Chapter 10A – A Visit to Diagon Alley

Harry woke in a cold sweet the morning after his birthday. The sun was just starting to dimly light the sky outside. The image of Ginny lying on the ground and Harry killing the Death Eater with a spell had repeated in a dream several times in the last three days. Oddly, the image of Ginny did not cause the night terrors for Harry. Harry had never killed before. Even though Harry had not meant to cause the death, it still weighed heavily upon him.

Giving up sleep, Harry crept quietly from his bed in Ron's room and put on his running gear. As Harry slipped out, he picked up his ruck, sword and broom. Moving silently down the stairs, Harry started towards the kitchen. Seeing the light was on in the kitchen and hearing voices, Harry coughed before walking into the room.

The voices stopped as Harry walked in and found Bill and Fleur sitting at the table.

"-Arry! What are you doing up so early? You should still be asleep!" Fleur asked in her delightful French accent.

"Hi, I couldn't sleep. What are you two doing back? I thought you left on your honeymoon?"

Bill shrugged, "We left but decided to postpone. It didn't feel right leaving with the danger everyone else is in."

Harry nodded in agreement, "You feel guilty about being happy when everyone else is scared or in danger. I know how you feel."

"Exactly. What if something happened while we were away? We would feel terrible!" Fleur exclaimed with her customary hand waving. "Where are you going so early, -Arry?"

"I need to get some work out today. We are going to Diagon Alley later for our school supplies."

Bill looked surprised. "Did you change you minds about returning to Hogwarts then?"

Harry brought the couple up to speed on all that had happened since the wedding. Harry did leave out the role Mike had played and his newly discovered nature. They expressed surprise at the announcement that Harry and Hermione would be Head Boy and Girl. Bill was very upset over the news of Draco and wondered why they took Draco back. The couple laughed to hear that Ron and Hermione finally admitted they were dating. Bill grinned hugely when Harry informed them that he and Ginny were back together.

Fleur pouted though, "Now Gabrielle has lost her chance! -Arry, you moved too soon!"

Harry started to protest when he caught the gleam in Fleur's eye. Shaking his head and grinning, Harry said, "You are wicked. You had me going for a moment."

"-Arry, it was too late for you before I ever met you. I saw her watching you at the Tournament, especially at the ball. Gabrielle never had a chance. She stalked you down. Yes, she dated others, but she was always watching you."

Harry was taken aback by Fleur's observations. Harry knew he had been blind for a while, but Fleur always seemed oblivious to many around her, only wrapped up in her own agenda and needs. Suddenly, an intuition struck Harry.

"You use your image as a mask, don't you? All people see is a self-absorbed, spoiled half-veela French girl and miss the mind and wit behind it. You used it during the Tournament and last year here in the Burrow."

Fleur seemed to change before Harry's eyes. No facial features changed, but her whole way of carrying herself. She smiled, "You are very perceptive when you want to be. Usually you miss much, but I believe it is growing with your maturity." Fleur reached over and took Bill's hand. "I think Bill realized almost as soon as we met. No one else had really looked beyond the veela." Fleur grinned as she said this. "It started because that was what everyone expected when they saw me. Then it became a fun way to twit people without their realizing."

Harry had to laugh, "You are worse then the twins."

"Oh, I like them very much." Fleur said with a giggle.

Still laughing, Harry stood up from the table. "I have to get my run in before Ron gets up. I will see you two at breakfast."

Moving out of the Burrow, Harry placed his sword and broom out of sight near the door. After some brief stretching, Harry moved out at a brisk pace with the ruck on his back. Harry soon worked up a sweat and was moving quickly through the lanes surrounding the Burrow.

It felt good to be moving and let his mind relax while his body worked. The anxieties and guilt that had ruined Harry's sleep dropped away with each step. Moving off the lanes, Harry started running through the fields and woods simply enjoying the physical moment.

After a forty-minute run, Harry returned to the Burrow. Harry dropped the ruck and drew up the sword without allowing himself to cool down. Assuming a starting position, Harry started to move through his training katas. Working with his eyes closed, Harry felt someone else enter the garden and knew it was Ginny. Her presence amplified the feelings of peace the run and the blade work had brought Harry.

Moving to the end of his katas, Harry sheathed the katana and looked at Ginny. She smiled at him in a way that made Harry go weak but also felt wonderful.

"Harry, that was incredible. It was as if you were dancing. After seeing that, you will have no excuse at the Yule Ball. Mum wants you to know breakfast is ready. We need to get ready to go to Diagon Alley."

Harry smiled and laughed. He looked at his broom wistfully. Harry had really wanted to spend some time flying today. Once the quest for the missing Horcruxes started, Harry felt he would have little time for flying. Shrugging, Harry picked up his ruck and Firebolt. "I hope she will let me get cleaned up first."

Ginny laughed, "She better. Otherwise you may end up eating out here!"

The four Hogwarts students with Mrs. Weasley, Bill and Fleur flooed to the Leaky Cauldron. There Mike Dursley and Remus Lupin met them. Remus and Bill were to act as Harry's guards while in Diagon Alley. Since Bill worked for Gringotts, he would be able to accompany Harry into the bank. Fleur would accompany Ginny and Hermione on their shopping trip.

Mike and Remus were enjoying a Butterbeer when Harry and his friends started appearing. They rose to join Harry and Bill, who were the first two through the floo.

Ron appeared next, "I can't wait until Ginny is old enough to Apparate or Mum would just let us meet them here!" Hermione and the others followed quickly after him.

Tom the barkeep waved to Harry. "Hi Harry! How are you?"

Harry moved over to the bar. "Hi, Tom. I am good, thanks. Have you been busy?" Harry asked. The amount of business at the Leaky Cauldron would tell Harry a lot about the mood of the magical community.

"Depends on the news. If the Death Eaters attack somewhere, business drops for a few days. Ah, Harry. It is quickly becoming like to worst of the bad days of the last war." Tom shook his head sadly.

"I am sorry to hear that. Things will get better. Take care, Tom."

"Thanks Harry. You watch out for yourself."

Harry rejoined his group and walked with them to the entrance to Diagon Alley. It bothered Harry to hear Tom's report. People should not have to live their lives in fear. Harry wondered what had made Tom Riddle want power so much that he would bring this fear to so many people.

"Mike, how did your conversation with Professor McGonagall go?" Harry asked.

"It was very interesting, kid. I cannot believe that no one has ever discovered this whole other world along side the normal world. I have some other things to tell you but not right now." Mike answered.

Harry nodded and let the matter drop. Walking into the Alley brought Harry's spirits up a bit. Wizards and witches were everywhere in their robes of every color. Many seemed to be shopping for their children preparing for the start of school. Harry smiled because of the additional excitement that all the people brought to the air.

In order to blend in better, Harry had worn wizard robes over his normal Muggle street clothes. A Cannons hat borrowed from Ron covered his scared forehead. This made Harry stand out less from anyone watching the crowd. Walking in a cluster of redheads and with a half-veela made them a remarkable group but Harry was hoping to remain personally unnoticed.

Just before leaving the Burrow, Harry had strapped the katana across his back. The billowy robes hid the outline of the sword and the collar hid the hilt sticking out of the top. Harry could not articulate why he wore the sword, but he had not felt dressed until he had donned the sword.

The group moved through the crowds. Approaching Gringotts, Harry, Bill and Mike separated from the group. At Harry's request, Remus would accompany the girls on their shopping expedition. Voldemort's threat remained fresh in Harry's mind.

Remus had frowned when Harry asked him to accompany the girls, "Are you still upset I only gave you an A on that test your third year?"

Seeing the amusement in his former professor's eye, Harry grinned back at him. Promising to meet them at Flourish and Blott's in two hours, the threesome moved into the bank.

Entering the bank, a young goblin greeted them. "Why are you here, Bill? You took vacation."

"I am just accompanying a friend, Krangnook. This is Harry Potter. I believe Griphook is expecting us." Bill replied with a smile.

The young goblin looked Harry over, grunted and gestured of them to follow him. They followed the goblin to an office off the main lobby. A bald goblin with pointed ears and nose sat behind the desk. He sat counting coins and making notations in a ledger. He motioned for them to sit.

Sitting in a large, well-padded chair, Harry felt lost within the chair. He shifted so the katana was not poking into the back of his head,

After a minute, the goblin looked up and studied the group. "So you are Harry Potter. I remember your parents and grandparents. I have a question for you. Where did you get that sword?"

Harry was startled by the question. Reaching back, Harry slowly pulled the still sheathed sword off his back and set it into his lap. Harry looked Griphook in the eye and said, "Mike Dursley delivered it to me as a gift from my teacher, Master Ioshi."

"Ioshi-sama gifted this blade to you? I am impressed. Both that he sent this sword to you and you told me that exact truth. Ioshi-sama is held in high regard in the Goblin community, as was your grandfather."

"Master Ioshi is a wizard? He never said anything!" Harry exclaimed, stunned.

"Ioshi-sama runs the Japanese equivalent of the Ministry's Aurors. That he has been your teacher is a great honor. It gives me much to think about." Seeming to shake himself, the goblin cleared his throat. "You are here for the reading of you parent's will. As you know, a portion was set aside to pay for your schooling. Most has been spent over the last six years; the remainder will be spent this year with a small residual."

"First we will discuss the physical and investment aspects. Your parents left you title to their property in Godric's Hollow, plus 600 acres in Scotland. Your grandparents' former house is located on the property although it was destroyed in a fire. In addition, your grandfather purchased a 20 interest into Puddlemore United."

Harry was stunned. All that property, plus ownership in one of the top professional Quidditch teams was his? Harry almost giggled at the thought of telling Oliver Wood he worked for Harry. "I can't believe my parents left me all of that."

Griphook looked down his pointed nose at Harry and said, "If I may continue? In addition to the gold in vault 687 for school expenses, you also receive the contents of vault 727, your family vault. With interest, the cash value is 6 million Galleons, plus the non-cash items contained within the vault."

Now Harry was truly stunned. How did his family gain so much wealth? Harry looked over at Mike and Bill. Bill looked as stunned as Harry felt. Harry suddenly felt very glad that Ron had not joined them in the bank. Harry had almost insisted but Harry was not sure how Ron would have handled this discovery. Harry wasn't really sure he could handle this discovery.

The goblin cleared his throat again, "Several items of value were also left with the bank and are stored within the vault. Here is your vault key. That concludes the Potter will." Reaching below the desk, the goblin picked up a small bowl filled with water. Setting the bowl down, the goblin said to Harry, "Tape the bowl with you wand."

Harry pulled his wand out of his robe and tapped the bowl. A haze gathered over the bowl and a small image of Professor Dumbledore appeared. The figure faced Harry and said, "Harry, I wished to be present for your seventeenth birthday. Obviously, that was not to be the case. Most unfortunate. I am very proud of all that you have accomplished Harry and I know your parents and Sirius would share this sentiment. You are a true Gryffindor."

"Since I could not be present today, I have left you this message. Happy Birthday, Harry. I have asked several associates of mine to prepare your parent's house in Godric's Hollow. In this bowl is a portkey that will take you to the village. It is located in a small valley in Wales. I hope you like your gift."

Harry felt tears in his eyes with the gift from his professor. Knowing that the professor had thought about this meant a lot to Harry.

"Harry, I know a lot has happened to prevent me from being with you today. I believe you must return to Hogwarts to finish your education. I have left information with Professor McGonagall and requested a course of studies for you. I believe these will be very important for you and help you with what you search for. Good luck Harry."

The image over the bowl disappeared in a blink. Harry reached in and pulled out a small ring on a chain. Glancing at the ring, Harry saw 'GG' on the face with a griffin engraved on the sides. Harry realized that the ring must have belonged to Godric Gryffindor. Harry placed the chain over his neck and within his robes. The ring felt warm against his skin.

Griphook rose and rang a small bell on his desk. In a moment the young goblin from before returned. "Krangnook will take you to your vault. If you need any other services from Gringotts, let him know."

The goblin led Harry, Bill and Mike out of the office and into the cars to the vaults. The ride was much as Harry remembered from his first year, except Mike and Bill yelled in their enjoyment of the ride. Reaching the vault the four exited the car and approached the vault. Harry pulled out the key Griphook had handed him and unlocked the door.

The great vault door swung wide to reveal huge piles of Galleons stacked everywhere. The vault seemed barely able to hold the coins. Along the wall near the vault door was a shelf with a number of other objects.

"You will soon need a bigger vault, Mr. Potter. I will send you the information," Griphook grunted.

Harry walked into the vault and ignored the coins. The objects on the shelf called to Harry. A number of old books gathering dust appeared to be family records of some type. Also he saw his parents Head Boy and Girl badges along with other awards that had been given to the Potter family over time. After all this time with no information about his family, it felt like a feast after a famine.

A rectangular box about a foot long sat on the shelf with a tag: "For Harry". Harry picked up the box and opened the note.

Harry-

After Hagrid took you from your parent's house, I realized what had happened. Peter must be the traitor. I have to go after him. Before I do, I had to leave these here for you. I knew your parents would want you to have them.

Your godfather,

Sirius

Harry opened the box to reveal two wands. One was about 10 inches long and was made of a pale colored wood. The other was slightly longer and a polished deep red color. Harry realized he was holding his parents' wands.

Harry emerged from Gringotts with a pouch full for Galleons, his parents' wands and some of the books. It was now almost noon now and time to meet the Weasleys and Hermione. They started towards the bookseller when five cloaked Death Eaters Apparated into the street in front of Harry.

Wizards and witches ran screaming in all directions away from the figures. Harry drew his wand and cast a quick shield charm on himself. Realization that the bank steps was not a good place to fight from, Harry moved down the steps and to the Death Eaters' side as the first spells started to fly.

Harry sent out a couple quick stunning spells and a blasting curse in quick order. Bill fought at his side, defending Harry's flank. Mike stood behind them and guarded their backs.

One of the Death Eaters pulled off his hood to reveal Fenrir Greyback. Bill pulled back a bit in natural reaction after his previous encounter. The werewolf called to Harry, "Give it up little piglet. The big bad wolf is here!"

The opening from Bill stepping back allowed a blasting curse to slam into Harry's shield, knocking him off balance. Mike stepped between Harry and the Death Eaters. Four of the Death Eaters fired a combination of spells at the new target with no result.

Seeing this, Greyback pulled out a knife in each hand and said, "So, you are the Bink. Lord Voldemort heard a rumor of your existence. This changes nothing. I rather enjoy being able do it with my own two hands!"

In a frenzy, the werewolf started swinging his blades, ending in a stance prepared to charge Mike. Mike reached behind his back, pulled out a small crossbow and fired it directly into the chest of the werewolf, throwing Greyback off his feet. The werewolf lay on the ground and howled in pain.

Harry seized this opportunity to renew his attack on the remaining four Death Eaters. Taking the initiative Harry launched an impressive display of verbal and nonverbal spells upon the shields of the Death Eaters. The barrage was so intense that they were unable to Apparate away from the battle.

Bill regained his composure and joined Harry in the attack on the Death Eaters. Not wanting to distract Bill or Harry, Mike waited on the sidelines and kept an eye on Greyback.

The battle ended in five sudden flashes as Binding spells hit the Death Eaters from behind. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fleur and Remus fired their spells simultaneously as they approached from Flourish and Blott's.

Bill stepped next to Harry and apologized, "I am sorry Harry that I spooked like that. Seeing Greyback again brought it all back to me again."

"It is okay, Bill. I know the feeling." Harry assured him.

Mike walked up to the bound Greyback and flipped him over with his foot. The werewolf had died after the binding had been applied. Mike asked the body, "Who brings a knife to a crossbow fight?" Looking at the approaching Remus, Mike called, "Remind me to thank Moody for the silver tipped bolts."

With the battle over, the wizards and witches of the community emerged to cheer Harry and his friends. Harry felt confusion for a minute. Harry could understand how the five Death Eaters had panicked the wizards but at least forty people had fled when they appeared. Why hadn't they fought the Death Eaters? Even weak wizards should have been able to make a stand at 8-1 odds. Why had he and his friends faced them alone?

Harry sat at a table in a small Muggle café near the Leaky Cauldron while everyone else placed their orders at the counter. The battle had taken a lot out of Harry. The aftermath led to some uncomfortable times for Harry and his friends. The Daily Prophet's offices were just down the alley from Gringotts. Several reports appeared instantly as the battle ended to report on the incident. Then Aurors arrived in response to the alarm and Harry had to answer their questions also.

"Excuse me, Mr. Potter"

Harry looked up to see one of the younger reporters from the Prophet standing a few feet away. From Bill's comments, Harry knew the young witch had left Hogwarts a few years before Harry arrived and had been a Hufflepuff.

"Would you mind talking to me briefly? I just would like to talk to you about everything that is going on."

Harry considered the witch and the fact she had asked him his opinion, rather then shouting questions at him. Harry motioned for her to sit down and asked her name.

"I am Elizabeth Mandelbot. I am not senior enough for this story but you seemed upset earlier. Is their anything you would like to add or say to the magical community?"

Ginny and Hermione arrived with their tea but stopped silently when they heard the question.

Harry hung his head, considered for a moment and said, "Yes, there is something I would like to say. The Irish philosopher, Edmund Burke, once said, The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Harry looked up at the reporter. "The wizards and witches of Britain must stand up and fight the Death Eaters however they may. I am not saying for them to fight Tom Riddle himself. But helping the Ministry track down and stop his followers or just living your life as best you can. And stop calling him 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, or even Lord Voldemort. His name is Tom Riddle. Yes, he is an extremely powerful wizard and insanely dangerous, but he is not invincible, nor omnipotent. The US Muggle President Franklin Roosevelt said, 'The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.' I think Mr. Roosevelt's words fit our situation today perfectly."

Harry leaned back in the chair and looked at the only slightly older witch. Harry smiled, "I think that is all I have to say for now. I know we will win, but all of the witches and wizards must pitch in to the fight. Thank you."

The young witch stood up with a smile and eyes filled with unshed tears, "Thank you, Mr. Potter. Thank you very much."

A/N: According to The Harry Potter Lexicon, a Galleon equals £5 and $7.33. Therefore, Harry inherited £30 million or just under $44 million in cash.

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