Chapter 8: For the Love of Goats

A/N: In the story Harry/Arius will be referred to as Harry by his fellow classmates and the Shinigami although in private he will force them to call him Arius. The reason they will do so in public is because his soul now answers to Arius, so sending mail to Harry would send an owl in circles. Hope that will clear any confusion.

And for anyone wondering, yes, this chapter takes place on the same day as the previous chapter.

Edit: This chapter was in fact extended, because after rereading it I figured that I did make some mistakes that I wish someone had pointed out that are rather obvious to me now. I hope you all enjoy.

The Unknown Captain: For the Love of Goats

By the time Arius returned to his body, it was already late in the day, but not late enough for dinner, as was soon to be discovered. Arius, was again in the land of the living, a contradiction that Mayuri would be more than happy to investigate, and probably was right now, although that did send shivers down his spine. Even though they had only met briefly, the mad scientist had easily left the impression of a man who was willing to do anything to do his experiments, even if they were on the living. He was lucky that the Captain-commander needed him otherwise Arius was sure that he would be on an operating table being dissected at that very moment.

It wasn't easy getting used to a smaller body, as he had grown a great deal in the Soul Society, but he managed. Also the fact that all the blocks that Dumbledore had placed on his body were still in effect. Also he was reaching around blindly for his glasses as they hadn't been on his face when he went back into it. Putting them on, he grumbled about how pathetic he looked with them on, and resolved to fix it.

Standing up, he wobbled for a bit before grabbing the table his body once lay on and stood tall. He wasn't going going to let a change in his equilibrium mess him up. With that out of way, now he only had to find Gin and he could get this show on the road, but that was easier said than done, for when Gin arrived in the Living World, he had not brought a Gigai with him, and so was wandering around as a spirit, or so he thought.

In reality, Gin had traveled all the way over to Japan and gotten a Gigai from Urahara and then proceeded back to England, although how he did it so fast is something not even Arius knows.

Upon returning, he had set up shop in Diagon Alley at the local bank, (and how he did that is unknown as everyone who witnessed it obliviated it since their brains couldn't handle what they had seen). as a security guard. Of course, he still maintained his mocking smile, which creeped out everyone who entered Gringotts, especially those who actually looked at him a second time when leaving and noticed he was wearing the exact same smile, eyes closed and all. Needless to say no one even thought of doing anything.

What no one knew, however, beyond the Goblins and Gin, was that it was only a temporary position, as he wasn't planning on staying forever and they only needed him until they got their new array of wards and runes set up.

And so it was with great shock that upon entering said bank that he saw his partner in crime giving him the smile before it faded upon recognition.

A few minutes later saw the two standing off to the side with Gin cracking a joke for the first time that Arius had known him.

"You've shrunk. I know you said you were small before but this takes the cake!"

Arius was steaming almost literally at the pun and it took all of his willpower to not strangle him right there. So, taking a deep breath, looked Gin in his squinting eyes and said, "I am the new captain of Squad 11 and you are to be my Vice-Captain."

Gin looked at his companion of several years with troubled eyes, not that Arius could tell, and said, "Are you okay? You didn't hit your head on the way over here did you?"

A tick mark appeared on his forehead, and so took great pleasure in seeing Gin moaning in pain on the ground clutching his head that was now sporting a rather large bump. "I am quite sure, and you will be my Vice-Captain, there are no ifs, ands, or buts. Yamamoto was quite clear on the matter. So I want you ready to head out at a moments notice, okay partner?"

Gin simply nodded his head in agreement and the conversation ended. Not because it got awkward, mind you, but because Gin's employers were walking over and Arius didn't want to cause a scene. So Captain Pelagios walked up to the front of the building and asked to be taken to his vault so that he could withdraw some money.

"I will need your name and key."

Arius rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "As sad as it may be, I have never held my key in my hand whenever I have come here. But my name is," he gulped and steeled himself for the reaction he knew would come, "Harry Potter."

The entire bank went quiet. Goblins stopped stamping papers, people stopped walking, and Gin had a thoughtful expression on his face. The goblin they were talking to straightened his back, "I trust you know we'll need you to prove you are who you say you are, so," he pulled out an otherwise unremarkable bowl that, upon closer examination, was shining softly with magic, "I'll need you to pour some blood into here."

Shrugging his shoulders, the dead-but-not Harry Potter cut his hand and let the blood drip into the bowl. When it shined a peaceful silver the goblin paled. The teller looked thunderstruck as he gazed upon the Boy-Who-Lived-And-Died-Tragically. It wasn't long before the teller turned around and bellowed, "Hardhook, get me Chief Ragnok! He'll want to see this!"

There was a flurry of movement behind the counter and it wasn't long before the sound of gasps could be heard on the other side. A few seconds later a second head could be seen over the counter followed by a torso. He could only assume this was Ragnok.

The Head of the Goblin Nation stared at the used-to-be-dead (as far as they knew) boy before him with wide eyes. They knew he was dead the moment it happened, although it seemed he found a way to cheat death once again, although this time it was slightly more dramatic.

"M-Mr. Harry Potter, we weren't expecting to see you again since you-"

"Died, yes, I know. But that hardly matters now. What does is that I need money to buy things I need for school."

The head Goblin blinked, "School? But the train has already left and isn't due to return until Winter. How would you get there?"

Arius smiled mysteriously, "Oh, you leave that to me. In the meantime, however I will be needing access to my vault. So if you wouldn't mind."

Ragnok nodded his head quickly. If he did this right, he could make a great profit as the Potter Vaults were sealed after the heir's death, meaning that the money stopped circulating and no one could touch it. It was strange that it happened, considering that normally when a line dies out that the money is returned to the Bank and used for things like repairs or upgrades on the building. If he was able to play his cards right, he could trick the 'young' lord that reopening the vault incurred a fee as it had been closed for a while. He smirked mentally, yes, that would work quite nicely, especially since the boy had never shown any indication of knowing his heritage. He of course blamed Dumbledore for that, but it was all to his benefit. And besides, it was fun to watch the old geezer rant and rave about how he was the child's Magical Guardian and that they were obligated to give him access to his vaults. Hah, as if they would be stupid enough to believe that. Magical Guardians are those that have been designated by the parents, and Harry's had been Sirius Black, who, while incarcerated, had not received a trial and therefore was not legally convicted so theoretically he could have sent in an order form and Gringotts would have been obligated to withdraw the required money for payment (hint hint). And now that Black was dead and Harry the head of the Black household, those vault's were his as well. The only reason that they hadn't gone to the Malfoy's was because they had been given a letter from Dumbledore saying that Harry wouldn't be attending the will reading; basically saying that he had detained the boy and made it so he couldn't come, meaning that the kid wasn't at fault so he still inherited.

Clearing his throat, Ragnok looked down at the formerly dead Potter and said, "Well, Mr. Potter, in order to get a more exact reading of you, I'll need you to give some blood again. If you'll follow me." He jumped down from the platform and walked through a set of doors behind the counter, which Arius followed him through moments later.

He walked up to a stone table that held a dagger with a handle covered in runes and a piece of paper. Arius looked questioningly at the little creature who figured out what he was asking.

"While the rest of Wizarding Europe is content to stay in the Dark Ages, we at Gringotts find that paper is far easier to come by and a great deal cheaper as well. Now, if you will just take the dagger on the table and cut your hand, we can use the blood to see if you're telling the truth." At the questioning glance, he added, "The blood will be put on the paper which will show your name as well as your magical parents' and grandparent's and so on and so forth. It is the genealogy test, as anyone could change their name to Harry Potter and try to get into your vault, not that people haven't tried," he muttered the last part irritably.

Nodding his understanding, he stepped forward and picked up the blade and cut his hand, watching the blood drop onto the paper before the wound healed itself. It seemed the dagger also had a healing rune engraved in the handle.

After a few seconds, his names (both Arius and Harry) appeared on the page as well as lines connecting to Lily and James Potter. It then went on to show Charlus and Dorea Potter nee Black and the rest of the Potter and Black lines, showing nothing that he wasn't expecting, that is, until it got to the founders of said lines. For the Potter's it was the Peverell's, an ancient house that had long since died out, if only in name since only one person still counted among the living was Voldemort (Arius wasn't because he was, well, still dead) through Cadmus Peverell and he (Arius) through Ignotus. The Black's, on the other hand, had a heritage they were probably unaware of as a whole, or just wanted to ignore: they were related to one Godric Gryffindor. Huh, a line of Slytherin's related to the founding Gryffindor.

Ragnok was obviously shocked, as the Goblin Nation hadn't known that little tidbit (the Black's weren't big on trusting Magical Creatures, so it was no wonder they never took the test), but quickly shook it off. That was only going to put more money into circulation, and a larger fee. Hehehe.

When they arrived at the Goblin's office, Ragnok placed the magically extended piece of paper before them on his desk and sat down, while motioning for Arius to do the same. And now it was time for his grand scheme to come into play.

"As you are no doubt aware, your vault has been closed for several months because of your 'death', as well as the fact that you were unable to attend the reading of Sirius Black's Will, thanks to the meddling goat that doesn't seem to understand the meaning of the word no. I am tempted to grab a dictionary and shove it in his face while spelling it out for him."

Arius laughed at that, "I am glad to see not everyone is taken by him, it will make working with you so much easier."

Ragnok nodded his approval, "Indeed, and as you are also no doubt aware, it will also take some time to reopen the vaults in question because of the inactivity-"

"Now stop right there. I am well aware that there is no fee for reopening vaults, so that will not be incurred. However, I will have no problem paying you for doing some services for me."

The Head of the Goblin Nation, surprised at the display, wondered what services he could possibly provide the revived savior.

"I need help in bringing Albus Dumbledore to justice. I don't care what you have to do, but I want him to pay for what he's done to me. I know he sealed my parents' Will and did a lot of things that the 'Leader of the Light' certainly should not be doing, and as such I want him to pay for manipulating me and engineering my parents' and Sirius' deaths." He raised his hand to forestall any questions, "Now, while I am sure you are wondering how I would know such a thing and it would be simple to explain, I am not at liberty to say at this time. What I can say is that he had been made aware of a prophecy concerning me and the Dark Lord and sent my parents' into hiding under the Fidelius Charm, all the while knowing that Peter Pettigrew was Voldemort's spy."

The reason he knew this was that Peter had died during the Summer and Arius was fortunate enough to run across him. You see, he had been feeling guilty about killing his best friend and his wife and He-Whose-Name-Must-Be-Hyphenated doesn't like that emotion, so he killed him. Or rather, he had his silver hand do it. So before the rat was dragged off to hell for his betrayal of his friends, he told the whole story.

Ragnok looked thoughtful, "You know that if you don't give up your source it can't be validated, and therefore won't hold in court." He got a nod in reply, "Very well, I will see about getting the wheels moving, but you will need more than one credible source to bring the Goat-lover down."

Arius blinked, "Alright, I have to ask, what is it with him and goats?"

The bank director smiled maliciously, and far away a wizened old man had a shiver go down his spine, "While this wasn't made public, during a particularly alcohol-filled evening in his youth he came here to apply for a marriage contract to a goat that lived near his house. Although I suspect his brother had something to do with that due to how he was smirking the entire time Albus was trying to set it up."

Arius paused for a moment, taking it in, before bursting out laughing, (Far away, a certain long-bearded wizard felt that someone was finally appreciating a prank he had pulled. He blinked as he tried to think about which one it was. He wouldn't have to wait too long.) "Now that is one story I'll have to spread around, I'm sure the public would love that one."

The meeting went on with Arius and Ragnok outlining a plan on getting the necessary papers and proofs needed and how they wanted to have it delivered to the DMLE when they felt the time was right.

Walking out of Gringotts with a full purse and his need for revenge sated for the moment, Arius walked into Flourish and Blotts' and purchased all the books he would need for the school year. (Apparently, someone had left their letter lying about Diagon Alley, not that he was complaining, mind you.)

And so, a couple hours later, with his purse nearly empty and his shopping done, his eyes fixed, hair straightened, and blocks removed, along with a quick trip to Rita Skeeter with whom he retold the tale of Albus' "one true love", he shunpoed over to Number 12 Grimmauld Place and went inside. With Sirius' death, and Arius's unforeseen demise, the house had sealed itself from all intruders, whether they be Order members or Death Eaters, seeing as there was no Head of House and thus no owner, the spells that had been installed the day it was purchased along with the slew that had been added on over the years had kicked in, and kicked everyone else out, except Kreacher, since he was considered property and no one really knew how to ward against House Elves.

The sun was already dipping below the horizon by the time he was ready to leave for Hogwarts. He no longer had his wand, as at his death it had been lost in the lake, not that he needed it anymore. And so, after making sure Hedwig was secure (she had shown up shortly after he arrived at the Black home and proceeded to punish him for his long absence. She was only sated by a sizable amount of flattery and bacon.) and his books and everything else he needed, walked up to the fireplace and, grabbing a handful of Floo powder, declared, "Hogwarts, Kitchen!" and after stepping in the fire he was off.

Stepping out of the flames, he was greeted by the elves and asked them to take his things to a private room that only he could access. He wasn't going to sleep in the same room as Ron and Seamus again, not after they had a contest of who could fart the loudest. His nose still ached even after all these years at the memory of that night.

With his things taken care of, he straightened his robes and walked out of the room, cloak flowing behind him as though underwater (He's wearing the movie uniform). Striding up the moving staircases that all seemed to move where he needed them to be, he quickly made his way up the steps and arrived at the entrance to the Great Hall. If his calculations were correct, (and they hadn't been wrong in at least 100 years) they were eating right now. He smirked, he only hoped they were ready for what was to come. Now, while he could have just shunpoed to the door, it would have taken more energy then necessary and he wasn't going to walk in the Hall just to collapse from exhaustion.

So, wiping his face of emotions, he strode forward and pushed the twin doors open with a little help from his Reiatsu.

All talking stopped as the giant doors opened seemingly on their own. But it wasn't long before people started to take notice of the figure standing between them, or the fact that he looked strangely familiar.

He smiled mysteriously, obviously loving their confusion, "What? No hello for an old friend?"

At that moment a bolt of lightning cut across the sky behind him, and the sound of rain pounding on stone flooded the area, and a strong gust of wind burst through the Great Hall, and the hair around Arius's forehead flew up, revealing the scar that had made him famous. At the sight of the infamous bolt, people screamed, some in shock, some in fear, others in happiness at seeing their friend alive. The number that didn't either faint or look gobsmacked were the Shinigami (and a certain blond-haired witch in Slytherin) and wondered what happened that allowed him to return to the Living World.

It was as he went past the people at the end of the tables that people noticed that he had a sword at his side. He had picked it up from Gryffindor's vault. It seemed that Godric had taken a fancy to Japanese katanas at one point in his life. Sadly, he didn't have one similar to his Zanpakuto (with Jin Tachi's being relatively unknown outside of Japan), but he would make do.

Once at the front of Hall, he inclined his head toward Professors Flitwick and McGonagall, along with Professors Sprout, Sinistra, and Snape. He had nothing against Severus anymore, after all, he was big enough to let go of a petty grudge that should have been buried years ago, Dumbledore was an exception to that rule with all the crap he pulled into literally orchestrating his parents deaths and potentially his own.

He looked down at the Headmaster sitting regally in his chair and sneered, much to the shock of the others at the head table. "So we meet again, Dumbledore. You must be happy that you were able to get your wish and bring me back to life."

The moment those words left his lips, everyone who was behind him, and I do mean everyone, looked shocked that the famed leader of the light would resort to dark magic to bring back one man, even if he was the one destined to save them.

"You must be proud, Albus Dumbledore, but know this, I am aware of everything you have done to me and my family, and their blood is on your hands, not Voldemort's. He was a victim of circumstances that were beyond his control, but completely in yours, as you were so eager to prove last year. Oh, and before you ask, yes, I will fight him, but only because I have been commanded to, but don't expect me to be your lapdog like before. And no, I will not be working with you, you have done enough damage in this war, and I won't stand to see the innocent die just because you were unwilling to part with important information. Oh wait, you already have, haven't you? I do recall Sirius Black dying because you wouldn't tell me what was my right to know in the first place! Good night, Albus Dumbledore, and pray we don't speak again, for I might just lose control and cut off your head."

And with that he turned around and, just before he walked out of the Hall, he turned around, his eyes sweeping across the heads of all the students, taking in the signatures of the Shinigami that had been posted there, and said with a malicious grin, "I hope you all read tomorrow's edition of the Daily Prophet, as it has the most unique story on the front page. I'm sure you'll all have a good time reading it." Arius's eyes glinted evilly as they fell upon Albus, "I'll just say that no goats were harmed in the making of this story." And with that he walked out, the twin doors closing behind him as he left. And as they came to rest, the silence that had gripped the large room shattered, and cries of anger and disbelief (and a fair amount of wonderment about what goats could possibly have to do with the news) bounced off the walls, bringing a smile to Arius's lips as he shunpoed to the room that held his possessions.

It was going to be a long night, and Dumbledore wasn't going to get a lick of sleep. He really hoped it wasn't the goat he was thinking of.

Please tell me what you think. I hope you liked it. And no flames. If you don't like what I'm doing, stop reading, it's that simple.

Thanks for reading! ^_^

Edit: I figured, with all the goat-related comments people have made in other stories, I'd make it a bit more literal. Hope you liked it!