Embracing His True Self
Chapter 40
Harry had observed Bellatrix and the Lestranges since Rabastan had discussed everything – well not everything he'd bet – with him that day. Other than when he was out with Barty in the Muggle world, quite honestly, Barty constantly surprised him by his desires to know everything even Muggle information. He'd gotten every single book possible regarding mental illnesses and even a few books on therapy, on how to deal with people with mental illnesses. Barty always went when there was absolutely nobody around and no chance of a meeting taking place – baring emergency meetings which obviously couldn't be predicted – so nobody would know what he was up to. He seemed embarrassed at the thought of being caught with Muggle books, but knowledge was knowledge in Harry's book no matter where it came from. He'd taken Barty out to the Muggle world a few times, not for books, but to let him see everything, museums, even an amusement park. He was becoming quite comfortable and adapting to the Muggle world, he no longer avoided them like they had the plague.
"Are you getting anything else?" Harry asked from where he was browsing yet another bookstore with Barty, Waterstones Piccadilly was the largest store in London, so that was normally where he took him. Barty had just paid for his books, using the money he had, he also had Muggle notes that Harry of course, had it exchanged at Gringotts for him. To his immense surprise, Waterstones actually had two levels concealed from Muggles, so that made eight levels, not just six like he believed, covered from head to toe with books. He had to admit he rather liked the fact he could browse properly, Flourish and Blotts was terrible, everything crammed in and when there were more than six people in the shop it just got horribly crowded.
"I'm going to grab a few Muggle books, I'll only be ten minutes," Barty said, already backing out of the shop after informing Harry. Technically he shouldn't let the teen out of his sight, the Dark Lord had warned him after all. He knew Harry could take care of himself, and he was sufficiently different that nobody could mistake him for Harry Potter.
Harry just grinned wryly, as he continued his perusal of the books on offered display. Today he was primarily interested in any potions that modified the body. He got his best ideas by reading other books, and his potion wasn't coming on any at all, frustratingly enough. He had stopped trying to create a metamorphamagus potion a long time ago, given up really, but with nothing much else to do, he had gotten a fresh desire to try and create it. There was nothing more worthwhile than the feeling of creating something from scratch and being the first.
Luckily enough he had a list of each potion book that had such a published potion within the book. Thankfully, not all of them were individual books, otherwise the list of books he'd have walked out with would be forty-nine in total. Instead he only had twenty-two books, scratch that nineteen, he already had three of the books suggested to him by the assistant he'd asked for aid earlier. As lovely as it would be to browse through them all, to give him time to interrogate Barty properly…it would have been a bit much and he'd have been too distracted.
So more and more of the titles slid into the basket, that remained lightweight and ever expanding despite the amount of books already placed within. They had been spelled as such to make it easier overall for everyone, which was silly really, they had every day magic at their disposal, it was simple and it was plain easy to levitate the books you desire to the checkout counter.
Triumphantly grasping the spine of the last book, he slid it into the basket before making his way to the checkout. He rarely dallied around, even though he wanted to. Perhaps they could stop for an ice cream before they returned, he definitely wanted to ask Barty a few questions.
"Ready to go?" came Barty's voice from behind, causing Harry to jump slightly, he hadn't heard anyone approaching him. Sneaky bloody shite. He ignored the assistant for the moment as he turned around and nodded, "Up for an ice cream?"
"Here?" Barty asked unenthusiastically.
"Yup," Harry declared, nodding his head, counting up the Galleons and handing over the price he'd heard her say just before Barty had distracted him. "Oh, come on it's not so bad!" he added with a grin, the till making a soft noise as it closed with a snap. The coins were placed in his hand, turning back around giving her a smile, "Thank you," he told her, as he shoved the coins in his pocket without checking for the change.
"Really? You don't think it's bad?" Barty asked sardonically as he observed Harry shrinking down the packaged books into his pocket.
"What? They don't have many flavours as Fortescue's boohoo," Harry rolled his eyes, "Half of that stuff is bloody mental anyway, bet they rarely get eaten, just like those disgusting flavours in Berty Botts Every Flavour Beans," he pointed out with amusement, as he and Barty left the counter and begun to make their way outside. Using the lift to get down to the ground floor, having to use their wand to start the elevator magically.
"Alright, you win on that one," Barty grudgingly agreed, he'd only eaten like maybe seven flavours in total out of all the flavours on sale in Fortescue's ice cream shop.
"If it wasn't nice I can just go get us something from Fortescue's you know," Harry pointed out as they moved onto the ground floor, stepping out of the lift. It wasn't busy, it rarely was at five o'clock, most families were sitting down to eat dinner around about now.
"I wouldn't mind that actually," Barty admitted, he'd grown up with Fortescue's ice cream, he preferred it. The Muggle ice cream was a bit too different for his tastes, and it surprisingly had nothing to do with prejudice.
"Alright, let's just look for a blind spot," Harry suggested, looking for an abandoned area to Apparate blindly, so they weren't spotted. "What can you tell me about Rodolphus? I mean his character…not his activities," he had to point that out, because Barty would go on long winded tangents about the shenanigans whoever he asked about was up to or had been up to in the past.
"How long have you been waiting to ask me that?" Barty asked astutely, he had seen the attention he'd suddenly been paying to the Lestranges lately. So much so that even Rabastian – the Lord Lestrange – had become uncomfortable.
"Thirty minutes maybe?" Harry shrugged, as they moved into a side street. "So?" he prompted him.
"I'm not sure what you want me to say," Barty grumbled, "But I suppose they're proud, never wear their emotions on their sleeves, they've been taught the Pure-blood ways since they could walk and talk. They're really feeling anxious to help Him in any way they can, which they can't until they get better…that place did so much damage to them. I doubt nobody other than his brother and father knows what he truly wants, maybe except Him but it's difficult to say if that's true," as always watching what he says especially out in the Muggle world. Who knew who was a Muggle and which were Wizards fitting in seamlessly.
"Not even you?" Harry asked curiously.
Barty scoffed, "Merlin, no, we're close, I know general information others don't know…but they wouldn't reveal everything about themselves, they're Slytherins and know better than to reveal so much of themselves to others."
"Do you think Rabastan was right that his brother wants out of his contract?" Harry mused as they stepped into an abandoned building.
"Yes, if anyone knew it would be him, Rab wouldn't have come to you if his brother wasn't desperate," Barty stated assuredly.
"Hmm," Harry said a noncommittal noise, as he apparated them both back.
"What are you up to?" Barty asked as he swiftly regained his footing, at the gates of the Manor, Harry obviously wanted to talk some more. They'd just begun to walk when Harry's question caught him off-guard and he very nearly tripped over his own feet in shocked surprise.
"Does Bellatrix fancy Voldemort?"
"You don't just ask questions like that," Barty rasped out, eyes bulging painfully as he tried to regain his composure.
"Let me rephrase that, how long has she?" Harry amended his question, anger burning in the pit of his stomach at the thought of it. He'd almost attacked Bellatrix seventeen times this fortnight, especially with the way she stared goo goo eyes at Voldemort. As if he hung the stars and the moons, and had the answer to every single burning question in the world. His teeth still ached actually from the amount of times he'd gritted his teeth.
"You really shouldn't be talking about this, Rod doesn't deserve it," Barty stated firmly, not budging.
"Muffliato!" and with that there were silencing wards placed all around them, that would prevent anyone from hearing anything they said. "How about now?" Harry asked, his countenance grim, "I don't have any intentions of disrespecting Rodolphus, even if he's a bloody weirdo! He shifts alternatively between glaring at me and then with respect and awe in his eyes!" he needed to make up his mind is what he did.
Barty just grinned as if he knew a secret, "Fine, she's always been a little…too…reverential towards Our Lord," ignoring the look Harry gave him for using the term 'Our' when Harry did not consider Voldemort his Lord. "Willing to do anything for a speck of attention from him. She was personally taught by Our Lord as you know, and she felt…feels entitled because she is the only woman in the ranks and because she was personally taught. Rod basically doesn't exist when Bellatrix sees him, even out of his company, she's constantly talking about him…I don't think it hurts anymore, Rod doesn't love Bellatrix never has, he was enchanted by her beauty once though…and yes, she was beautiful, I mean you should see Andromeda if you want to see how Bellatrix would have looked without Azkaban."
Harry blinked, a frown creasing at his forehead, "Andromeda?" the name was very familiar.
"Yes, Sirius' cousin, Bellatrix and Narcissa's sister, she was disowned for marrying a Muggle-born they had a daughter, Tonks, she's in the Order, you know her I believe," Barty explained, and they had a half-blood daughter…who was very powerful and had been born with a rare Black trait that had been quashed in the Black family for generations. It was another sign that Harry might be right when it came to requiring new blood now and again. He think he remembered Sirius talking about her too.
"Know isn't quite the right word I'd use, but I've seen her before, yes," Harry agreed, he knew all the Order members, Severus and Voldemort had ensured he knew whom to look out for. Pensive memories that belong to Severus for the most part, in fact he had once greeted Tonks – huge mistake he'd expected it to come back and bite him in the ass – but she hadn't been any the wiser, so much for being an Auror. Moody would have definitely caught it, and become immediately suspicious.
"How does Voldemort deal with it?" blatantly ignoring Barty's flinch.
"Ignores it," Barty shrugs. "Our Lord has never been interested in anyone as far as I know, hasn't bedded anyone either." And it was making him sick thinking about his Lord with anyone…his Lord who had been more of a father figure than his own biological father. If anything Bellatrix's feelings were more pronounced these days, due to their Lord's different visage. He wasn't sure what his Lord had done to regain his former looks and youth and would never dare ask.
"How pissed will she be if I do successfully break the contract between her and Rodolphus?" Harry pondered, not that he was afraid, his eyes were gleaming with vindictive amusement.
"I have absolutely no idea, she doesn't care about him, despite the fact Rod doesn't love her…he's never once broke the oaths they made to each other. He has remained faithful in their marriage, Rod had never caught her at it but there's been plenty of rumours…" Barty said, grumbling inwardly, "Now can we not talk about this anymore? Rod will kill me if he knows I've blabbed."
"What makes you think I'd tell?" Harry asked, eyes wide and filled with faux innocence.
"Harry," Barty said in warning.
Harry rolled his eyes, "I'm not going to say anything, bloody hell!" with that he removed the spell holding their conversation private before they began to meander back into the manor.
"I hope not, they've been my close friends for a long time, and no offence, but you couldn't possibly understand what Azkaban was like…what it did to us." Barty revealed, a haunted look on his face.
"You'd think that wouldn't you?" Harry said, scoffing derisively, "I had to endure their presence surrounding me when I was thirteen years old, Barty,"
Barty rolled his eyes, not taking it seriously as he should have.
Harry grabbed his arm, waiting until Barty turned around half confused half angry at being manhandled, "Two minutes in their presence three or four feet away I passed out. I was depressed as fuck the entire year trying to fight them, my Boggart is a Dementor…and that's not the worst of it, during a Quidditch match they were drawn to the emotions everyone was emoting due to the high emotions going on with the game. I could feel them before I saw them, I passed out a hundred foot in the air at their mere presence on the pitch, Barty. Think that's bad? I was almost fucking kissed, if it wasn't for my Patronus I would be practically dead, man, when I say something, like that I understand, I fucking mean it." He told Barty seriously, green eyes gleaming angrily.
Barty nodded grimly, a new respect for Harry coming through, making a mental note never to underestimate what Harry said when he spoke. He could feel the powers wafting from Harry, sense his anger, the frustration at not being taken seriously and the empathic understanding. "Come on, lets head in," Barty said after shuddering in remembrance to that time of his life. He wasn't sure which he preferred if he had to choose, the Dementors until he was rescued by their Lord…or his fathers Imperius curse.
He honestly thought he'd pick Azkaban. That might have been preferable to living for years unable to control his own body.
After lunch Harry found himself squirreled away in his bedroom, there was some sort of high up Death Eater meeting going on. By high up he meant only a few members of the inner circle was there. Oh, he was undeniably curious, but not enough to draw him away from the books in front of him. He was finally starting to get somewhere, there were dozens of ingredients scribbled down on a spare piece of parchment that had the potential to help him with his Metamorphamagus potion.
He was so immersed in it that his name sounding out his mirror caused him to startle.
Sirius!
Scrambling towards his bedside drawer he opened it and grabbed his mirror, shifting his books around he set it down and activated his own mirror.
"Hey, Sirius!" Harry said, grinning at the sight of his godfather, who was actually looking better and better by the day. His skin had a healthy glow to it. He was obviously spending a lot of time outdoors, which was probably a good thing for his skin after all that time away in Azkaban and then Grimmauld Place. "How are you?"
Sirius grinned, extremely happy to see his godson, even if he was becoming a bookworm, "Hey, I'm doing good, how about you? Still safe?" genuinely worried about his safety.
"I'm very safe," Harry said seriously, "How's Remus?"
"He's doing good," Sirius replied, and he was, all the secrets they'd shared with each other had taken a load of his werewolf's shoulders. He was definitely becoming more confident and assertive, and Sirius loved to see the old fun-loving wizard he knew return. Even if his actions sixteen years ago were still on his thoughts often. He had plans to go and investigate the entire thing, something just wasn't sitting right about it to him. So he'd over the past few months since he found out, asking questions occasionally, so that Remus didn't catch on to what he was up to. He could be patient when he wanted to, everyone's wrong assumptions that he was impatient worked well in his favour.
"What have you been up to?" Harry asked, marking the page the potion was on but ultimately giving Sirius his full attention.
"I have a few things I want to look into, but other than that, it's been quiet, just enjoying the sunshine will it lasts." Sirius revealed, by last he meant until it was actually summer. Normally around this time they had rain constantly battering down everywhere it was spring nearly after all. "Still don't regret leaving Hogwarts?" his tone was mild.
"Never," Harry said vehemently. "Are you disappointed?" he asked speculatively.
"Only because of what you'll miss out on," Sirius said honestly, "Sure, it's exhausting, especially the last two years, but the graduation…it was one of the happiest times." Remembering his own, the parties, the graduation, it was elating.
"I doubt I'd have felt anything other than relief," Harry said wryly, "Hogwarts for me was different from how it was for you, I was never able to have a normal schooling experience." He'd prefer his freedom any day. Plus, if Dumbledore had his way, he wouldn't have lived to see graduation, and if he had…he wouldn't have lived long after he reckon.
"I get that Kiddo," Sirius admitted, knowing they were vastly different and that didn't bother him like it had in the beginning. His emotions and feelings were grounded now. He didn't feel like the young twenty-one year old who had been sentenced to Azkaban anymore.
"Hey, are you Lord Black?" Harry asked, taking the opportunity to talk to him about it.
Sirius blinked at the unexpected question, "No, I can't become Lord Black, and it's not because I was in Azkaban. I was disowned,"
"What? But it thought the Black Estate was yours?" Harry blurted out eyes wide in shock. "You bought me a broomstick!"
"I used the contents of my vault to pay for it, it had lay untouched for thirteen years at that point, probably paid for it with interest alone. Nobody realizes I can't become Lord Black…but any child of mine could have become Lord Black upon my death." Sirius revealed, eyes rolling back into his head, he hated discussing anything Pure-blood or politic related.
Nobody actually realized he'd been legally disowned and Sirius never corrected anyone.
"What about the Black estate?" Harry blurted out, still reeling over the information.
"Well, what about it?" Sirius asked, he had no interest in it.
"What happens to it?" he asked.
"Well," Sirius mused, scratching his jaw absently, "Anyone could actually claim it that had Black blood, as long as they were a male relative. We're all inner related, so the closest one is definitely Draco Malfoy."
"Not. Happening," Harry gritted his teeth, "I'm a Black…technically…couldn't I claim it?"
"As I am your godfather…legally you do have the greatest hold over it," Sirius pointed out.
"So you wouldn't mind if I went to the bank and claimed it?" Harry asked, already planning on it, but it would make things easier if he actually had Sirius' agreement on his plan.
"Two Lordships? That's a lot of work…and the Black estate is in a state of disrepair," Sirius warned him, shrugging his shoulders, he honestly couldn't care if Harry did claim it. He personally would prefer Harry to claim it over say Draco Malfoy.
"No worse than the Potter Estate," Harry admitted, he still had a lot of work to do regarding the Potter Estate. "I can't believe you don't have the Black Estate, I really thought you did."
"So does everyone else, it's kept it safe," Sirius confessed.
"You obviously care more than you're letting on," Harry said wryly, and that was for damn certain.
"Maybe a little," Sirius revealed sheepishly. "What are you up to?" obviously it wasn't homework.
"Just trying to create a potion," Harry shrugged, the books he'd bought this morning spread out all over his bed.
"Is that what you want to do as a career?" Sirius questioned, "No longer interested in being an Auror?" people often said they wanted to be one thing and ended up doing something else, it was just the way it was. teenagers especially constantly changed their minds.
"I don't know," Harry replied thoughtfully, "I love brewing, and I love creating potions and spells, but I don't think of it in terms of a career…just a hobby."
"You should you know," Sirius said, his tone soft, encouraging, "Not everyone finds themselves enjoying something and being good at it." Now that he was out of Hogwarts and not near Snape, he'd bet his godson liked potions even more. Harry was good at it, that potion he'd created had helped him so much. He knew that Harry's version was different from the published one, he'd seen it for himself, it was a different colour and consistency. He knew Harry had made it stronger. Call it intuition but he just knew.
Harry smiled happy at Sirius, their relationship had started strengthening once they began talking every night. Out of Dumbledore's sphere of influence Harry was able to talk to Sirius without it getting back to the old fool. He got to see the real worry Sirius held for him and the frank fear of anything happening to him. He had come to know more about Sirius lately than the entire two years he'd known him before. Instead he was talking to Sirius about normal everyday things, including a career and advice if he ever wanted it. He was a bit too old for it, he knew, already messed up by the Dursley's but he'd take what he could get in any capacity, especially since when news inevitably did get out about his side…he risked losing them. "I'll take that into consideration."
Sirius barked out a laugh, shaking his head, a the folly of youth, thinking they knew everything and had all the time in the world to decide. "Alright, Kiddo," he said in amusement, grey eyes sparkling.
"Talk to you tonight?" Harry stated, grabbing a book.
"No," Sirius shook his head, "I don't know how long I'll be out tonight, so I wanted to talk to you now, but tomorrow night I'll get in touch at our usual time."
"Finally getting back out there?" Harry teased, only for it to fall flat when Sirius' face became grim. "Oh, what are you up to? Does Remus even know? Is it anything I can do to help?"
"I'd say yes, just to spend some time with you, but no, I'm just searching for information on something that's bothering me," Sirius waved the help off, he didn't want to reveal to Harry what Remus had gone through. Or reveal his suspicions, he knew Harry would believe him without a seconds doubt. Harry had been the one to help him see Dumbledore for what he was after all, and after all he had done to his godson, he could murder Dumbledore alone for that…if he found out though that his suspicions were even remotely possible…he definitely would need help to stop himself from doing something incredibly stupid. Proving or disapproving would take a lot of work, effort and time…without the possibility of yielding results.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Harry asked, his attention focusing laser like on Sirius, his hands stopped opening and closing the book.
"Not yet," Sirius said, "Soon," he promised, he'd tell Harry if he had to, it was obvious he was growing up and it filled Sirius with a sense of pride as well as sadness. He hadn't got to see his godson grow up, it killed him sometimes especially when Harry acted so maturely these days.
"I'm holding you to that," Harry said pointing his finger at him seriously, he was undeniably curious now.
Sirius laughed, "Yeah, I know," he gave Harry a big grin, "I'll talk to you later, Kiddo!"
"Alright, talk later," Harry said, as Sirius deactivated his own mirror, Harry followed suit, before putting the mirror away, as his spine straightened determinedly. It was time for another trip to Gringotts, this time he wasn't going to just exchange money. It was time for a new Lord Black to make an appearance.
Without more ado, Harry changed into his robes, leaving his books strewn everywhere, knowing his room was safe from anyone nosing around. Well, except for Voldemort anyway, no doubt he could get into his room, but he oddly enough trusted the wizard not to do it.
"Dobby?" Harry called out for his House-elf.
"What can Dobby be doing for Master Harry?" Dobby appeared in front of him, eyes still filled with adoration.
"Take me to Gringotts please," Harry requested kindly, hand held out waiting to be transported to the bank.
Dobby grasped a hold of Harry and with a single second they were both gone.
"Thank you, Dobby, return home now," Harry said from where he stood in Gringotts main lobby, his eyes narrowing in on someone stumbling, wide eyed as they stared at him mouth agape from the corner of his eye. Harry felt caution running down his spine as the old woman – definitely not old by the way she was suddenly running from the bank – he suspected it was someone under a glamour charm. Which meant the Order, which meant he'd need to get everything sorted very quickly lest he be bloody surrounded by Order members.
Swiftly stalking towards one of the free tellers, he spoke curtly, "I demand an audience with both the Potter and Black estate goblins," he told one goblin coolly.
"Very well, Lord Potter," the goblin said, barking out in Gobbledegook at one of the guards at the right hand side of the building. "Follow Negnik, he will have you seated and your business discussed momentarily," his voice respectful but no less brusque than Harry's had been.
Harry nodded briefly at the goblin, before briskly stalking over to the aforementioned goblin who turned and stalked away after he got close enough. Leading him through a maze of doors until he opened one and signalled for him to enter. "Someone will be with you soon enough." Was all he said before closing the door and returning to his post.
Soon enough two goblins entered the room.
"Lord Potter," the goblin Harry was familiar with – Coop – spoke respectfully, as he rounded the table and claimed his seat. "This is Rajik, the goblin in charge of the Black estate, how can we help you this afternoon?"
"I'd like to claim the Black Estate," Harry informed them, his tone and face blank, revealing nothing.
"That is doable, as Sirius Black is your magical guardian you are next in line for the Black Lordship, luckily you have Black blood running through your veins of you wouldn't be accepted as the Black Lord." Rajik stated, clicking his fingers and a bowl, dagger, herbs and a piece of blank parchment appeared. Never once showing his excitement, it would be great to have someone to aid in the Black Estate which was just sitting stagnant. "You will be claiming the used seats upon the wizengamot as well I assume?"
"Used?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes speculatively.
"Indeed, Albus Dumbledore is currently using the seats belonging to the Black house," Rajik.
"He also used the Potter seats," Coop imputed, but Harry had already been informed thusly, and put a stop to it.
Harry face was made of stone, Coop had informed him that Dumbledore was using his seats to vote in the Ministry in the first missive he got after claiming his Lordship. He hadn't quite understood the ramifications of it, but he had read upon everything he could to do with the Ministry, the legal system and Gringotts. He knew the power Dumbledore had been receiving using something rightfully his. It was how he'd been able to become Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot actually.
"I am cutting him off as my proxy," Harry stated icily, "On both the Potter and Black seats," he wondered briefly if Dumbledore even had a seat on the wizengamot without them.
"So noted," Coop replied, making a mental note to inform Dumbledore immediately after Harry left.
"I just need a drop of your blood Lord Potter, to confirm your status," Rajik informed him, handing over the dagger, "Place it in the middle of the stone basin," the herbs within would do the rest of the work for them, well that and a spell.
Harry used the dagger to slash his finger, letting a single drop of blood fall into the basin before healing his wound. Wiping the blood from the dagger before handing it over. He would never be careless with his blood, he wasn't stupid enough for that. A spell later – that Harry didn't understand – and information began to scribble carefully on the piece of parchment.
Confirming what they already knew, that Harry could indeed claim the Black Lordship.
Rajik clicked his fingers and a black shiny box appeared, the goblin grabbed it and opened it, revealing the Black Lordship ring in its bed of black satin. "This must be placed on the same finger as your Potter signet ring, they will become smaller and largen when required," that was the beauty of magic. they were very chunky and it would probably take the teen a while to get used to it.
"Understood," Harry said, accepting the ring, knowing better than to put it on yet, the approving rook Rajik gave him indicated it had been a test of sorts – which he'd evidently past – perhaps he didn't want an idiot dealing with the Black estate.
By this time Coop had finished reading through the documents that had been created, making sure everything was in place. As Lord Potter's personal goblin, it was his job to ensure that there was nothing sneaky on the contract, and goblins were known for it, although they would never do such a thing, it was still in their nature to check. "Everything is in order, Lord Potter, these just require your signature," Coop informed him as he scribbled his own signature onto it as a witness to the occasion.
Harry jolted his own new full name down, Harry James Potter-Black.
"There is also a Lestrange vault you can claim, your great-great Grandfather's trust vault, it hasn't been touched in decades," Coop explained after the parchment disappeared in a puff of smoke. He had just literally found it ten minutes before Harry came to Gringotts.
"Marcus Lestrange, name change Marcus Evans," Harry said thoughtfully, already very much aware of this. "I'm surprised it wasn't returned to the main Lestrange vaults."
"A trust fund cannot be touched other than for the intended recipient." Rajik explained.
"Yes, I know that, but it's been a serious long time, Marcus Evans is dead and buried," Harry pointed out as he slid his new ring into place. Double the protection, he was sure there were more spells on the Black ring than on the Potter one. He wondered if the Black's were rolling in their graves at a Half-blood having control over their beloved estate.
Coop began to create a new document so that Harry could claim the unclaimed vault for the record.
"Is there anything you wish for me to do today, Lord Potter-Black?" Rajik asked.
"Yes, I wish to reinstate a few disowned…Black members into the family again, as well as see all marriage documents pertaining to the last generation of females." Harry stated, "I want Andromeda Tonks nee Black as well as Alphard reinstated as a Black, but unable to access any vaults (Well Alphard couldn't seeing as he was dead), along with reinstating Sirius Black as my heir, so he can access the Black vaults," he wouldn't be able to touch any documents though, that was solely his benefit as Lord Black. "As well as disowning Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black but only once I give the go ahead, I want the document drawn up."
"That can be done," Rajik stated immediately, claiming a seat beside Coop and beginning to work hastily for the new Lord.
"Sign this document and the Lestrange vault will be yours," Coop handed over the paper, watching in approval as Harry read it over before signing it.
Harry had to sign quite a few documents in the next half hour, to reinstate the others, to give Sirius access to the vaults, signing him up as his heir which he had to admit was bloody weird. Not too weird though, since he had been mostly looking after Sirius not the other way around the past few years.
"Do you wish to give Andromeda or her daughter an allowance?" Rajik asked.
"No, if they wish one, they can contact me," Harry stated firmly, plus he didn't want any money going towards funding the Order. Plus, Tonks was…Tonks was an enemy to him, she was chasing after him along with the rest of the Order. Why should she be given any allowances?
Another goblin entered the room after knocking and waiting a respectful few seconds. He handed over documents to Rajik before disappearing once more all without a word.
"The documents on top are the marriage contracts, the rest is all information pertaining to your accounts, I have added a few suggested investments you may like at the bottom." Rajik explained, "Anything you don't understand, do not hesitate to contact me."
"Thank you, how long before everyone is notified about the changes?" Harry inquired, taking the large bundle of documents.
"They will be informed within twenty-four hours, depending on where they are when the owl finally reaches them," Rajik explained, "Our owls are known for their speed and haste in which they deliver their mail." Specially trained too.
"Excellent," Harry said, his lips twitching, very happy with the outcome of his recent visit.
"Now this is the document that will ensure Bellatrix Lestrange's disownment from the Black family upon your signature. It will appear on my desk, I will sign it as witness and then it will be filed away." Rajik added, as Coop handed over the next wad of parchment for Harry.
"Good," Harry stated satisfied. Although he wasn't looking forward to having to trudge through the Black portfolios, he knew from experience it would take him weeks if not months to get everything in order and be satisfied with everything.
Once it was done though he'd only need to keep an eye on it each day, looking at stocks and such to ensure it continued making him money. It took him fifteen minutes to get through the Potter portfolio now that everything was settled. It would be worth it though, he'd never have to worry about money for the rest of his life. And despite his young age, he had constantly worried about the money in his trust vault, thinking it would have to do him all through his Hogwarts schooling and until he got a job. Sometimes he thought being entered into the Twi-wizard tournament was the best thing to ever happen to him.
"I'll be in touch, may your gold ever flow," Harry gave the customary greeting, to the surprise of Rajik apparently, who remained mute until after Harry exited the room.
"I thought he was ignorant of our ways," Rajik said weakly, surprised to the core. Griphook certainly had much to say about Harry's ignorance on the matters of Gringotts anyway.
"Not anymore," Coop said with a vicious smirk on his face. Someone had taught him well, either that, or he had taught himself well.
Voldemort very easily hunted Harry down later that day. Not that it was difficult to find him, even if he didn't know where every single person in his manor was. It had nothing to do with the bracelet still attached to Harry – even though it was now non-functional for the most part – it just had never been removed. It served a purpose in ensuing that Harry was healthy and whole, he wouldn't have known about Umbridge if not for that foresight.
"Arabella Figg is dead," Voldemort stated coolly, giving Harry an update as he observed the teen and his reaction.
"Lasted longer than I thought she would," Harry grinned viciously, she was already old and frail when she ended up in that cell, he knew the Dursley's were probably going to go soon as well. He did contemplate healing them and letting it start all over again, and giving them more food to survive but really he didn't want that. He wanted to move on with his life, wanted to get rid of them once and for all as much as he wanted them to suffer. "What happens to the bodies?" he asked in morbid curiosity.
"Cremated and banished," Voldemort stated, at least the Muggles, his enemies he left behind for a proper funeral – wizards and witches only – Muggles he didn't care about at all.
Harry nodded as he put his quill down and stretched out, a quick tempus later let him know it was seven o'clock at night. He'd been at this now for two hours since he'd wedged himself in here after dinner. He wasn't even a quarter of the way through everything, but so far all was good. "Are the Lestranges on a mission?"
Voldemort narrowed his eyes speculatively, "Why?" he asked, not gracing Harry with an answer.
"There's something I want to do," Harry revealed calmly and slowly.
"Which is?" Voldemort then demanded, wondering what the teen was up to now.
Harry shook his head, "It's something I must do, I won't change my mind." Barty's words had struck a cord in him, he wanted to help Rodolphus. Barty would know if Rodolphus was being unfaithful, men had the tendency to overshare, and if Barty reckoned he had remained true to her then he suspected it to be true. Not that there was a way to sleep around while in Azkaban…at least he didn't think so. He thought about how he'd feel if he was trapped in a loveless marriage, and he suspected after losing so much time in Azkaban that Rodolphus wanted a family. That and he was terrified that he would be given the Lestrange Lordship, something he'd managed to wring out of Barty after hours of maneuverering and Barty had only spoken because he was beyond pissed and exasperated.
Harry too wanted a family that loved him. So, if he could give Rodolphus a chance…then he'd do it.
"Just what are you up to?" Voldemort asked, suspiciously. He half wanted to summon them just so that he could find out. He knew that look well, Harry wasn't going to reveal whatever it was until he was ready. He doubted even threatening him with the Cruciatus Curse would work…or actually performing it on him.
Harry just smirked at him, the best part was there was nothing on the desk that would give away his plans. He could feel Voldemort looking, but he'd give in, he was too curious for his own good.
"Very well, let us go to the meeting room," Voldemort stated sharply, before twisting on his heel and leaving the room, cursing himself for giving into the boy. He was setting a very dangerous precedents, the boy might actually do this again. If he caught him in a mood he would truly regret it, hopefully the boy would know better though.
"It better be good," Voldemort warned him once they were there, barking at Pettigrew who never left the area to give him his forearm before demanding just as curtly "LEAVE!" which he did, with his tail between his legs.
The three male Lestranges, stuck their heads out of their doors, two were in bed the other was in his office hands still clutching their forearm where it had heated up. They adhered to a strict schedule, a schedule that required a lot of sleep, good foods and exercises regimens that left them nigh on exhausted. They'd quite literally just had a shower after training and gone straight to bed. It was embarrassing that they're sleeping so early, but they'd do anything to regain their former strength. Each of them checking to see if the other had been called, all slightly perplexed.
They'd just answered a summoning this morning, it was unheard of to be called twice, especially everyone.
"What do you think is going on?" Rodolphus asked, brow furrowed before turning back into his room to get dressed, with a few flicks of his wand being hasty, he knew better than to make his Lord wait.
"Something has obviously went wrong, he never calls us all twice in one day," Rabastan said worriedly, as he came out fully dressed himself. Had they been seen? Had someone figured out what they'd done? Were they officially going to be on the run? It was the only reason he could logically think for being summoned after the initial summoning. He could see by the expressions on his brother and father's faces that they were thinking the same thing.
"I'm sure we will know soon enough, let's go, we don't want to keep him waiting," their father stated, Rabastian was tense and alert, cautioning himself, wondering at the Dark Lord's state of mind. Lately it wasn't something they'd worried about, he seemed in high spirits, it was as though Harry Potter joining him had enabled him to relax a little, and stop wanting so much too soon. His sons hadn't been harmed since returning to their Lord's side, he could only hope that it would continue.
In practiced sync they touched their marks, and disappeared on the spot, reappearing at the manor they'd just been to hours earlier. The paused very briefly at the sight of Bellatrix further ahead of them, just entering the manor. They didn't wait to see who else was going to be coming, they strode along the path. Guided to where the Dark Lord was, by the mark on their arm and their own senses. The Dark Lord was a powerful wizard and he made no attempts at shielding it.
They found him situated in one of the few meeting rooms they had on hand. As they entered they found Bellatrix glaring at the corner, one look wasn't needed, they knew it was Harry. Bellatrix's moods were worse than the Dark Lord's, she went from cackling and revering Harry, but these past few weeks she'd been around more, and she hated the fact Harry was paid the most attention. She'd left quite happily earlier seeing that Harry hadn't been at the meeting. It seemed as if she was back to being petulant.
"The floor is yours," Voldemort stated to Harry eyes gleaming with amusement. Harry sat in the corner examining his fingers as if he couldn't feel Bellatrix's glare boring into him. It always amused him when the others fought over his attention, admittedly Bellatrix didn't have much competition, or hadn't until Harry was constantly around.
Bellatrix's indignation and jealousy hit new heights, they'd been called because of him? Her Lord actually summoned them because Harry wanted them? What the hell did Potter have that she didn't? Sure, he was powerful, but come on, she was no slouch either. Also quite vindictive, she thought in awe, but so was she, she didn't like how close they were getting at all. She wished she could remain here with her Lord at all times. Yet he never once asked for her. Ooo, what was he up to? Someone else to torture? Eyes gleaming in ferocious desire, she waited impatiently, not daring to speak.
"Rodolphus, can you come here for a minute?" Harry asked, shovelling documents around, as if he was trying to find something. He found it quite quickly and easily, laying it out on the table as Rodolphus made his way over, caution written across his face and each step he took.
He remained two feet from him, gazing expectantly at his somewhat distant relative. Which quite frankly was still blowing his damn mind. "Yes?" he said, dark eyes cagy.
"Read this, if you want to go through with it, sign it." Harry said bluntly, sliding the parchment further towards the end of the table.
Rodolphus' brows furrowed as he took the remaining two steps, glancing down at the missive only to do a doubletake when he realized what he was reading. This couldn't be…this was the original annulment – which was placed alongside the betrothal and marriage contract – from Gringotts. This would annul the marriage between himself and Bellatrix, allowing him to find a more suitable match. By the time his father wanted it annulled, Orion Black had refused, then died over a decade ago. Thus he'd never believed this was possible. Harry had already signed it, he was Potter-Black, two Lordships, bloody hell, he seemed to have it all. Pursing his lips, feeling hope and despair warring within him, "She won't sign it," Rodolphus whispered quietly, shaking his head resignedly. Cursing himself for the fact he'd gotten his hopes up and sounded like some pathetic Mudblood child sobbing that they don't want to leave their parents at the train station.
"Oh she will," Harry promised his voice lined with steel, green eyes gleaming with determination.
Rodolphus swallowed thickly, this was…this was something he hadn't even been able to conceive even in his wildest dreams.
I am so pleased I was able to get such a large chapter out for you all today! Especially on this story! :D So, will Bellatrix agree to the annulment or will she be disowned and divorced? How many of you want Bellatrix to remain around? Will you be disappointed if she's killed? How about Rodolphus and Rabastan? Who can you see them ending up with? In the books you're never really introduced to any female characters except Bellatrix, Narcissa and Molly...that are around that age! Neville and Luna will remain together so it can't be Luna...Will Narcissa be desperate enough for a daughter that she'd take Hermione in? I don't want her to be suddenly some 'Pure-bloods' daughter that's done too often...I suppose the news that's travelling around about interbreeding causing squibs etc...might make Rod and Rab actually desire a Half-Blood or Muggle-Born spouse...what do you think? Can you think of anyone? Or will Neville and his gran be killed by Dumbledore (accidentally with Neville of course) and covered up made to look like Death Eaters did it in a bid to make the Ministry pay attention? Hmm...causing Luna to come to the dark side? perhaps Hermione as well? so tough to decide! Read and Review Please!