AN: Sorry for the delay, I have no excuse at all except that I'm inherently lazy. Hope you enjoy and please Review!
EDITED
Harry and Severus shifted nervously, feeling rather out of place in the grand bank. They were quite unsure about how to proceed and it was on the tip of Harry's tongue to ask someone for help when a very fierce looking goblin approached them.
He, for Harry presumed it was a he, took one look at their rather filthy, untidy, Muggle clothes and sneered.
"Gringotts has no time for loiterers or urchins, either withdraw some money or GET OUT"
It appeared that Goblins were not the friendliest creatures and had not been wronged in any of the Muggle fairytales that portrayed them as vicious creatures.
Severus however seemed incensed at being dismissed so easily and drew himself up to his full height of 138cm. His tone became dangerously soft and rather commanding for an orphaned, apparently penniless, 11 year old boy.
"I, Severus Tobias Snape, only child and heir of Eileen Alexandra Snape nee Prince, claim my inheritance as the last of the Prince line"
"Oh and my friend Harry Potter wishes to test for inheritance as well." He added as an after thought.
The goblin looked incredibly shocked for a split second before regaining his professional demeanor.
"Right this way, sirs" He said rather gruffly steering them towards the rooms behind the tellers.
Harry guessed that was as close to an apology as he was going to get from the rather put-out goblin.
"Sev" he hissed out of the corner of his mouth, completely unaware that goblins had extra sensitive hearing.
"Where'd you learn to go all pureblood?"
"My mother taught me in case she died and I had to claim my inheritance." He replied just as the goblin in front of them let out what sounded like an amused snort.
They had reached the entrance to an office with the words 'Inheritance Department' written on the door. The goblin opened the door and gestured for them to enter while rapidly saying something in a foreign language to the goblin behind the desk. The elderly goblin looked at the two boys with renewed interest, as the other goblin left the room.
After a moment the goblin stated
"I am Sharptooth."
There was a pause.
"Well Mr. um Sharptooth we're here to" Harry began
He was interrupted by the goblin who was bearing his very large, sharp teeth, revealing why he was so named.
"Yes, yes, I know Griphook told me, you are here to claim your inheritance." He said.
"Who wishes to go first?"
"I will." Severus said desperately trying to regain his earlier confident tone and failing miserably.
He hesitantly stepped forward and sat in the old rickety chair which he was sure had been made purposely uncomfortable to unnerve wizarding clients.
"This will require a drop of your blood." And before Severus could react, the goblin had pricked Severus's finger with a knife and dripped it onto a piece of blank magical parchment. Writing rapidly began to appear on the page:
Severus Tobias Snape
Half-Blood
Heir to Prince Vaults and Lordship-Maternal*
5th Heir to Rosier Vaults and Lordship-Maternal
*Lordship and Full Vault Access will be granted on recipients 17th Birthday
Severus stared at the paper before breaking into a rare smile.
"I told you goblins, that I was the heir and I was right!" completely oblivious to the fact that he was sounding incredibly childish.
The goblin ignored Severus; he reached into his draw and withdrew a small polished key.
"You will be able to access your trust vault with this."
"Next!" the goblin barked.
Harry nervously walked towards the desk and traded places with Severus. The goblin pricked Harry's finger with the knife, looking incredibly bored. Harry watched intently as words began to form on the page:
Harry James Potter
Pure-Blood
Heir to the MacLean Vaults and Lordship-Maternal*
2nd Heir to the Slytherin Vaults and Lordship-Unknown
3rd Heir to the Potter Vault and Lordship-Paternal
7th Heir to the Bones Vault and Lordship-Paternal
*Lordship and Full Vault Access will be granted on recipients 17th Birthday
The goblin took one look at the parchment and promptly dropped the page.
Harry just stared blankly at the page in total shock.
"What?" Severus said and picked up the paper.
"My God, you're bloody rich!" Snape said.
"Not really." The goblin said, having recovered from his shock.
"The Macleans are a fairly well-off pureblood family that suffered under Grindlewald's reign in Europe. I was unaware that there were any surviving members apart from a squib.
"What is really interesting are the houses for which you are not the direct heir. I have no idea how you are the 2nd heir of Slytherin and apparently neither does the parchment. As for the relation to the Potters, you greatly resemble Charlus Potter, younger brother of the current head and son of Ruth Bones. Charlus is not known for his discretion. I doubt he'll acknowledge you although it appears that he hasn't disinherited you which is generally the norm in this instance."
Harry didn't think he'd ever heard a goblin say so much. Not that he had a lot of experience with goblins but he had a feeling that he'd never hear one reveal so much again without it being sufficiently surprised.
"Discretion? What does that have to do with anything?" Severus piped up, reminding Harry of his presence.
The goblin gave Severus a pointed look causing Severus's cheeks to redden.
"Oh!"
"Oh indeed" Harry muttered. This revelation didn't bother him particularly as he assumed he was born legitimately in the future however it was a good excuse for his distinctly Potterish looks and last name. He thought it might be a bit awkward if he ever meet his so called father.
His thoughts were interrupted by Sharptooth placing a key in his hand and giving them instructions on how to return to the atrium and get a goblin to take them to their trust vaults.
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One exhilarating cart ride later the two boys found themselves back in the Gringotts Atrium armed with limitless moneybags linked directly to their Vaults and a healthy dose of confidence.
They made their way into Diagon Alley, ignoring the glances they were getting because of their shabby Muggle clothes, while keeping a look out for the promised guide from Dumbledore. This was made difficult as neither had any idea what this 'Hagged' or 'Professor McGoogle' looked liked.
Severus eventually decided that they deserved to splurge some money, so they made their way to 'Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions'.
The two boys' bought the required school robes listed on the list Dumbledore had left them as well as some robes of their own choosing. They bought some everyday robes of the best quality, one of which they changed into and some formal dress robes because Sev said "You'll never know what'll come up."
As they exited the shop and made their way towards Flourish and Blotts looking much more like wizards, Severus said
"I like wearing robes"
"It reminds me of my mother. I used to go into my mother's wardrobe when I was younger and I'd stare at her robes-hidden of course-and wish desperately for the day I could attend Hogwarts and wear them. My father wouldn't allow 'Foolish Wizard wear' in his household."
Harry paused, unsure what to say to his friend, comforting people had never been his strong point. He finally settled for
"Well you're going to Hogwarts now, I'm sure your mum would be proud."
Severus nodded a faint smile on his lips. The boys had a great time in the book store, buying not just the required textbooks but also a large variety of books on Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, DADA, History and Wizarding Etiquette. As the attendant was about to ring up their purchases, Harry noticed a small boy with light brown hair looking longingly at a Wizarding History book near the counter. Harry felt rather sympathetic for the boy, he remembered what it was like to have no money, and added a copy of the book to his own purchases.
As they were leaving Harry tapped the boy on the shoulder and handed him the book. At first the boy looked at Harry incredulously, a look which Severus mirrored, before he remembered his manners and began to thank him profusely. Several thank yous later, the still unnamed boy, asked if there was anything he could to repay Harry. Harry started to say no before he came up with an offer
"How about you come have ice-cream with us, we don't know many people our age round here."
With a quick glance at Severus who looked a bit upset but not totally against the idea, the boy said yes. As the three of them joined the crowd heading towards the ice cream parlour Harry turned towards the boy and said
"What's your name?"
"Remus, Remus Lupin." The boy said in a quiet, hoarse voice.