So sorry it's been so long! Moving across continents can do that to you…

Anyways, I still own nothing! This entire world belongs to the fabulous J.K.R.!

Chapter 4

They meandered around Diagon Alley, shopping for all the things that they would need that would not be found on their first year lists – such as a miniature (and very expensive) portable pensive, advanced potions materials and crystal cauldrons, Auror level books, high security, walk-in, multi-compartment trunks and a couple other odds and ends.

After eating an ice cream, they exited the leaky cauldron and did some clothes shopping in the muggle world. Harry needed a complete new wardrobe, and Hermione took advantage of the time to renew her entire wardrobe as well, upon Harry's insistence, as her choice of style at this age had been … rather poor.

Enough purchases to fill their rooms wandlessly shrunk and stuck in their pockets, they moved on to shoes, and Harry dragged Hermione over to the make-up section (thankfully the Potter vaults had been filled with some muggle money as well – upon Lily's insistence, Harry had discovered). Determined Hermione would fit in with the other girls, Harry also bought her a bottle of perfume and a hair straightener.

They next went and bought some muggle notebooks, pens and pencils – both had agreed that it was a lot simpler than fighting the non-self inking quills until they were able to get to Hogsmeed. Actually, they were simply easier to use in general.

Harry also bought two ipods that Hermione was determined to manage to get working in the magical world. After all, she'd have plenty of spare time on her hands once they reached Hogwarts where she'd need to pretend to be studying to account for the astonishing grades she'd get. Especially considering she could pass all the exams years 1 through 6 in her sleep.

"Right," Harry muttered softly. "Back to Gringots."

They'd waited to do the really important errands until the afternoon, when there would be the most people about in the alley. Slipping back in behind an elderly witch, they once again found themselves in line behind Griphooks desk. The goblin merely raised an eyebrow in seeing them again so soon.

"Master Griphook, if you would, I would appreciate speaking with you in private." Harry said quietly, in fluent Gobblygook. He was rewarded with two raised eyebrows as Griphook merely stood, motioning for the two to follow him.

"Am I correct to believe," Harry stated when they'd entered a private chamber, "That you are the Goblin who manages the Potter accounts?"

"I am."

"Would you be able to bring me to visit the main Potter vault – not the one holding gallons, I understand that I do not have access to that until I turn 14 – but the heirloom vault."

"Of course. If I may ask, where did you learn Gobblygook, Mr. Potter?"

"That is a tale for a different time, master Griphook." Harry replied, glancing over to Hermione.

"And my I request that this visit be kept private? And I mean, completely private?"

Griphook regarded him with a shard of approval and curiosity in his eyes. "Of course. We value our client's confidentiality greatly."

"Thank you, master Griphook."

And at this, the goblin looked thoroughly startled. Harry sighed mentally; trust the 'Thank you' to throw him off balance – not a fake key, two eleven year olds conversing in Gobblygook, nor a request for privacy.

The Goblin seemed to regard him contemplatively for a moment, before speaking once again.

"And does Mr. Potter have his key? Or perhaps, another illegal replica?"

Hermione's eyes widened as she realized this was the Goblin's endeavor at a gentle joke. Harry took it in his stride, smiling slightly as he replied, "I'm afraid I simply haven't had the time – blood will suffice, I hope?"

The Goblin smiled.

"None but Potter blood may enter," Griphook cautioned as they stepped out onto the platform near the vault.

"I know. Thank you for the warning though," Hermione replied, and Griphook stared before shaking his head at the fact that two mere eleven year olds were fluent in Gobblygook and polite. This was turning into one truly bizzar day.

Harry moved forward, resting his hand against the door. It clicked open, and he stepped within the vault. Torches blazed to light as soon as he entered the vault, Griphook and Hermione standing in the doorway as they took in the sight before them. The vault was probably the size of a small cathedral.

"How on earth am I ever going to find anything in here," Harry muttered as stared incredulously around the room. He'd never been down to this vault before – he hadn't exactly been very welcome at Gringots after destroying the roof by freeing a dragon, robbing a vault and all that. And before the incident, he'd never had an opportunity nor known of its existence in the first place.

"There's a manual to your left – a sort of vault catalogue if you will." Griphook suggested in a rare moment of volunteering information.

Harry wandlessly summoned said volume, and Hermione merely shrugged as she saw Griphooks expression figuring that with the amount he'd already seen, knowing Harry could do wandless magic wasn't going to change much.

"Aha!" Harry exclaimed as he opened it, "Thank you master Griphook. Now… let's see, what to look for first."

"Harry," Hermione called out, an idea suddenly striking her, "You don't think… you don't think Lily and James might have, you know, left portraits behind?"

Harry's face snapped up to stare at her, his eyes wide. "Why on earth has this never crossed my mind before?!"

Hermione merely gave him a smile, and Harry lifted the book, touching a page he said, "Lily Potter's portrait."

The effect was immediate. The book glowed with power, and the words Harry had spoken appeared in a golden script along the page. Touching the words, there was a flash of light and a large canvas flew towards him from the back of the vault.

A rather started looking woman and man were clinging to each other in the frame, stumbling from the rather bumpy ride they'd just experienced.

They stared at Harry, the portrait hovering midair in front of him. Harry stared at them. They stared at Harry.

"Oh Harry!" It was Hermione who cried out, tears spilling down her cheeks as she observed the reunion. Finally, finally!

"H… Harry?" the woman, Lily spoke up.

"Course – he looks just like me." James added, a smile on his face. Suddenly Lily was weeping, pressed against the frame, reaching out towards her son and Harry was clutching the portrait close, as though if he held it tight enough he'd be able to feel them. Hermione was crying as hard as Lily by now, the entire scene playing out before her utterly heart renching. She wanted to hold Harry, to hug and comfort him, but she knew she couldn't cross the threshold of the vault.

Eventually Harry sat on the floor, placing the frame in front of him, angling it so Hermione could see as well. Griphook had withdrawn in order to give them some privacy.

"Hello Mum. Dad." Harry choked out.

"Hi Son."

Harry took a deep calming breath, steadying himself, his gaze turning to Hermione for help. Unable to stand seeing him so desperate, Hermione moved forward instinctively, rushing forward to hold Harry in her arms.

Griphooks startled cry turned to a quiet exclamation of surprise when the vault accepted her presence.

"Chosen?!" he muttered, "At eleven years of age?"

Harry simply smiled, pulling Hermione down into his lap as he held her tightly, drawing comfort from her presence.

"Harry?" Lily's voice broke the silence. "Would you introduce us?"

"Sorry," Harry responded immediately, "This is Hermione – the most wonderful, intelligent, beautiful witch you've ever met."

"Only you would go give a girl an introduction like that," Hermione muttered, blushing deeply.

"I only speak the truth," Harry replied, completely serious.

Hermione buried her face in his shoulder. "Now see if I give a nice, accurate rundown of your abilities to my parents this evening!"

"That depends, what scale of abilities are you talking about?"

"Griphook!" Hermione called out, "Would it be all right to erect a temporary silencing charm – wandlessly of course – to have a private family reunion? I don't want to be rude, but some things are rather personal."

"Of course not – I'll wait by the cart." Griphook replied, not even questioning for an instant that she belonged in the family meeting.