Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or any corresponding Media.
A/N: I am sorry to everyone who's waiting for me to post more of my rework of A Kindled Flame, I've been trying to work on it but ever time my brain kept coming back to this idea, I know it's no substitute for it or a good excuse, but writer's block is a pain. So I hope at least those of you who read this enjoy.
Harry Potter had a problem, well he had a lot of problems, but the most immediate one happened to be a small green snake that decided she was Harry's new best friend. Harry had returned from another stress filled year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It had only been his second year but yet again he found himself fighting the psychotic maniac that had not only made his first year so difficult, but was also the reason he has spent the last 12 years of his life with his magic hating relatives.
This time however instead of a wraith possessing a teacher, it was a diary possessing a student, a student that happened to be the little sister of his best mate. Using her, Voldemort had opened the Chamber of Secrets, and set upon the school the Monster of Slytherin, a massive fifty foot snake known as a Basilisk, A creature that brought truth to the phrase, "if looks could kill.", and Harry in all his impulsiveness, had to not only fought the creature without a wand, but wound up stabbing it in the mouth with a sword, only to be stabbed in return with a foot-long fang full of venom, for which the only known cure was phoenix tears.
If it hadn't been for Fawkes, the Headmaster's Phoenix, Harry would be dead right now. But it is the fact that the venom had been in his system at all that Harry now found himself in his current predicament, because since he had returned from the Chamber he had noticed an increase in his Parselmouth abilities, and it was him swearing in serpent-tongue while weeding his Aunt's garden, that had led to a little grass snake to attach itself to him.
"Is speaker mad at Greeny? Has Greeny been a bad snake?"
This brought Harry out of his thoughts, "No Greeny, I'm not mad, just thinking." Harry told the little serpent, she had wrapped herself around Harry's stomach and was sticking her head out of his t-shirt. For the better part of a month the snake hadn't left his side, and had in fact been growing steadily larger. Well she had been maybe a foot long when he had first found her, she was now closer to five, at first this freaked Harry out, but after a while he just chalked it up to either his lack of knowledge of snakes or his magic influencing her growth.
However the larger she got the more difficulty Harry had with hiding her from his relatives. His owl Hedwig was one thing she mostly kept to herself and stayed in her cage when not hunting but Greeny was different, trying to leave her in his room didn't work because she'd get really upset whenever separated from him, something that seemed to bother him as well for some reason. So that had led to the current situation, during the day Greeny would wrap herself around his midsection, and thanks to him wearing his fat cousins hand-me-downs his Aunt never noticed.
This morning however, an unexpected and unpleasant surprise had landed in the form of his Uncle's sister, who was possibly an even more unpleasant human being than her brother, was coming to stay for a week, a week that started on his birthday. Harry was used to bad birthday presents from the Dursleys when he got them, which was next to never, but this was bad even by Dursley standards, how was he supposed to hide a snake from that tiny terror of a dog? He also had the other problem of how to deal with his Hogsmeade permission slip. How did he always seem to end up in situations like this?
"Well there's not much I can do right now," He sighed. "Let's just hope if she brings Ripper he doesn't notice you, Greeny." He stroked the top of the snake's head. "I just hope nothing goes wrong this time." Of course he should have realized that with his luck that's exactly what would happen.
Darkness
About two day's into the visit was when things went wrong, Marge was drunk, and had decided now was a good time to start having a go at Harry's parents, something he should have seen coming. Unfortunately, when he tried to leave, she started at him instead and Harry, who was already stressed from trying to keep Greeny safe and fed, was not in a head-space to deal with it, and upon feeling his temper rise, he failed to notice his magic flaring, or Marge expanding. However the moment he did, he made his way into the hallway, grabbed his stuff from under the stairs and from his room before storming out of the house.
He was about half way up the street, when he stopped and began to realize he had no idea where to go. He couldn't go to the Burrow, the entire Weasley Family was in Egypt, and even if he knew where Hermione lived, she and her family were in France. He could have sent a message to Hagrid but he had sent Hedwig to Ron, and even then what was he supposed to do till he got i?, He was quickly running out of ideas, when the image of a floppy eared creature with big green eyes popped into his head. Now the only question was would he show up if Harry called for him.
"Dobby!" Harry yelled, silently hoping that the high energy elf heard him, only for his worries to vanish with the sound of a soft pop.
"The Great Harry Potter called for Dobby, sir?" the cheerful elf squeaked up at him. "Does Harry Potter sir have need of Dobby?"
Harry just smiled at the small House elf he had freed a few months earlier, he seemed so much happier now. "Yeah Dobby do you think you could help me, I need a place to stay and I can't seem to think of any."
"But Harry Potter Sir, The Potters have a mansion, so why not go there sir?"
"I have a mansion?" to say Harry was surprised, would be an understatement, "Since when?"
"Dobby doesn't understand, hasn't Harry Potter Sir seen his inheritance?" Now it was Dobby that was surprised. "Does Harry Potter want Dobby to bring him to Gringotts, the Goblins could help?"
"Yes, Dobby bring me to Gringotts, please." Harry was so confused by how he had gone from running away to finding out he had a mansion, that his brain was on autopilot.
"Okay, if Harry Potter Sir would hold Dobby's hand, Dobby will bring him and his snake to Gringotts," Dobby was holding out his hand and upon taking it Harry found that he, Greeny and his trunk were in front of Gringotts in an instant.
Darkness
"Wow, thanks Dobby!" Harry beamed down at the little elf. "I really appreciate this, let me know if I can do anything as thanks."
Harry watched as Dobby's eyes seemed to get bigger, and the elf began to shift, and looked down, before mumbling something he couldn't hear. "I'm sorry Dobby, but I didn't catch that."
"Would Harry Potter Sir, let Dobby work for him Sir?" The elf was still looking down but Harry heard him this time.
"Dobby are you sure? I thought you liked being free?" Harry was confused by the request. "Don't you like being free from the Malfoys?"
"Yes, Dobby is happy, but Dobby really wanted to work for Harry Potter Sir, but thought it would be asking too much, so he just accepted his freedom."
"Okay, well if you're fine with working for me Dobby, then I have no problems with you doing so." Harry smiled down at the little elf, "However I want you to take at least 1 day off a week to rest and no punishing yourself, if you do something wrong just let me know and apologize, okay?"
"Yes, Master Harry," Dobby looked up at Harry with a smile that threatened to split the elf's face.
At this Harry felt something pull on his magic, realizing that it was probably some form of bond between him and Dobby, he decided to ask Dobby about it later and deal with the Goblins now.
Darkness
Harry had been in Gringotts twice before and had found that his amazement at the goblin craftsmanship and attention to detail never seemed to dwindle, however this time he was a bit more nervous, as he had to actually find out about his inheritance. Something he didn't even know he had.
"Excuse me," Harry said as he approached, "I need to see someone about my inheritance, My name is Harry James Potter, and here's my vault key." He proceeded to place the golden key that bore the Potter family crest on the Goblin's desk and stood back. The goblin picked up the key looked it over then looked down at Harry,
"Griphook!"
"Yes?" In an instant the same Goblin that took Harry to his vault two years prior appeared to his right.
"Take Mr. Potter to see his account manager." The clerk said as he handed Harry back his key.
"Right. This way" He gestured to a set of large silver doors. "Follow me."
"Um, Griphook?" Harry wasn't sure if he should ask but his curiosity was getting the better of him, "If you don't mind me asking, did the goblins build and design the bank themselves?"
Griphook stopped for a moment and Harry was afraid he may have offended him somehow. "Why do you want to know?" was all the response he got.
"Well, every time I come here I notice how well built it is and how amazing the designs engraved into everything are, so I was curious if the Goblins made everything here, since one of the few things I remember from History of Magic class is how your race is known for its craftsmanship. So I was wondering if the bank was an example of it." He quickly spat out before adding, "If I offended you in some way I'm sorry."
Griphook seemed to study him for a moment, before he seemed to come to a conclusion. "First off, I am not offended, second correct, we built and designed the bank ourselves, this way the wizards have no concept of all our security measures." When he finished he continued to watch Harry.
Harry however didn't notice this as he thought about what Griphook had said, "That makes sense, seeing as a lot of wizards would take advantage of that information and try and screw you over, the Malfoy's being the first to come to mind." He thought out loud, "And I wouldn't put it past Voldemort to use any of that information to his advantage, which would leave everyone else at a disadvantage." As he kept going he failed to notice the gobsmacked look on Griphook or the flinch from Dobby when he mentioned his former masters or the Dark lord.
"I mean I doubt Tom in all his arrogance would not try and bring the Goblin Nation under his thumb, which is laughable at best and death sentence at worst. I mean there is a reason there were so many goblin wars, the one thing your people don't put up with is disrespect, whither from each other or from other races." Upon finishing his thought he noticed that not only was Griphook staring at him in shock, but an older goblin had joined them in the corridor and was wearing a similar expression. "Did I say something wrong?" he asked, a little nervous that he somehow had offended them again.
" , if you would be so kind as to follow me into my office so we can begin our business," The older Goblin said as he gestured towards a doorway about halfway down the hall. "And while we are at it we'll discuss what it is I just overheard, oh and if that elf is bound to you alone, he may follow." After adding this he made his way to the doorway as Harry and Dobby followed.
Darkness
When Harry entered the office of who he assumed was his account manager, he noticed a rather ornate high back chair on one side of a table and a standard muggle bar stool on the other, as he took his seat, Harry wondered if any of the snobby anti muggle Pure-Bloods ever realize that the goblins were poking fun at them with this, though he guessed that this may just be the chair for his manager and the others had something different.
"So Mr. Potter, why do you only seek to look at your account now?" The Goblin asked as he took his seat across from him.
"Well, I kinda ran away, and I called Dobby hoping he could help me, and he asked me why I didn't just go to the Potter Mansion, I was shocked as I didn't know I had one. So that led me to come here and find out what else I had that I wasn't aware of." Harry said a little embarrassed that he had never even bothered to look into this before. "So I was hoping you can help me with that."
"Well first, Mr. Potter you do in fact have a Mansion, as well as several heirlooms, and artifacts, on top of the Potter family holdings, which in last quarter came out to 864 million gallons, 46 sickles and 12 knuts, plus the 50,000 galleons that get put in your trust vault before the start of each term at Hogwarts." He read off a paper in front of him. "There is also this the issue of the Potter Family Lord ring and Grimoire, both of the objects are available to you, though the ring is something you will have to wear should you take your title of Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, I also advise that should you do so, you choose a proxy you trust to vote in your place till you graduate as there will need to be someone watching your seat in the Wizengamot"
Harry's head was spinning as he took all this in, not only was he pretty sure he as richer than the Malfoys, but he also had a seat on the ruling body of the Magical Government, not to mention he was apparently a Lord, this was a lot, but he knew he should probably take the ring and the family Grimoire, and if he need someone he could trust to act as his proxy, they'd have to know the way the Ministry works but also share his views on bigots and inequality, and there was this little part of him that wanted to use this as a way to piss off Malfoy Sr after his hand in the events of last years. Then the answer came to him. "Um does my proxy have to be related somehow?"
"No, as long as they are of age and they have your consent to act as your Proxy in the case of your absence, then it is fine." The Goblin's answered,
"Okay then can I have the ring and Grimoire, please. Also can I'd like to have Arthur Weasley to act as my Proxy until I come of age." At the last part the Goblin smiled.
"Yes, I see no problem with that." His smile growing. "Now as to what I overheard earlier. First, I would like you to be aware that nothing I heard would be cause for offense and secondly, I would like to thank you, very few wizards have ever shown our race respect or concern in any form, let alone to the level you did, hence our surprise. As such I have held off till the end of our meeting to properly introduce myself, I am Bentblade Bloodaxe, I am the Account Manager for the Potter Family Holdings, and it is my pleasure to work with one who treats the Goblin Nation with the respect it is due."
"The pleasure is mine Manager Bloodaxe, and I hope that our interactions in the future are as pleasant for both of us as this one has been." Harry said with a smile reaching his face.
"Now as I assumed you would like the ring and Grimoire, I had both brought forth to save time." Bloodaxe snapped his fingers and a goblin younger then Griphook came rushing in from a side room holding a box that contained three things, a large black book, a ring that radiated magic, bearing a gold triangle, with a white circle inside, with a white line through it, engraved into a black stone that gave off a feeling of earth to Harry and a blood red bag with silver clasps.
"The bag is linked to your main vault, as we are closing the trust vault since you're taking the title of Lord Potter, all you need do is open it and think of the amount and you shall find the money inside." Bloodaxe said as he handed Harry the bag, "The ring can be hidden when worn, just think of it cloaking itself and it will, and finally the Grimoire can only be read by those who are members of the Potter family, whether through marriage or blood." He gestured to the black book, "Now if that is all, I'm sure you will wish to visit your family home, as well as get some proper robes, something I am sure your elf will be able to help you with. So, I wish you a good day Lord Potter, and if you are wondering how to get to the Potter Mansion, your elf should be able to take you there by instinct." Getting up Bloodaxe made his way to the door and offered his hand, which Harry took, before departing.
"Well, Dobby," Harry said, turning to the elf, "Think you can take us to our new home?"
"It would be Dobby's pleasure, Master Harry!" He smiled back.
And with that Harry, Dobby, and a sleeping Greeny, walked out of Gringotts and disapperated, none of them realizing that the Ministry were currently losing their heads trying to locate the missing teen, or that soon a very shocked Arthur Weasley would be receiving a letter from the Egypt branch of Gringotts informing him that Lord Harry James Potter, had named him his proxy.
Darkness
Minister Fudge was beyond stressed, not only had Harry Potter disappeared, but Sirius Black was still on the run and they had no leads on his location. He just hoped that wherever Harry Potter was he was alive, the last thing he needed was the Savior of Wizarding Britain dyng on his watch and at the hands of an escaped prisoner that he had failed to locate let alone catch. This was a media nightmare in the making.
Darkness
Meanwhile in Egypt, Arthur Weasley had just sat down to dinner with his family when his eldest had gotten called away by the bank. He was so proud of William, he was doing something he truly loved and was enjoying the life he lived, and that was all he could ask for, for any of his children. Though he worried about his two youngest, Ron seemed worried about Harry, something that Arthur himself could relate too as the boy had quickly become as much a part of his family as any of his children.
His other worry was Ginny, she had recently been through an ordeal that Arthur was sure most adult wizards would have trouble dealing with. But she at least seemed to be doing better and was laughing along with the twins, as they put a beetle into William's food while he was away, something they had done almost every evening since they arrived, unaware that their father kept vanishing the bug before his eldest ate his food. Shaking his head fondly at the antics of his children, he failed to notice William running in until he handed him a formal letter form the bank.
"Dad, this just came for you marked urgent, The Branch Head asked me to bring it to you immediately." Bill said well trying to catch his breath.
Arthur took the letter and was shocked to see it wasn't from the Weasly Account Manager, but the Potter one instead. Opening the letter he found an even bigger surprise, reading aloud out of shock, his family got the same surprise as he did.
"To Mister Arthur Weasley.
I, Bentblade Bloodaxe, am the Account Manager of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, upon claiming his right as Lord Potter, Harry James Potter has named you his proxy for the Potter seat on the Wizengamot, until such time he comes of age. If you wish to refuse or have questions for Lord Potter, I will alert him to this and he will choose his method response.
For any further inquiries, Please Contact The Branch Manager for the Gringotts British Division
May your battles be bloody and your loot plentiful
Bentblade Bloodaxe."
For the first time since the birth of the twins silence fell over the Weasley dinner table, for none of them knew how to react.
A/N I hope you enjoy.
(A/N) :I'd Like to thank my Beta CaskettFan5 for their help.