Chapter Three - Decisions

It had been days since their visit to Gringotts that had left them reeling in shock. Harrys' mother was a Rosier! Gellert had thought the family extinct after the death of the outcasts that had chosen to side with Voldemort! He had sat down with Harry after they had returned home and he had given a brief explanation about the family, both the good and the bad. Harry for his part sat and listened in silence, yet seemed quite animated whilst being told the good things. Upon hearing that the Rosier family was a most ancient and noble house, the young lad's eyes widened in surprise. He had already learned the history behind the house of Potter, and whilst it was quite extensive, they held no title nor any accolades worth mentioning. The fact that he was related to the Peverells was quite unimportant to the boy, considering there were no other Peverells left.

After finishing his explanation, Gellert Grindelwald took a deep breath and looked at the young boy he had come to love as he would a son, and thought hard on his next words. Finally speaking, he softened his tone even more than usual, slowing himself down so that his words were understood completely.

"Harry… Do you remember our lessons on the noble houses, and the power they wield?" Harry nodded emphatically, smiling. Returning the smile, Gellert continued. "Well, you are now related to one of the most ancient wizarding families in our world… not to mention, the Grandson of one of my closest friends. This power could be yours, but for one problem… you already carry the name of Potter." Harry frowned slightly at this, and Gellert sighed.

Contrary to popular belief, it was not possible in the Wizarding world to carry two names or two titles, something people in Wizarding Britain either ignored or did not know. They could theoretically call themselves by both names, yet the family magic would not abide a second families magic in the host, and to force it would be suicide. Thinking all of this over, Gellert continued speaking.

"Well Harry, you have a choice. You have a chance at controlling not only the family magic of the Rosiers', but also their political power and prestige. Whilst it was somewhat tarnished, the name 'Rosier' still inspires both fear and respect. However, to wield this power, you would have to renounce the name of Potter." At Harrys' frightened look, Gellert quickly continued his explanation.

"You would still be your parents' son, my lad. Nothing can change that. Think of it this way… you would basically be taking your mothers legal first name, do you understand?" Harry gave a slow nod, waiting for Gellert to finish. Gellert, for his part, smiled slightly. "Of course, this is completely your choice. Should you wish it, you will remain a Potter, and nothing between us will change. However if you choose to take on the Rosier title, again, nothing between us will change, I shall simply support whichever decision you make. Alright?" At this, Harrys' smile returned and threw himself into his adoptive fathers arms.

They remained that way for a few minutes, with Gellert stroking Harrys' hair lovingly until Harry raised his head from the older man's shoulder, his face serious, or at least as serious as a five year old's face can be, and spoke up in a childish yet convicted voice. "I will take the name, Father."

Gellerts face contorted in shock. That was the first time Harry had called him father outside when needed out in public, and it thawed his frosted heart entirely for the first time in years. Pulling him once more into an embrace, he hugged the young lad tightly, promising himself that he would do everything he could to care for the boy and teach him everything he knew.

- - - - - - - -
Time Skip

Six Years Later - 1991

The years following Harrys' decision to take his mothers family name had been eventful, to say the least. The once malnourished young lad now stood tall for his age, well built and healthy. His once childish demeanour was lost beneath years of etiquette training and lessons on pureblood culture. That isn't to say that he didn't have fun though, he became a notorious prankster thanks to the efforts of one Grindelwalds Lieutenants, the son of Otto Lestrange, Elric. The two became fast friends, despite their age difference, and Elric made it his mission to teach Harry all he knew about jokes and generally having fun.

Naturally, Gellert Grindelwald also tried to get involved with this side of things yet he normally failed miserably, after all he wasn't exactly infamous for his prankster abilities. But, he tried, and to Hadrian, as he was now called, that was what counted as important. Gellert did, however, personally tutor Hadrian in the ways of magic, a privilege only one other could claim, not that Albus Dumbledore used half of what he had been taught. Hadrian proved to be a natural, having been taught at an early age the discipline needed to focus his mind, allowing him greater control of his magic. The fact that he could perform a blasting curse at his age left his other tutors gobsmacked, but not Grindelwald. He only looked on with what could only be pride.

However the time was coming where his son would leave the nest, having chosen to attend Durmstrang, just as Gellert had attended in his youth. Hadrians' only complaint had been Gellerts refusal to allow him to head into the magical shopping district in Munich, naturally for his own security. His own men had been sent to purchase the required supplies, and thankfully Hadrian had already bonded with a wand years prior. Yew, with a dragon heartstring core. It had been one of many that had been found inside the Rosier vaults once Hadrian had gained access, and the match was found after hours of attempts with other heirloom wands.

During the years, Gellert Grindelwald's forces had also grown. Many witches and wizards who longed to bask in the glory of their older generations who had served Grindelwald joined at the first rumour of his return, searching for him in ones or twos. Even the sons of Anton Vogel had searched for him, swearing an oath of loyalty to him the first chance they had. For the time being, these witches and wizards remained spread around the continent, biding their time and spreading Grindelwalds influence as discreetly as possible so as not to attract attention.

On the muggle side of things, his mercenary force had grown to a substantial force, taking up a front as an armed security firm working for oil companies in the middle east. So far the force comprised of sixty combat trained and armed men and women, twenty administration and logistics personnel, a MH-53J Pave Low helicopter that was donated and smuggled across by one of his contacts within the United States government, a Mil-Mi24 'Hind' attack helicopter that was purchased from a Private Military Company in the crumbling Soviet Union, and several trucks and armoured jeeps that had been collected through the years of planning.

It was the inevitable collapse of the Soviet Union that Grindelwald kept his eye on most, constantly thinking of ways to take advantage of the chaotic situation. His muggle forces were pretty much exclusively armed with older Soviet kit, and this was a chance to get their hands on even more equipment, an easy thing to do considering the sheer amount of corruption within the Soviet Military.

Hadrian had been taught quite a bit about this private military controlled by his adoptive father and had been eager to be trained in some of their combat drills, however Gellert had been firm about waiting until Hadrian had at least completed his first year at Durmstrang before engaging in any form of combat training. He had tried his best to explain the reasoning to Hadrian only two months before he left for Durmstrang.

*-Flashback-*

Gellert Grindelwald and Hadrian Rosier stood at a distance and watched as several muggle soldiers of fortune fired their weapons at targets in the distance, a drill instructor walking through them and correcting any mistakes they made, usually in a very loud and angry voice. The weapons they were using were a mixed batch of old bolt action rifles to newer AK-47's, AK-74's and even a few newer assault rifles currently used by the German armed forces.

Hadrian turned to Gellert, a curious expression on his face. "Father, may I be permitted to learn to fire guns like they do?" Gellerts expression turned slightly troubled before he kneeled down to match Hadrians' height and look him in the eye.

"Hadrian, handling a firearm is a massive responsibility. The men under my employ are all trained professionals or are being trained by professionals, and are much older and experienced than you are. One day, I will permit it, but not today."

Hadrians' face fell at this, his usual serene expression marred by a very rare pout. "But Father, you yourself have said that I am mature for my age, surely I am responsible enough!"

Gellert Grindelwald simply raised an eyebrow before letting out an exasperated sigh. "I tell you what Hadrian, I shall make you a deal. Once you go through your first year at Durmstrang, and manage to get through the year without incident, I shall have one of the drill instructors personally tutor you. However, he shall pull no punches, I will order him to treat you the same way he does all of the soldiers in training. Do you understand?" Hadrian nodded emphatically, practically ignoring the fact that he was going to be screamed out constantly in the not so distant future. Gellert for his part simply shook his head in exasperated amusement. Most kids just wanted new toys, his son wanted to learn how to use a gun. He really was still getting the hang of being a father.

*-Flashback Ends-*

The former Dark Lord watched now as Hadrian readied his trunk for his year at Durmstrang, excitement obvious on the youths face. He felt sad that his adopted son would be leaving for such a long period of time, but he knew it was necessary. Not only for his education, but so that Hadrian could make his own connections and friends and learn to make his own opinions and decisions. He called to Hadrian now, to say his farewell.

"Hadrian, come to me lad, at least give me a hug before you go." He held out his arms in a welcoming gesture, and grunted when Hadrian charged into him, knocking the wind out of him with the force of his hug.

"I will miss you, father." Hadrian's words were muffled into Gellerts shoulder, but they brought a tear to his eye for the first time in years all the same.

AUTHORS NOTE

Hey guys! First of all, I'd like to apologise for my long absence. Life has been kicking me in the ass just lately and between working out custody of my daughter, looking for work and generally just trying to survive in this day and age, it's been tough. Hopefully updates should now come a little more regularly!

So I'm sorry to say that I will not be writing out Hadrian's years at Durmstrang, I'm afraid writing that simply does not interest me at all- I much prefer skipping ahead, and getting into the grit of the Story. Because let's face it, his name is gonna pop out that goblet and they will all be in for a shock. Just like every other Triwizard Fanfic.

I plan on this story extending past his school years as well, so there should be quite some length to it (giggity).

I'd like to remind you folks that Harry WILL be Dark in this story, but he won't be a maniac as such. Guy has been raised by Grindelwald and his Lieutenants, so I'll leave it to your imaginations as to what he will plan.