Shirou spent the remainder of the week by helping around the pub, like cooking and cleaning, while Tom said he didn't need to Shirou insisted that he does something to help, after all it is rude to just live without helping at all. At night he spent the time reading and reviewing the books he bought.
Shirou prioritize the practical books like charm and transfiguration first, compare to the theoretical ones like history or astronomy.
Surprisingly most of the books didn't teach any spell except the charms, the other ones was filled with warnings, formula, theory, and advice. Which while didn't help in his study, it help in describing how the society view them.
Thanks to the books Shirou understanding about this world magical system have started to take form, of course this is only 'Theoretically' as for 'Practically' well...
"Wingardium Leviosa." Shirou chant pointing his wand towards the Potion book, it didn't moved an inch.
The spell in this world is conveniently and frustratingly easy too use, just put some prana into the wand, wave the wand correctly, called out the spell name, then lo and behold, it work. Shirou will have have to work extra hard just understand the basic of this magic system.
The book of charms teaches a bit of basic charm, it explained the chant, the wand waving, the effect, and the uses of the spell. Feeling adventurous Shirou started to practice several spell he read, needless to say he was hopeless with it.
Thankfully he had the help of Tom, who had a lot of experience to share with shirou, allowing him to understand some basic on some thing and actually use some spell.
One of those spell is, Reparo, the mending spell and also Shirou favorite one so far. He played around repairing some broken things in the pub, Tom was amused looking at him then.
How embarrassing, Shirou thought covering his face at the memory.
Until now, he managed to learn three spell, Reparo, the mending spell, Incendio, the fire making spell, and currently Wingardium Leviosa, the levitating spell, which he had a hard time with.
The first of the two spell is easier for Shirou to learn with Reparo only needing a whole day to learn, and incendio a three days. But he cannot cast Wingardium Leviosa until now.
Sighing, Shirou look at the window, noticing its already late he goes toward his bed. He needed to rest, because tomorrow he leave for Hogwarts after all.
The next morning, Tom brought Shirou towards the kingcross station, in the muggle world.
Muggle, the term widely used to refer to a non-magic person. Some might consider it derogatory, but it was in fact often used affectionately, at least that was what Tom says.
Shirou was kind of surprised seeing the London, he thought this world is still in the medieval time, but looking at the train station he realized he thought wrong. Perhaps there is different in wizard and common people or muggle preferences when it come about appearance.
Regardless Shirou is quite curious as to why they're here.
"Why are we here Tom?" Shirou asked his guide. Tom merely smiled.
"Why? We're here to send you off to hogwarts Shirou. Aren't you giddy?" Tom answer surprising Shirou.
"With a train?" Shirou was surprised, perhaps Hogwarts wasn't so medieval as he thought.
"Yep, were going to Platform 9 three quarters to your train." Tom said confusing Shirou.
Platform what now?
Platform 9 three quarters was apparently a platform atKing's Cross Stationthat is magically concealed behind the barrier betweenPlatformsNineandTen, this Platform was whereHogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardrystudents boarded the Hogwarts Express every1 September, in order to attend school.
It seems like as long as the mundane people didn't aware of the existence of Magic they won't be able to cross it. The reason why the train was in the ordinary train station is to make it easier for the muggle-born student to access it.
Though Shirou is questioning the wisdom of the wizard about stealth, hiding in plain view is good and all, but do they really have to make it a look like a brick pillaged? He had to walk through a pillar just to arrived at the platform, with incredulously as he passed through it.
The platform had a sign hanging over it, reading:Hogwarts Express, eleven o'clock, and there was a wrought iron archway bearing the wordsPlatform Nine and Three-Quartersover the entry/exit to the platform.
"There they are Shirou, your train to school, TheHogwarts Express." Tom said as he passed the pillar behind him.
The Hogwarts Express is a 4-6-0 Hall Class steam locomotive model numberGWR5900.it's gleaming red color make it easy to recognize it. As Shirou admiring it's appearance, Tom called out to him.
"Well boy don't just stand there, it's about time, quickly get your luggage inside and find a room. Quick, quick" Tom said in a hurry as the train whistle blow out, reminding everyone it's about to depart.
Shirou quickly get inside the train while dragging his luggage, before leaving he makes time to thank Tom for his hospitality.
"No-need! Boy, I'm your guardian entrusted by your grandfather, I'm merely doing my duty, now hop-hop, it's about to leave." Tom said urging Shirou to go.
Shirou left but not before he promised Tom to write a mail once in a while. Tom waved at Shirou as he saw the boy leaving to Hogwarts when he realized something important.
By Merlin's beard, he forget to tell Shirou how to send a mail from Hogwarts.
I'm sorry, Shirou. I'll send a mail to explained it to you later, Tom thought.
Inside the train, it didn't take long for Shirou to find an empty compartment, sit on it and lock the door. (He didn't feel the need to socialize with children)
Shirou spend the time reading, reviewing, and practicing before going into Hogwarts. He felt like he is about to be able to cast the spell Wingardium Leviosa before he realized the time.
It was already late at afternoon, so Shirou started to change his casual clothes into his school uniform.
It wasn't long before he saw the exterior of Hogwarts, the school appeared to be an old, abandoned castle set upon huge rocks above a lake. Yet despite its appearance Shirou was sure there is a large and complex bounded field around it, how did he know? Because he can smell its magic from here, far in the distance.
Shirou suddenly sighed, for some reason he feels exhausted. No, he is exhausted! After this he will spend a lot of time to learn the magic system of this world, and then researching the possibility of merging it with magecraft.
Just the thought of the amount of work he need to do is exhausting. He need to do it in a school filled with children!!
Yep, Shirou could foresee a dark future already.
By the time the train arrived at Hogwarts it was already dark.
When Shirou and the other children step out of the train a giant of a man loudly shouting for the first years to gather around him follow him to the boat.
On the other hand Shirou saw the older student going on another way, towards a carriage pull by a horsewith a skeletal body, face with reptilian features, and wide, leathery wings that resemble a bats.
On the way the man introduces himself as Hagrid, the grounds keeper of Hogwarts. He then guided Shirou and the children towards the lake and instructed them into the boat in groups of 3 or 4.
As the boat floating on the lake it move on its own toward the castle across the lake. Meanwhile Shirou is observing the the castle and the lake, while nothing special on the exterior of the castle, the same could not be said for the lake. While faint he notices something moving inside the lake, probably watching the boat they're in. Looking at Hagrid expression it seems he didn't notice or he didn't regard what's in the lake as a threat. Regardless as long as the creatures didn't do anything Shirou too would stay his hand.
Looking at the lake, Shirou snorted.
Don't even try or else, Shirou thought in silence.
After the boat ride, Hagrid handed the first years off to another Professor, which introduced herself as McGonagall, who the led them all into the great hall, past all the other students who were waiting for the sorting and for the welcoming feast.
While waiting Shirou notices a commotion on the front of the group, probably children quarreling or something, he decided not to get involved. After all as long as it is not a serious problem he didn't really see the need to get involved.
It was really getting late, and they were all hungry, though most of the first years were more concerned with the entry hall, his hundreds of floating candles and the ceiling, which was enchanted to look like the sky outside or that was what a girl said to her friend.
The first years were brought before a stool where an extremely old looking hair sat, with a fold that looked kind of like a face. The resemblance that became more distinct when the hat suddenly broke out into sound.
The song could be summarized as saying that it was the Sorting Hat, and that the founders had enchanted it to decide which students went into which of the four houses based upon their traits.
Gryffindor, the house of bravery and daring.
Ravenclaw, the house of wit and wisdom.
Slytherin, the house of the cunning and ambitious.
And Hufflepuff, the house of hardworking and loyalty.
Personally, Shirou didn't care which house he got in. He's here for a research on a foreign magical system, not for playing house with children.
After the song was over, they started to be called up to the seat in alphabetical order, based on their last names.
As more students got sorted then Shirou's turn came.
"Emiya, Shirou."
Shirou notices an unnatural silence from the Slytherin table when they hear Emiya's name, which confused him, but he walked up to the stool and put on the hat.
Shirou sat there wondering what was supposed to be happening when he heard a voice in his head, after a few seconds.
'Ha!! There is no house better fit you than...'
The hat then loudly calling out a house name.
"Gryffindor!!!"
Gryffindors cheered to their new member, as Shirou walked towards their seat. Looking at the hall and thinking he will spend at least 7 years on this school, Shirou forced himself to smile.
Well, better enjoyed it while he's here, Shirou thought while looking at other students sorting.
A/N
I hate harem so don't expect one in my story.