Disclaimer: Don't Own Harry Potter
CHAPTER TWO
If you had told Harry Potter more than a couple of nights ago that there was a magical world and that he was a part of it, he might've just looked at you as though you were insane. Yet, here he was walking with the Hogwarts Potions Master, Severus Snape down the cobbled street that was Diagon Alley, the small section of Wizarding Shops in downtown London in which Wizards could purchase various items of a magical variety. It also provided the perfect place for students all around Britain to collect their school things before September first. During their trip to the Alley, Severus had inconspicuously slipped Harry his Hogwarts letter and he'd been able to finally discover more evidence to the man's claims that he'd given to him earlier that morning.
"Excuse me, Mr. Severus?"
"Yes, what is it Harry?"
"How am I to pay for all this? I haven't got any kind of money."
Severus once again forced down an angry growl, he seemed to be doing that a lot this morning, the Professor noted, "It's not a problem, Harry. I assure you, unfortunately the matter of being discreet is of utmost importance now and I will be unable to discuss it with you until we are in a more secure location, even then it is better to come from Gringotts, the wizarding bank," He added the explanation as an afterthought, already imagining the confused look on the boy's face, "They have all the official dealings with any magical money."
Harry was about to respond, but the voice of another cut him off. He couldn't pinpoint the source, but it sounded like someone who'd been raised in a rather upscale environment. The kind of thing that the Dursley's forced down his throat from a young age in 'how to address your betters.' Lessons that Vernon often made him succumb to. Although, as soon as Harry did pinpoint the source, he knew that this man was more like the regal types than the Dursleys had tried to emulate through every aspect of their lifestyle.
"Ah, Lucius. I was wondering if I might see you today," Severus said, inclining his head to the new arrival. The arrival himself was a rather tall man, with long shoulder length platinum blond hair and striking crystalline blue eyes. The man was dressed in formal-looking black robes, his cloak being fastened by a strange looking clip in pure silver. He smirked softly as he regarded Severus, then turned the same expression towards Harry. It was not unkind, but it did seem a little off in Harry's humble opinion.
"I'm surprised to see you here at all, my friend," Lucius stated, "I'd assumed you'd be rather busy with preparations for the upcoming School year."
"I was at first, but I've finished as it doesn't change much from year to year in all honesty. Professor Dumbledore asked me to come and take Harry here around Diagon Alley to collect his belongings for the school year."
At the mention of the boy's name, Lucius turned his attention on the young boy standing timidly beside Severus, his smirk softening into a smile, he extended a hand to the boy, "Lucius Malfoy."
Harry, despite the initial uncertainties about this man, felt that if Severus could trust him then so could he, Harry reached over and shook the man's hand, "Harry Potter. It's nice to meet you sir."
Lucius looked as if he was about to say something, but quickly decided against it once he saw the sharp glare coming from the face of his old friend, "You have some respectable manners, you should pride yourself on that Harry. That type of thing is highly appreciated in our world."
"Thank you, sir."
Lucius then chuckled, much to the surprise of Severus, but the man continued nonetheless, "But I would like you to feel comfortable enough to use my first name, since I have no doubt that you and my son will get along well. So, Lucius will be fine."
"Okay M-Lucius."
"Excellent, we were just on our way to Gringotts if you wanted to accompany us?" Lucius asked his old friend, "Narcissa and Draco should have arrived through the Network by now."
Severus decided that it would be a good idea for Harry to have someone around his own age be present for this so he didn't feel so intimidated by the whole ordeal like most muggle-raised were when they first came to Hogwarts, "That sounds like an excellent idea. I also have something to discuss with you later regarding why I was chosen to do this for Dumbledore rather than Hagrid as originally intended."
"Of course," Lucius responded almost instantly, "Is there a particular reason you wish to divulge the information to me?"
"You're my oldest friend…and I need someone in the Wizenagamot other than the Headmaster for what's to come in the ensuing weeks. It was not pleasant to say the least, old friend."
"Very well. Shall we continue?"
After a nod of affirmation from both Harry and Severus, the duo now expanded into a trio headed off through the alley and just as they were about to reach the large white building at the head of the alley, a woman who, Harry decided, looked much more regal and beautiful than his Aunt Petunia could on her best day led a boy, roughly the same height as Harry out of the brick barriers behind the Leaky Cauldron as Severus and he had done when they first arrived in the Alley. Harry was surprised that Severus had taken him around to look at all the different shops before starting the official business, he seemed like a straight-to-the-point sort, but he was glad that he'd been given the opportunity.
The woman, in contrast to the boy with her had long tresses coloured in deepest midnight while her hair seemed to be streaked with blond in it as well, her outfit comprised of formal robes as well, but they seemed to be made by some shiny emerald material. The boy beside her had the same grey-blue eyes as his mother and was dressed in formal black robes.
"Ah, here they are."
"Severus, what a surprise," Harry heard the woman say, she seemed as polite and well-mannered as her husband had been, "It's good to see you."
"And you as well, Cissa, Draco."
"Hello Uncle," Draco said, then jerked his head to the bespectacled boy beside his godfather, "Who's this?"
Harry stepped forward a little timidly, unsure he would be well-received by the boy and his mother as he had been with Lucius, "I'm Harry, Harry Potter is a pleasure to meet you both."
"Draco Malfoy, it's a pleasure to meet you as well," Draco and Harry shook hands without hesitation.
"So well-mannered and polite," Narcissa said excitedly, taking her turn at shaking Harry's hand as her son had done.
"Come," Severus and Lucius said in unison.
"Are you the Harry Potter?" Draco asked quietly, the two boys walking slightly ahead of the adults.
Severus had told Harry of his name and what his status meant inside the wizarding world, "Yeah, I am. Think my fame's rubbish though, well-known for something I don't even remember."
"And you were raised by Muggles?"
"Right again," Harry said, unable to help the nervous chuckle that escaped his lips.
"Horrible things Muggles are," Draco told Harry in the next breath.
"Surely they can't all be bad," Harry said, unsure of the comments that the boy was making.
"Well, Muggles believe themselves to be above us…that Wizardkind is some sort of abomination. They've inflicted a great deal of pain onto the Wizarding Society. Most of the half-bloods tend to hate their Muggle heritage as well. Witch burnings and the like. I bet the people you stayed with were a classic representation for you of what Muggles tend to be towards our world."
The more Draco said, the more Harry realized he had a point, every Muggle he'd met up until this point had been self-important and did things only for the betterment of themselves, the few times Harry had been taking out by The Dursleys when Mrs. Figg was unable to babysit, he'd been introduced to even more of those sorts of people.
"I can totally understand where you're coming from," Harry hissed in return.
"They seem to be getting along well," Lucius commented to his wife and Severus.
"I'm honestly surprised," Severus said, "Harry didn't exactly take too well to me when I arrived to collect him, but I will of course divulge more of that to the both of you when we are not in Harry's company, I do not wish for him to have to relive the experiences until he absolutely has to."
Lucius and Narcissa gave their old friend a nod, following the two boys into the bank. The two men shared an unreadable expression before Lucius placed a hand on Draco's shoulder and Severus on Harry's shoulder.
"Who are they?" Harry hissed up at Severus as they walked through the building. The polished marble floors gleamed against the morning sun flittering down through the bank's windows, several desks made of dark wood lined the bank, several small creatures with beady eyes, hooked noses and pointed ears were moving about rapidly, conducting their business.
"Goblins," Severus explained quietly, "Treat them with respect and they will do the same for you."
The little quartet approached the main teller's desk at the rear of the bank's reception area and Severus smiled a bit, "I'm glad it's you we ran into, Griphook."
"Ah, Severus Snape. Come to withdraw some funds my friend?"
"Not today, Griphook. I'm actually on Hogwarts business."
Griphook leaned down over the desk, looking at the two boys before him. Harry was slightly intimidated by the Goblin, but he didn't let it show.
"Ah, first years," Griphook turned to Lucius and inclined his head, "It's good to see you as well."
"May your gold ever flow and your blade gleam with the blood of your enemies," Lucius said, trying to hide his smirk.
Griphook smirked in return, then turned to the group at large, "A trip down to the vaults then?"
"Not quite yet, Griphook. I'd like to have a Legacy test done for young Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter," Severus said, remembering Dumbledore's instructions to the letter. He didn't know what the headmaster was playing at since he'd not originally planned to tell the boy until he was older, perhaps Dumbledore was breaking free of his senile ways that he'd developed since the fall of Voldemort all those years ago now.
"Legacy tests? For eleven-year olds?" Lucius asked, but his tone was not one of anger, he didn't mind Severus making the call to do so for his new charge and godson, but the two boys were rather young and hadn't even started Hogwarts.
"It's of vital importance," Severus said off-handedly.
"And would you like to be separated for these legacy tests?" Griphook continued.
"No," Harry and Draco answered as a unit before either Draco's parents or Severus could answer.
Narcissa chuckled, "inseparable, I'm telling you now."
"Very well, after the tests we will have someone take you down to the vaults, follow me."
Griphook clambered down out of his chair, then he hopped down off the little podium. Harry, Draco, Severus, Lucius and Narcissa followed Griphook through the reception of the bank, down a narrow hallway and right down it until they reached a room at the end of the tunnel. It was a bland door, looking almost completely black minus a small golden plaque that displayed the word 'Legacies'.
The goblin reached out and twisted the door knob, pushing the door open a second later and then promptly ushering the group inside. He entered the room himself, then shut and locked the door behind him. Harry felt extremely nervous, he had no idea what this was going to entail, what in the world was a 'Legacy' anyways? Sure, he knew what a test was, he'd been forced to underperform to avoid the reactions of his Aunt and Uncle for doing better than Dudley had. He felt like he was going to vomit from the nerves, until he felt a hand on his shoulder, it wasn't Severus this time though, "It's not as bad as you think," Draco whispered to him, "I'll go first if it makes you feel any better though."
Unable to speak, Harry just nodded mutely. Draco nodded, then approached the plinth. Griphook placed a blank piece of parchment on said plinth, then extracted a ruby and emerald encrusted dagger from the inside of his jacket.
"Three droplets of blood onto the parchment please, young Mr. Malfoy."
Draco raised the tip of the blade and made a small incision into his finger, as soon as three droplets of blood had fallen free from his hand, the wound re-sealed itself and words began to weave themselves into existence on the parchment:
Draco Abraxas Malfoy-Lefay
Born to:
Narcissa Malfoy nee Black and Lucius Malfoy
Birthdate: 5th June 1980
Godfather: Severus Snape
Godmother: Ailwyn Leandre (d. 1984)
Titles:
Heir of The Most Ancient and Noble House Malfoy.
Lord of The Most Ancient and Legendary House Le-Fay
Contracts:
House Potter – Allied Powers Contract
House Emrys – Allied Powers Contract
House Snape – Allied Powers Contract
House Longbottom – Allied Powers Contract
House Lestrange – Allied Powers Contract
House Black – Allied Powers Contract
House Weasley – Blood Feud Empowerment Contract
Special Abilities:
Animagus – High Potential
Element – High Potential
Illusionist – High Potential
Shadow Walker – High Potential
Runic Mastery – High Potential
Spirit Mastery – Moderate Potential
Draco looked down at the piece of parchment once the process was complete, then he turned to Griphook and asked in a polite tone, "Mr. Griphook? I was wondering why I am named Lord Le-Fay? I mean both my father and my mother are alive."
"Ah, you see Lord Le-Fay, this title was actually passed to you by your godmother who was the final descendant of the Le-Fay line, as her next-of-kin the title is automatically passed to you as she has no biological living relatives."
Draco nodded his thanks, then as he was about to leave the plinth, Griphook shook his head, "Not yet. As the previous Lady Le-Fay has passed away, it is possible for me to hand the lordship to you today. If you would consent to that of course."
Draco looked back at his parents, who both gave him a nod to say that it was ultimately his decision if he wanted to take the title now, or leave it until he was older.
"I would like to accept my title of Lordship today."
"I thought you might," Griphook reached into the drawer behind a desk on the side of the room and then returned to the plinth where he presented Draco with an ornate looking ring. It was platinum in colour and held the depiction of a dragon atop it, which held a bright amethyst locked into its maw with the letters 'L-F' inscribed in a dark black atop the gemstone.
"The Lordship ring of the Le-Fay family."
Draco took the ring and slipped it onto his third finger across, the moment he did so bright light shone through the metallic dragon's eyes and the ring tightened slightly to adjust to the size of Draco's fingers.
"Congratulations, Young Lord. You have been accepted as the rightful owner of this ring."
Draco inclined his head, "Thank you, Mr. Griphook."
"Griphook's fine, Young Lord."
"Then Draco's fine," The young lord in question countered.
Griphook chuckled, then turned to Lucius, "He's just like you were."
Lucius spared a chuckle, then before he knew it, it was Harry's turn. With all eyes on him, Harry approached the plinth, took the now clean dagger and flicked the blade, pricking his finger without wincing. Three droplets fell from the wound, then it re-sealed itself instantly.
Hadrian James Ignotus Potter
Born To: James Potter (d. 1981) and Lily Potter nee Evans (d. 1981)
Birthdate: 31st July 1980
Titles:
Lord of The Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter
Lord of The Most Ancient and Legendary House of Emrys
Lord of The Most Ancient and Legendary House of Pendragon
Contracts:
Marriage Contract – Potter
Marriage Contract – Emrys
Marriage Contract – Pendragon
Due to implicit statement in Lord James Potter and Lady Lily Potter's will, Lord Potter will not receive more information on these contracts until he begins the summer before his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
House Malfoy – Allied Powers Contract
House Le-Fay – Allied Powers Contract
House Longbottom – Allied Powers Contract
House Black – Allied Powers Contract
House Bones – Allied Powers Contract
House Weasley – Blood Feud Empowerment Contract.
Special Abilities:
Animagus – High Potential
Parseltongue – Natural Gift
Element – High Potential
Shadow Walker – High Potential
Runic Mastery – Moderate Potential
Spirit Mastery – High Potential
"Marriage Contracts!?" Harry exclaimed in disbelief.
"You'll find that's not all too uncommon in the magical world, especially in the older magical families. Unfortunately, that's as much as I can tell you as per the instructions of your parents will. You'll also be given the will when you turn thirteen as well, one thing you may do today however is take your lordship, Hadrian James Ignotus Potter-Emrys-Pendragon."
"Harry will do fine," he stated quickly "And I'd like to take my lordship of Potter for now, I'll leave Emrys and Pendragon until I'm a bit older."
"A wise choice."
Griphook then went to the desk again and fetched the ring, a golden band with a lion's head atop it, it's eyes were filled with Dazzling ruby gems and it's maw held a crimson shield engraved with the letter 'P'. Harry slipped on the ring and a power rippled throughout the room, confirming him to be the new Lord Potter.
"Very well, we will now go to you family vaults, Harry and Draco."