Chapter 2: The Andersons' Past
No one moved. Everyone was frozen in place for what felt like half an hour… okay, maybe only about ten seconds in reality.
Albert bent down and picked up the pale yellow envelope. It was a letter without a postage stamp. Written on it in emerald-green ink was a single line, which he read aloud softly:
"Mr. Albert Anderson, Front Door, No. 19, Tiber Avenue."
As Albert read the words, a notification suddenly appeared before him—he had triggered a quest:
Path of the WizardYou possess the potential to become a wizard, but you are not yet qualified. Now, you have been given a precious opportunity to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a student.Reward: 10,000 experience points, 2 skill points, +1 Wizard Bloodline.
Wizard Bloodline?
Albert froze.
What the hell was that?
The 2 skill points were certainly tempting—becoming a student at Eton College only gave 1 point, and Albert had only accumulated 3 skill points over the years, none of which he had dared to use.
But the craziest thing?
This was a novel world.
The magical world from the Harry Potter series?
Albert turned the envelope over and, sure enough, he saw the Hogwarts crest, the capital letter "H" surrounded by a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake.
"Mom, do zoos train owls to be mail carriers now?" Nia asked curiously, staring at the owl loitering nearby.
"Nia, I don't think anyone uses owls to send letters. At least, no sane person would. Maybe… this is just a prank," Daisy said, glancing at her husband and noticing his furrowed brow. She asked, "What is it, dear? Should we still be going out?"
"It's nothing. Albert, let me see the letter," said Herb softly.
"Oh, here," Albert handed the envelope to his father.
"Darling!" Daisy said, displeased.
Herb didn't notice the irritation on his wife's face. He quickly tore open the envelope and pulled out the parchment. After skimming it, he said, "Kids, looks like our plans have to be delayed."
"What's going on, Herb? What does the letter say?" Daisy asked, her tone sharp with unease.
"Dad, what does it say?" Nia added, unable to hold back her curiosity. But Albert—the one who received the letter—remained calm.
He already knew what the letter was about. Had he not experienced the transmigration and the system panel events, he might've been shocked. But after two major surprises, learning he was living in a novel world didn't feel that strange anymore. Especially since he had read all the Harry Potter books—and even written a fanfic of his own. He had researched a lot about the lore and was quite familiar with the universe.
"Alright, I'll read it," Herb said, glancing at his always-calm son, then began to read aloud:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and WizardryHeadmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Chief Warlock of the International Confederation of Wizards, Supreme Mugwump, Grand Sorcerer, Order of Merlin, First Class)
"Hogwarts… a school?" Daisy exclaimed in shock, eyes wide. She had already guessed what this was… an acceptance letter?
"Magic? There's really magic in this world?" Nia's face lit up with barely contained excitement. "I want to learn magic too! I want to go to a magic school!"
"Stop it, Albert! Let go of me!" Nia complained. She tried to lean in and read the letter, but Albert had pulled her back.
"Nia, let Dad finish reading it," Albert gestured for his father to continue and gently pulled his angry mother to sit back down.
"Son, I will absolutely not let you go to some… Hogwarts…" Daisy started furiously. She suspected her husband knew something.
Herb cleared his throat and continued reading:
"Dear Mr. Anderson,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 September 1st.We await your owl no later than July 21st.
Yours sincerely,Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress."
Herb finished reading and handed the letter to Albert.
Albert glanced over it, then passed it to his curious sister, who immediately ran over to her mother with it.
Daisy read through it line by line, then declared firmly:
"There's no way I'm letting Albert go to that kind of school.No, this is clearly a joke.Maybe… we should call the police.Catch the pranksters responsible."
"Mom, when the letter says 'await your owl,' does that mean we should write back to them?" Nia suddenly asked.
Daisy didn't respond. Instead, she turned her intense gaze on her husband.
Albert asked, "Dad, do you know something about this?"
"Not exactly," Herb replied, pressing his hand to his forehead as if trying to recall something. "When I was around your age, my father—your grandfather—was very disappointed that I never received a letter from Hogwarts."
"I asked him what Hogwarts was, and he just said it was a school."
"Later, once when he was drunk, I asked why he had wanted me to go so badly."
"He said he was a Squib, though I never knew what that meant at the time." Herb's voice grew quieter. "I remember… he cried."
"I think I understand now. If he knew his grandson received a letter from Hogwarts, he'd be so proud."
Albert, of course, knew what a Squib was. But he never imagined he might be connected to wizards.
He also hadn't seen any skills related to that in his system panel—or he would've noticed.
"You're right, I should call him. No, I'll phone him now—he'll be thrilled!" Herb suddenly exclaimed, getting up to make a call.
"Herb Anderson!" Daisy shouted. "Albert belongs at Eton College. He'll have a future we can't even imagine—not at some ridiculous school we've never heard of! Do you understand? His entire future is on the line. I absolutely will not allow—"
"Mom, we haven't even confirmed if magic is real," Albert said, gently catching his mother's arm to calm her. "The letter says they're awaiting our owl, right? Maybe we should write back and ask someone from this so-called Hogwarts to prove that magic exists. If they can't… then it's clearly a hoax."
"…Fine, son. I agree. Let that blasted school prove this letter is real." Daisy clenched her fists and waved one in the air. "Just wait. I'll report those frauds and make sure they spend years in jail!"