Just like her name Lee Eun Mi is graceful. 

After going through hard times Lee Eun Mi finally founds happiness but that doesn't stay for too long.

Will Eun Mi ever find long term happiness?

A boy, named Zayn, member of famous boy band 1D and the son of one of the richest man in London decided to pursue his degree in London business school to help his father in his business later. 

 One young girl, y/n, from a middle class family from India dreamt of studying in London business school and got a chance too. But she is lost in the vast and complicated world of London and felt lonely. Facing too many problems, will she be able to get her aim fulfilled? Will she be able to make the young man, Zayn, realize what actual love is?

Photo taken on Dec. 30, 2018 shows the Euro sculpture in front of the Eurotower in Frankfurt, Germany. (Xinhua/Lu Yang)
FRANKFURT, Aug. 4 -- For market participants from the European Union (EU), "invest in China" is growing more diverse in form and richer in content, as the world's second-largest economy consistently advances comprehensive reforms and opening-up.
With a series of remarkable progress in opening up of China's capital market, also known as the world's second largest, the country's financial sector, in addition to manufacturing and innovation, has been playing an increasingly vigorous role for those in Europe who crave for a bite of China's economic growth dividends.
BOOMING CHANNELS
Chinese giant pandas, cute friendship ambassadors, are always greatly welcomed by the locals of European countries like Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland, Denmark, etc. Similarly, those "pandas" in the bonds market are gaining in popularity and remain attractive for European bond issuers.
Panda bonds, renminbi-denominated notes sold by a non-Chinese issuer within China, have been offering international borrowers a way to tap domestic renminbi investors.
As China improved policies to make it easier for overseas investors to issue panda bonds and invest in its bond market, European issuers, not only corporate but also sovereign issuers, become keen on this financing and investment tool connecting the world's second-largest bond market after the United States.
By raising 2 billion yuan (288 million U.S. dollars) in May, with a maturity of three years, Portugal became the first eurozone country, the third EU countries after Poland and Hungary, to issue sovereign panda bonds.
With this successful transaction, Portugal has accessed the Chinese bond market to further diversify its investor base, Portuguese Treasury and Public Debt Management Agency said in a statement.
"For us it means entry in the new and huge market", Fernanda Ilheu, a professor at Lisbon School of Economics and Management, told Xinhua, adding that "we believe in the internationalization of renminbi."
Austria and Italy, among others, have shown interest in issuing sovereign panda bonds as well.
A relevant memorandum of understanding was inked for the Austrian government in April, while Italy and China agreed on "the first Panda Bond to be issued by a qualified Italian financial institution," showed the joint declaration of the "First Italy-China Finance Dialogue" in July.
Moreover, thanks to the opening-up of China's capital market, channels for investing in Chinese equity market, apart from bond market, are booming as well.
For European investors particularly, the Shanghai-London Stock Connect mechanism launched in June, the first of its kind to directly link the Chinese and European markets, offers them access to China's A-shares, which have been included into key global benchmark indices.
"Shanghai-London Stock Connect brings together two of the world's largest capital markets, allowing established Chinese issuers to raise capital from London's global liquidity pool and global investors to access China A-share instruments from outside Greater China," said Don Robert, chairman of London Stock Exchange Group.
REAP BENEFITS
Pursuing sustained mutual benefits and win-win results, China's commitment to pushing forward opening-up of its capital market, is not only getting enthusiastic and encouraging response from European market participants, but also benefiting them substantially.
For foreign corporate issuers, selling a panda bond can diversify coffers, and provide funding for onshore businesses, as is the case with German automakers like BMW and Daimler. The previous issued its first panda bond in March, raising 3 billion yuan (432 million U.S. dollars), whereas the latter has been using panda bonds as a regular funding tool since 2014.
Daimler has tapped the market 14 times, raising a total of 47 billion yuan (677 million U.S. dollars) across 20 tranches, according to Euromoney and HSBC.
Norberto Rosa, secretary-general of the association of Portuguese banks, said issuing panda bonds might help overcome the lack of capital in Portugal.
In his view, there could be a good symbiosis between the Portuguese economy and the Chinese one, meanwhile Portugal could benefit from abundant capital in Chinese market.
Robert believes established London-listed issuers will benefit from access to China's deep capital markets through Shanghai-London Stock Connect.
"All parties see the long-term benefits for companies, investors and the global economy in establishing a trading link between our two markets," he said.
From the perspective of Catherine McGuinness, chair of the policy and resources committee at City of London Corporation, the new link between London and Shanghai stock markets means global investors can benefit from China's growth through London, while British listed companies are able to access Chinese investors directly.
PROMISING FUTURE
With China-EU economic and trade links further strengthening, it's widely believed that ample opportunities of financial cooperation between both sides will be exploited, at different levels and through more diversified channels.
Chinese financial institutions, for instance, which support European customers to issue panda bonds, keep on intensifying localization in Europe to meet growing demand of local customers to invest in China.
"More than half of Poland's top 30 large companies have established various forms of cooperation with us," said Xia Bin, president and general manager of Bank of China Poland Branch, which helped the Polish Finance Ministry issue panda bonds.
"For example, the leading companies in the telecommunications, super-commerce and e-commerce industries in Poland are our core customers, and we also provide them with all-round financial support." Xia told Xinhua.
Meanwhile, European experts are expecting more steady progress, step-by-step, of further opening up of Chinese capital market, believing that China is just heading in the right direction.
"You need this opening-up policy to continue to foster not only China-German relationship but financial relationships across the globe," said Jochen Metzger, director general of payments and settlement systems at the Deutsche Bundesbank.
Horst Loechel, a professor at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, noted that China's latest announcement to further open up the country's financial sector to foreign investment is good news for both China and the rest of the world and it comes "quite at the right time."
Loechel sees great opportunities for financial cooperation between Germany and China, as the China Europe International Exchange, or CEINEX, a signature project of the German and Shanghai stock exchanges, has already launched some Chinese shares in Frankfurt very successfully.
"It is hoped from the Chinese side as well as the German side to continue with this development, especially also with regard to high-tech companies," he said.
Mao Xuxin, principal economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), a London-based economic think-tank, said nowadays China was aspiring to reach not just the local market, but was "aiming for the worldwide market access to that Chinese capital market and its financial center especially Shanghai to be internationally orie
Photo taken on Dec. 30, 2018 shows the Euro sculpture in front of the Eurotower in Frankfurt, Germany. (Xinhua/Lu Yang)
FRANKFURT, Aug. 4 -- For market participants from the European Union (EU), "invest in China" is growing more diverse in form and richer in content, as the world's second-largest economy consistently advances comprehensive reforms and opening-up.
With a series of remarkable progress in opening up of China's capital market, also known as the world's second largest, the country's financial sector, in addition to manufacturing and innovation, has been playing an increasingly vigorous role for those in Europe who crave for a bite of China's economic growth dividends.
BOOMING CHANNELS
Chinese giant pandas, cute friendship ambassadors, are always greatly welcomed by the locals of European countries like Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland, Denmark, etc. Similarly, those "pandas" in the bonds market are gaining in popularity and remain attractive for European bond issuers.
Panda bonds, renminbi-denominated notes sold by a non-Chinese issuer within China, have been offering international borrowers a way to tap domestic renminbi investors.
As China improved policies to make it easier for overseas investors to issue panda bonds and invest in its bond market, European issuers, not only corporate but also sovereign issuers, become keen on this financing and investment tool connecting the world's second-largest bond market after the United States.
By raising 2 billion yuan (288 million U.S. dollars) in May, with a maturity of three years, Portugal became the first eurozone country, the third EU countries after Poland and Hungary, to issue sovereign panda bonds.
With this successful transaction, Portugal has accessed the Chinese bond market to further diversify its investor base, Portuguese Treasury and Public Debt Management Agency said in a statement.
"For us it means entry in the new and huge market", Fernanda Ilheu, a professor at Lisbon School of Economics and Management, told Xinhua, adding that "we believe in the internationalization of renminbi."
Austria and Italy, among others, have shown interest in issuing sovereign panda bonds as well.
A relevant memorandum of understanding was inked for the Austrian government in April, while Italy and China agreed on "the first Panda Bond to be issued by a qualified Italian financial institution," showed the joint declaration of the "First Italy-China Finance Dialogue" in July.
Moreover, thanks to the opening-up of China's capital market, channels for investing in Chinese equity market, apart from bond market, are booming as well.
For European investors particularly, the Shanghai-London Stock Connect mechanism launched in June, the first of its kind to directly link the Chinese and European markets, offers them access to China's A-shares, which have been included into key global benchmark indices.
"Shanghai-London Stock Connect brings together two of the world's largest capital markets, allowing established Chinese issuers to raise capital from London's global liquidity pool and global investors to access China A-share instruments from outside Greater China," said Don Robert, chairman of London Stock Exchange Group.
REAP BENEFITS
Pursuing sustained mutual benefits and win-win results, China's commitment to pushing forward opening-up of its capital market, is not only getting enthusiastic and encouraging response from European market participants, but also benefiting them substantially.
For foreign corporate issuers, selling a panda bond can diversify coffers, and provide funding for onshore businesses, as is the case with German automakers like BMW and Daimler. The previous issued its first panda bond in March, raising 3 billion yuan (432 million U.S. dollars), whereas the latter has been using panda bonds as a regular funding tool since 2014.
Daimler has tapped the market 14 times, raising a total of 47 billion yuan (677 million U.S. dollars) across 20 tranches, according to Euromoney and HSBC.
Norberto Rosa, secretary-general of the association of Portuguese banks, said issuing panda bonds might help overcome the lack of capital in Portugal.
In his view, there could be a good symbiosis between the Portuguese economy and the Chinese one, meanwhile Portugal could benefit from abundant capital in Chinese market.
Robert believes established London-listed issuers will benefit from access to China's deep capital markets through Shanghai-London Stock Connect.
"All parties see the long-term benefits for companies, investors and the global economy in establishing a trading link between our two markets," he said.
From the perspective of Catherine McGuinness, chair of the policy and resources committee at City of London Corporation, the new link between London and Shanghai stock markets means global investors can benefit from China's growth through London, while British listed companies are able to access Chinese investors directly.
PROMISING FUTURE
With China-EU economic and trade links further strengthening, it's widely believed that ample opportunities of financial cooperation between both sides will be exploited, at different levels and through more diversified channels.
Chinese financial institutions, for instance, which support European customers to issue panda bonds, keep on intensifying localization in Europe to meet growing demand of local customers to invest in China.
"More than half of Poland's top 30 large companies have established various forms of cooperation with us," said Xia Bin, president and general manager of Bank of China Poland Branch, which helped the Polish Finance Ministry issue panda bonds.
"For example, the leading companies in the telecommunications, super-commerce and e-commerce industries in Poland are our core customers, and we also provide them with all-round financial support." Xia told Xinhua.
Meanwhile, European experts are expecting more steady progress, step-by-step, of further opening up of Chinese capital market, believing that China is just heading in the right direction.
"You need this opening-up policy to continue to foster not only China-German relationship but financial relationships across the globe," said Jochen Metzger, director general of payments and settlement systems at the Deutsche Bundesbank.
Horst Loechel, a professor at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, noted that China's latest announcement to further open up the country's financial sector to foreign investment is good news for both China and the rest of the world and it comes "quite at the right time."
Loechel sees great opportunities for financial cooperation between Germany and China, as the China Europe International Exchange, or CEINEX, a signature project of the German and Shanghai stock exchanges, has already launched some Chinese shares in Frankfurt very successfully.
"It is hoped from the Chinese side as well as the German side to continue with this development, especially also with regard to high-tech companies," he said.
Mao Xuxin, principal economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), a London-based economic think-tank, said nowadays China was aspiring to reach not just the local market, but was "aiming for the worldwide market access to that Chinese capital market and its financial center especially Shanghai to be internationally orie


Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (/ˈʃvɑːrtsnɛɡər/;[1][a] German: [ˈaʁnɔlt ˈʃvaʁtsn̩ˌʔɛɡɐ]; born July 30, 1947) is an Austrian-American politician, actor, filmmaker, businessman, author, and former professional bodybuilder.[2] He served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 to 2011. As of 2019, he is the most recent Republican governor of California.

Schwarzenegger began lifting weights at the age of 15. He won the Mr. Universe title at age 20 and went on to win the Mr. Olympia contest seven times, remaining a prominent presence in bodybuilding and writing many books and articles on the sport. The Arnold Sports Festival, considered the second most important professional bodybuilding event in recent years,[3] is named after him. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, as well as the sport's most charismatic ambassador.[4]

Schwarzenegger gained worldwide fame as a Hollywood action film icon. His breakthrough film was the sword-and-sorcery epic Conan the Barbarian in 1982, a box-office hit that resulted in a sequel.[5] In 1984, he appeared in the title role of James Cameron's critically and commercially successful science-fiction thriller film The Terminator. He subsequently played a similar Terminator character in most of the franchise's later installments, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), Terminator Genisys (2015),[5][6][7] and Terminator: Dark Fate (2019). He has appeared in a number of other successful films, such as Commando (1985), The Running Man (1987), Predator (1987), Twins (1988), Total Recall (1990), Kindergarten Cop (1990), and True Lies (1994). Schwarzenegger married Maria Shriver, a niece of the 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy and daughter of the 1972 Democratic vice presidential candidate and former Ambassador to France Sargent Shriver, in 1986. They separated in 2011 after he admitted to having fathered a child with another woman in 1997;[8] the divorce was finalized in 2017.

As a Republican, Schwarzenegger was first elected on October 7, 2003, in a special recall election to replace then-Governor Gray Davis. He was sworn in on November 17, to serve the remainder of Davis' term. He was then re-elected in the 2006 California gubernatorial election, to serve a full term as governor.[9] In 2011, he completed his second term as governor and returned to acting. Schwarzenegger was nicknamed "the Austrian Oak" in his bodybuilding days, "Arnie" or "Schwarzy" during his acting career, "The Governator" (a portmanteau of "Governor" and "Terminator") during his political career, and is commonly known in Japan as "Shuwa-chan" (シュワちゃん).


Early


Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947 in Thal, Styria[10] to Aurelia (née Jadrny; 1922–1998) and Gustav Schwarzenegger (1907–1972). His father was the local chief of police and had served in World War II as a Hauptfeldwebel after voluntarily joining the Nazi Party in 1938.[11] He was wounded in the Battle of Stalingrad,[12] but was discharged in 1943 following a bout of malaria. He married Schwarzenegger's mother on October 20, 1945; he was 38 and she was 23. According to Arnold Schwarzenegger, his parents were very strict: "Back then in Austria it was a very different world ... if we did something bad or we disobeyed our parents, the rod was not spared."[13] He grew up in a Catholic family who attended Mass every Sunday.[14][15]

Gustav had a preference for his elder son, Meinhard, over Arnold.[16] His favoritism was "strong and blatant", which stemmed from unfounded suspicion that Arnold was not his biological child.[17] Schwarzenegger has said that his father had "no patience for listening or understanding your problems."[14] He had a good relationship with his mother and kept in touch with her until her death.[18] In later life, he commissioned the Simon Wiesenthal Center to research his father's wartime record, which came up with no evidence of Gustav being involved in atrocities, despite his membership in the Nazi Party and Sturmabteilung (SA).[16] Gustav's background received wide press attention during the 2003 California recall campaign.[19]

At school, Schwarzenegger was reportedly academically average, but stood out for his "cheerful, good-humored, and exuberant" character.[14] Money was a problem in their household; Schwarzenegger recalled that one of the highlights of his youth was when the family bought a refrigerator.[17] As a boy, he played several sports, heavily influenced by his father.[14] He picked up his first barbell in 1960, when his soccer coach took his team to a local gym.[10] At the age of 14, he chose bodybuilding over soccer as a career.[5][6] He later said, "I actually started weight training when I was 15, but I'd been participating in sports, like soccer, for years, so I felt that although I was slim, I was well-developed, at least enough so that I could start going to the gym and start olympic lifting."[13] However, his official website biography claims that "at 14, he started an intensive training program with Dan Farmer, studied psychology at 15 (to learn more about the power of mind over body) and at 17, officially started his competitive career."[20] During a speech in 2001, he said, "My own plan formed when I was 14 years old. My father had wanted me to be a police officer like he was. My mother wanted me to go to trade school."[21]

Schwarzenegger took to visiting a gym in Graz, where he also frequented the local movie theaters to see bodybuilding idols such as Reg Park, Steve Reeves, and Johnny Weissmuller on the big screen.[13] When Reeves died in 2000, Schwarzenegger fondly remembered him: "As a teenager, I grew up with Steve Reeves. His remarkable accomplishments allowed me a sense of what was possible when others around me didn't always understand my dreams. Steve Reeves has been part of everything I've ever been fortunate enough to achieve." In 1961, Schwarzenegger met former Mr. Austria Kurt Marnul, who invited him to train at the gym in Graz.[10] He was so dedicated as a youngster that he broke into the local gym on weekends, so that he could train even when it was closed. "It would make me sick to miss a workout... I knew I couldn't look at myself in the mirror the next morning if I didn't do it." When Schwarzenegger was asked about his first movie experience as a boy, he replied: "I was very young, but I remember my father taking me to the Austrian theaters and seeing some newsreels. The first real movie I saw, that I distinctly remember, was a John Wayne movie."[13]

Schwarzenegger's brother, Meinhard, died in a car crash on May 20, 1971.[10] He was driving drunk and died instantly. Schwarzenegger did not attend his funeral. Meinhard was engaged to Erika Knapp, and they had a three-year-old son named Patrick. Schwarzenegger paid for Patrick's education and helped him to move to the U.S.[17] Gustav died on December 13, 1972, from a stroke.[10] In Pumping Iron, Schwarzenegger claimed that he did not attend his father's funeral because he was training for a bodybuilding contest. Later, he and the film's producer said this story was taken from another bodybuilder to show the extremes some would go to for their sport and to make Schwarzenegger's image colder to create controversy for the film.[22] However, Barbara Baker, his first serious girlfriend, recalled that he informed her of his father's death without emotion and that he never spoke of his brother.[23] Over time, he has given at least three versions of why he was absent from his father's funeral.[17]

In an interview with Fortune in 2004, Schwarzenegger told how he suffered what "would now be called child abuse" at the hands of his father: "My hair was pulled. I was hit with belts. So was the kid next door. It was just the way it was. Many of the children I've seen were broken by their parents, which was the German-Austrian mentality. They didn't want to create an individual. It was all about conforming. I was one who did not conform, and whose will could not be broken. Therefore, I became a rebel. Every time I got hit, and every time someone said, 'You can't do this,' I said, 'This is not going to be for much longer because I'm going to move out of here. I want to be rich. I want to be somebody.'"[11]

Schwarzenegger served in the Austrian Army in 1965 to fulfill the one year of service required at the time of all 18-year-old Austrian males.[10][20] During his army service, he won the Junior Mr. Europe contest.[6] He went AWOL during basic training so he could take part in the competition and then spent a week in military prison: "Participating in the competition meant so much to me that I didn't carefully think through the consequences." He entered another bodybuilding contest in Graz, at Steirerhof Hotel, where he placed second. He was voted "best-built man of Europe", which made him famous in bodybuilding circles. "The Mr. Universe title was my ticket to America—the land of opportunity, where I could become a star and get rich."[21] Schwarzenegger made his first plane trip in 1966, attending the NABBA Mr. Universe competition in London.[20] He would come in second in the Mr. Universe competition, not having the muscle definition of American winner Chester Yorton.[20]

Charles "Wag" Bennett, one of the judges at the 1966 competition, was impressed with Schwarzenegger and he offered to coach him. As Schwarzenegger had little money, Bennett invited him to stay in his crowded family home above one of his two gyms in Forest Gate, London. Yorton's leg definition had been judged superior, and Schwarzenegger, under a training program devised by Bennett, concentrated on improving the muscle definition and power in his legs. Staying in the East End of London helped Schwarzenegger improve his rudimentary grasp of the English language.[24][25] Living with the Bennetts also changed him as a person: "Being with them made me so much more sophisticated. When you're the age I was then, you're always looking for approval, for love, for attention and also for guidance. At the time, I wasn't really aware of that. But now, looking back, I see that the Bennett family fulfilled all those needs. Especially my need to be the best in the world. To be recognized and to feel unique and special. They saw that I needed that care and attention and love."[26]

Also in 1966, while at Bennett's home, Schwarzenegger had the opportunity to meet childhood idol Reg Park, who became his friend and mentor.[26][27] The training paid off and, in 1967, Schwarzenegger won the title for the first time, becoming the youngest ever Mr. Universe at the age of 20.[20] He would go on to win the title a further three times.[6] Schwarzenegger then flew back to Munich, where he attended a business school and worked in a health club (Rolf Putziger's gym, where he worked and trained from 1966 to 1968), returning in 1968 to London to win his next Mr. Universe title.[20] He frequently told Roger C. Field, his English coach and friend in Munich at that time, "I'm going to become the greatest actor!"[28]

Schwarzenegger, who dreamed of moving to the U.S. since the age of 10, and saw bodybuilding as the avenue through which to do so,[29] realized his dream by moving to the United States in October 1968 at the age of 21, speaking little English.[6][10] There he trained at Gold's Gym in Venice, Los Angeles, California, under Joe Weider's supervision. From 1970 to 1974, one of Schwarzenegger's weight training partners was Ric Drasin, a professional wrestler who designed the original Gold's Gym logo in 1973.[30] Schwarzenegger also became good friends with professional wrestler Superstar Billy Graham. In 1970, at age 23, he captured his first Mr. Olympia title in New York, and would go on to win the title a total of seven times.[20]

The immigration law firm Siskind & Susser has stated that Schwarzenegger may have been an illegal immigrant at some point in the late 1960s or early 1970s because of violations in the terms of his visa.[31] LA Weekly would later say in 2002 that Schwarzenegger is the most famous immigrant in America, who "overcame a thick Austrian accent and transcended the unlikely background of bodybuilding to become the biggest movie star in the world in the 1990s".[29]

In 1977, Schwarzenegger's autobiography/weight-training guide Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder became a huge success.[10] In 1977 he posed for the gay magazine After Dark.[32][33] Due to taking an assortment of courses at Santa Monica College in California (including English classes), as well as further upper division classes at the University of California, Los Angeles as part of UCLA's extension program, Schwarzenegger had by then accumulated enough credits so as to be "within striking distance" of graduation. In 1979 he enrolled in the University of Wisconsin–Superior as a distance education student, completing most of his coursework by correspondence and flying out to Superior in order to meet professors and take final exams. In May 1980, he formally graduated and received his bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing. He got his United States citizenship in 1983.[34]

Schwarzenegger said that during this time he encountered a friend who told him he was teaching Transcendental Meditation (TM), which prompted Schwarzenegger to reveal that he had been struggling with anxiety for the first time in his life: "Even today, I still benefit from [the year of TM] because I don't merge and bring things together and see everything as one big problem."[35]

This book is made of wikipedia articles. Probably interesting articles. Probably not accurate articles.
New chapters daily.

"Surely we must be almost there," Annie said.
Night had fallen long ago, and although she had no way telling of time, it seemed to her that they had been traveling forever. Far longer than the journey to London should take. Of course, the very nature of this particular journey could be responsible for her oppressive anxiety over its length.
Mr Travener straightened in the opposite seat, fingering his watch out of it's pocket. It was far too dark inside the carriage to read the face of it, however. Acknowledging the impossibility of doing so, he replaced the watch and with gloved fingers lifted the shade that had drawn over the window.
Trying to evaluate the depth of the external darkness? Annie wondered. Or perhaps hoping to see some evidence that they were indeed approaching the outskirts of the capital?
"Soon," he said reassuringly, allowing the covering to fall.
She could not tell if that estimation had been based on something he had seen, or if it had merely been intended to placate her impatience. If the latter, it hadn't succeeded.
Despite the fact that they had been racing along a well maintained thoroughfare for hours, she had a terrible sense of foreboding that they were already too late. It was a feeling she had tried to deny. And when she couldn't, one she had determined not to give voice to.
After all, she could not fault Mr Travener's efforts.
Since they had left the school, they had stopped only to change horses. Mrs Kemp had warned that, no matter the circumstances, it would not do for Annie to be seen alone on an extended journey in the company of a young man who was not of her family, and so she had not descended from the carriage at any coaching inns.
The headmistress had fretted about letting her go with only Mr Travener's escort. Since it was end of spring term, however, there was no other teacher at school whom Mrs Kemp could send with her at such short notice. And yet she was naturally reluctant to disobey what might be the dying request if Annie's guardian. Finally, the urgency of the situation and Mr Travener's repeated assurances if Annie's safety had secured the headmistress's permission, if not her approval, of the plan.
Doyle had offered to bring refreshment out to the carriage at every stop they'd made, but Annie had refused, knowing she could not eat. At the last Inn, however, he had insisted she drink a cup of mulled wine to 'strenghten' her.
She had felt the better for it, Annie admitted, although it's potency had put her to sleep. She had no idea for how long, but when she awakened, still dazed from the effects of the strong wine, the feeling that something was very wrong had welled terrifyingly up in her breast.
"I don't remember the journey to London taking so long," she said aloud.
"We are making very good time, I promise you," Mr Travener said. "I was quite surprised to discover exactly how good when last we stopped."
Several times during the course of the journey she had considered asking him for more details of the duel and especially more about Ian's injury. She had refrained because she did not want to be forced to comfort Travener's professed guilt again.
After all, he had given her all the pertinent information in that first breathless confession.
They do not expect him to live out the night.
And now more than half that night had passed. Those despairing thoughts were interrupted by a recognizable slowing of the horses' breakneck pace.
"Are we stopping?" She asked, lifting the shade away from the edge of the window.
By the time it was quite obvious they were. As the driver pulled the horses up, Annie saw through the crack she had created what appeared to be a torch wavering out of the mist shrouded darkness and making its way towards the carriage. Given her previous encounter with the highwaymen, she felt a frisson of unease at the sight.
Another inn? Surely it had not been long enough since the last that they should need to change teams.
The carriage came to a complete stop, and almost before it did Mr Travener threw open the door, showing not the least sign of trepidation about whoever was approaching them. He jumped down, turning and holding up his hand to her.
"Come, Miss Darlington," he said.
Eager to descend, now that the journey was at an end, she stood, perhaps too quickly. Her head swam and her vision seemed blurred, and she wished again that she had not drunk the wine he'd brought her. She placed her fingers in his, grateful for their support, and stepped down.
The scene that greeted her was not anything like what she had expected. Not an inn. Nor were they at the door of the Earl of Dare's elegant town house. They weren't in London at all. Or in any civilized environs, it seemed.
And it was very clear that the two men who stood beside the coach, one of them holding the smoking torch, were not gentlemen. At least not by the standards of English society.
She turned her head, meeting Doyle Travener's eyes, which were focused on her face, apparently awaiting her reaction.
"Where are we?" She asked.
"I regret to inform you that we are presently in Scotland, Miss Darlington."
"Scotland," she repeated disbelievingly.
The repetition was little more than an attempt to buy time. Head swimming, she realized that the wine she had consumed was making clear thinking difficult for her. Yet if Scotland was indeed what Doyle had said, there was, of course, no doubt what he intended. No doubt at all as to why he had brought her here.
"And my guardian?" She demanded, praying that the story he had told her about Ian, like that concerning their supposed destination, had been a lie too. "What of Major Sinclair?"
"I knew you would never forgive me for what I had done. And I could not bear the thought of it."
"So you have abducted me? Do you expect me to forgive you for that?"
"I had hoped you would not consider our journey in that light."
"How should I consider it? You have deceived me, Mr Travener. And deceived Mrs Kemp. At least tell me the truth about Ian."


Annie had never thought of what they were undertaking In the light. Despite all her Romantic fantasies, she had never really believed she would find a husband at any of the season's entertainments.

She had already found her champion and, ridiculously romantic or not, she knew she would never want any other.....!



A TWIST OF FATE...

 Major Ian Sinclair never expected to be named anyone's guardian. And especially not of the young woman whose father was responsible for ending Ian's career and very nearly his life. But war made men do strange things, and now Anne Darlington was his responsibility. A very attractive responsibility.
   
                  ~------------------~

Fate thrust Annie Darlington into the strong arms of Ian Sinclair, a tortured nobleman. But his secret connection to her father threatened her unspoken dream that Ian would someday return her LOVE...


___________

Synopsis:

"If she's your Stormy opposite, tenderness will bring her to your bed.

—Hunk Jarek Stepnov on woman-hunting.

Nestled between Jarek's black satin sheets was a beautiful stranger, but she was way too sexy to be Goldilocks. The mystery woman revealed herself as Leigh Van Dolph, a tigress seeking a stake in his family's territory! Jarek knew just how to thwart her—bring the sleeping beauty to his bed again... This time for the ultimate loving. But the lady exec turned the tables on Mr Temptation, for their intimacy summoned a primitive, powerful need for a woman all his own...

________

"What are you doing in my bed?"

Panic flattened Leigh to the mattress. "You sleep here?"

"Sometimes," the man's deep voice rumbled.

Dressed only in her bra and panties, Leigh hitched the black satin sheet over her bare shoulder.

"You really should have taken everything off," he whispered. "To better enjoy the sheets. They're the finest quality."

"I'm here on business. I didn't mean to fall asleep. I was locked in here and thought I'd take advantage of the..."

"You are in my bed. We have slept together."

Leigh swallowed tightly. "You sound as if... You know, we've been intimate... And that isn't true."

He shifted slightly and something she didn't understand slammed against her, taking her breath away. The massive bed seemed to slant, nudging her toward him on an erotic wave of satin sheets.


 Discord: JoannaAngel05#6579
Server: https://discord.gg/sPJ3yyj

22nd July 1991

"Mr Smith, I presume? I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, the deputy headmistress at Hogwarts School. I am here to talk to you about your son. May I come in?" 

John surveyed the tall middle-aged woman in front of him. She was dressed smartly, although her fashion style was out of date by around thirty years. A thin face and sharp nose, a set of square spectacles were resting on the bridge, and a set of thin lips gave her an appearance of someone not to cross. 

"Yes, please come in," John answered, his trained eye completing it assessment—Not a threat. He swept his hand towards the living room, gesturing his welcome. The woman nodded and followed him in.

As she walked in, John wondered why this lady was here. They certainly hadn't applied to any school. Once she seated herself on the couch, he voiced his question.

"You say you're from a school? Are you here to offer Mark a position there?" John asked before remembering, "Oh, how rude of me. Would you like some tea or coffee?" 

"No, thank you," came the polite reply, followed by a muttered, "Perhaps that would be a good demonstration."

John nodded and sat himself on the armchair. This lady, professor, he reminded himself, was one of the most intriguing figures he had ever met. And as a former SAS captain, that list was not easy for someone to get on to.

Now that he observed closely, she was clearly older than sixty, but her movements held the spryness of someone much younger. Although she was not a threat, everything about her was contradictory.

Her mannerisms were that of a teacher, but behind them were reflexes of a fighter. Her eyes held the experience of an academic, yet they had scanned the room for danger the moment she entered through the door. She had definitely seen combat action but was not in that role today. After all, female soldiers weren't unfamiliar to him; he had seen his fair share. 

The way she carried herself, John would've guessed that she was armed with a weapon if he hadn't known better. Perhaps it was an old instinct she hadn't gotten rid of completely.

"Is your son at home today, Mr Smith?" asked the lady in front of him, bringing John's attention back into focus. Before he could answer, however, a voice carried in through the hallway.

"I am."

John turned to look at Mark, who gave him a grin as he walked in the room towards him. 

"Ah, young Mr Smith. As I mentioned to your father, I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts school in Scotland." Once both father and son had her full attention, she continued,

"Before I proceed any further, I must ask a few questions if you don't mind." She removed a small piece of paper from the small bag she was carrying. It was yellowed and thick, and John would've guessed it to be some sort of parchment.

After seeing affirming nods, she proceeded, "Now, you are Mark John Smith, born Thirtieth of November Nineteen Seventy-Nine, correct?"

"Yes," Mark replied. The professor tucked the parchment back in and looked at them again.

"Now Mr Smith," she said, her voice delicate, "has Mark ever done something odd, something unusual? Something you couldn't explain, perhaps?" Her eyes were watching the two of them for any hint of reaction. She must have found some, for her face assumed a brief sense of triumph.

John wondered just what exactly was going on. Who was this lady? He glanced sideways and saw Mark's eyes peering at her. Moments later, however, his son smiled.

Okay. It can't be that bad then. Still, John needed answers. Deciding not to let her off so easily, he gave his reply.

"Yes." The professor smiled and gave him a slight nod.

"Mr Smith, this might be a little difficult to believe at first, but your son Mark is what we call a Wizard." She took a brief pause, waiting for the words to sink in. She must have been expecting an angry retort but was pleased when none came.

"You're not joking," John observed.

"No Mr Smith, I am not. Your son is a wizard, just as I am a Witch. I am the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and I am here to offer Mark a place at our school."

John observed the professor silently, trying to see any sign of dishonesty. Finding none, he surreptitiously glanced at Mark. Seeing that his son wasn't giving him any signal to the contrary, John continued the conversation.

"Can you show us some proof of this? This—uh—witchcraft?"

"Magic. That's what we call it," she clarified. "Certainly. Since earlier we discussed having tea, let me conjure a pot of tea right now." 

She drew a long wooden stick from her dress, a few inches smaller than a foot. Holding it in her hand she began her explanation. 

"This here is a wand. Witches and wizards use wands in order to channel their magic," She spoke as she simultaneously performed a complicated wave of her wand and pointed it at the table in front of her. John watched dumbstruck as a beautiful porcelain teapot and three matching cups and saucers appeared out of thin air. The pot was likely full of tea, for he could make out wisps of steam escaping through the spout.

While Mark was watching all this with a scientific fascination, John's earlier instincts were confirmed; this wand had been the dangerous weapon he thought she had been carrying. 

The professor then gave her wand a small flick and the cups began filling themselves before floating towards John and Mark, who was slack-jawed at the incredible sight.

"The existence of magic has been kept a secret from non-magical people by the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, in effect since 1692." She took a sip from her cup before continuing in a manner that indicated that she had given this speech many times before.

"Hogwarts is the oldest magical school in Europe and it has trained young wizards and witches for more than a millennium. I myself am the Professor of Transfiguration, and Mark would be studying in the company and under the tutelage of some of the finest minds of Magical Britain."

She took another sip from her cup, then set it down on the table.

Before I proceed further, here is the Hogwarts acceptance letter that I'm here to deliver," she said, fishing out a yellowed envelope made out of thick parchment and handing it over to Mark.
------------------------------------------

Mr M. Smith,
Second Bedroom,
24, Beauchamp Road,
Battersea, London

Mark studied the emerald green lettering on the thick envelope, all the while digesting everything that he had learnt. He could make out his father asking some questions about the curriculum, fees, and such; His dad was nervous, and he could sense his apparent relief at the explanations provided by the elderly witch about Mark's abilities. The answers that professor McGonagall provided his father were of little interest to him since he had already gleaned them out of her head.

That's not to say he'd invaded her privacy; on the contrary, he had just plucked out the information she had held in front of her mind as she must have prepared to explain to his Dad and him. He used the same technique in class at school and managed to learn much quicker than his peers. 

The mind worked in a vastly different manner than most people thought. Mark had gone through enough books on brains and neuroscience, and even though he didn't understand them fully, he got the gist that no-one really understood the mind either.

Mark broke the red seal on the envelope and drew out the heavy parchment inside. As his fingers brushed the heavy parchment, his thoughts drifted to his father. 

He couldn't leave him here, could he? What about the treatments? Not that his dad couldn't take care of himself. And Edwin would be there to help. But could he just leave? 

The guilt slowly began to gnaw at him, and he glanced at the seated figure of his father. He hadn't seen his father this enthusiastic about something for a long time. His father turned to look at him that very moment, and he must have sensed Mark's apprehension.

"I'll be fine, champ," he reassured, giving Mark a definite nod. Mark smiled in reply, then turned his attention to the now unfolded letter in his hand.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Smith,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely, 
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress

'Albus Dumbledore.' Mark recalled the image of the bearded man he had seen in the professor's mind. His thought tapered off as he turned to the second piece of parchment, a list of supplies he was expected to bring.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain ...

... NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

It was possibly the most bizarre list of things Mark had ever thought he would read. Now finished with them, Mark passed both the pieces of parchments to his dad. He turned to Professor McGonagall.

"Where will we find this stuff, Ma'am?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"Here in London, Mr Smith. In Diagon Alley"

"London?" John looked up in surprise from the parchment in his hand. "You're saying there's a wizarding market here in London?" he asked in amazement.

John was already sold on the idea of his son being a wizard, given that he had seen proof enough of magic. He had not detected any dishonesty in the Professor over the course of their conversation, and most likely neither had Mark. 

John was no fool; he knew Mark must have read the professor's mind the minute he entered the room, and frankly, he did not mind his son's vigilance. 

"Indeed Mr Smith," the Professor answered with a kind smile. "If I have your agreement, I would like to escort you to Diagon Alley on your first trip as a guide and to assist in the shopping of the school supplies." 

"Splendid," John answered immediately, squashing any errant objections that Mark may have had on the grounds of his Illness. He was feeling great. After all, his son was a Wizard.
------------------------------------

"So Albus, how have you been?" 

The man in question was seated on the plush Indian style diwan, adorning the luxurious sitting room of his host, sipping on a cup of earl grey. Lifting his twinkling blue eyes, he answered with a smile.

"As good as can be expected, my friend. Overseeing Hogwarts is one of the few responsibilities I enjoy shouldering." Pausing to take a sip, he continued, "Cornelius insists on owling me asking for opinions on outlandish proposals. I do manage to persuade him to divert the funds to something useful, but he seems stuck on reviving the Triwizard Championship." 

He would not have shared such potentially sensitive information with anyone, but his host was no ordinary wizard. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore had known him for almost a century now, which was but a fraction of the six-hundred-sixty-plus years that Nicolas Flamel had been alive. And knowing Nicolas, he would have to offer juicy information to make him open up. Even though it had been Nicolas who had requested this meeting. 

"Has he gone mad?" Nicolas scoffed. "The Triwizard Championship was discontinued for good reasons. Why, by the last one it had turned into a poor effort at pumping national pride. I should know. I was there," he added with an air of authority

"I think Cornelius wishes it to go down as one of the few accomplishments under his term as the Minister of Magic," Dumbledore replied, absently stroking his beard. 

"Then he's just a selfish fool, who doesn't care for the students who would be participating," cried Nicolas. His exclamation brought his wife into the room from the adjoining library. 

"Come on dear, you're exaggerating it a bit too much," she remarked, taking a seat beside him. "I'm sure Albus would not let the children come to harm." 

Albus couldn't help but beam under her praise, just like he had all those years ago. Madam Perenelle words had always held a special place for him. 

"Yes indeed, Perenelle. I will try my best. The safety of the students has always been the most important thing," he took a sip of his tea, "Although I do hope that the plan falls through," he added, more to himself.   

Now finished, Albus set the cup on the table in front of him and looked at the couple in front of him. To an outsider, it would seem as if he were the senior person here, with his almost white hair and beard. With a slight peppering of grey in their hair, both Nicolas and Perenelle hadn't seemed to have aged a day since the first time he had met them when he was just a boy.

Although he knew the secret of their excellent health, he chose not to comment on it. It had long been a point of debate and disagreement between them. Albus decided to get straight to the pertinent question now that the pleasantries were concluded.

"So Nicolas, Perenelle," he looked at them both, "what is the reason that you called for this meeting? What can I help you with?"

Nicolas seemed hesitant to begin, and Albus deduced that this must have been his wife's idea. He turned and looked at Perenelle, who was sitting upright and had a serious expression on her usually impassive face.

"Well Albus, it is quite simple. News has reached our ears that dark forces are after the Stone." She took a pause before continuing, "Not your ordinary thief, mind you. They have skill, whoever they are."

Albus was fully attentive now. The Stone was one of the most powerful artefacts in existence. Its safety was paramount. But why were they telling him?

"How can I help?" he asked. The Flamels had been close friends of his for many years, but they rarely made any requests of him. So, he was ready to help when they did.

"Well, we want you to protect the Stone at Hogwarts." Her tone was not that of a request but that of demand. 

Albus was taken aback. Nicolas and Perenelle had never let anybody even handle the Stone without their supervision. Even during the height of the last war, they had always taken the responsibility of protecting the stone onto themselves. What had changed? Taking a stab in the dark, Albus made a guess.

"You're growing weak." 

Nicolas widened his eyes, clearly disturbed at the implication. Perenelle's face, however, showed no emotion as she confirmed Albus's statement with a dispassionate nod.

"Nicolas has already moved the stone to a safe location," she took a pause, squeezing her husbands' hand beside her. "But I fear that it's not safe enough" 

"Perhaps you should consider…" 

"No," came the immediate response, this time from Nicolas. "It is out of the question. We are not destroying the stone. And bear in mind Albus, you will not either," he added with a hint of warning.

They had always reached the same impasse every time the topic of the Stone was brought up.

"Our need for the Elixir is not our primary motivation Albus," Perenelle interrupted, partly to quell the growing tension. "There are still many unfinished projects we are working on. You of all people should understand the importance of magical research."

Albus decided not to stoke the argument any further, and Perenelle continued.

"And as far as the Stone is concerned, it's not just protection we are after." She looked Albus directly in the eyes. "We want you to capture the one seeking it."

"But —"

"You know the castle of Hogwarts is best suited for this purpose. You have complete control over those who enter its grounds." Taking another pause, she added, "And as I said earlier, I have complete faith in your ability to ensure the students don't come to harm."

Albus smiled despite himself. Perenelle knew exactly what to say. After a rather long pause, he gave a slight nod.

"Alright. I may have a few ideas on how to do this." He took a pause. "But it will take time. Months, perhaps."

"You won't have that much. No more than a week at best," Perenelle replied. Albus gave a tired sigh at this and nodded again.

"Where is it now?" he asked, already having a guess to the answer.

"In a high-security vault at the London Gringotts"
------------------------------------------

Mark is a First-Gen wizard and a Natural Legilimens. Reluctant to go to Hogwarts, he's soon drawn into the budding conflict between Harry Potter and Voldemort. Not to mention all the mysterious happenings and secrets that he stumbles upon at his new school. All he wants to do is make new friends and possibly, just possibly, find a cure for his father.

Original Character Centric AU story with parallel narratives. Book One (of Four) will span Years 1-3 of Hogwarts.

Major divergences begin in Year 2. Eventual romantic pairings may not adhere to canon.

Year 1 complete.

A Harry Potter Fanfiction

Amara with a tray of brownies that she just made heading to the backyard. There she heard bits of conversation between her father, mother and Uncle Josh. Even though she only heard bits of it, she understands the core information. First, she won't be attending Uncle Josh's school, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; second, she will be attending wizarding school somewhere near London named Hogwarts because of her father's job; third, she can't leave to London with her parents; and last, Uncle Josh will be the one helping her to buy school supplies and guide her through how to get to school there.
'So Uncle Josh will be the one who helps me buying supplies and go to Hogwarts. To be honest I'm disappointed that I can't study in Ilvermorny because Uncle's story of his school days is so awesome. Well it's better than nothing,' thought Amara.
Even though she heard the 'slightly' secret conversation, she doesn't pretend to not hear it, instead, she is running fast to them to ask a question. Of course, she was careful enough to not make the brownies fall.
"Is it true that I will not attend Ilvermorny like Uncle Josh?"
"It is true darling, your father's job had been moved over to London. If you study in Ilvermorny it will be too far and I also your father don't want that to happen." Her mother answered her question.
Amara pouts and asking again, "Are Hogwarts or something is like Ilvermorny at all? Because all I know about wizardry school is only from Uncle Josh and it was only about Ilvermorny and a bit about Castelobruxo that is in Brazil."
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is the British wizardry school, located in the Scottish Highlands, Amara. They also have houses just like Ilvermorny," this time Joshua answered her. 
"Here I have bought you a book called Hogwarts: A History. I think it will introduce you to Hogwarts as a first-year."
Amara reads the author's name is Bathilda Bagshot and it was a new printed edition, also the synopsis reads as the following: "Do you want to know the secret of Hogwarts? This book contains all the necessary information that you need and also don't. Though it was your choice to read it or not I will give you one trivia fact, the ceiling of the Great Hall is bewitched to look like the outside sky. Do you want to read it now?" 
'What a strange introduction to a book, but I have to say it makes me curious.' Amara's thoughts on the book.
"Thanks, Uncle Josh."
"You all right, Amy? I'm sorry you can't attend Ilvermorny," Alexander apologized as he knows how much of anticipation that his daughter had to attend Ilvermorny.
"It's okay, Papa. I know you can't help as your job required you to move to London," she replied. "When are we going to buy supplies, Uncle Josh?"
"How about when you're exactly eleven? And in the meantime, you can read that book and other old books from my school, though maybe they're a little different from what Hogwarts is using now."
"It's a promise then if you lie you have to buy me a pet," grinning Amara.
"All right, little Amy."
==========
Right on June 13, Joshua came to guide Amara in buying her school supplies. Joshua also brought a letter of acceptance from Hogwarts to Amara. The letter is pastel yellow and uses purple wax seals in the form of a lion, snake, badger, and eagle. The front letter being addressed to Ms. A. Hill and her house address and bedroom. It reads as follow:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall 

Dear Ms. Hill, 
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. 
The term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July. 

Yours sincerely, 
Deputy Headmaster
Filius Flitwick 
And in the second paper there is a list of all school necessities:
UNIFORM 
First-year students will require: 
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings) 
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags. 

COURSE BOOKS 
All students should have a copy of each of the following: 
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk 
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot 
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling 
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch 
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore 
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger 
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander 
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble 

OTHER EQUIPMENT 
1 wand 
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2) 
1 set glass or crystal phials 
1 telescope 
1 set brass scales 
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad. 
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK

Yours sincerely, 
Michelle Redtwig
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions 

After reading the letter Amara scrunched up her forehead. 
"Really? it's been ages since Mir-phone is invented. Why do they still need an owl for this kind of work? Owls nowadays are only for being pets and package delivery to the local place that doesn't cost as much as Floo Express Delivery. Is this school not up to date?" Amara said with one eyebrow up in question.
"Well, maybe that's their unique way of communication," grinning Joshua.
"...." Amara can only stare blankly at her uncle.
==========
A few moments later Amara and her uncle are on the car heading to Dragonite Mall, a central market for all wizarding folk in America. It is an equivalent to Diagon Alley in Britain. Unlike Diagon Alley, Dragonite Mall is like a mall for No-Maj in common. The only difference is inside the have an extended charm for so many shops and also they pay with American wizarding folk currency, Dragot, and Sprink. Dragot currency has 3 types, which are 1 Dragot, ½ Dragot, and ¼ Dragot. 1 Dragot equals to 100 Sprink, ½ Dragot equals to 50 Sprink and ¼ Dragot equals to 25 Sprink.

Amara is a muggle-born witch from America who had to decline an offer to study at Ilvermorny because of her father's work moving to London. For a reason that is she could not be far from her parents, Amara had to study at Hogwarts instead. Amara's uncle is a wizard so Amara has been introduced to the thing named magic since she was a child. How was Amara's adventure at Hogwarts when everything felt new but familiar at the same time? The cover is not mine to take credit for.

September 1st.

Today's the day. I entered platform 9 ¾. Tom had told me on how to go there.

Nothing much happened during the train ride. I just climbed up the train, choose a compartment, close the door, and alternated between re-read the book or sleep. Nobody came to my compartment and I spent my entire travel time in solitude.

The sky turned dark, and sometime later came an announcement that we nearly arrive at Hogwarts. I changed, put on my uniform and prepared for our arrival.

The 'traditional' lake trip for new students did not impress me that much. Sure it was awesome, but I just couldn't shake this 'something' in my thought. The same something that lingered ever since I woke up in that alley.

The 'traditional' sorting went the usual way. After some time, came my turn. I sat on the stool and put on the hat.

"Huh? What are you boy? Your mind is… unusual," came a voice in my head.

"Eh, I am what I am, beyond that I can't say, since I don't know the answer myself."

"Hmmm.. Difficult. It's difficult to sort you. There's something, akin to a fog, that makes me unable to 'read' you. It is not occlumency, but it keeps me away."

"A fog you say? Somehow that makes sense. In my defense, I'm still not fully 'sane' or 'aware', whichever you choose, ever since I was woken up at that alley by a Hogwarts' owl. There's something in back of my mind that I can't shake away."

"Well, we will need another way to sort you then. Tell me boy, what is your desire, what are you going to do to reach it?"

"I can't say much, but for now I want to ensure my survival. The world is not a kind place, it never was, it probably never would. People respect both money and power, and as much as I disagree with that belief, it's a dumb decision to disregard both. Knowledge is power, and power guarantees survival."

"Hmmm, you have enough cunning for Slytherin, while your ambition, while not grand, is quite strong. However, your desire of knowledge is much greater, even if it's merely a way to reach an end."

"Well, you definitely need knowledge to gain more knowledge. On the other hand, you don't necessarily need power to gain more power. You can gain more power with enough knowledge."

"And quite a sharp mind too. You would do well in RAVENCLAW!"

I joined the other students at Ravenclaw's table. Their claps weren't as loud as other houses. Well, that's house of bookworms for you.

The feast and the following events went like it should, at least that what I thought. I knew next to nothing about this kind of thing. You can't sue me for that!

After lied down on my bed at boys' side of Ravenclaw Dorm, I recalled what happened so far. Train ride, boat ride, sorting, and no Harry Potter at sorting.

I jolted up.

No Harry Potter at sorting. Harry fucking Potter was not at sorting. What else did I miss?

Let's see. I didn't think I saw Luna, nor did I saw Quirrell, Lockhart, Lupin, Moody, Umbridge. Holy shit! Where in the frontier side of multiverse I currently was?

I got up and asked the prefect for a charm to tell time. One of them told me the Tempus charm. I said my thanks and returned to my bed.

Holy shit! Heracles' spare diapers for sale! Thor in wedding dress!

September 1st, 1990. 10:57 p.m.

Suddenly the fog behind my head cleared. One year. One fucking year before Potterverse canon. Of all things that could have happened, I was reincarnated to Potterverse one fucking year before canon timeline. Other fanfictions I read for passing time usually put people either in canon start, Marauders' era, Next Generation, or Pottermore. None ever mentioned such thing like my current situation.

In standard fanfictions of canon timeline, the MC either teamed up with Harry or exist as his replacement because Harry was either kidnapped or dead. And I had no idea which scenario played on for me.

I sighed. That's not important either way. My desire was to survive, and I had one year to prepare before canon timeline start. Whether the world would be kind to me, I would find out next year.

I needed knowledge, I needed power. Most fanfictions portrayed Wizarding Britain as a society of the dumbs. Let's see whether it's true.

I needed to survive. I needed money and power to survive. I needed knowledge to get money and power. I knew the shortcuts to get knowledge, but I also needed intel and anonymity.

Anonymity wasn't easy, it'd need more than 'not drawing attention' and 'leaving false trails'. Intel on the other hand was very easy. What's the best item to get intel at Hogwarts?

Marauders' Map.

The problem was the current owner, or rather owners, of said map. The Weasley twin, Fred and George.

Also known as Gred and Forge, Chaos and Anarchy, or Next Generation Marauders.

I have no capital, I have nothing to offer in a trade, I could not ask them to hand it over, I could not answer their possible question: how did you know about the map?

Therefore, only one thing left: I'd have to steal it.

I trained the summoning charm for a week, I need to be able to use it silently at full power. I have trained to do it wandlessly on those scattered coins across London.

On a night, near curfew time, not too far from Ravenclaw's dorm entrance, I used a full power summoning charm on the map. I poured almost all of my mana to that spell through my wand.

The map came, flying toward me. I captured it, then hide it in my robe. I entered my room and put the map inside my trunk.

I succeeded. Next, I'd need to wait until next term before using it. Forget its existence until next term.

Time for the next step of my plan. The only place in Hogwarts, nay, in entire Potterverse, that could give you -theoretically - unlimited access to knowledge. The Room of Requirements.

Next day at breakfast, I eyed the Weasley twins. Their behaviour seemed a little… subdued, for lack of better term. Okay, deep breath. Pretend nothing happened.

After class, I took a walk to seventh floor, that's where Room of Requirements was located -according to both canon and fanfictions. Ah, there's it, the fabled "Barnabas the Barmy" tapestry. I performed the 'ritual', asked for a comfortable room, and entered the door.

Inside was a replica of Ravenclaw Common Room. I took a feel on the chairs inside, it seemed to be a perfect replica, sat on one of them, then began to work. I put my bag and pulled out an empty book, several blank papers, and a pen.

First thing first, "I need to know about underage trace magic and a way to remove it."

A parchment appeared in front of me, it contained summary of underage trace magic. Like on most fanfictions, they lied on wands. Also on my wand.

Thirteen inches, chestnut wood and half-burnt phoenix feather. Not phoenix feather, but half-burnt phoenix feather. Half-burnt feather, for goodness sake! And phoenix was supposed to be bird of flame.

I suddenly recalled what he said. "Good at everything yet best at nothing, and randomise owner's luck."

Wonderful, a perfect equipment for jack-of-all-trades. And it fully came with ancient Chinese curse (may you live in interesting times) to boot!

Well, fuck you, Ollivander! You gave it to me without batting an eye.

(On wandlore book I read at later date, it's written that chestnut 'will take characteristics from both core and owner' while phoenix feather 'learns most varied magic, hard to be chosen')

I sighed, as it couldn't be helped. I read the parchment and perform the necessary steps to remove the trace. It was just a simple procedure of chanting three specific lines while waving the wand clockwise three times.

Next, I asked for a list of different charms. I wrote them, their incantations, and their general descriptions at the newly dubbed "Thunderion Spellbook".

I practiced several of them before decided to stop, pack up, and return to the dorm.

####

Before breakfast, I put heavyweight charm -the opposite of featherweight charm- on my clothes. Nothing too heavy, but two kilograms as a start wouldn't be bad. I would gradually increase the weight as the the time goes.

Power came in several forms, Hogwarts could provide me with at least three. Power of body, mind, and magic. And what's the easier way to train body than using weights while doing daily activities.

Next agenda would be to train my magic. If my understanding was correct, simply repeatedly cast spells until my reserves depleted, recover it, then repeat it every time, would greatly increase the size of my reserves and my proficiency of said spells.

It's also good to have several unknown -by Wizarding Britain - magic under my sleeve. It was when I accidentally requested something from Room of Requirements that I realised a certain fact: I greatly underestimated this room's capabilities and potentials. Because one could request literally anything, provided it didn't go against Potterverse rules of magic.

Three different Materias -of fire, lightning, and ice- from Final Fantasy VII appeared when I asked for it. A gunblade, a fucking revolver-greatsword from Final Fantasy VIII appeared next. All of them were fully functional, even if I can't use them at their full potential.

Sweet Aphrodite, Venus, and Freya on Threesome! This changed lots of things.

Other worlds, parallel universe, the multiverse. They existed -proven by me reincarnation to this Potterverse. But the fact that other worlds were accessible, fucking accessible, from Potterverse, would mean one thing: I could go somewhere else.

Potterverse wasn't a nice, friendly world, even if you're the Harry bloody Potter himself. I'd sooner become a Dark Lord -much more competent than that Snakeface- than become legal member of this society.

I could go anywhere else, somewhere with better future prospects than this world. No need for Anima, World Door, or Kaleidoscope. I could use something else, granted it's only one-time use, but if I maxed my luck, with Felix Felicis…

First thing first then: more knowledge, more power, more time.

I requested a basic Occlumency book. Better mental capacity means better contrentation, better focus, and better knowledge absorption.

Next, I asked for several portions of food, with preservation and shrinking charm, from the kitchen. Those little buggers gladly provided me with extra take-out food on schedule basis. The fact that I bribed them with several mundane cooking recipes didn't hurt a bit. In fact, they became more enthusiastic in their service.

Then, I asked the Room of Requirements to provide me with a DBZ-verse time dilation chamber, Nasuverse basic magecraft books, and a "Ki for Dummies: How to Unlock and Use Your Ki" book. The last one was fucking real. I didn't know where that book originated from, but if it works, it's not stupid.

Of course I couldn't really use Nasuverse magecraft, as I had a magic core instead of magic circuit, but I could adapt some of it to my repository. Namely Structural Grasp, Reinforcement, Thought Acceleration and Memory Partition. Especially the last two. As I wasn't too keen on building bizarre and/or complex mental defences -that'd cut some of my mental and magical capacity. As the saying goes, "great power is useless against speed you can't follow", or something like that, by having mind so fast, complex, and bizarre, that even best legilimens couldn't follow would work in my favour. It'd basically boost my mental capacity, with automatic legilimency rejection -due the sheer processing speed and complexity- as side effect.

Two hours a day, one hour before breakfast and one hour after class, I used the time dilation chamber with one day per hour ratio. To avoid suspicion, I would appear busy in school library and Ravenclaw Common Room with a stack of parchments and random tomes of various subjects.

Two months later, I finally unlocked my ki and mastered Occlumency. My ki reserves wasn't that big yet, but I was definitely growing. I could use it to reinforce myself up to half an hour.

The Occlumency was a great boon. The fact that I could process things at much faster rate, could simultaneously focus on two different things, and could perfectly recall anything I need, were one of the best thing.

My grades were also top notch. I was either the first or second place among students in my year. The fact that my essays and homeworks written in detail yet simplified and not overly long, as well as able to grasp the spells' concept in short time became the reason of my achievement.

And of course, "great power comes with great sacrifice." I didn't believe on Spiderman quotes, so suck on that. Fortunately, my sacrifice (cost) was merely an increase in the amount of daily food intake.

Ki, also known as life force, is physical energy. Therefore, in order to use more ki, I need to consume more calories. More calories means more food. And with more recipes as bribe, the house elves gladly gave me even more food.

My training menu then shifted to more ki and non-ki based physical training, wandless and silent casting, as well as more later-year materials. In physical, I needed to increase my 'base stats' as well as my 'boost modifier' so-to-speak, gradual increase in the weights I wore was an intended side effect. In magic, I could wandlessly and silently cast all first and second year spells and some of third year ones.

By the time of Christmas holiday, my ki and mana reserves had grown much larger.

I returned home for Christmas holiday. Wait, that's so wrong in several levels. I was a street bum, a homeless. There's no building, except Hogwarts, with my name on its residents list.

Tom, the barman of Leaky Cauldron, gladly gave me minimum accommodation of a room, bath, and two daily meals -breakfast and dinner- in exchange of me working there part-time. During my free time, I continued to gather more coins while travelling around London -as far as my feet could reach. Because I used mass version of summoning charm, my current haul was greater than in previous summer.

During this time I also got myself some cloth bags, put some charms on it -durability, space extension, and featherweight. I went to random area in London -or perhaps further - and managed to fill the bags with sands and wood 'd make wonderful experiment materials when I returned to Hogwarts after new year.

With leftover money, some wandless mana manipulations, and sheer guts, I created a fake identity and bank account. Nothing big, just one or two wandless confudus equivalent to make sure that it wasn't suspicious in anyone's eyes.

Nothing much happened during second half of my first year, since it wasn't yet canon. The awesomeness of Hogwarts, which consisted of life and death struggles, would only happen when Harry bloody Potter is in Hogwarts. However, my training had yielded several results. Able to duplicate tree walking from Narutoverse was one of them. Using wandless and silent-casted sticking charm from my feet, invisibility charm on my whole body, and ki reinforcement to stabilise my body, I managed to do it.

My other training continued. And the house elves kept gave me take-out food. More mundane recipes were given.

According to canon, the Philosopher's Stone would be at Hogwarts in following year. Philosopher's Stone was one of the peak achievement of Alchemy. However, Hogwarts no longer offered Alchemy class. I, using the Room of Requirements, began to learn in Runes, Warding and Alchemy.

Occlumency plus time dilation chamber was a gamebreaker. By the end of the year, I was able to master wandless and silent casting for third and some of fourth year spells.

My progress with Alchemy was definitely good. I learnt the basic quickly and experimented with my own idea and materials I had collected. Alchemy was a difficult art, no doubt about it. However, separation of matter (purification) and several minor things were categorized as basics of alchemy. Tweak the alchemical formula a bit and technically it became intermediate instead of basic.

Wood pieces could be transmuted to papers. Done it several times and I no longer needed to buy blank papers. Cast one or two charm and I get empty books. Use heat on wood pieces, and you'd get charcoal. Add some materials plus charms and you got ink.

When you purify sand, you'd get fine sand. Apply heat and pressure at it, lots of heat and pressure, and you'd get Quartz crystals. Use purify on charcoal resulted on fine carbon. Use lots of heat and pressure on fine carbon, you'd get diamond.

Wizarding Britain was never aware of such possibilities, and they dared to call themselves as the best wizarding society. I call cyclops dung on that!

Ancient Runes wasn't an easy subject. Sure, it looked like nothing more than puzzle of symbols, but the sheer amount of combinations that could be made into "sentence(s)" with specific effect was mind blowing. Even more when there are more than one alphabets. My primary focus would be Futhark, then Hieroglyphs.

Warding came easier after properly learned Runes. Warding was, with certain exceptions, basically arranging runes in certain way, and thus resulted in a certain effect within designated area. It could be a wardstone with "battery" of sorts therefore need to regularly charged, wardstone powered with ambient mana, wardstone powered with leyline, or it could be multiple wardstones connected to a central wardstone. The effect also varied, from as simple as alarm ward that would warn the caster whenever someone enter the area, to the insanely complex ward that isolate an area as if it's entirely in different layer of reality.

Nasuverse Magecraft of bounded field gave me a lot of idea on what kind of ward to make and how to anchor it. It's all down to finding the right combination of runes and optimising them.

Boring classes continued until end year exam. All I needed to do was a little review, as I have mastered the materials ages ago. Well, technically it was months ago, but adding time dilation chamber into consideration…

Anyway, I tied with another Ravenclaw for first place. That person got one point higher for potion and astronomy while I got one point higher for charms and transfiguration.

Near the end of school year, I asked those little dudes and gals, the house elves, at kitchen. Well, since I was a good person, their words, two of them, one male and one female, would like to be my house elves. Hogwarts elves weren't bound to the headmaster and may leave when permitted by the Hogwarts itself -the castle was sentient, but most of its parts were inactive. Of course I gave them permission to continue working at Hogwarts when they feel they got not enough work at my home -the house elves liked to work in near fanatical level.

The school year finally ended when I hopped into the train at Hogsmeade station.

Oh, and I fully repaid my debt to Hooch.

Not my novel I uploaded it here in order to listen to it via audiobook all glory goes to original author JustBored21

https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13246505/1/

Ch.15 - Sixth Year in Hogwarts (1)

At the beginning of the new term, Alex had a talk with Prof. Sprout regarding his electives that year. He chose to continue the N.E.W.T. level course for all of the core classes, except for History of Magic, plus the advanced elective courses for Arithmancy and Runes. Prof. Sprout had also suggested for him to take the Care of Magical Creatures N.E.W.T. course, but he declined. Instead, he informed the professor that he would join the Ancient Studies course that year.

    Ancient Studies was not a formal course that Hogwarts offer. It was considered an extra-curricular study.

    There were only nine students enrolled in the sixth-year class of Ancient Studies. The teacher was a very young Bulgarian man who was probably a recent graduate of Durmstrang. He was a very uninteresting lecturer who was probably just doing the tutoring job as a temporary gig.

    Alex was looking forward to the end of the class, however. It would be the first time he could get reacquainted with Bill Weasley.

    "Hey there, Weasley. You were pretty enthusiastic about this class. Perhaps we could study together later in the library?" said Alex.

    "Sure thing, Grey. That sounds like a good idea. I guess we're the only Gryffindor and Hufflepuff in the class," said Bill.

    Bill had also managed to achieve 12 O.W.L.'s last term. The two of them were known as the best students of their year.

    "Right, that's what I was thinking."

    "By the way, just call me Bill. With my brother Percy starting Hogwarts this year, there are three Weasleys here this year. You know my other brother, Charlie, of course."

    "Yeah, I know him. He's a really good seeker. Too bad for him, he's up against me," he joked. "Just call me Alex," he added. The Hufflepuff team had dominated the quidditch cup in the past four years. He had no intention of slowing down.

    Alex was not as closed to Bill as he was in the previous timeline where they had become good friends after a hilarious incident in their third-year during a Care of Magical Creatures class. This time, he didn't take the same set of electives, so there were few situations where he could interact with Bill, unlike his brother Charlie who he played against in quidditch.

    He thought about how he could bring Bill in the Association. He remembered he was pretty interested about muggle things in his childhood. But based on what he knew, Bill's whole family was a member of the Order of the Phoenix led by the illustrious Albus Dumbledore.

    Alex couldn't be sure about the Headmaster of Hogwarts, even if he was a genuinely good person. He had a problem of trusting anyone who was in power in a biased society. For him, Dumbledore was a part of the system that had kept the balance of the scales tilted.

×××

About two weeks after the start of the school term, it was once again the time for the quidditch tryouts. This time, Alex was taking over the position of Captain of the team. In actuality, he was already the leader of the Hufflepuff Quidditch Club for the past two years. Even the older students had listened to his orders on the pitch.

    However, since he had taken the position of captain, he was planning to leave a lasting effect on the team. More than forty students were present to try out for the team. Quidditch had experienced an increase in popularity in the Hufflepuff house.

    Two third-year students have managed to secure the regular position in the team as a Beater and a Keeper. Their roster seemed to be well balanced for that year. Alex had to take the Seeker position, although he wanted to be a Chaser. With Charlie Weasley playing as a Seeker for Gryffindor, they could not slack on that position. Their biggest competition for that year, however, was the Slytherins. They had a strong Chaser duo and their Seeker wasn't bad at all.

    Even if they managed to win against them, they could lose the Quidditch Cup in points. They only had three games to play in each year, one against each of the other houses. That was why each game was important. However, in Hogwarts, the winner of the Cup was decided based on the total points difference of each team wins. So, if they managed to win all their games with a 30-point lead in all of them, their House Cup score would be 90 points. However, if the Slytherin managed to win against Gryffindor and Ravenclaw with a 50-point lead in each game, their House Cup score would be 100, making them the Cup champion even with a loss. With a strong seeker and Chaser combination, it was an entirely possible scenario.

    After the tryouts, Alex asked for two volunteers from the students who didn't make the team to take on a managerial position in the team. He asked the two students who happily volunteered to follow him to their dorms.

    At the beginning of the year, he had secured a bigger room for the quidditch team from Prof. Sprout. It would serve as a gear storage room and a members-only lounge area. Once there, he presented the new team managers with a magical camera he ordered for their use in documenting the team activities throughout the year. He stressed the importance of their duties to them. A quidditch yearbook would be compiled before the end of each term and it would serve as a reference to the future members of the Hufflepuff Quidditch Club.

    During their first team practice on the following week, Alex had also introduced his new playbook to the team. A set of plays and general strategies were written and illustrated in the book. The book would be the team's property from that moment on. As a policy, everyone could read it in the clubroom, but only the captain could take it out and change the playbook. The majority of the practice time was spent with the team learning the plays in the book.

×××

One day in late September, Alex had just stepped out of his Advanced Arithmancy class when his way was blocked by a group of Slytherin students. It was Angus and his usual entourage.

    "So, I guess they made you captain of the Hufflepuff team. What's the matter, did they ran out of good wizards in your pathetic house?" said Angus provokingly.

    Alex was amused. In the past years, Angus and his friends had lost a lot of face in the Slytherin house. It all started with an altercation between them in Hogsmeade which left the Slytherin students humiliated.

    "This coming from you? The Slytherin house hasn't won a game against us in the past four years," said Alex. He wasn't threatened in the least. They were only children in his eyes.

    "It will be different this year, now that I'm playing as Beater for the team."

    "There may be some good players in the Slytherin team that we're watchful for, I admit. But, you're not one of them. Who did you have to orally pleasure to get your spot? hm?"

    "You watch your mouth, mudblood! Once I find you in the pitch it might just be your last game."

    "Is that a threat now? Maybe the little snakes would like to play?"

    "You'll know soon enough," Angus said. "Let's go!" he ordered his friends.

×××

During the Christmas break, Alex spent most of his time in London. He checked in his finances and moved around his investments. His businesses had earned him a total profit of 40 million GBP in the past two years. He realized that he would have less time in the future to manage his portfolio. So, he finally decided to employ the services of a legitimate investment portfolio manager. He entrusted 10 million GBP to three separate managers in London. He scanned them all with a passive Legilimency to make sure they're trustworthy. 70 per cent of his funds were used on stocks and the remaining 30 per cent were used on bonds for security.

    The day after Christmas, Alex received an Owl from Katie. She said that she would be going to Diagon Alley to purchase some potions equipments and witch appropriate clothing. Alex responded with an Owl of his own and told her that he would like to join her on her shopping trip. His wizard clothes were getting a bit old.

    They met in the Leaky Cauldron two days later. Alex had arrived earlier than expected. So, he decided to order some beverage from Tom, the barkeep. Tom did not recognize him even though he just looked like a younger version of the person that the barkeep has met a number of times. The Leaky Cauldron had experienced a great change in the past year. As a reward in Tom's cooperation with the Association, Alex decided to invest some money in the Leaky Cauldron and had it renovated with more current furnishing. He also asked Tom to make the menu a little more family-friendly since new muggle-born students and their parents always had to come through his pub. As a result, there were more frequent customers in the Cauldron.

    When Katie arrived, she was wearing a grey cotton-blend trenchcoat. Under that was a simple blue dress with white collars and a medium-length skirt that reached just below her knees. A silky belt hugged her waist that emphasized her slender figure. She was taller than most women, but she also had an athletic build. Her red wavy hair was cut shoulder-length and she was sporting a cloche hat that matched her coat.

    Alex, on the other hand, was finally a little taller than Katie. He was wearing a dark blue-grey gabardine trenchcoat. Paired with a simple shirt and sweater underneath. His hair was neatly combed, parted on the side and was kept short as always. On his neck hanged a grey cashmere scarf.

    The two of them made quite an impressive pair as they walked along Diagon Alley. Some people had even commented about it. First, they went shopping for potions supplies. Alex was intrigued at what she was trying to brew on her own time. She had been the only Hufflepuff girl to take the advanced level potions at Hogwarts. Prof. Snape required a grade of O on the Potions O.W.L. for his advanced Potions class, so, very few Hufflepuff was able to take the class.

    At the dress shop, Madam Malkin had made a fuss and asked Katie to try on some of her special robes. Having a beautiful witch with a tall and athletic figure to try-on her robes was rare for her. Alex was smiling as he watched his friend get flustered trying to stave off the older woman's offer to make her a model for the dressing shop.

    Katie did indeed looked beautiful, he thought. She had grown from that lonely tomboy of a girl to a very elegant young woman. It wasn't too long ago that she was being ridiculed for being too tall, now, the other girls were jealous of her height. Her high cheekbones and well-defined jawline were only overshadowed by her stunningly bright blue eyes. She kept her hair at shoulder-length to make easier to handle when she's brewing a potion, giving her a sporty look. Her hands were callused, a testament to how hardworking she was. But, the redness of her knuckles and her slender fingers gave off a delicate charm. Without realizing it, his friend had become one of the most beautiful girls in Hogwarts.

    He had also purchased some small items for himself. After their shopping trip, they went back to the Leaky Cauldron to have a meal.

    "Alex, what do you do normally when you're not in Hogwarts?" asked Katie as they waited for their food.

    "Nothing much. I read some books and pretty much stay at home all the time," he lied.

    "Me too. My parents are always busy with their work. So I just read some potions book or I try to catch up on my non-magical studies."

    "That's good. Why did you decide to buy some witches' dress this time?"

    "Well, I'm turning 17 this school term, so I might be in the wizarding world more often in the future. How about you? You are older than I am by a few months, why are you not taking the 'Apparition' training course with me?"

    "I already know how to use it. I will just take the licensing test next summer."

    Their meal was brought by a waiter and they had a pleasant time dining and talking. Before they could leave, Katie was staring a him like she had something else to say to him but unable to find the timing.

    "What is it? Just say it," said Alex. He was always frank with his friends. They've gotten used to it.

    "Have you read about the AIM?" she asked.

    "The Association? Sure," he said nonchalantly.

    "I wasn't sure. You never brought it up. Anyway, do you think it would be good to become one of its members?"

    "I guess so. They offer a lot of benefits to their members, right? So, why won't it be good?"

    "I am thinking about becoming a member after graduation or maybe sooner. But, do you think it is wise to openly support their agenda? Even in Hogwarts, a lot of pure-bloods are becoming wary about the Association," said Katie in a low voice.

    "I'm not an expert about it, but I think the Association have expected this as well before becoming public. But, what's important is that its an institution for the people who need help and want to help. They had never said that they were exclusive to muggle-borns. Soon enough there will be pure-blood members in the Association."

    After their talk, Alex had paid for the meal and they each went back home separately by taxi. He was glad that Katie was thinking about joining the Association. Maybe this could be a way for him to bring her to the Order someday.

×××

During the New Year's feasts of the Order. The team leaders reported their progress once again before they enjoyed the feast. Once everyone was done eating, he asked Mrs Pearce to join him in his office. He told her that she would be taking the lead in a new task for the Order.

    Using her business connections, she would acquire a secretarial job in the Ministry. Then she would also arrange for some other members of the Order to have the resources and training necessary to get a job in any position in the Ministry, be it Aurors, Hit-wizards, Obliviators, and such. Mrs Pearce accepted her new orders eagerly. She had arranged for a replacement for her current duty on the Derbyshire Farm the very next day.

END OF CHAPTER

Disclaimer:

    This work is not for profit. No copyright infringement intended. All recognizable characters, plot, setting, etc. are the property of J.K.Rowling and/or Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
Alexander Grey is a muggleborn wizard who finds himself fighting against Death Eaters during the Battle of Hogwarts. Due to circumstances beyond his understanding, he gets sent back in time. He wakes up as a child who is about to go to Hogwarts for the very first time. Given a second chance to live his life, he vows to create a different world for himself and many others.

The cover art was made by me.
You can check out my other sketches at https://discord.gg/Vwsd2dB

Disclaimer:
This work is not for profit. No copyright infringement intended. All recognizable characters, plot, setting, etc. are the property of J.K.Rowling and/or Warner Bros.

Felix Bain was a smart little boy who grew up to be very helpful to his father Mr. Donavon Bain. The two lived on the outskirts of London in the jungle area in a small log-house. Mr. Donavon was a farmer and an upright person. Although his conduct was still questionable. He'd drink liquor every day, and heavily, at times. Despite that, he would still be able to work properly and was more focused than when he was sober.

Felix was home-schooled by Donavon since Donavon didn't believe in the schooling system of present times.

"Bunch of fogy folks brainwashing the imagination out of little kids!" Donavon once said before spitting heatedly. Felix had asked him about schools on one day when Donavon himself had started the topic of how the society functions and about its important institutions.

"You don't need to go there. I'll teach you everything you need to know." Donavon said looking at him from the corner of his eyes while frowning. His own experiences at schools perhaps weren't good enough to make him send his child there.

Other than learning basic language and other things, Felix would spend rest of the time in helping out with the chores. He'd clean the log house and he'd help cook food while learning about cooking at the same time.

Now, Mr. Bain wasn't a chef-level ideal cook but being self-dependent confirmed his knowledge regarding normal cooking. They'd often eat what they grew in the field. Potatoes, tomatoes, berries and some wild fruits from the jungle. Even the flour was home-made and Mr.Donavon made sure that Felix wrestled with the crude stone flour maker with his own two little hands for some time before he takes over most of the job himself. By the age of 10 Felix was strong enough to grind it all by himself. 

Other chores included pruning the vegetation, planting, taking care of the field, chopping wood and bringing water.

The father and son duo were poor but proud. They had all the best of things nature provided around them. They worked hard all year long and lived a self-dependent life.  Every season, Mr. Donavon would take the extra crops from his field to the city to sell it off at the vegetable market and buy some necessities from the money he earned… Necessities such as liquor; the variety of it… The stronger the liquor, the better it was. Some light ones too, for drinking during meals. A barrel full of brandy, his favorite since the day he saw that magical white glowing boar…

Such days were the only ones when Felix would go outside the jungle and into the city with his father and learn about the modern world. Donavon would make sure to take a round of the city and show him around. Felix was very curious about the video games once and wanted one too.

"We don't have a TV son." Mr. Donavon replied. "Heck we don't even need one. No time, no electricity supply, no signals either. Is it really worth all the trouble bringing all that technology over? Isn't riding those deer more fun than just squatting down fidgeting with a remote all day?" Felix didn't have an answer. It was indeed true. He had grown up in nature. The living animals and birds that he saw and played with everyday seemed better than the small rocket drawings firing small white orbs at other cool rocket drawings. And those musical sounds and oh, a level up!! Felix' eyes glittered as he saw the other kid trying out the video game in the shop. But then he shook his head and decided to follow after his father.

--- ---- ---- 

*Chirp Chirp* Birds were chirruping as a cool wind blew through the forest, swaying the thicket of tree branches and bringing a fragrant smell of the wild. Felix took a deep breath and looked at the thick log of wood before him. He lifted his axe up and swung it down.

*Crash!!* *Stokk!!* *Creakk* numerous sounds echoed as he tried to chop down the log but after 10 minutes the axe slipped off his shaking hands and Felix sat down on the ground panting. His arms were numb and his shoulders were sore.

"Haha! A tough one, isn't it?" Mr. Donavon shouted with zeal. "It's the whole thick trunk of a tree I cut down for ya. Take a breather then get back on it. I want it all chopped up to pieces in 2 days."

"..."

Truth is… sometimes Felix just felt like crying. His father would bring one tough thing after another to push on him to deal with. Example: the whole thick trunk of a huge tree. Felix glanced at his father's arms… they were muscular and he had chopped down the whole tree and into pieces leaving this trunk area, size of his own height to deal with, for him.

Felix sighed. "I wished I was strong like him. Then again, I wish this damned trunk would just…arrgh!" Felix picked up his axe and swung again in frustration. Sitting down wasn't going to finish the chores. He had to do it himself. Felix didn't know what exactly frustrated him though. That trunk or his lack of strength, or his father's strange wild life… or this mundane world…? He didn't know what it was but perhaps for once in life, he'd like to experience a different style of living. Perhaps go into the city and live there for a week. Even a day would be fine. And no, not the crops selling and purchasing liquor kind of living, but 'actually' living there. Maybe try those magical video games, or those funny looking toys, perhaps go to a school like other kids. Make friends…He had had no friends in the jungle. He wondered what sort of life it would be. He didn't know. He hadn't lived it.

*Clangg!!!* The axe shook greatly and slipped off of his little hands as the solid tough trunk refused to let the axe blade sink in.

"Arrgh!" Felix for the first time in a long while was angry. He was frustrated and in that spur of the moment, he growled in anger glaring at the tree trunk.

*Boom!!* Suddenly the thick tree trunk exploded without light or smoke. It just exploded and splattered everywhere into small pieces.

"..!!!!!" Felix was stunned. "What just happened?" He was gawking at the scene in front of him. The same went for Mr. Donavon.

Mr. Donavon stared at the splintered wood and then at his son and then at his liquor bottle. He decided to chug it all down in one breath thinking he must not be high enough and was seeing strange things again. Without a word, he left to go inside the log house to grab more bottles of liquor and drank a lot of those.

"..." Unlike Donavon, Felix wasn't able to delude himself into thinking that this wasn't real. The thick trunk of the tree had really exploded and he wondered if his anger caused it? He was confused and curious and the only person he could ask questions from was drinking continuously trying to deny the truth.

Felix ultimately sighed and shook his head. This situation wasn't the first of its kind. There were other occasions when he once saw a centaur in the jungle and once the pebbles around him had started to float when he was throwing them in the lake for fun. When he asked about it to his father, Mr. Donavon had stared at him for long before saying, "You are underage to be drinking. Just wait a few more years and try to ignore such things in the meantime."

Felix sighed repeatedly. This explosion…this was just too bizarre. "I wish someone would explain things to me." He muttered.

At that time, suddenly, jungle echoed with the sound of an engine. The sound was amplified by the terrain causing even Mr. Donavon to come out looking for the source of it. And then, to his horrors he saw a motorcycle FLYING in the sky, coming towards their log-house.

"Dad…can motorcycles fly?" Felix asked in astonishment. His black eyes were glinting with excitement.

"No way in hell son." Mr. Donavon replied mortally staring at the rider of the motorcycle who seemed like half a GIANT! The motorcycle landed and drove into the porch before parking near the duo. The giant came down from the bike and strode towards them. 

The half giant of a man had a long, shaggy mane of hair and a wild, tangled beard. His eyes were glinting like black beetles as he smiled towards the two and looked kindly at young Felix.

"Hello, Mr. Muggle…" the giant began to talk but he was gestured to stop by Mr. Donavon who then quickly gulped down the whole bottle of brandy. Then he uncorked the other two bottles as well that he had brought out from the log house and chugged them down at the speed which astonished both Felix and the giant man. 

Then with his face ruddy and his eyes swollen, Mr. Donavon stared daggers at the giant man before him only to find him still standing there. He cursed inaudibly under his breath. He had hoped that everything was just another strange thing that would disappear after some liquor but the reality was finally staring back at him, refusing to go away.

"Sigh.  Who are you? How is that motorcycle able to fly? What business do you have here?" He asked composing himself. The more drunk Mr. Donavon was, the more composed he actually became.

"Glad yeh asked." The giant man said with a grin. "Little me's Hagrid. I am the keeper of the keys and grounds at Hogwarts."

"…the what and where?" Felix asked. 

"Gamekeeper you can say…" Hagrid replied nicely. "At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The only one in the whole of Great Britain. The school for training young wizards."

"..." Mr. Donavon stared at Hagrid and then at the motorcycle which was parked behind him. If it wasn't for him seeing the flying motorcycle earlier, he wouldn't have believed a word Hagrid said.

"The magic is real?" He asked frowning. "There is even a magic school?"

"Yeah!"  Hagrid replied with a smug smile. "Magic's as real as hippogriffs an' dragons. Hogwarts' the best school out there. And I've come te deliver this invitation letter for yeh young'ne." Hagrid said before fumbling into his long overcoat and took out an envelope. "Yeh boy Felix been invited to study in Hogwarts. His name's been down ever since he was born. Kids like him get letter like this when they turn eleven. Today's yer eleventh birthday, isn't it boy?"

"!!!!"

There was a lingering silence. Mr. Bain and Felix were processing what they had been just informed of.  Magic…Hogwarts…birthday?

"Damn it!" Mr. Donavon cursed under his breath again glancing sideways at his son. Today was Felix's birthday indeed. But they never made a big deal out of birthdays. Surely, Mr. Bain would cook a delicacy at night for Felix on his birthdays, but there was no celebration. They lived simply through and through.

"It is my birthday." Felix said blinking his black eyes that matched with Hagrid's in color.

"WELL HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" Hagrid shouted and patted Felix on the shoulder which shook Felix to his knees.

"T…thank you mister Hagrid." Felix replied.

"Ah…Jus' call me Hagrid." He said smiling. "Now, go ahead and read your letter Felix." Saying so, he handed out the envelope. The envelope was yellowish in color and was addressed to him in green characters. Felix tore it open and took out the letter and read.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Felix, 

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. 

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31. 

Yours sincerely, 

Minerva McGonagall, 

Deputy Headmistress


Hagrid smiled. He knew the content of the letter. It was the same every time, sent to every new student. While Felix read the letter, Hagrid turned to Mr. Donavon, sensing his intense gaze.

"So, you expect me to send my son to a magic school? We are simple people you know. But strange things like magic…"

"It's strange to yeh cuz yeh didn't try ta implore it." Hagrid said. I saw whatcha did. Drinkin' that liquor ta shake off things yeh find strange. Yeh always been doin' that?" Hagrid shook his head. Someth's needa stared at in the eye instead of runnin' away from." Then Hagrid looked in Felix's direction. "Yer boy got the magic in 'im. He'll be a great wizard I tell yeh. Don't hold 'im back." Saying so, Hagrid cleared his throat to bid goodbyes.

"Well, I gottah go deliver another letter for another boy. Harry Potter. Will be takin' him to Diagon Alley in main london to buy his stationary an' things tomorrow… Yeh can meet me at the muggle station of rail tomorrow morning. We can get both Harry and you get done with yer things. List is written down the letter." Saying so, he turned and rode on his magic motorcycle. "Alright… see yeh later."

And then Hagrid flew off in the motorcycle leaving behind a dazed father and son duo.

That day, Mr. Donavon decided to switch from brandy to whiskey.

During the 1st Wizard War, many wizards died, including the famous James and Lily Potter. Their son Harry Potter survived and was hidden away to his muggle relatives family. But he wasn't the only boy that survived during those times.
 There was yet another boy, the one whose origin was unknown and he also got lost in the muggle world only to reappear as a young wizard who wanted to become the best flame wizard. Follow his journey into the Hogwarts and thereafter as he grows along side Harry, Harmione and Ron.

london school term times

Heart Of Thirst

I'm yours !!

Webnovel Test1108

Wikipedia Book

Annie's Perfect Husband

The Three Brothers

Harry Potter Fanfiction: Amara's Adventure

Harry Potter and the Brothers Black

The Muggleborn Conspiracy

The Flame Wizard

People search london school term times also like: