In the heart of Hogwarts, in one of the castle's most hidden corners, where even the most observant students would notice nothing unusual, lay the Headmaster's office. It was a cozy yet majestic room, filled with whimsical artifacts and ticking silver instruments. Behind a massive desk, laden with books and scrolls, sat Albus Dumbledore. His long silver hair and beard, framing a kind yet shrewd face, seemed as ancient as Hogwarts itself. Through his half-moon spectacles, he intently studied an old parchment, a quill in his hand tracing intricate symbols.
Suddenly, the stone gargoyle guarding the office entrance came to life, its massive body slowly rising to reveal a passage. In the opening stood Minerva McGonagall, her stern gaze clouded with worry. Her usually neat hair was slightly disheveled, which was highly unusual for her.
"Headmaster, we have a problem with one of our new students," she said, her voice, usually confident, now tinged with alarm.
Dumbledore, without looking up from his writing, murmured, "And what kind of problem, Minerva? Is one of the first-years trying to transfigure Snape prematurely?" There was a hint of irony in his voice, but at the same time, it was clear he expected a serious answer.
McGonagall stepped closer, her brows furrowed. "The problem is far more serious, Professor. Do you remember the incident five years ago? How a Muggle child... killed five Death Eaters?"
Dumbledore's quill froze above the parchment. He slowly lowered it, his piercing blue eyes looking at McGonagall, then staring at an invisible point above her head. A long pause filled the office, broken only by the quiet ticking of numerous instruments. "So it's him," Dumbledore finally said, his voice deep and thoughtful. "I remember the report. A monstrous case. Well... he acted in self-defense then. And it's not for us to decide whom to invite to our school. Our scrolls... they never err. If his name is there, then he is a wizard. We cannot ignore him."
"That's not the point, Professor," McGonagall countered, her voice filled with clear indignation. "No, that is also a point, of course. But the main thing is not that. Back then, no one knew this child would become a wizard. The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes decided that he was so traumatized and his stories so incredible that no one would believe him. So they ignored the protocol and did not erase his memory. He is now... in a mental hospital."
Dumbledore straightened abruptly, his gaze clearing, sparks of surprise and indignation lighting up in his eyes. "In a mental hospital? What happened to him? How could the Ministry allow such a thing?! To subject him to such an ordeal! I will go to the Ministry of Magic at once. This is outrageous!" He began to pace rapidly around the office, his usually calm demeanor gone. "And you, Minerva, make sure the child receives an invitation. Immediately. We must help him. Guide him onto the righteous path. He has endured enough horrors for us to abandon him to his fate."
Minerva nodded, her face serious. She knew Dumbledore was ready to fight for every child, for every soul, even if the whole world considered them lost. "It will be done, Headmaster."
The next morning at Bethlem, Victor Moss was engaged in his usual routine. Push-ups and squats had become for him not just exercises, but a kind of meditation, a way to hone his body, to make it a perfect instrument. Every muscle tensed, every exhale was measured. He felt the energy flowing through his veins, strengthening him, making him stronger.
After his morning workout, he went for his usual walk. The hospital yard was small, surrounded by a high fence, but for Victor, it was his "treadmill." He circled the perimeter, his thin body moving with surprising grace and speed.
"Listen, Saitama, aren't you afraid of going bald?" came the voice of Victor Number 2, who was "running" beside him, or rather, hovering at his shoulder level, watching him with a mocking expression. "Just so you know, if your hair falls out, I won't copy you. I like my hair."
Victor, without slowing his pace, merely sighed. "Very witty. Did you spend long coming up with that joke?" He was accustomed to his alter ego's sarcastic comments. Victor Number 2 was his inner critic, his source of endless teasing, and, at the same time, his most loyal ally.
They finished their run, and Victor headed back to his room to change. He intended to return to the library to finish the book on ancient civilizations he had started yesterday. His mind, perpetually hungry for information, demanded new sustenance.
Entering the ward, he glanced at the bedside table. And froze. On it, neatly placed, was an envelope. White, thick, clearly not from the hospital.
"Hmm, what's this?" came the surprised voice of Victor Number 2, who also noticed the strange object. "I'm sure it wasn't here yesterday."
Victor cautiously, as if fearing to break the fragile silence, picked up the letter. His fingers slid over the thick paper. And then he saw it. The familiar crest. A lion, a badger, an eagle, and a snake, intertwined around a shield with the letter "H." The Hogwarts crest. His eyes widened.
"Oh my God!" Victor Number 2 exclaimed, his face contorted in an expression of pure shock and euphoria. "It's... No! They couldn't! They'll see! I thought... Come on, open it faster!" He began to jump around Victor like an excited puppy.
Victor's heart, usually so calm, beat faster. He carefully opened the envelope, his hands trembling almost imperceptibly. Inside were two sheets of parchment – one with text, the other with a list. He began to read.
"Dear Victor Moss,
We are pleased to officially inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We eagerly await your arrival and believe that your outstanding potential will find its full realization within the walls of our institution.
Due to the fact that you are likely unfamiliar with the customs and accoutrements of our world, a school representative will be sent to you shortly. Their task is to provide you with comprehensive assistance in acquiring the necessary academic materials and school uniform, a list of which is enclosed with this letter.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster
MINERVA MCGONAGALL, Deputy Headmistress"
Victor Number 2, who had been peering over Victor's shoulder, let out a triumphant yell and began running around the ward, waving his arms. "We're in the Harry Potter universe! Oh my God! This isn't a dream! We're at Hogwarts!" He jumped onto the bed as if it were a trampoline, and to Victor's surprise, began humming a familiar tune from the movie "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." He even tried to pretend to play an invisible flute.
Victor, without realizing it, stretched into a wide, ear-to-ear grin. His usually restrained face now shone with unconcealed delight. "The Harry Potter universe... that's good, of course. It's not like 'High School DxD'..."
Victor Number 2, having stopped on the bed, rested his chin on his hand with a dreamy look. "Mmm... Rias and Akeno... or 'Darling in the Franxx'... Oh, God, 02!" He sighed, his eyes rolling.
Victor merely shook his head, but the smile remained on his face. Thoughts raced through his mind at lightning speed, processing all the new information. "I wonder how they'll get me out of here? Though, what am I thinking... with magic, of course."
His gaze fell on the table where the books had previously circled. He raised his hand as if holding an invisible wand, and shouted the name of a spell he vaguely remembered from his past life – "Expelliarmus!" – aiming it at Victor Number 2.
The latter, reacting instantly as if he were material, dodged, striking a theatrical pose, and also raised his hand. "Imperio!" he replied, his voice full of playful defiance.
They began running around the ward, shouting various spells Victor remembered from movies and books – "Wingardium Leviosa!", "Lumos!", "Petrificus Totalus!" – and mimicking wand movements, their imaginary battle filling the gray walls of Bethlem with extraordinary energy. Victor wasn't worried about anyone seeing him. He knew. He knew he would soon leave this place. Towards new adventures. Towards magic.