Chapter 1 - A Letter From Gringotts

Harry had no idea what to do with himself. This had been one of the craziest weeks of his life.

He had left England not even three days ago and yet he felt completely forlorn for the towns and hills surrounding the place that he had always felt was his home, Hogwarts.

Upon the completion of his quest, Harry attended all of the funerals of his friends and acquaintances. The funny thing was that for the amount of people that approached him, nobody noticed that something was wrong with him.

Maybe it was the fact that he had become so adamant at keeping his feelings from showing on his face or maybe it was the fact that Harry had just become numb to everything surrounding him…

But, Harry put one foot in front of the other and continued as he was expected to do, portray the hero facade that was being splashed across the front pages of every wizard paper across the world.

Ron and his family spent every waking moment preparing for Fred's funeral. Harry and Hermione did everything that they could to help, Hermione was Ron's rock and sanity.

Harry felt out of place, Ginny kept giving him longing looks but he just couldn't continue something that he was no longer sure of. What did he feel for Ginny? How could he tell when he never imagined that he would live this long?

As Harry watched the Weasley's suffering, he took his leave and returned to Hogwarts to help rebuild the castle.

Weeks had passed and everyone that had stayed to help rebuild the castle were insanely busy.

Although people praised Harry upon their passing, they for the most part left him to his own devices. It appeared to Harry that nobody noticed that he was on autopilot. Harry was never the most perceptive person though…

Minerva watched the young man as he went about his tasks, wondering how he was doing and noting the strange fact that Harry was constantly alone. His friends were not with him, she knew they were consumed by their own suffering. She wished that she could help him. She would give anything to help him.

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An owl flew through the window and dropped a letter in front of Harry as he ate his breakfast.

He looked at it carefully, making sure that there was nothing amiss before picking it up and breaking the seal. He carefully opened the missive and saw that it was addressed to him from Gringotts.

Mr. Potter,

We know what you have done. You are summoned at once to appear at Gringotts at a hearing before the heads of the Goblin nation. You must come alone and atone for what you have done to our property. We will show you to the conference room at 11 am, this day, the 2nd of July.

Sanezd

Harry looked up from his seat and felt the fear as it gripped at him, threatening to overtake him. Did they not understand why he had done what he did?

Harry hastened up to the dormitory and dressed as well as he could with what he still had then looked at his watch. It was a little after 10 am.

He ran as fast as his feet could carry him down to the Great Hall, searching for the current Headmistress in the hopes of using the floo.

The Headmistress was nowhere to be found. Harry heard a couple talking about how Professor McGonagall had gone to her office to take care of something that had just come to her attention so he raced to her office, hoping that he could figure out the password to her office.

As Harry approached the Gargoyle, it sprang aside to reveal the woman that he was so ardently searching for.

"Can I help you Mr. Potter?" McGonagall said.

"Professor, I received a letter from Gringotts that summons me to a hearing because of what Hermione, Ron and I had done. Can I use your floo?" Harry spit out as he gasped for breath.

"Yes, Mr. Potter, you had better not be late! It is best to not upset the Goblin's further. Would you like me to accompany you?" she asked.

Harry gazed upon her, he didn't want to upset her. He responded, "The goblin's specifically told me that I am not supposed to bring anyone with me. I do appreciate the offer though. Thank you."

"I believe that you know where the floo powder is in my office. Please, try not to make a mess." She said as she walked away.

Harry jogged up the steps and opened her office door, racing over to the floo and threw in the powder before stepping into the flames. The last thing that could be heard in her office for the day was the sound of Harry's voice as he stated his destination, "Gringotts."