Disclaimer – The world of Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling and various publishing houses. The Films are owned by Warner Brother's Studios. I do not in writing this claim ownership over any properties associated with the works of J.K. Rowling. I am merely playing in her backyard while I get these ideas out of my head.
Please note that I am an American, and as such am not entirely familiar with the British version of the English Language. As such I am liable to make mistakes in regards to British Slang and Grammar, I hope you can all forgive me these mistakes?
A/N: Wow, I only had the story up since somewhere around 11:00 pm of July 22nd, 2014... and by around 4:04 pm the next day I already have over 500 views on this story, I am impressed. Dials of Time only got around 172 views in the same period of time, and Initiative only got 20 views. This is a record for me. I hope to continue impressing you all with this story.
Flo Goodwin arrived to work early as usual. Her job was a simple one, she had to check the files in the Ministry Department of Magical Records to see if any birth's, death's, or marriages had been recorded, and report them to the appropriate departments to handle those issues. Upon arriving at work and checking the files for the usual suspects, she discovered a record in the ministry files that she had not been expecting. This record however was way above her pay grade, however it definitely demanded immediate attention by none other than the Minister for Magic himself.
Taking the file up to level one of the Ministry, she makes her way to the Minister's office, and announces herself and intentions to the Secretary. After being let in to see the Minister Fudge asks "Well Miss Goodwin, what is it you have for me?"
"Minister, it seems that sometime during the evening or late in the day yesterday a new heir to the Ravenclaw Estate was named." Flo explained to the Minister.
"And this has what to do with Ministry and me?" Fudge asked starting to get impatient with being bothered with this issue.
"Well Minister, aside from being incredibly wealthy to the point of the obscene, this individual now owns a 33% share of Hogwarts Castle's Deed, and a 20% share of the Ministry Building's Deed. If that alone weren't enough, the individual in question also owns shares in almost every Wizarding Business in Britain that was founded between the years 900 and 1500 Anno Domini, which is to say the vast majority of them. Additionally according to the record, this individual is guaranteed the right to a position on both the Wizengamot, and the Hogwarts Board of Governors." Flo managed to get this explanation out without being interupted.
To say Fudge was exasperated was an understatement, that someone this powerful could just pop up overnight was baffling. Writing a note on a piece of paper and after asking for the record to be left with him, he dismissed Miss Goodwin. The note he wrote was to Madam Umbridge asking her to in no uncertain terms:
"Find out who the new Heir of Ravenclaw is, find out how this happened, and use the Goblin Liaison Offices to find out if this individual actually had legal claim to the Ravenclaw seat. Also find out if there is anyway to over turn this."
With that done Fudge sent off the Interoffice Memo.
After a puketastic ride on the Day Bus that is very reminiscent of the jarring ride that Harry had in his original Third Year on the Knight Bus, Harry is once again reminded of why he hates Wizarding ground transportation. He hasn't had to rely on it for several years but now that he finds himself in the past he is going to have to rely on this mode of transportation yet again.
Upon arriving at the Leaky Cauldron, Harry proceeds to mess up his hair even more than usual so that it is hanging over his eyes. This way it is more difficult for people to notice just who Harry is simply by scanning for his scar. Once inside Harry cautiously makes his way over to Tom, the Barkeep, "Hello, this is my first time here, I was wondering if you might be able to help me enter the Alley so that I can do my school shopping?"
Tom, was quick to notice that this young man didn't have any parents. He was also really good at judging people's appearances and easily recognized the young man as he so readily resembled his father at that age. "Yes Mr. Potter, I will assist you." Tom said in a barely audible whisper, realizing that the young man may not wish his presence known to the general public. With that Tom led the young man to the back of the Pub and opened the entrance to Diagon Alley for him. "Would you be requiring any assistance on this fine day Mr. Potter?"
"No, I think I can manage, thank you. Though I would like to request a room for a while when I get back from the Alley, if that is okay?" Harry asked the Barkeep.
"Of course Mr. Potter, it would be my pleasure to have you staying with us." Tom said with a genuine smile.
And with that Harry entered the Alley, destination Gringott's Wizarding Bank.
Once inside the bank, Harry made his way over to the Teller who he usually dealt with, one Griphook. "Hello sir, I was wondering if you could assist me? I am hoping to access my Trust Vault so that I can procure my School supplies for Hogwarts, and also so that I can obtain some lodgings in the Alley until School starts. Unfortunately I was not provided with my Key when the School provided me with my Hogwarts Letter."
The Goblin looked at Harry skeptically and held out it's hand saying "If I may see your Hogwart's Letter?"
Harry of course immediately supplied it to the Goblin who read it over before replying "Yes, everything seems in order Mr. Potter, however because you do not possess your Key, we will need some of your blood to perform an identity test so that we can issue you a new key. If you would follow me please." The Goblin then placed a position closed sign up, just as another Goblin had recently done, and led Harry to his personal office.
Upon reaching the Office the Goblin withdrew a small bowl, and a silver knife, he handed both to Harry, "If you would place three drops of your blood into the bowl, we can then proceed."
Harry did so, and watched as the bowl somehow reformed itself into a duplicate of his bank key. "Mr. Potter, this will allow you full access to your Trust Vault, which is numbered 687. It will also allow you access to your Mother's Vault, number 496. Do you wish to visit either of these Vaults today? You said something about getting some money for school supplies and accommodations, do you still wish that?"
"Yes, I was wondering Sir, if you could prepare for me a statement on the two Vaults I now have access to. I assume the Potter Estates will be withheld from me until I come of Age, but I am curious as to how much finances I have available to me at the current time."
"That is understandable, and easily answered. Your Mother's Vault has 4,866 Galleons and a little change in Sickles and Knuts left over. Your Trust Vault however, has approximately 50,000 Galleons, and is refilled to that sum each year. It is from this sum that your financial needs over the years until you reach majority are withdrawn from. This includes a 100 Galleon Fee paid out to your Legal Guardians for your upkeep, and the 2,650 Galleon Tuition you will be being charged for attending Hogwarts each year. Even with these deductions, you still will have plenty of money left over in the Trust Vault for extra-curricular spending of any sort you may desire." The Goblin explained to Harry.
"I see, would there be any way to put a hold on the money going to the Dursley's? They haven't exactly been spending that money on me all this time. I would wager their Son see's more of the money than I do." Harry asked
"This can be done, but only if your Magical Guardian agree's to it."
"And who would be my Magical Guardian?" Harry asked, dreading to know the answer.
"Due to the fact that your Godfather is in Azkaban these past many years, Albus Dumbledore has decreed himself your Magical Guardian."
"Ah, should have figured that." Harry said while nodding his head now that he comprehended the true role that Albus played in his life these past many years. "Well then, if you could get me down to see my Trust Vault, I will be on my way after that."
"Of course Mr. Potter, if you will follow me again," The Goblin took the lead to the Carts that took him down to the Vault.
Once back in Diagon Alley, Harry made his way around the Alley. Thanks to being able to have gone to the Alley earlier than anticipated, he managed to avoid the harrowing run in with Draco Malfoy this time around. The Weasley's weren't in sight either at this point in time. Perhaps they still hadn't gotten their Hogwarts Letters. Still, he had one stop that he was absolutely dreading. Though first he had to pick up an old friend.
Making his way to Eyelops Owl Emporium, Harry looked around for a little while before he found what he was looking for. There on a shelf in a rather humble looking cage, was the magnificent Snowy Owl who had become Harry's second friend in the Wizarding World, Hedwig. "Hello girl, how would you like to come home with me?" Harry asked the Owl who hooted in agreement with his request of her. That decided Harry picked up the cage and made his way up to the Store Front to pay for her.
With that accomplished, Harry decided that he couldn't put off the inevitable any longer, and made his way down to Olivander's Wand Shop. Upon entering the shop he went up to the store clerk's desk and rang the service bell.
"Ah. Mr. Potter, I had been wondering when I would be seeing you. It seems..."
"Sorry Mr. Olivander, but could we skip the pleasantries? I know it may not seem like a long time, but it has been ten years since my parents were brutally murdered in their own home, and I would rather not dwell on the fact if you don't mind." Harry cut the old man off.
Looking rather miffed, Olivander said "I suppose then you will be here for your Wand. Let us see what we can find for you." and the man began pulling boxes off of shelves.
Harry sighed, he really didn't want to do this, but at the same time he didn't want to reveal that he had future knowledge to this man of all people. So perhaps it is for the best that he played through the motions of letting a wand choose him.
Several wand trials later and Mr. Olivander said "I wonder. It would be odd, almost impossible, but with you nothing is impossible. Wait right here Mr. Potter..." and the old man went back to the very back of the shop and pulled a Wand down from the very top most shelf. Bringing it back to Harry he handed the wand to Harry who promptly waved it in the direction of the wand cases that they had already gone through. This had the effect of both sending the Wand cases falling to the floor, while simultaneously ejecting small sparks in a panoply of colors ranging the whole light spectrum.
"Ah, it is odd, that is the best wand I have ever made. Certainly unusual that you should be destined for it. It is made of Elder Wood, fifteen inches long, and has a Phoenix Feather Core.*" Olivander explained.
Harry blinked... then he blinked again. "Wait... what did you just say?"
"That this wand is made of Elder Wood, fifteen inches long, with a Phoenix Feather Core." Olivander said with an amused look on his face glad to see he was getting the reaction he thought he would get.
"You made a duplicate of the Elder Wand? With a different Core?" Harry asked a little nonplussed.
"Ah, you do know your Mythology then Mr. Potter. Yes, this wand is indeed a duplicate of the Elder Wand. No one should ever have been compatible with it unless they had won it in a manner similar to the original Elder Wand, which would have been impossible since the Wand has never been owned. Yet here we are, with you being compatible with this Wand without having had fought for it. I wonder how that is possible Mr. Potter?" Olivander asked.
"It's not. This wand shouldn't exist." Harry said rather ungratefully. Then he added "Should I expect the same problems to plague me with this Wand as plague the owners of the real Elder Wand?"
"I should hope not. Unless you make it known that this Wand is a duplicate of the Elder Wand and people get it in their head that this means that it holds the same kind of abilities as the Elder Wand, which it doesn't, not even close. Yes it will be a powerful Wand. But it is hardly unbeatable." Olivander explained.
"I would say that the Elder Wand is hardly unbeatable either seeing as how most of it's owners end up dead. I think the thing about the Elder Wand is that it is more powerful than any other Wand. But it doesn't help it's owners if they don't actually use it to defend themselves. Hence why people who've owned the Elder Wand have died messy and non-magical deaths over the history of the world." Harry continued for Olivander.
"You certainly are wise for your age Mr. Potter. Yes, the Elder Wand is little more than a piece of wood, if you don't have it in hand when someone attacks you. This wand will be similar in that regard. Though if I could say so, I imagine the Elder Wand would win any contests of strength between the two wands. That said, in a contest of strength between your Wand, and any other Wand, you would probably turn up the victor. Though with an especially learned opponent, such as the man who gave you that scar, it would come down to knowledge of spells, and not necessarily actual strength." Olivander told Harry.
"Thank you Mr. Olivander this has been extremely enlightening. Now, the only matter left would be to ask you how much I owe you for this magnificent wand?" Harry asked the older man.
"Ah, that, well as I had not been planning on ever selling this Wand. And since I think it will serve you better than most individuals. I will let you have it for my standard price of only seven galleons." Olivander explained.
Harry smiled at the man, and paid him his Seven Galleons. With this accomplished his final task in the Alley for the day had been completed. He returned to the Tavern and rented a room for the next 10 weeks until the start of term at Hogwarts. Staying here may be boring, but anything was better than staying with the Dursley's.
Back in Crawley at about the same time as Harry had arrived in Diagon Alley, Hermione was waking up and coming downstairs. Her Mum was in the Kitchen preparing breakfast for the day, her father however decided to go into work. Emma and Dan had agreed with Hermione that due to their recent discovery of them owning such a massive fortune, that there really wasn't any sense in the both of them working any longer, so Emma had opted to become a stay-at-home mother, at least until Hermione had made it to School for the first term. This allowed both Hermione and Emma to be home to hear the doorbell ring. Emma was the closest to the door and answered it.
"Hello, Mrs. Granger? My name is Roger Ulsteel. Gringotts hired me and my crew to put up some wards on this house at the request of your daughter. Is she home?" introduced a sandy-blond haired gentlemen who was in front of several other men, some of whom were dressed rather haphazardly.
"Yes, she is here. Hermione love, those people the Goblins hired are here." Emma called to her daughter.
Hermione came out to the front door, and stopped and stared. Standing just behind Mister Ulsteel was none other than Bill Weasley. Hermione wasn't sure just what to do in this situation. On the one hand she knew that at this point in her life she had yet to have been introduced to any of the Weasley's, much less Bill, yet at the same time... this was her husband's eldest brother she was thinking about. It was about this time that Hermione realized she was being spoken too.
"Earth to Hermione, come in Hermione, anything wrong dear?" Emma was asking.
"Wha? Oh, no, something just startled me is all. Hello, I am Hermione Granger, I understand you are here to do our Wards? I appreciate you taking the time to do this for us." Hermione stuck her hand out to Roger who shook it firmly.
"No problem ma'am, we will try to be quick about it, my boys are the best in the business. I understand you specifically requested the best Wards for a residence that we have available? Mind if I inquire why you requested such powerful wards?" Roger asked.
"Well, I was doing some reading on the history of the Magical World. And I discovered that some people in the Magical World may not appreciate that a Muggle Born is suddenly richer than the rest of them. Not to mention the fact that said Muggle Born is potentially more influential than the rest of them. I just thought it would be good to take a precaution to protect myself when I am not at School, and my family even when I am at School." Hermione explained.
At her statement Bill laughed and simply said "You have Malfoy and his lot pegged Miss Granger."
Hermione of course knew all about the Malfoy's. In fact it was the Malfoy's who she was primarily thinking about when she made her statement. Of course Hermione couldn't admit she knew who the Malfoy's were at this time and simply shrugged saying "I imagine so, but I would rather not make a target out of my family if I can help it."
Roger listened to all of this smiled and said "I understand perfectly what you are saying Miss Granger. I also happen to be a Muggle-born. Let's get to work guys. Miss Granger, Mrs. Granger, I require a bit of your Blood, and the blood of any person you want to have permanent access to your home." Emma smiled and went into the kitchen retrieving three small phials with samples of blood in them. Sometimes it paid to be in the Medical Professions. "Thank you Mrs. Granger. If you want to at a later date add any more people to the Warding Scheme on a permanent basis all you will need to do, is get a blood sample from them, and then sprinkle it on the central warding stone. You will then touch your wand to it, while saying the pass-phrase that you have chosen. I would like to ask you now what pass-phrase you would prefer?"
Hermione thought for a few minutes and then a ready made pass-phrase popped into her head, and she wasn't sure why she didn't think of it before, "Hugo's Rose." Hermione said.
Emma eyed her daughter in a funny way when she said the pass-phrase. Hugo was the name of Hermione's great-grandfather, and the Rose was one of Hermione's favorite flowers... But why use those as the House Wards pass-phrase?
"Alright, Hugo's Rose it is. Anyways, to add a temporary guest to the house wards, all you need to do is tap the central wardstone, say the pass-phrase, then the individual's full name, followed by the amount of time they are permitted access to the house in days. Easy right?" Roger explained a few more procedures and then joined his men in setting up the ward scheme.
After they had started Hermione went and sat down reading her new books. Meanwhile Emma watched the Tellie, idly wondering what prompted Hermione to choose that particular password. Hugo wasn't even really Hermione's favorite grandparent.
A couple hours later, and after the Warders had left, Hermione realized she had had a breakthrough in her research. She had discovered that certain Solar Events can influence the magical energies here on Earth. Hermione now had a way of narrowing down her search. She concluded that she could eliminate anything not pertaining to Stars and Star-Related Phenomena.
It took another two hours of searching, but Hermione finally managed to find a lead. She discovered that the most energetic of all Stellar Phenomena was the Gamma Ray Burst. Granted that no Gamma Ray Bursts within recorded history had occurred in the Milky Way Galaxy. However if anything could completely destroy not just the Wards in Diagon Alley but all the Wands as well, then it was this. There were no hard facts on what would happen if a Gamma Ray Burst hit the Earth, but several hypotheses suggested that it would cause an extinction scale event.
The only problem was that after checking the Magical Star Charts for the next few decades, there wasn't anything in them to suggest that a Gamma Ray Burst was going to happen anytime soon. And that was the kind of thing that the Magical World generally would have been able to predict. Hermione had reached a dead end at least until she reached Hogwarts and Harry had his cloak so that they could go into the Forest and talk to the Centaurs about this matter.
The rest of that day passed rather inconsequentially, however people at the Ministry were exceedingly busy. The next morning Cuthbert Mockridge, head of the Goblin Liaison office made his way into the Minister's Office, the bearer of bad news.
"Well Cuthbert, what did the Goblins say?" Fudge asked.
"It isn't good Minister, according to them the young lady knew exactly what to say to get the results she desired. She also had parental consent to have the inheritance test performed. As far as the Goblins are concerned, this young lady has rightfully inherited the Ravenclaw Estate, and there is nothing we can do to alter that decision," Cuthbert explained.
"For Merlin's sake. There is no bloody way I am going to just sit back and let some uppity Mudblood girl have a seat on the Wizengamot." Fudge complained to no one in particular.
"My apologies Minister, but with Gringotts backing her, this girl has enough money to make your life a living hell if she so wished it. You may not have any other choice but to give her the Wizengamot Seat." Cuthbert said for Fudge's benefit.
Fudge had to admit, if the girl had that kind of money, then she was at least a moderate threat to his regime. It was time to play the Publicity Card and hope that the Press took the bait. Perhaps he could get out of this with his body still attached to his head.
An hour later, after having called the Wizarding Press to the Ministry Atrium, Fudge looked out on his adoring public prepared to drop a statement on them that would either see him hanged, or see him hailed a hero.
"People of Wizarding Britain. It has come to my attention that after several centuries in flux, the Ravenclaw Estate has recently discovered a new Heiress."
Fudge allowed the audience the loud outcry as people demanded to know who this individual was. After a few minutes he silenced them so that he could continue. "I would like to extend to this heiress all courtesies due her by inviting her to the next Wizengamot Session at which point she will be sworn in to her new office. This session is scheduled to take place on Monday, September 2nd of this year. The Press of course will be invited to attend so as to meet the new Ravenclaw Heiress in person. I am sure they have many questions for her, as I do myself. That will be all." and with that Fudge turned to leave the Atrium.
Fudge wasn't the only one turning to leave the Atrium. Arthur Weasley had been listening in on the press conference and thought that Albus needed to know what transpired here, just in case his suspicions on the matter proved accurate. Arthur was many things, but stupid was not one of them. This clearly stank of a set up.
Arthur wasn't the only one thinking that Albus needed to be informed of matters happening outside of Hogwarts. The Barkeep of the Leaky Cauldron had just woken up, and realizing that he failed to do so last evening, went for his can of floo powder and called the Hogwarts Headmaster's Office, intent on informing the Headmaster about his latest guest.
"Thank you Tom. I will be certain to send someone to check up on the boy later today." Albus said to the fireplace, as Tom withdrew from it, having fulfilled his goal for the morning. Albus was at a loss to explain it. Harry was in Diagon Alley un-escorted by an adult or guardian. That he appears to have gotten his Hogwarts Letter relieved Albus, but at the same time for him to be away from the Dursley's and not in Hogwarts for such an extended period of time could have dire consequences for the lad. Albus would have to do something about this, but what was the question.
His musings were interrupted when the Gargoyle Sentries informed him that Arthur Weasley had spoken the password to his office and was nearly at the top of the stairs. When the door wards reacted to Arthur's hand pressing against the wards Albus said "Enter."
Arthur came in wearing a bemused expression, "Someday you are going to tell me how you always know when someone is at your door Albus."
"Ah, but then it wouldn't be a mystery to you any longer. Hello my friend, what can I do for you today?" Albus inquired of one of his long time friend.
"I don't know if you were listening to the wireless this morning, but the Minister held a press conference this morning. Apparently there is a new Heiress of the Ravenclaw Estate." Arthur said by way of explanation.
"Interesting. I could see this being problematic for the Minister. What happened at the Press Conference?" Albus asked.
"Ah that is the interesting part. Fudge claimed they were going to extend all courtesies to this Heiress, and invited her to take her appointed seat at the next Wizengamot Session."
Albus did not like where this was going "Did he manage to say when the next Wizengamot Session was?"
"September 2nd." Arthur said plainly.
"Then it would seem that this Ravenclaw Heiress is a Student at Hogwarts, and that Cornelius is making a play in hoping that the Board of Governors won't allow a Student to be missing from School on the first day of classes. A bold move, but problematic, because the Board of Governors are magically bound not to pass a vote regarding school matters unless all of their members are present at the time." Albus explained.
"What do you mean by that Albus?" Arthur asked, not following the old man's logic on this.
"Only that it has been the case since Hogwarts' founding that the Head of each of the Founders families bar Slytherin, be required to sit on the Board of Governors once they have inherited the title." Dumbledore explained.
"So if the Board of Governors tries to vote that this Heiress can't attend the Wizengamot meeting?"
"They will all lose their magic." Albus said clearly not amused. He was going to have to make absolutely certain that the Board of Governors did not start attempting to make foolish votes without the Ravenclaw Heiress present. That could prove disastrous for them, and he knew they would try if he did nothing, since they were all part of the Pureblood Elite.
Albus sighed he also had another matter to ask Arthur about "Arthur, it has come to my attention that young Harry Potter has managed to get himself a room at the Leaky Cauldron, and is there without a Guardian to care for him. I was wondering if you or your wife would be so kind as to check up on him for me?"
Arthur smiled at this, "Yes Albus, Molly and I would be happy to look in on the boy."
"Thank you Arthur, that is a relief for this old man. Allow me to walk you out." Albus said as he stood and led Arthur off the grounds.
Harry had holed up in his room in the Leaky Cauldron. He was spending an inordinate amount of time trying to retrace his first seven years of life in the Wizarding World. It was an ongoing process. However some things stood out to him as rather odd now that he actually had time to think about them.
One of the most peculiar things he had thought about was his first introduction to Mrs. Weasley. Here was a woman who was at the time 42 years of age, she had spent seven years of her life attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry herself, had conceivably also been present during the years that her brothers Fabian and Gideon Prewitt had attended, and who had been sending her own children to Hogwats for the past ten years. How is it conceivably possible for a woman who has spent this much time going to Kings Cross Station, to actually forget the Platform Number for Platform 9 and 3/4's?
And that was just the tip of the iceberg.
A hoot at the window informed Harry that Hedwig had returned. Harry had sent the Owl off to the Daily Prophet with a letter and five knuts requesting a copy of the Evening Prophet. She had just returned with said paper. Harry took it from her and sat down to read the paper, as he did so he received the shock of his life. There emblazoned on the front page was the headline "MINISTRY ANNOUNCES RAVENCLAW HEIRESS"
So Hermione had come back in time with him. Harry sat down and wrote out a quick note to Hermione explaining where he was, and what he had been up to since they had last spoken. He also asked her if she had figured out anything about what happened in the Alley that day. With the note written, Harry took it to Hedwig offered her an Owl Treat and tied the letter to her leg. "Girl, please take this to Hermione Granger. Don't let anyone but her read it." The Owl hooted in affirmation and flew out the window.
A/N*: I know that Olivander never created such a wand in the original timeline. I am making this allowance simply because there are going to be a few anomalous differences between this timeline and the original timeline simply because time travel was involved. They won't be anything too major on their own, but Harry having a different Wand is one that I wanted to include. The full ramifications of this decision will be explained at a later point in time.