Harry Potter and the Founders Vault

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Note: The unusual title for this chapter is a reference to the fact that we couldn't think up an actual title for the chapter... suggestions welcome as we can change it after the fact.

Year 4: The Impossible Chapter

Harry took a breath as he walked; it was interesting getting used to walking on four legs.

He was surprised as a cat jumped on him and he pushed the cat away. Harry quickly turned back to human and giving a laugh as Harper herself turned back to human, and laughed.

"I'm glad you finally got the hang of transforming," Harper said with a smile as Harry held out a hand to her and helped her off the ground.

"You only completed the transformation a few days before me," Harry countered – the pair had decided to take Animagus training this year at Grand Canyon Academy, since they were both old enough to enter Professor Tahatan's class. Both had found their ideal forms quickly and started on the transformation. The professor had complimented them on their fast progress – Harry's form was that of an Alaskan Klee Kia dog, black and white, while Harper, on the other, hand was Bangel Cat; and she had been very happy she hadn't been a snake.

"Do you two have to do that?" A voice spoke, and Harper groaned. It was Enola, Harry's girlfriend.

"What, jealous you didn't have a form?" Harper asked. It being true. Enola had taken the same class but after weeks of mediation and not finding a form naturally, she had tried the potion only to discover she had no form. It was a rarity, according to Professor Tahatan, but there were ways around it, which he was currently investigating.

"Harry, I want to go out. We barely spent time together this summer. You have been so busy," Enola said.

"I have been in classes," Harry countered. It was true; besides their Defense class they had also taken the Animagus class, obviously, and had also taken a magical wilderness survival class, which had them doing camp outs and hikes. Plus, spending time with Sirius had taken most of his free time – including going with his parents for magic school tours for Boyd, it had all added up to not much free time for Enola.

"Well, you're not in class now," Enola said.

"Harper and I were going to go home and continue our model of Hogwarts," Harry said.

"Maybe Harper should get a boyfriend of her own," Enola pouted.

"Not that it's any of your business, but I have a boyfriend," Harper said and could see the shock in Enola's face.

"She does, Cedric Diggory," Harry said. "One of our classmates at Hogwarts. Harper has been sending Hedwig back and forth so much the poor girl is tired. Honestly, you should get an owl of your own instead of taking mine so much."

"Well, Warwick is more than able to keep sending letters back to Hermione when he comes to deliver the ones she sends you," Harper said back of Hermione's own owl.

"Why are you getting letters from her?" Enola said.

"Hermione is my good friend," Harry said, feeling uneasy with the way Enola said 'her'.

"Harry, Harper?" Harry was very pleased to hear Mato's voice. "Cassidy called. She wants me to bring you two home now. We'll use the floo in my office."

"Not a problem, sorry Enola, we'll have a date, the two of us, before I leave," Harry said kissing her forehead and then rushing to follow his sister and uncle. "Is it me or is Enola a bit… more annoying this year?" He asked his sister once out of earshot.

"Nope, she's always been this annoying," Harper said back. "Dump her."

"I wouldn't know how to do that," Harry admitted – being only fourteen years old, with Enola his first girlfriend, he didn't have the experience. As they got to Mato's office and the conversation stopped as they went to use the Floo network to get home.

-Harry Potter-

For the first time in years, Sirius Black felt good.

Since winning his freedom in America, Tim and Cassidy had insisted he go somewhere for treatment for his years in prison. He had resisted a bit at first, wanting to spend time with Harry, but Harry had assured him he would be here when he was out, and that Sirius needed to take care of himself. He had gone to a two-week retreat where his mind and body were put through healing. He would never be completely the same, after so many years under the Dementors, but afterward he had felt like a new man. He was still seeing a doctor and a mind healer to keep recovering himself, of course.

When he came back to Arizona, he started setting other things in motion – first, going to one of the American branches of Gringotts and getting access to his family Vault and other Vaults transferred out of Britain. He immediately stopped any regular donations the Black Family made to British government or charities; anything he could do to hurt them.

He had then started taking care of his family, first by officially disowning the Malfoys and LeStranges. Then, officially welcoming back in the Tonks family by giving them their own Vault officially and telling his favorite cousin to continue representing the Blacks in the Wizengamot. Then he made extra sure no one could deny Harry as his official heir – it helped, besides the legal document he, James, and Lily had done when Harry was born, that Harry also had just enough Black blood in him to be considered a member, given the Potters and the Blacks were distantly related, after all.

The final step he had taken was asking Tim and Cassidy to let him adopt Harper into the Black Family; the two had been unsure on what that would mean but after hearing all it would do would technically make Harper a member of his House and hopefully extend some protections to her from being in a Noble British House, they agreed to it.

Now Sirius was already closing in on the house next door to Tim and Cassidy. Finding it suspiciously lucky that the neighbors had decided to move. He was also studying to become an American citizen. Technically, he was free on his Asylum win but he figured it wouldn't hurt becoming an official citizen. In fact, it could only give him even more protection.

Now he was smiling as his old friend, Remus Lupin, came into the room at Tim and Cassidy's, putting the books down as he hugged his friend.

"You look so well!" Remus stated upon Sirius's appearance. The last time he had seen Sirius was at the Trial where he had only been cleaned up, but now he looked healthy and fuller of life.

"I feel amazing, old friend. Freedom…" Sirius smiled; a true smile he was getting used to doing again.

"What are you studying?" Remus asked, looking at the books Sirius had put down, surprised by them.

"Well, the test to become an American Citizen is harder than it looks," Sirius admitted. "Cassidy and Tim are helping me a lot – also looking into jobs. I mean I can live the rest of my life off the Black fortune and still leave Harry more than enough for him and his kids to live for their lives, but I want something to do."

"And I said you could be a herd dog at the Reserve if you want," Cassidy said.

"I could see Buckbeak and Rosie," Sirius mused, turning to Remus, "but I can never tell if she's joking or not about that…"

"Oh, trust me you don't want this old dog chasing around your animals. It will cause more chaos," Remus joked. "So, where are Harry and Harper?"

"I called Mato and asked him to bring them home when you called and said you arrived in the country. Wish you had given us more warning," Cassidy said. "We could have planned a party or something."

"Sorry, but I wasn't sure when I was able to get here," Remus admitted, as the fireplace turned green, indicating someone was coming through. Harper was first through followed by Harry and then Mato.

"Moony!" Harper and Harry said together, coming to greet Remus with a hug. Remus smiling as the two hugged him back.

"I got this for you," Remus said, taking out two letters the two recognized as Hogwarts letters. "Albus asked me to deliver them since I was coming here. Also, Molly Weasley demanded I bring this to you..." Remus took out a smaller envelope. "I also need to give this one to someone named Barnaby?"

"I'll get that to him when I go back to the reserve later," Cassidy said, taking the second envelope as Harper took the one for her and Harry.

"Harry Potter, Harper Evans, and family," Harper read who it was addressed to before opening it. "It's a wedding invitation!" Harper said after reading the first few lines. "The oldest son Bill to… Mallory Crusher."

"Have we ever met Bill Weasley?" Harry asked, having opened his Hogwarts letter to look over it but turned to his sister at that.

"Nope," Harper said.

"Then why are we invited to his wedding?" Harry asked.

"My guess is because we saved both Ron and Ginny's life over the last few years," Harper said. "But, hey, we can finally meet this curse breaker of Hogwarts."

"That was sweet they invited you. We'll have to get you a new suit Harry, and Harper a new dress," Cassidy said.

"Especially since we were told to bring formal wear to Hogwarts this year," Harry added, raising an eyebrow, and indicating his own letter from Hogwarts. It was the first-time formal wear had been requested to bring to Hogwarts.

"I don't want to go to some stupid wedding in Britain," it was Boyd. He had been playing videogames and had turned.

"Boyd can stay here with me," Sirius said, seeing Cassidy was about to argue and agreeing Boyd would probably be bored.

"And I can check in on him," Mato said, to relieve any worry Cassidy might have.

"Okay, but Boyd you have to listen to Sirius, and also continue your applications for next year," Cassidy said as Boyd mumbled something she ignored.

"So, Remus, are you planning on staying for a while?" Mato asked turning to the werewolf.

"I'm not sure how long. Need to get home soon and find a new job," Remus said.

"Well, you're in luck," Mato said. "One of my Defense teachers had a child and decided to quit to be a stay at-home-mom. I have a position open and so far, my candidates haven't been so great. These two say you're the best Defense teacher Hogwarts has."

"They give me too high a praise," Remus admitted.

"No, we don't," Harper said, having started looking at her Hogwarts letter as well.

"But it's not much competition. So far, we have had an idiot with Voldemort on the back of his head and a faker," Harry pointed out. "Tonks was good when she took over year 2 for the last few months, but that wasn't really teaching, more like tutoring."

Mato gave a chuckled at the two. "Would it even be legal for me to take a job here in America? I'm here on a visitor's visa," Remus reminded Mato.

"We'll need to talk to lawyers, maybe Tim could help, but we could get you a work visa. You'll have to agree to the werewolf laws, mainly taking Wolfsbane or being locked down during the full moon, but you're in luck there as there's a wolf pack who lives nearby in the Grand Canyon. They have their own little village." Remus raised an eyebrow at this.

"Grand Canyon Academy grows all the ingredients and makes Wolfsbane for them every month. A project for our more advanced potion classes," Mato continued. "We can make giving you the potion part of your employment. I can introduce you to the pack. If they like you, they might allow you to join them on runs through the Canyon on full moons."

"Moony, you can live with me once the house closes," Sirius added, really wanting his friend to stay here now the offer was open. "It's has enough bedrooms."

"And your school won't be hurt by allowing a werewolf to teach?" Remus asked, seeming unsure.

"I won't say there is no prejudice here in America, but laws protect your right to work. We've had werewolf staff members before. We never noticed a decline in students due to it," Mato said. "If you would agree I can start the right paperwork so you will be legal by the start of term."

Remus looked at the faces and then smiled. "To spend more time here with Sirius, alright," Remus agreed, and Mato held out his hand and Remus took it. After, Sirius pulled his friend into the biggest bear hug ever.

"I better get back to my office," Mato said giving Cassidy a nod and going to the floo.

-Harry Potter-

Later that day, Mato was in his office. He had called Tim, who had transferred him to someone who did immigration law. Mato was assured they would be able to get Remus the necessary documentation and faxing over paperwork he needed to fill out and some Remus would need to fill out. Mato started to take care of his portion of the paperwork.

"Sir, you have a visitor," it was his secretary. "She has no appointment but says you will meet with her."

"Send her in," Mato said, not looking up, but had to smile at who came in. "Nita."

"Hello, big brother," Nita said as Mato stood up to bring his sister into a hug.

"I haven't seen you in years. Since dad died…" Mato said, referencing Anakin, their father. "What have you been up to?"

"This and that," Nita said sitting down. "But my heart brought me home. Would Catori mind me staying for a bit? Been a long time since I have seen Kimi."

"You're more than welcome to stay for a while," Mato said of his wife and child.

"I heard Harry and Harper went to Hogwarts. I really thought they would be coming here," Nita added, taking a seat as Mato sat back behind his desk. Much like Mato, she had been close to Tim and Cassidy, and so knew Harper and Harry until work took her further afield.

"They do summer school here, but their place is Hogwarts," Mato said. "I'm sure they would love to see you again. I bet their adventures at Hogwarts can beat your stories."

"I'd take that bet. I was face-to-face with a Yeti the other week," Nita mused.

"They fought, and killed, a thousand-year-old Basilisks" Mato countered, and Nita paused at this.

"Okay, they win," Nita said with a smirk, as the siblings continued catching up on the years they hadn't been together.

-Harry Potter-

A few days later, Harry and Harper had received their official Animagus license through owl mail from Arizona Magical Government.

"You know our Animagus licenses look cool," Harper said of the small card that was like a driver's license, only it said their name, what their form was, the date of their first transformation and the date the license started. Unlike driver's licenses though it never expired. There was a picture, too, that also transformed back and forth from their human form to their animal form.

"They are awesome," Harry said putting a piece on the model of Hogwarts. "I'm still not sure if I need to register in Britain as well, since I am a British citizen."

"Yeah, I'm not sure either," Harper admitted at that. "But Dad says I'm fine," Tim had looked up British laws on Animagi when they had started the classes. The only law was that British citizens had to register with the Ministry, and since Harper wasn't a British citizen, she was fine. Harry, on the other hand was, but his primary residents was in America so everyone was unsure if his registering with Arizona state government was enough. "How about just not letting anyone know you have a form?" Harper used her wand to get a difficult piece into place on the castle.

"Not a bad idea," Harry admitted. Having an unknown form could be benefitable. Sirius proved that himself. "You know, I don't know how much more we can add to this. I mean all of Hogwarts towers are almost done, we have the village of Hogsmead looking good… the Owlery, Hagrid's hut… even the Forbidden Forest."

"We could add the Quidditch Pitch," Harper said. "You know I wonder if the same spells for the map would work on this."

"Let us see where everyone is on the model. That would be cool," Harry said. Remus had taught them the spells that located people on the Marauder's Map, after all.

"You two going to be up much longer?" This was Tim, sticking his head into the room.

"Probably," Harper said.

"Harper could sleep in my trunk so she doesn't wake anyone up," Harry said. "Daisy's sleeping in there anyway." It was true Daisy had pawed at the trunk and the two had let her into it earlier. Lucy was on Harry's bed.

"Sometimes I'm not sure why you two have different rooms," Tim joked.

"All my comic collectable wouldn't fit in here with Harry's stuff," Harper replied to that, and Tim laughed as he left.

"Harp?" Harry said, indicating the trunk and Harper gave a nod. The two left their model and went into the magically bigger-on-the-inside trunk. "We're going to need to clean this up before we go for the wedding…" the two had been doing their own research project into the names on their family tree, strictly inside the trunk. It had caused quite a mess with books and papers all over the place.

Their family tree was hung on the wall of the trunk and on a table was a key to a Gringotts' Vault; the two had received it near the beginning of the summer with a note it was left to them from the Flamels. The pair knew their mentors of the year before were dead, having used up the rest of the Elixir of Life. Next to the key were books on blood magic, the pair finding the topic useful and wanting to continue with it.

"We can start straightening it up tonight," Harper said of the mess in the trunk; due to the wedding, the two were heading back to Britain about two weeks earlier than they thought they would.

"True," Harry didn't really feel in the mood to clean up though, so turned his attention to the family tree. "You know, we found a lot of interesting stuff out," Harry said – it was true: They had marked off interesting names and found a lot of people in their bloodlines had been important – a lot of heroes fighting against dark wizards and witches; inventors of magic objects, potions, and spells; former teachers at Hogwarts, too. The Potter family was still making money from a lot of the inventions, too, Harry found out.

"Nothing on Adria Slytherin-Ravenclaw," Harper mused.

"I know," Harry said, knowing how disappointing that was for them both as they looked where they had put the bracelet. Despite buying, borrowing, or renting every single book that even mentioned the Hogwarts Founders, they couldn't find the name Adria Slytherin-Ravenclaw anywhere. It was as if she'd disappeared. Her name only being on their family tree. "Maybe Hogwarts library will have something?" He didn't sound convinced as he said it though.

"I've been thinking," Harper said. "The Flamels didn't know who Rowena's second husband was. It's strange, not even in their time they knew. What if the Founders did some spell to erase the memory of their relationship for some reason?"

"You think Adria was erased from memory?" Harry asked.

"Maybe they allowed her to fade to the background so the hate against her father wasn't put on her," Harper said. "I don't know. The answers must be in the Founders' Vault, though."

"One more key to go," Harry said, and Harper nodded. "You know, getting to Britain earlier than we expected isn't a bad thing. There are some things we need to do that we can't while at Hogwarts. Like, check out the Flamel vault for one."

"While we're in Gringotts we should ask for a blood test. See if there are any unclaimed Vaults we can claim for our own," Harper added, and Harry knew she was right – they had asked Sirius what happened to Vaults if someone died without an heir, and Sirius said if there was no clear heir, the Vaults were locked until someone proved by blood test they were a close enough relation to take the Vault, or until the Vault was run dry by payments to keep it open. With as many people as they were related to now, there was a chance either one or both could claim some Vaults.

"Also, Sirius suggested we go to Potter Manor and take control of the protective charms as the last Potter," Harry said. "Gringotts can give me a portkey. According to Sirius only me and you should go. I would be recognized as the Potter heir and you as my family, which will allow us in. Once inside, I can take control of the charms and meet the Potter family House Elves."

"Oh, House Elves," Harper joked. "Good idea. We might need the manor eventually. How does Sirius know about Potter manor anyway?"

"He stayed with James and the Potters during the summers to stay away from his mom," Harry stated, knowing this as fact. "I think he was the last one there, once James married Lily and got their own home…" it was weird, Harry not calling James and Lily his 'mom and dad', at least for Sirius, but Tim and Cassidy had been his parents his whole memorable life, so it was to be expected. He did use mother and father for the two at times but mom and dad were reserved for Cassidy and Tim.

"How much should we tell Hermione and Neville?" Harper asked, changing Harry's train of thought.

"I think we show them our family tree and tell them the truth about that," Harry now said.

"Agreed," Harper nodded at that.

There were some secrets that needed to stay between the siblings, but they had to bring their best friends into some of this eventually. At that, Daisy jumped up onto the table and meowed, startling the two. Harper petting her cat as the two continued to talk and speculate.

Post Chapter Note: Who else saw Remus going to teach at Grand Canyon Academy? That will come into play big time this year – in a surprising way. And who's happy for Sirius now his life is in order? Hehe.

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