Chapter 16 - Sanders, Witherspoon and Brentwood

Harry knocked on Professor McGonagall's open door and smiled at her as she looked up. "My apologies for disturbing you, Professor."

The older woman's face softened slightly as she saw him. Although still frustrated and curious about his disappearance over the summer, she had to admit that it had certainly not harmed him. His marks had improved in all classes, he carried himself with quiet confidence he didn't have before, and his courtesy had been noted by all of the staff, excluding Severus perhaps. "Not at all, Mr. Potter. What may I do for you?"

"I have a family solicitor coming and rather than leaving the school grounds, I wondered whether there was a room somewhere we could use for a private discussion."

Her eyes widened briefly in surprise, before she considered. He had been Chosen by a Veela and was now considered a legal adult. It would not be surprising if there were legal considerations that needed to be discussed.

"Of course, Mr. Potter. There are two family rooms off the Great Hall. You used one during the Tri-Wizards Tournament after the...drawing of names. These are available for family discussions, although they are rarely used. There shouldn't be a conflict."

Harry gave her a bright smile. "Thank you, Professor. I appreciate it." He gave her the small bow she was becoming accustomed to see, and turned to head off.

"Mr. Potter..." she waited until he turned back. "Your solicitor may Floo into my office to save the walk from outside the wards if you would like. I just need to add him or her to the list of approved names."

The teen tipped his head as he considered. He didn't know how old Mr. Brentwood was and if it was raining, this would be more convenient. "Thank you, Professor. His name is Addison Brentwood. We have a seven o'clock appointment this evening. I will send Hedwig to let him know about using your Floo." He bowed again before leaving.

He returned to his Head of House's office as the clock chimed seven. The Floo immediately turned green and with a whoosh, a tall figure stepped lightly out of the fireplace. Harry strode forward and held out his hand.

"How do you do, Mr. Brentwood, I'm Harry Potter." They looked each over briefly as they shook hands. Harry noticed the firm handshake, military-like bearing, graying hair and sharp blue eyes on the elegant figure.

"A pleasure Mr. Potter. I knew your grandfather for many years, but only met your father a handful of times. It has been a pleasure for our firm to handle your family's legal requirements over the years." The older man's eyes lit with good-humor as he catalogued the similarities between his former clients and the young man before him. He looked around the room. "Are we meeting here?"

"No sir, I've reserved one of the family rooms. This way, please." The two spoke casually until they reached the designated room. It was a small reception room with several comfortable settees, as well as a table with chairs around it.

The older man looked around and nodded. "If I may secure the room, Mr. Potter?"

Harry raised an eyebrow and then smiled. He liked how this man thought. "Good idea. And please, call me Harry."

"Only if you call me Addison" the older man agreed. He drew his wand and began placing multiple privacy wards and silencing charms.

"An auspicious beginning, ghergo'ir. I liked how his eyes reviewed and took in as much information as possible. He carries himself with comfortable authority, as if he is used to taking command" commented Ortinoth.

Once the room was secured to his satisfaction, the older man withdrew a small object from his pocket and enlarged it, revealing a dragon hide briefcase. He laid it on the table as Harry drew out one of the chairs, indicating with a slight wave of his hand for the other man to do the same.

"Addison, I asked to meet with you because I only recently discovered that I was the Head of the Ancient House of Potter and had an estate. If you read the Daily Prophet, you also may have seen that I was Chosen as a Veela's Mate. I have no idea what my duties and obligations are, and am trying to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible. One of my questions is whether your firm wrote a Will for my parents."

Addison Brentwood masked his astonishment that the 16 year old had not been trained for his heritage. He also noted and filed the disgust the young man had for the Daily Prophet. This answered several questions, but raised a dozen more. He made a second mental note regarding the questions he needed to ask, but answered his client's question first.

"Yes, Harry. Sanders, Witherspoon and Brentwood did write the Potter Will and filed a copy with both the Ministry and Gringotts. I brought a copy with me today." He opened his briefcase and withdrew a folder, then selected several pieces of parchment which he handed to the teen. "You may read through it at your leisure, but it states that you inherit your parent's estate in full, with only a few side bequests to some friends of your father as well as a trust in case any of your mother's sister's family is found to be magical."

Harry quickly skimmed through the parchments and his eyes narrowed. His voice was quiet and chilly as he said "I see it also clearly states that my guardian was to be my godfather, Sirius Black or my godmother, Alice Longbottom. I can understand why I wasn't placed with either of them, but it also says that if neither godparent was able to serve, then Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew would agree upon a new guardian and were permitted to participate in my upbringing. Why did that not occur, Addison?"

The solicitor's sharp eyes did not miss the anger barely being held in check. "Before I came to our meeting, I was able to ascertain that the Will was never read or executed."

"And did you discover why it wasn't read or executed" the dark-haired teen hissed through clenched teeth, pinning the older man with infuriated eyes.

"Your godparents were in no position to request a reading of the Will and no one else initiated it either. On behalf of my firm, I sincerely apologize Mr. Potter. One of us should have prompted the action. Instead in the chaos following Voldemort's defeat, we lost sight of you." He paused to let the young man control his emotions. He could see the intensity of his reactions, but was pleasantly surprised that the hands that tightened on the parchment released and the papers were laid softly on the table. After several deep breaths, the lad seemed to be in control.

"Would you tell me what happened to you after that night, Mr. Potter?" Although offered the courtesy of using the young man's given name, he deliberately gave him the respect of the formal name.

Harry took another deep breath and forced himself to speak dispassionately. "Headmaster Dumbledore led an unofficial resistance movement against Voldemort. He found out about the attack and sent Rubeus Hagrid to my parent's home in Godric's Hollow. Hagrid found Sirius Black there and said Dumbledore had sent him to see if I had survived. Sirius gave Hagrid his motorcycle to take me away while he set out after Peter Pettigrew, the true secret holder and betrayer."

He paused and shook his head as he looked at the table between them and received a mental nudge from his lowaar regarding guest courtesy. "Dobby!"

The house elf appeared immediately with a pop. "Yes Master Harry Potter, sir? What can Dobby be doing for Master Harry Potter sir?"

Harry forced a small smile at the eager house elf. "Would you bring Mr. Brentwood and me some tea, please?" He looked at the older man. "Would you like anything else, sir?"

The older man offered a smile at the small enthusiastic figure. "No thank you, tea would be fine."

"Dobby will be right back with tea for the sirs!" He disappeared with another small pop.

The teen looked at the solicitor with rueful eyes. "My apologies, Addison. I don't know where my manners are tonight. And please, call me Harry."

"No apologies are necessary, Harry. I was enthralled in your story." And indeed, he was. So little factual information was known about his client, although the Daily Prophet seemed to fill its pages with wild imaginings.

"As I was saying, Hagrid brought me to Dumbledore who left me on my Aunt's doorstep with a note saying my parents were dead and to please raise me as her own son." Dobby popped back in with a tray after that astonishing remark, and Addison was pleased to have a moment to evaluate that information as Harry poured them both tea. Addison declined anything in his, noting that his client took one spoonful of sugar.

"As I understand it, because my parents were part of the Headmaster's resistance movement, he felt it appropriate to take charge of their orphaned son. He left me with my mother's sister and never checked on me again. As he explained it to me, I had been protected from the killing curse by my mother's love, although I find that somewhat implausible. How many other mothers died for their children and they weren't saved from the killing curse. Regardless, Dumbledore said I was protected by my mother's blood. By taking me in, my Aunt Petunia sealed some charm Dumbledore placed on me. He said the bond of blood became the strongest shield he could give me in case any Death Eaters wanted to retaliate for their Master's defeat."

"With all due respect Harry, that was not the Headmaster's decision to make. I realize Lord Black was imprisoned for Mr. Pettigrew's death and Mrs. Longbottom was incapacitated, but Mr. Lupin could have identified a new guardian for you. It is no secret to our firm that Mr. Lupin suffers from lycanthropy and could not legally be your guardian, but he should have chosen your new guardian." Addison made sure to keep his voice firm but mild and not let the outrage he felt be heard in his voice. "You said you only recently discovered you were the Head of the Ancient House of Potter?"

Harry didn't want to explain his years with the Dursleys, but with his lowaar's encouragement, he sighed and began. "I wasn't even sure of my name until I was enrolled at school. I was only called 'boy' or 'freak'. My Aunt and Uncle were not only afraid of magic, they despised it. To them it wasn't normal, and they loved all things normal. I was the son of magic-using freaks that was forced on them, and they were afraid I would contaminate their son or their life."

He took a sip of his tea, not looking at the other man. He took a deep breath and forced out "Until my Hogwarts letter arrived, I slept in the closet under the stairs, was treated like a house elf, and fed only scraps. I had no idea about the wizarding world and was totally surprised to discover that not only was magic real, but that I was a wizard."

He frowned as he swirled the tea in his cup. "Because I was the son of magical parents, I wasn't given the introduction that Muggle-borns received, so I came into Hogwarts totally blind and at a distinct disadvantage."

Addison withdrew a parchment and his self-inking quill and became rapidly jotting notes. "Harry, what did your Aunt do when you received owls?" At Harry's puzzled look, he continued "Statements from Gringotts for example, or mail from your admirers?"

"I didn't receive any owls before my Hogwarts letter…" Harry's voice faded away. "Bloody hell, he put up a ward around the Dursley's didn't he? So I wouldn't receive any harmful mail, I'm sure." He spit out the last two words and then took a deep breath to calm down. "When I first went to Diagon Alley, I was nearly mobbed by well-wishers, yet it never occurred to me until you said something that I probably had people sending me notes over the years."

"Harry, did anyone visit you from our world while you were growing up?"

The teen shook his head. "To the best of my knowledge, no one ever checked on me. Or if they did, they did a poor job of it. I was half-starved and undersized my entire life, clad only in my huge cousin's discarded clothing. It was only this summer that the years of neglect were corrected."

"Harry, you have the grounds for a variety of legal actions if you choose to pursue them. Ignoring your parent's will, child endangerment, denying a wizard his magical heritage as well as any other number of gross violations of wizarding law."

The teen leaned back in his chair and sat with unfocused eyes for a minute, before he slowly shook his head. "With Voldemort back, it would serve no purpose to withdraw support from the leader of the Light, especially since Dumbledore is the only person Voldemort fears. However, I want my parents Will read and executed and I want to know what your firm can do to keep the Daily Prophet from slandering me. And if anyone is using my name without my permission, then I want that to stop as well. I also need to know if I am liable for any taxes since my parent's death. Finally, if you can help me find tutors in Wizarding culture, politics, law and estate management, I would be very grateful."

"Regarding being liable for outstanding taxes, you can be assured that Gringotts would have paid them as the managers of your family's accounts. Are you comfortable with the management of those accounts, or would you like me to prepare an independent audit?"

"I meet with my Gringotts account manager this weekend and will let you know about an audit after that. However, as they make a profit if my account makes a profit, I feel more secure than if they were paid a flat fee."

Addison nodded and made a note. "Regarding tutors, let me make some overtures on your behalf. I would prefer instructors who are already allied with your family, but at the least we'll want someone neutral." At Harry's surprised look, he bit back a growl and explained mildly "The Ancient Families have alliances that date back centuries. Those alliances should be documented and found in your vault, as well any debts owed to your Family."

Harry breathed a heavy sigh at his ignorance and closed his eyes briefly, letting the encouragement and support from his lowaar wash over him. Opening his eyes, he asked "Addison, would you make a list of what you recommend I look for this Saturday when I visit the Potter vault?"

"Of course, Harry. You may also ask for Gringotts to provide a magical inventory or see if a previous family member paid them to create a self-updating inventory. Those are expensive, but worth it. They are usually kept in the vault as well."

They spent the next hour reviewing Harry's background, the Daily Prophet's stories, Rufus Scrimgeour's attempt to make Harry a poster boy, the legal impact of being a Veela's Mate as well as recommended reading to help prepare him for his role as the Head of the Ancient House of Potter.


Draco was waiting for him in their common room when Harry returned from his meeting with Addison Brentwood. "Are you all right Harry?" His eyes raked over the dark-haired teen as if searching for an injury. "I felt bursts of anger almost as soon as you began meeting with your solicitor."

Harry sighed and sat down heavily in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. "It was a frustrating meeting. I realized just how many laws have been broken just because I'm Harry Potter." He spit out his name in disgust. "No reason to execute a Will if it's just about Harry Potter. No need to investigate the conditions of an illegally placed orphan if it's Harry Potter. No need to teach a wizard about his heritage if it's only Harry Potter. No reason to stop a newspaper from publishing lies if it's only about Harry Potter." His voice rose until he was nearly shouting. "No reason to let him receive any bloody mail and let him know there's another world out there if it's just bloody Harry Potter!"

The blonde came and sat on the arm of Harry's chair and hesitantly laid a hand on his shoulder. "Your mail was blocked too?"

"That's the only thing I can think of. I never received a single owl before my Hogwarts letter came. No statement from Gringotts, no letters, nothing." He leaned into the hand that was now gently massaging his shoulder and tried to release his tension. "But that's all in the past and nothing I can do will change it. What I can control is how I handle it going forward, and Addison will help with that."

The hand massaging his shoulder paused. "Addison?"

"My solicitor." He could almost feel the jealousy radiating off the Veela. "He's old to be my grandfather, Draco. I'm only interested in his legal services." He allowed humor rather than impatience to color his voice and felt the hand begin its gentle massage again.

"Sorry Harry. The Veela in me is an over-protective and jealous prat, isn't he?" The blonde's voice was embarrassed.

Ydraith interrupted his momentary irritation with the Veela. "I wonder what his reaction will be when he sees your Juanth Darastrix form, ghergo'ir? Will he accept it?"

"Good point, Nafldask." His new form was an integral part of him and couldn't be changed any more than Draco's Veela side could be changed. Harry reached up and patted the hand on his shoulder. "I understand, Draco. We are who we are." He felt the tension subside from the other teen as his words.

They sat there for several moments before Draco said "You received an owl from Gringotts while you were gone. The owl left after I untied the scroll, so it didn't need an immediate response."

"Oh that must be the list of assets I asked Grimtoe to send. I wonder if there's anything on it I should have discussed with Addison. Where is it?"

Draco left him in the chair and retrieved the heavy and tightly wrapped scroll. Harry unrolled it, surprised at the size of the scroll and amount of writing it contained.

The blonde chuckled. "The Potters are an ancient and wealthy family, Harry." He sat down in the chair opposite the Gryffindor with a book while the dark-haired teen perused the list.

"Potter Manor? It says 'cannot be plotted'. I guess that was the house in Godric's Hollow. I wonder if I can see it since I was there or if the Fidelius broke when my parents died."

"If it still says 'cannot be plotted' it's still under a Fidelius."

"Bloody hell..." At the blonde's raised eyebrow at his exclamation, the Gryffindor added "I seem to have a number of houses."

"That's not surprising. Again, your family was wealthy. The Malfoys don't have the lineage of the Potters, but Malfoy Manor is only our primary residence. We have homes throughout the world."

The brunette looked up in surprise. "Really? Like where?"

"We have a small castle in the Loire Valley in France; a villa in Tivoli, Italy; and a smaller manor in New South Wales, Australia. We also keep suites at various hotels in the cities in which we have businesses."

Harry shook his head. "From a cupboard to this is quite a stretch." He didn't notice Draco narrow his eyes as he continued to scrutinize the list. "It looks like I have a penthouse apartment in New York City in the United States; a town house in London; an actual island in the Caribbean; a villa on the Bay of Naples in Italy; another villa in Marabella, Spain; as well as a house in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Merlin, I can't believe all of that. The cost of upkeep must be phenomenal! I also seem to own or hold shares in a variety of both magical and non-magical businesses." He read through a list of business descriptions. "Hmm, a lot of the non-magical seem to be in medical companies, including supplies, medical and diagnostic labs, clinics and nursing homes. Apparently, either my family or Grimtoe felt an aging Muggle population was a source of profitable investments."

He read a while longer and then sat up straight. "Excellent!" Draco looked up at his exclamation. "Addison suggested I get a self-updating inventory on the family vault, but it appears there already is one. That's one of the reasons this scroll is so large. I just spotted the Potter Signet ring. It's described as "gold with dragon salient, lion salient, 3 carat ruby and lists a number of protection charms."

"Very nice, Harry. If the dragon and lion salient make up the crest, you'll want to add it to your formal robes."

"Hmm, I wonder what 'salient' means" thought Harry.

"You have our memories available at a single thought, ghergo'ir" reminded Azreth with amusement. "As an Historian, I would be interested in filling that information in with anything that changed since we left this realm. For now, know that it is an ancient heraldic term. Salient means the creature named is standing on two feet with two off the ground. Other terms include rampant, or standing with three feet off the ground; sejant, which is sitting on all four; statant, which is standing on all four; passant, standing on three while clawing with one; and dormant, which is sleeping."

"So a dragon standing on one side of the ruby with a lion standing on the other?" At Azreth's agreement, Harry tried to visualize it. "Impressive. I wonder how old the ring is." He sighed thinking of all of the family history he never had a chance to absorb from his parents and accepted the comfort of his lowaar.


Harry groaned and rolled over to stare up at the ceiling. He had gone over the list of assets with Draco, who had been unexpectedly helpful. The blonde was willing to discuss anything Harry wanted, from the location of the other properties, to the idea of renting the homes when not in use, to whether the businesses in which he was invested were lucrative or not. What was pleasantly surprising was that he didn't try to discover anything beyond what Harry volunteered. Now as he stared at the ceiling, he wondered whether his inheritance would make a different with his Gryffindor friends.

Ron had always been somewhat resentful that the Weasleys were tight on galleons. Even though Harry envied Ron his large and loving family, the red-head had always envied Harry's status as the-boy-who-lived and his trust vault. The red-head resented that everything he owned were hand-me-downs; from what they thought was an adopted pet rat to his frilly dress robes for the Yule Ball.

How would Ron and Hermione receive the news that Harry was not just hypothetically well-off, but was in fact extremely wealthy? Draco expected it; he was more concerned that Harry didn't understand his role as a Head of House than he was that the Potters might be more affluent than the Malfoys. Neville was a pureblood with a wealthy background himself and would probably be indifferent. But Ron and Hermione?

Ydraith interrupted his spiraling thoughts to say with a chuckle "Hermione will be fine if you promise her access to the Potter library." He grinned and wondered if there was such a thing. "She stood with you through all of your trials over the years, ghergo'ir. She will not cast you aside simply because you inherited your parent's estate."

"Unless there are house elves bound to the family." He shuddered as he remembered her vehemence about freeing all house elves. "Then it goes back to Ron. He seems more mature this year, as if the Ministry of Magic debacle was a turning point for him."

"Consider how he overcame his loathing for Draco Malfoy just to support you, ghergo'ir. While he may experience some degree of jealousy, he may be mature enough to dismiss them."

"I hope you're right, Nafldask. I sincerely hope you are right."

"Sleep Autgabin. You should be rested in order to shock your Potions Master as well as create a new medical alternative for seriously injured patients. You do not want to yawn and make a misstep in the brewing."

"As if I would permit that" snorted Charok. "Even so, I agree you should be sleeping. Nightly blessings and pleasant dreams, ghergo'ir."

"Nightly blessings to you as well" Harry said muffling a yawn. Tomorrow should be interesting…


Ghergo'ir = Young one

Lowaar = Indwellers

Nafldask = Grandmother

Outgain = Grandson