LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Wands and Magic
Chapter 4: Wands and Magic
The letter's brevity belied the weight of its message, sending a jolt through Sherlock.
"Minerva McGonagall," he muttered, the name instantly recognizable.
Having read the entirety of the first Harry Potter book, Sherlock was well-versed in the stern yet fair Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Head of Gryffindor House.
The letter also mentioned Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts' esteemed Headmaster and arguably the most powerful force for good in the wizarding world. The original owner had evidently discussed matters with Dumbledore himself, and now, Deputy Headmistress McGonagall was on her way – to his doorstep, in five hours!The gravity of the situation intensified with the realization that Sherlock hadn't received any magical aptitude boost or inherited memories upon his arrival in this world. He was utterly clueless about the original owner's life and experiences.In the mundane world, amnesia might be a plausible excuse, backed by a hospital diagnosis. But in this realm of magic, would it hold water?Professor McGonagall's potential responses to his claim of amnesia were unsettling.
Would she employ magic to probe his mind for authenticity? Would she whisk him away to a magical hospital for treatment? Or would she take him to the legendary Dumbledore for evaluation?
Each scenario threatened to expose him as an imposter, a transmigrator from another world.
Furthermore, Sherlock possessed a distinct advantage – knowledge of the future events in this world, at least in broad strokes. However, his own fate remained shrouded in uncertainty.The portrait on the wall had finally quieted, the woman seemingly exhausted from her tirade, now slumped asleep with a soft snore.
Sherlock paced restlessly within the study, his mind grappling with this first major crisis. Escape wasn't an option. He had to find a way to navigate Professor McGonagall's visit. Understanding the original owner's personality and habits was crucial to avoid inconsistencies in his interactions.
With only five hours remaining until the promised meeting, time was of the essence. His greatest hope lay within this very study.
The arrival of a Hogwarts letter and the presence of this well-stocked study with magical books all pointed towards the original owner being a Hogwarts graduate, a wizard himself.
While the exterior of the house hinted at an attempt to conceal a magical identity, the study served as a hidden haven, a repository of all things magical.
Approaching the desk, Sherlock noticed the steaming teacup, a testament to the recent use of the space. A floating candlestick illuminated the area, highlighting the owner's preferred workspace.
Besides the tea set, a thick notebook, a quill in an inkwell, and a small wooden stick lay on the desk. Sherlock, now familiar with the ways of this world, wouldn't mistake the little stick for an ordinary twig.
Even those unfamiliar with Harry Potter would have encountered references to "wands," the essential tools for wizards to cast spells. This unassuming stick was undoubtedly Sherlock's wand.
As he picked up the smooth, thirteen-inch wand, a peculiar sensation coursed through him. It felt as if something within him yearned to connect with the wand. He didn't resist, allowing this magical essence to flow from his body and into the wand.
A burst of silver sparks erupted from the wand's tip, a display of magic – the very source of a wizard's power.
Excitement flickered in Sherlock's eyes. Who wouldn't be enthralled by magic? However, he quickly quelled the thrill. Professor McGonagall's imminent arrival demanded his immediate attention. His personal safety was at stake if he couldn't handle this situation effectively, let alone delve into the mysteries of magic.
Putting down the wand, he reached for the teacup, downing the warm tea in one gulp. His search for clues within the study commenced.The first item he inspected yielded a significant reward. Nestled amongst the thick notebooks on the desk lay the most valuable find yet – the original owner's diary!
Unexpectedly, the original owner, a seemingly honest man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, even possessed the habit of diary-keeping. However, Sherlock wasn't in the mood for idle curiosity. Was the original owner a brooding type?The diary offered a window into the past, a valuable tool for understanding the original owner and boosting his confidence for the impending test.
The first entry dated back five years:
April 12, 1987
Mary and I broke up today. She claimed I was a bookworm, obsessed with nothing but my studies, a complete bore. She even mentioned some other guy, Bai, as being more exciting.
She's not entirely wrong. I agreed to be her boyfriend initially as an experiment, to study the concept of love.
Unfortunately, the experience proved underwhelming. I didn't feel any of the emotions she expected, the 'spark' that everyone talks about. I felt it was my responsibility to end things, to be honest with both of us.
To be frank, I haven't experienced any 'feelings' in my interactions with the opposite sex. Perhaps love isn't for me.
History has proven that great wizards, like Professor Dumbledore, don't need such distractions as romantic entanglements.
To commemorate this significant step towards becoming a master of magic, I shall begin keeping a diary.