~OOooOO~
The members of the Order were once again crowded into the Room of Requirement. This time, however, several students had been allowed to attend. They were Harry's friends; Ron, Hermione, Draco, Ginny and Neville. Fred and George were also in attendance.
When Harry, Bill, Charlie and Percy entered together, the silence was deafening. Most of those present were aware of Percy's estrangement from his family, and so, were surprised when Percy followed Charlie into the room to take a seat. Albus noted this and supplied the explanation.
"Percy Weasley has brought some information to us about the plans that Minister Fudge may have for Harry." He went on to give more details about what Percy had witnessed. There were gasps of outrage from everyone and mutterings of retribution from both Sirius and Remus. At a look from Harry, they both fell silent.
"We need to have a plan in place for the eventuality of Cornelius Fudge attempting to kidnap Harry. Remus, you had mentioned looking into their bond a little more deeply. Did you find anything of any use?"
"Yes. While the bond itself is very powerful, in addition to the soul bond, which is unbreakable, the cuffs are one of the most important parts of the bond. Bill, please leave the room, so that I can demonstrate." Bill shot a look at Sirius, who nodded at him. Bill got up and left the room, closing the door behind him. Remus stood.
"Now...I am going to approach Harry and touch his arm. I'm going to be thinking about harming or taking him." He looked at Harry. "You know I won't, but it will serve the purpose." Harry nodded.
Remus walked quickly across the room and put his hand around Harry's upper arm. There was a loud crack and two things happened. Bill appeared next to Harry and Remus was thrown across the room. Remus had not expected the second. He knew about the cuffs apparating Bill to Harry, through any wards, but not about repelling someone away from Harry. Sirius got up and went to his side.
"You alright, Mooney?" Remus shook his head and smiled.
"That was unexpected. Didn't know it would do that."
Bill had a possible explanation. "The cuffs were for a male to male bond. Kidnapping a male would gain more attention and possibly garner more of a ransom. Sorry ladies, men were considered more important centuries ago." He thought for a moment. "Then, consider the facts that the cuffs, rings and circlet were all made for one bonding and that they are all Elvish."
Gasps sounded throughout the room. Harry was confused. "What does that mean?" He looked at Bill.
"Elves usually only made male bonding sets for members of royalty. There is the possibility, since this set was in your vaults, that you are descended from royalty."
"No. No, I don't want to be. I'm weird enough without adding that to it."
Bill leaned in and whispered, "You're not weird. Even if you are, you're my weird and I love you." He straightened and missed the look of surprise on Harry's face. Sirius didn't and made a mental note to ask Harry what had been said.
"Now we need to find a way to use this to our advantage." Albus looked around. "Does anyone have any suggestions? Harry will always have someone with him, even in classes. While Amelia Fudge may have confessed to watching Harry, there is always the possibility that someone is being paid to do the same. We can't take the risk that someone will try to harm Harry or take him."
Bill felt a surge of anger. No one was going to take his husband away from him! He unconsciously pulled Harry a little closer to his side. Harry could feel the anger and wondered if it was directed at him. What could he have done?'
Bill leaned down. "It's not you. I don't like knowing that someone is out there plotting to take you away from me. I'm not leaving you alone. Not even here. I'm going to go tomorrow morning and take a leave from Gringotts. I'm sure they'll let me have it."
"I don't want you getting in trouble at Gringotts because of me."
"I won't. You, Sirius and Lucius are their biggest investors. They're not going to risk alienating you. I have to protect you. I need to protect you. Please let me." Harry couldn't resist the pleading he heard in Bill's voice. It felt good to have someone who wanted to protect him, not hurt him. He nodded and leaned his head so that it rested on Bill's shoulder.
~OOooOO~
The next morning, true to his word, Bill left Hogwarts and apparated to Gringotts. He asked to meet with Ragnok, the bank's director.
"You wished to see me, Mr. Weasley?" The aging director was a truly imposing goblin. If Bill hadn't felt comfortable in his presence he would have, most likely, been afraid.
"Yes. There are some things that I need to speak with you about. First, let me give you this." He handed over a copy of the bonding document. He waited as Ragnok read it, watching as the goblin's eyes widened.
"It would appear that congratulations are in order, Lord Consort Potter." The use of the title surprised Bill. He hadn't thought about gaining a title. "This means that all of Lord Potter's vaults, properties and businesses will be immediately unsealed. We will need to have him sign paperwork, naming you as his consort and heir, until you have children. You do realize, though, that this gives you no more access to his vaults than you had before?"
"Yes. I realize that. I don't want access unless he gives it. Those are his property, not mine. Is it possible to have a representative come to Hogwarts? It isn't safe for him to leave there."
"Is there a problem we are not aware of, Lord Consort?"
"Yes. There are still Death Eaters out there. I'm pretty sure some of them would just love to be able to kill Harry."
A frown gathered on the goblin's forehead. "Fools!" he spat. "Do they not realize that, without Lord Potter destroying that vermin, this world, the whole world, would have ended? Are they that stupid?"
"I believe they are that stupid. They don't seem to realize just how bad things had already been and how much worse they would be, if You-Know-Who had lived. They are currently plotting to kidnap Lord Potter, to take him away from me."
"We will do everything within our power to keep that from happening. I will send several goblins to Hogwarts tomorrow, so that we can speed this process along. You, I assume, will want to take time to be with your husband, to protect him. Consider it done. Take as much time as you need. Normally, I would say no, but this case is special. Lord Potter must be protected, at all times. Who better than his husband to do that?"
"Thank you. I want to be with him, to make sure he is safe. I can't do that from here."
"Then, if I may ask, why are you here now?" The goblin smiled, a rather disgusting sight.
"I am going back to Hogwarts as soon as I can. I needed to come here to settle this and to get your approval for time off. I need to get some clothing and then I'm going back."
Ragnok nodded and shook his hand. "Again, our congratulations, Lord Consort Potter. The group I am sending will arrive at 11:00 tomorrow morning. Please wait for them outside the main doors of the castle."
"I will inform Albus Dumbledore and my husband. We will be waiting."
~OOooOO~
Harry, Bill, Albus and Sirius were waiting just outside of the doors of the castle. It was almost 11, and Harry was anxious to see what was going to happen. There were several loud cracks as a group of about 6 Gringotts goblins appeared before them. Harry recognized only one of them. He smiled slightly as Griphook separated from the others and bowed low before him.
"Lord Potter, Lord Consort Potter? We consider it an honour to serve you."
"I welcome you to Hogwarts. Please come inside where we will deal with the business matters first. Then we will move on to the matter of Lord Consort Potter being made my heir." The formalities had to be observed. The goblins, happy that their customs were being followed, smiled. Everyone, except for Harry recoiled. It wasn't a pretty sight.
Having been tutored by Bill in the customs of the goblins had made this role easier for Harry to perform. Hopefully, he could relax now. The goblins, seeming to realize that it would make Lord Potter more comfortable, encouraged him to be himself.
The whole session was mind-boggling. "All of this is mine? You're kidding!"
"No, we're not Lord Potter. All of this is indeed yours. You are a very wealthy man. Now...these papers are to explain to you exactly what you own that is not in England, Scotland and Ireland. As you see..." Griphook continued on with the explanations. Fortunately, Bill and Sirius were paying attention, because he certainly wasn't. Albus had left them alone, realizing that Harry's financial issues were none of his business.
Griphook had moved on to matters pertaining to Hogwarts. Harry stopped him.
"You mean that I own the land that this castle sits on?"
"Yes, Lord Potter. Your ancestors leased the land to Godric Gryffindor with an indefinite lease. It is payable at a rate of one galleon per year. You do not, however, own the castle."
Harry looked at Bill. "Now I know why Fudge is so determined to get his hands on me. I own this land. They could close Hogwarts and take over the school!"