Harry awoke the next morning feeling a bit off. He had a strange taste in his mouth and his hand hurt, but over all he was fine. He found a wrapped gift on his chest and quickly sat up to unwrap it. Before he had the chance, he heard his aunt knock on his door to begin his daily chores. He set the gift aside for now to begin his day.
Inside Gringotts, two well dressed men approached the counter and demanded to see a claims manager. The clerk called over another Goblin and the two men were lead to the same room that was used the night before. The two wizards only waited a few moments when the claims manager arrived and began to speak.
"What can I do for you today?" He asked in a serious tone.
"We are here to claim to properties of these families. A law was passed yesterday and it gives us the right to do so."
"I need to see the law you speak of, then we will proceed." The goblin replied strongly.
The older of the two men handed the claims manager a piece of official looking parchment. It stated the law in question and gave these men the authority to claim any property from families that have died out or have not claimed their inheritance before a set time; which was today. The goblin finished reading and spoke.
"Everything seems to be in order. What families' property are you claiming?"
The older man gave the goblin a list of family names and waited eagerly. The goblin called for his assistant and stated.
"Griphook, bring me the files of the Jevic and Zeno families."
"Yes, Master Sharkbreath."
"What is the meaning of this? There are far more names on that list. I want all the Potter property brought to me immediately." The older man demanded.
"That sir is impossible, for it has already been claimed." Sharkbreath stated firmly.
"That is impossible. The law only passed yesterday and Harry Potter isn't here to claim his inheritance. As Minister of Magic, I order you to turn over the Potter vaults to me." Fudge said angrily.
"Minister, I am following YOUR law to the letter. If you continue to make demands for things you have no right to, by both of our laws, I will have to report this to MY superiors." Sharkbreath said coldly.
Minister Fudge paled went he heard this statement. He could start a war with the Goblin Nation if he pressed this matter further. The families that were unclaimed were both worthless to him; he wanted the Potter vaults and all their property, for the ministry of course. Griphook had returned during Fudge's rant and placed the files in front of Sharkbreath. Inside, the claim's manager was laughing at the minister's behavior. After the younger man calmed the minister, both men left in a huff leaving Sharkbreath alone to his merriment.
Outside the bank, Minister Fudge was fuming. The plan was perfect but it did not work. He turned to his companion and said.
"Lucius, what happened? There is no way Potter could have claimed his inheritance. Albus has him hidden somewhere; even I don't know where. How could this have happened?"
"It appears that Dumbledore has found a way around our new law. He did declare himself Mr. Potter's Magical Guardian. Perhaps he claimed the Potter Estate in Mr. Potter's name. As far as the other families, I am unsure of what has occurred."
"How could he know about the law? We passed it without him even being there. He's away on holiday somewhere."
"Dumbledore has connections everywhere. He could have been forewarned of our plans and sought to circumvent them. Until we have some sort of proof, there is nothing that can be done." Lucius said.
Both men agreed reluctantly to let the matter rest, for now, and made their way to the apparation point to start their work day. Neither man noticed a beetle fly off in the opposite direction. The beetle landed in an office near the far end of the alley. The beetle transformed into a woman and she was greeted by another.
"Good morning Rita. What can the Quibbler do for you today?" Cassandra Lovegood asked.
"Good morning Cassie. I have some interesting information for you. The real question is; do you want to make some noise?" Rita Skeeter said deviously.
"What have you got?" Cassie asked, and the two women started to make plans. The fallout of this story could have lasting consequences.
Harry had a busy day. After completing all of his chores, he and his aunt ran some errands. Harry was used as a sort of pack mule, carrying the various purchases his aunt made on their venture. When dinner was completed, he returned to his room. He had forgotten about the gift that was present when he awoke that morning and suddenly became excited. He took the gift, sat on his bed and opened it carefully. Inside were several books. Harry looked at the titles and thought to himself. I wonder why they sent these to me. The titles included: Writing Award Winning Essays; The Art of Meditation; Beginning Latin; and The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Harry shrugged his shoulders and thought to himself again. Well the first gifts helped me out a lot; I guess I should give them a try. That being said Harry began to read.
It was a few days later when The Quibbler ran the story entitled:
Potter Family Fortune Disappears
This reporter has recently discovered a horrifying occurrence. The Potter Family fortune has gone missing. The Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge and his partner in crime, as it were, Lucius Malfoy pushed through a law granting them the authority to confiscate the property of any unclaimed inheritances by the thirty-first of July of this year. This date coincidentally is the same as the eighth birthday of the sole Potter heir, Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. The Potter fortune was claimed by parties unknown before these two scoundrels could act and is now missing. Minister Fudge nearly caused an incident with the Goblin Nation with his antics.
Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter's self appointed Magical Guardian, was unavailable to prevent this unscrupulous act because he had been on holiday and could not be bothered to perform his duties.
This reporter is regretful that the young Lord Potter, who had protected us from You-Know-Who, has lost everything due to the insatiable greed of two men in power and the incompetence of a third. Harry Potter is set to attend Hogwarts in three years time. If this is how we as a people thank our heroes, I shudder to think what we do to our foes.
Cassandra Lovegood
Staff Reporter
The Ministry of Magic was in an uproar when the article hit the newsstands. There was an overload of Floo Calls and the number of Howlers was incalculable. The people, on a whole, were outraged by this loss and wanted blood. The law in question was permanently on the books and public record. There was absolutely no way to hide this incident and justice would soon prevail. An emergency meeting of the Wizengamot, the Magical equivalent of Parliament and court system, was called to find answers.
Albus Dumbledore, the head of the Wizengamot, was ordered to return early from his holiday abroad. Upon his return, he read the article and his blood ran cold. When he read the law in question, his heart nearly stopped. The loss of the Potter family fortune, in his mind, was not that big an issue. The issue is that as Harry Potter's Magical Guardian, it was his responsibility to protect the young lord's interests. Unfortunately, Albus cut a few corners as it were to declare himself guardian. When the truth comes out, it would be a devastating blow and the consequences will not be pleasant. However there was no way to prevent the truth from being revealed. The people wanted answers-NOW.
The Wizengamot voted, almost unanimously, to impeach Cornelius Fudge from office for improprieties and violating inheritance laws. Lucius Malfoy was removed from his position on the Board of Governors of Hogwarts for the same reasons. Both men lost their jobs and their reputations were destroyed.
Albus Dumbledore was called before the whole of the Wizengamot, to answer his charges of incompetence. Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office, had been named Interim Minister, until a proper election could be held. The inquiry began as Amelia Bones spoke.
"Albus Dumbledore you are here to answer some very serious questions. I searched for the documentation for your apparent Magical Guardianship of one Harry James Potter but could not locate any. Please explain."
"I apologize for any confusion. I am merely acting in the capacity as Harry Potter's Magical Guardian for his true guardian is currently unavailable." Albus said in his best grandfatherly tone.
"You mean to tell me that Harry Potter does not have a proper Magical Guardian? If his primary guardian was unavailable, why wasn't a secondary guardian notified? Who is Harry Potter's proper guardian? What are you playing at Dumbledore?" Amelia spat venomously.
Albus Dumbledore sighed heavily and said. "Madam Bones you must understand, I meant no harm to Harry Potter. At the time, there were still Death Eaters about and would have stopped at nothing to kill him; to avenge their fallen Master. The unfortunate incident with the Longbottoms is a testament to that fact. I merely wanted to protect Harry Potter from harm and took up the role as his Magical Guardian until another could be found and the danger had passed. No one could have fore-scene the theft of his family property."
"If you are not his proper magical Guardian, then why are you receiving the standard stipend from the Potter account as if you were? Who is Harry Potter's proper guardian?" Amelia said coldly.
There were many whispers in the court and none of them were complementary. The more this investigation continues the worse it seems to become.
Albus Dumbledore, defeater of Grindelwald, was between a proverbial rock and a hard place. The only way to escape this inquiry with his bits intact was to tell the truth; the Dumbledore version of course. He spoke solemnly.
"I do apologize for what this appears to be. I have not kept ant of the money that was paid to me. I place it into a separate account to present to Harry Potter when he comes of age. A sort of graduation present, as it were. I do have some of Mr. Potter's things that were salvaged from his parents home that night and I am more than willing to return them when he come to Hogwarts. As far as I am aware, his next in line guardian is Arthur Weasley."
"I am pleased to hear you say you are willing to part with property that isn't yours to begin with. How do you know Arthur Weasley is Harry Potter's proper guardian? I checked the records and the Will of Lily and James Potter were never read and you personally sealed it. Why is that?" Amelia said sarcastically.
Rufus Scrimgeour had been listening very attentively. As an auror he had conducted many interviews with suspects and can smell rubbish a mile away. He never really cared for Albus Dumbledore and his ambition to become Minister of Magic is well within his grasp. He and his former superior Amelia Bones had always gotten along quite well and had a good working relationship. If he can help his colleague, dispense some justice, help The-Boy-Who-Lived and further his career; now was the time. He spoke with authority.
"I've heard enough. Albus Dumbledore it appears that you have side-stepped a few laws yourself and are trying to cover up something else. I ask the court to vote on the following: One-Unsealing the Potter will and finding out who really is Harry Potter's guardian; Two-return all property, including money, in existence to said guardian; and Three-the suspension of Albus Dumbledore from the Wizengamot for a term of one year for his poor judgment. Is this acceptable Madam Bones or was there something else?"
"No Minister, this will do quite nicely. Thank you." She said sweetly.
Albus Dumbledore paled at the thought of opening the will. He would loose influence over Harry Potter and that would be disastrous. He thought quickly and asked respectfully.
"Minister, if I may ask one indulgence. The residence where Harry Potter is housed is protected by special wards based on blood family. They are the strongest wards to protect him from those that seek to harm him. I ask respectfully that his guardian leave him with his family, it is in his best interests. They are the only family he has left."
"That is not my decision to make. His proper guardian will make that decision when the time comes." Rufus said flatly. Albus sighed mournfully.
The vote was taken and it was virtually unanimous on all counts. Albus Dumbledore was suspended from duty for one year, much to his dismay. The Potter will was unsealed and Minerva McGonagall was named Harry Potter's Magical Guardian. Arthur Weasley was on the list of potential guardians, although further down. Albus returned all the things recovered from Godric's Hallow, which included paintings both magical and non-magical, jewelry, their wands, a large collection of books and various other household items that survived. Above all these trinkets, an invisibility cloak. Minerva agreed to leave Harry with his relatives much to Albus' pleasure, but this was only for the time being for the Head of the Sisterhood had her own plans.
Over the next three years Harry's life went on blissfully unaware of the happenings in the Magical world. Because of the book on writing essays he stayed in the top five of his grade. He learned not only to write excellent papers but also improved his penmanship, because neatness counts. The book on meditation helped him to relax and he could concentrate on his homework better. Latin was difficult but he muddled through it. He even obtained the intermediate version of the series from the library. He now spoke acceptable Latin; he even tried a few other languages such as French, Spanish, and Italian. He had a passable knowledge of all four languages. The last book was a series of children's stories, similar to The Three Little Pigs and others of the like were interesting and had a magical overtone. He never received another gift but that didn't bother him too much. He was getting plenty of food, his clothes weren't the best but they fit and he didn't have to hide his intelligence. All in all, the past five years were a monumental improvement over his first five. He mentally vowed to thank whoever sent him his gifts all those years ago and hoped one day he would meet them.
The school year had only just ended and Harry had begun his yearly ritual of tending to Aunt Petunia's rose garden. He had just completed weeding and trimming the dead branches when he heard a voice say.
"Harry Potter I presume."
Harry spun around quickly and his eyes gazed upon the woman who spoke his name. She was a fairly tall older woman, with her graying hair in a tight bun. She was wearing a small pair of glasses that were on the edge of he nose and a long dress with a plaid design that in Harry's mind was much too hot to wear in the rising temperatures. He composed himself and spoke carefully.
"Hello, you really shouldn't be here. My aunt will have a fit if she finds you. I'm glad my uncle isn't here, he would be furious."
"Let me worry about that Mr. Potter. My name is Minerva McGonagall and I have something very important to discuss with you and your aunt."
"Okay. I guess we should go inside then." He said cautiously.
Minerva nodded and followed Harry through the back door and into the kitchen. Before he could even speak his aunt bellowed loudly.
"YOU!! How dare you come here. You were the one that came for my perfect sister and took her to that FREAK school of yours. Get out, the boy is not going."
"Mrs. Dursley I suggest you calm yourself before I do something you will regret." Minerva said coldly.
Petunia quickly composed herself, even though she was furious. She had seen a bit of what this woman could do and was not going to anger her more. She was frightened because Vernon was currently at work and Dudley was having tea with friends. She spoke venomously.
"What do you want here?"
"You know why I'm here Mrs. Dursley. It is time for Mr. Potter to attend Hogwarts."
"Hogwarts? What's Hogwarts?" Harry asked. It was more than obvious to him that his aunt and this woman knew each other.
"Hogwarts is the school your parents went to and now it is time for you to attend as well."
"He will not be going. We swore that we would put an end to this nonsense when we took the little freak in." Petunia spat.
"Mr. Potter would you please go to your room and wait for me there. I need to have a frank discussion with your aunt. It is the first room on the left is it not?" Minerva said calmly.
Harry nodded and went to his room. His mind was racing and wanted to know more about whom this woman is and what exactly is Hogwarts. After Harry left for his room, Minerva turned to Petunia and said in a cold hard voice.
"Sit down Mrs. Dursley. You knew this day would come. Be grateful it wasn't the old man who came here. We know all about the cupboard so do not try to deny any of it. It is taking every bit of my resolve not to hex you where you stand. I came here to tell you that once Mr. Potter leaves here he will not be returning."
"The old man said he had to stay here until he became an adult." Petunia said fearfully.
"He did hot have the right to place Mr. Potter with you in the first place. I have been named his LEGAL guardian and I am taking him away from here. I came here when your husband was at work to avoid a confrontation. Do not press this matter further." Minerva warned.
Petunia went pale and sat in silence. Minerva walked up the stairs to her charges room to inform him of the new development. She arrived at her destination and knocked on the door. She was invited in and she surveyed her surroundings. His room was neat and orderly, except for his desk as it seems he was working on something. She did not see the gifts he received and asked.
"Mr. Potter where are your blanket and teddy bear?"
Harry's eyes went wide and asked quickly. "Are you the one who sent them?"
"Yes, but I had help from some friends. I personally picked out your blanket." She stated proudly.
"Thank you so much. I keep them hidden in my wardrobe so my cousin didn't try to steal them."
"Very good. I am here to give you this letter and answer any questions you may have."
She handed Harry the letter made of the same thick paper he had seen before. He quickly read the letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After he read the letter he exclaimed.
"My gifts were delivered by magic weren't they?"
"Yes they were. There is another matter that we need to discuss but it is more serious in nature. When you were placed here it was done illegally. However this matter has been resolved. When you leave here today you will not be returning. These documents state that I am your legal guardian." She handed Harry a small stack of official documents but Harry had only one question.
"Did you mean what you said on the first gift; that you loved me?" He said with tears forming.
"Yes, I meant every word and more. I held you when you were only a few days old and you stole my heart. I sorry I didn't come for you sooner but I'm here now." She said with her own tears forming.
Harry didn't know what else to do but he quickly agreed to go with her. He retrieved all the gifts he received and a few other personal items. Minerva conjured a large duffle type bag for Harry to place his things. It did not go unnoticed to her that Harry had even saved the wrapping paper and bows from both gifts. He did not need to bring clothing for they would be shopping today. Once all his belongings were packed and a quick once over to make sure he didn't forget anything, Minerva pulled out her wand and shrank the bag and placed it in her robe pocket. She took Harry's hand and told him to relax and with a sharp crack they were gone; leaving Privet Drive and the Dursleys behind forever.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Harry Potter.
A/N: Check out my new one-shot Paybacks are a Witch.