Return of the Missing Lords:
The thirty-first of July nineteen nighty-one saw something that was odd even for Diagon Alley. Three figures entered the alley dressed in brightly coloured cloaks with hoods that hid their faces; one in purple, one in royal blue and the smallest figure in red. This wasn't that unusual for Diagon Alley. What was strange was the way the three cloaked figures addressed one another. It was all 'my lord' and 'my lady' and they kept using phrases such as 'by the lion'.
The strangely spoken trio entered Gringotts bank and the one in the purple cloak removed her hood to reveal beautiful black curls falling past her waist and icy blue eyes that commanded attention. This woman spat over her shoulder before speaking.
"I wish to speak to the manager of the bank." Goblins and wizards alike stared at the cloaked woman and her companions for a moment before one of the goblins approached them.
"This way." With a bow the goblin lead the group through corridors of marble to the manager's office. The manager was another goblin.
"We'd like the book of blood inheritances please. My nephew would like to use it."
"Of course. Your nephew will be the first to use it in about 200 years." The goblin walked out a door behind his desk and returned five minutes later with a book that was coated in a thick layer of dust and presented it to the boy in the red cloak.
Harry blew the dust off the book and opened it to a blank page. He placed his finger against the page and writing began to appear on it. When the writing stopped Harry took his finger off and handed the book back to the bank manager. The goblin glanced briefly at the page then look again. A gobsmacked expression graced his face.
"You qualify for over 300 inheritances," gasped the goblin, "some of these haven't been claimed for several centuries."
"I trust you will have the keys sorted for us as soon as possible. In the meantime we need some galleons right away. We have some dwarven swords here we can exchange." The trade was made and the trio of cloak wearers left to purchase school supplies for Hogwarts.
Draco Black was trying on his Hogwarts robes in Madam Malkin's when three people in hooded cloaks walked in. The hood of the red cloak was removed to show a black haired, green-eyed boy about Draco's age. An aristocratic edge was noticeable in his tone as he asked for a set of Hogwarts robes though he didn't sneer as Draco's father had done the one time Draco had visited him.
Draco wasn't the only person looking to see if the red cloaked boy was on the platform on September first but no one could find him. They couldn't find him on the train either, although Draco did meet up with Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom. They also shared a carriage with a muggleborn girl who introduced herself as Hermione Granger.
The first years had just lined up in front of the teachers table when the doors of the great hall burst open to admit the three figures in their coloured cloaks.
"Who are you?" questioned Dumbledore. The lady removed her purple hood before replying.
"I am Lady Viola. My nephew is on your list." The red cloaked boy walked to join the other first years as whispers broke out amongst the student body.
"Be good little lord. Remember what you have been taught and make sure you find time to train." A male voice, that Minerva McGonagall felt sure she recognised, issued from under the navy hood.
"Yes my lord," the boy replied with a bow. The lady curtsied and the gentleman bowed then they both turned and walked away.
The sorting began and Draco found himself going to Gryffindor house. Hermione joined him, as did Neville. Then some twins were sorted, one went to Ravenclaw; the other came to Gryffindor. McGonagall had gone pale as she looked at the list and when she spoke her voice was faint.
"Potter, Harry." No one was bothering to whisper now. Harry Potter had been missing for ten years, his name shouldn't have been on the list. The little lord removed his crimson cloak to reveal an almost perfect James Potter replica. All the teachers (none of the students were old enough to have met James) stared in shock as the missing boy-who-lived walked over to the sorting hat and placed it upon his head. It had barely touched him when it yelled Gryffindor.
As Harry walked towards the house table amidst rousing cheers, McGonagall realised who the gentleman had been. Sirius Black. The two missing heirs of two ancient and noble wizarding families had made a reappearance.
