Chapter 1: Awakening in the Unknown*
Charles opened his eyes to darkness, gasping as if he'd been drowning and had finally broken the surface. The last thing he remembered was walking to work on a bitter winter morning—there'd been the blaring of a horn, a flash of pain, and then nothing. But now he felt… warm. The bed he was lying in was softer than any he'd slept in, and the smell of fresh linens filled his nose.
It didn't take him long to realize something was terribly wrong. He sat up and blinked, his hands trembling as he brought them in front of his face. These hands—his hands—looked different. Thinner, softer, younger.
"System initializing," an unfamiliar voice echoed in his head.
Charles jolted, glancing around the room. It was a bedroom, quaint but spacious, with wooden furniture and a fireplace crackling softly in the corner. There was a faint scent of herbs, and old books lined a shelf on the far wall.
"System initialization complete," the voice continued. "Welcome, Guardian."
"Guardian?" Charles muttered, his voice barely more than a whisper. "What's… What's happening?"
In front of him, a translucent blue screen blinked into existence, like something out of a video game. Text appeared on it in neat, silver letters:
[Guardian System Activated*
Welcome, Guardian Charles Potter.*
The name hit him like a thunderclap. *Charles Potter?* He froze, his mind racing as memories not his own began to filter through his consciousness. *James Potter's brother* a quiet, resigned Squib who had always lived on the fringes of the wizarding world. James Potter, the father of…
Harry.*
Charles's breath hitched, and the memories he'd read countless times in books came rushing back to him—the stories of Harry Potter, his tragic parents, his battles with Voldemort, and his ultimate destiny. But as he sat there, sifting through the fog of half-formed memories, something became alarmingly clear: this version of Charles Potter, his new life, was part of that world. And by some twist of fate, he was now living within the fabric of a story he'd once only read.
"Quest Alert!" The Guardian System's voice was crisp and authoritative, snapping Charles back to the moment.
[New Quest: Awaken the Guardian*
Description: Understand your role and purpose in this world. You are the Guardian of Harry Potter, and it is your responsibility to protect, guide, and nurture him on his journey.*
Reward: Guardian Status Initiated.*
He blinked, bewildered, but he knew what he had to do. The system seemed to be guiding him, and he needed to grasp this reality fully.
Charles took a shaky breath and tried to focus, piecing together the fragments he knew. James had always been the powerful one, the wizard who'd married Lily and joined the Order of the Phoenix. Charles, in contrast, had lived a quiet life, invisible in the shadow of his famous brother. His own magic was nonexistent, a curse he'd carried all his life. But now he felt different—he could feel something thrumming faintly inside him, like a power waiting to be unlocked.
If I'm really supposed to be a guardian to Harry* he thought, *then I need to know everything this system can do.*
As if in response to his determination, the system chirped:
[Quest Completed: Awaken the Guardian*
Reward Claimed: Guardian Status Initiated.*
[New Quest Unlocked: First Steps of a Guardian*
Description: You are Harry Potter's guardian, and he is in grave need of guidance and protection. Begin by connecting with him and earning his trust.*
Objective: Spend time with Harry, begin building a bond.*
Reward: 1 Guardian Insight*
He let out a slow exhale, steeling himself as he swung his legs out of bed. It wasn't until his feet touched the floor that he realized just how unfamiliar everything felt. The balance, the size of his limbs, even the way his heart beat—it was all strange and slightly off.
Then he heard it: a faint, quiet sniffle from the hall. The kind of sound that could only come from a child.
Moving quietly, Charles opened the door, his heart pounding. The hallway was dimly lit by moonlight streaming through a nearby window, casting silvery shadows on the walls. At the end of the corridor, he spotted a small figure, curled up on the floor with his knees drawn to his chest. Messy black hair stuck out in every direction, and even in the darkness, Charles could see the faint glint of round glasses.
Harry.*
Taking a deep breath, Charles approached him slowly, uncertain. He could feel the weight of the moment—this was it, the beginning of his role as Harry's guardian.
"Harry?" Charles kept his voice low, gentle. The boy lifted his head, blinking through red-rimmed eyes, and Charles's heart twisted at the sight.
"Uncle Charles?" Harry asked, his voice small and wary. He sniffled and wiped his nose on his sleeve.
Charles felt an instinctive urge to comfort him. He knelt down, reaching out a hesitant hand to place it on Harry's shoulder. "What are you doing out here, lad?" he asked softly. "It's late."
Harry's gaze dropped, and he bit his lip. "Had a… a bad dream," he mumbled, his voice barely audible. "Didn't want to wake Aunt Mary."
Charles's heart twisted again, and he felt a surge of fierce protectiveness. *This kid deserves so much better than what's coming* he thought. *I won't let him face it alone.*
He gently lifted Harry to his feet and led him back toward his own bedroom. "How about you sleep in here with me tonight?" Charles offered, and Harry's face brightened with a hesitant, grateful smile.
"Okay," he whispered, crawling into bed and curling up under the covers.
Charles settled beside him, feeling the weight of his new responsibility settle over him. But he also felt a spark of determination. *If I'm here to guide him, then that's exactly what I'll do.*
As Harry drifted off to sleep beside him, the system's screen appeared once more, displaying his reward.
[Quest Completed: First Steps of a Guardian*
Reward Claimed: 1 Guardian Insight.*
[Insight Unlocked: Harry's Emotional State*
Harry has many fears that he tries to hide. Be mindful of his insecurities and work to build his confidence.*
Charles closed his eyes, a sense of purpose filling him. His life had been thrown into chaos, but here, with Harry safe beside him, he realized something that sent a quiet thrill through him.
He was exactly where he was meant to be.*
When Charles awoke the next morning, the weight of his reality settled in fully. He wasn't sure he'd slept much, but beside him, Harry was curled up, breathing peacefully. Charles felt a pang of protectiveness. The sight of him—a small child wrapped up in his oversized pajamas, just barely beginning to live the life he'd eventually face—stirred something in Charles.
He let out a deep sigh, glancing at the faint blue glimmer that hovered just above his vision. The Guardian System, his so-called "companion" in this strange new world, had been quiet through the night, but as he sat up, it blinked into life.
[New Quest: The Guardian's Guide]
Description: Your role as a Guardian involves more than just physical protection. You must nurture Harry's mind, encourage his natural curiosity, and foster his sense of self-worth.
Objective: Begin guiding Harry through small lessons about the world, both magical and mundane.
Reward: Access to Guardian Insight abilities.
Charles felt his heart quicken as he read. Insight abilities? he thought. It was becoming clear that the Guardian System wasn't merely giving him goals—it was offering tools, resources that would gradually help him compensate for his lack of magic. But it was the lesson itself that struck him most.
Harry needs someone to teach him. Not just how to survive, but how to thrive.
He let the quest sink in, realizing that even small interactions with Harry could now be part of something greater. He needed to start thinking beyond the narrow scope of immediate protection and start helping Harry grow as a person.
A soft yawn broke his thoughts, and he looked down to find Harry blinking up at him sleepily.
"Morning, Uncle Charles," Harry mumbled, rubbing his eyes. His small voice was tinged with an innocence that Charles couldn't help but cherish.
"Good morning, lad," Charles replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "How about some breakfast?"
Harry nodded, his eyes lighting up. Charles couldn't help but smile. Small steps, he reminded himself.
Breakfast and the First LessonIn the kitchen, Charles took note of the modest but cozy space. His memories filled in gaps that felt new yet familiar; Mary, his wife, was a nurturing and practical woman who kept the house running efficiently. She wasn't a witch either, but Charles recalled that they both understood the magical world well enough to get by.
"Mary's out in the garden, I think," he murmured to himself, mentally preparing for the conversation that would come when he explained his new ideas about Harry's upbringing. He wasn't sure how much Mary would understand, but he was prepared to make his case.
He turned to Harry, who was watching him with that quiet, curious gaze.
"Say, Harry," Charles began, grabbing a couple of eggs and bread to start on breakfast, "did you know that every great wizard, no matter how talented, had to start with the basics?"
Harry's eyes widened, and he shook his head, looking interested.
"That's right," Charles said with a small smile. "Even Dumbledore himself started out by learning small things—simple spells, little tricks. And do you know what they all have in common?"
Harry tilted his head, intrigued. "What?"
"They were careful, logical," Charles replied, hoping this would spark the curiosity he knew Harry had. "They didn't just jump into danger. They learned how to think through things first."
The boy's eyes were filled with fascination, and Charles felt a sense of triumph at this small victory.
[Quest Progress: The Guardian's Guide – Begin Guiding Harry Through Small Lessons (1/3 Completed)]
Charles smiled to himself as he served the eggs and toast, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He'd taken the first step.
"Why did Dumbledore have to be careful?" Harry asked between bites.
"Well," Charles said thoughtfully, "because rushing into something without thinking can make even a good wizard make mistakes. Let's say… Let's say you found a strange spellbook. Would it be wise to open it without checking it over first?"
Harry looked down, thinking it through. "No, I'd check it first."
"Exactly." Charles grinned. "Good thinking, Harry. I reckon you'll grow up to be very wise one day if you keep thinking like that."
Harry beamed, clearly pleased with himself. Charles's heart ached, knowing the hardships the boy would face, but at least he could make sure Harry approached those challenges with a clear head.
The Guardian's GiftAfter breakfast, while Harry played in the garden under Mary's watchful eye, Charles took a quiet moment to gather himself. The reality of this life had finally begun to sink in, and he needed to understand the full capabilities of his Guardian System if he was going to do his job properly.
"System," he thought, feeling a bit ridiculous but hoping it would respond. "Tell me more about these Insight abilities."
The blue screen flickered.
[Guardian Insight Abilities Unlocked]
Insight is a special ability that allows the Guardian to perceive the mental, emotional, and magical state of Harry Potter. As the Guardian completes quests and builds a stronger bond, the Insight abilities will unlock more layers, enabling advanced understanding and support for Harry.
Current Insight Level: Basic
Abilities Unlocked:
Emotional Insight: The Guardian can sense Harry's mood and underlying emotions.
Magical Potential Scan: The Guardian can detect fluctuations in Harry's magic and identify points of potential growth.
More abilities will unlock as quests are completed and the Guardian bond deepens.
Charles let out a low whistle. This was more than he'd anticipated. He could sense Harry's emotions and even get a feel for his magical potential? That was something he'd never imagined possible. It might not have been magic in the traditional sense, but it was powerful enough.
Just then, Harry came running back into the house, a slight pout on his face. Charles activated his new Emotional Insight ability, and a soft wave of information filled his senses.
Current Mood: Disappointed.
The notification felt almost physical, like a subtle prickling in his chest. Charles suppressed a smile, finding the experience both odd and helpful.
"What's wrong, Harry?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
Harry sighed, shuffling his feet. "I wanted to grow a flower, like Aunt Mary does, but… I couldn't."
Charles's heart warmed at the sight of his determination mixed with disappointment. Harry was reaching out for things he couldn't quite grasp yet, things that his magical potential was only just beginning to brush against. This was the perfect moment for another lesson.
He crouched down, meeting Harry's gaze. "Did you know that learning how to do something—especially something big—always takes small steps?"
Harry looked up, eyes brightening a bit. "Really?"
"Yes," Charles said, nodding. "Magic, growing things, even becoming wise. It all starts with tiny steps, and those small steps add up. How about this: let's practice a small way of growing something together."
The boy's eyes lit up with excitement. "You mean… like magic?"
Charles chuckled. "Not quite magic, but it's a start. Let's go outside."
In the garden, Charles found a small patch of dirt and handed Harry a few seeds he'd found in the garden shed.
"Take these seeds," he said. "They won't sprout overnight, but with time and care, they'll grow into something beautiful. And you'll learn that patience is a powerful kind of magic all its own."
Harry placed the seeds into the soil, his tiny hands carefully patting the earth over them. Charles watched, feeling a sense of accomplishment in this small victory. Harry was learning, step by step, that magic wasn't only in wands or spells; sometimes, it was in the patience and nurturing one showed.
[Quest Progress: The Guardian's Guide – Begin Guiding Harry Through Small Lessons (2/3 Completed)]
As they finished up, Mary joined them, watching with a warm smile. She and Charles shared a look of understanding—while she didn't know the full extent of Charles's plans, she could tell that he was beginning to play a bigger role in Harry's life.
"Thank you, Charles," she murmured later that evening as they cleaned up after dinner. "Harry seems… brighter today. Happier."
Charles nodded, feeling both gratitude and determination. "He deserves to feel that way every day."
Mary reached over and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You're doing a good job. Don't doubt yourself."
Her words, simple as they were, sent a wave of warmth through him. In that moment, he felt more at home in this world than he ever had before.
A Guardian's ReflectionAs Charles lay in bed that night, the screen appeared again, displaying a message that felt like both a reassurance and a reminder.
[Quest Completed: The Guardian's Guide]
Reward Claimed: 1 Advanced Guardian Insight
New Ability Unlocked: Enhanced Protective Instinct
[Enhanced Protective Instinct]
Description: This passive ability sharpens the Guardian's awareness of Harry's location, alerting him to moments of immediate danger or distress.
He stared at the screen, letting the significance of this reward sink in. This wasn't just about teaching or guiding Harry; it was also about being there for him, a silent force watching over him at every moment.
With his new ability, Charles felt the boundaries of his role as Guardian shift. He was here not just to teach, but to safeguard, to steer Harry through a world that would soon try to consume him.
He felt a soft stirring in his heart, a quiet sense of purpose that resonated through his very soul. This was only the beginning, but it was a beginning that held promise.
As he drifted off to sleep, one final notification appeared, lingering softly as if to remind him:
[New Quest Unlocked: Preparing the Path]
Description: Harry's journey is one filled with trials, but with your guidance, he can be better prepared. Your role as Guardian is not just to protect him from harm, but to prepare him for the dangers to come.
Objective: Identify and prevent potential threats that may harm Harry's future.
Reward: Minor Magic Affinity
Charles fell asleep with a smile. He had a long road ahead, but for Harry—for this child who was beginning to feel like family—it was a road he was determined to walk, no matter the cost.
