AN: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters or ideas.
Rated: M (Mature themes, Language, Minor Character Death, Violence …)
Updated: 11/24/08
Harry Potter & the Never Ending Summer
Chapter 14
Albus Dumbledore slowly felt himself stirring after the heavy magical explosion that had knocked him and everyone else at the Burrow out cold only moments before. He could vaguely hear the distant trill of his Phoenix, Fawkes as she circled off to his left singing a lamenting tune that must have brought him back to wakefulness. Blinking open his eyes, he encountered only the dark night sky above him, but could still feel and even smell the magical residue in the air both from the battle itself, but mostly from Harry's final actions.
"Harry!" he whispered hoarsely and with a desperation he rarely experienced before bolting upright and searching the field around him for some sign of his favorite student.
It did not take him long to discover his enquiry in a crumpled heap to his left with Fawkes sadly singing over him. He could not remember a time in the last twenty years he had moved that fast, as he was quickly at the young wizards' side casting a diagnostic spell over his crumpled form. He both rejoiced and cried with the results, finding Harry still barely alive, but seemingly with next to no magic in his body, and covered in burns. He needed to get Harry to Madam Pompfrey, and quickly, but couldn't leave the scene without someone's knowledge of what was happening. Frantically looking around where Harry had fallen, he spotted the nearest Order member only twenty meters away.
"Ennervate," spoke Albus Dumbledore worriedly as he revived the unconscious Nymphadora Tonks, waking her from the magical blast that knocked out them all some minutes previously, and hoping that she was alright.
"Uggh …w …what happened?" groaned the real and unchanged metamorph, as her violet eyes fluttered open and she shook her natural black hair out her face slowly so as not to further disrupt the uncomfortable pounding in her head.
"I'll explain that later Nymphadora," spoke Dumbledore quickly and concernedly, as he helped the young auror into a sitting position to make sure she was stable and awake. "But first, I need you to start waking the others and do clean up here, I have to take Harry to the hospital wing immediately."
"HARRY?!" she shouted as her last memories of the incoming green lights and Harry's arrival passed before her and she jumped to her feet frantically searching for him despite the growing headache and exhaustion she felt, "is he …is he d …dead?"
"He is alive, but only just …I need to get him to Hogwarts now," answered Albus in an urgent voice that brought no challenge, and too wrapped up in his own thoughts to notice the fear and pain in the young woman's eyes as he spoke. "Use this portkey," he continued handing her a long piece of rope, "to bring everyone back to Hogwarts once everything is settled here …I'm taking Harry with me now."
"Oh …okay sir," she stumbled, still worried about Harry as she looked around the Burrow's grounds and saw it littered with the bodies of both Order members and Death Eaters, and wondered when and if she would finally get to see Harry.
Tonks watched as Dumbledore carefully kneeled next to Harry and pulled him into his arms as Fawkes landed on his shoulder and in a flash of fire the three were gone. Before she would let the tears come, she resolved to get to Harry as fast as she could, so set off with her task. She quickly made her way towards friendly faces, and after reviving Moody, Remus, Kinsgley, Bill, and Arthur explained the situation and the group got to work. Kingsley and Moody started gathering and binding the fallen Death Eaters, all thirty seven of them including one Inner Circle member, Patrick Gibbons. They were soon joined by Hestia and Tonks and the four aurors began transporting the prisoners to Ministry holding cells, knowing they were going to have a lot of questions to answer to, and paperwork to fill out.
Arthur, Bill, and Remus had started with gathering all of their own family members and friends, and then heading towards the surprisingly still standing Burrow to check on the others. Tonks had given Arthur the portkey to bring everyone to Hogwarts, knowing her and her fellow aurors would have to deal with the Ministry for the time being, and wanting to get everyone to medical attention as soon as possible. So finding the injured from the fight in front of the door, and reviving Molly, Emma, and David Granger who were all inside, they quickly explained what happened and took the portkey from Dumbledore.
The group of injured and exhausted Weasleys, Grangers, Longbottoms, DA and Order members arrived together in the entry of the Hogwarts Infirmary, and those that were well enough, instantly saw both a truly frightening and uplifting image. Madam Pompfrey, Albus Dumbledore, and Fawkes were all surrounding the bed of a pale yet burnt, bloody, and unconscious Harry Potter, casting spells or singing sadly in Fawkes' case over the slow rise and fall of the young wizard's chest.
"Albus?!" whimpered Molly Weasley quickly growing hysterical at the sight of Harry's pale, yet still burned body, "what happened?"
"He is alive …beyond that, we are not sure," replied the tired old Headmaster sadly as he looked fondly upon the boy he loved like a son, unwilling to see him die.
"Get the injured into beds, which is the most urgent?" directed Madam Pompfrey quickly casting a few cleaning spells on Harry after spotting the unconscious and bleeding forms of several of her current and former students. She could only pray that somehow Mr. Potter would survive again, and not knowing what to do about him for the time being, she set to task
"Dedalus and Ron were both hit with cutting curses to their side and stomach, but I think Dedalus has already bled out …Neville and Dean were hit with bludgeoning hexes to their leg and shoulder respectively, but their both stable for a few minutes …Seamus was burned badly by some dark skin boiling curse …the rest of us are exhausted and have some bumps and bruises, maybe a few minor broken bones, but those five got the worst of it," responded Remus who seemed the calmest on the outside, but was far from it after seeing his cub take those killing curses headed for Tonks. He knew however how important that information would be to the healer since these next few minutes would be crucial to all of their survivals.
"Molly, put this cream on Mr. Finnegan's burns, while I work on Dedalus and Ron," ordered Poppy to a distraught Molly, hoping the task would take her mind off of her worrying, while she rushed between the two most serious cases to see what she could do, hoping beyond hope that her friend wouldn't be loosing anyone today as she worked on her youngest son.
It only took one spell to determine that Remus was indeed correct, and Dedalus had bled out and died probably several minutes before, so she quickly got to work on the large gash that ran from Ron's left hip and across his lower stomach, and quickly repaired the tissue damage and closed the wound before pumping several vials of Blood Replenishing Potion down his throat, and hoping for the best. She then tackled Neville's leg which was also bleeding heavily just above the knee where his femur was sticking through the skin at an awkward angle. Luckily, he was still unconscious when she reset his leg, healed the tissue and skin and filled him with a little less Blood Replenishing Potion than Ron. Finally she got to Dean's arm and shoulder which was shattered severely in several places. She followed the same procedure, and within several difficult minutes had the three Gryffindor's healed of their critical injuries and resting as comfortably as she could make them.
Madam Pompfrey, then went through the rest of the group, and fixed a variety of smaller and less life threatening injuries that everyone seemed to collect to some degree in the battle. She moved Dedalus' body into a private room, and had just about everyone in one of the hospital beds over the next hour or so. Dumbledore had left after the serious injuries were healed and a whispered conversation with Remus and Arthur, to help deal with the Ministry and Fudge. Dean, Neville, and Seamus eventually woke up just enough to receive another round of treatment before falling back asleep. Seamus had the salve re-applied while the others had to endure doses of Skele-Gro to strengthen their resetting and healing bones. Only Ron and Harry remained unconscious, although Ron's prognosis had been upgraded substantially after surviving the first hour, and looked to be getting his color back.
Remus and Molly seemed the most worried, Molly because of who she was, but Remus because he had witnessed the explosion of magic powerful enough to stop twin killing curses and knock out everyone within a certain range, and couldn't for the life of him explain or understand any of it. He was so worried for his cub, but beyond worried he was also thoroughly confused by what he saw. Yes, Harry had survived a killing curse as a child, but that was due to Lily's sacrifice …right? Now he had been hit by two simultaneously, and despite having little color in his face, and the burns on his skin and hands especially, he was breathing. He didn't understand it at all, but said a silent prayer to his never forgotten friends to protect and heal their son.
All of the younger students and DA members were confused and worried, but none of them had lasted long enough to witness the battle's conclusion, and nobody that did was here since Arthur confessed to missing it while dodging a parting curse himself. Most just expected to Harry to come around any moment because that was who he was, Bill on the other hand thought differently. He had not said a word about Harry or the blocked curses, still shocked and scared shitless for the young wizard he considered a brother and after talking to his parents, took the twins whose minor injuries had been healed easily back to the Burrow to check on the house and wards. He just couldn't think with that many people around, and needed some quiet to try and digest what he had seen Harry do. He defied the laws of magic again, by seemingly surviving twin killing curses, and did so to protect Tonks.
Bill thought a lot about that as he, Fred, and George silently walked out of the castle and towards Hogwarts gates, preparing to investigate the home they've lived their whole lives at. By the time they got outside the school's wards, they apparated home to see the damage. Luckily, the Ministry had seemed to have finished the clean up of the grounds, so he made his brothers go check on the house, while he started looking at the wards. His work was at least peaceful and quiet, and gave him the time he needed to better piece together the clues going in his mind, and he became determined to have a serious talk with Harry about relationships if he truly did survive. He had seen Harry do plenty of remarkable things just this summer in visiting with the younger wizard, and knew how much his emotions helped fuel his magic and couldn't help but wonder what was really going on between him and Tonks.
Harry's bed in the hospital wing had been curtained off after Dumbledore left but before Bill and the twins left, and only Madam Pompfrey and Minerva were allowed back there as they tried to figure out what was wrong. Poppy was nearing wits ends trying to help one of her fondest patients, and if it wasn't for Fawkes' continued soft singing over Harry, she probably would have given up by now. She had healed the burns everywhere except his hands which would need at least a few more treatments, but he seemed to be in an exhaustion induced coma, and his magic was almost non-existent to any of her scans. Over the two hours he had been here, it had been slowly improving with Fawkes' continued song, but still it was nowhere near his usual levels at the end of last school year, and certainly not as much as just a few weeks ago when she was called in to examine him. Minerva could do nothing but watch one of her oldest friends struggle to help one of her favorite students while she sat in the chair next to the bed hoping that Albus returned with some answers soon, and hopefully before the approaching morning. They were both interrupted from further thoughts and actions as they heard the hospital wing doors bang open and went to see who was here.
"Where is Harry?" shouted a frantic Tonks after throwing open the doors to the hospital wing and quickly scanning the beds for him.
"It's the middle of the night and this is a hospital wing Ms. Tonks," reprimanded the tired matron, "and nobody is to see Mr. Potter until we determine what happened and he wakes up."
"WHAT HAPPENED!" shouted Tonks slowly loosing her carefully controlled composure since seeing Harry disappear with Dumbledore hours previously, as the others in the wing looked on in slight shock and confusion, some just waking up at all the noise. "What happened was pretty clear cut …First he broke through anti-apparation wards …and then took two killing curses to save MY LIFE! I demand to see him this instant."
"Poppy, it is alright, let her see Mr. Potter," spoke the newly arrived Albus Dumbledore, followed by the rest of the Order members from the battle who had finally finished with the Ministry for tonight, as well as the three returning Weasley brothers.
"Albus, is that what happened?" asked Molly fearfully as she ran for ward to hug her sons and then turned towards the old wizard expectantly, as Tonks quickly ran to the curtained off bed to see Harry ignoring the rest of them. Albus heaved a great sigh and nodded sending the room into a chaos that acted as the perfect distraction for the two young lovers.
It only took Tonks seconds to get to Harry's side and hug and kiss him senseless despite his still unconscious state before she noticed a change in Fawkes' song causing her to lean her face back and look as the color quickly started returning to Harry. She began crying tears mixed with joy and sorrow, that her lack of action forced him into this situation, but that he seemed to be impossibly alive. She gave him another firm hug and quietly whispered how much she loved him as the noise in the rest of the hospital wing seemed to be winding down when she felt his arms weakly rise to hug her back. Her eyes flashed open instantly and meet the beautiful green ones she thought she might never see again and started to cry softly.
"Oh Harry …I love you so much," she cried into his chest, holding him and an embrace so tight she never wanted to let go.
"I love you too Dora," he whispered with great difficulty as he looked into the crying natural violet eyes of his girlfriend, and felt a wave of powerful emotion run through his body that felt very comfortable and similar to his magic.
"Good, then don't you EVER scare me like that again," she playfully scolded him as she gave him another kiss before standing upright, as shouts came from behind the curtain.
"HE'S AWAKE," Remus' was obviously the loudest and most celebratory, as he felt a familiar magic in the room and then heard Tonks' scolding of Harry and put the pieces together.
Tonks had apparently moved away from Harry just in time as the curtains were vanished as several people rushed to his bed to see him awake for themselves pushing Tonks out of the way as they crowded his bed. Remus, Molly, Arthur, Poppy, and Minerva were the first to reach him and gather him in a large group hug as they all let out there emotions, safe in the knowledge he was alive. Albus and several others didn't want to fight to get a turn, but Hermione was determined to reach her best friend and gathered him in a strong hug as soon as she had the room. Everyone was relieved to see Harry awake, and it showed in their faces as they looked upon him, some with a little bit of awe.
"Harry …how?" asked Hermione after she finally relented with her embrace, seemingly bringing everyone back to how they all got here.
"Um …well," started Harry, in no mood to talk about what he did right then and there with so many people around, as he looked around him slowly and deliberately trying to stall for time, and being rescued just in time, only in the worst way.
"Okay, you've all seen him. You should all go to bed now, you can ask questions in the morning, but first I need to examine my patient and you all need your rest, so it's time to step back and give me my space," scolded Poppy after finally getting over her own shock at his recovery as she pushed everyone away.
"Uggh," groaned a resigned Harry, knowing there was no point in arguing with the no nonsense hospital matron he had gotten to know quite well over his last five years at Hogwarts, but silently pleased for the disruption of his interrogation. He spotted Ron, Dean, and Neville on adjacent beds and gave them all a small wave and grin before letting his head fall back and catching Tonks' eye for a split second and being rewarded with her happy smile.
"You sound just like your father," laughed Remus with a relieved smile and reminiscent gleam in his eyes as the others joined in laughing happily.
"Thanks Moony," replied Harry with a scratchy voice and a genuinely happy smile on his face as he looked at all the faces of his friends and knew they were safe. He imagined his dad complaining the same way after a prank gone awry and most likely along with Sirius and Remus, giving the nurse no end of grief.
Harry laughed silently to himself as everyone backed away from the bed and Madam Pompfrey began her series of magical scans as he let his mind wander a bit. Ever since the beginning of his Occlumency and organizing his mind this summer, he began to really appreciate everything he learned of his parents, the good and bad. It somehow made them more real, that they had problems and attitudes at times too. Plus, knowing that they were gone made him less self-conscious about any of their more disappointing traits. He could hardly blame James for his big-headedness or bullying attitude as a kid, when he himself was so moody and disgruntled at the same age. People do grow up, responsibility happens sometimes whether you choose it or it chooses you. With that perspective now, Harry realized that the responsibility of the Prophecy and the decisions he had made up to this point in the summer was all the proof he needed to show that kids do in fact grow up.
"You'll need to take this potion to help heal the burns on your hands," spoke Poppy in confusion after running her medical and magical scans, as she handed over a thick brown potion that looked and unsurprisingly tasted like mud.
"Is that it?" Harry asked hopefully, but curious as to the confused and frowning expression on her face.
"I think we all need to sleep now Mr. Potter. We will continue this in the morning," she finished tiredly, but still with the confused frown on her face. "Here …have a small dose of dreamless sleep; it should help give you a few hours of rest."
"Thanks Madam Pompfrey," exhaled Harry gratefully, way too tired to think about Occlumency or nightmares right now, and actually feeling sufficiently exhausted to where he could probably sleep for more than his usual three hours.
"That boy," muttered the tired matron as she went around the room, giving everyone staying the night some dreamless sleep potion so everyone could get there rest, as she thought about the scans she had run, and watched the eyes of the Headmaster following her progress, looking for his own answers and knowing she had very little to provide.
...
Harry woke slowly to the sound of whispered voices near the foot of his bed, a few hours later in the early light of the morning. He could tell that he wasn't supposed to be awake yet even if it was past his usual time for breakfast, so stayed quiet and tried to pick up the whispered conversation going on between the two now recognizable voices of Albus Dumbledore and Madam Pompfrey.
"…that's what I don't understand Albus …his magic was almost non-existent when you brought him here …Fawkes helped a little, but by the time he woke up and I ran the scans again, he was as good as new …it doesn't make any sense," she trailed of confusedly as Harry realized the looks he received from her the night before, and tried to hear the Headmaster's reply.
"I'm afraid I too am at a loss, Poppy," started Dumbledore slowly and sadly, "however, none of his magical sensors have worked for weeks now, and when it did …provided more questions than answers to what is happening to Mr. Potter."
"What kind of questions?" asked the nurse curiously, having rarely seen Albus so unprepared and in the dark on something.
"Perhaps another time Poppy, with Harry's permission," he replied kindly. "Please let me know when he wakes, we have some business to attend to that must be accomplished today, and I'd rather get it out of the way sooner."
"I'm awake sir," spoke Harry gruffly as his throat got used to speech again and he propped himself up in his bed, figuring he should come clean and let them know, before reaching for his glasses and putting them on in order to keep his corrected eyesight his own secret.
"Ah Harry," started the Headmaster kindly and with a knowing twinkle in his eyes after being caught by the boy. "I'm glad you are awake. Let me be the first to wish you a happy birthday."
"Thank you sir," responded Harry gratefully, as he remembered what today was with a content smile on his face.
"I was wondering if you were feeling well enough to accompany me to Gringotts, and then Headquarters," he replied somberly.
"H-Headquarters?" gulped Harry in slight panic, not really looking forward to visiting his dead godfather's house despite the fact that it was getting easier to think and talk about thanks to his foray into Occlumency.
"It will only take a few minutes, and you need not enter the house," started Albus kindly, knowing the young wizard's apprehension, but feeling the need to elaborate a little more. "I need you to claim ownership of the house, and then perform the Fidelius Charm before we can leave."
"Oh …is that all?" laughed Harry hollowly, "You do know that I don't know the Fidelius Charm, right?"
"It is not difficult, and will take little time to explain, my boy," answered the twinkling eyes of the Headmaster. "I had Dobby fetch you a spare set of clothes from your trunk since nobody else can open it, why don't you get dressed so we can take care of these two stops and you can enjoy the rest of your birthday with your friends."
Harry quickly dressed and met up with his Headmaster, and after several warnings from Madam Pompfrey to take it easy, the two departed for Albus' office. From there, they used the secure Floo directly to Gringotts lobby, where they quickly found a goblin teller who escorted them to the now familiar office of Ragnok, the Goblin Leader. They entered the office to find the old and well respected Goblin speaking to another younger confidant that Harry immediately recognized.
"Hi Ragnok, Griphook …it's good to see you both again," Harry greeted happily upon seeing the two familiar and friendly faces, at least for goblins anyway.
"Ah, Lord Potter Black …it's good to see you as well …and you too Albus my old friend," spoke Ragnok warmly as he watched the two very unusual wizards enter his office and greet him and his subordinates with respect that few wizards gave them.
"Please, just call me Harry," answered the teenage wizard honestly as he was motioned to take one of the two seats in front of the Head Goblin's large oak desk.
"Your attitude towards me and my race is very refreshing, Harry, and I hope it's just the beginning," answered the Goblin Leader hopefully.
"Me too sir," responded Harry respectfully, bringing a large smile to Ragnok's and Dumbledore's faces.
"Harry, do you want Albus here for this meeting, you are under no obligation either way," began Ragnok after he dismissed Griphook and turned to the two wizards before him.
"Yes sir," responded Harry, grateful to have Dumbledore's help with things he really didn't understand all the time.
"Than let's get started …" began Ragnok as he pulled a large file from his desk and began to go through it. "First, I need one more signature to finalize the Emancipation now that you are sixteen years of age, a copy of which will be sent to the Ministry's Records Department, removing you from their underage tracking and magic usage laws."
"Yes," cheered Harry silently, but apparently not enough to escape Albus' or Ragnok's notice and offer chuckles of their own.
"…good," continued Ragnok after Harry affixed his signature to the Emancipation papers with a joyful flourish. "Now, I need you to put on the Black Family Ring, and then we can go over your assets, functions, and responsibilities associated with that title. I should warn you, that you will feel a small surge of magic through the ring which is commonly how most families pass down their magical inheritances."
"Oh …okay," started Harry as he watched Ragnok open a small black velvet box and slide its contents over the desk towards him.
It was a heavy silver ring with a large green stone, probably an emerald adorning its face with the Black Family Crest etched into its smooth surface. The ring was surprisingly very heavy and seemed to hum slightly and felt as if magic was radiating through it based on the warm feeling Harry got when handling it. With one final deep breath, he pushed the ring onto his left middle finger with an excitement building inside him echoed on the faces of the other two observers. The ring hummed loudly as it was put on his finger and filled him with an unusual yet somewhat comfortable feeling of magic that surged through his being, ending almost as quickly as it began and leaving the ring resized to fit perfectly.
"Truly remarkable," breathed out Ragnok excitedly, having watched the Black Family magic absorb into the young mage and become accepted and integrated into his own already very powerful core seamlessly. "Now …please sign these papers and seal them with the Family Ring stating that you have claimed your inheritance and received the Family Ring and vault keys which are right here for the Family Vault, vault number nine and Sirius Orion Black's personal vault, number 489."
"Now that those are signed and sealed, the Black Family assets are as follows," continued Ragnok easily, pulling more documents from the seemingly never ending folder. "For vault 489 there are 50,423 galleons, 2,143 sickles, and 675 knuts, a motorcycle and traveling workshop trunk, and one personal trunk. Vault nine contains 4,872,541 galleons, 21,422 sickles, and 9,082 knuts. Three hundred and twelve rare books estimated at 1.1 million galleons, two trunks filled precious jewels and jewelry estimated at 5.2 million galleons, stocks and properties estimating 4.3 million galleons, and countless other weapons and family heirlooms. The total Black Vault contents are estimated at over 21 million making them one of the five wealthiest families in the wizarding world."
"Uh …okay," stuttered Harry in absolute shock as he listened to the long list of assets that simply boggled his mind.
"I have a few more papers for you to sign and seal with the Black Family Ring, and a portfolio for you to take and look through at your leisure that detail all Black Family holdings and assets," continued Ragnok as he pushed the papers in front of Harry and briefly explained what each one was for. "Would either of you like some tea before we move on to the Potter Family business?"
"Yes Director, that would be excellent," answered the contemplative and relatively quiet Albus Dumbledore after getting a numb nod of Harry's head in agreement.
"Are you ready to continue Harry?" asked Ragnok after a tea service had been brought in and served and he watched the still somewhat numb young wizard absentmindedly nod his head in acceptance. "Good …I'll begin with the Last Will and Testament of your parents …"
"I, James Benjamin Potter, Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, and my wife Lily Ann Evans Potter, being of sound mind and body, do hereby bequeath everything to our son and heir, Harry James Potter. Upon reaching adulthood, he will become the Head of House Potter as its only remaining descendant. We leave his guardianship until that day to his godfather, Sirius Orion Black. Please take care of him Padfoot; he is our entire life and our hope for the future. Remember Harry that we love you with all of our hearts, and the day you were born was the very best of our lives. We will always love you and look out for you wherever we are, and know that we are both proud to call you our son no matter what you do with your life, we will always love you son."
When Ragnok finished reading, Harry was overcome by the intensity of his emotions and began crying softly after the words of his parents he had so longed to hear resonated throughout his entire being. He had always wondered about what his life was like before October 31, 1981, and now he knew without a doubt how much his parents truly loved him. It filled him with a renewed hope and determination that reinforced his desire to survive this war and continue the Potter Family line. They had given up so much for him, and he would not let their loving sacrifice be in vain if he could help it. With a renewed strength of will, Harry slowly composed himself and then lifted his gaze to meet the bright yellow eyes of the ancient goblin who was waiting patiently and giving the young wizard all the time he needed to get it together.
"Thank you Ragnok," spoke Harry hoarsely and honestly as his face took on the composed and driven visage that Harry felt burning throughout his being.
"It was my pleasure Harry, "responded the aged goblin. "Your parents also left a private letter for you to open at your convenience," he continued as he handed the young wizard a heavy old envelope addressed to him which he quickly pocketed close to his chest for safe keeping.
"I also have the Potter Family Ring, the keys to vaults two and seven, and several things for you to sign and then seal with the Potter Ring," added Ragnok as he handed over a stack of parchments with two gold ceremonial vault keys and a large gold ring with a sparkling red ruby on its face with the Potter Family Crest etched onto its smooth surface.
Picking up the ring first and examining it carefully as it slowly began to hum, Harry took a deep breath and slowly slid the heavy and magically charged ring on his right hand's middle finger where it immediately started to heat and glow an eerie fiery reddish-orange. For several moments, Harry watched the glowing ring wondering what was about to happen when an electric charge suddenly spiked through his body causing an aura the same fiery red color to appear all around his body and made him feel like he was burning from the inside out. Slowly the static energy and burning sensation started to subside, and in a final flash of red, the glowing, burning, and humming ceased leaving a panting Harry to stare wide eyed at the current source of all that magic that now rested peacefully and perfectly on his finger.
"Harry, are you alright?" asked Albus worriedly as he examined the young wizard he cared so much about, trying to judge his reactions.
"Yeah …actually, I feel great …just a …little winded," he answered between heavy breaths while wondering himself why the Potter Ring had felt so much more powerful, before he collected himself and set to signing and sealing the papers before him.
"Now that all those are signed," started Ragnok minutes later, hoping to continue since they still had a ways to go. "Vault number seven is the Potter Family Vault, which contains 4,652,109 galleons, 8,146 sickles, and 2,876 knuts. Seven hundred and twenty three books or scrolls estimated at 2.9 million galleons, two trunks filled with precious jewels and jewelry estimated at 2.3 million, stocks and properties estimating 10.7 million, and countless other weapons and family heirlooms including a personal trunk deposited by Albus Dumbledore dated November 1, 1981."
"What?" interrupted a wide eyed Harry as he turned to look at his Headmaster questioningly.
"Yes Harry …that trunk contains what little I was able to salvage from the destruction at Godric's Hollow," started Albus Dumbledore sadly to the wide eyed teenager. "It is not much Harry, and their wands were illegal for you to possess as an underage wizard. I am truly sorry that I had not told you of its existence, but I did not want to unnecessarily get your hopes up."
"Y-You mean …you were able to save some of their things?" asked Harry hopefully, too excited to have another connection to his parents to be angry at his secretive Headmaster.
"Yes, my boy," replied a relieved Dumbledore at the look of joy and excitement on the young wizard's face.
"Thank you sir," responded Harry sincerely.
"Don't mention it Harry," responded the Headmaster gratefully.
"The Potter Family holdings are estimated at 28.7 million galleons," continued Ragnok into the silence that followed, hoping to get through this next part as easily as the last. "Vault number two, became part of the Potter Family in 1160, as the last remaining descendants of the Gryffindor Family."
"What?!" gasped Harry in disbelief.
"Yes, I'm afraid so Harry," started Ragnok sympathetically before continuing, "Wilhelm Potter married Gabrielle Gryffindor in 1007AD, their descendant Benjamin Potter and his new wife fled England after the Slytherin Family's extermination of the Gryffindor Family began in 1120 and lasted 38 years, until they were the only two remaining. By 1160, they along with a young son returned to England and were able to seal all evidence that connected them to the Gryffindor Family in vault two and set it up to run on its own. From then on, they only used the Potter Vault, but every generation of Potters is asked to visit Vault two upon birth, reaching adulthood, and marriage. Your father took you seven days after your birth on November 6, 1980, and today you will be returning as an adult, and hopefully it will be some time before you show up with a wife or heir," finished Ragnok with a slight chuckle at Harry's look of shock and slight blushing of his cheeks that he hoped nobody pressed him on.
"The Gryffindor Family Vault, number two contains 108,563,147 galleons, 33,129 sickles, and 13,491 knuts. Also ownership of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogsmead Village, and the Village of Godric's Hollow, the Sword of Gryffindor which suspiciously went missing three years ago, the Journals of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, as well as 2,125 rare and priceless books and scrolls of antiquity," finished Ragnok grandly and with a small smirk on his face at the expressions of the two wizards sitting before him.
"Gryffindor's Sword?" asked Harry curiously before turning to his Headmaster questioningly. "Isn't that the same sword I used in the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Ah," sighed Ragnok thankfully. "We had hoped that was the case when it all of a sudden disappeared from a vault that hadn't been opened in over ten years."
"Yes," answered the amused Albus Dumbledore, "Harry summoned Gryffindor's Sword to come to his aid just about three years ago …and has since been residing in my office for safekeeping."
"Wonderful," responded Ragnok, not wanting to be blamed for losing a priceless artifact of the Hogwarts' Founder as he breathed a little easier. "You have one more stack of documents to sign, and then we can be considered done."
"Great," responded Harry with a severely cramping writing hand, but large smile on his face as he addressed the others in the office, "then can I visit my vaults?"
"That you can," responded Ragnok happily, "I'll call Griphook back to escort you while you finish signing."
After another ten minutes and several signatures later everything was completed with the emancipation and inheritances, and Harry was being led by Griphook into one of the Gringotts carts to visit his vaults. The familiar pair made their way to the first of four vault stops at Sirius' personal vault number 489. After conjuring a temporary key ring to hold his four new vault keys, and handing them to Griphook, he entered the vault. Ignoring the pile of money in the center of the vault, Harry went and checked out the motorcycle he remembered from some of his early childhood dreams. He loved the shiny metallic chrome that adorned the clean and simple looking bike, and after finding a trunk with the words 'Bike Workshop' on it, opened it. He followed the directions to open the garage compartment of the Workshop Trunk, and wheeled the bike inside before closing it up and shrinking it to bring home with him. He also located Sirius' personal school trunk which he shrunk and added to his pocket with the other before going back to the cart and continuing on his vault tour.
The cart continued for several more minutes, going much deeper underground than Harry had ever been before, making more and more turns and dips as the vaults became further spread out from their neighbors. A large and steep drop of the cart brought them down into a very wide and expansive chamber with one of the oldest and fiercest dragons Harry had ever seen chained in the rooms center. The creature's large yellowish-green eyes immediately locked onto the teenage wizard as a small puff of smoke flared out of his nostrils in a move to scare and intimidate any who ventured this far.
"Do not worry Lord …sorry, Harry. He will not attack you as long as you are accompanied by a Gringott's employee," spoke Griphook with a smirk, obviously enjoying teasing the young wizard.
"Oh …good," breathed out Harry in relief as he watched the enormous prehistoric lizard maneuver in the large cavernous chamber to maintain his intense study of the young wizard's movements as they circled the track that ran the circumference of the circular space.
"Here we are at the Black Family Vault, number nine," spoke Griphook breaking the staring match between wizard and dragon and leading Harry to an ornately carved large stone door bearing the Black Family Crest upon its surface. "Just place the hand with the Black Family Ring on that small circle next to the Crest …you'll feel a slight rush of magic as the vault accepts you."
Harry did as instructed and waited in awed fascination as the heavy door clunked open after a small pulse of energy ran through his body and left him standing in the entranceway of an absolutely enormous vault. Countless piles of galleons dominated the large cavernous room with various trunks and other items spread around the stone walls. One whole wall was covered with overflowing bookshelves causing Harry's smile to widen as he thought back to his reading on The History of Parceltongue, and the few journals sold to the Black Family. Finding a relatively empty old trunk, he methodically began to fill it with several volumes of interest as he made quick work through the bookshelves. Within half an hour, he was finishing with the last of it when he came across the six Parceltongue Journals of Kaleb Peverell and the ten of Diabolus Peverell buried almost behind the most hidden shelf towards the back. Quickly adding them to his collection, he finished up and shrunk the now filled trunk before pocketing it and leaving the vault to find Griphook patiently sitting in the cart going over files.
"I'm ready Griphook," spoke Harry in acknowledgement as he approached the cart and helpful goblin.
"Step in, and we'll continue to the Potter Family Vault," answered the waiting goblin easily before tucking his papers away for later.
Barely had the cart begun moving along the large circular chamber when it abruptly stopped again, this time in front of vault seven. Griphook instructed Harry to do the same to enter this vault, and after putting his hand with the Potter Family Ring onto the small circle next to his Family Crest, he waited as the stone door clunked open to reveal an equally sized vault as the last. The only difference was that now two walls were dominated in bookshelves, and countless more personal trunks stacked in various places around the room.
Going right for the trunk that Dumbledore described earlier of everything salvaged from Godric's Hollow, he opened it to be sure before quickly snapping it shut as his heart began racing in both anticipation and apprehension at what he might find. He knew he had the right one, and wanted plenty of time to go through it on his own, so shrank it and added it to his now growing collection of trunks in his pockets. He also went through the other various trunks around the vault, and came across two more that he decided to pocket for later and one that would serve well for the books that he then went towards.
Harry filled the trunk to capacity with countless books on Transfiguration, Charms, Dueling, and many others including a few old histories, one in particular written by Benjamin Potter. He hoped it might answer the Gryffindor-Potter connection better since it still didn't make much sense to him. Once finished with the books, he left the vault to find his escort working through papers which he quickly stashed away and turned towards his client.
"Okay Griphook …one more to go," spoke Harry somewhat tiredly and starting to hunger as it approached lunchtime of an already long and exhausting day.
Getting into the cart again and slowly moving around the circular entry chamber, they came to a final stop in front of two very old stone doors with griffins carved on their surface standing on their hind legs facing one another. After again being instructed to put the hand with the Potter Family Ring against the indicated circle and state his name, Harry did as told and felt a much stronger pulse of magical energy tear through his body for only a second leaving him slightly winded as a loud crack signified the doors opening leaving a cloud of dust in its wake that obscured the view into the ancient vault. Waiting for the dust to settle, for some reason that Harry didn't understand but felt important, he finally entered the Founder's vault to find it easily twice the size of the previous two, and filled with more books than Harry had ever seen in one place.
Ignoring the piles of gold, jewels, and galleons, Harry searched the few old trunks lining the walls in front of the many bookshelves. Finding one trunk with several large pieces of dragon hide, and other materials, and another with old sets of leather vests pants, boots, and wand holsters, he combined them into one, and used the other to begin loading up the books he wanted. He worked as quickly as possible, until he felt an inescapable pull towards the back of the vault, and a large raised podium upon which stood a large opened book. Harry's curiosity, mixed with remembering something Ragnok said about coming to this vault as an adult and a deeply engrained need to understand this pull he felt, led him straight to the podium and the ancient looking book.
Once Harry stepped upon the platform, a slight red glow began to emanate from the opened book, and in stepping towards it Harry subconsciously held out his arm palm up for only a second before in a flash of light, Gryffindor's Sword appeared in his hand glowing the same red color as the book. Acting on seeming auto-pilot, Harry touched the sword to the open book and felt what he now knew as the familiar feeling of Gryffindor's magic rush through his body at an alarming rate. He didn't know what he was doing, but somehow knew not to let go of the sword or break the connection with the book until whatever this was, was over. In a final surge and flash the glow and magic dispersed, dropping a now panting Harry to one knee as he tried to calm his breathing and stay balanced.
Once he was able to stand up properly, Harry felt an overwhelming rush and tingle of magic within him and an enormous hunger come over him. He quickly decided to head back, figuring he could always come back to the vaults later now that he did what he had to. He didn't even glance at the ancient book, as he found the sword's scabbard next to the raised podium, and put it away, leaving it with the book where it obviously belonged. He ignored the rest of the things in the vault, knowing he needed to get a move on if he wanted to eat anytime soon. Finding Griphook still waiting in the cart, having seemingly finished all his paperwork from earlier, the two returned to the bank's lobby where Harry bid the friendly goblin goodbye.
Harry found Albus Dumbledore sitting patiently off to the side of Gringott's lobby quietly reading a large tome as he waited for his young charge to conclude his business. Harry was amazed at how quickly he had gotten over his anger towards the Headmaster, but watching him now, he realized why. Albus Dumbledore was by all purposes, whether through blood or not, his grandfather. He had always looked out for him, and regardless of the outcomes, his intentions were always good. Watching him now reading peacefully as he waited for him, brought a sense of contentment and family to Harry he had missed since Sirius' death. That he still had adults who looked out for him, cared for him, and fought for him meant everything, and not for the first time wondered if he would ever get the chance to live as long as Albus and effect so much positive change on generations of wizards, while still remaining true to yourself and youthful in spirit.
"Ah Harry, are you ready for our quick trip to headquarters?" asked the aged Headmaster pleasantly with twinkling bright blue eyes as he marked his page, shrunk the book and pocketed it in his robes.
"Yes sir?" answered Harry somewhat skeptically.
"Good, I was hoping you could apparate to the park across the street from headquarters," started Albus with the customary twinkle in his eyes as he studied the younger wizards' reaction.
"A-Apparate?" questioned Harry nervously, having never mentioned it to anyone but Tonks, and not wanting to think she told anyone.
"We all saw you apparate last night through anti-apparation wards Harry, and something tells me that it wasn't your first time," replied Dumbledore with a look of pride shinning on his aged and wrinkled face.
"Oh …yeah, I forgot about that," he replied embarrassedly as he remembered what caused him to do so, and shuddered and had to shake his head clear to suppress what could have happened. He didn't want to think about what could have happened if he didn't protect Tonks from those killing curses, and took a few deep breaths to calm and center him.
"It's quite understandable my boy," replied the aged Headmaster warmly, "it is one of the less remarkable thing you accomplished last night. Nevertheless, can you give me ten seconds to secure the park before you follow me?"
At Harry's nod, the old man smiled kindly and knowingly before disapparating with an almost inaudible pop. Harry stood in silence for several seconds before clearly picturing the small and dilapidated park near Grimmauld Place and disappearing from the apparation room of Gringott's in equal near silence. Arriving in the small park, Harry instantly saw Dumbledore several meters away from him smiling knowingly as he watched Harry quickly gain his bearings.
"Splendid Harry," he started with twinkling eyes, "truly splendid …I take it you have been practicing quite a bit to get to that level of control and noise?"
"Yes sir," answered Harry honestly, knowing there was little point in lying to the Headmaster who seemed to already know and wasn't holding it against him. "I have been training with Tonks a lot this summer."
"I guessed as much, and am quite pleased with what I have seen this summer," replied Albus openly, and with his customary twinkle. "Has Auror Tonks been a good instructor?"
"Yeah, Tonks is an awesome teacher, she really knows her stuff …especially Defense and Transfiguration," he responded happily to the Headmaster's growing twinkle as they approached the front door of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place.
Dumbledore discreetly checked his temporary muggle repellant and dark magic protection wards to find everything undisturbed, and silently led Harry to the large front door as he explained what Harry needed to do. First he had to claim the house as the Head of the Black Family, and then they could cast the Fidelius Charm. After finding the faded almost non-existent Black Family Crest engraved on the heavy oak front door, Harry did as instructed and placed his ringed hand over it.
"I Harry James Black-Potter, as rightful heir to the Noble and Ancient House of Black, claim ownership of the House of Black." Started Harry as a strong tingle of magic seemed to seep through the door up his arm and into his body before a flash of purple sealed the magical inheritance ritual on the Black Family House as the Crest continued to glow the same dark purple.
"Very good Harry, now cast the charm while maintaining contact with the crest and me," spoke Albus warmly as he placed a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder helping to keep him calm.
"Ego pono mi fidelia en tu," (=I place my faith in you) spoke Harry slowly and clearly with one hand still on the glowing purple Crest and the other covering Albus' on his shoulder as the powerful love and faith based magic hummed through the two wizards for a long moment before a flash of white light caused Harry to close his eyes and stumble backwards a few steps from the house.
Upon opening his eyes, Harry looked around confused, wondering what had just happened and what that weird nagging of a recent memory was when Albus Dumbledore conjured a quill and parchment and wrote a small phrase before handing it to him. Taking the scrap of paper curiously, Harry read the words 'the House of Black and Order of the Phoenix Headquarters is located at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place' in the Headmaster's flowing script, before the last few minutes came back to him in a flash, along with the large house that seemingly appeared out of nowhere in front of him.
"Splendid work Harry, are you now ready for some lunch at Hogwarts with your friends?" asked the aged Headmaster with a happy smile on his face at the completion of their successful job before burning the parchment and digging through his robes' pockets.
"Absolutely sir," responded Harry eagerly, glad to be getting food, especially at Hogwarts.
"Here we are," he continued as he pulled out a chess rook and tapped it with his wand causing it to glow a light blue for a moment before holding it out to Harry to grab as well, "Hogwarts."
The pair arrived in the familiar circular office of the Headmaster to find it relatively quiet as the portraits hushed upon their entrance. Fawkes however, let out a happy cry upon seeing her company and received grateful greetings of appreciation from the two wizards before they headed out of the office and towards the Great Hall. Harry was anxious to get some food and make sure everyone was really okay from yesterday's attack on the Burrow. His thoughts must have been broadcasting, since before arriving at the Great Hall, the Headmaster turned to him.
"I was told that your three dorm mates would be let out of the hospital wing for lunch," spoke Albus knowingly as they walked the deserted halls both lost in thought.
"That's brilliant!" exclaimed Harry gratefully.
"Yes …it is," responded the old wizard, "there were many brilliant things that happened last night Harry…"
"Oh …yeah …that," mumbled Harry uncertainly.
"Yes Harry …that," responded Albus seriously, "did you know what you were doing at the time?"
"Yeah, I think so," started Harry uneasily. "I mean, I didn't know if blocking the curses would work …but I had to do something …but I'm not really sure what that something was"
"I figured as much Harry. Well, as far as I can tell …you seemingly ripped out your magical core, and used it to block the killing curses," continued Albus seriously, and with a somewhat reluctance in his voice. "When you were brought here, your magic was almost non-existent, less than a squib, and I feared it would stay that way forever because of how you used your magic to protect you. But with Fawkes' help your magic slowly returned to you, but even that shouldn't have been enough, and according to Poppy was not enough. However when you came to, she tells me your magic was already fully restored, something I find most unique given your previous visitor and the reason you were there in the first place."
"You mean Tonks?" asked Harry with a sense of dread beginning to fill him if the Headmaster found out how they truly felt about one another. "What about her?"
"I do not know Harry, but I do know that neither Poppy nor I have any explanation for either your survival or recovery, and I was hoping you could help me understand it better," continued Albus curiously.
"I don't know sir," started Harry reluctantly, not knowing how to express everything without incriminating his relationship with Tonks, and thankful he was walking next to the Headmaster and not looking him in the eyes. "…I guess I just figured the Prophecy prevented anyone but Tom from killing me, so maybe that's why I survived and the recovery I don't really remember anything before waking up to Tonks' scolding at my stupidity. Maybe knowing she was safe, since she was the one I was protecting did something …but I don't really know," answered Harry, hoping the Headmaster would buy that excuse for now, even though he no longer felt any negativity towards Dumbledore, that didn't mean he needed to know all of his secrets, and especially the one's about Tonks.
"Perhaps Harry," answered Albus contemplating that theory, and the wizard next to him before the pair neared the Great Hall doors and bringing their private conversation to a close for now. "Shall we?"
The excited chatter of the Great Hall came to an abrupt end as the main doors opened to reveal the Headmaster and Boy-Who-Lived strolling casually towards the large group of already eating witches and wizards. The Hogwarts teachers, Order members, and the many refugees were shocked silent for several seconds until several red heads and one bushy headed member of the group jumped to their feet.
"Harry!" shouted several people when they recovered enough to realize who was there, and grateful to see him out of the hospital wing since he wasn't around all morning.
He was almost immediately engulfed in several hugs and given birthday greetings from Molly, Hermione, Ginny, Tonks, and even Minerva all of whom were at varying levels of hysterics. Hagrid and Molly were easily the most emotional of the group, while Tonks was easily the most relieved at his return, bringing a heart warming smile to his face. After everyone's greetings, many people wished him a happy birthday as they all sat down and continued lunch, everyone shooting him occasional smiles and well wishes.
"How are you Harry? Where did you go? What happened last night?" Hermione rattled off the moment he sat down to eat and started filling his plate.
"Later okay …I'm starving," answered Harry as he tore into his food with a vigor few had ever seen from the lithe boy, as conversations slowly began again.
"Now that we are all finished," started Albus over the growing chatter of many since they had completed their meals. "I would like everyone to gather on the front steps so we can go to headquarters."
"Are we not able to go back to our homes?" asked Augusta Longbottom curiously.
"Unfortunately, all of your houses except the Burrow were destroyed," started Albus sadly. "However, we were able to save most of your belongings thanks to some very courageous house elves and have them stored in trunks you can go through later …but for now, I would like everyone to prepare to leave for headquarters in twenty minutes."
"Is headquarters safe again Albus?" asked Mad Eye Moody skeptically as he tried unsuccessfully to remember where exactly headquarters was.
"Yes, Harry and I took care of that this morning," he responded cheerfully at the several blank looking faces all trying to remember headquarters location. "See you out front in twenty minutes then."
AN: Chapter 14 …YEAH! Next, Birthday Party & Life at Grimmauld Place. Thanks to all! Sorry to leave you so long on the cliff hanger, but was a necessity for finishing this chapter.