After Victor regained his memories, he had, at one point, considered returning to Earth Land.
Ever since his first transmigration, he had been searching for a way home, for his family was still on Earth. Based on his own years of research, he believed that different worlds were connected through spacetime, like a honeycomb. If he could just break through that one spatial membrane, he could return to his original world.
However, the power of spacetime was far too complex and mysterious, and Earth Land had very few records on the subject. As a result, Victor's research on spatial magic had been slow and had completely stalled before his second transmigration.
And now, Victor had inexplicably transmigrated into a new world. If he couldn't return to Earth Land, then even if he completed his research on spatial magic, he would be like a blind fly, bumping around aimlessly in the time-space tunnel, with no idea how long it would take to find his way home. Plus, after all his years in Fairy Tail, he had formed deep bonds with his guildmates. He couldn't just abandon them and leave.
Therefore, figuring out a way to get back to Earth Land became Victor's primary goal in this new world.
On a side note, the reason Victor was still called by his original name was that he had used magic to subtly alter the Swintons' perception of him.
"Victor, come eat! We have roast beef tonight."
As soon as Victor entered the house, he saw Aliya setting the table with a fork and knife, looking impatient. The Swintons rarely had roast beef; fish and chips were their usual fare.
On the table, a steaming platter of roast beef released a tantalizing aroma. The fat on the beef was still sizzling, and it was garnished with black pepper and rosemary, making it look incredibly mouth-watering. However, the dish of cheesy mashed potatoes and some boiled broccoli next to the roast beef slightly detracted from the quality of the meal.
"Aliya, why is it mashed potatoes again? I want rice or noodles!" Victor said, looking utterly defeated at the sight of the yellowish-white glob of starch on the plate.
Before Victor regained his memories, he didn't mind mashed potatoes. He had grown up on them, and besides, potatoes were a staple food—they couldn't be that bad.
But ever since his memories were unsealed, his true palate had awakened. The food-loving part of his genetic code could no longer accept this unchanging diet.
Mrs. Julie was an expert at making all kinds of mashed potatoes: with salt, with cream, with ketchup, with black pepper, with honey, and even grilled ones...
Even though she changed the flavor every now and then, it was still, at its core, potatoes. This was torturing Victor's taste buds and sense of smell.
"Did I just hear someone say my cooking is bad?"
Just then, Mrs. Julie walked in from outside, holding the kitten. Her eyes were fixed on Victor, and her expression clearly said, "You'll be sorry if you say it was you." She had obviously heard Victor's complaint. The kitten in her arms, meanwhile, was minding its own business, drinking from a small baby bottle.
"No, of course not," Victor said, scratching his head guiltily.
"He glanced at the top-left corner with his eyes when he said that," Aliya said, grinning and adding fuel to the fire.
"Hmph, sit down and eat!" Julie hugged the kitten and took her seat.
"Where are Rick and Mr. Wilson?" Victor asked.
"One has a match today, and the other has to work late. What a shame, I'm sure they'll miss my cooking," Mrs. Julie said with a look of regret, stroking the cat.
Mrs. Julie had always been very confident in her cooking skills. Although Victor had no idea why, her food was indeed edible, but that was about all he could say about it. Victor felt that her monotonous menu was a nightmare for a food lover like him, especially the mashed potatoes...
Tap! Tap! Tap!
As Victor looked at the self-confident Mrs. Julie with a look of resignation, a strange noise came from the dining room window. It sounded like something was tapping on the glass.
The three of them turned their heads and saw a gray and white owl perched on the windowsill outside. It held an envelope in its beak, its head cocked to the side, and its large black eyes stared at the three of them through the glass.
Don't tell me... Victor's eyes widened in surprise at the familiar yet strange sight. The vividly magical memories of his childhood fantasy resurfaced in his mind.
Aliya walked over curiously and opened the window, taking the letter from the owl's beak. The envelope was sealed with red wax, bearing a crest of a shield with a snake, a lion, an eagle, and a badger, and a large letter 'H' in the center. Aliya turned the envelope over and saw the address written on the back:
Mr. Victor Dreyar,
67 Colton Street, London, UK,
A two-story white house,
Complaining about mashed potatoes at the dining table.
"Victor, this letter is for you." Aliya was amazed, as they rarely received mail, let alone for Victor.
"Open it for me and have a look," Victor said, letting Aliya open the letter directly. He knew that from this moment on, the Swinton family would be introduced to a strange, mysterious, and magical world, and they needed to be prepared to adapt to it.
No wonder this world has magic. I've transmigrated into the Harry Potter world! Victor rubbed his temples, contemplating his next moves. He would have to go to school, not just to fulfill a childhood fantasy, but for other reasons as well.
The magical system in Harry Potter was completely different from that of Earth Land, and it was worth his careful study. He might even gain some inspiration for his research on spatial magic from this world's magic.
Aliya opened the envelope, and Mrs. Julie walked over to join her. The two of them began to read the contents of the letter:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Dreyar,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
The term begins on September 1. We await your owl by August 5 at the latest.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all student clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot; Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT:
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales.
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED that first-years are not allowed their own broomstick.
Mrs. Julie and Aliya read the letter several times from beginning to end, their voices getting softer each time. At first, they thought it was a prank, but when the owl that delivered the letter brought a piece of parchment and a quill to Victor, they couldn't help but wonder if they had woken up on the wrong side of the bed that morning.
Meanwhile, the kitten that Victor had rescued lay in Mrs. Julie's arms, its two big blue eyes looking left and right, filled with confusion.
"Meow?" — Got any tuna?