Etiquette lessons with his mother continued each week. Adam grew familiar with the rigors of formalities, mastering gestures, greetings, and the subtle art of polite conversation. Though tedious at times, he took each lesson seriously, knowing that in his world, these skills were more than mere courtesy; they were tools of influence. His mother, graceful and poised, guided him with patience, reminding him to be mindful of both his words and presence.
In between lessons, Adam followed his daily routine, filling each day with learning, creature care, and quiet moments of contemplation. The house was lively yet serene, and his newfound habits of journaling and visiting the family library grounded him.
And like this, Christmas came upon the household in a whirl of decorations, scents, and joyful anticipation. The mansion was transformed, its grand halls decked with twinkling lights and garlands, while enchanted snowflakes drifted lazily through the air, creating a soft, magical atmosphere. The scent of pine, mingled with warm spices, permeated every room, setting a festive scene that made Adam feel he was living in one of the snow globes on the mantle.
For Adam, this Christmas held a special excitement. It was the first year he’d personally selected gifts for his family from his monthly trips to Diagon Alley. He had spent hours in shops, choosing items that spoke to him, careful to keep his choices a surprise. His parents, grandparents, and even his siblings had no idea what lay in store. The secrecy gave him a thrill, especially since his family loved opening gifts as much as he did. Each package he’d selected was now under the tree, wrapped in fine paper, waiting for Christmas morning. He could barely contain his excitement, imagining their faces when they opened his gifts.
That morning, he awoke to a flurry of activity. His older siblings, back from their respective schools, were eager to share stories about their term, and the day passed in a haze of warmth, laughter, and conversation. As the family gathered around the towering tree in the main hall, each member took turns unwrapping presents. Adam’s heart raced as he watched them open his carefully chosen gifts. For his father, he’d found a rare book on wizarding dueling tactics; for his mother, a delicate silver charm enchanted to change with the seasons. He even managed to find a rare bottle of potion ingredients for his older brother, and for his sisters, two different beautifully crafted journal with shimmering, enchanted ink that flowed smoothly, fading only when they wanted it to.
When it was his turn to open his gifts, Adam felt like a child twice his age. The thrill of discovery was infectious, and his pile of presents did not disappoint. His grandfather had gifted him an exquisite set of scales for potion-making, while his grandmother, ever thoughtful, gave him a miniature magical creature habitat, perfect for housing any small creatures he might wish to study. The evening flowed with warmth, and the family toasted to the year past and the year ahead, exchanging stories, laughter, and hopes for the future.
Time passed quickly, before Adam's seventh birthday Elara letter finally arrives. A tawny owl swooped gracefully through the window, dropping an envelope addressed in elegant emerald ink: Miss Elara Morgan. Her face lit up, and with wide eyes, she tore open the letter.
Adam already knew that his sister would be attending Hogwarts, not Beauxbatons like their older sister, and he was happy to know that someone would be there for him when it was his turn to go to Hogwarts, too. Everyone in the family clapped and cheered, and her little brother watched, both awestruck and a little sad. Elara hugged him tightly, promising to write letters from Hogwarts about every adventure she’d have and every spell she’d learn.
The family gathered to celebrate Adam's birthday few days later, filling the house with cheer. After the last guest departed, Adam found himself planning a quiet, secret project: practicing magic. Aware of the potential dangers, he resolved to begin small, casting simple spells and working on breathing exercises to deepen his control. He scheduled these sessions at night when he could be alone, undisturbed. His goal was gradual, careful improvement, an approach he hoped would sharpen his magical aptitude without attracting undue attention.
Finally his sister and mother traveled to Diagon Alley, where Elara’s excitement bubbled over as she collected her wand, robes, and books. She chose a sleek black cat as her companion, telling Adam that it would be the perfect friend for her at Hogwarts.
The day of her departure was bittersweet. Unable to join her due to his studies, Adam could only imagine her excitement as their father helped her board the Hogwarts Express, marking her first steps toward the magical world that awaited her.
Adam’s bond with the creatures in his care had also strengthened. The fire crab—whom he’d named “Ember”—had become especially dear to him. Ember’s shell gleamed with fiery specks, and the creature seemed to respond to Adam with trust, sometimes even curling close to him, radiating warmth. The hippogriff, majestic and proud, had also grown accustomed to Adam’s presence, while his siblings’ pets brought endless fascination, he finally knew the name and it was Eclipse named by his mother. His father’s owl snowball, however, held a special place in his heart. Adam visited the owl daily, sneaking treats and admiring its intelligence and grace. More than once, he found himself lingering, hoping for another glimpse of the time-turner and the other artifacts locked in his father’s study. His curiosity about these objects only grew.
Other creatures roamed the family grounds, from curious bowtruckles hiding among the trees to a group of puffskeins with their adorable, purring vibrations. Though most were content to observe him from a distance, Adam found himself enchanted by their quirks. Occasionally, he would catch sight of a niffler darting between shadows, its beady eyes ever-watchful for something shiny to pilfer. Every creature added a sense of magic to his daily life, and Adam found that each interaction, no matter how brief, made him feel more connected to the world around him. Adam plans to befriend a niffler with the coins he has seen and a unique bowtruckle that he observed up close one day while playing with Ember, slowly but steadily. He has also easily made friends with puffskeins, which bring him occasional moments of joy.
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As he delved deeper into family history, Adam discovered another intriguing resource: the portraits of his ancestors that lined the mansion’s halls. Unlike in his early years, the ancestors now spoke to him willingly, sharing knowledge about the family’s past. Each portrait seemed to carry a unique personality. Some ancestors were cheerful and kind, while others were more aloof or suspicious, making Adam careful with his questions. He sometimes asked about hidden parts of the castle or locked rooms, but these questions usually ended the conversation abruptly. Despite this, he continued to gather fascinating bits of knowledge, pieces of the family’s intricate history that added depth to his understanding.
As his magic developed, so did his understanding of his timeline. On his tenth birthday, a fact he’d once overlooked struck him as he noticed the Malfoys at a family celebration. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy had arrived with their son, Draco—a familiar face that brought clarity. Realization dawned: he shared the same timeline as Harry Potter, and events from the books he remembered were indeed unfolding around him. He greeted Draco politely, though his interest was guarded. Befriending him was an option, but for now, Adam preferred a cautious approach, observing rather than intervening. He resolved to let events play out naturally, not wishing to disrupt what fate had set in motion. In his mind, he began formulating a plan—to watch, engage with, and learn from the significant figures of the Wizarding World without altering their paths.
That evening, as he lay in bed, his mind turned to the years ahead. If he were to attend Hogwarts in a year’s time, he’d need to consider his role in the unfolding story carefully. His intention was to maintain a respectful distance, witnessing events from afar, and to interact only as circumstances allowed. One part of his plan, however, was clear: he would do his utmost to protect the magical creatures involved in the stories, offering them help if ever they needed it.
Adam’s older siblings, Lucien and Cassandra, also completed their magical education a few years back, graduating from Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy respectively. Lucien, with his expertise in the Dark Arts and a reputation for discipline and strategy honed at Durmstrang, managed the more challenging aspects of the family’s business dealings. Cassandra, on the other hand, brought a touch of elegance and diplomacy to their ventures, thanks to her refined training at Beauxbatons. Together, they handled the family’s vast wealth and influence, ensuring the Morgan name remained respected and well-connected in both the magical and non-magical communities.
Days passed in quiet study, and soon his mother began teaching him the basics of magic. Adam’s previous self-study had already acquainted him with Latin and spell theory, making her lessons easy to absorb. His mother noticed his natural aptitude, perhaps attributing it to the family’s magical lineage. Recently, she had introduced him to the concepts of Occlumency and Legilimency, two rare and advanced magical disciplines that fascinated Adam from the moment she mentioned them. She explained that Occlumency, the art of shielding one’s mind from external intrusion, was a skill often practiced by members of their family and some are born with it. Its purpose was to protect one’s private thoughts and emotions from those who might wish to use them against you, a skill his family had honed over generations. Legilimency, on the other hand, was the art of reading another’s thoughts and emotions, a rare and even more challenging skill.
It was uncommon for a wizard to possess an innate talent for both abilities; to her surprise, Adam seemed to have potential in each. His mother tested him, guiding him through mental exercises designed to strengthen his mental fortitude. She taught him visualization techniques, such as imagining his mind as a locked room, a garden surrounded by high walls, or a book whose pages he could close at will. As he practiced, Adam felt a distinct sense of control growing within him, a quiet strength that surprised even him.
When it came time to attempt Legilimency, his mother instructed him to tread carefully. Legilimency was invasive by nature, and even the lightest brush into another’s mind could be unsettling if not done with care. To his astonishment, Adam managed to penetrate the outer layers of her thoughts, sensing fleeting impressions of her emotions and surface memories. Though he couldn’t see into her mind clearly, the experience left him in awe. His mother, equally impressed, stressed the importance of discretion.
She explained that mastering both Occlumency and Legilimency could open doors for him but also required restraint and a deep respect for the privacy of others and due to his family background. Practicing these arts took discipline and focus, she warned, as they relied not only on magic but on one’s emotional state and control. Regular practice was essential for strengthening these talents.
That evening at dinner, his accomplishments in Occlumency and Legilimency became the talk of the table. His grandparents, father and his older siblings were visibly proud, and their praise filled Adam with both joy and awe. Buoyed by the moment, he shared his aspirations with the family: he wanted to become a Magizoologist. His family nodded, understanding his deep love for magical creatures, though they reminded him of the importance of remaining open to other paths. For now, he felt reassured, knowing they supported his ambitions.
The next day brought an unexpected gift from his grandmother. She presented him with an enchanted bag, similar to the one Newt Scamander had famously carried. She explained that it was a gift from her father, and over the years, she had expanded and enhanced it. Inside, Adam discovered a vast, enchanted space containing habitats mimicking different climates and environments. Though some areas remained empty, he immediately envisioned using them as storage or, someday, as homes for magical creatures he might study and protect. The bag’s intricate magic thrilled him, fueling his dreams of following in the footsteps of wizards like Newt and Hagrid and many others.
In the quiet of his room that night, Adam felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. His journey was just beginning, yet already he could feel the weight of his decisions shaping his future. The wizarding world is vast, filled with both wonders and dangers. As he drifted into sleep, he made a promise to himself: he would walk this path with care and kindness, with a heart prepared to protect, observe, and learn from both the creatures and people who crossed his path—aware of how the story was destined to unfold, yet open to the unexpected twists that might emerge along the way.
With his family’s support, a deepening bond with the old and new magical creatures, and his budding abilities in Occlumency and Legilimency—which he planned to strengthen in the coming days—Adam looked forward to his Hogwarts adventure with excitement. It was a destiny unfolding, step by step, with each breath he took and every spell cast in the quiet hours of night.