Pain.
It was the first thing Aarav felt. Not metaphorical pain—real, biting, bone-deep agony that made his breath hitch and his limbs twitch.
He gasped, lungs inhaling air thick with moss and dampness.
Cold. Wet. Mud.
His eyes snapped open.
Above him loomed a gray sky, clouds swirling as if mourning his rebirth. Trees surrounded him—twisted and old, roots half-exposed like gnarled claws. He was lying in a forest clearing, shirt torn, blood drying on his temple.
He sat up with a groan, the weight of his own body disorienting after the weightlessness of the void.
A flicker appeared in the corner of his eye. A blue translucent screen, hovering mid-air.
▶ Welcome to the Wizarding World
▶ Location: Forbidden Forest (Outskirts of Hogwarts Grounds)
▶ Time Period: 1979 - First Rise of Voldemort
▶ Player State: Soul Rebirth Complete
▶ Primary Objective: Survive
▶ Bonus Objective: Blend into Magical Society
▶ Starting Package Available
> Accept? [Y/N]
He blinked. "What…? Okay. Yes. Accept."
The screen shimmered.
▶ Starting Package Claimed
> Basic Wand [Ash, 11", Unicorn Hair]
> Wizard's Robe [Basic, Self-cleaning]
> 5x Healing Potions
> Beginner Spellbook: Year 1 Spells
> 20 Galleons (Magical Currency)
> Identification Papers: Alaric Gaunt
Wait. Gaunt?
Aarav's head snapped up.
He'd read the lore. The Gaunts were descendants of Salazar Slytherin, the bloodline of Voldemort himself.
"You're joking," he muttered.
The screen dinged:
▶ False Identity: "Alaric Gaunt"
▶ Bloodline Cover Story: Illegitimate branch of House Gaunt, presumed extinct
▶ Magical Trace: Concealed
▶ Ministry Registration: Forged
▶ Age Set: 17
▶ Hogwarts Year: 7th Year - Transfer Student (Conditional)
Aarav stood slowly, gripping the newly appeared wand in his hand. It felt right—like it belonged to him.
He ran fingers through his now-longer hair, catching sight of a reflection in a pool. He looked older. Sharper. Still himself, but enhanced—more fitting for a protagonist in a war-torn magical world.
From the forest beyond, he heard a low growl.
His wand snapped into position instinctively. "Lumos!"
The wand lit up with a faint light—dim, flickering. He remembered: he hadn't practiced yet.
Skill Unlocked: Lumos [Level 1/100]
"Perfect," he whispered. "This is real."
Then the growling turned into a screech.
Acromantula.
An enormous spider burst from the trees, eyes gleaming and legs clicking across the ground.
Aarav's instincts flared, the system alerting him in real time.
▶ Threat Detected: Juvenile Acromantula
▶ Danger Level: Moderate
▶ Recommendation: Use Fire or Light-Based Magic
"I haven't learned anything yet!"
The Acromantula lunged.
Aarav dove aside, rolled, and pointed his wand. "LUMOS MAXIMA!"
A blinding flash exploded from the tip. Not perfect—but enough to blind the creature momentarily.
Skill Created: Improvised Lumos Maxima [Level 1/100]
Effectiveness: 43%
EXP Gained: +35
The spider reeled back. Aarav's eyes darted across his surroundings.
"Okay, okay, think. Light spell bought time. I need cover. I need to run—"
He dashed, lungs burning, ducking beneath branches and over roots until he saw it.
A stone wall.
A gate.
And beyond it—Hogwarts Castle, majestic and ancient, peeking through the mist like a memory made real.
Two figures stood at the gate, wands raised.
He stumbled forward, calling out. "Help! Please!"
The two figures approached quickly.
An old man with a silvery beard.
And a sharp-eyed woman in emerald robes.
NPC Encounter: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Event Triggered: Unregistered Arrival at Hogwarts
"Dear Merlin," McGonagall whispered. "Boy, who are you?"
Aarav collapsed to his knees, panting. "Name's… Alaric Gaunt," he lied smoothly. "Transfer from Durmstrang. Attacked... in the forest."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed.
"Gaunt, you say?" His voice was soft, dangerous.
"I have papers," Aarav wheezed, flashing the forged documents from his inventory.
Dumbledore inspected them. Slowly. Then nodded once. "We'll verify these. But for now… come. You're safe."
As they walked through the great iron gates, the screen flickered one last time:
▶ Main Questline Unlocked: Rise Through the Ranks
▶ Sub-Quest: Survive Hogwarts During Voldemort's Rise
▶ Class Enrollment Pending
▶ Time Until First Encounter with Dark Forces: 7 Days
Aarav glanced once more at the castle—his dream made real, and his battlefield yet to come.
"Let's begin."