Chapter 11
Keeper Ragnok

Author's Note: As seen in this chapter, Gabrielle Delacour is older than in canon. She is the same age as Harry in this story.

If you've read any of my stories that have a meeting with Keeper Ragnok in them, you'll likely recognize parts of this chapter.


Tuesday, December 29th, 1992 – Early Afternoon

After a delicious lunch, Harry, Hermione and Dora followed Professor McGonagall down the cobbled pathway of Diagon Alley. Hermione's coat was once again hiding her ears and tail. She was holding Harry's hand, and every now and then she'd squeeze his hand softly. Harry knew she was nervous. This was the first time she was around several people who didn't know about her new lifestyle. More than once, she pulled her hood further around her head, afraid that the wind would knock it back and her cat ears would be revealed.

Soon enough, they reached the steps and walked into the magnificent atrium of Gringotts Bank. A Goblin greeted them as soon as they entered.

"What is your business here?" the Goblin asked.

"We seek the Account Manager of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter," McGonagall addressed the Goblin.

"Follow me," the Goblin said.

The group followed the Goblin across the large Hall, and over toward a counter, where a Goblin stood behind, with no queue in front of him. The Goblins spoke in their native language, and the Goblin who had led the group soon walked away. The other Goblin turned to the group, his eyes moving straight to Harry. Harry shivered as the Goblin looked at him.

"Greetings, Mr. Potter," the Goblin said, "I am Ragnok the Sixth, the Account Manager and Vault Keeper of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. Is this group with you?"

"Yes, sir," Harry said, politely.

"Do you trust them, Mr. Potter?" Ragnok said; Harry answered positively, "Mr. Potter, you and your party may follow me."

Ragnok led the group toward a door on the left side of the Hall, and into the adjoining room. The small room had a table, a few chairs and nothing else.

"Be seated," Ragnok said. "You may remove your coats. Even you, young lady. You do not have to fear. Nekos are welcomed in Gringotts."

"How did you know, sir?" Hermione asked, as she removed her hood and coat.

Harry, Hermione, Dora, and Professor McGonagall sat down on one side of the table, while Ragnok sat down on the other side.

"Goblins, much like Nekos, have a special sense of smell," Ragnok said. "Nekos, even young ones, have a distinct scent. Though it is interesting. I've seen you in my bank before, but you were not a Neko."

"It happened recently," Hermione said, "Long story."

"Probably an interesting one if you ever wish to tell it," Ragnok said. "Please, introduce yourselves."

Harry began, then Hermione, then Dora, and finally Professor McGonagall.

"I assume you represent Mr. Potter this afternoon, Madam McGonagall?" Ragnok asked.

"Yes, sir, in an advisory role," McGonagall said. "I recently had a discussion with Mr. Potter. I believe much of what will be discussed here today was summarized in that discussion. I merely prepared him for this meeting."

"You are a Professor at Hogwarts, I believe?" Ragnok asked; McGonagall confirmed this; "Is Rubeus Hagrid your fellow staff member?"

"Yes, sir," McGonagall said, "Why do you ask?"

"On Mr. Potter's eleventh birthday," Ragnok said, "Mr. Hagrid brought him into this bank. I was expecting Mr. Potter to meet with me. But Mr. Hagrid never asked for me. A Goblin unassociated with the House of Potter accompanied him and Mr. Hagrid to his Trust Vault, as well as another Vault, then they left Gringotts. I did not know about this until after they left. That was my mistake. If I had been present, I would have recognized Mr. Potter – due to the fact that he looks so like his father did at his age - and had this meeting with him on that day."

"I do not believe that is Hagrid's fault," McGonagall said. "Frankly, it should have been myself who accompanied Mr. Potter into Diagon Alley, and your bank, for his very first time. However, Albus Dumbledore told Hagrid to do so. Hagrid is not a man of high intelligence, unfortunately. He hero-worships Albus Dumbledore. Which made it easy for Dumbledore to tell Hagrid exactly what he wanted him to do. I believe Albus never wanted Mr. Potter to meet with you, Keeper Ragnok."

"I hold the same beliefs, Madam McGonagall," Ragnok said. "Alas, it does not do for one to cry over spilled Grog. Mr. Potter is here today, and we can finally get to the expected meeting."

Ragnok turned to Harry, and Harry felt goosebumps run up the back of his neck and arms.

"As I said earlier, Mr. Potter," Ragnok said, "I am Ragnok the Sixth. I have been the Account Manager and Vault Keeper of House Potter for a very long time. Your Grandfather, Charlus Potter was seven years old during the first year of my career as Account Manager. I knew your Great Grandparents, Grandparents and parents quite well. I've looked forward to meeting you for many years. If your parents were alive, we would have met when you were seven years old."

"It is nice to finally make your acquaintance then," Harry said.

"The pleasure is mine," Ragnok said. "Mr. Potter, one week after you were born, your parents met with me. Albus Dumbledore accompanied them. Your parents created a Final Will and Testament that day. Well, I say Final, but they updated it more than once in the fifteen months between your birth and their unfortunate deaths."

"I wasn't aware they penned a Will," McGonagall said. "Albus was the Witness?"

"Yes," Ragnok said.

"Am I to assume their Will has never been opened to this day?" McGonagall asked.

"That is correct," Ragnok said.

McGonagall said. "The Will should have been opened a long time ago. Albus should have seen to it. Which means he is hiding something. There is something in that Will he does not want to be seen."

"Can the Will be opened today?" Harry asked.

"With your permission," Ragnok said.

"I give permission," Harry said.

"In addition to the Reading of the Will," McGonagall said, "I wish for Mr. Potter to take an Inheritance and Blood Test. What happens after those Tests will depend on what the Will and Tests reveal."

"Very well," Ragnok said. "We shall begin with the Final Will and Testament."

The Goblin snapped his bony fingers, and a large metal box appeared on the table with a sharp clang! The unexpected appearance made Harry and Hermione jump. Ragnok ran a single long finger down the center of the box's lid, then removed the lid. The box was filled with creme-colored folders.

Ragnok rummaged through the box, and took out what appeared to be a large metal contraption that resembled a rolling pin. He set the contraption in front of Harry.

"Place one finger on the container," he instructed, "You will feel a light pinprick. I assure you it is not dangerous. It will remove a dollop of your blood, then you will be healed straight away."

Harry shivered slightly, hesitated for a moment, then pressed a finger on one container. He winced lightly at the pinprick. The container made a metallic grinding noise as it rolled backward toward Ragnok. The container formed into a scroll of parchment, which rolled flat onto the table. Ragnok cleared his throat and stated:

"I, Ragnok The Sixth, the Vault Keeper of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter,. am witness to the Reading of the Last Will and Testament of James Charlus Potter and Lily Marie Potter nee Evans which they collaborated on together. Mr. Potter, as the last Heir of the Ancient Line, so proven by your blood, make your choice. Do you wish the Reading to be by voice or by your own eyes?"

"I will read it myself," Harry said. "And I give permission to Hermione, Dora and Professor McGonagall to read it as well."

Hermione blushed red, but said nothing. Ragnok relaxed in his chair, and motioned for Harry to read the Will. Harry leaned forward and began to read to himself, and Hermione, Dora and Professor McGonagall did as well.

We, James Charlus Potter, and Lily Marie Potter nee Evans of able bodies and minds, claim this, our Final Will and Testament.

If James is no longer of this Earth, and Lily survives him, he leave the contents of this Will to her until their son, Harry James Potter, reaches his age of majority.

If Lily Marie Potter is no longer of this Earth, at the time of this Reading, we leave these various items to the following:

Harry recognized several familiar names listed there. He was quite surprised to see that a few of his classmates and friends had even been listed – it appeared that his parents were friends with the parents of some of his classmates. Several thousands of Galleons were given as gifts, as well as a few other items.

Harry's eyes widened as he saw his own name listed. There was a number which indicated an obscene amount of Galleons which was apparently now his, as well as the various specific items, was named. Below this, there were more interesting pieces of information.

When Harry reaches the age of eleven, we officially name him Lord Potter, the Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. We also request an official Inheritance Test for Harry so he may discover any and all titles to his name. At this time, if we are no longer of this Earth, I officially ask that my son becomes Emancipated with everything this entails.

Below this there were several names listed again.

If we are no longer of this Earth, we name these individuals below Harry's Official and Magical Guardians.

(In order of preference – if individual is no longer of this Earth, the next name in line becomes Guardian)

Sirius Black – Godfather per the 'The Godfather Ritual'. Family friend and ally.

Alice Longbottom, and her husband, Frank – Godmother per the 'The Godmother Ritual'. Family friends and allies.

Amelia Susan Bones – family friend and ally.

Pandora Lovegood and her husband, Xenophilius – family friends and allies.

Andromeda and Ted Tonks – family friends.

Castor and Illiana Greengrass – allies

Pierre and Appoline Delacour – family friends

By no means, should Harry Potter be raised by Petunia Dursley nee Evans and her husband Vernon.

Harry scowled as he read this last line. He was never meant to be placed with the Dursleys! These witches and wizards – people he knew, people who were apparently friends of his parents – were supposed to be his guardians. He could have grown up with Neville, or Susan Bones, or even Dora! He wondered what the Godfather Ritual was. He also wondered who the Delacours were. He had never heard of them before. Below this, there was more:

Property Ownership to be given to Harry James Potter on day of majority or Emancipation:

Potter Manor – Northampton, England
Potter Cottage – Godric's Hollow, England
Beach Vacation House – La Rochelle, France
Chateau Potter – Nice, France

There were also various other locations, which were mostly businesses, some of which were in Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley, and Hogsmeade. The most interesting was that Harry now owned forty-five percent of the Daily Prophet, and their side-businesses, Witch Weekly and Teen Witch Weekly. He was also a quarter owner of the Lovegood owned newspaper, The Quibbler. He figured from the total of the buildings, at least two million Galleons were coming into the Potter Family Vault each year.

By signing this Final Will and Testament, we vow that everything said here is true and honest,

James Charlus Potter and Lily Marie Potter
Witness: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Gringotts Official Witness: Ragnok The Sixth, Potter Family Vault Keeper

Harry sat back in his chair as he finished.

"Blimey," Dora said, "My parents could have been your guardians, Harry! I could have been your adopted sister!"

"Godfather Ritual?!" McGonagall exclaimed; she spoke in a Scottish dialect that might have been swearing. "Curse you, Albus Dumbledore!"

"Godfather Ritual?" Dora asked, "Where? Oh! Bloody hell, then that means – he's innocent!"

"Er... what?" Harry asked.

"Do you know who Sirius Black is, Harry?" McGonagall asked.

Harry shook his head slowly.

McGonagall sighed. "You have a photo album with your parents' pictures in it. One of the pictures is of their wedding."

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said.

"Hey, I wonder if I am in those photos!" Dora said, grinning, "I was at the wedding!"

"Sirius Black was your father's best man at the wedding," McGonagall said. "He was also your father's best friend."

"And my Mum's favorite cousin," Dora added.

"For several years," McGonagall said, sighing, "It has been assumed that Sirius betrayed your parents. It was assumed he was their Secret Keeper. Therefore, for... Voldemort... to have been able to get into your house, the Secret Keeper would either have had to give the Secret to Voldemort, or have died by Voldemort's hand. Sirius was alive, so it was assumed... well, he went to prison for betraying your parents, as well as murdering Peter Pettigrew and twelve Muggles. But now there may be doubts he did any of that."

"Because the Will says something about a Godfather Ritual?" Harry asked.

"Sirius Black is your Godfather," McGonagall said. "If he participated in the Godfather Ritual with your parents and you... he'd be a corpse if he betrayed you or your parents. The Ritual would make sure of it. The biggest problem with all of this, Harry, is this: Headmaster Dumbledore is also the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and has been since before Sirius went to Azkaban, so he was involved in that. Keeper Ragnok, I know you said there were updates in the Will. Witnesses wouldn't need to be present for the updates. Was Albus present when Sirius Black's role as Guardian was penned in the Will?"

"Yes he was," Ragnok said. "The other Guardians were added later, but Lord Black was added on the first day. Including the Godfather Ritual detail."

"Albus knew that Sirius participated in the Godfather Ritual," McGonagall said, "He knew Sirius was innocent – or at least should have had a proper trial - and still allowed him to be imprisoned in Azkaban. He's been in there for eleven years!"

"He never had a proper trial?!" Hermione asked. "The injustice!"

"It was a different time back then," McGonagall said, sighing, "But, you're still correct."

"What can be done?" Hermione asked.

"Can we obtain a copy of this Will?" McGonagall asked Ragnok. "The DMLE should see it."

"If Mr. Potter gives permission, he may receive a copy," Ragnok said.

"I give my permission," Harry said.

Ragnok snapped his fingers and a copy of the Will appeared next to the original. The copy rolled back up into the mechanism it was in.

"Do you have any questions about the Will, Mr. Potter?" Ragnok asked.

"What are these residences?" Harry replied, pointing to the residential section of the Will.

"Potter Cottage in Godric's Hollow is, unfortunately a ruin," Ragnok said. "That, of course, was the site of the events that Halloween night in 1981. Potter Manor was your family's main residence. It has not been used since your parents moved to Godric's Hollow."

"I've been there a few times," Dora said, "A beautiful house, Harry. You'll love it there. However, I remember House Elves. What happened to the House Elves? They can't have remained alone all these years and thrived."

"I am not sure at this moment in time," Ragnok said, "I can investigate this soon enough. To continue, the residences in La Rochelle and Nice, both in France, are available, and were used as Holiday Homes when your parents went on holiday. All three houses, those aside from the one in Godric's Hollow, are all available to live in."

"That is what you meant, Professor!" Hermione said, "When you said we had a place to live!"

"Potter Manor would be an excellent home," McGonagall said.

"But I don't know where any of these places are," Harry said.

"No problem," Ragnok said. "The Portkeys to the residences are currently in the Potter Family Vault."

Harry wondered what a Portkey was. He figured it was some way of magical travel, like the Floo Network. However, there was a more important question on his mind.

"I have a Family Vault?" Harry asked. "What is that? I know I have a Trust Vault..."

"The Trust Vault does not empty, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said. "It holds a specific, predetermined amount of money, all of which comes from the Family Vault. In addition to the rest of your fortune, there are likely several items your parents and Grandparents, and possibly your ancestors once owned."

"In order to open the Family Vault, you must have the Head Signet Ring," Ragnok said. "You can obtain that soon, but first you must take the Inheritance and Blood Test."

"Let's do that then," Harry said.

Ragnok snapped his fingers, and a blank piece of parchment appeared in front of Harry. The parchment seemed to sparkle. Then a small knife with runes cut into it appeared next to the parchment.

"The Inheritance Test is a Blood ritual," Ragnok said, "As is, obviously the Blood Test. The Ministry will tell you that Blood rituals are very Dark. Nonsense... it is all about the intentions of the user. Some of these rituals are good, some are done for evil purposes. If a Blood Quill or Blood Blade is ever used on you outside of this bank, it is probably being done for evil purposes. Gringotts is the only location in which all of these types of rituals are legal, and only with a Goblin present. Now, with that said, Lord Potter – take the knife, and slice open your palm on your right hand. Do not fret, the cut will heal when the process is complete. Then drip the blood over the parchment in front of you."

Harry nodded and picked up the knife with his left hand. He opened his right palm, sliced it open with his palm, wincing slightly in the process, and turned his hand over. A few droplets of the coppery blood dripped onto the parchment, before the cut healed on its own. Harry watched in awe as the blood seeped into the parchment, then disappeared. Then words began to form, in red ink, or rather, in Harry's blood. Harry then began to read the parchment as the words formed.

Inheritance Test – Harry James Potter

DOB: 31 July 1980
Parents: James Charlus Potter and Lily Marie Evans

Official Titles of Lineage:

Ancient and Noble Houses:
House Potter – direct descendant - father
House Peverell – direct descendant – father
House Black – second-in-line – grandmother

Minor House:
House Evans – direct descendant – mother – second generation

Harry knew of the first three houses. Professor McGonagall had been absolutely right in her assumption the previous day. The Minor House slightly surprised him. He didn't know his mother's side was considered a House.

"What is House Evans?" Harry asked.

"When a Muggleborn marries a highborn," Ragnok said, "they have the option to begin the creation of their own Minor House. Unlike the Ancient And Noble Houses, the Minor House can be continued through simply any one of your future children. Miss Granger will get the same option if she were to marry you."

"My Dad did the same thing as your Mum," Dora said. "The Minor House of Tonks. I'll have the honor of continuing that. Of course that means I'm doomed to be at least a second wife since my children must have my surname. Well, there is another option. But that discussion is for another time."

Harry nodded. Below the Inheritance Test, there was also the Blood Test.

Blood Test – Harry James Potter
DOB: 31 July 1980
Parents: James Charlus Potter and Lily Marie Evans
Blood-Type: Half-Blood

Abilities:
Magical Core: 50% Bound (Unbinding Ritual is suggested)
Parselmouth
Metamorphmagus: 100%.
– Cross-Gender Morphing.
– Capable of Siring and Bearing Offspring
– Female Identity: Rose Lily Potter
Natural Occlumens – Blocked (Reach 75% Unbound Magical Core To Unblock)

Harry's eyebrows raised as he looked at the abilities. He knew about most of those. However...

"Natural Occlumens?" Harry asked.

"Impressive," Dora said.

"Indeed," McGonagall said, "Natural Occlumens block all Legilimency and mind-reading attacks without need to learn the ability. For example, Hermione, as a Neko is now a Natural Occlumens. Looks as if you'll regain that ability, Lord Potter, when Madam Pomfrey releases the next binds of your magical core."

Harry nodded. That would be useful. He sighed as he looked at one word on the parchment.

"So, I am a Parselmouth," he said.

"Aye," Ragnok said, "Some would have you believe it was inherited due to your confrontation with Voldemort. They would be wrong. I believe Parselmouth is an ability in the Black line, long since dormant until now, it would appear."

"Very few in the Black bloodline are lucky – or unlucky – to receive it however," Dora said, "I do not have it, for example."

"'Unlucky'?" Ragnok echoed, "You wand-wielders and your superstitions. Goblins who can speak to serpents are worshiped in the Goblin Nation. Why, Parseltongue is even used to speak to Dragons! Those who work with our security dragons must be required to know Parseltongue. If you humans weren't afraid of the language, Parseltongue speakers could make a fortune as Dragon handlers and you would have far more knowledge about Dragons then you already do. Just because a few so-called Dark wizards have spoken the language over the centuries does not mean it is dangerous!"

"A fine way of looking at it," McGonagall commented, "I know there are many students at Hogwarts who are scared of your ability, but it is useful. Remember that, Lord Potter. Shall we move on?"

At that moment, Ragnok snapped his fingers and a mahogany box appeared on the table. He opened it, and Harry saw a pair of rings laying inside.

"This box, Lord Potter," Ragnok said, "was taken directly from your Family Vault. These two rings are Signet Rings. The Potter Signet Ring will open the Potter Family Vault. It may also speak to you to give you advice about certain things pertaining to you being the Lord of your House. The Peverell Ring is said to have powers of its own, but I do not know what those are. The rings also signify your seat in the Wizengamot at the Ministry. You now claim two seats, Lord Potter, and are heir to a third when it comes to the Black name through your Grandmother, Dorea Black Potter. Sirius Black currently holds that title, even though your Ministry has deemed him a criminal."

"However," McGonagall said, "Even though you are Emancipated, the Wizengamot won't accept you until you are seventeen. You may allow a Proxy to use your seats until that moment. Unfortunately, you won't be able to do so until the next Solstice Session in the Summer."

"If your godfather is a free man by then," Dora said, "He'd be an excellent Proxy."

Harry nodded.

"You can make two rings blend into one," Ragnok said, "or keep them as they are. Then when you need to show the ring to someone, just summon the ring to your finger."

"Alright," Harry said.

He picked up the Potter Family ring, then placed it on his ring finger. He placed the Peverell Family ring on his next finger, and studied them. The Peverell ring had the sign of the Deathly Hallows on it, and the Potter Ring had a Griffin spreading its wings above two swords, which were pointing to the left and right of the ring. With a single thought, the two rings merged together in a flash of bright white light.

"Let us move on," Ragnok said, "The former Lord Potter, James, made a formal request to me before his death. The moment you became Lord Potter, I was to present you with some documents."

"What documents?" Harry asked.

"Betrothal Contracts," Ragnok said; Harry merely nodded. "You are not surprised?"

"Professor McGonagall warned me this could happen," Harry said.

"Ah, I see," Ragnok said, then grinned slightly. "A shame. I was rather looking forward to seeing the shock on your face due to this announcement!"

Harry chuckled, as did Hermione and Dora. Ragnok snapped his fingers. Three pieces of parchment appeared in front of him. He handed them to Harry. Harry set them in front of him and began to read them. The first read:

Betrothal Contract

Boy:
Name: Harry James Potter
DOB: 31 July, 1980
Parents: James and Lily Potter

Girl:
Name: Padma Ashanti Patil
DOB: 19 April, 1980
Parents: Pacha and Ashanti Patil

Harry was familiar with Padma Patil, of course. She was a Ravenclaw student in his year, and was rather cute in Harry's opinion. Her twin sister, Parvati, a Gryffindor and Hermione's former dorm-mate, was also quite cute.

He then read the second. Under his name, date of birth and names of his parents, his other Betrothed's name was shown.

Girl:
Name: Daphne Illiana Greengrass
DOB: 25 February, 1980
Parents: Castor and Illiana Greengrass

Because McGonagall had warned him, Harry had expected this one. But there it was. He was Betrothed to a Slytherin! He would do his best to get to know her, however, before he compared her to his idea of Slytherins.

He then moved to the third. This was a surname he did not identify.

Girl:
Name: Gabrielle Gloria Delacour
DOB: 4 August 1980
Parents: Pierre and Appoline Delacour

Harry had no idea who this girl was. She appeared to be his age, only a few days younger than him, but he didn't recognize her as a name in his year at Hogwarts.

"Who is Gabrielle Delacour?" Harry asked.

"Ah," McGonagall said, "Pierre Delacour's daughter. He is the French Ambassador to the British Ministry of Magic. However, he usually lives at his Chateau in France, so I believe his daughters both attend Beauxbatons Academy."

"I've heard of them," Dora said. "Aren't the Delacour girls Veela?"

"I believe so," McGonagall said, nodding.

"Lucky boy," Dora said, playfully nudging Harry, "A Neko and a Veela. And a couple of pretty cute girls too. A shame. I was hoping I might be one of the three."

She winked and Harry blushed.

"Really?" Harry asked.

"My Mum and Dad were good friends with your parents," Dora said, "My Dad's House was nearly part of the Great Alliance. Your father knew me, so it was possible. I guess our age differences were too much. Shame."

Harry grinned, then sighed. "I don't recognize the Delacour name. They aren't part of the Great Alliance."

"Ah, I believe your father was very close to bringing the Delacour House into the Great Alliance," Ragnok said. "Unfortunately he died before that happened."

"Much like my own House," Dora said.

"Oh," Harry said, "So... er... what happens now?"

"Are the Betrothal Contracts activated, Keeper Ragnok?" McGonagall asked.

"They officially became opened for discussion as soon as Lord Potter gained his Lordship," Ragnok said. "The families of Harry's Betrothed will likely receive notices before the end of the day."

"Then I suppose I should expect letters from all three in the next few days," Harry said, with a sigh.

"I will teach you more about Betrothals in the coming days," McGonagall said. "More likely than not, your Betrothed's families won't expect to have meetings with you until next summer. But, I imagine Miss Patil and Miss Greengrass will wish to speak to you when the next term begins. You'll need to sound like you know what you're talking about. Even if they didn't know they were Betrothed to you, they might have known they were in Betrothal Contracts."

"So they'll expect to discuss such things with me," Harry said, nodding.

"Yes," McGonagall said, "Keeper Ragnok, there is one more thing Lord Potter planned on doing once he received his Lordship."

"And that is?" Ragnok asked.

"He wishes to make Miss Granger here a Vassal of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter," McGonagall said. "Very recently, she and her parents have had some... disagreements with her new lifestyle. She wishes to no longer live with them, and in turn, Lord Potter wishes to take her under his wing."

Ragnok turned to Harry. "Do you know about Vassalage, Lord Potter?"

"Professor McGonagall taught me about it, Keeper Ragnok," Harry said. "What she said is true."

"Very well," Ragnok said, "In order to perform the Vassalage Ritual, simply think of the Ritual in your mind, and your Signet Ring should speak the words to you. First you must touch the tip of your wand with Miss Granger's."

Harry turned to Hermione and they connected wand tips. Harry then heard the ritual's words in his head and he repeated them out loud to Hermione.

"Hermione Jean Granger," Harry said, "Do you, from this day forward, accept the title of Vassal of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter?"

"I do," Hermione said.

"I, Harry James Potter, Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter," Harry said, "do accept Hermione Jean Granger as the Vassal of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. In return for proper servitude as I see fit, I offer protection of my House. I vow to defend you from my enemies and opposition with all my power. As Vassal of my House, I remove the Trace from your person so you may serve my House properly as I see fit. So mote it be!"

At once, a golden orb of light surrounded the tip of their wands, then moved down toward their arms. Harry's eyes fluttered as he felt warmth engulf him. He relaxed back in his chair as he inhaled and exhaled deep gulps of breath.

"Congratulations, Hermione Granger, Vassal of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter," Ragnok said, "I do believe the Trace is now removed from your person."

"Brilliant," Hermione said.

"Miss Granger, do you have a Trust Vault?" Ragnok asked.

"No, sir," Hermione said.

"I merely ask," Ragnok said, "Because Lord Potter may open a Trust Vault for you, as his Vassal, if he wishes."

"I would like to give my Trust Vault to my Vassal, Keeper Ragnok," Harry said. "I will use my Family Vault from now on."

"Harry, you don't need to do that," Hermione said.

"I won't be using it anymore," Harry said, "It would be a waste. You're my Vassal, and therefore, my responsibility. I'm quite alright with doing this."

"But that is so much money!" Hermione said.

"Did you not see that number in the Will?" Harry asked, "That is how much wealth I own in Galleons. I doubt I'll spend a third of that in my lifetime. My – our – grandchildren will be using that, likely!"

Hermione blushed when Harry mentioned 'grandchildren', which of course meant the promise of children.

"Alright," she said, "Thank you."

"A key will be made for Miss Granger before you leave here," Ragnok said, "The old key will be destroyed. There is one final thing I would like to discuss. On your blood test, Lord Potter, it said you had a female identity."

"Rose Lily Potter," Harry said.

"Has she emerged recently?" Ragnok asked.

"Yes, sir," Harry said, "In fact, I plan on allowing her to emerge before I leave your bank. She wishes to go clothes shopping."

"I wish to meet her before you leave," Ragnok said. "Are you the dominant personality?"

"Yes, sir," Harry said.

"I will test that myself when I meet Rose," Ragnok said.

Harry shrugged. "Dora will be doing the same. So I don't mind."

"Excellent," Ragnok said, "Do you wish to visit your Family Vault, Lord Potter? Your party may accompany you."

"That would be brilliant," Harry said, "I need to get some money for the shopping trip anyway."

"Then if there are no more questions," Ragnok said, "This meeting is adjourned."

There were no questions. Harry collected the copy of the Will, and the Betrothal Contracts. Then he and his party left the room with Ragnok.