Chapter 1 - Gringrotts
A month has passed since Sirius fell through the dark veil. Harry was sitting alone in the dark in Privet Drive. Last five years' events were flashing before his eyes. It all seemed to fit so perfectly. He was abused mentally and physically by his relatives as long as he could remember, and then Albus Dumbledore came to his rescue. Over the course of years, Albus led Harry to believe he was a complete failure and then helped him in doing gigantic tasks. First year it was philosopher's stone, second year a run with Basilisk...and list goes on. Why? Why would Albus play so much with Harry's emotions? This year it was no different. Harry felt like a complete outcast, and then he went to ministry to save the world. However, there was one problem this time. Sirius died. Everything seemed so transparent to Harry right now. Albus had a big plan in mind. A plan which involved moulding Harry into his puppet. And yet, Harry couldn't find an explanation why Albus would raise Harry this way. He was not capable of facing Voldemort in real battle with a pathetic education he was getting at Hogwarts. The love angle that Dumbledore kept on shoving in Harry's face as a secret weapon did not make much sense either. Sure, he believed that his mother used some kind of ancient spell to protect him but he did not see how that spell would give him any powers. It just did not make any sense. All these thoughts were running through Harry's head. One moment they seemed so sensible, and yet they seemed so far-fetched. With his head full of confusing thoughts Harry retired for the night.
A ray of light entered the room and fell on Harry's face waking him up in process. Lying in bed he remembered his last night musings. He decided that it was high time to take control of his life.He decided that his first destination should e Gringrotts, as he just realised that he had no idea what all he owned. He quickly took a hot shower, and got dressed in the best muggle clothes he had. He then wore a basebal cap to hide his scars. As soon as he got ready he quietly got out of the Privet Drive being careful not to wake up Dursleys. It was Saturday , and all of them were sleeping in.
Soon enough he got on the Knight Bus.Thankfully no one recognized him there.He quickly bought a ticket to Leaky CauldronThen, he changed into a black robe and pulled the hood over his he. He got of near the Leaky Cauldron, and then proceeded to enter the Diagon alley, and without looking back he enteredthe Gringrotts.
Once inside he quietly approached the nearest counter and politely addressed the goblin,
" I would like to speak in private".
The goblin gave him a strange look and asked him to follow him to ante chambers. Once they entered the room the door behind them disappeared.
"My name is Kobold, and I will be assisting to you today" said the goblin.
Harry Potter slowly removed the hood.Goblin's face remained motionless.
Harry said," My name is Harry Potter, and I would like to talk about my finances."
Kobold said," Very well, What seems to be the problem."
" Well for starters, I would really like to see some kind of account statement of how much money I exactly have", said Harry in a confidence voice.
Kobold was speechless. "What do you mean you want to see your account statement? We send out the details about their bank accounts, at least the money related information every month to our customers", he said.
Harry too was dumbfounded at receiving this information. He started thinking to himself. He never received any letters all the time he has been at Privet Drive, or even at Hogwarts. And yet, a lot of people who were his fans must have been writing to him. Did it mean someone was intercepting his mails? And he knew the answer. It must have been Dumbledore, that old meddling fool.
" Mr. Potter, Mr.Potter", said Kobold," Have you ever received any statements or letters from Gringrotts".
Harry came out of his reverie and said " No, and I have a reason to believe someone has been intercepting my mails."
The goblin seemed appalled at hearing this. He became really agitated, and produced a mirror very similar to the one Sirius gave Harry the previous year. He appeared to be speaking in a language Harry could not understand very rapidly. Soon enough there was a loud pop and a very ancient looking goblin appeared in the room.
" Good Afternoon Mr.Potter. My name is Lutin and I am the Head manager of Gringrotts Brach in England. It has been brought to my attention that something serious has happened. I am led to believe that you have not been aware of the state of your accounts. Is this correct?", said the goblin.
Harry said," Yes, that's exactly true"
The old goblin had a grave expression on his face. He became very angry and started shouting at Kobold who was quivering with fear. Kobold then quickly left the room. Lutin then turned toward Harry and addressed him." Mr.Potter such a thing has never happened before in Gringrotts. I am greatly disturbed by the facts that you have presented, and I am not going to leave this room until I sort everything out and get to the bottom of this. Would you please tell me as much as you can to give me some head start, until Kobold comes back with all the papers."
Harry started slowly telling his life story to Lutin. Lutin did not interrupt him but with every second he grew angrier more and more. When Harry finished Lutin was practically beetroot red. At that moment Kobold entered the room with a stack of papers and took a seat at the table."
He started speaking," I have looked at all the papers, and all the correspondence we had with you is addressed to Privet drive."
"That bastard Dumbledore has been intercepting our letter" said Lutin. " However, Mr. Potter I can assure you that even though these unfortunate events have transpired, all your accounts are perfectly safe. You see, the letters that we have been sending you could only have been read by you. We use goblin magic to ensure that in cases like these if ever the letters fall into wrong hands they would destroy themselves. " .
These were the first good news Harry heard in a long time, and he thought to himself," Well at least the bastard has not been been able to lay his hands on my property".
His train of thoughts were interrupted by Lutin who started speaking again," Mr. Potter, I owe you an apology on behalf of Gringrotts. However, I have also just realised that since you have not been receiving our correspondence. You are not aware of your heritage and your inheritances. You currently own six accounts in Gringrotts from three different families. Two each from Potter clan, Black Clan and Kronos clan."
Harry was dumbfounded.
Lutin continued" Another important fact is that according to our records you would be turning 16 in two weeks. This will make you a legal adult in magical world. Right now you have access to 3 vaults from each clan which contain money, but as soon as you turn 16 you would be able to access the family vaults. These vaults contain treasures of all your family lines. No one knows what is inside those vaults not even us goblins. We are sworn by secrecy to never look inside those vaults. And according to my records you are the only and last heir of all these three clans."
Harry was sitting very quietly trying to absorb all the information that was just handed to them. He finally said," But I don't understand how I inherited Black fortune and I don't even know who Kronos is."
Lutin replied looking very grave," I can only offer my sincere apologies to you Mr. Potter for our incompetency all this information is contained in the letters that you have been left by various people over time. Now that we are aware of the situation we are going to handle things very differently. We have already prepared a folder for you with all the correspondence that you were supposed to receive over the years. And we are going to give you this "Donega" bag which will provide a secure means of communication. You will receive your letters in it now. This is goblin magic and outside world is not aware of such devices. Thus, I implore you to keep this just between us. This is the least I can do to mend the things between us and the families we have been working with over all these years."
" I realize that its not your fault that I have been out of the loop, and I don't hold Gringrotts responsible for the actions of Albus Dumbledore. I am happy that I am starting to sort this mess out, and I graciously accept your gift.", said Harry.
Lutin seemed satisfied. He then said" Would you like us to press charges against Dumbledore Mr. Potter?"
Harry took some time and then answered," No, I would like to keep these events between us for the time being. I don't want him to know that I have discovered his ploy. And I would also request you to send me fake letters once a month by owl , because I don't want to give away myself just yet."
Lutin had a smile now on his face," As you wish Mr. Potter and may I say that you are very smart for a human. I would like to say in touch with you. You have received such horrid news in the most noble fashion ,and I admire how you treated us despite these events. I would like to offer you my friendship."
Harry couldn't stop smiling inside. This day was turning out to be amazing . He was finally taking control of his life , and he managed to make a friend out of goblin. Everyone knew that goblin were very powerful creatures , and they rarely offered their friendship to wizards. Harry said" I am honoured to have you as my friend Lutin. I thank you again for' Donega' bag. I would visit Gringrotts again in two weeks time, and would really like to meet you then to discuss my future plans as your customer."
Lutin gave a slight bow to Harry and said," See you in two week Mr.Potter."
The Harry then pulled the hood back on . Then he quickly got back to Privet Drive. It was almost night and nobody seemed to have missed him. Harry then undressed, and went to sleep knowing that tomorrow would be a long day.