[Note: Read up to Chapter - 34 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]
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Aris had just made a cracking discovery—reading books earns him academic points.
Originally, he'd planned to borrow a few proper textbooks from Luna—something like Standard Book of Spells—to see if he could get a head start on learning magic.
After all, he had the talent for it, didn't he?
His magical aptitude was off the charts, and he even had that rare knack for wandless casting.
In theory, he should've been more than capable.
But instead, Xeno had enthusiastically handed him a copy of The Quibbler.
And when Aris saw that hopeful, beaming look on the man's face, he just couldn't say no.
Didn't have the heart to turn him down.
So, with a polite smile, he'd accepted it—thinking it'd be a decent way to kill time at the very least.
He had suspected the system would reward reading. It was, after all, a system built for top students—and what did top students do best?
Read like maniacs and tackle revision like their lives depended on it.
What he hadn't expected was to earn points from flipping through magazines too.
That was a surprise.
Apparently, the system wasn't fussy about the type of book—it didn't have to be a dry academic tome. Anything readable would do the trick.
"Fair enough," he thought with a smirk. "A book's a book."
Outside, the night deepened.
Inside the little cylindrical house, the warm light from Aris's lamp glowed long into the early hours.
Thanks to his super speed-reading talent, he flew through every recent issue of The Quibbler—cover to cover.
And only after racking up an extra 300 academic points did he finally set the magazine down, stretch with a satisfied sigh, and drift off to sleep feeling well chuffed.
More importantly, thanks to his super thinking and photographic memory, Aris gained a far deeper understanding of the wizarding world just from reading those oddball magazines.
The Quibbler might not have the same clout as The Daily Prophet, but its take on current events was nothing short of unique. Paired with the knowledge and memories floating around in Aris's head, it helped him spot things he hadn't considered before.
Take the Malfoy family, for instance—Lucius and his lot.
The way they pulled strings at the Ministry of Magic, using their pure-blood status and incredible wealth to bend rules, hoard power, and quietly line their own pockets.
The Quibbler didn't mince words.
In one issue, the Minister of Magic was practically torn to shreds—called incompetent, corrupt, and more.
Even Dumbledore didn't escape criticism, apparently for secretly advising Minister Fudge behind the scenes.
Aris raised his brows more than once while reading.
"Blimey… this magazine's got some nerve."
For a publication to openly slate the Minister of Magic—the top bloke in wizarding government—and still not get shut down?
Now that was proper magic.
'I suppose they treat everything printed in this book as mere conspiracy theories and don't take it seriously…'
Eventually, he drifted off—light still flickering softly, book on his chest—slipping into a hazy sleep.
But it wasn't peaceful.
His dreams were filled with strange, jumbled images.
High-pitched screams echoed in the dark. Green spells flashed through the air. Faces twisted in fear—one in particular, pale and flat, with no nose at all—stared back at him with chilling intensity.
Even in sleep, Aris couldn't catch a proper break.
After what felt like forever, the sky finally began to lighten.
The morning sun spilled over the rolling green outside, the breeze sweeping through the grass in soft waves. It was calm, peaceful—one of those mornings that made you feel a little lighter without knowing why.
A brand new day.
"Bang, bang, bang~"
Aris was jolted awake by a sharp knock at the door.
No warning, no hesitation—Luna barged straight in as if doors were just decorative.
"Aris, get up!"
"???"
Still half-asleep, Aris blinked and turned his head—only to see the girl herself flopped across his bed, peering at him with wide, silvery eyes. Her long golden hair spilled over her shoulders, and her pale, curious face was framed by the soft glow of morning light.
"Daddy says the Hogwarts professors should be here soon—you need to hurry up!"
Luna tugged at his sleeve with all the seriousness of someone delivering life-or-death news.
Typical Luna.
Aris sighed internally.
In his memory, she was like an ethereal little forest spirit—graceful, dreamy, quiet.
In reality? She barged into rooms and yanked you out of bed by your sleeve.
Yeah... definitely a gap between the movies and the real thing.
Still, the moment she mentioned "the professor", Aris shot upright.
"Wait—they're coming soon?"
He glanced out the window at the sun-drenched sky, suddenly alert.
"What time is it? Why so early in the morning?"
"It's nearly nine," Luna replied cheerfully.
"I guess… You didn't sleep well last night, did you?"
Luna had returned to her usual ethereal, dreamy self. The way she spoke now—calm and matter-of-fact—gave the impression she was explaining the weather rather than someone else's morning panic. There was something oddly charming about her nonchalance.
"I really didn't sleep well," Aris muttered, stifling a yawn.
He didn't seem too fussed about Luna barging into his room earlier. With a bit of a stretch and a groggy sigh, he got up and started getting dressed.
His eyes drifted to the stack of Quibblers piled on the table, and he rubbed his temple.
"Yeah… staying up late probably wasn't the brightest idea."
He was still a kid, after all. Bit too young to be pulling all-nighters like a uni student.
Aris pulled himself together quickly and followed Luna downstairs.
He'd barely started on the breakfast Xeno had kindly set out for him when a sudden crackling pop echoed from just outside the house.
Xeno stood up sharply.
"They're here!"
Aris's heart skipped a beat.
That sound—it was familiar.
Just like in the films.
Apparition.
Before he could even process the thought, there came a sharp knock at the door.
"Excuse me, Mr Lovegood—long time no see."
The moment Xeno opened the door, a firm but slightly stiff voice rang out.
And then she stepped inside.
A witch in deep green robes, tall and regal, with her hair tightly tied back and eyes sharp with purpose.
Professor Minerva McGonagall.
"Professor McGonagall, long time indeed," Xeno replied warmly, offering a polite smile.
"I was wondering who Hogwarts would send to guide this lad. Didn't expect it to be you!"
"Headmaster Dumbledore considers this child quite important," she replied, her lips twitching into a smile—if you could call it that. Anyone who knew her well would recognise that stiff expression as her version of being friendly.
"Naturally. The boy's… somewhat unique."
Xeno stepped aside to let her in properly.
Her eyes immediately scanned the room and landed on the boy at the breakfast table. There was curiosity in her gaze, yes—but far more seriousness. Purpose.
"You must be Aris Shafiq?"
Aris had already stood up.
"That's me," he replied, steady and polite.
"Oh, don't be nervous, child!"
Professor McGonagall stepped forward, giving Aris a measured look.
"I'm Minerva McGonagall, and I'll be one of your professors at Hogwarts."
She offered a brief, almost motherly smile—then turned, curiosity flashing in her eyes as she looked to Xeno.
"Forgive me for asking, but—why is this child here?"
Her tone was calm but direct. She clearly wanted more clarity about Aris's background.
Before Xeno could speak, Luna chimed in, her voice light and steady in that familiar dreamy way.
"He was unconscious on the grass," she said matter-of-factly.
"So I brought him in. It was nearly dark, and I thought, well… we couldn't just leave him lying outside all night, could we?"
McGonagall blinked, then nodded—her expression softening immediately.
"Quite right," she said warmly.
"You did the sensible thing. That was very kind of you."
Her eyes crinkled slightly at the corners as she added,
"I wouldn't be surprised if you're sorted into Ravenclaw. It's full of clever, kind-hearted children like yourself."
Then she turned her attention back to Aris, her tone gentler now.
"And you, young man? Any questions for me?"
Aris gave it a moment's thought, then nodded seriously.
"I do, actually."
His silver eyes were clear, his expression curious yet innocent. Despite his young age, he looked Professor McGonagall straight in the eye, his voice filled with earnest interest.
"Professor McGonagall, could you tell me… what is the true nature of magic?"
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[Note: Read up to Chapter - 34 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]