"...A risky move, but absolutely worth it."
After Scrimgeour and Tonks departed, George sprawled across the late dark wizard's luxurious four-poster bed, savoring his victory.
The contents of Mulpepper's Gringotts vault alone—accumulated over decades—were substantial. Combined with the apothecary's inventory of rare ingredients and potions, it constituted wealth most Hogwarts students could only dream of.
To adults, it might seem modest. But for an eleven-year-old? It was like a middle-schooler suddenly gaining a million-dollar trust fund—an absolute game-changer.
He'd considered selling the shop for safety, relocating to the Leaky Cauldron. But practicality won out.
This place offered privacy for... unorthodox magical research. Once sold, such prime Knockturn Alley real estate would be irreplaceable.
"This body's pathetically scrawny. Time for some nutritional upgrades."
Standing before the bedroom mirror, George finally assessed his new form properly—something he'd neglected during the assassination plotting.
Blond hair, blue eyes, sharp features—genetically decent, but malnutrition and abuse had left the frame skeletal. Reversible with proper care.
"At least the internals aren't weak."
He bent his knees—then launched upward, fingertips brushing the three-meter ceiling with ease.
Wizard physiology granted enhanced durability, not strength. This wasn't magic.
It was synergy.
His current physical capabilities combined both bodies' attributes:
Dora (11yo): Base strength (~25kg punch)
Subject 757 (18yo): Peak human conditioning (~90kg punch after months of combat training)
Result? A prepubescent body packing adult-tier power—250% stronger than either original. At just 25kg body weight, his power-to-mass ratio rivaled big cats.
"Basically a superpowered brat now."
Post-inspection, George ransacked Mulpepper's quarters for hidden dark magic tomes.
Disappointingly, only standard spellbooks surfaced—likely due to monthly Auror inspections.
"Bedtime for this body. Marvel-world's morning anyway."
Marvel Universe - Weapon X Facility
During lunch, George's stoic facade hid his racing thoughts.
Earlier, he'd witnessed a nurse berated for bringing birthday cakes to the child test subjects—a pivotal moment from Logan's timeline.
"The escape happens soon. Need combat-ready magic now."
Afternoon training passed routinely. As night fell, his consciousness shifted back...
Wizarding World - Next Morning
Sunlight streamed through the apothecary's upstairs windows as George devoured a full English breakfast—his first proper meal in either life.
The Daily Prophet lay open, its headline featuring a smarmy wizard in cornflower-blue robes:
"Gilderoy Lockhart—Order of Merlin, Third Class—to sign Magical Me at Flourish & Blotts..."
George groaned. "1992. A year too late."
Missing Harry's inaugural year meant forfeiting easy integration with the Golden Trio. Pros and cons:
Cons:
No shared dorm bonding
Second-years already clique-formed
Pros:
Avoids Philosopher's Stone fiasco
Can cherry-pick future events (Chamber secrets, Time-Turner access)
"Still... easier with insider knowledge."
He circled Lockhart's event date—potential loot source. The man was a fraud, but his stolen spell knowledge was genuine.