One month passed in comfortable secrecy within the depths of 12 Grimmauld Place. My studies honed into mastery. My power grew. My influence in the shadows expanded.
And then — the sound of fluttering wings.
A Hogwarts letter slipped through the wards, landing neatly on my table.
Accepted.
Everything was unfolding perfectly.
But there was more — my System's monthly summon had finally refreshed. A familiar ripple of magic swirled in the air as two new rewards manifested before me.
The first was a smooth, silver-gray stone. The moment I saw the text floating in my vision, my breath stalled.
Mother Mithril
A seed-like creation of the deepest dwarven craft — capable of converting surrounding ore veins into mithril, the most precious metal in Middle-earth.
My grin widened.
With a single stone, I could collapse the global economy… or reinvent it under my fist.
The second summon roared into existence — a towering Mountain Troll, thick-skinned and monstrous. Brutish, powerful, a living siege weapon.
I waved a hand, sealing the creature away into my System space. It would have its use — later.
Today? My goal was far more delicate.
I folded away the Hogwarts letter and smoothed my cloak, my eyes drifting toward the window. The sun was low — somewhere in London, a young boy with a destined scar was about to step into the wizarding world for the first time.
Harry Potter.
Famous. Powerful. Gullible.
He just needed… guidance.
"I'll be in Diagon Alley today," I murmured to myself. "And I will meet him — before Dumbledore tightens the leash."
Whether he knew it or not, Harry Potter needed a friend.
Slytherin was the perfect place for him. A lion raised among snakes could do incredible things with the right serpent whispering in his ear.
And I? I possessed the Nine Rings of Men — artifacts of command, subjugation, and loyalty. Not gifts to hand out lightly… but powerful tools for forging an army.
Trusted allies would become Nazgûl reborn — not mindless slaves, but unstoppable lieutenants.
Harry could be one of them.
Or he could stand beside me willingly.
Either way…
The wizarding world was about to change.
I stepped toward the fireplace, dark emerald flames beginning to swirl as the Floo spell awakened.
"Diagon Alley," I whispered, and my lips curved upward in a quiet, dangerous smile.
"Let's go meet the boy who lived."