II
The four were back with time to spare. The others had on decent robes, but Harry just had his Hogwarts robes. Sirius looked at them and said, "Kreacher, can you get one of Regulus' robes for Harry?"
Kreacher popped out and came back with a set of fine acromantula silk robes. Harry took off his Hogwarts robes and put the new ones on. Kreacher snapped his fingers and the robes resized to fit him.
"That's much better, Harry. Now you look more like the Lord of an Ancient and Most Noble House and the Heir to a second one than a waif. We'll work on your wardrobe later. Alright everyone, hands on the letter we leave in ten seconds." The letter glowed blue and a few seconds later they were in the private arrival area at Gringotts.
A surly goblin met them, "Black party of four, follow me." The goblin led them further into the bank before stopping at a door with the Black family crest on it. He knocked twice and announced, "Lord Black and company to see you, Bloodslayer."
The four filed into the room to see another goblin, although much older than the one that led them there, seated behind a solid ebony desk.
"Lord Black, I've been waiting for you to request this meeting for two years. What took you so long?"
"My apologies, Bloodslayer. I'd somehow forgotten about the more secure methods of accessing Gringotts. I hope that my presence tonight will rectify my oversight," replied Sirius.
"Hmph! We'll see. What business do you have with Gringotts this evening?"
"First, I want to accept my Head of House ring and assume responsibility for my House. I would like to name my heir as Harry James Potter. There are other matters as well, but those are the immediate ones. We probably will need the Potter account manager as well. Harry would also like to claim the House of Potter. He also has other business."
"Very well. First, we need to do an inheritance test to see if you are, in fact, Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black," Bloodslayer pulled out a piece of parchment and a stiletto and handed them to Sirius, "Seven drops of blood in this vial will do. Once you are done, hand the knife over to Mr. Potter and have him do likewise. We might as well save time while I have the Potter account manager summoned."
Sirius went through the motions of the inheritance test and then Harry did as well. The goblin then soaked a quill in the liquid and set it to write on an enchanted parchment for both of them. While they were waiting, another goblin stepped in. Harry recognized him immediately.
"Griphook? You're my account manager?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Lord Potter. I've been trying to contact you ever since we met that first day you came to Gringotts. All of our mail has been either returned or ignored," replied Griphook.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience! I've never received any correspondence from Gringotts. The only mail I've received has been my Hogwarts letters and a few letters from my friends."
Sirius looked up, "You've never gotten your Gringotts statements? Or any mail from admirers? That's a violation of the treaty between the wizards and goblins from 1672 when Gringotts was made the sole banker and arbiter of all inheritance."
Griphook replied, "I will add that to the list of grievances, then. Now what do you need from me?"
"I was told I was emancipated after the tournament. I need to claim my Head of House too," said Harry.
"Excellent! I see Bloodslayer has already initiated the Inheritance Test, so once we see what's on it, we'll be better able to see just what you have claims to."
Bloodslayer picked up Sirius' parchment as the quill had stopped writing rather quickly.
"As expected. You are Sirius Orion Black. Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. The Black of Blacks." Bloodslayer reached into his desk and pulled out a box, "I took the liberty of having the Black Lord and Heir rings retrieved from your vault."
Sirius accepted the ring and placed it on the ring finger of his right hand. He stood still for a few minutes and then exclaimed, "That Bitch! She's got one of those things in her vault!"
Both Bloodslayer and Griphook looked alarmed. "What things are we referring to, Lord Black?" asked Bloodslayer.
"There's a horcrux in her vault. The ring gives me some knowledge of the state of the Black estate and alerted me to several dark items. Some are marginal at best, but there are two black arts items. The locket we brought with us, and some sort of cup in Bellatrix's vault. I think I'm going to need to annul her marriage and recall her dowry to get to it legally. Am I correct, Bloodslayer?"
"You are indeed. Storage of any item classified as black is forbidden in any Gringotts vault. This was also part of the Treaty of 1672. I will draw up the appropriate paperwork to annul her marriage, then you may direct the disposition of her dowry. If you hadn't discovered it and made me aware of it immediately, we would have confiscated the vault."
Bloodslayer quickly had the appropriate parchment laid out in front of Sirius who quickly signed it. He then directed Bloodslayer to have a team of curse breakers go through the vault and render them harmless. Sirius then called Kreacher.
"Kreacher, it seems Bella also had one of those abominations in her vault. I've recalled her dowry. Do you think if you went into the vault, you could find another of them? It's some sort of cup."
"Kreacher can, Master." The elf popped out. It only took a few minutes for him to return with a gold cup with a badger embossed into it.
Tonks asked, "Is that Helga Hufflepuff's cup? It's supposed to be a legend like Ravenclaw's diadem."
"You are correct, Miss Tonks. That is indeed the healing cup of Helga Hufflepuff, although it has been corrupted by the soul piece inside," said Bloodslayer, "You said you had another of these, Lord Black?"
Sirus handed him the locket that Kreacher had given him, "These both belong to Voldemort. According to my source, there are a total of six of them, plus a sliver."
"A sliver? That shouldn't be possible. It's either a horcrux or not," said Griphook.
Harry looked at him, "The sliver is in my scar. I was told you have a way to get rid of it."
"We do, young Lord, but first we need to look at your inheritance ritual. I know the Potters have conditions before someone can assume the Head of House," said Griphook.
Griphook took the parchment from Bloodslayer and scanned it. The further down he got, the higher his eyebrows raised.
"Is something wrong, Griphook?" asked Harry.
"Oh no! Not at all. In fact, it's very good. Do you want to discuss this here, or in private?" the goblin asked.
"Here's fine."
"You are indeed Harrison James Potter, Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. You are also Lord of the Ancient and Most Venerable House of Peverell. You are also Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Venerable House of Gryffindor. Finally, you are Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Venerable House of Slytherin. You, my Lord, are one very important wizard!" said Griphook.
Harry looked at the others in the room and just shook his head, "Why me? Why can't I just be a regular wizard?"
Sirius barked a laugh, "Harry, there is nothing regular about you. There were rumors that your family was descended from the Peverell line and possibly Gryffindor, but your dad never took an inheritance test. I don't think he ever assumed the Head of House Potter either."
"You are correct, Lord Black. When Lord Fleamont Potter and his wife Euphemia died from dragon pox, the ring returned to the vault, but James declined to wear it due to its contamination. Lily was carrying young Harrison at the time and he didn't want to risk his wife and soon to be born son. Gringotts cleansed the ring in anticipation of you taking up your title after the Triwizard Tournament, Mr. Potter. I can have it brought to us now as well as the others."
Harry nodded his assent and looked at Sirius, "What am I going to do with all of this?"
"Well, Lily did say you would need a Steward and I'd say she's right. That's a lot for one person to handle by themselves, especially since three of those lines have been dormant for years."
Harry nodded, then looked at Remus with puppy dog eyes, "Well, I guess mum was right. I do need someone to manage all of this for me. What about it, Uncle Moony? Tonks, are you sure you want to be an Auror? I'm sure Remus could use a hand," Harry said with a wink at Sirius.
Tonks spluttered, "No thanks! I'm not into all of that pureblood stuff. Mum tried to teach me, but it didn't take. I'll keep my boring Auror job for now."
Sirius asked, "Griphook, do you know how he inherited the Slytherin line? The last I remember, Old Snake Face claimed he was the Heir."
"He was the Heir, but never claimed the lordship. According to the Inheritance Test, it is by right of conquest. That only happens when someone has been defeated in combat multiple times. I am only aware of the time when he was a baby. Are there others?" asked Griphook.
Harry rubbed the back of his neck looking very uncomfortable, "Uh, yeah. There were. First year he was hanging off the back of Professor Quirrell's head. Second year he was in the diary. I don't know about last year. I think that was a draw."
The six beings in the room stared at Harry. Sirius finally said, "Pup, when we get back, we're going to have a long talk about your time at Hogwarts. If this is the kind of school Albus is running now, we might want to think about homeschooling you or sending you somewhere else."
There was a knock on the door and another goblin handed Griphook several boxes. Griphook opened them and handed one to Harry.
"Let's start with the Potter ring since it is the closest relation to you. Before you can assume the title of Lord Potter, the Potter rules require us to check you for any potions or mind control. They want to be sure their new Lord is taking the position without any outside influence. If you will allow me to cast a spell on you, we can get this part over with," said Griphook.
Harry nodded his head and Griphook spoke in a low, guttural language while waving his hands over Harry. Griphook frowned at the results. "My scan shows the dark magic residue in your scar, but it also shows some on your hand. May I see it, please?" asked Griphook.
Harry knew which hand he was talking about, so didn't try to hide it. Griphook took one look at it and swore loudly in his own language first then asked, "Who has made you write with a blood quill? Only Gringotts is permitted to possess them. Possession by anyone else is a violation of the Treaty of 1877 and is punishable by Death. Tell me, Lord Potter, so I can seal their vaults and prepare the dragons for their feast!"
Sirius, Remus, and Tonks looked at Harry in horror. Blood quills were dark objects and only used for the most stringent of contracts.
Sirius said evenly, "Harry, who did this to you? We need to know so it can be stopped."
Harry simply said, "Umbridge."
There was an uproar when that name was spoken. Tonks said, "I'll let Madam Bones know first thing and we'll pick her up. I promise you we'll get her, Harry."
Bloodslayer spoke up, "Nay Miss Tonks. This is a Goblin matter. I'll order her vaults sealed and notify Ragnok. She will be sent a notice of irregularity about her account. Once she is in Goblin custody, we will notify the Ministry. You are welcome to accompany us as we seize her belongings at Hogwarts, however. We can't take a chance that someone from the Ministry will tip her off. Young Lord Potter, you are well within your rights to call Blood Feud against the Umbridge House. All of her possessions would become yours."
"So, this is what she meant by blood feud," Harry looked at Sirius.
"I was wondering about that. But this explains it," Sirus said.
Harry got a look on his face that reminded Sirius and Remus of James right before he pulled a massive prank. "Is there a scholarship fund for muggleborns?" Harry asked.
Griphook saw where this was going, "Yes, there is, Lord Potter."
"Then could you sell everything and donate the money to that fund, Griphook?"
Everyone in the room laughed at the irony of that. What a fitting end to the Umbridge line.
"As you are free of any compulsions or potions, you are free to don your rings. I would suggest you get a full scan by a qualified healer as I found some other irregularities that should be checked out but they do not affect your ability to become Lord Potter.
Harry took the Potter ring first and placed it on his finger. He also paused as memories flooded into him. However, there were no startling revelations as there was with Sirius and the Black ring. The next was the Peverell ring. Harry put it on and realized his cloak was an artifact of the family. He was also given information on how to recognize the other Peverell heirlooms. The Gryffindor ring gave him knowledge of battle magic as well as the location of the Gryffindor suite of rooms at Hogwarts. Similarly, the Slytherin ring gave him information about the Chamber, but showed him several alternate access points besides the girls' loo. It also showed him where Slytherin's suite of rooms was within the Chamber. The combination of Gryffindor and Slytherin rings told him where the main wardstone was and how to check the wards for security.
"Wow! That was intense! I've got a job to do when I get back to Hogwarts. Apparently, I need to check the wards," said Harry.
"Now, you said something about a sliver of the Dark Lord's soul in you, Lord Potter?" asked Griphook.
"Yeah, it's in my scar. I was told you can remove it?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Indeed, we can. It will take us a couple of hours to get the ritual room ready. We will transfer the sliver into a crystal and then transfer the other two in as well. We can then use them as a sort of divining rod to locate the others," said Griphook.
"Is there anything else you need today from Gringotts?" asked Bloodslayer.
Sirius took a deep breath, then said, "I request the Ritual of Judgement so that I may prove that I am not guilty of the deaths of James and Lily Potter, Peter Pettigrew, or the muggles who were killed when Peter blew up the street."