Chapter 4 – Gringotts Will's and Memories
A/N: Hey guys, yeah, I'm not dead… just been going through a harder year that 2020 so don't be too hard on me for not posting an update, yeah this also isn't chapter 16, but I wanted to give a rewrite a try since a lot of people keep reviewing so I've put up a proper poll, most votes keep their POV and if 3rd person wins, I'll rewrite the chapters and put them up instead.
BTW the level of criticism is actually kinda harsh in the HP fandom, so like… breathe.
Anyways, here it is so enjoying and leave a review if you like, though I guess in this case it's leave a vote. So far, I have over a thousand favourites for this story so if maybe 200 vote or something I'll keep on writing… or I might end up ghosting again.
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owes HP. I own technically nothing, and my niece is richer than me.
A quick shower left Harry feeling much more like himself, instead of feeling down with the thoughts of Sirius, Voldemort, and Dumbledore. His only disruption to his peace while in the shower was Dudley, banging on the bathroom door as he screamed how much he wanted into the room. Clearly, just because Harry was in there. Of course, Harry knew it was best to let him have the room instead of receiving another lashing or even worse from Uncle Vernon, who chose at that particular time to chime in on this – what was fine morning with a bellowing:
"Another year boy, then you're legal in your world, and I for one can't wait to see the last of you, freak!" The comment would have probably hurt Harry, if his dear old uncle hadn't just licked clean his breakfast plate, leaving bean juice smeared among his beard hairs. Harry ignored him and walked past the dinning table as his aunt placed another plate in front of her husband.
Anyways as the time neared to 10am, Harry wondered how long another meeting in Gringotts would likely take, seeing as he had already gone through Sirius's Will and basically became his son and heir. He knew he could probably access the Black Vaults, maybe have a real look at to what he had inherited instead of just reading it on some parchment but knew his parent's separate and collective Will still needed to be read. That would take some time as well, so he decided to have Skullsmasher to end the meeting sometime after three.
Leaving the sitting room, Harry wandered back upstairs and saw in the mirror his oversized clothes, hanging loosely on his body he made a little note in his head to pick up something his size today. Grabbing his wand on his deskside and the portkey from his drawers he muttered the pass phrase: "Gringotts meeting." Before feeling the pull of space as he travelled into the Gringotts Bank and heard the familiar crackle echo round the room. Harry looked around the room after staggering back to his feet, seeing the similar guards that he saw yesterday as they once again guided him back to the office of Skullsmasher.
Upon knocking and entering, Skullsmasher looked pleased to see me and wished me a pleasant 'Happy Birthday, Heir Harry!' before sitting back down to professionally start conducting the business meeting. Harry smiled at his first Happy Birthday wish before quickly asking Skullsmasher to try and limit the meeting to a few hours, who agreed and jumped right into the thick of it.
"Well to begin Harry, we could start with reviewing both your parents separate Wills before moving onto their collective Will, if you wish… Then I would like to move onto claiming the Lordships before reviewing both the estates and properties under said Lordships. However, I have to ask Harry are you sure you're alright you look a little ill?" Skullsmasher asked after starting the meeting in a flawlessly professional manner.
"I'm fine just a little tired I think but thank you. I believe it seems reasonable to continue in your order of things, Skullsmasher, perhaps my Dad's Will first?" Harry replied as his stomach eased, either the portkey or the eggs this morning was definitely playing ball with it. Leaning back into his chair, he heard Skullsmasher clear his throat to begin reading and Harry prepared himself to actually hear his fathers last wishes.
"I Lord James Potter, being of sound mind and body do declare this to hereby be my Last Will and Testament, rendering all others null and void. To begin, in the event of my death where I am survived by my wife, Lady Lily Potter and my Son Hadrian J Potter, I leave all my worldly possessions, including any and all money and properties of House Potter and declare my Son as stated to be, the sole Heir of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter. This inheritance is to come into fruition on his 17th birthday or under the event of emancipation. To both, I send my love from beyond the grave and hope they will always know I love them…
To Remus Lupin, I hereby leave the sum of 20,000 galleons for his lifelong friendships, along with the hope he will sone find the love he deserves. To Sirius O Black, I hereby leave my journals of the pranks I used against you as well as my two charmed mirrors for long distance communication: and of course, the sum of 20,000 galleons to use because I know if even you did have access to your own family fortune, you would still throw a tantrum over the fact I didn't leave the same amount to you as Remus… Old drama queen! Now I guess for the harder part. To both my lifelong friends, goodbye and may you never forget the times we had together.
To Peter Pettigrew, I hereby leave any surviving old socks I have for the old rat, who I believe if this Will is being carried out, is the sole cause of my death. If you have sold me out Wormtail, then I hope you remember I will be waiting on the other side. To Albus Dumbledore, I hereby leave on the condition that my son grows up in a loving and caring family as stated in a collective Will; the sum of 15,000 galleons to use for either himself or the Order of the Phoenix against the half-blood so called Dark Lord, Voldemort. If the condition not met, such as the event of my son entering the care of Petunia and Vernon Dursley, the sum obviously becomes void and will instead be gifted to St. Mungo's. This is all I have for my personal Will, Goodbye." Skullsmasher began and finished without pause, all the while Harry sat listening at his fathers word come from the goblin warrior and staring at the parchment from where they came.
"Would you like a minute to think on any of this before starting your mothers' will?" Skullsmasher asked, with quite a softer goblin glare than usual. Harry nodded in thanks before saying it would be best to continue instead of dwelling. Pulling out his mother's will, Skullsmasher took a small sip of water before continuing in his ever-booming tone.
"I Lady Lily Potter, of sound mind and body do hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, rendering all previous null and void. In the event I am survived by my husband which under consideration is very unlikely, I leave him everything along with the sole care of our Son, Hadrian J Potter. As I said this is not likely the case, I therefore leave everything of my own possession to my Son, to be given on his 17th birthday or the event of emancipation, other than the subsequent items.
To Sirius O Black, I hereby leave the guardianship and custody of Harry to you, knowing you will love him just as much as me and James while also being the Godfather every child should have. I also leave my personal book on charms to help you deal with the messes you always end up making Paddy. To Remus Lupin, I leave my collection of notes regarding the Wolfsbane Potion I have been secretly working on, which increases the potency and reducing the usage for both yourself and any other inflicted with the Lycanthrope curse; as well as 10,000 galleons from my personal account in case you need someone to brew or buy the ingredients, Moony.
To Alice and Frank Longbottom, I leave the sum of 10,000 galleons for yourselves and your son, Neville. Along with the additional request that if Sirius or Remus can't take in Harry, that you take custodial guardianship and take care of him, if this is the course of action then a further 10,000 galleons a year will be used to help for any and all costs.
To Peter Pettigrew, I leave only my request to the kind goblins of Gringotts to find and capture you, if you have subsequently escaped justice after betraying the Potter Family. Along with this I request the goblins to give you what I have heard to be the traitors' treatment, I also leave my memories of you as an unregistered Animagus in the event of a wizarding trial taking place against you. My last words to you… if you really have betrayed us Wormtail, then I hope it was actually worth it.
To Hadrian, my son, as aforementioned I leave you everything else, including my love forever and my own personal trunk that is in my vault. I believe you will find a few more surprises in there that I hope you will count as Birthday and Yule presents that we might have missed, may it help you live your life fully and help you move on from losing both me and your father. Whatever happens I will always be proud of you, Mom." Skullsmasher finished, his voice giving the slightest quiver as even the words of Harry's mother had an effect on the harsh attitudes of goblins. Harry of course, could barely hold himself together as his mothers words washed over him, glad that at least in someway he had finally heard her own words.
For a few minutes, Harry sat with Skullsmasher in silence. After contemplating his mothers' words and wishes he looked up from the desk and started asking what should be done now, for instance if his parent's separate wishes should be dealt with before the reading of the collective Will. Skullsmasher had already began opening the collective Will at this point and began explaining how the collective wishes were always easiest to deal with before any separate wishes from the deceased. Two seconds later, Harry began listening to his parents last Will as Lord and Lady Potter.
"We are being both I James, and I Lily Potter, of the House of Potter, with sound mind and body do declare this to hereby be the Last Will and Testament of the Lord and Lady of the Most Noble and Ancient House Potter. In this collective summary, we wish both our separate Will's to be carried out effective immediately after the Head of House Potter has been appointed. In this case, our son Harry will become Lord Potter and deal with our final wishes. Furthermore, we as Lord and Lady leave the collective Houses the following sums for their alliance and aid between their House and House Potter.
To the Most Noble and Ancient House of Longbottom, we leave the sum of 10,000 galleons for their effort and friendship during the long reign of terror against the Dark Lord V. As well as the continued alliance between our Houses so long as both our descendants survive and take up their respective titles.
To the Most Noble and Ancient House of Bones, we leave the sum of 10,000 galleons for their effort and friendship against as stated the Dark Lord, including the continuation of our beneficial alliance.
To the Most Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass, we leave the sum of 8,000 galleons for their aid against the efforts of the Dark Lord, the alliance between our Houses may continue through our agreed contract.
To the Most Noble and Ancient House of McKinnon, we leave the sum of 5,000 galleons for their aid against the efforts of the Dark Lord with the hope the House does not suffer any further than already.
To the Order of the Phoenix and Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore, we leave the collective sum of 15,000 galleons on the condition that the Dark Lord is not defeated, and if ever returns is needed to fund the Order, under the condition that Harry is both informed and protected about the events surrounding the war.
To our son Harry J Potter, we leave notes containing our personal responses the duties you will face under the Head of House Potter Lordship, and the request that he add our memories stored in the Potter Vault to our portraits in the Potter Manor.
With this, so ends the Last Will and Testament of the Lord and Lady James Potter of the House of Potter, may the gold of the goblins forever flow in their favour and that of our kin." Skullsmasher finished with an appreciative nod at the late Lord and Lady's respect to the Goblin Nation. Moving the Will to the side near the others, Skullsmasher gathered some documents and looked over them before handing them to Harry.
"Well… Quite a Will reading if you don't mind me saying, Heir Harry. Before we take a break if you would sign these papers, indicating the reading of both separate Will's and the collective Will have been carried out and understood by the sole inheritor, i.e., you, Gringotts can begin the inheritance transactions immediately." Skullsmasher had barely finished before Harry had signed, already wanting his parents last wishes to be fulfilled. Harry sighed as he finished with the last r in Potter, feeling like he had finally finished something that should have been done years ago.
"Before we go any further, such as the claiming of the Lordship rings, I think we should go over the implications of the Will's and the concerns that each of them brings up." The goblin said before waving his hand like yesterday, causing a tray to appear on a cart with food and drink.
"I am afraid one such area of concern is regarding the sum of galleons gifted to the House of McKinnon, as their family was destroyed by the Dark One in the previous war. As such, unless a living descendant comes forth to claim the Lordship and House, the sum cannot be transferred into their currently frozen vaults." Stirring a cup of tea, Skullsmasher starred at Harry until he nodded for the goblin to continue, before starting to eat the ham sandwich from the cart.
"As for the Order of the Phoenix, of course the sum could not be transferred until the will was completed, however obviously as he was classed as defeated the transferal would have been classed as null. Even as he is back now, obviously the sum will still be withheld as the transaction is unnecessary as Dumbledore has failed to meet the conditions left in the Will. Now we can move onto the claiming of the Lordship rings… if these rings accept you then you are for all intents and purposes the rightful heir and Lord of both the Black and Potter families. If the rings reject you, they will simply return to the family vaults awaiting the next true heir." Skullsmasher spoke before ticking off a piece of parchment and opening the desk to bring out two selective ring boxes, each barring a different family crest. The Potter Crest was ruby red, with a glaring griffon proudly stretching its wings, while the family motto ran underneath 'Potter and Proud.' Quite amusing, Harry thought as he touched the ring box. Next was the Black Crest, a simple black opal with the image of a dementor stuck inside, surrounded by diamonds and underneath the clearly disgusting motto: 'Always Black and Pure.' Somehow, Harry didn't find it amusing.
Skullsmasher then warned Harry to put on the rings in order of how he wanted to be known as a Lord, such as Lord Black-Potter or Potter-Black. Of course, Harry would be choosing the latter option and putting the Potter ring on first. Harry however, paused instead of reaching for the Potter ring like something was telling him to wait before his mind clicked onto what was making him pause, the last part of Sirius's Will. After Harry explained to Skullsmasher, the goblin summoned a intern as he called it and ordered for the memories of Sirius O Black to be retrieved from the Black Vault as well as a pensive. The Head of Inheritance then explained how the account managers for both the Potter and Black accounts would be joining the meeting after the ring claiming.
Soon enough after Skullsmasher finished, the goblin intern returned carrying the box of memories with a small bowl floating about it, setting the box down he took the lunch tray away with him. Skullsmasher explained how memories could be viewed straight after each other if they were in order of occurrence and not jumping from different years, before pouring the contents into the pensive. Seeing Harry looking nervous the goblin stated:
"The memories were left for a reason; whatever you see you need to know."
And with that last sage piece of advice, Harry dunked himself into the pensive before he could back out, since after all the last time he had viewed a memory had been of Barty Crouch Jr.
Harry swirled down into the memory of his godfather, finding himself in what he knew to be Grimmauld Place, in the office of the Black House, since it proudly displayed the portraits of the previous Lords. The office was only accessible to the Head or Heir of the House, so Harry knew instantly that the person using the heir ring to sign some papers had to be Sirius and was proved right as Sirius looked up from what must have been his Will to look almost straight into Harry's eyes and telling him what he had found out.
"Harry, if you're here pup, I am honestly sorry that I am another person for you to grieve for. I had hoped the life we could have had together after the war would be long and full of laughs together, but alas, it clearly cannot be. I'm sure I either died to protect you or at least taking down a few death heads, but my reason for leaving this particular memory and the set that comes with it are this; Dumbledore is manipulating you, and not just you but nearly everyone that are closest to you. Trust me, the evidence I can give you is nearly everyone is either spying on you or hindering you.
I'm sorry to tell you this pup, but it includes Ron, Ginny, and Molly Weasley. I know you probably find this hard to believe but with the help of the goblins and some of my old pranking set I discovered the truth. The goblins can give you the proper financial details, but I can tell you the personal details, as best I can anyways. Ron is jealous. And simply angry of the attention you receive everywhere you go, likewise Ginny and Molly are jealous they don't get this attention, at least not without you with them. Which is why Molly has made Ginny become obsessed with becoming your wife, allowing them to claim your fortune after most likely killing you." Sirius paused, as if knowing Harry would need time to deal and process the information, which of course he did. Harry was ready to throw a few unforgivable's his old best friends way. His own best friend! And his mother and sister! Harry watched as a short memory of the previous Christmas flew by around him, before realising how he missed the subtle way Ginny and Molly were watching him and Ron's little show of anger at the attention the Christmas version of Harry was getting. Harry turned and saw Sirius, who was looking at the memory of Harry on that Christmas but also at Molly and Ginny, watching out the corner of his eye. Moving on Sirius twirled the memory away and looked at Harry before continuing.
"Dumbledore has also taken money from the Potter Vaults; for himself, Molly, Ron, and Ginny. Don't worry the Goblins will happily reclaim it, but the main problem is the charms and compulsions Dumbledore placed on you. I don't know exactly which ones and how many, but I know they are a lot and that he had no right whatsoever to even put one on you. These charms are forcing you into a person you actually aren't, to react and behave a certain way or against certain people or things, like Slytherin or Grey and Dark Magic. Now the reason I haven't done anything is because I simply can't, I've already been caught looking into things and Dumbledore suspects me so I can't get reasonably close around you without someone watching me, or I'd probably end up obliviated. And even if I did? The magic is too advanced for me to simply incant them away. Oi! Still listening? Good." Sirius shouted making Harry jump from his brooding thoughts on his betraying friends and the headmaster cursing and charming him.
"Don't worry though, I've already gave you the answer to all these problems. The goblins. That's right, the goblins can help you with everything, though for a price. And that will depend on what level of work they have to do to you, as the magic could be deeply rooted and growing stronger with you. I doubt the goblin can or even will refuse you, after all you still have, your mothers kindness in you, however if the price isn't ridiculous, offer the goblins double upon the Lordships and the Vault access. It should I believe keep them nice and sweet.
So far, I'm hoping that you chose to see the memories before putting the Lordship rings on, or at least I'm guessing you have chosen the memories, because the Lordship rings may be dangerous for you. Normally the rings wouldn't be a danger to the heir or Lord, as the family magic will swell inside of you, letting you into the property wards and access to family magics, but since Dumbledore has placed whatever on you, putting them on could cause some damage. A better piece of news is that putting on one ring will likely break a good few of the charms or compulsions or even curses on you.
Now the next piece of information I have, you should have probably already figured it out by now, is that Hermione has also been placed under spells. Yeah, the so-called Light Leader is getting away with anything. Molly has been using potions in her food and likely yours too. I discovered this at the last Christmas we had together, but I couldn't do anything without losing the element of surprise that I can give you now, to use at the official reading of my Will. As I said I can't identify the potions and spells used on you or any others but at least now you know without him knowing too.
Now the worst thing is the fact that Dumbledore wants or is expecting you die before the war is over, I know I'm as furious as you I promise, but Old Dumbledee underestimated the power of Padfoot and Moony. Yes, Remus knows all this but with his permission I've locked away all memories regarding any of this in case Dumbledore used Legilimency against him. The memories will come back to him after the Will reading, a charm I got from the goblins in case I did end up dead, and a quick lesson that the Lordship rings can basically provide a defence against charms, curses, potions, and mind arts, but that is just a base for the building block, so build on it and learn more defences.
But anyway, Dumbledore will think you need him to understand how Voldy can be defeated. So, onto the way to win the war, Pup. I can't believe I have to say this but better than leaving Dumbledore to let you die with the off chance off you coming back, but Voldemort inserted a piece of his soul into you. Yeah, don't freak out much, this is what making you able to talk parseltounge and enter Voldemort's mind. The bad news is that this makes you a walking breathing horcrux, a piece of dark magic that locks away a part of someone's soul to make them immortal, basically. The darkest version of immortality magic available to a witch or wizard, not something to be thought of lightly. It is utterly dangerous and immoral Harry; it causes the user to become immortal by splitting their soul after killing an innocent person.
The good and bad news? I found out from my not so death-eater brother, Regulus that Voldemort intentionally created six other horcruxes, I'm not so sure as to what and where they all are but I guess I can show you what some off them likely are. Thank god for my just as equally rebellious brother, I should say." Sirius reported before pausing for a much-needed moment, Harry was reeling. And by that he really meant reeling. A horcrux? A piece of dark soul immortality magic! Inside him? It was a lot for Harry to deal with. Seriously, sum it up man; from finding out your best friend is actually against you and that your headteacher is cursing or charming or whatever you want to call it, to then find out you're a piece of dark magic all which going through your godfather/second father, father and mothers' Will's was just a bit much… But Sirius wasn't going to stop any longer and Harry forced himself to move on and over it all, even if it did mean clearly repressing some deep trauma.
Sirius started the memory wheel, Harry called it as they sat in the office and the memories began playing around them. Each one backing up what Sirius had said just moments before, the poisoned food of Mrs. Weasley and Mooney's involvement. Then after a few seconds it went onto the horcrux memories; it showed the Tom Riddle Diary from Harry's second year and the snake that attacked Mr. Weasley last year, then it showed some other items that Harry couldn't place. A locket, a tiara, and a cup. The memories ended on a ring, bearing the Slytherin Crest and Sirius looked back at Harry, ready to explain the memories with his thoughts.
"As you should have guessed by now the diary was one of the seven, you destroyed it with the Sword of Gryffindor and the venom of the basilisk. The rest of the six are as I believe; the snake – another living horcrux, only intentional this time, the lose diadem of Ravenclaw which I can't locate at all, another two are Slytherin family heirlooms – the locket and the ring. Both come from the House of Gaunt, a now dead pure blood family that were the last descendants of Salazar himself, which I believe is the magical family Voldemort comes from, whatever his bloodline is. The ring is hidden away as Voldemort wanted, I believe so I cannot help with that one either, but my brother managed to find and re-hide the locket away from Voldemort, though I have no idea where it is likely in Grimmauld Place or the Black Manor, perhaps Kreacher can help. Lastly, and the one I can help the most with, is the cup of Helga Hufflepuff. It seems Voldy has a founders kink. Ha. Anyways I found the cup in my foul cousin's vault while I was bored and using the family magic as the Black Heir to see through her vault items. Yet since I couldn't become Lord Black, I couldn't claim the right to retrieve the cup from her vault, but you can with the ring and even strip her of some familiar magic. The goblins may also shut down her vault if you ask nicely.
As always Pup, stay safe but have fun, pranking never gets old or I guess I should say never got old. I love you, Sirius." Harry watched longingly as the man who blood adopted him stopped speaking and eventually looking up to Harry, as he looked back down to the papers in front of him and the memory ended. Harry exited the pensive and looked at Skullsmasher from across the desk, he now had the truth and the evidence behind it that he was being used by those around him and the knowledge on how to end the war before it began.
Honestly, Harry didn't know where to begin, as he sat across the desk with Skullsmasher waiting for him to explain what he saw. Breaking out of his thoughts he began explaining it all though starting with the potions, charms, and compulsions, or even curses set on him. The Head of Inheritance immediately called for a healer before Harry was done explaining how Sirius had explained to him. The real reaction, however, was the detailing explanation of how Voldemort was surviving all this time, the horcruxes, as soon as the word was out of Harry's mouth Skullsmasher had landed a large goblin hand size dent into his desk. Then the goblin explained how it was one of the worst forms of magic to ever be found and studied only by Dark Lords. Even the darkest of the Dark Lords were worried about casting such magic, and the implications and consequences of succeeding, though there were always a few that were willing to push the boundaries.
As the healer walked into the room, Skullsmasher informed me her name was Bone-Culler, quite a freakishly scary name for a female goblin, never mind a healer but nonetheless Harry greeted her warmly, shocking her as Skullsmasher grinned at his politeness for their race. He continued and explained while Harry was being checked over by Bone-Culler, that he would be informing the account managers of the developments and would even be providing a report to the Director of the Bank himself, who Harry believed was the King of the Goblin Nation. Harry became quite shocked after that and had to catch up to Bone-Culler as they left the office of Skullsmasher and headed toward the healing rooms. Before long Harry was sitting on a table waiting to be healed of any and all powers and substances.
A/N: Like I said let me know if you prefer this version over 1st person via poll, I got sick of people telling me the POV was bad after I asked so long ago and was getting reviews about it from chapter 12 still, blah, blah, blah.
After a few days I'm gonna check the poll and see if I should switch POV or not. After that ya just gonna have to deal with that has been decided.
Honestly, I do wanna say I don't really see the difference with the POV other than then word Harry, but whatever I chose 1st POV before cos its just easier to write in I guess.
