The Bonds That Tie
It was now January 6th, and time for students to return to Hogwarts until the next holiday break, which was going to be Easter. However, it was 10:15 am as the Malfoy family was preparing to take Draco to King's Cross to send him back to school. The other death eaters had gone home after yesterday with Harry showing up to protect Severus from being punished by an angry dark lord. Of course, Voldemort was never really angry, but he felt Severus was being foolish, awful, and very stubborn to Harry. Voldemort had only wanted to get Severus to admit that what occurred between himself and Harry was purely an accident and then go talk to the boy to work things out. It was completely unexpected that Harry showed up before Voldemort even finished the casting of the cruciatus curse, disarmed the dark lord and warned him that if he tried to hurt Severus again; he'd kill him without hesitation. The threat was obviously understood. More came to light as Harry ended up removing Severus's dark mark and further explained that while they were bonded; they were not mated because the entire process couldn't be completed until Harry changed Severus into a vampire, so that it could truly make them mates for life. As things stood now, they were bonded together by a form of binding that was old, special, and rare. A bond that formed of its own accord without Severus or Harry initiating such happened when soulmates came together.
It was still unknown how things would play out, but Harry informed Severus that it was in the man's best interest to just accept it. Harry told Severus that he wouldn't bother him about the bond and to take his time processing; Harry understood it was a lot to take in. They'd unexpectedly become bound for life in a single night of pleasure when Severus went to Harry's room to try and feed him, but ended up only making Harry unable to hold his control and so things got intimate between them. However, after Harry told Severus to take whatever time he needed to; he ended up excusing himself from everyone's presence and leaving again without a word as to where or what he was doing, but they knew Harry had said he was in the middle of something important. Severus, of course, ended up leaving to ponder on the last week or so and then Voldemort dismissed the death eaters, who left to wherever they were staying. The only death eaters who lived at the Malfoy's residence was Bellatrix, who was married to Rodolphus and then Rabastan Lestrange, who was Rodolphus's brother. Of course, the dark lord himself stayed all the time too and Lucius found it to be an honor to house his lord, as did Narcissa. They felt better about it now that Voldemort wasn't on his major power and murder trip; the man actually wanted to make the world a better place.
Or, he always had and was just going about it the wrong way. No one knew, or really cared. At the moment, those staying at Malfoy Manor were just wondering where Harry was; he'd said he would be back today if not last night.
"Is Severus joining us for drop off?" Lucius asked his wife.
"I invited him, he said he would consider it." Narcissa admitted.
"Any word on Harry?" Voldemort inquired.
"Nothing, but he said he'd return today…" Draco replied. "We're returning to Hogwarts, I'd hoped he'd be back by now."
"We've said that he doesn't really need the schooling and I wouldn't want to go back to the place I was attacked," Bellatrix shrugged. "Dumbledore isn't going to stop."
"Neither will Harry and Albus doesn't know what he's actually up against." Voldemort chuckled. "You three go ahead. I'm sure Harry will get himself to Hogwarts if he misses the train."
With that, Lucius and Narcissa apparated with Draco to King's Cross.
. . .
Harry had been very busy since the morning after the bond was discovered between himself and Severus. Harry first went in researching the types of bonds between creatures of the dark, then types of bonds where one formed on its own. When not much came from his reading; Harry located the vampire who had turned him to get answers; it had taken quite a bit of resources to find the man, but Harry did. Harry never saw the guy's face, but he knew his voice and scent and definitely where to find him again if necessary. Harry spent the entire three days there getting answers on the bond with Severus, and many more things, including some ability training. The bastard was hard enough to track down, and told the older vampire that he better not vanish again because it was already a dick move to change him and bail. The vampire promised Harry he wasn't going anywhere and if he should like to visit, train, or talk again; he could come any time.
Right now, Harry was at Gringotts because he hadn't forgotten what he told Voldemort and Severus he would do to help the cause of fixing the world over holiday break. Harry entered the bank under a red cloak and located the desk where Griphook sat.
"What can I do for you?" Griphook asked.
Harry only brought the hood back slightly to show Griphook who he was. "Can we talk, privately?" Harry asked.
"Right this way, Mr. Potter," Griphook got down from the desk and motioned for Harry to follow him into the back offices. Griphook took a seat as Harry did too, and removed his hood fully. "There hadn't been a need to hide yourself in here, Mr. Potter…"
"There was. I'm keeping a low profile…" Harry informed.
"Understandable. Now, what may I help you with today, Mr. Potter?" Griphook asked.
"Well, a while back I came here with Lucius Malfoy to sort out some things with my vaults…We requested a summary of accounts, and never received that information…" Harry mentioned.
"Odd. I sent it out at the end of October…With your bonded house elf, as we had agreed to do. You didn't receive the information?" Griphook asked.
"We did not, I'm afraid…" Harry shook his head.
"Is it possible that Albus Dumbledore interfered? I recall him being a…Problem from your last visit." Griphook inquired.
"Dobby is bonded to me, so I don't see why he would answer to Albus…But let's find out." Harry sighed. "Dobby!"
His friend popped right into the room and stood next to Harry's chair. "What can Dobby do fors Harry Potter?"
"You received documents from Griphook to bring me back in October?" Harry wondered.
"Oh, yes! Dobby was called to Griphook to bring yous papers." Dobby nodded.
"And did you deliver those papers, or did anyone call you and your forgot or lost them?" Harry asked.
"Dobby was called by the headmaster when having the documents, and Dobby hadn't yet been bonded to Harry Potter…" Dobby said.
"So you didn't deliver the papers to Malfoy Manor?" Griphook pushed.
"Headmaster said he would do it for Dobby, but Dobby had to get back to work for students to come." Dobby informed.
"So Albus has those papers?" Harry inquired.
"Yes. Dobby is sorry, Harry Potter." Dobby hit himself.
"Stop that…" Harry told his elf gently. "It's not your fault. Meddlesome old fool…"
"Well, that answers why you never received them. But not to worry, Mr. Potter…I took precautions to enchant those documents to not be seen by anyone but you. On the off chance they were intercepted…All Albus Dumbledore can see are blank sheets." Griphook assured. "I promise he cannot break the enchantments on them, so I'm sure that's left him frustrated to be unknowing to what communications you have with us."
"It does set me at more ease…Oh, Dobby, you can return to the manor now. Don't tell anyone you've seen me. Also, can you get my school things packed up in my trunk and leave it on my bed? Send Hedwig to the Hogwarts Owlery?" Harry hoped.
"Yes, sir! Dobby can do's that." Dobby popped away from the room.
"I have another copy of those documents for you, Mr. Potter…" Griphook summoned a folder to him and set it on the desk before sliding it forward to Harry. "A full summary of all accounts before they'd been combined into one and as previously requested, everything is separated within the vault." He informed. "We moved it all into your Potter vault, and this the key," He held up a gold object."
"Perfect, I'd been wondering when I'd get this." Harry grinned.
"I had sent word in a general letter that was with all the documents that your key was ready and the moving of everything into one account was done." Griphook stated. "I'm pleased you decided to come on your own to inquire about things."
"It had seemed off to me that we didn't hear anything months after the visit, but I also had another reason to come…" Harry paused. "I wanted to know if there are any properties that belonged to my ancestors that have now been passed to me?"
Griphook located Harry's folder and flipped through the sheets. "I do have here a list of properties you've inherited when becoming both lord to several lines and also being the last Potter." He informed calmly. "Would you like to go over it?"
"Please?" Harry nodded.
"To start with the lesser list, you inherited Twelve Grimmauld Place after the death of Sirius Black." Griphook said.
"I knew about that one…He told me he left everything to me…" Harry nodded.
"As Lord Slytherin, you've inherited everything that belonged to Salazar Slytherin. This includes the Chamber of Secrets and secret room/study/library inside Hogwarts." Griphook informed.
"I didn't know he had a secret room aside the Chamber of Secrets…" Harry thought aloud. "Where is it?"
"It doesn't say where the secret room is, just that it's inside Hogwarts. If I had to make a guess, Salazar Slytherin wouldn't want anyone but his own heirs and descendants having access to it." Griphook mentioned.
"I've been inside Slytherin common room and their dorms since becoming lord, nothing has appeared to me or given me reason to believe I'm near a secret location…It might be down in the chamber itself, I've never really explored it…" Harry shrugged. "Something to pass my nights with since I don't sleep. Moving on…" He motioned for Griphook to continue.
"The Peverell family home resides in Godric's Hollow, and you've inherited that. And I'm sure you've assumed by now that you have received your parents' home, Potter Cottage, in Godric's Hollow as well." Griphook stated as Harry nodded. "There is a small house in Stinchcombe, Gloucestershire; it belonged to your ancestor, Linfred of Stinchcombe, also known as the Potterer, and eventually, the name that got passed down to you, Potter. As you know, Linfred was a master potioneer and responsible for potions still used today."
"I've only just found out about that actually." Harry admitted.
"Well, that house still stands," Griphook stated. "Then there is Potter Palace/Castle. It's a manor, but your ancestors named it what they did. Linfred left his seven children a small fortune when he died, the fortune he started with those potions he created and from his work as a healer to the people in the village. They are the ones who bought the manor, and lived together as a family for so many years, through marriages and kids of their own." He explained calmly. "There isn't much on six of the children, but Hardwin Potter, Linfred's oldest son, married the granddaughter to Ignotus Peverell, Iolanthe married which is the link that connects your families."
"And where is Potter Manor?" Harry inquired.
"It's unlisted as it's under the Fidelius Charm, but you as the last member of the Potter family, have been made secret keeper." Griphook stated.
"But if I do not know the location, how am I keeper of its location?" Harry asked.
"The only note listed with these papers is that the secret keeper can find it," Griphook said. "Now…I can arrange portkeys to Godric's Hollow and the one in Stinchcombe. I'm afraid, with Potter Manor, Mr. Potter, you're on your own. The only assistance I can offer is to perhaps see if your Potter Lordship ring can connect you to it. There are some instances where the rings to a set family line are portkeys to family homes, but I know not if yours is one, nor how it's activated."
"That's alright. I'm content with just the knowledge it exists. I'll locate it on my time. And I'll take the portkeys to the others you can get me, please?" Harry asked.
"I'll take care of that right now. Wait here a moment or two," Griphook got down from the desk and left the office as Harry sat back, fingering his Potter/Slytherin ring. While waiting, Harry started looking over the summary of accounts, using a quill on the desk to mark some things or ask about eventually. It was beyond 11:00 am now, Harry definitely missed the train. That was fine, Harry could find it during the journey to Hogwarts, or simply show up in Hogsmead to wait for the others to come later tonight. Griphook returned and took his seat before placing down a necklace. "Similar to a charm bracelet, this is a charm necklace. This charm will take you to Godric's Hollow, you simply have to touch it and say either Peverell or Potter to get to the two houses there. This one will take you to Stinchcombe under the activation word Potioneer."
"Perfect," Harry nodded as he took the necklace and got it around his neck, then hid the chain and charms inside his shirt.
"Is there anything else I can help you with today, Mr. Potter?" Griphook asked.
"No, that was all for today, Griphook. Thank you." Harry told him.
"Then until next time we do business," Griphook said.
"Until next time. I'll reach out after I go over these summaries to take action if I learn of anything missing from where it was left when my parents died in 1981, to when I came with Lucius Malfoy that I did not specifically come for." Harry informed.
"I await your letter." Griphook replied.
After that, Harry walked out of the office with the folder and list of properties Griphook had given him and put up his hood and headed to his next destination. There was plenty of time until he needed to get to the school, so he was taking care of things now.
. . .
Harry reached the gates of the manor and headed inside to find Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Rabastan, and Voldemort sitting around. It was around 1:30 pm when he'd arrived, surprising the Malfoy parents and their guests.
"Harry!" Narcissa was to her feet first to rush over and pull her adoptive son into a tight embrace. "We've been so worried."
"I'm alright, Mrs. Malfoy," Harry reassured.
"Oh, none of that now. Call me Narcissa, or Aunt Cissy." Narcissa said with a smile. "Even mom, if you like."
"Where have you been?" Lucius asked.
"Needed time away, and had things to handle." Harry replied as he pulled a folder from his bag and gave it to Lucius. "Dumbledore interfered with us receiving the summary of my vaunts at the bank. Griphook called Dobby to bring them to me, and Albus called on Dobby to work in Hogwarts before the bonding occurred. Albus saw the file Dobby was bringing to me and offered to deliver it himself. It's why we never got it, and Griphook sent this at the end of October."
"Meddling bastard," Lucius scowled. "He knows the state of your affairs?"
"No. Griphook enchanted the documents for transit to me, just in case they were intercepted. Griphook made the documents only visible to my eyes, so all Albus saw was blank sheets of parchment." Harry informed. "These are copies of the same documents Griphook had sent, unenchanted as they went right to my hands from his." He added. "I've already started to go through most of it and marked things that need to be brought to attention. I'm leaving it to you for safe keeping until I can finish going over it. Maybe some random trips here at night, or over Easter holiday…" Harry said.
"I will file it away with your other things from our last trip to the bank," Lucius promised.
"Now…How do you plan to get to school, as the train has left?" Narcissa asked.
"I've got ways." Harry informed with a smile. "Dobby…"
"Yous called Master Harry?" Dobby said after arriving with a pop.
"Dobby, I've told you not to call me Master," Harry reminded. "Can you get my school things please?"
Dobby disappeared for a few moments, then returned with Harry's trunk. "Harry's owl has already left for Hogwarts." He informed. "Everything else is packed away in Harry's trunk."
"Thank you," Harry told his friend before shrinking his things down to miniature size and putting it in his pocket. "Guess I'm off to school now."
"Let us know when you get there? Perhaps Severus will be kind enough to let you use the floo?" Bellatrix suggested.
"I rather not bother him unnecessarily." Harry remarked calmly. "I'll use Slytherin's common room fireplace."
"You're not in Slytherin, how are you going to get in there?" Rodolphus asked.
"Well, I'm a vampire, you see. I have ways of using my cloak to hide by the entrance to figure out the password…" Harry enlightened. "But I don't need to know that because I've known the password and location of the common room since second year when I used Polyjuice potion hid under the image of Gregory Goyle to gain access with Draco never knowing the difference. And either way, Draco gave me the password on the train and said I should come visit, which Severus said was fine as long as I didn't advertise that I had access." He added afterward. "Also…Obviously Severus nor Draco has mentioned…But I am actually in Slytherin. I was re-sorted about a month after the term began."
"What?" The group asked.
"Resorted? That's never happened before…" Voldemort was surprised.
"Well, when I got moved to the dungeons; I stopped wearing my Gryffindor robes. Just wore the black ones we got with the Hogwarts emblem on the outside, and a black tie, like we did in first year before sorting." Harry explained. "Albus pulled me into his office to tell me I had to wear my house tie and robes, said it was part of the dress code and I argued that I should have to wear the colors of a house that abandoned one of their own. We went back and forth for a bit before the hat decided to step in and tell Albus that I was always meant to be in Slytherin, so that's where I would be from now on." He shrugged a bit. "So yes, I am actually in Slytherin and had the option to reside in the dorms or in my given room and I elected to stay separated as I don't want to bother any of the others with my not sleeping at night."
"Huh," Bellatrix blinked.
"You, Harry Potter, are just a bag of tricks…Aren't you?" Rabastan chuckled.
"I am rather famous at being the one person everything odd and impossible happens to," Harry said. "Now, I'm off to school. I'll let you know when I arrive."
"Thank you. Have a good couple of months until we see you again!" Narcissa kissed his forehead.
"I'll try. See you…At the end of March, I believe is Easter. Bye!" Harry then vanished from sight.