Disclaimer: Harry potter is J.K. Rowling's I am just playing in her sand box.

Chapter 3. WTF Harry?

May 7 1998

Harry stepped out of the floo at the Burrow and it was apparent that Ron had returned from his stupor."What was that Lord Potter business? How are we going to pay eighteen million galleons? Bloody hell! They are going to end up feeding us to a dragon. What the fuck are we going to do mate?"

"I think the Lord Potter business comes from Harry's inheritance from Sirius. Harry got the goblins down to eleven million galleons and apparently he paid it for us. Out of the Black vault was it? So no worries about being dragon chow. As for what we are going to do, I know Harry has some reading to do by the number of account books he put in my bag. So maybe we should offer to help any way we can!"

"Ok Ok Hermione! Can we help mate, and maybe you could explain all this rot to us a little more clearly? We apparently owe you one, or eleven million. Ron said.

Ginny had heard them and came running down stairs."I'll help Harry, what do you need?

Harry smiled and Ginny hugged him. He loved the smell of her hair."Where are your parents?"

"Dad is at the ministry and he will be home late and gone early for the next two months at least. Mum and George are helping with the cleanup at Hogwarts she won't be home for at least a week. She said Harry could cook well enough and that we could fend for ourselves for a bit. I am supposed to tell Ron he was to do clean up since Harry is cooking." Ginny said.

"First let's sit down at the table and figure what we need to do and make a plan and schedule to do it." Hermione said.

"I had planned on spending a month Staying here at the Burrow and taking it easy, but with me being Harry Potter that is not going to happen. I hope you were all considering some kind of summer employment. I am going to pay all of you for your help. If you are going to help me I will not take no for an answer on that. Now, about the Lord Potter thing." Harry explained the blood identification at Gringots and the conquered Vassal houses and mentioned that he had already taken care of the Lestranges, but did not give any details. "I need to go through all of these accounts and decide what to do with the Vassal houses. I do not want to turn the Burrow into my headquarters, and have it spread all over your folks place. I think Grimmauld place is where we should go, but we will sleep here. I don't think your mum would approve us staying overnight without supervision. Let's go now and start with the house elves." Hermione gave Harry a look he knew was about owning slaves.

The four arrived outside Grimmauld place and Harry went in the door. "Kreacher, are you here?" Harry called

There was a pop. "Kreacher is where ever master needs him to be" the old elf said. He was wearing his dirty tea towel with his locket around his neck.

"Great I need to talk with all my house elves. We will be using the library, office, sitting room, the ground floor lavatory, and the kitchen could you start getting them ready after we meet the others."

"Whatever master desires." Kreacher responded.

Harry led the others to the sitting room and they sat down around the coffee table."Hermione find the Peverell and Potter account books. We can find the elves names in them, and I can summon them. The Blacks only had Kreacher." In no time there were fourteen very scared looking house elves and Kreacher standing in the sitting room. "I summoned you so that I could meet all of you. And let you know what I desire and expect from you. First if any of you desire to be free elves, all you have to do is ask at any time and I will grant it." Hermione looked very pleased with Harry, but every house elf looked to be in a panicked terror. "I will not release any of you unless you ask me to. I will be proud to have all of you in my family." The terror turned to joy and smiles. "Do any of you wish to be free?" All of them shook their heads no. "Ok then let's do rules. One- My house elves are not allowed to punish themselves. Two- My house elves will have a room and bed of their own. Three- My house elves will be paid ten galleons and have four days off a month. Four- My house elves will receive prompt medical care when needed. Five- when a house elf becomes too old to work they will be cared for until their death. Six- if a house elf desires freedom they will be offered employment with pay and benefits if they desire. I may add more rules later. Do you all understand my rules?" They all shook their heads yes. "Very well this house needs a lot of work. This is the Black house so Kreacher is in charge. He knows where to start and I will let him know what needs to be done when you are finished. I will meet you in the kitchen after you get them started." Kreacher snapped his fingers and with one pop all the elves disappeared.

"I want to go over the properties next. Hermione take the Potter, Ginny take the Black, and Ron take the Peverell. Ron and Ginny help Hermione when you get done there are sixteen Potter properties. I am going to go talk with Kreacher. When I come back we can do a quick review of what I have to deal with." They each took an account book and got started.

Harry arrived in the kitchen and Found Kreacher scrubbing the floor. He went to the closet that the elf used to sleep in and opened the door. "I want you to move out of this and into Regulus' room. I know that you cared for Lady Black very much, but I want her portrait removed from the hall. So you may move it to your new room along with the house elf heads and anything else you cannot part with in this house. I want the rest of this house fit for living for light wizards. I want four house elf sized rooms built in the attic. If you have any questions just come to me and ask. Can you see this done?"

"Yes, Kreacher is happy to be doing as his Lord commands. Lord Black is a very good and generous master."

"I have one more job for you, when you have time I would like you to check on Winky at Hogwarts and report to me on her well being. Can you do that for me?"

"Kreacher and all the Hogwarts elves are being worried about Winky, master. House elves do not do well at all when they are not bonded to a house or family. That Dobby was a very strange elf and he gives the mud… uh Hermione witch bad ideas about house elves, master. Kreacher will check on Winky and be letting you know."

"Thank you Kreacher. I know you are trying, but you know that using the word you almost used disappoints me and I do not want to ever hear it. Your punishment is to never say it again."

"Yes master." Kreacher seemed to be standing straighter and looked happy. A strange sight indeed.

Harry headed back to the sitting room and he noticed the house already seemed brighter even with Warbulla's covered portrait still on the wall. Ron began since the Peverell account only had two properties. "The large property is a castle and island west of the Orkney's in the sea north of Scotland. The island is hidden from muggles. Twenty five hundred acres of the thirty nine hundred acre island is ancient forest the rest is grazing pasture. The castle is well maintained and is where the four Peverell house elves reside. The second is a three bedroom cottage in Godric's hollow. One of the elves goes twice a year to check it. It does need a little work."

Ginny went next. "Of the Blacks four properties two are commercial. First a building in Knockturn Alley with a shop on the ground floor leased to an Apothecary, and Two unoccupied flats above. The building is in need of repair, updating and remodeling. Second a large warehouse in London leased to a muggle company. It is well maintained. Third a hunting lodge in the Black Forest, Germany. It is near ruins and unmaintained for sixty years. Finally Grimmauld Place. It is very unclear what the business listed in the account book is, but it shows a small profit every year."

"Kreacher?" Pop "I think we will be eating supper here please bring us some tea then get that started."

"Yes master."

"Of the sixteen Potter properties nine are commercial and six are residential, and your parent's cottage is listed as a wizarding monument. I will go over the commercial properties. Ron and Ginny have split up the residential. Four of the nine are international. There is a warehouse in Cairo, Egypt. Its contents are listed as family business. We might be able to have Bill check it out if he goes back anytime soon. A maintenance contract with a local company keeps the building in good repair. Next is a shop on Rue De Magik, Paris. The French Diagon Alley. The Shop and flat above are leased to a Baker. The building is in good repair." Kreacher brought in the tea and poured everyone a cup. "The next two are in the colonies. A six hundred acre cattle ranch and catfish farm in the northeast corner of the state of Oklahoma near a small town called Welch. It has two, three bedroom ranch houses. A large cattle barn, with corrals, loading, and veterinary equipment. A large hay barn and feed silo. Six fish ponds with a processing building. Three tractors with hay mower, hay rake, bailer, posthole auger, brush hog, front end loader, and box blade attachments. Four pickup trucks. Two Five ton trucks, with live fish tanks. Semi-truck with stock trailer, Two twenty foot goose neck hitch stock trailers. One Two horse trailer, one four horse gooseneck hitch trailer. Three hundred head of Herford cattle. Eight horses. Approximately three thousand pounds of cat fish. The consumables vary. It is managed and well maintained by a Native muggle man called John Rabbit and his family. Last is a warehouse in the city of St. Louis in the state of Missouri. It is leased by a small butter beer brewing company. It is in fair condition but is in a declining part of the city. In the U.K. you have two buildings in Diagon alley one is the Daily Prophet building the other is number 28. The shop is leased by the Junk Shop, there are two flats above, both leased. They are both well maintained. There is a warehouse in London, leased to a muggle company named Grunnings. The building Zonko's occupies in Hogsmead and a pub called Four Mops on the docks in Liverpool. It is a seedy place where dock workers drink. The Potter businesses are 58% ownership of the Daily Prophet and the Ranch in Oklahoma. Interestingly there is also 42% of the stock in the muggle company that leases the London warehouse."

At that time one of the female elves wearing a tea towel with the Potter crest on it entered the room and said "Master, Kreacher is saying supper is about ready. He is wanting to know if you will be eating at the table in the kitchen like the Order did?"

Harry said. "Yes Tillie, Tell Kreacher we are on our way."

"Thank goodness, I was starving!" Said Ron

Ginny laughed. "You are always starving!" They made their way to the table as Dimpy, a rotund fellow wearing a pillow case with the Peverell crest that had very small ears for an elf, floated the food to the table. Kreacher had made a Lamb Korma with rice, Naan bread and chai to drink. Harry was surprised but pleased about the exotic dishes.

"Kreacher have you prepared enough for all the elves to be feed as well?" Harry asked.

"Yes master. We will eat when Lord Black and his guests have finished" Kreacher replied.

"I want my elves to join me for meals, please set the rest of the food and call the elves to supper."

Dimpy had stopped dead and his mouth was hanging open. Kreacher was looking decidedly uncomfortable. "Kreacher is wondering if master has somehow caught Dobby's madness. Lord Black asks Kreacher to do unthinkable things." Even as he said this the rest of the food was floating to the table. Dimpy snapped out of his shock and took the floating food as a sign that he should set fifteen more places. Kreacher sat next to Hermione and said. "If the master wills it." He snapped his fingers and thirteen elves appeared at the table. They all started filling their plates and talking about their strange new master. Dimpy was taking the last empty place looking very disturbed, when the others noticed their new master and his guest at the table. Thirteen elves jumped from the table as if they had been electrocuted and began profusely apologizing.

Harry raised his hand to silence them. "I have decided you are to eat your meals with me when you are working in the house I am dining in. Please sit and continue your meal and conversation I was finding it most enjoyable." Hermione was grinning from ear to ear. Ginny thought that if Ron could not find a way to swallow soon there would be rice everywhere. The elves were reluctantly returning to the table but they were very quite. This was not going to work for Harry so he looked down the table at Tillie and said. "Tillie you are a Potter elf. Did you work for my Father and Mother?"

"No master. I was working for your grandparents. Your mother did not like making house elves work. I did your fathers washing when he was home from school." Tillie answered.

"Right, I do not want to make a new rule but I do not like being mastered and lorded and sired. Please address me as Harry unless I am having an official party or we have Important Company. I will let you know when that is." Harry continued asking questions of all the elves as they ate. By the end of the mango custard dessert they were looking a bit more comfortable with their strange new master. They were even calling him harry about half the time. Harry was learning about his family from a completely new point of view. As the meal was ending Harry asked Kreacher to pack the leftovers up for Mr. Weasley and send them to the Burrow.

The four made their way back to the sitting room and Ginny began. "I took the three properties in the UK and Ron took the three international. The largest is Potter Manor. It is an eighty acre estate in Wales. The manor itself has two master suites and twenty four bedrooms. There are four cottages, an equestrian facility and a Quiddich pitch. Forty acres are wooded. Five of the elves reside there fulltime. It is well maintained. Next is a townhouse on Western road, on the river Lee, in Cork Ireland. It appears to be much like Grimmauld Place only much better cared for. Two of the elves reside there. Last is the shrieking shack outside Hogsmeade. It is unmaintained."

"I guess I get to wrap this up." Ron started. "First is a villa on the beach south of San Vincenzo, Italy. It has two bedrooms and one house elf resides there. It is well maintained. Second is a flat in Cairo, Egypt. It is four bedrooms with one house elf. It is well maintained. The last one Hermione touched on a bit. It is the second house on the ranch in Oklahoma. It has three bedrooms, muggle electricity and appliances. It seems your grandfather fancied being a muggle cowboy. One house elf resides there."

"Thanks guys. I think tomorrow we should each pick a Vassal account book and go over it and start researching the family. Why don't you call it a day and head back to the Burrow."

"Are you staying Harry?" Ginny asked

"Yeah I want to talk to the elves about the properties they care for."

"Would you mind if I stay with you?"

"Not at all"

Three hours later Harry and Ginny flooed into the Burrow. Hermione pulled Harry into a Molly like hug. "I hate that the elves are slaves, but what you are doing with yours is brilliant."

Mr. Weasley had been home for a little while talking to Ron and Hermione. He was very excited that Harry had a cowboy house with traktories and ekltricty.

May 11

Harry and the others headed to Diagon Alley. Harry had some business at Gringotts and they needed new dress robes before the memorial at Hogwarts Wednesday. Ginny helped Harry choose something appropriate that he could wear for other occasions as well. They ate lunch at the Leaky then went to Grimmauld Place. Harry sent a letter to Hagrid with pigwidgeon and they worked on the accounting for the rest of the day.

May 13

The memorial service had been very moving and emotional for everyone that attended. The monument with the names of the fallen from both sides was very solemn and proper. Harry spoke with Dennis Creevey and his parents for a moment as well as many others. When It was over and everyone else was leaving Harry walked to the forbidden forest with Hagrid. "Bane agreed in tha end bu was grumblein summat bout jumpin to a wizards summons. I told im it wasun like tha and you was respectful an all, an he didn have ta come ifn he didn wan ta."

"Thanks Hagrid." Harry said

They reached the edge of the forest behind Hagrid's hut and there was movement in the trees nearby. Bane and eight other Centaurs emerged from the forest. "I am not subject to a wizards summons Harry Potter. I will leave if you offer offence. These are the Elders of our herd with me. They have seen something I have not in the movement of the stars and saw importance in attending this meeting. What is it that you want of us?" Bane said.

"I am sure Hagrid was clear that I requested this meeting. I believe the centaurs are sovereign equals to wizards and not subject to wizard rule or summons. I am here to make some repayment and repentance for the arrogance of wizards. I have recently discovered that I own title to thirty nine hundred acres of magically hidden land with twenty five hundred acres of ancient forest and the rest pasture. I am here to grant title of thirty seven hundred acres of that land to the Centaurs as reparations in part for your mistreatment. The two hundred acres I am going to keep contains the Peverell Castle and grounds. Hagrid informs me that you would have no use for it." Harry said to Bane.

Bane was taken aback. He was definitely not prepared for what Harry had to say. "Your Wizengamot will not approve this, or it is some trickery on your part."

"Whether they approve or not does not matter, although I think they would. The composition and beliefs have changed dramatically recently. It is mine to do with as I please and it would please me for the centaurs to have this small addition to their territory." Harry said.

"Show me now then, apperate me there." Bane said and held out his right hand. Harry grasped his forearm and they were gone.

They reappeared on the rocky south shore of the island. The castle was to the east with the overgrown grassland surrounding it. The forest was in front of them. Bane looked at the grassland. "Would you allow us to add sheep and cattle to the heard?"

I would not presume to allow you anything. It is yours to do with as the herd chooses. If you want something just ask and I will do all I can to help get it." Harry said.

"Will you wait while I look around? I will return before sundown." Bane asked.

Harry said. "I will." Bane galloped off.

About an hour before sunset Bane returned. His flanks drenched in sweat and his torso covered in scratches. "There is no large game in the forest. Will you help stock it with deer and boar, as well as help us acquire sheep and cattle?"

"Yes, I will start working on it first thing in the morning." Harry replied.

"Harry Potter the Herd was friend to Albus and is friend to Hagrid, but you will be the first wizard since Merlin we will call Ally!" He held out his right arm and they grasped each other's forearms and returned to the forbidden forest. "We will send settlers in a week's time Ally Potter." Bane said and he disappeared into the forest.

"Well I'll be! I never woulda though I would hear the heard call sumone ally. A very rare honor tha is, yur a very special wizard Harry." Hagrid said.

"So I keep being told Hagrid. I really just take what comes my way and do the best I can with it. I would give it all up to be just Harry. Do you have any tea?" Harry said.

May 14

Daily Prophet

Headline

Potter makes spectacle at memorial service, conspires with Centaurs.