Chapter 51: The Black Vault
Ronald Weasley could not say whether he was dreaming or not. The events had been so unreal that he began to suspect that he had taken something from Harry's mix of Potions accidentally and this was all a dream.
There was a party in his honor. Everyone was dancing and singing. His mother wouldn't let him out of his sight and Ginny had hugged him three times so far. Yet so this was normal compared to what had happened to Hermione and Harry. Ron initially couldn't believe it, but there was no way around it. And to add to how surreal this was, they were in a fort.
"There should be a way around it." he told Lupin
"There isn't, really," replied Lupin, "This is all temporary, of course. Ron, trust me, you'll get used to it. It takes exactly two days."
"I still doubt them to be real," said Moody, "They could be imposters to divert us from the real ones."
"Goodness, Alastor, why do you always suspect everything?" said Lupin with his usual good-natured smile.
"Moriarty had kept a lot of things hush hush and secret. Why should this be an exception?"
"Professor Moody…" said Harry.
"That is Potter! How many times have I told you not to call me that?" said Moody.
The boy who was supposedly Harry frowned and then looked at Ron desperately, hoping that he would shed all doubts away. Harry was beginning to feel alienated and so was Hermione.
"Harry, why are all the weirdest things happening to you?" asked Ron. "Can't I become a seven year old like you? This would make it far less awkward."
"I'm afraid not." said Jim Moriarty who joined them with Severus Snape and oddly Lucius Malfoy.
"Uhm…" uttered Hermione, "Hello?"
"They know already," said Moriarty, "Lucius will be replacing Mr Stiltskin. It won't be that difficult. He'll just have to show up from time to time."
"I feel your plan will eventually screw us in some way," said Moody.
Hermione snorted involuntarily. Didn't they know who he was?
"I've tried my best, Alastor."
Moriarty looked at Ron kindly, "Ron, I'm afraid you'll have to be with alone at Hogwarts until Christmas. The deal I made for Harry and Hermione cannot be extended to anyone else."
"But they are coming with us, too," said Ron, indicating Harry and Hermione.
"Well, yes Ron, but not as Harry and Hermione," said Remus.
"Yes, I'm Margaret Molina," said Hermione, "And Harry's, Joe Yang."
"And you, of course," said Moriarty "don't know them, do you?"
"Oh, you are right, sir."
Moriarty raised his shoulders and walked away. "Ah, before I forget, Harry and Hermione, please come to my room. I have a word with you. If you don't mind you can bring Ron, too."
Moriarty took them to his room that he shared with Filch, who had left for Hogwarts.
He took his wand out and waved it in a dance like manner. Suddenly, a staff appeared in the air.
"As you know Hermione has to go meet Voldemort at least once. That is essential."
"Why is it so important that Hermione goes to him?" asked Harry.
Moriarty grabbed the staff and gave it to Harry.
"Because Voldemort could still be on her side and I don't want to risk my plan blow up. If we can, we should try to deceive the enemy even more. Now, before we begin, how much have you told Ronald?"
"Everything." replied Hermione.
"Everything?"
"Yes."
"Does he know that you are Magi?"
"Yes," this time replied Harry.
"Your reaction is awfully good for someone who has realised his best friends are probably not human, Ronald."
"I'm not racist," said Ron.
Moriarty just stared at him and then burst into laughter.
"Of dear, that was the funniest come back in a long long time. Here, grab this staff, Harry. Let's see if there is a reaction."
The staff made no effect when Harry touched it, but when Harry let it hit the ground it stuck and the floor began to freeze.
"Naturally," said Moriarty to himself. He whispered a word and the floor returned to normal.
"Your nature is ice. I should have known. What we want to do is to help Hermione temporarily take her original form, but we only need to maintain it for a few days if we have to."
Moriarty began to tell Harry how to practice and after twenty minutes or so Harry successfully turned Hermione to herself as she had been days ago.
"Now, back to Margaret Molina." said Moriarty with enthusiasm
"Please, I'm so tired!" begged Harry.
"They have some time off."
Harry tried to walk away but he fell on the ground.
"Harry!" cried Ron and Hermione.
Before they could do anything, Harry's body began to change and take a form Ron had never seen before and Hermione had seen only once.
"Orion Black!" exclaimed Ron.
Moriarty shook his head and said, "Don't be silly, it's just Harry."
"He's not being silly," commented Hermione, "Harry looks a lot like him."
"Yes, he is similar. But we don't need to make a fuss about that, my dear," said Moriarty, "I'm really sorry. I stressed him too much."
"This doesn't make sense." said Harry panting, "Why did this happen?"
Moriarty sighed and waved his wand to make Dionysus's staff went away.
"The most stable shape for you is this shape. Your true face is the easiest to hold. You can assume many shapes but as you get more distant from your real self it becomes harder to maintain the persona. It starts to fall apart once you are magically stressed."
"But, how did he do that?" asked Ron.
Moriarty scratched his head and said, "Well, to be honest, he didn't do it. It was mostly the staff, but Harry can guide it more efficiently because he had the… appropriate genes."
"Then why didn't you ask Harry to do it before?" asked Hermione.
"Because I wasn't one hundred percent sure, and if I was wrong it could produce horrible results. Harry couldn't use it on himself anyway. However, when House failed to change his appearance I knew Harry could use this."
"So what do we do now?" said Hermione.
"Well, enjoy being yourself until Harry recovers."
***HR****
This summer has been too long, or at least Hermione had felt that way. Many things had happened. Harry had been through a lot before but the recent events had made the past seem mundane. Once or twice he told Hermione that he felt broken, alienated and distant. Being an eleven years old child again was not an easy feat. In addition to looking like one, Harry and Hermione had to try to behave like one, too. They had to fail enough, be naive appropriately and create an image that looked nothing like their real self. To his own surprise Harry easily slid into his new character. Hermione on the other hand was finding it impossible. It was incredibly hard to feign stupidity and lack of experience.
Ron was good at spotting their grown up behaviours. He kept pointing them out whenever he could.
"Hermione, no first year knows how to handle their wands properly." he said the very first time Hermione tried to practice failing at a spell.
"It's impossible, Ron. I cannot unlearn this!" she whined.
"You should work on crafting an image for yourself," said Remus as he kept his eyes on his book, "I don't know how Harry does it, but that's what he has done."
Hermione pouted and sat on her chair. This was the first time Hermione was just awful at doing something. She could not feel comfortable in her new skin. From time to time Harry used the staff to turn her into her normal self and she would feel free.
"There is no time for that," moaned Hermione, "I cannot act like a child, it's practically impossible!"
Remus smiled. The door opened and Sirius Black walked in. He looked at Hermione and sighed, "Oh, she's upset again, isn't she? How is my favourite niece? Come on Little Bird, say something,"
"Sirius, I'm not in the mood. Your niece? I'll never call you uncle. No, that's too much."
"Oh," said Sirius in fake sadness, "I thought you liked me!"
"She does, Sirius." replied Remus, "However, she's upset as you can see. Tease her when she is less jumpy."
"All I'm trying to do is to cheer her up, don't you see?"
Remus chuckled and went back to his book.
"Remus, I miss the old days, when I could smuggle firewhiskey into Hogwarts and throw parties."
"That is exactly the part I don't miss about Hogwarts. Well, one time I do miss, remember that one party where I danced so much with Amelia Bones that we both passed out right on the dance floor?"
Sirius laughed and nodded. "I do."
"I have some bad news for you, Hermione." said a voice behind him.
"What is it, Harry?" asked Sirius worriedly.
"Oh, nothing awful, Sirius. It's just that Moriarty wants our wands changed."
"He's got to be insane!" exclaimed Hermione. "Hold on, your voice is different."
It was not Harry's new voice as an eleven-year old but his original voice. Hermione looked up and she saw Harry Potter she knew so well.
"You've changed back!" she yelped.
"I did," replied Harry, "I am going to the Ministry of Magic, because I'm required to go legally. Apparently, I have to release a disclaimer that I am in possession of no Potter heirloom whatsoever."
"Which includes your invisibility cloak," said Sirius sadly.
"Oh, actually that one is not a part of the problem, because technically Dumbledore gave it to me. I don't know how it works but Moriarty says I can keep it as long as I don't tell anyone."
"I'm sorry that they are taking everything from you," said Sirius.
Harry shook his head and walked to Hermione to pat her on the head.
"Don't you dare!" warned Hermione before Harry's hand could touch her head.
"Sorry," said Harry as he backed away. "It seems that instead I will inherit everything Orion had, considering that he is officially dead."
Sirius stiffened and then looked down.
"Oh, come on, Sirius. We cannot avoid it." said Harry as his appearance changed into a horrifyingly familiar man with an even more familiar voice, "After all, I am your son."
"Oh, my!" Sirius whimpered as he stepped back.
"Oh my, Indeed," said Remus.
"I'm lucky that I don't have to go looking like this."
"You'll give everyone tachycardia." said Hermione.
"Will I?" asked Harry.
"Harry, promise me that you will not keep that face!" demanded Sirius, "I cannot tolerate i.t"
"I know, Sirius," said Harry, "but you should know that this is how I really look."
"You are creeping me out!" said Sirius, and Remus nodded vigorously.
Harry frowned for a moment and that was enough to trigger a fight or flight reaction in Sirius. He jumped back and out of the door frame into the hallway.
"Wow that was…" he locked at Remus, "fast."
Remus sighed and closed his book.
"Why this face, Harry?" he asked.
"It's my real face."
Remus sighed.
"I'm not going to ask how you got this face, because I'm sure you'd have to lie, but I really want to know if you are going to expose this secret."
"I don't know, Moriarty says it's up to me. Should I?"
"Don't let him manipulate you into doing what he wants."
Harry just smiled and hugged Remus, "Don't worry, it will be fine."
"Wait," said Hermione, "I'll come with you."
"Wouldn't that be dangerous?" asked Harry.
"What if Moriarty gives his permission?"
Harry agreed that asking Moriarty wouldn't hurt.
Contrary to his expectations, Moriarty not only approved but he said that it was his plan all along. First he asked Harry to have Hermione's original appearance come back, and then began to explain his plan.
"Here's how it is going: Morningstar won't make her move now," he reasoned, " So it's not the most dangerous thing to get you out there. If we want our plan to work we need to make sure that people won't possibly think that you and those two lovely children are connected in any way."
"How do we want to do that?" asked Hermione.
"It's relatively simple," said Moriarty with a smile. He gave Hermione a small jewellery box.
Hermione opened it and gaped. "It's a time-turner!"
Moriarty had a simple plan. Harry and Hermione would go to the Ministry of Magic and then Ginny would join them on a trip to Diagon Alley. then they would go home. Harry and Hermione would change into their new appearances and use the time turner to go to Diagon as their past versions are going to the Ministry of Magic. That way they could successfully deceive their enemy. However, no one could find out about the plan. Filch even suggested that they should use Fidelius.
"No," said Moriarty.
"No?"
"Argus, you know who we are dealing with. Fidelius won't hide them from Magi. It will actually make them more suspicious."
"They cannot harm them," argued Filch.
"What if they don't want to harm them? While Fidelius limits the Magi they still can still trick you."
"Darn it, I hate Magi, things are always complicated once it comes to them."
Harry and Hermione laughed.
"And for your information, they are both Magi, so I have no idea how Fidelius would work on you while your very nature is starting to resist it." said Moriarty.
Harry and Hermione stopped laughing.
"I don't hate you children. I didn't mean that." said Filch apologetically.
Hermione looked away while Harry tried to smile kindly at the old man.
"So, let's not waste time," said Moriarty breaking that awkward silence. "Are you coming with your real face, Harry?"
"No," said Harry, changing his appearance to old Harry Potter.
"Good. Oh... When they tell you that you have inherited everything from Orion, act surprised."
Moriarty took them to the Ministry by floo. They were taken to the Department of Magical Registration, where an official parchment was handed to Harry by an undersecretary named Ronald Tumbleweed..
Harry signed off all his claims toward the assets of House Potter. Now, he was a very poor man.
"Can we leave now?" he asked. "I need to borrow some money for my school stuff."
"Mr Black, please wait," said Tumbleweed.
"Is there anything else, Tumbleweed?" said Moriarty. He was smiling.
Harry tried to hide his laugh with a cough. First time he had laughed at the poor man's name so hard that he dared not look at him the whole time.
"Mr. Black, you must give this to the Gringotts to have access to your inheritance."
He handed Harry an envelope.
"My inheritance?" asked Harry.
"Of course. Orion and Walburga Black both mentioned in their wills that their money and personal properties should go to their grandchildren if there are any."
"How much are we talking about?" asked Harry.
"All of it. I don't know the amount, of course. You should ask Gringotts."
Harry looked at Moriarty, then to Hermione and back at Moriarty. Both of them were clueless.
Moriarty took them to his Department. Unspeakable Rattenfanger took them to Moriarty's office.
"Your office is rather empty, sir." commented Hermione.
It really was empty. There was only a desk and an empty bin.
"Well, my real office shouldn't be easy to find, should it?"
Moriarty dragged the bin to Harry and Hermione. "Put your right leg in this."
Harry put his leg first and almost immediately he was somewhere else. Hermione followed him seconds later.
"Wow!" said Hermione.
"Wow, indeed." said Moriarty who had just arrived. "Do you like the view?"
"Yes!" said Hermione.
They were standing in a very large oval room filled with various tools and equipment. There were large bookshelves covering the walls and the window was displaying Tokyo.
"The view can be changed. We're still underground, but it really doesn't feel like it, does it?" said Rattenfanger.
"We should get going. we're behind schedule, " said Moriarty, "Children, don't be surprised if you see your other selves disguised in the alley. Act normal and pay no attention to them. Into the fireplace, please. We're going to Olivanders. I've already checked with him. Ginny and Draco must be waiting for us there."
***GW***
Harry and Hermione had gone to the Ministry without Ginny. And it was okay, because she had time to train more with Mr Stiltskin.
"They are out." said Filch as he came to the kitchen.
"Good," said Stiltskin.
"What are you two doing?" asked Filch.
"Runes," said Stiltskin briefly.
"What is this! My God! Are you insane? Those are explosive." bellowed Filch. "How can you be so irresponsible!?"
"These are special papers," explained Stiltskin calmly. "See that?"
He pointed at a doll house on the other side of the kitchen.
"That's a doll house. Oh I see, my bad!" said Filch before walking out.
"Go back to Hogwarts and mind your business."
"Why was he so angry?" asked Ginny.
"Concentrate!" said Stiltskin with a quiet yet firm voice.
"Oh, sorry."
"He is very protective of students. That is why he was so angry. He thought I had put you in danger."
"I think it's ready."
Stiltskin smiled, "Very well, let's see if the Red Queen is set on fire."
"Kaunan!" cried Ginny.
Suddenly a doll inside the Dollhouse burst into fire and melted away.
"It worked, well done." said Stiltskin. "I think it's time we stopped."
"Why?" asked Ginny sadly
"We are supposed to go to Olivander's. That's where we will meet your friends, Harry and Hermione."
The door opened and Lily Potter walked in.
"Hi, Lilly… uhm… I'm sorry, I meant Adriana," said Ginny.
"Don't worry about it, Ginny. Just be careful in front of others." said Lily dismissively.
"Are the other children ready?" asked Stiltskin.
"Yes, Draco is ready. Luna and Neville are already with him waiting for us. Lavender and Ron are getting ready as we speak," she paused before continuing, "Also Rudolphus wanted you to know that he was going to come with us."
"We cannot take everyone with ourselves," replied Stiltskin, "We already have enough protection. The guardians are set: Remus Lupin, you, Sirius Black and me. We will take six students to Olivander's where Jim will join us with Harry Black and Hermione Riddle. I cannot add to a plan that was set long ago."
"Well, you can tell him yourself," said Lily.
Stiltskin sighed and walked out of the kitchen. Rodolphus was waiting for him in the hall.
"I'm coming!" said Rodolphus as forcefully as he could.
Stiltskin did not even bat an eye. He just looked at the ex-Death Eater as said no.
"I have every right to take care of Hermione."
"Is that something your wife wants? I thought you did not love her."
"No, I'm just tired of staying locked up in here. I'm coming whether you like it or not. I'll duel you if I have to."
"Ah, I see," said Stiltskin with a freaky smile. "Is there something else you want to say?"
"Why did you make a deal with the Dark Lord? How do I know I can trust any of my people with you?"
"You can't," said Stiltskin, catching him off guard. "Which is why you shouldn't trust us."
"Rodo," called a woman down the hall.
Ginny couldn't see her but she could tell it was Narcissa Malfoy.
"Unspeakable Stiltskin, forgive Rodo for his awful behaviour. He is not used to confinement."
"Mrs. Malfoy, no one is forcing you to stay. However, if Voldemort decides to harm you, we would have little precautions in place against him."
"I can take care of us!" spat Rodolphus.
"You are not invincible, Mr. Lestrange."
"Is that a threat?" asked Narcissa softly.
"No," replied Stiltskin as calmly,"It's the reality."
Ginny wanted to get closer to the door, but Lily pointed her finger at her and then the chair. Ginny sat down reluctantly.
"You are not invincible, either." said Narcissa.
"I'm less vulnerable. Also it's worth to mention that I have vowed to keep you safe and you have made such a vow. You are under our protection. I cannot allow any harm to you."
Narcissa laughed politely. She clearly didn't believe him.
"We appreciate your concern, but please let Rodo come with you at his discretion."
"If the security is compromised in any way, shape or form, you will be held responsible, Mrs. Malfoy."
"Wow." mouthed Lily. Had Stiltskin given in?
"Narcissa, are you coming?" asked Rodolphus.
"No, Rodo. I will be staying. Let's not take advantage of Unspeakable Stiltskin's kindness."
"Get into the kitchen!" said Stiltskin to Rodolphus rather harshly.
The door swung open, and Rodolphus Lestrange walked in.
"Dumbledore," he acknowledged Lily who nodded in return and let him stand by her.
Stiltskin walked in next. He seemed calm and collected.
"You have a soft spot for women, Mr. Stiltskin." said Lily.
"Perhaps I do." said Stiltskin.
He faced Rodolphus and briefed him on how to coordinate himself with others. He also told him that several undercover agents were there and would take him down if he did anything out of place.
"And last but not least, you cannot come with us as Rodolphus Lestrange. After all you are still a Death Eater officially."
"Fortunately, Harry has been brewing loads of his special Polyjuice Potion recently," said Lily. "So all we have to do is find someone for Rodolphus to impersonate."
"Here," said Stiltskin, giving Lilly some strands of hair out of nowhere, "this should work well."
Lily took the strands and took out a flask out of her pocket.
"I want this back," she told Rodolphus.
"Don't worry, you'll get it before the day is over."
Lily opened the flask and sprinkled the strands into it. "Here, drink."
Rodolphus drank the potion and it worked instantly. It was much faster than the ordinary Polyjuice Potion.
"Wow, who is that?" asked Ginny, pointing at the blond man who was standing there instead of Rodolphus.
"No one in particular. Some poor man who couldn't pay his debts," said Stiltskin, "I think the pseudonym of John Drew will work just fine."
"It's simple enough," agreed Rodolphus.
To Ginny it took eons to get to Olivander's, and when they got there, Harry and Hermione had not arrived yet. Olivander's curious eyes kept inspecting them. He, however, was keen to avoid Mr. Stiltskin.
Harry and Hermione arrived with a portkey just like them. Ginny was happy to see Harry and Hermione looking their normal selves.
"Mr. Olivander, thank you for your cooperation, sir," said Moriarty, "I truly appreciate it."
"It was an absolute pleasure to help you, professor." said Olivander softly. His gray eyes piercing his soul.
"... uhm… yes, we should be going then?" said Moriarty nervously before asking everyone to gather around him. He then briefed them on how to behave and react if anything happened.
As he was speaking Hermione looked back to Olivander who was looking at Harry and her avidly. He smiled at her and walked back into his shadowy shelves that were storing his wands.
"Hermione, please pay attention."
"I'm sorry, professor."
"As I was saying, you should be fine if you don't stray away. We are having a truce with Voldemort, so I believe we won't be ambushed or attacked, but you can never be too careful when it comes to safety. Don't split up, don't go anywhere alone, don't fight anyone, and when I tell you run, RUN."
The children nodded.
"Remus, Adriana and Unspeakable Stiltskin will be assisting me as your bodyguards in public. There are, of course, other agents who will be watching us."
Stiltskin pulled a few rings out of his pockets and showed them
"The golden ones are for the students and the silver ones are for the guardians."
Harry and Hermione immediately put the rings on while others hesitated a bit.
"What are they for?" asked Draco.
"They are means of communication," said Hermione.
"Of course, they are. They have strings attached," said Luna.
"You can see them?" asked Stiltskin in a surprised manner.
"Not the time, Rumple!" said Moriarty rather forcefully.
Stiltskin seemed worried and upset though. Harry and Hermione could literally feel his emotions leak into them. Harry suddenly felt he had lost someone important.
Moriarty angrily snapped his fingers. A heatwave hit Harry and Hermione calming them down immediately.
"Is there a problem?" said a voice behind the counter. It was Olivander who had come back to observe them.
"Of course not, Mr. Olivander." said Stiltskin, "We will be leaving soon."
Olivander smiled pleasantly and retreated to the back of his shop.
"Well, hurry up! Put them on! Don't be such scaredy-cats!" said Moriarty. "Now, these rings are also portkeys, which will be activated if we feel there is danger. You must not take them off."
"Harry, Hermione and Ginny are with me. Draco and Neville you will stay with Adriana. Ron and Luna, you must be happy to have Remus with you."
Ron nodded.
"And Mr Drew," he said softly while maintaining eye contact with Rodolphus, "You will have to accompany my team if that is alright with you, of course."
"I would not have it any other way, sir." said Rodolphus.
Moriarty was the first to walk out. The alley looked normal. It was just like any other regular day. People were handling their affairs and business. Before Ginny got out of the shop she saw Ernie McMillan from the door frame. He and his mother were heading Gringotts.
Moriarty's presence in the alley did not attract many eyes as he was less known as a civil servant. His Hogwarts students, however, would recognise him immediately and acknowledge him. Some parents were glad to see him and thank him for his excellent teachings. He naturally kept dismissing them in the most polite way possible. Harry and Hermione were the main focus now. People looked at them with unfriendly glares which they would hide the moment either Harry or Hermione looked at them.
"Curse you, Riddle!" spat an old lady as they went past a fancy hat shop.
"Do not respond," whispered Moriarty.
Hermione tried to pretend she had not heard that but a few insults later she wanted the cry. People would not curse Harry directly, but Harry's sharp ears caught a very heartbreaking word a few times.
"Bastard!" was whispered a few times. The voices were hushed up yet very spiteful.
"Guys, don't mind these arseholes," said Ginny.
"I could curse them to the next week." said John Drew, otherwise known as Rodolphus Lestrange.
"Well, you won't!" said Moriarty. "Into the bank, now."
**HB**
Gringotts had never been a comfortable place to be. The Goblins didn't want it to be, especially for wizards. Yet somehow, inside the walls Harry felt less assaulted by the questioning eyes.
The goblins were waiting for them. And so were Hermione's Muggle parents. One of the goblins took Harry to a very dim chamber with Professor Moriarty. While another one guided others to their vaults. Once Moriarty and Harry sat on a bench, the goblin lit a candle and gave Harry a piece of parchment with a quill.
"What is this?" asked Harry suspiciously.
"A permission to settle your debt to House Potter." said the goblin.
"Oden, is this necessary?" asked Moriarty.
"Yes, it is. If no legitimate Potter hair is to be found, then Mr Black will inherit their wealth, but before that can be proven he must settle his debts to the family."
Harry signed the parchment and gave it back to Oden who carefully put it in a wooden folder.
"Now, please sign this." he said as he put another document in front of Harry. It had a black crown on top.
"What is this one?" asked Harry, feeling a bit dumb.
"That is the paper which transfers all the Black wealth including the Paternal residence to you."
"Forgive me, but I have something to ask, Oden. As far as I know, Harry should have been able to keep hold of Potter inheritance from James Potter, May I ask why he has to give it back?" asked Moriarty.
"Because he is a Black," replied the goblin.
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Of course, it is a matter of sacred 28. It doesn't concern the Department of Mysteries."
"Can't you tell us?" asked Harry, feeling disturbed.
"I will tell you if Head Director Moriarty agrees to make an unbreakable vow to never speak of it to those who are not heads of Sacred 28. This is sensitive information."
"This is absurd, I can leave now so you can tell Harry in private."
"Of course, Head Director, but I'm afraid Mr Black won't be able to tell you, being bound by magic older than his existence."
"Then I rather not know," said Moriarty as he walked out of the chamber.
Oden sighed and looked into Harry's eyes with concern. As if something was bothering him.
"Gringotts would like to make clear that we do not accuse you personally of any financial misconduct, fraud or infringement of any laws."
His words disturbed Harry even more. He tried to adjust his position uncomfortably.
"Yet due to your family's unique circumstances, you need to be aware of a certain set of regulations put on House Black's access to the financial system."
Oden paused to clear his throat.
"Due to the fact that House Black has produced a number of metamorphmagi, Gringotts has put a blood ward on the main vaults belonging to the members of Sacred 28.
House Black has attempted on more than seven occasions to enter a vault that was not theirs or claiming to be the child of another House to gain benefits, thus House Black has to follow a certain set of rules if they are to inherit from another House."
He looked at Harry calmly and coughed lightly.
"You, of course, will receive your inheritance in ten years, provided that other contestants do not come forward."
"I could enter my vault, I mean the Potter vault, number 687." said Harry.
"That was your own account which was filled with a reasonable amount of gold until you came of age to access your real inheritance. That vault was a minimum security vault for occasional use, which you will still own, only you have to authorise it to be refunded by your own gold."
"So there is no money in it?" asked Harry.
"Certainly not! The money you earned from your own investments are still there. It is not much, I'm afraid; only ten thousand galleons."
"That's not much?" asked Harry.
"We'll let you decide once you see the Black vault."
Oden took Harry and Moriarty to his vault.
"You may not enter without permission!" said Oden to Moriarty.
"Please, come in, professor," said Harry.
"Vault number 13, that is really ironic, said Moriarty.
"Why, because 13 is jinxed somehow?" Harry smirked.
"No," said Moriarty as the door closed behind them. "Harry, have you read the Bible?"
"I'm afraid not. Dursleys weren't religious."
"A good thing. You would have had a much more difficult life if they were. Jesus and his apostles were thirteen people. People usually don't count him in, but we were thirteen and this vault is older than Aurelius."
"It's more like an endless field," said Harry, "I can't see the walls."
They were surrounded with large piles of gold and shelves packed with books. There were swords and knives of different eras. Harry looked up and he realised that there was no ceiling, only endless darkness going high.
"Look, there is a tower!" said Harry.
"No," said Moriarty, "That is an Obelisk. I've seen it before. Let's grab some coins and leave before we find something really disturbing."
"You've been here?" asked Harry.
"Yes, with Aurelius. He inherited this vault from his mother, Rosalie Viper."
"Do you wish to know what Oden told me?" asked Harry.
"Yes,"
"Okay, let's try."
Harry said exactly what Oden had told him.
"Wow, how did I do it? How did I tell you? Oden said I shouldn't be able to."
"I am Merlin, half of the sacred 28 were my grandchildren. Magic considers me as one of them. Unfortunately, that's not something Oden can know. But it also has to do with the fact that you are a magi and certain rules don't apply to you."
"You knew about it already, didn't you?"
Moriarty sighed and asked Harry to grab some coins, "I knew of some efforts House Black did to acquire certain items, but I didn't know what kind of measure was taken. House Black has always sought power and preferred it to wealth, yet they happen to be the richest in the magical world."
"Malfoys must be richer." disagreed Harry.
"Appearance is not everything. Black's live in a humble home, yet it is far more magical than the Malfoy Manor."
"So that's why Morningstar couldn't enter the vaults. The wards stopped her."
"They didn't stop her. However, if she wanted to break them she might have condemned whatever she was looking for to be lost forever. So she might have chosen to wait until she has access. But I'm not going to wait. Which is why Rodolphus Lestrange is here with us today."
"He's that Drew guy? Was this planned?!"
"Yes, but in a way that our spy would not suspect."
"Spy?"
"Yes, Harry. A spy. I believe that Morningstar must have someone inside."
Harry was about to panic.
"Who?"
Moriarty scratched his head, "I don't know. So far I've checked everyone and they have been themselves, but what if the spy is not an imposter? What should we do then? I cannot let the spy know that I'm after them."
Harry suddenly realised that he had taken so much money that he had made a dent in the pile next to him.
"Don't put anything back. Your pockets are charmed to hold a lot of things inside. You'll need your money. You're also withdrawing for Hermione."
"And Ginny!" added Harry swiftly.
Harry once again met his friends in the Lobby. Hermione and her Muggle parents were giving goblins what seemed to be Muggle money.
"Hermione!" called Harry.
"Oh, you're back." said Hermione.
"Did you get to see your inheritance?" asked Ginny.
"I did."
"So?"
Harry avoided any further explanation and gave Ginny and Hermione two small pouches of money.
"Harry, we don't need your charity!" said Ginny angrily.
"Since when giving money to your girlfriend is charity? Also you should note that Hermione is a Black from her maternal side. So she has every right to receive money from the Head of the House, which is Sirius."
"Uhm, actually, he's not the head, you are. He was disowned." said Moriarty.
"Harry, you should not waste your money?" said Hermione.
"Said a true Black," commented Moriarty. "Your family won't go poor even if they spent a hundred thousand times more than they do now. Sirius bought a Firebolt for Harry, and that barely made a dent in his personal account."
"I cannot take advantage of Harry just because he's rich!" exclaimed Ginny.
In that moment Hermione's parents stepped forward handing Hermione some golden Galleons.
"You girls make me so proud," said Mrs Granger, "I never took money from your father Hermione without paying him back."
"Harry, you should give up," said Mr Granger, "It's a battle you'll lose anyway."
Harry looked at Moriarty with a smirk.
"Don't pretend that you knew this was going to happen!" said Moriarty before walking away to Mr Stiltskin and Rodolphus.
"That guy Drew," whispered Hermione. "He was asked to stay here, but when we came back he was absent."
"Yeah, he was here on a mission. I'll tell you about it later."
"Mission?" asked Ginny. She was surprised because she knew John Drew was actually Rodolphus Lestrange.
Hermione looked into Harry's head and saw what had happened.
"Oh my God!" she said.
"I hate it when you do it without asking first."
"Sorry!"
"So, where are Neville and Draco?" asked Harry.
"Oh, they are together with Lupin," said Ron, "I think Malfoy will take his time in his vaults."
Apparently, Ron had been right, because when Neville, Draco and Lupin returned, only Draco was happy. Lupin looked tired and Neville downright homicidal.
"Sorry for being late," he said spitefully. "Malfoy was looking for a good ring, and when he found it he wasn't sure if it was the right one!"
"Well, Longbottom," said Malfoy, "a proper pure-blood must look his class."
Harry jumped in time to stop Neville from strangling Draco to death.
"Let's go before one of you kills the other," said Moriarty disappointedly before murmuring something about childish behaviours.
Harry and Hermione were shocked to see their other versions walk up the stairs as they were walking them down. There was a Japanese man next to Harry and a lovely ebony woman next to Hermione.
Moriarty bumped into the Japanese man who got really angry.
"Watch your steps!" he spat with a thick eastern accent.
"I'm truly sorry." said Moriarty apologetically.
The man looked at him disapprovingly before ordering the future Harry to walk.
"Such a terrible man," said Draco. "Filthy Muggle."
Moriarty just shook his head and asked them to walk faster.
***HR***
Shopping was not a very smooth activity when you had Draco Malfoy with yourself nagging about every minute detail. Harry and Hermione could not wait to be away from all those hateful glances. The shop owners were less kind, more formal and excessively polite sometimes. At Flourish and Blotts they asked him to come to the front of the line and let him pay first. To be honest Harry felt offended. Hermione on the other hand was ignored and she was not offered any discounts.
Madam Malkin was perhaps the only one who kept things strictly professional. She could not have cared less about who Hermione and Harry were.
"May we use your chimney, Medea?" asked Mr Stiltskin.
That name grabbed Hermione's attention. She looked back at the middle-aged woman who had all her attention on Unspeakable Stiltskin.
"Of course, this all belongs to James."
"You have the generosity of a queen," said Stiltskin.
Madam Malkin smiled and nodded gracefully.
Draco was first to go and after him why Remus and Neville. Moriarty asked Ginny and Ron to go next and then asked John Drew to follow them with Luna.
"Children are so cute, aren't they?" said Madam Malkin. "They've grown a lot. I remember when Harry was a first-year. He was so adorable."
"Yes, they are. Can you close the shop?" said Moriarty.
"Of course,"
Madam Malkin locked her fingers together and raised her arms gently pressing her interlocked fingers to one another. There was a soft crack and the door was locked and a dark fabric covered the window.
"The wards are up."
