A Lesson in Two Worlds
That morning, just as Harry and Percy were getting up, the doorbell rang insistently, announcing a rather familiar visitor.
Gema stood there, smiling with her usual calm composure, while Sally opened the door for her.
"Hello. I came to spend some time with you all and to check if the boys did the homework I left them," she said cheerfully.
"Gee…" muttered Percy, immediately giving himself away. He hadn't done a single line of it.
"Hello, Professor Gema," greeted Harry with a polite smile.
"Hello, my little star student," she replied, returning the smile before turning her gaze toward Percy. "And my… other student."
"I'm not that bad!" protested Percy right away, crossing his arms.
Just as Sally was about to close the door, a hand stopped it. When she opened it again, she found someone she hadn't expected to see so early.
Mark was standing on the doorstep. It had been five years since the last time he had shown up like that, and now he looked slightly more mature. He had shed much of the teenage attitude he once carried. His white hair was neatly kept, and his gray eyes held a more serious look; the arrogance that used to radiate from him had softened somewhat. After so many years working alongside Sally, he had learned—at least to some extent—to behave properly.
"Mark? It's unusual to see you at my house," said Sally, surprised that her coworker—the other wizard she often took missions with—had appeared without warning.
"I heard today's the day the brats are getting their letters," replied Mark in a serious tone, scanning the house for the boys.
Harry and Percy heard his voice from the hallway, and Percy immediately came running.
"So you came, weak wizard!" he said with a teasing grin.
"Who are you calling weak, brat?" retorted Mark, frowning in irritation.
"You couldn't even teach Harry a single useful spell," Percy taunted, laughing mischievously.
"The fact that he can't grasp my great teachings isn't my fault," Mark shot back proudly, regaining his usual smugness.
"You're a fake wizard; you use potions to fight. Fake wizard!" Percy kept teasing.
"Shut up, kid! Why waste magic power when I can use other tools?" Mark defended himself, unwilling to admit that Percy had a point.
"Harry, come show one of your spells to this poor uneducated wizard," Percy said triumphantly.
Harry looked at Mark calmly before replying, "Percy, it's not Mark's fault he didn't go to school."
Those words, innocent as they were, stung far more than any insult. Mark felt the comment hit him straight in the pride.
That was the real reason he didn't visit Sally's house very often. Every time he tried to show off his "greatness" to the boys, they never seemed impressed; if anything, they looked at him like he was a fool pretending to be important.
"I might not have gone to a magic school, but I can show you what I'm capable of," said Mark, pulling his staff out of his enchanted bag with a defiant grin.
Before he could even move, Gema appeared behind him and smacked him sharply on the head.
"Stop picking fights with children," she said, visibly annoyed.
Mark rubbed the sore spot on his head and glared at her, but the dangerous expression on her face made him back down. He quickly pretended nothing had happened and put his staff away, entering the house with forced composure.
"So, did their letters arrive yet?" he asked, trying to change the subject. His tone was casual, but there was a genuine hint of curiosity in it. He had never attended Hogwarts himself—his family's arrangement with the Order had prevented it. He had learned magic on his own, studying from the tomes his ancestors left behind, but deep down he had always longed for the experience of learning in that castle. Not for fame, nor for the respect due to a descendant of Merlin, but because he knew that learning on one's own was nothing compared to being in a place where magic itself was alive.
"They haven't arrived yet," said Harry, sounding a bit nervous. The fear that his letter might never come had him restless.
"Don't worry, dear. There's still time," said Euphemia kindly from her portrait, her smile warm and reassuring.
"It's not like they'd forget about you… or would they?" added Fleamont absentmindedly, making Harry stiffen instantly.
Euphemia promptly smacked her husband with her fan.
"I mean," Fleamont corrected quickly, "obviously you're a wizard. You can use spells no child your age can, even ones unknown to most Hogwarts professors. If your letter doesn't arrive, it would only mean Hogwarts has lost everything that once made it great. In that case, we'll just send you to another, equally amazing school."
Harry nodded, comforted by the old man's words.
Then, the doorbell rang again. Everyone turned toward the door in anticipation. Sally hurried to open it, hoping to see an envelope sealed with red wax… but instead, two familiar figures stood waiting outside.
"Ah, it's just them," sighed Percy in disappointment.
Adrien and Dorian stepped inside, greeting politely.
"Ouch, that hurt," said Dorian, pretending to be wounded by the boy's words. "And here I was planning to take you for a walk through the Veil."
"The Veil?" asked Percy with curiosity. He knew that was where his mother worked and, according to Arthur's stories, where all sorts of amazing things were hidden. His eyes widened with excitement. He approached Dorian with the polite smile of a little knight.
"Hello, Mr. Dorian. It's a pleasure to see you again; I hope you've been well," he said, bowing slightly with exaggerated courtesy.
"Oh? And who taught you such manners?" Dorian asked with amusement.
"Luther," Percy replied proudly.
Meanwhile, Adrien had also entered. He greeted Sally with a slight nod and his usual composed expression, observing the lively scene before him. His gaze moved from the boys to Gema, Mark, and Dorian—who was now laughing with Percy—and he couldn't help feeling a faint sense of satisfaction. Over the years, this little family had truly become a part of their circle.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang once more. This time, standing outside were the massive redhead Luther and the blond Arthur. The sight only confirmed Adrien's thoughts, and a small smile curved his lips.
"Hello. We brought some desserts to wait with you," said Arthur with a friendly grin, holding up a bag full of pastries.
Instantly, Percy and Harry rushed over to him, their eyes shining with delight.
The room soon filled with chatter, laughter, and warmth as everyone enjoyed each other's company—right up until the final guest arrived.
Sirius entered without knocking, and upon seeing all the knights gathered there, he frowned with an expression that mixed annoyance and resignation. He didn't say a word, though the heavy silence between them was enough to remind everyone that things hadn't exactly improved since their last encounter.
"Hey, I've got news," Sirius announced, breaking the tension with a grin directed at the two boys, who, of course, had their faces covered in cream. "The letters have been sent."
"Then why didn't you bring them?" asked Percy, looking at him as if he were completely useless. Harry, his mouth full, simply nodded in agreement.
"Because I'm not the one who sends them—the school does," Sirius replied, raising an eyebrow. "And I don't work for the school. I just used a bit of my influence to check if they'd already been dispatched."
Then, with a mischievous grin, he ruffled Percy's hair, and immediately did the same to Harry, whose hair somehow looked even messier than usual. Sirius laughed heartily at the result.
The conversation continued in a relaxed, cheerful tone as they waited—sharing jokes, sweets, and coffee.
Until a sound broke the air: fluttering wings.
A few seconds later, two letters slipped through the mail slot, landing softly on the floor.
Harry's eyes widened in shock before he shouted at the top of his lungs, "They're here!"
He dashed toward the door, with Percy right behind him, nearly tripping over the table in his rush.
…
"Ta-ta-ta-tan!" exclaimed Percy triumphantly, raising his Hogwarts letter above his head. His grin overflowed with joy, while Harry, standing beside him, held his own letter with equal excitement.
Sally and Mor watched them from the sofa, smiling warmly, their hearts swelling with pride.
Harry was the first to open his envelope, unable to wait any longer. He unfolded the parchment carefully and began to read aloud:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, etc.)
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl no later than July 31st.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry smiled when he finished reading, and Percy did the same with his, which said practically the same thing.
"Awesome! Now we can go to Hogwarts!" shouted Percy, his voice bursting with excitement.
"It's rare to see you this eager to go to school," said Sally with a small smile, amused by her son's enthusiasm.
"Percy's happy because Padfoot told him there's no math, geography, language and literature, or science—or any normal subjects at all," explained Harry, revealing the real reason for his brother's excitement.
Everyone turned toward Sirius, waiting for confirmation.
"It's true," he admitted with a relaxed grin. "Subjects are divided into two categories: mandatory and elective. The mandatory ones, from first to fifth year, are Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, History of Magic, and Flying—though the last one's only in first year."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "And the electives are Divination, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, and Muggle Studies."
"Wait a second… do you even know how to add?" asked Mark with a mocking tone.
"Obviously," Sirius replied, clearly offended.
"And square roots?" Mark pressed, smirking.
"Roots of what?" asked Sirius with complete seriousness.
"Oh, wow…" murmured Dorian, holding back a laugh.
"I think we've just discovered why the wizarding world swallows muggle-borns whole," said Gema, looking around with a mix of amusement and concern.
"It makes sense," commented Adrien gravely. "If they're not prepared for the education of the non-magical world, they won't be able to work there. Without a degree, they have no choice but to live entirely within the magical one."
"Basically, they're almost illiterate from our point of view," added Luther, his expression genuinely surprised.
Sally looked thoughtful, a hint of worry crossing her face as she considered her sons' academic future.
"Even if they later take courses to catch up on regular studies, they'll be doing twice the work," said Adrien. "Not many children—or even adults—could keep up with that."
Everyone turned to look at Harry and Percy, who stared back in confusion, not understanding why the adults suddenly looked so troubled.
"I think you're all worrying too much," Mor said calmly. "Those two will either become powerful wizards or end up working with their mother—unless they decide otherwise. They're tied to both worlds anyway. We'll just need to hire a private tutor for everything else."
She then added with composed clarity, "And to be clear, this isn't anyone's fault. It's because the wizarding world refuses to advance. They're still stuck in the mindset of the Middle Ages, when education for ordinary people didn't even exist. Until they choose to change, it will stay that way."
No one could argue with that. She was right. Wizards barely accepted anything from the muggle world, much less its education. They lived trapped inside their own bubble, unwilling to evolve.
"She's right," said Gema, nodding firmly. "In any case, if necessary, I'll be their private tutor until they're adults."
Her smile was so wide… that Percy thought it looked downright demonic.
A chill ran down the boy's spine. The idea of having to study twice as much—Hogwarts and extra lessons—no longer seemed nearly as fun.
"Then let's celebrate that their letters have arrived," said Luther with his deep voice and an encouraging smile.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The room filled with laughter, the smell of pastries, and the shared excitement of a future that, though uncertain, had just opened a new door for the two brothers.