This story is based on characters and developed from some situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter 8.
Blood and Orb.
8th July. Day 11 continued.
Arriving at Gringotts directly into an office, especially one as opulent as this with its marble columns, ornate desk the size of a large car, thick carpet and comfortable sofa's and chairs, was a new experience for both Harry and Ginny. To be greeted warmly on arrival and helped up from the floor, where he fell as usual when emerging from the Floo, was probably not, Harry guessed, the usual actions towards most customers arriving at the bank. There were three goblins in the office, Harry recognised the one helping him up.
"Thanks Griphook, good to see you again." He smiled.
"Thank you, Lord Potter, I'm amazed you remember me, based on one meeting, most Wizards would not have bothered." The Goblin said.
"Then I think most Wizards need to learn better manners." Harry responded.
The other Goblins in the room looked impressed with the young Lord, who was taking in his surroundings. He was taking especial interest in the large portraits of important looking Goblins on the walls, which he guessed may be of past heads of the bank.
While it was a large room, and impressive, it was modestly, though brightly, decorated, allowing the portraits to dominate the walls. There was a double wooden door, next to a single one, on one of the walls, a row of filing cabinets stretched round the other walls, the only breaks being where the fireplace was and where a window overlooked the main foyer from high above it. At the centre of the carpeted floor was a large desk, with sufficient chairs arranged around it for those present for the meeting, the position of the desk was so that the guests would have their backs to the fireplace. That was strategic, Harry recognised, a test of trust, that the Goblins would protect them in this room, while they had their backs to an entrance. Above the desk was an ornate chandelier, the most decorative object in the room, though there was a shield above the fireplace, rather than a painting.
Griphook introduced the other Goblins to Harry and the others. "My Lords, may I present the head of the bank, Director Ragnar and the chief of our Genealogical department, Clandor who will conduct the two heritage rituals, gentlemen, this is Lord Potter."
"There are not many who bother to remember our names Lord Potter, I am impressed, how is it that you know Griphook?" Asked Ragnar.
Harry smiled. "Oh he took me to my vault when I visited the Bank for the first time, when I was eleven. Actually when I think about it, that was my first and actually my only other visit here so far. It seems that, perhaps, Griphook is looking after me each time I am here. He was also one of the first people I ever met in the magical world, and until our arrival today the only Goblin I knew the name of."
Ragnar nodded. "I see, I expect that, all things being well, there may be more visits here for you in the future. As you know the vault which Griphook took you to on that occasion, simply holds your trust fund, it was not the main Potter family one."
Harry looked perplexed, Bella stepped in. "Director, you may not be aware of this, but unfortunately we have recently discovered that Dumbledore has been acting as Harry's magical guardian without appropriate authority. He simply assumed the role and the Ministry accepted it on face value. More pertinently to this conversation is that we have also discovered that there is much which he should have done which he hasn't bothered to do, for some reason. Among the matters that Dumbledore failed to inform Harry of was keeping Harry informed of his status, in fact it was only yesterday evening that Lord Potter learnt of his title at all. It would appear that with the expression on my Godsons face, this would also include any banking business and financial matters. Naturally this is a reflection on those who have kept his Lordship in the dark, not this bank or the Goblin nation, the wider issue is already under investigation by Amelia Bones, so we shall get to the bottom of this. We have now been made his legal magical guardians, as instructed in the extract of his parents will held on their DMLE file, rest assured that this problem will not reoccur in the future."
Ragnar looked alarmed. "My apologies Lord Potter, we will naturally furnish Madam Bones with any information we may have or uncover to help her investigations. We shall lock down all your vaults immediately, at least until today's formalities are complete and you give instruction as appropriate. Do you have any of your vault key's with you?"
"I'm sorry no, I never have had one now I think of it. Hagrid had it when I came last, Mrs. Weasley came for my stuff once or twice, so she must have had a key, but I've never been given one. In fact apart from the time I went with Griphook, I have never been to my vault again." He replied. "Oh and please call me Harry, I am still getting used to this Lord Potter business, what with only finding out about it last night and all."
"Very well Harry." The director responded, surprised by the revelations he had just been told, then gave some orders to Griphook in Gobbledegook, the Goblin left the room at a run.
Ragnar turned back to them. "Please forgive me but, it was important I gave those orders in our language, they will be passed on in the same manner, telling the recipient that the order is of the highest importance and to be dealt with above any other matters short of an emergency. I have instructed Griphook to ensure all keys are destroyed and I have ordered an immediate audit of your vaults to look at the activity, especially withdrawals, all of which we shall be able to trace without difficulty. If there are any that you are unaware of, or that are in any way suspicious, then we shall deal with them as required."
"Thank you." Harry nodded. "I appreciate your urgency in this."
Ragnar then looked at the two youngsters. "Now I think it would be for the best, if Miss. Weasley goes for her heritage test first, I am most intrigued to know what it is your house Elf senses Lord Black, they are rarely wrong in such matters. I also need to show Harry his parents will, and see if more has been circumvented and if there are other instructions to be administered. Then once both of the rituals are complete we shall look at the results and see what they tell us. Interestingly our records tell us that Harry is the first Lord Potter to take the test since it became available, so that could raise some unexpected results as well."
Bella went with Ginny, following Clandor through the single door to the next room, while Sirius remained with Harry. The Will revealed much, including a guardianship list, which did not include Dumbledore or the Dursley's rather the opposite in fact. It instructed that neither should be involved in Harry's childhood at all, it seemed that the stories of how much his parents trusted the headmaster were unfounded. Their assessment of the man would raise eyebrows as quickly as they raised a laugh from Harry and Sirius, if they became widely known. The Potter vaults, three of them including two trust vaults, were all his, minus bequests to Sirius and Bella, Remus, the Longbottoms and the Bones. There was also a large list of properties owned and companies either wholly or partly owned by the family, not to mention two seats on the Wizangamot, one for each of the Potter and Peverell families. There was also quite a lot of advice for Harry as well as personal messages from James and Lily to him and to each of those named as either guardians or beneficiaries. His parents had even written a message for whoever Harry married, which they agreed should be read to Ginny when she returned. At its conclusion, all three of them were quite sure that a large amount of information had been deliberately kept from Harry, though it was also not all that had been. Most seriously, at the moment, was his lack of training to be able to run the responsibilities he had inherited effectively, that would need to change urgently. Now he knew of them, he would need to know how to run the estates, and houses, learn the regulations and duties he had to keep, he had many responsibilities in the position he held as Lord of his house. At least they would run parallel with those he would have should the alliance re-emerge as expected, Sirius knew that they would need to talk about that soon.
Sirius looked at Harry. "Not to worry pup!" He smiled reassuringly at the unasked question on his Godson's face and not wanting to add to his worries until they were somewhere they could talk freely, he did not mention the Alliance. "Bella and I are here to help, I expect that our new arrivals will as well and there is no doubt Ginny will be there for you as well. You are perfectly capable Harry, and we shall be there to help."
Ragnar also spoke reassuringly. "I can assure you that this bank and the Goblin nation shall be happy to offer whatever help we can, as well Lord Potter."
"Thank you, I am certain I shall need it." Harry replied, just as the door to the side room opened again.
Ginny had finished the heritage ritual, so she and Bella re entered the room, she hugged Harry as he stood to pass her, he and Sirius went into the room where Clandor was waiting for them.
While the Will was being read and Ginny took her heritage ritual, Griphook had acted quickly to secure the Potter family Vaults, as ordered but, also because he was determined to do everything he could for the remarkable young Lord, who had remembered his name. The Goblin knew that was rare, in fact it was almost unheard-of. Few Wizards or Witches even bothered to discover their names, he had heard many complain they could not tell individual Goblins apart in any case, a claim he found to be ridiculous. Clearly it was not true, just the laziness of Wizard kind, an indolence born of arrogance he believed, as did many of his species. Certainly Goblins could be arrogant, but it was not in their nature to be so lazy that they did not take the trouble to note the differences in individuals of other races. They might treat each one the same way, despite their reputation, but they still needed to know which individuals were which.
Lord Potter though, he was different to any Witch or Wizard of whatever heritage he had ever come across, the first to treat him without disdain or contempt. Griphook could tell that the human had a respect for others, no matter others view of them. He sensed that the young human had learnt this respect, through being treated as the lowest himself. Griphook did not know who had treated Harry in such a way, he didn't need to know to realise that since he had re entered this world, Lord Potter had been kept in the dark, and probably had been cheated by his own kind.
Oddly, Griphook could tell that this concerned Ragnar more than it might have done, Usually they would act to prevent loss urgently of course, it would naturally be a high priority. This time though, the orders given in their own language had told him all he needed to know to realise the head of their nation regarded this as the highest current priority. This was not simply to look good to the two Alliance families, nor was it to place the young Lord in the Goblin nation's debt, this was something else. Ragnar had not needed to make it this high a priority, but he had. Griphook had known, the moment the orders were given in the way they had been, that Ragnar had also seen what he had in this boy. That Lord Potter, was a human who was more than worthy of the respect of Goblin kind.
Griphook entered the office of the head of security, spoke briefly to him, passing on the orders of Ragnar, in precisely the manner the head of their nation had given it to him. Without another word between them, they quickly set to work. There was no need for them to discuss the matter, or for the order to be checked, they both knew no Goblin would deliver orders in this manner from anyone other than Ragnar, or risk losing their lives if they did. Retrieving all the records required, showing all transactions on the accounts since the death of Lord James Potter and his wife, they efficiently set the audit going.
While the records were being subjected to an initial audit, they activated a crystal that controlled the issue of keys for the Potter accounts. It glowed red, indicating that all keys were being destroyed where they were, The two Goblins grinned to each other, they hoped that anyone who had the keys was holding them at this moment, if they were then a small measure of revenge would have been gained as the keys disintegrated. While they emitted a light and heat, the pain anyone holding them felt, would make them think twice about complaining or stealing a vault key again. New keys would be issued Magically by either Ragnar or the account manager if requested by Lord Potter.
It was not long before they had the results of the initial Audit, there were some very suspicious transactions beginning a few days after the death of the last Lord Potter and his wife. It was clear that the withdrawals had been made with the compliance of the Account Manager, a breach of Goblin nation law which Ragnar would be furious about. As a result a full audit of the account was begun and the head of the banks' security sent out two of his most trusted Goblins on a special task. While the work continued, Griphook took the initial reports and set off back to Ragnar's office, where he would update the senior Goblin on what was happening so far.
The moment the crystal had glowed red at Gringotts, a small key, on a hook, in a drawer in the desk, in the empty office of the Headmaster at Hogwarts flared brightly and disappeared, leaving no sign it had ever been there. At the same time, Molly Weasley was busily washing dishes in the kitchen, so didn't notice a glow emanate from her hand bag. The key Dumbledore had given her to a vault that was not his had disintegrated to nothing, a fact she would not notice for some time.
Harry entered the room off Ragnar's' office, with Sirius, Clandor nodded in greeting. "Harry all you need do is drop some blood into this dish and place your hand on the orb here afterwards." The Goblin indicated a soapstone bowl next to a clear crystal ball, a silver knife set between them.
Harry nodded, he picked up the knife, using it to slice his palm and let the blood run into the bowl. Once sufficient was given, Clandor healed the wound, but did not clean up the residual blood from his palm. Harry place his hand on the cool crystal, the orb glowed as the time passed with his hand resting on it. Several times it changed colour and warmed before cooling again, as the minutes passed, all three of them watching it. Harry was barely aware of a mist of his blood rising from the bowl and falling onto a long roll of parchment, where writing appeared as the test continued. Harry was not close enough to the Parchment to see what was being written, but figured he would find out later in any case. After what seemed like an age watching the process, his scar began to bleed and his head fell forwards to rest on his outstretched arm.
Sirius jumped up. "What's going on Clandor?" He asked, alarmed.
The goblin examined the orb, which was currently a swirling maelstrom of black and Green smoke, apparently battling each other. "It seems that a fragment of someone else's soul is within Lord Potter, the Orb is forcing it out, helped by his own magic. I would say that as his scar is bleeding that, that is where the foreign piece of soul is lodged, but it will not be there for long. Several blocks on his magic and development have been removed, so he is already much more powerful than before, as a result, I feel sure that this will enable him to force the alien soul fragment out. Strange that both young people had such blocks on them, it is rare to find such restrictions on anyone at all, for two to have them together, in consecutive tests, is unprecedented. As I told Lady Black, regarding Miss Weasley, we can expect them to change, a few talents may well emerge that they should have grown up with and I should expect them both to grow physically overnight tonight. Please excuse me, I must capture the soul fragment as it is expelled, then it can be analysed, and with luck identified. Don't worry, he will regain consciousness once the ritual is complete."
"Bloody Hell" Sirius groaned, while the Goblin prepared a crystal jar to contain the fragment. "Trust Harry, it had to happen to him didn't it, the attention of being different."
"Indeed Lord Black, I have seen some of that attention, specifically from Ms. Skeeter, I can understand it being unwanted from that source." The goblin smiled, his eyes not leaving Harry. "For two to be affected so, in a day is unusual to say the least, they are the first this century and I have never heard of a human vessel for a Horcrux before. Ah!" The Goblin moved swiftly as the dark fog rose, screaming, from Harry's scar, to capture it in the jar which he sealed and it began to glow, etching writing in the crystal. "Got it!" The Goblin said triumphantly.
"Can we tell who's soul fragmented it is or even who placed the blocks?" Sirius asked.
Clandor studied both the Orb and the writing on the jar. "The soul fragmented is from one Tom Marvollo Riddle, we found and destroyed another part of his soul contained in a founders cup in a vault several years ago. We deem such objects a threat to us and so dealt with it appropriately, just as our agreements allowed. It was in fact the impersonator of your wife who deposited it there, in her husbands voice. As for the blocks we shall discover that, when we have the results of the test and examine more than just the families they are descended from."
It took a further fifteen minutes for the ritual to complete, Harry's scar had completely gone by the end of it, he came round just as the orb cleared.
"Well that was odd." said Harry. "I could hear what you both were saying, so I know about what happened. By the way Riddle is the real name of Lord Voldemort, he told me that in my second year, when I rescued Ginny from him in the Chamber of secrets. Well actually a shade of him that was controlling her via a diary, something about it meant he was coming back to life as a teenager, until I put a Basilisk fang though the book."
Clandor gave a predatory smile "That explains much which we did not know of him, Lord Voldemort never visited the bank, he seemingly came out of nowhere, but Tom Riddle is known to us. His mother was of the Gaunt family, his father a Muggle. Imagine news that he is a half blood, pure blood supremacist breaking, that could be very interesting. Would you mind if we released this to the press Harry, we wouldn't mention your role in this if you don't want us to, especially as you will have retained any talents having that abomination in you gave you, on top of any released with the removal of the blocks on you."
"Alright, but don't mention me more than is necessary. His blood status should create an interesting talking point, at the very least." Harry replied. "Although I can't see why blood status is important, I know it is in our society and am not daft enough to believe it is going to change any time soon, so lets make use of it to give them all a shock if we can. Who knows, it might even wake some of his followers up."
They returned to the main office, Ginny ran to Harry and hugged him. "Are you alright, you were such a long time, don't tell me you had some blocks as well." She asked him.
"Yep, seems someone didn't want us as strong as we could be. Riddle left a bit of his soul in my head too, it's gone now though." He replied returning the hug.
Ginny looked at him, curiously, then broke into a grin. "Your scar, it's gone." She exclaimed happily, then kissed him.
"Come on you two love birds, come and sit down, lets see who your ancestors were." Bella laughed.
The two teens sat in front of Ragnar's desk, just as Griphook returned and sat next to the director, their heads together talking urgently. Clandor entered the room, large parchments were folded on his arms. He divided the stack into two, set them on the desk, then took his seat to. Ragnar and Griphook finished their conversation and the older Goblin looked directly at Harry.
"Harry I hope you will forgive us, but I must be formal for a moment." Ragnar began. "Lord Potter, all keys to your vaults have been destroyed, the locks have been changed and new keys made, you shall have access to your gold before you leave today. However, our initial audit has shown that monies have been taken from them via your trust vault, the goblin in charge of the accounts has confessed to aiding Dumbledore in this and has been ejected from the bank in disgrace, he will face trial under our laws. We are already conducting a full audit and based on what the traitor has confessed frozen a number of accounts that have benefited, including a one in a muggle bank. You may appoint a new manager or allow me to choose one, if you have no particular Goblin in mind. Finally, I formally apologise on behalf of the Goblin nation, I assure you that if you continue to trust us we shall ensure you receive the service you should expect from us. I hope you can come to trust us again, My Lord."
Harry nodded "Thank you Director Ragnar, your honesty is much appreciated and I look forward to continuing to work with you and the Goblin Nation as we move forward together to rectify all that has happened. With due respect to yourself, and to your abilities to select someone within this bank who would be more than capable of looking after my account properly, I do have a Goblin who leaps to mind for the job. I would like to ask if it is appropriate, to ask that Griphook be my account manager, he is the Goblin I have known longest."
Ragnar smiled. "Thank you, Lord Potter, Griphook do you accept the position."
Griphook looked surprised to say the least. "Of course, I would be honoured to do so, if you are sure about it Lord Potter?"
"Yes Griphook, I'm sure. That you ask if I am, convinces me further that you are the right choice, I am certain we shall be able to work together and trust each other in the matters that have arisen today and as we go forward from them afterwards." Harry replied with a smile. "Of that I have no doubt, none at all."
"Then it is so, congratulations Griphook, you have just become our youngest senior account manager from this moment on, for one of our largest customers as well. I trust you will live up to the high esteem Lord Potter has placed on you." Ragnar said before turning back to Harry. "Formal part done, I can now thank you, Harry, for the incredible faith you have just placed in my son. I am proud that he has engendered such trust for one so young, he has clearly made the best of impressions on you, for you to have given my family such a great honour. Now I believe it is time that we turned our attention onto the other reason we are here, the heritage tests, Clandor, if you please."
"The blood tests are verified by the orb, both revealed and broke blocks on the magic of both young people, including family magic and some natural abilities as a result they can expect growth spurts over the next day or so. Both results are lengthy, not unexpected given the families both were believed to be from. One appears to be not from the family believed, but both sets of results contain surprises which will have implications for them and for society as a whole. Simply because it is the closest to me I will open Harry's results first." The Goblin told them.
Opening the parchment the contents of the first page projected above the table for them all to read.
Clandor pointed out that Harry's earliest traceable ancestor was Merlin himself, as the tree followed a direct line down the sheets showed numerous well known names including Peverell, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Via various generations he was the heir of them all, it was quite overwhelming. There were connections to many Wizarding families, however, just above his own name Harry noticed a mistake, or at least so, he thought.
"That's odd." He said pointing at the appropriate entry. "Why is my mothers name listed as Carina Potter née Black with the name Lily Potter née Evans adopted in brackets."
Sirius face went white as he to saw it. "It can't be!" He said in disbelief.
Bella was obviously shocked as well. "Merlin, if that is true, it's no wonder at all that I got on so well with her." She whispered and put her hand comfortingly on her husbands arm.
"Lord Black." Clandor was not unsympathetic and his voice betrayed that. "It seems that your sister, somehow, was adopted by Muggles and from our records never checked her lineage through a ritual. I doubt that she was ever aware of her true identity."
Sirius looked at Harry. "It looks like Draco will have to settle for Lord Malfoy on its own Harry, Carina, your mother, was my twin sister, who disappeared when we were young. Which means, that you are my nephew and, which is a closer relationship than he has, so you are the heir to the house of Black as a result."
Harry's mouth dropped. "I have living family, and not the Dursleys. Hang on, that means they are not blood related to me at all."
Next he knew Ginny was weeping on his shoulder.
Confused he patted her back. "Hey Gin, I didn't mean you weren't like family to me, it's just I've never had a family of my own."
"It's not that Harry, it's just I'm so happy for you, it's what you always wanted." She assured him.
Ragnar interrupted. "Harry, just so you know, because of these results, you now have access to at least a further forty vaults and possibly numerous others on just the Potter line. Each of them should have been passed to your family before, we shall see if we can find any records why they weren't. Though often when a vault is not remembered as being inherited it simply means the first beneficiary had no call to use it and it was forgotten in the intervening generations, so not listed in subsequent wills. It will keep some of our staff busy checking our records to trace exactly how many there are, once done you can make a decision as to what you want to do with the content and the vaults themselves. Aside from that, you also now own a significantly large number of assets in both worlds, including several companies, much of Diagon Alley and side streets, substantial parts of Godrics Hollow, as well as a number of houses, both here in the UK and abroad, including some large ones with associated estates. Politically you now have about half the seats that are currently held in proxy on the Wizangamot. You have also moved up the ranks of Wizarding nobility, from Lord Potter, a Viscount like your Uncle here, to an Earldom, the highest rank we use in the Wizarding world, we have no Marquess or Dukes like the Muggles do. That said, one of your properties once carried a now defunct Dukedom, which could be revived by the Monarch, should she choose to do so, but it has been moribund for over six centuries. Oh yes, I should mention that you now own three quarters of the Hogwarts property amongst your new holdings, that includes the Castle, grounds, and wider estate including Hogsmeade. Although, many of the buildings there are owned by the occupier, you simply retain the land they are on. Your name has now been lodged officially as the Earl Harry James Potter Black, though usually you should still be addressed as My Lord, when you marry, your wife will become a Countess as a result. We shall prepare a complete portfolio for you, but rest assured, you are now by far our largest customer."
Harry merely nodded, stunned by the sheer amount of news he was being given.
During the reading several boxes had appeared on the table, Ragnar moved them towards Harry. "These are your family rings you must wear them from now on. Don't worry they will merge together on your hand, they should be worn on the centre finger of your right hand." The director said.
Still in shock Harry took the first ring placing it on the finger, it glowed, he then added the second, it to glowed, then merged with the first. He repeated the process with all rings, each merging into one, slightly altering the seal the unified ring displayed on top.
Once that was done Clandor turned to Ginny "My lady, it seems Harry is not the only one for whom the test has discovered a mystery in their lineage." He projected the parchment of her family tree next to Harry's. "It seems you are the heir to Ravenclaw for one, between you, you and Harry own Hogwarts in its entirety. You are also heir to a number of families, and as such very wealthy on your own right."
Ginny was confused "I'm sorry Clandor, but how can that be, I am the youngest child of the Weasley's surely my parents or brothers would inherit?"
Clandor smiled. "My apologies my lady, I enjoy maintaining a little air of mystery on the rare occasions I can do so. You may recall that I mentioned earlier, one of you is not who we believed them to be. The tests prove beyond any possible doubt that you are not a daughter of the Weasley, nor even of the Prewitt houses, at least there is no link between your blood line and theirs for at least twenty generations, and even then it is a tenuous link."
"What?" The four humans asked, surprised, Harry pulled Ginny to him and held her comfortingly.
The Goblin continued. "In nineteen eighty-one a very powerful and wealthy family were struck by tragedy. Their new born daughter disappeared from St Mungo's, no trace was ever found of her, at least not until now. You are that long, lost child and sole heir to everything they owned and most of the remaining seats held in proxy on the Wizangamot. There is no doubt about your identity, no doubt at all." He held the parchment at the first page, revealing the name of the individual who had taken the test.
They all read. "Lady Ginevra Mary Ashmole, known as Ginevra Molly Weasley by virtue of illegal adoption. Parents Lord Maximilian Ashmole, Alchemist and the Lady Mary Ashmole both deceased. Legally appointed Magical guardians Sirius Black and Bellatrix Black, named God parents."
"The information regarding guardianship is from the Ashmole's will, they died in nineteen eighty-nine, which was the day the ministry formally stopped the investigation into your disappearance and declared you probably dead." Clandor explained. "That was despite us informing them that the family vaults remained active, indicating to us that you were still alive."
More boxes with rings had appeared on the desk in their boxes, this time for Ginny, who numbly put them on, each one merging with the other as they touched. Harry held his stunned girlfriend as she tried to absorb the information.
Bella was first to break the silence. "Director, is it known who arranged either of the adoptions?"
A parchment flew from each stack on the desk and landed in front of Ragnar who carefully read them before answering.
"You may not be aware, but as soon as the tests were complete, any and all relevant paperwork appears from our files hence the stacks on the desk. Copies of the applicable documents held in the Ministry are also included, no matter how quietly lodged or secret they may be." He explained. "As you just saw, when you asked that question, the charms on my desk ensured that any parchment that would be useful to giving the answer came to my hand. So in the case of Lady Potter, it appears that the Muggles who brought her up were unaware that she had been kidnapped, however the adoption was arranged by Albus Dumbledore, who knows what he knew about it. The lady Ashmole's adoption certificate is signed by the head master also, however it is also signed by Molly Weasley, although none of it refers to the name Ashmole of course. There is no evidence that her husband knew, neither his name, or his magical signature seem to appear on any of the paperwork relating to it."
"I've lost my family" Ginny whispered then more firmly. "No, they were never family, to lose, but they brought me up. Harry what am I going to do?"
"Gin my love, you have family, we are here for you." Harry said gently, "We just need to find out as much as we can about all this."
Sirius placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let's get Arthur here, see what he knows, see where it goes from there. I suspect Ginny he will still be proud to be the man that raised you, and I think most of your brothers may well not want to lose their sister. In the meantime Ginny, for your own protection, finish putting your family rings on, they will help to prevent Dumbledore meddling any further for example."
Ginny nodded and while she put on the last couple of her rings, a message was sent to Arthur.
Ragnar looked at the two teens who were coping with so much sudden change in their lives, none of which had been of their doing. It looked like so many people had interfered and attempted to control their destinies, they deserved better. From the habit of his species, he looked at their aura's, he could see that both were powerful, trustworthy humans, but that was not all, there was something else, something rare, so rare he had trouble identifying it. Then suddenly he grabbed the heritage parchments and scanned them quickly, could it possibly be true, if so then it would have been detected within the ritual.
Looking up at them again he groaned internally, it had to be done. "I hate to ask this of you, but could we conduct a power test? You are both separately very politically powerful, but I think there is even more to this. If I am right and the indications on these parchments suggest I may be, there is yet another reason for the kidnappings." He asked.
Harry and Ginny looked at each other, then back to Ragnar and nodded.
"Good!" The Goblin sighed. "Don't worry, this one is simple, simply shoot a Stunner at that shield on the wall behind you, you first my Lady."
The couple stood and in turn shot the spell at the shield accurately striking the centre of it, each time the shield glowed white and a parchment fluttered to Ragnar's desk.
He picked up the parchments, looked at them each in turn intently, then grinned toothily. "As I thought, you two are now the most powerful witch and wizard alive today, in fact you have the same strength of magic in your cores as Merlin did, no one has had that much power since then, but according to these tests and your Auras, you have yet to recover your full strength since the blocks were released. At that time there was a fast surge, which gave you most of it, but it has slowed to allow your bodies time to adjust and later develop so the full amount of your natural magical power can be released. That will likely happen during your physical growth overnight."
"That's why someone bound our cores?" Ginny asked.
Ragnar nodded.
"Who?" Harry asked.
"It appears that Dumbledore put the initial spell on you Harry, he topped it up regularly until you started school my Lord." Ragnar informed him, checking a parchment.
"The bastard, he actually visited the Dursley's? While I was growing up? He knew how they treated me and did nothing about it." Harry shot another spell at the shield to relieve the fury he felt, it glowed white again. "Sorry Ragnar."
The Goblin laughed. "Don't worry about it." He caught the parchment that fell, it confirmed the information on the first. "Now Ginny, your bindings were also placed by Dumbledore originally, but reinforced regularly by Molly Weasley and replenished by her until you went to Hogwarts."
Ginny simply nodded and grabbed Harry's hand.
"What about after they went to School, I would have thought the old goat would do it then?" Sirius asked.
Ragnar shook his head. "No, it seems one, or other of them taught Ron Weasley to do the necessary spell on both of you."
Both the teens fired a spell at the shield simultaneously, it glowed white-hot from their combined power.
Ragnar laughed heartily as the Parchment fell into his hand, his eyebrows raised. "Impressive! Your combined power is quite remarkable." He grinned. "However in light of this, I shall subject the Ashmole accounts to the same audit as those of the Earl, especially as there is no individual Goblin managing them, since your birth parents died they have been administered as on hold, they gave no other instructions, except that if you were ever found you were to inherit all. I shall also issue new keys for your vaults as well, but in the meantime perhaps we ought formally read their will, for your information and confirmation of guardianship at the least."
The parchment flew to his hand, and Ragnar read it out. As expected Sirius and Bella were named to be God parents and Guardians should Ginny be found before adulthood. There was also an account of the truth about the Blacks, then finally only two bequests. The first committing a fund for the up keep of Ginny, the second leaving everything to her. Ragnar promised that a full accounting would be compiled, similarly to that for Earl Potters inheritance.
Ginny nodded, like Harry quite overwhelmed, Harry squeezed her hand comfortingly, and she looked up. "Ragnar I wonder if it would be in order that, Griphook manage my accounts as well as Harry's?" She asked.
Ragnar nodded. "Of course it is, my Lady, if he is agreeable." He turned to the younger Goblin.
"I would be honoured." Griphook replied in amazement, bowing deeply clearly surprised at being asked.
Ragnar repeated the formal request that he had used earlier when his son had been installed as the account manager of Harry's vaults, Griphook making the same formal responses as he had before. Within moments, he had become responsible for the Ashmole and other accounts now held by Ginny.
A knock on the door drew their attention, the door opened and two guards escorted Mr. Weasley in, the instant he saw Ginny, he knew from her expression that what Molly had said over breakfast was true.
"I'm so sorry Gin." He visibly slumped.
"You knew? Was it you who took me?" Ginny asked, her tone dangerous.
"No, Gin, I promise that until this morning when your, I mean Molly was panicking about you finding out, I knew nothing about any of it. Until I walked into this room and saw your face, I had hoped she was being delusional, I had nothing to do with it Gin, honestly."
"So what happened?" Ginny asked calming down a little.
Arthur sighed. "From what I can gather, at the start it seems she bought into a scheme of Dumbledores which, if my memory is right, he suggested when she was feeling vulnerable. They applied a memory charm on me and presumably others, so we believed she had been pregnant, I even have memories of the birth."
Ginny sighed. "I'm glad you weren't involved Dad. Oh sorry, I guess I shouldn't call you that any more." She finished sadly.
Arthur let his own tears fall. "I don't mind, my Fire Angel, I am and have always been proud for you to call me Dad. I may not be your biological father, but I have loved every minute of being your Dad, I very much hope we don't lose that."
She ran to hug him. "I don't want to lose that either." She wept.
A few minutes later they both surfaced from their mutual comfort of each other. Ginny looked at the man who had raised her. "I hope the boy's feel the same, though with what we have discovered about Ron, I'm not sure I can trust him any more."
Arthur nodded. "His reactions this morning told me he was somehow involved, he has always been very much a mummy's boy. Much more than any of the rest of you, so I am not sure how he will react. I can't speak for Percy of course, but I can't see the twins, Charlie or Bill letting it make the slightest difference. Of course, they may all tease you mercilessly, once things settle down." He grinned.
Ginny laughed and sat down next to Harry again. "I'd be more worried about it, if they didn't." She grinned.
Arthur smiled in agreement then became serious. " So Gin, who are you really? I would love to know."
She blushed slightly, feeling awkward, but knew that it would come out eventually and could not think of a single reason why she should not tell the man who had raised her. "I'm Lady Ginevra Mary Ashmole, Sirius and Bella are my godparents and therefore my Guardians now."
Arthur's eyes widened. "Blimey, no wonder Albus targeted you, with you and Harry under his control he would wield enormous political power. I guess he probably holds the proxy's for you, but the members of the Alliance wouldn't simply follow him unless you two personally did. The Weasleys were part of it once, long story which I won't go into now, I still hope we live by the principles of it though. Of course with the Potters, Blacks and Ashmoles together again, perhaps the Alliance will rise again, that will put the fear of God into Albus and quite a few others. By the way, I suspect he may have stolen from one or other of your vaults too, Molly mentioned something about getting an income or something."
Harry nodded. "We know there have been some irregularities in mine Mr. Weasley, they have been secured now though. Ragnar has already suggested auditing both our accounts, and we have appointed a new account manager who is beyond reproach in our opinion, to oversee it."
"Good idea, it's what I would have done in your place." Arthur smiled, then stood. "I'm sorry, but I must go back to work, before I lose my Job." He and Ginny hugged, he turned when he reached the door, smiled and said. "I'll see you all later back at the house, look after them Sirius, Bella."
"We shall Arthur, I think they may need you too though if you are able." Sirius replied reassuringly. "Oh and call in at Amos's office, you know the one I mean, have them check you and remove any spells."
Arthur nodded morosely. "Yes, that had crossed my mind as well Sirius, sadly." He tuned, then left.
"He has been betrayed as much as we have." Harry said sadly.
The others could only agree.
Ragnar broke the silence that hung for a moment as each of them thought about the effects this was already having on those around them. "Right lets get everything required, signed and sealed, including documents registering your news status and that of your houses, then ensure you can both access your vaults while the audit takes place." He prepared the necessary papers and the four signed them as appropriate.
As each document was signed it reproduced itself twice and an owl appeared to take one copy to the ministry records office. The other copy went to Gringotts own files and the originals were lodged in the appropriate family vault. Within a few minutes the Owls returned with stamped receipts for the documents sent to the ministry, which were lodged with the copies held at the bank. The final piece of business for Harry and Ginny was due to their accounts being frozen for the audit, Ragnar provided a bag which would fill with the appropriate coin, Wizarding or Muggle, for any purchases they wished to make before their accounts were fully available again.
Business done, it was not yet ten in the morning, they realised that Arthur could not have been long at his office when he had come, it was no wonder he had to rush back. Not wanting to return home yet, the new family prepared to leave the bank, for what Bella gleefully described as. "A little retail Therapy." A description which raised three distinct reactions from the other three humans.
Nervous anticipation from Ginny, who had never been free to splurge before, and was looking forward to it. Harry didn't know how to react, having never really been shopping for himself, but Sirius quickly hid a look of abject terror before his wife spotted it. Ragnar grinned and shook his head. "It has been a pleasure to meet you all and begin to set things right for you both, I imagine we are in for an interesting few days and weeks. Clandor tells me you will both experience some changes tonight, I can't wait to see you both after that. In the meantime Griphook shall keep you informed, and I am sure there will be some discussions as to how you take your investments and property portfolios forward. He will also liaise with you regarding the recovery of stolen monies and their return to your vaults. We shall of course furnish Madam Bones with all relevant documentation and evidence. My thanks for your time this morning and enjoy your shopping." He held out his hand to Harry, causing Sirius and Bella to raise their eyebrows in surprise.
"Thank you, Ragnar!" Harry said and shook the offered hand, followed by Clandor and Griphook who were grinning as the same was repeated for Ginny and the family followed their guard of armed Goblins out of the room.
Once the humans had left the room and Clandor had returned to his office, Ragnar turned to his son. "Well done my son, I believe you have achieved more than we could expect today. You are now in charge of the two largest accounts in the bank, and it will not surprise me if the Blacks do not follow their charges soon, do not let us, them or yourself down Griphook. If you do things right, you may well be responsible for gaining the best relations our nation and theirs has enjoyed in centuries. If you need help always ask, I am here for you as always, and I am very proud that you have acted so honourably in your dealings with Lord Potter, you have gained us a powerful ally, and a good friend to the Goblin nation."
"Thank you father, I will do my best for them. I quite liked him the first time I met him, all I have seen of him has proven he is honourable and a worthy young man. I was surprised that he chose me over you though."
Ragnar smiled. "It is of no matter, well done my boy. I hope you noticed that there is a bond between our young Lord and the Lady Ashmole?"
"I did father, you did not warn them I noticed." Griphook queried.
Ragnar chuckled. "No, I believe they know, however it is important these things run their course naturally, they should not be forced or encouraged. It will run its course, they are two remarkable humans, they will make a formidable couple and with the Blacks an impressive team."
Griphook nodded. "Indeed, the four friends of our nation together, it will be unnerving for Wizard kind."
Ragnar grinned widely. "It promises to be an interesting time, most interesting indeed."
The two Goblins laughed, then Griphook bowed to his father before leaving to move his work from his desk in the lobby, to the office his new positions gave him.
Outside the bank, some of the guards left them, leaving two to escort them in the Alley. The family thanked those who had escorted them in the bank and walked down the steps into the street, where Sirius congratulated Harry and Ginny. "Well done you two, very well done indeed. Ragnar does not offer his hand to many, that was quite an achievement, they don't provide security escorts to many people either for that matter."
Harry looked surprised. "Really, I didn't think we did anything that special, just treated him as I would anyone."
"That's what did it!" Sirius Grinned.
"Did what?" Ginny asked.
Bella answered. "Became friends of the Goblin nation, there aren't many of those about. He did the same for me and apparently this old dog for some reason when we came here as part of getting our lives back. That's four in a few days, the first since your parents Harry. Right, lets get on, we need to get both of you new wardrobes, clothes befitting your new positions, you must give the right impression now, or people won't take you seriously."
Leaving the two youngsters agape in surprise, Bella led them swiftly along the cobbles and into Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions, Sirius, Harry and Ginny following closely behind. Sirius discretely reminded Bella that they would need to revisit the shop the next day if what the Goblins had warned about the two teens growing tonight. Her enthusiasm slightly dimmed, the two teens were measured for dress robes and less formal wear that could be adjusted easily. The casual wear was still smarter and fitted better than any Harry had owned before, he was surprised at how good it and an everyday robe made him feel. Ginny was also pleased with what she selected, and helped Harry choose, but neither of them were pleased with the fuss that was being made over them, neither being used to it. Sirius found it all hilarious, but his laughter was soon stemmed when his wife realised that although they could not get a full wardrobe for their two charges today, both Lord and Lady Black did need one, and she set Madam Malkin's staff on him too. An hour later they were all suitably outfitted for both magical and Muggle worlds, including underwear and night wear. Ginny really cheered up whilst they were shopping, teasing Harry by requesting his opinion on each piece of lingerie she wanted to buy. She, Bella and the assistants deliberately seeking out the skimpiest they could find simply to tease him further, though quite a lot of it found its way into the bags they would be taking home.
Whilst they were paying and the staff were bagging up the clothes, Sirius disappeared. He returned just as they were leaving the shop, Harry looking a little shell shocked. Sirius handed each of the youngsters a parcel, both contained watches. "They're emergency Portkeys, as well as having all the features of Wizarding watches." He told them. "In emergency you press the glass and say home, they will take you through any wards to our quarters at Grimmauld Place, we can even add different places as needed to them, useful if we go away or anything."
Harry and Ginny thanked him and both put the watches on.
Sirius handed a package to Bella, who opened it and put her watch on. " We have them as well by the way, better safe than sorry for all of us. They can also act as communicators, just say the persons name and when they reply you can hold a conversation with them." He added.
"Good thinking Sirius." Bella said and kissed him.
While they stood outside the shop, their presence in Diagon Alley was being noticed, the release of Sirius and Bella's story was naturally still very fresh in peoples minds from the night before and this morning, so they were quickly becoming the centre of attention. The fact they were there with Harry Potter as well simply added to the intrigue of those watching them, not just that, but that he was there with Ginny on his arm, really set the gossips twittering in excitement with each other. Several times the security Goblins were forced to clear a route through the gathering crowd for them.
The press could not ignore the event, even if they knew they would not get an interview with the Blacks, they might with Harry Potter. The family saw there was a man speaking into what looked like a microphone bearing the initials W.W.N. On it, he was either recording or broadcasting live, but had the respect not to try to crowd them.
However, Rita Skeeter soon made an appearance, emerging from the doors of the Daily Prophet, trying to brush everyone out of her way. "Harry, Harry, it's me Rita my dear, your old friend. Over here Harry." Rita called out in a high-pitched trill.
Harry ignored her, but was quite amused to hear the man from the Wireless Wizarding Network tell his listeners. "The voice of Rita Skeeter rips across the alley like the screech of fingernails dragged over the surface of slate as she attempts to convince us she is a friend of Harry Potter's. He predictably ignores the woman who wrote those hurtful stories about him during the Triwizard tournament a few weeks ago."
Rita fumed at being ignored and shown up on what was obviously live radio, clearly she was not popular with her colleagues either.
Now that the family knew he was broadcasting live, they also knew that if anyone back at Grimmauld Place were listening, then their location would now be known by them. It was possible some of them might appear to try to return Harry to Dumbledore, the four of them closed ranks as their security tried to get them through the crowd and away from the press.
Ron's morning stuck in Grimmauld Place, had not gone well, so far as he was concerned. Several times he had gone storming up to the floors occupied by Sirius, Bellatrix and now Harry as far as he was concerned, though it was presumably also where Ginny had spent the night. The first time he had gone up there he found Hermione, knocking on each door in turn before trying the handles and casting Alohomora in an attempt to unlock them. He had torn past her, ripped round the corridor, before going up to the next level where he repeated the process, before entering the loft areas above, who knew, perhaps Sirius had realised that Harry was a waste of space and banished him there. Failing to find his quarry, he stormed back down to the ground floor to search those rooms his way again, working his way back up the house again, then he repeated the process in case he had missed anything. Each time he went up, the moment that he reached the top of the stairs to the level above his room, he began bellowing for his sister, shouldering every door, none of which opened. Every two or three rounds he would stop in his bedroom, flop on his unmade bed, catch his breath and think. Eventually he would convince himself he had missed a particular door and rush off to it to check and start his rounds again. Even the Portrait of Mrs. Black screaming every time he passed did not distract him, he traversed the stairs so regularly the image only shouted when he was in view, she and Kreacher keeping up appearances, the Elf refreshing a minor compulsion charm on the boy to ensure he kept searching, for a couple of hours at least. It was not a hard spell to maintain, Ron was furious in any case, so he was self-motivated to keep up his pointless activity.
Ron was too angry to see the pointlessness of what he was doing, even when Fred and George told him he ignored them, so they treated it as a joke instead, fuelling their youngest brothers' single mindedness. All he was concerned about was that Ginny could be costing him his money, she had to be made to realise what she was doing. Ron continued his process and did not notice the absence of Hermione after he had first rushed past her, he was desperate that his income and that of his family from the Potter vaults should not be lost.
It was almost two hours after he had first set out on his quest, before Ron reported the lack of any signs of life on the upper floors to his mother. She had spent the time rearranging the Kitchen cupboards and larder, but when her son reappeared she had completed the task and was pacing round the kitchen muttering about interfering Husbands. Both were unaware that by this time, they were already too late to save their source of income. Both Harry and Ginny were trying on new clothes at that moment, though had they thought about it they might have guessed the worry that their absence would cause some of those at Grimmauld Place.
Ron's report made her more and more anxious, but she knew that with Hermione in the house they needed to tread carefully in this. They could not risk her discovering the truth, she was too romantic about friendship and loyalty to understand the realities of life properly, here campaign for house elves a prime example of that. Molly gathered herself, there was nothing to be done about this for now, they must get on with things as if nothing were wrong. She sighed then looked at her son. "In that case just you, Hermione, the twins and I shall be continuing to sort out this place for the remainder of this morning."
She gathered what they needed, while Ron told the others to come down. They gathered in the hall, where Kreacher had closed the curtains on the portrait on the landing above, and Molly assigned tasks. Fred and George groaned, prompting their Mother to assure them. "Not to worry boys, it's only for this morning. I am sure Ginny and Harry will help when they get back." She breezed then went back to the kitchen, to start on lunch for them all. She was certain that Dumbledore would be back soon, he would know what to do, he always did.
Dumbledore was released after lunch, on bail and with a non too subtle warning that he was on very thin ice regardless of any positions he held. To his Horror he was given notice that he had been suspended as Cheif Warlock, not that he read it at that moment. He made his way to his office in the ministry, it was one of the few, along with those of the heads of department, furnished with a fireplace connected to the Floo network, albeit securely, in the building. It was the only one of them all that, except in emergency, would take him directly to Grimmauld Place, where he was going to regain his control, of that he had no doubt. He would show Black, just who ran that house.
His tactically hidden rage nearly exploded when he reached his office door to find it sealed, and a notice declaring his suspension as Chief Warlock pending investigation, to any who passed by. Remembering the parchment he had been given, he read it and realised what it told him. He turned and stormed back to the lifts, then into the Atrium to queue for the public Floo, he would have to go via his Hogwarts office to Grimmauld Place.
Crossing the Atrium to join the lines waiting to use a fireplace was hard enough, numerous people seemed to take advantage of his rare lunchtime appearance in the entrance to the ministry, to try to have a word with him. Even when he was in the line, people kept approaching him either as Headmaster, Chief Warlock or Supreme Mugwump, clearly word of his difficulties had not yet spread far. Had it done so, perhaps he would have been ignored and reached the Floo in less time than the seventy minutes it took him to leave after his release.
Having eaten at a discrete small café in Diagon Alley, Sirius, Bella, Ginny and Harry were getting ready to make their way towards the Leaky Cauldron and Muggle London, then home, having decided that it would be better if they did not remain much longer in the Alley. Their security Goblins had ensured the crowd left them alone and the media had retreated further up the street, so they had enjoyed a peaceful meal. When they paid the proprietor, he insisted that they receive a discount if they insisted on paying, he told them that as a tenant of the Potters he was glad to welcome them any time. They had shrunk their shopping which was now being carried in Sirius and Harry's pockets, then set off up the Alley. The crowds watched as they passed by, many smiling or congratulating them, but none obstructing them, respecting their desire to carry on with their business. The family had nearly reached the arch to the pub when an unseasonable chill spread up the street, accompanied by a feeling of dread.
"Dementors!" Harry hissed, turning back to watch down the Alley.
Authors Notes:
I am amazed by the response so far to this story, I have to admit I was quite nervous of publishing it, it was so different from what I have done before, many thanks to you all. My thanks especially to those who have taken the trouble to review, your comments are much appreciated. Thanks also to those who have followed and/or favourited this story. I noticed as well that since the last chapter it has (along with some of my other stories) been added to a community, "Chaotic Disorder" which is quite a collection of different stories.
Hope you enjoy this chapter too.
Until next time.
Tgfoy