Rebellion. Teenage rebellion. It was the result of the wide range of emotions that was swirling through the choatic mind of the now sixteen year old Harry Potter. It was somehow freeing to decide to tell the world, a world which narrowed down to a certain grey haired wizard, to go to hell.
It was an impulsive decision, which did not really enter the mind of the teenager, but it seemed like the only course of action to take as a result of his birthday presents. And it wasn't because of the typical Weasely presents, which consisted of foodstuffs and quidditch things, nor was it a reaction to the typical defensive magic book from Hermoine. Even the almost non-existent note from Lupin didn't evoke the emotions that the seemingly innocent plain envelope had caused. However, could the seal of Gringotts ever be considered innocent?
To Harry it had, afterall he was basically a muggleborn wizard who hardly knew anything about the muggle world. And yet, he knew more about the muggle world than the wizarding world. The innocence of the Gringotts seal was forever tarnished in the young wizard's mind, it having essentially pointed out that he was a pawn and being manipulated. All because he was too naive, or was that stupid, to ask questions. Questions that now seemed so blaringly obvious, that he could only wonder why his friends never wondered or asked.
The fading frown deepened once more as the single paged letter was picked up, so he could dissect it, again.
Greetings to Harry Potter, Heir to the Noble House of Potter, from Iceshred, Account Manager of the Potters.
Since you have refused to show, or even respond, to our request for your presence for the reading of the will of one Sirius Black, Lord of the Noble House of Black, we've sent to you a chest in the following of Lord Black's will, to be recieved on the sixteenth birthday if it comes to pass after the death of Lord Black and the Heir of the Potters was unable to attend the reading of his will. It was also stated that no Wizard would be informed of said chest.
Here Harry paused, once more, to glance to the small chest sitting on the foot of his bed. Upon learning that it was from his Godfather, his deceased Godfather, he had mixed feelings about opening it. But curiousity had won out, which had him glancing through it before finishing the letter. It had held the 'Maruaders Bible', which was a journal of sorts that detailed various pranks and had many potion receipes and charms listed in it. No doubt the twins would give their first borns up for said book. There was also various pictures, money for both the wizarding and muggle world, along with some clothes and accessories. Various pouches lined the chest, which Harry had yet to go through, but one of them held quite a few letters. Speaking of letters..
I have decided to break protocol due to the alarming fact that you have not been in contact with Gringotts, except for the few times to withdraw a small amount of gold for your school supplies when you started Hogwarts. There have been numerous attempts in which to contact you and there have always been two outcomes of these attempts; either Albus Dumbledore responded or there was no response at all. This is highly unusual and suspicous, since you are Heir to an old Pureblood and Wealthy family.
Resports have also stated that you live, and have lived, with a Muggle family which indicates you have not been recieving any type of tutoring on your duties as Heir, and then Lord, of your family. There are many responsibilities you will have, which includes properties, employees, investments and contracts that involve Gringotts. Not to mention your political responsibilities, which is not our responsibility to train you in, that does go hand in hand with you needing to be aware of and acknowledge your bloodline.
Albus Dumbledore has set himself up as your Magical Guardian, which is the reason you have not been contacted before now. Lord Black allowed us the opportunity to directly contact you with his request, him being your Godfather gives him more legal standing over Dumbledore. Albus Dumbledore is not 'legally' your Magical Guardian, meaning the will of your parents and of Lord Black has never designated him as such. The only reason he has been able to interfere is because of his political power.
I have taken great satisfaction of continuously rejecting each and every request he has made inregards to your estate, except when it came to your school vault. I only state this to assure you that your privacy has not been violated and nor have you been robbed. But you must take action. Wizards become adults at the age of seventeen, but as the sole remaining Potter and heir, you can be declared an adult at sixteen.
With that stated, this is the last time I will attempt to contact you on this matter, Harry Potter. It is now up to you to take charge of your affairs at Gringotts in Diagon Alley.
Your Account Manager, Iceshred.
The anger that the wizard felt in the Headmaster's office at the end of the school year was simmering just below the surface, waiting for a chance to let loose. A shame, really, that there was nothing breakable (that wasn't already broken) at hand. Or someone, in which he could rage at. Instead, he was brooding. It was quite obvious that he was being lied to, however he was not sure the extent of it. The fact that he was forced, by simple omission, to miss the reading of his Godfather's will was almost more than he could handle. None of his friend's letters this summer mentioned a will, did any of them go? Surely Sirius wanted Ron and Hermoine there. The three of them had gotten to spend quite abit of time together last summer, not to mention the contact throughout the year.
It was possible for them to not have been informed, just as easily as he wasn't informed. Perhaps Hermoine was just being sensitive by not asking if he had gone to it, if will reading was common in the Muggle world. Ron, well he might not of thought of it all. But it wasn't just the will reading, was it? What were the responsibilties, these duties, that he has being the Heir to the Potter Bloodline? And all these suposedly numerous attempts at contact? Why did Sirius request in his will suddenly 'allow' contact? Was there something blocking contact between him and the rest of the Wizarding world? Besides his friends, of course.
If there was, then it all boiled down to Dumbledore. And thus the brooding was leading to his thoughts of rebellion. Specifically told to stay to the property of his muggle home, he would need to violate that to go to Gringotts. It didn't seem like a good idea to ask for permission to go, which meant he'd have to be sneaky. Which meant he needed the help of his relatives.
Usually on Harry's birthday, he simply got extra chores to do as his present. Though, they never verbally acknowledged it was his birthday. After tossing and turning most of the night, Harry had finally come up with a plan. It involved hiding the chest in the small closet, covering it with his invisibility cloak, but keeping the wad of pounds in his pocket. And instead of being woken up, he was up and cooking breakfast for his relatives. Dudley was still on his diet, but he was able to play with ingredients enough to get a healthy breakfast put together that his Aunt would approve of, but also allowing it to look and smell appetizing.
"Good Morning, Aunt Petunia." Harry greeted with a smile, which resulted in a suspicious look as she looked down her nose at her nephew. Vernon and Dudley were soon lumbering in after the tall thin woman, food typically brought the two rather quickly. Harry greeted them both as he dished them breakfast, making sure to give himself the smallest amount and the most unappetizing bunch of it.
"Boy, you need to paint the fence today while Pet and I head to London for the day with Dudley. " This would be the first of the long list of chores, which was always to long to finish. It didn't help that today fell on the weekend, meaning he was allowed to be outside longer so it wouldn't disturb the neighbors who had to work the next day.
"Actually, Uncle Vernon, I was hoping I could go into London with you." Harry stated quickly as his Uncle took a break after the first chore was listed to eat a forkful of scrambled eggs, which was cooked without the yoke. Since Harry had not really spoken to them at all this summer, they were currently blinking at him in silence. An affronted silence, no doubt. "I have some pounds, Uncle, so I can pay for the gas. It is Birthday money that I got from my friends today." A little bit of emphasis was used on the word birthday, forcing it to be acknowledged.
With that stated, Harry took out the wad of pounds from his pocket and placed it on the table. In his hurry, the wizard had not actually paid attention to how much was there. Although, it wasn't like he knew how much the trip would cost in gas. But, he realized his mistake as the staring was shifted to the wad of cash and the suspicous surprise. "Er, i've been saving my birthday money for several years. And you could just drop me off, I will find my own way home. I don't want to ruin your day or anything."
Vernon picked up the pounds swiftly, counting only a quarter of the paper currency before stuffing it into his own pocket. A grunting nod was issued as he continued to eat. The three Dursleys were to busy thinking about what they could buy and just how rich Harry's friends may be, than to argue with Harry's presence for the trip to London. Though he did recieve a tongue lashing for scaring the muggles when they had climbed into the car without Harry, thinking they had escaped the freak until he removed his invisibility cloak halfway to London. Harry didn't bother to explain to his relatives that he was hiding from the patroling wizards around the house, simply because he didn't want them to know about the patroling wizards.
It was a few blocks from the Leaky Cauldron that he was dropped off. The muggles never noticed Dudley getting out of the car onto the sidewalk, only to get right back into the car. It was a lot easier to roam the halls of Hogwarts after curfew beneath the cloak that the streets of London during the day or to wait patiently to follow a wizard into the Pub and then even longer into Diagon Alley.
Eventually, he made it to Gringotts. And even though he entered the bank beneath his cloak, he noticed several goblins looking directly at him as he moved towards the tellers along the wall. Aparently he wasn't quite so hidden as he hoped and with a careful look around, and not noticing any witches or wizards, he moved up to an available teller.
"I am not a thief, I promise Sir." Came the first thing out of the nervous teenager at the menacing look being directed at him. "I just wish to not be seen and request privacy please." The goblin was silent for several moments before sneering and lifting a clawed hand to motion another goblin over. After an exchange in an unknown language to Harry, he was motioned to follow the other Goblin into a private room off the lobby.
"You may remove the cloak, Mr. Potter." The goblin stated as soon as the door was shut. Surprised, but not really, at being recognized Harry removed the cloak. "Thank you... Griphook." It took a moment for the wizard to find the name to the familiar looking goblin.
Griphook stared at Harry for a few moments in silence, with a look of either surprise or constipation, before sneering in the usual goblin manner. "You requested privacy and it was granted, Mr. Potter. What business do you have at Gringotts today?" While there was nothing friendly about the mannerisms of the goblin, Harry didn't think he was being quite as rude as a typical goblin.
"I would like to speak with my account manager, Iceshred, if he is available. " With this, Griphook nodded and motioned to the conference table and chairs before abruptly leaving the room.