Loren stood up and opened the window, letting the two round-faced Scottish owls fly inside.
One landed beside him, while the other went to Hermione, dropping off a letter before both owls hopped back to the windowsill, staring at the two children with wide, innocent eyes.
Hermione, fully absorbed in her reading, was startled by the sudden appearance of the letter. She turned quickly toward Loren.
"Hermione, the invitation letters from the wizarding world are here. Go on, open it," Loren said, his own eyes fixed on the envelope in his hands—the very same letter that countless people in his past life longed for but could never obtain.
The moment he laid eyes on it, an overwhelming excitement surged through him, and he almost set off magical fireworks to celebrate. But he restrained himself, reminding his heart: impatience ruins great plans. Stay calm. Develop steadily. Don't act rashly.
Once he steadied his emotions, Loren carefully studied the letter.
On the envelope was a wax seal, a crest with a large "H," encircled by a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a serpent.
His hand trembled as he opened the envelope and pulled out the parchment, reading it word for word:
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Angus:
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress"
Loren was about to look at the attached list of books and equipment when Hermione's excited voice rang out:
"Loren, is this real? Can we really attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? How do we even reply? We don't own an owl."
Her sudden outburst startled the owls on the windowsill, nearly sending them tumbling off.
Loren, hearing the commotion, remembered he hadn't yet paid "postage." He stood and said to Hermione,
"Stay calm, Hermione. Remember what I taught you. I'll go prepare payment for our two postmen. I'll answer your questions when I get back."
Hermione quieted down, setting her letter aside, watching curiously as Loren left the room. She guessed he might bring paper money or even gold.
But when he returned, he carried two plates filled with their usual snacks—nuts and strips of dried meat.
Under Hermione's astonished gaze, Loren set the plates down before the owls, stroking their feathered heads.
"Gentlemen postmen, please accept our postage. We'll trouble you again soon to deliver our reply."
The owls immediately began pecking at the food. Only then did Loren return to his seat.
Seeing Hermione's face still frozen in wonder, he reached out and gently squeezed her cheek, teasing,
"Careful, your jaw's about to hit the floor."
Hermione slapped his hand away, glaring. "Now can you explain?"
"Not yet. Let's write the reply first—we mustn't keep our postmen waiting."
He picked up paper and pen, but when Hermione tried to do the same, he stopped her.
"One letter will be enough."
He began to write:
"Dear Professor McGonagall,
We are delighted to receive your letter. However, our parents are somewhat doubtful about the reality of Hogwarts.
We hope the school can send a teacher to reassure them and guide us in purchasing our school supplies.
We will be ready to welcome the teacher here tomorrow morning at nine o'clock.
Sincerely,
Loren Angus / Hermione Jean Granger"
After folding the letter neatly, he handed it to the owls. They had finished their "payment," and one quickly took the note in its beak before both flew off.
Only after watching them vanish into the sky did Loren turn back to Hermione. "Now, you can ask."
Hermione opened her mouth, but her mind was too jumbled to form a question.
Seeing this, Loren spoke first:
"Since you're not sure what to ask, let me tell you what I know about the wizarding world.
My knowledge all comes from my gift of prophecy. In those visions, I saw us studying at a magical school. Some of the spells I can use, I learned from glimpses of those classes. But even then, my understanding is incomplete, so I didn't dare teach you.
What I know is limited to Hogwarts and its surroundings. About the rest of the wizarding world, I'm unclear—that's why we need someone to guide us. But don't worry, Hermione. With me here, you'll be safe."
Hermione felt her excitement settle a little. Knowing Loren, if he spoke with such confidence, it meant he truly had reason for it.
The thought of an unknown world waiting to be explored lit her spirit on fire. Adventure was etched into her bones.
"Alright, Hermione, let's not get carried away. Let's first look at the book and equipment list—see if there's anything we can prepare ourselves."
He unfolded the parchment, and Hermione leaned in beside him. Together they read:
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
[Uniform]
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note: All student clothing should carry name tags.
[Books]
All students should have a copy 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 BROOMSTICKS."
After scanning the list, Hermione turned to Loren:
"Can we buy these things in London?"
Loren shrugged. "That's exactly why we need a guide—we don't know where to get them."
Hermione pulled out her own copy of the list from her envelope and began reading it again, a strange smile forming on her face.
"Alright, Hermione, the most important thing now is to tell our parents and get their permission. We also need to prepare for the teacher's visit. Let's gather them first."
Hermione immediately dashed off to inform her parents, while Loren simply called the Angus household using the room's telephone, asking them to come over for an important matter.
The Angus couple rushed over, and Mr. Angus began scolding Loren the moment he stepped inside:
"Why can't you listen? You and Hermione are still too young—now's not the time!"
The moment the words left his mouth, all four adults in the room stared at him in disbelief.
Realizing his mistake, Mr. Angus fell silent, and Mrs. Angus quickly pulled her embarrassed husband onto the sofa, signaling Loren to ignore his father and explain the situation.
Loren showed them the letter from Hogwarts and asked for their thoughts.
Having lived for over twenty years without ever hearing of magic, the adults were skeptical—but recalling the strange events surrounding Loren and Hermione when they were eight, along with their unusual abilities, they began to reconsider.
After some discussion, they decided to receive the Hogwarts professor in Loren and Hermione's cottage.
If magic proved real, they would all go together to purchase school supplies and explore the magical world.
If it turned out to be a scam, they'd simply chase the fraudster away and pretend nothing happened.
Once the decision was made, the parents busied themselves with preparations.
Hermione, caught up in the frenzy, flitted around aimlessly until Loren grabbed her arm and reassured her:
"Hermione, don't panic. I've got everything under control. For now, just read a book and calm down. Leave the rest to me."
Meeting Loren's steady gaze, Hermione gradually relaxed and sat beside him, picking up the book she'd been reading earlier.