AN: Alright people, first off I want to thank people for the reviews on the last chapter and the reasons they put in the reviews for each house. I have made my decision from the reasons put with them and I hope that you enjoy it.
Harry Potter and the Heart of Power
Chapter 7
-Harry-
"It feels odd," he chuckled as he walked towards the barrier to platform nine and three quarters "leaving to go off to Hogwarts.".
"It feels weird for us too," Ragnok assured him as the Goblin King walked next to him, glamoured to look like a human "the Alley is going to be boring without you coming up with insane ideas every couple of seconds.".
"Don't worry Ragnok," he assured his friend "I'll still send in my ideas and don't forget we do have those other projects I already wrote out to work on if you get bored.".
"Yes but what are Natalie and I going to do without our favorite teasing subject around?" Anastasia asked with a grin as he blushed, recalling how the two gorgeous women enjoyed flirting and teasing in a kind of competition to see who can get the most amusing reaction out of him.
"You can entertain yourself by ruining the people that try to cheat the casino." Phoenix suggested, his two security wizards in full glamour as they had found a rule that allowed for influential figures to have bodyguards on the express so long as said guards break no laws.
"So what's the count so far?" he asked with an amusedly exasperated grin "Because no matter how many times people get caught some idiot thinks they can get away with it.".
"Three more people tried transfiguration like Fletcher did," Manticore listed off "seven tried conjuration, eight summoning, two legilimency, nine pickpockets, and three people with Lords tried Felix Felicis.".
"Do you have enough security measures to handle all those things?" Natalie asked nervously, his reporter having come to do an article about the leaving of the express and the new students, possibly interviewing a few parents and students as well if she had the chance.
"Well you've already seen the result if someone tries transfiguring the chips," he said with a smirk, conjuration of any sort sets off an immediate signal to the security forces in the building, summoning activates a goblin ward that alerts the nearest person keyed in if that spell is used at all, each table has legilimency wards so that if anyone tries to use it then that person will be shocked by a small jolt of magic, the entire building is lined with anti-theft wards which stop pickpockets, but Felix Felicis has the most fun preventative.".
"And that would be?" Natalie asked with a raised eyebrow as he caught his breath from the longwinded explanation.
"One of the researchers in the compression chamber managed to find a potion that, when ingested, will reverse the effects of any Felix Felicis in the body. It won't do anything to those who haven't taken the good luck potion but if you have it will give you the most horrible luck imaginable." He explained gleefully.
"But how would you manage to convince people to drink the potion?" Natalie asked in confusion "You can't put it in any drinks you sell as any potioned drinks have to be approved by the government and the buyer has to be informed first.".
"That's the best part," he said with a goblin like grin "we managed to find a way to turn it into a gas and mixed it into the casino's air supply with a ward perimeter outside so that people outside of the casino using the potion won't be affected. Simply breathing the air will do it and they can't complain as before entering they sign a contact stating they won't do certain things, including using that potion. Gringotts is currently setting up that system throughout their entire bank system.".
"I'd guessing the three in question are…less than pleased." Natalie surmised with a wince.
"Yeah," he chuckled "one of them as a rich Lord from another country who kept thinking that the potion was lulling us into a false sense of security and ended up betting several items from his vault…including something to give me a little more time should Lord Peverell or myself ever be running late to an important meeting.".
Before Natalie could respond he cross through the barrier and was immediately knocked to the ground via hug by a happy red head screaming "Harry!".
"Hello to you too Susan." He coughed out with a grin as his newest friend tried to squeeze all of the air out of his lungs. Chuckling he looked up at Amelia who was trying to hide a giggle as he remembered how he first met Susan.
-Flashback-
Sighing he walked down the Alleyway, his new Polyjuice tooth in place, as he tried to get used to his once again smaller body and hoped he didn't make a fool of himself. Walking into the Leaky Cauldron he noticed Amelia talking with an eleven year old red head girl that looked a lot like her. "Ah, Harry," she said as she saw him walking over "I'd like you to meet my Niece Susan. Susan, this is my new business partner, Harry Potter.".
"H-hi." Susan stuttered out, blushing slightly as she saw his muscled body that was stretching against the t-shirt he wore.
"Hi," he said with a smile as he took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles "it's a pleasure to meet you.".
"Now I have to get back to the Ministry but you two can spend the day in the Alley getting to know each other," Amelia said with a grin as Susan let out an eep and blushed cherry red "I spoke to your security that I met last night Lord Potter and they agreed to keep a discreet eye out today for your safety but would otherwise leave you alone.".
"Have a good day Amelia," he said with a smile and nod at the woman "would it be possible for you and Susan to join myself for dinner tonight? My treat.".
"Why you are a little charmer." Amelia said with a grin, sending him a subtle wink at the 'little' comment as she had seen his true age "And I would be delighted. Now go have fun you two and enjoy your date.".
"It isn't a date Auntie!" Susan yelled with a brilliant blush as Amelia laughed and flooed back to the ministry.
"Ready to go Susan?" he asked in an attempt to distract her from any thought Amelia's words might have created.
"Y-yeah," she stuttered "let's go.".
"So tell me," he said with a smile as they began walking down the Alley, people beginning to stop and stare as they realized who he was by the scar on his forehead and the 'lightning strike enterprises' logo on his shirt, "what house are you hoping to be sorted into at Hogwarts?".
"I'm honestly hoping for Hufflepuff," she admitted with a brilliant blush "I know most people think the house of badgers is for the cast offs and losers but everyone in my family has been sorted there for centuries.".
Frowning he responded "Susan, don't chose a house just because that's where your parents, or your grandparents, or anyone you know got sorted. If you want to be sorted in a specific house want to be there because you feel it would help you or you feel that's where you belong. If you truly feel that you belong in Hufflepuff for reasons besides your ancestry than that's great but if you only want to go there because of some sense of obligation then you're doing yourself a disservice.".
"I…I never thought about it like that," she said as she frowned and considered his words "I…I guess I just wanted my parents to feel proud of me.".
"Trust me Susan," he said with a smile as he clenched her hand in his and gave it a squeeze "all you have to do is be yourself and work towards your dreams and I'm sure they will be.".
"T-thanks Harry." Susan stuttered "But I still want to be in Hufflepuff, my Aunt raised me with stories of loyalty and comradery that the aurors show each other and…well they always just seemed to stick with me you know?".
"I understand," he assured her with an easy going grin "personally I'm hoping for either Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw.".
"Not Gryffindor?" Susan asked in surprise.
"All the Houses are built around positive traits," he answered "but due to stigmas there are several negatives that are associated with each one. With Gryffindor, yes they are full of people that are, in theory, brave and chivalrous but they tend to blindly follow the loudest voice as it attracts people who feel that having courage is all you need and, often, they ignore chivalry when it comes to other houses.".
"I never really thought about it like that," Susan said frowning as he steered them into Florean Fortescue's Ice cream shop "but what about Slytherin house?".
"Well Slytherins are supposed to be cunning and ambitious," he answered before giving his order to Florean along with Susan "which is very important for a businessman or politician as they have to have ambition to move forward and the cunning to get around problems that arise. The downside is that, due to the fact that the past two British born Dark Lords were from Slytherin, being sorted as a Snake usually labels one as 'evil'.".
"Yeah," Susan said with a wince "that one I've noticed.".
"Ravenclaw is based around having knowledge and being known as the most intelligent," he continued as they got their orders "and that is also something useful to have as a politician or businessman. However several Ravenclaws become arrogant in their 'knowledge' and will brush off the answers of anyone not of their house and often bully those in their house who they see as different.".
"It sounds rather brutal," Susan said with a frown "are you sure you'd be able to handle things there?".
"It can be," he admitted "but I'm sure I can handle it. Finally we have Hufflepuff. That house is for Loyalty and Hard work, two more things that are incredibly important for not only a successful businessman but a popular politician. The stigma however is as you mentioned earlier, that people look down upon the house. People like your Aunt however and, possibly, us, are beginning to reverse or at least lessen that as people will have to take the time to think about how a person as powerful as successful as your aunt came from the 'House of Duffers'."
"Imagine the shock on people's faces if the 'boy who lived' wasn't sorted into Gryffindor." Susan said with a giggle as she began eating her ice cream.
"That happy thought fills my dreams each and every night." he agreed with a nod, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as Susan began to giggle. "So tell me, have you managed to get your pet yet for School?".
"No," Susan said with a dejected sigh "Auntie hasn't gotten the chance to take time off to take me when the store's open so I may not be able to bring a pet this year.".
"Well we can't have that," he said as he finished his snack and wiped his mouth "let's go get you a pet. My treat.".
"A-are you sure?" she asked hesitantly.
"Of course," he said with a grin as he linked her arm with his and led her down the Alley "I can't stand the thought of a pretty girl like you being sad.".
At his compliment Susan's blush returned full force, "I'm not that pretty," she said shyly as she played with a strand of her hair causing him to snort.
"Susan," he said with a deadpan, "you look like an eleven year old version of your Aunt who is one of the most beautiful women I've ever met…you're cute now but when you get older you'll be absolutely stunning.".
As he finished Susan's face seemed to look more like a ruby with her fiery red hair and brilliant red face before she leaned up on her toes and kissed his cheek, "Thank you Harry," she said softly before she smiled playfully "Auntie was right, you really are a charmer.".
"I do try dear Lady." He said with a grin before stepping inside the Magical Menagerie, "Now let's find you a pet. Is there anything specific you were wanting?".
"A kitty," she admitted "hopefully a kitten.".
"Then to the kittens we go." he said grandly as he led her over to that spot, noticing Phoenix and Manticore walk into the store out of the corner of his eye. As they looked at the various cats, Susan cooing over just about every single one. Except for a rather large fluffy orange one that was extremely irritable. Finally though she seemed to select a silver Bengal kitten that immediately started purring in her arms.
"Just one final test." Susan said with a nod before she turned and thrust the kitten into his surprised arms as he almost instinctively began scratching behind its ears, the purring never stopping. "That's the one," Susan said happily as she took the kitten back "I just wanted to make sure it would get along with my friends as well as me.".
"Well you have your pet," he said with a smile "now I'm going to select mine."
"How about an Owl?" Susan suggested as they walked over to said birds, "They're intelligent and great for delivering mail.".
Before he could answer his new friend a brilliantly beautiful white snowy owl flapped over and landed on his shoulder with a hoot, "It looks like my decision was just made for me." he said in amusement "I'm guessing that you're not going to let me leave without you, huh?". In response the owl shook her head with a hoot as she squeezed his shoulder lightly and softly nipped his ear, "Alright then girl," he said as he brushed his finger across her feathers "Looks like you're coming with me.".
"How do you know it's a girl?" Susan asked as they walked over to the counter.
"Only a woman can have that level of stubbornness," he said with a smirk "your kind are impossible to argue with.".
"Amen to that." the cashier said with a chuckle before ringing up their pets. "Wait a minute," the clerk said upon noticing his scar, "You're Harry Potter. I've been meaning to get the chance to go to your shop to look into security and other items to help my shop run better.".
"Here's a card," he said as he passed over a business card with a wide smile "just contact that person and they'll set you up with a free consultation about what sort of items you're looking for and an estimate cost.".
"Thank you and have a good day Lord Potter." The clerk said, waving them out as he grinned widely at Susan.
"What's got you so happy?" his new friend asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The man recognized me and only spoke about what I've done personally," he explained "my goal, or one of them at any rate, is to make a name for myself as more than just the last Potter or the boy who lived but by my own merits.".
"Then I guess that would be a pretty big thing." Susan said as he nodded in agreement before noticing Phoenix and Manticore stopping Dumbledore out of the corner of his eye.
"Come on Su," he said "let's go check out someplace else.".
-End Flashback-
Hearing a disgruntled mew he looked down at the silver Bengal, "And hello to you as well Canus." He said as he gave the kitten a scratch between the ears, getting a happy purr in response.
"Where's Hedwig?" Susan asked as she stared at his luggage.
"I let her fly ahead so she wouldn't be cramped," he explained "you want to go find a compartment?".
"Yeah!" Susan said with a grin as she grabbed his hand and shot off. After selecting their compartment and loading up their luggage they returned to the platform to say their goodbyes while Phoenix and Manticore took up places on the train.
"Alright you two," Amelia said as she gave each of them a hug "take care, study hard, avoid detention, and look out for each other.".
"Yes Auntie!" Susan chirped happily at the same time he responded "yes Amelia.".
"Don't worry Harry," Ragonk said, stepping up as Amelia stepped back "we'll keep an eye on the company and send you any important documents you may need.".
"I know you will Ragnok," he said as he clasped arms with his goblin friend "the business in in good hands with you four looking out for it.". Before any response could be given they heard a warning whistle as Anastasia and Natalie quickly kissed his cheek, causing him to blush almost as badly as Susan always did around him, and rushed them onto the train as it began moving, taking him on the first step to his future.
AN: The following Omake is an idea I had for the original roster of animagus forms Harry had. If you read it before the edit you'll remember that one of Harry's forms was a T-Rex so here's how Harry dealing with the Mountain Troll could have gone:
-Omake-
Walking into the bathroom he saw the arrogant Gryffindor girl Hermione Granger screaming her head off at the troll which was lumbering towards her. Coughing his throat he got the trolls attention before he shifted into his t-rex form, still an adolescent so it barely fit into the hall, as he leaned forward and bit off the trolls head, spitting it down the hall and, unknowingly, knocking down the contingent of teachers rushing his way.
"W-what was that?!" Hermione demanded as he shifted back to his human form and washed his mouth out at the sink.
"To put it in literary terms…" he said as he whipped out a pair of shades and put them on "that was a Deus Rex Machina." Before strutting out of the bathroom like a boss.
"What the hell just happened?" Hermione asked the universe at large…the universe gave no answer.