When science fiction meets fantasy
He opened his eyes in the middle of the battlefield. Dragons were flying bursting fire. Millions of arrows flew upon his head. Screams, lightning, and many other sounds were echoing in the battlefield…
Wait… Wait a minute. That's another story.
The year 1992.
"Honey…" said a middle-aged man.
"What?" answered his wife.
"There's a fucking owl starin' at me through that window"
"Language, Freddie! He is literally on the other room " she protested. "An owl you say?"
"Sorry. Didn't how to react and yeah, it appears it is holding a mail"
"A messenger bird?"
"Yeah, but it is not pigeon"
"Maybe the stories were wrong?" said Freddie's wife.
"Maybe… Let me see what it is." Freddie opened the window and took the mail. As soon as he took it the owl flew away. "Weird," he said as he looked at the flying owl. Then he stared at the mail and said "Weird…" again.
"What is it?"
"It is not for us"
"For him?"
"Yeah, from school called Hogwarts, I guess"
"All right let's give it to him them"
"He is in his room, Emily?"
"Studying I assume"
"Probably physics"
"Might be chemistry too"
"Physics is better"
"No! It is not!" Freddie smiled. They entered the room. The room was full of books. Eleven years old boy was reading a few books simultaneously. "Honey, you will not learn this in a few years," said Emily.
"I know but it is interesting. I have some plans for it. I will create some machines for a better future"
"We believe in you, buddy," his father said.
"Now, there's a letter for you," said his mother.
"For me? From whom?"
"From school called Hogwarts," Freddie said.
"Okay…" child took the letter suspiciously. "Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. What? Is that a joke?" he looked at his parents suspiciously.
"Well, that thing came with an owl, but as I always say nothing can be not explained by science," Freddie said.
"Okay," he continued. "Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore.
Dear Mr. Ellis,
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 McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress" He read it then looked at his parents. "Is that a joke?" he asked.
"We are not joking, Rupert. We are surprised too" said Emily.
"So, what do you say?" asked his father.
"Yes, but now I am going to send owl back? How do you even send owl?"
"Why don't they just use email?" asked Emily.
"Probably they don't want anything not magic related," Freddie said.
Rupert took a piece of paper and wrote 'Yes' on it. Then looked at his father. "From where did it came from? Windows?"
"Yeah" he replied.
Rupert opened windows and put the letter there hoping owl will take it. Instead of an owl, the letter has been taken by the wind. Owl was nowhere to see. Then suddenly someone began to knock the door.
"I will open it," Rupert said.
"Hello, Rupert. I am sorry for this letter thing. We forgot that you are muggle-born"
"Muggle what?" Rupert asked.
"We call non-magical people muggles," she said. "Sorry, where are my manners. Let me introduce myself. My name is Minerva McGonagall"
"The one on the letter?" asked Emily.
"Yes"
"So this magic. Is that real?" asked Rupert.
"Yes, of course, it is"
"And why should I believe in your words?"
"Very well" smiled McGonagall "Wingardium leviosa," she said and the book on the table started floating.
"No trick?" Freddie asked surprised. "It must create some kind of force that will lift the book upwards"
"The spell also might work as a magnet. Or magnetize objects to lift them" said Emily.
"Well, maybe magic is just an advanced technology after all," said Freddie.
McGonagall looked surprised. Then "No… It is not," she said. "It is just magic" she added. Then looked at Rupert. "So, what is your answer?"
"Yeah, I will come"
"Good" she smiled. "…And don't forget to buy things at another side of the letter"
Rupert flipped the page "Oh… Okay," he said. "Sir…"
"Yes"
"How will I go to the Hogwarts?"
"Tomorrow one of our professors will come to show you and your parents everything"
"So can we have his phone or something?" asked Freddie.
"Mr. Ellis, we don't use phones"
"Just owl?" Emily asked.
"Indeed"
"Oh, do they teleport or something?" asked Freddie.
"Teleport?" McGonagall asked surprised.
"It is like appearing on the other place simultaneously."
"Oh… No, they do not apparate or how you call teleport"
"They just fly," said Emily.
"Yes"
"You know you can call and talk with someone simultaneously if you use the phone, right?" asked Freddie.
"Mr. Ellis, we do not put our nose in muggle business. So please don't put yours in ours"
"Sorry," he said. She left the house. "I still think there's a scientific explanation for that" he mumbled.
"Why don't you think it is just magic?" asked Rupert.
"You know if you go to the past and tell them you can fly hundreds of miles in the gigantic metal bird they will just burn you because they will think it is magic. People call something magic when they do not know how it works and you know why?"
"Why dad?"
"Because it is easier".