A/N This is an idea that suddenly came to me so this is the main bulk of it but I'm planning on doing a few follow on chapters.
Not long after the war had ended Harry received a letter from Gringotts saying that although the damage he had caused to the bank was extensive they had pardoned him because of the fact that the robbery was not out of greed but a need to save the wizarding world. They had also told him of two further vaults that were in his name, that he was to gain access to when he became of age. So, as Harry made his way through Diagon Alley with the many stares in his direction that he had become accustomed to in the past few months, he wondered what could possibly be in the vaults. More money, he presumed, not that he neither wanted nor needed it. But that is an awful lot of money to be in two vaults, maybe there were other things too.
AS he reached the reception desk he handed over his wand and the letter he had received as proof of identity and followed the goblin into a cart to lead him to the first of his vaults. This journey was as quick as the one to his own vault. Left, right, right, middle, left middle, he lost track once again. Finally they came to a stop. Once Harry was stood outside a vault the goblin pulled a key out of his pocket and unlocked the vault door. As the door swung open harry could see piles and piles of parchment, his mouth hung open. 'This is all the mail Harry Potter has received since he defeated Voldemort in 1981.' The goblin explained. Harry's eyes widened, he was glad it had been directed away from him as he grew up, it was all a bit overwhelming.
'Is there anyway I could have the current contents of this vault moved to my home in Grimauld Place whilst still keeping it in use for future mail?' Harry enquired.
'Of course Mister Potter, once we are back in the foyer I would be glad to help sort out the arrangements.'
They moved back into the cart, heading deeper into Gringotts, the travelled through the Thief's Downfall, with no problems this time, and headed deeper and deeper. Finally the cart screeched to a halt in front of a very old looking vault door. 'This is the Potter family vault. The Potters are a very old family and have had this vault for a long time.' The Goblin dragged his finger down a well worn patch of the door, which seemed to melt away at the touch.
This time Harry was sure his eyes were going to leave his sockets for good. It wasn't the large piles of gold, silver and bronze that caught his eye; it was an area on the other side of the vault full of more personal artefacts. Harry couldn't believe his eyes; these things belonged to his family, his flesh and blood. He had no physical connections to any of them, no family heirlooms, nothing that reminded him of the life he had before Voldemort ripped it to shreds.
Gingerly Harry stepped into the vault and cautiously made his way over to an ornate bookshelf. On it where a few ancient looking books, the sort of things that would have Hermione drooling. But that wasn't what drew him to it, what drew him to it was a thick envelope sat on top, the words Last Will and Testament of Lily and James Potter written clearly across it. You would have thought that after everything that had ever happened to Harry he would be harder to shock, instead this made him stagger a little.
Finally the Goblin became impatient 'Mister Potter?'
This startled Harry a little but he quickly composed himself 'Sorry. Is there any chance I could be left alone here for a while? It's all very personal and I have a feeling I'm going to be here a while.'
The Goblin nodded and bowed slightly as he backed away. 'Just ring the bell if you need anything.' And he left Harry alone in this large vault miles below muggle London.
Harry moved back to the envelope and sat himself down on an old, well worn armchair that was part of the vaults contents to read. His hands began to shake as he pulled the contents out of the envelope gingerly. He was not the first to read it, he could tell, it was probably read after their deaths, giving things to whom it was bequeathed. He began to read slowly. It was all very ordinary, their money and estate would go to Harry. The he began to see a few more specific things, he saw who his guardianship was supposed to go to, first was his Godfather, Sirius. If he was unable then it would be family friends Frank and Alice Longbottom, Harry nearly dropped the page at this. He could have grown up with Neville. Harry knew their lives shared scary parallels but to think that a) Their parents were close friends and b) had things turned out differently they could have grown up as almost siblings.
He continued on with his reading. James's broomstick had been left to Sirius 'as a reminder of times when we felt free.' And to Remus was left Lily's Gryffindor scarf 'to remind you that we are always united'. He continued through the will, not comprehending the tears that had streaked down his cheeks. Finally, he glanced at his watch and realised quite how late it had gotten. He rose from his point, taking the envelope with him, silently vowing to come back tomorrow.
Harry struggled to fall asleep that night. The buzz of finding a physical connection to his parents was very difficult to come down from. He considered long and hard telling his friends and girlfriend but decided not to, leaving it a few days of his own self discovery before bringing them in on this amazing discovery.
It was bright and early that morning, not 15 minutes after the bank had opened, that Harry found himself sitting back in his family vault, once again completely ignoring the mountains of coins behind him. They had no value in comparison with what was on the other side of the vault.
His mother, it seemed, had found a hobby during their time in hiding. She had documented a story behind every item in the room. It was almost as if she knew that she herself wouldn't be around to tell these stories to Harry but wished to insure he still got to hear them. He found a journal with all these stories in, each relating to a certain item in the vault. There was the story about how, as Harry had begun to learn to pull himself onto his feet he had grabbed onto the bookshelf, almost pulling it down on top of himself. Harry chuckled at this; it was almost as if he could hear his mother herself telling the story.
Then finally, he found a small wooden box. The layer of dust that had settled over the rest of the contents of the vault was that much thinner on it. Cautiously he picked it up dusted it off and settled on the armchair that he had become so familiar with over the last day or so. Gingerly he opened it up, revealing another piece of parchment with his mother curvaceous script embezzling one single word Harry. He ran his finger of the name gently, thinking about how, some time ago, his mother had written this just for him. He carefully opened the envelope, trying not to tear or damage it in any way. Finally he retrieved the letter within. And his eyes glistened as he read his mothers words to him.
Dearest Harry,
If you are reading this letter it means that me and Dada are no longer able to tell you this ourselves. We love you no matter what Harry, and we live forever inside your hearts. In this box are a few things of great importance that we want you to have once we have gone. Use them as you wish, and remember us always.
The first item you should find is my charm bracelet. It was given to me not long after your birth by your Uncles Padfoot and Moony. It is so that wherever I am, I've always got my boys with me. The stag is Dada, the Dog is Padfoot, the wolf Moony, the rat Wormtail and finally, the baby deer is you.
Harry paused his reading to look at the mentioned bracelet, he couldn't even bring himself to get angry at the rat. He just caressed each charm in turn (no including the obvious) pulling forward those memories he had of each missing them completely and loving them with every fibre of his being. He continued his reading.
Next, you should find your fathers watch. He wanted to get you one like it for your own coming of age. I hope you will love and cherish it as much as he himself does.
Harry looked at the watch that sat on his wrist, then back at the one sat neatly in the box in front of him. For a moment he considered taking of Fabien's watch and replacing it with his fathers. But he didn't, he couldn't, he longed for his parents to have been able to give him their own but this new watch meant just as much, it meant his new family. He smiled as he thought of the Weasley's and all they had done for him over the years.
This bit is specifically from Dada. This is his St Christopher that he was given by his grandfather when he first went off to Hogwarts. St Christopher is the patron saint of travellers and is supposed to help guide you thought life, I hope he will be able to do the same for you.
Harry pulled the golden chain out of the box, feeling it though his fingers before finally looking at the pendant. It was simple and masculine and Harry loved it. He unclasped it and put it around his neck, admiring the way it sat on his chest. He gently tucked it under his robes, the cold metal sitting close to his heart.
Finally, find my engagement ring. It belonged to your Grandmother on Dada's side. I hope that when you find your own special lady that this could bring her the joy it has brought me. Dada would like to point out that she'll probably be a redhead as Potter men have married redheads for four generations, it's practically family tradition now.
Harry smiled at his father's words. He may only be 18 but he already knew that he was going to marry Ginny. He loved her and that was not going to change, but it was nice to think that his father would have approved of his choosing his own redhead.
He then looked to find the small, delicate box that contained this one treasure that meant so much. Opening it up cautiously he felt a tear escape his eyes as he laid eyes upon the marvel. It was not big or flash, nor did it look particularly imposing but its beauty was undeniable. It was a thin silver band set with alternating with tiny delicate diamonds and rubies. Rubies, Harry laughed, this redhead thing really was ingrained in his family. Finally, he finished the letter.
Mama has to go now Harry, but know that I love you. Dada does to. And no matter what, we are proud of everything you do.
Love forever,
Mama and Dada xxx
Harry couldn't stop the tears flowing freely now, clutching onto the box and paper as if his life depended on it. He calmed himself down, he wanted to tell his friends of his discovery now, but maybe he would keep a few secrets for a little while longer...