A New Fascination
It was a quiet afternoon in Number 12, Grimmauld Place. The house, now Harry Potter's home, had never been known for its cheeriness, but he had grown accustomed to its quirks. The old stone walls were quieter now, no longer echoing with shouts of war or the whispered urgency of secret plans. For once, Harry found himself with something rare: time to relax.
Slumping onto the sofa in the sitting room, Harry idly flicked through channels on the small Muggle television Dudley had left behind during his last visit. He hadn't thought much of it at first—electronics didn't belong in a wizard's home, after all—but Hermione had insisted it would be a good way to connect with the Muggle world.
"Besides," she'd said, "not everything in life has to involve magic, Harry."
He had begrudgingly agreed. And now, on this lazy afternoon, it didn't seem like such a bad idea.
The screen flickered, and a lively theme song caught his attention. A high-pitched voice announced, "I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was!"
"What in Merlin's name..." Harry muttered, sitting up straighter.
The screen was filled with bright, colorful creatures—some shooting fire, others flying through the air, and still others clashing in fierce battles. A boy with a red cap and a determined look commanded his Pokémon with enthusiasm, while an electric yellow creature by his side let out a cheerful cry of "Pika, pika!"
For the next twenty minutes, Harry was transfixed. The episode followed the boy, Ash, as he traveled through a strange land filled with fantastical creatures called Pokémon. They were creatures of all shapes and sizes, each with unique abilities, and their relationships with humans ranged from heartwarming to thrilling.
When the episode ended, Harry found himself wanting more.
He didn't know why he found it so captivating. Perhaps it was the sense of adventure that reminded him of his time at Hogwarts, or the strange blend of friendship, competition, and exploration that the show seemed to celebrate. Either way, he spent the rest of the afternoon watching episode after episode.
By the time the sun had dipped below the horizon, Harry knew all the basics. He learned about Pokémon Trainers and how they captured wild Pokémon in Poké Balls. He watched as Ash battled Gym Leaders in sprawling arenas, earning badges to prove his worth. He even learned about the Legendary Pokémon—rare and powerful creatures said to govern natural forces or stand at the heart of myths.
It wasn't just the battles that intrigued him, though. It was the world itself. The Pokémon regions were vast and varied, from bustling cities to remote forests. It reminded him of his own magical world, where wizards and witches coexisted with magical creatures.
As the credits rolled on yet another episode, Harry turned off the television and sat back, rubbing his eyes. His mind buzzed with thoughts about this strange new universe.
He knew he should feel silly. He was an adult, after all—a wizard who had faced Voldemort, led armies, and survived countless dangers. Yet, there was something comforting about this simple, imaginative world.
Later that evening, curiosity got the better of him. Harry retrieved his old laptop—another gift from Hermione—and began searching the internet for more information. What he found amazed him.
There were video games, movies, trading cards, and even entire communities of people who loved Pokémon as much as Ash did. He stumbled across forums filled with fan theories, strategies, and artwork. Then, he discovered something even more astonishing: videos of people designing their own Pokémon regions.
Harry leaned forward, his eyes glued to the screen. Fans created their own maps, towns, and creatures, each one more imaginative than the last. They shared stories of Trainers and villains, sketched designs for new Pokémon, and even developed entire battle systems.
For hours, Harry explored this new side of the Pokémon world, marveling at the creativity and passion of the people behind it. As the clock struck midnight, he closed the laptop and leaned back in his chair.
"This is brilliant," he muttered, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
He didn't know it yet, but this small discovery would change everything.