Chapter 2 — The Hogwarts Express
After our encounter in Diagon Alley, Sirius insisted on accompanying us to the station.
At first, I thought about refusing.
Not because I minded his company, but because I was still trying to get used to the idea of having an uncle like Sirius Black.
In my previous life, Sirius had been a character from a story.
A man who had been unjustly convicted of a crime he had never committed, imprisoned for years in Azkaban, and who had eventually managed to escape.
But now he was standing in front of me.
He was real.
I could hear his voice, feel his presence, and observe the expression on his face.
And, above all, I knew something he still didn't fully understand.
His story was going to be different this time.
Sirius was free.
And I was his nephew.
During the journey to the station, Sirius remained fairly quiet.
Every now and then, he glanced at me, as if he was still trying to get used to my existence.
Finally, he spoke.
—Sirius: Michael.
—Michael: Yes?
Sirius took a few seconds before continuing.
—Sirius: Are you excited about going to Hogwarts?
—Michael: Quite a bit.
—Sirius: Nervous?
I thought for a moment before answering.
—Michael: Not really.
Sirius raised an eyebrow.
—Sirius: Nothing?
—Michael: I've spent the last five years preparing.
—Sirius: That's true.
He smiled slightly.
—Sirius: Your grandmother told me that you practically devoured all the books in the family libraries.
—Michael: Not all of them.
—Sirius: Michael.
—Michael: Well... almost all of them.
Sirius burst out laughing.
—Sirius: You definitely are a Black.
I shook my head.
—Michael: I'm also a White.
—Sirius: And a Rosier.
—Michael: Exactly.
Sirius sighed.
—Sirius: That combination could become a problem.
I looked at him curiously.
—Michael: Why?
—Sirius: Because you're going to attract a lot of attention.
—Michael: I'm already used to it.
Sirius stared at me for a few seconds.
—Sirius: You have no idea how much.
I didn't respond.
He was right.
With my surname, my appearance, and my position within the magical families, it was going to be impossible to go unnoticed.
But that didn't worry me too much.
There was something that interested me far more.
Hogwarts.
I wanted to see it.
I wanted to learn magic.
I wanted to discover how far I could develop my abilities.
And, above all, I wanted to find out how much the world had changed compared to the story I remembered.
When we arrived at King's Cross, I looked at the famous Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
I had seen that scene hundreds of times in movies and had read about it in the books.
But actually being there was completely different.
Much more real.
Entire families hurried among the Muggle passengers, pushing carts filled with luggage.
Some children carried cages containing owls.
Others carried enormous trunks.
A small group of red-haired twins were arguing near a pillar.
I smiled.
The Weasley twins.
Everything was so familiar.
And, at the same time, completely new.
Sirius placed a hand on my shoulder.
—Sirius: Listen, Michael.
I looked at him.
His expression had changed.
He no longer seemed to be joking.
—Sirius: I know you've probably heard a lot of things about our family.
—Michael: Some things.
—Sirius: And I also know that the Black surname can be... complicated.
I smiled.
—Michael: Don't worry. I don't plan on becoming another Walburga.
Sirius fell silent for a second.
Then he let out a small laugh.
—Sirius: Thank Merlin.
Kreacher, who was standing behind us, frowned.
—Kreacher: Mistress Walburga was a great witch.
Sirius slowly turned his head.
—Sirius: Nobody asked you, Kreacher.
—Kreacher: Kreacher only speaks the truth.
—Sirius: That's precisely the problem.
I shook my head.
I couldn't help but laugh.
Kreacher looked at me, and his expression immediately changed.
—Kreacher: Young Master Michael should not listen to the bad things the traitor says.
Sirius's eyes widened.
—Sirius: Traitor?
—Kreacher: Kreacher said nothing.
—Sirius: You just said it.
—Kreacher: Kreacher does not remember.
I put a hand to my forehead.
This elf is going to be the death of me.
—Michael: Kreacher.
The elf immediately straightened up.
—Kreacher: Yes, young master.
—Michael: Behave yourself.
—Kreacher: Yes, young master.
Sirius looked at me in surprise.
—Sirius: How do you do that?
—Michael: Do what?
—Sirius: Get Kreacher to obey you.
—Michael: I treat him well.
Sirius remained silent.
Then he smiled.
—Sirius: Maybe you're too good to be a Black.
—Michael: Or maybe the Blacks simply needed someone to treat them like people.
Sirius stopped smiling.
He stared at me for a few seconds.
Then he placed a hand on my head and lightly ruffled my hair.
—Sirius: Take care of yourself at Hogwarts.
—Michael: I will.
—Sirius: And if someone bothers you...
He smiled in a rather dangerous way.
—Sirius: Remember that you have an uncle.
—Michael: I'll try not to start a war between families during my first year.
—Sirius: I can't promise I won't.
I smiled.
After saying goodbye to Sirius, I took a deep breath.
I looked toward the barrier.
Nine and Three-Quarters.
It was time.
I pushed the cart.
I closed my eyes for a moment.
And passed through the barrier.
And there it was.
The Hogwarts Express.
A huge red locomotive released clouds of steam as hundreds of students boarded the train.
For a moment, I stood completely still.
So this is the famous Hogwarts Express.
I had waited five years to be there.
Five years of studying.
Five years of training.
Five years of waiting.
And finally, the moment had arrived.
Kreacher left my luggage beside the train.
—Kreacher: Everything is ready, young master.
—Michael: Thank you.
—Kreacher: Kreacher will wait until young master boards.
—Michael: You can go back.
Kreacher gave a small bow.
—Kreacher: As you command.
With a small pop, he disappeared.
I looked at the train.
Then I boarded.
I found an empty compartment and put my things away.
I sat beside the window.
For a moment, I simply watched the outside.
Families saying goodbye.
Parents hugging their children.
Students laughing.
Some looked nervous.
Others were excited.
I simply smiled.
I took out one of the books I had bought in Diagon Alley.
It was an advanced book on Charms.
I had barely read a few pages when I heard a voice.
—Is this seat taken?
I looked up.
It was Harry Potter.
Two other children were standing beside him.
One had red hair and lots of freckles.
The other was a girl with bushy brown hair.
I recognized them immediately.
Harry Potter.
Ron Weasley.
Hermione Granger.
The three protagonists of the story I knew.
But now they were standing right in front of me.
I smiled.
—Michael: No. You can come in.
Harry entered first.
—Harry: Thanks.
Ron put his luggage on one of the seats.
Hermione sat beside him.
Harry looked at me for a few seconds.
—Harry: We've met before.
—Michael: In Diagon Alley.
—Harry: Yes.
Ron stared at me.
—Ron: So you're really a Black.
—Michael: And a White.
Ron frowned.
—Ron: White?
Hermione immediately raised her head.
—Hermione: The White family from America?
I looked at her.
—Michael: Seems like you know quite a bit.
Hermione smiled proudly.
—Hermione: I've read about them. They're one of the oldest magical families in America.
Ron widened his eyes.
—Ron: And you're also a Black?
—Michael: Yes.
Ron looked at Harry.
—Ron: So...
Harry shrugged.
—Harry: I think we're cousins.
Ron opened his eyes even wider.
—Ron: You have a cousin who's the heir to two millionaire families!?
—Michael: Three.
Ron nearly choked.
—Ron: Three!?
Hermione also looked surprised.
—Hermione: What's the third?
—Michael: Rosier.
The three of them fell silent.
Harry looked at me curiously.
—Harry: Which house do you think you'll be sorted into?
I thought for a few seconds.
—Michael: I don't know.
It was a lie.
Of course I knew.
Or at least I had an idea.
Because of my family, Slytherin seemed like the obvious choice.
But I didn't want to decide beforehand.
The Sorting Hat could surprise me.
Besides, I wanted to know what it would think of me.
After all, I had an ability that could make that conversation rather interesting.
Natural Legilimency.
Although I doubted I could read the Hat's mind.
Suddenly...
[New Quest Available!]
My eyes widened slightly.
The blue screen appeared in front of me.
[Side Quest]
[Meet the future members of your inner circle.]
[Reward: 50 experience points.]
[Condition: Establish a positive relationship with at least three students.]
I looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Then I looked at the screen.
Seriously?
The system had just given me a quest to make friends.
I let out a small laugh.
I suppose I can't ignore it.
I put the book away.
—Michael: Do you guys want to play something?
Ron immediately smiled.
—Ron: Do you know how to play Wizard's Chess?
—Michael: No.
Ron smiled even more.
—Ron: Then I'll teach you.
Hermione sighed.
—Hermione: I can't believe you found someone who doesn't know how to play Wizard's Chess.
—Michael: I never had time to play.
Ron placed the board on the table.
—Ron: That's easy to fix.
The pieces began to move.
A small queen knocked over a knight.
—Michael: The pieces talk?
—Ron: Some of them.
—Michael: Interesting.
Hermione looked at me.
—Hermione: You've never played?
—Michael: Never.
—Ron: Then prepare to lose.
I smiled.
My eidetic memory automatically began analyzing the board.
After observing it for a few seconds, I understood the basic rules.
This is pretty simple.
But I decided not to show it.
I wanted to enjoy the moment.
For the next hour, we talked about everything.
Ron told me about his family.
Hermione talked about the books she had read.
Harry told us a few things about his life with the Dursleys.
I didn't ask too many questions.
I didn't want Harry to suspect that I knew more about his life than I should.
But something caught my attention.
Harry seemed much more relaxed around us.
Maybe because, for the first time, he was surrounded by people his own age who genuinely wanted to talk to him.
For the first time since I had been reborn into this world...
I felt like I was truly living.
Not as a reader.
Not as someone who knew a story from the outside.
But as someone who was part of it.
Hours later, the train began to slow down.
Night had fallen.
The conversations in the compartments began to quiet down.
Many students put on their robes.
I did the same.
I adjusted my clothes and looked out the window.
Then I saw it.
A huge dark silhouette appeared in the distance.
Towers.
Walls.
Illuminated windows.
The castle.
Hogwarts.
My eyes lit up.
Finally.
But then...
I felt something.
A presence.
A gaze.
I turned toward the corridor.
There was no one there.
However, my Natural Legilimency instinct reacted.
Someone was thinking about me.
I frowned.
Who?
I tried to concentrate.
Nothing.
The sensation disappeared immediately.
Then another blue window appeared.
[Warning.]
[An alteration in the timeline has been detected.]
[The user has caused significant changes to the original history.]
[Probability of unknown events: 37%.]
My smile disappeared.
Thirty-seven percent?
The number began to increase.
38%.
39%.
40%.
I stared at the screen.
Why is it increasing?
Then another line appeared.
[Warning.]
[The user's presence is affecting future events.]
[Events known by the user can no longer be considered completely reliable.]
My expression became serious.
That's a problem.
Until that moment, I had thought I could use my knowledge of the future as an advantage.
I knew what would happen.
I knew who would be important.
I knew who the enemies would be.
I knew which events were destined to happen.
But if my presence was beginning to change the story...
Then every decision I made could alter the future.
The screen disappeared.
I stared at Hogwarts.
For the first time since I had obtained the system...
I felt that perhaps I didn't really know the future anymore.
The train finally stopped.
The doors opened.
A huge voice echoed from the platform.
—First years! First years, over here!
I recognized the voice immediately.
Hagrid.
Harry got off the train.
Ron followed him.
Hermione did as well.
I was the last to step out.
The cold night air hit my face.
I looked around.
Hundreds of students were walking along the platform.
Then I heard Harry.
—Harry: Are you coming?
I stared at Hogwarts for a few seconds.
The towers rose toward the sky.
The lights from the windows illuminated the darkness.
It was exactly as I had imagined it.
And, at the same time, infinitely better.
—Michael: Yes.
I began walking.
Hagrid gathered the first-year students.
—Hagrid: All first years, this way! Don't get separated!
We approached a huge lake.
And then the boats appeared.
Ron widened his eyes.
—Ron: Do we have to cross the lake?
Hermione smiled.
—Hermione: Looks like it.
Harry climbed into one.
I climbed in with him.
During the journey, no one spoke much.
We simply stared at the castle.
The reflection of Hogwarts shimmered across the lake.
It was a spectacular sight.
Harry stared at the towers.
—Harry: It's incredible.
—Michael: Yeah.
Ron smiled.
—Ron: I think we're going to have fun.
I looked at Hogwarts.
I hope so.
Because I knew that within those walls, there were secrets.
Hidden chambers.
Creatures.
Artifacts.
Ancient magic.
And enemies as well.
But for now...
I just wanted to enjoy my first day.
The boat reached the shore.
We climbed the stairs.
The enormous doors of Hogwarts opened.
And we entered.
The Great Hall appeared before us.
For a moment, no one said a word.
Four long tables were filled with students.
Hundreds of candles floated above our heads.
The enchanted ceiling displayed a star-filled night sky.
It was even more impressive than in the movies.
I looked up.
So this is Hogwarts.
I smiled.
Then I felt that presence again.
Someone was watching me.
I turned my head.
Nothing.
But this time, I was certain.
Someone knew I had arrived.
And it didn't seem to be a student.
A black-haired professor with a stern expression stepped in front of us.
I recognized her immediately.
Minerva McGonagall.
—McGonagall: Welcome to Hogwarts.
Her voice echoed throughout the hall.
—McGonagall: Before the feast begins, you will be sorted into your respective houses.
The students began to grow nervous.
I remained calm.
Until I heard my name.
—McGonagall: Black White, Michael Regulus.
The Great Hall fell completely silent.
Dozens of students turned their heads toward me.
Some began whispering.
—Black?
—White?
—Did she say Black White?
—Is he Regulus Black's son?
I slowly took a breath.
And began walking toward the stool.
The Sorting Hat was waiting for me.
Well...
Let's see what you have to say to me.
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