Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Sirius lovers, this AU is putting his character on the back burner. If you're reading for Sirius find another fanfic.

Updated: Thank you Julie for editing. She modest and concerned with her work as she is only a student. It better than it was and no ones perfect.

Minister Fudge had no clue what he unleashed by letting Harry stay in Diagon Alley. From Harry's prospective the minister was wrong that it was 3 weeks till the start of term. It was a whole 24 days until Sept. 1st. That fraction of a week might go unnoticed by adults, but would be made the most of by the teen.

Harry's first day started off earlier than he planned. A mild nightmare and the excitement of the freedom propelled Harry out of bed. The lamps were turned up knowing his uncle would not spoil it. Harry seized the time to thoroughly check out room eleven.

The rooms polished oak furnishings were unique or unnatural as the Dursleys would call them. Most items in the wizarding world were wonderfully different. Harry delighted in that fact. The wardrobe was self-hanging with a laundry hamper like Hogwarts. There was a chest of drawers with a wizards security lock feature. A self-adjusting desk and chair that were truly comfortable. An expanding side table that hit Harry's hip the first time he got close to it. Harry could of lived without the talking mirror. Overall, he could not ask for anymore comforts.

Harry was determined to unpack and sort through all of his belongings. Two years of stuff that he avoided at Hogwarts and were removed from him at the Dursleys. The self-hanging wardrobe highlighted Dudley's mangy cast off. He noted that all of his robes were too short, surprised he had grown at all. His entire collection textbook (except Lockhart's) lined the desk. A mess of parchment notes were stacked to be sorted later. Inkwells, quills and nibs were found in corners of his trunk. A containerless collection of chocolate frog cards joined the miscellaneous section on the side table. Owl treats, Gryffindor pendants and Quidditch gloves were the last to be removed from the teen's school trunk.

Petunia Dursley was OCD in her required neatness. Harry chalked his mess up to childhood rebellion vowing that he would take a more active role in his stuff. He created a list of organizational items he'd look for in the alley. Smiling at his successful morning, Harry left to get breakfast.

The Leaky Cauldron's dining was simple but eye opening for Harry. Shop worker were coming and going from the floo. An assortment of country witches were make small talk of their day trips. Recently off-duty Aurors were getting a bite before they head to bed. Corners were filled with lively discussions on all sorts of wizarding journals. Thankfully, no one but Tom noticed Harry in the mix.

After his pancakes and sausage, Harry opened the entrance to Diagon Alley. He set off to Gringotts on the far end of the alley. People were rushing around with last minute preparations for the morning's opening. Cues were forming outside Flourish & Blotts and the apothecary. Harry found a fallen goblin in the mad rush on the last path before Gringotts. Wizards were not paying attention and repeatedly toppled the tiny goblin.

Harry using his quidditch reflexs removed the goblin from the traffic path. "Are you alright" he questions with an outstretched arm.

"We don't shake hands" stated the disgruntled goblin.

"My apologies," Harry stated as he bowed.

Never wanting to be indebted to any wizard the goblin declared he would take Harry to his account manager. The goblin had not missed the famous wizard who made way for his escape. Goblins never did anything for free or without being asked. If you wanted to know what a goblin could/would do for you get the book. Yes, they made a profit on that too. Many goblin services had yet to rebound from the last wizarding war. For the young had not been fully taught about the goblin nation. It was no wonder why there had been so many goblin wars… stupid wizards.

The goblin sidestepped his duty and honor knowing Mr. Potter would benefit from the arrangements of the Potter family. The goblins only loss would be the time to get him to his account manager. The goblin thought himself quite shrewd. Not aware that the Potter had a habit of befriending and blessing goblins.

Goblins may be many things, but they held tight to their principles. Harry just happened to find and help the one goblin that was rude even by goblin standards. The goblin had promptly taken Harry in the goblin's service entrance. The goblin would not waste any time on a wizard. Harry had to duck uncomfortably even with his tiny statured. He laid eyes on areas of the bank never intended for wizards. They passed the goblin's fraud department, a break room, but worse the records and profit counts area. The goblin should of know he was wreaking havoc on their own system.

Politely Harry missed all the rudeness and the short comings signals. He took it all in like he had done on his first trip to Diagon Alley. He liked seeing that there were more than stuffy tellers and cart drivers. And his innocent nature was noted by every mad goblin. A chair was conjured for him while he waited for his audience with his account manager. Goblin magic amazed Harry. Harry's escort fled the area and another goblin seemed to take his place and quietly stood by the teen's chair.

The wait felt like forever since Harry did not dare to take a book out to read. He knew of the goblin wars, but not of their customs. Offending the goblins was not something Harry wanted.

A bell dung and Harry was ushered into a large goblin office. The goblins bowed to each other and started communicating. Harry could only imagine he was listening to their native tongue. It alarmed him how irate the goblins seemed as their talk died. The office goblin made eye contact with Harry. Not knowing what else to do Harry bowed and waited.

"Greeting Heir Potter, I am Grinok member of the Ragnok family and the Potter account manager for generations. My apologies but I must ask what brought you to me."

Harry relayed his morning adventure much to the amusement of his account manager.

"Mr. Potter, you are young and don't know our ways. The goblin you helped refused to properly acknowledge the help. He showed unreasonable prejudice against one willing to befriend him. His penalty will be of his own making for your friendship would of bore blessing," lectured Grinok.

Harry paled, but let the goblin continue due to not knowing how to respond.

"Mr. Potter there are limits on what I can do for you without a legal guardian. You are limited to your trust and family possessions vaults. The other vaults and assets cannot be claimed until your majority. Here are your ledgers." The goblin placed 4 large tablets into Harry's hands.

Harry gasped as he looked at the figures. "I don't understand."

"Mr. Potter the wizarding world may not associate wealth with the Potter family, but it does not mean that you are not among the wealthiest. As a friend of your late grandfather, I recommend that you keep this to yourself."

"Of course," Harry mumbled as he tried to digest the information.

No investment or asset type existed that were not mentioned in the ledgers. Personal properties, investment properties, charitable properties holding like St. Mungos, stocks, bonds, venture capital, the list seemed endless.

Harry knew the Potters were a respected family, but he was overwhelmed. His fame and Malfoy made him understand why his family hid the wealth. His mind was spinning out of control, but he would still trade it all to be part of a family like the Wesleys.

"Mr. Potter, I do recommend that you take the heir ring so you can access your family's possessions. It would be unlike the Potters not to have left you more on your heritage."

"What do I need to do, sir?" Harry questioned.

"Mr. Potter, we find it rude to be called sir."

"Sorry"

"I understand your intention of respect and you are only a child." Grinok turned and spoke to another goblin. "Mr. Potter, he will be back soon with the Potters rings," stated the goblin attempting to smile. "I saw your father take his ring, your grandfather would be proud."

Harry smiled as a goblin carried in an ornate jeweled box. He guessed that it was goblin made as it reminded him of the sword of Gryffindor. The runes on the box looked like part of the artwork, and the inside was lined with midnight blue velvet. The box held three rings and a small silver knife. The center and largest ring was the Head's ring. Its crest contained an animal that Harry guessed was a Griffin. One of the rings was very feminine in nature and the other was the heir ring. The heirs ring was a simple P in a field of tiny scroll work.

The goblin instructed him to cut and place 3 drops of blood on the crest of the ring. Then tap the ring with his wand, if blood cleared place it on his non-wand forefinger.

Harry's nerves were eating at him. He fumbled the knife once, but thankful the knife's enchantment healed the unintended cut. The drops were placed and when the crest was tapped it started to change colors. After a few minutes the crest settled on a white field with burgundy details. Harry placed the ring on his forefinger and it sized to fit.

Grinok asked for the colors and recorded them. "Mr. Potter by the colors the House of Potter finds you pure of heart. Now sign in your house record book."

"Ink?" questioned Harry as he examined the family book.

"Mr. Potter that is a blood quill, this is one of the few things they are legal for, now sign."

Harry signed under his father. The book had called his father the gatherer of the hurt. The line by his grandfather only stated wise. Generations had gone through this process and he knew nothing of them. Harry felt the loss.

"The cart is ready to take you to your vaults," Grinok stated as he dismissed the teen.

"Hello Griphook" greeted Harry as he bowed before entering the bank cart.

Griphook was startled by the child who would have better manners than most grown wizards. He took the moment to bow before taking off to the depths of Gringotts. The cart whipped and turned about until reaching another platform. The other cart a was a type of manual push cart. Griphook mounted and stated, "You can't use magic in this area."

"Why," questioned Harry.

"Magic messes with the climate for the possessions vaults."

The cart went as slow as the first had been fast. There were a fraction of possession vaults compared to the others that they passed by the hundreds. Family or group names could be read from the cart. They had passed Gryffindor, Prince, Malfoy, Black and Dippen. And dozen others that Harry had not caught. At the end of the line was the Potter vault.

Harry followed Griphook as he instructed the use of the heir ring to open the vault. No blood was needed as the ring was already connected. A tap of the owners wand to prove the bearer is living. Magical signatures could not be forged. Griphook left a strange bell to call for a return cart.

"Mr. Potter, house elves are permitted in the vaults. The list of your elves should be on the wall by the door. If you have not called a cart one will pick you up before closing. Gringotts does not allow overnight stays," hollered Griphook as he left the area.

Harry was staring at a chamber that could compare to the size of Hogwart's great hall. The walls were a light stone unlike the rest of Gringotts underground. The air was dry but fresh. Harry could not find dust of any sort inside, strange for a vault that had not been touched in the last 12 years. The items closest to the door were random boxes of household goods. He smiled at baby toys and clothes. A dishpan was filled with simple white china. In the mix he found what he guessed was his father's broom.

Harry made it around to the far side of the grouping. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end when he heard it.

"Harry" was spoken barely above a whisper.

Time seemed to stand still while Harry found the source. Only a section of the portrait could be seen. Harry's eyes found his mother, heart felt smiles and tears were shared. Harry jumped when a mess of raven hair and an eye enter the view.

Harry's heart raced as he ran to the house elf chart. Nine elves were listed in three different groups. First was Dobby, then 7 with the family crest next to their names, and last an elf with a different crest.

Only trusting the one he knew Harry called "Dobby."

Harry was not sure who was more startled. Dobby face light up when he figured out who had called him.

"Harry Potter" the little elf danced with delight.

"Dobby, I haven't interrupted anything have I?" questioned the nervous teen.

"No, Dobby likes serving the great Harry Potter. How can Dobby help?"

"Dobby, can you get that portrait out?" Harry pleaded.

"Of course"

"Carefully"

"Dobby would never do anything to harm Harry Potters parents," stated the free house elf.

Harry looked in awe of the house elf magic. Things gently separated and moved as his parents' portrait was brought forward. Dobby stood it up next to the open area as Harry took a seat on the floor.

"Harry would you like Dobby to organize while you talk to your parents?"

Without thinking Harry said, "That would be nice Dobby, Thank you."

"Son, he can't, there are clothes in that mess."

"Dobby, free house elf," snorted the offend elf.

"Mum, Dad, I don't know what to say," spoke Harry as a mix of wild emotions over took him.

"Harry, we understand," sweetly spoken by Lily. "Why don't I start. We are an enchanted reflection of your parents personalities, but limited to the last time we were updated. That was right before we went into hiding. I'm sorry but we don't know what happened after that."

Harry nodded and told them the information that Hagrid told him a little over 2 years ago. It didn't seem right to see his mum cry in her wedding dress.

"Son, I think you understand what you mean ... meant to us. Would you mind telling me why you are here by yourself?" asked James attempting to be light hearted.

"I ran away after I blew up Aunt Marge," Harry said as he was now half ashamed.

"Harry, who is this Aunt Marge," questioned Lily.

"Vernon Dursley's sister"

"You have to visit Petunia?" cried Lily.

"No, I have to live with them."

Nothing was said while everyone collected themselves.

"Harry, what of Sirius?" James questioned.

"Sirius Black," James nodded at Harry's statement. "All I know is he's an escaped convict that killed 13 people and betrayed you."

James face burnt red as he muttered he didn't believe it.

"I'm changing topics," Lily stated. "Harry, we haven't even asked your age."

"Mum, I've just turned thirteen," Harry smiled.

Trying not to frown at his size Lily asked after his education. Harry enjoyed recounting his start in the wizarding world with Hagrid. Meeting the Wesleys and his first friend Ron, his sorting, the Halloween troll, and the rest of first year just rolled out.

Lily stopped him when he had stated that Dumbledore had not given him a reason as to why Voldemort was after him.

"Son, Dumbledore is trying to protect your innocents. It drives both of us nuts when someone withholds something that directly affects us. Understand that Dumbledore is doing what he thinks is best. But you need to know that there was a prophecy made before you were born that you could defeat him. That mad man has only ever cared for himself and power," stated James as Lily tried to keep her cool.

Lily lighten up at Dobby's attempt to care when he brought a plate full of sandwiches and a butterbeer. She laughed at her son's and the elf's antics as they both tried to be thoughtful of the other.

After having his fill of sandwiches, Harry launched into his second year. James shed light that it was not impossible to have a parseltounge in the family. They did have one or two in the family lines. James knew that Harry's adventures made for great stories, but the idea of what his son had already faced scared him. It was apparent that he was in need of some sort of parental figure.

Lily showed great empathy for Ginny's trials. Encouraging Harry to befriend the girl.

Laughter could not be contained as everyone enjoyed the story of Dobby's freedom. Dobby tried to apologize for everything. He needed reminding not to punish himself.

Lily glanced at her husband and said, "Jamie scheming. Out with it you know multiple heads are better than one."

"Right Lily, we need a plan. Now, where do we start?" stated James in true Marauder fashion.

Harry interrupted, "Can I take you with me?" He frowned at his mother's facial expression. "Why not?" Harry said using his green eyes for all they're worth.

"Oh, sweetheart, it isn't exactly a no. You need to commission a painting or two. Then they need to be connected to our magically. Keeping the master portrait here leaves more safety for the enchantments. You don't want to lose us." Lily explained.

"Can that be done now?" wondered the emotional teen.

"Dobby can do. Dobby can commission for the great Harry Potter," danced the little elf.

"You need to duplicate a picture you like of us." James pointed to a stack of albums Dobby had created.

It didn't take long for Harry to find pictures he liked of his parents. Lily's picture showed her in early pregnancy glow. James was of him trying to hold a serious face and failing. A snap of his fingers Dobby had created the needed duplicates.

James interrupted, "Dobby only quick, simple portraits, Harry can commission something nicer later."

Dobby popped away while Harry asked, "How is he going to pay?"

James laughed and Lily elbowed him until he answered, "Sorry, forgot you were brought up by Muggles. Dobby will just charge it back to your vault. If it's before 3 they should be done before close. The question is will there be time to get them connected today. Mmm.. Harry you're going to need an untraceable wand. The family wands are back two sections and to the right. Find the best fit for you."

Lily was shaking her head not sure if she liked the idea. She knew that generations of the Potters carried these wands to skirt the ministry's laws. It was just another pureblood prejudice rule on the books. It all came back to wishing her baby didn't have the need for such a wand.

Harry remembered Ollivandars and he hoped he would not ruin anything. The wands were carefully boxed and tagged. The quality of the cases was nicer than what Harry had seen in Ollivandars. Many of the wands Harry could just look at and know they were wrong. Near the center of the stacks Harry pulled out a lighter colored box. It's wand sparked blue and green for Harry. The feeling was different than his first wand. Holding this wand compared to the warmth of comfort and his other felt like strength.

After returning to his parents, Harry read the tag allowed, "11 inch, pear and braided unicorn hair obtained in Asia."

"Harry, that must have been one of the wands won in a wizards duel. Strange, but I'm glad that you found such a match," James responded. "You didn't grab a holster did you?"

"James, you did not tell him…" Lily continued to show her frustration. "He's never had anyone teach him..."

"Grab 2 of the black ones in the red draw back there," James was talking over his wife.

Harry slipped the holsters on and quietly took a seat on the floor. He listened in on his parents plan debate. Lily and James found different things important and both wanted to start in different places. James wanted to interrogate Harry for more information. Lily point blank refused, thinking that it would be rude. Lily wanted a health exam because it would save her from worrying. James went on about his hatred of hospital wings. Harry had started to take notes on their different points and his questions as they came up. This went on for most of the next hour.

Amusement filled James eyes as he nudged his wife. She finally looked Harry's way. "Oh"

"She always like that when she has a problem to solve," laughed James as he kissed his wife.

"Maybe I should start this time," commented Harry. Lily smiled at Harry's notes and nodded. Harry collected himself and launched off, "Dad, you're right, I'm not a big fan of hospitals, but I would rather not have an exam hanging over my head. I just don't know how to get one and I don't want anyone else getting the information."

"Son, should we be more concerned about your health?" James questioned.

"No, but mum was not far from the mark when she assumed I've been neglected."

"Harry, the goblins are discrete and offer a full array of medical treatments. Just make an appointment with Grinok. I do doubt that their bedside manners are any good," answered James.

"All right moving on… I agree with mom, but for different reasons on the interrogation." Harry blushed as he explained, "I don't like being the center of attention. Plus I would feel like I was in trouble."

James laughed at that one, saying, "we got time."

"Everything else you discussed, well I was lost. It did seem like some things were for the Dursleys or school," stated Harry.

Lily started, "We don't like where you ended up… But Dumbledore likely thought it was safest. He might not understand people, but he's one of the best when it comes to magic. He's done everything to protect you from the outside world. He missed that it was rotten on the inside. Things can be adjusted, it just the matter of finding the right balance for you." Lily ended holding back tears.

"OK Lily, I think you agree we need a plan for the Dursleys. It was impulsive of me to think we only had until school starts. Lils, I think there are a few ways to extend our limits."

"James save that for later. What's your thoughts on the extra trace magic they have on the Dursleys house? The trace shouldn't of picked up house elf magic." Lily commented. "I really don't like that Harry doesn't have a magical option to protect himself."

"Harry this isn't to give you freedom, but protection," James stated as he made sure his son understood. "If Harry's medical show neglect to the level of abuse the goblins will help. Anti-detection wards or something like that."

Lily changed topics and began, "Your father can think through his stomach at times. He wants to make sure you have access to food. That got him a little carried away with the idea of compartment trunks. And I don't like them on so many different levels."

"Lilyflower your big problem with them is your friend lost her virginity in one."

"Dad!" Harry hollered, "too much information." His face had already turned bright red.

"Lilykins, what about a stocked portable kitchen?"

Glaring at her husband, Lily agreed.

"Oh, Lily we're on to your favorite topic." James animatedly tried to draw his wife out of her mood. James continued, "the big thing is setting you up with a personal library."

"James there is nothing wrong with the Hogwarts library. And a library isn't everything."

"Then why did you borrow all those books from Remus?"

"The wait list," Lily mumbled. James was gesturing that the books were his that she had borrowed. "Oh, I see," she smirked. "Most people make it through Hogwarts without personal libraries."

"Potters have always had personal libraries. Harry, you can order one through the Diagon Alley library," James stated. "It just won't be personalized."

"Dad, surely with all of this stuff, there's one here somewhere."

"Don't you want your own?" questioned the willing father.

"No," expressed Harry. His mother had understood like all mothers should.

"Mine's right over there. I'm not sure you'll be able to use it. My father set it so that only I could access it. I'd get distracted easily from my school work. It did help. Harry, add talking to my father's portrait to the list of things we need to do."

Dobby popped back, changing the mood of the room. Under his arms were two small paintings in plain wooden frames. Dobby was beaming, knowing he had done a good job.

Lily started instructing Harry on the linking spell and wand movements. Harry liked that it would be easy to tell if it worked. If done correctly the painting would go blank or vanish from its frame. This would make it possible for them to be visited. James volunteered to let his painting be the trial.

After calming himself, Harry voiced the incantation, "Signunecto." The painting took and James flitted back and forth. For the first time Harry saw pride on his parents' faces. He completed the work and made arrangements for Dobby to take the portraits to his room.

James asked for his father's portrait moments before Dobby could pop away. They all learned what a difference freedom could have on a house elf. Excitedly Dobby interrupted, "Would it not be better to hang you in the gallery where you belong?" They were taken back by how timid the elf got with all eyes on him.

The agreement brought the family to the side of the vault. The gallery was narrow with portraits hanging in a zigzag pattern. Harry's parents portrait could see James parents. Space was there for Harry's future portrait so that he too could see his parents.

"Harry could you tap on your grandfather's picture with your wand," James asked. "There's no need to summon him, this isn't an emergency."

Harold Potter entry shocked Harry. The portrait was of a young man instead of the old grandfather like the figure he expected. Harold gave the explanation as to why the Potter family sat for their portraits so young. Too many old families were missing members due to waiting for closer to the end of life. Harry's grandfather asked, "For curiosity one question, was there a dragon your first year?"

Harry grinned and his grandfather promised not to tell.

The library questions were discussed. Harry would be able to gain entry by his blood ties, but it's doubtful that any of his future children would be able. The blood would be too diluted from the source. The library trunk was shrunk and pocketed by Harry.

Before Harry left his parents promised to meet him after dinner. The goblin bell was rung and the portraits were left discussing library updating options.

Sorry for the strange stopping point I didn't want this chapter to run on forever.

I claim no true understanding of Latin

Signunecto was made up from the base signum (sign or representation) and necto (connect or link)

I'm looking out for a beta