Amendment Three Hundred and Ninety Four

by DaturaRosier

The Wizarding World is seeing fewer children born into it. When a new Law is added to the statute of secrecy. A new chance will change the course of wizarding Britain, but Dumbledore has other ideas. Follow Harry, Hermione, Draco, and other beloved characters on their journey. Multiple story lines, AU, Good Malfoy's, evil Dumbledore. Reference to Abuse, Violence, Strong Language.

11. Chap 11: As long as you're mine

I do not own, I make no money, I drive myself nuts... Comments kudos etc make me happy, now back to writing the next chapter.

Stay happy, healthy, and sane, but one out of three works just as well.

Chapter 10: As long as you're mine

September 22nd, 1990

Minerva was still shaken from the news of Mr. Potters living situation, Poppy had confided in her that he had been badly mistreated and was now at the Malfoy's to recover. She was given no details about him, and Poppy said that she could not divulge anything regarding him other than Child Protection and Welfare had needed to remove him from the home. Poppy had confided in her that she feared the memory would be taken from her. It seemed to have happened a few times lately, though the files remained. That was enough by itself to cause her worry. Did Dumbledore already know? She had seen the owl that Albus had gotten a few days ago, and he tried to dismiss the concerns.

Minerva tried to put these thoughts out of her mind as she saw Helena and Hermione Granger enter the Leaky Cauldron. If there was any bright side to her day it was that for once a 'Muggleborn' child and her mother did not need her, or anyone else, to lead them into the pub. "Helena, my dear, how are you this morning?"

Both ladies were smiling, and looking around the small pub, "actually we are well for once. We talked last night and made some decisions on how to move forward," Helena's smile brightened. "Mostly we decided that it would be better for us to be on our own."

"Father is never going to understand and is always going to try to keep my magic to a minimum. When I told him about some of the subjects, he got angry. He said I wasn't going to even be working on my A levels," Hermione ducked her head her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Minerva, just so you are not caught unaware, I left Henry. I know we can find a permanent flat soon, but for right now," she trailed off.

"Helena, I understand, while I have never been separated or divorced, I am a widow already."

"Really? At your age? I thought wizards lived very long lives?" Confusion crossed both of the Granger women's faces.

"It is rare, but it does happen. Now," she lightly clapped her hands together, "shall we go shopping my dears?"

Hermione practically bounced at the idea. The possibility of so many new things to explore and learn we just too great a temptation for her.

"Oh, and we will be making a stop at Gringotts, we need to get lineage records to both them and the ministry. I have a few friends that are going to try to let you keep Hermione here, but if that is not possible then at least with your side of the family you can stay in her life."

Helena's smile grew luminescent. Minerva could almost see magic radiate from the woman. She may not have had enough to be a full-blown witch, but a small amount was there bubbling beneath the surface.

~ooOoo~

Harry had woken several times during the night. He wanted to freak out he, but he must have been dreaming. He was in a large, and very comfortable, bed. He was not on his thin pallet on the floor of the cupboard. It was still dark out, but he could see a blush of color out of the window. There was a beautiful blond woman sitting in a chair near him, her head titled in sleep. 'If this isn't a dream, this must be heaven.'

There was a pop near the chair as a strange little creature, wearing a tea towel as a toga, gently shook the woman awake. Harry stared at the creature as the lady stirred. "Oh, Mr. Potter, awake I see. How do you feel this morning?"

"Umm, I feel, well, I feel fine." His brow furrowed; he knew that he shouldn't feel this good after everything that had occurred in the last forty-eight hours. "Sorry, but where am I?"

"You are in my home, I am Narcissa Malfoy. You gave us quite the fright."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it was very touch and go yesterday to stabilize, and heal you. We are going to have to put you on a potion regime to get you back to full health, however, I don't think it will have to be a terribly long one. We are also going to get you set up with a mind healer to help you through your mental and emotional health after everything that you suffered with your relatives." She smiled at him.

Harry looked around the strange creature had lit gas lamps to brighten the room. It was larger than he had ever seen for a bedroom. There was not just the bed he was in, but also a fireplace at the other end of the room. He saw several chairs, a few small side tables, a large writing desk that should have been in some fancy office, and a couch. There were even bookcases filled with leatherbound books. It looked bigger than the entire first floor of his relative's home. The colors on the wall seemed to shift making it look like he was at some tropical ocean. They flowed from a blue green to light blue, other blues would occasionally join. Overall, the effect was very soothing. "Why am I here, Ms.… or is it Mrs. Malfoy?"

"It is Mrs., but you may call me Narcissa. As to your question you are here because you should have never been placed with your mother's sister, or her family. There has also been a tragic accident, neither your aunt, or cousin survived, and we do not know what happened. The police are still investigating it. They have not found your uncle as of yet. We were only able to rescue you."

"Oh, was it a car crash like my parents? I know there were some problems after dinner the other night but…" He trailed off, mixed feelings flooded Harry, sorrow that they were dead, however thankful that he was alive and never going back there. He was scared that Uncle Vernon may still be able to find him, and confusion as to what really happened. He remembered there was a business dinner with some of Uncle Vernon's clients. His aunt and he had spared no expense, cooking a dinner that could have been found in a five-star restaurant. They had also made him responsible for cleaning the entire house, even requesting that he pack up several things from the sitting room.

Aunt Petunia thought that it made the rooms feel bigger. Mostly it made the home look like no one lived there, still it was easier to clean if there were fewer things that he would have to dust and polish. Before he could finish, an argument had broken out over finances, or something to do with money. Uncle Vernon had ordered Harry to pull the weeds in the yard, even though he had done that earlier in the morning. Harry could hear them arguing from outside of the house.

After he was let back in to finish cooking, his memory became patchy, he remembered both Dudley and Aunt Petunia being threatened. Uncle Vernon had viciously backhanded his aunt over some comment. That had to be even before the clients arrived, or had they already been there? He shook his head trying to puzzle his thoughts out only jumbled them together further. He saw her take another blow shortly after he finished serving the second course. The clients left not even finishing their meal. His aunt said something to Dudley about getting in the car and had yelled back at his uncle. It was then that Uncle Vernon took out his frustration and anger on him. Beyond that there was only darkness. He couldn't recall anything more. "So, this isn't a dream, or Heaven?"

"No, my dear, you are very much still alive, and quite safe, I can assure you of that." Harry's stomach made a loud growl of protest, "I think we should get you some breakfast. Would you like to join the rest of the family downstairs, or remain up her for a while? You know I have a son your age. I fear his father and grandfather may spoil him a bit, but perhaps the two of you could become friends."

"I've never had a friend before. I…" he stopped and thought hard on what to do as his stomach protested again. It had been several days since he had eaten. He had however drunk copious amounts of water when he could to keep his hunger at bay. It was a trick that he had seen his aunt do several times. "I think I would like to go meet the others if that is ok."

"That is perfectly fine dear, I can have Cami pick out some cloths for you and help you get dressed if needed. They are my son Draco's, and we might have to alter them slightly. The clothing that you had on, when we got you yesterday morning, my elves chose to burn rather than let you keep it. I am sorry if they were sentimental."

Harry shook his head no. He was glad they were gone truth be told. There had been nothing of value that he had been allowed to have.

"Very well then." She snapped her fingers and the creature returned. "Find Mr. Potter some of Draco's cloths."

The creature, Cami, bowed and disappeared. A few moments later he had a neatly stacked set of clothing. Fresh pants, jeans, a clean t shirt, socks, trainers, he was in awe. He never had cloths like these. Even if these were castoffs, they were closer to his size and didn't hang off him like old elephant skin. He was elated, and quickly got dressed feeling the fresh soft fabric instead of something that should have been laundered months ago, and was stiff from dried blood, and mud.

"You look quite dashing now that you are wearing something that properly fits. Now then, your hair." She attempted to calm it and get it to lay nicely. As always, Harry smirked, it refused to be tamed. "I see. I know a few others who have hair that misbehaves like yours. I would suggest we grow it out, let the length weigh it down and tame those cowlicks of yours. While we are out, I can take you by our stylist. It will help you look like a proper young man of your station."

"My station?"

"Yes, oh of course living with those muggles you probably never learned any of the things you should have by now. Harry, you are a wizard, you can do magic, I believe that is how you have survived these last few years. You are also heir to at least one ancient and noble house. It seems we may need to make a day of it at Diagon Alley." She could see the questions forming in the young man as he finished getting dressed.

"Before you start, Diagon Alley is a wizarding shopping district, we will need to get you several things, and I think some updated history books. I know I have several others in the library that you will have to study. We will also need to go to Gringotts, the wizarding bank, and have a discussion with my friend Peony. She is a member of the wizarding Child Protection and Wellness Services. We should be able to sort you out by the end of today. If that is acceptable to you of course."

Harry smiled at the prospect. This was a chance for him to start over. Start a life without the threat of the Dursleys hanging over him. "That sounds amazing. When can we start?"

"Let's get you something to eat, and then Draco and I can take you. How does that sound."

"Perfect."

~ooOoo~

Hermione was in awe of the sight before her, her mother couldn't believe that something this intricate lay hidden within London. That it lay near one of Charing Crosses Underground stations was even better. 'If Mimi needs anything I can easily get it for her. How do they hide this? With all the traffic, the CCTV's, being this close to Buckingham, and number ten Downing Street is unthinkable. Of course, this is also a no-fly zone, but where the is a will there is a way.' Helena continued to think about all the necessary requirements that had to go into this problem. It was remarkable, truly remarkable.

"Helena, I know what you are thinking. I've seen that look hundreds of times before, though it has been a while since I had to escort a muggleborn and their family into the alley. There is multiple notice me not charms, a few muggle repelling wards, as well as several wards that make the alley look like a small car park for some of the bigger buildings in the area. I don't know much more than that, so I can't really answer very many questions. I am truly sorry." She took a breath and pointed further down the alley, "we will need to go to Gringotts before we can do too much. We will need to set Mimi up with her own vault." Minerva enjoyed the look of awe on both of her charges faces. It really took her back. She took a quick inhale of breath before forging on. "I have us set up for a meeting with one of the account managers, the goblins of Gringotts have several requirements that have been placed within the last ten years. We can also meet with Mrs. Parkinson then, see what we can do about custody, and our options. Is that satisfactory?"

"Hmm, what, oh yes that will be fine Minerva. It looks so different than Athens, or Sparta. Though I guess I should have expected that from the different cultures. We are ready whenever you are. Right Mimi?" She looked over at her daughter who was still bouncing on her toes as she spied the bookshop just a few shops away from where they stood.

"Yes, just so long as we can spend a bit of time in the bookshop."

Both women giggled at Hermione's comment. They knew what it was like to have that lust for learning, and love of books. "I suppose I do need to pick up several new books that have come out recently. I do need to get the latest romance novel by Corvus Draconis, I just love her Creatures Series. Oh, and the loveliness of her helpful spiders, Bucket most of all."

"I think I have read one of her works at my uncles, I may have to check those out again. I could use some good fiction stories occasionally. Telly just doesn't cover all my entertainment options." The trio had begun walking down the street towards the imposing building at the end of the alley where several other side lanes branched away.

~ooOoo~

Narcissa took ahold of both boy's hands, "Harry this will feel a touch funny, but it is the fastest way to get to our meetings, and then on to shopping." Draco began protesting slightly at the thought of having to sit through meetings. Narcissa kissed his hand, "Don't worry love, if you behave yourself this morning, I promise that we can go to Florians, for a snack."

Draco smiled up at his mother.

"What is Florians," Harry asked.

"Oh, it is just the best ice cream shop in all of England." Draco stared at the other boy, He had read, and hear many different stories and accounts of the famous Harry Potter, defeater of the Dark Lord, bastion of the light. A bright red, ugly scar, which looked like a thunderstorm was painted onto his face like it would a canvas, trailed across his forehead, and down his cheek. It was nowhere near as glamourous as the stories made it sound. It looked like it still hurt, and even possibly infected.

"That sounds quite good, I've never had Ice cream before," Harry said sheepishly.

Narcissa shook her head in disgust at everything that Harry had gone through so far in his short life. "Well, we will certainly remedy that for you today. Now both of you hold on tight." With a quick turn, she apparated them to a spot just outside of Gringotts.

Harry got sick after feeling like he was squeezed in a narrow tube. Draco didn't look to chipper himself either. "So much for breakfast," he mumbled to himself before looking at the large crooked, white marble building in front of them. He had never seen anything like it in the past. Even some of the various cartoon programs that Dudley had watched never imagined something like this.

Narcissa released the boy's hands as she heard a familiar squeal from just down the alley from them.

~ooOoo~

There was the tell-tale pop of apparition, from next to Gringotts. Minerva squealed in delight, like a schoolgirl, in seeing her friend Narcissa. "Cissy, I didn't expect to see you here today. And you have a guest with you I see." She took an apprizing look at they young Mr. Potter. He did not look nearly as bad as Poppy described, but then again, the Black sisters had become accomplished healers.

"Yes Minnie, we have an appointment with our financial manager, Roghosh, as well as Peony."

"We have an appointment with them both as well. Seems someone let students slide through the cracks again." Minerva rolled her eyes; she knew that Dumbledore had a habit of doing this on purpose. His own way of flouting the law. It would catch up with him one day. If they could ever prove it of course.

"Well then perhaps for the sake of convenience we should combine our two groups, if that is acceptable with your lovely companions."

Minerva looked to Helena and Hermione for a decision, it was after all their meeting. Both gave her a quick nod of the head after thinking it over for a few moments. "Oh good, then may I introduce to you Helena Laconise-Granger, or will you be dropping your husband's name now?"

"Just Helena Laconise, is fine, and this is my daughter Hermione Granger. We call her Mimi for short, as so many of her friends, and teachers had a problem with pronouncing it correctly." Helena shook her head, she believed that any properly educated person should have known how to pronounce the Greek name correctly. Still, that was perhaps far too presumptuous on her part. She always marveled at how people could easily mispronounce even the simplest of words, or how an accent effected their speech. She once had a client try to tell her about their pet "dawg." They did have an American accent though and were explaining how they ended up breaking their front teeth. Even she knew better than to start a discussion on which football team to cheer for when at a local pub.

Hermione made an unladylike snort, "even father couldn't pronounce it correctly."

Both boys laughed at that. "Well, this is my son Draco, and our new foster Harry. Peony will help him choose where, and who, will be best to have him stay with, or if he has any remaining wizarding relatives. Boys be polite." Narcissa gave sidelong glances to both Harry and Draco.

Draco quickly remembered his manners, "my name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

"Is that anything like Bond, James Bond? Should I be waiting for your identification number, or should I guess it? Obviously, you are not Double O Seven." Hermione tried to keep a straight face. All three elder ladies shook her head at both Draco's pompousness, and Hermione's audacity. "Will you then be ordering some concoction that must be made in a specific way thinking that it will change the flavor? Or should I expect to see an Aston Martin?"

"What?" Draco was confused by her comment and begin turning red. His mother took his hand back and gave it a sharp squeeze. Seeing the disappointed look that she had given him he quickly calmed down. "Sorry mother," he said quietly.

"Honestly don't you watch films." Hermione shook her head. Her mother had discussed with her that there were differences when it came to people from magical and muggle worlds. She couldn't believe though, that they were that different. Both boys were dressed in nice jeans, and t-shirts. Should they have been in Harrods no one would have blinked twice at them in the company of their well-dressed mother. They looked so well, normal she forgot for a moment that they had most likely lived a sheltered and luxurious life.

There was a small crack of a smile from Harry. 'I don't even think that the royal family introduces themselves that way…. Do the even have last names to use?' Harry thought to himself. "I'm Harry by the way. It is … nice," he said after a moment of thought, "to meet you Herme… Hermi…oh forget it, Mimi. It really is nice to meet you."

"Yes, Harry they do. For example, her Majesty, Regina Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, or her son and his wife Diana, are Charles Phillip Arthur George Wales, and Diana Frances Wales respectively. Usually, the royals don't use a surname though because they generally have no reason to. I mean, everyone already knows who they are." She paused to take a breath, she wanted to add more, however her mother gave her a look that clearly told her not to. The boys however seemed to look at her as if she had grown three head, a nice set of wings, and a tail.

"Very well then, all pleasantry's aside, she we see if they are ready for us?" Narcissa turned without waiting for an answer and began climbing the steps to Gringotts. She waited for everyone to go through security and be examined by the probity-probes the guards carried.

~ooOoo~

Given the early hour, the goblins stared at the group that walked in. The motley crew was led by Narcissa Malfoy, and as the group passed each teller, their eyes followed them. She cleared her throat as she approached the bank manager, "Pardon, but we are here for an appointment with Roghosh. He as well as Mrs. Parkinson should be expecting us." She gave a slight baring of teeth in a vicious smile, to the manager.

"Certainly Mrs. Malfoy. Are you here for the reading of the Potters will as well?" The goblin voice was quiet and low, it rumbled deep in his chest. He returned the slight baring of teeth. "They should both be in his office."

"Thank you, sir. May your gold continue to flow, and your enemies' heads fall on your feet."

"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy, and may your vaults be impenetrable, and the works of your hands bring you acclaim."

Narcissa turned and lead the group down one of the side hallways. Harry, and Hermione were stunned. While the common area of the bank looked like what one would have expected, the hall to the offices turned out to be quite different. It quickly went from the lavish bank with a side hallway made of marble walls that had intricately carved images, and red plush carpeting on the floors. Into bare stone, lit only occasionally by a few lamps just to keep the darkness at bay for the wizarding customers. It was nothing like they expected. The bank's lobby even had large crystal chandeliers.

Harry thought this was what going to a museum must have been like. The Dursleys had gone once or twice, his cousin complained for days on how boring they were. Something as beautiful as this could never be boring. He felt like he could spend days just studying the friezes, with their bas-reliefs carved and appearing as if the figures could come to life and walk away from the wall if needed. There were alcoves with busts and statues showcased from within. He had seen pictures in school; however, this was different from seeing a photo of Michelangelo's or Da Vinci's work. He couldn't touch a picture or see the tool marks if he looked closely. Even the Malfoy's home looked like it could have been a museum, but that at least felt lived in, and more like the art was just there to appreciate, and not study. Harry looked up, he had not realized he had stopped and stood in front of a particularly fierce statue of a goblin warrior. Seeing the rest of the group down towards the end of the hall, he ran to catch up.

Narcissa and Minerva were having a friendly chat when they stopped the group at a plan wooded door. She knocked twice and repeated it. The door opened and revealed a sizable room with a couple of chairs on one side of a desk. There was a fireplace along the back wall. There was a lady about the same age as Mrs. Malfoy in a posh skirt suit that Harry could easily see being purchased at some designer boutique. It wasn't that it was ostentatious, just very similar to something that Aunt Petunia would have worn. He almost didn't see the goblin behind the piles of paperwork.

"Ah, Mrs. Malfoy, I see you brought the Potter heir, and Professor McGonagall I know we have a meeting later this afternoon. Did you intend to make this a single meeting?"

Both ladies nodded. "Manager Roghosh, we discussed this with the children, as well as Mrs. Granger's mother." At this Helena smiled at the goblin with a slight baring of her teeth, that the goblin quickly returned. "We are all in agreement that it would be best to handle this as a joint meeting."

"I see," the goblins voice was deep and gravely, "very well then. I assume that you are also here for the unsealing and reading of the Potter's will?"

Narcissa, Minerva, and Peony Parkinson, all blanched. That the will had never been read, and that Dumbledore had placed Harry with his relatives without custody even being reviewed, enraged Peony. "Well," she said with a tight smile that did not reach her eyes, "it seems that this meeting may be a touch more in depth than I originally planned. Due to the violations of multiple laws, I think we should call in a few more witnesses, if that is acceptable to Mr. Potter, and Ms. Granger."

Helena and Harry both nodded. "I would like that for Mimi's sake as well. Minerva informed me that there may be other issues that have been hidden, or even stricken from some records." Helena was convinced that this headmaster could have been the one behind the missing funds that was supposed to be Mimi's trust fund. Her uncle had told her that he had set up accounts in her name, and Mimi's at the wizarding bank in England, but this was the first time she had even known where to look. Surely a bank that looked this organized would surely send out statements to their customers, even if some of them were muggleborn or squibs.

"Um, yeah what Mrs. Granger said." Harry was confused, wasn't everything from his parents supposed to go to his aunt? She was the last living blood relative for his mother, and he had been told that they didn't leave him anything. His uncle always said that his father was no good. That he drank away what money that they had. That his mother also had the need to primp and preen like the heights of fashion. "Um, Mr. Roghosh, I was previously informed that there was nothing left to me by my parents, was that a mistake?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter, a very large mistake. Do you wish to have us summon your magical guardian," Mrs. Parkinson added.

"Who, well, who is my magical guardian, and what do they do? Because if it was to protect me then they didn't do their job." Harry became increasingly more frustrated with how things have been handled in the wizarding world regarding him. First, he had been lied to about his parents, then placed in a home where the slightest infraction was good enough to tan his hide making it uncomfortable to sit for the next few days. There were even times that his uncle had made Dudley beat him. saying that it was the only way that Dudley would learn his lesson and receive his own punishment. Not that Harry believed that he had learned anything other than how to beat-up people. Now he has been told that he has a guardian that never stepped in or even looked in on him, and that his parents will had never been even read.

"According to our records your magical guardian is one A.P.W.B. Dumbledore. He is also the one that has been authorized to handle your finances," Roghosh croaked.

"Right then, if you all do not mind, I think I shall be calling the authorities in for you. You Mr. Potter have done nothing wrong, but before we continue, I do believe that having an auror on hand as a witness is the best course of action." Peony's voice was tight, "Mr. Roghosh, would you mind if I use your floo?"

"By all means, Madam Parkinson. I will also need to send for one of Gringotts guards to witness this as well. I do apologize that this meeting has become far more complicated." Roghosh stood and walked out of the office.

~ooOoo~

The floo in Lucius's office flared to life. "Luc," came Peony's voice from the fireplace.

He turned in his chair, "Yes Peony, what can I do for you today?"

"I am sorry to interrupt, I am sure you are likely busy, by Cissy has asked that you step through and join us. There have been some issues here at the bank."

"Yes, how bad is it?" Lucius put away the files that he was working on. "Will I need to clear my schedule?"

"Yes."

That simple response had unnerved him, "just one moment Peony." He strode across his office and opened the door. He looked over at his secretary, "Gaius, clear my schedule, something has come up." The secretary nodded to him, and Lucius closed the door. Striding back across the room, "Step aside Peony." Her head disappeared from the flames leaving the connection open for him to step through.

~ooOoo~

Alastor Moody had just sat down in his office at the DMLE, he was completely scunnered. As one of the senior aurors, he had been quite busy yesterday and this morning already with the mess that was the Dursley residence. He had barely gotten a handful of hours of sleep, and that was only due to falling asleep at his desk, at about four this morning. Multiple paper cups littered the desk, and the surrounding office. He had just made a new pot of coffee, when he heard the floo activate, and the unmistakable clacking sound of heels. He groaned. He was far too familiar with that specific cadence. It only meant that his day was about to get longer.

"Mrs. Parkinson why are you darkening my doorstep?"

Peony sucked on her teeth briefly in frustration with the elder auror. "Moody, I don't have time for this game. Get Bones and come through the floo. Seems that last night's laundry list has some other complications." She turned around, "your day, just like mine, is about to get much worse I fear." She stepped through the floo and left it open for the two heads.

~ooOoo~

Lucius had taken a seat next to his wife, "how bad is this really, Cissy?" After what he witnessed yesterday, he was not surprised that there was more going on with the young boy, he had just never expected to be called to Gringotts of all places.

"I could not even begin to tell you, but the Potters will has never been opened. Seems the young man was placed at his relatives without knowing stipulations of custody." She had pulled out a small financial register that she had meant to give to harry. It was not that she didn't trust the goblins of Gringotts, more that she wanted Harry to have a copy of his own that was not strictly a ledger, but more of a workbook. She had done the same for Draco it had helped him to start learning the fundamentals of finances, as well as the beginning basics of arythmancy, and statistics. Somethings both her father and Abraxas thought were important to teach children to learn lest they grow up constantly coveting what others had, and not understanding where the galleons came from and went to.

"What" Moody roared as he finished stepping his way through the floo. "Amelia, this just keeps getting better and better. Please tell me we have enough to arrest the so-called great champion of light." His magical eye was swirling inside his head, until it locked itself forward on the malnourished boy sitting next to the Malfoy's. 'If that is the supposed savior of the wizarding world then we are truly in a barbwire canoe.'

Two burly goblins with battle worn armor, and sharp looking poleaxes entered the office. They both glared at Moody. They knew the auror quite well, and when they were not busy with work they often spared and drank with the old Scot.

"It is all circumstantial at this point, we will need much more to go off, I am afraid." Amelia stepped around Moody. "Greetings Roghosh, how can we help you today?" She knew that Dumbledore was playing dirty pool, but it was becoming increasingly frustrating to catch him on something other than speculation or rumor.

Harry was slightly unnerved when it came to the grey-haired woman. He was used to seeing grey hair on the elderly, but she could not have been older than Aunt Marge, his uncle's older sister. Instead, the hair was cut short in a bob reaching just under her chin. It was stick straight and shone as if some of the hairs had metal in them depending on how the light hit it. She had a thin face, but not nearly as horsey as his aunt had, cold eyes, and teeth that looked suspiciously sharp. However, the goblins looked like what he had imagined them to be. Well at least the guards did, he never imagined that they would also be bankers.

He had no clue why this woman was here, but the lady from child services had asked for aurors. And that sounded as if she was calling in the police. He could understand the need for the police to be there if money was being embezzled. 'Would Uncle Vernon take money and lie about it? Well yeah that would seem reasonable, but he never kept secrets from Aunt Petunia. When it came to money, she can't keep a secret. She wants the neighbors to know just how wealthy she is. So, if he was, he must have kept that a secret from her. Could it have been this Dumbledore person who was supposed to have been my guardian?'

"Greetings Madam Bones." He once again bared his teeth in a grin. "Please, sit I am afraid this may take a while. Moody, I know you, much like a certain friend of ours, prefer to hover but this will only upset you if you don't have a chance to relax old friend."

"If I relax, I may just pass out. I prefer to pace for now. If you want, I will hand off my wand, so I won't destroy your office, again," he rolled his good eye and sneered, "well too quickly really."

The goblin guards rolled their eyes. One nudged the other, and in a higher pitched voice spoke to the other. "If chertfang spellslinger here can keep his calm longer than ten minutes I'll let you marry my daughter." They spoke in a guttural growl, some of which sounded like rocks grinding together.

The other chuckled, "I'm not about to take that bet. I know that the scourge of Rutal Hammersbane's fury has a temper that this thinner than a single sheet of mica." He responded back in the same odd language.

Both Harry and Hermione could hear various words that also seemed to twist in upon themselves, as the two goblins spoke. Harry looked confused by this, but Hermione for her part sat forward in her chair as if to puzzle out the words and sounds that were being spoken. She was sure there was some French, and Greek mixed in with the Germanic, and Norwegian sounds. She needed to brush up on her German but silently swore to herself that she was going to learn this odd language as soon as she could.

"Very well." Roghosh shook his head looked down at the two young children. "Normally things like this should not happen, however it seems that some undue influence was had regarding you Mr. Potter."

Harry reflexively shrunk in his seat, folding in on himself. "I'm… I'… I'm sorry sir. I don't mean to be a problem for you."

Roghosh laughed, it held a wheezing sound much to the dismay of the witches and wizards in the room. "Nonsense child. It seems that we were the ones to fail you. In times like this when a will is sealed by the Wizengamot, the Nation, as we refer to ourselves, typically mark down any information necessary and then seal off all vaults. Without a will having been read, there is no line of succession, nor can a guardianship be placed on the vaults in question." He looked up from Harry and stared hard at each adult in turn, gauging each reaction.

For a moment the room was a quiet as a tomb. Lucius, Narcissa, Draco, Minerva, and Peony had all gone white. Hermione, and Helena looked questioningly to each other. Amelia was turning red with anger, but sadly Mad-eye lived up to his nicknames, both Wizarding and the ones the goblins had for him. He was a deep purple in color, his magical eye was spinning rapidly in different directions. He exploded into a rage, throwing a chair that broke behind him, almost hitting Amelia in the process. He started yelling at Roghosh in a fast guttural growl, the words sounding rougher and more forced that the sounds that the guards had.

It was only after the goblin held his hands up in a placating manner did Hermione realize that the older man had to been colorfully swearing and insulting the goblin banker's mother. Harry looked confused, but Draco was trying to hold back snickers. He didn't know much of the goblin language, however, what he did know was some of the common swears that they used. Lucius was appalled at his son's behavior. He cast a mild stinging hex at his son's bottom, which caused Draco to yelp.

If Draco couldn't learn to control his behavior and mind his manners, then perhaps he should start a far more rigorous course in etiquette. Perhaps even hire a goblin tutor for him, or better yet getting Walburga and Phineas Black's portraits from the old Black townhouse. Yes, between the two of them they would have the boys whipped into shape in no time. He leaned over and whispered in Narcissa's ear, "dearest, could you get the elf at your old Aunt's house to bring her portrait as well as some of the other Blacks over to the manor temporarily?"

She looked at him questioningly, "I'm certain that Kreature would let me in should I ask, but why?"

Lucius nodded his head in Draco's direction where the boy was snickering behind his hand, and trying to keep the urge to laugh uproariously in.

Narcissa sighed and nodded, before reaching over to twist her son's ear. She had heard the yelp that he had made a moment ago, but it seemed that it had not been a strong enough deterrent.

Roghosh growled something equally menacingly back at Moody. One of the guards pointed his poleaxe at the auror. The other walked over and grabbed Moody by the buckles on his vest and shoved him at the door. Roghosh tossed the guard the man's wand, as they walked out the door which slammed in their wake. "Once auror Moody has a chance to calm himself he will rejoin us. If that is to your satisfaction Madam Bones. I would like to go ahead and get the formalities that we need to take care of before the reading of the will. I can wait, though for efficiency I would rather not. I do believe that this will be one of those times that he needs more than a mere moment to calm down."

"No, it is fine. There are enough witnesses here for my satisfaction. We can collect memories for him to review later." Amelia shook her head, she knew that Alastor could take a very long time to calm himself when he got this worked up. "If it is acceptable, I do request your guards' memories as well as your own."

"Very well Madam Bones I will consent to giving my memories pertaining to this, but only what occurs in this office." The goblin guard nodded in agreement as well. "Miss Granger, while your appointment was for this time, I request that you allow us to finish this business so that the two law enforcement agents can take care of the criminal side of this business in all haste. Is that satisfactory for you?"

Hermione looked at her mother and paused. It really was the right thing to do in this instance. She may not have had any interest in the young boy's finances, but at least this would allow her to better understand some of the circumstances that she herself would be subjected to. But even that would take additional time. 'What is the right course of action? We combined the meetings to lessen the amount of time we would all be in the office. But waiting for one to be over with and then doing mine will be just as long.' "Sir Roghosh, since we are both technically opening an account, Harry being able to reopen his family account, and I am starting a whole new account can we just go at the same time with whatever formalities we have to?"

"I think that would be a great idea," Harry commented quietly from his seat.

"You wouldn't have to repeat the process twice," said Hermione, she quietly added in. She really to get this taken care of and go to the bookstore, however the adults looked pleased when she agreed. 'I guess that for now that they all think I am behaving in a proper manner.'

She tried to block out the thoughts that the Malfoy's seemed to project. 'Really, I do not need to know that they are talking back and forth, wait why can I hear them having a private conversation that is not out loud?' she focused hard, and their voices dropped out of the din that was in this office. She found it odd that the professor was starting to add various cat sounds into her thoughts. It was almost as if she was thinking in a different language. 'Ok that is weird. Then again it seems that Mrs. Parkinson is making mental notes that are going into a mental file folder. She really needs to better organize her thoughts.' She paused in her own thoughts as the steel haired auror stared at her. There was a void, a sucking blackness where her voice should have been. She flushed, there was a dusky pink that showed on her olive skin. She turned her attention back to the discussion that her mother and the banker were having.

"I see then." Roghosh pulled a stack of papers to each side of the large desk. He sat a blank piece of parchment before each child. "We will need to draw blood, please hold out your hands so that I may make a small cut."

Helena blanched at the idea; she never knew what was required before now. Her uncle had never told her. She watched as each child held out their hands. Had she blinked she would have missed the goblin's movements. He was exceedingly fast, and the children didn't even have time to react before small drops of red splattered onto the parchment below.

Everyone stared at the papers before the children. Helena watched as her side of the family tree bloomed quickly. Hermione turned to look at her mother questioningly when her fathers name did not appear next to hers. "Mum, who is Tobias Snape, and why is he there in Father's place."

"It is a long story dear best told when we have some food in front of us. But needless to say," she held a hand up stopping the slew of questions she could se brewing in her daughters mind, "your father and I were not together at the time."

The older witches and wizards turned to stare at the girl as if she had turned into a hydra. Lucius cleared his throat, "Tobias… Tobias Snape you say?"

Hermione held up the paper for the others to see. The family lineage continued to fill itself out. She didn't bother looking at it, but once the others had seen, she handed it back to the goblin. She heard a collective indrawn breath as chaos erupted around her, and Harry.

~ooOoo~

Severus Snape was in a mood as always; he was just cleaning up a large potion's accident one of his NEWT students had created. He was about to unleash his fury on the whole of the seventh-year class when Minerva's patronus burst into his classroom. "Class dismissed," he growled. "Weasley, if you ever try anything like that again, expect a howler from your mother." He smiled menacingly at the second eldest Weasley child's fear, "as it is you have detention tonight, with Mr. Filtch. If you continue down this path you can expect to be dropped from this advanced program, and I will personally write to every dragon reserve as part of your… reference letters."

The boy's eyes grew wider, he had thought he would get away from facing his mother's temper. Now he would have to explain why he got detention and would still be subject to that same anger. 'I can only imagine what letters Snape would write, none of them would be good I imagine. But, surly the previously agreed apprenticeship will continue. The Lovegood's wouldn't cancel my contract, would they? Pandora and old Xeno don't seem the type to go back on their word. Or I can always get Dumbledore to write additional letters.' He quickly nodded and gathered his things running out of the room.

"And ten points from Gryffindor Mr. Weasley, for not paying attention to your potion." Once all the students had left, he waved a hand at the door causing it to slam shut and lock itself. He snorted 'all of the Weasleys need to learn occlumency. Well, all except Arthur and William.' He set the wards back into place, when Minerva's voice came from the small misty blue tabby cat.

"Severus. Gringotts. Now." She said mocking his typical drawn-out pattern of speech. Returning to her normal cadence, "It would seem we found your sister, and." There was a pause, "Why in Rowena's name is yours next to Lily and James as father to Harry Potter."

"Godrick's sweat stained underpants, Minerva." He stormed into his shared quarters. "Regulus!" He startled Pollux who had been reading near the large window overlooking the black lake. "Sorry Pol, is your father in?"

"No godfather, he said he was going to the greenhouses to get fresh supplies." He returned to his reading as his godfather spun and stormed off to find his father. He was used to his godfather acting in this way, it felt like he had always known that flowing billow of robes as the man spun and stormed off.

~ooOoo~

Mad-eye was finally staring to calm down, and think after the revelation. 'If Dumbledore was willing to go to the lengths of blocking the will and making it so that the goblins did not follow protocol, what else had that man done. Would he go as far as being involved in the Dursley killing, probably not, though it would not surprise me if he had a hand in the boy's living situation. What has that madman done all in the name of his greater good? I suppose that I'd best find out, and carefully too, don't need him on to me. What does he do if someone steps out of line? Is he really playing a giant game of chess where the muggle and magical worlds are just made of pawns and pieces to be played against each other?' The questions continued to spiral through his head getting darker and darker in the possibilities.

He had left Gringotts for the comforts of the training academy so that he could get all his frustrations out. As he made attack after attack on the academy's training simulators, the cadets began to gather around to watch. They had been in awe and realized that the older man had always held back during their training with him. The angrier he got, the fiercer the battle between golems serving as training targets and his spells became. The cadets realized some of the spells he was casting were ones that they had never even heard of or seen.

One cadet took it upon herself to turn this into a lesson, and quickly others began to follow her example. If he was going to show off, then they should study it. His techniques had kept him alive, and in this job for this long. That was a major accomplishment. Most took a desk job after ten years of field duty. Moody had been forced to take a desk job earlier this year, after twenty years due to an injury. He still would often take cadets out into the field so that he didn't become sloppy while he was on the mend. It was his way of bending the rules around his healers' orders.

As Moody's thoughts came to a consensus on his next actions, he cooled down on his spells and turned to look at the gathered students. "Well nice ta know some of you lot know when to take initiative in your training. Weasley," he looked at the young flame haired man, "I know you are here on loan by the grace of Gringotts.' The younger man turned bright red, 'run drills, help the others to practice obscure spells, and basic magical theory for creation of new ones. Your soon to be cursebreaker training would be of significant value to this lot. Not to mention that their mistakes will help you in learning to break curses that are not standard."

"Yes Sir," William Weasley stated with a nod of his head. "You do realize though that if I give away some of the goblin's techniques, they are going to want secrets in kind. You willing to pay up old man?" his tone was light and teasing. He knew that if he crossed any lines with the old auror his father would hear about it.

Moody waved it off. "I'm headed back there in a few minutes. I'll talk to Grimfang about it. I know we can make a deal easily about it. Well off to it then. All of ya." He gave the cadets a dark look promising that he would be expecting major improvements when he got back. 'I'm gonna have ta make an appointment with the DOM. Let me at least get that started before I head back.' He left the training area for the comforts of his office.

~ooOoo~

HBOY, we need someone to investigate the goings on of our phoenix friend. Seems he is up to some of his shenanigans again. Please run his file against that of YKW. See if there is a profile match to case study five Delta Lima dot one nine dot three. I believe you might find something of interest in the cold case. Signed, that crazy bastard that bothers you all the time.

He finished his interdepartmental memo and sent it flying into the bowels of the ministry. He was never sure which unspeakable would be handling it, poor sod would be pulling overtime if he was right in his thinking. "Ah well, not my business right now," he said to himself. He needed to get back to Gringotts now that he was in better control, absolutely exhausted, but in control none the less. Steeling himself for what was to come, he spun on the spot and apparated back for the rest of the meeting.

~ooOoo~

Roghosh was livid as he read out the contents of the will. He had been the Potter's account manager for the last century and he knew that there were things missing from the list of assets when you compared it to the contents of the will. The numbers were off, and numbers didn't lie. He paused after he read the final lines of the document.

The Projected memories of Harry's parents nodded at the goblin. His mother even blew Harry a kiss before they disappeared. Harry wondered if they were just memories, or if they had been his parents' actual ghosts. They had seemed to know that they had waited longer than expected. Not to mention they seemed concerned with Mr. Snape's absence. 'I mean sure I have magic, they had magic, goblins are real, but that is nothing like any of the ghost stories that I've ever heard. Why would they need memories even to let me know vault numbers, contents, and who should be the one to raise me. Why did they leave Mr. Malfoy in charge of my finances even?' his mind kept spinning off into different tangents and theories of magic and mythical creatures he used to dream about. Like giants on flying motorbikes.

"I know that was a shock to you all, as well as myself, but I need to double check something against the records. Mr. Malfoy, as Mr. Potters identified legal representative, I think it would be best to advise your client on his fiscal responsibilities. I need to grab some of the past records," he paused. 'I need something convincing; he will know if I am lying, at least too grandly.' "To complete one of the previous clauses within the legal terms placed upon the vaults in question." He attempted not to stumble or stutter. Grimfang needed to be appraised of this turn in events as well. Something was rotten, and it wasn't the fermented fish sandwich that he had for breakfast.

'Several hundred thousand British pounds, in three separate accounts, four different properties, and an entire vault do not just vanish overnight.' Lucius contemplated to himself, 'this may seem like a drop in the bucket when the rest had been listed off, but still there is more than the boy surly needs. Hnnn, muggle accounts are not normally tracked, but I know that I keep them in my ledger at home.'

Roghosh was beside himself in anger. He hadn't felt this way since he was just a young warrior in the last rebellion. 'I distinctly recall the differences that they had made in their previous will. They had tried their best to hide as much of it away. Opening new vaults under assumed names, using muggle means to hide other parts. I will have to look those up again. I know that they were there I read them back to the Potters when they were making this final will. They had wanted Sirius Black and Severus Snape as the guardians of young Harry. Let's see,' he paused, 'Lord Black's fortune would have passed either to his brother along with the title and responsibility, or to Lord Prince, if I remember his will reading. I don't handle the Prince fortune, but, I can give Carver notice and ask for her to audit those accounts.' He watched the faces in front of him as he though this over.

Lucius looked at his wife and raised his eyebrow in question, she in return nodded once to him. "That is acceptable. I can easily go over what he needs. Hopefully by the time you are finished with your research," he smirked at the goblin knowingly, "the dear professor will have calmed herself enough to leave her animagus form, and the comforts of my wife's lap." His gaze slid over to the grey stripped tabby that had taken up residence in his wife's arms, demanding scritches. "As well as allow Severus to join us. Perhaps at that time you can share what you know with the rest of us."

Draco was rubbing McGonagall's belly and under her chin. Harry had moved next to them and was trying to entice the tabby to play with a bit of string that he found in his pocket. Hermione sat back watching everyone. 'It would seem everyone here knows this man who is supposed to be my brother. Even mum was not surprised that one was listed. If he is magical is this Tobias magical too? And why would Great Uncle Leonide not mention it. Are they all hiding something from me? Ok, ok Mimi slow down and think this through.' She quickly lost herself down into the labyrinth of her mind.

Roghosh nodded back at the austere blonde man. "I will advise you of what I can." He found none of this particularly humorous. In fact, if he was not mistaken, the information that had been uncovered, could prove dangerous. He looked lost for words, for a moment. Lucius thought that there was more he wanted to say, but Roghosh just shook his head and straightened his spine. This was not a conversation that he wanted to have with the elder Grimfang. Everything about this boded ill, 'the last thing we need is the wizards to be at war with each other, again. Nothing good will come from any of this. Not for the humans, not for the goblins, not even for the muggles I fear.' He walked out of his office leaving the others to speak freely by themselves.

~ooOoo~

Moody arrived at the apparition point knocking into another man, who had just arrived like himself. He dusted himself off and looked at the austere man in black before him. "Sorry Severus, been a tad busy round here today." He offered the younger man a hand up. "I'll buy you dinner, away from that castle of yours, as an apology if you will accept."

Severus accepted the hand. "That, my friend, and perhaps several rounds of your best as well." He looked down his impressive nose at the slightly shorter man. "You would think that the ministry would make the apparition locations larger. I even heard the old biddies in the castle, gossiping about Professor Merrythought getting splinched last week by apparating into the same space as another." He dusted himself off giving the old auror a roguish grin. "Sounds like your day is off to as great a start as my own."

"Oh, that it is Snape, that it is and more. I may need to ask for your talents."

Severus raised his eyebrow in curiosity. "And which talents might that be… Auror Moody?"

"Now don't be giving me any looks, but you are uniquely positioned to help me out, and you know I always pay." The two men walked up the marble steps and entered the bank. "Between your talent with potions, intrigue, natural Slytherin self-preservation, and various masteries," he paused for a moment. "Well let's just say living in the same vicinity of persons of interest and where I cannot go without invitations first."

Severus glared at him; he was not going to dirty his hands if he had to. Knowing his luck as of late he would need places to hide bodies, after brewing illicit potions for the DMLE of all places.

"It's nothin like wha ya are thinkin now lad. So, stop that right there. It's more information than anything." His brogue started slipping out again seeing the head goblin standing in the middle of the main hall flanked by two goblin guards in full armor. Seeing Grimfang like this always spelled trouble.

Grimfang stepped forward with his guards and stood blocking Moody's way back to Roghosh's office. "Auror Moody, Professor Snape, I want words with you before you both continue your business here." His tone brooked no argument from the two wizards. Severus sincerely wished that he could achieve that tone to use on his students. The snarl was better than his by leagues, and the aura of malevolence the goblin carried was beyond magnificent. "My office, gentlemen." Grimfang turned heading back to his office where Roghosh was already waiting for them. The guards held back and followed behind the two wizards.

~ooOoo~

Minerva had curled up and fallen asleep in Narcissa's lap, as only a cat can. The revelations of the morning were just too much at one time for anyone to take. Things in her memory did not line up with any of the facts presented. While her body may have looked asleep her mind raced. 'If things written about nine years ago and sealed for all this time were true then I've been obliviated. If I have been, who else has been? Cissy didn't seem as surprised as I about the forced change in secret keepers. Lucius didn't either it seems. She also didn't seem surprised about Mr. Potter's parentage. Lucius on the other hand did, but Amelia acted like this made sense to her. Wait, didn't I have a disagreement with Albus's placement with his aunt and uncle?' The memory hurt, and she had to fight to remember anything more than a blur. 'Even the battle and takedown of the Dark Lord is fuzzy at best. I know it was horrific, but why can't I recall what happened. Unless it was too traumatic, and I actually…' she bolted up and hopped off Narcissa's lap as if her tail had been lit on fire, finally stopping in the smallest place she could fit, which happed to be under Lucius' chair.

Lucius was privately talking with Helena and her daughter Hermione; he didn't notice the odd behavior of the cat animagus. Harry had become restless and was on the verge of panic. He had no idea what could be keeping the 'nice' bank manager from returning. Helena kept an eye on the young lad recognizing the warning signs of an impending panic attack. She placed her hand on Harry's lap and startled him. "Just breath for me dear. We don't know what's keeping them and even if it has been a while, it may be routine. Please, Harry, look around, Draco is asleep and," she stifled a giggle, "drooling. It can't be all that out of the ordinary."

"She is quite correct; it is not out of the ordinary. Even if it is currently a touch boring. Here let me fix things for you. Dobby!" He called, and a slovenly dressed elf in a stained pillowcase appeared before them. Lucius shuddered in revulsion. There was something off about this elf. He had never acted quite this off in the past, but it seemed to be getting worse as of late. "Dobby, I would like you to get a light lunch and," his eyes slid to his sleeping son, "a clean shirt for Draco. That will be all," he waved the elf off without another look at it.

Hermione's eyes grew large at the sight. "What in the world was that?"

"That is my house elf, a bit of a misguided one, but still. They are a type of magical creature who require being in the service of a person or family to survive. Those that are not, tend to go wrong." HE paused thinking of how to phrase it for her. He did not want her to believe that this was some form of slavery, even if it did feel like it sometimes. "I believe many muggle fairy tales have house elves as their basic creature. I believe they tend to call them by the older Irish name of Boggans. They are typically quite helpful if treated right. When not they can become like the gremlins, muggle cinema has made famous."

Dobby had just returned with a large tray of finger sandwiches and tea before disappearing again. "Hn, that wasn't quite what I was asking for. I have no idea where he thinks that fruit compote and this greasy, lumpy, mash of pureed nuts that stick to the roof of your mouth, should be mixed and placed between this muggle white bread. And to think muggles find this bread 'wonderful'," he said with disgust while taking a bite. "Proper bread, when balled up, should not allow for an entire loaf to fit in the palm of your hand. It should have some bite and chew to it."

Hermione, Helena, and Harry smiled, trying to hold back their mirth in the face of the regal man, and accepted the sandwiches and tea. Narcissa rolled her eyes at the offerings and woke Draco. "Amelia, Minnie, would you care for a sandwich and tea? I am sorry, it seems that our elf brought Draco's new obsession, but please help yourselves."

Minerva crawled out from under Lucius chair and transformed from a cat to her normal self. She smiled at her friend, retaking her seat. Amelia looked up from the notes she had been taking and accepted the warm brew, but refused the unappetizing looking sandwich, before returning to her notebook. Draco tore into the sandwiches with gusto.

Alastor 'Mad-eye' Moody came barreling into the room, followed quickly by Severus Snape. "Amelia, we need to go." While he had left in a rage, that she had hoped he worked off, there was still anger, but it had been joined by a look of fear. His magical eye was spinning faster than anyone had ever seen before. Only stopping to pause in a location for less than a second, before continuing to the next location. This gave the eye almost a shudder to its spin in all directions.

She looked up watching them both, as Snapes robes swirled around his ankles as he finished walking into the room. "I assume that you have been appraised on the reading of the will?" she looked questioningly at the auror, who shook his head negatively. "I see, then it is more business for us today. Peony, Minerva, my dears would you both come with to give a statement. I think we can leave the Malfoys and the Granger's in Severus's care for the time being. Severus," she glared hard at the intimidating man, "My office, tomorrow, before your first class. And, given the state of things, I think you may not want to go back to the castle tonight. As it is I'm not letting Minnie either."

He nodded. "Amelia, I think you may need some sleep. Today is Saturday." He almost sneered at her, before remembering that she could have him in Azkaban before he could blink, thanks to the dirt she had on him, "making tomorrow, Sunday. Minerva had to call me from a 'class' due to my advanced placement NEWT program. Sadly, as smart and gifted as they are, they are still just a bunch of dunderheads with more hormones than brains." His eyes shifted to the children in the room. His godson, was acting like a toddler once again, demanding that his parents bring him ice-cream and milk to go with his sandwiches. The other two that he did not recognize, but he appraised them and at least found them to have better manners than Draco.

The boy was the spitting image of his blood adopted father, James. Still, he could see some traits that were obviously Lily's and a few that some may mistake for Potter's but were his. 'Thank god he didn't get my nose. However, based on genetics it should be impossible that he ended up with his mothers' eyes. The last time I saw the child, his eyes were a darker hazel, not brilliant green. Like a muddling of browns and green. Why in Helga's oversized knickers would someone put a glamor on him?' He made a small easily missed gesture of his hand and cast a finite. Nothing happened. "It would seem that we have much to discuss."

Both women, sitting with Lucius, eyes snapped to him. The elder seemed to be scrutinizing him as much as he was them. It was unsettling. It was if she had the power to determin if he was to be thrown to Ammit. 'As if my soul could even begin to be as light as a feather. She is not Egyptian though. She is a Greek goddess incarnate, perhaps some divine Nemesis, daughter of Nyx, or the Erinyes', or Keres. If this is the woman that traitorous bastard of a father…' he paused in his thoughts and looked at the girl. She was her mother's alright, 'I suppose though, since he is not with her, that he remained as disloyal to her as he did to me, and my mum.' He took a deep breath, turning his attention away from the women; "you must be Harry then?" his eyes snapped to the malnourished child.

Harry nodded and attempted to hide in his chair. The man in front of him was unnerving. He radiated a power that Harry had never felt before.

Severus narrowed his eyes at the fear the child showed him. He had become used to fear, however there was something more. Something that reminded him far too much of himself at that age. "I am Professor Severus Snape," he paused and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't even know how I should have you address me. I am not your professor, and unless you prove yourself to be proficient enough, I never will be."

"Can I… Can I just call you Dad?" Harry stammered, "your name that showed up as one of my fathers…."

"How does that even work?" Hermione interrupted, "it is not normal for two sperm to fertilize a single egg, and when it does happen it almost always results in twins. There is no…" Helena covered her daughters mouth shutting her up.

Harry didn't mind the interruption too much; it at least got the attention off him. The others looked at the girl, some in astonishment, others in disbelief. Severus looked unimpressed, "You are a witch, aren't you? While Muggles may have issues with that," he drawled, "you should know that there are ways of making things possible." The girl was almost as swotty as he was at that age. He knew that children whose heads were full of fluff annoyed and angered him. He had never realized before that this was likely how annoying he was at that age. 'I will see if I can have Cissy break that habit of hers. But I will stake my money on her being a Ravenclaw. Wonder if Lucius, Brax, and Reg will take that bet. Even Minerva might get in on it if the pot is good enough.'

"Excuse me Professor," she spit his title at him. There was fire and steel in Helena's eyes, and she gave him a cold calculating look that would make the gods tremble before her. "She was raised in the Muggle world. I live as a Muggle."

'Is this divine creature truly a witch? No, she could not have been one, the bastard would have realized it if she was. He could always sense when magic was used in the house, even if he was not really magical himself.' "I suppose you are the woman that my father took up with after he left my mother?" He spit the words back at her. Meeting venom with venom, he stepped closer using his height to his advantage.

Helena leapt, blindingly fast from her seat, and drove her body weight into Severus' solar plexus, doubling him over. Severus had not been expecting the sudden attack at all and had let his guard slip. He had believed his presence alone would be a deterrent. He tried to grab her, expecting that she would choose to fight the way that most of the females he knew would. He was prepared for claws and biting, hair pulling and eye gouging. No, not this woman. 'I was correct, she is some type of she demon. Mother, forgive me.' He thew a punch and she took it on the chin. It only served to enrage her further as she swung her arms around his neck and dropped to a knee forcing his head into her shoulder.

Lucius tried to stand, wanting to restrain the woman. She was giving a solid thrashing to his long-time friend, and brother in all but blood. Narcissa placed a hand on Lucius' leg, squeezed sharply, and gave him a cowing look. Knowing not to enrage his own wife, lest his fate be similar, he sat back down. Helena continued her attack on him, forcing Severus to the ground with fierce knee to the groin. This was quickly followed by an uppercut that almost left him unconscious, he did his best to fight back delivering blow for blow. She was radiant in her fury. Incandescent in the protection in her child. Not to mention far lither and quicker than his own wiry athletic form.

"Mum. Please," Hermione was almost as enraged by her mother's actions as the insults that had been lobbed at her. Her hair writhed and crackled, forming a halo of serpents around her head, which struck out at the air about her. She placed a hand on her mothers' shoulder stopping the fight that was leaving them both battered, and bloody. "You've always told me to behave myself, and not brawl with others."

Helena knew that she needed to deescalate her daughter's fury, and quickly released her headlock. She gave one final dig of her knee into the back of Severus as she stood and stepped off his back. His back cracked loudly. "I… I'm sorry Mimi. It's just a sore spot." She looked at the man who was attempting to stand back up from where he was. "Sir. I would thank you to not take that tone with me, nor disparage my daughter for her parentage. Trust that there is no longer any love lost between me and a certain Mr. Tobias Snape." Her voice positively dripped venom. She had just as much right to dislike the man who left and forced her back into the arms of her adulterous husband, as his son apparently did. "It would seem that this is something we can agree on." She took a steadying breath, "Truce?" She held out her hand to him.

Severus looked at her for a moment. He wiped the blood from his mouth and nose, nodding before he took her hand. "Truce. It would seem that my original conclusions were quite erroneous. May I at least have your name?" He quirked his eyebrow at her, almost in a form of challenge. 'She may have caught me off guard, but now I think I should take a page out of Alastor's book and keep in mind to be constantly vigilant where she is concerned.'

Roghosh, and Grimfang had walked in as Helena was taking Severus to task. Grimfang looked over at the smaller, slightly paunchy goblin, and raised his eyebrows as he watched the pummeling that she was giving Snape. His face split into a large toothy grin, it had been a while since he had seen a wizard forced to submit themselves to a female in the face of her ire. 'She is not even a witch, and she has caused the man to forget that he has a wand, or has she managed to snap it?' He looked around but did not see any pieces of a broken wand on the ground. 'Ah well, cant win my bets all the time.' He slipped two small coins over to Grimfang.

"If I am not mistaken, Lord Prince, this is Helena Laconise. Daughter of Admetos Laconise, and current heir regent of Leonite Laconise's bloodline, until her daughter Hermione comes of age." The old goblin had no issues pronouncing the Greek names perfectly, and received a vicious, but brilliantly white, toothy, smile from the girl. He smiled back at the child. "Hermione is," he gestured to the girl, "by blood your sister. And, if I do say so myself, were she half the fighter her mother is, I would likely be introducing her to one of my sons. Alas my dear," he looked over at Hermione, "you are not a goblin, and at this time I do not wish to start a new uprising. Should you wish to renounce the title of Witch and your claim to all lands and titles provided by the Laconise bloodline, we could raise you as a goblin." He watched as the girl preened at the complements, and her hair quieted. 'Seems I need to send a friendly message to Leonide,' "though do not think that your uncle would like that very much." He gave the child a fierce grin showing all of his jagged teeth.

Helena grimaced for a moment, and then noticed how they curved back on themselves like those of some prehistoric shark. 'I wonder if he has multiple rows?' She became momentarily distracted before gnashing her teeth back at the elder goblin.

Hermione nodded her head in understanding. Lucius, who had never been given Helena's full name, gawked at the woman before them. He looked to his wife for confirmation, and seeing the amusement in Cissy's eyes at him, shut his gaping mouth. He wanted to make amends for his obvious faux pau, but Narcissa's hand squeezed his thigh again in warning.

Severus' eyes blew wide open at her name, and bowed low to Helena, "I am truly sorry then. I did not know who you are, and had I, I would not have even tempted your wrath." He swallowed hard. He grimaced hearing Lucius gag. He had admitted fault and not dance around in his apology for once. 'How do I make amends with this woman? She may have been my father's mistress, but she is about the same age as me. This could not be the woman that mother found the phone number for in his jeans.'

'If she is this quick to attack when I've only made a few snide comments about her daughter; then I am going to have to let her stay in the child's life even if she is not a witch. Albus is going to have my head for this. Blast it, Reg is going to have my hide over this. He is expecting me to bring home a child, not two, this will never work now. Albus will not allow someone like her at the castle, and I have not even informed him yet about Harry. I am going to have to find out what sort of training she does. Perhaps I can have Moody talk to her about that. It would seem more up his alley to be inquisitive on the subject.' He straightened and looked at her before retaking his seat. If only he could get his mind to calm as much as his façade had. 'Hn, I wonder. This may work, or spectacularly fail, but this is a plan.' His mind drifted off to the necessary actions he was going to undertake.

Roghosh and Grimfang had taken seats on the opposite side of the desk from the wizards. Grimfang took the primary chair, ousting Roghosh from his typical seat. "If we may proceed," Grimfang croaked. "Lord Prince, as the last living relative, and father of Mr. Potter, it falls to you for decisions on guardianship. Lord Malfoy, as Mr. Potter's legal counsel, being appointed by the Potter's will, it falls to me to inform you of significant losses to the Potter fortune by means of embezzlement." Grimfang was furious. "As it stands, we at Gringotts, have frozen the perpetrators vaults, and have agents searching for the missing assets. Should you wish to press charges, Gringotts will cooperate fully in providing access to all relevant files." He paused trying to settle his desire to see heads removed from their foundations. "Given the delicacy of the issue before us, I would adjure you for some allowance to seek our own investigations first. I personally have informed Auror Moody of our concerns. We will be cooperating completely with the department of Magical Law Enforcement as we proceed with the criminal aspects of these actions.

Lucius turned white at this revelation. If this was a normal issue, then typically the perpetrator would face goblin justice. "I am assuming that you will be seeking retribution as well on behalf of the Nation?" Both goblins gave increasingly feral grins. He gulped, "you said perpetrators, as in more than one?"

"Yes," Roghosh spoke up, "while listening to the memories contained within the Potters will, I began noticing discrepancies. Entire vaults were missing from the ledger. Property that had been handed down from the Black family as part of previous dowries, and so forth. Given that the Potter's will, and custody of young Lord Potter, was ignored, I began to wonder if it was the will itself or the prior ledgers, that were corrupted. It seems in sealing the will, there was more than just the oversight on Gringotts part of reviewing prior ledgers and corroborating vault inventories."

Hermione's eyes were trained on Severus. This was obviously news to the Malfoy's, but she didn't see any shock going across his face. This just seemed to enrage him further. The man knew more than what he could say. She could almost hear the thoughts echo from his head. They were quieter, more muddled than others that she heard on occasion. Great uncle Leonides had taught her tricks to block things out, once she had let it slip that she knew a man was lying. He was the one who had brought fish up to the house last summer. She had been there on vacation with her mother for a few weeks, but her mother acted strangely around the old fisherman.

Severus suddenly turned and caught the look on her face. He went from red to pure white. He could hear the young girls' thoughts. She was trying to block out the thoughts of the others around them. The tighter that she held a grasp on her walls, the more that slipped out from hers.

"We here at Gringotts'," Grimfang took over, "have been able to confirm that said assets had been passed into the vaults and ledgers of other customers. At this time, we do not know, and are investigating independently, if the assets in question were directly accessed by said individuals willingly, unwillingly, or unknowingly. Sadly, both the Malfoy family, and Lord Prince are on the list of individuals possessing missing assets." With this single statement, the room erupted into chaos.

~ooOoo~

Amelia escorted Alastor, Minerva, and Peony down into a warded meeting room in the Department of Mysteries. Typically, these rooms were used by unspeakables, but what they were about to discuss may need their help, so it was best to take precaution. Once the door was locked behind them and all the wards snapped into place, Amelia rounded on the old auror. "Ok spill, what has your knickers in a twist Moody?"

"I am currently working with several theories. However, it must be noted that I spoke with Grimfang and Roghosh before I came to get you three. The Potter estate is missing several different properties, all of which so far have turned up in the asset logs of major members of the order. Their records indicate that there have been compulsion charms placed on many of the… ahem, new owners." He was positively livid, "everyone who has been listed as gaining assets, that could even remotely have profited from this, is under investigation by Gringotts, as well as the DMLE now that they are pressing criminal charges."

The three women gasped. "Surely you don't mean…" Minerva trailed off; she could see where this was probably leading.

"How has the misappropriation of funds come to the point that we need to be down here in the bowels of the ministry Alastor." Amelia's blood began to boil. "I assume you have an idea who is behind it. What is your working theory?"

"And how is this going to affect the Potter boy as well?" Peony chimed in.

"Given that a fair amount has gone not only to the leader of the Order's closest allies, but also to the biggest perceived rivals, I think you all know you I am speaking of. Don't say his name, or any of your typical taunts." He silenced the others as they were all about to speak Dumbledore's name. "I've asked the DOM to investigate the possibility that he is the true Dark Lord of the prophecy. I am also beginning to suspect that there may be a taboo on his name."

"Well, he does seem to smile randomly when nothing has been said around him. How strong do you think this is Alastor?" Minerva had gone ashen, if this was the case then he could easily know what everyone said behind his back. He would not need the portraits to report on the staff at Hogwarts, or even in people's private homes. 'Would he go so far as to spy on the general public in day-to-day life? Well, he certainly knows the goings on of any who have his chocolate frog card, and it currently is a common card. Wait, that would lead to him being able to hear almost anything. I think I need to get a hold of Wizzo's Chocolate Company and let Mr. Hilton know about this. I think I should also pay a visit to Honeydukes.'

"I suspect that it may be a very strong one, that would potentially lead him to not only know who was speaking of him, but what they are saying. I know he often comes off as omniscient, this would easily be one of the ways he could be getting his information." He turned to Amelia, "now you see why I requested it to take place down here." She nodded, fury blazing in her eyes.

Peony looked pensive. Her brain was in overdrive trying to get two plus two to no longer equal twelve. She stood and started to pace, "Alastor?" his head snapped in her direction. "Do we know a timeline? Could the Potters have been imperioused, or some other way coerced? Why do you think the prophecy pertains to him?"

"We don't have a timeline yet from Gringotts. I think you may be on to something though Peony, if there were compulsions on the Potters it would make sense as to why there's no paper trail. As to the Prophecy, typically they are given by a true seer to one of the involved parties. It could have been given to him as he should orchestrate the ultimate downfall, or that he is the one to be defeated." Peony nodded at this. She was satisfied for the moment, and he spun looking directly at Minerva. "You could be seen as arguably one of his closest allies Minnie. Do you know who was handling the Potter's finances while they were hidden?"

"Yes. I was, as was Sirius. He usually grabbed them quick items and ran to shops or the like, but I was the one who paid the bills. Why?"

"Because that is one of the ways that Gringotts thinks the funds may have been embezzled. You do have several assets in your vault that are listed among the missing. Now I am expecting that this is mostly due to that point in time, since you were the one footing the bills, but we are trying to rule you, and Severus out."

"I see. Have my account records been tampered with as well, Alastor?" Minerva was tired of all the drama that the old diva could cause.

"That I am not sure of, but the top names currently are you, Severus, Molly Weasley, Filius, and Pamona. There are also others like the Malfoy's, Black's, and Lestrange's that are high on the list, so this is part of why the investigation is being split."

"What exactly is missing," Amelia growled.

"I still do not see how this is going to affect my department or Mr. Potters welfare." Peony was still trying to figure out how she was getting twelve. "How would tampering with assets leave him at a point that his well being would be threatened. The Potters were almost as well off as the Malfoy's thanks to Lily's muggle investments."

"I suppose I should start with the over three hundred thousand pounds that were in a muggle bank account as well as all the stock, and Lily's inheritance." Alastor ticked off the few items that he had been made aware of so far, on his fingers. He was still waiting on a complete list that would be sent over from Gringotts by the end of the day. "As to how this affects Mr. Potter's welfare, I suspect that most of that account may have gone to his aunt and uncle."

"Alastor," Minerva pinched the bridge of her nose, "Lily never had an account that size, and as far as I was made aware of there never was a muggle account for the Potters."

There was a rap at the door. Amelia stood to answer and send whomever it was packing. She was quickly taken aback as three unspeakables, clad head to foot in the pristine white robes, that obscured any clues to their identities, swept into the room and took seats at the table.

~ooOoo~

Albus had sent an owl off earlier in the day to his personal banker with Gringotts. He had learned years ago that it was easier to work through proxies, much like the various muggle companies did, which he had seen spring up over the years. A barrister here, a financial advisor there, a stockbroker someplace else, all keeping the others in the dark about the accounts and assets that the others handled. Not only did it save him from making trips into London proper, but it also had them take care of the errands which accompanied his various tasks. There were several times that he even allowed the Weasley matriarch handle his errands. Today was one of those days, not only had he sent off specific instructions to his barrister, but he had also made a floo call to his muggle financial planner's office. It always helped to have squibs in the right places. They could still easily work with Gringotts, and the muggle stock markets and banking systems.

He called Molly Weasley up to his office. While he sat lunch in the Great Hall, she had been sent Gringotts, and had taken her children with her. Charlie needed new robes. He had slowly been destroying each pair that had been handed down from Bill. She was also annoyed that Hogwarts had changed some of its policies on robes requiring a need for each student to have not only work robes but proper dress robes. This morning's potion accident had started a reaction which, had she not stopped it in time, could have caused all the wool within Hogwarts to be eaten. As it was, she needed to make sure that most of the wool in Gryffindor tower was replaced.

Charlie had haphazardly tossed his dirty robes onto a couch as he entered and was desperately trying to get the caustic potion remains off his uniform. Whatever was in it had eaten away at his jumper, and a good portion of his trouser legs. She had been returning from a trip into the vaults as she saw Moody, Bones, Parkinson, and Minerva exiting in a rush.

Molly had made a sizable withdrawal from her personal vaults, when her youngest son started throwing a temper tantrum the likes of which she had only ever seen in overly spoilt children have. She had never been easy on her boys, trying to instill strict discipline into them, but Ronald kept screaming that the twins were picking on him. This had, sadly, become commonplace. The boys were Slytherins through and through. She glared around the bank lobby trying to see her two wayward sons. They were over pestering some other teller it seemed.

When they had been originally sorted, she had demanded that concerns be addressed, as the hat obviously had been in a hat stall and had chosen wrongly. This was what lead to her current dilemma now. Because of her demands, and Dumbledore obvious favoritism, she had gotten them resorted for one year. The Board of Governors had declared that all students be resorted after first year, and then again after their OWLs. Now she either needed to carry all four house robes in different sizes for her growing boys or buy each one a set that were specifically charmed to grow with a specific individual, and those were expensive.

The hat for its part kept saying that it couldn't sort a two headed beast into different houses, nor could it sit on two heads at the same time. It had assured the heads of house and Dumbledore that they could not be separated unless a far worse fate befell Hogwarts herself, than that the likes only Peeves could create. It had even suggested that they spend each year swapping between Slytherin and Ravenclaw. The headmaster had refused this at the time, but Fillius had suggested that they have a combined mix of both Slytherin and Ravenclaw classes. It had meant a major overhaul of the curriculum and housing systems, but he agreed that would be easier than sorting each year. The diminutive professor had also once again brought up the need for a single common room for each year, letting all four houses mingle outside of the library. The headmaster had acquiesced to first years having one, hoping to placate the teachers and the board before any ruling on their part could demand mandatory ones for all seven years.

She watched as the clothing Ronald had been wearing was slowly eaten away from his body, leaving a red, almost sunburnt, appearance to his skin. She sighed, todays shopping just got longer. She approached the goblin teller her twins were already speaking with. "Excuse me, but is William Weasley here today?" She glared at the twin boys attempting to cow them into submission.

The old goblin sneered down his nose at the frumpy witch, "No, today is curse training. He is not set for rotation in the bank until next month. If you need him, I would suggest looking for him at the auror academy."

She gave the goblin a blank stare, this was news to her. William had only ever told her that he was going through cursebreaker training, not auror too. The goblin had returned to his ledger and was ignoring her. "Ehem, alright then, I will need to make a withdrawal from one of Dumbledore's private Hogwarts accounts." She plastered a fake smile on her face.

The goblin didn't even look back up from the ledger. "I am sorry Madam Weasley, but there have been holds placed on all Hogwarts accounts pending audit. Was there anything else that you needed?"

"So does the headmaster already know of this? I assure you he sent me with specific instructions on how much he wanted withdrawn and used for Hogwarts expenses."

"I am sure the owl is on its way to him. Also, as of five minutes ago, your access to any vaults within Gringotts, or managed by Gringotts, in the case of muggle accounts, has been frozen, pending the same audit. We here at Gringotts understand the inconvenience that is being placed upon our customers at this time, however this is necessary, and your lord husband has already been notified." He had continued writing and spoke dispassionately at her not listening to any complaints that she had voiced after he spoke. Eventually he had to call upon security to escort the mother and her family out of the bank. If he had not already been prepared to deal with the shrew, he may have needed earplugs to withstand her screams of outrage. He felt sorry for the others around who had been caught off guard.

~ooOoo~

An owl began pecking on the balcony glass of the headmaster's office. No living person was inside, however one mischievous poltergeist had managed to gain access. Peeves was thoroughly rearranging everything from the portraits on the walls, to the position of the desk, even the files in the headmasters' drawers were not immune. Seeing the owl and knowing that both the weather, and the bird would cause additional issues, he clicked his fingers, and the doors flew open along with every window in the office. Smiling to himself he began bouncing around, nocking various knickknacks and doohickies off their shelves, allowing several to break on the floor as they fell. He saw one fall to the floor and glow bright blue; a bubble of protection was surrounding it keeping the delicate statue from smashing. He tried this with several other object. They too created different colored magical barriers around themselves to protect the instruments from shattering. It was only after two of them had been hurled together and collided into one another that the protection charms failed.

Peeves took care in studying the combined explosion that the willful destruction this caused and attempted it with several of the other items. He had been staring at a failed attempt before him and had not noticed the door to the office being flung open. A furious Dumbledore drew his wand on the ghost and cast a spell banishing it from the tower. Albus had tried to banish him from the castle, but as usual he knew that it would not work. The poltergeist may have found itself in one of the deepest dungeons, that only the bloody baron inhabited, but it would still be some time before he would suffer its presence.

Dumbledore looked around at the destruction of his office. Hurricane Peeves had as usual left chaos in his wake. He began cleaning and reorganizing the mess before him, completely missing the letter the owl had dropped in its hasty escape. He tried to calm himself at seeing the broken pieces of the two reliquaries. He watched as the magic that had been stored within leaked into the ether. An echo of a scream pierced the office. Albus knew that somewhere a young Harry potter had clutched at his scar screaming in immense pain before fainting dead away.