The three Potters appeared at Diagon Alley in the area designated for Apparition. Lily and Violet quickly put glamors on themselves, at least until after they reached Gringotts. They made their hair light brown with sapphire blue eyes. Thankfully, without the soul shard there, Violet's scar had mostly healed so one had to really look to see it. Harry changed his hair to a dark brown and his eyes turned blue.
As they moved through Diagon Alley, Violet and Harry glanced around and winced when they saw a good number of people with blue flames glowing in their chest walking around. From adults and elderly, to teenagers and even children, no one was spared from being in danger of becoming what was known as a Torch.
Nyx had told them that Torches were human beings who had a majority of their Power of Existence drained and consumed by a Crimson Denizen. When a human's Power of Existence is devoured a Flame Haze or Denizen will create a Torch to take their place, although each one had very different reasons for doing so. Denizens usually wish to make their consumption less noticeable, so they are not detected and hunted, while Flame Hazes use this to soften the sudden 'shift' the world would undergo and to make the change gradually by allowing the people's existence to slowly fade away without any noticeable change. It seemed even the magicals weren't safe from the beings.
There was only one thing that comforted them about seeing so many people becoming Torches. According to Morana, Power of Existence only made up their physical existence. This meant that, apparently, peoples souls still moved on despite practically being consumed. So, despite the fact that they had shells walking around, the souls of the people they represented had already moved on.
Tearing their gaze away, they followed their mother as she made her way through the alley with little trouble and made it to Gringotts, where they dropped their disguises.
Lily moved to a teller she knew quite well and spoke, "Hello Ripblade."
The goblin looked up and smiled, which, while non threatening in this instance, was still rather unsettling, "Ah, Lily Potter, or have you gone back to Evans? It's good to see you in Gringotts once more."
"Still Potter and I'm sorry about not coming to Gringotts for ten years," she apologized.
"I know why you didn't. Dumbledore had tried meeting with the Potter account manager not long after that night. We decided to let him so that we could see what he wanted," Ripblade told them. "Being friends with you Lily, your account manager decided to tell me what Dumbledore tried to do for when you arrived since we knew you hadn't perished as well. The man tried to seal yours and James' will, take money from the Potter vault, and set up a marriage contract for Ms. Potter with one Ronald Bilius Weasley."
Harry and Lily growled at the mention of a marriage contract, they cared very little about the money, but the thought of forcing Violet to marry someone pissed them off. They were also upset that he would try to keep Violet from finding about what her parents left her.
Meanwhile Violet had turned green. Her brother had told her about Ron, who, while a good friend, was the sloppiest eater ever with a never ending pit for a stomach, not very mature, and completely insensitive, until he was older. He was also a jealous git who was envious of her brother's fame despite what it cost him. There was also the fact that he was likely different from what he knew with all the differences between the two world's people. True he could be better, but there was also the chance he was even worse.
"Yes, well, since we knew you were still alive and he was trying this we decided to keep his focus off of you by 'letting' him do such things," Ripblade said, slightly impressed by the growl the two had emitted. "We took the contract, which had several things that made it void without us even doing anything, deducted the amount he takes from his vault, which he doesn't seem to really notice since he rarely uses his own anymore, and we decided to seal the will since only you, or a later Head of House, can unseal it after that."
Lily and Violet were surprised and impressed with how they went about dealing with the old man. Harry wasn't surprised at what they did, but he was impressed as well.
"Besides the obvious of Vi's father, or in this case mother, not signing it, what voided the contract?" Harry asked curiously.
With a grin, Ripblade said, "It was signed by Molly Weasley."
Violet stared at the goblin in confusion while Harry nodded in understanding. Lily was confused as well, as, despite learning a great deal about the wizarding world and its politics, she was still missing things. Seeing their confusion Harry explained.
"The reason that made the contract void is because things like that have to be signed by the Head of the House. The Head of the Weasleys is Arthur, so Molly signing it did absolutely nothing, but give us more evidence against Dumbledore."
After nodding, Lily decided to get back on track and said, "I would like to see our account manager."
"I'll get someone to take you to him," Ripblade said.
A moment later, a goblin came and took them to their account manager. When they reached the room, Harry blinked at the familiar goblin behind the desk.
"Bloodfang?" he asked in surprise.
Said goblin glanced down and furrowed his brow. "You look like a man I met ten years ago," he said. "Are you related to him?"
Harry couldn't help the smirk that spread across his face. "In a manner of speaking," he said, cryptically. His gaze turned serious as he stared at the goblin for a moment. "I would like what I'm about to tell you kept a secret Bloodfang. You can tell the Director, but I would appreciate it if he was the only one."
Once again, Bloodfang was surprised that a wizard was asking instead of demanding something from him.
Scrutinizing the boy before him for a moment, he said, "I will have to discuss with Director Ragnok."
With that the goblin jumped from his desk before exiting his office. When he was gone, Lily looked at Harry worriedly.
"Are you sure we should tell them?" she questioned. "At least so soon?"
The immortal shrugged, "The goblins are good at keeping secrets and I had planned on having us all taking an inheritance test, something that will reveal things that will make it to where I need to tell them. I haven't done one in a long time and I fought a couple of dark wizards in my world."
"All of us?" his mother asked. "I understand Violet, but why me? I'm just a muggleborn."
"Your parents may be mundanes," he said, using the word he preferred instead of muggles. It was something Lily still wasn't really used to after using muggle for half her wizarding life though she liked mundane much more. "But I came across several mundaneborns that had squib ancestors, either a long way back or even grandparents. I'm just wondering if that is the case with you."
Lily was shocked by his answer. She had never thought about that before. That mugg- mundaneborns could be descended from a squib and, while not being pureblood, wouldn't be completely mundaneborn.
Before she could say anything, Bloodfang returned with another goblin right behind him. This goblin was wearing armor rather than the fine clothes the other goblins were wearing. The armor consisted of medium golden goblin armor with a sword hung at his side. The new goblin sat behind the desk while Bloodfang stood next to him.
"Hello, Potters. I am Director Ragnok," the new goblin, now named Ragnok, said. "I believe one of you wanted to tell Bloodfang something that you wish be kept secret, but are willing to let me know as well."
Harry stepped forward and bowed slightly, surprising the occupants of the room. "That is correct Director. There is a secret that only my sister and mother know of and I think it would be easier for us to make deals with each other if you knew it as well."
Ragnok eyed the boy in front of him for a moment before saying, "And that secret would be?"
Straightening, Harry suddenly started slowly getting taller, his face getting more defined, and his body gaining more muscles. A short while later, he stood in the middle of the room, looking the same age he met Bloodfang before.
The two goblins stared at him shock. Ragnok had been told about the man Bloodfang had met eleven years ago. Bloodfang had said that the man was a Metamorphmagus, but what just happened had nothing to do with that ability since they could only change their height by a foot or so.
"What are you?" Ragnok questioned.
"Tell me Director, have you heard of the Deathly Hallows?" Harry asked.
The two goblins sucked in a breath through their teeth. Normally, the goblins didn't care much about wizarding stories and such, however they knew about the Deathly Hallows artifacts and that they were very real.
"You are the Master of Death?" Ragnok asked, shocked.
Harry scowled slightly, "I really don't like being called her master."
Ragnok frowned, "I would appreciate it if you didn't lie about something like this Mr. Potter. Death is male not female."
Harry blinked in surprise at the fact that apparently the leader of the goblin nation actually knew Death, as well as the fact that Death was a man here. Before he could say anything, a voice that was very familiar to the Potters suddenly spoke.
"Yes he is, but I am all woman."
A moment later, Morana appeared next to Harry, who proceeded to wrap an arm around her waist. She then pulled his head down and planted a passionate kiss on his lips.
Ragnok stared in absolute shock as the man snogged what he could tell was Death. He knew from the feeling of foreboding and, well death, that he had always felt from when he had met Death before. It seemed less potent than the Death he knew, but it was still powerful.
After a minute, the two separated and looked at the goblins. Morana smirked at Ragnok's gobsmacked faces.
"The reason I'm different from the Death that you know is because Thanatos didn't want another Death here, but realized that with my master," practically purring the word in Harry's ear and sending a shiver down his spine, "here, I had to be here. So to solve that, he went to my world to be their Death while I took up the position here."
"I see," Ragnok mumbled, rather bemused at seeing Death acting in such a manner.
"Thanatos?" Harry asked, slightly worriedly.
"The Greek gods don't exist here as well," she told him, knowing what he was getting at.
Harry couldn't help but mentally sigh in relief. The Crimson Denizens were already going to be an unpredictable variable, throwing in gods would have been too much.
"I'm sorry, but you spoke as if you met Death before," Violet said incredulously, speaking up for the first time since they had arrived.
"Violet mind your manners," Lily chided. "This is the leader of the goblins as I'm sure you have noticed."
Ragnok waved a hand dismissively, "She meant no offense Lily and she is eleven." He turned his gaze to the youngest Potter, "And yes, young one I have met with Death before." He grinned a truly goblin grin, "We used to talk about how we each dealt with our respective… malcontents. I admit I will miss comparing notes."
"And that Vi," Harry started leaning down to her. "Is why you never get on the bad side of a goblin. If they can discuss with Death about… dealing with troublemakers then you don't want them to be your enemies."
Violet just nodded, slightly scared. True she could probably deal with a great many of the goblins with her powers as a Flame Haze, she knew that they would wear her out with sheer numbers and they would probably score several good hits in the process.
"Anyway, we got way off topic here," Harry said. "I told you this because I want to do an inheritance test. I have dealt with a few wizards in my time and I wonder if I took any of their titles like I did with Slytherin from Riddle."
"Very well," Ragnok stated. "Am I right in assuming you want the other two to take it as well?" At his nod, the Director pulled out three pieces of parchment and an ornamental looking dagger. "Cut your hand and drip six drops of blood on the parchment."
Taking the dagger, Harry cut his palm and let the drops fall on the parchment. The cut immediately healed as words started appearing on the parchment.
Name: Harry James Potter (1980-2650) (1981-present)
Parents: James Charlus Potter (1960-1981) and Lily Jean Potter (1960-1981)
Adopted: Lily Jane Potter (1960-present)
Harry arched a brow at the different middle names between his mother's. Since their first and last name, maiden and married, were the same he assumed their middle name would be the same.
"You died?" Lily asked quietly, ashen faced. Next to her Violet looked rather pale herself.
"Hm? Oh, well I entered through the Veil of Death to get here so I suppose it would be apt to say that I died that day," Harry answered, unconcerned.
The two female Potters stared at Harry in shock at his dismissive attitude to dying. After a moment of getting over their shock, at least a little bit, they looked back at the paper.
Lord Potter of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter
Lord Black of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black
Lord Peverell of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell
Lord Slytherin of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Slytherin {By Conquest}
Heir of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Ravenclaw
Heir of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Hufflepuff {By Conquest}
Harry frowned slightly at the last two. "Ok, how did I become the heir to Hufflepuff and how am I the heir to Ravenclaw?"
"Hufflepuff came from when you dueled Zacharias Smith," Morana spoke up. When she had his attention she continued, "I'm sure you realized that he wasn't really Hufflepuff material yet the boy was sorted there."
"Yeah, but I just figured the Sorting Hat placed him somewhere he wouldn't have to worry about his classmates," Harry said. "Slytherins would have made his life a nightmare in several ways and Gryffindors would have likely just outright hexed him. He didn't even have a chance for Ravenclaw since he didn't seek knowledge and wasn't that smart."
She giggled, "While true, it sent him there because he was in fact descended from Helga Hufflepuff. There is also the fact that her house always welcomed those that didn't fit in the other houses."
The immortal shook his head, "That poor woman must have been mortified by having that prat as a descendent."
"Very," Death confirmed. "Anyway, to be Hufflepuffs heir you have to display the virtues that she valued and since you beat her descendent and exhibited those traits, especially since it was on those traits the duel led to, Magic decided to make you her heir."
Harry blinked at that. He knew what she meant by why the duel happened. Zacharias had abandoned everyone during Voldemort's invasion of Hogwarts. That however wasn't what made Harry challenge him. No if he had left to protect the younger students he would have actually been rather proud of the boy. However the bastard had actually pushed younger students out of his way. He was directly responsible for two first years and a third year student to be killed because of his cowardice and selfishness.
This is what led Harry to tracking Zacharias down and, with the deceased children's families in tow, challenged him to a duel. He had beat the boy easily and took everything of value from him. The parents were upset that he didn't end him, but when he told them to do whatever they wished to him they happily accepted. Harry didn't know what they did to him nor did he really care.
"But surely there had been others that embodied the traits she valued that beat him," Lily spoke up, breaking him from his memories. She sounded rather confused, which wasn't very surprising.
Morana shook her head, "No, he either got lucky or didn't duel anyone that had any of Hufflepuffs traits in a duel regarding those traits."
"Which is luck of its own," he muttered. Shaking his head, he asked, "And Ravenclaw? That wasn't there before."
"Harry the last time you took an inheritance test was during fourth year," she said. "And, just like with Hufflepuff there were conditions for being the Head of House."
"And those were?" he asked.
"Well, she knew perfectly well that not everyone, even those that were descended from her, would be a genius or even just smart. However, they have to do their best education wise to be considered. At the time you were still holding yourself back academically so it didn't even show up on the test. When you started trying, the heirship fell on you, but since you never took the test again you never found out."
Harry nodded in understanding and was actually somewhat glad he hadn't known at the time since he would have to have found another wife.
"What about Slytherin?" Violet asked curiously.
"The man was too arrogant to put any conditions for his title," Morana answered, shaking her head.
Harry looked back at the parchment, "Alright it just mentions me being an animagus and some of my abilities, so let's move on to Violet."
Taking the dagger, the youngest Potter cut her palm and repeated what her brother had done. When the last drop fell the cut healed completely.
Name: Violet Dorea Potter (1980-present)
Parents: James Charlus Potter (1960-1981) and Lily Jane Potter (1960-present)
Heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter
Heir of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell
Heir of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Gryffindor
True Heir of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Slytherin
Parseltongue
Two magical animagus forms attainable
The three Potters blinked at the heir of Slytherin.
"True heir?" Violet asked, confusion and worry in her voice.
"It's when there are two heirs. In this case it is probably talking about how Voldemort was an heir, but you apparently have a higher claim than him. This means that you came from the main branch of Slytherin's family while Voldemort came from a branch family," Harry explained.
"But how is she the heir of Slytherin?" Lily asked. "The Potters aren't related to Slytherin. I'm pretty sure that's where Gryffindor comes from."
Looking her directly in the eyes, he said, "It obviously came from you, Mum. This situation is one of the reasons I wanted you to take the test as well."
Lily just stared at her son, not really sure how to take that.
"I have two animagus forms?" Violet suddenly asked excitedly, breaking from her shock and remembering the end of the list.
"Yes, you do," Harry said smiling.
She paused for a moment before pouting, "But you have three forms."
"True, but as I'm sure you saw it says they are magical animals," the immortal said. "It could be that your forms can do something and that's why there are only two." Violet perked up at that before grinning widely. "Remember what we said about animagus training though."
She pouted again, "We aren't going to do it until at least third year."
Nodding in satisfaction, he turned to his mother, "I think it's time we finish so that we can do our school shopping."
Lily took the dagger from her daughter and repeated her childrens actions.
Name: Lily Jane Potter née Evans (1960-present)
Parents: Stan Charles Evans (1929-1980) and Elaine Claire Evans (1928-1980)
Lady Potter of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter {By Marriage}
True Lady Slytherin of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Slytherin
Parseltongue
Animagus form attainable
"So I am descended from Slytherin," Lily said quietly. She'd gone through school hearing that Salazar didn't like mundaneborns at all. She suddenly frowned, "Hold on, I've never been able to understand snakes so how is it that I'm a descendant of Slytherin?"
"Actually I know the reason behind that," Ragnok said, gaining their attention. "Despite what history says, Salazar Slytherin didn't hate muggleborns or those witches and wizards consider creatures at all. He let us know some things about his family in case something like this ever happened."
"How did that rumor start then?" Violet asked, frowning. "And he thought that this might happen?"
"Yes, he did, but we'll get to that later." Ragnok glanced at Bloodfang, who nodded and left the room. "It's actually his son that they talk about, but because his name was Salazar Slytherin everyone thought that history spoke of Salazar I," the Director told them. "Anyway the reason that you can't understand snakes is because of your eyes. You see, Slytherins actually have two different abilities they can inherit. Normally Slytherins just inherit normal Parseltongue."
"Normal?" Harry questioned in surprise.
"Yes, you see what no one knows is that Salazar Slytherin I had heterochromia. One eye was an ocean blue while the other was the same green that Lily has. Anyone who is born with emerald green eyes have the ability to talk to dragons." He nodded when all three Potter's eyes widened in shock. "That's right, Salazar was able to talk to dragons as well as serpents. No one except for those born with emerald green eyes knew about such an ability besides us."
"That's… incredible," Harry said, still shocked. "I'm able to speak to just about any reptile, even magical ones, but I was never able to understand dragons."
"Salazar wasn't able to understand them either, Harry," Morana spoke up. "It's a good thing he didn't either since he was exactly like legends say in our world."
Harry arched a brow, "Sometimes I still get surprised by how different our worlds are from each other. I mean even if I hadn't been there Mum would have still been alive. She wouldn't likely be a part of Violet's life, but she would have been alive." 'If she survived that bolt of lightning that is,' he thought to himself.
At that moment Bloodfang returned with a box, a folder, and a leather bound book. After handing the folder to Ragnok, he opened the box to show a white gold ring with an emerald set into it. The house crest consisted of a Quetzalcoatl wrapped around a cauldron with its wings flared to the sides. It was obvious which House ring this was.
"This is the Slytherin House ring," the Director said. "If Lily would put it on she will be considered as Lady Slytherin."
Lily tentatively reached out and took the ring before sliding it on her right hand ring finger. The ring flashed and resized to fit her finger.
Ragnok nodded before saying, "You can hide the ring by willing it to and will only be seen when you want. Also you are now able to sit on the Wizengamot. However, I would suggest choosing a proxy since you are still technically a muggleborn and the purebloods won't like you being there. Your children should also choose regents for their own seats until they are of age." He glanced at the still older looking Harry and amended, "Or until your daughter is at least."
Harry blinked before glancing down at himself. He suddenly started getting younger until he was the same age as Violet.
He then glanced at his mother and sister and asked, "So who do you think we should choose to represent us in the Wizengamot?"
"I think Sirius being the regent for Gryffindor would be interesting," Violet suggested with a grin.
Harry chuckled, "A Black being the regent for Gryffindor. I can only imagine how his parents would have felt about that. I don't know if that's better or making him proxy for Slytherin and have him go against what most people think the first Salazar believed."
Violet laughed at that, while Lily smiled and said, "We'll have to talk to him about that. I think that Devon Davis should be the regent for Ravenclaw and Amelia should take Hufflepuff. Cygnus Greengrass should either be the regent for Peverell or proxy for Slytherin depending on what Sirius decides. Frank will be regent for the remaining one."
Harry and Violet nodded in agreement. He then asked, "What about the Potter seat? Slytherin is one thing, but you are Lady Potter."
"Sirius is bringing the Tonks' and Bellatrix," Lily said, wincing slightly at the thought of meeting them after so long. "If everything goes alright, I'll ask Andi if she'll take the seat."
"Why didn't we tell them again?" Violet asked. "Both of you talked about how you knew them and were friendly with them."
"Walburga was still alive at the time and only passed away a couple years ago," her Mum answered.
Harry winced at that. If she was anything like her portrait then he understood the need. "It was probably for the best Violet. If she suspected they knew something, especially about you, then she could have brought Andromeda back into the family and then made her tell what it was she knew."
"What about if she made a magical vow?" Violet asked.
"It depends on what method the woman used as well as Andromeda's constitution," he answered. He glanced at Bloodfang, "What is that book? I noticed that Bloodfang brought it with the ring."
"Ah, yes that. It is a journal about the Slytherin line," Ragnok told them. "I thought I would show you why Salazar I thought this would happen." The Director nodded at Bloodfang, who then handed the book to Harry.
Harry opened the book and started reading. "Hmm, it seems that Salazar I had a daughter… a squib daughter named," he blinked in surprise and glanced at his mother who looked surprised at Salazar having a squib daughter. Her eyes widened in shock when Harry finished, "Lillian."
"Wait, so Mum and Salazar's daughter have similar names?" Violet asked in surprise.
"So it would seem," the immortal murmured. He continued reading, "Apparently Salazar thought that his son didn't have the right attitude for being the Head of House, but because of how wizards and witches are he couldn't make her the Head and had to give it to his son. He made it to where the Head doesn't have to be a Lord and can be a Lady, as we already know, and not even the Lord could change that. He had also made it to where the descendant of Lillian would be the true heir instead of the descendant of Salazar II. It seems that he figured that her descendants would be better than any of his son's." He looked up at the Director and asked, "Can we keep this?"
The goblin nodded, "Of course. It belongs to Lily, so it can be taken out."
Harry nodded his thanks and handed it to his mother. At her questioning look he said, "Show this to Sirius to change his opinion about the Founder especially when you tell him that you and Violet are descended from him. I doubt his opinion of you will change, but he might deny it because of 'history' and how you two are."
Lily nodded and took the book from her son. Turning to her account manager she asked, "I never really thought about asking this before, mostly because I didn't have a vault, but is there a way that we won't have to come to Gringotts every time we need money?"
"Indeed there is," Bloodfang answered. "It costs a hundred galleons, but we can give you a bag that will always hold a thousand galleons."
"I think we will get two," she said. "One for me and one for Harry. While Violet is responsible she is still eleven so we'll wait to get her one."
Violet pouted, but she knew she would likely try to buy something that she didn't need. Besides if it wasn't too bad Harry might get it for her. Every once in awhile he would get something nice for her. Not often enough to make her spoiled though.
Bloodfang produced two of the bags and handed them to the two older Potters.
"Wizards don't usually have several different vaults so these will only be connected to one of them. Lily's will be connected to the Potter vault until she wants it changed and Mr. Potters will be connected to the Ravenclaw vault," he explained.
"Please call me Harry, sir. How much is in the Ravenclaw vault?" Harry asked.
"Very well, Harry," Ragnok said. "I figured you would ask and had the files brought here." He opened the folder read through it. "Hufflepuff has 800 thousand galleons, Ravenclaw has 830 thousand galleons, Slytherin has 740 thousand galleons, and Gryffindor has 845 thousand galleons."
"I'm sure we can trust you to make investments for those vaults," Harry said.
Bloodfang nodded, "Yes, we will make wise investments to make sure that there is some for later generations."
Nodding back the three Potters stood and Lily said, "Thank you for all of your help, Bloodfang, Director Ragnok. We still need to shop for Hogwarts supplies and meet with friends so we will be leaving."
"We were glad to help Lily," Ragnok said.
As the three left, Harry glanced at his mother, "So what are going to do first?"
"I'm meeting with Sirius and the others," she answered, looking apprehensive.
"I'm sure that they will understand when you explain your reasoning to them. Andromeda and Bellatrix know how Walburga is," Harry reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her arm.
"I really hope so," Lily said, worriedly. "While I'm convincing them that I still trust them, I would appreciate it if you would take Violet shopping, Harry. I think your disguise from when you spoke to Sirius and the Longbottoms would be a good idea. You can tell anyone we know that we ran into you here."
"That's a good idea if I have to, but since they will likely ask about where I'm at I think I'm just going to try and avoid them," he said, as he began changing into the appearance from six years ago.
His mum nodded in understanding as they exited Gringotts. She bid her children to be careful and started making her way to the Leaky Cauldron while they made their way through the alley.