Chapter 3: The Alley Part 2

A Gift from an Old Wizard

Harry followed Gutripper back through the warren of hallways past the main lobby to the mine carts that lead to the vaults. As the cart began accelerating Harry asked, "Can these carts go any faster?"

The only reply he received from the goblin was a feral grin as it pulled a lever and the cart shot forward into the dark. Harry felt a sense of exhilaration rise as the cart gained even more speed and the air in the tunnel ripped through his hair. The cart gas going faster than his Firebolt!

As they raced through the dark the thundering of an underground waterfall could be heard as well as the cries of the beasts used to guard the vaults.

As they began to slow Harry saw a flash of dragon fire from the tunnel up ahead. So the longstanding rumor about Gringotts using dragons to guard the high security vaults was true then.

The cart stopped at the beginning the tunnel and the goblin stepped out of the cart and, not waiting for Harry, took off down the passageway clanging a small metal device at his side.

As Harry scrambled to catch up with the goblin he noticed the dragon just coming into view was trying vainly to escape the noise. Harry wondered at this until he noticed the long slashes across the dragon's snout. It had been taught to fear the sound now coming from the metal device the goblin carried.

As utterly ruthless as the system was, Harry could also see how effective it could be. Anyone who tried to enter one of the vaults on this level without a goblin would become a target of the dragon's wrath.

As Harry caught up to the goblin he saw their destination. An enormous black gannet door carved with the Black Family crest and motto. As Harry inspected the carvings he noticed what looked like a hand print pressed into circle near the middle of the door that almost blended into the door.

"Place your hand in the circle on the door and it shall open for you, Lord Black." Gutripper instructed. "I shall stay nearby, there is a rope on the inside of that will let me know when you are ready to return to the surface."

Harry nodded, stepped forward and placed his palm on the circle. Instantly the ring on his hand pulsed and the door shuddered and quickly slid into the ceiling. As Harry stepped into the vault, torches all along the wall burst into life and the door slammed shut behind him.

He spun around panicked, thinking he was sealed in until he saw the same circle he had used to open the door on the inside as well. He took a calming breath and turned back around to face the contents of the vault.

Simply put it was massive. Galleons piled in huge mounds, jewels scattered across the floor, and shelves of what looked like enchanted jewelry as each had a card attached to it. Shelves of books from what looked like school texts to heavy yellowing tomes to ancient scrolls piled in a rack. And along the back wall were various other artifacts from furniture and exotic bits of animals to weaponry and torture devices.

Filled with awe at the vast wealth surrounding him Harry went to the pieces of enchanted jewelry so he could read what they did. The first few he passed were what he expected from the Black family with enchantments like a ring that when tapped against a cup turns the liquid inside to poison.

And then he came across a smooth dragon's fang earring like the one he had seen Bill wearing with enchantments much more to his liking.

The card read:
Made from Antipodean Opaleye, this fang was made to enhance reading speed and retention level. While in use it was discovered that it also assists in the learning processes of occlumency during the first phases. While a useful tool it is not recommended for continuous ware as it also opens a channel for legilimency to pass through any barriers around the mind.

Harry immediately snatched it up. This artifact would be invaluable for learning new spells and techniques. Harry picked it up and put it his pocket before continuing.

None of the other artifacts caught his attention so he left them where they were.

Near the end of the shelves were piles of old trunks, and glancing over to the bookshelf Harry decided to grab at least one to hold anything he decided to take from the vault.

He walked through the stacks until he found one that looked like it had been made of a dark red mahogany with the carving of a griffin carved into the top. It didn't have any visible hinges, but it had five different locks set into a pentagram underneath the griffin.

Harry found the key tied to one of the handles and opened the topmost lock to see what was inside.

The second Harry turned the key in the lock the carved griffin turned its head to look at him and then bowed its head slightly and trotted to a different side of the trunk. As soon as it left the top, a seam appeared and the trunk's newly uncovered lid sprang open.

A little concerned that the griffin may come back and slam the lid, Harry scanned what appeared to be a large warehouse. It seemed to be filled with old furniture and building materials of every kind and even had a ladder to get from the opening down onto the floor. On the first rung was a letter apparently left there for the next person to use it to find. It read:

Like all true Black trunks, this one is spelled to only open for its one true owner. Unlike the others it does so in several unique ways. First is blood recognition. If this trunk does not have a current owner then only the Lord Black will be able to gain accesses due to the Guardian spell placed upon it. To become the owner of this trunk requires both the consent of the Lord Black and for the blood of the owner to be given freely to the griffin in order to complete the blood wards.

Harry though it over for a complete two seconds before deciding he would take it. If any of the other compartments were even remotely like this one, the trunk would be absolutely perfect. He closed the lid, watched it seal and waited for the griffin to return to its post.

He didn't have long to wait until the majestic creature strode back into view, still watching him. Harry, realizing he needed something to draw blood with, went back to the shelf of artifacts and retrieved a silver dagger. He had seen it earlier but as the phrase ritual blades hadn't meant much to him at the time and he had passed over it without much thought. Now however, it was exactly what he was looking for.

Returning to the trunk Harry carefully drew the knife across the palm of his left hand and quickly pressed it onto the top of the trunk. Not knowing where the blood needed to be, he smeared his hand all over the top to make sure he did it right.

When Harry lifted his hand the trunk pulsed emerald-green and the blood vanished and shrunk down into a tiny figurine of a griffin. Harry frowned at that, how was he supposed to use his trunk when he didn't know how to use it, or even what all of the features were?

He picked up the small griffin and carried it over to the shelves of books and set it back on the ground. Thinking of how to get it open Harry tried tapping it with the key but nothing happened until he caked out, "Bloody well open already!"

As he finished the figure began to grow and change until it was back to trunk form.

Remembering he still had more to go over with Rocksplitter Harry decided to look through both the trunk and books later and just take them with him for now. And so he opened the first compartment back up and began loading the books in.

Almost two hours after entering the vault Harry found himself back at the entrance to the vault with a small griffin in his pocket. He had taken a peek outside the vault by opening it for a moment before he spotted the dragon again and made a hasty retreat to summon the goblin and make it back to the surface.

He pulled the rope that the goblin had told him about and waited. Two minutes later he could hear the sound of the small metal noise maker coming from outside the door. Harry opened the door again to see the goblin that had escorted him down gesturing to return to the cart.

After the customary ride on the tracks and a swift hike through the warren of hallways, Harry once again found himself in Rocksplitter's office. The only differences were the bottles of potion and the pensive with swirling memories on the desk.

"What is this for, Rocksplitter?" Harry asked. He was still a little uncertain about entering a pensive after the disaster with Snape.

"In a moment Mr. Potter, there is something that I think you would like first." And with that he pulled a box from behind the desk and handed it to Harry, who in turn sat dumbfounded. The shield on the front with crossed sword and broom and a strange rune that looked like a circle inside of a triangle with a line down the middle bore the name he longed to know the most. His own.

The Potter family ring, as Harry saw when he opened the box, was a masterpiece. The ruby with black settings on the golden band completely captivated his attention for almost a full minute before Rocksplitter's voice broke him out if his trance.

"Because of your legal emancipation you are entitled to all of your hereditary positions. But remember that the emancipation is legal but doesn't break your ministry tracking charms as they only dissipate when you turn seventeen. I have taken the liberty of going over your accounts looking for your parents will, but so far have come back with nothing so it may be a while before I find anything. The family ring is yours, with the same restrictions as were on the Black ring, but differed magic assigned to it. While not recorded with Gringotts it is generally accepted that the Potter ring unlocks the full potential of an animagus. This is included in the search for forms, allowing for more than one, and partial transformations. Partial transformations allow for a wizard to take on characteristics of their animal in their true form, like having the fur of the animal covering the human shape."

Harry thought about this for a minute before deciding that after occlumency, becoming an animagus would be next on his list. It could be an invaluable method for escape or stealth, especially if no one knew about his ability. It would also be a way of honoring the memories of both Sirius and his father.

"The last of the Potter business we have to take care of before putting on the ring is the matter of your parents will. While you were gone I checked our records, and found the will missing although we have documentation of receiving it. I will continue looking into the issue, but in the meantime, this is the same letter that is given to all Lord Potters before they take the ring." Rocksplitter said handing him a very rumpled old scroll and handed it to Harry.

His curiosity peaked Harry took the parchment and unrolled it and began to read the short note.

The Three Gifts of Death; the wand of Elder, the stone of Resurrection, and the cloak of Invisibility. Seek the stone and wand, as the cloak will bow only to those of my decent. Recover these and prevent them from being used as they have before my death as tools of brutal murder. Take them and return them to where my brothers and I received them for crossing the five rivers of the underworld.

-Ignotus Peverell

At the bottom of the scroll was the same symbol Harry had seen on the Potter crest. Deciding to put the matter out of his mind for now Harry turned his attention back to the Potter ring.

"The family rings, if put on the same finger and the rings will merge yet they will still show the crests of both houses, signifying that you are a twice blessed lord." Rocksplitter said.

Harry took a deep breath and slid the ring on his finger next to the Black ring. When they touched, they shot together and blurred until settling back onto his finger.

The newly formed Potter-Black ring had a silver flecked obsidian band leading to the golden setting in which the ruby and black diamond were intertwined in a style resembling that of a yin-yang. Each half had its crest etched into the stone and blazed with life.

Harry was once again jerked out of his introspection be the gravelly voice of Rocksplitter, "As Lord of the Potter family you have full accesses to all of the Potter vaults. At this time there are three; your trust vault, the family vault, and the vault dedicated to the search. But while I do recommend going through your vaults, we have other business that should be taken care of first. This is for you from Nicolas Flamel."

Harry took the offered envelope. It was made of a very heavy silvery parchment, and was sealed with red wax in a very complicated pattern he could only describe as runes on a triangle in hexagon in a circle made from two dragons eating each other's tail. And that was only the basic shape as it was filled with other repeating lines and different runic symbols. It was entirely baffling how such an image could be preserved in wax, even with magic. Wanting to know what the extremely old alchemist could want with him, Harry opened the letter and began to read.

September 12, 1992

Dear Harry,

It has been a little more than four months since the incident involving my philosopher's stone. Although you don't remember it as you were in a magically induced comma at the time, I visited you while you were in the hospital wing. I took the time to get to know you Harry from your very memories themselves, and learned of the burdens that will face you in future. This letter, if my instructions are followed, will be given to you at the next time you enter Gringotts or at the very latest before your sixteenth birthday. I have much to tell you, Harry, and would be honored if you would drink the dark red potion that will have been brought up for you and then join my memory in the pensive.

Sincerely,

Nicolas Flemel

At this point Harry was very conflicted. Both wanting to know what the old alchemist had in store for him, and mildly violated that he had sifted through his memories. In the end he decided t see whatever had been prepared for him.

Glancing up at Rocksplitter, Harry explained, "I'm to take the red potion and then enter the pensive."

The feral grin Harry received in return was slightly unnerving especially after Rocksplitter said, "Good, I am eager to see what changes this little escapade will bring. Most of my days are not nearly so exciting Lord Potter-Black. This is a day to remember I think."

"Trouble just finds me." Harry murmured as he downed the sweet-smelling red potion. And with the last drops gone Harry leaned over and put his face into the pensive.

The feeling of falling face first into the shallow bowl was quickly replaced be solid ground, or at least as solid as a memory can be.

As Harry looked around he noticed the person he thought to be Nicolas Flamel sitting it what looked like a beach chair in muggle shorts and flowery button up shirt partly covered in a long white beard and a woven straw hat covering his face.

And then Harry heard the voice.

"Hello Harry. It's nice to actually say that to you while you're conscious even if at the time I'm mumbling into air."

At this point Nicolas looked up right into Harry's eyes with great intensity. Harry flinched away from the brown orbs that seemed to have pierced into his very soul. Looking into them, Harry felt like he was facing a giant rather than an old man several inches shorter than he was. The knowledge contained within was almost a force that could be felt.

"Since you are in fact here that means I am dead. My last few months have been well spent on some beach in a place I think the natives call Hawaii relaxing with Perenelle preparing for our passing. One of the things we discussed over this time was the task of finding a suitable person to pass on our legacy to. There were only two people who we even seriously considered for this, our gift. In the end we chose a different option than we had originally planned. Most of our possessions and a good portion of our inventions were given away or sent to research institutes around the world. There was only a small part that was set aside for a single person. The one that would become our heir, even if it was to be in an unofficial manner.

As Nicolas was speaking the overwhelming presence that had first assaulted Harry had been retreating to the point that when he finished he was able to look at the old man once more. It still felt like drowning in a pool of knowledge, but now at least the feeling was manageable. Then Nicolas began again.

The things we left for you, Harry, began with the red potion you took before entering the pensive. It was a small dose of the Elixir of Life. A dose this small is not enough to extend your life any but it will heal your body and magic and bring it to what it should have been had you not been locked in a cupboard for ten years. Unfortunately it will not be able to completely remove the curse held within your scar, which you will need to destroy from within your mind once you have mastered occlumency. The other potion prepared for you is the thirteenth use of dragon's blood with the creation of the stone being the fourteenth."

As he said this the green potion Harry had seen before entering the pensive appeared on an end table that hadn't been there a moment before.

"During my work with Dumbledore I only let on about the first twelve as the last two are significantly more powerful and dangerous than the others. It is a potion that melds the drinker's powers with that of the dragon whose blood was used. In a way it is similar to a partial animagus transformation, but this has far more potential. This particular brew was made from the last of my stores of blood from the Great Dragons, the ancestors of all serpents, great and small. This will do several things for you, but at this point I will only tell you three of the effects. The first change is in the eyes, it will make them sharper and you will be able to see farther than any man and you will never have to wear glasses again. The second is the magical resilience of dragon hide is transferred to the skin. It does not gain any of the physical properties, but it is still an invaluable advantage in a duel. The last is the changing of the blood from human to draconic."

Here Nicolas began gesturing around and Harry first took notice of his surroundings. They were in fact on a beach near the ocean, but it was the dragons all around that were truly captivating. There were ten dragons, all of different age and species along the beach. He began to study one that reminded Harry of Norbert before having his attention called back to the one sided conversation he was having with a dead man.

"With the magic of the dragons flowing within, blood magic and rituals become incredibly more powerful. Your blood can also be used in the creation of magical foci, be it wand or staff. That is all I will share with you for now, Harry, you will have to work to uncover the rest yourself. The last thing we will leave to you is the Forest of Emrys and the tower of Twilight within. This is the forest of Merlin and the place he moved the lines of power once people began to abuse his creation of Stonehenge. It is there that we have left you knowledge and the means of learning. Use our gifts to help you fulfill the prophecy that you face ahead. I know your heart and soul, Harry, and I know that as long as there is a way you will never give in. Take care, Harry, and I will see you on the other side."

And with that the memory ended and Harry felt himself being dragged upwards, out of the pensive.

AN: Just a few things here; first up, I love reviews. They are proof that people are not only reading, but taking their time to respond and provide feedback to help improve the quality of my writing. The thing to keep in mind though is that this is my first fanfic so it's not going to be perfect and not everyone who reads it will find it to their liking. In cases like these if you don't like it just move on and don't bother me with shit like that; especially if you're going to review as a guest. Other than that I have my first AP test tomorrow government and politics so wish me luck.