Chapter Seven
Reintroductions and Inheritance Bombshells
Since the beginning of third year, Theo and Hermione had a standing study session in the library every Thursday after dinner. While his father was an avid blood supremacist and the most vile being Theo could imagine, short of the Dark Lord himself, he had never subscribed to the purist ways that were prevalent within their social circle. He was everything Theo did not want to become, and that included his ridiculous views on Muggleborns. No one could steal magic from another being. Bind it, yes, but physically steal it? No. Their power was a gift from Lady Magic, and if she deemed someone worthy then it was good enough for him.
Potions on Monday morning had tilted his universe on it's side. In the days that had followed, Theo couldn't keep his eyes off the girl he had thought to be lost to him in more ways than one. As he sat in the library at the table they had always used, he prayed to Merlin, Circe, Morgana, and every other God he could possibly imagine that she would still show up. He stared down at the wood grain on the table in front of him, refraining from the compulsion to check his watch every sixty seconds.
I'm not going to treat her any differently, he swore to himself. I've never treated her as lesser when she was believed to be a Muggleborn. She knows that I don't subscribe to all that shite… She knows me.
His mental pep-talk did little to calm him, and just as he was about to pack up his things and return to the common room she came around the corner. His upbringing kicked in and he stood for her approach to the table and readied himself to pull her chair out for her, like he had always done.
Hermione gracefully sat with a nod of thanks, and Theo returned to his seat. They stared at each other for a moment before he murmured a quiet "Hello," the tension thick between them
"Hello Nott," she replied, and Theo's face fell.
He had never before needed to Occlude around her, but Hermione could not recall ever seeing him look so devastated.
"So that's how it's going to be? We're back to last names then, just like third year?" Theo asked, trying not to sound petulant.
He wanted to still just be Theo to her and she, his Hermione.
"I don't know how to be around you now," She sighed. "I've just had my whole world shifted and if that isn't bad enough, there's a betrothal contract between you and I! I'm still trying to process everything, let alone technically being engaged to you. It was written when we were children for Merlin's sake! And I just don't feel that way about you, at least not right now. I don't even know you outside of our secret sessions here in the library. I want to stay friends, or whatever we are, but I don't want to give you a false impression that I'm going to submit to some contract that was written when we were four."
Theo gently reached across the table to grasp her small hand between his two, praying he wasn't crossing any lines she had just put in place.
"Look at me Hermione," he softly commanded.
Her amber eyes snapped up to meet his blue star orbs, the honest emotion in his eyes nearly drowning her, his conscious use of the name she had known herself by for the majority of her life stealing her breath. Theo's eyes had always been expressive, but now they held the promise of standing by her no matter the outcome of their friendship or the war going on around them.
"I would never push you to fulfill a contract that you did not want. Even before I knew you were Draco's lost sister, I knew there was no making you do something you weren't one hundred percent sure of. I will be content knowing that we are first and foremost friends, and if the chance arises for whatever we are to develop further than I will welcome it. But please don't feel you need to be formal with me or change who you are. I'm still the same person, just as you are, even in the face of having your world upended around you. Adhara or Hermione, it makes no difference to me."
While his voice stayed steady and earnest, Theo's eyes were begging her to keep their friendship as it has been. He would never beg out loud, but the pleading desperation in his ocean depths spoke more than words could ever convey. She clasped his hand more firmly and gently gave it a squeeze.
"Okay… Theo it is," she agreed, with a bright smile.
Her words made him release a deep exhale, not realizing he had been holding his breath in anticipation of her answer. His whole body relaxed and he sat back, reluctantly letting go of his hold on her delicate hand.
They both settled in for the next hour, flying through the projects that Professor Babbling and Professor Vector had them working on in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. Every so often Theo would glance up at the girl across from him, his mind content, almost joyful, that she had chosen to trust in the relationship they already had established. He vowed then never to break that trust, even if doing so meant breaking his own heart.
As he walked her back to Gryffindor Tower, he chose to test the waters of what she might be willing to try towards becoming friends outside their hideaway in the Library.
"So, what are your plans for this coming weekend?" He did his best to sound nonchalant, it was an innocuous enough question that any friend would want an answer to.
"Ugh… I'm taking Harry to Gringotts on Saturday morning. Professor McGonagall set us an appointment with Ragnok to run a full Inheritance Test and Curse Diagnostic for him, much like I had done. We're meeting Father there at 10."
Draco had informed Theo about Ada's experience at the bank, and just who was behind her disappearance.
"Do you think he's done something similar to Potter then?" He asked quietly.
Her answering sigh was world weary, "I am almost positive that he's tampered with Harry in some way."
She leaned over and kissed Theo's cheek, just as she had always done when he dropped her off at the tower before adding, "I'll tell you everything I can on Sunday alright? And… thank you again. For being so understanding about everything."
He took her hand and gently brushed the back of her knuckles with his lips.
"I look forward to it. Sleep well Hermione."
He stood straight and smiled at her once more before heading off to the dungeons. Today had gone better than he'd dreamed. She was still speaking to him. He reached the common room and entered, heading straight for the dorm he shared with Draco and Blaise.
Draco looked up from his homework as Theo entered and immediately started laughing at his best friend.
"Mate you should see your face. I take it she's still speaking to you?"
Not even trying to hide it, Theo chuckled and nodded.
"I told you that she wouldn't completely shun you, even with the shock of the contract."
Theo collapsed on his bed and stared up at the top of his four poster.
"I'm not going to push her Drake. I want her to want it for herself, and I told her as much. I'll wait for forever if I have to."
Draco pretended to vomit at how sappy his best friend sounded. "Ugh can you not with the sappy Witch Weekly shite for a moment? That's my sister you're talking about!"
Theo laughed and chucked a pillow in Draco's direction.
"I said it when we were four and I'll say it again. She's it for me, mate. I may not be her first suitor but I intend to be her last."
Silently he thought, For two years I've repressed my feelings for Hermione, knowing it could never be. Her world was upended and mine expanded. Adarah and Hermione are one in the same… Looks like time and patience does pay off…
As Hermione stepped through the portrait that guarded Gryffindor Tower, Theo's actions played through her mind on a loop. He consciously continued to call her Hermione and never once treated her differently. She had known he respected her intellect, but seeing him continue to treat her with the same level of respect as he did the other Pureblood society witches in Slytherin had been a pleasant surprise. His vehement denial of believing in pureblood supremacy from two years ago was no longer something she could doubt. He hadn't lied to her, and for some reason she couldn't put a name to, that thought made her feel lighter.
The common room was empty save for Harry, who looked up from his textbook as she walked in and grinned. They hadn't put a label on what their new form of relationship was, and they had kept any physical affection to a minimum when around their classmates. Hermione quickly made her way to the sofa where he sat, dropping her bag on the floor as she curled up on the cushion next to him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to the side of her head.
"So, how did your reintroduction with Nott go?" He asked, closing his book to give Hermione his undivided attention.
"Surprisingly well. It wasn't nearly as awkward as I expected, and he just seemed to know that I wasn't comfortable thinking of myself as Adhara yet. It's almost like I can switch that part of me on when necessary, or if I'm around Draco or Mama and Papa, but ninety-five percent of the time I'm still Hermione. I'm not some Pureblood Princess. I mean, I technically am but you know what I'm saying."
Harry laughed at her rambling, squeezing her shoulders.
"I do know what you mean. You'll find a way to blend the two sides of you. You've always been able to do anything you set your mind to."
She turned her head slightly and looked up at Harry through her lashes, smiling shyly, "Thanks Harry."
She leaned up to kiss his cheek and he turned to capture her lips. Since Monday night, he'd done his best to thoroughly snog her at least once a day. Things hadn't gotten as heated as that first time, but she still looked wonderfully disheveled when they were forced to stop. Harry never got tired of kissing Hermione. She never failed to get him hard with how responsive she was but he kept things light tonight since they both had early classes tomorrow, slowly mapping her mouth with his tongue before easing back.
He grinned, quite pleased with himself at the dazed look in Hermione's eyes. He loved knowing he had the ability to turn her brain off for even a few minutes. He kissed her forehead before fully pulling away from her and standing, extending her hand to pull her up from the sofa.
"Come on, we both need sleep if we're going to make it through the next couple of days."
Hermione took Harry's hand and let him help her up, snagging her bookbag as she rose. They walked to the top of the stairs and she turned to him.
"No matter what happens with…. Well with whatever we are, we'll stay friends, right?"
"'Mione we were friends before we became more and I will do everything I can to make sure we stay friends if we don't end up together permanently. Who else is going to make sure I survive this war that's headed our way? I'd have died First Year if it weren't for you. You having my back will mean more than any awkward period we go through."
Hermione launched herself into Harry's arms, tears forming as she buried her face in his neck. His strong arms wrapped around her and held her tight, one hand stroking down her hair.
"We're in this together, kay 'Mione? No matter what."
She nodded before pulling back to look him in the eye.
"No matter what," she repeated, kissing him quickly.
Friday during Quidditch practice Ron finally had a small breakthrough with Harry. He'd followed the new Malfoy to the library and watched her meeting with Nott. Things had started awkwardly, but resolved themselves. And then things had gotten interesting. Nott seemed to be almost too familiar in how he treated Hermione.
Holding her hand a little too long as he pleaded with her to still call him Theo. The way he had reached across the table to tug on a curl as he teased her about Morgana only knew what that had her giggling in response. That was scary by itself. Hermione did not, nor had she ever to Ron's knowledge, giggle. Hearing that was unnerving.
Ron pulled every string he could think of to make Harry doubt Hermione as they walked back to the castle, playing on Harry's insecurity of not being enough.
She's a Malfoy now, what can you offer her that her filthy father couldn't buy her?
She's expected to marry a Pureblood Harry, didn't you see any betrothal contracts on that bloody Gringotts Readout she showed you?
She won't be allowed to marry for love, so what's the point of even trying?
She's using you Harry, she'll go running back to Nott as soon as she hands you over to Voldemort.
Try as he might, Harry couldn't help but listen to what Ron was saying. Hermione was brilliant, stunning even before her glamours lifted, and now a wealthy, sought after heiress to boot. But she had never lied to him, and he wanted to trust her on this. He'd silently vowed to keep Ron's warnings in the back of his mind and keep a closer eye on her interactions with Nott.
Saturday morning dawned cold and overcast, announcing that autumn in Scotland had fully arrived. Harry had thrown on the best pair of jeans he owned and a Gryffindor red jumper Hermione had given him for his birthday. It was amazing how different he felt wearing clothes that actually fit him. He sat in the common room and waited for Hermione to come down the stairs. Ron had sulked out earlier looking extremely sour, still bitter at having been called out and then ignored or rebuffed all week. After Ron had left, he tried to keep his comments about Hermione and Nott out of his head, but his insecurities had latched onto the mental image Ron's words had painted and he couldn't shake the doubts he now harbored.
Hermione had intentionally taken longer to get ready this morning. Being raised with more expensive taste meant she wasn't unfamiliar with high fashion, but now she was a Malfoy, and she would drag her parents kicking and screaming into modern times. Robes were fine and well, but nothing would ever feel as comfortable as a pair of well cut jeans. Her black cowl neck sweater was tucked into the black skinny jeans she'd chosen, and those were tucked into smart black boots that came up to just below her knee. Her grey coat was draped over her arm and her hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. Everything about her ensemble screamed business casual, and she almost felt bad for the heart attack she knew Papa would have when he saw the trousers.
Harry got to his feet and offered her his arm. She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow and smiled at her best friend. "You ready to get some answers?"
Harry swallowed and nodded.
"Let's go find out just how much I've been manipulated."
The pair left the common room and went down to Professor McGonagall's office. They would be taking the floo directly to Ragnok's office just as Hermione had done almost a week ago.
They entered their Head of House's office and smiled somewhat grimly at their Professor. Minerva tried to appear as cheerful as possible, but the stern Scottish woman looked just as her cubs did. She ushered them towards her fireplace, quickly hugging each child briefly.
"I'm sure he suspects something, so hurry through. Ragnok and Mr. Malfoy will be waiting for you both."
Harry tossed his handful if floo powder in and stepped into the green flames, calling out for Ragnok's office and whirling away.
"We'll be back by dinner Professor and I'll be sure to get you a copy of everything."
Hermione donned her coat and stepped into the flames, disappearing in a flash of green.
"Merlin, help you Albus, you're a bigger fool than anyone thought," Minerva muttered, shaking her head as she pulled her wand and sent a patronus to Severus, letting him know both children had made it out of the castle safely.
Albus had spent his week in a huff, angry at himself that he hadn't reached Harry sooner and irritated that his Trojan horse soldier, Ronald, had made zero progress in getting Potter away from the Malfoy girl.
He had arrogantly thought that the years he'd spent whispering in the Potter boy's ear would hold greater sway than anything one of his little friends could say.
Of course the one time I truly need him to be an irrational Gryffindor is the one time he decides to think before he speaks!
He had tried and failed to speak with Harry privately without making it seem suspicious, not wanting to summon the boy to his office and make the delicate situation more tenuous. Whatever that girl had told him, he could fix it. The only change in the boy's behaviour had been his ability to slip past Albus' ambush attempts all week. He'd still been quiet and respectful to all his teachers, gotten his work turned in, and generally kept his head down.
Yes, he could fix this. He was Albus Dumbledore, one of the most powerful and respected Wizards in all of Britain, if not Europe. His defeat of Grindelwald was legendary. He would let the boy enjoy his day in Hogsmeade and summon him tomorrow. A quick and painless Obliviate and everything would be set right.
Harry and Hermione stepped into Ragnok's office and Lucius' eyes widened considerably as he took in his daughter's appearance.
"Adhara what in the name of Magic are you wearing?"
Harry opened his mouth to defend her and she put her hand in his, squeezing gently to let him know she would handle her father.
"Hello Papa, I'm doing well now that I survived a week of classes under the scrutinizing eyes of my kidnapper. How are you?" Addy huffed in annoyance at her father, who had the decency to look slightly ashamed. She sighed, "Papa, what I am wearing is perfectly acceptable in the muggle world. If it's the trousers you're taking issue with then let me take Mama shopping and see if you complain about them after that. They're called skinny jeans."
"But you're a witch sweetheart. We wear robes, not those. . . things," he said distastefully.
"Father, I am tabling this discussion. We are not here to waste Ragnok's valuable time, a commodity which Harry and I are in short enough supply of as it is to ensure the Headmaster stays in the dark."
Harry and Ragnok watched in amusement as the young witch left the powerful Lord Malfoy floundering. The Goblin and teenage wizard shared a grin as Lucius sighed and nodded at his daughter.
Adhara turned to Ragnok and smiled brightly.
"Hello Ragnok, thank you so much for adding us to your busy schedule."
Ragnok barked a laugh at the young Malfoy.
"Hello Miss Malfoy. The pleasure is all mine. We'll be using the same room as last time you were here."
"Now, now Ragnok, we agreed that you would call me by my first name on Monday, did we not? Friends and business partners shouldn't always be so formal with one another," Adhara grinned at the Goblin Chieftain.
"Yes, Adhara, we did. I shall endeavor to remember that." He grinned back at the girl. "If you, Lord Malfoy, and Mr. Potter would follow me."
Keeping her hand in Harry's, Adhara swept past her father to follow Ragnok across the hall, half dragging a bemused Harry behind her. Lucius shook his head at his only daughter's handling of the normally reserved Chief of the Goblin Horde, quickly striding across the hall after the other three. Back as a Malfoy for less than a week and making waves already.
Adhara sat down at the table between Harry and her father, crossing her ankles underneath the table.
Ragnok sat across from Harry, producing the same silver dagger used during Adhara's Inheritance Test and an empty roll of parchment.
"Mr. Potter, to perform a full Inheritance test for you I will need seven drops of blood from you on the parchment please. Using the family magic you have a right to as Heir Potter, the test will show all possible magical and financial inheritances for family lines and magical abilities. The test will show a basic medical diagnosis as well. Once that is finished, I shall have Curse Breaker Weasley join us and he will run a full Curse Diagnostic so that we know exactly what we will need to cleanse from your system. Is this acceptable to you?"
Harry stared at the Goblin for a moment before responding. "Yes sir. Let's get this over with."
Harry picked up the dagger and sliced the tip of his thumb, allowing the requested amount of blood to fall onto the sheet in front of him. He stared in shock as the blood began forming into letters, sinking into the page and spelling out exactly what was his by right of magic, blood, and conquest.
Inheritance test for Harrison James Potter
Date of birth: 31 July 1980
Blood Status: Half Blood
Birth given name: Harrison James Potter
Father: James Charlus Potter
Mother: Lily Marie Potter neé Evans
Godfather: Sirius Orion Black
Godmother: Alice Matilda Longbottom neé Fortescue
Titles of Inheritance
Magically emancipated at the age of fourteen due to forced participation in the 1994 Triwizard Tournament
Lord of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter (Paternal)
Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell (Paternal)
Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Gryffindor (Paternal)
Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Slytherin by right of conquest, won from Tom Marvolo Riddle 31 October 1981
Sole Heir of Sirius Orion Black, Heir apparent to the Ancient and Noble House of Black
All Wizengamot Seats and votes currently belonging to Lord Potter are being held and used in proxy by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
Magical Suppressions
Core: 50%
Placed by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore 31 October 1981
Access to Potter Family Magic
Locked by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore at age fourteen when emancipated
Access to Peverell Family Magic
Locked by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore at age fourteen when emancipated
Access to Gryffindor Family Magic
Locked by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore at age fourteen when emancipated
Access to Slytherin Family Magic
Locked by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore at age fourteen when emancipated
Dark Magic 85%
Placed by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore 31 October 1981
Animagus Potential 100%
Placed by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore 31 October 1981
Godfather Bond 90%
Placed by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore 31 October 1981
Unwitting host to the Horcrux of Tom Marvolo Riddle
Created 31 October 1981
Located in forehead scar
Magical leech, mental connection with Mr. Riddle
Medical Alterations
Loyalty Potion
Keyed to the following:
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
House of Godric Gryffindor
Ronald Bilius Weasley
Molly Eloise Weasley née Prewett
Weasley Family
Order of the Phoenix
Administered four times a year by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore beginning in 1991
Disloyalties Potion
Keyed to the following:
Severus Tobias Snape
Malfoy Family
House of Salazar Slytherin
Those perceived as dark wizards
Triggers include but are not limited to the following:
Those within the House of Salazar Slytherin
Bearers of the Dark Mark
Members of particular pureblood families
Inferred references prompted by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbldore
Inferred references prompted by Molly Eloise Weasley née Prewett
Administered four times a year by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore beginning in 1991
Malnutrition from age eighteen months to present, facilitated by Dursley Family by the order of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Stunted physical and magical growth due to physical abuses and malnutrition facilitated by Dursley Family by the order of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Deteriorating eyesight, never properly evaluated by the order of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
Glasses prescription is severely weaker than is needed.
Financial Inheritance of Harrison James Potter
Potter Family Vault
25,098,136 Galleons, 8 sickles, 10 knuts
Secured interest rate 9%
Potter Trust Vault
100,000 Galleons, 15 knuts
Secured interest rate 4.73%
Peverell Family Vault
65,168,350 Galleons, 20 sickles, 3 knuts
Secured interest rate 11.92%
Gryffindor Main Vault
85,651, 651 Galleons, 16 sickles, 7 knuts
Secured interest rate 15.12%
Slytherin Main Vault
86,342,981 Galleons, 14 sickles, 5 knuts
Secured interest rate 15.12%
Properties Belonging to Harrison James Potter
Potter Manor
Caithness, Scotland
Severely damaged, major renovation needed
Potter Cottage
Godric's Hollow, England
Destroyed, never rebuilt in homage to the violence perpetrated there
½ share of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Gryffindor Castle
Aberdeen, Scotland
Slytherin Keep
Donegal, Ireland
Peverell Estate
Main family Home located in Montgomery, Montgomeryshire, Wales
The sheer wealth and power that lay printed on the parchment in front of Harry was world shaking. Lucius was ashen at the political sway that a fifteen year old boy was set to hold as soon as the final lordship ring was put on Potter's finger. Adhara stayed mostly composed, her mind whirring with everything that needed to be done in the next few hours. Ragnok, who had a general idea of the titles and inheritance due the Potter Heir, was gobsmacked. This slip of a wizard across from him easily held a quarter of the total sum held in the bank within his vaults. The boy technically owned half of Hogwarts for Circe's sake! It was this thought in particular that put a bloodthirsty grin on the goblin's face, a dark laugh escaping his lips and snapping the other three room occupants out of their mental reverie.
"Well, young Master Potter, it seems a great deal has been withheld from you. You're a legal adult in the Wizarding Community and appear to have been so since your participation in the Triwizard Tournament. Please wait here a moment while I grab Curse Breaker Weasley."
As Ragnok rose and hurried from the Room Harry continued to stare into the void in shock. He was a Lord. Not just any Lord, no he was the Lord of four bloody houses! He immediately sat up straight and turned his body to face Lord Malfoy.
"Mister Malfoy… uh Lord Malfoy? I have no right to ask this of you given our previous… encounters, but I am going to need the help of someone who understands just how complicated my life has become. How, exactly, do I accept the Lordships for each house? What about the Wizengamot votes that Dumbledore has made in my name? I'll pay you for your time of course."
Harry ran a shaking hand through his unruly hair, his face plainly showing the fear and anxiety coursing through his body.
Adhara quickly reached over and grabbed Harry's hand, lacing her fingers through his and squeezing tightly, turning her own pleading eyes to her father.
"Papa please…"
Lucius raised his hand and cut her off.
"I am more than willing to help you Mr. Potter, and I would not dare cross Lady Magic by taking any form of payment. Consider my knowledge at your disposal. Before we discuss your questions, we must wait for Mr. Weasley to return with Ragnok and ensure that all the necessary information is gathered before going forward with the cleansing ritual you so obviously need to endure. Once that is complete and your system is cleared, we shall see about you accepting your Lordship rings, but first let us get to that point and then see how you're feeling."
Before either teenager could respond, Ragnok came back into the room with Bill close behind him.
With a nod at Harry and the two Malfoys, Bill picked up the parchment on the table and promptly collapsed into the nearest chair.
Holy Mother of Merlin, he thought. Just when I thought Hermione's case couldn't be topped.
When he reached the end of the parchment, he set it back on the table.
"Let's get him to room one and I'll run the diagnostic in there like I did for Hermione. Have Demelza meet us," he instructed. Looking at Harry he said, "It's vital we undo as much as we can as quickly as possible. It's a wonder the loss of your magic hasn't killed you already, let alone the amount of time you have faced off against You-Know-Who with this much of your power suppressed."
Harry went white at Bill's words and gripped Hermione's hand like a lifeline. Ragnok nodded and left to get the healer.
"Well come on then, Harrison. Let's go get you to rights, yeah?"
His emphasis on Harry's full given name was so unexpected that the boy laughed, lightening the mood in the room enough for them all to take a breath and stand, following Bill out the door and down the hall.