“You’re too kind.
It’s an honor to serve you,” Mr.
Hodge said, tipping his hat.
His eyes landed on Harry.
“And it’s a pleasure to meet you as well, young Master Potter.” He pulled out a small card and handed it over.
Harry glanced at his father, who gave a small nod, so Harry took it.
The card read: Hodge Department Store – Floo Network Express – Same-Day Delivery “If you ever need anything, just use the card,” Mr.
Hodge said with a cheerful wink.
Aunt Petunia appeared and escorted him out of the hall.
Floo Network Express?
Harry looked up at his father with wide, curious eyes.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get to all of it,” Mr.
Potter said gently.
“There’s plenty of time.” “I’ll handle this,” Mrs.
Potter said.
“You need to get to the factory.” “Good grief, I almost forgot.” Mr.
Potter’s eyes widened.
“And there’s Ministry business about Harry—” “You’re right.
I have to go.” He snapped his fingers.
A briefcase and coat flew across the room and settled themselves on him.
“Have a wonderful day, my love.” Mr.
Potter kissed his wife, gave Harry a big hug, and hurried out.
“Come on,” Mrs.
Potter said, taking Harry’s hand.
“Let me show you around the house.” The mountain of school supplies in the hall was already being cleared by servants.
The manor was enormous—far bigger than Harry had imagined.
Mrs.
Potter led him up to the highest glass-domed conservatory on the main house.
The walls slid open, revealing a breathtaking view of the entire estate.
Besides the main house where the family lived, there were two massive servant buildings, a huge garden, and an enormous farm.
“We’ll skip the farm for now,” Mrs.
Potter said.
“It’s not very exciting.
Let’s go to the garden instead.
The air is lovely there.” She held Harry’s hand as they walked.
Harry barely heard her.
He was pressed against the glass, staring outside.
“Mom, what’s that?” he asked, pointing at the distant strip of dead yellow land beyond the estate walls.
On their side of the wall everything was green grass, blue sky, and gentle wind.
On the other side the ground was cracked and barren, covered in yellow dust under a lead-gray sky.
“The outside world was destroyed by Muggle weapons,” Mrs.
Potter said quietly.
“But don’t worry.
It won’t affect us here.” Harry looked up at her face, stunned.
“Muggles are just regular people, right?
Why would they do that?” “Because they didn’t want to hand the world over to wizards…” Mrs.
Potter’s expression was complicated.
“Why can’t wizards and Muggles just live together in peace?” “That doesn’t matter anymore.
The war between wizards and Muggles is over.
It’s just like when wizards tamed the house-elves long ago.” Mrs.
Potter patted his head and pointed toward the garden.
“Let’s not look at sad things.
Come on, I’ll take you to the garden.
There are lots of interesting plants and animals there.” Harry glanced one last time at the ruined landscape, a strange unease settling in his chest.
Then his mother’s next words pushed it away.
“Today I’m going to teach you some basic spells and how to use your magic ring.
You’re going to be very busy.” “Learning magic?
Me?” Harry’s face lit up.
“Of course.
You’re a wizard.
It’s time you started learning.” “I thought I had to wait until I got to magic school.” “That would be too late.
Hogwarts is extremely competitive.
First-years are expected to master the basics right away.
If you fall behind, the other students will mock you.” Mrs.
Potter turned to Lyte, who was waiting quietly in the corner.
“Lyte, bring the Standard Spells book to the garden.” “Yes, Mistress.” Lyte vanished in a swirl of air and reappeared a moment later.
“Everything is ready, Mistress and young master,” he said.
Harry pointed at him, fascinated.
“That magic!
Can I learn how to do that first?” “That’s house-elf magic.
Wizards can’t learn it.
There is a similar spell for wizards, but it’s very difficult.
You won’t be allowed to try it until at least third year.” Mrs.
Potter saw Harry’s disappointed face and smiled.
“But if you work very hard, I might teach you early.” “Really?
That’s awesome!” Harry threw his arms around her.
“Don’t get too excited yet,” she laughed.
“I promise you’ll be surprised.” …
Mrs.
Potter led Harry into the garden.
Lyte had already set up the giant Standard Spells book along with tea and cookies.
Harry didn’t even glance at the snacks.
The moment he saw the book, his jaw dropped.
It was the 138th revised edition Mr.
Hodge had mentioned.
The book wasn’t just thick.
It was tall.
It stood almost as high as Harry’s chest—three feet at least.
Harry had never seen anything like it.
“Standard Spells gets updated every year with new spells created by magical university graduates,” Mrs.
Potter explained.
“Most of them are perfect for beginners.” “But there are so many…” Harry felt a little sick just looking at it.
“Don’t worry.
Learning spells is easier than it looks.
Once you understand the categories, everything else falls into place.” She opened the massive book to the first page.
Harry leaned in.
“In 1963, the great wizard president—the undisputed saint of the Wizard Pureblood Party—defined magic into four categories: Soul, Transfiguration, Energy, and Space-Time.
He also organized the magical sciences into Potions, Alchemy, and Biology.”