NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Chapter:4
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Steven sat at his desk, staring at the letter in his hands as though it might vanish if he blinked as the owl flew away. The weight of the parchment, the smell of the ink—it all felt too real to dismiss as a prank. His eyes darted back to the words written in elegant script:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Hart,
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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Steven leaned back in his chair, his heart racing. Magic is real. And I'm a part of it.
He let out a sharp breath, trying to process the implications. All his plans of becoming a billionaire, dominating the financial markets with his knowledge of the future—those seemed distant now. If magic truly existed, it was an untapped power far beyond anything stocks or investments could offer.
"Why not both?" he muttered to himself, a grin tugging at his lips. He'd spent years making tough decisions in his past life, but this one felt easy. Magic could make him stronger, help him protect himself and others, and potentially accelerate his financial ambitions.
This is a gift I'd be a fool to ignore.
Excitement coursing through him, Steven ran downstairs and handed the letter to his mother. She took it with a curious smile, but as she read, her expression turned skeptical.
"Hogwarts School of... Witchcraft and Wizardry?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "Steven, darling, is this some sort of prank? Did one of your friends come up with this as a birthday joke?"
Steven forced a chuckle, hiding his disappointment. "Maybe, Mom. It's probably Dudley or Austin messing with me. They're always trying to outdo each other with jokes."
His mother smiled warmly, patting his cheek. "That's more like it. Now, go get ready for the party. You have guests arriving soon."
"Sure thing," Steven replied, masking his emotions. He wasn't surprised by her reaction; any parent from a non-magical background would dismiss such a letter as nonsense. But if this letter is real, someone from Hogwarts will come to explain. They wouldn't leave it up to a muggle family to figure out.
He retreated to his room, claiming he had homework to do. Closing the door behind him, Steven turned his attention back to the letter. The idea of wielding magic—a power that could defy logic and science—was exhilarating. He couldn't wait to try it.
Steven sat cross-legged on the floor, holding the letter in his lap. He thought back to the spell words he remembered from the books he'd read as a child. The simplest one came to mind: Lumos.
Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand as though holding an invisible wand. "Lumos," he whispered.
Nothing happened.
Frowning, he tried again, this time with more conviction. "Lumos!"
Still nothing. He stared at his hand, frustration creeping in. Maybe I need a real wand. Or maybe magic flows differently here. Steven wasn't discouraged; failure was nothing new to him. He had faced far worse in his previous life.
Over the next two hours, he experimented, attempting to summon light, move objects, or feel any hint of magic within him. Each attempt failed, but his determination only grew. By the time he stopped, his arms were sore, and sweat clung to his skin.
"Alright, magic," he muttered, standing up. "You win this round. But I'll figure you out."
After a warm bath, Steven dressed for the party in a set of new clothes. They weren't from any famous brand, but they were high quality, a testament to his parents' ability to provide a comfortable, even slightly lavish, lifestyle. As he walked downstairs, he was greeted by the hum of conversations and the cheerful laughter of neighbors.
His mother beamed as he entered the room, pulling him into a hug. "There's the birthday boy!" she said, kissing his cheek. Guests turned to greet him, their warm smiles and cheerful wishes filling the space.
Among the crowd, Steven spotted Dudley and Harry entering with Petunia Dursley. Petunia's face was tight, as though she disapproved of even attending, but she congratulated Steven with forced politeness. "Happy birthday, Steven," she said, handing him a small, plainly wrapped gift.
"Thank you, Mrs. Dursley," Steven replied respectfully. He glanced at Dudley, who was already eyeing the cake with undisguised greed, and then at Harry, who looked quietly pleased to be included.
"Go ahead and have some cake," Steven said, gesturing toward the table. Dudley didn't need to be told twice, practically dragging Harry with him.
Steven chuckled to himself. Keeping Dudley happy was a small price to pay for ensuring Harry wasn't ostracized. Small acts like these could ripple into larger consequences, and he wasn't about to risk alienating the future savior of the magical world.
As the evening wound down, Steven's mind returned to the letter. He excused himself after the guests had left, retreating to his room with a plate of leftover cake. He had barely sat down when a sharp, rhythmic knock echoed through the house.
His heart skipped a beat. He hurried to his window and looked down, his breath catching as he saw a tall figure in robes standing at the front door. The moonlight glinted off half-moon spectacles perched on the person's nose.
No way, Steven thought. Could it really be...?
To be continued.
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