The Priceless Gift

When I awoke the next morning I lay there in my bed, listening to the birds outside chirping. The wind blew in and ruffled the curtains. I could hear the chimes of my aunts tinkling in the background. As I laid there I thought about the dream, I had just had, and as I sat up, and rubbed my eyes, I got a startling revelation when I realized I had no glasses on and I could see perfectly.

I slid out of the bed, and walked straight to the wardrobe and stared at myself, "Holy shit!" I gasped, in shock, as I stared at my tall, self. I had to be at least 510! Big difference from the 5 foot 3 that I had been just last night.

My hair was indeed long, and wavy, just above my elbow by about three inches. I wasn't skinny nor was I lanky. I rubbed my face looking at the mature yet boyish look that was in place. As I ran my hand that was much larger over my face, I felt a bristle, and I nearly jumped with shock, when I realized, it was facial hair near my hair line on my cheek.

I stood there just staring at myself. I turned around several times, feeling like a female doing such a thing, but I couldn't help it. It's like waking up and realizing you have changed overnight. Which is what he did.

I felt strong and powerful, much more powerful than I had ever felt. The energy I had was immense and strong. I cupped my cheeks and leaned in closer, and shook my head, "Crickey! This is bloody wicked." was all I could say.

I then remembered that Voldemort took away the tracking on my wand, I slid it out from under my pillow and stared down at it, cautiously. "Here goes nothing! Accio Book!" The book shot into my hand swiftly much faster than I had anticipated.

I glanced over at the window, expecting a large barn owl to swoop in on me. I waited ten more minutes when a grin spread upon my face. I punched my fists in the air, and snickered, "Its over...! I can leave." I hissed to myself, the excitement and mischief littered my green eyes.

It didn't take long for me to take a shower, shave that nasty bit of hair that was on my cheek off, without getting cut, and changing into some clothes, that were much to short for me. "Need new clothes." I mumbled to myself, as I knelt down and pulled everything out from under the floorboard.

The excitement shot through me, as I gathered all my stuff up. I had placed my hair back in a low ponytail. Something, I was going to have to get use too.

I used the fifth year charm, and shrunk all my items, and used a feather weight charm, and stuck it in my backpack and pulled out my invisbility cloak. I leaned against the window and poked out from behind the curtains, to hear murmuring, "Two sickles... blimey that's too cheap." grumbled the gruff voice of Mundungas Fletcher.

I almost felt bad leaving on Mundungas Fletcher's watch... the word was ALMOST however, for I slipped out of the room.

No one was home, this was going to make things MUCH easier. I thought to myself, as I slid on the invisbility cloak and eased open the door, into the bright sunlight that was shining brightly down all around Privet Drive. Aunt Petunia's begonias were perky and swaying in the soft wind. It was a really warm day, a good day to run away. I thought with a smile.

It didn't take me long to sneak far enough away from Privet, that I could call on the night bus. Making sure my scar was hidden, I stepped onto the purple monster, to hear Stan's usual speech. I gave him a false name, and galleons before sitting and waiting patiently for the very nauseating ride to end.

Soon I was standing in front of the Leaky Cauldron. Glancing into a window next to the Leaky Cauldron. I ruffled his bangs making sure my scar was well hidden, and with one last look and a deep breath, I entered the busy pub to hear laughter and chatter. I dodged many people, with my book bag over my shoulder.

Diagon Alley, was amazingly rich, and as I remembered it, when I frrst stepped through the to the cobblestone walk way. It gave me a sense of pleasure to walk along the many other witches and wizards. Too bad he would be ending that all too soon...

Gringotts Bank was easily the largest building in the underground world of wizarding shops and such. As I entered I walked along the nicely polished floors up to a counter with my head held high. I wasn't going to take any shit from these goblins.

"I'm Harry Potter, I want to get a balance of EVERY one of the vaults I happen to own, no questions asked."

I stated firmly. I flipped up my bangs for a split second allowing the pointy eared goblin with yellow teeth to see my so called 'ID'

The mouth of the goblin fell open, "Y.. Yes sir. Griphook!" called the goblin.

I remembered Griphook from my first year, when Hagrid brought me. The goblin exited, and the other goblin started talking in Gobblegook, to the goblin who glanced over several times sizing me up.

I gave him a pointed stare, causing Griphook to look away and nod and mumble something, before motioning for me to follow.

"Come this way Mr. Potter. This is a pleasant surprise. You are just in time, Mr. Dumbledore told us you wouldn't be able to make it to Mr. Black's Will."

Anger swelled up the size ofa beach ball inside of me, as I heard this, "My Godfathers will? I was never told?"

"We sent out an owl two days ago Mr. Potter." said Griphook as he pointed to a comfortable chinz chair.

I slowly sat down in it, feeling the anger slid up in me. I closed my eyes, "That son of a bitch." I whispered, "He manipulated me! He kept that owl from coming!" I hissed.

Griphook sat down and folded his hands, "Excuse me Mr. Potter?"

"Dumbledore, he's butted in far too much!" I muttered, "That's it!" I mumbled, "Griphook, I would like to hear the will and everything else that I own! That you happened to have informed me on but somehow I never received any message."

Griphook's eyes widen, "You never received our owls?"

My eyes narrowed, "Owls... as in plural?" I asked slowly, I clenched my fists, as Griphook nodded, "Yes, we sent you many."

I closed my eyes, and squeezed it tightly when "CRASH!" the glass windows in the office shattered to pieces.

Griphooks eyes widen, as he watched his vases bust and crack in tiny pieces.

I started feeling the hot rush of anger, hotter than I had ever felt it.

"I can't believe it. That bastard! That... ulgh!" I bent down head between my knees to calm my nerves. "I'm so angry right now!" I hissed.

Griphook looked stunned, "What have I done?" he asked.

"Nothing!" I said, through gritted teeth.

I came back up and looked at Griphook, "I apologize Griphook. It seems that someone has been manipulating my life, controlling it to where I cannot breath."

Griphook only nodded in understanding, "Well Mr. Potter, you don't have to be manipulated any longer." he said pulling out a large box and some files.

"WE have all your folders on the Potters Estate and the Black Estate. Mr. Remus Lupin has not made an appearance as of yet, so his part of the will has been kept under wraps. You and Remus are the only remaining people he has placed in the will... so shall we get on with it Harry?"

I nodded, and pressed my hands against his desk, "Yes Griphook."

"Great... now Mr. Black, has written this just a week before his death. He must have known he would be in quite a lot of danger."

"How can you give out a will when the Ministry thinks he is a criminal?"

"Wills and Ministry do not interfere with one another. It is the contract and law between wizards and goblins. We don't care who someone has killed. If you want money if you want to keep your money safe it can be safe here... along with anything else."

I just grinned, "I like that."

The goblin showed a set of yellow sharp teeth with his grin, "Yes, so do we Mr. Potter." he handed me a letter, "You are to read this at your leisure, but I would advise you to read it soon, there may be something of importance in there."

I nodded, and went straight to opening the letter, as I did, I seen the scribbles of my godfathers writing and the pain swelled up inside of me.

Dear Harry,

Don't you start crying on me kiddo! I'm here with you no matter what, always in your heart. Got it? I never got around to telling you how much I loved you or how much you really mean to me. But you did mean a lot to me. More than anything Harry. You believed in me at a time when no one else did. Now that I'm gone, you are legally emancipated, and please do not let Dumbledore run your life or manipulate it. You don't have to fight in this nasty war. Just because you're a Gryffindor doesn't mean you have to stick around and be brave. You can leave and enjoy your life and come back later. You don't have to sacrifice it now. Please look out for Remus for me, and make sure he is all right. The werewolf has been through enough to last any man a lifetime. You own everything and remember to ask a goblin to look in your other vaults. Its not much seeing as all of your parents stuff was destroyed in the house, but I believe their wands, death certificates and deads to houses and estates all across the world reside in a minature vault. You may want to ask to take a look at it. You have every right, and Albus Dumbledore has kept it from you all too long.

Please take care of yourself and remember to live up to the Marauders expectation and don't always play the pawn or the good guy. Sometimes you have to fight fire with that same exact fire because the water can get out of hand. You got it kiddo? I'm going to sign off now and please, don't cry over me, I'm probably wherever it is I am having a time with your parents. Please, don't cry for me. I love you just like a son.

Love, Sirius O. Black.

Ps. I never got around to telling you just how much you flew like your father..

The tears escaped my eyes and trailed down my cheeks, as I closed the letter, and sniffed.

Griphook looked the other way in respect, and I was glad he was doing so.

I felt a weight lifted off my shoulder, as I held the letter in my hand.

I wiped away the tears and gave a nod, "Thanks Griphook. Let's continue."

Griphook nodded, "Very well MR. Potter..." He pulled out a box of items. "This was in Sirius Black's Safe Box. He had it hidden specifically for you when you were of age, but since he has departed it rightfully belongs to you."

Harry seen a set of mirrors, he seen a large muggle notebook that seemed to date back to the seventies. He seen many items including rings and necklaces, as they were placed down, he got information on each.

"These are communciation mirrors."

"I have the other. Its destroyed."

"Simple reparing charm should fix." said Griphook handing him the mirrors, and then the notebook. "I have no idea what this is. He didn't tell me." Griphook handed it to me, and when I opened it, I was stunned to see moving pictures of a stag, a dog, and a drawing of a werewolf instead of a full fledged picture. On top it said, 'Animagus Transformation Receipe.'

"Wow!" whispered Harry in shock. "This is animagi!"

Griphook just grinned, "This ring was your godfather's Hogwarts school ring." He handed it to me. I took a look. It was beautiful, it was silver, with a black carving of a dog on one side and a lion on the other side, and a ruby red gem with a gold G on it. Around it was Hogwarts School of WitchCraft and Wizarding, all around the ruby. Underneath it had my godfathers name. I slid it on my middle finger, and it fit perfectly.

Griphook held up a necklace with a silver SB on it as the charm.

"From what I was told when he came in, this is very valuable. I have no idea why. I guess its just something dear to him." He handed it to Harry who felt the power, radiate from him when he heard a soft voice in his head, 'Hi ya bud! How you doing?'

I fell out of my chair in absolute shock, as I heard the voice, "Sirius?" I said sitting on the floor.

Griphook glanced over in shock. "Mr. Potter are you all right?"

I nodded and scrambled up and back onto the chair, my eyes widen.

"Yeah its me! I'm dead now aren't I?" he asked.

"Uh... yes." I said softly.

Griphook was now looking at me oddly, but all I could think of was the voice in my head. "How..." I started.

"I made this June 16th! I was bored out of my mind and thought I'd make this and place my magic, personality, and echo inside."

I just looked at the necklace, "Wow! So.. Its like a portrait?"

"Yes! No one else can here me kiddo but you. How you doing? Don't be upset with me."

"I'm not upset with you! I'm upset with Dumbledork!" I answered, getting a laugh out of the necklace.

"This is the best gift anyone has ever given me." I said softly.

Griphook looked at me, in surprise.

When I realized I was talking to no one and Griphook was staring at me, I told him what it was, and for a Goblin he grinned at me, "That's absolutely ingenius Mr. Potter. Looks like you have your godfather back."

"Yeah... looks it." I said with tears lining my eyes once again...