A/N: Hello dear readers!
I had finished writing the first three chapters and have only gone through them and made smaller changes before posting. After this chapter, however, I will be posting every week if not life, work, or writer's block gets in my way. I will post here on and of Archive of our own.
I still own nothing. Harry Potter and its characters are the property of J.K Rowling.
Happy reading!
/Zelda
Chapter 3 - A trip to Gringotts wizarding bank
Harry was happy to get out of the gloomy and smelly Vipers inn and into the now sunlit Diagon Alley. The sun was fully up now and its light gleamed and reflected in the windows of the shops. Most places were still closed but there were many of the shopkeepers bustling around getting everything ready to open for the day. He strode down the alley, Azoth by his side, and looking straight ahead to the great, white marbled bank that was Gringotts. He had always liked the bank. It had made a big impression on him when he was 11 years old and saw it for the first time and he could just not forget how happy he had felt that he had some money and didn't have to really on the Dursleys charity any longer. The money issue, now, however, felt a little bittersweet; with all the new information he got about his inheritance and of the multiple vaults of his family. They walked up the marble steps and Harry gave a quick glance at the placard with the warning for potential thieves and grinned. Inside, he walked to the nearest Goblin and cleared his thought to make his presence known.
"Master Goblin, I would like to talk to the manager to my account, please.", he said. Azoth had on the way, given him instruction as to how to address the goblins.
"Your name please", the goblin asked.
Harry leaned closer and then whispered so that only the goblin could hear "Harry Potter and I would like a privet chamber if possible please, for the digression."
"Certainly, Mr. Potter" the goblin said in a low voice, nodding. "Please wait here". He disappeared and then came back with another goblin that Harry recognized.
"Mater Griphook, how nice to see you again", Harry said.
Griphook looked surprised at Harry and that seems to know him and his name.
"Mr. Potter?" Griphook said quietly. "You certainly have changed and you remember me?"
"Of course. How could I forget your excellent service? May your faults overflow and your enemies cower at your feet", Harry said put out his hand for Griphook to shake.
Again Griphook looked at him with surprise by this polite greeting, but quickly seems to compose himself and gave Harry a small smile, took his hand, shook and then said;
"And may your gold flow like a river and your enemies flee before you, Mr. Potter. Please, let's speak further in my office".
Harry nodded and they walked further into Gringotts. Griphook makes a hand gesture as to say, "after you", and they stepped into an office with a large desk, filing cabinet , and two simple chairs. Harry sat down in one and Griphook sat in the one on the other side of the desk. Harry could see that Azoth had placed himself by the door, leaning casually at the wall with his arms crossed.
"Now, Mr. Potter", Griphook said putting his long fingers together with only his fingertips touching. "How may I be of assistance?"
"Well. I recently found out about my inheritance and would like to know what my assets are and why I have not been informed of them before".
Griphook waved his hand and one of the drawers of the filing cabinet opened and a file flew out and into his hand. He opened it, placed it on the desk, and picked up one of the parchments.
"To ascertain your assets, you will need to put a drop of your blood on this parchment, as a confirmation of your identity." the goblin said and then held out a knife that must have been on his desk but Harry had not seen. "Standard safety procedure. You will only have to prick your finger, a single drop will suffice".
Harry took the knife, pricked his finger and held it over the parchment to let the blood drop onto it. The blood seemed to sink into the parchment and after a few seconds writing appeared on the page. Griphook took it back, lent back in his chair, and read silently.
"Mr. Potter, you have several vaults that are the Potter families and also two that are of the Black family. I can see here that you only have access to your trust vault that is to pay for your schooling expenses. I can also see here that there has been several withdraw from the said trust fund to a Mr. and Mrs. Dursley in Little Winging, Surrey. Your relatives you live with, I presume?" Griphook looked up from the page. Harry nodded. He was not surprised that the Dursleys was paid for him living with them, even though they always complained about how ungrateful he was and how much his cost for them to keep, taking him in out of the kindness of their hearts.
"You have inherited several businesses and properties that are of the Potter and Black estate and the lordship-title of both Potter and Black family." Griphook lent forward so that Harry could take the parchment and read it himself.
It seemed that Griphook was indeed correct. Harry had several vaults with more money than he could ever imagine spending in a lifetime and several properties and businesses. He saw that he owned several shops in dragon alley, a famous apothecary chain, and a forth of paper, The Daily Prophet. All of them seemed to make a good amount of business and was very lucrative. That, he thought was very interesting information. But what interested him, even more, was all of the different properties and houses that he owned. He saw both Potter manor and Grimmauld place on the list but also a cottage in Scotland, a summer villa in Italy, a small flat in a posh part of London, and a manor house in France. To think that he owned all these places and never knew. He would never have to go back to the Dursleys again. The thought of how the Dursleys would react if they knew almost made him laugh out loud. If they found out that he was this rich and had all these houses, they would probably shit their pants out of jealousy.
Pulling himself out of his thoughts he asked; "What about my parent's will? Is that something you can help me with?"
"Of course. I must say that I am highly surprised that you have not had your parents will read to you and been informed about other vaults. That is usually done soon after the death of the wills proprietors or at least by the age a wizard attends Hogwarts", Griphook explained.
"So am I", Harry said bitterly "But it seems that Dumbledore thought it not important for me to know." Griphook looked like he had been slapped in the face at this.
"Dumbledore? Do you mean as to say that he sealed the will from you as to keep you from reading its content? This is an outrage, a scandal! To think that could happen in Gringotts is highly insulting!"
"Yes, it is but it is still true. I never even knew that my parents left a will or anything else than my trust vault. I suggest that you investigate how that happened, master Griphook. If it is so that Dumbledore somehow hoodwinked or tricked a goblin into doing so, he should face reproduction".
"I must deeply apologize on the behalf of Gringotts bank, Mr. Potter" Griphook said suddenly rising to his feet and bowing low. "This is most embarrassing and I will certainly see that a thorough investigation is done in this matter. No one tricks a Gringotts goblin".
Harry gave him a weak smile. "And doesn't pay the price", he added to Griphook exclamation.
"That is quite alright, master Griphook. This is not of any fault of yours, I am sure".
Griphook grinned then turned and sat down in his chair again. "I must say, Mr. Potter, you are a highly unusual wizard. Not may witches and wizards would treat a goblin with such respect, let alone shake a goblins hand. There is something different about you but I cannot put my finger on what and you are certainly not the same wizard I met when you were eleven, either.", he said.
"We goblin are highly sensitive to magic and yours seems…oddly hard to read and yet somehow darker."
"I assure you, Master Griphook. I will never do you or Gringotts bank any harm. And besides, as you said yourself, no one tricks a goblin and only a fool would try".
Griphooks grim grew wider and nodded his head with respect at Harry. He then took one long finger and pressed it at a golden button on the side of his desk and called out "Ugrast!"
Some seconds later the door opened and another goblin walked in.
"Ugrast, bring me every file that we have on the Potter accounts and also search for the Potters will, that have been sealed. This was not done with the permission of the recipient of the will and must therefore be investigated at once. Also, bring me the lordship rings that are in the Potter and Black vaults."
He then turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter, if you wish to take the Lordship of both family's, it will mean that you will be emancipated and no longer under the ministry's control. This would normally be done when you come of age but because of you being the last descendant of both family lines and the matter with the sealing of your parent's will, I think that we may overrule the usual rule. Gringotts own you that at least and according to goblin law we have that right. Is this something you wish to do?"
Harry, of course, already knew this because Azoth had told him so. He smiled. "Yes, It is", he answered simply.
Griphook then turned back to Ugrast. "You may do this at once, Ugrast". The other goblin only bent his head in confirmation and then he turned to Harry and bent his head again in recognition, then turned and walked out of the office.
"I assure you, Mr. Potter, that I will personally make sure that the people that are responsible for this injustice against you will pay a heavy price indeed", Griphook said when Ugrast had left.
"I highly appreciate it", Harry said. "How is it that someone like Dumbledore can do these things?"
"I believe, if I remember wizarding law correctly, that he must have appointed himself as your legal magical guardian and compelled the case before the Ministry, that it would be in your best interest. However, Goblin law is not wizarding law and he should not have been able to keep what is rightfully yours from you and especially your parents will, as that it would be highly probable that it is against their last wishes." Griphook explained, "Even if he argued that it was in your interest as your magical guardian, that is not how we operate here at Gringotts. I may as well say that I am doubtful that it is legal in accordance with wizarding law as well, to go against the will proprietor's last wishes, seal a will, and withholding inheritance in this manner. I am, however not as adept in wizarding law and the rules of magic guardianship as I am in goblin law, of course."
"So you are saying that Dumbledore would have withholding reading of my parents will until I was of age according to what he called my best interests?"
"Yes, possible. But it would be greatly frowned apron and highly morally questionable, as you are not only of one but two of the oldest and most noble families in the wizarding world. The noble pureblood families do not take lightly on such a thing."
"I see". Harry frowned. If he could prove that withholding his inheritance was against his parent's wishes and that Dumbledore appointing himself as his magical guardian only for his own selfish interests, he could possibly use that as an advantage against Dumbledore in a court if he so wished.
The door opened again and Ugrast came back in, holding a large scroll with a red wax seal on it and two different small boxes, one made out of what looked like silver and the other made out of dark wood. Ugrast handed the objects to Griphook, bent over and whispered something in his ear, bowed again and walked out without saying another word. Griphook handed the scroll to Harry.
"This is the last will and testament of Lilly and James Potter. It was apparently in the Potter family vault but the file was still sealed, as was the vault so that you could not have access. This has now been rectified", Griphook said. " He held out the scroll to Harry.
Harry glanced at Azoth who was still calmly leaning against the wall and gave a slight nod. He took a deep breath and then broke the red wax seal and unfolded the heavy parchment.
Being of sound body and mind, and under no influence of curse that compelled us, we, James Charles Potter and Lily Evelyn Potter nee Evans, do declare this to be our last will and testament. We render all previous documents null and void, this day 5th September 1981.
Fist to our dear a friend and marauder prince, Sirius Orion Black we leave 100, 000 galleons to with what he wishes. Don't spend it all at once, mate and for god sake, marry a girl and settle down! We also leave you, in case of both our deaths, our greatest treasure, our son Harry, knowing that you will raise him as he was your own son and as his godfather. However, we wish that you also sought council about his upbringing from Remus Lupin, so as not to spoil him and corrupt him completely, as he has more sense in this than you.
Next to our dear friend Remus Lupin, we also leave 100, 000 galleons to do with as he wishes. He may not, however, in any circumstances return the money. They are yours and we will make sure that you will receive them. Also, we wish that you aid Sirius in taking care of our son Harry. We know that you will have a great influence on him and can give him love and tolerance for all creatures and beings. We also want to leave you the small cottage in Scotland that you love so much in the hopes that it gives you some peace.
To our friend, Peter Pettigrew and our secret keeper, we give 100,000 galleons to do with as he wishes. We know that you are a great friend and are grateful that you, at your great personal risk, become our secret keeper.
To our friends Alice and Frank Longbottom we give 50,000 galleons. We want to leave something for your family and little Neville, who we also love like our own Harry and wish you all the best.
And lastly, to our darling treasure and loved son, Harry James Potter, we leave all that we possess and all our assets and estates, accept the few bequests mentioned above.
Son, we love you with all our hearts and always will. You are the best little son a mum and dad could ask for and there is nothing we wouldn't do to make sure you are safe and happy. If we die before it is our time, at the hands of the Dark Lord Voldemort, we can only hope that you will cherish our memory and know that you will forever be in our hearts.
In the event that Sirius Black is not available to take care of Harry or is killed we wish that the following is considered as guardians in the order that follows: Frank and Alice Longbottom, Andromeda Tonks nee Black, Minerva McGonagall, and lastly Augusta Longbottom.
Harry should not be, under any circumstances, be places with Lily's blood relatives, Petunia and Vernon Dursley. We are not on good turns and they detest anything that has to do with our family and magic. Because of this, we are afraid that they will mistreat Harry and not tell him the truth about his family or his magical inheritance.
Signed by
James Charlus Potter
Lily Evelyn Potter nee Evans
5th of September 1981'
Witnessed by:
Sirius Orion Black
Lord Franklin Longbottom and Lady Alice Longbottom
Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore
Account manager Snapfang
Harry swallowed to try to undo the lump in his thought and keep the tears away. He was not surprised that his parents left all their friend's gifts and were very happy when he saw Neville's names mentioned. He had snorted when he had read Peters's name but he guessed that his parents couldn't imagine that their friend would betray them to Voldemort. Mostly, he felt a great sadness when he read the loving and sweet words about how much his parents loved him and extremely angry when he read that it was directly against his parent's wishes that Dumbledore had put him in his aunt and uncles house. He had known all this time that it was NOT in his best interest, as they and his parents were not on good terms and they hated everything about magic, but still, he was put there on their doorstep, like some kind of leftovers, the day Voldemort killed them. Sirius must also have known his parent's wishes and Harry could not help feeling a little angry with him as well, still trusting Dumbledore.
Harry deeply suspected that Dumbledore probably had convinced Sirius that he would be safest at the Dursleys because of the blood protection and he had tried to invite Harry to stay with him last year but because he was on the run from prison, he couldn't take the legal route. But still, he could have had a happy upbringing with anyone else that the Dursleys, with Andromeda and Tonks, Professor McGonagall, or even Neville grandmother and Neville. Augusta Longbottom may be strict and a bit server but it would have been better than the treatment he received from his aunt and uncle, and he would have had Neville as a brother.
It was also very was clear that Dumbledore knew who had been the Potters secret keeper, that it had been Pettigrew and not Sirius. How could he, with this knowledge, let Sirius, a clearly innocent man, suffer in Azkaban for 12 years if he witnessed this will? He had known, all of those years!
Harry seethes with furious anger and could only think about one thing now: growing stronger and revenge.
