Goddess bless Geena Davis, for being a tall redhead. Goddess bless Hollywood for their wonderful movie, which inspired this fic, and after which I named it. And finally, Goddess bless Madam Rowling, for the world she created.
Only the twisted, deviant plot and a few other odds and ends are mine. The rest belongs to someone else. If you recognise it, it isn't mine.
Harry Potter and the Long Kiss Goodnight
Chapter Four.
Holly Evans leapt to her feet in shock when Harry returned, his face daubed in blood and staggering, and would have run to his aid immediately had she not been restrained by the cool presence of the two goblins.
Harry paused and stood looking up at the three for a moment. Something about his entire bearing had changed; he carried himself with an air of…nobility almost. "I am Lord Gryffindor."
The two goblins looked at each other with what could easily be interpreted as satisfaction.
"If you would care to return to the meeting room, we still have much to discuss, Lord Gryffindor." Goldmaw turned and strode swiftly up the stairs.
Harry nodded and stepped forward, only to be caught up in a bone-crushing hug from his Aunt.
"Harry, are you all right?"
Harry chuckled, "I'm fine, just a little cut on my hand." He held up his nearly healed hand to show her, as they both began climbing the stairs out of the Hall of Ancient Blood.
Once more situated in the lavish comfort of Meeting Room number Six, Harry and Holly took a few moments to take a sip from a fresh cup of tea, and for Holly to cast a quick cleaning charm over Harry.
"Once more to business then, if you would Goldmaw." Harry spoke quietly.
"Of course Mr. Potter." The Goblin opened a file in front of him, and began leafing through the contents. "As you no doubt saw, the Gryffindor vault is more or less empt…" Goldmaw blinked a couple of times at the paper in front of him.
Holly looked at Harry, "It's empty?"
Harry nodded, "Yeah, apparently the Potters have pillaged its riches over the centuries." He shrugged.
"Mr. Potter, did you leave behind anything in the vault before you left?" Goldmaw was watching a slowly increasing number on his parchment.
"Yes, I didn't like the idea of a vault with no money, so I emptied my pockets into it. Did I do something wrong?" Harry sounded a little unsure, and looked up at Holly gratefully when she gripped his hand in support.
"Quite to the contrary, Mr. Potter. Quite to the contrary." The goblin placed the sheet of parchment aside. "The Gryffindor Estate, like nearly all else, was long ago absorbed into the Potter holdings and can be accessed by using either of your two rings as a portkey. There are a number of land holdings around Britain and Europe, which you can examine at your leisure."
Holly gasped at that. Harry just nodded.
"Finally, you should be aware that you now possess two seats on the Wizengamot. The Potter seat is currently proxied to Albus Dumbledore, the Gryffindor seat sits empty beside the seats of the other three founders."
"Dumbledore, huh? Why am I not surprised?" Harry frowned and shook his head.
"The contents of this file are yours to peruse in your own time. We come now to the last Will and Testament of one Sirius Orion Black."
Harry paled, tears beginning to form in his eyes. Holly noticed and wrapped a supportive arm around his shoulders.
"The short version, Mr. Potter, is that he left you everything." Goldmaw actually smiled at that point, his gold-capped teeth glinting dangerously in the light.
"Everything?" Holly squeaked.
"Everything." Goldmaw confirmed, placing a small box on the table in front of Harry. "I recommend placing it on the ring finger of your left hand."
Harry opened the box, somewhat in shock. There, crouched malevolently in the midnight silk, was the Black family signet. He looked up at Holly for reassurance.
Holly was looking at the ring, her earlier concerns about the Potter and Gryffindor rings brought sharply into focus…here was the signet of a dark-aligned family. She nodded to Harry, but a shadow remained in her eyes as she watched him.
Harry grasped the ring, and quickly slid it onto his left ring finger. Then the pain hit.
Harry opened his eyes to find a pair of worried green eyes peering down at him.
"Harry?" His Aunt sounded very worried.
He blinked a couple of times. "Yeah, I'm fine…ummm…can you help me up?" He couldn't move for some reason.
"Finite. Sorry, but you were thrashing around a bit." She waved her wand at him, releasing him from the magical bindings.
He sat up and looked around, much of the rooms' furnishings were destroyed, and there were a number of scorch marks on the walls, floor and ceiling. "What happened?"
"It would appear that the Black family felt that it would be inappropriate for a Light-aligned wizard to be their ruling Lord." Goldmaw spoke from the other side of a knocked over table. "If you wouldn't mind, Madam Evans?" He indicated the damaged table and chairs.
Holly began casting repair charms over most of the damaged furnishings.
"I'm really very sorry about causing all this damage, Goldmaw…" Harry was interrupted.
"Mention it not, Mr. Potter. We, at Gringotts, are well accustomed to the foibles of the great families, and thus no responsibility accrues to your person. More to the point, you appear to have come through the ordeal intact, a feat men and women much older and more experienced than yourself have failed." The goblin nodded approvingly. "No Mr. Potter, a little mayhem serves but to liven up my day."
The three of them returned to the table as a fresh cup of tea was served by a nervous young goblin.
"Now, while Sirius Black did leave everything to you, he did leave a couple of requests for you. You need not fulfil them, you are Lord Black after all."
"Why couldn't he simply make the requests part of his will?" Harry asked.
"Mainly because Sirius Black never formally accepted the title of Lord Black." Goldmaw replied.
"Then how can he pass it on to me? Why isn't it going to Draco Malfoy?"
"Sirius Black was the heir to the Black title, as you are the heir of Sirius Black, the title gets passed to you first. You are in fact blood related to the Blacks via your paternal great-grandmother. As such, and with the endorsement of the then current heir, there can be no contest." Goldmaw opened the file in front of him, taking out a sheet of parchment. "The ring is on your hand, none may question your title now."
Harry nodded. "What were these requests?"
Goldmaw nodded approvingly, and slid the letter across the table to Harry.
Dear Prongslet,
Heh, yeah I know, you hated that, but it's not like I'll get many more opportunities to harass you about it. Anyway, I wanted to hand out a few odds and ends to the people in our lives and make sure a few other details were sorted out. If you're reading this and not blasting random pieces of scenery, it means you're a stronger man than I was. I held the ring only once, and did not dare put it on. If you are blasting random pieces of scenery, then I'm sorry for putting you through this ordeal.
You have a probably quite impatient goblin watching you, so I'll get right down to business.
For Remus Lupin, my brother, I wish for an account to be placed at Madam Malkin's to the value of 2000 galleons a year for the balance of his life, to be withdrawn from the Black vault. Any credit remaining at the end of each year to be given to Snivellus. I also ask that he be given a place to stay in any of the Black holdings. I don't want to see him living in squalor again.
For Rubeus Hagrid, the first person to befriend you Harry, I wish for a similar account to be set up with Madam Malkin. He'll never get his lady if he cannot dress well. 1000 galleons a year from the Black vault should see him well enough, but likewise if he doesn't use it, it goes to Snivellus.
For Ronald Weasley, your steadfast friend, I wish that the one-sixth partnership in the Chudley Cannons that I acquired in a game of chance a year ago be granted to him. Perhaps they'll win a game for him sometime.
For Hermione Granger, the most loyal of your friends, I have something else in mind. I wish that the Kingsbridge house, lands and holdings be granted to her and her offspring in perpetuity under the aegis of the Most Ancient and Noble House Black. The wording is specific, don't get it wrong.
For the Weasley family, who took you in as one of their own, I wish for an account to be established with Golbang, Golbang, and Greengrass Construction to a value of 150000 galleons for the refurbishment or reconstruction of their home. We are at war, and I know what the loss of their home would do to them. Again, paid for from the Black vault.
For Ginevra Weasley, who took the time to befriend me (of all people) last summer, I wish for the large chest at the back of the Black vault, the one marked with the crest of the pirate Emanuel Wynne, to be placed in trust for her dowry. She's worth it.
For Fred and George Weasley, who brightened my time mired you-know-where with their tricks and pranks, I wish for the Black family's one-quarter partnership in Zonko's to be transferred to their name. That should liven things up a little don't you think. Also, somewhere in the Potter library is a number of books written by the Marauders that the twins might find useful with that joke shop of yours. Yes, I know who funded it. Brilliant idea, if things had gone differently I might have done it myself when I left Hogwarts.
At your earliest convenience, return to my home and restore Andromeda and Nymphadora (heh) to the Family tapestry. The means to do so is in the Black Codex. I would recommend using the opportunity to disown certain other family members, but that is really your call.
That said, I ask that you grant Andromeda her dowry, and pass on to her my congratulations for having escaped the family.
Likewise, inform Nymphadora that she is still a Black and that her dowry is being kept in trust for her wedding. It'll give you a great opportunity to call her Nymphadora a couple of dozen times without repercussion.
I ask that you allow the gathering of the fried chicken to continue using my home, but give them all a sirius kick up the ass for me. Particularly the chief.
All said and done, I'm just sorry that you reading this means I cannot be there for you.
Live long, become an illegal animagus, make us all proud.
And I don't want to see you up here without a whole herd of Potters running loose down there when you're done.
Sirius Orion Black.
Padfoot.
Harry had tears running down his cheeks by the time he had finished reading the letter.
He wiped his eyes on his sleeve, and then looked at the goblin, who was indeed looking a little impatient. "Sorry for taking so long Goldmaw."
The goblin sipped his tea again and looked at the young lord in front of him. "Do you intend to fulfil the last requests of Sirius Black?"
"I do."
"Very well, sign these authorities for the transfer of funds for Remus Lupin, Rubeus Hagrid, and Arthur and Molly Weasley." Goldmaw passed several sheets of parchment across to Harry along with sealing wax.
Harry signed, then upon direction from Goldmaw, imprinted each form with the Black signet, releasing a small burst of magic each time. "Is that normal, Goldmaw?"
Goldmaw nodded, "These contracts are magically sealed. They cannot be faked or reproduced." He took out another handful of sheets of parchment. "Now, the transfer of partnership for the Chudley Cannons Quidditch Team is easily enough arranged, simply sign and place your signet. The transfer of Zonko's Joke Shop is a little more difficult. As it was left to two individuals, we have broken the quarter into two one-eighth partnerships, pending your approval, of course."
Harry thought about it for a moment. "Isn't it illegal for this kind of anti-competitive behaviour?"
The goblin looked at Harry speculatively. "The wizarding world has never had to deal with the kind of abuses that the muggle world takes for granted, so for the time being, no." He chuckled.
Harry shrugged and signed the three papers.
"Now the matter of Miss Ginevra Weasley's dowry. Do you wish to examine the contents of the chest before it is placed aside?"
"I'm sure Sirius knew what he was doing." Harry said, just wanting to get it out of the way.
Goldmaw watched the young wizard again. "Very well. The requests relating to Andromeda and Nymphadora Tonks cannot be carried out until they have been restored to the family line. The other requests are obviously intended for you directly, though I will mention that becoming an unregistered animagus is not a sensible course of action for the Lord of three great families."
Harry nodded.
"Now finally, the request for Miss Granger. The procedure for this is a little more involved than simply the transfer of properties. I am required to gather a number of witnesses for this." The goblin rang a bell.
Griphook entered the room. "The witnesses have been gathered, is it time?"
"It is."
Griphook stepped out of the room. Moments later he returned, holding the door open while five extravagantly garbed goblins entered, followed by a rather surprised Percy Weasley who quickly schooled his face into a neutral expression.
Harry frowned at the outcast Weasley brother, when Goldmaw cleared his throat.
"These are the witnesses, Lord Black, to your enfranchisement of Miss Granger. They are Blagstiff, Cobol, Frondak, Hellmaw and Ragnok, all Managers of the various divisions here at Gringotts. Representing the Ministry is Junior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, Percival Weasley
Harry rose to his feet and bowed respectfully to the managers, largely disregarding Percy. "Thank you for your valuable time."
"Now, you must speak the words." Goldmaw moved to join his fellow goblins.
Harry cleared his throat, suddenly nervous before such powerful personages. A feeling of comfort radiated through his body from his right hand, settling his nerves. "I, Lord Black, do grant the Kingsbridge house, lands and holdings unto Hermione Granger and her offspring in perpetuity under the aegis of the Most Ancient and Noble House Black." During the recitation, Harry's whole demeanor had changed, from nervous young man to confident young lord.
The goblins all murmured among themselves for a moment, then replied as one, "Heard and Witnessed."
Percy was in shock. The recent revelation that the Dark Lord had indeed returned had shaken Percy out of his complacency. That Harry had been telling the truth for over a year now and had been unfairly slandered at Fudge's behest, was all too apparent. That the so called 'sadly delusional, attention seeking liar' was the new Lord Black, head of one of the most feared and ancient Dark families in Europe was an interesting development. That his first action was to make a muggleborn into a landholder and thus, her children when she had them, into Purebloods under the protection of House Black, revealed a political naivety that would swiftly result in his certain destruction…unless someone advised him. Naïve yes, but it also highlights his intense loyalty to those close to him. Percy suddenly realised that proceedings were waiting upon him, "Heard and Witnessed…Lord Black." He made a subtle gesture with his left hand, before folding his hands up into the loose sleeves of his robe of office. I hope Harry understands, there is far too much at risk here.
Harry's eyes flew open as the five filed out of the room again, followed by a very reluctant Percy Weasley. Percy had quite deliberately flashed the Gryffindor Quidditch Team's hand signal for 'I've got a plan, trust me.' Harry nodded faintly, he was willing to give Percy the benefit of the doubt.
Goldmaw returned to his seat and completed the paperwork for Hermione Granger's enfranchisement.
Harry returned to his seat beside a very proud Holly, and watched the goblin at work.
A few minutes later Goldmaw asked Harry to sign and affix his seal to the parchment. A substantial flash of golden light filled the room briefly, leaving the previously red sealing wax a dark golden colour.
Halfway across London, Hermione Granger was sitting down to lunch with her parents when to all their surprise a golden glow encompassed her, blinding them all momentarily.
"What was that, honey? I thought you weren't allowed to use magic out of school." Helen Granger, more curious than worried.
"I have no idea. It might have been accidental magic, but I cannot imagine what caused it." Hermione was a little curious herself.
"Perhaps you could ask Molly or Arthur about it when you visit them later in the summer." Dan said, turning back to his medical journal. "Don't forget your potions, now."
"I think I will." Hermione said, mostly to herself, as she drank down the rather awful tasting potions before starting her lunch.
"Your business is now complete with us, Mr. Potter. Griphook will accompany you down to your vaults if you wish to visit them." Goldmaw rose to his feet, collected up his paperwork and after a quick bow to Harry, left.
Harry returned Goldmaw's bow and turned to Griphook. "Yes, we will need a substantial sum of money, both wizarding and muggle." He looked to Holly for confirmation.
"Yes, quite a bit." She nodded.
"Follow me then." Griphook led them to the carts, and down into the depths.
Their first stop was Harry's trust vault.
"Griphook, I hardly need a trust vault any longer. Could you arrange for this vault to be set up in preparation for the first of my own children. With, shall we say, a starting balance of twenty thousand galleons, with the remainder being shifted up to the Gryffindor vault." Harry was looking thoughtful.
Griphook blinked in shock. "Of-of course, Mr. Potter." He withdrew a slate from the cart and inscribed Harry's request. "If you could place your signet here to confirm the request, the Potter one." Griphook clarified when Harry looked unsure.
Harry pressed the Potter signet to the slate. He looked once more at the contents of the vault, which were now much reduced.
The ride back up to the Black vault was pretty quiet.
As was Harry's time alone inside it.
What he saw while within that vault he would never talk about, nor would he ever allow anyone to accompany him inside…but the haunted look in his eyes after each visit spoke volumes.
His order to have half the remaining Black fortune immediately shifted to the Gryffindor vault came as no surprise to either Griphook or Holly, one look in his eyes said it all.
Goldmaw looked up from his desk. His personal power within the goblin nation had just taken a significant boost. Young Potter must have transferred a substantial amount of funds into the Gryffindor vault. Interesting. Very Interesting. At this rate I may soon overtake Ragnok as foremost on the Goblin Council…
The cart rolled only a couple of dozen yards before stopping outside the Potter family vault.
Harry entered this vault with a feeling of optimism. Looking around him, he saw what he had expected to see when he had entered the Gryffindor vault. Vast piles of coin, suits of armour, weapons of all kinds, gems, jewellery, tapestries, and banners adorning walls and ceiling. Row after row of books lined the wall to his left, whiles chests and trunks were piled together along the length of the wall to his right.
He filled several bags with galleons and left them piled by the entrance while he explored a little.
Sitting haphazardly atop a neatly stacked row of tomes, was a book that looked a little out of place. Upon the cover was a picture of a muggle hot air balloon. Harry picked it up, opening it to the first page.
It was a photo of a much younger Remus Lupin dozing on the couch in the Gryffindor common room. As Harry watched, a young Sirius and James popped up from behind the couch and dumped a large bucket of ice water over the helpless Moony, who yelled, leapt up and jumped over the couch to tackle the other two. Harry couldn't help himself, as the laughter bubbled out of him.
"Harry? We have places to go. Are you done?" Holly's voice could barely be heard.
Harry closed the photo album, tucked it under his arm and ran back to the entrance snatching up the bags of galleons on his way.
"What's that, Harry?" She asked when he reappeared.
"A photo album from my parent's time in school. I think. I want to check it out."
Holly nodded, "Perhaps we can look at it together later."
"I'd like that." Harry climbed into the cart and they rushed to the surface.
A few minutes at the currency exchange counter left them with sufficient muggle currency to last them a while, and they headed out into Diagon Alley once again, with their cowls pulled close about their faces. As they walked out of the bank, someone who had obviously been waiting for them stepped into their path.
Percy, his hands empty and spread out non-threateningly, spoke quickly. "Lord Black, may I have a few words?"
Harry looked briefly at Holly, who nodded. "Yes, but make it quick Mr. Weasley." He spoke in little above a hoarse whisper.
Percy nodded approvingly. Perhaps he is not totally naïve, or perhaps the woman advises him, nevertheless. "Lord Black, with your assumption of your title, you have entered a new area of conflict. Politics. If you find yourself in need of advice in this field, I would be honoured to assist you."
Harry looked at the estranged Weasley for a few moments. "A rather sudden about face for you isn't that?"
The redhead nodded. "I was wrong, and wish to make amends. This is the one area where I can help you."
"I will consider your offer," Harry stepped closer, his voice lowering menacingly, "I don't want to hear about how I was out and about in Diagon Alley the day after I went missing. Prove to me that my trust in you, Percy, is not misplaced."
Percy lowered his head, took out his wand slowly, very aware that the woman with Harry had hers trained on him, and spoke quietly, "I swear on my magic to never willingly betray the trust you have given me, Harry." A faint glow spread out from end of his wand.
"A true oath. You can trust his word." The woman was speaking. "I recommend you learn Occlumency, Mr Weasley."
The two strode past Percy, heading away down Diagon Alley, before he could speak again.
Percy slowly made his way back to his desk in front of the Minister's office, carefully planning the memo to Fudge about how he had been called to Gringotts for another meaningless ceremony of no importance.
At close of trading that evening, the seating arrangements came as quite a surprise to the six most powerful Goblins in Europe. Goldmaw had indeed moved up in standing, though still eclipsed by that of Ragnok, in whose care stood the Ravenclaw vault, it's hoard untouched these past three centuries.
"Ragnok." Goldmaw nodded to his superior, the nod of a near equal.
Ragnok smiled, he had ruled Goblinkind for over four hundred years, bringing them safely through two civil wars, five wizard wars, two world wars, a handful of skirmishes, and one 'police action.' He was tired. "Not yet Goldmaw, not yet." He turned to the other managers, "It is time for the daily reports. Cobol, we shall begin with you."
Author Note:
Percy's sudden about face will be explained in subsequent chapters. As will the fate of Mundungus Fletcher. Never fear.