Hogwarts: Please graduate soon! - Chapter 1

July 27, 1991.

London.

 
In a luxurious villa of nearly ten thousand square feet in Westminster.

“Third grade, you made the entire class cry.”

“Fourth grade, you buried ten pounds of fireworks in the restroom, causing an explosion that sent sparks flying everywhere.”

“Fifth grade, you broadcast a live stream of the principal’s in-depth discussion with the teachers.”

“The worst was at the sixth-grade graduation ceremony, where you gave a speech about hammers and sickles in front of so many dignitaries.”

“If you weren’t the last heir of the Lawrence family, you’d probably still be under investigation by MI6.”

In the living room, a middle-aged man in a suit, looking impeccably neat, spoke expressionlessly about the impressive antics of the handsome young man sitting across from him. By the end of his recounting, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

He had lost count of the annual “big events” and had become too lazy to count the minor incidents. How on earth could a kid in elementary school create so much trouble?

“Wayne Lawrence, I’m discussing a very serious topic with you. Please focus!”

Seeing the boy’s distracted demeanour, the middle-aged man furrowed his brow and raised his voice slightly.

It had been many years since he became the secretary to a cabinet minister; he was not used to people zoning out when he spoke. He, Humphrey Appleby, was the Chief Secretary of the Home Office, hailed as a model civil servant of the British Empire with a limitless future ahead. Yet now, he was troubled about his nephew’s schooling.

The handsome boy sitting opposite him was his nephew, Wayne Lawrence, the heir of the Lawrence earldom. The Lawrence family had always been in a direct line of succession. When Wayne’s parents tragically passed away shortly after his birth, he became the sole heir of the family.

Humphrey had devoted himself to this nephew to prevent his sister’s bloodline from dying out, even more so than his son.

“Oh, sorry, Uncle Humphrey. I was just thinking about something.”

“Please continue.”

Wayne flashed an apologetic smile. With his strikingly handsome appearance, he exuded a polite demeanour that made it hard to imagine he was the one responsible for the incidents just mentioned.

Humphrey’s expression softened as he continued, “Wayne, I spoke with Danvers from Harrow School yesterday. With your grades, getting in won’t be a problem at all, but… please try to rein in your excessive curiosity and energy. Otherwise, you might not receive good evaluations from the academy, which could cause significant issues for your future entrance into Oxford and Balliol College…”

Harrow School is the most prestigious and historic private school in England. It is famous for its notable alumni, including the British Prime Minister during WWII.

“What’s with that look, Wayne?”

“Uh, Uncle, I don’t think I ever said I wanted to go to Harrow, did I?” Wayne shrugged.

“Then where do you want to go? Eton? No way, they’re just famous; their standards have dropped in recent years. As long as you have money, you can get in.”

“Westminster School? Not a chance. Its strong arts atmosphere won’t help you much in politics.”

Humphrey diligently analyzed several nearby prestigious schools, increasingly convinced that Harrow was the best choice. However, Wayne seemed to ignore him, pulling out an envelope from behind him.

It bore a wax seal with a crest featuring a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake surrounding a capital ‘H’.

“Sorry, Uncle, but I won’t be attending any of those schools.”

Wayne flashed a standard, polite smile. “I won’t be a Muggle!”

“Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (President of the International Magical Council, First-Class Mage of the Order of Merlin, Chief Mage of Wizengamot).

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Enclosed is a list of required books and equipment.

Additionally, due to your family circumstances, we will send a professor to your home tomorrow at 9 AM to answer questions and provide guidance.”

“Hogwarts…”

After reading the letter, Humphrey examined the wax seal again. As a senior official in the British civil service, there were no secrets in England for him. He was well aware of the gifted individuals in the magical community, and he even knew that their department had some connections with the Ministry of Magic, having collaborated in the past.

What surprised him was that his nephew had such qualifications.

“You want to go to Hogwarts?”

“Of course.” Wayne nodded lightly. “Such an interesting place? I definitely want to see it.”

He then complained, “I’ve already spent six years in an all-boys school, if I spend another seven at Harrow or Eton…”

Wayne shivered at the thought.

Given the national circumstances, it was no wonder that many people would lean that way after years in an all-boys school.

Humphrey pondered, “Since it’s your choice… I respect it, Wayne. If given a chance to learn extraordinary powers, I wouldn’t refuse either.”

“However, to prevent this from being a scam, I’ll come with you tomorrow to meet the professor.”

“Of course.” Wayne didn’t object.

After agreeing on the time, Humphrey declined Wayne’s invitation to dinner and hurried back to Downing Street. Wayne understood. His Uncle Humphrey not only dealt with many official duties every day but also had to contend with the cunning Home Secretary, Jim Hark. While the minister lacked systematic political training and appeared somewhat comical, his occasional displays of killer instinct were enough to give Humphrey a headache.

Ordering the household staff to prepare a feast to celebrate, Wayne returned to his bedroom, silently thinking, “System brother, can we make a deal? How about giving me back the points I spent a few days ago? At worst, I’ll return those rewards to you.”