Chapter-3

The realm of darkness and dreams disappeared as the boy's consciousness awakened. He awoke to the smooth rustle of linen sheets and the faint whisper of unknown sounds. The bed beneath him was surprisingly comfortable, but he struggled to escape the feeling of confusion. His young, youthful body was still getting used to the sensations of waking existence, and the environment around him was foreign.

As he sat up, he observed his surroundings. The room was basic yet comfortable, with plain wooden furnishings and a few bright decorations. A huge window let in beautiful morning light, creating a pleasant glow around the space. The walls were painted a relaxing tone of pastel blue, and there were shelves lined with books and toys.

A soft tap on the door stopped his thoughts. Before he could react, the door creaked open, and a lady entered. She was middle-aged, with a nice face and graying hair. She wore a basic, immaculate outfit and carried a tray containing a warm dish of oatmeal.

"Good morning, dear," she said with a warm smile. "I am Matron Hughes. "How do you feel today?"

The child massaged his eyes, still drowsy. "I—I guess I'm okay. "Where am I?"

Matron Hughes set the tray on a tiny table beside the bed and sat in an adjacent chair. "You're in St. Mary's Orphanage, dear. You've been here for a little over a week. We were beginning to worry when you might wake up."

He gazed around and tried to make sense of everything. "What about St. Mary's Orphanage?" I do not recall arriving here."

Matron Hughes offered him an understanding grin. "That is understandable." You have gone through a lot. When you arrived, you were unconscious and bewildered. It took some time for you to settle in.

He nodded slowly and felt a sense of bewilderment. "Do you know my name?"

The matron's grin dimmed as she lifted a little piece of paper from her lap. "We did not know your name at first, so we used the one supplied to you by the authorities. The records we got indicate that your name is Oliver Williams."

Oliver repeated the name to himself, attempting to determine whether it felt appropriate. It was a simple name, yet it sounded strange on his tongue. He wasn't sure if it matched the guy he had become or if it was simply something he had to accept.

"That's… Oliver Williams," he continued, his voice falling off. "I suppose that's me now."

Matron Hughes nodded. "Yes, Oliver." For the time being, you belong here. We'll help you settle in and adjust to your new life here. You will start at Hogwarts shortly, which is quite exciting."

Oliver's eyes expanded. "Hogwarts? "How do you know about that?"

The matron's eyes were twinkling with understanding. "You stated it in your sleep several times, along with other really strange stuff. You appear to have had a vivid dream. Hogwarts is a wonderful place, and we're all excited to see you start there. It's a significant milestone, and I'm confident it will be an exciting journey for you."

Oliver attempted to digest everything. His purpose was to protect the remains of magic, the new life he'd been thrown into, and now this weird but compassionate woman who appeared to understand his position better than he did. It was just overwhelming.

Matron Hughes continued to speak as he began to eat his porridge. "You see, I created St. Mary's Orphanage. I'm a squib, a non-magical being born into a magical household. After being removed from the magical realm due to my inability to wield magic, I was left alone in the Muggle world. Life was quite difficult, and I encountered several problems. But I worked hard, saved every dime, and ultimately founded this orphanage."

Oliver's interest was peaked. "So, this place is for…"

Matron Hughes nodded, her face both proud and somber. "Yes, our orphanage is a safe haven for children like you—orphaned, abandoned, or cast out. We assist Muggle-borns who have been abandoned by their families, squibs who have been exiled, and orphans who have nowhere else to turn. When sympathetic Aurors and other members of the magical community come upon youngsters in need, they bring them here, including you."

"Why can't I recall anything from before? It's all hazy.", he asked.

Matron Hughes offered him a comforting grin. "Aurors brought you here following a horrible vehicle accident. Your parents died, and you were injured. St. Mungo's Hospital healed your fractured bones and wounds, but because you are of Muggle origin and lack funds, they could only provide rudimentary care before dismissing you. The Aurors knew about our orphanage and sent you here because you needed a secure environment to rehabilitate and someone to look after you."

She waited to allow her words to sink in. "Given the stress you've been through, memory loss is a natural response. It's a mechanism for your mind to protect you from the intense sorrow. With time and assistance, your memories may resurface, or you may have to start with the fresh beginning you have here."

Oliver received this knowledge with a mixture of thankfulness and grief. The severity of his circumstances and Matron Hughes' generosity gave him hope. Despite the loss of his memories, he still has some idea about the world he is now in and he was determined to make the most of his new existence and the purpose that awaited him.

"I'm grateful for everything you've done," he stated truly. "I know this must be a lot to handle."

Matron Hughes shook her head softly. "It's no problem at all, Oliver. We are here to help and support you. You had a hard start, but things will improve. "We'll make sure you have everything you need before you leave for Hogwarts."

She stood and motioned to the tray on the table. "So, why don't you eat some breakfast? It will make you feel more grounded and prepared for the day.

Oliver nodded and picked up the spoon, feeling more at ease as he ate a spoonful of the warm porridge.As he ate, Matron Hughes proceeded to talk with him, explaining the basics of life at the orphanage and what to anticipate in the coming days. Oliver listened intently, his head still swirling from the events of the previous several hours, but he felt a rising sense of purpose. He had a goal to fulfill, and he was determined to succeed, no matter what obstacles arose.

The day went in a whirlwind of introductions and adjustments, with Matron Hughes and the other children at the orphanage assisting Oliver in adjusting to his new surroundings.

As nighttime arrived, Oliver lay on his bed, looking at the ceiling. The weight of his duty and the reality of his new existence enveloped him like a shroud. He was far from home, in a world he barely understood; all he had was some knowledge of the world of Harry Potter, even if that was true or false he didn't know, but he was determined to make the most of his time at Hogwarts and complete the task at hand.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, prepared to face whatever obstacles the future might bring. The way ahead was unknown, but he was ready to face it with courage and determination.