Harry sat on his cot in the cupboard under the stairs, staring at the wooden slats above him. The musty air, the cramped space, the distant sound of Dudley stomping around—it all felt so familiar, yet so foreign. He wasn't the same helpless child anymore. He had seen the future. He had witnessed the rise and fall of countless generations, and had been forged in suffering far beyond what his young body could express.

This time, things would be different.

He needed a plan. A real plan, not the haphazard, reactive decisions he had made in his first life. He had time—months before Hogwarts, years before the Second Wizarding War—but he had to start now.

Step One: Preparing for Hogwarts

His first priority was securing knowledge and resources. Magic, for all its wonders, had stagnated under the Ministry's and Dumbledore's control. He needed to push past those limitations.

Get access to books. He knew a library card could get him access to books on history, science, and mathematics—subjects that the wizarding world woefully neglected. But he also needed magical books. He had to find a way to gain early access to Diagon Alley.

Money and independence. He had his trust vault, but Gringotts held far more than that. If he was truly the Potter heir, he needed access to the family vaults. He'd visit the goblins before school started.

Occlumency and mental defenses. Dumbledore would try to manipulate him. Legilimens could pry into his thoughts. He couldn't afford that. He needed to train his mind now.

Step Two: Gathering Allies

Harry might be powerful, but he couldn't do this alone.

Hermione Granger. Death had made it clear—Hermione had to trust and love him before she could share his immortality. He wouldn't use potions or manipulation. He would earn it. He'd make sure she never felt isolated at Hogwarts, never let her be bullied, and never allowed her to doubt her worth.

Neville Longbottom. Neville had the potential to be great, but he had been crushed under the weight of expectations and doubt. Harry would make sure Neville grew into the leader he was meant to be.

Luna Lovegood. People underestimated her, but she saw the world differently. Her mind was unchained by the limitations of wizarding thought. He needed that kind of ally.

And then, of course, there were the enemies.

Step Three: Taking Down Dumbledore

Dumbledore had good intentions, but the road to hell was paved with them.

Break his control. The old man controlled too many things—Hogwarts, the Wizengamot, the Order of the Phoenix. Harry would make sure those power structures crumbled before they could be used against him.

Expose the truth. Harry would find a way to make the wizarding world see the damage Dumbledore had done. He had let Tom rise, had manipulated Harry's life, and had forced suffering on too many people for his so-called "Greater Good."

Protect Hogwarts. The school was his battleground. If he wanted to change the world, it started there. He would challenge the curriculum, expose corruption, and make sure students learned how to actually defend themselves.

Step Four: Destroying Voldemort

Voldemort had always been the greatest immediate threat. But this time, Harry wouldn't wait for the war to escalate.

Find the Horcruxes early. He already knew their locations—he could begin hunting them as soon as possible.

End the Death Eaters before they gain power. He had knowledge of their movements, their tactics. He wouldn't let them consolidate strength.

Kill Tom Riddle once and for all. No waiting for prophecy, no playing defense. He would take the fight to Voldemort before he could regain his body.

Step Five: Modernizing the Wizarding World

This was the real challenge. Voldemort and Dumbledore were problems to be solved, but the stagnation of magical society was a deeply rooted disease.

Break the secrecy. The Statute of Secrecy had doomed wizards in the end. They needed to integrate with the modern world, not hide from it.

End blood purity nonsense. Muggleborns were the future. He would make sure they had a real place in magical society, with protections and opportunities.

Introduce technology. The wizarding world refused to evolve, clinging to outdated traditions while Muggles advanced. If Harry could introduce Muggle innovations into magical culture, he could change everything.

He had more years of experience, knowledge, and wisdom. This time, he wouldn't let anyone control his fate.

This time, Harry Potter would change everything.