22. Deciding on the ritual

"Baby I'm not doubting your capabilities. I just think that you do not really need that kind of ritual. You are much more mature than others your age so you are thinking of puberty just as some hormonal changes. But son, it is also an important phase of life. Those awkward moments make life much more interesting. Baby, I want you to enjoy your life, these years make some of the most precious memories. I don't want you to have regrets later, neither do i want you to lead a dull and boring life.

I know you are under a lot of pressure that would have made any other 11 year old feel despair but you are not an ordinary 11 year old child, right... You told me that you can face and win against the whole world, Why are you worrying so much if you have the confidence."

Mom's words affected me greatly. From the moment my memories returned, I have continued to work as hard as I can.

"You got me good, mom. You are right. I was being too hasty, I'm sorry."

"No worries, that's what mom's are for." she said smiling with love. " Instead, I have thought of some other rituals for you and Hermione to choose from."

"Oh, tell me about them." I asked.

"For you, I was thinking about a ritual to enhance your charm or one to enhance your eyes." she said.

"I will go with one to enhance my charm." I said after considering carefully.

"Oh!, I thought you would go with the one to enhance your eyes. What made you choose this? " She was clearly surprised with my choice.

"Mom, the magical world knows me as the boy-who-lived, the vanquisher of the dark lord and a hero. There are fictions out there depicting my victorious fights with dragons and nundus which many brain-dead 'fans' of mine believe in. Now what will happen if they see a scrawny kid who can't even find his bearing. I know the principle of 'the higher you climb, the harder you fall.' but they have already put me on a pedestal so I have to at least soften the ground I'm going to fall on.

Moreover, two people became my inspiration to choose this ritual.

First one is Gilderoy Lockhart. he received many prestigious awards, such as Order of Merlin, Third Class; Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League; and the Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award five times in a row. Do you know that he is just a narcissistic fraud and criminal. He will be appointed as our DADA professor in second year. The man tried to Obliviate me and let me die so that he could tell everyone the story about 'his' bravery.

The second person is Tom Riddle now known as Voldemort. Being the son of a squib and a muggle, he was able to fool everyone bar one. He was the leader of Slytherin of his time as well as head boy. He killed a girl but was able to make everyone believe that it was Hagrid who committed those crimes. And most importantly, he did everything under the watchful eyes of Dumbledore.

I understand the value of looks and charms if being used correctly. So naturally I will choose this."

Moreover there is something I did not tell her, my eyesight is already much better than before thanks to the exercise, meditation, nutritious meals prepared by Alfred and 1000 fold positive results from my system. In fact I am not that scrawny kid with hidden injuries and illness inside his bodies, I look like I have been taken care of very meticulously. I don't have huge muscles all over my body or a look of a 15-16 year old like a monster, but the power hidden in this very fit 12 year's something looking body is enough to handle a healthy adult man. That, with my combat mastery, hehe, I'll soon make batman seem like a kid.

"It's good to see you learn even from your enemies. This is a very rare trait, don't ever lose it."

"Thanks mom. Now what about Hermione? "

"About that, Harry, can I ask for something? " Mom said clearly very nervous and hesitating.

"Sure mom" I replied thinking what might be bothering her.

"How much time did you take to make your occlumency as strong as Dumbledore? "

"I understand why you were hesitating to ask this.. The truth is I took about 100 hours to reach his level which I completed in about 20 days." I said the truth as it was the very first thing she wanted from me after such a long time.

My answer caused her to look at me in disbelief at first, but then she calmed down and asked another question.

"Practicing 5 hours daily, you did not suffer any side effects and distractions" This time I stayed silent, I knew she had caught onto something.

Looking at me keeping silent, she beamed a very proud smile causing me to be stunned. She looked as if she had achieved immortality or something even more precious. She looked so happy, proud, and beautiful?.. Fuck...

"Looking at your reaction, now I understand why you wanted to skip your puberty years.." Mom teased me Good-naturedly.

"MOM!! " I shouted in embarrassment. No one can blame me here, I have been a virgin for 1000 lives. And did I tell you that generally witches and wizards are much more good-looking than normal, and my mother is considered a beauty in the magical world.

"Hahaha, alright, I won't tease you anymore. But it still feels good to be admired by my son." She said smugly.

"Alright, I admit. For me You are the most beautiful woman in the world. and I'm damn jealous of dad."

"Oh my baby.. You are the sweetest. I wish I could hug you now." She said the last part bitterly.

"Don't worry mom. I promise to make you a new body which will be even more amazing than before." I said firmly.

" I'll be waiting, I know you can do it." She said looking at me with love.

"Mom, What about Hermione's ritual? You didn't say anything about it."