2. Magnetic North

The room was unfamiliar to me, as the light seeped in from the windows, I turned and saw the window was halfway open and letting cool breeze blow in, keeping my room cool and comfortable.

The air was moist, not fresh as I was used to living in Germany for over ten years now. It had a mild stench, that just reminded me of the metabolic activity of a large, industrial city teeming with coal factories and their employees driving in their cars, covering the sky with their smoky stench.

I had gotten used to living in a green world, where the concern for environment had escalated the need to curb non-sustainable tendencies and lifestyle.

People were slowly shifting towards Electric Cars and more infrastructure had green patches of land surrounding the concrete walls.

But here...

This was definitely not the Twenty First Century, yet. Not by any leap.

I blearily woke up, as I felt my head hammer, like a bad hangover. My mind was sluggish, my eyes were droopy and resisting my waking up, and my stomach was grumbling from the night long fast.

I also slowly realised my feet were not as tall as they should be. I was not tall as I should be.

I...I was a good 188 cm in my last life, and similarly in the Character Creation chose to go for a good 200 metres of height. Well and good for being a Tall Towering man in almost all scenario.

But now...

I was short, my arms were lanky, my chest was so thin, my old self could squeeze my rib cage and break it.

"What?" I tried to speak, before I clamped my mouth with my small dainty hands.

My voice was squeaky, prepubescent, as I sighed to myself.

There was no mirror in the room, as I looked around. At least the room was beautifully decorated, as I found an attached ensuite.

I was about to go freshen up, when the door opened and a woman walked in.

She was beautiful, remarkably so, as she smiled at me gently with love and affection.

I loved that smile on a woman, especially when it was for me.

"Good Morning my son. Let's get you freshened up, before we have our breakfast. You missed dinner in your excitement over finally receiving your Hogwarts Letter. For a growing boy like you, that simply will not do." Mother smiled as she bent down to kiss my face, making me involuntarily giggle as she held my small hand in hers and guided me to the ensuite.

Hogwarts...So, Harry Potter world.

I checked that off my mind, as I walked to the door.

I seem to have been inserted into a pre-existing character. I wouldn't know who, until later on, but at least it seems to me that I have a family here.

Very well.

I can mark the time, and the date, and get my things on schedule. My Essence of Archmage would take care of the Magical Study, as I knew it would all be a piece of cake to me. And frankly, in a world of Wand-waving wizards, how will an Archmage be at any position, other than at peerless advantage?

The Bath and cleaning was subsequently fast, given that my caretaker, who I would presume would be my mother, used her wand to nonverbally warm the bath water, cast a verbal Scourgify and a non-verbal Drying Charm for cleaning and drying respectively, shampooed my hair silky smooth, and dressed me up with another spell, as we walked out the door fresh and ready with my mother holding my hand.

The house was huge, as I estimated the House to be some mansion. We reached the Breakfast Table, as I realised there was no father at the Table. I didn't want to obtusely ask about my other parent, as his absence could very well be because of travelling due to work, leaving early for the job, legal separation, bitter divorce or simply unfortunate death.

I didn't wish to open that Pandora's Box until I was well versed with my place in this world. I had glanced at the "Inventory" as I found it was already occupied. Two slots, which I could read the description of, were filled. One read, "Random Video Game Character Package Orb", while the other one read, "Self Insert Memory Package Orb".

While being self-explanatory, I chose to calmly not react to it, as I could take my time with it.

Mother indulged me with small talks, which I briefly answered and calmly replied when she informed me that we would go to Diagon Alley for Hogwarts Shopping early morning the next day.

She was reading the Daily Prophet, as I took the front page she had discarded for the supplementary Witches Weekly.

I glanced at the date. "June 24th, 1990." I nodded to myself, as I browsed the news.

It was less news reporting, and more "Yellow Journalism" as the Americans like to call it.

Sensational news with libels and half-truths printed for media frenzy and attracting attention!

Lord Malfoy gave donations to Hogwarts to replenish their Potions! Oh, I wonder why a Governor would do so? Of course he had no vested interest other than the Philanthropic intentions! Certainly not, because his son is due to attend the classes next year, and he wishes to have better resources available for his son!

Budget Cuts for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement during times of "peace". Certainly with the war over and You-Know-Who defeated and his cronies let loose in the Wizarding World, why do you need Aurors now? The Ministry's complacency brought Richard the Third's soliloquy to mind. 'Now is the Winter of our Discontent, made glorious summer by this son of York.'

I thought to myself as I remembered the part that urged me on. 'And now, Instead of Mounting Barbed Steeds, To strike fear in the hearts of fearful Adversaries, He capers nimbly in a Lady's Chamber, To the lascivious pleasing of a Lute.'

The entire British Wizarding World was basking in glory and sudden peace, that they forget to take advantage of the opportunity that has presented itself.

An unfortunate sight.

I read through, as I spotted the routine columns where I read Rita Skeeter's scathing brand of journalism, and wondered what I could do with this "weak piping time of peace".

While I have time, I could do something about Voldemort's Horcruxes, but again, why bother?

If my mother is a Pureblood, she would be left alone by the Blood Supremacists, if she married a Muggle or a Muggleborn man, I would deal with the consequences as necessary.

I looked at her arms when she held my hand. No Dark Mark, or any suspicious scar there. And while my mother looked regal, I heard a slight Bavarian accent, very well hidden in her tone. Were I to hazard a guess, somewhere from Augsburg.

No Witch from the Continent appeared in servitude in the books or in movies, apart from the sympathetic Blood Supremacists, who were entirely out of the war and main action with Potter and the Order of Dumbledore's cronies.

Our Breakfast was a silent affair, as it afforded me time to compose my mind and choose my immediate goals.

Now, that I knew of the date, and I had my deadline, I ate my breakfast, as the surprisingly German food was a pleasing sight. Say what you will, I will take my German Breakfast over the British one, any day!

Blood Pudding, Baked Beans! Yuck! It looks burnt, or something fit to serve to the livestock, not eat yourself! And that Baked Beans! Blegh! The mere smell of the beans is enough to make me lose my appetite!

I ate quietly and calmly, as I drank the fresh Orange Juice and peeled my banana, after leaving the skin on the plate.

I wiped my hands on the Serviette, as a sudden pop alarmed me.

A cute House-Elf looked at me with a smile. Their eyes were really disproportionate to their size! "Master Iggy needs anything else?" It asked me, as I shook my head.

"Thank you very much. But no. I am full." I replied as the elf's eyes widened as it stared at me with tearful eyes, as I spied my mother's brow raise as she looked at me.

I did a blunder, didn't I?

Bugger!

The Elf left as mother didn't say anything, as she resumed her browsing as I stood up.

Mother looked at me, gave me a smile, as I smiled back and left.

I didn't know where I would go. But I knew I would have a pleasant time exploring.

My window was to the front, as I reminded me why I smelled the stench of the city. As I looked out, the familiar landscape was enough to identify the city. London. Not Metropolitan London like Kensington, Brixton or Vauxhall, but certainly could be closer than the Greenwich village. The air was damp enough, that we were closer to the Thames, but far enough that the city was bustling even in the 1990s.

I came out the back door, as I spotted a wide garden, as I wondered how we managed to have a honest to God space for a Bloody Garden in London City!

I looked around and saw the Magical Flora teeming in the garden, as the plants were exotic and covered by a Bubble Spell that covered and freshened the air, as I understood their functions intimately with a single glance!

I smirked to myself, as I walked around, and sat on the grass, as I spied a few X or XX level critters around the plants.

There was a giant Oak Tree in the middle, which was an odd sight in a City, but what was even more fantastic was the odd Magical Creatures sitting and wandering around the massive Tree.

What were they called? Flubber? Twigs? Bowtruckle! Yes! Bowtruckle!

I think they only live around the Wandwood Trees.

And Wandwood Trees...give wood for wands, I would presume, but beyond that, I would know nothing about it.

"I didn't expect you to wander around to the garden. I think I told you the garden is dangerous for you." I heard a soft chiding as I turned around and found my mother giving me her folded arms treatment, designed to make you feel guilty!

I smiled at her, hoping to mellow her out. "I was just looking at the Bowtruckle. They live on Wand wood Trees. Does it mean the tree gives wands?" I asked childishly, as Mother sighed, and smiled ruefully.

"No son. Wands are made by wandmakers. Wand wood Trees give the wood for the wand, but the core inside the wand decides the strength of the wand and compatibility to the witch or the wizard. Ollivander's here in Britain use cores from Dragons, Phoenixes or Unicorns. But there are other wandmakers who use a variety of cores." Mother lectured me as I nodded, even if I didn't fully agree. Best not let her doubt me even more!

I nodded as my mother patted my back, leading me to the door, as I stepped in.

"Why don't we go out on a trip today? You must be cooped in, and I could use some fresh air. I need to go to the Isles to check on the Dragon Reserve there. Perhaps, we could take a trip there?" She asked as a few things slotted in for me.

Apparently, mother was rich enough to at least supervise a Dragon Reserve, if not outright own it.

It was a weekday today, and yet, mother was relaxed. No hurry to go to work, like a salaried worker in a gainful employment. Which means, we are either well off, or mother has other means to earn her living besides a job.

Given that you could brew potions, or enchant in your house, I would not be surprised either way!

I nodded to my mother as we entered the House again.

"Can we leave after lunch? I plan to do some reading today." I asked as mother gave me a curious look, before she nodded.

"Sure. Go ahead. I will send for you, when the lunch is ready." Oh yes. Apparently, we owned a House-Elf. Since even Malfoy owned a single elf, I am certain mother is well to do.

Why does the financial stability matter? Well, it doesn't. But it opens avenues for me. Should it come from old money, rather than mother's business ventures making us noveau riche, all the better!

Why did I ask to be excused?

I needed to use the Self Insert Memory Package Orb as soon as possible.

I don't even know the name of the House, let alone mine. How will I use the Floo, should it be our mode of transportation?

I slept on the bed again, noting it was made for me.

I mentally reached for the Orb, as I instinctually knew to squeeze it in my palm.

It crushed as I squeezed a bit, and I was suddenly rendered unconscious.

My mind felt open, as I lived eleven years worth of life in a few minutes. Every single day, every single memory was crisp and clear, and somehow my Essence of the Archmage gave me photographic memory. No. Not Eidetic.

I checked. I had actual Photographic Memory! Every waking moment, from the day I was born, was imprinted in my mind. Every single memory I glanced at was now deeply embedded in my brain.

I knew everything there is to know, and more. I learnt of my name. Ignatius Brandt. A Pureblood Family from Augsburg, Germany. A royal and deeply respected Pureblood Family, whose squib line is related to the Windsors, and thus to the current ruling Queen Elizabeth.

The Augburg Brandt family has old roots, older than the Potters who come from ninth century Roman Portioneers, or the Malfoy's who come from the eleventh century French Enchanters. The only family rivalling Brandt heritage was the Blacks, who go just as back as us, when the French were Franks, and Alexander called the west of Rhine as Gauls!

With such an ancient heritage, it is hardly a wonder that Blacks were so prominent in British Politics, even despite their inbred weak line.

For Ancient and Noble House of Brandt, however, the family was wise to marry anyone into the family by Blood Ritual. No cousins or thereby related, were married, and incest was just as frowned upon, as it was even punished. This kept the Brandt House the surviving and flourishing House to not collapse due to inbreeding under the vast swathes of time.

My mother Selene was the only daughter of the Lord of House Brandt, and I was her only son. There were other cousins and other relatives, but Mother was the Heiress to a seemingly unending fortune, and I was her only Heir.

Mother was happy, with the Status Quo, as I learnt she married a Swedish Pureblood Wizard and he died after being targeted by one of mother's suitors, which led to the end of Lestrange line in France.

After that, she was content with me as her son, and she would dedicate her time and her life to care for me.

She moved to the London Townhouse, when I was eight, as she wanted to be near here so that I could study at Hogwarts, away from the Mainland, where my name and fortune may lead to preferential treatment.

Mother strongly believed in forging steel with hammer and fire. I think she would like that author who said, "Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times."

She wanted to prepare me to face the world. Even when she didn't teach me about potions and poisons, she would teach me about Etiquette and Noble Courtship. Not the courting of a lover type, but courting as in Kingly Courts and Courtesans and Aristocrats.

She hammered it all in my mind, as she would often teach me to hold my composure, reply scathing remarks with verbal lashings. She taught me to humiliate an opponent with a sharp tongue and to exercise restraint with your superiors.

The latter part was merely a brief remission to the old teachings as she must have learnt herself, as she reminded me. "For all intents and purposes, there is no one superior to you. You lack magical might, because you are young. You lack political power, because you are a child. What stands between you and supremacy is not your social standing, but mere time."

She taught me everything short of magical education, where she would hand me the 1001 Magical Plants and Fungi, as I would also read magical books in German as my mother insisted I learn.

I could speak English and German like a native speaker, while I was fluent in French, Latin and Spanish.

Mother insisted I learn Latin, as many spells in the Brandt family Library needed the understanding of the Latin language to grasp the spells.

I don't know how much time passed, as I felt a small hand tap my knee.

I slowly opened my eyes, as I saw the House-Elf, who I recognised as my personal servant. Tiffy. And it was a she.

"Master Iggy needs to come for lunch. Mistress Selene sent for you." I smiled at the Elf, as I realised the reaction early in the morning.

I was dismissive of Mother's wealth, of the servants and I was an all-round brat. The teachings of my mother had gone to my head, as I was bloated with self-importance.

Mother loved me enough to overlook my faults, as she was happy and content, when I absorbed all her teachings like a sponge, retaining it even as she stepped up often to push me to my limits.

And hence, my kindness to Tiffy was unexpected and surprising enough for my mother.

My smile at the Elf made her smile back widely, as she popped away.

I looked at the Bookshelf in the room, as I realised that was my Personal Library.

I walked up to it, as the books were occupying only the lower shelves, as the upper ones were empty.

I took out the Magical Fungi book and looked through it, as a single glance recorded the pages in my mind.

874 pages. One Thousand and one species of memorable magical flora. A staple handbook for Potions and Herbology for until the OWLs.

And I finished browsing it within a minute!

Bloody Hell!

I don't understand everything I read. But I remember it. Photographic memory is not equal to Instantaneous Comprehension.

But in my leisure, I could peruse my thoughts as I try to understand the text and the descriptions of the plants in the book!

With a smile I turned away, as I left my room giddily.

I can't wait to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow!