Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter. Nor am I making any profit from this story.

"Speaking"

Thoughts

'Telepathy'

"Spells"

"Foreign Languages"

§Parseltongue§

August 7th, 2003

I don't know what happened the night after I visited St. Mungo's. I was looking out the window and saw a family walking down the Alley. It suddenly hit me then what I had lost. My mom and dad. My brothers and sisters, my cousins, my Aunts and Uncles. Even my friends were gone. Everyone and everything I had ever loved was gone. I'm glad that my room was silenced as I ranted and raved; cried and wrecked the place. I was angry, sad, furious and despondent. I grabbed a bottle of Firewhiskey I had smuggled out of my family vault and got drunk before I passed out. It was that night that I found out how I arrived in Harry's body and this world.

~Dream Sequence~

It was emotions that hit me first. Hunger. Humor. Anger. Amusement.

An image became clear. I was somehow floating over the body of Harry Potter. Somehow I was seeing inside of him. Two, what I somehow knew, to be souls were fighting for dominance inside of Harry's body. The soul of Harry James Potter and the soul piece of Lord Voldemort. Both soul's were taking damage.

At last the last of that man's Line was dying.

Reaching out the Entity gripped the two damaged souls. Tom Marvolo Riddle's came easily. It was not supposed to be in that vessel anyway. However, Harry's fought. It did not want to die.

Amusement. Irritation.

Nobody denied the Entity it's due. The soul fought and snapped back into the body leaving some of it's shredded remains on the Entity's "hand". Reaching out and pulling harder the entity would have scowled if it could have as golden tendrils wrapped around Harry's Potter's soul. The Entity hissed.

Harry James Potter is needed!

Growling the Entity tried to pull harder only for the golden power to lash out at it.

Fix him.

Groaning the Entity turned it's vision "outwards". All around vaporous clouds flew by it, on the way to their final destination. Moving faster than anything mortal could have it latched onto a cloud that, felt like me? It was weird I could tell that the soul in the Entity's grasp was my soul. Taking my soul it pushed it against the remaining soul of Harry Potter, smoothing the jagged edges and making it whole. Shoving the now whole soul inside of the body it started going into convulsions.

~Dream End~

I believe that entity to be Death. The way it saw and interacted with souls has convinced me. I had died and my soul was combined with Harry Potter. Am I still Peregrine Gracewood? Or am I Harry Potter? A mix of the two? Or someone completely new? I'm not sure anymore and I'm not sure how to answer these questions in the first place.

August 12th, 2003

I yawned as I woke up. I was no longer using the room I had rented at the Leaky Cauldron. I was instead, sleeping inside of my trunk apartment. The bed was even more comfortable and nobody had ever slept in it before.

I had spent the days since I left St. Mungo's mostly inside of my room. More specifically, my trunk. The most important thing I have been doing is practicing my magic. Harry's memories showed that this body was capable of magic but nothing can describe working your first spell consciously. I was laughing and dancing wildly even though it was only a first year spell. I could do magic, actual magic. It wasn't just memories anymore. It was one of my fondest dreams come true.

I was slowly working my way through the first couple of years of practical magic while also reading up on the theory. As dry as it was at times I knew that theory could be very important. Besides, they were spell books! Already from what I read I was able to gain better control over my magic so I had more to use. I don't think having and being able to use magic will ever grow old. How can it when new innovations are just waiting to be discovered? I have also been practicing my Metamorph powers as well with Shaotan's help. So far I had learned to lengthen and harden my nails, hair and changing the color of my hair.

Working on Occlumency at night was helping me too. I didn't just want to rely upon my ring to protect me and I didn't want to miss out on the benefits of Occlumency. My memories of this new life were become clearer, crisper and more real as I worked my way through my books. I also made sure that I could recall my old life as Perry as well. I didn't want to lose who I was in this new life. Occlumency helped with mental recall, controlling your emotions, guard your memories from other and to protect against other mental magic like the Obliviation Charm or the allure of Veela or Vampires. It also tended to have the effect of lessening the amount of sleep you needed to feel rested. It was also a prelude into Leglimency.

'Good morning Shaotan.' I greeted my familiar as I stepped out of my bed.

'Good morning Perry.' Shaotan replied.

The shapeshifter, in the shape of a cat, rubbed itself against my leg before walking out of the trunk. We had spent some of our time getting to know one another better. We even shared memories with one another. Shaotan had been to many places and was happy to share the memories of it's adventures. I had never really gotten to travel the world like I wanted to and experiencing Shaotan's memories was like I was actually there.

As I was ordering myself breakfast I mentally planned out what I was going to do today. I had receive notification the night before from my lawyers that my emancipation had gone through. Something that I was very happy about. While I was a teenager in body I was an adult in mind and I had no desire for others to be able to tell me what to do.

I had plenty of things I needed to do today and in the coming days. I needed to visit Gringotts to speak with Rosgaw. I planned on finding some place for me to stay or the summers and any holidays. I don't think I will be staying at Hogwarts for the holidays. I most likely will need some time away.

Walking into my bathroom I quickly stripped down and put my pajamas in the clothes hamper where they would be cleaned and pressed. Stepping into the shower I grinned as it's double heads pounded down on me. I was currently using the shampoo Harry used but I planned to find something I liked better later when I went into the non-magical world. Stepping out of the shower I picked up my wand.

"Tombrio." I cast causing a warm breeze to envelope me. Almost instantly my body was dry, including my hair. It was a lot better than having to dry by hand with a towel. It even got in between my toes. Grinning I quickly got dressed before trying to make my hair less like a bird's nest. I wasn't very successful until I concentrated and my grew slightly. I added a bit of a wave which allowed it to flatten slightly.

"Serare." I chanted, aiming my wand at my mouth and moving my wand in a full, clockwise circle. With a flash my mouth and tongue felt like they were being massaged. Grinning with my teeth on display I saw that my mouth and teeth were clean. The charm even left a minty aftertaste. Easier and less messy than using a tooth brush. Though I admit the massaging feeling took a bit of getting used to. I loved some of the House Hold Charms I had learned.

I had transferred the contents of my old trunk over to my new one, throwing away several items. It was through my search that I found the diary horcrux, or at least it's remains. Even with my inexperienced senses I could sense a taint still clinging to it. Remembering some fanfictions I had read I had gone out and bought a silk bag that had been used before to store dangerous artifacts and other horcruxes.

"Welcome Mr. Potter and congratulations on gaining your Emancipation." Rosgaw grinned. "Now perhaps we can begin making profit together."

"I hope so too." I replied before I turned to Ted Tonks. "Thank you for getting my Emancipation pushed through and be sure to thank your colleges too if you will."

Ted nodded and smiled as I reached out and shook his hand.

"Of course I will." He said. "Now let's start with the assets available to your House."

Rosgaw nodded approvingly.

"First off your vaults with the this institution." Rosgaw told me. "You know the balance of your trust vault. The Potter Family Vault holds the liquid capital of three million four hundred and sixty-seven thousand, nine hundred and sixty-seven galleons. The heirlooms in the Potter Family Vault are estimated to have a value of two hundred seventy-two thousand and one hundred and eight galleons."

I was frankly shocked. I knew the exchange rate to pounds and dollars. As an American I calculated my worth in dollars. I was a millionaire many time over. Taking a deep drink of water I shook off my shock, even gave myself a little smack causing Ted to snort.

"What about property?" I asked.

Ted handed me a sheet of parchment with a list.

"Your family used to own a cottage in Godric's Hallow where your family was attacked." Ted informed him. "The Ministry tried seizing the house as a national monument but were stopped by Dumbledore. They ended up paying House Potter twenty-three thousand, eight hundred and nine galleons, eight sickles and eight knuts for the property. Nearly twice what it was actually worth."

Well at least Dumbledore in this world seems willing to fight for Harry Potter and his rights. Turning back to the page I continued reading.

Personal

Cottage- 352 Hind Ln, Hogsmeade

Potter Manor-The Kiln- Wales- Unplottable

Potter Town House- London, England

Potter Apartments- London, England

Potter Farms

Potter Livery

Potteur Castle- Scotland- Unplottable

Villa- France

Villa- Greece, Private Island

House- Sydney, Australia- Unplottable

Potter Reserve- Queensland Australia

#29-A Erith Alley- Apartment

Professional

#12 Diagon Alley- Currently Wilker's Apothecary

#26 Diagon Alley- Currently Madam Malkin's Fine Robes For All Occasions

#17 Diagon Alley- Currently Quality Quidditch Supplies

#19 & 20 Margus Alley- Currently Mitchel's Elves and Exotic Pets

#7 Horizon Alley- Potter Grocers

#34 Hogsmeade- Potter Grocers

#13 Scvoy- Cardiff, Wales- Potter Grocers

"Do I own these business?" I asked.

"No." Ted answered. "You own the buildings and rent to the business owners and earn a percentage of the profits. The last three are owned by your family and are used to sell products produced my your families farms and livery."

Potter Investments

Madam Malkin's Fine Robes For All Occasions- 25% Stake

Mitchel's Elves and Exotic Pets- 45% Stake

Quality Quidditch Supplies- 35% Stake

Griserro's Fine Clothiers- 40% Stake

Daily Prophet- 15%

Kind of slim. I thought.

"Can you look into The Herald?" I asked. With luck the paper would become a competitor of the Daily Prophet which in canon and many fanfictions was in the control of either Pureblood supremacist or the Ministry.

Rosgaw nodded.

"I am willing to offer thirteen thousand six hundred and five galleons, seven sickles and one knut for a forty-five percent stake. Or I can offer them six thousand, eight hundred and two galleons, eleven sickles and twelve knuts for a twenty-five percent stake." I informed him. "I would also like to see about investing in the non-magical world."

Rosgaw's brows rose slightly in surprise.

"Most witches and wizards do not think to invest in the muggle world." He informed me. "It can be done however."

"Not muggle?" Ted asked me.

Turning to look at him and seeing only a curious look I shook my head.

"I dislike the term muggle." I informed him. "It has always seemed kind of like a slur to me. Though I respect the right of others to speak as they will."

Ted nodded with a hum.

"I would like to invest in Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Apple, Sony, Nokia, BP, Dutch Shell, Panasonic, Samsung, LG Corporation, LG CI and Grunning Drills." I informed him. "Any other companies you think would be a good investment please inform me and I will decide on them."

Rosgaw took the list I slid towards him before nodding.

"I do have a question." I said slowly, bringing their attention back to me. "If a wizard kills a magical creature who tried to kill him does he have rights to the carcass?"

"By right of law the kill is theirs." Rosgaw informed me. "They have sole rights to the carcass."

A smirk came to my face. That was nice to know. It was usually that way but I had wanted to make sure.

"So you killed a magical creature then?" Ted asked, brow raised.

"Indeed." I grinned slyly. "A thousand year old basilisk."

Rosgaw's jaw actually dropped and Ted choked.

"A basilisk!" He exclaimed in a strangled yell.

"You killed a basilisk?" Rosgaw asked, looking at me with a look of calculation.

"Indeed." I smirked.

"How?" Ted demanded.

"Last year someone claiming to be the Heir of Slytherin started attacking Hogwarts." I informed them. "They petrified the Caretaker's cat Mrs. Norris and left her hanging from a sconce. 'Enemies of the Heir Beware: Slytherin's Heir Has Returned!' was written as a bloody message below her. There were several more petrifications through the year and teachers started escorting us to class along with the Prefects, though what they thought they could do against the Heir I don't know."

I paused to wet my whistle.

"Then came the night of the Dueling Club led by that incompetent ignoramus Lockhart." I scowled slightly. "I was paired up with Draco Malfoy for a duel when Malfoy summoned a snake. He of course couldn't control it and it tried to attack another student, a Hufflepuff named Justin Finch-Fletchly. I had to open my mouth and order it to stop before it could bite him."

"You're a Parselmouth?" Ted asked, eyes wide.

"Is that a problem?" I asked him a little coolly.

Ted blinked before shaking his head.

"N-No." He denied. "It's just surprising is all. Everyone in England was convinced that You-Know-Who was the only Parselmouth in the UK."

"Well he's not." I told him. "There may be others that hide their gifts in fear of what others might say or do."

I shook my head.

"Anyway back to my story." I continued. "Of course after that a majority of the school turned their backs on me and started calling me the Heir."

I scowled. Even with a just echo of Harry's feeling he had been hurt. Added to it was my own opinions about the fiascoes.

"Several people hexed me when I walking in the hallways but it was mostly name calling." I said before a slight sneer came to my face. "Of course the teachers did nothing again."

It was getting to be tiring how much the teachers were failing the students of Hogwarts. It was sad. We paid for a supposedly great education but there many things that disrupted it. Especially since Harry had started.

"How were the victims petrified?" Rosgaw asked.

I blinked out my thoughts.

"The cat saw the basilisk's eye reflected in a pool of water from a nearby flooded bathroom." I informed him. "Hermione Granger and Penelope Clearwater saw it's reflection as they used a mirror to look around a corner. Creevy saw it through a camera lens and Finch-Fletchly saw it through Sir Nicholas. None of them except perhaps Sir Nicholas saw the basilisk head on. They were extremely lucky."

"Why did you even go into the Chamber and not leave it to the teachers?" Ted asked.

"I protect that which is mine." I replied coolly. "I wasn't about to pass off an attack on a friend. Even though he used it to call me out I still went. I also tried to tell the teachers but I could not find any of them and I knew someone was going to die. I didn't want that on my conscience."

I grimaced.

"On the way I ran into Lockhart and foolishly decided to put some trust in him. Not my brightest moment but I decided to go anyway. Besides he might have been useful as a meat shield." I frowned. "Turns out he was fleeing the castle. He offered to follow me and did follow me into the girls bathroom Myrtle Warren haunts.

I found a sink with a snake engraved in it. I told it to open in Parseltongue and slid down a long shoot. When I got to the bottom I could tell that I was beneath the lake. The entrance was inside of a cave that had been partially carved out. There Lockhart hit me with the Petrificus Totalus charm.

He started ranting about how he was having to flee the castle to get away from the monster but I had at least given him the opportunity to write another book. He planned to obliviate me and leave with a tale of him saving me from going after the basilisk in the Chamber. Of how he tried the best he could to get it but was tragically unable. Luckily for me I was able to fight his charm off and was able to put a Protego shield between his spell and me.

Unfortunately for Lockhart it bounced off and hit him instead, erasing most of his memories and caused some kind of backlash wave. That caused the roof to cave in and I was forced to run towards the Chamber door to get out of the way of falling rocks. I came upon a large round metal door with a man's face surrounded by snakes. I commanded it to open and was able to step down into the Chamber.

There I found a first year lying upon the ground holding a black book with a teenage male standing over her wearing Slytherin robes. However he was partially see through like a ghost but one with color. He turned and greeted me. His explanation proved that it was he who was the Heir. His name was Tom Riddle."

I cleared my throat and took another drink.

"He declared that he was fulfilling Salazar Slytherin's noble work by ridding the school of 'mudbloods'. He had been using a basilisk that Salazar had left in the school supposedly so his Heir could cleanse the school. He admitted to using the basilisk to kill Myrtle Warren and framing Rubeus Hagrid for it." I informed them. Ted had paled and Rosgaw was watching me intensely. "He admitted that he was using the diary to drain the first year's life. He said ' as she poured her soul out to me some of my own poured into her.' She apparently found his diary in her things and began writing it. Confiding in her new friend"

Rosgaw started to look very interested in my story.

"After I claimed that no one had been killed this time Riddle admitted that his goal had turned from killing new bloods and on to figuring me out. He asked me how I had survived the night my parents died while Lord Voldemort was destroyed. I, of course, asked him why he wanted to know. That Voldemort had been after his time, even if I did have some suspicions. He told me 'Voldemort is my past, present and my future Harry Potter'. It was then that he revealed his full name. Tom Marvolo Riddle. He wrote it out in fiery letters before he waved his wand to reveal I am Lord Voldemort."

Ted gasped.

"He claimed that he fashioned himself a new name to rid himself of his filthy muggle father's name and the shame of his mother for loving a muggle who abandoned her."

"You-Know-Who is a half-blood?" Ted asked shocked.

"Yes." I smiled viciously. "The great Pureblood supporter is a half-blood. His father was the son of a muggle Lord and his mother was a near squib from the House of Gaunt."

Ted barked out a laugh.

"Oh, if only his followers knew." He chortled.

"I'm sure some of them do." I said gravely. "Some of his original followers had to have gone to school with him. Other probably wouldn't care. I have researched the Death Eaters and some of them just wanted to feel powerful and cause as much chaos as they could. To kill and torture without consequence."

That sobered Ted up and he nodded before clearing his throat.

"What happened next?" Ted asked.

"He became enraged when I couldn't tell him what happened in 1991. He tried hexing and cursing me but I was able to block or dodge them. That was when he released the basilisk." I answered. "He ranted that soon I and the first year would be dead and he would be alive and able to carry on Slytherin's noble work. That he would finish what his older self had started and prove once and for all that none could stand before the might of Lord Voldemort."

I noticed Rosgaw's eyes sharpen.

I rolled my eyes.

"He really liked to monologue." I said causing Ted to snigger.

"I prayed for help since I knew I was no match for a basilisk by myself." I continued. "Fawkes the phoenix appeared clutching the Sorting Hat. Fawkes blinded the basilisk while I grabbed the Sorting Hat. It told me that Fawkes was tied to the school and had heard my plea. Then it dropped a pair of daggers on my head. Daggers that I later learned belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw."

I rubbed the top of my head in remembered pain while Ted gasped.

"A Founder's weapon?" He asked.

"Yep." I told him. "They put them on display at the school. The Headmaster wanted them put in his office but Flitwick pointed out that they should be wear the entire school could see them. I don't think the Headmaster was very happy about that but he agreed. They put it in the trophy room with a plague saying how I rediscovered them. I got a special service award for "saving the school" which was of course, again put in the trophy room for them to show off."

No Harry wasn't at all bitter about being given a little plaque only for it to be taken away and stored in the trophy room before he was bundled off back to the Dursley's. Even a socially inept person ought to be able to understand the sarcasm in that statement.

"I tricked the basilisk into trying to bite me and I shoved the the daggers into it's head. One through the mouth and one through the head into the brain. Unfortunately it bit me. The pain was horrible and I thought I was going to die."

Ted paled.

"Y-You were bit by a basilisk?" He asked. "How did you survive?"

I pulled up my sleeve to show them my scar. It was about the size of a fifty cent piece. I looked at Rosgaw and saw him giving me a look of slight respect.

"I only survived because Fawkes cried tears into the wound." I told him. "The wound closed up. Riddle was furious of course. I got him however. I stabbed the diary with the fang that had broken off in my arm. Riddle screamed and writhed as bursts of light speared his body before he disappeared in a flash."

Rosgaw slammed his fist onto his desk.

"He said that he was feeding on her life force?" Rosgaw growled. "Then he was able to perform magic?"

I nodded.

"Yes." I replied. "The student was getting paler and paler and Riddle started to become more corporeal and he was using her wand."

Rosgaw cursed and slapped his clawed hand on a round orb on his desk. The orb lit up before he started barking at it in his native language. I looked to Ted who just shrugged. Several minutes later the office door opened. In stepped a scarred and grizzled goblin wearing leather armor with an ax hanging by his side. Following him was a brown haired wizard wearing leather pants, boots, vest and coat. He appeared to be in his forties though he might have been older. His messy brown hair was beginning to grey and his face seemed to hold a perpetual five o'clock shadow. Rosgaw and the new goblin began speaking in their own language while the guy looked around the office. The other goblin's face darkened.

"I am Fitzwarl, a Curse Breaker for Gringotts bank." The other goblin said, introducing himself. "This is my partner William Dane."

"How's it?" The wizard asked before Fitzwarl signaled something to him. "Do you think you can show us your memories of the event?"

"Like in a pensieve?" I asked.

William smiled.

"Indeed." He said. "I'm surprised you've heard of them."

I shrugged.

"I'm a Ravenclaw, I read about them." I told him. "How do I extract the memory?"

"Ah, I was a Hufflepuff myself. What you need to do is concentrate hard on the memory. When you are ready give me a nod. When I put the tip of my wand to your forehead I will whisper the spell to extract the memories." William informed me. "It will feel weird but try to concentrate."

Taking a deep breath I let it out. Concentrating inwards I focused on Harry's memory of the Chamber of Secrets and other memories surrounding it. Finally when I had it firm in my mind I nodded.

"Memora De!" He muttered before he pulled his wand away.

It was a weird feeling having my memory extracted. It was something cold and slippery was being dragged out of my head. When the feeling ended I opened my eyes to see his wand with a silvery writhing line clinging to it. Tapping his wand against a vial he capped it.

The door behind them opened again to admit a goblin carrying a wooden box. Laying the box on the table the goblin carefully opened the lid before lifting out a carved stone bowl. Rosgaw nodded to the goblin who bowed slight before walking back out. William walked up to Rosgaw's desk and handed him the vial.

Pulling out the stopper Rosgaw poured the vial into the bowl and swirled it around with a flick of his fingers. Pressing several runes the bowl lit up before a scene started playing above it. Just like that we were watching my memories involving the chamber.

"Do you still have the diary you spoke of?" Fitzwarl asked.

"Yes." I replied. "I attempted to give it back to it's original owner but they denied having anything to do with it. I grabbed it after they left."

Fitzwarl narrowed his eyes.

"I would like to see it."

I shrugged.

"Alright." I told them. Pulling out my trunk I set it on the floor. "With your permission?"

The goblins nodded and I pulled out my wand and unshrunk my trunk. Reaching into the compartment meant to hold magical items I pulled out the purple silk bag.

"A clever idea." Fitzwarl told me. "The silk protects against harmful magicks."

Clicking his fingers the drawstrings undid themselves and the bag slid off the diary. Fitzwarl hissed as he sensed the diary.

"What's wrong?" I asked figuring they had discovered that it had been a horcrux.

"This was enchanted with one of the foulest enchantments possible." Fitzwarl snarled. "The wizard has shaved a piece of his soul away and placed it inside. It is often called a Horcrux or Soul Jar."

Ted cleared his throat.

"Should you be telling a teenager of such a thing?" Ted asked concerned.

Fitzwarl snorted.

"This wizard apparently has tried to kill him three times already." Fitzwarl retorted. "The more he knows about his enemy the more he can be prepared."

"Is it like a phylactery?" I asked causing them to stare at me.

"How is it you know what a phylactery is?" Fitzwarl asked me, his eyes narrowing.

I shrugged.

"Non-Magicals often use them in their fantasy games or stories." I explained, brows raised. "The hero usually has to destroy a phylactery in order to stop an immortal Lich or Necromancer."

"Hmm." Fitzwarl hummed, narrowing his eyes. "I understood that most witches and wizards foolishly banned the study of Necromancy."

I cleared my throat.

"I mean it's never explained how they are made but Non-Magicals know about them or at least know about them as a fictional item." I told him.

"Harrumph." Fitzwarl grunted. "If you ever come across a similar item we would be most interested in seeing it."

"Alright." I shrugged. I wondered if the Diadem would be in the Room of Lost Things. I planned to look through all the treasures in there in the future either way.

Ted and I walked down Erith Alley. Erith Alley contained law offices, including his own, accounting offices, hotels, apartments and specialty shops. I grinned as I saw several candy stores. I had a big sweet tooth. Holding myself off with a little difficulty I forced myself onward.

"Erith Alley actually holds portals to the British Magical Library and Museum." Ted informed me.

"What's the library like?" I asked, my interest peaked.

"It's the largest known magical library outside of Hogwarts and family libraries in the United Kingdom." Ted replied. "Books on just about any subject can be found there though some are restricted due to age. It was founded in a nineteen fifty-four by Richard Belby and is open to everyone thought there are those who think it shouldn't be."

I grimaced a bit but didn't say anything.

"If you need anything feel free to contact me." Ted told me before he waved me off at his office.

Soon enough I found myself standing in front of a door that hadn't appeared to be there ten seconds before holding my apartment key. On the front in golden lettering was 29-A. Touching the key into the lock I felt the wards on the apartment recognize me and a spell broke. With a 'click' the door unlocked.

Walking up the short staircase inside I opened the only door at the top. I walked into a short hallway. Walking forward I stepped down into a spacious living room. Several large windows lined two of the walls, even though one wall laid against the back of another.

A large fireplace set on one wall with three squishy chairs and a large couch sitting in front of it. Off to one side was an old music system. It had large speakers and a record player. A stack of crates full of records set next to them. My brow rose with interest as I saw what I figured out to be a bong along with several pipes sitting on a small table with several bean bag chairs stacked around it.

There were three doors attached to the living room and another hallway leading further in.

One attached room was the kitchen. It was fairly spacious with a gas stove, a cool box and a freezer shelf. Tucked inside was a wooden table with chairs to sit five people. The second room proved to be a bedroom with a round bed and old sheets. The other closed room was also a bedroom with dark fabric wallpaper. I turned to the hallway and started making my way further in. On the left was a large bathroom, that while nice, didn't compare to my bathroom in my trunk. To the right was another bedroom this one with a large bed and stacks of porn mags. My brows rose as I saw naked women winking and making suggestive poses at me. I snickered before shaking my head.

The last room was a large bedroom, clearly meant to be the Master. It had a large four-poster bed made from dark wood. A small fireplace hugged one wall and there were chairs and a small couch.

If I was going to stay here I was getting a new bed. I did not want to sleep on one someone else had. God knows what had been done on that bed.

"Reducio!" I muttered, waving my wand. Slowly the bed started to shrink before I poured more power into causing it to shrink faster. When I was done the bed would have fit inside of a dollhouse. With a grin I picked it up and put it on a nearby shelf. I would unshrink it before I left for Hogwarts.

For now I opened my trunk apartment and levitated my own shrunken bed out. Setting it on the floor I performed the counter spell and it enlarged with a 'pop'. Levitating it to just where I wanted it I set it on the floor. Opening the closet my nose wrinkled as I saw the outdated clothes within. They definitely needed to go. For now I shrunk them and stuffed them into the other bedroom. I didn't think I was going to stay here. I wanted to check out the cottage in Hogsmeade.

Walking inside of Rosgaw's office with Ted and Robert Shaw I saw that Professor Flitwick and McGonagall were already inside.

"Mr. Potter I am surprised to see you outside of school." Flitwick said, clearly surprised to see me.

"Hello Professors." I said with a nod in greeting.

"Why were we asked to be here?" McGonagall asked. They had interrupted her summer break but she had come since a student had needed to talk to her about something that pertained to her duties.

"You were asked to be here in your capacity of Deputy Headmistress and Professor Flitwick as Mr. Potter's Head of House." Shaw informed them. "Mr. Potter has decided to claim and harvest the basilisk he killed three months ago. We need access to school so the carcass can be rendered down."

"I-I'm not sure Albus would approve." McGonagall said, slightly flustered. "No outsiders are usually allowed inside of the school during the summer. I understand t-that the circumstances are unique but still."

"Frankly Professor whether Professor Dumbledore approves or not he cannot keep the carcass from Heir Potter as he has claimed his kill." Shaw said. "Heir Potter has every legal right to it."

"I – I." McGonagall sighed. "Very well."

"What do we need to do?" Professor Flitwick asked.

"We will need access to the Chamber of Secrets and thus the school." Rosgaw informed them. "It shouldn't, depending upon the size, take us more than six to eight hours to harvest it. If you wish for us to map the Chamber it may take longer and and we will charge a fee of course."

"I will leave that up to Albus to decide." McGonagall said firmly.

"I want a reporter there and a photographer." I said. "Perhaps someone from The Herald? This is something I actually did myself."

"You don't believe that you stopped You-Know-Who?" Professor McGonagall asked confused.

"No." I replied coolly. "I believe it was something my mother did that protected me. Which is more likely a toddler taking out a Dark Lord or his brilliant mother doing something to make a it happen?"

August 8th, 2003

The next day I arrived at Hogwart's with Ted who side-along apparated me. Let me tell you the sensation was quite like it was described in the book, very uncomfortable. I only hope the sensation goes away or you learn to tolerate it because it sucked. Meeting us at the gates was both Professors, Fitzwarl, Dane and a team of seven other goblins. Next to them was a witch and a wizard holding a camera. The witch introduced herself as Willimena Parker, a reporter from The Herald while the wizard was a photographer named Samuel Brunson. Brunson, who told everyone to call him Sam was amazed with Hogwarts. Apparently He had attended a Ministry funded day school when he was growing up. It was nice but it didn't have anything on Hogwarts, at least aesthetically.

With Harry's memories I find the empty Hogwarts quite strange. Even during the holidays there are people there and there is some noise. Now it was all but empty. Still I didn't let it bother me too much as I surrepiously eyed my surroundings I walked. I carefully hid my reaction to the moving portraits and suits of armor. Magic amazed me and seeing new magic in person was a treat.

"Who's there?" Myrtle asked when stepped into the bathroom she haunted.

"It's Harry Potter Myrtle." I replied.

Myrtle floated through the cubicle and offered me a shy smile.

"Hello Harry." She said, twisting a bit of her hair around one of her fingers.

"Hello Myrtle." I replied, offering her a polite smile.

"Why are you here?" Myrtle asked, a slightly confused look on her face. "And with goblins?"

"I'm here so they can harvest the basilisk that killed you." I informed her.

"Ooh!" Myrtle exclaimed before flew forward and kissed me on the cheek. I shivered at the cold sensation. Before anyone could say anything she flew back into her toilet. I rubbed my cheek to bring back the warmth.

"Okay." I muttered before clearing my throat.

"Mr. Potter." Fitzwarl spoke up for the first time, pulling out a slightly glowing white crystal. "If you could speak the command phrase for opening the Chamber. The crystal will allow us to open and close the chamber ourselves and will later be left with the Deputy Headmistress."

§Open.§ Harrry hissed. The sink came apart and lowered just as it normally would. Thinking I decided to try something. In the movie and in Harry's memories he and Lockhart had slid down the pipe. I had no desire to do so especially with all of the grime. §Stairs!§

With a grinding groan part of the shaft lowered and turned into a set a stairs, slowly spreading down the pipe until he could see them anymore.

"A good idea Mr. Potter." Robert Shaw told him. "I wasn't looking forward to sliding down that."

I flashed him a grin and a thumbs up.

"Allow me to go first." Professor Flitwick suggested. The others nodded or shrugged.

Flicking his wand he conjured a ball of light that floated in the air to light the way. Professor Flitwick led the way cleaning the steps and the rest of the shaft as they made their way underground. When they reached the bottom the ball split into several. Professor McGonagall wrinkled her nose as the bones laying on the ground. Motioning with wand she transformed some of them into heat-less torches which she stuck to the walls. The others she transfigured into flat stone which sunk into the floor slightly providing a more stable path. Soon enough they reached where the ceiling had collapsed.

"Allow me Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall said, stepping forward and raising her wand.

As she moved her wand in a slow wave the rocks leapt to the ceiling and walls before fusing together. Tapping her wand against her lip in thought she raised several stone pillars and a archway to hold up the ceiling. With a bit of thought the pillars earned scrolled tops and grooves. I whistled in appreciation causing her to smile. Mr. Brunson took a picture of the new columns and a picture of the Chamber door.

§Open!§ I hissed causing the door to open with a groan. Eyeing the metal ladder I hissed again. I can't see Salazar Slytherin climbing down a metal ladder.§Stairs.§

With a sound of stone grinding on stone the stone beneath the door extended forward in a set of stairs destroying the metal ladder. Walking down it I kicked the ladder out of the way with a slight smirk.

"Sweet Mauve!" Professor McGonagall swore faintly while Professor Flitwick cursed in the goblin tongue. "I can't believe you faced this Mr. Potter and lived."

The goblins hurried over to the basilisk, exclaiming excitedly about the size. Fitzwarl slapped one on the back of the head, sending the other stumbling into the corpse before barking a couple orders. The younger Goblins quickly got to work measuring it. It was exactly sixty-nine feet and three and one quarter inches long and was five feet around. Basically as big around as the outside of a car tire. Sam started taking pictures while Willimena questioned me and the Professors about the Chamber of Secrets and the events surrounding it.

The goblins and my lawyers argued back and forth. The bargaining was hot. In the end they offered me three hundred and fifteen thousand, six hundred and forty-six galleons for the basilisk meat and I would have to find my own buyers for the rest. Or I could take two millions, four hundred and forty-eight thousand nine hundred and eighty galleons for the carcass after fees for harvesting and selling the whole thing. Needless to say I took their second offer. All I asked for was to keep the fang that stabbed me and a roll of the skin. Since I didn't necessarily want it for protection I took the roll found outside the chamber. It could still be made into clothes after being worked over and was still partially resistant to magic. I wanted a coat, vest and a pair of boots made from it at least. The roll was big enough to get several outfits from it.

"I want to talk to you guys over here." I told Ted and Shaw, motioning for them to follow me. Curious, the two did so. "Can you put up some privacy charms?"

Both Shaw and Ted put up different ones they knew.

"I have been thinking up some ideas about what to do with the money from the basilisk." I told Ted and Shaw. "Half is to go into my family vault."

"Alright." Shaw said, taking notes.

"The other half I want divided equally into seven parts." I told them. "The first six parts are to be placed into vaults for Penelope Clearwater, Hermione Granger, Ginevra Weasley, Colin Creevy, Justin Finch-Fletchly and Hogwarts. The stipulations on the students vaults is that the money can only be used with their permission. I don't want their families to take it away or to burn through it. That money can go a long way to securing them a good future."

Shaw nodded, noting everything down.

"Now I have conditions for Hogwarts to receive their donation."

Ted's brow rose in surprise.

"Conditions?" Ted asked.

"This money can be used to change some things I have noticed at this school for the better." I told them seriously. "Feel free to tell me if you have a suggestion. I want the contract to have the following stipulations."

I paused to make sure they were ready.

Hogwarts must buy seventy-five new brooms for students to use. For flying class and Quidditch. They needn't be the newest, fastest brooms but the should be reliable. I figure they should be able to get a discount for buying so many. Especially when my name is connected to it.

The wards must be checked and updated. In my first year we had a Mountain Troll being let in along with a possessed teacher. In my second year the diary got through and the basilisk roamed the halls. Something is obviously wrong if these events weren't detected.

Teachers must all sign a contract stating that they will treat all students fairly and justly.

Hogwarts must hire a new, living Professor to teach History of Magic within one year.

Hogwarts must start a class to teach First Gens and Non-Magical raised students about the Wizarding World including it's customs and traditions. Many raised in the magical world complain about us not knowing the traditions even though they do not teach them to us, with this class they will have no excuse. Nor will someone not raised in the magical world have an excuse to say they weren't taught.

Hogwarts must hold mandatory lectures, led by a non-magical raised or someone who has spent significant time in the non-magical world, on how to survive and blend in in the non-magical world. This should be mandatory for magical raised students unless they can prove they have the knowledge. This will go a long way to protecting the Statute of Secrecy so they don't stand out in the non-magical world and may even lead to a greater understanding of Non-Magicals.

"What about the seventh share?" Shaw asked.

"That share is for Argus Filch. To receive it he must accept retirement from Hogwarts. If he does not then he will only receive half of his share with the rest going to Hogwarts. Filch hates students for making messes but most of all for having magic. He also seems to hate his job. The only joy it seems to bring him is when he can take it out on students." I answered. "I thought about pushing to have at least one, perhaps two adults being hired to perform the duties of Head of House. I know some students complain that they can't take things to the Head's because they are so busy sometimes. McGonagall is the worst as she has three positions and the Headmaster foists a lot of his paperwork on her to be able to keep up with his own three positions. Perhaps I could even have pushed for more than one teacher for a subject. The classes are fairly big now but the student population is only going to get higher in the next few years."

"Something for later perhaps." Ted suggested.

I nodded before I waved Sam Brunson over. It was time to give my first interview. By the time I was done I was both tired and excited. He had me pose for several pictures including one with me next to the basilisk.

Hogsmeade looked quite like I imagined it would. A quaint, if dated, village. However it wasn't as small as the books or movies made it seem. There were more business, many more homes and farms as well. It was no wonder, as it was the only pure magical villages in the United Kingdom. While walking through the village I saw several witches and wizards patrolling wearing the dark blue robes of the Law Enforcement Squad. I figured they were on look out for Sirius Black. According to one wizard they usually had at least one or two patrolling the village but now there were twelve.

I hadn't decided what to do with Sirius Black. I wonder if he is even innocent in this world. For all I know he could be an actual Death Eater hell bent on killing me and avenging Voldemort. I hoped he was innocent because I actually liked the character of Sirius Black quite a bit. Although I admit I am a bit biased a fan of Gary Oldman. This didn't mean I would want to live with the man or have him try and parent me. If he was innocent I would try and help him.

I just had to stop in at Honeyduke's Sweet Shop. It was even more fantastic than the movie made it seem. Wall to wall jars and boxes of candy. I forced myself to limit myself. I bought a deluxe bog of twenty-five chocolate frogs and only two slabs of Honeyduke's best chocolate. One milk and one dark. From the samples they were to die for. I especially loved the dark chocolate. Luckily the bars were quite large so would last me a while.

My next stop was the Three Broomsticks for lunch. I had a nice, thick turkey sandwich with letter, crispy bacon and mayo with a side order of fries, chips for the British reading this. I washed it down with a butterbeer. Madam Rosemerta's butterbeer was even tastier than the one I drank at the Leaky Cauldron. It tasted like Rootbeer, but with less acidic content and less sugar. Since it was summer it was cold and sent a cool feeling through my body. I wasn't about to give up my soda but I would definitely get it again.

It took me about thirty minutes to find my cottage. It was a bit away from Hogsmeade, offering privacy while also being close enough to the town that I could walk in if I wanted to. The cottage was two and half stories tall and done in a Nordic design which I really liked and stood on a slightly elevated hill. There were ornate carvings in the honey golden beams. Intricately carved braiding with the beams ending in stylized dragon heads. The green tiled roof even looked like dragon scales.

A tall oak tree stood proud in the yard with a stone bench sitting in front of it. and the entire land was surrounded by a stone wall with a wooden gate in the front. Laying my hand on the gate I felt the wards still attached accept me. The stone covered pathway cutting through the hill was relatively clear but the grass would need to be cut. The front of the house was mostly dominated by a covered front porch. Sturdy wooden rocking chairs sat on the porch with a couple of side tables. I couldn't resist trying one out and rocked back and forth for a little bit. Standing up I mused about adding a porch swing to the other end. A wide window looked into the dining room on the west side of the porch and the other side had a bay window looking into a sitting room.

Walking around the back I was surprised to see three buildings. One was a wooden shack and the other a small glass greenhouse and the last was an empty chicken coop. I was surprised to see that one of the trees had a wooden swing attached to it. Further back on the property I found a small pond with fish in it. The small shack turned out to be quite large inside. It was a rune lab. There were book shelves with several books on them, some comfortable sitting chairs, wooden benches with stools, a big desk with a desk chair, a storage closet and a sandpit used to practice drawing runes.

The greenhouse was also expanded inside. It still amazed me how something so small could be so big inside. On the outside it was no bigger than eight feet long and six across. Inside I could have my entire house. It was filled with benches and long tables. Unfortunately whatever had been grow inside was long rotted away and the earth dried out. Deciding I had seen enough of the yard I walked back around to the front. I smiled a little as I looked at the front door. It had a rounded top and was banded in iron. It even had a small window for looking outside to identify visitors.

Tapping the door with my wand I heard it unlock before it popped open.

I stepped into a entrance way. In the middle of the floor was a long oval shaped green and gold woven rug for wiping your feet. The floor were covered in hard wood a couple shades darker than honey. I noticed they would need to be sanded and polished. To my right were several pegs sticking out the wall meant to hold cloaks or coats. Several wooden slots had been set on the floor for shoes or boots. The small wall on my left held a mirror with a woven wreath above it. Walking further into the entrance hall I had a room on either side of me.

To the right was a sitting a room with a large natural stone fireplace. A large round chandelier with runes carved into hung above the room. On the wooden mantle pieces sat a nice looking wooden clock that ticked away. Sitting beside it was a pipe holder. A large stuffed stag head with an impressive wrack hung on a wooden plaque above the mantelpiece.

Sitting in front of the fireplace was two overstuffed chairs, a couch, coffee table and two side tables. A bear skin rug laid on the floor in front of the fireplace. Two windows were situated on either side of the fireplace the wall facing the front of the cottage was dominated by a bay window with a padded window seat with several pillows stacked on it. On the opposite side of the room was a pair of wingbacked chairs with a table between them. Sitting on it was an inactive wizard's chess set. Hanging on the wall above them was a frozen portrait. Stepping closer I read the golden plaque at the bottom. Marius Potter 1754-1873. The man inside it had dark brown hair and sideburns that ran all the way down his jaw to connect with a large mustache. Blue eyes looked out of a slightly stern face.

Looking around I saw the wall opposite the fireplace held two paintings. One was of a golden field that held a large windmill. I grinned as the grass waved in an imaginary wind and the blades of the windmill turned. The wall of the other side of the doorway held an empty portrait that read Annalise Potter 1757-1883. The last piece of furniture in the room was nice looking liquor cabinet that shocked me when I tried to open it.

Is it because I am underage? I wondered before shaking my head. I didn't care. I had never been much of a drinker anyway.

Walking across the entryway I entered a dining room with the attached kitchen. The table was big enough to fit six with four chairs on either side and a single one on each end. A chandelier made from deer horns hung above it. What I really liked was the large amount of natural light that illuminated the room. There was of course a window behind the dining table showing the front yard but also a large double lead lined windows that opened inwards as I discovered when I opened it to allow in some fresh air. They held a diamond shaped pattern in the them breaking up the window panes. Several wooden herb boxes hung outside of the wall.

The kitchen was good sized without being over large. The cabinet were a nice maple. The kitchen held only one window but it was a decent size. It even had a wooden board hanging from it too cool pies like I thought a cottage should. Hanging in the middle of the room was a small round chandelier to provide lighting at night. I would definitely be updating the stove from wood burning one to a gas stove. I would need to have the spells on the cooling cabinet and the expanded pantry checked out to make sure they wouldn't fail as well.

Behind the kitchen in the entrance way was a door leading down into the basement. As I stepped down the stone steps several sconces illuminated themselves. I would be replacing any of the old fashion sconces with the new orb lights like I had in my trunk. They were just more convenient for me and closer to regular lighting. The basement contained an entry way and four rooms. Two of them were clearly meant for storage. One of them was a Potions lab with two blank portraits. I would need to restock it later with new equipment. The last room I had no idea what it was for at first. The smell of damp earth and fungus invaded my nose when I walked in. It took me a bit to realize they were growing mushrooms in there.

Behind the sitting room was an office. Three of the walls were covered in floor to ceiling books shelves except for a small fireplace. The only furniture in the room was a desk with three chairs. Two small windows illuminated the room along with a metal diamond shaped chandelier hanging from the ceiling. With a flick of wand I opened both windows to air out the room.

Opposite of the office was a bathroom with a pair of sinks and a toilet. Further behind the office were the stairs leading upstairs which was walled in instead of free standing stairs. Behind them was a mudroom with a door leading outside and a fireplace used for flooing. Something I would have to have connected.

Walking up to the second floor I found three bedroom suites. Each of the rooms had a small furnished sitting room with two rooms attached. A bedroom and a bathroom. The room on that floor was a room that had clearly been expanded and turned into a library. The shelves, like the office, ran from floor to ceiling. The room was illuminated by large windows, wooden chandeliers and several sconces. A frozen portrait of Annalise Potter was present in the library. She had long, curly sandy blond hair, blue eyes and a kindly face.

Finally I made my way up to the attic up a short flight of stairs, again enclosed. Looking it over it was clear the attic had been divided into three separate spaces. One was an observatory that held a large telescope and several chairs along with a desk and some shelves. Another room was an owl roost with plenty of space for owls to slumber. The last room was clearly an art room. Several easels were set up through the room and several finished paintings hung around the room. Whoever the painter was they were clearly more talented than me.

Walking back to the first floor I gazed around the cottage and let out a satisfied sigh.

Now this is more like it. I thought. I could definitely make this my home.

Spells Used in this Chapter:

Tombrio- A gentle drying charm. It can be used to dry hair, delicate fabrics, fur and feathers. Doesn't cause the effected area to frizz, stretch, knot or snag.

Serare- The Mouth Cleaning Charm. This spell replaces having to brush manually and leaves you with fresh breath as well. The wand movement is a full clockwise circle while aiming at the mouth. It feels like a massage as it flows over the teeth and tongue. Aftertaste is controlled by the user.

Memora De- Spell used to extract memories for evidence or for viewing in a pensieve.

A/N: It seems very likely that this is the story I will be continuing.