I make no claims to own Harry Potter, JKR does, nor Batman, as Bob Kane created him and DC Comics owns the rights.
Chapter 3 – Inheritance and Just Desserts
After finishing the breakfast provided by Dobby, a raven flew into Harry's bedroom and landed next to him.
"Hello there," Harry said before retrieving the message from its leg.
"Harry, do you know who that is from," Ron asked awestruck.
"No, I haven't opened it yet Ron. Give me a minute and I will tell you," Harry responded.
"Harry that is from Gringotts, they only use raven's when they wish you to appear before them," Ron explained.
Reading the missive, Harry sighed and explained, "It looks like we will be going to Godric's Hollow another day. I am being summoned to Gringotts for a problem with my inheritance. Though I thought I would not receive it until my birthday. Apparently this also serves as a port key that will take us there when we are ready."
"Harry, this could have something to do with Dumbledore," Hermione started. "It is possible he named you in his will."
Crying out in frustration, Harry exclaimed, "I don't want anything of his, it is my fault he is dead. I could have stopped Malfoy any time last year."
Wrapping her arms around Harry, Hermione softly said to him, "Harry, it isn't just your fault. I should have listened to you, but I didn't, so I am just as guilty."
Ron looked at his friends embrace with a hint of regret, before saying, "We should probably go."
Looking up at Ron, both Harry and Hermione nodded, and then stood up each grabbing the parchment before Harry said, "Ramshak."
Each felt a tug behind their navels as the port key activated taking them to a secure anteroom off of the lobby in Gringotts.
"Mr. Potter and friends welcome to Gringotts," an older looking goblin said. "My name is Ramshak; I am in charge of Magical Inheritances and Last Rights."
Standing up from where he landed, Harry bowed to the goblin, "Thank you for having us Sir. Though I am curious why I am here."
Looking at Harry with an almost feral smile Ramshak said, "Follow me to my office and all will be explained."
They followed the goblin out of the anteroom, past the lobby, down a hall and into an ornate office.
After everyone had been seated Ramshak began, "Albus Dumbledore left several items he wished to be taken care of upon his death. All have been taken care of except for you Mr. Potter."
Noticing Harry's lack of speech, he continued, "Among the items he wished you to have were, his vault containing his memoirs and other personal effects. Also he left you a letter. My instructions were to give you this letter, before continuing."
Taking the letter from Ramshak with a shaking hand, Harry opened it and began reading:
Harry,
I have left to go on to the next great adventure.
I am writing this just before we leave for the cave to find one of Tom's horocruxes. I wanted you to know that whatever happened when we were there or after was not your fault. Over the past six years I have seen you and your friends accomplish many things and each time when one was hurt I saw you blame yourself.
Let my last lesson to you be this, you are not responsible for my death or your friends injuries. We are free to make our own choices and as such we chose to accompany you.
I am very proud of you Harry, few adult Wizards have accomplished as much as you have, nor have they faced what you have. One of my biggest regrets is that I will not be there to help you finish your quest.
I was able to determine the remaining items shortly before we left. They are Gryffindor's knife and Ravenclaw's Stone of Scrying. I believe the stone has been swallowed by Nagani.
As your magical guardian, my last gift to you is your emancipation. Upon completing this letter, documents will be filed at the Ministry of Magic stating you are an adult.
My final words of advice are this, do not push your friends away, do not turn away potential allies and above all do not be afraid to live and love.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Harry sat there holding the letter as tears began falling from his eyes. He whispered, "Thank you, I will do my best."
Hermione and Ron sat there, looking surprised at Harry's show of emotion. Ramshak looked at Harry and coughed slightly to get Harry's attention once again.
"My apologies Ramshak please continue," Harry said quietly.
"It is quite all right Mr. Potter, it is understandable. Often the last words we receive are often quite emotional," he said. "Now as you are aware, documents have been filed clearing the way for your emancipation. In fact, looking at a clock, you are now a legal adult in the Wizarding World. Now that you are, we can discuss the Potter Inheritance as well."
Harry looked at Ramshak with a surprised expression as the goblin continued, "You are now the Head of the Potter family, as such you have all rights, privileges and contracts associated with this position."
Hermione quickly spoke up, "Contracts sir? Is there something there Harry should be worried about?"
Smiling so his teeth showed, Ramshak looked at her then turned to Harry, "Worry is such a relative term. But, there is only one contract, a marriage contract between Harry Potter and… interesting, it isn't filled out, how odd. I will look into this and get back to you. You will need to wear this ring; it shows you are the Head of your family and should be treated as such."
Harry took the ring and placed it on his finger; he smiled feeling the warmth from the ring flow into him.
"That concludes my business with you, if you wish I will have someone take you to your vaults," Ramshak concluded.
"Thank you for your time, Ramshak. May your vaults forever be filled with gold," Harry said closing the meeting.
The teens walked out into the lobby and met with Griphook, who took them down to Dumbledore's vault first.
Upon entering, Hermione squealed with excitement, "Harry look at all of these books. There must be knowledge here that few have ever read."
Ron shook his head and began looking at the various devices along the walls.
Smiling at his friends, Harry looked at the glowing bowl near the middle. "His pensieve," he said with awe. Next to it was a note.
Harry,
Yes this is my pensieve, inside you will find several memories of your parents during their time at Hogwarts as well as anything else I thought you might enjoy or find useful.
Please tell Miss Granger to enjoy the books as I am sure she has already begun planning a way to read them all.
In the boxes you will find various bottles of memories relating to everything imaginable.
I wish you luck.
Albus
Chuckling, Harry told Hermione what the Headmaster said then added, "We should go to my families vault. We can come back here later."
Looking longingly at the books, Hermione nodded as she and Ron followed Harry out to the cart, where they got in and went to the Potter family vault.
They entered the vault and were surprised by the mounds of galleons, gems and various other priceless items.
What Harry saw first were pictures, his parents, him as a child with his parents and pictures of his extended family.
On one chest was an ornate knife as well as what appeared to be a bunch of toys.
Harry looked at the chests and found the ones belonging to his parents. He opened them and found various journals and books. Deciding to look through them later, he shrunk them and placed them in his pocket.
"Ok, I think it is time to head to the Ministry for my Apparation License, then we can go back to the Dursleys," Harry said.
As they entered the Ministry of Magic, Harry looked at the ruined fountain and shook his head, thinking how much his life had changed over the past two years.
Harry quickly passed the test for his license and they were preparing to leave, when they heard a hem hem.
Growling Harry turned to the toad-faced woman, "Yes?"
"Mr. Potter," Umbridge said with a sickly sweet tone, "The Minister wishes to speak with you."
"Has he released Stan Shunpike from Azkaban yet," Harry asked. "Or has he done something to actually hinder Voldemort?"
Umbridge flinched and quickly said, "It isn't your place to tell the Minister what to do Potter."
"No, it isn't, but then I guess I shouldn't be surprised, when someone who tortures students and gets to keep her job is standing before me," Harry responded his temper quickly growing.
"What do you mean tortured students Mr. Potter," a nearby Auror asked.
Holding up his hand to the Auror, the scars still showing, 'I Must Not Tell Lies' Harry said, "Madame Umbridge when she was the High Inquisitor during my fifth year had me use a Blood Quill in detention."
Looking at the hand in outrage and then glaring at Umbridge, "You are under arrest for using a dark item on a minor. If I get my way you will be sentenced to Azkaban for life."
Telling another Auror to take her away, the man turned to Harry, "I am sorry Mr. Potter that she did that. My daughter was a first year when she was there and I fear for what might have happened to her. I promise I will do everything I can to make sure Delores Umbridge spends the rest of her life in Azkaban prison."
Harry nodded at the Auror as his friends and he went to the Apparition Point and left for Privet Drive.
When they arrived near Privet Drive, they were surprised to see several police cars sitting in front of Number 4.
As they neared they heard Petunia Dursley shrieking, "My baby didn't do anything, it is that nasty nephew of mine who causes all of the problems."
The three teens walked past an officer after saying Harry lived there.
"YOU, THIS IS YOUR FAULT," Vernon Dursley screamed at Harry as he attempted to reach over to attack him. "You and your freak friends did this to my Dudley."
Harry quickly stepped back as two officers grabbed Vernon Dursley by the arms, stopping him from going any further.
"Calm down sir or we will be forced to place you under arrest," the officer said with a voice almost wishing he wouldn't.
Harry finally asked an officer, "What happened?"
"Your cousin is being placed under arrest for selling marijuana and for battery of several children in the neighborhood," the officer said. "Apparently Mr. Dursley here lost his job today as well."
Hermione and Ron stood by Harry with small smiles on their faces as Harry looked at the officer and said, "Do you mind if I gather my things? I don't think it would be safe for me to stay here. I will be going to stay with my friends."
"I don't see a problem with it, though we will need a way to contact you for a statement," the officer told him.
"That won't be a problem officer," Hermione quickly said giving him her parents' phone number.
As Harry and his friends entered Privet Drive for the last time, a dark car drove away as the man in the back contemplated his next move.