2.Rosier Family

William turned to the house-elf in the room, wearing a mask of expressionlessness despite the confusion that still reverberated within him. He tried to push aside the questions that were boiling inside him. First, he had to stay calm. Panicking would not help.

The house-elf spoke again, bowing her head respectfully.

"Master... You look pensive. I was worried," he said, his voice filled with an almost trembling respect.

William bowed his head without taking his eyes off the house elf. He had to remain calm. He could not act without knowing who he was, how this world worked, the history of this body.

"There's nothing to worry about," he said, his voice still in the childish tone he wasn't used to, but his words were mature and authoritative. "I just feel a little... strange."

The house-elf immediately stepped forward with a worried expression. "Master, perhaps we should call the family doctor. Your health is paramount!"

William thought for a moment. How did doctors work in this world? Most likely it would be a wizard doctor. What would happen if they found something abnormal in this body? Would it arouse suspicion? On the other hand, he had to know the history of this body and adapt to it in order to continue without arousing suspicion.

Finally he nodded. "Yes, it might be good to see the family doctor."

The house-elf bowed her head quickly and snapped a hand. There was a faint flicker of magic in the room, and a moment later a large portrait appeared on the wall. William blinked. An old, bearded man sat in the portrait. He was dressed in a dark, opulent robe. His hands were clasped together and his eyes looked at William with the peace of wisdom.

"Ah, Young Master Rosier," said the man in the portrait, his voice heavy and authoritative. "Since you have summoned me, it must be a matter of your health?"

William quickly assessed the situation. It still felt strange to realize that living portraits actually existed in this world, but he quickly accepted it. He spoke with a slight bow of his head. "I woke up this morning feeling a little... strange, and I want to see if something is wrong."

The man in the portrait nodded. "I see, tell me. What are your symptoms?"

William spoke, choosing his words carefully. "I felt as if my body didn't belong to me, as if... I had stepped into a body I wasn't used to. Even when I looked in the mirror, it felt strange."

The doctor in the portrait stroked his beard. "Hmmm... This is sometimes seen in young wizards. After traumatic events, they can experience short-term memory blackouts. In a few days, your mind will be completely clear. You seem to be in perfect physical health, but there is a vague disconnect in your mind."

William listened carefully. The excuse of amnesia might work for him. It would allow him to explore the world around him without asking too many questions.

"Is this memory loss permanent?" he asked, keeping his expression carefully neutral.

"I don't think so," the doctor said. "It usually improves over time. In a few weeks everything will be as it was before."

William nodded. "I see. Thank you, Doctor."

The old wizard smiled slightly. "Always, young master. Your family has always trusted my wisdom."

The portrait closed its eyes and fell silent again. William took a deep breath. Now he knew that his body was perfectly healthy. He was really a seven-year-old boy, but his mind was still his own.

He turned his eyes back to the house-elf. "Stay with me," he told her. "I have some questions."

The house elf nodded her head quickly. "Of course, Young Master Rosier! Anything you wish!"

William thought for a moment. Where should he start? First he had to get a clear idea of his current age.

"How old am I?" he asked.

"Sir, you are seven years old," the house-elf said quickly. "And the year is 1981."

1981

Some calculations whirled quickly in William's head. The year 1981... The year Voldemort fell! The year Harry Potter's parents died, the year of great changes in the wizarding world... So now he was right before the big events.

Despite this knowledge, his face showed nothing. He continued to ask, looking calm and thoughtful.

"Where is my family?"

At this question, the house elf's ears perked up a bit and his eyes shone slightly with sadness.

"Our master's father, Master Evan Rosier, died a few months ago," the house elf said, his voice respectful but sad.

William's gaze froze.

Evan Rosier.

One of the Death Eaters mentioned in the Harry Potter universe. He was said to be one of Voldemort's most loyal followers. In fact, when the Ministry of Magic tried to capture him, he was known to put up a fierce fight, injuring several wizards before he was finally killed.

"How did he die?" William asked, his face a mask of impassivity.

The house-elf tilted her head a little more. "He died in battle with the Dark Lord, Master. The Ministry was on the hunt... And in the end, Master Rosier could not escape."

William digested the house elf's words carefully. His own father, Evan Rosier, had died fighting at Voldemort's side. That meant he was the child of a Death Eater.

And now it was only a matter of time before he would learn that he was the sole heir.

William narrowed his eyes and asked. "Who else is in my family?"

The house-elf bowed his head sadly. "Master... You are the last heir of the Rosier family."

William cursed.

This made things interesting.

He was now the sole owner of Rosier Manor and perhaps of the entire Rosier family heritage. It gave him great power, but it also meant great danger. On the one hand, a family name that had remained loyal to Voldemort, on the other, a name that the Ministry considered an enemy...

But William was not one to be frightened easily.

He turned his eyes back to the house-elf. "I see," was all he said.

The house elf was still trembling slightly, her eyes admiring him. "I am here to protect you, Master Rosier. As the last heir of your family, your safety is paramount!"

William lowered his head and took a deep breath.

This was his new world. And if he wanted to survive in it, he had to make the right moves.

"So," he said quietly. "Tell me everything."

The house-elf nodded, a twinkle in his eye.

_________________

As William listened intently to the house-elf's story, he tried to act with a natural vagueness to maintain the excuse of memory loss. Asking too specific questions might arouse suspicion, so he had to be as general as possible and let the genie provide the information spontaneously.

He narrowed his eyes and looked at the magnificent walls of the hall. "It's... really big," he said, sounding slightly thoughtful and alienated. "Have I always lived here?"

The house-elf nodded immediately. "Yes, master! You were born and raised here! Your family has lived here for generations."

William nodded slowly. "So... what were my parents like?"

The house-elf paused slightly, as if weighing what to say. "Your family... has always been made up of powerful wizards, master. Your ancestors on your father's side have been known in the world of magic since time immemorial. Your great-grandfather, Alphonse Rosier, was highly respected among the magicians of France."

William frowned slightly. "France?"

The house-elf nodded quickly. "Yes, master. Your family is from there. In time, they moved to Brittany and grew strong here."

William paused. A family from France... This was new information to him. While he pondered their historical connection, the house elf continued.

"Not just France, Master. The Rosiers have always stood by important people. Years ago, Alphonse Rosier worked with a powerful leader who wanted to change the wizarding world."

William tilted his head slightly. "What leader?"

The house-elf blinked slightly. "Gellert Grindelwald, Master. He argued that wizards should rule the Muggles instead of hiding from them. He started a great war, but was eventually defeated by Albus Dumbledore."

William frowned. "Dumbledore?"

The house-elf nodded. "Yes, Master. He is now the headmaster of Hogwarts. He is a very powerful wizard."

William sighed slightly and took a few seconds to collect his thoughts.

Grindelwald and Dumbledore... His family had once sided with Grindelwald. But that was in the past. What mattered now was the present.

William changed the subject with a slight nod. "Is there anyone else in the house?"

The house-elf replied quickly. "No, master. Just me and a few other house elves. But most of them were released or escaped after Master Evan's death."

William frowned slightly. "So you are the only one who is loyal to me?"

The house elf puffed out his chest and bowed his head. "Yes, Master! I gave you my life!"

William sighed. He needed more information to understand the situation. But he had to be careful how to do that without arousing further suspicion.

"So, show me around the house," he finally said. "I want to remember what it was like here."

The house-elf nodded quickly and snapped her fingers. A large stone door appeared before them. William raised his eyebrows and looked at the door.

"This is one of the main halls of your family, Master. Meetings were held here."

The door opened automatically and William stepped inside into a large hall. Large portraits of the Rosier family hung on the walls. Some looked at him coldly and distantly, others bowed their heads in greeting.

The house elf continued. "This is where your elders used to meet. They discussed family history, politics and plans for the future."

William paused for a moment. "Future plans?"

The house elf nodded. "Yes, Master. Your family was always thinking about the future of the wizarding world. They discussed here what alliances to forge, what enemies to avoid."

William thought as he looked around. The Rosier name was still powerful, but that power could be threatened. If his family's former allies had been captured or had defected to the Ministry, he would have to find a new path.

The house elf led him down another corridor. "This is the library, master. Hundreds of books of magic collected by your father and your ancestors are kept here."

William's eyes brightened slightly. Knowledge was the greatest power. These books could teach him how to navigate the world of magic.

Finally, the house elf led him to a large bedroom. "This is your room, Master Rosier."

As William entered, he noticed the large bed, the gothic decorations, the desk by the window, and the bookshelves in the corner.

He took a deep breath.