Harry couldn't be in any more disbelief than he already was. Not two days until his fifth year began, and he was being summoned back to the Ministry for a private meeting with the head of the Auror office, Madam Amelia Bones. His trial had only been on the 12th, what did they want from him now? But he still had to go, so Mr. Weasley once again led him into the ministry, this time to the Auror offices instead of the courtrooms. He knocked on the door, and Madam Bones almost immediately answered. "Good, Mr. Potter, please come in."
Harry did so, taking the seat offered to him when the woman promptly walked back to her desk. "Madam Bones, have I done something to warrant another disciplinary hearing?" Harry asks tensely.
"No, in fact, I called you hear to apologize to you, for a few reasons. A few days ago, a letter arrived for me. This letter pointed out a detail we somehow all missed. You are emancipated."
"I am?"
"Yes. When the ministry brought back the Tri-Wizard tournament, the requirement was made that any and all participants of the tasks had to be of age. That is, 17 years old. However, as was so kindly pointed out to me, you were 14 when Barty Crouch Junior took your name from one of your essays and entered it into the goblet. Now, emancipation in the magical world have a few requirements. Your magical guardian must acknowledge your independence, or if there is none, a ministry representative will stand in for one, and observe the candidate which has applied to check for self sufficiency. The second requirement, is that Gringotts acknowledge you as financially stable. I checked with them, and they said you have more than enough, so much you'll never need to work a day in your life. The third requirement, is for two ministry representatives to acknowledge the emancipation."
"So when Barty Crouch Senior, Professor Dumbledore, and Ludo Bagman acknowledged my participation, they officially declared me to be of age so as to be able to compete legally?"
"That is correct. Normally, I would have informed you through a letter, to let you know your record has been expunged. However, the goblins brought some rather grievous crimes against you to my attention. I need your permission to go through with pressing charges."
"Charges for what, Madam Bones?"
"Monetary and Property Theft, Illegal Blocks of Magic and Heritage, Illegal Use of Potions, Child Neglect, Child Abuse, Wrongful Guardianship of an Heir, and Wrongful Sealing of a Will."
Harry didn't know much about magical law, but every single one of those sounded rather serious. Though he did tense up at the mentions of neglect and abuse, he had no doubt who would be pressed for those charges. "Madam Bones, could you explain to me in detail what these all encompass?"
"Of course. Monetary and Property theft are the illegal taking of your gold and heirlooms from your vaults and existing properties. You have many inheritances that the Goblins want to speak to you about, and the DMLE and Goblin Nation are ready to take action to reverse these crimes. Everything can be recovered through the family trace. Illegal Blocks of Magic and Heritage, the goblins could not sense how far and deep these blocks went, but they did bring to my attention that your rightful magical power and part of your being has been sealed away. Illegal use of Potions. Compulsion and love potions have been slipped to you, likely through food and drink. This was also detected by the Gringotts wards. Child neglect and abuse...I'm afraid you know what those are. Wrongful Guardianship of an Heir. As you are the last of your line, the will of your parents was supposed to be followed in order of Guardianship. Headmaster Dumbledore took your guardianship illegally, we do not know who you were supposed to go to as a child. This ties into the last charge. Wrongful Sealing of a Will. We believed the Headmaster had done it to protect you and your guardians from being traced by protecting their identity. We have learned this was not the case, the will was never read. And no one ever received word of what the Potters may have willed to close friends and family. In sealing the will, it has prevented you from being placed with people you were supposed to be with, and has kept rightful inheritance from any beneficiaries of the will."
Harry sat back in his seat heavily, he knew something wasn't right. It never had been. But to find out this? "Madam Bones, is there any way to know for sure? What exactly was done to me? To reverse it?"
"Yes. Gringotts offers this service free because of the very nature of the crimes against the victims. You will need a full health scan and documentation, restorative rituals, rituals to unlock your core and inheritance, a potions flush...so much. I have arranged for a visit today, it must be done immediately. And while I can hold you for up to 24 hours, we should keep this down to less than 12."
Harry gives her a surprised look. "What excuse will you use?"
"Necessary paperwork I've already mostly filled out. You can go over it between breaks with the Goblins. Come, I cannot allow this to stand. We can discuss the proper courses of action once you have been healed." Madam Bones insists rather forcefully.
He decides to go with it. And if this is all one big prank, somebody's blood will spill. Oh, that was a rather violent thought...nope. He liked it. "Isn't this going rather quickly?" He asks after they've stepped through the floo.
Madam Bones pauses, taking a breath. "I have a niece your age. Just the very thought of this sort of thing happening to her? I can't bear it. To other children? It is a reality I wished no magical child ever had to face, but adults have and will be greedy, not caring about the innocents they hurt in the process. Now that I am aware of this injustice, I will not allow it to stand."
So for her, it was a matter of sympathy and justice. He could support that, and he wonders why this woman wasn't in a higher position of power. She can evidently handle high stress jobs, and she'd make waves of positive change by being Minister. Then again, the dark forces like Fudge, he's willing to be paid off and hide his head in the sand, ignoring the very real threats in the world out of greed and fear. Things their society didn't need now, not after...not after Voldemort gained a body once more. At a terrible cost. Cedric...he didn't have to die. He didn't have to die. They never should have brought that damn tournament back, it was just asking for trouble. It needed to be permanently banned, and the cup sealed away. He'd try and start a petition for that, to avoid the same tragedies from ever happening again. Every tournament claimed a life. This time, outside forces were the cause, but the tournament was the means to the end. If there hadn't been the tournament, the plots would have only been aimed at him instead of the champions as a whole. Instead, the opportunity was used to try and kill him indirectly with deadly creatures, it was too good to pass up for his enemies. Perhaps he could make an ally out of Madam Bones? He needed to know more about her, like if she believed him or not. "Madam Bones, do you believe me? About Voldemort?" Harry asks.
"I...am not entirely unsure of it. My aurors have heard worrying rumors in the underbelly of our society. If you are willing to swear a wizard's oath, to totally prove the truth to me, then I will ensure the aurors are prepared in secret. No doubt Minister Fudge and Madam Umbridge would try and stop me at every turn."
"Wizard's oath?"
"You weren't ever-of course you weren't. Heir Potter, once this appointment is done, I recommend visiting the Potter family vault. Inside, you should find the family Grimoire, lineage records, and many guides on wizarding culture and etiquette meant for children. No matter if you believe them embarrassing to read, you must. I will explain what a wizard's oath is to you, you will word it carefully, and you will either prove to me beyond a doubt he had returned, or admit you were lying."
"If I can prove I'm telling the truth, I'll do it."
"I hope your conviction stays true. Here we are, they'll take you from here. Listen to them carefully, I am only here to act as a legal advisor." Madam Bones stops them at a teller who'd closed his line.
They were taken back into a hospital room, where he was given a gown to change into, and instructed to lie still for the deep scans they had to do. While the scans were being analyzed, he was instructed to let his blood fall into two potions, which Madam Bones confirmed were necessary. One was an inheritance test, the other was a lineage potion, which would map out his full family tree. Mother and Father. He wondered if he had any living relatives left, it would certainly be interesting to find out. But he couldn't look at those just yet. His head was shaved, he was assured he'd grow hair back after the healing process was done. His body stripped of hair and scrubbed down. He felt ridiculous and more than a little self-conscious. He was glad he at least had a white robe, thin as it was, and certainly much too large for him, for some modesty. He was told he couldn't be conscious for the rituals they had to do, they'd be far too painful for him to handle while awake. He'd be awake and okay to move once they were done. And they have to move quickly to avoid any and all suspicion.
It was as easy as laying back and being spelled into a deep sleep.
Waking up, the first thing he observed was that he could see. Cleary. Not blurry, not dull. No, full blown perfect eyesight. The second thing he noticed, was that every single ache deep set in his body from years of abuse was gone. He felt a fluffy, silky light weight on his head, he ran a hand through it. Thank god, they'd grown his hair back. He noticed, as he dropped his hand, that his scar was gone. The one on his forehead. Totally gone. He brought his hands to where he could see them. His fingers were straight, his hand more sturdy, his wrists weren't sprained. And they weren't so thin and frail anymore. He felt...strong. Immensely so. His head felt clear, he'd not realized he'd felt so dull and muted before, this was freeing. He didn't want to get out of bed without being cleared to do so, but he did sit up. The robe he'd been wearing before had been changed, he found himself not wanting to know what had happened to it. He was now in a soft green robe, which, while still a bit large, was far better fitting. The door opened, the healers, some goblins, and Madam Bones all filed into the room. Folders of papers were being carried, a few boxes, and each and every one of them had a grim expression on their faces.
He had a feeling he wasn't going to like this talk at all. "Heir Potter, we can't go into too much detail now. Only the most important basics to know." The oldest looking goblin states.
He nods. "Let's jump right into it then."
"First off. Your scar was a horcrux. We have removed the soul shard and trapped it in this container. A second, larger shard, has joined it. Yet the soul inside is not complete yet. Should you find more of the soul, hold this stone against whatever container is holding it. If there is a live host to the shard, you must either bring him or her to us, or kill the animal which it inhabits to claim the shard. You will know when it is complete, the soul will lead you to itself. The soul cannot harm you while it is trapped inside that container, this book will tell you more about soul magic." The elderly goblin hands over an ornate, rune carved black stone embedded in a gold locket and chain.
"Your inheritance and lineage results were certainly a shock. Have you noticed anything different about yourself." A younger goblin starts up.
"Somewhat, I haven't really had the time to assess what changes have happened yet." He notes.
"Your mother wasn't human, and neither are you. These will give you a full explanation. read them very carefully."
More books dumped on him, and the two pieces of parchment, embellished with gold and full colour pictures he was sure weren't there before. "You must accept your inheritances before someone else claims them. Draco Malfoy will no doubt be in soon to claim the Black heir ring, you must do so before him. The Potter lordship, the Peverell lordship, and the Morrigan lordship all rest in your hands. The Oswell heir ring is yours to claim, a dead line through your mother." The same young goblin continues.
This was all very confusing. Could they not be a little more clear? He claimed all of his rings, feeling the strong family magic settle in him. He felt...safer. More connected to the Earth and to magic. It was an incredible experience. The best part, was that the rings didn't necessarily have to be separate. They all joined into one ring, with six black feathered wings curled around a strange spear as the crest on the front. The ring itself seemed to be made of white gold, strangely beautiful. And so very detailed. "I know you are rather confused, Lord Potter, but it is for the best we do not linger too long. Arthur's shift will be over soon, and he will be by to collect you." Madam Bones worries.
"These folders hold all of your monetary assets, property assets, and forms to reclaim everything stolen from you. There are legal documents for you to go through. Books to read. History to learn. And we still must get you a proper set of fitting clothes and your family grimoires."
They wanted to take more time, but they couldn't. He understood that. He just went along with it. He was given a direct mail box, to communicate with Gringotts. A list of everyone there and their roles in this, so he knew who to contact with what questions, a Gringotts card, and new robes. Then he was taken to the vaults. He found his parents' school trunks in the family vault, he put his mother's trunk in his father's, since his had been expanded inwards. Then that was slipped into his school satchel, which he'd thankfully had the foresight to grab before he left with Mr. Weasley that morning, shrunken. The grimoires, papers, folders, binders. All went into the bag. Which he lightened with a feather-light charm. He was so glad tomorrow he'd be able to get some supply shopping done, maybe he could escape his friends and get what he really needed to do done.
He finally passed a mirror on his way out of the Oswell vault, which was filled with many, many strange, dark things he wasn't even going to attempt touching yet, not until he knew what they were, and promptly did a double take. He looked totally different! "How am I going to explain this away?" He asks Madam Bones.
He was referring to the six wings on his back he hadn't noticed, they just felt so natural. The fact his hair was now a bloody red with golden undertones, the fact his skin was practically bone white, his eye shape was different, his facial structure, he'd grown some inches, he could almost be considered tall now. He had to be about 5'11. He went from a scrawny kid on the petit side with wild dark brown hair, emaciated body, bad eyesight, and darker tan skin to a...to someone actually handsome. Lean and healthy. "You can't, I'm afraid. But I will be pressing charges against Albus Dumbledore. Now all you have to do is write about your time under your relatives, provide memories of these instances you write about, and agree to press charges against them and the Headmaster. You also have to set a date and time for an official will reading."
"October 31st. The will reading, should be October 31st, at 7:00pm." Harry chooses right away.
He was making a statement. A magically strong hour on the anniversary of the deaths of his parents. It was only right. The goblins and Madam Bones all gained a look of glee at that. "The notices will be sent out. "The charges against the Headmaster and my relatives, I take it all this paperwork will be needing to get to you? Can I send it through Gringotts?"
"Of course, I to have a direct mail box, no chance of our correspondence being stolen. Now, the oath."
The wizard's oath. Madam Bones told him what to do, he swore it without hesitation. After checking his full legal name on the parchment. "I, Hadrian James Potter-Black-Peverell-Oswell-Morrigan, do hereby swear on my life and magic, that Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Marvolo Riddle, regained a body in a ritual which took place June 24th, 1995, with the aid of Peter Pettigrew and Barty Crouch Junior, in a graveyard which I do not currently know the location of. So I swear it, so mote it be." And to prove he still had his magic. "Expecto Patronum."
His playful stag patronus formed from the bright mist, prancing around a bit before dissipating. "I need to prepare the aurors. We need to get you back to the office. Do you have everything?"
Madam Bones was pale. Very pale. "Yes ma'am."
"Good."
They step back into her office at the Ministry. "I need those papers as soon as possible, Lord Potter, please be sure to-"
A knock at the door stopped her. It was 6:00 pm, Mr. Weasley's shift had ended, he drew in his wings instinctively by pure panic at the noise. "Come in." Madam Bones allows him in.
Sure enough, the red headed man stepped inside. "Where is Harry?"
"I'm right here, Mr. Weasley. My inheritance decided to make itself known today..."
"Oh! You poor boy, thank you for watching him, Madam Bones."
"It was no problem Arthur. His inheritance came in slow and easy, he barely felt it."
"Good. That's good. Come along now Harry, the Headmaster is expecting us back. Everyone will be overjoyed you were just a late bloomer."
Late bloomer huh? More like sealed victim. He was dragged away, back to Grimmauld Place. He excused himself, feigning to be rather exhausted. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley said that was common for inheritances, especially slow easy ones such as his where his magic worked to protect him from immense pain. He was fed and sent straight to bed. They had a long day of shopping the next day.
He knew Ron wouldn't be up for a bit, but decided it was still too risky to do any of the paperwork in this room. He sighed, he couldn't read anything either. But soon enough, Dumbledore would feel the heat of the charges being pressed against him. And once the paperwork to reclaim what was stolen from him was filed and processed, the thieves would feel much more damage. He locked everything away under a plethora of spells and alarms to alert him if anyone tried to open his bag and trunk without his say so, and pretended to be asleep. Only once Ron, a rather heavy sleeper, had begun to snore, did he carefully reach out to the magic of the townhouse to see who was awake and who was asleep. Everyone had either left or gone to sleep. He decided he couldn't afford to be too tired the next day. So he decided to start with the simplest matters. The legal paperwork. Everything else would take a lot of time to get through and understand, time he didn't currently have. The day had been so rushed, it didn't feel real at all.
The first papers he looked at were the property and monetary reclamation forms. He was disheartened to see his two best friends among the ones stealing from him. He should have known those scenes at the start were just too...perfect. Especially for an abused boy looking for friends. The Weasley adults were also among those who had stolen from him. The only ones not involved in their family were the two eldest and the twins. And wasn't he totally relieved to know at least they were true to him. He read through each form carefully. It didn't seem like Ronald and Hermione had used much of what they'd gotten from Dumbledore through the Potter accounts illegally. Actually, Hermione hadn't used any at all, which was strange enough on its own. So there wouldn't be too much debt for them to sort through. He decided to make the papers go into effect on October 31st all around the board. Their hell could start the day his did, the day his own would finally begin to end.
He didn't feel tired, decided to forget sleep, and worked through even more of the legal papers. He was almost done by the time his normal waking time came around. He sorted everything and sent it off to Gringotts to get to Madam Bones, then packed up, got a shower, and got dressed. He was at an impasse here, not one piece of his clothing fit him anymore. He walked out in a towel to Sirius' room, hoping he had something that might fit him. Sirius, thank god, had tons of his old clothes around from when he was Harry's age. And while the pants would be a bit short, Sirius told him that could be fashionable as well. "Though, as good as you look Harry, you may want to get some clothes on before the women see you."
Remembering that Hermione and Mrs. Weasley were in fact around, as much as he didn't care for them anymore, he didn't want to be seen as improper because of his state of dress. He went through tons of clothes that Sirius dumped on him, spells freshening them up as he went. He eventually landed on a pair of black skinny jeans, which exposed his ankles due to the fact he was taller than Sirius, though the boots Sirius gave them thankfully fit him to go with the pants. A long baggy black long sleeve shirt, and a black wide brim hat. For good measure, he trued on Sirius' half tinted circular pink sunglasses, decided he looked good, and got his bag together.
Mrs. Weasley almost decided to leave him at Grimmauld Place, but he argued, saying he'd grown so much he need new clothes. The only way to get new clothes was to get measured again at Madam Malkin's. Which meant he was free to stop at Gringotts for money with his key in his possession. Mrs. Weasley got a fake key back afterwards, his real trust vault key tucked away in his bag. He took advantage of the privacy in his vault to sort through everything he had in his bag at the moment. With space made, he decided he needed to upgrade his school trunk. Mrs. Weasley gave them their supply lists for the year, and that's when Harry noted the three new extra books and the notice of a new mandatory class. "Mrs. Weasley, what is this new class on the list that requires three books?"
Her face turns dark. "Amelia Bones pushed for some cocky, rude American to teach Life Skills, a new class, to you all. You're all children, his class is better suited for adults. Hopefully, he'll be gone before Christmas break."
Now Harry was interested, if this class was better suited for adults, that meant this class was actually useful. And useful was good for survival. "Hey, do you mind if we stop at Garrow's Travel Supplies? Mine took some damage in Dudley's last royal tantrum." He lies.
"Really mate?" Ronald whines.
"Oh come off of it Ronald, if the charms on Harry's trunk break entirely, he'll lose everything he has inside." Hermione lectures, seemingly taking his side.
Harry walks into the store, taking in the trunks and bags. His school satchel was weighed down and heavy, and pretty much falling apart at this point. It was barely holding everything, even with the minor expansion charms and all the shrunken packages within. "Ronald, Hermione, come with me to the quidditch store. We'll get the broom care kits you boys need."
Ron needed a broom care kit? Wait, Ronald must have finally gotten his own broom, with Harry's money. But he wouldn't let this opportunity go to waste. He picked out a beautiful birch trunk that matched Hedwig's wing patterns, and a bag made of white leather and albino Hungarian Horntail hide. Which was actually cheaper than normal Vipertooth hide, since people usually looked for the dark mottled tones of the Horntail. "Good morning young man, fine choices you've made. Any special requests for these models?"
"Could I get anti-theft, permanent weightlessness, wheels and handle on the trunk so as to blend in with muggle luggage carriers, and quite spacious expansion charms within?"
"How many rooms do you need? Potions lab? Greenhouse? Home inside the trunk?"
"Like an apartment?"
"Yes."
"I would appreciate that greatly. All of it, and an office with bookshelves. A storage area for school supplies, semi-large wardrobe."
"Yeah, I'll just need ten minutes to do it all up."
"Thank you kindly, sir. As for the satchel, expansion charms, so as to carry my trunk if I need to hide it entirely, and my school supplies, comfort, anti-theft, and weightlessness would be appreciated."
"Five minutes and you're all set, so 15 minutes total."
The man went into the back, Harry looked around the shop. Adding a few things to his tab that he thought could be useful. Like a camp cooker, camping rolls enchanted to expand into a small bed, a fridge that would keep food fresh for up to a year with preservation charms, an everlasting water canteen that would work for five years once opened and activated. He got a few of those. Flares, flint and steel. Animal repellant, bug repellant. The sorts of things you'd need to survive out in the open, because Voldemort was a bitch who'd no doubt force open war. The shop keeper came back, and Harry paid for his purchases. Which in total, came up to around 200 galleons for everything. It was rather cheap when you put it all into perspective with the quality. He'd just stored his purchases in his new trunk when his 'friends' came back in. "Harry, are you done?"
"Yes, he was just making a modification for me. Wheels, see?" He drags his new trunk out in front of him.
The two gape at him. "What? This is so much more convenient. Now, what's next on the list?"
"Apothecary, then books, Madam Malkin's, and stationary." Hermione answers.
He moves along the alley with them, a new store catching his eye. "Raya's Fashion. New store? Want to check it out?"
"Harry, it's not safe."
"Hermione, I refuse to live my life in fear of what ifs. It's a clothing store, hardly screams dark wizard." Harry brushes her off, going inside, and immediately liking what he saw.
Hermione and Ron enter after him, he's already browsing through the muggle style clothing presented, which the other two teens turn their noses up at. Tight turtle neck shirts where the collars buttoned, clasped, or zipped up, combat style black pants that hugged his figure a bit more, military style clothes in all black, leather jackets and cloth jackets. He found an amazing black trench coat with subtle dark purple and red touches that just appealed to him. A feather design along the hems. There were other coats like this, with different embellishments. But feathers reminded him of the fact he had wings now, six of them to be exact, so he bought what he liked out of what he found. He got his ears pierced to, took all of two minutes. Two black studs sat in his ears now, but in a few days, he'd be able to wear the different styles he bought. After Raya's, he allowed himself to be dragged around the alley 'on track'. Madam Malkin didn't recognize him, no one did, and he embraced that feeling with glee. The only thing about him that hadn't changed even a bit was his eye colour, it just looked even more vivid and pronounced now. And she didn't recognize it. He ordered a Gryffindor standard set, got warmer cloaks and better quality material. Skipped the stupid hat, and picked out a few new ties to wear in different colours and styles. He picked out some formal robes as well, it was good to have them on hand. But the styles he chose were very reminiscent of proper muggle formal wear. Everything but a suit jacket under a formal over robe, which he asked to be cut in an open style. He also bought a few sets of funeral clothes, one set embroidered very clearly with the Potter family crest. He'd wear this set of mourning clothes to the will reading.
Purchases made, they met back up with the other Weasleys at the ice cream shop. And that's when he spotted an eye catching newcomer he knows he's never seen before. Nonchalantly eating a strawberry sundae. A shock of white hair sat on his head, white skin like his own, and icy blue eyes with an intense predatory look which betrayed his relaxed posture. And the red he was wearing! He made it look good, really cool even. "Harry? Is something wrong?" Hermione pretends to be concerned.
"New guy in the Alley. Have you ever seen him before?" Harry points the strange man out.
Hermione doesn't know who it is, but Mrs. Weasley does. "He's the professor of your new class, Anthony Dante Redgrave. Professor Dumbledore told me he's the chaperone for the train tomorrow."
Well that was an easy explanation, and of course Hermione has to charge right in with questions. "Are you Professor Redgrave?" She asks him.
"That I am, little lady. News get around already?" The professor spoke easily, American accent so easily distinguishable in the alley.
The more Harry looks at him, the more this sense of a...not evil, but a darkness leaps out to him. A caged beast ready to lash out at any moment. No. Not caged...controlled. Sympathetic? Was he sensing something human at all? He half felt like the witches and wizards in the alley. Half human...like him? He hadn't gotten around to reading his inheritance and lineage test results yet, nor had he looked at the reports of his health scan and the rituals done to counteract the damage. He wasn't ready for that can of worms so soon after the pure betrayal was dropped on him. The fact neither had been with him from the start...it made him want to rage at the world and destroy what they held dear, but he couldn't. In a way, he was like the professor...holding back from destroying the hypocrisy and cruelty of this world by destroying it.
The Professor gives him an appraising look, eyes widening minutely before relaxing again. "Mr. Potter, your inheritance did you well." The professor nods to him.
"...Thank you..."
"How did you know that was Harry? You some sort of spy?"
"Dumbledore told me who to look out for, though he only told me of the most important figures, so you all slipped the cracks, bar Mrs. Weasley."
That's a lie, he's trying to rile them up...oh. That's what that smirk is for. True enough, Ron and Hermione, and an indignant Mrs. Weasley, all puff up. "Professor, this is Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. They're my friends."
Redgrave raised his eyebrow, as if to say he didn't believe that last statement was entirely true. But his easy smirk didn't fall. "Well well. Pleasure to meet you. Have you looked at your new books yet? I recommend reading at least the first chapter of your books on the train tomorrow to prepare for my class. It's purely review of defensive spells. Since you're so important, I should give you all fair warning. I'm teaching Life Skills instead of DADA because Madam Dolores Umbridge was posted there by the Minister. She's cruel, conniving, and wants to suck the life out of children. She's biased against muggleborns and perceived blood traitors, anyone with creature blood is pretty much an animal in her eyes. She won't teach you anything practical, don't make a fuss about it. Dumbledore hired me to counteract her, you'll learn your practical in my class. DO NOT confront her. I'm pretty sure I saw blood quills in her horrible pink office last I had to meet with her over something I didn't really pay attention to. Probably another rant over the lack of necessity for practical defensive spellwork. Seriously, she's going into this looking to physically punish students for minor transgressions." The Professor is dead serious, and from the way his gaze was trained on him, he knew it was that she was out for his blood.
Harry couldn't believe his luck, that pink toad from the ministry was out for his blood at school. Warning received loud and clear professor. "Your schedules are looking up at least. I managed to make sure you got no double periods with her, twice a week. Since she's only teaching theory, there's no use wasting your time in that class more than you have to." He adds, smirk rising back up.
"We need to warn Fred and George...it won't stop them, but they'll at least be aware they need to be more careful with her around." Harry realizes.
"Why? It's their fault if they get punished." Ron scoffs.
"Ron!? Blood quills and physical punishment ring any alarm bells in your head? No?"
"Harry is right dears, I'm not letting that horrid woman touch any of my children while they are unaware of the threat. Ginerva and the twins should be here soon, ah, there they are." Mrs. Weasley hurriedly goes to drag her other three children over.
Harry did not look at Ginny, he kept his gaze entirely on the twins as he explained the situation. He couldn't believe some fangirl stalker was getting his money, or why Dumbledore thought that illegal marriage contract would stick. Harry had that voided on technicality of false name, thank god for that. He'd written Harry James Potter, when his full first name was Hadrian, not to mention his last name had changed immensely. And in order for that contract to carry over to his Lordship, Dumbledore would have had to put Heir or Lord in front of his name. It's like they all expected he'd never find out about his rightful inheritance. "Ooh, that's a fancy ring Harry. Where'd you get it?"
Harry mentally cursed. "Oh this thing? Guess I forgot to mention it. It belonged to my mother, I found it at Privet Drive while cleaning out the attic, most of her jewelry was either sold or lost somewhere, so I got lucky, finding this in a box with her name on it." Harry lies.
"It's beautiful. She must have been one cool dressed witch if she had that."
"Yeah. She must have."
And they'd never know if she was or not, because Harry would never say, and people never talked about his mother. Only his father. "We've never had a chaperone on the train before, why now?"
"His name is Tom Riddle."
The others don't get it, but Harry does. "So, You-know-who?" He phrases it like a question, but it's enough for the rest to catch on.
"You think he'd attack a train of children?" Mrs. Weasley whispers.
"We can't be too sure, but think about it for a second. If you wanted to devastate a community in one day, what would you do?"
"You'd strike at their children, only leaving those with dark affiliations alive to swear loyalty to you, before taking the school." Harry guessed.
"So be on your guard tomorrow. Leave very early in the morning. The train is already at the station and the barrier is open until 12 tomorrow, there's no rules against staying there overnight even. No one would expect that." The professor points out.
"I think we might just do that. Children, we're going to our home, packing your bags, and leaving under the cover of darkness tonight. I will bring breakfast and lunch for you all tomorrow morning." Mrs. Weasley states.
They leave the alley once everyone is sure they have everything, and spend the evening packing. Sirius insists on staying overnight, he'll leave in the morning, but he'd be a nasty surprise for anyone who got too close that looked too suspicious. Remus was also going to be on the train, patrolling with Sirius. They'd have to leave before the crowds started to come in at 9, but they could at least act as guards. They showered after dinner, they wouldn't have any chances in the morning to do so, then made sure they had everything before they took muggle transit to the station. They slipped through the barrier, the professor wasn't around, but he was likely hidden somewhere.
"Alright children, you all pair up and pick compartments close to each other."
"No way Mrs. Weasley. Ron snores louder than a bear, I'd never be able to hear if someone was getting close to the compartment. I'm sticking the night out on my own."
"It's not safe!"
"You think I can't protect my godson, Molly?"
"Or that I'm incapable of detecting and capturing intruders?"
"I'd never doubt your capabilities Remus, but Sirius? That man is hardly an able fighter."
"Excuse me? I was an auror, and a decorated one at that!"
"Enough! It's my decision. I'm sleeping alone." Harry insists.
"You are a child, you aren't old enough to make such important decisions."
"Tell that to my emancipation."
They all freeze. "Wait, what?" Sirius manages.
"My meeting with Madam Bones yesterday? She was first explaining my trial on the 12th never happened, on paper, because I was already considered an adult. Recognized by the goblins and by the ministry officials who forced me to compete in an adults only tournament last year. Ergo, I am old enough to make my own decisions. Besides, no child has gone through what I have." Harry snorts.
"Harry makes a valid point. It's alright Harry, we'll say the password if it's us."
"Will you be leaving footprints behind this time Padfoot, Moony?"
"Once and always." The two marauder's smile.
"Wait wait wait...you two are...Padfoot and Moony?"
The two adults look at the twins. "They found the map, which is in my possession now." Harry explains.
"Umm...yes." Remus uneasily confirms.
The twins are on the two in seconds, bowing and chanting 'we are not worthy', which was absolutely hilarious. Mrs. Weasley breaks it up, telling them to stop making such a racket. The twins take a compartment to themselves, not closing the curtain, they just couldn't have any lights on then, and putting the armrests up so they could lay down on the seats. Their trunks got stacked under the table between them. Ginny and Hermione did the same in the one they claimed. Ron just huffed, and picked one. Harry chose one separated from the rest, closing the curtain since he was against a wall of the tunnel anyways. He put his trunk on a seat and moved the table on its track to just under the window. He didn't do anything yet. He couldn't set up his camp bed or sleep in his trunk yet, so he just put the arm rests up on one of the sides and pulled out a book.
Once the harpy had left, he waited until everyone should be asleep before debating if he should move into his trunk and organize everything, or if he should actually get some sleep. Organizing couldn't wait, he could sleep after the feast. He started with his purchases from the alley while in the study. The floor now had his old trunk, his two school bags, bags of purchases, and plenty else that needed to be put away. He decided to start with his clothes in the bedroom. It was nice, if plain. He could decorate when he found worthwhile things to decorate with. The wardrobe could be accessed from outside the trunk as well, so he just had to put everything on hangars or in the built in drawers. His shoe rack now had a little collection of boots, a few pairs of running shoes he'd picked up at Madam Malkin's because a gym uniform was now included, and one pair of black canvas converses. He organized his closet by muggle and magical, and school uniforms going up. Ties went onto the hooks prepared for them, same with the hats he now owned. Cloaks went up beside the uniforms and casual robes. Jackets and coats went with the muggle wear, sort of acting as a divider. Though he had physical ones that he changed the colours of. Green for muggle, black for magical casual wear, silver for school wear.
That done, he moved into the storage room with the camping gear he'd bought. The shop keeper had been kind enough to install appliances in his kitchen, including the fridge he'd gotten, so he just put away the snacks he'd gotten in the alley. He'd have to store away food from the Great Hall. Things he could plausibly sneak away, or just ask the House Elves if he could stock up. He intended to make all of his meals by himself, to avoid any more potions from being slipped to him. He checks outside, Remus is down the hall, he waves. All clear still. He retreats back into the compartment, and back down inside his trunk. Next order of business, his school supplies. He puts his books into the shelves, all five years worth. Plus the extra books he'd slipped from the vaults and the book store. It was easy enough to sort them by topic instead of author like Pince did. Each section was divided and labelled for ease of access. Then his potions things went into the case he'd gotten for them at the apothecary alongside some better quality ingredients and some basic guides for beginners so he could finally understand things Snape and the books he assigned never explained. That done and set aside on a shelf, he moved on to his parents' trunks. He decided to start with his father's things. The first compartment was his father's old clothes. They were a bit old fashioned in cut, but were good quality. He tried them on after freshening them up. The shirts fit, the pants did not. His shoes did, and the ties definitely did. He left what he didn't like or didn't fit in the compartment.
Next was actually school supplies. They were a mess, and he sorted through it all by subject. His potions kit was still good to use, so he set that with his new kit. His textbooks were a bit outdated, but they were also written before Fudge's redactions and bans on certain topics, so these could be useful reads. He put those in the shelves by subject. Then he found what seemed to be a handwritten journal. He turned the first page. How To Become an Animaigus, Written by James Potter, aka Prongs. Aided and Abetted by Sirius Black III and Remus Lupin, aka Padfoot and Moony. He couldn't believe this. There was another journal on all the pranks they'd ever done, and a detailed guide on how they made the map. He set these hand written guides the shelves with excitement. He couldn't wait to read them. Mood lifted exponentially, he tossed himself into the rest of the mess. Finding a regular journal about his dad's school days, and a photo album literally full to the brim with pictures with descriptions of what was going on, of his dad and his family. Harry decided he'd hit a treasure trove. At least to him. These were also put away in the study for now.
He wondered if his mother's trunk would be similar. He finished going through his father's trunk, which he put into the storage room, and moved on to his mother's. Her first compartment was school supplies. And unlike his father's, hers was neatly organized. She had a lot of the same books as his father, but she's picked arithmancy and runes as her electives. He decided they couldn't be bad to read through, and put them away with the rest. Her journals were, by his skimming, about her daily life. He'd know who his mother was, even if not in person. She also had photo albums practically bursting with happy pictures from her childhood into adulthood. One such album was actually a wedding album. She'd continued to use her school trunk into adulthood.
He found a lot. Charms and potions research, and a whole lot of letters addressed to Professor Snape. He ran for her journals and started reading. Professor Snape and his mother grew up together. Didn't the professor deserve to have these? He found a gift box, one that had a tag reading, from Sev to Lily. Inside were a few rare potions texts the Professor must have had access to at some point. He put the letters neatly into the box, and then considered the potions research. He'd work to copy her work word for word, then he'd give the letters to the professor alongside the research at Christmas. He deserved to have them, even if the falling out he read about had been harsh, the letters and the research were both attributed to Snape. He wonders if his mother's will addressed these letters and the research, if it was here instead of separate...maybe not.
He put the box on a shelf so he wouldn't forget it, and the potions research into a green folder beside it. He put the charms research into a blue folder, and put that into the filing cabinet in his desk drawer. He still had lots to go through, but decided a check outside and a walk over of the train couldn't hurt. He stepped outside, wand in hand, as Professor Redgrave entered the train compartment they were in. Remus was beside him. "Harry, you're still awake?" Remus asks.
"Couldn't sleep. Figured I'd take a walk down the train...just check on it myself." He excuses himself.
"Alright."
Remus leaves, but Redgrave doesn't. "Do you know?"
"Know what?"
"You should have a blood test done. Then you'll know. Find me when you do."
Then the red clad professor left to. What was that about? He really needed to read those papers from Gringotts. Which he still hadn't organized yet...he did a quick walk of the train, then bypassed the rest of the small mess for the papers. He immediately pulled out the lineage test and the inheritance test. The first he saw, was the family tree. It was strange, very strange. Because while his father's side continued steadily down generations, his mother's was...strange. While his mother did line up with his father, she was older than his father by two thousand years according to her birth date! Not only that, her name was Lilia, not Lily. But...the strange seal by her name indicated something, which the goblins noted at the bottom for him.
*Lilia was a full blooded devil, sealed by the Lowell family according to a magical scan once done on her. She never had the chance to unlock her demonic heritage because she became pregnant with you.
Well, he wasn't just half-human, half-something. He was half-demon. He traced the long line above his mother's name to two other names. Nevan (Morrigan) and Aria (Oswell). Aria was the male, and noted as a light type demon with wings and a slim human form. Classically considered an angel in artwork. The small package that was the folded up lineage test had artwork included of two devils in very old fashion. The colour wasn't great, but the black and white detail was stunning. He could see where his wings came from now. And the red hair his mother, and how he, shared, came from his demonic grandmother. Aria was dead, he had died sometime in the last thousand years somehow. But Nevan had another strange marking by her name.
*Nevan is alive, but currently is in the form of a subjugated devil under the Sparda bloodline.
Sparda...like that Knight from the legends they'd learned from Remus in third year when he briefly touched on demons? He traced his family tree up even further until he found three names that sounded vaguely familiar. He traced one such line of a Peverell brother down to, much to his horror, Tom Marvolo Riddle. He was also related to Draco through his own grandmother, and Draco's great-great aunt, Dorea Black. Dorea had been much younger than her older siblings. So, distant relation, but one he'd keep in his pocket. He would have to get a frame for this, but for now, he folded it all back up carefully and filed it away. Next, the inheritance test. It told him what he now knew, a half devil, still only half awakened now. He had the looks and some abilities, but not everything he could possibly have. There was also the very long list of vaults and properties that were now his. He had the ledgers he still had to go through and sort. And there was a lot to go through. The books and papers Madam Bones had pushed on him. He had legal papers to finish, and so much more. He pushed through the papers Madam Bones needed, the direct mail box now sitting on the shelf behind his desk was his best friend. Easy to use and very quick. He'd probably get correspondence over the next day or so.
It was early in the morning when he finished, and while his mind was still reeling, he had to consider if he wanted to start tackling the materials Madam Bones had given him. Deciding he wasn't getting any sleep, he did.
At 7:00, he packed up and called it a night. He put everything away, leaving what he still had to go through on a separate shelf, and exited his trunk. He made show of getting dressed in part of his uniform, replacing the awful sweater with one of his father's dark grey waist coats, and headed to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Sirius passed him, giving him a doggy smile while following him. He changed back once they were in the bathroom. "Those are James' clothes." He notes.
"Sirius...I can't tell you anything now. Not until I know you aren't with Dumbledore."
"The old codger? Harry, has something happened?"
"That meeting with Madam Bones? It wasn't just about my emancipation. She took me to Gringotts...they had to use rituals to heal me. They pulled a soul shard from my scar, they documented the abuse I've gone through, I have proof that he and my so called friends have been stealing from me since November 1st. I...I have arranged for the reading of their illegally sealed will to be held on October 31st and 7:00pm, at Gringotts. There was an illegal marriage contract I never consented to between myself and Ginerva Weasley-I had it voided successfully. Sirius...they've just used me all these years."
Sirius stood in shock. Then regained himself with a chilling fury. "Are you pressing charges? Have you claimed your Lordship? Are you all healed now?"
"Physically yes, mentally I need some time. Yes, I claimed my lordship, and the Black heir ring before Draco could. And yes, the charges will be filed officially on the 31st of October." Harry answers.
"I take it you want this secret until Halloween hits." Sirius grins gleefully, but it isn't the friendly kind of gleeful.
"Please."
"Done. So, your father's clothes fit you then?"
"Yeah. The shirts do anyways. I guess I'm taller than he was."
"Yep, James was shorter than me by an inch, and I'm shorter than you now." His godfather chuckles.
Harry did want to brush his teeth, so they stop talking while he does so. "You leave soon, don't you?"
"Yeah, can't be seen by the crowds. Molly will be here with food soon to."
"I can't...there were potions, Siri. A lot of them-"
"I'll check your food before I go." Sirius promises.
"Thank you."
They talk about nothing important when they rejoin everyone else. They clean up the compartments, and Harry prepares to vanish from the sight of his 'friends' when they go to the Prefect's compartment. He'd already spelled one of the last compartments in the back so no one would find it until he did. Locked, notice-me-not, and warded with what he knew. He took advantage of everyone's distraction to go put his trunk in the compartment he'd claimed. Then made it back before they noticed. They chatted over breakfast, Harry only eating after Sirius cleared it. Molly hadn't noticed, but Remus had. Harry shook his head at Sirius' questioning glance, so Sirius told him he was just demonstrating the spell for Harry to start using at school. Poisoning attempts could start now that Voldemort was back. Harry practiced the spell a few times, coming up with the same results. Go Siri! He's sorry he has to lie to Remus, but he isn't sure where Remus' loyalties lie yet.
Not like Sirius, who has been rather critical of Dumbledore. "Oh, Harry, before I forget. This is a two-way mirror. Just say my codename and the password, and it'll ring for me, alright?" Sirius checks, handing him a hand sized mirror.
"Got it. Thanks Siri."
This was something he'd keep in sight as a reminder in his trunk. Hedwig flies in through the open window, a letter in her clutches and the indignant hoots of another owl above. Harry takes the letter, giving Hedwig a treat that he'd smartly kept on him. She perched on his shoulder gently as he opened the letter, everyone was staring at him. It was short, and from Madam Bones. The dates were set. He immediately burned the letter before Hermione could grab it from him. "Harry? What was that?" She demanded.
"Nothing which concerns you, it was just a personal matter which has now been dealt with. End of discussion."
"Tell us."
"No."
"Harry!"
"It's private!"
"Hermione, enough. What an heir or lord of an ancient and noble house does is their own business and theirs alone." Sirius harshly cuts in.
Harry gives him a confused look. "I'll send letters later Harry, it's my duty as your godfather and I've been remiss in that. It's time to teach you about your position in our society."
Ron and Hermione, and Molly, look furious. Ginny looks nervous. And Remus? He looks happy and proud. "Good! I'll send some books on today's politics and important figures to." His werewolf uncle cheerily adds.
Redgrave comes in. "Hate to break it up, but crowds are starting to form outside the station. You may want to get out of here while you can still slip out unnoticed." He points out.
The adults, bar Redgrave, leave. Harry finishes his breakfast, then asks to speak about Umbridge with Redgrave. They slip into the compartment over, and Redgrave puts up some serious privacy spells. "Do you know?"
"Nevan and Aria are my grandparents, my mother was sealed by a Lowell, born 2000 years ago and somehow found her way to my...adoptive aunt's family. I'm not fully there..."
He lets his wings unfurl, the six black wings held uneasily. "It'll come with maturity, it's slowly leaking out. I wasn't fully awakened until I turned 19. Nevan...will be pleased to meet you, she speaks of Lilia often."
"How did you-"
"My name isn't Anthony Dante Redgrave, kid. My true name is just Dante, son of Sparda. Tony Redgrave is a name I assumed as a teen, and it isn't short of Anthony either. Sparda is the devil who sealed Nevan away in Temen-Ni-Gru after Lilia was stolen from her, the Lowells killed Aria after he went looking for your mother and grandmother, Nina Lowell is an associate of mine. I had access to her records and looked for Nevan to find Lilia. I lost trail of her at the church she was left at years ago. I owe it to her to let her know you're alive and half awakened."
"I would love to meet someone from my family...everyone else I could be close to is gone." Harry muttered.
"Then you'll meet her. She's one of my Devil Arms, very loyal to me." Dante comments.
"So, half-devils...are common?"
"Eh, you'll have a few here and there. Most are killed at birth or in their early childhood."
So...no. "You won't tell anyone else right?"
"Nope, it's my secret to. Anyways, we can talk once your routine is established. You should hide before your 'friends' realize we're taking too long."
"Yeah, see you in class then." Harry leaves, Hermione and Ron had to go already though, to their prefect's meeting.
He took the opportunity to vanish off down the train, and hide in his trunk once he'd locked down the compartment. He decided to pass the time until the train arrived at Hogsmeade station reading and making notes. He wishes he'd had more time than just two days to get everything together, since he'd barely scratched the surface of what was going on. He cracked open the Life Skills textbooks, finding himself sucked in straight away by the Compendium almost instantly. Written by aurors and other law professionals in America, the first chapter was indeed largely a review of the very basics of defensive spellwork for Hogwarts aged students. Seriously, there were even notes about how far all seven years of Hogwarts actually covered in the 'review' section, and he found himself appalled by how little they actually learned at Hogwarts. He'd have to see about getting more books on other subjects from different countries, in English or translated to English. He picked up the survival book next. Reading through the first chapter, which spoke about what you actually needed supplies wise to survive out in the wild in a prepared setting. Like if you went out on a hunting trip or long haul hiking trip.
The last book was dark, and had a plain cover. Just straight black with Entia ad Inferos written in spidery blood red cursive. No author was listed. He started to read it, and was immediately met with a warning. 'The beings contained in the writings and drawings of this book are perhaps the most dangerous the mortal realm has ever seen. Extreme caution is advised when dealing with the beings of the Dark Realm, the Underworld.' He considered this carefully, and once he turned the next page, he understood. This book was about devils and demons. Interchangeable terms they were, but they both applied to the same type of being.
Looks like this year would be his most interesting one yet.