Disclaimer: I own the plot, nothing else.
Harry Potter and His Heritage
Chapter Two
Every night Harry was awaken by a nightmare of Sirius falling through the veil. Today was no different. AT four o'clock Harry awoke with a cold sweat, and realized that he had been sixteen for a whole four hours. A birthday didn't really mean anything to Harry because he never had a part of received any gifts until the age of eleven. To him his birthday was another day in the year, where he happened to gain another year of life.
Ever since Harry started to attend Hogwarts, his birthdays were now noticed. He still didn't have a party, but at least he received gifts, to make him feel a little bit special. This year his friends sent him more gifts. Ron got him a book on Chess Strategies. Mrs. Weasley, Ron's mom, sent him a proper birthday cake along with some other sweets. Hermione sent him a charmed miniature quidditch, that would perform any play you told them to perform. Remus, one of Harry's father's best friends, sent him a defense book that focused on all the different ways you can defend yourself, including muggle karate. Professor Dumbledore send him a not that said "I will see you soon."
Harry spent the next couple of days pondering over Dumbledore's note, reading the book Remus sent, eat proper meals courtesy of Mrs. Weasley, and experimenting with the mini quidditch pit Hermione sent. After all these things, Harry still couldn't get Dumbledore's message out of his head. Was Dumbledore going to talk about Sirius? Was he mad about his office? When was he going to come?
In three days Harry got his answers. Dumbledore arrived at three o'clock the "normal" way. He didn't even have to the "normal" way because the Dursleys' were out for the day. He of course knew that, and said "The order arranged from to be out of the house that way they didn't have any distractions."
"Oh," Harry said dumbly.
"Now on to business. You of course know of the vault in Gringotts that contains the money your parents left. You do not know that they also had another vault that contained their assets. Some of which include a list of all the Potter properties, jewelry, portraits of the family, photo albums, etc."
Harry, trying to maintain his cool, said, "Why are you telling me this now instead of next year when I turn of age?"
"Because your parents left something, what is like a will in the muggle world. They left my specific instructions to tell you of the second vault around you sixteenth birthday."
"Why did they say on my sixteenth birthday. why not when I was eleven or twelve?"
"Lily was testing different charms that could allow you to live, even if her or James died. The only charm that she found was called a bloodline spell. If the worst was to happen you would go to the casters closest relative, in Lily's case her sister. The spell would end when you came of age. They also thought that Petunia and Vernon would throw you out of the house when you are allowed to use magic legally. Lily and James wanted you to have some place to live."
"But, I thought that they lived in Godric's Hallow."
"No, that is where one of the houses the Potters' own is. It was also the house your parents chose to use as their safe house."
"Exactly how many houses are in my possession?" Harry asked.
"Well there's the Potter Estate, Gryffindor manor, a flat in Hogsmede, the newly rebuilt house in Godric's Hallow, a vacation house in France. Another house In Spain, along with one in Italy. And a couple other ones in and around England."
"Wow!" was all Harry could say.
"Also, you own about ten house elves, two chef elves and a personal elf."
"Hermione is not going to like this. How are the elves divided?"
"Well the two chef elves remain in the Potter Estate and Gryffindor Manor, but can be moved if need be, there is at least one house elf in each house, minus the flat, and your personal elf travels with you."
"If I have a personal elf how come I have never seen it?" Harry asked.
"Well he stays at Hogwarts during the school year and helps with the cooking and cleaning, and follows you here being invisible. He works great as another safety measure."
"Can I meet him? What's his name?"
"Bubbles, show yourself to your master."
"Bubbles, can I ask you a question?" Harry said.
"Yes, Master Harry."
"Who named you?"
"Well Master James got me when he was just a little boy, and he and Master Sirius named me. The first thing I showed them when Master James got me was how to blow bubbles. I guess that's how they picked my name."
"They always did seem to be fond of bubbles," Dumbledore added his two-cents. He saw Harry's face when Sirius' name was mention and Albus knew Harry wasn't over his Godfather's death. "Now Harry I am sure you want to see both manors, but you also must look at the homes in and around England. A few of the homes are being used currently, but their leases end soon. Do you have a day in mind when Remus and I might be able to take you to the properties?"
"When's the full moon this month?"
"It happens tonight so I suggest a minimum of three days from today."
"Okay Professor, can I get back to you on the date. I don't think I'm ready to go yet."
"Wise answer Harry. Just send me an owl with the date you chose. Please try not to make ir really close to the start of term, things get very hectic then."
"Oh and Professor is it alright if I owl Ron and Hermione on a regular basis?"
"Yes that's fine, as long as you don't talk about the order. I also believe you can talk to Hermione via the telephone."
"Thanks Professor."
"Harry, call me Albus."
"Okay then Albus."
"Well, I best be off. Please send the owl with the date, as soon as possible."
After Albus left Harry spent his time writing to his friends, thanking them, and telling them about his parents' will. He really wanted his friends opinions about when he was ready to relive the past. He also needed to get Hermione's phone number, some one had found the loose floor board and had fixed it.
A few days had past from when Harry saw Hedwig fly into his bedroom. He freed Hedwig from her load, and took to reading the letters. The first one he opened happened to be from Hermione.
Harry,
I'm staying here at the Burrow with Ron and Ginny. I think it's great that you finally have something that your parents left for you, excluding the money and cloak. I think you should go visit the properties, You need to see how your father grew up, and stop worrying about the what ifs. IF you want me to come with I will, as will Ron and/or Ginny.
Love always,
Hermione
That was just like Hermione to be brave, to be a Gryffindor. She always fought for what she believed in, and gave you support on the way to achieve your goal. Harry then picked up the next letter.
Hey Harry,
I hope muggles are treating you alright. Mum doesn't know if Dumbledore will let you stay this summer.
Harry you should go see the properties when you are ready. True you should do it soon so you know where you are going to stay next summer. Maybe I can movie in with you after school (Hint, hint). But if you ask me I think you should go see them ASAP. Don't forget we are all here if you need us, even Fred and George, well maybe not Percy. So if you want any of us to come with you feel free to ask. The one thing about Gryffindors is they know when to ask for help.
Later,
Ron
After reading Ron's letter, Harry knew he was ready to go see the properties. Ron knew what had to be done, and how to get it done, all it was, was strategy like a game of chess. The next letter Harry received was from Ginny.
Dear Harry,
I know we aren't very good friends, you might not even consider us friends, but I want you to know that you can come to me if you have any hard times. Especially now that Ron and Hermione are unofficially dating (I probably wasn't supposed to tell you that, so if you would kindly not tell them that I told you). Back to the point, I know what you are going through, well kind of. Tom Riddle did a number on me and I still feel horrible for what he made me do. But I know that he manipulated me, and that it is not my fault. So if you need anybody to talk to about him please talk to Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Lupin, or me. It's not good to keep your feelings inside. If you keep them hidden long enough you are going to blow up, and probably not at a very good time.
--Ginny
A/N: This ones longer than the other one. It was about 1570 words (minus this note), which is over a thousand words longer than the first chapter. Also, I have wrote the first five chapters of the story, so I have a general idea of where I am going with this story. But your input does help me write future chapters, and it helps to see if I should go back and change any thing