Harry was rocking a sleepy Teddy as he paced along the length of the living room at the Burrow. Andromeda smiled at him from her seat, when a thought occurred to her. "Harry, have you heard from Gringotts regarding your inheritance yet?" Harry looked up at her quizzically. "No, but Dumbledore told me that Sirius left everything he owned to me and I had money in my vault at Gringotts so that's all I own." The boy belongs to one of the oldest and wealthiest families in all of Britain, much older than the Malfoys, probably as old as the Blacks and knows nothing about it; Andromeda thought amusedly. "I wasn't talking to you about Grimmauld place or the money in your education fund. The Potters and the Blacks together owned a lot more than that and right now you are an heir to both blood lines. The goblins were supposed to inform you of your inheritance when you became an adult but because of what happened last year, they should have informed you by now." Harry shrugged "Maybe they are still mad at me for breaking into the bank." "It's a magical binding contract," Andromeda said "the heir is informed as soon as his parents die or in your case as soon as you come of age but in case the heir is indisposed or unavailable, he/she is informed as soon as they become available."
It was then that Harry remembered the letter he had received earlier that morning. "I did receive a letter from Gringotts this morning; I haven't had the time to read it yet." Andromeda motioned for Harry to pass on the now sleeping Teddy to her so that he could read his letter. Harry fished out the letter from his pocket and broke the seal.
Dear Mr. Potter
The manager of all Potter family estates and affairs requests a meeting with you on July 31st 1998 to acquaint you with your inheritance. Your presence will be expected at Gringotts' Diagon Alley branch at 12:00 p.m. Please arrange your affairs accordingly, as it might take an entire day to acquaint you with your inheritance and vault as well as with the Black family vault which has been left in your name. Please send a confirmation by 11:00 a.m.
Your presence will be awaited for no later than 12:30 p.m.
Have a nice day.
Sincerely
Gormuk
(Manager of the Potter family Estates and affairs)
"What does he mean by Diagon Alley branch? Are there other branches?" Harry asked bewildered. Andromeda smiled, "There are other smaller branches of Gringotts at other places but the vaults are housed only at the Diagon Alley branch. So, when do you have to go for the meeting?" "It says I have to be there by 12:00 p.m., latest by 12:30 and I have to send a return owl confirming the meeting." "Ah yes! Well in your case it would be prudent to reach at 12:00 sharp, to show you are sincere and you need to send an owl now. Its 9:30 already." Harry dashed to Ron's room, and hurriedly scribbled his reply. Pig was tweeting madly in his cage "You have to take an urgent letter to Gringotts, Diagon Alley; do you understand?" Pig chirped excitedly as Harry opened his cage and hopped all over the table. Harry rolled his eyes, "Will you come here and stay still?" Pig chirped happily, hopped over to Harry but refused to stay still; used to Pig's antics, Harry easily tied the letter to his leg and carried him to the window to set him off.
He rushed off for a quick shower before bounding down to inform Mrs. Weasley about his meeting. He found Andromeda and Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen chatting over tea. "Harry dear, Ginny and George are outside in the padlock, George decided he wanted to help Ginny improve her Quidditch skills, you can join them if you wish."
"I think I might go join them Mrs. Weasley, also, please don't trouble yourself with making lunch for me. I have a meeting at Gringotts around noon, so I would leave a bit early and have a lunch at Leaky Cauldron."
"Are you sure Harry? I can whip up an early lunch for you."
"No, no. It would be quite alright. The food you cook is always delicious; I don't want to get late because I ate too much."
Mrs. Weasley beamed at Harry "Well, you make sure that you are home for dinner then. I am making treacle tart."
"Knowing that, I would be home before tea. You are the best Mrs. Weasley", Harry hugged Mrs. Weasley fondly, gave a swift kiss on her cheek, kissed Andromeda swiftly on the check and ran out for Quidditch.
"That boy", said Mrs. Weasley with a fond smile "is the sweetest and politest boy I have ever come across. Sure he has a temper but then who is perfect?" Andromeda smiled and nodded. Over these two months she had become quite fond of Harry as a person herself, she had her doubts when Remus named Harry as Teddy's Godfather. But now as she watched Harry and Teddy, she agreed that Teddy could not have had a better Godfather.
Harry observed George and Ginny throw a basketball, to and fro. George was smiling, it wasn't his same mischievous smile but still it was better than the shell he was yesterday. Harry could see that George was trying and this gave him hope. It was George who spotted Harry and waved at him to come over, Harry grabbed his broom and the three formed a triangle and passed the ball to and from till it was time for Harry to leave for Gringotts.
At 11:15 Harry, transformed his hair to dirty blonde and eyes to blue and flooed to the Leaky Cauldron. He asked the inn keeper Tom for a private parlour and ordered meatloaf sandwiches and butterbeer. Harry finished his lunch with fifteen minutes to spare. His walk to Gringotts took him ten minutes, so he decided to wait in the lobby for a couple of minutes before asking for Gormuk. Harry approached a rather free Goblin and informed him that he was here for meeting at 12:00 with a goblin named Gormuk. The teller called a younger Goblin and asked him to show Harry to the meeting room.
