As they stepped out of Madam Malkin's, Lucius glanced at Thomas.
"So, which house are you hoping for?"
"Gryffindor."
Lucius looked surprised.
"I expected that answer... but not the reason."
Thomas smiled.
"They're known for bravery, chivalry... and swords. Sounds like my kind of place."
"Swords?"
"In a world full of wands, someone still has to know how to swing a blade."
Lucius chuckled.
"You're certainly unusual."
"I've been told."
The two exchanged a nod before parting ways.
With their robes ordered, Dumbledore led Thomas through the rest of Diagon Alley.
They picked up his school supplies, including books on magical theory, runes, swordsmanship, charms, and several advanced texts Thomas couldn't resist buying.
By the time they finished, his bag felt like it weighed a ton.
"Heavy?" Dumbledore asked with a smile.
"You think?"
"Then allow me to teach you a useful spell."
Thomas immediately perked up.
"A spell?"
"Reducio. It shrinks an object without damaging it. Engorgio returns it to its normal size."
Thomas drew his wand.
"Let's try it."
He pointed at the bag.
"Reducio."
The bag shrank until it was small enough to fit in his hand.
Thomas stared.
"...Magic is completely broken."
Dumbledore laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"I need to take care of something," Dumbledore said. "Stay here. I won't be long."
"No problem."
Thomas leaned against a wall while waiting.
A moment later—
Bump.
"Watch where you're going."
Thomas looked up.
Standing before him was a black-haired boy with hazel eyes, round glasses, and expensive clothes.
'James Potter.'
James frowned.
"What?"
Thomas smiled politely.
"Nothing. Just wondering how someone wearing glasses still walks into people."
James blinked.
"...Funny."
"You heading to Hogwarts?" Thomas asked.
"Of course. Gryffindor."
Thomas nodded.
"Good choice."
James puffed out his chest.
"Like every Potter before me."
"I figured."
James narrowed his eyes.
"You got something to say?"
Thomas shrugged.
"I just hope you're as good as your reputation."
Before James could answer, a woman's voice called from across the street.
"James!"
"I'm coming!"
He shot Thomas one last look.
"See you at Hogwarts."
Thomas watched him leave.
'Arrogant.'
'Maybe he'll grow out of it.'
Dumbledore returned a few minutes later carrying a wrapped parcel.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No worries."
Together, they returned to Wool's Orphanage.
The younger children rushed him the moment he walked through the door.
"Thomas!"
"What was it like?"
"Did you get a wand?"
He laughed.
"One question at a time."
The evening passed with Thomas showing everyone his books and supplies, though he wisely kept his wand hidden.
Later that night, he gathered everyone together.
"I'll be away for most of the year."
The room grew quiet.
"Hogwarts is a boarding school. I'll come back for Christmas and the summer holidays."
He smiled at the younger children.
"So while I'm gone... look after each other."
They all nodded.
Even Julian looked unusually serious.
That night, Thomas sat beside the window with a leather notebook resting on his lap.
Inside were everything he remembered.
Future events.
Names.
Ideas.
Plans.
'I can't let anyone read this.'
Using one of the concealment runes he'd studied, he mixed a thread of Sword Qi into the enchantment.
The notebook shimmered before becoming completely ordinary.
Only Thomas could reveal its true contents.
He smirked and wrote one final message on the first page.
"If you're reading this and you're not me... good luck."
Satisfied, he closed the notebook.
The next morning, a package arrived from Madam Malkin.
Inside was his custom uniform.
Thomas changed into it and studied himself in the mirror.
The high collar, fitted coat, silver embroidery, and crimson lining looked far more like a battle mage than a Hogwarts student.
A grin spread across his face.
"Perfect."
Then another thought crossed his mind.
'Somewhere... a Potter fan just got offended.'
He shrugged.
"Function beats tradition."
Packing away his sword, wand, books, and enchanted notebook, Thomas looked toward the window.
"Hogwarts..."
He smiled.
"Let's see what you've got."
To Be Continued...
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