Hello there! Time here! So many people in so little time! Thanks you everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited just after the first chapter… I was worried everyone would hate it. Oh! Just so you know I don't own Harry Potter if I did Dumbles would've been sent to Azkaban during the second year! Also I really have no idea where this is going… the only reason I'm posting this is because the voice in the back of my head (Tempus: I resent being called that!) told me to~ SO ONWAARRRRDDDDS!
Tempus: Really? Right to what Time forgot (Time: Hey!) *ignores* to say was that this is a bit shorter than the last chapter, if you liked the length of the last one better please tell. Now without further ado…
.
.
.
Chapter 2, Into Gringott's, or A Letter To Sev
.
.
Harry squirmed in his seat between Mrs. Malfoy and Severus (the professor had told him to call him by his first name), because after they had gotten into the large building, which the blond witch had told him that it was called Gringott's Wizard Bank, the potion's master had gone up and talked to what Harry guessed was the bank's manager and after a short conversation were now in a private office sitting and waiting for something. Mrs. Malfoy looked down at the boy, "Harry you shouldn't squirm it'll ruin your new clothes." She was right, with all Harry's squirming his new clothes and casual robes were being wrinkled.
"Sorry, I was just wondering why those, goblins?" he looked at Severus to see if he got what they were right, when the dark wizard nodded Harry smiled and turned back to Narcissa to continue, "brought us in here."
"Perhaps I can answer that Mr. Potter." The door opened and a four foot tall goblin walked in, "I am Ragnok, I am in charge of the older family accounts, as Lady Malfoy can tell you." He sat behind the desk in front of the three humans. Looking straight at Harry he pulled out a large stack of parchment and two scrolls, "These are the Potter family records and your parent's wills."
"Shouldn't the wills have been read when the Potter's died?" Narcissa asked confusion in her voice.
Ragnok nodded solemnly, "It should've been but Mr. Potter's magical guardian at the time sealed the will." He paused and shuffled some of the papers from the stack, "At that time due to the mistrust brewing between the… Marauders, I think they called themselves," At this Severus sneered, "Lord James Potter changed the child's magical guardian, who is usually the mother of the child, to Headmaster Dumbledore and also to my understanding without the knowledge of his wife or friends." The old goblin shook his head, "Sometimes he did not make the wisest decisions, personally I do not trust the Dumbledore's, they have never had a vault within a Gringott's Bank, and after the Potter's died my distrust has been proven. Albus Dumbledore has been trying to excess the Potter family vaults and Lily Potter's separate vault a total of three hundred and six times, I've been able to stop him because of the fact that he sealed the will so that means that the vaults are sealed." Ragnok smirked at this, "But now that Mr. Potter is in the custody of one of his godfathers it will be-"
"Godfather!?" Severus nearly fell off of his chair when he shot up shocked while Narcissa could barely keep her public mask on because of shock; Harry on the other hand had a slight look of joy, "My wish!" He thought.
Ragnok looked slightly confused, "You mean you didn't know?"
"What is there to know!? The mutt was Harry's godfather, he was Potter's best friend! How am I Harry's godfather as well?"
"Mutt?"
"Later Harry, just let Severus rant."
"And I-I" Severus's head dropped, "I made a mistake, and it ruined my friendship with Lily. So why…" The dark wizard sat back down, missed his chair and collapsed on the ground in a heap; shock was beginning to set in. After nearly ten years of basically not feeling anything Severus felt everything, anger and hatred to the headmaster, pain and longing for his old friend, fear for Harry, love for Harry. Harry… Severus took deep breath and looked up at the boy still sitting in the chair, the look in his behind his emerald eyes a mix between happiness and confusion. His godson.
After Ragnok was sure that he wouldn't be interrupted again he continued, "Lady Potter named you as Mr. Potter's godfather, because, from my understanding, she believed that you could give the child a more stable childhood if her and Lord Potter perished than Lord Black could ever, and her judgment was sound as we can all now see." He paused wondering if anyone would interrupt, of course he was right.
"Who is Lord Black and the mutt that Severus mentioned?"
Narcissa was the one who answered, "Harry, well, Harry, Lord Black is the title of my cousin Sirius, who Sev calls the mutt, not that he'll tell me why. He was disowned but with the death of the last member of the main line he was reinstated into the family, but that doesn't matter. He did something foolish, and it landed him the blame of something horrible, and that landed him in prison." She got out of her chair and grabbed Harry's shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes, "But he didn't do it, I know my cousin, and he would never have done what they said he did."
"What do people say he did?"
Narcissa smiled sadly, "When you're older."
The goblin, now uncomfortable by the Malfoy Lady's lapse in edict, coughed to get their attention again, "Back to the original issue, the Potter's wills are now able to be read, and since some parties are unable to be reached we can read it now. Would you like to hear them Mr. Potter?"
Narcissa nodded sadly and sat next back into her seat while Severus got up and sat on the other side. "Um, yes please Mr. Ragnok that would be nice."
Ragnok smiled (though it looked more like a grimace) and took the first scroll off the pile of parchment, "First, The Last Will and Testament of James Potter. And no interrupting." And with that he unrolled the scroll he murmured something to it before it began to float, then glow, and finally a deep voice began to speak:
"I, James Potter, of sound mind and body, begin my will off with one thing. Fuck you Dumbledore, seriously, I know that somehow you are responsible for my death so fuck you. I revoke your guardianship over Harry, if you still have it when my will is read. Another thing, I request that all money given to the organization known as the Order of the Phoenix be paid back in full. Now onto the rest, to my son Harry James Potter I give the entire Potter family fortune, vaults, properties, and artifacts. Harry I love you so much and I'm sorry I won't get to see you grow up. To Remus, Sirius, and Peter I extend my apologies you guys are my best friends and I suspected you. And to Snivi- er Severus, I extend my apologies to you as well, my actions at Hogwarts came from my jealousy over Lily I'm sorry. Oh and before I forget, never ever, under any circumstance should Harry be placed with Lily's sister. I would rather have Severus or the Malfoy's or hell Wulburga, raise him than those magic-hating muggles. As it is I leave Lily (because she's smarter than me) to decide where Harry goes. Sorry Padfoot you're more like the crazy kid-like uncle than a father figure. Well good luck to all of you, make sure Harry has a good life. Bye."
After another second the paper floated down, rolled back up and landed in Ragnok's hand. Severus shook his head slightly mad, "I can't believe he cursed at Dumbledore in his will."
The goblin chuckled, "It was Lord Potter after all, and he was a bit rash, but at least he got to the point quickly." The goblin then pulled out a sheet of paper, "Now Mr. Potter, and Mr. Snape being as you are his guardian, here is a list of the Potter estate." He handed Severus a paper which the potions master began to read silently with the eleven year old next to him.
Galleons: 1,110,258 (1,100,258 in family vault) (3,000 in vault 687 set aside for Harry Potter's school supplies) (7,000 galleons instant transfer to Hogwarts for seven years tuition)
Sickles: 100,324 (99,324 in family vault) (1,000 in vault 687 set aside for Harry Potter's school supplies)
Knuts: 100,345 (100,000 in family vault) (345 in vault 687 set aside for Harry Potter's school supplies)
Properties: (overall value: 2,340,456 galleons, 9 sickles, and 12 knuts)
-Godric's Hollow cottage
-Potter Manor (England) (Ancestral Home)
-Potter Estate (France)
-Magical New York Penthouse
-Magical London Apartment
-Muggle London Apartment
-Number 4 Privet Drive (gifted to Dursley family)
Artifacts: 932 (103 suspected Dark, 341 heirlooms, 74 ancient, 64 benign, 45 ancestral wands (including Godric Gryffindor's), 5 familiars under stasis,67 potions under stasis, and other magical objects) (worth estimated 901,432 galleons)
Books: 1,235 (604 suspected Dark) (200 personal journals of various famous and powerful witches and wizards) (worth estimated 57,079 galleons)
"Wow," Harry said after reading the list, "That's a lot isn't it?" Severus nodded slowly looking a bit pale, he had known that with the Potter's being an old rich line Harry would be in for a large amount of inheritance but he never thought that it would be that much.
"Indeed Mr. Potter, but for your own good I would suggest putting a limit on what you can use until you're older, Mr. Snape being your guardian could set the limit for you?" The goblin asked looking between the two.
"Um, it would probably be a good idea, right Severus?"
"Huh? Yes that would be a good idea, what is your suggestion in amounts Ragnok?"
The goblin gave a toothy grin, "Perhaps the use of one property until majority, access to the money in vault 687 until majority, and unlimited access to artifacts and books with the presence of his guardian or someone with your permission until majority."
Severus nodded, "That sounds reasonable." Narcissa nodded her agreement while looking over the paper she had taken from Harry, her eyebrows scrunched in thought over something on the paper.
"Should we move onto Lady Potter's will?" Ragnok asked.
"Harry what do you want to do?"
Harry looked up at the Dark wizard with big eyes, "That was my dad's voice right?" Severus nodded, "Then mom's will will be read in her voice?" another nod, "Alright then," the eleven year old turned back to the goblin, "May we please hear my mother's will Mr. Ragnok?"
After nodding with another grimace-like smile the goblin muttered something to the second scroll and it repeated the same floating and glowing of the first will:
"I, Lily Potter nee Evens, of sound mind and body, create this will with one purpose; to give the truth to those that deserve it. As this is being read, with my death it would be best if everything is known. If I died at the hands of Tom Riddle, better known as Lord Voldemort, then he was manipulated by Dumbledore. Do not trust him, he is not what he seems to be, I have left all the information in my personal vault. Sev I forgave you a long time ago, you know how to keep secrets and so I want you to read the journals and give the information to whoever you think is capable of keeping it safe.
Harry I'm giving you my vault. I love you and nothing will change that ever, not even death. I have made Severus Snape your godfather and guardian should James and I die, and under no circumstances will you ever be put with my sister and her horrible family. Also Severus, Do. Not. Back. Out. Don't worry you'll make a good father figure. Sirius, if your there, don't pout; you can spoil him rotten as an uncle just as you planned to do anyway. I want Harry to go to Hogwarts but I want him away from the headmaster, Sev I made up a plausible story it's in the letter that I gave Ragnok. The spell is in there too; remember you were my first real friend, my best friend. Take care of Harry I love both of you."
As Lily's voice faded Harry began to cry and turned to hug Severus, who blinked a few times before responding, "Wh-what's wrong Harry?"
"Sh-she wa-wanted me to be with y-you, tha-that Dumblydork p-person… he-e sent me t-to…" Harry just kept sobbing until he couldn't be understood as he clutched onto the Dark wizard.
Sighing softly, Severus felt the last of his masks, the one that he had had since his own time at Hogwarts, break. Reaching around he held the boy and began to rock him gently, "Shh Harry, shh they won't, can't, come near you anymore, and I won't let them." He crooned over and over until the eleven year old stopped sobbing. Narcissa watched on as this happened, "She made the right choice." The blond witch thought to herself. "The right choice."
A few minutes and a couple spells later Harry was laying on a small bed sleeping as Narcissa ran her fingers through his hair, a shiver ran through his small body every now and then. Severus was sitting holding another list reading over the contents of Lily's vault, which had including almost ten times as many books as the Potter family vault, a pensieve with over two hundred memories, a hundred magical artifacts, and one familiar under a stasis spell. "She mentioned a letter?" He whispered to Ragnok, not wanting to wake Harry up, as he put the list down. (Time: I just realized how much Harry sleeps, I'm going to blame the fact that he didn't get enough sleep when he was with the Dursleys…)
"Yes, unlike most things my clients give me to hold till their wills are read she asked me to keep it on my person at all times," He reached into his waistcoat and pulled out a pristine letter before handing it to the potion's master. "It won't open for anyone but you; all you have to do is prick your finger and put the blood on the wax." The goblin produced a small needle and handed it to the man as well.
Turning the letter over he studied the green wax seal that had, what looked like, a thumbprint in it, sighing the Dark wizard pricked his thumb with the needle and put the now slightly bleeding digit on the wax. A second later the wax melted away, but instead of vanishing the now red wax flowed around his thumb and shot off to where Harry was still laying and covered the boy's face. "Harry!" Severus shouted rushing out of his seat as Narcissa tried to pry the wax off. After a minute of both Narcissa and Severus trying to get the wax off the boy's face it simply fell off, the boy still sleeping peacefully. Only now he looked a little different, "H-he looks… His scar… what?" Harry's hair was straight compared to how only a second ago it was a rat's nest (despite Narcissa's efforts earlier when she was getting him ready to go out), his famous scar was gone, and he no longer looked like a carbon copy of his father, instead he looked like a mix between Lily and someone familiar, just not James Potter, only with slightly paler skin than both of them.
"Perhaps you should read the letter, Mr. Snape?" Ragnok said a slight tint of humor in his voice as his hands moved over furiously over some of the parchments on his desk.
Snape looked down at the letter still held in his hand and jerked it up eyes flying across the paper:
Sev,
I'm you had to learn it this way. Harry isn't James' son, by blood at least, James blood-adopted Harry into the Potter family to give him access to all the things he would have gotten as a Potter. After James did the adoption ritual I took the memory from him, just as I took the memories of that night from you.
I made my will and this letter as a smokescreen; if anyone else had managed to open it they would just find my heartfelt good-bye to you. No, this is the truth that you deserve, I promise you that. Harry is not a Potter. His full name is Salazar Harrison James Snape, yes Snape. The night before my wedding with James you came to me and tried one last time to convince me to not marry James; one thing led to another and… well, Salazar was the result. I was scared when I woke up next to you on my wedding day and so took the memory from you. I don't regret it but you are my best friend, and I am in love with James, but I love you as a brother.
When I found out I was pregnant I cast a paternity spell, James walked in as I did it. When I told him what had happened and he did the adoption ritual right then and there, after he was done I took his memory of doing the ritual and finding out that Salazar wasn't his. Sev, I'm sorry that I kept him from you, I did what I thought was right, I stored the memories of both times in the pensieve in my private vault.
Moving on a few of the journals in my vault are ones I stole from Dumbledore, some his and some a young politician named Tom Riddle, he is going mad with power while Voldemort is being sent into his by our dearest headmaster. I'm still not sure how but he has been manipulated, I've been slowly reading the journals and to tell the truth they are a real eye opener. Tom was originally a political leader trying to lead to the separation of the muggle and magical worlds along with bringing in muggle-borns earlier so they can learn the ways of the magical world sooner. Dumbledore on the other hand has been trying to weaken the magical population so he is the most powerful and therefore in control of the entire magical world.
Keep Salazar safe, and you can trust McGonagall she knows everything (I'm not sure how, she told me that she did under oath and that she would never tell Dumbledore) She'll help you silently sign-up Salazar for Hogwarts. Good luck, you will make a good father, so don't worry.
Lily Potter
Right after reading the letter Severus doing the only thing possible for someone who found themselves in his situation, promptly fainted.
.
.
.
END CHAPTER TWO
Time: Like it? Hate it? Want to kill me? Alright *whimpers slightly* just make my death quick and painless.
Tempus: …Time you're stupid… review please!