry installs Dolores Umbridge, a cruel bureaucrat who tortures students with a blood quill and declares war on education and free thought.
Year Six: Dumbledore is killed, and the school is infiltrated by Death Eaters.
Year Seven: The school becomes a military zone, and The Battle of Hogwarts begins, with countless casualties on both sides.
Exciting? Certainly. Safe? Not even a little.
He gave a hollow laugh.
"Hey, Mom, how's the business today?" Adam said over the phone, forcing a cheery tone.
"Mhm, I miss you too."
"The real reason I'm calling… I've been thinking about attending junior high school in China. Or maybe the U.S., or France… but not the UK."
"No, I'm not joking. No, I'm not having a breakdown. I'm mentally stable, I swear."
"I haven't told Dad yet… I'll wait until you're both home."
After hanging up, he opened the envelope. The letter within was written in emerald green ink, in elegant script that matched his memory to the last curl: the offer of admission to Hogwarts, a list of required books (including Magical Drafts and Potions and The Standard Book of Spells), and a request to report to Platform 9¾ on September 1st.
Adam sighed deeply.
If only he'd been born seven years earlier or seven years later, Hogwarts might've been his dream school. He'd have jumped for joy upon receiving this letter. But not in this timeline—not now.
He briefly entertained the idea of becoming a guest professor at Hogwarts decades from now, just for the chance to stroll its legendary halls. But not as a student amidst war.
Ms. Li returned home much faster than expected. She dropped her bag on the couch and marched into full-blown "family crisis mode." Mr. Reed followed soon after, car keys still in hand, eyebrows raised in concern.
"My sweet boy, if you're overwhelmed, we can pause your education for a year," Ms. Li said gently.
"Your health is more important than your grades," Mr. Reed added quickly. "We love you, not your test scores. You're always our pride."
"We could go to Disney World. Or maybe take a cruise?"
Clearly, they had discussed this in the car and assumed he was cracking under academic pressure.
"It's not about grades," Adam said, pulling out the Hogwarts letter. "It's… because of this."
He didn't hide the truth. Even if he didn't plan to attend Hogwarts, he still intended to study magic—just somewhere far safer. Beauxbatons in France or Mahoutokoro in Japan came to mind. His maternal roots gave him flexibility.
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?" Ms. Li repeated aloud, frowning. Mr. Reed squinted at the parchment.
"Wait… I think I've heard that name before," Mr. Reed said, his brow furrowing.
Adam blinked. The Ministry's memory charm missed something?
"I've got it!" Mr. Reed clapped his hands. "That was the fairy tale my parents told me as a child! Dragons, wizards, all that stuff. I bet this is a birthday surprise they planned—like the time they gave me a massive three-layer cake and said I was a knight."
Adam stared, unsure whether to laugh or be alarmed. His dad might know more than he realized.
"I'll call them and ask," Adam decided.
"Wait," Mr. Reed said. "If it's a surprise, we shouldn't ruin it."
But Adam was already dialing.
The call connected. "Jerry? What's up?" came the gruff but affectionate voice of his grandfather.
"Grandpa, it's me."
"Oh, Adam! My little star! What's going on?"
"Grandpa… do you know about Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"
Dead silence.
Then—"Hogwarts?! You got the letter?! Merlin's pants, Emma! He got it!"
Adam heard the shuffle of movement and his grandfather yelling in the background. Then: "Stay put! We're on our way!"
Click.
Adam set down the phone. "Grandpa said they're coming over."
"But they live in Devon—" Mr. Reed began, only for the doorbell to ring.
The three exchanged stunned glances.
Mr. Reed opened the door.
"Mom? Dad?!"
"Oh, Jerry, we missed you so much!"
They brushed past him, all hugs and excitement, heading straight for Adam.
"Honey, show us the letter quickly!"
Mr. Reed stood at the door, feeling momentarily cherished… then forgotten.
Ms. Li raised a brow. Adam hadn't mentioned the letter during the call. So how had the old couple known?
The elder Reeds examined the letter like it was a holy relic. Old Mr. Reed glanced up suddenly.
"By the way, have you told your Chinese grandfather yet?"
Ms. Li looked stunned. "Why would he know?"
Old Reed chuckled. "Time to give him a call. He'll be thrilled."
Adam blinked. "Wait—he knows too?! What surprise?!"