Harry devoured books as though they were his favourite treacle tart, each page fueling his insatiable hunger for magical knowledge. The entire stack of books that they had gotten from Diagon Alley, covering everything from potions to advanced magical theory, was completed in a mere four days. It wasn't just reading; it was absorption. The words were imprinting themselves in his mind as if they had been projected directly into his thoughts.
The midday sun streamed through the window, making the room quite hot. Harry sat on the couch with a thick tome on Apparition balanced on his lap. His emerald eyes scanned the dense text with an insatiable hunger, his mind already dissecting the intricacies of the process. Beside him, Abigail leaned against his lap while clutching a beginner's guide to magic. She was humming softly, her lips moving as she read about snippets of basic magical energy manipulation.
"What does this mean, Harry?" Abigail asked, pointing to the section she had trouble understanding.
Harry glanced at the page and scanned it quickly before replying. "That explains how all wand movements are just ways of manipulating your magical energy. It also says that relying solely on wand movements is a flawed approach. People should learn how to manipulate their magical energy without wands first to have a better grasp of magic."
Abigail nodded thoughtfully. "Does that mean people can do magic without wands, Harry?"
Harry smiled and nodded. "Yes, Abby. Wands are like a medium to help you cast the spell in a better and focused way, but it's not the only way to do magic. Doing magic without wands is what some of these books call real magic."
Abigail's eyes widened in fascination. "Real magic," she murmured. "So, if I learn to control my magic without a wand, I can be even better at it?"
Harry chuckled, ruffling her hair. "That's the idea. It's just harder to get started as compared to using a wand directly, which is why many people don't even give it a thought."
Abigail looked up at him. "Do you do magic without wands, Harry?"
Harry smiled and nodded. "Yes, I was lucky to find the books on the basics of magic before I started reading about spells and other stuff. Otherwise, I too would have preferred wands and not gone down the route of wandless magic."
Abigail tugged at Harry's sleeve, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she looked up at him. "Can you show me some magic, Harry? Please?"
Harry glanced at her for a moment, considering it. It wouldn't hurt to demonstrate something simple. Besides, with the room becoming uncomfortably warm under the midday sun, it was a perfect opportunity.
"Alright, Abby," he said with a small smile. "Watch closely."
Harry lifted his hand and, with a small flick of his finger, dropped the room's temperature. Frost-like patterns momentarily shimmered on the windows and the walls. Abigail gasped in delight as the heat was replaced by a gentle, refreshing chill.
"What spell was that?" she asked excitedly.
Harry smiled and replied, "It's a spell called Glacius. It's a freezing spell. I just modified its intensity a little to make it cool down the room instead of freezing it completely."
Abigail's eyes widened in admiration. "You can change spells like that? That's amazing, Harry!"
Harry chuckled softly. "It's not as hard as it seems, Abby. Once you understand how the magic flows, you can adjust it to do what you need. That's why it's important to first learn how to control your magical energy. The better you understand it, the more you can make magic your own."
Abigail nodded enthusiastically, her determination evident. "I'll do it, Harry. I'll practice hard so I can do real magic like you someday!"
Harry reached out and ruffled her hair affectionately. "You're already off to a great start, Abby. Just keep reading and practicing."
Abigail beamed at the praise and turned back to her book. She was eager to do magic just like her brother, and she was determined to succeed.
Harry leaned back on the couch and continued reading the book on Apparition. The concept was quite fascinating and really unique. The text detailed many key points which were supposed to make it easier for him to Apparate, but there was a repetitive phrase: destination, determination, and deliberation, known as the Three Ds.
As he read, Harry began to visualize the process, dissecting the mechanics in his mind. This was one of the things he was quite thankful for in this life. Every word he read etched itself into his memory with startling clarity. It wasn't just recollection; it was as if each book he read was stored whole in his mind, ready to be accessed at any moment. This wasn't something he was able to do in his previous life. Back then, he had to struggle to remember details, relying on notes to keep things straight.
Now, however, it was as if his brain had been rewired for magic. Complex theories and intricate spellwork made perfect sense, almost instinctively. He could analyze, tweak, and improve on magical concepts with ease. It felt like second nature, though he had no idea why.
Apparition, for all its complexity, was no different from any other magic he had studied. As he absorbed the text, he began mentally dissecting the process, tweaking and theorizing ways to make it even safer and more efficient.
Unconsciously, a small smile formed on his lips. Whatever had changed about his mind, he wasn't going to question it too much. It was a gift, a gift he planned to use to its fullest potential.
Harry closed the book with a satisfying thud, placing it on the table beside him. He turned to Abigail, who was still poring over her beginner's guide with the same level of intensity he had when reading advanced magical texts.
"Abby," he called softly, causing her to glance up with eyes brimming with curiosity.
"Yes, Harry?"
"I want you to go to Mum. She's by the pool in the backyard, and Dad's swimming. Tell her I have a surprise for her," Harry said with a small, mischievous smile. He was able to tell where Petunia was because he was now beginning to subconsciously keep his magical energy encompassed around the entire left side of the Dursley Mansion and the backyard pool.
Abigail's face lit up with excitement. "A surprise? What is it?"
"You'll see," Harry replied mysteriously. "Now go on."
Abigail didn't need to be told twice. She carefully closed her book and hopped off the couch, darting out of the room with a spring in her step.
As soon as she was gone, Harry stood up, rolling his shoulders in preparation. He glanced around the room, his emerald eyes settling on various points. He took a deep breath, focusing on the far corner near the window. Visualizing it clearly in his mind, he concentrated on the flow of his magical energy, letting it move smoothly rather than all at once.
With a slight flicker in the air, Harry disappeared and reappeared in the targeted corner. There was no sound: no crack and no disturbance. It was utterly silent, and the usual jerking sensation associated with Apparition was entirely absent. It was seamless, as if he had merely willed himself into existence in a new spot.
A smile spread across his face. "It worked," he murmured, the excitement in his voice barely contained.
Harry repeated the process, Apparating to different spots in the room. The ease and silence of his movement filled him with exhilaration. This wasn't the crude, jarring method described in the book; this was something far more refined and deeply satisfying.
Once satisfied with his experiments, Harry closed his eyes and focused on his magical energy. He saw Abigail skipping into the backyard, her tiny figure speaking animatedly to Petunia, who was seated under an umbrella. Vernon floated lazily in the pool, enjoying the cool water.
Harry smiled at the scene. It was as if he were standing there himself, though his physical body remained in his room.
"I'm getting better at this," he muttered, opening his eyes.
With a deep breath, Harry willed himself to Apparate. This time, his destination was the backyard pool area, directly in front of Petunia.
In an instant, the room vanished, and he found himself standing on the soft grass near the pool. Abigail let out a delighted squeal when she saw him appear out of nowhere.
"Harry! That was amazing!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands.
As Harry materialized silently near the pool, Petunia froze, gaping at him. There had been no pop and no faint crack. There was just Harry, appearing out of thin air as seamlessly as if he had always been standing there.
"Harry!" Petunia gasped, her voice trembling. "You... you Apparated? But... but there was no sound!"
Harry nodded, smirking. "Yeah, I've been working on it."
Petunia blinked at him. "Working on it? Harry, that's not just working on it. Even seasoned wizards can't completely silence their Apparition. Your father and I practiced for years to make the sound as faint as possible, and even then, there's always something: a soft crack or a whisper of air. But you..." She trailed off, placing her hand over her mouth.
Vernon hauled himself out of the pool, water dripping onto the tiles. "What's the matter, Petunia?"
Petunia turned toward Vernon, her hands fluttering as she struggled to find the words. "He Apparated, Vernon! Right here! And it didn't make a sound, not even a whisper!"
Vernon frowned, wiping his face with a towel as water dripped down his back. "What are you talking about, Petunia? That's impossible! No one can Apparate silently. Even Dumbledore leaves a faint crack when he does it."
"I know that, Vernon," Petunia replied, her voice shaking with a mix of pride and disbelief. "But Harry just did. And we only got the book on Apparition four days ago!"
Vernon turned to Harry, his expression torn between skepticism and awe. "Is that true, son? Did you really Apparate here silently?"
Harry shrugged casually. "Yeah, Dad. I've been practicing. Want me to show you?"
Vernon raised an eyebrow, his curiosity now piqued. "Alright then, show me. Let's see this silent Apparition."
Harry grinned and gave a small nod. Before anyone could blink, he disappeared from where he stood, only to reappear at the far end of the pool. There was no crack, no whoosh of air, nothing.
Vernon's jaw dropped as he turned his head to where Harry now stood. "Merlin's beard!" he muttered, sinking heavily into the chair beside Petunia. "There wasn't a sound. Not a single bloody sound!"
"Do you realize what this means, Vernon? Even the most skilled wizards don't achieve this level of precision. And Harry's done it in days!" Petunia continued.
Vernon stared at Harry as if seeing him for the first time. "Days..." he repeated, shaking his head in disbelief. "Harry, do you know how rare this is? How exceptional?"
Harry walked back toward them, his hands in his pockets, still wearing that small, confident smirk. "You guys should get used to this, Mum, Dad," he chuckled. "Nothing I do will ever be ordinary," Harry added with a wink.
Vernon's towel slipped from his hands, forgotten, as he stared at Harry in stunned silence. "Well, I'll be... That's incredible, son."
Petunia stepped closer to Harry, her eyes searching his face. "How did you manage that, Harry? It's unheard of. It's advanced magic beyond anything your father or I ever learned. And you're only eleven!"
Harry smirked and replied, "Technically, I'm still ten, Mum. My birthday isn't for another two weeks." Then he continued, "And to be fair, it's just about understanding how magic works at a fundamental level. Apparition is more about precision and flow than brute force, which everyone seems to assume is required. If you picture where you want to be clearly enough, and control your energy to make it flow slowly rather than in a burst, it will make no sound at all. It just takes being able to manipulate your magical energy."
He then quickly added, "At least, that's my theory so far. Although there is a chance that I'm wrong, I still think there is a high likelihood that I'm right."
"You... what?" Petunia finally stammered, her voice unusually high-pitched. "Harry, dear, that's... how is that even possible? Precision and flow? Manipulating magical energy?"
Vernon cleared his throat loudly, his face a mixture of pride and confusion. "Never heard of anything like that in my life," he said. "The few times your mother and I tried Apparition, it felt like we were being squeezed through a garden hose! And you're telling us it can be done in a better way?"
Harry chuckled softly, the smirk lingering on his lips. "It's just about understanding how magic works, Mum, Dad," he said, as if he were explaining the simplest thing in the world. "You two learned magic the hard way, didn't you? Straight to wands and incantations, skipping the essence of what magic really is."
"But Harry," Petunia said hesitantly, "nobody ever told us that magic flowed. It was always about focusing your will through a wand. That's how we were taught!"
"That's how everyone thinks and is taught. I too would have gone down that road if I had not found the books on the basics of magic first. Thankfully I did, and it helped me shape my understanding in a different way than yours. Instead of directly jumping into spells, I learned to feel and manipulate my magical energy first," Harry replied.
Vernon rubbed his chin. "So you're saying all these years we've been doing it wrong?"
Petunia's voice softened, her disbelief giving way to an almost wistful curiosity. "Or perhaps we've just been too reliant on our wands," she murmured. "Harry, do you think we could learn? Could we do magic the way you do?"
Harry tilted his head thoughtfully. "Maybe," he said after a moment. "It won't be easy, but it shouldn't be overly difficult either. You will just have to re-learn the basics of magic, and everything else will fall into place on its own. At least, that's what I think."
Petunia's eyes lit up. "Re-learn the basics?" she echoed. "You make it sound so simple, Harry. But where do we even begin? We've been using wands for so long that it's second nature now. How do you even feel your magic without one?"
Harry thought for a while before answering. "For starters, you can read books on the basics of magic and try to understand them to form a core concept of what magical energy is and how it flows through the body. After you understand the flow, it's just about trying to feel it, which could take some time."
"If you still have trouble after that, I can help you with it," he added.
Petunia exchanged a glance with Vernon, her curiosity clear on her face. "I suppose it's worth a try," she said softly.
Vernon grunted, although his expression held more intrigue than reluctance. "Alright then," he said, folding his arms across his chest. "But it will take us time, and don't expect us to be prodigies like you, Harry."
Harry chuckled. "I don't, Dad. But who knows? You might surprise yourselves. I'll gather some books for you to start with. Abigail might already have a head start, so you're not entirely alone in this."
Petunia turned to her daughter, surprised but pleased. "You've been reading the basics?" she asked.
Abigail nodded eagerly. "Yes, Mum. I thought it might be fun to learn more about how magic works, not just the spells. And if Harry can do magic without a wand, maybe we can too, right?"
Vernon let out a low chuckle. "Looks like you're ahead of us already, Abby," he said, ruffling her hair.
Petunia turned to Vernon, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "Do you think we're too late to learn all this?" she asked quietly.
Vernon shrugged. "Maybe, but I reckon we can manage with his help," he said, nodding toward Harry.
Petunia nodded, her gaze following Harry. For the first time, both she and Vernon felt a spark of excitement about the prospect of magic, not merely as a tool, but as something deeper: something they had missed for far too long.
The room felt like a furnace, or at least that's what Harry thought as the growing warmth stirred him from his sleep. His face scrunched in frustration, and with an irritated groan, he tossed and turned, trying to bury himself further into the covers. It didn't help.
"WHO TURNED OFF THE AC?!" Harry barked, bolting upright.
His voice echoed in the quiet room as reality caught up with him. There was no AC. There had never been AC in the Dursley Mansion, given that magic and electricity didn't mix well. He let out a long sigh, dragging a hand down his face.
"Brilliant, Potter," he muttered to himself. "Dreaming of luxuries you'll never have."
The heat was starting to get to him again, making his skin prickle. The logical part of his mind reminded him it wasn't truly hot, probably around 20 degrees Celsius, but that didn't matter. He hated warmth and always had; it felt like a personal affront to his comfort.
Grumbling under his breath, he flicked his wrist lazily toward the ceiling. "Glacius Duo."
A faint shimmer of frost expanded across the room as the spell took hold. The oppressive warmth was replaced with a cool, refreshing chill, settling the room at a comfortable 17 degrees. He let out a pleased sigh, leaning back against his pillow. Now it felt perfect.
"Well, that's better," he mumbled, swinging his legs off the bed and planting his feet on the cold floor. He hummed to himself, congratulating himself for solving such a grave crisis.
He stretched and padded over to the bathroom, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. A quick shower later, Harry was dressed in casual robes, his hair as messy as ever despite his many efforts to tame it.
As he glanced at the mirror, realization struck: Abigail's birthday was approaching fast.
Harry groaned inwardly. "I still need to get her a gift," he muttered.
With a deep breath, he grabbed his pouch and quickly Apparated away to Diagon Alley. There was bound to be something there that Abigail would love. He had time, but not much. If he played his cards right, he would find the perfect gift before anyone noticed his absence.
As he materialized in Diagon Alley, Harry started looking around for any kind of inspiration. He had never bought a birthday gift for someone Abigail's age, or anyone at all, if he was honest. In his past life, there had been no one to buy such things for, and even now, he felt utterly clueless.
A wry chuckle escaped his lips as he muttered to himself, "A CEO of a multinational company and the bloody Harry Potter, stumped by an eight-year-old's birthday present. Brilliant."
Then an idea struck him, and a grin tugged at his lips. He didn't have to settle for just one gift. Why not buy her several? He certainly had the funds for it. With newfound enthusiasm, Harry strode into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. After scanning through rows of robes and dresses, two pieces managed to catch his eye. The first was a deep emerald green dress with silver embroidery along the hem. The second was a delicate sky-blue frock adorned with a subtle star-like pattern that shimmered faintly in the light, which Harry guessed was due to ground Moonstone dust. He quickly bought them and had them gift-wrapped.
As he stepped back onto the cobbled street, Harry continued his spree, popping into various shops. He picked up a small collection of elegant brooches from a jewelry shop. From Sugarplum's Sweets Shop, he selected an assortment of the finest chocolates and candies, including a few boxes of shimmering sugar quills and fizzing sherbet bombs. He stuffed everything into his pouch, which, like Vernon's, was a subspace pouch Vernon had gotten him after visiting Gringotts.
"All right," he muttered to himself with a small smirk, "now let's hope she doesn't like one gift so much that she forgets the others."
With that, he walked back toward Flourish and Blotts to pick up some books for himself before heading back home.
Harry pushed open the door to Flourish and Blotts and stepped inside. The shop was relatively quiet, with a few witches and wizards flipping through pages or purchasing items at the counter. He walked past the shelves of beginner spellbooks and standard school texts, heading straight to where the more advanced volumes were stored.
"Magical Combat: Advanced Techniques and Defensive Strategies," Harry murmured, picking the book from the shelf. Another title, "Auror Training: Spells and Practices," joined it, followed by a few books on advanced potions.
Harry paused halfway to the counter, his gaze flickering toward the shelves of standard course books. If I'm going to Hogwarts this year, it wouldn't hurt to know exactly what they teach, he thought. Besides, while I already have a strong foundation in magic, it's better to ensure that nothing essential slips through the cracks. Although Harry doubted that anything like that could happen, one could never be too careful.
He turned back and began scanning the rows of books marked with each year's curriculum. Starting with A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration for first years, he worked his way methodically through the volumes, stacking the corresponding Charms, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts textbooks for every year. By the time he was done, he had a neat pile of seven books for each subject.
Harry's armload grew heavier, catching the curious stares of a few customers as he levitated the growing stack with an absent flick of his fingers. He carried it to the counter, where the wizard behind the desk blinked at him in mild surprise.
"Quite the haul again, Master Harry," the shopkeeper commented, eyeing the mix of advanced and standard texts.
Harry smiled sheepishly. "I like reading."
The wizard chuckled as he began totaling the cost. "Well, I can definitely tell. It has only been a week and a half at most since your last visit."
Harry smiled shyly but chose not to say anything further. As the transaction continued, Harry thought back to his decision. Would these standard books really help, or was I just paying for nothing?
Well, I'll definitely find out later when I start reading them.
"That'll be 38 Galleons and 12 Sickles," the wizard finally said.
Harry reached into his pouch, withdrew 39 Galleons, and handed them to the man. The clerk took the money and handed Harry the change before wrapping the books in multiple parcels, placing them carefully on the counter.
Harry opened his pouch and stuffed the books inside easily before heading out of the shop. Once he was outside, he found a quiet corner and Disapparated back to his room.
The familiar calm of the house greeted him. He carefully unpacked the books, arranging them on the shelves he had set aside for his magical studies.
Standing back, Harry let out a small breath of satisfaction as he surveyed the organized rows. This should cover everything I need for now, or at least for a few days.
There was no time to linger; Abigail's party was fast approaching, and there was still much to prepare. With one last glance at his growing library, Harry headed out of the room to have breakfast, hoping there was still food left considering how late it was.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity. Harry played with Abigail, and they had a colossal lunch prepared by Petunia. As the afternoon faded into evening, everyone gathered to leave for the celebration.
Dressed in fine clothes, which was a regular occurrence for them, the Dursley family stepped out of the Floo network into Diagon Alley, their destination a cozy and elegant restaurant tucked near the heart of the bustling magical street