Volume 2— Year 1: Lost in the Multiverse
'I have never felt that time passed slowly as today,' thought Christian, checking the time for the hundredth time. But he could not help it since tomorrow would be his first day at Hogwarts.
'I must sleep,' thought Christian, as he tried different things, including reigning in his thoughts through meditation. Unfortunately, he was so excited that one would think he was afflicted with the Cheering Charm.
'Maybe some warm tea and milk might help?' Christian silently descended to the first floor to get some tea before returning to bed, but that did not help. Ultimately, he decides to watch a movie from Jim's memories until he falls asleep. The next day, he descended for breakfast while constantly yawning.
"Why do you look so terrible?" asked Tiara.
"I was so excited that I could not sleep." Tiara immediately laughed after hearing this, but Christian did not find the humor in his words. "What's so funny?"
"You're usually so mature that I sometimes forget your age. But things like this are a reminder." Christian rolled his eyes.
"If it makes you feel better, your father felt the same way. At least, that's what he told me," reassured Tiara. "Okay, let's finish breakfast to get to the train station early. You might be able to get some sleep on the train."
Christian nodded before hearing the sound of walking on the wooden floor.
"Aunt Eleanor, you're home?"
"Of course. I would not miss your first day of school for anything in the world," she replied as she placed her cup of tea on the table, followed by today's newspaper, and finally, she sat down.
"I'm glad you'll be there."
"My sister wanted to come, but she has to help her children get to Ilvermorny, and Sullivan is busy with a case that might change his career."
"I understand, but what case is Uncle Sullivan working on?"
"I don't know, but he might get a promotion soon."
"Well, I wish him the best," nodded Christian, who started eating. However, he noticed something, "Aunt Eleanor, are you alright? You're looking a little pale."
"I'm fine; it's much more work than anticipated—especially the constant traveling."
"You should take care of yourself. Nothing is more important than your health."
"I will," she replied with a smile. Christian finished eating, dressed, and packed his stuff into the car. He had much baggage because he wanted to bring many of his books, especially the school books, from the other magical schools. However, since his mother refused to give him a bag of holding, he had to shrink all his books so they could fit.
After a few minutes of driving, they finally reached King's Cross Station, and Christian soon realized they were indeed extra early.
"I left a Two-Way Mirror in your language. You can contact me if you need something," said Tiara, and Christian nodded, feeling slightly taciturn.
"Remember, learn as much as you can while making as many memories," added Eleanor, and Christian could only nod.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"
"I was previously excited, but now, I feel reluctant to leave you."
Tiara and Eleanor immediately hugged him, "Remember, we are only one phone call away, well, in your case, one letter away. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."
"I won't."
"Also, if you're feeling sad and want some home cooking, ask the house elves in the kitchen to make Haitian Food for you. As long as you ask, they will learn," added Tiara.
"I will."
Christian exhaled and looked at them one last time before running through the wall.
"He's gone," muttered Tiara.
"Indeed," nodded Eleanor before sighing heavily.
"What is it?"
"Over thirty years ago, I watched my brother rush into that wall with envy."
"Is this bringing some bad memories?"
"Kind of." Eleanor was lucky that her family never shunned her for being a Squib, but she also never felt like she belonged, so she chose to live in the Muggle World.
"In that case, let's go. How about we get some beer or wine?"
"I would love that."
…
"That was cooler than I expected," said Christian after passing through the wall. "I wonder what type of enchantment is used? Muggle Repellum Charm for sure, but what else?"
Christian entered the scarlet steam engine and found a compartment near the middle end. He was early, so no one was there. He was still tired from the lack of sleep, so he took this opportunity to rest. Christian was surprised at how fast he fell asleep, and when he regained consciousness, he heard two people talking.
He looked around and was immediately surprised to find Harry Potter and Ron Weasley sitting in his compartment. He groaned as he became fully awake.
"Finally awake? You know you were snoring," said Ron, sitting beside him.
"I was?" He took in his surroundings, focusing on Ron. He did not look like the actor who played Ron, Rupert Grint. He was tall, even taller than him, thin, and his red hair was very vivid.
'Harry looks like the version from the movie, but Ron follows the description from the books. What the hell is going on?' Christian decided not to overthink it lest he begin to question his very existence again.
"Yeah," nodded Harry.
"Sorry about that. I did not sleep much last night," explained Christian. "The name is Christian Malik; you can call me Zed if you want."
"Ron Weasley. But why does your name sound familiar?"
"Harry Potter. Is your middle name Zed?"
"No, Zed is a childhood nickname my mum and Aunt Arielle called me. Apparently, my first word was not mama or dada, but z(pronounced zed), so they called me that. You know what? Forget it, call me Christian."
"I swear I've heard your name before," added Ron, but Christian did not explain, but looked at Harry. "So, you're the Boy Who Lives."
"I am," replied Harry, showing his lightning-shaped scar.
"I'm sorry about your parents."
Harry was surprised, as this was the first time someone had said that to him after learning who he was.
"Thanks."
Christian nodded. Then, his stomach grumbled, "How long was I asleep?" They shrugged since they did not know. He stood up to take a lunchbox from his luggage and opened it.
"Do you want some? It's paté, a Haitian delicacy."
"No, we've already eaten," replied Ron, and Christian saw the candy wrapping papers around them.
"Alright then."
"I want to try it," said Harry. He had never eaten food from different countries. The Dursleys once went to an Italian Restaurant but did not bring him. Christian handed him the food, and Harry bit into it, immediately making a strange face and noise.
"That's bloody brilliant."
"Okay, there's no need for the theatrics," said Christian. It was delicious, but not to that level.
"No, I'm being serious. Ron, you should try it." However, Ron was embarrassed since he had already rejected the offer. Christian handed him one, and he took it sheepishly.
"Harry's right," said Ron after a bite.
"Well, that's an interesting response," Christian muttered under his breath as he remembered something. The kids at his school used to talk badly about his Haitian food, saying it looked or smelled weird, claiming it was inappropriate to bring it to such an elite institute. Aunt Eleanor wanted him to bring "normal" food, but Christian refused, and for the next six months after that event, he only brought Haitian food.
So, when he offered Harry and Ron the food, he expected a polite refusal at first.
While they were eating, someone knocked — it was Neville. He came to ask about his toad. Before Christian could swallow his food, the others said they hadn't seen it, and Neville left in a hurry.
"Hey, I could have helped him if he were more patient."
"How?" asked Ron.
"With an item of the toad, I can use Avenseguim to track the toad, and if that does not work, a basic Revelio Spell should give us some clue," explained Christian.
"You know a lot of spells?" asked Harry. "Are you from a family of wizards?"
Before Christian could answer, a voice came from outside the compartment, "What is this Avenseguim Spell? I've never heard of it."
"And who might you be?" asked Christian, fully knowing the answer.
"Hermione Granger. I've learned all our course books by heart and never heard of it."
'She looked like Emma Watson but had buck teeth and fluffy hair.'
"It's a spell in the fourth-grade books, so, understandably, you don't know. The name is Christian Malik."
"Christian Malik? The author of [A Guide To Muggle's Life, History, and Society]?"
"That's me."
"Oh my God, I love your book. I bought it because the store owner suggested it, but I did not think it would be so fascinating. Even my parents found it interesting."
"Really? I thought only wizards would be interested in my book."
"No, it was very insightful, especially when you talked about the Information Age and painted a picture of what the world would look like in a few decades. My mother and father agreed with you and said you have the talent of a great futurist?"
"Such high praise, huh? I appreciate it."
"Can I ask a few questions?" continued Hermione.
"No problem." The two then begin a conversation.
"I knew I recognized him from somewhere," muttered Ron.
"He's famous?"
"Yeah, not as much as you, but a few months ago, he published a book, and everyone was talking about it. He also said some pretty outrageous things. Mum never stopped comparing us to the prodigy, Mr. Malik. It was really annoying."
"Publishing a book at 11? Are you sure he's the same age as us?"
"People called him a prodigy." Ron shrugged his shoulders as that's all he knew. The two changed topics, discussing the different houses, Quidditch, and Charlie Weasley's job of raising dragons. Meanwhile, Christian and Hermione started discussing his book before changing to other subjects, mainly the course books.
Then, everyone was suddenly interrupted when Draco Malfoy walked in.