I know, it's been a little while since I last updated, but I'm back! I will try to update more often, but it's been a rough few weeks.
My college finances are falling out, I have my job driving me crazy and I've had writer's block regarding anything Harry Potter for weeks.
But now that all that has past, I shall continue.
By the way, here are the results thus far!
Sirius Breakout:
Yes- 50
No- 12
School Choice:
Ilvermorny- 25
Hogwarts- 21
OC School- 16
Mahoutokoro- 3
Beauxbatons- 2
Durmstrang- 2
Snape Helps Harry:
Yes- 35
No- 23
Get your votes in, because chapter twelve will be the last chapter for all of that. Anyway, I hope my readers are ready for the next chapter!
*I do not own Harry Potter or any of its Characters*
Chapter 9: Moon's Rise
October 20, Monday Late Night
Harry slowly opened his eyes, the blurriness of his vision subsiding after a few minutes. He felt tired and sore, but at the same time felt as though a giant weight had been removed from his shoulders.
He gently leaned forward and looked around. He was in some sort of room, one that of reminded him of where he stayed while at the hospital. However, it looked old fashion, as there were stone walls, no monitors, and nothing that made the room feel comfortable other than the white sheeted bed.
But how did he get here? The last thing he remembered was that he had blown everyone away and then tried to apologize. Harry was really upset that he hurt Mr Barton and the goblins.
'Where is Mr Barton?' He didn't want to get out of bed, as he was still tired, but he was scared. Had Mr Barton forgotten about him. Had he left him here by himself.
"I would not move Mr Potter, your injuries are still healing and I don't want to have to do a repeat of my work." Harry jumped at the voice and looked at the doorway he had not noticed before to see a goblin, but this one was different. Its voice was higher and it wore what looked like a white nurse's outfit.
"W-Where am I? Where is Mr Barton?" The goblin gave him a sour look.
"You are in Gringott's healing department and Mr Barton will be notified that you have awoken." Harry sighed in relief. He wasn't left behind. "I must say Mr Potter, you gave me a run for my Galleons. It took me five hours to fix you up, magic and all." Harry was confused. What did she mean by his magic.
"Was there something wrong with my magic?" The goblin looked at him in disbelief before muttering something to itself, along the lines of 'he didn't know'.
"Your magic was bound to an extensive degree. You had magic blocks on not only your core, but also on several magical enhancements and bonds. You also had a leech, but we were able to remove it." Harry tilted his head cutely. "What's a core?" Moonfall shook her head. She wasn't paid to be an answer sheet. That was Mr Barton's job.
-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-
Same Day
Remus Lupin, despite being dirty and ratty looking at the moment with his old and tattered robes, couldn't halp but feel hopeful. He was on his way to the nearest floo he could find, hoping to meet up with Dumbledore. The genial wizard had asked him to come in and talk to him about Harry.
Of course, the werewolf jumped at the chance. He hadn't seen his pup since the attack. The attack that led to his life falling apart.
The loss of Lily and James to Voldemort, along with Peter's death to Sirius weighed on his heart every day. Had he been there that night, he could have stopped Sirius, saved Peter, or protected the Potters with his life.
While he owed Albus many things, his life belonged to his friends, the ones that stood by him despite his furry problem.
The werewolf kept his head down and walked through Hogsmeade. Spotting a public floo system, he made his way to the entrance, ready to pull out his personal bag of powder. Until he felt something.
A feeling he hadn't felt in almost 5 years. It started small, like a slight tingle in his heart, before it grew into an inferno of warmth. He recognized the feeling. It was his pup, the bond.
He formed a bond with the pup on accident when he was babysitting. He didn't mean to, but when he did, Moony never felt more at ease. Moony obviously cared about Harry to the point that he saw the little babe as his own. While it helped with his condition and getting along with his werewolf, it was also disgusting and vulgar to many wizards.
He of course explained it to the Potter couple, but instead of being mad like he thought, they simply told him. 'It's good that Harry has you. I guess this bond means that Moony is just another member of the Harry protection team.' He laughed at the suggestions that Moony would jump out of him and tear up anyone that looked at his pup the wrong way. It made the worry-filled situation more at ease.
They made him the unofficial third godparent, alongside Alice and ...and Sirius . He never felt so welcomed in his life, so invited into a family, a pack.
But then it all happened.
When the bond was lost on that Halloween, he immediately assumed the worst. Had it not been for Dumbledore telling him otherwise, he would probably still believe that Harry was gone.
Now all of a sudden it was back.
Remus didn't understand why he suddenly felt it, but Moony was screaming at him from inside, begging to see what they had lost so long ago.
For the first time in years, Remus caved and agreed with his inner wolf. He followed the bond to his pup, completely forgetting the meeting he was going to have with the headmaster.
-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-
After coming into the room and comforting the child, Daniel Barton explained everything to the young boy. What magical cores were, what the bindings were how they got there, and everything in between.
He made sure not to leave anything out about Albus Dumbledore, probably his own hatred for the man leaking out during his talk.
Daniel also had an idea of what the leech was, but he didn't explain it to Harry. He could tell the boy felt it was gone, as he rubbed his forehead several times through the conversation with a smile.
Harry agreed with what Barton told him. While he had felt his magic before, now it felt so much greater, like a pool compared to an ocean. He had had access to it before, but now he could feel all of it, like the piece of himself he never knew he lost had returned. It felt amazing.
There was also the enhancement from Lily Potter. They didn't know what it was, but they released it after it being sealed for many years, so it might take a few hours, even a few days for it to become active once more.
The goblins stated that all Harry needed was rest, but they could finish the rest of the bank statements today as long as Harry didn't move too much. Much to his embarrassment and enjoyment, Harry was carried by Barton to the next room, where they would go over the bank statements.
Harry didn't let go of Mr Barton, but the man didn't mind, as long as he could pay attention to what was going on. Hugging the young wizard was nice. The boy obviously enjoyed it and craved it dearly. He knew the reason but didn't delve into it.
"I must say Mr Potter." Griphook stated with a toothy grin. "You had quite a lot that needed to be fixed. I see they even fixed your eyesight." That's right. Harry of course freaked out that he had lost his glasses, but they had been thrown away now that they weren't needed. The old things were held by tape in several spots and were the wrong prescription.
Harry said that his Aunt bought them as a pound store so he could read the cook books better and not mess up the cooking. Daniel added that to his list of things to go against the Dursleys.
Apparent his eyesight grew worse the more he wore them, making it to the point that he could barely read something right in front of him. But now that problem was gone. Harry cried when he realized that he wouldn't have to squint at books anymore to read, and that he could read books with smaller font now.
Even the goblins couldn't remain unaffected by the boy's joy.
"Yeah, they fixed up my leg too. It hurt sometimes when I put weight on it too long." Barton gave a sad smile. "That's because your bone didn't set right, but now it's fixed, along with everything else." Harry nodded and snuggled into the man's coat.
"Well, lets get on with the proceedings." Griphook said stoically. "I have here the accounts for the Potter finances. While I am not the head of the Potter finances, I do have the power to open them for you, as you are the client."
"Who is the head of the Potter accounts?" Harry asked as he poked his head out of the jacket.
"Currently, there is none. The last one was died five years ago from mysterious causes and a new one cannot be placed by anyone other than the head of the House of Potter." Harry smiled.
"Then can I choose you?" Griphook nearly fell out of his chair at that. Daniel looked down at Harry in concern. While Harry was the head of the house, he probably shouldn't make such a quick choice. "W-What do you mean, Mr Potter."
"Call me Harry. If you're going to be the head of my finaces-"
"Finances Harry." Barton corrected.
"Right, finances, then you can talk to me with my first name."
Griphook sputtered for a bit before composing himself. He wouldn't get another chance like this. "I would be honored to be the head of the Potter finances in Gringotts." Harry nodded and smiled at the little goblin.
"Harry, I don't think you should be so hasty on this." Barton told him gentle. Harry didn't want to let the man down, but he wanted to do this for himself too. He liked Griphook.
"As long as I can trust him, then there's nothing wrong." He turned back to the goblin. "Can you promise me you won't betray me Griphook?" Griphook gave a smile that frightened Harry somewhat.
"I'll do you one better." The goblin raised up his right hand. "I, Griphook of the Althar clan, promise and swear on my magic not to do wrong by Harry James Potter or any in the name of Potter. I promise to uphold his title and do anything possible to help gold flow into the most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, so mote it be." A ring of gold surround the goblin before disappearing in a swirl of magic.
"What was that." Harry asked in awe. Barton cleared his throat.
"That was a magical oath, which is the most powerful and commonly used form of agreement in the magical world. If you swear on your magic, you are risking loosing it should you not follow what you promised. Griphook cannot betray you or he will lose his magic, and since he is a magical creature, he will die." Harry's eyes widened in shock and he began to cry, much to their surprise.
"B-But I don't want you to d-die!" Griphook had never seen someone be so emotional for his or any goblins well being before. Most magical children are either afraid of goblins or are taught that they were dirty greedy creatures. They are greedy, yes, but doesn't mean goblins are monsters.
"Mr Pot- Harry, I will not betray you, so I will not die. As long as I make sure to protect your interests, I will be fine, but I do thank you for your concern. It is not everyday someone cries over the idea of my death." Griphook gave an almost smile, but it faded and the goblin became professional once more.
"Now, lets take a look at these bank statements. They are set to add any withdrawals or entries automatically after it has been done." The goblin opened up the folder and a second didn't pass before he felt his eyes go wide in terror and shock. The goblin swore in Gobbledygook and flipped the paper around for Mr Barton to see. "It appears that Albus Dumbledore has been sticking his hands into what is not his."
Daniel looked at the papers and couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Withdrawal of 10800 Galleons, 1986. October 5 by Albus Dumbledore
Withdrawal of 54000 Galleons. 1986, June 12 by Albus Dumbledore
Withdrawal of 100345 Galleons. 1986, February 9, 1986 by Albus Dumbledore
Withdrawal of 4500 Galleons, 1986, January 9, 1986 by Albus Dumbledore
Withdrawal of 72000 Galleons, 1985, December 24, 1985 by Albus Dumbledore
The list went on and on, the amount of money taken piling higher and higher as the years dated back to the day the Potters died.
He finally reached the bottom to find a piece of information that he had been looking for.
Withdrawal of 1000 Galleons at the first of each month between dates September 1, 1981- October 1, 1986, Next one set to be withdrawn by November 1, 1986. Set by Albus Dumbledore.
It was the money for the Dursleys. They received 5000 pounds a month from Albus, which was 1000 Galleons with the conversion of the galleon equaling 5 pounds.
Overall, the money taken from the Potter vaults came out to over three million Galleons! 3,465,760 Galleons to be precise.
"This is disgusting!" Barton said in anger. There were also several items taken from the ancient vaults, such as tomes written by Merlin, ancient jewels and scriptures, and even an invisibility cloak.
All in all, the damn and man had done a number to the once powerful ancient family.
If the man continued to spend like this, the only thing left for Harry by the time he entered Hogwarts or a Magic school would be his trust fund, which only held 10000 Galleons and 1000 Sickles.
Overall, the Potter Vaults still held about 5,435,942 Galleons, including the approximate conversion of Sickles and Knuts to the gold coins, but they had gone down a lot over years, especially with the Potters spending so much in the First Wizarding War.
He looked down at Harry, who was confused by the sudden anger of his guardian. He sighed and handed the parchment to the young boy, hoping he would understand what this all meant.
Harry read the old piece of paper, and the more he read the more he felt something inside of his bubble up. As each number was added to the amount that was taken from him, the burning grew. Like a great pain that wanted to get out attack this man, Dumbledore. Albus Dumbledore.
For the first time ever, Harry felt hatred for someone.
He never hated the Dursleys. While they treated him badly and hurt him, he could never hate them. They were his family. It sounded terrible that he couldn't be anger at them, but all he felt for them was fear.
But Dumbledore was different. He stole everything from him. He took his magic, a chance for a happy life, and all this money. The man was the one that wanted to hurt him, just like Mr Barton told him. The man that wanted to use him. Harry began to hyperventilate, trying not to yell out.
Magic cackled around Harry, obviously reacting to the new emotions he felt. The tow other occupants were a bit fearful, as Harry had already shown them what he could do when upset, but now all his magic was out and free.
"Harry." Daniel hugged Harry close, hoping the comfort would help the confused and angered child. He understood though. If someone had done what Dumbledore did to him, he would react just as badly.
Harry let go of the sudden anger and curled in on himself, letting more tears fall. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
"It's okay Harry. You're upset by what happened. It's totally normal." Barton brushed Harry's hair and soothed the boy's worries.
"I-I was just so mad. I've never felt that way before." Harry whispered out.
"It's alright. You can be angry sometimes. Bottling it all up isn't healthy. It's good to let it out or you might blow up on someone when you don't mean to." Harry looked up at Daniel with horror.
"I'll blow up if I'm angry!?" The two of them chuckled. Let it be said Harry can switch the atmosphere on a dime.
-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-
Albus Dumbledore found his patience waning very quickly. He furiously paced around his office, wondering where a certain werewolf was.
He couldn't track the mutt because he didn't have any of his blood, nor did he have that potion available at the moment. Severus was still making one for Harry Potter, not that the Slytherin knew that.
The man was off the radar, and was hardly seen in the wizarding community anymore. Obviously too afraid of his status as a werewolf and hung up over all the deaths of his 'pack'. There was no house to be found nor any address, meaning the man was homeless as of now. Another way to find the man ruined.
He hoped that Remus would be desperate enough to see his 'pup' to come out of hiding, but obviously the man didn't have any guts.
He should have expected that from the mangy wolf. Damn Remus Lupin and his cowardice. He thought the man was smarter than to leave Albus Dumbledore hanging.
Another howler came flying in his window. Blasted it along with the owl carrying it into oblivion. He didn't care at the moment. He need Harry back, and now one of his connections to the boy was gone.
And to think he might have been willing to give the man his bond back in exchange for finding the boy.
-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-
"Alright Mr P- Harry, we have gone over all your records and more unwelcome information has been found."
"What do you mean Griphook?" Harry asked.
"Your parents will was sealed on the day of their deaths, meaning that any information in the wills are kept away from us at the moment."
"Can't Harry access that information. He is the last of the Potter line." Asked Barton. Griphook shook his head.
"At the moment, no. Harry cannot access that until he is of age, on his eleventh birthday." Barton nodded. He studied Pureblood customs, and while it made since until the boy was older, he wished he could get the information now. It might be what he needed to get Harry away from the lemon sucker for good.
"We also found that since the wills were sealed, as Chief Warlock, Albus Dumbledore was able to place himself as Harry's magical guardian." Barton nodded, already guessing this from the start.
"Which explains why he has access to Harry's vaults." Griphook nodded. "Then we will need to find Harry a new magical guardian. Until then, I believe it would be best if the accounts to the Potter vaults are shut down until we can fight back against Dumbledore. Does this sound appropriate?" Griphook gestured to Harry, who nodded after a moment of thought. "I have a question though, What's a magical guardian?" Barton ruffled Harry's hair, who enjoyed the comforting touch.
"Well Harry, a magical guardian is someone that protects you and has your best interests in mind. They are suppose to make sure you are taken care of in the wizarding world and are meant to be like a parent to you." Harry nodded but looked down at his feet, which were tucked up against him since he was in a ball.
"But... then how come this man Dumbdore is my magic guardian?" Barton didn't miss the slip in the old codgers name and almost chuckled, but he knew it wasn't the time.
"Harry, what he did was unfair and cruel. He shouldn't be your guardian but he cheated to get his way and steal from you. Do you understand?" Harry nodded.
"Then can you be my magic guardian? You have magic." Barton smiled. "I'm a muggleborn. Unless I'm related to you, I can't be your or anyone's magical guardian. It's because I'm have normal parents and not magical ones." Harry tilted his head.
"But that's stupid. If you're a wizard, then doesn't that mean you're like everyone else here?" Let it be said that a six year old is smarter than most wizards in Magical Britain.
"I know it's stupid Harry, but that's how it is here. But don't worry, we'll find someone that will help us protect you. I promise." Harry took a moment before smiling and nodding.
Barton loved Harry's little actions. Now that his eyes weren't covered up by those nasty glasses, you could easily see the emotions the shine in them.
He was sure Miss Mayfield would enjoy the new glasses-less Harry.
"What about all that money he took?" Barton looked at the ground and scrunched his face.
"We can't do anything right now, but trust me, that man won't get away with this." Harry put a tiny hand on Barton's.
"Thank you Mr Barton, Griphook. You've helped me so much, and I can't thank you enough for everything." Harry said genuinely with a smile brushing over his lips. The both of them, even the snarky goblin, couldn't remain unaffected by Harry's hope.
The muggleborn hated this. Harry had lost so much money and as of now it was all legal! As Chief Warlock and as Harry's magical Guardian, Dumbledore was allowed to pull money from the vaults to care for Harry. It was stated as a clause for being a magical guardian. They could get the magical items back for now, but that was it.
You could pull money as long as you had a reason, along the lines of caring for your charge's needs or paying for the child's expenses.
Luckily, Dumbledore had done none of the sort. If they played their cards right, not only could they smear Dumbledore for his actions against an Ancient and Noble house, but they could get back all the money that was taken!
It would take a mighty amount of planning.
"The vaults and all the Potter accounts will be sealed today. Before I close your accounts, I suggest you pull some money out of your vaults. After that, they will be shut down to everyone, including Dumbledore." The two wizards nodded, both of them happy that the old man was no longer stealing from the Potter family.
-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-
Vernon Dursley was knocked into a wall, face first. Crowds of other inmates surrounded the man, wanting a taste of the so called big man on campus.
Ever since entering the jail, a waiting his trail, his life had been nothing but hell.
Word got out about him beating the freak for almost five years and several prisoners targeted him personally. The officers on guard would stop them if it got too far, but usually they wouldn't stop it until then. So much for supporting the boys in blue. They didn't understand that he had the beat the freakishness out of the boy.
All in all, he found himself at the mercy of some very unsavory people.
Especially the one that was currently standing over him. The man was a brute. Where Vernon had layers of fat to protect him, the man was built like a tank. "I didn't do anything to you, you damn criminal. All I did was teach the little freak where he belonged!"
Wrong words.
He found his hair grabbed by the man and his head slammed down into the hard concrete. Blood ran down his forehead and pooled at the floor, his vision getting blurry.
Andrew McClanahan, in for a lifetime sentence for killing four men. Reason: They killed his four year old daughter when trying to rob a bank. Having already lost his wife in childbirth, he didn't stop until they were all dead.
Yes, Vernon was getting a taste of his own medicine.
-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-
Petunia hated this place. Everyone avoided her and the few that did speak to her only insulted her. Calling her a sorry excuse for a mother or a monster.
How dare they! She had a perfect son and a loving husband. The only thing that didn't fit into her life was the freak.
Oh, how she hated that boy. It was all his fault. Her husband was in a different prison and she had no idea where her baby was.
-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-
Dudley found himself eating dirt, courtesy of a pair of ten year olds. He was thrown on the ground and beaten up faster than he could do anything but wiggle.
He didn't understand why this was happening. He was just grabbing a toy from a stupid girl who would give it to him and suddenly a pair of boys knocked him over for attack their sister.
He tired to fight back, but sadly his physique was a bit...lacking.
He was being pressed into the ground by their hands, both of them repeating the phrase 'leave our little sis alone'.
He hated this place. It was terrible. No TV, no cake or good food, no Mum or Dad, and no Piers or Harry Hunting. It was awful, and it was all the freaks fault. He just had to lie about being hurt.
He just hoped his Aunt Marge would pick him up soon. She was out of town until Wednesday, meaning he was stuck at this stupid orphanage full of poor people.
He couldn't wait to get out of here, then he could get the freak to make him his favorite cake. Mum would make him do it.
-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-
Harry and Daniel walked out of the back of the bank, Harry carrying a little satchel that held 5000 galleons. He was amazed at what magic could do, like shrinking the bag, or when it didn't feel heavy at all despite holding so much. He especially loved the ride down to his vaults. The cart was so much fun!
Walking out of the bank, Harry smiling and waving once more to the two armored goblins, they made their way out, hoping not to be seen by anyone that would know who Harry was. Not that they would. Harry had no glasses, his scar was all but gone because of the goblins, and his was wearing a nice green robe from the vaults. He fell in love with it as soon as he saw it. Barton easily caught his excitement over it and let him bring it.
They continued down the narrow walkway, Barton holding Harry's hand.
"Harry?" Barton turned to his side to see a scruffy man staring at both of them. He had no idea who this man was, but he didn't look like the friendliest man. He might even be a worker for Dumbledore.
He was about to get Harry out of here, had the young child not stepped forward and stared at the man with wonder.
"Moony?"
(End Chapter)
Yay! I hope you liked it, there is more to come.
Will they get Remus on their side? Will Dumbledore get what's coming to him? Will I keep asking questions? Who know!
Anyway, I hope you review and follow the story.
I will write more soon. Until then, see ya!
