It's My Life
It had been an eventful morning since coming to the bank. It didn't feel like much had happened yet, but it did. Harry had just learned of a vast fortune he inherited by being the last Potter in the family until a time came until he had children of his own, and he was going to be taking on the title of Lord Potter as well; something to protect his house and himself from any more of Albus Dumbledore's annoying interferences. It had made Harry happy to know he somehow impressed Severus, and to hear that Severus said he belonged in Slytherin was oddly comforting. Harry felt like maybe he should have just accepted the hat's decision back in first year; he probably would have thrived with the other snakes. Of course, this revelation by Severus got Griphook to inform all three of them at Harry inherited another lordship, and it was that of Lord Slytherin. Harry was shocked, and confused, but he only looked at Griphook to explain.
"The heir of Slytherin is Tom Marvolo Riddle, or now, Voldemort since he refashioned his name when he became the greatest sorcerer in the world. Least that's what he told me down in the chamber during second year," Harry remarked. "He refused to use his muggle father's name, so he rearranged the letters of his name to Lord Voldemort." He shrugged.
"You know way too much about the dark lord for comfort, Harry," Lucius said.
"Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer. You have to know your enemy to beat them," Harry told the man. "Now…Griphook, could you please explain how I can take the lordship for Slytherin, which I didn't even know you could claim lordships to specific houses."
"As you know, Salazar Slytherin was a founder of Hogwarts and the one who built the chamber years ago when Hogwarts was first formed and left behind a creature," Griphook began.
"Basilisk, yes." Harry nodded.
"You've seen it?" Severus asked.
"I killed it." Harry told him. "I'll give you details later. Griphook?" He invited the Goblin to continue.
"Tell me, Mr. Potter…Are you familiar with the Deathly Hollows?" Griphook questioned.
"No," Harry admitted.
"It's an age-old story in the Tales of Beedle Bard," Lucius explained. "Three brothers outsmarted Death itself, so he granted them each one thing they wanted. The three items are the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Invisibility Cloak."
"And it's not just a story, Mr. Potter. I myself only know of one of the items being the Elder Wand, but no one knows where it ended up. It had been in possession of Gellert Grindelwald, but it's believed that Albus Dumbledore won it from him in battle." Griphook informed. "The stone and the cloak seemed to have vanish."
"You said Invisibility Cloak?" Harry inquired.
"Yes, why?" Severus wondered.
Harry opened his bag and pulled out a cloak. "Dumbledore gave this to me my first Christmas at Hogwarts, with only a note that said your father left this in my possession before he died, it's time it was returned to you. Use it well. As Ron brilliantly pointed out when I put it on…It's an invisibility cloak. From what I understand…It's been in my family for generations of Potter's." He explained.
"Am I to assume that cloak is how you've managed to sneak around the Hogwarts grounds the last few years?" Severus asked.
Harry tensed up, biting his bottom lip. "Y-Yes." Harry admitted.
"We'll be having some rules about that cloak while you're in my care, Mr. Potter." Severus told him.
"Yes, sir," Harry nodded.
"You having that cloak just makes what I'm about to tell you more than simple theory," Griphook stated. "You, Harry Potter, descend down from one of the brothers. As did Salazar Slytherin and Lord Voldemort,"
"I-I'm related to Voldemort?" Harry blinked.
"Very, very distant cousins, I assume," Lucius mentioned.
"Great, cause I needed more of a connection to him…" Harry muttered sarcastically.
"That's right," Griphook nodded. "The brothers were Antioch, Cadmus, and Ignotus Peverell. You, Harry, descend from Ignotus Peverell, one of the three brothers; the one who received the cloak and passed it down to his child…So on the tradition of passing it down until it's ended up in your possession. Rightfully so too." He informed. "The stone is rumored to have ended up down the line of Cadmus Peverell and ended up with the Gaunt's, who Tom Riddle is a descendent of, his mother was Merope Gaunt. The wand has gone through many owners because it doesn't just get passed down. To wield the wand's power at its fullest, one must win it in battle of the original owner."
"And when one possesses all three items, they become the Master over Death," Severus said.
"Wow," Harry said, stunned. "But all that aside, not that it's not cool or nothing, but…How am I able to inherit something that was passed to the Heir of Slytherin, which is Voldemort. He told me he was the heir in second year during our battle in the chamber."
"Much like the wand, the honor goes to the one who defeated the heir. You defeated Voldemort when you were only a baby." Griphook said.
"B-But I didn't. It was my mother's sacrifice that made allowed me to survive." Harry reminded.
"When your mother cast herself between you and Voldemort, his killing curse rebounded and hit him. Her love for you, so you were still involved, Potter." Severus informed. "Even at that, I believe Griphook is saying that since your mother's love for you is what defeated Voldemort, she became the next heir but as she passed; it goes to her own child, which is you." He looked to Griphook for confirmation.
"That is correct." Griphook nodded. "So not only can you take on becoming Lord Potter, but also Lord Slytherin, Mr. Potter,"
"Do I want to know what becoming that will do, or I'll have to do?" Harry wondered.
"It grants you another seat in the Wizengamot, which is like a board of wizards and witches who decide on new laws or abolishing old ones." Lucius said. "But it would be more your political status that is affected. Your titles would have merit behind them, not to mention the respect. I told you, I can help you understand it all better as I too have a lord title."
"Okay," Harry agreed. "Not that I need more attention on me, but if I won it fairly, it would feel pretty silly not to take it."
"If you want power to stop Voldemort and Dumbledore, Harry, trust me; it would be the best way to go about it." Severus offered.
"I'll take them, but I don't want Dumbledore knowing." Harry informed.
"We'll work out something to hide it," Lucius reassured. "Is there anything else in the inheritance test we need to be aware?"
"Not really. It's known Harry has a seat in the Wizengamot already as a Potter, he'd gain one more as Lord Slytherin. I've mentioned the fortune, and there is some money remaining in the Peverell fortune. I can go ahead and just add it to the one vault with the Potter fortune if you like, Mr. Potter."
"That's fine." Harry said.
"I will take care of those things and get your new key made." Griphook informed. "If you'll wait here?"
Harry nodded, then Griphook left the office. "Talk about an informative day and it's not even over yet."
"No, it is not. Narcissa and Draco will be meeting us for lunch and then she's taking you and Draco shopping for clothes." Lucius told Harry.
"I'm fine with what I have, thank you." Harry said.
"The clothes we found you in don't even fit you, as if they were meant for a larger child." Lucius remarked.
"Well, yeah…They were my cousin Dudley's," Harry informed.
"My point stands," Lucius sighed.
"No arguments, Potter," Severus told him. "You will go with Narcissa and Draco to buy some appropriately fitting clothes for your age and figure."
"Then I'll withdraw money before we leave…" Harry muttered.
"No need. I'll be taking care of it, Harry." Lucius said.
"You don't need to do that, Mr. Malfoy." Harry insisted.
"I know I don't need to, but I would like to. Besides, it's not even my money that I'm using. Not technically. It's from the business's that I own in the muggle world; it's how I made my fortune for the Malfoy family. The money used for your new wardrobe is merely what I take in taxes from your uncle's work pay." Lucius chuckled. "A little payback for how they treated you over the years. I'm sure the money your uncle makes was more than sufficient to care for the house, and his family. Meaning the two children he was taking care of."
"Well, when you put it that way…Then I accept." Harry smiled. "Thank you, sir."
"No thanks necessary, Harry." Lucius waved it off.
Griphook returned, handing Harry a golden key. "This is the key to vault two-hundred and forty-five, where all of your money from the trust vault and remainder inside the Peverell vault have been combined in. Bear in mind the key Dumbledore has to your old vault will no longer work, but he only tries to access it when it's time for school to start; he knows that money is set for your school things and will be trying to get into it next month. I believe he withdraws the money for school for you and either sends it to you directly, or gives it to Molly Weasley, who you normally do your shopping with during the last week of summer." He informed.
"Well, guess he's gonna be surprised when he can't access it." Harry said.
"I told you for the sake of your plan to not let him think things are different." Griphook said. "So you can prepare for a cover story,"
"I've already got one in mind." Harry nodded. "The next letter you send for vault information or summary of the remainder, add that there was a clause in my father's will to allow me to inherit the Potter vault when I turned fifteen and instructions were to take the school money and place it in the Potter vault. It should suffice enough as to why he can't access the old one anymore. If he asks how I knew about the will, you can tell him that I asked if my parents left any wills and that I only saw my father's. That you never told me about my mother's being sealed. Lie, say there wasn't one. Give nothing away."
"Yes, sir, Mr. Potter," Griphook grinned. "What if he asks about taking possession over the key to the new vault?"
"Tell him the truth; you gave it to me when I came for my father's will reading. If he comes to me about it, I'll tell him I'll hold onto it. However…A security measure I ask for is that if he tries to steal my key and show up here with it to get into the vault, you tell him it's been set up to require blood verification from me, in person."
"Understood and very clever, if I do say so. We wouldn't let him access it anyway. As I said, a magical guardian cannot access that without your in-person permission. But that measure will be activated immediately." Griphook said.
"Thank you," Harry smiled.
"I'll be in touch about your mother's will unsealing. It will take some time, but we can get the seal off without alerting Dumbledore." Griphook assured.
"Appreciate it." Harry replied.
"Now, Mr. Snape…You'll just have to sign a form for all of Harry's true mail to come to your home." Griphook informed. "And Mr. Potter…I have the lordship rings for you." He held out his hand with two rings in it. One ring was a simple silver with the Potter family crest, which had a large P in the middle of it. The second ring was also silver, but had a green gem in the middle, along with the Slytherin snake in the shape of an S. "When you put these on, you're going to feel a small rush of energy coarse through you; which will signify you've taken your rightful place in both places."
Harry cautiously first took the Potter family ring. "Best to put that on your right hand ring finger, Harry. It's where I wear mine, since the left hand ring finger is meant for a wedding band, which I also wear." Lucius told Harry. Harry nodded and slipped the ring on the finger Lucius advised he should. Just as Griphook said, Harry felt the energy rush through him from where the ring was, then it wrapped around him like a shield before powering down.
"What about the other ring?" Harry looked at Lucius.
"Could keep it on the middle finger, or your pinky, I suppose?" Lucius offered. "I've never worn two lordship rings before, but wearing both on one finger might be uncomfortable." He added.
Harry nodded as he took the lordship ring for Slytherin and placed in on his middle finger as it did the same as the Potter ring had. Harry felt good, finally relaxing as the others in the room nodded in approval and acceptance of the positions Harry just took on.
"Now, if you would like to sign that paper, Mr. Snape?" Griphook reminded.
"First…" Severus paused. "It is only right to first ask where you'd like to live, Mr. Potter?"
"I thought I was staying with you?" Harry asked.
"Yes, but that was before we learned you have your own family property and now that you've taken the lordship for your line, it is only right that I ask if you'd like to live at Potter Manor. If you do, I will contently move as well to continue my position as your legal guardian." Severus stated.
"You'd…Give up your place to live at my manor?" Harry stared at the man, surprised.
"Living at my house will undoubtedly make you uncomfortable. I'm sure you're still hesitant to the arrangement, but you've agreed for the sake of knowing it's for your own good," Harry nodded to what the man said; it was true. "As another show of good faith, I'm offering that we reside at the manor. Give you some comfort of being truly home, and you might even be safer there."
"Dumbledore doesn't know about you inheriting Potter Manor, Harry. He'd never be able to find where you live if there. I suspect it's under the protection of a Fidelius Charm, which-," Lucius began.
"Means the object behind it is hidden and can't be found unless the secret keeper reveals such, and that person acts as the guardian over the object." Harry said with a nod. "I know."
"How could you?" Severus asked.
"Do I have all three of your words that what I say will both stay here between us and won't be used against me?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Griphook, Severus, and Lucius promised.
"Your word," Harry repeated. "I don't need an unbreakable vow level, but I need something you won't risk breaking,"
"I, Griphook, swear to Lord Potter-Slytherin, that I will never speak of anything told to me by him with others without his approval." Griphook vowed, a hand over his heart.
"I, Severus Snape, do so vow to hold whatever is revealed by Lord Harry James Potter-Slytherin, a complete secret unless instructed otherwise." Severus said, offering his hand to Harry's to shake it.
"I, Lucius Malfoy, vow to Lord Harry Potter-Slytherin, that I will never speak of what is told by him to others without his permission to do so," Lucius also offered his hand to Harry, and they shook.
"Thank you." Harry said. "Now, I know about the charm because it was the same one over Godric's Hollow, which is where my parents were when Voldemort killed them. I know that Pettigrew was the secret keeper and he sold them out to Voldemort…" Harry looked down. "Sirius told me over the summer of third year."
"Wait…" Severus thought a moment. "Black was taken back to Azkaban after the incident with the dementors that year. I am aware he escaped again, but no one knows where he is. You're saying you got word from him the summer before last year?"
Harry nodded. "He's my godfather, why do you believe I don't have contact with him?"
"Do you know how he escaped? Rumor says the door was blasted open magically, and Black wouldn't have his wand…" Lucius asked.
"Hermione and I broke him out…" Harry confessed.
"How…?" Severus pushed.
"With…A time-turner that Hermione got from McGonagall that year, to make it to all her classes. Dumbledore told Hermione and I in the hospital to mind the laws and watch ourselves, then Hermione took us back three hours prior to save Sirius from the Dementor's Kiss…" Harry explained.
"The fool let two underage wizards who were only thirteen time travel?!" Severus glared. Harry nodded. "Who doubled to free a prisoner from Azkaban?!" Harry nodded again.
"Sirius is innocent, Professor…Peter Pettigrew is the one who betrayed my parents to Voldemort, and then Peter framed Sirius for his murder, cutting off his own finger. I was there when Peter confessed, so was Hermione and Ron. Sirius was telling the truth…"
"Well, I'd have liked to hear it, but you attacked me." Severus remarked.
"You were trying to take him in before the truth came out. What choice did I have, you weren't listening to anyone…" Harry mumbled. "I don't feel bad about it. Even Remus told me when he left Hogwarts that I uncovered the truth and saved an innocent man from a terrible fate. That made all the difference in the world. I'm not gonna let you guilt-trip me into feeling bad about what I did. I saved my godfather, and I'd do it a thousand more times the same exact way to know he's alive and broke out to protect me."
"Severus, calm yourself…" Lucius reminded. "Dumbledore will get what's coming to him for meddling in things he ought not to. No one blames you for what you did, Harry. Lupin was correct, you saved an innocent man. We'll work on clearing Sirius officially, I promise."
"You will?" Harry's eyes widened.
"I give my word." Lucius nodded.
"I do commend what you did, Potter…But can we attempt to try and not throw ourselves into any more dangerous situations? If defeats the purpose of keeping you safe, which we're all risking our lives to do." Severus asked.
"I can only promise to try." Harry shrugged.
"Appreciated. Now, my offer remains, Potter. Lucius has a point with the safety matter if you remain somewhere Dumbledore doesn't know of." Severus said.
"Harry will be the only one to find the location of his manor. As all others have passed; he is the secret keeper. The only people who can find your home, Mr. Potter, are the ones you tell of its location. And no one will be able to get by the wards unless you let them inside by invitation. Meaning, when you arrive; you're automatically latched onto the magical signature that it's your home. When people arrive, they will hit a shield that will communicate with you to let you know who is there. Those who do not know will simply be directed away, never coming into contact with the barrier." Griphook explained.
"Okay," Harry nodded, taking in the information.
"Do you want to live at Potter Manor, Harry?" Severus asked. "I'm fine with moving there, honestly. I'll only retain my home for the sake of keeping suspicion down among certain parties. Like Dumbledore. I can't just abandon the place, or he'll know something is up."
"As long as you're okay with it, then yes…I'd love to go…Home," It sounded so great coming from his mouth. Home. His home.
"We're sending Mr. Potter's mail to Potter Manor," Severus told Griphook.
"I'll make the arrangements for both mail and getting you there." Griphook said.
Harry couldn't believe it, everything was working out amazingly and Harry couldn't wait to go home.