Chapter One: The Beginning of Summer

A/N: Hello everyone! This is my first ever fanfiction, so please go easy on me. Also, English is not my native language so I'm sorry for any errors. I'm doing the best I can. I hope you like it. Don't forget to tell me what you think.

Contrary to common belief or to what Hermione Granger thought, Harry Potter was not an idiot or stupid. Oh, no. Quite the opposite. He just learnt to disguise his talents when he was young, because it got him into trouble with the Dursleys. He still remembered the day he brought his first report card to his Aunt. It had straight A's. He got a week in the cupboard for cheating. So, he didn't bother with his grades again. Unfortunately, he kept in place that policy at Hogwarts, because he didn't want to be shunned by Ron or displease Hermione. He was willing to do everything to keep his only friends. But the past year taught him a lot of things. One of them was that he had more friends than he thought. Neville, Ginny, Fred and George had helped and supported him all year from behind the scenes, even when his best friend shunned him and accused him. It also taught him that it was high time to get his act together and embrace his Slytherin side.

And that's exactly what he did. The day after they were sent home, Harry woke up bright and early. He was the only one awake in the house, so he took advantage of that. He made himself a nice breakfast and took some food supplies up to his room. He wasn't going to starve this summer. Then he had a long shower and got dressed. He put on the only fitting cloths he owned, a pair of jeans and a Puddlemere United T-shirt he had gotten for Christmas. He grabbed his schoolbag and put his vault key, money bag and some money he stole the night before from Dudley. It's not like Dudley earned it, or anything. He stole that money from his parents and kids. He grabbed his wand and invisibility cloak and left his room. On his way out, he grabbed a spare set of keys and left a note saying that he was with his godfather for the day. He wrapped his cloak around him and left Privet Dive. He walked a few blocks and then summoned the Knight Bus.

This time he didn't give any name to Stan. He sat quietly trying to stay put during the trip, making a metal to do list. They finally reached the Leaky Cauldron and Harry moved quickly on the back to open the Entrance to the Diagon Alley. He opened it and walked straight to the Bank. The place was pretty empty. Well, it was seven thirty in the morning, so that was expected, right? Even if the Bank was open 24/7 for some reason. Shaking his head, he walked to the closest teller.

"Good morning. I would like to speak with an account manager about my vault, please." He said politely.

"Name?" the goblin asked.

"Harry Potter." He replied automatically.

"Mr. Potter! Follow me, please. I'll take you to your manager." The goblin said and hopped off his seat. And he moved fast. Even for someone his size. They walked through three doors and two corridors, then climbed two flights of stairs and passed some more corridors and doors. Finally the goblin stopped outside a big oak door. He knocked and when he got a replied he opened the door.

"Clofag, Mr. Potter is here to see you." The goblin announced.

Hearing this, Clofag snapped his head towards them. A split second later, he barked some orders in another language and the other goblin rushed out. "Mr. Potter, please have a seat. I've been waiting for you."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know I was supposed to come." Harry said.

"Mr. Dumbledore never told you that you were to come on your 14th birthday?"

"No. I just wanted to learn a bit more about my vault. That's why I'm here." He explained.

"Vault? Then I suppose, you truly don't know about your heritage."

"I-I don't think so."

"Very well. Your family is one of the oldest families in the magical world. It was established a few centuries before Hogwarts was built. At first, they made cookware. That's how the name Potter was created. Through the years, not only your ancestors spent money wisely, but also made very good investments. Thus, your family become one of the richest ones. Due to its age, it is also an Ancient and Most Noble House and you are the Head. According to the Ancient Laws you should have claimed Lordship on your 14th birthday." He explained.

Harry stared at the goblin. So, he was rich. Very rich. That would explain several of Ron's comments. Because Ron knew that his family was a very old one and therefore rich, so he couldn't understand why Harry wore rugs that were five sizes bigger. Or why he is so surprised when he gets presents at Christmas. But Harry didn't know. He didn't know he was rich. When he found out about his vault, he vowed to be careful and not spend the money, so it could last him until he got a job. Also it would explain Ron's bitterness, especially the past year. Ron was jealous about Harry's wealth, but Harry would give everything away if it meant that he could have his parents back.

"But before you claim the Lordship, you need to drop some blood on this parchment." Clofag told him and gave him a dagger. Taking a deep breath, he cut his palm and let the blood drop, until the wound healed.

Looking at the results, the goblin said, "Since the day you defeated the Dark Lord, several witches and wizards have include you in their will. Also, there are several vaults you can claim as the closest relative of the deceased. Should I give you the necessary forms?"

"Yes, please. Is there a way to get a list of what I own, when we are done?" Harry said.

"Of course. If you want I can give you one of our service pamphlets, later."

"That would be great."

"Very well. Now, write your full name here and your signature here. Repeat for every parchment." The goblin instructed and Harry got to work. He signed no less than 27 forms. His hand began cramping by the time he was done.

"Why would so many people put me in their wills?" Harry asked.

"Many of those lost their families because of the Dark Lord and his servants. When you defeated him, they felt that their loved ones were avenged. So, they left you their vaults and estates to thank you for avenging them. "

"But it wasn't something I did! It was something my mother did!"

"That may be the case, but for them it was you Mr. Potter. Though don't forget that some of those forms were your claim to some vaults through blood as the closest relative and not through wills." The goblin said just in time for someone to knock the door. "Come in" he said and a teller walked through the door. He approached Clofag and gave him a box. They talked quickly in the same language as before and then the teller left.

"Mr. Potter, in order for you to claim Lordship of the House of Potter, you need to put on the Potter Ring. When you do this, a few things will happen. At first your body will change into that of a lord, matching your family's standards. Any blocks on your magic will be canceled as well as any other ill intended spell, like tracking spells. Also, the day of your sixteenth birthday you will become emancipated. Until then, I would suggest you choose an adult to act as your guardian. I would suggest Mr. Black."

"Sirius?" He asked surprised. How did he know?

"Yes, and if you see him tell him that he should come by and claim his birth right."

"O-Okay."

"One more thing. You cannot access the Potter and the Peverell Family Vaults without your guardian's permission. But you have full access to the other vaults. Are you ready?"

"I am."

"You need to place a drop of your blood on the ring and then put it on." Clofag opened the ornate box the teller had brought and placed it in front of Harry along with the dagger he had used earlier. The ring was simple yet handsome. It was made of platinum. It had a rectangular shaped ruby on it with the Potter Crest on it.

"When you are ready, put it on your right ring finger." Clofag instructed.

Harry looked at the ring once more. He took the dagger and made a small cut on his forefinger. He pressed in on the crest and when it sparkled, he put it on. He felt a wave of magic running through his veins. Then darkness enveloped him.

Opening his eyes, Harry realized that he was in an unfamiliar place. However before he had time to panic, someone spoke.

"Ah, you are awake." Clofag commented and Harry remembered where he was.

"I feel like I had a go with a Hippogriff." He groaned.

"Understandable. Your body has changed quite a bit."

"Oh. Do you have a mirror?" he couldn't wait to see what the ring had done to him.

"Behind you."

Harry nodded his thanks and got up. When he looked at the mirror, he gasped. He could barely recognize himself. He was very tall at 6'4'' according to the measurement of the mirror. His shoulders were broader and his body well-toned. His face had masculine edges and his facial hair had grown, too. His hair was shorter but still messy. He looked good. And he could feel his magic flowing through him. It felt good. And somehow his clothed had grown with him.

"Would you like to take a look at one of our service pamphlets until we put together the list with your assets?" Clofag asked.

"Yes."

So, Harry was given the pamphlet and began reading it carefully. The goblins could provide some pretty awesome things. As he read, he made a mental list of things he wanted or was curious about. The goblins could cash cards, check books, glamour crystals, portkeys, wards, books, muggle papers, new ids, safe chests among other things.

"What is a glamour crystal?"

"It's a crystal that when you wear it, it makes you look different. It is a very safe way for, say a wanted man to walk around without being recognized. Only goblins can see through it and it can be removed only by the owner." The goblin smirked.

"That's interesting," Harry commented, "can you tell me how the safe mail box, the cash cards and the checkbooks work?"

"Well, each check book is linked to a vault. You just write the name of whom you give the money to, the amount of money, the date and you sign it. It is a very easy way to shop without carrying too many galleons. The cash card is for using it in the muggle world. You give it instead of banknotes. You type the pin when the clerk tells you and transfers the money from your vault. As for the safe mail box, you are given a box that has a sister box here. All your mail comes here and we check it for spells etc., then we send it to you through that box. You can also use your box to send to send mail here for us to owl it, so you won't have to worry about it being intercepted." He explained. "And here are the lists of your assets." He gave Harry a pile of folders. "On the top of the first page is the total amount of galleons you have in your vaults after the claiming you did earlier."

Harry opened to that page and read the number. Then, he read it again. And another time. "What am I supposed to do with all these money?"

"Spend it, invest it, or give it to charity and practically whatever you want. And speaking of spending money. Now, that you are a Lord, you need to look like one. May I suggest a few establishments for you?"

"Yes, of course."

"Firstly, here in the Alley, I would say Madam Malkin's. Just make sure she sees your ring. Then, in the Muggle London, I suggest Harrods. Ask for Anastasia Vernati and tell her I sent you. She is a muggleborn and will know what to do."

"Right, thanks."

"Now, would you like something from the pamphlet?"

"Yes, first I want to combine the minor vaults, then I want a medium check book and a cash card for each of the following vaults: vault 429, my trust vault and the new vault from the combination. I want a safe mail box, a safe chest and for you to make my muggle papers. And I want to visit my trust vault and exchange some galleons for pounds."

"That will be 710 Galleons."

"Of course. Take it from my trust fund."

So, thirty minutes later, Harry was done with the bank and walked down the alley towards Madam Malkin's. When she saw the ring, she took him in a private fitting room. She measured him and then she showed him the designers' collections that were available. He chose several different designs for robes and cloaks. He also ordered his school uniform, before going next door at the shop with the travelling equipment, were he bought a bottomless satchel. It cost quite a bit, but it's not like he couldn't afford it. He made a quick trip to buy writing implements –some personalized parchment too. With that done, he went to the bookstore. He got tones of books in every subject that caught his eye. He never thought he would spend so much money on books in one go. He shoved everything in his new satchel and went to the apothecary to get some potion supplies. He was determined to scrap an O at his OWL examinations. So, several galleons later, he headed to his last stop in the Alley. The optometrist. He had first seen this shop his last day there before third year and never got the chance to visit it. At first, he was just going to buy new glasses. But he ended up buying both a pair of rectangular silver rimmed glasses and a pair of magical contacts that were much like Moody's eye. They could see in the dark, see invisible people and objects, see any spells cast on something and could change his eye color.

He then made his way to London. He made a few stops to buy more writing implements and some more books, before ending up at Harrods. He quickly found Anastasia, a muggleborn witch in her early thirties, and they got to work. She was serious about her job that was for sure. The moment he stopped explaining that he needed a new wardrobe, he found himself dragged in a fitting room and after she had measured him, she gave him piles after piles of clothes to try on. He got tuxedos, blue, black and dark grey suits, shirts, casual clothes, jackets and practically everything he would need as a Lord and as a guy and some he didn't even know he would need, like a case for his cuff links. And of course she insisted that Harry had to buy a cologne. So, after hours of shopping she ringed him up and helped him to discretely put most of his bags in his satchel. He made one last stop on his way to Privet Drive to buy toiletries and some other necessities and headed back.

When got back, he gave shock to his Aunt, who at first didn't recognize him. After shuttering for a few moments she sent him to his room. There Harry got once again busy. He carefully placed his bags and his satchel on the desk and began gathering the junk from around the room. Broken toys, damaged books, old newspapers and magazines, broken devices and other junk found themselves in garbage bags and into the attic. When she saw him, aunt Petunia almost threw fit, but Harry mentioned Sirius and she just huffed and left. When he was done with the junk, Harry put all his purchases on the bed and began putting them in the right places. The books were sorted according to subject and put at the bookcase, the writing implements went straight to his desk and then he put his new clothes away. He hung the suits, coats, jackets and shirts and put everything else in drawers. With that done, he moved around the furniture in the room to make space for a table in the middle. It was time to start brewing. So, he snuck in the attic, when the Dursleys were at #6 for tea, and took a folding table and put it on the empty space, in the middle of his room.

So, from that day Harry developed a new routine. He would wake up every morning at five and go for a run. Then he would shower and have breakfast. Then he would study Potions and brew for the rest of morning. After that he would have a quick break for lunch and read one of the books he had got on law or finance or business administration. And then he would study school relating books. Everything was fine. He was becoming better and better at brewing, his understanding in magic was growing and was becoming more and more involved with his investments. He had gotten some letters from Neville and Sirius, one from the twins mainly giving him an update on his 'investment' to their soon to be shop and a couple from Ginny. Apparently, they were staying somewhere Dumbledore told them to and the owls were under lock and key. And she was frustrated because nobody would say anything to her, she was just a child after all. They were at the same place as Sirius, who was growing restless. Harry was putting together a plan to help him at least live somewhat normally, but it was progressing slowly. But their letters made Harry eager to see them again. He felt included, even if they didn't say anything about the current situation. They were letters from one friend to another. Fleur and Victor even wrote to him. Ron and Hermione on the other hand, weren't like that. Their letters were in the same tone. Talk about what happened even if you are not ready. Stay inside the house no matter what. Do what Dumbledore says. He knows everything after all. Be a good little boy. And Hermione pushed him to deal with his grief. He learnt more in the first paragraph of Ginny's letter than all in theirs put together. He was really hurt by their behavior. It was like they didn't care about his feelings. Just for what Dumbledore thought.

Harry had even gone shopping a couple more times. He had gotten a new practice snitch and new two compartment trunk that one compartment was a spacious wardrobe. Everything was fine until August 2nd, when dementors decided to attack him and Dudley. And of course he almost got expelled for defending them. And he was to be tried for his 'crimes'. He dashed in his room and opened his trunk. He was not going to stay there anymore, especially after being attacked from freaking dementors. So, he began packing. It took him over an hour. When he was about to leave, someone knocked his door.