Harry was nervous. No, he was frightened. The last time he set foot in Gringotts was when he, Ron and Hermione broke into the Lestranges' vault and fleeing with a dragon in tow. But he had no choice. The only place he stored his money was in one the vaults of this white stone building. Right now Harry Potter needs some money for school things, Teddy's things, and other things. But getting money wasn't the only reason why Harry stalling outside Gringotts. The other reason is the one making him nervous… frightened? A letter from Gringotts was sent to Grimmauld Place saying that Harry was bid to meet with the Chair of Treasury to discuss important matters. What important matters? Harry had no idea unless it was a one-way ticket to Azkaban for breaking into one of the most guarded vaults. But surely if prison time was called for he would have been in Azakaban now, right?
"Hey, Harry! Sorry I'm late." Bill just arrived. After receiving the letter, he consulted Bill if the redhead had any idea what it was about. To Harry's dismay, Bill didn't have a clue so he offered to go with Harry just in case. In case of what exactly? Again Harry didn't know.
"It's alright." Harry was a bit disappointed really that Bill couldn't have stretched more his slight tardiness. "So who's the Chair of Treasury, again?"
"That would be Northrup. He's actually friendlier than most goblins and that's a lot for me to say. Don't have to worry now. It did say Chair of Treasury and not Security." Bill gave Harry a reassuring pat on the back and led him to a corridor with several wooden doors amongst the marble interior of the place. They stopped at the far end door that held a sign "Chair of Treasury". Bill knocked twice.
"Come in." A rather croaky voice said from the other side of the door.
The two wizards entered a stuffy looking office with walls covered with ceiling-high drawers and shelves filled with books and different sizes of scales. The table at the far middle of the room was full of parchments and on the chair behind it was a rather overweight goblin with a shock of frizzy white hair, long bat-like ears and a much longer and pointed noise.
"Ah, Mr. Potter! Yes, I was expecting you. And, Mr. Weasley, so kind of you to accompany Mr. Potter but I assure you it's quite unnecessary. Sit down, sit down."
They sat.
"I hope my presence does not bother you, sir, however – er – unnecessary," Bill started.
"It doesn't. I only summoned Mr. Potter here today to simply discuss his additional inheritance." The goblin picked up one of the scrolls on his desk.
"Additional inheritance?" Harry asked baffled. As far as he knows he doesn't know anyone in the right mind who would bequeath him something.
"Yes. This meeting would have been scheduled sooner if not for the… pressing conditions last year and your undesirable status in the Ministry. You, Mr. Potter, would have been granted this," he held out the scroll he was holding to Harry, "shortly after your seventeenth birthday."
Harry took the scroll from Northrup. As he began unfolding it he discovered that there was more than one piece of parchment in it. Harry scanned briefly the different parchments, not quiet fully understanding what each one meant. Bill who was leaning over the documents gave a low whistle.
"What is it? What do these mean?" Harry asked to no one in particular, still scanning through the papers.
"Those are title deeds. A lot of it from looks of those documents." Bill said grinning widely.
"I don't understand. Who gave this to me?" Harry finally looked at the goblin that was giving him a pleasant smile as far as a goblin can go.
"In the wizarding world, real properties can be bequeathed in many different conditions. You, Mr. Potter, acquired Number Twelve Grimmauld Place through your godfather's will which was guarded by a centuries old yet powerful Allegiance Spell. Your parents' condition however explicitly stated that real properties would be given to you as soon as you are of age. You as of the moment, Mr. Potter, are a blessed owner of five different properties scattered around Britain and two I believe are outside the country. This includes the property in Godric's Hollow and a well-protected mansion in the south countryside which I believe is the official residence of the Potters, where your father once lived."
Harry was stunned and speechless. He didn't even notice Bill cheering a "Congratulations!"
"The Potter line is as old as the Blacks' and Malfoys' and equally as wealthy or even a little more so, if I may be frank. Your clan was a quiet lot, although a few members are known for… hmm… what you wizards call as blood traitors. Upon your grandparents' death your father inherited the titles when he got married but he had never fully enjoyed them due to the First War. The said properties are all well maintained under the Gringotts protective enchantments – except the one in Godric's Hollow whose damage would take longer to fix due to the use of Dark Magic."
The news was a far cry from getting chucked into Azakaban, therefore, the news was a good one. Harry never really cared about the wealth he had accumulated since he first knew of the substantial fortune his parents left for him. But to own something so important, something he can trace his roots from, the ancestral home of his father, was beyond Harry's interest of his deep pockets. This was a chance for him to discover things in the past – his past – that weren't gloomy after all.
"I just need you to sign some documents and you are free to go, Mr. Potter."
Diagon Alley was alive again. It was filled with people bustling from shop to shop, carrying wrapped parcels of different sizes and some caged animals. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny joined the crowd of consumers after paying George a short visit in famous Weasley joke shop.
After stocking their essential ingredients for Potions in the Apothecary, buying parchments, inks, and quills and purchasing some school books in Flourish and Blotts Harry and Ginny decided to visit Eeylops Owl Emporium while Hermione and Ron set off to the Magical Menagerie to buy supplies for their pets.
Now, Harry knew Hedwig would always have a special place in his heart. She was after all the only connection Harry had in the magical world where they both belong when he was stuck with the Dursleys for summer break. In a way of saying, she was not only Harry's pet messenger but also a loyal friend. But this was Harry's small gesture of moving on and he silently promised with a smile to Hedwig that he would not take an owl who couldn't deliver as good as she did.
The manager of the store was ever so pleased to have the Harry Potter in his store and led both Ginny and Harry to the most well-bred and beautiful owls, wasting no time to advertise their diligence. In the end, Harry easily picked the only snowy owl in the store. She was a quiet one compared to the other hooting creatures, she was slightly smaller than Hedwig but her eyes were in a lovely shade of lavender that made the black centers look sharper. Happy with his choice (Hedwig would approve, Harry thought) Harry got her a silver dome-shaped cage and some food and cleaning tools.
"What are you going to call her? Hedwig still?" Ginny asked while caressing the head of the owl with her finger.
"No. I think she deserves her own name. Why don't you name her?"
"Hmmm. Alright. Just give me some time."
They headed for the Magical Menagerie to find Hermione weighing cat food and Ron looking over some toads.
"Hermione thinks the beast is getting fatter." Ron said to Harry and Ginny.
"Well, he is. He hasn't got much exercise this summer except when he prowls around looking for more food." Hermione said.
The other three moved around the store while the bushy brunette continued to weigh food, thinking if she should get organic ones.
"Hey, Gin. Pick a pet." Harry said.
"What?"
"It's almost your birthday, right? Pick a pet." Harry said grinning. "I mean, I know you've lost Arnold…C'mon, just pick a pet."
"Oh, Harry! Really?"
"Yeah, sure."
When they left the store Hermione had a light stock of cat food (half of which were organic) and Ron got yellow ointment over one of his fingers that were stung by a poisonous toad. Ginny was extremely happy and proud with her choice of a beautiful sleek white cat with blue and green eyes that she named Lace. She named Harry's new owl Honor and the green-eyed boy thought it was perfect.
"So what did Gringotts want?" Ginny asked while taking a mouthful of strawberry cheesecake flavored ice cream.
After shopping for multiple things that morning they decided to take a break in Florean Frotescue's Ice Cream Parlour. The late Mr. Frotescue's son now managed the ice cream parlour. Mrs. Tonks dropped by so Teddy can spend time with his godfather while she shop with ease. Harry bought them their favorites and some baby yogurt for Teddy who sat on a high chair and was immensely enjoying the levitating spoon serving him.
"Just some signatures. Apparently, my parents left me some properties." Harry briefly explained to them what Northrup told him.
"Wow. That's amazing, Harry! Think about it, you can live anywhere you want," Hermione said.
"Yeah but I honestly don't know what to do with it all. I'm doing just fine in Grimmauld Place. Maybe visit the places and hopefully find out about my family history after Hogwarts," Harry replied quietly.
"That's great, mate. If you need any help, we're always here. We could even talk to Aunt Muriel. She's ancient, nosy as hell but has a knack of remembering people outside her own family. She probably knew your grandparents or someone from your family." Ron offered.
"Mhmm, Ron's right." Ginny seconded.
Teddy began to shift uncomfortably in his high chair. Apparently, his baby yogurt was long gone and the levitating spoon was feeding him nothing. The baby metamorphmagus managed to soil not only his bib, but based from the change of smell in the air, his nappy as well.
"I'll clean him up. C'mon, Teddy bear." Harry pulled his godson from the high chair and grabbed his baby bag.
"D'you need help?" Ginny asked.
"No, it's okay. I can manage." And Harry disappeared to the shop's lavatory.
"He's great with Teddy, isn't he? I've never seen Harry so…gentle." Hermione wondered out loud.
"Yeah, he might just smuggle the little tyke on our way to Hogwarts," Ron interjected mildly.
AN: A bit off canon with Ron and Harry going back to Hogwarts for their final year. The idea of Harry having a normal year in Hogwarts just simply gives me comfort and I always felt like he deserved one even though he was never meant to have one. Hence, the fic right? I hope you guys enjoyed this one. Thanks! ~ E