Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I claim ownership of anything I write about which is previously claimed by J.K. Rowling. I am writing this piece of fiction solely for the purpose of writing and am gaining nothing from this in the way of compensation.
A.N. Thank you to those who have decided to review, favorite, or follow this. It makes me unbelievably excited that anyone would read my story in the first place, much less like it.
Now, for a question I was asked by a reviewer: Will there be slash? I am honestly unsure if this will continue to an age I consider appropriate for Harry to have a pairing (5th year for me), but if it does, I will post a poll letting you readers decide if it is or if it isn't..
I apologize for not putting in the last chapter if this caused confusion, but -Parseltongue-
Harry sighed tiredly, lounging across his bed. The meeting with the two professors hadn't gone the way he had wanted, but on the other hand, he was sure there would have been more of a problem, what with Nagini practically demanding she attend. Though, if he was honest with himself, seeing a man of Albus Dumbledore's caliber so thrown and dazed had been entirely too amusing.
He huffed, turning onto his stomach, and grabbed a book off of his nightstand that he had intended to finish earlier. He was extremely grateful for Nagini, despite his earlier grumbling, as he thumbed through the book on fifth year Ancient Runes. Ever since she came into his life when he was five years old, she had practically forced him to read and study ahead in any of the classes he may take in the future.
Apparently, she would not deign to associate with someone who was not as intelligible as she thought herself, egotistical snake. She also wouldn't allow him, as the current Gaunt heir, to fall behind or be lesser than the master she followed last time in any way.
Said great snake was currently draping herself across his back in an attempt to soak up some of his body heat. -You know, sssometimesss, I think you are more of a housssse cat than a highly venomousss, magical ssserpent-
She didn't even bother to physically respond to the taunt, other than a languid flick of her tail. -Your petty attemptssss to alleviate your boredom by inssstigating banter with me are laughable, hatchling. I taught you thossse methodssss-
Harry, indignant, opened his mouth to argue, before realizing her game and letting it shut with a click of teeth. He settled on glaring over his shoulder at his smug familiar.
-You are learning, hatchling. Thisss isss good, for you mussst be prepared for the other sssnakesss who followed the torn one, waiting to ssstrike at you in vengeance-
Harry hummed in agreement, acknowledging her wisdom on the matter. She knew Voldemort's followers well, having seen them groveling at the monster's feet, so she knew how twisted and vicious they could be when they have a goal.
Though he often argued with her and acted as though he was put upon by her presence, he would be eternally grateful that she and he had met.
She had followed his scent to the Sanctuary when Voldemort had fallen, searching for her master in his familiar taste of his magic. While it had take her years, her persistence had paid off when Clink had found her circumventing the exterior wards. Clink sensed the python's breaking familiar bond and the similar feel it held to his master's magic, so in a fit of compassion, the elf had brought the weak creature to Harry in an attempt to ease its pain. When Nagini had gotten close to him, their magic had intertwined through the Gaunt family magic, restoring the bond to full strength between the two.
She had been fascinated by the nestling-her words-who had felled her former master, and they had grown to be very close over the years, much like a mother and her child. He rolled his eyes at that thought, Harry would never be allowed to go anywhere without her, the mother hen.
He nestled down to finish the book for the next few hours, enjoying the silence, before he decided he needed to do something physical. He gently relocated the slumbering snake into a more comfortable position before leaving his bedroom and heading towards the entrance to the grounds.
The grounds around the manor were sprawling and teeming with all manner of magical creatures and beings who had been tied to the main Peverell line over the years. The land was separated into quarters, each holding the habitat or environment in which different species were most comfortable being aided by the climate regulation charms tied into the rune scheme when the Sanctuary was built by Godric Peverell in the tenth century.
His memories of his younger years were filled with images of riding the Pegasi and Thestrals, which he could sadly say he sees from witnessing his mother's death, cuddling with the Unicorn foals when he needed the comfort after a nightmare, swimming with the Mer and the magical creatures within the lake, and flying on the back of Frigga, a particularly maternal Norwegian Ridgeback. He was sure he would miss them when he left to Hogwarts in a month, so he decided to spend the rest of his time free by interacting with every on of them.
The week before he was to board the Hogwarts Express, Harry decided he needed to go to the alley and buy his school supplies and robes, and one other reason that he was rather excited about. He had eaten his breakfast, cooked wonderfully by Clink, already and was almost bouncing with anticipation to leave. Apparently he really was bouncing because he could hear a heatedly-irritated hiss behind him in the same room he had met the professors, ready to floo away
-Calm yourssself Hatchling! You must be collected before you interact with the ground dwellersss- Nagini was flicking her tongue out, agitated by the turbulent feel of his magic.
He shook his head and took a deep breath, repeating this action and raising his Occlumency shields in an attempt to gain control of himself before replying -I appologize, but I ssshall finally be able to enter the family vaultsss and retrieve the ringsss-
She released a huffing hiss -I know that you have been anticipating thisss for many yearsss, but you mussst be patient. You mussst alwaysss-...-
He interrupted -act asss the ssserpent, hiding my true intentionsss and ssstriking when the oppurtunity is the bessst. I know, I know, but I am collected now, we can leave-
She glared at him for his cheek, but acquiesced and draped herself over him to prepare for the daunting trip through the menace that was the floo, something she claimed to be beneath her and ridiculous, proving the superiority of snakes over humans with their idiotic, host of possibly fatal means of transportation. He snorted whenever that was brought up, old arguments and such.
He brushed down his robes, tailored silver silk that flowed like water for the occasion, and patted down his hair, pulled back by a silver clasp inlaid with jade that matched his eyes, and stepped through the floo to the Leaky Cauldron.
The cacophony of noises that assaulted him were slightly disorienting as he stepped from the fireplace, but a gentle squeeze from Nagini brought him back to focus. He attempted to slink through the throng of patrons and those moving to enter the alley as well, but someone knocked into him from behind, jostling him and causing his familiar to hiss rather menacingly at the one who dared to disturb her.
That also had the effect of quieting the entire pub as they all turned to stare at the young teen, finally realizing what it was that made such a loud noise.
He wanted to groan and throttle Nagini at the same time for bringing attention to him when he was already impatient to get to Gringotts, but now everyone was looking at him like he was the reincarnation of Herpo the Foul. He sighed, straightened himself, put up the most indifferent face he could manage, unaware that he looked just as one would expect of a pureblood heir, and continued on to the brick gate that guarded the alley.
Snapping his right wrist, a grey wand appeared, ornately carved runes and etchings adorning it, which he tapped in the correct sequence to activate the wall.
He strode through and began to walk quickly towards the grand, marble bank, paying no heed to those that avoided -scurried from- his path or shrieked at the sight of Nagini, who was even more smug at the fear she caused. He thought her slightly like a preening peacock, but that would stay with him unless he wished her wrath.
This not being his first time at the Wizard bank, he strode through the doors and by the guards with a confidant gait, towards a teller who was free at the moment. The goblin at the counter seemed more refined than his other fellow employees, holding himself with poise while eyeing him up and down.
He felt himself waver for a moment at the atypical attitude of the usually surly group, but pressed forward without delay, less he anger the teller whose time he would be wasting.
The goblin, GrimGrin if his nameplate was to be believed, seemed disinterested "Your name?" his speech was less gravelly as well, huh, curious.
"Harrison" for he knew better than to speak his surname in such an open environment "I have come bearing the keys of two guarded vaults, requiring access on the matter of family inheritance." The goblin looked slightly more intrigued now, though that is understandable, as it is rare to hold ownership over two of the ancient vaults, meaning two ancient families.
"Present the keys for verification" he quickly extended the keys over the counter, wary of allowing any part of myself too close to the, typically, hostile being.
GrimGrin held the keys over a shining metal plate, the surface of which was a lattice of intersecting Rune matrices, before they both shined with a dim, gold light, signifying their authenticity.
"Very well" he returned them before barking out in a strict voice "Grinder! Cart service, lower levels!"
Many of the customers surrounding him attempted to discretely discern who he was, no doubt wondering why a child of all people would need access to one of the old vaults, but it didn't matter a moment later when a goblin who followed the typical stereotypes, unlike the last one, arrived. He was motioned onward, where they traversed the halls of the accountants and managers, before coming to a rail track holding the standard transportation within Gringotts' halls.
He sat, before allowing Nagini to coil around the guard rail for support -I appologissse for making you participate in thisss, but we both know that you would not allow me to be alone with a goblin, without your protection-
-I ssshall be fine with thisss, for I have done it many timesss before Tom lossst his human ssshell- he sighed, knowing this already, but not liking it either.
The goblin spoke, extending his hand "Your key, so that we may finish this in a more efficient time" he spoke of the cart's rune pad similar to the teller's, acting as a key to allow the cart to enter the restricted zone of the lower vaults.
The goblin, Grinder, Harry recalled the name, took them and nodded before they were screaming down the track towards destination. The excitement may not have shown in his face or posture, but it simmered just underneath, frothing as it tried to escape him. He would finally be able to don the heir rings of his two families, something that can only be done at eleven when the internal magic of the heir stabilizes. There were some rather gruesome stories held in the library about those who attempted to let the stored magic in the rings attach to them before it was ready. He shuddered, losing his magic would be the least of his worries if that were to occur.
He was knocked from his thoughts when the cart screeched to a halt before a tall, black door flanked by life-sized statues of the Gaunt family animal, the Basilisk. Grinder shot him a nasty grin, possibly hoping he would be maimed for being a wizard he mused, before telling him what was needed to enter the vault.
"Bare the key to the sentinels, coated in your blood. Should your tithe be accepted, they will stand down and allow you entrance, but should they deny it..." he obviously wanted the second situation, based off of that hungry gleam in his eye. He nodded.
He walked forward, Nagini trailing slightly behind as to not interfere, and stopped before the statues that had begun to animate at his presence. He quickly used his wand to cause a small cut on his palm, settling the key there to allow it to be coated. Once he decided it was truly slathered in his life, he healed the cut with a willed burst of magic to his palm and offered the item of interest before the snouts of the stone beasts.
Two sibilant voices hissed in unison -Ye, child of the blood of the Gauntsss. Thy claim takesss and holdsss without trickery before the ssstandardsss of the originalsss. Thou are't declared the heir of the line. Take, now, the ring which proclaimsss your title and make proud thine ancessstorsss- before the two returned to their original positions and lie dormant once again.
He was startled when Nagini nuzzled his cheek -You have done well, my hatchling. Now we know that what we ssspoke of to the two professsors is correct. HE wasss denied accesss to thisss vault and the title, for hisss blood was tainted by the black ritualsss in which he partook. The Gaunt magic truly and sssingularly liesss with you now- she sounded so proud, it touched him and he smiled, just as happy.
He stroked her large head, silently marveling at the ring positioned on his left index finger. It was a white-gold band engraved with runes to contain a large portion of the family magic, and the large onyx gleamed under the torches lighting the area. He had already gained a connection to the Gaunt magic through the rune on his forehead, but that was just that, a connection. Now he could feel the magic within the ring curling inside of him, interacting with his own magic and strengthening his bond with it.
He turned from his musing to the, now, slightly nervous Grinder who was watching him with hawk-like intensity "I wish to proceed to the next vault, if you have no more business here" Grinder startled at his voice, but regained himself and nodded solemnly. Hmmm, watching the ceremony must have gotten to him more than he thought.
The trip to the Peverell vault was short, and he was able to see the facade that his patriarchal ancestors had chosen to represent themselves with. Unlike with the other, this one had no statues, but a row of columns on either side.
"To access this vault, you must allow your magic infused blood to come in contact with the center of the crest upon the door. We do not know what will occur after that, for it is to be unknown to all who lay claim." Grinder informed.
He nodded, before coming up to the Peverell crest, the symbol of the Hallows surrounding it. As his blood came in contact with the vault, all sound ceased as if it were never there in the first place, and he froze in place, much like he had been petrified. His breath chilled and came out in a fog, which he numbly realized was similar to the effects of a Dementor's presence.
From behind came a powerful yet arrogant voice, but it was airy and hollow as well "You may be young, but your magic is formidable, your skill praiseworthy. For your fortitude, you are accepted."
Another voice, this time so full of grief that it made his heart ache "You have known love in your life, from multiple sources, yet you have also known loss. For your perseverance, you are accepted."
Yet again a voice toned, one humble but filled with pride well deserved "You have had fame and fortune, yet you have stayed humble and kind. For your character, you are accepted, heir Peverell."
As though the world began to turn again, sound became apparent, his frozen body was able to move again, and the horrible chill disappeared, letting him sigh in relief. He turned sharply, searching for any source of the the voices he heard, but there was nothing except for a curious Grinder and Nagini looking at him from the cart. Attempting to regain his composure, he breathed deeply and calmed his mind, employing occlumency to aid him. He felt nothing off about himself, other than a new weight on his right hand.
His eyes snapped to his hand, where he saw a golden ring, holding a peridot embossed with the symbol of the Hallows. It had to be the Peverell heir ring, he felt giddy. He had both of his rings now and felt the truly awe inspiring feel of the weight of both his family magics mingling within him, strengthening as they felt familiarity in the other.
He quickly strode bock to the cart "I have finished my business, Grinder. May we both depart to the surface?" the goblin nodded before returning to the conductors podium.
Nagini raised her head towards him as she re-wrapped herself around the rail -We could sssee nothing different from when you approached the vault, to when you ssseemed to freeze for a moment. What happened, hatchling?- she was curious, but concerned as well, which warmed him,
He smiled at his companion -I do not truly know myssself, but voicesss ssspoke to me of my worth, before calling me heir Peverell and vanissshing. It is curiousss, but I believe they were ssspiritsss-
She looked even more curious at that, but he couldn't blame her. It was entirely possible that the guard of the ring had something to do with the Necromantic properties of the family magic, just as parseltongue was used as the guard for the Gaunt's.
The trip back to the surface was done in relative silence as both he and she pondered over the fact that he was now truly considered the heir to both of his families, giving him greater rights in Wizarding Britain. For now that his two rings had declared him worthy, he had gained what was truly his main goal: Emancipation.
Within the hierarchy of the Wizengamot, those who are the last of their lines are to be considered mature enough to take care of themselves when they turn eleven, given they had someone of age to sponsor them, and those who are given this privilege are also allowed to proclaim a voice for their hereditary seats on the governing body. He had quite the plan for his proxy, he smirked.
This was the reason that he had not come out to the public and government as being alive for all this time, they would have forced him to be raised by an 'upstanding citizen'. He had no delusions of who he would be taken to if he was forced into a family, Voldemort's lackeys held great political clout and even bigger pocket books to sway others.
Nagini had told him that there was no way he was going to be trapped in danger in one of 'the boot-licker's greedy claws', and he definitely agreed with her that that would be a really bad situation, he shuddered thinking of some of the things she had told him about the Death Eaters.
Diagon Alley was bustling as he exited the bank, but he was sure, given earlier reactions, that he would have no problem navigating to the different stores with Nagini to act as a deterrent.
With that in mind, he made his way towards Madame Malkin's robe shop to pick up his specially tailored school robes, which she crafted using spells to later gain the color of the house the student was sorted into. Walking in, he noticed the many different styles of robes he could see, some interesting, some bizarre, before he was pulled from his thoughts by a voice.
"Welcome, young man. Are you in need of Hogwarts uniforms?" The speaker was a cheerful, plump woman with kind eyes and smile lines, showing her happy disposition. Though, they nervously shifted to Nagini, who had decided to follow along after him on the ground.
He smiled reassuringly at the witch "Yes ma'am, I think I'll need five in silk, please. And don't worry about her, she's my familiar and won't attack anything that dosen't harm me." Malkin visibly relaxed at that, then shored herself up and gained a professional look, showing that she was a true businesswoman.
She nodded "Right then, shall we head to the back and take your measurements? And we have three styles of silk to choose from: Acromantula, Flubberworm, and muggle silk from the Orient."
He thought for a moment "Hmmm, I would like acromantula silk, please, but I'm only in need of the outer robe and tie containing the charms you place. I have all other necessary clothing for my uniform at my home." He really did, there being an acromantula colony on the grounds at the Sanctuary that Click took silk from to make all of Harry's clothes.
She gave him an appraising look before she spoke "Very well then, come with me to the back and we shall see to taking your measurements." She led him behind a curtain at the back of the shop, to a room where a young man around his age was already having his measurements taken by an assistant.
As he stepped up, the two discretely eyed the other in an assessing manner. The boy had very light, almost platinum, blond hair slicked back with a gel of some form. He had a narrow, sharp face associated with purebloods that was held in an arrogant look, attempting cool dignity. He spied the heir ring on his finger and came to the realization that this was Lucius Malfoy's son, a man Nagini said was sly like a snake, but too self-important to be worth consideration. It seemed he had been teaching his son the same lessons, he mused.
The Malfoy heir obviously spied his heir rings too, if the slight widening of his eyes was any indication. The boy drew himself up haughtily, probably assuming that he was of a lesser house, the crests of his families not something seen for a long time.
"Howarts too?" So he decided to fish for information, hmmm.
He turned to the boy "Yes, I am here for my outer robes and ties, as I already have tailored outfits to match the uniforms at the manor." He had learned well from Nagini that you dealt with these types by flaunting superiority. It made them listen when you spoke.
The boy looked intrigued at that, and slightly irritated. Maybe because he had to stand here for all of his clothing to be prepared? "Ah, I'm here with father who is dealing with business, and mother who is looking at wands." He stuck out his hand "I'm Draco Malfoy, heir Malfoy" He looked so proud of that, puffing up. It was amusing
He grabbed the hand a shook it firmly "Harrison, heir Gaunt, heir Peverell"
Draco looked confused for a moment, before it cleared, shaking back as firmly as he.
"I haven't heard of those families before...?" Ah, that was what caused the confusion.
He nodded "I would be surprised if you had. The Peverell family supposedly dissipated around five-hundred years ago. The Gaunt family lost much of its prominence in the past century or so. They became rather reclusive, hiding away from the rest of the world, and the last member died in '81."
Draco blinked "Huh, I'll have to ask father for more about them when we return home."
"Your father is Lucius Malfoy, is he not? He is a rather well-known Lord in the Wizengamot." Draco looked to be getting defensive before he continued "He has recently promoted more separatist legislation, something about the closing of all entrances to the muggle world."
Draco seemed to relax again "Yes, he finds that having entrances that may be found by the muggles to be disastrous. Why have them when all witches of age can apparate or floo?" It seemed he followed his father's teaching and politics well.
He hummed distractedly "Well, what of the muggleborns and orphans that reside in the muggle world? They can't apparate and most have no access to the floo network. How would they access our world if not for the entrances?" He tested the waters on Draco's view of those not of pureblood, seeing if he followed Lucius to that end as well.
Draco sniffed as though disgusted "Why should we cater to the whims of mudbloods? They are a scourge to society and need to be thrown out, before they taint the Pureblood lines further."
There was quiet when he finished speaking, causing him to look around for the problem. He wished he hadn't.
Harry was glaring at the bigot coldly, while Nagini, who had been resting out of sight, rose to her rather considerable hight, hissing menacingly at the boy who had insulted her hatchling. Malkin and the assistant had gone rigid, pale at the threatening image, and Draco looked as though his blood had left his body entirely, he had paled so much.
Harry spoke lowly, softly in a way that made it all the more cold and deadly "My mother was a muggleborn, killed by Voldemort when I was young. She had been recruited to the Unspeakables, working in the Department of Mysteries, yet you would consider her beneath you? For that matter, Voldemort, the paragon of the Pureblood dogma, was destroyed by a halfblood, Harry Potter. Albus Dumbledore, the defeater of Grindelwald, the only one Voldemort feared is a halfblood. What do say to that?"
The two workers were watching intently, not daring to speak in this moment. Draco looked a little panicked, searching for an answer but not finding one. Finally he seemed to collect himself enough to sneer shakily, before he turned to Malkin.
"Are you finished?" she nodded distractedly, before he stepped from the stool he was on and stormed out through the curtain.
He and Nagini calmed when he was out of sight, before he turned to Malkin, looking apologetic.
"I'm sorry that we may have caused trouble for you." She blinked once before she smiled gently back at him.
"Not many people would have the courage to stand up to someone like Lucius Malfoy, so don't worry about it. I'm a halfblood who has had to deal with prejudice ever since I opened my shop, so it warms me to see someone so young have such a strong conviction."
He thought society was in a bad way if it was a surprise to see someone stand up for themselves, but now he had the chance to speak his mind and begin to make waves.
The Boy-Who-Lived, Heir Gaunt, Heir Peverell, Harrison James Potter was going to return, and with him, there would be changes...
He would make sure of it.