Disclaimer
I don't own Harry Potter.
If fact, if you get down to it I probably own very little of the ideas being used in this story. But I am not getting paid for them and have hopefully put them together in a new and interesting way.
Enjoy.
Authors Note
I hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas and New Year.
Here is the first half of a story I've been working on while taking a break from EaSE. I think it's pretty good overall, though I'm concerned it's a little weak in places. Constructive criticism is welcome.
I hope you all enjoy it.
Chapter 1
"..and once you're finished vacuuming you can clean the attic."
"Yes, Aunt Petunia." Harry replied in a listless monotone.
Harry got to work. He didn't mind the immensely long list of task; doing things mean he had less time to think. Think about things like Sirius' death…..
Harry shook his head and forced his mind to the task at hand. The single-minded drive had him ticking off items on the list quickly, driving himself in to exhaustion in the vain hope that he could avoid more dreams, nightmares, that night, until finally he was climbing into the attic late that afternoon.
The small area in the roof of the house was dusty and cluttered. Harry alternated between dusting and tidying until he found a long, flat, case. This one was so radically different from the cardboard boxes and packing cases that he stopped and pulled it out for a closer look.
Wiping the dust away he could make out the design, a detailed painting of an oriental dragon done in gold. He flipped the latches and open the case. Inside were five swords, in three rows that he was pretty sure were Japanese in origin, black sheaths and wrappings with coloured detailing. The one he could recognised from pictures was a curved katana with red detailing lying in the middle of the case. Also in the middle row was the shortest sword, a straight blade no more than two feet long and brown detailing.
The row closest to the hinges had only a single blade but it was the reason the case was so long. It looked like a giant katana with white detailing. In fact Harry was pretty sure that it was longer than he was tall. The last pair looked to be identical swords about three feet long with pale blue detailing.
All the swords were showing signs of their age, worn and faded. Picking up one of the blue detailed swords he struggled to draw it and the little of the blade he did unveil was tarnished. Harry pushed it back in and replaced in the case. He gently stroked a hand across each of the swords before closing and latching the case. He might be able to restore them once he got to Hogwarts and could use magic. They looked too impressive to just leave to fall apart. He just had to figure out how to get them to his room. And then to Hogwarts. One thing was clear though, the case had been custom made for the swords much more recently than the swords were made.
Harry wondered if Petunia and Vernon knew about them. Given where they were they had obviously been forgotten, but they must know something since they were in their attic. He carefully shifted the case so he could get it out at the first available opportunity. Then he got back to work.
Or at least he tried to. He hadn't seen what the sword case had been resting on until now.
A pair of trunks. Similar in design and one of them definitely looked like a battered Hogwarts trunk. Harry pulled it clear and opened it. Inside were a collection of books. Hogwarts school books and Hogwarts school uniforms. Girl's uniforms. This must be his mother's school things.
He pulled a white shirt out and held it to his face. The trunk smelled old and musty and the shirt was no better but he was positive he could detect something else. Another fragrance. Soft, light, feminine. It must be his mother's scent.
Harry reluctantly returned the shirt to the trunk and closed it. He wanted more time to go through this and see just what his mother had left behind. The other trunk was newer but had items inside that could only predate the school things. Dolls, children's books, clothing that could only fit a child. Then there were the newer items, bigger clothes suitable for a girl about his size. This must be everything else his mother had before and while she was at Hogwarts. Two things caught his attention, a group of photo albums and a bundle of dark green leather.
The leather unrolled into a long jacket and was in surprisingly good condition. A whiff of scent had him holding it close. It practically reeked of his mother's scent. Overwhelmingly so.
Harry inhaled as much as he possibly could and suddenly found himself crying over a woman he never knew and was suddenly wishing he did. Did he breathe this scent in just as deeply when he was a baby being held in her arms?
He body was wracked with shuddered as over a decade of pain and loss he didn't even know he felt made a massive resurgence and took him over. He buried his face into the leather to muffle himself as he totally lost control of himself for the first time he could remember.
He didn't know how long he cried before he could regain control of himself. He set the jacket down and pulled a handkerchief to first dry the leather and then wipe his face and blow his nose.
He kept the jacket on his lap as he looked back in the trunk. The photo albums tempted him deeply but he resisted the temptation and closed the trunk. He carefully dusted both the trunks so he could set the jacket down on one and move them both to join the sword case. They must have been lightened as they were surprisingly easy to pick up.
He quickly finished cleaning the attic and peeked down to see where the Dursley's were. It sounded like they were all downstairs. From the sounds and smells they were eating dinner. This was probably his best chance to move the trunks and sword case without being spotted. At least they never actually went into his room, preferring to yell at him from the doorway if they could even be bothered to come that far. Hopefully they wouldn't see the extra items in his room.
He had forgotten about eating as he quickly cleaned up and changed into clean clothing and pulled the jacket on as the darkening world began to cool, it was a bit too big for him. Firstly he had a closer look at the swords under the better lighting of his room. It was a pity really; the swords looked to be incredible pieces of history but age really had taken its toll. He returned them all to the case but didn't close it.
Now he took his time and went through all the photo albums. They depicted Lily's life from before she was born until she had graduated Hogwarts. Harry couldn't believe the wide range of pictures that had been taken over the course of her life. The jacket he was now wearing featured prominently from her early teens where it was slightly bigger on her then it was on him now. She grew into it nicely though from what he saw later on, and she wore it a lot; parks, parties, and dozens of other places he didn't know, but some of them were definitely overseas.
He would have to try and find these places, he decided. His mother looked so happy there, and so did Petunia and their parents.
There were also pictures of people he didn't know and a few he did; A boy that could only be a very young Snape. James showed up towards the end of the collection, usually just the pair of them but sometimes with one or more of the Marauders.
Harry finally closed the last album and put them away. He had just seen an entire life of his mother he hadn't known about. A life Petunia had and had denied him. He curled up on the bed and wrapped the jacket tighter around him. He had never resented his life in this hellhole more than he did right now. He was leaving and never coming back, when morning came he was going to leave, taking all his things and his mother's things with him.
With that in mind he succumbed to his day's exertions and emotional fatigue and fell asleep.
!SB!
His plans to leave the next morning went out the window when he woke; because he wasn't alone.
In his bed, arms and legs wrapped around him from behind, was a young girl with dark hair. Harry stared at her over his shoulder in complete shock. He didn't know who she was, where she came from, or why she was in here wrapped around him.
He managed to sit up, it was a struggle but she was pretty small. It didn't seem to wake her. Looking around the room he spotted five more people sitting on the floor.
"Morning." The oldest of the group smiled at him.
Harry tried to get his glasses as he tried to comprehend what he was seeing. "Wha… who…"
"I'm sure you must be confused." The whole group moved to cluster around him, now he could see a bit clearer he could tell they were all girls as well.
"Confused doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling." Harry finally managed to untangle the girl attached to his back and find out she was actually naked. "Where did you all come from? What's going on?"
"Actually, we were trying to figure that out as well." The girl replied.
Harry leant closer to look them all over. The girl he was talking to had incredibly red hair. Not Weasley red but a really rich Red red. She looked about seven or eight and wore a black robe with a red flame pattern. The next girl was about the same age and dressed similarly except her hair was very pale, and almost white blonde, and her black robe had a white swirly pattern. The next pair looked about six and were twins with matching electric blue hair. Their robes had matching storm cloud patterns on one side of their robes, one on the left, the other on the right. The last girl must be about four and had brown hair and what looked to be some sort of landscape pattern on her robes that when down one side from the shoulder and then across the bottom.
"Well, what can you tell me?" Harry got up and flipped the bed sheets to cover the naked, sleeping girl next to him.
"Well, this is actually not something that's ever happened before..." Red noted.
"Ever." White added.
"That's actually familiar ground for me." Harry sighed.
"Really?" Red seemed surprised. "In any case, we are Tsukumogami. Tsugomomo to be precise. And I can see from your expression that you haven't got a clue. Umm… we're basically… living weapons."
"Living weapons?" Harry blinked hard. "That doesn't make any sense."
White pointed at the open sword case, which was totally empty. Harry was about to exclaim in shock but White nudged Brown over. The brown haired girl clambered up into his lap, with some assistance from Harry and then suddenly turned into a sword. The smallest of the five swords in the case.
"What the hell?" Harry nearly dropped the sword.
"We are Living Weapons." Red repeated. "Living Items is a little more correct though. When an item, like a sword, is used and looked after carefully, lovingly even, it can eventually develop its own consciousness. That is what we all are."
"This process takes a century though." White added. "I was forged about six hundred years ago. I'm the second oldest of the group, but there is only a couple of hundred years between us all."
"How did you all end up here?" Harry asked. "I mean, aren't you all Asian weapons?"
"Japanese." Red clarified. "We were gathered by a shrine to be used by exorcists but it looks like we were lost, or stolen, and ended up here. Without a Master we have little power and usually rest to conserve it so we don't know much about what happened to us."
"Okay, but what do you mean by 'a Master'?" Harry looked a little worried.
"While we have power of our own, though we have very little at the moment, we gain power through our bond with a Master. A person to whom we are bound to serve and assist." White explained. "Right now, that is you."
"This is where things get a little odd." Red took over. "Normally only one of us would be bound to a single person. That's safe. For all of us to spontaneously bond with you, we really don't know how it happened or what the impact on you will be. We are a little afraid we have already done some damage to you?"
"Like what?" Harry asked.
"You have blood done the side of your face. It's scarred over but we don't know what we did to you." Red pointed.
Left Blue bowed. "We really are very sorry."
"That scar I got as a baby, though for it to bleed is unusual." Harry felt his face and found the dried blood.
"Hmm..." Red shook her head. "Very unusual."
"Get used to it." Harry shrugged. "So I did the impossible and bonded with five of you?"
"Six actually." White pointed to the girl in the bed. "It seems she has awoken as a new Living Item."
"Very unusual." Red shook her head. "I don't think she has existed anywhere near long enough to awaken. She will wake up in a while, but you should keep her close until she does, it will help her. Do you know what she was?"
"No... wait... I was wearing my Mum's jacket... and now it's gone..." Harry looked at the sleeping girl. "It was the same colour as her hair."
"A clothing type then." Red nodded. "I've encountered a few so I know how they tend to work. I can help train her. They tend to lack offensive and defensive power but are much more flexible in how they can be used. Potentially a powerful ally for you. And us."
"Okay..." Harry pondered. "One question though, you aren't going to possess me and take over my body, drain my life and become real, more real, more powerful... I dunno."
"What makes you ask that?" White asked out of curiosity.
"I saw that nearly happen a few years ago. I had to destroy the book doing it. I don't think it could walk around on its own though."
"You destroyed it." Red sought confirmation. When he nodded she growled. "GOOD. We destroy items and spirits that seek to dominate and hurt innocent people."
"It's true that occasionally one of us can go mad and hurt their master, but it's very rare and usually involves the master treating us very poorly. Such items get destroyed as well so they can't hurt anyone else." They all looked down sadly as White paused in remembrance before continuing. "No, we want to work in a partnership with you, not hurt or control you."
"Okay." Harry was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
"What we do have is called Ascension." Red picked up the conversation. "It requires a strong bond of trust between us and our Master, but it allows us to harmonise ourselves together for a short period of time. It is draining on our Master, but very powerful if used wisely."
"How does that work with all of you?" Harry wondered.
"It is possible for a powerful Master to harmonise with both of us." One Blue said. "But that only happens very rarely. We are usually paired with two Masters who work closely together."
"It's been some time since we've shared a single Master." The other Blue added.
Harry gave them a small nod and smile.
"May we I you a couple of questions?" White asked.
"Sure." Harry nodded.
"What is your name and why is there an owl in here?"
"I'm Harry Potter. Please, just call me Harry. That is Hedwig. She's been my friend and companion for five years now. Haven't you girl?"
"Prek." Hedwig flitted across the room and landed on Harry's shoulder and let him stroke her as she studied the new arrivals.
"She is probably the most intelligent owl on the planet, and smarter than some humans I've had the misfortune of encountering." Harry went on. "She's stuck with me through a lot."
"Prek." Hedwig agreed with Harry, puffing her feather's proudly.
"A most worthy companion." Red bowed to the owl. "I hope we will earn as much recognition. I am called Sutābāsuto."
"I'm Soyokaze" White introduced herself.
"We are Ākuraito..."
"And Ākufurea." The two Blue haired girls bowed.
The sword in his lap turned back into the brown haired girl and beamed up at him happily. "I'm Āsuhāto."
"It's nice to meet you all." Harry greeted them.
"You as well." Sutābāsuto bowed again. "You might also want to think of a name for her. If she doesn't have one then she will need one soon as possible when she wakes up. In the meantime, it's been some time since we were cleaned and maintained. Could you please help us with that?"
"Uh..." Harry's eyes shot wide. "What do you mean by that exactly?"
!SB!
"Why am I doing this?" Harry was struggling to maintain his composure as he washed Sutābāsuto hair.
All the girls were now naked in the bathroom and waiting on Harry to wash them and their clothing.
"Because it increases the strength of the bond between us." Sutābāsuto replied.
Soyokaze leant over so she could look him in the face. "Is it really that difficult?"
"I'm washing a naked girl." Harry replied.
"Then when we return to our full power things might get interesting."
"Why?"
Soyokaze cupped her hands in front of her chest. "I'll have a very nice pair of breasts. Actually, I can't wait to get them back. My Master's always liked my human form."
Harry turned bright red at the thought of a girl with breasts the size she was indicating and all the girls giggled.
"What sort of relationships did you have with your Masters?" Harry wondered.
"Well, it depends, but sex isn't out of the question." Sutābāsuto replied. "Love is a very strong bond after all. Our human bodies are nearly identical to a real human; we eat, sleep, and use the toilet, and let me say that things have really improved in that regard. The only thing we can't do is get pregnant. So you will need a wife for that. But she has to accept us as well. And we expect lots of children."
"Huh?" Harry was so lost he stopped what he was doing.
"Hey, keep going." Sutābāsuto protested and when he resumed his task she kept talking. "When we find a good Master we like to stay in their line, serving their descendents for as long as they are worthy. Being able to have an active Master at all times means we don't end like this, weak and totally depended on a new and usually still in training Master."
"Sorry about that."
"No worries. We can train you how to use us properly." Ākuraito smiled.
"Okay. One thing... You're swords aren't you? Is this really the right way to look after you?" Harry was confused. "Won't you rust?"
"You need to dry us properly and there are a few more things to do to get us back to our best condition, but we can do a lot to repair ourselves when we have enough power. Building the bond is actually more important." Soyokaze explained. "And we are different to normal swords so we have more options. This is fine."
"Okay." Harry nodded. "I think I'm done here, who's next?"
"Me." Āsuhāto jumped forward.
Harry had to catch her. "Take it easy. And please be quiet. If my Aunt or Uncle find us, they'll blow a gasket."
"What's a gasket?" Soyokaze frowned as she moved under the shower head to rinse off.
!SB!
Finally Harry got all six girls cleaned and back in his small room, and all without getting caught by some miracle. The girls were all pulling on whatever spare clothing he had, and struggling to keep the oversized clothing on. It was so bad that Harry actually opened his mother's trunks and get them clothing from there that actually fit.
The still sleeping girl was now curled up in his lap and the other five clustered around him on the bed with their robes, actually they told him that they were kimono, were hanging around the room to finish drying.
"So now what?" Harry asked.
"There isn't much you can do until she wakes up." Soyokaze sighed. "It shouldn't be too much longer. Then we can all eat."
"Hmm….." Harry didn't have a clue how he was going to feel himself, let alone six extra people. "I was planning on getting out of here, I guess it'll have to be later now. I wasn't sure how to carry everything though."
"We'll help, as much as we can." Ākufurea promised.
"Yeah, I appreciate that, but it's not so easy." Harry slumped.
"Tell us. You are our Master, we are here to help you." Ākuraito leant closer.
"I… It's… Not now. Sorry, but not now." Harry slumped. "I just can't talk about it yet."
"Okay." Sutābāsuto nodded. "We are here with you. For you. You tell us when you're ready. We aren't going anywhere. We might want to wait until she's ready too; if it's that hard for you then you will probably only want to go through it once."
"Thanks." Harry managed to smile at her.
"Have you come up with a name for her?" Ākuraito asked.
"Not yet."
"Think carefully." Soyokaze told him. "A name means a lot to us. It can help guide us as we start our own journey."
"Okay." Harry nodded. "I'll think very carefully on it."
They fell into silence and Harry gently cradled the sleeping girl and tried to find the perfect name for her.
A long couple of hours passed until the girl finally stirred and woke up.
"Uh? Hi?" She looked around.
"Welcome." Soyokaze smiled at her. "How do you feel?"
"Okay, I think?"
"You will feel a little confused for a while." Sutābāsuto told her. "It's normal. You are like us and we are going to help you learn what that means. Do you know who you are?"
"Uh…No…" The girl started to panic.
"Relax." Sutābāsuto gripped her arm reassuringly. "This is normal. Sometimes we awaken with a name, sometimes we don't. This is Harry, he is our Master, the one who awakened us. He has been thinking carefully for a name to give you."
"Hi." Harry smiled down at her.
"Hello. It's nice to meet you. Do I have a name yet?"
"Umm… I'm not sure, but… how does 'Nicki' sound to you?"
"Nicki… I like it." The newly named Nicki smiled. "Thank you."
"What does it mean?" Āsuhāto asked.
"I think it means Victory, or something like that." Harry answered. "I think it's Greek."
"That's a powerful name." Sutābāsuto nodded. "An impressive choice."
"What am I?" Nicki asked.
"Like us, you are a Living Item. An item that have been loved and cared for so much that it has been gifted a life of its own. Of her own." Sutābāsuto explained. "You have power of your own but your true power comes from your bond with your Master."
"Okay. What is my power?"
"We'll have to find that out as we go." Sutābāsuto admitted. "But we will help you learn them."
"Thanks." Nicki smiled shyly.
"It will have to be later." Harry gave the girl a hug. "We can't stay here, and I'm not sure how to move everything and keep you all hidden."
"We'll figure it out." Soyokaze promised. "Let's get Nicki's initial training done, it won't take long, while you get everything we need to take packed and then we'll take it from there."
Harry nodded. "Good idea."
"We'll help." Ākuraito pulled Ākufurea up and they looked around. "Where do we start?"
"It's fine. You're all a little small for this, maybe once you grow up."
"That depends on you. The more the bond grows the more power we have until we reach our true forms." Ākufurea said quietly.
"So hurry up and fall in love with us." Ākuraito beamed at Harry brightly.
Harry actually managed to laugh. "Nice idea, but not so simple."
Ākuraito pouted briefly before she and her twin returned to sitting on the bed and they let Harry work quickly around them.
"Okay." Harry stretched finally. "Now it's just your clothes left and that will only take a minute to pack. Now, how do I get three trunks and a sword case out of here, without being seen by anyone, and without any of you being seen either?"
"Well, one of Āsuhāto's powers is to gift you much greater strength." Soyokaze pointed out. "If you can learn to tap into that power then that will make it much easier for you to move them in the short term, but you need to figure out something better if you want to move a lot."
"Wheels? On one end?" Ākufurea suggested.
"That's a good idea." Harry nodded. "I think I can find something around here. Thanks."
He rummaged in the closet of broken toys and found a toy truck. A bit of ingenuity, and assistance from Āsuhāto in her sword form, and he managed jury-rig some wheels on the end of the sword case. The trunks would sit on top and he could wheel the lot together. Now he just had to get everything out of the house without being seen…
Or did he just need to hide the luggage and take a walk... Or move things one piece at a time… This would take some thought.
!SB!
In the end it took several trips under his cloak to move each of the trunks and Hedwig's cage one at a time. He couldn't fit the case under his cloak with him so he had to take it first, as an evening walk and leave the case, and both Soyokaze and Sutābāsuto in a quiet spot while he went back for the trunks. The twins were still helping Nicki practice her shift between her jacket and human forms. Āsuhāto was tucked in to his belt, boosting his strength a little to make it easier for him to carry everything. Hedwig was already on her way to London.
Five trips later Harry collected everything and pulled the loaded sword case long the footpath a bit further so that any watchers would hopefully not hear the Knight's Bus arrive.
With a battered old hat covering his hair and forehead he raised his wand and waited for the enchanted double decker bus to arrive.
"Welcome…" Stan began reading from his card.
"Here." Harry tossed him a galleon and was careful not to face him, while not making it look obvious he was trying to hide. "Grab the other end would you."
Stan stared at the gold coin before quickly helping Harry carry everyone on to the bus and get it all settled. "Thanks for the tip, Gov'ner."
"It's fine." Harry waved him away. "Leaky Cauldron please."
"Right away, Gov'ner." Stan headed off.
A very rough ride and a few stops later and Harry was getting off again and looking around the slightly familiar street of Charing Cross Road. He pushed the door to the famous wizarding pub open and pulled his luggage inside.
It was still the same mix of eclectic wizarding folk and old Tom behind the bar.
"What can I get you?" Tom asked as Harry approached.
"A room, and four good sized meals." Harry replied. "I've been travelling a long way and haven't managed to eat in far too long."
"That will be five galleons for the night and meal, Mr…"
Harry dropped six on the counter. "Jones."
"Thank you, Mr Jones. Let me show you your room and then I'll get the meals sent up."
"Thank you." Harry replied quietly and followed the old bartender.
He needed a bit of help getting everything up the stairs and he finally relaxed as he closed the door of the room and was alone again.
He opened the sword case. "You can get out now, everyone."
The four swords packed away all transformed. Nicki and Āsuhāto were still on him and transformed pretty much wrapped around him.
Harry actually smiled at their closeness. "I've got some food coming. You'll have to share but there should be enough for everyone."
"Thanks." All the girls smiled at him happily.
They began settling in a bit and had to hide as there was a knock on the door. It was their dinner being delivered. They all dug in hungrily, enjoying the first good meal in some time.
They dropped the empty trays outside the door and Harry found himself buried between and beneath the six girls as they simply stripped off what they were wearing and burrowed into the blankets with him. He talked with them for a bit, trying to learn more about them and their origins before they all drifted off to sleep.
!SB!
Morning brought more chaos. Bathing six girls took a lot of time and effort and then he had to get them all fed. At least Tom seemed to think he was just a really big eater as he ordered another four meals for them to share. The girls were back in their kimonos, except for Nicki who was now able to wrap herself in a green dress the same colour as her jacket form.
Harry pondered his situation. He needed money, which meant Gringotts. When he told the girls he was going to have to go out for a bit the girls insisted that he didn't go alone. Harry did protest but six cute girls glaring at him wilted his resolve.
So, with Nicki, Āsuhāto and the twins in their true forms he headed out into the alley and towards Gringotts. There was a tension in the air and an underlying current of fear that wasn't there the last time he was in the alley before third year. That and hat that hid his hair and scar meant no one noticed the teen as he walked quickly to the bank.
His luck nearly ran out as he started up the steps to the bank's doors. A familiar person with long blonde hair was heading down them. She noticed him, then looked again and smiled as she closed the gap.
"Going incognito?" Fleur greeted him quietly.
"Yeah. Hey Fleur." Harry was relieved she wasn't going to draw any attention. Well, not any more than she normally did.
He felt a vibration at his left hip where Ākuraito and Ākufurea were concealed under his jacket and gently closed his arm over them to try and keep them hidden.
"Bonjour 'Arry." Fleur replied. "What brings you 'ere today?"
"Just a few things to sort out. You?"
"I just applied for a job 'ere." Fleur told him. "I am 'opeful but it may be a couple of months before zey actually give me a decision. So, in zee meantime, is zere anything I can 'elp you with?"
"I dunno." Harry paused and looked at the French girl. "Actually, there might be. How do you get, you know, a passport or something? And how to you travel between countries?"
"Oh." Fleur looked surprised. "Normally you apply to the Ministry for zose things."
"I... can't really go to the Ministry." Harry admitted.
"Hmm. Gringotts can as well. It will cost more but will probably be quicker, and more private." Fleur suggested. "I can 'elp you if you'd like."
"Please." Harry smiled. "That would be great. I really don't know much."
"A little odd, given your status."
"It's a long story." Harry growled.
"I would imagine." Fleur agreed as she looped her arm with his and led him into the bank.
Fleur was amazingly helpful. After Harry had gotten a large amount of gold from his vault, she helped him navigate the tricky processes of getting a passport and international portkey. She was even suggested he get a translation device and local currency. And she did it all without ever asking, or finding out, where he was going.
"Thank you very much, for everything." Harry said sincerely as they left the bank about lunch time.
"You're welcome." Fleur was attached to his arm again. "It was an interesting way to pass zee morning."
"You didn't ask where I was going." Harry paused.
"I'm curious, but if you don't want to tell me, it's not really any of my business." Fleur shrugged.
"My friends would be demanding me to tell them."
"My friends would do zee same with me." Fleur chuckled. "But you are a much more private person. Besides, while I consider you a good friend, we aren't really zat close yet. Per'aps we can change zat over lunch?"
Harry smiled. "That sounds a very nice idea, but things are a little complicated for me at the moment."
"Ah. Girlfriend troubles?"
"Huh? No, I don't have a girlfriend." Harry was surprised.
"Really? I would 'ave expected you to 'ave girls falling all over you." Fleur looked at him carefully. "A little scruffy perhaps, and you do know you are wearing a girl's jacket, oui? But you are a 'andsome young man and both powerful and talented. Very attractive when combined with your modesty. No girlfriend at all?"
"I had a disastrous first date and a wet first kiss earlier in the year, but that's it." Harry sighed.
"Wet?"
"She was crying. It was Cedric's ex-girlfriend. In hindsight, that relationship was doomed from the beginning." Harry sighed again. "My life is rather complicated."
"So it seems." Fleur agreed with him. "If you need advice, I'm willing to help."
Harry was about to reply when they bumped into someone.
"Sorry." A familiar voice spoke. "Oh, Fleur Delacour, hello."
"Hello." Fleur replied. "I'm sorry, I don't know your name but you are one of Harry Potter's friends, are you not?"
"Yes, Hermione Granger." Hermione offered her hand politely. "I was just on my way to Flourish and Blotts. I'm sorry for bumping into you."
"Non, we could have paid more attention to where we were going ourselves."
"We…" Hermione looked at Harry and her eyes shot wide as she inhaled.
Harry clamped his hand over her mouth. "Please don't shout. It would defeat the purpose of trying to disguise myself."
Hermione nodded and Harry slowly pulled his hand away. "Sorry Harry, but what are you doing here? You should be at home."
"I'm not going back to that hellhole." Harry growled. "Ever. Dumbledore can live there is he wants, but not me."
"I know you weren't happy there… I guess you had enough." Hermione nodded. "Have you told anyone… no, of course not."
"They all listen to Dumbledore, who would just send me right back." Harry shook his head. "No, please, you can't tell anyone. I… I can't live there anymore. I had to get away."
"Okay." Hermione sighed. "But, please, please, promise me you'll be careful. Where are you staying?"
"Leaky Cauldron, under a false name. Just for a couple of days. Then I'm leaving the country."
"Leaving the country…?" Hermione looked a little panicked. "You are coming back right?"
"Yes, I will." Harry assured her. "It's just… you take holiday's all the time, going to other places, other countries. I've never done anything like that. I…"
"You need to get away." Fleur nodded. "I zink a 'oliday is a very good idea. Per'aps I should spirit you away to France for a week or two. My family 'as a beach house in St Tropez, it is warded so for total privacy and even has a small private beach."
"That sounds wonderful." Harry smiled. "But I need to take this trip first."
"Zen come find me when you get back." Fleur poked him pointedly.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked.
"I'd rather not say, but it's important." Harry told her.
"It is lunch time, perhaps you can tell us what you can while we eat?" Fleur suggested. "Just some basics."
Harry thought hard. "Okay, but you have to promise you won't tell anyone. And I mean ANYONE."
"Of course." Hermione replied instantly.
"Oui." Fleur agreed.
"Leaky Cauldron, room six." Harry told them. "Don't be seen. "I'll get food delivered."
"They won't think it's odd you ordering for three?"
"No, I think it'll be fine." Harry chuckled. "I'll meet you there."
Harry freed his arm from Fleur and headed off.
"I think we should hurry." Hermione was about to follow.
"Just a minute." Fleur held her back. "Now."
They headed to the pub at the end of the alley and spotted Harry already heading up the stairs. They followed and found the door to room six closed, but not completely so they could push it open and close it properly behind them.
Hermione looked around and frowned. "There are two extra trunks and that giant box, and why are their girl's clothes on the bed?"
"It's kind of a weird story." Harry hummed and he organised his thoughts. "Have either of you hear of Living Items?"
Both girls thought hard. "Non." "No."
"Nicki." Harry said.
The girl's eyes shot wide as the jacket Harry was wearing suddenly turned into a human girl.
"Hi." Nicki smiled brightly.
"You were wearing a girl?" Hermione gasped.
"No. She's actually my mother's jacket, I've pictures to prove it; she just… woke up like this." Harry explained. "It happens with items that an item that is used and respected and cared for, for a long time. For my mother's jacket to do the same is rather unusual, unique even but it happened."
"You aren't in any risk of being possessed right?" Hermione asked immediately.
"This isn't the same as the diary." Harry replied. "But that's why I need to go. I need to find someone who knows something."
"Why not Dumbledore?"
Harry looked down. "I don't know. Maybe I'm just angry, or rebelling… Or maybe I'm worried he'll do something and take this away from me when there isn't any risk to me. And it may even help me. He knew, Hermione. Everything we worked for at the Ministry, he already knew it. The whole time, my entire life, he knew. And what has he done? Nothing!"
Hermione frowned. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"I'm saying it's probably worse than you think."
"And this trip could help you?"
"I hope so. It shouldn't hurt at least."
Hermione nodded. "Parchment, now. And a quill."
Harry dug them out and Hermione quickly scribbled on it and tore it off and gave it to him. "My number, with the international code. Call me! Just watch the time-zones okay? I might mind getting woken up at 2am by you, but my parents will."
"Sure. Thanks." Harry smiled.
Fleur took the quill and wrote as well, twice, and passed the slips to both of them. "The number for my flat. For you both. Call me if you don't call her."
Harry nodded and Hermione wrote her own number down again for Fleur then she grabbed the two slips Harry held and labelled them both so wouldn't get them mixed up.
"There, now we can all keep in touch." Hermione smiled. "But, Harry, where did you find out what you know? A book?"
"No. Girls." Harry called out.
The other five came out of hiding.
"They have been around for centuries." Harry explained. "Apparently getting two is rare, and I got six."
"Yeah, that's you. Doing the impossible as usual." Hermione chuckled.
"I'd like to introduce you all but…"
"It would tell us too much." Hermione nodded. "Still, it's very nice to meet you all."
"You as well. You are friends of Harry?" Sutābāsuto bowed.
"Yes. I'm Hermione Granger. I've been Harry's best friend for five years now."
"It is a great pleasure to meet you." The girls all bowed.
"Tre polite. I am Fleur Delacour. I've known Harry for two years now. I competed against him a tournament. And lost."
"I'm sure you were a worthy competitor." Soyokaze offered. "Great competitors help to bring our own greatness."
"Thank you." Fleur mimicked the girl's bows.
A tap on the door had the girls scurrying to hide, pulling Hermione and Fleur with them. Harry brought the six trays in, two at a time, making sure the maid didn't see into the room.
Harry finally took his hat off and gestured at the food. "Dig in."
The girls took three trays onto the bed and began eating while Hermione and Fleur joined him at the table.
"I can see why you didn't think the extra food order would be a problem." Hermione laughed. "Thanks for lunch."
"It's fine. It's the least I can do for you for keeping quiet." Harry replied.
"Harry, you are my best friend. Keeping secrets is normal." Hermione pointed out.
"It's fine. I wanted to have lunch with you anyway." Fleur smiled. "But I can see why you said it was complicated. Living with six little girls must be tough, just one can be tough."
"They're actually pretty easy to get along with." Harry replied. "It's just having to bath them and having them sleep in bed with me that was shocking."
"Harry!" Hermione was shocked.
"What?" Sutābāsuto got their attention. "The closer we are to our Master the stronger our bond will be, which will help us return to our full power, which will help us to serve him better."
"Master?" Hermione frowned at Harry.
"Hey, they call me that. I try to make them stop but they won't." Harry protested.
"We're his partners not his slaves." Ākufurea commented dryly. "We will call him what we want."
"Well, they certainly 'ave attitude." Fleur commented. "And personality."
"And soul's if you must know." Sutābāsuto added. "We are alive after all."
"Fascinating." Hermione studied the girls.
"Hmm. Which is why I want to learn more." Harry said. "But the best place to go…"
"Is oversea, where they came from I'm guessing." Hermione took over. "I understand. But, I'll do some research here, privately, and see if I can find anything that might help."
"Thanks." Harry smiled. "I appreciate it."
"It's fine." Hermione smiled back.
"I would like to help, if you don't mind." Fleur offered.
"Sure, thanks." Hermione smiled.
"Um, I don't suppose you could teach me how to Apparate?" Harry asked. "I think it would be a huge help."
"Of course." Fleur nodded. "Tre easy. It should only take a day."
"Tomorrow then?" Harry asked. "I need to get a trunk first. One that can carry everything so I don't have to carry four around. Hedwig, do you want come with me or stay here with Fleur or Hermione?"
Hedwig seemed to think before flitting to Harry's shoulder and gently nibbling at his ear.
"Glad to have you with me." Harry stroked her. "Hermione can stop worrying now she knows I'll have you with me to keep me out of trouble."
Hermione gave an exaggerated sigh of relief as she wiped her brow. "Glad someone with some sense will be there with you."
Hedwig puffed up at the praise as Harry rolled his eyes.
"I'm done." Fleur set her cutlery down. "Shall we look for a trunk for you?"
"Yeah." Harry put his own down. "Everyone else finished?"
"Nearly." Āsuhāto replied happily.
"I'll get ready and be back shortly." Harry motioned for the two witches to proceed ahead of him out of the room once he checked that the corridor was clear.
"Is there something else?" Hermione asked.
"I guess I'm just a bit worried. I don't think they're dangerous but I don't know for sure. I really hope to find out quickly." Harry sighed. "I like them but I don't know if I can trust them. And I think if I can trust them it would be good."
"Then go get your answers." Hermione hugged him. "Just let me know what I can do to help."
Harry pulled out his money bag poured a large number of galleons into her hands.
"Harry?"
"Can you get me some potion ingredients, things that will be useful? Potions too perhaps. You'd know better than me what to get. I figure than I might be able to make something if I need to."
"Sure. But I don't need this much for that."
"And the books you'll need for research?"
"Oh, yes, well… thanks."
"You're welcome."
"Zen I will 'elp you select a trunk." Fleur stated. "I will meet you in the alley. "Ermione, we will meet you back 'ere soon?"
"Okay." Hermione nodded. "I'm sure one of the girls will let me in."
"Thank you." Harry nodded. "See you shortly."
Harry headed back into his room and they heard his voice float out from inside. "Done yet? Thanks, pass the trays."
Harry, now wearing Nicki in her jacket form and his hat, brought the trays out and set them on the floor.
Shutting the door he headed downstairs and back into the alley where Fleur linked arms with him again and they headed to the store that sold trunks of various types.
"Welcome. Can I help you?" The clerk asked.
"Yeah, I need a trunk with three or four enlarged compartments and it needs to be secure and can shrink on its own." Harry listed his requirements. "And it needs to be strong. And lightened too."
"Sounds like you want a deluxe travel model." The clerk pointed out several designs.
Harry found one with a dragon pattern and picked it. I reminded him of the sword case. "This one."
"Nice choice." The clerk pulled it out and showed him how it worked.
Harry paid and got keyed in to the security protections.
"Nice and simple." Fleur smiled at him as he shrunk it and carried it out.
"Yeah." Harry nodded. "I hope Hermione doesn't have any trouble."
"I'm sure she will be fine." Fleur replied. "Actually, can I 'ave some galleons? I want to zee if I can find you something."
"Oh?"
"It's a surprise." Fleur smiled.
Harry studied her face then nodded and passed his money pouch over.
"Zank you. I shouldn't be long."
Harry watched Fleur head the other way. He was sure he could trust her…
Harry shook his concerns off and returned to his room and began shifting all the contents of his school trunk and his mother's two into his new one. It was the first time he had actually delved deeply into his mother's possessions.
A tap at the door stopped him as he opened it a crack and, on seeing Hermione, let her in.
"I've gotten you a good range of things. If you follow your books instructions very carefully you should be okay. You'll certainly do better without Professor Snape all over you." Hermione looked around. "Where's Fleur? And whose are those things?"
"They are my mother's old things." Harry told her. "And Fleur had an idea she's looking into."
"Okay." Hermione obviously wanted to look at his mother's things and was restraining herself.
"Sorry." Harry pointed her to a chair. "Maybe once I've had a real chance to look through them I'll share."
Hermione smiled and nodded as she sat sedately and let Harry get back to work packing all his mother's old things into his new trunk. "Do you want me to take the old trunks home with me? At least until you have somewhere to put them."
"That'd be great." Harry tossed her a smile.
"I'll take Hedwig's cage too, she doesn't need it."
"Prek." Hedwig agreed.
Fleur arrived back a little while later. "I found it. But you didn't get zis from me."
"Huh?" Harry blinked in confusion.
Fleur made sure the door what shut as she toss his money bag back to him. Closing the gap she put a small object in his hands.
"What's this?" Harry opened the bag. "A wand?"
"Sshh. Eet'll probably be poorly matched, but eet is a wand you can use, wizout getting caught by zee Trace." Fleur closed the bag for him. "'Ide it in your trunk for when you leave. I've done a check on eet as well, zere are no old spells you need to worry about."
"Thanks." Harry quickly tucked it inside his mother's old clothes. "This really means a lot."
"You're welcome." Fleur smiled. "Are these your mother's things?"
"Yeah. It's…"
"It's hard." Fleur nodded. "We will go and leave you in peace. I will see you tomorrow for your Apparation lesson. Will you be zere, Hermione?"
"Please." Hermione nodded.
Fleur linked arms with the younger girl. "Au revoir, Harry."
"Bye Harry." Hermione gave him a wave as the two headed out. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye. And thanks for your help today. Both of you." Harry replied.
Then they were gone.
Harry sat staring blankly at his mother's things until several small arms began wrapping around them.
"They are good friends." Soyokaze commented.
"Yeah." Harry nodded.
"I like them." Āsuhāto chirped as she wriggled into his lap.
"They certainly went out of their way to help you." Ākuraito added and her twin nodded in agreement.
Sutābāsuto on the other hand cocked her head at him. "You don't fully trust us yet, do you?"
"Uh…" Harry didn't know how to respond.
"It's fine. You didn't trust them fully either." Sutābāsuto shrugged. "I have every confidence that what you find will prove to you that you can trust us."
"I hope so too." Harry whispered back. "I really do."
!SB!
It was getting close to dinner time and he was nearly finished repacking his mother's possessions when an owl began scratching at the window. He didn't recognise it and wasn't sure if he should let it in until he saw a collar with a Gringotts logo.
The owl only stayed long enough for Harry to retrieve the attached letter before it was heading back out the window,
Harry carefully unfolded the letter and began reading.
Mr Potter,
It has come to our attention that you are planning on leaving the country shortly. While we appreciate you using our services to facilitate this we are unsure why you would willingly miss the reading of the Will of Sirius Black, given that you are the primary beneficiary.
As the primary beneficiary we can give you a private reading today or tomorrow, should you request it. Simply ask for me when you arrive at the bank.
In addition to this, since you have now passed your OWLs, it would also be a good time to discuss your holdings as the Potter Heir. We have been sending you regular updates but have yet to receive any feedback on the offers forwarded to you.
Taildirk
Senior Account Manager
Harry reread the letter three times before setting it down.
"Master?" Sutābāsuto gently touched his shoulder.
"Sorry, this was just..." Harry fought off the sudden wave of grief at Sirius' death.
Sutābāsuto looked over the letter. "Who was Sirius Black?"
"My godfather." Harry choked out.
"I'm sorry." Sutābāsuto hugged him as firmly as her small frame could, quickly joined by the other five girls.
"Thanks." Harry finally managed to get his emotions under control. "I should sort this out soon."
"Then go." Sutābāsuto told him. "Don't wait. Ākuraito, Ākufurea, Āsuhāto, Nicki, go with him."
Harry nodded and let the four girls attach themselves to him in their true forms. He pulled on his cap Soyokaze held out to him, took the letter from Sutābāsuto's offering hand and headed for Gringotts.
The bank was quiet as he headed in and the teller looked him over. "Can I help you?"
"I was asked to come in and see Senior Account Manager Taildirk." Harry held up the letter to show the Gringotts logo.
The teller looked at the logo closely then motioned to an assistant goblin. "Take him to Senior Account Taildirk."
The goblin nodded and led Harry through a door and past a series of offices. And up some stairs to a nicer area with fewer doors, one of which he opened. "In here. Senior Account Manager Taildirk, you requested a visitor?"
"I did." An older goblin looked at Harry and noticed the letter in his hand. "I believe I sent that letter out a short time ago."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, I thought it might be best to sort this sooner than later."
"Welcome then, have a seat and we will get started." Taildirk gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. "So, have you any questions before we start or shall we just start from the beginning?"
"I think starting at the beginning would be good." Harry agreed. "I've not received any mail from Gringotts before today so if you can explain what I'm supposed to know as we go I would appreciate it."
Taildirk frowned. "No mail at all?"
"No. Nothing." Harry confirmed. "This was the first thing I've gotten from you."
"Hmm... That is concerning. I will investigate. We take interference with our duties seriously. In the meantime I will go over your holdings and then we can discuss Mr Black's Will."
Harry blanched at hearing Sirius' name. "Sorry."
"Honour his memory." Taildirk stated. "But do not let emotion cloud what needs to be done. No true ally who has passed would want the living to give up on their account."
"Perhaps." Harry shrugged.
Taildirk pulled out a large file. "Here are the current Potter Family holdings..."
Harry forced himself to focus as he found out a huge amount about his father's family that he never knew before.
"...and finally there is this vault. This was gifted to you in Sirius Black's Will. There are some formalities to handle but it will be totally yours when you return from your holiday. You can sign all the required forms now if you wish. Now we are on the subject of his Will, there is some confusion as to the entire scope of his Will. It is possible that he was the de-facto Head of the Black family. We are seeking to clarify this. If he is then you stand to inherit all that as well."
"Oh." Harry blinked.
"There is also a letter for you from Mr Black. You can have this today, if you sign the forms."
"Uh, sure."
Taildirk handed several forms over and Harry looked through them.
"What does this mean?" Harry pointed to a paragraph.
Taildirk nodded approvingly. "Good, you aren't signing anything you don't understand. Let me explain."
When Harry was satisfied he understood everything and was happy with it he signed the forms.
"Excellent. I will have the letter retrieved immediately. Now, there are some business opportunities for you to consider. I have only selected the ones I believe are the worth considering. Please have a look through them and let me know if you wish to proceed with any of them. You can tell me when you return from your trip."
"Okay." Harry nodded. "Umm, what's the issue with Sirius' Will?"
"We can't seem to find a record of his conviction. We have requested a copy of it and his trial records from the Ministry and are waiting on a response."
"Well, he told me that he didn't get a trial. And he was innocent in any case." Harry offered.
"Good to know." Taildirk was looking very thoughtful. "I will pass that on. Are there any instructions you would like followed should you inherit the title?"
"I dunno." Harry shrugged. "I suppose just stop everything and I'll look at it when I get back."
"Good choice. And Full Hold and Audit." Taildirk nodded. "Well, here are the offers to review. I hope you have a good holiday."
"Thanks." Harry nodded. "And thank you for explaining everything to me."
"That's my job." Taildirk replied. "But thank you's are welcome."
The door opened and another young goblin entered. He handed a letter to Taildirk and left after a short conversation in gobbledegook.
"Your letter." Taildirk handed it over.
Harry took it and forced himself to open it and begin reading.
Dear Harry,
If you are reading this then I've obviously kicked the bucket. I hope I went out in a way to be proud of; shagged to death by a mob of veela or the like. Dying fighting Voldemort would be annoying but acceptable as long as you survive. It's certainly better than tripping down the stairs or something lame like that.
I'm sorry I haven't been the best Godfather to you; I've never been there for you, never being able to teach you the things you should know, need to know and deserve to know. I wish I could do it all here but there is no way I could ever explain it properly.
All I can do is give you the best advice I can. Enjoy life as much as you can. Date girls, get laid, and see the world. Rebel and get in a bit of normal teenage trouble. The important thing is to Have Fun. You deserve it more than most.
I've left you everything I can. Spend it. Use it to finance your trips and help you get girls in bed. I can't begin to tell you how important it is for you. Live Harry. Live well, live long.
I wish you were my real son, that's how much I love you. You are my family, one of the few I claim as family.
I love you Harry.
Goodbye.
Sirius.
"An emotional letter?" Taildirk asked quietly.
Harry looked at him and suddenly realised he had tears streaming down his cheeks. "He called me family."
"Really?" Taildrik reach out. "May I? It may be important."
Harry hesitated but passed the letter over. He watched the goblin scan the text and nod.
"I'm going to make a copy. This should help your cause." Taildirk made the copy and returned the original. "Is there anything else?"
"I… I can't think." Harry shuddered. "I'll go. If I think of anything I'll let you know."
"Very good. Don't forget these." Taildirk passed the folders over. "Good evening."
"Bye." Harry left, clutching the folders to his chest as if they were armour to protect him from the reality of what happened.
He might have found the extra bodies in his bed awkward the previous night, but tonight he clung to them. He needed the warmth and comfort they offered.