He stared at the woman's back as she stalked away from his door, her voice echoing in his ears.
"Lily always said that if it was m-magic related and she wasn't around, you would deal with it." The word 'magic' was almost spat out and there was a pause as she pushed something at him. "Deal with it. It's Lily's and she and her freak of a husband are dead. I'm not letting it in my house, it might infect my beautiful Dudley." That was the total of the woman's communication with him.
The man looked at the bundle she'd thrust into his arms… it was a child, a baby, he couldn't be much more than a year old, certainly not a year and a half. Lily's child, that's what she said.
Lily?
Who the bloody hell was Lily?
Was this the delivery the ghost was talking about?
He quietly closed the door, turning and walking to the living room.
"Ghost! You have some explaining to do. Get in here." The man snarled.
A hazy, insubstantial form emerged from the wall between the living room and the kitchen, it floated nearly two foot above the floor. The man looked at the ghost assessing it's appearance.
A teenage boy, scrawny and slim, too slim, way too slim to have been healthy. Masses of dark hair that went in all directions, small round glasses perched on his nose. But none of this detracted away from the dirt and blood that covered him, eyes filled with horror and pain.
"Who is Lily? Why in hell would some strange woman give me a child? Doesn't she know what I am?" The man asked in a dumbfounded tone. He opened the door with a gun in one hand and a dagger in the other, wasn't it obvious what he was dangerous?
The ghost smirked and shook it's head.
"She doesn't?"
The ghost smirked again.
"Are you going to answer my questions, now?"
The ghost shook his head again.
"What? Why not?" He growled.
The ghost held up his hand to his mouth and used the other to gesture with, he mouthed a word as he pointed from the man to himself.
"Oh… right." The man sighed. "Finite silencio." There was no wand to be seen.
"I tried to warn you." The ghost's voice was tired and quiet.
"Just tell me."
"That's me."
"Who?" The man asked.
"The baby. That's me, sixteen years ago." The ghost murmured.
"You! How in the seven hells can you be this baby? You're already dead!"
"You know that time means nothing to ghosts, uncle."
"Uncle? What in the hell…?"
"Read the note, Dumbledore left a note."
The man looked down at the sleeping child and saw the edges of a letter poking out of the blanket. Using one hand he retrieved the letter and laid it on the coffee table before gently placing the blanket-wrapped infant on his sofa, against one arm. With barely a blink the man caused the letter to rise and open itself. He read the short missive quickly.
"Well, that's not a lot of help. I don't know any Lily or James Potter or any Petunia or Vernon Dursley."
"Yeah, you do." The ghost assured him.
"No, I really don't." The man was adamant.
"Yes, you do. Your mother was Forsythia Wentlock, wasn't she?"
"Ah… my birth mother, yes? She left dad and I when I was only a few days old."
"I know." The ghost said. "Twelve years later, she was pregnant again. Lily. Only this time she was mature enough to want to keep the child. A year after Lily was born, she married Tyler Evans, a muggle widower, and he adopted Lily. He already had a daughter, Petunia, from his previous marriage. They lived quite happily, until Lily started to show accidental magic. She got her letter from Hogwarts two weeks before her 11th birthday. It was a shock to Tyler and his heart condition couldn't take it, he died and Petunia never forgave her for killing her daddy."
"Damn it." The man started to swear.
"I'll explain the rest, later, but first? Please, go to Gringotts, you're Lily's Blood you can get her will read, once it's read, get guardianship of me, of baby-me, I mean. Don't let Dumbledore be guardian. I never saw him until I reached Hogwarts. Not once."
The man lifted the child into his arms, with his shoulders squared, he took a deep breath and his black trousers and grey shirt were suddenly covered by silvery-grey dress robes, his insignia bold on one side of the chest, he sighed and with still no sign of a wand, he vanished. The ghost blinked and it too vanished, a bare second later the ghost floated in the opulent foyer of Gringotts bank in Diagon Alley. The man saw it appear and spoke almost silently.
"Now what?"
"Approach Griphook, ask for an Heir Test. The rest will follow." No one but the man saw the ghost, yet.
"Manager Griphook, may your gold grow and your enemies perish."
The goblin looked up and at first glance, disregarded the man, but on a second glance he saw the silvery-grey robes and the insignia that had him opening his eyes wide and feeling slightly alarmed.
"Captain of the Unnamed, how may I help you?" Fear made his voice tremble, just slightly.
"I require an Heir Test. Now, if you please." The man's voice was calm and polite, but the command was clear.
"Immediately, Captain." The goblin slipped down from his seat and came around the desk. "This way, please." The goblin lead the man behind the desks and through a corridor, stopping at a large desk. "Manager Sharpaxe, my client requires an Heir Test."
"Make an appointment." The older goblin behind the desk stated, without even looking up from the ledger in front of him.
"No." Said Griphook.
The other goblin looked up with a snarl, only to stop at the sight of the robes, his eyes saw the insignia and fear replaced his anger. In less than a heartbeat he was on his feet and joining Griphook.
"This way, Captain." He gestured.
The two goblins lead the man into a long narrow room, well lit by a chandelier that was almost as wide as the room. The man sat at the desk pressed against one of the long walls, the child still asleep in his arms.
"Captain? What variant of Test do you require?" Manager Sharpaxe asked.
"A Lineage Test, to start. Three up and three out, for the both of us. I have reason to believe this child is of my Blood." The man stated. "After that… well, it depends on the results, Manager Sharpaxe."
"Certainly, Captain. We will require six drops of blood from each of you, anywhere on the parchment is fine, sir."
Sharpaxe laid two pieces of pale parchment on the desk in front of the man. With no sign of the man moving, a delicate dagger emerged from a sleeve of the man's robes and he held up hand, the dagger slid under his fingers and red welled on the tip of his index finger. Six drops fell gently onto the parchment, the man humming as he let a seventh fall.
"Captain?" Sharpaxe asked with a worried look.
"Three up, three out and one down." The man replied.
The goblin's face cleared and tension eased across it's shoulders.
"Of course, Captain. And for the child?"
"Just the three up and three out will be fine."
On the dagger there was a puff of mist and the goblins could see the dagger clean itself. The man lifted the child's hand and dagger's tip ran down a chubby finger, before resuming it's hiding place in the silver robes. All three beings, man and goblins, were slightly alarmed that there was no reaction from the child.
"It will take only a moment, Captain." Sharpaxe informed the man.
The man leant back in his seat, his arms securely braced as he studied the child. Dark hair, just beginning to be unruly, plump cheeks with a delicate bow for a mouth, the child was sweet and innocent looking. A harsh contrast to the sharp lines of the jagged cut on the boy's forehead, one that the child shared with the ghost.
One of the goblins sighed and the man looked from the child to the desk, both pieces of parchment now had writing appearing evenly spaced across them. The man reached for the parchment that his blood had stained, his hand steady and sure, he lifted it clear for reading.
His eyes found his name, Greyson Amberly De Silver, almost instantly, it was outlined in the red of his blood, the blue-black of fresh ink and the gold of goblin magic, with little hesitation, he followed the lines and confirmed what the ghost had told him. He was the Blood uncle of one Harrington Potter. Laying that piece down he picked up the second piece, the child was indeed Harrington Potter and he was the child of James and Lily Potter who was the daughter of Forsythia Wentlock.
Damn it.
"Now I'm going to need a Magical Inheritance Listing, Manager Sharpaxe." The man named as Greyson stated.
Neither goblin replied but Sharpaxe placed two more pieces of parchment on the desk, these two pieces weren't the lush creamy parchment of the Heir Test, these two were a dark grey-blue, the colour of long-dried ink.
"Another three drops of blood and each of you must press a bloodied finger on to the page, Captain." The senior goblin stated apologetically.
Without a word, the dagger appeared and once again, it made delicate slices on his and the child's – Harrington's – fingers. There was still no reaction from the child as his blood dripped onto the surface of the parchment, holding the boy close Greyson used his uninjured hand to press the boy's finger onto the parchment before doing the same, himself.
Within seconds the darkness of the parchment bled away, leaving words in it's place. Greyson picked up the piece with his name on it, there should be no surprises here, he'd done this Test when he'd first joined the Unnamed, unless someone had died or been cast out of the Family since then, there should be no changes.
Greyson Amberly De Silver (born 2 April 1948 -)
Mother – Forsythia Rose Wentlock (born 14 Nov 1930 – dec 24 May 1972)
Father – Marius Artimus De Silver (born 27 Jan 1928 – dec 12 Dec 1977)
Godfather – Cyril George Pettyfeather, Michael Lloyd Winton
Godmather – Elizabeth Anne Fennick, Anne Louise Middleworth
Titles –
Head of House De Silver (4th May 1981)(Heir – Unknown)
Animagus–
Draco-aedes (red), Arctic Wolf
Bindings–
Nil
Charms–
Nil
Curses–
Nil
"What in the-? Head of House? How did that happen? Grandfather was supposed to have disowned my father." Greyson frowned for a moment. "No, no, that can wait. The child first." He picked up the second piece of parchment.
Harrington James Potter (born 31 July 1980 - )
Mother – Liliana Jane Evans (born Jepson, 30 Jan 1960 – adopted 21 April 1961 – dec 31 Oct 1981)
Father – James Alecto Potter (27 Mar 1960 – dec 31 Oct 1981)
Godfather – Sirius Orion Black, Kingsley Augustus Shacklebolt
Godmother – Alice Matilda Longbottom, Amelia Janice Bones
Titles –
Heir of House Gryffindor (Magical) (underage)
Head of House Potter (31 Oct 1981)(underage) Regent – A.P.W.B. Dumbledore (illegal)(Heir – Unknown)
Head of House Peverell (31 Oct 1981)(underage) Regent – Unknown (Heir – Unknown)
Head of House Slytherin (31 Oct 1981)(Magical) (underage) (parseltongue) Regent – Unknown (Heir – Unknown)
Animagus –
Draco-aedes (blocked), Hippogriff (blocked), Red Fox (blocked), Chausie Cat (blocked)
Bindings –
Magical Core Binding (-75%), Animagus (-100%)
Charms –
Compulsion Charms – Tom Marvolo Riddle/Voldemort (Against), Gryffindor (For), Slytherin (Against), Loyalty (Dumbledore - For) (Hogwarts – For), Friendship (Ronald Weasley -For) (Hermione Granger – For), Academia (-25%) Logic (-25%), Impatience (+25%), Insecurity (+25%), Impulsiveness (+25%)
Action Charms – Sleeping (6 hours 25 minutes remaining), Hero Complex
Curses –
Horcruxe – Tom Marvolo Riddle/Voldemort (encapsulated scar - forehead)
Magical Interference Signatures –
Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore – Bindings (all), Charms (all)
Tom Marvolo Riddle/Voldemort – Curses (all)
"Oh, dear Merlin!" Greyson whispered. Both goblins were frozen in place at the shock, for a Member of the Unnamed to invoke Merlin's name… things were in a bad place.
The ghost spoke then.
"Yeah, the Horcruxe is bad, but that can wait, I lived with it for 17 years, I can live with it for a few more days. Get the guardianship done, Uncle… please. And the wills." The goblins heard the barest whisper of sound, but nothing more.
"Right. Your Tests confirm I am the child's Blood? To your satisfaction?" Greyson asked the goblins. "The only living Blood?"
"Yes, Captain." Sharpaxe replied.
"I want Guardianship, both Living and Magical… And I want it now." The man's tone left none place for argument.
"Yes, Captain. It will take a few minutes. The parchment is coming."
"Good. In the mean time? I require food for the child, food and clothing. Can you send someone to the Potter home to retrieve the child's possessions? At least now we know why he's still asleep."
"Yes, Captain, I'll send someone right away." Sharpaxe gestured to Griphook and the younger goblin left at a fast walk.
A goblin, smaller again than Griphook, approached Sharpaxe, hesitantly.
"Manager Sharpaxe? Headmaster Dumbledore is here, he wishes to have the Potter wills sealed. How would you like him directed?" Sharpaxe grinned viciously at the smaller being's words.
"Please tell the Headmaster that I shall be with him when my current client no longer requires my attendance. Be sure to tell him that I am seeing to a Member of the Unnamed… Oh, and come back… I want to know his reaction." Sharpaxe waited until the other goblin left before turning to Greyson. "Captain, I apologise for the interruption, but the Headmaster was in yesterday trying to get both guardianship of the child and the wills read, without proper authorization for either… and now he wants them sealed… Only you, as Blood-kin, have the right to have them read or sealed. And then only until Harrington is 15, then they are automatically unsealed."
"I want them read… now." Greyson decided.
"I hoped you would say that, Captain." Sharpaxe said. "I took the liberty of having them retrieved alongside the guardianship papers."
"Good." Greyson purred. "Dumbledore… lets block him, shall we? He's blocked Harrington enough… Harrington? Hmm… I'll think about that."
"Captain? Young master Potter's name is everywhere right now, it's said that he killed the Dark Lord and survived a Killing Curse." Sharpaxe put forward quietly.
"According to the Inheritance Test, he did survive. I've got my doubts that a 15 month old baby could possibly be responsible for killing Riddle, but…"
"But… indeed, Captain. Ah, here we are. Guardianship papers, Living and Magical. Just needs another three drops of your blood, Captain, to seal each document." Sharpaxe waited patiently for Greyson to slice his finger… again. "Done. Now to the wills… Here we are."
Sharpaxe laid the two envelopes on the desk and slid them across to the waiting hands.
The last will and testament of James Alecto Potter.
To Peter Collin Pettigrew, Remus Jared Lupin and Sirius Orion Black, I leave the sum of ʛ100,000 each. Look after each other, please.
To Severus Tobias Snape I leave, also, the sum of ʛ100,000 and an apology. Snape, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that we made your life a misery. I tried contacting you, recently but my letters were returned, unopened. Given my conduct at school, I can't say I'm surprised. I've kept the, so far, three letters and I hope that you will accept them.
The rest of my finances, possessions and inheritances I direct to my Wife, Liliana Jane Potter nee Evans.
In the event that my wife predeceases me, everything is left to our son, Harrington James Potter. My choice of guardian is Greyson Amberly De Silver (Lily's brother), if he is unprepared to accept this, then in order of preference guardians are named as follows-
Severus Snape
Sirius Black
Remus Lupin
Alice and Frank Longbottom
Yes, I named Severus first. He's mature, stubborn, patient and he survived everything we threw at him at school, if he can survive us, he can survive our son (I hope). Sirius, get over it, Harry's got you wrapped around his finger and neither you or Remus can deny him anything. Peter isn't named at all, Harry can't stand him.
Greyson, speak to Peter, he's our Secret Keeper, he can take you to our house in Godric's Hollow. We'd like Harry raised there, or if not there, then somewhere in the country where he's got plenty of room to run. And please, at least let the others be a part of his life.
In NO event is Harry ever to be left with Lily's step-sister Petunia and her husband, they hate magic and anything to do with it, the only time we've seen them since Harry's birth, they bordered on being violent towards him.
Prongs
Greyson let the parchment fall to the desk and reached out a hand for the second will. His sister's will.
The last will and testament of Liliana Jane Potter nee Evans
To Peter Collin Pettigrew, Remus Jared Lupin and Sirius Orion Black, I leave the sum of ʛ100,000 each. Keep an eye on each other, please boys.
To Severus Tobias Snape I leave, also, the sum of ʛ100,000. We tried contacting you recently but our letters were returned. Given what you went through at school at the Marauder' hands, I kind of expected that. We've kept the letters and hope that now you're prepared to read them. Please read them, Sev.
The rest of my finances, possessions and inheritances I direct to my Husband, James Alecto Potter.
In the event that my husband predeceases me, everything is left to our son, Harrington James Potter. My first choice of guardian is Greyson Amberly De Silver (my brother), if he is unprepared to accept this, then in order of preference guardians are named as follows-
Severus Snape
Alice and Frank Longbottom
Sirius Black
Yes, Severus is first. He survived everything you Marauders threw at him at school, if he can survive you lot, he can survive our Harry. Sirius, my son needs stability and you haven't got any, I love you, but you're a nutter. Remus, the Ministry brought in new laws just a few days ago, those infected with Lycanthropy can't take guardianship of any child not of their Blood, I'm sorry, Remus. Peter isn't named either because Harry screams at the very sight of him.
Greyson, Peter is our Secret Keeper, he can show you our house in Godric's Hollow. We'd like Harry raised there, or if you can't live there, then somewhere where he's got plenty of room to run around. And please, let the others be part of his life, I beg you.
In NO event is Harry ever to be left with my sister Petunia and her husband, Vernon, they hate all things magic and the only time they've seen Harry's since his birth, they were extremely aggressive towards him, they even encouraged their son to hit and bite him.
If James hasn't already said it, we love you all.
Feathers
"Hmm… well, that seems fairly clear-cut." Greyson stated.
"Indeed, Captain." Sharpaxe agreed. "Ah and here is Griphook with a box of things for the boy and… Daggerblade with food and clothing."
"Good. See to the disbursements stated in both wills. Is there sufficient in the Potter vaults to cover all the entitlements? And I'll need the letters mentioned."
"Yes, Captain. The entitlements were put aside at the time the wills were left in our care, they do not impact on the Potter vaults at all. And the letters are here, sir." Sharpaxe handed Greyson a small bundle of letters tied together.
"Thank you, Manager Sharpaxe. Is there anything else? Anything I've forgotten?"
Sharpaxe shook his head, but Griphook spoke up.
"Captain? Might I suggest a trust vault for the child? They grow quickly and a trust vault will provide the opportunity to educate him in the management of his finances." Greyson hummed and nodded, but the younger goblin wasn't finished. "Also, if you will forgive me, I recommend a Blood Adoption. Albus Dumbledore is the Supreme Mugwump for the ICW and the Chief Wizard of the Wizengamot, he may try to get the child's guardianship overturned. A Blood Adoption will void any such attempts. It will also alter the child's name, this will provide a little more anonymity while he's growing up."
Sharpaxe looked at his junior manager and nodded, pleased with the younger goblin's initiative.
"He is right, Captain. In both cases. Managing the all Potter, Peverell, Gryffindor, Slytherin and De Silver vaults will be time consuming. I suggest a Personal Accounts Manager and with your approval, I will promote Griphook to that position."
Griphook's eyes widened and he ducked his head in pleasure, he had anticipated it would be many years before he reached the level of Personal Accounts Manager, if ever.
"See to it, please. All of it." The man said. Sharpaxe gestured and Griphook left, he had a chamber to prepare for a Blood Adoption.
"Here are the keys for the vaults, as you can see, they are coloured. Gold are the financial vaults, silver are the library vaults and iron are the possession vaults. Given that Griphook's promotion won't take effect until midnight, I will see to a steel key for the trust vault and will have the Head of House, the Heir of House and the Regent of House Rings brought here." Sharpaxe tapped a button on the desk and sat back to wait.
"Heir of House rings?"
"I would recommend it, it does give a degree of control over accidental magics and moreover, along with setting up a trust vault in his name, it will show that you are equally aware of and planning for his future as the Head of more than one Ancient and Noble House."
"Do it." Greyson sighed. He detested politics.
The Ghost began to move, showing signs of restlessness. While Greyson didn't speak, he did subtly quirk an eyebrow at the spectre.
"Sorry, uncle." The ghost's hollow voice was even quieted than earlier. "My time is running out, there's little more than 6 hours until baby-me wakes and I've a lot to tell you before then."
Greyson nodded, using the return of the youngest goblin as reasoning. The goblin lay a tray on the desk in front of Greyson, five boxes side-by-side. He opened the first, it had the Family Crest of House De Silver embossed on it.
"Regardless of whether or not the Blood Adoption is recognised, Harrington will be my Heir." He mused.
"Until the Adoption Magic is settled, I recommend leaving the De Silver Heir's Ring here, it won't accept him yet." Sharpaxe warned.
Greyson slid the Head of House ring onto his left index finger, feeling the buzz and hum as the ring's magic searched out and communed with his, when he slept next, the ring would give him the history of the House and all those who had worn it before him.
The Regent's rings were a little different, as he settled one after the other on his right index finger, each one warmed and hummed, all he would get from these rings would be the locations of and access to the properties controlled by each House and if he did something to harm the Heir or the Heir's future, the rings would drain his magical core. Taking into account that young Harrington was a Horcruxe, Greyson had less than a moon-cycle to deal with that and improve the boy's health, before the rings would start taking effect. Removing the bindings and charms was necessary if he wanted to retain Magical Guardianship of the boy. Blood Adopting him would perhaps give him a little leeway time-wise, if he was very lucky.
Gently Greyson lifted Harrington's pudgy little hands and slid rings onto his right index finger. When four of the rings were in place, Greyson murmured a charm and the four merged together, he would bring Harrington back to Gringotts in a few weeks to add the De Silver Heir's Ring… Once he'd dealt with the bindings, charms and curses, that is.
Griphook returned and stood at the side of the desk.
"Captain? I have prepared a chamber for a Blood Adoption, I recommend that Manager Sharpaxe also witness the Adoption because, as I'm sure he will have stated, my promotion won't take effect until midnight, so… technically… I don't have the clearance to be the sole witness. Manager Sharpaxe's clearance is considerably higher than mine and I would be honoured if he would inspect my arrangements."
Sharpaxe nodded regally and Greyson smiled approvingly. The younger goblin was showing the diplomacy and tact he would need if he was to continue as a Personal Accounts Manager to Ancient and Noble Houses. Griphook lead them from the narrow room and back into the corridors… but… only after Greyson had allowed Sharpaxe to call a fourth goblin to take Harrington directly to the chamber in question, via goblin-slipping.
The little goblin that had told of Dumbledore's arrival had entered the room while they waited for the House Rings to arrive and spoke to Sharpaxe urgently for a minute or so, before hurrying away. It appeared that Dumbledore was beginning to not believe that there really was an Unnamed requiring Sharpaxe's attention and was trying to intimidate a younger goblin into doing something it had no authority to do. Both Sharpaxe and Greyson were not pleased with Dumbledore's behaviour, for reasons they did and did not share.
Time to deflate the pompous old windbag.
Sharpaxe left the room first and all in the area heard Dumbledore speak.
"Master Sharpaxe, I have need of your service." He began.
That was the signal for Griphook, Daggerblade and Greyson to leave the room Greyson let his magic mute his features into the one face that all the Unnamed shared when dressed in their official robes, knowing that the sight of him would cause a spike of fear in those who saw that face. There was a distinct catch of breath from Dumbledore at the sight of a Captain of the Unnamed – full robed – openly visiting Gringotts.
"Headmaster, as you were informed, I will join you once my client no longer requires my assistance. Please be patient." The old goblin was excruciatingly polite, but Greyson heard the anger under the words.
"My patience is running short, Manager Sharpaxe, let's get to the next step. Manager Griphook, please lead the way." The Unnamed said, abruptly.
Greyson turned so that Griphook could seen he wasn't angry, even if his voice implied otherwise. A quick wink and Griphook easily matched the act that Greyson was showing. The new manager gave a convincingly controlled shudder of fear and Daggerblade let out a barely stunted whimper. Sharpaxe glared at the two younger goblins and abruptly gestured for Griphook to lead the way through the corridors and deeper into the heart of Gringotts. He stopped at a door and with a bow, opened it.
Sharpaxe was the first to enter the room, followed by Greyson and lastly Griphook. Daggerblade stood at attention outside the door, armed and ready to defend those inside.
The room itself was round, with a pedestal or podium in the middle and the goblin-lights reflected off the polished marble of the walls and floor, lending a subtle brilliance to the atmosphere of the room. There were runes laid out on the floor, they encircled the pedestal in three expanding rings, each tile carefully carved and shaped to lay so close to it's neighbour that not even a strand of hair could come between them. The inner ring was blank white, the second ring was the vibrant green of Lady Magic and the outer ring shimmered with the gold of goblin magic. Sharpaxe stalked around the room, muttering in Gobbledegook, before finally re-joining those just inside the door and nodding to Griphook.
"Everything is correctly done, Griphook, I will be your secondary witness."
The other goblin again ducked his head in pleasure, he knew it was right, but to have a goblin of Sharpaxe's rank, not just acknowledge, but offer to bear witness for him sent a bolt of satisfaction through him.
Tiny Harrington lay, still sleeping, on the pedestal, his blankets and clothing had been removed and he was curled on his side, naked as the moment of his birth. Which, in a way was correct, as what was going to happen here was that Harrington would be reborn, or… not really reborn, but rebirthed, by Magic, as the son of Greyson De Silver. The Heir of House rings glinted on his tiny finger as, hungry even in his sleep, he tried to gnaw on his equally tiny hand.
Greyson looked carefully at the baby, how would he change? His features? His Magic? His name? His inheritances?
Only time would tell.
"Greyson Amberly De Sliver, you come to Gringotts to change your Family. You have proven that this child is of your Blood and that you are his sole living Blood-Kin, within three levels. Our records show that you are this child's Guardian, both Living and Magical. To Adopt this child, you must approach the pedestal with a clear understanding that what you are about to do, cannot be undone. By Blood Adopting this child, you become this child's father, in Name and in Blood and he becomes your son. This will change his name and perhaps alter his appearance. He will not leave this chamber as the same child that entered it. He will leave as your son. Do you understand this?" Griphook spoke with an air of formality.
"Yes, I do. This child will be mine, mine to raise, mine to teach and mine to love." As Greyson spoke he looked from the child to the ghost which hovered just outside the third ring of runes. The ghost smiled.
"Step forward. Three drops of your blood must fall on the rune Keystone. Then lay your left hand on the child's head and allow one drop of you blood to fall on the child's lips, another on his nose and a third between his eyes."
As Greyson stepped over the gold runes, his robes shimmered and a light glowed for every blade or weapon hidden on his person. 29 lights were visible. 29. Both Sharpaxe and Griphook looked at the man in wonder, 29 weapons, not including his wand.
And none of them were visible to the eye.
A slim stiletto dagger emerged from a lighted spot on the inside of the left wrist, it drifted silently as the man lifted his right hand and the blade sliced cleanly through the skin, blood began to bead and Greyson carefully watched as three fat drops fell onto the keystone. He felt the increase of pressure that indicated Ritual Magics were in progress, without pausing he stepped closer to the pedestal and laid his left hand on Harrington's forehead, his thumb caressing across a pale eyebrow, just below that harsh cut. Even as he did this his right hand drifted over the boy's face, drops falling. One. Two. Three.
Those soft bowed lips. That upturned button nose. The dip between the still closed eyes.
The pressure rose and gold shimmered in the air from the outer ring of runes. The inner-most ring of runes began to fill, the blood he'd dropped onto the Keystone seeped out, multiplying as it left the Keystone, filling the runes and running from one stone to the next, until the ring was complete. The second ring, the middle ring, began to glow, bright green mixed with the gold shimmering in the air until everything was touched with the mix. For a minute the shimmering light filled the air, then slowly it condensed until it looked like a cloud of green and gold metallic mist, it gathered above both Greyson and Harrington. The cloud enveloped the pair, forcing it's way into their lungs as they breathed, settling on their skin and in their eyes.
For the space of three heartbeats there was pain. Excruciating pain. And then it was gone. With it went the gold and green shimmers and when Greyson's eyes fell to the floor, all the runes were gone as was the red of his blood.
Sharpaxe and Griphook looked awed. The ghost grinned widely, his face happy.
"Captain, that was… I have never seen a Blood Adoption happen so… fast… or be so visible." Sharpaxe stammered.
And visible it certainly had been. Young Harrington's hair now gleamed, shot through with streaks of deep auburn, longer and with a distinct curl, it fell over his brow covering that harsh cut. His skin, too, had changed, it deepened to the burnished bronze. The Mediterranean blood of his maternal grandmother, Forsythia Wentlock vied against the paleness of an English Pureblood's, the end result a warm honeyed glow, but no longer the peaches and cream of prior to the Adoption. Only time would tell if his eyes, too, had changed.
"Goblins of Gringotts, I thank you for your assistance." He gestured and the four boxes of things for Harrington, shrunk and floated across the room, Greyson opened his robes slightly and they fell into a voluminous pocket.
Griphook held out the clothes young Harrington had been wearing and watched as the child's (possible?) father dressed the sleeping infant, before handing over the blanket he'd been wrapped in.
"Captain of the Unnamed… it has been our pleasure."
"No, not Unnamed… not anymore. Now I am Greyson De Silver, father to Harrington …? Harrington -what?" The man frowned. "How long must we wait to find out his name?"
"In all my years, I've never seen a Blood Adoption so… obvious. We… we could try the Inheritance Tests again, Cap- Lord De Silver. Both of you, if you will allow it, that is." Sharpaxe offered.
"Hmm…" Greyson hummed quietly for a minute. "It's worth a try. With the sleeping charm still in effect, he won't feel it and if it does work, I'll at least have a better idea of what to call him."
"Indeed, Lord De Silver." Sharpaxe gestured and more dark blue-grey parchment appeared.
Greyson smiled and that slim stiletto dagger emerged again. Three drops fell from his finger before he turned the knife toward the child on the pedestal. Three fat drops of Harrington's blood and the darkness began to seep away, leaving pale cream parchment.
Greyson Amberly De Silver (born 2 April 1948 -)
Mother – Forsythia Rose Wentlock (born 14 Nov 1930 – dec 24 May 1979)
Father – Marius Artimus De Silver (born 27 Jan 1928 – dec 12 Dec 1977)
Godfather – Cyril George Pettyfeather, Michael Lloyd Winton
Godmather – Elizabeth Anne Fennick, Anne Louise Middleworth
Titles
Head of House De Silver (4th May 1981)
Regent of House of Potter – Harrington Artimus De Silver (31 Oct 1981)
Regent of House of Peverell – Harrington Artimus De Silver (31 Oct 1981)
Regent of House of Slytherin – Harrington Artimus De Silver (31 Oct 1981)
Animagus–
Draco-aedes (red), Arctic Wolf
Bindings–
Nil
Charms–
Nil
Curses–
Nil
Harrington ArtimusDe Silver (born 31 July 1980, Blood Adoption 2 Oct 1981 - )
Mother (Birth) – Liliana Jane Evans (born Jepson, 30 Jan 1960 – adopted 21 April 1961 – dec 31 Oct 1981)
Father (Birth) – James Alecto Potter born (27 March 1960 – dec 31 Oct 1981)
Father (Blood Adoption) – Greyson Amberly De Silver (born 2 April 1948 - )
Godfathers – Sirius Orion Black, Severus Snape
Godmothers – Alice Matilda Longbottom, Narcissa Malfoy
Titles –
Heir of House De Silver (underage)
Heir of House Gryffindor (Magical) (underage)
Head of House Potter (31 Oct 1981)(underage) Regent – Greyson Amberly De Silver
Head of House Peverell (31 Oct 1981) (underage) Regent – Greyson Amberly De Silver
Head of House Slytherin (31 Oct 1981) (Magical) (underage) (parseltongue) Regent – Greyson Amberly De Silver
Animagus –
Draco-aedes (black), Hippogriff (black), Chausie Cat, Arctic Wolf
Bindings –
Magical Core (Voided), Academia (Voided) Logic (Voided), Impatience (Voided), Insecurity (Voided), Impulsiveness (Voided)
Charms –
Compulsion Charms – Tom Marvalo Riddle/Voldemort (Voided), Gryffindor (Voided), Slytherin (Voided), Loyalty (Dumbledore - Voided) (Hogwarts – For), Friendship (Ronald Weasely - Voided) (Hermione Granger – Voided)
Action Charms –Sleeping(7 hours 45 minutes remaining), Hero Complex
Curses –
Horcruxe – Tom Marvolo Riddle/Voldemort (encapsulated scar – forehead)
Magical Interference Signatures –
Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore Bindings (all), Charms – Tom Marvalo Riddle/Voldemort, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Loyalty (Ronald B Weasley, Hermione J Granger), Sleeping, Hero Complex
Tom Marvalo Riddle/Voldemort (Curses – all)
Lady Magic – Sleeping (alteration)
Greyson retrieved the page, he retrieved the previous Inheritance Test and compared the two.
The Blood Adoption was clearly stated, as was the fact that Harrington's name had altered, adding De Silver as his surname and his middle name changed from James to Artimus. What surprised Greyson was the fact that all the bindings were voided and that most of the charms were also voided and those that weren't stood out clearly.
Loyalty and Hero Complex. Great, just great. A loyal hero. Greyson sighed.
Then he saw the other differences.
Harrington's… No, Harry's Animagus forms had changed. He'd lost the red fox, but gained an Arctic Wolf and his Hippogriff had gone from dapple-grey to black.
The only thing that hadn't changed at all were the curse Listings and for that Greyson was strangely grateful. With the extra hour and 20 minutes that the sleeping charm had altered, the new father figured that he and the ghost should be able to work out a timeline of what ghost-Harry's life was and what baby-Harry's life could be. He doubted that either he or ghost-Harry were looking forward to that discussion.
"That's not too bad. I can work with that." He muttered.
"If I may, sir? A copy of the Adoption and the alterations will be lodged in our system and the final version should be filed with the Family Law Precinct within minutes. There, it will be lodged under House De Silver, as it is the Adopting House. I do, however, suggest that you wait a week or so before retrieving the Ring for the Heir of House De Silver."
"Yes, I think I agree with that." Greyson could see the ghost nodding also. "For now? I have many things that I must see to, not the least of which, is speaking with my supervisors. Goblins of Gringotts… again, my thanks." Greyson bowed slightly to the goblins and they returned the gesture.
"Lord De Silver, it was an honour to assist you." Sharpaxe stated.
"Not to mention, being able to stonewalling Dumbledore, huh? If I may ask, Manager Sharpaxe? Would someone let me know how he took having his machinations disrupted?" Greyson asked ask the ghost snickered.
"Certainly, sir. Ah… sir? As a Member of the Unnamed, you have both the skills and the right to apparate, slip or pop, to or from anywhere in Gringotts. As Manager Pro-term of Gringotts London Branch I extend permission to you and your son to do this regardless of whether or not you stay with the Unnamed or leave their ranks."
Greyson caught his breath, that was an honour and most unexpected. Strangely the ghost found that to be hilarious and was holding his ribs in laughter.
"Manager Sharpaxe, it is I – and young Harry, when he is old enough to understand – that are honoured. I will try not abuse your offer, but right now? I have no intentions of allowing Dumbledore to see that I have Harry, so I thank you and I'll take my new son home, however I can."
"Wise, Lord De Silver. Good day to you and we of Gringotts wish you all the best." Sharpaxe replied.
"Good day, Lord De Silver. I look forward to assisting when next you visit." Griphook added.
Greyson nodded and with a glance at the ghost he vanished again.