Harry sat in his room at The Leaky Cauldron, he was being allowed to stay there for the next two weeks until the Weasley's got back from Egypt. He had been doing a lot of thinking, and knew there was information being held from him. As he stood, he made the decision to go to Gringotts to get money for his school supplies while he figured out a way to find out what he was not being told. He walked down stairs and waved at Tom before heading into Diagon Alley. The walk to the bank was rather short, and within ten minutes he was walking through the door.
He still got a feeling of awe when he saw the Goblins, everyone talked about them as though they were greedy vile creatures but Harry wasn't sure he believed it. As he approached the teller, he pulled out his key.
"I would like to visit my vault."
The Teller did a quick scan to confirm his identity.
"Mr. Potter, we have been trying to reach you for some time. Your Vault Manager has some things to discuss with you."
Harry's nose crinkles in confusion. He had received no letters from the bank, surely he wasn't out of funds already. Sure he spent a lot on sweets for his friends but there was no way he burned through his inheritance that fast.
"I'm sorry, I had no idea. If he is available I can meet with him now."
The teller picked up his phone and dialed before saying something in Gobbledegook.
"Mr. Potter Ironclaw can see you now. Follow me."
Harry nervously followed the goblin to a large office where Ironclaw sat at his desk. The teller motioned to take a seat before leaving.
"Mr. Potter, I have been trying to reach you for 3 years with no luck. Am I to take that as you are not interested in your inheritance?"
Harry frowned, he thought he had seen all of his inheritance, Dumbledore certainly implied he had.
"I have already seen my vault, I thought that was all there was. I had not received any letters, and did not know you had been trying to get in touch until a few minutes ago."
Ironclaw cursed in Gobbledegook, before pulling out a thick folder.
"You are the sole member of the Noble and Ancient House of Potter, thus you are eligible to become Heir and eventually Lord. The vault you have been using is your mothers personal vault, and is in no way the end of your inheritance."
Harry's mouth hung open. Heir? Lord? None of this made any sense. He pulled himself together, and simply said,
"I see. Please continue."
"To see the full extent of your inheritance, I can perform an inheritance scan. It will list out all of your inheritance in a more simple and straightforward manner. However It requires a drop of blood."
"Okay, take as much as you need."
"Mr. Potter giving out your blood can be very dangerous, there are all manner of dark spells that can be done with it. Has your Magical Guardian not explained all this to you?"
Ironclaw spoke sharply at Harry agreeing so easily. Once again Harry just stared confused.
"Am I to believe that you do not know what a Magical Guardian is?"
Ironclaw sounded almost exasperated.
"No sir, the only guardian I know of is My Aunt Petunia, and she is a muggle."
"A Magical Guardian is the person in charge of a magical orphan's well being and safety chosen by the parents at birth. In your case it was meant to be Sirius Black but due to his incarceration, it fell to Albus Dumbledore. It was his duty to educate you on the magical world."
Harry gaped. Dumbledore was his guardian? But then why was he sent to the Dursleys?
"I had never met Dumbledore before Hogwarts, I didn't even know about magic until I got my letter."
Ironclaw looked angrily at the parchment indicating Dumbledore as the default guardian.
"Let's get your inheritance sorted out, and you can ask me anything you want to know. It is irregular, but so is an heir not knowing about his titles."
Harry stuck his finger out allowing Ironclaw to prick his finger and do the ritual. He watched in fascination as his blood trickled onto blank paper and disappeared as words became visible. Ironclaw handed him the paper.
Inheritance Test
Name: Harry Charlus Potter
Born: 31 July 1980
Age: 13 years old
Blood Status: Pure-Blood
Magical Core: Dark
Father: James Fleamont Potter (deceased)
Mother: Lily Marie James Potter née Evan (deceased)
Blood-Adopted Father: Sirius Orion Black (incarcerated)
Adoption: 07 May 1994
Godfather(s): Sirius Orion Black (Incarcerated)
Godmother(s) : Alice Longbottom (unfit guardian)
Titles:
Heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter (Paternal)
Heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black (Blood-Adoption)
Heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Slytherin (Paternal)
Vault :
Lily Potter Personal Vault
Balance; 155,000
Potter Family Vault
Balance; 250,000
Potter Vault
Balance; 1,170,893,980
Black Family Vault
Balance; 1,908,345,982
Slytherin Vault
Balance; 99,529,871,991
Properties :
Potter Manor (Unplottable)
Potter Cottage(Godric's Hollow, England)
Potter Summer House (Hogsmeade)
Black Manor (Wiltshire, England)
12 Grimmauld Place(Unplottable)
Black Cottage (Cairo, Egypt)
Black Beach House (Unplottable)
Slytherin Manor (Unplottable)
Abilities, Blocks, and Current Potion Effects :
Parseltongue (40% blocked)
Natural Occlumency (completely blocked)
Eidetic Memory (completely blocked)
Core (75% blocked)
Metamorphmagus; (95% blocked)
Compulsion Charm leading to Personality Change (Laziness, Rashness, undriven, trusting, naive)
Loyalty Potion (Subjects: Molly Weasley, Ronald Weasley, Ginevra Weasley, Hermione Granger, Albus P.W.B Dumbledore)
Odium Potion (Subjects: Slytherin House, Malfoy Family, Severus Snape)
Inextinguibilis Amor Potion keyed to Ginevra Molly Weasley
All blocks keyed to Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore
Harry read all of it in shock.
"What do all of these potions and blocks mean?"
Ironclaw read the paper, and his face paled.
"It means that Dumbledore isn't just a negligent guardian, he is a criminal. He's blocked off family magics, the majority of your core, and adjusted your personality to his ideals. Those blocks could be very dangerous if we do not remove them as soon as possible."
"I don't really understand what they are but if you say they are dangerous, then do whatever it takes to remove them. It will cost 50 Galleons but could save your life"
Ironclaw shouted down the hall in Gobbledegook, and a female Goblin walked in.
"I am Healer Torak, I will get started preparing the ritual room right away. It should be ready by the time you have finished claiming your inheritance."
Ironclaw must have explained the situation when he shouted for her.
She exited, and Harry turned back to Ironclaw. Ironclaw held 3 rings out to him, the first had a simple P on it engraved with rubies, the second had a black dog similar to the one he saw before the knight bus made of pure onyx, and the last had a snake of emeralds on it.
"These are your heir rings, all you have to do to claim your inheritance is put them on. The rings have enchantments to protect you from mind arts, poisons, and the more severe curses."
Harry slipped them on and felt a buzz of magic wash over him, and he could tell the rings accepted him as their heirs.
"I apologize for how swiftly this is going but the removal of those potions, spells and blocks is of the utmost importance."
Ironclaw said as he ushered Harry out the door and down the hall. They entered a room made of white stone, with runes engraved all over the walls and floors. Torak stood with a book in hand,
"Heir Potter, please step into the center of the room. I must warn you this will be incredibly painful."
Harry tried not to scoff, he knew what was painful to others was like a pin prick to him due to his tolerance being built up from years of abuse. He confidently walked into the center. Torak started chanting in Gobbledegook, and Harry felt a pain like no other, he tried to hold onto his consciousness but found himself blacking out.
When he awoke he was in a bed, he felt like his bones had all been shattered and hot glued back together. Torvak and Ironclaw sat by his bedside, watching as he sat up.
"Heir Potter, The ritual was a success, but Torvak wants to do a medical exam, she says there are old injuries that made the ritual far more painful than anticipated."
Harry's face became guarded. Getting rid of all that was one thing but letting them know about the abuse was another. He went to great lengths to hide the abuse.
"Heir Potter we are sworn to confidentiality, we can not discuss things we learn without your written permission, I assure that you are perfectly safe."
Harry thought about it before realizing he didn't even know why he always hid the abuse, he wasn't ashamed nor did he want to protect them. He took a breath before deciding to tell them the whole truth.
"My aunt and uncle despise magic and when muggles despise something they tend to not be very nice. To be perfectly clear they are abusive towards me. I told Dumbledore but he said that the Blood Wards were far more important than them disciplining me and sent me back anyways."
Torvak gasped. Magical Children were precious, abuse rarely happened due to how hard it was for many witches to conceive.
"Do you consent to an examination?"
Torvak wanted to heal him as fast as possible to lessen any long term effects.
Harry murmured his consent and Torvak cast an in depth examination spell. Over a dozen blank pages on the table filled with information and as she read it she nearly puked. His magic was most likely the only reason he survived as it had fixed the worst of the damage.
"Heir Potter, do you wish to press charges?"
Harry looked down deep in thought. Dumbledore was clearly not who he thought, and there was nothing he could do to get him removed as his magical guardian. Who is to say he would not end up someplace worse if he pressed charges?
"No, and is there any way we can keep all of this a secret from Dumbledore? If he was willing to place me under a compulsion there is no telling what he would do if he found out about this."
Ironclaw grinned ferociously.
"He has details pertaining to your vault, but can not access anything you directly state you don't want him to. It was put into place after a case of line theft a few years ago. And your heir rings will go invisible when you wish, most heirs hide their rings at Hogwarts anyways."
Harry smiled weakly before popping his back,
"So what do you say Doc? Can you patch me up?"
Torvak rolled her eyes at being called Doc as though she were a muggle.
She handed him a list of potions to take and when to take them.
"There is a reputable potion master down the street, it is called Bitter Brews. Give Rowena Selwyn the list and she should have them available soon, unless you would rather use Snape?"
Harry grimaced, while he was no longer forced to hate Snape, he did not trust him at all.
"Selwyn it is."
Ironclaw handed him a box full of books,
"These books contain all the information you need to know about your status and the ways of the wizarding world. I do apologize for not getting to answer your questions directly but you took longer to recover from the ritual than expected. I took the liberty of removing the mail redirection spell on you, so should you need anything you can always owl. There is also a pouch keyed to your mothers vault. Just think of the amount you need and it will appear."
Ironclaw was giddy at all the power Harry held, and was more than willing to help him to make a good impression.
Harry said his goodbyes, and headed to the potions shop. The potions would be ready in a few days, so Harry went and got all of his school supplies. He was preparing to leave when he saw the clothes shop. He looked down at his hand me downs before deciding to purchase a new wardrobe. He knew Madame M's was not as good quality as Gladrags but as he didn't want Dumbledore to know about him claiming his inheritance, it was better to go for cheaper either way. He bought several sets of everyday clothes, a summer cloak, a winter cloak, some nicer robes, undergarments, socks, multiple pairs of shoes and new uniforms. While clearly from Malkins they were still fairly nice. He then purchased a wand holster from Ollivander, and went to a smaller shop called Trunks Emporium and got an enchanted truck, it was expanded and enchanted so no one could open it but him. He knew he could explain the more expensive purchase as him wanting to keep the Dursleys out.
He went back to The Leaky Cauldron feeling more confident than ever. He thought about how he should pass the time before deciding to read his school books, without the compulsion to be undriven, he genuinely wanted to learn.
The two weeks passed uneventfully, he started taking his potions and got more books on the subjects he was taking. Harry was more prepared for school than ever thanks to his eidetic memory. The day of the Weasley's arrival approached faster than Harry would have liked, he had not figured out if the Weasleys and Hermione knew about Dumbledore. Unfortunately he had a feeling they did. As Ron walked in, he decided to keep them at arms length and to only tell them what he would be okay with Dumbledore knowing. Unfortunately he had also learned why his godfather was imprisoned and that he had broken out the week before he ran away
Ron ran up to Harry and hugged him.
"Bloody hell Harry, what were you thinking running away like that! One of You Know Who's most loyal escaped, what if he had found you?"
Harry smiled as though everything was the same as it was at the beginning of summer.
"My Aunt and Uncle were driving me mental, but by the time I calmed down I was already here. Figured might as well enjoy my last few weeks of summer."
He could tell Ron bought it but he didn't even have time to celebrate as Mrs. Weasley nearly suffocates him in a hug.
"Harry, we are about to do school shopping, if you give me your money pouch I will go ahead and buy it with the rest."
Harry froze for a moment as a thought hit him. He had let Mrs. Weasley buy his stuff with the rest last year, and it made him wonder if she had used his money to buy all of her kids' stuff.
"Oh I already got my school stuff, I had nothing better to do."
He noticed Mrs. Weasley's slight frown, and decided to have Ironclaw look into it.
"Oh I am impressed, most boys your age wouldn't think to do that on their own. Well you can still come along, I am sure Ron is bursting to tell you about Egypt."
And with that out of the way the rest of summer passed peacefully. They ran into Hermione in the Ally and Mr. Weasley told him about Sirius coming after him. He wondered why Mr. Weasley didn't mention Sirius being his Godfather but he could tell Mr. Weasley genuinely cared about him. After that it felt like time was a blur it passed so quickly and before Harry knew it he was on the Hogwarts Express.
Harry watched out the window as Draco got on the train, and once he saw the blonde arrogant boy he remembered what he learned. The Malfoys and The Weasley's had a blood feud, and when Harry rejected Draco's offer of friendship and refused to shake his hand, he had violated multiple traditions. In order to be respected in the wizarding world he knew he had to make things right.
He excused himself from Hermione and Ron, claiming he needed the toilet before finding Draco alone in his compartment. Parkinson, Crabbe, and Goyle had not yet arrived. Draco looked up clearly expecting his cronies and narrowed his eyes when he saw Harry.
"Potter, what are you doing here? Get out."
"Heir Malfoy, I am so sorry about first year. I was completely ignorant of our customs and meant no disrespect."
Draco quirked an eyebrow at Harry acting like a proper pureblood.
"Come off it you prat, everyone knows you had tutors, The Daily Prophet said so itself."
"Well then they are lying. I grew up with my muggle relatives, I didn't even know about magic until I got my letter, and I didnt know I was an heir until 3 weeks ago. I have been studying our traditions and proper conduct since I found out, hence why I came to make things right. I may not know everything yet, but I really am trying."
Draco looked at Harry, eyes searching.
"I believe you. I can't wait to rub those weasels noses in your heirship, no one has claimed the Weasle heirship in ages. They abandoned our ways for those filthy mudbloods, and have been blood traitors ever since."
"You can't tell them! If Dumbledore finds out, it could be really really bad."
"Dumbledore is a dick and all but why would he care? Many students are heirs."
"Well he isn't the magical guardian who went out of his way to ensure they never found out about their titles for other students."
"No way, Dumbledore is your guardian? Why would he hide your titles?"
"I don't know but I am guess its the reason he blocked my core and family magics and had me under personality altering spells and potions since my parents died."
Harry wasn't sure why he trusted Draco or why he told him everything but by the horrified expression Draco had, he knew he made the right choice.
"Potter-"
"Call me Harry, at least when it is just us. Look, I told Hermione and Ron I was going to the bathroom, so I have to go. Meet me outside of the Slytherin dorm tonight at midnight, I have an invisibility cloak and we can find somewhere to talk."
"Fine, and I guess you can call me Draco. I will keep your secret Pot- erm Harry, but you had better tell me everything."
Harry nodded and headed back to his compartment, his thoughts on the blonde blue eyed Slytherin the entire way.
He chatted idly with Hermione, wondering who the sleeping teacher in his compartment was, when he suddenly felt a freezing chill. He didn't even have time to register what was happening before he collapsed. He saw who he knew was mother standing in front of his crib, then a flash of green light. It replayed over and over until suddenly it stopped. His eyes opened and he saw the teacher, now awake, standing casting a white light towards a strange hooded creature. The creature left and The teacher turned around.
"Here, eat this chocolate. It will help."
Harry accepted the chocolate as the teacher introduced himself as Remus Lupin, the new DADA teacher. Harry recovered and the rest of the night passed uneventfully with Dumbledore explaining the creatures on the train were dementors searching for Sirius Black.
Midnight quickly came and Harry went to the Slytherin Painting where Draco was waiting. He popped his head out from under the cloak, making Draco jump. Draco got under the cloak, glaring daggers at Harry but not saying anything so they wouldn't get caught. They made their way to the astronomy tower, no one ever came up there outside lessons so it was safe for them to talk out from under the cloak.
"A bit of warning would have been nice."
"I didn't know how to show I was there without scaring you, I'm sorry."
Draco grumbled, but accepted his apology.
"Tell me everything Potter."
"I said call me Harry."
"I don't care, hurry up and talk before someone notices we are gone!"
"Fine. It all started 3 weeks ago. My aunt's sister in law pissed me off so I blew her up, resulting in me running off and accidentally summoning the knight bus……"
Harry told Draco the entire story, including the abuse, the fact Mrs. Weasley was most likely stealing from him, and that he suspected his friends were watching him for Dumbledore. By the end of his tale, Draco had sat down in shock.
"You could get them all arrested! What they have done is highly illegal- WAIT A MINUTE DID YOU SAY YOU ARE THE HEIR OF SLYTHERIN?!?!"
Harry covered Draco's mouth, shushing him.
"Dumbledore is too powerful, he would get off with a slap on the wrist and you know it. Besides I still don't know why he did it, I don't want to do anything until I know everything."
Draco pulled Harry's hand off his mouth.
"He is clearly insane, what are you going to do then? Let them keep robbing you blind?"
Draco ran his hand through his hair, and sighed. His father had warned him away from Harry because of Dumbledore, but he couldn't help it. He had been fascinated by Harry from the moment they met until Harry chose the friendship of the weasel. Harry had a dark core though, which meant he wasn't going to blindly follow Dumbledore's light, it went against his very magic.
Harry watched Draco, and it was clear he was lost in thought.
"Honestly, I don't know what to do. He is going to know some of his spells have failed since I am quitting quidditch, and plan on doing as good as possible at school. He is arrogant, obviously since he thought he could get away with placing blocks on me. Maybe he will think the spells are weakening over time? Except…"
"Except what?"
"The love spell. Love spells are not easily thrown off and I refuse to pretend to love Ginny. Whether she is really my friend or not, nobody deserves to be led on."
"I mean you could date her? Maybe you might actually catch feelings for the weaselette."
"That is impossible I'm afraid. I am gay. I think I always knew I was but due to the love spell things got confusing."
Draco smirked at Harry being gay.
"Is that why you decided to befriend me? I mean you arent what I usually go for but-"
"NO IT IS NOT WHY!"
This time it was Draco's turn to quiet Harry.
"Shush, I was only kidding. It's getting late, we should head back. If you want we can meet up again next weekend, and I can teach you more about our customs. One day when it's all sorted out, I want to publically be friends and I can't have you embarrassing me."
"Thanks, the books help a lot but there is still so much I don't understand. It's confusing to be honest."
"Let's go. And yeah our customs have been around for centuries, although The Light Faction has been getting more and more of them banned to make room for Mudbloods. Many don't make a lot of sense in today's time, but Purebloods are extremely attached to their traditions."
Draco trailed off as they walked back to Slytherin. Harry waved by before heading back up to his dorm where everyone was still sound asleep in their beds. The next day Harry walked to the common room, not bothering to try and wake up Ron. Almost immediately Hermione forced her way over to him.
"You need to finish your summer assignments! I will help of course but I really wish you would do them before school starts."
Harry schooled his face into a calm expression. Hermione always tried to take over his homework, but to assume he hadn't done it at all?
"Tell that to Ron, Mine is already finished."
He held up multiple parchments, they were just quizzes on last year's teachings. She snatched them away.
"Let me look over your work, It wouldn't be good for you to fail because you rushed through it."
Without the loyalty potion Harry found it extremely difficult to deal with Hermione. He knew he had aced his assignments, but she clearly didn't believe he was intelligent. He looked over hers and saw multiple mistakes, her DADA assignment was worth an EE at best, her Potions was a low O. When she handed him back his Potions assignment, Harry narrowed his eyes. She had changed some of his correct answers to incorrect ones. He knew she knew better because some were ones she had gotten right on her paper. He waited until she went up to her dorm for some more paper before fixing it. He tucked them into his bag before walking to breakfast. He spent the rest of the weekend protecting his homework, and sending secret looks pleading for help towards Draco, who merely laughed like an idiot each time.
His first class was Care of Magical Creatures, and Harry noticed Draco wasn't being antagonizing towards Hermione or Ron. Draco spent the class chilling with Parkinson, Goyle and Crabbe, and it went off without a hitch. Harry flashed him a grateful smile after class when nobody was looking and Draco just shrugged before walking off.
Harry had decided to take Ancient Runes in place of Divination, and was annoyed when he saw Hermione enter the class. He was nearly certain she had said she was taking Divination for the easy O. Ancient Runes was by far the most difficult class he had taken since starting Hogwarts but he found it extremely fascinating. Luckily the professor didn't sit him near Hermione claiming she did not want her class interrupted by friends talking.
Transfiguration went well, he managed to complete his assignment first and got 10 points for it. Unfortunately he noticed Hermione glaring daggers at him for completing it before her. That's going to be a problem Harry thought to himself. She had always gotten jealous if anyone achieved higher marks, but he had never been in a position where it was aimed at him before. He sighed in relief when the class ended, until he realized Potions was next.
Snape was already looking annoyed when Harry first entered the classroom, and it only got worse as class went on. First Ron wouldn't shut up so they both lost points, then Ron put the wrong ingredient in and ruined their potion. Draco was sending him sympathetic glances, and Harry got Hermione looking mildly confused at Draco. Harry knew she was getting suspicious and tossed a mandrake root towards Draco's cauldron, purposely missing. Snape saw and took 15 points from Gryffindor.
"I'll get you for that Potter, just you wait until my father hears about this!"
Harry muffled his laughter before shooting as hateful a glare as he could muster at him. Harry was surprised at how fast he developed a friendship with Draco but he had to admit it was nice to have a friend who didn't tell Dumbledore everything he did.
Unfortunately his last class did not go nearly as well. Professor Lupin had them face a bogart, but refused to let Harry face it. Harry wasn't sure why but he felt Professor Lupin was more interested in him than the average teacher. He made a note to ask the goblins if they knew anything about him.
The rest of the week went surprisingly well, he made sure not to look at Draco unless he had to, and he even managed to make a few decent potions. As Draco and Harry made their way to the astronomy tower, he couldn't help but feel hopeful. Harry took the cloak off him and sat down.
"Was I as insufferable as Hermione and Ron? Honestly people should have guessed I was bewitched when they saw I actually liked them."
Draco laughed.
"You were just as bad as they are, if not worse. How did they take you not showing up to quidditch tryouts?"
Harry winced as he remembered Ron yelling at him for ruining the team.
"Not well. Ron acts as though the team is hopeless without me, but honestly I have no interest in it. I only joined the team because McGonagall made me feel so special the first year."
"He's just upset he can no longer ride your coattails in that area. You are famous bruv, the only reason people haven't been clamoring to get on your good side is because Granger and Weasley chase them off. I heard them tell Longbottom you said they were the only friends you needed. Longbottom is a snivelly coward but he is still a nice enough bloke."
"I thought they just didn't care to be my friends, I am not sure how much longer I can handle those two. I caught Hermione changing my answers so I would get a lower grade than her, and Ron is just a straight up ass! I never realized how much of a bully he is."
"Like Hermione is any better. Everyone avoids the library when she is in it because if you are reading a book she wants she will snatch it away or insult your intelligence until you give it to her."
Harry sighed, he couldn't believe he had ever considered them his best friends.
"Once you have brought me up to date on the proper way to act, and I figure out how to get out from under Dumbledore's control I plan on publically dropping them."
"Speaking of that, I figure we should start with the next major holiday coming up. Samhain is the one night a year the veil is thin enough that people can talk to those they lost. It was outlawed for being too close to necromancy but is a sacred holiday."
"Why is it sacred?"
"Samhain was created by Lord Death themself. Before then ghosts were piling up left and right, not because they died violently or tragically but because they weren't ready to leave their families. It upset the balance so Lord Death gave them a single day of the year where they could come back and talk with their loved ones. In exchange the ghosts passed on into the afterlife allowing the balance to be restored."
"If it is so important how could people allow Dumbledore to outlaw it? I know only Purebloods are on The Wizengamot so it isn't like they didn't know the significance of the holiday."
Draco laughed,
"Dumbledore is the defender of the light, the defeated of Grindelwald, and the only person Lord Voldemort has ever feared, most people just go along with what he wants because he says it's for the greater good. Frankly it is utter bollocks, Newt Scamander did most of the work with Grindelwald only for Dumbledore to swoop in at the last moment. Everyone fears Voldemort, and yes he did do some awful things, but that is only because when he tried to change things through the political route Dumbledore blocked him at every angle."
When Draco realized who he was defending Voldemort to, he winced.
"I am so sorry, I shouldn't have said that to you."
Harry shrugged.
"I never knew them. Everyone expects me to miss them and hate the dark because of it. I did for a while but then I realized how many people used my parents to manipulate me. If I mess up it's alway 'Oh Harry your parents would be so disappointed in you' You remember 1st year when Gryffindor won the house cup? Ron, Hermione and I went to the 3rd floor which was highly forbidden, because Hagrid told us about Nicolas Flamel, which led me to finding the Mirror of Erised. I was 11 years old and placed in front of an object that grown adults have died because of. I could have died that night but Dumbledore did not do a thing. He knew I saw my parents, I mean fuck what else would an 11 year old abused orphan see? I think he wanted me to see it, despite the obvious risks. Then when I once again risked not just mine but two other students' lives by going to the forbidden floor on top of Hermione stunning Neville, there were Devils Snares, a Ceberus and potentially lethal poisons guarding the stone, I legitimately could have died, I wasn't punished for it, instead I was rewarded for my foolishness."
Draco looked furious once he realized just how much danger I was in.
"Dumbledore is a fool, putting three 11 year olds in that situation.. He shouldn't have used the school to house such dangerous creatures and objects in the first place!"
Harry scoffed knowing Dumbledore didn't care if he risked his life as long as it was for a cause he deemed good.
Draco and Harry talked for hours, about their culture, about his experiences in second year. When they finally parted ways Draco gave him a hug, and told him if he had his way about it Harry would never have to go through that again.
And so the weeks passed, Harry didn't bother attending the quidditch games, instead going to the library to study. Halloween came and went, with Harry joining Draco to take part in the Samhain Ritual, Sirius Black had broken into Gryffindor Tower and hurt the Fat Lady but soon enough it was the last Hogsmeade visit before Yule.
Harry tried his best not to be annoyed at not being allowed to go, he knew Dumbledore could give him permission but chose not to.
"Hello Harry."
Two voices chimed from behind him. He turned to see Fred and George standing a few steps above him.
"What's up?"
"Well we were thinking-"
"And it isn't really fair for you to be stuck here-"
"While everyone else goes to Hogsmeade."
"So-"
"Take this."
Harry smiled at their twinspeak, and took what appeared to be a blank piece of parchment.
"It's a map, when you want to use it-"
"Just say I solemnly swear I am up to no good-"
"And when you are done say mischief managed"
Harry activated the map and stared in shock, it showed where everyone in the castle was. He thanked the twins and they directed him towards a secret passage to Hogsmeade. He walked around until he heard his name being mentioned. He looked over to see a group of adults gathered at The Three Broomsticks.
Harry listened to multiple teachers, and ministry officials talk about Sirius Black. He learned a new piece of information from it. Sirius Black had killed 12 muggles as well as killed Peter Pettigrew, his parents best friend, the same night he betrayed Harry's parents. From what he had learned about Sirius Black from The Black Archives that was highly out of character for him. He carefully avoided being hit by any students and made his way back into the castle.
Harry put his face in his hands and sighed. He pulled out his quill and ink and started on a letter.
Dear Ironclaw,
It has come to my attention that Sirius Black killed multiple muggles as well as Peter Pettigrew. I was wondering if you could get me his trial transcript. I wish to see if he said why he betrayed my parents, as from what Orion Black wrote about his son Black was fiercely loyal to the Potters.
Best Regards,
Heir Potter
It didn't take long for a response.
Heir Potter,
There are no transcripts. It would appear he never had a trial, which is not uncommon for that period of time. It was commonplace for suspected Death Eaters to have group trials, and a few never got one at all. I will look into it further.
Ironclaw
Something was up and Harry could tell. Dumbledore would have made sure he got a trial for betraying them, the fact that he didn't made him suspect he was innocent.
Early the next morning everything changed. Harry decided to look at the map, and nearly choked at what he saw. In the same bed as Ron was Peter Pettigrew. He rolled over and saw only Scabbers and Ron. He looked back at the map, and when he saw McGonagall he realized the truth. Peter was an animagus. He pulled out his wand and stunned the rat, it let out a scared whine as Harry grabbed it. He went outside the wards, and called Dobby.
"What can Dobby do for Harry Potter?"
Harry smiled.
"Can you transport me and this rat to Amelia Bones office?"
"The wards are too strong, but Dobby can take Harry Potter to the entrance of the ministry?"
He stunned the rat again, putting more magic in it.
"That will work."
Harry couldn't believe how easy it had been to find Pettigrew. As he walked into the ministry, he kept his scar hidden, grateful he had grown his hair out. Within 20 minutes he was outside Amelia Bone's Office. He knocked politely and waited until she told him to come in before opening the door and shutting it behind him. She was obviously surprised at a kid walking in.
"Shouldn't someone your age be at Hogwarts, I know it lets out for Yule break today?"
"I should but I have information about Sirius Black, and didn't want to wait."
"I see. Who are you?"
"I am Harry Potter Ma'am and I believe my godfather is innocent."
She set her coffee down.
"Why do you believe that?"
He holds up the stunned rat.
"In my hands I hold Peter Pettigrew. He is an illegal animagus."
"Peter Pettigrew is dead Mr. Potter."
"Please trust me. I know there is a spell to force an Animagus out of their animal form, if I am wrong there is an easy way to prove it."
She sighs and Harry sets down the rat. She casts the spell and gasps in horror as it turns from a rat into a pale blonde overweight man.
"You-"
Peter tries to escape but Ms. Bones is faster. She stuns him and calls an auror to her office.
"Please escort this man to our holding cells."
The auror levitates him out of the room.
"How did you figure it out?"
He pulls out the Marauders map and activates it.
"I thought it was strange the map showed a dead man in bed with my fellow student Ron Weasley."
"I swear on my magic I will get to the bottom of this."
"Please don't tell anyone who brought Pettigrew in. I don't want to be thrown in the spotlight anymore than I already am."
She smiles sympathetically.
"Of course."
Harry goes back to Hogwarts and within a week The Daily Prophet announces Sirius Black is innocent, and that they have apprehended Peter Pettigrew who was now being charged for his crimes. After that the rest of the year goes well, and by the end of it Draco had taught Harry everything he needed to know. Harry had hoped with Sirius being free that he wouldn't have to go back to the Dursley's but due to the mental effects of spending 13 years in Azkaban he was ruled unfit. He would have another chance at gaining custody after a mind healer cleared him.
As Harry sat on the train heading home, he felt like he was finally ready to get out from under Dumbledore's control.
A.N.
I feel like Pettigrew and other aspects seem rushed but I feel like with the help of the Goblins, and Harry's intelligence there is no reason to drag it out. He knows about animagi, and the map had never been wrong when the twins had it, so him realizing the truth quickly seems realistic to me. I promise there will be many more Drarry moments, and I will expand more on other characters in the next chapter. I just wanted to use this one to set up the story.