Disclaimer:
I own nothing and JKR owns anything HP related! I am not making any money of this! It's just for fun! Any characters I might add to the story are mine though. All the mistakes as well.
Please R&R
Chapter 3: New Surprises
Two weeks after their return from Australia, Harry, Ron and Ginny were living at the burrow while Hermione was staying with her parents also visiting daily. Ron worked at Weasleys Wizard Wheezes to help George who had reopened. While Ron liked it, he said he would return to Hogwarts and become an Auror but as that would not be for another few month he would help George at the shop. As they hadn't heard any news while in Australia they had been informed that Kingsley Shacklebolt was elected permanent Minister for Magic by the Wizengamot. Moreover Dolores Umbridge was taken into custody for the crimes she committed at Hogwarts and as Head of the Muggleborn Registration Committee. Her trial as well as the trials of the Death Eater that were captured would begin in early August probably last until September. Harry and Ginny even got to take their Apparition tests so they could apparate legally. Furthermore Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny attended a ceremony in Australia where they were awarded the Order of Bravery. Harry, Ron and Ginny were just eating Breakfast when 3 Owls appeared each bringing a letter for the Trio.
Dear Harry,
The Wizengamot and I finally set a date for the honoring service as well as announcing that you will become an Auror. The date will be July 4th at 10:30 AM in the Atrium. You will arrive via the Floo-Network from the Burrow straight to my Bureau. Furthermore the current Head of the Auror Office Gawain Robards would like to meet you, Ron and Neville after the ceremony. All details about your training will be decided then.
Yours Sincerely
Kingsley Shacklebolt
(Minister for Magic)
"So we have been invited to join the ministry and get another award."
"Yes my love."
"Oi stop it you two!"
Just then Arthur Weasley came into the kitchen.
"Good morning."
"Good morning." Echoed back
"Ah I see you got your letters. Yes Kingsley told me yesterday that he was going to sent them to you today. He can not wait for you to join the Ministry. He has got great plans."
"Yea in the end I am going to join the organisation I despised for a long time."
"Well now it is in the competent hands of Kingsley to lead the magical community. By the way Harry what is going to happen to Grimmauld Place? I don't mean that we don't want you here or so but we thought you would want to move to Grimmauld Place and keep Kreacher company."
"Yes I am going to return to Grimmauld Place I am probably going back there after the ceremony, or at least start making it worth living in."
"I will help you Harry."
"Hermione and I will surely help you too mate."
"Thanks it should be going fine then."
Hermione arrived just then and immediately agreed to help Harry. During the past two weeks and until they would meet with Kingsley Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron spent much of their time discussing what they experienced in Australia. They didn't know of any spell to blast a person away let alone three dark wizards at once who probably had a shield charm up and ready. They knew that powerful spells like the Unforgivable Curses can not be blocked but they had yet to experience another spell. Apparently that was one of them or it was just the sheer power of the spell.
"Well how did it happen what incarnation did you use?" Hermione asked
"I didn't use any, did you?" Ron answered?
"No I couldn't think of a spell to blast away three persons at once all I saw and could think of was that three dark wizards pointed their wands at Ginny and you and that I didn't know a single spell to counter that. I just screamed no and then I felt my power leaving my body it was almost like used every bit of strength and energy I had in this attack so I collapsed after it."
"Yea it was the same with me. I thought my life was about to end when I couldn't think of anything to do in order to protect you and Ginny. I felt lost almost like I was standing next to a Dementor. Only that I noticed everything that was going on and kept my mind. Next thing I knew was that I thought I would do anything in order for you to be safe and then I felt all my powers leave me."
"Well what you two mentioned is unheard of. I read every book on ancient magic I could get my hands on and there was nothing to describe what you experienced. Though it seems that your will put this magic into action. Before our journey I would have denied that but as we got to know how Harry and Voldemort were connected and how Harrys wand acted on its own and all we know about the quest I think it might be possible also highly unlikely." Hermione explained.
"Yea I think the only one who will know anything about this branch of magic is Dumbledore. I think we should try and see about our new found strength in secrecy and once school starts we can ask Dumbledore he even said he is going to teach us."
The next days until July 4th passed by without anything happening. The quartet was relaxing a lot at the pond and trying to figure out how to work their magic and the rest was working. Mrs. Tonks came by once with Teddy so that Harry and Ginny could play with him because he enjoyed playing with them.
On the morning of July 4th the whole Weasley Clan plus the Grangers were united at the Burrow and one after another they flooed to the Ministry. Kingsley Shacklebolt welcomed them all and they had to wait a few minutes for the Lovegoods and the Longbottoms to arrive. They were the only other people coming directly to the Ministers office. The other members of the D.A. who were to honoured would come to the Atrium. Once everyone arrived, the groups greeted each other and Kingsley led the way to the Atrium where everyone was seated close to a stage that was put up.
There was even some press but they were held back by some trusted ministry employees. The shattering died away as Kingsley entered the stage.
"Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen. Today we gathered here to honour the people who fought in the Battle of Hogwarts and left the Battlefield alive. All of those who fought in the Battle will be able to join the ministry as Aurors or any other position if they wish. Those who would have been in 7th year at Hogwarts but where unable to attend due to the circumstances at that time do not need to finish their education. I am afraid that those who are in 6th year have to finish their education. But anyone who fought will be allowed to do the Auror training program if they choose so. Now I think it is time begin the honouring service. I will call up your name and you come up here to receive your honour of course you don't have to if you don't want to.
Hannah Abbott please." Hannah was the first to be called and made her way to stand next to Kingsley who then began to read the record.
"For fighting the Death Eaters and other dark creatures and the Battle of Hogwarts on May 2nd as well as displaying bravery unknown to many people I hereby honour you with the Order of Merlin 2nd Class." The procedure repeated it self with the rest of the D.A. as well as the Order of the Phoenix and the inhabitants of Hogsmead. Fred, Tonks, Remus Lupin and Severus Snape as well as the other people who died in the Battle were awarded the Order of Merlin posthumous. The rest of the Weasley clan was awarded the Order of Merlin 2nd class as well. Only Molly and Arthur received the Order of Merlin 1st class. Arthur for is leading troops into the ground and engaging the Death Eaters in Battle before they could get to the school and Molly for defeating Bellatrix Lestrange. Only the quartet, Neville and Luna remained to be awarded.
"Next I would like Mr. Harry Potter, Mr. Ron Weasley, Mr Neville Longbottom, Ms Ginny Weasley, Ms Hermione Granger and Ms Luna Lovegood to come up to me. These 6 people did more to fight the Dark Arts than any Auror or anybody else ever did. In 1995 Mr Potter, Mr Weasley and Ms Granger founded a ragtag student group named Dumbledore's Army in order to learn practical skills on Defence against the Dark Arts. By this time the Ministry feared that Dumbledore was building an Army to take over the Ministry. In 1996 these 6 young men and women penetrated the ministry and fought several Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort himself at the Department of Mysteries and come out of it alive and hindered the quest of the Death Eaters. In 1997 before Albus Dumbledore died they fought in the Battle of the Astronomy Tower holding their own against several Death Eaters again. While Mr Potter, Mr Weasley and Ms Granger where on the run from Lord Voldemort and on a Quest set up by Albus Dumbledore in order to finish the Dark Lord they avoided caption for several month when many qualified wizards failed to do so. Once they were captured and brought to Malfoy Manor the Operating Base of Lord Voldemort and they again escaped severeal Death Eaters including Bellatrix Lestrange. When their quest led them to Hogwarts they did everything to fight of the Death Eaters and even fought several at once. In the end Mr Potter killed Tom Riddle and freed the wizarding world of a great evil.
During that period of time Mr Longbottom, Ms Weasley and Ms Lovegood took control of Dumbledore's Army and recruited more followers into their rank. Furthermore they openly defied Voldemorts Regime and even brook into the Headmasters study in order to retrieve Gryffindors Sword. They had to endure cruelties and even torture at the hands of the Death Eaters stationed at Hogwarts. Ms Lovegood was taken as a hostage in order to shut up her father but was later freed among others by Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The families of those mentioned were targeted as well and so they had to go into hiding but once the call to arms came they were the first to step up and fight and they did so with pride, bravery and determination defeating countless Death Eaters. Their display of magic, duelling skills and bravery in unequalled and thus I award them the Order of Merlin 1st class.
After the War here in Britain was over Mr Potter, Ms Granger, Ms Weasley and Mr Weasley went to Australia to return Ms Grangers parents to their rightful place here in Britain. In Australia they encountered 7 Dark Wizards at once and defeated all of them in mere minutes. Therefore they were awarded the Order of Bravery of Australia. Yet as I and other Heads of Departments as well as some well wisher from other Nations do not think that this is enough to contribute what these 6 people did we decided to create a New Order which is unlikely to be ever awarded again. These people did what wizards the like of Albus Dumbledore could not so I think it only right to award to them the Order of Heros. Now I know for a fact that at least Mr Potter does not like this term but there is just no other way describing what these young people did. If the Order of Heros would have existed for longer wizards and witches such as Merlin, the four founders of Hogwarts and Albus Dumbledore would certainly be members. They achieved what other could not. They have shown bravery, loyalty, determination, magical power, duelling skills and cool logic in times of need. I think it is safe to assume that without them the War might still be going on and more people would be murdered under Lord Voldemorts reign.
Furthermore Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom are three students who are going to take up my offer to join the Aurors after they finished their last school year at Hogwarts. My last Announcement for today is that May 2nd and 3rd will be National Holidays. On these days we shall remember those who died fighting for what was right."
After Harry, Neville, Ron, Ginny, Luna and Hermione were awarded with their honours they got a great applause yet smiling uncomfortably. After that some people of the Order and the D.A. such as Dennis Creevy or Minerva McGonagall came up and congratulated them telling them that their awards were well earned and that she herself promoted the idea of a new Order for them. The crowd was leaving some reporters in the lead who wanted to make sure that the honouring service made the front page tomorrow some staying behind to get some more details also the Aurors and Magical Law enforcement kept them at bay. Only the Weasleys and the Grangers were left along with Kingsley and Gawain Robards.
"Well everyone, you really did earn yourself these awards and I am sorry it was named the Order of Heros but we thought it described what you are the best. Anyways I would like to introduce you to Gawain Robards the Head of Auror Office."
"Thank you Minister. I am very pleased to meet you all especially you three as you want to become Aurors. Now for you schedule, as you are returning to Hogwarts to finish your education, which is quite honourable, I made arrangements that someone comes up to Hogwarts and test you on how fit you really are and we will arrange a program for you for after you finish school in order to pass you exam. Furthermore I would like to thank you personally for ending V-V-Voldemorts reign and the whole Auror office is in a right state that you want to join us."
"Thank you Mr Robards. We are honoured to join the Aurors Office and work with the best."
The three soon to be Aurors continued their small talk with Mr Robards for the next hour telling him about the stuff they did at school and even gave him a small insight to what they did while under Voldemorts reign. During that time the Weasley clan plus Hermione and Luna talked to Kingsley about politics and Hermione had a few interesting ideas that Kingsley wanted to ask his cabinet about. Later everybody left the ministry together and Neville and Luna flooed home while the Weasley clan plus Harry and Hermione apparated to the Burrow.
"Well that was an interesting day. Mum when are you going to make some food?" Ron asked his mother.
"Oh Ron why is it you always eat so much you just ate before we left for the Ministry and only because you are 6'6'' doesn't mean you can eat for 6 people."
"Well I am a growing boy I need my food."
"Yea right."
"Don't worry Ronniekins, I am going to make some lunch. Are you all sticking around for lunch and supper at 6 tonight?"
"Yes" Everyone answered simultaneous.
"Good I am going to do some cooking then."
"Can we help you in anyway Mrs Weasley?"
"No my dears just sit here and have some talk if I shall need any help I will give you a shout."
"You know Mrs Weasley you can always ask Kreacher for help."
"Are you sure? I mean you said he changed so I am going to take your word for it."
"KREACHER"
"Yes Master Harry sir. You has called Kreacher."
"Yes Kreacher. How are you? Is everything alright at Grimmauld place?"
"Yes master, Kreacher looks after your house master. It is the noble House of Black Kreacher looks after it. And Kreacher is fine Master, Thank you."
"Now Kreacher would you mind to help Mrs Weasley prepare some lunch and dinner for 11 people?"
"Ahh make that 13. Lee and Verity are coming over and they might stay for dinner. We want to discuss something for the Joke shop. You are all welcomed but it's mandatory for you Ronnie as you work at the Shop."
"Alright. Would you help Mrs Weasley prepare food for 13 people?"
"Of course Master Harry. Kreacher will help Mistress Weasley."
"Thank you Kreacher."
With that Kreacher and Mrs Weasley made some lunch while the others retreated to the living room and asked Fred about the expansion he and Ron were planning. They said that they are not sure yet but they want to buy the Zonkos branch in Hogsmead if Hogwarts reopens in the fall.
After lunch the quartet left the house and went to their favourite place near the pond of the Burrow. They talked about the honours they received and they admitted to Harry that now they knew how he felt.
In the meantime Mr and Mrs Weasley and Mr and Mrs Granger were talking about their children. As the Grangers were not magical they didn't really understand much about the magical world and what their daughter had achieved. Yet as this was their daughters world and they still wanted to be part in her live they had to understand so who better to ask then their daughters boyfriends parents whom they were friends with.
"Arthur, Molly what was all this about. I mean we knew that Hermione was to be honoured and she kind of explained that she was awarded the highest honour in magical Britain and that we could compare it to the Georges Cross the highest honour of bravery in muggle Britain but the way the people acted today was different. First we alone were greeted by your Minister then the whole public becomes silent the second they see us. Everyone treated our children like they were royalty like they were gods. We understood that they did some amazing things but still what is it all about? There were others like you who were awarded the same and what was it about the creation of a new Order?"
"Paul, Susanne. What you have to understand is that Hermione along with Harry and Ron did things many people did not even think of doing. We were in utter Terror. Voldemort and his Death Eaters murdered and terrorized us as they pleased and we couldn't do anything about it. Every resistance was broken. The Order of the Phoenix which was designed to fight Voldemort by Dumbledore was useless. We lost all influence and people were frightened. Voldemort was more powerful then ever before and with the death of Albus Dumbledore the people lost hope. Only few people namely Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Luna defied them openly. Harry has been a national hero since the day he was one year old and first freed the world of Voldemort. They managed to stay hidden and survive while more experienced and frankly more powerful wizards did not. With Harry killing Lord Voldemort he became god like. It is unheard of that a 17 year old killed a dark wizard as powerful as Lord Voldemort when Albus Dumbledore could not. Your daughter is called the smartest witch of her age and there is not a spell she can not manage. All of their magical abilities and skills is what makes people respect them. With the age of 15 Harry Potter led a ragtag group of students, 6 of them fought off Voldemort after only some month of training where our law enforcements who did this for the better part of their lives died trying. Their power is unequalled and they are internationally known. By now the whole world knows their names and they are saviours to all. This knowledge of the things they achieved makes the people respect them. They are simply awed. It is not like they asked for any of this it just happened to them they chose to do what is right and fought for what they believed in. They stood up and took up the fight when other already thought the war was lost."
"We never knew." Mrs Weasley and Mr Weasley continued to tell the Grangers a lot about the magical world and their children.
By 4pm Verity and Lee arrived and everybody listened to what to expect of WWW.
At 6pm Molly and Kreacher were done with the dinner and everyone thanked them for a wonderful und delicious dinner.
Two weeks into July Harry received an Owl in the morning and was wondered as it wasn't a ministry owl and neither did Ron, Ginny or Hermione received one. Everyone was curious about the letter the Owl delivered. Harry opened and the read the letter out aloud.
Dear Mr Potter
We would like to invite to Gringotts to discuss matters regarding the events of may 2nd this year as well as your engagement to us. Furthermore please bring Mr Ronald Weasley and Ms Hermione Granger with you as well. The date for this visit would the 31st July at 1:00 PM. While this is a matter of confidentiality you can bring along whoever you want.
Yours sincerely
Knobbelphok
(Head Goblin)
Everybody in the Burrows kitchen was quiet and all pondered over what was written for a few seconds before Ginny spoke up.
"I think you should show this letter to Bill and he should at least accompany you there."
"Yea I think that is a good idea Harry but you showed also tell Bill what happened when we broke into Gringotts."
"But why are they asking for my appearance and what about our engagement?"
"Well Harry while you are of age with 17 in the magical world you are of age with 18 when it comes to Gringotts. Before you were able to withdraw a certain amount of money but now with 18 you can withdraw everything and open your own account or close your old or whatever."
"I would say you should just wait and see what Bill has to say he will know what to do" Molly concluded.
So they all waited for Bill and showed him the letter. He said that he had heard about it at work and that Harry, Ron and Hermione were to be placed in a Goblin court and questioned about the events of may 2nd. Before he could say anything more Molly was in a right stated and fussed over it until Ginny and Hermione clamed her down and Bill continued explaining that they would not do anything against Harry, Ron and Hermione because they are too prominent. Still Molly informed the Order and Kingsley so that people knew.
The next 2 weeks the quartet spent all their spare time by the pond which wasn't much as Ron was helping George with the expansion idea and Hermione prepared a defence for themselves. It was decided that the whole Weasley clan would go with them so that the Goblins wouldn't try to do anything stupid.
On the 31st of July the Weasleys and Hermione left for Diagon Alley to do the shopping for school as well as to attend the "hearing" at Gringotts.
Once in Diagon Alley they were left alone because no one knew they would be going today and it was rather early and the shop they sought out where honoured by their presence and wouldn't betray them. Thus they went to Madam Malkin's, Flourish and Blotts, Potage's Cauldron Shop and Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. After all the shopping for school was done the bought goods were banished to the Burrow so that they could all go to Gringotts.
As soon as they entered they were approached by 4 Goblins and brought to a chamber full of Goblins as well as Griphook. The meeting was opened when one Goblin on the highest bench stood up and looked down upon the wizards and witches in front of him.
"Welcome Mr Potter, Mr Weasley and Ms Granger. My name is Knobbelphok. I can see that you brought several friends of yours and thus I will remind you that the following is a matter of utmost confidentiality and it is your choice of whom of your friends you will let it hear."
"I will let of friends hear what is being said here because I would tell them later any way."
"Very well. First things first. You are accused of theft from Gringotts and a Goblin. This is a hearing to decide what to do with your actions and how to view them."
"I knew it. Harry they can't do this to us! If this is a court they have to inform the Wizengamot and plead their case in front of them! They can't hold us here Harry!" Hermione said while her hand was in her pocket and undoubtedly wrapped around her wand. The Weasley were in the same mood but Harry was calm and his answer was most shocking to all of the Weasleys as it was an answer people would expect from Dumbledore.
"Do proceed please. I would like to get this over with and if you doom me guilty then I shall submit to your final sentence IF I do think that you did this the right way. Believe me I will know if you try to fool me and I will not let myself or my family be toyed with!"
"Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, Ms Grnager on the day of May 2nd you entered Gringotts with the intend to steal from us although you knew that we do not tolerate theft. Correct?"
"Yes"
"And you did in fact steal from the Lestrange Vault. Correct?"
"Yes"
"So you are guilty and we can….."
"That is enough Booblephok. I am in charge here as you all elected me to deal with this. You are the Jury but I am the Judge!"
"Explain yourself. Why did you commit these acts."
"We knew that Tom Riddle had some very valuable objects in the Lestrange Vault that were need to expose of him. We didn't want to break into Gringgots but at that point in time we had no other option. We couldn't just walk in here and ask for the object thus we had to break in and get it by force. The object we took was not to gain wealth but to rid the world of Tom Riddle and it was crucial. Without it we would not be talking right now. Most likely we would be dead and you would be slaves to Riddle forever." Harry finished their defence.
"I see. Your are next charged with treason and theft from a Goblin namely Griphook over there. He explained that he struck a deal with you. For helping you break into Gringotts he would get Gryffindors Sword in return. Correct?"
"Yes" they answered in unison again.
"But Griphook claims that you didn't keep end of the bargain and after he had the sword for a few hours it disappeared. Summoned away from him by a wizard. How do you explain this."
"I think I know how this happened." Hermione spoke up. "The sword of Gryffindor belonged to Godric Gryyfindor and th…."
"How dare you? Gryffindor's sword was master piece of Goblin forgery it belongs to the Goblins not Gryffindor." Another Goblin spoke up enraged.
"And thus the sword belonged to Hogwarts. Harry was the first person to retrieve it years ago. It was lost for centuries before that. This was the first sign that it would follow the call of a true Gryffindor. At the Battle of Hogwarts Neville Longbottom a friend of ours was forced to wear the burning Sorting Hat. Apparently his thoughts were those of a true Gryffindor that the magic called upon the sword to return to a Gryffindor in need. Thus I assume that Gryffindors Sword while forged by Goblins was a gift or indeed possession of Gryffindor and thus does not belong to the Goblins and thus could be summoned away by the Sorting Hat." Hermione finished.
Some Goblins looked ravenous but before anything more could be said Knobbelphok spoke up again.
"Very well. Your story certainly has its point. Those in favour of sentencing these wizards and witch guilty raise your hands."
1/3 of the present Goblins raised their hands.
"Those in favour of freeing these people off all charges."
More than half of the Goblins raised their hands. And Knobbelphok spook up.
"I decide that you are innocent and free of charge. Now that the unpleasant circumstances are no longer we need to talk about your engagement to us Mr Potter. This is the matter of confidentiality but you said that you are okay with them hearing it and so be it. The rest. Dismissed!"
Only 6 Goblins remained and they seemed to be the leaders what Bill confirmed when he whispered it to his family that usually they are never united like this.
"Now Mr Potter may I introduce the Governing Board of Gringotts. We are all thankful for your banishing of You-Know-Who but let us return to business. As you might know with 18 years of age you are now in complete control of your finances. Furthermore you will now have access to all your vaults."
"But I already have access to the Vault of my parents and Sirius Black!"
"That is true although Mr Blacks vault was placed into your own. It was your vault and not your parents vault. Now you have access to your parents vault as well as the Black family vault. Furthermore due to you being the Heir of Sirius Blacks vault you now although have access to the Lestrange vault as the closest living relative of the Lestrange, a Mrs Andromeda Tonks, is stated to not be allowed to inherit the vault. Because of prosecution against the Malfoy family they can not claim the Lestrange Vault. Thus the vault would go to Sirius Black who named you his heir. Yet another vault you inherit is Albus Dumbledores vault. While you weren't placed in his will he gave orders to the goblins on how to act with his vault if he dies. Moreover he gave us a letter to hand to you once you were 18 years and he is dead. There you go. Your vaults now are your own vault 687, the Black family vault 710, Dumbledores vault 623, the Lestrange vault 711 and last but not least your parents vault 850. As the Potters, the Blacks, the Lestrange and the Dumbledores are all old Pureblood family with reasonable wealth it is safe to assume that probably now you are the wealthiest wizard alive in Britain."
"How much would my total would that be and how much is all the vaults alone?"
"Your own vault ads up to 1.256.782 galleons, 3.425.324 sickles and 37.345.634 knuts. The Black family vault has about 10.009.104 galleons, 2.032.468 sickles and 57.436.534 knuts. The Lestrange vault contains 15.658.762 galleons, 1.234.235 sickle and 23.423.423 knuts. The Dumbledore vault contains 1.121.231 galleons, 3.342.422 sickles and 25.435.224 knuts. Last your families vault contains 25.956.324 galleons 832.432 sickles and 443.534.663 knuts.
So your total ads up to well over 100.000.000 galleons."
"And how much would that be in muggle money?" Hermione asked curiously
"At the current course it would be about British pounds"
"But that is not all furthermore you are the owner of about 7 estates as well as the respective houses of all these people. That would be about another 100.000.000 galleons. Most prominent among those estates would be the 20 acres huge land in Windsor next to your royal majesty. The other estates are all over Britain. 2 more in England. 2 in Scotland, 1 in Wales and 1 in Ireland."
Everyone was shocked at how wealthy Harry was, now that he was off age to handle his finance. After a few minutes Knobbelphok spoke up again.
"Of course you are also earning interest on your investment here in Gringotts. Do you have any immediate wishes as to how to deal with your wealth?"
"Ye… Ye… Yes I do. I would like to set up an account for my friend Hermione Granger. Furthermore I would like my own vault to be split equally among those of my friends present here. Next I would like ¼ of the money in the Black vault put into Andromeda Tonks vault and another ¼ into the account I would like to create for Ted Remus Lupin. The rest of the Black Vaul should be separated equally by those present as well. Moreover I would like to engrave Ginnerva Molly Weasley to be able to access all of my vaults and have all the transaction rights that I have. That is all I can think of for the moment."
"Very We….."
"No Harry absolutely not you do not need to spend this much money on our family." Molly said and Hermione argued.
"Harry my parents are dentist they are rather well off themselves. You do not have to do this."
"I know I know but I want to do it. You have been everything to me. Molly Arthur you have been like the parents I never came to know. Hermione you are the sister I never had. Ron you were my brother and stood by my side when I needed you the most and we have been like brothers from the beginning. George, Charlie, Bill, Fleur you also always stood by my side and fought for me. You risked your lives and defied Voldemort and helped me finish him when you had no obligation. Percy. You came to your senses when you were most needed and I know how hard it most have been for you but you too stood by me when I needed help the most. And Ginny my sweet Ginny you are my everything. You are the reason I am alive today. Without you my live would be pointless. I love you more than anything and I know that I want to spend the rest of my live with you. You all were the first family I ever came to know and love. You made sacrifices for yourself on my behalf and I am truly sorry for that and I really want to do that to help you all."
Everyone was touched by Harrys speech and all were crying as one after another they went to hug Harry, thank him and told him that they appreciated the gift Harry gave them. Last Ginny walked up to Harry with tears in her eyes and kissed him with a passion that could be seen and felt by everyone in the room. It was true love and for the time of this kiss Harry and Ginny were illuminated by a white light that shone brighter than anything else and radiated more love and warmth than anything ever experienced before. After they broke apart they just hugged each other and told the other that they loved them. Still they hadn't noticed what had just happened seconds before they broke apart. The Weasleys, Hermione and the Goblins however had and were flabbergasted.
"Man what was that?" Ron asked awed.
"What was what man?"
"You and Ginny were like glow worms. I don't know you were surrounded by that white light and I don't know I cannot describe it." Ron stumbled and everyone agreed.
After that they returned to Diagon Alley and went to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour for nice treat. They spend the rest of the day just roaming Diagon Alley and after they returned to the Burrow Hermione led Harry, Ron and Ginny away from everyone else before dinner. They went down to the pond were Hermione started to cast secretive spells around them so they could talk freely.
"Hermione what are you doing that for. No one ever bothers us here." Ron complained
"I know but there are certain things that should be kept quiet such as what happened today in Gringotts. I don't know what it was that we felt and saw and that you were the cause off. I think it has something to do with our Bond and it is another thing we should ask Dumbledore about."
"You are right and now that you mentioned it I haven't read the letter yet."
Harry searched his pockets and when he found the letter he opened and read it aloud to the others.
Dear Harry and most likely Ronald, Hermione and Ginerva
As you are reading this letter a situation appeared that I thought likely of happening. I got killed by Severus but in return you finished Voldemort. I knew you could do it. I assume right now you are also the Master of Death, the Owner of all three Hallows. I know that you will go about it wisely because only those who do not fear death and accept that death is the next step in life can be the true master of the Hallows.
Now about the situation I foresaw. You all are about to become the Masters of Life. There are no objects necessary that you have to find and posses. It is more about who you are and what you stand for. By now I assume Harry and Ginny and Ron and Hermione are mates. Literally you are soul mates, bonded to each other by a magic more powerful than anything else. You are bonded by Love. This Love will make you the Masters of Life. As the Masters of Live you will see a joy and enjoy your life to its fullest possibilities. But because it is such a powerful branch of magic that little to nothing is known about I would like to ask you to go my Portrait in Hogwarts. I will try and explain to you what I found out about this magic and how you can control it from my studies. I am afraid but I think you will be first ones since Merlin himself. Furthermore you will find some interesting notes and artefacts in my Vault that you might find useful in your later lives and that can help you discover and understand your true power.
I expect great things of you and I know that you will do good. I am very proud of all of you for the sacrifices you all had to make at such a young age. I wish I could tell you in person that you are by far the best and bravest wizards and witches I have ever met.
Yours faithfully
Albus Dumbledore
(Should you be reading this Tom, than I am afraid this world is doomed but I will give you a warning Tom. People will stand up and sometime even you will find your Master!)
The quartet was speechless after they read the letter and Hermione was the first to speak up again.
"Well I thin Harry should make a trip to Dumbledores vault and see what he finds there"
"No. WE should make a trip to Dumbledores vault. This includes you as much as it does me."
They decided that they would go the next day and the other Weasleys. Because they didn't say why they were going alone to Diagon Alley Molly was having a fit about it and informe the Order and the Ministry about these plans. Hagrid agreed to function as a guard and George and Lee Jordan would accompany them to the joke shop.
The next day Harry was the first to enter Gringotts again. He went to a free goblin and asked to be showed the Vault of Albus Dumbledore. The goblin immediately did as Harry asked and after a few minutes the quartet was once again under the earth and on their way to Dumbledores Vault.
When they arrived the goblin spoke up.
"I shall wait here Mr Potter. Once you are inside, the doors will close and only I will be able to open them from the outside. Although as this is now your vault you might be able to open it from the inside just in case I will wait here."
"Thank you. I hope we won't be long"
With these words the quartet went into Dumbledores Vault. It was a huge vault and although there weren't much Galleons that took away the room it were other things. A library of amazing books caught Hermione's eyes and instruments like the Deluminator that Ron owned. Harry took Ginny's hand and went to investigate the instruments a little more but as he passed one the instrument let up in white light and radiated the light and warmth through the room. When Hermione and Ron noticed it they stepped closer to Harry and Ginny and told them that this was what they had seen and felt the other day in Gringotts when Harry and Ginny kissed. The second that Ron and Hermione holding hands appeared next to Harry and Ginny the Light grew brighter and more intensive.
They were surrounded by the white light and suddenly nothing else mattered but love. Unending, irrevocable and unwavering love and loyalty to those that were in this very room. When Harry and Hermione began holding hands as well as Ron and Ginny making a circle around the object they too started shining and emitting the white light and they felt warmth and power being pumped through their veins with every heart beat. And all their hearts were beating in unison as if showing that they all belonged together. It was the most amazing feeling that they ever felt and Hermione, being the logical one was the first to speak.
"What is that. It feels like the first time I have been holding my wand. It feels like magic is running in my veins and this….this….. this… light it feels so natural. And….and this instrument I mean we didn't do anything yet it acted on its own accord."
"I know what you mean Hermione. It is an amazing feeling. Maybe we should take this object and take it with us to Dumbledore." Harry concluded
"Yes Harry you're right and I will take some of these books they are amazing and I think I found some notes on the subject of Love magic."
With this the four friends broke their circle and left the Vault and Gringotts and made their way to back to the Burrow. They contemplated the knowledge and surprises they had encountered in the last two days. Hogwarts was going to be very interesting. That was for sure.