When I woke up, everything ached. Not just my muscles. My mind felt like it had run a marathon through fire and fog. My thoughts came slow at first, like trying to move underwater. My vision was clear, though—and that was something.
I was back in my room. The soft lamplight glowed in amber hues across my ceiling. Outside the window, the sky was dark—still deep into the night. On the nightstand beside me was a glass of water, beading with condensation, and a covered meal dish with a heat-preserving charm. Something my parents or Aster left in case I woke up needing strength.
They always thought ahead.
"AIA," I whispered. She appeared in my mind's eye, radiant as ever. Her voice gentle, calm.
> "Welcome back, Callum. I was monitoring your vitals. You're safe."
"What… happened?" I asked, still hoarse.
> "You overextended yourself. Legilimency combined with the Tri-Flame consumed nearly all your mana. You hit a limit condition I've now tagged in your codex as 'Mind Zero'—a complete mana and mental energy drain. System functionality reduced. Survival mode activated. You've been unconscious for 14 hours and 42 minutes."
"…Right." I groaned. "That explains the headache."
> "Would you like me to display your system notifications?" I sat up slowly, reaching for the water. "Yeah. Show me."
One by one, holographic-like text scrolled across my vision:
[SYSTEM UPDATE:]
White Flame Proficiency: Intermediate (70%)
Gold Flame Proficiency: Intermediate (70%)
Black Flame Proficiency: Intermediate (70%)
??? Flame Proficiency: Intermediate (50%)
Wandless Magic Affinity: Advanced – 40%
Legilimency: Intermediate – 50%
Occlumency: Intermediate – 50%
Then came the quest logs.
[QUEST UPDATE:]
Quest: Those Who the World Forgot
> Objective: Heal Frank and Alice Longbottom from magical trauma. Time Limit: Before Neville Longbottom or either parent perishes or regresses. Progress: (50%)
Reward: Tome of Rare and Extinct Magical Herbs. Includes: Locations, Breeding Techniques, and Arcane Cultivation Techniques.
Quest: Influence Harry Potter's Life for the Better
> Progress: 50%
Quest: Flame of Growth – COMPLETE
> Reward Unlocked:
New Spell Added to Enchanted Journal
New Magical Item Added to Inventory
Bonus Reward Acquired
"AIA," I murmured, "was that everything?" > "No. Due to the deep soul/mind resonance during the Tri-Flame application, your mental capacity has improved. You now possess an increased rate of memorization, magical comprehension, and skill learning efficiency—estimated 18% increase baseline."
I blinked. "So my brain got buffed." > "In crude terms, yes."
I chuckled softly. "I'll take it." > "Would you like to view your newly acquired items?"
"Please." She brought them into focus—glowing cards of data floating across my mind.
[New Item – Auto-Bound: Obsidian Fang] > Description: A forged knife from a shattered Shardforge Vault. Blade enchanted with molecular disruption runes. Traits: Cuts through nearly any magical or non-magical material. Highly effective for ingredient harvesting, butchery, or surgical applications. Passive Bonus: Increases Cooking Proficiency gain by 30% when equipped. Status: Bound to Callum Tesfaye. Cannot be stolen, traded, or dispelled.
[Bonus Item – Essence Stone] > Description: A soul-forged crystal created to store the living essence of a magical being or creature. Effect: Once filled, the wielder may perfectly absorb the properties of the stored essence. One use only. Caution: Once used, cannot be reversed. Choose wisely.
I stared at the essence stone description. This is huge and could change everything if I use it wisely. But before I let my mind wander, AIA's voice returned.
> "Would you like to inspect the Enchanted Journal?"
"Yes." I summoned it with a flick of thought. The blue and gold-bound book materialized into my hands. Warm to the touch. Glowing softly with new life. The pages turned themselves. Symbols danced across parchment—glyphs, sigils, arcs of movement and intention—until the light dimmed and settled.
Then came the words.
[New Spell Acquired: Magic Missile] > Proficiency: Novice – 0% Description: A focused blast of pure magical force. Highly accurate and difficult to block. Basic spell used in dueling and magical projectile combat. Scaling: Damage and quantity increase with proficiency. Side Effect: Cannot be silenced or redirected once cast.
I felt my breath catch slightly. "Magic Missile… huh?" A spell straight out of tabletop dreams. I set the book on my lap and leaned back in bed AIA hovered quietly in my thoughts.
> "Would you like to rest further, Callum?"
I exhaled slowly. "No." I smiled faintly as I looked out the window. "I think it's time I start planning… what comes next." The manor was quiet when I slipped out of bed. A soft ambient charm made the walls glow in dusky violet hues—just enough light to move without waking anyone. I glanced at the time rune on my desk.
12:03 a.m, perfect.
I changed into a set of athletic training clothes and tiptoed down the halls. No creaking floorboards. No flickering wards. The manor trusted me.
Down in the basement, past the dueling chamber and past the alchemy lab, I reached the training room. The walls of the chamber shimmered faintly with layered wards—thick enough to contain explosions if needed.
And tonight, I was going to fire something explosive. I stood before the armored training dummy, its rune-etched surface gleaming faintly. "Let's see what you can really do," I whispered to the spell waiting inside me.
I focused, drawing on everything I'd practiced with the Invisible Wall: mana shape, flow, and intention. But this wasn't a barrier—this was fire, pressure, and force. I visualized the core. Compressed. Dense. A soft hum escaped my palm and a small sphere of white-blue energy formed—roughly the size of a tennis ball. Floating. Alive.
Magic Missile. I aimed fired but nothing happened. The spell flickered, fell apart like wet paper. "Too loose," I muttered. I tried again. The second cast held together better—but it veered left and struck the ground near the dummy's foot. "Okay… closer." Third time I locked my gaze. Controlled my breath. Released. CRACK. The missile hit the dummy square in the chest—but only left a small scorch mark.
A start I tried again. And again. Each cast refining the shape, compression, and release. I managed to fire four missiles in total, though never more than one at a time.
"AIA, start recording."
> "Recording skill analysis. Proceed."
"I've learned that, for now, I can only form one missile at a time, and they're small—limited to tennis ball size. I can fire four in a session before my mana dips. Impact force is improving with precision."
> "Noted. Data stored."
I dropped into meditation, crossing my legs and letting my breath slow. Inhale… exhale… feel the ambient mana of the training room. Let it pass through me. Within fifteen minutes, I was refocused. My next four rounds hit harder. Tighter formation. Clean launches. On the fifth attempt, I fired a clean burst, and a familiar ping echoed in my mind.
> [NEW SKILL ACQUIRED: Mana Meditation]
Proficiency: Novice – 40%
Description: You have learned to feel the flow of mana around and within you. This ability allows you to recover mana more quickly and cure minor physical or mental exhaustion.
Additional Effects (at higher proficiency): Enhanced clarity, passive mana absorption, resistance to spiritual fatigue.
I let out a long breath. Then stood, stretching the tension out of my limbs. "…Not bad." Back upstairs, I moved quietly through the hallway. Just as I turned the corner toward the shower—
"Callum Tesfaye Dawn." I froze. My mother standing in her olive green night gown was standing there, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised, a familiar heat building in her amber eyes.
"…Hi, Mom."
"You come home passed out in your aunt's arms, not to mention I'm hearing everything you did at the Ministry and St. Mungo's. And the first thing I see you do when you wake up is training in the middle of the night? Without telling anyone?"
" If it makes you feel any better I just practiced one spell a few times." She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me, pressing her forehead to mine. "Reckless, stubborn, and brave." Her tone softened. "Just like your father."
Then the lecture hit. Hard. Smart. Mom-level surgical. But before I could even think of arguing, she kissed my forehead and said, "You're still my pride and you made me so proud. Don't scare me like that again." Just as we broke the hug, Dad entered from the patio, sweat still glistening on his arms after his morning run.
He saw me, grinned wide, and lifted me up over his shoulder like I weighed nothing. "Look at you, my little guy!" he boomed. Then—"What's with all the noise?" We turned to see Harry rubbing his eyes in the hallway, his hair a mess. "Sorry," Dad said, setting me down. "Go back to sleep, Harry. We'll talk at breakfast."
Harry just grumbled and wandered toward the kitchen instead. By the time the sun had properly risen and the table was set, we were all seated—me, Mom, Dad, Harry, and two cups of imported Ethiopian coffee for the adults.
I glanced at Harry. "You want to know what the noise was?" He nodded groggily. I smiled. "Sirius Black has been cleared. He's free." Harry sat up straight, eyes wide. "…What? But—how?"
I told him everything—how Peter was found, the court trial, the Veritaserum, Madam Bones. How he confessed. And how Sirius would be going to St. Mungo's to recover.
Harry listened silently, lips tight. "…Why would someone betray their best friends?" he asked. "And why would he let Sirius suffer for it?" Dad placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We don't always understand why people make the choices they do," he said. "But what matters most is your choices. Your actions. That's what defines you."
Harry was quiet for a long moment Then he looked at me "…Can I see him?" Mom smiled gently. "Yes. But not yet. Give him a few weeks to rest." Harry nodded. "Okay… Thank you."
Then he turned to me. "Thank you, Callum. For everything."
I smiled. "You can thank Aster too. I had backup."
Harry nodded. "I will." We dug into breakfast, the room felt lighter. Like the past had finally loosened its grip and we were building something new.
Time passed quickly by March, the cold gave way to mild spring winds, and the training intensified.
Harry and I were getting better not just in spellwork or potion brewing, but in focus, timing, discipline. I kept improving my proficiency with my spells and skills in secret but nothing big. Harry was blooming the boy who once hesitated with incantation and potion brewing now was confident in every subject he did. His physical fitness was better then before and he throw a mean jab that caught me a few times by surprise.
Then came the visit at the beginning of March, we finally went to see Sirius Black at St. Mungo's. He looked nothing like the lifeless prisoner we had pulled from Azkaban. He stood now with life in him thanks to Aster friend from Kyoto Hinata.
She was there with Aster when we arrived—an elegant, strong Japanese woman with flowing black hair. Her face was gentle, but didn't seem passive and her body—well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't notice the soft curves, the lean muscle and thick thighs under her sweater and skirt. Sirius' playful grin appeared the moment he saw us—and he wasn't shy about it either.
"Look at you," he said, ruffling Harry's hair and smiling. " You're the spitting image of James—but you've got Lily's eyes." Harry smiled, so brightly. Mom stayed close. Her presence always seemed to center Sirius, and when he quietly asked her to stay during the visit, she nodded without hesitation.
After a bit of warm chatter, I pulled Aster aside. "Hinata," I whispered, motioning toward her as she poured Sirius tea with absolute grace. "What's her deal?" Aster smiled slyly. "She's amazing. One of Kyoto's best healers for the body and spirit and barrier expert. She's tough as nails but hides it well until she's pushed. And apparently…" she glanced toward Sirius with a knowing look, "...she's taming our favorite playboy."
We both smirked. "He deserves some happiness after everything he's been through." "Just pray he doesn't die trying to impress her," Aster said dryly.
Time moved quickly again and before I knew it… it was June and my 11th birthday. We had a celebration planned—nothing huge, just family, close friends, and good food. But something special happened before it even began. Albus Dumbledore arrived at our door in polished light gray robes robes, eyes twinkling as always, with two items in hand.
Two Hogwarts acceptance letters one for me and one for Harry. He said something about how my parents would not allow owls through their wards especially when their are better forms of communication. I agreed with my parents saying you could always pick up a telephone.
Dumbledore chuckled saying maybe if you teach me. I appreciated that I trusted Dumbledore, but not blindly especially knowing what he is capable of. Behind him, Sirius arrived, driving that enchanted flying motorbike fully restored and upgraded . Likely he reclaimed from Hagrid and behind him was Hinata. In a flowing yellow summer dress, modest but radiantly graceful, she looked like sunlight itself (Image here).
Harry's eyes widened. "Sirius!" He ran to him without hesitation, hugging him tight. Sirius, slightly caught off guard but smiling with all his heart, hugged him back and gave him a small metal key. "What's this?" "A present," Sirius grinned. "Your own enchanted mini dirt bike. Fast, safe, and reliable at my place when your ready to learn to ride it's."
Before Harry could even blink, Mom's voice cut through like an executioner's blade. "I'll take that." She held her hand out, and the key flew to her palm. "Not until you're older Harry." Sirius held up his hands. "That's fair plus brooms first anyway but he'll love it when the time comes."
He turned to me. "Got one for the birthday boy too." My mother didn't even wait. "Accio keys." The second key snapped into her palm. Harry and I laughed but even as we smiled, I could feel the warmth of the moment settle deep into my chest. Our letters in hand. Family all around. The future coming fast.
After the food and cake, Dad and Sirius got talking about motorcycles. I think the words "runed carburetor" and "levi-mag stabilizers" were thrown around. Nerding out, in the best way. Mom, Aster, and Hinata spoke softly over drinks. I caught the words "dating," and "official," and my mom teasing Hinata, which was a rare sight. It was good seeing her laugh like that.
Harry and I ducked off. We went to the training room—and I had a gift to give. "Close your eyes," I said, holding two familiar potion bottles behind my back "No peeking." He sighed but obeyed.
"Okay," I said. "Open." He stared. One black, swirling bottle. One blue, glowing gently. "What are these?" "Potions," I said. "One for unlocking potential. The other for amplifying your magic." Harry blinked. "Where did you get them?"
I smiled. "That's a secret." His brow furrowed. "...Are you sure I should take these?" I leaned in, eyes serious now.
"I'm giving these to you as your best friend, brother—and as your godmother's son. But you can't tell anyone. Not even Sirius. My parents, Aster anyone. If the wrong people found out, they'd try to take them—or worse… come after all of us."
He swallowed. Then nodded. "I promise." "Good." He uncorked the black bottle first—Potential Unsealing—and drank it in slow gulps. No reaction at first. Then the Magical Amplification Potion—light poured from the bottle as he downed it.
His eyes glowed emerald-bright for a second… then dimmed. "How do you feel?" Harry rolled his shoulders. "Like I could run a few miles. But that's it." I wonder if the affects aren't immediate or they only work for me. Those are thoughts for later.
"Perfect," I said. "Let's train. Burn off the cake then." How about the usual challenge. He smiled "Your on". Both of us were levitating enchanted water buckets over our heads, standing in the center of the training room. We held them for 30 minutes we started sweating around 40 minutes. Everyone came down asking what we were doing but mom explained the exercise and how her and ster had to do the same thing back in the day.
Then talks about who would last the longest came up Mom asked how long we been holding the buckets I said 45 minutes now with sweat dripping down my face as Harry started to breath a little harder. Dad said 100 galleon on Callum, Sirius smirked and said 100 on Harry lasting the longest. Aster said ok I see your bet gentle men 100 on Callum . They looked at mom and Hinata mom said you people I will bet on a draw and Hinata said same.
Me and Harry chuckled while in great pain. "Look at these adults" I said. "Yeah what about us" he said with his knees shaking and mine as well. We just hit the one hour mark as we heard cheering Mom said your good now boys. Me and harry let the bucket slowly fall to the ground and we dropped to our knees breathing hard and sweating through our clothes.
Sirius would ask "What just happened." Aster would smack herself in the head saying why did I forget the rule. Sirius would ask what she meant. Mom said "Growing up when our father put us through this training we would have to hold for as long as possible while in front of him and whenever we would challenge each other he would some how always come in and made us go even longer." And she made sure me and Harry would follow the same rule.
Her and Hinata smiled as everyone paid them their money and me and Harry were told to go bath and help clean up. Me and Harry laughed hard.