Disclaimer; Anything you recognize isn't mine. Things you don't recognize may not be mine either depending on how well read you are.
/I am the last scion of a forgotten race, speaking through the minds of the weak. /
Harry met Tonks and her mother outside Gringotts Tuesday morning before they opened their doors for business.
"Good morning Mrs. Tonks, Ms. Tonks, it is a pleasure to see you both I only wish it was under different circumstances."
"Harry, do you know what's going on? I can guess some of it since Aunt Narcissa did the world a favor and whacked herself, but why are you here?" Tonks the younger asked
"I don't know everything, but I know a great deal. Odds are we are all to be questioned regarding the deaths of the Malfoy family, and then so long as none of us were complicit in their deaths there will be a will reading. I wish to do something for you both now."
"What is that Mr. Potter? What do you know?" Andromeda stepped in.
"I swear on my magic I do not intend to act dishonorably towards the Houses of Tonks, Black, or Potter here today. It is my supposition that your two dear sisters worked things so that neither of you could inherit upon their deaths, or only the bare minimum. Did either of them welcome you back to the Black family when they had their turns as Lady Black?"
"No, but that would mean…"
"Exactly, there is the matter of the future of the Black family to be decided. I was Sirius' heir when he passed, but he like the two of you was disinherited. Unless I am mistaken, your sister was also Lady Lestrange and Lady Malfoy upon her death, though I could care less about their honor or names. I only care about the Black name because Sirius, and yourselves are some of the better people I have met in the wizarding world. Regardless of the rest of the family or its longstanding reputation, you three are good people and I respect you and by default your heritage. Regardless of what happens, I won't rob you of what is yours."
"Mr. Potter, Mrs. Tonks, Ms. Tonks, welcome. I am Igknot. We are here today primarily to read the last will and testament of Narcissa Malfoy. However, in light of recent events, the exact contents cannot be followed. We will need to revert to the Pure Blood Laws of 1327 to settle things completely. First however, there are some questions that need to be answered, we will be administering a truth potion to insure the results. It isn't as strong as veritaserum, it will allow you to not answer a question but not allow you to lie. Is this agreeable to everyone?"
There were three hesitant nods.
"Excellent. Mrs. Tonks, we will begin with you," a goblin administered the dose, "Did you kill, or were you involved in the deaths of Narcissa Malfoy or Draco Malfoy."
"No."
"Were you involved in planning their deaths?"
"No."
"What were your feelings towards the deceased?"
"Narcissa married a prick, and Draco was a spoiled child, but I loved them because they were family. In spite of all they did, I remember who my family is."
"That is sufficient."
The antidote was administered and Tonks answered similarly, but with less feeling towards her relatives. Harry's answers were the most interesting by far.
"Did you kill, or were you involved in the deaths of Narcissa Malfoy or Draco Malfoy."
"No."
"Were you involved in planning their deaths?"
"Oh I planned them, but they died before I got the chance to kill them. I had numerous plans for both of them, and how to avoid this questioning, but they escaped me. I am quite annoyed at that."
"What were your feelings towards the deceased?"
"I hated them both with the fiery passions of a thousand suns. I would have killed them both and gone to Azkaban gladly if I were caught. But they would have had the devil's own time trying to hold me there." Harry smirked at this last bit.
The others looked at Harry with open mouthed shock at what he had just admitted, but two of the goblin guards were grinning enough to show their teeth.
"No, Harry, tell us what you really feel. Don't bottle it up inside," Tonks joked as the antidote was administered.
"I will remind you that Draco was the one who allowed the Death Eaters into the school last spring. Especially Fenrir Greyback, who was by the way, the man who bit Remus Lupin and Bill Weasley. Why should I feel anything but hatred for someone whose choices and actions led to death and heart break?"
"Regardless, now that we are certain that none present were involved in the deaths, we can begin. At the time of her death, Narcissa Malfoy was responsible for the Malfoy, Black, and Lestrange Estates and all their titles and lands. Initially we had quite the problem on our hands. Lady Malfoy's will left everything either to her sister Bellatrix or her son Draco, both of whom pre-deceased her. This left three old pure blood families without an heir or heiress. All three Heirs apparent were for one reason or another ineligible, or so we thought. Mrs. Tonks was a Black prior to having been disinherited and cast from the family, her daughter was likewise never recognized by any of the lines concerned. Mr. Potter-SaDiablo here was the Heir to the last male Black, but he too was disinherited before he died."
"When we discovered no clear heir, we began researching the genealogy of the Black family looking for a blood tie to inherit so we could save the headache that would result from all three of you arguing your cases in front of the Wizengamot. We have decided Gringotts' position on this issue."
"What is it?" Tonks asked.
"You were born Harry James Potter?" Igknot asked.
"Yes, I was." Harry replied slowly, unsure where this was going.
"Son of James Potter and Lily Evans?"
"Yes."
"Grandson of Charlus Potter and Dorea Black?"
"I guess, I never knew my grandmother's name before now."
"Oh! Great Aunt Dorea, she was something of the White Sheep in the Black Family, I was never permitted to talk with her." Andromeda was beginning to catch on.
"Then in accordance with the Pure Blood Laws of 1327, you are recognized by Gringotts as Lord Baron Lestrange-Malfoy-Black-Potter-SaDiablo. We have no record of the SaDiablo Family, but we assume from its placement that it is either older or more powerful than the Potter Family in your opinion?"
"Wow that name is a mouthful. Yes, the SaDiablo family is both older and more powerful. It was founded over fifty thousand years ago by Saetan Daemon SaDiablo, and is the ruling family of several nations. It is however impossible to reach their territories without already knowing where they are. A daughter of the Family is currently attending Hogwarts if you wish to learn more about them."
"If you say so Lord Potter. Now, on to the paperwork. Please sign these."
"Very well, would you please hand me the papers for the Lestrange and Malfoy families first?"
"Certainly."
"Hey, I didn't know that the Malfoy family controlled the Daily Prophet!"
"Why do you think they sided with Fudge and slandered you so often?" Tonks supplied.
"I suppose it makes sense in a way, and it certainly explains Rita Skeeter. This could be very useful."
After he signed the papers for the first two families, he signed only the first paper naming him legal head of the Black Family before turning to Andromeda Tonks.
"As Lord Black, will you consent to rejoining this family and taking your rightful place in society?"
The two shared a glance. "We will."
"Very well, welcome back to the family cousin. I find I am unable to fulfill the duties of Lord Black, will you take up the mantle as Lady Black?"
Andromeda gasped, "If you are sure?"
"I told you when I came in today, I will not steal what is rightfully yours. Take the ring and claim your family's inheritance."
"Thank you. Just being welcomed back was enough, this is too much."
"It should have been yours in the first place, until the bigotry of your relatives robbed you. That I have more family is worth all the money in the world. Besides, I have plans for the Lestrange and Malfoy fortunes, plans they would never have approved of which makes them oh so sweet. By the way, Sirius left me the Black family home in London. It is under a Fidelius charm but when it is no longer useful, I will bring in some curse breakers to rip that down from the inside. You both will always be welcome there."
"Griphook, could you please escort me to someone who could help me open an account?"
"Certainly sir, please follow me." He led Harry down a set of corridors. "Enter, a goblin will be along in a few moments to assist you."
"Thank you. May your gold always flow."
"And yours." Griphook responded with a smile. This boy was learning new tricks every day it seemed. First it was respect, then Gobbledygook, and now traditional phrases.
A grumpy looking goblin entered. "I am Slipjaw. How can Gringotts help you today?"
"I wish to make some changes to my accounts. Firstly, I wish to open an Heirloom Vault for the SaDiablo Family. We have no previous dealings with this bank, but we have the backing and support of the Lestrange, Malfoy, Potter, and Black Families. When that is done, we will be combining the assets in their entirety of the Lestrange and Malfoy families into this new vault, plus half of the liquid assets of the Potter Family and everything in vaults 1295, 711, and 687."
"Is that all? I can begin gathering the paperwork." Slipjaw's eyes began to gleem at the prospect of the transaction fees he would earn for the bank today. That this young man could speak Gobbledygook so well only insured it would be fun. There were rumors about him, and it looked as if they were right.
"Unless you can also recommend an investment manager who is willing to follow odd orders in exchange for some handsome commissions that will be all." Harry replied offhandedly.
"I may know someone who would be interested. Shall I bring you his references and see if he will meet your requirements?"
"Thank you, I would greatly appreciate that."
After a few minutes Slipjaw returned with two folders and a stack of papers. "These are the papers you will need, and the folders represent the curriculum vitae of myself and Ulrich. We would both consider handling your accounts."
"Ulrich the Unshakable from Special Services? Most interesting, I will review them both closely. My thanks to the both of you." He started in on the papers.
"How do you know Ulrich?"
"Bill Weasley of the curse breakers speaks very highly of him, he mentioned he was hoping to move into special services soon."
"Interesting."
Harry looked over the C.V.'s in front of him. Ulrich had more experience in the bank, but less in actual investing. Slipjaw didn't have nearly as many connections, but was very well placed in certain areas.
"Slipjaw, would a salary of 650 galleons monthly and a three percent commission on transactions interest you?"
"Hmm… I'll take six hundred, but I want five percent."
"Very wise choice, for the next few months you will make money hand over fist that way, more so than with the lesser commission. You are hired good sir. "
"Excellent, now what are these odd orders you were talking about?"
"Well I would like to begin by placing all of my properties except the one under Fidelius in London and the Godric's Hollow property under interdiction to prevent anyone from entering. I would like to exclude house elves from that interdiction order as they will assist me in readying them for the second stage. I will be selling all of the properties with the exceptions of the previous two and the Mediterranean bungalow. I will also be divesting myself of all stock held under the SaDiablo name, leaving the Potter Estate untouched. Once this is accomplished, we will begin buying land and houses in and around Godric's Hollow. The goal is to create the largest possible estate in that area of adjoining properties. It is permissible to bankrupt the SaDiablo estate of liquid assets to do this but the Potter Vault must not drop below fifty thousand galleons nor are the stocks to be sold. The Malfoy Manor in Wiltshire is to be auctioned off rather than sold outright, I firmly believe that it will sell for more this way. All of my stocks with the exception of the controlling stake in the Daily Prophet I now seem to have are also to be sold to fund this land grab."
"You know something Mr. Potter. Would you care to let the rest of us in on it?"
"I know many things. I cannot say for certain, but after Halloween you will see my hand. A great deal of money, stock, and property is about to change hands on a scale unheard of since the black plague killed half of muggle Britain. Power is shifting. The New Year will see a new Elite. And you are helping to form it."
"Very interesting, this has potential."
"Remember the Golden Rule; whoever has the gold makes the rules. This also applies to business and lands. Enough of all three are about to change hands that if the Goblins were prepared to spend their gold, the Ministry would be serving you before next Christmas. The Malfoy influence is chump change compared to what is about to start moving. You have to spend money to make money."
"Hey mate, where'd you disappear to this morning?" Ron asked at lunch.
"I spent the morning talking with the goblins down at Gringotts. Did you know that the Malfoys owned the Daily Prophet?"
"No, but it makes sense with the way they are always bad mouthing you."
"Well, not anymore. I no longer have to worry about the Prophet."
"Why not?"
"Because I now own it. Oh, and I got a couple of cousins out of the deal too!"
Ron just about choked on his sandwich. "What? How and Who?"
"I own the Daily Prophet. When Malfoy's mum killed herself, the money and stuff went to the Black family since she was the last of the Malfoys. My grandmother was a Black and the rest of the family was either dead or disowned. I took the Malfoy loot, gave the Black stuff to Tonks and her Mum (after making them Blacks again), and ended up with more family than I left with."
"So Malfoy who we've been enemies with since first year was…"
"…my second or third cousin apparently. There was probably some degrees of removal too, but I am no good at that crap."
"Blimey. You know for a guy who says money doesn't matter you seem to have a lot of it."
"And I've told you Ron, if you ever decide that you are not too proud to take my money, just let me know. What's mine is yours and you know it, just let me know soon huh? I am about to start spending it by the boatload and will soon be a poor man if things don't work out like I have planned."
"What could you be doing that's going to break the Potter and Malfoy Families?"
"SaDiablo actually, I am throwing all of the assets I can against a certain project for after the war. The Potter Family won't be broke, but only because I won't do that to any children I may have. Though realistically if my plan doesn't work I am unlikely to live to have children, but that isn't the point. I pooled all my wealth and some of my family wealth under the name SaDiablo so I could have some anonymity while I set the world on its ear."
"What do you have planned?"
"Why is it everyone asks me that? I've got a plan both for the war and for the royal shit storm that will occur afterwards. I will reveal the public plan on Halloween in a letter to the Wizarding world. When you read the letter, remember that I love you and your family. Hermione too. I will explain to you three the motives behind it and some of the plan then, but the letter itself will make a lot of people very angry. And a lot more very scared. I am here for you guys no matter how the plan works or fails. The war is starting in earnest and I don't forget my allies."
"Dobby!"
A sharp crack echoes in the quiet halls. "You called for Dobby?"
"Dobby, I want to make an offer to you. How would you feel about becoming the Head Elf for the Most Ancient and Noble House of SaDiablo."
"Dobby has never heard of SaDiablo except for the little first year girl. Why is Harry Potter Sir asking Dobby?"
"Lucy is my sister. I am Lord Baron Lestrange-Malfoy-Black-Potter-SaDiablo. Please don't ask me to repeat that. I am asking you to work for me."
"You is a Malfoy?" Fear crept into Dobby's eyes.
"No, all of your old masters and mistresses are dead, I now hold their title. You may still wear clothes and be paid if you wish, and you will always be free. If you don't want to work for me any longer, just tell me and you could leave."
"Dobby will do it, what is your first order?"
"My first order is that you are not allowed to hurt yourself. My second order is to ask you to help me clean out my homes of valuables. At midnight tonight, all my homes are to be interdicted by the goblins so no one can enter them. I want you to go to the homes on this list and clean them of important things. First you must grab all the books from the libraries; and then go back for business papers, magical objects of all sorts, and anything of great importance. Furniture, silverware, and the like I have no interest in. I suspect that the Death Eaters are using Malfoy Manor or one of their other properties for a base. If they are, please help anyone trapped inside to escape to a hospital once the interdiction happens. Leave everything you find in the library at Headquarters, remember when I showed you that?"
Dobby nodded.
"Great, I will come over there sometime this weekend to move it to its new home. Recruit any house elves you find on these properties to help you. You are my Head Elf, they follow you now. When you are done in one home, they should follow you to the next. All of you will be expected to answer my call this weekend to help move the items again. Remember; Libraries, then business, then magical objects, and then other valuables. That is the priority."
"It will be done right away Master Harry."
"Please, no master. I am just Harry and that is an order."
"Yes… Harry."