DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER

CHAPTER 4: DISCOVERIES AND CONFESSIONS

"Come on Gin, let's go see the twins." He grabbed her hand and led her towards Weasley Wizard Wheezies where they noticed that many of their classmates also decided to stop there first. As they maneuvered themselves through the crowds they noticed many new items on the shelves. Most notably they noticed a sign for "You No Poo" and Harry made a quick mental note to pick some up for a very special greasy haired professor.

"Ginny!", said Fred.

"Harry!", said George.

Harry groaned to himself. 'Merlin, they're going to do that twin thing again.'

"How are you…"

"Doing. It's so nice to…"

"See the Boy Who Lived…"

"Humble us by walking…"

"Into our shop."

"I couldn't have said that better my dear Gred."

"Why thank you Forge. You know I do try my best."

"Guys…Guys! You're giving me a headache here."

Ginny just laughed at Harry. "Don't worry love, you'll get used to them eventually." She stepped forward and gave him a quick kiss.

"Aww, Gred look at the love birds."

"Yes Forge, It just brings a tear to my eyes."

"To think Gred, we once helped change ickle Ginnykins nappies and now look at her. All grown up and kissing the Boy Who Lived!"

"Forge, they grow up so quickly!" "Whaaaaa!" Fred and George threw their arms around each other consoling themselves from their imaginary sadness.

"That's it. I've had it with the two of you." Ginny pulled out her wand and was about to hex her brothers before Harry put his arms out to stop her.

"Come on Gin, let's leave the children here to play nice with the others. Let's stop at Gringots so I can get some money and then we can head over to Quality Quidditch Supplies." Ginny nodded without taking her eyes off her brothers.

"Harry, did we ever…"

"Tell you that you're …"

"Our hero?"

"Yes, Gred he is our hero."

"Forge, only the Harry Potter could save us from Ginny's bat-bogey hex."

"Too right old chap."

"Oh Merlin! Gin, let's go."

Harry and Ginny walked over to the floo both shaking their heads and yelling out their destination. They arrived at Gringots and waited patiently for a goblin to assist them. Harry saw a familiar looking goblin standing next to Remus Lupin. Harry smiled and called out to him. "Moony!"

Remus turned around and smiled. He walked over to Harry and held him tightly in a hug. "Hello there cub. How are you doing?" He looked over at Ginny and smiled. "Ginny, and how are you doing? You are getting prettier each day. Are you making sure that Harry is treating you well? You know he has a Marauder's heritage that he has to uphold."

"Hello Remus. I'm doing well and I certainly have no complaints about Harry." Remus couldn't help but smile at the two of them. They were so much like James and Lily but so different at the same time.

"So Moony, what are you doing here? Will you be here long? Do you want to have lunch with us?"

Remus just laughed at the energy that Harry had. "I'm just here on order business Harry. I can stay as long as I'm done since I have no other business to attend to and yes, lunch sounds good."

"Great. Let me just get some money from my vault. Ginny, do you mind staying with Moony here until I get back?" "Sure thing Harry. Remus and I will wait for you here."

Harry quickly kissed her cheek and then turned over to the goblin standing beside them. He bowed to him to show his respect. "Hello Griphook, may honor and fortune come to you. I'm sorry for not acknowledging you before but it's been a while since I've seen my godfather." He saw the shocked expression that both Remus and Ginny had and just smiled.

"Mr. Potter, so very good to see you. I understand quite well so not to worry. Shall I take you to your vault then?"

"Yes, please." Harry followed Griphook to the mine carts and held on for one of the craziest rides of his life. No matter how many times he rode the cart to his vault he could not get his stomach to calm down. Once he arrived there he steadied himself for a bit before handing over his key to Griphook. The goblin took the key, opened the door, and allowed him in. Harry made sure he had enough galleons for the day and a little extra in case he found something special for Ginny. With the holidays approaching it wouldn't hurt to start his shopping now.

As he was about to exit the vault he noticed a book placed in the corner. During his many visits to his vault he had never noticed that book before. He walked over to it and picked it up. The book was very old and cracked but he could still read the title, 'Wizard Families and Their History'. He sat down on the floor and opened it up. He saw many family lines and histories; the Blacks, the Potters, the Weasleys, the Malfoys and many more. "Griphook, do you know where this book came from?"

The goblin walked over to where Harry was sitting and looked him in the eyes. "Mr. Black was the previous owner of this book and he requested that we put in your vault." The old goblin saw a wave of sadness flash over Harry's face but it quickly disappeared.

"Why would he want me to have this book? Did he explain why?"

"No Mr. Potter but that book is very old. It is enchanted to detail the history of the oldest family lines. It will record every marriage, birth, death, and other events throughout." Griphook looked at Harry carefully and decided to continue. "Mr. Potter, you will become of age soon correct?" Harry nodded yes. "I don't mean any offense, but seeing as you have limited knowledge of the wizarding and magical world I can only assume that Mr. Black had every intention of teaching you our history and our customs. Sadly he is not here to do so but perhaps you should take that book with you and perhaps the werewolf can take up the task."

Harry was stunned for a moment. "Griphook, how did you know that Remus was a werewolf?"

"Ah, you see Mr. Potter, we goblins have our own brand of magic and we can sense, see, and smell things that humans can't." He saw Harry become a bit nervous and quickly added, "Don't worry Mr. Potter. While humans tend to judge those that are not like them we goblins are different. We will not hold his lycanthropy against him." Harry relaxed and nodded his thanks.

"Well I think I've got enough money and I will listen to your advice and take the book with me. Thank you for your help today Griphook. May fortune and honor come to you." Harry bowed to him and then allowed him to be led back to where the others were waiting for him.

"Harry, are you all set to go? What's that book you have there?"

"It's something that Sirius put in my vault. I want to go over with you while we're having lunch."

"Ok then. Shall we head out then?"

Harry and Ginny followed hand in hand as Remus led them WWW and then to the Three Broomsticks. They found themselves a secluded booth and quickly ordered their meals. Once they were alone again Harry showed them the book and what Griphook had told him.

Remus looked at the book in awe. "Harry, I knew that the Blacks had a book like this but I had never seen it. He must have recently found it because I doubt his mother would not have thought him to be worthy enough to hand it down to him."

Remus paused and thought for a moment, he turned to Harry with a serious look to his face. "What did you mean when you said you hadn't seen your godfather in a while?"

Harry blushed and put his head down. Ginny took his hand and squeezed it offering him some encouragement. "Well since Sirius is no longer here and you are the last of my father's friends I thought that…umm…well I thought that maybe you could step in and take over the role of godfather. But I'll understand if you don't want to. It's just that, you know, I just thought…"

"Harry, I would be more than honored to be your godfather. You have given me a great gift today." Remus just cleared his throat and looked at Harry. The boy never ceased to amaze him and today was no different.

Ginny was all smiles and inwardly jumping up and down. She knew that these two would be able to heal the wounds caused by Sirius' death and find a bond that both were desperately seeking. 'I'm good!'

"Well if you boys are still hungry I suggest we eat our lunch. Here it comes now." The waiter came over and placed their food in front of them. "Well? Come on now, eat up."

Lunch went by so pleasantly that no one wanted it to end. In between bites they would look through the books and read about different events in different families. He noticed that the animosity between his family and the Malfoys dated back centuries. Many 'honor' duels were fought with many of the victories going to the Potters. Harry noted the page where Ginny's birth announcement was mentioned. He also saw that the events of the Chamber of Secrets were also mentioned. He asked who updated this book and how they knew what had happened.

"Well Harry, books like these are enchanted with very old and powerful magic. The book is spelled to update itself when an event takes place. I guess that's why Sirius wanted you to have this book; so that you can learn your history. How does that old muggle saying goes? Oh yes, 'If you forget your past you are bound to repeat your mistakes'. Who would have thought that old mutt was that smart!" Everyone shared a laugh at that last comment as they headed outside.

The three continued walking around Hogsmeade stopping along the way to look at the displays in various windows. Harry quickly paused and pushed Moony and Ginny against a side wall. "Harry, what's wrong?" Ginny was worried at his behavior. "Malfoy and his goons are there and I just want to avoid them." Remus put his hand on Harry's shoulder, "Ok cub, we'll wait until their gone."

"…didn't think it would go against your family Draco. What did your parents say?"

"I've already told you Goyle, there's nothing they can do. Mother should've been the one to inherit the Black fortune but it looks like he left an iron clad will. What a waste of time. When I told Kreacher to tell Black that Potter was in danger I really thought that if he died we would inherit the family fortune. That house elf was more than happy to betray him for us. Now that was a proper house elf not like that wretched Dobby."

"Well just think Draco, you may not have gotten the Black fortune but you played a role in getting rid of Black once and for all. I'm sure that when the dark lord takes control you'll end up with that fortune anyway."

"You know Crabbe, you may look dumb but every once in a while you do manage to say something smart. Come on, let's get out of here and head back to the castle."

It took all of Ginny's strength to hold Harry back. "Let me go Gin! I'm going to kill him. He's the reason that Sirius is dead! HE'S THE REASON!" She hadn't seen him this angry since Sirius died and if she didn't hold him back he would surely end up in Azkaban on murder charges. She quickly glanced at Remus to plead for help but saw that he too was struggling with his emotions. She finally gave up and pointed her wand at Harry, "Petrificus Totalus!" Harry's hands bound to his side and he became rigid from head to toe. He began to fall back but Remus conjured a mattress for him to fall on.

Ginny walked over to him. "Harry I'm so sorry I had to do that but I just can't let you go and become just as bad as Malfoy is. We all need to calm down and digest everything we've heard and Remus that goes for you too. Now I think we should head back to the castle and tell Dumbledore what we just heard." Harry's eyes opened wide and she saw fury in them. "Now Harry, I know you don't trust him but you forget that we have an order member with us who heard everything. Now if you promise not to do anything I'll take the bind off you and we can all head back. Blink once if you understand." Harry blinked once and she performed the counter curse.

Remus helped Harry stand up and they both nodded their heads at each other. Both of them came to a silent understanding and Ginny wondered what would happen next.