A/n: I'm switching perspectives a lot in this chap. All perspective changes are marked.
(Harry's perspective, Two days later)
I had just sat down to breakfast when the owl post came in. I was wondering when Gringotts would get back to me, when a foreign owl dropped down in front of me. After I removed its letter, I noticed the Gringotts seal on the back.
Mr. Potter,
We have studied your accounts at your request and discovered a discrepancy that we wish to rectify. In the last will and Testament of James and Lily Potter, you were to be sent to your Godfather. As this is impossible, you are to free of all custodial restrictions and allowed to choose your own place of residence.
In short Mr. Potter, you will become an emancipated minor, with the privileges of an adult. A member of our staff will meet with you at your earliest convince.
I wish to inform you that you may refuse or accept this at any time.
Thank you for your continued business.
Griphook
Liaison of Gringotts Bank, LondonI'm emancipated oh this was rich. I assume there was a reason why this hadn't happened before now. Folding the letter, I put it in my pocket. Hermione looked at me with questions written on her face. I smiled at her, as far as I knew there wasn't a thing that could interrupt my good mood, I was right.
During class with Snape, I suddenly felt my mind being attacked. That sneaky bastard wanted to play, then he'll play on my rules. I let him slip in, but all he could see or hear was what my physical senses told me. Unless I said something, he had no more clues as to what I was thinking than anyone else. When the bell rang, I sent a simple message.
'We're sorry, the mind you are trying to reach is unavailable to you. Please try again so it can kick your arse.'
"What are you laughing at?"
I looked at Ron with a smirk, "just a really lame joke. Nothing important."
The last day before Christmas break was when I decided to meet with the rep from Gringotts. McGonagall's face was fun to watch when I told her, she insisted that either she or Dumbledore sit in during the conversation, and I agreed and asked that she sit in.
So we were in her office waiting for the rep to arrive when she said, "may I ask, why did you choose me instead of Professor Dumbledore?"
I smiled at her, "I trust that you have my best interests at heart. Professor Dumbledore has many things that he must take in account before my interests."
She nodded, "thank you Mr. Potter."
The rep turned out to be a Goblin who introduced himself as Griphook.
"Mr. Potter, I was unaware there was to be anyone else sitting in on this meeting."
"Professor McGonagall is here to help me make an informed decision."
Griphook nodded, "then let's begin."
Griphook went on for hours on the various properties and businesses I owned or co-owned. After several times in which McGonagall was flabbergasted, she simply kept my mouth shut. Finally we arrived at the reason he was here.
"Mr. Potter, you may only claim these once you reach your majority. If you agree to sign, you will receive your emancipation."
McGonagall spoke up, "Potter, are you sure about this?"
I looked at her, "is there any negative benefits that you know of?"
"No, but this would force you to deal with adult things. You won't have a childhood anymore."
"Professor, the Dursleys never let me have a childhood, so I'm losing nothing." I signed the line. Once it was done, I could almost feel the wards around the Dursleys crashing down.
Griphook nodded saying that I would receive an in-depth report on my ownership and receive the key to my family vault via courier.
McGonagall looked saddened; "I'm sorry Potter."
I looked at her surprised, "for what Professor?"
"I should have argued more with Albus about leaving you there. I knew that they were horrible muggles, but I bowed to his will."
"I don't blame you Professor, you did what you thought was best and hoped. All we really can do is hope we forge a good future."
'Potter," she paused, "Harry, if you need help locating a place to stay this summer, I will gladly help you."
"Thank you very much Professor. I'm very glad I have you to trust in."
Before I could stand to leave, Dumbledore came in looking extremely upset.
"Minerva, I need you to get Harry," he finally noticed me. "Harry, would you please come with me?"
"Why, do you want to discuss the blood wards around the Dursleys that just came down?" I was fighting not to show how angry I was at his presumption.
His face registered surprised for a second before returning to the calm look he usually had, "why yes Mr. Potter. May I ask how you know about that?"
"I've been informed."
(McGonagall's perspective)
I must say, I've never seen Albus put on the defensive by anyone. A part of me wanted to intervene, but the other was curious about what was happening.
"Harry," began Albus.
"Mr. Potter," interrupted Harry.
Albus blinked, "excuse me?"
"I believe that only my friends should be able to call me Harry," replied Harry, "as you are not one, Mr. Potter will do."
I couldn't believe this, if I was only listening, I would think Albus was the student, not Harry. I believe I understand why muggles gawk at disasters, it's simply awe of what you see with your own eyes.
"Mr. Potter, do you know why the blood wards have failed?"
"Most likely when I signed the will making me a emancipated minor."
Albus looked horrified, "do you realize what you have done?"
Harry leaned back as if to think about it. "Let's see. Agreed to receive my full inheritance, received the same rights as a adult wizard, free to chose my new place of residence and learned what you hid from me." Here he paused, "did I miss anything?"
"You have caused the protection on your family's home to fail."
Harry looked surprised; "I have family, really? Why wasn't I sent to live with them?"
"It was placed on the Dursleys, they are the only family you have." Albus was starting to look irritated.
"That swine simply bears a genetic similarity with my mother. How that happened, is beyond me."
Harry's eyes were glowing slightly; I could see why Harry would have been targeted by you-know-who. Harry had stood up and looked Albus in the face; "did your puppet tell you of his failure? Did he crawl like he does for his other puppeteer, begging for forgiveness?"
Albus was pulsating with power; "you will not compare me to Riddle again."
"I didn't," said Harry. He hadn't back down when Albus started to show why he was feared, if anything he stood up straighter. "You did." Harry turned to me, his eyes blazing with power, "Professor, thank you for all the help you have given me. May I be excused?"
I just wanted to hide under a table, in between Albus' aura and Harry's, I truly knew what fear meant. Harry must have seen my fear because I no longer felt sick by their competing powers. I nodded to Harry who immediately took his leave.
Albus stared at the door awhile before he too left. I wondered how Harry was unafraid of Albus when I, who had known him for years, was afraid of his anger. Harry was an amazing individual; I would simply make sure that I helped him as best I could.
First thing I was going to do, visit the Dursleys and teach them a lesson they wouldn't forget.
(Dumbledore's perspective)
How could he do that? How could he put innocent people in danger for his own amusements? Sure, they weren't the best family he could be placed with, but they were of his blood, that should account for something.
Harry was being childish, I would have thought that they would teach him better. I returned to my office to think things over. Minerva didn't know about the blood protection, or else she wouldn't have allowed Harry to agree. Why hadn't she told me he was meeting with a representative of Gringotts? I quickly flooed them.
Speaking with the first person I saw, "I wish to speak to someone concerning paperwork that has recently been filed on Harry Potter." The individual quickly retrieved one of the Head Goblins.
"Yes Mr. Dumbledore?"
"I would like you to freeze paperwork on Mr. Potter's emancipation." I knew that if I could just speak with him, I could make him understand.
The Goblin shook his head, "I'm sorry sir, but according to the last will and testament of his parents, if he is not residing with Sirius Black or Remus Lupin he can receive emancipation at any point after age twelve." "Any thing else," added the Goblin.
"No. That's all, thank you." Dear god Harry, what have you done?
(McGonagall's perspective)
I sat drinking tea with Hagrid, I was telling him about my visit with the Dursleys. He was an excellent audience; he waited with baited breath for the punch line and laughed in all the right places.
"So you left it on them," Hagrid asked loudly. I nodded and he let loose another window shaking laugh. I had to admit I found it rather funny in retrospect.
Hagrid calmed a little, "I'm glad someone did it to them, I would have if not for my little restriction."
"Yes, I was angrier when I saw that whale of a cousin of his. I still remember when I first saw Harry and saw he was so thin. I thought the family hit a rough spot, but then I saw his uncle and cousin stuffing their faces."
Hagrid nodded, "I can't see Harry feeling sorry for them." He bowed his head; "in between Black and the Dursleys, I would have looked for a third option."
"Well that's behind us now. I'm going to help him as best I can."
(Hagrid's perspective)
"Well that's behind us now. I'm going to help him as best I can."
She had a fiery look in her eyes. I must admit, I wouldn't want to stand in her way. She politely said goodbye and left.
Harry, I wonder if you know the devotion you inspire. When I first met you, you didn't seem afraid of me, even when I was threatening the Dursleys. Every time you get in a tight spot, you never ask for any more help than is offered. One day, you will realize the devotion you inspire, and you'll most likely shun it.
I'm so proud of the way you've grown since you first came. I hope you never lose your way.
(Sirius' Perspective)
Harry came in looking calm, but radiating anger. He went and sat next to Hermione and calmly did his work. He was so unlike James, James would have gone and pulled a prank to relieve his anger.
I admit, when I first saw him, I thought I was looking at Prongs again, but his eyes were what made me realize it wasn't him. James, though I loved him like a brother, was arrogant at times. Harry never seemed that way. I was slowly realizing that James was dead, and Harry would never be like James. I had never really let go of the idea that this was an elaborate joke that had gone horribly wrong. I still expected James to pop out and say, "got you!"
Peter had vanished right after everyone went to bed on the first night, but I no longer cared for revenge. All I cared about was Harry. When he activated the map we made, I panicked, but he told me he already knew. Confusion racked my brain as I tried to figure out how. I realized he could have turned me in at any moment, but he didn't.
Regardless of how long I would have to stay a dog, so long as I was with Harry I didn't care.
(Harry's perspective)
I finished my homework and sat stoking Sirius' fur. So much had happened it was hard to process it. I had seen fear in McGonagall's face. Either towards Dumbledore or me I couldn't tell, but when I calmed down slightly she appeared much better.
Hermione had her common mountain of homework so I summoned mine down to keep her company. There was so much I was changing, but am I doing any good? Sure I protected Buckbeak and Sirius, but would this change the outcome?
As it grew later and Hermione's stack grew smaller, she asked, "everything alright?"
"Yeah, it's alright." I smiled at her; "it's just been an eventful day."
For some reason she blushed, "are you going to sit there all night or something?"
"I thought you might like the company, regardless if it's helpful."
She blushed even more, "yes I would. Thank you."
I nodded back at her as she returned to her work. I hadn't wanted to face Dumbledore so soon after receiving my freedom, but some things are beyond my control. A part of me knew that something had shifted when we faced off, but I couldn't figure out what.
Really late, after Hermione had finished her homework, I went to bed and slept without dreams.
A/n: To everyone who thought Harry should be angrier, here's him standing toe to toe. Hope you like it.
Thanks to Maxennce, FeigningInocence, HaliOmani, TGB and athenakitty for the reviews.
HaliOmani: Ape-shit, only at two people. Uber-powerful, not really.