Chapter Two - Bloodlines

It was with great restraint that Gellert Grindelwald held back from the temptation of making his way to Great Britain and duelling Albus Dumbledore once more after seeing the state of young Harry Potter once his mercenaries had rescued him. He was at first unsure of how to behave around the child, but he quickly learned that the boy disliked loud voices, so he always made a point of speaking softly around him.

It took a few weeks for Harry to begin opening up to him, naturally after much tender care. At least, as much as a former Dark Lord could muster. He had already become fond of the lad if he was honest with himself, and made a point of showing Harry the wonders of magic, and giving simplified explanations of various spells and their uses. After all, the boy was only 4 years old. He had toys and new clothes purchased for him, burning the rags that the boy had been wearing when he had arrived. He now looked every part a young pureblood heir, the next task on that front was to teach him what little he knew about his family, and the differences in families. Harry was 4 years old however, so he kept it simple for the lad.

Once Harry had been nursed back to health and had begun feeling more comfortable with Gellert, he began learning German so as to better fit in. Tutors in the form of Gellerts mercenaries were brought in to teach other things such as basic math and the like. Harry took to the lessons like a fish to water, absorbing all the knowledge he was given like a sponge. He began smiling more in the months to come, a far cry from the pitiful misery that he was when he was first rescued. But what shocked everyone was the fact that Gellert Grindelwald now smiled almost constantly when he spoke about Harry.

One Year Later - 1985

It had been one year since the rescue, and Harry was a completely different child. Whereas before he was short for his age, malnourished and miserable, he now stood tall for his age, had a healthy looking body for a five year old and his personality now brightened up everybody's day. He had a mischievous streak in him that dumbfounded his tutors, playing pranks almost constantly. That wasn't to say that he was an underachiever though. Gellert had announced to his followers that Harry was the brightest young lad he had ever met, and believed with all his heart that the lad would surpass himself quite easily in both power and intelligence one day.

Today however was the day that Harry would be taken for a family test at the German branch of Gringotts bank. Gellert had his suspicions about the Potter family's ties, but he wanted to be sure. If he was wrong it would not matter, he loved the lad like his own son. But if his suspicions were correct, Harry was a descendant of the Peverell family. He would not gain any title from them, considering just how old the family was, not to mention the fact that the title had merged with another family but as to which family exactly, he did not know. All he knew was that the Peverell Lordship no longer existed.

He apparated just outside of the German branch under glamour, Harry holding on to his arm tightly and looking rather queasy after side-along apparition. He smiled at the boy before gesturing for them to head up the steps and into the bank.

"Don't worry Harry, the Goblins are friendly enough if they are treated with respect. Remember what I taught you and you will be fine." He told him, maintaining a smile so as to assure him.

The young Potter returned the smile nervously before nodding. "Yes Sir."

Gellert inclined his head and they began the march up the steps, greeting the Goblin guards with a short bow, something that was returned with toothy smiles. Heading inside, they were pointed to a large desk towards the back of a marble hall full of Goblins going about their work, whether it be measuring the weight of jewels, counting galleons or checking through long scrolls of parchment. Reaching the desk, Gellert checked the name tag of the Goblin behind said desk and cleared his throat.

"Greetings Ironclaw. If you are not too busy, I have brought along my son for a family test. Would this be possible immediately?" He made sure to keep his voice even and polite. In public, as far as everyone else was concerned Harry was his son. It had been confusing for Harry at first, but with time it became almost natural.

The Goblin looked up from his work with a nasty look on his face, which twisted into an even nastier grin upon seeing the two in front of him. "I believe I can have that arranged right away. Though I must say… glamour charms do not work with us, Mr. Grindelwald."

If Grindelwald was affected by being apparently found out, he did not show it. Harry looked up, slightly panicked, but a firm hand on his shoulder stopped him from reacting further. Gellert simply smiled at the Goblin. "I am aware. It wasn't for your benefit, after all. And I am aware of the discretion of Gringotts Goblins as well, hence my lack of concern."

The Goblin simply nodded and hopped down from his stool. "Right you are. Follow me, I shall take you to the testing room". They dutifully followed Ironclaw out of the hall and into a large antechamber that was twice the size of the main hall. Thousands of lines traced up and down the walls like plant roots, leading up to small yet empty circular portraits. In the centre stood a circular table with a stone basin sat in the middle. Strange looking stone-like tubes lead out of the basin and into intricate carvings that lined the floor around the table and led to the walls.

Standing around the table, the Ironclaw removed a simple golden dagger from a small yet beautifully decorated box and handed the blade to Harry, who received a nod of encouragement from Gellert before taking the knife.

The Goblin cleared his throat and began speaking in a business-like tone. "When you are ready, cut across the palm of your hand with the knife and hold your hand over the basin, so that it may receive your blood."

Harry hesitated for a moment before doing as instructed, gasping in pain as he cut across his palm. The blood dripped into the basin unnoticed by Harry and Gellert as Gellert took out his wand and quickly healed the cut, smiling at the boy. The blood that had fallen into the basin began to glow and swirl around before it slid down the stone-like tubes and towards the walls at speed. As the blood reached the bottom of the walls through the carvings on the floor, the lines on the wall began to glow on each side. Gellert watched one wall, which was Harry's mothers side of the family whilst Harry watched his fathers side appear. James Potter, Charlus Potter and more began to appear the further up the wall the glowing lines went.

He turned to Gellert to ask him about them when he stopped himself, seeing the look on the former Dark Lord's face. He looked as if he had seen a ghost, which was saying something considering the fact Grindelwald was naturally very pale. Choosing instead to look at what had shocked his mentor so much, he spotted a picture of a beautiful red headed woman who he knew to be his mother. His eyes travelled downwards and his eyes widened at the name. Everybody knew that his mothers name was Lily Evans, it was a generally known fact even in Europe, considering what had happened between them and Voldemort. So why was his mothers name appearing as Lilian Rosier?

AUTHORS NOTE

Hey guys! Now, I am genuinely shocked at how popular this became so quickly and with only the prologue and chapter 1 posted!

I had noticed a distinct lack in Grindelwald style Harry fics, so decided to give it a shot.

NOW, I must admit that the early part where Harry is being raised and sort of discovering himself etc is not my strongest point when it comes to writing, so the chapters and pretty short and to the point.

There will probably be one more chapter of this type of thing before we go into a time skip, going straight into what WOULD be Harry's 4th year.

Anyway, hope you guys enjoy!