Hey, welcome back to the Second Chapter. I certainly hope you have been enjoying this story so far.
Let's begin.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or any of its characters.
"So, Prongs Jr., what exactly was it that the Gringotts told you about? Other than the Family Vaults I mean." Remus Lupin asked 'Prongs Jr.' as he insisted upon calling himself. Remus was rather happy to call Harry 'Prongs Jr.' since it had been a while he had called someone 'Prongs', at least someone alive anyway. The Boy-Who-Lived was giving Padfoot a thorough dress down for his indecent behaviour in front of a lady, especially someone with the standing of Narcissa Malfoy. The Animagus whined at Harry, which could be translated as anything from 'I'm sorry' to 'She deserved it'.
Remus actually had a fair idea why Sirius would be upset at his cousin, but telling Harry in a Public Inn was not the greatest of ideas. As the Muggle quote he had heard one time goes, 'Even the walls have ears'.
Harry, who had gotten tired of berating Padfoot, and was now rubbing the top of the Animagus' head, perked up at the question and turned to look at the Werewolf, "Ah, right. They told me that they have sent letters to my concerning the 'status' of my Family Vaults." He said.
"But...?" Remus prompted.
"Buuut, I have never received any such letters in the past three years. None, whatsoever." He said, frowning slightly.
"Ah, I assume that they believe that you are ignoring them?" He asked, more like stated. Harry nodded.
"Yeah. They said that I have insulted them, and that they have frozen my Family Vaults." Remus grimaced at that.
"Harry, I think that you should visit them as soon as you can. Freezing Vaults is something the Goblins only do when they feel like the Vault owner has insulted them greatly." Harry frowned, as Padfoot whined once again.
"...You're right. That's actually why I called you. I trust you more than Dumbledore right now." Remus blinked. While he was flattered at the trust his best friend's son had for him, he wondered why he didn't trust Dumbledore.
"I'm flattered, Prongs. But why?" He asked him.
"Think about it, Moony. He had kept this from me for a very long time. It was my Family Vaults, and I didn't even know it existed! Surely, someone so great as Albus I-have-too-many-middle-names Dumbledore knew about it! And if he did, why didn't he tell me about it? I have every right to know about it!" Harry ranted. His trust in Albus Dumbledore had been shaken to it's very foundations.
Remus thought about it. Yes, Dumbledore probably knew about it. Hell, he was sure that Albus knew about it. After all, Pureblood families were common knowledge to everyone in the Wizarding World. But why keep the one who is supposed to know about it in the dark? Dumbledore knew everything in the School, including students behaviour, and so, he knew about Harry's introverted nature.
Better yet, the man was supposed to be Harry's Magical Guardian. It is his duty to make sure Harry knew everything about the world that he was supposed to know. Remus' eyes narrowed at that. Supposed to. Did Dumbledore think Harry was not supposed to know about his Vaults? His inheritance? His parent's will? That last thought stuck him. The Wills! Of course, Dumbledore had assured him that Harry was in safe hands. Only after arriving in Hogwarts that he realized that Harry had been living with the Dursleys. His Aunt, Petunia, maybe her name was? Once when he had met Lily and James after their visit to Lily's parents, he saw that Lily was on the verge of tears, and James was comforting her.
Then James had explained to him that Lily and her sister had a fight in which Petunia called Lily a 'No good freak whore' which obviously angered and upset Lily, but according to James she had then followed up with, 'I wish you had never been born!'
Remus couldn't understand what was so wrong with Lily Evans, that her own sister would hate her. James had promised that he had not said anything that might have angered or upset any of them, and even played down his own wealth as apparently Lily had told him that Petunia or her husband might get jealous.
It was only later that Lily had told him that her sister hated her because she was able to do Magic and that Petunia hated Magic, and Vernon was a squib. Remus sucked in a deep breath as he realized what type of childhood Harry might have had under their 'care'.
James was a very smart man, as was Lily. They would have known that if something happened to them, they would not expect Petunia to take care of Lily's only son. Harry had always called them his 'relatives' and nothing more. Most likely, Harry did not even consider them his relatives. That gave Remus a fair idea of what was going on his that house.
Remus closed his eyes, feeling a headache incoming, "I think that he did not want you to know about your parents' will." He answered after a long pause.
Harry gritted his teeth, "Let me guess. He sent me to the Dursleys' for my 'protection', even when he was not supposed to?" Harry said, making air quotes at the word protection. Padfoot growled, no doubt Sirius has realized what it meant.
Remus nodded solemnly, "Yes. He could have very well found someone who would be willing to adopt you. Nevermind the fact that you were probably never supposed to go to your ... relatives." He finished.
Harry sucked in a few deep breaths in order to calm himself, "...Okay. Back to the Goblins. Will you come with me to his meeting?" He said, looking hopefully Remus, who gave him a small smile.
"Yes, of course. Padfoot will be with us." He said nodding at Padfoot who barked affirmatively. Harry grinned at both of them, he of course knew that they would come with him. Obviously, Remus had expected the meeting to have some unknown things about the Wizarding World, since Goblins were not the most patient creatures at their best, and down right grumpy at worst, Remus would have to be there to make him understand some things. Padfoot? Padfoot was just there because... well, he just was. And because Harry wanted to see him of course.
Harry cast a Tempus with his wand, the time showing just a little above 7 pm, "Oh, well. I did tell them that I would meet them tomorrow." Harry said with a shrug. Remus nodded. Sirius felt someone's gaze boring into his head, and looked up to see Hedwig, her large amber eyes glaring at him. Padfoot whimpered, gaining the attention of both Remus and Harry. Though it was Remus who asked him, as Harry had a pretty good idea, looking at his beautiful owl.
"What is it, Padfoot?" Remus asked.
Padfoot whimpered again and jerked his head towards Hedwig, Remus glanced at the Owl curiously, only to be taken aback slightly at the glare that Hedwig seemed to be sending Padfoot. Harry laughed and stroked her feathers, she seemed to relax almost instantly. He leaned forward and whispered to her,
"That is a man, Hedwig. He only looks like a dog. You are the only one for me." At this point she ruffled her feathers, flew onto one of his broad shoulders and rubbed her head against his. Harry noticed that Remus seemed to be looking at Hedwig curiously,
"What's up, Moony?" Remus blinked and shook his head, a small smile on his face.
"Nothing, Prongs. Just that your Owl is very smart." Hedwig hooted pridefully, as Harry chuckled.
"She's just that awesome." All the men agreed, the Animagus seemed to be shaken by the glare and Hedwig reveled in pride.
The walk to Gringotts didn't seem as weird as he felt it would be. Most people gazing at the scar on his forehead, recognizing him immediately, but Remus on one side, a dog on the other side, they walked towards the Gringotts bank.
Harry entered the bank with Padfoot and Remus in tow. He felt all of the Goblins stare at him, and resisted the urge to fidget. Everytime he came here, all of the Goblins on the way to the Head Goblin, seemed to stare at him. Some glared, some ignored and some scrutinized him, as if they were trying to figure out a puzzle. Needless to say, Harry never felt comfortable in Gringotts.
As he made his way to the Head Goblin at the high table, Harry noted that he was now able to see the Goblin on the other side of the table, and that the Goblin didn't have to look down at him as if he were an ant, as it happened during the first time he came here with Hagrid. He came to a stop in front of the desk, and waited for the Goblin to look up from writing... whatever it is that Goblins write.
He didn't.
Harry cleared his throat rather loudly, the noise making the Goblin pause and look up. For a moment, Harry almost wished that the Goblin didn't look at him, since as soon as the Goblin saw him, it sneered at him. Harry nearly took a step back at the vicious expression on the Goblin's face, but met the challenge with equal ferocity. He hadn't done anything wrong, and he had already told them that he could take any tests to prove that.
The Goblin sneered at the interruption, "Can I help you?" He asked, in a tone that implied that he didn't want to.
Harry gave him a polite inclination of his head, "I am Harry Potter. I have received a letter from Gringotts and we agreed to meet today." The Goblin, if possible sneered even further. He absently noted that all of the noise behind him had ceased. Remus looked tense, Padfoot remained as he was, carefree.
"Well, Mr. Potter. It seemed that you have finally taken some time out of your busy schedule to grace us with his presence." He said. Harry simply raised an eyebrow, already used to such comments from Snape.
"Yes, well, I was being truthful in my reply. I never did receive a letter before the one you sent to me the day before." Harry said honestly. He didn't dislike the Goblins, as most Wizards seemed to do. But he didn't exactly like them either.
The Goblin grinned savagely at him, and Harry fought the urge to jump at the gruesome sight, "Are you telling us that we are lying, Mr. Potter?" In a tone very much hoping that it was the case.
Instead, Harry merely shook his head, "I never said that. Just because I didn't receive it, doesn't mean you didn't send it." He said smoothly.
The Goblin's grin vanished, and he almost sounded disappointed "Very well. One of our own will take you to your account manager and whatever business you have will be attended by him." He waved Harry off, and Harry was about to go away, but he remembered something,
"If I may," The Goblin gave an annoyed nod, but didn't look away from his parchment, "I have reason to believe that the reason your letters may not have reached my is due to Albus Dumbledore." Remus stayed silent, knowing it very well could be the case.
The Goblin's head snapped up so quick that Harry was sure that he heard a 'crack', "Oh? And what makes you say that?" He challenged him.
Harry shrugged, "Well, until now, I've known about the Wizarding World and Magic for a bit more that three years, and I've spent nearly all of it under his care. Yet, he didn't tell me anything about a letter from Gringotts, nor that there was a Family Vault. So I have a feeling that he might have been the one who blocked any letters from Gringotts, from reaching me." Harry's eyes narrowed, as did the Head Goblin's.
"I see. Still, we do not have any evidence of the fact. And what exactly do you mean you didn't know anything about a Family Vault?" He demanded. Harry tilted his head to the side, he just said what he meant.
"Exactly that. I've been told much of anything about this world, and everybody just assumes that I automatically know it just because I am the Boy-Who-Lived." He said disdainfully.
Goblin stared at Harry for a moment, "Well, you are different than most humans." Seeing Harry's curious gaze, he added, "Most of them don't hold a conversation for long with out, if they can help it." Harry's brow furrowed.
"Uh... I don't have anything against Goblins." He said.
"Yes. That is rather obvious. Now, off you go, Mr. Potter." Harry nodded at him politely, he turned around to say something to Remus, but he was interrupted. Harry looked at the sound of the grunt, looking behind him and say that there was another Goblin, slightly younger than Head Goblin stared at him. Harry blinked as he recognized it. It was the one who took him on that roller coaster with Hagrid.
"Griphook?" The Goblin actually looked shocked. Most Wizards don't bother to remember their names. Well, they are kind of indistinguishable from each other, yet Harry Potter managed to recognize him? The boy is quite the surprise.
"You remember me?" Griphook asked him.
Harry nodded and smiled slightly, "Of course. You were the one who took me on that cart ride with Hagrid." He told him.
Griphook blinked, well, Harry thought that he did, the eyes were too small for him to see, "Well, you continue to surprise me, Mr. Potter," He nodded at the teen before turning to Griphook, "Griphook, take Mr. Potter here to Garlok." He barked at the other Goblin who nodded.
"Oh, and tell the Animagus to transform back. We do not care as to who it is." The Head Goblin said, turning his head back to the parchment. Harry, Remus and Padfoot stiffened. He turned a questioning, fearful eye to Griphook, who simply gave him a brutal smile, "It's none of our business as to who the person is the person who enters our bank is. To us he or she is just another client." He motioned them to follow.
Harry glanced nervously at Padfoot, who stared back uncertainty at him. Harry wasn't sure how to proceed, he looked at Remus, who seemed just as uncertain as themselves. He glanced back at Griphook, who sighed.
"Whoever that Animagus is, you can turn back into yourself, I assure you on my honor as Goblin that I will not tell a soul about this." Griphook said in an annoyed voice... actually no, it was his usual voice.
Harry nervously peered at Griphook, "Do you mind if he transformed back in the office of my Account Manager?" He asked hopefully.
Griphook frowned before sighing, "I suppose so. But only because it is you Mr. Potter. Had it been anyone else however, we have our own... methods to turn the Animagus back into it's usual form." He said viciously. Padfoot whimpered at that. Harry nodded tightly, not really daring to say anything else.
"Very well, follow me." He said. Harry, Remus and Padfoot followed him into a large, and a rather simple room, with a wooden door with the Gringotts symbol on the door. Harry noticed that there was a faint silvery-transparent layer over the door, which could only be noticed if you peered at it very closely. He suspected it to be a charm that stops intruders. But then again, you have to be an idiot for trying to intrude into Gringotts. Who could be stupid enough for that?
Harry stopped in his tracks and suddenly felt a strong urge to sneeze. He began to wonder why he felt like sneezing all of a sudden.
"Something wrong, Harry?" Remus asked him curiously, and Padfoot barked in a manner that was probably supposed to be a question. Harry stared at Padfoot with a blank face, before saying,
"You are a dog." He said flatly. Padfoot ducked his head in an embarrassed manner, Harry continued, "And no, Moony. Nothing is wrong...?" He trailed off. Remus blinked and turned back around, noticing that Griphook had opened the door. The interior was nothing like what Harry expected.
Like the exterior Harry expected something simple, but it was completely different. It was decorated with somethings Harry could not even imagine. Merlin, is that a head of a Troll?! There were also numerous things like swords, very similar to the Sword of Godric Gryffindor, axes, and spears hung on the wall. In the end of the very large room, there was a single desk, with a chair on the other side with a Goblin staring blankly at the wall on the far side of him. Harry blinked at him, it almost felt like the Goblin was a statue.
Griphook suddenly made a very large bang on one of the walls, with the blunt side of a hammer. Harry, Remus and Sirius blinked, where'd that come from. The Goblin in the chair, jumped at the sudden noise, so much so that he actually fell off his chair.
The Goblin muttered curses in the Goblin language that could make a Sailor Goblin go insane, as Harry, Remus, Sirius and even Griphook stared blankly at the Goblin as it picked himself up and set the chair up again, in which a grown man could sit perfectly, and struggled to get on it. It was kind of like watching a baby get onto a bed by itself, only the baby was not cute but rather gruesome looking, and definitely not adorable. Sirius sniggered at the scene, thankfully he was a dog and it sounded like a fast paced growling. Harry gave him a grin, almost like he knew what Sirius was thinking, and even Remus shot him an amused look. Griphook simply shook his head at the scene.
The Goblin finally got on the chair, and sat down like nothing happened. He turned to them and glared at Harry, who could not hide a flinch. That glare could put his own to shame! And people told him that he had a scary glare?!
"Why hello there, Harry James Potter. It seems that we have finally got into your line of thought to actually give us a visit." He sneered. Griphook started,
"Well, Mr. Potter. We need confirmation that you have not received any letters from us." Garlok blinked,
"What do you mean, Griphook?"
"Mr. Potter claims that he has not received our letter and is willing to undergo a Wizard's Oath to prove his innocence." Griphook said in a calm tone. Harry looked surprised. Ah, of course! The Wizard's Oath! He had never done one before, so it would be his first time. And an adequate time to do it.
"Is that right?" Garlok glanced at Harry with an unreadable expression on his face. Harry nodded.
"Yes, of course. I was not lying when I said I had not received any letters." He said. Griphook and Garlok nodded and motioned for him to begin. Harry took out his wand, and waved it,
"I, Harry James Potter, hereby swear on my Magic that I have do not have conscious memory of receiving any letter from Gringotts Wizarding Bank, other than the latest one from Head Goblin Goldridge that have reached my person, nor have I received any information about the existence of my Family Vaults. So mote it be! Lumos!" Harry said, ending the last one with the right wand movement. The wand began to glow from the spell, indicating that he had been telling the truth. Griphook and Garlok nodded.
Harry saw that the tip of the wand was glowing even before he cast Lumos, he realized that it was a sign of the Wizard's Oath taken. Well, he was completely sure that he had not received any letters from Gringotts anyway.
"Well, I shall leave then, good day, Mr. Potter. May your enemy fall by your hand." Griphook said, surprising Garlok. Garlok began to see the raven-haired young man more closely, as he blinked. The teenager clearly had no idea what Griphook had said to him.
"...Ah, well, may you enemy... tremble... at the... sound of your name?" Harry said with uncertainty, as Griphook chuckled. It was the first time Harry had ever seen a Goblin laugh. It was still a bit leathery but didn't sound half bad.
"Close enough, Mr. Potter." Griphook gave him a smile, one that made him shudder internally. But he smiled back and nodded.
"Mr. Potter, as you might have realized my name is Garlok, I am the Account Manager for the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter. Please have a seat." Harry refrained from saying anything as the Goblin's demeanour made a complete 180. He internally shrugged, well, he was here to know about his Family Vaults, not to inspect Goblin behaviour.
The Goblin motioned for a chair, and magically summoned another two. Harry was confused for a second, before he realized why there were two others. He turned towards Padfoot, only to see him already turned to Sirius. Sirius grinned widely at his Godson and hugged him tightly.
"Sirius." He whispered.
"Prongs Jr." Harry chuckled.
"You look better." Harry commented as Sirius let go. Sirius grinned again,
"Don't you think? I have been eating well, and had a shave." Harry noticed that the man's eyes still held the same haunted look in his eyes ever since he had seen him in the Shrieking Shack. Though it looked less pronounced, and he certainly looked very happy to see him. Harry's heart warmed at the thought of Sirius being happy to see him. And the man did look better physically as well, he no longer had that waxy skin, and the torn clothes. His cheeks still looked a bit sunken, but it's only been like two months.
A cough sounded from behind him brought his attention back to the Goblin matter in hand. Harry nodded at Sirius, who smiled at him, and took a seat in the middle chair. Remus sat on the left side, while Sirius sat on the right.
"Well, well, Sirius Black. Only man to ever escape Azkaban." The Goblin drawled. Sirius tensed.
"Yeah, well. I have my... methods." Sirius said tightly.
"Calm down, Mr. Black. It is none of our business. Be it criminal or Dark Lord, unless you attack us, we shall not attack you." Garlok said with a gruesome grin. The three men shuddered at the sight. Harry mentally noted that he shoulder never, ever get on the Goblins' bad side.
"Right. So, I, uh, want to know about my Family Vault." Harry said, getting on odd look from the Goblin.
"Didn't you get a teacher from Hogwarts to accompany you on your first visit to Diagon Alley?" Harry blinked.
"I did, it was Rubeus Hagrid." Harry now understood. Hagrid, as nice as the man is, was still a forgetful man. He must have probably forgotten about Harry's family vaults, or that Dumbledore ordered him to tell only what he thought was necessary. A small part of Harry, one that disliked the old man, wished it was the latter Oh well, he still had the letters.
"Rubeus Hagrid..." Garlok shook his head, "The man is a friend of the Goblin Nation, but he is not the smartest of individuals." Garlok said, and while Harry was tempted to go to the defense of his friend, he knew it was true.
"Anyway, the Potter Family Vaults are, if the name isn't obvious enough, the Vault which holds all the artefacts, gold, and other valuables that the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter has collected over the years. It also contains the gold from a former Vault for Lily Marie Evans, that she choose to combine with the Potter Family Vault after her marriage to James Edward Potter. And have named you, their only son, Harry James Potter, their heir. Would you like to tell me the stats?" Garlok asked, ignoring the bewildered look on the three men's faces.
Harry shook out of his daze, "Yes, please do."
Garlok nodded, "Of course. While your Wizard's Oath has proven that you are indeed Harry Potter, you still need to prove it again, as a standard procedure." Harry was about to ask how, but before he could Garlok waved his hand and a piece of parchment flew into his hand.
"Place your hand here." Garlok said, pointing at the parchment. Harry looked at Remus, who nodded encouragingly.
Harry put his hand on the parchment. For a second nothing happened, but the parchment began to glow a dim green. Harry winced as he felt a small cut on his index finger, but didn't pull his hand out. He had expected it to happen, as blood is one of the ways to find the identity of the person, and probably the Goblins prefer.
Once Harry removed his hand, after the light went out he all four of them looked at the parchment, as Remus let out a slight whistle.
Name: Heir Harrison James Potter
Father: Lord James Edward Potter
Mother: Lady Lily Marie Potter (née Evans)
Legal Guardian: Lord Sirius Orion Black (Godfather-Through Magical Bond)
Magical Guardian: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Blood Status: Half-Blood
Confirmed Inheritance Lordships:
Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter- From James Edward Potter
Most Ancient and Noble House of Peverell-From James Edward Potter
Most Ancient and Noble House of Gryffindor-From James Edward Potter
Most Ancient and Noble House of Slytherin-From James Edward Potter
Most Ancient and Noble House of Ravenclaw-From Lily Marie Potter (née Evans)
Heir to Most Ancient and Noble House of Black-From Sirius Orion Black
Harry gawked at the parchment. His mouth was moving but there were no words coming out. He simply watched the parchment over and over and over again. He was an heir to SIX HOUSES?! And one of them was ons his MOTHER'S SIDE?! AND HOLD ON! HIS FATHER WAS THE HEIR TO FOUR HOUSES?!
"My name is Harrison?" Was the only thing he could get out.
Ignoring the teen's stupid question, Garlok looked up at the ex-convict, "Were you never given a trial Lord Black?" He asked respectfully. Harry shook out of his daze to see Sirius scowling. And did the Goblin just call him Lord Black?
"No, I wasn't given any. I was just thrown into jail. I demanded a Veritaserum trial as the Lord of House Black, but I was denied. Though it was well within my rights to do that. None of my friends, or the last two members of the family I trusted stood up for me." Remus flinched at the bitterness in his best friend's voice. Harry put a hand on the man's shoulder. Sirius' scowl vanished into a tired expression.
"I expected at least Narcissa to stand up for me and demand a trial. I expected Andromeda to demand a trial for me. But no one came. No one asked for a trial. No one even tried to visit me. The Death Eaters in the cell right next to me got visitors. But I didn't. Not one." Sirius said sadly. Harry's heart broke for the man who had become something like a father to him in such short time. Now he understood Sirius' reaction to Narcissa Malfoy. Hell if he was in the position he would probably do the same thing.
"Well, this is undeniable proof that you are innocent and have been wrongfully incarcerated." Garlok said firmly.
"Yes. But they might still deny a trial. Is Narcissa Malfoy your sister, Sirius?" Harry asked him, Sirius snorted and shook his head.
"No, she's my cousin. We might have been as close as siblings, but that is now long past." There was regret in the man's tone, replaced with righteous anger. Harry felt similarly angry, he had thought that Narcissa might be different from the others' but she isn't apparently.
"In that case I think that she intends to make Draco as the Lord of House Black." Remus said in a grim tone. Harry looked at the man surprised. Harry nodded, and Remus continued, "He wants Malfoy to be the Head of House Black. That would give him a better position in Wizengamot. Even more power and sway." Remus said in the same tone. Sirius scowled harshly.
"If that bitch thinks I'll give anything to that ferret, then she's dead wrong!" He yelled out. Garlok didn't look impressed.
"There is no need to yell, Lord Black. Your Godson here," He nodded at a surprised Harry, "is already named the Heir of the House. Since you are now out of sights from the Ministry. You already ready have evidence." All the men looked at him shock.
"How? What?" Harry asked desperately.
Garlok pointed to the parchment, "The choosing of a Godfather isn't just because they are supposed to take care of the child if the parents meet an unfortunate fate," he said, making Sirius flinch, ignoring this he continued, "Normally most families do not undergo this process. But James Potter was one of the smartest men I have ever seen. He put a Magical Bond on you and Lord Black through the Godfather bonding ritual." Sirius' eyes widened as he realized what it means though Harry and Remus still looked lost, "...The rules of the Godfather Bonding Ritual are very strict. It means that the chosen Godfather would not be able to betray the family, and that obviously includes the parents of their Godchild. Doing so means that the person would not be able to perform Magic. Since Lord Black is still able to use Magic, it is proof enough that Lord Black has not betrayed Lord James Potter and his family." He finished.
It took a minute to let the information sink in for Harry, and when it finally did, he could not stop the beaming grin that nearly threatened split his face in too. The smile of the teen must be infectious, as the other two smiled as well, while the Goblin's face softened.
"There is another bit of information."
"What?" Harry asked excitedly.
"Since the parchment shows that Sirius Black is still the Lord to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. It shows that he was indeed wrongfully incarcerated. You can use this to your advantage and your position as the Lord of Five Houses and heir to another, something that gives you a large amount of sway in Wizengamot, to give Lord Black a fair trial under Wizengamot." Harry could not control himself. He tackled Sirius in his chair, making the older wizard grunt, but Sirius managed to catch his Godson, who hugged him tight enough to make Molly Weasley jealous.
"You hear that, Sirius! You're going to be free!" Harry yelled out, making Sirius laugh jovially.
"That's right, pup! You're never going back to those people again!" Remus couldn't help but smile at the happy face of his friend. In the past month he had tried everything he could to make Sirius turn the way he way before, but nothing was working. Azkaban has changed his friend, but maybe Harry could help him and Sirius could help Harry.
Garlok let the two have their moment, before he coughed again to gain their attention. The two Wizards got up with the expression of utter joy in their eyes. Remus couldn't remember the last time Harry's eyes looked so bright.
"We still have to discuss the case of your Lordship, Mr. Potter." Garlok said seriously.
Harry blinked, "Ah, right. Five houses and heir to another, right?" Garlok nodded.
"Yes, are you willing to take the Lordship now, or are you just willing to unfreeze your Vaults and wait for another time?" He asked again.
"What would be the difference?" Harry asked.
"Well, should you take the Lordship, you will be considered Emancipated. You will be considered an adult in the Wizarding World and a special card would be provided to make you an adult in the Muggle World as well, should you need to stay there in the case of emergency." Garlok said, "You will be able to remove the Tracking Charm in your Wand and you will no longer be held for any cases of under-age, Magic. Mind you, you might also be considered fair for any trials that might be placed against you. But in my own opinion, garnered from the experience from other Heirs, I believe that it is a small price to pay, unless you are a... criminal." Garlok said. Harry was pretty sure that he would never be a criminal.
"...What do you think, Moony?" Remus looked at the teen, who was looking at him seriously.
"I think that you should do it, Prongs. You will be able to access your Family Vaults, and be able to perform Magic anywhere you want. It's an easy choice." He said with an easy grin on his face.
"That's right, Pup. It's an obvious choice! You won't have to return to your 'relatives' ever again. You can stay with me and Moony, ain't that right Moony?" Sirius said, happily.
"Yes. That's right." Remus said with a smile. Harry nodded at the two of them with a smile, before turning to Garlok.
"I'll do it. But before that can you show me the status of my Vault?"
"Very well." He waved his hand at the Parchment and grabbed it, "I have unfrozen your Vault as we have now received proof that you have not been insulting us and have not been ignoring us. So mote it be." The Parchment began to glow a dim blue once again, before returning to normal.
Harry saw the stats and his eyes nearly popped out of his socket.
Vault-687: Lord James Edward Potter
7,506,675 Galleons
1,624,001 Sickles
50,475 Knuts
Among Various Artefacts
Vault-394: Lord James Edward Potter-Peverell
3,265,015 Galleons
1,000,231 Sickles
12,001 Knuts
Among Various Artefacts
Vault-108: Lord James Edward Potter-Gryffindor
1,721,005 Galleons
2,365 Sickles
123 Knuts
Vault-109: Lord James Edward Potter-Slytherin
51,009 Galleons
1,035 Sickles
2 Knuts
Among Various Artefacts
Vault-107: Lady Lily Marie Potter-Ravenclaw
101,875 Galleons
6,253 Sickles
46 Knuts
Among Various Artefacts
Harry could only gape at the amount of money he had. He tried to do some calculations in his head, but had to stop before he could faint out of the outrageous number. And to think he could have lost his to someone. Harry paused. Who could have this much amount of money? Harry shook his head, he had been played by the Goblins. Sneaky creatures.
"From the information that we have, previous Lord Salazar Slytherin spent nearly all of his money that he had to find a cure for his Wife's disease. One that you might know now as Cancer." Harry's eyes widened for the nth time.
"I...see." Garlok chuckled.
"You might as well be the richest Wizard in the entire Europe." Harry's knees felt weak as he collapsed on to his chair, as he had stood up to take a good look at the parchment. By god, the richest Wizard in the Entire Europe?! And Heir to three of the four Houses.
Remus and Sirius were still gaping at the Parchment. James had that much money? No wonder he had so many people after his shlong. And it's no wonder that James was as arrogant as he was until their Sixth Year. He had everything. Loving parents, god bless their souls, shit-load of money, good looks, everything! He had never actually told them how much money he had, he had always told them that he had a lot. So much so that he could never had to work in his life and still live like a king. But this? This was ridiculous! He had enough money to let generations of his children possibly his great-great-great grandchildren, live like royalty! The green-eyed wizard in front of them was the richest Wizard in all of Europe.
Remus cleared his throat, making Harry jump as he once again began to stare at the Parchment agape. He would have to talk to the boy later, make sure that the fame doesn't get to his head. Remus shook his head as he realized that the boy might not be similar to James in personality he also had most of what James had, Money, Fame, Good-looks, he had seen the boy trying his best to escape from a bunch of fangirls after a Quidditch match! His heart nearly broke when he realized that none of it was what the kid, no man wanted, he wanted a family.
"Moony, Padfoot, tell no one about this." Harry said firmly, just as Remus had expected.
"Alright, Prongs. But why?" Although Sirius had a pretty good idea why, he still had to confirm it from the source. Harry turned to them.
"Do you realize what might happen? People might try to kill me to gain all of this, by the right of conquest! And..." His voice lowered, all the other three leaned in to know what he might say, "There might come some girl, claiming to love me, and then later I might find out that she loves me only for my fame... I don't want that..." That was what both of them might be expecting, though Garlok rolled his eyes. Humans and their emotions.
"Got it." Both of them said at once.
Harry took a deep breath before turning to Garlok, "Well, Garlok. I think I'm ready to become an adult." He said cheerfully. Garlok looked at him strangely and nodded.
"As you wish, follow me." He said. The three men followed.
"When we realized that you were the only heir to Five Houses, we have decided to place all of the House Rings," He raised his hand to stop Harry from asking anything, "Lord Black will explain. Anyway, we have placed all of the Rings in the Potter Family Vaults." He said.
Sirius took over, "The Rings are a symbol that you are the Lord to a particular House. It allows you to talk to the previous Lords and Ladies of the house. Though it would only be something like a Portrait. Except you know without a picture. They will only have the memory at the time when they became the Lords and Ladies, though they might have placed in preparations of something like this." Harry perked up at that,
"You mean I can talk to my parents?!" Harry demanded in excitement. Sirius blinked, as did Remus, they exchanged a look with each other, before grinning widely.
"You probably can." Sirius answered. Harry nearly burst into tears at that announcement. He could talk to his parents! Even for a moment, that would be great! It might be enough for now. Hearing their voices now would be enough.
"Garlok, can we hurry? Please, pretty please?" Harry requested the Goblin. Garlok looked back at him with an annoyed sneer on his leathery face.
"Heir Potter, refrain yourself. We're here." He said pointing to the Vault 687. Harry blinked, but then shrugged, realizing that it must be one of the Pure-Blood things he had heard of. He had once heard Susan Bones calling Neville, Heir Longbottom. So he could only guess that he was Heir Potter-Peverell-Ravenclaw-Gryffindor-Slytherin and unless Sirius had a Heir, which would not be a problem if the man so wishes, Black. His name got too big.
"Harry, you do realize that you have to marry multiple women right?" Remus asked him amusedly. Harry jumped in surprise, before he gaped once again.
"What?!" He demanded.
"Your friend is right, Heir Potter. You will have to choose multiple wives to represent each House, since you do not have any siblings. Each of your wife will also have to produce at least one child. Of course it can go both ways, you can marry one woman, and have multiple children, name each the heir of each House. You can do both." Garlok explained, fetching for the key.
"The other option sounds-" Harry started but was interrupted by Sirius.
"What?! You are my pup! You will choose the first option!" Sirius decided.
"Sirius, one woman is trouble enough. How do you want me to pick so many?!" Harry asked him.
"My dear Prongs Jr.! You have the natural charm of your daddy, Prongs Sr.! Use that! Use your charm and seduce those hot babes!" Sirius said pumping a fist into the air. Remus nodded sagely.
"Yes, Prongs. You are technically the Heir of both James and Sirius, so naturally you have to be like them!" Remus said.
"...But!..."
"No buts! Only butts!" Sirius declared.
"Uh! Sirius!"
"Padfoot! You have to be specific in the gender of the butts!"
"La la la! I can't hear you!"
"Stop that, Heir Potter!" said a highly amused Garlock.
"Maybe you should go after Hermione." Remus told him.
"Hermione?!"
"Yeah! The girl's got quite the rack!"
"She doesn't like me that way!"
"Of course she does, Prongs! Have you seen her look at you! She totally has a crush on you!"
"She does?" Harry asked hopefully.
Remus grinned, "Of course she does! I have seen her around in DADA and in the Shrieking Shack. She put herself before you in front of a known-serial killer, and a Werewolf, without a second thought. If she didn't like you that you, even a little bit. Then she has some sort of death wish." Remus said.
"Really?" Harry asked.
"You should have seen the blush on her face when she held onto you on our birdy. She totally likes you." Sirius said.
"...I think you are onto something." Harry said with a smile on his face.
"You should ask her out. You are Sixteen, this was the time when I lost my virginity you know!" Sirius said.
"Ugh! I did not need to know that!"
"I had the unfortunate pleasure of catching you as you exited the Broom Closet naked."
"Why would you do that?" Harry asked, mortified.
"I was Prefect." Remus asked simply, trying not to remember the details.
"...I'm sorry you have to go through that." Harry said with a solemn expression on his face.
"Hey!" If Harry didn't know that Sirius was thirty-six years old, he would've thought that he was ten with the way he was pouting.
"Thank you, Harry." The three men looked at each other with a solemn expression before bursting out laughing. Garlok watched them with an amused expression on his face. Sirius looked genuinely happy, Harry noticed amongst his own cackles. The man's wrinkles seem to disappear, and made him look younger.
As they finally ceased laughing Garlok used the key to opened the Vault. The door made a metallic groaning noise, as it opened. The noise reflecting off the walls and causing echoes to be heard.
The door to the Vault opened, and Harry ignored the insane amount of gold in the Vault. But saw the other things in it, namely, jewellery, paintings, costly robes among other things. What really caught his eyes were the rings in a display case. One of them had the Potter Family Crest on it, the other was a triangle, circle and line. Familiar to the one he had seen on the 'Tale of the Beedle and the Bard' book. The one that has the 'Tale of Three Brothers', one of his favorites. The others' had the rings of the symbol of Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin.
"I... are those...?" He trailed off, looking at the Goblin. Garlok nodded.
"Put them on. On the same finger, if you want." Harry nodded once.
Harry went towards the display case and placed a hand on it...
Only for it to slip right in.
Sirius laughed again, Remus chuckled while Garlok looked amused. Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, he grabbed the ring, the Potter Family ring, and placed it on his index finger on his right hand. He felt a tingling sensation.
'Hello, Harry.' That voice was definitely familiar. Harry gulped.
'Dad?' He thought.
'Yes, it's me, Harry. You've grown, my baby boy.' He heard James' voice come from the ring. Strangely, it seemed like the voice was in his head, not actually from his ring. Harry held the ring with his other hand.
'..Dad..' He said into his head, he heard a chuckle.
'...I've heard that from you before, Harry. Please say something else. So that I know you're not a baby still.' He voice joked. Harry felt his cheeks become wet. He put a hand on his cheek, and it came away wet.
'I'm crying?'
'So it seems.' Though it felt like the voice was talking to him while wiping his own eyes.
'Dad... Is mom there too?' Harry asked him. Remus looked concerned as he saw that Harry was crying, he tried to move forward, but Sirius stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. Remus looked back at him, only for Sirius to shake his head.
"He's talking to his parents for the first time, let him." Sirius said softly. Remus looked back uncertainly.
'No, silly boy. You have to put the Ravenclaw Ring to talk to her.' James said.
"Right."
'You said it out, son.'
"I did?"
'You did it again, Harry.'
'Right, sorry.'
Harry looked forward and quickly grabbed the Ravenclaw ring and put it on the same finger. He didn't even wait before he quickly put on the other three. His finger began to vibrate violently, but he didn't care.
The rings began to glow a dim yellow before turning into one single ring, with the Potter Family Insignia on the top. Harry gazed at the ring with appreciation in his hazy green eyes, but now he had another more important thing to do.
Nervously, Harry closed his eyes. He called out to his mother.
'Mum?'
'Umm... no it's still me, your father. You have to activate the ring and accept your role as the Lord of the Houses. I hope you know all of the names of your houses?' Harry nodded, freaking out Remus while Sirius rolled his eyes at the Werewolf.
'Son?'
'Yes?'
'I can't see you.'
'Oh! Sorry, I'm so nervous about meeting you and mum that...'
'I know, son. I know. Don't worry you'll be meeting your grandparents too.'
'Really?' To Harry it felt like a dream. But if it was, he'll legitimately kill whoever wakes him up.
'Yes, now, quickly say the words I say, okay?'
Harry began to nod, but then he remembered that his dad can't hear him, 'Okay.'
"I, Harrison James Potter, hereby accept my place as the Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter, Peverell, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin. I swear upon my honor as a Wizard that I will uphold the legacy of my ancestors and bring fortune and honor to the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter, Peverell, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin. So mote it be." Harry repeated after his Father's voice. A bright light started from the ring, engulfing him. Harry felt a tingling sensation all over his body.
He had never felt so... light.
"Congratulations Lord Potter-Peverell-Ravenclaw-Slytherin-Gryffindor. You are now the Lord to the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter, Peverell, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor." Garlok said, while both of the others smiled at him.
"Thank you, Garlok." He said respectfully.
'My baby?' Harry gasped as he heard a melodious voice in his head. He knew it was his Mother's voice. Lily Potter-Ravenclaw. It was definitely her voice. Harry took a deep breath, and swallowed deeply. A lump forming in his throat.
"Mom?" He called uncertainly.
"Harry?" Harry blinked, that was a man's voice. He turned to see Sirius.
"Your talking outside."
'Oh.'
'Now you're talking inside.' This time the voice was a man in his head. It wasn't familiar. Unlike his dad's which he recognized immediately.
'This is going to take some time getting used to.' Harry grumbled to himself.
'Harry, my baby?' Harry heard the voice again, he took a shuddering breath. Making sure not to speak out he thought out,
'Mom?'
'Oh, my baby!' Harry hugged his hand, as if he was hugging his mother. As tears fell freely as he heard his Parent's voices for the first time.
"He's hugging his hand." Remus stated.
"I noticed." Sirius said dryly.
"I mean, he's-"
"I know."
"Okay. I'm just saying he's hugging his hand like he is-"
"Hugging his mother. I know."
"Alright." Remus said with a shrug.
'Mum! I can hear you!'
'So can we! SO STOP YELLING!' A grumpy male voice yelled at him.
'SHUT UP! I'M TALKING TO MY MOM AND DAD FOR THE FIRST TIME!'
'SPEAK QUIETLY, BRAT! AND WATCH YOUR TONE!'
'WHO ARE YOU ANYWAY?!'
'HARRY, SWEETHEART PLEASE STOP YELLING! WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME!' Lily's voice cried out. That stopped Harry cold.
'What do you mean, don't have much time? I thought this was permanent?'
'The ring? Sure. Us? Not so much.' A much more calm female voice spoke up in his head.
'Okay how many of you are there?'
"Let's see,' James' voice came back to him, as he mumbled numbers in his head, 'There are seven people here.' He said cheerfully
'Well, there are Dorea Potter, your grandmother. Charlus Potter, your grandfather. Salazar Slytherin, your ancestor. Rowena Ravenclaw, your ancestor. Godric Gryffindor, again your ancestor, and us, your parents!' That was definitely Lily's voice.
'...It's kind of creepy, hearing a chick's voice in my head.' He said absently.
'...It won't be for long, I'm afraid. Hello, Harrison. I am Dorea, your Grandmother.'
'Hi Grandma!'
'Well, you have to learn the Pure-Blood ways that's for sure. You sound like Sirius when he is at his most annoying worst.' Another's man's voice came to him.
'Grandpa?'
'Yes. Hello Harrison. You better come inside.'
'Inside wha-'
Harry looked around him, nervously. He looked around him, the place was all white. The sky looked like someone had shone a meteor sized flashlight through it. He continued looking around and froze. There stood all of the figures that he had spoken to so far, along with two other's. Harry gulped, his sight zeroing on two figures standing right in between.
'Mom? Dad?' Now it was definitely a dream. There was just no way. It felt like the Mirror of Erised, except the interior was... real. If that made sense.
Both of them smiled, and spread their arms. Harry slowly walked forward, as if they would disappear if he walked too fast. He reached in front of them. Every face in the crowd was smiling, or had their face softened (*cough* Salazar *cough*).
Once Harry stopped in front of them, he raised a single hand, and debated if it should tough Lily or James. Eventually Harry decided Lily, he reached his hand forward and touched her cheek. She smiled with tears in her eyes so similar to his own.
'You're... you're real.' Harry said breathlessly.
James grinned with tears in his own hazel eyes, a familiar grin, one that would be on his own face should he ever decide something devious.
'Well, 'real' is a subjective term isn't it?' He joked. Harry stepped back and bowed his head. Both of them looked worried now. Lily reached forward and grabbed her son's cheek. Harry broke then.
He jumped and wrapped his arms tightly around them.
Lily and James jumped but wrapped their arms around him lovingly.
Harry felt like it was a dream come true.
Alright! So! I hope you liked it! I'll add Humor to one of the genres. I'm really sorry if it feels flat.
Please Review!
Peace!