Chapter One

Fifteen year-old Harry Potter had been lying on his bed since he got home from his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry three days ago. He lay there staring at the ceiling, to overcome with grief to bother getting up. He had lost his godfather a few days ago in a fight against the death eaters and he had learned the horrifying truth about himself and Voldemort. The prophecy repeated itself in Harry's head during every waking moment and the visions of Sirius's death plagued his dreams. So far Harry's aunt and uncle hadn't said a word, and it seemed that they had taken Mad-eyed Moody's threat seriously. The quiet would not last, however.
The door to Harry's room flew open with a loud crash that would have brought anyone out of the deepest of sleeps to see what the commotion was, but Harry didn't move a muscle as his uncle started to yell at him, "GET UP! GET UP YOU LAZY FREAK! GET UP! YOU'RE GOING TO EARN YOUR KEEP HERE BOY! GET UP!" When Harry didn't move Uncle Vernon pulled him to his feet by the neck of his shirt. "GO TRIM THE HEDGES BOY!" he yelled.
Harry's voice lacked any emotion as he replied, "No."
Talking back to adults is always frowned upon, but Harry's uncle took it extremely harshly, he punched Harry in the face. "LISTEN HERE BOY, YOU'LL DO THIS LIST OF CHORES OR YOU WON'T EAT ANYTHING, AND YOU BETTER WRITE TO THOSE FREAKS AND TELL THEM EVERYTHING'S OKAY BECAUSE I WON'T HAVE THEM COMING TO MY DOORSTEP!"

"No." Harry was punched again, and again, and again, until he was nearly unconscious. When Harry was no longer well enough to stand his Uncle Vernon dropped him on the floor and slammed the door shut as he left the room.

Harry woke two days later to an owl pecking at his forehead. He hadn't eaten in five days and it was beginning to show, along with the several large bruises that now decorated his face. He didn't recognize the owl and as soon as he took the letter the owl swept from the room, he shrugged and opened the letter.

Dear Mr. Potter,
It has come to our attention that a one Mr. Sirius Black has past away. We send our condolences for your loss. In his will, Mr. Black left several items to you and we request that you come and claim the assets within the month. Just ask for Mr. Montgomery, at the front desk.

Sincerely,

Gringotts Will Association

Harry frowned, he didn't want anything Sirius had to give him, but he figured it would get him away from Privet Drive and he decided he would go tomorrow. Another owl flew in shortly after this decision however, that made Harry's blood boil.

Dear Harry,
I am aware that you have received a letter from the Gringotts Will Association and I request that you do not go to Diagon Alley at this time. A member of the Order will bring you before the term starts in September. I hope you are well and are not blaming yourself for Sirius's death.

Sincerely yours,

Albus Dumbledore

Harry looked at the letter with hatred. He did not want to parade around Diagon Alley with a guard and he felt perfectly capable of going to Gringotts by himself so he decided he would go anyway, he would just need to be careful how he left the house. After grabbing a bite to eat, without running into any of the Dursley's of course, he made plans. He would sneak out under his invisibility cloak when Uncle Vernon left for work, because the Order was undoubtedly watching the house. He would hope that Mad-eye wasn't on duty and he would walk several blocks before calling the Knight Bus. He would wear a cloak with a hood over his head to hide while in Diagon Alley. Harry Potter was going to break free of his puppet master.

He awoke with the sun the next morning and dug through his trunk for the necessities. To anyone watching the house it would look like he was just not getting out of bed, something that was not uncommon anymore. He put the invisibility cloak on before leaving the room and waited by the front door until his uncle left. He began to get nervous after walking a few houses down and broke into a run, when he was several blocks away he took off the invisibility cloak and flagged down the Knight Bus.

He had his hood pulled up over his head and he handed the conductor several gallons muttering, "Diagon Alley."

Several of the passengers were giving him odd looks as he sat down, he probably looked like he was up to no good, wearing his hood, but it was necessary for a proper escape from Privet Drive. Arriving at The Leaky Cauldron he had to avoid an Order member that he recognized and he made his way to Gringotts.

He walked up to the counter and said, "I'm looking for Mr. Montgomery."

The goblin looked up and asked, "Name?"

Harry glanced around and whispered, "Harry Potter."

"Very well, Mr. Potter, come with me." The goblin said and led him down a hallway to a door that said, Michael Montgomery- Family Lawyer. The goblin knocked on the door and a voice said from within, "Enter."

"Mr. Potter here to see you," the goblin announced leading Harry into the room. Harry lowered his hood as he entered. The goblin left the two alone.

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Potter," Mr. Montgomery said. "Though, I didn't expect you alone and so soon."

"It's nice to meet you to, sir." Harry said. "I would appreciate it if you do not tell anyone about this meeting though; strictly speaking I'm not supposed to be here."

"Ah, I see, so Dumbledore doesn't know you're here." Mr. Montgomery smiled. "Not to worry, Mr. Potter anything said here is strictly confidential between you and me. It's a lawyer/ client thing."

"Client?" Harry asked. "I was under the impression that I was here to hear Sirius's will."

"Ah yes, Mr. Potter, but didn't you know, I was your parent's Lawyer as well as Mr. Blacks, and as the Potter family Lawyer, I currently deal with your assets."

"But surely how much managing can one vault of gold need?" Harry asked.

"ONE VAULT!" Mr. Montgomery exclaimed. "Mr. Potter, are you not aware of your assets?"

"I am only aware of the one vault that this key is to." Harry said drawing the key from his pocket.

"Good lord! No wonder, well Mr. Potter, adding the Black Family Fortune onto The Potter Family Fortune, you are the richest Wizard in Britain."

Harry's mouth dropped. "What? Why wasn't I aware of this?"

"Um, let's see, who is in charge of your gold, Dumbledore? Well that's unexpected." Mr. Montgomery muttered. "Well Mr. Potter, Dumbledore was in charge of keeping your vaults until you turned 17, but the contract he signed with Gringotts said he would notify you of the vaults when you turned twelve, as you have no idea that you even had these vaults he had failed his duty and access to your bank movements will be revoked and all vaults will be open to you to use."

"So what vaults exactly are there?"

"Well there's your trust fund, that's the one you use now, there's your parent's vault, the Potter Family Vault, which one belonged to your grandparents, there's the Gryffindor Vault…"

"WHAT!" Harry Exclaimed.

"Oh, dear didn't you know," Mr. Montgomery said, "Well I hope Dumbledore doesn't have my neck for this, but you my dear boy are the Heir of Gryffindor."