November 10, 1991

Harry stayed up all night pondering about a lot of things. He barely even slept before Neville and Ron dragged him to eat breakfast.

"What's wrong with Potter?" asked Victor as he sat down at the table. Ron, with his mouth full, tried saying something but everyone just stared at him, dumbfounded, as no one understood any word. Neville just looked at Victor helplessly while Hermione was sending Ron a severe look.

Harry decided to answer before digging into the food in front of him. "Just some things," he said before munching on a sausage.

"Ooh, was this about what we talked about yesterday?" piped Hermione, already turning from her food to face Harry. Ron, Neville, and Victor perked up too. Harry didn't bother suppressing his groan before stuffing his mouth with roasted chicken. Honestly, they should just leave the matter of Philosopher's Stone alone.

"If you must know," said Harry, after munching on the food. "I was thinking about if ever I have remaining relatives."

Harry knew they wouldn't leave him brooding so he might as well give them an excuse to latch on. Ron hummed as he thought, "Well, it's not impossible to be related to someone to a degree. And the Potters were pure-blood, so yes, you might still have relatives."

Hermione stared at Ron as if he grew a second head while Victor and Neville only nodded to his statement. "Whatever do you mean by that?"

Grimacing, Victor said: "Well, back then, wizards were obsessed with keeping their blood pure that they only marry with other pure-bloods… or worse with each other."

Hermione looked green and pushed her plate away.

"In other words, pure-blooded wizards and their descendants are related to each other, in some way or another."

Neville added, "Yep. I have a cousin in Ravenclaw right now, fifth year."

"Inbred?" asked Ron, disgusted.

Neville made a face. "Of course not!"

Harry perked up. This was the first time he heard about Neville having a relative who went school at the same time as him. "Really? Are you two close?"

"Not really."

Harry frowned. Before he could ask why, Victor beat him to it. Neville looked uncomfortable and Hermione was about to stop the conversation when the boy mumbled, "He's descended from the Blacks."

Harry realized two things at once: Neville's cousin descended from Callidora Longbottom and Neville wasn't particularly close with the line because Bellatrix Lestrange, a Black, tortured his parents. Harry had to wonder if this was just Neville or if there was a strain on their family relationship due to this fact.

Victor stilled. "What are you implying, Longbottom?"

Harry also realized that it wasn't a well-known fact to everyone how Neville's parents met their demise. As of present, only Harry knew why Neville had this disposition towards the Black family. However, it was curious why Victor reacted as if Neville made a slight towards him.

Ron piped up, the more knowledgeable when it came to pure-blood customs and traditions. "Well, the Blacks were a Dark family. Most of them, sorted in Slytherin."

Harry had to butt in – "What does that have to do with anything? Not everyone in Slytherin is bad, Ron. There's Daphne, Tracey, and others that we do not know about."

Victor nodded in agreement. Ron merely shrugged, "I didn't mean that. Just, I understand why Neville has an opinion like that."

"Oh, and does that apply to me too?" asked Victor, coldly. Challenging both Ron and Neville, his dead stare shot straight at them.

Everyone turned to look at Victor. Luckily, the five of them occupied the spaces near the end of the long table, by the entrance of the Great Hall. Or else, everyone would have been eavesdropping on their conversation.

"You're a Black?" asked Hermione. Neville paled at the realization that he may have offended Victor's sensibilities and family.

"So, what if I am, is that an issue?" said Victor through gritted teeth.

"Of course not, Victor," said Harry as matter of fact.

Victor turned his glare on Harry and Harry challenged him by raising an eyebrow. Sighing, Victor slumped as he apologized. "Sorry, I overreacted."

"Are you really a Black?" inquired Harry. He would have known if Victor was a Black, he'd have shown up at the tree last night.

Shaking his head, Victor answered: "No. But I might as well be."

Later that day, Harry visited the owlery to send Hedwig off to deliver his letter to Charlus Potter. Harry also mulled over Victor's statement but he filed it for later. His priority right now was completing his plan to get Sirius out of Azkaban so that he could enact his plan before the Christmas holidays. Sirius had suffered enough and if Harry had a choice in the matter, which he had, his godfather would not remain in that hellhole for another year.

Speaking of Sirius, he decided not to bother with Regulus or inform him that someone was aware of his existence (at least not yet). He was suspicious but Harry was more rational than he had ever been last timeline. It's more possible that Regulus had miraculously survived and did not want to reveal himself alive to avoid painting a target on his back. But with no certainty, it would remain as a theory. As far as Harry was concerned, it's not his biggest problem at the moment.

Dear Harry –

I am delighted to hear from you. Oh, this letter brings joy to an old man's heart. I daresay you can call me whatever you like, be it great-uncle or grandfather. I admit, I had been cowardly. My son Aries, your uncle, immediately wanted to make contact when we heard that Harry Potter had come back but I put my foot down. I was afraid that you would rebuke us for not seeking you out when you were a child. Please believe me when I say we would have taken you Harry but we couldn't.

I am also eager to meet you in person, Harry. That is why I am extending an invitation to you. Come and spend your Christmas holidays with me, your uncle, and cousins. We would be glad to have you.

Your grandsomething,

Charlus

December 7, 1991

Harry thought it was difficult holding back especially when he already knew how to do it. During class, Harry would not do spells correctly before Hermione and Victor did, since the two of them were the smartest students among the first-years. Harry, while not a terrible learner, was only above average last timeline and he wanted to keep it that way.

Luckily, it was not that way in Duelling Club. Professor Flitwick had told them during their first meeting that he would not focus on spells that they would learn in their first-year classes but rather to the more complex spells that was normally taught to second-years and above. That was fine by Harry.

Harry soon found out that he was always the best duelist among the group. Hermione had told him so last timeline, but it was more evident now. Frankly, Harry's form was not the best to begin with because he never learned how to properly duel, only thrust into by circumstances. But as Professor Flitwick drilled the lessons during the first week, duelling came to Harry like Quidditch.

Professor Flitwick focused on duelling forms and etiquette during the first week of the Duelling Club, then focused on the Disarming Charm for two weeks. After evaluation, the next two weeks were allotted to practice the Stunning Spell.

Now, Harry had an unfair advantage and experience compared to his peers – as a time traveller – but it was only now that Harry could agree to Hermione's opinion of him when they were just planning the defence group in fifth year. Harry was always the first to accomplish the mastery, followed by Victor and Hermione, then Ron and Neville.

Normally, how things go in the club was Professor Flitwick demonstrating the spell, teaching the wand movement, and then the students would practice the wand movement and cast it on a practice dummy. After the end of two weeks, Professor Flitwick would evaluate their performance and mastery by casting the spell on the practice dummy. After which, Professor Flitwick would oversee a duel between them. However, due to their uneven number, the top three students – usually Harry, Victor, and Hermione – would face each other in a three-way battle.

Harry was facing off against Victor and Hermione with explicit instructions by Professor Flitwick to only use the Disarming Charm and Stunning Spell. They bowed to each other before assuming their preferred duelling stances. With a whistle from Professor Flitwick, Harry immediately ducked from the two stunners sent by Victor and Hermione.

Harry grinned. Of course, he would be delighted by the thrill of the battle but he was grinning because Victor and Hermione developed an unspoken strategy to attack Harry despite the three of them being each other's opponents. This proved to Harry that they were gunning down for him because of his skill.

The three of them sent each other spells, alternating between the Disarming Charm and Stunning Spell. It felt like a choreographed routine – one attacks, the other defends, the remaining one avoids or evades. They weaved around each other like a ballerina dancing around each other. Professor Flitwick's voice rang in the back of Harry's mind.

"Duelling is not a barbaric activity. Proper duels are elegant, requiring grace, and have a certain kind of poise."

Gritting his teeth, Harry kept his grin as he ducked from Hermione's disarming. Quickly, he pointed his wand at Hermione, "Expelliarmus!"

Red sparks flew out of his wand and hit Hermione squarely, sending her flying. Professor Flitwick employed Cushioning Charms all over because of this likely scenario.

"You forgetting me, Potter?" asked Victor as Harry swiveled – the telltale spark of Stunning Spell shooting straight at him. Swiftly, Harry dived and rolled over like he was used to before raising his wand at Victor at point-blank range: "Stupefy!"

Victor's eyes comically widened and Harry saw his victory reflected in them.

Ron and Neville's duel was not as thrilling as the other three but they performed decently. Harry was proud of them but before he could bound over to pat them on the back and tell them good job, someone spoke up from the doorway.

"That was terrible."

They all turned and saw a slightly taller bespectacled boy wearing the striking green tie of Slytherin leaning on the doorway, apparently watching the match. His face was turned into a frown, almost scowling, his silvery eyes staring straight at Ron and Neville, judging them.

Before Harry's anger could manifest itself and mouth off in defense of his friends, the boy asked, "Why are you holding yourselves back?"

Everyone was taken aback.

"Holding back?" squeaked Professor Flitwick. "What do you mean by that, Mr Ollivander?"

Ollivander? Harry's eyes immediately darted from his professor's small form to the tall Slytherin student who was now walking forward to Professor Flitwick. Now that Harry could take a closer look, he could see how this student was related to Garrick Ollivander.

"Forgive me for interrupting, Professor. There was something I would like to consult for my Charms homework and my search for you led me here. I… did not mean to snoop, but the duel was just too enticing.

"Then as I observed, I noticed something between these two" – he looked at Ron and Neville – "their performance was abysmal not because they lack skill, but because of their wands."

It was only then that Harry remembered that Neville and Ron's current wands did not belong to them. The wands belonged to Frank Longbottom and Charlie Weasley respectively. Their magic was weak because the wands channeling it did not bend down and recognize them as their master.

He cursed himself for forgetting. In his defense, he was rather preoccupied with his plans moving forward.

"Wands?" asked Hermione, skeptical.

The young Ollivander looked over Hermione, scrutinizing her before answering, "Didn't my great-grandfather tell you when you were purchasing your wand? The wand chooses the wizard."

Turning his gaze back to Ron and Neville, "From this distance, I can see that the wood of those wands is made from ash. Ash wands are not meant to be passed on because they will lose their power. Am I right to assume that these wands weren't yours to begin with?"

Professor Flitwick turned to Neville and Ron. "Well, is this true Mr Longbottom? Mr Weasley?"

The two of them nodded in unison, pink dusting their cheeks.

Professor Flitwick looked as if he had a eureka moment. "That certainly explains not only your duels but your performance in Charms. Well, we need to remedy that. I will talk to your Head of House regarding this."

Turning to his Slytherin student, "Thank you for voicing your input, Mr Ollivander. As expected from the great-grandson of Britain's most excellent wandmaker."

Inclining his head, "You're welcome, Professor."

Professor Flitwick faced the five of them – "You have effectively shown your prowess and progress in duelling! I look forward to our next sessions. Be proud of yourselves, you've all done a great job, Mr Potter, Miss Granger, Mr Rosier, Mr Longbottom, and Mr Weasley."

After their session, the five of them immediately went to their usual spot and talked about Raphael Ollivander, usually called Ralph. Victor told them he overheard his upperclassmen talk about the Slytherin Ollivander. Apparently, Ralph was a Hatstall before the Sorting Hat decided to put him in Slytherin. It was the talk of Ravenclaw Tower because Ralph was the first Ollivander that wasn't sorted in their house. In Harry's mind, he bitterly noted how some others were victims of the gossip mill that ran in Hogwarts.

"Well, I'm glad he brought to attention that you two need new wands," quipped Harry

Neville looked hopeful but Ron looked particularly downcast. Harry could guess why. Even if Professor Flitwick informed Professor McGonagall, it's still the prerogative of the guardians. Harry believed that Augusta Longbottom, despite being set on her old ways, would see sense and that Ron's parents would know too, but for the latter, it's more of a money issue.

Luckily, Harry had plans in place. "Cheer up, Ron. I'm sure that it will turn out alright."

Ron gave him a rueful smile before realization dawned on his face. He turned to Victor.

"Weren't you the first Rosier not in Slytherin? Didn't the House look… angry when you were sorted?"

Right, Harry thought. They did look… not angry per se, but displeased.

Victor hummed. "I'm sure they were just disappointed a pure-blood didn't go to their house… but I'm not the first Rosier in Ravenclaw— my father was too."

Harry had wanted to ask more about Victor's family – and it seemed like Hermione did too – but their Ravenclaw friend seemed too reticent to give them more information.

I am truly warmed by your support from my last update. With the chapters I already have written, I can say that you can expect a chapter per month for the rest of 2024. Book 1 would be finished by year's end. I know it's late but Happy New Year! :)