Harry strolled through the park, liking his ice cream cone. The sun beat down, unusually warm for mid-August. The many city families were taking advantage of the heat wave and the green fields were filled with picnicking families. Harry watched them with longing, his eyes hidden behind a pair of shades. He knew that he had had every right to a childhood like that, one where he was cared for and loved and cherished. He could have had a family, one that would play with him and not hate him. Harry carried on his walk, trying to distance himself from those thoughts. Grow a pair, Harry, he thought to himself dejectedly, what's done is done. Just enjoy the weather.
So he did.
The last week had been hectic by any standard. The sheer information overload, coupled with the knowledge of his huge bank accounts and various duties had been too much for Harry to take in. Luckily, Urxluk had been kind enough to put Harry in touch with a solicitor, a Mister Jeremy Greengrass. Despite his squib status, Jeremy was apparently the go-to-guy for half-bloods that had been Named for prominent families. It helped that he was a cousin to one of the lines Harry had been Named for. He'd been sorting through all the alliances, properties and businesses, because whilst Harry was smart and probably capable, he was only 11. He had better things to do. Like:
BANG an explosion shook the grey room, dust and paper covered with scrawling notes flew everywhere. Hedwig gave a very indignant squawk and eyed Harry angrily who only looked sheepishly back at her. 'Sorry, girl, that didn't go well did it?' his grin didn't quite match his words, and the recently christened Hedwig just rolled her eyes at the mess. Harry ran a hand through his hair as her surveyed the damage. 'I guess trying to charm the air into a ball was too much, huh?' he muttered under his breath. Hedwig simply hooted, as if to agree with her human. Harry stretched, and waved a hand lazily. All his notes whizzed back into order, or into some redeemable chaos. He had been practicing using his magic without a wand; Urxluk had asked him to wait on buying a wand. The boy strolled over to his window. The inn he was staying at, The Leaning Wand, was wedged between a used bookshop and an apothecary, both owned by the same couple. His room was modest, and lighter than the one at the Cauldron. His windows overlooked on one side the busy Alley, and on the other a park that the inn lead out to. Harry hadn't quite got his head around the way magic seemed to distort distances, but he decided there were some things better left unknown. It added to the mystery.
It was a breathless Harry that stumbled into Urxluk's office, a room the other goblins had dubbed 'The Boy-Lord's room'. Waiting for him were Jeremy and Urxluk, both looking amused.
'Alright there Harry?' Jeremy grinned. He was fairly young, and Harry found himself enjoying the older man's company. Harry nodded, still out of breath.
'Sorry, Hedwig wouldn't let me leave!' Harry finally got out, to which the others shuddered. Harry's familiar, whilst beautiful, was not a bird you wanted to cross – something all three had found out that short week.
'To business, Lo- Harry,' Urxluk started, ignoring Harry's drawn out groan. 'We simply must get this done with. As you know, you've been Named as a Line Heir only for 3 houses, and the True Heir of six other houses. You'll need to take the rings for the six houses, today, please.' Urxluk pushed a small box towards Harry who glared at the goblin.
'Do I have to? This is so needlessly complicated!' Harry whined, his mind still on the charms he'd been reading about. Jeremy stifled a giggle and Urxluk glared at them both.
'Yes you have to. We know you've somehow managed to shatter all understanding of our shared history, but you still need to respect traditions!' Urxluk's beady eyes seemed to glow in anger, so Harry quickly shut up and reached for the bow.
'Alright, keep your hair on…' he mumbled under his breath. Harry opened the box. Inside were six rings, with space left for a seventh. Harry looked quizzically at the goblin, who just motioned for Harry to continue. He shrugged and took a ring out. He held it up to a light. The thick gold band was dotted with miniscule red jewels, and adorned with one ruby. A hippogriff-like creature was etched onto the gem, and it looked like it was watching Harry. Urxluk cleared his throat.
'Ah, that would be the ring of Pendragon. It would be wise to leave that for now.' The usually stoic goblin seemed uncomfortable, and Harry replaced it for a thin, silver ring. A black jewel, with purple stones surrounding it was the main feature but Harry could somehow sense a strange magic emanating from the ring. He slipped it onto his right index finger, and suddenly felt like his body was being compressed into a tube. He couldn't breathe; an oppressive force was holding him tight. It left as soon as it came, and the ring adjusted to his finger. Harry breathed out in relief and looked at Urxluk's grinning face in annoyance.
'You knew that would happen, didn't you?' Harry asked, but got a feral grin in response. Jeremy was laughing silently, mouthing 'Classic Blacks' as he clutched his stomach. Harry scowled at the pair of them and reached for the next ring. A gold and silver ring, with a lion engraved onto the woven metal. Harry slipped it on a little more tentatively, but only felt a comforting breeze flow through him. He took no notice of the two watching him and added another two rings: a gold band dotted with rubies and a bronze band with a small green jewel Harry couldn't place. Both rings seemed to accept him easily, almost happily.
If Harry hadn't decided to accept all changes with open arms, he'd have gone crazy from thinking the rings were sentient.
The final two rings looked ominously up at him from the box. The golden ring of the Pendragon family went on first, which made Harry felt like a wet rag being squeezed dry when he tried to put it on. However, just when he couldn't bear it any longer, the ring settled and fit comfortably on his right thumb. The ring left in the box was an oddity, even by Harry's new standards. A dark black band, with a only thin, white band in the middle. It suddenly reminded Harry of a clear moonlit night, the feeling of being alone with only the shadows for company. It reminded Harry of his cupboard. He put it on.
At once Harry felt his magic expand, and for a brief second could see all the magic in the room, interwoven strands of light resonating with each other and him. Harry blinked, his ears buzzing.
'Well,' Jeremy broke the silence. 'If that's what he's like when he gets six rings, how'll you fare when you get your last?' Harry looked up at Jeremy in alarm.
'Last? You don't mean –' Harry exclaimed, looking down at the box. 'You don't mean I have another house? Why didn't you say!' Uxluk shifted uncomfortably.
'We… don't know for certain. I asked for your rings tp be brought to me from the vaults, and this box appeared on my desk. It seems Magic has plans for you.' Urxluk said slowly, as if to convince himself of the truth too. Harry stared at him.
'You know that chat we had, about not dropping important information on me right after I've had a shock?' Harry said testily. Jeremy glanced between the two angry faces and clapped his hands.
'Let's move onto the business aspects shall we? Ok! Harry, we really need to go over all these properties and visit them as soon as we can…'
Harry groaned and slumped back into his seat. It was going to be another long meeting.
Boy and owl sat on a park bench, late at night. Very few muggles were around, so Harry had no problem with his familiar being on his shoulder. How do I even know she's my familiar? Harry frowned as he thought over it, until Hedwig nipped his ear and glared at him in response to his unspoken question. Harry chuckled. I guess that answers that question. Hedwig says so. Harry resumed looking over the list of properties he had accumulated by being himself. He had managed to get it condensed into this list:
Godric Hollow #7
Potter Villa, ? – France?
Potter Manor, Kent
Grimauld place, London
Cliffs peak, Plymouth
Starlit Hideaway, Hawaii
The Hole, Dublin
Peverell Castle, ?
Camelot castle, ?
Arthurs retreat, ?
West + North wing of Hogwarts
Godrics hollow #?
Gardens and greenhouse of Hogwarts
Hufflepuff Gardens, ? – Italy?
Harry scowled at the list. There were far too many properties on there – he didn't even need that many! He was happy with his little inn room! The rational part of his brain reminded him he'd appreciate the choice when he was older, and needed somewhere to live, but a thte present he was just a boy, with an owl, and a charms book to read.
Mind made up of his next course of action, Harry stuffed his list back into his pocket and made his way to his room. The properties and duties could wait; he had a book to read.
AN: Hi! Sorry for the long wait, I had a little trouble picking up the story line. I've got a rough idea of what's going on in the next few chapters, soooo yeah! Maybe I'll update sooner!
I've also decided that my chapters will be between 1500 - 2500 words, else the grammar with become more awful than it is.
Actually, if anyone spots a mistake of any kind could you tell me?
Ciao ;)