Harry and Hermione were stunned. Ron had left them. They were in the middle of a war, and Ron left. Harry and Hermione hugged to comfort each other. Harry realized how thin Hermione had become when he felt her bones. He sent Hermione to sleep. Harry walked out of the tent.
--
--
"Dobby," Harry whispered. Dobby popped in and immediately hugged Harry's knees. "Dobby is so happy that the great Harry Potter Sir is alive! What can Dobby bes doing for you?" Dobby said as he pulled back.Harry shushed him and explained that Hermione was asleep. Dobby nodded.
"Hermione has lost a lot of weight. We haven't had much to eat. I don't have any money on me, but if we finish this war, I will pay you as much as you want to be my elf. I need your help to get and cook food for us each day. Are you willing to help us?" Harry asked, desperately hopping that Dobby would agree.Dobby looked uncomfortable for a minute.
"Dobby, not bes wanting money. Dobby bes wanting to bond with Harry Potter, Sir." Dobby said quietly. "I thought you enjoyed being free? Why would you want to be enslaved again?" Harry asked, confused. Dobby shook his head.
"Dobby is happy to be free from bad master Malfoy. Dobby is wanting to be free, so when Harry Potter is an adult, Dobby is able to bond with him. Elves is not slaves because they bonded. Elves needs wizard magic to live and reproduce. Elveses die very slowly and painfully if they is not having the bond. Winky is very weak and will die soon.
Dobby is conserving his magic, so he is living a bit longer than Winky will. Only evil wizards makes elveses into slaves. Magic always has a price. The price for elveses is to serve a magical family. We's love to bes doing work and caring for our family. It brings us much happiness." Dobby explained.
Harry was horrified. "I will bond you and Winky now. Please bring her here quietly and tell no one." Harry said. Dobby popped out. He knew Dobby would have to explain the bond to Hermione, or she would hex him six ways to Sunday.
--
--
Dobby came back and was carrying Winky. She looked like she would die within minutes. "How do I bond with you?" Harry asked Dobby. "Yous need to put your hand on our heads and reach to us with your magic and then says that you claims us." Dobby explained.
--
--
Harry nodded and bonded with Dobby, then Winky."If either of you ever wants me to free you, just tell me. Dobby, take Winky and put her on one of the extra beds in the tent, then get us some food for the week.
We'll be leaving this site soon as Hermione is up. You'll need to explain to her about the bond being symbiotic and not slavery though, or a psychotic evil wizard will be the least of my concerns." Harry instructed. Dobby put Winky in a bed and made sure she was warm and comfy before leaving to get food.
--
--
Dobby returned 20 minutes later and filled all the cupboards in the kitchen of the tent with food before making a simple chicken and veggies soup with fresh bread. Hermione woke up to the smell of food and went to the kitchen of the tent.
"Dobby, what are you doing here?" Hermione said. "Dobby has lots to tell you, but first you needs to eats. Harry Potter Sir saved Dobby and Winkys lives. I's be explainings it alls after you eat." Dobby said firmly.Hermione sighed. Harry heard what Dobby said and came in for dinner.
"How did you sleep?" Harry asked as he sat down. "I slept fine. What did Dobby mean? He said you saved his and Winky's lives." Hermione questioned before taking a bite. The food was delicious! It filled her with warmth.
"I'll let Dobby explain it. You'll need to really pay attention, though." Harry said as he ate his own soup. "At least tell me that you weren't stupid enough to leave the campsite by yourself?!" Hermione demanded. Harry shook his head.
"I didn't leave the campsite, I promise." Harry said. They finished eating in silence. Dobby cleared the table and cleaned the dishes as Harry and Hermione went to the living room.
Dobby came in and sat on the floor facing the couch. "Ok, Dobby. Tell me this story about Harry saving you and Winky." Hermione said. Dobby nodded. "First, Dobby needs to explain something to yous.
Elveses, when they is freed, dies slowly and painfully. I cans take between 3 and 8 years. Elveses needs the magic theys get from being bonded to lives and has babies.
In exchange, We's be cooking, cleaning, taking care of the young, and helping our masters and mistresses.Magic always has a price, elveses price is to serve. Elveses are happiest when we is serving a good family.
Harry Potter Sir bes calling Dobby and trying to offer Dobby all the gold. Dobby wants to bes helping gets food and cooking it for hims and his Grangy.
Dobby is explaining the bond to Harry Potter Sir and telling him that Winky is near death. Harry Potter Sir is a great wizard, and he asked Dobby to bring Winky, and he bonded Winky and Dobby to house Potter.
Dobby is now feeling better and no longer bes in pain, and Winky bes looking better even though she bes sleeping still." Dobby explained. Hermione was horrified!
If what Dobby said was true, and she had no reason not to believe him, then she may have killed hundreds of elves during her 4th and 5th year when she was making and hiding all the hats, gloves, and boots around the common room. "
What about all the elves I freed? Are they still alive?" Hermione asked. "The Hogwarts elveses not bes touching the things you'd be making. Theys not bes cleaning Gryffindor common room when yous be leaving clothes out.
Dobby bes getting them all. Yous not need worry. Yous not freed any elveses." Dobby told her. She was so relieved. Harry suddenly had a thought. "Dobby, there has to be a way that you can wear clothing without being freed, something like a uniform?" Harry asked. Dobby looked at Harry for a second.
"Dobby can bes buying cloth and Winky bes knowing how to sew. When she bes better, Dobby can bes having her makes us nice uniforms." Dobby explained. Harry nodded.
"I don't have any money with me right now, so I guess it will have to wait but, as soon as this is over and I can get to Gringotts, I'll give you the money." Harry said.
"Dobby and Winky bes bonded to you, we is being able to get money from your vault." Dobby explained. Harry and Hermione were shocked. "Ok, let's do that later. For now, we need to move camp. Is Winky able to be moved yet?" Harry asked.Dobby nodded.
"She is still sleeping, but I's being able to carry her. I's going to get her, and yous can pack up." Dobby said, knowing that Harry and Hermione wouldn't expect him to do everything, and they were both worried about Winky.
Hermione nodded. Dobby got Winky and wrapped her in a blanket before carrying her outside. Harry and Hermione left the tent, packed it away in Hermione's bag, and held hands with each other. "I'll call you as soon as we arrive at the next spot, Dobby. You just need to bring Winky." Harry told him. Dobby nodded.
Harry and Hermione apparated several times, ending up in a city where they walked a few blocks to an alley and apparated to a new area of forest. Hermione started to put up the protections, while Harry called Dobby.
Once everything was set up and Winky was put back on her bed, Harry, Hermione, and Dobby sat and talked. Harry told Dobby that he wanted his elves to wear black pants, skirts, or dresses and white shirts. They needed to have black shoes too.
He also told them that they needed to take care of themselves, making sure to eat and rest as often as they needed. Dobby told them about the taboo on 'Voldemort', and they decided to just call him 'Riddle'. Dobby explained about The Quibbler and how there were plans to kidnap Luna to make her dad stop printing about Harry Potter being the chosen one.
Harry asked about getting another tent and Dobby explained that they could just get special trunks that had apartments inside and they could have a training room, a library, bedrooms, and bathrooms, as well as a special floo network that was only between connected trunks and therefore couldn't be monitored by the ministry or anyone else.
Harry asked if he had enough in his vault to buy one. Dobby told him he could buy hundreds and not even use a quarter of his money. He and Hermione thought about it for a bit. It would be nice if they could get a bunch and have Dobby pick up any of their friends that are in danger and bring them to the campsite.
Having multiple trunks could help, too. They had Dobby go get a catalog for the trunks to see what all they could get. Dobby suggested that they also get the Potter ledger from the goblins so that they could see what money and property they had available for use. Dobby left to run his errands.
--
--
Winky woke up and was surprised to see she was on a bed. She also felt better than she had in years. She could feel the bond. Winky got down and followed the bond link into the living room area. She saw Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. She walked up to her new master and shot a weary look at Hermione before bowing to Harry.
"Master saved Winky! Winky is grateful and will serve gladly. I's being at your service." Winky said. "Winky, you don't need to bow. Dobby is running some errands, have him fill you in on what is expected later. How are you feeling? Do you need food, or more rest? I don't want you to get sick or overwork yourself." Harry said.
"Winky is feeling much better. Maybe just a meal, and then I's being ready to help Master Harry Potter with what he needs." Winky said. Harry nodded.
"I'm not sure what you like to eat, Dobby made chicken and veggie soup and fresh bread. If you don't like that, you're welcome to get yourself whatever you do like to eat. Afterwards, I would like you to rest until Dobby returns." Harry told her.
Winky nodded and went to eat some soup and bread.Dobby returned an hour later with a catalog and a massive book that had the Potter coat of arms on it.
"This bes a self updating ledger for head of house. Yous needing to open the letter first, then bes putting on the head of house ring before yous be allowed to open the book." Dobby explained as he handed a letter and small package he pulled out of his pillow case.
"Dobby bes needing to go back and gets the cloth and sewing supplies." Dobby said before popping out again. Harry read the letter explaining that he needed to put on the ring and be accepted by it before he could take control of all his accounts and that an appointment with his account manager was requested at his earliest opportunity.
It also said that they would be willing to provide a portkey to the conference room and would be willing to swear on the magic of the clan that it would be a secret meeting and Harry would be safe. After discussing it with Hermione and the elves, Harry wrote back agreeing to a meeting, as long as he could bring Hermione and both elves.
He said that the earliest convenient time for the account manager would be accepted, and he would be ready. Dobby took the letter back to Gringotts and returned a few minutes later. The letter told Harry to tap it envelope with his wand and say profit when he was ready as the account manager had plenty of time to have a meeting with him now. Dobby packed everything up, and they all touched the envelope as Harry activated it.
--
--
They arrived in a heap in an office. They untangled themselves and looked around. Their was a goblin behind a desk and some chairs in front of it. "Hello. I'm Harry Potter, and this is Hermione Granger, Winky, and Dobby. Nice to meet you, Sir." Harry said, pointing to each as he introduced them.
The goblin was surprised. Most wizards were barely tolerant of goblins, with some even being rude, disrespectful, and hostile towards them. "Hello, Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger. I'm Senior account manager Goldknife. We have much to do, including the reading of 2 wills and going through any questions you may have. Please sit." Goldknife said.
They all sat down.They went through the Potter will first, and Harry became livid.
This is the last will and testament of James Potter and Lilly Potter, nee Evans. Head and Lady of the Potter family.
Should we die, it is the fault of Peter Pettigrew. He was our secret keeper. Albus Dumbledore can testify to this as it was he that placed the fidelius charm on our cottage.
Harry, we love you with all our hearts and hope that you have a good life. We leave G100,000 to Remus Lupin and G100,000 to Andromeda Ted Tonks. We know that the rest of our friends have plenty of money so we hope they know we love them like family. We leave everything else we own to our son Harry.
The people we would like to have custody of Harry, in the event of our deaths, are:
Alice Franklin Longbottom,
Amelia Bones,
Sirius Black,
Remus Lupin,
Andromeda and Theodore Tonks,
Filius Flitwick,
or If none of them are able to, then any parents of a muggleborn the same age as Harry.
Signed
,James Potter, Lilly Potter
Witnessed by:
Alice Longbottom
Franklin Longbottom
Albus Dumbledore
Goldknife
Bonegrinder
Hermione was upset, but Harry had magic swirling around him. She grabbed him in a hug and tried to soothe him. It started to work after she said that he might hurt everyone in the office if he didn't calm down. The magic dissipated.
"That lying, manipulative, conniving, old bastard! If he wasn't already dead, I'd cut his fucking head off!" Harry said as he sat back down. Hermione didn't even say anything about his language. She felt the same. The goblin smiled.
"Completely understandable. Lucky for you and your vault, the Potter charter says that only a Potter can access the accounts. Not even a non-Potter guardian can access them.
Though Albus Dumbledore did try many times after he got your parents will sealed due to the 'Confidential and dangerous information it held' he even got guardianship of you through the Wizengamot as a means to access the Potter vaults.
Supposedly to get the funds to take care of you as you grew. He was denied. We require all wills to be witnessed by 2 magicals and 2 goblins in order to protect our clients. I knew that he had no right to your guardianship, and the only thing I could do was to block him access to your vaults.
The only time someone other than you accessed them was when Molly Weasley came in with your key. She removed G16 for robes and a school book and returned the extra as well as receipts for both. I assume she had your permission." Goldknife said. Harry nodded.
"She did have my permission. It was too dangerous to do my own shopping and I didn't have a house elf. I now have 2. I appreciate your hard work and diligence in keeping my account safe from possible theft.
You are a credit to the goblins, and I would be happy to consider you a personal friend. Please, call me Harry. Go ahead and give the people in my parents will their money. Who's will is next?" Harry said.
The goblins jaw dropped for a moment. "Very well, Harry. I would be happy to be your friend. I'll see to it that they get their gold. We have Sirius Black's will to read. He didn't really trust anyone, including Albus Dumbledore, and made 2 wills.One was as the head of the Black family, and the other was just as Sirius Black. Mr. Black had a personal vault, and he had Grimauld Place and an elf attached to that vault.
However, the rest of the Black family holdings come with the Black family vault. Let's get through his will." Goldknife explained. Harry nodded.
This is the last will and testament of Sirius Black, head of the Black family.
I leave everything to my Godson Harry Potter in the hopes that it will help him survive this war. I hope he can bring Andromeda Tonks, nee Black, back into the family and have her marriage approved and her daughter Nympadora Tonks birth accepted as a daughter of the Black family.
I also hope that he can throw out Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black for betrayal of the Black family in following Voldemort. I wish to blood adopt my Godson, Harry Potter, in order to make certain that he gains the Headship of the Black family without any disputes as well as Hermione Granger.
I hereby emancipate Harry James Potter as my final legal act. Harry, I love you like a son, I am sorry for not doing the right thing all those years ago. Hermione, I can see how much you love and care for Harry and how you make a perfect older sister to him. I hope that you will accept becoming my daughter.
Signed
Sirius Black
Witnessed
Nymphadora Tonks
Hestia Jones
Goldknife
Bonegrinder
Harry was crying by the end of it, and so was Hermione. Goldknife pulled out 2 potions that were a swirl of purple and red. The colors swirled around each other without mixing.
"The process of blood adoption requires a full physical and medical scan in our infirmary. It will also require healing of any medical or physical issues you have before we can do it. It's a painful process in and of itself. You will need to shower with special oils, step into a runic circle wearing a very loose gown, and lay down.
It can take over an hour from start to finish and the exams and healing beforehand can take a few hours up to several days.We will provide you with an apartment near our infirmary and I will personally guarantee your safety for the duration of your stay. Would you like to go through with the adoption?" Goldknife asked.
Harry and Hermione agreed. Down in the infirmary, they were both scanned over, and the goblin healers looked and sounded very angry after reading the results for both of them. They called for a few more goblins that spoke English and showed them the parchments.
Harry and Hermione were getting worried as the 2 goblins approached them, also looking angry. "We will start with the female as her report is much shorter. Ms. Granger, you have several blocks on your magic, and several spells on you.
You have spells to make you obedient to authority figures, to make you believe anything any authority figure tells you, to compel you to tell authority figures anything you think is important, to make you feel like you need to be the best at everything and to see anyone doing better than you as a cheater, to hate all Slytherins, to ignore any romantic feelings towards anyone, and finally to make you think that Albus Dumbledore is Merlin reincarnated.
The blocks stop you from learning Occlumency, Legillimancy, Wandless magic, silent casting, and you have 30% of your magical core bound. We have the magical signatures of everyone who has ever walked into the bank.
The person that did this to you was Albus Dumbledore, and it was done around November 4th of 1991. We will be removing all of these at the same time in a special ritual circle. It will take about an hour. You will need to sign this form consenting to the ritual. It will be paid for by the Black accounts." The goblin said.
Harry and Hermione were livid. Hermione signed the papers and asked to hold off long enough to hear what Harry's report said. Harry agreed that he wanted her there while he heard it.
"Very well. Mr Potter, you have malnutrition, poorly healed broken bones, scaring over the majority of your body, scaring on most of your internal organs, and a soul fragment belonging to Voldemort behind your scar.
There are spells on you to see a Ronald Weasley as your best friend, to make studying difficult, to see Albus Dumbledore as an infallible grandfather figure, to not seek out more friends, to not tell anyone besides your friends about what happened at school, to not want to tell anyone about your home life, to hate Slytherins, to make muggles around you hate you and think you are a liar, to make you accept returning to your relatives in between school years, and to make you think you're worthless.
50% of you magic is bound and 90% of your intelligence in bound. You have blocks to stop you from learning Occlumency, Legillimancy, Ancient Runes, Potions, Arithmancy, Wandless magic, and Silent casting. All of them were put on you by Albus Dumbledore.
The magic and intelligence bindings were done around June 23rd of 1987. The rest were done around September 8th of 1991. The soul shard has been there since October 31st of 1981. We can fix all of these problems within a 3 hour time frame.
The soul shard will need to be pulled out first, and it will be painful. We can then use it to find and summon any others that were made. You'll need to sign both of these consent forms for the rituals that will be needed." The goblin explained as Harry and Hermione stood there angry.
Hermione hugged Harry and kept him calm throughout the explanation.Harry signed both papers, and he and Hermione quickly changed into the ritual gowns. the went to separate ritual rooms and got started. Once Harry finished with his rituals, he was taken back to the infirmary where Hermione sat reading a book.
She looked healthy again. She wasn't deathly thin, and her skin tone was back to normal as well. "Harry? Is that you?" Hermione asked. Harry was now 6'1" and looked healthy and more buff. He no longer had glasses and looked to weigh about 13 stone. His hair was shoulder-length and looked silky.
"Yeah, Hermione, it's me. They fixed all the problems. Getting the soul shard removed hurt like a bitch. Did you do the adoption ritual?" Harry asked. He had realized he was taller when the goblins came to get him and take him back to the infirmary. He had been 5'9" before the rituals.
"No, they said that they want to do one that will make us twins, but they need your permission and some blood from each of us. It would reduce my age to yours with us then sharing a birthday, and I would also become part of the Potter family. If not, then we'll just do the basic adoption and become half siblings. It's up to you to decide because I don't mind either way. You've always been like a brother to me." Hermione said. Harry thought about it for a minute.
"Yeah, let's do the twin adoption. I'd be happy to have you be part Potter and part Black the same as I will be." Harry said. Hermione beamed at him. They sat reading until a goblin came in with 2 trays of food and told them they would need to eat it all, and the healer goblins would be back in 30 minutes. They both ate their meals. Neither had realized that the rituals would make them so hungry.