Ivan sat quietly, his mind racing as the train's rhythmic rocking gradually slowed, the anticipation tightening in his chest. Across from him, Rose appeared calm and collected, her eyes gazing thoughtfully out the window as lush, rolling hills gave way to the shadowed, dense forests encircling Hogwarts. The setting sun bathed the landscape in rich amber hues, lending an almost magical atmosphere—fitting, considering their destination. Ivan's pulse quickened with a mix of excitement and anxiety, each heartbeat echoing in his ears like a distant drum.
Just as the Hogwarts Express began its final approach toward Hogsmeade Station, Ivan's vision abruptly flickered. He blinked, startled, as glowing lines of text materialized in mid-air before him, hovering clearly in his direct line of sight like an interface from a futuristic video game:
[System Initialization Complete...]
[Welcome, User: Ivan Carter]
Ivan's breath caught in his throat, eyes widening in shock at the surreal spectacle. His visible jolt of surprise didn't go unnoticed, and Rose leaned forward, her voice gentle and full of concern.
"Ivan? Are you alright?" she asked softly, her eyes narrowing slightly in worry.
Ivan forced a reassuring smile, or at least what he thought was a reassuring smile, shaking his head slightly to mask the overwhelming confusion. "I'm fine," he murmured quietly, leaning back into his seat and closing his eyes tightly. He inhaled deeply, striving to calm the chaotic swirl of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. Yet, as expected, the glowing text remained firmly etched into his vision, undisturbed by his closing his eyes.
Taking deep, steadying breaths, Ivan decided to carefully engage with the unexpected phenomenon, allowing his consciousness to interact with the text. As he focused on the text, the panel shifted, and new words were etched onto the pale blue tapestry.
[Welcome to the Wizarding World—Alternate Universe (AU) Timeline]
[Magical Cores stabilize at age 18, marking the beginning of formal magical education at all the different Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry.]
[Good luck on your magical journey!]
After a few tense moments, the text gently dissolved, leaving behind an odd sense of familiarity coupled with the profound reality of his new life. Slowly, Ivan opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings with fresh curiosity.
A gentle gasp, thankfully unnoticed by the other occupant of the room, escaped his lips. Floating above Rose's vibrant, fiery hair was a translucent, floating box clearly displaying:
[Rose Ashcroft - Level 6]
Ivan's mind raced, memories flooding him—he had read countless novels with similar game-like interfaces. The excitement of encountering such an extraordinary situation quickly displaced his initial fear. Deciding to test a theory from his previous life's knowledge, Ivan mentally thought, 'Status.'
A transparent screen materialized instantly before him, glowing subtly against the backdrop of the compartment:
[Name: Ivan Carter]
[Level: 1]
[Stats:]
[Physique: 1]
[Reflex: 1]
[Intelligence: 1]
[Comprehension: 1]
[Mana: 1]
'I'm not that dumb now, am I?' He thought, but most likely, Intelligence alluded to something else rather than his cognitive ability.
Ivan stared at the panel, fascinated. It was similar to the game systems he'd always wished for, though notably lacking Health Points or traditional gaming stats like Strength or Agility. The prospect of improving by grinding out skills had always seemed fascinating. The clarity and simplicity of the display intrigued him, prompting a surge of determination to explore it thoroughly—though the train slowing to a halt reminded him of more immediate obligations.
Rose stood gracefully, her robes swishing softly against her skin. She gave Ivan a comforting smile. "Time to go. First years gather on the platform, just step out and someone, likely Hagrid, will be there to get you to the castle," she said warmly. "Good luck, Ivan."
"Thanks," Ivan responded, still a little out of it, processing everything. Rose exited gracefully, her robes fluttering behind her, leaving Ivan alone with his turbulent thoughts.
Taking several calming breaths, Ivan rose, stepping out into the bustling corridor. Students crowded excitedly toward the exits, eager voices filling the air. Ivan joined the flow, his heart hammering with anticipation as he stepped onto the platform, immediately struck by the crisp, fresh air and the cool twilight that had settled over the landscape.
The platform was alive with energy, illuminated softly by old-fashioned lanterns whose warm glow cast flickering shadows across the ancient stones. Everyone was in a hurry, while the swarm of floating names hurried towards the beaten path, he noticed that some of the younger-looking students were heading in a different direction. Ivan felt a stirring sense of wonder as he read familiar names.
Ivan's gaze drifted curiously through the crowd, a sudden thrill of recognition passing through him as he spotted familiar faces along with the names hovering above their heads—Harry Potter, easily identifiable by his untidy jet-black hair, green eyes behind round glasses, and the unmistakable lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. Yet, Harry wasn't the familiar face from films. He was shorter, scrawnier, clearly bearing the subtle hardships from his childhood days. Beside him, Hermione Granger appeared earnest, with notably less bushy brown hair curled and styled into locks. Her large, keen eyes sparkled with intellectual curiosity. Ron Weasley stood out easily with his vibrant red hair and freckled complexion hidden subtly beneath a layer of makeup. Ron, with his lanky, awkward stance and nervous expression, differed significantly from Ivan's expectations. The sight left Ivan slightly stunned—these weren't actors but real individuals embodying the detailed descriptions he'd cherished from the books.
'Right...don't try to anticipate everything. This is an alternate reality to the books and movies Harry Potter could be fucking Dubbledore in disguise...' He grounded himself for a brief moment.
"First years! First years, this way!" boomed a familiar voice. Ivan turned instinctively, spotting Hagrid's unmistakable figure towering comfortably above the crowd, his broad face beaming warmly beneath his wild beard. The gentle giant effortlessly towers over the milling students. A deep thrill of nostalgia coursed through Ivan. Ivan moved quickly toward Hagrid, joining a growing cluster of wide-eyed first-year students. Glancing around, he noticed similar floating displays above each of their heads, identifying names and levels, mostly ranging between levels 1 and 3. His heart raced, eager to unlock the mysteries behind these details.
Ivan hurried toward the group assembling around Hagrid, his eyes catching fleeting glances at the other students, noticing and keeping track of their names, straying away from Malfoy and his group of cronies. Curiosity surged within him, but he forced himself to remain composed and focused, no need to deal with the rabble just yet.
"Alright, everyone, follow me closely now," Hagrid called cheerfully, guiding the group along a winding path that was intermittently illuminated by softly glowing lanterns. The path snaked through a dense forest filled with whispers of rustling leaves, the distant hoot of owls, and other nocturnal sounds that lent an eerie quality to the scene.
As they emerged from the trees, Ivan's breath caught once more. Hogwarts Castle rose spectacularly from a cliff overlooking a tranquil, moonlit lake. Its reflection shimmered gently on the water's surface. The lake, which was massive inside, was deathly still, acting like a mirror, lending a serene beauty to the already breathtaking sight.
At the shoreline, wooden boats bobbed gently, ready for their passengers, yet some magic forcefully smothered the ripples. "Four students per boat," Hagrid directed warmly.
Ivan stepped carefully into a boat alongside three other students: Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott, and Daphne Greengrass. Susan offered a bright, warm smile, her red hair glinting in the moonlight, Ivan had to force himself not to look at her sizable bust. "Hi, I'm Susan," she said cheerfully.
"Hannah," the girl beside her added, her gentle, friendly demeanor evident in her soft voice and welcoming eyes.
"Ivan," he introduced himself cautiously. "Ivan Carter."
Susan's smile brightened further. "You're muggle-born? That's brilliant. Must be fascinating seeing everything for the first time."
Ivan felt the genuine warmth imbued in her words, relaxing slightly. "It's definitely surreal," he admitted.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it quickly," Hannah reassured kindly. "Everyone's a bit nervous at first."
Ivan smiled gratefully, feeling a sense of ease settle over him. Yet, when he glanced subtly toward Daphne, he caught a faint, barely perceptible frown shadowing her otherwise composed expression. She leaned slightly away, eyes fixed ahead, but her subtle actions did stand out. Ivan's heart sank somewhat—he understood immediately what her reaction meant. He'd read enough about wizarding prejudices to grasp the subtlety of her distancing.
'Totally forgot that I would have to deal with it now as well.'
Deciding not to dwell on it for long, Ivan instead focused on the beauty surrounding them. Their boat glided silently over the calm lake, water rippling gently, yet the ripples faded quickly, leaving the water to resemble a mirror. The majestic castle loomed closer, every tower and window brilliantly lit by flickering torches. The sheer magnificence of Hogwarts captivated Ivan for a while, drawing his attention away from the momentary unease.
'Maybe it is because I'm fangirling over it, but it does look stunning, far better than the broken down forts I had visited around home paraded as tourist spots...'
The boat gently reached the castle docks, and Ivan stepped out carefully. He held out his hand, and the two Hupplepuffs gratefully took his help, and to his surprise, so did Daphne, though she maintained the contact for a very brief period and let go a little too hastily. Ignoring her attempt to discreetly clean her fingers on her cloak, Ivan joined the other students as they stood nervously before embarking on a small trek through the castle grounds, arriving in front of two immense wooden doors intricately carved and radiating an ancient sense of grandeur and strength.
The doors swung open with a majestic groan after a few seconds of Hagrid knocking on them with his sizable knuckles, revealing Professor McGonagall, Level 63, standing elegantly in emerald robes. Her piercing gaze surveyed the gathering first-years, her voice clear and commanding yet reassuringly warm.
"Thank you, Hagrid..." She addressed Hagrid before turning to the group. "Welcome to Hogwarts. The sorting ceremony will soon begin. Your house will become your family here. While I make sure they are ready for you, I want you to wait here and not make a commotion."
Ivan took another deep breath, as she slipped back inside the doors, he felt his nerves tense as the mention of the sorting ceremony brought back insights about the sorting hat.
'Will it be able to see the plot of this world in my mind...'
---
AN: A bit late, but the warning of 18+ is in the title. The novel will contain smut scenes, so be warned, just in case you managed to reach here without the warning. The next chapter will include sorting, and along with it, I'll introduce the system and Ivan's advantage slowly tying the porn with the plot.