Harry Potter and The Chronicle of Lord Black

by Lord of mystics

Harry Potter did not knew about his heritage and when he ascended to the Wizengamot, he made fun of himself for a few times for not knowing the procedures of the governing body of Wizarding Britain when he approached one person who could help him learn the rules of the Wizarding World and may be together, they could heal each other. Starts at the end of the Battle of Hogwarts. Non-

3. Chapter 3

THE BURROW

Harry Potter found himself back in the basement of Malfoy Manor where he and Ron had been taken after they were caught by the Snatchers. He was hearing Hermione's cries of agony wafting from upwards to him and feeling helpless without a wand. He could feel Ron's restlessness and trying to get upwards to help Hermione and even in the dream. He had been feeling that way at that time trying to imagine the horrors Bellatrix was putting Hermione through. He tried to cry for help, to tear those bars out of their place and sat up, covered in sweat. It took him a few moments to realise that he was not in the Malfoy Manor but the Burrow.

"Nightmare?", asked Ron who was perched on the window of his room, looking out of the window towards the black sky, the stars twinkling and the moon shining resplendent.

"What are you doing up late in the middle of night?", Harry asked Ron while he was fumbling on the side table for his glasses "did you have some nightmare too?" When he could not find his glasses, he muttered the summoning charm and was poked in his eyes by the handle of his glass. Fumbling with them, he put them on and climbed out of his bed to join Ron at the window perch.

Ron winced, "Yeah! I was back in the forest of Dean where I destroyed the Horcrux. I was reliving the horror which had perpetrated before my eyes. I was up about an hour ago and could do got back to sleep so I was watching the stars. I heard you crying my name then Hermioe's so I guessed you were having a nightmare too."

"Ron, you do know the locket was trying to mislead you, right."

Ron nodded, "I remember what you had told me, mate."

Harry grimaced, "Did someone hear me? I do not want them to worry."

Ron shook his head, "Nobody did. I had put up silencing charms around my room before I went to sleep. I reckon mum would have been up here if I did not."

Harry asked him, "Has Hermione returned?"

Ron nodded, "She came in really late. Dad had to drag her away from the library in the ministry after the librarian pleaded with her to go about 10 times."

Harry snorted, "That is the Hermione we know. When in doubt, go to the library."

Ron had half a smile on his lips, "Mate, how you think she is holding up?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. I haven't been very good with feelings, you know. When you were gone she would spend nights crying into her pillow and I didn't know what I could do about it. She is however far more stronger than we give her credit for."

Just at that moment, George poked his head inside, "You two blokes are not asleep?"

Harry waved him in, "Couldn't sleep, George. Come join us here."

George was hard to recognise at once. He had stubble worth a week, his eyes looked all puffy with bags under them, his robes looked disshelved, his hair looked like a nest for birds and he was bare feet. He had such a wild look about him that Harry was not sure if George even cared about himself anymore.

George joined them over and they said nothing for few minutes, each one contemplating over past events before Harry asked him, "How are you, George?"

George said sadly, "I don't know what I am supposed to feel. Every second I feel like Fred would be coming in through the door and give me an idea for a new prank. It's just so..." George could not speak anymore before he broke down.

Ron hugged his brother and whispered, "We are all here for you, George. And remember what you had said that Fred would be laughing at us for crying for him."

George stopped crying after about 5 minutes. Harry asked him, "Are you going to re-open the shop?"

He shook his shoulders in a resigned gesture, "I don't know. It is hard enough trying to live with this thought. I can't man the shop by myself."

Harry prompted him, "Then you can always hire more people to do it for you. He would not want you to sulk like this because you don't look very good when you are sulking."

Ron chimed in, "I will even find time to help you stock the shop and open in time for the new academic session. We all are with you in this."

George scowled, or the closest to scowl that he could, "That is all good but Fred was the brain behind the operation. I can do all the magic required but I need someone to give me the ideas."

Harry shrugged, "You can always ask others. I mean you have the talent to make an idea of almost anything. I don't think Fred would have liked to see you feeling so discouraged."

Ron took a big wide yawn which set the other two yawning and Harry bade them good night saying, "I'd rather that you both would get some sleep now. Tomorrow we are going to bury Tonks and Remus."

SAYING GOOD BYE TO A MARAUDER

Harry knew where Andromeda lived, having been there with Hagrid as they were escaping Death Eaters after the battle of Seven Potters. He and Ron were raised up early in the morning by Hermione who had dark circles under her eyes; she was dropping with exhaustion and yet standing. Harry asked her, "Hermione, did you not sleep yesterday? Why are you looking so exhausted?"

She shook her head, "I kept going back to the manor and could feel the curses that she had used to torture me. Ginny had to sleep with a pillow on her face because I could not sleep with the lights turned off."

Ron had embraced her in a hug, "Hermione, we are over the war. Bellatrix Lestange is dead and she is not going to come back to torture you. She got what had been coming to her. I won't let anyone hurt you."

She pecked him on the cheek, "You are sweet Ron but it is just that I can't seem to forget it. Perhaps it will take some time for me to get over it. However we have a busy day ahead of us."

Harry asked her, "What do you mean?"

"Kingsley wants us in the ministry after Remus and Tonks's funeral. He needs our help with something. He had let me know when I met him in the evening. Where did you both had disappeared off to?", she asked raising an eye-brow.

Harry told her, "We went to say good-bye to Colin."

Before their conversation could get any more emotional, Mrs. Weasley's voice carried upstairs, "Come down you lot. Breakfast is ready."

When they descended, they found that all of the Weasleys were up and ready to go. Even George had got ready to go and bury Remus Lupin.

Mr. Weasley said, "Harry, they are burying them in Godric's Hollow. Kingsley told me that Andromeda wanted to do it this way and she has requested us to be there an hour before the appointed time."

After a quick breakfast which no one really wanted to have, they apparated to Andromeda's place. When they knocked on the door, Andromeda took her time to open the door. She had dark circles under her eyes and her puffy eyes told that she had not been sleeping very well. She tried to smile when she saw them but the smile did not reach her eyes. She ushered them in and Harry found Teddy sitting in his chair and trying to get hold of Fleur's locks while she chuckled. Bill was sitting in a chair on the side and looking at Fleur and Teddy with fondness.

When they entered, they all took seats at chairs spread around in the living room of the Tonks' residence. Harry picked up Teddy, "Come here, little guy. Let your godfather play with you for some time."

Teddy looked at him in concentration and suddenly, he had changed his hair to a tuft of black resembling his making him chuckle, "Tonks would have been so proud of you Ted."

He cradled the boy close to him and was blabbering to him when he encountered some nasty smell and could feel the sleeve of his shirt soaking up. It took him for a moment to connect the nasty smell with his wet sleeve and when he did, he exclaimed loudly, "Jeez little guy! Could you not find someone else?"

Everybody was laughing at his pouting when Molly took her, "Give him to me Harry dear. I will get him cleaned and a fresh set of clothes."

Harry looked at his sleeve and pulled out his wand to cast a dry charm. He did a drying charm and returned his wand to its place and did not realise until he found Hermione looking at him curiously.

"Uh... Hermione, what is the matter?", he asked nervously "is something wrong with me that I should know about?"

She said, "Harry you just performed a drying charm without saying the incantation!"

He said surprised, "I did?"

She said, "Yeah you did."

Pretty soon, many other order members arrived with the Minister himself. Most of the teachers too turned up to say their good-byes to the Marauder with McGonagall in the lead who was wiping her eyes with her tartan handkerchief, all discipline forgotten and crying for one of her favourite students.

When it was time, they disapparated to Godric's Hollow. The ministry had already brought their bodies to the grave-yard and the tiny wizard was presiding at their funeral. In attendance were more order members, many of the students who had been taught by Remus during his brief stint as the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher at the school. There were Dean, Seamus, Parvati, Padma, Anthony, Ernie, Susan among many others he recognised but could not put a name to them. Members of the old quidditch team too were there. Hagrid too was there and wiping his eyes on the chequered table cloth sized handkerchief.

Harry had been given a seat in the front row with the Weasleys and Andromeda. He kept Teddy in his lap where the kid was bouncing up and down on his knee and trying to follow a butterfly with his eyes which was flying around while stretching his pudgy little hands as if trying to catch the butterfly. To Harry's amazement, the butterfly indeed veered off course and flew to the toddler's outstretched hand. He had to marvel at Teddy's accidental magic. Andromeda was already crying, tears streaking down her eyes and she sat beside Harry quietly sobbing.

The wizard was saying, "This morning we are gathered here to say good-bye to two people who were heroes. They lived for their friends, family and even gave their lives in the path of their duty and righteousness. They are symbols of selfless sacrifice, of giving everything for triumph of good over evil and of hope. They loved each other and could not be separated even in death."

Harry was listening to everything that wizard said and he felt it was so lacking in description of the life of Remus and Nymphadora Lupin. They were much more than this wizard was trying to put into words.

"Harry, would you speak a few words?", Andromeda was asking. Harry figured he should say a few words. After all, out of the Tonks', he was the only family Remus had.

The wizard was saying, "They were the perfect pair for each other and kind to others. I would like to ask Harry Potter to say a few words in the memory of Remus and Nymphadora Lupin."

When Harry stood, Andromeda made a motion to take the toddler from him but he shook his head to her and walked forward to address the gathering carrying Teddy with him. He took a few moments to form his words before he started to speak, "Remus Lupin was one of the best friends of my parents. He was a werewolf and always apprehensive that people would not accept him due to his condition however when Albus Dumbledore allowed him to join Hogwarts as a student, he was quickly accepted as a friend by his fellow students. He was a kind soul who was also very perceptive. I never had the fortune to meet him before my third year when he came to teach Defense against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts and it was largely due to him that I learnt so much in defense. He worked towards ensuring my safety all these years and acted as the guardian that I never had. He was also the last link to my parents and I will miss his presence around me. He was scorned for his condition but he never took it out on anyone. He chose to stay above all the hatred that was directed at him and lived his life on his terms. Tonks always treated me like a little brother and she was always so full of energy and was so enthusiastic towards everything that she did. She always took care of me whenever she could and I feel like a light has gone out of the world with their deaths. Remus and Tonks named me the god-father of their son and I promised them that I will look after Teddy to the best of my efforts. G. Go. Good. Good bye Remus and Tonks."

His voice had started to crack at the end of his speech while Hagrid had taken out his handkerchief and was blowing his nose into it which sounded like a trumpet. After he had made his statement, he returned to his seat beside Andromeda while Professor McGonagall had stood to address them. While it was unorthodox yet people were willing to listen what she had to say.

She started saying grimly, "When Remus Lupin came to Hogwarts, we all were apprehensive but he turned out to the one of the best students of his age. He was smart and kind towards others. He made friends with three others in his house and they were inseparable. He always was trying to learn and while he engaged in pranks with his other friends, he was also the most sensible one. He graduated from Hogwarts with 10 NEWTs but could not get a job due to his condition. He never let that dampen his spirits and despite us treating werewolves as mindless beasts, he never turned himself against the wizarding world. I never told this to any student before this day but he and his gang of friends were some of my best students and I will miss them." She had been dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief while she spoke.

As she sat, the minster started speaking, "Before we enter them in the ground, I have an announcement to make. For the extreme valour and courage showed by Remus Lupin and his sacrifice, the ministry has decided to present him with an Order of Melin, First class, posthumously."

Kingsley's announcement was met by thunderous applause from the crowd. After the applause died down, he presented a medal with a green ribbon to Andromeda who accepted in on behalf of Remus with Teddy in her arms.

When everyone sat down again, the tiny wizard stood, "Let us say our good bye to Remus and Nymphadora Lupin. May you both stay together in the after-life."

With that they all stood together and after their bodies had been lowered in the graves, they filled it with the soil which had been dug prior to burying them. After the grave had been levelled, a single head stone was erected on their grave which read:

REMUS LUPIN NYMPHADORA TONKS

Born: 10 March 1960 Born: 31 May 1973

DEATH: 02 May 1998

Even death could not do us apart.

As everyone started to leave, Harry stood beside Andromeda cradling Teddy in his arms. People would walk up to Andromeda giving their condolences to her and expressing their gratitude to Harry. Harry would smile or just nod in return. He did not know half of those people and surely had no idea what to do in such a situation. He was of mood to return as soon as he could and was just there beside Andromeda as support for her. He kept watching people who walked up to Andromeda when he noticed the girl with dark curls yet again. Daphne Greengrass, yes it was the same girl.

Harry had not thought about her since he had returned from Hogwarts but was surprised to see her here. She was a Slytherin and he had no idea why she would be attending Remus's funeral. She walked up to Andromeda and said to her, "Mrs. Tonks, I can't find enough words to console you for your loss. If I or House Greengrass can ever help you in anyway, please don't hesitate to call on me."

Andromeda nodded and she turned to Harry, "Potter if you don't mind, can I hold him for a minute?"

Harry could think of what to say so he just grunted, "Huh?"

She snorted but covered it behind her fist and said, "I said can I hold Teddy for a minute, Potter?"

Harry looked over her shoulder at Andromeda who nodded and he handed Teddy to Greengrass. She played with Teddy for a few minutes while Harry kept an eye on her. When she returned Teddy back to him, Harry asked her, "What are you doing here, Greengrass?"

She said, "As it is evident, I am paying my respects to Professor Lupin and his wife."

Before he could stop he asked her, "But you are a Slytherin. Why would you come to pay respects to him?"

She looked at him as if he were speaking a different language and gave him a glare which could have frozen him, "Are you still hung up on Slytherins are evil, Potter? I had thought you would have grown up at last."

Harry said a little loudly, "Well the Slytherins have not given any proof to the contrary."

She said tersely, "We all have suffered, Potter. It is not just the courageous Gryffindors but Slytherins too who had to suffer during the last year. The bloody lions are not only the courageous ones."

Harry said hotly, "You have still not answered my question, Grengrass."

She said frostily, "if you would like to know then Professor Lupin saved my life during the battle. If it were not for him, I would have been dead."

With that she turned and walked out of the cemetery. Andromeda said, "Harry being a Slytherin does not make one evil. I was a Slytherin myself and I am not evil. Even Mad-eye was a Slytherin when he ws in school. These differences tend to blur when one passes out of the school."

Harry was feeling suitably chastised, "I am sorry, Mrs. Tonks." She chided him, "Call me Andromeda."

He took his leave of her as soon as the last person left to go pay his respects to his parents. Hermione and Ron who had stayed behind waited for him. He sat at the foot of their grave and started speaking monotonously, "Hey mum and dad, we won finally and killed Voldemort but we paid a high price for this victory. We lost too many good men and today we buried Tonks and Moony. I.I.I promise that I would not let it happen again."

He conjured a bouquet of Oriental Lilies which he laid at the grave and then stood to take his leave of them. He was feeling lighter than he had been and knew he would return every time he wanted to vent his emotions.

Ministry of Magic

When Harry reached Kingsley's office, the minister looked agitated. Harry asked him, "Kingsley what is the matter?"

Kingsley in his deep baritone voice replied, "Harry, the Dementors are still free and wreaking havoc. I want you to go after them and subdue them. One of the employees of the Department for Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures will be accompanying your team."

Harry nodded, "When are we going and who is on the team with me?"

Kingley replied, "You will be leaving in an hour and most of your year mates will be going with you. I have seen them casting excellent patronuses during the battle."

Hermione joined them at that moment and Kingsley asked her, "Hermione do you have something for me?"

Hermione looked excited and passed him a sheet of parchment, "When Gringotts was established, there were laws made which govern the bank. One of the laws state that the bank would not allow any of the account holders to deposit any Dark Artefact in any of the vaults and any such breach of rule would result in the bank being heavily penalised and may extend to closure. So if we show them the cup and tell that it was a Horcrux, which is a class I non-tradeable Dark Artefact by the way, then they cannot take any penal action against us or revolt against the wizarding world. The most that they can do in that case is to ask for costs of repairs to the bank due to the damage caused by the escape of the dragon."

Kingsley beamed at her, "Well done Hermione. Do you have the remains of the cup with you?"

Hermione produced all the artefacts which had been horcruxes except for the ring and they had found. She also briefed Kingsley about each article and its history. When she was done, Kingsley said contemplatively, "This should be enough to satisfy them. Alright I will arrange a meeting with them tomorrow. It is important that we sort out the goblins at the earliest. Without the bank, the economy of Wizarding World would crash down."

Robards chose that moment to enter, "Minister, the teams are ready to go."

Kingsley turned to Harry, "Good luck Harry. Your squadron leader will be Proudfoot and Ronald, Ernie, Longbottom, Finch-Fletchley and Goldstein would be accompanying you with a ministry representative who would be able to send them back to the fortress."

Harry asked him apprehensively, "Would they be employed again as guards of the prison?"

Kingsley shook his head, "No. We will not trust such creatures with fickle loyalty ever again. We had an uneasy truce with them before which they broke. We would hunt them now. I know we cannot kill them but we can drive them back to the prison and keep them there without letting them feed on the prisoners. That would be enough to weaken them and hopefully it may prove fatal for them."

Harry nodded "Alright, I should get going then."

With that he marched down to the Auror offices where the squad had already assembled and Proudfoot was already briefing them, "When we get there, you all will produce patronuses and started herding them away from whomever they seem to be attacking. Drive them away and Mr. Diggory would force them to return to the fortress."

Harry flinched hearing Mr. Diggory's name and turned to see the man. Harry could not recognise him at all. He looked to so broken, old and powerless and Harry could feel the ache which the old wizard must be feeling. When he saw Harry looking, he gave a very watery smile and asked him, "How are you Mr. Potter?"

Harry nodded to the man, "It is a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Diggory."

Proudfoot was distributing port-keys to them, "These port-keys will deposit you at where are we supposed to be going. Be alert and act swiftly. Is that clear?"

A loud "yes sir" resonated and Proudfoot started leading them to the portkey point.

Taming Dementors

When they arrived, it was scene of chaos. Perhaps the Dementors had sensed that their side had lost and were going on a rampage. Harry could see them gliding over helpless muggles and devouring their souls. So far many muggles had lost their souls to the fiends and this angered him.

As one, 7 wands were levelled and patroni burst out of them. The stag stood over all others and the dementors were fleeing at their sight. Mr. Diggory was waving his wand in a complicated arc and perhaps communicating with the fiends because they all started flying in the direction of North Sea where Azkaban was.

With the Dementors done, Proudfoot turned to them, "Good work but we are not yet finished by a long shot. He produced a piece of rope and said, "Everyone grab hold of it. We are going to a different location now."

They did this for 3 more times before Proudfoot was convinced that they should return to the Ministry.

Burying a bat

When they returned to the Ministry, Robards caught hold of him, "Potter the Minister want to see you."

Harry walked to the office of the Minister where Kingsley was frowning at a piece of paper in his hands. He beckoned him to a chair and after Harry made himself comfortable, he said, "Harry, Severus Snape's will was discovered today and he has expressly stated that he want you to read it."

Harry was apprehensive but nodded. Kingsley handed him a scroll and a letter. He opened the scroll first. It read:

"I, Severus Tobias Snape, do hereby declare this to be my last bequest to be made in good faith and in sound state of health and mind. Any other bequests which exist at this point of time are hereby declared null and void.

I leave 10,000 Galleons for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a donation to the school.

The rest shall go to Harry James Potter. I leave him my vault at Gringotts along with all my books and other material possessions which I own and are kept in my office at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I also leave the house on Spinner's End which I had inherited from my father.

Severus Tobias Snape"

Then he opened the letter:

"Harry,

When you would get to read this letter I would be long dead and gone from the world. I know we never have been on best terms with each other and perhaps you would spend all your life hating me for the person I had been.

I have sorely regretted the fact over years that I had to hear the wretched prophecy. If I had not done that, perhaps things might have been different and you would have grown up in your family with your parents.

I hated your father who admittedly had the better looks and was the all popular bloke and I loathed him from the time Lily started dating him. I never got to settle my grudges with him so I took it out on you who had nothing to do with it.

I know I never did a single deed which could be called good and most likely I would pay for my crimes in after life. I wanted to ask your forgiveness from this letter and request you to attend my funeral.

Severus Snape

Potions Master

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"

Harry read the letter and asked Kingsley, "What should I do about it?"

Kingsley shrugged, "It is your wish. If you want you can attend his funeral. He will be buried about an hour from now in the grave yard near his home where he grew up."

Harry nodded, "I despise the man but one good deed merits another. I would honour his word because he risked his life for the wizarding world."

Snape's funeral was the quietest one. Except for Minerva, Kingsley, Flitwick and Draco Malfoy no one had attended. The wizard who had presided over everyone's funeral was there and seeing the few numbers who had turned up, he asked, "Would anyone of you like to speak?"

Malfoy volunteered, "Severus Snape was my godfather. He always shielded me from troubles and looked after my interests. He had doted on me when I was a little boy and even in school where I acted like a git, he was there to help me. When the Dark Lord gave me the mission to kill Dumbledore as a way of punishing my father for his mistakes, Severus Snape gladly stepped in to kill the old headmaster saving my soul from getting scarred forever. He was bitter man who never loved anyone and he had no inclination to start a family yet the closest he came to love someone was me. Good bye God father. I will miss you."

With that Severus Snape was interred into the ground and his headstone was rather bland except for a line at the end which read, "Hero till the death."

The Burrow

When Harry returned to the Burrow that day, he found Neville in the living room with Hermione, Ron and Ginny talking about something. He hailed them, "What are you all talking about?"

It was Hermione who replied, "The goblins want to meet you tomorrow."

Harry did not know what to expect of the Goblins. His experience with them was rather limited and he had no idea how he would proceed with them. He asked Hermione, "What is the plan for tomorrow?"

"They have told the minister expressly that they are only interested in meeting you and would not allow anyone else to accompany you except the Minister", said Bill who was had just arrived with Fleur in tow.

"What do you think they would want, Bill?", Harry asked him.

Bill shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. They certainly don't want gold or any material possessions. Unless you have a very good reason for the break-in, they would want to punish you according to the Goblin laws, I am afraid."

Hermione protested, "We will not let him go alone."

Bill shook his head, "They wouldn't allow you to enter, Hermione. Harry however is different matter altogether."

She frowned, "What do you mean?"

Bill smirked, "Apparently Harry has a vast inheritance waiting for him and they are getting nervous about it. The Potter House Charter gave all him all the rights to his full wealth the moment he became of age. Since Harry could not go to them and claim his inheritance when he turned 17, they want to sort out the break-in with him and wash their hands off after they have committed Harry's inheritance to him."

Harry asked him, "Inheritance? What does that mean?"

Bill frowned, "You don't know about your family's wealth?"

Harry protested, "I know I have a vault which is full of gold and I have been using that to fund my education since the last 7 years."

Bill was confused, "You did not know that it is your trust vault? No one told you about it?"

Harry was getting concerned, "Told about what?"

Bill shook his head, "Never mind. The goblins can explain it to you better than me. I will be accompanying you to the bank but you better have a good reason for break in. We like you whole, you know."

The last comment caused chuckles in the room however Harry was worried. What the goblins could do with him? What would they want as compensation for the break-in. Above all what was his inheritance and why no one told him about it?

The next morning the minister met him outside Gringotts with Bill in tow. Te Goblin guards were waiting in phalanx formation for them, armed to the teeth. The leader was an elderly goblin who was dressed in a robe and cut an imposing presence for a goblin. When Harry approached, he said, "You wizard are responsible for break-in in the bank and loss of our reputation."

Harry, honourable that he was, nodded, "I did commit a break- in but there was a reason behind it."

The goblin motioned for his guards, "Cover them and bring them to my office."

The guards took them deep in an office in the bank and Harry could see the signs of damage which had been done to the Bank. By the looks of it nothing had been repaired yet and now it was evident how much the damage had been.

The goblin's office was situated deep in the bank and when they reached it, he left the guards outside while motioning for Harry and Kingsley to join him inside. He offered them straight backed hard chairs to sit on which were uncomfortable to begin with. When they were seated, he started speaking, "Mr. Potter, you along with three others entered the bank and committed a break in and in the process and you released a dragon in the wild causing heavy damage to the bank. How do you plead?"

Harry remembered the points Hermione had raise and he had riffled through her research too, "I would not refuse that I committed a break-in a few days ago however while I explain my reasons I would draw your attention towards Article 24 of the Statute which governs establishment of Gringotts and that Article specifically prohibits keeping any dark artefact in any of the vaults. The vault that I broke-in belonged to Bellatrix Lestrange and she was harbouring a horcrux in it which is a Class-I non-tradeable artefact. It should not have been allowed to be deposited in the Bank in the first place so the blame lies on you."

Hearing the term Horcrux, the goblin drew in a sharp breath and pointedly asked him, "Are you sure it was a horcrux? How do you know about a horcrux?"

Harry explained him about the mission giving him the barest details while telling him of all the horcruxes which he had found and destroyed. He told about how they were taken captive by Snatchers and taken to Malfoy Manor where Bellatrix's apprehension about them breaking-in her vault had given them an idea that there may be a horcrux in her vault.

When he was done telling, the goblin asked him, "Who helped you in the break-in? As I understand you would not have been able to find your way in without inside help. Name the traitor to us."

Harry told him about how they rescued Griphook and took him to Shell Cottage where they cared for him and nurtured him back to health. How he had helped them form the plans and later betrayed them. When Harry was done telling, the goblin did not say anything for a few moments before he started speaking, "The traitor Griphook was killed in Malfoy Manor where he was summoned by the Dark Lord V. Vol. Voldemort. However the account manager for the Lestranges is alive and he will have to suffer the brunt of breaking the policies of the bank with his head."

Harry tried to interfere but Kingsley nudged him with his leg to not to. The goblins did not take kindly to interference by others in their own matters. Kingsley asked him, "Kord, what now? Is the matter resolved?"

The goblin shook his head, "Not yet. There is still the matter of the damage caused. If Mr. Potter is willing to compensate for the damage caused and the escaped dragon, we will let the matter go."

Harry was apprehensive, "I don't know how much money I have in my vault or if it would be sufficient to pay for the damage caused."

The goblin pulled a piece of parchment from his table and passed it to him, "This is the account statement of the trust vault you have been using since last 7 years."

Harry read the numbers at the bottom and his eyebrows threatened to disappear in his head, "Is that true?"

The goblin nodded, "It is true. The trust vault contains 1,00,000/- Galleons at this moment and provisions were made to refill it with 20,000/- Galleons every year while you stayed at Hogwarts. You however have been spending very little of it and I would say that you are not one to splurge."

Harry's mind was in over-drive but before his other questions were answered, he had to settle the issue of break-in with Kord, "How much do I have to pay?"

Kingsley protested, "He is paying nothing. The ministry will settle it."

Harry asked him, "Do you have that much money? I would think that Voldemort and his followers bankrupted the ministry." He turned to the Goblin, "You name your price."

The goblin grinned, "We have assessed the cost of repairs and a dragon at 70,000/- Galleons. You can simply pay your share while leave it for others to pay theirs."

Harry shook his head, "No. I will pay this entire amount but I do not want you to go after Ron and Hermione about it. Once we settle the account, this will not be mentioned again like ever. Are we agreed?"

Kingsley interrupted, "The horcrux was placed in the Bank due to your negligence. You cannot ask him to pay for the damage."

The goblin growled, "Yes it was our mistake but if it was not here Mr. Potter would not have been able to find it so we are not only to blame."

Kingsley spoke, "He is not paying the entire amount which you are asking for repairs. Lower down the price or I would ask the Wizengamot to levy penalty on the bank for breach of rules."

The goblin thought for a few minutes before he spoke, "Alright. He will have to pay 50,000/- Galleons for the repairs. Are we agreed?"

Harry nodded, "We are agreed, Mr. Kord."

The goblin did the necessary formalities and handled him an updated statement of account which showed that 50,000/- Galleons had been deducted.

The goblin turned to Kingsley, "We have some private business with Mr. Potter, Minister. Please excuse us."

The minister looked apprehensive and asked Harry, "Are you sure you want me to leave?"

Harry had no idea of dealing with the goblins before and he did not know how crafty they could be so he wanted someone to be there with him who understood how the goblins worked. He had tried to ask Bill but Bill had told him that since he was an employee of the bank, he could not help him in this matter.

He turned to the goblin, "If it is all the same to you, I would prefer that the Minister is present here. I trust him with my life."

The goblin shrugged, "As you say. Now I wanted to discuss the issue of your inheritance with you."

The goblin clapped his hands and another goblin entered. Kord barked orders to him in Gobbledygook and the goblin hurried to follow his orders. Kord then turned to Harry, "Mr. Potter, as you well know, your family is one of the oldest families in Britain coming from Linfred of Stinchcombe..."

Harry interrupted him, "I do not know anything about my family, Mr. Kord. All I know is that my father's name was James Potter and my mother's name was Lily Potter and they were 21 years old when they died."

The goblin's expressions were as if someone had smacked him, "Mr Potter, do you meant to tell me that you know nothing about your family? You don't know about your grand-parents?"

Harry shook his head, "No, I don't know anything about them."

The goblin was visibly disturbed as it was evident from his facial expressions. However he morphed his face in an impassive mask, "I am surprised that no one ever told you about your family. Did you ever ask anyone about them?"

Now that the goblin asked, Harry did not know what to answer. It had never occurred to him to enquire after his family even once in the last 7 years and he was ashamed to admit it to the goblin but Kord was looking at him expectantly so he had to answer him, "Actually no. It never occurred to me to ask anything about my family. When I was little, I was taught not to ask any questions so I guess it never occurred to me."

The goblin nodded, "Mr. Potter I did not knew that it is so bad. I would tell you what little I know. Your family is descended from Linfred of Stinchcombe credited with discovering many potions including the earlier versions of Skele-gro and pepper-up potions. He had seven children, the eldest of them was Hardwin Potter who married Lolanthe Peverell, the grand-daughter of Ignotus Peverell and the line of Peverell was assimilated in the line of Potter. Your ancestors have been in various trades like Auror, Potioneers and one of them even went to become the Minister of Magic. While your family is old one, they never were at the forefront of WIzarding World though and content with solid and comforting existence in the backwaters. One of your ancestors Abraham Potter who was a member of a branch of the family moved to the USA and became one of the first 12 Aurors of MACUSA. Ralston Potter who was a member of the wizengamot was also crucial in enactment of the Statute of Secrecy in 16th century. Your grand-father, Fleamont Potter invented Sleek-eazy hair potion which is one of the most selling cosmetic potions in the world. He was really old when your father was born and died sometime before you were born in the Dragonpox epidemic of 80's and was soon followed by his wife Euphemia."

Harry's mind was reeling. He had never known so much in detail about his family but now that he did, he realised he should have known it much earlier.

The goblin continued, "Your account manager had died a few years after the death of your parents and we waited you to come so we could appoint a manager to your family but you never came to inquire after your inheritance. We waited for you to turn 17 when it would become due to you but then the war broke out."

Harry asked him, "You could have sent me a letter at school."

The goblin said, "We have sent a letter a month to you for the last 7 years."

Harry protested his statement, "I never received a letter from you. All the letters that I did receive were from my friends or Hogwarts."

The goblin frowned, "There must be a mail redirection ward on you then. You should get yourself examined by one of our curse breakers. Did you never thought that despite being so famous why you never received a letter from anyone? I mean there should have been hundreds of letters sent to you in this time period."

Now that he thought about it, Harry found some reason in his statement. He needed some answers and he knew who could give them to him. For now, dealing with the goblins was important. He turned to Kord, "Is there anything else you want to discuss?"

The goblin nodded, "Yes. Since you are here, I want you to take your inheritance. There is the Potter inheritance and then there is the Black inheritance."

Harry frowned, "Can you explain these inheritances?"

The goblin nodded, "The Potter inheritance is simple. Your family has large amount of gold which is all left to you along with a lot of real estate. The Black inheritance is little complex. Sirius Black who was your god-father had named you his successor in his will and due to that you are entitled to the Black inheritance as well. It is equally rich, if not more, as Potter inheritance and you get two seats on the wizengamot."

"Seats?", Harry asked him.

Kingsley explained, "Harry, the members of Wizengamot are generally from the old families. There is a distinction of Ancient, Ancient and Noble and Ancient and Most Noble Houses and almost all Ancient and Most Noble Houses are members. There are 50 seats in Wizengamot out of which 13 houses belong to Ancient and Most Noble while 17 are Ancient and Noble Houses and Noble Houses while the rest are filled by the Ministry. You as Head of House of Potter and House of Black are eligible to hold two of them."

Harry asked him, "Is it necessary for me to take the seats?"

Kingsley chuckled, "Yes it is. With you on the Wizengamot, it would be easier for us to bring our desired motions to bring some much needed change in our world."

Harry nodded, "Alright, I agree to this." He turned to the goblin, "Are we done here?"

The goblin shook his head, "Not yet. You are to take your rings before you go."

A goblin entered the chamber and deposited handful of documents at Kord's table and retreated. Kord picked up a ledger which he gave to Harry, "This ledger contains a self-updating summary of Potter accounts and all of your properties." He handed another ledger to him, "This is a ledger of Black accounts and all properties."

Harry took the two books and without thinking, he pulled out his wand when the goblin snapped, "What do you think you are doing wizard?"

Harry asked him, surprised, "I was going to shrink these to keep in my pockets."

Kingsley explained, "Umm Harry, pulling a wand in Gringotts is an offense unless you have asked for permission."

Harry turned to the goblin, "Sorry, I didn't know."

The goblin said amusingly, "You know Mr. Potter, you are very interesting wizard."

Harry could not think what to make of his statement. He pocketed his wand and the goblin produced a small box for him. It was mahogany wood and inside, two rings lay on a bed of velvet. The rings were made of gold with a ruby atop it having a coat of arms. The gobin picked one of rings and handed it to him, "This is the ring of the Head of House, Mr. Potter and the other ring is of the heir. Wear this on your ring finger."

Harry slipped it on his finger and the goblin pulled out another box which contained two rings. These were made of gold and had Obsidian atop it with coat of arms. Harry slipped it on his ring finger and turned to the goblin, "Anything else?"

The goblin shook his head, "We need to appoint an Account Manager for you now."

Kingsley said, "If I may ask who is maintaining the account of House of Black?"

The goblin replied, "Bluntaxe is dealing with that account."

Kingsley turned to Harry, "You can have Bluntaxe deal with both of those accounts while keeping them separate. It would be convenient to you."

Harry nodded, "Please ask Bluntaxe to deal with Black Accounts too."

The goblin nodded, "If you need anything else, please ask for Bluntaxe at the teller counters the next time. He will be handling your accounts from now."

Harry nodded, "Sure. However I need to draw some Galleons now. I have to buy some new clothes."

The goblin produced a sack which he gave to him, "This sack will never run empty till you have gold in your account. For the muggle world, you can exchange galleons into pounds at the front counter."

With that Harry took his leave of the Goblin to come out of the Bank. He had shopping to do, arrangement to make and to find exactly what was in his inheritance.