NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Shaping the Future
Kai Thornwood strode confidently through the vast halls of Thornwood Manor, his mind racing with thoughts of the quest the system had thrown at him. Aid the Chosen One. He chuckled under his breath, thinking about how crucial Harry Potter would be in the grand scheme of things—but what if Harry could be even better? Stronger, more skilled, more prepared for the trials ahead?
The Thornwood family library had already proven to be a wellspring of magical knowledge. He had spent hours combing through old tomes on wandwork, dueling, and spell creation, carefully selecting the rarest spells to practice. But none of it excited him as much as his newfound powers from the Arcane Sovereign System. Spells from any universe, accessible at his fingertips, made everything feel like a game he was bound to win.
Today, however, his mission was simple: gather information, plan strategically, and soon... meet Harry.
Kai's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden echo of approaching footsteps. He turned to find his father, Magnus Thornwood, a tall man with silver streaks in his hair, sharp features, and an aura that demanded respect. Magnus was not the warm, doting type. As head of the ancient Thornwood family, he had raised Kai in a strict, disciplined environment. But now, with his new memories in place, Kai saw his father not just as a parent, but as a man with deep connections within the magical world.
"Father," Kai greeted, inclining his head slightly in respect.
Magnus paused, studying him carefully. "I trust you have been keeping up with your studies, Kai," his father's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "The future of the Thornwood family depends on it."
"Yes, Father," Kai replied evenly. "I've been excelling in every area."
Magnus's brow lifted slightly. "Good. The Thornwoods cannot afford weakness." He was about to turn away when he added, almost as an afterthought, "Your betrothal to the Greengrass family will solidify our alliances. You will be meeting the Greengrass heir again soon. Ensure you are prepared."
As Magnus left, the weight of the situation sank in. The betrothal. It wasn't just a formality—it was a bond between two of the most powerful pureblood families in Britain. Daphne Greengrass was as sharp as she was cold, but their marriage, when the time came, would mean serious political clout. But was that really all it would mean?
Kai had met her before—brief, formal occasions. Conversations were limited to pleasantries, with barely any real interaction between them. But now, with the knowledge of his past life and the system to aid him, he wondered how much he could change her as well. Daphne was powerful, yes, but her potential, like Harry's, was never fully explored in the books.
---
Later that evening, Kai sat alone in the grand library, the quiet of the Thornwood estate comforting him. The flickering light from floating candles cast shadows on the ancient bookshelves as he sifted through several tomes. He needed a plan, and he needed it soon.
Pulling up the system screen, Kai studied his stats once more.
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Arcane Sovereign System
Name: Kai Thornwood
Age: 11
Bloodline: Pureblood (Ancient and Noble House of Thornwood)
Abilities: Arcane Sovereign (Grants the user mastery over spells from multiple universes)
Current Spells Available: 5 (Basic Transfiguration, Levitation Charm, Disarming Charm, Fireball [D&D], Eldritch Blast [D&D])
Points Available: 50
Next Unlockable Spell: Choose from any universe.
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Kai grinned. Fifty points. He had been saving them, waiting for the right moment to unlock something big. The fireball and eldritch blast spells were his favorite so far—straight from Dungeons & Dragons and powerful enough to knock out even advanced wizards. But now, he needed something more strategic. Something to help him in the long game.
He scrolled through the potential spells that could be unlocked:
Protego Diabolica (Fantastic Beasts): A ring of black fire capable of incinerating enemies on contact.
Avada Kedavra (Harry Potter): The killing curse, instant death to the target.
Reality Warp (Marvel Universe): Temporarily alters reality around the caster.
Kai frowned at the last option. Reality Warp? That seemed far too risky for now. He needed something more versatile and less… chaotic.
His fingers hovered over Protego Diabolica, a dark spell that could burn through armies. But just as he was about to select it, his system flashed another option.
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New Spell Available for Unlock:
Fiendfyre Manipulation (Harry Potter)
An ancient, uncontrollable fire that can be shaped into monstrous forms. Difficult to master, but deadly.
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Kai's breath caught. Fiendfyre. In the canon, only the most powerful wizards could summon and control Fiendfyre. It was chaos incarnate, a spell that could incinerate entire forests or buildings if unleashed without control. But if Kai could master it…
He didn't hesitate.
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Fiendfyre Manipulation unlocked.
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A surge of power coursed through him. Kai could feel the magic swirling in his core, coiling like a serpent ready to strike. Fiendfyre was dangerous, yes—but it was also an incredible weapon. His plan was starting to form in his mind. If he was going to help Harry, he needed to be one step ahead at all times, and that meant mastering the most dangerous spells in existence.
His thoughts shifted to Hogwarts. In just over a year, he would be there. But his time until then would be used wisely. He needed to cultivate his reputation, build relationships with the right people, and—most importantly—begin laying the groundwork for his alliance with Harry Potter.
"First things first," he muttered to himself, pulling out parchment and ink. "If I'm going to do this right, I need to start shaping the events before they even happen."
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Hogsmeade - Two Weeks Later
The cool autumn breeze whipped through the streets of Hogsmeade as Kai stepped off the Knight Bus. His father had business in Diagon Alley, leaving Kai to his own devices for the day. More importantly, he had arranged to meet Daphne Greengrass.
She stood by a small café near the outskirts of town, her long blonde hair flowing elegantly behind her as she surveyed him with those same icy blue eyes. Her presence was as cold as ever, but Kai had always been fascinated by her aura of authority.
"Kai," Daphne greeted as he approached, her voice level but guarded. "I wasn't expecting you to suggest a meeting here. What's on your mind?"
Kai smiled politely and gestured toward a small table inside the café. "Shall we?"
Once they were seated, Kai studied Daphne for a moment. She was sharp, calculating, always observing. The two of them, though technically betrothed, barely knew each other beyond surface-level interactions. Today, he planned to change that.
"I've been thinking about our situation," Kai began, leaning forward slightly. "About our future. The alliance between our families is one of tradition, but that doesn't mean we have to be passive players in this game."
Daphne raised an eyebrow. "You're talking as if we're already strategizing for war."
Kai smiled. "Not a war, per se. But you and I both know the world is heading toward dangerous times. Voldemort is gaining strength. The Death Eaters are regrouping, and soon, the conflict will spill into the public eye."
Daphne's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't interrupt.
"I've been doing some studying—delving into the history of magic, of our families, and the broader wizarding world. I believe there's a lot more we can do. Not just as a couple fulfilling some contract, but as real players in shaping the future."
Daphne remained silent for a moment, processing his words. "And what role do you see for us?"
Kai's eyes gleamed. "Leaders. Influencers. The ones who aren't just reacting to Voldemort's rise, but actively preparing for it. We have the power, the resources, and—between you and me—the intelligence to affect the outcome of the future."
Daphne looked at him carefully, her mask of indifference slipping just slightly. "And what is it that you propose we do?" Daphne asked, her voice sharp but tinged with curiosity. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she waited for Kai's response.
Kai felt a surge of satisfaction. This was what he had been hoping for—a crack in the ice, a small opening into the calculating mind of Daphne Greengrass. He had to tread carefully now.
"Strategic alliances," Kai began, his voice low and confident. "Not just with other families, but with key players who will shape the future. The Greengrass and Thornwood names are already powerful, but we need to expand our influence. Start building relationships with those who will be pivotal when the war starts."
Daphne's gaze didn't waver. "Such as?"
Kai allowed a small smile to curl his lips. "Harry Potter. He's the Chosen One, and whether he likes it or not, the fate of the wizarding world will rest on his shoulders. But as things stand, he's unprepared. Naive. He won't survive against Voldemort without help."
Her eyebrows lifted slightly. "And you think we should ally ourselves with him?"
"Absolutely," Kai replied without hesitation. "Not openly. We don't need to draw unnecessary attention. But if we can subtly guide him, train him, and protect him, he'll owe us his life. And when the dust settles, when Voldemort is gone, we'll be positioned as the power behind the scenes."
Daphne was silent for a moment, considering his words. Her icy exterior betrayed no emotion, but Kai could see the gears turning in her mind.
"And how exactly do you plan to approach Harry Potter? He's hardly the type to trust Slytherins."
"That's the beauty of it," Kai said, leaning in. "We don't have to rely on the school's house divisions. I'll meet him before Hogwarts. I'll earn his trust while he's still forming his alliances. By the time he steps into the Great Hall, we'll already be friends."
Daphne regarded him carefully, her eyes narrowing. "You seem very sure of yourself."
Kai chuckled, the sound low and confident. "I have to be. I'm not just thinking about the next few years, Daphne. I'm thinking about the next generation. The Thornwood and Greengrass families will thrive in this new world if we play our cards right."
For the first time, Daphne's cold mask slipped entirely, and a faint smile touched her lips. "You're ambitious, Kai. More than I expected."
Kai shrugged. "Ambition is nothing without action. I intend to make sure we come out on top."
Daphne's smile faded, her expression serious once more. "Very well. I'll play along for now. But if this plan of yours puts our families at risk, I won't hesitate to withdraw my support."
"Fair enough," Kai said, nodding. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their agreement hanging between them. Kai felt a thrill of victory—he had taken the first step in securing Daphne's cooperation. She wasn't just another Slytherin heiress. She was intelligent, calculating, and cautious. But now, she was on his side.
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One Month Later
Kai stood at the edge of a bustling Muggle village, hidden beneath a Disillusionment Charm as he watched the comings and goings of the people around him. His eyes were fixed on a small, unremarkable house at the end of the street: Number 4, Privet Drive.
Inside that house lived a boy who would one day change the world. A boy who, at this moment, had no idea who he truly was or what destiny had in store for him.
Harry Potter.
Kai had timed this carefully. In just a few weeks, Harry would receive his Hogwarts letter, and everything would change for him. But Kai didn't want to wait until the canon timeline kicked off. He needed to establish contact before Dumbledore and the Order started pulling their strings.
The Dursleys had taken Harry to a nearby park, and Kai had scouted the area to ensure there were no magical wards or monitoring spells from the Ministry. Everything was clear.
As Harry and the Dursleys arrived back at their house, Kai watched closely from a distance. Harry looked as miserable as he remembered from the books—scrawny, dressed in rags, and dragging his feet behind his monstrous cousin, Dudley. Kai's heart clenched as he saw the boy, knowing how much suffering he had endured.
"Not for much longer," Kai muttered to himself.
Waiting until the Dursleys had entered the house and slammed the door shut, Kai made his move. With a flick of his wand, he cast a silent unlocking charm on the back gate and slipped inside the garden.
This would be the first real interaction between them, and Kai knew it had to be subtle, but impactful. He crouched low behind a set of bushes near the back window, watching as Harry sat alone at the kitchen table, staring down at an empty plate. The boy looked tired, beaten down by years of neglect.
Kai reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of parchment. With a quiet incantation, the parchment folded itself into a bird and hovered in the air in front of him.
"Deliver this," he whispered, and with a flick of his wand, the bird flew through the open window and landed softly on the table in front of Harry.
Harry blinked in surprise, staring at the small paper bird as it unfolded into a note. Kai watched closely as Harry read the message, his eyes widening with confusion and a hint of hope.
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To Harry Potter,
You're not alone. I know what they've done to you, and I know who you really are. Great things are waiting for you. Soon, you'll be free.
A friend.
---
Harry stared at the note for a long moment, his fingers trembling as he held it. He looked around the empty kitchen as if expecting to see someone there, but of course, no one was.
Kai smiled to himself. It was a small gesture, but it would plant a seed of hope in Harry's mind. A small crack in the shell of isolation the Dursleys had built around him. And when the time was right, Kai would introduce himself—face to face.
But for now, he was content to remain in the shadows, watching, waiting.
Harry would be ready when the time came. And when he was, Kai Thornwood would be by his side.
---
Back at Thornwood Manor that evening, Kai sat in his room, feeling the weight of his actions settle over him. His life had become a chessboard, each move calculated, each piece carefully placed. Harry Potter was just the beginning. Soon, everything would fall into place.
But tonight, as he lay back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, he felt a strange sense of satisfaction. For the first time, he wasn't just a spectator to the events of the wizarding world. He was an architect of its future.
The Arcane Sovereign System pulsed softly in his mind, a reminder of the power he wielded. The future of magic was in his hands.
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System Update:
Quest Progress: Aid the Chosen One
Status: 5% Complete
New Spell Available: Teleportation (Dimension Door - D&D)
Points Gained: 10