Chapter 8

Eddard Stark POV

Eddard Stark was standing in the courtyard of his home, along with his lady wife and their five children, Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and the newborn Rickon, in Catelyn's arms. Jon was also there in the last row among the people present.

While he didn't summon the whole household, like during a royal reception, They decided to give the Skagosi Party, led by Harry Potter, the usual reception that Lord Stark would get.

He knew that it wasn't necessary for him to wait for his own bannerman or any lower lord in such a manner; he was a lord Paramount after all, but it left a good impression on the opposite party if he showed them some respect and that he wasn't looking down on them.

Skagos had been in all but name's own sovereign territory.

And this was the first chance in the last century to mend these broken bridges.

Once his guards had made out the Skagosi Party of 20 men in the distance, he gathered his household in the yard to await their arrival.

Arya squirmed uncomfortably under her mother's grip. His daughter had tried to sneak into Wintertown to take an early look at their guests but had been caught by Catelyn, who didn't let her out of her sight.

His daughter was so much like his sister, Lyanna.

It was then that he heard the beat of hoofs coming closer to them and looked at the gate as their guests entered their castle. A silence descended upon the courtyard as they made out the party.

The Skagosi Guards were tall, hairy men. An imposing sight, giving his own guards a nervous feeling. Maybe the legends were true and the people of Skagos had giant blood in them.

In contrast to their Wild Northern appearance, the armor they were wearing was well-made castle-forged steel and strangely free of any dents or scratches, as if they were just newly made. Which was unusual in the North, where they prefer practicality instead of good looks.

But the most confusing sight was the man, or rather boy, slightly older than his own sons, riding in front of the party. While he didn't have the body build that was so common amongst the Northmen, and his well-made black clothes resembled more of a Southener, his face told a different story.

While it was youthful, without even the beginning of a bear, the boy resembled himself. Starks had always had a unique shape of face, while his own children mostly inherited the usual Tully colors; all of them had the typical characteristics of the Stark bloodline hidden in their faces. And so did the boy.

His hair, while wild and untamed, had the same shade of black as his older brother and father had in the past. Eddard recognized the same cheekbones as Lyanna, the nose that the boy shared with himself, his father, and his own sons, and the same chin as Benjen and Jon. The only thing different were these Emerald Green almost glowing eyes.

'Who is that boy? He couldn't be a star. Did Brandon father a bastard I don't know of?' Eddard questioned as a feeling of melancholy spread through him as he saw the boy jump from his horse, handing the reins over to the tall stableboy Hodor, who was happy to take care of the boy's horse.

Eddard, a veteran of two wars, was experienced enough to quickly reign in his own curiosity and wandering emotions and handle the situation with the necessary dignity. This was still the reception of a foreign lord from a territory that didn't have a good relationship with the North.

The pressure the black-haired boy emanated was also alarming. Lord Stark recognized the presence of an experienced fighter and leader. Strangely, he couldn't make out other typical signs of that. No calloused hands from countless hours of practice in the yard No teint because of sunburn.

While the boy gave of the presence of a dangerous leader, he looked like a pampered Southern Noble, with smooth skin and a handsome face. To Eddard's own annoyance, he spotted a blush on his eldest daughter's face.

This Harry Potter didn't wear armor but very well-made black robes, and with that good-looking face, he must fit into the image of a handsome knight Sansa had built for herself.

Then his eyes went to the banner that his men were flying; it truly didn't belong to any house in the Seven Kingdoms.

A Black Raven with Green Eyes on White Ground.

A completely new house would complicate things, and some of his more unruly lords could make trouble by not acknowledging it and trying to take Skagos for themselves. Not that it would be an easy thing to do, but that would mean war.

Additionally, if he wanted to acknowledge that new house, he had to get an official royal decree. Appointing and legitimizing a new house, there was no longer a power house star as Lord Paramount had. It was the power of the king.

There were many questions that needed to be answered first, running through his mind as the boy approached him. Eddard pushed them into the back of his head.

Meanwhile, the boy looked into his eyes and held eye contact for a second before he went down on his knees, an action followed by the rest of the men accompanying him, and Eddard released a breath he didn't know he was holding.

Then Lord Potter spoke his oath of allegiance, a short ceremony. And once done, Eddard accepted it before saying, "I welcome you to Winterfell, Lord Potter. I believe before we retreat into the Great Hall for a feast, we should have a meeting; your men can already head to the Great Hall. There are a few things we have to talk about first."

"Aye, I suppose so. It's best if we have this discussion in privacy." Harry Potter stated mysteriously, "Please lead the way, Lord Stark."

———

Harry Potter POV

Lord Eddard Stark, the Head of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North, had led him into the ancient castle. As soon as he had been close enough, Harry was able to feel the ambient magic.

While the complexity and mass of enchantments and wards couldn't compare to Hogwarts, the magic in Winterfell felt older and wilder. It was hard to describe, as if it had been a long time since anyone had controlled the magic of the castle and it had kept doing its task without guidance.

On the other hand, it was bound to the Stark family, to their blood. But none of them were wizards. They had magical blood; he could even see different forms of magic lingering in them; it was especially strong in the children, but in wizard terms, they were nothing more than squibs.

Although not really squibs, It was hard to tell since he didn't possess such a high affinity for magic in the past when he met squibs like Filch. It felt more like whatever made them a wizard was dormant.

'Observe.'

[ Name: Eddard Stark Gender: Male

Occupation: Lord

Level: 68

Age: 32 Race: Human (First Men/Magical)

HP: 1.008 MP: 275

STR: 93 VIT: 83

INT: 53 WIS: 47

DEX: 69 CHA: 48

LCK: 56

Description: Eddard Stark, also called 'Ned', is the head of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North. He is a close friend to King Robert I Baratheon, with whom he was raised. Family is of great importance to him. He despises Politics. ]

'So they have Wizard Blood. Also the friend of the king. That makes things easier.' Harry mused as he followed the man into a solar. It was simple and straightforward, but had some interesting items.

Especially eye-catching were the very old-looking tapestries hanging from the walls. The first one depicts Winterfell with men, giants, and the Children of the Forest in front of it.

While the other showed what fits the description of the White Walkers and their Army of the Dead.

"Take a seat." Lord Stark said politely, as he sat down behind an old wooden desk standing in the center of the sun, "I have to say your letter came quite unexpectedly, Lord Potter. First of all, there is something I have to clarify.

 While you have given me your bounty in the yard, I can't guarantee that your house will be recognized. This decision lies with King Robert."

"I am aware of that, Lord Stark. But I believe my chances are not bad in that regard. It's time for Skagos to start anew." Harry said with a smile that he was sure, as long as he could convince Lord Stark that the King would do what his friend recommended.

"Good; that is also my hope. But for that, I need some of my questions answered." Eddard said seriously, "Are you related to House Stark? And what exactly happened on Skagos?"

Harry's smile widened as he knew why Lord Stark was asking him that. It had been a shock for Harry to see just how much they inherited from the Black Family.

He saw some parts of Narcissa Malfoy, Bellatrix Black, and Sirius in them. That one boy called Jon Snow looked like a young version of Sirius, as he remembers from Snape's Memories.

"You could say that, even though the relationship between us is very distant. And honestly, I conquered Skagos."

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