Building a Network
**Chapter 10: Building a Network**
While his pen pal correspondence with Harry Potter was the cornerstone of Alex's plan to prepare the "main character" for the future ahead, it was far from his only project. From the age of seven to eleven, Alex had quietly extended his influence through carefully crafted letters to other key figures, each with a tailored approach to fit their personalities and potential.
Neville Longbottom had been Alex’s first additional pen pal. He had known from the books that Neville was often underestimated, both by his peers and himself. He knew that deep down, Neville had the potential for greatness, but his confidence had been shattered at a young age. In this life, Alex intended to change that.
He had written his first letter to Neville under his own name, Alex McKinnon, and presented himself as someone with a shared heritage. The Longbottoms were an old, respected wizarding family, just like the McKinnons, and that gave Alex a natural connection to work with. But he wasn’t interested in leaning on family ties alone—he wanted to help Neville find his own strength.
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**Dear Neville,**
My name is Alex McKinnon. I thought I’d write to you because our families have crossed paths in the past, and I’ve heard a bit about you. I also know how tough it can be to grow up with a lot of expectations placed on your shoulders.
I’ve read about how much potential healing plants like dittany have in the magical world, and I’ve also been learning about Muggle plants. It turns out that Muggles have found ways to grow crops more quickly and efficiently to help feed more people. I’ve been experimenting with the idea of combining magical and Muggle plant-growing techniques, and I think you might be interested in this as well.
We wizards tend to overlook what Muggles can do, but I believe that there’s a lot we can learn from them. Have you ever thought about using crossbreeding to create magical plants that could grow faster or more effectively? Imagine if we could produce dittany and other healing herbs in abundance, not just for wizards, but to help the world.
I also wanted to talk about something else—confidence. Growing plants requires patience, care, and belief in the process. I think that applies to ourselves as well. You’re more capable than you know, and I think you’ll find that out as you keep working on the things you’re passionate about.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Your friend,
Alex McKinnon
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The response Alex received from Neville had been hesitant at first, but it was clear that Neville was intrigued. Over time, as their correspondence grew, Alex began subtly encouraging Neville’s confidence. He sent books on self-motivation, sharing insights into how even the greatest wizards had faced moments of doubt but overcame them through persistence. He also included research on Muggle herbology and crossbreeding techniques, sparking Neville’s interest in the intersection between magical and No-Maj plants.
Neville wrote back with ideas of his own, sharing how he had begun experimenting with crossbreeding magical and Muggle herbs in his grandmother’s garden. He expressed excitement about the idea of helping to solve issues like world hunger, even though he wasn’t sure how it would work yet.
As the years passed, Alex could see the subtle changes in Neville’s tone. He was still unsure of himself, but his letters carried a spark of curiosity and hope. Neville was starting to see that he had value—not just because of his family’s legacy, but because of his own ideas and abilities. Alex knew that with time, Neville’s confidence would blossom.
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Hermione Granger was a different challenge altogether. From his past life’s memories, Alex knew that Hermione would become one of the most brilliant witches of her age, but she also had a tendency to become overly focused on the rules and existing structures. Alex admired her thirst for knowledge, but he wanted to plant a seed of curiosity about worlds beyond magic—worlds where science and imagination could push the boundaries of what was possible.
So, when he wrote to Hermione, he didn’t send her magical books or research papers. Instead, he sent her something he thought would open her mind in a different way: science fiction.
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**Dear Hermione,**
I hope this letter finds you well! My name is Alex McKinnon, and I thought you might appreciate something different. I’ve heard that you’re a big reader, and so am I. But while I love reading about magic, I’ve also found something else that’s just as fascinating: science fiction.
These books might seem strange at first, but they’re full of ideas about the future and the incredible things humans can achieve—even without magic. I think you’ll find them inspiring. Sometimes, thinking outside the box and imagining what *could* be, is the first step toward making real breakthroughs.
I’ve included a few of my favorites. If you find them interesting, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Your friend,
Alex McKinnon
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The package Alex sent included some classic science fiction novels from his previous life—*Dune, Ender’s Game, and The Foundation Trilogy.* He knew that Hermione, with her insatiable hunger for knowledge, would devour the books eagerly. What he hoped was that these stories would push her to think beyond the traditional wizarding world, to see how the future could be shaped by imagination, critical thinking, and exploration.
The first letter Hermione sent in return was full of questions—about him, about the books, about everything. She was intrigued and excited, and Alex could feel her mind racing through the words on the page. Over the next few years, their correspondence became a mix of discussions about the books, philosophy, and the intersection of science and magic. Alex gently nudged her toward seeing the potential for combining both worlds, knowing that her brilliant mind would eventually pick up on the broader implications.
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By the time Alex reached eleven, he had quietly built a network of friends and allies, even though they didn’t yet realize how important they would be. Harry was becoming stronger, mentally and emotionally. Neville was growing more confident, finding his passion in herbology and beginning to believe in his abilities. Hermione, already brilliant, was expanding her thinking beyond magic alone, curious about the potential of science and imagination.
Alex’s letters had done more than just prepare them—they had sown the seeds of change in their minds, shaping them into people who could help build a better future.
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As Alex approached his birthday, the excitement of his own journey to Hogwarts was tempered by the knowledge that he was stepping into a much larger game. He had done what he could to prepare, but he knew the real challenges were still ahead.
The letters would keep coming, the plans would keep unfolding, and soon, he would meet his friends face-to-face for the first time. But for now, Alex sat back, content in the knowledge that the foundations of his quiet revolution had been laid.
And when the time came, they would all be ready.
*One step at a time,* he thought. *The future is ours to shape.*