Chapter 3
Once they were all dressed, Harry, along with his parents and brother, took a taxi to the Leaky Cauldron, although they had to ask to be left off at the corner, since a muggle can't see the tavern. Upon entering the bar, Michelle went up to the barkeep, Tom, and asked him to open the portal to Diagon Alley. Staring in wonderment, Harry watched as Tom took out his wand, tapped some bricks, and stepped back as a doorway formed to allow entrance into the alley. After thanking him, Michelle led the way through the crowd towards Gringotts. Upon arriving at the bank, Michelle stopped and held out her hand to Harry. She said,
"Take my hand. This is Gringotts bank, the bank for the wizarding world, the beings you are about to see are Goblins; treat them as you would an adult. They control everything to due with banking in this world, and it would not be wise to upset them. Keep your hand in mine the entire time," turning to Edward and Mark, "Edward I would appreciate it if you would stay here with Mark as the cart ride to the vault will upset him," after receiving a nod in reply, Michelle continued into the bank with Harry.
Walking up to the main desk, Michelle pulled out a gold key and presented it to the Goblin there. Asking politely she said,
"Would you please take us to Vault 843, this is my key, and we would like to withdraw some money. Also we need to see the Goblin in charge of inheritance and wills."
"Griphook, take them to Vault 843, and then to the office of Inheritance and Wills," the goblin yelled at one of the other ones working on the floor.
Looking around, Harry saw a goblin beckoning them to follow, which they did. One thrilling, roller costar-like ride later, Harry and his mom arrived at Vault 843.
"Harry, this is my vault. In my family every child receives a vault for their personal use and schooling. In the case of a squib, they receive a vault to use for the schooling needs of their magical children, should they have any. Should they not have any, upon their death the money will return to the Family Vault."
Opening the door, Michelle motioned Harry inside. Harry stared in sheer amazement at the amount of money located in the vault. Laughing silently at his look, Michelle continued with her lecture,
"Now the gold coins are galleons, the silver ones are sickles, and the bronze are knuts. The galleons are worth the most, followed by sickles, and then knuts," reaching out she grabbed a lot of galleons, sickles, and knuts, putting them into a bottomless pouch.
After exciting their vault, and another cart ride later, Griphook showed to them to the office of Inheritance and Wills. Upon knocking, a loud voice said,
"Enter."
After closing the door behind them, Harry turned to star into the eyes of goblin sitting behind a large desk. It gestured to two chairs in front of the desk, saying,
"Please sit down, my name is Grendle. What can I do for you today?"
Upon sitting, Michelle answered,
"I've come to talk to you about my son Harry. His full name is Harold James Edward Potter-Evans, and I would like him to be tested to see what vaults he is the heir to."
After looking briefly surprised at the name given, Grendle took out a piece of paper soaked in a special potion that would show a person's inheritance with the drop of blood. Placing in on the desk, he asked,
"Mister Harry, may I see one of your hands? I need to give you a small prick on the finger for a drop of blood, after which your finger will heal."
"Okay, but you can call me Harry, you are most likely older than me so you shouldn't have to call me Mister. Mister Grendle, could you make it quick," Harry replied while sticking out his hand.
Astonished at the respect he received, Grendle almost forget what he was doing. Shaking his head gently, he took Harry's hand, pricked the finger and allowed for a drop of blood to land on the piece of special parchment. Immediately words began to form to read:
Harry James Edward Potter-Evans
Potter Trust Vault
Potter Family Vault
Evans Family Vault
Gryffindor Family Vault
Merlin's Vaults
Ravenclaw Family Vaults
Minutes passed as both Grendle and Michelle stared at the parchment, not fully understanding what they were seeing. Finally Grendle regained his composure enough to say,
"Never before have we seen such a well-connected young child. He is not only the heir four of the riches families in history, but also to Merlin himself. All of these vaults will be held in trust for the young master here until he has attained the age of 13, at which time he will become lord of the four families, and gain access to the five major vaults. Here is the key to his trust fund vault which can be used at any time."
Finally finding her voice, Michelle stated,
"We would appreciate it if you told nobody about what has happened here today. Also as I am his legal guardian, I request that all matters dealing with his vaults be sent to me as I have the right to oversee his affairs until he is of age. All previous actions outlined since the death of his parents will be stopped as of now. If any questions are asked about the reason why, you will simply state that Harry Potter's new guardian has requested it. A large gift will be donated to the bank for your help and silence."
The goblin smiled at the blatant bribe, but agreed to everything said. A few minutes later they left the office with a promise to Harry that everything will be dealt with in due order.
Upon exiting the bank, Michelle and Harry immediately spotted Edward and Mark waiting off to the side. Walking excitingly up to his dad, Harry said,
"Hey, Dad. It was so cool. There were goblins and they took us to this vault where we retrieved a lot of money. And then we saw this other goblin, Grendle, and he told me about my inheritances and everything. It was so cool. Where should we go first?"
"Okay first stop jumping around, you're making me dizzy. Second, I suggest that we ask your mom where we should go first. She is the expert at the moment."
Turning around, Harry looks up at his mom and asks,
"Mom, where do you want to go first? I really want to see as much as possible. Please pick a store," all the while giving his best puppy dog face.
"I never can resist that face. I suggest that we get you measured for robes first so that we can pick them up as we leave. Then we'll hit the writing supplies store, so that you can pick up some parchment, ink, and quills. Your tutor figured that you should get used to writing your essays on parchment in preparation for Hogwarts. However, I suggest that you write your notes in spiral notebooks, so that you can keep track of everything. After that store, we will go to Ollivander's to pick up a practice wand. The last store that we will go to is the bookstore, Flourish and Blott's, since you absolutely love books. You get your love of them from your mother. Now lets get going, we have many hours of shopping ahead of us," grabbing his hand she led the way with her husband following her to Madam Malkin's robe shop.
Harry's eyes grew wide when he entered the store, for there were so many choices and options in the clothes department. Turning, he saw a woman exit from the back and come up to them. She asked,
"How may I help you today?"
"I need for Harry to be measured for some robes. I would like five casual, two formal, and one dress robe. All of them must be spelled to grow with him for at least nine inches and they must include self-cleaning, wrinkle-repelling, and other such spells. I would like the casual robes to be in the colors of black, hunter green, emerald green, navy blue, and blood red. The formal robes must be black with an emerald green trim, and navy blue with a silver trim. Finally, the dress robe must be emerald green with a black trim. I want them to be ready for pick-up in four hours. Can you do that?" she stated acting like an aristocrat.
Cowering slightly, the woman replied,
"Yes, I can have that done for you by then. If you will follow me into the back, I will measure your son, and give you the price estimate for what you asked for. Are there any types of cloth that you would prefer?" Motioning her hand, they followed her into the back room to be measured.
"Yes, for the casual I would like them to be cotton, while the formal and dress must be silk."
Finishing with the measuring, she stated
"The final price will be 30 galleons, which you can pay when you pick up the robes."
"Thank you, we will be back later."
Taking Harry's hand, she led him back out of the shop without him ever saying a word. Edward had a look of awe on his face from the way his wife had just acted. Speaking up, he said,
"Wow. I have never seen you act like that before. You were amazing."
"Yeah, mom, that was so cool. You so took charge in there. I have never seen you act like that before. Where did that attitude come from?"
"It's something everybody in my family learns from the cradle. In time I will tell you about them, but until I do, all I will say is that every one of them acts like an aristocrat. It is something that is breed in us from birth, and an attitude that we are brought up with. However I will never ask you to act like that unless it is truly necessary. What I did back there is something I will teach you to do, along with pureblood etiquette, and everything I had pounded into me from birth. Now lets move on to the writing supplies store."
Purposefully they strode through the crowd, hitting the parchment store before continuing towards Ollivander's. Upon entering the store, Harry found nothing remarkable about it. It was dusty, dirty, and altogether dank. Looking around, Harry couldn't locate anybody when suddenly,
"Well, if it isn't Mr. Potter. I remember your parents quite well. Your mother's wand was quite good for Charms, while your father's was good for Transfiguration. I wonder what your wand will lean towards. Which hand is your wand hand?"
"Well, I'm ambidextrous, but my right hand is dominant. Also how did you know I was Potter, nobody knows that outside of family and the goblins."
"I have my ways, but don't worry I'll keep your secret safe with me. Now down to business. I'll have to pass up on some of my less powerful wands, since ambidextrous wizards tend to be more powerful," turning he started walking up and down aisles pulling down boxes and muttering to himself about different wands. Returning he gave Harry a wand, "Try this. It's oak with a unicorn hair freely given and soaked in the tears of another unicorn."
Harry gave it a swish, but when nothing happened it was taken from his hand and another was pushed into it. This process continued through several dozens wand until the one in his had started to grow warm and a bust of light came from it.
"Hmm. Yes. Very interesting. That is indeed a powerful wand, indeed it is the most powerful wand that I have. It's holly with the feather of a phoenix, freely given of course. What is odd is that the brother wand is the one that gave you the scar hidden on your forehead. Also what is strange is that if you are that powerful now, you will need a new wand before you go to Hogwarts because I believe that the wand you hold now will not be able to channel your powers long," turning towards Michelle, he said, "I will not be telling anyone of what has occurred today, especially not Dumbledore as I know you mistrust him. I suggest that you chose a wand holster for you son, which will make your total 15 galleons. I can't wait to see what you will do in this world, Mr. Potter."
While Harry picked out a wand holster, Michelle paid for it all. Leaving the store, Michelle led the way to their last stop before picking up his robes, Flourish and Blott's. Upon entering, Harry couldn't help, but stare in awe at the shear magnitude of the store. Holding out her hand Michelle gave him a list and said,
"This is the list of books sent by your teacher. He wants you to get all these books, and I will allow you to get as many extras as you want. Grab a cauldron and start hunting, your father and I will be looking at books as well with your brother. Enjoy," turning, she and Edward went off to the second floor to look around.
Seeing a cauldron, Harry grabbed it and went off into the first section of books, which happened to be History. Looking at his list, he saw many history books that he had to get, and he started looking for them. In no time at all he had books on the goblin wars, the ministry of magic, and the history of the magical world in the cauldron. On top of those he added, The History of Magic, The Rise and Fall of Dark Lords, A self-updating Book of Magical Laws, and History of Hogwarts Founders. Next he grabbed two books on magical theory before going to the Charms section. Once there he picked up the three books that were on his list, only one of them dealing with the practical side while the other two where purely background and theory. After Charms he picked up his Transfiguration books, which were practically the same as his Charms books. The last section on his list had to do with obscure magic. In this section he had to pick up the books: Harnessing the Mind, Mind Magics, and A Guide to Occulmency: Guarding the Mind. For fun Harry picked up a couple of books on Latin and French which seemed to be important languages to learn. After seeing a section on physical fighting, he picked up some books on muggle forms of defense and magical sword fighting. As an after thought he also grabbed Quiddich through the Ages because the Quiddich store had seemed interesting. Finding his parents, they paid for the books before heading to pick up Harry's robes and then heading home. On the way, the stopped at the Chinese restaurant they had went to the day of his adoption, and had a wonderful birthday dinner. That night Harry fell asleep, the happiest boy there ever was.
--------------------------------
In answer to the questions in the review section:
KaitsSlytherin- There may be a reason for the last name Evans, I just have planned that far ahead.
MadnessLover- They stole the baby because they knew the Dursleys and couldn't justify leaving a magical baby with them.
The Female Nerd- The sorting takes place in chapter 5, so just wait and see.
athenakitty- i think its going to be nice snape, and manipulative dumbledore. Michelle's background will be reveiled in chapter 4, she may found out about dumbledore's manipulations of Harrry's vault, but not for a few years at least. She is liberal due to the influence of her muggle husband. All your other questions also deal with chapter 4.
That's it for now, Chapter Four should be done today or tomorrow.