Chapter 8: Settling Into a New Life

Saber stepped inside **Howler Manor**, the heavy wooden doors closing behind him with a soft click. The grand entrance hall was everything he had expected—towering ceilings, marble floors, and large arched windows that let in the soft morning light. But as he took his first steps into the mansion, he couldn't help but notice something else: the house felt old. Not just in its structure, but in its decor, its air. It was as though time had stood still within these walls for decades.

Before entering, Saber had instructed Tempest to park in the large garage on the side of the house. The sleek black car fit in perfectly, appearing to be nothing more than a normal vehicle from the outside. No one could have guessed that Tempest was anything other than an ordinary car. Saber made sure Patch, in his Saint Bernard form, stayed by his side as they entered the house, his small bot companion eager to explore their new surroundings.

Saber glanced around, taking in the large portraits lining the walls, their subjects dressed in formal wizarding robes from an era long past. The furniture was dark, heavy wood—beautiful, but outdated. The rugs, though intricately woven, were faded with age, and the curtains hanging from the windows were thick and dusty, their deep red color dulled by the years.

Patch sniffed around the hall, his mechanical paws lightly tapping against the marble floors as he let out a soft, curious beep. Saber smiled faintly at his companion's enthusiasm but couldn't ignore the fact that the house felt stuck in time. Though the bones of the house were strong and the architecture grand, it was clear that it had been left untouched for years.

"This place hasn't been touched in a long time," Saber muttered, running his hand over a nearby table, feeling the fine layer of dust that had settled there.

Patch let out a series of quiet beeps, as though agreeing. The Saint Bernard bot wagged its mechanical tail and followed Saber further into the house as they wandered through the grand hall and into the drawing room, where an enormous fireplace dominated one wall. The room was furnished with plush chairs and long sofas, but the fabric was worn, and the cushions sagged. An old chandelier hung from the ceiling, its once-sparkling crystals now coated with dust.

"It's beautiful," Saber said quietly, his eyes taking in every detail. "But it needs work."

Patch gave a soft bark-like beep, hopping slightly in place. It seemed even the little bot understood the need for change.

Wandering further into the house, Saber found more of the same. The kitchen, with its old-fashioned stove and wooden cabinets, was charming but outdated. The dining room, with its long table and ornate chairs, had seen better days. Even the bedrooms upstairs were elegant but clearly untouched for years.

He would need to bring in help for the renovation—professionals who could handle restoring the old wood, replacing the carpets, and modernizing the kitchen and bathrooms. It was going to be a project, but as he walked through the house, he felt a strange sense of excitement. This was his home now, and he had the power to shape it however he wanted.

After exploring the manor, Saber made his way back toward the entrance, stepping outside into the fresh air. The sun was higher in the sky now, casting a warm light over the sprawling grounds. He could see the neighboring house in the distance, and his curiosity was piqued. According to the goblins, the Witwicky family lived next door—a muggle family with no knowledge of the magical world.

"Well," Saber said, glancing at Patch, "I guess it's time to meet the neighbors."

Patch let out an eager bark-like beep and trotted beside Saber as they made their way toward the Witwicky house.

---

The Witwicky house was a stark contrast to Howler Manor. It was a simple suburban home, two stories tall with a well-kept lawn and a driveway where an old yellow Camaro was parked. As Saber approached the front door, he felt a strange sense of normalcy—a world away from the chaos of Britain, magic, and ancient family legacies.

He knocked on the door, feeling slightly awkward. He had never really had to introduce himself to neighbors before. He was still getting used to the idea of blending in with muggles, especially after everything that had happened in his life.

After a few moments, the door swung open, revealing a young man about his age. He had dark hair, a slightly awkward smile, and looked as though he had just woken up.

"Uh, hey," the guy said, blinking at Saber. "Can I help you?"

Saber smiled, offering a small wave. "Hi, I'm your new neighbor. I just moved in next door—Howler Manor."

The young man's eyes widened slightly in recognition. "Oh, yeah, we've heard about that place! It's been empty for years, right?"

Saber nodded. "Yeah, it's been in my family for a while. I'm Saber, by the way. Saber Howler."

"Sam Witwicky," the guy said, holding out his hand. "Nice to meet you. So, you're living in that massive old mansion, huh? What's it like?"

Saber shook Sam's hand, feeling a bit more at ease. "It's... well, it's big. Really old-fashioned. I'm going to need to renovate it. It's a bit too much for just one person right now."

Sam laughed, nodding in understanding. "Yeah, I can imagine. That place is huge. I've only ever seen it from a distance, but it always looked like something out of an old movie. If you ever need help with anything, let me know."

"I appreciate that," Saber said. "It's good to meet you. I wasn't sure what to expect when I moved here."

Sam leaned against the doorframe, his expression relaxed. "We're pretty laid back around here. My dad's a little... well, you'll see when you meet him, but we're easygoing. Anyway, if you ever want to hang out or need a hand with the house, just drop by."

Saber smiled, grateful for the warm welcome. "Thanks, Sam. I'll take you up on that."

They chatted for a few more minutes before Saber excused himself, heading back toward Howler Manor with Patch trotting along beside him. As he walked away from the Witwicky house, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Maybe things would be simpler here, away from the tangled mess of the magical world.

But deep down, he knew it wouldn't stay that way for long.

---

Meanwhile, back in **Malfoy Manor**, a storm was brewing.

Lucius Malfoy stood at the edge of the room, his posture stiff as he waited for the Dark Lord's arrival. The letter containing the revelation about Saber Howler had already been sent, and now they awaited Voldemort's reaction.

Narcissa sat by the window, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap, while Draco stood near the door, his face pale. They had no idea how Voldemort would respond to this news—whether he would see Saber's true heritage as a threat or as an opportunity.

The doors to the drawing room swung open, and Voldemort entered, his long, dark robes trailing behind him. His snake-like face was unreadable, but there was an intensity in his red eyes that sent a shiver down Draco's spine.

"Lucius," Voldemort said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, "you have sent me news of great significance."

Lucius bowed low, his voice steady but careful. "Yes, my Lord. We have learned the truth of Harry Potter—he is not who we believed him to be."

Voldemort's gaze shifted to Narcissa, then to Draco. "And what is this truth?"

Lucius straightened slightly, holding out the parchment they had received from Gringotts. "His true name is Saber Howler, my Lord. He is the heir to the Pendragon bloodline, a pure-blood family with immense magical power."

Voldemort's eyes gleamed with interest as he took the parchment, reading through the inheritance test with a slow, deliberate pace. His expression remained unreadable, but the faintest trace of a smile curled at the edges of his thin lips.

"The Pendragon bloodline," Voldemort murmured, his voice filled with dark amusement. "Dumbledore has hidden this from us, it seems. Kept the boy in the dark about his true potential."

Lucius remained silent, his eyes fixed on the floor.

"This changes everything," Voldemort continued, his voice growing sharper. "Saber Howler is more than a mere pawn in Dumbledore's game. He is the key to shifting the balance of power in the wizarding world."

Narcissa's breath caught in her throat as she glanced at Lucius, fear flickering in her eyes. But Voldemort's gaze settled on Draco.

"You have been close to the boy for years," Voldemort said, his voice soft but commanding. "How do you believe he will react to this revelation?"

Draco hesitated, the weight of Voldemort's gaze pressing down on him. "I... I'm not sure, my Lord," he admitted, his voice quiet. "Saber has always been wary of our family. But if we approach him carefully... he may be open to the truth."

Voldemort's lips curved into a thin smile. "Good. Then we shall proceed carefully. Dumbledore's influence over him must be severed entirely, and when the time is right, Saber Howler will see that we are not his enemies."

Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco all bowed low as Voldemort turned to leave the room, his dark robes sweeping behind him. His voice echoed through the room as he spoke his final command.

"Keep me informed of his movements. This boy may be the key to everything."

As Voldemort disappeared into the shadows, the Malfoy family exchanged a glance. The storm had only just begun.