The owl thudded against the window, a clear indication of its arrival. Recognizing it as the old Weasley family owl without a moment's hesitation, John swiftly opened the window and gently lifted the bird, retrieving the letter from its beak.
"Traveling to Egypt?" he murmured, scanning the letter. Ron had written to inform John that their family was planning a trip to Egypt, expressing regret that the invitation to the Burrow would have to be postponed. "I would have completely forgotten about it if he hadn't mentioned it." Ron had extended an invitation to John during their second year, but amidst the chaos of returning home and his experiments with Banban, John had let it slip his mind, assuming Ron wouldn't extend the offer again.
Percy's letter followed, filled with gratitude towards John for aiding in his election as student council president. He also hinted at his aspirations to work in the Ministry of Magic in the future. "It seems he's set his sights on the Ministry of Magic. I remember him doing quite well there," John reflected. Percy, an outlier in the Weasley family, had always been ambitious, methodically climbing the ranks from prefect to head boy, and now aiming for a position in the Ministry. With a smile, John thought, "In that case, I'm more than happy to assist."
He penned a letter to Barty Crouch Sr., a man he had come to respect deeply for his uncompromising principles, even when it came to dealing with his own kin. John believed Percy would benefit greatly from working under someone like Crouch.
After sorting through his daily correspondence, John picked up the latest issue of the "Daily Prophet." The controversy surrounding Johnny Silverhand had begun to settle, and the opening of a museum dedicated to dark magic awareness suggested Silverhand wasn't the typical power-hungry dark wizard. Today's front page featured Gilderoy Lockhart, who had been awarded the title of 'Most Charming Smile' by Wizards Weekly for the sixth consecutive year. The paper also covered the success of Lockhart's latest book, "I Swing the Great Sword at Hogwarts," which had quickly become a bestseller in the wizarding world.
John had to admit, Lockhart possessed a unique talent. As long as his true nature remained hidden, he was indeed the magic world's leading figure. The book's innovative approach, featuring two protagonists—a dashing, powerful professor and a gifted Hogwarts student—along with its loosely factual content, had captivated readers. "It's a masterpiece in its own right," John conceded, considering the potential of further collaborations with Lockhart.
Seeing an opportunity, John drafted a letter to Rita Skeeter, confident that with the backing of the "Daily Prophet," Lockhart's success could be sustained. Behind the scenes, John planned to fuel the fire, not without personal gain, of course. He intended to secure the copyright for Silverhand Johnny, with profits to be split between himself and Lockhart. Properly managed, this venture could prove quite lucrative for John.
Descending to the basement, which had become his personal domain filled with dangerous artifacts securely locked away, John reflected on his day's achievements. His mastery of runes had advanced to level 4, allowing him to fully comprehend the contents of "Fairy Foundry." The goblin's unique magical forging techniques, detailed within the pages, were nothing short of miraculous. "Fairy magic..." John mused, intrigued by the ancient and powerful goblin magic laid out before him. John was deep in contemplation. The magic he was studying was known as ancient magic, a form of magic that predated even the era of the Hogwarts founders, back to a time when goblins were not yet governed by wizards. Unlike the wand-based magic commonly practiced by wizards, leprechaun magic, another form of ancient magic, was innate and did not rely on wands. "It's no surprise that ancient runes are considered a part of ancient magic, given their necessity," John mused, after delving into the knowledge contained within the ancient tome.
Intent on mastering this arcane art, John attempted to replicate the goblin method of casting. "To harness the elements and channel them into objects, creating a natural magic circuit," he whispered to himself. With a magic crystal in hand and his arms extended forward, he focused his mind. Suddenly, a whirlwind materialized in the confines of the basement, seemingly out of nowhere. "The element of wind," he observed, his gaze fixed on the swirling vortex.
Maintaining his concentration, John manipulated the whirlwind, guiding it towards a ring of spells etched on the table. As the wind made contact, the spell was activated, narrowly missing John's cheek with a petrification curse. The wind dissipated immediately after. "It appears further experimentation is necessary," John concluded, his brow furrowed in thought.
The complexity of the "Fairy Foundry" and its reliance on ancient magic was daunting. John pondered whether seeking a goblin's craftsmanship, much like Godric Gryffindor once did, would be simpler. However, he quickly realized the futility of this idea, considering the current state of goblin affairs and their concentration in Gringotts. "The craftsmanship of the goblin king who forged Gryffindor's sword is beyond the skill of ordinary goblins," he acknowledged with a sigh. Resigned, he muttered, "I must rely on my own abilities."
Glancing at the skill panel, John noticed he had two unused points and a new skill labeled "Proficient in Ancient Magic." Although it was only at level one and could not be upgraded further at the moment, it signified a need for deeper knowledge in ancient magic. "To advance further, I must delve deeper into the study of ancient magic," he realized, acknowledging his limited understanding of the subject.
Setting aside his immediate concerns, John dedicated himself to comprehensively studying the "Fairy Foundry." His expertise in alchemy and runes made the book's content accessible, though he found its coverage of goblin casting techniques lacking. "I may need to explore other sources," he thought, considering the restricted section of the library and the secret chambers of the ancient wizards as potential reservoirs of knowledge.
In the days that followed, John remained secluded in his basement, mastering the elemental magics of fog, water, and fire, in addition to wind. Each element offered unique advantages: wind enhanced perception, fog concealed his presence, water manipulated flows, and fire conjured flames. The ability to wield these magics without a wand was a significant achievement for John.
...
"Tom, do a backflip," John commanded, watching his dog perform the trick with ease.
"Remarkable, how did you manage to train him?" a visitor, a business associate of John's guardian, inquired, clearly impressed.
"It's nothing special, just the basics," John replied modestly.
The visitor had brought along his child, hoping to foster a friendship between the two boys. However, John found the child's arrogance unbearable, preferring the company of his dog, Tom, to feigning interest in childish conversations. Seeking solace, John excused himself, craving the fresh air outside.
"Ah, the sweet taste of freedom," John sighed, relieved to be away from the stifling atmosphere. He vowed to avoid such tedious social obligations in the future, finding them more taxing than his most challenging negotiations. "Even Draco Malfoy seems more tolerable in comparison," he mused, reflecting on the nature of spoiled children and his desire to steer clear of them.
With no particular destination in mind, John wandered aimlessly, enjoying the peace and solitude of his impromptu escape. On the side of the road, John stumbled upon a black dog. The dog appeared to have been starving for days. Even beneath its thick fur, John could discern the dog's emaciated frame. He acknowledged that the dog wasn't particularly attractive, but as someone who couldn't resist the allure of furry creatures, John couldn't help but offer a pack of small dried fish. "Have you been hungry for a long time?" he asked.
The black dog, which had been staring off into the distance, seemed momentarily taken aback by the sound of John's voice. A dark-haired boy was offering him small dried fish, an unusual choice for a canine diet. However, driven by hunger, the dog didn't hesitate to accept the offering. Watching the dog devour the fish, John felt a pang of sympathy.
Gently patting the dog's head, John mused aloud, "I wonder where you came from. Stray dogs aren't common around here." Despite its unkempt appearance, the dog's coat was surprisingly soft and well-maintained. John found himself enjoying the sensation of petting the dog, so much so that he failed to notice the dog's bewildered gaze.
This encounter marked the beginning of an unusual friendship, one that would soon reveal the black dog's extraordinary origins. Unbeknownst to John, this was no ordinary stray, but a creature steeped in magic and mystery.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge