《Muggle-borns Adventure in the Magical World》 Prologue Prologue In a place far from all other life, lives a being watching out over all of every world in every part of every universe. This Being is in a small cabin on an asteroid like world that has every universe orbiting this asteroid like world. The Being has been sitting inside the cabin on an ornate looking chair, it is so still that it almost looks like a statue. This Being is a true God level existence, a being that is capable of omnipotence. It is bored of living but cannot die. It is lonely because all other Beings die with no other being able to come close to its power. Suddenly it has an idea to try to escape it''s boredom. With a glance all of the universes invert and come together forming one massive universe and then numerous lights leave the universe before it returns to its previous state. Millions¡¯ specks of light are suddenly in front of the Being. When the Being greets them, all the lights dim minutely and it seems like they are paying attention to the Being now. It says that it is bored so all of them are going to be reborn soon to hopefully provide some entertainment for it. It is going to allow them to be reborn in a world of their choice. It will give them a gift of using a certain amount of its power to craft an ability, skill or trait. This gift is possible to upgrade if certain conditions are met. One of these lights is our MC. When it is just floating there processing it''s own thoughts it hears the words of the Being and tries to comprehend what is being said. When the Being stops talking the soul however starts remembering a life it once lived. This confuses the soul more as it had done research into the soul in its last life, learning as much as it could from public domain and everything it is experiencing now according to its own conclusion should be impossible as the memories are stored in the brain not the soul. While it is in it''s deep thoughts the other lights shoot back toward the universes until the streaks can no longer be seen. When it sees this it is woken up and decides to just choose. But it can''t. In every novel it has read and every game it has played there are so many fantastic powers and abilities. It is lost in thought again trying to pick when it finally remembers something but isn''t even sure it will work but it concentrates on what it wants when it feels a pull from it''s middle dragging it away from the asteroid shooting across space at such a speed that it only sees drawn out lights stretched into infinity and it''s conscience fades. Not knowing what is going to happen and if it''s wish will be given to it; it can only hope. ---------------------------------------------- 10th June 1979 In a world that is very much like ours is a baby approximately one-year old that has just been found on the doorstep of a foster house, wrapped in a blanket and in a cardboard box. The caretakers take the small boy in and after settling it on a bed goes to contact the authorities to inform them of an abandoned child. The next few days pass by quickly as the child, now named Jack Smith, is put into the system, with the people not knowing the child is fully conscience and understanding them. Jack tries to activate his gift only to find that nothing happens. Then he tries to activate it multiple ways and nothing happens. This upsets the boy quite a lot more than he thought it would afterall. Six years pass and it is 1985. Jack is playing games with the other children during his birthday celebration when the caretaker comes out with a cake, with seven candles on it, for all the children and are waiting for Jack to blow out the candles after a ¡®Happy Birthday¡¯ song. The boy has lived a rather good life so far; he has friends and a place to live, he goes to school and has good grades for his age despite rarely doing schoolwork. There are some unusual events that happen around Jack and when people ask him how he does it he just replies with ¡®magic¡¯. When the celebrations are over and the sun has gone down Jack goes to his room and notices on his bedside locker is a small box with a bow. When he opens the box he sees a small ring in it, he takes the ring out and looks it over and then tries it on the second finger of his right hand. The moment he puts it on it is like the world has stopped and finally his ability has been activated. But it is not that the world had stopped just his perception of time had increased a hundredfold while he was using his ability. When he tries to activate his ability again it works which causes the boy to feel so happy it is like his heart gets to big for his chest and is beating much too hard. He has the second part of his wish. A console command cheat. He has been reborn in the Potterverse with a console command cheat! Jack is so excited about using the ability that he can''t sleep. He activates the console command again and tries to activate as many codes as he can remember but nothing happens and only one activates showing a small bit of information. Health 100% Fatigue 97% Magic 70% Energy 0 Warning: mental energy will be used when no stored energy Is available Before trying to figure out why he can''t use the power as he wants Jack falls unconscious. When Jack wakes up the next morning he still feels somewhat tired but decides to go down for some breakfast. ¡°What''s wrong Jack? Still tired?¡± one of the caretakers asks. ¡°Little bit, yeah. Couldn''t fall asleep last night.¡± Jack replies after a yawn. After breakfast Jack goes into the sitting room to watch TV with the other children, where he falls asleep on the couch. When he wakes up again it is around noon and as Jack is alone in the room he decides to check his ability. Health 100% Fatigue 52% Magic 70% Energy 15 Warning: mental energy will be used when no stored energy Is available Deciding to do something different he mentally types help into the command and is given a bit of info about his ability. So long as the bearer is wearing the ring it will syphon 30% of the magic in the body and convert it into energy which can be used to bolster a person''s attributes. This syphoning effect can be changed if the bearer has enough mental strength. A single unit is the maximum amount of magic in bearers body at time of activation. The energy may also be used in a few other ways, however the bearer must be advised of the law of equivalent exchange (to obtain, something of equal value must be lost) in this case the energy accumulated will be exchanged. The energy will also be used when using the command menu to strengthen the bearers brain to handle the increased mental perception. The following is a list of what the bearer is currently able to achieve as any others will not work as the cost would be too high for bearers current abilities: Host.modav* +/- number of units of energy Host.addcoin* Host.modbag* *Host is advised that conditions must be met in order for the codes to work. The following are the conditions: Further codes may/will be available in the future. Bearer can see these by activating the help command. When Jack is finished reading he closes the console ability and can¡¯t wait until he can go to Hogwarts. So for the next few years Jack just accumulates some points and only sometimes, but not often, using them to make a few coins here and there, for pocket change obviously, so he can make Galleons when he gets his hands on them. Jack once had the idea to feel his magic and control it but without knowledge it''s like trying to feel a childney or a different organ, you know it there but it''s just out of reach. After failing to feel his magic and not having enough time to get a grasp on it during times he accidentally used it he is left with the only other option and it nearly made him want to cry. Waiting to get his wand. Jack also isn''t looking forward to the cost of making coins though, as it takes 10 points to make 10p, so magical currency is most likely going to cost more* (that''s 100 points for ¡ê1). ¡®Why is everything so damn expensive!¡¯ he can''t help but want to scream. Over the next few years he keeps trying to consciously use his magic after each boost to his magic but not knowing if it made much difference yet as he has only boosted by about one to two hundred points each time or whenever he felt he has enough saved up. Jack has noticed a small increase to his daily points but not by much just five or six after the first week then a few more the week after. He has also made a small fortune in 1p and 2p coins which he then kept until he was able to go to a coin counter and trade up his coins netting himself a few pounds each time. The first few times bringing home a few ¡ê5 pound notes or ¡ê1 coins were uncomfortable to explain but he just told the Matron that he found money and asked for it to be changed in a shop. Jack was feeling uncomfortable from the questioning even though he knows he didn''t steal it. After it happens a good dozen times the other children and the caretakers start calling him ¡®the floor inspector¡¯ because of the abnormal luck that he could always finds money when he goes out. The other children started wanting to go with him whenever he went out in the hopes his luck would let them find some money too. He has found that he can''t duplicate pound notes as it gives the same serial number as the original and he doesn''t want to get in trouble for counterfeit notes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The year is 1989 and Jack is now 11. Jack has just been told by one of the other children that an old woman has come to the home to speak with Jack about something. As he is eleven this year Jack thinks that it should be someone from Hogwarts to bring him his letter and to tell him about the Wizarding World.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Once the child told Jack, he ran back to catch up with all the other children who have ran to listen at the Matrons office door to get more information. Jack runs with the child and finds the others outside the door gesturing with a finger on the lips at them to be quiet so they can hear better. Not long after one of the other children whisper that he can hear them walking, so all of the children including Jack scatter like frightened rabbits. Jack is around the corner when he hears the door open and the Matron speaking with someone. ¡°I¡¯ll bring you to his room then. You can speak with Jack privately there.¡± the Matron says. ¡°Thank you for your consideration, Matron. I do appreciate it.¡± Says the second woman. When the boy hears this, he runs back around the corner almost running into the pair as they were walking down the hall. ¡°JACK! What have I told you about running in the halls!¡± the Matron says sternly. ¡°Sorry, sorry. I was told there was someone here about a school.¡± Jack says giving a hurried apology while trying to catch his breath. The Matron gives a slight laugh and mentions quietly about no secrets in the home, this makes the second woman purse her lips before turning to Jack. Giving a slight huff the Matron then introduces the woman who is standing beside her. ¡°Jack, this is Professor McGonagal. She is here to speak to you about a school you applied for last summer.¡± Being excited about finally getting his Hogwarts letter Jack brings her to his room so they can talk in private. When getting into the room he unfolds the desk chair and offer it to her and sitting himself on the bed, he looks at her waiting for her to start speaking. ¡°Let me begin by introducing myself, Mr. Smith. I am Professor Minerva McGonagall. I am a teacher at the School I am going to introduce to you.¡± she says while keeping an eye on the boy and seeing him nod she continues. ¡°First I must ask if you are aware of any unusual events happening around you in the last few years; perhaps when you were sad, excited, upset or even angry?¡± seeing him nod again but with a slightly confused expression she continues. ¡°I am here to invite you to a school, a school that will teach you everything you need to know for the next seven years. It is called Hogwarts and it was founded by four people over a thousand years ago who wanted to spread their knowledge to everyone who was willing to learn.¡± Professor McGonagal pauses here for a moment before continuing. ¡°It is a school for witches and wizards.¡± she finishes in her formal way of speaking and with a slightly proud look on her face. ¡°You want me to go to a school to learn magic? Seriously? Magic!¡± he says to her. He can''t seem too eager as he is a muggle born in a foster house, he shouldn¡¯t know about the magical world yet. ¡°Yes¡± she replies curtly. ¡°It is amongst the finest Institutes in the world,¡± saying this she stands and turns into a cat and jumps onto the chair before turning back into a person. He doesn''t have to pretend to be gobsmacked for that show, it is one thing to read about it in books and see it in movies, but to see it in person is a whole different thing. ¡°That was incredible!¡± he says while jumping to his feet. ¡°Will I learn to be able to do that?¡± he says with excitement on his face while already imagining what his animagus form would be and all the different things he would do with each form. ¡°Thank you for your praise, Mr. Smith. But learning to be an animagus is not something everyone is able to do. Many in my field are not able to become an animagus due to the difficulty and as all who can are required by law to register as an animagus, many chose to forgo it. Now I have your letter here-¡± she takes an envelope out of a pocket of her robe and hands it over to him ¡°- inside you will find an acceptance letter and a school supplies list.¡± Not waiting for her to continue he rips open the letter and reads it with nervous shaking hands and sees for himself the Hogwarts acceptance letter, feeling pure joy welling up inside as he reads. Looking up at Professor McGonagall he says that he will accept. ¡°But I don''t have money for the supplies?¡± he says slightly dejected. ¡°Not to worry Mr. Smith, Hogwarts has a school scholarship fund that will allow students of a less well off background to attend the school. I will instruct your guide on the day to take care of that.-¡± she starts to rise and says to him ¡°-Hogwarts is a fine school and I hope you will do your best there. I must be going now as I must inform your Matron of next week''s appointment for gathering your school supplies. But there is one final thing I feel I must mention. Under no circumstances are you to cast magic in a muggle dwelling and you must also not cast magic in front of them. Doing so can involve the magical authorities, and/or cost you your place at Hogwarts.¡± Jack rises and walks back to the Matrons office with her, knocks and then turns to her and says ¡°Thank You, Professor.¡± Leaving Professor McGonagall he almost ran back to his room to read his Hogwarts letter once more. Holding it in his hand he is so happy that he can''t stop the widest smile he has ever had from breaking out on his face. HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards) Dear Mr Smith, We are pleased to inform you that you have a place 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 July 31. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress. HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY Uniform First-year students will require: Please note that all pupils¡¯ clothes should carry name tags Set books All students should have a copy of each of the following: The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble Other Equipment 1 wand 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2) 1 set glass or crystal phials 1 telescope 1 set brass scales Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST-YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS Not long after he leaves Professor McGonagall he hears a loud crack which he thinks is her apparating away, but then he remembers that it is only young and inexperienced witches and wizards that make the crack when apparating, the ones used to it don''t make the noise. But then he smiles to himself and mutters - ¡°showoff¡±. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the next week, Jack is the happiest he has ever been. He is finally going to be able to go to Diagon Alley. As it gets closer to one week from the meeting with Professor McGonagall, Jack gets more and more nervous. On the day of the meeting the other children are watching him sitting near the door as though he is waiting to go somewhere but also has to wait for someone. The workers of the house just think it is a nervous child who actually wants to go to a new school as they know someone is coming to bring him for supplies. What they are not expecting however is Rubeus Hagrid, a half-giant (He is 2.59m or 8ft 6 inches). When he shows up and greets the boy on the step who, like the other children, is looking up at him with a dumbstruck face he just chuckles a bit before introducing himself. ¡°-and which one o¡¯ you young fellas¡¯ would be Mr Smith that I''m showin¡¯ round t¡¯day. Could ya bring me in ta greet the Matron an let her know who I am, so she don¡¯ think strange o¡¯ me¡± he says. ¡°Just Jack, sir.¡± Jack replies only to be cut off by Hagrid saying ¡°None o¡¯ that Sir business now. Jus¡¯ call me Hagrid, like ev¡¯ryone else, alrigh¡¯.¡± When Hagrid goes into the house to greet the Matron, she gets a surprise but she soon gets over it and asks Hagrid where he needs to go for getting the school supplies. Hagrid mentions that there is a place only a few minutes by underground from Kings Cross station that he will bring him. Jack hearing this is surprised as Kings Cross is only 20 minutes by bus from the home. The Matron then gives Hagrid ¡ê15 for the fares and asks him to bring back some receipts for the books. When they are on the bus Hagrid gets some lingering stares from people as they most definitely have never seen anyone as tall as him before. Their stop is about 2 streets from Kings Cross where they get the underground to the next place and then walk for a few minutes to reach Charing Cross Road and Jack sees for the first time The Leaky Cauldron. Bringing Jack into The Leaky Cauldron, Hagrid introduces him to Tom the Innkeeper. After the introductions are done Hagrid brings Jack out the back to a small passageway which leads to Diagon Alley. When Jack sees for the first time Diagon Alley, he is incredibly surprised and questions Hagrid, it is so much bigger than what the books or movies show or tell. Hagrid then tells him that it''s got entrances all over Britton leading to here, not just The Leaky Cauldron. It''s the size of a Mega Mall, hundreds of thousands of square feet make up Diagon Alley, hundreds of shops and other alleyways all over the place. What seems to be a never ending stream of people coming and going. Diagon Alley is like it''s own independent town made up of just shops, cafes, eateries and lodging. A single shopping district in a city is not enough to describe it, dozens maybe. When Jack is looking around he can''t help but feel amazed at every new thing, he has always dreamed of the magical world of Potterverse and now he gets to live it. This will be his candy store. In the mean-time Hagrid is just letting him absorb all the sights and information as this happens to almost all children their first time entering Diagon Alley. ¡°So where are we going first Hagrid?¡± Jack asks. Hagrid mentions that they should get him his trunk first as it will be easier to carry everything. It turns out that there is an entire shop dedicated to trunks, all different types and materials for trunks and suitcases. Hagrid says that they should just pick up something and when they enter Jack goes up to wait in line to talk to a clerk about the different trunks. The clerk tells him that most if not all shops at this time of year have Hogwarts Specials going on. The trunk in this special is a mid-sized trunk with wheel attachment and inside is compartmentalised for neater storage. Each compartment is then enchanted with a very small extension charm so that it can fit all his yearly stuff. The trunk is charged at 4 Galleons which Hagrid says is an ¡°alrigh¡¯¡± price. So the next is the book shop for his set books which are also on special and banded together for easier carrying. The next is the clothing shop for his robes, then his potions stuff and all of the other gear until they are standing outside Olivanders for his wand. This is what he has most definitely been looking forward to most. With his wand he can finally start practising magic, how long he has tried to use it on his own but with little to no success. When stepping into Olivanders it is quite dark and musty compared to most other shops he has seen in Diagon Alley. When he dings the little bell on the counter they hear a shout that sounds like ¡®just a moment¡¯ but because it is so muffled Jack can''t be certain. Meeting Olivander for the first time wasn''t as nice as he thought it would be. The old man constantly mumbled to himself and dragged boxes of wands over to his countertop. He then came around with a measuring tape that proceeded to measure him everywhere, while Olivander start asking questions some of which he couldn¡¯t answer and some he was just perplexed as to how it relates to getting a wand. After going through a dozen wands to find a match he gets a wand of Walnut wood with a Unicorn core, 10 ? inches and Slightly Yielding flexibility. After getting his wand and leaving with Hagrid they stop off to get something to eat in the Leaky Cauldron before returning back to the home. When they are almost back at the Home Jack tries asking Hagrid if there is anything left from the funds from Hogwarts, but is quite uncomfortable as he doesn''t like begging for money. Luckily Hagrid can understand and gives him a few sickles and knuts ¡®for the trolley on the train¡¯ he says. This makes him very happy as now he should be able to make his own money. When he gets back to the home he greets the people in the Home and then he takes his stuff to his room. When he gets there he puts the trunk in front of the door as he doesn''t want anyone coming in when he''s using his power. He doesn''t know how much Professor McGonagal told the Matron about the magical world but he doesn''t want to be the one to tell her. Taking one knut he leaves it in his hand and checking the console, seeing that he has a few tens of thousands of points, he uses the money code on the knut in his hand looking to make one more of it. He then checks his console to see how many points it took to make one knut; scratching his head with a pencil it takes him a moment to calculate and then he double checks - 75 points to make one knut. He then does the same with the sickle and it shows that he will need 1000 points to make a sickle. He then adds up how many points he might need for a single galleon but can''t figure out if he is right. Jack thinks he needs to speed up the absorption of the energy from himself to make more money, but then he remembers he has nearly 2 months so he makes about 20 more sickles and then debates on doing another boost on his magic but he leaves it as he wants to convert some sickles into Galleons and then see how much he will need to make a Galleon. The best place to convert money is in the Leaky Cauldron so he just has to find a way to get there or have one of the caretakers bring him. It is on the second week of August that he is finally able to sneak to The Leaky Cauldron and by now he has about 40 sickles and 50 knuts. He didn''t make any more as he ran out of space to keep them, without being noticed, of course. He also found out how many Knuts to a Sickle and how many Sickles to a Galleon. By getting himself a Galleon he can make more money and save room. He finds that it costs him 8,500 points to make a single galleon so he can make one Galleon per week with his current points accumulation. While a single Galleon might not be much for some people, it is probably more than other children his age would get for a months pocket money, at least for those not from the noble houses, and he gets it each week. He estimates by the time his school year is starting, he might be able to have three or four Galleons a week, not to mention the few pounds he has saved up in his trunk (he wasn''t going to leave it in the home for one of the children to take it). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is early morning on the 1st of September and Jack is on his way to Kings Cross with the Matron as someone has to send him off. When he is about to go in to the platforms she gives him a hug, saying she hopes he has a good time at school and that if he wants to come home at any time he just has to tell her. Soon she lets him go but puts her hands on his shoulders says ¡°I expect you back for the Christmas holidays.¡± ¡°I will miss you all, Matron.¡± Jack says feeling a little choked up he starts making his way in so he can find the pillar that leads to platform 9 3?4¡¯s. When Jack gets there and sees the Hogwarts Express for the first time he feels the sadness from a few minutes before start to disappear as excitement takes its place. He¡¯s finally going to Hogwarts! Chapter 1 Making his way onto the train was not as easy as it might have seemed, there were so many people on the platform that it is a wonder that they can fit. It looks like every family member of all the students showed up to see them off. It is a good thing Jack got there at 09:30 in the morning as it took him just over twenty-five minutes to make it onto the train. Jack had mistakenly entered the prefects carriage before being told that he has to find somewhere else to sit. Making his way down the carriages Jack sees a lot of people and hears a lot of stories while getting a lot of stares. They know he¡¯s a first year and he starts to get a little nervous. The Slytherins have taken this cart for themselves, so he just wants to get out without stopping. The lingering stares and low hisses from the older students were a bit intimidating even for him. As Jack is going into the next carriage he can see a lot of people moving around and they seem to be a mix of all houses and some first-years, he can see a lot of other students are already casting some spells, so he thinks that the train might be safe to practice magic on. Jack finally finds an empty cabin he casts the levitation charm on the trunk and finds that it is a lot harder than he thought and it is very shaky and rattling as it tries to rise up. Not long after he finally gets the trunk into the overhead compartment the door opens and in steps someone that is unmistakably Lee Jordan. When the train finally sets off just under an hour later and most of the people have gotten seats there are a few who walk past glancing in the cabin, probably looking at how many spare seats there are and not just being nosy. They are lucky enough that there are not as many people looking to stop at the cabin, the two boys are in so it is easy to get into a conversation with Lee. Topics range from how long either has known about magic and if Lee or Jack has tried casting any spells. About an hour after the train has started moving Lee says he is going to take a walk, Jack takes the chance to read his potions book again as he doesn''t want to get caught out like Harry was in the books and films. As Jack goes to the back of the book he can see some of the basic terminology of potions and an index of potions for easier finding of recipes. Jack is so engrossed in the book that he doesn¡¯t notice when Lee has returned to the cabin until he hears the trunk lid slam and Lee tells him that they should change into the school robes because they will be at Hogsmeade station soon. When Jack was told this, he was a bit surprised as he didn''t realise it was getting dark already. Lee gives a short laugh and says that this far north it gets darker earlier as well as the time of the year. Quickly scrambling to get his robes from his trunk Jack had to remember to put the book down first and then managed to get ready. When Jack tries to make conversation with Lee again he asks about meeting any interesting people on his walk. Lee tells him about what he heard from others in passing about what the sorting was and the stories of what they have to do to get into one of the houses. Some of the stories sounded ridiculous. Like wrestling trolls or ogres, solving riddles or even fighting some weaker magical creatures. The new first years were so nervous that they didn''t stop to think about whether the older students were just messing with them like all the others did to them when they were new students. After Jack has changed into the school robes he decides to go on a walk of the train himself, so placing the book back in his trunk he leaves the compartment. On Jack¡¯s journey he sees many people who have already started making friends and joining cliques. This frustrates him slightly as he didn''t think it would bother him not having friends who are children, but he doesn''t like the idea of ostracizing himself either. Trying to introduce himself now feels uncomfortable as the vast majority of the excitement has worn off for the new first years. When the announcement that the train will be arriving at the station comes Jack can''t help but give a sigh of relief. When he gets back to the compartment he grabs his potions book again and takes a seat but doesn''t read. ¡°So which house are you hoping to be in?¡± Lee asks Jack after noticing him just sitting and looking out the window waiting for the train to stop. ¡°Gryffindor.¡± Jack replies. ¡°I never was very good at meeting new people only slightly better at school ¡®cause it was easier than talking with people.¡± ¡°I would¡¯a figured you for wanting to be in Ravenclaw since you have been reading the whole trip.¡± Lee says while gesturing at the book in his arm. ¡°I suppose, but I want to be able to try new things and not just read about them.¡± Jack says with a small nervous smile. They begin to make their way off the train when they see Hagrid at the edge of the platform calling ¡°Firs¡¯ Years! This way! Come on now don'' be shy! Firs¡¯ Years! Firs¡¯ years, this way to the boats, now!¡± When one student asks why do they have to go by boat when the older student can just take carriages, Hagrid just looks back and says ¡°¡¯Cause it¡¯s tradition o¡¯ course.¡± and then just keeps walking to the docks. Just as everyone was looking to scramble into the boats Hagrid calls out ¡°only four to a boat.¡± and gets into a boat all on his own. Giving everyone a few minutes to settle in Hagrid taps his own boat with his umbrella while saying ¡®forward¡¯ causing all the boats to slowly start moving on their own. After passing through an over hanging curtain of ivy they get their first proper glimpse of the Hogwarts castle. For Jack it is a little overwhelming, seeing the castle from the boats, knowing and experiencing are two very different things. Jack has read about the castle in his last life and seen it in movies, but it just doesn''t show how large and magnificent the castle looks when seeing it with your own two eyes. The seven story castle split up into different buildings; towers every so often reaching out to the evening sky all while resting so very close to the edge of a cliff overlooking the waters of a Great Lake. The evening fog rolling across the waters setting in to shroud the water at the bottom of the cliff; a boathouse only barely recognised through all the fog at the bottom of the cliff from the orange glow of the torches; the seemingly never ending staircase leading up to the castle with light coming off the brasiers every few meters. The excitement of leaving for Hogwarts has come back all over again, not just for him but by the sounds of chatter all around Jack, for everyone else too. After the dock at the hogwarts boathouse they have to make their way up the really long and steep staircase. By the time they make it to the entrance of the Great Hall, where they meet Professor McGonagal, they are all feeling a lot tired but only kept awake by the hunger they feel from not having eaten in a while and also no one wants to be the one to collapse in front of everyone else. Professor McGonagal is standing at the top of a staircase with a scroll in her hands, clearing her throat while slightly raising her head, to look out through the glasses perched almost at the tip of her nose, catches all the first years attention. Most of the students who have at least one witch or wizard parent or sibling have been warned not to cross her, that she is strict but fair. The silence from the majority of students from wizarding families lets the others know she is a serious teacher and they follow by being quiet too. Soon Professor McGonagal starts her speech about the introduction of the houses and how earning points can help the houses as well as hinder them. She tells them that the houses will be like their family and to respect them, because they will be having classes with them for the next seven years and spending their free time in the houses common room. She then tells them that the sorting ceremony will begin in a few moments in front of the rest of the school and that she will be back momentarily for them. After Professor McGonagal has left the nervousness of everyone returns and they are all wondering what they have to do get sorted into one of the houses hearing some of the first years retelling tales of what they heard from some of the seniors, others are worrying about what if they mess up and fail the sorting? What happens to them then? For Jack though, he is not worried as he knows what the sorting is but he chooses not to tell them as it is fairly amusing seeing them all panic. After a few moments a few ghosts pass through some of the children and laugh at the reactions on the way up to the great hall. Seeing the ghosts for the first time freaks a few of the muggle-borns out as they have only ever heard tales about ghosts. The reactions of the muggle-borns is amusing to the pure bloods and most don''t even try to hide their amusement, many even sneer at the muggle-borns. Soon Professor McGonagal returns and asks them to follow her. She leads them up the centre of the hall and right up to the dias which the teachers table is on. Professor McGonagal then places a hat on a stool and then a moment later the hat gives a shake and what looks like a face appears through the folds and creases and then gives a groan before it starts it''s speech. Jack doesn''t hear too much of the speech as he is too taken with all of the sights, especially the ceiling which is currently showing a partially cloudy night with some stars twinkling. He can just about make out the outline of the high ceiling rafters behind the enchantment. He is so taken with all the sights that it was only when Lee gave him an elbow in the side that he realised that Professor McGonagal had started calling out names. About half of the new students had been sorted and Lee had just been called up that''s why he gave the nudge when he saw Jack wasn''t paying attention. Jacks attention nearly wanes again when he figures it might be a few more minutes before his own name will be called. When he sees the Weasley twins he moves over to them. ¡®Hey, did you guys know it was just a hat that puts us into houses?¡¯ he whispers to them. ¡®No, our brothers only told us it was really painful and frightening for most of the first years.¡¯ One of the twins replied. ¡®I¡¯m Jack¡¯ he whispers back to the twins. And they whisper their names back to him. ¡®How do I tell you guys apart?¡¯ Jack whispers to them. ¡®For us to know-¡¯ ¡®-and you to find out.¡¯ they whisper back with a small laugh. Jack doesn''t take any offence to them as he knows from the books and movies that they always make jokes about who is who. They soon feel the gaze of Professor McGonagal as she looked disapprovingly at them, so they stop talking and start paying attention to the rest of the sorting. As Jack has missed most of the sorting he doesn''t know who is in what house. It is not long before his own name is called and he begins to make his way to the sorting hat. ¡®Ah, what do we have here?¡¯ The hat asks. ¡®I can see most of your qualities, many of the things you wish to do. But where to put you? You would do well in many of the houses.¡¯ ¡®Not Slytherin, please.¡± Jack whispers to the hat. ¡®Gryffindor would be preferable.¡¯ ¡®Are you sure? You could be great in Ravenclaw, either?¡¯ The hat says back. ¡®I feel I would like Gryffindor better.¡¯ Jack whispers. ¡®If that is your wish-¡¯ the hat pauses for a second before continuing ¡®- GRYFFINDOR!¡¯ Jack makes his way down from the dias and over to the Gryffindor table to the cheer and greetings of the house. Getting introduced to so many people is a little overwhelming because now he has to struggle to remember all the names coming his way. When he finally gets a seat he chooses to sit beside two first-year girls who are talking between themselves. He then watches the final bit of the sorting before Dumbledore''s end of sorting speech and watches as the food appears on the table. Some of the new students wonder aloud about how it''s done while the older ones just shrug their shoulders and start grabbing food. Jack debates telling them but decides against it as he doesn''t want to get labelled a ¡®know-it-all¡¯. When the feast is finished they get brought by the Gryffindor prefect up to the dorms, told the password and then directed around the dorms and common room. When Jack arrives in his dorm room he can see his trunk at the bottom of one of the beds. Going to his trunk he checks the contents and then makes his way back down to the common room. Down there he starts a conversation with one of the senior students about what kinds of classes he will have and what the teachers are like. He is told that all of the teachers are likable so long as you don''t mess around too much. The only unlikable teachers are Professor Snape, the Potions teacher, and Binns, the History teacher, who is a boring ghost. Although Jack already knows this he asks because he wants to interact with people.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. When Jack makes his way up to the dorm later in the evening he finds out that Lee and the Weasley twins are his room-mates along with one other boy he never got the name of. Just before he goes to sleep he makes as many Galleons as he can with the points saved up and then boosts his magic by the remaining using all his points. ----------------------------------------------------------- The next morning as the group makes their way down to the great hall for breakfast, when they get there they are given timetables for the classes and are told the first class will be potions with Slytherins in the dungeons. When hearing this the Weasley twins give a groan and complain about the fact that they have to have potions with Snape. When they reach the classroom they can see some students standing outside the classroom, unsure if they should go in or wait for the teacher to call them in. Taking a deep breath he tries the door and finds it unlocked so he goes in to find a seat. Once he goes into the class some other students start coming in and soon everyone who was waiting outside the classroom are in seats on one side of the room. Not long after the Slytherin students show up and take their seats on the other side. Shortly after Professor Snape enters the class with his robes billowing around him. ¡®You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art that is potion making.¡¯ He said in but barely a whisper, but everyone could hear him perfectly. ¡®There will be very little foolish wand waving here, so I hardly think many of you will believe this is real magic.¡¯ Pausing for a moment Professor Snape to look over the class he then continues. ¡®I don''t expect you to really understand the beauty of a simmering cauldron and it''s shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through living beings, bewitching the mind and ensnaring the senses¡­ I can teach you all how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death - if you aren''t as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.¡¯ In the silence that follows the speech Professor Snape gives the class another look over, he spots a student whose attention seemed to have slipped. ¡®You there¡¯ Snape says to the Gryffindor boy whose attention lapsed.¡¯ What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?¡¯ ¡®I don¡¯t know, sir?¡¯ the unaware boy whispered back while slightly shaking his head. Snape gives a few tuts and moves on to the next student which is one of the Weasley twins ¡®What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane, Weasley?¡¯ looking slightly confused before answering he asks Snape ¡®They are the same thing, aren¡¯t they?¡¯ Hearing this Snape was not happy but finds another way to make it difficult for him. ¡®Are you asking or telling me the answer?¡¯ Snape sneers back. So far the first potions class is a nightmare, at least for the Gryffindors. The Slytherins found it amusing watching the Gryffindors get chosen for all the questions. Then Snape had them all partner up for making a potion for curing boils. By the time potions class finished Gryffindor had lost 15 points causing all of them to be angry and cursing Snape''s favoritism for Slytherins. Jack knew that even though his potion was complete he wouldn¡¯t be getting points for it. So he didn''t pay much attention to the jibes and curses. Jack found that he rather liked making potions, at least when he didn''t have Snape breathing down his neck which almost caused him to spoil the potion. The students then had a break for lunch and all of them made their way to the great hall for a snack. Jack, after grabbing something small from the tables, then made his way to the library so he could start on the homework Snape had given. When he got there he was surprised to find that the fifth years and seventh years were already there. When he asked the librarian why she told him it was the students OWLs and NEWTs years and that the amount of homework they get is almost too much. Jack asks the librarian about which book or books he should look through for completing Professor Snape¡¯s first homework. She gladly tells him the books he should look for but when he went to find them he found a fifth year with it open on the table as she took notes. ¡®Excuse me, miss?¡¯ Jack whispers to her. ¡®Do you know when you¡¯ll be finished with the book?¡¯ ¡®Not for a while yet, sorry.¡¯ was all she said. Making his way around the library looking for an empty seat, he doesn''t find one so he goes back down to the great hall and takes his books out there. Jack feels like there is something he is missing though but can''t quite recall what it is, shrugging to himself he goes back to reading the textbook trying to do his essay on the cure for boils. Jack is shaken out of his homework by the clock tower¡¯s bell, letting him know it is almost time for the next class. When he makes it to the transfiguration classroom he sees that the students are coming in already with no one waiting outside this time. When he gets inside, he moves to sit with Lee Jordan. ¡®When did you guys get here?¡¯ Jack asks Lee and the twins who are in front of them. ¡®Just a minute ago. Did you pass the professor on the way? Class is about to start and she''s not here yet. I hope she favours Gryffindor like Snape does Slytherin. We need more House points after what happened this morning.¡¯ Lee says. Jack looks to the front of the class and sees a cat sitting on the teachers table. Lee seeing where he is looking then says to jack and the twins ¡®I wonder if she is like Filches cat?¡¯. Hearing this the twins grin while looking back at Lee and Jack. Jack is quick to stop them from doing something stupid. ¡®Guys, that is the professor! She¡¯s an animagus.¡¯ The twins who were probably thinking about playing a prank on the cat quickly stop as the last student comes into the class and the cat transforms into Professor McGonagal causing gasps and exclamations. Jack found it amazing seeing it again, even though he had seen it a few weeks ago. It is still amazing seeing someone turn into an animal. As the class goes on Professor McGonagal shows that she has no favourites unlike Snape. Their first half of transfiguration is about transfiguration theory and the second half is about practicing in which Professor McGonagal gets them to try to turn a matchstick into a needle. Not many can do it fully and even Jack can only make a little more than half of his matchstick into a needle and it is a slightly lumpy where it is metal. Seeing this the Professor says it is a good attempt and goes on to check on everyone elses work. By the end of class Jack can turn almost all of the matchstick into a needle but it still has a lumpy feel and look. At the end of class only three people have managed to complete the transfiguration and it earned Gryffindor a few points, but Ravenclaw also earned some. ----------------------------------------------------------- The next class for the day is charms with Flitwick. When everyone got there he was already floating feathers on everyone''s desk. When everyone was seated he then began the lesson. ¡®One of a witches or wizards most rudimentary spells is - Levitation.¡¯ Professor Flitwick tells everyone in his slightly higher pitch voice. ¡®Remember - swish and flick, while saying the incantation Wingardium Leviosa. Now I want everyone to practice on the feathers that were placed on your tables¡¯ Jack knew he was able to do this spell as he had already used it on the train to lift his trunk so he cast it on his first go, but like all other spells he cast it didn''t work as well as it should have. When Flitwick saw he was able to cast the spell on the first time Jack got Gryffindor 5 points. This made the Gryffindors a bit happier with Flitwick and with Jack. ----------------------------------------------------------- At the end of the first day Jack went back to the library hoping to get the book he wanted from the morning, unfortunately it was being used but this time by another fifth year. Going back to the common room he was a bit grumpy and thinking about the book, he doesn''t even notice the door appearing on a wall of the seventh floor and makes it back to the common room. When there Jack can see that the twins and Lee are already doing the potions homework. Jack then asks them about it for their opinion because he finished his own it in his own words but he is still too far off on the amount that Snape requested. When they are all done the potions homework they then start on the rest which is easier than potions. ----------------------------------------------------------- It is the first weekend and the group of four have gone exploring the castle, looking for secret passages, and the castle grounds. One of the twins thought it would be a good idea to try to explore the dark forest, so the group of four go exploring a few meters inside only to run into Hagrid who gives out to them for being in there. When they get out of the forest Jack asks them about the stadium and is then regaled with tales of the wizarding sport Quidditch. When they finish telling him about the different teams in England, Scotland and Wales Jack asks if they are able to use the schools brooms. This brings a smile to the twins'' faces as they probably didn''t think of playing on the school brooms, they go to Professor McGonagal to ask if they can use the school brooms. But this joy is short lived as they are told that only after their first flying lesson can they borrow the school brooms, the reason given is that they want to be sure that they are a little bit competent. Their first flying lesson would be on the second Thursday of the term. Jack asks the boys what other things can be done, when all he gets is a shrug in return the boys go back to exploring. When they are going through the halls they notice that Filches cat is following after them, so they keep going only to find she has stopped following when they are near the dungeons. The four then run into a few third and fourth year Slytherin students who start to jeer at them when this doesn''t bother the boys they go to leave when one of the Slytherin boys sneers as he says ¡®Just like the Weasleys, cowards and blood traitors making friends with a mudblood.¡¯ This actually gets a rise out of the Weasley twins and they are about to go for their wands when Jack and Lee grab them and try to bring away from the Slytherins who already have their wands ready. When they are almost away from the Slytherins one of them sent a spell at Jack causing him to fall over as his legs snapped shut and locked together. As they make their way out of the dungeons many students thought it was funny seeing Jack having to hop along. No one tried to help though even when asked. When they finally find someone to dispel the leg locker curse the whole school had already found out about it. When Jack was going to report them to Professor McGonagal, the others stopped him telling him not to do it, if he gets them in trouble it won''t end well and they will do even more. Thinking it was an isolated incident Jack didn''t report them and made it back to the common room. Jack decided that he was just going to read for the rest of the day, not really feeling up to continue exploring the castle with the others. So they split Jack went back to the dorm and just read over his textbooks. Soon Jack grew bored of reading his textbooks and decided to practice his magic going through all his spell he knew so far and looking through the textbooks again for other spells. Some of the other students seeing him practice were distracted by the lights and effects. The prefect seeing this told him to practice somewhere else. Jack was starting to feel pretty annoyed with everyone now so he left. Wandering the corridors Jack is looking for a room he can practice his magic, magic he can use to defend himself the next time someone casts a spell at him. What he doesn''t expect is seeing a door materialise out of a wall at the end of the corridor. It clicks in his mind, what he had forgotten before, the Room of Requirement. It was such a major part in the books and movies even if it was only in the last few. When he enters the room he can see training dummies and a small bookcase with a few dozen books, seeing the books Jack goes and checks out the titles and they are all on magical theory. Going back over to the training dummies he starts casting magic, unfortunately the only spells he can cast are a tickling hex, Rictusempra, wand lighting charm, Lumos, levitation charm, Wingardium Leviosa, and dispelling charm, Finite Incantatem, and even then he didn''t feel they were able to do much. Picking up the first book Jack reads it and finds out it is from the 1500¡¯s, thinking it a joke he continued to read the book. The more he read it the more he believed it was about the 1500¡¯s, he didn''t quite believe it was from then. Jack spent the next few hours reading in the room of requirement. The author of the book said many things but only one stuck in Jack''s mind - a healthy body leads to stronger magic. This phrase kept spinning around in his head. Placing the book back Jack soon left the Room of Requirement, looking back, he was just about able to make out the fading outline of the door before he turned and left for the common room. With the phrase constantly going around his mind he wonders about if he should use his points on his body instead of on his magic. When night came he has finally finished his debate about boosting his body instead. Using his gift he sees he has almost 1300 points from the day saved and puts it all into boosting his body. Seeing that he has no points left he keeps the menu open and watches as his points slowly disappear and his body tab greyed out with a countdown beside it saying 23:59 so he can only use it once a day. ----------------------------------------------------------- When the next morning comes round and Jack wakes up he feels good. Deciding that if he is to get stronger and better control of his magic he should practise more. Returning to the Room of Requirement he asks for a place to get fitter and a stronger body. Not knowing what to expect Jack enters and finds that it is definitely not what he expected. There is an obstacle course with spell targets all around; weighted clothes of different degrees for more challenge; two dozen training dummies that look like they are holding wands themselves. Entering the course to see what he will be up against he wasn''t expecting a dummy to suddenly cast a spell at him knocking him out of the course and sliding across the floor. Getting up and feeling foolish he goes to try the course again and makes it past the second dummy before being hit with a leg locker curse from the second dummy. ¡®Does this spell love me or what? Why do I keep getting hit with it¡¯ Jack curses in his mind and then mutters the dispelling charm. Getting up Jack goes over to the bookshelf and notices that the books are different this time. In the shelf are books about dueling and magic practicing. Reading over the books by skipping to where there are drawings of spells being used he learns the incantations. Seeing that two spells are repeated in a few books he decides to practice them, Expelliarmus and Protego. Expelliarmus works OK after a few tries but instead of bringing the opponents wand to him it blasts it across the room. Protego doesn''t work at all for him and has to keep getting up off the ground every time he is hit with a stunner. Thinking he will get it soon he manages to cast it once every three or four times. Jack then moves on to a new spell, Stupefy. This is a spell that he got on his first go so he is feeling better and better every time he blasts away the training dummy. When he leaves the room for the second day he is feeling much better, mentally daring a Slytherin to pick a fight with him now. Chapter 2 When they are finished dinner the group made their way up to the common room where they had a few games of Wizard Snap and Gobstones before turning in for the night. Before sleeping, Jack asked the twins if they knew about any joke shops in the Wizarding World. This causes the twins to sit up in bed and say at the same time ¡®Now you''re speaking our language!¡¯ while giving off a slightly evil laugh. Jack then feels that it might have been a mistake to ask them as they managed to bring out catalogues of all the Wizarding joke shops. there were not very many and they didn''t have a great selection, but there were some funny pranks. It was really late at night when they finally managed to get to sleep. Before sleep, Jack once again put his points into boosting his body but it was almost 2000 points this time causing his countdown timer to be at 36 hours instead of the 24 he had before. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When Jack tests his Lumos and Wingardium Leviosa spells the next morning he can notice a very slight improvement in his magic, it''s just a tiny bit smoother and less... jumpy? Feeling happy about the fact that his magic was getting better Jack was then thinking about how many times he boosted his magic and was mentally trying to calculate how many times he will have to hold off on boosting his magic in the future. During breakfast, Jack, Lee, Fred, and George were discussing how to get the Slytherins back, from dungbombs to smoke bombs to something that would make them look like they came out of the Hindu festival of Holi. (A.N: for those who don''t know, it''s the festival with bonfires and coloured powders) The thoughts of having revenge like that made them all laugh, thinking about the stern proud purebloods who pick on others for not having as much as they do look like they were puked on by a rainbow made the boys laugh so hard. Jack was thinking about actually doing the pranks on them, but he will wait and see if any more Slytherins will be like the gang that they met before. Making their way out of the Great Hall they went to their first class of the week while still whispering to each other about how they would get all of the Slytherins in the prank coming up with more and more ideas. Jack almost felt sorry for them. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the second week was passing more and more people were finding themselves in the school. It was easier to go to class, talk with everyone in the same house. Some even made friends with those in different houses, except Slytherin. It seems that they don''t get along with anyone and barely tolerate their own. When it came to the second Thursday of the term it was time for flying lessons with both Gryffindor and Slytherin. Everyone was incredibly excited about the first flying lesson, many of the students from wizarding families all talked about their accomplishments on a broom and all the near misses with muggles. Even the twins had some stories about almost getting caught by Muggles when flying around the countryside. When the lesson started Madam Hooch, the flying instructor, told everyone to stand by their brooms and call it into their hands. Jack waited for a few of the other students to stand and call their brooms, but it was incredible how many couldn''t get the broom to rise into their hands. It was the ones who boasted so much that had the biggest fails. The twins summoned their brooms on their first try, so Jack thought he should try it. When Jack called up his broom it just raised about a foot into the air, so he commanded it the second time and it slapped into his hand with so much force Jack thought he might have a bruise. After a few seconds though he could feel the broom like it was connected to him. He knew he could tell it with his mind how he wanted it to move. When enough time had passed Madam Hooch just told everyone who had not summoned their broom to just pick them up so she could continue the lesson. ¡®Now, when I blow my whistle, I want you to kick off from the ground, hard.¡¯ Madam Hooch said to them while looking around at the class. ¡®When you do that I want you to hover a few feet off the ground, then touch back down. Understood?¡¯ when she got some nods from the students she blew sharply on the whistle and Jack crouched slightly before telling it to take off. Jack was a bit nervous because it was the first time flying but he could feel a cushioning under him so it wasn''t uncomfortable to be sitting on a stick. Getting his feet onto the foot stands made him feel a lot more balanced on the broom. When he touched back down he almost couldn''t wait to get back on the broom. When the twins noticed his expression they clapped him on the back congratulating him for his first flight. When everyone was done with the taking off and landing it was a chance for everyone to fly around the courtyard the lesson was taking part in. Everyone wanted to show off how well they can fly. Jack really liked flying; moving fast while flying was incredible up until he took an insect to the forehead much to everyone''s amusement, even Jack was laughing at his own misfortune. ¡®We have to do that more!¡¯ Jack says. ¡®Yeah, we will.¡¯ comes from the other three. ¡®Just without the bugs, ok.¡¯ Jack finishes causing the other three to laugh uproariously. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Days pass and it gets more common seeing the group of four going to the flying lesson area to fly around on brooms. They all had good fun, Lee had even found an old Quaffle in one of the broom cupboards so they played 2 a side Quidditch, or race around the courtyard. Jack still goes to the Room of Requirement but only every so often or when he wants an empty place to practice his magic. Sometimes he goes into the room of lost things to see if there is anything he could take, it''s not stealing if it''s ownerless, is it? One day near Hallowe¡¯en Jack is in the Room of Requirements library going over the books thinking about how many books are in it when he has a thought of trying to bring as much knowledge as he can out of the Room. Leaving Jack asks for the Room to give him what he needs to make it happen. Opening his eyes he sees an ornate door, much more decorated than anything else he has seen in the castle. Jack tries to keep from getting too excited, but when he sees a massively decorated room full of tapestries depicting victorious battles and the triumph of Witches and Wizards against demonic-looking creatures, he can''t help it. Inside the hall is an office desk that is also decorated with similar motifs, with a lectern on the desk holding a single book. The book has a soft brown leather cover with two clasps on the opening of the book; Vellum for pages and incredibly detailed calligraphy. Inside the book is a single heading How To Create Your Own Codex. Inside the book are descriptions of what a codex can do, how it is created and most importantly how to protect your codex at all costs. In the books and movies from Jack''s past life, a codex never came up. This made him wonder if that was how a noble stayed a noble, hoarding magic and preventing others from making their own. When Jack reads more details of making a codex he is astonished at how much work goes into it. A book with more pages than is commonly seen sold in shops; ink infused with his own blood, a lot of ink needed enough to write a book; spells which use the readers thoughts to transcribe all the spells they use; spells to copy other books while getting around the anti-duplication spell on them; transfiguration and charms combined to make the book able to bring up the information needed by the reader and lastly an alchemy created quill with an ink refilling charm that will be bound to the book and only able to be used on the book. Seeing all of this Jack takes the book out of the Room only to have the book turn into smoke and seep out of his hands and go back into the Room and reform back onto the desk. When Jack tries to go back into the Room he is blasted back, like from a knockback jinx, and sees the Room door slam shut. Jack tries the door only to find it sealed shut, taking out his wand to use the unlocking charm does not help as the door is still locked and now starts to disappear in front of him. Resolved that he may have overstepped a hidden rule of the Room Jack tries the next evening only to find the door is still shut. When Jack tries to enter a different Room there is no problem so he figures he is being punished by the Room. Jack makes his way back to the Gryffindor common room and sees Lee, Fred, and George struggling with the latest homework from the teachers so he helps a bit. ¡®Do you guys know where I can buy a blank book?¡¯ Jack asks them suddenly, confused by the question they just look confused for a moment. ¡®Can''t you get one from the ink and quill place in Diagon Alley?¡¯ Lee answers. Thinking it a good idea he goes to leave only to be stopped by the Gryffindor prefect. ¡®Where do you think you¡¯re going at this time? First-years curfew is in 10 minutes.¡¯ the prefect states. Not knowing how to reply, Jack just goes back over to his friends who are snickering at him. ¡®Oh shut it.¡¯ Jack says while smiling a little feeling a bit embarrassed. The next morning, Jack goes to Professor McGonagal¡¯s office to ask her the name of the ink and parchment place in Diagon Alley. ¡®If you need more ink and parchment, Mr. Smith, the school has no problem with providing replacements for free.¡¯ Professor McGonagal tells him. ¡®Well Professor, I um. I wanted to keep a diary of what I¡¯m doing here so, um, I wanted to get a blank book to write in.¡¯ Jack tells her while being slightly nervous about sort of lying to her. ¡®That is quite a commendable thing to do, Mr. Smith.¡¯ Professor McGonagal replies to him while smiling. ¡®I have also noticed that your spellcasting is coming along a lot better since your first week.¡¯ ¡®Yes, Professor. I¡¯ve been practicing a lot of different spells and it is getting easier for me.¡¯ Jack tells her with a big smile. Writing something on a piece of parchment Professor McGonagal hands it to him and says to have fun in his lessons. Reading the note as he walks down the hallway he sees: There is a shop in Hogsmeade called The Affordable ScrollA case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. You should be able to buy it from there. Seeing this, Jack makes it to the Great Hall to grab some toast before running off to his first class. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Later in the day, Jack goes to the Room of Requirement looking to get a book on Goblin culture and how to interact with them but doesn''t find much of anything except a single book about various metal-smiths. Jack decides to write a letter to a teller in Gringotts, the wizarding bank and asks them if he can buy a pouch with expanded space for money. Jack has close to 30 Galleons saved in his trunk and about 30-40 pounds in the bottom so he wants to get a pouch to keep it all together. Jack also sends a letter to The Affordable Scrollshop to ask about how much it would cost for a book like the one he wants. Not expecting a reply until at least the next day from Gringotts, Jack returns from the Owlery to get started on his homework. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next morning, Jack receives a letter about his price inquiry for a blank book to be used as a diary: 10 GALLEONS FOR A BLANK BOOK THE PRICE IS SO BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE ALCHEMICALLY MADE TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS IT WOULD ONLY NORMALLY BE 13 SICKLES Later the same day he receives a reply from Gringotts telling him that it is two Galleon for a small pouch or free when One opens an account. Jack had started carrying some of his gold to reply to the Bookseller and had brought some extra with him so pays for both. It is the next morning when he receives his pouch and a receipt from the book place with an approximate time of delivery. 14 Days Getting closer to Hallowe¡¯en he also puts in an order for some sweets for his friends. With the pouch now, he can begin to expand it with his ability maybe store some of the objects from the room of lost things. Jack is mentally hoping that he can find some decent stuff. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After Hallowe¡¯en Jack is writing up a letter. This letter is to the Matron of the children''s home he is from. Dear Matron, Hope everyone is well at home. I am having a lot of fun here at school, I miss you all a lot sometimes. I am writing to you because I am unsure of What to get everyone for Christmas. I have made a small bit of money from Tutoring some others here. Guess what, there is nobility here! They pay out the nose for stuff to not look bad. Lots of love, Jack P.S - You can send a reply with the owl If you put my name on the envelope he will find me. I put a few treats for him in the tube. Feeling happy about sending the letters and ordering his things Jack makes his way back up to the castle greeting some other students he recognizes. When Jack gets back to the castle he decides to go straight to the library to check out alchemy for making the ink and quill. Unfortunately for Jack, when he gets there he finds out that the books are all in the restricted section and he has to have a teacher''s signature to get it. Leaving the library to check the Room of Requirement Jack asks for a room with all the knowledge of Alchemy. Getting a room with a very small library and table with a magic circle engraved on it with traces of dusk and metal in the engraving. Brushing his hand over the desk Jack then looks at the dirt on his hand he gives a sigh and dusks his hand on the side of his robes mentally reminding himself to learn some household magic. It takes a further week of reading through the Alchemy books, it is through the week Jack has began to understand just how monumental of a task he has set for himself. Deciding to just go back to his friends Jack asks the twins if they bought anything from the joke shops to prank the Slytherins. This brings a smile to their faces and they reply. ''No, we were looking through the catalogues and we were thinking that there isn''t much of a selection-'' ''-so we were thinking of making our own.'' Jack is wondering if this is where the Weasley twins started to get the idea for a joke shop. ''What do you need to make it happen?'' Jack asks them. They take a moment to talk between themselves and then reply. ''Well, ingredients to make them, then money. We have some money saved up, not a lot but maybe enough to get a few sets of ingredients.'' ''What if I could give you a workshop, could you do something for me?'' Jack says to them. ''Where would you get a workshop?'' They ask dubious of his intentions. ''I found the greatest secret of Hogwarts.'' Jack says back to them. ¡°I''ll tell you if you can do something for me.¡± This is enough to get the twins undivided attention. ''Jack, why didn''t you tell us before. We spent ages going around looking for secrets together?'' They ask. ¡°You''ll understand when you see it. That''s all I can say.¡± Jack replies determined not to say more. ¡°What do you need then, Jack?¡± one of the twins asks. ¡°I need someone to order me a lot of ink and some silver. I might be able to get a decent feather from Hagrid, but I¡¯m not sure. I already ordered the book, so just some silver and ink.¡± Jack tells them. ¡°What¡¯chu doing that you need all that!?¡± they ask incredulously. ¡°My Diary or Journal.¡± Jack states. ¡°What kind of diary are you making!¡± Lee interjects. ¡°One that will have ink hidden and a bound quill just for it. The quill will have a hardened silver tip with a silver handhold. And an ink refilling charm-¡± Jack is explaining. ¡°If it''s going to have an ink refilling charm what d¡¯you need so much ink for then?¡± one of the twins cut in. ¡°It''s for the book, I want to spell it to be able to pull up information that I had wrote in it whenever I need it too.¡± Jack tells them. ¡°So what else, then.¡± all of them ask, getting into Jack''s project themselves. ¡°What?¡± Jack says. ¡°Oh right, so an ink refilling charm so I never run out-¡± ¡°Why would you need all that ink then if you got a refilling charm on the quill. Where would the extra ink go?¡± Lee cuts in this time. This question stumps Jack as he hadn¡¯t thought of it. ¡°I¡¯ll have to look into it.¡± Jack says getting up. ¡° see ya in a bit¡± and then leaves. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the days that pass Jack has gone to the room of hidden things in the Room of Requirement searching for things to look for to use for his new Codex. In the room, Jack has found many things but they are mostly useless broken junk. Jack has gotten a few clumps of silver but nowhere near enough for the quill, it is alloyed with other metals to be of any use. ¡°Sometimes I wish things could be easy.¡± Jack mutters to himself while thinking about how hard it is for the one book. During the evenings Jack spends his time in the Room of Requirements going around the course completely draining himself both physically and magically. In the beginning, Jack was wondering if he should just let his points do all the work for him, but Jack has decided to do some of the work himself. It is too easy to allow his gift to do all the work but Jack has noticed a very big improvement when he practices along with using the gift. Although it might not be any bigger than any other child his age, it is big for Jack. When he has finished his magical training Jack spends the next while before curfew looking over the Alchemy lab searching for beginner stuff he can do. So far all he has found is ancient style documents with a load of flowery words he doesn''t quite get the meaning of, but he was able to find that the engraving on the table is a real Alchemists magic formation or magic circle however so much time has passed that the engraving has crumbled or been plundered by someone else. If he wants to fix it he will need to liquify silver and fill in the engraving while passing magic through his wand, but not casting a spell, to infuse the silver with magic to better allow it to channel magic. ¡°What the fuck is this shit! When I find the fucker who ruined the circle I¡¯ll hex his fuckin¡¯ balls off!¡± Jack screams in the Room after reading the information. Feeling incredibly angry at the amount of expenses to replace or fix stuff that he will probably only use once has made his pockets hurt. ¡°I just hope this God Damned book is worth it!¡± Jack grumbles to himself. Leaving the Room of Requirement while quite annoyed, Jack goes back to the common room and just talks with the Weasleys and Lee for the evening. ¡°What''s got your wand in a knot, Jack?¡± Lee asks him. ¡°Why can''t anything be easy?¡± Jack replies. ¡°What do you mean?¡± one of the twins asks. ¡°Well, every book I have ever read that talks about people going off to do great things never mentioned how difficult it was to get the great thing done!¡± Jack states back still annoyed. ¡°Is this about the Journal you want to make?¡± the other twin asks. ¡°Yeah. I found out the Alchemy station in the castle was badly damaged by someone a few years back and to fix it will take a lot of money.¡± Jack tells the group. Not knowing what he is going through but only that it annoys him a great deal they try to take his mind off it with different topics or games. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next day after lessons Jack asks the twins about making their own jokes. They tell him that they have some ideas but not anything solid yet. ¡°Just some sweets to make you ill, short-time love potions, dungbombs, and smoke bombs, voice changing sweets and a few others for now.¡± When Jack asks about the ideas they just tell him. ¡°Anything I can do to help you guys?¡± Jack asks. ¡°Not right now-¡± ¡°-Unless you can show us that workshop?¡± the twins reply. ¡°Fine but I need you guys to order me the silver. I need more than what I told you before.¡± Jack tells them while they make their way up the staircase from their last class. ¡°So where is it?¡± both twins and Lee ask Jack. ¡°It''s called the Room of Requirement. It''s the greatest secret of Hogwarts because it can become a room for whatever you need at the time. Most who find it never find it a second time because they don''t know how they summoned it the first time.¡± Jack tells them as he leads them along the seventh-floor corridor. When they make it to the area of the door Jack decides to play a joke on them. ¡°To summon it you gotta walk to the wall, press your head to it and concentrate really hard on what you want the room to become.¡± Jack says this with a completely straight face although he is laughing inside. When Jack is explaining this to the twins he has already walked up and down the stretch of wall three times while asking the room to become his library but not show itself just yet. He then walks up to the wall and places his forehead against the wall and with his eyes closed asks it to show up now. When he feels the wood of the door forming under his forehead he is shocked that it actually worked and has to try hard to keep the smile off his face, but can''t do it completely. Luckily they don''t seem to notice as all they can do is stare as Jack opens the door and shows them the library. When they see the library they are just looking at all the shelves of books. It is a few moments later that they turn to him with a questioning look. ¡°So where is the workshop?¡± one of the twins asks. ¡°You need the workshop not me, so you guys have to summon it.¡± Jack tells them. ¡°You can only do it from outside and if no one is already using it unless you look for the same thing they did.¡± ¡°I feel like a prat doing this.¡± When they all make it out of the room for the twins to summon the workshop one of them can''t help but say something. ¡°Don''t worry it''s fine.¡± Jack can''t keep the smile off his face or completely keep the laughter out of his voice but only Lee notices anything. When Lee looks at Jack he just silently shushes him while giving a wink. Figuring that Jack is just playing a prank on the twins Lee almost bursts out laughing when the twins place their foreheads against the wall and close their eyes for a few seconds. When they open their eyes and see no door they turn to ask Jack something but instead see Jack and Lee burst out laughing instead. The twins are a little annoyed at being pranked but just shrug it off after a moment. ¡°Ha ha ha, laugh it up-¡± one twin says ¡°-We¡¯ll get you back for this-¡± the other says ¡°-now just make the room appear.¡± they both finish. When Jack is still laughing he walks up and down the corridor asking for a workshop to make pranks and notes of any previous attempts. When the door appears he goes in and is followed by the others. When they see the inside the twins can''t help but have a smile come to their faces. After about a half-hour of the twins rooting through the pile of books, notes, and samples of tried pranks over the years of Hogwarts Lee and Jack just leave back to the common room as they feel like they just became invisible to the twins.