A/N: Here's the other chapter for this weekend! I had actually written more for this chapter on paper, but I'm trying to keep my chapters a relatively consistent length. Besides, who doesn't love a cliffie?
Brownie points to kitluv87, Stefni, and FoxySpirit. Half a cookie to FoxySpirit.
Disclaimer: I do not won Naruto or Harry Potter. But damn, I wish I did.
Naruto rubbed his eyes. Looking at Tsunade, he gave her one of his million-watt smiles.
"Gomen ne, Baa-chan. Ero-sennin's right. I'm not going to become Hokage this way!"
Tsunade smiled back at him, her heart at ease.
"It's good to have you back, gaki. And don't call me that!"
Harry stared blankly at the floor, trying to keep his tears at bay. It wasn't working too well, as evidenced by the dark patches at his feet.
"Harry?"
Remus' soft voice had no effect on Harry, whose attention was focused elsewhere. He was trying desperately not to think of a bark-like laugh, long black hair, mischievous grey eyes, and most definitely not those grey eyes glassy as their owner fell to his death.
Kid, what's the big deal? He was just –
"URUSEI!"
Memories, emotions, and half-formed thoughts tore through his mind. The maelstrom left him feeling empty and tired. The echoing silence allowed Harry to return to the real world. He wiped the tears away. Turning to his professor, he forced his facial muscles into a smile.
"I'm sorry, Professor, did you say something?"
His smile didn't reach his eyes. Remus could tell even without his enhanced senses. Harry's normally bright green eyes were blank and emotionless. Never in all the time he had known the boy had he seen them so guarded.
"Harry, I haven't been your professor for two years. Call me Remus, or Moony."
A soft chuckle escaped the teen's lips. He felt inordinately pleased to have elicited such a response.
"That'll take some time, sir."
Remus sighed in exasperation, "You're such a stubborn cub."
Harry started, and Remus immediately regretted his words. The dark times were bringing out the wolf in him, and he shouldn't have been so forward… Then again, Harry was smiling at him, a true smile this time.
"Thanks. Hey, don't you have a metamorphmagus to snog?"
Remus groaned, "Harry, not you too! I can't. I'm a werewolf, not to mention thirteen years older!"
Harry shook his head.
"I'm thinking Sirius is – was – right on this one. You've got enjoy life or there's no point."
"Says the one who won't ask Ginny out."
Red crept up Harry's neck as he rubbed his nose in embarrassment. Zirka decided to take pity on him and called Griphook.
"Would you rather visit the Black or Potter vaults first, Lord Potter?"
Harry looked at Remus, who shook his head.
"It's your call, Cub. Though, I'd suggest letting the goblins clean up the Black vault first. I went to it once with Sirius… It's filled with Dark artifacts."
"Right. I'd like to see my parents' vaults first – hang on, when did I become a Lord?"
Griphook chuckled and led them to the carts.
"You are officially the Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Black and Potter. In passing on his assets to you, the deceased Lord Black automatically emancipated you. You can know reclaim two seats on the Wizengamot. You also receive Potter Manor, Black Manor, known as Number 12 Grimmauld Place, and a cottage in Godric's Hollow. Unfortunately, neither the Black nor Potter families had anything in the way of investments."
Harry groaned, "Oh bugger… I am never going to be inconspicuous, am I?"
Remus laughed, "Probably not."
"So how much would it cost me to get the Black vault cleaned up, Griphook."
Griphook looked at Harry calculatingly and answered, "Ten percent."
Remus couldn't withhold his shock, his eyes shooting open, and his jaw dropping. Harry's eyes glazed over for a few moments, and he smirked.
"Three percent of the Black vault, coins only, and control of all investments."
Griphook's eyes lit up greedily. In actuality, Harry had offered more than what most purebloods would. He had simply said ten percent to test the boy. The goblins had a treasure in this boy, they did.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Lord Potter."
Remus looked between the two in confusion. Harry laughed, "Don't worry about it, Prof – Remus.
One wild, stomach-churning cart ride later, the three stood in front of a graven oak door.
"Your mother's vault is directly connected to your father's. She moved it after their marriage. The vault itself was inherited from her grandmother. You mast pass through the blood wards on hers before you can access his."
"What is it with my mother and blood wards?" Harry muttered.
Before Griphook could conjure a knife for him, Harry bit his thumb and smeared his blood over the door handle. Ignoring the look Remus sent him, he entered and looked around the vault. It was quite modest, far less gold than his trust vault, but with more trinkets. There was a large bookshelf, as well as a clothes-rack. Most interestingly, the far side of the wall was cloaked with a low-level genjutsu.
Those were your mother's favorite books – a closet Ravenclaw, she was. That box over there holds her jewelry, I think," Remus was saying.
"Kai."
The genjutsu shattered, revealing a trunk, a portrait, and several weapons. Unbeknownst to Harry, the influx of chakra set off a chain reaction. Kunai flew towards from the four corners of the ceiling.
"Watch out!"
A stunned Remus watched as Harry appeared in front of him, pushing him back. Four oddly shaped daggers met where his head had just been. Griphook gasped and stepped back, drawing Harry's attention. He started to rise as if pulled up by strings.
Harry created a chakra scalpel and leaped to the frightened goblin. He easily cut through the fishing wire and Griphook landed safely on the ground. Harry, on the other hand, had continued through his path of motion and was now crouched on the wall, held in place via chakra in his hands and feet. He looked around on high alert. Those strings had been attached to something. The question was, what?
The smallest flicker of light caught his attention. Remus and Griphook were surrounded by four explosive tags that were set to go off in 3… 2… 1…
"Kuso!"
Remus heard the paper sizzle before it exploded. Even so, the only thing he could do was thro up his hands and hope he didn't get hit too badly. Griphook, on the other hand, dropped to a crouch to protect his internal organs.
Ten seconds passed and the sound of clapping reached their ears. Opening their eyes and looking around, they saw Harry on one knee, with his hands outstretched. A pale green shield surrounded them. Thoroughly pissed off, Harry dropped the shield and turned to the sound of clapping.
In the portrait stood a woman with short red hair that curled around her ears and clear green eyes. She wore a simple grey tunic over black pants and black ninja sandals. She wore a hitai-ate with a swirl on it on her forehead.
"Well done, my heir."
"Who the hell are you, and why did you try to kill us?"
"I am Uzumaki Hidemi."
A/N: So how was it? Brownie points for a review. Sugar cookie to whoever figures out who Hidemi is.
