Author's note: Thanks for the reviews. Hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. It all belongs to JKR. I'm just playing with her creations.
Chapter Fourteen - A Brother's Letter
After the occupants of the Granger home returned prepared for the guests, they gathered in the large dining room. Dan and Emma suggested using this room as it could double as a conference room of sorts with enough seating space at the table. Dobby and Winky put cushioning charms on the chairs at Daphne's suggestion and placed out refillable water glasses.
"Hermione," Susan said while examining the ink pen she was holding, "these are absolutely fabulous. Why the wizarding world still uses quills is beyond me. These would make things simple not only for students but for the wizarding population in general who tend to write a lot."
"I actually wondered that," Hermione responded, "not only are they simple but they're cheap. You can get several dozen for the price of a quill and that's before you buy ink. The same goes for the notepads you've got."
"You shouldn't have too hard a time figuring out why we don't use them," Daphne interjected. "Think about it from the prospective of the pureblood families that own the companies that supply us with the ink, quills, and parchment. So much of our society is controlled by those that oppose change to preserve their wealth and not advance beyond the 1800s at best."
The conversation came to a halt as they heard a knock at the front door.
Dan started to stand but was stopped by Winky who popped in beside him and said, "The guests are arriving and Dobby will show them in Masters and Mistresses. It is the proper way of things."
Winky popped out and left Dan shaking his head slightly, when they talked this morning Winky informed them that she'd help them adjust to the wizarding customs that need to be upheld at certain events. They assumed witches and wizards with house elves must not answer the door.
"Ah, how are you today Harry," Bloodtooth greeted as he entered and took his seat at the head of the table.
"Fine Bloodtooth, thanks for asking," Harry responded as another knock was heard.
Remus and Minerva were the next to enter the dining room and take their seats and give greetings to everyone. The next knock was followed by the entrance of Nathaniel and Danyella alongside Amelia.
As soon as everyone was seated and issued their greetings Bloodtooth cleared his throat and drew everyone's attention, "Now that we're settled I've something to say before we get to the reason for this meeting. First, I want to inform you that even though it's not a normal Gringott's policy to allow such, we've agreed with certain things requested by Sirius. The biggest breach in policy was to allow for the viewing of his will by those not named for bequests. So tomorrow there'll be a viewing area hidden from the eyes of those in attendance. I bring this to your attention so that the Grangers and Greengrasses will be able to view the proceedings if they wish and Harry agrees of course."
"I do, as I've two others who'll be attending that can use that chance without drawing attention to us to soon," Harry responded thinking of Xeno and Rita.
"May I ask who?" Bloodtooth questioned since he saw the look on Harry's face.
"Rita Skeeter and Xeno Lovegood, my lovely wife Daphne suggested we include members of the press as a way of helping with any fall out over Dumbledore with the public."
"Excellent suggestion, however, are you sure about using Rita Skeeter," Minerva said while wearing a puzzled expression.
"Yes, Professor, I am. I've a way to assure she's helpful and not going to give her usual twist to things to cause mayhem," Hermione said across from her.
"Very well, I trust you to have it under control," Minerva responded before everyone turned their attention back to Bloodtooth.
"That's fine, now since the reading is set for 10 am in the morning I suggest that you arrive at 9 am to get settled," Bloodtooth said and noticed Harry share a look with Hermione. "Yes?"
"That's good since we asked Rita to meet us at half past 9 to agree to terms," Harry answered for them.
"That's acceptable. Now, let's get down to why we're here," Bloodtooth started. "The best way to tell this is in the order that it happened. I also realize that you'll have questions and so I'll give a brief explanation and then show you what was found and answer questions before continuing to the next piece."
After looking at each of them, Bloodtooth started, "This began after Sirius was sequestered inside Grimmauld Place. He wasn't very happy there as you know. He wondered the house aimlessly most of the time according to him. One day while doing so he stumbled into a room that none had entered in sometime and found the very box that started this. You see he'd entered his younger brother Regulus Arcturus Black's room. Inside he could feel a familiar type of magic that he and his brother used as children to hide things from everyone besides each other that was accessible by only the brother's blood. Knowing this he immediately recovered the last thing his brother left for him, which was this box."
Bloodtooth removed the fabric covering an ornately carved wooden box on the table in front of him.
"Inside, he discovered several numbered vials of pensieve memories, parchments, maps, and a letter addressed to him," Bloodtooth continued as he removed the letter and passed it to Remus, "Remus if you would please read this to the group."
Remus knew the history of Sirius and his brother. He wondered what could've been told to Sirius for him to listen to a death eater after everything that had happened. So with a curious tone he began to read the letter aloud.
Dear Brother,
If you're reading this then I've been found out and killed. I know you'll stumble upon this at some point and only hope that it isn't too late, forgive me brother for I know I've done horrible things and I hope this will start to make amends for some of them. I was naïve, young, and plain stupid to follow the half-blood on his ridiculous quest for blood supremacy.
I began to see this but it was too late as I was already marked and a part of the trusted few. As such, I began to look for ways to help the right side fight against the Dark Lord. I stumbled across his most guarded secret and have been amassing information ever since. I'll include everything I've gathered pertaining to it as it's the key to destroying him.
Now, after I realized the error of my ways, I admit that I wanted to come to you and ask for help but was stopped by something strange the day I got close enough to you to do so. You and James sat outside discussing something and as I neared I noticed that I wasn't the only one trying to conceal himself from view, Albus Dumbledore was there as well.
I've no idea what he was doing but he seemed not to want to be noticed so I'd be wary of him brother. His behavior wasn't that of one on the light side and I've heard talk about his so-called Greater Good. So be careful.
I've also included a vial of memories for you that should lend some credit to the fact that I came to my senses and wanted to be a good brother to you. They're some of the things I wish I could've been by your side for instead of hiding like the outcast and sneaking views when I could.
Take care, brother. Trust your instincts and keep an eye out for treachery in the guise of those that are supposed to be leaders. May these things help you and others overcome the darkness.
Sincerely,
Regulus A. Black
Remus slowly passed the letter toward Bloodtooth with a somber expression. He was still as curious but knew there was more to come at the look on the goblins face.
"Now, in order for you to see some of the memories I've brought along the pensieve orb. This is the vial of memories labeled number one that gave Sirius the chance to begin unraveling all of this," Bloodtooth told them as he placed the orb and poured the vial inside.
As the orb began to show the memories above it, Harry felt his heart leap as he noticed exactly what he was viewing.
The first scene was Sirius standing beside James as his best man at his wedding. The next was the two celebrating the news that James would be a father soon and then there was one of Sirius overjoyed at being asked to be Harry's godfather. The final memory was that of the ceremony where they saw Sirius and Minerva take the oaths as godparents.
Harry was overwhelmed with the emotions this had brought out in him and before he could he turn to excuse himself for a moment he was engulfed all around by the arms of his wives. He felt the love and support flowing to him from them and settled back down knowing they would be there for him later.
"That was the thing that restored his memory of Minerva being Harry's godmother and started him on the quest to answer who had altered his mind and why. He began to watch and listen when everyone thought him mad or depressed with his captivity. Not long after, he managed to escape the house unseen and came to see me. We began the rest of the investigation into the things we found out from the box including the horcruxes. It seems that Regulus had been gathering information about them and had amassed almost all the locations and objects. Harry your scar was one of the only unexpected surprises for us along with his snake, Nagini. The horcruxes have been dealt with so unless you've any questions that can't wait I'd like to skip to the evidence that'll be relevant during the reading tomorrow," Bloodtooth addressed the group and paused for responses.
"I believe that as long as you're quite sure those dreadful things are destroyed we can proceed," Nathaniel said as he looked around to be sure that everyone agreed with him.
"They're destroyed and he's as mortal as you or I," Bloodtooth reaffirmed before continuing, "now, we've a long list to cover regarding Mr. Dumbledore. I'm sure you all know by now the way things unfolded that led Harry to become Lord Potter Black with these three lovely young ladies at his side. What you need to see is the evidence amassed against Dumbledore in his plots and schemes to stop the very thing. The first thing we looked into was Sirius's imprisonment. It was strange that he never received a trial when even the Lestranges and other DE's were tried for their crimes even though carrying the dark mark was supposed to be a one way ticket to Azkaban. Sirius obviously never carried the mark, so why wasn't he given a trial? We gained access to the ministry files regarding him and found that Dumbledore was the one who closed and sealed Sirius's case file. Simply put, Dumbledore knew that Harry was prophesized to be the one to defeat the Dark Lord and wanted to control him. However, removing Sirius was only one obstacle. Next was Minerva, we know how he handled her, as the only person left to assume guardianship over Harry since the wills of both James and Lily were conveniently missing."
Bloodtooth paused as he took the moment to pass out the sealed ministry file confirming this. He saw Amelia eyeing him and nodded for her to ask what she wanted as she had just received the document to peruse.
"May we learn how you came to be in possession of confidential ministry documents," Amelia asked as she looked at the file she held. She saw it was in fact sealed by Dumbledore and it was he who ordered Sirius to be held without trial for life in Azkaban.
"Of course you may," Bloodtooth grinned, "we have our resources and used them to get the one person into the ministry who could remove them, Sirius."
"You mean that Sirius walked into the ministry while he was being hunted by the entire DMLE and retrieved his own file," Remus asked astounded at the bravery and stupidity that involved.
"Yes," Bloodtooth said gleefully to everyone's amusement. "He was the only person to have legal access to his case and therefore it was he who retrieved it so that it would be admissible evidence against Dumbledore."
"Brilliant," Amelia chuckled, "he knew what a precarious slop we would be on and took risks to ensure the evidence would be able to be used. If anyone else removed it, then it would've destroyed itself and a copy would've reappeared in the ministry."
"Exactly," Bloodtooth added, "you'll see that everything we collected is admissible and gained legally. Now, back to point, with the wills missing Dumbledore took the role of magical guardian and placed Harry with the Dursley's after he apparently made a deal with them. We have evidence that there's been a monthly deposit made to a muggle account listed to one Vernon and Petunia Dursley being transferred from the only account accessible by a magical guardian. Your trust fund set up by your parents for your care and schooling, Harry."
"What? You mean all these years that they've complained about feeding me and putting a roof over my freaky head, they were getting paid. I lived in the cupboard until I was 11, I didn't know my name was actually Harry and not Freak until I started school, I worked like a slave since I was 4 and never had anything except Dudley's cast offs, all the while they were getting paid to treat me this way. Un-Fucking-Believable, and what exactly can I do about all of this," Harry ranted from his seat as he felt the girls try to calm him while remaining a grip on their emotions as well.
"Well, as to the mistreatment by your relatives they can be tried for neglect and endangerment once we have a new Chief Warlock," Amelia answered from her spot as she noticed that Susan was taking notes about the legal aspects. She had noticed earlier that Hermione had been taking notes as well and that Daphne looked ready to.
"From the financial stand point, I assure you that after tomorrow you will be repaid every galleon that's been removed from your account that you weren't aware of," Bloodtooth added, "not only will you receive the money but the persons involved will be punished under goblin law for theft and defrauding our nation. The penalty for which is most likely death or will result in death prematurely."
"Ok, what else," Harry questioned. He wasn't about to let these things go, no matter the punishment the guilty received.
"Well, we've documented all the transfers that we believe were perpetrated without your knowledge and any contracts that were signed by your magical guardian. We've found evidence that he was financing the Order of the Phoenix and making transfers to the Weasley's periodically that he set up as betrothal payments," Bloodtooth added, "we know that the contract is no longer worth the parchment it's written on so that money will be retrieved. Also, there've been payments made to Ronald Weasley that will be voided. Unfortunately, that's just the transfers Dumbledore set up, we've evidence to support the fact Molly Weasley has been removing money from your vault using your key Harry. Some of the withdrawals we confirmed to be genuine and used to purchase your school supplies; however that only covers a sixteenth of the withdrawals she's made since gaining your key."
Bloodtooth was once again passing out parchments showing proof to the allegations presented. He was also noting the harsh reactions to what each person had seen so far. He knew that none of them would allow things to go unpunished without a real good fight. He would hate to be Albus Dumbledore if Minerva could get her hands on him. She was by far the scariest reaction to everything so far, as her cold calculated look spoke of severe torture for the one who had done this to her godson.
"We also have all his attempts to gain access to your other vaults Harry," Bloodtooth continued, "I'm aware you may not know this yet but you're a rather wealthy individual and that's before we added in the Black fortune. He repeatedly tried to petition for access and was denied time and time again. We also have been watching a goblin we believe to be working with him and have plans to deal with that as well. I'm sure you have lots of questions regarding this bit of information but as I told you on Friday we'll go over your holdings with my counterpart for the Potter estate after the reading. The wait is due to the fact that after you 'officially' take your titles tomorrow we can give you access to the family vault in which we believe you'll find a copy of your parents will which can then be read."
"This is all on top of what we found out during the inheritance and abilities test, correct?" Hermione asked him as she was eyeing the parchment in her hand.
"Yes, we've that evidence against him as well. The magical block on his core was highly illegal and so were the tracking, monitoring, and locator charms we found since they were tied to blood magic. After some research we went and inspected the so-called wards around number 4 Privet Drive and found those to be blood wards which are also highly illegal as they draw power from Harry's magical core, weakening him further because of the block," Bloodtooth answered her while waiting on them to process this.
"Why that idiotic meddling old bastard could've killed him," Minerva said with her accent coming out strong, "and why hasn't Poppy ever mentioned any of these findings with as much as Harry's been in the infirmary she should've known."
"I'd assume she more than likely did but was dealt with by Dumbledore's memory charm," Danyella spoke from her seat beside her husband. "I know Poppy well too Minerva and can't see her not asking about it."
"Of course, you're more than likely right. Merlin only knows who's had their mind altered by the old bastard to further his own agenda," Minerva replied with a heavy sigh. "I'll have to talk to Poppy after Monday and have her and the other staff tested for tampering."
"I'm afraid you'll find more than one person he erased before this is over with," Remus said while rubbing his temples. He wanted nothing more than to lock Moony in a room with Albus on a full moon right now. He was sure whatever happened wouldn't be enough to repay Albus for his meddling ways.
"I fear we've only begun scratching the surface of his manipulations. I hope I'm incorrect but I feel deep down we're just getting started," Amelia sighed as she looked at the faces of those gathered. "I mean think of all the influence the man holds in our society. He's labeled the leader of the light and that alone has caused many to follow his lead blindly for all these years. He hasn't only been the leader of the Wizengamot but the one person with the most influence over the teaching our children received."
"I'm sorry to say you're correct with that conclusion," Minerva added, "as there are many things that need to change with the education at the school but he repeatedly shuts all doors to change. He refuses to hear about the deplorable attitude of Severus, continues to allow a drunk to teach Divination, and still employs Binns years after he died, just to name a few things."
"Those are some of the things we wish to address once we disband the board of governors, however, we have to get past tomorrow to do so," Daphne said as she had just finished making a note. "Is that the main things to cover before tomorrow?"
"I believe so," Bloodtooth answered. "The only thing I think that's left is to set a plan on how to handle the day."
"What do you propose," Harry asked as he looked to Bloodtooth.
"The reading is at 10 am and you stated you've a meeting to handle at half past, so I suggest you and your guest arrive at 9 am. You'll of course need to seem absent until the timing is right. That's where the viewing room will come in handy. You, your ladies, and guests will be able to see and hear everything from behind a wall charm that'll conceal your presence. That'll allow for a grand entrance as it were. I know that besides you, Hermione, and Bellatrix Lestrange all of those named have sent in their official acceptances to attend. The general attendees are scheduled to be seated by five until 10, after 10 the doors will seal and not be opened until the reading and business pertaining to it's concluded. That'll give us the advantage to apprehend those found guilty, namely Dumbledore and Molly Weasley. Their actions are viewed as the worst imaginable to the goblin nation and will be dealt with swiftly. The others involved will be detained and left to Amelia for handling," Bloodtooth informed them as he noted the looks all around.
For most of those present this seemed like the best course of action, the only exception being Amelia who was only really upset at being unable to punish the two most guilty parties involved. She did however have to agree this was a sound plan and knew it was set up to execute effectively with minimal chance of escape for the accused.
"Well, I have to agree. The plan you recommend is sound and we can only hope all goes well," Amelia said to Bloodtooth as she passed him back the evidence for him to replace in its box before continuing. "I, for one, would like a chance to spend some time with my niece and her spouses now that we've things set."
"Of course," Emma answered, "you're all more than welcome to stay for dinner any time."
"I'll take my leave if we're through until tomorrow then," Bloodtooth said as he stood and gathered his things. "I'll see you all in the morning at 9 am. Good afternoon."
Bloodtooth left the group gathered talking at the table. He made it to the foyer where he was stopped by a voice calling him from behind.
"Excuse me, but might I have a moment before you take your leave," Susan asked as she nodded toward the open door of the downstairs study.
"Of course," Bloodtooth replied as he followed her into the study and watched as she closed the door.
"I wanted to ask you about me becoming the Lady Bones. I'm wondering if it's correct that I can claim the title after I consummate the bond with Harry."
"Yes, there are a few ways you can claim your title early and the completion of your bond is one of those," Bloodtooth answered.
"Also, I'm rather curious as to what my name will actually be. I mean will it be just Bones or will I add the Potter and Black names as well."
"You'll be known as the Lady Bones Potter Black. That'll show you're bonded to Harry, Hermione, and Daphne but that you can carry your family line forward," Bloodtooth explained.
"Thank you, I wanted to be sure before…well, before. I'll let you take your leave now," Susan said as she opened the door and showed him out.
Susan had been wandering about her name since they figured out the bond and that it would allow her to carry on her line. She was pleased that she would share the name since she wanted to be recognized as being bonded to the others. She also wanted to be sure that the completion would be enough to enable her to take the title.
As Susan entered the living room where the others had moved to after the meeting, she noticed the curious look on Daphne and Hermione's faces. She knew they had probably picked her emotions up since they were bouncing all over. She was nervous, curious, relieved, and excited all within the last 5 minutes or so since she followed after the goblin.
"You ok Susan," Hermione asked as they motioned for her to sit and join them.
"Yes, I'm great actually. I'll tell you both about it later alright," Susan said since she didn't want to let her aunt know that she decided to give her virginity to Harry and assume her title before the reading tomorrow. Something's you just aren't supposed to say in a group of people; especially with your aunt, a former Professor, a Professor who's also the Deputy Head Mistress of your school, and your new in-laws in the same room.
"That's fine," Daphne said, "we were just talking about who was staying for dinner and who had to leave as you entered. We were informed that Winky and Dobby were almost done preparing a small feast."
"Isn't everyone staying," Susan asked. She'd hoped to get to spend some time with her aunt and have a chance to be around the others.
"Ah, no unfortunately, I have to go," Remus spoke up, "it's my turn to be Harry's guard for the Order. I've been on duty actually for a while now so I need to get back to my post so that when the relief shows up I'm actually there. I'm sure the old man will want me to report as well since the reading's in the morning. He'll want to be sure Harry's locked up."
"You're probably right," Minerva chuckled, "he's had Order members reporting regularly since we received the notice of the reading."
"Well, tomorrow will definitely be an interesting day," Dan grinned as he spoke. "I can't wait to see his face when Harry and his Ladies enter that room. I'll bet he nearly pisses himself."
"Have my aunt and uncle returned," Harry asked Remus as he was saying his goodbyes.
"Not yet, but as tomorrow's the start of the work week I'm sure they'll be back soon. Don't worry they won't notice you're missing until after everything happens," Remus answered. "Well, I'll see you all tomorrow then. Good day."
Dinner was a lively affair full of laughing and jokes at Dumbledore's arrogance. Dan and Nathaniel excused themselves to the study for a drink after dinner while Emma, Minerva, Amelia, and Danyella returned to the living room to talk with the girls and Harry about how things were going with being bonded to each other. The guest lingered for an hour or so before they started to head home for the night leaving the occupants of the Granger home to head upstairs and get comfortable.