Harry Potter and The Heir of the Shadow Throne

Knockturn Alley smelled like damp socks and regret, a perfect backdrop for my new life as a fugitive toddler. I lay in a rickety crib Marigold had scrounged from a shady pawnshop, drooling on a lumpy pillow while she bartered with a cloaked vendor for enchanted rations. My tiny body still felt alien—chubby fingers, wobbly legs—but my mind was buzzing, replaying Marigold's bombshell: Zephyr Riddle, son of Tom Riddle, the slickest Dark Lord to ever terrorize a wand. WHAT THE HECK, indeed.

I'd gone from binging light novels to dodging Aurors and inheriting a villain's legacy. Truck-kun, you magnificent bastard, you've outdone yourself. But now, stuck in this grimy hideout, I needed a plan. I couldn't exactly toddle up to Voldemort and say, "Hey, Dad, let's chat over some milk." I needed power—something to level up from drool champion to Dark Lord defeater.

As if on cue, a sharp ding echoed in my head, like a video game startup. I froze, my baby eyes darting around the dim room. No one else reacted—Marigold was still haggling, her voice sharp as a spell. Another ding, followed by a glowing blue screen flickering in my mind's eye. It was translucent, hovering like a HUD from an RPG, and I nearly choked on my own spit.

Welcome, Zephyr Riddle, to the Shadow System!

You've been selected as the Heir of the Shadow Throne. Unlock your destiny, build your power, and conquer the darkness—or trip spectacularly trying. Current Level: 1 (Baby Brawler)

Tasks Available: Survive 24 hours in Knockturn Alley. Reward: Basic Magic Aptitude. Failure: Diaper Doom (literal and metaphorical).

"What… the actual heck?" I gurgled, flailing my arms. The screen shimmered, and a cheerful voice—sounding suspiciously like a game show host—chirped in my head. "Congratulations, Host! The Shadow System is here to guide you from drooling infant to world-saving legend. Ready to begin?"

I blinked, my baby brain struggling. A system? In Harry Potter? This was some next-level isekai nonsense. But if it could turn me from a drool-slinging liability into an overpowered badass, I was all in. "Goo goo!" I babbled, hoping it understood enthusiasm.

The screen updated:

Task Accepted: Survive 24 hours in Knockturn Alley.

Time Remaining: 23:59:59…

Marigold stomped back, arms full of glowing vials and a suspicious loaf of bread. "Don't get too comfy, Zephyr," she muttered, eyeing me like I might explode. "Those Aurors won't stop sniffing, and this place is crawling with creeps. We need to lay low—or I'll hex you into next week myself."

I gurgled, mentally rolling my eyes. "Lay low? Lady, I've got a system now!" The screen flashed a new message:

Skill Unlocked: Baby Charm (Passive)

Increases likability in dire situations. Current Effectiveness: 10% (Chubby Cheeks Bonus)

Great. I could charm my way out of trouble with dimples. Still, 10% wasn't much against wand-wielding bounty hunters. I needed to level up—and fast.

That night, the alley buzzed with shady figures—hooded witches, muttering goblins, and a troll peddling enchanted trinkets. Marigold had rigged wards around our dingy room, but I could feel the tension seeping through the cracks. My system pinged again:

Warning: Host detected nearby threat. Level 5 Shady Dealer approaching. Recommend evasion or charm attempt.

I peeked through the crib bars. A wiry man in a patchy cloak slunk toward our door, his wand glinting. "Marigold!" I thought, flailing. "Trouble incoming!" It came out as "Wah wah!" but she spun around, wand drawn.

"Bloody hell, Zephyr, what now?" she growled, then froze as the door creaked open. The dealer slipped in, grinning like a shark. "Marigold Vex, fancy meeting you here. Hand over the brat, and I'll let you walk."

Marigold's eyes narrowed. "Try it, Scabbers, and I'll turn you into a pincushion." She flicked her wand, but the guy countered with a Stupefy. I panicked, mentally screaming at the system. "Help me, system! Do something!"

Activating Baby Charm (Passive)! Effectiveness: 15% (Desperation Boost)

The screen glowed, and I let out an involuntary coo, batting my big baby eyes. The dealer hesitated, his sneer faltering. "Wait… why's he so… cute?" he muttered, lowering his wand.

"Ha!" I thought, triumphant. "Take that, shady dude!" Marigold seized the moment, blasting him with a Petrificus Totalus. He froze mid-step, toppling like a statue.

"Nice distraction, kid," she grumbled, dragging him outside. "But don't think that's a free pass. We're still neck-deep in trouble."

The system chimed:

Task Progress: 75% Complete. Reward Preview: Basic Magic Aptitude (Wandless Spark). Continue surviving for final boost!

I grinned (or drooled)—progress! But the night wasn't over. A crash outside sent Marigold bolting to the window. "Aurors," she hissed. "They've tracked us somehow." Three robed figures appeared, wands blazing. Kingsley Shacklebolt's voice boomed, "Marigold Vex, surrender now!"

"Never!" she yelled, grabbing me and diving behind a table. Spells shattered the walls, and I felt a surge of panic. "System, I need more than charm! Give me something OP!"

Emergency Protocol Initiated: Shadow Surge (Level 1)

Unlocks temporary shadow manipulation for 30 seconds. Warning: High energy drain. Proceed?

"Yes, proceed!" I thought, and a cold rush hit me. Shadows in the room twisted, coiling around my crib like living tendrils. I focused, imagining them lashing out, and—whoosh!—they shot forward, knocking an Auror off his feet. The others stumbled, cursing.

"What in Merlin's name?!" Shacklebolt roared, deflecting a shadow tendril with a Protego. Marigold stared, wide-eyed. "Zephyr, did you just…?"

"Goo!" I babbled, exhausted. The system dinged:

Shadow Surge Cooldown: 24 hours. Task Complete! Reward Unlocked: Basic Magic Aptitude (Wandless Spark). Level Up! Current Level: 2 (Baby Battlemage)

A faint spark flickered at my fingertips, zapping the crib playfully. I grinned internally. Magic—finally! But the Aurors regrouped, and Marigold dragged me toward the portal she'd used before. "Time to bounce, kid," she muttered, her voice tight. "You're full of surprises, but I'm not losing you to these fools."

We leapt through, landing in a dank cave somewhere in the Scottish Highlands, judging by the chill and mist. Marigold collapsed, breathing hard. "We'll regroup here. But Zephyr, that shadow trick… where'd it come from?"

I couldn't answer—only gurgle—but my system chimed again:

New Task: Uncover the Source of Shadow Surge. Reward: Intermediate Magic Aptitude (Wandless Push). Failure: Shadow Bind (Paralysis Risk). Time Limit: 7 Days.

"Great," I thought, staring at the screen. "A mystery, a war, and a diaper change schedule. I'm living the dream."

Marigold eyed me suspiciously, then sighed. "You're trouble, kid. But if you've got some weird magic, we'll need it."