The second-hand bookshop was quite disappointment for Alder. Not only they were not much cheaper than their originals; some were even more expensive because they had notes of some great witches and wizards on them. Thus Alder simply bought books from Flourish and Blotts. Choosing the books also offered a challenge to Alder. There was a great chance being accepted to Hogwarts; if not, he had enough knowledge to be help to Dumbledore convince him. Therefore Alder chose some newly released or controversial books that had a great chance not being present in the library of Hogwarts. His 10 galleons went to a big zero but he was content.
An Introduction to Counter-Spells by Darcey Williamson for 1 Galleon
In-Depth Guide to Counter-Curses, Jinxes and Hexes by Miranda Goshawk for 3 Galleon
Elemental Magic; A Simple Trick or Something More by Wilfred Rose for 4 Galleon
Basic Spells for Healing by Matilda Webb for 2 Galleon
Among all the books, one of them was particularly interesting to Alder. There was no Talent Tree for the Elemental Magic but he knew most of the strongest spells Voldemort and Dumbledore casted were some form of Elemental Magic. It seemed quicker, more silent and more flexible than traditional magic. His remaining 2 months passed uneventfully while studying the books.
…
--A good book on Charm that surpasses the knowledge of the host has been completed. 1 Charm Talent Point are added to the system.—
--A great book on Magic that surpasses the knowledge of the host has been completed. 3 Free Talent Points are added to the system.—
--A good book on Herbology that surpasses the knowledge of the host has been completed. 2 Herbology Talent Points are added to the system.—
--A good book on Potions that surpasses the knowledge of the host has been completed. 2 Potions Mastery Talent Points are added to the system.—
--A good book on Magizoology that surpasses the knowledge of the host has been completed. 2 Magizoology Talent Points are added to the system.—
--A good book on Charm, Jinx, Curse and Hex that surpasses the knowledge of the host has been completed. 1 Charm, Jinx, Curse and Hex Talent Points are added to the system.—
--A good book on Counter-Spell that surpasses the knowledge of the host has been completed. 2 Counter-Spell Talent Points are added to the system.—
--A great book on Counter-Spell that surpasses the knowledge of the host has been completed. 4 Counter-Spell Talent Points are added to the system.—
--A good book on Healing-Spell that surpasses the knowledge of the host has been completed. 2 Healing-Spell Talent Points are added to the system.—
--A good book on Elemental Magic that surpasses the knowledge of the host has been completed. Elemental Magic Talent Tree has been opened. 2 Elemental Magic Talent Points are added to the system.—
…
Alder didn't want to spend his precious time on the spells he is going to learn in his almost 42 weeks of school year. But he still felt the need to learn few which he found useful. He was pleasantly surprised that he could learn an advanced spell like General Counter-Spell, in other words Finite. He couldn't wait to see the power of the spell. If Level 1 was the normal use of spells, a Level 2 Finite should take care of most of the spells.
When the summer finished his status screen had much more color to it in comparison with its previous state.
-Status-
-Owner: Alder Gray-
-Stats(Free Stats Points: 1)-
--Body: 1--
--Magic: 1--
--Mind: 1--
-Talents(Free Talent Points: 4, Free Experience Points: 1000)-
--Transfiguration: 2 –
----Avifors: Level 1 (Experience: 0/1000, Required Talent Level: 3)—
--Charm: 2 –
----Levitation Charm: Level 1 (Experience: 0/1000, Required Talent Level: 3)—
----Fire-Making Charm: Level 1 (Experience: 0/1000, Required Talent Level: 3)—
----Wand-Lighting Charm: Level 1 (Experience: 0/1000, Required Talent Level: 3)—
----Wand-Extinguishing Charm: Level 1 (Experience: 0/1000, Required Talent Level: 3)—
----Unlocking Charm: Level 1 (Experience: 0/1000, Required Talent Level: 3)—
----Smokescreen Charm: Level 1 (Experience: 0/1000, Required Talent Level: 3)—
--Jinx: 1 –
----Knockback Jinx: Level 1 (Experience: 0/1000, Required Talent Level: 3)—
--Hex: 1--
--Curse: 1--
--Counter-Spell: 4—
----Reparifarge: Level 1 (Experience: 548/1000)—
----General Counter-Spell, Finite: Level 2 (Experience: 0/10000, Required Talent Level: 5)—
--Healing Spell: 2—
----Bandaging Spell: Level 1 (Experience: 0/1000, Required Talent Level: 3)—
----Anapneo: Level 0 (Experience: 4/100)—
--Occlumency: 0--
--Legilimency: 0--
--Divination: 0--
--Alchemy Mastery: 0--
--Potions Mastery: 2--
--Herbology: 2--
--Magizoology: 2—
--Runes Mastery: 0--
--Flying Mastery: 0--
--Wandlore: 0—
--Elemental Magic: 2--
It was depressing that he couldn't find a single spell book about spells on Elemental Magic. Sure he learnt Fire-Making Charm, Incendio in other word, but it was more of a dedicated spell that had little freedom to alter it. Alder decided he would try to make his own spells in that mastery or ask Dumbledore for guidance if there is no spell-book in library of Hogwarts.
In the morning of 1 September, Alder took a taxi with the little money he had left from orphanage to King's Cross Station. It didn't take him a long time to find the Platform 9 and 10. He came here much earlier than he should be, because he didn't know much about the Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Sure, he had general idea about it but he had no intention on crashing on all the walls until he found the right one. So he found himself a place in shadows to hide. Although he didn't look suspicious with his entire luggage and bird cage, he still felt embarrassed to act like doing something suspicious.
It didn't take too much time to see a boy of similar age appear. After bidding his family a farewell, he started running to a wall.
After a few seconds, the family disappeared and Alder left his hiding place. He also quickly sped up and took a run to the wall. Even if he knew what was going to happen, he closed his eyes reflexively. When he opened his eyes again, a large red, 4-6-0 steam engine train appeared before him. After admiring the sight a little bit, he went on his way to one of the carriages and found himself an empty cabin. If he saw the sign outside the train right, the express should take off at 11 o'clock. He took out his pocket watch and looked at the time. 10:15.
He placed his luggage and took out his wand to practice Reparifarge. But before he transfigured anything first, the door of the cabin opened.
A short and stocky boy with short red hair and freckles appeared in his sight.
"Are you expecting anyone?" the boy asked softly.
"No, no one in particular. Please have a seat." said Alder showing a spot opposed to him. His face was calm but inside he was shocked. He couldn't think of any other family other than Weasleys. He could imagine which one is the boy but asked anyway just to be sure.
"The name is Alder Grey." said Alder extending his hand.
"Charles Weasley, you can call me Charlie." said Charlie. "What were you doing with your wand out?"
"Oh, I was about to practice some spells to pass the time."
Charlie was shocked. The boy in front of him was already studying even before the term started. "You are quite hard working. But I wouldn't worry too much about it; we're going to Hogwarts to learn about them after all."
"Well you're right; the teachers shouldn't be expecting much from us. But I don't have much to do to pass time." said Alder. He was missing his phone for the last two months. Even lying on his bed to watch some videos seemed like a distant dream.
"Yeah, I hear you. I was dreaming about Quidditch all summer. Although my older brother had no interest in it, talked about casually, he let me try his broomstick. It was fantastic. Which team were you supporting in the World Cup two years ago?" said Charlie excitedly.
Alder scratched his cheek and said "I don't know much about Quidditch…".
Charlie's eyes widened. "How can it be, it's the best sport ever! You should have seen my dad when Brazil was eliminated in the finals. I think it was a miracle that they even made it there."
"Um… You see, I'm coming from a muggle orphanage, I know a little about 1982 FIFA World Cup but nothing about Quidditch…"
Although Charlie was puzzled about what is the thing called FIFA about; he felt sad for Alder, so he swallowed the words he was about to say. Instead he thought for a second and said comfortingly "Don't worry; you can learn everything about Quidditch at Hogwarts. I don't know how will they place us in houses but I heard you can join your House's team and win Hogwarts Quidditch Cup. Maybe we will be sorted in the same house and have fun together.". Charlie extended his fist towards Alder with a bright smile on his face.
Alder also smiled and didn't stress much about the issue, not to get Charlie sad about a thing he didn't even care or experienced. He gave a fist bump to Charlie.
At that time, the door of the cabin opened with a bang.
A girl with a short spiky hair was standing in the corridor, panting. But the unusual thing about her was the color of her hair.
Its color was bubblegum-pink.
About Talent system:
-I know the Talent system I have built can be tricky. But it is necessary, for there are talented Legilimenses who almost seem natural. Another example would be Divination, it depends fully on talent in the wizarding world.
-Other thing to stress about is the way the system works, I understand those expect a system like 'I clicked or signed-up one time, and I can now one shot Voldemort.'. But that kind of OP system doesn't need a reason to bring another man or woman from other worlds/dimensions because there are more talented individuals in the wizarding world.
-Anything more I say would just be spoilers, so I can only hope your questions would be answered in further chapters naturally.