A Journey into the Mysteries Beginning with Harry Potter

"A world without Loen, without Intis, without the Church, without potions, without Sequences... without anything you know."

"Barring an accident, the two worlds are like parallel lines that can never intersect. Even beings as powerful as gods might be helpless to change that."

"My arrival in your world was an accident. Bringing you back was an accident within that accident. I... I'm sorry."

Even after Edward finished speaking, Audrey merely stood with her hands behind her back, frowning slightly. "Are you telling me this because I can't go back anymore, or is there another reason?"

Edward shrugged. "For some reason even I don't understand, I travel between the two worlds once every fifteen days. In other words, I'll need to spend a lot of time living in your world from now on. So, if possible, I'd like your help."

Audrey visibly trembled, and the fingers tightly entwined behind her back loosened:

"As long as I can go back."

Only then did she truly breathe a sigh of relief. Despite how carefree she had seemed throughout, most of it had merely been an attempt to appear calm.

Someone had inexplicably barged in and abducted her, then inexplicably brought her somewhere unfamiliar. It was impossible for her not to be afraid. But reason told her that crying or panicking would accomplish nothing now-she had to make full use of those Sequence 9 "Beyonder talents," observing and analyzing the boy before her as closely as possible to improve her chances.

If he was a good person, earning more of his goodwill certainly couldn't hurt. If he was a bad person, she needed to delay him from harming her for as long as possible, giving herself more opportunities to escape.

So far, she seemed to have been lucky.

"Uh, you believed me?"

"Not entirely." Audrey gradually regained some of her energy, curiosity sparkling in her green eyes again. "For instance, if you're from another world, why do you seem so familiar with mine? Why can you understand and speak Loenese so fluently?"

Edward answered without hesitation. "Well... I'm not quite sure myself. It was as though I somehow knew all that as soon as I arrived in your world."

Naturally, he couldn't reveal the existence of the original Lord of the Mysteries novel. It was his only advantage at present.

Audrey didn't dwell on it and began looking around with interest. "What happens next, then?"

"Two options. First, you stay..." Edward pointed at the leather pouch on the floor. "...in there. I'll provide food and water at regular intervals..."

"I choose the other one!"

She raised her hand without hesitation. "I've finally come to a completely different world. How could I waste my time in there? Besides, the Beyonder abilities you used earlier were different from ours, weren't they? Can I learn them too? Would I need to take a potion... or something else?"

Her choice was exactly what Edward had expected, but he still put on a troubled expression as he replied:

"To be honest, you're undocumented here... you understand what that means, right? I don't have your prestigious status. Having someone with absolutely no traceable background suddenly appear would cause me a lot of trouble, so I'd really prefer you to choose the first option."

Audrey puffed out her cheeks, no longer bothering to act like a proper lady.

Edward was instantly won over by how adorable she looked. "But I respect your choice. You must promise, though, that you won't reveal even the slightest information about the other world. To that end, I'll need you to sign a contract with me before a respected elder shortly. Is that all right?"

"That's perfectly reasonable."

"Good, then."

He picked up the leather pouch from the floor and took out his wand. "As for these Beyonder abilities of mine, they're called magic. You don't need to take potions, and there's no danger of losing control. You can master them through study."

"Scourgify."

A light breeze swept past, and the dust Audrey's dress had picked up while entering and leaving the leather pouch vanished instantly.

"Aguamenti."

A stream of clear water appeared out of thin air, falling directly onto Audrey's hands.

"Reparo."

Edward cast the final spell on the torn dress he was wearing. The ripped fabric swiftly returned to its original state, as though time had reversed. "It's incredibly useful, whether you're at home, traveling, or fighting enemies."

The moment he finished speaking, the dress split open again. Edward spread his hands. "Looks like I really do need to change."

"Pfft."

Audrey couldn't help laughing.

She really did deserve to be called Backlund's most radiant gem.

Chapter 5: Dumbledore

Hogwarts Castle, eighth floor.

A door suddenly appeared in the wall opposite the Troll Beating Up Barnabas the Barmy Tapestry. Edward stepped through, and by the time he turned around, the door had vanished again.

Edward stamped firmly on the stone floor, finally feeling that his return to the Harry Potter World was real.

"Ah, I'll have to go to Old Dumbledore after all."

The Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts was also on the castle's eighth floor. Once, when Dumbledore had urgently needed the toilet in the middle of the night, he had accidentally wandered into the Room of Requirement and taken care of his needs while half asleep.

Edward had just rounded a corner when he saw someone limping toward him. The man wore a shabby leather jacket, his hair disheveled and his expression gloomy. "Edward, I've finally found you!"

"Respected Mr. Filch, it's the summer holidays, and it's daytime. I don't believe I've broken any school rules, have I?"

"I don't care whether you've broken any rules! Can't you keep your cat away from mine?" he roared furiously, pointing at Mrs. Norris, who was following close behind him. The cat had always been skeletal, with bulging eyes, but now her fur was uneven all over, and she even had a small bald patch on top of her head.

Edward spread his hands. "That... should just be normal interaction between cats, shouldn't it? Besides, although Lilith is mischievous, she rarely leaves the Hufflepuff Common Room. I think you ought to keep a closer eye on Mrs. Norris instead. I remember she was the one who tried to steal Lilith's dried fish last time."

"You!" He grew even angrier. "You'd better pray I don't catch your cat misbehaving, or I'll hang her at the castle entrance!"

Unfazed, Edward walked straight around Filch. "Sorry, please let me through. I have something very important to discuss with Professor Dumbledore."

"I'll catch her misbehaving sooner or later!!"

"Good luck, Mr. Filch."

Edward stopped before the enormous, hideously ugly stone monster outside the Headmaster's Office, still unsure what to tell Dumbledore. After all, Audrey came from another world. What story could he make up?

"Cockroach Clusters."

The stone monster didn't react.

"Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans."

"Acid Pops."

The monster finally sprang to life and leaped aside. The wall behind it split in two, revealing a Moving Staircase that was slowly ascending.

Edward stepped onto the Moving Staircase and soon reached a gleaming oak door with a brass knocker shaped like a Gryphon. Before he could knock, the door opened silently.

"I do not believe your choices of Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers have been wise, sir!" A sharp, acid voice came from inside the office. "Take Professor Pat last year. Oh, heavens, he actually had the brilliant idea of taking students into the Forbidden Forest for practical training in dealing with dark creatures. And the result? By now, he's long since become droppings for those spiders, fertilizing the Forbidden Forest he loved so much!"

"That was an accident, Severus. Braving danger to teach the children Defense Against the Dark Arts through practical experience, then choosing to stay behind when danger struck to buy them time-doesn't that prove he was a capable teacher? We should respect his sacrifice, not mock it."

"So what did those children learn? Nothing! Nothing but stupidity!"

"At least they learned to face a crisis and confront death. Give the children a little more time, Severus. Oh, I seem to have a visitor."

Edward entered the Headmaster's Office and immediately spotted all manner of strange little objects. The portraits of headmasters from different eras hanging on the walls listened with interest to Dumbledore and Snape's argument-they seemed thoroughly accustomed to it. After all, a similar conversation took place nearly every year, and it always ended with Snape leaving disappointed.

As soon as Snape saw Edward, his brows knitted tightly, and he instinctively wrapped his voluminous black robes around himself. "Edward, why are you here again? I told you, I'm running short of potion ingredients myself!"

Edward scratched his head. "Uh, Professor Snape, this is the Headmaster's Office. Is it possible... that I'm here to see Professor Dumbledore?"

Dumbledore smiled so broadly that even his blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles curved.

"Hmph!" Snape snorted, resuming his haughty, aloof manner as he looked down at Edward. "How is your Felix Felicis brewing coming along?"

Edward answered obediently, "It still needs a little more time, Professor."

"I hope you won't waste those precious ingredients of mine!" Snape swept his robes around and turned to leave, but upon reaching the doorway, he looked back. "I hope you will seriously consider my advice. Don't let Hogwarts be ruined by those Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers you hire."

Dumbledore smiled faintly. "I am the headmaster of Hogwarts. I will take responsibility for it."

"You'll regret this!"

Snape left the office like an enormous bat.

"Have a seat, Edward." Dumbledore warmly invited Edward to sit, then gave his wand a light flick and conjured a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. "Would you like some?"

Edward politely declined. "Ever since I ate a dung-flavored one last time, I've sworn never to touch them again."

"Oh, dung flavor. To be honest, I've never tried that one." The elderly man, with his white hair and long white beard, was like a mischievous old child. A look of anticipation actually appeared on his face. "Surely it couldn't be worse than booger flavor."

"Must we discuss dung here, Professor?"

He smiled and waved a hand. "Sorry. I can never quite restrain my curiosity about new things."

Dumbledore changed the subject. "Pomona-the Head of Hufflepuff-told me you've spent almost all your holidays at Hogwarts these past three years. Of course, I'm not saying you can't stay. It's just... young people ought to see more of the outside world and make more friends, don't you think? As far as I know, you're the only student staying at school this summer."

At that, Dumbledore tapped his forehead. "Oh, sorry. Old people do tend to ramble on. Was there something you wanted to see me about today?"

After considerable hesitation, Edward said, "I... I'd like to apply to learn Apparition early."

Dumbledore paused briefly and adjusted his spectacles. "You do know... how dangerous learning Apparition is, don't you?"

"Yes, but I believe that under a qualified teacher's guidance, it shouldn't be too difficult for me."

"Hmm, since you've thought it through, that shouldn't be a problem. Once term begins, you can enroll in Apparition Class along with the sixth-years."

"I know I'm asking for rather more than I should, but I'd like to learn it within two weeks. Would that be possible?" Apparition was an invaluable lifesaving skill, whether at home or traveling. He would have to return to the world of mysteries in fifteen days, so he needed to master it as soon as possible.

Dumbledore gave him a surprised look. "Then I'll have to teach you myself. You'll need to wait another two days, though. As you know, I'm still contacting prospective Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers for next term. So far, the only applicant is... oh, Mr. Quirinus Quirrell."

Quirrell?

Realization dawned on Edward. So our Chosen One, Mr. Harry Potter, would be starting school next term?

Dumbledore picked up a Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Bean and popped it into his mouth. "Now, there's something else you'd like to ask me, isn't there? Oh, lucky me. Toffee."

"I'm not sure whether Professor Flitwick has mentioned it, but I haven't made any progress at all in my Patronus Charm studies. I'm certain both my incantation and movements are perfectly correct, and I'm thinking of my happiest memories, yet there's not even the slightest response."

Dumbledore's movements visibly paused. "I have heard about that, yes, but at present, I don't have a good solution either. Magic is often like that. Some people can master the Unforgivable Curses with ease, yet struggle with even the most basic Transfiguration Spell. Others can take one particular spell to its absolute limits while barely mastering the rudiments of others."

Wisdom shone in his deep eyes. "However, today isn't the best time to discuss those matters. I can tell that your real reason for coming to see me isn't anything you've mentioned so far."

Edward's heart jolted. His first thought was that Dumbledore had used Legilimency on him.

"I see. I see why you always keep a certain distance from me."

The old man looked rather helpless. "I am indeed a master of Legilimency, but I have no habit of constantly prying into other people's thoughts. Self-control has always been one of the few qualities I find satisfying in myself."

"Everyone has secrets in their heart. There's nothing to apologize for. But if you ever need to, you're always welcome to confide in me." Dumbledore winked playfully. "Keeping secrets is another quality I pride myself on."

Edward hesitated, then said,

"Well, it's like this. I have a friend. She... comes from an ancient, remote country. It rarely even has contact with the outside world. She'd like to come to Hogwarts to study magic..."

Ordinarily, every Hogwarts student's name was written in the Book of Admittance by the Quill of Acceptance at birth, and an acceptance letter was sent when they turned eleven. There were occasional transfer students, and even if their backgrounds weren't known inside out, none could possibly be an "undocumented person from another world" like Audrey.

Dumbledore remained as kind and gentle as ever. "And then?"