Mister Potter,' Ragnok bowed in greeting as Harry and Hermione followed him into his office, 'May your wealth multiply and your enemies bleed at your feet.'

Harry was nonplussed at the rather bloodthirsty greeting, but he decided to return it anyway. 'Chief Ragnok. May your wealth multiply and your enemies bleed at your feet.'

Ragnok grinned appreciatively, then turned to Hermione. 'And who is this young lady?'

'She is my…uh…' Harry and Hermione exchanged a look, silently deciding to be truthful when it came to money and goblins, 'Wife. Hermione Granger.'

'Madam Granger,' Ragnok bowed again, 'May your gold flow in rivers and lesser men tremble before you.'

Hermione bowed at Ragnok. 'Chief Ragnok, may your gold fill oceans and the corpse of your enemies lay before you,' she tried something a little more creative.

Ragnok cackled. 'I like this one a lot,' he complimented, 'Have a seat, Mister Potter and Madam Granger.'

Harry and Hermione sat down opposite the Chief Goblin. 'I assume you have business with us, Chief Ragnok?' Harry asked.

Ragnok nodded. 'And I assume you do as well, Mister Potter?'

'Yes, I do. But would you like to start first?'

'I see what Urknus was saying. You are quite an unusual wizard, Mister Potter,' Ragnok commented, 'I most certainly do not complain of your respect and cordiality. Well, Mister Potter, I appreciate your consideration. However, I believe that you should begin, as what I have to tell you may be quite taxing.'

'As you wish, Chief Ragnok,' Harry replied. 'I'm here to pass to the goblins of Gringotts knowledge of a Dark Artefact hidden within your halls that violates the Treaty of 1748,' he began formally.

'Do you know the nature of this Dark Artefact, Mister Potter?'

'Hermione and I believe this object is a Horcrux, Chief Ragnok.'

Ragnok's eyebrows shot onto his forehead. 'A Horcrux? Are you certain, Mister Potter, Madam Granger?'

'We are, Chief Ragnok,' Hermione answered firmly.

'And do you know the location of this artefact?'

'It is located in the main Lestrange vault,' Hermione said.

'This is a serious accusation, Madam Granger,' Ragnok replied. 'I shall send my Deputy to send for a Guard Detachment to the Lestrange vault to investigate your claim. What does this object look like?'

'It's a cup, Chief Ragnok,' Hermione explained, 'It's made of gold and it's embossed with the crest of Helga Hufflepuff, which is a badger.'

Ragnok gave a few instructions to his Deputy, who was standing guard at the door, in rapid Gobbledegook. The Deputy left immediately with a nod.

'This search should take no more than thirty minutes to complete. Please enjoy some refreshments, courtesy of the goblins, while you wait.'

Ragnok waved his hand and three goblets of elf-made wine appeared. Harry, Hermione, and Ragnok each took one.

The Deputy returned five minutes latter and spoke to Ragnok in Gobbledegook, which he translated to the two teenagers as word that the Guards have been sent.

Harry, Hermione, and Ragnok sat in silence for twenty minutes, sipping the wine, before the Guard Captain returned with the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff.

The Guard Captain and Ragnok exchanged some words in Gobbledegook, before Ragnok bade him away, taking the Cup with him.

'Captain Bladvak has indeed confirmed that the item is a Horcrux,' Ragnok said to the two teens. 'The goblins have disposal procedures in place for these kinds of objects. It will take us about a week to remove the soul fragment, cleanse the object, and finally, restore it, at which time we will call you back.'

'Thank you for your great service, Chief Ragnok.'

'No. Thank you, Mister Potter, and you, Madam Granger, for bringing this to my attention,' Ragnok said sincerely. 'These kinds of objects are, as you mentioned earlier, expressly prohibited from Gringotts by means of treaty. As such, the two of you are entitled to a reward.'

Harry was confused. 'Reward?'

'The penalty for knowingly placing this sort of prohibited item in Gringotts is the forfeiture of all assets held in the guilty party's vaults,' Ragnok explained, 'Considering the Lestrange family's history, we are beyond doubt that this Horcrux was placed here knowingly. As you are the ones who reported the existence of such an object to Gringotts, you are entitled to the eighty-five percent of the value of the contents of the seized vaults. The rest will go towards maintenance of Gringotts.'

'And what is the value of the seized assets?' Harry asked, more curious than actually caring about the extra wealth.

'Four years ago, at last count, the value of the Lestrange vaults was numbered at six million Galleons. Our sixth-largest customer. Now, of course, the Lestrange accounts will number at zero Galleons, zero Sickles, and zero Knuts,' Ragnok said, leering.

'I don't want all the money,' Harry said at once, 'I want at least a good part of it to go to the Longbottoms, as a sort of restitution for their losses at the hands of the Lestranges.'

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Hermione give him an admiring smile that made his stomach heat up.

'We can arrange that at our next meeting, Mister Potter,' Ragnok said. 'For now, the assets have not yet been formally confiscated. Incidentally, while we're on the subject of the Potter vaults, I would like to continue on to my business with you, Mister Potter. That is, unless you have any more requests of me.'

'No, Chief Ragnok. That concludes my business with you today.'

Ragnok nodded, then turned to his Deputy again and gave him instructions in Gobbledegook. Once again, the Deputy nodded, then turned and left the room.

'I have just sent my Deputy, Barchoke, for a very important box. Do you have any idea what that is, Mister Potter?'

'I don't know, sir,' Harry replied, 'Hermione and I both grew up in the muggle world. We're not really familiar with wizarding customs.'

'I shall explain, then,' said Ragnok. 'Gringotts is the sole legal repository of wizarding wills.'

'You sent your deputy for my mother and father's will, sir?' Harry guessed.

'Very sharp, Mister Potter. Yes. That is indeed what Deputy Chief Barchoke has been sent to do.'

'I didn't know that my mother and father left a will,' Harry muttered sheepishly.

Ragnok raised his eyebrows. 'You were not made aware?'

Harry shook his head.

'Your guardian had the responsibility to do so once you turn eleven, unless the will specifically says otherwise.'

'My guardians hate magic,' Harry explained, 'They would never even open anything like that.'

'No. Not your muggle guardians,' Ragnok said, 'Your parents should have appointed a magical guardian in case they were…unable to care for you. That witch or wizard has the responsibility of informing you of the contents of your mother and father's will.'

'Do you know who that person is?'

'I do not, no,' Ragnok replied, 'However, whoever it is will be stipulated in the will. Ah, Barchoke.'

The Deputy Chief had returned with a large wooden box. Ragnok spoke a few more words in Gobbledegook, and Barchoke exited the room and closed the door behind him.

'Now, the tradition is that the client is read the will by a Gringotts goblin. However, you may choose to read it yourself if you so desire,' Ragnok offered.

'I shall stick to your customs and ways, Chief Ragnok.'

Ragnok smiled in appreciation. He opened the box with a wave of his hand. Harry noticed a silver ring set with a single large ruby and a large silver key in addition to a roll of parchment in the box. Ragnok waved his hand again and the roll of parchment levitated into the air and unfurled itself.

'The Last Will and Testament of James Potter and Lily Potter, née Evans,' Ragnok recited. 'I, James Potter and I, Lily Potter, being of sound mind, do hereby make, publish, and declare this to be our joint Last Will and Testament. In the case that either one of the before named is incapacitated permanently, all family assets will be transferred fully under the name of the other. The custody of our son, Harry James Potter, will too go to the surviving spouse.'

'In the case that both named are permanently incapacitated, all assets will be frozen except for three yearly allowances. One: a yearly allowance, to be placed in Vault 687, to be given from ages eleven through eighteen, of 1,750 Galleons to Harry James Potter, for use in covering costs incurred as a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as well as to cover basic living expenses. The frozen assets will be unlocked in full to Harry James Potter and placed under his exclusive control when he is determined to have the necessary skill and maturity to handle the full sum.'

'Two: a yearly allowance, to be given in perpetuity, of 25,000 Galleons to Remus John Lupin, to cover all expenses necessary for a comfortable life without need to work and all potions necessary for the treatment of his medical condition.'

'Three: a yearly allowance, to be given from retirement to passing, of 3,000 Galleons each before conversion to Pound Sterling to Michael and Jane Evans, father and mother of the named Lily Potter, née Evans, to add to their pensions to cover costs in retirement.'

'Regarding the guardianship of Harry James Potter, should both named be permanently incapacitated, custody should be transferred to the following named in order of availability. First, Sirius Orion Black, godfather to Harry James Potter by the formal Godfather Ritual. Second, Frank and Alice Longbottom, family friends. Third, Remus John Lupin, family friend. Fourth, Arthur and Molly Weasley, family friends. Fifth, Ted and Andromeda Tonks, cousins of Sirius Orion Black. Sixth, Michael and Jane Evans, father and mother of Lily Potter, née Evans. Seventh, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. If none of the named guardians are available, Harry James Potter will be made a ward of the Ministry of Magic. Under no circumstances is Harry James Potter to be placed in the care of matrilineal aunt Petunia Dursley, née Evans. If Harry James Potter is taken into the custody of any of the named guardians, said guardian shall receive a yearly sum of 7,500 Galleons to ensure the proper care of Harry James Potter.'

'Additionally, I, Lord James Potter, pass on the headship of the Potter family and all privileges and responsibilities of that role to Harry James Potter, when he is determined to have the necessary skill and maturity to take on such privileges and responsibilities.'

'Signed, James Potter. Signed, Lily Potter. Witness, Sirius Black. Executor, Albus Dumbledore.'

There was a heavy silence in the room as Ragnok concluded his reading. Harry looked over at Hermione. He saw that her face was quite pale, and she was nervously running a hand through her hair. Harry had been tightly gripping the edge of the table without realizing it, and he had lost feeling in his fingertips as a result.

'Well, that will wasn't very well followed,' Harry attempted some humour to lighten the situation. It fell flat.

'It was not just not followed,' Ragnok said seriously, 'This box has never once been opened by a human in the fourteen years since it was filed.'

'No one bothered to check the will?' Harry asked, incredulous.

Ragnok shook his head. 'Only the goblins have opened it to verify the contents of the wills when a claim is made.'

'And have there been any claims?'

'Only one,' Ragnok replied, 'Albus Dumbledore claimed your legal guardianship two days after your mother and father's passing. As executor, he has closed the will to all others mentioned. Except you, Mister Potter, as you have the unalienable right to access your parents' will.'

'But he couldn't do that!' Hermione protested, 'An executor is supposed to – '

'You would be quite right, Madam, if we were referring to the muggle world,' Ragnok interjected, 'However, the wizarding world operates by different principles. A wizarding executor has full legal control of the deceased's will, if none of the parties named at the beginning of the will are able to carry out that duty.'

'So Dumbledore took control of my parents' will and closed it so that others couldn't read it?'

'That is the general idea, Mister Potter,' Ragnok replied, 'No other mentioned on the list was able to claim guardianship, even though they would have been given precedence to Dumbledore, as they have never seen the will.'

'But…but why?' Harry sputtered.

'The magical guardian, Mister Potter, has full financial and legal rights over the child in the magical world,' Ragnok explained, 'As well as all privileges offered by the Head of House position, if the child is in line to be such.'

'So…so you're basically saying…Dumbledore is keeping me in the dark about my family and my past…keeping to himself rights and powers that should be mine…enforcing my imprisonment at the muggle guardians that my parents explicitly prohibited from taking me in…and all the while siphoning off my parents' assets?' Harry concluded, aghast.

Ragnok considered this carefully. 'I cannot speak to his intentions. However, all that you have said are things that a magical guardian could do.'

'Can I stop this? If this is happening?'

'Certainly. All you would have to do is take back your status as the Head of the Potter family. All others' claims to your family will be rendered void by that.'

'And how can I do that?'

Ragnok reached into the wooden box and pulled out the ruby ring. 'You need only place this on the ring finger of your right hand. If it glows, your headship will have been accepted. If it does not, for reasons of "insufficient skill and maturity", as it was stated in the will, then it will not glow.'

Harry took the ring from Ragnok and slid it on his finger. Suddenly, he felt a surge of warmth through his right arm as the ring glowed a pure golden light. He looked over at Hermione, and saw that her eyes were wide and filled with a mixture of awe and pride.

'Excellent. You are now, in Gringotts parlance, considered "Lord Potter". This breaks Albus Dumbledore's claims of magical guardianship on you, and gives you back full control of your parents' will,' Ragnok said. He turned to Hermione. 'And you, Madam. You are married to Lord Potter?'

Hermione blushed bright pink. 'Y-Yes,' she squeaked, holding her hands to her mouth.

'Then formally, to Gringotts, you are considered "Lady Potter". Of course, you may keep your maiden name for all other purposes if you so wish. Both of you now have unrestricted access to the Potter vaults and family properties. We may go over that at our next meeting. Additionally, you will be considered magically emancipated by the Ministry of Magic, per goblin and wizarding law.'

Hermione gasped. 'We're considered magically of age?'

Ragnok nodded. 'Do you understand the meaning of this?'

'We're allowed to do whatever we want,' Hermione said, shocked, 'We can do magic outside of school. We can drop out of Hogwarts tomorrow. We can also be sent to Azkaban as adults.'

'Lady Potter, your initial assessment is quite correct,' Ragnok said with a laugh. 'As for the examples. The first one, you can certainly take advantage of. It would make your lives a lot easier. The second one, I do not recommend. The third one, I'd rather not see happen to such excellent young wizards such as the two of you.'

Harry and Hermione both blushed. 'What're the "responsibilities" that my father mentioned in his will?'

'Ah, that I am ill-informed to tell you, Lord Potter,' Ragnok replied, 'I suggest you ask a half-blood or pure-blood wizard who grew up in the magical world, for these are wizarding customs and magics, not goblin ones.'

Harry nodded. 'I have one more question, if I may, Chief Ragnok?'

'Certainly, Lord Potter.'

'In my parents' will, there was something about Sirius having taken part in the "Godfather Ritual". What exactly does that mean?'

'That is another wizarding custom. However, this is a wizarding custom that I can inform you about,' Ragnok answered. 'The Godfather – or Godmother – Ritual binds a person to their godchild magically. The results of the ritual are that the godparent is unable to – willingly or unwillingly – cause harm to the godchild or their immediate family.'

Harry nearly shot out of his chair. From the floored expression on Hermione's face, she must have come to the same realization.

'Chief Ragnok, does "harm" include revealing the secret of a Fidelius Charm to a known enemy?' he asked.

'That would be a textbook example of "willing harm", Lord Potter.'

Harry turned to Hermione. 'So that means…'

'There's absolutely no way that Sirius could have betrayed your mother and father!' she finished for him.

Ragnok smiled. 'Yes. That is the obvious conclusion.'

'Chief Ragnok, could you do something for me?' Harry asked. Seeing Ragnok's nod, he pressed on, 'Would you be able to make a notarized copy of the will, highlighting the portion mentioning the Godfather Ritual, and send it to Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?'

'That would be a small service to right the injustice done to you, Lord Potter,' Ragnok replied, 'Normally, we charge a fee of ten Galleons. However, this service will be done as a courtesy of Gringotts this time.'

Harry nodded. 'Thank you for your generosity, Chief Ragnok.'

'A small service for a valued client, Lord Potter. Any other requests?'

'Just one. Would you please begin payments of 25,000 Galleons per month to Remus Lupin, as stipulated by my parents' will? And the allowances for my maternal grandparents, too, if they're alive?'

'Certainly. Mister Lupin's payments will start immediately, along with a backlog of the last twelve years' worth of payments. Unfortunately, however, your maternal grandparents are already deceased. We at Gringotts check in with all written beneficiaries of a will periodically. I am sorry to say that your maternal grandfather passed away five years ago, and your grandmother, six.'

Harry nodded, a little saddened that he would not be able to meet his grandparents. 'Thank you, Chief Ragnok. That's all from me for today.'

'Same for me,' Ragnok replied, 'Thank you for the great service you have rendered to the goblins of Gringotts. Expect an owl within five days to schedule our second appointment.'

With that, Ragnok bowed Harry and Hermione out of the bank. Hermione was literally bouncing in excitement.

'Sirius is going to be free!' she sang, 'Can you believe it? And it's indisputable, too! You can't fight against something magic compels!'

Never mind that they were in the middle of Diagon Alley, Harry took her around the shoulders and planted a kiss on her lips. She squeaked in surprise but returned the kiss just as passionately.

'And we helped out Remus, too!' Harry chirped passionately. 'I do wonder, though. What the hell was Dumbledore thinking? He was a witness at the signing of the will. He knows the contents. Why did he allow Sirius to get thrown in Azkaban without a trial? Why did he keep Remus in poverty? Why did he send my to Privet drive regardless?'

Hermione nibbled her lower lip, her classic 'thinking look'. 'I don't know,' she replied finally, 'It is really odd that he blatantly ignored what your parents wanted, but as for his intentions… I don't think we can answer those question right now, Harry.'

'You're suggesting we monitor Dumbledore and see?' Harry asked.

Hermione nodded. 'I think that's the best course of action. We do know one thing now, though.'

'And that is?'

'Dumbledore cannot be trusted.'

Luna Lovegood was late to dinner again. She was cold, and her jumper had been stolen from her and hung up on a torch fixture in one of the corridors. She knew this was not the fault of Nargles. They were natural pranksters, but they would never hide something so far out of reach.

No. This was the work of her housemates. That thought made Luna sad. No one seemed to care for her in the castle. Well, there was Ginny, and she was nice, but that was just one girl that she did not even see except in classes. Already, several fourth- and fifth-years had walked past her on their way to dinner, ignoring her plight.

Luna wished she could just perform a Summoning Charm like Harry Potter did in the First Task and get her jumper back.

She bent her knees, mustered all her strength, and jumped up, reaching with her right arm, but she did not even come close to the fixture. She landed rather roughly on her feet, feeling dejected.

'Need some help?' a friendly-sounding girl's voice came from off to her right. Luna turned in that direction and saw a girl with rather bushy, light-brown hair standing next to a black-haired, green-eyed boy. Luna recognized the boy at once.

'You're Harry Potter.'

The boy laughed. 'Yes, I am. And you are?' he asked. There was something about his voice that made Luna feel like he already knew the answer.

Luna felt taken aback. When had anyone asked for her name except to make fun of it? But Harry Potter seemed nice. Much nicer than her housemates, at least. 'Luna,' she replied, 'Luna Lovegood.'

The girl beamed. 'Nice to meet you, Luna. I'm Hermione Granger.'

There, too, was something in Hermione Granger's voice that made Luna feel uncanny, like they already knew her. Luna shook off the feeling. She was just surprised that they were being nice to her, most likely.

'Need a hand?' Harry Potter asked. 'It seemed like you were having some trouble.'

Luna looked up at her jumper and looked back at Harry Potter. He seemed to have understood.

'Accio Luna's jumper!'

Luna's jumper flew off the torch fixture and Harry Potter caught it in his free hand. He walked up and handed it back to her.

'Thank you,' Luna said sincerely.

'It's not a problem.'

'How did it get up there, Luna?' Hermione Granger asked.

'Oh.' Luna did not want to tell the truth about how the Ravenclaw girls stole her things. That just made it worse. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were nice, much like Ginny, but still, she did not want to talk about it. There was always the off chance that an Aquavirus Maggot could overhear and pass the word on to someone like Sue Li.

'The Nargles stole it,' she lied, knowing full well that the Nargles would do no such thing.

Harry Potter and Hermione Granger exchanged a meaningful look that seemed to be a conversation in and of itself. Both looked like they accepted the explanation, however.

'Well, if you need anything else – anything at all – you can find us, all right, Luna?' Harry Potter said.

Luna nodded and skipped off to dinner, filled with giddiness that someone had, for once, done something for her. The Heliopaths were watching over her, after all.

Remus Lupin was a very happy werewolf.

He had just been contacted by Gringotts. He was apparently now 325,000 Galleons richer. Considering that he was worth just about ten Galleons before, that was quite the mean change.

He had thought it was some sort of prank, but when he apparated himself to the wizarding bank, he had been led by one of the goblins directly to his new vault, which had already been filled with heaps and heaps of gold. Then, he had been sent to the Chief Goblin's office, where a goblin named Ragnok had explained how Harry Potter had taken control of his parents' will from Dumbledore, and had paid out thirteen years' worth of living stipends to him, as stipulated by James and Lily's will.

The goblin also mentioned that Harry had taken over the Head of the Potter family. And he had…a wife? Moony wondered who it was. All signs pointed to Hermione. Lily would be proud, he thought, that her son had chosen a ridiculously intelligent, feisty, and beautiful muggle-born just like her. But to get married? They were only, what, fourteen? Moony would have to get the full story out of Harry some time.

First things first, though. He needed to get himself some new clothes. He may as well take advantage of James and Lily and Harry's generosity. He could buy himself a guaranteed lifetime supply of Wolfsbane Potion – discreetly, of course – and never worry about the transformations ever again. After that, he would buy himself a proper flat and move out of the run-down 'cottage' he had been calling 'home' all these years. Hopefully a flat in the muggle world, where nobody would care or even know that they were neighbours with a werewolf.

He also needed to find Padfoot. Something about this whole business bothered him. Ragnok had hinted that Dumbledore was responsible for closing the Potters' will. Moony could not fathom a reason why he would do such a thing. James and Lily would never have written anything dangerous into their will. It all sounded suspicious, and he would not have believed it if it had not come directly from the Chief Goblin's mouth. He needed to find out what the hell was going on. Maybe Padfoot would have some answers.

Moony could not wait to live a proper life for once.

Amelia Bones was curiously puzzled.

An official Gringotts owl had just dropped off a notarized official copy of James and Lily Potter's will. The goblins had highlighted a section that expressly stated that Sirius Black had gone through the Godfather Ritual, binding him to Harry Potter.

Amelia did not achieve twelve 'Outstanding' N.E.W.T.s by being stupid. She knew what the Godfather Ritual meant. There was absolutely no way that Sirius Black could have betrayed the Potters. Not willingly, not under Veritaserum, not under the Imperius Curse. Magic itself would prohibit it.

Black could not possibly be a Death Eater, either, since that would constitute a betrayal of his godson.

The only possible explanation left to Amelia was that the unlikely story she had heard last year was true. That Peter Pettigrew had been the true traitor, that he had murdered the twelve muggles, and that Black was actually innocent.

Considering the fact that Black never received a trial, all Amelia would have to do was throw out his case file, and he would be immediately exonerated. But she knew the way society worked. She would need to go through the official process. Black would have to be summoned for a questioning under Truth Serum. Only after he gave answers would she be able to let him walk free. And Amelia had a feeling that walk free he will.

She stood up from her desk. Fudge needed to see this. And even if he did not want to, Amelia would force him to see sense.

Albus Dumbledore was incredibly confused.

The instrument that monitored the strength of the blood wards at Privet Drive had just exploded minutes earlier. That could only mean one thing. The wards had been destroyed somehow. That should have been impossible. Not even Tom himself had the power to touch them.

The only way those wards could fall, he knew, was if Harry had come of age or that he no longer considered that place home. The first one was impossible. Harry was only fourteen. The second one was impossible, too. He had purposefully kept Sirius in Azkaban so that Harry could not have an alternate guardian that would result in the destruction of the wards. And Harry had made no comment that he was no longer willing to stay at Privet Drive. For all he knew, after all, he had no other home to go to.

Albus would need to make a trip to Privet Drive soon to evaluate the condition of the wards. If there was any left at all, they could be repaired with some effort. If there was not, then there was no way to replace them. The power provided by Lily's sacrifice had long faded.

Albus popped a sherbet lemon in his mouth and buried his face in his palms. If the wards failed, then he would be breaking his promise to Petunia and Vernon to keep them safe behind the strongest wards possible, in return for taking on Harry. And he needed them to take on Harry. As much as it gnawed on his conscience that Harry was being so downtrodden at that place, he needed to stay there. He could not grow too strong or too independent, for then he would Go Dark. He had made that mistake with Tom years ago, and he could not repeat it with Harry.

It was all for the Greater Good, after all.