A Clear Path, the Best Start Ever

Bates was somewhat silent during dinner that evening.

He had long known that the world was not as simple as ordinary people saw it, but when the magical curtain lifted a small corner before him, he was still deeply shaken.

Were wizards connected to werewolves? Could wizards cure his troublesome little condition?

All those questions, like the cat the piece of wood had turned into during the day, circled his heart and kept scratching at his mind.

Bates had almost bared his heart to Professor McGonagall, but when he heard that magic was a talent and only those who were chosen could become wizards, he calmed down.

He did not dare reveal that he was a Werewolf. Perhaps wizards considered it some unforgivable creature. Beyond the unknown dangers, it might also affect little Loren.

The old man felt he had lived long enough. Even if he died, it would not matter much, but little Loren had an extraordinary future ahead of him.

He believed Loren would surely achieve great things. He did not want to become a burden or bring him any bad influence.

Ever since Bates had returned from the battlefield, he had lived for others. Responsibility and duty had supported him, keeping him from thinking about what kind of monster he was or when he ought to seek God's forgiveness.

They had controlled him, too. For decades, he had been a machine called Bates rather than a real person.

Loren's arrival had made him feel truly alive.

Taking care of a child was no easy task, but Loren was more sensible than any child Bates had ever seen. Once he was a little older, Loren would be able to make delicious food himself.

Whenever he swallowed those steaming-hot bites, he could feel that he was truly alive.

Bates did not say much. He did not want Loren to trouble himself doing anything for him. If werewolves were nothing to wizards, Loren would solve it himself. If werewolves were also a problem for wizards, he did not want to put any pressure on Loren.

On the other side, Loren did not sense Bates's low spirits at all. He was sorting through his thoughts.

This world had Owls delivering acceptance letters and Professor McGonagall teaching Transfiguration Class. He could be completely certain now: this was the magical world of the Harry Potter film series. It was as though the world had removed its mysterious veil and clearly revealed its face before him.

Loren had watched all eight films and knew the plot. Based on the years, he should be in the same year as Harry Potter.

In the coming years, the villain Voldemort would enter Hogwarts and cause trouble.

Headmaster Dumbledore would guide Harry and the main cast as they grew while finding time to destroy the boss's seven Horcruxes one by one. In the end, once he got tired, he would thoroughly arrange Voldemort's downfall and then lie down.

All in all, as a children's fantasy film, as long as Loren studied peacefully at school, surviving at Hogwarts until the ending should not be difficult.

Back to his own situation, Grandpa Bates's werewolf condition was the same kind Lupin had in the magical world. This type of Werewolf was more like an illness, causing uncontrollable transformations under the full moon and seriously affecting normal life.

The magical world had a corresponding miracle cure, the Wolfsbane Potion. Potions Master Snape could brew it. When the time came, Loren could buy it from him, or even learn how to make it.

If he dreamed a little bigger, perhaps he could study hard and find a way to completely cure werewolves.

Then there was that strange Bookseller and those two peculiar books.

Complete Guide to Hieroglyphs should contain some Alchemy knowledge. Nicolas Flamel had appeared in the original storyline as a mere plot device. According to the autobiography, The Book of Abraham was the book that recorded how to create the Sorcerer's Stone.

Loren attached much more importance to the two books now.

As for whether the person he had met that day was Nicolas Flamel himself, Loren was not sure. It did not matter. Right now, he felt incomparably at ease.

He knew how the plot would develop, his future plans were clear, and he did not need to make a living in the magical world. Familiar with the course of this world's development, he planned to return to the ordinary world after graduation, do a little business, make money, and enjoy life.

For now, all he needed to do was grow up step by step, Loren thought. There had never been such a wonderful start.

"Heh heh heh heh heh."

Bates watched Loren cover his mouth and shake his shoulders strangely. He was no longer quite sure this boy would achieve anything extraordinary.

Early the next morning, after breakfast and getting ready, Loren and Bates sat neatly dressed on their stools.

The wait felt long. Bates still looked a little awkward; he had not entertained guests in decades.

Fortunately, they did not have to wait long. Loren, seated on his stool, suddenly turned to look at an Open Ground. Bates was somewhat puzzled and followed Loren's gaze.

Professor McGonagall suddenly appeared with a pop.

Watching this magical scene, Bates was even more shocked than he had been when he watched wood turn into a cat yesterday.

Professor McGonagall, who had appeared out of nowhere, met Loren's eyes directly. She saw shadows shifting within those blue eyes.

"You knew in advance that I would appear here?" McGonagall asked, sounding surprised.

"I just saw that something seemed to change in that area."

Loren was a little dazed. Could other wizards not see where someone would appear after teleporting? The films had never mentioned that.

"This is an extraordinary talent..." Professor McGonagall had wanted to explain, but then seemed to remember something and did not continue.

"Come along. We still have many things to do."

Professor McGonagall extended her hand, took hold of Loren's, and bade Mr. Bates farewell.

Apparition.

Pop!

Loren felt as though Professor McGonagall's hand was about to slip from his grasp, so he hurriedly held on tighter.

Everything went black before his eyes. He was squeezed violently from every direction, unable to breathe, his chest feeling as though several iron bands were cinched tightly around it.

Pop!

Loren could not stop coughing. Tears and snot nearly streamed out.

He felt as though he had just been squeezed through an extremely narrow rubber tube. Getting by in the magical world was not as easy as he had imagined.

"Normally, traveling would be more comfortable, but we need to hurry today."

Professor McGonagall gently comforted him as she stroked his back. Loren recovered after a short while. He felt that Professor McGonagall was not as stern as he remembered.

Before them stood a suburban house. It was far better than the little Wooden House Loren lived in, and cleaner than the Orphanage that had already grown hazy in his memories. This was probably the house that best matched his impression of an English city in the 1980s.

"There is another student coming with you." Professor McGonagall stepped forward and rang the doorbell.

Very soon, a young couple opened the door with a girl about Loren's age.

To Loren, the young couple had typical white features, with nothing particularly distinctive about them.

The little girl had thick brown hair that was somewhat messy. It was obvious that it had been carefully tidied, but it had not done much good.

Her brown eyes were wide and bright. When she saw Professor McGonagall, she broke into a delighted smile, revealing slightly oversized front teeth. She was very cute.

Seeing that familiar face, Loren was surprised. Was he meeting Hermione on the very first day?!

While Loren's thoughts ran wild, Professor McGonagall had already finished speaking with Mr. and Mrs. Granger and led the little girl out by the hand.