Chapter 4.
Sunlight was streaming in through the window of the bedroom when Harry woke. Throughout the night both Harry and Fleur had woken each other with kisses and caresses to reconstitute their bond at any opportunity. Consequently it was quite late in the morning by Harry's estimation of the angle of the sun. He reached over and put his glasses on and then turned in the bed and smiled as he looked at the sleeping form of his mate, his fiancée and soon to be wife. Fleur was gorgeous even in sleep, even after a night of lovemaking. Her features were serene and there was a slight smile that graced her features. Her silver blonde hair fanned out on the pillow behind her and Harry once more counted himself as being so lucky.
Sinking down into the bed more and snuggling over to Fleur, he slipped his arms about her lithe naked body and kissed her lips softly. At the contact, Fleur's head tilted up slightly to meet Harry's lips fully and her eyes fluttered open and she purred as she opened her mouth and deepened the kiss between them. What they then experienced for the next half hour was pure bliss that left them both panting and gasping by the end. Harry held Fleur in his arms as she laid her head on his chest, tracing patterns over his chest and stomach with a single finger.
"So, what would you like to do today my love?" Harry asked softly, smiling down at the woman of his dreams. She gazed back with pure adoration and said "I do not care as long as I am with you beloved. I think perhaps it is time for breakfast, since we have had an active night." Her grin and giggle was matched by Harry's own smile and laughter as they both slipped out of the bed and headed to the bathroom to take a shower. They resisted the temptation to repeat their actions in the bedroom in the shower and just contented themselves with deep kisses every few minutes as they helped each other wash. After toweling off and donning their clothing for the day, they left their quarters and walked hand in hand through the castle and down to the great hall.
Being a Sunday, the grate hall was quite heavily populated given the lateness of the morning as most of the school's population seemed to have taken the opportunity to sleep in as well. There was more whispering about the couple as Fleur and Harry entered and made their way over to Griffindore's table. They spotted Hermione and soon were sitting across from her and greeted her warmly, glad that Ron was absent this time. Hermione greeted them both happily as she had warmed to Fleur pretty much as soon as she talked to the French girl and realized she was nothing like what Hermione had thought of her.
"You guys would not believe the stories that have been flying all over the school about you two. People are saying that you were given private quarters and that your bonded as mates." Fleur seemed mildly shocked that the news had traveled so quickly throughout the castle, but Harry, used to this after four years simply nodded to Hermione to confirm that it was indeed true.
"According to Dumbledore because we err, consummated our bond last night, in the eyes of the wizarding world, I am now of age and have the full rights of an adult within the wizarding world." Hermione's eyes were wide at this news and she asked about the bond and what it had meant. Harry, with Fleur's help explained the bond and the importance of it and the two mates finding each other. Hermione thought it sounded so romantic that there was one person out there fated for a person and was happy that Fleur and Harry had found each other. She also made a mental note to herself to research about these types of bonds later on to find out more information.
"So," She said "Does this mean you're going to get married as well?" Fleur's smile was radiant as she nodded, saying happily "Yes. Harry proposed to me last night and I accepted. We are going to plan out the wedding though, it does not need to be rushed. We have forever with each other, so it will all be planned out and it will be perfect." She then turned and gave Harry a small kiss, letting him know how pleased she was that he had asked her. He just smiled a goofy grin and continued eating his breakfast.
At this point in their conversation, a small barn owl swept down and landed in front of Harry with a note attached to its leg. Harry unfastened the scroll and unrolling it, quickly read it, and then slid it into his pocket.
"Professor Dumbledore wants to meet with Fleur and me after we have finished breakfast to discuss some matters." He informed Hermione and Fleur. Hermione nodded, thinking it was probably related to Harry's new status in the wizarding world and Fleur just accepted Harry's words silently, not concerned as only time would tell what the headmaster had to say.
They took about another half an hour to finish breakfast chatting amiably with Hermione about classes and general happenings in the wizarding world she had gleaned from the Daily Prophet. Finally, they stood and promised to meet up with Hermione later to study and walked out of the hall, making their way up to the gargoyle guarding Professor Dumbledore's office.
As they approached the gargoyle, it slid aside automatically for them. Harry glanced at Fleur and shrugged and together they made their way up the moving spiral staircase. The door to the headmaster's office was open when they reached the top and he welcomed them both in with a smile and morning greeting. They both greeted the headmaster courteously and sat in the chairs indicated by the aged wizard. He gestured with his wand and the door to his office closed and a white flash let the couple know that Dumbledore had secured the room for privacy.
"Now Harry and Fleur, let me be the first to congratulate you for your new status. As I mentioned last night, the completion of this bond makes Harry in the eyes of the wizarding world an adult, with all the rights and responsibilities of one. Therefore I think you may want to make a trip to Gringots today to claim your full inheritance, which you are now entitled to as an adult." Harry looked puzzled at this and said "But the vault I have been using I thought that was all my parents left me." Dumbledore smiled and shook his head, saying "No Harry. That was merely your trust vault. It was for you to cover your expenses while you attended Hogwarts. The Potter line stretches back to the time of the founders and are quite wealthy, indeed you are quite wealthy. I suggest, however that you find out for yourself just how much as there have been several attempts in the past to get hold of your inheritance." Harry nodded at this and Fleur said "We must go to Gringots immediately then headmaster Dumbledore. I will not allow anyone to try and steal my fiancée's money." Dumbledore assented to this request, saying "Of course, I thought you may wish to do this immediately. You can use my fire to flu to Gringots and then do whatever shopping you may need to do in Diagon alley. All I ask is that you return before night fall." Harry and Fleur quickly agreed to this and they both rose and walked to the fireplace. Taking a pinch of flu powder each they both cast the powder into the flames which instantly turned emerald green and rose high into the chimney. Harry and Fleur stepped into the flames together and held each other about the waist as they both said in unison "Gringots!" With a whoosh of flames, they were gone from Dumbledore's office and were spinning through the network.
Eventually they slowed down and stepped out into the main foyer of Gringots. Fleur with a wave of her wand cleaned both Harry's clothes as well as her own of soot and they proceeded over to a goblin at the counter. "Hello, I am here to claim my inheritance as I am now considered of age in the wizarding world. I am Harry Potter." The goblin's eyes briefly flicked up to Harry's forehead and he nodded and gesturing them to follow led them down a corridor and down to a door at the end with a sign in English and what Harry guessed was goblin. The Goblin knocked and opened the door for them to enter, but closed the door as soon as they entered leaving them alone with the occupant of the room. A very old looking goblin looked up at the couple and smiled, showing his pointed teeth. Harry walked forward holding Fleur's hand comfortingly, as he had felt her tense up at the sight of the goblin's smile. "Hello sir. I am Harry Potter and I am here to claim my full inheritance as the bond between myself and my mate is now complete, making me an adult in the wizarding world." The goblin glanced over at Fleur and then nodded, rising to his feet and extending his hand, saying "Hello Mr. Potter. My name is Raghook. I am the head of estates in Gringots. We were informed this morning of your coming of age so to speak and are ready to proceed with the ceremony." Harry raised his eyebrows in enquiry, not sure exactly what Raghook was talking about. Seeing this, the goblin smiled and said "For such old families such as yours Mr. Potter there are ceremonies set forth when the coming of age happens. All we need to do is take a drop of your blood. With this blood it then will let us know your entire name as well as what your entitlements are within Gringots." Harry nodded his assent, not really comfortable with the idea of someone using his blood, but supposed this was common practice. Fleur sensing Harry's forebodings wrapped her arm about his and whispered "It is only one drop beloved and I promise to kiss it better when we get home." Harry had to smile at the idea of that and he proceeded with Fleur to follow Raghook into another room where a large basin was set into a large table in the centre of the room.
Raghook took a silver dagger from the table which was carved with different symbols and looked to be extremely valuable. Seeing Harry's look, Raghook quickly explained "This ceremonial dagger is used in these ceremonies. It cuts only enough to allow for the right amount of blood and causes no pain to occur. Please hold out your hand Mr. Potter." Harry, quite relieved to hear it would not hurt, held out his left hand and the goblin pricked the tip of one of his fingers with the razor sharp edge of the knife. One single drop of blood dropped into the basin and the wound instantly healed. The water within the basin upon contact with the blood frothed and transformed into a roll of parchment. Raghook took the parchment and unrolled it and began to read. His eyebrows shot up in the air and his look of surprise did not go unnoticed by either Harry or Fleur. Harry asked "Mr. Raghook is there a problem?" Raghook recovered his composure somewhat and said "No Mr. Potter nothing is wrong. It is just surprising what has appeared on your entitlements." To explain, he handed the parchment to Harry. Harry unrolled it and gasped as he read.
'Harry James Potter
Heir to Potter Family Estate. Heir to title Lord Potter.
Heir to Griffindore Estate.
Heir to title Lord Griffindore.
Heir to Merlin Estate.'
Fleur who had been reading over his shoulder also gasped as she read and looking up, she could also see the shock on Harry's face that he was related to not only one of the founders of Hogwarts, but also one of the founders of wizarding society.
"So, what does this mean then? What does this mean I am entitled to?" Raghook quickly led them back into the office and taking the parchment, sat back in his chair and gestured for the couple to do the same across from him. He ordered a goblin to bring the estate and title folders for Potter, Griffindore and Merlin. A few Minutes
Later the goblin reappeared carrying three large leather bound folders. Raghook took them and dismissed the goblin. Opening each folder, he took the first sheet from each, which was a balance sheet of sorts for each estate and handed them to Harry wordlessly, the information on the sheets providing more than enough of an answer.
'Estate of Potter Family.
Amount of Cash 12 million Galleons, 5 Million Sickles and 3 million Knuts.
Number of properties: 5
2 vaults also containing miscellaneous valuables from the Potter family.'
'Estate of Griffindore Family.
Amount of cash: 200 million Galleons, 30 million Sickles and 12 million Knuts.
Number of properties: 12.
3 vaults containing miscellaneous valuables from the Griffindore family.'
'Estate of the Merlin Family.
Amount of cash: 2 billion Galleons, 100 million Sickles and 50 million Knuts.
Number of Properties: 54
6 vaults containing miscellaneous items from the Merlin Family'
Harry just gaped at the sheets in front of him for a moment, then gathering himself together with a monumental effort, looked at Fleur and said conspiratorially "Guess we don't need to worry about working if we don't want to huh?"
Fleur burst into peals of laughter at this and her admiration for her new mate rose substantially at the calm with which he dealt with his news of being probably the richest man in England and probably Europe. Raghook then coughed to gain their attention and said "There is just the formality now of signing these documents Lord Potter, then the family rings will be presented to you and you may then access your vaults." Harry nodded and taking the offered quill, signed in the sections indicated by the goblin. Once he had signed the documents, 3 rings appeared hovering in the air before him. Carefully, he took each ring and placed them on 3 of his fingers on his right hand, where once placed, they then disillusioned, making his hand appear as if he wasn't wearing any rings at all. Harry then enquired about Fleur having access to his vaults and the goblin replied because she was bonded to Harry, she automatically had access to his vaults. Harry then asked "Can I put all of the vaults with money in them together? It seems a waste to have so many vaults just for money." Raghook nodded and filled out a form which Harry signed which he then placed into his out tray, which then promptly disappeared. Harry then asked "Now is there some way that I can access my money without having to come to Gringots each time?"
Raghook nodded and then explained "There are 2 different ways you can do so Lord Potter. The first is a money pouch directly linked to your money vault. All you need to do is think of an amount place your hand into the pouch and it will be in there. Also there is a Gringots version of a credit card. It will work with both magical and muggle business's and again is directly linked to your account. Both of these methods would be linked to you and Lady Potter, thus no thief can access your account by using them. The effects of someone else trying to use either would be most unpleasant for them." Raghook grinned an evil grin at this. After a moment's thought and a quick discussion with Fleur who was still stunned to be referred to as Lady Potter, Harry applied for a money pouch for both himself and Fleur as well as a
Gringot's card for both as well. He explained to Raghook "For larger purchases it would probably be better to use the card and smaller ones with the pouch. As well as that a credit card is less conspicuous in the muggle world than a money pouch." Raghook nodded and a few minutes later the cards and pouches were presented to the couple and charmed for them personally. Harry then asked if he could have a detailed list of the items in the miscellaneous vaults and Raghook replied by handing the three folders to Harry, saying "These folders are for your records Lord Potter. They will update continually as you make transactions or as you add or remove items from the vaults." Harry nodded and rising, thanked Raghook and once more holding Fleur's hand, led her from Raghook's office and out of Gringots into Diagon alley to spend some of their new fortune.