DISCLAIMER:- HP BELONGS TO J.K.R. AND THIS IS A WORK OF FANFICTION.

CH 4:-GRINGOTTS

Bella was still in the same position Harry had left her in when he made his way downstairs. His rucksack wasn't opened, since he came only yesterday, except a few things which he found easily.

"So, how are we getting out?" asked Harry, entering the kitchen.

"Well, take out your invisibility cloak"

"How do you know about my cloak?"

"Draco Malfoy is going to be a fully marked Death Eater in a few weeks." Harry was incredulous. "Its true. Tom is getting all your stories out of Malfoy for the past year. He knows more than he lets on. That's how, he knew, you will jump head first in any situation to save your loved ones, especially your Godfather." Bella fell silent at this point as the guilt came back to bite her.

Harry saw the newly formed unshed tears in the witch's eyes and knew that this was not the same person who had taunted him that day. It wasn't her fault that Sirius died. It was the fault of those two manipulative cruel bastards. She was just a broken toy for Voldemort to play with and do as he desired.

His legs automatically took him to her and his arms embraced her on their own volition. She cried and his tears fell too, but he didn't let go of the broken witch. . He realized for the first time that Sirius was something to Bellatrix too. And he remembered something Sirius had said to him last year in the tapestry room. "She was a smart girl, Bella. Used to be my favorite cousin until I left to live with your dad. But she and Narcissa were kept in a very tight grasp after Andromeda ran off. I was shocked to see her insane look when we fought for the first time, Harry. I wonder what happened."

Voldemort happened, Sirius! thought Harry viciously.

He had not realized that he was holding her painfully tight until she struggled against him. And he let go immediately.

"I'm sor-"

"I'm sor-"

They both started simultaneously and stopped. Harry looked at her and couldn't help the slight smile on his lips.

"I'm sorry, Bella."

"Me too"

"Its okay, Bella. I forgive you."

Both of them understood that she was being forgiven for something else entirely. But Harry didn't let the silence become awkward.

"Here, we will have to be very near each other to fit in this thing. So, hold me tight."

And he threw the cloak over both of them. Bella followed his command and took a tight grip on his waist using her left hand. He himself had his right arm over her shoulders pulling her as close to him as possible. Harry could smell her scent and found it endearing. She smelled like Gardenia. Well, who would have thought this possible…

Meanwhile, Bella had a feeling that Harry was taking unnecessarily deep breaths. He can't be THAT nervous. So, either she smelled horrible and he was trying to take some fresh air or he liked her scent. Bella didn't know why she liked the idea of him relishing her scent and a smile crept on her lips.

They slowly made their way out of the house through the back door. Harry had left the lights on so as not to give the guard any hint about him leaving. They knew the guard would most likely be keeping an eye on the front entrance under an invisibility cloak. Well, if it wasn't Mundungus…

They did not stop till they were sure that they were out of the range of any order guard as well as the Magic Detector Ward.

When Harry was sure that they were safe, he stopped and asked Bella "Where to, now?"

"Gringotts first"

"Why, what's there?"

"Trust me, Harry, please."

Harry smiled. "I trust you, Bella"

"Good, now this will feel weird at first, but soon you'll get used to it."

Before Harry could contemplate the statement, he felt a very peculiar and very unsettling feeling as if he was being squeezed through a tube and back. All air left his lungs and just as suddenly, returned.

"What-What just happened?" Harry asked, trying not to throw up.

"Its called Apparition, we are in Gringott's lobby." Bella whispered. "I'm going to change your appearance a bit. Don't move." After a few moments of wand waving, she was satisfied. "Now go to a teller and ask him for a private meeting with the Black account manager. Goblins won't have any problems with me being a convict, but the people will panic. So, I am going to follow you under the cloak."

Harry nodded and made his way to a goblin, who apparently had no work except sulking while reading a newspaper in some language Harry couldn't understand.

"Um…excuse me?" No answer. "Excuse me?" Harry asked a little louder. Still no answer. "Excuse me, sir?" Harry again asked a little louder.

"I have ears Wizard. State your name and business." The goblin snapped without putting down the newspaper.

"Harry Potter and I am here with my companion to meet with the Black account manager."

The goblin didn't give any indication that he heard him except pushing a big red button on his table.

Harry understood and waited until another goblin came and took him away inside the bank premises, Bella following close behind. Soon enough, they were sitting in front of another goblin who seemed a lot older than the ones outside. The goblin didn't seem to be in a hurry and instead seemed to study them with his eyes.

But before Harry could express his irritation, Bella thankfully spoke from his left.

"We are here to discuss Mr. Potter's interests in the last will of the last Lord Black"

Harry was not surprised. He had expected something like this. And, it seemed the goblin was waiting for them to speak first all this time.

"Well, that is fairly simple. He left everything to you Mr. Potter." Harry still wasn't surprised. He knew Sirius well enough. "Now, there is a condition you must agree on before you take the mantle of the new Lord Black. Since you are not a born Black, you will have to give a proper heir to the Black family. It means that if you have two or more sons, you can give any one son of your choice, the position of the new Lord Black. But if you have only one son, he will be a Black and not a Potter."

Now that was a surprise. He had never discussed his future children with anybody before but he could have never dreamt that this rare honor would be bestowed upon a goblin.

"Well, who would get the headship if I refuse or I have no children."

The goblin grinned maliciously and Harry could not decide, seeing his pointy teeth, was he trying to be friendly or intimidating.

"Draco Malfoy"

"Done. I'll take the headship." His answer was out before the goblin had even completed the name and Harry could see Bella trying to stifle her laughter from the corner of his eyes. He was unaware that this brought a smile to his own face.

"Very well. Just use this knife and put a drop of your blood on this parchment." Harry did as he was told without any further objections. "Now, as I said, you are the new Lord Black. Your ring has already appeared on your right middle finger." Harry brought his hand up and saw that this was indeed true. "Lord Sirius Black also left you this envelope." Harry took the envelope from the goblin and opened it with shaking hands. He knew it was the last message from Sirius.

It read-

Dear Harry,

Since you are reading this, I know I am having fun with Prongs and Lily on a beach full of heavenly fairies. Do not worry. Your Godfather was already conserving all his libido for this moment. Lovely...

Now, I want to tell you something, Harry. This was a Black family secret. Since you are the Head now, this is my responsibility to share with you. We Blacks are the descendants of Lady Death herself. This might come as a shock but its true. A few months before we die, we get a dream of sorts. We see the manner and reason of our death in that dream.

I already knew that I will die that day Harry. I knew it months before. I know that you will blame yourself for my death. You have a tendency to do so for every wrong happened. You are not God, Harry. Keep that in mind. You are not responsible for everything, you heard me. I know Albus put that Hero complex in your brain in a very systematic manner but you have to get it out of your system. Otherwise, it will only kill YOU.

I hope Bella comes out of her funk after witnessing my death which she clearly doesn't wish. She used a stunning spell, Harry. Even insane, she loves me. I wish I knew what changed her so. I wish I could have saved her.

But nonetheless, I want that at least you, my son, will live a very long and happy life. Do whatever you can to achieve this dream of your father. I want you to have lots of children and grandchildren. Run if you have to, kill if you have to, but do NOT die. Train hard before jumping in a fight next time.

Remember that your mother and both your fathers love you more than anything in the world.

Yours

Sirius.

Harry had allowed Bella to read over his shoulder. By the end, they were both crying and embracing each other. Harry was thoroughly shocked that Sirius already KNEW. He thought of himself as his father and wanted him to live a long and happy life. Whatever happens now, Harry would make sure that he would come out of this alive. And he would take care of Bella. Bella would get her life back, he promised himself.

Bella had totally forgotten about the dreams all Blacks had. She felt even more torn now, that Sirius knew she would kill him and still, still he died in the hope that she will be alright again. She swore then and there, that whatever happens, Harry Potter will NOT be a sacrificial lamb. He will grow old, have great grandchildren, and die happily. Just as Sirius wished…

AN:- CH 4 is done. Thank you all for your reviews, favorites and follows. Keep them up, please... :D

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