Chapter 6:

We Meet Again

Harry stood at the gates to Hogwarts, nervously fingering the cuffs of his robe. It'd been too long since he'd seen Ginny, or Ron and Hermione for that matter – but mainly Ginny. Kreacher had come and told him Ginny had been hurt, but his Misses – Alannah, had fixed her up. He'd thought to all the people he'd seen over the last week. Kingsley, the Creevey's, Lavender, Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom, Healer Estel, Headmistress.. The list seemed too long, and void of those he really wanted to see: The Weasley's, Hermione, and Teddy. The week after he spoke to Kingsley seemed to drag on, yet go so fast. He placed his hand on the gate, as the Headmistress told him to, and it opened for him. The warming sensation that went through his body at the contact was strange; it felt like a hug from a close friend after a long separation. He followed the path up to the castle. He looked sadly at what use to be doors, but was now just a gaping hole in the castle. He walked straight to the Great Hall, it was breakfast time. A hushed silence fell over the tables when Harry entered; he cursed himself for not bringing his cloak. No one seemed to be sitting at their house tables; everyone just sat where there was an open spot. His eyes hungrily searched the tables for the one person he needed to see: Ginny. She hadn't noticed the silence yet, her eyes were still on her food, pushing it lazily around her plate. Harry cast his patronous and sent the great stag after her, watching as it laid its wispy head on her shoulder. She looked up at the light, and he watched amused as her eyes searched the hall hungrily, just as his did. When their eyes met, his face split in to a goofy grin. He knew the whole hall was watching, he didn't care.

He watched as she got up, striding quickly towards him – he quickly followed suit. They met at the halfway point, Ginny threw herself at him, wrapping her legs around his waist, her hands tangling in his hair. Their lips met, and Harry felt his heart soar, the beast inside him purred. Just as their lips met, the whole hall stood, clapping, cheering, and wolf whistles all in unison. Ginny smiled against his lips at their friends and family.

Harry Potter! What on earth do you think you're doing?" screeched Molly Weasley very disapprovingly. Ginny pecked his lips one more time, dropping from his waist. She whirled to face her mother, who by now was red in the face, placed her hand on her hip and in a matched Molly Weasley shrill, screeched across the hall, "He's snogging his girlfriend, what's it look like mum?" The silence fell over the hall again. Harry sneaked a peak at Molly, then glanced at the rest of the family. Percy, Bill and Charlie looked livid, Ron blushed. George, who he knew had been distraught, threw his head back and laughed. All eyes turned to George in an instant, as did Molly's. George laughed clutching his sides, and quickly falling back, off of the bench.

"HE'S SNOGGING.. HARRY POTTERS SNOGGING..HAHAHA..SNOGGING GINNY..HAHAHA! AND HES SCARED! HE KILLED TOM RIDDLE..AND HES SCARED OF MY MUM HAHAHAHA!" George gasped for air, laughing wildly.

"He's gone mental" whispered Ron to Hermione sadly. She shook her head in agreement. Harry and Ginny had walked over to them, hand in hand and sat next to Ron, directly across from Molly. He glanced up at Molly again, shamefaced. She instantly softened. "Well, alright then!" She pulled her husband up from next to her and snogged him senseless, despite the cries of "MUM!", "EW!" "Bloody hell!". Arthur sat back down, dumbstruck. "There! Now that we've all got the post-war snogging out, maybe we can act like grown wizards and witches! I expect the both of you not to go gallivanting in public!" Georges laughter had paused at his mother snogging his father. His eyes had searched the halls for someone, finding her with her family at the Slytherin table. Pulling himself up off the floor, he ran over two tables, knocking things everywhere, coming up shortly behind the one he sought. His hand reached out and tapped her on the shoulder. When she turned, he bowed deeply, held his hand out and professed, "May I have the honor of snogging your daughter, mam?" Mrs. Johnson looked bewildered, but she sought her daughter's eyes and when she nodded, Mrs. Johnson replied, "Okay?" George jumped over the table, picked Angelina up kissed her. Then all hell broke loose. Some people started crying, some laughing, but many running around trying to find the one they wished to share the moment with. After several minutes, Headmistress stood up.

"Stop! In all my years… You are all adults! Have you all gone mad? Welcome back Mr. Potter, but next time, such an entrance is not necessary!"

"I'm sorry Headmistress, I wasn't thinking straight."

"May we all resume our breakfast now?"

The hall nodded in agreement, flittering back to their seats. "Hi" Harry said lamely to Ginny. "Hi" she smiled. Merlin he loved that smile! "Oi! Mate, next time you snog my sister, can you do it privately? I don't need to see that!" came Ron's voice; "Ronald!" piped up Hermione, nudging him in the ribs. "How about we all go to the burrow and have a family breakfast?"

Molly burst in to tears, Arthur wrapped an arm around her. "We can't Harry, the burrow burned down, don't you remember? We don't have the money to repair it."

"How about we go assess the damage then?" asked Harry, his eyes filled with a mischievous twinkle.

All the Weasley's nodded in agreement, grateful to get out of the castle for a little bit. When they reached outside of the gates, he held his arms out to everyone. They all grabbed hold, some protesting that they can apparate themselves, but finally taking hold. He'd apparated them to the spot that was once a gnome filled, flowerless garden that now boomed with life. The flowers seemed endless, weaving an intricate path up to a moderate house that was very "Burrow" worthy. Each story seemed to stack atop another, slightly off center, yet perfectly balanced. The house was made of beautiful grey stone, with dark green ivy flowing all the way up the towering building. Little red flowers seemed to twinkle in the ivy, it was beautiful. Molly was staring at the house awestruck, Ginny and Fleur were staring at the garden, Ron and Charlie were staring at the Quidditch pitch peeking from behind the house, Bill was staring at the puffs of smoke coming from the chimney, and Arthur, Arthur was staring longingly at the little black sports car in the driveway.

"but..how.." Molly finally said.

"My gift to you, for all you've done for me over the years." Molly's eyes welled with tears, Ron looked ticked off.

"Harry…this is too much..you shouldn't waste your inheritance like this!"

"Actually, I didn't pay for it. Money was donated to me during the war, I've donated the funds a lot of ways, and this is one of them. Hermione, I donated a large amount to S.P.E.W, and The Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, in your name. Ron, I donated to The Department of Magical Games and Sports, and the Cannons for you. Let's go inside yeah? Alannah should have biscuits for us." Ginny perked up, grabbed his hand and ran inside, eyes flashing wildly looking for Alannah, finally registering her surroundings she gasped. Everything was as it had been, but new. The kitchen in its place, the living room – everything was the same. She turned and kissed Harry lightly, amazed at what he'd done for her family. Everyone moved together, as though they couldn't stand to be separated. They all sat around the enlarged kitchen, swapping stories, jokes, and smiles. It was like the last week didn't even exist, like they hadn't been a part at all. As everyone was sipping tea, Harry brought up the appointment he needed to make with Gringotts. "I was wondering if um.. Mrs. Weasley, if you'd accompany me, and Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Bill too." He asked, looking around the table. Bill perked up at this. "You want me to come? Why me?" he asked. "Well, you're brilliant with this stuff, and I could use you there." Mrs. Weasley piped up "Of course, we'd all love to come with you Harry, when is it?"

"Errr..When is good for everyone? I haven't made an appointment yet."

"How about tomorrow?"

"Okay, I'll send an owl, um..May I borrow someone's owl?"

"Of course dear, I'm guessing they'll be where they always are, since everything else is."

As Harry pulled back from the large oak table, a large ugly barn owl came through the magical hole in the window – left specifically for the owls. The owl came to a hault, landing on Harry's shoulder, holding it's leg out. Harry took the rolled parchment, reading to himself for a few moments.

"Gringotts has requested a meeting with me – today."

Mrs. Weasley jumped back, rushing off towards her new old room. "Great, she'll fret now. We best all go get ready. Hermione, I think I have some things that will fit you, if not we can always transfigure to fit." Ginny said, letting go of his hand. As Ginny and Hermione started up the stairs, they heard a gleeful shriek from deep in the house, where Mrs. Weasley stood. "S'okay, she's just discovering some things I was able to get back." Harry scourgified his robes, straightened his glasses and tried to slick his hair back in the window. "Mr. Weasley, I know you really want to drive it now, but you're going to have to get your muggle license. I found a wizard that can teach you, I'm sure he'll meet with you today if you ask."

"Who?"

"Draco Malfoy."

The remaining family at the table all gasped at this, "Forget what you know, he's alrigh now. Would you like me to take you now?" Arthur nodded, taking Harry's hand as they apparated away.

"Draco? I remember you saying you'd be here today.. Could you, would you teach Arthur to drive?"

"I've told you I would Harry, Hello Arthur." Draco held his hand out expectantly. Arthur raised an eyebrow, but took his hand and shook it firmly. "Glad to see you haven't grown in to your father, Draco." He nodded appreciatively They were currently outside of Snape's house. "Draco, could you bring me in there some time?"

"Why would I do that Potter?" he sneered.

"Look for yourself."

He waited patiently as Draco sifted through Snapes final moments, and the memories of Snapes' memories."

"I'll think about it."

The three men talked for awhile, after checking his watch, Harry excused himself to go back to The Burrow. When he entered the kitchen, he found Bill gazing off in the distance. "Still waiting?" he asked. "I expect it won't be too much longer, but with three women you never know." Ron replied. Bill had ignored his question completed, finally leveling with him he said, "You know, I'm not happy about you and my sister. I don't care that you're Harry Potter, all I care is that she's my sister, she's too young, and you've played her around too much." Rendered speechless, he wasn't sure what to say. He had played her around, not intentionally – there was a bloody war going on! They weren't that young, not anymore. The war had matured them in too many ways, one of which robbing them of their childhood. They were forced to grow up quickly, grow up or get killed. For so long he'd worried about what people think, so long he'd cared what Dumbledore, his parents, Lupin, Sirius, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley thought of him, and now Bill. He made his choice, and spoke.

"I respect your opinion Bill, but that is yours, and mine differs. We're not too young anymore; look at how we've all grown since the war. I never meant to mess with Ginny, I.. I.. I love her. Yes, I LOVE HER. I've dealt with so many people's CRAP that I'm tired of it. I just want to be happy, and if you think I'm going to let you stop me from being happy, go and ask the last wizard who decided I, or anyone else didn't deserve happiness how that turned out for him. Wait, that's right you can't, he's dead."

Bill's eyes bulged as Harry finished yelling at him. Bill stood up, his eyes glaring in to Harry's, and offered him his hand. As Harry reached out to shake it, Ginny came flying at him from the doorway.

"Oh Harry! I love you too!"

"and I love you." They stared into each other's eyes, silently speaking all the words they'd never spoken. He didn't look at what she was wearing, he couldn't tear his eyes from hers to see.

"Oiii….." Ron's words were lost on his lips, perhaps stuck in his throat as Hermione entered, wearing a pale blue muggle "suit". He didn't know this was a formal event. Her pants flared slightly, the jacket hugged her curves, and he could see a small tuft of black ruffles peeking out of her chest. Her hair flowed around her in what he would describe as a waterfall. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He tried to strut over, enveloping her in a hug.

"Ron! You're going to wrinkle it!"

"I love you, Hermione, it's always been you." A blush crept up her cheeks, making her look perfect. He knew she was about to lecture him on how long it'd taken her to de-wrinkle that suit, so he busied her lips with his.

"Oh not this again, come on we must be going!" Bill and Mrs. Weasley exclaimed at the same time. The two couples broke a part, the men smiling like dogs and the women blushing. Harry was the first to speak,

"Thank you all for coming with me, I'm not sure what they want to talk about but I didn't want to do it alone."

"Don't be silly Harry, we're your family!" Mrs. Weasley told him, smiling fondly as he blushed at being included in "family". "You too Hermione, you're our family too! At the rate you four are going, I wouldn't be surprised if it was legal soon! Wait, don't dote on that idea, not yet!" she added.

The family got up, moving to the garden, where Ginny grabbed his hand. They all apparated away, landing directly in front of Gringotts. Harry took a nervous breath, taking the lead up the marble stairs. A hushed silence fell over the goblins when Harry entered, most giving him a menacing look. He wasn't intimidated by them, but it saddened him that he'd angered them so. A guard met them at Head desk, escorting them to a side corridor he'd never been down, ending at a large room with a conference table. They all sat, talking quietly until Bokluk came in, followed in suit by Griphook, who was carrying a very large stack of files.

Bokluk placed his hand on the table, muttering a string of foreign words. When he stopped, the room seemed to take on a white glow.

"We may begin now. I have sealed the room, no one may come in or out, and no one may overhear what we discuss. Mr. Potter, your guests are interesting, these are of course, private matters concerning your personal family account. The secrets I am to unveil have been closely guarded by this bank for hundreds of years, if there is anyone you feel you cannot trust to keep these secrets, please escort them out now."

For a split second, Harry's eyes flashed to Bill. The hurt and discomfort was obvious on his face, so while maintaining eye contact, he spoke, "That's not necessary Bokluk, I trust all of these people with my life – they are my family." Bill relaxed under his gaze.

"Well then, let us proceed. Normally, Mr. Potter when a witch or wizard reaches of age, they will meet with their parents and Gringotts account manager to discuss their financial well-being throughout their life. However, since your parents are no longer with us, and your case is especially peculiar, you'll be meeting with both your account manager and myself. We can start with your mother and father's account. Now that you've reached of age, your full inheritance has been released to you."

"Wait, full inheritance?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter. The vault you have been using was set up by your parents for your security in case they were not there to help you. I'm sure they expected you'd spend more, but that is that. Your current vault contains a little over one-hundred thousand galleons, originally it held one-hundred fifty thousand, after your very small withdrawals, and the deposits made to Hogwarts for your schooling, that is its standing. Your parents vault, if you'll open the first file, contains approximately eighty-four million galleons, as well as several properties and businesses. The full list is contained in that folder. The Black family vault was also left to you. The second folder contains that vault, and family assets."

"Can you tell me who the remaining decedents are of the Black family?" Harry asked Bokluk.

"If I am correct, The four remaining decedents live in your household.."

"That is what I thought. Can you please transfer ownership of the Black vaults contents, aside from currency, jointly to Narcissa Malfoy and Andromeda Tonks? I'd also like 25% of the total valuation of the Black family transferred to an inheritance vault for Edward Remus Lupin, with myself and Ginny Weasley as the trustees. I'd like an additional 25% transferred to Draco Malfoy's account. Again, any possessions the account contains include in the valuation, but I want all items to be left for Narcissa and Andromeda. Also, given the nature of the Black family – if Bill Weasley and a team of Goblins could go through the vault and remove anything they deem "dark magic" and transfer those items to an additional vault. This vault can be paid for out of my personal account until Narcissa and Andromeda have the opportunity to go through it. Anything illegal in the wizarding world, can of course be turned over to the Ministry."

Bill nodded in agreement and acceptance of what was asked of him. Ginny had gasped at being a trustee, but didn't object. Griphook scribbled rapidly on a notepad as Harry was speaking, only now just catching up. Griphook motioned Harry over, and then Ginny.

"If you two could sign this, we can have the inheritance vault set up today." Harry looked at the document, becoming quickly puzzled. He looked to Ginny, silently asking if she understood what is says.

"Sorry Harry, only partly. Hermione? Could you read this while we continue and make sure it's what Harry wants?" Hermione looked flustered at being included, but nodded quickly. Harry and Ginny took their seats again, looking to Bokluk to resume the meeting.

The next account is the reason for my presence at this meeting. The rest of the stack contains the account numbers and assets. You, Mr. Potter, are the sole heir to the Peverell family fortune." Everyone gasped loudly, Hermione dropped the papers she was holding, Ginny squeezed his hand reassuringly, and Ron seemed to instantly turn sour.

"What is the valuation of that account?" Harry asked

"We don't really know, Mr. Potter. The list of assets is so extensive, the last valuation was a little over ten years ago. The vault itself grows daily, by the second actually. The last time the full account was valued it stood at about eight-hundred forty billion galleons. Of course, it took us nearly 8 months to do the full valuation, during which the account continued to grow."

Harry had opened a file and blinked several times. He practically owned Hogsmeade, and a large portion of Diagon Alley as well. The properties list took three separate folders. This was too much for him. How had his mother and father managed all of this? "Bokluk, how did my family manage this? Our family wasn't large, it's just all so..much."

"I believe that your father had his friends help. Remus was particularly skilled at managing the money side of things, with your mother and a few of her friends. Your father and Sirius were the property managers. Prior to his imprisonment, Sirius was quite skilled in persuasion, believe it or not. It is him who sold me my house, in fact. Somehow he had managed to convince me that I would have several children and needed a mile long garden. I remember him fondly. So, the answer to your question is that everyone chipped in where they could." Harry remained silent for several minutes, thinking to himself. He did have a family now, and he trusted them with the Potter's best kept secrets, surely he could trust them with his fortune?

"So…" he said, looking around at his family. "Who wants to "chip in"?" His family's faces turned bashful, no one wanted to be the first to speak. "Hermione, you're brilliant with numbers, would you like to help with that side of things?" she looked in to his eyes and knew she couldn't refuse. "Yes, of course Harry, if that's what you want." He continued looking, no one spoke. "Do I have to do this all on my own?" he asked no one in particular. "Harry," Ginny spoke up. "I'd love to work with the properties, and I think Fleur might too. She's amazing at fixing up places." He'd nodded, "Bill, do you think Fleur would want that? Let's just ask her, Bokluk, can you send a message to the Weasley household, asking them all to join us? Does that fireplace work? Can they floo in?"

"Yes Mr. Potter, the door cannot be used until I close this meeting, but they can floo in. Would someone like to go get them?" Ron stood up and left, grabbing a handful of powder, disappearing. They sat waiting, Harry took this moment to meet Mrs. Weasleys eyes. "Mrs. Weasley?" he asked. "Yes, Harry dear?" she couldn't meet his eyes and longer, so she glanced at the table, fiddling with her braclet. "Mrs. Weasley, you know I'd like you to oversee all the accounts, so how about you just say yes and we can stop being awkward?" She looked up again, "Harry, I can't." his face fell slightly, "Why not?" she looked at him shamefaced, "Because we're poor Harry! Have you gone mental? Asking me to oversee billions of galleons when I don't even have one hundred in my vault, let alone one hundred billion! I won't do it Harry, no." the light finally clicked for him. She was worried she'd make a mistake, that she couldn't do the job. "Mrs. Weasley, you know that you can. Look at how well you manage your family's money, squandering ever last knut. These accounts will be a breeze for you compared to that. Oh, and your account contains far more than one hundred galleons. Please? I'll pay you, what does a senior account manager make Bokluk?"

Bokluk had generally ignored the exchange, this was family business, not Gringotts business. He'd heard when Harry asked and replied absently, "seventy-five thousand galleons a year." Harry returned his eyes to Molly, "I'll pay you One-hundred fifty to manage this. Look at it this way, pretty soon all your kids will be out of the house, and you're going to be bored out of your mind. Please?" He'd asked for the last time, if she refused he wasn't sure what he'd do. "Mum, Harry's right, you'd be bloody brilliant with this, and I know that you know that. Accept the offer."

"Oh fine! But I don't want paying Harry."

"It's settled then! Mrs. Weasley will oversee all the accounts, can you set up a monthly deposit of twelve-thousand five-hundred galleons to be deposited monthly in to her account? Griphook, I'd like you to work with Mrs. Weasley on this, and you'll be paid the same of course. Do you have any objections to that?"

Griphook physically shook his head, had Harry really just doubled his salary? "Of course, Mr. Potter. Mrs. Weasley and I can set this up to where anyone you wish to help you can communicate with one of us, and we can communicate to you."

"Thank you Griphook" Harry bowed to the goblin. Griphook was shell-shocked. A wizard had never bowed to him, and here stood the richest wizard in the entire wizarding world, and he'd bowed to a "creature". The shock was evident on his face, Harry had taken it as displeasure. "I'm sorry, have I offended you? I thought it was custom Goblin tradition to bow" he trailed off in mumblings. "Yes, Mr. Potter it is, but wizards do not bow to us, they believe themselves greater than that." Understanding lit Harry's eyes: he was an odd wizard. "Oh" was all he could find to say. Thankfully, the entire Weasley family came popping out of the fireplace, one by one, last to come through was Draco Malfoy.

"Sorry Harry, he refused to stay, I told him he's a bloody git and to stay away from us, but he refused."

"Ron, this may be hard to understand, but.. Draco and I have set aside our differences; I hope you can do the same. We're all family now, so let's act like it. Hey Draco, how'd the driving go? We're discussing how to best control my finances."

"It was…as good as you'd expect it to go." He grimaced, Harry laughed.

"Mr. Malfoy" Bokluk spoke, "You're account has been updated, you'll have to wait for the meeting to close before you can go visit it though. Please take a seat everyone. Mr. Potter here has some things to discuss."

"Okay..so, I was wondering if anyone would like to help me with my finances. Hermione, Mrs. Weasley, and Ginny have all agreed to help. Bokluk said that normally, my family had friends help them, so that is what I'm asking of all of you. Fleur, Ginny said that you might be interested in helping with property, I'd like to ask if I could actually hire you as my complete property manager. You'd be free to hire anyone else you'd need, there's a lot of it apparently."

"Of courze I v'oud love to!" squealed Fleur. "I 'ave al'vays wanted to work in the real estate business, 'vill Ginny be working with me?"

"She said she'd like to, you two are both free to hire anyone needed. We can discuss the details later. Draco spoke up now, "Harry, I wouldn't mind helping a little. I don't want it as a full time job, I have other life plans, but may I suggest you ask my mother? She ran the Malfoy finances before my father restricted her, and she's actually pretty brilliant. She doubled the Malfoy account in a few years, which is quite amazing in itself. I think she'd really appreciate the offer. I know that, now that we're free of my father's influence, she would love to work with charities, if that's in your plans at all."

"If I make her an offer, working with my account handling charities, do you think there is any chance she will refuse?"

"No."

"Bokluk, can you please set up the same type of pay scale as Mrs. Weasley for Mrs.. Mrs.. For Narcissa. Don't bother setting one up for Ginny, please have a key made for her to all my vaults. For now, do the same for Fleur. Oh, and while looking through the Peverell asset list.. I notice a certain property." He'd stood to walk closer to Bokluk to discuss it privately. Lowering his voice, "Bokluk, can you have this property transferred? How much have they paid on this amount?"

"Over the years? Approximately ten-thousand galleons."

"Put that back in their vault from whichever account it was being paid in to. I'll sign anything you need of me, just transfer ownership of The Burrow to them."

"Very well."

"If no one else wants to volunteer, how about we wrap this up. I think many of us would like to visit our vaults now, if that's okay."

Griphook replied this time, "Of course, Mr. Potter all your accounts have been combined to the vault you have always visited. Would you like a different vault?" Harry shook his head, wanting to hold on to the vault his parents had chosen for him. "Very well, let me unseal the door and we can go." As Griphook unsealed the door, he'd turned to Mrs. Weasley, "Can Ginny come with me?" flustered, she hastily replied, "Of course Harry." He turned to Ginny, "would you like to come with me?" she nodded. Harry noticed she'd remained mostly silent during the meeting, he wondered why. The door clicked open and they all followed the goblins out in to the main entrance as Griphook rounded up enough goblins to take them all to the different vaults. Harry bowed to Bokluk as he left to follow Griphook the cart. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ginny do the same, then Hermione, Ron, Bill, everyone did. The head goblins mouth twitched slightly, he'd almost smiled at the gesture. Many witches and wizards had turned to look at them, and not a single pair of goblin eyes wasn't watching the exchange. Griphook rushed them along, getting in to the cart and they silently zoomed down towards his vault. When they'd finally arrived, Griphook opened the door for him.

"Wow" Harry and Ginny said in unison.

A/N I know Griphook dies, but.. for the sake of my story, he's staying alive.