AN: Good day, readers. There was a change in plans. Due to an old friend of mine reaching out to me and requesting I work on this one, I went ahead with this fic. That's about it. Anyway, to give a few cliff notes of what you can expect here, I changed the timeline of events a bit to allow fiddling with what I can do and events going on simultaneously. There is a larger gap between the Grindelwald War and the first Voldemort Rising as I moved that to the 90s for instance. As well as the simple fact that a US branch of the Potter family even exists is a rather large deviation I'm sure you will agree. There will also be other alterations as I see fit to better help the flow of this story. So for now, please sit back and enjoy my latest foray back into the world of writing.

"Speech."

"Thoughts."

Scene Changes

Chapter One: The Twist in the Tale

October 31st, 1993, Catskill Regions of New York

It was a cold and snowy day that fateful Halloween Night in 1993, in upstate New York. The Catskill mountain range always had an ethereal beauty about it to many visitors, and if one knew of this hidden mansion and its ground that stretches out over hundreds of acres, they would be enthralled and believe themselves to have stepped into a fairy tale. Especially as, despite multiple feet of snow all around, the grounds were miraculously clear of any of it.

A large wrought iron gate stands at the boundary of the property, intricately crafted with magical creatures and various other iconography worked into the metal. A large golden seal of a rampant griffon and dragon facing each other around a sheathed cavalry saber, or the letter P, takes up at least half of each side of the gate. If one were to walk through the gates, they would find themselves in immaculately cared for gardens.

To the sides of the main pathway there were various gardens and other flourishing plant life. Thick rosebushes laid out in mazes. Orchards of various apples and fruit baring trees. A vineyard that stretched for acres. There were even lakes and ponds off on branching paths with different stone work and vegetation around them to promote various kinds of healthy thought and meditation for the inhabitants of this grand estate. As well around the back there was a vast apicultural center, where the inhabitants of this marvelous estate tended bees for honey and wax.

That was before one even gazed upon the mansion itself, a vast seven story tall edifice to wealth and power. Marble statues dotted the walls, and tall windows gazed out from the building giving it a stately appearance before once even realized that the walls were made of. On casual inspection, they would seem to be simple blocks of well carved granite. But on closer inspection the stones were riddled with seems of precious stones and metals that lent a subtle light and sheen to the building that captivated the eye.

The upper parts of the stately old mansion had gargoyles, steep tin roofs, and protruding stone work that made the building seem more like a castle than the mansion of a rich family. And such an observation would have gotten knowing nods from the inhabitants of this grand building, which is called "The Ravenscroft Estate".

But on this night, what would stand out more than the impressive sight of this hidden monument to wealth and comfort; was the sudden appearance of a bundle of blankets on the front door step of the main building. Even more curious was the noise of a wailing infant from within the bundle, and it was this noise that prompted the opening of the door.

As the door opened, a five foot tall figure would be seen in the door. They were clad in a black and gold tuxedo in the style of a proper gentleman's, or woman, butler, and had a monocle over their right eye. As the figure stepped out of the bright light of the door way, any observers would see that this figure had some exotic features compared to a regular human. Their ears were pointer for instance, and their skin was almost the same color as a redwood tree's hardwood, which when matched with their silver hair made them ethereal and unreal to any who did not recognize him.

The male wood elf looked at the bundle with an inquisitive expression as they moved some of the blankets aside. "Well well, who do we have here?" They would murmur as they took in the features of a young babe of less than six months.

He would continue to speak, leveling his voice into a soothing tone. "Easy now young one, you're safe now." As he spoke, he would lift the infant up and bring them inside from the cold, sheltering the babe from whatever had caused his sudden appearance in these remote parts. "I do wonder how a member of the main Potter family arrived here unattended...and so young at that. Master Josiah will be need to be appraised of this development."

With that thought in mind, the well-dressed elven servant would head via the servants' routes to his master's private chambers. Both as to not cause an unnecessary bother for the rest of the family and their guests at the Halloween Ball, and to give his master time to assess the situation before the new arrival was discovered by his family.

A quick knock on a door would be met with a quick reply from an older male voice, "Enter, Talwan. I can sense the bundle you are carrying, and I feel there is a story behind this all."

At the behest of his master, Talwan the Elf would enter the private study of Josiah Potter. The room was richly decorated with hard wood desks, upholstered chairs, an entire wall turned over to a small library of books. As well as a globe that was enchanted to show many different views from topographical to the current patterns of the heavens. Not to mention many other items of worth that were of use to the head of the house.

The elf would clear his throat, and speak levelly and concisely to his master. "Master Josiah, I found this babe on the main doorstep. My ties to the family's magic tells me he is of the main branch of House Potter, their heir to be specific. I am at a loss for how this came to pass."

Josiah Potter is a man who appears to be in his sixties by his appearance, with gray hair and a face beginning to show the wrinkles of age. He normally, as he does now, wears a black smoking jacket, long sleeved white shirt, and black pants; he is currently smoking a corncob pipe with a frown of thought on his face.

"Young Harry? I see. I had a feeling today would be one of mystery when I woke and my favorite mug was broken. But this is beyond what I expected. Leave the lad here for now, Talwan. I would have you check upon the great chart of our family." The man would say, his accent clearer as he spoke more. It was an aristocratic southern one despite living in the north, hinting at being older than he appeared.

The elf would do as commanded, and within a few short moments he would return with a look of wide eyed shock. "Master! There was a powerful Confundus charm upon the tapestry, it has finally broken today it seems. But I bear ill tidings Master! The main house! They have been all but exterminated! Young master Harry is the sole survivor!"

Josiah, who had been holding his relative and rocking the babe back and forth in thought, nearly dropped the child in shock. "How is this possible? Who could have even cast such a spell to override such familial magics?" The man would ask rhetorically as he struggled to get his head around the revelation he had just been given.

To his chagrin, but not surprise, the chief elf of his household would be able to provide no answers. Such magic would have to have been wrought many decades ago, and with it having gone unnoticed it would be impossible to determine who cast the spell. Even more so due to the subtle way in which it was used, as the tapestry had shown everything in order, reporting births, marriages and deaths as it should. Which meant that the spell had to have been wrought specifically so that the branch house would never be able to assist their main house kin until it was far too late.

The head of the branch house scowled darkly. "Someone clearly decided to try and eliminate our kindred utterly. Someone with enough to gain to gamble against the might of the magical houses allied to our own if they were ever discovered. They have spat upon the honor of my house, and will reap the whirlwind they are owed."

Shaking his head to refocus on the moment, the head of the United States branch of House Potter would speak to his trusted elfin maitre d', "Talwan, when our guests have departed, have the adults of the house gather in the house meeting chamber. And summon Eliza to my study. I want her to check our new arrival over for any curses or ailments."

The elf, of course, would bow and carry out his orders to the letter. Anything else in such tense times would be seen as a dishonor to his position as well as the house he served, if not by his master than by his own sense of obligation and duty to the household he served.

Within a few moments, Eliza Potter would arrive at the orders of her Head of House. She was a relatively tall woman, standing at six foot three inches tall. Her raven black hair being well cared for and reaching her mid back, from her overall appearance one would guess that she was in her mid thirties. Though as with all things magic, that could be deceiving. As her eyes would tell anyone who paid close attention, for they held wisdom that bellied her appearance.

As she entered the room, she gave a head bow in respect to Josiah, "Talwan has informed me of the task I am to perform, grandfather, my medicinal arts are, of course, at your disposal. Though I would beg of you to explain how our new arrival came to be among us while I work." She would say as she upholstered her wand and got to work.

The elder Potter would, of course, explain in brevity what he knew of the subject, but he would refrain from doing more to allow Eliza to work her magics and examined the young lord to be for any illnesses and curses. After a few moments, she would frown heavily and shake her head. "Physically he is as healthy as one would expect of a babe his age. What worries me however, is this scar on his forehead."

As she said that, she would trace the soon to be famous scar that gave the boy his moniker of 'The Boy Who Lived' in Britain. "There is very dark magic trapped in that scar. Alarmingly so in fact. I have only read of a few dark magics that could even match such a signature." She would shudder as she mentioned that fact.

"I would highly recommend that one of the family's curse breakers take a look at it soon. Or baring that, if you feel it a priority, a Dwarf curse breaker of sufficient mastery would be more than up to the challenge I feel. Master Steelfoot for instance."

Josiah simply nodded in reply. "I will take your advice with the severity it no doubt implies. After all, it would be folly to ignore the advice of a medwitch of your caliber, my dear Eliza." He would take his pipe out of his mouth and gesture to the scar for emphasis. "Do you have an educated guess as to what that magic could be, so I can better direct the curse breaker on what to look into?"

The raven haired woman would sigh in reply, "Only two, grandfather. The first being a death curse, caused by the defeat of some would be 'dark lord' or another, intended to twist and break the curse victim into a copy of the caster. The second would be arguably worse due to the preparations needed to destroy the magic without injuring the young one, and that would be a Horrocrux."

The male Potter would drop his pipe in stunned silence, which quickly turned to a quite seething rage. A babe, less then a year old, had such a foul magic done to him? "There is no curse known to living tongues that is adequate for such a treacherous act of black magics. Nor do I feel that the curses of heaven nor hell would encapsulate what should happen to the perpetrator of this foul act."

He would tighten his fists as he spoke aloud, "I will have Master Steelfoot here first thing in the morning, Eliza. You have my word, I will also seek the identity of the caster of this magic..We are House Potter, and we do not forgive such insults and acts lightly. Nor shall we suffer such acts to be done to our kindred without retribution." His voice was cold and full of power, not a threat made idly, but more of an oath that what he had said would be carried out.

"For now, return to the party, and be ready for the meeting later. I have work to do in the meantime." Josiah would continue on to say, dismissing his relative for the time being. Once alone again with young Harry, his expression would sag and show a tiredness that belayed his apparent age.

"I do not envy what life will have in store for you in many ways, my young lord. But I make this oath to you. As far as it is within my power, I will ensure that you will be ready for whatever may come your way. Be it the war I fear is in your future, or simply to rebuild our destroyed progenitor house. As I have spoken, so shall it be." A slight twist in the magic that filled the room signified the oath's completion, and the old man smiled grimly in acceptance of his duty.

Two Hours Later: Ravencroft Main Hall

The guests of the estate had departed fifteen minutes ago when the party finally wound down. As well the teens and children of the House who had been allowed to stay up and enjoy the part had went to bed. So besides the elves in service to House Potter, only the adults were awake and gathered for this impromptu meeting that Josiah had called, as he had desired and commanded.

He would stand atop the grand staircase in the main hall, specifically the first landing which gave him a commanding view of his family who stood below him. Fifty wizards and witches ranging from twenty to up to his own age of nigh one hundred fifty years. Normally seeing the assemblage of House Potter would fill him with justified pride. But, this was not one of those normal days.

He would clear his throat and speak simply and powerfully, his voice filling the grand hall. "I thank you for your indulgence of my command this night, my beloved family. I am aware that many of you would rather be asleep at this hour, as would I, so I shall keep this brief and concise and stick only to the facts I have now."

He would halt his speech for a moment to gather his mind and make sure he had the attention of his family; and then he would lift the still swaddled babe in his arms and continue on; "A little over two hours ago, we were graced by an unexpected visitor. Young Harry James Potter, liege lord of our family's progenitor branch. His arrival broke a spell upon our familial tapestry, revealing a bitter truth. The young lord I hold in my arms is the sole survivor of our kin in England."

Gasps of shock and a few halting questions were uttered before the old man raised his hand, "I beg you not to interrupt me. For I have no answers for the how or the why of this sordid affair this early in this course of events. But I can promise you all, that as soon as the details are known to me, I shall share them with those who it will impact the most."

He would let that sink in before continuing on; "Now then, as should be evident from our young visitor's appearance here and the revelation of the tapestry, it is now our duty to raise him to be worthy of his title and the venerable legacy of House Potter. To that end, I am asking for a couple from among you to volunteer for the honor of raising our young ward. You will have my full support in this endeavor, but I cannot force any to take this duty upon themselves."

There was a general murmur in the group as his family discussed who should take up this lofty burden. To raise a member of their progenitor branch would be a great honor, let alone the lord of said house. But it would also place a terrible expectation upon the couple to act uprightly and properly, as the eyes of the entire house would be upon them at all times; even in a tight knit family such as the Potters, that would be more than could be reasonably expected of their more introspective and private family.

Finally, a young couple would step forward. Josiah would smile as he recognized them. "I see you wish to foster our young guest, Thomas and Rebecca." He would say with a small nod of satisfaction. "I suspect your own daughter's age is a factor, is it not?"

Thomas would nod in reply to his forebearer's question, "Yes, great great grandfather. Rebecca and myself believe that our daughter, Rose, would help young Harry as he grows older by providing a close companion and grounding element to his life. For as well meaning as we all will no doubt will be, a child can be overwhelmed and spoiled if treated too differently."

Once again, the patriarch of the branch family would smile contentedly at what he heard. "A wise decision. Young Harry shall from this day forth be your ward first, and that of our illustrious house second." As he said this he would walk down the stairs, and hand the infant to his descendant.

"Now, I believe our business for the night is complete. Good sleep to all, and we shall do what must be done tomorrow." He would say dismissing the meeting. It was a good thing he did, as shortly after the meeting dispersed, there came an intrusion at the barriers of the estate. A magical signature that Josiah was familiar with due to his long life, much to his own disdain.

As he headed to the barrier to meet his unwanted guest, he would speak to the purple robed figure and his escort of a half giant, and an older looking witch. "Dumbledore, you had best have a good explanation as to why you are intruding upon House Potter properties and business after your last screw up. If not, then 'Supreme Mugwump' holder of the Order of Merlin ect ect or not, then I will remove you and your associates from my home by whatever force I see fit."

Dumbledore would wince at the words of the head of the branch family. "May we at least enter your abode first, Lord Josiah Potter? I would rather us not shout over a magical barrier. As well I am afraid that standing in the snow as we are may decrease our ability to converse as civilized wizards."

After a moment of glowering at the overly self important British wizard, Josiah would finally nod his ascent, and let them in. Within moments they were within his study, and the old American would finally speak again, "Now, what brings you to my doorstep this Halloween Night? I doubt this is a social call, nor the long overdue apology for the death of my son and heir during your conflict with Grindelwald. So speak quickly, and waste no more time, for I would rather be asleep at this hour then entertaining the likes of you."

The curt demand of the lord of the American Potters brought a wince to Dumbledore's face and caused discomfort in his companions. But still, the British wizard would relent, and began to speak. "There has been a war in Magical England for the last eleven years. The Dark Lord Voldemort..." Here he was cut off by a snort of amusement by Josiah before continuing on, "Had waged a guerilla war that paralyzed the government and resulted in a gutting of the noble houses aligned with the Light. As well his reign of terror..."

Again, he was cut off, "As fascinating as a recounting of your little internal squabbles, which you refused to request assistance for as you may recall, are, I have yet to hear what has brought you to my family's domain. So, get on with it please, the hour is late, and the longer this drags out, the less inclined I am to listen to what you have to say." Josiah would retort with a stern look at Dumbledore. The American had Dumbledore by the balls, metaphorically, and he knew it.

As did Dumbledore, who would look down and sigh in that grandfatherly way that let people know he was disappointed in them; not that Josiah cared of course, as far as he was concerned the old bastard had this coming. Which was an ironic position to take, considering he was older than the British born Supreme Mugwump by several decades...but as are as the American was concerned, his minor hypocrisy in calling Dumbledore was the least they deserved after all the shit they had pulled over the years. As such, he would simply stare at the leader of his guests with a look of utter contempt and imperious command.

In the end, Dumbledore would indeed cave, and tell all he knew of the events that took place Halloween evening, which was less then Josiah had hoped to know. But still, it gave him a name for who his family's progenitor branch's lord would be killing when he grew older. Voldemort himself had murdered Harry's family, from his paternal grandfather and mother to his immediate parents. This would not be allowed to stand, not if Josiah had anything to say about it, and he did.

He had even MORE to say about Dumbledore's asinine plan to stick young Harry with his Aunt and Uncle on his mother's side of the family. Non-magicals. At the BEST of times, non-magical families who had to adopt magical children would be tolerant and accepting of their ward. But even in the best cases, they would be poorly prepared to handle accidental magic or any outbursts that could cause immense destruction to a home ill prepared for such outcomes.

As such, he would speak with a glower, "Young lord Harry will be quite safe here, and well cared for, as one of the family you may say." He would chuckle at his own small joke involuntarily before continuing on. "Not only would no English Dark Wizard think to check the United States for him, but due to our network of allied houses and our OWN merits as one of the Great Houses of the United States no sane Dark Wizard who valued their own lives would DARE to even attempt to breach our wards. Let alone face us in the field of open war, between our magitech constructs and our own magical prowess it would take virtually the entirety of Magical Europe's Dark populace to threaten us remotely. You remember the infantry constructs we deployed against Grindewald, I imagine. They are obsolete now. And far better models have entered service with our house and the Magical United States military."

A cold smile of certainty punctuated his statement, and ended the conversation effectively. There was little that COULD be said to counter the points made by the aged Josiah; and as such for the first time in possibly decades, the Supreme Mugwump had to rethink plans, reanalyze situations, and come up with a new overall plan for the inevitable SECOND war against Voldemort he was SURE was coming. With the addition of the American influence, and of THE House MOST duty bound to aid Harry in ANY way they could mean that he might not HAVE to engineer a self-sacrifice scenario for Harry to win.

Though one thing he would not yield on, even if Josiah was not overly concerned with trying to get Harry into Ilvermorny, it was that the young lordling HAD to attend Hogwarts. Josiah for his part conceded that one argument due to his own desire to continue the progenitor branch of House Potter's tradition. As long as there has been a Hogwarts, a Potter has attended its halls, and he was loathe to break such a long standing tradition for the English progenitor branch.

Thus was the future set in motion along an altered path, that cold October day.

CHAPTER COMPLETE

RnR Please