Harry portkeyed back to the manor and headed to the library. He had a lot to plan out. He called for Mathis and explained about Kreacher and how he needed to be supervised. The elf assured Harry that it would be taken care of.
The files on the families who previously did business with the Potter family were thick. Harry needed a way to start meeting with these families and renegotiating contracts for House Potter without letting Dumbledore know he was doing so. He would need someone to act as his proxy or have an impossible-to-uncover disguise while he held the meetings. Heck, he probably would need both since he would be spending most of the year trapped at Hogwarts.
Pulling out everything, he resized the rest of the trunks he’d brought back and started to unpack. Setting his wand to one side, he paused, glancing to where it lay on the wood table. His wand was the one thing he always carried with him. He even slept with it when he was at the Dursleys. It never left his side. It was the perfect item to use to track someone.
Cursing, Harry rummaged through the trunk, holding the old wands, and started testing each to see which were a good match. Only two worked well, one a thin stick of Yew and the other a dark piece of what Harry thought was Mahogany or Ebony. Neither will work as an identical replacement for his wand, but he could use them until he managed to unspell his Holly wand. He knew it was ridiculous to favor the darker wand simply because the Dark Lord’s wand was Yew, but he couldn’t help his reluctance to use the Yew.
He had no idea how he was going to replace his wand if he wasn’t able to break the spells. It wasn’t like he could simply ask Fawkes for another feather and hope that he didn’t tell Dumbledore. He might be able to research wand-making while he was studying, but considering how few wand-makers there were in Magical Britain, he doubted it was something he would be able to accomplish in a few weeks. He would just have to deal with things as he got more information.
Harry spent the rest of the day trying to figure out a schedule for his studies. He needed to complete his review of the materials he’d already learned at Hogwarts and see what he needed to brush up on. He needed to research other schools and learning options should he manage to get out from under Dumbledore and declare himself independent. He should have those plans fleshed out and ready for action, just in case. It never hurt to have a few backup plans.
Harry called for Tea to bring him all the shopping catalogs in the library as well as all the books from the Hogwarts class list. He planned to spend the rest of the day organizing his schedule for the summer. He quizzed the young elf when he arrived on several things that were bothering him, such as where the clothes that were laid out for him that morning were found.
It turned out that his grandparents were rather thrifty and ordered the household to reuse everything they could. Clothes that were outgrown were repaired and sent to the attic until another Potter was able to wear them. If anything did not fit, the house elves could alter or correct the sizing and style. The same was done for all other implements and items, the old but in good repair being used before the new was purchased.
Harry asked that all the catalogs but those for bookstores be returned to the shelves and that an inventory of the storage at the Manor be done. He wanted to know what he had available to use. He also asked that two trunks of clothes in his size that the house elves thought suitable to be left in his rooms. He would enjoy destroying his old clothes from the Dursleys.
The house had a potions lab, and Harry marked off a week to relearn all his potions texts and to start on the next few year’s work as well. With eight weeks left, he marked out each week for a subject, if he finished early, he would dive deeper into the subject and try to work on several small projects that dealt with that subject. Each morning would be reviewed and studied while the afternoons would be spent working on House matters and learning what he needed to run his House smoothly.
Most of the things he was expected to learn as a proper pureblood head of the house, he simply did not have enough time to study. Horseback riding and fencing were things he would like to learn eventually but that he could put off for now. Painting, singing, and musical instruments could wait as well. Learning how to manage the estate’s holdings and books would not, however.
Most of the first week of June was already lost, so he’d have to work double time to catch up on his plans. There was just too much to do to be idle. He planned for eight weeks of study but doubted in the end it would even be possible.
Hogwarts Lesson Schedule
Week 1: Potions (projects: detecting poisons, brewing antidotes, and healing potions)
Week 2: Charms (projects: apparition, detection spells, and portkeys)
Week 3: Transfiguration (projects: animagus transformation)
Week 4: Defense Against the Dark Arts (project: Occlumency)
Week 5: Herbology/Care of Magical Creatures/Astronomy
Week 6: Healing/Dueling?
Week 7: Arithmancy/Runes
Week 8: Wrap up all projects and prepare for Hogwarts.
House Potter/Black Schedule
Week 1: Pureblood etiquette and manners.
Week 2: Prominent Family histories and genealogies.
Week 3: Wizarding Law.
Week 4: House Contracts and Blood Feuds
Week 5: Dealing with House business/ visiting properties?
Week 6: Dealing with House business/ visiting properties?
Week 7: Dealing with House business/ visiting properties?
Week 8: Dealing with House business/ visiting properties?
“Tea?” Harry called, pushing his list to the side for now.
“Yes, Master Harry?” Tea asked, popping in.
“I’m sorry to keep bothering you today, but I have a question.”
“It is no bother to Tea, Master. House elves live to serve our Masters.”
“I know the Gringotts Owls have collars that protect their owls. Does the Potter family have something similar?”
“Yes, Master Harry. Tea can bring them to you if you like?”
“Only if there is one without the Potter crest or any identifying marks on it. For now, I don’t want others to know that I’m back at the Manor until everything is ready.”
“Tea will look, Master Harry.”
A moment later, he popped in and happily handed three blank silver collars to Harry before popping away to continue inventorying the storerooms and attics of the manor. He was enjoying working with the young Master. The House had never been busier, and now, with permission to use items in the storerooms, every Potter household could be outfitted to be ready and waiting for the Master’s visit.
Harry cast several detection charms with the black wand over the collars and picked up the one most heavily spelled. He sat it along with a few other items he wanted to take back to his rooms. He had a small stack of things that he was hoping would help keep his secrets safe while he was at Hogwarts.
In the attic, he found a new trunk that was blood-warded and locked to anyone, not of the Potter bloodline. It was a multi-compartment and had several separate storage layers: one for books, one for potion supplies, a separate area for clothes, and several open areas for miscellaneous storage. Harry had a feeling the entire truck would be full of books at the rate he was going. There was just too much to learn not to take some of it with him to Hogwarts. He also had two silver bracelets that would deflect most low-level spells and a goblin-worked necklace that would hold his House ring and keep it invisible while he was at Hogwarts.
“Mathis, do you have a moment to talk?” Harry asked once he’d organized everything the best he could.
“I’m always available for the young Master. How can Mathis assist the young master?” The house elf arrived with a pop, giving Harry a small bow.
“I was told that I would need to activate the portraits here at the Manor. I hoped to discuss how to run the estates with a few of my ancestors. However, I haven’t seen any wizarding portraits in the Manor.”
“All the portraits were locked and sent to the Portrait Gallery when the grounds were sealed.”
“How would I wake them?”
“A simple tap of a wand and a command to wake should suffice, Master Harry. I will show you the way to the Gallery now if you like?”
“Yes, let’s go.” Harry agreed, gathering his wand. “Do you know if there is a wizarding portrait of my parents in the Gallery?”
“I’m afraid not. However, I noticed that you are endeavoring to learn quite a lot in the coming weeks. Master Harry may wish to use Mistress Lily’s books to speed his progress.”
“What do you mean?” Harry asked, slowly following behind the elf through the manor down hallways he’d not walked yet.
“Mistress Lily was quite skilled in charms and potions. She crafted many tools, and the books are one such item. They place the reader into a trance or light sleep and impart the knowledge during the sleep. The Mistress had plans to sell her creations to a local school but never managed to do so.”
“Thank you for telling me about this, Mathis. Can you take the books to my rooms later so I can use them?”
“Of course, Master Harry. Here is the Gallery.”
The Portrait Gallery was a massive, long hallway-like room with walls covered in portraits of every shape and size. Some were massive, filling the space from floor to ceiling, while others were barely a foot square. The sheer number was overwhelming.
“Who would you recommend me awakening, Mathis? I still haven’t researched the Potter Genealogy yet.”
“I would recommend activating your Grandfather, Charlus Potter, and your Grandmother, Dorea Potter Black. Beyond that, it is up to the Master.”
“Did Grandfather or James have many portraits activated?”
“Your grandfather, Master Charlus, left most of the portraits inactive since many had other frames that they could visit. Your father, James, never lived at the Manor once Master Charlus passed away. Master James and Mistress Lily stayed in a small cottage they had been gifted with shortly after the marriage instead. He never returned to claim the wards or to gather any belongings once the wards were sealed.”
“They stayed at Godric's Hollow?”
“Yes, Master Harry.”
“Do you know who gave it to them?”
“No, Master Harry. I am ashamed to say I do not know.”
“It’s fine, Mathis. Maybe Grandfather will know, or it might still be in the paperwork I’m reviewing.” Harry said with a small sigh, with the way things were going, James had been prevented from returning in some way by Dumbledore.
It felt disrespectful to call the man by his first name, even in his head, but he had never been a father to Harry that he could remember. He had never even seen any pictures of him or his mother beyond the handful of photos Hagrid had given him. He only had the constant reminder that he looked exactly like him except for his mother’s eyes.
Glancing up at the portraits, he could at least see that dark black, often unruly hair was a constant in the family. Charlus himself wore his long and tied back with a dark strip of leather or ribbon. In his oldest portrait, his hair was a sleek cap of salt and pepper. Dorea, however, was a small woman with long black locks that only silvered at the temple as she aged. The final portrait of them was a large one with the two seated, holding hands. They looked stern but happy.
Harry tapped the portrait, “I am Harry Potter, Head of House Potter, and I ask you to wake.” The couple immediately blinked and slowly began to shift like they were under a slowing spell. Harry took a few steps back and settled in to wait as they slowly came back to awareness.
“My goodness, I feel stiff. Why were we left inactive for so long?” Dorea asked, glancing around and locking her gaze on Harry. “You are not our son, James.”
“No, Grandmother, if I may call you that. I’m Harry Potter, James’ son.”
“The last thing I remember was the Manor being placed in lockdown and James leaving. Is everything well?” Charlus asked, glancing around the room.
“The Manor is fine. My parents died on October 31, 1981, in an attack by the Dark Lord.” Harry started, only to be interrupted.
“Surely you haven’t been here all this time and are only now activating our portrait, Young Man?”
“No, ma'am,” Harry said with a sigh. “I was given to my mother’s sister to raise. I lived with muggles until I found out about my inheritance a few days ago. Headmaster Dumbledore was made my magical guardian.”
“And are you yet another blind follower of his? James and Lily were much too trusting of the man.” Charlus asked, his face a stony mask.
“No, sir. The goblins are helping me investigate the misuse of my vaults and finances under his care. I have evidence that he used illegal spells and potions on me in an attempt to make me more biddable and loyal to him.” Harry said, biting back the bitter comments that he wanted to voice. He would need to see just how far he could trust his grandparents before he told them everything.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
“I think you need to explain everything, child,” Dorea said, placing a hand on Charlus’ arm to stop him from continuing.
“Yes, ma'am.” Harry agreed with a sigh.
Pulling out his wand, he conjured a basic chair and settled in to explain what had been happening since their deaths. At some point, Tea popped in with a tea set and a tray of sandwiches for Harry to eat, as it was well past dinner at this point.
“One thing before we let you head to bed, Harry. Is the Manor still locked down?” Charlus asked.
“Yes, as are the Black estates. I’m the only one besides the Potter house elves who has access right now”
“Then we are safe to continue this talk tomorrow. Go to bed, Son, and in the morning, we will discuss what needs the most attention.”
“Good night, Grandfather Charlus and Grandmother Dorea,” Harry said, giving them a small bow.
“You as well, Harry.”
Harry trudged to his room; it had been a very long and stressful day with no sign of any of it letting up anytime soon. He glanced at the trunks set to one side and pulled out the silver collar for Hedwig before he forgot. He explained what it was to his owl before carefully clasping the metal around her neck. After several minutes of petting and a few owl treats, he went to change into his pajamas and slid into bed.
The next morning, Harry was up with the sun as always. Too many years of having to be up early to make breakfast for the Dursleys prevented him from ever really sleeping in. He sorted through the clothes the house elves had delivered and was happy to see that everything he tried on seemed to be a perfect fit. Pulling on his chosen outfit, he headed down the stairs towards breakfast. The portraits were waiting on him in a large landscape across from the table.
He murmured a greeting to the pair before taking his seat. Thanking the elf once the last food was floated in from the kitchen, Harry carefully tucked into his breakfast, not wanting to have bad manners in front of his grandparents, even if they were only portraits.
“What plans do you have for the rest of the day, Harry?”
“I want to work in the study next to my rooms today. I need to try and get through most of the financial documentation or at least get it organized. I’m meeting with the Potter lawyers tomorrow, and I need to have a good idea of what they need to assist me with.”
“I can help a bit with that, Son,” Charlus said, heading out of the frame. “I’ll head that way and see you when you’re done.”
“Thank you, Grandfather,” Harry said just as a pop announced the arrival of a house elf with the morning’s mail.
“Thank you, Zip,” Harry said, taking the offered stack of parchment and the newspaper.
“Master is most welcome.” Zip with a bow before he popped out.
“You are aware, Harry, that you do not need to thank a house elf for their service? Some Houses would look down upon you for doing so.”
“I am aware of that, Grandmother, and if I was with others outside of the family, I would not, but I’ve been the house elf myself for too many years to not appreciate what they do.”
“I have no issue with your actions, Harry. I just wanted to make sure you were aware that it’s not a common practice. Your mother was the same way, always trying to thank those around her for their hard work. I think, eventually, she might have become a teacher if she could have been dragged away from her work with Dumbledore. Charlus never approved of how James wanted to live off the estate. I’m sure he funded much of Dumbledore’s schemes before his death.”
“So, neither of my parents worked once they left school?”
“Not as I would count it. They worked for Dumbledore and his Order. They were young and determined to change the world. Not long after they graduated, the wards were locked, and we were spelled to sleep, they may have changed, it is hard to say.”
“Will you be coming to the study, Grandmother Dorea?” Harry asked politely as he stood.
“No, I will stay here for now and chat with Mathis. I want to see how the household is doing. I will come to see the two of you in a while.”
“Very well. Enjoy the morning, Grandmother.”
“You as well, Harry," she said with a warm smile. Harry heard her calling for Mathis as he left the room.
Harry made his way to the study, detouring to the library to gather the needed trunks and the papers he’d already been working with. He spent the rest of the day reviewing the Potter holdings and having Charlus show him where the various ledgers and documents he needed were located. After a quick lunch, he laid out the lawyer’s portfolios that had been delivered by owl that morning and started to take notes on which lawyers he wished to meet with.
It was almost certain that the Potter lawyers were in Dumbledore’s pocket. The main lawyer was ancient, even by wizarding standards, and most of the accounts were taken over by his younger partner and son. His son never swore loyalty to the Potter family. The bank had evidence of several transfers from the Potter accounts to the man’s personal vault, which only added to his corruption.
Harry decided to simply move all his business to new lawyers who could be bound to the family. He wrote Gold Kris a letter listing out the lawyers he wished to meet and a few other matters he wanted to discuss with his account manager. He sent it off with Hedwig when he put everything away for dinner. Wandering into the smaller formal dining area, he noted his grandparents watching as the elves laid out several small dishes for his enjoyment.
“Good evening, Grandmother Dorea and Grandfather Charlus,” Harry said, smiling at them and taking a seat.
“Was your day productive, Harry?”
“Very, Grandfather. I’ve been reviewing the wards and the Potter holdings.”
“You should explore the grounds when you have time, Harry. The ritual areas will need to be cleared and cleansed if you wish to celebrate the holidays once you return during the holidays.”
“Ritual areas?” Harry asked uncertainly. Wasn’t most ritual magic banned in Great Britain?
“Did you not learn of the Wheel of the Year and the holidays celebrated alongside Christmas and the more modern holidays? Most older Houses still celebrate a traditional Yule, Litha, Mabon, Samhain, and Ostara. The other rites are not celebrated as openly with the stain the dark holidays have earned from Grindelwald. Even Samhain is barely acknowledged beyond a small nod to our ancestors.”
“There is a standing stone circle on the hill behind Potter Manor that was in use until the last war with Grindelwald.”
“I thought blood magic and rituals are banned in Great Britain?”
“Nonsense, while Dumbledore has removed classes from Hogwarts, the laws have not been changed in our time. They may have changed since, but it would be a cold day in Hell when the old traditionalists allow the Ministry to ban our heritage and the most powerful healing spells and rituals known over a few drops of willingly given blood.”
“I looked into blood wards when I overheard Dumbledore mention them around Privet Drive. The restricted section at Hogwarts only had a handful of books. The blood wards have to be anchored to a property or a person; they are fueled by the family magics. I’m assuming that Dumbledore thinks my mother set blood wards using her blood, and so they need her sister to support the wards. He said that her death was what kept me alive, but that is utter tripe. If it was true, then hundreds of mothers would have saved their children from the curse.”
“Are the wards still active?” Dorea asked, glancing at Charlus.
“They never activated at all. I carry my mother’s blessing and a runic protection over my heart carved into the bone, “Harry said, ghosting a hand over his sternum, “my blood and magic powers the protections. All Dumbledore did was try to move the ward from my body to the house, which failed. There aren’t any wards beyond a few basic protections thrown up to keep those with ill intentions from approaching the property. Pity that did nothing for those who already lived there.”
“You are never going back there.” Dorea said forcefully, “Set those memories behind you. On to better things, have you studied the seasonal rituals at all?”
“No, I will add it to my research schedule.” Harry said, making a mental note tiredly, “Is there a reason religion and rituals aren’t included in the culture and etiquette books?”
“Because it is a family and House practice. Dedicating yourself to a god or goddess and a faction is a private matter. Houses have specific rituals and tools that are passed down through the generations. The Potter grimoire should have a section on the House Rituals; the Black family kept their own rituals as well, though they are more Dark inclined.”
“You can dedicate yourself to a god or faction of magic?”
“Dedication to the god or goddess of a House or faction of magic is the core of most ritual practice. All magicals have a core leaning towards either Light or Dark. The rarest core is a true, neutral grey core. Some spells can be cast to view your core and identify if you have been blessed by any of the gods or goddesses. It has been centuries, however, since anyone was blessed as such.”
“Let me guess, such a blessing means you are destined for great things?” Harry asked deadpan, “Bet you a gallon I’ve got at least one and a grey core to boot.”
“Do not borrow trouble before it arrives.” Charlus commanded, “Having a grey core is a welcome boon, it means you are capable of all magics, light and dark, without the necessary effort most of us have to use to force our spells into the correct alignment for casting.”
“Is it impolite to ask a person’s core alinement?”
“Extremely,” Dorea said, giving him a firm glance, “however, among family in private, it can be discussed. I had a core close to neutral, however still leaning dark. I was able to cast most dark and light spells however, the truly hard and powerful spells were beyond my grasp when it came to light spells.”
“I had a light core leaning towards neutral as well,” Charlus said, giving Dorea a loving smile, “I always believed that is why we were so well matched when it came to magic. We evened each other’s abilities out.”
“Considering your abilities, you have a grey core at minimum. We can confirm it later. However, it was believed that Salazar Slytherin was a grey core as well.” Dorea pointed out, “Parseltongue is a Dark gift.”
“Are you using dark and light differently than how the Ministry labels it? Magic is magic; I didn’t think the dark and light labels meant anything beyond the Ministry trying to prevent people from killing each other.”
“The Ministry twisted the meaning of the terms to use them against the Dark faction and to control those they deemed damaging to society. Part of it was originally to protect everyone from the darker, addictive damaging spells however, after Grindelwald, they banned categories of magic wholesale and suppressed the teaching and dissemination of knowledge within Britain.”
“So they prevent the books and spells from being published in the country. Is owning the books a problem?”
“Only if you are caught with them and accused of another crime, however, that may have changed in the last ten years. You need to review how your votes and proxies in the Wizengamot have been used. Dumbledore has been using the Black seat since Sirius was imprisoned.”
“And since he is technically my guardian, he would have free rein to use the Potter seats as well,” Harry muttered angrily, making a note to request copies of the laws and votes from the last twenty years from his lawyers. “So the Light and Dark are more religion than forced inclination?”
“While you do have those who stoutly follow their family teachings and faction, Dark and Light are cultural. We all follow the same religion in the British magical community however, the way Dark is treated by many no longer follows.”
“The Weasleys and Dumbledore’s followers seem determined to paint every Slytherin and Dark follower as a deatheater. Ignoring the fact that several deatheaters are known as Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. I don’t know of any Hufflepuffs, but there has to be a few that went undiscovered.” Harry pointed out with a snort.
“It has become a common view in those who follow Dumbledore and the Light.” Charlus agreed, “The more traditional Houses remember and pass on our history however, the Modernist faction among the light have forgotten our past and actively work to suppress magical rituals and our religion.”
“Getting back to rituals, is there one this summer?”
“Litha at the end of June, the summer solstice and the celebration of the balance between light and dark, and Lughnasa at the end of July to celebrate the harvest and turning of the season to autumn.”
“I’ll probably be back at the Weasley’s for the end of August before we go back to Hogwarts on the thirty-first.”
“Mabon is the end of September, the ritual of thanksgiving and a blessing of the land for the coming winter. You may wish to hold a solitary ritual of remembrance on Samhain for your parents and those lost in the war, few would argue over such a mild ritual even with the use of rituals in decline.”
“I will have to read up on the rituals more. It may be nice to try and hold a few during the holidays or this coming summer.” Harry murmured, contemplating actually having a home to return to during the summer.
“The Potters worship the Greek Gods however, while the names may vary per House, the god or goddess below the surface are the same no matter the name. There is only one god or goddess of fire, one god or goddess over magic, and one god or goddess of the ocean, no matter what they are called. Some of the followers of the Dark keep back part of a meal each day to offer to magic and their goddess, Hecate, as thanks for magic and her support. Those of the Light once worshiped Clytius in the same manner however, that has fallen out of fashion.”
“Have the light abandoned the seasonal rituals overall? I know Dumbledore completely ignores them at Hogwarts by supporting all the muggle holidays.”
“If they do still practice, it is only in private. The stigma of rituals and blood magic is too dark following Grindelwald. He poisoned many against the dark with his attacks. Your father refused to participate in the rituals once he came of age. However, Lily was fascinated with the practice.”
“Even the Dark Lord, before he fell into insanity, wished to continue the rituals and traditions of returning magic to the land. He believed their removal was partly to blame for the rise of squib births.”
“When did his goals change?” Harry asked, “He wasn’t always violent and against muggles, was he? Even in school, he seemed determined to see the muggleborn separated from the wizarding world and the muggle world completely. Even violently if necessary to keep the statute of secrecy.”
“No, at first, he simply wanted a complete separation from the non-magical communities. Those who practiced the Dark traditions flocked to him as he was the only one espousing their continuation.” Charlus said, glancing at Dorea and sharing a sad smile, “He was once a powerful force for the traditionalists, espousing teaching all magics and the proper techniques to prevent addiction to the more powerful spells and rituals.”
“It can be prevented?” Harry asked, feeling confused, it was stated over and over again in Defense Against the Dark Arts that Dark magics are addictive and cause mental and physical changes if used more than a handful of times.
“There are purging rituals and potions that purge the build-up of dark magic within the body. Since the rituals were repressed, we have seen the rise of more insanity and instability in the Dark Houses. Hogwarts has its ritual areas that used to be open to all who wanted to attend the events. It was more like a festival than a private ritual then. Some small areas may still be available if you are willing to search the grounds. However, I suspect Dumbledore has hidden all the sanctified stone circles.”
“Why would the Houses forget the rituals? They should know how to do the rituals if they were raised with the rituals.”
“That is what makes no sense, it is like someone is removing the knowledge itself instead of simply repressing the books and teachings,” Charlus said, wrapping an arm around Dorea, she knew such spell-casting better than he.
“Is that possible?”
“Possible, yes. Easy, no. It would be a massive ritual to power and maintain. The amount of magic necessary even to just affect England would be enormous.” Dorea said, frowning in thought. “Such a ritual would easily kill even a modest-sized coven and power it past a single generation…”
“A moment, you said the Dark Lord was pressing for control even when he was in school? You know who he was?” Charlus asked in concern.
“Yes, the Dark Lord Voldemort was born as Thomas Marvolo Riddle, a half-blood related to the Gaunts.”
“How in the world did you learn that? The Dark Lord never revealed his beginnings no matter who challenged him.” Dorea said with a gasp.
“His diary was trying to use Ginny Weasley to reincarnate himself. I spoke with him twice.” Harry said, pulling out his wand and writing out Tom Marvolo Riddle and rearranging the letters to show Lord Voldemort. “He created his persona when he started his campaign to change the laws. Dumbledore confirmed the information when I spoke with him afterward.”
“A half-blood dark lord, that is a surprise.”
“Why is his parentage in question?” Harry asked, setting aside the notebook he’d started making notes into.
“Are you aware of what the title Dark Lord truly means?”
“I thought it meant he was in control of the Dark side of those in power. I take it that isn’t correct?”
“You aren’t exactly wrong however, it is more complicated than that. Balance in magic is everything. When there is an imbalance in power and use of magic, the gods themselves nominate a Lord to both the Light and the Dark to maintain the balance. It has been centuries since a Lord of Magic was confirmed. Many hoped the Dark Lord would be confirmed as a true Lord of Magic, however, if it was done, it was never spoken of in public.”
“And the Grey Lord?” Harry asked, slumping, “Has there ever been a Lord to stand between the Dark and Light?”
“I have never read of it. However, that does not mean it isn’t impossible,” Dorea said quietly, watching Harry as he gazed up at their portrait. “Nothing is impossible when it comes to magic. The Lord of Light and Lord of Dark have not been proclaimed openly since the times of Merlin. Given you are the recipient of two known prophecies, perhaps the gods decided a third party was necessary given that the first war lasted eleven years, and now it has restarted yet again after fourteen years of quiet. Perhaps it is time for a different option for magic to rise and support.”
“The Minister himself saw the Dark Lord resurrected this year, and nothing has been said. They are refusing to prepare for a return of the war.”
“The Dark Lord’s army is also silent; there are no reports of attacks on the muggles or the wizarding community.”
“I just want to be left alone to live my life without everyone expecting me to save them.”
“Who said you have to do anything for the public?”
“Everyone at school and in the media expects The Boy Who Lived to come in and save them. To defeat the Dark Lord once again.” Harry said bitterly.
“Leave the war to the adults for now.” Charlus said firmly, “If you wish to fight, you may do so on your seventeenth birthday, until then, do what you can to stay out of it.”
“It isn’t like I deliberately threw myself into any of the battles I’ve fought. Dumbledore potioned and spelled me, casting compulsions to make me seek out the Mirror of Erised, and the Dark Lord himself made sure I was entered into the Tri-Wizard Tournament.”
“And now that your mind is clear, what do you want to do?”
“Learn more about the magical world,” Harry said, eyes shining with passion, “I want to travel and see all the magical cultures and versions of magic there are. I want to learn everything. Light, dark, grey, and every possible version of magic, I want it all.”
“Then that is what you will do.” Charlus said firmly, “We will plan for both options, for a life on the run from two Lords of Magic and for a life where you can ignore them.”
“Are there books about the first war and the Dark Lord’s original aims?”
“Not here, however, the Black Manor Library would have them. Have you visited yet?” Dorea asked.
“No, I only took over the wards at Grimmauld Place, I doubt I’m going to get there this year. There are just too many other things to deal with.”
“Then spend a few days traveling and claiming the wards and any waiting house elves. Once that is done, you can send an elf to find the books you require.”