As an intermission from Harry's escapades, a view into what on earth Dumbledore has been doing while Harry has been wandering around London! Thank you to everyone who has shown this story love! I appreciate you all. I've never written Dumbledore before… here goes! Enjoy!


The tension at the table was palpable. Dumbledore sat calmly sucking on a lemon drop while Sirius and Remus stared him down. With the rest of the order looking back and forth between the men, there was a split between those who held unwavering faith in the elderly headmaster, and those who had gotten tired of his bullshit.

"Albus, you've said for months that you had this investigation under control." Sirius glared harshly at the man across from his, words coming out sharp. "I understand the need for the investigation to be conducted privately to a degree, but this is starting to take a ridiculously long time." Leaning back, crossing his arms, he noted the headmaster didn't so much as look up from the teacup he was holding.

"Now my boy-"

"I am not your boy! I am almost 36 years old. Hogwarts was a long time ago old man." This time there was a growl in his voice, and to his right Remus let out a sharp exhale of agreement.

The placating tone that Albus had attempted quickly turned into a severe frown. The first show of actual emotion in this conversation.

"That may be, but you know I have Harry's best interest in mind. You know how he likes to stay out of the public's eye. Telling everyone he is accounted for buys us time." The frown faded as he spoke, attempting to save face.

"That time is coming quickly to an end, and should already have run out a long time ago, and you know it. At this point, you're just trying to save your reputation." Sirius sneered with the last few words and noted that Snape's gaze seemed to sharpen as the conversation progressed.

The Weasley matriarch quickly and quite loudly jumped to the headmaster's defense. "Sirius Black! That is too far! He only wants what is best, we would not be doing the poor dear any favors by publicizing his disappearance. Why, then anyone could find him!" She looked scandalized by the end, and her eldest looked at her disgusted.

Speaking straight to the headmaster, Bill gave him a hard look. "At least then he would be found. From what you all have said it sounds like he wasn't healthy to begin with, and being missing for five months is not going to help his condition."

The order was quiet for a moment, and Sirius noted that Snape's eyes had narrowed at the usage of the word 'condition.' He was missing something, but no one seemed inclined to fill him in.

Deciding to push, Sirius looked right at Snape with narrowed eyes as he attempted again to gain some clarity. "The lack of answers is starting to get extremely old Albus. I don't even know what his relatives had to say on his disappearance, and as Bill said, it's been five months." Turning his gaze back to Albus, he continued. "He witnessed something at the end of the school year that undoubtably traumatized him. Who knows how he's handling that mentally. I'm done being patient."

Albus looked slightly constipated at this, and Sirius couldn't help but feel a bit vindictive. He had tried to be patient. Certainly some progress must have been made, but five months without Harry being brought home was unacceptable.

Attempting to send his best disappointed look in Sirius's direction, Dumbledore paused before quietly responding. "Harry's aunt and uncle were not available for a response when we checked in with them." Gaining the attention of everyone at the table, even those who had started to fade from the conversation, his voice became harder. "A few days after we failed to receive an owl from Harry, one of his scheduled check-ins, Alaster went to Privet Drive to determine why he broke contact.

He tried to maintain his distance, to see if he could catch sight of Harry before returning to headquarters. Unfortunately, after a prolonged surveillance, none of the residents made an appearance."

Putting on an air of fatigue, he sighed before taking another sip of his tea. Looking into the porcelain, he continued. Once again speaking quietly, this time resigned, anticipating the effect his words would have.

"Once Alaster was certain no one was in the house, he went in to investigate, supposing they went on a vacation and brought Harry with them for once." Everyone in the room knew how unlikely that was. "What he found was why we have not brought the ministry into our search."

Looking at Sirius and then Remus, he seemed to weigh his words, deciding whether or not it was worth spreading the information they had hidden for months. Seeing Remus's eyes beginning to take on a feral edge, he took the dive.

"Petunia's husband was a husk, there no other word for it. Fang marks were prominent on his neck." Gasps filled the room, and everyone took on a sharpened posture. Albus seemed to age before them. "Worse was Petunia and her son."

"Worse headmaster?! How on earth could they be worse!" Molly screeched from her position several seats from Albus, and he looked pained.

"It easily could be worse, couldn't it? At least that shows he died quickly. The others weren't so lucky, were they headmaster?" Bill keenly eyed the elderly man, a knowing look settling on his face.

"Young William is correct. Alaster found Petunia and Dudley Dursley mauled. Their necks were torn open, and it looks to have been accomplished by a newly turned vampire. There were signs of struggle in Harry's room, and the door was broken down from the inside."

Remus, who had been quiet for the majority of the meeting, letting Sirius speak their part, suddenly flew from his seat, eyes bright gold.

"WHAT?"

- S.O.A.R. -

Harry was having the best time he'd had in months.

While there was always the possibility of someone catching enough details under his hood to recognize him, it was enough of a relief to be around dense magic for the first time in months that he wished he had caved months earlier.

Thankfully the jacket he was able to obtain several weeks ago from a considerate stranger had a large hood, and it minimized the worry.

Being around people was thankfully not a temptation at the moment, as his last meal was still settling nicely. A wide smirk spread across his face and a satisfied hum escaped with that recollection.

Someone to his left gave him a wary glance at that sound, which only deepened his satisfaction.

He knew he was slipping.

Gaining pleasure from the discomfort of others, feeling a general detachment from humans. After all, he wasn't one anymore, however much he wanted to hold onto that for the longest time.

Desperation and starvation are cruel teachers, and now he finally was going to try to gain information to help him understand exactly what he had become.

He had already determined that going to the order was out, and the familiar ache that thought brought reappeared.

Whether or not Sirius and Remus would support him, hopefully they would understand his hesitance.

First, giving himself a solid background in what he is. Vampires were touched on in DADA, but not in near enough depth for someone who found themselves suddenly with that classification.

Seeing the white walls of Gringotts just ahead, Harry quickened his pace. It would be nice to have money to work with again rather than just picking the pockets of his victims.

Which he could still do, but that wouldn't get him the galleons he needed.

Glancing at the engraved inscription on the doors, reminiscing that he now at least vaguely qualified for their warning, even though he had no intention of stealing from the bank. Other people as opportunity provided, but he wasn't suicidal.

Walking up to the nearest counter, he waited until acknowledged. Eyebrow raised when he was thusly ignored for several minutes.

Finally the goblin deigned to lower their quill and peer down at him, not without an admirable put-upon expression.

"Yes? Can we help you..?" After that quality sneer, Harry was tempted to reply in kind, though knew it was counterproductive.

"Harry Potter, looking to make a withdrawal from my vault. I don't have my key." Professionalism was the way to go. Even though he had to wonder what a goblin tasted like. Bad thoughts!

"And which vault would you like to withdraw from Lord Potter?" The goblin looked at him with a bored expression, more than a little condescending.

Interesting. The title didn't seem accurate, but he wasn't going to complain. And having only visited one vault, it seemed self-explanatory, but better to play it safe.

"If I may have an inventory before I decide please?" This caused the goblin to look faintly more interested.

"Certainly. One moment."

Standing in the middle of the bank waiting for the goblin to return was not the situation he would have preferred, though his interest was now peaked.

After several minutes the goblin returned with a scroll, setting it down on the podium.

"Place your finger on the parchment and let your magic saturate it to confirm your identity. It will then create a summary of the vaults' contents. Your key can then also be replaced for a fee." The smirk that followed that last sentence was greedy, and he admired it a little.

Thankful they had not asked him to do this when he was 11, as he was doubtful he would have known how.

"Why isn't blood used? It seems like it would be a more accessible method?" No reason not to sate my curiosity.

This had him receiving a look of mild derision and a small sneer. "You are a vampire are you not? General accessibility for that method does not apply in your situation."

Which.. should have been obvious. Right. At least it answered if they knew he was a vampire.

Clearing his throat, he looked down and quickly moved on, letting his magic flow into the scroll.

Words started to fill the page, and he noted there was a trust vault as well as a main Potter vault. While the trust vault had 500 galleons in it, likely topped off from the main vault after it had been accessed prior, the main vault had nearly 53,000 galleons in it. In addition to the galleons, it also had heirlooms, books, and even portraits. I won't get my hopes up.

Slightly stunned, he looked up at the teller. "How many pounds would that translate to?" His voice was a bit faint, but he felt it was justified.

"Roughly 265,000 pounds." The goblin looked less than impressed by his reaction, which might be his resting face, but remained relatively professional. "Which account would you like to withdraw from, and do you desire new keys to be created?" The impatience starting to show through.

"The main Potter vault please, and new keys would be appreciated. Is there any way for me to carry larger amount of galleons and pounds with me? After not being able to visit Gringotts for a while, I don't want to be stuck without funds again." Who knew if he would be able to visit again any time soon, he hardly knew what he was going to do next week at this point.

This question seemed to brighten the goblin's mood if only slightly. "Indeed Lord Potter. If you wear your lordship ring, you may simply press the signet onto a check. In the muggle world, we have a card available for an additional fee."

Of course it was another fee. However, as he was lacking a ring, it was time to own up to his ignorance.

"Unfortunately I have not claimed my ring. What is the procedure to get that taken care of?"

This got a momentary stare from the goblin, and Harry found himself fidgeting slightly.

"Follow me to one of the conference rooms Lord Potter."

Aaand, apparently he reached the threshold of what can be accomplished simply. It's better than being out in the open anyway.

Along the way, about halfway down the hallway they were walking through, the goblin he was following stopped another and muttered to grab the Potter Lordship ring. Good hearing was helpful sometimes.

Reaching the conference room, number 3 according to the door, they situated themselves at the mahogany desk.

"While we wait for the ring to be brought in, what communication have you received from Gringotts in the last year Lord Potter?" The sneer was gone, and in its place was a look of what might be called concern. Not that he would dare.

"I've never received letter concerning my vaults."

It looked like he was expecting this answer, though he wasn't pleased. In the least.

"I see." The goblin- actually, what was his name?

"Pardon me, but what is your name? So I might know who to reference if needed in the future?" This got a look of appreciation, at least.

"My name is Griphook, Lord Potter."

"Thank you Griphook! I appreciate your assistance." Sending what he hoped was a friendly smile in his direction. Can't hurt to get on their good side.

"Certainly Lord Potter." Seeing the other goblin set a small box on the desk, he impatiently waited for the go-ahead from Griphook.

The ring was fairly unassuming, thankfully. The signet was its most prominent feature understandably. The Potter crest displayed with impressive detail.

"Now that you have your ring, as is your right. Perhaps now it is most prudent to inquire if the paperwork that came into our office, concerning emancipation by way of approval for entrance to the Tri-Wizard Tournament, might have come to be?"

Harry stared at Griphook for several seconds.

"Pardon me? Emancipation?"

This once again had him receiving a look of impatience.

"Yes, the acknowledgment by the ministry that you are now an adult, and thus Lord Potter rather than Heir Potter."

Pausing to consider, Harry stilled as the reason clicked.

"The contract stated that only those who were older than 17 were allowed to participate. As the ministry approved of my participation, it must have begun the emancipation process." He found himself staring at the back wall at this realization.

He had been considered an adult by the ministry for more than a year now. And he had no clue. It was likely even the ministry didn't know.

"That would indeed have been enough to start the process. You should have received a letter from Gringotts acknowledging this change and establishing your access to the main vault. That policy requires acquisition of the ring to be conducted in person is fortunate."

Another subject to research, ways in which letters may be intercepted. It seems doubtful the goblins would have failed to notice one of their eagles returning injured.

"Thank you Griphook, this meeting has been very helpful."

"Certainly Lord Potter. Do you still desire to make a withdrawal?"

"Yes please. Maybe some of the books in the vault may be helpful."

- S.O.A.R. -

Walking down Diagon Alley, now with the ability to shop for what he needed, he felt like his steps were lighter than they had been going into the bank.

His situation was still bleak relative to prior years, but he had properties. He had money to pull from. And he now had even more means to solidify a foundation to his new life.

He could not rely on his old support systems. For what they were worth. Not much, they never listened anyway. Except for Sirius. At least with a Lordship, if someone decided he was better off dead, now for his creature status instead of his name, he had more prestige to lean on.

The Boy-Who-Lived title (and isn't that ironic now) was fickle at best, but a Lordship was more constant.

The books in his vault were less helpful than he had been hoping. The Black family's vault would probably be more likely to house something helpful to his situation. The portraits had also been a disappointment. He told himself he wouldn't get his hopes up, but failed spectacularly.

Regardless, he now had the afternoon to shop, and hopefully locate some useful information.

Pulling his hood forward slightly, he turned toward Flourish and Blotts, ready to begin his acquisition of knowledge. He was also looking forward to buying a proper robe with a hood that had an obscuring charm. More reliable than having to trust shadows. He could not rely on a notice-me-not charm in this world, that would make him more of a target.

While wandering through the alley and gathering the necessities, his thoughts wandered to Knockturn Alley. There certainly would be books there that would give insight to his situation. If he wasn't such a recognizable figure, they presumably would not care if he was a vampire. Perhaps he should look into ways to change his appearance. All it would take to be found is someone pulling down his hood.

He could relax more now that he had a skeleton of a plan.

Those who would seek to harm him before would be in for a shock if they tried again now. Granted those who tried to harm him before may very well be the less likely group to hurt him now, though he couldn't count on that.

The Harry Potter of five months ago would have shied away from those dark streets, but as he is now, there is a draw that is almost magnetic.

Now that he was amongst magic again for the first time in months, he couldn't imagine himself leaving again, risks be damned.