Chapter 7: Embracing the Unknown

Saber leaned back in the plush leather seat of Tempest's sleek car form, the hum of the engine barely registering in his mind. His eyes were closed, but his thoughts were far from restful. He was leaving behind everything he had ever known—the old identity of Harry Potter fading into the past with every passing mile.

The streets of London stretched out behind him, the familiar sights of Diagon Alley and Gringotts now a distant memory. Ahead of him lay the unknown—Howler Manor in the United States, the ancestral home of his great-grandparents. He had never set foot in the country, but something deep within him stirred at the thought of going there. It was as if the magic of his family was calling him home.

The night air rushed past as Tempest sped through the streets, his headlights casting long shadows along the road. Patch, now transformed into a small Saint Bernard-like bot, sat quietly in the backseat, occasionally letting out a soft beep, as if sensing Saber's turbulent emotions. The small bot had grown more affectionate since his transformation, a comforting presence in this whirlwind of change.

Saber opened his eyes, glancing out of the window as the darkened streets began to blur into the distance. His reflection stared back at him, but it was no longer the boy he had known for so many years. The face looking back at him was different—stronger, sharper, more confident.

His golden-green eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, and the dark brown hair streaked with silver gave him an air of authority he had never felt as Harry Potter. His appearance was a reflection of the power that had been unlocked within him—power that had been hidden for far too long.

He was no longer Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived. He was Saber Howler, heir to one of the most powerful magical lineages in history. And as he stared at his reflection, the weight of that title settled over him.

But even as he tried to embrace this new identity, doubts gnawed at the edges of his mind. His entire life had been a lie, shaped by the manipulations of Dumbledore. Everything he had believed in—his parents, his friends, his place in the world—had been turned upside down. What would the future hold for him now?

He leaned his head back against the seat, letting out a slow breath. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do now," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tempest's voice rumbled softly from the car's speakers. "You are free now, Creator. Free to choose your own path."

Saber's lips twitched into a small smile at the way Tempest referred to him. *Creator*. It was strange, hearing that word, but in a way, it felt right. His power had given life to Tempest and Patch, and now that same power was driving him forward into the unknown.

"I just wish I knew where to start," Saber muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I've spent so long fighting battles I didn't even understand."

Patch let out a soft beep from the backseat, his optics flashing gently in the dark. The little bot had been a constant source of comfort since they had escaped from the Dursleys. It was as if Patch could sense when Saber's thoughts turned dark, offering silent support whenever it was needed.

Saber turned his gaze to the sky outside, watching as the moon hung low over the horizon. His thoughts drifted back to the inheritance test, to the names of his godparents that still echoed in his mind. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Severus Snape. Sirius Black. The connections that had been hidden from him for so long now seemed both strange and familiar.

The Malfoys, Snape, and even Sirius—people he had viewed through a very different lens for so long. How could he reconcile the truth of who he was with the tangled web of relationships he had been thrust into? He couldn't imagine Lucius Malfoy ever acting like a godfather, but then again, he had no idea what the man really thought of him.

The sudden realization that the Malfoy family now knew the truth about his identity made his chest tighten with anxiety. What would they think? Would they see him as an ally or as a threat? And Voldemort—what would he do if he learned about Saber's true power? The very thought made Saber's heart race.

But as his mind raced with questions, one thing became clear: he couldn't stay in the shadows forever. Whether it was the Malfoys or Dumbledore, someone would come looking for him eventually. He needed to be ready.

"We're nearing the airport," Tempest's voice broke the silence, pulling Saber from his thoughts. "Gringotts has arranged for a discreet car carrier plane. We'll reach the United States within a few hours."

Saber nodded, grateful for the goblins' efficiency. Everything had been arranged with remarkable speed—his travel, his protection, and even the transfer of his vaults. Gringotts had provided him with a new identity that no one could trace unless they knew his real name. It was the perfect way to disappear, at least for now.

As they pulled into the private terminal of the airport, Saber took a deep breath, steadying himself. This was the first step toward building a new life, a life free from the lies and manipulations of the past.

Tempest's sleek car form rolled to a stop near the waiting plane. This wasn't a standard passenger aircraft—it was a car carrier plane, designed to transport vehicles safely and discreetly. The large, reinforced doors were already open, revealing the spacious interior where Tempest would be stored for the flight.

Saber climbed out of the car and watched as a team of goblins moved to secure Tempest inside the plane. Patch, still in his Saint Bernard bot form, trotted alongside Saber, his optics glowing as he watched the goblins work.

One of the goblins, a representative from Gringotts, approached Saber and bowed respectfully. "Everything is in order, Lord Howler," the goblin said. "Your transportation has been arranged, and your arrival at Howler Manor is expected. You will be in the United States within a few hours."

Saber nodded, offering a small smile of thanks. "Thank you for your help," he said, his voice steady despite the swirl of emotions within him.

The goblin gave a sharp nod and stepped aside as Saber walked toward the steps leading into the plane. Tempest, now secured within the cargo hold, gave a low rumble of reassurance, while Patch bounded up the steps beside Saber.

As the plane's engines roared to life, Saber settled into the passenger cabin, staring out of the window at the darkened runway. His old life was now behind him, and before him lay a future filled with uncertainty—but also possibility.

He was no longer the boy-who-lived. He was Saber Howler.

And this was only the beginning.

---

Several hours later, the plane touched down at a small private airstrip outside of Chicago. Saber stepped off the plane, feeling the warmth of the early morning sun on his skin. The air smelled different here—cleaner, fresher, with a hint of something new. This was the United States, and it felt like a world away from the burdens of Britain.

The goblins worked swiftly, unloading Tempest from the cargo hold, and soon enough, the sleek black car was parked near the airstrip's exit, waiting for Saber. He climbed into the driver's seat once more, and the car hummed to life as they drove away from the airstrip and into the quiet suburbs of Chicago.

It wasn't long before they reached the gates of **Howler Manor**.

The grand mansion rose up before him, surrounded by sprawling gardens and towering trees. It was far more than he had expected—a place of both elegance and history, with an air of quiet strength that mirrored the magic flowing through his veins.

Saber stepped out of the car, staring up at the towering windows and intricate stonework of the manor. For a moment, he was overwhelmed by the sheer scale of it all. This was his family's legacy—this was his new home.

"Welcome home, Creator," Tempest said, his deep voice filled with warmth.

Saber smiled faintly, walking toward the grand front doors of the manor. The wards surrounding the property hummed softly as they recognized him as the rightful heir, allowing him passage.

As the doors swung open, Saber stepped inside, taking in the grandeur of the entrance hall. It was everything he had imagined and more. The marble floors gleamed beneath his feet, and the high ceilings gave the space a sense of openness and freedom.

But it wasn't just the house that felt right—it was the sense of belonging that settled over him. For the first time in his life, Saber felt like he was where he was meant to be.

He had no idea what the future held, but one thing was certain: this was his beginning.