Chapter 2

-Love of Legend-

'Why did the goblin call me that?' thought Harry while walking behind the creature.

After an endless walk and numerous turns, they arrived in front of a wide set of doors that were beautifully carved with runes. Sharpclaw opened the doors taking a step inside.

"Master Potter is here, My Lord" Harry's eyes widened, was he really going to meet the goblin leader?

A deep voice called for him to enter and he could feel his knees shaking. Taking a deep breath he walked inside 'til he was standing in front of an enormous desk. He took a look around him, the walk were covered in tapestries, most recounting battles, but on one there was a wizard shaking hands with a goblin. Hearing Binns, one would think that goblins and wizards were never friendly.

"That was your many times great grandfather, young Master Potter" he turned around, having forgotten he wasn't alone in there. There was the goblin leader. What if he insulted him by ignoring his presence like that?

"Fear not, youngling. Please take a seat we have much to discuss"

"I apologize.. um.." how should he address him? "Lord Ragnok" the goblin looked older than Sharplclaw, but that was to be expected, and had many battle scars. He was dressed richly, wearing many jewels and at his side he could see that handle of a huge battle axe.

He took a seat in front of the desk on one of the armchairs waiting for the goblin to talk.

"We were losing hope that you would come. A week more and you couldn't have.." the goblin took in the confused expression on the boy's face "why are you here?"

"Um, I just wanted to take some galleons.. if it's not a problem. I mean, I know I have only that vault and it should last a little more.. but I really need it now. And.." he was blabbering now, he was just too nervous.

"Wait. What do you mean, only that vault?" asked Ragnok suddenly "you are very rich Harry surely your guardian told you?"

"I.. I don't know. I have a guardian?" Harry was officially confused now.

The goblin looked really angry now and he was afraid it was his fault.

"Damn old coot!" he shouted crashing his fist on the desk "Dumbledore didn't tell you anything? Of your family? Inheritance? Did he teach you how to fill your position at least? No of course not.." now he was pacing back and forth behind the throne with his hands behind his back.

"I don't understand" Harry said in a small voice. All the yelling had scared him quite bad.

Ragnok composed himself and sat again. "It will take some time and a lot of work, but may it be the last thing I do in my life I will solve this huge mess and fuck up his life!"

He took a look at the child who was now sitting stiff and wide eyed. "I apologize for my outburst young one, but we goblins don't take kindly to such things."

He pressed a button on his desk saying something in goblin language, ordering his assistant to do bring him all files of the Potter house and start an investigation on his accounts. Immediately.

Leaning back in his chair he prepared himself to a long afternoon.

"I will assume you know nothing, and start from the beginning. Is that acceptable?" asked quietly, not to scare the child even more.

"Yes, of course." Harry was now very curious of what Ragnok was going to tell him.

"Good. Now. Look at that tapestry" pointing to the one with wizard and goblin together "That is Ragnok he first with Charlus Potter, your ancestor. He was the one to buy the land we are on and giving it to the goblins to built this bank. That is the reason why House of Potter is considered a friend of the goblin nation, earning them a special customer treatment and an alliance under certain terms. He saw us as equal not inferior creatures. Any questions so far? Don't fear to ask when there is something you don't understand"

"You said House of Potter?"

"Yes.. there are different kind of pureblood houses. They are classified as Noble House if they reach a certain amount of monetary assets, they need to be quite rich in simple words. For example the Noble House of Travis. If they can go back at least five centuries they are Ancient Houses, they are old but not very rich. If they are both rich and old, you call them Noble and Ancient House.

If a family can trace their tree back to the founders time, it becomes Most Ancient, and Most Noble if their accounts are over fifty million galleons" he took a sip of water from the glass on his desk "I said House of Potter before, but it is Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. Charlus was one of the first students to attend Hogwarts, becoming good friends with the founders later in time."

Harry was awed at the information. He believed for so much time that he was a freak, with worthless parents.. and now he found out all that. It was unbelievable.

"This is.. wow" he couldn't wait to find out more.

"Indeed. So as you can see you have a huge inheritance at your disposal. Not just the trust vault you visited in first year. Your father too, being an auror made a lot of money. Now, I fear we don't have much time today, so onto important matters. As the last member of your House you are able to claim your title as Lord Potter and inheritance at age fourteen. That would make you emancipated, and an adult for all intents and purposes. No more guardian, no more trace on your wand, full power over your accounts and you could take your seat in the Wizengamot and in the Board of Governors in Hogwarts. But should you miss to claim your inheritance before your fifteen birthday you would have to wait seventeen to do so. Now, I believe Dumbledore didn't want you independent and with so much power in your hands"

"So I'm still in time?" asked Harry. That was the solution to half of his current problems.

"Of course. If you wish we can proceed immediately" proposed Ragnok-

"Yes, please"

Minutes later a goblin entered, arms full of a big tome.

"Take everything needed for Master Potter Inheritance Test, Skullbreaker" ordered before addressing the child. "This way we can make sure if you have other titles to claim, and also know your magical abilities. Most families have particular field in which they excel or powers out of the ordinary"

The goblin came back with a bowl, a dagger, parchment and a potion.

"Now, Harry. I need you to cut the palm of your hand with this dagger. Don't worry. It is goblin made, it will be painless and the wound will close itself as soon as there is enough blood on the bowl"

Seeing his recent encounter with a dagger in the graveyard, Harry was a little shaken at the idea to cut himself, but after a few minutes he closed his eyes letting his blood flow in the stone carved bowl. Feeling a tingling sensation on his hand he reopened his eyes, his wound was almost closed.

He watched as Ragnok poured the potion in the bowl along with his blood and mixed with the tip of the dagger. After that he put the parchment inside, letting it soak up the mix of liquids for a few minutes and laying it on the desk.

"It will take a little time to show everything. You can already see he ink appearing… How troublesome" Said frowning.

"Wha..What is it?" asked Harry worrying that for some reason he could not claim his title and gain the independence he needed so much.

"Calm down Harry. Do you need a calming draught?" asked seeing the child close to hyperventilation.

"No.. Yes.. um.. maybe later. What it is?"

"It seems that you are not who you believe to be" cryptic and worrisome. The parchment was handed to him. In black ink there was written:

HINERITANCE TEST:

Name: Harry James Potter

Age: 14

Adoptive father: James Charles Potter

Adoptive mother: Lily Potter nee Evans

Harry could not believe his eyes. They were not his parents. Who was he then?

Without realizing he asked the question aloud. "Who am I?"

"That we do not know Harry. It seems that they blood adopted you. You are for all intents and purposes their heir. The Potter blood and magic are part of you and nothing can change that. You will be Lord Potter unless you don't want the title anymore"

"No! I .. They still gave their lives for me, to protect me. I will go on and claim the title." the young wizard stated with a shaky but resolute voice.

"Good. If it makes you feel a little better, the blood adoption is only temporary. Or better it's effects" seeing again confusion in the emerald eyes he explained "after the blood adoption you took some features after the Potters. They probably used a light potion to do that. A dark ritual would have been irreversible, and it wouldn't have stated them as adoptive parents. Light potions need to be renovated, usually every ten to fifteen years. Yours is losing his effect so on your birthday you will retain you real appearance and we will be able to find out your birth parents"

"Really?" he could already feel hope filling his heart. Maybe he could finally have a family, someone that loved and protected him.

"Yes. Now, there seem to be other problems" he said with a tired sigh "your magical core is bound.. to the 80% along with your abilities, the parseltongue is only half bound."

"How is that possible?" something like that could be done? Maybe that was the reason he always has trouble mastering spells.

"Dumbledore did it. Usually it is illegal bind the magical core of a child, and for so long, but of course he thinks he can do anything he wants… We can take it off, but it takes a couple of hours and it is painful. It would be better if you were to do it another day maybe and take someone with you to help you in case of need."

"I see" now he had to find someone trusted to come with him.

"Anyway, this is the Potter Head of House ring. You just need to put it on."

Harry opened the little box, the ring inside was gold with the Potter crest carved on a ruby, showing a lion ready to jump over two sword intertwined. It was really beautiful. When he put in on he felt a warm feeling on his finger. Suddenly his mind was filled with information on the family, the magics, the houses and the wards. It was giving him a headache but it was worth it.

"Congratulations Lord Potter" at least now he seemed happier.

"Um.. is there a way to keep it secret for a while? Knowing Dumbledore he will soon look for me wanting to control me and.." he still could not believe the kind grandfather like figure he trusted revealed himself to be a manipulating bastard.

"That can be done. We will wait for you to be ready to sent paperwork to the Ministry. When you are ready to take off the bindings come back here, and on your birthday we'll see who you are and the other lordships the test doesn't show now. Also I ordered a full investigation on the Potter accounts, I will send you an owl if we find something"

"Thank you for everything Lord Ragnok" he got up and bowed his head to the goblin.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Harry. My assistant will lead you back and give you one of our credit cards, it works in the wizarding and muggle world too."

He went back to the inn almost in autopilot. Why these things always happened to him? Shaking his head he opened the door of the "wicked Witch" and entered in the dark room. He went to seat at one of the tables, it was now eight in the evening so he could have dinner before crawling in his bed and cry. A little lady came to take his order and went back into the kitchen leaving him a mug of butterbeer. He felt so tired and lost. He heard the chair opposite to him being moved and lifted his head. It was Leo, he had his arms on the tables and was looking intently at him.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Nothing, why do you ask?" he couldn't lie to save his life but maybe he would get away with it this time.

" 'Cause you look ready to cry, Emerald. I'm not going to insist until you tell me, but if you need to talk to someone I will listen." he had a small smile on his face and Harry felt his heart flutter.

"I.. I don't know who I am anymore" he said in a small scared voice.

Leo's eyes widened. "How about we talk about it somewhere else?" helping the little wizard to stand, he made a sign to the lady and led them upstairs in his room. It was just like the one Harry stayed in. After sitting on the bed Leo took Emerald hand in his own, it fit quite well he noted.

"Now, what did you mean before?" his voice was soft as to not scare the boy or make him feel under interrogation.

"I… don't know who I am." seeing the confused expression he continued "I've been in Gringotts.. and.. I've been blood adopted.. and.." he was crying now and breathing heavy. He felt something slip behind his back, it was Leo, holding him in his arms close to his chest.

"Shh. It's ok Emerald. Let it all out. I'm here. I've got you" he kept whispering sweet nonsense in his ear and rubbing his back until he was just sobbing softly.

Harry couldn't believe he acted like that, but as embarrassed as he was, he felt so comfortable and safe with the older boy's arms around him. He blushed at the thought and hoped Leo didn't notice.

"Better?" the young man asked. Emerald nodded in his chest, then tried to get away, but he didn't let him go. "What did your parents say about it?"

"They died when I was little… my adoptive parents that is." he kept wishing it was all a bad nightmare.

"I'm sorry little one." Leo whispered caressing his hair. He sighed. It was obvious that his little Emerald was alone and didn't know what to do, also that he needed to talk with someone but didn't trust him enough for that. 'What to do?'.

"Emerald, I know that we barely know each other. But if you need to talk, or help or anything else really, you can come to me, okay?" he said tilting the boy's head up with his fingers under his chin.

Harry was shocked. For all his life he was alone, no one to care about him, used and abused. And now, this gorgeous man, because you could see it in his eyes that he was older than his years, he wanted to help him? He had tears in his eyes at the thought.

"W-why?" he wanted to believe it was true, he really did. But some way or another people always betrayed him it seemed.

"Because I know what it means to grow up without parents, because you need someone to help you if you want to get out of this mess, and because I like you. Enough reasons for you little one?"

Harry nodded, but Leo could see he had trouble trusting him. "What if I swear an oath to not betray you and your secrets?" if that didn't work either, he had no chance of helping the boy.

"A… an oath?! But, I can't ask you something like that!"

"You're not, I offered." he took out his wand "um.. I need your name for that though"

Harry looked at him wide eyed trying to understand if he could trust Leo. He felt he could trust him, but what if he was wrong?

After a few minutes he made up his mind "Harry.. Harry Potter" he waited for Leo to react like everybody always did with him but it never came.

"Very well. I will have to alter the oath a bit, but well.." he raised his wand "I hereby swear on my life and magic to never betray the person currently known as Harry Potter and the secrets he will share with me. So mote it be" there was a flash of light meaning the oath was valid and been accepted by magic. "Now, tell me what else is bothering you?"

And Harry did it. He told Leo everything that happened since the day before. Of his home life and constant abuse at the hand of his relatives, and the visit and Gringotts. He also talked about his first year at Hogwarts, making friends with Ron and Hermione, his doubts about Dumbledore testing him and the encounter with Quirrell/Voldemort over the Philosopher Stone.

Leo was astonished at the thought of hiding such a prized artifact in a school full of children.

He went on with second year, the crazy house elf, the students found petrified, him being accused of being the heir of Slytherin, the battle with the basilisk down the Chamber of Secrets and the memory of Voldemort that possessed Ginny.

The threat of Sirius Black and dementors in third year, meeting Remus Lupin, and finding that it was Pettigrew the one to betray the Potters.

And finally last year. The Triwizard Tournament, being chosen as a champion and being shunned by the school, the tasks, the fake Mad-eye Moody, the graveyard and the death of Cedric.

By the end he was exhausted and ready to fall asleep. Leo didn't know what to say. How could those people let Harry live through all of that alone? They should have protected him. Rage filled his being just by thinking about it. He would change things, his little one will never be harmed again, and he would teach him all he needed to know.

Looking down he saw the boy fast asleep, he laid him down on his bed trying his best to not wake him. After covering Emerald with a blanket he decided to get their dinner from the kitchen to eat together later.

Inside an old house in London two men were currently arguing. The first one was quite tall, with black long hair and blue gray hunted eyes. He was also thin, still not fully healed after his twelve years in Azkaban. He was pacing back and forth in the dusty living room, angry at Dumbledore for denying him the possibility to exit the damned house and not letting his godson live with him. Yes, Sirius Black was not a happy man.

His long time friend, Remus Lupin was trying to calm him down, with little results. He was tall too, with honey blonde hair, the first streaks of grey appearing because of the strain of the full moon every month had on his body.

"But, Moony, I want Harry here, with us.. not with these muggles! Did you see how thin and short he was? I swear if they do something to my pup I'll kill them myself!" shouted Sirius for the hundredth time.

"I know, Padfoot. But right now we can't do anything. It's too dangerous. After his birthday the order is gonna bring him here, I'll go take him myself, and then we can do something."

"I still don't like it. And my house is full of people of the order.. I can't wait to kick them all out." grinned the dog animagus.

"It sure will be funny" chuckled the werewolf