'Thoughts in itallics'
'Parseltongue in bold itallics'

The Regent of House Longbottom

Senior Director Ragnok could feel the bubbling anger, rolling off the young Mr Potter, in waves. It became evidently clear that Harry understood that Dumbledore wasn't to be trusted. There were many things left that needed to be discussed, he only hoped the young boy would be able to cope with the onslaught of information he was about to get.

"Now, Mr Potter.."

"Please Sir, call me Harry. Mr Potter was my dad after all, and it feels odd to be called Mr Potter.." Harry was still looking down at his shoes. Ragnok began to get worried at the constant display of submissive attitude.

"Okay, Harry, if that would make you feel more comfortable, and you may call me Ragnok if you like, but only when we're alone. Even the other goblins don't get to call me Ragnok!" He chuckled a little at the bewildered expression upon Harry's face and winked at him.

Harry was certainly nervous, what he was starting to understand to be a goblin's smile, looked more like a grimace, and it was terrifying to look at. But Ragnok's wink put him at ease a bit.

"Now, as I was saying, there are many things we need to do today, and a few decisions also need to be made. First of all, as absurd as it must appear, as I've already divulged quite a bit of information with you, we need to ascertain that you are in fact definitely Harry Potter. This little test will also check to see whether you are an heir of any other houses, and it also includes a full health check! It's very simple to do, and only requires three drops of your blood on an enchanted piece of parchment. Would you allow me to do that? Ragnok asked.

Harry nodded, curious as to what Ragnok meant about being an heir to other houses. Surely he was only the heir of the Potter house? He was also a little worried about the health check, he knew full well he was small for his age. He watched as Ragnok summoned a small silver ceremonial dagger, and a large bit of parchment, that seemed to glow faintly. Ragnok indicated for him to hold out his hand, and then gently prodded the pad of his thumb with the tip of the blade. Three drops of his blood dripped down onto the parchment, before a flash similar to that of a muggle camera illuminated the room.

Harry looked down at his thumb expecting to see a small cut, only to find it blemish free. He looked up at Ragnok in surprise, to see the Goblin's sly smile. They both turned their attention to the parchment in front of them, Harry didn't understand most of what it said, but Ragnok seemed highly interested, and also a little worried.

HARRY JAMES POTTER

HEIR TO:
-The Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter

HEIR APPARENT TO:
-The Most Ancient and Noble House of Black

HEIR-AT-LAW TO:
-The Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Merlin
-The Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Slytherin
-The Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Ravenclaw
-The Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Hufflepuff
-The Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Gryffindor
-The Most Ancient and Most Noble House of LeFay

HEALTH:
Malnourished
Hairline fractures in both legs (Badly healed, will leave slight limping)
Sprained wrist
Optic Nerve damage (Caused by concussion)
Cursed scar (Horcrux contained within)

BINDS AND CHARMS: (All placed by Albus Dumbledore)
Natural animagus abilities blocked
Elemental magic blocked
Magical core (reduced to 40%)
Metamorphmagus abilities blocked
Natural Healing magic partially blocked
Loyalty charm
Compulsion charm

Harry was a tad perplexed, most of the words on the paper meant very little to him, but he was worried about how much Dumbledore had done to him. Ragnok on the other hand was chomping at the bit, he was about ready to behead the crackpot old fool. The things he had done to the Potter heir, were grounds for an immediate freeze on all his accounts, and a permanent ban from all branches of Gringotts throughout the world. He intended to screw the old fart over as much as possible, for the damage he had done to the young heir.

"Once we have finished getting all the paperwork in order, would you like to have all these blocks and binds removed? We can also fix all of the physical damage your useless guardians have inflicted upon you?" Ragnok asked the clearly confused Harry.

"Will it hurt?" Harry asked, a little worried.

"Only marginally, but I assure you the positives from having them all removed far outweigh the slight pain you'll feel." Ragnok explained.

"Okay, I'll do it then." Harry smiled at the director for the first time, before realising he was looking directly into his eyes, and quickly looked at the floor again.

"This test also shows that we can finally open up six of our temporarily closed vaults. However there is a lot you need to learn before we can truly act upon this discovery, for a start you need to learn all about the Most Ancient and Noble Houses. For that I would also recomend we remove Dumbledore as your magical guardian, however there is only one way to do this, and I feel you are most definitely under prepared for it. The House of Potter is one of the few 'Most Ancient and Noble' houses. In the wizarding world, the government, called the Wizengamot, is made up of leading members from society, each member is the head of a house, ranging from 'Clans' to 'Most Ancient and Most Noble'. The Potter house is in the tier down from the top tier. Which means they have a high up seat in the Wizengamot. Now, as the only living Potter, that position falls to you, if you had an of-age living magical relative, they would have been able to hold the seat for you until your age of maturity, which is sixteen. Because you don't have any magical relatives, you're able to claim it at age 11, however, you have to choose a proxy, to vote in you stead, as you're still too young to take your seat as a proper member. Now according to your parents will, that proxy was chosen to be Frank Longbottom, your godmother's husband. However he currenly resides in St Mungo's Hospital. I would recomend you choose Frank's mother, Madame Augusta Longbottom, who has taken up the Longbottom seat in the Wizengamot, as Regent. The Longbottoms have held an allegiance with House Potter for decades, almost a century. They are definitely people you can trust."

Harry's eyes bulged a bit at this influx of information, he had no real grasp of the wizarding world, and he was starting to panic a little. His brain focused on one bit of information that kept sticking out to him.

"Who are the Longbottoms?" Harry asked.

"Ah! A good question. How about I floo call Madame Longbottom and see if she can come down and meet you. She'd also be perfect for teaching you the ways of the 'Most Ancient and Noble' houses, as the Longbottoms also hold that title. I'll be back in two seconds!" Ragnok explained, before hoping off his seat and wandering over to the fireplace.

Harry watched in horror as Ragnok grabbed a pot of green powder, chucked some into the flames, which turned them green, and then proceeded to stick his face in the flames. He squeaked, half expecting the Senior Directors face to start melting off. Bizarrely he could hear Ragnok having a conversation, albeit a one sided one. Ragnok then lent back and stood out of the way of the fire, face intact, before a rather large and formidable looking woman stepped through, and looked about the office until her eyes settle on Harry. He quickly stood up as she stepped forwards and held a hand out to him. His manners shaking him out of his startled reverie, he took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckle, sensing that was what she expected of him.

"How do you do, Mr Potter." She enquired.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Madame Longbottom." Harry replied before looking over to Ragnok for guidance.

"That's it Harry, now you offer Madame Longbottom a chair, and wait until she is seated before you sit yourself down." He smiled encouragingly at the young boy. Harry nodded in reply and proceeded to do as he was instructed.

"Now, that introductions are in order, Madame Longbottom, I must press upon you an urgent matter. Young Harry's finances are being meddled with by Albus Dumbledore. He's also registered himself as Harry's Magical Guardian, but that goes against his parents will, which I'm sure you're already aware of, that Dumbledore wouldn't allow to be read. Your son and daughter-in-law, were the first people Harry was supposed to be placed with, upon his parents death. Obviously that wasn't an option at the time. With Sirius Black in Azkaban, his role as next in line was also veto'd. After that he should have gone to Minerva McGonagall, however Dumbledore decided to place baby Harry on the doorstep of his Muggle relatives, like the morning milk. I trust you can see how diabolical this all is?" Ragnok explained.

To say Augusta was absolutely livid was an understatement. She was filled with such imeasurable pride when Alice was announced to be Harry's Godmother, and Lily Potter was announced to be her grandson Neville's Godmother. It was another sign of allegiance between the two allied houses. Even with Alice and Frank in St Mungo's, she knew in her heart that she would have gladly taken guardianship of this young man. In her eyes he was family, and there was nothing more important than that. And the great meddling old coot had taken that away from her. 'Muggles, MUGGLES! This is a bloody outrage, I won't stand for it any longer, that meddling bastard can get stuffed. If I have to I'll take the boy back with me today. But there seems to be more to this than meets the eye. Hold yourself steady a minute Augusta. Let's find out all the facts first!' She thought, calming herself down considerably.

"Yes, I can see that there is a great deal wrong with this entire situation, might I ask why I've been brought into it? I'm not sure what I'm able to do about it all. I hardly have the power to control the meddling old coot who likes to play master manipulated." She enquired.

"Harry is starting to realise just how manipulative Dumbledore is, and I believe he wants to get out from under his thumb. With only two weeks before he's due to start Hogwarts, the time frame to do it all in is limited. First off, I propose that he goes through the ceremony of accepting his title as Head of the House of Potter. He'd gain his ring, and he'd have control of who sits in the Potter seat on the Wizengamot. At the moment Dumbledore has taken it upon himself to sit in Harry's stead. I'm quite sure, Harry wants him removed from it as quickly as possible. I propose that you take over as Proxy, thereby allowing him to have someone trustworthy in his seat, and it gives him the chance to learn what being on the Wizengamot means, and what being the head of a Most Ancient and Noble House means. He'd be able to learn all of this from you." Ragnok suggested, Harry nodding along at each point showing his agreement to it, whilst still looking down at the floor.

"I'm agreeable to all you have suggested, as long as it's what Harry wants. Now you mentioned that Dumbledore was meddling with accounts, how so, if you don't mind me asking?" Augusta enquired.

"Unfortunately I would only be able to explain, if you were Harry's Magical Guardian. And that would be something Harry would have to decide. And, if he did agree to it, would you be able to put him up? Do you have enough space and money to look after him? I have no knowledge of the Longbottom accounts, I believe Snart is the one in charge of those?"

"We have the funds and the space available, I'd quite happily become Harry's Guardian is he was agreeable to it."

Harry looked up sharply, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. He might finally be able to get away from the Durselys, and their vicious beatings. No more Cupboard-bedrooms, no more chore's list as long as his arm. No more starvation and dehydration! He looked directly into Augusta's eye for the first time since he'd met her.

"Would you really do that for me? You'd take me away from those evil people? Even though you've never met me before in your life?!" Tears started to brim Harry's eyes, as he thought of the sanctuary this amazing, if a little scary, woman was willing to provide.

Augusta had a distinctly sour taste in her mouth, the minute Harry said evil people. From the soft growl she heard coming from Ragnok, she realised he'd understood that too. For a child, as young as Harry to refer to someone as evil, especially the people who were supposed to be looking after him, set a spark off in her brain. She immediately took a discreet closer look at Harry, and was shocked to realise that he was all skin and bones, and severley malnourished. His face was gaunt, and his skin so tight to his cheekbones, he looked like he's sucked on a lemon. His clothes were grey and enormous, hiding his skeletal body. As he adjusted in his seat a little, the enormous tshirt he was wearing shifted, and she spotted long bruises in the distinct shape on a handprint on his neck. "Abused! He's been fucking abused! I won't stand for it, that's it he's coming home with me, and if I ever see those demonic muggles, I swear I'll strangle them all myself!" She thought, her mind made up in an instant.

"Mr Potter, how would you like to come and live with me at the Longbottom Estate, with my brother Algie and my grandson Neville, he's the same age as you. You'd never have to see those vile muggle relatives again, except to pop with me there later, to gather your belongings. You can learn all you'd like about magic, and your parents, and I'll help you learn all about being a head of a Most Ancient and Noble House?" She asked him, not in the least bit surprised, when he started bouncing up and down in his chair, beyond excited.

"Yes, yes please. I'd love to. And I'll do any chores you ask of me, I'll even cook for you! I'll earn my keep, so you won't ever regret it. And I'll stay in my cupboard when you have friends round, so they won't even know I'm there. I'll be good I promise!" Harry rambled on, begging her to not change her mind. A tear slid down Augusta's cheek and Ragnok dived out of the room at such a speed that the door banged against the wall, making Harry flinch out of his ramblings.

"Oh you sweet sweet child, what did those bastards do to you?" The usually mild mannered and formidable woman, didn't even realise her use of profanities. She slowly and carefully placed a hand on his shoulder, and encouraged him in for a hug. Harry flinched as her hand came into contact with his shoulder, expecting it to hurt. Her eyes widened even further and she sobbed openly for a minute before reigning her emotions back in. "I will never hurt you child, and physical contact between you and I will only ever be hugs of affection and love, I will never raise my hand to you sweet child." She gently placed her hand on his arm whilst he eye'd it warily, before he gently placed his own on her other arm, whilst looking into her eyes, trying to read her emotions.

"Okay." He said timidly, expecting the dowager to suddenly change her mind.

"Right, let's get as much of this straightened out as possible, and then we can head straight over to the Dursley's with the relevant documents to get your guardianship passed over to me. Does that sound agreeable to you? She asked him calmly.

Tears of hope sprung in Harry's eyes as he realised that he truly might finally be free from the hell he'd spent all of his life in. It was in that moment he decided he would do everything in his power to make this amazing Lady proud of him. And he would succeed.