It was already evening by the time Adam reached home. Professor Flitwick dropped Adam off just outside his house to avoid arousing suspicion from Adam's parents. Adam's face still showed signs of weakness, but he had recovered enough to stand tall. However, the moment Olivia opened the door, she immediately sensed that something was wrong. Adam's clothes were different from the ones he had left in, and his complexion was pale—too pale for her liking.
"Adam? Are you okay? What happened?" Olivia's voice was laced with worry as she gently touched his face, her eyes scanning him for any sign of injury.
Adam, quick on his feet, offered a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Mum. I just practiced too much magic today. It drained me," he explained, downplaying the intensity of his day. "I stained my clothes badly while practicing, so I had to get new ones."
His casual tone did little to fully ease Olivia's concerns, but before she could press further, Adam's stomach growled, breaking the tension. "I'm starving, though," he added with a sheepish grin.
That seemed to work. Olivia's worry shifted to motherly instinct. "You poor thing! I'll whip something up right away. You go rest, and I'll bring you some food in a bit."
Adam nodded, relieved to avoid more questions for the time being. He climbed the stairs to his room, feeling the fatigue weigh heavily on his limbs.
Once inside, Adam closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, sighing. His mind was racing with everything that had happened that day. He crossed the room, opened the cupboard, and pulled out a red wand box. The box had two separate compartments, one for each of his wands. Adam placed his wand inside its section, but before closing the lid, he paused. His gaze lingered on the wand.
The wand had been instrumental in his duel with Draco—almost too helpful. It had saved him, that much was clear, but there was something about it that didn't sit right with him. After today's events, he was certain. There was definitely something strange about the wand.
Thinking about this sent a chill down Adam's spine. What was hiding inside the wand? And could it pose a danger not only to him but to Hermione as well? These thoughts appeared in his mind all of a sudden. But knowing that thinking about this right now wasn't beneficial, he shrugged these thoughts away.
After putting the box away, Adam walked over to his bed and collapsed onto it, feeling the soft pillow beneath his head. For a moment, he let himself sink into the comfort of his bed, letting the tension of the day melt away. But before long, his thoughts drifted back to the system window that had been nudging at the back of his mind.
Sighing, Adam opened the status window, and instantly, a flood of notifications appeared in front of him.
Name: Adam
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Age: 11
Level: 6
Magic Status: Advanced
Magic level: 7
Shop: Gold ● Special Points [Custom]
Gold: 11228
Special points: 80250
Tasks:
• Learn different types of magic. (Permanent task)
Reward: 1000 Special points and 200 gold per spell. (Rewards vary according to the difficulty of the spell. Learning spells before entering Hogwarts will give ten times the reward.)
• Read books about magical mysteries. (Permanent task)
Reward: Special points and gold according to difficulty and information level of books.
<< Task completed: Defeat Draco Malfoy in a magic duel. >>
Reward: System shop – Special Points – Potion Ingredients unlocked.
<< As it was the host's first duel and host performed excellently, an additional reward has been issued. >>
Reward: Magic/Mana in the host's body has been further stimulated.
<< Magic status has been upgraded to advanced. It has evolved and will now appear as Magic Level. >>
<< Host's magic/mana level has been deemed sufficient. Magic Level optimized to Level 7. >>
Adam's eyes widened as he read the first set of notifications. He hadn't even realized there was a task for defeating Draco, but the reward was impressive: potion ingredients unlocked in the shop. That would come in handy—no need to hunt around for ingredients once he starts brewing potions. A smile tugged at his lips.
His magic status had also been upgraded—again. Just days ago, it had risen to intermediate, and now he was already at "advanced." It felt fast. Too fast. Adam frowned as he tried to make sense of it.
The term "magic status" was vague—he had never fully understood what it meant beyond a basic measure of his magic potential or ability. Now that it had evolved into "Magic Level," it made things clearer, at least on the surface. A numbered system seemed more straightforward than vague descriptors like "intermediate" or "advanced."
Adam reasoned that the "magic status" he had earlier must have referred to his innate magical talent, which had now reached its limit, allowing his actual magic level to be quantified. It made sense in a way. With his magic talent at "advanced," he could focus on growing his magic level now, a more direct measure of his current strength.
<< Disarming charm has been learned. >>
Reward: 500 Gold, 5000 SP.
Magic spell learned before reaching Hogwarts. Rewards have been multiplied tenfold.
Reward acquired: 5000 Gold, 50,000 SP.
Adam was taken aback by the huge reward for learning the disarming spell before going to Hogwarts, but before he could feel pleased about it, another notification popped up.
<< Error. Error. Error. >>
Influence of external force has been detected. Reward has been halved. Tenfold reward has been nullified.
Revised reward: 250 Gold, 2500 Special Points.
Whether to accept or relearn the spell?
<< Host is advised to relearn the spell to avoid inconsistency in spell performance. >>
Adam sat up straighter, his heart skipping a beat. There it was again—an "external force." This confirmed his earlier suspicions. His wand was definitely influencing his system. This wasn't the first time he had seen such a warning. When he learned Lumos, the system had issued the same caution, but now that it had happened again, Adam knew for certain that his wand was not upto something good by showing off strong powers.
A cold shiver ran down his spine. There was something hiding inside his wand—something powerful enough to make his system give him advise to avoid it by relearning spells. And if the system was advising him to relearn the spell without the wand's influence, then there was no doubt that he would do it, since his system was much more trustworthy than his wand that seemed to be filled with mysteries.
Adam closed the status window, his mind spinning with questions. He had already chosen to relearn the spell so he didn't think much. Tomorrow, he would meet Mrs. Greengrass and Ollivander. Hopefully, that meeting would give him some much-needed answers.
But for now, he needed to rest.
Adam slowly drifted into sleep, his body succumbing to the overwhelming fatigue of the day's events. Upstairs, Olivia came with a tray of food, expecting to find him awake, but when she saw him lying there peacefully, her heart softened. Placing the tray on the bedside table, she sat beside him and gently put her hand on his forehead, brushing back his hair as she caressed him. Unknowingly, tears welled up in her eyes, slipping down her cheeks in silent streams.
She knew this peaceful moment was fleeting. In just a few days, Adam would be leaving for Hogwarts, and her heart ached at the thought. Ever since his birth, she had never spent a single day away from him. The house would feel empty without his presence, his laughter, and his energy. Olivia's chest tightened, torn between the sadness of parting and the pride she felt for her little boy venturing into the wider world of magic.
As time passed, two strong hands gently settled on Olivia's shoulders. George stood behind her, his expression tender. He bent down, pressing a kiss on the top of her head. He didn't need to ask what she was thinking; he knew. He shared the same sadness, but like Olivia, he wanted what was best for Adam. George's trust in their son was unwavering.
"Liv, it's time to eat. Let's go," George whispered softly, his voice a comfort to her in the quiet room. "I'll wake him up. You go wash your face. Do you want Adam to see you crying like this?"
Olivia nodded silently, wiping away the tears as she stood up. She gave George a soft kiss on the lips before heading downstairs.
After a few moments, George gently shook Adam's shoulder. "Adam, time for dinner," he said in a calm voice.
Adam stirred, groggy from the deep rest, but he felt much better than before. The weariness had lifted slightly. Together, they made their way to the kitchen, where Olivia had already set the table. Steam rose from the plates of freshly served food, the aroma filling the room.
Adam sat down at his usual place, smiling at the sight of the warm meal. "This looks amazing, Mum," he said appreciatively.
They had a peaceful dinner, the atmosphere light and filled with warmth. As they ate, the conversation shifted to Adam's plans for the next few days. Olivia and George wanted to spend as much time with him as possible before his departure.
"I think I'll go to Diagon Alley tomorrow," Adam said between bites. "I want to say goodbye to a couple of acquaintances. After that, I'd like to spend the rest of the days with both of you. We can just relax, maybe do some fun things together."
Hearing this, both Olivia and George smiled, visibly relieved and happy. The thought of spending the last few days together as a family brought a sense of comfort.
"That sounds perfect," George said. "We can plan a few things—maybe a picnic or go somewhere special. We'll make the most of it."
They continued discussing what they could do over the next few days, their conversation full of excitement for their final moments together before Adam's departure. The mood was light, the love between them palpable.
Once dinner was finished, Adam excused himself and returned to his room. Exhaustion soon claimed him again, and he fell into a deep sleep, his mind drifting off peacefully. Downstairs, Olivia and George cleaned up the table and washed the dishes before heading to bed themselves.
Unbeknownst to them, outside the house, a figure cloaked in a dark robe stood in the shadows of a nearby house. The figure watched the Taylors' home from a distance, their eyes lingering on the warm light shining from the windows. They hesitated, their posture tense, as if contemplating whether to take action or simply observe. But for now, they remained still, a silent, looming presence in the night.
The next morning, Adam woke up later than usual but still within the early hours. He felt more rested, though the weariness from the previous day still lingered in his bones. After getting ready and having breakfast, he grabbed his wand and prepared to leave for Diagon Alley. Though he had agreed to meet Mrs. Greengrass, he had no idea where or when the meeting would take place. They hadn't set a specific time or location, but Adam felt certain she would find him when the time was right.
Despite being only eleven, Adam was aware that he needed to present himself well. Mrs. Greengrass wasn't just any ordinary person—she was elegant, beautiful, and carried herself with grace. Meeting her in his usual casual clothes wouldn't do. He opted for an outfit that struck a balance between formal and casual, something that made him look presentable without seeming overdone.
With his wand safely tucked away, Adam decided to visit Ollivander's shop first. He figured that since he had no details on when he'd meet Mrs. Greengrass, it would be best to get some answers about his wand before anything else. He also had a feeling that Mrs. Greengrass would find him, no matter where he was.
After a while, Adam found himself standing outside Ollivander's Wand Shop. As he entered the familiar space, he spotted a young boy leaving with his parents. The boy looked to be around Adam's age—likely another new Hogwarts student. Adam wondered if they might be classmates soon.
Ollivander, who had been busy near the counter, quickly noticed Adam. He stood up and greeted him warmly before making his way to the door. With a flick of his wrist, he flipped the sign to indicate the shop was on a break.
Adam raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. When Ollivander returned, he explained his actions, "Mr. Taylor, you've become quite popular in just one day. I must admit, I didn't expect you to win that duel, but I clearly underestimated your talent. Forgive me for that."
Adam shrugged nonchalantly. "It's not a big deal," he replied, not wanting to dwell on the topic of the duel.
Ollivander continued, his voice more serious now, "Since yesterday evening, several people have come asking about your wand. There was even a group of five or six who arrived together. I told them it was just a fancy design made by one of my ancestors, and that I didn't know much else. But it took quite a bit of effort to get them to leave. Things have only just quieted down."
Adam sighed. He knew people would be curious about him, especially after the duel, but he hadn't expected them to focus on his wand so quickly. He turned to Ollivander and said, "Thank you for the cover. But you mentioned yesterday that there's something important about my wand—and Hermione's as well. Could you tell me more? I'm really curious."
Ollivander gestured to a wooden chair, and Adam sat down while the old wandmaker took a seat opposite him. "Mr. Taylor, indeed, I have something to tell you about your wand. You might've noticed that I wasn't here for several days, especially when most young wizards come for their first wands."
Adam nodded. He had noticed Ollivander's absence and assumed it had been for personal reasons, but now things were becoming clearer. "You mean… you were gone to search for information about my wand?"
Ollivander smiled slightly. "Exactly, Mr. Taylor. The phenomenon that occurred when your wand chose you fascinated me. So, I went back to my ancestral home to search for records. It took me a long time, but eventually, I found a diary—written by my grandfather. It contains stories and records passed down through generations. My great-great-grandfather believed that if these tales weren't documented, they would be lost. Other than this diary, I couldn't find anything else about the wand. There are still places I haven't searched, but time is scarce."
Adam leaned forward, listening intently. "So, what did you find out, Mr. Ollivander?"
Ollivander took a deep breath before continuing, "Mr. Taylor, the wand that chose you wasn't made by my great-great-grandfather. In fact, it wasn't made by anyone from his generation. It's much older than that."
Adam's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "How old?"
Ollivander paused, then met Adam's gaze. "It was created by the first ancestor. And by 'first ancestor,' I don't mean the first Ollivander. I mean the very first wandmaker in our bloodline. He crafted these two wands."
Adam blinked, trying to absorb the information. "That old?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Ollivander nodded solemnly. "Mr. Taylor, it's not just old—it's ancient. You may not have noticed, but our shop's sign says, 'Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC.'"
Adam froze, the weight of Ollivander's words sinking in. He quickly did the math, then shot up from his chair. "You mean this wand was made over 2,300 years ago?!" he exclaimed.
Ollivander smiled at Adam's reaction. "Yes, Mr. Taylor, that's the same reaction I had. Even the wood used to make wands wouldn't last for so long, let alone exhibit the kind of magic we've seen from your wand. It's a masterpiece—perhaps even on par with the Elder Wand, if the records are to be believed."
Adam's mind raced. The Elder Wand. One of the three Deathly Hallows. He knew exactly what that meant. His wand, on par with the Elder Wand? That kind of power was unheard of. He grinned, his excitement building. "That's incredible! My wand's the best! Wouldn't that help me the most?"
But then Adam noticed Ollivander's serious expression. His excitement faltered. "Why were you so serious yesterday? You nearly scared me into thinking there was something bad."
Ollivander coughed slightly. "Mr. Taylor, if that were all, it would indeed be the best wand for you. But…"
Adam's excitement died instantly. "But…?"
Ollivander's face turned grave. "My great-great-grandfather wrote in his diary that these two wands should never be passed on to anyone. They were meant to remain sealed in their boxes forever. No one was to touch them, especially talented individuals like yourself. The wands, it seems, bring trials and tribulations to those they choose."
Adam swallowed hard. "Trials? Tribulations? What does that mean?"
"I don't know all the details," Ollivander admitted. "But according to the diary, these wands are said to bring disaster to those who wield them."
Adam's stomach dropped. "Then… take the wands back. Me and Hermione can choose different ones."
Ollivander shook his head. "I'm afraid that's not possible, Mr. Taylor. Once these wands have chosen someone, they cannot be abandoned. If you throw them away, they'll return to you. They'll even destroy any other wands you attempt to use."
Adam's mind reeled. His hand reached into his pocket, brushing against the wand's smooth surface. It suddenly felt dangerous, like a knife hidden in his clothes, waiting to strike.
"So… what now?" Adam asked quietly, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
"For now," Ollivander replied, "you must continue using that wand. The diary was torn in half, so I couldn't gather all the information. But I'll continue searching for answers. Once I get a break from the busy season, I'll close the shop and head back to search for more records."
Adam sat in stunned silence for a few moments. The warnings from his system about external influence, his uncharacteristic confrontation with the Malfoys—everything started to make sense. The wand had been manipulating him.
He sighed heavily. "Please let me know when you find anything, Mr. Ollivander."
Adam knew that Ollivander had already told him what he learned about. So Adam knew it wasn't necessary to act flustered here for no reason and push him for more answers when he didn't know about it.
Ollivander nodded. "Of course, Mr. Taylor. I'll keep searching."
Adam stood, thanking Ollivander before leaving the shop. His thoughts were racing as he stepped back into Diagon Alley, unsure of what to do next. As he exited, a familiar voice greeted him.
"Adam, you're finally out. I've been waiting for you."
He looked up and found himself face to face with Mrs. Greengrass. Now that his mind wasn't clouded with exhaustion, Adam noticed how strikingly beautiful she was. She exuded an air of confidence and maturity that made his heart skip a beat.
"Mrs. Greengrass," he greeted her, swallowing nervously. "You're looking very beautiful. It's nice to see you. I didn't know when or where we were meeting, so I decided to come here first."
She smiled, clearly amused. "You know how to speak sweetly, don't you?" she teased. "It was my mistake for not setting a proper time. But now that we've found each other, shall we move elsewhere?"
She extended her hand toward him, waiting.
Adam hesitated, uncertainty knotting his stomach. Where would she take him? Why was she being so vague? After yesterday's events with the Malfoys, trusting a pure-blood witch—especially one he barely knew—seemed foolish. His fingers twitched by his side, ready to turn back, but then he met her eyes. There was no malice there, just confidence—calculated, perhaps, but not threatening. A subtle, unspoken challenge danced in her gaze, daring him to trust her, to take a leap of faith.
Adam's instincts seemed to tell him it was okay, something about her composure reassured him. She hadn't aligned herself with the thugs from yesterday; in fact, Flitwick had allowed this meeting. That had to mean something, didn't it? Adam reasoned that if there was real danger, his cautious professor wouldn't have stayed silent.
He raised his eyes again to meet Mrs. Greengrass's steady, playful smile. Could he trust her? He took a deep breath, the weight of his decision pressing down. A few more moments ticked by as doubt flickered, but he finally made his choice. He had to learn about the power structure of this world. Yesterday's duel had caught him offguard by showing him the difference between reality and books from his past life. Adam wished to be prepared for the next time.
With a sudden surge of boldness, Adam reached out, gripping her hand with unexpected firmness. He saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes. He mirrored her confidence with a wide smile of his own, daring to match her boldness. "Shall we go now?"
Mrs. Greengrass's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise at his sudden move, but her smile only deepened, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Interesting," she murmured softly, though her voice still carried that elegant tone.
"Let's go then," she said, her hand tightening slightly in his. Before Adam could fully process what was happening, the world around him spun, and with a small pop, they disapparated from Diagon Alley.