"Blah" - Dovahzul
Blah - Thought
"^Blah^" - Parseltongue
Harry looked over his armor as he placed it upon the mannequin, scrubbing the dried blood off, before looking over his chipped sword, "Need a forge to repair this. I'll need to visit the goblins as well."
Storing his sketchbooks and journals in his leather pack, Harry shouldered the bag and left the room the staff of Hogwarts had let him use while he was in the castle. Catching up with Neville, Tracey, and Daphne had been an interesting time last night. Severus had kept his distance and they hadn't said a word to each other since the incident in the old Potions Lab.
"You're leaving?"
Harry turned to see Hermione standing in the doorway, "I am. I have some business in Diagon Alley today at Gringotts, figured I'd have a look around while I'm there to see if anything has changed."
Harry still wore his tan tunic and brown trousers, his worn leather boots, though he had put on his sword belt, sheathing his Imperial gladius at his left hip. He had shaved before going to bed, revealing a roguishly handsome man, though he had kept the long hair, which he had slicked back and tied into a ponytail at the base of his skull, though a few strands still escaped the tie and hung over his face. Even with long hair, his mop still tried to defy him.
"I see. Well, do be careful, we haven't told anyone that you are back yet. You are always welcome here at Hogwarts if you need a place to stay," Hermione said.
"Well, I'll be back before nightfall, so I'm leaving some of my things here. Have fun with your classes, Mione," Harry winked, then left the room and headed towards the entry hall. He passed a few students, some of whom gasped upon seeing him. Leaving the castle, he headed straight into Hogsmeade and walked to the Three Broomsticks. He wasn't surprised to see Madam Rosemerta still manning the bar, though she had few customers today.
"Hello, dear, what can I get...for..you...Harry Potter?" Rosemerta asked breathlessly when she caught sight of the scar openly displayed on Harry's forehead. "You disappeared years ago!"
"I did," Harry said with a nod, "just got back day before yesterday. Spent some time recovering up at Hogwarts, and now I'm off on business in Diagon Alley. How have you been, Rosemerta?"
"Busy as always, during the year. You just missed a Hogsmeade weekend," Rosemerta said with a soft smile.
"I suppose I did. Well, I'd best be off if I want to be back by nightfall. Perhaps I'll have dinner and a drink here tonight, if you're still open during the week?" Harry asked. He had missed the soft lighting and comfortable atmosphere provided by the Three Broomsticks, though his did not miss the crowds.
"For you, sugar, I'll be open. In return, however, I expect to hear some stories," Rosemerta said, pointing at Harry with a stern expression on her face, though Harry saw the corners of her mouth twitching upwards.
"Of course, who am I to deny a Lady her wishes," Harry said with an exaggerated bow before heading over to the public Floo, "Leaky Cauldron!"
Harry stepped out of the Floo into the Leaky Cauldron, nodded to Tom, and stepped out into the alley. He drew his sword, and channeling magic through the blade, he tapped the brick that opened the entryway, revealing a bustling alley.
"Business as usual," Harry chuckled to himself as he sheathed his sword. He made his way through the alley, ignoring the people that looked his way and did a double take. Some of their faces were priceless, he had to admit. Stepping into Gringotts, Harry was reminded of his first visit to the Goblin Bank years ago.
"Well this hasn't changed," Harry mused. He stepped up to the counter and waited for the goblin to acknowledge his presence. The goblin in question was one Harry remembered well from his first visit to the Bank.
"Name?" Griphook asked without looking up from his paperwork.
"Harry Potter."
Griphook looked up, curses dying on his tongue when he took in the wizard before him. Clearing his throat, he frowned, "We will have to confirm your identity. Please wait over there while we prepare a private room." He gestured to the unoccupied seating area that was flanked by two armored goblins.
"Very well," Harry said courteously with a nod. He made his way towards the waiting area, though he didn't take a seat. He kept both armored goblins in view while he waited nearly an hour until a younger goblin approached.
"Harry Potter? Your room is ready, follow me," The unnamed goblin said firmly, turning without waiting for a response.
Harry merely sighed and followed after the goblin, taking note that Griphook was no longer present at his desk in the Lobby. They passed through numerous halls, taking different turns at each intersection they came across, so Harry knew the goblin was trying to confuse the wizard he was escorting. When the goblin finally came to a stop, he turned and opened the door, gesturing for Harry to walk in first.
Resting his left hand on the pommel of his sword, Harry walked into the room and scanned his surroundings, four armored goblins, Griphook standing off to one side, another goblin next to Griphook, and an older goblin sitting behind an ornate desk.
"Greetings, aal hin diirz gejahriitir voth yuvon ahrk sos do hin enemies bo freely*," Harry said, bowing slighty at the waist, though he still kept the warriors in view.
"I am not familiar with the language, wizard," The goblin behind the desk said, tilting his head slightly, "and I know quite a few languages. What was it?"
"A language I learned while I was away, Dovahzul. It is not used in this realm by anyone but me," Harry said.
"And what did you say?" The goblin asked.
"May your vaults overflow with gold and the blood of your enemies flow freely," Harry said with a slight grin.
The goblin was silent for a moment, studying the human before him, before nodding, "Well said. I am Ragnok, Director of Gringotts. You claim to be Harry Potter?"
"I do," Harry confirmed.
"We have a test we perform when we want to confirm the identity of someone placing a claim on high profile accounts. Since Harry Potter disappeared thirteen years ago, you understand why we wish to perform this test?" Ragnok asked.
"I understand. What does this test entail?" Harry asked.
Ragnok pulled an ornate dagger from a desk drawer and placed it on the desk before him next to a blank piece of parchment, "This is the dagger we use in a Blood Inheritance Test. Once blood is drawn, a drop of blood is placed onto this spelled parchment, and if the testee is to inherit anything, it will be listed on the parchment, along with their true identity and capabilities. Will you take this test?"
Harry nodded, "I have no problem with that, as long as the blood used will be destroyed upon completion of the test. I have seen enough blood magic in the past, so I will not be careless in this matter."
Ragnok nodded, his respect for the human jumping up a notch, "Very well. Step foward and hold out your dominant hand."
Harry did as asked, holding out his right hand. Ragnok placed the dagger tip to Harry's index finger, drawing blood, then tapped the dagger, letting a drop fall and hit the top of the parchment. The parchment flashed for a moment before words began to scroll across its surface, soon filling the parchment.
Name: Harry James Potter-Thel
Age: 27
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Titles: Legate of the 2nd Battlemage Regiment, 4th Imperial Legion
Sworn Brother of the Dovahkiin, Kelwyn Thel
Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Peverell by inheritance
Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Gryffindor by inheritance
Lord of the Noble and Ancient House of Potter by inheritance
Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Slytherin by conquest
Lord of the Ancient House of Gaunt by conquest
Lord of the House of Riddle by conquest
Rank: Archmage
Capabilities: Archmage-level Wandless Magic
Archmage-level Battle Magic
Archmage-level Healing Magic
Archmage-level Alchemy
Dovahzul
Parseltongue
The previously unnamed goblin promptly fainted once the parchment finished filling out, though Griphook hadn't fared much better. Ragnok himself was pale when he looked up at Harry who hadn't been surprised by what was revealed.
"Well, Lord Potter, may I be the first to properly welcome you back to the Magical World. A six-fold Lord and an Archmage...one of those haven't been seen since the time of Merlin," Ragnok said, looking Harry in the eye.
"Now, Archmage was a rank held by the head of the College of Winterhold in Skyrim, how does that rank factor in here in Britain?" Harry asked.
"Well," Ragnok started, "you have muggles at the bottom of the chain. Next is squibs, followed by your basic wizard and witch. After them is warlock, then sorcerer. Albus Dumbledore and Voldemort were both Sorcerers, capable of some wandless magic, but far more capable than the standard wizard or witch in foci-reliant magic. After sorcerer comes the mages, capable of wandless magic across the board, then Archmage. No one truly knows what an Archmage is capable of, and since no one has qualified as a Mage since the Founders of Hogwarts, measuring the capabilities of an Archmage is impossible."
"Hm," Harry rubbed his jaw, "is it possible to keep this to ourselves?"
Ragnok nodded and placed a case upon the table, containing the Potter ring , "So, Lord Potter, do you have any other business with Gringotts today?"
"Well, I'd like to set up another account under the House of Thel, then deposit this," Harry reached into his pack and withdrew a simple leather pouch, "in vault of said account. Please take the fee for the new account out of the Potter Vaults. There is an expansion charm, of sorts, on the inside of that pouch. Please send me a financial statement of all my accounts when everything with the Thel account has been finalized. I am staying at Hogwarts for the time being until we can have a look at the properites I own. Until then, Lord Ragnok, I bid you good day."
Harry wasn't surprised to see the sea of red and blue cloaks waiting for him when he stepped out of Gringotts. At the front of the formation was a mildly familiar older woman wearing a monocle.
"Harry Potter?" The woman asked over the noise of the crowd behind the line of Aurors and Hitwizards.
"Yeees?" Harry drew out his response, counting the numbers arrayed against him, five Aurors and fifteen Hitwizards, not sure who the two grey cloaks are.
"I'm not sure if you know me, but my name is Amelia Bones, and I am the current Minister of Magic. If you are not busy, we would like a word with you at the Ministry," The monocled woman said.
"Umhmm, and the escort?" Harry asked, nodding towards the cloaks behind her.
"For our protection, of course," Amelia said with a slight smile.
Harry chuckled, "Uh-huh. Well, I was planning on hitting a few shops here in the alley, but I would be...honored...to accept your proposal. I assume, due to the numbers, that we will be traveling via portkey?"
"Of course," Amelia said.
Harry walked down the steps of Gringotts, his left hand resting on the pommel of his sword, recognizing one of the Aurors as he drew closer, "Well met, Auror Malfoy. I have heard you are up for promotion soon?"
Draco Malfoy hesitated a moment before answering, "I am, Mr. Potter. You seem... different from the last time I saw you."
"It's Lord Potter now, just took the position a few moments ago. As for being different, everyone changes with time. Congradulations, Auror Malfoy, I am sure the wife must be proud," Harry said with a smile. Amelia held up a length of rope that the grey cloaks and Aurors grabbed. Apparently, the Hitwizards were taking another portkey. Hesitating for a moment, Harry reached out and grabbed the rope.
"Activate."
Harry's vision swam, but when it returned to normal, he saw that the room they appeared in was surrounded by grey cloaks.
"Lord Potter, I am Algernon Croaker, Chief Unspeakable. Welcome to the Department of Mysteries," An older man stepped foward, his beard turning white with age, his grey cloak edged with silver.
"Greetings, Chief Croaker. To what do I owe this...pleasure?" Harry asked, hand still resting on the pommel of his sword.
"We were made aware of a certain prophecy by the late Albus Dumbledore concerning you and Voldemort. Since you had disappeared thirteen years ago, no one was left that could truly defeat Voldemort, as the prophecy states that neither you or Voldemort can live while the other survives. We were aware of your return two days ago as well. Tell me, have you ever heard of the term 'horcrux?' " Algernon asked.
"Soul container. Used as a modified form of lichdom. Instead of binding your essence to a piece of your mortal form, a horcux is formed by splitting your soul and storing it in a container holding value to the one performing the ritual. Black magic, that. Never was a fan of soul magic. Just as bad as Necromancy, as far as I am concerned," Harry chuckled, "though I did meet ONE necromancer that I became friends with. Of course, she was a vampire, so she had been practicing magic far longer than I have been alive. Faaarr longer. So I assume you didn't destroy all of his horcruxes before confronting him, then?"
"No, we didn't, Lord Potter. Albus thought you might have been one, and Nagini escaped with Bellatrix Lestrange and Peter Pettigrew," Amelia said.
"Well, I WAS a horcrux. However, when I helped Kelwyn and Serana with the Dawnguard Prophecy, we had to go to the Soul Cairn," Harry said, though he was cut off by Algernon.
"THE Soul Cairn?"
Harry tilted his head when he looked at Algernon, "You know of it?"
"I do, Lord Potter," Algernon said, his face grim, "and you went there in person?"
"I did. Serana had to perform a partial soul trap on both Kelwyn and myself. The horcrux was destroyed in the process. We both recovered our soul fragments, though we...sort of bonded with that damned realm. I was told that I could travel there freely now. I have no desire to return to that accursed realm, so don't ask," Harry said firmly.
"Lord Potter, you have no idea...just the fact that you physically went there is remarkable, that you returned with your soul intact...it has never happened to date. So all that is left is Nagini," Algernon mused.
"Excuse me, what is the Soul Cairn?" Amelia asked.
"That is the place where souls go when used as a power source in the black arts, Madam Bones. Using a soul to power enchantments, for example. The energy of the soul remains to power the enchantment, while the soul and the conciousness are damned and sent to the Soul Cairn where they may never know rest or the possibility of moving on," Algernon stated.
"Which is why I brute force whatever I enchant, using my own magic to power the enchantments I perform. Crude, but effective, don't you think?" Harry asked.
"Well, Lord Potter, that is how enchantments are performed here," Algernon said with a chuckle, "of course only the most powerful of magic users can create any lasting enchantment. Such as you, for example."
"What do you mean, Algernon?" Amelia asked, confused. "Potter doesn't seem more powerful than a veteran Auror to me."
Algernon smiled, "Well, we can thank Lord Potter for that. If were to stop suppressing his Aura, I suspect it would be difficult to breathe this close to him, since his magic would be literally cooking the air around him. See, I am a Warlock. Albus and Voldemort were Sorcerers, so both were more powerful than myself. Lord Potter here, he is an entirely different League. Have you noticed that he doesn't carry a wand, Madam Bones? It is because he no longer needs one to perform magic. If Lord Potter were ever to have children or take up apprentices, I suspect that it would begin a new era of magic, after all, there hasn't been a Mage since the Founders."
"You have got to be shitting me..." Draco said, paling visibly.
"I assure you, Auror Malfoy, this is no joke. I will confer with the rest of the Unspeakables about planning contingencies should Voldemort returns before we find Nagini. Madam Bones, Lord Potter, I bid you good day," Algernon said, walking out of the room, his Unspeakables following him.
"So, Madam Bones, was there anything you needed from me?" Harry asked.
Amelia looked at him, gobsmacked, "I...I...I'm not sure. I would like to assign Aurors to you for security purposes, if you are not opposed to the idea."
Harry grinned, "Would this be for my security, or for Magical Britain's security?"
Amelia slapped his arm before responding, "For Britain, I suspect. Auror Malfoy, you and Auror Tonks are now part of Lord Potter's security detail. Please inform your new partner before Lord Potter leaves the Ministry."
Harry grinned as he walked through the foyer of the Ministry, winking at the woman sitting at the front desk. Malfoy jogged to catch up, sighing.
"I sent Tonks an urgent message, so she'll meet us in Diagon Alley. Where were you planning on going?" Draco asked.
"Flourish and Blotts, Whizz Hard Books, and Obscurus Books in Diagon Alley. Would you happen to know if Knockturn Alley has a bookstore?" Harry asked.
"It does, why?" Draco asked slowly.
"No reason, just browsing. No harm in knowing what is out there, right? Leaky Cauldron!" Harry stepped into the Floo with a grin. Emerging from the other side, Harry nodded at Tom before continuing into the Alley, Draco following at a slight distance.
"Perhaps we should get you a new wardrobe as well?" Draco suggested.
"Hmm," Harry looked down at his rather ragged looking tunic, "I suppose you are right. What is the best place for that?"
"Twilfitt and Tattings, mother frequents that shop. I do as well, much better that Madam Malkin's, in my opinion. Muggle fashion has been on the rise, recently, so you don't have to get robes," Draco said.
"Well, lead the way, Auror Malfoy," Harry said with an exaggerated bow.
"Call me Draco, Potter, since it seems like we'll be stuck together for awhile," Draco muttered.
"Same goes, Draco. Ah, the lovely Auror Tonks has arrived it seems," Harry grinned.
The woman in question stumbled over her robe as she jogged over to the two men, Harry quick to catch her by the arm to steady her, "Thanks, mate. You must be Harry Potter, caused quite a fuss back in the Ministry. Here too, I reckon."
"This is Auror Nymphadora don't-call-me-that Tonks," Draco said with a smirk, "my cousin. Yours too, since your grandmother was a Black."
"Oh? Well aren't we a happy family," Harry's grin widened, "Draco was just leading us to Twilfitt and Tattings for a wardrobe upgrade since my clothes seem a bit...worn out."
"Call me Nymphadora again, dear cousin, and I'll hex your bits off," Tonks said sweetly, "and your clothes do look a bit wore out. Put them to work, have you?"
"Indeed. Draco, if you would?" Harry said with a slight wave.
"This way, then," Draco muttered.
A/N: Second chapter up. Two follows and one review in one day, not bad for my first story. Will try to keep updates somewhat frequent, but may not be as often as this. I do work the twelve hour midnight shift, after all.
*May your vaults overflow with gold and the blood of your enemies flow freely
Google search Thu'um translator to find the engine I used to accurately translate from English to Dovahzul and vice versa. It will be the first result that pops up. Credit for this engine goes to the amazing dudes that put the site together.
I am willing to take suggestions for a pairing, if any readers are interested. OC's are welcome, though I will only accept 3-4 of those. Fill out the form and submit a review with the character info.
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Race: (Fill this out if your character is a werewolf, vampire, half-giant, etc)
Background: (Whether they are from Tamriel or Earth, what their job was, etc)
Likes/Dislikes:
Skills: (Preferred combat styles, what type of armor/robes they wear, etc)
Keep in mind, folks, this is not required.