Chapter 18 Gringotts and Punishments

(Lucius and Umbridge)

Lucius Malfoy apperated to his manor before he went to the ministry of magic. Although it was dangerous to delay in his mission he had to come up with a fool proof plan to get the Umbridge woman for his master. If he made a mistake he had the feeling that he would not live for another day and that was so unfair. How could he have known that his master would want his son for anything. The boy had always seemed so worthless. Sentimental and weak willed, the boy didn't deserve the title of Malfoy but his master had thought the boy could be turned to the right side in this conflict. Lucius only wished the boy really had died and then he would not be dealing with his master's displeasure now. Well, perhaps Narcissa would get with child right away then he could present his master with a replacement for the boy.

When Lucius reached his manor he went straight to his library to do some hurried research on the kill laws that Umbridge had spearheaded. He needed to make her think that they were on the same side so that she would not fight taking the mark if that was what his master wanted.

After Lucius thought he had enough information he apperated to the Ministry of Magic and requested a meeting with Deloris Umbridge. He took the woman to lunch and much to his surprise Lucius actually found her to be well informed on the problems facing the wizarding world due to the influx of muggleborns and half bloods. It wasn't too hard to convince her to meet with his master and within the space of a few hours Voldermort had a new supporter.

Voldermort wanted her to arrange a meeting with Fudge. The two agreed that the man was a fool but he was a fool with power. Unfortunately Fudge was inclined to turn to Voldermorts biggest hindrance to power for advice and information. What Voldermort needed to do was to work on the insecurities that Fudge had about his own place in the wizarding world, perhaps let him know about the fraud that Dumbledore was perpetrating on everyone by endorsing a false Potter. If Fudge learned that the boy who had been for so long called the Hope Of The Wizarding World was dead and that Dumbledore had an imposter that he was trying to pass of as the real thing then he could drive a wedge between the two of them and thus weaken the ties between them. Voldermort desperately needed those ties weakened to further his plans.

After Deloris left to start on her mission Voldermort for the first time since his resurrection told Lucius he was pleased with him.

(Hogwarts)

Wednesday and that meant dueling after classes were over. Shadow hoped that Lupen would be there tonight because out of all of them he liked him, Bill and Kingsley the best and Kingsley and Bill weren't scheduled for Wednesday nights. When Shadow studied him he thought that Lupen might know a little bit more about what was going on then he let on. He thought about talking to Snape about his suspicions. Well, maybe on Monday he would.

Dumbles had been buzzing around Shadow every chance he got this week too. Shadow was afraid that he was watching for something specific and if he was then that could become a problem because Shadow had no idea what it could be. Dumbles acted tense and fidgety and kept asking him questions like, "How are classes going my boy?" or "How are you getting along with your friends son?" (Yuck, gag… as if I could ever be his boy or his son). He had also had his (friends) make a point to sit next to him in all of his classes so far this week and at lunch the Weasley boy kept trying to get him to sit with him. So far Shadow had put him off but today Dumbles had told him that he wasn't restricted by house because he was a member of two so he could sit with his "Good friend Ron." He had also informed him that his friends were going to spend time with him this Sunday when he was allowed outside. How did he put it? "I am allowing you to extend you play time on Sunday so that you and your friends can play a game of quidditch." Whatever the hell that was…Most likely something else to make him look like a fool.

After lunch Dumbledore cornered Shadow in the great hall. "I need to speak to you son. Please accompany me to my office."

Shadow gave a quick nod and said "Yes sir." Then fell in beside Dumbledore. The two made their way up to the headmaster's office and Dumbledore sat in the chair behind his desk after motioning for Shadow to sit in the chair in front of it.

"Lemmon drop?" Shadow gave a quick shake of his head. "Would you like some tea then?" Again Shadow shook his head no. After the headmaster popped a piece of candy in his mouth he cleared his throat and started speaking. "Harry, we have a few minor problems we need to take care of before they grow into large problems. Although I would rather keep you here in the school to insure your safety I need to take you to Gringotts this afternoon to introduce you to your account manager. Pending verification of your identity the goblins have froze your accounts. Your financial advisor is concerned that if this is not remedied you will loose money because he cannot make any investments in your name. I would also like to set you up with an allowance when we are there. You cannot go to Hogsmead on weekends for obvious reasons but you can be allowed to make mail order purchases with some supervision. Also your friends would be more than happy to purchase any sweets you may want when they go to town." Dumbledore nodded as if Shadow had verbally agreed with him. "Yes, I believe that would be a good idea. What would you say to 10 galleons a week for an allowance son?"

Inside Shadow was fuming but he hid it well. "Sir, I don't know what Gringotts is and I don't know what you're talking about when you said my accounts. At home we use dollars so I don't know what a galleon is either. I kind of thought that the Britts used pences or pounds or something like that."

Shadow must have answered correctly because if anything Albus' grin grew. "Not to worry my boy. I have plenty of time to instruct you in wizarding finances. As for what accounts I was referring to…well, its no secret that your family left you some money. Enough to pay for your education and have a tidy sum left over after you leave school."

Dumbledore got up from his chair and walked around the desk. He stopped in front of Shadow and reached down and cupped Shadows chin. Raising the boy's head so the two were looking eye to eye Dumbledore said quietly "Understand me, when we get to Gringotts you will request that I stay with you at all times. Understand me; you will not sign anything without my permission. Understand me; you will only give them enough information so that they can verify who you are."

Dumbledore released Shadows chin and the boy shook his head as if coming out of a dream. "What did you say sir" he asked. He felt like his head was stuffed with cotton wool again. Something he had not felt since he woke up here. Dumbledore started talking again. Something about going to Gringotts this afternoon but Shadow scarcely listened. Something had happened. Something important but Shadow could not to save his life figure out what.

Dumbledore dismissed the boy to go to his class after giving him a note explaining why he would be late and Shadow left.

After Harry had left the room Albus picked up the report that he had face down on his desk. Scanning it once again the twinkle left his eyes. Chandos had visited two of the senior officers from Children's Services yesterday. It was time to implement the plan to remove that problem in a more permanent manor.

Albus went to the fireplace and called Jonathan Felis. When the man answered the floo Albus said. "The man who kidnapped Harry from his aunt and uncle is named Chandos Kane. He has been living in America for the past several years but he is back now looking for the child. I am sincerely concerned that he might find the boy and take him again. If he does I fear for the boy's life."

"Kane?" Felis asked. "He visited two of our senior staff this week and asked some questions. Nothing about Harry Potter though. He asked about adoption laws here in Briton if I recall rightly."

"That must be some sort of a smoke screen. I wonder if either has been memory charmed recently. You may need to have all of your staff checked to insure that no one was compromised in such a manor." Albus sighed. "Once Chandos was a friend. I can only wonder if he has gone over to the dark side."

"Memory charmed…you mean Obliviated?" Felis's face took on an angry expression. "How dare he do something like that! It is illegal to tamper with a government official in such a manor." Felis started to pull back from the fireplace. "Excuse me Albus but you are correct I need to have the staff…" Albus interrupted him at that moment

"Jonathan my friend. Who will check you to see if you were the one obliviated?" Felis shut his mouth with a snap. "If you will come into my office I will do the honors and if you have been I will try to restore your memories." Albus soothed the agitated man.

With a decisive nod Felis ordered "Move back" and stepped through the fireplace.

Albus indicated same chair that Shadow had sat on and after Felis sat down he pulled his wand. "Relax my friend. Chandos was an expert at memory charms but I should be able to restore enough for you to get an idea of whatever was tampered with if he did indeed obliviate you." With a softly incanted legilimency spell Albus entered the man's mind and planted some shadowy memories of being questioned by Chandos about Harry Potter. After he was finished he pulled back from Felis mind and sighed. "It is as I feared. You were questioned by Chandos."

Felis dropped his head into his hands. "I remember. He asked me about Harry. He also said he would be back later." Felis narrowed his eyes as he raised his head and glared at the headmaster. "I know you did not want to go this route but I am pressing charges against the man for tampering with a government official and for child abuse. When he's caught I want him to stand trial and go to prison. It's what he deserves. Will you testify?"

Albus wiped a tear from his eye. "Oh that I should have lived to see this day. One of my own turning out so badly. Yes, I will testify on your behalf. We must see that Harry is protected from such evil at all cost."

The two floo'd to the department of magical law enforcement and provided pensive memories of Harry's (treatment) at the hands of Chandos Kane and a pensive memory of the obliviated shadow memory of Chandos questioning Felis about Harry's location. It was enough to incite the Aurors into a rage at the depths that the former Auror had sunk to. Felis was provided with a charmed relic to summon aurors at a moments notice if Chandos should return to see him again and three aurors were assigned guard duty outside of the Hogwarts grounds to watch for any attempt of Chandos to infiltrate the school grounds. The orders issued to all Aurors was that if Chandos Kane was taken he was to be transported directly to Azaskaban for holding till he came to trial.

(Later that same day)

After Shadow's last class was over Albus collected him and the two floo'ed to Gringotts for their appointment with Senior Manager Raveark.

Albus held the boy's hand as he went up to the receptionist desk. "We have an appointment with Raveark this afternoon." He told the goblin sitting at the desk. "It would be under the names Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore."

The two were escorted to Raveark's office and were offered seats.

Shadow stared at the goblin nervously for a few seconds before he smiled and said "Hi, sorry about staring but I've never seen a goblin before."

Raveark nodded his head in understanding before he asked. "Are you Harry Potter?" The boy nodded. "I will need proof other than your word."

Albus presented the genealogy chart that he had brought with them. "This was made with a stemma –atis potion and it clearly shows that the boy is indeed the son of James and Lilly Potter."

Raveark waved his hand dismissively. "Unless I was to witness the chart being made I could not accept it as proof of his identity. Do you have another potion that we can give the boy at this time?"

Albus scowled at the goblin. "No we do not have another potion that we can administer at this time." He said somewhat sarcastically.

"Then there are two easy ways to prove his identity. The first is he puts on the family signet ring. Of course he is a bit young to claim head of house rights but if the magic accepts him then it is uncontroversial proof of his identity. Raveark smiled at the boy. "if you put on the family signet ring and it accepts you then you will at that moment become an adult with all that entails."

Albus slammed his hand down on the desk. "I refuse to allow that. Find another way."

Shadow jumped at the noise and the near shout from the headmaster. Raveark just grinned. "The next way would be to take him to his family vault and have him try to enter. If the wards accept him then he is the heir."

Albus stood. "Let's go and get this over with then."

Raveark narrowed his eyes at the man. "The boy should not be accompanied by you Mr. Dumbledore. It is not your place."

Before Albus could form an answer Shadow interrupted. "No. I need him with me at all times." Raveark looked at the boy and was surprised at the almost panicked expression on his face.

"Of course he can accompany you." Raveark said soothingly. "I'll have Griphook take the two of you down and when you return you can fill out the paperwork to claim your inheritance."

Shadow nodded hesitantly in acceptance. "Mr. Dumbledore can look over any paperwork you have for me and tell me what I should sign."

With a calming demeanor Raveark nodded. "It will be as you wish." He called Griphook and told him. "Please escort these two down to the Potter family vault but before you do I want you to make sure the curse breaker is still working on the case we gave him before. Tell him I want him to examine the latest relic that we came into possession of as soon as possible then report directly to me." Raveark turned to Albus and Shadow. "I am sorry for this interruption but the case I am referring to is something we have been working on for several weeks. We just received a new artifact today and I need to know if it's been tampered with. The delay will be minimal I assure you."

With a regal nod of his head Albus gave his permission for the delay.

The three of them left the office and when the reached the lobby Griphook wrote a quick note and sent one of the runners to find curse breaker Weasley. Within a few moments Bill Weasley showed up. Griphook passed the note to the man and told him to make haste. "Raveark wants this information as soon as possible."

Bill grinned at Albus and Shadow. "Hi, didn't expect to see the two of you here." He said.

"Now Mr Weasley." Griphook said sternly.

With another grin Bill said "Gotta run. See you two later." And before either man could form an answer the curse breaker ran off clutching the note.

Griphook took the two to a cart that resembled an old mine cart and after the three entered the cart sped off. Twisting and turning, uphill and down the ride closely resembled a rollercoaster ride. Shadow was disappointed when it ended although Albus looked slightly green.

The three got out of the cart and stood on the walkway in front of a round stone slab. Griphook pointed to the hand shaped indentation about chest level with the boy and told him to place his hand there. "If the wards accept you then the door will open for you." He explained.

Shadow placed his hand in the indicated spot and with a yank he was jerked inside of the vault.

In a panic he screamed for Albus before something grabbed him and turned him toward the wall. Shadow felt something cold fall on his head and with a moan he sank to his knees. Arms encircled him and whoever was behind him began to rock soothingly but Shadow would not be calmed. He wanted, no, he needed Albus. Shadow started to cry and fight the arms holding him. He had to get back to Albus. He just had to now! A voice whispered in his ear. "What do you need Shadow?" With a sob Shadow answered. "Dumbledore, I need him. I need to be with him. Please let me go." Shadow felt his world growing black. He was lifted to his feet and pushed at the door he had been pulled through.

Shadow fell to his hands and knees on the other side of the door. He could hear Albus yelling at something or someone but he felt too weak to raise his head to see what was going on. The yelling stopped as the two standing there became aware that he had returned. Albus knelt down in front of the boy and gathered him close and began rocking him.

He raised Shadows tear filled eyes so the boy was looking directly at him. "Harry, understand me. This was not your fault. Understand me, you are ok."

With a shudder Shadow closed his eyes and leaned into the safety the headmasters arms offered him.

After Shadow had control of himself the three got back into the cart and rode it back to the surface. Griphook escorted the two back to Ravearks office and confirmed that the boy had entered the vault without any hindrance. He was indeed the Potter heir.

Raveark looked at the boy with concern. "Is he alright?" he asked Albus.

Albus was still upset at having been separated from Harry. "No he is not alright. He depends on me for safety and your actions had us separated for almost two minutes. Do you not understand the evil that is after this boy? He is only safe at Hogwarts or when he is with me. What papers do you need him to sign? I want to get him home as soon as possible." Albus snapped.

Raveark made a calming motion with his hands. "I will order a thousand galleons released to you this afternoon for his care. I can have the paperwork delivered to Hogwarts tomorrow for him to go over. He does not look to be in calm enough state to understand what he needs to understand before he signs them. Will that be acceptable?" Raveark asked.

Albus was still rubbing the boy's back in a soothing manor. "I think that would be best."

Raveark gave the two of them some floo powder and with a quick yell the two departed from the office fireplace.

After the two were gone Bill Weasley stormed into the office. Raveark nodded when he saw the rage stamped across the man's face. "He was being punished because he broke the compulsion of the blood ward that son of a bitch placed on him. As soon as I pulled him into the vault he went into a full blown panic attack and I couldn't do anything with him except send him back to that bastard."

Raveark asked, "How does the ward work Bill?"

Bill blew out a gust of air and raised his eyes to the ceiling. "It got a password associated with it. The boy needed to get back to Dumbledore. It was a real physical need. We need to know what the old man said to the boy after I pushed him back through the door. I think that Dumbledore would need to say the password to stop the punishment but I don't know for sure."