Founding Flame
In the small town of Little Whinging, Surrey, there sat a modest house on Privet Drive—Number 4, to be precise. It was home to the Dursley family: Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, their son Dudley, and a boy named Harry.
Harry had always sensed he was different, that there were aspects of himself not quite right. Then, on his 11th birthday, he discovered he was a wizard. Yet, this revelation didn't grant him the freedom he longed for; he was still forced back to the Dursleys each year.
His early years at Hogwarts were far from ideal, facing two different versions of the man who killed his parents and confronting dementors hunting his godfather. Despite the challenges, Harry hoped for a different year, a chance to be just Harry Potter, not the "boy who lived."
Unbeknownst to him, on the verge of his 14th birthday, something within Harry changed. As he slept that night, a wave of magic surged from Number 4, Privet Drive, as he embraced his inheritance. Waking to intense pain and energy coursing through him, Harry had thought he was on fire. He closed his eyes, wishing to be somewhere safe, and then he passed out.
Upon regaining consciousness, he heard unfamiliar voices speaking Bulgarian.
"Как се озова тук?" ("How did he get here?") someone questioned. Harry felt a hand on him followed by a muttered "Ай ли!" ("Ouch!") Harry then experienced relief as he cooled off, as if this man used a cooling charm on him. Harry then got picked up and held close, he heard a soft whisper, "Моят сродна душа, сега си на безопасно място" ("My kindred soul, you are safe now"). Cradled in strong arms, Harry was surrounded by a captivating scent—robust cedar grounding him, subtle smoky allure adding a layer of wildness, and whispers of wild sage bringing a touch of magic. In this aromatic embrace, he felt transported to a realm where the mundane met the mystical, leaving him comforted and with the odd sensation that he was safe.
"Викторе, ти ли си там?" (Viktor is that you?) Harry heard a woman's voice, this time it was older but soft and sweet. A mother, no doubt. "Да, мамо, аз съм. Имам нужда от помощ." (Yes, Mom, it's me. I need help.) The man’s chest rumbles as he calls out to the woman. Harry, barely able to lift his head, sees the house lit up and a woman in an apron looking worried, kinda reminded him of Mrs. Weasley. "Какво стана?" (What happened?) The woman spoke again, sounding concerned, maybe. She reached out for the man as they approached. "Ами, не знам, мамо. Просто го намерих така." (Well, I don't know, Mom. Just found him like this.) The man responds in a more casual tone. "И кой е този младеж?" (And who's this young man?) The woman asks, still worried. "Не знам. Просто го намерих." (I don't know. Just found him.) He shrugs a bit, The man shifts Harry in his arms "Добре, доведи го в къщата." (Alright, bring him into the house.) The woman gestures for them to enter as she turns to head inside. The man follows suit Harry still in his arms. The home is quaint and small and Harry is gently placed on a couch though there's something tugging at his insides making him not want to be let go. But he didn't make a fuss. He felt too heavy and too tired. Like whatever happened to him sapped all his energy. “И защо беше толкова късно?” (And why were you out so late?) The pair’s conversation continued in the background as Harry lay there on the couch, his eyes closed once again before he was out like a light.
Harry slowly opened his eyes, the room around him unfamiliar yet strangely comforting. He noticed the man, who had stayed close and, judging by the awkward angle of his slouched body, ended up falling asleep in a chair nearby. Feeling a sense of gratitude for the protection the man had offered, Harry carefully pulled the blanket that the man had probably given him the night before and covered him.
As Harry glanced around the room, a soft voice, thick with an Eastern European accent, broke
the silence. "Yoo hungry?" the woman asked, her eyes kind and inviting.
Harry, still adjusting to the new surroundings, managed a small nod. The scent of something delicious wafted through the air, making his stomach growl in response. His face flushed a slight pink in embarrassment “Uhm… yes please…” The woman smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she gestured for the boy to come over to the table. A feast awaited him—a bowl of kiselo mlyako adorned with all sorts of delightful toppings, a plate of warm bread drizzled with honey, and a generous serving of scrambled eggs. Harry's eyes went wide. Did this lady expect him to eat all of this?
She chuckled, understanding his surprise, and patted the chair. "Eat, eat. Yoo need strength." Her thick Eastern European accent added a charming cadence to her words.
Harry obediently took a seat, his eyes flickering between the array of dishes laid out before him. He couldn't help but marvel at the richness of flavors and the care evident in every detail.
As he savored the first bite of the warm bread, the woman spoke, "I am Mamo Krum. Yoo call me Mamo. This is your breakfast. Good for yoo." She nodded proudly as he seemed to enjoy her cooking. As Harry eagerly devoured the hearty meal set before him, Viktor's mother, with her Eastern European accent, inquired between bites, "Yoo hungry, da?" She smiled warmly, her eyes curious.
He nodded appreciatively, mouth full. She chuckled and continued, "Good, good. What is yoor name?” Swallowing, Harry managed a reply, "It's Harry. Harry Potter." "Ah, Harry! Nice name. How you end up in voods, all alone?" Her words flowed with a musicality, softening the edges of each syllable. Harry hesitated, unsure of how much to share. "I... I'm not sure. I was at home, and then..." He trailed off, searching for the right words. Mamo nodded understandingly. "Strange night, da? You safe here. We take care of you."
Grumbling could be heard from where the man had been sleeping "Студено е тук... чудно кресло... мама, не заспивай вече," he grumbled, his tone a symphony of grogginess and discontent. ("It's cold here... strange chair... mom, don't fall asleep already.") Mamo looked over at the aching man, a hearty laugh escaped her lips as she observed the man's groggy state. "Това ти е заради, че не слушаш майка си! Казах ти да спиш в леглото си! Момчето ще е добре достатъчно дълго за теб да спиш както следва," she teased, her laughter echoing through the room. (That's what you get for not listening to your mother! I told you to sleep in your bed! The boy would be fine long enough for you to sleep properly)
The man, rubbed his eyes, managed a half-smile. "Майка, не трябваше ли аз да взема дърва?"(Mom, didn't I need to get firewood?)
Mamo waved a dismissive hand. "Дървата ще изчакат. Този момент е по-важен." (The firewood can wait. This moment is more important.)
Mamo Krum, still chuckling at the man's morning grumbles, turned her attention to Harry, who was quietly enjoying his breakfast. "Viktor," she said, gesturing towards Harry, "meet Harry. Harry, this is my son, Viktor. He found you last night in the voods." Viktor, now fully awake and with a warm smile, extended a hand to Harry. "Здравей, Harry. Velcome to our home." (Hello, Harry. Welcome to our home.) Harry, feeling a bit more at ease, shook Viktor's hand. "Thanks for... well, finding me and all." Mamo beamed at the exchange. "Goot, goot. Now, you both eat. Ve have much to talk about." Harry Looked at Mamo and then asked “Like what? I don't really know what happened. One minute I was trying to fall asleep…. Next thing I know I feel like I'm on fire and then… I think I passed out? I'm not sure because then I found myself here. And uh Viktor saved me i guess…” Mamo tilts her head. “Anything special about yesterday?” She wondered what could have caused such an incident.
“Uhm.. I guess I turned 14 last night but I doubt that's important….”
Mamo almost shoots up “Not Important?! Yoo must have inherited no?”
“Inherited? What does that mean?”
“It means yoo get power from being heir to house and sometimes inherit traits of ancestors, specifically creatures in your ancestry.”
“Well… I don't really know anything about my family… my parents died when I was a baby…” Harry slumped a bit in his seat. “I was raised by my-" Harry paused, choosing his words carefully. “My aunt and uncle… they don't have magic… they're not magical at all. Far from it, really…” Harry mumbled the last part.
Mamo’s lips became terse. “You vizard. Yoo should have vizard guardian, no?” she asked as she pushed another piece of warm bread to Harry.
Harry shrugged as he ate another piece of bread, making sure not to speak with his mouth full. “I mean, I guess so…”
“Who took yoo to visarding things?” Viktor asked as he looked at the younger boy.
“Uh, like when I first found out I was a wizard? Hagrid. He was the groundskeeper then, but he's a professor now.”
Certainly! Here's an extension of the conversation:
Mamo’s lips became terse. “You vizard. Yoo should have vizard guardian, no?” she asked as she pushed another piece of warm bread to Harry.
Harry shrugged as he ate another piece of bread, making sure not to speak with his mouth full. “I mean, I guess so…”
Viktor leaned forward, his expression curious. “Who took yoo to visarding things?”
“Uh, like when I first found out I was a wizard? Hagrid. He was the groundskeeper then, but he's a professor now.”
Mamo sighed, her patience wearing thin. “Yoo didn't even know you vere a vizard? Vhat kind of vamily lets their child grow up not knowing?” She shook her head, a mixture of frustration and concern etched on her face.
Harry looked down, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious. “I was raised by non-magic folk....”
Mamo's expression softened, and she spoke with a motherly sternness, "If they knew you were a wizard, they should have said. No excuse." She continued to watch Harry, her eyes reflecting a mix of compassion and reproach. Harry rubbed the back of his head nervously, the weight of the revelation settling in. Finally, he admitted, "They were... the magic-hating kind of people."
Mamo's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and horror crossing her face. She struggled to find words for a moment, then spoke with a firm resolve, "No vizard should grow up in such vay. No vizard should be made to feel ashamed of their gift. Magic is a gift, not a curse."
Her gaze softened as she looked at Harry, recognizing the weight of his past. "Yoo are safe here, Harry. Yoo vill not be judged for being vizard. Here, yoo are family."
Harry, though still wary of how others perceived his magical abilities, felt a sense of warmth in Mamo's words. He nodded appreciatively, grateful for the acceptance he found in this unexpected place. Harry's mind buzzed with a mix of conflicting thoughts and emotions. As the warmth of acceptance enveloped him, he couldn't shake the realization that, despite the comfort he found here, he had obligations elsewhere. He had Hogwarts to attend, especially considering today was his his birthday, and he still needed to shop for school supplies and No doubt Dumbledore will want harry back at the Dursleys not here where it felt warm and safe. .
A shadow crossed Harry's face as he considered the inevitable return to Privet Drive, the Dursleys, and a life far removed from the magical world he felt more connected to with each passing moment. He knew that once the school term ended, he'd be forced back to the Dursleys, a prospect that filled him with a sense of dread.
Mamo noticed the change in Harry's demeanor and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Vhat troubles yoo, Harry?"
Harry sighed, torn between the newfound warmth of this unexpected haven and the looming obligations he couldn't escape. "I appreciate everything you've done for me, but I have to go back. I have school, and... things I can't avoid."
Mamo's expression softened with understanding. "Yoo go vhere yoo must, but remember, our home is always open to yoo. Yoo are family now."
Meanwhile, Viktor, who had been observing the interaction, felt an unexpected surge of protectiveness toward Harry. It was as if an invisible tether connected them, and the thought of Harry leaving stirred something deep within him. A possessiveness he couldn't quite comprehend.
As Viktor grappled with this sudden surge of emotion, Mamo, sensing her son's inner turmoil, didn't hesitate to intervene. She reached over and smacked Viktor upside the head, a classic motherly move to get his attention.
"Виктор! Не претоварвай момчето с нещата за сродната връзка. Той има много да разбере, и не е честно да го обременяваме с всичко наведнъж." ("Viktor! Do not overwhelm the boy with soulmate stuff. He has much to understand, and it is not fair to burden him with everything at once.") Mamo's tone was both scolding and affectionate.
Viktor, rubbing the back of his head, shot his mother a sheepish look. "Съжалявам, мамо. Просто... чувам нещо. Нещо силно." ("Sorry, Mamo. It's just... I feel something. Something strong.")
Mamo sighed, her eyes filled with a knowing look. "Ти усещаш връзката. Тя е там, но не е време да разкриваме всичко. Позволи му да продължи по своя път за сега. Ние ще му помогнем по начини, които той разбира." ("You feel the bond. It is there, but it is not time to reveal everything. Let him go his way for now. We will help him in ways he understands.")
Viktor nodded, the protective instinct still lingering. He glanced at Harry, who seemed caught between confusion and curiosity. Viktor made a silent promise to himself that he would not let Harry be hurt.
As Harry sat there, the weight of his impending return to the Dursleys pressed heavily on his mind. The comfort and acceptance he found in Mamo and Viktor's home felt worlds away from the cold reality awaiting him at Privet Drive. A sense of unease settled in as he contemplated the challenges ahead.
"Oh, Merlin," Harry thought, his mind racing. "How am I going to get back to the Dursleys? They're going to be furious. They won't even want to drop me off at King's Cross. What am I going to do?"
The unfamiliar surroundings only intensified his apprehension. The warmth of the Krum household felt like a fleeting refuge, and the thought of returning to the Dursleys, who had never shown him anything resembling kindness, filled him with a deep sense of dread.
As he grappled with the impending reality, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that he was caught between two worlds, each pulling him in a different direction. The magical haven that opened its doors to him and the mundane, harsh reality that awaited him at Privet Drive clashed in his mind, creating a sense of inner turmoil.
In the midst of his thoughts, Mamo noticed the shift in Harry's demeanor. Sensing his distress, she approached him with a reassuring smile. "Не се тревожи, Хари. We vill find a vay to help yoo. Yoo are not alone." ("Don't worry, Harry. We will find a way to help you. You are not alone.")
In the quiet morning of the Krum household, the door creaked open, announcing the entrance of Mr. Krum. He greeted his wife with a warm "Добро утро, Мария" (Good morning, Maria), his voice carrying the familiarity of a shared life.
Mamo smiled in return, responding with a gentle "Добро утро, Георги" (Good morning, Georgi), her eyes reflecting the affection between them.
As Georgi made his way further into the room, he turned his attention to Viktor, who was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Какво правиш, сине?" (What are you doing, son?) he inquired, a fatherly concern etched on his face.
Viktor, slightly embarrassed at being caught in his morning stupor, replied with a sheepish grin, "Само се събуждам, татко" (Just waking up, Dad).
Georgi chuckled, ruffling Viktor's hair affectionately. "Добре, добре. Нещо интересно днес?" (Alright, alright. Anything interesting today?)
Viktor shrugged, still waking up fully. "Нищо особено. Просто е нов ден" (Nothing special. Just a new day).
The routine morning exchange continued until Georgi's gaze fell upon Harry, who had been quietly observing the interaction. The sight of an unexpected guest nearly caused him to choke on his coffee, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Не осъзнахме, че имаме гост!" (I did not realize we have a guest!)
Mamo, always quick to smooth things over, chuckled at her husband's reaction. "Георги, това е Хари. Той беше в гората миналата нощ" (Georgi, this is Harry. He was in the woods last night).
Georgi, recovering from his initial surprise, extended a hand toward Harry with a friendly smile. "Приятно ми е, Хари. Добре дошъл в нашия дом" (Nice to meet you, Harry. Welcome to our home).
Mamo continued the introductions, "Георги, това е нашият гост. Аз го намерих в гората миналата нощ" (Georgi, this is our guest. I found him in the woods last night).
Georgi, now fully composed, nodded warmly at Harry. "Добре дошъл, Хари. Надявам се, че си се чувствал у добре при нас" (Welcome, Harry. I hope you felt well with us).
Mamo, noticing the language transition, playfully smacked Georgi's arm and teased, "English, Georgi."
Georgi grinned, realizing his oversight, and repeated his greeting in English. "Nice to meet you, Harry. Welcome to our home."
Georgi, still smiling. "So, Harry, vhat brings you to our part of the voods? Not your usual stomping grounds, I vould say."
Harry, feeling a bit more at ease, tried to match the accented English. "Uh, yeah. I wasn't exactly planning a trip to the woods last night. Just... ended up here."
Viktor, curious about the details, leaned in. "Vhat happened? How did you find yourself in the voods?"
Harry hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's a bit strange, really. I felt like I was on fire, and then I passed out. Next thing I know, I'm here."
Mamo, ever the nurturing presence, chimed in, "Vell, yoo are safe here. No fire, just warm bread and good company." She chuckled at her own play on words.
Georgi, intrigued by the peculiar circumstances, raised an eyebrow. "On fire, you say? That's not something you hear every day. Any idea vhat might have caused it?"
Harry scratched his head, recalling the intense sensation. "Not a clue. It was like... magic, but different. I've never felt anything like it."
Viktor, pondering the possibilities, mused, "Perhaps some sort of magical inheritance? It's not uncommon for vizards to discover latent powers as they grow older."
Harry's eyes widened at the suggestion. "Inheritance? Like from my family?"
Georgi nodded. "Da, da. It could be. Sometimes magic likes to make its presence known in unexpected vays."
Harry's attention wandered as the conversation flowed between Bulgarian and English. He absentmindedly reached for a spoon to dig into the delicious kiselo mlyako. However, as he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the polished surface of the spoon, his eyes widened, and the spoon slipped from his grasp, clattering against the plate. Startled, he practically jumped out of his seat.
Mamo, concerned, quickly inquired, "Yoo okay, Harry? Vhat's the matter?"
Harry, his gaze fixed on his reflection, stammered in half-panic, "My whole face is different!"
The Krum family exchanged puzzled glances, trying to make sense of Harry's distress. Georgi leaned in a bit, studying Harry's face. "Different? Vhat do you mean?"
Harry, still processing the unexpected revelation, pointed to his reflection. "I mean, look! I don't look like myself anymore. It's... it's like I'm someone else."
Mamo, Viktor, and Georgi shared a moment of silent understanding as they observed Harry's transformed appearance. The confusion lingered in the room, as magical inheritance altering one's appearance was unheard of. Mamo, with a furrowed brow, voiced the perplexity that hung in the air, "Vizard inheritance usually doesn't change faces like that. This is... unusual."
Despite the uncertainty, Mamo remained the comforting host. "No matter the face,” se said patting the boy’s shoulder “yoo are still Harry. Still our guest, and still family."
Harry, though reassured by Mamo's words, felt an urgent need to make sense of this magical anomaly. Taking a deep breath, Mamo gently placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and, in her comforting Eastern European accent, encouraged him to share more about what he was experiencing.
As Harry calmed down, he requested a proper mirror, feeling that seeing his changed reflection more clearly might help him understand this bewildering transformation. Mamo, ever the caring host, nodded in understanding. "Of course, Harry. Ve'll get yoo a mirror. No need to vorry. Ve are here to help." With that, she motioned to Viktor to fetch a mirror from another room.
Viktor returned with a hand mirror, and Harry looked at himself, studying his own face. It wasn't just his hair that had changed; his nose and cheeks were most definitely different. He assumed he looked like his mother now. He was sure he could ask Sirius later, but how was he supposed to go to school looking so different? Suddenly, an owl burst into the room and landed in front of Harry, dropping a letter for him.
Harry unfolded the letter with a mix of curiosity and confusion. His eyes quickly scanned the elegant script, and as he read, the words conveyed a sense of urgency and revelation. The letter was from Ragnok, the Potter vault manager at Gringotts.
"Dear Mr. H. Potter,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. We are writing to inform you of a recent magical inheritance that has come to our attention. Your presence is required at Gringotts at your most soonest convenience to discuss the details of this matter.
Magical inheritances are not to be taken lightly, and we believe it is crucial for you to be apprised of the changes that may occur as a result. Your cooperation is appreciated, and we are at your service to ensure a smooth transition.
Please visit Gringotts Wizarding Bank at your earliest convenience. Ask for Ragnok, your vault manager, upon your arrival.
Sincerely,
Ragnok
Potter Vault Manager
Gringotts Wizarding Bank
P.S. This letter serves as a portkey. Simply say, 'Mene me do Gringotts,' and it will transport you directly to our location. Use it with caution."
Harry's mind raced with questions. What kind of magical inheritance could have caused such a drastic change in his appearance? What awaited him at Gringotts? The Krum family watched him with concern as he processed the contents of the letter.
Mamo, sensing Harry's inner turmoil, offered a reassuring touch on his shoulder. "Vizarding business, da? Go if yoo must. Ve are here for yoo."
Before Harry pops off to Gringotts, Mamo, noticing Harry's current attire, kindly remarks, "I will get yoo fresh clothes. Don't vant yoo vandering around in night clothes." With a motherly instinct, she disappears for a moment and returns with a set of robes for Harry.
Harry, looking at the size of the robes and considering how much larger Viktor and Georgi are compared to him, hesitates. Mamo, catching his uncertainty, laughs softly and reassures him, "Fitting charm. Does trick vell." She then waves her wand over the robes, casting a fitting charm to adjust the size perfectly to Harry's frame.
As Harry goes to change, he can't help but overhear the family's conversation. Viktor, with a determined tone, shares with his father, "Harry is my soulmate. I'm sure of it, just like Mamo and you Bashta."
Georgi, after a moment of consideration, responds with a firm and fatherly wisdom, "Then he truly is part of the family. Now, you must court properly. No ruining the boy's innocence before he is of age. You are an adult now, Viktor, and my heir."
Harry, hearing this unexpected revelation, feels a mix of surprise and curiosity. The notion of soulmates and courting is foreign to him, especially in the context of his magical inheritance. As he finishes changing into the well-fitted robes provided by Mamo, he contemplates the new layers of complexity that seem to be woven into his life with each passing moment.
Harry, now clad in well-fitted robes, feels a sense of gratitude for Mamo's thoughtful gesture. With a nod of appreciation, he's ready for his visit to Gringotts, though his mind is still buzzing with the mysteries of his magical inheritance.
Before he leaves, Mamo pulls Harry into a tight, motherly hug, wishing him safe travels and reminding him to write often. Harry nods, a genuine smile on his face, as he promises, "I will, Mamo. Thank you for everything."
With that, Harry steps back and, holding the portkey—the letter that he had gotten that morning—he utters the phrase, "Take me to Gringotts." In an instant, the familiar sensation of being pulled and twisted engulfs him, and he vanishes from the Krum home, reappearing in the grand entrance of Gringotts.: