Disclaimer: Okay you know this bit, I own nothing associated with Harry Potter and yada yada yada.
A/N: sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out. The real world has away of taking up precious time that I could spend writing this story. Thanks for all the reviews! I haven't responded to all of you yet but I will make an effort to do so this week. As a side note my wife and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary on the 5th. Can't wait for twenty more!
Congrats to Lylev who got the Horace Tabor reference! Ok I'm not completely satisfied with this chapter but I hope you enjoy it. So on with the story!
Chapter 9
The morning of June 5th arrived much too early for Harry Potter. He had not slept a wink his mind was too busy going over the events of the last five days. He had returned to the Dursleys from school only to be viciously attacked and left in the cellar of the home believed dead.
Then he was miraculously rescued by Bellatrix Black. This cousin of his Godfather Sirius Black had been watching over him since his third year at Hogwarts. It wasn't until the end of his fourth year that he discovered that she had been visiting him regularly and had comforted him during his times of greatest need. She would hold him and gently sing to him. The scent of sandalwood and spice that he now knew was her had become a balm to his soul.
She had been an almost constant presence in his life during his fifth year. There were many letters sent between the two and many late night visits where they would talk for hours hidden behind the curtains of his four-poster bed. A silencing charm was added so they would not be overheard. There were even a few nights that she would curl up next to him and hold him tightly when his nightmares came to call.
He wasn't sure when it happened or how, but he began to fall in love with her and now having access to Bella's memories he knew that she had begun to fall in love with him about the same time. Even though they did not realize it at the time, the seed had been planted and it grew and grew.
Harry smiled down lovingly at the head of wavy ebony hair that rested on his chest, her left arm was draped across his torso and he could hear and feel her deep gentle breaths as she slept. They had not gone any further than hugs and kisses and a little bit of exploration. But they were still learning to be comfortable with the new relationship and wanted to take it slow.
However they quickly realized that their bonding was still trying to stabilize and when they tried to separate from each other for any extended length of time they felt a sudden weakness throughout their bodies and queasiness in their stomachs. The feeling would quickly vanish as soon as they touched. So they decided to stay in the same room and share the same bed. Not that Harry or Bella complained about the matter.
The bonding was another matter that gave him pause. Bella had literally risked her own life to save his. He had witnessed her vow to him through her memories. He could feel the kiss she had given him prior to the ritual and felt the overwhelming love that was behind it.
Harry's heart tightened and tears threatened to fall from his eyes. He had never known love, not really. He knew that he cared for his friends and he knew he also loved Sirius and maybe even Remus as something approaching the love of a son for a father. But the level of love he felt for Bella and the level she felt for him was on a completely different scale.
Although he was young and inexperienced in matters of the heart he knew with absolute certainty that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Bella. She made him feel complete; she was that missing part of himself that he had not realized he had been missing. And now that he felt whole he would fight to keep it that way.
The ritual also was on his mind, well more explicitly the side effects of the ritual which had caused a lot of changes in him not only magically but physically as well.
His body had drastically changed; he was much taller, his body was physically in the best shape he had ever been. Whatever the ritual did, it was amazing not only did it cause a growth spurt and rebuild his muscle and skeletal structure but it had healed all his scars, no trace of them remained which left his skin smooth and unblemished. Not even Madam Pomfrey could get rid of all the scars he had received over the years.
His eyesight seemed to have been repaired as well and he no longer needed glasses to see. Bella had pointed this out after he had read the Daily Prophet. He had not realized that he did not have them on but was ecstatic that he would no longer need them.
Even his hair had lengthened to his shoulders and changed from the thick unruly coarse hair to a very soft and silky black very similar to Bella's.
Then there were the magical changes. He could now feel his magic flowing through him like a rushing river. He not been able to ever feel his magic before, unless he was casting a spell and even then it felt like a gentle pull nothing like the feeling he was experiencing now. It just seemed to flow naturally and unimpeded.
He and Bella had performed some minor wandless magic the day before. A levitation charm for one and he had dimed the lights in his bedroom with a wave of his hand when they shared an afternoon nap together. Bella had performed a wandless breath freshening charm when they awoke a couple hours later.
They hadn't tried anything else but both were eager to test their limitations. Wandless magic was incredibly difficult to perform and only the most powerful magical cores could focus the magic enough that it did not require a wand. There had only been a few witches and wizard throughout history that had the ability. Merlin and Mogana were the most notable and in more recent history Albus Dumbledore and Tom Riddle.
But the greatest gift at least that was how Harry saw it was his mental link with Bella. It was a little confusing at times when he would randomly hear or feel her thoughts and emotions. It was difficult to tell sometimes where her thoughts and emotions began and his ended. It seemed like a plate of long pasta noodles that weaved and intertwined with all the other noodles not knowing where one strand began and one ended.
Bella had told him that with time she believed the bond would settle itself and to be patient. Harry didn't mind the mental connection to Bella; in fact he loved the closeness it brought between the two. They kept no secrets from each other. Their respective lives were opened up to each other nothing was hidden. The level of trust and love was absolute.
Bella began to stir and pulled herself tighter against Harry. She snuggled her head into the crook of Harry's neck. Soft lips brushed against his neck and warm breath tickled the sensitive nerve endings sending a wave of pleasure crashing through his body. His reaction was immediate and not unexpected for a young man in his prime as nature took over.
Harry slowly tried to pull his hips away from the warm body that was attached to his, embarrassed that she would realize his dilemma. However the more Harry tried to pullback the more Bella snuggled in closer. Her left leg fell over Harry's left leg as she turned her body more into his. She slowly slid her leg up the length of Harry's till it was forced to stop by a lengthy part of Harry's anatomy.
Harry froze and closed his eyes laying his head back into his pillow and quietly moaned at the contact. Bella had worn an oversized bed shirt to bed that stopped about mid thigh. During the night it had ridden up and now a bare thigh was pressed against the hardness that was Harry. Harry again moaned at the warmth that pressed against him sending his hormones into critical mass threatening a premature explosion.
"Is that for me?" A soft voice purred as Bella caressed Harry's manhood with her thigh that was slowly moving up and down.
A sputtering Harry tried to get his voice to work but it was just not cooperating as he tried to say something … anything. Harry's face became an interesting shade of crimson as he stared down into the mirthful eyes of Bellatrix Black.
"You are too cute when you are speechless." Bella giggled. "But I guess it's time we start our day lover boy." Bella reached up and lightly kissed a still dumbfounded Harry. She removed her leg from Harry's and reached down with her hand and gave him a quick squeeze before quickly jumping out of their bed.
Harry just stared at Bella as she seductively swayed her hips as she walked toward their shared bathroom. With a peak over her shoulder and a seductive wink she entered the bathroom closing the door behind her.
Harry let out a long breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and stared up at the ceiling. "Oh that woman is going to kill me!" he gave out an exasperated chuckle. The next thing he heard was giggling coming from the bathroom.
An hour later a bathed and freshly dressed Harry and Bella descended to the kitchen where their noses were drawn to the smell of frying bacon. The house elf Grisi had gone all out with fresh baked muffins, stuffed omelets, bacon, sausage, and a variety of juices. Harry and Bella had begun to plate their breakfast when Narcissa entered through the kitchen door.
"Excellent, I'm glad to see you both awake. Sleep well?"
"I slept as cozy as a kitten. Although I think Harry failed to get a full nights rest." Bella smiled "Although he was up to saluting the morning." Bella smirked mischievously.
Narcissa raised a manicured eyebrow and the quickly reddening young man. "I see." Chuckled an amused Narcissa at the embarrassed young man before her.
"I've informed the goblins that we wanted to meet with them this morning about Harry's status and to discuss his parents' and Sirius' will. They agreed to meet with us this morning at 10:00 a.m. I was also able to convince Andi to meet with us at 12:00 p.m. after the goblins had graciously allowed us to use one of their conference rooms that temporarily suppresses magic. Andi wanted to make sure there was no 'funny business' as it were."
"Did you tell her I would be there Cissy?"
"No, I felt that if I disclosed that she would be extremely reluctant to come if not dead set against it." Bella nodded understandingly.
Harry gently squeezed Bella's hand. "I'm sure she'll help you once she knows the full story love." Harry encouraged.
"I hope so Harry." Bella whispered as she laid her head on his shoulder. Harry wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. Harry put all the love he felt for her into his heart and willed it to her through their bond. Bella immediately was flooded by feelings of warmth and love and looked in surprise at her Harry and then through her arms around his neck and squeezed him tightly to her.
"Thank you, thank you so much for loving me!" She breathlessly whispered in his ear as tears threaten to fall from her violet orbs.
Harry gently squeezed her back and whispered, "I'm the one who should thank you, but you're welcome all the same." Harry pulled back a little and gave her a lopsided grin. Bella smiled back and kissed him on the cheek.
"Well, before we go anywhere we need to get Harry some cloths befitting his station. We can't have Lord Potter looking like a street rat, now can we?" Cissy remarked.
"There are several clothes and cloaks here that we can look through. I'm sure we can find something suitable." Bella mentioned.
"Well let's get to it then." Narcissa smiled while rubbing her hands together. "Come along my Lord."
An hour later, an embarrassed but immaculately dressed Harry entered the parlor of the manor. The young man had endured what no man should ever endure; a full hour of the two sisters Black dressing and undressing him until they found the perfect outfit.
He felt like a piece of meat as the two sisters would critique each outfit they threw at him making him twirl around to get a better look. The most embarrassing was the comment that Narcissa made about how nice his butt looked in a particular pair of slacks. This had thrown Bella into a fit of giggles as she noticed the look on her love's scandalized and embarrassed face.
At the appointed time Harry, Bella and Narcissa gathered around the Gringotts letter that had been charmed by the goblins to act as a portkey. Each grabbed a hold and Harry stated in a clear voice, "Gringotts now!"
A familiar tug behind the navel and the three were swept away in a whirlwind of color. Within seconds a portal opened in the Gringotts Secure Reception room and three figures gracefully stepped out of the swirling vortex on to a black and white marble tiled floor.
The room was circular with eight large Romanesque pillars equally spaced around the exterior. The ceiling was enchanted to look like a clear night sky with the various constellations blinking on and off in the distance. Between each set of pillars was a large goblin dressed in elaborate battle armor some holding battle axes others had drawn broad swords and other with crossbows.
The armed goblins stood with barely held restraint as they stared unblinkingly at the trio. One of the goblins spoke in a guttural tone. "State your names and your purpose for being here?"
Harry faced the goblin that had spoken and stated "I am Lord Hadrian James Potter of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter; I have an appointment to see Master Slingblade the head accountant for the House of Potter."
"Do not move wizard from your current location, I will notify Master Slingblade of your arrival." The goblin exited through the door directly behind him. The other goblins' eyes never left the three humans in the center of the room. The tension began to rise as the minutes passed by without a sound being made. Then the door that the first goblin had gone through re-opened, the armor clad goblin reentered followed by a much smaller goblin but one who walked with authority and dressed in the finest robes of acromantula silk.
"Ah, Lord Potter it is good to finally meet you." The diminutive goblin spoke in perfect English.
"The honor is mine Master Slingblade, and please call me Harry sir." Harry stated and gave the goblin a slight bow.
"Your just like your parents and grandparents Harry, they did stand for all the pomp and ceremony either. They were dear friends and I hope that the same will be true of you and I. And Lady Potter it is a distinct pleasure to make you acquaintance as well."
"Thank you sir." Bella curtsied
" Have you been the Potter accountant long?" Harry asked.
"Oh my yes, I've worked for your family for a bit over three hundred years now." The old goblin chuckled.
Harry stared at the goblin in shock. "I had no idea that goblins were so long lived."
"We typically have a lifespan of about 400 years but there have been a few who have reached over 500. I myself am four hundred and twelve."
"Wow! Not to sound morbid or anything, but who will take over the Potters account when you have gone."
"My family has been serving House Potter for almost a thousand years. My Grandfather was the first and then the mantle passed to my father and then to me. When I leave this world I hope that you will find one of my sons worthy to continue to serve the Ancient and Noble House of Potter."
"Is that normal for a goblin family to serve a house through the generations?"
"It is rare but not unheard of. You see a House accountant invests the monies of said House and in return earns a percentage of the profits that the House makes. Part of the profit goes to Gringotts itself but almost half goes to the goblin who manages the account. In other words the happier and wealthier I make the House I work for the happier and wealthier I make my own family and the more power and influence I have among my own kind, which translates into status here at Gringotts. To work for an Ancient and Noble House especially a wealthy one is a very prestigious position to be in Harry."
"I see. I imagine then that you know all the ins and outs of the Potter finances?"
"The Potter account is one of the ten largest in the wizarding world Harry. I can't over see every financial transaction that occurs myself. The Potters have interests in many companies both magical and muggle and various properties around the world that are maintained through contracted services. I have twelve sons who all work on the many Potter accounts. At the end of each fiscal quarter I receive a review from each of my sons on their particular area of concern."
"I guess that makes sense."
"Come, let us adjourn to my office there is much to discuss and the reception room isn't the best place for conducting business."
The trio followed the wizened goblin out the same door he came through and then down a gas lamp lit corridor. All along the corridor hung paintings of well dressed and regal looking goblins, the painted goblins stared back at the group of humans with raised eye brows and sneers or smiles you could never tell with a goblin which was which.
After what seemed to be several minutes they finally came to a rather large ornately decorated oak door. On Either side of the door stood a goblin in full battle dress. The two armor clad goblins snapped to attention as the group approached. The door swung open as the small group entered into a large office.
Slingblade gestured to a small rectangle shaped table and took a seat on one side as the trio took the seats available on the other side.
"Before we get started Lord Potter… I mean Harry… would you care for some refreshments."
"Thank you Slingblade tea would be lovely."
Slingblade touch a red colored crystal that was located on the table, a few moments later another a familiar goblin entered and bowed.
"Hello Griphook." Harry spoke to the goblin.
"Good day Lord Potter. I confess I'm surprised you remember me." A surprised Griphook answered back.
"You know my youngest son Harry?" Slingblade queried.
"I do, he was actually the first goblin I ever met when I entered the Wizarding world. He was very helpful."
"Indeed, my son failed to mention that to me." The elder goblin looked pointedly at his youngest.
"Does he manage any of my accounts?" Asked Harry.
"No, he is my thirteenth son and is still trying to make a name for himself here at Gringotts, He works as a teller and as my personal assistant at times."
"Well it was good to see you again Griphook." Harry smiled congenially.
"You as well Lord Potter."
"Griphook I need you to bring a tea setting for Lord and Lady Potter and Lady Malfoy. I will also need the most recent financial and legal reports for House Potter and the wills of Lord Potter's parents."
"Immediately sir." Griphook bowed to the visitors and then quickly left to carry out his assignment.
"Master Slingblade you keep referring to Bella as Lady Potter, but we have never been married could you please explain why this is?"
Slingblade sat back in his seat and raised both of his bushy eyebrows and looked at the pair in front of him. "This is very curious then Harry. Five days ago the Potter family tree updated itself and next to your name was the name of Bellatrix Adien Potter Black. This signified that the Potter magic recognized her as your wife. Was this something you did not want?"
"No … I mean yes… I mean I love Bella and couldn't be happier to be married to her if that is the case." Harry looked toward Bella and gave his best look of sincerity. She smiled back at him and squeezed his hand to let him know that she knew what he meant.
"It is strange that you would spontaneously bond to each other without the marriage ceremony."
"Well I might have an explanation for that Master Slingblade." Narcissa spoke for the first time. "You see what happened was…" Narcissa went on to explain how Harry had been beaten to near death by his relatives and how Bella had rescued him and brought him to Black Manor. She then explained the ritual that they had used to heal Harry and then went on to explain all the anomalies.
Harry and Bella then explained what happened from their point of view, from their mutual declaration of love and dedication to each other and then their shared kiss. They then went into some detail about their new found abilities, from being able to hear each others thoughts and feeling each others emotions to their ability to cast spells wandlessly.
Narcissa finished the tale by commenting on what their house elf had seen and said about the two being one and sharing each others magic and being joined by magic itself.
Slingblade sat stunned and kept glancing back and forth between Harry and Bella. "Harry would you mind if I brought one of our elders in he is gifted with the ability see and read auras.
"Of course not, please bring him." Harry quickly replied.
Slingblade touched another crystal and one of the guards stepped in. "Tell master Sharptooth that I need him immediately."
"As you wish sir, right away." The guard quickly turned and exited the office.
"If what you are describing is true you will have been the first magically bonded couple since Godric Gryfindor and Rowena Ravenclaw. Fascinating most fascinating."
Griphook entered the office with the tea setting; he was followed by two other goblins that carried the requested files for House Potter. They place the files next to Slingblade and the tea was set on a serving table next to the larger table. Griphook poured each of the three humans' tea in the manner they requested and then excused himself.
As Griphook exited the room a goblin that looked even more ancient than Slingblade entered and made his way to the conference table.
"You requested my presence Master Slingblade?"
"Yes Master Sharptooth. We have a very interesting case here that requires your particular skill and talent. May I present Lord Harry Potter and his suspected wife Lady Bellatrix Potter Black and Lady Malfoy Black."
"Suspected wife?" asked the ancient goblin
"Yes Master Sharptooth, it appears that perhaps these two young people have been bound together by magic itself, and we were hoping that you could shed some light on the why's and how's."
"How exciting! Not since the founders of Hogwarts has there been a couple that was bound together by magic itself." Sharptooth stated gleefully. "Well bring them forward then."
Harry and Bella stood and walked toward the strange goblin and stood before him. The couple reached out and took each others hand and waited for the goblins verdict.
"Good good, now stand facing each other and take each others hands. Now just relax." The old goblin stilled and began to take long calming breaths as he focused on the young couple. At once the goblins dark eyes began to cloud over and appeared milky white then a soft glow began at the corner of his eyes and encircled the milky white substance giving it the appearance of a halo.
Five minutes later the ancient goblin came back to himself and requested a chair to sit on. The exhausted goblin looked at the young couple with no small amount of awe. Another five minutes passed by before he spoke again.
"Amazing simply amazing, never in all my years have I seen such a powerful bond."
"Is it what we believed, have they been bound by magic?" Slingblade asked.
"Oh there can be no doubt about that. They have been married and bound together by magic itself. But their bond is so much deeper than that. On every level they seem to be one. There are the same ages physically and magically at about twenty-two years of age. They share in equal amounts that of Potter and Black blood. They also share each others magical core, it is the most amazing thing I have ever seen the two are one magically. And what's more the bond has not reached it maturity yet and may not for years. I shudder to think how powerful these two will become."
"So what does all this mean Master sharptooth?" asked a bewildered Harry.
"It means young man that you and your bonded have only scratched the surface of your magical power and ability and I dare say as the bond matures you will discover other talents and abilities that have not been seen for over a millennium."
"So Lady Potter, how do you feel about all this?" A smiling Harry asked.
Bella looked deeply into her husband's eyes. "Everything after hearing that we were indeed married is just icing on the cake my love."
"Thank you Master Sharptooth for all of your help today." A grateful Harry praised.
"You are most welcome Lord Potter. Now if you'll excuse me these old bones needs to rest a bit."
Narcissa looked at the young couple and let tears of joy escape her eyes. She was happy that her baby-sister had finally found her knight in shining armor, and to see the depth of love the two had in their eyes for each other. A pang of sorrow hit her as she thought about her own loveless marriage to Lucius and not for the first time think about ending the sham of a marriage, her only concern was for Draco he was so much like his father but perhaps with Lucius in prison she could begin to steer Draco down a different path.
"If we can all return to the table we still have much to discuss. Beginning I think with the marriage contract between you and Ms. Ginevra Weasley."
"Oh bloody hell!"
A/N2: More Gringotts to come and more surprises for Harry next chapter. Please Read and Review.