Toji stood before the looming stone face of Salazar Slytherin, his wand pointed towards the mouth carved into the rock. The dark chamber around him felt heavy with centuries of secrets, the air carrying the oppressive weight of forgotten power. Toji felt a thrill in his chest—a surge of curiosity and excitement. He took a deep breath and hissed the word once more, the sound almost unnatural as it slipped through his lips.
"Open."
The enormous stone mouth creaked, a deep rumbling reverberating through the chamber. Slowly, it began to move, revealing a passageway beyond it. Toji stepped forward, peering into the darkness. Without hesitation, he climbed into the mouth of the great statue, his wand tip glowing with a bright Lumos.
The passage led into a hidden room—vast, musty, and clearly untouched for hundreds of years. There was a faint greenish glow emanating from the walls, revealing shelves upon shelves of ancient books, potions, and artifacts. Toji's eyes widened at the sight. He could tell instantly that this was Salazar Slytherin's private collection. These weren't just regular books; they were full of spells, experiments, and dark secrets that only the founder himself had the privilege to explore.
Toji ran his hand along the dusty tomes, reading the spines: "On Parseltongue Magics," "Secrets of Blood Purity," and "The Art of Serpent Enchantment." Each book seemed to hold endless potential, a world of knowledge that could make him far more powerful than he already was. There were potions that had been long forgotten—vials of shimmering, viscous liquids in varying colors—and artifacts radiating power: rings, amulets, and ancient weapons crafted with long-lost magical arts.
He explored the room for hours, carefully packing away everything of value. One by one, the books, artifacts, and potions disappeared into his personal dimensional space, a spell he'd learned to use for storing items of importance. The knowledge within these items could prove invaluable—not just for power, but also for understanding how Salazar Slytherin thought, how he created the legacy of cunning that the Slytherin House still followed today.
As the last item disappeared into his magical inventory, Toji took a moment to look around the now-empty room. He had taken all that he needed. With a satisfied nod, he turned back towards the exit, leaving the chamber in the same eerie silence he had found it in.
Days passed, and Hogwarts slipped into its usual winter rhythm. Toji attended classes, aced his assignments, and even made time for training sessions in preparation for the upcoming World Cup of Quidditch. Between the quiet thrill of preparing for something that would mark his name in history, he still kept tabs on the Muggle world. He was making moves, and they were already paying off.
Toji's involvement in several high-stakes financial maneuvers had yielded massive gains. Whether it was short-selling stocks during Black Wednesday, investing in property before the Maastricht Treaty, or using the scandal surrounding BCCI to redirect his funds—each step was calculated, and each step brought more wealth. His latest endeavor, extracting memories from Pablo Escobar, had added an edge to his influence in the darker realms of the world, putting underworld connections at his fingertips.
Jennifer Keddle had become an integral part of his time outside of classes, training, and empire-building. Her obsession with him had grown into something more tangible—a relationship that had been surprisingly enjoyable. She wasn't just another conquest; she was sharp, resourceful, and deeply connected within the Ministry. Their dates were both thrilling and strategic, giving Toji access to information few could acquire.
But today wasn't about financial games or relationships—it was about Quidditch. The day had finally arrived: the first match of the Quidditch World Cup. England versus Germany.
The stadium roared with excitement. Toji could feel the vibrations from the cheering crowd as he adjusted his gloves and mounted his broom. The sky above was an endless stretch of blue, a perfect backdrop for the event that was about to unfold. He looked around at the other players, his teammates giving him nods of confidence. Across the field, the German team stood assembled—focused and determined.
The commentator's voice boomed over the loudspeakers, echoing across the stadium.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the opening match of the Quidditch World Cup—England versus Germany! And today, we have a special treat for you all! Playing as Seeker for the England National Team, the youngest player to ever participate in a World Cup match: Harry Potter!"
The crowd erupted. Toji could hear the cheers, the gasps, and even the astonished whispers. His name—Harry Potter—had become something of legend already, but today was about cementing that legend. Today, he was going to show them what he was capable of.
The whistle blew, and the players kicked off from the ground. Toji shot up like a rocket, the wind whipping against his face as he sped through the air. The German Seeker, a seasoned player named Hans Richter, was already trailing him, but Toji barely noticed. His focus was on the Snitch.
The Bludgers came at him almost immediately—sent his way by the German Beaters, who clearly saw him as the biggest threat on the field. Toji's reflexes were sharp; he swerved, ducked, and dived, each movement effortless as if he had been born on a broom. He twisted through the air, his eyes scanning the field, until he spotted it—a glimmer of gold.
There it was: the Snitch.
Toji leaned forward, urging his broom faster. He could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, his entire body focused on one thing—victory. The German Seeker was right behind him, but Toji knew he didn't stand a chance. With a burst of speed, Toji closed the distance, his hand reaching out. The Snitch darted left, but Toji anticipated it, cutting across and grabbing it in one smooth motion.
The stadium erupted in cheers, the commentator's voice almost drowned out by the noise.
"HE'S DONE IT! HARRY POTTER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! ENGLAND WINS!"
Toji landed gracefully, holding the Snitch high above his head as his teammates swarmed him, shouting in excitement. The commentator's voice echoed through the stadium again, full of awe.
"Unbelievable! Harry Potter, not just the youngest player in the World Cup, but perhaps the most talented Seeker we've seen in years! What a performance!"
The reporters were quick to snap pictures, their cameras flashing as they captured the victorious young Seeker. Toji smiled, his face calm and confident. He knew this was just the beginning.
He had set out to be the best, and today, he had proven it to the entire world.
Later that evening, as Toji lounged in his tent—a private area set up for the English National Team—he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The cheers of the crowd still echoed in his ears, and he could almost see the headlines that would cover tomorrow's papers.
The youngest Seeker in history had made his mark, and the world of Quidditch would never be the same. But for Toji, this was merely another stepping stone—a game that he played for fun and for fame, a way to further his name and his influence.
There was still so much to do. The Chamber of Secrets, the underworld empire he was building, the mysterious power of Salazar Slytherin's secrets—these were all pieces of a puzzle that he was determined to solve.
Toji Fushiguro—or Harry Potter, as the world knew him—was on the rise, and nothing would stand in his way.