Chris stepped through the manor's entrance hall, the weight of the day settling into his bones like lead. His dragon-hide armor, once pristine, now bore the marks of battle, spatters of acromantula fluids, small tears where venom had struck, a fine coating of forest dirt on every surface. Despite his enhanced stamina, a profound exhaustion had taken hold, not just physical but mental, the kind that came from hours of intense focus and magical exertion. He had fought, he had killed, he had discovered ancient secrets, and now, finally, he was home.
"Master has returned!" Jilly appeared with a soft pop, her large amber eyes widening at his battle-worn appearance. "Is Master injured? Does Master require healing potions?"
"I'm fine, Jilly," Chris assured her, though his voice came out rougher than intended. "Just tired. It's been... quite a day."
"Jilly will prepare a bath and dinner right away," the house-elf declared, already snapping her fingers to set things in motion. "The blue healing salts for the bath?"
Chris nodded gratefully. "Perfect. Thank you."
Alone in his chambers, he methodically removed the goblin-crafted armour, piece by piece. Each movement revealed new aches, muscles protesting after hours of combat and tension. He examined the dragon-hide briefly, noting how even the magically resistant material had suffered under the acromantulas' assault. It would need specialised care, but that could wait.
The bath Jilly prepared was steaming, the water infused with healing salts that glowed with a subtle blue luminescence. As Chris sank into it, the tension began to melt from his body, the enchanted water drawing out fatigue and soothing strained muscles. He closed his eyes, allowing himself this moment of pure physical relief.
His mind, however, refused such simple comfort. Behind closed eyelids, he saw again the battle in the Forbidden Forest, goblin warriors moving with deadly precision, centaur arrows finding their marks with unerring accuracy, acromantulas falling by the dozens. He saw Aragog split cleanly in two by his Blade of Intent, the ancient creature's final word, "Hagrid", hanging in the air between them.
And he saw the two fallen goblins, Grimclaw and Ironhand, laid out with their weapons upon their chests, their clan members standing vigil with pride rather than grief. They had died honorably, Ragnok had said, deaths with meaning and purpose.
"Was it worth it?" Chris murmured to the empty bathroom, steam curling around his words.
The answer came readily: yes. The acromantula colony had been a spreading threat, endangering students, unicorns, centaur foals, disrupting the forest's natural balance. Its removal had been necessary. More than that, it had cleared the way to Hufflepuff's Chamber, to knowledge lost for centuries, knowledge that could help countless people.
He lifted his hand from the water, summoning a small globe of light to hover above his palm. The magic came effortlessly now, responding to his will as naturally as breathing. The Hallows' transformation had been proven in battle, his enhanced abilities allowing him to fight alongside the goblins as an equal, to protect their flanks, to save lives. This new power wasn't just for his own benefit, it carried responsibility, a duty to use it wisely.
After the bath, dressed in comfortable clothes and with a meal waiting in his study, Chris finally allowed himself to examine his newest treasure. He removed the chain from around his neck, where the miniaturized Grimoires hung together: Merlin's ancient text, Gryffindor's battle magic, Ravenclaws spatial magic tomb and now, Hufflepuff's healing compendium. He enlarged Helga's book, setting it beside the others on his desk.
Three Founders' chambers discovered, three trials completed, three repositories of lost knowledge now in his possession. Pride swelled in his chest, tempered by humility at what he had been entrusted with.
"Each one so different," he mused, tracing his fingers over the simple badger emblem on Hufflepuff's cover. "Gryffindor tested courage, Ravenclaw tested knowledge and intent, and Hufflepuff tested purpose."
And each Grimoire reflected its creator's values. Gryffindor's was filled with combat magic, techniques for defeating enemies and protecting allies. Ravenclaws contained spatial magics and mind numbing theories, and Hufflepuff's contained healing arts beyond modern understanding, methods for mending body, mind, and even soul. All powerful in their own ways, all essential.
His thoughts turned to Slytherins chamber, still undiscovered. What trial would Salazar have designed? What knowledge would he have considered vital enough to preserve? The rumour's of his expertise in ritual magic, modification of oneself, creation and control of magical creatures, tantalized him. Such knowledge would be invaluable, both practically and theoretically.
"Next year," he promised himself, taking a sip of the hot tea Jilly had prepared. "Next year will be quieter. Time to study, to learn, to understand what I've already found before seeking more."
The idea of a less eventful third year held immense appeal. His first year had brought the Philosopher's Stone, the Map, the cloak, the unicorns and most importantly, the complete destruction of Voldemort among others. His second had seen the freeing Cassie, the founders chambers, the uniting of the Hallows, and now the acromantula battle. Perhaps his third could simply involve being a student, focusing on classes, friendships, and the private study of his growing collection of magical knowledge.
The thought of the Philosopher's Stone turned his mind to another matter. The small red stone still resided in his secure vault, removed from Dumbledore's misguided protection scheme before Quirrell could steal it. It belonged to Nicolas Flamel, and returning it might be the perfect opportunity to forge an alliance with the ancient alchemist.
"A letter," Chris decided, pulling parchment toward him. "Respectful, direct, offering to return what's rightfully his."
Such a connection could prove invaluable. Flamel had centuries of magical knowledge and experience, perspectives that even the Founders' Grimoires couldn't provide. And unlike Dumbledore, the alchemist had no stake in prophecies or manipulating Harry Potter's destiny.
Speaking of Dumbledore... Chris tapped his quill thoughtfully against the desk. Another letter might be in order, this one anonymous, informing the Headmaster that Voldemort was truly, finally gone. The darkest wizard of the age, vanquished not by the Boy Who Lived, but by a well wishing wizard.
"Would he believe it?" Chris wondered aloud. "Would it be enough to make him stop pushing Harry toward some prophesied confrontation that no longer needs to happen?"
It was worth trying, at least. Harry deserved a chance at a normal life, free from the burden of expectations and manipulations. An anonymous letter revealing Voldemort's final end might just convince Dumbledore to let the boy be.
Chris set aside the parchment, deciding these letters could wait until morning. For now, with the day's events finally settling into proper perspective, his mind turned eagerly to the knowledge contained in Hufflepuff's Grimoire. Soul Fracture Healing, restorative potions, cures for magical maladies considered permanent by modern healers, the possibilities were extraordinary.
But most of all, he found himself drawn to the sections on space magic in Ravenclaw's Grimoire. The ability to manipulate dimensions, to fold space itself, such techniques could revolutionize magical transportation, storage, perhaps even combat.
As night deepened outside his study windows, Chris finally allowed himself to smile. Three Founders down, one to go. Wounds healed, enemies defeated, and knowledge gained. Whatever came next, he was more prepared than ever to face it.
But for now, he would simply rest in the quiet satisfaction of a day well spent, surrounded by the ancient wisdom of those who had come before, safe in the knowledge that his path, though difficult, was unfolding exactly as it should.
...
Diagon Alley hummed with pre-term energy, shops overflowing with students and parents scrambling for last-minute supplies. Chris weaved through the crowd outside Flourish and Blotts, scanning for familiar faces among the sea of shoppers. The past week had been quiet, exactly what he needed after the acromantula battle, time to rest, study Hufflepuff's Grimoire, and prepare his letters to Flamel and Dumbledore. Now, on this bright August morning, he found himself looking forward to something wonderfully ordinary, shopping for school supplies with friends.
"Chris! Over here!"
Susan's voice caught his attention, and he turned to see her waving from a small table outside the ice cream parlor. Her strawberry-blonde hair gleamed in the sunlight, and beside her, Hannah was already halfway out of her seat, bouncing with characteristic enthusiasm.
"We saved you from the bookshop madness," Hannah called as he approached. "Absolute nightmare in there, some fifth-year dropped a stack of Advanced Transfiguration texts on a display of Lockhart's remaindered books, and they started attacking each other!"
Chris laughed, settling into the chair they'd saved for him. "Sounds like even his books have his personality."
"Clearance bin where they belong," Susan added with a smile, her cheeks colouring slightly when Chris met her eyes. "We thought we'd wait for you before braving the crowds."
Hannah pulled out her Hogwarts letter with a flourish. "Third year! Can you believe it? And electives finally, I've been dying to take something besides the basic subjects."
"What did you choose?" Chris asked, genuinely curious. Hannah's natural enthusiasm made her academic interests quite different from the calculated selections most students made.
"Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures," she replied, practically vibrating with excitement. "Everyone said not to combine them because they're both heavy workloads, but I've got this plan."
Susan rolled her eyes fondly. "Here we go."
"No, it's brilliant," Hannah insisted. "See, I want to create my own spells someday, and Arithmancy gives you the mathematical foundation, right? But the really innovative magic comes from combining unexpected elements, which is where magical creatures come in! Their natural magic follows different rules than ours."
Chris nodded, impressed by her reasoning. "That's actually quite clever. Spell creation usually draws from existing frameworks, but incorporating principles from magical creatures could lead to entirely new approaches."
Hannah beamed at the validation. "Exactly! Like, what if you could create shields that work like occamy scales, adapting to the space they need to protect? Or healing spells based on phoenix tears that target specific injuries?"
"Now I'm jealous I didn't think of that," Susan said, nudging her friend playfully. "Chris and I both went for the overachiever route, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Care of Magical Creatures."
Chris pulled out his own letter, comparing their book lists. "Three electives is a heavy course load, but they complement each other well. Especially Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, the symbolic and mathematical foundations of magic."
"That's what convinced me," Susan admitted. "Aunt Amelia said Ancient Runes was her most useful subject after leaving Hogwarts. Apparently half the legal documents at the Ministry use runic bindings to enforce magical contracts."
"The applications are nearly endless," Chris agreed, genuine enthusiasm entering his voice. "Wards, enchanted objects, ritual magic, they all rely on runic foundations. I'm particularly interested in ward construction and breaking."
Hannah raised an eyebrow. "Planning to become a curse-breaker like Bill Weasley? The twins are always bragging about his adventures in Egypt."
"Not exactly," Chris replied with a small smile, thinking of the wards he'd already studied from Merlin's Journals. "But understanding how magical barriers work and how to manipulate them seems like valuable knowledge for anyone serious about advanced magic."
Susan nodded. "Aunt Amelia says the same thing. The best Aurors understand not just combat spells but the theory behind magical protections." Her expression turned slightly shy. "Maybe we could study together? Since we're taking the same subjects."
"Definitely," Chris agreed, not missing the pleased flush that spread across Susan's cheeks. "Study groups worked well for us last year."
Hannah stood abruptly, grabbing her bag. "Well, those books won't buy themselves. Shall we face the Flourish and Blotts chaos?"
The trio plunged into the crowded bookshop, where harried assistants were still cleaning up the aftermath of the transfiguration texts versus Lockhart books battle. They found their required texts for core subjects quickly, then headed to the specialised sections for their electives.
"The Complete Compendium of Magical Beasts and the Monster book of Monsters" Susan read from her list, reaching for a thick volume with moving illustrations on the cover. As she stretched, Chris instinctively reached up to help, their hands brushing briefly. She mumbled a thanks, her eyes darting to meet his before quickly looking away.
Hannah, noticing the interaction, shot Chris a knowing look that he pretended not to see.
"The Ancient Runes section is upstairs," Chris said, changing the subject. "Supposedly they have copies of Spellman's Syllabary that automatically translate simple phrases when you tap them with your wand."
They navigated through the crowded store, occasionally bumping into classmates also doing their shopping. Neville Longbottom waved shyly from the Herbology section, arms already full of supplementary texts beyond what was required. The Patil twins darted past, arguing about whether Divination or Arithmancy offered more accurate predictions of the future.
After Flourish and Blotts, they visited the Apothecary to replenish their potions supplies. Susan wrinkled her nose at the overwhelming smell of herbs and preserved animal parts, while Hannah cheerfully identified half the ingredients they passed. Chris found himself enjoying their company immensely, the simple pleasure of friendship a welcome change from the solitary intensity of his summer training.
Their last stop was Scribbulus Writing Implements, where Hannah insisted they needed color-changing ink for their elective notes. "It helps with organizing complex subjects," she explained, selecting bottles in shades of blue, green, and purple. "Plus, it makes studying less boring."
"As if anything could make Binns' class less boring," Susan remarked, though she still added a bottle of purple ink to her purchases.
With arms laden with packages, they emerged back onto the sunny street. The morning had slipped away, and the lunch hour crowd was now filling the alley.
"I think that's everything on the list," Hannah said, consulting her letter one final time. "Books, ingredients, quills, parchment... oh, and I got my robes adjusted last week."
"Same," Susan added. "Though I had to get new ones. Aunt Amelia says I've grown three inches since last summer."
Chris shifted his packages, balancing them carefully as he checked his watch. "It's just past noon. How about we celebrate finishing our shopping with ice cream at Fortescue's? My treat."
Hannah's face lit up. "Now there's an offer no sane person would refuse!"
Susan smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "That sounds perfect."
As they made their way toward the ice cream parlor, Chris found himself genuinely looking forward to the coming school year. For all his extraordinary pursuits, there was something to be said for the ordinary pleasures of friendship, ice cream, and the anticipation of new classes. Perhaps his wish for a quieter third year wasn't so unrealistic after all.
...
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour sparkled in the midday sun, its enchanted umbrellas shifting colours with each passing breeze. Inside, the air was pleasantly cool, fragrant with sugar and fruit essences, a welcome respite from the August heat. Chris approached the counter, where Fortescue himself was crafting elaborate sundaes with theatrical flourishes of his wand.
"Ah, young scholars returning to Hogwarts!" Fortescue greeted them, his walrus moustache twitching with good humour. "What'll it be today? I've just perfected a new Fizzing Whizbee sorbet that actually levitates slightly between licks."
Hannah immediately pointed to a vibrant purple concoction swirled with gold. "That one! Is that the Metamorphmagus Sundae that changes flavours?"
"Indeed it is, young lady. Starts as blackberry, transforms to lemon, finishes as chocolate. Quite the journey for the palate!"
Susan deliberated longer, eventually settling on a simple strawberry and vanilla in a waffle cone. Chris chose chocolate with chunks of crystallized pineapple, Fortescue's specialty that he claimed had helped many a wizard through their OWL studies.
"My treat," Chris reminded them, placing several silver Sickles on the counter before they could protest.
They found a small table outside beneath one of the colour-changing umbrellas, currently a soothing shade of azure that matched the cloudless sky. Shopping bags clustered around their feet as they settled in with their frozen treats.
"I can't believe we're already third years," Susan said, carefully licking a drip that threatened to escape down her cone. "It feels like just yesterday we were getting sorted."
Hannah's sundae changed colour as she dug in, prompting a delighted laugh. "And now we get Hogsmeade weekends! Fred and George told me all about Zonko's, apparently they have products that even Filch hasn't banned yet because he doesn't know they exist."
"Honeyduke's for me," Susan admitted. "Aunt Amelia always brings back their fudge when she visits the village on Ministry business, but she says there's nothing like seeing their full selection in person."
Chris smiled, watching them both. These normal moments, ice cream, chatter about sweets and joke shops, provided a perfect counterbalance to the weightier aspects of his life. "I'm curious about The Three Broomsticks myself. Supposedly they have the best butterbeer in Britain."
"We should make it our first stop," Susan suggested, then blushed slightly. "I mean, the three of us, together, when the first Hogsmeade weekend happens."
"Absolutely," Chris agreed, not missing the way her eyes lit up at his easy acceptance. "Though we might have to drag Hannah away from Zonko's first."
"I make no promises," Hannah said through a mouthful of now-lemon flavored ice cream. "But speaking of the coming year, any guesses on who's teaching Defence? After the Lockhart disaster, they must be scraping the bottom of the barrel."
Susan groaned. "Please, someone who actually knows the subject this time. My Aunt says the DADA education at Hogwarts has become a joke in the Auror department. New recruits need months of remedial training just to catch up to international standards."
"I've heard rumors about Remus Lupin," Chris mentioned casually, knowing from his previous life that Lupin would indeed be the next professor. "He was friends with Harry Potter's father, supposedly quite knowledgeable about Dark creatures."
"That would be brilliant!" Hannah exclaimed. "Practical experience beats textbook learning any day. No offense to books," she added hastily, patting her Flourish and Blotts packages.
Susan laughed, the sound bright and unguarded. "Says the girl who just bought color-coding ink for her notes."
"Organization and practical application can coexist," Hannah sniffed with mock offense, then dissolved into giggles.
Chris found himself laughing along, struck by the simple pleasure of the moment. Susan caught his eye as they shared the joke, her smile lingering a beat longer than necessary. When he pointed out a small smudge of ice cream on her cheek, she ducked her head in embarrassment but leaned slightly into his touch as he playfully wiped it away with a napkin.
Hannah watched this interaction with poorly concealed interest, her eyebrows raising fractionally before she deliberately turned her attention back to her rapidly transforming sundae.
"What are you most looking forward to this year, Chris?" Susan asked, regaining her composure. "Besides potentially competent Defence lessons."
"Honestly? Just learning," he replied, surprising himself with how true this was. "After all the... distractions of last year, I'm looking forward to focusing on classes, especially the new electives. There's something appealing about a nice, quiet year."
"No more crazy adventures?" Hannah teased. "How will Hogwarts survive without its annual crisis?"
"I'm sure the school will manage," Chris said dryly. "Maybe this year the most exciting thing will be whether Gryffindor or Slytherin wins the Quidditch Cup."
"Or Hufflepuff," Susan suggested. "Cedric Diggory's been made captain, and he's supposedly restructuring the entire team strategy."
They continued chatting as they finished their ice cream, the conversation flowing easily from Quidditch prospects to summer adventures to speculation about their new subjects. Susan gradually grew more animated, laughing at Chris's observations, occasionally touching his arm to emphasize a point. Hannah, for her part, seemed content to watch their dynamic unfold, offering her own thoughts while subtly creating moments for the two to interact more directly.
As the afternoon lengthened, Hannah glanced at the ornate clock above Gringotts' distant marble facade. "I should probably head back soon. Dad's expecting me by four, we're having dinner with my grandparents tonight."
Susan checked her own watch and sighed. "And Aunt Amelia mentioned something about Ministry guests this evening. I should go help the house-elves prepare."
They gathered their packages, the day's shopping now complete. The alley had grown less crowded as the initial back-to-school rush subsided, though plenty of families still meandered between shops.
"Platform 9¾ on September first, then?" Hannah confirmed, balancing her purchases.
"I'll save us a compartment," Chris offered. "Usually the ones toward the middle of the train are quietest."
"Perfect," Susan said, her smile warm. "I'll bring snacks."
"And I'll bring the latest gossip," Hannah added with a grin. "My cousin works at the Prophet and always has the best stories they can't print."
They lingered for a moment, reluctant to end their time together despite the need to depart. Finally, Hannah initiated a round of hugs, squeezing Chris tightly before releasing him.
"See you both in a few days!" she called, already heading toward the Leaky Cauldron where her father would be waiting.
Susan's goodbye was slightly more hesitant, her hug briefer but somehow softer. "Thanks for the ice cream," she said, eyes meeting his momentarily before darting away. "And for making today fun."
"Anytime," Chris replied, meaning it. "Have a good last week of summer."
With his own packages tucked securely under his arm, Chris made his way toward the public Floo point. The coming year stretched before him, full of potential, new knowledge to master, friendships to nurture, and perhaps, if he was fortunate, the quiet simplicity of being, for once, just another Hogwarts student.