Hidden Truths
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. They belong to J.K. Rowling. I'm just playing around with them for a while.
Author's Note: Hi everybody, I'm finally finshed the second half of the lalst chapter. Sorry I didn't get it up when I said I would. Writer's block and problems with my laptop kept me away this time (mostly the block and not remembering which flash drive had the right file). Forgive me? I'll let you know know that I'm not sure when I'll get some more writing done. I'm borrowing my niece's computer to work on this so it'll take some time. Thoughts are in single quotes while dialogue is in double quotes. I wanna give special props to everyone who reviewed and/or put this on their story alerts. It really means a lot to know that the story was well received. Enjoy the chapter everyone :)
Author's Note 2: This goes out to timber. I don't mind constructive criticism, but the review you left about my not fixing the mistakes was uncalled for (your tone as I read it) but when I posted the author's note, the required thirty minutes for re-uploading a chapter had not finished. I have since checked the chapter to see if they had been fixed. But I do owe you thanks because your review made me go over it another time with spell check and found a few that slipped by the first time.
Chapter Three: Setting Things About and Taking Care of Business, Part Two
Walking into the doors of the famous wizarding establishment Harry walked up to the nearest teller.
"How may I help you sir?"
"Good day Master Goblin. My name is Harry James Potter and I have an appointment with Leader Ragnok and Master Goblin Griphook."
"Yes, Mister Potter. We've been expecting you. All the tellers were instructed to deliver you as soon as you arrived."
"Thank you."
"Please follow me."
After walking down several hallways, Harry and the teller stood in front of regal double doors protected by two armed guards on each side.
"Please inform the Director that his appointment has arrived."
One of the guards knocked on the door and entered the room on command. Within a few seconds he returned and ushered Harry and the teller in.
"Welcome, Mister Potter. We have been expecting you since your eleventh birthday. We have tried to contact you several times over the past few years but our missives have always come back to us. We decide to contact your Headmaster with our concerns and found that when the wards on your property were cast there was a mistake in the sequence that effects your mail."
"A mistake?"
"Yes. You were to be able to receive mail from certain people and institutions. the wizard hospital, your school and the bank were among these. The mistake was repaired as you have received our latest missive."
"I apologize for not inquiring about this sooner."
"It is quite alright Mister Potter. If you wish, we can retrieve any notices the bank has sent you since your eleventh birthday if you wish."
"Yes sir, I'd like that. I shall review them at a later time."
"Very well." Ragnok said before pressing a button on his desk to summon an assistant to whom he gave orders in gobbledygook. "Mister Potter, before we can go any further, we'll need to collect some of your blood to assure your identity. Common bank procedures."
"Understandable." Harry said as he picked up the ceremonial dagger on the desk. "How much?"
"five drops if you would, on this parchment."
Harry nodded before doing as asked. Harry was surprised at the writing that appeared on the paper.
Name: Henry 'Harry' James Potter
Mother: Lillian Rose Potter nee Evans
Father: Jams Charlus Potter
Blood Status: Half-Blood
Family Heritage: Pureblood (Father), Muggleborn (Mother), Pureblood (Maternal Line, Evans), Pureblood (Paternal Line, Potter)
Vaults: Trust Fund (Set up by parents), Evans Family Vault (Co-Owner Hermione jean granger), Potter family vault, black family vault (pending reading of will)
"why does it say I co-own a vault with my friend Hermione?"
"if the young miss is listed as a co-owner then she must be a blood relative of some sort. That is the only way someone can lay any claim to a vault. We may contact Miss Granger at your connivance to have this sorted out or we may also consult the family tree in the Evans vault or the lineage book here in my office. Either is your choice Mister Potter."
"Thank you. I think I'll go with the later."
"very well. As you might have noticed, the Black family vault was listed amongst your list of vaults."
"Yes sir, I did notice that but did not wish to comment on it. The loss of my godfather is still a fresh wound."
"For which you have our sympathies. Lord Black was one of few gigots customers that showed the goblin nation a great deal of respect. One of many reasons we never denied him access to his gold while on the run."
"Thank you again, Director. That is very kind of you to say about Sirius."
"The official reading of his will is in two weeks. However, the late Lord Black named you his heir as his godson since he had no issue at the time of his death. You may wish to hear it now or wait until then."
"I'll wait if you don't mind. I still need a little more time to process his loss."
"Most understandable. However, the wills of your parents cannot wait any longer. They should have been read upon your re-entry into the wizarding world. But since we could not contact you properly it could not be done."
"Again, I apologize for my ignorance."
"It is forgiven Mister Potter. Which would you like to hear first?"
"My mother's if you please, Director."
"Very well." Ragnok said as he picked up one of the many scrolls that had appeared on his desk. "let us begin."
Last Will of Lily Potter
I, Lillian Rose Potter nee Evans, being in my total physical and mental faculties, dictate this legal document as my Last Will and Testament. All wills dictated previously are now null and void.
I leave Headship of the Evans family to the eldest magical child descendant of this line unless the line is matrilineal. In such case the title will pass to the eldest magical female. Lord or Ladyship shall be ascended upon their Eighteenth birthday or completion of their magical education whichever comes first.
I leave custody of my child, Henry 'Harry' James Potter, to my husband, James Charlus Potter. If he should proceed me in death, the custody of our son shall go to the people on the list found below in the following order.
Potential Guardians for H. J. Potter
Sirius Orion Black, Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, Primary Godfather
Alice Longbottom nee McKinnon, Primary Godmother
Remus John Lupin (if the laws regarding Lycantrophy are repelled), Secondary Godfather
Amelia Susan Bones, Assistant to the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Secondary Godmother
Marina Evans (married name unknown), Maternal Second Cousin
Petunia Dursley nee Evans (only under the most extenuating circumstances, such as Blood Wards, but only if my cousin Marina Evans cannot be located), Maternal Aunt
If any of the persons on this list gains guardianship over my son, a monthly stipend shall be granted from the Evans family vault in the amount of Three Hundred Pounds a month along with a sum dictated by my husband totaling no more than Fifteen Hundred Pounds and no less that One Thousand Pounds for the care and welfare of my child.
I leave the following bequest.
To my sister, Petunia Dursley nee Evans, I leave a jewelry box belonging to our mother along with a sum total of Two Million Nine Hundred Twelve Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty-Four point Seventy-Five Pounds, as well a third of my total estate. Half of this amount will be placed into a trust fund set up by my solicitors for her son, Dudley Vernon Dursley, which he will inherit on his Twenty-First birthday. The rest of my bequest to the Dursley family shall remain in trust at Gringotts London for the future generations to come. If a descendent of the Dursley line shall indeed be born magical, a trust vault will be made for them in the sum of Fifty Thousand Galleons for their school needs for all seven years along with the tuition being paid from the Evans vault, upon record of their birth is made in the Hall of Records in the Ministry of Magic and/ort he Evans family tree which will be checked periodically by the Goblin Nation (when the family linage book alerts them) to ensure they receive their birthright. Any monies left over from said trust vault is that child's to keep and may go towards furthering their education if they so wish. I also leave her the Deed of Ownership of our family home, Number Four Privet Drive in Surrey.
To my cousin Marina Evans, I also leave the sum total stated above, half of which is to be split equally amongst her children. The same conditions apply for her family as they do for Petunia's. I also leave her copies of my poetry collection along with the Deed of Ownership to our grandparents cottage in Dublin, Ireland. If custody of my son is granted to her, this home is to be placed under the Fidelus Charm with Albus Dumbledore as the secret keeper if they should ever need to go into hiding. If Professor Dumbledore is not able to do so, them either Remus Lupin, Sirius Black or the Head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Evans shall serve in his place.
To Remus John Lupin, I leave copies of my defense and history (both muggle and magical) collections.
To Severus Tobias Snape, I leave copies of my points book collection.
To my son, Henry 'Harry' James Potter, I leave the third of my total estate, which shall be placed in the Potter family vault until he comes of age. I also leave him copies of every book in my collection along with the originals so that he may make copies for those he wishes unless they are a family book, in which case, he may only make copies for other members of the Evans line. He shall also receive trunks with my possessions from the cottage we were staying in as well as his belongings found in that house. A charm has been placed on a letter given to my account manager, Master Goblin Ragnok, with instructions to retrieve any and all items in the home at the time of my death.
If I should die while in hiding, along with my husband, then the Fidelus set by myself and Sirius Orion Black, has been breached by our secret keeper, Peter Pettigrew. If it is so, a memory shall be located in a small chest located in the Potter family vault along with a memory from my husband and Mr. Black showing that we made a switch. These are to be presented as soon as they are found to the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic.
Thus concludes my Last Will and Testament, so mote it be.
Signed, Lillian Rose Potter nee Evans
Signed, James Charlus Potter, Witnessed
Signed, Alice Longbottom nee McKinnon, Witness
"Wow, no wonder they didn't want me this whole time. They didn't know they were supposed to be given child support." Harry said after the will was read. "To think this whole time they were right about me being a financial burden. Makes no difference, it's only two more years. They may not love me but at least now they might not hate me."
"That is possible."
Meanwhile in the main lobby…
Hermione stepped up to the goblin at the counter when it was her turn.
"Excuse me."
"Yes?"
"I've lost the key to my vault and was wondering what the procedure was to obtain a replacement."
"Follow me."
The goblin led Hermione down a corridor until they came to a small office. The goblin instructed her to sit in one of the chairs.
"Wait here. Someone will be here soon to give you a blood test. We need to make sure you are who you say you are."
"Of course. Thank you."
Hermione sat waiting for five minutes when another goblin came into the room.
"Greetings Miss. What can I help you with?"
"Good day sir, I was brought in here for a blood test. I lost my vault key and the other goblin said my identity needed verification."
"Very well then." the goblin said while retrieving a sheet of parchment from a cabinet. "Place five drops of your blood on this parchment."
She took the ceremonial dagger offered to her. With a delicate precision, she made a tiny slice on the palm of her hand. After the required drops fell the goblin healed the wound.
"This should only take a minute or so."
The blood on the sheet started to seep into it before lettering started to appear.
Name: Hermione Jean Granger
Mother: Marina Abigail Granger nee Evans
Father: Austin John Granger
Blood Status: Muggleborn
Family Heritage: Muggle (Father), Squib (Mother), Pureblood (Maternal Line, Evans)
Vaults: Trust Fund (Set up by parents), Trust Vault (Set up in accordance to will of Lily Potter nee Evans), Evans Family Vault (Co-Owner Harry James Potter)
The goblin handed over the parchment to Hermione after verifying her identity and getting her new copies of the keys she owned.
"WHAT?" she exclaimed. She began glancing at the paper again. "My mother's a squib? I have a family vault and a second trust? I'm related to Harry?"
"It will be explained momentarily Miss Granger. Before that happens you must first sign papers regarding the account. Since there is more than one heir to the Evans line, Gringotts needs written consent on your behalf to openly disclose any and all matters involved. Once all paperwork is in order someone will come and collect you to meet with Mister Potter. Would you like to wait here or in the reception area before speaking with him? He is currently being given the option to sign his consent to meet with you."
"I'll wait in the lobby, thank you." She said nodding before going over and signing whatever forms were needed.
She was then led to the waiting area where she'd sit until she could see Harry.
Back in Ragnok's office…
"We have checked the records to verify whether the line is matrilineal or not. We have found that this is so the case. According to the family lineage book and tree, a female was born to the Evans line bearing magic in September of 1979."
"Hermione?"
"I cannot officially confirm or deny this. Forms giving us permission to disclose information regarding the account must be signed by both owners. As soon as Miss Granger comes to take care of any business I'll have the tellers advise her of the necessary paperwork. Until such time, we shall leave that topic alone. Do you have any questions before we proceed with your father's will?"
"Actually I do. In the letter I received, I was informed that I had to claim my inheritance by age 16. If the Head of House is Hermione, wouldn't the Ministry have taken the estate by now?"
"Normally yes, but since the Ministry has forgotten that the Evans family was an Ancient and Noble house due to many generations of squibs they do not remember that the vaults exists."
Harry couldn't help but laugh at this.
"I can't wait to see the looks on the faces of the purebloods when they find out that a 'mud blood' is a Head of House for an Ancient and Noble family."
"Moving on, Mister Potter."
Last Will of James Potter
I, James Charlus Potter, being in my total physical and mental faculties, dictate this legal document as my Last Will and Testament. All wills dictated previously are now null and void.
I leave Headship of the Potter family to my son and heir, Henry 'Harry' James Potter. If my wife Lily Potter nee Evans is still living, she shall act as Regent until Harry can take over. Lordship shall be ascended upon his Seventeenth birthday or completion of his magical education whichever comes first.
I leave custody of my son, Harry, to my wife, Lily Rose Potter nee Evans. If she should proceed me in death, the custody of our son shall go to the people on the list found below in the following order.
Potential Guardians for H. J. Potter
Sirius Orion Black, Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, Primary Godfather
Alice Longbottom nee McKinnon, Primary Godmother
Remus John Lupin (if the laws regarding Lycantrophy are repelled), Secondary Godfather
Amelia Susan Bones, Assistant to the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Secondary Godmother
Marina Evans (married name unknown), Maternal Second Cousin
Petunia Dursley nee Evans (only under the most extenuating circumstances, such as Blood Wards, but only if Lily's cousin Marina Evans cannot be located), Maternal Aunt
If my wife should precede me in death or pass at any time before Harry turns of age, his new Regent shall become one of the magical persons o the above mentioned list. If Harry is placed in the custody of Lily's sister or cousin and none of the above mentioned magicals are able to fulfill this position, his Regent shall either become Frank Longbotom, Augusta Longbottom, Edgar Bones or Andromeda Tonks. If any of the persons on these lists gains guardianship over my son, a monthly stipend shall be granted from the Potter family vault in the amount of Nine Hundred Pounds a month along with a sum dictated by my wife totaling no more than Fifteen Hundred Pounds and no less that One Thousand Pounds for the care and welfare of my child.
I leave the following bequest.
To my brother in all but blood, Remus John Lupin, I leave Two Million Galleons. I also leave him the Deed of Ownership for the cottage in Hogsmeade, Scotland and copies of my auror training books.
To my brother in all but blood, Sirius Orion Black, I leave Two Million Galleons. I also leave him the Deed of Ownership for the cottage in Ottery St. Catchpole in Devon.
In the event that either Sirius or Remus gain custody of Harry, they are to put the houses under the Fidelus Charm immediately. The secret keeper should be either of the two if not Frank Longbottom.
To the he Longbottom family, I leave Five Million Galleons to be split equally amongst themselves.
To Albus Dumbledore, I leave Ten Million Galleons to be donated to Hog warts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The money can go to any of the three scholarship funds.
To my son, Henry 'Harry' James Potter, I leave everything else in my possession, which shall be kept in trust in the Potter family vault until he comes of age. I also leave him copies of every book in my collection along with the originals so that he may make copies for those he wishes unless they are a family book, in which case, he may only make copies for other members of the Potter line. He shall also receive trunks with my possessions from the cottage we were staying in as well as his belongings found in that house. A charm has been placed on a letter given to my account manager, Master Goblin Ragnok, with instructions to retrieve any and all items in the home at the time of my death.
If I should die while in hiding, along with my wife, then the Fidelus set by my wife Lily and Sirius Orion Black, has been breached by our secret keeper, Peter Pettigrew. If it is so, a memory shall be located in a small chest located in the Potter family vault along with a memory from my wife and Mr. Black showing that we made a switch. These are to be presented as soon as they are found to the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic.
Thus concludes my Last Will and Testament, so mote it be.
Signed, James Charlus Potter
Signed, Lillian Rose Potter nee Evans, Witness
Signed, Sirius Orion Black, Witness
After hearing his father's will, Harry signed paperwork staking his rightful claim to the things his parents left him as well as his Heir ring which would be replaced by his Head ring on the day he turned 17.
"Would you like to go down to the Potter vault to look around? Or would you like to meet with Miss Granger first? I was alerted while reading the late Lord Potter's will that she was in the bank and has signed the proper paperwork."
"I'd like to meet with Hermione if you wouldn't mind."
"Of course Mister Potter. I'll have Griphook bring her in."
"Thank you."
After a few minuets of waiting for his bushy-haired best friend, Griphook finally delivered her to Ragnok's office.
"Miss Granger, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine Director Ragnok."
"Please have a seat." He waited for Harry to help her into her seat. "As you have already learned, you are the co-owner of the Evans family vault with Mister Potter."
"But how is that possible Director Ragnok? My mother is an only child."
"That may be Miss Granger. But she was also the cousin to Mister Potter's late mother, Lady Potter. You are one very lucky young lady. According to your cousin's will, a trust vault Was set up in your name upon the discovery of your relation. Any monies paid to Hogwarts by your parents for tuition to that point has been reimbursed and notice sent to them that the rest of your tuition until you graduate has already been paid in full. The gold untouched shall pass over to you once you sign these forms since you will be of age in a few months. Your mother will need to be contacted as well as the solicitors to go over the paperwork. The same goes for you aunt Mister Potter." Ragnok said looking back and forth between the two teenagers. "Miss Granger, do you wish to keep both vaults or consolidate them into one? Your mother has also inherited some property that she will need to sign for."
"I'd like to put both trusts together, please. It should be less confusing that way." Hermione said thoughtfully. "And I'll let her know as soon as I see her Director Ragnok. May I make an appointment for tomorrow or the day after?"
"Whichever is to your earliest connivances."
"Thank you sir"
Ragnok took out two wooden boxes from his desk. Double checking them, he placed each down in front of their proper owners.
"These are your Heir rings. They should be placed on your right ring finger. When the time comes they will be replace by your Head rings. Normally this would be when one comes of age. For you Miss Granger, that shall be when you reach your Eighteenth birthday as stipulated in your cousin's will. As the last direct descendant of the Potter line, Mister Potter's will change on his Seventeenth birthday, unless by some miracle he becomes emancipated before then.."
"Director Ragnok, my father's will stated I would need a Regent. Would the same apply to Hermione?"
"Yes and no. at present, the Chief Warlock acts as Regent for seats that have none due to the line dying out or going squib. In some cases the Chief Warlock is appointed, and if the Head of House is a minor and Regent has not been appointed then this also falls under the Chief Warlocks jurisdiction. We may contact him for you if you'd like Miss Granger. You may keep him on as Regent afterwards or appoint someone else."
"I would like Professor Dumbledore to continue as my Regent. If I change it, the Ministry will get wind of it and may try to take the estate."
"
That's what I was thinking Mione." Harry told her. "They've forgotten that our family used to be one of the oldest lines because of all the squibs produced."
"So we're all agreed?"
"Agreed."
Harry looked at his parent's wills. The anger of the few things he learned was starting to build.
"Damn you old man!"
"Harry!" Hermione scolded him. "Watch your language in front of the Director."
"Sorry dear cousin." Harry replied sheepishly. "It's just that there were so many other people he could have left me with."
"I know Harry. But the Professor must have had his reasons for choosing Petunia. We just need to find out what they were."
"Director, may we call upon a goblin messenger or house elf -" He turned to the girl genius. "Mione, please don't bring up S.P.E.W. right now. There's no time. I'm sorry if that sounds offensive." He turned back to Ragnok. "As I was about to ask, may we borrow one of your messengers to send an important missive to Dumbledore?"
"I'll have Griphook take care of it post haste."
"Thank you."
Okay, I'll have to cut it off there. I might have made this longer than normal but that's expected with the wills being read. Let me know what you thought. Hope you enjoyed it :)