"Alright Mr Allen, while I did knew your parents briefly, they are not really the motive why I am here. The reason why is because you've been invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" Just when she finished talking, she pulled out a letter from inside her bag and passed it to him.
The letter contained a purple wax seal and a capital 'H' engraved on it, further proving the situation to him.
Allen took the letter from McGonagall with trembling hands, which he tried to calm down using his powers, no, his magic now.
After taking the letter from her not really knowing what to do in this situation he just read the name of the school after opening it, expecting professor McGonagall to explain.
"Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft…?" Allen tried his best to look confused as he looked back to her.
"That's quite right Mr… Allen, you are a wizard, and has been formally invited to attend one of the most prestigious schools in the country" She explained.
This confirmed it, he wasn't reborn in the past, but another world "Am I just a character in a children's book? One who is never mentioned?" As these thoughts ran all over the place in his mind, his breathing became a bit haggard, and realizing it, he tried to calm himself down ,the same way he did it when he found out about his powers… no, his magic.
The same green light from all those years ago shone on his chest and the feeling of restlessness went away.
The whole situation was too much for his mind, he needed time to process it, which he didn't have, and as he continued to think, professor McGonagall interrupted his thoughts.
"I was about to ask you if you ever experienced any weird phenomenon around you, but it is pretty obvious that you, Mr Allen, not only has experienced it, but also can control it to an extent"
"Fuck, shouldn't have done that, why am I not thinking straight?!"He blamed himself in his mind.
"D- Did you, Can you see the same light professor McGonagall?" Allen asked her, if he messed up, might as well go all in to get as much information.
"Light? I'm afraid I didn't see any light, what I am referring to is your eyes" She pointed with her index fingers one of her eyes.
A confused look appeared on Allen's face "Eyes? Professor, I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean"
"What I'm saying Mr Allen is that when I felt your magic activating, your eyes changed colors, from brown to a bright green, and they still have a tint of green mixed with your normal color."
When professor McGonagall mentioned his eye color changing he felt as if his stomach dropped.
"Six years… I've been able to use magic for six years, and all those times that I practiced, my eyes changed color? But I've never heard or read anything like that in the books!… It makes no sense!" Allen scratched the top of his head with both hands, trying to come up with something "Has it always changed and I just didn't realize because I never looked at myself when I practiced my po- magic?"
"I can see that you have a lot of questions, please read the letter at your own pace and then you can ask me anything you want"
Then Allen looked back at the letter, the following contents were inside:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Mr Lionheart,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please fine enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Allen continued to read the first page, over and over again, even his last name which always made him mad was there. He went through the second page and as he read the list of books and materials he would need, the memory from his past came back, when he read the same list but in the comfort of his room, reading the Philosopher's Stone for the first time.
"What should I even ask?, as much as I want to ask about everything, my mind can't come up with anything"
His mind couldn't keep up with the reality that was in front of him.
"If you don't mind Mr Allen, I will explain everything to you, and then you can take a decision whether you want to attend-" She got cut off by Allen.
"I want to attend Hogwarts, but I don't have money, parents, or anything, professor, how can I go to school like that?" As he rambled to her, a look of pity crossed her face but it disappeared almost immediately.
"Were my parents wizards, professor, did you know them?" Allen asked her. Lionheart and professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor, can't be a coincidence. More like a joke, it's almost as if this world is mocking me. He expressed internally.
The professor spent a few minutes with a pensive look, thinking what to say to an eleven year old "Yes, I did knew them, Joseph and Mary Lionheart, née Knight. A bright couple, and brave as well, just like their last name shows" McGonagall took off her glasses and looked at Allen directly.
"Why is it that you don't like your last name, Mr Lionheart?" She asked, using his last name.
At the mention of his last name he got goosebumps all over his body "I… we can talk about that another time professor, if you don't mind."
McGonagall nodded, not pursuing that conversation any longer.
Then she put her glasses back on and proceeded with the conversation about Hogwarts "Regarding the materials that you will need for your education, the Ministry has a trust fund for students who don't have the means to afford them, of course, it depends from student to student, so even if a student can't afford the materials, but both of their parents are able bodied to work, then it is not possible to receive any help regarding this trust fund"
Allen listened intently everything professor McGonagall was saying. So that is why Tom Riddle could receive help from the minister, but not Ron Weasley, he still has both of his parents, and even his older brothers who could help with the house but probably chose not to and left as soon as possible because of the situation of their house, I would've probably left as well if I had to live with all of my brothers. His mind started running thinking about characters from the books, no, people who he has knowledge of.
Professor McGonagall continued speaking "Since I've been tasked with teaching the muggleborns about the wizarding world, I thought I would do the same with you Mr Lionheart, even if you are not a muggleborn per se, you are living in the muggle world and it's the only thing you have known. It would clear all questions you have if a professor was around you to answer them, instead of the usual method of sending an owl with the letter that we usually do with wizarding families." Professor McGonagall expressed.
"Now, since you have accepted to join Hogwarts, we can arrange a meeting in the next couple of days so we can buy all your materials and necessities, but it is imperative that we do it this week, since the Hogwarts Express departs on the 1st of September."
Allen stayed quiet for a moment before opening his mouth. "Would it be possible for me to go alone to buy everything? I'm a bit independent you see, even if you ask Ms Sarah, I'm detached from all of the other kids."
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow, questioning what Allen just said. "Very well, since next year you will need to go alone to Diagon Alley anyway, it would be better for you to get used to it now. Its located in London, you need to go through the Leaky Cauldron which is on Charing Cross Road, its between a bookshop and a record shop, if you have trouble finding it you can use both of those locations and ask local muggles about it."
Allen nodded, listening intently the instructions and engraving them in his mind, in the past he always used to get lost, not only in real life, but even in video games, his sense of direction isn't the best and to memorize a place he would need to go there multiple times a day.
"And here is the Ministry fund, I wasn't really planning on giving it to you, since kids tend to waste the money on useless thing, but if you are going so far as to go alone, then might as well go all in." Just when she finished talking, professor McGonagall handed Allen a small bag full of galleons.
"Isn't this… a lot of money?" Allen asked, surprised by the amount he received.
"yes and no, if you were to buy all of your robes and materials brand new, you would be left with a small change to save up, but I asked friends of your parents if they wanted to help you in any way of form starting your Hogwarts education, and this is how they decided to help." She pointed at the bag "And while it might seem a lot, if you don't save it up, it will dry, so I expect discipline in the things you will buy, understood Mr Lionheart?"
At the mention of his last name he almost went on a rant against her soon to be professor, but he realized she wasn't doing it to bother him, but because she really appreciated his parents.
"… Understood professor, I'll make sure to use this money wisely."
"Good, every year you will receive the support form the Ministry, I don't know if the same thing can be said about your parents friends, but the Ministry will provide you with a fund every year for you to buy all of your necessities until you turn seventeen, which is when a wizard or witch comes of age, by then you will need to support yourself."
It was just a matter of time until he would be penniless and homeless, then he would need to find a job, and a house before reaching adulthood.
Seeing how pensive Allen looked, professor McGonagall tried to reassure him about the future "While it might seem harsh, if you save the money well, you'll be able to go a few months without much difficulty, and Hogwarts also has a scholarship for Outstanding students. It is only possible to apply for it after a year of classes which shows if you deserve the scholarship or not, but the amount of money is a bit higher than what the Ministry gives to students, and yes Mr Lionheart, you can have both, but both of them are only until you finish your education at seventeen years old. I hope you prepare for the future correctly.
"I will professor, you don't have to worry about it" He picked up the bag of galleons and led professor McGonagall out of the orphanage. When she was about to leave, she looked back to him "This might be a bit biased, but I'm the head of the Gryffindor house, for the brave and just, it depicts a lion, as its emblem. I hope to see you in my house next month, Mr Lionheart."
After saying those words, professor McGonagall walked away and after a few meters, she disappeared.
Allen looked up to the sky "So it begins, again, people mocking me for my last name" He sighed, walking back to the orphanage and into his room to look for his bag to go out and search for the Leaky Cauldron, the next couple of years are gonna be hectic.