Previously...

"Four founders." Ron whispered in awe. "One heir. Bloody Hell, Harry!"

"I know." Harry nodded solemnly. "Unfortunately, there's more and it won't be easy to hear."

Arthur came home, then, and just as he closed the door, the floo activated allowing Fred and George to tumble in from wherever they'd been.

Chapter 7

When the three newcomers noticed the somber atmosphere of the kitchen, they hurried to take seats.

With Molly still in shock, Ginny filled the others in so Harry could gather his thoughts and finish the story. "First off, being the heir to the founders comes with a title." Harry informed them. "I'm to be called Lord Potter from now on, as I'm the Earl of Inverness." He cut Ron and the twins off with a glare and pointed a finger at them. "That goes for everyone but family and that means you since your mum's family, the Prewitts, are descended from Godric Gryffindor's sister."

"We're cousins?" Ron's face lit up. "Distant cousins but still!"

"A lord?" Molly whispered, still in a daze. "At fifteen?"

Harry grinned and nodded gently to his best friend. "The next thing I need to tell you is something seriously disturbing." He made sure they were all paying attention. "The goblins discovered - with one of the scrolls - that at some point in time I was subjected to several harmful spells and potions."

Gasps were heard around the table.

"Being that I had no official contact with the wizarding world until I was eleven, it had to be before I was delivered to the Dursley house." He paused hoping they would draw the correct conclusion without him having to say it.

Molly shook her head. "No."

All eyes turned to her.

"What do you mean, Molly?" Arthur asked gently.

She sat up and reached out to her husband. "I can see what's implied, Arthur. I see it and it just isn't possible!"

He patted her hand and looked over at the other adults. "What is she seeing?"

Harry sighed sadly. "That there are only two people who could've given me those potions and performed those spells. Hagrid, who took me from Sirius and delivered me to Dumbledore or Dumbledore himself."

Arthur looked at his wife and back to Harry. "Are you asking us to believe that...Hagrid?"

Harry snorted in morbid amusement. "Anything to believe that it's anyone but Dumbledore himself!"

"Arthur..." Remus' head leaned to the side a bit. "I don't know how you can draw any conclusion other than that Dumbledore has abused Harry for some reason."

The older man's face fell. "I...I just can't believe that the man who has taught us and our family... the man who runs a school would abuse a child!"

"I was fifteen months old." Harry reminded the group. "Albus Dumbledore is a powerful wizard who had access to both me and a Master of potions who has reason to dislike me - and my father before me - after he removed me from my rightful guardian's custody to place me in a home with people who hated me."

"But you're only a boy!" Molly's face crumpled and she began to cry.

"Molly, I love that you think of me like one of your own kids. I've never known or at least remembered a mother's love..." Harry knelt at her left side. "I've truly felt welcome and loved here, but you have to stop focusing on my age. I wish I was 'just a boy'. I wish I could have everything you've always wanted for me, but the reality is that I'm not just a normal boy."

She blinked at him through her tears.

"I'm a rich, magically powerful boy...and I was vulnerable because Albus Dumbledore allowed my rightful guardian to be imprisoned..." Harry stood up as he continued, getting irritated and desperately holding his emotions back. "Held in that horrible place without a trial... for a crime he didn't commit."

"And now that I'm free, Albus keeps me so busy with order business that I can hardly see Harry much less form a real relationship with him." Sirius commented, standing up to face the group; hoping it looked like he was supporting his godson rather than distracting from the shaking of the table.

"I'm no expert but I used to watch shows on the telly and I've read books with courtroom scenes." Harry looked around at the adults. "He had the opportunity and means. I can't begin to guess what his motives might've been but he also acts secretive and he doesn't seem to want me to be independent in any way. I don't trust him and I don't think you should either."

"Dumbledore is not someone to trifle with, Harry." Arthur said quietly. "The magical community has given him rather a lot of power over the years. How will you deal with this in addition to You- Know- Who?"

"As of my birthday, I'll have adult status in the wizarding world. That'll help, but I need to know who is friend and foe..." Harry said quietly letting his eyes skim over the gathering. "I need to connect with what true family I have left. I need to learn everything I can and make sure I leave nothing to chance. I'll also begin investing time, effort, and even money in fighting the war my way rather than following Dumbledore blindly."

The twins instantly looked interested but Ron's eyes hardened. "My family is not a charity case, Harry!"

Harry sighed. "I didn't say that and I don't think it, either. You heard what I said to your mum. You're family and good friends and I've always considered you my brother...and I'm not sure what the others are up to but you, and Fred and George...you have skills that can help win the war. Please say I can count on you?"

Ron stubbornly pursed his lips. "I don't like this at all. Do you think you can buy us? Think we're dolls you can collect and keep around til we're useful? Pawns on a chessboard?"

"That's not what I think at all," Harry gritted his teeth. "but speaking of chess, Ron; you're good at strategy. Think strategically from my position. What would be your first move?"

Ron huffed. "Finding supplies, allies, and information."

"Step two?" Harry prompted his friend.

"Securing a base of operations." Ron replied with pursed lips.

"As it happens I've been doing both at the same time." Harry confirmed. "Dudley, Remus and Sirius are helping me scout my family properties. I'll be at Potter Grove until my birthday. From there, we'll head to the highland loches ending our journey at the London townhouse before going back to Hogwarts."

Ron nodded slowly as he thought things over. "What's in the highland loches?"

"An island I inherited in Loch Ness." Harry told him quietly bracing himself.

Ron gaped at him.

Harry huffed. "It's a Ravenclaw property."

"I'll just bet it has a castle on it too. Doesn't it?" Ron asked disdainfully. "You're starting to have more in common with Malfoy than me, mate."

Harry sighed. "Ron, I..." He sighed again. "I need a few minutes. I'm going for a walk."

"Don't go far, Harry." Sirius said quietly.

Harry nodded and stood.

"I'll go with you, Harry." Ginny called out as he neared the door.

"No offense, Ginny, but I'd really like to be alone for a bit." Harry said softly.

"I'll only go as far as the gate." She offered. "I want to talk to you for a moment."

Harry nodded his consent and opened the door for her to leave first.

As soon as the door closed after Harry, Ginny turned to face him. "Cedric's family lives east of here. You remember them, right...and the Lovegood family lives to the west. They're a bit... eccentric."

Harry nodded. "Good to know."

Ginny paced a few times before facing him again. "I don't know if you'd noticed but I had a bit of a thing for you over the last few years."

Harry gaped. This was definitely not what he'd expected her to say. He bit his lip and took a breath to try and respond but she beat him to it.

"Oh, don't worry. I'm over it." She waved her hand carelessly. "I just thought you should know in case your only hangup was my age. I didn't want things to get awkward at school."

"Heh." Harry's face got hot as he brought a hand up to scratch his neck. "I just don't really think of you that way, Ginny. I actually lean the other way."

"Good." She nodded. "That makes things easier. So, I heard you talking to Ron on the train back in June. You said something about a girl in my year with pale blonde hair."

Harry nodded.

"I might know who it was. Why are you looking for her?" Ginny asked; her eyebrow raising slightly.

"She said something strange and cryptic to me the night of the third task." Harry divulged without really giving much information. "I wanted to ask her about it."

Ginny snorted. "That sounds like her alright."

"Who?" Harry frowned at her and shook his head. "I don't..."

"Go west, Harry. Your pale blonde girl is Luna Lovegood." Ginny smirked, pointing the way before turning toward the house. "Good luck getting specific answers out of her, though."

Harry's frown remained as he walked along the path in the direction Ginny had indicated.

It wasn't long before Harry came upon a wooden fence with honeysuckle twined around it. He stopped to take in the sight of the large field beyond the fence.

The house wasn't as large as the Weasley's Burrow but it stood probably two to three stories tall and shaped like a large chess rook.

"Hi, Harry!" A feminine voice came from nowhere.

"Hello?" Harry called out as he looked around in all directions. "Who's there?"

"Over here!" She said. "I'm at the door of my house. My voice is being projected magically from the stone hanging on the fencepost."

Harry looked at the post and saw the stone. He then looked at the house where a girl in denim overalls was clearly standing on one hand with her pale blonde hair pooling on the floor around her head. Inspecting the stone closely, he saw a wire wrapped around it and the post. He'd thought it was decorative. He considered his options while making a show of looking the device over but a giggle sounded as he did.

"You're welcome to join me for tea, Harry." She said, suddenly next to him.

Harry blinked at her in confusion. "How did...?" He shook his head and steeled himself for the coming conversation. "How do you know me, Luna? I don't recall ever meeting you."

"That's a bit of a story, Harry." She said with a mysterious smile as she crooked a finger at him. "Tea is just about ready."

He supposed that one cup wouldn't hurt. "Yes, alright." He followed two steps behind her and walked up just as the door opened to reveal a man that looked eerily similar to... someone Harry couldn't quite put a name to.

The man was carrying a tea tray laden with cucumber sandwiches and three mismatched cup and saucer sets.

"Harry, meet my papa." Luna said softly, showing him to a chair on the porch. "My parents knew yours, Harry."

Harry looked up into the older man's eyes. "Did you? It's always nice to meet people who knew them."

"My wife's career put her in contact with many people, Lord Potter." Luna's papa nodded kindly to the young man.

Harry froze.

"No worries, Harry. Papa knows it isn't public knowledge yet." Luna's smile widened. "He also knows lots more about you."

Harry turned to look at her while her father poured the tea. "How do you know these things?" He shook his head. "Regardless, I need to know about the dragons you spoke of, Luna. You said something about dragons on the night of the third task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament and how they're supposed to teach me things. What can I learn from dragons?"

Luna's elation was palpable. "That was just the right question to ask, Harry!"

"To begin at the beginning, Lord Potter, I am Xenophilius Lovegood." Luna's father smiled at him. "I run the Quibbler which is a newspaper or news magazine that publishes the news as you see it in the Daily Prophet but we also cover things like the Rotfang Conspiracy and other obscure topics they think aren't newsworthy."

"I've heard of the Quibbler, Sir. It's nice to meet you." Harry nodded respectfully to his host. "Please call me Harry."

"Fun fact: My mother was your mother's midwife." Luna grinned. "That's how we met."

Harry sat back, stunned. He let Luna push a teacup into his hand and sipped without adding anything to it. It was a perfect cup of tea just the way he liked it. Two wedges of lemon had been squeezed in but not left to float in the tea.

He eyed the two Lovegoods. "Are you telling me...?"

Luna shook her head. "No. Lily wasn't pregnant when she was killed but she'd thought it possible at one point after you'd all gone into hiding so she called my mum to come test her."

"I had just started the Quibbler and was so entrenched in paperwork and legalities and trying to hire reporters and such that my dear Pandora was forced to shoulder most of the duties of parenting our sweet Luna." Father and daughter shared a smile. "She visited with Lily several times between June and September when the fidelis charm was applied for the last time."

"So as toddlers, we played together." Harry said with a smirk.

Luna nodded handing him a plate with a few cucumber sandwiches. "One of your favorite toys was a purple stuffed occamy. I remember because your mum would switch it out whenever you started to play with a toy fwooper bird. She hated it because it was loud and annoying."

"I wish I remembered it." Harry sighed sadly before glancing over at Luna's dad. "But, wait... I was barely a year old and you're younger than me. How do you remember?"

"The sight runs in my father's family." Luna blushed with a giggle. "My cousin sees people's animagus forms. I got a different form of it that affects my memory. I remember every moment of my life."

"Huh?" Harry just stared at her for a moment before turning to her father. "Uhm, I hope you don't mind me saying, sir, but you remind me of someone…"

"You'll be thinking of my brother, Lucius." Xenophilius nodded. "We have identical hair and coloring so everyone assumes we're twins but he's actually a year older than me."

Harry's jaw began to drop but he caught himself. "So Draco is your nephew...Luna's cousin?"

"You learn something new every day, Harry. Speaking of which..." Luna giggled and looked around as if they were being spied on. "Dragons have been around since time began. What can't they teach us?"

Frustration at the cryptic girl filled Harry but he repressed it to a quiet growl. "You mentioned dragons and not two hours later Draco showed up to talk to me. What does one have to do with the other? I'm so confused!"

"Dragons made you think of my cousin?" Luna mused. "How interesting! Well, let's think. His family has powerful magic and dragons do as well. His bloodline is ancient and noble as are dragons."

Xenophilius crossed his arms. "Dragons are reputed to be fearsome but they're often misunderstood and they can be quite wise if you listen carefully enough."

"Misunderstood..." Harry nodded as something clicked in his mind. "That's something else you said that day too; something about healing old wounds, misunderstandings and fear. We've wounded each other over the years, Draco and I."

Luna's blue eyes seemed sad as she softly replied. "There is much truth in that statement, Harry."

Unhappy with the answers he'd collected, Harry finished his tea and the last cucumber sandwich on his dish. "Ron's family is probably wondering where I wandered off to. I'll owl soon Luna and perhaps you can celebrate my birthday with me."

"Oh, wouldn't that be lovely!" She smiled brightly and stood. "Don't worry about Ron's wrackspurt infestation. It'll clear up after the school year begins. See you soon."

As Harry walked down the path wondering what wrackspurts were, he shook his head again. He was almost as confused as when he'd gotten there.

Sirius was waiting for him at the gate. "Is everything alright, pup?"

"Yes, but now I have to figure out where the Lovegoods fit in this whole crazy mess." Harry shrugged and motioned for his godfather to join him. "Luna's mum was my mother's midwife and apparently, Luna herself is Draco Malfoy's cousin through their fathers. Wait! Why aren't they Malfoys then?"

"Who?" Arthur Weasley was just coming back from his shed when he overheard Harry's question.

"Xenophilius Lovegood is Lucius Malfoy's brother!" Harry frowned. "Why aren't they Malfoys?"

"Oh, that's easy. Pandora was the last of her family line. She must've asked him to take her name." Arthur smiled. "It's not common but also not unheard of."

"Huh." Harry hadn't ever heard of it but there was much he still had to learn about the magical world. "Well, whatever. I hope Ron's ready to talk calmly because I really don't have time for his stubbornness."

"I'm sure he just needs a bit of time, son." Arthur patted Harry's shoulder. "He's gone for a fly with Ginny. The twins are upstairs though."

Harry made a quick decision. "I'll ask Molly for a haircut and then talk to Forge and let Ron come to me." He glanced at Sirius. "Coming?"

Sirius made a shoo motion. "Moony's with the twins and Dudley went back to Potter Grove. He wanted to read up on some things. Arthur gave him a list of books that will help him acclimate to being a squib in the wizarding world."

Harry's eyes widened but he didn't know what surprised him more, Dudley studying voluntarily or the twins entertaining Remus without knowing a few key details. Stepping into the kitchen, Harry cleared his throat to announce himself. "Molly?"

The matriarch looked up from the dough she was kneading. "Oh! Harry, dear, you're back!"

Harry smiled gently at her. "Yes. Erm, I was wondering..."

Sirius chuckled behind him. "He'd like a haircut, Molly. If you don't mind?"

An indulgent smile spread across her face as she nodded. "Of course, dear! A lord shouldn't walk around looking shaggy, after all!"

Harry sat down as she washed her hands and took up her wand. Within a few minutes his hair was several inches shorter and almost neat.

"Thanks, Molly." He said softly kissing her cheek as Sirius spelled a broom across the floor and vanished the mess.

She blushed as she gave him a quick hug and pushed him toward the hallway.

He smirked but didn't say a word as he led the way to the correct bedroom and knocked. "Gred? Forge?" He could tell them apart but preferred to let them and others believe that they could fool him too.

"Harry!" Fred pulled the door open and stepped back.

"I noticed your interest when I mentioned investing money." Harry said as he sat on the bed beside George. "I also recall that you had plans for a business but things didn't work out the way you hoped."

"Yeah." Fred glared into the corner. "That no-good-"

"Ludo Bagman cheated us-" George broke in.

Fred took up where his brother left off. "And can't pay his debts."

"We can't tell Mum and Dad-" George finished their thought. "Or we'll get in trouble for gambling!"

Fred punched his pillow. "So we're forced to scrap our life savings."

"We can get around that. I'm happy to invest in your business." Harry grinned as the twins celebrated. "There's trouble coming one of these days." Harry met their eyes steadily. "People will need a bit of laughter."

Those words sobered all of them.

"Now..." Harry smirked and glanced carefully at his older companions. "What would you say if I told you that the makers of our favorite map are extremely proud of you?"

"Map?" Fred and George looked at each other and back at Harry. "What map?" Fred asked, glancing at Remus.

George swallowed carefully and looked at Sirius with trepidation. "We don't have a map!"

"Guys, it's ok." Harry assured them. "May I introduce you to Messrs. Moony and Padfoot?"

George's eyes widened as he whispered. "No way..."

Harry chuckled as Fred narrowed his eyes at the older men. "Prove it."

Sirius huffed. "How rude!"

"Prongs was my dad." Harry confided to the twins' shock.

Fred pouted. "Still not sure I believe you."

"Fine." Harry rolled his eyes. "I had a feeling this might happen." He pulled out a familiar bit of parchment and laid it on the bed. He showed Fred and George that it was blank and bowed to his godfather.

Both Marauders held up their wands and spoke the password phrase. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The map came to life with a flourish. Harry smiled and turned to see the office where the headmaster was in conference with the heads of Hogwarts houses. Filch was in a hallway not far from the potions lab while Madams Pomphrey and Pince were in the staff common room.

"See?" Harry smirked. "No insults."

Fred's eyes slowly came up to focus on the two older men. "Messrs. I must apologize! I doubted you wrongly! Before we passed the map on to Harry, it was our most prized possession."

"Your creation assisted with so much of our mischief and mayhem." George told them reverently.

Sirius grinned at them while Remus' lips twitched.

"And now to find out that we only helped Harry retrieve what was rightfully his!" Fred stared at the young lord. "Your birthright as the son of a Marauder!"

"You know of our exploits?" George theatrically rushed to kneel the Remus' feet.

Fred immediately copied his brother's antics by kneeling at Sirius' feet. "We're so honored that you've revealed your secret identities to us!"

"Well, not quite." Sirius chuckled. "The names had to come from somewhere..."

Fred took the first guess. "Well, we know Mr. Lupin is a werewolf..."

George smirked. "So he's Messr. Moony, right? Were you all were's?"

Harry laughed at this. A were-deer? Even funnier was the idea of a were-rat.

Sirius stood up and changed into his animagus form.

"They were animagi!" Harry whispered theatrically with a smile.

Fred swooned and George caught him. "Of course!"

"Down to business, guys. Yeah?" Harry smirked at them.

The twins instantly sat up and looked alert.

Harry shook his head and chuckled. "Ok. We want to be investors in your business."

"We?" George asked breathlessly with wide eyes.

"Yes." Harry nodded. "The three of us."

"Between the three of us, we can give you fifteen hundred galleons to start the business off." Sirius suggested. He watched their faces as they thought it over.

The twins sighed. "That would be really great but..." Fred sounded choked up.

"We really want to keep this a Weasley owned company." George looked devastated to finish speaking. "With three investors you'd own more of it than we would."

Harry understood. "You've got the wrong idea, guys. We want to be a collective. We would be a single... mostly silent... partner."

The twins shared a confused look.

"If you agree, we'll start a vault at Gringotts under a company name; let's say The Marauders; and that's who your investor is." Sirius explained.

"We would only expect a few considerations." Harry carefully began.

"We won't forget the people who help us get started, mate." Fred shook his head.

George's eyes became hard as he stood and faced the group. "Investors get free samples and one third of our yearly earnings will be deposited in the Marauder's vault."

Harry shared a look with his godfather and Remus. "The money won't be touched by us, lads. It'll remain open for you to draw from to fund your experiments. Consider it a roll-over investment. What we'd really like is to suggest a few policies..."

"Like what?" Fred asked, frowning.

"We'd like you to keep track of who buys things ...well certain things." Harry said quietly. "Things that could be trouble for us if Voldemort were to use it against us."

"If it can be used effectively by us for the war effort, it could be just as effective against us." Remus pointed out grimly.

The twins nodded solemnly in unison.

"We also want to give a few suggestions every once in a while." Sirius told them. "The Marauders were pretty creative back in our day."

George grinned. "Absolutely!"

"Excellent!" Harry grinned at his friends. "I'll speak to Korlag on my birthday. He's my estate manager."

A knock sounded on the door.

"Harry?" Ron called. "Are you in there?"

Harry looked at his godfather. "I'll go talk to him. Can you finish up here and I'll meet you at Potter Grove?"

Sirius nodded. "No problem, pup."

Harry stood opened the door just as Ron was getting ready to knock again.

"So, you've finished buying my brothers?" Ron ground his teeth. His arms were crossed over his chest and his face was rapidly growing pink.

"Let's take this upstairs, Ron." Harry sighed. "I'd rather talk in private." Harry considered what he could say to calm his best friend down and had to admit he might not have the right words to answer Ron's concerns.

They walked into Ron's room silently but Harry cast muffliato at the door as a precaution.

Ron didn't even let them get comfortable before turning to face Harry. "How much did the twins cost you? What exactly are they giving in return?"

Eyes narrowing into a glare, Harry gritted his teeth. "They're starting a business, Ron. I'm only investing in it and it's none of your business how much."

"It bloody well is my business! I have to protect them!" Ron's voice began to rise in volume. "I'm the strategist in this family and I know how hard they worked and how many barrel bottoms got scraped for their money! In this family, we build everything we have from scratch, Harry! You got everything handed to you when you returned to the magical world."

"What do you mean by that?" Harry asked, numb with shock.

"C'mon, Harry!" Ron spat bitterly. "Not only did you have a sizable trust fund but a healthy vault to inherit after you came of age. Now - at fifteen - you find out you're not just 'taken care of' but heir to all four of Hogwarts' founders! You're a lord! An Earl of all things! You've got millions of galleons at your fingertips and several 'family properties' to inspect! A castle on each one, I'm sure. I'd even wager that they're scattered throughout the world not just located here in Britain. Am I right?"

"You know I didn't just get handed those things, Ron!" Harry glared at his 'best' friend trying desperately to keep from saying something he'll regret. "I paid for it all with my parents' blood! I'd rather have my parents than all this money and property! How dare you imply that my life has been easy when you know I was sleeping in a cupboard for ten years! You know there were bars on my window when I turned twelve! My life has apparently always been a cycle of abuse and manipulation!"

The two boys stared at each other for a moment that felt like eternity.

"All I'm saying is that my siblings and I...? We have no inheritance." Ron pointed out. "We have very few connections and we really only have each other for back up."

"Money isn't everything, Ron! Money, fame - it doesn't mean anything unless you use it properly... to help people." Harry took a deep breath to try and calm down. "The people I want to help are my friends and family. For goodness sake, Ron, I'm one of your bloody connections! Sirius is a viscount! He's among your connections too! They're really starting to add up! Honestly, right now, the only good thing about my being a lord is that I don't have to put up with rude, ignorant arses, if I don't want to." Harry turned and walked out of the room. He was down the stairs and into the floo before anyone in the house knew what was happening. "Potter Grove!"