Chapter 1 - Letters from Gringotts
Harry was incredibly bored; there was, after all, only so much one could do when confined to the hospital wing.
It had been a long week since he had vanquished Voldemort in which he had been confined up in the hospital wing. Unfortunately, he could not remember a thing from the moment Voldemort possessed him to when he had woken up.
Dumbledore had explained it all to him; how the feelings of love he felt towards all of his friends had been too much for Voldemort to handle and had somehow overloaded his body, destroying him. However, that did not explain why he was still stuck in the hospital wing, alone, when his friends, who in his opinion had far more serious injuries than he had, had been released already.
Maybe, Harry thought to himself, that this confinement was punishment for what he had done; for leading Umbridge into danger and leaving her in the hands of the centaurs, for going to the ministry so recklessly without thinking of the consequences, and for getting Sirius killed. He could only presume that he was being kept up here and away from the parties and celebrations, that were undoubtedly going on, in order to find repentance, until he was truly sorry for the worry he had put everyone through and the disregard for his and the others safety.
No doubt Snape was behind it, he laughed bitterly to himself. Heaven forbid, precious Potter should be allowed to enjoy himself when he has caused others misery.
He was brought out of his musings by a tapping at the window beside his bed. Out there on the 'sill sat a regal looking tawny owl with a letter attached to its leg. He opened the window enough for the owl to stick its leg out and for Harry to retrieve the letter; he did not think Madam Pomphrey would appreciate an owl flying around a place of healing allowing possible infection in.
He examined the letter carefully trying to determine what it was; at least it was not a howler. The envelope was a pale yellow colour, but other than his name on the front there was no form of identification or from whom the letter had originated.
This set off warning bells in Harry's mind; there were still Death Eaters and Voldemort supporters that had not been caught yet and any of them could be looking for ways to off the boy-who-lived in revenge for killing their master. Previous years of receiving letters following articles in the wizarding papers had taught him to be careful when opening letters from unknown senders – he would not forget what that package of bubotuber pus had done to Hermione's hands during their fourth year after Rita Skeeter's article about the Harry/Hermione/Krum 'love triangle'.
He had received no other letters during the course of his stay in the hospital wing and could only presume that Dumbledore and the other Hogwarts staff were screening his mail; if this letter had got through then it must be safe. With trembling fingers, he slowly opened the envelope, still fearing that something harmful could be inside, but there appeared to be nothing but a single sheet of paper.
Harry did not relax as he unfolded the letter, as Ron had told him in their second year there were books that could curse you if you read their contents so who knew what this letter could do to you if you read it. He was relieved however when he caught sight of the Gringotts letterhead, but he was wondering what Gringotts were writing to him about; it was possible that it had something to do with Sirius' death.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Congratulations on your recent victory over He-who-must-not-be-named. It is with that in mind that we send this letter to you. Your parent's will stipulated that should they die before you reach your seventeenth birthday then this information should be revealed to you, either on your seventeenth birthday or when he-who-must-not-be-named is defeated.
This information is in regards to your true parentage. Unfortunately, this information cannot be released to you via owl and therefore we request that you visit us at you earliest convenience. It would be best if you attended alone as the less parties that know the better, for both yourself and the other people concerned.
Once you arrive, you will be given the key to Vault 843, which will contain all of the information that you will need. When you arrive, please show this letter to one of the goblins at the front desk and they will show you where to go.
Wishing you all the luck for the future,
Regards
Thorolke, Head of Gringotts Will Division.
Harry was surprised, no he was more than surprised, he was outright shocked. Either his mother or his father was not his real parent, or neither of them were, but how could this be? Everyone he had ever met said how much he looked like his father, James Potter, and that he had his Mother's, Lily's, eyes. How many times had Snape told him just how much like his father he was, just as arrogant and conceited? How could anyone else be his parents, and more importantly, who were they. How had this information been kept from him for this long, yes his parents will stipulated Voldemort's defeat, but to all intents and purposes that had been fifteen years previously, no one knew he would rise again, except for Albus Dumbledore of course.
There was only one thing he could do now. He had to go see Professor Dumbledore, get permission to leave the school this time and go find out from Gringotts; that was the most important thing at this moment in time, he could not wait the remaining few weeks until the holidays started for who knew what opportunity, if any, he would have when he was back at his aunt and uncle's in Privet Drive.
