Harry of the Bloody Rose
When the letters arrived it wasn't Hogwarts that Harry found an invitation to, but another school. What will this do to our hero as a new life in a school for Assassins awaits him?
And we're back. Sorry for the wait, but I am suffering from a case of being board of writing at the moment. That means that my stories will likely go a while before being updated. Sorry about that.
Chapter 8
Sirius Black Proclaimed Innocent!
In a shocking turn of events, the known betrayer of the Potters and murderer of Order of Merlin holder Peter Pettigrew, has been cleared of all charges by the ICW, despite our own representatives insistence on the Betrayer being returned to Britain for trial.
Harry tossed the paper aside with a scowl, not wanting to kill any more of his brain cells reading the drivel Britain called news. He didn't even know why Remus bothered to get the paper when all it ever contained was propaganda and malicious gossip. The young Thorn was currently on a train with his family on the way into Paris to visit the Rue D'événements étranges, the French version of Diagon Alley. The twelve year old glanced over the table at where Sirius was acting like an eager school kid and bothering Remus with questions about everything from the train itself to the ticket machines to the tablet the Werewolf was attempting to read and look close to be using as a bludgeon on the over excited Animagus. Harry had been introduced to his Godfather just two days ago and had been understandably surprised to find out about him and had wanted to know where he had been for the past 12 years. After an explanation and a lecture on how stupid it was to go rushing off after Pettigrew without a plan, Harry had accepted the immature Animagus and proceed to start a prank war that very nearly destroyed an entire wing of the Lupin Mansion, made even worse when Riko got involved.
"So, remind me again why we're doing this?" asked Harry.
"I need to check on my holdings at Gringotts," said Sirius, "And its a good chance to make sure that everything's alright with the Potter fortune."
"I don't want it," said Harry, "I'd rather earn my own fortune."
"Theres more than gold in that vault," said Lupin, looking up from his book, "Besides, don't you want to see what your parents left you?"
"I guess," said Harry, looking out the window.
The train eventually pulled into Gare de Lyon station and the Thorns plus Sirius disembarked and made their way to the entrance to Rue D'événements étranges, the magical pub, Le Chaudron Réparé. The place was much cleaner than its British counterpart and the proprietor was a young man with all of his teeth who nodded in greeting as the group passed through and into the rose garden at the back. Lupin lead the group up to a rose arch at the back of the garden and tapped a brick on the wall behind it, causing the arch to the magical district to open up. It was every bit as colourful and strange as its british counterpart, although the people moving around were dressed much more sensibly and there was more than a few non-humans walking around openly and no one was batting an eye. The group headed down the street and towards the towering white building that dominated one end of the street, Gringotts bank.
The goblin guards at the door took one look at the Bloody Rose emblem on the Harry and Lupins breast pockets and bowed deeply in respect for fellow warriors. Harry and Lupin returned the bow while Sirius just blinked in shock as they entered the bank.
"What was that all about?" asked the former convict.
"The Bloody Rose and the Goblin nation have a long history of friendship and respect," explained Lupin as they approached a free teller.
"Greetings, honoured guests," said the Goblin, inclining his head, "It is always a pleasure to see members of your esteemed organization here. What can Gringotts do for you today?"
Sirius stepped forwards.
"I would like to enquire as to the state of my finances while I was incarcerated," he said, "Would it be possible to speak with my Account manger?"
"Of course Lord Black," said the Goblin with a touch of forced politeness. He rang a small bell on his desk and a smaller goblin appeared from a side passage.
"Take Lord Black here to his Account Manager," said the Teller.
The smaller Goblin nodded and lead the Black Lord down a passage.
"And we'd like to speak with the Potter account manager," said Lupin, pointing at Harry.
The Teller stiffened slightly and peered at Harry who was looking a little mutinus.
"I...see," he said, "Do you have Mr. Potters key?"
"Ah, no we don't," said Lupin, "Is there any way we can prove Harrys identity without the key?"
"We can do the Inheritance test," said the Goblin, "We would have asked for him to undertake the test even if you had the key. There have been some dispecencys with the Potter Vault lately that have been brought to our attention by the British branch."
Harry narrowed his eyes at that.
"What do you mean by 'dispecencts'?" he asked.
"Before I can tell you that you need to take the test," said the Goblin.
Harry huffed.
"Fine, what do I need to do?"
"Just place your hand on here," said the Goblin, indicating to a block of wood with a handprint in the middle.
Harry did as indicated and a faint blue light flickered over his body. The block of wood spewed a small amount of black smoke that spelled out Harry James B. Potter. The Goblin nodded and shut his station and beckoning the two Thorns to follow. Harry and Lupin were lead down several halls and into an office. The office was rather large and had a great deal of wood paneling lining the walls, as well as a rich carpet, velvet chairs before the desk behind which was a tall chair facing the window
"Its about time you came to see me Mr. Potter," said the occupant of the chair as it turned, "My name is Makoxt Dreadjeer and I am the Potter Account manager."
The Goblin was rather large for one of his kind, with swarthy skin, pure white hair and small, yellow eyes.
"It sounds like you've been expecting me," said Harry as he stepped up to stand before the desk.
"Well I have been sending you letters about claiming your inheritance for the past three years," grumbled the Goblin.
"Pardon me, but I have never received any letters from Gringotts," said Harry.
Makoxt raised an eyebrow and picked up a piece of paper from his desk.
"The summons and Bank statements are all being sent to your place of residence at 27, Church Lane, Godrics Hollow," said Makoxt.
Harry tilted his head in confusion.
"But I've never even heard of that place, let alone lived there," he said.
"Really?" asked the Goblin, suprise clear in his tone, "According to your Magical Guardian thats been your place of residence since your parents were killed. Is that not the case?"
"I've been living at Bloody Rose academy since I started there," said Harry, "And before that I lived with my mothers sister in Surrey."
Three years away from those people had done a lot to boil away Harrys hatred of them, although there was no way he was ever going to consider them family.
Makoxts eyebrows came together with an almost audible click and a snarl appeared on his face that would make any normal wizard shit themselves. Goblins do not like being lied to, especially not when it involved a wealthy client like the Potters or their allies. And Harry was both.
"Damn that Dumbledore to hell!" he snarled in Gobbledigook.
Harrys eyes narrowed.
"Dumbledore? Whats he got to do with this?" he asked, surprising the Goblin that he could understand the language.
"Dumbledore was the one who told us where you were," explained Makoxt, "We didn't think to question it since he had taken legal responsibility for you. You have our sincerest apologies for this oversight."
"Its fine, I don't blame you," said Harry, "So what was it you needed to see me for?"
Makoxt took a breath and reached under his desk to pull out a sheaf of paper.
"The Potter Will," he explained, "Dumbledore sealed it before it could be enacted, something that, in hindsight, should have tipped us off he was up to something. You can unseal it as the Potter Heir and demand it be fulfilled."
Harry nodded.
"Alright."
He took the slip of parchment Makoxt handed him and read the contents.
"I, Harry James B. Potter, hereby demand the Potter Will be unsealed and enacted on this day. So Mote it be."
There was a flash and a box on Makoxt's desk began to make noises that sounded suspiciously like a dot matrix printer, before spitting out a piece of parchment that the Account manager grabbed and unfolded, scanning it quickly before handing it to Harry.
This is the Last will and testament of Lily Ann B. Potter nee Evens and James Marcus Potter.
To Sirius Orion Black, we leave 1 gallon as he has plenty of money as it is and the guardianship of Harry.
To Remus John Lupin, we leave Potter island as a place for your time of the Month and 12000 Gallons.
To Peter Patrick Pettigrew, we leave 30 sickles and a cell in Azkaban. Its your fault we died!
To Albus too-many-names Dumbledore, we leave you a warning, stay well away from Harry or you will regret it.
To Kanae Kanzaki, we leave 100,000 pounds.
To Chifuyu Orimura, we leave the Ama no Murakumo from the Potter family Armory. I know you've been eying it and you can make far better use of it than we can.
Everything else we leave to Harry, as well as the title of Lord Potter and Bond the Fourth. I truly hope that you chose to go to Bloody Rose rather than Hogwarts and do your Great Grandfather proud.
If Sirius isn't available to care for Harry, he should go to one of the following:
Chifuyu Orimura
Kanae Kanzaki
Monty Ozpin
Remus Lupin
Minerva McGonagall
Under no circumstances is Harry to go to my Sister as she despises magic and me.
Harry finished reading the will and placed it back on the desk, his face unreadable.
"I will see to it that the Will is carried out," said Makoxt, getting to his feet, "If you will wait here, I shall return shortly to take you to the Vault."
He bustled out of the room, leaving Harry and Remus alone.
"Harry, are you OK?" asked the Werewolf, placing a hand on his young wards shoulder.
"I think so," said the Thorn, "Its just sinking in I guess."
Remus nodded and patted Harry on the shoulder, offering a bit of comfort as Harry tried to get his emotions under control. Shortly after, Makoxt reentered the room.
"I apologize for the wait," he said, "Now, if you will follow me we can head down to the Vault."
Harry and Remus stood and followed the short creature through another pair of doors located at the side of the office that lead into the cave system where the Vaults were.
"Can I ask a question Mahoxt?" asked Harry.
"Of course."
"How can we visit my Vault?" asked Harry, "Isn't in the London Branch?"
"Ah, now that is a very good question," said the Goblin, "Not many people know this, but all the branches of Gringotts are connected with Time-Space magic left over from our time in Underhill, the realm of the Fairies. It means that you can access your Vault from any Gringotts branch in the world, from Britain to Timbuktu."
"Thats cool," said Harry with a grin.
Mahoxt chuckled and nodded.
"That it is young man."
The trio piled into a cart and, after a quick rollercoaster ride, came to a stop outside a large pair of double doors with the Potter Crest on them.
"Here we are," said Makoxt, "Simply place your hand on the doors and they should open. Once they do, head to the pedestal and put your hand on the pedestal. As the last remaining Potter, it will give you full access to the Vault."
Harry clambered out of the cart and did as instructed, the doors opening and revealing a small circle of light with the pedestal in the middle. Harry walked forwards and placed his hand on it. A second later, the room was illuminated fully, revealing several things that Harry had not been expecting at all. The first was an Aston Martin DB5 that gleamed in the light of the torches, while the other was the wall of guns that lined one wall, as well as several banks of computers. Harry looked around and saw that the Aston Martin wasn't the only car in the room, although it was the only intact one. The others were all damaged in some way, ranging from bullet holes to being completely unrecognisable piles of scrap. As Harry looked around, there was a small pop and a House Elf appeared in front of him. He was male and wore a white lab coat over a tweed suit and had a pipe clenched between his teeth, as well as a toothbrush mustache.
"Good day Master Potter," said the Elf, "My name is Quartermaster and I am the head Potter elf. You may call me Q."
"Nice to meet you," said Harry, "But em, I don't need any House Elves."
"Oh don't worry about it young master," said Q, "The other Elves are all bound to the properties and only act to maintain the Potter properties in case they are ever needed. I will be the only Elf to bond to you directly and I am far more than a simple butler or servant."
He waved a hand at the Aston Martin behind him.
"I was the one who designed and built this beauty and am capable of far more. Mistress Potter hired me to be your Research and Development Elf, your Q, just like all of your family has had since Bond the First."
Harry blinked as he tried to absorb what the well spoken Elf was telling him.
"Err."
"Ah yes, I was expecting that response," said Q with a sigh, before turning towards the computer banks, "How about I show you some of the things I have been working on?"
Harry followed the Elf further into the Vault, leaving Remus and Mahoxt standing at the door.
"Why do I get the feeling that people who get on Harrys bad side are going to seriously regret it from now on?" asked Remus to no one.
And I'm gonna end it there. I know this was a little weak, but I needed to break my writers block and this seemed to be the best way. I don't really like doing wills, so this one may be a little weak, but I don't care.
And now we know what the B in Harrys name stands for, he's the descendant of one of the most famous spies of all time, just like Aria is a descendant of Sherlock Holmes. And yes, he has a House Elf called Q and an Aston Martin, cus whats a Bond without a cool car and crusty old man to make him gadgets?
Please leave me a review on the way out!