Chapter 4: The Letter from an Unknown Family

(A/N: This chapter will contain some important aspects regarding various Wizarding Laws and traditions. Readers are requested to make a note of these laws carefully and remember them as many different themes of the story will be based on these laws. Last but not the least...Enjoy!)

November 2, 1994

Saturday

Time: 7:30 a.m.

The next morning both Susan and Harry woke up early. Fully ready to begin their day. They met in their suit's living room.

"Morning Harry" Susan said with a smile.

"Morning Sue" Harry also replied with a smile and then asked, "So what's in our agenda today?"

Susan thought for a bit, "Today is Saturday so we don't have any class today. I think we should go to the library and see what more we can find about the Triwizard Tournament and other Wizarding Laws and Contracts."

"I guess, but first I think I should write a letter to Sirius informing about everything that has happened till now..." Harry mused absent mindedly.

Susan did a double take. "Sirius? Sirius Black you mean?"

Harry was brought back into the reality by her question. He silently swore, "Bugger" and then told Susan about all his adventure in his third year.

The incident with Aunt Marge, the dementors, the Patronus, the shrieking shack incident, Peter Pettigrew, time turner and Sirius's escape.

Susan looked like a gaping fish out of water which Harry thought was funny and cute.

Wait 'cute'? From where did that come from? Harry thought.

Finally, Susan gathered herself, with a pointed look and her hands on her hips, she said, "Do you somehow like finding trouble?"

Harry chuckled a bit "No Sue, it's the other way round. Trouble always finds me. I think that I, in previous life, was a friend of the God of Troubles."

Both laughed at this for a few solid moments. "I didn't have such a good laugh in a long time! Haha ha...!" Susan exclaimed.

"Same!" Harry replied.

They had their breakfast in their suit. Dobby served them their food.

After breakfast they headed towards the library.

On the way towards library, they met many students who gave mean looks towards both of them. They all were muttering 'cheater', 'glory hound' or 'attention seeker' and 'traitor', 'bitch' and 'scarlet woman' directed towards Harry and Susan respectively.

Susan's eyes glistened with tears.

Harry gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder in a comfortable manner, showing his support.

Susan muttered a silent thank you.

Harry and Susan entered the library and sat at an empty table and bench.

On the table was laying that day's supplement of Daily Prophet.

The headline on the front page was:

Harry Potter: Savior of the World or the Next Dark Lord?

- by Rita Skeeter

The article explained how Harry had defied the esteemed Headmaster's age line and had illegally entered the tournament most supposedly using dark magic. They even questioned how could he even defeat Voldemort (though the prophet had called him He-who-must-not-be-named) if he was not a 'Dark Lord in training'himself. The writer even suggested the Ministry to investigate the usage of Dark Arts by the boy-who-lived.

Both Harry and Susan were stunned at the hypocrisy of the wizarding world and the implications of that rag.

A Dark Lord? Harry thought. A 15-month-old baby was a Dark Lord in training. Seriously?!

Harry looked around the library. Students were all staring at him. He narrowed his eyes gave them a harsh look in return which made them avert their eyes.

Harry sighed and put away the Prophet away. He concentrated more on the book Ancient and Noble Houses of Great Britain. Susan looked at him with sympathy. She also then turned her concentration on the A Guide to Magical Contracts.

November 2, 1994

Saturday

Time: 9:17 a.m.

In one of the dimly-lit rooms of a very large castle in the Land of Fjords, Norway, a young auburn-haired boy was sitting at his study desk.

He was reading the British newspaper under the lamp of his table: The Daily Prophet.

The boy himself never liked reading the British rag and did so rarely but the headline had caught his attention when he was passing by the local newspaper shop of his city.

'Harry Potter: Savior of the World or the Next Dark Lord?'

He read and re-read the article carefully, marking several important areas using a red pencil.

"Well..." the boy mused, "It seems like the British wizards are not taking care of our family as they had promised years ago...hmm..."

The boy looked up at the ceiling and stared at it for some time with an indifferent expression which suddenly morphed into an expression filled with rage and anger.

"They are going to pay for it dearly..." the boy thought with a visible expression of anger.

The auburn hair contemplated 'Hmm… what should we do now, to get the best results…. hmm…?'

He pulled an expensive writing pad and an eagle-feather quill that was residing on his table. He quickly wrote a letter and put it in an envelope and sealed it with wax seal. Then he pulled his cell phone from the pocket of his maroon trench coat and dialed to a crypted phone number. The call rang for some time before it was finally received.

"Hello Tatsuya...yes it's me..." the auburn-hair spoke to the person on the phone.

"Yes, the matter is of urgent importance...can your family help us in finding detailed information about a person...yes... the person is Harry Potter...."

The Person in the other end of the call was silent for some time before speaking again.

The young man confirmed the receiver's question, "Yes...that Harry Potter...we need information about his entire life both in mundane as well as in magical world... Oh, and tell your Aunt...err...Mum, this is a matter of Master Clan Interference..." The receiver was once again silent and then dropped the call in a hurry.

The young man gave a sigh, "Hmm…this will do…" and put his phone back in the pocket of his coat.

He stared at the floor for some time before looking at the figure of a majestic golden bird in his study that was looking at him with keen eyes that held wisdom of centuries.

The auburn-haired boy's Royal Golden Phoenix, Aurum.

Stroking the majestic phoenix's golden feathers, he softly spoke, "We have left Great Britain unattended for a very long time. We gave them way too much freedom but... they have abused it. They have hurt the last surviving member of the last House of our Grand Family, now the British magicals are going to pay for it in blood..."

The majestic Royal Golden Phoenix just gave a soft trill in return.

Harry closed the book Triwizard Rules and massaged his head. Susan was watching Harry intently. He noticed her gaze at him, so he asked her, "Any problem Sue?"

Susan shook her head, "No… I just think we should take a break."

Harry agreed, "Yeah right, we have been here for almost four hours, it's almost lunch break, come on then."

Both rose from their seats and exited the library.

They chose a spot near the Greenhouse 4 to have their lunch. Dobby had packed it for them.

Susan while eating was very much absent minded which did not go unnoticed by Harry. He finally asked, "What are you thinking?"

Susan turned her gaze at Harry and said, " You know... from Monday, classes will begin as usual" Harry gave a nod implying that he was following her, "Then we will have to join our separate classes" Harry again gave a nod but could not understand where she was going.

Susan, seeing Harry's confused look, decided to be blunt, "I don't think I am going to be safe roaming around the school alone anymore."

Harry almost choked hearing this. "But why Sue?" he asked but already dreading the answer.

Susan sighed deeply and said in a sad tone, "Because people have seen us together in the hallways and in the library, by the end of the day everyone will know that I am openly supporting you and I will be targeted by the entire school."

Harry's heart skipped a beat. He did not like the prospect that Susan would get harassed because of him. So, he, with a heavy heart, began, "Susan, I think then we should stop being together then-"

"What?!" Susan stopped her musings snapped at him, "You, selfless git how dare you try to suggest that!"

Harry immediately made a mental note to never enrage Susan Bones ever again or he would not be alive to see the next day's sunrise.

Susan continued, "What makes you think that staying away from you will make things better rather it might get uglier! At least staying together will helped us to watch each other's back and help each other!"

After her rant she calmed down a bit and said, "I was suggesting that you take me under protection of House Potter as per the old wizarding law."

This Harry indeed choked in his food and Susan had to pat his back. "You want me to give you protection?" Harry asked in strained voice. Susan nodded. "But I can hardly defend myself against an angry mob, then how can I defend you?"

Susan rolled her eyes at Harry's lack of knowledge about the wizarding world.

"You know….one day I will have to make you sit and learn all the wizarding traditions…." She muttered to herself, before she continued, "…when a House gives another House protection does not necessarily mean that they will have to defend that House, it's like political asylum, but here the rights of the House receiving protection gets limited. They cannot do much without the exclusive permission given by the protecting House."

Harry pondered for a while about the new set of revelations. Then he remembered that he might have read something about the system of Protections earlier that very morning.

Then he asked, "What's in for you?" Susan gave him a smile and said, "Nothing much but as long as I will be under your protection, if you command me to go somewhere with you, I will have to go there with you, if you ask me to skip any class with you, then I will have to skip the class with you; in simpler words, wherever you will go, I will also have to tag along with you and no one can stop us because it is the law!" She finished with dazzling smile.

Harry also contemplated the idea with a smile of his own.

Being a Triwizard Champion allowed him to attend classes as per his own wish and if he would take Susan under his protection then she could also keep him company.

His smile widened and said, "Tell me how to do it." Susan gave him a wide smile and told him to do it.

Harry raised his wand at Susan's direction and started chanting the magical words.

"Do you, Susan Amelia Bones, Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Bones, agree to receive protection by the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter?"

"I do" she replied.

"Do you agree to minimize your rights as long as you are under the protection of House Potter?"

"I do."

"Do you agree to help House Potter as and when required?"

"I do."

"Then proceed" Harry finally said.

Susan took a deep breath and said, "I, Susan Amelia Bones, Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Bones, agree to receive protection by the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter and may help House Potter as and when required."

A brief glow surrounded both of them which proved that the vow was sealed.

A ring appeared in the index finger of her right hand and a large crest of House Potter (a flying Griffin) appeared on the left arm of Susan Bones.

"What is that?" Harry asked pointing towards the ring and the crest on Susan's left arm.

Susan said, "This ring..." raising her right hand,"...and this crest on left arm..." she patted the crest "...signify that I am under the protection of House Potter and harming me or the harming House Potter can incur the wrath of House Potter and may result in Blood Feud."

Harry just nodded in understatement.

Both of them sat together and were watching the waves in the Black Lake when they saw a strange bird was coming in their direction.

At first both thought that it was a large brown owl with a white head but the closer it came they understood that it was actually an...

"Eagle?!" Both Susan and Harry shrieked together. It was not just any eagle it was a Bald Eagle.

Bald eagles are native to American skies. What a bald eagle was doing in Britain, they had no idea. What they also couldn't understand why a bald eagle was flying in their direction...as if to... attack...

"Run!" Both of them shouted together drawing their wands out. They were about to stand up and run when the eagle landed near their feet.

They pointed their wands in the direction of the eagle but it remained unfazed and in the direction of Harry.

The eagle gave Harry a long penetrative gaze as if to judge whether he was worthy or not (or to judge whether he would be as tasty as a meat or not!) and then forwarded it's right talon towards Harry.

Then Harry noticed that an envelope was tied to the talons of the bald eagle. He quickly took it.

The bald eagle, as soon as was free from its burden of carrying the letter, snapped open their lunch basket which they had brought for their lunch (or date?) with its beak and picked up a leftover piece of steak and devoured it in one go. After devouring the steak, the eagle gave a squawk, ruffled its feathers and took a flight and flew away from them.

Astonishingly, all of this had happened only in a matter of ten seconds!

Harry and Susan watched the entire scene unfold with hanging jaws. They glanced at each other. They could not find words to describe what had happened.

Finally, Susan decided to settle with, "Weird." Harry also repeated, "Weird indeed." Then he shook his head and concentrated on the envelope.

On the envelope neatly it was written:

Mr. Harry James Potter

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland, Great Britain

The envelope was sealed with a wax stamp which had a weird emblem: a dragon(?) Inside there was a letter which Harry read:

Dear Mr. Potter,

I was recently able to come across the news regarding your mysterious participation in the Triwizard Tournament that is taking place in your school for the year 1994-1995. Some serious accusations and speculations have been made by your local newspaper the 'Daily Prophet' regarding your illegitimate registration in this tournament.

I don't know whether you are aware of your complete heritage or not, but you are a part of our Family and it is the responsibility of us, the other Family members, look after another member.

I would like to request you to answer the following questions truthfully with honesty:

Did you really submit your name in the Goblet of Fire by yourself or submitted it by proxy?'

Do you have reasons to suspect that someone or some group of people are trying to make an attempt to endanger your life by forcing you to compete in this tournament?

Last but not the least, do you feel safe at Hogwarts?

Please write your answer at the back of this letter. It will reach us automatically. Whatever your answer be, just wait patiently for some days, as help will be coming at your doorstep very soon, after all in the magical world, Family is first.

Yours faithfully,

Nosce Teipsum

P.S. Please forgive me for not mentioning my name or designation in case the letter falls into wrong hands.

Harry and Susan read and re-read the letter again and again.

At first Harry was filled with confusion, then with shock and by the end of the letter with happiness and hope.

"Susan! I have a family!" Harry exclaimed joyfully but that was just for a short span of time when he noticed the frown on her face.

"Susan?" Harry asked concerned.

Susan bit her lip. Then she voiced her opinion, "Harry, I don't know. I never heard that the Potters ever having family members outside Great Britain."

Seeing Harry's confused face Susan clarified, "I meant that in the last several generations of the Potters, your ancestors did not settle outside Britain. Then which family can it be?"

Harry also thought for a bit and then suggested, "Maybe we don't know. Perhaps the Potters are off-shoot of some other family."

Susan looked at him incredulously, "No Harry, I don't think so. I never heard that Potters were ever a part of any Grand Family..."

"Grand Family?" Harry asked her.

Susan replied, "There are certain Elite Houses in the wizarding world who gave rise to other nobility and other Ancient Pureblood Houses. Such a Family or House is called a Grand House. Such a House is considered as the Mother and Father to other Houses equally recognized by the Wizengamot.

The Grand House along with its Cadet Houses together is called a Grand Family. There are only three Grand Family Houses in Britain: The Most Ancient and Noble House of Innocenti, The Ancient and Most Noble House of Ollivander and the Most Ancient House of Frenley, and Potters were never ever related to any of them other than by marriage..."

Harry deflated a bit. The thought of having any other family member alive rose his spirits but now he felt a bit disgruntled.

Seeing Harry's diminished spirit, Susan started to apologize but Harry stopped her, "You don't have to apologize for anything Sue, you only told me what you knew."

Then Harry gave a faraway look and said, "Even I think it to be some sort of a prank just to raise my hopes a bit and then crush it...but I think at least I will reply to the letter, at least someone else would know what had happened truly and how I feel..."

Susan gave him a sympathetic look.

Harry pulled quill and ink from his bag and quickly composed an informative yet a brief letter about his life both in the muggle and the magical world, what has truly happened when his name came out, his suspicions and how he terribly felt unsafe at Hogwarts. When he finished the letter, he added a last line in the postscript 'whoever you are please help me, I beg you!'

No sooner did he put his signature, the paper suddenly burst into a flame and disappeared. Harry stared at his hands where the paper was there a few moments ago.

A prank indeed then, Harry thought with a sigh.

He rose up from his spot and headed in the direction of the castle with Susan trailing behind him. No matter how much he wanted to dissolve the issue of the letter that he had received by calling it a prank, a tiny part in his heart hoped... help might truly come one day…..

(A/N: Hello guys and gals! Hope you all like this chapter just like the previous ones. It was indeed a bit tiring to write, but i tried my best. Here 'Nosce Teipsum' is a Latin phrase meaning, 'Know Thyself'. It is the family motto of the family... well you all can guess it :)...action packed chapters are coming very soon...till then...Erimus iterum conveniant!)