Chapter 3
Severus Snape walked purposefully towards the large grey building, the Hogwarts letter heavy in his robe's pocket. He had valiantly refused to do this but Albus pressured him to it. To give the golden boy his school letter.
Though, he thought looking up at the building, why was the boy in prison? He sneered. 'Probably got himself in trouble, thinking himself untouchable.' The guard at the gate stopped him. He then proceeded to search his person before allowing him in. he pushed the door open and entered into a bare room. "How can I help you sir?" A guard in the room asked. He answered "I'm here to see a boy, Harry Potter. He has been enrolled in a private school and I need to introduce him." Due to the spells Albus applied on him no one would get suspicious of his request or question him.
The guard paled along with the others in earshot. Severus frowned. "Are you sure it's him you are looking for?" the other guard asked. Severus' frown deepened. "Yes, I'm sure. Is there a problem?" he asked, an edge to his voice. The second guard looked away and remained silent. The first replied. "No…I mean yes… I mean… If you show proof of this school and authorization from the court we can let him out. Just that…Haven't you heard of that boy?" Snape shook his head, not liking this situation. The guard studied him a moment then nodded. "Show me the authorization."
Severus gave him some documents and the letter. The guard looked it over and nodded. "Looks like it's in order. Follow me." They walked down multiple corridors until they got to the cells. Barred doors liked the hallway on each side and chatter could be heard behind them. The prisoners, 'Children.' Snape thought, grew silent as they passed, realizing where they were going. They got to the bare set of corridors, making at least five turns before getting to a wide corridor with thicker metal doors with only a slot in the middle and cameras pointed to each door.
Even then they passed those until they got to the far end, the last door. This particular door was sealed tighter than the rest, Snape could tell. No barred window, a slot at the center, a camera facing the entrance and utter silence. The guard was also sweating. On the way here his movements became stiffer and stiffer, as if dreading the meeting.
He knocked heavily on the door and the loud echo was unsettling. More silence followed, unnerving them. The man beside Severus swallowed thickly. "Prisoner 522: Hadrian James Potter. You have a visitor." he said boldly, showing false bravado. He took out some heavy looking handcuffs , opening the slot. "Hands!" There was a moment's pause before hands were offered. There were tattoos on both hands. On the left hand was a phoenix in flight, on the right was a serpent with bared fangs. Both were carefully detailed. At a closer look Snape noticed they were made of very tiny characters. 'Runes.' Was his shocked thought.
The cuffs were applied. "Move back!" The order was followed, the hands retreating. Snape could literally hear the guard's heightened breath from his position. A chuckle was heard, deeper than expected, cold yet heavy with humor. The guard flinched terribly, but unlocked the door anyway. A loud 'Click!' filled the hall and the door was pushed open with shaking hands.
The room was…boring. White walls glared at Snape, it was barely furnished with a single bed, a desk with a single chair next to the bed, a few shelves with neatly folded clothes and stacked books and a lamp on the desk.
Snape's eyes widened momentarily. The pre-teen, taller than average, stood leaning on the desk, hands in front of him in their cuffs. He had porcelain skin lightly muscled with a swimmer's build, long raven locks falling down to his waist, bangs beautifully framing his face, bringing out the brilliant emerald eyes looking at him expectantly.
But that is not what surprised Snape the most. It was the magical power tightly leashed around the boy. Even Dumbledore did not feel that strong. The intelligent gaze on him sharpened then looked away, settling on the stiff guard, and the aura completely disappeared. Snape couldn't help but blink stupidly.
The guard cleared his throat. Mr. Potter, this is your visitor. He's here to explain a private school you have been accepted in. You must behave." He announced, repeating a mantra of 'Don't hesitate. Don't tremble.' in his head. He had to show strength in front of this particular prisoner. Any sign of weakness and Potter would pounce.
The boy smiled in an oddly comforting way. "Don't worry, I'll play nice." There was a mocking tone to his soft voice. The guard nodded shortly and went out, standing guard at the door. Harry's gaze wandered back to the professor and they stared at each other for a long time. Snape tried to get a peak in the boy's head but was gently pushed out. He almost flinched.
Harry smiled again. "Where are my manners? Please, have a seat." He said, motioning to the desk chair. Snape took a seat but did not relax. "So, what brings you here Mr.…" "Professor Snape. I teach at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where you have been invited to attend Mr. Potter." Snape drawled. Potter's eyes grew interested. "Wizardry? As in magic?" Snape nodded, forcing him not to sneer at the pretense. If the boy could hide his magic so well, it would shock him if he did not know that he had magic, even if he did not know about the wizarding world. "Yes. Don't you know this Mr. Potter?" "No, not really. You don't really know a lot of things when you've been in prison for two years. In a maximum security prison, you tend to know only your guards and the bare walls in your room." He said cheekily.
Snape scowled. He took out the letter. "Your official invitation. It details the things you would need for school. You would get them in Diagon Ally, which I'll have to show you tomorrow morning. Harry pulled out the letter with careful fingers and read it over quickly. He looked up. "Alright. Though, I think I can make it to Diagon Ally on my own if only you give me the directions, professor." Snape nodded, relieved, and gave the instructions of the ally and the platform where he'll board the train.
Severus stood up and noted Harry watching his every move. "Mr, Potter, why are you here in prison?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him. Harry smiled regretfully. "I chose the wrong company Professor Snape and got caught for being at the wrong place at the wrong time." He said honestly. Snape nodded and left, not seeing the smirk Harry sported.
The guard closed the door firmly. "Hands!" he removed Hadrian's handcuffs and led Snape down the corridor, frown firmly in place. "He was oddly tame today." He mumbled. Snape grew curious. "Excuse me?" "He's usually more…menacing and cruel. There's a reason he's at a high security cell you know. He likes to play with his watchers, likes watching them get wary. Tried to break out from the normal cells multiple times until he was brought there. Perhaps it's because you were there." The last part he mumbled to himself. Snape frowned again. "He seemed like a well-behaved young man." He commented, fishing for information. The guard snorted, almost laughing. "Don't believe anything he tells you." He said then shut up.
Once back at Hogwarts Snape continued mulling over today's trip. He began noticing a few things. For once, Harry could control his magical aura. Second, those tattoos were runes. Who applied them there? Snape refused to assume it was Potter. Third, Potter was nice. Too nice for someone who has been in solitary confinement for two years. 'Don't believe anything he tells you.' The guard's words played in his head, mocking him. Just who is Harry Potter?
Harry walked through the barrier to Diagon Ally and took a look around. It was impressive, the magic was heavy in the air. He walked to Gringotts to get his money, having been told by Snape that he has a trust vault. He went to the closest teller once he got there and handed in his key. The goblin looked it over before grunting "Everything looks to be in order. Griphook will take you to your vault." Griphook was already coming over. Before the next customer could be called, Harry asked "Do I have any other vaults? If so, I want to have a briefing of their contents and why I never knew of them or my trust vault before just yesterday." The goblin scowled. "Only your accounts manager has that information. Griphook will escort you to him."
Five minutes later Harry was sat in a large office across a pompous looking goblin. "How can I help you Mr. Potter?" "I would like to have an overview of my accounts." Harry stated. The goblin frowned. "I'm afraid that's not possible Mr. Potter. Only Lord Potter can look over the accounts." Harry's face went blank. "Then how am I supposed to know how much I own?" "You can't" The raven frowned. "I have a few questions then. For once, why was my vault key not in my possession? No, why was I not informed I have a vault key? From my understanding, a sole heir must be informed if his possessions well before the age of eleven."
"Well, your magical guardian Albus Dumbledore…" "I wasn't aware I had a magical guardian." Harry cut in smoothly. "Who permitted this man to be my guardian?" The goblin started sweating. "I hope it wasn't the ministry. It has nothing to do with Gringotts' business. And I'm sure my parents' wills did not permit it. Were my parents' wills even read, and if so who overlooked and enacted them?" The goblin cleared his throat. "Albus Dumbledore as Chief Warlock locked the wills. They haven't been read publicly." "Publicly? Who allowed Dumbledore to be my guardian. Only the accounts manager, at the behest of Lord Potter, can allow him to have a say on who can have access to my accounts or hold my key. Who was in charge at the time?" "I was in charge." The goblin answered, getting uncomfortable with the multitude off questions and disturbed by Heir Potter's indifferent face.
Harry hummed, then he stood up. "I would like to see your superior." The goblin grew alarmed. "I'm afraid you can't do that. Only important clients can see the goblin king." Harry raised an eyebrow. "I'm the sole heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. Am I not important?" "I will not take a mere child to the goblin king!" the accounts manager said in defiance. Harry just stared a minute, mind running miles per second with thoughts.
He finally said "Griphook." The half-forgotten goblin almost jumped. Harry continued "What is the procedure for removing an unsatisfactory accounts manager?" the goblin almost choked. "You cannot do that! Griphook is only a common low-level employee!" "Well, this common low-level employee has been more useful in the past ten minutes than you have been in the past ten years." Harry said bitingly, his anger seeping into his voice as well as his eyes. "Griphook?" "All you have to do is disclaim his position as your accounts manager, but you need to be Lord Potter to do so." Harry connected the dots quickly. "How do I become Lord Potter?" "Since you are a sole heir of the Potter household, you have been long emancipated at the age of seven. You just need to say 'I, your full name, claim the title of the most Ancient and most Noble House of Potter.' If magic recognizes you, your claim would be valid and accepted." Harry nodded. "I, Hadrian James Potter, claim the title of the most Ancient and most Noble House of Potter."
There was a rush of magic them s gold ring appeared on his right ring finger. It had the family crest in white gold, a griffin with a wand in its claws. Harry smirked. "I, Hadrian James Potter, hereby remove my current accounts manager from his position." "No!" the goblin screamed as the tattoo adorning his hand disappeared. "Get out." Harry commanded. The goblin glared but left. The new Lord Potter took a seat and thought for a while. "Griphook, do all goblins know the work of an accounts manager?" "Of course, Lord Potter." "Then I put you in charge as my accounts manager. I hope it's not too big a task for a 'common low-level employee'." Griphook's eyes went as wide as saucers. "O-Of course. I'd be honored." He stuttered.
"Good. Sit down. I want to overlook my accounts and a summary of any others I may have." Harry stated. Griphook nodded and snapped his fingers. A legend appeared in front of them. "Just place a drop of blood on the cover." Harry did so. The book shone a feint red then opened to the first page. He picked it up and read it over. He found out he was heir to the Potter title plus Black, Slytherin, Peverell, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Gaunt (by conquest). He frowned. It seemed someone had been stealing from him. Albus Dumbledore. "Do a full audit of my accounts. Any stolen items and gold must be claimed back. Send the results to me immediately. Are we clear?" Griphook nodded.
Harry said "Now that's done, I have a few suggestions for investments. I'll send them over tomorrow possibly. Use thirty percent of the gold in all my accounts except the trust vaults. You are also free to invest where ever you think would be profitable, as long as I'm informed. Ten percent of the returns are yours." Griphook gaped. "T-ten percent? I'd be the richest goblin in Gringotts bar the king." Harry smiled for the first time till he got there. "Think of it as motivation Griphook. Don't be complacent." He said. Later, he claimed the other lordships then stood up. "Good day Griphook." He left.
Harry walked brusquely to the trunks shop, Gringotts card in hand. He entered the shop and was pleased to find he was currently the only customer. The shop keeper greeted "Good morning sir. How can I please you today?" "I would like your best trunks with four compartments and blood locks." The keeper nodded. "Of course, sir. Can you specify the rooms?" "Yes. A potions lab fully stocked and warded, a dueling chamber, a school compartment, and a library that is fully furnished." Harry stated. The shop keeper's eyes narrowed. "It'll be pretty costly." "Money is not a problem, just get it done. I will come back for it in a few hour if you can manage." The keeper nodded, still wary. Harry left with no further reassurance.
He made his way to Flourish and Blotts for his books, then went to Olivander's for his wand. The shop looked empty but he could feel Mr. Olivander around the corner. "Mr. Potter. I knew I'd be seeing you today." The old man said mysteriously. Harry smiled. "Yes well, here I am. I would like a wand please." Mr. Olivander turned to search for his wand. "I remember when your mother and father came here for their own wands." He started and Harry tuned him out.
Olivander came back with a wand. Harry didn't take it. "Well?" "This wand does not belong to me, Mr. Olivander." Harry stated. Olivander smiled. "Oh, Mr. Potter. I'm afraid it's the wand that chooses the wizard, not the other way around." "I do know that. Even so, this wand still does not suit me. Perhaps I can try the one on the eleventh shelf, top-left corner." Mr. Olivander went to argue but Harry stopped him. "If it does not fit I will try whichever wand you find suitable."
The old man almost pouted as he went to retrieve the requested wand. He came back with wide eyes and mouth agape. "This wand…could it? , this wand is fabled to have been crafted by Death himself way before the Elder wand. Maybe you shouldn't…" "I will try the wand Mr. Olivander and see what happens." Olivander peered at him warily as he handed over the black box.
Harry opened the box carefully to reveal an ebony colored wand with blood red swirls and a serpent coiled around the handle. As soon as he touched it tingles were sent up his spine. Harry gave himself a moment to calm down then said. "It fits. How much for the wand Mr. Olivander?" the old wand maker choked on his words for a while then said. "Seven galleons Mr. Potter." Harry nodded and said "I would like another wand for school and wand holsters for both of them." Olivander raised an eyebrow. "Whatever would you need another wand for Mr. Potter?" "I think you would agree with me when I say the 'Death wand' would raise a few eyebrows." Olivander nodded in agreement. "Certainly."
Harry left Olivander's with his wands, one made of death tree wood and a core of Death's blood, and the other holly and phoenix feather. He went to Knockturn Ally and came back with dark arts books and a rare book on parselmagic which no one else but a parselmouth could read. He then went to Madam Malkin's robes for all occasions.
"Hogwarts dear?' Mrs. Malkins questioned with a warm smile. Harry nodded. "Yes. Can you also add a full wardrobe with that? Robes for all occasions in blues, greens, blacks, silvers and any other color you think would suit me, but no bright colors. Use the finest materials you have. I'll trust your judgment on anything else ma'am.". Malkin's eyes widened. "Will you be able to pay for all that dear?" Harry smiled warmly "Yes, ma'am." "Alright then. Get up this stool. I'm also measuring another boy your age."
Harry did as instructed and waited next to the platinum blonde already there. The boy was staring at him. "Hogwarts too?" Harry glanced at him "Yes." "Pity they do not allow first years to bring brooms, but I'll bully my father into buying me one. Do you have a broom?" "No. I didn't need one at the time." The boy frowned at how dismissively Harry was answering him. Then he smirked, raising his chin. "I'm Draco by the way. Draco Malfoy. You are?" Harry did not even look at him this time. "Hadrian Potter." Draco gaped. "You are Harry Potter? Nice to meet you." He said, offering a handshake. Harry accepted. The pleasure is mine, Mr. Malfoy."
The two made small talk as they were measured. Draco left when he was done, leaving harry to get finished. Madam Malkin came back. "I think we are done now Mr. Potter. Come in about an hour to retrieve your clothes." She said. Harry nodded gratefully, stepping down the pedestal. "Yes, of course. Thank you ma'am." He replied and left. On the streets again, he pondered his next move. Obviously, he couldn't go back to prison after being released through the great Albus Dumbledore's influence. He would have to find a place to stay preferably in the uggle world where he could build his power. He would work on the wizarding world as time went on, if he grew interested that is. He would start an empire from scratch. This is where his criminal reputation would come in handy.
He entered the Leaky Cauldron to order lunch. As his meal arrived Harry spotted an ugly purple turban darting into the room. An ordinary man was wearing it, fidgeting around the front booth. There was something odd about him. Perhaps it was his aura. Or auras, as in plural. One black, the other grey. Weird.
Harry followed the man up to his room, being careful to remain unseen. Once at the man's door he paused to think a bit, then transfigured a small piece of rubble from the floor into a resemblance of a time turner. He knocked on the door. A few seconds later the man opened, a frown on his face. His eyes narrowed, seeing a barely first year student disturbing him. "What do you want, boy?" Harry put on an innocent face and outstretched the hand with the time turner. Subtly, he reached out with his magic, brushing over the man's aura. A sickening rush of dark energy washed over him, inciting a shiver out of him. His eyes widened a bit and he withdrew.
"I found this on the floor where you were standing. I thought it would be yours so I came to give it back and hoped you would tell me a bit about it." He said. The man sneered at him. "Get lost boy, this false is not mine." He made to slam the door in his face. "Wait! Could you at least tell me what it is, please?" The man paused. "If you must know, it looks like a time turner, a device that can turn back time." The door slammed shut.
Harry walked back to his table, thinking. That aura was so dark and evil. Whatever possesses the man is the bane of mankind's existence.