Chapter 11: A Big Red Train

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Johnathan Grey

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For The next few weeks before I finally went to Hogwarts, I made several more visits to Diagon Alley via apparition, always making sure to make a visit to Gringotts to exchange gold for galleons. Thank God for [Transmutation], I would constantly buy iron then transmute it to gold, trade it and rinse and repeat. It got to the point that some goblins started to remember me, even giving me a private room when I got there to 'safeguard the secrets of a valuable Gringotts' asset'.

I only later realised that they had been calling me 'the warrior wizard' after I bought a book on their language from them. I still didn't get an account though, there was no real reason to. Interest rates were garbage. Sometimes flattery really does get you nowhere.

I did notice a spell on the wand that was linked to my magic. Based on the fact that it's a transmission-type spell from what I could feel, I left it alone for now not wanting people to know I cancelled it. It's most likely one of the reasons the Ministry is able to pinpoint underage use of magic.

All I really had to do to bypass that problem was either put it in the inventory and use wandless magic or go to a magical/non-muggle location like Diagon Alley etc. Which I did. No doubt purebloods do the same.

Abusing that little loophole, I studied all the first-year books I got from the first visit to the Alley, first doing the spells with a wand before replicating how the magic moves without a wand. It came naturally, I didn't really need to put in much extra effort.

The other books Professor McGonagall recommended, while useful, were mostly theoretical for their respective subject. They would definitely help a person get better grades when doing a written test, no doubt. But there wasn't much in the way of new groundbreaking spells. So I had to go and get some more. I ended up just buying the second through seventh-year core books and books on the magical government, law and etiquette. Good thing too, better to get them now before Lockhart comes to violates the education system.

Turns out family magic is a thing and no one can legally make you give up those family secrets. I could easily find a loophole there, I mean no one will know if you 'accidentally' take a sip of truth serum while being interrogated and then suddenly forget a few minutes of conversation later. Chalk it up to the stress of the situation.

On one of the visits I went to get some new clothes, with more enchantments on them this time, and a new trunk. This time though, I made sure to ask to watch them do the spells and enchantments like a good little muggleborn wanting to see more magic. They couldn't turn me down. Especially considering the amount I was paying them to do it, they were pretty expensive, but the strange looks were worth the knowledge gained.

Now I know some enchantments for clothes and have a new, much larger, trunk with three large compartments.

One was going to be for my Skyrim enchanting and potions tables that I plan to either make or just buy from the system. Another with just a king sized bed, desk with chair and a sofa. The last is a simple storage room. With the inventory, I didn't really need it, but you never know. It might come in handy.

Apparently, large rooms are the best you can get. Any more than that would be over ministry regulation unless you have some kind of permit or something. It might be because of the 'dangers of space manipulation' the larger you go, but I saw Newt Scamander's. He had multiple farm-sized rooms for his animals at least. Looks to me like just another way for purebloods to restrict people 'beneath' them or just 'the government wanting more taxpayers' money' if the staff members are to be believed. Could be both.

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1st September 1991

Jonathan Grey

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As the morning light filtered through the curtains, I easily rose from the bed and made my way to the bathroom, having been woken up by one of the day-to-day charms I learned from the morning hygiene spell book. I caught my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but look. I was by no means the next Mr Olypia or anything, but my body definitely looked different from most my age. Though lean, it had more sculpted and toned, six-pack and everything. My dedication to the daily exercise over the past few years definitely paying off. Something Madam Malkin also took note of when she fit me for my robes.

From the tests and calculations I had done, I noticed I have a little over 10% more strength than my muscle mass should be able to allow, which I attribute to assimilating the Dragonborn. I didn't assimilate muscle mass from him or anything, but I did get an increase in reaction speed, agility, flexibility and strength.

There were definitely some biological changes, just not completely. I still had to do some exercise to get my gains. My body still being that of an 11-year-old might mean the assimilation took into account my current biology and added what it could. 

With a wave of my hand, I completed my morning rituals for my teeth, I still jumped in the shower even though I had a spell for that too. There was just something therapeutic and refreshing about a good shower in the morning to start the day.

Once done, I made my way back to my room, retrieved my uniform from my [Inventory], got dressed, and made my way down for some food and said my goodbyes. Then got a taxi for a five-minute ride before getting out near an alley, walking in and apparating, with barely a sound, after making sure no one was looking.

Walking through Kings Cross did get me a few looks because of my robes, some even wondered out loud if I was going to a comic-con convention, but honestly I couldn't care less. The charms on these bad boys make it so comfortable I almost see why some people in the magical world can walk around like this on the non-magical side without feeling strange for standing out so much. Almost.

The no-mag side had a fair few amount of people there, it was only around half ten. However, once I passed through the barrier on Platform 9¾, the platform was relatively empty aside from a handful of older students.

The train looked cool, I was never really a train person but is still cool. After handing over the ticket Professor McGonagall had given me and getting the approval of one of the staff to hop on, I found an empty compartment rather easily, took a seat, retrieved my Occlumency book from my 'pocket' and got to reading while I waited. Just like expansion charms, Legilimens books were also highly regulated so I couldn't buy them. Not that I needed them, I already learned it from Dumbles.

Occlumency is a magical skill used to shield one's mind from external intrusion or influence, particularly against Legilimency, the ability to extract thoughts and feelings from another person's mind. Occlumency allows the practitioner to close their mind off to outside access, preventing others from traversing or manipulating their thoughts, emotions, and/or memories. It is essential for individuals who wish to maintain secrecy, protect sensitive information, or defend themselves against psychic attacks.

There are several ways of practising Occlumency, some methods involve clearing the mind of all thoughts and emotions, and creating mental barriers or shields to block out small levels of unwanted intrusion over time to improve efficiency. However, this is not a necessity. Some accomplished practitioners have been able to achieve mastery in the art my meditation alone. It only requires discipline, focus, and mental strength to effectively conceal one's thoughts and protect the privacy of their mind.

There are three generally known levels of Occlumency. Tier one requires the practitioner to be able to achieve clarity of mind. This involves the practitioner to clear their mind of unnecessary thoughts. Tier two requires the practitioner to be able to unlatch small traces of magic that may try to influence or traverse through the mind. Practitioners are advised to train their magical control and sensitivity to accomplish this feat. The final tier requires the practitioner to be able to construct and maintain solid metal shields.

Mastery of all three tiers provides the practitioner with the benefits of their respective tier along with the additional potential to have better control over their emotions, better awareness and focus, and the creation of false memories to fool potential intruders.

As I kept reading, I noticed there was nothing here to say that a person would get a photographic memory, or maybe that's what it was referring to when it said 'better focus'. Maybe the book is incomplete. I already had the first two-tier covered. The only reason I didn't do the second was because I had nothing to worry about at the time because of the system.

But I later asked the system, and it basically said that people would not be able to read my mind and if they tried they would get blurry memories of the body's past. But what it didn't tell me at the time was that was then. Now that I have experienced memories people can still see them, just not anything system-related. So I better get started with the last tier.

I created my first barrier soon after that thought, I kept strengthening its structure as I continued though. I would rather have a few strong walls made of vibranium than many weak wooden ones.

As I was multitasking, reading and shield strengthening I was brought out of my thoughts as I heard a polite knock as the compartment door was gently opened. Turning my attention to the entrance, I watched as the door slid open to reveal dark-haired, possibly South Asian, twins. Most likely Parvati and Padma Patil.

The first, with her dark hair cascading in loose waves around her shoulders, wore a friendly smile, which had me assuming she was Parvati. While the other, assuming she was Padma, stood beside her, her expression more reserved but equally polite. I noted their resemblance to the Patil sisters I knew from the movies, but with slight differences.

"Hi there! Do you mind if we join you?" The first asked cheerfully, gesturing to the empty seats across from me.

I nodded in agreement, offering them a welcoming smile. "Of course, please, come in."

Good thing I don't really have to go through most of the etiquette stuff all the time, not like I would have bothered. Based on what the book said, it is mostly used at events and formal meetings nowadays. But some people in society still think it should be adhered to perfection at all times.

"Do you guys need a hand?," I offered, indicating toward their luggage as they entered the compartment and began manoeuvring their trunks inside.

"Yes please, I'm Parvati by the way. And this is my sister Padma." Parvati replied. Their magic was similar in a way but still different in a may that I would be able to tell them apart

"Johnathan Grey, nice to meet you." I said as I took out my wand to assist them with their trunks, using the Levitation Charm to effortlessly lift them into the overhead space.

I found that the wand likes being helpful, even with the smallest of spells. It would sometimes send a small warm vibration when I used wanless magic, like it was asking if I could use it instead. Or when I was happy mastering a few spells, taking it as praise for its work, at which point I actually started verbally praising it at random time. Wizards had always been weird, if anything, I'm actually late to the party.

Padma couldn't help but comment on the lack of a house badge on my robes. "I thought you were a first year student, but I don't see a house emblem."

With a shrug, I sat back down. "Oh, I am a first year student," I replied casually. "I just... read ahead a bit."

"But…you did that without the incantation." Padma asked as she shared a look with her sister. " …Or wand movement for that matter."

I just shrugged, "I've been here for a while, practice makes perfect and all that."

Noticing a dispersing crowd of people out the window, with many parents saying goodbye to their children. I looked at the clock, almost 11 O'clock. Multiple flashes of red went past just as the whistle blew, as an older half yelling woman bid them goodbye. I could easily guess who they were.

"-You're still not old enough dear. You'll be with them soon enough, don't worry," she absentmindedly told the little redhead beside her as she waved at the others boarding the train. 

Turning my attention back to the sisters. "So, do you guys come from a magical family?"

It was at that moment the there was another knock at the door. Turning towards the entrance, I saw a nervous looking boy, standing there with a hopeful expression.

"Hey, mind if I join you guys?" he asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Most of the other compartments are either full, or the people in them are just mean."

I exchanged a glance with the Patil twins before nodding in agreement. "Sure, there's plenty of room," I replied warmly, gesturing for him to come in. "Welcome aboard."

"Thanks," He said, with a relieved sigh, as he tried to manoeuvre his trunk overhead. "I'm Justin by the way, Justin Finch-Fletchley."

"Parvati Patil"

"Padma Patil."

"Johnathan Grey." I said. " Do you want help with your trunk?"

"Yeah…please…if you don't…mind," He struggled. Using my wand again, the trunk was set a moment later.

"Wicked, thanks mate." he said before realising where he was, "...wait, i thought we couldn't use magic until we got to Hogwarts"

"Well, it's the Hogwarts Express, so I think it still counts. Besides, I saw a few older students using magic to carry around their trunks."

"Fair point point."

"So do you guys come from magical families?" I asked again.

"No, I'm muggleborn," he said, a little warily as he searched our faces. When he didn't find what he was looking for, he continued. "I would have had to go to Eton, you know. Glad I came here instead. Mum wasn't at first, but I made her read books on magic and she started to see how useful it could be. What about you?"

"Same, muggleborn I mean." I answered, as we both then turned toward the sisters.

"We have magical parents," Parvati answered.

And the floodgates were open, Justin asked every question that came to mind about the magical world to which the sisters were happy to answer, with me adding a comment here and there.

I mostly read and worked on my Occlumency, which now had Its second reinforced shield. Even if someone was to make it this far, I am sensitive enough with my magic to notice and have enough control to detach their magic from mine.

The trolley lady and her sweets came and went. I had some snacks in my [Inventory], and the other had some snacks with them as well so neither of us bought anything.

As the conversation lulled, I could see Padma's gaze flicker over to the book in my hands."What's that you're reading? It wasn't on the book list," she inquired, with a curious expression.

"It's a book on Occlumency, I got it from Diagon Alley," I explained, noticing the puzzled look that crossed her face. "It's basically about protecting the mind from mind readers."

Padma's confusion deepened, and before I could elaborate further, Justin interjected with a surprised tone. "Mind readers? I didn't even know they really existed," he exclaimed, his eyes widening.

"It's not a widely used magic, and it's supposed to be highly regulated. But it's better safe than sorry, y'know." Seeing the sceptical look still in their eyes, I continued, "You can borrow my copy if you guys want."

"Thanks mate."

""Thank you.""

We spent the next few hours chatting about different things, until a bushy haired girl burst through the door. "Have any of you seen a toad? Neville's lost one."

The other three looked up and shook their heads.

"You could always try asking an older student to summon the toad. I think there is a spell for that."

"Oh that's brilliant! When do we learn it? I'm the first magical in my family you see, it was so great when the Professor showed us magic for the first time. I'm Hermione Granger by the way. You should all get dressed, the train will be coming to a stop soon. I'll need to go help Neville with his toad now. Thanks for the help." After she said her piece, she swiftly left the same way she arrived.

"Wow," Justin decided to voice all our thoughts.

"She's probably just nervous, first-day jitters and all that."

"Yeah, but…wow." Indeed.

"She's right though." I stood, noticing it was getting dark outside. "Let's leave the girls to change."

After they took turns changing, the conductor let us know we were close to our destination and that we could leave our luggage as the train slowly approached our destination.

At which point I had completed my fifth mental shield and moved on to the next. I was planning on seven before the sorting. This is JK's world, if she saw it as a magical number, and she did, if the arithmetic book is anything to go by, then seven would be enough for now.

"We have now arrived at Hogsmeade Station! We have now arrived at Hogsmeade Station! Please watch your step as you depart. Thank you!"

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"Trains are wonderful.... To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches and rivers, in fact, to see life."

- Agatha Christie

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Author Here

And so begins and concludes the train ride. John seems a little more sure of himself. Is it because of how he has been propped up because of his intelligence over the past few years? Or has he started to realise that some things just don't really matter in the grand scheme of things?

From what I've read, Occlumency doesn't actually give you a photographic memory or anything like that but the way I see it, it's magic of the brain. If you can use it to block Legilimency, there must be other uses for it. I went with a middle-ground. It can still be used to increase brain function in some other way.

Malfoy may have been the most vocal about his dislike for muggleborns but he's definitely not the only one with those thoughts. He was just mostly shown because he was one of the main characters.

Question: If you were given the same amount of power would you give up your personal life completely to go around saving people?

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Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC and original ideas. All credit goes to their respective owners.

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If you want to support me, join me on PAT REON. Any and all support is appreciated.

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Thank you for reading.

Until next time.