Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome to chapter 8. Before we begin, I would like to address a few things. One I've changed Harry from a light/grey to grey/mild dark Harry. Mainly because I've realized with what I have planned he won't really qualify as a light wizard except in the fact that he fights for it. But you don't need to be a light wizard to fight for the light. Also, I was wondering is it the fact that I labeled him that way that makes you think he won't make those who deserve it suffer? -shrugs- Well either way on with the show and sorry if this one is a little cliché heavy in some cases but I have done my best to make them my own. -lays down on the couch with a comfy blanket and a big bowl of popcorn.- On with the show. And as all ways this is J.K.'s world I'm just playing in it.
"Speech"
~Parseltongue/foreign language~
"Thoughts."
Chapter 8: Tradition.
*Susan's point of view. *
Susan couldn't hide her unhappiness as she and her aunt arrived at Gringotts.
"Susan, I know you're not happy but I'm the head of our house and I can't summon or see the contract. So, maybe they never made it." Susan tried to be optimistic like her aunt, but she just couldn't. She had read in one of her mother's journals that they had wanted her to get married to Harry Potter. The journal all but confirmed it had to be real and when she was five, she was thrilled. However, after so many years of him ignoring her every attempt to contact him. He even ignored all the gifts she had gotten him. When she saw him on their first trip to Hogwarts, he acted as he'd never even heard of her when the sorting hat was placed on her head. She'd gotten to a point where she started to hate him and now with him summoning her here to claim her as his wife, it made her want to hex him.
"Madam Bones?" Susan was pulled out of her thoughts as she turned and saw Tonks standing behind them with her parents.
"Hiya Tonks, how are you?" Susan asked and Tonks grinned as she looked at Susan.
"Wotcher Suzie, how are you on this fine day? You guys here for the reading as well?" Susan's demeanor went right back to miserable at the mention of the will. "Woah what's with the long faces?" Both Susan and her Aunt shook their head and refused to answer. They had decided on saying nothing because if there wasn't a marriage contract then they didn't want to embarrass themselves and drag Harry's name through the mud in the process.
There was a soft pop next to them that made Susan jump and seeing who was there now made her cringe. Draco Malfoy and his mother had appeared, and Susan was about to question why they were here when she saw the state of Draco's mom. She looked like she had just gone a few rounds with one of Hagrid's pets.
"Oh my god, Cissy what happened to you," Andromeda exclaimed as Susan watched both Andromeda and her Aunt rushed to help her.
"Nothing that I can discuss…Yet!" The two older women helped her get cleaned up as they waited on the steps of Gringotts.
"Susan?" She turned to Draco who had addressed her and narrowed her eyes. Wasn't one prat trying to claim her enough for one day?
"That's Heiress Bones to you Heir Malfoy." Susan blinked in surprise as Draco visibly flinched at her words.
"I deserved that. I just wanted to say that I am deeply sorry for everything I've ever said or done. I know you won't accept my apology but I'm giving it anyway." Susan's eyes widened in shock at his words and then her jaw dropped when he bowed to her. He then turned away from her before she could say anything to rejoin his mother.
"What the hell is going on here. Harry Potter was claiming wives and Draco was apologizing. Did they switch brains or am I dreaming?" Susan was getting a headache and she wasn't sure she could take much more. Another soft pop and Susan found herself face to face with Hermione Ganger. Susan wanted to ask how the girl had just popped up out of thin air without a portkey since she was too young to apparate. However, before either she or her aunt, who also appeared to want to ask, could, Hermione started chuckling.
"Well, that won't end well. I do hope the twins will be okay." She looked around at everyone present. "Hello everyone, I'm so happy I'm not late. Mrs. Weasley is not an easy person to escape when she's angry." Hermione then turned to Draco and Narcissa. Before either of them could react, she pulled both of them into a hug. "Nearly there you two. Not much longer." She then turned and hugged the Tonks family.
"I see my nephew has been busy writing letters." Everyone turned to see Remus Lupin walking up with a great big black dog on a leash. Hermione ran over and hugged him and then hugged the dog. As she pulled away from the dog she laughed.
"Oh, Snuffles I love your collar. It suits you quite well." Susan couldn't help but look and noticed that the collar was pink with the word princess written on it in glitter. The great black dog tilted its head at them before turning to Andromeda and nudging her purse. Susan watched as Andromeda grinned and pulled out a mirror.
"Is this what you want?" The dog nodded and Andromeda enlarged it so the dog could see the collar. The moment it caught sight of it, it turned to Remus and growled.
"Now Snuffles heel," Remus said with a grin and the dog looked like it was about to attack but Hermione got in between the two.
"Snuffles that is no way to behave in front of ladies." Susan wasn't sure but it looked like she tilted her head in the direction of her aunt Amelia who blinked at her in confusion. The dog looked at Amelia for a second or two before scoffing and turned its back on her. The whole thing was confusing as hell for Susan.
"Oh, my so many people in one place all for the same reason I assume. One can only begin to imagine what all of you might have in common." Everyone turned and inwardly groaned at the sight of Rita Skeeter who had just walked out of the bank. She reached into her bag and pulled out an acid green quill and note pad. She saw the state of Narcissa Malfoy and looked like she was about to start asking questions. However, before she could utter one word a hand was placed on her shoulder.
"Don't even think about it!" Susan watched as Rita turned to face whoever it was and when she did her eyes widened in shock and hers weren't the only ones. It was Harry Potter, but not the one Susan remembered from last year. He was at least a foot taller and if Susan didn't know better, he seemed like he was made of solid muscle. It was hard to tell with his horrible baggy clothes but the way he carried himself now seemed to scream that. The thing that really caught her attention was that he had his glasses off and his eyes were gorgeous. They were like emeralds forged in Greek fire.
"What the bloody hell happened to you?" Tonks was the one to ask and Harry laughed at her.
"Goblin healing." Was all he said as he took out his glasses which looked brand new and when he put them on it actually worked very well unlike before. "Now then shall we get inside?" Harry asked as he swiftly snatched Rita's quick quill notes and pocketed it. Susan was shocked to see that Rita didn't fight it, she just accepted it. Susan wasn't the only one shocked to see this as they followed Harry into the bank. He walked up to Professor McGonagall of all people.
"Could you have invited any more people?" McGonagall asked and Harry laughed.
"Well given that I invited Rita Skeeter, the only way to get more people to be a part of this would be to invite a muggle reporter." Everyone chuckled at that except Rita who grinned.
"If you want, I can arrange that." Susan saw Harry roll his eyes at Rita's comment.
"Mister Potter, will you and your group follow me please." A goblin approached them and got their attention. They followed him to a very nice office where they all had a seat provided for them. A very smug and angry looking goblin came in and sat down on the other side of the desk.
"Now then Mister Potter. In what order would you like to handle everything?" Harry smiled as he held his hand out to him.
"Inherency test first please if you would Sharptooth." The goblin grinned as he pulled out a silver dagger and a large piece of parchment. Susan watched as Sharptooth sliced Harry's palm and press it to the parchment. Susan noticed that Harry didn't even flinch or wince as the dagger cut him. It was like he didn't even notice or feel it. She watched as his hand was pulled away from the parchment and the wound healed instantly. Sharptooth looked over the parchment and his eyes got wide. He then handed it over to Harry and Susan who was sitting just behind Harry, couldn't help looking over his shoulder at it.
"YOU'VE GOT FOUR LORDSHIPS!" Susan shouted and Harry turned to grin at her as he cleaned out one of his ears.
"A little louder next time Susan. I don't think Dumbledore heard you clearly enough from Hogwarts." Susan felt herself turn bright red as everyone stared at her.
"…Sorry…" She mumbled and everyone laughed. Harry handed the parchment around for everyone to look at.
Harry James Potter:
Inherency Test:
Father: James Fleamont Potter
Mother: Lily Jean Potter nee Evans
Heir to the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter: Father's side.
Heir to the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Gryffindor: Father's side.
Heir to the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Peverell: Father's side.
Heir to the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Slytherin: By Conquest.
Susan read it again when it was handed to her, but she still couldn't believe it.
"Do you know what this means Mister Potter?" Sharptooth asked him and Harry shrugged. "If you accept and claim them you will be required to produce an heir for each line." Susan felt herself go white as a sheet and she wasn't the only one. Harry had also gone very white.
"Wait so your saying I have to have four kids?" Sharptooth nodded and Harry slumped back in his chair. "I don't mind four but how the hell do I tell that to whoever I decide to get married to?" Susan narrowed her eyes at him.
"You start by turning around and forcing me to you prat!" Susan only thought this but wanted desperately to scream it at him.
"Potter…err Harry, what Sharptooth isn't telling you is that you are only required to produce them if you want the lines to continue. You could let them die out and just have one child." Everyone turned to look at Draco who turned slightly red. "What I was taking pity on him. I'd hate to have to tell my future wife that she has to have four children no matter what." Draco looked away in an attempt not to get embarrassed. Mrs. Malfoy smiled at Draco before turning to Harry.
"He is correct Mister Potter. While there are downsides to letting that happen it wouldn't be the most horrible thing in the world for you." Mrs. Malfoy reiterated, and Susan saw Harry nod in understanding. Susan let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. To be honest she wasn't against that many children either but the idea of being forced to do so made her furious. When she looked up, she noticed Harry was staring at her, but he turned away the moment she noticed.
"I assume you want to do the will now Mister Potter?" Harry shook his head as he held out his hand.
"First the rings." Sharptooth nodded and with a wave of his hand four small boxes appeared in front him.
"Now remember these are just your Heir rings. They won't become Lord rings until you turn seventeen." Susan watched as Harry nodded and put each ring on his left hand's middle finger. The Potter ring which was a regal silver band with the Potter family crest on it went on his middle finger. The Gryffindor ring was gold with red rubies around a Lion's head. The Peverell family ring was made of some kind of black metal with a purple gem in the middle that had a strange symbol on it that looked like a triangle with a circle and a line in the middle of it. The final ring was Slytherins and it was silver with emeralds surrounding a green serpent. As all four were placed on his middle finger they resized themselves and merged into a single ring. This ring was plan silver and had each family's crest carved into it. Susan watched as Harry made it cycle through all of the family ring forms it could take before it settled on the Potter family. Once the rings had settled, Harry's magical aura seemed to double in size. "Wow!" Was all he could say, and everyone chuckled.
"Okay Sharptooth now the contract if you please. If Susan glares at me anymore, I might get a hole in me somewhere." Harry chuckled but Susan felt her heart drop right out of her chest. Sharptooth pulled out what Susan recognized as a marriage contract. She wasn't the only one as nearly every other woman in the room gasped except Hermione who smiled. Susan wanted to slap Hermione for her obvious joy. Harry took the contract from Sharptooth opened it and handed it to Susan. "Susan I'm sure you have no desire to be married to me since I know for a fact you've got eyes for someone else. So, if you read the line at the bottom the contract will burn up and we'll be free from it." Susan took the contract from him as her mind slowly registered what he said.
"Wait so I'm not here today so you can claim me and force me to be your wife?" Harry rolled his eyes at her question.
"The fact that you're asking that question is proof that you don't know the first thing about me. You probably walked in here today still thinking that I'm some future dark lord hell-bent on world domination." Susan blushed and Harry rolled his eyes again. "Susan you should know better than to believe the rumor mill at Hogwarts. I think you are a very pretty girl and I'm sure you're very nice, but we don't know the first thing about each other. Why on earth would I try to force you to marry me?" Susan was at a loss of words. "Plus, like I said I know you have eyes on someone else at our school. I'd have to be blind to not see the way you look at Co…" Susan covered Harry's mouth in a panic. She could feel him grinning into her hand.
"Aww, and I was really hoping he'd finally say who you had a crush on," Hermione said and Susan glared at her as she took her hand away from Harry's mouth.
"Anyway, like I was saying just read that line out loud and you're free," Harry said with a soft smile. Susan turned to look at her aunt who nodded while smiling. Susan looked at the contract and while her five-year-old self still wanted to marry Harry Potter she knew that was a dream that had ended a long time ago.
"I, Susan Amelia Bones, reject this contract!" The contract burned up and for the first time since Wednesday, Susan felt happy again. She quickly launched herself at Harry tackling him into a bone-breaking hug.
*Hermione's point of view. *
Hermione watched as Susan hugged Harry and she couldn't help but smile. Eventually, they broke apart and Harry turned back to Sharptooth.
"Now then on to the will." Sharptooth looked like he was about to get it, but a dagger stuck itself in his desk right next to his hand. He stared at it before looking at Harry who had clearly thrown it.
"Traditions must be upheld Sharptooth." Harry's grin was malevolent as he stared at Sharptooth his eyes glowing like fire.
"You are too young Heir Potter. Pick up this knife and I will forgive it." Sharptooth's eyes glared with so much fury that Hermione couldn't help but push her chair back away from him. Sharptooth's words may have been low but his tone scared the crap out of her. Harry slowly walked towards the desk as power rippled off him like someone just dropped a boulder in a lake.
"Pick it up yourself! You know the rules! I've thrown the dagger now you must pick up. Or do you think me a coward Sharptooth?" Raged rippled at Harry's words and Hermione was terrified. She'd never seen Harry like this. Was this what all future Aurors were like? Hermione's question made her look at Dora who seemed shocked but also impressed. "Or maybe." Harry started and then paused to grin viciously at Sharptooth. "Maybe you want me to pick it up because you've become a coward since you faced my father." Sharptooth snarled like an animal as he pulled the dagger from the desk and leaped upon it.
"YOU DARE CALL ME A COWARD!" Sharptooth roared as he held the dagger to Harry's neck. Harry hadn't moved of course neither had anyone else. Everyone seemed to be in shock. Harry just glared into Sharptooth's eyes before he smiled.
"Prove me wrong." Harry's words seemed to calm the goblin, but he didn't lower the dagger.
"With pleasure. GRIPHOOK!" Sharptooth's shout startled everyone. The goblin known as Griphook opened the door. "Prepare the arena!" Griphook gave a fanged grin.
"It's already ready and waiting sir."
"Excellent! After you Mister Potter!" Harry laughed as he narrowed his eyes at the goblin.
"Age before beauty." Harry snarked and Sharptooth grunted as he leaped down from his desk to lead the way out the door.
"You all coming?" Harry asked and Hermione watched as everyone got up. Everyone seemed to be completely lost on what was going on, except for Professor McGonagall it seemed based on the disapproving look she was giving Harry. Hermione walked over to the Transfiguration teacher.
"Professor do you know what's happening?" She asked and McGonagall seemed like she was sad she had to be the one to explain it.
"It's a tradition in the Potter family for the current or future lord of the house to challenge their account manager. It goes back to the very first Potter who opened an account at Gringotts." Remus stopped walking at her words a look of sudden realization on his face.
"Oh, dear God!" He turned to McGonagall, "Please tell me it's not that one?" McGonagall sighed as she nodded her head.
"I'm afraid it is," McGonagall said, and Remus immediately ran to Harry and started whispering to him. Hermione turned back to McGonagall.
"What one?" She asked feeling slightly annoyed that Harry hadn't told her about this.
McGonagall sighed, "Originally it was called a knife-edge death match among the goblins." Everyone stopped at her words. "It's still called that but it's no longer to the death. Now the two of them just beat each other senseless until one of them can no longer stand."
"That's barbaric!" Hermione shouted, "How can you be okay with this?" Hermione asked and McGonagall sighed again.
"Believe me I hate this as much as you, but if it was one of your families most ancient and noble traditions would you let anyone stop you?"
"No, I guess not." Hermione sighed, "But none of mine involve going toe to toe with a bloody Goblin!" Everyone seemed to share in her thought process.
The arena was fairly large, and Hermione was shocked that it was under Diagon Alley. The arena looked a lot like the Roman Colosseum, but it was underground. The stands were filled to the brim with goblins. If there were any humans in the crowd Hermione couldn't see them. In the middle was a raised arena ring where Harry and Sharptooth were stretching. Hermione couldn't help herself as she ran up to the side of the ring.
"Harry, why are you doing this?" Harry turned to look at her. The smile he gave her greatly unsettled her. It was a look she'd never seen on him before. It was like he had no fear of what might happen to him. Hermione knew Harry was brave, but this was different. This was almost an absolute acceptance of what could very well happen. The scariest part was he made it seem like if it did happen, he'd be okay with it.
"That's easy Hermione. I don't like being looked down on and I hate being raised up for things I've never done. I'm gonna do whatever it takes for people to see Harry James Potter and not the Boy-who-lived. The Boy-who-lived is not who I am it's just something horrible that happened to me that I get constantly reminded of." Harry glared at some of the people standing behind her before he turned his back to her. Hermione watched as he took his jacket off and tossed it out of the ring. When he took his shirt off, she noticed all the deep yet faded scars on his back. She heard several gasps in horror at the sight of them from behind her and Hermione joined them. This was the first time she'd seen them in all of their horrors. Harry chuckled as he shook his head.
"See told you." Harry turned revealing that his chest was just as bad. "The Boy-Who-Lived is perfect and a hero. I'm just a scarred-up mess of a guy who couldn't even stand up to his muggle relatives until now." Hermione felt tears slowly spilling down her cheeks. Harry smiled and walked over to her, taking his glasses off as he did. He knelt down and held them out to her. "Will you hold these for me?" She nodded as she took the glasses from him. Then in a whisper so low she barely heard it he said, "Don't cry for me. Dying isn't something to be afraid of, it just the next part of the adventure." Harry stood up and he smiled at her before turning and walking towards the middle of the ring before she could say anything in response.
She was just too stunned that she truly didn't know the actual depth of what her best friend and brother in every way but blood, had been through.
"Why don't you sit down." Hermione ignored whoever spoke to her as she stood there staring at Harry willing him to live through this.
*Harry's point of View*
Harry knew Hermione was going to be shocked by today, but it still needed to happen. All his thoughts for Hermione left him however when he saw Sharptooth walking towards him holding two daggers.
"Safe to say you know the rules, right?" Harry nodded as he took one of the daggers and stabbed it into the ground, so it was slightly angled towards him. Harry then stood in front of it after he kicked off his shoes and socks. He placed his foot up against the blade as if he was standing on it but had his toes on the ring floor. Sharptooth did the same and while Harry was more than a foot taller than him, in this moment they stood as equals.
"ALRIGHT ALL YOU GOBLINS, SHUT YOUR MOUTHS!" A great booming voice filled the arena. Harry wanted to look but at the moment he knew it was suicide to look away from his opponent. "This is the official one-hundredth fight between the Potters and their account managers!" The crowd roared with applause. However, in that moment Harry's full attention was on Sharptooth. Well, that and the nagging feeling that someone was staring at his back with extreme intensity. "Who's ready to see some bloodshed!" The crowd roared as they began a banging noise that was in a complete rhythm. "ON THE COUNT OF THREE!" The voice roared and Harry wished the person behind him would quit with the intensity.
"What the hell does this person want from me?" Harry thought as he tried to block the feeling out.
"ONE!" The banging around the arena increased as did the intensity of the stare on his back. "TWO!" Harry felt the intensity make his hairs stand on end as the banging got louder and fast. Harry was so on edge that when the person speaking said, "THREE!" Harry hit Sharptooth with everything he had right in his jaw and Harry heard it crack. However, before Harry could register what he had done he felt a fist collide with his jaw and was sure it was broken now if not cracked. Pain still didn't register to him anymore. The red-headed bitch had seen to that personally. Adrenaline surged through Harry as struck Sharptooth again with even more force than the first punch. Sharptooth responded the same way and it went on like that for a while. Harry lost all sense of time as he and Sharptooth pummeled each other trying to get the other to fall. Eventually, Harry found he couldn't lift his arms anymore so he did the only thing he could think off. Harry tried to slam his head into Sharptooth's. Sharptooth noticed this and shot his head up to meet Harry's with all the force he could muster. When their heads collided, Harry saw stars as he and Sharptooth stared at one another. Pain racked through their heads and bodies. Eventually, Harry's vision blurred, and he blacked out.
-Scene Break-
When Harry came to, he found himself staring up at the ceiling of the goblins medical wing.
"Welcome back to the land of the living Mister Potter." Harry turned to see Niphook grinning at him.
"Who won?" Harry asked and she laughed.
"Like you don't already know you both passed out at the same time," Niphook explained and Harry groaned as he sat up.
"Darn I really thought I might have had him with that headbutt."
"You wish boy!" Harry turned and grinned at the sight of Sharptooth in the bed next to him.
"So, the age-old battle ends in a draw again huh?" Harry asked but before Sharptooth could answer a brown missile tackled Harry to his bed. "Hiya Sis." Hermione released him and smacked him.
"Harry James Potter you listen to me and you listen well. If you ever surprise me with something like that again I am going to hex you into next year, is that clear?" She asked pointing her finger at him dangerously. Harry had the decency to look scared of her.
"Yes, Ma'am." She grabbed him and pulled him into another bone-breaking hug. As she held him, she whispered into his ear, "Also, you're my brother so don't even think of dying on me!" When she pulled back Harry just stared at her not sure how to react. He'd always known Hermione cared about him, but this time around she really made him feel like family. Or had she always been like that and he had just never noticed before. It was pretty easy for him to figure out that she had been the one staring at him.
*McGonagall's point of view. *
Minerva was back in Sharptooth's office after the challenge and she couldn't believe how unnerved she was by it despite all she now knew. The memories she had received from Harry were very taxing and sorting them was a task in itself. She was sure she wouldn't get through all of them before the school year started.
"Minerva?" Minerva looked up to see Amelia standing in front of her.
"Yes?"
"I was hoping you could tell me how a fourteen-year-old young man ended up with so many scars all over his body?" Amelia asked in a low tone that suggested she was going to be launching a full investigation about this. Minerva sighed before she looked Amelia in the eyes.
"Do you remember Lily's sister?" Minerva asked and Amelia nodded. "Well, there's your answer. Harry grew up living with her, her husband, and her son."
"WHAT!" Amelia shouted and looked ready to start throwing hexes. "HOW COULD YOU HAVE ALLOWED THAT? THAT BLOODY BITCH HATES MAGIC AND YOU PUT HIM THERE TO BE RAISED? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR BLOOD MIND?" Amelia shouted in Minerva's face. Minerva rose slowly as her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned.
"Firstly, up until today the Potter's will has been sealed and no one knew where it was. Only Harry could have called for it magically. Lilly and James either forgot to tell people where it would be, or someone concealed the information from us. Without that will it would have fallen to the Wizengamot to decide where Harry would have been placed. Given how many Death Eaters walked free after the war can you imagine where he would have ended up? Albus took action and hid the boy where no one could find him. He put dozens of wards around the house and made it so any and all mail sent to Harry would be diverted except his Hogwarts letter."
"Is that why he never responded to any of the letters I sent him?" Susan asked and Minerva nodded.
"Albus wanted to keep all forms of magic as far away from him as possible. The only form of magic around him was a squib named Arabella Figg. I always asked Albus how Harry was doing for fear of his treatment. He would tell me that Harry was fine and that Figg would occasionally babysit him. When he arrived at Hogwarts, he seemed fine. A little small maybe but other than that he seemed happy and healthy, so I had no reason to doubt Albus until today." Amelia still looked ready to kill as did several other people in the room. Minerva noticed Sirius was practically foaming at the mouth.
"Well I shall be looking into this and I will make sure that those people pay for what they had done to him!"
"That won't be necessary." Everyone turned to see Harry, Hermione and Sharptooth enter the office.
"Why not Harry those people need to be punished to the fullest extent of the law," Nymphadora said as she stood. "With a few curses being thrown behind the laws back for good measure." She added with a vicious snarl that everyone in the room including Amelia agreed with. Minerva looked at Harry who sighed before smiling.
"To be honest for the simple reason that your way takes to long." Everyone just stared at him until Sharptooth let out a snarling laugh.
"Mr. Potter speaks the truth. The form of justice you all wish to seek would take to long and there is even a slight chance that you may lose. After all, according to Mr. Potter he has been in the care of one Poppy Pomfrey on several different occasions, yet not once has she felt the need to report his injuries or any of the maladies that affected my client. Now either she is really bad at her job or someone is keeping her from talking."
"I personally think it's the latter." Harry interrupted but then motioned for Sharptooth to continue.
"Because of this, we will be doing things our way. And before any of you ask yes this will be a very thorough and completely legal attack on the ones called Dursley." Sharptooth finished with a snarling grin that Harry also had on his face. Minerva almost felt a small amount of pity for the Dursleys…almost.
Amelia walked up to Harry after a few the few moments of silence that followed Sharptooth's announcement. She stared at him for a moment before Minerva saw a small grace Amelia's lips.
"Very well I shall leave it to you to deal with them, Mr. Potter. In the meantime, I would like to say thank you for not using the contract to control my niece. There…"
"Please, no need to thank me. I just did what anyone else would have done." Harry said cutting her off with a humble smirk. Amelia rolled her eyes at him and turned to Draco Malfoy.
"Mr. Malfoy how many purebloods would have done what Mister Potter did with that contract?" Minerva watched as his expression darken.
"Not one that I've met would have done that," Draco said darkly and Amelia turned back to Harry.
"As you can see, I do need to thank you so please allow me to do so." Amelia held her hand out to him and he just stared at her for a few seconds before he took her hand and shook it.
"…You're welcome…" Harry said, and Minerva could tell he was uncomfortable. She shook her head as she smiled at the humble fool. Minerva watched as Amelia smiled and when he let go, she sat back down looking pleased with herself until she noticed the black dog was again glaring at her. Again, Minerva had to fight the urge to chuckle.
*Narcissa's point of view. *
Narcissa couldn't help but be impressed with Harry Potter. The young man was truly impressive and humble as anything she'd ever seen.
"Now then Mister Potter shall we finally get on with the will?" Sharptooth asked but before Harry could respond the door to the office burst open and the goblin known as Griphook ran in looking terrified.
"ALL OF YOU AT ATTENTION! KING RAGNOK IS ON HIS WAY HERE!" The young goblin shouted before standing at attention to the side of the door. Everyone in the room stood at attention except Harry and Hermione who looked confused. Narcissa was about to say something but before she could six-armed goblins walked into the room holding spears and wearing battle-ready armor. The King of the Goblin Nation Ragnok walked in after them with an evil smirk on his face.
"Kneel," Ragnok said and everyone except Harry did as instructed. The King walked up to Harry and stared into his eyes. "I said kneel boy." Narcissa didn't need to see Harry's face to know he was grinning at the king.
"I will salute you with the respect you deserve but I take the knee before no one." As Harry said this power swirled around him and Narcissa began to panic. Was the fool trying to get himself killed and start a war?
"Show me your arm," Ragnok said with a laugh that caused Narcissa to glance up. She watched Harry roll up his sleeve showing his right arm to the goblin king. Narcissa was sure he was about to lose the arm, but The King and Harry clasped each other's forearms. "As per the agreement made with the first Potter who came to this bank. The Goblin Nation hereby recognizes the Potters as true warriors of blood. From this day forward all Potters to complete the ritual shall be given the title of Blood Warriors with the Goblin Nation. This shall remain permanent as long as no future Potter proves themselves to be an enemy of the Nation." The King then began to chant in his native tongue and their clasped arms began to glow. Eventually, the King stopped and when the two of released each other a tattoo had appeared on Harry's forearm. The tattoo was that of two axes crossing each other with a set of scales underneath it. Harry smiled at the tattoo before making a fist and pulling his arm across his chest.
"May the gold from your mines flow like the blood of our enemies," Harry said then proceeded to speak in the goblins native tongue.
The Goblin King laughed, "Well done young Potter, I look forward to all that you will do and remember the territory of this nation is yours now as well. Never defile it or betray it!" The King snapped his fingers and the guards stood at attention and left with the King following them.
Narcissa didn't move an inch until the door closed. She slowly made her way back to her seat while everyone else seemed to be stunned. Eventually, Harry's muggle-born friend stood up and looked at him.
"Harry, do you realize what this means?" She asked and Harry laughed.
"Yeah it means Professor Binns is gonna need to update is history class." Harry's joke seemed to pull the rest of the room out of their shock and some of them even chuckled.
"No, you prat! It means that you are the first human to ever receive this honor! You've just made history today! Being called a Blood Warrior by the Goblins is supposed to be one of the highest honors!"
Sharptooth cut in with, "Second highest actually but the only thing higher than it is the crown, but only a pure-blood goblin can take the crown." Everyone looked at him and then at Harry who was smirking. Eventually, Sharptooth spoke again pulling everyone from their thoughts, "Shall we get onto the will Blood Warrior?" Harry took his seat and nodded for his manager to continue. Sharptooth snapped his fingers and a roll of parchment appeared on his desk. He unrolled it and began to read.
This is the last will and testament of James Fleamont Potter and Lily Jane Potter Nee Evans.
We both are of sound mind and body writing this in the presence of our goblin family account manager Sharptooth. If you are reading this, we are no longer among the living.
First things first, to Peter Pettigrew you are one of our dearest friends which is why we trusted you to be our secret keeper. Granted Sirius talked us into with his insane plan but for once one of his plans actually made sense. We're hoping that the reason we are dead is that we got cabin fever and walked into a trap. If that is the case, then we leave you 100,000 galleons and hope you will help take care of Harry if he survived. However, if we died in our home at Godric's Hollow at the hands of the enemy then Peter we leave you nothing and we hope that Sirius gets his hands on you first.
Next to Sirius Black. We leave you 200,000 galleons and as Harry's Godfather, we leave him in your care. Sirius, you need to take up the responsibly of being Lord Black. If for no other reason than to help your favorite cousins. Research everything to do with all three of them and bring them back into your family and remake it the way you want.
Next to Remus Lupin. We're leaving you 100,000 galleons as well as the cottage in wales. There will be no argument in this and all you have to do in return is keep Sirius from turning Harry into too much of a nightmare. Also, we are sorry we ever thought you might be the leak.
Next to Andromeda Tonks nee Black. We leave you 100,000 galleons to help with raising little Dora and a message. Sirius is an idiot when it comes to family traditions and issues, but he will still be Lord Black. Make sure he takes a good look at both Narcissa's and Bellatrix's contracts. What he finds may surprise him. So, smack him upside the head and make him do his job as head of the family.
Next to Frank and Alice Longbottom. We leave you 100,000 galleons and hope that as Alice is Harry's godmother you will take Harry in if Sirius can't for whatever reason. Please love him and raise him well. We also hope that Harry and Neville will grow up as brothers and continue the long-standing alliance between our two families.
Next to Amelia Bones. We leave you 100,000 galleons and the hope that even if you don't manage to get Sirius to marry you that you will at least take Harry in if no of the others can. With any luck, he'll develop your work ethic instead of Sirius's laziness.
Next to Aunt Minerva McGonagall. Even though you'll fight this we're leaving you 200,000 galleons. Because we know one day Harry will be under your watchful eye and if he's been raised by Sirius you're gonna need all the help you can get. Please do not let Harry slack off in school and while James wants him to follow in his footsteps with the pranking. Lily just wants him to get a good education, have fun, and work towards a good future. We know that if you're watching over him that all of that will happen.
Next to our son Harry James Potter. We both love you with all our hearts and we're sorry that we can't be there for you. We're leaving everything except the above mentioned to you. In the family vault, we've left you tons of journals before we went into hiding. Some we wrote just for you to read. Others were just our own work or some crazy stories we just had to write down. Try not to go to crazy with them and always be careful. You were the light of our lives and we know you will be the light in others' lives as well. Always remember to shine brightly and please don't let Sirius corrupt you too much. Loving you always your parents James and Lily Potter.
Narcissa looked over at Harry as Sharptooth finished up. She was surprised that he was holding it together so well. How could someone so young have such a mastery of his emotions that only a small amount of mist was present in his eyes? Not even Severus was that good and he was a master of occlumency.
"That's the end of the will. All that's left is a list of things you now own. I don't have an amount total yet since we discovered the other three lines you have. I shall have that audited and send the full amount when finished. I have the portkeys that will take you to Potter manor as well as the other residences you own." Sharptooth said as he took out a set of very old keys that had the Potter's crest on the keyring and placed it on his desk. Narcissa noticed that while everyone else was looking at Sharptooth, Harry was staring at Amelia.
"Madam Bones?" Amelia turned to look at Harry. "If Sirius was here right now what would you do?" As he asked this, Narcissa watched the dog silently get up and walk behind Amelia. Amelia didn't seem to notice as she seemed to be seriously considering Harry's question. Eventually, she sighed and looked into Harry's eyes.
"I would get on my knees and beg him to forgive me for believing that he was the traitor. I would also beg you for a copy of the will so I could try to overturn the result of his previous trial." Harry's expression at her words turned sour till eventually he was glaring and Narcissa couldn't help but feel grateful that he wasn't looking at her like that.
"Sirius never had a trial. Your ministry arrested him and threw him in Azkaban to be tried only to never do it. He was left there for twelve years having every happy moment ripped away from him while you never even questioned it!" Harry was standing and staring down the DMLE while power radiated off him. "You never even second-guessed it did you?" Amelia just stared at Harry like she couldn't believe what was happening. "Was it because he's a Black?" Narcissa watched as that question seemed to smack Amelia right across the face.
"How dare you?" Amelia asked as she recovered and slowly stood to look Harry in the eyes. "I loved him and never gave a damn about what his family was known for. You weren't there to see him like I was. I watched him get brought in and he was mumbling about how it was all his fault. He kept saying that repeatedly. What the bloody hell was I supposed to think?" She glared at him and surprisingly Harry sighed and turned away from her.
"You could have still second-guessed it for at least a moment. But I'm not gonna be the one to judge you." Harry turned back to her with a wicked grin on his face. "She's all yours Sirius."
"Thanks, Pup." Narcissa jumped at the sound of her cousin's voice as Amelia and everyone else turned to see Sirius Black standing behind her.
*Sirius's point of view. *
Sirius couldn't help but smile at the looks of shock on everyone's face. But as he stared into Amelia's eyes feeling his heartbreaking all over again. This was a woman who he loved and was ready to marry. Hell, he was planning to propose that night when everything went wrong. Halloween used to be his favorite holiday and now it was a day he wished would vanish altogether.
"Sirius…" Her voice was still like an angel as far as he was concerned, and he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and never let go. But he just couldn't bring himself to do so. He couldn't hate her, but he would never be able to forgive her. Hell, he wasn't sure he'd ever really be able to forgive anyone from the magical world that let him rot in Azkaban for those twelve years. Sirius sighed and shook his head.
"Look, Amelia, what's done is done. All I want now is to be a free man again so I can make good on my promise to my brother James. If you actually feel bad about what happened, then help me do this…please." Amelia stood there in a stunned silence.
"To be honest she doesn't have much of a choice Sirius." Sirius looked at Harry in confusion. "Why do you think I brought Rita Skeeter here?" Sirius looked at the reporter who was writing furiously on her note pad. Like she'd forgotten everyone was here but needed to make sure everything was recorded perfectly. "Actually, that reminds me. Rita the whole thing with the contract and Susan scratch that from the record please." She looked up at that in confusion.
"What? Why? Do you know what that could do for your image? The hero is offered a beautiful bride but turns her down because he wants her to be free to make her own choices." Rita exclaimed and Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, or they could say I did it because there's something wrong with Susan like she wasn't good enough for me or whatever. No, I think it's better it just be left out. I won't have someone's name dragged through the mud just because I wanted her to have free will." Harry's words caused Susan to blush and Sirius to grin.
"Keep doing that kind of thing and you'll have birds on each arm pup." Sirius winked at Harry who rolled his eyes.
"Anyway Sirius, when Rita leaves here today, she'll be leaving with an official copy of the will to be posted in the Daily Prophet. And if need be, we'll make a very large donation to the company to make sure they publish it as is no matter what the Fudgesicle has to say about it." Sirius and Harry both let out barks of laughter at that.
"So, if that's the case why am I even here?" Amelia asked causing Sirius and Harry to focus on her again. "I mean once the contract with Susan was dealt with, we could have been made to leave. Why make me stay if you don't actually need me?" Sirius could hear the hurt in her voice and again he felt his heartstrings pull for him to wrap her up in a hug. He really considered just giving in but the memory of her turning away from him as he was taken to Azkaban stopped him.
"You're here for a very good reason Amelia." Sirius looked at Harry who had spoken and was surprised to see James's wicked smirk. "Please, I promise it will be worth it in the end." Sirius watched as she narrowed her eyes at Harry before she sat back down. "Okay, Sirius we got work to do before you submit yourself to the Amelia and Dora to be taken in for an actual trial." Sirius blinked at him in shock.
"You want me to do what now?" Harry laughed and pulled Sirius up to Sharptooth's desk.
"Sharptooth you're the account manager for the Black family as well, right?" Sharptooth nodded and Harry smiled. "Excellent this idiot needs to claim his lordship. As the oldest living male member, he's now the lord of the family correct?" Again, Sharptooth nodded and pulled out some documents.
"As long as he signs his name in blood and the magic acknowledges him, yes he is." Harry pushed Sirius towards the desk and Sirius growled at him.
"Alright, alright, I'm signing it." Sirius quickly signed it and when he did the papers vanished and a ring appeared. Sirius put it on and felt the family's magic rush through him. He grinned as he turned and face Harry. "I, Sirius Orion Black as head of the Black family declare that Harry James Potter shall be my Heir." The moment the words left his mouth another ring appeared on the desk and Sirius shoved it at Harry. "Well go on then." Sirius was expecting Harry to be upset but the brat smiled brightly at him.
"I'd be honored to." Sirius watched in shock as he pushed the Black family ring onto his left middle finger, and it merged with the others. "Lord black as the Heir I would like to request that you put me in charge of Narcissa and Bellatrix's marriage contracts," Harry stated as the black family's power added to Harry's. Sirius just blinked at Harry's request and nodded. "I, Harry James Potter, call for Narcissa's marriage contract." A scroll of parchment appeared in his hand. He unrolled it and read through it quickly before grinning and walking over to Narcissa. "Do you have everything?" Narcissa nodded at Harry and pulled out a box that she unshrunk and handed to him.
"Everything he's ever done including the arrest record from when he was accused of being a Death Eater," Narcissa explained as Harry searched through the box and eventually pulled out a document.
"I, Harry James Potter, acknowledge that Lucius Malfoy was arrested and tried as Death Eater. As the Heir to the Black Family, I find this act disgraceful and feel that he has brought shame to our family. In addition to the abuse he has caused to the precious gem given to him, I hear by void the contract between our families." Harry tore the marriage contract in two. There was a bright flash and the Black family crest appeared over Narcissa's head. "You are now Narcissa Black again welcome back to the family Aunt Cissy." Sirius's jaw dropped in shock as Narcissa tackled Harry in a bone-crushing hug.
"Excuse me, Lord Black." Sirius turned to see the young Malfoy kneeling before him. "I wish to renounce the Malfoy name and join the Black Family…if you'll have me that is." Sirius just stared at the boy not sure how to respond to this. Sirius felt like his head was a spinning sneak o-scope. Sirius turned to Harry who had just gotten out of Narcissa's hug.
"Want me to handle this Sirius?" Harry asked and Sirius nodded while still feeling completely lost. Sirius had always been shit at family politics, all politics really. Sirius wasn't sure where Harry had gotten his skills in it but Harry's confidence in his actions made Sirius feel like he could trust his godson's decisions.
Harry walked up to the still kneeling Draco. "Draco do you vow to forsake the Malfoy name and all that you would gain from being the Malfoy heir?" Harry asked and Draco looked up at Harry with an extremely serious expression on his face.
"I do!"
"Even though if you do you will only be a member of this family and likely never receive a title or become head of this family?"
"I do!"
"What do you expect to gain from this?" Harry's question seemed to catch the young Malfoy off guard.
"What do you mean?" Draco asked and Sirius watched Harry smile and lean down to Draco's eye level.
"You're a Slytherin. I'm the Heir to Slytherin now and I want to know. What are your real ambitions and goals?" Harry asked and Draco took a moment to think about this question before he looked up at Harry again.
"I want the freedom to make my own choices in life. I want a family I'll be proud to tell people I'm a member of. I want…" The look on Draco's face as he paused was one Sirius knew all too well. Sirius knelt down and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You want a family that acknowledges you and cares about you whether you succeed or fail?" Sirius could tell it was taking all of Draco's will power not to break down as he nodded at Sirius. "I, Sirius Orion Black, welcome Draco Malfoy into the Black family and I acknowledge his renouncement of the Malfoy line and rename him, Draco Black." After the Black Family crest appeared over Draco's head Sirius pulled Draco into a hug. "Welcome to the family." It took a moment but eventually, Draco hugged him back. They eventually let go and Narcissa hugged Sirius and then hugged her son. Sirius grinned at Harry as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've done a lot of good today Pup."
Harry laughed, "Please Sirius you underestimate me if you think I'm done." Sirius just stared at him as Harry gave him his lopsided smirk. "Now go get our other Black family Daughter back while I talk to Amelia about this box." Harry shoved Sirius towards Andromeda and her family.
*Harry's point of view. *
Harry picked up the box and turned a chair, so he was facing Amelia while Sirius welcomed the Tonks's into the family.
"Amelia do you know what is in this box?" Harry asked as he set the box on the floor in between them.
"Well if I heard Narcissa correctly then I'm guessing that box is filled with pure gold." Amelia guessed and Harry chuckled at that.
"You're absolutely correct. Pure gold and it could all be yours if you're willing to trade." Harry grinned but Amelia just stared at him with narrowed eyes.
"I already said I'd help get Sirius free," Amelia explained but Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yes, you did but Rita being here more than makes that offer inconsequential. No, I need something else from you." Harry explained and Amelia narrowed her eyes further and seemed to be getting angrier at him.
"I don't care what is in that box I will never do anything illegal. You know exactly what you can do with that box if you're asking me to break the law." She turned away from him crossed her arms.
"You know you should really hear the offer before you shut someone down. Clearly, you weren't a Slytherin." Harry joked causing Amelia to turn and glared at him.
"I was a Hufflepuff and proud of it!" Harry laughed while holding up his hands in a peaceful gesture.
"Madam Bones I don't want to make an enemy of you and for the record I greatly respect Hufflepuffs." Amelia seemed to calm down but kept her eyes narrowed.
"Okay well, then what do you want?"
"I want a meeting." Amelia just stared at him as she waited for him to elaborate. "With Bellatrix Lestrange and her husband." The whole room froze at that and only Harry seemed to be breathing.
"Why?" The question came from Sirius who had walked up to stand at Harry's side.
"For two reasons. One, I need to be in the presence of at least one person on the marriage contract to annul it. Since they are both in Azkaban it makes it easy to see them both at the same time." Harry explained and Sirius nodded.
"And the other reason?" Sirius's question triggered a rage inside of Harry that the room could feel.
"Rodolphus was given a precious gem of the black family. A treasured daughter and sister. I want the pleasure of looking him in the eye when I rip the contract in two and reclaim triple the amount we gave for her dowry." The icy tone that he said this with left everyone with chills. Narcissa was the one who stepped forward.
"And Bellatrix?" Harry turned to look at Narcissa whose eyes were full of hope. Harry smiled slightly as he stood up to look her in the eyes.
"I have questions for her. On the surface, she looks like the world sees her. But some of the things I learned from my father's stories as an Auror make me question what is on the surface. It will greatly depend on her reaction to me tearing up the contract. Her response will be her fate. Do you accept this?" Harry asked with all the authority of an heir to the family. Narcissa seemed to acknowledge this as she smiled and nodded.
"Harry, I grew up with her and she was the sweetest person. Granted she was not someone you wanted to piss off but what Black isn't? Hell, even you're not someone I'd want to piss off and you're only a Black through your great grandmother." Sirius laughed at that while Harry was rolling his eyes and shaking his head. "When they brought her in after me, I was stunned. Nothing about how Bella became after she got married makes any sense. Everything from her being a Death Eater to her getting arrested made no sense whatsoever!" Sirius exclaimed after he stopped laughing.
"Why does her arrest not make sense?" Hermione asked and Harry beat everyone else to the answer.
"Bellatrix was too good. A whole squad of the best Aurors would have been hard-pressed to catch her. But according to her arrest record, she just stood there and proclaimed the greatness of the dark lord. That does not sound like her at all and I have two theories on why that is, but I need to see her reaction first." Harry turned back to Amelia shutting off any further discussion about Bellatrix "Madam Bones in exchange for this box, which could get Lucius Malfoy thrown through the veil, I want you to put Bellatrix and her husband in cells right next to each other and let me meet with them." Amelia just stared at Harry for a few minutes.
"Very well. If you give me that box, I will arrange for you to meet them. Would tomorrow say around ten am work?" Harry nodded and started to stretch before turning and grabbing Sirius and pulling him over to Narcissa.
"Aunt Cissy I wish to make a request of you," Harry asked as Sirius struggled in Harry's grip. Narcissa motioned for him to continue. "As it stands, I need a guardian. Dumbledore is my current guardian because the ministry won't acknowledge Sirius. But as Lord Black and my legal magical guardian he can change or pass guardianship to someone else." Harry smiled as Narcissa's eyes widened at him.
"You want me to be your magical guardian?" Harry grinned at her question before putting Sirius in a headlock.
"As much as I love our mongrel of a Lord. Even when the ministry clears him, they won't let him have custody because of the time he's spent in Azkaban. However, if you agree to take it from him, I can promise you a place in Potter Manor and I also need a Proxy for the four house seats I have. I would appreciate it if you would do that for me and maybe help this moron use his effectively." Sirius broke out of the headlock and pulled Harry into one as Harry finished speaking.
"Actually, I was thinking of asking you to be my proxy as well. I'm shit at politics, but I know grandfather taught you everything he knew." Harry got out of Sirius's headlock to find a stunned Narcissa just staring at them.
"Wait let me get this straight. You want my mother to be responsible for both of you and be your proxies for five seats on the Wizengamot?" Draco asked and Harry nodded to him. Draco leaned back in his chair in shock. Narcissa, however, stood up and pulled both Sirius and Harry into a hug.
"I would be honored, and I promise to use what you're giving me to the best of my abilities." Harry and Sirius just grinned at her.
"You know you just agreed to take in a couple of strays, right?" Dora asked and everyone laughed.
"Maybe but at least they have some potential. The young one especially seems to be full of surprises." Narcissa smiled at Harry, but Harry turned to Sirius.
"Hey Sirius, you hear that you're full of surprises." Everyone rolled their eyes at him as Harry laughed.
Harry turned to Sharptooth. "Let's get the paperwork started." It took a while but eventually, they got all of the paperwork sorted out. Narcissa was Harry's new magical guardian. She and Draco would move into Potter manor with him. Sirius and Harry made her the official proxy for their houses. Normally an heir to a house wouldn't be able to make such changes without the house lord's approval. However, except for the House of Black, there were no living Lords of the other houses to stop Harry from doing what he wanted.
Harry surprised Hermione again when he offered her an honorary membership into not just the Potter family but all five of the families. Hermione excepted the honor but only on the condition that Rita reported it as her accepting the gift from her brother in every way but blood. These words would mean a lot to the magical community. It would signify that she wasn't after the Potter family money only their continued friendship. Harry, however, had another reason for wanting to do this which revealed itself as everyone started to get up. Hermione leaped out of her seat grabbing her waist while hissing loudly, ~DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT MISTER!~
Author's Note: -tosses popcorn bowl in the sink.- Well, that's it for this chapter. I hope you all have enjoyed it and I look forward to seeing all of you next time on Death's Champion.
Fanfic Recommendations: 'Back to the World' by MuggleBeene This is a Harry/Gabrielle story. It's a really long one-shot where the two meet up while traveling after the war. It was a fun and interesting story. Especially the end when she eventually convinces him to return home.
Second Recommendation: 'Too Many Dates' by fantasy1290 This a harem story and it's a lot of fun to read. I warn you now though. Luna is the one who plans everything out. It's complete and utter chaos most of the time so if you're looking for Luna inspired chaos this is the story for you. My favorite part was when she threatened to kill herself with a fake sword to get Padma to do what she wanted. The best part was it worked LMAO!