Chapter 13: Hogwarts Express (1)
The morning sun cast a golden glow over the room, illuminating my packed trunk near the door. Today was the day I'd been waiting for: my first journey to Hogwarts. The clock ticked closer to 10:30 AM, each second amplifying my anticipation. By evening, I'd be at Hogwarts, the legendary school of witchcraft and wizardry that had been the backdrop of my dreams since receiving my letter.
A soft knock on the door broke the silence. Witty, ever punctual, entered with his usual calm demeanor. "Master Nero, it is time. Shall we depart?"
I nodded, slipping Liss into its place. "Let's go, Witty."
The house-elf reached for my trunk with one hand and held out the other toward me. I placed my hand in his without hesitation, familiar with the process. The world around me shifted.
A sensation like liquid silk enveloped me, the world folding and reshaping around me. In an instant, the cozy familiarity of my room melted away, replaced by the bustling scene of King's Cross Station. Letting go of Witty's hand, I steadied myself, my heart calm, my vision sharp.
The process, as always, had been seamless. Over the past months, Witty had become my go-to method of long-distance travel, Apparating me to various locations as needed. I had learned from my previous life knowledge, and confirmed through reading that Apparition was notorious for its unpleasant side effects: dizziness, nausea, and the disorienting feeling of being squeezed through a narrow tube.
Yet I felt none of that. Not once.
From my very first experience, Apparition had felt natural, almost effortless. It was as if my body welcomed the magic rather than resisted it. Witty, who had decades of experience Apparating wizards, had been astonished. "Master Nero, young wizards often struggle with their first Apparition. But you... no discomfort at all?"
His surprise had stayed with me. Perhaps it hinted at something unusual within me: an innate affinity for teleportation magic, or an unusual talent for spatial manipulation. Whatever the case, it was a peculiarity I had come to embrace, one that might one day offer a significant advantage.