Hadrian Peverell: High Lord of Skagos

Chapter 14: A New Name, A New Identity

The cold halls of Winterfell held an ancient weight, the kind that could be felt with each step Harry took. Or rather, Hadrian Peverell, as he would now be known. The name had come to him only moments before he entered the presence of Lord Stark, a whispered memory from his past. Peverell was an old name, one with ties to power, death, and legacy. It was fitting, given the circumstances. If Harry Potter was to remain hidden from the world, Hadrian Peverell would be born in his place.

As he was led through the stone corridors by two guards, their thoughts whispered on the edges of his awareness. Harry, through years of subtle Legilimency, had learned how to gently brush the minds of those around him, gathering information without stirring suspicion. And so, as he walked, he caught glimpses of Lord Stark's life through the thoughts of the guards, piecing together a fuller picture of the man he was about to meet.

Ellard Stark, the current Lord of Winterfell, was not even twenty years old, a fact that surprised Harry. For all his years of experience, it was easy to forget the fleeting youth of others, especially in a world like this, where responsibility was thrust upon men far earlier than they were ready. Ellard had inherited the lordship after his father's death, which had been the result of a Wildling attack. That much Harry had already gleaned. But it was in the thoughts of the guards that he discovered more.

Ellard Stark was quiet, not in the shy or uncertain way some young lords might be, but in the way of a man who preferred diplomacy to conflict. His father's violent death, combined with the weight of his title, had made Ellard cautious—perhaps overly so. He was not a warrior like many of his ancestors but instead sought solutions through words and alliances. It was a trait that could either serve him well or lead to his downfall in a place as harsh as the North.

Ellard had three siblings, one older who had already died, and two younger still living within Winterfell's walls. Harry had not yet learned their names, but the family structure mirrored that of so many noble houses. Tragedy, responsibility, and the ever-looming threat of death seemed to be constants in this world, as much as they had been in Harry's.

Before Harry could delve deeper into the thoughts of the guards, he was interrupted by one of them, who spoke in a gruff Northern accent, "We've arrived."

Harry glanced up just as a large, iron-bound door creaked open, revealing the interior of a warmly lit room. The air smelled of woodsmoke and aged parchment, with the faintest hint of pine. It was clear that this was not a formal audience chamber, but rather a more private room—Lord Stark's solar.

The room itself was simple but sturdy, much like Winterfell. A large hearth burned brightly on one side, casting long shadows against the stone walls. A table of dark wood stood in the center of the room, flanked by two high-backed chairs. Lord Ellard Stark sat in one of these chairs, his posture straight, though there was an undeniable youthfulness to his face. His eyes, however, held a sharpness that spoke of intelligence and wariness.

Standing beside him was an older man, draped in the muted greys and browns that were common in the North. His robe bore the chain of links that signified him as a maester, though Harry had mistaken him for a monk at first, judging by his appearance. A quick glance into the surface of the man's thoughts revealed his name—Olorin, the maester of Winterfell. In the swirling fragments of Olorin's mind, Harry pieced together what a maester was: a healer, a scholar, a teacher, and most importantly, an adviser to the ruling family.

"Lord Stark," Harry greeted with a polite bow, adjusting his voice to carry the slight burr of a Northern accent. "I thank you for receiving me on such short notice."

Ellard gestured to the chair opposite him, his face inscrutable, though Harry could see the flicker of curiosity behind his calm facade. "Please, sit. I'm told you have an intriguing proposal."