The Descendant
Chapter 2
Harry sat up in his old bed in Number 4 Privet Drive. The Harry that had arrived at Privet Drive depressed and guilty of his godfather's death was gone. Gone as well was the thin, short figure that had been there previously. Now, Harry was tall, muscular, and confident. While it had only been a day in the normal world, in Avalon time, he had been gone for two years. Harry looked up at the two phoenixes over his head.
"Well, how about we go get some breakfast from the kitchen?" The white phoenix trilled at him. Harry looked down. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing, Rowena? I've worn this type of outfit for the past two years." The black phoenix trilled at him. "Oh, right. I guess my aunt and uncle wouldn't take kindly to my new version of abnormality. And yes, Godric, I am abnormal." Godric trilled again. "What normal person spends two years in Avalon, has two phoenixes, and wears chain mail and stiff leather to the breakfast table?" All this was said as the three moved towards the kitchen. As they continued mock-arguing, Harry began making his breakfast. He waved his hand at the teapot and it began pouring tea into a cup. Another wave had bacon and sausage sizzling in the frying pan and bread in the toaster. He leaned his head out the window.
"Hey, Mooney! Come in and have some breakfast! The door's unlocked." A startled Remus walked into the kitchen after a couple of seconds.
"How did you know it was me? I was under the Invisibility Cloak and everything," Remus said, confused. Harry set a plate of food in front of him and a cup of tea with a strong dash of firewhiskey. He sat down with his own plate and cup and laughed.
"Well, the Cloak, while hiding your physical form, does not hide your aura. Don't look so surprised, Mooney. I am by far not a normal wizard. So, are there plans to get me out of this hellhole and to the Burrow or Grimmauld Place? If not, then I'd hate to have to board at the Leaky Cauldron. Too many people." Remus shook his head and nodded.
"There are plans to get you to Grmmauld Place. Not the Burrow, though. It isn't safe enough at the present. Where have you been for the past day, Harry?" Harry snorted into his eggs.
"Somewhere safe. If I told you, you wouldn't believe me. You better get back on duty, Vernon's up. See you later. Give my best to the Weasleys." Remus nodded and disappeared out of the door. Harry leaned back in his chair, sipping his tea and taking an occasional swig from the bottle of firewhiskey.
Vernon Dursley entered his kitchen to find a powerfully built young man sitting in a chair, sipping tea and seemingly conversing with two large birds. He took a second look at the man and realized with a jolt that it was his formerly scrawny nephew.
"Boy! What do you think you're doing?" Harry looked at his uncle coolly.
"Well, I was having a nice conversation with God and Row, but now my morning just got worse. Thanks. Now, if you will……" Harry's voice trailed off as he looked out the window. Vernon looked out as well, seeing a large owl winging towards the house. Vernon made to slam the window shut, but Harry waved his hand and petrified the man. The large, tawny owl settled on the windowsill and stuck out his foot regally. Harry raised an amused eyebrow at the owls actions, so similar to his owns'. The muscular man ripped open the envelope, which had the Gringotts seal on it. Inside was a letter from the director of the Wizarding bank.
The letter read:
Dear Mr. Potter,
We would like to inform you that you come into your inheritance as of today. Please come to Gringotts with your guardian as soon as possible. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely
Ragnock,
Director of Gringotts Wizarding Bank
Harry was flabbergasted. He hadn't realized that his was coming into an inheritance. He stuck his head back out of the window.
"Remus! You up for a trip to Gringotts?" Remus shouted an affirmative. Harry downed the rest of his tea, Summoned his cloak and sword from his bedroom, and went out the door. He met Remus on the walk and they both grabbed onto a phoenix and flashed to Gringotts.
Harry and Remus walked to the first available teller. Harry handed the teller his letter. The goblin looked over the letter carefully and summoned another goblin to him. Harry looked at the goblin and greeted him.
"Hello, Griphook." Griphook looked surprised that Harry had remembered him.
"You remembered my name," the goblin asked. Harry looked surprised.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
"Because you're a wizard." Harry shook his head.
"That gives a man no cause to treat another creature as a lesser, especially creatures as clever and crafty as goblins. Now, I believe we were on our way to see the director. Lead the way, my friend." The goblin led Harry and Remus across the bank to an office that looked huge. Griphook waved them inside and seated them. Sitting behind a desk was the oldest goblin Harry had ever seen. The goblin looked up.
"Hello, Mr. Potter. I am Ragnock, Director of Gringotts. I have personally handled your family's will for the past fifteen years. Is this your guardian?" Harry nodded.
"Yes, since Sirius Black was murdered. I believe that I am coming into my inheritance. I was under the impression that I already had it in my vault." Ragnock shook his head.
"No, Mr. Potter, that vault is your school funds and a little start-up money. Your real inheritance is coming now. Follow me." Ragnock got out of his chair and went to a side door. Harry conjured a staff for the elderly goblin and presented it to him. He took it and led Remus and Harry down to a large goblin cart. Ragnock hopped up into the cart, Harry and Remus following. As the cart sped along the narrow corridor, Ragnock shouted back to Harry.
"I always love going on these carts. They make my old bones feel young again. Thank you, by the way, for the staff. Fine piece of Transfiguration." Harry grinned.
"Not a problem. Not particularly hard after a few months in Avalon. Is that it?" Ragnock looked ahead and nodded. The cart jerked to a stop in front of a portrait of a Gryphon. The goblin and two wizards clambered out of the cart. Ragnock instructed Harry to place his hand in a groove in the stone next to the portrait. Harry did so and felt a pinch on his hand. The portrait swung forward and revealed an entrance to a large antechamber. A noise from behind them made Harry spin around, his sword half out of its scabbard. He relaxed slightly when he saw it was the Weasley family.
"Identify yourselves!" Arthur chuckled.
"Relax, Harry, it's only us. We came to see you." Harry's eyes narrowed. No one knew that he would be at Gringotts today. He pulled his sword out of its scabbard and moved in front of Remus.
"You are not the Weasleys. Surrender or die." The false Arthur laughed and pulled out his wand. Harry launched into an attack before the piece of wood was out of its pocket. He slashed through the person's arm and sliced across the back of the ankles and knocked back the other three with a concentrated burst of air from his hand. Remus looked amazed and Ragnock laughed with delight.
"Mr. Potter, if only there were still fighting tournaments, I could make a fortune off you! Wonderful!" Harry looked back at the goblin, confused as he magically bound the four imposters to the cart. He shook his head as he walked into the large chamber. A portrait to his left caught his attention. He turned and saw a portrait of someone that looked very much like him, except that the man in the painting was shorter, more slender, and had bright blue eyes. Harry approached the portrait.
"Are you related to me, by any chance?" The painting laughed and nodded.
"Yes I am, young sir. I believe that I am your grandfather. Now, it is my duty to tell you of your family. You see, the Potters were very knowledgeable. Now, this knowledge is going to be passed down to you. Prepare yourself for it, this is going to twinge." The elder Potter grinned as a column of white light engulfed his great-grandson. 'Seems like a nice boy. Then again, James was a good boy too, abet always in trouble at school. The boy isn't going to be happy with me after this.' He observed his grandson collapse on the ground. 'Nope, he definitely is not going to be happy when he wakes up. And my daughter-in-law thought James got his mischievous side from my wife.'