Beta Reader: Arwrite, Luke Knight, Tyler Nator and Jiya.
Chapter 4
"Hey Hermione, do you have a minute?" Harry knocked on the door of the twins' room, which Hermione had taken after George had left for London.
"Harry, are you okay? Is something bothering you?" Hermione asked gently, placing a few books in her bag.
"When will you be leaving for Australia?"
"In about five hours."
"Here, take this." Harry placed an envelope by her bed. "I had George convert some galleons into muggle money; it could be helpful on the way."
Hermione smiled grateful at the thoughtful gesture.
"Oh, Harry! You don't have to do this," Hermione curled her fingers fumbling over the golden wax seal he had clumsily placed on the envelope flap. She tried to push the envelope back towards Harry, but he stepped back hesitantly and shook his head.
"Yes, I do. You might need the money on your tour. Since you spent all your savings on us, which may I point out you didn't have to do either but you did. So...take it. It's yours."
Hermione bit her tongue glaring down at the envelope. With a sigh she dropped it into her beaded bag. She didn't want to, but she knew he wouldn't let it go.
"Will you be okay? I mean, going on your own across the world."
With a warm smile Hermione reasoned with him. "I will be fine. You don't have to worry about me."
"At least take Ron with you." Harry told her, shuffling his feet, uncomfortably gazing over her belongings which were neatly piled up. . "I'd feel better if you were with someone. What if you ran into trouble?"
"Harry Potter I think we've discovered that I can hold my own by now, don't you? As much as I would like to have Ron with me, I can't." Harry noted the slight regret in her eyes. "His family needs him right now."
"Fine," Harry said, exhaling heavily.
"Don't forget to take care of yourself Hermione, it's important." He moved toward her, reached and pulled her into a hug. "Well, I will leave you to your packing," he said, breaking apart from her.
She pulled out a parchment from her back pocket. "Harry, please take this," Hermione handed him a folded sheet of parchment. "It's regarding the sword of Gryffindor and the Gringotts break-in," she added after seeing the questioning look on his face.
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On Thursday morning when Harry walked down to the kitchen Mrs Weasley was already busy preparing breakfast. The pans on the stove were filled with sizzling rashers of bacon and several slices of bread were grilling over the open fire. The kettle whistled and began pouring out several mugs of hot tea.
"Good morning, Mrs Weasley,"
Molly turned her hands flying to her hips. Her curly ginger hair sparked and her tone was kind but slightly annoyed. "I do wish you would stop calling me Mrs Weasley, Harry. Please call me Molly."
"No son calls his mother by her name," Harry said, without thinking.
He was shocked by what he had said. 'Damn it,' he cursed under his breath when Mrs Weasley wrapped him in her arms.
"Then call me mum," she replied, tearily.
Mr Weasley entered while they were still hugging each other.
"Morning Molly. Harry," he said, kissing Mrs Weasley on the cheek.
"Morning Mr …" Trailing off, he looked towards Molly who smiled at him encouragingly. "Dad."
Mr Weasley turned his head quickly towards him. "What did you call me?" he asked just to confirm if what he heard was correct.
"I… I called you Dad, but if you don't-" before Harry could say more, Mr Weasley wrapped him in a hug as well.
"You can always call me that," he said with a tearful smile.
After breakfast, Mr Weasley and Harry wasted no time and travelled to the Ministry. It was almost empty, the horrible statue from Harry's previous visit was still standing, though there were a few people around it waving their wands over it. 'Probably trying to remove it,' he thought.
Harry was surprised when he bypassed the security check. He looked at Mr Weasley in surprise, but the older man just smiled at him. Five minutes later, they were sitting in the waiting room outside the Minister's office; Harry fiddled with the hem of his sleeves, having nothing else to do. At exactly eight o'clock, the receptionist allowed them to enter the office.
"Arthur, Harry, welcome," Kingsley welcomed them in his booming voice as he took Harrys' hand firmly in his, before shaking Arthur's too.
Standing in the office near the door he just came in. Harry could see a polished oak table to his left, covered with piles of parchment, haphazardly spread among used quills and bent nib tips.
"Excuse the state," Kingsley said. His eyes lingered over the untidy table and with a casual flick of his wand he cleared the surface.
On his right, there were two sofas and a couple of comfortable chairs surrounding a coffee table. Harry assumed it must have been easily one of the biggest offices in the Ministry.
Sitting comfortably on the sofa Kingsley encouraged Harry and Arthur to take a seat. Percy was already sitting on one of them and Kingsley sat down next to him, leaving the other for Harry and Mr Weasley. As soon as they were seated, Kingsley began.
"Harry, I called you here for a very important matter." He paused for a minute to collect his thoughts, his hands folding across his lap and began again. "After Sirius' name was cleared as a criminal, he was eligible to hold the Black family seat in the council," he said and paused again letting his words sink in. Harry nodded. He continued.
"As you are the primary heir of both the Black family, through Sirius's will, and of course the Potter family, you now hold two seats in the council. After the war, many seats were left vacant in the wizard council and it's vital you take yours."
Harry waited for Kingsley to say more, but nothing came.
Harry then asked, "You mean to say I have to sit on the Council?" His tone was full of surprise. "Surely not yet!"
"Yes, and the council meeting starts at nine. That means in fifty-five minutes. You'll need to be present," Kingsley answered with an apologetic look. "This really was a lot to ask you, but I have no choice. The wands are tied on this one, Arthur. I am sure you understand."
"What? But…. I don't… I can't just. You're asking me to sit on the council, now? When I haven't the first idea of what I'm supposed to do, or how should I act? Will there not be questions asked about why I sit in the seat of Black family, Kingsley?" Harry fixed his gaze on Arthur who looked just as shocked as Harry felt.
"Don't worry, Harry. Percy will help you," Kingsley responded nodding to Percy who neither smiled nor showed any infliction of emotional attachment toward the situation. Sensing the emotions emanating from Harry in waves, Kingsley still reiterated how important it was that Harry take his seat in the Wizengamot.
"Also, Harry, I have a quick note on your meeting later with the representative of Gringotts. Normally, the Ministry doesn't interfere with Gringotts, but I have requested the Head of Gringotts to involve myself, Bill Weasley, as well as anyone else you want there to support you on this matter."
Harry nodded, still processing everything he had heard. Council meeting? How could he be present at a council meeting?
"Now, I'll leave you with Percy to prepare for the council meeting." With that, Kingsley stood from his seat and left the room, followed by Mr Weasley. "I'll let you use my office as I have to be at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's meeting."
Left alone in the room together, Percy addressed Harry, shuffling the parchment from his briefcase onto his lap. "There isn't much time, Harry, so let's begin." When Harry nodded, Percy continued.
"There are a total of fifty-one seats on the council, held by the most prominent families," Percy explained. He passed Harry a parchment which showed a detailed list and a very complicated looking seating plan. "The Junior Under secretary to the Minister will act as coordinator. The main functions of the council are to change, modify or abandon laws and appoint the Minister of Magic." Barely pausing for a breath Percy gazed intently at the paperwork on his lap. "Harry, this is important."
"What are the responsibilities of the members, Percy?"
"Other than those I mentioned earlier," Percy said sharply. "As a member of the council, you have collective oversight responsibility. This means you are responsible for making sure the Ministry is accountable in all its actions while providing governance to the magical population of the United Kingdom."
They continued to talk for the remaining time about council protocol, the meeting's main agenda and what topics may arise during the assembly. When it was time to go, Percy gave Harry a badge upon which a large golden C was written. Harry firmly pinned it to the front of his dark blue robes.
They strolled down an ominous looking corridor where all the doors were painted in a shimmering eerie silver colour, they eventually reached the lifts. Percy pulled the gate across it which screeched loudly. He stepped into the lift and Harry followed him.
"The Council usually meets once or twice a year, but if something important comes up additional meetings can be called upon. It does not interfere with the day-to-day business of running the Ministry, but it is the supreme authority that rules Britain's magical community," Percy explained in a pompous voice.
The lift rattled and descended into the underbelly of the Ministry.
"While the Minister of Magic has the power to pass some of the laws through a ministerial decree, he doesn't have the power to override any law or decree retrospectively. Only the council can do that."
"Doesn't a ministerial decree need approval from the council?" Harry asked.
"The decree doesn't require approval from the council. It is purely at the discretion of the Minister of Magic. That's how Cornelius Fudge had passed those educational decrees, and Voldemort also used this law to pass the Muggle Commission Rule. This rule is made to help in regulating the routine work and maintain order," Percy responded with a shake of his head.
"What if the council wants to interfere or revoke the decree on its own notion?"
"It can do so if it wishes," Percy answered as they exited the lift and proceeded down the stairs to level ten.
The courtroom was slightly bigger than the one Harry had visited in his fifth year after being wrongfully accused of committing underage magic. Within five minutes, the room was filled by all the councillors.
When everyone had arrived and the doors were closed, Percy stood from his seat and began. "The Council is now in session. This meeting was called to nominate and appoint members for the remaining twenty permanent seats of the council, to elect a permanent Minister of Magic, and to discuss any other matter that is to be brought forward."
After introductions were finished, a Councillor, Jenny Parsons stood up. "In-seat order, let's nominate our candidates for the twenty empty seats and vote for them when we meet in three weeks. We will elect the next Minister of Magic after the new members have successfully joined us," she said decisively.
"I agree," said Augusta Longbottom, her little brown hat bobbing up and down as she nodded fervently.
"Me too," Mr Brown seconded.
"Shall we take the vote?" Percy asked. "Those who are opposed to the suggestion that we should meet after three weeks for the appointment of new members and the Minister of Magic, please raise your hands."
Nobody raised their hands.
"Those in favour," Percy continued.
This time, all members except two raised their hands.
Harry stood and said his piece before his courage deserted him. "I suggest Bill Weasley as the nominee from the Potter family and Hermione Granger as the nominee from the Black family."
When everyone had suggested their names, one of the councillors suggested each name should have a second option. This was also accepted unanimously and second names were suggested for each council seat.
Harry suggested Neville Longbottom and Minerva McGonagall.
Augusta Longbottom stood, facing Percy, motioning to make a statement.
"I suggest that the council move trial dates to the next immediate sitting session of the Wizengamot, following the appointment and selection of the Minister for Magic," she instructed.
"The motion is that the trials for the arrested Death Eaters take place immediately at the next sitting date of the council, do we have a second?" asked Percy, surveying the council members within the Council.
"I second this motion," Mrs Parsons declared firmly.
"Those in favour raise their hands ," Percy asked.
A vast majority of council member raised their hands, repeating their agreements with the motion, then sat back down.
"Those against, say no," asked Percy again, staring at members of the council.
This time, a small group of members stood to declare their disagreement.
"The ayes have it," declared Percy. "The motion for the immediate trials to begin at the next sitting meeting of the Wizengamot after the appointment of the Minister is confirmed. As there is no other business for the council to consider, I formally adjourn this council."
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It was noon when the meeting finally ended. Harry decided to wait in Kingsley's office until the meeting at Gringotts.
"Welcome back, Harry," Kingsley said joyfully as Harry entered the office. "Have a seat. Refreshments?" Kingsley gestured to a tray of tea and sandwiches beside him.
Harry relaxed, and picked up a sandwich, thanking Kingsley for the offer.
"Harry, may I ask whether you have thought about our discussion about your future?" Kingsley asked, after Harry had taken his first bite.
"I have thought about it and I would like to become an Auror, but only after I complete my education. I'm going back to Hogwarts this year."
"Very well, Harry. I personally wish you would join the Aurors right now, but I won't push you." His face clearly showed that he was not happy with his choice. "Have you informed Minerva yet?"
"I've sent her an owl but I suppose it may take a while for her response." Harry replied.
Kingsley with a look of urgency in his eye. "There is something I have to ask you. It is of a delicate nature. Whispers have been stirring within the Ministry. These stirrings I would quietly like to put to bed, or perhaps you could indulge me. It's urgent."
"What do you need to know?" Harry asked. He was a bit taken aback by this abrupt sudden change.
"I would like to know what you were doing during the time you were underground."
Harry eyed him carefully for a moment, weighing up the decision in his mind whether the information should really be discussed outside of himself, Ron and Hermione but decided there was no harm in sharing the details of his quest with Kingsley.
"You know Voldemort killed my parents when I was just over one year old," Harry began.
Kingsley nodded, listening closely, his amber eyes fixed on Harry.
"Do you know why my parents were targeted? Apart from the fact that they were members of the Order?"
"No, the information during the First War was always sketchy at best. Dumbledore started restricting the amount of information he allowed to be passed through to the ministry, Harry." Kingsley now looked at him with interest.
"There was a prophecy which stated that I would be the one to defeat him. He wanted to make sure that the prophecy failed, so he came after me. My parents stepped between us to protect me. He killed them, for no other reason than they were standing in his way," Harry explained, unable to hide the sadness in his voice.
The harsh reality of losing his parents so young sometimes wrapped him in pain, something he was used to by now but it still didn't get any easier thinking about how they were brutally murdered. The memories of Lily and James were told to him by others; he didn't have any memories of his own. The first war had ended the day he had defied the Dark Lord the first time.
"He couldn't kill you, could he, Harry?" Kingsley asked, curious eyes glittering as he watched the young man struggling with the serious nature of the conversation. A modicum of sympathy was reserved for Harry Potter by most wizards, looks of pity had often followed Harry throughout his teen years but Kingsley showed neither pity nor sorrow. He was genuinely listening, instead respecting Harry's decision to set out on this brave journey that lay before him.
"From what Dumbledore explained to me, my mother's sacrifice to save me created a shield that wouldn't allow Voldemort to even touch me, let alone kill me. Her love saved me. The killing curse he cast on me rebounded on him."
"The Killing Curse rebounded, like this last time? Then why didn't he die the first time?" Kingsley asked, confused by this new information.
"Because he created Horcruxes," Harry continued his voice barely above a whisper as he admitted to Kingsley the real reason Voldemort had not completely died the night he had attacked Godric's Hollow.
"Horcruxes!" Kingsley gasped. "You mean, he created more than one?"
Instead of replying, holding up his hands Harry slowly counted on seven fingers. Kingsley let out a long heavy sigh, raising his hands to his face.
"So that's what you have been doing, hunting these things?" His eyebrows raised as high as they could.
"Yes, and that's why we had to break into Gringotts and the Ministry."
A look of deep realisation spread across Kingsley's face, the dawning of the magnitude of the quest that Dumbledore had placed so unwillingly upon Harry's shoulders becoming ever more prevalent. .
"There were many rumours and missing pieces of the puzzle that I have been trying to decipher. I see what you were trying to achieve." Kingsley stroked his chin as if thinking about something.
"Thank you for letting me in on this secret, Harry,"
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"I want to have Weasleys with me for the Gringotts meeting. Where can I floo call them?" Harry asked when only a few minutes for the meeting remained.
"Who do you want to have with you?" Kingsley asked.
"Ron, his Mum and Dad, and Ginny."
"We don't have much time left for you to get everyone together. You go and get Arthur and I will contact Molly. Meet me in the Atrium," Kingsley responded.
"Thanks, Kingsley," Harry replied, and ran towards the lift.
Harry, Arthur, and Kinsley met the rest of the Weasleys at the Leaky Cauldron before walking to Gringotts. They arrived promptly at half past one. One of the Goblins stationed near the doors saw Harry Potter and ran inside, coming out moments later with another Goblin.
"Welcome, Mr Potter. Welcome, Minister Shacklebolt," said the other Goblin. "I am here to escort you to the office of the Head Goblin. Please follow me."
The floor and walls of the office were gleaming white marble mirroring its grand exterior. There were two tables, one of which was long enough for twenty people, and another, smaller one made of mahogany, at which the Head Goblin was sitting. They were waved toward the long table.
"Mr Potter, my name is Grayhawk. I called you here to discuss the matter related to your inheritance, but before we begin, I would like to inform you that due to your recent activity in which you broke into Gringotts, you, Mr Weasley and Miss Granger will not be allowed to enter Gringotts together.".
When Harry and Ron nodded, Grayhawk continued. "You will also have to pay the cost of repairs to Gringotts."
"The whole cost will be borne by me. It was my idea to break into Gringotts," Harry interrupted.
"The total comes to 11.9 million galleons,"
"What?!" Ron's voice stood out above the sounds of outrage coming from the other Weasleys, while Harry concentrated on holding Ginny back from hexing Grayhawk.
"May I say something?" Kingsley politely asked, speaking for the first time since his arrival.
When nobody objected Kingsley spoke. "What Harry did was wrong, I agree." Molly and Ginny both shot a glare at Kingsley but he continued, as if he hadn't seen them. "But the reason why he did it should also be considered."
Harry felt relieved he had explained the Horcruxes.
"If he hadn't done that, our wizarding world would not have gotten rid of Voldemort. Moreover, if you were thinking that the Goblins would have been safe, I am sorry to say, but you were incorrect. I suggest you should forgive Harry and his friends, and the penalty should be reduced."
"I fully understand the importance of Mr Potter's actions. That is the sole reason I am allowing them to re-enter Gringotts at all. I was considering sealing his vaults!" Grayhawk snarled in a low voice, anger evident in his tone. "However, I cannot let this go without some retribution. Covering the cost of repairs would seem to be a small recompense when compared to the loss of reputation Gringotts has suffered."
"Sir, Mr Potter's reputation is very high. As per law, you cannot withhold his properties or gold. It would take very little time to get the news out that Mr Potter is being punished by Gringotts, and I am sure the majority of people will stop their dealings with you. The amount of loss will be more than the repairs' cost." Bill put his views in. His words seemed to have made the impact.
"I can't let this crime be handled so lightly. Gringotts was the safest and most impenetrable bank in the world. We had a great reputation and now everyone will try to break in," Grayhawk responded disgruntled.
"We succeeded because one of yours helped," Ron told Grayhawk angrily.
Harry thought this was not going to help him and things already looked bleak.
"No need to get aggressive Ron, but you have a point," Kingsley said calmly and turned to Grayhawk. "This is true, they succeeded because they had inside help, and I don't think your people can be bought so easily."
Grayhawk thought this all over and came to a decision. "In light of the arguments in your favour, Mr Potter, I will reduce the amount you have to pay, but you will have to swear you won't repeat this crime in the future. You will still have to pay four million galleons towards the repair cost,"
"I promise I won't repeat this act in future," Harry replied earnestly.
Grayhawk looked at everyone. "Now, this next matter is to be discussed in private, therefore I request everyone, save for Mr Potter, to leave."
"They are my family, they will stay here," Harry argued.
"I don't think I'm needed anymore, so I should go," Kingsley said as he bowed to Grayhawk, and left after shaking hands with everyone.
The Goblin continued resentfully. "Mr Potter, as you know, your parents died when you were young. Your parents had set up one account to cover your expenses while you were underage, whose key was given to you when you turned eleven. However, that was only to cover your expenses up to the year you turned seventeen."
Grayhawk paused for a moment. When Harry nodded, he continued.
"Now, as you know, you also inherited the Black estate through Sirius. You turned seventeen last year, but we weren't able to contact you as your location was unknown. This meeting has already been delayed by a year. First, I will tell you about the Black estate," he paused again for a moment to shuffle the papers in front of him.
"The Black estate is valued at 96.15 million galleons. Gold is also included in the estate and will be transferred to your parents' vault, vault number 319." Grayhawk pushed a few stacks of paper towards him.
Everyone was shocked except for Bill. Harry had known he wouldn't have any problems with money, but didn't know he had that much.
Harry scanned the stacks of parchment before he passed it to the others. When everyone had viewed the stacks, Grayhawk began again.
"Now, I would like to tell you about the Potter estate." He pushed the folder and remaining stacks of parchment towards him. "The Potter estate values 163.05 million galleons; the gold is in two vaults."
Everyone was still recovering from the previous shock. Harry pinched himself on his hand to check whether he was dreaming, but the painful sting made it clear he wasn't. Harry shifted nervously in his chair and tried to steal a glance at the others. Everyone stared at the folder open mouthed. Harry opened his mouth to say something but closed it without a word.
"Until now, Gringotts has been managing your estate on your behalf, but going forward, it's going to be your responsibility. So, how would you like to manage your estate?"
"How do I manage it? I don't know anything. Do you have any suggestions?" Harry asked, looking towards the Weasleys.
"Normally, families manage their assets by themselves, but sometimes, when they cannot, they seek the help of Gringotts and Gringotts provides its assistance for a fee," Grayhawk informed him instead.
"How much do you charge?" Harry asked.
"We charge 0.05 percent of the profit."
"Can I let you know my decision by tomorrow?"
"That can be arranged."
"And can I make a withdrawal?" Harry asked.
"Yes, how much would you like to take out? Would you also like to visit your vaults today?" Grayhawk asked.
"Five thousand galleons for now, thanks, and I'll visit the vaults tomorrow."
Grayhawk nodded and rang the bell.
The same Goblin who had escorted them earlier reappeared. Grayhawk said something to him in their language and he left.
While they waited, Harry sat back and began to gather his thoughts. Galleons, vault numbers, and Council member names swam together as he tried to make sense of it all. After the Goblin returned several minutes later with a money pouch, Harry took a deep breath and prepared to make the most of the rest of his day.