A week had passed since the incident at the Ministry, and while I didn't expect peace, what followed was oddly quiet. The charges against me were dropped, and in a rare display of political humility, Crouch Sr. and Madam Amelia Bones met me in person at the Ministry atrium.
With journalists gathering like a flock of restless crows, Crouch Sr., rigid as ever, nodded stiffly.
"We were wrong," he said without fanfare. "You were right and we apologize for the treatment you endured."
Bones followed, more sincere, her voice clear as she placed a hand on my shoulder.
"We'll do more than apologize. The Ministry will issue a statement and make sure to punish those student's that hurt you." Before I could respond, Rita Skeeter slithered her way toward us. Quill hovering, eyes gleaming with predatory hunger.
"Mr. Dawn! Just one question! Did you have anything to do with the Ministry officials'… unusual honesty during your trial?" I offered her a calm, measured smile. "No comment." Then I turned, ignoring her rapid-fire follow-ups as I walked between my parents, out the Ministry doors, and into the cold winter air.
Later that week, the Daily Prophet front page was a sight to behold:
> "The Dark Prince Rises? Dawn's Dark Influence Behind Ministry Purge?"
By Rita Skeeter
It was a slander piece, full of half-truths, twisted implications, and not-so-subtle hints that I was orchestrating a coup to become the youngest Minister of Magic in history I mean one part of that is true but she doesn't know that.
But what truly surprised me was what followed. The very next morning, after my Aster and my Father returned from a quiet meeting at a Gringotts vault and one of the older Wizengamot seats, another headline took its place:
> RETRACTION NOTICE
The Daily Prophet formally apologizes to Cain Dawn for the slanderous article published on December 13th. The article misrepresented recent events at the Ministry. The reporter Rita Skeeter responsible has been disciplined, and the Editor-in-Chief extends their formal regrets.
That same day, in front of gathered press and select members of the Wizengamot, Aster Tesfaye stood tall and proud. "As Matriarch of House Tesfaye, I hereby declare Cain Tesfaye Dawn as my official heir, both in name and in magical legacy. The blood of Ethiopia's oldest sorcerer line flows strong, and my nephew shall carry it into the future."
Her voice rang like iron—indisputable. When the ceremony was over, she pulled me aside and said simply, "When the holidays end and before you return to Hogwarts, I'll tell you everything I can about our family and your true heritage. Be ready." I only nodded. "Thank you for this. I will be."
Platform 9¾. King's Cross.
The crowd was as boisterous as ever, but I felt the eyes and then familiar faces. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Draco, and Nikita all made their way toward me like a convergence of stars.
"Cain!" Hermione beamed as she ran up giving me a hug. "You alright, mate?" Ron asked. "What did you do at the Ministry?" Harry half-joking. Before I could answer, Narcissa Malfoy arrived grabbing Draco lightly by the wrist. "We must go," she said sternly.
I stepped forward, holding a folded parchment. "When you're ready to talk, press this to a mirror." She narrowed her eyes. "And why would I do that?" I leaned in and whispered, "Because your husband will start to lose more power and control, it will affect your family and Draco. I can help him be more than a pawn. I can help can be his own man and help you be your own woman as well if you wish. Greater than Lucius or any Black the both of you, but if the dark lord returns your son will be lucky to live."
She held my gaze for a long moment… then took the parchment with slender fingers and swept away, not saying a word.
Nikita waved goodbye, her parents smiling warmly. Ron followed after them, muttering about his mum dragging him to the shop. Before he disappeared, he pointed at a set of mischievous redheads running toward me.
Fred and George Weasley. "Mr. Dawn!" Fred grinned. "Ron said you wanted to go into business?" George added. "Got your letter," Fred said, holding it up. "Read it twice." I handed them a small, enchanted bag. The moment they opened it, their jaws dropped.
"Galleons… herbs… tools…" Fred blinked. George looked at me, stunned. "This is… a fortune."
" That is my inheritance if I had chose not take my family name and I'm not giving it to you," I corrected. "I'm loaning it so consider it an investment. That bag is charmed I'll always know how much is left. Use what you need for your inventions, help your family, and in return give me what's left back and give me a cut of the business I want no say in how you run it.
I just want occasional help with my builds, brews, and gadgets while you pay me back not monthly payments just what you can when you can. When I start selling my own potions and items you guys will be the first to get them to sell whenever you get your own shop or place to start working"
I spat into my hands and held them out. They stared then grinned, spit in theirs, and slapped both my palms in a firm, our contract sealed with a handshake.
"Welcome to the family," George said. "Cheers, partner," Fred added, pulling me in for a hug. I grinned. "Merry Christmas." "Merry bloody Christmas to you too!" Off to the side, Mrs. Weasley saw the boys' reactions and promptly screamed in surprise. Later, walking with Harry and Hermione, Harry nudged me.
"That was nice of you. You didn't have to do that." "I guess," I muttered. The truth was somewhere in between. Yes, I liked them. But I also believed in them and need them. Geniuses like them are hard to find even harder to get on your side.
Harry walked in thoughtful silence before saying, "Oh. I found that mirror. The one you told me about, and I saw them my mom and dad. It really Shows what we really want."
I smiled faintly. "Good remember that feeling Harry." He raised an eyebrow. "Why do I need to remember that feeling?"
I nodded. "We'll talk more once we're back. I've got a lot to tell you. And honestly…" I glanced around the station. "I want to avoid Neville and his grandmother for now."
"Why?" Hermione asked, confused. I sighed, deadpan. "Because I'm not great with being thanked more than once a day and healing two parents kind of overloads the quota."
The cold of December 26th clung to the countryside as I stepped through the shimmer of protective wards and into the modest but beautiful home of Nicholas Flamel. The manor, tucked away in the remote valleys of southern France, pulsed with the subtle thrum of centuries-old magic. Despite its serene charm.
Nicholas Flamel greeted us personally at the door, leaning slightly on an elegantly carved cane, his posture frail but eyes sparkling with curiosity. At his side stood his wife, Perenelle Flamel, a small but stately woman whose presence held a quiet dignity.
My mother bowed politely and introduced herself in fluent French, earning a pleased nod from Perenelle. Professor Snape, all stern lines and brooding silence, offered a curt but respectful greeting. Then I stepped forward with a Formal Introduction. "Hello Mr. Flamel its good to meet you in person and I thank you for welcoming us into your home during the holidays."
Nicholas regarded me with quiet interest. "So your the boys who has the British Ministry in Fire and wants to create his on stone among other things it is nice to meet you inerson as well Mr. Dawn."
I gave a soft smile. "And the boy who came to offer you a gift."
That got his attention. "A gift?"
I raised my hand. A soft white-gold flame "My flame. I offer you and Madame Perenelle a chance to feel what it does. It won't harm you. It will only renew what's been lost right now only temporarily."
Nicholas hesitated, his eyes narrowing but Perenelle stepped forward first. "It looks so beautiful and just from here it feels so nice like I'm a child running through the fields again." She placed her hand into the flame.
A ripple of light coursed through her form, and she gasped. A visible shimmer of rejuvenation rolled over her. Wrinkles softened. Her eyes cleared. Her spine straightened slightly. Nicholas stared in awe and slowly stepped forward, placing his hand in as well. The flame engulfed them both in a gentle swirl.
I watched closely with Mind's Eye and saw the subtle shift in their magical cores. Not a violent change just a gentle rebalancing a breath of life. When the flame vanished, Nicholas staggered and laughed. A young laugh, full of mischief and wonder.
"I haven't felt like this since before the Revolution," he breathed, flexing his hands.
Perenelle touched her cheek. "The aches are gone…" I nodded. "Temporary, but clean. The permanent version is in progress."
Flamel face turned turned serious. "Then I must hear why you've come."
I nodded at Snape, who opened the satchel containing our research. Scrolls, etched diagrams, stabilized essence vials, and rune-inscribed parchment floated gently into place above the central table.
"We are developing a way to create a Philosopher's Stone using ambient magic," I said. "We condensed free magical energy, filtered through leyline resonance and stabilized it through runic purification and alchemic matrix circles. Early results show promise, but we've hit a wall."
Flamel studied the floating notes, his sharp eyes moving rapidly. Then he looked at me, brow furrowed. "This level of progress should take a decade, not months." Snape replied dryly, "Mr. Dawn does not operate within the bounds of normal timelines."
My mother stepped forward and pointed at a specific set of condensation formulas. "This is your flaw. You've sequenced the condensation and stabilization steps out of harmony."
All three of us blinked. " Please explain." Flamel said.
Mom conjured a glowing diagram. "Ambient magic fluctuates it's wild, and chaotic to most. You're forcing it into a single matrix formula, when in truth, you need dual matrices one for condensation, and one for purification, interlocked through an enchantment array."
She flicked her hand, and shimmering layered alchemical arrays formed in the air in the form of 3D models of light.
"You need enchanted processing equipment that can handle the transitional stages between vapor-state, liquid-state, and solid-state. You're skipping stabilization, and your runes aren't layered they're single-state."
Snape and I looked at each other, slowly realizing what we'd missed. "Of course," I murmured. "We were trying to brute-force it, instead of guiding like making ice we need to do it in a way nature would. Just using magic to do it."
Flamel was already moving toward a workbench. "Let's do it."
And so we began. Snape and I carefully prepared the dual-matrix alchemical circles—one for condensation, the other for stabilization. Every rune was layered into the circles using using specific wording and formulas.
My mother and Nicholas worked on the enchanted apparatus a matrix-channeled crystal crucible powered by a golden leyline thread anchored through the floor. The runes glowed with each enchantment, harmonizing across the frame of the processor.
Four hours passed like a blink and then the crucible began to glow. Liquid ambient magic swirled and solidified inside, layer by layer, until a walnut-sized gem was a radiant blue like a sapphire as it settled in the crucible's core.
It pulsed. Flamel stepped forward, hand trembling, and lifted the stone into his palm. "…It's stronger," he whispered. "Far stronger than mine ever was."
Snape's eyes gleamed in disbelief. I remained silent but inwardly awed We'd taken his life's work and evolved it. Nicholas turned to me slowly. "Only Four people in the world now know this… You, me, your Potions Master and mother."
He glanced at my mother. "And your mother may be the only one who understood the flaw I've overlooked for two centuries." Mom would look at me. "So this is what you have been up to between yours studies and starting fights in school." She said with a knowing look.
"Are you mad?" She smiled. "Of course I'm not mad honey. I can see you are changing the world so much for one so young it makes me proud and regretful I didn't do the same when I was your age."
"But it's not like you have the same abilities that I do, not saying you need them to change the world or do a lot of good."
Her expression would change into one of sadness the she would hold out her hand and a golden white flame would appear. It was brighter and more radiant then mine. She would say there is a lot you don't know son one day you will and hopefully you will understand me.
I nodded I wonder just how powerful mom is. "No matter what I will still love you mom nothing will change that." She will smile. "I will always love you to Callum, and I'm glad your doing great work like your father I wish I could have brought him hear with us. I am also glad to see you ask one of the best minds at Hogwarts to help you with this project of yours.
Snape would say anything but the vibe in the room was clear he acknowledge my moms compliment. We decide to take a quick lunch break that Mrs. Flamel prepared for us with her renewed energy.
After eating we decided to get back to work making small adjustment's to our refining process and thanks to these adjustments the stone looked more like blue sapphire crystals. they were the size a of a skipping stone. We were all happy with the results but I wanted to test another theory I had. I would say the everyone I going to use my white golden flame over the alchemical matrix circles to increase the output and processing of the ambient magic well at least I hope my theory can be applied.
Nicholas was amazed with the idea saying. If you think that would help then lets see. We are pioneering a whole new discovery at this point so lets go all the way." Mom and Snape agreed. With that I started overlaying my golden white flame on the the matrix circles.
The circle glowed as the process begun again. After a few minutes and not hours glow faded slowly from my eyes as the spell circle collapsed into a matrix of golden-white threads. Silence hung in the chamber beneath Flamel's estate, thick with awe and the lingering resonance of power. I stood at the center of the room, my hand trembling slightly as I held it, the new stone.
Unlike the sapphire-blue crystalline stones we'd crafted earlier, this one was… different. Its surface shimmered with a smoke-white translucency, like mist trapped in glass. But through Mind's Eye, I could see it for what it really was.
It wasn't just a Philosopher's Stone. It was closer to the heart of magic itself. A nearly perfect lattice of energy. Refined to the point where even leyline ambient magic bent around it like gravity. I could feel the world breathe through it.
Nicholas Flamel's eyes widened with a kind of boyish wonder I never imagined from someone his age. "This… I never expected something like this could even exist," he whispered. I nodded slowly, the golden-white flame still burning faintly as if reluctant to leave the stone. "Neither did I. But when I touched it with my flame it became so much easier like it was being returned to it's original state or something close I think."
The blue stones we crafted earlier—three in total, each the size of a river-polished stone—had already been a massive improvement over Flamel's original design. But they now looked dim beside this.
I turned as I felt the soft step behind us. Perenelle had entered, her ageless face already showing faint interest in what was happening. I glanced with a big idea coming to my mind I followed my instincts and motioned to the two of them.
"Can the two of you stand next to each other? I want to try something." They obeyed without hesitation and I grabbed my wand and the stone and a new quiet pulse of magic went through the room surprising every. I focused the stone through me and into my wand and I focused my strongest white golden flame through the wand.
A wave of golden-white fire poured over them with the light engulfed them. A pulse echoed through the foundation of the Flamel estate. When the light faded, Nicholas and Perenelle looked at each other—and gasped. Their skin was smooth, hair darkened and thickened, postures tall and straight. Their physical forms had regressed by decades.
They looked no older than their late thirties.
Perenelle looked stunned. Nicholas's mouth parted in disbelief. "Callum," he said, voice firmer than before, "what in Merlin's name did you just do?" "I use the stone to enhance the flame and perfected the resonance with healing and amplification properties. This is a different kind of Philosopher's Stone. A new type."
I studied the stone in my hand again. The soft smoke-white glow hadn't dulled. "The blue stones are powerful. But this one…" I turned it slowly between my fingers. "You'd need at least fifty of them to match what this one does. Maybe more."
Nicholas nodded slowly, awe replacing disbelief. "And you… want to keep it?" "Yes," I said firmly. "This one is too dangerous in the wrong hands. I'll keep it hidden. Until I'm ready is that ok?"
Everyone in the room agreed without hesitation—but Nicholas's face turned serious. "You'll have a target on your back if this secret's get's out. A lot of dark wizards or power hungry ones will come looking for something like that."
" That's why this secret will not leave us until I say so if I need to make an Unbreakable vow I will."
Then I looked at Perenelle, whose eyes shimmered with renewed youth. "I'm working on a beautification and rejuvenation potion, too. It's not ready yet but the permanent version will come eventually. For now, I can make a temporary one for public release in a year. You can say that's what restored you both."
She tilted her head, intrigued. Nicholas chuckled. "I don't think I'll be interested, but she…" He glanced at his wife, who was already pulling at her now-glossy hair in the mirror. "…might be your first customer."
"I'll put some aside so no wait in line needed. Nicholas and Snape both chuckled, Snape barely, as expected. "You may be onto something world-changing," Snape said in that deep, calm voice of his. "Or something dangerous. "Maybe both."
We agreed to split the blue stones. Flamel took one, Snape accepted the second with a nod, and my mother, took the third.
"I'll store this in our family vault," she said, her expression unreadable.
Nicholas sighed in relief. "Perfect. I'll contact Dumbledore and the Ministry tell them the stone at Hogwarts is no longer needed. But this," he tapped his now-youthful chest, "must remain a secret." I nodded. "Say you took my potion. That'll be the public story. I'll make sure the temporary version hits shelves in a year—after it's perfected and reviewed for global distribution."
Nicholas walked to his desk and began writing the letter to Dumbledore.
"I'll ensure you're granted access to my old Philosopher's Stone as soon as the you return from winter break. "Thank you," I said. "I want to experiment with it."
He raised a brow but didn't pry.
"All yours." Snape accepted the sealed letter and tucked it into his coat, already mentally preparing to deal with Dumbledore's inevitable curiosity. I sat cross-legged in my chamber, the flickering wandlight casting dancing shadows on the walls. The smoke-white Philosopher's Stone hovered before me, suspended in a stasis charm.
I stared at it for what felt like an hour.leaned back in my chair, breath even, mind calm. My fingers hovered over the small silver crest etched into my nightstand. With a thought, my Inventory Window shimmered into view, responding to my intent.
There it was.
Nestled beside a few potions, enchanted parchment, and Philosopher's Stone. I tapped the corner of the screen and moved to my Status Panel.
[Status: Callum Tesfaye Dawn]
Flame Proficiency:
White Flame: Advanced (90%)
Golden Flame: Advanced (90%)
Shadow Flame: Advanced (90%)
Origin Flame: Advanced (79%)
Wandless Magic: Advanced (99%)
Magical Resistance: Advanced (40%)
Astral Projection: Novice (34%)
Regeneration: Intermediate (60%)
Mana Meditation: Advanced (10%)
Magic Missile: Intermediate (30%)
Invisible Wall: Advanced (5%)
Telekinesis: Advanced (90%)
Darkness: Novice (1%)
Legilimency: Advanced (40%)
Occlumency: Advanced (40%)
Parseltongue: Novice (20%)
Mind's Eye: Passive
Phoenix Regeneration: Passive
Regeneration (Troll): Passive
I exhaled through my nose and nodded slowly.
"Not bad" Everything was progressing smoothly. with the new stone I can start to try and make a mana core in my body after I break the first limiter. Each of flames had matured evenly, and I was close so close to mastering the first three I wonder if anything will happen when I do that. Wandless is still at 99%. I wonder what I need for that last percent to come through.
I focused to the Quest tab.
[Quest Log]
Zero to Hero: Objective: Lead Slytherin to glory by improving their public image and inner culture. Reward: Rare Snakewood seeds – crossbreed varieties from lost ancient magical forests. Time Limit: End of First Semester Progress (40%)
Leader of the Pack: Objective: Win the House Cup for Slytherin through academic, athletic, and social excellence. Reward: Unlock one unique spell from the Enchanted Journal. Time Limit: End of First Semester Progress (50%)
Influence Harry Potter's Life for the Better: Progress (62%)
A New Queen Soars: Objective: Fully resurrect and help Helena Ravenclaw achieve her dreams. Reward: ??? Progress (0%)
I paused there. The last one, A New Queen Soars, still untouched. I guess the quest for Helena won't begin until I can at least revive her for everything to begin. "Interesting."
But everything else looked good steady progression it's a good pace for this timeline. Then I leaned forward, laced my fingers together, and whispered. "A.I.A., assess the potential of using the Philosopher's Stone to break my first limiter with the potions."
A moment of silence. Then the her voice answered: "Affirmative. Integration of the smoke-white Philosopher's Stone as a magical amplifier will increase the probability of surviving the first limiter break from Magical Amplification and Potential Unsealing potions from 49% to 70%."
That made me sit up straighter. "Seventy percent? That's a massive jump. "Correct. However, probability of functional long-term survival post-break remains volatile. Body acclimation will be required. Success will depend on your regeneration rate and internal magic stabilizing in your body."
"So there's still a chance I die even if I survive the breakthrough?"
"Correct."
I rubbed my temples and leaned back again. Seventy percent better than fifty by a lot. That's a gambler's coin toss if the stakes were only pain but this is my life were talking about. The last thing I want do is die at ten in crippling pain because I wanted to the stronger then I should for my age. which I am but I guessed I should think about waiting.
"And what about the mutagen procedure? The body enhancement?" I felt the system pause. Running simulations. "Without Philosopher's Stone: 44% success. With Philosopher's Stone: 63% base success. With correct supervisor to regulate the flow of magic and the chemical integration in to your body success can increase to 69%."
"Figures," I sighed. "Almost nice. "However," she added, "locating a compatible, qualified individual willing to oversee said procedure to help stabilize your body going in and out of shock and introduce the mutagens in the proper order when procedures starts and full loyalty will be difficult."
"No kidding. That's going to be the hard part who in their right mind will knowing put chemicals to could kill someone into a eleven year old ? There was a beat of silence. The hum of ambient magic in the air vibrated faintly through my wand holster. I deactivated the status screen with a flick of my fingers, allowing the light-blue panels to vanish into motes of light.
"Thanks, A.I.A." "Anytime, Callum."
.