As I am NOT the original author of the Harry Potter series, who as anyone should know is the wonderful JKR who lets us play with her world. I don't own a darn thing here. On with the story.
Chapter 19 Bad news for some.
"But Dad what does he want?" Vincent Crabbe Jr. was asking his father the following evening as he watched his father don the black robes and mask of a death eater.
"I do not know I was merely told to bring you to a meeting with him. Now pull you hood up so you can't be recognized and remember what I told you to do once your in his presence."
A portal key carried them to a receiving chamber with no indication of a door. After several moments of waiting during which time both Crabbes looked around nervously a wall panel slid aside allowing them to exit.
"Master is waiting for the young one." A short rotund death eater said motioning down a hall.
Crabbe senior quickly asked his son if he remembered his directions, "Yes remove my hood as fast as I can then lay face down on the floor saying, "You called for me my lord,"" His son replied.
"Very good just do that and we might get out of there without too many problems, just don't look him in the eye. We had trouble finding enough of the last person that did that to bury." Vincent Crabbe senior said with a shudder.
Half an hour later Crabbe senior was both concerned and pleased. His son had performed his instructions flawlessly but now with his dismissal his namesake was alone in the throne room with the Dark Lord and there was no way for him to protect his son should anything happen.
In the room Crabbe junior was withering on the floor not under the Cruciatus Curse but under a Legilimency spell Voldemort had cast to see his memories of Draco Malfoy. Voldemort's attention was distracted by the appearance of the short rotund death eater. "Yes Peter?"
"The Goyles have arrived."
"Send in young Goyle. I have found some interesting things in this creature's mind. Hopefully his mate will help."
Peter slid out the way he entered stopping in the outer room only to say, "Young Goyle is to enter alone," just as the door swung open. The two seniors exchanged looks wondering just what was going on with their sons. They had pledged themselves and their families to do what ever the dark lord wished when they'd joined him the first time he risen. It was only now as their first-born sons were under his control that they were beginning to realize what they had agreed to.
On the other side of the door young Goyle was just finishing his greeting while lying prostrate on the floor hearing no reply he hazarded a look around. When he noticed his buddy Crabbe rolling and moaning slightly as if just recovering from a painful injury he realized his best action was to not move anymore.
"Ah, you at least show more smarts than you companion did." Voldemort said when he noticed Goyle quickly return to the face down position without daring to look up at him. "If you relax and let me inside your mind you will find this will pass rapidly." He added before softly saying, "Legilimens."
Voldemort quickly sifted through young Goyle's memories of Draco Malfoy noting that Draco was no where near the sly and cunning individual his father had portrayed him as, Instead he was a loud boisterous bully who used his family name to torment others. He would have shaken his head at some of the things that young man let slip during the last few years. It was good that Dumbledore was such a trusting fool. Other wise several of his plans could have been stopped in the early stages. 'I can see Lucius will need a session when he returns to insure he keeps his mouth shut at home.' Voldemort thought before turning his attention to the nugget of information he'd found in Crabbe Junior's mind. It wasn't long before he was viewing the same incident through Goyle's mind. Luckily for Voldemort the recollection in Goyle's mind was enough to complete the information he'd been after for the last few years. Seeing his luck at getting this information he then tried for the brass ring of Potter information. When he switched to Crabbe's mind Goyle lay on the floor in his own waste. The rape of his mind had caused him to loose control of all his body's functions. The smell in the room quickly got worse as in his haste to find the information in Crabbe he caused worse damage.
Peter Pettigrew appeared quickly before the throne just as his masters voice that he heard in his head had commanded, bowing so low that his nose approached the soiled floor he asked, "What is your bidding master?"
"Take both of these boys away. One was rather weak and did not survive. Move them some where you can keep them out of sight for now. Then clean this room." Voldemort said getting up from his throne and after a wand flick to clear his path moved to the door the two boys had entered through.
"Master," The two fathers called out dropping to their knees when they saw the Dark Lord emerge from his throne room.
"Those two were most informative. Between them they knew where Potter spends his summers several years ago. I find it disturbing that you were unable to bring me that information when I asked for it." Voldemort said looking at the two individuals cowering before him.
"I did not know my lord." Crabbe senior said while Goyle just kept his head down and hoped to get out alive.
"I do not seek excuses. I have a job for the two of you. I want you to take several of the individuals waiting downstairs and check out 4 Privet Drive in Little Whinging, Surrey. That is where Harry Potter lives during the summer. I do not want him or the house attacked. I want to know everything there is to know about who lives there and what Potter does there. Once you have that report back to me. Well get going!" Voldemort said chasing the two from his presence.
"Hermione are you and Harry going with us to the hospital charity dance again this year?" Jane asked Friday morning watching her daughter take a croissant and put a coating of orange marmalade on it for breakfast.
"I would like to but I don't know if Harry would be willing. Last year was a bit of a strain on him." Hermione replied before taking a bite.
"Hermione you have got to be more assertive in this relationship. Your father hated to attend dances when I first met him, probably still does but he understands several things. First I like to dance. Second it is for charity and the Grangers do their part for charity and finally any relationship is not one way. I'll drop a hint to Alan to have a talk with Harry about this." Jane said her mind made up.
"Mum Harry will dig his heals in hard if you push him."
"I'm not going to push him. You father will lead him. There is a difference. It is obvious his aunt and uncle did a poor job of instilling civic responsibility in him. I aim to correct that this summer,"
"Yes mum," Hermione replied knowing that to confront her mother would be the wrong tactic right now.
It wasn't long after breakfast on Wednesday the seventeenth before Alan was pointing the nose of the V-12 British racing green Jaguar toward the train station the four heading to a day in London, first stop Diagon Alley.
In Gringotts Harry made a trip to his vault withdrawing two sacks full of golden galleons. They were discussing leaving when a goblin approached Harry saying, "Mr. Potter, Gringotts would like to finish up the business concerning Sirius Black's estate if you don't mind."
Harry looked startled then glanced at the Grangers. "Might as well get it all taken care of today. That way you don't have to return for a while." Alan replied to the unvoiced question.
"Alright what do I need to do?"
"I will escort you to the inheritance department," Griphook said leading the four humans through the corridors to the inheritance department conference room knowing the other goblins in the room were all ready informing the department who was coming. At the inheritance department conference room Griphook introduced a goblin named Tackrack who nodded before saying, "Welcome Mr. Potter-Black you are the only person who needs to hear this although Mr. Black has noted you may have guests of your choosing."
"Then I would like Hermione and her folks to hear this also."
"Are you sure Harry?" Hermione asked looking into his eyes.
"I will probably need to talk all this over with someone. Who better my betrothed and her folks? I know you won't talk about this and I think your folks won't either."
"You have our word on that." Alan said as Jane smiled expressing her agreement.
"Very well, In accordance with Gringotts' policy I have met with the other heirs and distributed their portions of the estate. You are the last heir to be dealt with."
"There is no reading of the will?" Hermione asked surprised at the difference between the magical and muggle world.
"We found it reduces the problems should two parties disagree on who gets what if they are dealt with separately."
"Makes sense. I've heard a number of horror stories over the years about what has happened with some families." Jane Granger said looking at her daughter.
"Imagine if they were magical and could curse each other." The goblin replied. Before looking at Harry and saying, "Mister Harry James Potter. Your godfather has made several other disbursements. You alone may inquire as to what these were. Do you wish to do so?"
"No, I have no interest in knowing."
Tackrack nodded before saying, "Then in the interest of brevity the short version is Mr. Sirius Black has left the bulk of his entire estate to you. You will receive roughly 98 percent of the Black holdings, including funds on deposit with Gringotts and all of their property."
Harry collapsed back in the chair he'd been expecting something from his godfather if he was honest with himself but to receive everything? That was too much to comprehend. A glance at Hermione caused her to take over his side of the conversation.
"What about Sirius's cousin's? They might object to Harry inheriting everything." Hermione asked.
Having caught the glance between Harry and this young female Tackrack realized that while not his mate she had his permission to speak in his behalf. "Their dowries constituted their portions of the Black inheritance. Under wizarding law neither they nor any of their offspring has a claim on Sirius Black's estate."
The Grangers were silently observing everything. Jane slowly recognized Hermione was acting how she would if it had been Alan instead of Harry. That thought reinforced her decision concerning their wedding.
Harry had finally recovered his composure so he spoke up asking, "Who manages the Black account?"
"Unless you wish a change the current goblin account manager will follow previous directions until you provide new ones."
"Then if I asked to have any investments in anything that might be considered "Dark" switched to either light or muggle investments?"
"It would be done in a fiscally prudent manner."
"Then please give that direction." Harry said drawing a smile from Hermione.
"Very well to place this in a formal context. You receive all the properties and remaining contents thereof held both in his own name and those he held as the last of the Black's. Additionally you receive the remaining contents of his and the Black family vaults. If you would sign here this document will transfer everything you've inherited to you, unfortunately you will need to use a blood quill."
"Rather painful little thing." Harry said glancing at the quill with a raised eyebrow before signing his full name.
The goblin watched him then after Harry was done he eased a finger down the back of Harry's hand sealing the skin without a scar.
"Thank you, that talent would have been useful last year in school." Harry said addressing the goblin.
Although I managed to avoid her others were somewhat less fortunate.
"Ministry appointed High Inquisitor." Harry said shrugging.
The goblin nodded knowingly before stating, "I am somewhat surprised you did not ask the extent of your inheritance."
Shrugging his shoulders Harry said, "Really doesn't matter I have enough to live on in my own vault. I figured you will have a sheet with a full accounting around that would cover it."
"You are correct." The goblin said sliding not one sheet but a folder across to Harry who took it without looking at the contents.
"Thank you for your time." Harry said rising.
"Allow me to summon Griphook to show you the way out. We wouldn't want you getting lost in our corridors." The goblin said before leaving the room.
Jane looked at Harry asking, "Do you think you'll need help managing what Sirius left you?" Harry shrugged his shoulders and passed the folder over to her without comment. "I shouldn't…" She said before he interrupted her.
"Don't worry about it. I assume my soon to be mother in law is trustworthy." Harry said.
Jane couldn't resist a peak but quickly shut the folder after glancing at the cover sheet. "You might want to get some expert advice after you look at that later." She said to Harry her voice a squeak and a look on her face that Alan had learned long ago meant she was shocked by what she saw.
Griphook opened the door leading them out of the conference room asking, "What else can Gringotts do for you today?"
"Teach me Occlumency and fighting?" Harry replied intending it as a joke to his fiancée hoping to lighten the somber mood.
"Of course I'll check with our specialists in that area but it is expensive."
"You mean you can teach me these things?" Harry asked startled.
"Gringotts offers many services beyond banking. If you would like I can direct you to the learning department where they can help you."
Harry nodded and moments later they followed the goblin down a short passage entering one of the side rooms. "Fartack will assist you." Griphook said ushering the four of them into the room.
"How can I assist you?'
"Griphook said you might be able to teach me to block my mind and a few other things."
"Occlumency is difficult but if you are willing to suffer a pain it would be possible. What are the other things you would like to learn?"
"Muggle fighting." Harry replied with a slight blush to his cheeks.
Fartack nodded and thumbed through a stack of papers scribbling on a parchment in front of him the entire time. When he finished he looked up at Harry saying, "The entire package would cost you 15,000 galleons and take four hours."
"What if there were two of us?" Hermione asked.
"Most of the cost is in the preparation and compensation of those whose memories will be used. Say an even 18,000 Galleons for the both of you. I should warn you it will be painful."
"How bad?"
"Previous clients have compared it to being subject to the Cruciatus Curse."
Harry nodded his understanding then asked, "My understanding is it will be over in four hours and I will have the complete ability to block my mind and fight."
"That is correct. You should schedule time to practice the fighting and dance moves so your body becomes used to them otherwise you might find it difficult when you attempt to use the knowledge." Fartack replied.
"Hermione I'm going for it but I don't think you should."
"Harry it will be better if both Potters can shield their minds. If your reason is the pain I want you to know I can deal with pain besides I've been told becoming a mother is slightly painful and this will be good preparation." Hermione replied looking over at her mother and praying she kept silent.
Seeing the determination in her eyes Harry decided not to fight her on it. "When can we do this?"
"It will take a day or two to set up. I will first need to arrange for our contact to find muggles with the talents you seek then we will have them participate in a "research project" for which they will be well compensated."
"Will they be affected?"
"No they might experience some minor pain but beyond that there is no affect. I will contact you tomorrow and let you know when we will be ready. Any time after then is suitable but generally the sooner after we prepare the better."
"Get it touch with Griphook when everything is ready he knows how to contact us." Harry said rising and offering his arm to Hermione. Once outside He looked around finally seeing the Doctors Granger exiting the meeting room.
At Hermione's raised eyebrow Jane Granger replied, "We are not as fast as you youngin's. Let's head home."
They arrived back at Granger Manor and Hermione quickly ran to the kitchen to see Anna about some arrangements she'd thought of. Unfortunately Harry joined her and when Dobby popped in to deliver a letter Anna saw him. "What's that?" She exclaimed pointing.
"Dobby sorry, Dobby fix," The elf replied raising a hand towards the housekeeper.
"Dobby stop, Anna and her husband know about the magical world. There is no need to obliviate her." Hermione said stepping in front of Anna just in case.
"This is a house elf?" Anna asked.
"Yes Dobby is pledged to Harry and I. He has agreed to deliver our mail and whatever else we need." Hermione explained while Harry was kneeling down and talking with Dobby in a whisper.
At Harry's prompting Dobby bowed towards Anna before saying, "Dobby is sorry he didn't realize you knew. Dobby will try very hard to be more aware of where he is popping. Dobby hopes he didn't upset Hermy's Anna."
"That's alright Dobby. So what else does a house elf do?" Anna asked hoping to relax the nervous creature.
Dobby scuffed his feet before saying, "House elves clean and cook for their masters."
"Sounds like I'm a house elf too." Anna chuckled.
"You is making fun of Dobby." The house elf said.
"Not at all. You can ask Hermy I clean and cook for her family." Anna said enjoying teasing Hermione with Dobby's name for her.
Dobby looked at Hermione with wide eyes to see her nodding in agreement with Anna's words. "In fact Dobby I'm sure Anna can teach you how to make food's you don't make now."
Dobby seemed to struggle for a moment trying to decide how to address a muggle who did the same work as a elf before he asked, "Hermy's Anna would be willing to show Dobby how to make Mistress Hermy's favorite foods?"
"Yes, I've heard you can cook English food quite well but Hermy's favorite breakfast food is French would you like to help me make it tomorrow?"
"Dobby would like that." The elf replied with a blush.
"Alright then how do I get in touch with you?"
"Just call out Dobby and I will hear you." Dobby said before disappearing.