Author's note: I know the last chapter was short, but I've been wanting to write this for awhile and incorporate my own ideas in with what others have done, one thing I will not do however is that Harry is the heir to all 4 founders, yeah he is going to be the heir to some of them, but I know for sure Slytherin is out, and possibly a couple other 'famous' witches and wizards.
The other thing I'm not going to do is make Harry "ambassador" for the goblins, but I am going to make this a bit more political than most. The other thing I don't know is about pairings. As you can probably tell I am writing this as I go, so I'll often ask for opinions on where you want to see this story go.
I am also looking for a beta on grammar and spelling, with my computer this is difficult to master, though I do use spellchecker.
I also really want to thank everyone that has favorites or signed up for alerts... It really warms me knowing you like this story so far! Any reviews about the story, or things you would like to see happen would be MUCH appreciated. As I said earlier I may be writing this story, but you are reading it, therefore I want to be able to take your suggestions and ideas into consideration.
DISCLAIMER: JKR OWNS HP, not I! I wish I owned Harry potter, wouldn't have to worry about money anytime soon :D
Harry Potter awoke with a start, remembering that he had to be up by 8:30 . He looked at his clock and noticed it was now 8:20 am. He quickly got dressed and showered, and headed downstairs to update his aunt. As he approached the kitchen he noticed his normal-as-ever aunt was alone, so he approached her. "Aunt Petunia?" he asked hesitantly.
"What is it boy?" She asked with a slight sneer.
"Aunt Petunia, one of the major groups in... um... my world has told me I have to go to their office today. I won't be around to later today." He said, wondering how she would take this.
"Good, that means we don't have to put up with your freakishness today." she said dismissively.
Harry just shrugged and walked upstairs looking at his clock, it now read 8:58 am. He quickly grabbed the packages his account managers had provided and snatched his portkey up, he waited for the familiar pull behind his navel, and was not disappointed, as shortly after the portkey activated.
He soon found himself in an office, staring at a goblin that seemed very imposing and was one of the tallest goblins he had ever met.
The goblin stood. "Mr. Potter, I presume?"
"Yes, sir. May I ask who you are?" Harry asked.
The Goblin looked delighted, "Thank you for asking, and yes. I am one of your account managers, Fragnook, Ragnok shall be here shortly..." He paused as Harry heard the door open, "Yes, just as I said, Mr. Potter, please meet Ragnok."
Harry turned around and looked at the new goblin, another imposing goblin, with a very muscular build was standing in front of him. Harry offered his hand to the goblin, "A pleasure to meet you, Sir." Harry said.
Ragnok eyed the hand and shook it with a smile, "No, Mr. Potter, the pleasure is mine to meet a wizard who treats us goblins with such respect. Please let us sit."
Harry sat down with some trepidation. "So, Mr. Potter, did you have time to read through the enclosed documents?" Ragnok asked, speaking of his parents will.
"Not really, sir. I was surprised I guess, you said in your letter that I should have received the will on my 14th birthday, but this is the first time I am ever hearing of it. Also you said I should be receiving monthly reports on my trust account, but I have never received one."
Ragnok looked appalled as he thought to himself, 'How can this be, I have sent them on time.' "Mr. Potter, this is most unusual, and I must say I am most concerned. I have personally been sending them to you. However due to the security of your estate, I have tracking charms on all of these documents, would you like me to activate them and figure out where they are and what route they took to their current location?"
"Yes, please, Mr. Ragnok." Harry responded.
Soon the goblin began chanting in Gobbledegook. Suddenly a tome of parchment appeared on his desk and the goblin began looking through it. "Well Mr. Potter, it seems every letter is unopened and sitting in a cabinet located in the headmasters office of Hogwarts. During the school year, all have been intercepted and retrieved by a Mr. Albus Dumbledore. During the summer however the following have intercepted them then given them to the same Mr. Dumbledore. The names include, Dedalus Diggle , Elphias Doge, and Mundungus Fletcher."
Harry was seething, he recognized all of these as members of the first Order of the Phoenix and his constant watchers. 'What right did Dumbledore have to keep this from me?' Harry thought to himself.
"I would like it if it could be kept private that I know of these things at the meeting for Sirius' will." Harry informed the Goblins.
Both goblins nodded and Fragnook spoke up, "Very well, Mr. Potter. Though we wanted to clue you into a few things that will be revealed to you later today. Due to the fact that Mr. Black was never convicted for a crime, and was imprisoned without trial, the Goblin Nation has no choice but to take his will and activate it. Why this affects you is because while looking through various matters it was noted that your parent's will identifies Mr. Black as your legal guardian for all matters. While the Ministry may not notice this or apply by it, Goblin law does. Therefore many things will change, including that after the reading of the will, your parents, and any others that affect you will become active. This is due to the fact that Mr. Black has it stated in his will that you are the Heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, and that should you not be at the age of 17 upon his death you shall be emancipated and one you pass your Black Heir trials you shall be given full adulthood. Due to the fact that the ministry improperly imprisoned Mr. Black, and they owe the Goblin Nation many favors, they have agreed to abide by this upon one condition. The condition is that you must pass your trials administered to each new heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black." The Goblin paused, offering tea to Harry, who took it with trepidation.
"How else this will effect you is that in order to take the trials, you must be confirmed as the the rightful heir. In order to do this, you must take a small blood test to determine whether you are who you say you are. When you take this test, you will also be shown any other families you are descended from, both legally and by blood. Only those who you are designated heir, or are the closest blood relative in existence will appear." Fragnook said, pausing, "After this is revealed, and you take your Black Trials, you will be a legal adult, therefore able to take the trials for any other heirships." Fragnook finished.
Harry spoke up, "What do these trials compose of?"
Fragnook spoke up, "We do not know, each trial for every family is different, and only the heirs can take them."
Harry sighed, "Okay, so what should we do next?"
"Well we can take the test to determine your heirships, then read your parents will, or you can wait till Sirius' will is read and you take you trials for the Black Family heirships, as any part of your parents will beyond the trust account can not be activated until you are considered a legal adult."
"How about we wait on the will, take the test, then go to Sirius' will reading. After that, if possibly I would like to begin my trial for the Black Family tonight."
"That can be arranged. Though your other trials would have to wait until tomorrow." Fragnook said.
"Very well." Harry spoke.
Soon Fragnook and Ragnok gathered a large parchment, and a small knife. Fragnook spoke up, "Mr. Potter, I will need to take a small amount of blood, and place it on this parchment. This parchment will reveal any legal and blood claims to lordship and any inheritances you can claim upon your adulthood."
Harry grew a bit excited and stuck his index finger out over the parchment, at which point Fragnook pricked his finger and let 10 drops of blood drop onto the parchment that began to glow before he healed Harry's finger.
Ten minutes later, the parchment stopped glowing and writing appeared on it. Fragnook quickly read over the list with a look of shock, before handing the parchment to Ragnok who had the same surprise. Ragnok then handed the parchment to Harry who began reading.
IDENTITY: Harry James Potter
PARENTS: James Potter
Lilly (Evans) Potter
LORDSHIPS
LEGAL LORDSHIPS
The Most Ancient and Noble House of Black
BLOOD LORDSHIPS*
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter ^
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Gryfindor# ^
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Ravenclaw # ^
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Draven# \/
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Simmons# \/
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Hufflepuff# \/
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Merlin# \/
*= These are where you are either the ranking member or member with the most blood claim to these titles, or last surviving member of this family.
#= These lordships and all titles have remained vacant for over 100 years and you are the only one to be able to lay claim to them. These seats on the Wizengamot will be reactivated after passing your trials.
^= These Lordships are descended from your father's lines.
\/ = These Lordships are descended from your mother's lines
Harry was shocked, not only was he descended from one or more of the founders, but from Merlin?
Harry spoke up, "Ragnok, how can this be right, my mother was a muggleborn?" He asked.
"Actually Mr. Potter, your mother was a pureblood adopted by muggles. Mr. Dumbledore was supposed to inform you of this upon your 14th birthday, according to your parents will." Ragnok replied.
Harry was furious at this. More that Dumbledore was hiding from him, he had to think about this and decide what to do.
"Okay well how long until the reading of the will?" Harry asked
"Actually, if my assistant is correct with this message that just appeared on my desk, everyone is assembled that is required, a good hour in advance. Shall we proceed?" Fragnook asked.
"Yes, please." Harry spoke.
Fragnook and Harry began walking towards a meeting room as Ragnok walked away from them. "Fragnook, why is Ragnok not coming?" Harry asked.
"Well because I am the Black estate manager and he is the Potter. Therefore he can't be in this meeting or any regarding the Black family estate until you pass both the Potter and the Black Family trials and then we will both aid you." Fragnook replied. Harry simply nodded, it made sense.
Soon the two found themselves in a room with Albus Dumbledore, Andromeda Tonks, Remus Lupin, and Nymphadora Tonks. Many Goblins surrounded all those present.
Harry started at the two death eaters present. Fragnook ordered all to sit and proceeded to speak. "All of you sit, all of you are guarded, any violence in this bank will negate your claims from this wills." The others grumbled but promised to behave on their magic and lives when prompted.
Fragnook began, "I hereby begin the read of the official last will of one Sirius Orion Black, Head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. Written and registered on the 8th of March 1998.
LAST WILL AND TESTEMENT
SIRIUS ORION BLACK
8 MARCH 1998
Hello everyone, you all know me and I refuse to be normal even in death. If you are all here, then I have died. Someone I once knew once told me death is the next great adventure. I pray that if I am dead that I died in battle protecting those I loved.
Well shall we continue? Albus Dumbledore, recently many things have come to light, amongst them is that you have hidden many things from my Godson, imprisoned me in my home, and denied my godson a future. For these crimes I donate one knut to the Order of the Phoenix. May it serve you well. I also leave you Kreacher.
At this Dumbledore looked shocked, and had the good grace to look remorseful, Harry only smiled.
Bellatrix Lestrange, to you I leave the House Elf Heads.
Narcissa Malfoy, to you I leave one knut.
Andromeda Tonks, Remus Lupin, and Nymphadora Tonks, I leave you each One-Million Galleons, use it well my friends.
Last but by far not least, Harry Potter. Harry I love you as my own and bequeath all of my earthly possessions not mentioned above. I also appoint you as my heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black. You will find your trials refreshing. Upon your sixteenth birthday, if I am dead, I hereby, as the legal guardian of Harry J. Potter, order you to undertake the Black Family Trials. If you should pass, I hereby emancipate you in the eyes of the wizarding world. Pup, you deserve this and it will allow you to stake your own way instead of allowing others to manipulate you. * Cough * Dumbledore * Cough *
Be good and know me and your parents are proud of you and love you.
Sirius Orion Black.
Dumbledore was livid, "He can't do this, Sirius is not his legal guardians!"
Fragnook and Harry both just shook their heads and Fragnook began speaking, "Mr. Dumbledore, the ministry was forced to realize Sirius' claims and have agreed to them per Goblin treaties. Once your gold arrives, you will each be escorted, besides Mr. Potter."
Dumbledore had the forethought to look ashamed of himself and in a calmer voice spoke to Harry himself, "Harry, my boy," Dumbledore began with that twinkle in his eye, "I must insist you return to Privet Drive with me, it is not safe for you to be out alone at this time of night. Not to mention these trials may be very dangerous."
"Headmaster, I will be taking my trials tonight and the Goblins have agreed to provide me a portkey home." Harry responded. "Headmaster, I would walk lightly, I have found out a lot today and all of it paints you in a bad light. First and foremost, if I were you I would hand over all my correspondence you have intercepted to my account manager, Mr. Fragnook, or face the legal consequences. Then if I were you I would leave me be until I decide what to do."
Dumbledore shook his head, surprised the boy had figured out his game with his mail, and knew the boy knew more then he was letting on. 'The only hope for still controlling him is to fess up and appear to be helping him. Let him become his own man, I can still control him.' Dumbledore thought to himself before replying, "Very well Harry. I will abide by your wishes, but I must insist you return to Privet Drive for the remainder of the summer, and only come to Gringotts when the Goblins provide you with portkeys, and must never leave the bank. It is for your own safety, my boy."
"Very well, SIR!" Harry replied with a sneer as the headmaster and the other where given there bags and escorted out.
Fragnook soon took Harry to another room, deep underground. The entrance was a arch with a mahogany door, etched in many goblin runes. "Mr. Potter, the only thing I may tell you of your trial, and it will remain the same for each of these is that certain physical traits will begin to change your appearance only slightly, normally your hair. You will also inherit a ring and cloak, along with various abilities. Anyone who wears the ring or the cloak for any family in which they are not Lord or Lady shall die a most painful death. Step through this door, and touch the book on the pedestal, call out the family in which you are taking your trial for and it will begin.
Harry stepped foot through the doorway as it closed and disappeared behind him. He stepped up to a tome on a stone pillar, the tome was quite thick and encrusted in gold, silver, and precious gems.
He touched his hand to the tome, and spoke just a few words, that came to him instinctual, "I, Harry James Potter, claim the right of Heir to the most Ancient and Noble House of Black."
Suddenly the room began to spin and a small egg shaped object appeared instead of the tome. A metallic voice spoke out of this egg. "Open me, and find if you are pure enough for the House of Black. If you have no claim to our house you will be punished."
Harry opened the egg and a blinding light woven with black as night shadow wound around him. He could feel something judging him, his memories played in front of his brain for what seemed like hours.
All of a sudden the memories stopped and the same voice began to speak, "You are truly the heir of the House of Black. As a gift, you will receive the abilities and knowledge on how to act proper and worthy of your new station. You will also receive the unique knowledge of how to use your power to complete your goals and carry out your ambitions. This is the Black gift to you, Lord Harry James Black-Potter."
Suddenly the light vanished and Harry could feel his face change. As he looked in a mirror that appeared his hair grew until it was now was a lighter shade of black, slightly more curly, and hung to his shoulders. He noticed he was a bit more muscular and seemed to have grown a bit. He also has a grace and poise and looked like the Lord he now was. He instinctively knew what was expected of him.
Harry looked on the pillar and noticed a cloak carrying the crest of the Black family with the signet ring atop it. He placed the ring on his right ring finger, and draped the cloak on his arm and exited through the now open doorway.
Fragnook stood waiting as he saw Harry approach he bowed his head, "Lord Black."
"Rise Fragnook. I have a few questions."
Fragnook rose his head up and looked at Harry, "Yes, Lord Black?"
"I wonder, the knowledge I was given did not prepare me for the multiple lordships I will receive. I know each carries a signet ring and a cloak, how can I wear all of them at the same time, and what should I should I be called, by the time I am done, I would have to many names."
Fragnook took a moment to compose himself, "Lord Black..."
Harry interrupted him, "Harry while in private is fine Fragnook."
"Very well... Harry. Once you place the cloak and ring on, they will blend into each other, to appear for specific tasks as one or the other Lordships, simply say that family name and the ring and cloak will come to the forefront if you will. As to what you will be called, normally you should wear the most prominent of your families. In this case Gryfindor or Merlin. Whichever crest is on your cloak and ring will be what people refer to you as, unless they are in the family structure of one of those families."
"Very well Fragnook, so let me confirm, I am now a full adult and what does that mean?"
"Yes Harry, you are. It means you are no longer restrained from magic, and you can learn any talent such as apparition as you wish as long as they are appropriately registered."
"Very well Fragnook, would it be possible to get a portkey made for my residence at Number 4 Privet Drive, Surrey? And may I have another to return here at the same time tomorrow?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter, we have already made them both for you." The goblin said handing over the two portkeys in the shape of business cards. "Both are activated by the word 'Goblins' and are infinite use portkeys, meaning that you can travel back and forth without fear."
"Very Well Fragnook, I believe we will have much to discuss tomorrow, and I have many issues we may need to deal with upon my return. I thank you for the help you have been today." Harry said with a smile.
The Goblin was amazed at this, and bowed his head, "Until Tomorrow Lord Black."
Harry took the portkey for home, and tapped it with his wand, uttering GOBLINS as he did. He arrived in his room, and after taking off his dress robes and curling into his bed and fell into a decent slumber.
Authors Notes: Okay guys, the next chapter will be the remaining trials and Harry settling his affairs. I have two things I want your opinions on. What Lord name should harry use most often when he passes his trials?
The second is, I have 7 more trials to write and do not want them to be monotonous, so I am wondering what you guys think I should do for various trials? Please review and help me out. Corrected a small issue above.