Disclaimer: JKR owns all things Harry Potter…I just swim in her pool : )
AN: I thank all my readers, who make me feel special. Please help me out with
the reviews. It really makes my day.
A special note goes out to all of you did review. Thank you for your encouragement as it really has kept me going with this fic.
Harry Potter awoke after some time had passed. He had dim memories of the past four years, but one thing he was determined to do was find out what had happened to Hermione. She was his only friend, and he had been unable to see her, or to let her know he still valued her friendship.
He turned over in his bed, which was inside the dingy room above the Leaky Cauldron. There on the end table was a folded sheet of parchment. He had not needed to use his glasses in a very long time, as his eyesight was no longer poor. He could remember certain details from the last few years, but anything else was a blank. Oh well, at least I'm not with the Dursleys anymore.
Harry smiled at the thought. He reached over and unfolded the parchment and on it was a note which read:
Harry-san,
We thought it best to help you shield your mind from those who might try to use you to find us, so we safeguarded your training and the knowledge of who you have been in a type of mind-shielding. The important things are shielded away inside your deepest center. One would have to get through all of your defenses to reach it, and then they would have to know the secret to locate the inner Harry. Harry, you have been like a son to me, and well do a cherish your spirit. You will find that all of your training is available to you when you need it, but you will be able to function as a normal eleven year old boy. You are ninja remember our honor code. Help those who cannot defend themselves. You will remember my face, but not the reason why, so remember me kindly and above all else, be careful trusting adults in this new world, for they might use you toward their own agendas. This message is set to disintegrate upon completion, so live well and fight for the good of your people. In your trunk, you will find a few of your most cherished possessions. They will give you the edge when it comes to facing evil.
Soke
PS Happy Birthday!
The letter vanished in a cloud of dust. Harry then went over to his trunk, and looked within, he had clothing, his mess kit, toiletries and a few assorted drawings listed as katas. Besides each drawing was Japanese script, which Harry could surprisingly read. They instructed how each movement was to be carried out. Harry also found a few other goodies hidden inside. He found a ninja's gi, complete with mask and hood, along with a pair of Glock G23 .40 caliber handguns, each equipped with silencers and scopes, and coming with harnesses and holsters. There was also a wicked katana and short blade with scabbards.
Harry tried on the gun harness and it disappeared from view. He couldn't even feel the harness, nor the holsters. Panicking he reached to the positions where he thought the guns were holstered and relaxed as he felt the oddly comforting feeling of his palms touching the grips. The same thing happened with the blades, but Harry somehow knew they would be ready to use if needed. The last thing he found were two wrist holsters, both preloaded with shuriken and darts. There even was a strange spot for an additional item, Though Harry was unsure of what exactly it would house, so he put them on, and again unable to see or feel them, but he knew they would be there should he need them.
Being an eleven year old, Harry experimented a bit and found that his shuriken nor darts never missed a target and recalled to his wrist holster after impact, his sidearms made no noise when fired and never needed to restock his ammunition. The post by his bed, however was destroyed. Harry put away his toys back into the holsters and decided it best to find someplace to practice and test the blades. He dressed and closed the door to his modest room, heading down the hall to the rickety staircase leading down to the pub below. He looked around and noticed that the pub was filled with people wearing strange robes.
They were laughing and talking amongst themselves. He made his way to the barkeep, and politely called, "Excuse me, sir. Where am I supposed to go to get supplies for Hogwarts?"
The large bald man smiled an extolled exuberantly, "Why Diagon Alley of course, young wizard! You are that first timer the old man paid for a room upstairs. Name's Tom and this is my pub 'The Leaky Cauldron.' What do ya think? It's not much but the food is hot and the drinks are good. Hogwarts supplies…if yer lookin' to get those things, you'll be needing to stop by Gringott's first. The goblins'll let you take out some galleons if ya have a vault, or change the muggle money to galleons for a fee. What's yer name lad?"
Harry felt at ease around Tom the barkeep but he still wanted to remain anonymous for as long as he could he answered in kind, "What's in a name, Tom? I'll have some bangers and hash, and a cuppa please."
Tom laughed heartily, "Ah a man of mystery, spot on mate! It'll be 2 sickles please."
Harry opened a small pouch he had at his belt and removed 3 small silver coins and placed them on bar top. "There you go, my good man. These are sickles, and I even threw in another for the good company."
Tom grinned and slid the coins into his meaty palm and dumped them into a jar behind the counter, before bringing a teacup and the fixings to Harry's spot. He then lifted the kettle and poured some into Harry's cup before putting it back onto the hearth. "There ya go, lad! One cuppa. I'll be back in a moment with yer bangers."
Harry quickly fixed his tea and took a sip of the hot liquid. It was a decent blend and its earthy flavors helped relax Harry's mind for a moment. He needed to find a way to locate Hermione, but today he needed to find a place to do his kata and then gather his supplies for school. He was going to prepare himself for school so he wouldn't be behind the other students, who having been raised in the wizarding world probably had him at a slight disadvantage. Bullies would take advantage of his inability to take care of himself and though certain he could easily out-stripe them physically, Harry was not certain about how much good that would do him should they start casting spells at him.
Harry's musings were interrupted by the barkeep returning with the plate of food that Harry had ordered. It smelled interesting and the portions were certainly generous, but to Harry, who though lacking concrete proof was probably used to a lighter fare if the condition of his young body was any judge, the plate seemed enormous. Harry's eyes bugged out as he choked a response, "Tom! That's enough food to feed ten of me. Would you care to split it with me?"
Tom who had never had someone offer him food while working was pleased by this kind act and answered, "Sure lad, I'll divide it up real quick here."
Tom deftly sliced the bangers and moved half of the hash to Harry's plate. He then transferred half of the bangers, and the two dug in with enthusiasm. The flavors were excellent, and both man and boy had devoured the plate in a short time.
Harry finished the last of his tea and then slid off the stool, "Thanks Tom! So how do I get to this Diagon Alley?"
Tom called over to another man, "Oi! Arthur. This 'ere lad needs to get to the Alley. Can you help 'im?"
A tall ginger dressed in slightly shabby robes walked over with a friendly smile on his middle-aged face. He looked at Harry with his hazel eyes and spoke, bending slightly to help compensate for the height difference. "Hi, My name is Arthur Weasely. Nice to meet you. So, it's your first year at Hogwarts, huh? Well, I've six children who've gone through that school, two of them have graduated already and are doing well in their jobs. My son Bill is a curse-breaker for Gringott's, and he's in Egypt. My second son, Charlie works with dragons in Romania. I miss them, but they come home to visit at times so it's not all that bad."
Harry could tell the man was a nice person and somehow instinctively knew that he could be trusted, so he answered, "Well, Mr. Weasley, it is nice to meet you too. I guess Tom wanted you to take me to the Alley?"
Arthur answered, "Sure! Follow me my boy!" They went to the other side of the common room and Arthur opened a door which led to a small courtyard with a brick wall on the other side. Arthur reached inside his robe and took out a thin stick and poked the wall at various places. When done, the wall began shifting and the bricks aligned into an arch.
Arthur grinned, "There you go, son, Diagon Alley! Just step through and you're on your way! Gringott's is the building at the end of the Alley, so you may want to start by going there."
Harry grinned excitedly, "Thank you Mr. Weasely! I guess I'll see to it now."
Arthur smiled and tousled Harry's hair, "Take care, lad."
Harry walked past the bustling shopping area, seeing the strange new sights. Children his age were busily being ushered about by parents and siblings. He could not help but feel a hint of jealousy and shame wash over him, wishing his parents were alive. He could imagine the pride on their faces as they escorted him about, but Harry quickly abandoned that train of thought as it had begun to bring a few tears to his eye.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice a young girl his age exit the bookstore in front of him and he all but plowed the poor girl over as she knocked into him. On instinct he deftly reached out and caught her as she exclaimed, "Watch it you dolt! Has anyone ever…"
He noticed a pulsating tingle run up and down his arms as he had caught her, and found himself staring into the deepest blue eyes he had ever seen. She was petite in stature and her symmetrical features hinted at the beauty she would soon become. He saw the look in her eyes soften, and he immediately responded, "My apologies, milady. I was lost in thought and obviously I failed to pay attention to my surroundings. I humbly beg your pardon." He grinned at her as he helped set her aright and then began picking up her scattered belongings and neatly replaced them into her shopping sacks.
The young girl responded, "I'm sorry I was so harsh, and thank you kindly for helping me recover my belongings and catching me. My name is Daphne Greengrass and it is refreshing to meet a true gentleman. I'm going to Hogwarts this term."
Harry bowed and kissed Daphne's knuckles lightly, causing her to blush, while he replied, "It is indeed an honor to make your acquaintance Miss Greengrass. My name is Harry Potter." Please don't make a scene! Please don't make a scene! Please don't make a scene!
Daphne recovered quickly, "Well, Mr. Potter, I believe the honor is mine as well. I believe I can find it my heart to forgive you, but my forgiveness will come at a small price. We can discuss it over an ice cream over at Fortescue's if you have the time."
Harry grimaced slightly, "Miss Greengrass it would certainly be a privilege for you to allow me to purchase a scoop for you, but I see you are with your family at the moment and I am afraid I must first visit Gringots as I have no means to pay for anything until I finish with my business. I'm not quite sure how long it will take, and it would be awfully rude of me to agree to something and then be unable to attend. May we perhaps postpone such plans for a more opportune moment?"
Harry noticed the flash of disappointment that washed over Daphne's face before she smiled softly and responded, "I believe we might be able to arrange for something. Thank you for helping again Mr. Potter. I hope I'll see you again soon." Then she stood on her toes and kissed Harry's cheek softly, blushing and then almost darting away into another store.
Harry stood rooted in place and grinning like a fool. Wow! That was something!
Harry made his way to the end of the Alley, and climbed the steps that led to the gleaming white building called Gringots. Inside he found opulent adornments carpets and marble and of course goblins. Harry had never seen a goblin before, but he did notice that the diminutive creatures were intimidating, whether dressed as bankers or in ceremonial armor complete with swords and spears.
As he stood in line, a goblin approached him and spoke, "You are Harry James Potter son of James and Lily Potter? Chief Director Ragnok requests you to meet with him on a matter of strictest import. Follow me."
He followed the goblin to a room where another older and wiser goblin stood conversing in a strange guttural language. Harry took the moment to scan the room but found nothing out of place. The director was taller and dressed more opulently than the other goblins he had seen. His chambers had two guards armed to the teeth posted at the entry and two more inside behind his desk. He motioned for Harry to have a seat and Harry complied, recognizing the authority this individual carried was the equivalent of the soke within his clan.
The director began, "My lord, it is an honor to meet you. My name is Ragnok, Chief Director of Gringott's and king of the European Goblin clans. I am pleased that you have agreed to meet with me today."
Harry responded, "It is an honor to meet you as well esteemed Chief Director, but please address me as Harry, as I am quite sure you carry much more honor within these halls than I do at this time. I will still refer to you as Chief Director unless granted leave to refer to you as otherwise. My soke would have my ears if I dishonored my clan by doing anything else as protocol would demand."
Ragnok grinned and replied, "Very well Harry, I am once again refreshed to hear that someone as young as yourself would grant such honor as you have to a mere goblin. Most wizards demand and treat us as if we are rubbish. The reason I have asked you to meet with me has to do with your parents' will. Upon your eleventh birthday, you have become Lord Potter, with all rights and privileges that the title carries, except for the votes in the Ministry, which you need to designate to a proxy by the time that you enter school."
Harry responded, "I accept this honor. What do you need from me to make this happen?"
Ragnok pulled a silver dagger from a sheath slowly and Harry immediately came on-guard. The goblin sensed the mood in the room shift, and carefully explained, "This ceremonial dagger is imbued with runic symbols that give it powerful properties. I only use it in situations like these. I will hand it to you to inspect, but I assure there are no poisons or trickery involved. I need you to make a small cut and allow three drops to be collected over this stone, the stone will glow a bright gold and then you simply speak the words of power, 'I, Harry James Potter, by right of blood and in accordance with ancient law do herby claim my birthright in the name of Merlin' then the stone will either accept your oath or reject it accordingly."
Harry took the proffered blade hilt first and did as Ragnok had directed. The glow filled the room and Harry's scar began burning like a raging inferno, intensifying to the point that he almost lost consciousness, he screamed in agony as an inky black mist burst from the rupture and shrieked in an unearthly cold high-pitched squeal before exploding in a shower of white-hot sparks. The pain subsided quickly following the mist and then faded away as the light ebbed, returning the room to its former state as if nothing had happened.
Harry glared at Ragnok before growling, "a little warning about the pain would have been nice, Chief Director!"
Ragnok recovered from his shock and responded, "Harry, I had no idea that this would happen. Never in our recorded history has this ritual caused anyone pain, much less the rest of the situation. How do you feel now?"
Harry answered, "Well, the pain is gone, and I feel strangely like a weight has been lifted off of my mind. I feel stronger and more energized. Whatever that was did something, and I think it was good. I apologize for raising my voice at you, but the pain had not quite subsided yet, and I was not quite able to think clearly. Now may I see this will, please?"
Ragnok grinned and clapped his hands loudly, "Of course, Harry, you may view the will."
A servant entered carrying a stone bowl filled with a strange liquid and a crystalline vial that swirled with a silvery light, which he surrendered to Ragnok. Ragnok then placed the bowl on the desk and unstoppered the vial, pouring the contents into the bowl. The bowl glowed with a soft blue light and then a white fog billowed forth, coalescing into a human form.
Harry looked at the form as it took shape and choked back a cry as he saw a man that looked much like an older version of him standing before him. The ghostly form began to speak, "I, James Harold Potter, being of sound mind and body on this 15th day of October, 1981, do hereby declare the following contents as my final will and testament, superseding and voiding all other statements arranged before this date.
To Sirius Black aka Padfoot, my brother in all but name, I do herby bequeath the guardianship of my son Harry James Potter. Padfoot, please take care of Harry and raise him to be a good man someday. Teach how to live life to the fullest with honor and compassion, to love with his whole heart, to fight for what is right, upholding the honor of his name and that of his friends and loved ones to the best of his ability and above else, to know how to laugh, both in the face of danger and at a good prank! Teach him the Marauding ways, and do not let him blindly follow that old goat fucker! He is not to be trusted. The other provision is that under no circumstances ever will harry have anything to do with my sister-in-law and her git of a husband! They are right evil bastards and Harry will be better off not ever having known them. Have Moony help you in this endeavor, because Merlin forbid he should fade away into obscurity. I also name you as the executor of Harry's estate, so invest wisely and don't waste it all on debauchery or you know Hurricane Lily will come back to haunt your mangy arse and hex you bits into oblivion!
To Remus John Lupin, my other brother from another mother, I do hereby bequeath to you my flat in Soho, London and a stipend of 100,000 galleons to be replenished bi-annually with the provision that you find yourself a wardrobe and a good woman! Live life, good man! Help keep Padfoot towing the line and make sure Harry turns out to be a right good bloke!
To Harry James Potter, my son and greatest asset, I bequeath the Lordship of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, with all rights and privileges to its name. We love you more than you can ever know, and may you become the greatest wizard you can be. Listen to Padfoot and Moony, because although they may seem a bit barmy, they are great men and even greater friends. I would rather have no one else at my side in the thick of it. I also bequeath to you all of my assets and possessions along with your mother's in it's entirety. The wizarding world does not allow women to bequeath, so upon marriage, all assets become the responsibility of the head of household to handle. In the family vault, you find a journal that belonged to her. Read it and you will find what she wanted to say to you. Remember again, Harry, we love you."
The mist faded away and the light died upon this conclusion. Ragnok gave the boy some time to process everything before producing a handkerchief, which he gave to Harry so Harry could wipe the tears from his face. Ragnok spoke, handing Harry a sheet of parchment detailing an itemized list of assets, "I will read the rest of this to you if you are ready, Harry."
Harry regained his composure and replied, "Yes, please, Chief Director. I am ready to continue."
ASSETS
*by right of conquest
Liquid:
Vaults #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6*, 25, 371 and 687
15,687,921,433 galleons, 97 sickles and 5 knuts
Note: Vaults 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 25 are high security vaults belonging to the Royal House of Emrys, the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, the Ancient and Noble Houses of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Perevell
Vault #371 is a standard vault belong to the Noble House of Devonshire
Vault #687 is a trust vault which remains available to Harry James Potter upon his claiming of birthright. It is to be set at 20,000 Galleons and refreshed to this amount upon his birthday each year until the age of 17. Upon this date all funds will be remanded to the main vault #2.
All funds can be viewed in a more differentiated detailed report if necessary.
Properties:
Domestic:
Strathclyde, Cornwall, the Valley of Nèamh (Hogsmead ,Hogwarts Castle, and the Forbidden Forest) Potter Manor, Devon (Ottery St. Catchpole, the Burrow and surrounding land excluding the Rookery and Longbottom Manor) Godric's Hollow, Wales, Greater and Little Hangleton, Diagon Alley, London, Surrey
Foreign:
Estates: Chateau du Potier, French Riviera, France La Casa de la Quinta, Seville, Spain, Potter House, Southampton Village New York, USA
Current market value: unavailable as some of the estates are invaluable
Flats: London, Dover England Glasgow, Edinburg, Scotland, Dublin, Ireland, Paris, Cannes, Versailles, Bordeaux, France, Rome, Venice, Naples, Milan, Italy, Athens, Crete, Greece, St. Petersburg, Russia, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Copenhagen, Denmark, Bern, Switzerland, Hong Kong, China, Tokyo, Japan, Bombay, India, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Australia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, New York City, New York, Chicago, Illinois, Atlanta ,Georgia, Miami, Florida, Houston, Texas, Boulder, Colorado, Malibu, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, Montreal, Quebec, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Current market value: 145,364,704, 903 galleons, 54 sickles, 55 knuts
Investments and Holdings
Domestic: Firebolt Company 75%, Grunnings Drill Company, Trustee 55%, Virgin Mobil 25%, Harrod's 25%, Aegis 15%,
Foreign: IBM, Apple, Microsoft, Dell, AT&T, Sprint, Disney, ExxonMobil, GTE (AN: Merges into Verizon Wireless in 2004) Viacom, Turner Broadcasting System, RCA Records, Time Warner
Current value: 235,555,678,937 galleons, 93 sickles, 23 knuts
Valuables: House Rings, Engagement Rings, Wedding Sets, Jewelry, Armor, Weaponry and Artifacts from Private Collections
Ward Stones, Runic Devices
Books, Scrolls and Engravings
23,563,245 known volumes of magical and non-magical literature including family grimiores
Legal Documents
Trade Alliances:
Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Longbottom, Black & Bones
Ancient and Noble Houses of Greengrass, Delacour, Chang, Abbott, Lupin,
Noble Houses of Lovegood, Weasely, Patil, Diggory and Goldstein
Houses of Evans, Creevey, and Vane
Strategic Alliances:
Most Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom
Ancient and Noble Houses of Chang, Delacour and Lupin
Noble Houses of Weasely and Diggory
House of Finnegan
Marriage Contracts
Most Ancient & Noble House of Bones
Ancient & Noble House of Greengrass
Noble House of Weasely
All outstanding Marriage Contracts will be fulfilled by the 16th birthday of the current Lord or he shall forfeit his title and assets to the Wizengamot for wholesale auction as required by law. House potter currently controls a total of 50 votes out of 150 current proxy Albus Percival Brian Wulfric Dumbldore.
Greengrass? Marriage? The room began to spin and the world faded to black.
AN: *Wipes brow* Sorry about the cliffie, but I think any eleven year old boy being told he was responsible for getting married to a girl would have fainted too. Next chapter deals with King's Cross and the Express, Reuniting and Girl Problems, Enter the Malfoy, and *Cue the "Imperial Death March" meeting Dumbles and his pet bat Count Snivellus. I'm uncertain whether to redeem him as a character or condemn him. Shoot me some reviews and let me know what you lot think.