NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Unexpected Visitor
He put the letter away and started his training. No matter what he decided, he still needed to keep fit.
One hour later he returned to Privet Drive and went showering. In the beginning of his training Petunia had tried to refuse letting him shower so often, but after a few days of not showering and training, she couldn't take the smell and allowed him to shower after training.
Once he was done, he put on his second training suit, the two training suits he had were the only clothes his size he had, put the used one into the laundry and pondered over the letter.
Best would be to get somebody to inform him about the wizarding school. He wrote a response.
.....
Dear Professor McGonagall,
I was really surprised by your letter, which informed me of having been accepted to a magical school.
Still, I am a bit sceptical as I have always been told magic doesn't exist by my relatives. I can somewhat believe that I have magic, there were some strange incidents in my past, but before I accept the offer, I would like more information.
Please send me information on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and magic in general so that I can make an informed decision.
I have been offered several scholarships to renowned schools all over England and want to make sure this will be my best option.
Yours sincerely
Harry Potter
...
He was satisfied with his letter and went outside again to see if there really was an owl waiting for him.
Soon he spotted a grey owl sitting in a beech tree. He walked up to it, thinking himself a bit silly, but this was not normal. Owls were normally nocturnal and slept during the day.
"Are you going to take my letter to Hogwarts?" He asked the owl, getting a nod and the owl took his letter in her beak.
"Thanks." Harry said and the owl took off.
...
Many miles to the north, nestled in a secluded part of Scotland, Minerva McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, was meticulously planning her schedule for the upcoming days.
Her primary focus was on the introduction of new muggleborn students to the enchanting world of magic. Approximately ten fresh faces were expected in the new school year, and McGonagall was determined to ensure their seamless transition into Hogwarts life, guiding them in mastering the proper control of their newfound talents.
Amidst her organizational tasks, an owl gracefully swooped into her office, landing on a stand beside her desk and delivering a letter from none other than Harry Potter. The moment McGonagall laid eyes on the message, a furrow formed on her brow. "How could Harry not know about magic?" she wondered, contemplating the events that led to his abandonment on the doorstep of his relatives' house.
Reflecting on that pivotal day, McGonagall realized she should have vehemently opposed such a decision. The notion of Harry Potter being oblivious to the magical world was inconceivable, and the question of whether he should attend Hogwarts should never have arisen.
With a determined resolve, McGonagall decided to address the matter personally and promptly. Rising from her chair, she exited her office and, once beyond the protective wards around the school, disapparated to the unsuspecting town of Little Whinging.
...
Meanwhile, in the quiet backyard of the house at number four Privet Drive, Harry found solace among the plants, diligently caring for both his and Petunia's greenery.
Gardening was a chore he welcomed with open arms, relishing the opportunity to cultivate his own vegetables for meals. Despite Vernon and Dudley's incessant mockery of his "rabbit food" diet, Harry enjoyed the process and ensured Dudley never pilfered his homegrown produce.
Harry's vegetable patch provided a sanctuary of fresh, wholesome food. Since he handled most of the shopping – another chore he reluctantly embraced – he made certain to stock up on vegetables. Dudley, oblivious to the value of nutritious greens, would opt for sweets and chips during his rare shopping ventures, conveniently forgetting the essentials. This forgetfulness allowed Harry to savor his preferred vegetables, a small but significant victory in the mundane routine of Privet Drive.
Mostly during the winter, he also knew which ones Petunia preferred, so maintaining a decent diet wasn't too challenging.
After finishing watering all the plants, a loud crack-like noise from the front of the house caught his attention.
Carefully, he circled around the house and spotted a woman dressed in a very old-fashioned costume, standing there, gazing at the front door.
"May I help you?" Harry asked cautiously. The woman looked at him, and he thought he detected a glimmer of recognition in her eyes, though he was certain he had never seen her before—or, at least, not in any time he could remember. Perhaps during his infancy?
"Yes, I think so. You are Harry Potter, right?" she inquired.
"Yes, I am. Madam?" he responded.
"Oh, sorry. My name is Professor McGonagall. I am from Hogwarts to respond to your letter," she explained.
"Ah, I see. I didn't expect someone to come here to provide information. I was anticipating a pamphlet about the school and general culture being sent to me," Harry admitted.
Professor McGonagall scrutinized the boy. He seemed healthy but guarded, a state of being that shouldn't be the case for James and Lily's son. As a baby, he had been lovable and trusting. What had happened to make him so reserved? She regretted letting him grow up with those Muggles.
"Well, we usually introduce children who grew up in the Muggle world, the non-magical world, in person to address any immediate questions. I am the one who guides Muggle-borns, children with non-magical parents, around when they first enter the wizarding world," she explained.