The soft chime of the Daily Check-in System resonated in Harry's mind at precisely midnight, gentle as a church bell heard from a distance. He opened his eyes in the comfortable darkness of his impossible bedroom, Hedwig's soft breathing the only sound in their magical sanctuary.
[DAILY CHECK-IN SYSTEM]
[Welcome back, Harry Potter]
[Current Time: 12:00:01 AM, August 1st, 2021]
[Current Streak: 1 Day]
[Check-in Available Now]
Harry sat up in his magnificent bed, fully alert despite having been on the edge of sleep moments before. The excitement of what his second day's reward might bring had his enhanced memory running through possibilities—would it be another potion like yesterday? Maybe a useful item? Perhaps even something that could help with his long-term Horcrux problem?
*Only one way to find out.*
"Check in," he whispered to the darkness.
[Daily Check-in Complete!]
[Streak: 2 Days]
[Reward: Novice Magical Theory Compendium (Digital)]
A soft blue glow emanated from the air in front of Harry as something materialized—not a physical object, but a translucent interface that appeared to float in space like a magical computer screen. Text scrolled across the display in elegant script that was easy to read despite being made of pure light.
[Novice Magical Theory Compendium - Common Tier]
[A comprehensive digital library containing fundamental magical theory, spell analysis, and practical applications. Includes interactive diagrams, searchable index, and cross-referenced materials from multiple magical traditions.]
[Features: Voice activation, holographic illustrations, progress tracking, note-taking capabilities]
[Contents: 50,000+ pages of magical theory from basic principles to intermediate applications]
Harry stared at the floating interface, his enhanced memory immediately grasping the implications. This wasn't just a book—it was an entire magical education system, condensed into a form that only he could access.
"How do I use this?" he asked softly, not wanting to wake Hedwig.
The interface responded to his voice, text flowing across the display like water:
[VOICE COMMAND RECOGNIZED]
[The Compendium responds to verbal queries and can be summoned at will. Simply think "Compendium" to activate the interface. All interactions are private and invisible to others unless you choose to share specific information.]
[Would you like a demonstration?]
"Yes," Harry said immediately.
The floating screen expanded, filling his vision with what appeared to be a table of contents that organized magical knowledge into logical categories:
**FUNDAMENTAL THEORY**
- Basic Magical Principles
- Wand Theory and Application
- Spell Components and Structure
- Magical Energy Flow and Control
**PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS**
- Beginner Spells by Category
- Advanced Techniques (Theory Only)
- Troubleshooting Common Problems
- Safety Protocols and Emergency Procedures
**SPECIALIZED SUBJECTS**
- Potion Theory and Ingredient Analysis
- Transfiguration Principles
- Charms and Enchantments
- Defense Against the Dark Arts (Basic)
**HISTORICAL CONTEXT**
- Development of Modern Magical Theory
- Notable Magical Innovations
- Cross-Cultural Magical Practices
- Famous Magical Theorists and Their Contributions
Harry selected "Basic Magical Principles" with a thought, and the display immediately shifted to show him a comprehensive introduction to magical theory that was far more detailed than anything he'd expected to encounter in first-year textbooks.
*This is incredible,* he thought, scanning through subsections on magical energy sources, the relationship between intent and effect, and the role of wand movements in focusing magical power. *This is exactly what I need to understand the deeper mechanics of magic, not just how to cast spells but why they work the way they do.*
But it was when he navigated to a section titled "Soul Magic: Theory and Applications" that Harry's excitement reached new heights.
[WARNING: Advanced Topic]
[Soul Magic is considered one of the most dangerous and complex branches of magical theory. The following information is provided for educational purposes only. Practical application should never be attempted without proper supervision and extensive preparation.]
[SOUL MAGIC FUNDAMENTALS]
[The human soul is the core of magical ability and consciousness. Damage to the soul can result in permanent magical disability, mental instability, or death. However, understanding soul magic is essential for advanced healing, protective enchantments, and countering certain forms of dark magic.]
Harry's enhanced memory was already cataloging this information, cross-referencing it with everything he knew about Horcruxes and soul damage. The Compendium might not provide him with a direct solution to his problem, but it would definitely give him the theoretical foundation he needed to understand what had been done to him and how it might be reversed.
"Can you show me information about artificial soul division?" Harry asked quietly.
[SEARCHING... RESULTS FOUND]
[WARNING: This topic involves advanced dark magic theory. Proceed with caution.]
The display shifted to show him a section that made his blood run cold even as it provided exactly the information he'd been hoping for:
[ARTIFICIAL SOUL DIVISION: HORCRUXES]
[Definition: The practice of splitting one's soul through murder and binding the fragments to external objects for the purpose of achieving immortality.]
[Classification: Forbidden Dark Magic - Class XXX (Extremely Dangerous)]
[Historical Use: Rare, with fewer than 20 documented cases in recorded history]
[Effects on Caster: Severe soul damage, mental instability, loss of empathy, magical degradation over time]
[Effects on Objects: Contamination with dark magic, dangerous to handle without proper protection]
[Removal Methods: Various theoretical approaches exist, but implementation requires extreme precision to avoid killing the host...]
Harry's hands were shaking slightly as he read through the technical details. The Compendium confirmed everything he'd suspected about the Horcrux in his scar, but it also provided information that hadn't been available in the original books—practical, detailed information about how Horcruxes actually functioned and what could be done about them.
Most importantly, it confirmed that removal was possible without killing the host, though the methods were complex and dangerous.
*This is exactly what I needed,* Harry thought, his mind already racing through the implications. *I can't attempt anything practical yet—I need much more magical education first—but now I have access to the theoretical knowledge that will let me understand what needs to be done.*
He bookmarked the section on Horcruxes, along with several related topics about soul healing and protective magic, then navigated back to more immediate concerns. His first year at Hogwarts was still more than a month away, and he needed to focus on practical preparations rather than advanced magical theory.
"Show me basic spell theory," he requested.
The display shifted to present him with information that would normally take months of classes to cover—the fundamental principles behind how spells worked, why certain wand movements were necessary, how magical energy flowed from wizard to wand to target, and most importantly, how intent and emotional state affected magical outcomes.
*This is going to make Hogwarts so much easier,* Harry realized, reading through explanations that made complex magical concepts seem logical and straightforward. *Instead of just memorizing spells and hoping they work, I'll actually understand what I'm doing and why.*
After an hour of exploring the Compendium's contents, Harry finally dismissed the interface and settled back onto his comfortable bed. The digital library had given him exactly what he needed—not just information, but understanding. With his enhanced memory, he would retain everything he learned, building a comprehensive foundation of magical knowledge that would serve him throughout his education and beyond.
*Two days, two incredibly useful rewards,* he thought contentedly. *The Enhanced Memory Potion yesterday, and now the Compendium. If this pattern continues, I'll be better prepared for the magical world than most adult wizards.*
Hedwig stirred on her perch, opening one amber eye to check on him before settling back into sleep. Her presence made the impossible space feel like home—his first real home, where he was safe and private and free to plan for the future without anyone monitoring his activities.
*Tomorrow—today, technically—I need to finish shopping,* Harry planned mentally. *Food for the trunk's kitchen, maybe some additional supplies, definitely some materials for practicing magic once I'm back at Privet Drive.*
The thought of returning to the Dursleys no longer filled him with dread. He had his sanctuary now, his own space where they couldn't touch him. More importantly, he had tools—the enhanced memory, access to advanced magical theory, and soon a wand that would let him defend himself if necessary.
*Let them try to lock me in my room,* Harry thought with grim satisfaction. *I'll just retreat to my trunk and continue my magical education in comfort while they wonder why I'm not complaining anymore.*
He drifted off to sleep with the Compendium's voice command phrase echoing in his mind like a mantra: "Compendium." One word that would give him access to more magical knowledge than most Hogwarts students acquired in seven years of education.
*Day two complete. 363 days to go.*
The adventure was definitely getting better.
—
Harry woke to sunlight streaming through what his rational mind knew was a magically simulated window, but which looked and felt exactly like natural morning light. Hedwig was already awake, preening her feathers with the methodical precision of someone conducting important daily maintenance.
"Morning, beautiful," Harry said softly, and Hedwig responded with a gentle hoot that somehow managed to convey both greeting and mild reproach for sleeping so late.
A glance at the magical clock built into the bedroom wall showed it was nearly nine in the morning—later than Harry had slept in years. The Dursleys' household had operated on a schedule that required him to be awake and working by seven at the latest, but apparently comfort and safety were conducive to actually restful sleep.
*First order of business: figure out how basic living works in this magical apartment.*
The bathroom facilities, when Harry investigated them, proved to be every bit as impressive as the rest of the trunk's amenities. Running water that never ran cold, mirrors that provided helpful lighting for grooming, and toiletries that were clearly magical improvements on their mundane counterparts—soap that cleaned more thoroughly, a razor that prevented nicks and cuts, toothpaste that left his mouth feeling cleaner than should have been physically possible.
*The wizarding world really has improved the basics of daily living,* Harry mused as he got dressed in his new, properly fitting clothes. The magical casual wear was as comfortable as advertised, automatically adjusting to his body temperature and somehow staying perfectly clean despite being slept in.
The kitchen proved equally magical in its practicality. The stove ignited with a thought, the sink provided perfectly temperatured water on demand, and the food storage areas hummed softly with preservation charms. Harry had never cooked for himself—the Dursleys had made sure of that—but the kitchen came with what appeared to be a comprehensive magical cookbook that promised to guide him through everything from basic nutrition to advanced culinary techniques.
*Something to explore when I have more time,* Harry decided. *For now, I need to meet Hagrid and finish my shopping.*
He climbed the wooden stairs back up to the trunk's normal exterior, closing it carefully before slinging the bag containing his other purchases over his shoulder. Hedwig settled on his shoulder with the confident air of someone who had claimed her traveling position and intended to keep it.
Hagrid was already awake and dressed, his massive frame somehow managing not to look ridiculous in the small inn room. "Morning, Harry! Sleep well in your new trunk?"
"Better than I've ever slept in my life," Harry said honestly. "That trunk was worth every Galleon."
"Thought yeh might like it," Hagrid said with satisfaction. "Nothing like having yer own space, is there? Place where yeh can think and plan and just be yerself."
The innkeeper provided breakfast—a substantial meal of eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast that would have fed the Dursley family for two days but which Hagrid approached as if it were a light snack. Harry ate with genuine appetite, marveling at how much better food tasted when you weren't worried about when your next meal might be.
"Right then," Hagrid said as they finished eating, "what else do yeh need from Diagon Alley? We should probably head back to Little Whinging this afternoon—don't want to keep the Dursleys wondering where yeh've gotten to."
*Oh, I very much do want to keep them wondering,* Harry thought with private amusement. *But probably best not to say that to Hagrid.*
"I was hoping to pick up some food supplies," Harry said aloud. "Stock the trunk's kitchen so I can be more self-sufficient. Maybe some basic cooking equipment, preserved foods, that kind of thing."
Hagrid's expression suggested he understood exactly what Harry wasn't saying—that self-sufficiency meant not depending on the Dursleys' questionable commitment to feeding him properly.
"Aye, that's smart thinking. There's a good provisioner just off the main alley—caters to people who need to stock magical storage spaces. Everything yeh could want, and all of it spelled to last indefinitely."
The provisioner's shop turned out to be exactly what Harry needed. "Magical Provisions: Everything for Extended Living" occupied a storefront that looked deceptively small from the outside but contained aisles upon aisles of magically preserved foods, cooking equipment, and household supplies.
"Stocking a magical residence?" asked the proprietor—a cheerful witch who had the practical air of someone who understood exactly what her customers needed. "Student trunk, I'd guess?"
"That's right," Harry confirmed. "Looking for enough supplies to be completely self-sufficient for extended periods."
"Excellent! Let me show you our student packages."
What followed was an education in magical domestic science that Harry found absolutely fascinating. Preserved foods that would remain fresh for decades, cooking equipment that required no external power sources, household supplies that cleaned and maintained themselves—the magical world had clearly put considerable thought into the practical requirements of independent living.
"Basic nutrition package," the proprietor explained, indicating shelves lined with packages and jars. "Covers all your dietary needs with foods that actually taste good, not just fulfil requirements. Breakfast items, lunch materials, dinner components, snacks, beverages—everything you need for balanced meals."
The preserved foods were revelation. Bread that stayed fresh indefinitely, fruits and vegetables that retained all their original nutrition and flavor, meats that were perfectly cooked and seasoned, dairy products that never spoiled. It was like having access to an entire grocery store that fit in a single storage cabinet.
"Cooking equipment package," she continued, "includes everything needed for preparing proper meals. Self-heating pans, temperature-controlled cooking surfaces, preparation tools that stay sharp and clean, serving dishes that warm food to optimal temperature."
Harry selected the comprehensive packages without hesitation. The total cost was thirty Galleons—expensive by normal standards, but a trivial expense considering it would provide him with months of complete nutritional independence.
*No more wondering whether the Dursleys will remember to feed me,* Harry thought with satisfaction. *No more carefully rationed portions, no more going hungry because Dudley ate my share. Complete food security.*
"One final recommendation," the proprietor said as she packaged his purchases. "Consider investing in our magical cookbook series. Teaches you how to prepare proper meals using magical techniques, includes nutrition guidance, and adapts to your skill level as you learn."
The cookbook series cost another ten Galleons but looked comprehensive and practical. Given that Harry had never been allowed to cook before, having expert guidance available at all times seemed like a worthwhile investment.
Their final stop was a shop that specialized in what could only be described as "general magical living supplies"—everything from self-cleaning clothing to magical entertainment to personal care items enhanced with helpful charms.
"Academic supplies," Harry told the proprietor. "I want to be able to study effectively and practice magic safely."
This led to the acquisition of writing materials that never ran out of ink, parchment that organized itself according to subject matter, reference materials that updated themselves automatically, and even some basic magical practice items that would let him work on technique without producing obvious magical effects that might attract unwanted attention.
By early afternoon, Harry had essentially equipped himself for complete independence during his remaining time with the Dursleys. Food, cooking facilities, study materials, entertainment options, and household supplies—everything he needed to live comfortably and pursue his magical education without depending on anyone else for basic necessities.
*Total spent: about seventy Galleons,* Harry calculated as they prepared to leave Diagon Alley. *Which means I still have more than enough money left for whatever emergencies or opportunities might arise.*
"Right then," Hagrid said as they approached the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, "time to get yeh back to Privet Drive. Yeh ready to face the Dursleys again?"
Harry thought of his impossible trunk, stocked with everything he needed for comfort and independence. He thought of his enhanced memory, giving him perfect recall of everything he learned. He thought of the Compendium, providing access to magical theory that would let him understand and eventually solve his Horcrux problem.
Most of all, he thought of Hedwig, perched confidently on his shoulder, a living reminder that he was no longer alone in the world.
"More than ready," Harry said with genuine confidence. "Let them try their worst. I'm not the same person who left yesterday morning."
As they stepped through the enchanted wall back into the Muggle world of London, Harry felt the weight of possibility settling around his shoulders like a comfortable cloak. The next month at Privet Drive would be preparation time—time to study, to plan, to master the fundamentals of magic using his private sanctuary and advanced resources.
*Day two complete,* he thought as they made their way toward the train station. *361 days to go until I can safely remove this Horcrux. But in the meantime, I have everything I need to become the wizard I want to be.*
The real adventure was just beginning.
—
The train journey back to Little Whinging passed in comfortable conversation, with Hagrid sharing stories about Hogwarts traditions and Harry asking carefully crafted questions that would help him understand how much the magical world had changed since the books were written. By the time they reached the small suburban station, Harry felt confident that he understood both the opportunities and challenges awaiting him in this evolved version of the wizarding world.
"Right then," Hagrid said as they approached the familiar street where Harry had spent eleven years of careful invisibility, "here we are. Number Four Privet Drive, in all its... er... suburban glory."
The house looked exactly as Harry remembered it—perfectly manicured lawn, precisely trimmed hedges, and windows so clean they sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. It was the kind of home that appeared in estate agent catalogs under headings like "Ideal Family Living" and "Prestigious Residential Area," assuming you didn't know about the cupboard under the stairs or the systematic emotional abuse that had taken place behind those pristine walls.
But today, looking at the house that had once represented everything wrong with his life, Harry felt nothing but mild curiosity about how the Dursleys would react to the changes in their unwanted nephew.
*They have no idea what's coming,* Harry thought with private amusement. *They're expecting the same cowed, dependent boy they've been tormenting for eleven years. They're going to get quite a surprise.*
"Yeh sure yeh'll be all right here?" Hagrid asked, his voice carrying concern that suggested he remembered exactly what he'd observed about the Dursley family dynamic. "I could have a word with them, make sure they understand yeh're not to be mistreated..."
"I'll be fine," Harry assured him, and meant it more than Hagrid could possibly understand. "They can't hurt me anymore, Hagrid. I have everything I need now."
Something in Harry's tone must have conveyed his confidence, because Hagrid's worried expression relaxed slightly. "Aye, I suppose yeh do at that. Got yer wand, got yer owl, got all yer school supplies... different lad than the one I met yesterday, aren't yeh?"
"Completely different," Harry agreed.
They approached the front door, and Harry knocked with the confident rhythm of someone who belonged wherever they happened to be. The sound echoed through the house, followed by the familiar pattern of Vernon's heavy footsteps approaching the entrance.
The door swung open to reveal Uncle Vernon in all his purple-faced, neck-bulging glory. He'd clearly been preparing for this moment, working himself up into the kind of righteous indignation that would normally have sent Harry scurrying for cover.
"Where the devil have you been?" Vernon bellowed, his voice carrying across half the neighborhood with the subtlety of a foghorn. "Disappearing for two days without so much as a by-your-leave, worrying your aunt sick, causing disruption to our peaceful household—"
He stopped mid-rant as he took in the changes in Harry's appearance. New clothes that actually fit. A confident posture instead of the defensive crouch he was accustomed to seeing. Most striking of all, a complete lack of the fear and submission that Vernon had come to expect from his encounters with the boy.
"I was shopping for school," Harry said pleasantly, as if Vernon's shouting was nothing more than mildly interesting background noise. "Getting supplies for my magical education. You remember—the education you tried so hard to prevent me from receiving?"
Vernon's face went through several color changes, settling on a shade of purple that suggested his blood pressure was conducting experiments with the upper limits of human cardiovascular capacity.
"Don't you dare use that word in my house!" he snarled, though his voice had dropped to a more normal volume. The neighbors were already showing interest in the disturbance, and Vernon was nothing if not conscious of appearances.
"Magic?" Harry asked with innocent curiosity. "But that's what I am, Uncle Vernon. A wizard. Just like my parents were wizards. Just like I'll always be a wizard, no matter how much you disapprove."
Before Vernon could respond—and his expression suggested he was preparing a response that would probably violate several noise ordinances—Hagrid stepped forward.
"Mr. Dursley," Hagrid said with deceptively mild politeness, "we met the other night. Lovely evening, that was. How's Dudley getting on with his new... additions?"
The reminder of Dudley's pig tail incident had an immediate and dramatic effect on Vernon's demeanor. The bluster deflated out of him like air from a punctured balloon, and his face went from purple to an unhealthy grayish-white.
"He's... he's fine," Vernon managed. "The tail went away yesterday morning. No permanent harm done."
"Oh, good," Hagrid said cheerfully. "Temporary effects, just like I said. Though I do hope he's learned his lesson about taking things that don't belong to him. Magical pastry can be quite unpredictable when consumed by those with... shall we say, incompatible personality traits."
Vernon's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. "Yes. Well. Lesson learned, I'm sure."
"Excellent," Hagrid beamed. "Now then, I'll be leaving Harry in yer capable care. I'm sure yeh'll treat him with all the respect and consideration he deserves, won't yeh?"
The question was phrased politely, but there was steel beneath Hagrid's cheerful tone that suggested consequences for anyone who might consider mistreating Harry Potter.
"Of course," Vernon said weakly.
"Wonderful. Harry, yeh've got my contact information if yeh need anything at all. Don't hesitate to send Hedwig if yeh have questions or concerns about anything. Anything at all."
The emphasis made it clear that "anything" included mistreatment by relatives who should know better.
"I'll remember that," Harry said warmly. "Thank you for everything, Hagrid. This has been the best two days of my life."
Hagrid's expression softened with genuine affection. "Mine too, lad. Take care of yerself, and I'll see yeh on September first at King's Cross. Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, don't forget."
"Platform Nine and Three-Quarters," Harry repeated. "I'll be there."
With a final meaningful look at Vernon—a look that conveyed exactly what would happen if Harry showed up at Hogwarts with any signs of mistreatment—Hagrid departed, leaving Harry alone with the Dursleys for the first time since his transformation began.
Vernon stood in the doorway for a long moment, clearly struggling with how to handle this new version of his nephew. The old Harry would have apologized for being gone, would have tried to make himself as invisible as possible, would have accepted whatever punishment Vernon decided to mete out.
This Harry stood confidently on the front step, Hedwig perched on his shoulder and his impossible trunk beside him, looking for all the world like someone who belonged exactly where he was and expected to be treated accordingly.
"Well?" Harry said pleasantly. "Are you going to let me in, or are we going to conduct our family reunion on the front step where all the neighbors can watch?"
Vernon's gaze flicked toward the neighboring houses, where curtains were definitely twitching with curiosity, then back to Harry with something that might have been grudging respect.
"Get inside," he muttered, stepping back to allow Harry entry.
The interior of Number Four Privet Drive looked exactly as Harry remembered it—pristine, sterile, and arranged with the kind of obsessive orderliness that suggested its inhabitants were afraid of what might happen if anything was ever out of place. But now, instead of feeling oppressive, it just seemed... small. Ordinary. The kind of place where ordinary people lived ordinary lives and worried about ordinary problems.
*I'm not ordinary anymore,* Harry thought as he looked around the familiar sitting room. *I'm a wizard, with a magical education ahead of me and resources they can't even imagine. This place can't touch me.*
Petunia emerged from the kitchen, her expression cycling through several emotions as she took in Harry's transformed appearance. Surprise at how much older and more confident he looked. Resentment at his obvious prosperity. And underneath it all, something that might have been fear—not of Harry himself, but of what he represented.
"So," she said with forced casualness, "you're back."
"I'm back," Harry confirmed. "Though I should mention, my circumstances have changed considerably since I left."
"Changed how?" Vernon demanded, though his voice lacked its usual aggressive certainty.
Harry smiled—not the nervous, placating expression the Dursleys were used to seeing, but the confident smile of someone who held all the cards and was enjoying the opportunity to reveal them.
"Well," he said, setting his trunk down in the middle of the sitting room where it immediately drew attention due to being obviously expensive and well-crafted, "I've discovered I'm considerably wealthier than anyone realized. I've acquired a complete magical education, including resources most adult wizards don't have access to. I've got my own owl for communication with the wizarding world."
Hedwig chose that moment to spread her wings slightly and fix Vernon with an amber-eyed stare that suggested she was evaluating him and finding him distinctly wanting.
"And most importantly," Harry continued, "I now have friends in the magical community who take a personal interest in my welfare. Friends who would be very upset if anything happened to me."
The implications hung in the air like smoke from a particularly ominous fire.
Vernon's face went through its familiar color-changing routine before settling on a sickly yellow that suggested his digestive system was staging a formal protest.
"Now see here," he blustered, but with considerably less conviction than usual, "this is still our house, and you're still—"
"Still your nephew," Harry interrupted smoothly, "who you are legally responsible for until September first. After that, I'll be at school for most of the year, and during holidays I'll be making my own arrangements. But until then, we're all going to live together peacefully."
He let his gaze drift around the pristine sitting room, taking in the expensive furniture and carefully arranged decorative objects.
"After all," Harry continued conversationally, "it would be such a shame if anything... magical... were to happen in your lovely home. Accidental magic can be so unpredictable, especially when the young wizard in question is under stress or feels threatened."
The threat was delivered so pleasantly that it took Vernon a moment to process what he'd just heard. When he did, his complexion shifted to a shade of green that suggested he was seriously considering the implications of living with someone who could turn him into a pig with a wave of his hand.
"You... you can't do magic here," Petunia said, though her voice carried more hope than certainty. "There are laws. Restrictions."
"There are indeed," Harry agreed. "Though I should mention that accidental magic—the kind that happens when young wizards are frightened or angry or feel threatened—isn't covered by those restrictions. It's considered a natural defense mechanism."
He smiled again, and this time there was definitely something predatory in the expression.
"So I suggest we all do our best to ensure I remain calm and unstressed during my remaining time here. Don't you think that would be best for everyone involved?"
The silence that followed was profound. For the first time in eleven years, the balance of power in the Dursley household had shifted decisively in Harry's favor, and everyone present understood exactly what that meant.
"Right then," Harry said cheerfully, picking up his trunk as if it weighed nothing at all, "I'll be settling into my room. I assume my old accommodation has been upgraded since I left?"
Vernon and Petunia exchanged glances, clearly engaging in the kind of rapid spousal communication that occurs when couples realize their previous strategies are no longer viable.
"Your... your bedroom is ready," Petunia said finally, the words coming out like they physically pained her.
"Wonderful. Oh, and I should mention—I'll be largely self-sufficient during my stay here. I've got my own food supplies, my own entertainment, my own study materials. You probably won't see much of me, actually. I'll be quite busy preparing for school."
He began climbing the stairs, Hedwig still perched regally on his shoulder, his impossible trunk floating behind him with casual disregard for the laws of physics.
"Harry," Vernon called after him, his voice carrying a note of desperate authority.
Harry paused on the landing and looked back down at his uncle with polite attention.
"The neighbors," Vernon said weakly. "If they ask questions about the... the owl, or any strange sounds..."
"I'll be discreet," Harry promised. "After all, we all want to maintain the illusion of normalcy, don't we? Though I should mention that Hedwig is quite intelligent. She understands when she's welcome and when she isn't. I suggest everyone makes an effort to make her feel welcome."
As if to emphasize the point, Hedwig fixed Vernon with another of her penetrating stares, then gave a soft hoot that somehow managed to sound like a polite but unmistakable warning.
"Right then," Harry said brightly, "I'll let you all get back to your afternoon. I'm sure we're going to have a lovely, peaceful month together."
He disappeared into what had once been Dudley's second bedroom, closing the door behind him with the kind of finality that suggested the old era of Harry Potter's life was officially over.
In the sitting room below, the Dursleys stood in stunned silence, trying to process the reality that their unwanted nephew—the boy they'd spent eleven years tormenting and controlling—had just calmly informed them that the balance of power in their own home had shifted permanently in his favor.
"What do we do now?" Petunia whispered.
Vernon stared at the ceiling, where the sounds of someone settling into their new accommodation could be heard—sounds that included what appeared to be furniture being moved around despite the fact that Harry had only taken a single trunk upstairs.
"We leave him alone," Vernon said finally, his voice hollow with defeat. "We stay out of his way, we don't ask questions about anything strange, and we count the days until September first."
It was, perhaps, the wisest decision Vernon Dursley had ever made.
Upstairs, in what had once been Dudley's second bedroom and was now Harry Potter's private sanctuary, the young wizard was settling into his impossible trunk with the satisfaction of someone who had just won a war without firing a shot.
*Day two,* Harry thought contentedly as he arranged his new possessions in their magical home. *Two days as a wizard, and I'm already completely transformed my circumstances. The Dursleys can't hurt me, I have everything I need for comfort and independence, and I've got an entire month to prepare for Hogwarts.*
He activated his Compendium with a thought, settling into his comfortable armchair as the magical interface filled the air with soft blue light.
"Show me first-year Hogwarts curriculum," he requested. "I want to be ready for anything."
As information began flowing across the display, detailing everything from basic spellcasting to magical creature care to the proper preparation of standard potions, Harry smiled with genuine anticipation.
*363 days until I can safely remove this Horcrux. But in the meantime, I'm going to become the best wizard I possibly can be.*
The real adventure was just beginning.
---
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