Enter: Third Year

The summer months saw Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, dive headfirst into numerous tournaments, not just for sport but for mastery of magic, knowledge, and influence. His desire to dominate every field was more than just ambition—it was about control, setting the stage for a greater influence in the magical world. From dueling tournaments to ancient magical knowledge contests, Harry's name quickly became synonymous with victory. Each event, filled with high-class wizards and influential figures, served as the perfect backdrop for Harry to showcase his unparalleled skill and intellect.

The dueling tournament took place in an ancient arena, one built into the cliffs of an isolated island, where high-ranking officials from the Ministry and various international magical governments gathered to watch the best duelists from all over the world.

Harry stood on the dueling platform, facing off against an older wizard known for his tactical mind and fierce spells. The crowd murmured in anticipation as Harry, cool and calm, took his position. His opponent was formidable—Master Yevgeny Korzun from Russia, a decorated Auror who had never been bested in an official duel.

"Begin!" the referee called, and instantly, the air was thick with spells.

Korzun launched a series of complex hexes, one after the other, but Harry moved with an effortless grace, dodging and countering with precision. He didn't need to overwhelm his opponent with power; he simply out-thought him. A disarming spell here, a well-timed Shield Charm there, and soon, Harry had maneuvered Korzun into a position where a single flick of his wand sent the Russian wizard's wand flying into the air.

The crowd gasped. The battle had ended in mere minutes, and Harry Potter stood victorious once again.

"Impressive, Mr. Potter," said one of the judges, an influential member of the International Confederation of Wizards, approaching Harry after the duel. "You've demonstrated more than just skill today—you've shown true mastery of tactics. We'll be watching your progress closely."

Harry nodded respectfully but inwardly smirked. Each tournament win brought him closer to the elite circles where real power was held. His victories weren't just about pride—they were calculated moves to gain influence.

Next came a competition that tested ancient magical knowledge, held in an underground library in Rome. The tournament attracted scholars, Curse-Breakers, and historians from all over the world. Harry was the youngest participant, but that didn't intimidate him. The challenge was to identify rare magical artifacts and solve riddles tied to ancient spells.

In the final round, Harry found himself against Madam Beatrix Scrivener, a historian of international renown. She had spent decades studying the arcane, yet Harry, with his access to rare knowledge he had gathered in secret, saw through the puzzles with ease.

One of the final challenges was to decipher the properties of an ancient relic—an enchanted orb rumored to have ties to Merlin himself. The other competitors hesitated, overwhelmed by its complexity, but Harry approached it with quiet confidence.

He cast a subtle charm, analyzing the orb's magic before announcing, "It's a temporal conduit—Merlin used it to preserve moments in time, storing not just spells but entire experiences for future generations."

The judges were astounded. Even Madam Scrivener seemed taken aback by the insight. As Harry accepted yet another victory, the heads of various magical departments and international academies took notice.

"Mr. Potter, if you ever consider joining the Department of Mysteries, we would be honored," one official from the British Ministry said, eyeing Harry with newfound respect.

Harry smiled politely. The more they courted him, the more strings he could pull when the time was right.

But amid Harry's string of successes, the wizarding world was shaken by a different headline: Sirius Black Escapes from Azkaban! The news spread like wildfire, causing widespread panic and fear. The Ministry of Magic was under scrutiny, and Harry wasted no time in making his voice heard.

He penned an article for The Daily Prophet, condemning the Ministry's incompetence:

"A Failure at the Highest Levels: The Escape of Sirius Black"

By Harry Potter

"The recent escape of Sirius Black, a convicted murderer and supposed traitor, from Azkaban Prison raises alarming questions about the Ministry of Magic's ability to protect its citizens. How could a man escape from the most secure prison in our world? How are we to trust those in power when they cannot even secure the safety of their own fortress? This lapse in security shows a frightening level of negligence and calls into question the Ministry's priorities. Are we, the people, truly safe, or are we mere pawns in a game played by those too comfortable in their high offices? It is time for accountability, and it is time for change."*

The article quickly became the talk of the wizarding world. Harry's sharp criticism struck a chord with many who were already questioning the Ministry's ability to lead. He was becoming more than just a Quidditch star and a young hero—he was becoming a voice of influence.

Behind the scenes, however, Harry had already taken matters into his own hands. Sirius Black was not on the run. He was safe and sound, living in one of Harry's secret safehouses. Harry had found Sirius shortly after his escape, understanding the truth of his innocence and using his resources to keep Sirius hidden while healing him both physically and mentally.

Sirius, though broken from his years in Azkaban, was slowly regaining his strength under Harry's care. The psychological toll of his imprisonment had been severe, but Harry provided the emotional support Sirius desperately needed, along with a strategic plan.

"You've given me more than I ever thought possible, Harry," Sirius said one evening, sitting in a dimly lit room as Harry placed fresh bandages on a wound. "I'm no longer just a fugitive… I'm ready to fight. To reclaim the House of Black and to help you."

"And you will," Harry replied, his voice calm and calculated. "But we need to play this carefully. The Ministry must continue to look like fools. When the time is right, we'll make our move, and you'll be the symbol of their failure."

Sirius nodded, understanding Harry's plan even though the details remained unspoken.

When the time came for the new school year, Harry was the first to board the Hogwarts Express. He made his way directly to the compartment where Remus Lupin sat, already dozing slightly with his shabby suitcase beside him. Harry shut the door quietly and sat across from him.

Lupin opened one eye, smiling. "Hello, Harry. I wondered when you'd stop by."

"Hello, Professor," Harry said. "I know we've barely had time to catch up, but there's something important I need to tell you."

Lupin sat up straight, his smile fading. "What is it?"

"Sirius," Harry began, keeping his voice low. "He's innocent. He didn't betray my parents, and he didn't kill those Muggles. Peter Pettigrew did."

Lupin's expression shifted from confusion to shock. "Peter…? But how—"

"Animagus. He faked his death and has been hiding as a rat. Sirius has been in hiding since his escape from Azkaban, and I've been helping him recover. I have proof, but we can't act yet. I need your help."

Lupin stared at Harry for a long moment, processing everything. "If what you're saying is true… Merlin, Harry. I believe you. You're James' son, through and through."

Harry smiled. "I knew you would. We'll make things right, but for now, it stays between us."

Lupin nodded. "Understood."

Just then, the compartment door slid open, and Daphne, Tracey, and Hermione appeared. Lupin gave them a knowing smile and excused himself. "I'll leave you to it. But, Harry—if you need anything, anything at all, you come to me."

"Of course, Professor. Thank you."

As Lupin left, the girls sat beside Harry, immediately leaning in closer. Tracey smirked. "What was that all about?"

Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "Just catching up with an old friend. Now, where were we?"

The year ahead was full of possibilities, and with Sirius as his ally, Harry's plans for the Ministry—and the world—were just beginning to unfold.

AN: Do you like me to call the MC Toji or use Harry Instead? It really interests me and I will change my style according to what your wishes are. Do tell me in the Comments. And drop some Powerstones please, I want to try and be part of the Rankings (I've never reached them yet).