Note: The setting is mainly based on the movies, with some personal adjustments. Some details have been adapted for clarity.
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[Ding! Crossing successful!]
[System detected: user has entered the world of Harry Potter. System activated…]
[Newbie Mission: Grow up healthily until age 11 and successfully enroll at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.]
[Quest Reward: Intelligence +10]
An electronic tone echoed in Kevin's mind.
But his thoughts were a mess. He instinctively flailed his limbs, his mouth opening wide, and then…
"Waaah!! Waaah!!"
On a dimly lit street in Britain, outside an orphanage, a baby's cry pierced the morning air.
Eleven years passed in the blink of an eye.
Early one morning, 11-year-old Kevin rose at dawn as usual. He jogged steadily along the orphanage wall, running lap after lap, covering two or three kilometers.
After his last lap, he slowed to a walk for a final lap, just as the orphanage director's voice called:
"Kevin, breakfast is ready. Come wash up and eat!"
The director, a kind elderly man named Mr. Hopes, wore simple black-and-white robes with a hat, reminiscent of an informal priest.
"Coming, Mr. Hopes!" Kevin replied cheerfully, trotting back.
In the bathroom, he looked at himself in the mirror. His hair framed his face with slightly sharp bangs, his eyes were deep black, and his cheeks were round and cute. Even seeing it every day, he couldn't help but sigh.
It had been 11 years since he had traveled to this world.
In his previous life, a friend had recommended the Harry Potter movies. Kevin had binged six of them over a weekend.
Though the films were over a decade old, and some scenes were confusing or cut, he loved them—and was about to watch the seventh movie when he suddenly died.
That's when he entered the world of the Harry Potter movies. The system confirmed the moment he arrived.
As an orphan with no family records, Kevin started life at the orphanage. A tag around his neck read "Kevin" on the front and "1980-07-11" on the back—his birthday.
He had no surname in this life, and Mr. Hopes never gave him one, thinking "Kevin" was a fine name.
As he grew, Kevin quickly learned the language and the ways of the world through books and guidance from adults.
Though this world resembled his previous life, he hadn't encountered magic—perhaps because the wizarding world kept itself secret, or destiny prevented early exposure.
Kevin sometimes sensed strange energy within him, but he could neither control nor release it. It was as if magic was locked inside him.
So, he focused on what he could do: exercise, read, and gain knowledge. While magic dominated this world, he believed that a strong body and mind would help him navigate it.
Occasionally, when Mr. Hopes ran errands, Kevin accompanied him to experience life in 20th-century England.
Now, July 11, 1991—his 11th birthday—had arrived. He was finally old enough for Hogwarts.
"Kevin! Breakfast is ready!" called Mr. Hopes.
"I'm coming!"
After breakfast, Kevin went to the director's office to grab a book. Mr. Hopes loved reading and had a collection of unusual books. Some weren't immediately helpful, but Kevin read them anyway, wanting to cultivate his mind.
The system had been "silent" for 11 years, so Kevin couldn't rely on it entirely. He wanted to explore this magical world with his own eyes.
Just as he was about to read, a knock sounded on the window. An owl perched outside, holding a yellow envelope in its beak.
Kevin's eyes lit up. Hogwarts had sent his acceptance letter on his 11th birthday!
He opened the window, and the owl flew in, placing the letter on the desk. Kevin stroked its soft feathers before opening the envelope.
The letter bore the Hogwarts crest—lion, snake, badger, and eagle—confirming its authenticity.
To Kevin,
The letter explained his invitation to attend Hogwarts and that a professor would visit that evening. Excited, Kevin released the owl and discussed the news with Mr. Hopes, who promised to accompany him.
The day passed with reading and exercise. That evening, Kevin waited in the orphanage lobby, anticipating the professor's arrival. Mr. Hopes shared in his curiosity about magic.
At 8:00 PM, a knock echoed at the door. Kevin peered outside to see a tall, elegant woman—Professor McGonagall.
Memories from his previous life flashed before him.
"Good evening, Mr. Kevin," Professor McGonagall greeted as she entered with Mr. Hopes.
"Good evening, Professor," Kevin replied politely.
She observed the calm, well-mannered boy with warmth. Many orphans displayed behavioral issues, but Kevin was composed and attentive.
"Mr. Kevin, I assume you've read your letter and understand my purpose, as well as information about Hogwarts. I'll still explain so you and Mr. Hopes can fully understand the magical world," she said.
They moved to Mr. Hopes' office, where Professor McGonagall described Hogwarts, its history, and the wizarding world. Though Kevin had learned about it from movies in his previous life, hearing it from a real professor made it feel tangible.
Kevin listened eagerly, yearning for adventure beyond the mundane days he had known.