Lin Mei was betting that Dumbledore would neither reject nor become hostile toward him upon learning his true identity.
From the headmaster's words and demeanor, Lin Mei sensed an extraordinary wisdom—one that transcended conventional boundaries.
Dumbledore's lips curled into a knowing smile, a blend of appreciation and curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"Your keen perception and honesty only reinforce my belief that Hogwarts is the best place for you to grow," he said warmly. "Yes, I suspected you were not from this world, but that is of little consequence. What truly matters is that you possess magic—pure, powerful magic. And that is what Hogwarts values above all."
He paused for a moment before continuing, his tone carrying an almost prophetic weight. "Every era welcomes a changer. Perhaps you are the one who will usher in a new chapter for the wizarding world. Your arrival may not be a coincidence—it may be fate's design, granting us the privilege of witnessing and nurturing a magician unlike any before."
Lin Mei felt a surge of emotions at these words. He was grateful for Dumbledore's trust and acceptance, yet beneath the headmaster's encouragement, he detected something deeper—an intent to guide him toward a role in the unfolding future, perhaps even one entangled with Voldemort's eventual return.
Taking a deep breath, he met Dumbledore's gaze and said firmly, "Thank you, Headmaster. I accept this challenge. I will study diligently—not just for myself, but for something greater."
Dumbledore nodded, his approval evident. He reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Lin Mei's shoulder—a simple gesture, yet one that seemed to carry strength and confidence.
"Very good, Lin Mei. From today, you are a part of Hogwarts. We'll make the necessary preparations—purchasing your school supplies, attending the Sorting Ceremony, and settling you in. You will make new friends, face challenges, but always remember—Hogwarts will be your home."
As the weight of those words settled in, Lin Mei could already envision the path ahead, his heart brimming with anticipation. This was the start of a new life—a new destiny—and he was determined to carve his mark in this magical world.
Dumbledore then led Lin Mei to a separate chamber, where a wave of his wand rid the boy of the grime from his journey. His tattered clothing vanished, replaced with clean, well-fitted robes. In mere moments, Lin Mei no longer looked like a wanderer but a proper wizard-in-training.
Once everything was in order, Dumbledore guided him out of the office and down the grand corridors of Hogwarts. Their final destination was a warmly lit office, lined with books and parchment—the domain of Professor McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House.
Lin Mei's gaze landed on the elderly woman before him. Behind her square-rimmed glasses, her sharp eyes gleamed with both wisdom and warmth.
Dumbledore introduced her with a smile. "Lin Mei, this is Professor McGonagall. Today, she will accompany you to gather the supplies you'll need for Hogwarts."
Lin Mei bowed slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor McGonagall. Thank you for your guidance."
McGonagall's stern expression softened as she regarded the polite young boy. "Such manners! You'll do well here, Mr. Lin Mei. Now, let's get you to Diagon Alley."
Dumbledore, satisfied, entrusted Lin Mei to McGonagall before taking his leave. There were bureaucratic matters to handle—the sudden arrival of a boy with no recorded past was bound to raise questions at the Ministry of Magic.
After Dumbledore departed, McGonagall stepped forward, adjusting her robes. Though no words were exchanged about Lin Mei's mysterious origins, she had already drawn her own conclusions—this boy was about to become a Hogwarts student.
"I look forward to seeing you sorted, Mr. Lin Mei," she remarked. "Perhaps the Sorting Hat will place you in Gryffindor."
Lin Mei smiled. "I'd be honored to join Gryffindor."
McGonagall's approval shone through as she led him to the fireplace at the far end of her office. Taking out a small pouch, she poured a handful of shimmering powder into her palm.
"This," she explained, "is Floo Powder. I'll teach you how to use it."
With that, the journey to Diagon Alley—and the next chapter of Lin Mei's adventure—was about to begin.
Even without Professor McGonagall's explanation, Lin Mei already knew how to use the Floo Network.
The biggest mistake when using Floo Powder was mispronouncing the destination due to nerves. A single slip of the tongue could send someone teleporting to an unknown location—sometimes harmless, but other times disastrous. Ending up in the wrong place could be merely inconvenient… or incredibly dangerous. Imagine accidentally landing in the home of a hidden Death Eater.
Well, in that case, the Death Eater would be the one in trouble.
Lin Mei was not the kind of wizard who could be easily captured.
Before he stepped into the fireplace, Professor McGonagall gave him a firm look. "Lin, listen carefully. When using the Floo Network, you must remain calm. Do not mispronounce your destination. Understand?"
Mistakes were rare, but not impossible. That was why McGonagall spoke with such seriousness.
Lin Mei nodded, though he felt no real concern. Most people panicked because of the roaring green flames that erupted when using the Floo Network. But for Lin Mei, fire was nothing to fear. With his fire resistance and dragon-slaying magic, he could even absorb the flames if needed.
Once he was ready, Lin Mei tossed a handful of Floo Powder at his feet and shouted clearly, "Diagon Alley!"
In an instant, his vision blurred. The world twisted around him, and before he knew it, the scenery had completely changed. Through the fireplace, he caught sight of bustling streets, vibrant shops, and the unmistakable charm of Diagon Alley.
This is it. Lin Mei thought to himself.
Stepping forward, he emerged onto the street, which was livelier than ever as the school year approached.
Then—he froze.
A sharp realization hit him like a cold splash of water.
I don't have a single Galleon.
For a moment, Lin Mei was at a loss. Dumbledore and McGonagall had brought him here so swiftly that he hadn't even considered money.
Back in the Marvel world, he had a limitless black card from Merris, ensuring he never had to worry about expenses. But here? Here, he was penniless.
What now? How am I supposed to buy anything?
Just as he was about to shamelessly consider borrowing money from Professor McGonagall, an idea began to take shape in his mind…
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