Ch1: To the Wizarding world.

The adage "one never truly appreciates the value of a thing until it is lost" is a poignant reminder to cherish the small joys in life.

This sentiment, which Mike previously overlooked, held little significance to him.

However, after enduring an extraordinary event, such as being transported to an imagined world, he became acutely aware of the importance of his previous humdrum existence.

The realm to which he was transported was a far cry from the mundane, for it was replete with peculiarities.

Initially, Mike entertained the notion that he had traveled back in time to 1995, notwithstanding the fact that he had traversed from India to England, and his physique had regressed to that of an 11-year-old.

Remarkably, even his mind had been imbued with novel recollections.

However, his perception changed drastically on his eleventh natal day, which fell on the 10th of July in 1995.

On that fateful day, a woman in her thirties, adorned in black robes and pointed hats, made an appearance at the orphanage. Mike's initial assumption was that she was a Harry Potter aficionado attired in cosplay. However, to his surprise, he discovered that her visit was directly linked to him.

The lady, a Hogwarts professor of Muggle Studies, handed him a discolored envelope. Initially, Mike was skeptical and presumed it to be an elaborate hoax. Nonetheless, the possibility of anyone going to such great lengths to trick an orphan with no known kin puzzled him.

Doubt and anxiety consumed him, as he contemplated whether the professor had learned of his travels through time. Sensing his apprehension, the professor resorted to magic to persuade him of the truth. She pointed her wand at a pen on the desk, and whispered an incantation, causing it to levitate.

As he realized that he was a wizard, and had been transported into the Harry Potter universe, Mike was filled with a mixture of excitement and dread.

The realization that he had arrived in 1995, during a critical juncture in the series, with the revival of Voldemort imminent and the fate of the world at stake, intensified his distress.

...

Despite the dismal circumstances, Mike discovered that he possessed a unique and inexplicable power. Upon realizing his newfound status as a wizard in the Harry Potter universe, he attempted to channel his magical potential, hoping to discern any exceptional abilities.

Surprisingly, he discovered that he was indeed special. Upon initiating his magical awareness, he was transported to a dark expanse, where he experienced an intense sensation of weightlessness, with no discernible physical presence.

After overcoming the initial disorientation, he was able to command his movements through sheer willpower. As he began to explore his surroundings, he discovered a series of nine floating canvases. These white canvases appeared to be an extension of his very being, evoking a sense of intimacy.

Intrigued, he ventured closer to inspect them. Despite his initial skepticism, he noticed that one of the canvases depicted a rudimentary line drawing of a truck. However, when he reached out to touch it, he was jolted with a sudden and powerful electric shock, expelling him from the dark void.

As he returned to the realm of tangible existence, he experienced a surge of reassurance. However, his mind soon became preoccupied with memories of the black void and the obscure canvases that hovered within it.

As he ruminated on the canvases, he became aware of an unexpected revelation that materialized in his consciousness. This realization jolted him, as he was certain that he possessed no prior knowledge of the nature and properties of those floating canvases. Nonetheless, after his emergence from the void, he found himself endowed with an innate understanding of their functionality.

Each of the floating canvases in the dark void symbolized a chance to etch the depiction of an object, thereby acquiring unique capabilities associated with the specific object. These objects could be animate or inanimate in nature, and the type of abilities obtained after engraving depended on the most notable function of the object. The perception of the function was user-dependent, in this case, it was Mike's cognition that determined the nature of the abilities gained.

...

As Mike traversed Diagon Alley alongside Charity Burbage, he was still grappling with the astounding revelation that he had traversed into the fictitious realm of Harry Potter. However, his comprehension of the Harry Potter series was limited, only encompassing a few pivotal events such as the return of Voldemort, the demise of Dumbledore, the battle at the Ministry and so on.

Assuming the guise of an uninformed Muggle who had received an admission letter to Hogwarts, Mike posed an inquiry, "So, Hogwarts is a school for witches and wizards?"

Charity Burbage concurred, "Certainly, it is a place where fledgling witches and wizards convene to acquire mastery of the wizarding arts."

Mike proceeded to query, "And you teach Muggle Studies there?"

Charity Burbage assented, "Yes, that is correct. Muggle Studies is a discipline that concentrates on scrutinizing non-magical beings and their customs."

Mike strove to assimilate all the knowledge he was receiving concerning this newfound world, "And what about Diagon Alley?" he gestured to the busy thoroughfare they traversed.

Charity Burbage clarified, "Diagon Alley is where you can obtain all the wizarding requisites such as your robes, wand, books, and ingredients for potions, along with other knick-knacks that might be indispensable for your Hogwarts education."

Mike, feeling a sudden surge of exhilaration at the prospect of having his own wand, queried, "And what about the wand?"

Charity Burbage expounded, "The wand selects the wizard. It is a personal and profound phenomenon. At Ollivanders, you shall be able to find the wand that resonates with your innermost essence."

Mike beamed ecstatically and opined, "I am eagerly anticipating getting my wand."

Charity Burbage beamed at Mike warmly, stating, "I am confident that you shall revel in your tenure at Hogwarts, Mike. It is an enchanting place in every sense of the term."

...

As they meandered through the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, Mike was left astounded by the vast array of magical shops and vendors that surrounded him. The mere sight of it all had sent his senses into overdrive.

Professor Burbage led the way towards Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, a quaint and charming shop filled to the brim with robes of varying colors, styles, and designs. As they walked in, Mike was immediately greeted by the sight of dozens of robes hanging on racks throughout the room.

Madam Malkin, a rotund and amiable witch, welcomed them warmly as they entered. After taking Mike's measurements, she returned with a set of black robes that fit him impeccably.

Once they were done, they made their way to Ollivanders, where they were met by the renowned wandmaker himself, Mr. Ollivander. Mike was handed a variety of wands to test out, each of which was unique in its own way. After much trial and error, Mr. Ollivander finally settled on a 12-inch wand made of holly with a phoenix feather core, which he carefully wrapped in brown paper.

Their next stop was Flourish and Blotts, the bookstore where they acquired all of the necessary textbooks and materials for Mike's studies at Hogwarts. As they exited the shop, Mike felt a sense of fulfillment knowing that he had taken the first step in this treacherous world.

...

As Mike returned to the orphanage, he let out a sigh of relief. The shopping trip had been quite exhilarating for him. He had been constantly vigilant, trying his utmost not to draw attention to himself. Although he had prior knowledge of the plot that the upcoming year would be relatively safe, he did not want to rely too heavily on uncertain information. The world he found himself in was real, not just a fictional plot from a book. Who knew if the events would unfold as they were scripted?

Despite the daily prophet reporting on Harry Potter's trials for underaged use of magic, Mike was aware that some events may differ from what he had seen in the movies. As the saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry. His vigilance was warranted, after all, being suddenly transported alone to a potentially dangerous fictional world would make anyone cautious.

Bringing his thoughts back to the present, Mike opened a thick book with a leather-bound cover in a deep brown shade. The title was "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."