Chapter 2

As the group passed through the gates of Winterfell, a hush fell over the courtyard as the people gathered there caught sight of Lord Stark and his companions. Heads turned, and whispers rippled through the crowd as they took in the sight of the newcomers.

Harry, clad in his splendid armor, felt the weight of the stares upon him, but he held his head high, meeting the curious gazes with a steady gaze of his own. The people of Winterfell bowed respectfully as Lord Stark passed by, their expressions a mix of curiosity and reverence for their liege lord.

Among the crowd, Harry caught snippets of whispered conversation as the people speculated about the identity of the mysterious stranger in their midst. Some wondered aloud about his noble bearing and finely crafted armor, while others speculated about the lands from which he hailed.

Despite the attention, Harry remained composed, his focus fixed on the task at hand. He knew that he was an outsider in this land, a newcomer to the ancient halls of Winterfell, but he was determined to earn the trust and respect of its inhabitants.

As they made their way through the courtyard, Harry felt a sense of anticipation building within him. As the group entered the bustling courtyard of Winterfell, Lord Eddard Stark stepped forward, a warm smile on his face as he greeted his companions and family members. Harry, dressed in his splendid armor, stood beside him, his demeanor poised and dignified as he awaited the introductions.

"Welcome to Winterfell," Lord Stark began, his voice carrying across the courtyard with authority and warmth. "Allow me to introduce you to my family."

First, he gestured towards Lady Catelyn Stark, his wife, her grace and poise evident in every movement. "This is my wife, Lady Catelyn Stark," he said, his voice tinged with affection. "The Lady of Winterfell, and the heart of our family."

Lady Catelyn offered Harry a smile, extending her hand in greeting. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hadrian," she said, "You are most welcome here at Winterfell."

As Lady Catelyn Stark exchanged pleasantries with Harry, her demeanor remained courteous but guarded. Despite her outward warmth, there was a flicker of wariness in her eyes, a sense of caution born from years of experience navigating the intricate politics of noble houses.

Though Harry sensed her apprehension, he met her gaze with a respectful nod, understanding the need for caution in these uncertain times. He knew that he was an outsider, a newcomer to the ancient halls of Winterfell, and he respected Lady Catelyn's right to question his presence.

With a polite smile, Harry addressed her, his voice calm and measured. "Lady Stark, thank you for your welcome," he said, his tone sincere. "I understand that my arrival may raise questions, but I assure you, I mean no harm to House Stark or its allies."

Lady Catelyn regarded him with a thoughtful expression, her gaze searching his face for any sign of deceit. After a moment, she nodded, her wariness tempered by a hint of cautious acceptance.

"I appreciate your honesty, Hadrian," she said, her voice softening slightly. "But forgive me if I remain cautious. The North is not always kind to strangers, and Winterfell is not without its enemies."

Harry inclined his head in understanding, acknowledging the validity of her concerns. "Of course, Lady Stark," he replied, his tone respectful. "I will do everything in my power to prove myself worthy of your trust."

With that, the exchange came to an end, and Harry turned his attention to the bustling courtyard around them. Though Lady Catelyn's wariness lingered in the air, Harry remained determined to earn her trust and the respect of the Stark family. For in this ancient fortress of Winterfell, amidst the swirling currents of politics and intrigue, he knew that allies were precious and trust was hard-earned.

Next, Lord Stark turned to his remaining children, each one bearing the Stark name with pride. "You already know of Robb and Jon. These are the rest of my children, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon" he said proudly, his gaze sweeping over each of them in turn. "The future of House Stark, and the pride of the North."

Arya Stark bounded forward, her youthful enthusiasm breaking through the tension like a ray of sunshine. "Hi! I'm Arya Stark!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "It's nice to meet you, Hadrian!"

Harry couldn't help but smile at Arya's infectious energy, her genuine warmth easing the lingering tension in the courtyard. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Arya," he replied, his voice warm with sincerity. "I've heard so much about you from Jon."

Arya beamed at the compliment, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Do you have a sword?" she asked eagerly, her gaze flickering to Jon beside her. "Jon has one, and he lets me practice with it sometimes!"

Jon chuckled at Arya's enthusiasm, nodding in agreement. "It's true," he confirmed, a fond smile playing on his lips. "Arya's quite the little warrior."

Arya's eyes lit up at Jon's words, and she turned to him with a pleading look. "Can I see it, Hadrian? Please?" she asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet in anticipation.

With a grin, Harry unfastened the straps of his scabbard and drew forth his own sword, Ignis, named for the flames that danced along its blade.

As the gleaming blade caught the sunlight, the intricate phoenix motif etched into the steel seemed to come alive, shimmering with a fiery brilliance that captivated Arya's gaze. "Wow," she breathed, her eyes widening in awe. "That's amazing!"

Harry smiled proudly, holding out the sword for Arya to inspect. "It's called Ignis," he explained, his voice tinged with pride. "It's been with me through many adventures."

Arya reached out tentatively, her fingers tracing the lines of the phoenix motif with reverence. "It's beautiful," she murmured, her voice filled with admiration.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed across the courtyard as Bran Stark hurried over, curiosity shining in his eyes. "What's going on?" he asked, his gaze darting between Harry and Arya.

Arya turned to her brother with a grin, excitement bubbling over. "Look, Bran! Harry has a sword, and it's amazing!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm contagious.

Bran's eyes widened as he took in the sight of Ignis, his fascination evident on his face. "Whoa," he breathed, his voice filled with wonder. "That's the coolest sword I've ever seen!"

Harry chuckled at Bran's reaction, his heart warmed by the genuine admiration of the Stark siblings. With a smile, he offered Ignis to Bran, inviting him to inspect the sword for himself.

"You can touch it if you want," Harry said, his voice warm with amusement. "But only if you introduce yourself first. It's only fair, don't you think?"

Bran's face lit up with excitement at the prospect, and he nodded eagerly. "Okay!" he exclaimed, straightening his posture with determination. "I'm Bran Stark, son of Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell."

Harry grinned at Bran's introduction, impressed by the boy's sense of pride and confidence. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Bran," he said, extending Ignis towards him with a smile. "Go ahead, you can touch it."

As Bran reached out to touch the sword, Sansa's voice cut through the air with a note of caution. "Bran, Arya, be careful," she admonished gently, her tone filled with sisterly concern. "You shouldn't play with swords. They're dangerous."

Bran and Arya froze, their expressions shifting from excitement to sheepishness as they realized their sister's disapproval. "Sorry, Sansa," Arya mumbled, her enthusiasm dampened by Sansa's chastisement.

Bran nodded in agreement, understanding the wisdom in Sansa's words. "We were just curious," he explained, his voice tinged with regret. "We didn't mean to cause any trouble."

Sansa's expression softened at her siblings' apology, and she smiled reassuringly. "I know, but it's important to be careful," she said gently. "We don't want anyone getting hurt."

As Sansa stepped forward, her graceful demeanor and poised presence immediately caught Harry's attention. With a polite smile, she introduced herself, her voice soft and musical. "I'm Sansa Stark," she said, her gaze meeting Harry's with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hadrian."

As Sansa introduced herself with grace, Harry observed her classic fangirl signs with a mixture of amusement and mild annoyance. Despite finding her behavior slightly irritating, he reminded himself of the importance of diplomacy and chose his words carefully.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sansa," Harry replied with a polite smile, his tone courteous. "Thank you for the warm welcome."

Sansa's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she regarded Harry, her admiration evident in her demeanor. "Are you a knight, Hadrian?" she inquired, her voice filled with genuine interest. "Your armor is quite splendid, and your sword... it's positively enchanting."

Internally, Harry sighed inwardly at the persistence of her fangirl tendencies but maintained his composure outwardly. "I'm afraid I'm not a knight, Sansa," he answered diplomatically, his tone gentle. "But I appreciate the compliment on my attire."

Sansa nodded, her enthusiasm undeterred by Harry's response. "Oh, I see," she replied, a hint of disappointment fleeting across her features. "Well, you certainly look the part."

Harry offered her a small, understanding smile, deciding to redirect the conversation to a more neutral topic. "Thank you, Sansa," he said graciously. "I must say, Winterfell is a truly impressive sight. I look forward to exploring its halls and learning more about its history."

Sansa's eyes brightened at the change of subject, and she nodded eagerly. "I would be happy to show you around," she offered with a warm smile. "There's much to see, and I'm sure you'll find it all quite fascinating."

Harry returned her smile, grateful for her hospitality despite her fangirl tendencies. As they continued their conversation, he resolved to navigate their interactions with patience and diplomacy, knowing that forging alliances in this new world would require tact and understanding.

"We will have a proper discussion in the morning, Hadrian. For now, you should rest. I'll have Jory show you the guest quarters." Lord Stark stated.

Harry nodded in understanding, acknowledging the need for rest before their important conversation. With a polite "Thank you, my lord," he followed as Jory led him to the guest quarters within Winterfell.

As they walked through the ancient halls of the castle, Harry couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur and history that surrounded him. The stone walls seemed to whisper tales of days long past, and the flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows across the floor.

Finally, they arrived at a set of intricately carved doors, and Jory gestured for Harry to enter. "Here are your quarters, Hadrian," he said with a nod.

Harry stepped inside, taking in the comfortable surroundings with a sense of gratitude. The room was spacious yet cozy, with a large feather bed adorned with furs, a crackling fireplace casting a warm glow, and tapestries depicting scenes of ancient battles adorning the walls.

"Thank you," Harry said to Jory with a nod of appreciation. "I appreciate your assistance."

Jory nodded once more before departing, leaving Harry alone in his new quarters. As Harry settled into the guest quarters of Winterfell, he reached for his shrunken trunk, a familiar companion on his travels. With a flick of his wand and a whispered incantation, he enlarged the trunk, its multiple compartments now accessible to him.

Focused on his immediate needs, Harry opened the compartment containing his clothes. Within, neatly folded garments awaited him, carefully chosen for their practicality and comfort. He selected a set of nightclothes and quickly changed, eager to unwind after the day's events.

Once dressed, Harry closed the compartment and surveyed the rest of the trunk's contents, his mind briefly wandering over the various items stored within. Books, potions, and other necessities nestled alongside his belongings, and of course the special 'rainy day' compartments.

With a satisfied nod, Harry closed the trunk and placed it at the foot of the bed, its presence a reassuring anchor in the unfamiliar surroundings of Winterfell.

—

As Harry lay in bed, his thoughts drifted back to the events of the past, particularly the revelations contained within his parents' will. The knowledge that Sirius Black, his godfather, had been falsely accused weighed heavily on his mind, filling him with a sense of determination to seek justice.

With a furrowed brow, Harry recalled his conversation with Ragnok at Gringotts, regarding Sirius' innocence. After learning the truth from the will, Harry had sought guidance on how to prove Sirius' innocence and clear his name once and for all.

Turning the conversation over in his mind, Harry remembered Ragnok's solemn expression as he explained the complexities of the situation. The goblin had offered his assistance in any way he could, suggesting that he enlist the help of Theodore Tonks, a respected Wizarding lawyer.

The suggestion resonated with him as a promising avenue to pursue, as Ragnok informed him that Theodore Tonks was also marriage to Sirius' cousin, Andromeda. This familial tie could potentially provide valuable insights and resources in Harry's quest to prove Sirius' innocence.

As Harry prepared to leave Gringotts, he felt a responsibility weighing heavily on his shoulders. Before parting ways with Ragnok, the head goblin, he knew he had to share crucial information that could potentially change the course of their struggle against Voldemort.

With a solemn expression, Harry turned to Ragnok and spoke in a hushed tone, his voice carrying the weight of the revelation he was about to impart. "There's something else I need to tell you," he began, his gaze steady and unwavering.

Ragnok regarded Harry with keen interest, sensing the gravity of his words. "Go on," he prompted, his voice low and measured.

Taking a deep breath, Harry continued. "I've discovered... information about Voldemort," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of determination and apprehension. "About his Horcruxes."

Ragnok's eyes widened in astonishment at the mention of Horcruxes, the dark and forbidden magic that Voldemort had used to tether his soul to the mortal world. "Horcruxes?" Ragnok echoed, his tone tinged with incredulity. "Are you certain?"

Harry nodded solemnly. "I've seen them," he confirmed, his mind flashing back to the moment when he had absorbed the fragment of Voldemort's soul. "And I know that destroying them is the key to defeating him once and for all."

Ragnok's expression hardened with resolve as he absorbed Harry's words. "This changes everything," he said, his voice filled with determination. "We must act swiftly to ensure that Voldemort's Horcruxes are destroyed and his evil influence eradicated from the world."

As Harry shared the revelation about Voldemort's Horcruxes with Ragnok, he knew he had to divulge all the information he possessed, no matter how unsettling it might be. With a sense of urgency, he continued to explain the specifics of what he had learned.

"One of the Horcruxes is located in the Lestrange vault here in Gringotts," Harry revealed, his voice steady despite the gravity of his words. "I've seen it with my own eyes."

Ragnok's eyes widened in shock at the revelation, the implications sinking in. "In the Lestrange vault?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "This is most troubling news."

Harry nodded, his expression grim. "I know it won't be easy to access," he admitted, "but we have to find a way to destroy it. Voldemort's soul must be eradicated completely if we are to defeat him."

Ragnok's features hardened with determination as he absorbed Harry's words. "I will see to it that every measure is taken to secure the vault and destroy the Horcrux," he vowed, his voice resolute. "We cannot allow Voldemort's evil to endure any longer."

With a shared sense of purpose, Harry and Ragnok exchanged a solemn nod, united in their determination to rid the world of Voldemort's dark influence. As they parted ways, Harry wrote down the locations of all the Horcruxes.

Harry knew that he had entrusted the task to capable hands, and he left Gringotts with a renewed sense of hope.

After leaving Gringotts, Harry wasted no time in heading to the offices of Theodore Tonks, determined to seek the assistance of the esteemed Wizarding lawyer in his quest to prove Sirius Black's innocence and uncover the truth about Voldemort's Horcruxes.

With the address provided by Ragnok in hand, Harry navigated the bustling streets of Diagon Alley until he reached the nondescript building that housed Theodore Tonks' offices. Stepping inside, he was greeted by the quiet hush of the reception area, where a witch sat behind a desk, poring over a stack of parchments.

Approaching the desk, Harry cleared his throat to gain her attention. "Excuse me," he said politely, "I'm here to see Theodore Tonks. Is he available?"

The witch looked up, her eyes scanning Harry with a hint of curiosity. "Do you have an appointment?" she inquired, her tone businesslike.

Harry shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not," he admitted, "but it's urgent. I need to speak with him as soon as possible."

The witch regarded Harry for a moment, then nodded in understanding. "Very well," she said, reaching for a quill and parchment. "I'll see if Mr. Tonks is available. Please have a seat."

Harry took a seat in one of the plush chairs lining the reception area, his heart pounding with anticipation. He knew that Theodore Tonks was his best chance at securing Sirius' freedom, and he prayed that the lawyer would be willing to hear him out.

As Harry was ushered into Theodore Tonks' office, he found himself face to face with the distinguished wizarding lawyer. Mr. Tonks looked up from his desk, his expression one of mild surprise as he took in the young man standing before him.

"Harry Potter?" Mr. Tonks exclaimed, his tone incredulous. "Is that really you?"

Harry nodded, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yes, it's me," he confirmed.

Mr. Tonks chuckled softly, his surprise giving way to a warm smile. "You've grown quite a bit since I last laid eyes on you," he remarked, his tone fond. "It's been many years, Harry. I still remember you as a baby, carried in your parents' arms."

As Harry sat across from Mr. Tonks in his office, the mention of his parents stirred a familiar ache in his heart. But Harry pushed aside his emotions, steeling himself for the task at hand.

"I'm here because I need your help, Mr. Tonks," Harry began, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. "I need to prove Sirius Black's innocence."

As Harry sat across from Mr. Tonks in his office, he listened intently as the wizarding lawyer reflected on the complexity of Sirius Black's case. Mr. Tonks' brow furrowed with concern as he considered the weight of the accusations that had been leveled against Sirius.

"Sirius Black," Mr. Tonks mused, his tone thoughtful. "Yes, his case has always been... complicated, to say the least. Many assumed his guilt from the start, given the reputation of the Black family."

Harry nodded, acknowledging the challenge they faced in proving Sirius' innocence. "But my wife, Andromeda, has always maintained his innocence," Mr. Tonks continued, his voice gaining strength. "She insists there's no way Sirius could have betrayed James and Lily Potter."

Harry felt a surge of hope at Mr. Tonks' words. Finally, someone was willing to consider the possibility that Sirius might be innocent. Andromeda's steadfast belief in her cousin's innocence was a testament to the depth of their bond and the strength of her conviction.

With renewed determination, Harry and Mr. Tonks began to strategize, laying the groundwork for their case to prove Sirius Black's innocence.

---

Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!

I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!

If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!

Click the link below to join the conversation:

https://discord.com/invite/HHHwRsB6wd

Can't wait to see you there!

If you appreciate my work and want to support me, consider buying me a cup of coffee. Your support helps me keep writing and bringing more stories to you. You can do so via PayPal here:

https://www.paypal.me/VikrantUtekar007

Thank you for your support!