Chapter 23: Potter Manor

"Dang," Harry said as they finally came out of the orchand field and walked into the clearing beyond the castle. Harry had to say the castle looked a lot more imposing from the faraway view on the hill.

"Sirius," Harry asked, "there is something I wanted to talk to you about."

"What is it?"

"Well it is about the ritual when we removed the Horcrux from my scar," Harry replied as he toyed with his fingers in nervousness. Harry knew as much as he wanted to hide his deep, dark secret about the memories he gained which belonged to Voldermort, he knew he needed professional advise.

This was something way out of his field, you just don't have an evil, dark lord's memories saved and back filed in your head. There was just too many waking moments he sent thinking about what to do with it.

The only person he could really go to is Sirius, not only is he a powerful wizard, but he always has his back and cares what's best for him. If there is anyone he could trust with this, it would be him and Hermonie.

"What's wrong?" Sirius asked as his voice was tinged with a hint of worry.

"Nothing," Harry answered with a shake of his head, "It is just that I have Voldermort's memories saved inside of my head," he uttered in one quick breath.

Pausing, Sirius gazed down at him and slowly asked, "Could you repeat that again?"

"Come on," Harry said with a sigh, "you heard me, I have all of Voldermort's memories."

"Mhm, you tell me this is a good sign," he mused out loud, "I guess it shows that he hadn't taken over your mind."

"Is that all you have to say?" Harry shouted. "Just so you could know I now know how to raise the dead, summon demons, create devil contracts, do evil blood rituals, and so much more bad fucking shit."

"So," Sirius said with a shrug.

"So?" Harry repeated, not believing what he was hearing. When Harry dove into those filthy memories he quickly recoiled at all the horror and evil that he bore witness to. Voldermort was an evil wizard through and through, he deserved to die no questions asked. But Harry was tainted as well since he he carried all of it with him

"Yes, so what," Sirius said, "are you acting on those memories? Are you raising the dead summon demons, or doing evil rituals?"

"No," Harry answered, "but...."

"No buts," Sirius said with a shake of his head, "people might define magic as light and dark, but there is no such thing as that. Magic just is. It is only the intention behind the practitioner that makes magic good and bad. I am actually glad you have his memories...."

"You're what?"

"Yes, you heard me," Sirius said, "I am glad that you have that wanker's memories and knowledge. It finally gives you a fighting chance against him. I might be a fucking awesome wizard, but let's be honest I will be squashed like a bug if I ever fight him. We also know that old fucker has some hidden intentions, so we can not count on him to fight our battles for us."

"So you are telling I should use those memories to my benefit?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"Hell yeah," Sirius replied as he smacked playfully on the back. "Anyways it can't all be evil stuff there has be some good nuggets of knowledge right?"

"Yea," Harry responded as he suddenly went a bit pink in his cheeks.

Sirius must have picked up on it because all of the sudden his smile widened and he conspiratorial whispered, "oh, there must be some real good stuff you have found. Are you going to share with your old man."

"Hell no," Harry quickly replied as he clamped his mouth shut.

Just then as they were nearing the moat with the closed bridge across, Harry heard a loud, thunderous trill cry from up in the sky.

Turning his head to look up in the sky to see what made that noise, Harry nearly shit his pants once he saw the thing that passed far ahead in the clouds.

It was a monstrous thing the size of a small Boeing airline, each flap of its mightly feathered wings sent billowing gusts of wind down below. Its head resembled that of a noble eagle with prominent feathered ears and it wore a golden roman legionary helmet, its front feet where sharp gleaming talons equipped with forearm armor and sharp, metallic talon extensions.

It had luscious golden plumes on it chest and wore a breastplate with the house of his family of black, red, and grey plus their coat of arms of two griffins, a patch of red roses, and an elegant sword with wings reaching out from the back.

Its lower portion was that of a mighty lion with powerful, muscled hind legs of a lion and a twirling tail of a lion as well. Its sharp eyes where deep pools of molten gold which stared fixedly at Harry, and Harry alone.

Crying out again, the colossus size creature banked towards his direction and for a moment there Harry thought of just running and fleeing to the hills while he screamed at the top of his lungs like a little girl. But for some god damn reason, he couldn't move his feet. All he could do was stare god-smacked as the creature landed right before him creating a small earthquake.

The eagle/lion beast still gazed at him with those noble, majestic eyes and then suddenly the etiquette that Hagrid taught him last year when he brought in Hippogriff kicked in. Getting the nerve to finally walk up to the creature, Harry bowed to it from the waist while keeping his eyes staring fixedly at it.

The creature gazed at him as if weighing his worth, then finally returned his bow as it lowered its majestic head and spread its mighty wings wide until it blocked out the whole sky. Getting up at the same time, Harry inched forward with his hand outstretched and the noble creature reached out towards him until his hands were resting on its cool, golden bird beak armor.

Harry was surprised when he heard a soft rumbling purr from the beast as its tail wagged from side to side creating a mighty gust of wind that nearly sent him off his feet. Once he saw the creature's reaction all of Harry's muscles relaxed and a soft small split his face and he slowly rested his head against the creatures beck.

Finally after long moments of Harry chirping pleasantly to the creature and it crooning back at him, it finally broke away from him. Trilling to him as it spread its wings wide, Harry could somehow understand it saying to him, "see you later, human."

With that it lifted up into the air and took to the sky, Harry watched as it disappear into the mountain set behind the castle and all that was left in its wake was a single golden feather the size of his forearm that drifted to the ground. Picking it up from the air, Harry spun it around in his fingers, as he longingly gazed up at the mountain.

He could say that in those short few minutes that him and that creature made a connection, one that echoed in his bloodline.

"Isn't it a beauty?" Sirius asked as he somehow silently come up on him while he was staring up at the mountain.

"Yeah," Harry answered breathlessly, there was denying the true majesty of the creature. Collecting himself, Harry turned to face his old man and asked, "What is it anyway?"

"What didn't I tell you that your family rears Griffins!"

"Very funny," Harry said in a sarcastic tone. "I know what a Griffin is and that... that was no Griffin at all. For fuck sakes, it looks like it can go toe to toe with the most powerful, ancient Dragons, that it can eat griffins for breakfast, give that thousand-year-old basilisk I fought a run for its money, and squash a human underfoot like an ant!"

"Okay, okay, I get the similes," Sirius said as he waved his hand for him to calm down. "Oh," he added as if it was an afterthought, "language, please."

Rolling his eyes, Harry knew if ever time he got a pound where Sirius used some very creative words he would be a very rich man. Still he did not back mouth him since he knew that he was trying his best at this parenting thing.

"Alright be straight with me, what wast it. I won't deny that it is kind of similar to a Griffin, but it is just too fuk-.... too big."

"Well," Sirius said, "I wasn't lying to you when I said it was from the same breed as a Griffin. To be more exact it is a Royal Gryphon. The most powerful kind of magical beast that the Potter Family breeds."

"A Royal Gryphon," Harry repeated as if tasting the word. "How come I never heard about it?" Harry asked.

"Did you ever hear about a Kirin, or a White Tiger, maybe a Quetzalcoatl, what about a Naga?"

"Well no...." Harry slowly answered as he tried to keep up with all the magical beasts that Siriu listed out.

"Exactly," the older wizard said, "there is a big, wide world out there and you won't find everything inside a book. Only when you go out there and explore it, will you ever see all its wonders."

"Dang," Harry had to say, "that is deep. Though if told Hermonie you can not find everything inside a book, she might break down."

But Sirius had to ruin it as he puffed himself up and replied, "I know, it just who I am. A wise, savvy, and handsome man."

Shaking his head sadly, Harry decided it was best to change up the topic, "So what kind of creatures does your family rear?" 

"Dogs," Sirius answered, "lots and lots of dogs. We have Blink Dogs, Hell Hounds, Death Dogs, Shadow Mastiff, and Cerberus." 

"Cerberus?" Harry repeated as he thought back to Fluffy. Although he later found out that he was just like his namesake a fluffy furball. Still he remembered well how monstrously big he was, with those sharp gleaming teeth, those giant paws that can crush you, and those three huge heads. 

"Yeah," Sirius said with a nod, "they are our secret weapons like your family's Royal Gryphons."

Whistling out loud, Harry indicated with his head towards the closed off bridge, and asked, "Anyways how are we going to get in?"

"Oh, that?" Sirius asked, "just wave your hand towards it, and it shall respond, and magically open for you."

"Really, is that it?" Harry asked as he half-heartedly did as told. Then when it actually worked, Harry's jaws nearly dropped to the floor as the bridge slowly lowed until the way was clear.

Patting him on the back as Sirius headed into the castle, he uttered, "That is why you never doubt your awesome godfather."

"But how?" Harry asked as he quickly tried to catch up to the older wizard. He knew it was magic, but at some point, he would really love to know how it all works.

"Remember how I said you are the Master of the Castle. Well, I meant that in the literal sense, you can control everything that goes on in this land, and lowering the bridge is a very easy matter for you."

"So what else can I do as Master of the Castle?"

"Mhm with enough magic backing you up, you can rain down spellfire, create thunderstorms, levitate the castle, make labyrinths inside the castle, and even teleport it as well."

"Wow," Harry simply uttered as he had no words to describe his amazement.

"Yep," Sirius said with a nod as they passed through the portcullis, "and it isn't far from imagination since this castle sits on a leyline."

"What's a leyline?" Harry asked as he did not get to that subject in his readings.

"Mhm," Sirius said as he thought about the proper answer to give. "What's those wirey polls that the muggles have everywhere?"

"Are you talking about an electric line?"

"Yes, that it," Sirius said as he clapped his hands together. "Well leylines are exactly like that, they are conduits of magical energies that run all across the world. Once you tap into them, you have access to a butt load of magic."

"Got to say, you learn something new every day," Harry stated. "Anyhow," Harry said as they walked into the castle's courtyard. He had to say, it was a lovely place with a small grassy place right smack dab in the middle with freshly cut trees sculptures, a fountain spewing out water, and a gravel road surrounding it for cars to drive and park. Also, he had a good view of the white, and blue walls encompassing the courtyard with flags posted high above, and gargoyle statues.

"Is it safe to be here? I thought you said my grandparents passed away here from the Dragon Pox." 

"The castle has already been cleansed, Master, so there is no need to fret." 

Nearly jumping out of his skin when he heard the crisp, clean voice Harry looked around for the speaker until whoever it was that addressed him, uttered. "Down here, Master Potter." 

Turning to down at his feet, he saw a house-elf it was the filthy mistreated house-elves that he got used to seeing, but one dressed in a mini butler suit. It had white, pristine gloves, a black bow tie, sharp stern features, and a well manner attitude around him. 

"Oh, sorry," Harry said, as he held out his hand to greet the tiny creature, "I did not see you there. I guess you already know but I am Harry Potter." 

Being a little put off with the break in decorum, the house-elf still shook his head and answered back. "It is perfectly alright, Sir. I am Tobry, the chamberlain of the family. The house-elves that you sent ahead told me about your imminent arrival. I have done the task of preparing the master suite, plus I have laid out the Lordly tasks that have been neglected for too long." 

"Well meet, Tobry," Harry replied with a weak grin. Feeling like sighing, Harry just wanted to hide under a rock. Why is it that everyone wants a piece of his time, this Lordly business it too much that he had signed up for.

Once again coming to his rescue, Sirius shouted, "Tobry you old dog how are you even alive?" 

"The castle's magic sufficed," the house-elf answered, "and I still see that you still the same Master Black." 

"Ahhh, come on I know that you missed me." 

"If you are speaking about your obnoxious behavior, then no." 

"Come on, it must have been very lonely all by yourself in the castle."

Ignoring him, the house-elf turned to look up at him and asked, "Would you like a tour, Master Potter. I am sure you do not remember much of the first time you were here."

"Yea, sure," Harry said, he would love to see his ancestral home, the place his father grow up, and his father, his father, all the way to the first Potter that built this place. 

"Well," Sirius called out, 'I am going to remind you why I was always your favorite, Tobry." 

"Please don't," the house-elf said as he made his way to the large elegant front door with Harry at his heels, "and you weren't even my favorite by a long shot." 

"Ah, you are just saying that because you are shy."

"No I am not," the house-elf shouted back as both he and Harry disappeared into the great, big doors. 

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"This here is Lucius Potter —  the founder of House Potter," Tobry presented. Right now they were in the family portrait room where all Potters big or small had their pictures hanging on the wall. If there was one word to describe the castle it would be ridiculously big there had to be spatial warping magic placed here just like the Black family home since it was much bigger in the inside than the outside. 

However besides the size and the pure wealth shown about, he had to remark that it was also very homely. Unlike the Black Family home which was a cold, dreary place that put class above all else, this place looked lived in. 

Right now this Lucius Potter, his many times over great grandfather, that Tobry was showing him was a tall, slender man with steely grey eyes and a mop of messy black hair. He looked to be dressed in roman legionary armor with a Gladius at his hip and a griffin stamped on his breastplate. 

"Greetings, boy," the man in the portrait said with a nod. 

"Hello ancestor," Harry addressed the stern looking man, he wasn't even going to try and call him so many times great-grandfathers. If he did they would be here all day. 

"This is Elizabeth Potter —  Headmistress of Hogwarts."

"Hello," Harry greeted her with an incline of his head. The woman was in her late thirties, dressed in a fine gown, with black straight hair, green eyes, and a kindly smile on her face. 

"Hello to you, young one," the woman answered back.

"This is John Potter —  the creator of the Golden Snitch," one the wall was a man dressed in old quidditch equipment, who had a daring look in his eyes, and a mop of black messy hair. 

"This is Abraham Potter —  one of the first original Aurors," looking down at him was a tall, burly man, who looked to be all brawn and no brain. That is why Harry wasn't surprised when he heard a loud booming laugh come from the portrait. 

"Hahaha, we have another little Potter in the house." 

"Greeting ancestor," Harry addressed the man.

"You look too weak and scrawny, boy, eat more meat if you want to a strong like me," with that, his ancestor started posting. 

"Moving on," Tobry said, being polite enough to not shake his head to his master. "This here is John Potter, he was a second-born son that went to the Americas during the colonial period and founded a branch family there." 

Moving on and on, Tobry introduced him to more and more Potters throughout the ages. Some were great man and woman, others were more down to earth until finally at long last they reached his great-grandfather. "This is Henry Potter, the person your parents named you after." 

Turning to look at a man dressed in a fine suit with an overcoat on top and a crane in hand, Harry inclined his head and greeted, "Hello, great grandfather." 

"He was the 134th Ministry of Magic," Tobry uttered in a tone filled with pure worship. The man nodded his head stiffly to Harry and simply uttered, "You have a lot resting on your shoulder." 

Moving to the next portrait, which were his grandparents he heard so much about, Harry looked up to see two couples. 

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Royal Gryphon: https://mightandmagic.fandom.com/wiki/Imperial_griffin_(card)

https://www.wallpaperup.com/497381/Art_griffin_girl_wings_castle_flight_ruins_tower_Mountains.html

Potter Family Coat of Arms: https://www.canstockphoto.com/fantasy-design-with-gryphon-roses-and-7019347.html