Chapter 1: The End is the Beginning
May 2019 – A Rainy Afternoon, Outside a Small Bookstore
"Richard, don't run!" called Ashley Bristol, shielding her umbrella from the wind. "You'll slip and fall—and if you get hurt, your father won't take you to Disneyland for your birthday."
"I won't fall, Mum!" Richard chirped, his small hand clutching a stick. With a giggle, he pointed it toward the gray sky. "Lumos!" he whispered, pretending as the tip glowed in his imagination.
A tall man in a black suit laughed from nearby. "Nicely done, little wizard. Big Harry Potter fan, I take it?"
"Yup! I've seen all seven movies and the Fantastic Beasts ones too! Super cool!"
"You should try the books," the man said, a note of pride in his voice. "They're even better."
Ashley turned, recognizing the voice. "You do know you're talking to a twelve-year-old, right, Tony? When did you get back?"
"Just last week," Tony Foreman replied, flashing a warm smile. "You still look stunning, by the way. Fancy a date?"
"You should get married and stop flirting with married women," came the gruff voice of Roy Bristol, Ashley's husband and a local police officer.
"You wouldn't understand the joys of being single," Tony teased, winking.
Ashley rolled her eyes. "Still can't get a date, huh?"
Tony sighed dramatically. "Who am I kidding—I've always been rubbish at this."
"You said it, not us," Roy and Ashley said in unison, laughing.
"Low blow, you two." Tony turned to Richard with mock seriousness. "Come on, kid. Let's escape from these mean adults."
"Mommy said not to talk to strangers, and Daddy said not to go anywhere with them either," Richard replied, crossing his arms.
"But we've already talked!" Tony protested.
"No, you talked. I replied," Richard said smartly, making his parents laugh again.
As they exited the store, a masked figure burst in, waving a gun.
"Nobody move! Empty the tills! Be a hero and die like one!"
Before anyone could react, the weapon was pointed at Roy. Instincts kicked in, but not fast enough.
A shot rang out.
Ashley cried out, shielding Richard with her body. Roy braced for pain—but it never came. Instead, he opened his eyes to see Tony grappling the assailant, blood soaking through his shirt.
The robber was subdued, Roy's partner charging in moments later. Ashley and Roy rushed to Tony's side, pressing on the wound.
"Stay with us! Tony! Don't you dare close your eyes!" Ashley cried.
But Tony was already fading. In his final thoughts, he smiled.
At least Richard gets to grow up with both parents. That's enough.
"Hello, Mr. Tony," came a soft, unearthly voice. "I'm Ripper Jarvis. I'll be guiding your soul."
Tony blinked. "...So I get five wishes now? I want the Library of Heaven's Path, all three TGD techniques, the Gamer System and—"
"Hold on! No wishes. No mistakes. You died as scheduled," Jarvis said with a smirk.
Tony looked sheepish. "Oh… sorry."
"It's alright. You're being reincarnated. Into the world of Harry Potter, no less."
"But… I thought you said no wishes?"
"Not yours," Jarvis replied. "You see, the Creator fashioned one world, but humans, with dreams and stories, shaped thousands more. God watches—not to rule or be praised—but to marvel at creation's potential."
"Wait, so all worlds exist?" Tony asked, wide-eyed.
"Yes, bound together by the strings of time and soul. A person who dies in 2080 may awaken in 500 BC—somewhere else entirely. You lived selflessly. For that, your next life will hold great potential."
Tony swallowed. "Thank you. I'll try to live well."
"No need for heroics. Just enjoy your new life… and listen closely to the whispering leaves of the English Oak."
With a final flash of light, his new journey began.