a/n: Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing my first chapter. This is a long one, and it took me way longer than I had anticipated to write it. So anyway, I hope you enjoy! Please keep reviewing by the way. This is my first ever story so any feedback is welcome. Thanks again :)
Chapter 2: By Blood and by Magic
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor will I ever own the original Harry Potter works or the Potterverse. I just felt like playing in the sandbox.
31st July 1991
The world seemed to whirl around him with the speed of a tornado. Harry felt a wave of nausea, and quickly shut his eyes to prevent himself from getting even dizzier than he already was. His fingers were clutched tightly around the cold metal of the pin he had received that morning.
In a moment of instinct he had taken a leap of faith to get himself out of the raging clutches of his uncle. Not that he had really expected it to work. He had been mentally prepared for whatever brutal punishment his uncle was likely to deal out. After all, Harry was often punished harshly for things that Dudley got away with on a daily basis. He was used to it.
But this time was different. This time he got away. Whatever doubts about the existence of magic had still lingered after reading the letters he'd received that morning were quickly melting away. The proof was right there, in his hand.
But before Harry had a chance to think about it more, his feet forcefully made contact with the ground. He staggered, eyes shooting open, as he tried to steady his buckling knees. Regaining his balance, Harry took in his new surroundings.
He had landed in a pristine white room, made entirely of gleaming marble. There were no windows and only a single door leading out on his right. The room was lit by a crystal chandelier, which cast flickers of light all over the white surfaces of the room.
The only other point of interest in this room hung on the far wall. It was a tapestry that stretched from floor to ceiling, and took up almost the entire width of the wall. Harry studied it curiously. It seemed to be a depiction of a battle between humans and goblins. At least, he assumed they were goblins. The figures were slightly smaller than the humans, had pointier ears, sharp teeth and bore axes rather than wands and swords. It was a rather bloody scene, and Harry got the distinct feeling the goblins had won that particular clash.
He tore his eyes from a particularly gruesome corner of the tapestry, straightened up and absent mindedly smoothed his hands over his baggy clothes. He really wished he had something more presentable to wear. After all, if there was anything useful his aunt Petunia had taught him, it was that first impressions mattered.
But there was nothing for it. He sighed, and took a moment to compose his features into a neutral yet interested expression. He had learned that it was often safer if his emotions and thoughts were not on display for just anyone to read from his face. Harry took a deep breath, and briskly walked toward the door and pushed down the handle.
The door opened into the side of what he supposed was the main hall of the bank. There was a row of counters on either side of a wide aisle, with a goblin teller at each desk. Unsurprisingly it was quiet. Each goblin going about his task in silence. The only sound being the scratching of quills and occasional clink of coins being sorted.
Harry stepped into the hall and let his eyes glide over the working goblins. The letter had said to go up to a teller, show him the Potter crest and request to speak to Director Ragnok. With that in mind, and his crest in hand, Harry stepped up to the nearest goblin. The goblin in question looked quite young compared to some of his colleagues. He was furiously scribbling away on a piece of parchment and took no notice of Harry, who now stood in front of the counter. He cleared his throat.
"Excuse me? Sir?" The goblin looked up. Harry thought he might have seen a flicker of surprise flash across the young goblins face at being addressed.
"Can I help you?" The goblin grinned in what Harry supposed might have been a friendly manner if it hadn't been for the goblins pointed teeth. It ended up looking rather intimidating.
"Yes sir, I received a letter from Gringotts this morning, I am to show you this, and request to speak to Director Ragnok" Harry laid the pin with his family crest onto the tellers counter, whose eyes had widened considerably at the mention of the bank director.
The goblin picked up the pin and looked at it carefully. "Very well, Mr. Potter. If you would follow me." He hopped down from his stool and walked around the counter led Harry through another door, at the opposite side of the main hall.
Harry was surprised to see that this hallway was nothing like the rooms he had seen so far. It was made of plain grey stones, and the only light came from torches that hung along the wall every few steps. The goblin ahead of him seemed to sense his surprise and let out a chuckle that echoed between the walls. "No more marble here. Not many clients ever see this part of the bank. Only those who are invited to a meeting with the Director, and not many are, let me assure you.
Suddenly his goblin guide stopped before a pair of beautiful wooden double doors. He knocked twice, loudly rapping his knuckles against the aged wood. The door opened to reveal a broad and sturdy goblin, a good head taller than the teller, who bowed and said;
"Director Ragnok, this is Mr. Potter. I believe you were expecting him."
The Director now looked at Harry, who bowed as well before the goblin, unaware of the shocked looks that crossed the faces of both goblins. Never before in their lifetimes had a wizard bowed for a goblin. Harry straightened up again. "Director Ragnok, my name is Harry Potter. It is an pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise, Mr. Potter." He then addressed the goblin still standing beside Harry in the hallway. "You may return to your duties, teller Griphook."
The teller, Griphook, bowed again and with a 'yes, sir' turned around started heading back down the long corridor. Harry hesitated, but then said "Ehm.. Griphook? Thank you for your assistance. It was most appreciated."
Griphook froze and spun around. "It was my pleasure Mr. Potter." He then turned and walked back toward the main hall, walking as fast as he could without running. Harry shrugged, and turned his attention back toward Director Ragnok, who was grinning widely, taking in the boy before him with interest.
"You are a curious wizard, Mr. Potter. There are not many of your kind who would address a goblin by his chosen name, and even fewer who would bow before a goblin." Harry frowned.
"Let us sit down in my office" Director Ragnok motioned toward two leather armchairs in front of a heavy desk. "We have much to discuss."
Harry followed the impressive goblin into his office, and sat down in one of the chairs. The director sat down behind his desk and grabbed a file from a drawer in his desk.
"Well Mr. Potter," the director began. "Let's get straight to business, shall we?"
He didn't wait for a reply, but simply leafed through the file. "I believe you were made aware of the two positions you stand to inherit?" The goblin director glanced at him over the file.
Harry nodded. "Yes sir, I received a letter from Gringotts this morning." He hesitated. He wondered if he should he tell the director that he had until this morning not known about the existence of magic, and quickly decided that honesty was the best policy. With a bit of luck the goblin could provide him with valuable information about the wizarding world.
He cleared his throat. "To be honest, sir, I had no idea about even the existence of magic until this morning. I did not know that my family was magical, or that they were ancient and noble…" he trailed off. He didn't know anything about his parents, he realized. And even the things he thought he had known, what little his aunt had told him about them, it was all most likely untrue.
Director Ragnok frowned. "You didn't know? How strange. You were supposed to have received a report on the standing of your accounts and investments from your account manager, Bograk, every quarter since your parents' passing. Of course, when you were just a babe those reports would have gone directly to your guardian in the magical world. It is Gringotts policy to treat customers from the age of inheritance, meaning 11 years of age, like any other client. That certainly explains why you suddenly did receive our letter today."
Harry's eyes widened. "And who would be my guardian in the magical world?"
The director's face darkened. "His name is Albus Dumbledore" The director growled out. "Am I correct in assuming that you have had no contact with him concerning matters of the Potter estate?"
Harry nodded mutely. And watched as the intimidating goblin grew angry and pressed a button under his desk. After a moment a young goblin rushed into the office.
"Get me Bograk, immediately." He snarled, and the goblin was gone as quickly as he had come.
The director meanwhile, addressed a startled looking Harry. "My apologies, Mr. Potter, I did not mean to upset you. But it seems that your magical guardian has neglected his duties in informing you of your inheritance. Gringotts will see this error rectified immediately, as we should have done a long time ago.
Harry inclined his head to acknowledge the apology, did not get the chance to speak. The door opened again, and an ancient looking goblin appeared.
"You wanted to see me, Director Ragnok?" the goblin spoke as he bowed his head ever so slightly. Harry suspected he couldn't physically bow any lower without falling to the ground.
"Bograk, this is Mr. Harry Potter, heir to the estates of the Ancient and Noble houses of Potter and Black." The director gestured to Harry, and the older goblin, whose name Harry recognized as the account manager to the Potter Estate, gave him the same slight bow.
"Bograk, it has come to my attention that Mr. Potter has not been informed about his family's estate, as we had hoped he would be. It has become clear that his magical guardian had neglected the duties of his position. He will need to be informed of the state of affairs immediately, before we can move on with our business.
If Bograk was surprised, his wrinkled face didn't show it. "Of course director."
The goblin slowly sat down and produced a sheet of parchment from a folder Harry hadn't seen him carrying before. "This is the most recent report on the Potter estate."
Bograk handed the parchment to Harry, who swiftly looked it over.
Quarterly report on the Potter Estate
Gringotts Vaults
Vault 27 – Potter Vault
Current balance: 2,239,488 Galleon, 5,504 Sickles, 903 knuts
Artifacts: 192 books, 6 wands, 12 miscellaneous magical artifacts.
Vault 687 – Trust vault in the name of Harry Potter
Current balance: 10,000 Galleons, to be refilled up to 10,000 Galleons each year on 31st July until his 17th birthday.
Properties
Potter Manor
Location: Inverness, Scotland
Estimated value: 3,329,919 Galleons
Potter Cottage
Location: Godric's Hollow
This property has been turned into a war memorial.
London Townhouse
Location: 31 Trevor Place, London
Estimated value: 903,650 Galleons
Potter Villa & Winery
Location: Avignon, France
Estimated Value: 968,775 Galleons
Investments and Shares
Daily Prophet 7.5%
Eeylops Owl Emporium 10%
Slug & Jiggers Apothecary 7.5%
Puddlemere United 25%
Seeing the numbers on the parchment, Harry's eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets. He was rich. There was no doubt about it. But how rich, he didn't know. He swallowed. "How many pounds to a galleon?"
"The current convergence rate is around 4 pounds and 97 pence to a galleon." Bograk supplied calmly.
Harry blinked. Just one galleon was worth almost 5 pounds. He quickly did the math in his head. Through his trust vault alone he had access to close to 50,000 pounds every year. And his family vault was worth over an astounding 11 million pounds. His mind was reeling.
The director grinned. "A bit more than you were expecting, is it?"
Harry nodded his head, eyes glued to the document.
"Well, now that you're all up to speed, why don't we get on with our intended business?" Director Ragnok suggested, still grinning at a shellshocked Harry, who finally put down the parchment and tried to regain his composure.
"Right then, Mr. Potter. You are here to claim your position as heir to the Ancient and Noble house of Potter, as well as the Ancient and Noble houses of Black…" Ragnok said, before Harry interrupted him.
"I don't mean to be rude, director, but how exactly is it that I am the heir to the house of Black?" Harry paused. "I mean, I understand that I am inheriting the Potter estate from my father, but I'm not a Black."
"You are correct in saying that you are inheriting the Potter estate through your father's line. He was the last Lord Potter, though only for a few months. As his eldest, or in this case only son, you stand to inherit his line and estate. The Black line is different. You see, Sirius Black was the heir apparent to the Black line when you were born. He was named your godfather, and thus you became his son by magic, not by blood. And even though Sirius Black has never taken up the title of Lord Black, you were recorded as his heir."
Harry frowned thoughtfully. "If Sirius Black is supposed to be my godfather, then why have I never met him? And why did he never become Lord Black?"
"Both those questions can be answered as one. In 1981, Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban prison, where he resides to this day. As such, he has never been able to claim his title, nor make contact with you."
"I don't suppose you know why he was imprisoned?" Harry asked, curious what had happened to his godfather.
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Potter. We goblins have no interest in the business of wizards beyond these halls." Director Ragnok spoke resolutely "Now where was I, ah yes, your inheritance."
The director straightened his back and looked at Harry carefully. "As I said, you are here to claim your position as heir to the houses of Potter and Black through a traditional inheritance ritual. Though I should clarify that there is a choice to be made. You are not required to take up your positions at this time, but because you are the last of the Potter line, doing so will grant you certain liberties and privileges. If you choose to wait, and go through the rituals at a later time there will be no harm done and in the meantime you would still have access to your trust vault."
"What kind of liberties would we be talking about?" Harry asked eagerly.
"First and foremost, you would gain control over the entire Potter estate. You would also, for all intents and purposes, become emancipated. That is to say, you would be allowed all the same privileges as an adult. Normally, wizarding children are not allowed to use magic outside of their schooling until they turn 17. If you decide to go through with the inheritance, those rules would not apply to you as long as you wear your heir ring.
Harry grinned. It would be amazing to be able to do magic whenever he wanted. And he would be emancipated. That meant he never had to go back to the Dursleys. He would be free.
"And what about the Black inheritance?" He asked, noticing that the director had said nothing of the other inheritance.
"It would be mostly the Potter inheritance that would grant you any advantages. Since Sirius Black is still alive, he is the heir apparent to the house of Black. Therefore he will be in control of the Black estate until his passing. For now, you only accept that you will be his heir once the time comes to inherit."
Harry's mind was racing as he thought it all over. There really was no reason for him not to accept, he reasoned. Being free from the Dursleys was as big a privilege he could have ever hoped for. He straightened up in his chair.
"I have made my decision. I want to take on both inheritances." He said resolutely.
"Splendid, Mr. Potter. Then we will move our meeting to the ritual chamber." Director Ragnok stood up and walked briskly to the door. Harry and the Potter account manager followed suit.
All three walked in silence through dim stone halls. They stopped at an ornate golden door that gleamed in the light of the torches that hung on either side.
The director opened the doors, and Harry's eyes took in the sight of the almost empty room. Except for the torches on the walls, there was only a single stone pillar with a golden bowl on it, that stood at the center of the room.
"Welcome to the ritual chamber, Mr. Potter." The director spoke, as the three entered the room. "As you can see, this room is quite empty, and I can assure you that no magic will interfere with the ritual. That would be quite dangerous. If would please approach the bowl in the center of the room, then we will begin."
Harry obediently took a few steps until he was in the middle of the room, facing the pillar. He could now see into the bowl. There were strange drawings all over the inside of the it. He closed his eyes as he felt a wave of tingling warmth surround him that made the hairs at the back of his neck stand up. Harry knew at once and without a doubt that he was feeling magic all around him. Suddenly, the directors brusque voice cut through the silence.
"Hold out your hand above the bowl" Harry did so without hesitation.
"I will now make a small cut on the palm of your hand with a ritual knife. Don't worry, the wound will heal immediately." The director reassured him.
Director Ragnok moved to stand on the opposite side of the bowl and made a small cut with skilled precision. It stung, and blood started welling up in Harry's upturned palm.
"Now let the blood flow into the bowl and declare your intentions. The magic will guide you." The goblin stepped back and watched as Harry closed his eyes and turned his hand, so the blood slowly dripped into the bowl.
For a second, Harry panicked. He didn't know what to say. What if he said something wrong and messed up the ritual?
But his panic was soothed as fast as it had come. The tingling warmth of magic he had felt before was now enveloping him, and suddenly he knew what to do. He took a deep breath and spoke
"I, Harry James Potter, Son of James Potter by blood and by magic, lay claim to my inheritance as heir to the house of Potter. I call forth the family magics to judge my claim. So I have said, so mote it be!"
He felt a rush of magic. And knew his claim had been accepted by the magic. He felt his left hand become ever so slightly heavier as the Potter heir ring materialized around his finger.
Then there was a sudden stab of pain in his forehead. It was agony like he had never felt before. He fell to the floor, writhing as the pain became too much to bear, until he passed out on the cold stone floor.
The two goblins who had been watching the ritual were stunned. They had seen the family magic accept the boy as the Potter heir. Soft golden light had surrounded the young heir, an indicator that he had been deemed worthy. But then the light had concentrated on a single spot on his forehead, and Harry Potter had fallen to the ground, screaming in agony. Neither goblin had ever seen anything like it.
Just when they were going to call for a healer, the screaming stopped as the boy lost consciousness. A black, oozing substance started to seep out of the newly reopened scar on his head. Dark magic. Director Ragnok hastened out of the room, and returned with two goblin healers on his heels. They lifted the boy onto a stretcher, and carried him out of the room.
