The Change made by Preparation

The past two months at Hogwarts had been easy. That was the only word Harry could find to describe the school. He had grown used to being constantly occupied with studying and other activities under Sage Makliar, that the amount of free time left in the Hogwarts schedule made it possible to complete homework, study the material from the Magical Institute and plan pranks with the twin.

The twin Fred and George were another unexpected boon. Both had met Neville at the Magical Institute, but were two years older than Neville. Being at Hogwarts and sharing the same quarters with them had helped to build a strong companionship with them. The major advantage though, was the help they offered to Harry, Neville and Luna with their extra work. Spells were easier to master when they had help from a more learned source.

Luna and Hermione had also cemented their friendship when a group of older girls made the mistake to try and tease Hermione about her bucked-teeth. The number of hexes they had experienced from Luna was nothing short of astronomical. Two had to be transferred to St. Mongos due to the high level of spell interactions that was beyond what a simple medi-witch could handle. And to make the situation even better, Luna had used a family spell to make it impossible for them to disclose what happened under ANY circumstance. She was now feared among the lower years in Hogwarts.

Hermione, when she realized that the education at Hogwarts was sub-standard was beyond furious. She had demanded to be able to attend the Institute of Magic with the others. She was to be even more disappointed when her friends explained that it was invitation only, and the invitation was based on magical strength. To appease her, they offered to allow her to study the easier branches of magic with them. That made her happy enough not to rant too much about Hogwarts’ ‘Hogwash’ Propaganda, as she described it.

One of the first problems Harry encountered was in potions. Draco Malfoy had avoided him like the plague as promised and kept the other first year Slytherins out of his way. The Potion’s Master and Head of Slytherin however, was not beholden to such a promise. The first day on Potions Class involved a rapid session of quizzing, to which Harry responded to with the correct answers to the questions (having been forewarned by Luna), much to the Potions Master ire. A perfectly brewed Boil-cure later made the man even more furious. In the sessions to follow, Harry was almost criminally ignored and his papers were returned to him unmarked.

All that stopped three weeks later, when David paid a visit to the Headmaster along with the entire school board. He forced Dumbledore to hire another Potion’s Master because the current one was not fit to teach children while he himself was still a child. The presence of the board forced him to negotiate to keep Severus as the Potions Master of the School and teacher to the sixth and seventh year. A generous donation from the Families of the board saw the hiring of almost thirty potions tutor to help the students to get up to the standard of the new Potions Mistress, the newly reinstated Madame Andromeda Black-Tonks, Harry’s cousin.

Since then, potions had become one of the better taught subjects, almost matching that of the Magical Institute.

Another change was the death of Professor Quirinus Quirrell. He had been missing for a day when he was found dead with a large hole in the back of his head by the Head Girl. The Girl was so traumatized that she had to be transferred to St. Mongos. This lead to the Defense Against the Dark Arts position being reviewed by the board also. Cursebreaker Julian Baker was hired and given the task of identifying and breaking any curses present on the position. The quality of education in that subject also changed for the better. It was the best it had ever been taught in Hogwarts in almost two centuries, but nowhere near as good as at the Institute.

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October 31 marked the 10th anniversary of the death of Duke James Charlus Potter and Duchess Lillian Marie Potter nee Evans. To the rest of the wizarding world, it marked the day they were liberated from the tyranny of the self-styled Lord Voldemort. The day was spent in classes that made no point to Harry and his friends. He was however looking forward to the evening as he would experience on of the many religious rituals of the wizarding community.

Samhain was a very special day. It was a day marked by a vast increase in necromantic powers, and a degradation of the veil that exist between this world and the next. Most pureblooded families spent the time in rituals dedicated to strengthening their family magic and communing with their ancestors. Today was the first time Harry would participate in such a ritual.

Harry had received a book from David two weeks prior to Samhain. It came directly from his family vaults and entitled “Rites of the Dead: Potter” and “Rights of the Dead: Black”. After two weeks of reading them secretively, Harry was sure he knew what to do in these rituals.
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“Are you sure you are ready for this’” David questioned when he went to take Harry to Potter’s Bay, Whales, which was the home of the Ancient Potter Magics. In the old days, the large Potter Family had reared and harvested Dragons and Sea Monsters. They had, during this time sacrificed so many dragons that the family totem changed from a large Stag to an even larger Dragon.

“Yes, I’m ready. Well as ready as I’ll ever be.”

They walked in silence towards the main gates. When they passed the boundaries of the wards, David did a mild scan on Harry, checking for any unfamiliar magical signature. He found a tracker on one of Harry’s shoelaces which was promptly dealt with. He shook his head. Dumbledore needed to do better in order to stay in the ‘game’.

He held on to Harry, and with a half-turn they were gone, no sound.

When they reappeared, they stood before a gate so large it made Hogwarts gates seem like garden fence. Harry stepped forward and with quick meticulous movements, he used the Potter ceremonial dagger to cut open his palm. The blood he smeared on the small Dragon protruding from the gate. As soon as he did this, a Dragon made of pure magic emerged from the small metal Dragon.

“You dare disturb the home of the Potters. State your business or be found wanting.”

“I am Haddricus James Potter, and I demand by my blood and the magic it carries, that you stand aside and allow me entrance to the Heritage that is mine.” He was nervous but unwavering. He felt the Family Magics scanning him and assessing both his blood and magic.

“We sense the partial claim of another family’s magic, but you are allowed to enter.” With that the dragon returned to its resting place, and the gates swung open of its own accord.

“Masters Harries is homes! How cans Dinky be servings yous Master Harries,” the small excitable creature was on Harry the moment her stepped onto the property.

“Hello Dinky, could you please gather all the elves together on the front porch so that I can address all of them.” With a loud pop Dinky was gone to complete his task. “I didn’t know I had house elves here Uncle David. I am …,” he trailed of when he turned and noticed that David was not with him. He then remembered that this is something he must do on his own.

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“I am happy that you have all decided to stay here and take care of my Family’s home. For that you will all be rewarded,” Harry said to the assembled. “Today marks a new beginning for the House of Potter. Today we will consume the Black Family Magic. We will reinvent the name and Potter Magics just as when the Peverelle’s Magic was consumed. We will triumph and lead a new age.”

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The House of Black was considered an Ancient and Noble house, having existed for as long as the Potters or Longbottoms. In the early days they were scholars and warriors, with a high affinity for Battle Magics. They were known for the skills in espionage and in defending the Druidic lands. They said that the Black Totem represented the family very well. If one was to meet a Black on the battlefield, it meant that death was imminent, just like the grim their totem was. Over time, as the Magical society evolved, they became merchants. Running ships for wealthy clients, whose cargo was well protected aboard their ships. They however descended into darkness.

It started with the then head of House Arcturus Black I participating in a ritual that required him to consume the blood of an innocent vampire. The ritual was botched causing him no visible harm. The effects were however seen not too long later. Arcturus’ mental health begun to deteriorate rapidly as he aged. After his death the rest of his family thought that it was over. But it was only the beginning. The family’s magic was contaminated by the botched ritual and a curse, later called the Black Madness, had settled in the magic. The more frequently a member of the family invoked their family magic, the quicker their degradation. Currently, only two members of the black family had escaped this curse, Andromeda and Sirius Black (even squibs were affected if they used family potions recipes).

Harry was totally unaware of this and there was no way of knowing how the magics would react to this curse.

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It was almost dusk, and Harry was in the Potter’s Ritual chamber. Around him was a series of runes that he could almost identify, but his ancestors’ portraits had instructed him that it was the circle he needed for such a powerful ritual. He had removed all his clothing to prevent interference with the magic. In a smaller circle sat the Black’s Heir ring, which he had requested be sent to him from Gringotts. It was to be used to summon the Black Family Magics.

At five minutes to dusk, Harry began to chant in the ancient language of the Welch Druids (It was written in a book).
“Rwy'n galw ar Pwerau Hynafol . Gweler fy cymhellion , clyw fy ple . Yn dod allan y pwerau sy'n dal ddylanwadol i mi. O blith y Crysau Duon rwy'n galw ar y pŵer Hynafol y Grim . Galwaf ar y cysgodion sydd amdo eich pwerau amlygu eich hun ger fy mron . O'r Potters galwaf allan y pŵer Hynafol y Ddraig . Y gwyntoedd a thân sy'n orchuddio ti eu dileu . Yfed Potter, yn cymryd yr hyn ydych yn. Barnwr sy'n parhau i fod o'r bloodline hwn . Os yn ddiffygiol , yn cymryd yr hyn a dawnus.”
(I call upon the Ancient Powers. See my motives, hear my plea. Bring forth the powers that hold sway to me. Of the Blacks I call upon the Ancient power of the Grim. I call upon the shadows that shroud your powers manifest yourself before me. Of the Potters I call forth the Ancient power of the Dragon. The winds and fire that cloak thee be removed. Consume Potter, take what you will. Judge who remain of this bloodline. If found wanting, take that which was gifted.)

At the end of his chant, the Potter Magic Exploded from Harry, more powerful than he had ever felt before. The Dragon was the same as before, A Welch Green. It made sense. The dragon roared something ferocious. Not long after, the Black Heir Ring begun to glow. When it seemed as in the intensity could go no higher, the Black totem, a Big Black and Silver Grim, exploded from it.

Before the Grim could orient itself, the Welsh pounced upon it. What followed was cataclysmically beautiful. The totems warred for dominance for what deemed to be days, but in reality was only three minutes. The predators were vicious. Though the grim was smaller, it was no less dangerous. There were many times it seemed that the grim had the upper hand. This usually caused an influx of magic that appeared to reenergize the Welsh. At a minute to dusk, the Welsh finally managed to grab hold of the grim’s neck. Instead of flashing it about to break its neck, the dragon breathed magic. Pure, unfiltered Potter Magic. It poured from the totems mouth like torrents of flame, consuming the Grim. As soon as the magic fire started, what appeared to be chains appeared around the Grim’s head. The chains were blood red and glowing. Harry’s instinct told him that if those chains remained, then it would pass something terrible to his family magic. With a desperate cry, he channeled the Potter magic surrounding the lands to break and remove the chains. His will was strong, but the chains seemed to be stronger. The grim was starting to dissolve into pure magic and was being absorbed by the Welsh. Harry frantically began to redouble his effort to break the chains. With a final push of will and intent, a magical storm cloud appeared in Potter colours. It rumbled ominously and flashed menacingly. A blast of what appeared to be lightning struck the chains three times. Each strike seem to shake the foundation of the castle. On the fourth strike, the chains shattered into a million small pieces. It occurred not a moment too soon, as what was left of the Grim was absorbed by the dragon.

As soon as the Grim was absorbed, dusk had fallen. The Potter totem seemed to be smug over its victory, so much so that it begun to glow. Harry used his hands to shield his eyes when the glow became too much. A change in the family magics had begun.

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When the lights faded the Potter dragon was still standing. But it was no longer the Welsh Green. In standing before Harry was a dragon twice the size of the previous dragon. A Hungarian Horntail was now the new Potter totem. It was a solemn moment when the dragon took a step forward and lowered its massive snout towards its master, recognizing his blood. When they finally touched, several things occurred. The dragon separated into seven parts. Six of them were the size of a horse and the seventh was the size of the previous Welsh Dragon. At once five of the dragons made a giant leap through the ceiling. The largest of the dragon entered the Potter Heir ring which Harry had removed while chanting, and the final dragon entered Harry’s magical core. The power increase that he felt was amazing but controllable. He wondered who else had received one of the new Potter dragons.

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At Hogwarts
Draco Malfoy was having a shower before heading home for Samhain celebration with his mother and father when he felt a slight shiver in his magical core. When he turned around to see what would cause the shiver he was met by a horse sized dragon made of pure magic, familial magics. The dragon seemed to stare at him for a long time the turned away and left. As the dragon left, Draco felt a sudden drop in his power level. He had no idea what it meant, but was hardly worried about it. His father would fix it for him

Andromeda’s Office
Growing up, she was always one of the most powerful in her age group. The Black Family Magics made her powerful, just like her relatives. She was beautiful and the perfect Pureblooded Princess. All this changed when she met and eloped with the Muggleborn Theodore Tonks. She was immediately disowned and the Black Magic that she carried had left her. This made her one of the below average powered witches. This stopped her from becoming a Healer, which was her life-long dream. Instead she settled for potions Mistress, a field that did not require a lot of person magic.

She had just finished her daily meditation when she felt the presence enter the room. Quicker that one would expect, Andromeda was on her feet, wand in hand ready to crush whoever had intruded on her personal time. To say she was surprised when she encountered the Dragon totem was an understatement. She was even more surprised that after several minutes of examining her, the totem stepped forward until they were in touching distance of each other. The totem lowered its head until it touched the area just where her magical core was located. The power that bloomed there reconnected her to a Family Magic. She realized that she was twice, almost three times as powerful as before.

The magic was similar to the Black Family Magic, but totally different, she felt like a new person with an entirely different life beginning. She wondered where the magic had come from. She was not however worried, because it was only a matter of time before she found out.

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Azkaban Prison

Belltrix Lastrange nee Black was one of the most feared witches in Wizarding Britain. She was powerful and had knowledge of spells that rivaled both Dumbledore and The Dark Lord. And most importantly, she was a Black. She reminded all the plebeians of Britain why the blacks were feared. She was sitting in Azkaban, waiting and biding her time. She would sometimes scream out in an aim to terrify the guards, and laugh at their reactions. She would enjoy seeing them die by her hand. All in due time.
The Potter totem entered Bellatrix’s cell silently without any dramatics. Both occupants of the cell stared at each other for several minutes. Bellatrix realized that she was being judged by the magic and there was nothing she could do about it.

After several minutes, the dragon left. What surprised Bellatrix the most was that upon its departure, the Black Family Magic was ripped from her magical core along with half of her permanent magic. She heard a scream from her husband’s cell at the same time.

There was only one thing that could have caused this. The Black Family’s primacy over House Lastrange had sought judgement on their marriage bond and the terms of their marriage and found the terms breeched. If she remembered her contract clearly, all that belonged to the Lastrange House now belonged to House Black… or rather whatever house that had absorbed House Black. She closed her eyes and wept silently for the loss of her heritage and magic.

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Draco stepped from the floo system into the Welcoming Hall of Malfoy Manor. He immediately went in search of his father to tell him what had happened. He hoped that his mother would be absent this year as she always got in his way, interrupting his time with his father. He had always wondered why his father didn’t get rid of her permanently instead of putting her in a different wing of the manor.

He found him sitting in the family sitting parlor with his head in his hands.

“Father, is something wrong?” He rushed to his father’s side.

“Ahhh Draco, my boy,” he greeted, “It seems as though we will have one less member in our family. I am sure you have experienced the loss of your Black ancestry recently, but don’t worry, the Malfoy Magic will make up for that loss.” He ended that explanation there and stood, leading Draco to the Family’s ritual room to complete their Samhain Rituals.

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The Leaky Cauldron

“A room for the night please Tom.”

“Of course. Right this was Lady Malfoy.”

“Madam Black, please.”

Narcissia was a political powerhouse of a woman. Many believed that Lucius was the reason for the Malfoys being so successful, but they were wrong. It was the connections they gained by marrying into the Black Family.

Earlier that evening, Narcissia was sitting in the Dining Room of Malfoy Manor having supper, when a Dragon totem made of Royal Blue, Silver and Black Magics. Immediately, she recognized the presence of familiar magic. There was a short period of judgment of both her and her husband. When they were measured by the Dragon, their marriage bond began to glow. What should have been a healthy golden bond, a pale yellow, thin bond was there instead. With a swipe of its claws, the dragon broke their marriage bond. As soon as that was done the small Magical Peacock she had received from the Malfoy’s family Magics, left her core, and the Dragon, in one move swatted the Peacock away and enter the space the Malfoy’s Magics had lust left.

Narcissia didn’t even wait for Lucius to say anything. She removed the ring he had given her on their wedding day and left the room. She called her personal elves and had them pack all of her belonging and anything that the Dark Lord left behind. She felt just a twinge of guilt at leaving Draco behind, but knew he was Lucius’ son in every way, there was no love between mother and son, not even mutual respect.

“Mistress is all packed,” Dobby and Nobby said in sync.

“Take all this to my parents’ house and wait there for me. Also have the place ready for habitation.”

With those instructions given, she walked to the Malfoy’s Welcome Hall and left through the floo. She knew that this dissolving of their marriage would require her dowry to be returned and that was approximately 25% of the Malfoy Fortune.

A wicked smile stretched across her face. She was ow free to repay all the abuse she suffered under Lucius’ house and from his Lord. House Malfoy would experience a fall from grace that they may never recover from.

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The rest of the Potter Rites were completed by eight o’clock that evening. All the properties, both Potter and formerly Black, were placed in lockdown by family wards.

Harry stood outside the Potter Bay compound waiting for David to retrieve him. There was an almost nonexistent pop where David appeared.

“Will you tell me why the Gringotts goblins are demanding your presence this evening Haddricus?” He looked disgruntled. Harry started explain quickly what had happened. He hoped to alleviate any punishments that may be attached to this offence. Or at least, temper the punishment.

“So you experimented with family magics beyond your power and it luckily did not backfire on you.” David shook his head. “You are very fortunate. In light of your success, you will write me 30” on the dangers of tampering with family magics. Now come along, we have an appointment with Gringotts.”

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Dear Harry,
It has been going well here at the Academy. Susan says I should tell you hi. We are roommates and project mates this year. All the subjects here are interesting, and the teachers keep us interested.

Father told me what happened on Samhain. ARE YOU STUPID? What would have happened if the magics were wilder and you were hurt? No one could have helped you. If I were with you I would have hexed you so hard you wouldn’t even know your own name.

Father also informed me of the three new additions to the Potter Family. I am very happy for you. Susan is happy for you too.

Can’t wait to see you at Yule.

Love,
Cayden

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Harry read Cayden’s letter with a huge grin on his face. He loved when he received letters from him, and Susan too. He especially liked when Cayden ended his letters with love. It filled him with a warm fuzzy feeling. Cayden’s letter also reminded him of his two new aunts and cousin, Aunt Andy, Narcissia and Nymphadora. After meeting with them at Gringotts, where each woman was given their own vault from which they could invest and help to build the Potter’s fortune, they also opted to take the name Potter or Potter-Tonks (Any and Nymphadora). They were also given their own property to live in, on Potter lands where the wards are impossible to crack. All in all his family was being cared for.

The newly acquired black properties and vault would be gutted and enchanted artifacts would be categorized and either stored (in the vault or cabinets in the houses) or destroyed if harmful. This would be overseen by David and was expected to be done by Yule. The same would be done for the Lastrange Estate. It would be then be turned over to The House of Longbottom in repatriation for what they had done to that family. They would get the opportunity to absorb their family magics and all.

It was shaping up to be a good Yule celebration.

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The rest of the school term was as boring as they didn’t expect. The only exciting event was the prank war that was initiated between Harry and Neville versus the Prewitt-Weasley Twin. Another highlight was shopping for Yule gifts using catalogues from stores all over Europe. With the large family he had acquired, Harry was almost sure his trust vault would be empty by the time his shopping was complete.

He couldn’t wait to experience his first Yule.

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The days before the Yule celebration was spent reacquainting with Cayden and Susan, spending time with the three new Potters, spending time going over his accounts and visiting the different properties to ensure that the elves were healthy and all was well. He also visited many of the businesses that the Potters owned (and those formerly owned by the Blacks) just to ensure that the change in ownership went smoother.

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The Yule Celebration was heavily focused on new beginnings. The Potter Family joined the Kent, Longbottom and Bones family for the Yuletide rituals. They drew aspects from each family’s Yule traditions to ensure that everyone felt comfortable. As the future heads of their houses, Neville and Harry had helped to guide the group during their family’s ritual.

On Christmas Day (according to Christians), they exchanged the majority of the gifts purchased. It was total chaos. The highlight was when Harry offered everything belonging to the Lastrange Family (including their family magic due to House Black primacy over House Lastrange) to House Longbottom. It marked the end of an era and the start of a new Longbottom Family.

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Two days before the beginning of the new term, Narcissia showed David the artefact she had taken from the Malfoy Manor which belonged to The Dark Lord. The Black Arts that clung to the book was so thick and strong, it caused the magically sensitive David to gag several times. It was quickly shut in a secure box and transferred to Gringotts for examinations along with the rest of the enchanted artefacts found on the former Black properties.

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“David! Could you accompany me to Gringotts, it seems that the goblins found something dangerous during their inventory of the vaults,” Augusta said through the floo.

“let me get my cloak and I will meet you there,” he stepped out of the room, almost colliding with Cayden, “Tell your papa that I am going to Gringotts to sort through some problems with the Lastrange accounts.”

“Ok Father, I’m on it.”

David shook his head as Cayden raced away. He quickly gathered his cloak and went to the floo in the welcoming hall.

“Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley.” With was flare of green fire he was gone.

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“The artefacts seem to contain a fraction of a soul in them. Each fragment varies in size, but belonging to the same individual,” Elder Sharpelance explained.

“These are priceless artefacts, and considering whom they were retrieved from, it is safe to say that The Dark Lord has used these artefacts to prolong his natural life. Is there any way to cleanse them?” David was finally able to put the pieces together. He figured that Voldemort would have some safety measure against death, but was not sure how he would achieve these precautions.

“Yes they can be cleansed for a small fee,” Sharpelance said with a grin.

“Considering that they might be keeping the Dark Lord alive, you may wish to waive such a fee,” countered David. The three artifacts were found during the inventory of the Black and Lastrange Family. The Locket was found in a Black townhouse that was in so much disrepair and had so many creature inhabitants, that the building had to be cleared of all useful things, isolated by wards and gutted with flames to clean it. It was being rebuilt and is to be gifted to young Nymphadora who was in her third year as an Auror trainee at the Ministry of Magic in London. The second artefact, a diary, was given to Bloodspear by Madam Narcissia Potter (former Black). The final artefact, the fabled goblet of Helga Hufflepuff, was found in the bowels of the bank in the Lastrange Family Vault. It, the cup, now belonged to the Longbottom Family.

After a long debate about the cost of cleaning the artefacts, it was agreed that half the price would be paid by the customers (6000G) and half by the goblin nation (6000G). David and Augusta stood witness to the cleaning ritual used by the goblins, and were satisfied that the artefacts were now displayable. The book was given to Dobby to return to its former position at Malfoy Manor as part of Narcissia’s plot to bring the Family to its knees.

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January 5 came all too quickly for the Hogwarts gang of pre-teens. Both Cayden and Susan had left to return to school the day before and now it was Harry’s turn to go back to Hogwarts.

He had experience his first Yule, and if it continued the same, it would be his favorite time of the year. He finally had ta family and it was as big and as fun as he hoped it would be. All that was let is for him to grow up and get married and have his own children. Then his life would be perfect.