Hand Of Destiny

Part 2

"Hermione?" Harry tentatively asked.

"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked her best friend.

The black haired first year student gazed at her impassively for a moment before he spoke.

"I've got a problem." He whispered.

"What do you mean?" Hermione gazed at her best friend in concern.

"I...I'm not who I thought I was." He whispered.

"I don't understand."

Harry gazed into the dying fires. They were the only two people left in the Common Room at this time.

"My entire life has been a lie. I thought I was Harry Potter but that's just a joke. I'm nobody, nobody but a martyr for a man I thought I could trust." Harry said weakly.

Hermione rushed to his side and enveloped him in a comforting hug.

"Harry, where did you get that idea?" She asked as she comforted him.

"It's something that I learned when I faced Voldemort over the stone." Harry explained as he laid his head on Hermione's shoulder wearily.

"I'm not following you very well Harry." Hermione admitted.

"He told me something...He told me that he did kill the Potters, but the thing is...he also killed their son."

"That doesn't explain you though." Hermione said patiently.

"I don't want to believe him but something's been telling me that he's right." Harry admitted.

"Harry, if you're that worried why don't you go to Gringotts and go to the inheritance department. They can test to see if your related to a family or not."

"Won't that be suspicious?" Harry asked.

"Hardly, almost all wizard-borns do that."

"Will that work?" Harry asked; as some hope filled his soul.

Hermione nodded.

"Absolutely." Hermione assured him.

"Thanks." Harry smiled in relief at his bushy haired friend.

The rest of the school year had passed quickly and soon after the train arrived Harry left the station and made his way to Gringotts. While it was long and difficult to go as far as he had to he made it, and after leaving his school trunk in the Leaky Cauldron Harry entered Gringotts bank.

"Hello?" He asked the first available teller.

"Yes?"

"I was told that I could take a blood test here. Is that possible?" Harry asked politely.

The goblin nodded sharply before he beckoned Harry to follow him.

After a long series of corridors, and doors he was led into a large cavernous chamber.

"This is painful. For each confirmed bloodline that has a networth of over 100 Galleons you'll need to repay us 50 Galleons for our services today. Is this acceptable?" The goblin asked.

Harry nodded.

"Yes sir."

"Very well Mr. Potter." The goblin said as he hastily stepped out of the room.

A crimson aura began to radiate off of the walls and immense pain tore through his body.

Harry had to stifle a scream.

Some time later, Harry would never be sure how long he was ever in that situation, the agony ended abruptly.

Harry blinked dully for a long moment before he smiled in relief. He sank down to his knees and fell into blackness.

Several Hours later harry awoke as a goblin was dabbing a cool washcloth across his forehead.

"You're awake then?" The goblin healer asked.

Harry nodded as he slowly stood up.

"What were the results sir?" Harry asked nervously.

"Heartfang will be able to tell you that." The goblin replied.

Not long afterward Harry was waiting in Heartfang's office.

"Your results lad are simple. You are not in any way related to any magical family in our records." The goblin said simply.

Harry's eyes widened.

"Then I'm not..." Harry whispered.

"That's right, you're not a Potter. We don't know who your parents are, be they muggleborn or pureblooded." The goblin admitted.

Harry felt lost. He was nothing, he owned not even his own name. His entire life was a lie; an illusion.

The goblin sighed.

"Because of this normally you'd instantly be cut off from the trust vault. However, because Lily and James Potter died, and they have no offspring you'll get to use the Trust vault anyway."

"But it's not mine!" Harry protested weakly.

"That's true enough but Lily, and James would never have wanted you to be unable to pay for your schooling. They'd want you to use their money to become someone."

"But I'm a nobody. I don't even have a name I can call my own." Harry whispered.

The goblin sighed, and after a moment shook his head and spoke.

"Look son, you might be nameless, you might be a 'nobody' with no past, but the thing is we goblins would consider that ideal. You have no strings or expectations derived from your parents to uphold. Instead, you can choose what to become. Be it a hero, or Dark Lord. You have the chance to choose your own destiny without worrying about what your family would think. Sure, it's hard without a family, but you can choose a family for yourself. Build your own family and they don't have to be an actual family. Perhaps a favorite teacher could become an aunt or uncle to you, maybe there's a man you respect and he becomes your 'father'. Blood might be important but your true family are the ones you love." The goblin told him.

Harry felt strength arise in him. Perhaps, he wasn't really a Potter but he had a rare opportunity.

"Alright. But what about my name?" Harry questioned.

"You aren't really Harry Potter, but until you have found out and silenced the foe that created this illusion you need to live with it. Besides, I don't think that the Potters would object to you using their name right now."

Harry nodded.

"I guess you're right. In that case, I'll be 'Harry Potter' for the time being. Until I can protect myself from the Manipulations of Dumbledore I have no other choice." Harry agreed.

"I understand that Dumbledore placed you in the care of Petunia and Vernon Dursley correct?"

Harry nodded.

"Did they treat you well?"

Harry snorted in disgust.

"Hardly, I can't remember a day of either blackness, or pain." Harry responded.

"Because you don't have a family you're technically emancipated; crazy wizarding laws and all that. However, for the 'public reason' we'll say that the Potter's will allowed you emancipation upon your eleventh birthday should you claim it."

"I'm claiming it!" Harry exclaimed.

"Good. Now we'll help set you up with a home and such." Heartfang replied.

Harry suddenly felt suspicious.

"Why are you helping me so much?" Harry asked nervously.

Heartfang laughed.

"This is our good deed of the month." Heartfang paused.

"Okay, so it can be a tax write off." The goblin admitted.

"Tax write off?" Harry asked dully.

"We have to pay large taxes to the Ministry. This is just one way of getting rid of that problem."

Harry sensed that it wasn't the entire truth but let it go.

Several Hours later Harry was situated in a small home just outside of Hogsmede.

"Here's your new home. Now Harry, just remember that you're your own secret keeper." The goblin said before he left.

Harry looked around the small cottage and sighed.

"I'm glad that they said I can use magic while I'm here." Harry smiled in relief.

Hedwig hooted in agreement.

Okay, so that's a little more of what would be in this tale.

HP-Fanatic13: Loved your intro/teaser. If it becomes a full fic I'll be using it. (With only some minor changes.)

That was truly a fantastic idea. Thanks!

Cateagle: You're absolutely right. He could indeed do that :) He has a very good chance of doing that too.

DarkHeart: haha! Tropical Island. Harry and Hermione sunbathing....ahh...I still haven't ever written one of those scenes have I?....As to Harry is...You'll need to stay 'tuned'.

Celexis: I like those 2 a great deal too ^.^ (GOF is currently tops in voting tier right now Trials, is doing pretty well too though)

Celestial Moon Goddess: We all have preferences ^.^. I fully understand. It's kinda like how I hate RHr (That's MoreRon than I can handle...), Dramione (I just can't see the Ferret...(as much fun as he is to write; good or bad)...be with Hermione.), or slash fics (if I see slash I run away screaming)

Important Note: Hermione and the Radiant Chaos has a new chapter written but I'm not decided if I like it or not yet. I don't know if I even want to keep the chapter. If I decide to toss the chapter it'll take me even longer to post it than I want to....