A Life of Grinding at Hogwarts

[Host: Jerry Green

Occupation: Wizard

Inventory: Empty

Talents (maximum 10):

Charms: 8 (exceptionally gifted)

Potions: 7 (fairly gifted)

Transfiguration: 9 (supremely gifted)

Divination: 1 (works sometimes, fails sometimes)

...

Dark Magic: 11 (even Dementors would tremble at the sight of you!!!)

Card draws: 0

(Become the most powerful, most terrifying Dark Lord!!)]

Jerry's mouth twitched as he looked over his impressive stats. Everything at the start seemed normal enough. What transmigrator didn't have great talent?

But what was going on with Dark Magic? Wasn't the maximum ten? It was one thing for him to be so talented, but he'd even gone past the limit.

Did the system think wizardry had its limits and force a mutation on him? Jerry was suddenly glad it hadn't decided being a witch was better.

And that last line was slander. Defamation!

Jerry had always considered himself a clever, kind, polite gentleman.

His cold, ruthless manner was only on the surface. Deep down, he was full of goodness and beauty! Anyone who knew him could tell you he liked making friends and reasoning things out. He could get along with anyone.

For now, he had zero card draws. According to the system, he could earn them by studying magic. In other words, if Jerry studied hard enough, the system would reward him with draws.

Wait. This sounds familiar. A chill ran through Jerry. The system wanted to turn him into someone who studied himself into the ground!

"Matron, I got an acceptance letter from a school. I'm going to study there."

"What school?"

"...A magic school."

The matron fell silent. She was Catholic.

"It's not a scam..." Jerry did his best to explain.

Knock, knock, knock.

A knock came at the door. Jerry, whose mouth had gone dry from explaining, got up and opened it. An elderly man stood outside, his long silver-white beard framing a kind, wise-looking face.

Jerry froze for a moment, then recovered.

"Sir, who are you looking for?"

"You, my boy." His warm, friendly smile put people at ease.

"Won't you invite me in?"

Jerry came to his senses and ushered him inside.

"Sir, what do you want with Jerry?" the matron asked first, eyeing him closely.

"Madam, there's no need to worry. I'm the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You may call me Dumbledore."

"Sir, that isn't funny. I don't believe a school's headmaster would personally come to collect a student. If you won't tell me the truth, I'm calling the police." The matron picked up the phone.

Dumbledore smiled and gave a gentle wave of his hand. The sofa against the wall floated into the air.

"Oh my God! Lord, have mercy." Startled, the matron hurriedly prayed for forgiveness.

Jerry stood to one side, his eyes shining with excitement. So this is the power of magic? Incredible!

"As you can see, madam, I'm a wizard."

"So the magic school is real, and Jerry is a wizard too?"

"Of course. The fact that Jerry received a letter from Hogwarts means he has magic within him and has experienced a Magical Outburst."

Jerry scratched his head awkwardly. He hadn't inherited the original Jerry's memories when he arrived in this world, so he knew nothing about any Magical Outburst. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made so many plans.

"Headmaster, could you tell me about Hogwarts?"

"Of course." Dumbledore looked at Jerry kindly.

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."

"The first thing new students do is get sorted into a house. As for how that happens, my boy, I can't tell you yet. It's a tradition of the Wizarding World."

"But don't worry. All four houses are excellent. Gryffindor values courage and daring; Hufflepuff values hard work, patience, and loyalty; Ravenclaw values wisdom, creativity, and understanding; and Slytherin values ambition, cunning, and leadership."

"Whichever house you enter, you'll receive a fine education. The school's professors..."

"What? A professor dies at Hogwarts School every year? Jerry, that school is far too dangerous."

"Madam, no, no. Some were merely left unable to move. Besides, the students are quite safe. Very few have died over the years."

The matron still couldn't put her mind at ease. As she saw it, even without magic, Jerry was clever enough to have a bright future.

"Jerry, you're more mature than other children your age. You decide."

Jerry wanted to go to Hogwarts, of course. When the matron heard his decision, she didn't stop him and reluctantly agreed.

"Headmaster, how much is tuition at your school? Jerry is an orphan, and the orphanage isn't well off," the matron said, worry on her face.

"Don't worry, madam. New students from Muggle backgrounds can receive a loan. It isn't much, but it will certainly cover what he needs."

"Madam, Jerry needs to study at Hogwarts. The magic inside a young wizard can be dangerous. Without proper guidance, even his life could be at risk."

"All right..." Hearing that, the matron finally agreed.

She spoke with Dumbledore for a long while longer. At the end, she asked whether, if magic existed, God existed too.

"Well then, Jerry, I'll pick you up tomorrow morning and take you to Diagon Alley for your school supplies. I should be going now. Goodbye, madam." Dumbledore rose to leave.

"Jerry, see the gentleman out. It can't be easy for a headmaster his age to travel around like this."

Jerry walked Headmaster Dumbledore to the orphanage entrance.

"Jerry, you may not have parents, but you've grown up surrounded by love."

"The matron has always been good to us," Jerry said with conviction.

"Remember, my boy: love is the greatest magic." With that, Dumbledore vanished before Jerry's eyes.

"Phew."

Jerry let out a long breath. He'd been on edge the entire time he was with Dumbledore. He had too many secrets, and he was glad the old man wasn't the type to use Legilimency on people without warning.

"Jerry, come here a moment," the matron called from the upstairs office window.

"What is it, Matron?"

"Here. Keep this safe."

The matron took an envelope from a drawer and handed it to Jerry. He opened it and found £150 inside.

"You're going shopping tomorrow, aren't you? Better to have some extra money."

"Matron..." Jerry's eyes reddened.