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IS - Chapter 01: The End of a Long Journey
🕑 Added 2025-01-22 06:42:20 +0000 UTCDisclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I create.
“Dialogue”
‘Thoughts’
-Author notes-
Chapter 01: The End of a Long Journey
On the top of a grassy hill overlooking the north coast of Scotland lay a small but thriving magical community.
It was a relatively new settlement, only a few decades old, so it lacked the rich history of places like Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade. Yet, many witches and wizards chose to build their homes and businesses in this isolated place.
The reason for its existence, and its allure, was the massive ivory tower rising in its center.
It was known as the Alchemy Tower, the Tower of Knowledge, or, as its creator originally called it… the Potter Tower.
People crowded the streets of the small town. Today, no one was busy working or tending to daily chores; everyone was outside.
One might think this was due to a joyous occasion like a festival, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Every man, woman, and child was dressed in black robes, as they had been for days since receiving the terrible news: Harry James Potter, the greatest wizard who had ever lived, was dying at the age of one hundred and fifty-seven.
All eyes were on the ivory tower, where Harry had lived and worked for decades. They had been told today would be the day. And when it finally happened, one of his disciples would light the blue alchemical flame at the tower’s top, signaling to all that their beloved wizard was no more.
“Stop making that face, Augustus. The Minister of Magic should always remain composed,” a kind-looking old man said, his voice tired.
“But, Master…” Augustus Longbottom, grandson of Neville Longbottom and the first disciple Harry took under his wing, was struggling with his master’s imminent passing.
At eighty years old, Augustus was the Minister of Magical Britain and was well-known as a powerful, wise wizard. Yet, in front of his master, he seemed to regress to a young boy seeking approval.
Surrounding Harry’s bed were dozens of individuals of all ages, from teenagers to the elderly. They shared the same expression of misery, knowing they were here to witness their beloved master’s final moments.
Harry’s old green eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces, and he smiled. His thoughts drifted to where it had all begun...
<><><><><><><><>
After his victory over Voldemort and the restoration of peace in Britain, Harry and Ginny resumed their relationship. They moved in together and began planning their wedding.
But everything crumbled when Harry accidentally discovered her numerous infidelities during his time at the Auror Academy. The betrayal broke him in ways he hadn’t known were possible.
That same day, packed his belongings in a rush and left the home they shared. With no place to go, he went to Gringotts to withdraw his last few Galleons.
As he stared at his empty trust vault, contemplating leaving the Auror Academy and finding a quick-paying job, a goblin asked him a life-changing question:
"Would you like to have this trust vault replenished from the main Potter vault, now that it was empty?"
Harry froze at the question. He had never heard of this "main vault" before. No one had ever told him about it.
When the goblins opened the main Potter vault at his request, Harry was stunned. A mountain of gold reached the ceiling...there were more Galleons than he could spend in a lifetime.
This revelation changed everything. With no financial constraints, Harry filled a bag with gold and left the country without looking back.
He ventured into the world, dedicating himself to the pursuit of knowledge and broadening his horizons.
At first, Harry’s quest for knowledge was a way to distract himself from the dark thoughts that haunted him every night..about Ginny and her betrayal.
But soon, he discovered a passion for learning he never knew he possessed.
For decades, Harry roamed the world, studying every type of magic he could find. He didn’t shy away from even the darkest forms of magic, believing that knowledge was neither inherently good nor evil, but it was the intent behind its use that mattered.
At the age of seventy, Harry returned to Britain and purchased a piece of land on the north coast of Scotland. He had recently begun studying a branch of magic that required a permanent dwelling, as he needed to have a stable laboratory where he could focus his efforts.
This path was not an easy one. It required an in-depth understanding of potions, a subject he had disliked since his first year at Hogwarts. But during his travels, he found a kind and skilled professor in France who was willing to give him private lessons.
Under this professor’s guidance, Harry discovered he truly enjoyed the process of brewing potions. At the age of sixty-two, Harry Potter officially became a Potions Master.
Had Severus Snape still been alive, the news might have given him a heart attack.
With his newfound expertise, Harry began working on the field that fascinated him the most... alchemy.
To support his experiments, he commissioned the construction of a tower; a place where he could live, study, and work in peace.
The tower was built quickly, thanks to Harry’s immense wealth and the goblins’ efficiency. Made of pure white stone, it stood tall and majestic, a symbol of his new life’s purpose.
Harry rarely left the tower after that. Most of his supplies arrived by owl, and he had few visitors. Ron had passed away before Harry’s return to Britain, and Hermione never replied to his letters. He assumed she had not forgiven him for leaving so abruptly all those years ago.
A decade passed in a blur. By the age of eighty, Harry was ready to share the results of his alchemical research with the world.
His discoveries, such as new uses for basilisk blood, brought him fame across Britain. But it was his creation of a fully functional homunculus that catapulted him into the realms of legend, earning him worldwide recognition.
Suddenly, Harry found himself visited by a wide variety of people: those who wanted to meet him and exchange ideas, those who sought to steal his research, and those who wished to become his disciples.
Since he had no biological heirs, the idea of taking on apprentices appealed to him. It allowed him to pass on his legacy to someone who deserved it.
His first disciple was Augustus Longbottom, grandson of an old friend of his.
Over the years, many more followed. But Harry was highly selective in choosing his apprentices, he accepted only the best and most talented, ensuring they had good hearts and noble intentions. He had no desire to train the next Dark Lord.
He also held nothing back in his teachings. Every disciple was taught as much as they wished to learn, and over time, they all became prominent figures in the magical world.
Harry himself did not slack in his own research. His groundbreaking discoveries further solidified his legendary status. People even built an entire town around his tower. With his permission, of course.
Now, at the age of one hundred and fifty-seven, Harry lay in his bed, surrounded by his disciples. He looked at their somber faces, each one reflecting a deep love and respect for him. Despite the sorrow of the moment, he felt a sense of fulfillment.
One of Harry’s greatest regrets was never having children of his own. No matter how much he had accomplished, he often felt he had failed his family in this regard. The Potter bloodline would end with him.
But as he gazed at his disciples, Harry realized something profound: he did have children. Dozens of witches and wizards who loved him, respected him, and would carry on his legacy for generations to come.
They may not share his name, but they were his family nonetheless.
“I’m satisfied…” Harry whispered, a small smile gracing his face.
“Master?” Augustus leaned closer, his voice filled with worry. “What do you mean?”
Harry’s green eyes softened as he looked at them all one last time. “With my life… I’m satisfied… my… children…”
The light in his green eyes faded, and the last vestiges of vitality left his body.
His disciples called out to him, their cries filled with anguish. But there was no response.
Harry James Potter had finally gone on his next great adventure.
