Chapter 15: "Unspoken Tensions"

As Charles gently fell asleep, Harry was once again left with nothing to do. He had tried to read one of Madam Pomfrey's medical books, but the complicated words just didn't make sense to him. Letting out a big sigh, Harry lay back on his bed and stared up at the ceiling, feeling utterly bored.

Looking for something interesting to read, Harry reached for the only book on the bookshelf that seemed appealing, 'Hogwarts, A History'. This book was written by Bathilda Bagshot, a well-known witch who lived near Harry's family in Godric's Hollow. Harry had met her a few times, and his parents knew her too, but he didn't know her well because he spent most of his time with his grandparents. The only thing Harry really knew about her was from the canon where Voldemort's snake, Nagini had killed her and then used her body to set a trap for the Harry on the Horcrux hunt.

Within the pages of 'Hogwarts, A History', Harry found a fascinating escape. The book didn't have much about the founders of Hogwarts, but it did explain how Hogwarts was created.

Hogwarts was built in the 10th century, a time when it was dangerous to be a witch or wizard because people who didn't have magic (Muggles) didn't like them and often tried to hurt them. To keep the school safe from Muggles, it was hidden in the Scottish Highlands with lots of spells, so any Muggle passing by would just see ruins and danger signs.

The book talked about the four founders of Hogwarts: Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, and Salazar Slytherin. They all wanted to create the best magic school in the world, and each of them set up their own house in the school for students who shared their values.

Gryffindor was for the brave, Ravenclaw for the smart, Hufflepuff for the loyal and fair, and Slytherin for those who were ambitious and clever.

However, not everything was smooth among the founders. Salazar Slytherin didn't want students from non-magical families (Muggle-borns) to attend Hogwarts because he thought it would make it easier for Muggles to find out about the school. This caused a big fight with Godric Gryffindor, who was his close friend until then. Their argument led to Slytherin leaving the school.

Harry thought about how their falling out reminded him of rivalries from stories, like Madara-Hashirama and Naruto-Sasuke. Imagining Gryffindor and Slytherin calling out each other's names like characters from the Naruto anime made Harry laugh. "Godric..." "Salazar..."

After that, nothing much about the founders is talked about in the book. The book also contained a lot of information about the various Headmasters at Hogwarts and the major events that had taken place at Hogwarts during their tenure like the various Triwizard tournaments and the casualties each time. It was fun reading how despite the death toll, the tournament continued to be conducted for a long time.

The tranquility of the hospital wing was interrupted by the arrival of the group from Gringotts, their somber expressions casting a shadow over the room. The atmosphere in the room grew heavy with their entrance, but it lightened somewhat when Charles woke up from the noise and reached out with tiny hands and looked for attention.

As the adults gathered around Charles, Harry, still engrossed in 'Hogwarts, A History,' observed the changes in their demeanor. His father, James, particularly caught his attention. Every time his father's gaze met his, Harry detected a hint of anger, almost as if he had taken away something precious from him. The absence of the Potter heir ring on James's finger and the overall dejected mood of the group were clues that Harry couldn't ignore.

Piecing it all together, Harry deduced that James had likely failed the Lordship test. He had heard the adults discussing it and from what he knew of James, he did not have much hope of passing the test. Harry had even heard his grandparents discussing it. They had decided to give James lessons to learn the values of a true Potter and increase his chances after the war was over.

From the attitude James had towards him just now, Harry could easily deduce that the ring had deemed James unworthy, and due to this, Grandpa Potter had probably named Harry as the next heir. Now, the current still-childish adult James was jealous and angry at Harry for this. As if this was his fault. But this realization brought also brought a mix of emotions. On one hand, he felt pride in being picked as the Heir Potter, but on the other, he sensed the brewing storm of resentment from his father.

Harry had always known that he would inherit the title, it was his birthright. But he had expected it to be passed down from James. Now, with this unexpected twist, it will be thrust upon him sooner than anticipated. He could now undertake the lordship test at 17, rather than waiting for James to pass it down. However, the evident resentment in James's eyes worried him. If James's anger persisted, and if Dumbledore or anyone else made certain suggestions, Harry might find himself having a difficult childhood or be sent far away from home in a fit of spite.

This unexpected turn of events also brought a sense of urgency. Harry understood that he needed to prepare for an uncertain future, one where he might face challenges from his own family. He was determined not to let his circumstances dictate his destiny.

While he recognized the limitations of his age and the overarching authority his parents held over him, he was determined to try. Harry had made a silent vow to himself to live this life to its fullest, free of regrets and he was going to try his best in ensuring nothing could stop him from fulfilling his promise. He would fight for a better future even if he ended up in an orphanage or, even worse, with the Dursleys. Harry had read enough fan fiction to guess possible futures.

Amid these thoughts, the hospital wing was suddenly bathed in a warm, crimson light. A magnificent phoenix appeared, its fiery feathers illuminating the room. The room fell silent in awe of the creature's majestic presence.

The phoenix, with its regal bearing and captivating beauty, held everyone's attention. It circled the room gracefully before coming to rest near James. Its arrival and the soft trills from its beaks seemed to momentarily lift the heavy atmosphere, casting an enchanting spell over the occupants of the room.

Harry watched, fascinated by the phoenix, his thoughts momentarily diverted. The presence of such a magical creature was a rare and awe-inspiring sight, reminding him of the wonders of the wizarding world he had yet to explore. The appearance of the phoenix, a symbol of renewal and resilience, seemed almost symbolic, mirroring Harry's own determination to rise from the challenges he faced.