oooOOOoooOOOooo Chapter 6

The twins headed off towards the apothecary while Harry, Hermione, and Neville headed towards the baby store. They weren't even aware there was a baby store until Neville started guiding them towards it.

"Come on, guys. Bouncing Baby Bubbles is this way," Neville said, steering them away from Gladrags.

"What's Bouncing Baby Bubbles?" Harry asked, readjusting his twin.

"The baby store. The first thing you need, right?" Neville asked, confused himself. He thought they were coming to buy things for the babies.

"That's right," said Hermione, taking charge now that she knew where they needed to go. "The first thing you need is a baby buggy, Harry. It'll be easier to shop for everything else, if you get that first." Hermione bustled the group into the shop. Harry instantly felt overwhelmed.

Harry looked around desperately, unsure of where to start and what his babies actually needed. Luckily, a friendly shopkeeper saw the confused and panicked looking teens and decided to head over and help. She assumed the kids were looking for a baby gift for someone else. She was shocked to see two babies on these youngsters' hips. She wondered what was going on.

"Hello, I'm Lucy. What can I help you with?" She said, her hawk eyes glued to the babies.

"Er, we need to purchase some things. I, uh, unexpectedly have two babies to care for and will need pretty much everything," Harry said.

"Except a bassinet. Harry already has one of those," Hermione said, factually.

"Oh dear! Did their parents pass away? Are you old enough to care for two such young babies?" The lady asked. She was prepared to go floo the ministry at once, if she thought these babies were in danger.

"How dare you, madame," Neville said, looking furious. "Harry is the head of an ancient and noble house. These are his heirs."

Harry was surprised at Neville's anger. Hermione looked appalled.

"Neville! That was uncalled for," Hermione said, chastising.

"No, he's right. I overstepped. It was purely out of concern for the children, I assure you. I apologize, Lord ….?"

"Er, Harry Potter," Harry said, embarrassed.

"Lord Neville Longbottom," Neville said officiously with a slight bow. "I apologize for saying that angrily but it needed to be said."

"No offense taken. We'll have to get some proper wizard robes with family crests on the little darlings," the lady said, still a little stiff from the reprimand. Now that she knew these were Harry Potter's heirs, well … she would leave well enough alone for certain. She didn't need any problems from the famous nobleman.

"Could we please see the baby buggies first, ma'am?" Hermione asked, trying to smooth the whole thing over.

Lucy led them over to the baby buggies. They were arranged in a long dual row and came in every color of the rainbow. There were over a dozen to choose from and Harry was back to feeling overwhelmed. He stared at the baby buggies then looked at the woman pleadingly. Lucy took pity on the young lord. He certainly had his hands full.

"These four models down here are double strollers. They can hold two children at once. I assume that is what you prefer?" She asked, looking between Hermione and Harry. "I don't want to be rude, but are you the children's mother?"

Hermione turned red. "No, I'm the er …" she looked at Harry for help.

"Godmother," Harry blurted out. "Please?" He gave Hermione puppy dog eyes.

"Yes! I'd love to!" Hermione said. The two teens grinned at one another before turning back to the shopkeep.

"Wonderful. Will the mother be joining us?" She asked, delicately. Mother's usually had strong feelings about things for their babies.

"Er, no. I used a surrogate," Harry said, blushing furiously.

Lucy raised her eyebrows but said nothing. An awkward moment passed before she soldiered on. "Well, this model is a favorite amongst parents of multiples. The two bassinet style seats rotate so the baby on the top can change. You just press this button right here," she demonstrated how it worked.

"Or this model puts the children side-by-side. These seats convert into a seat for an older baby that can sit up and will work for the children until age three. It is a real bargain. It also has a magically expanded basket under the seats to hold all of the babies' accouterments." She showed them the bronze baby carriage. "You can also purchase baby toy attachments and a changing table for this model."

She was about to start showing them the third model when Hermione interrupted her. "Does the bronze one come with a feather light charm? Are there any safety features?"

Harry listened keenly to the answers. Yes, there was a feather light charm and a hover charm for when going up and down stairs. It would fit down any aisle, no matter how narrow. There were automatic brakes on the buggy. It wouldn't move unless someone was holding at least one hand to the handle. There were also privacy charms for when you were changing the babies and silencing charms for when they started throwing a tantrum in public. Harry loved it.

Hermione looked at Harry with a raised eyebrow. He grinned and nodded. Hermione turned back to Lucy. "We'll take this one, with the works."

Lucy grinned. They hadn't even asked the price. This was going to be a good sale.

"Next, cribs? Or bibs?" Neville asked. Lucy laughed but the other two teens looked contemplative. Lucy guided them around the entire store and they bought something from each section. Lucy was downright giddy by the time they made their way up to the turnstile.

Neville looked at the absolute mountain of things they had. Two of everything: cribs, bouncy seats, floating baby seats that let the baby stay with you while you did other things, toys, clothes, even tiny toy wands that played soothing baby songs and had teething material at both ends. Neville wasn't sure they'd be able to get everything back to the castle. He was relieved when the shopkeep shrunk everything down and bagged it up, slipping it in the bottomless basket of the baby buggy, getting them out the door in less than 20 minutes. It was a feat of shopping glory.

The babies snug and secure in their new baby buggy, the group set off to enjoy the rest of their Hogsmeade visit. Just as they were about to head to the sweet shop, a regal Eagle Owl popped up right in front of Harry. Harry jumped as the animal tried to hand him a missive. Hermione stopped him. She ran a scan over the letter and nodded to him that it was safe. Hermione was going to be very safety conscious as long as there were babies around.

Harry took the letter and opened it.

"Lord Potter,

Gringotts Bank requests your immediate presence to discuss important issues regarding your children and your future. Please just touch the letter and say "Immediacy" and you will be portkeyed to the appropriate office.

Regards,

Account Manager Hardblow"

Harry looked perplexed. He handed the letter to Hermione who read it quickly

"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to go to Gringotts. It's only 9:30am. We aren't doing anything particular until we meet Snuffles and Remus until 2pm," Hermione said.

"You're meeting Professor Lupin?" Neville asked.

Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance. "Yes. He wants to see the twins," Harry said.

Neville raised his eyebrows. "Must have been a fast bird! You only found out about them yesterday!"

Harry looked uncomfortable, so Hermione answered. "We got permission to floo him. Special circumstances and all. Remus is the last of Harry's parents' friends. They're very close." It wasn't untrue so Harry let it ride.

"That makes sense," Neville said, nodding. "You're going to need some help! I hope you have a governess in mind. It's not healthy for babies to spend all their time alone with house elves. They're either not good at discipline at all or they are downright abusive and then there's the speech patterns. You don't want those becoming ingrained. They'll be made fun of something terrible, if they do," Neville warned.

Harry froze. "I hadn't thought of that. I don't know anyone. How will I find someone? Remus already said he doesn't work with children this young."

Hermione shook her head. "I have an idea. If we go to Gringotts, I'll be able to tell you more. I need to make a phone call first. I have a mobile but no service out here. I can step out into London, if you like, and call," Hermione said.

Harry looked at her desperately. "You know someone? Someone we can trust?"

It was Hermione's turn to look uncomfortable. "Yes, maybe, but I'd rather not say until we know for sure. Are you allowed to hire a governess?" Hermione asked.

"Yes. It's pretty much required for the nobility but with Harry in school, it will definitely be a must," Neville said.

"Yes, but does Hogwarts allow it? Where is my rulebook when I need it?" Hermione asked, annoyed at not having the book she needed.

"Yes, it's allowed. Why wouldn't it be? If family housing exists in the school, surely you know you're not the first to need one?" Neville asked.

Hermione harrumphed. "I should have checked my rulebook last night. Will you have room for them, Harry? If they come?"

"They? They who?" Harry asked, frustrated.

"Let me call them first, and then I'll tell you," Hermione prevaricated.

Harry sighed. "So, Gringotts then?"

The other two teens nodded. None of them brought up the fact that they technically wouldn't be allowed to go to Gringotts as they weren't supposed to leave Hogsmeade. The three teens touched the letter while Harry and Hermione held on to the baby buggy with both hands each. It came along easily enough and in just a moment the teens were stumbling around trying to keep their feet in a meeting room in Gringotts.

They got their bearings and looked around. There were refreshments already waiting but no signs of the goblins. The twins started crying and Harry looked panicked for a minute.

"Check their nappies, Harry. I bet they need a change and a little bottle. Yes, they do," Hermione cooed, taking out the changing table. Harry was horrified by what he found in the diaper. It was disgusting and smelled horrid. Harry gagged. Hermione gave him nasty-look number 7, and he got to it. Thankfully, the changing table came equipped with a rubbish bin that banished the detritus put inside it. After half a box of wipes, and an extra nappy that just wouldn't latch, it was done. Harry held one baby and fed him while Hermione held the other. They made a good team.

As soon as the babies were settled again, the goblins came in. Harry looked at them suspiciously. They had waited until the perfect time to enter. The goblin just grinned at Harry and waved its hand to clear the smell out of the room.

"Welcome, Lord Potter. I am Hardblow, your account manager. We have much to discuss. Upon bearing progeny, you automatically became the Head of House and Lord of the Potter family. Here are your Head of House rings. Please put them on," the goblin said.

"What? Lord? Head of House? What do you mean?" Harry asked, baffled.

"The Potters are an ancient and noble house. Noble. Ergo, you are a lord. Technically, you are the Marquis Potter but lord is the appropriate address. You, as the eldest of the last remaining Potters, are considered Head of House Potter. Ergo, the rings. Please, put them on," Hardblow said, condescendingly.

Harry looked flabbergasted.

"Don't worry, Harry. It's all right and proper. I have one, too. See?" Neville said, showing off his Heir Longbottom ring.

"But why does Harry have two?" Hermione asked. Hardblow grinned. He wasn't sure if these wizards would even notice a second ring, let alone question it.

"I'm not sure," Neville said, looking perplexed.

"Lord Potter is also the Black. Technically, he should be Lord Black Potter but the announcement won't go out until tomorrow. The previous Lord Black ousted Narcissa Malfoy and her progeny and Bellatrix LeStrange and any progeny she may have from the Black family."

"What does that have to do with me?" Harry asked. Hardblow rolled his eyes in impatience.

"Previous. Does that mean anything to you? The previous Lord Black abdicated his position to his heir, you," Hardblow said.

"But, I'm not a Black!" Harry said.

"Not yet, but after tomorrow, you'll have to legally go by the name Lord Potter Black. Black has the higher rank, so that name goes first. Your grandmother, Dorea Black Potter, is a close enough relation for you to qualify for the position of heir. You must have already known this. One of your children is named Black and the other Potter, as would be required for Julius to serve as your heir for the Blacks," Hardblow said.

Harry and Hermione looked at one another. How had Luna known? There were rumors she had some latent seer blood. Hermione thought it was a load of bunk but maybe it was true.

"I, I don't know what to say," said Harry.

"You don't need to say anything. Please, just put on the rings," Hardblow said, becoming annoyed at the delay. "You won't be able to make a will until you put on the rings. You have children now. You need a will and need one now. What will happen to them if something happens to you?" Hardblow asked.

Harry nearly choked. What if something happened to him? Where would his children go? Would they be tortured the way Harry had been for most of his childhood? No. He wouldn't allow it. He grabbed the ring boxes and shoved the rings on his fingers. Both rings glowed and resized themselves to fit Harry. Harry ignored the glow that then surrounded him in red, gold, and silver with sparks flying around him like fireflies.

Hermione gave him an understanding look. Hardblow looked ecstatic. Both the Black and Potter accounts had been inactive for a long time. That money needed investing and Hardblow was ready to get to work. The fact that he received a 5% commission on any money he made for the accounts didn't hurt anything.

"Excellent, sir. Here is the standard Gringotts will for a noble house, including instructions for where your children will go if you die," Hardblow crassly said. He handed the thick stack of papers to Harry but Hermione took them before he could even think of reading them.

"Quill," she said, holding out her hand. The goblin floated one to her and she started marking things and filling them in. Harry just let her go at it. He turned back to the goblin, who was holding another stack of papers in Harry's face.

"You might as well start on these while she works on those," Hardblow said to Harry before he turned to Neville.

Neville held up his hands and said, "I'm just here to entertain the babies." The babies were sleeping soundly. They were only over a week old right now. Eat, poop, sleep, and the occasional adorable smile (that's probably actually gas) is about it. Hardblow rolled his eyes again.

"I think you should all take an inheritance test while you're here," Hardblow said. He didn't think there'd be any additional vaults for the Black Potters but it never hurt to check. With a 10 galleon payment coming straight to his pocket for every inheritance test performed, he thought they should all have one.

Harry looked up from the vault transfer, emancipation, child custody/birth certificate information, and so much more that Harry really didn't understand. He looked over at Hermione. She'd already finished half her stack and he hoped was almost ready to start on this stack, too. She'd be able to explain it to him, if nothing else.

"Why do we need an inheritance test?" Harry asked.

"Standard banking procedure when a new lord takes on his Head of House status," Hardblow said, smoothly.

Harry looked at Neville. Neville shrugged. "I'm Heir Longbottom but I'm not Head of House. I won't become that until I either marry or reach my age of majority … or, well, until I have kids, whichever comes first."

Now it was Harry's turn to roll his eyes. "Have at it," Harry said.

Hardblow grinned and took out a shallow bowl and a big dagger with a very fine, sharp point on the tip. Harry gulped. Hardblow grabbed Harry's unused hand and stabbed it. It felt like his hand had been cut in two but it was really just a tiny pinprick that let out three drops of blood before Hardblow released him.

Hardblow chanted over the bowl and blew on it three times. Each time, the blood changed color, until it was solid black. Hardblow poured the liquid over a sheet of paper and the liquid ran off, leaving behind writing that covered the entire sheet in a tiny neatly written script.

Hardblow gasped. Three of the lines of writing were glowing.

"What is this?" Hardblow asked, ignoring the now staring teenagers. "You do have some hidden vaults, Lord Black Potter. Or should I call you by your full title, Duke of Black, Marquis of Potter, Earl of Gryffindor, Earl of Slytherin by Conquest, and Viscount Peverell. So many closed accounts, reopened," Hardblow cackled.

"That's … Harry! That's … it's just! Wow!" Neville said, gripping his friend's arm. "You hold enough power that even my Gran will be impressed with you!"

"That's impossible, isn't it? I mean, wouldn't your family already know if you were the lord of, of all this. Slytherin by Conquest? What does that even mean?" Hermione asked, shocked.

"It's not impossible. The Potters have never had an inheritance test performed before, so it does not surprise me at all. Slytherin by Conquest means exactly that. Lord Black Potter defeated the last of the Slytherin line, Tom Marvolo Riddle, thereby acquiring all that belonged to Slytherin. Not that there's much left. The Gaunts were terrible fiduciaries," Hardblow said.

"Voldemort," Harry hissed to Hermione, who nodded. Neville just looked confused.

"Tom Marvolo Riddle was the true name of Lord Voldemort. It's an anagram of his name," said Hermione. Neville almost fell out of his seat at the name being said so many times in a row. It was terrifying.

"Better you than me, mate," Neville whispered. Harry looked at the floor.

"It might be you, next," Hardblow said, baring his teeth at Neville and grabbing the young lord's hand the same way he had grabbed Harry's. The ritual was repeated and Hardblow shook his head and tossed the sheet at Neville.

"Just the Longbottom's and a distant claim on the Davies line, if the main line ever goes extinct," Hardblow said, turning to Hermione.

She gave the goblin a steely eyed stare. He handed the blade to Hermione and she pricked herself, allowing the necessary drops of blood to fall in the bowl before handing the blade back to Hardblow. Hardblow completed the ritual again and stared at the sheet of paper that was quickly filling with an entire sheet of writing, just like Harry's had done. Hardblow grinned manically.

"Have you considered an account manager, Marchioness Dagworth-Granger, Duchess of Ravenclaw? I would be glad to take on that role for you," he said with a smarmy grin. It was Harry's turn to stare at Hermione.

"What? That's not possible. I'm muggleborn," Hermione said mulishly. She would not suddenly become a toffed up wanker like many of the wizarding nobility.

"That you are," Hardblow said, still grinning. "But your muggle relatives on your mother's side come from a squib line of the Ravenclaw tribe that has lain dormant for almost a millenia. Your muggle relatives on your father's side are a squib line that propagates from the Dagworth-Grangers. It was only a squib line for three generations, with yourself, the fourth generation, being a witch."

Hermione squawked but couldn't get any words to come out. She had never known her great grandfather. He'd died in WWII. Could he have been the child of wizards? She just didn't know. Her grandmother had met him in 1936. They'd fallen in love and married in less than a year. Her grandfather was shipped out in 1940 and died before he ever got to come home again. He left behind a wife, a son, and a daughter. Nothing was really known about him that survived to her generation.

Hardblow had a keen look in his eye as he gazed on the twins.

"No," Harry said firmly. "They are not getting tested. You'll just have to wait until they become lords to test them." Hardblow sneered but moved to put the dagger and bowl away.

Hardblow turned to Hermione. "The Dagworth-Granger line was quite lucrative. They were renowned potioneers and started the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers. They leave you a crumbling manor that should probably just be torn down at this point, 600 acres of land, and 25,700,324 galleons. The Ravenclaw dynasty leaves you 10,102,698 galleons. There is probably a hodgepodge of personal belongings in both the manor and the vaults. Would you like to follow through with the Potter method of investing? I'm afraid that the Black method is rather dark and dodgy. I don't recommend it," Hardblow said.

"I, I think, yes. I'd love your services, Hardblow. You've obviously taken good care of the Potters. Please, follow their method of investing. I'd like to see my vaults before I leave," Hermione said.

"Sorry. You'll have to wait until you're either emancipated or of age. You'll only be able to access your trust vault for now. It has 150,000G, that includes your back pay. You receive 10,000G per year for your upkeep. I'll get your key for you before you leave today. You'll have to come back to claim the rest on your 17th birthday, Lady Ravenclaw Dagworth-Granger," Hardblow said, before turning to Harry.

"Lord Black Potter. Would you like a full accounting of each of your vaults and investments or would you like me to send that to you later and give you the summary for now?"

"Summary," Harry squeaked, still working on the pile of paperwork. Hermione was watching him impatiently, as she had already finished hers. There were a few sheets dogeared for him to add information to when he was ready to trade. He started reading faster.

"For the Potter vaults, you have 37,847,001G and some change. For the Black vaults, you have 178,444,210. For the Peverell vaults, you have 71,432,907G. The Gryffindor vault has 14,220,368G. Finally, the Slytherin vaults have 174G available. You own no viable homes but do own 1,450 acres of land throughout the UK. You are a very wealthy wizard, Lord Black Potter."

Neville was almost ashamed to hear those amounts. The Longbottoms were closer to Hermione than Harry. They had closer to 42,904,000G or thereabouts last time Neville had heard the bank balance. He was certain it had only gone down.

"Excuse me, Hardblow, what is your rate of return? Perhaps the Longbottoms should reinvest elsewhere, as well?" Neville asked.

"I easily exceed 8% for each account per annum," Hardblow said with a puffed up chest. "I would be glad to take on the Longbottom accounts, as well, Heir Longbottom. Would you like to follow the Potter investment strategy? I wasn't sold on it when Charlus Potter insisted on investing in the Muggle world as well, but you can't argue with his results. His strategy regularly exceeds a 14% return!"

"Yes, please," said Neville. He realized he was still very wealthy but his parents' full time care wasn't cheap.

"Excellent," the goblin said, greedily.

Hermione and Harry switched stacks of paper quickly. Hermione showed Harry where he needed to add information and what that information needed to be.

"You need to choose guardians, Harry. Both magical and physical, unless you're choosing magicals as your guardians. We don't want something like what happened to you," she said angrily. She'd never forgive the Dursleys for abusing and neglecting Harry throughout his childhood. Being locked in a cupboard under the stairs with little food and being called names was abuse. Full stop.

Harry looked determined. "You first, Hermione. If you will?"

"Yes," she said determinedly.

Harry stared at her, then looked at Neville. "You game?"

Neville looked uncomfortable. "I'd be glad to but I wouldn't do a good job, I'm afraid. How about my Gran?"

Harry looked doubtful. "The only person who might have had almost as abusive of a home life as I did was you, Nev. No offense."

Neville shrugged and said, "None taken."

"They won't let Remus," Hermione said. "Snuffles is out. You could leave them to Molly and Arthur. They'd take them in and love them."

"Yeah," Harry said. "I don't think I have anybody else." The three sat quietly.

"McGonagall?" Hermione said, unsure.

Harry wrote her down, too but didn't even try to come up with any other names. He needed to expand his social circle, pronto. What if one or two of his friends died with him? There'd be no one left to tell stories about Harry, if that happened. Then, his kids would read all that Harry Potter kids literature stuff and believe it was true! That would be a disaster. Harry was starting a journal today, too.

Hermione read through Harry's papers, quick as a whip. She made a few changes to what he'd already written and explained a few things to him, as did Neville. Neville explained about the Lord system in England and Harry realized he was going to need lessons in this stuff or he'd never get it all.

"Tonks!" Hermione suddenly shouted. Harry and Neville jumped, looking at her like she was insane.

"Write Tonks down as another person who could take the twins. She's your cousin, isn't she? Through the Black's?" Hermione asked. The teens looked at Hardblow.

"You are related to an Andromeda Black Tonks and a Nymphadora Tonks through the Blacks," he confirmed.

Harry was elated. "I'm putting her right after you, Hermione!" Harry said, flipping back to insert the info.

They finished up the paperwork, half of which Hermione had to complete for herself as well to claim her new vaults and titles. A few keys and a ring for Hermione and the group was on their way. They quickly went down to the vaults; Harry was running extremely low on funds after ransacking Bouncing Baby Bubbles earlier today.

Hermione could barely focus on anything other than her hand. The beautiful fire opal set in an antique gold ring was too gorgeous and unbelievable to turn away from. Now Hermione really needed to make that call!

"I think we should just shop here," Hermione said. "It'll be much less crowded. First, I need to step out into the Muggle side for a quick call."

Harry looked confused for a minute but then remembered. "You're going to call someone about being the governess? For the babies?" Harry said, pleadingly. "Someone with experience who is willing to teach me and take care of the twins?"

Hermione laughed, "We'll see Harry. Let's go."