Flight; Chapter Three:

Harry and the other three males followed the goblin back into to the cart and headed down a few further levels.

"Dumbledore wouldn't have been allowed access to any of my vaults, would he?"

The goblin brought the cart to a stop and turned to answer, "As your ministry registered magical guardian, we didn't have any other choice than to allow him into the trust vault in order to allow funds for your care."

"Was there anything other than money in that vault, I don't recall seeing anything else?"

"I will have the original inventory sheet brought to the conference room."

"Thank you," Harry said. He turned to the massive door and watched as the goblin once again inspected his key.

"Place your hand against the plate please."

Harry complied; then watched as the goblin ran a single finger down the crack between door and frame. The plate under his hand vibrated a bit and one again Harry watched fascinated as the door glowed then popped open. "Wow." The outer room was huge and housed several archways that seemed to lead into even more chambers.

Sirius and Draco stood behind the startled teen smirking, and Remus smiled. "James had things pretty separated Harry. There are vaults that just contain money, then ones with heirlooms, others with property paperwork, etcetera."

"Do you know which we should be looking in?" Harry turned humungous green eyes to his godfathers.

"I think we should first check out the vault that has the paperwork on your family history, and then we should see about books. The Potter's have an extensive collection, enough that so that Rem and I should be able to take care of keeping up with your guy's education. Believe it or not, I'm fair when it comes to potions; and you already know Rem was a bookworm."

Harry nodded and gestured for the others to follow him and they began searching through each archway. A few minutes later, they heard Draco shout.

Harry followed the blonds' voice down the corridor and found him in a room filled with gigantic bookcases all over flowing. He heard a quick intake of air from behind him and turned to see Remus standing there eyes bright with anticipation. Harry rolled his eyes and grinned indulgently. "Go for it Moony."

Remus swept Harry into a big hug then disappeared amongst the stacks.

"Merlin, he's worse than Granger."

Harry turned to see the owner of said drawl and laughed a little. "I like it when I can make my godparents smile. The three of us have precious little to smile about all these years."

Draco nodded understandingly. "Mum and Dad could only ever be Mum and Dad, and not Mother and Father, before the Dark Lord came back; and only when there was no one else around. We worked around it, and I have no doubt that my parents love me… but it was still hard."

Harry studied the teen next to him. Draco was as lean as he was, but a bit wider in the shoulders and a couple of inches taller. His platinum blond hair, that he had thankfully stopped slicking back before third year, floated in a shorter cut that complimented his high cheekbones. His face was no longer narrowed to the point of being pointy, finally filling out along the jaw; and the whole look was well balanced with not too wide mouth and a straight nose and pale blue almost silver eyes.

"What?" Draco shifted nervously.

"We're growing up huh?"

Draco looked Harry in the eye and slowly nodded. "Potter… Harry, I meant the offer of friendship in our first year; and I could say that I was simply playing a role when it came to the Weasel, but I would be lying. There's history between the Malfoy's and the Weasley's; and I had been with my father more than a few times before school started when Mr. Weasley had a go at my dad. Having the man insult my dad not only in front of me, but in the middle of the ministry tends to make an impression. I shouldn't have taken it out on the Weasel, but Malfoy pride is not all a mask."

Harry nodded understandingly. He'd been on the receiving end of more than a few fickle friends.

"My attitude towards Granger, well my words concerning her blood heritage were bollocks; my insults regarding her actual behavior, not so much. And if you repeat this Potter I'll have to severely injure you, but the fact that she kept beating me in class really pissed me off."

Harry smothered a grin before replying. "Hermione spends most waking hours studying. I think it's safe to say that if you hadn't been spending so much time plotting against the trio, you would have easily tied if not surpassed her in class."

Draco tilted his head to the side, and nodded in acknowledgment. "You're probably right; but at least I always came out on top in potions. But I have a question for you Harry," Draco quirked an eyebrow in challenge.

"Ok." Harry said slowly.

"What I want to know is why you always held back in class; and don't even try to deny it!"

Harry shrugged and turned away. "Perhaps when we're better acquainted I'll tell you."

"Fair enough."

The two teens turned back to watch the excited werewolf combing through the bookshelves. Every once in a while he would pull down a book and stuff it into a book bag that he had grabbed from somewhere.

"Harry," the emerald eyed wizard left Draco and Remus to the books and followed Sirius' voice a few archways down.

"Yeah."

"I've found some family history documents for you. Luckily Mr. and Mrs. P believed in keeping things about the family well documented; including information about each family members magical inheritance. James had a pretty huge kick; it's no wonder he almost leveled the house."

"I still don't understand this whole magical inheritance thing. What does that really even mean?"

Sirius pulled Harry over to a table and chairs that had been situated for the vaults owners to make it easier for them to sort through the paperwork. "When a witch or wizard is born, they obviously have a magical core. A tiny baby has no way of being able to handle the amount of magic that travels through an adult body. With me so far?"

"That makes sense I guess."

"Right," Sirius nodded. "As the child grows, their magical core expands to hold the magic that naturally grows as well. The bigger the core, the more magic it holds. Once the child reaches the age of magical maturity, their magic surges forcing the core to expand to its fullest; it somewhat depends on how much our core has expanded prior to that to match your magical growth as your grew. Many times, especially with a child who has shown a lot of strength before, the surge will be so powerful that it will manifest outside of the body before settling into the newly expanded core. Each birthday you actually go through this, but it's the 16th birthday that's the most important, because that's when the host body finally has the ability to fully cope with their magic."

"Do you understand?"

"Not really. Where does the magic come from?"

Sirius blinked. "Umm… I don't know? There are theories of course; none that I truly understand, but it's said that we all actually have the magic within us from the beginning and that the expansion of our core is really just the ability to finally access it."

"I suppose that makes a little more sense." Harry sighed. "We, we can do what was done for my dad and all the Potter's, right? We can document my magical inheritance?"

Sirius nodded. "We'll figure out a way to make sure that happens. I promise. What I want to do is take the files pertaining to your father and grandfather for now and have you read them over. Symptoms and whatnot are explained, so that will give you the general idea of what to expect. There is also a folder about Lily. It was done after the fact, and looks like it was mostly what your grandparents on your mother's side remember." Sirius looked up from the papers in his hand. "Did the letter say anything about the kitsune?"

Harry nodded.

"According to this, the Evans' were not expecting it; it also says that your grandfather was a squib."

"Mums letter said that as well."

Remus and Draco had wandered in by this point and stood listening. "Potter's a pureblood?"

"Magically speaking… yes." Sirius looked over at his young cousin and his mate. "Did you find all the books we are going to need?"

Remus nodded holding aloft a bag.

"Was there anything in particular you wanted to look for while we're here?" Sirius turned grey eyes back to Harry.

"I want Dad's school trunk. Mum's letter said there are pictures and stuff in there."

The four again took to wandering until they found the trunk Harry requested, and then they all headed back out and to the conference room.

Surprisingly enough they had only been at the bank for a few hours at this point. It sure felt like a lot longer to Harry, but he supposed that had a lot to do with how long his day had been. They settled around the table once again, this time with the Potter account manager.

"It's been almost 15 years," the goblin began, " and this will should have been gone over a long time ago. Basically it states that all the Potter holdings pass to Harry, everything to be kept in trust, except the actual trust vault required for his upbringing, until he is of age. If something should happen to James and Lily Potter, Sirius Black is to gain custody, and they ask that he fully adopt him in order to add the protection of the Black name. If for some reason Lord Black is unable to gain custody, Harry is to go to Remus Lupin." The goblin stopped and took a breath. "They also have a witnessed statement stating that one Peter Pettigrew was their official secret keeper."

"Can we send that to the ministry? I mean even though we're going to disappear I would like the ministry to know that Siri didn't betray Mum and Dad." Harry twisted his fingers anxiously.

"Actually Pot- Harry, I think sending the proof to the ministry would be useless. I suggest sending it to the Prophet." Draco had been learning politics since he had been born. "My Dad knows all about Pettigrew being alive and in Hogwarts third year, well he did after the Dark Lords return; anyway if you have memories of a confession from him, I would suggest sending copies of those along as well. Bringing it directly to the public would force the ministry to acknowledge it."

"The Prophet won't print anything without ministry approval," Remus pointed out.

Draco shook his head, blond fringe floating into his eyes. "If we can get a message to Dad, he'll make sure it's printed. You could also send to out of country publications, as well as the Loony girl's father's paper."

"Luna."

"Luna," Draco conceded.

"I think we can get Bill and possibly Charlie to help with foreign papers." Remus said slowly. "Bill already knows some of what's going on, and Charlie is reasonable when presented with information. It helps that they both consider you to be a little brother." The werewolf smiled at Harry.

Harry grinned back in return. He remembered sitting up into the early morning hours just talking to the two eldest Weasley siblings the summer before fourth year. "Fred and George too."

Sirius grinned. "I've always liked those two."

The Potter accountant cleared his throat drawing their attention back to him. "We only have about day and half before you will have to move to avoid detection. I've taken the liberty of rekeying all your vaults Master Potter, as well as authorizing a 'debit' card for you. It can be used in both the muggle and magical world, and works just like a credit card. You are familiar with those yes?" Harry nodded and accepted the card. "We have done the same for you Lord Black. As your vaults and properties are technically in Master Potter's name until you are cleared as he is legally your heir, it was decided that this would be beneficial as well. I have inventory sheets from each vault, as well as activity logs from each account." The goblin handed thick folders to each man.

"Know everything that you do not approve of can be reversed." The goblin turned to look Sirius in the eye, "Including any charms placed over any properties that you did not specifically approve of."

"Is there any way to find out if my friends and Draco's dad are ok?"

"That can be arranged."

"Why are you helping us so much?" Harry asked turning to the goblin.

"The goblin nation is usually neutral in regards to wizarding politics and various shifts of power. We do however take the trust that is put into us very seriously. The Potter family has always been a good friend to the goblins. Lord and Lady Potter trusted us to look after your interests as much as we could. We've blocked unauthorized attempts to gain entry to your family vaults, and have kept safe the information that you would need in the future. As goblins though, we are truly unable to interfere much more than that, the reason why we were unable to bring forth the Potter will and the information to clear Lord Black."

"You're doing this because we're friends."

The goblin inclined his head. "Somewhat. I will leave you for now, to get things in order for your departure."

The four wizards watched the goblin leave, Harry finally sitting back in his chair with a sigh.

Sirius cleared his throat. "As you've figured out Harry, I've already made you my heir. Remy and I can't have children of our own because of the lycanthropy. We discussed it with your parents, and they agreed to the partial adoption when you were born to make it legal for you to be my heir. Both Lily and Cissa have suggested a full adoption, and Remy and I would love to make you truly our son; but only if that's what you want. Either way you'll have the protection of the House of Black, this would simply be formality." He watched his godson anxiously.

Harry sat up and studied his two godfathers before smiling brilliantly. "I would love to have a Dad and a Papa. You're already that in my mind anyway."

Sirius heaved a sigh of relief, and Remus chuckled. "A full adoption includes a potion that will make you fully a Lupin-Black. It doesn't get rid of your Potter or Evans blood though, it's more like adding a third and fourth parent. You'll biologically belong to Remy and I as well as James and Lily. Some physical attributes may change."

"Hey, you might actually gain a little height and stop being such a midget." Draco smirked amused.

"Ha ha," Harry returned with a rude hand gesture. "I think that's brilliant." He said turning his attention back to his 'parents'. "Where do I sign up?"

Remus let out an almost school girl giggle. Things were happening so fast, his mate and 'son' and he would finally be together. Not to mention the fact that Harry seemed to be handling things remarkably well.

Harry turned to Remus and could easily guess what the gentle man was thinking. "We don't have time to second guess and worry over tiny details right now Papa. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and hope for the best. I'll miss my friends, but I'm gaining a family and a life."

"From day one, I never understood how the wizarding world could put such hope in a child. Voldemort being 'killed' the first time was a not because of me; it was Mum and Dad. They stood between me and a psycho. The rest was just… sensationalism. I'm just 15 years old, with an education in defense that really leaves something to be desired most years, and yet the public and Dumbledore expect me to perform a miracle." Harry shook his head.

"The muggle world would never thrust a child into the forefront of a war and expect him to win it for them. Mum's letter said that a prophecy is only as strong as the belief put into it. If the parties involved believe in it, then it's true. It only takes one party determining that it's a load of crap to break it." Harry rolled his eyes. "I cannot believe in a prophecy that I've never heard about until now, and one that I've never heard the contents of; therefore it's invalid. Let the fully trained adults do what they are supposed to, let them stand up and defend themselves and their instead of relying on a 15 year child." Harry shook his head disgustedly, his green eyes flashing in his anger. "If this war is still going on when I truly become an adult and I'm finally fully trained, I'll be more than happy to stand by my peers and defend our families and homes. I believe that's what everyone else should be willing to do as well; and so far I've had you two and Professor Snape and very few others like Neville, Luna, and Hermione and Ron, willing to stand next to me instead of behind me. Tell me why that should be considered fair and just."

"That is exactly what needs to go into your letter to the papers Harry." Draco slapped the table. "I'm sure there are references to the validity of a prophecy that could be included. In the end, it'll make sure that not only does the public feel guilty, but that they step up and take a hand in defending themselves."

Remus and Sirius exchanged glances and turned to stare at the Malfoy heir.

"What," the blond shrugged. "I've been learning politics from my Dad and Uncle Sev since I was born. I may only be 15, but I'm the heir the House of Malfoy. You should understand Sirius; you were probably taught the same things before you left the House of Black."

Sirius nodded in acknowledgment. "I did." He conceded and he and Draco exchanged knowing looks; Remus and Harry just looked on bemused. "If James or I had been able to raise you Harry, you would have learned the same things. It's a matter of family heritage, and pride."

"So we start with the letters then, and see if someone could find us a few books on the intricacies of prophecies?"

"Now you're using your head Harry; Uncle Sev will be shocked."

Harry reached over and punched the smirking blond. "Just help me with the bloody letters and keep everything else to yourself blondie."

~oOo~

Several hours later, Draco and Harry were camped out on transfigured beds after finishing Harry's various letters, as Sirius and Remus finished up not only the potion to fully adopt Harry as theirs, but putting together their memories, and discretely contacting Malfoy Senior. "They look so much younger when they're sleeping," Remus motioned towards the sacked out teens.

Sirius smiled and nodded. Everything may have ended up having to be done the hard way, but he'd go through worse to make Harry happy and keep him alive and healthy. Riptooth, another goblin, had brought them dinner awhile ago, and had also mentioned that Bill Weasley would be in for his usual shift in the morning.

"Sirs," Riptooth stuck his head in once again. "I've arranged for sleeping chambers."

Both men nodded gratefully and each picked up a sleeping teen, following the goblin to a nice room with three large beds, and a door opening into a nice bathroom. The men tucked the teens into beds, and then collapsed exhaustedly into the third cuddling into each other. They were going to make the most of the couple hours until Bill showed up. They still had plans that needed to be made.