"The difference between a wizard and a sorcerer is that the wizard asks the spell for permission, while the sorcerer writes the language it speaks. You, young Black, must learn to be the linguist."— Lady Xia, Matriarch of the Jade Lotus.
November 3, 1968,Number 12 Grimmauld Place, London
The summer of 1968 was the longest summer of Vega Black's life.
He was eleven. He had the blue glass dagger from the Khanate, the knowledge of his ancient Egyptian lineage, and the relentless, suffocating tutoring from Arcturus. He carried the weight of the Iron Ledger and the silence of the Summit.
But all of it, all the heavy, ancient, terrifying knowledge, was merely scaffolding for one perfect, simple fact:
He was going to Hogwarts.
The sheer, unadulterated childish excitement was something the "Old Soul" had to consciously surrender to. He had spent his first life in a world without magic; now, a year of structured, authorized learning was about to begin. He was going to a castle, hidden from the Muggles, filled with ghosts, enchanted staircases, and secrets. The world of high fantasy was about to become his classroom. He was going to learn how to use the magic that had defined his second life.
He was sitting in the parlor, attempting to teach a reluctant Sirius (aged seven) the proper wrist-flick for a basic Levitation Charm, when the owl arrived.
It was a small, dusty tawny owl, fluttering in through the chimney. It dropped a thick, heavy envelope directly onto Vega's lap and landed on the head of a startled bust of his great-aunt Irma, hooting indignantly.
Vega snatched the letter. It wasn't just paper; it felt like woven silk, sealed with the complex, quartered crest of Hogwarts.
Sirius, his charm forgotten, immediately jumped up. "Is it it? Is it the thing? Open it, Vega, open it!"
"Hush, Siri," Vega commanded, his hands actually trembling. He turned the letter over, examining the address, written in elegant, emerald ink:
Mr. V. A. BlackThe First Bedroom, Left WardNumber 12, Grimmauld PlaceLondon
It was real. It was tangible. It was the entry ticket to the world he had awakened in.
He carefully broke the wax seal.
"Read the important part!" Sirius demanded, hopping from foot to foot. Regulus (aged six), who had been quietly building a tower of blocks, stopped and watched with wide, grey eyes.
Vega cleared his throat and read the elegant script aloud:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRYHeadmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Black,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,Minerva McGonagallDeputy Headmistress
Sirius let out a whoop and ran around the room, mimicking a Quidditch player. "You're going! You're going! Get me Fizzing Whizzbees!"
Vega ignored the chaos, already flipping to the second page—the book list. This was the true magic. This was the curriculum, the knowledge, the blueprint finally revealed.
He frowned slightly. It wasn't the boilerplate list he might have expected. It was specialized, clearly tailored for the Heir of Black.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black), charmed for density-control.
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear.
One pair of protective gloves (Peruvian Vipertooth Dragon Hide or similar, charmed for heat absorption).
One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings, enchanted with permanent climate control).
COURSE BOOKS All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells, Vol. I: Foundations of Incantation by Miranda Goshawk (Mandatory Text)
A History of Geomancy and the Ley Lines by Bathilda Bagshot (Annotated Edition)
Arcane Theory: Understanding Variable Magic by Adalbert Waffling (Specific to Metamorphmagi)
Advanced Fundamentals of Self-Transfiguration by Emeric Switch (Experimental Text)
The Thousand-Year Compendium of Warding and Abjuration by Uric the Oddball (Restricted Access)
Magical Drafts and Potions: Practical Applications in Bio-Magic by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: A Guide to Magical Civilizations by Newt Scamander
Defense Against Dark Creatures: The Natural Predator by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT1 wand (To be purchased upon arrival at Diagon Alley) 1 Cauldron (Cast Iron, self-stirring, Size 2) 1 Set Crystal Phials (Tension-Charmed) 1 Telescope (Enchanted for Astral Projection) 1 Set Brass Scales (Self-Calibrating, Grade 1)
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely, Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
Vega felt a surge of professional interest. Arcane Theory: Understanding Variable Magic? They weren't just giving him a basic text; they were already pointing him toward the mechanics of his unique ability. The school knew what he was.
Walburga, having heard Sirius's commotion, immediately swept into the room, snatching the list from Vega's hands. Her eyes scanned the specialized texts, checking them against the lineage of the authors.
"Waffling's work is acceptable," she murmured. "And the mention of the Restricted Access text on Warding. Good. They recognize your status." Her jaw tightened in satisfaction. "Fetch Kreacher! We go to the Alley tomorrow. We must buy only the finest dragon-hide gloves, and your father will fund an observatory telescope, not a common brass scale. They must know who you are."
Vega watched his mother's frantic, proud energy with quiet amusement. Even the most rigid of traditionalists was swept up in the magic of the moment.
He looked at his little brothers. Sirius was still bouncing, already imagining himself at Hogwarts. Regulus was staring at the letter with solemn concentration.
Vega reached out and ruffled Sirius's hair.
"It's a school, Siri," Vega said, trying to contain the overwhelming happiness bubbling in his chest. "A castle, a forest, ghosts, and seven years of uninterrupted magic."
"Is it bigger than the Amber Room?" Regulus asked softly, remembering his brother's tales of the hidden Summit.
Vega paused, thinking of the vast, cold power of the magical Khanate. He looked at his brother, then at the simple book list.
"No," Vega admitted, a smile finally breaking through his control. "But it's my school, Reg. And it's where I start learning how to build my own castle."
The weight of the world, the heavy legacy of the Summit, the constant stress of the old soul—all of it faded away.
He was eleven. He had a ticket to a magic school, and two little brothers who looked at him like he held the secrets of the universe.