Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own any non-canon, OC, and fictional magic.

A/N: Oh y'all are a gem! Thank you for your kind words. As always, reviews are a welcome currency and motivation. I understand that we want some Harry and Hermione...so I will reward us with a little bit. Enjoy!

P.S. I think in the next few days I am going to review all the chapters for GSP. Please let me know if there are any gaps in my storytelling with the facts in my AU for the storyline. I want my FanFiction to be the best I can make it :-).

Ch. XIII: Legalese Part II

Harry Potter awoke earlier than usual and moved with a lifetime of practiced stealthy movements of living at the Dursleys.

He hesitated at his trunk. Opening it slowly, he gave quiet sigh of relief at not finding the folio filled with his parents' demise. Harry knew he could trust Sirius...it was just Harry purposefully did not look in his trunk last night for fear of what he had seen. Dobby's compassionate expression shamed Harry a little when the House-Elf handed him his bedclothes. He grabbed carefully folded clothing from the trunk and slowly closed it. Living in the Dursleys made him unnaturally neat. Although, Harry could admit being neat helped him to be quick whenever he overslept at Hogwarts.

Harry frowned as he changed with the dim morning light and picked up Dudley's worn messenger bag. I don't know why I sleep so much at Hogwarts...He did not like it. He felt like he never had time anymore. Time to properly do his homework. Or time to enjoy playing Quidditch.

Oh no...Harry's thoughts trailed off in horror.

Oliver is going to kill me...if Snape doesn't finish me off first. He thought stressed. The raven-haired boy made his way to Gryffindor Common Room.

He glanced at the large lion-shaped clock reading 4:37 a.m.

Harry made his way to Hermione's favorite spot and started working diligently on his Potions essay. He had one more foot to add before completion.

Hermione awoke and rolled her eyes. She could not return to sleep. Something bothered her deeply.

Or rather someone.

The young witch got up and barely registered Crookshanks' weight as he rolled over to take her warmth by her pillow.

She pursed her lips. She did not have any friends other than Harry and Ron. Sure, she got along well enough with Ginny.

But again, Hermione thought dismayed. It's all thanks to Harry I have friends at all.

Silently, she readied for the day. She grabbed a book for cursed scars and its effects on their victims. She never left anywhere without her Black Quill. She hoped to use it while she made notes since it was by far the most expensive trinket she owned. Hermione knew it cost a fortune since it was made out of platinum with the House's crest on it.

Harry's scar bothers me. She thought. And he never shared what happened yesterday to spook him so badly. Maybe I shouldn't ask this time?

It was not like the young witch was trying to change her friend in any way. Nor was she ashamed of him for having his survival stamped on his face. Rather, she was very worried about the long-term effects having a cursed scar had on her friend. Hermione recalled their earlier conversations before they instigated in what she internally called 'Operation Guardian,' in her head.

Hermione started when she saw her friend in her space.

He looks so tense. She thought, biting her lip. She purposefully hid her book behind her.

"Harry?" Hermione whispered.

The young wizard froze and slowly turned around. His emerald eyes squinting at her and some of the tension faded.

"Hey you," Harry whispered back. "What are you doing up so early?"

"Oh, I couldn't sleep." Hermione hedged as she made her way toward him.

Pausing, she set her book face down so Harry would not see the title as Harry scooted over to share the bench with her. She turned his parchment closer to her looked over his work.

Harry gulped. Hermione was the closest she had ever been to him without hugging him.

Harry loved her hugs. Actually, he loved her hugs along with Mrs. Weasley's and now Sirius'.

It is strange for the child. He could not understand his reason for liking Hermione's hugs so much. As for Mrs. Weasley, he figured it was because she was the first adult whoever willingly hugged him since primary school. As for Sirius...it almost felt like having a parent. Each special in their own way.

He noticed her bushy brunette hair was a little more flyaway than usual since she had just woken up.

Harry shivered slightly, and frowned. For some reason, he felt very cold since yesterday. It did not dissipate. At best, he felt lukewarm.

Hermione felt like sunshine and warmth beside him.

Shaking his head he asked her something about the 'Eye of Newt,' mixing with a toad's tongue for the General Wart Remover Potion*.

Hermione had her own thoughts running several miles a minute as she multi-tasked answering his question while noting his shivering.

Before she could comment on it, Hedwig flew by and dropped letters for the children.

"Hello Hedwig," the children chorused. Innocently seeking each other's company by moving subconsciously closer as Harry reached to stoke Hedwig's feathers.

She nibbled his finger affectionately and brushed a wingtip on Hermione's cheek before flying off to a much-deserved rest in the Owlery.

Hermione and Harry glanced at each other as they reached for their respective letters from 'Snuffles,' and Harry pocketed Ron's letter until he would see him in a few hours' time along with The Marauder's Map to put in his trunk.

Harry opened his and quickly scribbled a note. He frowned at his hand. His hand had a slight quiver to it all of a sudden which meant his normally bad penmanship was ragged. He shook his head. Must be writing too much.

Well too late now. Harry thought, shrugging. It's still legible.

Dear Snuffles,

Oh yes! I'd love to see my young friend again! May I see you, too? We met during the summer after some wizards tried to take her to a place called 'Knockturn Alley.' I didn't like the look of them so I threw my shoe at their faces.

And eventually we met Mr. Griphook and somehow Director Ragnok let me become a friend? I'm not entirely sure what the fuss was about at the time but Bill Weasley (Ron's biggest brother) works as a Curse-Breaker there? (I'm not sure what that entails, either.) But, it seemed like I could teach her Gobstones and Hide-and-Go-Seek.

I hope to see you both!

Prongslet.

Harry frowned. He did not want to like to Sirius. However, he was not so sure he would be OK to leave for the weekend. If only because of Quidditch.

He shook his head. I can't worry about that now...I don't want to serve detention with Snape. He nearly jumped out of his skin as the clock chimed 7:15 a.m.

Hermione looked at her letter asking her for her timetable along with any advice or concerns she may have regarding Harry. Glancing at her friend's renewed focus in his Potions essay she wrote with her House peacock quill while borrowing some parchment from him and she copied her timetable in her neat cursive hand.

Dear Snuffles,

Here's a copy of my timetable. Harry never said what was bothering him last night and I don't think I should ask him now. He seems very tense. I'm not going to lie to you, Snuffles.

Something seems really off about him. I can't help worrying about his scar and I've been reading up on some cursed scar books I found in the library. It just seems odd.

Last year, his scar bothered him so much. He said it burned and gave him terrible headaches and it never hurt him before. Now, it seems to have gotten mysteriously silent. Perhaps it's nothing?

I know you'll always have his best interests at heart. But Snuffles? Harry won't tell you anything if he's in pain. Ron usually can tell better than I can. And, Harry gets really morose and moody a lot when something bothers him he won't tell anyone.

And I must confess something. I purposefully kept Ron in the dark. I know it's not right. But, it seemed like the best policy at the time. Ron doesn't know anything about you at all until your latest letter was seen by him from Hedwig yesterday.

Poinsettia.

Perhaps you're just a ninny wit. Hermione thought in askance. But, it's already written now. She sealed her letter.

Hermione took Harry's letter and raised her eyebrows as she pocketed her peacock quill.

"Oh right." Harry muttered. "Dobby?"

Pop!

"Yous be calling Dobby Master Harry Potter and Master Harry Potter's My-My?" Harry blushed as Hermione frowned curiously.

"Yes, could you take this over to Snuffles?"

Dobby nodded and smiled as he snapped his fingers leaving behind croissants, fruit, cheese and hot tea for the children to have something.

Harry quickly went back to his essay as Hermione pulled the book to her. She carefully charmed the book from under the table to read as Hogwarts, A History cover.

The young witch did not like keeping secrets from her best friend. However, she felt it necessary so she did not worry him.

They worked in companionable silence with an occasional question from Harry as he finished his essay and ate between bites with her as the rest of Gryffindor Tower awoke.

The young wizard stretched and put Ron's letter on his nightstand with a light shake on the shoulder. "Breakfast won't serve you here." He told his friend cheekily as the redhead scowled but groggily looked at the letter from Snuffles.

Unlike Hermione's letter, Sirius simply requested Ron's timetable so he would know when a good time would be to reach out to them should the need arise.

Lazily, Ron took out his wand simply used a Carbon Copy Charm* onto a blank parchment with nothing additional to the letter. Harry took it from him as he replaced The Marauder's Map in his trunk. When he turned around the letter disappeared before his eyes in soft smokey swirls.

He looked around him but none of the other Gryffindor boys noticed anything out of the oridinary.

Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Harry thought unnerved. Gulping, he went back to Hermione.

Madam Amelia Susan Bones Apparated to Bones Manor first.

Her square jaw tightened.

"Golden pearl," She said to the Director's Seal.

It whisked her away to the conference room as promised in the letter from Ragnok.

"Director Ragnok," Amelia said courteously with a slight inclination of her head as she acknowledged the much shorter Goblin in his own territory.

"Madam Bones," Ragnok responded in kind as he lead her to sit at his conference table. He had Capt. Lockjaw and Lawyer Flameclaw by his side. All three of them surreptitiously tapped twice for their Gobbledygook Tapping machines as they sat down across from the Head of the DMLE.

"I will get straight to the point," he announced. "We wanted to know if Sirius Black received a trial?"

Amelia bristled. "Why wouldn't he?" she demanded.

"Our records indicate he did not. We do an annual audit on Azkaban prisoners' fortunes here in the Bank as a part of our standard operation procedure." Ragnok answered smoothly. "All prisoners have their trial date set beside their audits."

He nodded to Flameclaw who produced an official-looking audit of the House of Black. It did not indicate the Black Family Fortune since Ragnok had the authority to blur those personal figures while within the bank.

Frowning, Amelia adjusted her monocle.

Audit No. 7895864―House of Black

Prisoner No.: Unknown

Prisoner-of-Record: Sirius Orion Black

Heir Apparent to the House of Black

Trial Date: Unknown

Trial Verdict: Unknown

Family Fortune: Inaccessible since 1985 due to Lord Arcturus Nigellus Black's* Living Will until such time as his Heir Apparent has reached the age of majority, his death proceeds Lord Arcturus Nigellus Black's. Otherwise no member of the House of Black outside of Sirius or Sirius' Heir may access the Family Vaults.

Lord Arcturus Nigellus Black's death date: Nov. 9, 1991.
Heir Apparent Sirius Orion Black's age of majority: Nov. 3, 1976.

Heir Apparent Sirius Orion Black's imprisonment: Oct. 31, 1981.

Amelia's expression could only be described as outraged surprise. She knew as well as the Goblins that all prisoners would have to give their fortunes to the bank if its Lord and Lady did not have an Heir Apparent.

"Our records self-update in accordance with Wizarding Law," Ragnok continued. "Since there hasn't been an update from the Department," he said significantly, "then these funds have been gathering interest without access from anyone aside from the Account Manager." He inclined his head to Capt. Lockjaw.

"Account Manager Jawcracker passed away from a heart attack recently," Capt. Lockjaw said without preamble. "And therefore, we cannot assign a new Account Manager until the Wizarding Records Department updates us. For it is very bad for business, Madam Bones."

"So it would be," she muttered. Her mind raising as she reread the audit. "May I have a copy of this?"

The Goblins straightened and stared at her. "We've tried to reach out to you before Madam Bones," Capt. Lockjaw said stiffly. "However, when I brought the Director's Seal to your Department," He puffed his chest. "I was rebuffed by Auror Dawlish."

Amelia closed her eyes briefly. You idiot! She would have words with Dawlish. He could have jeopardized everything between the Goblins and the Ministry.

"I shall have that rectified immediately and review our training," she said crisply as she returned the document. "And I will personally check the Records Room to see for myself where his trial would be."

"We will be in contact with you alone, Madam Bones." Ragnok said smoothly. "May I send you a Gringotts owl to your residence? To be ensured it falls into your hands?"

Amelia pursed her lips but gave a curt nod. It went against protocol; but she understood she had her wand in a knot due to Dawlish's gaffe. Rising, she thanked the Goblins for bringing this negligence to her attention and she was allowed to use the Director's personal Floo as she returned the Director's Seal to him.

"Bones Manor!" She said clearly, engulfed by emerald flames.

"Figgy!" She called her House-Elf. "I need lunch please and then I need you to take a message for me to my secretary. I will be out-of-the-office for the remainder of the day."

It's time to see for myself what's really going on. She thought decisively. I'll need to make a stop to see Moody and ask his opinion first.

Ragnok looked at his Team. "Game set," he said showing fangs.

"And matched." Capt. Lockjaw and Flameclaw echoed the Goblin maxim together.

References: The Carbon Copy Charm must exist but I named it as such. Same for the General Wart Remover Potion.

I made up Arcturus' middle name along with all the legalese written by the Goblins.

Harry will be realizing some changes due to the Basilisk covering his core (*hint hint*) I should be able to pick up some action in the coming chapters between the Golden Trio and of course Sirius/Dumbledore plotting. Keep up the reviews :-).