A/N: Hello readers! Trying to get the first few chapters out quickly because I know they aren't very exciting as I'm trying to set up the story. Promise things will pick up soon. My goal is to update at least once a week but I will try and update more frequently when I can.
To JohnMonty: I definitely plan on having Amelia teach Harry battle magic and mind arts. I have at least two major combat scenes mapped out but I am not sure how gorey they will be. Yes, there will be lemons!
Enjoy Chapter 2 of For The Love of Bones
Chapter 2 - A New Lord
At 10:55 the next morning Harry stood in the middle of the room he was sharing with Ron and clenched his Gringotts letter tightly.
"Well here goes nothing," he said with a sigh as he felt the familiar tug at his navel letting him know the port key was activating. He suddenly felt the sensation of being pulled through a too small tube before landing unceremoniously in a heap on a cold marble floor. He groaned and stood up to take in his surroundings. He had never been in this part of Gringotts before. The large room was lined with elegant marble pillars and archways and under each arch was a door. A small army of goblins was guarding a set of golden double doors at the end of the room farthest from him. Curiosity carried his feet in that direction while he momentarily forgot why he was at Gringotts to begin with. A loud cough behind him caused him to stop and turn around.
"Mr. Potter. This way please."
"Thank you Master Griphook," said Harry with a slight bow. Sirius had told him to bow and use the goblins title as show of respect. Making friends with the goblins could be very advantageous in the long run.
"You remember my name?" Said Griphook in surprise as he raised a hairy eyebrow and looked at Harry curiously. Griphook's stare was making Harry uncomfortable. "Did I mess this up already?" He thought.
"Uh - yah." Harry said as he looked down at his feet. Griphook didn't respond, he just turned and started walking towards one of the doors behind him.
"This way Mr. Potter." Harry swallowed and fell into step behind him. "That was awkward, but hopefully I gained some respect from Griphook, even if it was begrudgingly." Thought Harry.
"You did fine pup. They just aren't used to wizards treating them with any sort of respect," said Sirius in reassurance. Suddenly they came to a stop and Griphook used his long fingernail to caress the door causing it to open. Then he stepped aside and motioned for Harry to enter in front of him. Once inside he stood there and waited for Griphook to enter.
"Have a seat Mr. Potter," he said as he entered the room and shut the door with an echoing bang. "Master Scarclaw will be with you momentarily." Harry nodded and took the offered seat in front of the empty desk. A few minutes later a door appeared behind the desk and in walked an older looking goblin that was a few inches taller than Griphook. Harry stood and bowed slightly to the goblin.
"Good morning Master Scarclaw," Harry said as he straightened up.
"Good morning Mr. Potter," said Scarclaw with a smirk. Or was it a grin? He wasn't sure. As soon as Scarclaw sat down at the desk a scroll appeared in front of him.
"We are here to read the last will and testament of Sirius Orion Black." Said the goblin formally as if there were more people in the room than just Harry. "Once we are finished there will be some paperwork for you to sign and then I will walk you through the procedure for reactivating House Potter and claiming the headship of house Black.
"Alright," said Harry hesitantly. Scarclaw opened the scroll, cleared his throat then began to read.
I, Sirius Orion Black, being of sound mind and body, hereby declare that this is my last will and testament. As the last member of the Black family I am first and foremost naming, my godson, Harrison James Potter as my heir. As my heir, Harry (as most know him) shall inherit the entirety of the Black fortune, properties and assets as well as take on the title of Lord Black with all of the responsibilities that shall entail. My only request is that you gift Grimmauld Place to Remus Lupin. This is my final request, so mote it be.
As soon as Scarclaw stopped speaking an envelope appeared on the desk along with several neat stacks of papers. Most of them were small but the stack on the end nearly reached the ceiling. Scarclaw handed the letter to Harry.
"This is from Sirius. You should read it before we continue. I'll be back in a few moments," said Scarclaw as he stood up and walked out the door behind him which disappeared as soon as he left. Harry looked down at the envelope and saw one word written in Sirius', loopy elegant scrawl, easily recognized from all the letters they shared while he was on the run,
Harry
Hey pup,If you are reading this then I've kicked the bucket, as the muggles like to say. I wish I hadn't missed out on so much of your life and hadn't been so stupid in following Peter that day. I should have been for you, but I did my best to make up for it and though we didn't have as much time as I'd have liked I loved you like a son for the time that we had. That is why I have decided to make you my heir. I hope that the magic of House Black can help you to complete the impossible task that has been put on your shoulders. I have three pieces of advice for you. First, remember that you do not have to do this alone, let your friends help you carry this burden. Second, Harry, you are a Lord now. You control your life, you control your destiny. Don't let Dumbledore keep hiding things from you. Don't let him decide what is best for you. It is your life, you decide. I know he's ancient and you trust him, but he doesn't always know best. Third, use the Black fortune for good. Change the world for the better and be open to love even if it comes from an unexpected place.Yours,
Padfoot
Harry wiped the tears from his eyes just as Scarclaw walked back into the room. If he noticed he didn't say anything which Harry was grateful for.
"So, as the new Lord Black you are now considered a legal adult in the magical world. This will allow you also take up the headship of Lord Potter as well. Is that your wish today?"
"Yes Master Scarclaw."
"Very well," said the goblin not even looking up, as if he knew what Harry's answer would be. Suddenly two small black boxes appeared on the desk. Scarclaw opened the first box and gave it to Harry.
"This is the Black family ring. Put it on your left ring finger. If the Black family magic accepts you as the new lord you will feel a shock as the family magic merges with your own and then you will immediately gain all of the knowledge of the Black Lords before you. It will take a lot of practice for you to be able to control this knowledge and pull it up intentionally..."
"There is a book at Grimmauld Place that will help with that," said Sirius. "The knowledge on how to control the ring's magic is usually passed down from Lord to Lord but my great great grandfather wrote it all down when he almost died from dragon pox before he could pass it on. It should be on my personal bookcase in my room." Harry nodded.
"…..You will also gain access to the whereabouts of all properties and hidden assets belonging to the House of Black, although I do not think there is much as most of the assets were liquidated during the war against Grindewald, continued the goblin still not looking up at Harry.
"And if the Black family magic doesn't accept me?" asked Harry with a hint of worry. The goblin looked up at him with a feral toothy grin.
"Right," said Harry with a gulp. "Based on his look I'm sure it's something real pleasant" he thought.
After a few moments he sighed and then put the ring on his finger as instructed. He held his breath and tightly shut his eyes hoping something awful wasn't about to happen. Suddenly a warm sensation spread throughout his body as if something was scanning him to determine his worth and then a sharp jolt shot through his body and bolts of magic streamed out of the ring for a moment while millions of images flashed through his mind. Seconds later the sensation was gone and the ring sized itself to his finger with a "snap". When Harry opened his eyes he saw Scarclaw looking at him in slight disappointment. Apparently, goblins enjoy whatever happens if the house magic doesn't like you.
"Now for the Potter ring," said the goblin handing him the other open box. Once the ring resized Scarclaw continued.
"Now there is one more matter I need to discuss with you and then your account manager will be in to go through the paperwork with you." Harry nodded.
"Would you like to honor Sirius' request of gifting Grimmauld Place to a Mr. Remus Lupin?"
"Yes I would Master Scarclaw."
"Very well," said Scarclaw taking a sheet of paper from the top of the smallest pile and sliding it over to Harry along with a blood quill.
"Sign here," the goblin said pointing at the bottom of the paper. Harry picked up the quill and signed.
"Ouch. I hate blood quills, thought Harry as memories of the year before crossed his mind. As soon as the paper was signed it disappeared and Harry rubbed his hand absentmindedly.
"It was nice to meet you Lord Potter-Black," said Scarclaw as he stood up. "Griphook will be in shortly" he said as he turned and left through the disappearing door.
Moments later the door appeared again and in walked Griphook.
"Congratulations Lord Potter-Black. Let's get started shall we?" He said as he eyed the stacks of papers and took the seat that Scarclaw had just vacated. "There are several things you will need to sign. I will go through them one at a time. Let me know if you have any questions" Harry nodded when Griphook looked up at him.
"First, these are the lists of all your properties, businesses, and investments. One is for House Black, the other is for House Potter. Look them over and come back and see me if there are any investment changes you would like to make or send me an owl if you have any questions about any of the properties or businesses you now own. Sign here and here to acknowledge that you are now in control," said Griphook quickly, pointing to the bottom of two sheets of paper. Harry signed and then Griphook touched the stack with a long finger causing it to shrink down to a size that would fit in Harry's pocket.
"Just tap it with your wand when you're ready to look at them and the stack will change back to its original size." Harry nodded and picked up the stack and placed it in the pocket of his plain black robes. Harry noticed there was only one small stack, and the one really tall stack left now.
"Master Griphook, I have a question."
"Yes, Mr. Potter."
"What are the condition of these properties - I mean are there any of them that I could you know - live in?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Potter Manlre should be being maintained by the family house elves so I would imagine it's in excellent condition. I have no idea about the others." Harry shook his head and asked Griphook to continue.
"Well, now we have the request for Lord Quarters at Hogwarts next year. Trust me you will want and need it," said Griphook when he saw Harry looking at him sceptically. "You will have pretty much a constant stream of paperwork to deal with on top of your studies and if you decide to live at Potter Manor you will be able to link the floo between the manor and your quarters so you can attend to things there as needed as well as being able to leave for Wizengamot sessions or private business." Harry could see how that could be useful. He would miss his friends, but if he was going to be as busy as Griphook suggested he would need less distractions.
"Okay then," said Harry as he signed the paper with a self inking quill that Griphook had just handed him. Like the others the paper immediately disappeared once signed along with the small stack in front of Griphook. Now there was only the one huge pile left. Harry looked up towards the ceiling. "What could that possible be?" thought Harry.
"Nearly there" said Griphook. "Last thing to deal with is marriage contracts, leered Griphook as he motioned to the giant pile.
"There's that goblin smile again," thought Harry. "They really seem to enjoy ruining a wizard's day."
"That many?" asked Harry. He tried to sound nonchalant, but it came out as a high-pitched squeal. Harry grimaced and Griphook let out a hearty laugh that was truly a horrifying sight to behold.
"Yes, apparently the boy-who-lived is quite the catch. You seem to be a most desired commodity in the wizarding world Mr. Potter." Harry blushed at this and stared intently at the pile like he was willing it to go away.
"Look at you pup. You're even more popular with the ladies than I was and that's a feat! I'm so proud!"
"Shut it mutt," thought Harry with a frown. "He couldn't possibly be expected to marry all those girls, could he?" Suddenly Harry became very nervous and he noticed his palms begin to sweat.
Griphook stared at him for awhile and then seemed to decide to take mercy on him and tried to ease his anxiety.
"Luckily for you none of these are binding. They are contracts that have been submitted to House Potter for consideration, but since none of them have been signed by the head of House Potter all you have to do is write a letter to each petitioner formally rejecting their request. Unless of course there are any you wish to consider." Harry rubbed his temples and sighed in relief despite the daunting task of writing all those letters. "It's going to take me all school year just to get through that," he thought.
"I'll just take them with me and deal with them when I have time."
"Very well," said Griphook as he shrunk the pile like he had before. Harry quickly put it in his pocket. When he finished Harry noticed that not all of the stack had been shrunk. There were about ten pieces of paper still on the desk neatly bound together. "This can't be good," thought Harry as be let out another sigh.
"This one on the other hand is legally and magically binding" said Griphook as he pushed the contract towards Harry. "I'm sorry Mr. Potter, but as the only member left of the Potter line if you do not honour it, you will lose your magic. It was created and signed by your great-great- great grandfather."
"Of course it is," said Harry as he rubbed his eyes. He was starting to get a headache.
"If was created so long ago why is it impacting me," asked Harry in confusion. "Shouldn't my great-great ancestor have honoured it or whatever?"
"The contract was created between the two houses to protect either house in the case that one of them had no male heir. It was very common back then. Up to this point the contract has not come into effect because the conditions specified in the contract have not existed. So far, every generation of both houses has managed to produce a male heir so the contract just passed down until the specified conditions existed and the contract was needed."
"Which is now?"
"It would appear so Mr. Potter. If it is any consolation the contract will not continue to be passed down once it is fulfilled. Future generations of Potters will be free to marry who they choose."
"Thanks Griphook, that's comforting." Griphook laughed again.
"Well what family is the contract with?" asked Harry. "Please be nice, please be nice," he thought.
"The noble and most ancient house of Bones."
"Susan," said Harry. "We've never really talked much, but she seems nice. It could be worse I suppose," he thought.
"Amelia is a wonderful woman Harry, she was a couple years behind your parents and I at Hogwarts, but we were close friends. She was one of the few that always believed I was innocent. She is one of the brightest, fairest, and most fiercely loyal people I have ever met. She will welcome you to her family with open arms," said Sirius. Harry smiled at that. He liked the idea of having a family.
"Great, now I just have to tell Susan," thought Harry with a wince. "That ought to be a fun conversation."
"Good luck pup."
"Is there anything else I need to know," asked Harry looking over at Griphook.
"When you've spoken to Miss Bones and reached an agreement make sure you come back here as soon as possible. There is paperwork will both need to sign agreeing to the contract so that you don't lose your magic.
"Right," said Harry standing up and taking the contract. "Well, if there is nothing else, could you please take me to both the Black and Potter vaults. There are some items I would like to collect before I depart."
"As you wish Lord Potter-Black."
"Thank you for your help Griphook," said Harry as he put his hand out to the goblin, who shook it with a look of surprise.
"You are not like most wizards Lord Potter," said Griphook as be gave Harry another curious look.
"I'll take that as a compliment," said Harry with a laugh as he followed Griphook out of the room.
