Jack woke with a start, his head spinning as he tried to shake off the disorienting fog of sleep. He blinked, staring up at the unfamiliar wooden ceiling above him. The last thing he remembered was falling asleep in his dorm room after a late-night reading session, but this… this was definitely not his room. Panic began to rise in his chest as he struggled to sit up, his limbs feeling weak and unsteady.
He glanced down at his small, pale hands and felt his heart skip a beat. These weren't his hands—they were the hands of a child. His body felt frail, almost fragile, as if even the slightest movement would break him.
"Okay, stay calm," he muttered to himself, taking a deep breath. This is a transmigration, just like in those fantasy novels. I can figure this out.
Before he could gather his thoughts, the door creaked open, and a small figure entered the room. Jack's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the creature—a house-elf, with large, expressive eyes and ears that drooped slightly at the tips. But unlike the tattered rags he expected, this elf was dressed in a well-tailored, if old-fashioned, outfit.
"Master Aurelius, you are awake," the house-elf said in a gentle voice, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and concern. "Bramble was worried about you."
Aurelius? The name rang faintly in his mind, like a distant echo. And then, as if a dam had broken, memories flooded his consciousness. He was Jack, a college student obsessed with fantasy novels, but he was also Aurelius Voyantil, a frail boy who had lived a sheltered life under the watchful eye of Bramble, the house-elf who had cared for him since he was an infant.
The merging of memories left him breathless. He now knew Bramble was more than just a servant—he was the closest thing Aurelius had to a father, though the boy had never said it out loud. Bramble had raised him, protected him, and now, it seemed, he was the only family Aurelius had left.
Jack—or rather, Aurelius—nodded slowly, the weight of his dual identity settling in. "I'm… I'm fine, Bramble. Just a little tired."
Bramble's ears twitched as he studied Aurelius, but he said nothing more. He simply nodded and stepped back, giving Aurelius the space to gather himself.
Aurelius swung his legs over the side of the bed, his movements slow and careful. The weakness in his body was frustrating, a constant reminder that he wasn't in his original, stronger form. But he pushed the thought aside as he took in his surroundings. The room was small and sparsely furnished, with a wooden bed, a simple chair, and a desk cluttered with books and papers. It wasn't much, but it was home—his home. Then he remembered that they lived in the middle of nowhere.
After steadying himself, Aurelius made his way over to the desk. His gaze was immediately drawn to a row of books which seem to be wore out. There are several books for history, education, and stories about The Boy Who Lived. Thinking about a boy who might be in a cupboard, Aurelius smiled fondly. Unconsciously, his gaze was drawn towards three books at the edge which were the oldest of the books here. He remembered the young Aurelius reading them again and again since they are the only legacy of his parents. The first was titled The History of the Voyantil Family, a thick tome filled with the chronicles of his ancestors. The second, The Rituals of the Voyantil, detailed ancient rites and ceremonies passed down through generations. He didn't think he would be using them as all rituals were considered illegal by the Ministry of Magic. The third, Mastering Occlumency, was a guide to the art of protecting one's mind—a skill that was both fascinating and daunting. Young Aurelius was quite skilled at Occlumency all thanks to this book.
He picked up the book on rituals, his curiosity piqued. After all, illegal things are the most alluring things. As he flipped through the pages, he found references to a powerful rite that could enhance prophetic abilities—a legacy of the Voyantil family, who were once renowned for their seers and oracles. This… this could be something.
His attention was pulled away when his stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since… well, since before he became Aurelius. He carefully set the book aside and made his way to the small kitchen where Bramble was preparing a modest meal. The smell of freshly baked bread and a simple stew filled the air, comforting in its simplicity.
"Dinner is ready, Master Aurelius," Bramble announced, his voice soft but steady. He placed a plate of food on the table, along with a cup of water.
Aurelius sat down, his movements still a bit shaky, and began to eat. The food was plain, but it was warm and filling, and for now, that was enough. As he ate, he couldn't help but reflect on his situation. He was in a new world, in a new body, with new memories and responsibilities. It was overwhelming, but also exhilarating in a way. He had always dreamed of being part of a world like this, and now that it was real, he knew he had to make the most of it. Thinking about it now, he wondered how the fanfiction "Harry Potter: Sukuna System" is going to end. It was his favorite fanfiction as he can related to the protagonist of that story who is an orphan just like him.
After dinner, Aurelius returned to the study. The other books and treasures in the house barely interested him; his focus was entirely on the three books that held the key to his new life. He picked up the ritual book once more, drawn to the promise of power it offered. If he could unlock the secrets within, perhaps he could live up to the legacy of the Voyantil family and became rich again. Perhaps he could be more than just a frail boy, hidden away from the world. And he will not have to worry about butterfly effect.
As the evening wore on, Aurelius found himself lost in the pages of the book, the words resonating with something deep within him. He didn't know what the future held, but he felt a strange sense of anticipation, as if he was on the brink of something significant.
For now, though, he would take things one step at a time. He had a lot to learn, and he wasn't sure how he would manage it all, but he was determined to try. After all, he wasn't just Aurelius Voyantil—he was also Jack, a young man with a passion for fantasy and a determination to carve out his own path in this strange new world.
....
"Beware the Ash, spun by hands so sly,
A fool's bargain cloaked in a sly guise.
A golden coin exchanged for a worthless lie,
The price of trust, a fortune's goodbye."
....
Aurelius awoke the next morning to the soft sounds of Bramble moving about the house. It was still early, the first light of dawn barely touching the small, frost-covered windows. He lay there for a moment, letting the reality of his new life settle in, before finally pushing himself up and getting dressed. He recalled the strange poem that appeared inside his head out of nowhere. He was puzzled. "Well, whatever"
The house was quiet, the kind of silence that was both comforting and unnerving. As he made his way to the small kitchen, he found Bramble already preparing breakfast. The house-elf was methodical in his movements, his face betraying none of the emotions that might have been churning beneath the surface.
"Good morning, Bramble," Aurelius greeted, trying to sound as cheerful as he could manage.
Bramble turned, his large eyes softening as he looked at Aurelius. "Good morning, Master Aurelius. Breakfast will be ready shortly."
Aurelius nodded, taking a seat at the small, worn table. He watched Bramble work for a moment, noting the slight slump in the elf's shoulders, the way his ears drooped just a little more than usual. He wanted to ask something that had been bothering him since he arrived in wizarding world.
"Bramble," Aurelius began cautiously, "can you tell me more about my parents?"
The question seemed to catch Bramble off guard. The house-elf paused in his work, his back stiffening slightly before he slowly turned to face Aurelius. For a long moment, he just stared at the boy, as if trying to gauge how much Aurelius truly wanted to know.
"You have read the book about the Voyantil family, haven't you?" Bramble asked, his voice tinged with an emotion that Aurelius couldn't quite place. "You know the legacy of your ancestors."
Aurelius hesitated before nodding. "Yes, I've read some of it. But… I want to know more about my parents. I never really asked before." In truth, he didn't know much as the memories are still adjusting. Voyantil family is famous for its multiple prophets since five hundred years ago. Many of the prophecies stored in various ministries around the world were produced by Voyantil prophets. It is rumored that Voyantil family was somewhat related to one of the Hogwarts Founders, Helga Hufflepuff.
Bramble's expression softened, and he set the ladle he was holding down on the counter. He walked over to the table and took a seat across from Aurelius, his eyes clouded with memories.
"Your parents were good people," Bramble began, his voice low and steady. "Your father, Alaric Voyantil, was one of the last true seers of the Voyantil line. He was a powerful wizard, known for his ability to see into the future, but also for his kindness and wisdom. Your mother, Evelyn, was a Muggle, but she was no less remarkable. She was strong-willed, intelligent, and loved your father with all her heart."
Aurelius listened intently, feeling a strange sense of connection to the people he could barely remember.
"After Grindelwald's rise to power, things became difficult for the Voyantil," Bramble continued, his voice tinged with sadness. "Grindelwald sought to control all who had the gift of prophecy, believing that they could become enemies for him, opposing his way. Your family, being one of the most powerful, was a prime target. Many of the Voyantil were hunted down, and those who weren't killed went into hiding."
Aurelius felt a chill run down his spine as Bramble's words painted a picture of a time filled with fear and uncertainty. He could see it now—the powerful family reduced to a handful of survivors, constantly looking over their shoulders, never knowing when the next attack would come. He had to admit that Harry Potter world is a really cruel world.
"Your father managed to see the downfall of Voyantil due to his gift in prophecy. The head of Voyantil at that time sent away your father who was still a child," Bramble said, his voice growing softer. "I took your father to the family manor, hoping it would be a safe place. After Grindelwald's defeat, Alaric and Evelyn got married. I thought everything is going to be fine but the Acolytes—Grindelwald's followers—found them. They are a remnant of who they once were, but they were powerful. Your mother was killed. They laid siege to the manor, and your father… he fought bravely, but he was overwhelmed."
Bramble's voice wavered for a moment, and he had to take a deep breath before continuing. "He managed to send you away with me before the manor fell. I believe he was preparing to move from that manor long ago since he gave me the untraceable portkey. You were only two years old."
Aurelius looked down at his hands, feeling a mixture of sorrow, guilt and anger. He was going to make those bastards pay dearly. He hadn't known—hadn't remembered any of this. His parents had died protecting him, and he had lived, hidden away from the world, under Bramble's care.
"I'm sorry, Bramble," Aurelius whispered, his voice barely audible.
Bramble shook his head, a sad smile on his lips. "There's nothing for you to be sorry about, Master Aurelius. Your parents would be proud of you, of the person you're becoming."
Aurelius nodded slowly, though the weight of his parents' sacrifice still hung heavy in his heart. He looked up at Bramble, noticing the way the elf's eyes glistened slightly, though he quickly blinked away the tears. Grindelwald's statement was true since Voyantil took a big part in the reason for his and Acolyte's, downfall.
"What about our situation now?" Aurelius asked, steering the conversation away from the painful memories. "How… how are we doing, financially?"
Bramble hesitated for a moment before answering. "We're managing, but just barely. The wealth your parents left behind has been enough to sustain us, but only just. If things continue as they are, we'll have enough to get by until your first year at Hogwarts. After that…" He trailed off, not needing to finish the sentence.
Aurelius bit his lip, his mind racing. He knew that Bramble had been doing his best to stretch their resources, but it was clear that they were running out of time. They needed a plan, something that could help them secure their future.
His thoughts drifted back to the book on rituals, the promise of power it held. It was a risky idea, but the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like their best option.
"Bramble," Aurelius began cautiously, "I've been thinking about the ritual mentioned in the book. The one that could enhance my prophetic abilities."
Bramble's eyes widened slightly, and he shook his head almost immediately. "Master Aurelius, that ritual is dangerous. It requires rare and expensive materials, and the risks… I don't think—"
Aurelius cut him off, his voice firmer than it had been before. "I know it's dangerous, Bramble, but if it works, it could change everything. We wouldn't have to worry about money, or about what comes after Hogwarts. I could be… more than what I am now."
Bramble looked at Aurelius with a mixture of concern and admiration. He could see the determination in the boy's eyes, and he knew that once Aurelius had made up his mind, there was little anyone could do to dissuade him.
"The requirements," Bramble began reluctantly, "they're very hard to achieve and with your power of prophecy, it won't even make much difference. Besides if we use what little we have left, we'll be left with almost nothing."
Aurelius nodded, having already considered this. "I understand. But it's worth the risk, isn't it? If it means I can protect us… it's worth it."
Bramble was silent for a long moment, his mind clearly racing as he weighed the options. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh and nodded. "Very well, Master Aurelius. But you must promise me that you'll be careful. This ritual… it's not something to be taken lightly."
Aurelius smiled, feeling a sense of relief and excitement wash over him. "I promise, Bramble. I'll be careful."
The house-elf nodded, though his worry was still evident in his eyes. "The ritual can only be performed on a specific date, when the stars are in alignment. That's in a little over two months—March 21st. We'll need to gather the materials before then."
Aurelius nodded, already making a mental list of what they would need. "We have time. We'll make it work."
Bramble gave him a small, reluctant smile, though the concern never left his eyes. "I'll do what I can to help, Master Aurelius. But please, be mindful of the risks."
"I will, Bramble," Aurelius assured him, feeling a surge of determination. He knew this was a gamble, but it was one he was willing to take. He wanted to do more than just survive—he wanted to thrive, to live up to the legacy of the Voyantil family.
For the first time since waking up in this strange new life, Aurelius felt a sense of purpose, a goal to strive towards. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but he was ready to face whatever challenges came his way.
As they finished their breakfast, Aurelius couldn't help but feel a strange sense of contentment. Despite everything, he was beginning to enjoy this life. There was something comforting about the routine, about Bramble's quiet presence, and the promise of the future.