The bustling streets of London were teeming with people, their hurried movements a stark contrast to Jon's bewildered gaze.
Despite never having set foot in the UK, Jon had gleaned a fair understanding of its culture from numerous films and television series. To his surprise, the attire and hairstyles of the passersby seemed reminiscent of the 1990s, a stark contrast to his expectations.
The roads were dominated by antiquated cars, belching thick plumes of black smoke and emitting a cacophony of noise.
Jon deduced from these observations that he had somehow been transported to London in the 1990s.
'Why London? How did I end up here when I was just in New York? Have I traveled back in time as well?!'
A sudden alert from the system interrupted Jon's spiraling thoughts.
[Temporal and spatial synchronization complete.]
[Current universe: Harry Potter]
[Mission duration: 30 days]
[Primary mission initiated: Eradicate Voldemort.
Reward: 1200 penalty points upon successful completion (current progress 0/1)]
[Secondary mission available: Judge a minimum of three Death Eaters (optional), 800 penalty points awarded upon completion, with an additional 50 penalty points for each extra Death Eater (current progress 0/3)]
[Additional mission available: Explore Hogwarts (optional), 500 penalty points awarded upon completion]
[Legendary mission: Punish a thousand sinful souls across the multiverse (current progress 0/1000)]
[Note: Upon completion of the primary mission, you will be returned to your original world. Failure to complete the mission within the specified time will also result in your return, with all progress in this world erased.]
Stunned by the information flooding his mind, Jon realized he was receiving a system prompt.
After digesting the information, he couldn't suppress a smirk.
'I've been transported to the world of Harry Potter? Interesting... but eliminating Voldemort within a month? That's a tall order! However, with the power of the Ghost Rider, Voldemort should be manageable. The real challenge lies in exploring Hogwarts. I'm neither a student nor a wizarding society member. How am I supposed to go in?!'
"And this legendary mission... am I expected to eliminate a thousand sinful individuals? Even if they are evil, that's a bit extreme!"
Grrrrrr!
Lost in his thoughts, Jon was jolted back to reality by a grumbling stomach.
"Speaking of which, it's about time for a meal!" Jon mused, patting his belly.
A quick check of his pockets revealed a meager sum of five pounds and some change.
Jon had been concerned about currency conversion, having only US dollars from his time in the Marvel Universe's New York. However, his current financial situation, albeit limited, was sufficient for a hearty meal.
Scanning his surroundings, Jon sought an affordable eatery that could satiate his hunger. His gaze finally settled on an aged building nestled in an old street.
"The Leaky Cauldron?" Jon murmured, reading the signboard.
He was drawn to this establishment due to an inexplicable resonance he felt with the building. Moreover, the closed doors and the oblivious passersby suggested a lack of patronage, which hinted at the potentially cheap fare.
"But why does 'The Leaky Cauldron' sound so familiar?" Jon pondered, unable to recall the significance of the name.
Shrugging off his confusion, he made his way towards the bar.
Upon entering, Jon was taken aback by the dilapidated interior. Even for the 1990s, such a design was uncommon for London bars!
Moreover, the patrons were an eclectic mix, their attire peculiar and their conversations animated.
However, Jon's hunger overpowered his curiosity. He approached the bar, tossed a few pence on the counter, and requested, "Something to eat, please!"
"Are you jesting, sir?" the bartender responded, eyeing the coins with a puzzled expression.
"What's the issue?" Jon asked, perplexed. "Is it insufficient? Here, take this!" He added another pound to the pile.
The bartender, Tom, looked even more bewildered, regarding Jon as if he were an anomaly.
'What's going on? Is he a Muggle? No, a Muggle wouldn't be able to see this bar!' Tom pondered, his gaze fixed on Jon.
Jon was equally baffled. 'Was dining in London this expensive?'
Just then, a middle-aged man in a black cloak approached the bar and ordered, "The usual, Tom! A pint of beer." He tossed a copper coin engraved with a deer onto the counter.
"Here you go!" Tom served him a pint and pocketed the coin. Turning to Jon, he explained, "See, mate? We only accept Wizard's currency here. Muggle money is no good. If you don't have any, you can exchange it at Gringotts."
'Wizard? Muggle? What?!' Jon's mind raced.
"The Leaky Cauldron! It's all coming back to me," Jon whispered to himself, "This is where Hagrid brought Harry Potter on his first trip to Hogwarts!"
The reason for the bar's lack of customers wasn't due to poor business but because Muggles couldn't perceive it. Regular wizards accessed it via the fireplaces, using magic; hence the perpetually closed doors.
The bar's infrequent appearances in the movies had caused Jon to overlook its significance.
"Did I hear you mention Harry Potter?" Tom, having overheard Jon's mutterings, asked excitedly. "Ah, that makes sense! Even those from Muggle families have heard of the lad!"
"Yes, I'm aware of him. He's the one who survived Voldemort's pursuit," Jon replied nonchalantly.
The tavern fell into an eerie silence at the mention of Voldemort's name.
'Damn, I forgot. Voldemort's name is taboo in the wizarding world!' Jon chastised himself.
He could feel several hostile gazes directed at him, prompting him to be on guard.
"Listen, mate," Tom whispered, sensing the tense atmosphere, "Most wizards from magical families dare not utter that name. Only those from Muggle families are unaware of the taboo. Do you realize the implications of what you've just done?"
As he spoke, Tom placed some food on a plate.
"You've attracted the attention of the Campbell family. They're a notorious wizarding family with a disdain for Muggle-born wizards. Take this and go. Hide in the Muggle world. They won't dare to use magic there, in front of Muggles," Tom advised, pushing the plate towards Jon.
Jon glanced at the food, then noticed someone approaching from behind.
"Understood, thank you!" Jon replied, grabbing the plate and making for the exit.
However, he was intercepted by three wizards who had been eyeing him.
"Where do you think you're going, filthy Mudblood?" one of them sneered.
"We overheard your conversation about You-Know-Who and Harry Potter. How about we have a little chat?" another suggested, sidling up to Jon with a beer in hand.
The third wizard positioned himself on Jon's other side, effectively surrounding him.
"Hey! Need I remind you? No fighting is allowed here," Tom interjected, attempting to defuse the situation.
"Of course, Tom! We just want to chat with our friend here, right?" the wizard facing Jon retorted, leaning in close.
Just then, a system prompt echoed in Jon's mind.
[Mission target detected: Gibbon Campbell, a Death Eater. Eliminating him will progress the primary mission.]
Jon was taken aback. The system's prompt indicated that one of the three wizards was a Death Eater.
Unfazed by their threats, Jon calmly took a bite of his bread.
The taste was peculiar, but not unpleasant. Wizarding food, after all, differed from Muggle cuisine.
However, Jon's nonchalance irked the wizards. "Hey! Are you deaf, Mudblood?!" one of them growled.
Ignoring him, Jon asked, "Which one of you is Gibbon Campbell?"
The wizards were momentarily taken aback. The one facing Jon retorted, "Listen, Mudblood, I don't care how you found out my name, but you've signed your death warrant. I don't take kindly to being interrogated!"
"Alright, alright, I get it!" Jon raised his hands in surrender. "Didn't you want to discuss You-Know-Who and Harry Potter? Let's find a quieter place for our conversation!"