Chapter 12
Fortunes and Misfortunes

Author's Note: We finally end the Gringotts visit, which was originally planned to be ONE chapter! No plan survives contact with the muse!

Some readers/reviewers are wondering why Dumbledore was the Witness of James and Lily's Will. This will be explained at some point in the story. Any other answer would be spoilers. Along with the question about why they were in Godric's Hollow, when Potter Manor was a suitable house to remain in with much better protections!

Some of you might dislike Ragnok by the end of this chapter. He has his reasons for what he is going to be doing.

Warning: Dumbledore, Severus Snape and Ron, Ginny and Molly Weasley Bashing; A chapter chock-full of Helpful Goblins; Emancipation; Lords and Ladies; Ancient and Noble Houses, Illegal Bindings and Bound Abilities; Not-so-ridiculously large, but still large, amounts of Galleons.

Additional Warning: There will be certain topics that come up after Harry leaves the Hospital Wing that might be considered dark and difficult to read. It will center around Harry and Hermione's Obliviations. References to Past Child Abuse, including Severe Physical Assault (and Attempted Murder?).


(Sunday, December 13th, 1994)

Harry glanced at Hermione "There isn't any way Hermione can be rid of the Trace, is there?"

McGonagall's eyes widened, then she smiled. "There is, Lord Potter. And it might be exactly what we need for some of our recent problems that have been dealt to us. Tell me, Lord Potter, do you know what a Vassal is?"

"Er… yes," Harry said, "But doesn't that end up with the Vassal a subject to a life of servitude in return to promise of protection?"

"Technically it means that," McGonagall said, "But only if the Protector wishes to do that. You certainly wouldn't want that with Heiress Dagworth-Granger, would you?"

"Absolutely not," Harry said, with a smile at Hermione, who blushed and smiled back at him, "She will very likely be the future Lady Potter, after all. I'd offer protection without servitude. Why would this be necessary?"

"Because, Lord Potter," McGonagall said, "Being Heiress Dagworth-Granger does not protect her from the perils of the Second Task. If she was Lady, then yes, it would add to the argument. But she has no reason to become Emancipated. As a Vassal of Lord Potter, she would be given official protection of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter.

"We have other plans to attempt to prevent the Heiress from becoming a victim of the Second Task, but if those plans fail, then you will have no choice but to announce your Lordships, Lord Potter, your Heiress Title, Heiress Dagworth-Granger, and the fact that you would be his Vassal. Even Dumbledore wouldn't interfere in that – not when it means he could lose a lot of respect if he places the Heiress of a long-thought dead House in danger."

"In addition, as your Vassal," Ragnok said, "you could remove the Trace from the Heiress, so she could assist you as your Vassal by any means necessary."

"Well, I'm convinced, Harry," Hermione said.

"Me too," Harry said. "What do I need to do?"

"Listen to your rings, Lord Potter, Heiress Dagworth-Granger," Ragnok said, "They will tell you how to complete the Vassal Ritual. You may use your wands for this Ritual."

Guided by their rings, Harry and Hermione stood up, then raised their wands, and Harry pressed his against Hermione's.

"Hermione Jean Granger," Harry said, clearly, "Heiress to the Noble House of Dagworth-Granger, do you, from this day forward until I release you, accept the title and role of Vassal of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter."

"I do, Lord Potter," Hermione said.

"I, Harry James Potter, Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter," Harry continued, clearly, "do accept Hermione Jean Granger, Heiress to the Noble House of Dagworth-Granger, as the Vassal of the House of Potter. In return for your 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 surrounded their wands, then moved down toward their arms. Harry's eyes fluttered as he felt the warmth of the accepting magic engulf him. Harry and Hermione collapsed into their chairs, breathing heavily.

"Congratulations, Heiress Dagworth-Granger, Vassal to the House of Potter," Ragnok said, "I do believe the Trace is officially removed from your person."

"Brilliant," Harry and Hermione said.

"Now we may move on to the next scheduled topic," Ragnok said, "The Fortunes, Properties, Residences, and other various assets of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. Unfortunately, I must audit the House of Peverell Account before I can allow you to peruse that information. Same goes for you, Heiress Dagworth-Granger."

"I understand, Keeper Ragnok," Hermione said. "This is more than I expected already. I am willing to wait as long as possible."

"I am sure I am going to be overwhelmed with the Potter Account fortune, Keeper Ragnok," Harry said, "So I can wait for the House Peverell results."

"Before we continue," Ragnok said, "Lord Potter, do you wish to merge your Trust Vault and the Main Vaults. Or do you wish to keep your Trust Vault?"

Harry glanced at Professor McGonagall. "What do you think, ma'am?"

"Albus Dumbledore might be keeping an eye on your Vaults whether or not he has been able to gain access into them," McGonagall said, "I would keep the Trust Vault available for now."

"It is impossible for anyone not a Potter – blood or married – to open the Main Vaults without the Lord and Lady Potter rings," Ragnok said. "The Trust Vault, however. If Albus Dumbledore and Molly Weasley had possession of the Key to the Vault – which will soon be remedied of course – they could remove money from it. As much as they wanted. You wouldn't notice any money was missing, Lord Potter, as it refills each year with 25,000 Galleons."

"So what you're saying is – Dumbledore or Mrs. Weasley could have emptied it each year without anyone knowing better," Harry said.,

"Without a proper audit, Lord Potter," Ragnok corrected. "Before your eleventh birthday, I thought the Trust Vault was frozen. It is not out of the realm of possibility that someone – Griphook, perhaps – could have betrayed me, and Gringotts in general, and allowed them into the Vaults. However, the audit will let me know exactly how much money was taken each year, and where most of that money went. As the Account Manager of House Potter, I have that right to track any Galleon which is placed in the Potter Vaults."

"I appreciate it, Keeper Ragnok," Harry said. "What does this possible thievery mean for the information I am about to receive?"

"That information is up-to-date, Lord Potter," Ragnok said, "For example, if you remove one Galleon from one of the Vaults, the main total of the monetary fortune will automatically drop down one Galleon."

"Brilliant!" Harry said, "That is efficient."

"Of course it is," Ragnok said, with a grin. "Gringotts favors efficiency as much as it favors gold."

He snapped his fingers, and a piece of parchment appeared in front of Harry. He began to peruse through it.

Account Report – Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter

Current Owner: Harry James Potter, Lord of Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter

Vault 687 (Main Potter Vault – Monetary Possessions, Jewels and Gems, Misc. Monetary Documents)

Total Monetary Fortune:
35,734,710 Galleons, 12 Sickles, 4 Knuts

Jewels and Gems (Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, etc.) Total Value:
12,364,843 Galleons, 19 Sickles, 7 Knuts

Misc. Monetary Documents: (War Bonds, Liberty Bonds, Food Stamps, IOUs) Total Value:
Unknown Total Due To Fluctuating Societal Changes

VAULT 713 (Harry James Potter Trust Vault)

Total Monetary Fortune: 19,345 Galleons

Note: Vault Filled To Total of 25,000 Galleons Transferred from Vault 687 on 31 July Each Year Between 1981 and 1998

Harry would have been amazed by the total amount of money, if he hadn't noticed one important tidbit in the Trust Vault information.

"My School Supplies were nowhere near costing five-thousand Galleons," Harry said, "I'm going to guess either Dumbledore, Mrs. Weasley, or both, stole from my Vault, and it amounted to about five-thousand Galleons."

"That will be discovered during the audits, Lord Potter," Ragnok promised.

Harry nodded, then continued reading. Vault 688, the neighboring Vault to the one which held Monetary Possessions, held Material and Physical Possessions. This included everything from every type of furniture, trunks, portraits and paintings and a great number of books. There was a list of the books, and Harry didn't recognize most of those titles. There were also a couple of jewelry boxes, with a list of several pieces of jewelry. Harry smiled, as he realized he might have just discovered what he would give Hermione for Christmas. However, he was most interested in what was called a Hope Chest.

"I assume most of the furniture from the house on Godric's Hollow is in Vault 688?" Harry asked.

"That which was salvageable, yes," Ragnok said. "The day after your parents died, I had trusted Goblins go to the House and remove all salvageable items from there, and bring them to Vault 688."

"Do you know what this Hope Chest is, Keeper Ragnok?" Harry asked.

"I hoped you might ask that, Lord Potter," Ragnok said, "The chest once belonged to your mother – it was her school trunk, as I understand – five compartments in total, the last of which grew in size to become a wardrobe. Your parents mentioned this chest explicitly. They said they placed several items inside meant for you, and had also made a list of items that were supposed to be placed in it, if they died. For example, if you continue down the list there, you will find various properties you own. In the Chest, there are various Permanent Portkeys keyed to the Lord Potter ring, that will teleport you and anyone you allow, who uses the Portkey, to the property in question. There are also letters from your parents, I believe. And several other items they placed inside it. Mementos would be the best definition for those items.

"If you do not wish to visit your Vault before you leave today. I can bring the Hope Chest here. I was told you should take it as soon as you were allowed entrance into the Vault."

"We still need to visit the Daily Prophet Headquarters, Lord Potter," McGonagall said. "Then you still have your Healer Appointment to keep in mind after this meeting."

"I will visit the Vault another day," Harry said, "Can I get a copy of this list of my physical possessions in case I want my house-elf to get something from the vault later? Speaking of, I can have my house-elf get my Hope Chest later."

Ragnok nodded once and snapped his fingers. A new piece of parchment appeared with the list of physical properties in Vault 688.. Harry thanked Ragnok then returned to peruse the parchment.

Properties:
Potter Manor – Northampton, England
Potter Cottage – Godric's Hollow, England
Beach Vacation House – La Rochelle, France
Chateau Potter – Nice, France
Isle Potter: Caribbean Ocean – Otherwise Unplottable
Dursley Residence - Number 4, Privet Drive, Surrey, England

Harry scowled. "I own my relatives' house?!"

"I believe your mother loaned the house to your Aunt as a wedding gift, Lord Potter," Ragnok said. "I say loan, because Lady Potter emphasized that you would be able to remove them from the premises if you wished."

Harry grinned. "I have an idea."

"Harry," Hermione said, "You shouldn't kick them out. You would feel bad later. They have nowhere else to go, do they?"

"I'm giving them the means to find a place to go," Harry said, "Keeper Ragnok, if you can proceed with my wishes, please tell me. You see, I want to give the Dursleys what amounts to 200,000 Euros. I don't care what that amounts to in Galleons. I should be able to afford it. I am only willing to give them this money, if they will move out of the house before New Year's Day. They are to move out of the house, and leave the country. Inform them that they are allowed to live in North America, South America, Australia, China, Japan or Russia, as long as they live a long distance away from Great Britain. Somewhere wizards – like Dumbledore – will never find them. If you can, I want you to write a Contract making them do exactly all of this. They will not refuse with the amount of money they are about to receive. But if they do, Keeper Ragnok, I want you to take the house right out from under them. Wait, can you do that literally?"

Hermione rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's antics, but a small smile formed across her lips.

"If it comes to it, we will do exactly that, Lord Potter," Ragnok grinned. "Two-hundred thousand Euros is a fair amount. You can certainly afford it."

"Even so!" McGonagall huffed, "It is a lot of money! Especially for those… people. Worst Muggles imaginable, indeed."

"It certainly is," Hermione sniffed. "And they certainly are."

"I do not care," Harry said, "As long as it makes the Dursleys leave Great Britain and never return. As long as Dumbledore cannot make me return there. I now have these properties I can live in or spend a holiday in. This summer I'll be living in Potter Manor. I won't be going back to the Dursleys. After they leave, I will decide what to do with the house."

McGonagall sighed and nodded. "I suppose you do make a good argument, Lord Potter."

"I can see your reasons for it, Harry," Hermione said. "It just seems… extreme."

"I don't care - especially if it means I'll never see them again," Harry said, shrugging.

"It will be done, Lord Potter," Ragnok said, "I will make the Contract and give you a copy of it as soon as possible, so that you may look it over. Once you approve, I will have one of our human representatives meet with your relatives, the Dursleys, to present the contract."

Harry smiled. Now that he could think straight again, he was grinning at those residential properties he owned. Here were the places he and Hermione could escape to if they had to leave Great Britain. Isle Potter sounded the most promising. An unplottable private island? Nobody would be able to find them!

With this in mind, he then looked back at the parchment. He raised an eyebrow as he found he owned a percentage of several businesses in Diagon and Knockturn Alleys, and in Hogsmeade. He grinned when he found he owned 35% of the Daily Prophet and its sister magazines, including Witch Weekly. That would certainly go a long way. He owned 25% of a magazine known as the Quibbler, which was apparently owned by the father of Luna Lovegood. He owned 20% of the Leaky Cauldron, and the Three Broomsticks, and was on a list of VIPs to use the VIP Rooms in each location free of charge, as long as he made reservations three days in advance. That was interesting, and very useful.

He raised an eyebrow when he found he outright owned Sleakeasy company, and had heavy partnership in various apothecaries and other Potions companies. When he asked Ragnok about this, he discovered his great grandfather, Fleamont Potter, founded Sleakeasy. The Potters were well-invested in Potion businesses and Apothecaries. Harry smirked when he realized Snape had likely contributed to the massive fortune in Galleons he owned. He'd have to figure out a way to let the sour Professor know.

He also found he had several large shares in various Muggle stocks around the world, and several in the New York Stock Exchange. He grinned. Uncle Vernon had followed the various Stock Exchanges around the world, and Harry had learned a lot from him complaining or bragging about the Stock Market. So he a knew a bit about what all of this was.

"Keeper Ragnok," Harry said, "If you will, please review the list of Stock Market shares I own. If you, or another Goblin here at Gringotts, can give me advice on each stock I have shares in, and which I should keep, and which I should sell, please let me know. In addition, I would like to get advice on which newer companies I could invest in. Both for the Stock Market, and any new companies or businesses that have come into the wizarding world."

"I will be happy to do all of this, Lord Potter," Ragnok said, "I do not know how long it will take, but I will give you a report of all my findings."

"Thank you, Keeper Ragnok," Harry said. "I believe I am finished with this. I look forward to all results of auditing and other reports you will have for me."

"I do too, Lord Potter," Ragnok said, "It will be most interesting."

"Is there anything else I should know?" Harry asked, "things which aren't listed in here?"

"Yes," Ragnok said, "Several families – highborn and lowborn both - owe monetary debts and loans that have remained static due to the fact that there hasn't been a Lord Potter available until now. These debts and loans are now no longer frozen. I will put together a report on all of these. Then you can do whatever you want with it. You can forgive the debts and loans – which means you won't order them to pay what they owe you. You can order all debts and loans to be paid. You can do a mixture of both, after you figure out who owes you money. My advice, Lord Potter? Figure out who your enemies are, and use this to put a big dent in their fortunes – whether massive or not."

Harry grinned. "I will certainly consider that option, Keeper Ragnok. I could also ask you to give letters to certain families – families of students at Hogwarts – and let them know they owe debts and loans to me. What do you bet I'll soon have those Heirs and Heiresses flocking to me to apologize for whatever crimes they've committed against me?"

Ragnok cackled, Hermione actually seemed to approve of the plan, and McGonagall looked thoughtful.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were part-Goblin, Lord Potter!" Ragnok barked, "And that is the highest compliment I could give you! If this is what you wish, I will do exactly that!"

"I am honored, Keeper Ragnok," Harry said, "I will make these decisions when the time comes. I also have one more request."

"I'm listening, Lord Potter," Ragnok said.

"I assume you – or someone else here at Gringotts – are going to write to Albus Dumbledore concerning my Vaults," Harry said, "Regarding the thefts?"

"I will indeed," Ragnok said, "Him and Molly Weasley. I am also looking forward to the possibility – nay – probability of giving them the news that they are banned from these premises. Why do you ask?"

"Could you put this off as long as possible?" Harry asked, "At least for Albus Dumbledore. What I am asking is – could you put it off until there comes a time when I need him away from Hogwarts? If it doesn't by the end of the year, you're free to do whatever you want with him. If I can get this to happen, I will send you a letter with my house-elf."

Ragnok stared at Harry for thirty seconds, and then he nodded. "I will do this, Lord Potter. But only because this meeting has been very entertaining. It is wonderful to have a Potter across the table from me again."

"I am honored, Keeper Ragnok," Harry said, "I look forward to future meetings. They should be most… prosperous."

"Of course they will be!" Ragnok barked, "What a joy this meeting has been. I do believe we are now finished, aside from your appointments with our trusted Healers."

"Lord Potter, McGonagall said. "I would advise you to have your House-Elf take the copies of the documents back to the Castle."

Harry agreed and called Dobby. Dobby was happy to take the documents back to Harry's Private Quarters.

"If you will, I will now escort you to the Hospital Wing," Ragnok said, after Dobby left, "Lady McGonagall, only the patients and the Healers are allowed in each respective room. You are, of course, welcome to wait for your students. It won't take long, I promise you. You see, the rooms are behind Time Containment Runes. However long it takes for them inside the Hospital rooms, only ten minutes will pass outside the rooms."

Hermione's eyes widened at the pure possibilities of such a thing. McGonagall agreed to wait in the Hospital Wing for her students. Three humans and one Goblin stood, and Ragnok led them out of the room.

The journey to the Hospital Wing took five minutes. Five minutes of walking through narrow cavern-like corridors, and past Goblins who either looked at the humans curiously, or ignored them outright. Harry noticed there were no female or children amongst the Goblins that they encountered.

Soon enough, they reached the Hospital Wing, where they found two Goblins waiting for them. Harry figured Ragnok must have contacted them in some way, warning the Healers of their arrival.

"Lord Potter, Heiress Dagworth-Granger, Lady McGonagall," Ragnok said, "These are Healers Heartrod and Bulkbones, two of Gringotts most celebrated Healers, for the treatment amongst both Goblins and humans. Healer Heartrod will be your Healer, Lord Potter, and Healer Bulkbones will be yours, Heiress Dagworth-Granger.. Pardon me, I must address the Healers."

Harry, Hermione and McGonagall waited as Ragnok and the Healers spoke in Gobbledygook for over two minutes. At one point, Ragnok had given the two Healers copies of the Blood Test reports Harry and Hermione had read earlier. At another point, Heartrod looked from Ragnok to Harry, then made a scowl and a grunt. Ragnok said something in harsh Gobbledygook, and Heartrod sighed gutturally, then replied in the Goblin language. The conversation went on for another minute, before Ragnok turned back to the humans.

"May I ask what that was about, Keeper Ragnok?" McGonagall asked, "Forgive me, but Healer Heartrod didn't look very happy with Lord Potter."

"Child abuse is heavily frowned upon, even amongst Goblins, Lady McGonagall," Ragnok said, "Healer Heartrod was not happy with what he read in Lord Potter's report, regarding badly healed bones and history of malnutrition."

Healer Heartrod grunted, and Ragnok glared at the Healer, who cowed.

"Regardless, I promise Lord Potter and Heiress Dagworth-Granger will receive the best service Gringotts can offer," Ragnok said, "No matter how long they remain inside these rooms, they will return in ten minutes real-time. The two of you may now go into the respective rooms."

Harry and Hermione exchanged heartwarming smiles – the most they were willing to do on Goblin soil, due to McGonagall's early warning of no public displays of affection – and followed their respective Healer into the rooms.


(Meanwhile)

Keeper Ragnok the Sixth sighed as he turned to Lady McGonagall.

"Lady McGonagall," he said, "Due to the various Blocks and health issues found on Lord Potter and Heiress Dagworth-Granger, they may return a changed person. There was evidence of past Obliviations in their reports. They may come out of the rooms angry about whatever they remember."

"Yes, that is probably likely," Lady McGonagall muttered. "I also noticed Lord Potter is a Metamorphmagus, which astounds me! I've only known one before. She used to be a student in Hogwarts, and was actually in her seventh year during Lord Potter's first year."

"Ah yes, Nymphadora Tonks," Ragnok said, "Interesting first name. We tried to hire her to work here at Gringotts, but she was dead-set on joining your Aurors."

"Yes, her Metamorphmagus abilities do give her a lot of opportunities," Lady McGonagall said. "Will Lord Potter's full abilities be completely unlocked?"

"If that is what was blocked, then yes, it will be," Ragnok said, "I would make sure Lord Potter is told all about what he can do with his new talents."

"Yes, I will be sure to make that happen," Lady McGonagall said.

"Is there anything we at Gringotts can do for you, Lady McGonagall?" Ragnok asked, "Perhaps you may feel the need to use our Healing Services. Forgive me, if my question was rude."

Lady McGonagall considered this for a moment, before she shook her head. "Not at the moment, Keeper Ragnok. I cannot risk any changes in my behavior around Albus Dumbledore right now. Not especially with what has been revealed concerning Lord Potter and Heiress Dagworth-Granger."

"Of course," Ragnok said.

"There was one thing I know was discussed between the Lord and Heiress as a possibility," Lady McGonagall said. "A possible Betrothal Contract for the pair of them. They might believe they are too young for such a thing at this moment. But I didn't want to tell them –"

"That once it is discovered Miss Granger is now an Heiress of a once-dead House," Ragnok said, "Some pureblood might try to take advantage of it."

"Right," Lady McGonagall said.

"I tell you what," Ragnok said, "I will keep a few ears open – mine and others – around the Pureblood circle and the Ministry itself, and decide if it would be necessary to suggest a Betrothal Contract for the pair. If I feel it becomes a necessity, I will contact Lord Potter and Heiress Dagworth-Granger and give them my concerns."

"I will keep an eye on Hogwarts for the same thing," Lady McGonagall said. "I do believe that is all I have."

"Thank you for bringing the Lord and Heiress into Gringotts this morning," Ragnok said, "I know how difficult it is to get them out of Hogwarts under Dumbledore's eyes – especially Lord Potter."

Lady McGonagall let out a quiet snort. Ragnok allowed a chuckle, as he waved her farewell and headed off back to his offices. He sighed deeply to himself, and asked the Elders above to forgive him for what he had done a few minutes ago.

The conversation between him and Heartrod was a lot more dramatic then he had informed Lord Potter, Heiress Dagworth-Granger, and Lady McGonagall of. Upon Lord Potter's arrival into the Hospital Wing, Heartrod had almost immediately detected what Ragnok had detected when Lord Potter arrived.

Lord Potter had a Horcrux in his scar. The darkest, blackest, most foul magic known to magical kind. Ragnok had quickly deduced the dark magic had been there ever since that fateful Halloween in which the previous Lord Potter and his wife had perished, and the new Lord Potter was lucky to survive, after an attack by Voldemort, which ended in the monster's disappearance – and rumored death.

But Ragnok and other Goblins knew Voldemort wasn't dead. The light in Tom Marvolo Riddle's life crystal had grown dim, but it had never completely extinguished. Now Ragnok knew why.

That devil had made Horcruxes! Probably more than one! Which was why Ragnok had done two things.

The first was that he had removed the information about the Horcrux from Lord Potter's Blood Test Results, whilst the new Lord was distracted with his Inheritance Test. He couldn't have Lord Potter or Lady McGonagall discover this just yet. Because they would want it removed, and Ragnok could not risk that yet. If the Horcrux was removed, there was a possibility Riddle would discover this, and therefore move to collect the other probable Horcruxes that existed. No, Riddle needed to believe those Horcruxes were protected, that Riddle was the only one who knew about them.

Which was why he had argued with Heartrod. He couldn't let the Healer remove the Horcrux from Lord Potter's scar, nor could he allow Heartrod inform Lord Potter of it. Heartrod, like all Healers, was angry about that. 'Do No Harm' – all Healers around the world held the same belief. Keeping the Horcrux in Lord Potter's scar was the equivalent of doing harm. Ragnok had threatened to take Heartrod to his father, if the Healer had disobeyed him over this. Heartrod got the message:

"Betray me, and lose your head. Not only your head, but the heads of your family too."

Ragnok sighed and growled gutturally, hoping Lord Potter would forgive him. He would begin the audit on the Potter Vaults as soon as he returned to his office. He would then make sure all of Lord Potter's other requests were done. Hopefully completing these tasks would calm Lord Potter's ire, when Ragnok would finally tell him the truth about his scar.

Or he might have to inform his son – and Seventh of his name – that he was going to get a promotion sooner than was expected.


(A few minutes later…)

Lord Harry James Potter had murder on his mind as he stepped out of the Hospital Room. Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape and Ron, Ginny and Molly Weasley were going to die. They would be slow, and painful and the bastards wouldn't see it coming, but it would happen.

At one point in the two-hour examination – though it was only ten minutes in real-time -Healer Heartrod warned Harry that he was about to fix the Obliviations, and return all the memories Harry had lost over the years.

That was an understatement.

There were several memories – most of which happened during those ten years on Privet Drive before Harry discovered he was a wizard – which had come back. Memories of severe beatings, a few of which could have killed him if his magic hadn't kept him alive. The beatings were so bad, Albus Dumbledore had been forced to go to #4 Privet Drive and take Harry to the Hogwarts Hospital Wing for treatment. Harry remembered wondering why the nice old lady in a nurse's outfit had a dizzy expression in her eyes as she helped him heal. When he had healed, Dumbledore had returned him to Privet Drive and Obliviated him of the abuse, and the visits to Hogwarts. This happened more than once.

Albus Dumbledore had visited more than just to rescue Harry – temporarily – from the abuse. Harry's Metamorphmagus Talents had shown themselves once, but it was a memorable event. He distinctly remembered Aunt Petunia trying to hit him once with an iron skillet. His magic, anticipating the injury, had Morphed his entire body to form stone-like armor across his entire form. The bones in Petunia's arm had shattered from the impact of the pan hitting Harry's stone-armored body. Vernon had then come in, saw his wife on the ground reeling in pain with 'the freak' standing over her. He had taken a knife from the kitchen drawer, and threw at straight at Harry. The knife rebound, right into Vernon's chest.

Albus Dumbledore had appeared with the nurse – Madam Pomfrey - again to find a stone-armored Harry, Vernon with a gruesome knife injury and Petunia with a broken arm. The results of this was Harry's Metamorphmagus talents mostly bound – aside from growing his hair back if his Aunt cut it mostly off – and his memory of the event Obliviated. Madam Pomfrey had healed Vernon and Petunia, then Dumbledore Obliviated Harry's relatives, and modified their memories of the event.

That event was also the last time Vernon and Petunia had become physical with Harry, aside from those times Vernon threw him bodily into the cupboard under the stairs. Dudley was still allowed his Harry Hunting and 'rough-housing'.

After that event, Dumbledore didn't interfere anymore at Privet Drive – at least before Harry went to Hogwarts. For example, the summer before Harry's third year. The time between Harry escaping the Dursleys' house and him summoning the Knight Bus was a lot longer than Harry had remembered. Simply because Harry hadn't just met Padfoot that night. He met Sirius Black. Sirius had told Harry everything! Sirius had confessed that he was Harry's godfather, that he was innocent of everything, that Ron Weasley's rat was Wormtail, the real traitor. Sirius had told Harry what his plan was – to go to Hogwarts and find Wormtail.

Of course, after Sirius had left, fearing someone like Dumbledore would come by, Harry summoned the Knight Bus. And who was on the bus waiting for him, but Albus Dumbledore? Albus had used Legilimency on him, found out everything that happened between him and Sirius, then Obliviated him of it, before fleeing the bus with Fawkes.

And then there was what happened at Hogwarts. Yes, Dumbledore was going to pay. Not only him, but also Ron, Ginny and Molly Weasley. And Snape!

Harry wasn't the only one who looked pissed. Hermione's face was red with anger. But she wasn't crying.

"My little Lions," McGonagall said, "What happened? Was it something you discovered from the Obliviations?"

"I wasn't supposed to be in that bathroom the night the Troll attacked," Hermione said. "I was on my way to my dormitory after Ronald insulted me. I was going to hide there all day. I was at the Fat Lady, ready to give her the password, but for some reason she was frozen. Dumbledore walked toward me, and I tried to tell him something was wrong with the Fat Lady – and he placed me under the Imperius Curse! Then he told me to go to that specific bathroom, and stay there until the Troll arrived due to the scent of Troll Lure! He knew Quirrell's plan! He wanted the troll to kill me! And there was something else…"

"Ron Weasley didn't go with me to rescue you that night," Harry said, "Dumbledore modified our memories to make us believe Ron was there with me to rescue Hermione. In reality, Ron refused and told me to not worry about it. He said the troll was in the dungeons with those 'slimy snakes'. That 'the know-it-all bookworm' would be fine. I told him I was going to find Hermione anyway. He refused to come with me. It was me who used Wingardium Leviosa to make the Club levitate. Only I didn't knock out the troll."

"You killed it, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.

"Yes," Harry agreed. "Dumbledore didn't seem to like that."

"Why weren't you Obliviated of that, Professor?" Hermione asked.

"He had tried to Obliviate me earlier that year so I was especially wary of him," McGonagall said. "He didn't want me to invite you on the Quidditch Team, Harry. He tried to make me forget about the whole thing. I was able to protect myself from that. So I was quite wary of that. Albus didn't dare do anything more to me after that, for several months at least. No, he simply told me to leave you two alone. To not speak of the incident to you. I agreed, unfortunately."

"In reality, Ron showed up before you arrived, Professor, but after I saved Hermione," Harry said, "On Dumbledore's orders, I believe, so you would believe he helped us. That was a big fat lie. Dumbledore was hidden under my Invisibility Cloak during the entire scene. I could remember feeling Compulsion Charms on me, making me feel Ron was trustworthy, and that he helped me save Hermione in the end."

"I remember feeling that too," Hermione said, nodding.

"Dumbledore did this," Harry said, "Because originally, I didn't want to be his friend anymore. He was a bully to Hermione. I had finally realized what he was. There were other times when a similar thing happened. When Ron went overboard with his bullying. Dumbledore couldn't have that. He needed me to trust Ron. I remember him telling me that exactly, before Obliviating me and modifying my memories of that night."

Hermione nodded, the sniffled. "When I was petrified, he nearly… he tried to touch my body before Madam Pomfrey caught him."

"Merciful Merlin!" McGonagall muttered; she sighed and groaned. "Mr. Potter, do calm down!"

Harry blinked. "What?"

"Your hair was turning all shades of colors, Harry," Hermione said.

"Your newly unbound Metamorphmagus abilities, Lord Potter," McGonagall said, "You need to learn how to control your emotions. Your unblocked talents of Natural Occlumens should help you. But if you become too angry or emotional, your Metamorph talents will show themselves. Don't worry, I'll try to figure out how to help you, both with your Occlumency and Metamorph talents. But you need to be cautious, Lord Potter. If Dumbledore discovers this, he'll wonder why your abilities have returned."

Harry inhaled and exhaled, and his hair returned to normal. "I'll be careful, ma'am."

"Yes, please do so," McGonagall said with a sigh. "We'll talk more about all of this later. We shouldn't be discussing this here. The Goblins wouldn't appreciate it. We need to go to the Daily Prophet, then get back to Hogwarts. Are you two still up to talking to Rita Skeeter?"

"We are," Harry said.

"It was originally why we were coming here after all," Hermione said, "We need to talk to Rita Skeeter about the Second Task."

"Very well," McGonagall said. "Let's be off then."

Harry and Hermione followed McGonagall as they journeyed back to the Atrium of Gringotts. It had certainly been a very long – longer in Harry and Hermione's point-of-view – and a very interesting visit!


Sorry about how dark and tense that last scene was. But it was necessary.

Long Author's Note Ahead (I need to explain a lot about this chapter):

There will probably be more recovered memories discussed. However, one of the moments that were not modified at all, was Harry's original meeting with the Weasleys. It really happened. You'll find out why in a future chapter.

I am not sure whether I'll have Tonks help Harry with his Metamorph abilities or not. I've done that in a couple of stories now, and it seems repetitive. I have other ideas for Harry to control it. We'll see what happens.

So, it will get interesting in the next several chapters – and in-story days as Harry and Hermione try to figure out their now unlocked abilities – as well as Hermione's fully unbound core, and Harry's core with only one binding on it.

At first, I only had the monetary fortune value at 5 Million Galleons, and gems and jewels at 2 Million. Then I decided to add 30 Million Galleons on the monetary value, and 10 Million more for the gems and jewels. Not too excessive, but better.

So two controversial topics – aside from that whole last scene – in this chapter. Ragnok hiding the Horcrux information form Harry, and Harry giving money to the Dursleys to make them leave Great Britain. Both of these were done for important reasons pertaining to the future of the story. I can already predict complaints about the Dursleys – "They could have killed Harry several times, and he's giving them a small fortune?!" Yes, he is. He just wants to be free of them. He wants them to leave, so he doesn't have to go back to their house. It is the only way to get away from them. Dumbledore would "fix" things if Harry tried to put them in prison. This is the best idea for them.

Originally, in my plans, Ron hadn't shown up at all during the Troll incident, but then I remember McGonagall mentioning him during the rant about that Halloween. Then when I had her say she hadn't been Obliviated of that Halloween event, I needed to figure out how to put Ron in the scene. So he (and Dumbledore under the cloak) showed up before McGonagall, and the others showed up.

Next Chapter: The meeting with Rita Skeeter!