"Professor," Harry said to McGonagal over the breakfast they had started eating together, "I think I'd like to ride the Hogwarts Express with the other children."
Professor McGonagal seemed perplexed, "Why? I don't think the other students would think any less of you for not riding with them."
"I know," Said Harry, "But I would imagine that's when everyone meets everyone else. I mean, you could Apparate the students all to Hogwarts instead of making them take an all-day train ride. I want to take the chance to make friends before it's too late and I'm left out."
"All right," Said the professor, returning to her eggs.
"Um... would it be okay if I went through the sorting ceremony too?" Harry asked.
McGonagal gave her a knowing look, "I don't think that has anything to do with making friends." She said.
Harry whined, "I know! But, well... I'm different enough already. I don't want anyone thinking I got special treatment because I'm the Girl-Who-Lived! I think... that is kind of what happened, but I don't want them thinking that. You told me about the paper."
Both of them looked down. The magical trial of the Dursleys wasn't exactly kept a great secret. The world had heard about it and exactly why it happened as well as exactly who was involved. Already, Harry had started receiving letters of sympathy from wizards and witches across the country. It was a very awkward situation. Everyone in wizarding Britain knew where she lived and her history at the Dursleys'. The paper had painted her as some kind of tragic figure and Harry hated that. She wanted to be seen as strong.
"All right." The professor said again, "I won't lie for you, Harry. If anyone asks me, I'll tell them about your personal sorting, but I won't bring it up and I won't keep you from pretending to be sorted again."
"Thank you." Harry said gratefully.
At that moment, an owl flew in through the open window. For Harry, it seemed. She nodded a 'thank-you' at the owl and offered it her plate, from which it took a cube of ham.
The letter wasn't from anyone she knew. It seemed to be a sympathy letter, again. She read through the whole thing anyways.
From some 'Lucius Malfoy'... my son is about your age... so sorry for... it isn't right that... a witch of your blood purity and status...
She pursed her lip in annoyance. Fairly recently, she'd learned about the whole 'pure blood' thing and she certainly didn't approve of the idea. It was racism, basically. Disgusting. But she reminded herself not to be too angry at the individual. This Lucius Malfoy was just the product of a corrupt culture he'd grown up in. She wouldn't hold his ideas against him or his son.
There was a gift with it too. A very pretty emerald and silver necklace. Harry gasped out loud when she pulled it from the packaging. She didn't understand how people could send her things that were so expensive!
"Another gift?" Professor McGonagal asked.
Harry nodded. She wanted to send it back, but the professor had taught her that doing so could be considered very rude in pureblood wizarding culture. What she should do was keep it and discourage any further gifts in her return letter.
Well, it wasn't so bad. The necklace was very pretty.
She penned her return letter as she ate, since the owl was waiting for her.
Thank you... far too kind... too generous... look forward to meeting your son... newspaper reports greatly exaggerated... signed Harriet Potter...
She sealed the letter and gave it to the owl, who flew off again. Harry put the necklace around her neck after casting a quick charm to see if it might be cursed or enchanted. Not because she was suspicious, but because Flitwick insisted she always do so. There was nothing extraordinary about the necklace, just a strength charm and a stay-clean charm, which were both very common.
Her necklace fell into her robes, hiding it from general view.
"Professor Flitwick has given me the day off. I think I'm going to - " Harry was cut off as another owl flew in through the window, "Another one..." Harry whispered to herself.
But this letter didn't look like the others. It had a businesslike look to it. From Gringotts... she thought, seeing the address.
The goblins had written her an apology - but not like the ones she received from the wizards. This wasn't for 'allowing' her to live with the Dursleys or anything like that. Rather, it was an apology for never writing to her before.
We at Gringotts... deeply sorry for this grave... were not aware of muggle... your vault... your parents' will...
"My parents' will!?" Harry cried out. So apparently... her guardian was meant to see about that when she was old enough to understand, but because they were never informed, that never happened. She - she would get to see her parents' will. They said there was a letter for her...
The goblins wished for her to come to the bank at her soonest convenience. She explained the situation to McGonagal and took the floo network immediately.
Two well-dressed goblins seemed to be waiting for her.
"Lady Potter," Said one, literally bowing to her.
"Oh, um, I'm not a lady. I'm just Harry." Harry responded.
The goblins gave each other a look but didn't say anything. Instead, they lead Harry into a back room - a little spartan, but very formal. There was a desk there and two armchairs. The goblins left her there.
She felt a little on edge and sat down in one of the armchairs. Within moments, she was joined by another goblin - not one of the first two, she noted, but someone completely different. Yet another goblin entered the room and moved to a dark corner - and he seemed to be taking notes.
"Lady Potter, I and the whole of Gringotts are deeply ashamed. We have made a terrible mistake and caused you great misfortune."
"N-no, I'm sure..." Harry said, but the goblins barely seemed to notice she was speaking.
"We have made a mistake. After the death of James and Lily Potter, for a short time the country was still fighting a war. The mindset of war most certainly continued. In this time, the will of the wizards' two greatest recent heroes was forgotten. Swept away along with their daughter. We of Gringotts place the blame for this entirely on ourselves. We are at fault for the injustice you have endured at the hands of those -."
Harry didn't recognize his last word. She supposed it was goblin. "I assure you, sir, what the Prophet reported was greatly exaggerated. And I am certain you are not to blame. In the muggle world, paperwork gets lost all the time. I'm only really here... because you said you had a letter from my parents."
The goblin nodded. "I will get that for you immediately. After you have read it, we can talk about the other matters."
The goblin shouted something to someone outside the room, startling Harry just a bit. When the door opened, she was able to glimpse several goblins waiting outside.
The fragile paper was given to her. With trembling hands, she unfolded the letter and began to read to herself.
My dearest Harry,
If you are reading this now, it is because your father and I have not survived. I am so sorry to leave you, my darling daughter, especially with the world such a terrible mess. I can only take comfort in knowing that even without me, you will be safe and happy. Your godfather Sirius has promised to spirit you out of the country, some way, some how, if things should ever go sour.
Though I so dearly hope that they will not, I must take that as a possibility.
Your father and I want you to be brave, darling. I wish I knew how old you are as you read this. Ten, maybe? Eleven? And how many years have we been out of your life? Do you remember us? It's painful for me to think about.
You must know that we love you dearly. As I write this, I see you playing in the other room with your father, on that little toy broom you love so much. I can't imagine a world where I'm not there to protect you. So I have to also say, be strong. There is wrong in this world, and you must fight it. The world is not a fair place, but never lie down and accept it. Fight, my little girl. Brave and strong is how I imagine you.
And more than that, I imagine you happy. Joyful. Living your life to the fullest, even if without us. Have friends you trust. Learn, live, love. When you are old enough (whenever that is) find someone to be happy with. A boy or a girl, so long as you are smiling, I know I will be looking down on you from heaven, smiling too.
Love you always,
Mom
Harry had started crying immediately, of course. As if she could ever experience emotion without breaking into tears. She made a silent promise to her mother in heaven, if heaven existed. I will be brave. I will be strong. And mother, I am already happy.
She read the letter over again two more times, then folded it again and tucked it into her robes. She composed herself, then turned to face the goblin who had watched her break apart.
Even the goblin's stern face showed compassion.
"The will doesn't say much. You are left the majority of the family funds, besides your school vault, the Potter cottage in Godric's Hollow, and status as Head of the Potter family. The last is the most valuable. You, even at eleven years old, have a significant say in our government, being able to appoint who you choose to serve on the Wizengamot in your stead until you are seventeen. As Head of House, you have many adult privledges and responsibilites, and in the eyes of magic itself, you are seen as an adult. To be Head of House is also a status symbol among purebloods - you are a very valuable marriage candidate, as whichever man marries you will become Head himself and take your name."
"I..." Harry said, trying to keep thinking through all the emotions she was feeling, "Is this public knowledge?"
"Yes. There is no way for you to hide your status, it is now official in all records."
"I see." Harry said simply.
"As Head of House, you are expected to wear the official Potter family ring. We have it here - it was kept in the vault when the Potters went into hiding."
Another goblin rushed inside the room and presented Harry with a small wooden box. She took it, nodding at the goblin, and opened it. The ring inside was of rubies and gold and bore a lion crest - very similar to the Gryffindor crest, she noted. She put it on her finger, as she was expected to do, and felt a sudden rush of magical movement through her. She felt incredibly drained, like the ring had sucked all of her energy away.
"Did that... ?" Harry asked.
"Very often, House rings are imbued with magic. The Potter House ring, I believe, will store magical power inside itself, to be used in protecting you. While wearing that ring, it is very difficult for you to be poisoned or injured, but it will drain heavily on your magical energy. While the intensity will be far less once the ring has created a reserve, the pull you feel now you will feel as long as you wear it."
Harry nodded. She was now exhausted emotionally and physically.
"Thank you, sir. Is that all?" She asked.
The goblin shook his head. "While... such mistakes may happen in the muggle world more often, in the goblin world, what has happened is deeply shameful."
Swiftly, the goblin drew out a sword from seemingly nowhere, momentarily scaring Harry out of her wits. He didn't move to attack her with it - rather, he presented the handle to her to take.
"This sword is named Potentia. It is a goblin-made weapon - we do not give these out lightly."
Harriet nodded solemnly. She had read about goblins and their forged items. The sword of Godric Gryffindor had been a similar gift and created lots of tension between the goblin and wizarding nation. She certainly wasn't going to try to turn down such an important gift.
It was immensely heavy. She struggled a bit when she first took it in her hands. As far as she knew, the blade was pretty thin, but still such a huge weight. From the length, or the material?
"I take it you have never before wielded a blade." The goblin said, not rudely, but matter-of-factly.
"No," Harriet said, "Honestly, I'm not in the best shape either."
"I can hardly imagine you would be." The goblin said, likely referring to what he knew of her upbringing. She blushed in embarrassment.
"The goblin nation is certainly willing to provide lessons for use with your weapon, free of charge. But in the mean time, you may use your weapon now, to kill me."
"Kill you?" Harry shrieked, maybe a little too loud, "Why would I do that?"
"Because I am the one whose responsibility it was to manage the Potter vaults. I am the one to blame for the abuse you suffered at the hands of the Dursleys."
"No," Harry said, putting the sword down on the desk and taking on a determined expression, "I don't believe that. And even if it was, I am certainly not going to kill you over it! I don't practice that. I don't approve of needless killing. And I should tell you, sir, the newspaper has greatly exaggerated what happened to me..."
"We goblins have never trusted the Phropet. We took our information straight from the court documents. It is clear that the Dursleys abused you mentally, physically, and emotionally. Even after all the time you've spent living in Hogwarts castle, I can see how thin you still are. And this is my fault. The legal system will deal with the Dursleys. Take your revenge on me." The calm way that he spoke... was so unnerving, "Gringotts has already arranged for my replacement."
Harry stared at him, right in the eyes, feeling a fiery determination. "Give me the scabbard." She said.
The goblin obeyed her, not saying a word, produced the scabbard for the sword and gave it to her. Harry quickly put the blade away into it and strapped it to her waist.
"This sword is a noble gift," Harry said, one hand on it flatly "But I quite honestly hope it will never taste blood. I am not a warrior. I do plan to fight injustice, but with words, not with steel. I will fight using democracy, and argument, and empathy long before I use Potentia. What use is killing your enemy? Another will rise in his place. I do know," Harry looked down, her eyes cloudy, "That there are some places where violence truly is the only solution." She looked up, "But this is not that place. Right now, I don't care about goblin traditions. I will not kill you."
The goblin seemed speechless. Harry extended her hand - a universal gesture.
"I'd like to be partners with Gringotts - not enemies." The goblin, after a moment, nodded and shook her hand.
"And what do you mean by 'fight injustice'?" The goblin asked her.
"Exactly that. Even in the short time I've been in the magical world, I've noticed how things are terribly unfair to so many. I want to fight for all magical creatures, since its clear no one else is going to. Equality for all races and the end of prejudice. Since I don't want to do battle, I know that will take a long time. I do have a plan, though. My face is famous. Lots of people respect me for something I don't even remember. I'll use that. Like a muggle princess, I've found my cause, so now I'm going to spread my message. I... always had a childish idea that I'd be some kind of hero. With all the fame behind my back, now I have the power to do that. If I just speak up and raise my voice, I know people will hear me and I know people will think. Maybe it's naive, but I believe that most people are good at heart. All they need is for someone to let them know they're wrong and give them a second chance."
The goblin swallowed, then spoke. The words were indecipherable - something goblin.
"So long as you hold those ideals, I promise to fight beside you." The goblin said.
"And me as well!" Said the goblin in the corner, who was still taking notes. Harry had quite forgotten that he was there.
"Then tell me your names," Harry said, smiling, "I can always use more friends."
When Harry went home, she felt happy and fulfilled. She had always wanted to go through with those plans, but now that she'd said them aloud, they felt real. She had a goal and she would attain it. Work hard and fix the things that were wrong. She could do it and she would do it.