A.N.: I tried to post this chapter earlier today, only to find out the second half of it was somehow missing in action. I retyped eight pages in two hours and I am now officially a twitching mess on the floor. If you'd please, send over Severus with a calming draught. Thank you.
On other news! The ritual is here! Read and see! Harry has a conversation with his parents and someone doesn't like the outcome… Oh, and before you ask, there will be no Dramione in this story after all. It's going to be difficult to introduce Hermione properly to the story (integrating Draco is hard as it is though necessary) so adding a romance would throw the whole thing off axis. So, there might be a separate story sometime in the future on that subject. For now, please enjoy the latest chapter of my story and don't forget to review!
Disclaimer; I don't own Harry Potter. Now, please, allow me to drown my sorrows into chocolate.
NO FATE BUT WHAT WE MAKE
"I will help you, Harry, if that's what you really want." Severus offered, wrapping a hand around his son's shoulders and pulling the teen near.
"You're my family, Dad. You and now Nev and here's where I belong." Severus closed his eyes and nodded, fighting away his tears as he pulled his son closer and enveloped him in a proper hug.
"I know, son. I know."
The next morning had dawned just as chilly as the night before and all evidence pointed a downpour was imminent. Harry wished with all his might that the weather wasn't a warning of things to come. He had received a letter from Nagnok over breakfast with which the goblin informed him that he would be arriving this very evening to broach the subject of the Emancipation ritual to the Potters. That meant Harry would have to return to Potter Manor for the evening -and probably stay there till the ritual itself.
"Are you sure you don't want me to tag along?" Severus finally asked after trying to suppress his protective instincts for the past hour since Harry had received Nagnok's letter. Harry shook his head negatively.
"It's not a matter of my not wanting you there, Dad. You know that if I had a say in this you'd be right there through it all." The potions master nodded, already knowing what Harry would say next. "But Prongs is much less likely to cooperate if you're there. It's going to be a close call as it is."
"I know, Harry." Severus stated, swirling the tea in his cup, contemplating. "I just can't help wanting to be there for you. It's almost unnatural letting you do this alone, even if I know you can handle it." Looking at the amused sparkle in his son's eyes at his semi-frantic declaration, he hastened to exclaim; "I know it doesn't make sense, okay?"
"You're just worried. Let's call it a father's prerogative?" Severus sighed but couldn't help a soft smile from forming on his lips. It was his prerogative to worry over his son after all. He would just love to see someone try and contest that! They would never find the unlucky sod's pieces no matter how hard they tried.
"Just promise you'll write the moment Nagnok leaves." Severus persisted. "Even if it's something short, like 'It all went well' or 'Come get me out of here', alright?"
"Alright, alright; I promise." Harry conceded, smiling at his father's antics.
"I have the distinct impression that you're mocking me," Severus stated, huffing in mock superiority "but I'll let it slide in light of current events, young man!" Harry was still laughing when Minnie appeared, holding a letter in her hands; apparently, Neville had guessed he would be at Silbreith and had written to him.
"Nagnok forgot something?" Severus asked, looking at Harry over his Daily Prophet; the attack at the World Cup was still all that appeared on the papers -well if one excepted the Quibbler, that is; they were publishing a new theory on the origins of Narggles- and, even if the investigation wasn't over yet, there had been some rumors about him and Harry fighting against the Death Eaters. Apparently, some Hogwarts students had even noticed Neville and had recognized him, so the boy was mentioned too, in passing, as said rumors had been turned into articles.
"No, it's from Nev, actually." Well, speak of the devil! Severus thought as he put down the newspaper completely; Augusta Longbottom would have definitely read those articles herself. Maybe that was why Neville had decided to write? He hoped she hadn't caused Neville any trouble; the boy was practically family to Harry and, he had to admit, had managed to slither his way into the small group of people the potions master considered family too. That group of people previously having been only Harry, Alfie and Minnie -those two house elves had almost adopted him and his son, he had resigned himself to that fact ages ago- meant that finding himself with a boy that had started to classify as an honorary nephew was quite the shock.
"So, what does he write?" Severus asked. "I hope his grandmother isn't causing him any trouble."
"Quite the contrary." Harry stated, a small smirk appearing on his face.
"How so?"
"Apparently she was so happy Neville started, and I quote, "following the steps of his father" that she doubled his monthly allowance." Then the teen chuckled once, loudly, grin eyes twinkling mischievously.
"What?" Severus inquired, smiling a bit himself by proxy, even though he had no idea what Harry had just read.
"Apparently I'm not the only Gryffindor acting all Slytherin-like lately!" Harry exclaimed in the place of an explanation.
"Good to see I'm influencing the new generation." The potions master stated, causing Harry to roll his eyes at his father's antics.
"But of course you are."
"And how did my influence caused yet another Gryffindor to join the Dark Side?" Severus asked, assumed haughtiness colouring his voice.
"You're so full of it." Harry mumbled, his spirits improving at his father's theatricalities. "Anyway, as I was saying, Nev decided to broach the subject of his wand to her." The green eyed teen explained as Severus listened in interest.
"What did he say exactly?"
"He may or may not have mentioned that you expressed your opinion on how his father's wand might not allow him to reach his full potential." Severus chuckled once.
"That's not even a lie, you know." The potions master admitted after a few seconds of deliberation. "I did say that, just a year and a half ago."
"Exactly." Harry agreed smirking. "Nev said he explained to her that, though his father was an Auror and thus he didn't question his wand was of the best quality, his mother was an Auror too; he reminded her how he, being a combination of the two, should probably have a wand that represents that."
"Neville has been spending too much time with you." Severus interjected, amusement clear in his voice.
"Finally, he told her that, should he cross paths with the Death Eaters again, he would need a wand that would allow respond too him perfectly." Harry chuckled as he read the last paragraph of the letter. "Apparently, his grandmother was so proud he intends to keep fighting against the Death Eaters that she not only agreed to give him money for a new wand, but allowed him to buy it alone, the day we'll meet for out school supplies in Diagon Alley. Because, as he put it, if he's old enough to fight against the Death Eaters, he's old enough to buy a wand on his own." Harry was full out chuckling at that point. "Maybe he is spending too much time with me." He conceded.
"Oh well, good for Neville; remind me to award him five points for something inconsequential once the term begins." Harry nodded, still smiling. If Neville had managed to persuade his grandmother that easily, maybe there was hope for him too.
Three hours later, Harry bid Severus goodbye and flooed over to Potter mansion. He had asked his parents to be there, only informing them via letter it would be for something of great importance. Even if he had asked them to be waiting for him, he couldn't help but feel mildly surprised when he stepped out of the fireplace and found both his parents expecting his arrival. 'There's a first time for everything, I suppose,' Harry thought as his mother rose from the couch to greet him.
"Good morning, Harry!" Lily exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her youngest son. "We missed you!" More like you missed my whole life, Harry commented internally, while resisting rolling his eyes. They had barely been around to see him grow up but now that they had figured out they might have been pushing him away? Now they missed him.
"Your mother is right you know." James stated. "You should be at home during the holidays." Harry fumed; he really didn't want to snap at them. Not that day of all days. So he swallowed his anger down.
"I usually am home during the holidays." Okay, Harry amended, he partially swallowed his anger down. But he couldn't help that little jab; Silbreith was home.
"We just haven't seen you much this summer." Lily explained, looking at her husband in a way that stated he should let her handle the conversation. This summer? Harry thought. This summer?
"I actually think we've seen more of each other during this summer than we did the last one." Harry commented with a wide and wholly fake smile instead of laughing out loud as he wished. Lily seemed taken aback by his statement and guilt played over her face for a moment before she schooled her expression back to a welcoming smile. Harry smiled back once more and went to seat at the couch waiting for his parents to follow his example. He watched as Lily shot yet another glance at James, a silent conversation seemingly taking place before his eyes. Prongs nodded once and Harry stifled a sigh; it seemed his parents had decided to team up in their efforts to know him better. Still, he remembered that small flash of guilt on his mother's face. He could use that, should things come to that; he'd hate to do it, but the more he talked to his parents, the more he realized they fully intended to be actively involved in his life from that moment on.
"Well, we can do more than that!" James exclaimed as Lily sat next to him on the couch opposite the one Harry was seated on. "What do you say we play some Quidditch this afternoon; just you and I?" If it'll help you agree on the Emancipation Ritual, the green eyed teen thought, weighing his options, then sure.
"Why not?" The teen answered, shrugging his shoulders. James seemed satisfied with himself and honestly happy that his son had accepted while Lily's smile finally reached her eyes. All that rang through Harry's mind was one single phrase; too little, too late. "Where's Adrian by the way?"
"He's at the Weasleys'." Lily explained.
"We thought we could spend some time alone with you." James added, making Harry inwardly cringe; this was getting more and more awkward by the second. He wished Nagnok would come over soon. "So, what did you want to talk to us about? Is it about school?" Mercifully James had steered the conversation away from the more uncomfortable topics himself.
"No, it's not about school." Harry explained, causing his parents to share a confused look.
"Whatever it is, Harry, you can tell us." Lily stated; the boy nodded once.
"That's what this talk is about." He looked at the grandfather clock by the fireplace. Nagnok would be there in five short minutes. He had just enough time to prepare his parents for what they were about to hear. "It's not about school; the reason why I wanted to talk to you is more of a financial nature." The confusion only intensified.
"Are you asking for an increase in your monthly allowance?" James asked, eyeing his son carefully. "Because we could work something out…" Harry laughed once at James' reaction.
"Prongs, for one, you're not giving me a monthly allowance. You haven't since I was nine." James looked at Lily shocked, and she nodded in agreement, her eyes downcast.
"But Adrian…"
"Adrian has a monthly allowance," Harry agreed, having seen the pouch his brother brought with him at school to last him over the term, "because he needs one. I haven't needed one for over a year." The shock was now directed to him. "I'm rich, you know." Harry explained.
"Well, our family is well off but…" James started while Lily gasped understanding what her son meant. Neither she, nor James had ever truly stopped to think what being the creator of the Firebolt stood for.
"I mean that I'm independently rich, Prongs." Harry explained, chuckling once as the confusion in James' eyes was replaced by startled realization. "I'm the creator of the Firebolt; the paycheck I got for my very first design alone would have been enough to cover my personal expenses till I come of age. Then there is the fact that I gain a hefty amount out of every Firebolt sold. I'm also the co-creator of memory spheres. And Nagnok makes certain my earnings are invested properly, I assure you." His declaration had left his parents speechless. "And that's what I wanted to talk about today."
"You fortune?" Lily asked, her voice higher than usual.
"In a sense." Harry agreed, nodding. "Nagnok should be here any minute to help me explain. Just promise me you will listen to him before jumping to any conclusions. This is something that will help me; it will help me a lot."
"So, it's nothing bad?" James asked, clearing his throat.
"No, not yet." Harry offered cryptically. "But it's an issue that could come and bite me in the behind if it's not dealt with now."
"Investment issues?" Lily asked. "Are you losing money?"
"No, quite the contrary." Harry explained, trying to highlight the financial aspect of the issue at hand. "And, surprisingly, that's the problem." The flames in the fireplace turned green as Nagnok stepped out and not a moment too soon, Harry figured. His financial advisor was once more dressed impeccably, his round glasses perched onto his crooked nose. Harry rose to greet him, exchanging the customary pleasantries.
"Mr. Potter, your manners are always impeccable." The goblin stated as Harry led him towards the armchair in between the two couches he and his parents occupied, facing the fireplace.
"Nagnok-nür, my manners are only such as my guest inspires." Harry answered, knowing fully well how goblins appreciated respect, especially coming from a wizard.
"As I said, impeccable." The goblin insisted, black eyes shining with mirth, a wide, satisfied smile full of pointy teeth gracing his face.
"Allow me to introduce you my parents." Harry stated, pointing at the two other Potters in the room.
"Mrs. Potter, Mr. Potter." Nagonk greeted them, a curt bow punctuating his words.
"Mr. Nagnok." James greeted the goblin in a startled tone. The goblin in question sneered imperceptivity at the term 'mister' -one his race believed was only to be used for wizards- instead of the more appropriate goblin term. Not commenting further on the subject, he sat on the armchair and wasted no time beating around the bush.
"I suppose you know the main reason why I'm here."
"I gave them the main idea," Harry intervened "but I didn't want to start going into specifics without you here, Nagnok-nür. I have to admit this surpasses my area of expertise."
"A prudent move, Mr. Potter." The goblin stated, clearly pleased.
"Would you mind explaining, sir?" Lily asked, fidgeting a little; she didn't like not knowing what was happening around her, especially if it somehow affected her family. And the realization of not knowing what was happening to her youngest son's life had hit her like a ton of bricks; she would rather not have another thing happening she wasn't aware of.
"Not at all, madam." Nagnok assured her. "That's why I'm here." He leaned back on the armchair and looked at the older Potters speculatively. "You are aware that I am your youngest son's financial advisor." He stated matter-of-factly.
"Yes, we are." James offered.
"I'll try to keep this simple; your son's fortune is great, especially for a wizard his age." Harry tried to fight a blush he just knew was coming down; it wouldn't do at all to blush in front of a goblin, especially not his financial advisor! "And it's only increasing as the time passes. That, of course, attracts problems."
"What type of problems, Mr. Nagnok?" James asked, his eyes shifting from the goblin to his son and back.
"To once again put it simply, your son is a minor. That means that he does not have complete control over his assets yet. That privilege falls to you, his appointed guardians till he comes of age. Still, since the money is on your son's name, not even you have free rein over young Mr. Potter's fortune."
"What do you mean exactly?" Lily asked, confused by where this conversation was headed.
"What Nagnok is trying to say, Mom, is that, as long as I'm a minor with an account under my name, all the money in that account are, essentially, unprotected." Harry explained.
"Unprotected?" James asked, looking at his son in confusion. "How? Your money is in Gringotts after all!"
"That might be, Mr. Potter, but its physical presence in Griggots alone does not guarantee its security." Nagnok continued. "Having someone accumulate such a great fortune in such a young age is not common. It saddens me to say that neither Gringgots nor the Ministry have provided a way to protect such a fortune." He looked at the still befuddled faces on the couch left to him and sighed. "Look at it this way; your son only has a specific amount of power over his assets, correct? He can access them, withdraw to a certain extent and deposit but he can not invest anything should you wish him not to. He might lose control of his account completely with one single word from you, Mr. Potter, and you are able to access his account and withdraw as much money as you wish."
"I would never do that!" James exclaimed insulted.
"I know, Prongs." Harry assured him. "Nagnok is just explaining what may happen to my account as long as things are left as they are. And that's not all."
"As you son stated, Mr. Potter," Nagnok continued without apologizing to the still fuming James, "there's more to this issue than you have heard so far. There are others that might have their eyes set on young Mr. Potter's fortune."
"Snape!" James seethed, looking at Harry through narrowed eyes. "I knew we couldn't trust Snivellus…"
"Sev is not the problem!" Harry exclaimed, his voice cold as he glared at Prongs. He couldn't believe how swiftly James was ready to accuse his father of everything bad that happened. "I asked you to listen before you jump to conclusions." Prongs seemed anxious to add something more but his son's hard gaze betrayed how much the teen didn't want to hear it. And just like that, James Potter finally realized he might just be out of his depth.
"As young Mr. Potter said," Nagnok stated, looking at the oldest Potter disdainfully, "Mr. Severus Snape is not the problem. I first approached Mr. Snape with this issue when the contract for the creation of the memory spheres was signed and he immediately agreed to sign off any claim he might have had over your son's fortune. I can procure his waiver, signed and all, at any given moment, should you wish to see it. Mr. Snape has made it quite clear, verbally and legally, that he has no intention to touch a knut of your son's fortune." At that, James fell silent, all anger leaving him.
"Please continue." Lily stated, her own green eyes turned at the carpet. Harry on his side, mentally made arrangements for an extra bonus for his financial advisor later on; the goblin had earned every galleon he had ever paid him in his book.
"As I was saying, there's more to this problem than you understand; your son has a contact with Nimbus Co. There are people in that company that would not hesitate to sunk their teeth into your son's account. And, as long as his fortune remains tied to yours the fact remains that it is left vulnerable against any middle man that wishes to take a good chunk out of it."
"What Nagnok is saying," Harry continued, "is that, though this is my fortune, money that I've worked hard for, I have no control over it. I can invest as long as you allow me to. I can withdraw the minimum amount possible. And every contract I sign has terms damaging to me as, no matter how hard I work, every contract is still one signed between a company and a minor; did you know that my original contract with Nimbus had a specific clause that said I would have no say where the broomsticks I designed were distributed seeing as that would be considered as an indirect investment? Without this clause, should you decide to disallow me from investing my money, you would have a say over where the Firebolts are sold. The company didn't want that and, as such, I have no say over where a product I designed is being sold. As it is, I can't even check to see their logs; they might be cheating me out of my earnings as far as I know. I lose money even as I earn them, if you understand what I mean." That part was actually true, Harry realized as he looked at his parents. He had just never cared that much, seeing how his vault was overflowing with gold. Plus, it was highly unlikely Nagnok would let something major happen; his parents though didn't need to know that. The goblin's smirk clearly stated that he agreed with Harry's reasoning.
"We had no idea. Harry." James stated, sharing a look with Lily.
"Is there something we can do?" Lily asked, looking at Nagnok in earnest. "We could waiver our claim over Harry's fortune, should that help." She offered. Here we go, Harry thought, mentally preparing himself for the blast.
"Relinquishing your claim over your son's fortune will not help." Nagnok explained. "If anything, it will leave his fortune completely bereft of any adult supervision." The goblin stated, bringing the conversation where he needed it to go.
"Then what can we do?" James asked confused.
"There is a way to resolve this once and for all." Nagnok offered. "Any problems young Mr. Potter is facing right now will be resolved the very moment he turns seventeen, meaning upon his entrance into adulthood."
"So you're saying we can help keep Harry's fortune safe until he turns seventeen?" Lily asked. "We'll help any way we can!" Even though Harry appreciated the sentiment, he well knew that his mother would probably change her mind the moment Nagnok made his proposal.
"Not exactly." The teen intervened. "The only way to keep my fortune safe from any malevolent interference would be freezing my account till I turned seventeen; all and any earnings I would have from now on would go to the family account while I would be unable to touch them or anything I have already earned and saved in my personal vault. I would rather avoid such an outcome."
"Then what can we do?" James wondered. "If the law forbids a minor from taking control of his fortune, what could you have to propose?" He asked, looking at Nagnok. "Change the law?"
"No." The goblin said. "The law is written with and bound by magic. Wards would have to be taken down, the Ministry would have to get involved in the inner workings of Gringgots -something we have avoided for the past few centuries- and the whole process would still take years. Thus, no, the law can not be changed."
"Then?" James urged him on.
"We can not change the law that demands young Mr. Potter to be an adult to have complete control over his account. So, we will change Mr. Potter so that he will meet the law's requirements."
"What are you suggesting, goblin?" James asked, his eyes narrowing, his tone menacing. Nagnok seemed unfazed.
"An Emancipation Ritual, I believe, is in order." The stunned silence that followed his statement didn't last for more than two seconds.
"A what?" James seethed, jumping up from his seat, glaring at the still calm goblin. "Say that again!"
"My son is fourteen!" Lily exclaimed, her voice angry. "You can't ask that of him! Just because you want to keep handling his account!" That got Harry's attention; the teen had imagined his parents would be unwilling to let him go through with the ritual -which parent willingly allows their fourteen year old son to become an adult, especially while they're trying to reconnect with him- but having them suggest that his actions were dictated by someone else? That his thoughts weren't his own? That he wouldn't stand for!
"This is preposterous!" James added, gesticulating wildly, his eyes focused on the goblin in front of him. "Who put you up to this?"
"I did!" Harry stated. He didn't yell but his voice was strong and decisive; it wasn't something his parents had expected of him and was definitely enough to give them pause.
"What?" Lily asked bewildered, her eyes now focused on her younger son. James turned to face Harry two, his hazel eyes wide with shock.
"Harry!" He exclaimed, approaching his son with uncertainty. "Have you lost your mind? You're only fourteen! If someone is forcing you to do this…"
"No, Prongs." Harry stated simply, standing up and looking at James unwaveringly. "I know you haven't been around me much during the past few years, so I won't expect you to understand just what this means to me. This account isn't just money. It's what I have spent the last three years of my life working for." And it was more, so much more; it was his chance to never feel afraid that he would be forced away from his true family. It was his one chance to fully dictate his own actions during the coming war. It was freedom, as much as he could grasp at the time being. And he wouldn't give up on that.
"Harry…" Lily began, her voice wavering at her son's statements.
"Please, listen to me." Harry interrupted her, breathing deeply, trying his hardest not to start yelling; anger wouldn't get him anywhere, no matter how righteous. "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to design a racing broom? What, you think you carve a broom, cast a few spells and presto, you're done? It took me a whole year to get the design to work; twelve failed attempts. Countless hours of research to get every spell right! I had to redesign the whole braking system; I created a whole new variation of a spell for it! I worked so hard on the arithmological aspect of the whole design, I'm eligible for an early OWL on the subject. It might not mean much to you, but I have worked hard for this."
"Harry, we didn't say that…" James started speaking but Harry wouldn't stand to be interrupted.
"I've only asked you for one other thing in my whole life and that was for your permission to work! All I wanted was to do something I knew I was good at. I wanted all my hard work to be recognized; in the beginning all I could do was hope and believe that what I had designed was good. And I believed it and I was right. And my work did get recognized!" Harry wanted to say more. He wanted to tell them how Severus had helped, remind them that they were never there, that they didn't even know he had designed the Firebolt until they found out from the newspapers along with the rest of the country. Tell them that they knew nothing about him. But this wasn't the time; he needed their approval for one last thing. And then he would be free.
"Harry this is too much." James stated, his voice holding much less certainty now than it had a few moments ago. "You're only fourteen! Do you have any idea what it means to be an adult?" Harry shut his eyes and breathed in and out carefully. He had known what it was like to be an adult since he was eleven. Since that day he had decided to take a life to save his twin. And life had taken a toll on his soul ever since.
"Emancipation means I will be legally and adult. I have a job. I can support myself if needed be." Harry said, his words chosen carefully. "But I'm only doing this to keep what I have strived for safe. I'll still be fourteen. I'll still go to school. I'm going to be exactly the same, don't you see? I just won't be afraid that everything I've worked for could be taken from me while I'm not looking. Nothing else has to change!" He could see his parents were thinking what he had said. In a way, what he had told them was the truth; everything would be the same and yet not. He would still be the same Harry; he just wouldn't have to fear he would be cut off from his own life due to a whim.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" It was close, so close he could taste it! James' words confirmed that. Maybe it was time for that guilt trip. The final nail in the coffin.
"Look, I could have done this without telling you; all that's required is a written permit from the head of my family that states I'm allowed to work, proof that what I earn can sustain me, a vault of my own, a witness and a few drops of blood. I have everything that I need. I could have done this without telling you." Harry repeated, watching their eyes widen. The fact that he was terrified James would have retracted his permission was yet another fact they didn't have to know.
"Does this matter so much to you?" Lily asked, her eyes watering.
"Wouldn't it mean much to you, were you in my place?" Harry deadpanned, his expression soft. On the inside, he was praying to whomever might listen that they would agree.
"In that case…" Lily said, looking at James who sighed but nodded in defeat. He could see that, if he didn't agree with Harry on this, if he didn't allow him that one thing he asked, Harry would do it anyway; he would find a way.
"Fine, yes." James mumbled. The grin that spread on Harry's face this time was real. They had agreed! They had agreed! He was just two short days away from being independent. He ran forward and hugged his parents in glee, wondering for just a second how would his life have been had they chosen to pay just a little more attention to him. Then his father's laughter rang in his ears, his mind flashing to the day Severus had announced he had gotten rid of his Dark Mark. And he realized once more that he wouldn't trade his life for nothing in the world; he was Harry James Potter of Silbreith, son of Severus Snape, brother of Neville Longbottom. And he was finally close to truly being his own man.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Nagnok informed them of when exactly they should arrive at Gringgots in two days time and left. Not however before mentioning to Harry in Gobbledygook that, should he be unable to decided what he wanted to do after Hogwarts, he could always work as an agent for Gringgots; apparently he had closing deals into his blood, or so the goblin insisted. Harry had laughed and replied that, if nothing else, it would keep life interesting.
He found the time after lunch to send a short letter to Severus telling him what happened and one to Neville that was a tad longer and asked him to meet at Diagon Alley in two days time. Adrian returned at the mansion early in the afternoon; Harry opted to be the one to tell him about the ritual. His brother had stared at him for a few long moments before congratulating him; this time, Harry realized Adrian's smile was forced. The hazel eyed twin's bad mood lasted all through that day -even during the Quidditch practice Harry had promised James- and the next one, worsening on the morning Harry was set to go through with the ritual.
It was seven in the morning and Harry, for the first time in his life, had taken the time to think what he would wear through. He had never felt the need to wear anything that formal before, but then again this day would only happen once. So he smiled and looked at his reflection in the mirror. Charcoal grey pants and vest with a matching cloak. A crisp white shirt and a dark green tie with a silver pin shaped like a wolf's head. Silver and emerald cufflinks and the pocket watch Neville had gotten him for his birthday. This was it.
"Good morning, everyone!" He called as he climbed down the stairs to the living room. His parents were there along with Adrian, Sirius and Remus were seated near the fireplace while Dumbledore stood next them. Their confused glances once they noticed his choice of clothes were obvious for all to see. Harry shrugged it off and approached them in a few swift strides. It was almost time to go.
"Good morning, Harry." Dumbledore said, nodding once, an unidentifiable expression on his face. For once, Harry didn't care; he just wanted to get through this as fast as possible. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, professor. I believe I am." The teen stated, his smile wide as he looked at the lit fireplace.
"I can't really believe you're doing this," Sirius stated walking closer to his godson, "but I get why you'd want to. I'm proud of you, kiddo." If possible, Harry's smile widened. "Apparently, you're rich enough for the goblins to want to make sure they won't lose you as a client." At that Harry had to laugh.
"Well, it would seem they're not very fond of the idea." The teen admitted; he would give Nagnok a huge bonus for this, he promised once more. His parents made sure everything and everyone needed was present and stepped into the fireplace one by one. Harry was ready to follow their example when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked back to make sure even if he already knew whom it belonged to; he had wondered when Dumbledore would choose to speak to him about what he was about to do.
"I would like to talk to Harry for a few moments, if you'd please." He told Remus and Sirius, the two other remaining people of their group still at the manor. The two wizards nodded as Harry sighed; he was being delayed.
"Professor." The teen greeted his Headmaster once more, green eyes meeting blue.
"Harry." Albus greeted back. "I must admit, when your parents told me you were planning on undergoing an Emancipation Ritual, I was more than surprised. Have you truly thought this through?" Harry sighed and smiled sadly. Did everybody think he was going through this blindly? And why did he owe the Headmaster of all people an explanation? The only thing Dumbledore had done that he was grateful for was making sure Severus was the one that would look after him when he was a baby. But even that had been done purely out of luck and Albus had since then been overjoyed to wash his wands off both Harry and Severus.
"Yes, I am."
"This isn't truly about the money though, is it?" The Headmaster asked, his eyes boring holes into Harry's head. The green eyed wizard took a moment to affirm his Occlumency shields were in place and that his mind wasn't under attack before answering; honestly he didn't want to, but he knew that Dumbledore would never let the subject drop otherwise.
"Of course not." He answered, looking towards the fireplace once more. "The money just comes with it. It's just…" He turned back towards Dumbledore, opting in telling him at least past of the truth. "Honestly they could melt down all the coins in my vault if they wanted. But I've worked hard on the Firebolt. I've worked just as hard on the memory spheres. I don't want somebody else to take credit of that hard work. I did that; and I'm proud of what I've achieved. I hope I don't sound conceited but…"
"No, Harry. You don't." Dumbledore assured him, sighing. "You're a very bright young man; maybe you haven't heard that enough in your life. Maybe you should have."
"I don't really need to." Harry admitted, a sad smile etched on his lips; he didn't need to hear it. Not any longer; the people who mattered the most knew who he was. That was enough. He then laughed as he recalled a conversation he had had with Sirius and Remus a few months ago. "You know, professor, Sirius said something along he same lines last year, when I had visited him and Remus at their office."
"Sirius can be a very sensitive individual, should he so wish." Albus offered, causing Harry to chuckle at the truth of his words.
"Yes, he can."
"Harry, before we go, one last thing." The teen looked at the old wizard speculatively.
"Yes, professor?" What was it this time?
"I want you to remember that, no matter how things may seem, our families are our greatest treasure." Harry smiled softly, his mind flickering to his father and brother; Severus and Neville were set to meet with him outside Gringgots.
"I know, professor." Harry stated, looking straight into the wizard's blue eyes. "Nothing is more important that family." Even the densest man on the face of the earth could see Harry meant every single word and that was enough to bring that merry twinkle in the Headmaster's eyes.
"After you then, Harry." The teen smiled one more time before throwing a handful of floo powder in the flames and walking in. Before he knew it, he was met with Severus and Neville outside Gringgots. He ran forwards and hugged them, laughing freely.
"I can't believe it! An Emancipation Ritual? How wicked is that?" Neville exclaimed, making his best friend laugh again. Adrian snorted and Harry turned to look at him in confusion. The older twin just turned his eyes to the cobble covered street and stood there silent. Harry opted to not ponder on twin's reaction at this day of all days. Instead he held his head high and walked in. Nagnok greeted him at the entrance and asked them to follow him; they did, through half a dozen of doors and flight of stair till they reached a grand mahogany door. It was the Director's office, Harry knew as much.
"I'll be right here, Harry." Severus whispered as Nagnok asked everyone but Harry and James -who would serve as the witness- to wait in the hallway. The boy nodded and smiled wide at his father, trying to convey his thankfulness and every emotion he was feeling in one glance. Elation, happiness and a bit of fear were all intermixed in his eyes and somehow he knew his father got the message loud and clear.
The door closed behind him and James. Harry moved forward and greeted the director, bowing respectfully and offering the official curtsies of the goblin race. The director greeted him back and gave Nagnok the signal to proceed. A piece of parchment lay on the desk, simple in wording and small for all the promise it held. Harry smiled once more and followed the instructions Nagnok gave him. Sign once here, a drop of blood there -it disappeared the moment it touched the parchment as it should- your witness signs here and then you cast the actual ritual.
Magica, audite placitum meum
Puer non magis
Ambulo mundi
Vir nunc.
And as golden sparks flew around him and the black ink he had signed the contract with turned red, Harry knew it had worked. It was done. His fate was officially his own now, he even had that in writing. The future was suddenly less scary than it had been one day ago. And he was more ready than ever to face it.
