Chapter four

Harry sat and listened to everything Hermione told him, and even though he was shocked, he took her into his room and handed her the documents that the goblins had given him.

'It sounds like Mrs. Weasley and Ginny knew about this. I'd never heard that your father was a lord and had castles and mansions, not to mention the money. So think of this Harry, maybe Mrs. Weasley knew and told Ginny when she used to tell her stories about the boy who lived.'

'What are you talking about Hermione, what stories?'

'Oh, I thought I mentioned it. See Mrs. Weasley used to tell her kids bedtime stories, that's normal. But after what happened to you and your parents, she used to tell them you're story. Ginny told me she wanted to rescue that little boy who had to go live with muggles. I thought it was sweet actually. But if Mrs. Weasley told her about this, maybe she's been in Ginny's ear about her being the one to marry you.'

'Maybe, remember before Bill's wedding. I know she tried to keep us three apart, but she did seem to push me and Ginny together. I never even knew she heard about us dating and it she just did that to keep us separated.'

'I thought that as well, but now, after hearing what I have and reading this, I think it's more to do with trying to get Ginny and you to marry. But remember what I heard, her mother said to do anything. This said that if you got some girl pregnant, than that woman and child would be the rightful heirs even if you never married her.'

'You think Ginny would deliberately fall pregnant to make sure she was the one?'

'After the last few days, yes I do. If Ginny is determined to get you, then I could see her trying to seduce you especially if you kept putting off any talk of marriage.'

'I don't want to get married Hermione, at least not yet. But to get hold of things that belonged to my parents, I have no choice. At one time I did think maybe there might be a future with Ginny, now though, I can't trust that she would want me for me or me for this. Bloody hell Hermione, I thought hearing the prophecy was bad enough. I had no choice then and it looks like I don't have any now.'

'If I wasn't with Ron I would marry you just so you could inherit what is rightfully yours and I know you would only want this so you could find out about your parents. So since you can't take the chance on marrying Ginny and I'm out, have you thought about who you could marry even if it was just a marriage of convenience?'

'No,' Harry sighed then sat down, 'but I'll have to think of someone and hope they'll go along with it. Did you tell Ron what you heard?'

'No, I thought it was best to stay quiet. I don't think he knows anything about this, but this is his sister and his mother and we didn't know about them until now. We can't be positive he might not help them when he realises what would be in it for him if you married Ginny.'

'Yeah, rich, but I never thought that Mrs. Weasley would do anything to have money even if they never had any. They seemed fine with their life and never having anything. What about Mr. Weasley, has he said anything?'

'No, I don't think he knows about this either, but again we can't be sure. I had an idea so you could find out though.'

'What.'

'At first I was going to ask to borrow your cloak, but it would be better and less suspicious if you used it. Now listen to this and see if you think it might work,' Hermione outlined her plans, not just for Harry to hear what he needed, but to protect Harry as well. By the time Hermione finished, Harry smiled and hugged her.

'You have always come through for me Hermione and not once deserted me. Now you've just come up with some great plans which could save me a lot of heartache in the long run. Okay, first part is easy, well I hope, I won't know until I talk to him. Second part, when should we do this?'

'Tomorrow, they know you went to Gringotts about this inheritance. So they must be working on some plans of their own.'

'Alright, I'll be there after breakfast.'

'Don't forget to keep the cloak hidden. Now I better go, it's late and Mrs. Weasley does have a tendency to check on her kids, even me,' Hermione hugged Harry then left with hopes that she had helped Harry so he never had to go through with whatever the two Weasley woman were planning.

The following morning Harry stepped into the private room where Severus Snape was recovering. He explained what he needed and what he would get out of it if he could help. Severus told Harry the password to his potions store cupboard. Harry thanked him and promised that as soon as he could get some things out of the vaults, he would pass them onto Snape.

Harry went and got the potion he needed, put it in his pocket even though he didn't think he'd need it yet, but better to be safe than sorry. He made sure his cloak was not showing through his jacket before heading to the Burrow. He stopped outside the door for a few minutes, then knocked and stepped inside where Mrs. Weasley gave him one of her famous rib cracking hug. Harry looked at Hermione who was the only other person in the kitchen before he sat beside her.

'So are you finally coming home Harry?'

'No, I'm buying my own place. I just wanted to wait until Snape was well enough before I left Hogwarts.'

'You are really too young to be living alone, so come home where I can look after you.'

'Sorry Mrs. Weasley, but I want my own place and my own space. I never had a chance before because I was always being guarded. But now I'm of age, meaning an adult, I want to live alone before I decide it's time to see the world.'

'The world, what do you mean?'

'I mean I'm going to travel for a year or so. Just get on a muggle plane and leave. I was thinking of a port key, but I don't want anyone to find out where I'm going even though I haven't decided on any destination. I never really got to see anything before, especially with the Dursley's. I decided it was time I do get to see some of the world.' Harry felt Hermione squeeze his hand under the table because they both saw a worried look on Mrs. Weasley face. They also knew it was getting close to working on their second part of the plan, and hope it everything went right. They just had to wait until Ginny came down for breakfast.