The news that Sirius Black was declared innocent and had indicated guardianship of the Boy-Who-Lived was guaranteed to rock the wizarding world. Dark or light sided people would be screaming for Harry Potter to be free of any effect that a fugitive for a godfather could cause. More offers were sent to the Ministry of Magic to take the boy the first time he survived, many of which offered generous offers of all sizes to the Ministry department heads and the Minister of Magic himself and they were all sure it would happen again. Unfortunately for them all and fortunately for Harry and Sirius; Sirius was his guardian, he had full mental and physical stability after being cleared by St Mungos and more than that he wanted Harry himself not the moniker. That was far more important than people thinking that having a suspected Dark Lord for a godfather would impact his career choices. And that was why after the delicious sundaes at Florean Fortescues, Remus had escorted Daphne and Neville back to Hogwarts while Harry and Sirius strolled through the cobbled street to Gringotts to meet with the Black accounts manager to ensure his claim of guardianship had been filled and for Harry to confirm himself as Heir of House Black. Together the two men strode through and settled behind an elderly couple to wait for their turn at the teller, neither believed that their business was more important than others and so unlike others i.e. the Malfoys, they would wait patiently.

"I'll go and get the Dursleys to sign you over to me tomorrow if everything goes well here."

"Right, just to warn you that they'll be rude, happy to get rid of me and totally against you from the start."

"I have no idea what Dumbledore was thinking placing you there, they never cared for James and after your mum and aunts fallout. Well I'm surprised they were the first place Dumbles wanted you to go."

"What fallout?"

"Oh it was just before seventh year, in the summer. Your mum had tried super hard to be 'normal' she knew that a war was coming and didn't want to leave knowing her sister found her so…well…"

"Freakish?"

"heh, yeah that was the exact adjective she used actually." Sirius sent him a sharp look and Harry could do nothing but shrug as he glanced away causing the older man's eyes to seemingly harden and soften at the same time. "Anyway, like I said she'd done everything she could, locked away her wand, seen her normal friends, invited Petunia out for coffee and dinner and the cinema. Your aunt said no every time and then a couple days before term started she brought round her new boyfriend for a couple of days. Her big lump of an idiot, Vernon Dursley. He started hitting on your mum right from the start, she started out being polite but eventually it got bad and she told her older sister. Who flatly refused to believe anything she said, said she just couldn't be happy with something Petunia had first for once, her hubby would never hit on a freak. Then she walked on them, your uncle was reaching for your mum and Lily swung at him, broke his nose and kicked him right in the crown jewels. Your aunt screamed and yelled, said Lily had used her magic to entrap him etc. Lily left an hour later to stay the remaining days at Alice Prewetts or Alice Longbottom."

"Neville's mum?"

"Yup, they were thick as thieves, did loads together. Lily left for Hogwarts and before Christmas her parents sent her card saying that Petunia and Vernon were getting married and could she not come home because it would be very busy etc. She cried for days, tried to reconnect after Hogwarts, invited them to her and Prongs wedding but nope. Nothing. Zip. Nada."

"They wouldn't have wanted to have anything to do with a freak." Came his godsons monotonous voice and Sirius was caught off guard suddenly eyeing Harry. Although they'd spoken about how much he hated the Dursleys and that they hadn't treated him right, they hadn't gone into any detail and Sirius was only now wondering how bad it had been. He'd thought it suspicious when Harry had wanted to come and live with him so quickly when he had offered last year, he'd have to talk to Remus too.

"Can I help you?" injected a rough, disinterested voice into their conversation. And they turned to see –

"Griphook! How are you, sir?"

The goblin turned to face Harry who grinned at the goblin who had first taken him to his vault and who looked surprised to be addressed so politely as well as recognised.

"Ah Mr Potter, how may I help you on this day?"

Sirius' eyebrows rose at the almost respectful tone of the warty small creature and glanced a look at Harry who was grinning at him.

"We; my godfather and I, have some business to attend with the Black accounts manager please."

"Of course, Strongeye! Please escort Lord Black and Heir Potter to Hunteroff's office."

"Thank you Griphook, may your gold be pure and the blood of your enemies drip from your sword."

Sirius decided right then and there that a goblins smile was more terrifying than Voldemort could ever be.

"And may your gold be pure and freedom follow you from battle, Heir Potter."

Sirius gave a small bow and was gratified to see it returned before another led them from the main foyer.

"What was that all about?"

"Theo instructed me on the proper way to greet goblins, it helps endear us to them. When Binns isn't going about all their wars they have a fascinating history and come from a long line of warriers."

"Oh Merlin, don't you start, Remus goes on and on and on about them."

Down a corridor that was full of large oak doors that had gold gilding inlaid in the panels as well as precious gems. As they walked further into the bank, names started to appear on the doors, Weasley, Rosier, Longbottom, Selwyn, Crouch and Greengrass to name a few. Eventually they came to one with Black inlaid in the door on black marble with the crest decorated in silver next to it. Strongeye knocked on it and waited for the "Come!" Before he opened it and waved the two wizards in before shutting it behind them.

The office of Hunteroff, the Black accounts manager was spacious and elegant. To the right of the doors they had just entered through was a fire place with two comfy looking armchairs and a small table between them. Then there was a long narrow conference table that had eighteen seats placed around the dark wood all with silver and green cushions on them. To the left of all of this was a desk made of redwood with only a few stacks of paper on it, two chairs of black polished wood were in front of it and behind the desk sat Hunteroff. At least Harry assumed it was Hunteroff, he looked very much like other goblins though taller and with tufts of white hair coming out of his ears. He came forward and bowed low to Sirius, he was dressed in a smart black suit and his long fingers brushed the floor.

Sirius gave a bow back and then held his hand out for the goblin to shake.

"Lord Black may your gold run pure and the blood of your enemies fall from your sword."

"May your gold run pure and freedom follow you from battle."

"It is not unpleasant to see you again, and fully recovered I gather."

"A warmer greeting I have not heard and indeed I am, Hunteroff. This is Harry Potter, my godson and heir."

"Ah yes, Mr Potter I have heard interesting things about you."

He held out a hand and without hesitation Harry shook it smiling at the goblin.

"Master Goblin, a pleasure. Please call me Harry"

"Hmm, indeed. To business then." Swiftly turning on his heel Hunteroff didn't wait for them to follow and retreated back to his desk where he pulled several papers in front of him. Harry and Sirius settled into the chairs and waited patiently for the manager to begin.

"First things first, this belongs to you."

From his desk draw he removed a small green cushion, placed on top was a silver ring, a thick band with a black stone set in the centre.

Sirius stared at blankly before he released a shuddering breath, reaching forward to place it on his left pinkie.

"Been more than ten years since I first put it on, and yet feels the same. Thank you."

He held it out for Harry to see and he could just see the greyhound inside it.

"Black diamond, one of the rarest in the world. My great, great, grandfather decided that the onyx in it before was not show worthy enough." He said sarcastically before turning back to Hunteroff.

"Second of all I have been completing the work that you first instructed me to when you entered last year, Lord Black. Your holdings are slowly but surely growing and your properties have been evaluated and repairs are almost all are complete. I hope you are satisfied with this."

He handed Sirius 2 parchment pieces which he placed in the middle of the desk so that Harry could read it too.

The first had the title: Black Properties Harry felt his eyes widening at the length of it.

· Grimmauld Place – 12 Grimmauld Place, London – A townhouse of 5 floors including a basement and attic. Not been used since Walburga Black died, several dark items have been found. House is hidden under fidelius charm. Perfect condition now though the House elf refuses to clean as in-depth as it should.

· Chateau de Noir Normandy, France– a castle of two stories including a wine cellar and a attic. 50 bedrooms, reception room etc plus stables though they are unused. 162 acres. 100% repaired, working heating and water system.

· Villa Puro – Cortina d'Ampezza, Italy – two story villa, a retreat, complete with storage rooms for food. 60% repaired

· Bauernhog Schwarz – North Western Germany – main farmhouse of two stories with 7 bedrooms upstairs and then a kitchen/ dining area covering most of the downstairs with a small storage unit, 8 other buildings of various sized for workers plus families and 3 large barns for cattle, agriculture etc. 200 acres. 70% repaired, most of the outer buildings are functional as well as the main house. The fields are less tamed with only about 120 acres in good condition, nature has taken over the rest.

· Black Manor - Yorkshire – 2 story manor hold 6 acres of land around it. 10 Bedrooms, servant wings, large dining area and reception room. Library, last used by Arcturus Black before his death. 90% repaired, was left in excellent condition, house elves have carried on keeping it tidy. Minor repairs to the roof completed.

· Black Star Ranch – Montana, USA – started in the 1700's the ranch is a two story building plus 5 large barns with 4,000 acres of land. Run by goblins since 1874. 100% repaired, the main house hasn't been in use since 1867 and the work is completed by the Gringotts branch and therefore uninhabitable. The land is prime, the barns in working condition.

· Casa Preta – Lagos, Portugal - two story townhouse with small private beach area near to the magical part of the city. Little to no furniture present. 60% repaired, roof has fallen in as well as part of the second floor, the rest not so good, rarely used.

· Chernit pomest'ye – Gorna Altai, Russia – 3 story building complete with reception hall. Many animal heads throughout, probably used as a hunting lodge. 60 acres. 30% repaired, elements have taken over, windows and doors blown in and many livestock within the building. Main structure still holding though.

The next piece had a list of the Black family investments which to Harry's surprise was a mix of both magical and muggle. At his confused glance Sirius gave a lopsided grin.

"Did the muggle investments when I arrived here after escaping Hogwarts, told Hunteroff to invest in anything that would piss my departed mother off."

· Ogdens Firewhisky – invested in 1434, was given 262 gold pieces by Lord Casper Black and has retained a percentage of 9% in profits since.

· Sleekeasy heir – invested 1926, was given 300 galleons by Lord Regulus Black and has retained a percentage of 23% in profits since.

· Ollivanders – invested in 982 A.D was given 184 Gold pieces by Lady Elladora Black and has retained a percentage of 11% in profits since

· Floo powder – invested in 1267, was given 205 gold pieces by Lady Adhara Black and has retained a 17% in profit since.

· Cleansweep Broom Company – invested in 1926, was given 2000 galleons by Lord Regulus Black and has retained a percentage of 32% in profit since.

· Cauldrons – invested in 767 A.D, Family of Potage was given a mine in Wales by Lord Cyrus Black and has retained a percentage of 43% in profit since.

· The Daily Prophet – invested in 1743, was given 700 galleons by Lady Epsilon Black and has retained a 47% in profit since.

· Triumph– invested in 1994, was given £1 million by Lord Sirius Black and has retained a profit of 7% since.

· Rolls Royce – Invested in 1994, was given £1.4 million by Lord Sirius Black and has retained a profit of 12% since.

· Coke-cola – Invested in 1994, was given £1 million by Lord Sirius Black and has retained a profit of 10% since.

· Dominos Pizza – Invested in 1994, was given £1 million by Lord Sirius Black and has retained a profit of 9% since.

"Woah." Harry murmured.

"Ha yeah, I went a little mad. Whoops." Sirius gave an uncaring shrug. "You'll have more muggle."

Harry's head snapped to look at Sirius with a gobsmacked expression.

"I have investments?"

"But of course, why do you think your vault is always increasing."

"Sirius…my vault, its definitely not always increasing. I have to be careful when buying my school supplies. Its why I buy most things second hand if I can."

Sirius frowned at him.

"You mean you've never been in your vault?"

"I've just said I have-"

"No Prongslet, your vault! Your family vault?"

"I've only ever been in vault 687."

"Well sure, that's your trust vault, you know for when you want to buy a house, or a car or rainy day money as your mum used to say…" He paused and his eyes flickered over Harry's face. "You mean you've never been inside the Potter Vault? Or heard about it?"

Harry shook his head and Sirius face suddenly resembled the harsh, angry and confused look that he'd had when he had confronted Wormtail last year. He turned quickly to face Hunteroff.

"I wanted the Potter's account manager in here 10 minutes ago!"

His voice was snappish and cold but from the angry look on Hunteroffs face as he quickly scribbled a note and it vanished it was well worth it. Hunteroff glanced over at Harry as he started to rearrange parchment on his desk.

"Harry, have you received bank statements from us?"

"I have never received anything from you." Harry stated his voice calm and hiding nothing as he looked straight into the goblins black eyes.

Hunteroff nodded slowly, before sending off another note and linking his long fingers together on the desk sighing.

"Harry, I fear a misjustice has been done to you. We shall endeavour to get to the bottom of it and the one who has done this shall face our swords."

Before he could answer there was a knock and three goblins appeared, two that stood at the door covered in silver armour with long spears and swords by their sides. The third made his way up to the desk, he was smaller than the others, with a bald head and long nose and black suit like the tellers outside. Harry and Sirius stood as he turned to them and bowed.

"Lord Black, Mr Potter I am Sharpfang, the Potter's account manager since 1982. I must admit my confusion as to being summoned here instead of having you in my office. Shall we proceed there?"

"No we shall not, where is Ripjaw?" Demanded Sirius.

"I replaced Ripjaw in January 1982. I believe he went to the French branch."

"Why?"

"The regent of House Potter explained that they had a difference of opinions when it came to Mr Potters care. That is all I was told."

"Who is the regent?"

"Albus Dumbledore, of course. As stated by the Potters will."

There was silence and when Harry looked into his godfathers face he saw pure unbridled rage. The voice that came out of his mouth was strangely calm. Tightly controlled, though determined to remain civil in a situation it was clear he did not understand.

"Albus Dumbledore is not the regent of House Potter. There was nothing in the Potters will that even remotely resembled anything to that effect." He took a deep breathe and seemed to struggle to bring his emotions back under control. "We shall address that later, for now why does the Heir of House Potter not know of his vaults? Why has he received no statements from you?"

Sharpfang glared at him in response until the two guards at the door took a step forward with a clang of armour and he lowered his gaze.

"I was instructed not to by the regent of House Potter. At the time when I was employed, the Chief Warlock instructed me not to release anything to Mr Potter but to go through him. At the time, there were rouge death eaters around and he felt it would be better security for him to receive the mail. He showed me a copy of the Potters will and all the signatures on it were true."

"Well what about the Potters holdings? Their investments? Has Dumbledore been dipping into those?"

"The Chief Warlock had a monthly stipend added to a muggle banking branch and 100 galleons are deposited into the account of Mrs Petunia Dursley for the care of her nephew. The Chief Warlock instructed me to sell several main properties as well as investments but he didn't have the proper authority so they have fallen into disrepair but still belong to the Potter Family."

"Wait a moment, are you saying that the Durselys received almost £500 a month for taking care of me?!" Harry's face was a blank mask but Sirius recognised the swirl of rage in his eyes as that of his mothers – Lily had a fiery temper, but when that anger hit new levels she went still and quiet releasing a rage that burnt. He rested a hand on his Godsons shoulder, Harry turned to him with a crinkled brow.

"They always said how much of a burden I was to them. How much they took me in and gave me a home. How grateful I should be. And they were receiving £500 for my care! They made me do so much for them, I haven't gone on a single holiday with them or a nice day out and yet they were getting so much that I never saw." Harry turned back to Sharpfang. "I want to see my parents will. As well as an overview of my vaults, holdings, investments."

"I apologise, Mr Potter but that is not possible."

Harry and Sirius both straightened but it was Hunteroff that spoke, his voice mild and curious but an underlining of steel in it.

"And why is the Heir to a Noble House to be barred from his inheritance?"

"The Regent of House Potter felt it unnecessary for him to not be burden with the duties and therefore barred from the official statements of the House."

With a single look from Hunteroff the two guards at the door were standing by Sharpfang; who for the first time since he had entered did not look unbothered and in control instead a sliver of fear could be seen in his eyes, a quake in his hands before he clasped them behind his back.

Sirius squeezed Harry's shoulder and pulled him back a little as Hunteroff stepped out from behind the desk and walked quickly to the other goblin and started to speak Gobbledegook. Harry only caught the odd word and it made no sense but from Sirius expression that was growing colder by the minute, it wasn't going to end up being good. He was proven right as a few minutes later and with a snap of Hunteroffs long fingers, Sharpfang was being held in place by the guards and being roughly dragged from the room as Hunteroff started scribbling things down on various parchments and having them disappear with a wave of his hand. Sirius and Harry took a seat and it was a good five minutes later before the manager looked up.

"First of all Harry, I must apologise. Our nation has done you a disservice and we shall begin to make amends at once. I can't tell from your expression that you're confused so allow me to explain. Ripjaw was the accounts manager for the Potter family for the last 30 years at least and did a fine job; keeping good figures for you grandfather and father, when the Dark Lord was erased, Chief Warlock Dumbledore approached him to inform him of the new changes that he would have completed as his right as Regent of House Potter. Sharpfang as just stated that Ripjaw refused categorically to implement these changes, he knew what your parents wanted for you and also how much it means to an Ancient Family to ensure their heir is kept up to date. The Chief Warlock had him replaced with Sharpfang, who to the shame of this bank did what he could to help the Chief Warlock as long as he received his own stipend each month."

"They've been stealing from me, from my family?" Asked Harry, his voice still calm and controlled though his whole frame now trembled.

"Yes. I will course have the Chief Warlock brought here and to address his crimes one of which is taking out various amounts from your accounts. However you may wish to go through the wizard law. You will need to employ another for accounts manager, I would offer however the Black estates require a lot of my time and I think yours will need extra handling."

After a moment of thinking Harry decided to ask.

"What do you know of Griphook?" Harry's honest question to Hunteroff took him aback, rarely was a goblin asked an opinion of, and even less was a goblin referred to by name unless it was a higher up.

"Griphook is intelligent. He understands the values we hold here and I think would serve you well. He is younger than most account managers and therefore lacks certain experience but is an eager recruit and if you already know of him then you have more of a relationship than most goblins and people already. Shall I have him called here?"

"Yes, please."

"Very well" Hunteroff wrote something and it once again disappeared. "As we wait Lord Black, your guardianship has gone through us and therefore nobody in the ministry will read it for at least two days. However as we are still seen as connected to the institution it will have to be approved in wizarding law as well don't fear either of you, this guardianship cannot be over turned. And we made him your heir in 1981 so there is trouble with having to go through that again."

"You made me your heir in 81'?"

"There was a war on and I had felt no need to saddle myself with a wife though your mum felt differently but I knew that if anything happened to me then the lordship would go to some pureblood bigot and that was not happening, so yeah I made you my heir then, you were pretty much my kid then as well." Sirius smiled but his eyes weren't looking at Harry but stuck in a memory.

"I was your first word or at least pa'foo was, I came round practically every day to see you three. They got married straight out of Hogwarts and I tried to give them space. I left them alone for three days until Lily called, apparently Prongs was moping and she demanded I make him better. As soon as I held you in my arms I knew that I would do anything for you, I think that's another reason they named me Godfather they knew I'd do anything for you. A few days later I was actually caught in a cross fire with death eaters and I was injured pretty badly, the second I got out of St Mungos I made you my heir."

Harry reached over and squeezed his Godfathers shoulders as he trailed off and the two shared a smile before a rough clearing of a throat had them looking towards Hunteroff with matching sheepish expressions on their face.

A knock on the door had them all turning to see Griphook entering with no expression on his face.

"Come in Griphook, you know Heir Potter and Lord Black? We have a proposition for you, Heir Potter?"

"Griphook, I would like to invite you to take the position of Potter account manager."

There wasn't any hesitation or a flash of surprise across Griphook's face.

"I accept the position."

Harry offered his hand to Griphook who shook it at once and they both bowed to each other

"I would like you to ready the Potter accounts for a thorough examination. All holdings to be reviewed, all investments too. And stop all removal of money at once. And send Dumbledore notices of request that he will either return all money and anything that he has taken from the vaults or I will be filling charge."

"Yes Heir Potter. Anything else I can do?"

"Call me Harry, please." He turned to Sirius who had a gleam of pride in his eyes and then back to Griphook.

"The Dursley's. What can I do to them?"

"What do you want done? We can do anything."

"Gather any information on them that you can, Uncle Vernon works in a drill company called Grunnings see if there is something there. Stop the money at once. We'll finish up here and then come to you to visit the main Potter vault"

"Very well, Harry." Without another word Griphook turned swiftly and left the room.

"Well now that that is dealt with can we get back to me, please." Sirius said flicking his head and mock glaring down at Hunteroff as Harry laughed despite the anger that still flooded through his veins.

The next half an hour was spent discussing various investments as well as Sirius's obligations as Head of House, he looked positively gleeful when Hunteroff explained his ability of disowning or reinstating people into the house.

"Thank you Hunteroff, I am very pleased with the progress made I will not be visiting the Black vault today. May your gold be pure and the blood of your enemies drip from your sword."

"And may your gold be pure and freedom follow you from battle, Lord Black. And the Potter manager is 3 doors down."

They left the Black room and started to head down the corridor again, they came to the Potter door with the crest sparkling in gold next to the name. They entered to find the layout of the office the same as the Blacks except the cushions were a dark red instead. The found Griphook not at the desk but at the confereance table in the middle of the room, small piles of paper were stacked all around him as he muttered furiously to himself. Instead of being put off by the lack of greeting Harry swiftly made his way to the table and sat himself down opposite with Sirius by his side as they waited patiently for the goblin to come back to himself. A short time later he looked up.

"Apologies for the delay Harry I was merely trying to ascertain where everything was."

"Not a problem Griphook, I assume everything is maybe not top notch, its satisfactory?"

"More or less, the houses are all accounted for but in bad states as they have been left to ruin, your investments are naturally still thriving but for some reason the fee's haven't been collected. You have three vaults to your name; your trust, the Potter family vault and your parents personal vault. They didn't have time before they died to add to the main vault. I have gone back to the records of Ripjaw and I am unhappy to announce that a few things not just the money are missing from the main vault. It seems Chief Warlock Dumbledore has a lot to answer for. I have also managed to find both versions of the Potters will, it naturally leaves everything to you expect for a few galleons to some. It also names Peter Pettigrew as the secret keeper and Albus Dumbledore as a witness."

The fire flared and a gust of wind blew strongly around the table picking up the paper and rattling the things on the desk. Sirius grabbed hold of his Godsons hand and pulled him to his chest, anchoring him in place and whispering in his ear that it was all okay and Dumbledore would pay. Magic sizzled through the room, burning with intensity but Sirius held firm and gradually the pressure eased.

"It will take a while for me to retrieve all the necessary information as concisely as you wish so I shall send them as soon as possible. A second piece of news you might find interesting is that you are now Head of House Potter, no longer heir. It seems that being placed into an adult tournament forces you to be emancipated, therefore although you have a guardian in Lord Black you are also Head of House Potter. Now would you like to go to your vault?" Said Griphook, sitting there calmly as though nothing had happened despite the fact that the office now looked like a hurricane had swept through.

"Yes please." Confirmed Harry who had since got his emotions back under control and his occlumency shields in place.

Getting into one of the carts both men whooped and raised their arms as they picked up speed and headed deeper into the bowels of the bank. It was at least 5 minutes before they came to a stop outside one of the largest set of doors that Harry had ever seen. They looked like oak but had swirling designs of a lighter brown racing through it, the Potter Crest was set in the middle of the door. The shield was larger, almost as big as Harry himself and a deep blood red in colour with a wide band at the top in white, Justitia virtus vero semper triumphat ( Truth justice courage will always triumph) was written in blue in the band with two cypress trees on either end. In the middle of the shield were three charges; a hand for faith, a lion for bravery and an eagle for protection.

"Here, cut your palm and lay it on the crest." Sirius said handing a silver blade to Harry.

Holding back a wince he sliced and quickly laid it on feeling it warm and tingle pulling back he watched it glow before healing the cut. The doors opened inwards and as soon as Harry crossed into it, candles lit up all around the room and from hanging chandeliers, he turned back to look at Sirius.

"All this is mine?"

His godfather let out a bark of laughter and waved him on.

"Come with me. Please?"

At once Sirius crossed the doorway and put an arm around his shoulders.

"Its alright Prongslet, we're just looking."

They moved deeper into the vault and Harrys eyes rarely rested in one place, mounds of gold, silver and bronze were piled on the left side sparkling and glinting in the light. Suits of silver armour were lined against the wall from all different centuries though all with the Potter crest present somewhere. Trunks were stacked on top of each other, paintings leaning against them. There was also furniture, sofas, closets, chairs and a random door. He was just about to look through the paintings when he felt a calling. Ignoring Sirius who called his name he started to make his way further back, going past model ships, a glass case of weapons and books before he saw a white stand. On top of the stand was a small red cushion where four rings sat. A gold ring sat in the middle of it, a large ruby clasped in it, Harry could just make out a lion etched into the stone.

"That's your head of house ring, I remember your grandfather wearing it. Your dad only wore it for a few months." Sirius' voice was quiet and shaken.

He reached forward and quickly slid the ring on his left finger like his guardian did, feeling a flare of magic through his very core and a warmth settling into his bones. He felt judgement falling onto him forcing him to bow to it but he did not, he stood straight and tall and proud and felt a second wave course through him leaving behind a sense of pride and loyalty.

Sirius let out a whistle and a chuckle.

"Seems you have been judged worthy of the family magic, happened to me too though still don't know how."

Harry turned back to the other rings and reached out a finger to gently rub over them. It was two plain wedding bands, one slightly slimmer than the other and resting beneath this one was another small gold band with a diamond sitting in it with two rubies on either side.

"Those rings have been in the Potter family for over 7 generations, Prongs was beaming when he placed it on your mums finger."

Stepping away from them, Harry pulled Sirius into a hug and for a moment both men took quiet comfort in each other before they silently agreed to leave for the day.

After the exhilarating ride back to the surface and moving out into the late afternoon sunshine, they started to amble down towards the Leaky Cauldron not at all in a hurry for Harry to return to Hogwarts and enjoying the time spent together.

"Padfoot, why would Dumbledore do this?"

"I can't be sure Prongslet, the Dumbledore's aren't wealthy but they're not poor. He did fund a lot in the war though maybe it was something to do with that."

"Like what?"

"Well he had an organisation, we – Moony, your dad, mum, the Longbottoms even Mad-Eye Moody– all belonged. Loads of others did too, we worked outside of the ministry control on the battlefield, we took down, collected information etc, but that takes time, money. Hell, Remus travelled to Europe several times a year to talk to the werewolves there. Dumbledore also housed several families and set up wards. Of course he might just be spending it on sherbet lemons and those robes of his."

By the time they'd entered the Leaky Cauldron it was about 5'oclock and they settled by Moony who'd been waiting to say goodbye.

"Right, so you know to contact whenever you need to? And make sure to keep in contact with Gringotts and do well in the classes but not too well and play lots of pranks and make sure –"

"Padfoot! I think he's got this!"

"Right, yeah. Probably, okay then bye Prongslet keep safe okay."

"I'll be fine Padfoot, I'll see you soon."

"Keep safe cub, and if you need help you know where to find us."

"Keep Padfoot out of trouble Moony. Hogwarts, Headmasters office!" As the green glare of the flames died, the two men made their way back towards their table chatting about the trial and what they had found out from Gringotts.

"I can't believe Dumbledore would do so much damage to Harry's future, what was he thinking!"

"I don't know but I hope for his sake he has some explanation otherwise Prongslet will rip him apart. He has Lily's temper, Moony."

"Oh merlin, maybe we should evacuate Hogwarts when they confront each other!"

"Well whatever happens we'll get through it. Tell me about what you know about the Dursleys, we haven't discussed them and something Harry said at the Bank made me wonder about the way he was treated."

Moony sighed and looked away from his friend before deciding on the best course of action.

"First lets head back to Grimmauld Place, I think we're going to need drinks for this."

He watched as his best friends face dropped as though that was enough to confirm his fears and he gave a quick nod as they both turned on their heel and appeared in front of the grey, cold building that they'd decided to stay in for the duration of their time in England.

They'd arrived a week ago to ensure final preparations of the trial and had redecorated the old building since Sirius had lived there. The hallway was no longer dark and grim but a light cream with a brilliant red border, the painting of the last Lady Black had finally been removed after a pissed off Goblin had grown too irritated at her yelling insults at him and had destroyed the entire wall not just the painting- they'd tried for three days to get her down- the goblin was highly embarrassed and thought he'd be in trouble when in fact Sirius still found himself laughing about it to this day and had offered him a bonus. The drawing room still had its ghastly tapestry in it but only because Sirius wanted it for target practice and the other three walls were painted a warm yellow with a thick, fuzzy grey rug covering nearly all the wooden floor. The kitchen was still large and gleaming, the goblins having done an excellent job of removing whatever creatures had decided to make it their home. The rest of the house was still coming together but it promised to be warm and inviting. Kreature, the old house elf that lived there had remained silent since Sirius and threatened him with clothes for calling Remus a "evil, monstrous, half-blood beast" the elf wandered around the attic pretending to clean but just hiding treasures he thought Sirius didn't deserve, for the most part Sirius didn't care as long as he kept them confined upstairs.

They settled into the kitchen and Remus immediately got out the firewiskey and poured them a glass each quickly.

"First I only have theories about how he was actually treated, but when I was teaching I had a few issues that I brought up with our former Headmaster."

Here Remus took a gulp of his drink and readied himself.

"Harry was lot skinnier than was normal, even through the layers of uniform he was skinny. You know how Lily got in 6th year?"

"Yeah Prongs was worried she was starving herself coz she was studying so much instead of eating."

"Harry was like that, at the opening feast he looked more eleven than thirteen. His eyes were huge and he just didn't look healthy. I asked Hagrid about him and he fairly growled and said that the 'filthy muggles' didn't treat him right. When I saw him in class, his shoes were taped together and his robes were definitely on the shabbier side."

Sirius grabbed his own glass and savoured the burn reminding himself that Harry was never having to go back to them.

"Is that all? Its neglect and disgusting but nothing…more happened to him?"

Remus could hear the slight fear in his friends voice and looked down at the table, unsure if it was a good idea to say the next part and determined that it could be used against the Dursleys later.

"When I was teaching him the patronus charm, well there was a couple of times that I raised a hand just to squeeze his shoulder as a well done or a clap on the back."

"Yes?"

"He flinched, Pads."

SMASH! Remus barely moved as the glass hit the wall and shattered, scattering tiny diamonds over the kitchen surfaces and the stone floor. He watched with compassionate eyes as Padfoot grabbed the bottle and immediately gulped a third of it.

"Okay planning time, what are we thinking." They shared a grim smile as they started to plan.