Innocence Lost

"Uh-huh…"

Abruptly torn from my reverie, I narrowed my eyes, struggling to recall what happened next. My memories were as vivid as a summer's day; there was no doubt that the voice I had heard was the 'Voice of the World' from the anime I was fond of.

"Could you continue from where you found your 'Hogwarts' letter?" She interjected once more, halting my thoughts. Now that I was looking around, I noticed a handcuff around my wrist and it appeared I was in a hospital.

"Ah, yes… I apologise, ma'am. That's all I remember, I'm afraid. May I ask where I am, and whom I have the pleasure of speaking to?" The air of annoyance my response provoked was evident, though she was quick to mask it behind a professional facade.

"My apologies for the intrusion. We found you amidst a decimated house, with no injuries whatsoever. Quite a remarkable feat, I must say. We would appreciate if you could answer our questions to help us determine what transpired."

Not appreciating her evasion, I raised my voice slightly, pressing on, "Listen, miss, I can't remember what happened. All I know is that I blacked out and came to in a hospital. Can I get in touch with my Uncle, or do I need to involve the authorities?"

Following an extended, uncomfortable silence, she finally yielded, flashing me a badge, "I'm Special Agent Jasmine. I regret to inform you that Mr. Vernon Dursley, Mrs. Petunia Dursley, and Mr. Dudley Dursley have perished in the house collapse. I know it's hard, and I'm sorry for your loss. Please, take your time. Contact us if you recall anything. I'll arrange for child services to meet with you once you've rested. Again, my condolences."

As she exited the room, I slumped back onto the bed. My mind was a whirlwind of questions, but the seeds of a hypothesis were already germinating.

'System?' Nothing.

'Sage?'

'Great Sage?'

'Raphael?'

Still nothing. Complete silence. Was it still dormant, or had it all been some perverse hallucination?

I rolled onto my side, squeezing my eyes shut as I grappled with the sudden void of empathy for the three lives I had just unknowingly claimed. Yet as I laid there, something caught my peripheral vision and jolted me upright.

"No... It can't be." I murmured, looking at another unopened letter on the bedside table. It was clearly not the same letter I had read before. Hesitant to open what might be more bad news, but knowing my circumstances couldn't exactly worsen, I hastily tore the envelope open.

[Dear Mr. Timothy Hunter,

In our previous correspondence, we had mistakenly identified you as a Squib within the magical community. However, recent assessments have demonstrated a surprising and delightful reversal in your magical abilities. While rare, this phenomenon is not unheard of, and serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability and wonder of magic.

We deeply regret any confusion or distress our previous letter may have caused. Rest assured, the initial assessment was conducted with the best of intentions and based on the information available at the time.

But let's focus on the present. It gives me immense pleasure to formally invite you to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a prestigious institution that has long been a part of your lineage and is now poised to become part of your future.

Your acceptance letter will follow this letter, containing instructions, guidelines, and a list of necessary books and equipment. We are eager to welcome you to our community of scholars, witches, and wizards.

Please accept our sincerest apologies for the misunderstanding and our heartfelt congratulations on this new exciting journey. We eagerly anticipate your arrival at Hogwarts.

Yours sincerely, Miriam Strout, Head of the Department of Education, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.]

"Huh?" I stumbled over my words. I reread the letter, again and again, until the page was worn thin in my hand. With a sigh, I crumpled it and tossed it aside.

"Do I even want to go there, knowing my parents abandoned me in favor of a better sibling?" I remember Vernon distinctly telling me about my brother, and how they had cast me aside because they thought I was a Squib - a magical nonentity.

The deplorable practice of banishing Squibs from family trees was all too common among wizards in Britain. It wasn't surprising I was culled from the Potter family tree and ended up with a different name.

'But I can show them...' A small, shadowy corner of my mind whispered, urging me to seize this opportunity. After all, knowing I was the outcast brother of 'Harry Potter' would surely plant the seeds of Heart Demons.

Yes, the journey ahead would be dangerous and might end with an Avada Kedavra curse aimed at my back. But that's life!

'Wow, when did I get so philosophical?' I mused, attributing this newfound wisdom to my enhanced skills. Speaking of which, it's time to test my new abilities.