AN: 1. English isn´t my mother tongue, so please expect some mistakes.
2. This is my first story ever, so please leave comments. I appreciate fair comments.
3. I don´t own Harry Potter or anything in the Wizarding World. I merely play in its sandpit.
AN 2: I´ll go with one galleon´s worth of about five pounds. It roughly fits Rowling´s statement on the matter.
Chapter II
Early June 1991
''Oh, come on Mike! You can do better, than that!'' A yell could be heard.
The Chicago Bulls were on the verge of winning their first NBA Championship. Michael Jordan had only just missed a free throw and Harry Potter wasn´t really amused. Not that he had a reason to complain. The Bulls were leading the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers with 3-1 and had good chances on winning the title tonight.
Harry had taken interest in sports, when he was four years old. But, unlike most wizards, his interests weren´t limited on quidditch, the big wizarding sport. Since his mother was a muggleborn, Harry liked, to watch their sports, too.
At first he had dragged his grandparents to small, local soccer games. Harry even liked watching rugby. That always seamed to remind him of quidditch. But after learning to read, a whole new world had opened up for Harry. While reading his mother´s journals, he found a charm, to run electric devices in magical environments. Dorea didn´t hear the end of it and quickly got a telly for Harry. Not that her husband was able, to withstand the temptation.
The most, Harry loved watching basketball. His favourite team were the Chicago Bulls, mostly because of Michael Jordan. Jordan was ambitious, single-minded and hard working. He was a winner and Harry liked that about him. He, too worked very hard, ever since he understood, what had happened to his parents. Harry was determined, not to fall victim to other peoples games and schemes again, to be able to protect his loved ones.
''Scottie gives him a run for his money today.'', Charlus spoke up.
''What happened? Did I miss something? Why were you yelling?'' A startled Sirius Black came rounding the corner, to where Harry and his grandfather were sitting. After hearing Harry´s yell, he all but sprinted back from the loo. The sight was ridiculous: his face was flushed, his belt was open and some toilet paper was sticking at his shoe.
Sirius didn´t quite understand basketball yet, but that didn´t stop him from placing horrendous bets on it. After his grandfather Lord Arcturus Black had ended Sirius´ short stay in Azkaban with the help of Charlus Potter and Amelia Bones, he appeared more serious. As if he ever wasn´t Sirius.
James´ former best friend, wanted to be there for Harry and was determined, to cheer Harry´s life up a little. Sirius found, that his godson was too grown up, for his age, not that he blamed him, after all, that had happened.
Harry snorted. ''Calm down, Padfoot. Your bets are still in reach.''
''Why do you always have to place those bets, anyway?'', Lord Potter wanted to know, as he took a sip from his butterbeer.
''Somehow, I have to afford little Harry´s birthday present'', Sirius grinned, as he ruffled his godson´s hair, who only rolled his eyes but couldn´t keep the smile off his face.
[++++++++++]
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office. He was annoyed.
Constantly had he to scratch all over his body, his chair was uncomfortable, most of his bookshelves were empty and he urgently needed dew glasses. All of his discomfort because of the Potters. Oh how he hated the Potters. And the Blacks. Arcturus and Charlus had dragged him in front of the Wizengamot. Albus was charged with assisting in child neglect, attempted line theft and hindrance of the law in the case of Sirius Black. The old headmaster was found guilty and had to use all of his influence, to prevent himself from being stripped of his positions and being sent to Azkaban.
Not that the alternative was much better. He´d been sentenced to pay 1.000.000 galleons to the Potters and 200.000 galleons to Sirius Black. Albus´ vault at Gringotts was nearly empty and he was indebted to the goblins. All of the gold, people had gifted him, after defeating Gellert was gone. He´d sold his fancy silk robes, most of his books and his ancient furniture and still owed Gringotts about 350.000 galleons.
With most of the humble salary, the Hogwarts headmaster received, he had to pay off his debt. The only luxury, the old man had maintained himself, was the delight of the premium lemon drops. The cheap ones were simply inedible.
After popping one of his favourite sweets into his mouth, Albus got up from his uncomfortable chair. While he walked to one of the windows, overlooking the Hogwarts grounds, he again had to scratch his thigh. Those damned woollen robes!
The headmaster had taken steps, to end his suffering and to, once again, gain the knowledge he wanted. Showing the Potters, not to fuck with Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. This thought made him stand straighter.
The first of those steps were about to bear fruit. The Potter brat had to attend Hogwarts, Albus needed to have Harry under his thumb. Oh, the headmaster knew all too well, that the Lord Potter never willingly would send his grandson to Hogwarts.
As Chief Warlock, it was easy, to convince the Wizengamot of the need for the heirs of the Noble Houses, to be educated in their native country. The best possibility, of course, was Hogwarts. So, over the last month, Albus had worked on a bill, to force the heirs and heiresses to come to his school. Only two days ago, the bill was finished. This whole thing only had been possible, because young Amelia lately was too busy with her job and children and the Lords Black and Potter hadn´t attended the Wizengamot in several years. Ha! And they thought, he was the old fool. It had helped, that Darcey Fletcher, who´s office was responsible for drawing up and sending out the protocols of each session, owed him a favour. Albus had once helped her son Mundungus out of trouble.
So it came, that those would leave the Ministry a week late. ''Pity.'', Albus smirked.
[++++++++++]
Sirius Black stepped out of the floo into his house, his face showing a huge grin. He and his wife had bought the house, shortly before their daughter had been born. Four years later their son had joined the family, which wasn´t complete without Sirius´ wife´s niece.
As happy, as Padfoot was with his family, they weren´t the sole reason for his great mood. The Bulls had won the game and were the newest NBA Champions, Michael Jordan had scored over 30 points. Those two bets made sure, that the goblins would transfer a fair amount of money in Sirius vault. Ever since Dumbledore had generously gifted him 200.000 galleons, Sirius would, from time to time, place one or two bets with the goblins. What would life be without some fun, right?
''Honey, I´m home!'', he called. It was Sirius´ signature greeting for his wife. Amy was annoyed but he simply hat to do it over and over again. Seriously.
He and Amy had started seeing each other shortly after Sirius was freed. She quickly had become quite attached to him, after getting to know him better, while she´d helped Arcturus and Charlus. Sirius was head over heels, before he was able to say 'Padfoot'. They had married not quite a year later.
Amy or Amelia Black, née Bones had the week off and was currently inside the pool with her daughter and her niece Susan. Susan was the same age as Harry and a fierce, but smart and loyal redhead. Amelia had no doubt, that she´d get sorted into Hufflepuff, would she attend Hogwarts. Very much like herself.
After, what had happened 1981, they along with the Potters had decided, to hire tutors for their children and keep them away from Dumbledore.
Amelia´s daughter Elizabeth 'Liz' looked every bit like the Black, she was. Liz had dark, wavy hair, high cheekbones and the famous grey eyes. Those were friendly and most of the time twinkling with mischief. She truly was her fathers daughter. With her nine years, she was about two years younger, than Susan and Harry. While Harry was good friends with Susan, he considered Liz his little sister. He loved her dearly and she him. Liz could bring him to do almost everything, she wanted. And she used it shamelessly.
Her little brother Edgar Black, named after the late Lord Bones, his uncle, currently visited his great-grandfather Arcturus. He now was five years old and the Lord black had insisted, young Edgar should start to learn about the family´s history and his future role as Lord of House Black. Sirius´ son, too, had the dark hair and the high cheekbones, but his eyes were dark brown, much like his mother´s.
As Padfoot didn´t receive an answer and wasn´t able to find anyone in the living room or kitchen, he stepped in the garden and was greeted by his wife in a swimsuit, laying in the sun. The one, she was currently wearing was a two piece. The revealing triangle top with extra long ties, she had wrapped around her body and the cheeky cut, high waisted bikini bottom took his breath away. Sirius didn´t even notice the colour. Oh, how he loved muggle fashion, increasingly so in summer. Ever since their vacation in Rome 1982, they preferred muggle clothing.
''Stop staring. It´s rude, you know.'', a voice pulled him out of his mental drooling. Amy had turned to face him.
''Have I told you lately, how much I love you?'', Sirius grinned. ''Would you mind following me upstairs? I only just remembered, that I need your help in the bedroom.''
''Oh shut up, you mutt and greet the children.'', Amelia replied smirking. ''If you behave, I might assist your project in the upstairs.''
He poutet but nevertheless made his way to the pool. ''Hey Susan, how was your day?''
Before Susan could reply, Sirius was tackled by a dark haired and very wet missile. ''Daddy!'', it screamed.
''Sweetheart, how are you? Did you trouble your mother?'', Sirius chuckled.
''You know as well, as I do, that she only ever troubles you, because you let her.'', his wife told him.
''Daddy!'', he heard his daughter again. ''Jump in. I´m going to show you, how long I can dive. I´ve been practicing all day!''
Padfoot chuckled again. ''Alright, just let me fetch my swimming trunks. I´ll be right back.''
Liz nodded enthusiastically and he left to change. As he passed the fireplace, green flames roared to life and he heard his grandfather´s voice. ''Sirius! We have to talk.''
[++++++++++]
After the game, Sirius quickly had left, to join his family and Harry had excused himself to practice in the basement of Potter Manor. There was a muggle gym with a lot of training equipment, a duelling circle and an area with magical dummies.
Quite tall for his age, Harry´s training showed in his broad shoulders and toned arms. He wasn´t overly muscular but not lean either. His shoulder-long raven hair, mostly was tied back into a tight bun and his deep emerald eyes would flash and spark, whenever their owner was upset or angry.
Harry had worked out early in the morning, like he always did. Because of the game, he didn´t have classes today.
Since his seventh birthday, Harry had been tutored by the best instructors from all over Europe. He had inherited his father´s gift for transfiguration and even though he excelled nearly in every magical branch, transfiguration was his favourite.
Ever since his grandson first showed the determination, to become the best wizard, he could, Charlus did everything, to help Harry. Because of that, the two of them had visited a small workshop in Dublin, to get the present for Harry´s seventh birthday. There he´d received his custom made wand without the trace. It was ten and a half inches long and made out of ebony and thestral heartstring. The heartstring came from the oldest thestral oft their herd. It had died shortly before and was the most trusting of them. Harry had always been intrigued by them and would often visit them together with his grandmother.
His other grandfather, how Harry called the Lord Black had quickly grown to love him, as he showed many attributes, Arcturus valued within his own family. With the Black blood, he had thanks to Dorea, Arcturus would one day teach Harry the Black´s family magic. For now though he helped him the best he could. So, for example, Harry had access to the Black library, which he used a lot.
Today, the Potter heir was eager, to try out a new spell, he´d found in one of the Black´s books. He couldn´t be considered light. Far from it really. Harry always, too studied grey and dark magic. In his opinion, the intend of use made the magic evil. Only because a spell was dark or grey, it wasn´t automatically so.
After two hours of practicing, he fetched a bottle of water and heavily sat on a bench. That was, how Charlus found him. ''Harry? You better come up here. We have a problem.''
[++++++++++]
A quick shower later, Harry found himself sitting amongst his two grandfathers, his grandmother Dorea, Sirius, Amelia and Susan in the Potter´s drawing room. Liz had joined Edgar in the care of Melania, Arcturus´ wife. She wasn´t directly affected, by what the ensemble was discussing.
''The old goat really found a way, to, once again, stick his crooked nose in our family business!'', the Lord Black exclaimed fuming.
''Are you sure, they have to attend?'', Dorea piped up.
''If we want Harry and Susan to become Lord Potter and Lady Bones one day, there´s no choice in the matter. The bill is iron-clad.'', her husband said.
Frowning, Amelia mused aloud. ''What is it, what he wants? I can´t imagine, it has to do with Susan.''
''No, it´s young Hadrian, he´s interested in. The meddling git wants him, where he thinks, he can control Harry.'', Arcturus replied.
''It´s dangerous. Who knows, what Dumbledore´s plan is?'', Dorea said.
Before somebody else could reply, Harry spoke up. ''I´ll go. The family needs me.''
''Charlus, say something. We can´t let him near Dumbledore.''
The Lord Potter snorted. ''What is it, I can say? He´s made up his mind. You know as well, as I do, that we can´t change his decision.'' After a pause, he grinned. ''And I think, Dumbledore won´t know, what hit him.''
''Harry, I think we´ll have to start planning. The Marauders have been absent for far too long.'', Sirius smirked. Amelia, Susan and Dorea simultaneously rolled their eyes.
[++++++++++]
It was the week after Harry´s 11th birthday. They, as always have had a small party. Only the family, like they ever did came together. Only very few people had even seen Harry since his parents died. The mood at the party had been dampened by the upcoming first year at Hogwarts. To lighten them up a bit, Sirius told them stories of the Marauders´ and Lily´s adventures while at school.
Harry, of course already had gotten some impressions, mostly by his grandparents and Sirius stories. More precious to him were the thoughts, his mother had recorded in her journals. He had a full box of them, from when Lily had started primary school, to the end of her fifth year at Hogwarts. His parents had left the box in Potter Manor, when they went into hiding.
While pondering the journals, he, not for the first time, had asked himself, if there were more. Harry was certain, but where were they? He had asked his grandmother, if she would go with him to Godric´s Hollow, to visit the small cottage, he hadn´t been at, for nearly ten years.
And here they were. Silent tears streamed down Dorea´s face as she watched her grandson taking in the place, where his parents, Dorea´s only son and his wife, had died. Harry´s face had become a stony mask, as they had entered the house. He looked around the destroyed infirmary and finally turned to look at her. It was one of those rare moments, he´d let himself go and act like the child he was. ''Why did they have to go? Why leave me?''
Dorea´s heart broke for her grandson. ''Oh Harry. They didn´t want to leave you. Your parents loved you very much. You´d make them so proud.''
''Do you think so?''
''Yes, Harry. Just carry on, as you do and become the best man you can. Do that for the rest of your live and when you see them again, you have nothing to regret.''
Harry nodded, as he let her pull him into a tight embrace. After a few moments, they broke apart.
''Come on, let´s search the bedroom.'', Dorea said.
Arriving there, Harry closed his eyes, concentrating. ''Look at the cupboard over there.'' Harry mumbled, opening his eyes. ''I can feel the magic around it. In it.''
He approached it and looked at the . ''My Mom charmed it. Oh she was good'' Harry smirked. ''Seems, it can´t be removed or opened. Unless…'', pausing he extended his hand and felt the wood. ''Yes, unless you have her blood. No hard guess, why it still is untouched.''
Harry cut his thumb with a low-power cutting hex and smeared the blood on the cupboards silver handle. After glowing blue, the handle slowly turned.
Inside the cupboard was a box, similar to the one, he had at home. The other journals, he suspected. On the box stood a small casket. Next to it another Journal, the newest one, he thought. And there, under the journal, were… Harry gasped.
''What is it, Harry?'' Dorea hadn´t seen, what had taken her grandson aback.
''Letters…'', he mumbled. ''Two letters with my name on them.''
Dorea said nothing. She wrapped her arms around him and just held him.
''I..I think I´ll read them at home.''
Turning back to the cupboard, Harry opened the casket, to gasp once again. In there were his parents wedding rings and his mothers promise and engagement rings.
[++++++++++]
''Master Charlus, cans Polly bring you something?'', the little house-elf asked Lord Potter.
He looked up from the letter, he was reading and frowned. ''Yes, Polly. I´d like a cup of tea please.''
Why did his account manager at Gringotts want to meet with him? It wasn´t time for their regular meeting every three months, yet. Normally, the goblins only requested further meetings, if something was amiss.
Polly popped into his study and place the cup of tea on Charlus´ desk. ''Thank you, Polly.'', Charlus said and the elf popped away.
Harry and his grandmother entered Charlus´ study to find him still frowning.
''Hello, grandpa.'' And ''Hello, Charlus.'', Lord Potter heard two greetings. His wife kissed his cheek and took his cup of tea, smirking.
Charlus frowned even harder before shaking his head in amusement. ''Hello, you two.'', he breathed. ''Harry, there´s a letter for you. Here.'' He handed his grandson the letter. It was addressed to:
Hadrian James Potter
Potter Manor
Yorkshire, England, Great Britain
''Have you been successful in your quest, to find lost treasures?'', Charlus grinned.
With Harry reading the letter, Dorea answered. ''Yes, very. We found the journals and even more. They surprised us. There were letters for Harry and James´ and Lily´s rings.''
''I think we´ll have to go to Diagon Alley soon. I will need supplies and school robes.'', Their grandson piped up, handing Dorea the letter. There stood:
Dear Mr. Potter
It is my pleasure, to inform you, that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. The Hogwarts Express is leaving King´s Cross Station from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters on September 1st at 11 o´clock in the morning.
Sincerely Yours
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
''That fits good. I have an appointment at Gringotts next week and it will be good for you, to accompany me. You´ll have to deal with the goblins yourself one day and you´ll need experience.'', Charlus told Harry, who nodded approvingly.
''And I´ll go and visit my old friend Minerva. I´ll see, if she can help us, or if Dumledore has managed, to corrupt her.I think I haven´t seen her for ten years.'', Dorea spoke.