His Truest Path

By: SVanOosten

Chapter ONE

Discovering Something New

London was truly a beautiful City, with its old buildings and historical land sites. Every inch of the place seemed to scream with hidden stories, Old forgotten memories, and secrets that if you just knew how to look, would open your world in ways that you couldn't even imagine; none more so than the small town of Surrey.

Every street held medium sized pristine Houses, with well-manicured lawns, all inconspicuous in every way. Well, every house but one.

On a street filled with rows upon rows of Houses with identical well-manicured lawns, and Beautiful, luscious gardens. Each with an identical car parked in the driveway in front of a single car garage. This street: was called Privet drive and we begin at one house, that from the outside looks like nothing out of the ordinary. Number four is the number that rest beside one of the front doors, and this is where our story starts.

Now what is so special about this particular house you ask? Well, the house; nothing. It's what or better yet who lives inside that makes this place special; a little boy no older than ten years old; with jet black hair and a pair of striking green eyes.

Who is this child you ask? Well to explain that I must start back at the beginning.

HPSBHP

It was a cold night almost nine years ago in a small Village, where a small family was spending Halloween held up in their little home. The father -a man with the same black hair that his son inherited- was sat on the coach making puffs of colored smoke appear from the tip of his wand for the amusement of the toddler sat in his lap. While in the kitchen a beautiful red-haired woman finished cleaning the remains of their dinner.

Neither parent knew that they were breathing their very last breaths or spending the last night with their only son. If they had, then maybe, just maybe the world would have become a very different place.

However, it was while they were getting ready to turn in for the night that things began to take a turn for the worst.

While James Potter yelled for his wife to take their child and run, the front door was blasted off its hinges; and a snakelike man stepped over the threshold wand in hand. James fought bravely, trying to give his wife and son the time they needed to escape, but it wasn't long before he was hit with the killing curse and was falling to the floor, facing the ceiling with unseeing eyes.

Stepping over the man laid across the hallway floor the snakelike man-also known as Lord Voldemort-made his way up the stairs where he could hear the mother and child trapped in the boy's nursery at the end of the hall.

It did not take long for the mother to fall dead like her husband. She had pleaded with the Dark Lord to spare the life of her son, to take her instead and it was this - paired with the sacrifice James had made, facing their enemy alone and wandless to give his wife and son their only chance at escaping -that made all the difference. So, when the man turned his wand onto the defenseless child sat inside his crib and uttered the curse that had taken so many others; the ancient magic invoked by the love Lily and James Potter had for their only child caused the curse to rebound back onto its caster. Voldemort fell that night.

It was while people celebrated the defeat of the Dark Lord, that their savior was removed from the wreckage of his home and taken to his only remaining relatives.

Or so, the story was told…

HPSBHP

It has now been nine panic free years later, and Harrison Potter is still there, stuck living with his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon as well as their son Dudley. The years have not been happy ones for the young savior. No on the contrary they have been filled with neglect, and abuse.

But no matter how hard they tried, no matter that nasty words and names thrown at him, the hatred that was spewed; they could never break Harrison's spirit. He knew he was special from an incredibly young age. The more his Uncle ranted about there being no such thing as magic, the more Harrison believed that he was wrong. After all, how many kids could talk to snakes? Or regrow their hair over night after a horrible haircut? No Harrison was definitely special, and he vowed that one day he would leave his horrible family's home; and go somewhere far enough away he could forget all about them.

So, it was with this hope that Harrison spent the years of living with the Dursley' in the school library studying. It was during one of his cousin Dudley's' games of 'Harry Hunting' -a game he had named after that horrid nickname his aunt had try to dub him with when he was three- that he found himself stumbling upon the many shelves of books where he hid himself away.

It was common knowledge that Dudley hated studying so would not be caught anywhere near the building; so, this is where Harrison spent his free time during lunch and recess; reading every book and loosing himself in the pages.

Harrison also found he had a slight eidetic memory; he was able to recall any information back easily after finishing one of his books. Something that had always made studying easy. It was also with this discovery, that Harrison realized the dreams he always had about a black-haired man and a red-haired woman doing magic where in not in fact dreams at all. They were memories, memories of his parents. With this knowledge, Harrison vowed to one-day learn anything and everything he could about the two people he now knew loved him more than anything else in the world. For it was in these memories that only came to him in his sleep, that he would hear them tell the tiny baby they always held, how much they loved him.

HPSBHP

Today was a special day. Well, it was if you were one Harrison Potter, because it was his 10th Birthday. Now his birthdays were usually nothing celebrated by anyone but himself. The Dursley' were so adamant that 'freaks' -as they liked to put it- didn't deserve birthdays; so, Harrison spent every year out of the house and at the Library reading one of his favorite books, while he ate a small cake, he bought from the bakery using the leftover change he kept when his aunt sent him to the store.

As the sun began to set Harrison was just leaving Surrey Public Library on his way home when an owl flew down from one of the trees and landed on his shoulder.

"Hello beautiful," Harrison whispered despite his shock.

The owl cooed softly in his ear before sticking out its leg expectantly.

"What do you have there?" he asked as he untied the odd piece of rolled up paper from the owl's leg. As soon as the scroll was free the owl gave a soft hoot, before taking flight, clearly not expecting an answer from the confused young child.

Shaking his head at the oddness of the moment Harrison walked over to a bench at the park across from the Library and unraveled the scroll; inside was a letter addressed to himself.

Dear Mr. Potter,

The Potter Family Heir.

We are writing to inform you that you are requested to attend a meeting at Gringotts bank to accept your Inheritance, under the Last of the Line clause as stated by The Potter Lord of 1676. This clause specifies, should the current heir find themselves the only living member of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, then upon their 10th birthday they are to receive complete access to the entirety of the Potter estate, the heirs ring, and must begin learning everything that will be expected of them when they are to take up the mantle of Lord or Lady Potter upon their 15th birthday.

A Representative of the bank will arrive at 9am this coming Friday to escort you to a meeting with your account manager as you are still too young to learn to apparate.

Sharpclaw,

Gringotts Bank,

Diagon Alley, London.

Shocked, Harrison just sat there unable to move for a solid minute. He was an Heir? All this time the Dursley had tried to make him believe he was a nobody and his family had been drunken bums. Although thanks to his dream-memories he knew that was another lie told by the Dursley'. He just assumed his family was just like every other normal family, with a mother and father who worked to put food on the table; when he was in fact an Heir, and had an inheritance hidden away in a bank waiting until his tenth birthday.

Immediately Harrison knew he had to keep the knowledge away from the Dursley's for the time being. If his Uncle found out he would demand Harrison pay him for every pound he believed he was due.

Standing Harrison folded the Letter and hid it in his boot, before making his way home. He arrived rather quickly and made it into the house without his Uncle's notice, and after hiding the letter in his Cupboard; Harrison then went into the Kitchen and began making his family dinner-as it was demanded of him- before anyone could begin yelling. To keep them quiet he made them a large chicken dinner with potatoes, cheese crescents and a Chocolate cake for dessert.

Much later that night, as he lay in his cupboard re-reading the letter by flashlight; he knew come Friday that his life was about to change. Harrison knew that this was the beginning of his new life. A life, that could only get better from here on out. With a smile upon his face, and hope growing inside him, Harrison closed his eyes and for the first time in years, he dreamed of leaving Private Dr. behind, his days filled with nothing but adventure and happiness.

HPSBHP

A few days later, Harrison fidgeted with a slight nervous anticipation as he stood on the corner of Private drive at five to 9am on Friday morning. Only another couple of minutes and the representative would arrive to take him to his meeting.

"Mr. Potter?" a voice asked from behind him. Turing Harrison eyed the stranger with cautious green eyes.

"Yes," He stated somewhat warily.

"It's an Honor to meet you Mr. Potter, my name is Ivan Wilkes, Representative of Gringotts Bank."

Harrison shook the man's hand in greeting, "nice to meet you", he stated smiling up at him slightly. "How will we be getting there?"

Ivan pulled out what looked like an old feather and offered it to Harrison." Place your finger on here and don't let go Mr. Potter, we are going to using a magical transportation called a Portkey," The man stated matter-of-factly.

"Quickly sir, we don't have time for questions," Ivan rushed when he saw Harrison was about to say something. With one more uncertain look at the man, Harrison placed his index finger on the feather. Suddenly there was a jerk behind his navel and his feet were removed from the ground. Gasping in surprise Harrison closed his eyes, feeling nauseous as the world spun around him.

"Open your eyes and move your legs as if you are walking," he heard his companion yell over the wind eventually. Doing as told Harrison opened his eyes and began walking on the air as directed. Next thing he felt was his feet hitting the ground and he walked a few steps unsteadily before falling to his knees. 'At least I didn't fall flat on my face,' he thought amusedly.

Standing Harrison looked around and found he was standing outside of an old shabby building called, "The Leaky Cauldron".

"Follow me Mr. Potter we have to go through here to reach the Alley where the bank is held," Ivan stated as he made his way into the building with Harrison following closely behind.

HPSBHP

Inside was a dusty old pub, filled with strange looking people; but before Harrison could inspect them closely, Ivan was motioning him through a door by the bar that led him into a back Alley.

"Pay attention Mr. Potter for you will need to know this if you wish to visit the Alley by yourself in the future," Ivan said as he tapped the brinks in an intricate pattern.

Harrison watched amazed as the wall began to move; revealing a busy street filled with shops and hundreds of the same strange type of people he saw back inside the pub.

"Welcome Mr. Potter, to Diagon Alley".

Harrison wished he had eight eyes, just so he could take in everything at once. So entranced that he was at the sight before him, he didn't notice as Ivan watched amused at the open expression of amazement on the young Wizards face.

"Let's head over to the bank, I'm sure you can explore the Alley some more once your meeting is finished," Ivan smiled as he led the way up to the large white building at the very end of the winding street.

Harrison thought that nothing could surprise him anymore that day when he made it to the Bank. Oh, how wrong he was; for there in front of him was one the strangest creatures he had ever seen.

"Goblins," Ivan supplied quietly. "They run the Bank; it's because of them that makes Gringotts one of the safest places in the Magical World."

There it was again, Magic. Harrison always knew he was special-that was a given-but now here he was, with it all around him, solidifying it into his very core; Finally, for the first time in his life he felt like he was where he belonged.

Shaking his head, Harrison focused on his surroundings as he made his way through the entrance doors and into the large lobby alongside Mr. Wilkes.

"Heir Potter is here for his meeting with Sharpclaw Sir," Ivan stated to the nearest free Goblin.

"Precede through the side door on your left Mr. Wilkes," the goblin sneered.

"Follow me," Ivan motioned towards the door, holding it open for Harrison and following him through.

Harrison was then lead down a long Hallway to a door Marked; Sharpclaw-Potter Family Accounts! Where Ivan knocked on the door and waited.

"Come in!"

Opening the door Ivan greeted the Goblin behind the desk "Heir Potter is here sir."

"Very well, you may leave now Mr. Wilkes."

"Of course, sir," he bowed to the goblin. 'Have a nice day Mr. Potter, I'm sure I will see you again in the future."

"Thank you again Mr. Wilkes," Harrison stated politely before taking a seat in the chair across from his account manager.

HPSBHP

"Now Heir Potter let us get straight to business, as was stated in the letter I sent out, due to the Last of the Line clause, as of your 10th birthday, you are to receive full access to the Potter estate, including receiving the Heirs ring. As you were not raised by either your parent's or Lord Black, I will go over everything with you now; are you following?"

"Yes sir, though I am confused on one thing, who is Lord Black?"

"Lord Sirius Black. Your parents named him your Godfather the day you were born Mr. Potter. Mr. Black came by here just hours after he was asked; to set it up so you would be his heir, in the event he didn't have any children of his own."

To say Harrison was shocked at the news would be understating it greatly. He had a Godfather. Where had he been his entire life? Why hadn't Harrison gone and lived with him after his parent's deaths? These were just a few of the questions that were running his mind.

"As it were, you were supposed to go and live with Lord Black if anything were to happen to your parents-stated so in their wills-however due to circumstances beyond his control Lord Black was unable to raise you. However, we will get into more on that after we finish with your inheritance." Sharpclaw stated pulling out a piece of the same odd paper his letter was written on as well as a small dagger with intricate gold markings on the blade.

"This here is an enchanted parchment. With it we will see the full extent of your inheritance. A list of all vaults you will have access to today, as well as any you will be eligible for come your maturity upon your 17th birthday. First you must take this dagger and prick your finger, allowing a couple drops of blood to land onto the parchment. Once that is done, the wound will heal magically, and the parchment will begin to fill."

Harrison reached over and took the parchment and dagger. Cautiously he pricked his right index finger, allowing a couple drops of blood to fall onto the center of the parchment. Suddenly he gasped as his finger healed over without some much as a scar and words began appearing in a beautiful calligraphy on the parchment in front of them.

The Estate of The Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter,

Heir and Lord Apparent:

Name: Harrison James Potter

Additional Heirship: The Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black

Birthdate: July 31st, 1980

Father: Lord James Charlus Potter (Deceased)

Mother: Lady Lillian Annabelle Potter -Ne Evans (Deceased)

Godfather: Lord Sirius Orion Black (unavailable)

Godmother: Lady Alice Marie Longbottom –Ne Prewett (Unavailable)

Vaults

Main Family Vault – Number 26

Heir Vault: Number 145

FAMILY VAULT

Total Liquid assets of 25,834,699 Gold Galleons, 5,634 Silver sickles and 600 Bronze Knuts.

Solid assets containing a variety of Books, Clothing, Jewelry, Furniture and Family Portraits.

HEIR TRUST VAULT

Total Liquid Assets of 50,170 Gold Galleons, 509 Silver Sickles, and 500 Bronze Knuts.

Solid assets Containing a variety of Books, and a selection of Jewelry chosen by Lord and Lady Potter.

Properties

Potter Estates – Oxfordshire, Southeast England. (Currently only accessible by Lord and Heir rings.)

1 Manor in France -unplottable

Cottage in Godric's Hollow

Penthouse Suite in Spain (Accessible by selective Flew Networks only or Lords and Heir Rings)

BLACK HEIRS VAULT

Total Liquid Assets of 100,312 Gold Galleons, 1,500 Silver Sickles and 1,000 Bronze Knuts.

Solid assets containing a variety of Books, and a selection of Jewelry and clothing chosen by the Current Lord.

BLACK FAMILY VAULT number 13.

All contents and properties to be withheld until the Heir reaches the age of 17 or permission is granted by the current Lord.

"All this is mine?" Harrison asked shocked.

"Of course, However as part of the Last line clause, it is mandatory that you begin your tutelage of what is expected of a Lord to an Ancient and Most Noble House as soon as possible," Sharpclaw explained.

"Most Heirs begin a part of their training upon their 8th birthday, Taught by the Lord of the House. However, in cases like yours, where the Lord and Lady has passed before the Heir reaches their 8th year, it is the Magical Guardian's duty to ensure the Heir begins training. Either training them him or herself if they are a Lord or Lady of a House or setting up the tutoring with a trusted Head of House of the Family. If the current Magical Guardian has failed in their duty, the Lord Apparent may choose a new instructor to ensure they are ready to take up the mantle upon their 15th birthday."

Harrison sat there feeling overwhelmed by everything he was learning. Seeing the young Heirs uncertainty in front of him Sharpclaw asked, "Do you have any questions so far Heir Potter?"

"Can any of this be used in the non-magical world?" He asked immediately; indicating the money listed on the parchment, "and how do I find out who my magical Gaudian is? How do I choose someone to Teach me what it means to be a Lord since they have failed to do so?"

So many questions were running through his mind. He didn't know where to start, what steps he should take first, or how to go about achieving any of it. Taking a deep breath as panic started to well inside him, Harrison focused back on Sharpclaw, in hopes of getting the answers he needed.

"Yes, you will either have to have a Goblin exchange some of the Gold into Pounds or we have a few items you could choose to use that allow you to take money directly out of your Vaults where it will then convert it into pounds or stay as galleons as needed, only taking what is requested at the time; They however are high in price, which is why not many wizards use them."

HPSBHP

Taking a folder out of his desk drawer, Sharpclaw opened it and flipped through the pages within, until he came across the one, he was looking for. "As for your Magical guardian, it states here that the title was granted to one Albus Dumbledore on November 1st, 1980. Am I to assume you have never been in contact with him thus far?"

Harrison shook his head in slight anger, finally knowing the name of man who had put him with the Dursley' and allowing his life of abuse with his not visiting him even once, as well as the neglect of his duties as his Magical Guardian.

Sharpclaw sneered in distaste while he flipped through the remainder of the folder before coming across a rolled-up parchment with the Potter crest and seal stating it to be the Last will and testament of James and Lily Potter.

He removed the parchment and handed it over to Harrison who took it and opened it immediately. After glancing at the contents within, he looked at his account manager in shock. "My parents Will?"

"Yes, Mr. Dumbledore had the Will sealed, until such a time as he felt you would be old enough to attend the reading yourself. However, he was not Privy to the existence the Last of the Line clause, so is under the assumption that you would not read its contents until your 17th birthday."

Quickly reading his parents Will Harrison's teared up. His parents had left him everything, with the exception, of some galleons that were left to his Godparents each, and a man named Remus Lupin and Woman named Amelia Entwistle. His eyes Widened suddenly as he kept reading. Because stated at the very bottom was the admission that Sirius Black was not the Potters secret Keeper, and that Should they end up Dead it is to be known that Peter Pettigrew had betrayed them to the Dark Lord. "My parents were betrayed by a friend?" he thought to himself in shock.

Lily Potter also states that under no circumstances is her son Harrison James Potter to be placed with her muggle sister and brother-in-law. In the event of both herself and James dying, Harrison was to be placed with the below list of approved people.

Sirius Black.

Alice Longbottom.

Remus Lupin.

Amelia Entwistle.

Harrison handed the parchment back to Sharpclaw and told him to look at the bottom of the Will. He was never meant to grow up the way he had. Sharpclaw frowned before grinding his teeth in anger at the injustice done to two of Gringotts well respected clients. Both Heir Potter's and Lord Black's lives had been completely disrupted because Mr. Dumbledore had the Will sealed without it being read all those years ago. Setting the Will aside for the moment, as to address and finalize the rest of the banking needs Heir Potter might have, Sharpclaw spoke.

"Before we move onto to the matters pertaining to your Godfather, and your Living situation, is there anything else you need in regard to your accounts?"

"I'd like to know more about the options you mentioned for taking money directly from my vaults", Harrison replied while sitting up in his chair in interest.

"We have three options; one is a pouch that is linked directly to your vaults; however, it cannot convert galleons into pounds. You state which Vault you wish to use before removing the required amount and the money will be taken out of the one chosen. The other two are a wallet that has two compartments; the first will allow you to take galleons, while the second will appear as Pounds."

"And the third?" Harrison asked intrigued.

"The third is a newer invention that is not unlike a muggle -non-magical person he explained seeing Harrisons confused face at the term- debit card. It automatically takes the money out of your Vault with a swipe of the card. No matter if it's in the muggle or magical world."

"I'll take both the wallet and the card," Harrison stated eagerly.

"Of course, Heir Potter, that will be 150 Galleons for both items, which will be taken directly out of your Vaults; the Card has an annual fee of 250 Galleons, and the Wallet a fee of 25 Galleons every six months," Sharpclaw explained before he snapped his fingers and speaking to the goblin who immediately opened the door and stepped inside. "Razertooth bring me a Magicard and Wallet for Heir Potter."

"Now Heir Potter before we finish dealing with your accounts and move on to Lord Black you must put on the Heirs ring," He said handing over a box with silver marking and the same crest from his Parents Will on the top. "You are to place the ring on the middle finger of your right hand."

Opening the box Harrison removed the ring settled within and doing as instructed he slid the ring on to the middle finger of his right hand and watched as it shrunk to fit his finger perfectly before something pricked his skin causing him to gasp.

"Now that the ring has recognized you as the rightful Heir, no one will be able to remove it from your hand but yourself. It can also be used as portkey to any of the Potter Properties." Harrison nodded in understanding and thanked Sharpclaw for all his help.

HPSBHP

"Now Heir Potter, while we wait for your Card and wallet to arrive, let us discuss Lord Black and his whereabouts. Currently Lord Black is illegally being held in Azkaban wizard Prison and has been there since November of 81," The Goblin stated matter-fact, causing Harrison to gasp.

"What did he do?" he asked not sure he wanted to know the answer.

"With the reading of Lord and Lady Potters Will I can now say for certain that He was framed by Peter Pettigrew for the betrayal of your parents to the Dark Lord Voldemort. You can also now have the DMLE look further into the details of his killing twelve Muggles and one wizard with a single curse. With the enchantments put upon every Magical Will we can prove that Peter Pettigrew is still very much alive, thus putting into question the validity of the claim that Sirius Black murdered him along with 12 muggles 9 years ago."

Seeing the child confused and about to interrupt Sharpclaw quickly clarified a few key points. "Voldemort is a Dark wizard who caused a war in the Wizarding world; in which your parents were a part of. They fought for the light but went into hiding with you shortly after your birth, with the use of the Fidelius Charm. This is a charm that hides the whereabouts of a person or thing in plain sight using a secret keeper; the only person able to reveal where they were hidden to any individual."

"The DMLE, is the Department of Magical Law-Enforcement stationed at the Ministry of Magic here in London and where you would need to go to get Lord Black's case re-opened."

"How did none of this come out in his trial?" Harrison demanded.

"It was terrible times Heir Potter. The Ministry was backed up with multiple trials for the Dark Lords followers. The fact that Sirius Black was the Potters Secret Keeper was public knowledge, and thus Albus Dumbledore was granted immediate approval as your Magical Guardian, and Lord Black was thrown into Azkaban Prison immediately after he was caught. Having found him in the center of a destroyed muggle street with witnesses giving statements that Pettigrew yelled about his betrayal of Lord and Lady Potter before there was an explosion supposedly killing Pettigrew and 12 muggles. This was all the evidence the Ministry felt was needed and no trial ever took place."

Harrison could feel himself slowly losing his temper, not only was he forced to live with his muggle (he really liked that term for his relatives) Aunt and Uncle, but his Godfather; a man he should have been raised by was illegally imprisoned on false charges.

"Is there anything I can do to get him a trial?" he asked desperately.

"I will direct you to a solicitor, who will help you on your way to finally having Lord Black freed as he should have been this past decade."

"Thank you Sharpclaw." Harrison told him, as he took slow breathes, trying to calm himself down for the time being.

"My pleasure Heir Potter, Both Lord Black and your Parents were highly respected clients."

Harrison was about to say thank you again when the door opened revealing the goblin from earlier holding his new wallet and Magicard.

"Thank you Razertooth" Sharpclaw nodded taking the items and handing them to Harrison, as the goblin bowed and left quickly.

"Thank you again, is there anything else I should know before I leave?"

"You should know Heir Potter that you are very famous in the Wizarding world. The night Voldemort killed your parents was the same night you received that scar on your forehead. The Dark Lord cast the same killing Curse onto you; however, it backfired killing him instead. This left you not only an orphan, but a very famous wizard, more commonly known as The Boy-who-lived among the Wizarding Populace," Sharpclaw explained gravely at seeing the child's shocked yet irritated face. "My suggestion would be to get as many books on the last Wizarding war as you can and read up about it. It will explain more about your defeat of the Dark Lord."

"I will, thank you again." Harrison replied taking the parchment with his inheritance from the desk and putting the wallet and card in his jacket pocket.

"That will be all for now Heir Potter, until next we meet, may your Gold ever Flow." Sharpclaw replied by way of dismissal.

Nodding Harrison stood from his chair as another goblin entered the office, motioning for him to follow him down the hall and through another set of doors, leading back out to the main lobby of the bank.