Adjusting to Expectations

Guys awesome news. Myp@treon is live. Join now to read ahead by 60 chapters.

Link: pa*treon.com/MysticVerse (Remove the *)

Free members also get 2 advanced chapters for free.

.....

"Well, according to the scores, you're simply too gifted to put in Year 7, as a normal eleven-year-old would be," Archibald explained. "Thankfully, the woman in charge of testing is also a Squib, and she noticed this before I could make any more errors. We can put you into a higher grade, up to Year 9, because anything less would be too suspicious based on what you've managed to do here."

"Year 7? 9?" I uttered. 'Was 'years' what the UK called their student levels instead of 'grade?''

"Yes, that is how the Muggles refer to their levels of education," Archibald explained. "To put it into perspective, an eleven-year-old First Year Hogwarts student would be considered a Year 7 in the Muggle system."

"Ah, thank you, I understand, now," I replied, nodding slowly.

Archibald nodded and continued his spiel. "I know it can be daunting to be an eleven-year-old surrounded by thirteen-year-olds, but it's the best we can do. We could also have you take the tests again and have you try to score lower, but it's up to you, Edward."

"Is it possible to alter my records, so I'm registered as a thirteen-year-old in the Muggle world?" I inquired after thinking things over. Archibald's face screwed up in confusion at that.

"Um, yes, I suppose. Why?"

"I don't want to be recognized as a 'genius' or 'prodigy,'" I replied, making air quotes with my fingers. "If I get put into a class of older students, I don't want to be looked at differently. So, the best way to do that would be to claim to be older myself."

'Plus, being older, even by two measly years, speeds up my plans,' I thought to myself gleefully. Instead of waiting to be of legal age in seven years, by Muggle accounts I'd be an adult in five! And the sooner I could become an adult and use certain resources, the better. A lot of doors were closed to me until I reached legal age, both in the magical side and the mundane one. Becoming thirteen years old by Muggle reckoning would kill two birds with one stone!

"If it's just two years," Archibald mused. "I suppose that's not insurmountable."

He then looked me over. "And you could pass for a scrawny thirteen-year-old." He nodded to himself. "Alright then, fine. I'll make it so your papers say you are thirteen instead of eleven. Are you sure you won't regret this?"

"Like you said, it's just two years. A tiny gap," I replied.

"Alright then," Archibald said, nodding his head. "Oh, one more thing, what did you want your Muggle identity to be called?"

"Call me Edward Rose," I declared. "While in the Muggle World, that will be my name."

"Your middle name as your first name I understand, but where does the last name of 'Rose' come from, if I may ask?" Archibald inquired.

"Nana Kettlepoke's first name is Rose," I said. "And she's the only grandparent I actually like."

Partly because she, like her daughter, my mother, didn't mind too much I was a Squib. Disappointed, yes, but also not surprised. She'd been forced to marry her own husband, a close cousin of hers, and then later forced to watch her daughter married off to even more close cousins in order to 'keep the blood pure.' She'd never seen the point of the Pureblood movement, and had been one of the few to realize the dangers inbreeding could – and would – cause. Like, saying, an inordinately higher number of Squibs. I'm pretty sure I have an uncle and aunt on both my father and my mother's sides of the family, but they were squibs and obliviated and ditched as children.

'Too bad Nana Kettlepoke is as timid as my mom,' I thought bitterly. 'At least she's nothing like dad's mother, Granny Hunch! That saggy old bat is just as bad as Sirius Black's mother was portrayed in the books. Damn racist old crone! She must have some Hag in her, I swear!'

I smoothed my facial features over before I let any of my distaste for my messed-up family show itself. Archibald hadn't noticed, or if he had, chose to politely ignore it. Which made sense. Family was important, even more so for a Squib like us. Any member who didn't treat us like crap was probably both rare and highly beloved.

"Edward Rose, it is, then," Archibald said with a nod. "I'll get that squared away, and grab some info on schools for your mother to look over, as well as properties for sale and rent nearby. Just wait here for a bit while I get that all ready for you. And when we're done, we can do some more looking around at London. How about a stop at Harrods?"

"Awesome!" I said, thanking him with an excited nod.

'Hey, this all just might work out!'