Hadrian Peverell: High Lord of Skagos

Chapter 4: Echoes of Ancestors

After the disappointment in the Wizengamot, Harry felt an urge to distance himself from the political machinations that had consumed his life. He needed to reconnect with himself, to understand the full extent of what he had inherited, and perhaps find a new direction in the remnants of the past that had been left to him. So, he decided to visit the various estates tied to the lordships he had recently discovered he held.

Harry's first stop was the Potter estate. The ancestral home, located in the countryside of Scotland, had been reduced to ruins during the First Wizarding War. The sight of the crumbling walls and overgrown gardens sent a pang of sorrow through him. The place where his grandparents had once lived and loved had been all but destroyed by Voldemort's wrath. Only a few charred remnants of the house remained, and the land surrounding it was overgrown with weeds and brambles.

The second Potter property in London, however, was still intact. Located in a discreet neighborhood, the house was a modest but elegant townhouse, untouched by the ravages of war. The exterior was covered in ivy, with a wrought-iron gate leading to a small garden. Inside, the house had a warm, welcoming atmosphere, though it was clear no one had lived there for years. Dust covered the furniture, and the air was stale, but the structure was sound. Harry found it oddly comforting, a place he could see himself returning to when he needed a break from the world.

As he explored, he didn't find any house-elves, which wasn't surprising considering the devastation the Potters had endured. The emptiness of the estate mirrored the emptiness he often felt inside—a reminder of the family he had lost, but also a testament to their legacy, which he now carried forward.

Next, Harry made his way to the Gryffindor estate. The castle was located in the Scottish Highlands, a majestic fortress that overlooked a vast, rugged landscape. Castle Gryffindor was an imposing structure, with high stone walls, turrets, and battlements. The castle had clearly been designed with defense in mind, but its beauty was undeniable. Ivy climbed the walls, and the surrounding grounds were lush with greenery, dotted with ancient oak trees and sprawling lawns.

As Harry stepped inside, he was struck by the grandeur of the place. The entrance hall was vast, with high ceilings and large windows that let in streams of sunlight. Tapestries depicting scenes of great battles and legendary creatures adorned the walls. The floors were made of polished stone, and the air was cool and slightly musty, carrying the scent of old wood and history.

While exploring the castle, Harry discovered a few goblin-made artifacts in a hidden chamber behind one of the walls. The metalwork was intricate, with strange symbols and designs etched into the surface. He recognized the craftsmanship immediately—goblin-made items were rare and valuable, often enchanted with powerful magic.

More surprising, however, were the two house-elves he found living in the castle. They were small and wizened, with large, bat-like ears and wide eyes that blinked up at him in surprise when he entered the kitchen.

"I be Tilly, Master," one of them said, bowing low. "And this is Nobby," she added, gesturing to the other elf. "We's been waiting for a new Master for many years."

The elves explained that they had served the Gryffindor family for generations, maintaining the castle even in its long years of abandonment. Harry was struck by their loyalty and the care they had taken of the place. He assured them that he would not abandon them and that he appreciated their dedication.

The next stop was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the Gryffindor castle. The Slytherin estate, which consisted of a secluded cottage on a small island off the coast of Spain, was a quiet, almost desolate place. The island itself was covered in thick forest, with a small beach of white sand where the cottage stood.