In the following week, Zephyr spend his time finishing his tasks at hand, concluding his purpose of visiting the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary. He was very careful with his actions, as the authorities that guarded this region had no clue to his intrusion. In fact, other than the dragon keepers and other authorized personnel, no one could openly gain admission to this place. Not only because dragons were classified as 5X, called natural wizard killers, but also because they were not the only species to populate this region. Many other magical creatures called this place their home and had been living here since the establishment of this sanctuary.

  These creatures included winged horses, graphorns, griffins, a tribe of trolls, ashwinders and many more. The diversity here did not lose to the Forbidden forest. The division of territory was clear and no creatures made trouble with another. It was in fact a very peaceful place, unless someone were to unknowingly intrude and make trouble.

  Of course, Zephyr wasn't here to make trouble. You could say he was here to learn.

  Zephyr hailed from the Indian subcontinent, graduated from Manovidhya Mayakul, situated in the heights of Mount Kailash. The magical curriculum there was so diverse, just like his country. From tantra vidhya(ritualistic magic) to yoga vidhya(Human Body transfiguration), there was a vast number of subjects taught. Similarly the number of students was in thousands. It was only second to the number of students in Uagadou, the largest school of magic, situated in Uganda which accepted students from all over Africa.

  Zephyr had majored in mantras(charms), Mandalas(ancient runes), Magical Languages and Sonomancy(music and sound magic). But after graduating he had ventured off on an adventure that spanned nearly a decade, touring the magical communities in various regions, from the villages in machu pichu, discovering the intricacies of incan magic to staying as a guest professor in the Mahoutokoro school of magic in japan. He had adventured nearly all of the world and looked into so many kinds of magic, that if one were to dissect his brain and write the content of it all, a hundred books would be too less to sum it all.

  But what made him special wasn't his vast well of knowledge, or his prowess of communicating with magical creatures and races. It was the fact that he knew the future. At least the tentative future, as he had already done some changes to the plotline of the harry potter world.

  Yes, he had read the complete series, mocked the absence of peeves from the movies and scoured the wizarding world website for more potterverse tidbits. So when suddenly one day he had inexplicably found himself in the very world that he had come to adore and craze about, it was mayhem.

  He did not actually recognize that he was in the potter world, because he was born in India, just like in his past life. And there is no mention of the wizarding community of India, so it was a little comical and strange when suddenly one day he started seeing illusions. A mountain hidden in clouds, surrounded by colorful mists. And within that, hidden behind clouds was a large structure. A palace, with numerous minarets and dome like structures. It was simply vast, layed out in the mountain side, its exterior shimmering with a kaleidoscope of hues, as if the very essence of magic danced across its surface. The palace seemed to be alive, radiating an aura of mysticism that captivates all who behold it.

  And then the vision shattered, followed by a voice echoing in his mind.

  "Child, a spark of magic dwells within your very being and this talent has just started to bloom. It is with great joy and anticipation that we extend to you an invitation to Manovidhya Mayakul, The House of Mind and Illusions, one of the great school of magic and witchcraft.

  We welcome you into a world where imagination knows no bounds, where the realms of possibility are stretched beyond the horizons of the ordinary. Your journey at Mayakul will be one of profound discovery and self-realization. Within our hallowed halls, you will be guided by the most esteemed scholars and enchanters, masters of their craft who will nurture and challenge your extraordinary abilities.

  Please refer the scroll for further instructions and await your guardians arrival to reach the Gurukul."

  And then the air in front of shimmered, before a scroll materialized before him. It was foot long, mentioning various guidelines and description about what this Manovidhya Mayakul was, what steps he had to follow and everything.

  At that time he was in an orphanage(quite conveniently). The realization slowly dawned on him. The plans he had made of becoming a crorepati(Millionaire) vanished from his mind as something more integral occupied it now.

  'Magic'

  He had arrived at the one place that had enraptured his attention in his previous life. Calling him a potterhead was not wrong. And so his adventure had thus begun.

  And now, a day away, twenty seven years after he arrived in this world, he was finally going to step into the hallowed grounds of Hogwarts. His excitement was through the roof.

  'But safety first, I'm going to be facing Headmaster Dumbledore tomorrow. Don't want him reading my mind now. But then again he doesn't really know me, so as long as I don't think of anything unnecessary it should be smooth'

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  He snapped his fingers and watched his tent fold itself and then opened his suitcase to put it inside. The suitcase naturally had a much larger space inside, use of extension charm. He had it made in one of the best workshops in America. The space inside not only held all the little souvenirs and trinkets he had collected from all over the world, but was also home to friends of his.

  As he thought, a very big cat, gray fur and sharp ears, jumped out of the suitcase. The kneazle looked at him for a moment, as if judging him and then stretched its whole body before jumping off to venture the forest.

  "Shan, come back before dawn or I will leave you behind." Zephyr shouted as he watched the cat jump from one tree to another.

  While native to Britain, he had strangely found this kneazle in the jungles of amazon. Barely surviving in the tough environment there, he had decided to take it in and nurture her.

  The suitcase was still open when another cat like creature jumped out. This time it was a Wumpus cat, a mountain lion like creature, native to North America. Also one of the four house symbols of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They were supposed to be good in hypnosis and legilimency, which he could attest was true.

  After all he had learned and improved his legilimency after meeting Simba.

  The large cat moved closer to him and nuzzled close to him. He bent down and gave him a nice rub, ruffing his ears and chin. Simba was a cub when he had met him five years ago in the Appalachian Mountains. The big cat had decided to follow him of his own accord. Well part of the reason was maybe because he had given him some extra magical treats, but for most parts he liked to believe that the cat saw something special in him to follow after him.

  He liked cats, and if he came across one of its magical kind, he would definitely adopt.

  Rest of the evening he played with Simba and when Shan returned she joined them. The day passed by quickly before it was finally time to say goodbye to this place. He spoke to both of his cats to behave, explaining that he was going to meet someone important, and it was necessary that they made no trouble for him.

  Simba eagerly nodded his head to show his understanding, while Shan just gave him a look before jumping back into the suitcase. Zephyr could only smile wryly. Shan had been with him far longer than Simba, but her attitude had not changed a bit. He could only laugh at this.

  Then without wasting time, he picked his suitcase and POP

  .....

  There was a cliff opposite the Black lake that overlooked the castle of Hogwarts, the very obvious cliff from which, if you remember watching the movies, Voldemort and the death eaters would initiate the Battle of Hogwarts. But that was at least eight years away from the present moment. Right now, this place was the perfect spot to come and admire the majestic monument that was the Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.

  And that's what Zephyr was doing. It had taken him seven apparition hops before landing here.

  Over the years of his travels, he had gotten very good at apparition and could cross countries in a few hops most of the time. Especially since he could not use a portkey that often, since his travels often took him to places where he wasn't exactly allowed to enter without permission. Much like his time spent in the Dragon sanctuary.

  On his way here, he had taken a quick break in Berlin and London for a quick snack. Apparating over large distances was dangerous and exhaustive. So he had to take rests and hunger breaks when required.

  But the journey was worth making, as he took in the beautiful scene in front of him. Shan and Simba quietly admired the view beside him, as the sky turned orange.

  "Every time I come here, I can't help but marvel at this view."

  The looming castle with the sun dropping down in the background made one of the best sceneries to look at. Zephyr waited for night to settle before apparating one last time to the entrance of the school.

  The Entrance Gates were made of magnificent wrought iron and were flanked by two columns topped with statues of winged boars. Just past the gates you could see the stables for the Thestrals and a few yards away the small boathouse. But Zephyr's attention was caught by the person waiting for him just before the gates.

  A tall, black haired witch in emerald robes awaited him, her stern looks giving away her identity to anyone who had read the books. Her pointed crooked hat and signature square spectacles looked just as he had imagined. Zephyr studied the professor just for a moment before greeting her with enthusiasm.

  "It's an honor to meet you, Professor McGonagall. I'm excited for this opportunity and look forward to my time here at Hogwarts."

  "Well, that is yet to be seen, Mr. Zephyr, if you will be appointed for the position of Defence Against Dark Arts."

  Maybe it was his over-enthusiastic approach, or just that she did not usually open up to strangers so fast, but her response was cold and curt, leaving Zephyr's out stretched hand hanging.

  But he was quick to recover, as he smiled, "Oh, I'm plenty confidant that I will get this position. I have heard of the jinx and let me tell you that it does not spook me one bit. "

  Professor McGonagall seemed irked at his reply but didn't respond to the comment. She waved at him to follow, in through the gates as they made their way to the entrance hall.

  As they walked up the stone path leading to the great oak doors of the castle, Zephyr took in every detail he could — the gentle swaying of the Forbidden Forest trees in the distance, the intricately carved statues near the entrance, the sound of Thestrals snorting softly in the stables. He could feel the weight of it all — the history, the magic, the stories buried in the stones.

  He was finally here.

  Literally. Not as a reader.

  But as someone who might be part of the story this time.

  “Follow me closely, I don't want you getting lost in the castle now,” McGonagall said as they entered the Entrance Hall, her voice echoing off the high ceilings. The castle seemed to be empty, lonely kind of. He guessed it was because of the summer vacations. But this let him absorb it all in the silence that followed their footsteps towards the Headmaster's office.

  Zephyr looked around, his eyes scanning the familiar unfamiliarity. He had seen this place in dreams, in movies, in his imagination. But this — this was real. He was in Hogwarts.

  They soon came to a stop before a stone gargoyle. The grumpy fellow bore a very dull look. Zephyr knew that the gargoyle was capable of speech, but seldom spoke. He did not get to analyze the guardian further, as it revolved to reveal the staircase leading up to their destination.

  Following after the professor, they soon found themselves facing the door. A simple dark brown wooden door.

  “Headmaster Dumbledore will see you shortly,” Professor McGonagall told him and disappeared down the staircase from where they had come.

  "Phewwwww. So here we are finally, facing the greatest wizard of our time, one interview away from rewriting fanfiction into reality. No pressure, right?"