"Pokémon?"
Hearing the unfamiliar word from Theodore's mouth, Warwick looked thoroughly puzzled.
Which was only natural—this was 1991, a full five years before Pokémon would debut on the Game Boy. Even among the most trend-chasing Muggle gamers, no one could possibly know the name yet—let alone a wizard who lived in Diagon Alley.
But that was fine. Since Nintendo hadn't launched it, veteran idea-magpie Theodore Ashbourne felt zero guilt about borrowing the concept.
"Yes—Pokémon. It's a project I'm still outlining."
"By the way, in the Muggle world I'm a fairly well-known author—frankly, my sales might be steadier than Gilderoy Lockhart's. You can find my books in any Muggle bookshop outside Diagon Alley."
"I imagined a world where Pokémon Trainers live alongside their Pokémon. Then I came to the wizarding world and saw so many fantastic beasts—and it hit me. Merlin must have nudged me here."
"These creatures—aren't they Pokémon in all but name?"
Theodore sketched the idea, and Warwick's eyes slowly lit up.
"In your story, everyone treats Pokémon as trusted partners. Ordinary citizens and professionals, the noble and the shady—all raise Pokémon."
"The very best Trainers challenge gyms, collect badges, and push toward the highest honours."
"You're saying our fantastic beasts could become… your Pokémon?"
Theodore nodded without hesitation. "Exactly."
"I have a dream: one day, fantastic beasts will be the partners every witch and wizard relies on."
"Breeding and handling them will be a core subject for all."
"No offence, but from what I've seen, wizards don't value fantastic beasts nearly enough. Plenty of creatures that ought to shine are kept as mere pets."
"But their power could be used so much better."
"Think of Newt Scamander—his creatures made a real difference when people fought Grindelwald."
"If we can build an ecosystem around fantastic beasts like Pokémon, Warwick, this won't just create wealth, reputation, and status—it will change wizarding life."
"Wizards who aren't good at combat could raise a powerful partner for protection."
"Overworked wizards could raise beasts that clean or carry loads to help with daily life."
"Even Squibs could use beast partners to experience some of magic's convenience."
"And once the wizarding world truly values fantastic beasts, research and breeding will explode. New strains and sub-species will emerge in waves—that will be the legacy you leave behind."
Warwick drew a long breath, visibly torn.
Theodore lowered his voice. "Still hesitating? Then look around."
Only then did Warwick notice how quiet his shop had become. The usual racket had faded.
He glanced about—and saw row upon row of caged creatures staring back with blazing eyes.
They had heard Theodore too.
They didn't care about "a place in history." They cared about one thing: being partners with wizards, doing what they were meant to do.
Maybe that future would never fully arrive, but it would be better than living and dying as a pet in a cage.
Warwick stared at the beasts he'd tended for years; his doubt ebbed, and something fiercer took its place.
"Alright… all right."
"I don't want to spend my life in this cramped shop with cages stacked to the ceiling. At the very least, we'll need a bigger place."
"The Fantastic-Beast 'Pokémon' Plan—I'll figure out how to make it happen."
He looked at Theodore, grateful. "Thank you—for the idea."
Rolling up his sleeves, Warwick started measuring the floor and walls, already planning the first real deep clean in over a decade, paving the way for his new "Pokémon" vision.
Theodore smiled.
He'd pitched the concept to speed up his relationship with Warwick—and to set the stage for claiming Beast Rearing from him later.
If Warwick truly built a Pokémon-like ecosystem for fantastic beasts, breeding standards would soar.
Theodore would benefit enormously—and that gift would finally shine.
A glance at the system overlay showed his bond with Warwick the Beast-Taming Master nudging from Acquaintance toward Close Friend. Good.
With Ollivander and Warwick now busy, Theodore unexpectedly had some free time.
He decided to pre-study a few Hogwarts textbooks—always handy to master a couple of everyday charms in advance.
Another thought struck him:
"Right—don't let Hermione drift. She's my closest path to a Life-and-Death bond. The reward there is Five-Coloured Stones—the same stones Deng Chanyu used to blacken the eyes of immortals. I can't miss that."
And how do you connect with a top-of-the-class Hermione? Simple—study.
Theodore stepped into a telephone box and rang the Grangers.
A warm, mature voice answered. "Hello, Granger residence. Who's calling?"
"Mrs Granger? This is Theodore Ashbourne—Hermione's friend. We met in Diagon Alley. Is she home?"
There was a beat of silence. "Theodore Ashbourne? Wait—the Theodore Ashbourne? The author?"
Theodore sighed. "That's me."
Mrs Granger gave a delighted little gasp. "Goodness! Mr Ashbourne, our whole family loves your books. I'll fetch her right away!"
Moments later, Hermione rushed to the phone, slightly out of breath. "Theodore? Why are you calling?"
"Term's still over a month away," he said with a smile. "I'm guessing you're already pre-studying. Doing it alone is dull—want to meet in Diagon Alley and read together?"
After they hung up, Hermione's heart pounded. She shoved books into her bag.
"Mum, I'm going out!"
"On a date?" Mrs Granger asked, eyes twinkling.
"It's not a date—it's studying!" Hermione squeaked, ears going pink.
Mrs Granger chuckled behind her hand. "Nothing wrong with that, love. Your father and I used to 'study' together all the time at school. Oh—and besides the uniform, perhaps pack a few nice outfits for Hogwarts? In case there's a dance?"
Hermione's face burned hotter, and she all but fled the house.
Honestly—what do adults think about all day? Vulgar!
She lifted her chin, competitive spark rekindling.
In Muggle academics—especially literature—she might never match Theodore's achievements.
But magic?
What if she could beat Theodore Ashbourne at magic?
A girl should be allowed to dream.
AUTHOR'S NOTE — BONUS & EARLY ACCESS
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