Kieran spent hours studying Magic. Kieran's mother would often find him holed up in his room waving his wand and trying to cast a wide variety of Spells. Lumos, wingardium leviosa, even more complicated spells like jinxes. He tried them all and mastered a few basic ones before term began.
Despite much of his efforts not really being concentrated on his development within the wizarding world, Kieran found it okay to pivot. He figured this was the world's compensation to him for making him live through toddlerhood and pretending to be a child. And magic was pretty good compensation for that. As someone who had not had magic before, he found magic to be fascinating and was devoted to learning as much as possible about it. He poured over magical theory books trying to figure out everything but much like science in the muggle world, not everything in the magical one was all figured out, and due to the lack of curiosity within the wizarding community, not just evident in the books from his old life but the ones he had in front of him now, Kieran realized he would have to find out a lot of answers himself.
He was going to school on September the 1st, 1990, one year before the legendary Harry Potter. Harry Potter was definitely present in this world, he was in all sorts of books. The story seemed similar, Voldemort tried to kill him as a baby, that night he disappeared and Harry was crowned the boy who lived. His parents had died and he was living with so called "Muggle Relatives"
In interest of seeing if anything was different from the canon Kieran looked up other people he remembered from his past life. Sirius Black was in Azkaban and Peter Pettigrew was considered dead and had the Order of Merlin, First Class. Dumbledore had dueled and defeated Grindelwald, and was the headmaster. Everything added up and all the pieces melded together to suggest that everything was canon. Obviously he knew not everything was the same, as far as Kieran knew there was no muggle-born Kieran Phillips in the year above Harry so as far as he knew despite everything pretty much being canon until now Kieran could change the course of the canon if he wanted to. In the year he was going into however, all he could remember was Cho Chang, a name he was convinced nobody in the real world ever had, and Marietta Edgecombe. Oh and Katie Bell. Rowling's lack of names for the background characters in the books really limited Kieran's information, which meant he could meet a lot of people he knew nothing about. It would be good to be in Harry's year, Kieran thought.
Kieran wasn't suicidal, but it wasn't like he wasn't going to involve himself in the various antics the Trio were going to be up to. He didn't know much about the year before Harry arrived, he was sure there was some canon about it but never really bothered reading too deeply into the wiki about it. He remembered all seven main books well, and decided to spend a few days writing down all the main plot points and tidbits of information in a notebook he had specially gotten, expensive he might add from a vendor in Diagon Alley where whatever he wrote only he could read (He had tested it himself with his parents and McGonagall). He decided that his main goals this year were to: Avoid whatever tragedy or otherwise crazy thing that led the previous DADA teacher to resign (It might not have been tragedy but he wasn't going to take any chances), master as much magic as he can, befriend important characters like Fred and George Weasley and Cedric Diggory who were already at Hogwarts, and brainstorm ways to avoid the second wizarding war. He knew as a muggle-born it would be difficult to survive the war, even with his future knowledge. Besides, he preferred saving the lives of the many who had died during the war and was willing to risk his life to avoid Voldemort's resurrection. It wasn't like he was going to dive headfirst into battle but he couldn't stand seeing characters like Fred Weasley simply die and live on knowing he could do something about it.
So when September first rolled around Kieran got more and more excited. His mother kept his hand held tight while his father's jaw clenched but he successfully led them onto the platform (getting them through the barrier was a pain though and it took his father five minutes to get over the fact that walking into a wall was ridiculous) and finally it was time for goodbyes. "Be safe," Kieran's mother said, starting to cry.
"I will Mum," Kieran replied, "I'll write every day." It was true, his family had gone back to Diagon Alley in August and bought a Tawny Owl which he named Frankie for no reason.
Kieran's father said nothing until the last moment, "Son, just know that whatever you end up doing in that school… I'm proud of you, and tell me more about that ball game you read about later."
It was characteristic for Kieran's father to be a man of little words, but this time less meant more. Kieran hugged him and boarded the Hogwarts Express.
He scoured around, looking for a compartment when he found an empty one and slid in. Almost immediately one handsome looking guy in Hufflepuff robes scrambled in.
"These free?" He asked.
"Yep," Kieran said, "All yours."
"Thanks," The guy said, "I'm Cedric, Cedric Diggory. Second-year."
"Wow," Kieran said, he couldn't believe his luck! He had come across one of his important characters to befriend right away.
"Kieran Phillips, first year and muggle-born."
"Muggle-born? Well all this must be new to you then, I'll try and help you out."
Cedric suddenly ducked and took off his Hufflepuff colors as a gaggle of girls walked by.
Kieran raised his eyebrows, "What was that?" he asked.
"Just some other people I don't want recognizing me, It isn't anything bad just…"
"Are you popular?"
Cedric winced, "Yeah…"
"No, I understand," Kieran said, "I suppose the colors are…"
Cedric grinned, "They don't recognize me without them. I always wear Hufflepuff colors around them so they aren't trained to see me without it, it helps a lot."
Kieran was impressed, Cedric was clearly much more intelligent than the books ever got a chance to explore. He saw why he was chosen as Hogwarts champion.
"So what house are you looking to go into?" He asked, "It'd be good if you were a Hufflepuff like me, we are a great bunch."
"Perhaps, but personally…" Kieran grinned, "Gryffindor suits my needs."
"Ah so you are one of them," Cedric said, tone neutral, "I will have to warn you, the books might paint Gryffindor as some sort of noble house of heroes, but lately they have been full of nothing but pranksters who's bravery is simply their lack of fear of getting into trouble."
"Are you talking about us Mr. Diggory?" A new voice said.
Opening the door, two redheaded, identical twins let themselves into the compartment.
"Another Gryffindor recruit?" One of them asked.
"Always welcome in our fair house." The other continued.
"Don't let Cedric give you the wrong idea, our actions are not representative of the entire house. Its reputation however…." The twin grinned
"Fred Weasley," The one on Kieran's right said.
"George Weasley." The other continued.
Kieran smiled and looked at the one on his right and said, "Hello George," and then to the other, "Hello Fred."
George and Fred (or should I say Gred and Forge) looked astonished.
"How did you know?" They asked at the same time.
Kieran simply smiled, the twins were everything he hoped for.
Cedric simply sighed, "Go wherever your heart tells you to." He said smiling.
The conversation soon turned to Quidditch.
"Quidditch?" Kieran asked, "I had read about it, what is it like?"
"Amazing!" Fred said, "There are seven players on each team… three chasers… two beaters (I'm sure everyone knows the rules of Quidditch)."
The twins and Cedric gushed about Quidditch for most of the train ride, only stopping to eat some pastries from the Trolley Lady.
"My brother Charlie is the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, so if you get sorted there I'm sure he will let you try out." George said.
"First years never make it." Cedric responded, "But if you're looking to try out next year, our captain, Harris, is one of the best chasers Hogwarts has ever seen!"
"How do you know Harris is the captain?" Fred said, "I know old Mumps graduated."
"He told me, and he told me that I have a very good chance of making the team this year." Cedric said.
Fred and George groaned.
"What?" Kieran said.
"Cedric here is one of the best seekers we've ever seen!" Fred said, "We live in the same town and this guy's skills are amazing. Charlie says in a few years Cedric might even be as good as him."
"What about you guys, are you going to join the Quidditch team?" Kieran asked.
"Of course, Beaters all the way." George said, "Charlie didn't let us join last year, even though we smoked everybody in tryouts, said he wanted Blanche and Mallen to have their final year on the team."
"This year though, it is our year!" Fred proclaimed triumphantly, "With our team, we will win the House Cup! Charlie is the best seeker we've ever had! After four years, it's time for the cup to return to its rightful place in Gryffindor."
Cedric smiled, "Really? There's a lot of turnover on your team; over half have graduated. Remember beaters don't score, your chasers might be rubbish."
George waved it off, "Angelina is amazing, far better than the old chumps who've graduated."
"I might catch the snitch in five minutes." Cedric retorted.
"We'll make sure you don't" Fred replied, a competitive gleam in his eyes.
They then turned their attention back to Kieran.
"Muggle-borns usually have a hard time getting onto teams." Cedric said, "It depends on your skill with the broom, they usually have a hard time getting it. It's hard to compete with wizarding kids who've been flying since they could walk."
"It requires impeccable balance." Fred said, "Immaculate turning, perfect awareness, and thousands of hours of practice."
Cedric scowled, "Stop making it so intimidating, perfect awareness? Since when have you had that?"
George laughed, "It takes perfect awareness to be a Beater mate."
Cedric shook his head and whispered to Kieran. "I'm convinced they lost their awareness years ago, they're such good beaters only cause if a bludger hits them they just shrug it off, it's like their bludgers themselves and things just glance off."
Soon the express arrived at Hogsmeade. Fred was still giving Kieran tips on what brooms to buy next year when they were separated by Hagrid's booming voice, calling for first years.
Kieran ended up in a boat with three girls he did not know, he had spent so much time befriending what he deemed important characters he didn't get a chance to socialize with those in his own grade.
"Kieran Phillips," Kieran decided to introduce himself.
A blonde girl simply scoffed and looked away, a brunette following suit. Slytherins? Kieran thought to himself in his mind. Phillips was a pretty common muggle last name.
The last girl was also blonde but a lot more withdrawn. Kieran wasn't one to be the first to talk, being mentally many years older made this easier however, the girl acted a lot like he would have at that age, especially in an unfamiliar environment.
"Kayla," she said quietly.
Kieran smiled.
Soon they were at the castle gates. Hagrid dropped them off for McGonagall to pick up. "Well, I'm off! Have a good year eh? Drop by my cabin if you want." He said as he walked away. Kieran grinned, he definitely wouldn't mind a half giant as a friend.
McGonagall went through her standard speech, explaining the four houses and the point system. After the sorting hat's song it was time to sort.
Kieran followed the mass of first years into the great hall. He saw the professors, Dumbledore with his long white beard and Snape with his greasy hair. Being sorted into Gryffindor would make it hard to interact with Snape, but at least he wasn't Harry.
Names were called as each first year went up to be sorted. Katie Bell went to Gryffindor, Cho Chang the racially insensitive generic east asian Rowling came up with was sorted into Ravenclaw, Edgecombe was also. Soon it came time for "Phillips, Kieran!" McGonagall called.
Kieran strode over to the bench and sat down, putting the hat on his head.
Well…. I see quite smart, and very good hearted. A much older mind in a much younger body. It's okay boy, I won't reveal your secrets… It's my job to sort, nothing else.
Kieran heaved a sigh of relief, he was scared the sorting hat would leak that he was a reincarnator, which was a headache he did not want to face.
Before you sort me, tell me why you are sorting me into a specific house please.
Sure, why not. Let's see here. Like I said, quite smart, very curious and actively looking to solve mysteries, you would do well in Ravenclaw. But you are also quite ambitious, your plan is incredibly so! Shame about your blood status, otherwise Slytherin might be a good fit. Hufflepuff is a weaker argument, though undoubtedly you would shine like that boy Diggory. I see, but under all of that, I see a good heart, one filled with nobility. To do the things you want to do it would take a lot more than intelligence, hard work and ambition. It would take a lot of nerve, a lot of bravery….
"You better be…. Gryffindor!" The hat yelled.
Kieran grinned and took off the hat, heading to the table where the Weasley Twins were howling. He sat between them as they introduced him to Lee Jordan.
"This was the muggle-born we were talking about." Fred said to Lee. "Shame we couldn't find you." Said George, "He's pretty neat, said he'd help us with some pranks."
The hall quieted down as the next person was called. "Prince, Kayla!" McGonagall called.
Kieran was intrigued, he knew Prince was a quite old wizarding family, pure blood and related to a certain important character.
Sure enough, the greasy haired professor watched closely as the young girl Kieran had met on the boat put the hat on her head.
Kieran grinned, surely she would be a Slytherin like her relatives, he found Slytherin to be less about ambition nowadays and more like a club where all the Wizarding World's richest and most pure blooded go to marinate in their racist beliefs rather than a house with defined qualities. Crabbe and Goyle being cunning? They were just muscle. Basically Slytherin would take anybody if they were pure-blood.
That's why Kieran's jaw dropped as the hat yelled Gryffindor and Kayla bounded over to the Gryffindor table and sat down. Greasy hair's lip was curling, yet McGonagall didn't miss a beat.
The sorting was soon over. Dumbledore rose to give his speech. "
Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Crab Cakes! Peppermint! Fungus! Flub!"
"Thank you"
Dumbledore sat down as Kieran shook his head at the old man's crazy speech. The food, just like the books described, appeared out of nowhere and Kieran, just like the books described, was flabbergasted, even though he expected it.
He ate eagerly, cleverly avoiding Mclaggen's giant elbows by shoving a glass of pumpkin juice on him secretly for no reason, which the twins laughed hysterically at.
Kayla was still quite timid, but looked more comfortable as Charlie Weasley, prefect and Quidditch captain walked them up after dinner to Gryffindor Tower.
"Gaggle" He said, and the fat lady swung open.
"Boys up there, girls up there," Charlie said, "See you tomorrow!"
Utterly exhausted, Kieran collapsed on his new four poster and fell into dreamless sleep.
Second chapter this kind of sets the tone of the MC's personality, his goals, and some importsnr characters including one Greasy Haired Gentleman's relative. I am still trying to find a good narrative structure for the story but hopefully when I write Chapter 3 ideas come to me and something cohesive is cooked up. This has been a dream to write for a while now so thank you guys so much for reading it. I want to shed light to these kinds of fics and really derive lots of inspiration from the Chinese fics I mentioned previously. If we get to Year 2 yes we will see the trio but I'm thinking they take more of a backseat (intentionally or not) in this fic. Kieran is the MC, so it will be his adventures. I think he might stumble upon some of the trio's escapades as Kieran's own story unfolds. I own nothing.