Chapter 3: The Blood of Windsor
**July 31, 1980 – Godric's Hollow, The Potter Castle – Henry's Age: Newborn**
The warmth of the Potter Castle's family chamber, with its crackling golden fire and rune-carved crib, was a stark contrast to the storm of revelation brewing within its walls. Henry James Fleamont Charles George Arthur Eliseo Elisheva Ezekiel Solomon Apollonius Potter Peverell IX lay quietly in his crib, his green eyes flickering with the sharp awareness of a soul far older than his hours. It was still July 31, 1980, the day of his birth, and the evening had deepened into a velvet night, the castle's stained-glass ceiling now reflecting the glow of enchanted starlight.
Charles Potter and Dorea Black Potter stood near the hearth, their expressions a mix of joy and contemplation as they gazed at their grandson. Lily and James, seated on a plush velvet settee nearby, were still basking in the glow of new parenthood, their hands intertwined. But Charles's jovial demeanor had shifted slightly, his hazel eyes narrowing with a thought that had been nagging at him since he'd first laid eyes on Henry.
"Lily," Charles began, his voice careful but firm, "there's something about Henry—about you—that feels… different. I don't mean to alarm you, but Dorea and I have been talking, and we think it might be wise to have a magical DNA test done. Just to be certain of everything."
Dorea nodded, her grey eyes softening with understanding. "It's not uncommon for ancient magical families like ours to have hidden branches or lost connections. The Peverell blood in Henry is strong, but there's something else—something I can't quite place. A test would give us clarity."
Lily's brow furrowed, her hand tightening around James's. "A DNA test? Why now? I know I was adopted by the Evans family, but I've always assumed my birth parents were Muggles. What could this possibly reveal?"
James squeezed her hand reassuringly, though his own expression was curious. "It can't hurt, Lils. The goblins at Gringotts have been managing the Potter estate for centuries—they're the best at tracing magical lineage. If there's something to find, they'll find it."
Henry, listening silently, felt a thrill of anticipation. He knew what was coming—his past life as Elias Kane had given him knowledge of Lily's true heritage, the Windsor blood that had been hidden from her since her kidnapping at birth. But he kept his infant body still, his green eyes half-closed, playing the part of a sleeping newborn while his mind raced. This was the moment the threads of destiny would begin to unravel.
Charles clapped his hands together, decisive. "I'll Floo the goblins now. Gringotts never sleeps, and I'm sure they'll send someone straight away." He moved to the fireplace, tossing in a handful of Floo powder with a practiced motion. The flames roared emerald, and he called out, "Gringotts, Potter Family Management!"
Moments later, a goblin stepped through the fire, his presence as commanding as it was unsettling. He was tall for a goblin, with sharp features and eyes like polished obsidian, dressed in a tailored robe of deep crimson. A heavy golden medallion hung around his neck, engraved with the seal of Gringotts. "I am Griphook, senior genealogist of the Potter account," he announced, his voice a low rasp. "You requested a magical DNA test?"
"Yes," Dorea said, stepping forward. "For our daughter-in-law, Lily Potter. We'd like a full lineage trace, as far back as your magic can go."
Griphook nodded, producing a small silver dagger and a parchment scroll that shimmered with enchantments. "A drop of blood is all I need," he said, turning to Lily. She hesitated for a moment, then extended her hand, wincing slightly as the goblin pricked her finger. A single drop of crimson fell onto the parchment, and the scroll began to glow, golden lines spreading across it like veins, forming a sprawling family tree.
The room fell silent as the magic worked, the only sound the crackling of the fire and the faint hum of the castle's protective wards. Henry watched from his crib, his tiny fists clenching with excitement. The scroll's glow intensified, and Griphook's eyes widened as he read the results, his clawed fingers tracing the lines with growing astonishment.
"This… this is unprecedented," Griphook muttered, his voice tinged with awe. He looked up at Lily, his gaze piercing. "You are not who you believe yourself to be, Lily Potter. Your true name is Her Royal Highness Princess Lily Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor Potter, firstborn daughter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh."
The words hung in the air like a spell, heavy with implication. Lily's face drained of color, her green eyes wide with shock. James's jaw dropped, his hand slipping from hers as he stared at the goblin. Charles and Dorea exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of disbelief and dawning realization.
"What?" Lily whispered, her voice trembling. "That… that can't be right. Queen Elizabeth? I'm… I'm a Muggle-born witch. I can't be—"
"You were kidnapped at birth," Griphook interrupted, his tone matter-of-fact as he pointed to a notation on the scroll. "The magic of this test reveals all truths, even those hidden by dark forces. You were born on January 30, 1947, at Buckingham Palace, the eldest child of the Queen and Prince Philip. You were taken mere hours after your birth, your magical aura likely the reason—someone feared your power. The Evans family, who raised you, were chosen as a cover, their memories altered to believe you were theirs."
James stood, running a hand through his hair. "Merlin's beard… Lily, you're a princess? A *Windsor* princess?"
Griphook continued, ignoring the interruption. "Your parents, as stated, are Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Your grandparents are King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. You have an aunt, Princess Margaret, your mother's younger sister. And your siblings—your younger siblings—are Prince Charles, born 1948, Princess Anne, born 1950, Prince Andrew, born 1960, and Prince Edward, born 1964."
Lily's hands shook as she took the scroll from Griphook, her eyes scanning the names. "Charles… Anne… Andrew… Edward…" she murmured, her voice breaking. "I have brothers and a sister. I… I was stolen from them."
Henry, still in his crib, felt a pang of empathy for his mother. He knew this pain—his past life as Elias had taught him the sting of loss, the ache of a life rewritten by forces beyond control. But he also knew this was only the beginning of Lily's journey—and his own.
Griphook tapped the scroll, drawing their attention to another section. "As for the line of succession, you are the firstborn child of the reigning monarch. By Muggle law, primogeniture at this time favors male heirs, so Prince Charles is currently the heir apparent. However, your magical heritage complicates matters. The Windsor family has long been unaware of their own magical bloodline, diluted over centuries but awakened in you. By magical law, you are the rightful heir to any throne your bloodline claims—be it Muggle or wizarding."
Charles let out a low whistle, his eyes darting to Henry. "So our grandson… he's not just a Potter and a Peverell. He's a Windsor, too. A prince in both worlds."
Dorea placed a hand on Lily's shoulder, her voice steady despite the shock. "This changes everything, Lily. You're not just our daughter-in-law—you're a bridge between two worlds. And Henry… he carries the weight of both legacies."
Lily's gaze shifted to the crib, where Henry lay watching her with an intensity that belied his newborn status. She stood, moving to his side and lifting him into her arms, holding him close as tears welled in her eyes. "My little prince," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You were born to do great things—I can feel it now more than ever."
James joined her, wrapping an arm around them both. "We'll figure this out, Lils. Together. But for now, let's take it one step at a time. We need to protect you—and Henry—more than ever."
As the firelight danced across the room, casting shadows on the ancient tapestries, Henry nestled against his mother's chest, his mind alight with possibilities. The revelation of Lily's heritage was the first domino to fall, a step toward the throne he'd dreamed of in his past life. The Potter Castle, with its golden domes and cascading waterfalls, its rune-carved halls and ethereal beauty, was no longer just a home—it was the foundation of an empire. And Henry, the reborn soul of Elias Kane, knew that his mother's royal blood would be the key to claiming it all.
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Notes on the Chapter:
- **Date and Setting**: The chapter takes place on July 31, 1980, in the Potter Castle in Godric's Hollow, immediately following Chapter 2. Henry remains a newborn, only hours old.
- **Magical DNA Test**: The test, conducted by Griphook, reveals Lily's true identity as Princess Lily Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor Potter, firstborn of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, born January 30, 1947.
- **Family Details**: Lily's parents (Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip), grandparents (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother), aunt (Princess Margaret), and siblings (Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward) are listed as per the timeline, with no mention of Prince William or Prince Harry, who are not yet born in 1980.
- **Line of Succession**: The chapter addresses the Muggle line of succession (favoring Charles due to male primogeniture in 1980) while noting Lily's unique position as a magical heir, setting up future conflicts and opportunities for Henry.
- **Henry's Perspective**: His adult consciousness continues to process the events, seeing the revelation as a step toward his ultimate goal of uniting the magical and Muggle worlds under his rule.