Please note there is still a poll up on my page. You can vote for the type of story you want.
I realize some of you don't like Dumbledore bashing, and I'm going to try and stray from it as much as possible, but there will be some disappointments here and there from the Leader Of The Light.
I really wish I owned Harry Potter, but if I did I probably wouldn't be here right now. That is to say, I do not own Harry Potter.
"...and of course she's been an immediate success. She's com-"
"An immediate WHAT?" Harry asked loudly as Hermione read that morning's Daily Prophet. She snorted an rolled her eyes before finishing the paper and moving on to the task of eating her toast. "Oh Harry, if you see Fred and George on your way to Dumbledore's, tell them I need to see them."
Harry sighed, nodded, and hurried to eat his toast, before kissing Hermione on the cheek goodbye and heading up to the Headmaster's Office. Hermione watched him go before she pulled out the plans she had been working on. Time to knock Umbridge down a couple pegs...
Harry climbed the long, twisting staircases wondering what Headmaster Dumbledore wanted to see him about. He discovered Fred and George outside the headmaster's office, trying to get inside. He winked at them and told the gargoyle "Ice Chips." Their eyes lit up and they rushed past him to hide in the stairway. Harry stepped inside and asked "Professor Dumbledore, you wanted to see me?" Dumbledore nodded. "I regret to have not told you this years ago, but I felt you would like a chance to integrate into society a bit before you had this hanging over your head." Dumbledore put a piece of paper on the desk and an ornate ruby box. Then he pulled a second, obsidian box and a second piece of parchment. finally he pulled out a colorful, moving parchment.
"Years ago, when your parents died and Sirius was sent to Azkaban, I became your magical guardian and sole magical provider. upon discovering this I went to Gringotts to seal your family vaults until you came of age so that no one would be able to take money in or out." Harry nodded in understanding. "Upon my arrival at Gringotts, your family account manager approached me. He took me to his office and explained to me that Gringotts had done a very thorough search into the past five generations of your family. First, your great, great, great grandparents were of pureblood heritage and had no more than two heirs, as was the custom. All other lines were killed in the Muggle world war/ War of Grindelwald except your great-great grandparents and two distant cousins of theirs. One of their cousins later died from a bar fight gone wrong. He had no heirs. Your great-great grandmother married into the Potter family and their had a single heir, who would have been your father's grandfather. Your grandfather married and had two daughters and a son. The son married April Marie Thimes, who is your grandmother. They had one child, James, who married Lily before you were born. Unfortunately, in his quest to destroy you, Voldemort wiped out your great aunts and their lines. He of course, killed James and Lily also before being banished."
Dumbledore looked at Harry very closely before he continued. "Being as they were able to trace the Potter family name back 27 generations, that made your family an Ancient house, similar to the Blacks. Your ancestors had served in the government, fought in wars, helped those in need, and made the wizarding world what it is today. This service to our world makes yours a Noble house. Therefore, the Potter family is a most Ancient and Noble house."
Harry blinked in surprise. He hadn't been aware of this. Still, Dumbledore continued. "In the Wizengamont we create laws to help aid our country. Ancient houses have a vote. Noble houses have a vote, and noble and most ancient houses have two votes. I have an extra one for a great service to the wizarding world, defeating the dark wizard Grindelwald. You also have a third vote for the defeat of Lord Voldemort, not to mention you are very well respected for surviving the killing curse, the triwizard tournament, and keeping our world safe for 15 years. You will be able to sway the other members of the wizengamont to create laws for the greater good!"
Harry stared at the elderly man, trying to fathom what he was saying. "So, I have three votes on the wizengamont and the power to cause some serious changes around here? I thought everyone hated me on the wizengamont?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "Only Fudge and Malfoy really hate you. Everyone else more or less... bends to their will. And you will have the power to cause changes, just not yet. First, you must claim your head of house ring. It is in the ruby box. Beside it is your parent's will. Now, each family ring has it's own...kinks. you may want to look through the will to make certain of what you are getting yourself into. Harry's eyes gleamed as he thought about what this could mean. Finally, he might be able to have a say in his future! He snatched up the will, which was written on muggle paper instead of parchment, and came face to face with some of the prettiest handwriting he'd ever seen.
"Mom..." he said quietly. Dumbledore's eyes were moist as he nodded. "She made her 'g' like I do." He said in wonderment.
The Last Will and Testament of Lillian Evans Potter.
I, Lillian Potter nee Evans, being of sound heart and mind, do declare this to be my will, and any others before it are hereby declared null and void.
I hereby leave all of my worldly assets to my husband James Potter in the event that my death shall come to pass before his. If both of us are dead or severly mentally incapitated, then I leave all of our worldly assets to our son, Harry James Potter.
If in the event we are unable to take care of our son in any way, He will go to the following guardians as listed.
Sirius Orion Black
Remus Lupin
Alice Longbottom
Minerva McGonagall
Any wizarding family aside from the Malfoys, Lestranges, or any other suspected dark family.
Any muggle orphanage
Under no circumstances is Harry to be left with my sister, her husband, and son. Petunia and Vernon Dursley.
All outside parties not listed in our will are hereby forbidden from reading this will.
Lily Evans Potter.
Harry looked up slowly. He met the eyes of Albus Dumbledore and asked slowly "Have you read this?" Dumbledore shook his head. "I am forbidden, young Harry." Harry nodded and reached for the ruby box. He opened the clasp and reached inside to seize the ring. It, like the box, was ruby and had specks of gold here and there. He slid the ring onto his right ring finger and felt it mold onto his hand.
"Next," Dumbledore said with a smile. "We have a bit of a surprise. Sirius Black, In his will, named you the sole heir or his fortune and more specifically, his head of house status. This will give you an added two votes, ending at a whopping five votes."
Harry reached for the will and read:
I, Sirius Orion Black, Head of the Most Noble and Ancient house of Black, Being of sound mind and soul, do declare this to be my last will and testament. All previously submitted wills are now declared null and void. I hereby name Harry James Potter as the sole heir to my entire fortune, including all moneys, titles, and properties. He will continue as Lord Black in my stead.
I hereby declare him emancipated. Please tell him to get away from the Dursleys.
The Black Family ring may remove memory and magical core spells and will block them.
All outside parties not listed in the will are hereby forbidden from reading this will.
Sirius Orion Black
"So Harry, with your votes and influence under my guidance, we could change the flow of the wizarding world. We could change the world itself, even. What do you say?"
Harry didn't meet Dumbledore's eyes as he reached forward toward the obsideon box. He clicked the lock and looked inside. An emerald ring centered with some sort of black, glass-like substance. He picked it up and slid it on to the same finger as his Potter ring, astonished when both rings molded together so that it appeared to be a ruby ring with green flecks and the same black center stone. Dumbledore beamed. "Well done, Harry. Now, the next meeting is-"
"Pardon me, Professor Dumbledore, but Sirius asked me to get away from the Dursley's, and my mum's will stated I was not to go there. Furthermore, I see my mom's will, but where is Dad's?" Dumbledore smiled a little and said "Your father's will was practically the same as your mother's, with the exception of numerous curses. Or so I am told by your bank manager, who was there when the wills were submitted." Then he became more sober. "I was not aware that you were not meant to go to the Dursley's, as I was not allowed to read the will. However, I hope that Lily will forgive me that tidbit when I die, as I was trying to keep you safe from Lord Voldemort."
"I refuse to go back there, Headmaster."
"If that is your wish I will see it through now that I know that bit of the will. However, may I ask why?"
Harry closed his eyes and small memory flashes of the Dursleys flashed behind his eyes. A raised hand, a cat flap, the grate of the cupboard door, and the piercing pain of hunger. The images were brighter somehow, clearer. "No sir, I'm afraid I'm not comfortable enough to provide you with my reasons right now. I'm sorry."
Dumbledore cocked his head to the side and said in almost a whisper: "Is there something you have not been telling me all these years, Harry?" Harry's throat ran dry, and suddenly he had the overwhelming desire to see Hermione. To talk to her, more specifically. "N-no sir." He choked out, backing up a few steps. His hand fumbled behind him until he found the doorknob. "May I leave?" Dumbledore stood up and closed the two ornate boxes before saying "The wills are yours to keep. Then you may go. As I recall, you have Defense Against the Dark Arts this morning. Do try and not get detention, will you?"
Harry stepped forward to grab the wills before turning on his heel. He opened the door and saw Fred and George standing too close for comfort. He jumped and said "Bloody hell guys! So did you do what you came to do?"
George nodded evily. "The whole office is bugged."
"Really glad we-" "-came up with-" "-invisibility hats!"
Harry nodded and remembered how in first year Dumbledore had said he didn't need an invisibility cloak to become invisible. "Oh! Hermione said she wanted to see you."
Fred and George nodded. "Thanks mate! Also, congratulations- Lord Potter-Black!" Harry waved them off, but the name buzzed in his head. Lord Potter-Black. Lord Harry James Potter-Black. Vanquisher of the Dark Lord Voldemort. Boy who lived. Youngest winner of the Triwizard tournament. Orphan. Slave. Boy.
Harry's eyes traced the lines in the floors as Fred and George chatted on about on thing or another beside him. Out of all his titles, the only ones he bothered with were Harry, son of James and Lily. Boyfriend of Hermione Granger. Best mate of Ron Weasley.
Labels. He thought suddenly. They were labels. just as common as the words muggleborn, halfblood, or pureblood. He was sorted into a category. Yes, it was a rather small category, seeing as he had facing Voldemort multiple times, and done things most grown men could not claim, but he was still Harry, Half-blood, student, human. The last category he quickly abolished, though. He had met plenty of wonderful, non-human people in his life. Hagrid, and Remus, and Fred and George. Firenze, Hermione." He blushed a little and then continued to list the places he fit in in his head. "Magical, teenager, British, black hair, green eyes, quiddich player. The list was actually quite lengthy. That was a comforting thought. Unfortunately, there were two things he'd never be.
Son,... nephew.
He'd never get there.
"Harry!" Someone snapped their fingers in front of his face." "Harry! Are you there, mate?!" He shook his head to clear his mind and then said "Sorry guys, lost in thought. What were you saying?" Fred pointed a finger at the door in front of them and Harry realized they'd made it all the way to the Great Hall. He looked inside, but didn't see Hermione. "Shit, she must have left for Defense already." George raised an eyebrow at his language and Harry said "I was hoping to talk to her before classes." "Snog in a broom closet, more like." Fred coughed. Both twins laughed a bit. Harry rolled his eyes. "No, I need to talk to her about the Dursleys." He paused. "Though I must say, your alternative doesn't sound bad either." Fred and George both snorted. "You two are just jealous I got the prettiest girl in school."
"No!" "As if!" "And even if you do have the prettiest girl, we are the prettiest guys." Fred crossed his arms over his chest in a tough guy pose. Harry rolled his eyes. "That's debatable. I am Harry James Potter, vanquisher of Voldemort, Griffendor quiddich seeker. You can't touch this." George's eyes narrowed. "I'm starting to consider sucking the life out of you..."
"And I suppose you'll still be keeping your... status secret after you do?" "Touché." Fred smirked. "But still, when did small, ickle Harrikens decide he liked pulling innocent little, vampire bookworms into broom closets to snog them senseless?"
"When-"
"What did Harry say about snogging vampire-bookworms in broom closets?" Harry spun around and spotted an irate Hermione, drumming her fingers on her arms. "Oh, Hermione, didn't see you there."
"Didn't think so."
"See Harry, we can't drain your life force, but she can." Hermione rolled her eyes as Harry glared at the twins. "I came to collect him. We're going to be late for Defense at this rate. Fred, George, meet me in 4/9A at 11:00 tonight? Please?" Fred raised an eyebrow. "In case you hadn't noticed Hermione, we can't come out of our rooms after 10:00." "I've noticed." Hermione said crisply. "But if you don't go into your rooms you are not held captive." Fred shifted from one foot to the other. "Can we make it 10:00 instead of 11? Less chance of being caught, and since students have a tendency of sneaking out, we shouldn't be out long. There's a reason why the doors lock. Plus, Georgie and I won't have to find a way to entertain ourselves for a whole hour." Hermione frowned a little, reworking her mental schedule, then said "Yes, that will work nicely. Thank you."
Fred and George nodded and took off at top speed toward their next classes. Hermione grabbed Harry tight and took off to Defense. As they walked in, thirty-two seconds before final bell, Harry could be heard complaining: "They lock you in at night? That's horrible! I mean, how likely are you to break a rule?" "Exactly Harry, The rules state that any type of student that could be potentially dangerous to another must be locked in a separate room come nighttime. And I'm not one to break a rule." Harry grumbled as they took their seats in the front row, where Professor Umbridge could keep an eye on them.
Speak of the devil, Umbitch herself stood slowly and walked over to stand in front of their desks as the bell rang. She leaned down and said, in a low whisper, "I don't want any funny business from you two today. Understood?" They nodded, but as soon as Umbridge had turned around, Harry slipped Hermione a note reading : She's in a pissy mood today."
Hermione bit her lip and forced down a laugh.
