Author note: As promised here comes the chapter, a bit earlier than I thought.
From here on out I will drop 6 chapters a week.
These chapters take on averige around 3 hours to write and edit to the point that Im satisfied, so keeping this pace forever feels hard.
If we reach 40 ill set a new goal for more bonus chapters.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Today would be my first visit to the wizarding world.
After the Lestranges were captured my mother decided that it was safe enough now for us to start interacting directly with the wizarding world again.
That meant going to Diagon Alley!
My mum had specifically said: “I got three birthdays to make up for don’t I?
What better way to fix that than going shopping in Diagon Alley together.” I had actually whooped jumping into the air with my fist up like a true child.
I ran downstairs, I now had my own bedroom for almost two years, mine was on the second floor while my mum was on the first floor.
My mum was standing in the kitchen cooking breakfast when I arrived at full speed.
She smiled as I came to a stop next to the table and said: “Someone is excited today, nice to see you actually acting your age for once.” Even as she was saying that she looked at me with so much love that it was clear to me that she accepted me as I was completely.
“Yes, of course I’m excited, we are going to Diagon Alley today, mum!” She smiled again and pointed toward the chair.
“Yes my dear, but not until you have had breakfast.” I sat down and started eating a full British breakfast, even the beans, not that I disliked beans, the other stuff was just better.
While still chewing I looked up and asked: “So, about the stuff I asked?” My mum looked over at me with a wrinkle entering her forehead and worry in her eyes.
“Are you sure you want to do that William?
It is not something you can take back after it is done.” We were talking about the sacrificial ritual I wanted to do, I had told my mum about it a while after the Lestranges were captured, thinking that having been right about the “feelings” twice would help convince her.
She did actually hear me out before simply saying she would think about it after having held my gaze for a full minute.
Today I was asking again since we would need certain things.
I had found a book with a basic enhancement ritual among some things my father left behind.
I had shown my mother as I launched the idea.
“I can feel that even doing a minor ritual with a sacrifice of any magical animal would have a major impact on my magical growth.
Even if the war is over, things can still happen.
Look what almost happened at the Longbottom manor.
Without my warning and Alastor’s preparation, who knows how that would have ended.
All I know is that the wizarding world is dangerous.
Without the power to protect yourself and those you love things can go very wrong.
I don’t want to lose you, or Alastor because I was weak.” As I finished I looked down at the plate, because the truth was I was not even sure myself.
Just the thought of killing an animal that could have been a pet for someone left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
Strangely enough, killing someone who I believed truly deserved it felt like it would be easier than killing an animal that could have been someone’s pet.
At least in combat, strictly from a moral point of view for me.
“I’m not saying you are wrong my dear, but reaching for power that kind of way has a way of changing you.
I don’t want you to go through getting all that power, just to lose yourself along the way.” She paused then continued: “But if you are sure, I will not stop you.
But you have to promise me that you set some ground rules for yourself when it comes to reaching for power.
Lines you won’t cross no matter what, at least not for power.
You also have to promise me to remain you, I’m not saying not to change, but that at your core, you remain my Will.” I didn’t answer immediately at first, actually thinking about what she was saying more, giving her a solemn nod.
“I swear mum.
Before I do the ritual I will set rules for myself, rules that I won’t let shift even as I grow and change.
Morals I can truly live with.” After the conversation we finished breakfast and my mum held out her hand toward me.
“We are about to apparate, that is going to be unpleasant for you.
You will feel like you are being squeezed through a tube and probably feel sick when we arrive.
It is however a necessary feeling to get used to.
It is also much less unpleasant when you do it yourself.
I’m sure you will learn long before you can legally do it.” She said the last part with a wink letting me know she did not care a lick about that law.
I grabbed her hand and the world twisted.
My first Apparition was just like my mum had told me, not pleasant at all.
Even being prepared did not make much of a difference.
I barely contained the content of my stomach and just had my eyes closed for half a minute breathing after we arrived.
My mum seemed to have decided not to bring me straight into the alley but had instead taken us to the inside of Leaky Cauldron.
With the sickness over I looked around with wide eyes.
This was the first time I was on true wizard soil.
Wizards and witches were sitting and talking, seeming in a cheerful mood all around the bar.
The barkeep himself, Tom, stood behind the bar taking orders from customers with a happy smile.
“Traffic probably picked up recently, finally people have something to celebrate.” My mum, having patiently waited for me to take in the place, led me toward the back and the famous brick wall that I knew so well.
My mum turned to me and said: “Three up…
two across… watch carefully Will.” As she tapped the correct bricks with her wand.
The bricks started moving and an arch opened up.
Diagon Alley showed itself to me for the first time and what a sight it was.
Colors, so many colors and the buildings so strangely built compared to the muggle world.
Plenty of large windows for all the shops showing their wares.
The street led you past many shops along the path towards Gringotts.
We passed Quality Quidditch Supplies, the latest flying broom proudly displayed in the window.
At Florian Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour I heard a yell: “Diana?!
I thought you were dead!” A family of three was sitting there eating ice cream, a slightly chubby, tall kind-looking man.
The beautiful woman with dark long hair that had yelled, and a young girl who seemed to be around seven or eight years old with bubblegum-pink hair.
The woman quickly got up and moved toward us, moving all the way up to my mum and embracing her in a fierce hug.
In the meanwhile I heard a voice ask.
“Dad, who is she?
And who is the boy?
And why is mum hugging her?
And can I have more ice cream?” All rapid fire lines leaving no room for her dad to answer.
He smiled calmly, seeming completely used to this.
“I don’t know her well but she is a friend of your mother that went missing suddenly a few years ago.
The boy I assume is her son and quite the handsome young man.
Your mother is hugging her because she has not seen or heard from her for years and no, you already had two cones of ice cream young lady.” The girl pouted at the last line and proceeded to make puppy dog eyes, and her eyes actually grew bigger.
The father looked about ready to cave when the woman turned around letting go of my mum.
“Don’t even try Nymphadora!” The girl’s eyes shrank back to normal size and she sighed before she got up moved over to me and said: “Hi, my name is Tonks!
What is your name?
Do you know my mum?
And don’t call me Nymphadora!” I smiled at that.
Normally I don’t like talking to children but something about her energy drew me in: “Hello, my name is Will or William.
I don’t know your mother, but it would appear my mother does.
And sure I won’t call you Nymphadora.” As I finished talking I gave her a large grin.
She looked at me like I was something strange.
“You talk funny, why do you talk like a grownup?
Did you take Polyjuice Potion?” I genuinely laughed at that, internally applauding her thought process and knowledge.
“Haha, no, but my mum always tells me I don’t act my age.” For some reason her genuine curiosity along with my mum’s clear connection to Tonks’ mother made me want to be more genuine than I usually were among others except mum and Alastor.
During our conversation my mum and what was confirmed as Andromeda Tonks had talked.
My mum looked genuinely happy to see her again.
Ted had gotten up and joined their conversation as well.
“How old are you?
I’m seven , almost eight!” I heard from my side.
I turned back to Tonks.
“I’m four.” She looked a bit stunned.
“I thought you were older, you look like you could be almost six.
Do you know any magic?” I looked around, seeing no one was looking at us.
I turned and asked.
“If I show you something, will you keep it secret?” At that she looked intrigued.
“I promise!” I held out my hand and a small fire lit above my hand.
Her eyes again grew comically large.
“WOW, you can do wandless magic!” I let the flames vanish and nodded.
“You will be my friend!..
Please?” First she looked absolutely certain then some vulnerability showed after a second.
I nodded solemnly like it was a true vow: “Sure.” She smiled happily.
Then the Tonkses turned.
“We have to go home now, Nymphadora.” Her mum said.
“Say goodbye to your new friend.” Tonks turned back to me.
“Can you teach me some magic next time we meet?
I can only do stuff like change my face since I’m a Metamorphmagus, nothing like what you can do…” She asked, looking hopeful.
“I can try, it is quite hard, but yeah we can try.” She actually threw her arms around me hugging me for maybe a second before pulling back and saying.
“Thanks, and goodbye!
I will see you soon hopefully!” She lowered her voice showing she was serious about keeping my secret and said.
“Then we can practice, I promise I will try hard.” After that we walked up to our parents who greeted me.
“So you are William, Diana’s son.
It is nice to meet you William.” Andromeda said in a slightly formal voice but with warmth.
Holding her hand out, which I shook, leaving her looking slightly amused.
Diana decided to explain.
“Since it has been just us, and lately Alastor sometimes.
I have not given any thought to teaching him Wizard customs yet, I was never much apart of that myself anyway.” Andromeda simply nodded.
Ted smiled toward me and extended his hand for what was obviously a normal handshake.
“Hello there Will.
It is nice to meet you son.
I’m glad to see you and my daughter getting along.
She can be a lot to handle, my little girl.
Good on you for keeping up with her.
She doesn’t slow down for anyone.” “Daaad!” Tonks groaned, stamping one foot.
To which he just smiled and continued: “I hope you both want to be friends since our family knows each other.” At that Tonks responded: “We are friends!
We just decided that we want to meet again soon!” Like it was decided.
The adults chuckled and I smiled.
“I’m sorry to cut this short, but I have a potion brewing at home that can’t wait much longer, but I’m sure we can see each other again soon now that the war has come to an end.” Andromeda said after checking an old fashioned watch.
Goodbyes were said and the Tonkses left toward the Leaky Cauldron presumably to take the floo home.
Diana smiled happily toward me.
“I’m glad to see you make a friend closer to you in age.” I just nodded.
We continued towards Gringotts bank going past other shops and the side entrance to Knockturn alley along the way.
I had to stop for a moment as we went past Ollivanders, feelings rising in me that had nothing to do with power or plans.
I took a shaky breath, truly coming to terms with the fact that I was in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
A place I had dreamt of for so many years ever since my father in my old life read me the books as a child.
My parents in my last life had even taken the time to directly translate the books 5–7 for us as the Swedish versions had not been realised yet and we simply could not wait for them to do so.
After the absolute gutshot of nostalgia settled a bit, I looked up at the iconic white building, the famous writing, and the armed goblins at either side of the gate.
I let the warm feeling that came over me settle fully in my chest, “It is all real.” Then I entered the bank.
From here on out I will drop 6 chapters a week.
These chapters take on averige around 3 hours to write and edit to the point that Im satisfied, so keeping this pace forever feels hard.
If we reach 40 ill set a new goal for more bonus chapters.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter.