Chapter 2

Harry slowly fell into a routine. Every morning he would wake to the sun slowly rising above the horizon, and he would read his book. This would happen until either Ron woke up, or Hermione rushed in to wake him and Ron. Afterward he would mark his place, go eat breakfast with his friends, and then either fly, degnome the garden, or read his book more. Harry swiftly found that while the book only seemed to hold 400 or so pages, in reality it held much more. No matter where he opened the book, the same page as he stopped on would appear. And if he decided to read more about a subject, he could open the book at a random page and the information would be there, as long as he reached that portion of the book in the first place.

Yet as he learned more about his family history, and through that the history of the wizarding world, he noticed that Hermione was snooping around him more. She would try to read over his shoulder, or randomly ask him about what he was reading so intently.

Ron on the other hand, either didn't care, or was too happy to let it go. The whole of the Weasleys were like this. Mrs. Weasley took one look at the book smiled, and asked if he would move to the chair so she could clean the sofa.

This came to a head three days before they were to leave for the World Cup. Harry was sitting in the living room reading on Charles Potter's activities in the First World War in 1917, when Hermione stopped in front of him.

"Hello Harry. I don't suppose you will tell me what you are reading?" Hermione asked.

"Hello Hermione. I don't suppose I will." Harry replied as he turned a page.

"Well if you don't want to tell me, it must not be interesting. I guess I'll just read it for myself then." Hermione said before she reached out for the book.

Harry jerked the book back, memorized his page, and shut it. "Hermione, don't."

"Don't what Harry? Read a book? It's a book Harry. We both know I like books more than you anyway, so let me read it already! I'm not going to harm it." Hermione looked at Harry, her hands on her hips.

"That isn't just a book Hermione." Mr. Weasley said as he stepped into the room and put his hat on the coat rack, and shrugged out of his outer robes. "It's a grimoire."

"Harry's reading a spell book? What does that matter? It only makes me want to read it more." Hermione shrugged.

"Sit down Hermione." Arthur sighed and gestured to the chair across from Harry before setting into the seat against the wall. "What do you know about Grimoires Hermione?"

"They are just spellbooks. They have a lot of magic in them, and are highly covet-" She began before she was cut off.

"Wrong. They aren't just spellbooks. Grimoires are the vaults of magic for a family. They hold the family history, the family spells and the family values. A grimoire exists so that if there is only one left, they can rebuild the family and have the same familiar Identity. "Arthur explained.

"So it's another advantage of being a pureblood wizard? How is that fair?! How is it fair that as a muggleborn I don't get the same amount of information as a non-muggle born?" Harry flinched when that was said. He opened his mouth to say that it was okay, Hermione could read the book if she wanted when Arthur sighed. "Life isn't fair Hermione. That isn't the only reason that you shouldn't read it. There is also the fact that if you attempt it, it could kill you."
"What?" Hermione's eyes widened. "Why would it kill me? Harry, you wouldn't let that happen right?"

"I can't control the book Hermione… I don't know the protections. I do know that the Twins didn't even want to move it let alone try to read it. I also know that the second sentence is basically a challenge to anyone who wanted to try to steal the knowledge inside…" Harry looked at the book on his lap.

"Well if I can't learn from the book, you will have to teach me then Harry." Hermione stated.

"No he won't." Mrs. Weasley said before Arthur or Harry could open his mouth.
"What are you talking about Mrs. Weasley? Of course Harry will. Won't you Harry?" Hermione replied.

"You don't get it. What you are asking of Harry is to give away his heritage to you. You who aren't family. Not only that, but should the Ministry find out that you even asked that, they would have you executed. Family magic is just that. For the family. A lot of the spells in there are designed for a Potter. And some of them, will kill you just for trying them. You want that Hermione?" Molly said.

"Why would the Ministry try to execute me for it? Is it another law to try to keep muggleborns from gaining any traction?" Hermione asked frightened. She couldn't understand why anyone would want to keep knowledge from the public eye. In the muggle world, all knowledge eventually went public.

"Because. You aren't talking about simple magic Hermione. You will learn more about magic that has intent later in Hogwarts, but there is magic even beyond that. It requires an identity to go with it. This magic is not stronger than any other magic of course. But it is more dangerous. If you could pull it off by some miracle, you could strip the family of their Identity in magic. Basically, if that happens, they couldn't live in their properties, they couldn't use their vaults, they couldn't even use their family name. They may not even be able to use their wands anymore. It is extremely similar to having their soul sucked out by a dementor, except instead of leaving just an empty husk, you are allowing them to live as mindless automations." Arthur said this with as little emotion as possible while staring into the fire.

"Oh my god… you are telling me that magic can do that to people? " Hermione whispered horrified. She couldn't imagine Harry walking around without a mind, unable to do anything, slowly wasting away, and her being the cause.

"Of course, that is if the book allows Harry to try… and I am not sure it would. It is for this reason that Line Theft is the harshest punished crime in the Magical world. Attempting to gain access to family magic while outside the family is an automatic death sentence if convicted. In fact, it is the only crime that instead of being killed via Execution Chamber, you are first stripped of your citizenship, your mind obliviated to that of a toddler, and all your possessions burned. You are then executed so that you may not harm those whose family magic you stole. " Arthur explained further. "So, I beg of you Hermione. Let it go."

That was the last time Hermione asked to read the Grimoire. Harry avoided her and continued to read. He didn't feel as disgusted as he thought he would when that explanation was given. During the whole thing, he was shaking with rage. How dare she?! This book was his. It was his heritage, his magic, and his legacy to add to. Even those who attempted to plunder a mind, never went after family magical knowledge. To do so they knew would bring the whole magical world down upon them. His book even went into how to protect such knowledge. It was called Occulmency, and was a mental discipline. Instructions weren't in the book, because it could only be learned from another person. So Harry became determined to find a person who would teach him, to keep the knowledge he had to himself. In the meantime, he read more and more. Finally, he was at a point in the book that talked of magic instead of history.

Magic, unlike what you were likely taught, is about three things. Intent, will, and understanding. In order for magic to work upon an object, you must understand what you are attempting to do, have the intent to do it, and the will to make it reality. Let us take the transfiguration of a pincushion to a hedgehog. In order to turn the cushion into a hedgehog, you must know what a hedgehog is, and how it looks. You must intend and visualize the change occurring. You must will your magic into the act.

All spells are the same. You must know what you are attempting on doing. Incantations do not matter. All that matters are the intent, the will, and the understanding.

Harry reread that portion of the book again. If that is accurate, then he could do magic without saying anything! He could do magic just by pointing his wand! He shut the book and put it on the bed before running downstairs.

"Mrs. Weasley! I have a question!" Harry asked the first adult he saw.

"What is it dear?" The Weasley matriarch smiled at Harry. He was such a cute boy, and to ask her for help made her heart melt a fair amount.

"Do you need to say an incantation for magic?" Harry blurted.

"Well, you will learn more about it at Hogwarts, but for most things, no. Incantations are a good tool, but aren't necessary unless its family magic, certain dark magic, or extremely complex." Molly perched her lips. "I can't think of any family Magic examples, but the Unforgivables must have incantations at least mouthed, and the Patronus Spell can only be done at full power when said. Some magic is like that, it likes when some spells are named when preformed." Molly smiled at Harry with her final sentence. She remembered telling Bill that when he first read the family Grimoire in fifth year.

"If that is true then the wand movement shouldn't matter right?" Harry questioned further.

"Again, Hogwarts will teach you more about that, but for some spells you are right. For example a Stunning Spell does not require movements or an incantation after a certain level of use. But the locomotor spell, which is a more advanced levitation spell, requires you to point your wand at an object for as long as you want it levitated, no matter if it was cast silently or not. In order to disarm an opponent in a duel, not that you would duel dear, you must flick your wand at the end of the jab in the direction you want the wand to go." Molly further explained. 'Oh he is so like Bill! All of these questions about magic...'

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley! I think I understand more about what my Grimoire was saying now…" Harry smiled up at Molly. If he was right, then magic in general could be broken down even further than what Mrs. Weasley was saying. You were controlling the aspect of the locomotion in the charm with your wand or your desired out come with the flick towards the end… what if you removed that and visualized more?

"Remember Harry, family magic is unique in relation to other magics. It is dangerous magic, some of it deadly." Harry nodded and said," I'm taking it slow . But this is my heritage. I got to be able to use it eventually."

"I know dear. Just giving you the warning we gave the boys when they got access to the family Grimoire." Mrs. Weasley smiled at the teen. "Now, go wash up. It's nearly lunch time."

The next day, Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys minus Molly all were hiking up a hill with Cedric Diggory and his father Amos. It was the day of check in for the World Cup, and they were going to take a portkey to the location, set up a tent, and go from there. Soon, they reached the portkey, which was a mangy old boot. They all put a finger on it, and in a whirlwind of colors and a jerking behind the navel, they were deposited on the ground at least all of them but Mr. Weasley, Cedric, and his father.

"You didn't tell 'em the time did ya' Arthur?" Amos asked between the chuckles of the three standing.

"Of course not! Landing face first builds character Amos!" Mr. Weasley answered as he started helping the teens up.

"I guess that means dad thinks I have plenty of character." Cedric said as he helped Harry to his feet.

"Of course ya' do Ced! Y'er my son afta' all!" Amos smiled at Cedric and clapped him on the back.

"Dad… lets find our plot. The next portkey maybe soon." Cedric smiled at his father and started to walk away.

"Bye Cedric!" Harry called. The young man raised a hand in recognition.

"He is right though, we should get moving. We do not want to be here if there is another portkey to deposit here." Fred or George said.

"Why is that anyway?" Ron asked.

"Because portkeys dump parties at their location no matter what. As long as they are able to, anyway." Hermione said as they started to walk towards the sea of multi-colored tents.

"So what does that mean?" Ron asked again.

"Basically, if you are where another person would be if the portkey came in, well… both of you would have a very very bad day." Harry chimed in. "It happened with a Potter cousin back in 1678. A portkey put him right on top of another person, and the result was a crater two feet wide from the back lash." Ron turned green, and swiftly stopped talking about it.

As they entered the swiftly set up tent, Harry smiled. It was like a house, except made of fabric and the air shimmered with magic. Harry shook his head… the air couldn't shimmer with magic… that wasn't possible. He must have been lacking sleep or something.

The game was amazing. Harry watched as Quidditch history was made, and the Irish won without catching the snitch. But it was the aftermath that made the news. The followers of Voldemort attacked, the Death Eaters. As Harry and the Weasleys evacuated, someone set off the Dark Mark, using Ron's wand. For some reason, Barty Crouch blamed his House Elf, and gave her clothes, which then set off Hermione upon finding out that house elves were enslaved.

Luckily, this morning was the ride to Hogwarts, and the Weasleys plus Hermione and Harry were on Platform 9 and 3 quarters. The Hogwarts Express was slowly pulling away, with the children looking out the window at the adult Weasleys when Mr. Weasley cleared his throat. "Well kids, I have a swift thing to tell you. The TriWizard Tournament will occur at Hogwarts this year. So be safe, and have fun!" With that, the train started to move out of the station, and the last thing the adults saw were the shocked faces of the children.

"Now Arthur, was that really necessary?" Mrs. Weasley asked with a smile on her face.

"Of course, it was dear. They couldn't go to Hogwarts not knowing of the Tournament. Plus, it keeps them on their toes. " Mr. Weasley chuckled as he thought of the looks on those kids faces. "Not to mention it was funny."

"Father, I shall never wonder where the Twins got their humor." Percy said dryly.
"From their mother Percy, from their mother." Arthur winked at his most recently graduated son.

"Arthur, Percy, lets go home. I have a crumble in the oven remember." Molly smiled as her family joked around.

With some pops, the adults left the station as well.

"Your dad is evil Ron." Hermione said as they finally sat down. The train was well on its way. As they settled in for the 8 hour ride, Harry pulled out his book.

"Harry can you not read that right now? I want to talk about the Tournament." Hermione sighed.

"Sorry, it's just a Potter was in the tournament at one point… ah here it is. Gerald Staph Potter, Hogwarts champion in 1478. He died in the second round. He tried to kill a Kraken in the sea." Harry paraphrased.

"What's a kraken?" Ron asked the carriage.

"I… I'm not sure actually. I know in the muggle world, the Kraken is a sea creature with tentacles that sunk many ships." Hermione said.

"The kraken is a sea creature that has the lower body of a squid, with 10 tentacles, and upper body of a man. It is on average around 20 long from tentacle tip to head, and has venomous spines on its forearms and back. It is highly territorial." Harry read the entry from the Potter Grimoire.

"Does that book have everything Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Is that a grimoire Potter?" A voice came from the door of the carriage. Leaning in the door way, looking serious instead of snobbish, was Draco Malfoy. His blond hair had not changed much, except that it was swept to the left instead of the right as was custom last year. He seemed to have grown a few inches, and his shadows Crabbe and Goyle were not present behind him.

"It is the Potter Grimoire, Malfoy." Harry replied as Hermione opened her mouth.

"I see. Well if that is the case, then I wish you luck this year. After all, heirs are elible for the Tournament as per the rules. No matter age." Malfoy's grey eyes bored into Harry's. " If you are chosen Potter. Show the world. No mercy, no quarter. The Potters would never have done differently. And as a Malfoy, I can respect that at least." With that, Draco shut the door.

"What in the bloody hell was that?" Ron asked Harry.

"Old families, like the Potters and the Malfoys have respect for each other's Identities. The Malfoys have always been power mongers, and have a dark tendency. They weren't all terrible people, but they were always near or around the top. The Potters were never really interested in politics, but when it came down to it, no one was stupid enough to cross them, unless they were a Dark Lord or something similar. Some of the things a motivated Potter could do, are simply terrifying. While Malfoy and I may never be friends, he respects the fact that with this book, I will one day be able to do what my ancestors did." Harry explained. Soon, the topics shifted until the trolley cart went through with the teens buying some candy.

"Can you give us an example?" Hermione asked when the last Every Flavour Bean was eaten.

"What?" Came the reply.

"An example of the terrifying things that a Potter could do? You don't have to tell us the spell, or anything, but I'd be interested in hearing more of your family history."

"Okay… let me find one." Harry slowly flipped through the pages of the book thinking. "How about the life of Fredrick Potter? He was the 53rd head of the family, and was my great grandfather."

"If you are going to tell a story, you should tell it to as may people as possible Harry. Remember, the rite of the Heir…" Ron said to Harry before he could tell the story.

"The rite of the Heir?" Hermione questioned. "All these things sound like they are complicated and complicate life."

"Its when the Heir of a family tells a story from the family history to show that they can actually read the grimoire. It is one of the traditions. There are a few rules of course, like you don't talk about things from the last two generations,so Harry couldn't talk about his father or grandfather. It can be boring depending on the family but over all it's a fun time."

"I forgot about that Ron… when would a good time for that be?" Harry wondered out loud.

"If I remember right, Hogwarts, A History mentions that you can make a speech during the feast if you want." Hermione said as she pulled her outer robes on over her uniform.

"Good thing we are only about ten minutes from the school." Ron said as he mimicked Hermione and got ready for the feast.

The students slowly filed in from the carriages. Most of them were wet, for two main reasons: the rain and Peeves. Who ever thought it was a good idea to tell Peeves about water balloons needed to be clamped in irons and dangled from the Astronomy Tower.

Harry watched as the first years tangled by, their frightened and excited faces blurring together. A mix of Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Slytherins, and Ravenclaws slowly trickled towards their tables. Finally the last child went to their table, and Professor McGonagall took the Hat and stool out of the hall. When she returned, and sat, Professor Dumbledore stood.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. I know you all must be hungry… so tuck in!" With those word, the feast appeared and everyone began to eat and chatter.

As Harry finished his plate, he filled a goblet of water. He then stood, and walked up to the head table. The Great Hall went silent as he stood in front of Professor Dumbledore.
"I would like to use this time to do the Rite of the Heir, sir." Harry looked into the headmaster's sharp blue eyes.
"Sit down Potter. Only the Heir of an important family can use that Rite." The oily voice of the Potion Master cut through the silence.

"Sir, with all due respect, be silent and know your place. I am doing this rite, no matter if you agree or not." With that Harry turned to the crowd of the Great Hall. He took a deep breath and pointed his wand at this throat.

"Sonorus. Hello, my name is Harry Potter, and as per my right as Heir Potter, I invoke the Rite of the Heir."

At this announcement the Great Hall erupted into whispers before shifting into cheers from those who knew what was about to occur.

"For those who do not know. Heir Potter is about to tell a story of his ancestory. He will read from his Grimoire. Any spells he mentions he mentions that are not known, are considered family magic. Attempting to utilize them, will result in punishment that I cannot save you from. You may proceed Heir Potter." Headmaster Dumbledore's voice cut through the cheers and the whispers silencing the hall.

"Thank you, Headmaster. Tonight, I shall tell the tale of the Death of Fredrick Potter, the 53rd Head of the Potter Family." Harry cracked open his Grimoire, and started to speak. As soon as the first word came from his mouth, his mind hazed over, and his voice became stronger as the magic in the Rite took over.

"In the summer of 1883, the Head of the Potter family was Fredrick Potter. He was not a young man, at the age of 84, he was rather middle aged at this point. However, he was strong of magic, and of mind. He was happy, for his son had just started a family of his own. During his son's wedding, Fredrick was motioned by a page. "Sir, our property in the Dutch East has been captured."
"By?" Fredrick asked the page.
"That Dark Lord in the area sir. He wants the resources of the island."
"The Fairy Fruit? Well, I don't mind if he has it… what of the cousin in charge of the island. Did she escape?" Fredrick asked his hand on his chin.
"Sir… Cousin Beatrix was slaughtered… her body was blown to pieces according to the survivors."

Fredrick became silent, and his head bowed. With a deep breath, he raised his head and yelled at his son. "Charles. Something has come up, I must go to our property at the Dutch East. Should I not return, you know where the book is." With that, Fredrick turned, and walked away. Once he was past the wards of the wedding, he apparated to Potter manor, where he donned his War robes. Robes he had not worn since his time as a War Mage in the Runia War of 1835. With a sigh, he stroked the portrait of his wife. "Today, I go to war again my love…" With that Fredrick left the manor. He would not return.

He apparated to the portkey station, and created a portkey to his property in the Dutch East. With a word, he disappeared.

He appeared on the island. All around him were craters and fallen tries. He followed the path up to the manor,his gait lengthening with each body he found. When he crested the final set of stairs to find the Dark Lord of the area and time torturing one of the workers. "Where are the plants?! Answer me! Crucio!" The screams of the worker lowly dwindled into whimpers, and then into gargles. The worker was tortured to madness.

"I will search the island then."
"You will leave my island. Now." Fredrick said as he walked up to the flattened land in front of the manor.
"You will take me to the Fairy Fruit, or you will die." The dark lord spun and launched a Crucio at Fredrick.

What followed is unknown exactly. What we do know is that for three hours the duel progressed. And finally, after the manor was destroyed, Fredrick and the Dark Lord stood.
"If you do not leave, I will kill you." Fredrick threatened.
"Foolish old man! I am winning! Look at you! You have lost your arm, and you have barely scratched me!"

He was right. Fredrick lost his left arm during the last exchange to a cutting curse. And he still had yet to land a solid hit to the dark wizard.

"If I cannot kill you… I know something that shall." With that, Fredrick Donned his Mask, and the duel began once more. With a flick of the wand, Fredrick rose a wall, 30 feet tall all around the property, and he began to fire curses at the Dark Lord. For the first time in the duel, Fredrick started to push the Dark Lord back. Crucios were blocked by spires of stone whose shards were banished back at the Lord. Dark curses reflected to the left and right of the Potter Head with flicks of the wrist. Until finally the dark lord was pressed against the mount, and disarmed.
"I don't know what gave you this power! But know that It shall not last! Soon, you will tire, or bleed out! And I will win!" The Lord was not wrong… Fredrick was losing blood at a rapid pace.

"I will not allow you to have my land, nor can I allow you to leave after what you did to my family. But it appears to me that I can not leave here either."

With those final words, Fredrick pointed his wand at the earth between the two of them and said "Brex-Bombarda!" The explosion from the blasting curse, powered by the family magic amplification spell caused a chain reaction. The Mount was unstable to begin with, thus why the manor was lower than was standard. With that explosion, so strong it collapsed portions of the mountain, the whole island began to erupt. Just as Fredrick planned, the island of Krakatoa would never be the same, and the Dark Lord Hreal the Strange, would fall.

So died the 53rd Head of the Potter family, Fredrick Potter.

The hall was silent as Harry finished his story. Then came the cheers and the chants of "Potter!" as was tradition. The headmaster stood and said," As per tradition, two questions are to be asked of Heir Potter. He may state the answer in its entirety, or he may decline. , Mr. Diggory you shall ask one question and Ms. Chang, you shall ask the other. If you will Mr. Diggory ."

"Heir Potter. What was the Fairy Fruit?" Cedric asked.
"The Fairy Fruit is a now extinct plant that according to some was required to create the Philosopher's Stone. However there is a more widely known effect. Fairy's Fruit when juiced was capable of eliminating the curse from drinking Unicorn's Blood. However, such a cure was not easy. To even cut the Fairy Fruit, one must have a special knife, blessed in certain rituals, and you must drink the juice after doing another ritual. At least, that is what Fredrick's notes on the subject say." Harry replied without looking away, his voice seemingly monotone. His mind still in a haze as the magic of the Rite forced him to answer.
"Thank you Heir Potter." Cedric sat. As soon as he did, Cho stood, seemingly forced up. "Heir Potter. Why was Fredrick losing? He had been in war, and Hreal was an up and coming dark lord; not even recognized on the international level. "

"Fredrick was never as magically powerful as most Potters were. He won his fights with intelligence, and will to win. He survived war, partially due to youth and luck, and partially because his comrades understood the roles they each played in combat. War and singular combat are totally different, with different rules. In war, you are fighting as a team, and can fight differently. In singular combat, you must be able to battle singularly. Fredrick, while highly intelligent, did not have the force behind his spell work to break through Hreal's shields, without harm to himself. When he gave up trying to survive, he beat Hreal. It is why Fredrick's Lesson is "Survival of yourself is the second most important thing. If the Family survives, that is all that matters. Let no threat live to your family." The magic of the Rite slowly disappeared from Harry's mind as the last sentence left his lips.

"With that, the rite is finished. Mr. Potter, you may take your seat. Thank you for the amazing story of your ancestry." Professor Dumbledore raised a goblet to Harry as he went to his seat. "Now that it appears we have all been nourished by both food and entertainment. I have a few announcements. The first and largest is the TriWizard Tournament shall be open on October 31st of this year. The impartial judge, should you put your name in for the drawing, shall pick three champions. One for each school. Heirs, and those over the age of 17 by Samhain, shall be eligible. I give you fair warning now however. Should you enter the competition, you risk more than just your life. Honor, and Glory for your Name shall be on the line. Should you survive the tournament, you are guaranteed a cash prize of 1000 Galleons. But should you win, you shall be gifted the treasured TriWizard cup, and a cash prize of 100,000 galleons. Enter lightly… this tournament has been modified to only offer the safety of your life. If you fail a task, it will not kill you. It will strip you of your magic." Professor Dumbledore paused here, and made sure that his eyes touched each student with his gaze.
"For my final announcement, let me introduce the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Alastar Moody." He pointed to the man who had sat through the whole feast looking at each student with a swirling electric blue eye. His face was scarred and pitted and he had a wooden leg. He walked with a large walking stick with a top carved into the shape of a bird's beak. .
"Professor Moody was an auror, and has been fighting the Dark Arts for over 50 years. He will make a wonderful addition to the staff. With that, I dismiss you to your common rooms. Goodnight everyone!" Professor Dumbledore clapped his hands and the doors to the hall opened.

Harry joined the rest of the crowd and slowly went upstairs. He ended up sleeping with his Grimoire held to his chest, in his four-poster bed, listening to Ron snore. Tomorrow would be another day, and another opportunity to learn more about his family and what it truly meant to be a Potter.