Chapter Three: Overwhelmed: Who Am I?

Harry dropped into consciousness. His eyes snapped open and he took deep, steady breaths in through his nose and out his mouth just because he could. His eyes burned, but Harry refused to let the tears fall. He had cried enough. While it would've been nice to wake in someone's arms, someone who would've held him and told him everything would be fine, he knew deep down that was never going to happen. He was alone, always alone and it was time he got used to it and took control of his life. That weird ceremony in the chamber was the first step. It was time he took another.

Resolved, Harry sat up in bed and looked around the room they had put him in. While glancing about, he noticed his vision was perfectly clear. He raised his hands seeing if someone had put his glasses on while he slept. They hadn't. His lashes came down, swept back up again; yup, he could see clearly now. So much for his new eyeglasses.

Shifting his focus to the rest of his body, Harry got off the bed and realized his limbs felt light. Nothing ached and he didn't feel dragged down. In fact, he felt light, almost happy. How could he, Harry Potter be happy, especially after the hell he'd just been through? Had he been hit with a cheering charm? Or, was this normal? Was this what everyone felt like and he'd hadn't known because he never felt it before?

If that was true, this was truly a new start.

Refreshed, Harry smiled when he noticed a covered tray of food sitting on the nightstand next to his bed. He picked up the tray and saw a bowl of soup, bread, and pumpkin juice. He quickly finished off the food and drink and went into the adjoining bathroom to take a shower. After everything he'd gone through in the chamber, he felt sticky as if sweat had cooled and dried on his skin. He also smelled. While washing his body, Harry went through everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours, marveling at how clear his thoughts were. It was as if a fog had lifted from his mind and body.

Motivated and happy he was no longer in pain, he quickly got dressed. Just as he slipped his boots on the door opened and the wizard healers came in. They stood in the doorway as if unsure of their welcome and he understood. The last time he saw them he had been in agony, agony they didn't warn him about.

"You lied to me," Harry said infusing as much steel in his voice as he could. "I deserved the truth about what I was facing."

Both healers flinched then nodded warily.

"How are you feeling Mr. Potter?" Healer Mosby asked hesitantly.

"As if I lost fifty pounds," he joked and watched as they breathed a sigh of relief, pleased he was willing to drop the subject.

"An apt description," Healer Davis said as they sat down. "Would you like an update?"

Harry nodded and Healer Mosby took up the conversation.

"The dark magic—"

"Voldemort's magic."

Both healers flinched at Voldemort's name and Healer Mosby went on as if he'd never spoken.

"—has been removed as well as the bindings to your core. As you see, you no longer require glasses and your core will strengthen over time. I think you'll find that your recall, comprehension, and ability to cast will be easier than it had been. I'd suggest getting a new wand more attuned to your healed core. I'd also suggest revising your schoolbooks for the past two years, so you can get used to your new power. Speak to Archblade about getting an exemption to the underage magic restrictions."

Harry nodded he had been planning to do that anyway.

"There are still many issues to address. Your scar is now just a scar." Healer Davis went into his bag and pulled out a jar of salve and several potions in a pretty vial with a fancy chain attached to them. "The salve will get rid of the bruise on your forehead, as well as any other bruises on your body. This first potion is a nutrient potion, the second is to help strengthen your magical core and immune system, the third is a modified version of skele-grow which will help strength your bones, which are weak. These should help with your malnourishment and your size. I see you've eaten. Can you take the potions now?"

Harry did what they said and downed the potions making a face at their taste and the familiar burn as they slid down his throat. He quickly downed the glass of pumpkin juice, which had magically refilled for him and noticed that the potions he had taken had just refilled themselves also.

"You'll take the potions at breakfast and dinner for two weeks, it's refilling, so don't worry. In a couple months, if you eat correctly, you should be the ideal height and weight based upon your size and genetics."

Harry eagerly slipped the chain around his neck next to the emergency port-key Archblade had given him yesterday. He couldn't wait to see how tall he would grow.

"Speaking of nutrition," Healer Mosby handed him a small booklet. "This is your nutrition plan. I'm not saying you can't snack on sweets or things like that, you are the last person that needs to be on a diet, but this meal plan will help optimize the potions you're taking for maximum results." Harry flipped through the guide, it looked doable, all he had to do was stick to the four food groups and avoid the greasy foods the Dursleys preferred. "You also need to begin an exercise regime. I believe Archblade already has something in the works." She laughed at the look of horror on Harry's face. "I informed him you needed to start at the beginning as your body was still recovering from the years of damage it's gone through.

"Also, you have an appointment with Dr. Cresswell tomorrow. You are woefully behind in your immunizations in both worlds. After Dr. Cresswell, you will come to our office for a checkup. You will continue to see us once a week until we're sure you're on the mend. We also set up a bi-weekly appointment with one of the best mind healers in Britain, you're first appointment is tomorrow as well."

Harry sighed. "I suppose a mind healer is just what it sounds like."

"Yes, and no offense Mr. Potter, you need it."

"I know. Is that all?"

"Yes."

Harry nodded and went to the door, of course, Archblade was waiting impatiently.

"Good, you're alive." Archblade said as he scanned him. "We're running behind and we still have a lot to discuss."

It took Harry several moments to respond to Archblade's statement. He focused on putting one foot in front of the other instead of focusing on the goblins almost too casual words.

"There was a chance I could've died?" he finally asked.

"Of course," Archblade answered as if it should've been obvious, "you are a weak human, the chances were astronomical. But, you should be honored, Ragnok rarely allows our healers to treat humans, but your case was interesting and our healers were curious enough to take it. That is why you are alive."

"Of course," Harry answered dryly. He didn't think he'd ever understand goblins. "What now? What is this meeting about?"

"Viewing your memories has caused serious issues, not only dealing with your placement and upbringing as we expected but also the going on's at Hogwarts that need to be addressed."

With that Archblade opened the door to a conference room, it was filled not only with Ragnok and his guards, but also several witches and wizards. Harry froze in the doorway. Archblade placed his hand on Harry's back and pushed him into the room.

Harry sighed. He wasn't sure if Archblade was a saint or a menace. Probably both.

"Mr. Potter, you are aware of Chief Ragnok and Dr. Cresswell. Allow me to introduce you to Ms. Cassandra Eliot who is an attorney in the wizarding and muggle world as well as the President of Potter Corporation. Madame Amelie Bones, Head of Magical Law Enforcement; Madame Augusta Longbottom, Head of the Hogwarts Board of Governors," as Archblade spoke each person nodded their head in acknowledgement. "Mr. D and Mr. L unspeakables at the Department of Mysteries," two men with robes obscuring their features nodded. "And finally we have Mr. Azreal with Wizarding Child Services and Director General Forrest of MI5, the muggle national security agency."

Harry gulped. It seemed he had stepped out of the frying pan and into the fire. Fighting back his nervousness, he walked further into the room stood at the end of the conference room and crossed his arms over his chest as he met the eyes of each individual sitting at the table before speaking.

"I am not returning to the Dursleys, nor Hogwarts," he stated glowering at the group. "I have my own plans and I've had enough of people who tell me they're looking out for me but in reality they're stabbing me in the back. I don't know what your plans for me are, but I think I've been through enough. I'm sure I have enough money in my vault for tutors or to transfer to another magical school."

"Mr. Potter," Dr. Cresswell soothed. "Once I saw your medical summary, I informed a friend of mine, a Detective Inspector at New Scotland Yard who is also a squib. And thanks to Mr. Forrest's position, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley will be arrested on child abuse, neglect, and fraud before the day is out. Their son will most likely be placed in a group home as it looks like his Aunt will be an unfit guardian." He grinned. "The DI is just waiting so he can arrest Mr. Dursley at his workplace and Mrs. Dursley in front of her neighbors."

Harry had a smile on his face at the thought of how Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia would react to being publically humiliated, then frowned. "Fraud?"

"The Dursleys were paid a yearly stipend from your trust vault per Dumbledore's orders. That money was obviously not used for your care and will be returned to you."

Harry nodded numbly.

"Mr. Potter," began the muggle government official. "Despite the wizarding world's secrecy and separate government, they still fall under the crown. I have documents signed by the Queen of England making one Lord Harrison James Sirius Potter, the 11th Earl of Welburn a Royal Ward of the crown and entitled to a retinue of staff and bodyguards to continue his training and education. The wizards can try to control you all they want, ultimately your care falls under the Queen of England and her representative, which in this case, is myself."

Shock finally caused Harry to slump in a chair at the head of the conference table.

"My name is Harrison," he said bravado gone as he blurted out the first thought that popped out of his head, unable to process the rest the man's speech. Or anyone's speech for that matter. This meeting wasn't going as he expected.

Everyone sighed at his words.

"Your parents loved muggle movies. I believe your mother got your father hooked on them. His favorite was Star Wars, you know the movie, correct?" Harry nodded at the head of the Potter Corporation spellbound. "Your father and godfather Sirius Black were obsessed with the movies and in particular with the Han Solo character, which fit their personalities. Your dad was determined to name you Han Solo Potter," Harry snorted and Ms. Ellis laughed. "Exactly, your mother told me during a meeting once that they had finally compromised on Harrison after the actor Harrison Ford who played Han Solo in the movies."

Harry beamed at the lady, despite the craziness surrounding him. This was the first time he'd heard such a personal story about his parents. "Thank you Ms. Eliot . . .. Wait, Sirius Black is my godfather!"

"Maybe we should—," Madame Bones began only to be interrupted by twin snorts from the Unspeakables.

"Sheep."

"Wizarding Britain is stupid, no wonder the rest of the world calls us backward, and why Tom Riddle was able to take over."

Amelia glared at them. "Explain."

The two unspeakables glanced at each other in silence, before the one known as Mr. D spoke up.

"The Potter family dates back to pre-Hogwarts and is the oldest in our world. While they might not be of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, they were one of the most powerful families in Great Britain. So, despite James Potter marrying a muggleborn, and despite it being proven that muggleborns are merely descendants of squibs, James Potter would have continued with tradition and held a bonding ceremony once Harry was born albeit a private one because of the war."

Everyone gasped. Harry sighed one more thing that was obvious to everyone but him. Archblade caught his look and explained.

"In a bonding ceremony the godparents swear on their magic to never bring harm to their godchild among other oaths. As such, Sirius Black would never have been able to betray your parents' location to the wizard known as Lord Voldemort as it would've brought harm to his godchild, which is you. If he had really been guilty of what he had been accused of, he would've lost his magic, and as he escaped Azkaban, he obviously hasn't."

"Plus, he was sent to Azkaban without a trail."

"What!" Madame Bones exclaimed.

"If Sirius Black had been convicted of life imprisonment inside Azkaban his vaults would have been passed to his heir, his godson Lord Potter," Ragnok took up the explanation. "Also, his alleged victim, Peter Pettigrew is still alive, his vaults remain active."

"Why wasn't anyone told!" Madame Bone screeched.

Ragnok sneered. "You have a lot of faith in wizards if you believe they would take the word of a goblin over the word of Dumbledore and the Minister of Magic."

Madame Bones flushed.

"So, my godfather, this supposed mass murderer, is probably innocent?" Harry asked.

"Yes," L said. "Odd that both of Lord Potter's godparents were rendered incapable of taking care of him, I believe Alice was petitioning the Wizengamot for custody before they were attacked."

Augusta glowered. "Yes."

"Alice," Harry asked.

"Hasn't Neville told you?"

Harry shook his head. "Neville probably thinks I knew and didn't care or knew and disregarded it like everyone else."

"That is probably my fault." Augusta sighed. "Neville's mother, my daughter-in-law was your godmother and Lily was Neville's. They became friends fighting in Dumbledore's little vigilante group and got pregnant the same time. You were born the day after Neville. Neville's been immersed in Longbottom history from the moment he could speak and probably assumed you were the same and that you believed he wasn't a worthy vassal."

"Vassal?"

"The Longbottoms were originally vassals to the Potters and the relationship continued through the ages, especially when children are born in both families around the same time. My son Frank was several years older than James and James was like a little brother to my Frank and mentored James in school."

With every word Harry just realized how far behind he was in knowing what was going on in this society. He didn't have any time to waste as he had a lot of catching up to do. Luckily, the meeting got back on track. The unspeakables informed him of the prophecy hidden inside the Department of Mysteries that had his name on it. From what they had been able to piece together, though he had to go to the department and get the exact wording, the Hogwarts Divination Professor gave the prophecy to Dumbledore shortly before he was born and it was about him and Voldemort. That prophecy was the reason Voldemort had targeted his family and why Dumbledore was determined to meddle in his life; he was prophesied to defeat Voldemort. His hands balled into fists when he discovered Snape had been the Death Eater who overheard the prophecy and told Voldemort. When Harry's accidental magic caused the conference table to splinter, Mr. D informed him that he believed Snape's reformation was genuine. He had gone to Dumbledore once he learned what Voldemort had intended to do with the information he had passed on. That still didn't stop Snape from being a jerk and a lousy teacher and Harry had to walk away to get his composure together before the meeting could be restarted.

Once he returned, they informed him of the measures they had taken to remove Dumbledore from Hogwarts and to arrest Malfoy and Fudge. Harry learned about horcruxes and the unspeakables were tasked with finding and removing the rest of the horcruxes. Once everyone else had left with the exception of the goblins and Mrs. Longbottom, Ms. Ellis informed him about the Potter Corporation and promised to put together a security and educational team for him, per Mr. Forrest's request. Thankfully, the man was willing to take a hands off approach to his custody unless Harry was unhappy or having problems and leaving the bulk of his care to the security team. Because of the prophecy, they decided to focus on his magical education for now, but Harry knew he'd never be able to run Potter Corp. if he didn't finish his muggle education. Apparently, his father had studied muggle subjects via tutors by mail in math, English, and Business while he was at Hogwarts. He learned of the Potter properties around the world and of his ancestral home Castle Potter in Yorkshire, which was a muggle tourist attraction, and Potter Hall in Buckinghamshire, which the Death Eaters tried to destroy thinking his parents had lived there. He had to look at the two homes and see where he wanted to live and what changes needed to be made. At the end of the briefing, he was given his head of house ring and officially became Lord Potter. He then left with Madame Longbottom who insisted he stay with them until he got his housing and security detail straightened out. When he agreed, she promptly escorted him back to the Leaky Cauldron to pack his belongings.

Tom, the bartender acted weird when Harry told him he was spending the rest of the summer with the Longbottoms. Harry bet he was going to hear from Dumbledore or the minister before the hour was up, when he told Madame Longbottom this, she smirked.

"Let them try."

They made it to the manor without incident and arrived in a large marble entry hall when a house elf popped in to greet them.

"Yorba, please take Mr. Potter to one of the guest rooms in Neville's wing. Mr. Potter won't be joining us for dinner, have it sent up to him and give Benny this," she handed the elf his meal plan. "It's for Mr. Potter."

"Yes Mistress."

"Harrison, I'll explain to Neville and ask him to not disturb you until the morning."

Harry smiled gratefully and followed the house elf to his bedroom. The elf quickly unpacked and popped away. Harry changed into his pajamas and was asleep within five minutes; he woke several hours later when he was gently shaken by a house elf. He sat up to see a veritable feast lying on the small table in the bedroom.

"I'm sorry for waking you sir but Mistress Longbottom said you couldn't afford to miss a meal."

Harry smiled. "Thank you . . ."

"Tuggle."

"Thank you, Tuggle. I am hungry and the food looks amazing, did you make it?" Harry asked slipping out of his bed and going to the table.

"No, Benny did but he followed your nutrition plan to the letter. If you'd like more, leave the serving dome uncovered and if you're done cross your knife and fork over your plate and we'll know."

"Thank you and please tell Benny thank you as well."

Tuggle nodded happily and popped out. Harry's eyes widened at the massive spread before him, dished himself a plate, and dug in. By the time he was done, he felt groggy, full, and bloated. He grabbed the book he was reading, curled up on the sofa in the bedroom, and was out like a light and hour later.

Author's Notes:

*Thanks again for the wonderful response I've been getting with this story. I am truly grateful you seem to like what I've written. Please keep the reviews, favorites, and follows coming!

*I had originally planned to post something twice as long as this to move the story forward, but I found it hard to edit so many pages and keep the quality of the edits. So I decided to half what I was planning to post because the quality of what I was editing was suffering. I still think this is the longest chapter I've posted so far though.

*Hopefully in the next one or two postings you'll be able to see how this will tie into OHHC.

*Once again, all mistakes dealing with grammar, content, and otherwise are my own as I am self-editing and I have never been to the British Isles or Japan.

*I do not own HP or OHHC.

*Have a great day! Happy Reading!