Harry Potter Echoes of the Past.

The Need for Grindelwald

Harry sat on the edge of the small bed in his cupboard. His fingers traced the edge of the parchment with Grindelwald's response, still fresh in his mind. He had always been a man of action, of decisiveness, and yet here he was stuck in a body that wasn't his own, bound by limitations he couldn't escape on his own.

The magic that had carried him through his previous life as Christopher Aurelius was still there, pulsating in his core like an ancient fire. His mind was sharp, and his knowledge of magic far surpassed that of most wizards. But his body... that was a different story.

Harry let out a slow breath. His power had grown exponentially since his reincarnation, and yet he could feel the weakness in his physical form. It was a constant battle to keep control, to suppress the instincts of the boy he now inhabited. His new body, Harry Potter's, wasn't designed to carry the weight of the ancient magic that flowed within him.

The issue was simple: his core the source of his power had formed fully during his previous life. But his body? It was still a young boy's body, incapable of fully handling the immense power he wielded. Christopher had been powerful, his magic potent and nearly limitless, but Harry's form was too frail. The spells he could cast in his past life had been effortless, but now, even simple incantations required far more concentration than they should.

And then there was the matter of wandless magic. Harry had never been taught it, nor had Christopher. While Christopher had wielded great magic, his power was entirely dependent on his wand. It was a tool he had come to rely on, and without it, his strength was diminished.

Wands were an extension of a wizard's will, a magical focus, and without one, Harry found his magic unruly, difficult to control. As much as he longed to tap into the full potential of his past life, he needed a wand to truly unleash his power. It was a limitation he couldn't bypass—at least, not without someone to guide him in the proper direction.

This was where Grindelwald came in.

Grindelwald had never relied solely on a wand to channel his power. In fact, he had mastered many forms of magic that didn't require a wand at all. But Harry's greatest need wasn't just to learn to cast spells without one, it was to understand how to control his power. He needed guidance from someone who understood magic beyond the conventional ways taught in schools, someone who had faced the same restrictions and broken free from them. Grindelwald, though dangerous, was the key to that.

But even more pressing was the issue of his body. As powerful as he had been as Christopher Aurelius, Harry's current form was unable to handle the sheer strain his magic placed on him. The simple act of casting certain spells left him drained. Even the smallest exertion of his magic caused his body to ache, as if it couldn't support the weight of the force behind it.

In Harry's mind, Grindelwald was the only one who could help him bridge the gap. The dark wizard's understanding of magic, his control over his own power, and his ability to break free from physical limitations were things Harry couldn't replicate on his own. Despite his vast knowledge, Harry needed someone like Grindelwald, a figure who had mastered both the physical and magical aspects of power.

Harry wasn't asking for a mentor in the traditional sense, he wasn't seeking to follow in Grindelwald's footsteps. He simply needed someone to show him how to control the magic he could no longer handle and unlock the potential he was beginning to fear he might never reach.

Grindelwald's own prison Nurmengard was a symbol of both defeat and control. It was a place where Grindelwald had been brought low, but even from there, he continued to exert influence. If Harry could gain his trust, perhaps Grindelwald would offer him the knowledge to master his abilities.

Harry paused, staring at the empty space before him. The weight of his thoughts was heavy, but Deek's presence in the room was a comfort. The house elf was quietly waiting, as always, ready to assist, to listen, and to help. Harry didn't have many allies in this new life,he had no one he could trust entirely at this point, except Deek.

"Deek," Harry began, his voice low but steady, "I have a plan. A series of steps that must be taken carefully. First, we need to get to Gringotts. I can't trust anyone outside these walls yet, but I need to get there as soon as possible." Harry knew he could trust the goblins in their greed. He knew that being the Potter and Aurelius heir made him incredibly valuable to them.

Deek's large, sad eyes watched Harry carefully, ever aware of his master's emotions. "Deek will help Master Harry. Deek will take care of everything."

Harry smiled, a rare soft expression. "I know you will, Deek."

The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but Harry had learned long ago to adapt to difficult circumstances. The most immediate one was getting to Gringotts. But even that would prove to be complicated. The Dursleys, his current guardians, had been distant and cruel, and they had no intention of helping him with his magical education. They barely tolerated his presence, keeping him hidden away as if he were some sort of nuisance.

"I'll need a way to get away from here, Deek," Harry said, his brow furrowing. "I can't stay here under their roof forever. I need to go to the station without them noticing."

Deek nodded quickly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Deek can help with that, Master.

"Good," Harry said, pacing around the room. "But before we leave, we need to take care of something else. The Potter vault. It's time I find out just what's waiting there for me. I also need to take a bloodline test while I'm there, to see if I qualify as an heir to any other magical families. I'll need to learn everything I can about my heritage. I'm sure there's something valuable in that vault... and I have to make sure I'm not missing anything that could help me."

Deek's ears perked up at the mention of the vault. "The Potter vault, Master Harry? you there. Deek knows the way. But... do you think it's wise to open it so soon? There are... protections in place."

Harry stopped pacing, his eyes narrowing as he thought about it. "I don't have much of a choice, Deek. If I'm going to make it out of here, I need whatever power I can find. There's something about that vault—something Dumbledore may have kept from me. I have to see what's inside, and if there's anything in there to help me fight back."

Deek seemed uncertain but nodded. "Deek will assist, Master Harry, no matter what. We will go to Gringotts, yes, we will."

Harry smiled, reassured by Deek's loyalty. "Thank you. We'll go to Gringotts first, then."

"But Master," Deek continued hesitantly, "when we get to Gringotts... there is something you need to know. When you perform the bloodline test, it may reveal more than you expect. There are some families that might try to claim you as their own if they find out you are a Potter... or something else. It could cause trouble."

Harry nodded solemnly. "I'm prepared for that. If I'm truly an heir to some other powerful family, then I'll need to know. And it's time to start making plans. Grindelwald's teachings could be the key to breaking free of whatever Dumbledore has put in place. If I don't learn how to control my magic, I'll never be strong enough to take on the life ahead of me."

"Deek will make sure no one bothers Master," the house elf said proudly. "And when we get to Gringotts, we will make sure you are safe."

The conversation paused as Harry thought about what came next. The road ahead was uncertain, but Harry was determined to move forward, no matter the cost. As he looked back at Deek, he realized how much trust he had placed in this small creature. The loyalty Deek showed him was something rare and valuable. It was something Harry would need if he was going to navigate the challenges that lay ahead.

Harry exhaled slowly, a plan beginning to form in his mind. "Deek, once we've taken care of the Potter vault and the bloodline test, we'll need to start preparing. I've spent too long hiding from the truth. It's time to take control. Grindelwald will teach me what I need to know. I'll be ready by the time I get to Hogwarts."

Deek nodded again, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Deek will follow Master Harry anywhere. We will be ready."

Harry gave Deek a final, steady glance before turning away to prepare for the next part of his journey. The future was uncertain, and the road to his power would be difficult. But with the right guidance, he would find his way. First, Gringotts, then Grindelwald... and then, finally, the truth.