IMPORTANT Author's Notes: This is the last of today's uploads. As this is all the currently written chapters of this story. Just a reminder when reading this! Dumbledore is not intended to be Evil/Manipulative in this. So I hope you bear that in mind when reading his parts in things. As ever I hope you enjoyed the previous chapters.

Chapter 3:

Harry was saddened to see just how disheartened Hermione appeared as she shuffled into the kitchen again after getting ready for the day the following morning. She'd appeared out of sorts at breakfast too, but the company had distracted her for a time from her worries. It appeared too much time alone had allowed her to reflect excessively on her misfortunes.

He couldn't allow it, he could understand it, but he couldn't stand to see his friend looking so defeated. So, pushing himself to his feet, he made his way over to his friend who was standing staring absently into space while tying her hair up in a rough ponytail behind her head in her bedroom.

Hermione seemed surprised when he drew her into a hug. "It'll be okay Mione, we're getting a handle on things, just give it some time and it'll all work out." He promised her.

She relaxed into his hug, simply resting her head on his shoulder. "You can't know that Harry, I—I'm dangerous now. I'm not who I used to be, I just—."

He hugged her tighter before easing back to look at her. "You're exactly who you were before all this happened, you just have a few extra worries now as far as I'm concerned." At her doubtful look he smiled gently at her. "Are you dangerous now? Sure, but you always were. Just ask Malfoy, you have a mean right hook." He teased, earning a quelling look, in return eliciting a sigh from him. "As for your…lycanthropy, we'll do our best to mitigate the risks, that's all we can do isn't it? And don't you think for a minute any of us here are going to leave you just because this happened to you." He murmured pulling her back into the hug.

This time Hermione eased and nodded, before drawing a shuddering breath. "Thanks Harry…I don't know what I'd do without you." She whispered into his shoulder.

Harry could think of nothing he could say to that, so he just held her until she finally decided to pull back. "They'll be here soon I expect, we might need to get the door though, Dad's doing something in his study and mum's out getting groceries…" She murmured wiping absently at the tears which had formed in her eyes, before chuckling weakly. "I'm sorry, I thought I was past this."

"It's fine, I absolutely understand." Harry assured her. "No one expects you to not be shaken up by all this."

She nodded slowly in agreement before stopping sharply as a knock sounded at the door. "Speak of the wizard…" Hermione chuckled as they started towards the front door.

Hermione looked through the small view port before opening the door. There standing on the doorstep were Professors Dumbledore and Babbling. Both looking somewhat less conspicuous than they might normally. Harry couldn't help but blink in consternation at the strange baby blue suit Dumbledore wore. So he was somewhat relieved when Professor Babbling was wearing something far less obtrusive. In fact the young, admittedly attractive woman wouldn't have looked out of place wandering a muggle mall.

Professor Babbling was one of the few teachers he'd never had occasion to speak with in his time at Hogwarts. He knew she was young, a relatively new professor having replaced one who had retired just before their third year. In fact she looked newly out of Hogwarts herself. He also knew Hermione swore by her. She also looked to practically bubbling with excitement as she bounced up and down on her heels standing on the doorstep.

Dumbledore smiled benignly at them, "Hello Harry, Hermione, might we come in?"

Hermione smiled slightly before stepping aside and waving them through. "Of course, please feel free."

Babbling bounced through the door excitedly before pausing looking sheepish, "I'm sorry, I'm a half-blood you know? My dad was a muggle born, but I never got the chance to see the inside of a muggle house before—" She admitted casting her eyes about avidly. "So many interesting things!"

Dumbledore chuckled his eyes twinkling merrily as he stepped in behind her and Hermione closed the door. "Might I ask what has caught your eye thus far my dear?"

Babbling paused considering, "The lights," She eventually decided waving to one of the recessed lights set into the ceiling. "I know they use electricity in some way, tame lightning as they say, but I don't really know how it is used to produce light."

This produced a fond smile from Hermione, who naturally set about explaining it to the woman. "The electricity is channeled via conductive wire into a metallic filament in the centre of the glass bulb which is filled with inert gases. In those conditions the metallic filament glows very brightly."

The professor mulled that over for a minute before smiling happily to herself, "And just like that I have an idea for my next experiment!" She said grinning, before looking to Hermione hopefully. "I don't suppose you have any information on the experiments used to create them?"

This brought her student up short, "Not on hand but—" She stopped as there was the sound of approaching feet and her father came down the stairs. "Oh hey dad, this is Professor Babbling, she's our Ancient Runes teacher. She was wondering about Edison's experiments with lightbulbs," She said as the two shook hands. "Do you think you could quickly dig up some information on it for her?"

Dan blinked in surprise before nodding slowly in agreement, "Sure, just give me a few minutes."

Dumbledore smiled happily at them all, "Wonderful!" He said before sobering slightly. "Now, I'm afraid Professor Vector is rather busy grading her exams and could not come today, however I will bring her around at earliest convenience." He promised.

"Perhaps you kids should take them into the living room? I'll go look up that information you asked for in the meantime." Dan suggested pointedly.

Hermione blushed realizing she'd unintentionally kept everyone standing around in the entryway. "Of course."

Harry watched in amusement as Babbling happily started about taking everything in as they walked through the house into the living room before getting seated. "Would either of you like something to eat or drink?" His friend asked now that her manners had been remembered.

"Some tea would be lovely if it's available." Babbling requested after Dumbledore shook his head genially.

"It will be available in just a minute." Hermione promised leaving the room heading in the direction of the kitchen.

Babbling focused her attention on Harry as the girl left the room. "Now, Mister Potter, I understand you're interested in joining my class next term?"

He bobbed his head dutifully, "Yes ma'am."

This earned a slight smile from her before she started digging in her bag for something, "I look forward to it, now I have some materials for you to read of course, but more over…" She paused hauling out a couple books and a case of some kind. "I have some things for you to practice with. Luckily none of this will require any magic that will set off the Ministry sensors. I took the liberty of grabbing a spare third year kit for rune crafting, here you go." She said handing it off to him.

She settled back in her seat smoothing her skirt, "Now, if I might ask, what is it that draws you to my class?"

Because he knew just how it would likely sound at first Harry blushed profusely, eliciting a tinkling laugh from the professor. "I think I have my answer then?"

If possible he blushed harder, "Er—sort of ma'am, I mean…Hermione is going to need the company going forward and…well, she did make the topic sound interesting."

Babbling's expression softened, "I understand, and that's a plenty good reason too as far as I'm concerned." She assured him, "The reason I asked though, is that I wondered if it had anything to do with your family history?"

Harry blinked dumbly at her in confusion for a moment before a chagrined sigh from Dumbledore drew their attention. "It seems I've forgotten something important once again…" He murmured before casting an apologetic look Harry's way. "Please Bathsheda if you would be so kind as to fill Harry in on your meaning? And Harry my boy, I do apologize for forgetting this, I'm afraid there are simply too many things going on for me to remember everything."

Babbling nodded, a slightly sad cast passing over her face before she collected herself and directed her attention back to her new student. "The Potter family were, during your parents' and grandparents' life times, the most accomplished wizarding rune and ward crafters in Great Britain mister Potter." She stated simply. "Your family was highly sought after by many for their skill, which even the Goblins had trouble matching. I had wondered if it was because of this that you were interested in my class - or perhaps because of your scar. Apparently not though," she commented with a smirk.

This confused Harry for a moment, and even Dumbledore cocked his head in thought before nodding in understanding. Harry was about to ask what she meant when Hermione finally returned with the tea.

"Thank you Miss Granger…" Professor Babbling said.

Hermione smiled ruefully, "We're away from school professor, if you wish you may call me Hermione."

Babbling nodded. "Of course."

Harry regained the professor's attention before voicing his confusion. However instead it was Dumbledore who explained. "What Professor Babbling is referring to is the reason that the killing curse, which traditionally leaves no mark, left a sowilo rune or lightning bolt scar where it struck."

Harry blinked in surprise, his hand briefly darting up to his forehead before falling away as Babbling nodded agreement. "Yes, now I can't be certain exactly why of course, but I can make a guess or two." She ventured. "I would assume that Lily Potter create a protective enchantment of some kind?" She asked looking to the headmaster.

Dumbledore nodded promptly. "Yes, a potent love based shield fuelled by her own sacrifice in Harry's defence…I believe it may have been based on an ancient Potter family ritual my dear."*

The other professor nodded, "That would make sense, you see to anchor such a powerful enchantment to her child she would need to carve or tattoo a rune. Everything I've ever heard or read about the…uh, incident, suggested that she didn't have much time to prepare in depth so she likely opted to carve it." She explained hurriedly.

"Now, as this is light magic we're talking about, the scar should have faded by now, which begs the question, why did it not?" She asked absently, "My theory is this, the shield stopped the curse yes, but caused a dark magic feedback of some kind through the anchor. Not unheard of, and not enough to kill, but enough to re-etch the scar with dark magic."

Here she shrugged. "It is unlikely that we'll ever know for sure as recreating the circumstances would of course be highly unethical."

Dumbledore nodded sage agreement, "If I may add my dear, it is also likely that Voldemort was working a great many other black magics as well at the time. Any one of them could easily have affected the scar in this way."

Babbling nodded, before looking a bit sheepish. "Sorry, I didn't mean to go off on a tangent like that." She apologized looking to Harry in specific.

He smiled slightly at her, "It's alright professor, I—it's very interesting. Do you know where I could learn more about my family's work?" Harry asked looking between the two professors, idly running a hand over his scar, uncertain what to think of the idea of his mum carving it into his head.

Dumbledore paused thinking, "There is a goodly chance that such knowledge may have been secured, at least in part in the family vault at Gringotts."

Harry frowned, thinking back to the vault he'd seen. "I don't recall seeing any books or anything like that the last time I went in there."

Dumbledore looked to him questioningly before giving him a rueful smile. "Ah Harry, tell me? When you visited that vault, did they by any chance refer to it as a trust vault?"

Harry needed to think about that for a minute before nodding agreement, "Yes."

The headmaster hummed understanding, "A trust vault is a place set aside and filled with a relatively small discretionary fund, usually to see to a child's care and upbringing should the worst occur." He explained patiently. "That vault you visited Harry was not your family vault, merely what funds your parents had set aside for you to use until you came of age."

Needless to say, Harry was surprised to hear this, but Dumbledore pressed on before he could inquire further. "And while you likely cannot access the funds in your family vault, other objects of non-material wealth, such as family grimoires and such, may be removed by anyone of Potter blood."

"That...would have been nice to know beforehand, sir." Harry said schooling his features to avoid letting the slowly growing frustration show. Dumbledore seemed to have made a large number of oversights concerning his life.

Dumbledore shook his head. "I apologize once again Harry, I had assumed you would have realized from the name. If you wish the state of your other vault can be something we look into today when we visit the alley."

Harry quickly nodded his head. "Yes, I'd appreciate that."

Dumbledore smiled and clapped his hands together, "Now, back to business yes? Do you have any questions for Professor Babbling Harry?"

His student nodded agreeably, "Er—yes actually. What can Ancient Runes actually be used for? I know what they mentioned in the introductions to the books Hermione leant me…"

Babbling nodded putting down the now empty tea cup, "Runes can be used in all manner of magics Mister Potter." She assured him. "Spell crafting uses them to inform wand motions in new spells. Ward crafting uses them to anchor focal points for the protections. Enchanting of any kind uses them extensively to secure the desired effect into the material being used."

She rolled her shoulders absently before pressing on, "Almost all magical creations use them in fact….Well, except for wands of course. But brooms, magic carpets, magic mirrors, golems and constructs… even the common galleon is enchanted with runes to prevent forgery."

Harry nodded slowly, "I've heard of most of those, though I didn't know galleons were actually enchanted. But I admit I don't know what you mean by golems or constructs."

Babbling looked chagrined. "Ah! Sorry, that is a rather advanced and niche field of enchantment actually. In short though, they are…artificial people, not truly alive of course, but they carry out tasks for their enchanter. You have to be careful making them…if made incorrectly they're somewhat infamous for being unintentionally destructive or dangerous."

"Sort of like robots, yes?" Hermione noted thoughtfully from where she had perched herself beside him.

That drew a consternated look from the professors. "Robots?" Babbling asked curiously.

"Oh yes," Hermione said excitedly. "The muggle world is experimenting with machines which autonomously carry out tasks. Most are simple armatures and such, but I know I've heard some companies are working on ones that can fly or are more human shaped." She paused thoughtfully, "And I know science fiction literature theorizes about them and artificial intelligence at length."

Babbling in particular looked stunned by that revelation before leaning forward. "The muggle world is so fascinating!" She admitted. "It's a shame I don't get more opportunity to explore it."

Here Dumbledore looked thoughtfully to the young Professor. "Is it that I keep you too busy my dear? I would hate to think I was preventing you from exploring the world a little."

The young woman shook her head firmly, "Oh no, I just don't find myself with much reason to venture into the mundane world all that much." She assured him.

The headmaster smiled brightly at her, "Then perhaps I have an idea." he began, "Harry will as you know be studying in order to catch up on your course this summer. If the Grangers are willing perhaps you might come tutor him occasionally and explore a little while you're at it?"

There was the sound of shifting fabric behind them and Harry and Hermione turned to see Dan leaning in the doorway, leading them to wonder how long he had been present. "I have no problem with that, and I doubt Emma would." He stated simply, before handing a sheaf of pages which had been stapled together to professor Babbling who took them cautiously. "Here's that information you asked for."

She fiddled with them curiously, "Interesting, I admit I was expecting a book…"

He shook his head. "I'm afraid we don't have anything like that in the library here, so I looked it up on the internet. Then printed it off."

Babbling looked if anything more confused. "You have a printing press? Do you write a newspaper? What is an internet?"

Dan chuckled in amusement, "Oh Emma better say yes, if nothing else it'll be entertaining." He murmured before smiling. "No, we don't have a press, this is just a small family job for quickly copying things we type out."

Babbling appeared prepared to ask more questions but Dumbledore placed a lightly restraining hand on her arm. "Perhaps another time my dear?"

The young woman nodded, "Yes of course, Mister Granger, if that is in fact okay with your wife, would perhaps Monday and Friday this summer be a good time for me to visit?"

Hermione's father considered before nodding. "There will likely be a gap in July if we can figure out how to go on a trip, but otherwise that should work nicely." He agreed eliciting a satisfied nod from the young teacher.

Dumbledore looked very pleased with those developments, "Excellent, now, unless there are any other questions perhaps it would be prudent for us to move on with our other business today?" He suggested.

When there did not appear to be any questions forthcoming, Babbling pushed to her feet, "Yes, of course, I really should head back now and finish grading the last of my exams. Thank you so much for indulging my curiosity," She said to Hermione and Dan, "I hope to hear back from you soon. Have a pleasant summer otherwise you two." She said directing that last bit at her two students.

"I'll uh— just see myself out then?" She suggested after a moment's pause before heading for the door. The others just shook their head in amusement at the energetic teacher's antics.

Lucius placed the letter he had received from his son aside with an irritable sigh. It was filled with the typical drivel Draco liked to pass off as conversation. Were it not for Severus mailing him to inform him of the actual facts he would likely have been forced to make a show of strength based on the imperfect account of events the little tit had given him.

Still, he supposed the letter was not entirely without worth. While it had mostly been his son exhorting him to use his influence to intimidate Potter, there had been a fragment of information the letter from Severus had lacked.

Potter and his mudblood had disappeared, most interesting…

Lucius had questioned Severus shortly after and been gifted the 'official' story. Some bollocks tift about both students being sent home early to allow them to cope with the stress of the situation. However, anyone with a lick of intelligence would be able to see through that official story, which when questioned upon their little disappearance act, Severus had supplied had explained that after the 'unfortunate' events surrounding the full moon both had been sent home early to allow them to cope with the stress.

Lucius was many things, stupid however was not one of them…he had a sneaking suspicion as to what had really happened, and perhaps it was time to speak with Dolores one again. As odious as the woman was she was ever so fond of bills that marginalized non-humans and the like. It would be a very sweet victory indeed if he could leverage this opportunity to separate Potter and the girl…

Yes, he could use this.

He drew a roll of parchment from the drawer and prepared to send off another letter.

Unfortunately for just about everyone involved, the Granger Family was not as yet in possession of a working connection to the floo network. Even more unfortunately, Harry reflected after crash landing from yet another portkey trip, Diagon Alley lacked any soft surfaces to land on.

Dumbledore helped him straighten himself out as he groaned getting to his feet. The Grangers seemed to manage getting themselves sorted out just fine on their own. The headmaster apologized, appearing perplexed as they all convened away from the portkey arrival area. He did however make a point of noting, "It is odd that you and Harry struggle so much with Portkeys miss Granger…"

Predictably this produced a great deal of embarrassment from the two teens. Dumbledore pointedly ignored their blushing and looked to the Granger adults while the pair collected themselves. "Now, I accept this may be none of my business, but might I ask what your family will be doing whilst here? I ask purely in the interest of estimating the time it will take us to complete our tasks."

The parents seemed un-offended. "Just a general shopping trip today as I understand it," Mister Granger admitted easily. "I suspect most of it will be spent in the bookshop, but who knows…"

Dumbledore nodded, "Very good, I suppose we shall just have to, as they say, wing it." He mused absently before straightening. "If you will excuse us then, Harry and myself need to go to Gringotts first."

Harry had to admit, as the group began to exchange farewells for the moment, and began to go their separate ways he felt a distinct pang of anxiety and unease at parting with his friend. Only stirring out of his reflections when a gentle hand landed on his shoulder. "She will be alright Harry, I am certain. She is an intelligent and skilled witch, who is with her parents who love her dearly and Diagon Alley is a reasonably safe place at this time of day." Dumbledore assured him.

The younger wizard smiled weakly, acknowledging the point, and the headmaster pressed on. "Come along now Harry, tell me, did Hagrid advise you at all on how to comport yourself whilst in the company of Goblins?"

"No sir." Harry admitted.

Dumbledore hummed thoughtfully for a moment, "Very well, I shall be brief then. Goblins do not receive much in the way of common courtesy or respect from our kind I'm afraid. Thus being polite, honest and courteous will go a long way towards avoiding their disrespect in turn." He paused them in their wanderings and looked Harry seriously in the eye. "Never refer to them as creature, and remember this strange quirk of their personalities: items made by the Goblins and purchased from them are considered to belong only to the purchaser and not to their descendants. Once the purchaser has passed, the item is considered to be Goblin property once again." He cautioned pointedly.

"Many of Wizard kind of course pass down such treasured possessions after their deaths and this causes great anger and consternation among the Goblins. Thus, a good way to earn some leeway and respect from them is to return a Goblin made artifact to their hands, or to 'renew the lease' as they put it by effectively repurchasing the item."

Harry nodded understanding and they began to move once again, Gringotts coming into sight as they did so. "Finally I would note this, Goblins are not permitted wands by Wizarding law. They do not in fact need wands to do magic, and indeed many cannot actually utilize wands even if they have come to possess one, however being denied the right to own one should the wish, greatly perturbs them. It is part of the reason only Gringotts employees are permitted to draw their wands without explicit permission while within the bank. Remember these things as we proceed, and things should proceed more smoothly than perhaps they would normally."

The younger wizard pondered what had been said as they made their way up the steps into the bank, passing through the great doors and under the watchful eyes of the guards. When led up to a desk by the headmaster. The teller in question eyed the headmaster inscrutably for a moment before speaking. "Chief Warlock," he eventually growled plainly in greeting.

"Teller. Good day to you. I am here accompanying Harry James Potter who has matters he needs to discuss with you." Dumbledore greeted formally.

"We shall need to confirm his and your identity before we proceed any further." The goblin informed them, his tone carefully neutral.

"But of course," Dumbledore agreed.

The goblin pushed a blood verification device across the counter towards them, having them first write out carefully who they claimed to be, double checked the claim, then taking a blood sample which was magically checked against that same claim. In both cases it indicated a confirmation of identity.

"Very good. Now, what is it you wish to speak with us about today Potter?" The goblin inquired, his tone only vaguely deferential.

"Er—first I'd like to find out what I have in my accounts…" Harry ventured.

The goblin nodded, clicking his fingers causing a file to soar from a nearby cabinet into his hands. "Of course…when was the last bank statement you received?"

Harry justifiably blinked in surprise at that, "Bank statement?"

Dumbledore cleared his throat uncomfortably, "Forgive me Teller for interrupting, but as Chief Warlock I redirected the majority of Mister Potter's Mail to a secure room at Hogwarts for security reasons. He has likely never received a statement. An oversight on my part I confess. I realize this must be against regulations, but I did it in the interest of ensuring his safety, some of his mail likely would have come from less than noble-intentioned sources. You may of course take whatever fine is necessary out of my own accounts."

The glare the goblin directed at the old wizard was deadly, but after several seconds he nodded. "We will audit the number of times you interfered with the receiving of our mail and charge you accordingly." He snapped, causing Harry to wince internally, he suspected those fines would be exorbitant. The headmaster however seemed unperturbed by that.

"But of course," Dumbledore agreed.

The goblin continued to glare at him a moment before huffing grumpily, "Very well…I shall procure a current record of your accounts, and make a note of this incident in the files. Remain here." He instructed, before climbing down off his chair and marching off stiffly.

The silence which descended after that only lasted a minute before Harry cleared his throat, "Headmaster?"

"Yes Harry?" Dumbledore responded turning to look down at him.

Harry shifted irritably before asking, "I would like to see some of that mail sir. Whatever isn't dangerous I mean."

Dumbledore smiled ruefully, but nodded. "Of course Harry, you may wish to have an older student or staff member help you sift through that which is cleared. I fear those who admire you are…not always mindful of what is appropriate to send a young boy."

"Of course sir." Harry agreed.

The goblin returned a minute later, notably lacking any papers or parchment. "Wizard Potter…Chief Warlock…" He greeted stiffly, "The Director of the Bank would like to speak with you personally. If you would follow me?"

Dumbledore frowned, and Harry looked to him questioningly. "Professor?"

"I—think it will be fine Harry, I shall be accompanying you."

The pair of wizards trailed after the goblin as he led them back through the bank and up a set of stairs to an office. Here the goblin paused to glare at them again, "The Director will see you now." He said and gestured to the door which opened before standing aside.

The bank Director's office looked out over the main bank floor. Though somewhat austere in a tasteful way, it was nevertheless as finely appointed a place as Harry had ever had occasion to see up to that point in his life.

There, behind the desk was a goblin, old, though such was not always obvious to human eyes as a goblin's hair tended to go white far earlier than a human's and they always were a great deal more craggy and wrinkled looking to begin with. He was pacing slowly behind the low desk, which normally would not have seemed that intimidating, save for the fact he was a goblin, and therefore somewhat naturally intimidating and the head of a bank. He did not look pleased as he regarded them.

"Chief Warlock," He growled, his low voice gravelly and harsh. "Mister Potter…" He began ponderously, his dark almost black eyes surveying them contemptuously. "I am not happy with either of you right now."

Harry shifted uncertainly, he knew displeasing the goblins was often a very grave mistake, especially for a wizard. "Er—I am sorry sir, I'm not sure what it is I've done to displease you."

Those same dark eyes zeroed on Harry's face and examined him closely for a time, his expression did not notably change in that time. "Indeed?" He murmured, his eyes finally shifting to Dumbledore, "I have just been informed of your interference with Mister Potter's mail, and I must say I am already aware of several other cases of interference by yourself Chief Warlock…" He noted slowing his pacing long enough to grasp a small black sphere of stone, from his desk, which he eyed thoughtfully before turning his attention back to them. "Perhaps this…mess, should be laid at your feet, hmm?"

Dumbledore sighed and then nodded, "That is likely the case Director Ragnok, much as it pains me…" He allowed.

The bank director grimaced, an unpleasant expression on a goblin face, he set the small sphere back on it's little stand and tapped it with his long almost taloned finger. "I am aware of the injunctions you have filed Chief Warlock. I am even aware of the reasons you gave as to why. However I must say with some disappointment, that it seems you have forgotten something that the Ministry at large seems to forget on a regular basis…"

He continued to tap the black stone, the claw like nail clicking upon each contact, "Gringotts and by extension the goblin nations, do not answer to wizards." He remarked his tone deceptively mild. "Tell me, Chief Warlock, whom do we answer to?"

"Your King," was the prompt reply from the elder wizard.

"Correct, I would urge you to remember that in the future, lest our dealings turn...sour." The Goblin growled, "Now, this brings me to my next point…"

He took his hand off the stone and Harry absently noted the way the headmaster eased with interest. "Our King, and our nation have always—prior to this at least—enjoyed a positive relationship with the Potters, and would have ignored your injunction out of hand, as is our right. Had Mister Potter approached us as we repeatedly requested." This last part was directed with a glare at the headmaster.

Harry directed a questioning look at the headmaster who sighed tiredly, "I believe he will be telling you soon enough what he means Harry, whether I think it wise or not."

The goblin sneered rather eloquently at the old man, "It is not your place 'Chief Warlock' to meddle in the affairs of goblins. It is not even 'your place' to meddle in the private affairs of families within your own nation!" He barked, slamming a hand down on the desk sharply. "I grow weary of your games, your manipulations, your machinations wizard," The goblin fairly snarled, lacing quite a fair amount of disgust, anger and frustration into that last word, and Harry suspected he had just gained a rare unshadowed glimpse of just how bad goblin/wizard relations truly were.

"We will carry out our duty, as agreed per contract one way or another, as our honour demands. Now that we know Mister Potter has not been receiving our missives we shall approach him in person in all future communications." The goblin declared. "Or…we could simply finish this here and now and be done with this farce." That last part was delivered in a lower but no less deadly tone.

The headmaster sighed, "There is no way in which I might convince you that such may not be for the best? That Harry has enough burdens in his life at this time?"

Harry could not help but wonder just what it was Dumbledore was referring to, regardless the goblin shook his head. "No, there is not."

"Very well then." Dumbledore agreed, sagging in defeat.

The goblin eased, stepping away from his desk once more, Harry noted that the goblin had struck his desk hard enough that his sharp nails had chipped the stone surface. The Director straightened his suit slightly, cracking his neck with a small twist, before centring his attention on Harry, this time his gaze far less hostile. "It would appear young mister Potter, that for once - in this specific case - our ire against you was ill placed, and for that at least I will admit some slight regret." His tone, while not precisely pleasant, was far more gentle than it had been before. "We have sent missives to you requesting your presence ever since your eleventh birthday. Your family's accounts manager has become…quite perturbed. And I have not yet heard the end of his grumblings."

The goblin paused considering, before nodding, "At the behest of the Chief Warlock, your family's will and testament were not carried out per their request, as such you have been in effect denied your birthrights."

Harry blinked in surprise, "Why?"

The goblin gave him a droll look, gesturing smoothly at the headmaster, "You would need to ask the esteemed wizard himself for details."

Dumbledore looked uncharacteristically tired and careworn when Harry shot a dark look at him. "Another 'oversight', Sir?" Harry asked, trying to keep hold of his temper.

"It is as I said to the Director Harry, you have faced much in your years. Many of those weights and burdens, I will admit, were in some way my fault. I fear going forward, there will be far more that you must face and overcome. Your birthrights - whatever they are - will come with many responsibilities and burdens. Perhaps it was foolish, and perhaps you will condemn me for it, but I interfered in the hopes of sparing you such things. At least until you did not need to face so much at once…"

The goblin huffed, rolling his eyes, "And thus I shall ask Chief Warlock, was it your place to decide such things?"

Dumbledore hesitated then shook his head, "No, I confess it was not, I merely acted as a concerned friend. With the best of intentions."

The goblin eyed him severely, before murmuring a quiet reply to that, "It is as they say Chief Warlock, the road to perdition is paved with those. Indeed the very foundations of hell itself may be forged of such things."

"It should have been my choice...sir, I have control of very few things in my life, this should have been one of them." Harry murmured, his tone tight and bitter.

Dumbledore looked troubled as he considered that point, the goblin pressed on regardless, "Were Mister Potter to be presented with his birthrights and delay accepting them in full, in deference to your concerns, that would be his right, and we would have no complaints. At the very least it would have been the honorable thing that the boy should have heard the final words of his parents."

The headmaster considered that silently, "Very well, I concede that perhaps I acted incorrectly in this matter, if Harry so desires to be confronted with such things, I will not stop him."

Harry ran a hand through his hair irritably, this was apparently what Dumbledore had been referring to when he'd claimed that night in Hogsmeade to have done poorly by him wasn't it? Harry could certainly say he was frustrated, even angry at the headmaster - in a way he'd never been before. That the professor had interfered in such a way, that he had effectively taken away Harry's choices in the matter? It set his blood boiling and teeth grinding caused him to tense up with his hands clenching painfully. However, perhaps it was that small naive corner of his soul that remained, but despite himself, he could also not claim to be entirely untouched by the concern Dumbledore professed for his welfare. What had been done, was not done with malicious intent, a tiny comfort, but a comfort nonetheless. If such a thing was possible...It was probably the only reason he wasn't presently screaming himself raw at the headmaster.

Finally he straightened and nodded firmly looking the director in the eye. "I wish to at least hear their words and know what my…birthright might entail. I will decide from there how to proceed."

For the first time Harry could recall, someone with goblin blood aside from Professor Flitwick, looked upon him approvingly. "Very good." The director allowed, "First and foremost we must conduct the test of inheritance. Confirming even beyond the powers of the authenticators downstairs that you are whom we believe you to be."

After a slight pause. "This will ensure you have the right to hear the will and will allow us to determine precisely what your rights of inheritance are. It is a deceptively simple thing - and less invasive than the type of tests used down on the floor. However, Wizards tend to abhor being probed in such a manner with foreign magics for deception. Particularly the pureblood variety…" He noted wryly.

"Many will only willingly submit to this test in highly specific situations; such as this one before us. You will find purebloods tend to put a great deal of stock in inheritance rites."

Harry nodded understanding, "I will submit to it." He assured the goblin.

"Very good," The director murmured, before reaching into his desk and pulling out a fine crystal pitcher. "Do you know why it is that the Wizarding world entrusts us with the disposition of wills and similar items Mister Potter?" He asked absently looking at the container in a distant sort of way. "It is not a condition of the treaties, nor are we an institution based on lawyers and legal aides. It is because we can without doubt, provide certainty as to the validity of the document in question, and can ensure that only those who truly are whom they claim to be gain from an inheritance."

He turned back to them and wiggled the pitcher at them slightly, "This Mister Potter, is a substance known as 'Thief's Downfall'. A goblin invention, it removes all concealing enchantments, including those of polyjuice potion and even invisibility cloaks. It can also be used to dispel a number of dark curses…"*

He gestured to them slightly, "All that is required is that you place a hand in a basin of the mixture, and I will be able to confirm you are not under any sort of illusion or spell."

Harry nodded his agreement and Ragnok approached around the desk with the pitcher and a small bowl, which he poured the concoction into. Harry dipped his hand after a moment of encouragement and, after watching the strange potions evaporate without incident, stepped back.

One corner of the Director's mouth twitched upwards ever so slightly, perhaps that was what passed for a smile with goblins. "Excellent. You are indeed who you claim to be." He announced before carefully putting away the pitcher and bowl, and then leaning over to press a small rune etched into a metal plate on the edge of his desk. "Gornuk? Please bring the Potter accounts manager to my office, as well as the inheritance records for one Harry James Potter."

Some goblin chatter returned, gravelly and harsh from the device and the director murmured something quietly in return before releasing the rune. "Now, I believe you had other business to attend to whilst you were here correct?" He asked mostly rhetorically, "The account balance is best checked after the inheritance records have been seen though."

Harry nodded, "Um—yes, Director, and thank you for your help so far. I came to prepare a payment to put towards some ward upgrades for a friend's home…"

The Director nodded, seating himself in his chair behind the desk and pulling a sheet of parchment towards him and making a note. "Of course, and how much will this payment be for?"

Harry looked questioningly to Dumbledore. The older wizard seeming slightly more relaxed now. "I think five thousand galleons should be more than sufficient under the circumstances Harry."

The goblin nodded, "We shall have a draft drawn up for you, executable upon request. Might I ask whom will be purchasing these wards? And might I assume they will be crafted by our experts here at Gringotts? Oh, yes, please be seated." He noted absently gesturing at the chairs, apparently just remembering they had yet to be seated.

Harry, eased into a chair, "Thank you director. The wards are for Hermione Granger and her family. As for who will be doing the wards…" he looked to the headmaster again.

"Most of that would fall to Gringotts ward crafters yes, however there is a somewhat…atypical ward scheme I feel is necessary and would appreciate permission for myself and Professor Bathsheda Babbling to work with the senior ward crafter in designing it appropriately."

The goblin eyed the old wizard then nodded, "Should the purchasers grant permission when our crafters arrive we shall have no complaints on the matter."

There was a knock at the door, and the director looked to the entrance, "Come," He called firmly and the door opened allowing two goblins to enter. The first deposited a scroll on the desk before him and then left. The other, a somewhat younger goblin than the director remained however, and proceeded to try and glare a hole in Harry's head.

"You called for me Director?" He growled.

The Director smirked in amusement, "It seems young mister Potter was unaware of your summons Accounts Manager Ingrot. You can largely thank the Chief Warlock here for that." He noted, clearly amused when the goblin's murderous eyes swept away from a very relieved Harry and onto the man in question. "I assume you brought the Potter wills?"

"Yes Director," The goblin growled, not taking his eyes off the headmaster.

"Excellent, first however I would have you read out young mister Potter's rights of inheritance from the records…" Ragnok instructed calmly, folding his hands before him on the desk.

The goblin finally looked away from Dumbledore and nodded, "It has been some time since that was requested by the Potters." Ingrot noted in a somewhat more even tone. "Most of them kept meticulous records of their own on the matter." He picked up the scroll off the desk, unfurling it before clearing his throat. A disturbingly raspy sound.

"Harry James Potter, by right of blood as sole heir of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, via your paternal line, you are recognized as being head of the aforementioned house upon the claiming of the title of Lord Potter. You will hereafter be entitled to all rights, privileges and properties associated with that title." He recited clearly, causing Harry to blink in surprise, the head of his house was a Lord? What else hadn't he known…

The goblin continued unaware of his musings, "By right of blood, as sole surviving worthy heir of Most Ancient and Most Noble house of Peverall via your paternal line—" Harry noticed Dumbledore's curious expression here. "You are hereby recognized as head of that house upon claiming the title of Lord Peverell, and are entitled to all rights, privileges and properties associated with that title."

Peverell? Who was that? And how was he related to them? Harry wondered bewildered. And what had that been about the sole 'worthy' heir?

"By right of blood," The goblin recited coming to the end of the small scroll, "you are recognized as the sole un-incarcerated heir of Noble House Grindelwald, via your maternal line. However as no family rules exist against a head being incarcerated, you will remain heir to that family until the current head, one Gellert Grindelwald, is dead."

That last one in particular brought the wizards in the room up short, though the goblins notably appeared utterly unfazed by the revelations. Harry hadn't realized his eyes could widen quite so extensively nor that his mouth could open quite so far. Finally Dumbledore - who for once was gaping just as much as Harry himself - cleared his throat and spoke up. "Excuse me, might I ask in what way is Harry's maternal line related to Gellert Grindelwald?"

The goblins looked to Harry who, while definitely shellshocked gave a vigorous nod of assent. "Very well, Harry's mother, Lily Marie Evans is in fact great-granddaughter via her own mother, a squib and daughter of a squib, to the one known as Gellert Grindelwald." Ingrot noted formally, "It is peculiar, Mister Potter, it seems you find yourself heir to two famous light families, and one notoriously dark one."

The director chuckled at their continued flabbergasted expressions, "Ingrot if you would, I would have you draw up a summary of all properties, vaults, liquid and material wealth owed to Harry James Potter. I shall handle the will reading while you tend to that."

Ingrot set down the scroll and bowed to the director, "Of course Director," He intoned before setting a pair of envelopes on the desk and withdrawing from the room.

Ragnok waited until the door had closed behind the other goblin before leaning forward to pick up the envelopes and examine them. He eyed them for a short time before leaning down to withdraw a device from a drawer beneath his desk and setting it on top. He withdrew a rather wicked looking blade, which Harry suspected was the goblin equivalent of a letter opener and unsealed the first envelope before placing it on a small raised pedestal on the device's surface below a small white crystal.

"If you are ready Mister Potter I will begin the will reading. I will note however that due to the long interval, we will be doing this without the other people in the bequests. However a notification will be sent out to them regardless…"

Harry nodded, "Yes—yes please, go ahead." He stammered, shaking off as much of his shock as possible and focusing back in on the Director. The goblin nodded and thumbed a rune, which caused the crystal to light up a projection of the man Harry recognized as his own father appearing in the air, and a voice issued forth.

"I James Charlus Potter. Do hereby declare this to be my Will. I hereby revoke all previous will or testamentary writings made by myself." His father said formally, "I nominate Sirius Orion Black as the executor of my will, if he is unable to carry out these duties, my second choice in the matter is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore in his place."

Harry shifted uncomfortably as Dumbledore winced at that, but kept listening avidly to his father's words.

"I direct that my estate shall devolve as follows: To Sirius Orion Black, my brother in all but blood and godfather of my son. I leave a motorcycle I have been modifying with magic, I know you already have one Padfoot, but I suspect this one will strike your fancy even more. I also leave you the responsibility of caring for my son as well as all funds necessary to see to his care after the rest of this will has been carried out."

The man in the image shifted uncomfortably, clearly not used to being so formal.

"To Remus John Lupin, long time friend. I leave the country house in Wales and its associated lands. As well as ten thousand Galleons. I know you don't want my money or the house Moons, but you need a place to call your own, where you can safely be…well, you."

His father was clearly trying to convey the house and lands would protect Remus when he underwent his monthly transformations, without blabbing his secret to the whole world. He then straightened and stiffened somewhat.

"To Peter Pettigrew, secret keeper, and long time friend assuming he hasn't betrayed us…" He muttered absently, causing Dumbledore to wince again. Harry almost raised his hand to ask the recording be paused, but he suspected the implications and message there had reached the headmaster loud and clear. "I leave ten thousand galleons and that set of fine cloaks and robes you mentioned you liked."

"To the Tonkses, assuming Sirius isn't able to care for Harry, perhaps dying in our defence? Harry is to go to you. He would go to Remus, but you know why that won't work in this case. And Peter has expressed that he suspects he wouldn't be a suitable caregiver. We think little Dora would make a fine older sister to Harry. We leave ten thousand galleons for your own use and the rest for whatever you need in order to see to Harry's care."

James shifted, as Harry wondered about how this might affect his deal with the Grangers and just whom these Tonkses were.

"To Amelia Bones, my...well let's go with 'sister'. Harry will go to you if the others are not able. You would be neck in neck with the Tonks family for him, but you've got your hands full right now, work, Susan everything that's happened to your family…Regardless we leave ten thousand Galleons and every book and robe for duelling we possess. We'll miss you Amy."

Finally he seemed to ease again and he smiled gently.

"And finally to Harry, my son. We both have messages for you. First though I'll say this, we're leaving everything else to you. Though we give your caregivers the rights to utilize these things to ensure you are well looked after.

We love you Harry, and will miss you more than words can describe. We hope that this is not the last you will hear from us. However know this, we are already proud of you, and will continue to be so. We are certain you will grow into a fine man someday. If this message comes to you before we have a chance to instil our values into you know this: we hope that you will cherish those who love you, and that you will endeavour to carry yourself with honour and courage. We hope that you will endeavour that you be as brave as the best of Gryffindor, as learned as any Ravenclaw, as loyal and hardworking as any Hufflepuff and as cunning and thoughtful as the best Slytherins.

Once again, I say to you. I—we, love you. And surely miss you dearly. We wish you the best future possible and all the luck in the world. Goodbye son."

Harry felt tears prickling his eyes, and dashed them away with his palm as the image shifted and his mother replaced his father.

"Harry," She began gently. "I know your father has already said it but we love you. Never doubt that. I must quickly attend to some other business in this will but promise I will speak more to you at the end."

She steeled herself and spoke more formally. "To Pandora Nimue Lovegood, Laurel Anne Greengrass and Alice Antoinette Longbottom. My friends, and my sisters. I leave ten thousand galleons a piece, and apologize that you were not listed as possible caregivers for Harry. I know you are all likely to have your hands full with your own children and if things have truly gotten so dire that our other choices have been rendered incapable of caring for him that you have likely fallen or fled too. Therefore if any of you are still present and able and the others above mentioned are unable to care for Harry. I bid that you take Harry and flee and wish you good luck."

She grimaced and sighed, before raking a hand back irritably through her hair.

"Which I suppose leaves a message to my sole remaining blood relative? To Petunia Dursley Nee Evans. I am deeply saddened that our relationship has deteriorated so. I wish that we could have remained close as we once were. However, understanding this is not to be, I leave you five thousand pounds, and wish you well. I will however state firmly that under no circumstances is Harry to be housed with my Sister—"

Harry didn't need to see him to know Dumbledore had once again flinched.

"She has indicated her scorn, disapproval and outright hate for who and what I am now, and I fear that only harm would come to my son were he entrusted to her. On this I will say no more."

Finally she seemed to ease and her expression gentled.

"Which once again brings me to my son. Harry, I love you. More than life itself. Know that we would never wish to be parted from you and that we are already proud beyond words or comprehension. We hope that you will remember us fondly and that you will live a long and happy life.

We love you…These are the last words of Lily and James Potter. So mote it be."

Author's Notes: Hope you enjoyed that. As ever, please rate, review, comment and/or make predictions about what is to come, they are wonderful fuel for my imagination.

*Just a reminder Dumbledore isn't intended as an evil/manipulative git in this one. Bear than in mind when reading him.

** This does NOT include Harry's cloak incidentally. Though someone might notice the liquid/mist playing oddly over an invisible form if they are observant.