Harry Potter, a seven-year-old boy eagerly awaiting his eighth birthday, could not believe the magical situation that was currently unfolding before him.
When a fire had suddenly broken out in the front yard, Vernon Dursley's characteristic suspicion had kicked in, and he had locked Harry in the house before going out.
"You, you little rat, Harry. Did you start that fire? Damn it all, now you're playing with fire! Is this how you repay us for raising you! That's it. You're staying in the cupboard all day!"
Of course, for Harry, who hadn't even stepped outside the house all day, it was a deeply unfair accusation, but years of experience had taught him that it was better to just listen quietly. He simply nodded his head.
Oh, why did my parents have to die in a car accident and leave me in a house like this?
Feeling particularly gloomy today, Harry had buried his face in his worn, threadbare blanket and was lying face down.
He didn't want to do anything at all.
At least, that was true until he suddenly heard a knock on his door.
Who could it be? No one in this house ever knocked on Harry's cupboard—no, his room—before entering.
Therefore, a knock on that door was a profoundly 'abnormal' event.
Hoping for a small miracle he himself didn't believe in, Harry asked in a voice that was barely a whisper.
"Who is it?"
It was the way of a child to not let go of that sliver of hope, even while anticipating the usual shouting from the Dursley family.
And amazingly, for the first time in his life (at least, within his living memory), his unrealistic expectation was rewarded.
"Is someone in there?"
The refined voice coming from outside sounded nothing like the harsh, unpleasant voices of the Dursley family.
When he cautiously opened the door, the young man who had been talking to his Uncle Vernon earlier was standing there.
Still unable to process this unreal situation, Harry found himself answering the man's questions as if in a trance.
Then, the young man asked.
"So, Harry. Would you like to see me show you something interesting?"
He had no idea what was going on, but one thing was certain. For some reason, this person did not seem like he would harm him!
"...Yes!"
And that one-word answer would completely change Harry Potter's life.
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I used a Disillusionment Charm to quietly bring Harry to the car where Deek and Ardeura were waiting.
I made some small talk with Harry, who was marveling at the parrot he had never seen before (it was still a parrot in his eyes), while I considered what to do next.
I had brought him here on a whim to annoy Albus, but what now?
By the way, the more I asked and heard about this Dursley family, the more of a spectacle they became.
"So, that man Vernon is your uncle?"
"Yes, that's right!"
"And he's been treating you like that all this time?"
I turned my head and asked Deek.
"Deek, didn't you say that child protection awareness had improved in the 20th century?"
Should I just be glad that child labor was abolished?
As I was pondering this, I asked Deek, who was also rolling his eyes in disbelief.
"Um, perhaps Deek was mistaken about the Muggle world?"
It was a reasonable inference from Deek, but considering the Muggle world I had seen so far, that didn't seem right either.
In any case, even for me, who had lived a life where sensitivity towards children was somewhat lacking in the 19th century, that man Vernon did not seem like the recyclable type.
From my perspective, it was all incredibly ironic.
I could roughly understand why Albus had left Harry in this house. He probably left him with a blood relative to provide a residential protection based on 'Love'.
The fact that he specifically left him with his maternal aunt's family probably meant the wizard who cast the 'Love' magic was from the mother's side.
But was it really worth it?
To have to endure a childhood more devoid of love than anyone else's, just to maintain the magic of 'Love'.
As an expert in ancient magic, I could guarantee that the one who cast the spell would have never wanted this.
"Tsk, tsk, Albus. Your thinking is still one step behind."
In the end, magic is merely a tool. No matter how great a magic 'Love' is, it is meant to ensure a child lives a life where they are loved.
But to throw a child into an unloving environment just to maintain a single protection spell.
You couldn't get more backward than this.
Seeing me shake my head, Harry asked cautiously.
"By the way, what's your name, mister? And why did you come to see me?"
His body was skinny and lifeless, but his eyes were sparkling, showing that hope was still alive in him. Well now, what an interesting kid.
Finding his expression quite amusing, I answered playfully.
"Right, I haven't introduced myself. I am Aisen Knightly, the greatest wizard in the world."
At my ambitious self-introduction, Deek and Ardeura gave me a pitying look.
What.
I am proud. Honestly, in this day and age, wouldn't I qualify as the greatest?
Ignoring my friends, who were giving me a disapproving look, over my ego which had grown quite large during my months of exploring the 20th century, I saw excitement and curiosity light up in Harry's eyes.
"A wizard? Are there really wizards in the world? Can you show me some magic?"
At Harry's question, I grinned.
Snap.
The moment I snapped my fingers, Ardeura, who had been sitting on my shoulder, shed her parrot disguise and transformed into a phoenix of magnificent splendor.
Fiery red feathers that seemed to burn, and a brilliant golden sheen. Her appearance, which would impress even wizards familiar with magical creatures, left the Muggle-raised Harry with his mouth hanging open.
Kee-roo-rook!
"Wow, wow!"
I spoke to the awestruck Harry.
"And, Harry. You're a wizard, too."
My words, which revealed the secret of his birth so casually, made Harry's face freeze.
Hmm, but he is a wizard, right? Seeing as his mother's side used 'Love', his parents must have been wizards, but he's not a Squib, is he?
Just in case, I waved my hand slightly and used my 'Eyes' to check, and I could definitely feel magical power inside Harry. Hmm, it's quite large.
It was not as large as my own, or even a young Albus's, but it was certainly at a remarkable level for his age.
A talent that might not define a century, but was more than enough to be called a genius.
Hm?
But as I was observing Harry's inner magic, an unpleasant feeling briefly brushed past my mind.
What was that? It felt strange. It was obscured by the 'Love' and not clearly visible, but I felt a foreign energy.
Hmm, if my 'Eyes' couldn't get a clear look at it, it might not be a major problem.
As I was pondering this, Harry spoke to me, as if he couldn't believe it.
"I-I'm a wizard? Really?"
"Yes, really."
Right, let's start by amazing this poor kid a bit and then think.
"Harry, I told you I'd show you something interesting, right? How about a little walk with me?"
I thought he would accept without a second thought, but Harry hesitated.
"But... my uncle won't let me go."
What. Was he still worried about that Muggle?
I grinned and said to Harry.
"As I said before, I am the greatest wizard in the world. Shall I show you one of the simple things a wizard can do?"
I drew the Elder Wand and aimed it at Vernon.
Now that I look at them, those people may not be Dark Wizards, but their character seems to be on par.
So, just a little. Just a tiny bit. Alright, wand?
As if it had read my thoughts, the wand trembled in response. Good.
Imperio.
It was a modified Imperius Curse, designed not to dominate the mind completely, but to touch only the shallowest parts of consciousness. It was an extremely difficult variation of the spell compared to the original.
I then shouted at Vernon, who was still trying to put out the fire.
"Hey! I'm borrowing Harry for a bit!"
"Yes, of course!"
I then turned my head and spoke triumphantly to Harry.
"What do you think? Amazing, right?"
"That was really amazing!"
"So, shall we go play for a bit now?"
"Yes! Let's go!"
That demon-like uncle had turned into a gentle lamb in an instant! This wizard named Aisen was truly amazing!
As Harry was thinking this, Deek looked at him and said.
"Oh, dear. For The Boy Who Lived's first spell to be an Unforgivable Curse."
My master is truly incorrigible.
But of course, Deek, who was long used to it, had no intention of stopping him.
"Levioso!"
What happens when you cast a levitation charm on a car?
It becomes a flying car that children are absolutely crazy about, of course.
I put Harry in the flying car and took a spin around the sky as I said.
"Harry, magic is the power to make anything you can imagine come true."
At least, for me, it was. Through magic, I was achieving everything I wanted to achieve.
Chir-rup!
See, even Ardeura next to me is agreeing. It's thanks to magic that I met her.
As I spoke, my words started to sound like a quack selling snake oil, praising the greatness of magic, but I was being sincere.
"Then... with just magic, can I be happy too?"
The privilege of a child is the ability to poke at a spot an adult would never expect.
At Harry's question about happiness, I was momentarily unable to answer.
"...Well. Maybe so."
"If you want, I can make it so your uncle and cousin can't live without you. I can make all your friends like you."
"Whatever toys you want, I can make sure you have them all."
Harry smiled, as if the mere thought was a joy, but then his smile faded.
"That sounds really nice. It really does... But with that, could I really be happy?"
Seeing the sadness in the young child's eyes as he spoke, my heart softened.
Hmm.
Alright, let's do this.
Having seen Dark Wizards for a long time, there was only one thing I envied about them.
The fact that they had so many followers.
But followers sound a bit too much like a Dark Wizard, so if I made disciples instead, wouldn't I be able to increase my numbers too?
Besides, this Boy Who Lived is quite a talented kid!
So, this way, this young Harry Potter can find his happiness, and I can get a new pastime of raising a disciple. Isn't this a perfect case of mutual benefit?
Yes, this is it. Having convinced myself, I felt much better.
Of course, I couldn't care less about Albus's plan, which would be turned into scraps in the process.
It was the plan of an incompetent junior who didn't even understand the basic purpose of the 'Love' magic. It would undoubtedly be built on the foundation of numerous sacrifices.
Perhaps even Albus himself.
I did not care for such a plan.
There might be legal guardianship issues, but who cares? Such trivial rules of the Muggle and magical worlds cannot stop me!
Having made up my mind, I spoke in a solemn tone, quite unlike my usual self.
"Alright. Harry. If you wish it, I will accept you as my disciple."
Harry, who was ignorant of the magical society, didn't know it, but this was a truly shocking event. Aisen Knightly, taking a disciple. The atmosphere naturally grew solemn.
For young Harry, this day had been a series of shocks.
He had met a wizard, flown through the sky, gotten back at his uncle, and most importantly, his life had been completely turned upside down.
And now, the great wizard who had gifted him such a day was solemnly offering to take him as his disciple!
Naturally, the answer our Harry Potter would give was already decided.
"Yes, please! Please take me as your disciple!"
The house-elf Deek, standing beside them, dabbed at his tears with a handkerchief and said.
"Oh, Harry Potter will be able to find happiness under Master's care."
And so, in the winter of 1987, the hope of the wizarding world vanished without a trace.