Chapter 7
Alternative Paths
2007
edit 2013
The group sat around the table drinking tea, Harry had just finished telling Arthur how he and Hermione came to be time travelers, and some of what they had done. The two Weasleys, The two Unspeakables, and the two students. "We need to contact Sirius" Harry reached into his long coat and pulled out a mirror, which he sat in the center of the table, and quietly tapped it with his wand.
"...you must understand, Sirius, its for the best that Harry returns to the Dursleys this summer to recharge the wards, and keep him safe" Dumbledore could be heard trying to convince Sirius. Harry looked at the mirror with fire in his eyes.."Hell no, Albus, that's the worst thing you could do to Harry, they hate him and treat him like shite there.. before he went to Hogwarts he was starved and beaten and abused like Malfoys house elf, those people are not fit to be anywhere near my Godson, and I won't have it!" They could hear Sirius pacing, like he always did when he was stirred up. "Another thing, why are you making decisions for Harry, I'm his godfather, I'm the one James and Lily wanted to look after him, and I'm being held prisoner here.. whats up with that Albus?"...banging and shuffling was heard.. "Snivillus, I want you out of here!, NOW, GET OUT!" The voice of the greasy git was heard, sneering.."gladly, I have no wish to be in the company of cowards and criminals"... you could just see Snape sticking his nose up in the air and turning away.,
Harry risked turning on the vision part of the mirror, which Sirius kept hanging on the kitchen wall, opposite the fireplace. Dumbledore could be seen sitting at the table, facing away, in front of him was Sirius, watching Snape get ready to use the Floo to leave. Dumbledore took up his wand and cast a silent stupefy at Sirius' back. Snape turned and watched as Sirius fell to the floor unconscious, and sneered, "thank you, he was beginning to be tiresome."Harry and the others sat in stunned silence as Snape floated Sirius up to the table and laid him out.
"It seems" Dumbledore sighed wearily "That Mr Black went mad and was cornered and killed in the firefight that ensued.. a sad affair, and I am sure young Harry will be heartbroken.."..."Severus I will need you to make an unbreakable love potion, which we will feed to Harry and ..say Miss Weasley, I control her, she controls him, everyone is happy".. "Surely Albus, you are going to feed more into the insufferable brat's ego?.. you should save the girl for someone deserving.. Draco has shown an interest in her despite her being a Gryffindor.."Lucius will pay well for a healthy heir" "True, true, but who else can we use to control Harry?, the Granger girl is too nosy and might catch on before they are dosed properly.." Dumbledore and Snape sat on opposite sides of the table drinking tea and talking over the unconscious Sirius Black. Dumbledore sat his teacup on the sink sideboard . "Very well then.." he stood and pointed his wand at Sirius. "Immobilus, Ennervate, Imperio" "after we leave, you will wait one hour, and then leave the house, and go to Diagon Alley, and you will use unforgivables and kill and maim as many people as possible."
Sirus lay on the table looking glassey eyed and said nothing.
"very well, you will remember nothing of our talk this afternoon, you had a quiet day reading,..obliviate" Dumbledore gestured and Snape moved to the floo, cast in the powder and disappeared , followed shortly by Dumbledore.
Silence...
"THAT SONOVABITCH, I'M GONNA KILL HIM!"
"Harry, Harry calm Down! We have to go and get Sirius now and stop him from doing anything foolish.." Arthur took Harry by both arms and looked him in the eyes.. "We have to rescue Sirius, and protect Ginny as well"
"Yes, yes you're right.." Harry took the mirror and yelled into it "SIRIUS!...PADFOOT!" The figure on the table struggled to get free, his voice could be heard, though muffled.. "that useless sumbitch, who do he think he is? Trying to obliviate me.. ..Snivillus! that greasy bag of batshit..."umm, Harry? Where are you? Harry?".. "I'm using the mirror.. stay put, I will be right there.." "umm ok.." Harry gave the mirror to Hermione and asked Croaker "What's your floo address back?, no nevermind, that can be traced.." Harry dove into the fire almost before the floo powder hit the flames.. the fireplace visible in the mirror flared green and Harry stepped out.. "Sirius, are you ok?" he rushed over to the still tied up Padfoot.. "Finite".. the ropes disappeared and Sirius sat up. Harry was looking him in the eyes very closely, "are you all right? Dumbledore imperio'd and obliviated you.." Sirius grinned and shook his head.. "it takes more than an imperio and obliviate to get by me.. 12 years with the dementors teaches you real quick how to block your mind." Harry raised his brows in surprise .."Oh, Really?, So we should have dementors teaching occulumency?.. it would be a fair sight better than Snape's methods.."
There was a pause for a second and then both Harry and Sirius burst out laughing.. "you are a git, you know that?, you're absolutely right of course..." Sirius hit Harry on the shoulder, making the younger man stagger, a little. "Harry? You've grown since I saw you last..more muscle there fella" Harry smirked and poked Sirius in the chest.."And don't you forget it bub"... forcing his Padfather back..
Actually, you saw me two weeks ago, by your standards, on the last Hogsmeade weekend, when I told you about the crap Umbridge was doing" Sirius snarled at the name.."Calm down
Paddy, it gets better. What has happened is I got a message in a bottle so to speak, and it changed everything." "What kind of message, from who?" "From me, from the me in an alternate timeline, who had just lost you in a battle, who sent a message back to himself, that is, me, which created an alternate timeline, where you don't die, to put it rather bluntly".. Sirius looked silently at Harry, waiting for the punchline.. "Yes, Paddy, I am telling the truth.. The short version is, future me got a time turner and sent back a package with memories of a battle between me and my friends, and twelve death eaters, who had lured us into a trap, using you as bait.. I made the mistake of not checking the facts, and not remembering you had the mirror right here on the wall.." pointing at the accusing object.."I guess my excuse would be that Moldy Voldy has been harassing me in my dreams and I hadn't slept in weeks, along with Snape's mindrape in the form of Occulumency lessons," I thought you were being tortured in the Department of Mysteries, and I had to come and rescue you, while you were here all along." Harry sighed, "I floocalled and Kreacher answered, he lied to me" "So I ran off without thinking it through.. my friends would not let me go alone, there were six of us., against twelve Death Eaters.. if we had a bit more training, we would done better." "In the end eleven were captured and sent to Azkaban.." Harry's' face fell, grimacing in pain.. "Hermione was almost killed, and I can't let that happen again."
"So... how...did... I..? Sirius asked cautiously.. Harry looked off into space.. "You were dueling Bella, and you were not taking it seriously enough, you were laughing, taunting her... she wasn't using anything more than stunners, but she caught you just right.." He looked apologetic.. "You tripped and fell backwards.. into The Veil...you looked rather surprised, actually" Sirius put his head in his hands and laughed.. "Man, what an undignified way to go...,I figured I would be shot in the ass by someone's husband, actually.." they sat silently for a few minutes.. "Have you got any polyjuice here? Harry asked.."You have an appointment in Diagon Alley, and we wouldn't want to disappoint would we?" "No indeed, not at all, let us sally forth and get me killed by aurors.." Sirius stood and struck a gallant pose.."We should probably tell the others whats going on.."Harry indicated the mirror..
He went over to the mirror still hanging on the wall...
/Hermione?, you there, love? /her voice was heard, "Yes, we heard the whole conversation, we agree this is the correct plan of action, to get Sirius out of harm's way, and take control away from Dumbledore" "All right love, keep a watch out in the Alley, have Algie and Mr
Wills observe, but not interfere" Bye" Harry's smile stretched his face, before Hermione signed off she gave him a very subtle wink and kiss. "Now then ..to business.." he tossed in some floo powder Gringotts Noble House access" Sirius grabbed his godson and stepped into the flames.,
"Dammit Padfoot, give me some warning.. geez!" Harry started to dust himself off when he realized he was not dirty, and more, he hadn't fallen down as usual. "Wha?" Sirius snickered.. "No one has ever told you how to floo have they, that's why you always fall when you come out.." "What do you mean, I do just what I was told...it's just the spinning that throws me off" "Tell you what , here's a trick, spin in place, but keep your eyes focused on me.." "I don't understand".. "like this" Sirius put his arms out and swung them around, and drew them in sharply like a figure skater, he spun rapidly, snapping his head around, keeping his eyes focused on Harry's capturing the eye contact on each rotation.. "Like that, you are spinning around without any control and getting dizzy doing it, thus you fall arse over teakettle every time.."
Harry nodded slowly, absorbing the idea, then did a spin like Sirius had done, coming to a stop, facing a goblin with a peculiar look on his face.. "How may I help you...Gentlemen...?"
Sirius strode up to the Goblin's desk, actually, he ..strutted. maybe pranced.. Some years in the future, that particular walk would be seen in the person of Captain Jack Sparrow, as played by Johnny Depp.
"Hello, good sir, I am the notorious Sirius Black, about to be killed by Aurors in battle, and I would like to claim my birthright now if you please" The Goblin looked at him through slitted eyes and muttered in his native language.. "another dang drama queen..." shifting to English "Right away sir, Head of House Ascension form 1042LVQ-A.. Will you be naming an heir, or mistress at this time?" "Yes, I am naming my godson here, Harry James Potter as my heir in all things, to the title of Head of the most Noble and Ancient House of Black, heir to all monies, properties and titles.."
"Sirius, you can't do that!" "And why not?, the next male heir is your good friend Draco Malfoy, don't you think he has more than enough to be a prick about?"
"Well, if you put it that way, gimme it all, we'll throw you one heck of a wake.."
"That's right, give me a blow out to remember.." "ahh, here we are.. A goblin brought in a carved wood box and deposited it on the desk. He was flanked by two massive guards in armor.. "this box contains the icons of the Great and Noble House of Black, I give it into your care" he made the formally required statement and bowed to his superior and nodded to the two humans, and withdrew, the guards stayed though, standing quietly at the door.
"First, we identify who you actually are, and what , if anything you are entitled to.."
he laid out the appropriate forms, and handed Sirius a black quill with a blood red spine.. "that's a blood quill" Harry blurted out. "Of course it is, it's standard when signing official documents and the like, where did you see one?" "Err.. Harry shifted and covered his right hand with his left.. "I must not tell lies".. the words almost forced themselves out of his mouth.. Harry.. are you ok?" Sirius threw down the quill and took his godson by the arms, looking into his eyes with worry.. then noticed the hand covering the other.. and pulled them apart.. "I must not tell lies...how did this get here?" Harry looked down, ashamed.. I had to do lines in detention.. with Um..Umb..the Toad.." "Lines? With a blood quill?..who is running that asylum?"
"How many detentions?" he asked with a hard tone.. "Erm.. Hermione said it was something like 67 hours over the year.." "WHAT?" "Forget it Sirius, it's done.." the goblin interrupted.. "Actually, Lord
Potter, if what you said is true, this toad person did you a very serious disservice, in fact forced an unlawful contract upon you, which may be grounds for a lawsuit, or even over a duel to the death, depending upon the severity of the crime.."
"I think we need a solicitor to advise us.. sir?.. er, I don't know your name, I apologize.." "My name is Clawgut, Lord Potter.. "I am very pleased to meet you Clawgut..I thank you for the information, and I formally ask if you have any recommendations for a solicitor?, someone honest, and not affiliated with Tom Riddle and his associates.." "Lord Potter, there are many types of Solicitor, if you wanted to do business in the Muggle world, I, personally would recommend a Mr Ted Tonks.." "I have met his daughter and his wife is Sirius' cousin.." Harry put forth.. "If you want to follow up on legalities with the wizengamot or business in our world, I will point you to Mr Kaglun of Kaglun, Greith and Tonks.."
A phrase welled up in Harry's mind, he took a chance.. "The Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter extends our thanks and gratitude to the clan of Clawgut" with that he bowed formally.. the surprised goblin bowed back. "Shall we be about our business?" They all nodded in assent and Sirius went about signing the appropriate paperwork. Sirius kept looking strangely at Harry who looked on the proceedings quietly thinking about things. With a flourish Sirius signed the last paper and stood. Opening the box there were an assortment of rings. The largest was obviously the Head of House ring, a single carved gem of pure black. The next sized ring was the same type gemstone, but smaller, the heir's ring, the third was a silver band with a black stone, but feminine looking. There were also a pair of bracelets, a beautiful necklace and a tiara with black stones and diamonds. Sirius took the ring and paused before slipping it on his right ring finger He stood up straight as he could and announced formally."I, Sirius Orion Black claim what is mine by right. I claim the Headship of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black" With that he slipped on the ring and glowed with a dull greyish aura as the ring accepted him. He shook his head to clear his mind and Harry had to suppress a laugh as he got the image of Padfoot shaking off the rain.. He gathered up his dignity and then asked the goblin Clawgut if he could make declarations of intent and have them recorded. The Goblin agreed and Sirius proceeded.. "I, Sirius Orion Black declare this day that I am adopting my Godson, Harry James Potter as my own son and heir, so mote it be!" the Aura glowed again, this time around both Sirius and Harry.
Harry stood at attention and replied "I , Harry James Potter accept Sirius Black as my adoptive father" this time the glow was brighter, and more blue.. "Furthermore, I accept the title of
Heir to the House of Black.." brighter still.. Harry felt a foreign magic flow through his body, and wondered what was the effect of this..he looked expectantly to Sirius with a mild worry just under the surface..Sirius took the Heir's ring and put it on Harry's right hand pinky finger. "Your ring finger is reserved for the Potter ring, you will always be a Potter first, even though you are my son by adoption."
Clawgut looked on expectantly, Would the Lords Black like the Potter Family Rings brought up? The men looked to the goblin with a question.. "We can do that now? I'm only fifteen.." Harry asked warily.. "It depends on what your parents and grandparents put in their will, but that can be superseded by the fact is, since you are now the heir of a major house, you are also considered an adult, at least by the Goblin Clans, even if your own ministry does not.." Harry thought about it a moment and nodded..asking Sirius "Was there a ring for my mother as a Potter also?" "There was a ring indeed, I was there when James gave it to Lily as a promise ring, why are you going to give it to Hermione?" "Maybe.." he smirked, turning to greet the ringbearer Goblin along with his two guards. "thank you for making an extra trip today, I do appreciate it" The goblin looked surprised to receive thanks and looked to Clawgut for direction. The elder goblin made a subtle handsign that Harry recognized as Goblin battle language. His head spun for a moment as knowledge flooded in..He closed his eyes for a moment as he swayed, slightly off balance.."Harry, what's wrong?!" Sirius grabbed him and kept him from falling.. Harry shook himself "Erm.. I'm ok Paddy, just a bit dizzy.. I'll tell you later.." He turned and faced Clawgut and his demeanor took on a fearsome mein..
"I would speak to the Leader of the Clans as to an alliance between the Houses of Potter and Black, and the Goblin Nation" Delivered in perfect gobbledygook, albeit with a slight human accent. Clawguts eyes widened in surprise, and the ring-bearer jumped back in fear.. the guards did what soldiers do, they waited for their orders. Clawgut paused for a moment and then hit the button on a perfectly ordinary telephone system. He barked several orders and hit another button. "While we wait, Lord Potter, will you take your Head of House ring?" "You should Harry, you need the protections that it will give you against Dumbledore and the Ministry" He took the ring from the chest and looked at it.. "My father and grandfather and his father and all wore this ring.." "I need Hermione here.." he took out his mirror and called her "Mione, where are you? Mione?" / "yes?, I'm here"/ I'm here at Gringotts with Clawgut, can you get over here?, I need you".. / we're leaving the DOM now, we'll be there in ten"/ "Make it quick, we have to send 'Sirius' to his fate" / "check" / he turned to Clawgut "We will need a secure meeting room and someone to guide my associates in." "It shall be done, please follow me" the Goblin led them from the office to a secure meeting room. "While we are waiting, I need to make some declarations..can I get a witness?" Harry and Clawgut both nodded.. "Well then, I Sirius Black as Head of the Black Family declare the marriages of Narcissa Black Malfoy, and Belliatrix Black Lestrange to be null and void " a pulse of light came off Sirius and fled the room. "I Sirius Black, as Head of the Black Family Declare that Andromeda Tonks is an honored member of the Great and Noble House of Black, with all the perks that association entails." another pulse of light. Sirius staggered a bit with that..
"One more... I Sirius Black declare before all the gods and magic itself that Harry Potter-Black is my son by adoption and by blood, and he is the heir of the Great and Noble House of Black" Sirius used his wand and cut his wrist, grabbed Harry's wrist and did the same, he bound them together for a time, as the blood flowed freely down their arms. The glow around them grew bright and they both collapsed wearily into chairs, as they drew apart. "You are now a Black by blood,Harry, and no one can take that from you.." The door opened and Hermione rushed in, directly into Harry's arms.. followed by Croaker in his unspeakable robes and Arthur Weasley.
"I sent Frank back to the DoM offices to finish his preparations, also for plausible deniability.. the less people who know, the better." Croaker sat heavily in one of the chairs, and stood the bound and unconscious DE up in a corner. "Percy went back to the Ministers' office to oversee the situation, he will be in touch." Arthur was terse, not like his usual friendly self, but more like the battle hardened warrior he was.
Harry called them all to silence "We are under a time limit here, Dumbledore put Sirius under an Imperious curse.." he looked at his watch.."forty-one minutes ago, since then, we have has ascensions, adoptions and the beginnings of an alliance" he indicated the silent arrival of Ragnok, the head of all Goblin clans, and the Director of Gringotts. The Head Goblin tilted his head slightly, acknowledging his greetings. "Do Carry on Lord Potter, we will have our discussion.."
"What we are discussing here is the destruction of the Wizarding Government structure, for it is totally corrupt, and overrun with criminals, being manipulated by outside forces from both sides, and not doing it's job in defending our people at all." Harry paced.. "I don't want to run the government, I don't want to be a King, Emperor or dictator, I just want to be Harry Potter, wizard, maybe teacher, father and husband..but to do that, we need to shake things up a bit." "I want for every magical and intelligent creature to be treated equally, not abused or enslaved, or looked down upon. I want people to respect each other and not judge them by whose blood runs in their veins." I want proper rules and laws enacted and enforced with equal rights for all." Hermione was beaming at him and a smile crossed his face. "I want to spend the rest of my life with my girlfriend and have a bunch of kids.." they both blushed. "Time to get this under way.. Director, do you have anything to say before we start our revolution?"
The head Goblin was old and scarred, he had fought many battles.. he looked his age, which was considerable.. "Lord Potter-Black...I have lived and fought for many years, and the most dishonorable of opponents have been wizards, particularly those of the Ministry." he paused.. "I would relish going into battle against such." The humans looked at each other wondering if this would be the start of another Goblin Rebellion. "But I shall not at this time, for it seems there are factions in my own people to deal with.."
As fate would have it, there was a clamor in the hall outside. Harry motioned for the others to move back to the side of the room opposite the door. He used hand signals the goblins recognized. The guards inside obeyed. and flanked Ragnok and Clawgut, protecting their leaders. The doors burst inwards revealing a band of warriors in battle armor led by an armored goblin carrying a short sword.
Harry glanced over his shoulder to Hermione, and whispered "sheildstones" "On it" she muttered back as she dug inside her long coat. Harry turned to face the invaders.."Who are you and why do you interrupt this business meeting?". he spoke in English, not wanting to give any advantage. The leader spoke. "Stand aside wizard, this is not your battle." "We have come for the Director,, and will have his liver today"
he turned to his subordinates, and said in the goblin language "slaughter the humans on my mark."
The leader started to step forward and his warriors stepped to the sides to get to the humans. Two things happened. Hermione tossed four stones in the air which flew to the corners of the room, a silvery transparent shield snapped into place. The Goblin warriors were stunned that they bounced off the the shield, and turned to their only available enemy, Harry who stood impassively waiting for the reaction. In perfectly, though as mentioned with a human accent, Gobbledygook, "Director Ragnok is here at my request, and therefore under my protection. ..stand down if you want to live." The attackers said nothing and charged, assuming they were the superior force. Harry spun, kicking and ducking as needed, as the warriors attacked.. he had yet to return the favor, staying only on the defensive. Calmly as he kicked a charging goblin under the chin, causing him to fall back into the shield where he twitched and sparked.."I don't really want to kill your people, you know, we can avoid this.." he didn't break a sweat. "KILL THEM!" the leader screamed..all the remaining warriors in the group charged forward,, hoping to overwhelm the opponent.. A light flashed, and Harry sped up, to an almost invisible pace. the light swung and slashed and various body parts came flying out of the fray, until no one was left standing except Harry and the opposition leader. The floor was strewn with the bleeding, smoking body parts of an entire squad of goblin warriors.
Hermione dropped the shield and stowed the shieldstones. Ragnok stepped forward and looked ?Harry in the eyes.."I am sorry you had to do that, but I thank you for your help. Harry nodded and stepped back as Ragnok turned to the invader's leader. "Yagnik, you took a risk, attacking an enemy whom you did not know, and you failed." The younger goblin grimaced. "You have valid concerns for the goblin nations and I agree with almost all of them." He continued.."I have been constrained by the accumulated rules and regulations placed on us by the wizards over the years, and I want change just as much as you do." he gave what was a goblin grin.."In fact I was in the same position as you a mere 182 years ago, when I challenged the past director.." he became serious.. "Yagnik, I would ask you a question..will you join me and become my chief adviser in changing our world, and our relations with the wizards?"
"Director, if I may?" Ragnok nodded.. "Hello, my name is Harry Potter, and my friends and I are working towards overthrowing our government'. "It seems you and your friends have some sort of problem with the way your government is run, and are trying to make changes.." he paused. "We are after the same thing, and I believe we can work together to help both our peoples."
The Goblin leader was torn between snarling at the human who had killed his best warriors and then turned about and asked forgiveness.. the warriors died against a superior fighter. They failed. Therefore they had no right to their former position as Champions.. an insult it was.. but to be bested by a mere human, shameful.
"Director Ragnok, will we be able to work together with your opponent here?" Harry pondered.. It's never a good idea to fight a war on two fronts.. is there some way we can come to an agreement toward the greater good ?" He turned to the opposition leader. "Honorable Warrior, I do not know your name, but I see in your eyes the desire for what is best for your people.." The younger goblin cautiously nodded.. Harry continued.. I believe that over the years, Director Ragnok has been forced to accept agreements from the Ministry, who unfortunately doesn't appear to recall history, and the causes of almost all the Goblin Rebellions over the centuries.." the Director nodded in agreement. "It seems pretty stupid to me, that we wizards trust our entire economy in the hands of people who we make hate us because of our unfair treatment, am I correct?" They younger goblin snorted in derision. "Wizards are fools and weaklings.. if they are not strong enough to survive, they deserve to die!"
