Here you go lovelies! Another long awaited installment of this story!
I'm so sorry that I fell of the planet for a little while!
I had a baby!
Between a long and very hard pregnancy and adjusting to life with a new baby,
I just didn't have the time I would have liked to devote to writing.
Thank you all for your patience and unwavering kindness and support!
I hope you enjoy
As per usual, I sadly own nothing.
Arriving in the entrance of Gringotts had been more than a little interesting. Due to the late hour there had been no other wizards in the wizarding bank and the goblins did not seem so pleased with their sudden and unconventional arrival. The goblins closest to them were those standing guard, swords drawn before they even had a chance to speak.
"We seek sanctuary." Hermione said quickly, the only one among them to have paid much attention during History of Magic and having researched the customs of these small creatures in greater depth.
At her words the guards stopped, looking them over as if uncertain as to the truth of their words.
"We come to you humbly and with great need. We request sanctuary and aid in this hour." The brunette witch said solemnly, holding her hands out in a sign of peace, showing that she held no weapons and wished them no ill.
One of the guard goblins, the tallest of the six around them nodded, pushing his sword back into its sheath. "Then you shall have sanctuary. What aid is it you seek?"
At this Harry took over explanations. "We need to pull money from our accounts and secure them against all other parties previously having access to them. As well as blood testing for myself." He added the last, Luna's words having stuck a cord within him.
"Your account manager will be able to handle these things." The tall goblin said, motioning to one of the other goblins who turned and left. After a few moments the goblin returned and said something in gobbledygook to the tall one and he nodded. "Follow me."
Turning he left, the three Gryffindors and the house elf following him. He led them across the main floor of the bank and through a side door. The group, including two other guard goblins, continued down passage after passage until they reached an ornate door. "The head goblin has requested you come to him." He said gruffly and pushed the door open.
Upon entering Harry, Hermione, and Neville were in awe. While the main floor of the bank had been impressive it was nothing in comparison to this room. High vaulted ceilings covered in intricate designs Harry was sure were done in pure gold were amazing. The walls were lined with shelves of books and scrolls which he could practically feel his girlfriend itching to run to and see what sort of knowledge they contained.
"Ah, Heir Potter, Miss Granger, and Heir Longbottom." Said an aged goblin who was currently sat behind a large ornate desk scattered with papers. "I am Ragefist. I have been informed that you come to us this late evening seeking sanctuary and aid." At a nod from the three Gryffindors, he continued. "Sanctuary, you shall have and we can certainly provide the aid you seek, for a price of course."
"Of course." Replied Harry with a respectful incline of his head.
"I am told you wish to withdraw funds, secure and restrict accounts, as well as blood testing?" Ragefist inquired, picking up a quill and scribbling something on a spare bit of parchment.
"Yes, sir." Harry answered, careful to show the proper amount of respect.
The older goblin looked at the young raven for a few moments, his gaze seeming to bore straight into Harry's soul. "As you wish. First things first, blood testing. Normally we would do things the other way around but we have been attempting to contact you for some time about claiming your lordships. It seems all communications have gone unanswered. And while we will require payment for all blood testing and rituals, the issue of your lordships is more pressing."
"Lordships?" Harry asked in confusion. "I wasn't aware of any lordships. And I apologize but I have received no letters from Gringotts."
"Dumbledore…" growled Ragefist in mild disgust. "That would explain a great many things in relation to you and your accounts."
"What have my accounts to do with Dumbledore?" asked Harry, his confusion only building.
"He appointed himself as your magical guardian upon the passing of the previous Lord and Lady Potter." Ragefist said succinctly before turning to one of the goblins by the door and barking what seemed to be an order in gobeldygook. Turning back to the three teenagers standing before him, the goblin continued. "And yes, lordships. As the son of the late Lord James Potter, you are Heir to the Noble and Ancient House of Potter. Also, your godfather, Lord Sirius Black named you his heir in the event of his death."
Harry stood shocked, the hand in Hermione's squeezing in distress. "Why was I never told of any of this?" Harry questioned in a tight voice.
"Dumbledore has been sitting on the Wizengamot in your stead for years, gaining more power in his place as regent upon the death of your godfather." Ragefist answered honestly.
"We will do blood testing for inheritances as well as potions and spells. I have a feeling that the latter at least will yield interesting results if my idea of Dumbledore is accurate."
"Alright." Harry said, attempting to keep calm. "What do I have to do?"
Ragefist pulled three pieces of parchment out of a drawer of his desk, each with a slightly different sheen to them. "These have been each dipped into a different potion. One will show any magical effects currently in effect on your person." At this Ragefist pointed at the parchment on the right which had a slight green tint to it. "Another shows any inheritances left to you by any means, blood or magic." At this the center parchment, which had a barely noticeable blue sheen to it. "And the third will show a direct family tree spanning several generations, including both births and adoptions."
Harry nodded along as all of this was explained to him. "And you need my blood on these parchments, I'm assuming?" He asked, his cold mask firmly in place.
"Yes, three drops on each if you please." Ragefist said, handing him a small ceremonial blade that looked deadly sharp. "This blade is enchanted to heal the wound."
Taking a deep breath, Harry looked at both Hermione and Neville in turn. Upon receiving matching nods of encouragement, he stepped forward and took the blade, slicing his palm and letting the needed drops fall on the indicated parchments. The moment his life's blood touched the potion-soaked parchments, they gave off a gentle glow as inky words began to spread across each of them.
Once the ink settled into the parchment, all were silent as Harry read the words there. All that could be heard were a harsh "What the hell?"