Pretty Boy

Chapter 28

Gringotts and Dark Lords

Harry had been rather touched at Sirius' words, when he'd had a chance to think about it. Sirius had given him money even when he thought Harry hated him. He'd never had any family, well not that he could remember anyway. He wouldn't be calling Sirius or Remus Uncle, not just because he was an adult now, but because he didn't have good associations with that word. Part of him wished he'd known sooner, so he could have at least, had the chance of a family. Another thing Dumbledore had taken away from him, oh how he couldn't wait to enact his revenge. He had Severus now though, he was truly all Harry needed or wanted. He was growing fond of Remus and Sirius though, there was no denying that.

"Can we go to Gringotts?" asked Hadrian, as he put the rest of the potion into the vials. His worry had been for nothing, he was very good at potions. He'd helped Severus with all the potions he needed to make; they were going to take them down to the Hospital wing after the current batch was finished. Putting the full vial aside, he picked up the next one and filled that too.

"If that's what you'd like to do, then yes." said Severus as he placed the corks in the vials. Spelling them into the large crate, ready for transportation, Harry doing the exact same as him. He was impressed with Harry, he had to admit. He was very good at brewing, show him something once and he got it. He also remembered everything he'd read, and knew how to properly dissect the ingredients.

"Great," said Hadrian, "Wingardium Levisoa!" he said pointing his spell at six crates and floating them out of the lab and down the hall. He had to use his wand when in public; Severus didn't want them to know his true power. Neither did he come to that, it was safer that way. He didn't want to even think what Dumbledore would do if he found out. It seemed he got jealous of anyone more powerful than him. It was extremely childish; Severus had himself checked making sure he hadn't been on the receiving end. Severus had been relieved to see he hadn't been tampered with in any way.

"Poppy?" called Severus as he entered the main ward, Hadrian followed as always, closely behind him. He could see Harry was curious, he'd never met her and had no reason to distrust her.

"Ah, Severus I was wondering when you'd be down!" said Poppy smiling at him, as she came out of her office, clipboard in hand. "Oh, you have company." she added seeing the man with him.

"I do indeed, this is Hadrian Williams, Hadrian this is Poppy Pomfrey, Matron and Healer here at Hogwarts." said Severus. "Everything you asked for is here; if you need anything else let me know."

"So soon? I don't normally get two batches until after Hogwarts has started back up for at least a day." said Poppy, taking control off the crates and floating them towards the hospital wing's storage cupboard. Only she and the teachers could get into them, there were too many potions that could cause overdoses.

"I had help," said Severus wryly, "Hadrian is my apprentice Poppy."

"I see," said Poppy shocked and displaying it.

"I must leave, you know where I am if you need anything else." explained Severus.

"Of course, thank you Hadrian, it's nice to meet you." said Poppy walking over, opening her cupboards she began, by hand, removing the potions and putting them in spaces she wanted them in. She had a specific order she liked them in, if anyone messed with them they received an earful from her. When in an emergency if they aren't where she left them, she could end up hurting them she'd say. After that, neither the house elf's nor Severus helped her put them away.

"You also," said Hadrian, before he turned and left, he couldn't wait to see Diagon Alley again, properly this time. Not just that but hopefully he'd have his money, that's if Sirius was right and the Goblins would be silent.

There was one thing Severus wouldn't need to teach Harry, since he already knew how to Apparate. He didn't have a licence, but who really cared during war? Which is exactly what they did once they got to the edge of the wards.

Severus led the way, since Harry still didn't know his way around Diagon Alley yet. He walked slower than normal, letting him take in the sights. Harry's face was impassive, but his eyes, his green eyes were glowing with awe.

"I need to speak to a manager in private if you please," said Severus once they were at the tellers.

Hadrian let him; still not sure what to say anyway, he'd never interacted with a goblin before. Hell he'd never seen one before today; they were everything he'd ever imagined and more. Ugly, vicious looking creatures, they looked like they wanted to eat you rather than help.

"Follow me," said the Goblin staring at Hadrian intently, Harry had a feeling that they knew who he was. They couldn't could they? Didn't matter he supposed, after all they would know it a few minutes regardless. He couldn't exactly talk about his account without telling them who he was.

They were led into a large, yet expensively furnished office. Gems lying everywhere, gold statues, and miles upon miles of paperwork. The smallest thing in the room seemed to be the Goblin sitting on the chair. Severus sat down in one of the chairs, and Hadrian followed.

"How can I help you Severus Snape and Harry Potter?" asked Wraith his beady eyes watching them intently. As if hoping to catch them of guard, but he didn't, neither displayed any emotion to his question.

"Mr. Potter," stressed Severus, not liking the familiarity the Goblin had used with them. "Would like to claim his inheritance and inquire about it."

"How did he know?" asked Hadrian still eyeing the Goblin, evidently not trusting them.

"Their wards put everywhere else to shame; they know exactly who's coming through their bank. The wards will have alerted them the second you stepped in." said Severus smirking wryly at the Goblin.

"Yes, he is correct." said Wraith.

"So, my inheritance?" enquired Hadrian, he wasn't here to chat.

"First, I need your blood to verify and document, its standard procedure when asking for an inheritance test." said Wraith, placing a piece of blank paper and a needle in front of Harry.

Hadrian raised an eyebrow, not seeing why he'd need to do such a thing. However, Severus nodded that it was true. Curling his lip, he picked the needle up, pricking his pointer finger and placing the small droplet of blood onto the parchment. Severus immediately cleaned the remaining blood from the needle and healed Harry's finger. The Goblin didn't seem surprised by this. Anyone that had any sense would do the same thing; blood was a powerful tool in the magical world.

"Everything is in order, what would you like to know?" asked Wraith removing a folder from his drawer.

"Why I wasn't informed about my money in the first place," sneered Hadrian.

"You did not appear at Gringotts, it's not our duty to run down every child who has money at our bank." said Wraith. "Your accounts were in order regardless, the executor of the estate was managing it."

"It's Merlin's law to tell any wizarding child about their inheritance, especially and it's underlined if the child didn't know about the magical world." said Severus his black eyes flashing in anger. "Do not presume to make a mockery of us."

"Or I will take my business elsewhere." said Hadrian, bearing his teeth in an animalistic manner.

The Goblin's eyes widened in fear at the threat, immediately backing down. Bowing his head he said "My apologies, it will not happen again."

"Very well," said Hadrian curtly, letting it slide for now.

"Sign these, it will give you full access to your estate, instate you as the head of your family line." said Wraith having more respect for them than when they had first came in.

"Nobody is to be alerted I've signed these is that understood? My re-entrance to the wizarding world is to be kept on the down low." said Hadrian.

"Understood," said Wraith nodding in understanding.

"Good, now I'd like to see every transaction that's occurred, monetary or otherwise, since my parents deaths." said Hadrian.

"Of course," said Wraith immediately flipping through the paperwork, his eyes widening as he began to see the amount. He winced inwardly; well the young man wasn't going to be happy. Hopefully he wouldn't end up loosing one of the oldest and high level accounts.

Wraith reluctantly handed over the large bundle, wishing he was anywhere but here. He saw Harry's eyes widen, before shock began to make itself known. Severus and Hadrian looked wide eyed at each other then at the Goblin hoping against hope that it was all some macabre coincidence or mistake. Surely no one had made all those transactions.

"Those are everything?" asked Hadrian sarcastically, grabbing them and hoisting them over. Severus moved his seat closer, so he could see the paperwork as well. Harry flipped through them, quicker at each passing second a low growl working itself out of Harry's mouth. "Is that a lot?" he asked Severus, he knew nothing of Wizarding money. Galleons? Sickles? Knuts? No they could be anything for all he knew.

Severus took the paperwork, flicking through them all, seeing the signatures at the bottom. Dumbledore, Dumbledore, Dumbledore, Dumbledore, Dumbledore, Dumbledore, Dumbledore. He had removed so much, over sixteen years since the Potter's had died. He'd have continued if he'd been able to after Harry turned seventeen. His black eyes were flashing ominously, Merlin he just wanted to leave here, find Dumbledore and execute him on the spot. Wasn't it bad enough he'd almost killed Harry, not just placing him somewhere he'd be abused but by binding nearly all his magic? He'd resorted to taking Harry's money from him? He was utterly sickened to the core, Dumbledore was one depraved soul, and how had nobody seen this before? And why had Moody went along with it?

"Severus?" asked Hadrian frowning; he didn't like how quiet he was being. Or how the Goblin seemed to be shrinking into his seat clearly apprehensive of their reactions.

"To wizards or witches without an inheritance, the amount is substantial. In fact they could live two life times with what Dumbledore has removed. Yet with the amount of vaults you have, and the interest occurring on them all, it's in the process of being replaced. Since nobody has been able to touch your vaults in the past three years." replied Severus darkly.

"You let him take it all?" asked Hadrian angrily his glare returning to Wraith's.

"He was legally in charge of your accounts, each month he took only the legal amount he was able to take. Later on he found a way around it, using various reasons withdrawing just under the amount required." said Wraith. "We stopped him as soon as we could."

"How's that?" asked Hadrian.

"He needed your signature, along with your magic imbued in the paperwork to take anything out after your seventeenth birthday. He made the mistake of showing up with just the signature, it is within the pile. His request was denied, of course." said Wraith his beady eyes nervous.

Severus looked through again, finding the one he was talking about. Forgery, fraud Dumbledore was so going down. He copied them, intending on sending them to Remus and Sirius. If anything happened to him and Harry, then he would still be found out. He was a Slytherin, self preservation and all that, always prepared for the worst.

"Has he tried again? After that time I mean?" asked Hadrian seriously.

"No, he risked it the first time, he wasn't stupid enough to try a second," said Wraith shaking his head.

"I think I'm done here," said Hadrian.

"He will need a complete inventory of everything he has, as well as his key's." stated Severus calmly, "New keys, new locks, making the ones Dumbledore has useless."

"Usually it's charged, but considering all things, I will do it for free. If you can wait here for five minutes the work will be done immediately." said Wraith.

"Of course," said Severus.

"Here are your keys, and a full inventory of your estate. This is a pouch; it means you do not have to come to Gringotts to withdraw money. You insert your key here, and say the amount you want and it will appear in the pouch." said Wraith handing over a set of keys, a pouch and a large rolled up tube of parchment.

"Thank you," said Hadrian, placing the key into the side pocket as the Goblin had demonstrated. The rest of the key's he placed in his cloak pocket, or rather Severus' since he didn't have any clothes yet.

"You are welcome Mr. Potter." said Wraith, "Welcome back to the wizarding world. May the gods grant you more gold."

"May yours triple also," said Severus, knowing Harry didn't understand Goblins customs.

Wraith nodded as if he understood before he sat back down in his chair. Severus and Hadrian then left the office. They had no reason to stay after all, since their work at Gringotts was now complete.

Hadrian grunted as he was shoved aside, he opened his mouth to tell the wizard exactly what he thought. At that exact moment, Severus dug his fingers into his arm, forcing him to grunt in pain. Glancing at Severus, he saw him looking rather pale or paler than normal actually.

"Severus," drawled the silky voice, it spoke of arrogance and smugness. Harry immediately disliked him for that alone.

"Lucius," said Severus impassively. Oh how he hated the smug bastard, how he wished he could repay the favour he'd bestowed earlier. Beat him to a pulp and leave him defenceless in the Muggle world.

Hadrian's hatred tripled, so this was the bastard who had killed his grandparents. The need for vengeance came flooding back, if it was the last thing he did, he swore he'd make the wizard pay.

"Who is this?" sneered Lucius seeing the man standing next to Severus, slightly surprised. Severus never really associated with anyone, so he was actually genuinely curious.

"Someone you knocked into like a buffoon, now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to leave your presence since its making me sick." sneered Hadrian his lip curled in repugnance as he glared at Malfoy before jerking away.

Lucius snarled as he watched the retreating figure, his eyes glinting dangerously. He'd have liked nothing better than to punish the man for his lip. Oh, how he couldn't wait until the Dark Lord took over. Then he would have been able to enact his revenge just as he wanted to.

"How is our lord?" asked Lucius, taunting Severus since he couldn't do anything else.

"Yes, perfect place to talk about him Lucius," sneered Severus before turning and leaving. He didn't want to have to put up with Malfoy any longer than necessary. Plus he was worried about Harry; he needed to find him and before Lucius left the bank. He'd seen that look on his face, he usually only had it when he was torturing people.

He saw 'Hadrian' coming out of the sweet shop, Honeydukes, with an entire bag full. Arching an eyebrow, he made his way over, intending on getting them out of there before Lucius left Gringotts.

"I got some chocolate; I wonder if these are real frogs? I've never had chocolate before, do you want some?" asked Hadrian, "Holy shit!" he said loudly, trying to grab the fleeing chocolate frog. Catching it with quick reflexes, and chewing its head off, grinning like a loony.

"Harry…" said Severus quietly, alarmed by Harry's behaviour. "Come on, we have to leave before he sees us."

"Severus!" sighed Hadrian, "The whole point of money and this outing is to spend it!"

Severus' eyes softened, of course being free to spend money as he pleased would be…liberating. It would turn even the hardest of person into a child in a candy store so to speak. He could remember how he felt the first time he'd spent money on himself, without worrying about if he'd have enough to pay the rent or survive. He hated himself for cutting it short, but Harry's safety meant more than having fun. "I have a catalogue in my quarters, you can look through that. They get delivered straight away, so you will have them the same day."

"Fine," said Hadrian, Apparating to Hogwarts, Severus appearing right next to him. They'd just stepped over the wards when Severus hissed in agony. Hadrian stared at him confused; they hadn't done anything to cause him pain.

"I have to go." said Severus, clutching at his forearm.

Hadrian just looked at him bewildered.

"He's calling me," elaborated Severus.

Hadrian didn't need to ask who the 'He' was after all there were only two wizards Severus served. One of them happened to be in the school, they'd just Apparated to. "Be careful."

Severus grimaced but nodded, then began walking back towards the gate. Severus was glad Harry wasn't making a big fuss about him going. Harry was becoming a little too perfect for him, its something he had always thought about in a lover. Someone who understood, cares but didn't make big fuss and delay the inevitable. He Apparated away, blocking his emotions and memories, behinds his Occlumency barriers. He just knew Lucius had gone straight to Voldemort and told him. He was going to have to spin a good story. He'd no doubt, be on the receiving five Cruciatus curses for not telling the Dark Lord. Merlin he really did want to kill Lucius Malfoy right now. He didn't want Harry to see him weak, so hopefully he could turn it back on the blonde idiot.

There we go :) the next chapter of Pretty Boy For You To Enjoy! :D