Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions, Mr. Potter, and I'll try to answer them as best I can. But first, I believe an explanation is in order." Ragnok began, his long nails drumming on the desk rhythmically as he spoke.

He could see the young boy was nervous, shifting in his chair as though sitting on something uncomfortable.

"The reason Ripfang brought you to me is because we've had several wizards come in here and claim to be Harry Potter. They were, of course, revealed and suitably punished. I can only speculate they were trying to steal the wealth and, possibly, the fame of the Potter family. We won't know how far back your lineage goes until we test your blood. You are the last of the Potter line due to a very unfortunate event." Ragnok finally paused, gauging Harry's reaction to all this.

Harry had been listening intently and, as far as he could tell, the Director had been honest with him. He didn't know why the Potter family was famous, or what unfortunate event Ragnok was talking about, but he wagered the older goblin was about to explain.

"On October 31st, 1981, James and Lily Potter were attacked and killed by a dark wizard named Voldemort." Ragnok said, his eyes filled with a cold fury and his lips curled into a scowl as he spoke the name.

He quickly schooled his features, now looking more solemn and sympathetic.

"It's clear you were never told the truth and I apologize that you had to discover it in this manner." Ragnok said, bowing his head slightly.

Ripfang was stunned. It had been many years since he had seen the Director bow his head for any reason, and he glanced at the boy to see his reaction. He should have known the boy would surprise him again, though he never expected to see the boy bowing his head in return.

"It's... it's alright, Sir Ragnok." Harry replied. "I never really believed the story that my parents died in a car crash. It just felt... wrong. At least now I know they died fighting to protect me."

Ripfang heard the boy sniffle and saw him quickly wipe away tears with the sleeve of his oversized shirt. He thought the boy took the news rather well, though perhaps he was holding back his stronger emotions while in the company of others. He looked back to Ragnok, who spoke again after giving Harry a moment to recover.

"I assure you, your parents cared very deeply for you. A month before their death, they came into my office and spoke to me. They knew the danger they were in, but they wanted to make sure you would always be taken care of. They instructed me that their wills were to be opened and read when you came of age, but..." Ragnok paused, thinking for a moment. "With a blood test, and your permission, they could be opened today."

Harry looked up, a mixture of surprise and worry on his face. He had just discovered his parents were magical, too, but were killed by some dark wizard... why? Was there even a good reason? Or was the man responsible simply insane? He thought for a long moment, his head in his hands. Reading their wills... would it cause him more pain? What would he learn about them? Finally, he sighed and nodded. His life couldn't possibly get any worse.

"Very well." Ragnok nodded, motioning for Ripfang to get the proper materials.

Ripfang saluted and immediately got to work. He retrieved the wills of Lily and James Potter, as well as an intricate dagger and small bowl. Harry paled upon seeing the knife.

"Don't worry, we will only need a few drops. And the cut will be healed afterward." Ragnok explained.

Harry seemed to relax slightly, though was still clearly nervous as he held out his hand. He scrunched his eyes closed, waiting for the pain... but all he felt was a small prick and then nothing. He opened his eyes to see the blood in the bowl and no mark on his hands. He blinked a bit.

"That wasn't so bad." He smiled a bit.

Ragnok gave a quick grin as well, though his business face quickly came back into place. He and Ripfang took up positions on either side of the bowl, and Harry watched as they performed some strange ritual. He couldn't understand anything they were saying, but it appeared to be working as he saw different colors leaving their hands and seeping into the bowl. After a few minutes, they stopped and the bowl glowed a soft white. Ragnok then turned to him.

"It's been confirmed that you are, indeed, Harry Potter." He said.

For some reason, Harry felt relieved. He didn't know if they could have made a mistake, but it looked like everything had gone smoothly.

"Now... on to the more serious matter." Ragnok's face fell slightly as he held out the two scrolls.

Harry swallowed nervously. His mother's and father's wills... Hi hands shook slightly as he reached out, hesitantly, and touched each of them. With another white glow, the seal was broken and they both unfurled before him. Ragnok leaned back, leaving Harry to read them at his own pace.

Harry once again felt tears pricking at his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away. He needed to do this. The last words of his parents, their last act was to protect him. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his eyes drifting over the slightly messy penmanship of his father first.

"Dear Harry, if you're reading this then it means the worst has happened. I'm so sorry your mother and I weren't there to help raise you into the strong young man I'm sure you've grown to be. Know that we both love you very much and we always will. We hope you were raised in a caring, loving, and safe household. We left specific instructions on who would take care of you should we pass away. I truly hope those instructions were honored on our death, but a bad feeling in my gut has me thinking they were ignored or overlooked. We wanted to make sure you were always taken care of no matter what, so if our wishes weren't followed, there are legal options you can take. But I won't go into that... I love you very much, Harry. I know you probably don't remember me, but Lily was clever enough to include some of our memories. My personal favorite is when I took you up on a broom with me. Please be safe and always remember, true friends are hard to find. Hold them and cherish them, Harry. All my best. -Dad"

Harry couldn't stop the tears this time as they flowed freely down his face, though it seemed the magical protection on the will kept it safe and dry. He felt equal parts happy and sad. It was almost as if he could hear his father's voice as he read the message. There were several more pages, but Harry could see those were the instructions his father mentioned. He looked to his mother's will next, wanting to read her message before anything else.

"My dearest Harry, if you're reading this then it means we weren't careful enough. I would do anything to keep you safe, I just wish we could have seen you grow up. I love you with all my heart, and I'm sure your father said the same. There are some memories from your father and I included in these wills. It's likely you'll be with Director Ragnok when you read these, so please ask to use his Pensieve. It will let you view those memories. We've left everything to you, Harry. Everything that we could. We've detailed them in a list below. I know you're probably feeling lost and confused right now, but know that we will always be with you. Even the veil of death can't keep us away. We are with you in spirit, my darling, in your heart and soul. As your mother, I regret not being able to raise you, but your father and I arranged for very close friends to take care of you. I know they would do right by us. That is, if our instructions were followed properly. I have a feeling Dumbledore might have got around them somehow, but we're making sure these wills are ironclad. Once released, they can't be reversed. We want you to have the best life possible, darling, and I'm sorry we couldn't be there. I love you and James more than anything in this world. I just hope we managed to protect you. All my love. -Mom"

Harry was once again caught up in his swirling emotions. Joy and sorrow battled for dominance inside him as he read his mother's neat handwriting, longing to see her face. He hoped their memories would provide what he needed... he needed to see his parents. He needed to know that they loved him and cared for him. He knew they did, he could feel it... but he needed to see. He looked up at Ragnok, his eyes red from crying.

"E-excuse me, Director." Harry paused and sniffled. "M-my mother mentioned something called a Pensieve. F-for viewing memories. Could I use yours?" He asked.

Ragnok observed the boy for a moment. He could clearly tell he was distraught, though he could also tell a massive weight had been lifted off the boy's shoulders. After a moment of contemplation, Ragnok nodded and snapped his fingers. A strange, silver bowl appeared in front of Harry. It was uniquely sculpted, with a silvery sheen of water floating inside. Ragnok demonstrated how to use it, placing a clawed finger against both wills and pulling out several thin, ghostly strands. After depositing them in the bowl, he gestured for Harry to lean forward. He did so, feeling a sudden pull as he appeared in the memories. Like he had been there. He supposed that yes, he had been there, but now he could actually see... He could remember.

The visions flashed before his eyes, one after another. He saw his mother and father playing with him as a toddler, as well as a man with long black hair and another with scruffy brown hair. He watched the black-haired man suddenly transform into a dog! Next was the memory his father mentioned of taking Harry up on a broom. Lily hadn't allowed them to go very high, but Harry was still amazed by the sight. There were a few more of them all sitting, talking, laughing... being a family. But the last one touched Harry to his core. It was just him cradled in his mother's arms as she rocked in front of a gentle fire, singing him a lullaby. Harry wanted the moment to last forever, but eventually he was pulled out of the memory and returned to the chair in the Director's office.

"Thank you." Harry murmured, his voice full of emotions.

Ragnok simply nodded, pulling the scrolls back over and taking a look. One eyebrow raised as he read over them.

"This is interesting." Ragnok commented.

Harry wiped his eyes and nose again.

"What's interesting, sir?"

"The seal on these scrolls was broken by your blood. As such, it shows your entire family tree and your full inheritance." Ragnok answered.

Harry tilted his head.

"Oh... what does that mean, exactly?" He asked.

"There are several family lines that were thought to have ended years or centuries ago. However, the Potter family seems to be linked to some of them. Seeing as you're the sole surviving heir, you have a claim to not just your mother's and father's inheritance, but others as well." Ragnok explained.

"Do... do I have to do a blood test for all of them?" Harry asked nervously.

Ragnok chuckled, though it sounded more like a sharp cough that startled Harry.

"No, my boy, I simply wasn't expecting it. And due to your mother and father adding certain stipulations to their wills, you have full control over what happens with these inheritances." Ragnok said.

Harry pondered for a moment.

"What would you suggest, Director Ragnok?" He asked.

Now it was the Director's turn to be surprised by the boy. To be fair, he likely had no idea where to start, but it was exceedingly rare to have a wizard ask a goblin for his opinion.

"I would suggest putting a block on these accounts, so only you- or someone you designate- can access them and remove funds or items." Ragnok started. "Also, there are several legal guardians listed in your parent's wills. A certain Albus Dumbledore assigned himself as your guardian ten years ago, but you can override this if you wish."

Harry's nose wrinkled slightly and he nodded.

"I don't know this Dumbledore person... I think I'd like to go with one of the people I saw in their memories." Harry said.

"Very well. Unfortunately, the one with the black hair- Sirius Black- is currently in Azkaban. It is a magical prison for very bad people." Ragnok explained.

Harry was confused.

"Wait, what? Why is he there? Did... did he do something?" He asked.

Ragnok hesitated for a moment.

"It is suspected he had a hand in your parents' death... but he was not given a proper trial." He replied.

Harry's mind was spinning. This man might have betrayed his parents? But they had all seemed so happy together... He seemed so kind and loving. Harry shook his head. He may have only seen a few memories of the man, but he could tell this Sirius Black would never betray a friend. Just as his father wouldn't.

"And what about the other man I saw?" Harry asked.

"That would be Remus Lupin." Ragnok answered. "He lives alone just outside of London."

Harry nodded a bit.

"I'd like to make him my legal guardian, then... Why did this Dumbledore say that he was my guardian?" Harry questioned.

"Unfortunately, I do not know. But since your parents' wills have been opened, I am at liberty to say Albus Dumbledore has been periodically taking money from your trust fund and paying people with the last name Dursley." Ragnok said.

Harry immediately felt anger bubbling up inside him.

"He did what?! He paid those... those... monsters?!" Harry stood from his chair, seething as he paced back and forth.

"There is no mention of the Dursleys in your parents' wills... I can only assume Dumbledore placed you there. Again, I must apologize, he was your guardian at the time." Ragnok said.

Harry whipped around to face him, but his anger quickly ebbed. He sighed.

"No, it's... it's not your fault." Harry sat back in his chair. "But I don't want Dumbledore to steal anything else from my parents. Is there any way we can get that money back?"

Ragnok grinned.

"I like how you think, Mr. Potter. Again, your parents did write specifically that everything goes to their son. Since Albus Dumbledore has unlawfully stolen from you, Gringotts has the right to reclaim any money he may have taken. Plus interest." Ragnok replied.

"Good... I don't want him getting into any other vaults, either." Harry added. "Oh, and I won't be going back to the Dursleys. If Mr. Lupin is my guardian now, I guess I'll be living with him."

"We can send a letter to Mr. Lupin and let him know the circumstances. He will need to come to Gringotts and sign off on some things as well." Ragnok said.

"Oh... how long will that take?" Harry asked.

Ragnok tapped his desk with his long nails.

"Perhaps a few days." He answered.

Harry chewed his lip for a moment before he got an idea.

"You said I had a trust fund. How much is in there?"

"Ten thousand Galleons. Or, in muggle terms, nearly 50-thousand pounds." Ragnok replied.

Harry blanched at that number. He also hadn't heard the term 'muggle' before, but he assumed it meant non-witch or wizard.

"And h-how much is in the other vaults?" He asked in a near-whisper.

Ragnok took a brief look at the family tree again.

"I would have to look up each individual vault to get specifics, but my best estimation would be... two billion Galleons, or 10 billion pounds." Ragnok answered. "Of course, this isn't including land or property owned, so the total is likely higher."

Harry nearly fainted when he heard that number.

"Wh-where is all this coming from?" He asked.

"It's likely due to the fact you have a direct line all the way back to Godric Gryffindor, one of the founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Ragnok said.

Harry looked bewildered. He had only just heard about Hogwarts from Hagrid, and now he was related to someone who founded it?

"I'm related to one of the founders?"

"Blood doesn't lie, Mr. Potter. I assure you, your family tree is accurate. As are Gringotts methods." He answered.

"Sorry, I... I meant no disrespect. It's just... hard to believe or understand." Harry explained.

"I can see this is a bit overwhelming. Here's what I would recommend: retrieve some money from your trust fund, find a place to stay tonight, and return tomorrow to go over more specifics. This is a lot to take in at once. This should give you time to think." Ragnok suggested.

Harry found himself slowly nodding along.

"A-alright, er... I suppose I'll take 500 Galleons for now and... be back tomorrow?" It was more of a question, though he felt reassured when Ragnok nodded.

His Galleons were quickly distributed, and Ragnok assured Harry that he would be working on all the appropriate paperwork for tomorrow. Harry found Hagrid waiting for him in the main lobby as he was ushered out, though he barely paid the man any mind. The whole conversation had taken two hours, but it had felt like much longer. Harry didn't feel like shopping today and told Hagrid as much, just wanting to return to The Knight's Flagon.

"Alright, Harry... whatever you say." Hagrid responded, leading the young boy back through Diagon Alley.

What had happened in Gringotts today? Hagrid had done his business for Dumbledore, but Harry seemed... a bit different. Hagrid chalked it up to his imagination, though he was a bit surprised when Harry paid for his own room. He didn't question it, though, figuring the young lad needed his space.

"Remember, Hagrid, be his friend but don't crowd him." Dumbledore's words echoed in Hagrid's head.

So, he let Harry be for now, deciding to go down to the bar for a few drinks. Meanwhile, Harry was already in his bed, thinking over everything that had happened today. There was so much, he didn't know where to start. Eventually, he closed his eyes and just tried to sleep the rest of the day away. Though he was still looking forward to exploring the rest of Diagon Alley, he wasn't as excited as he had been this morning. He sighed to himself, eventually falling into a restless slumber.