Dragon Rising

Chapter Two: Bloodlines

A/N as usual I don't own anything from the Harry Potter Universe.

Harry Potter paced back and forth in his room at the Dursley's, awaiting Hedwig's return with Sirius's Answer. It's been a Week since the end of Term, and every night his dreams were plagued with Alex, at first he'd just considered them as dreams, but they never repeated and they always put him in Alex's point of view, normally that wouldn't be enough but there was something telling him these were real, he began to doubt even more so when he'd learned Alex's full name.

Alexander 'Dragon' Potter.

At first he'd just brushed it aside thinking it was just his dreams playing tricks on him, but as the nights past bringing a new scene every time, he began to have doubts they were dreams, he'd finally given in and written to Sirius about them, of course he hadn't put it in so many words, he just asked Sirius about his Father's side of the family, an innocent question about a his family so it wouldn't matter if Hedwig was intercepted as Ron, Hermione and Sirius, always warned him so he wouldn't send anything sensitive.

Hedwig chose that moment to return, soaring through the open window and landing on her perch, letter clasped in her beak, he snatched the letter ignoring her indigent hoot, ripping it open he read.

'Dear Harry,

I must say you last letter came as a surprise.

Normally you ask about things you know damn well can't be shared over owl post.

But getting back your question, to be honest I don't know all that much about your family history on your dad's side, I know the name Potter's old, but I'm not sure how old.

Even though your dad and I were best friends I can't say I met anyone aside for your Grandparent's, great people by the way.

Gringotts would know, maybe we can schedule a meeting with your account manager before you leave for Hogwarts.

Now enough of this serious business, ha-ha you see what I did there, anyway I'm told you rarely leave your room these days, what's wrong with you Pup! I know your grieving about Cedric but you've got to move on, honor his memory and live your life to the fullest.

I expect to hear news of you getting into trouble, maybe find a girl or two.

Snuffles'

Harry laughed for the first time in days, trust Sirius to bring girls into the conversation, "I hope you never change Sirius" he thought fondly, suddenly it was if something clicked, "wait did he say he'd heard, that means I'm being watched"

Peering out the window he swept his gaze over Privet Drive.

"I should be angry their watching me", but surprisingly enough all he felt was curiosity, it would make sense since he couldn't use Magic outside of school, and there was a mass murder out there. But wouldn't it be more effective if they told him, but if he was being watched then he felt better about leaving the house, though the Magical world was off limits Hermione and the others would kill him if he ignored their letters and went to Diagon Alley by himself.

Two lines of the letter flashed in his mind, 'honor his memory and live your life to the fullest' and 'I expect to hear of you getting into trouble'

Maybe Diagon Alley wasn't off limits after all, if he was caught he couldn't be ignored anymore , on the other hand he would problably get a tongue lashing from Molly Weasley, Hermione Granger and anyone else that could jump at him, a smile found its way to his face, he was going to make Sirius regret his words.

Setting the letter down his desk and walking over to his bed he knelt down and pulled a box out from underneath and placed it on top.

Before he'd left Hogwarts he'd traded some Galleons to Dean Thomas for some Muggle Money, he planned on doing it at Gringotts but never got the chance.

With Muggle Money in hand he'd gotten a few things that would help him blend in dark clothing seemed to be all the rage these days, not that it really mattered to him, it was just clothing. His relatives would through a fit if they ever found out, after all a freak like him didn't deserve good clothing that actually fit him.

Inside the box was a pair of Black jeans, a Dark Gray T-shirt with, a Black Hooded jacket with silver lightning dancing across the shoulders and down both arms, and finally Black fingerless gloves and Combat Boots, it was the only outfit he owned that fit him and were not Dudley's hand-me-downs, the Money he didn't spend on this one set of Clothing was hidden under the loose floor board under his bed, only to be used in an emergency.

Harry quickly changed Clothes, it felt nice to finally wear something that fit him and weren't several sizes too big, he made sure to grab his Wand, Vault Key, and a handful of Galleons, before opening the door to his room and looking both ways, closing the door silently behind him, he crept down stairs, down the hall, past the living room where his Aunt and Uncle were still watching TV Dudley was nowhere to be seen, into the Kitchen and out the back door.

During a particularly persistent game of Harry hunting, he'd found a gap behind the hedge in the back yard that he could use to hide from Dudley and his Gang or slip out of the house unnoticed, he used it now stepping through the hedge where he knew it was thinnest, and following the small gap all the way to the street, before emerging from the Hedge he pulled his hood up.

It felt great to get out of the house, he felt free for the first time in weeks. He waited till he was strolling down Magnolia Crescent a few streets down from Privet Drive, before throwing out his right hand.

With a Bang! A purple double Decker Bus came screeching to a halt in front of Harry, 'Knight Bus' was written in Gold lettering above the windshield and along the sides, "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board, and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I will be your conductor this evening"

Stan was just as Harry remembered him, large protruding ears, and more than a few pimples, Harry stepped on board, "Leaky Cauldron, please. Eleven Sickles right?" and Stan's nod he handed over a Galleon and waited for change.

Stan returned Six Sickles peering closely at Harry, "Neville" he exclaimed, "Neville Longbottom, I thought that was you" Harry flashed him a small grin still feeling slightly guilty about misleading him Two years ago, "it's been a while Stan how have you been"

Stan gave him a toothy grin, "I've been good, jobs a little slow these days though" Harry nodded his head in understanding.

"Leaky Cauldron, take it away Ern," Stan called towards the Driver seat; abruptly Harry was reminded why he hated the Knight Bus, with a Bang! He found himself lying on the floor with Stan grinning down at him, the Knight Bus jumped three more times, each time with a Bang! And each time sending Harry to the floor, "Leaky Cauldron" Stan said helping him up for the fourth time; he breathed a sigh of relief as he disembarked his feet meeting solid ground.

He wasted no time at the Leaky Cauldron barely nodding to Tom the barman as he past, and soon found himself facing Diagon Alley, even though it was getting late there was still a crowd rushing to get some last minute shopping done before the stores closed. This was the part Harry had been dreading, the final stretch to Gringotts, anyone could recognize him, and at this point Death Eaters, Weasley's, Lupin, Hermione, ect. Were all on the same threat level, being caught by anyone of them would spell Trouble for him.

Diagon Alley was a magnificent place, shops lining the main drag, side streets and more shops leading out, and at the end always in view no matter what street you were on, Gringotts, White marble gleaming in the evening light.

He was almost to the White marble stairs when he noticed a familiar red head starting down, with long red hair pulled back into a ponytail, and a silver tooth earring. Bill Weasley was coming down the White marble stairs of Gringotts, heading right for Harry. Breath catching in his throat Harry turned to face the nearest shop acting as if he was inspecting one of the many strange spindly objects visible through the window.

He watched the reflection of Bill as he past heart hammering loudly, "What on earth is Bill doing in Diagon Alley, none of Ron's letters said he was visiting from Egypt" his heart almost stopped when Bill came to a halt not Five feet from him.

Harry panicking, he was about to be caught by the eldest Weasley brother, "you didn't have to wait for me" the voice yanked his attention back to the scene behind him, a beautiful woman was now standing next to Bill, long silvery blond hair, deep blue eyes, with fair skin and a petite frame, Harry gasped, Fleur Delacour was standing right next to Bill.

"It was no problem; in fact I had something I wanted to discuss with you, perhaps over dinner?" Bill asked her with a smile.

Fleur returned the smile; "I'd love to" with that they started off down the street.

Harry released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, "That was to close" he thought starting up the marble stairs, "Who would have thought Bill and Fleur though, I wonder if Fred and George know" setting the thought aside for later Harry walked through the large double doors of Gringotts.

Inside was just how he remembered it, a White marble room only slightly smaller than the Great Hall at Hogwarts, two rows of high desks ran the length of the hall ending with a slightly larger desk at the end, multiple doors lined the walls occasionally opening and closing, a large glass chandelier hung from the ceiling, the sound of quills scratching at parchment echoing off the marble walls.

Harry walked to the very end of the hall where the largest desk sat passing Goblins that looked to be finishing up for the night, "I would like to see the account manager for my vault" he spoke to the Goblin at the desk.

The Goblin didn't even look up from his work, "do you have an appointment?" he asked in a bored voice,

"Ah… no" Harry said not knowing he was supposed to make one.

"Name?" the Goblin sighed.

"Harry Potter" the Goblin finally looked up from his work, realizing he still had his hood up Harry pulled it down,

"Ah Mister Potter" the Goblins voice had changed from bored to smooth and respectful, "follow me" the Goblin hopped down and led Harry through a nearby door.

They continued down a short hallway before coming to another door, this one with the insignia of a Dragon on it, the Goblin rapped on the door with his knuckles before pushing it open, the room they walked into looked to be a nicely decorated office, with pictures of various Goblins hanging from the walls, two comfy looking armchairs in front of an ornately carved redwood desk, there were also several filing cabinets and bookshelves sitting behind the desk, what caught Harry's attention the most was the battle axe hanging behind the desk, it look to be in pristine condition like someone had just hung it up after cleaning it.

Behind the desk sat another Goblin, unlike many other Goblins Harry had seen this one had a darker skin tone then the rest, and was completely bald, with a rather large goatee, the Goblin in question looked up as they entered setting his quill aside.

"Who do you bring before me today Stoneboat?" his voice was deep and commanding, Stoneboat as he was called bowed.

"Mister Harry Potter wished to see you, Grimclaw Sir"

Grimclaw eyed Harry up and down; "leave us" still bowed Stoneboat retreated from the room, he then gestured to an armchair, "I've been waiting for the Potter heir to drop by for some time now, please have a seat" Harry sat stiffly in the offered chair, "my name is Grimclaw, I've been the Potter family account manager for Fifty years now, and someday I'll pass that title down to my son Griphook, as it was passed down to me by my father, and his father before him and so on"

"I've met Griphook, when I first came to Gringotts"

Grimclaw nodded, "he mentioned meeting the Potter Heir, I've been expecting a visit ever since, and here you are, now what can I do for you this evening?"

"I was told by my Godfather that you keep records of the Family of the account your managing" at his nod Harry continued, "so I was wondering if I could find the record of a certain ancestor of mine."

Grimclaw stood and walked over to the nearby filing cabinet, "what's the name of this ancestor?"

"Alexander 'Dragon' Potter"

Grimclaw froze before returning to the Desk empty handed, "I'm afraid we don't have a file on him, it was lost in the Goblin wars hundreds of years ago, I'm sorry" he truly looked sorry; Harry had never seen a Goblin look so sad before.

"It's alright; do you have a picture of him at least?" Harry asked hopefully, finding he had an ancestor by that name wasn't enough to make this trip worth the risk, he needed to see a picture,

"Actually" Grimclaw said looking thoughtful.

"We don't have one on file like a said it was lost a long time ago, but" Harry perked up, "there is a portrait in your family vault, I've seen it"

Harry furrowed his brows in confusion, "I don't remember seeing anything in my vault, besides a mountain of Galleons"

Grimclaw had a smug smile, "that's your trust vault, and your family vault is much deeper"

"Can we go to it?"

"Normally you would have to wait for you parent to take you, but considering their dead. You would have to wait for your Seventeenth birthday, when Magic recognizes you as an Adult; the Potter Family vault is the only one with this safety measure. Everyone else's has a clause saying if they are the last of their line they gain access to the family fault when they turn eleven" Harry was about to say something but Grimclaw help up a hand to stop him.

"I said normally because last year you participated in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, in doing so Magic recognized you as an Adult, allowing you access your family vault. Now I hope you don't get motion sickness" Grimclaw led him through the only other door in the room, on the other side was a brief flight of stairs leading to a cart track, there was already a cart waiting for them.

They climbed in Harry had barely sat down before they were off, it was the longest cart ride Harry had ever experienced at Gringotts, it seemed to last forever, going further down then Harry had ever been. After what had to be forty-five minutes maybe even an hour, the cart slowed before coming to a stop with a light bump to stone steps, they had reached the end of the Gringotts mine cart track.

Harry found himself in a room with a high ceiling and stone pillars; the platform was in a U shape curving around the tack, Harry and Grimclaw stepped out of the Cart, "that's your vault" he said pointing a to a large Black door with the number one above it, as Harry approached he noticed the insignia on the door.

It was a Dragon front claws clutching at a shield with its wings out stretched, head thrown back in a roar, flames spouting from its mouth. On the shield was the letter P, and underneath was the Family Motto. He turned to ask Grimclaw what it meant. Only he wasn't beside him, he looked back to find him still standing next to the cart.

"Hey Grimclaw what…" he was cut off by two deep rumblings, he'd been so focused on the door he hadn't look to either side, Two Dragon stepped into the torchlight one on either side, their Black scales glinted In the torchlight as the glared at him with red eyes their tales coming to rest beside, the ends of which looked like giant double bladed Axes.

"If you're really a Potter they won't attack you, just keep walking towards the door" Grimclaw called from behind him, Harry had to force himself to take a step than another, his hand clutching his wand tightly in his pocket, he wouldn't be able to take them both, but he'd be dammed if he didn't go down fighting.

He reached the door without the Dragons attacking him which he considered a good sign, though now he was faced with a second problem, "How the Hell! Do I open this door?" using his left hand he gave the door a push, nothing happened, hand still resting on the door Harry began examining the door for any cracks or keyholes anything that would give him a clue how to open the door.

His eyes fell on the Family Motto, running under the Crest, it was Latin. He assumed it was his family motto.

"Spectemur Agendo" he spoke the words softly to himself.

Suddenly there was a flash of light and Harry felt heat radiating off the door surging through his hand to the rest of his body, when it receded he found Grimclaw standing next to him.

"The door has recognized you as a Potter, you may now enter"

Harry glared at him, "you could've warned me about the Dragons"

Grimclaw smirked at him, "where would be the fun in that"

Harry was about to reply sharply when the door opened cutting him off. Settling for a growl sounding an awful lot like a dragon himself.

The vault was about the size of his trust vault, though it seemed to open up towards the back. "This portion of the vault consists of your family heirlooms" Grimclaw said. It had several shelves packed with stuff, as he pasted he saw a couple of suits of armor, a rack of weapons, crystal balls, Rings, Necklaces, bracelets, even a couple bookshelves. The vault seemed to have it all; Harry stunned all this stuff was his, past down from generation to generation.

Grimclaw led him onto a balcony overlooking a room bigger than the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Harry felt his mouth fall open, gold glittered in large piles, but is wasn't just coins, Statures, Ornate Paintings and Tapestries, Chests full of Reds, Blues, Greens and every other color you could think of, it was so much Harry felt his legs tremble.

'all this mine, there's so much" the amount of wealth on display was starting to scare him, what else did this vault have in store for him, he almost couldn't make himself follow Grimcalw down the stone steps and through the treasure trove, almost.

He never thought Gold could be scary, but he was scared with the amount that was in this vault. "I bet Malfoy would be right at home here, he's always bragging about how rich his family is. I bet the Potter's could give him a fun for his money" the thought came unbidden to his mind of Draco staring open mouthed at the Potter fortune.

The image managed to draw a small smile back to his lips, Grimclaw led him past the trove to the very back of the vault to where a doorway big enough to fit Hagrid connected this room to another.

Most people would find the last room anticlimactic after the heirlooms and hoard of Gold, but this last room is what drove it all home, the room was shaped like a curved trapezoid, stairs surrounded a pedestal allowing access from any direction, atop the pedestal was a glass case, inside two stands held up a very familiar Black Dragon Scale Gauntlet.

But what drew his attention the most wasn't the pedestal or the gauntlet, what drew his attention was the portrait hanging behind it, or more importantly the person it depicted.

His hair was jet black and untamed, Bright Silver eyes, clothed in Black Dragon Scale Armor, his arms were hanging by his sides Twin Swords unsheathed and grasped firmly in either hand. He stood on a battlefield bodies lying around him, blood dripping from his blades, a Dragon standard rippling in the background.

It was a rather intimidating portrait, but surprisingly unlike the many other portraits in the Wizarding World, this one stood completely still, as if a Muggle painted it.

"That is your ancestor Alexander 'Dragon' Potter. The portrait is still as magnificent as I remember"

Grimclaw looked up at Harry to see him frozen in shock and wonder. "I'll wait for you at the cart take all the time you need"

For awhile after Grimclaw left Harry just continued to stare at the painting. "He's real, could all of those dreams really have happened. Am I reliving my Ancestors memories through my Dreams?" still in thought Harry ascended the steps to the pedestal. He bent down bringing the glass case to eye level, "this case looks solid, I wonder how you open it" hesitantly he touched the glass with his hand. Gasping Harry watched as the glass seemed to belt away.

Next thing he knew Harry was on his back staring at the ceiling, he groaned as ever bone and muscle in his body ached. "What just happened, last thing I remember is touching the glass case" reaching up he grabbed the pedestal pulling himself onto his knees; resting his left arm atop it Harry realized the Gauntlet was gone. In its place was a small blood-red book and one of his fingerless gloves. Even the stand was gone.

Bringing his other arm up to help him stand he paused, it felt heavier than usual. Glancing down he staggered to his feet in surprise. Bringing his arm up to eye level, he stared at the gauntlet that once sat upon the pedestal was now fitted snuggly on his arm. He was brought out of his revere when he heard footsteps. Scrambling he tried to take it off but couldn't it just wouldn't come off. Panicking he tried to think of a way to hide it, blinking he watched as it seemed to answer his wish's when it transformed into a small black metal band around his wrist, the weight was still there so he knew it was still there. It was just hidden.

"Still here I see, I was starting to think you had died in here, you about ready to leave it's getting late" looking up Harry saw Grimclaw standing there.

"Yeah I'll be right there" turning around Harry quickly pull his glove back on before stuffing the book into his jacket pocket, maybe it would explain to him what happened. Tiredness forgotten for a time Harry followed Grimclaw out of his vault. "Hey Grimclaw, what happens to my Trust Vault now that I have access to my Family Vault?"

"It will be closed and added to the Potter Vault. Why?"

"I was just wondering if I could keep it open so I don't have to come all the way down here every time I need money" there was also another reason why he wanted this. At the moment only he and Grimclaw knew he had access to his Family Vault and for the time being he would like it to stay that way.

"That can be done I'll make sure it happens" was Grimclaw's simple response.

The trip by cart was uneventful, before saying goodbye to Grimclaw at his office Harry made sure to exchange some galleons into pounds, going a little overboard when Grimclaw said he'd just deduct it from his Vault. Then waving goodbye he set a brisk pace through Diagon Ally before summoning the Knight Bus and going home. Sneaking once more through the now silent house Harry collapsed tiredly to his bed, all the fatigue finally catching up to him. He barley looked at his wrist before sleep too him.

For the next week, Harry found himself getting used to the gauntlet. On impulse he'd flicked his wrist just like his ancestor did in his dreams; a wand with black and white spiral shot into his hand at such speed he almost dropped it. So For the last few days he'd been practicing ejecting the wand and putting. The gauntlet didn't even have to be visible for it to work. He also practiced using his old wand left handed while using this new one in his right; it was not easy. He'd also tried looking through the book but it was in some language he almost understood and when he looked at it the letters began rearranging themselves never failing to make him sick. But it was getting better each time he found himself almost understanding the words before he had to close the book.

Other than that he was kept very busy around the house doing chores. Also he'd started going on runs in the early morning. Just for something new to add to his daily cycle.

On this particular day Harry found himself angry be on belief, he paced back and forth in his room in his hand was a crumpled note.

Dear Harry.

I'm sorry but we won't be able to collect you as planed; it's too dangerous at the moment. For the time being it would be safer for you to just stay at your Aunt and Uncle's for the remainder of the summer.

Dumbledore

"No way in hell was he going to be staying here for the last month of summer" He had to get out, at this point he didn't care where he went. Throwing the crumpled up note at the wall, where it rebounded and landed on an open issue of the Daily Prophet, right on the article he'd been reading when the note had arrived.

The Under 17 World Dueling Tournament

Come one and all and test your skill in the annual under 17 world dueling Tournament for the chance to win one of the 2 Grand Prizes. But you must hurry registration ends soon.

It then went on to explain that it was being held in the United States this year and how it was split into 2 different Tournaments depending on your school year. Years 1-4 and 5-7. And apparently both Prizes were a secret this year. When Harry had read it he'd been severely tempted, he didn't care about the Prize; he still had the Tri-Wizard winnings after all. All he wanted to know was how he'd rank; after all he'd faced Voldemort three times and survived not to mention killing a Basilisk as well as driving away a hundred Dementors. No one his age could claim to have done as much.

He had immediately discarded the idea though, no way in hell would Dumbledore and the others let him participate. But as his eye's landed on the article he changed his mind. He was going. Screw them if they were going to leave him here he would take matters into his own hands. However he wouldn't just go running off like he did his Third Year; no he was going to plan this on out, after all he had a mad man after him he would have to be careful.

Stepping over to his bed he pulled out Sirius's old school trunk which he had given to Harry when they parted ways after that day in the headmaster's office. It was Black with inlayed Silver thorny vines. On top was the Black Family Crest, a Raven in flight clutching a wand, there were three compartments each marked with a smaller version of the Crest, which when tapped would open there respective compartment. It was coded to your Magic signature, when He'd given it to Harry he'd wiped it so that Harry could reset with his own. It had feather light charms as well as the ability to shrink and grow on command by placing his hand on the Crest on the lid.

He then pulled out his old school trunk before he began transferring everything. First were his school things which went into the first Compartment, it was all nicely divided making it easy to find everything when he needed to and even had a rack for his Firebolt in the lid. The second compartment acted as a bookshelf with two rows in the lid and two in the main body. And finally the Third one was made for his clothing. As he transferred his clothing he sorted it. Since he'd exchanged money at Gringotts Harry had gone on a major shopping trip replacing his wardrobe with clothes that would fit him, he sorted it so everything that was either baggy, to small or had holes was immediately tossed, doing the same to his school robes.

When he was done he noticed he only had filled only half of the compartment, it was perhaps the neatest his trunk had ever been. Finished with the packing Harry laid out some clothes to one side to wear tomorrow. He then snuck into Dudley's room to find he wasn't there, logged onto the computer and booked a flight to America. Printing out the flight information Harry returned to his room to finish getting ready for his trip tomorrow.

A/N here it is another installment of Rising Dragon. Still open for suggestions for a new name; as always Read and Review. Until next time Cya.

Translation: Spectemur Agendo/ let us be judged by our actions.