Quick AN : Thanks for all of those who reviewed! It's very much appreciated! Read the note at the bottom after the story when you're done, please? Okay, on with the story.

The Phoenix Ancients

Chapter 02 –Trouble, A Visit, and A Castle.

"Dear Harry,

Hello Harry, I know you wrote that you didn't want any mail this summer, but I'm beginning to think that it wasn't you that wrote that last letter.

Alright Hermione, get to the point already.

Yeah Hermione, what he said.

Fine. Anyhow, we, that is, me, Fred, and George, found out something about Ronald, Ginerva, Molly Weasley, and Dumbledore. Fred and George just showed me the worst thing that I could possibly see.

We're really sorry about not writing it down, just in case this gets intercepted.

But we're taking precautions to make sure that no one, Death Eaters or the Order, can catch this letter and package.

We even put on some wards that ensure that only you can open this.

And trust me, they won't want to open it.

Right. Well, anyhow Harry, we just want you to know that we knew nothing of what they did. And we feel every bit betrayed as you do…ok, probably not, because this goes a little deeper with you then it does me. But Fred and George are hurting just as bad as you probably will after this.

She's right Harry.

Now, enough blubbering you two. Harry, open the box and grab the vial, yes that vial. Now, pour the contents of that vial into the stone dish, then tap the surface.

Harry, if you want, we're willing to leave 'You-Know-Where' and take you out of the Dursley's. If you do, just tap the corner of this parchment with your finger three times. And we should be there no longer than a day.

Alright, I'm going to say goodbye now. Just remember we're still with you Harry, no matter what.

With love,

Hermione, Fred, and George."

"There, that should be good…right, guys?" Hermione asked as she cleaned off the quill they had used to write the letter in with their blood. Fred and George nodded their ascent while looking around for something. "What you looking for guys?" Instead of answering, they each picked up a piece of ribbon, before pushing the box of ribbon pieces to Hermione.

"Pick one, one that you feel pulled to." At her quizzical look, Fred continued. "There's an old tradition, someone who is pledging their allegiance to another, they find a piece of ribbon that they feel a pull to."

"If there's more than one person," George took over, "they twist, or braid, the pieces of ribbon together. Signifying unity of their souls." At this, Hermione started digging through the box before pulling out a piece of scarlet colored ribbon.

"Here, I'll braid them; you two seal the scroll with your charms and the wax." Hermione held out her hand and took the pieces that Fred and George had picked. Braiding together her piece of scarlet ribbon with Fred's sapphire ribbon and George's emerald ribbon, Hermione thought over all of the information that she had just taken in. It all seemed surreal to her, having never thought that anyone could truly hurt Harry like the youngest Weasley's, their mother, and Dumbledore were. "Guys…what…what if they aren't the only ones in on this scheme?" Hermione kept her eyes focused on the ribbon in front of her, running her fingers over the silky material of the ribbon.

Fred put down the ring with their initials engraved on it, which he used to put the wax seal on the scroll. Walking over to Hermione, he crouched down to look her in the eyes. "Well…we're just going to have to make sure that we always put ourselves between him and those idiots, now won't we?" Fred grinned before giving her a quick hug. "Come on, we have a bird to catch." With that, the trio tied the braided ribbon onto the scroll and left the room in search of an owl…of course, not just any owl. An owl that would take the letter and package to London, where it would be dropped off and a different owl would pick it up before taking it to a small town in France, where it would be dropped off once more. Then, a hawk would pick up the package and take it to Harry.

Why the round-about trip? Well…that should be easy to guess. To throw off anyone tracking the package, and with the hawk, no one dare try to take its burden unless they wanted to be pecked and scratched to death.

Oh yes…this package was in very capable hands…er, claws.

&.&.&.&

Vernon Dursley was mad. No, he was livid. Grunnings had just demoted him, blaming him for their loss of money. Well, he had been embezzling funds, but he deserved that extra money. He was the reason they had done so well in the first place. And they were calling him on sexual harassment charges. It wasn't sexual harassment if he just looked, and touched occasionally. But that's what those female secretaries were for, weren't they? No. None of that was his fault. It was all his freak of a nephew's fault. It was his freakiness that got Vernon in trouble, not that he had done anything.

Vernon's eyes narrowed as he pulled into the drive, completely missing the fact that Petunia's car was missing from the spot where it usually was. Yes, it was all that freak's fault that he got demoted. As Vernon made his way up to his nephew's room, he grabbed Dudley's Smelting's stick. The freak would deserve everything that Vernon was about to give him. Reaching the freak's door, he threw it open with a bang. In two quick strides, he was hovering over the tiny frame of his nephew.

"Well, boy?! What do you have to say? Think it's funny that you got me demoted? Huh? Answer me!" Not waiting for a reply, the Smelting's stick came crashing down onto Harry's stomach. Harry winced and groaned before turning on his side, inching slowly to the other side of the room. Maybe if he kept the bed between him and his Uncle he'd escape some damage. Unfortunately, Vernon had other things on his mind. Vernon grabbed Harry's shoulder and pulled him from the bed roughly, causing Harry's head to his the metal frame of the bed. Harry's eyes widened when he caught sight of a knife that Vernon pulled out of his pocket. Grabbing Harry's face in a meaty hand, Vernon put the tip of the knife to the base of his curse scar and moved it down his face agonizingly slow. Not able to stand the pain, Harry tried to turn his head away from the knife, only succeeding in making the line jagged and caused it to skim over his right eye.

Harry wasn't sure as to what happened next due to the pain and blood loss. All he could remember was his Uncle kicking and punching and that at some point, the knife was introduced to his back.

Vernon looked down at the now bloody form of his nephew with a look of disgust and satisfaction. Spitting at the boy, he left the room to get cleaned up and to take care of the sudden lust that welled up in him from the pained moans that Harry had emitted during the torture session. Harry curled up into a ball, gritting his teeth against the pain. He knew that there were a couple of broken ribs, he knew his right cheek bone was broken, he knew that on his back his Uncle had carved something into his flesh, and he knew that that was the last time that he would ever deal with it.

Harry couldn't help but let his mind drift to what would happen if he were to gain any semblance of power. The one thing that seemed to always push its way to the front of his thoughts was revenge on his uncle. Torture him the same way that he had been tortured at that man's hand.

The last thought that past through his pain fogged mind was, Lord help us all if I become the next dark lord. Then he succumbed to the pain filled fog and black out.

&.&.&.&

Petunia Dursley was nervous. She had just come from her lawyer, the same lawyer that her parents had used when they were still alive. The papers that she needed Vernon to sign were tucked away in a manila folder, with little post-it arrows pointing to where her soon-to-be-ex-husband needed to sign. Now, all she had to do was get him drunk enough to do what she wanted without getting him so drunk that all he wants to do is have sex or beat Harry. Thinking of Harry, her eyes widened when she spotted Vernon's car in the drive. If Vernon was home and she wasn't in there, she shuddered to think what the whale had done to her nephew. Quickly parking her car, she grabbed her purse and the folder before darting into the house, hoping against all hope that Vernon hadn't done much to Harry. When she walked through the front door, she had the feeling that Vernon hadn't been kind to Harry. The air reeked of blood, which caused Petunia to cover her mouth in fear of vomiting. Stuffing the folder into her purse so that Vernon didn't see, she left it in the kitchen to find him. As she walked past Harry's room, she heard him moaning softly from the pain. Her face fell; at least he was still alive. When she reached the bedroom, she got the shock of her life. There on her bed, was her soon-to-be-ex-husband masturbating to a recording of the previous beating of her nephew. She lost her battle against vomiting and ran to the bathroom to empty the contents of her stomach. At least Vernon hadn't noticed her, or she would have had to have pleasured him. And that was something that she wanted no part of.

Rinsing her mouth out, Petunia poked her head back into the bedroom to see Vernon cleaning up. Perhaps if she went downstairs and made dinner, maybe that would get that horrid image out of her mind. She couldn't believe that Vernon got pleasure out of torturing a teenager, it was just so wrong on so many levels. Sighing to herself, she knew that Harry would be ok, he always pulled through after previous beatings right?

After dinner was served, over with, and Dudley had gone upstairs to do lord knows what, Petunia sat with Vernon in the living room, each with a large glass of brandy.

"So Pet, what did you do today?" Vernon asked, slurring his words slightly. Petunia's brows furrowed as she tried to think of something.

"Oh, just went to the grocery store to pick up those candies Diddykins loves so much." She said cheerily, but on the inside she felt like vomiting for the third time that day. The only response from Vernon was a grunt.

Smirking to herself, Petunia set her untouched glass down and pulled out the forms that Vernon needed to sign.

"Vernon dear, Dudley needs you to sign some permission forms for boxing camp." Petunia hadn't expected it to be that easy, but there it was, in plain black ink, Vernon Michael Dursley. They were going to be divorced and her and Harry could escape.

Petunia patted Vernon on the head before taking the folder with the forms and retreating to the bedroom, where she packed a small suitcase and topped it with the folder. After it was packed, she slid it under her side of the bed and waited as she heard Vernon stomping around downstairs turning out all of the lights before stomping upstairs. All she had to do was pretend to be asleep until he was out like a light, then she could sneak over to Harry's room and help him with his injuries and pack a small bag.

An hour later finally found Petunia tip-toeing out of her bedroom to Harry's room. The locks had been left undone so she hadn't needed to go searching for the keys. Opening the door, she felt her heart stop at the sight in front of her. There was just…so much blood.

&.&.&.&

"Harry, wake up, honey." A woman with red hair and green eyes called softly to the black haired teen laying on the floor. The woman looked over to the man with black hair and hazel eyes, a look of worry etched on both of their faces. "James…why won't he wake up?" The red haired woman asked softly, worry laced into her voice.

"Lily-flower, calm down. He's just exhausted." James said, his voice sounding just as worried as his wife's. While they were looking at each other, they didn't notice Harry, lying with his head in his mother's lap, open his eyes and watch both of them with more than just a little disbelief. Finally, James looked back down to Harry and grinned. "Harry! You're awake!"

Harry felt his eyebrows rise in surprise, if he was awake…and his parents were here. "Oh god…I died, didn't I?" He groaned as he pulled himself up and away from both of his parents. This wasn't supposed to happen. He was suppose to live long enough so that he could fight Voldemort and hopefully kill the bastard. Harry was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice his parents move closer to him, watching him with a worried expression. Harry looked up startled when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"You're not dead, son. You're just…in limbo, so to speak." James spoke softly with a look of slight indifference, but if one were to look closely they would have noticed the underlining anger and concern. "Dursley sure beat the hell out of you. What were you thinking letting that whale of a man attack you like that? What the hell was Dumbledore thinking putting you with that family?" By this point Lily had an arm wrapped around her son's shoulder and James had started pacing, letting himself rant. "And what's this about him putting all those charms on Tuny? How could that old coot do that to her? To us?" A very animalistic growl escaped James' throat. "And that glamour, I always knew something was off about her ever since you came to school our second year upset about the way she acted funny." He shook his head and finally plopped on the ground next to Lily and Harry. Lily raised an eyebrow at her husband before turning her attention back to Harry.

"Alright Harry, now…we don't have much time. Tuny's healing you up right now the muggle way and with what little magic that she seems capable of. Before you go, we need to tell you some very important things."

"Your mother's right. Now, as soon as you feel better, we want you and Tuny to leave Privet Drive and seek sanctuary from the Goblins. Go to Griphook first, he'll be willing to help you especially if you remember who he is." James paused and let Lily continue.

"Request to have our will read; the real will not the one Dumbledore forged. You shouldn't have gone to the Dursley's house; you should have gone to the Longbottom's, Bones', or Diggory's. Now don't look so down; Cedric isn't blaming you for his almost death." Harry's eyes bugged out after hearing that.

"Wh-What do you mean 'almost death', Mum?" Lily raised an eyebrow.

"You mean Dumbledore let you believe that Cedric died? Yes he was hit with the killing curse but for some reason the only thing that happened was forcing him into a state similar to that of the Draught of the Living Death. Now, Cedric had been here for nearly a week since he was in a coma, but they moved him to St. Mungo's and he is currently in his second month of physical therapy. Really…I would think that someone would have told you that." Harry just shook his head dumbly. He knew Dumbledore had been manipulating him, but to the point where he let Harry believe that he had killed people? That was just low, even for him. Well, one thing's for sure, he was going to be making a trip to St. Mungo's sometime after his 'escape'. Nodding his head, signaling for them to continue, Harry got into a more comfortable position. James stood and took over while pacing again.

"Ask Griphook if he could perform a scan on you. I have a feeling the old coot didn't take off the Baby Binder when you reached Hogwarts, and I think there's a few more that have been placed on you." His eyes squinted in what Harry guessed in anger. Then Lily took over again.

"Now Harry, after the will is read, you should be emancipated; so you can perform magic without being hunted down by the Ministry. But you're going to have to buy a new wand or have a wand crafter remove those horrid spells from your wand." She shook her head to stop the questions from Harry. "I can't tell you. I just know there are some pretty bad spells on the wand." Suddenly, both Lily and James stiffened and looked at Harry sadly.

"Alright son. It's time for you to go, Tuny's worried sick about you. Even got herself a black eye when she wouldn't leave the room after she took care of your cuts. Remember, we love you and are proud of you. No matter what anyone tells you. And…" James looked around before leaning in, whispering conspiratorially. "If you truly have the need to have that fact reassured, we'll see you in your dreams." James chuckled sadly as he brought Harry into a tight embrace. "Love you, son."

Lily was next and couldn't help the tears that ran down her cheeks. "Your father's right, although he wasn't supposed to tell you about the dream thing. We love you very much and so very proud. Be good, please?" Harry nodded and smiled, hugging his mother back. When he pulled away, he wiped the tears off her face.

"No need to worry about me mum. I truly don't want to go, but I have to get rid of Tom…" Harry's eyes took on a determined glint before smiling again. "Love you both. See you soon; I have a feeling that I will." Waving slightly, Harry faded into the abyss.

"I hope he's strong enough…" Lily whispered sadly, still holding a hand to her cheek where her son had wiped the tears from her cheek.

"He is. And he is sure a charmer, and so caring too." James grinned mischievously, before tackling her and tickling her.

Sometimes, things never change…even in the afterlife.

&.&.&.&

"Oh god, Harry; please wake up. Lily will kill me if I can't even protect you from that bastard." Petunia whispered hoarsely from all of the crying she had been doing the past two days. Harry had been unconscious for two days, even though it only seemed like a couple of hours to him. Petunia sighed and rested her head against the wall behind her bed. Her fingers came up to her left eye to trace the bruise there, the day Vernon had left, he had struck her when she was 'showing too much concern for a freak that deserved what he got'. Of course, after that Vernon and Dudley had left for their trip, she had moved Harry into her bedroom and covered him with their expensive blanket.

As soon as she was sure that Harry was ok, she had left the house and headed towards the attorney's office. Eager to have her divorce finalized. Her attorney had assured her that tomorrow she would officially be back to Petunia Evans. But now, as she sat with Harry's head in her lap, running her fingers through his unruly hair, she tried to figure how she had gone so off course. She had, when she was little, wanted to help her sister run a store that catered to both worlds; Muggle and Magical. Lily would run the Magical side and she would run the Muggle side. But then, before Lily returned for her second year, Petunia had change greatly; for what reason she hadn't a clue. But that was the year that their rift had occurred and no matter how hard Lily had tried to fix it, it had stayed. Sighing, Petunia looked back down at Harry and let a small smile cross her face. She thought that Harry was exactly as she had wanted her own son to turn out to be.

"Aunt Petunia?" Harry's hoarse voice broke through her musings. She looked down to see a slightly tired and amused Harry looking up at her.

"Harry! You're awake!" Harry blinked, déjà vu anyone? "I was so worried, are you alright? I tried to heal you as best as I could but I couldn't be certain…" She trailed off as she heard Harry chuckling softly.

"You know…you're just like mum when you're worried." Petunia's eyes bulged. "Yes, before you ask. I spoke with them while I was out. Dad said something about me being in Limbo…but you saved me." He said with a small smile. "Thanks, Aunt Petunia." Petunia just shook her head and pulled him into an awkward hug.

"People always confused us as twins. Especially before my looks changed," Petunia grimaced, "Though I never figured out why." Harry grunted before pulling himself up slightly.

"I do, and you're not going to like it." Harry shook his head. "We should leave now. While it's still daylight and won't attract any attention." Petunia grinned.

"I packed our bags and they're already in the boot. I went 'shopping' two days ago and when I came back I parked in the garage. So no one should know that we're leaving for good, just that your dear Aunt is taking you somewhere." Harry laughed and shook his head.

"You would be a great Slytherin." When Petunia made a face, Harry laughed harder, causing him to roll onto his right and clutch his stomach.

"You should have seen your face!" He chuckled, and before Petunia could get him, he was up off the bed and quickly limping out of the bedroom.

&.&. Two hours later – Gringotts Bank &.&

Harry and Petunia stood in the main lobby of Gringotts bank two hours after they had left the house on Privet Drive. Why two hours? Well…Petunia stopped at a Clinic to have Harry checked over to make sure that there was no permanent damage. The only problem that they had while they were there was explaining what had happened to him. The small cuts all over his arms, chest, and back; the welts over his chest and back; his sprained ankle; his minor concussion; his hairline fractured wrist; and worst of all, the gash on the right side of his face. But after saying that he had gotten into a fight with one of the neighborhood gang members, he was free to go after given a tube of anti-bacterial cream for the cuts, several butterfly bandages over the gash on his face, an eye pad on the cut on his eye(the doctor had some fears about lost of vision in the eye), several bandages on the cuts on his back(his aunt and the doctor had refused to tell him what was carved on his back), a brace for his ankle, a splint for his left wrist, and gauze wrapped around his ribs to secure them.

As Harry looked around for an open teller, he spotted Griphook at the far end dealing with a snooty looking witch. Raising an eyebrow, Harry walked in that direction, stopping far enough back that he could hear the conversation but not close enough to be caught.

"Look you little piece of crap! I said that I want all of my money transferred to my own personal vault in my house!" The lady screeched in Griphook's face, who looked as if he would like nothing more than to strangle the woman in front of him.

"Look, Miss. I have my orders from my superiors that your accounts have been frozen. So no such business can take place. If you have a problem with that then you need to take this up with the Minister. Good. Day. Madam." Griphook growled. The lady looked as if she wanted to say more but Harry interrupted before she could.

"Miss, I do believe that Griphook has told you the reason for your problems and has even given you a way to get rid of them. Now, if you have any further complaints with the way this bank is run then I'm sure the security Goblins would be more than happy to show you the way out." Harry sneered, making sure that he was still in front of Petunia and that his scar was hidden. "Now, as Griphook has kindly said. Good day, Madam." The woman was infuriated but froze when she saw the Goblins Harry had been talking about step from the shadows. Huffing, the woman stormed out of the bank.

Griphook raised an eyebrow in surprise. "First, very nice to see you again Mr. Potter; second, I am honored that you remember my name; and third, I am even more honored that you protected my honor and my superior's honor." He said calmly, bowing his head in respect. "Now, I'm guessing you have come here for some business, correct?" Harry nodded as he stepped closer to the counter.

"I wish to see my parents' will, the real one not the fake Dumbledore had read." Harry said quietly, and to which, Griphook's brow raised again in surprise.

"Very well, Mr. Potter. I shall inform Director Ragnok of your wishes. Is there anything else?" Harry bit his bottom lip, unsure of his next request.

"I'm not sure if it's appropriate of me to ask, but I was wondering if I could see one of the Goblin healers? I have just returned from a muggle clinic with an ok bill of health, except for my physical maladies that you see and some slight malnutrition. But…I'm sort of suspicious to any Wizarding healers as they all seem tied to Dumbledore somehow." Harry cleared his throat before continuing, gaining some confidence from the nod he received from Griphook. "Well, you see, sir. I've learned some interesting things about myself and I'm afraid that there are several blocks on my magical core…" Griphook raised a gnarled hand, causing Harry to trail off.

"I understand your concerns Mr. Potter, we have been wondering when you would come to us with your suspicions. And we have a room in our City that you and your Aunt can stay in while you both recuperate from the magical drain of removing the blocks and your coming into powers if you wish?" Harry just blinked and nodded, not quite trusting himself with words at the moment. "Excellent, I do believe Director Ragnok is ready for you now. I shall go call a healer while you're in your meeting." Griphook smiled and led them to a beautifully carved door that was engraved with Gobbledygook sayings and inlaid with different colored gems. Knocking on the door, Griphook turned and gave Harry and Petunia a small smile that showed his yellowed, pointy teeth. "I shall see you later, Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans." With that said, Griphook pushed open the door and ushered the two in before closing the door and setting off to find the healer.

Sitting behind a beautifully carved desk was an older Goblin that looked every part of the fairy tales about evil Goblins. A scowl was firmly plastered on the Goblins face as he gazed upon the documents in front of him. In front of him there were two folders, one that read the name Harry James Potter and one that read Calla Petunia Evans. He had been waiting for these two humans to show for a while now, but had only recently learned that not only were they caught in the manipulations of the old wizard Dumbledore, they had been physically incapable of reaching the bank without being trailed. Had he known earlier, he would have sent a security Goblin to escort them there. Hearing a slight cough, he looked up to find the concerned faces of the two persons in question.

"Ah, Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans, forgive me. I must have gotten caught up in my thoughts. Please, have a seat." Ragnok waved a gnarled hand towards the two plush chairs positioned in front of his desk then set aside the two folders of his…clients. "Now, I understand that you wish for the will of James and Lily Potter read?" At their nods he pulled out a scroll sealed with the Potter crest in wax and tied with a red and silver ribbon. Clearing his throat, Ragnok read the scroll.

In the event of our death, this will is to be read. Instead of two separate wills we have agreed to have only a single, combined will.

We, James Harold Potter and Lily Jasmine Evans-Potter, of sound mind and body, hereby bequeath: one million galleons and the blue and silver trunk to Remus John Lupin; the red and black trunk, the green and gold trunk, and the Marauder's Journal to Sirius Orion Black; five hundred thousand to Calla Petunia Evans; and the rest of our possessions to Harry James Potter, including the Potter vault, the Brennan vault, the Evans vault, and the trust vault until he becomes of age.

Upon our death, Harry is to be placed in the custody of one Sirius Orion Black; if said person is unable to accept custody then he should be placed with one of the following families in order of who gets him first to last; Frank and Alice Longbottom, Amelia Bones, or Amos and Delilah Diggory. Under no circumstances is Harry to be placed with Vernon and Petunia Dursley. Only under the circumstance that Calla Petunia Evans divorces Vernon Dursley is she allowed custody.

Upon Harry's emancipation, he is to receive the blue and green trunk left with Griphook of Kezan and the estate on the coast of France, Brennan Manor.

Ragnok looked up from the scroll to find shocked and tearstained faces; of course he was used to these sort of reactions, so he pulled out a muggle box of Kleenex and passed it to them.

"The rest of the will is just Legal garble. Do you wish for a couple of moments or do you wish to proceed with the Legal process?" If it had been any other wizard besides Harry, they would have been in shock at the concerned, caring voice of the Goblin in front of them. But seeing as it was Harry in front of the Goblin, no shock occurred…other than that from what had been read in the will, of course. Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Harry looked up and met the yellow eyes of Ragnok.

"I'm ready to proceed, sir. What needs to be done?" That was all Ragnok needed, he pulled out a few papers from both of the files in front of him then pulled a small, ornately carved box and a small, stone basin out.

"First, I need you to place your hand in the bottom of this basin and prick your finger on the spike at the bottom and leave it in there for several seconds after I fill it with the Inheritance Potion." Harry nodded mutely as he watched Ragnok pull out a larger beaker full of shimmering silver liquid. This was all happening so fast; he hadn't realized that there would have been that much hidden from him. His vaults, his homes, his chance at a caring family, all because of Albus bloody Dumbledore.

Once the potion was in the basin, Harry cautiously placed his hand into the cool liquid. Hesitating only slightly, he pricked his finger as he was told. Unfortunately for Harry, Ragnok had not informed him that the potion would cause an intense pain in the open wound; thus causing Harry to bite his bottom lip forcefully to stop himself from crying out in pain. Pain that so reminded him of a Cruciatus curse. Finally, after a tense few moments where Petunia was calling out to Harry once she saw that he was in pain and Ragnok was looking shocked at the piece of parchment that lay in front of him. This parchment was no ordinary parchment, it was the parchment used to outline the Inheritance of the customer. As soon as the potion enters the body of the one being tested, writing appeared on the parchment stating which houses the person in question was to inherit.

Yes, for that was the reason Ragnok was so shocked. He had known that the Potter child would inherit the Potter, Brennan, Evans, and Black titles, but he had not known about the one that was thought long gone…Meztli.

Meanwhile, Harry collapsed back into his chair panting heavily while Petunia wiped his face off with a tissue.

"What on earth-?" Harry panted, but once he caught the look Ragnok was giving the parchment, he suddenly didn't want to know. "Never mind, can you tell me what that says after I'm looked over by a healer?" Several seconds passed by in silence before Ragnok shook himself from his shock and nodded in acquiescence.

"No problem, Mr. Potter. All you have to do now is sign your emancipation papers and the papers showing that you've heard and accepted your parents' will." As he was saying this, Ragnok pushed a couple of pieces of parchment over to Harry's side of the desk along with a muggle pen.

After all of the parchments were signed, Ragnok slipped the ornately carved box over to him. "Those are the signet rings to the families that you now Lord over. But," Ragnok stated, causing Harry's hand to stop from opening the box, "perhaps it best to save that revelation until after you are fully healed? It goes in hand with the reason you didn't want to learn what had happened." Harry's eyes widened and gulped visibly. Maybe it wasn't such a great idea after all; maybe he should have just let Dumbledore overlord him. After a few more moments of thoughts along that same path, Harry snorted. Yeah right, like that would ever happen. Placing the box back on the goblin's desk, he swallowed several more times before he regained his composure.

"Is that all for now then, sir? I'm feeling quite exhausted." Emphasizing his point, he yawned and rubbed at his tired eyes. Ragnok nodded.

"Of course. I'll have Griphook lead you down to our City." After that was said, Ragnok pushed a clear stone on his desk, which turned blue then red then back to clear. Several silent, contemplative moments later, Griphook reappeared in the Director's office with the trunk that Harry's parents had left for him. "If you need anything, Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans, feel free to stop by my office any time." Bowing his head slightly, he picked up the files and turned away from the two humans in his office, unwilling to show the emotions playing on his gnarled face. The news that an heir to the Meztli family hit him hard, almost as hard as the fact that the kid's family's whole history was hidden from him; and in the Goblin world that was one of the worst kind of crime other than treason.

Blinking away his confusion at the sudden dismissal, Harry stood and stretched, causing several pops from his back and shoulders. "Thank you for you help, Director Ragnok." Bowing his head in a similar fashion as Ragnok had done, he followed Griphook out of the office and towards a darkened hallway. "Pardon me, Griphook. But…how are we getting to the City?" Harry asked as soon as they reached a dead end at the end of the darkened hallway. But as soon as he asked it, he wished he hadn't; for as soon as he spoke, Griphook grinned a mischievous smile and snatched both of the human's wrists before disappearing in a flash of light and flames.

When they reappeared they landed with a dull thump and an 'oomph'. Harry went to ask 'what the hell was that?' but was cut off when his Aunt gasped and pointed in front of her. Harry turned, curious as to what would work his Aunt up like that and nearly had the same reaction. There in front of them was a magnificent city that one would never associate with goblins, unless of course you were Harry Potter or Calla Evans. The city seemed to be made out of gold, and it certainly wouldn't surprise Harry if it actually were, and silver. The houses were small bungalow style, the windows made of thin sheets of gems, the door handles made of gems. But the most magnificent site was the castle that sat on top of a hill. Made of gold, silver, bronze, platinum, and oxidized uranium, the castle stood tall, looming over all of the other places of residency. Like all of the other homes, the castle windows were made of thin sheets of different colored gems.

The only thing Harry could think of as Griphook led him and his Aunt towards the magnificent castle was, 'What on earth did I get myself into this time?'

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Yay! Chapter two is up! Sorry it took so long to get it up, but…I didn't know where to stop, so I just kept writing…then erasing…then writing some more….then erasing some more. Well…you get the idea.

Any how, update on the poll! xD

Who should Harry be paired with?

Hermione – 2
Tonks – 2
Luna – 4
Tonks & Luna – 1
Original – 0
Other Cannon Female – 2
No Pairing – 1

Okay, I'll add some other cannon females so you have a choice.

Hannah Abbot (Hufflepuff)
Fleur Delacour (Last year at Beauxbatons)
Susan Bones (Hufflepuff)
Daphne Greengrass (Slytherin)

VOTE PLEASE!

Mm…here are some other suggestions that I received, too.

Harry/Hermione sibling bond; Harry/Calla(Petunia) family bond; Hermione/Weasley twin A; and Luna/Weasley twin B; and Snape good, still a bastard, helps Harry & Calla.

Woo!

Review please!

Oh…and if you guys want me to slow the story down a bit and put in more details about what's going on between Harry and Calla, just tell me, yeah?

Topsey