August 28, 1993
Harry Potter was walking his Grim Familiar into the Leaky Cauldron. Just like he did the week before, only this time he was expecting the reaction of the tavern patronus.
As the door boomed shut behind him, a few looked at him… and three screamed and ran.
"GRIM!"
"Damn it Potter!" Tom yelled from across the taproom. "What did I say about walking that thing in here?"
"Well…" Harry leaned on the counter, "I could just walk Sirius Black through instead."
"Not funny." The barman frowned at the lad. "Considering that the DMLE has said that he is expected to arrive in two days to face the 'Gomot. Everyone here has spent the last ten years thinking he is a crazy killer. You think a Grim Familiar gets them running, Black without being cleared would have them firing first."
"Well I will be needing two rooms for the next two nights. The Weasleys are arriving tonight at the earliest, if not by noon. Also I need to arrange accommodations for Hermione Granger. Can you set that up and get me the bill? Me, my Grim, and my owl will need a room now, but the others will be here later."
Tom scratched out a computation and passed the lad a sheet with the total. Just have the teller transfer the money and get it stamped.
Harry nodded and turned to the back door.
Padfoot was quickly at his heel.
As the wall folded back…
Padfoot jumped out onto the street and gave a (death)howl.
Everyone adult non muggle on the street screamed, wet themselves and vanished.
"You're having too much fun with this." Harry Potter shook his head as he walked to the bank, "You keep this up, and I will not be able to bring you to the Alley any more."
The canine snorted and pranced to the steps and up to the doors, he crouched waiting for the guard to open the doors.
The goblin guard raised their eyebrows.
"He is waiting for your okay to make the Humans inside to wet themselves." the lad sighed as he climbed the steps.
The goblins exchanged a few hand signs, word was sent to the head teller, when the word came back the answer was…
Yes.
The Doors were thrown open and Padfoot charged in barking like a corgi after a squirrel.
The screaming masses either wet themselves, feinted, or both.
Three tellers fell off their stools laughing. A fourth dropped the gold he was counting. All had a smile on their snarling mugs.
Harry walked in and stepping over the cowering Sheeple, reprimanded the now prancing Grim. "Now that you have had your fun, let's get down to see Ashraq and Barchoke." He handed the still chuckling teller the bill for the Cauldron and his new key. "Harry Potter to see Ashraq and Barchoke. I also need this bill for the Leaky Cauldron paid."
The teller scratched something into his ledger, stamped the bill and handed it back to the lad. "Wait on the bench." He turned to the shaking witch behind the lad, "Next!"
HPWQ
As the two Wizards sat across from the two goblins, the adult was fidgeting while the youth reclined.
The Goblins were chuckling from the report of the escort of the scene of Padfoot's entrance to the lobby.
The Goblins were quick to get themselves under control. "Okay, Let's get Lord Black settled first. First, your Ring."
"Okay," Sirius slid the ring on. "I, Sirius Black, claim the Lordship of House Black. I name my Godson Harry Potter as my Heir." They had to stop and place the Heir Ring on Harry's middle finger of his Right jand.
"I Return Andromeda Tonks nee Black to the House Black Scrolls, and name House Tonks a Vassal House of Black. I rebuke House Malfoy and give them one year to fullfil the Contract. Post the Notice on the morning of the First in the Prophet. Also post: I rebuke and condemn House Lestrange. I find that they have broken Faith and Vow with House Black. I declare the Marriage annulled and voided. I reclaim Bellatrix's Dowry including interest, fees, and ectra. You know what I am asking. I want everything listed as belonging to House Lestrange acquired either by House Black or the Bank as fees and penalties."
"Leave them Thirty Sickles." Harry leered. When everyone looked at him, "It's a Muggle thing. The Muggle version of Merlin was betrayed by his closest friend for thirty pieces of silver."
The Goblins snickered before scratching a few notes in their ledgers.
"I name Sirius Black the regent for Harry Potter, to take effect on the First of September. I hereby abdicate the Lordship to My Heir, and retire."
The Lord Ring and the Heir Ring on the Human's hands began to flicker… only for the rings to shift from Lord to Regent and Heir to Lord.
"Being Named Lord Black makes you Lord Potter." Barchoke sneered, and slid a ring box to the lad. Harry took a minute to slide it on.
Ashraq sneered at the lad. "Do you have an heir?"
"My Successor is Nymphdora Tonks and her line." Harry responded to his coaching. "Until House Malfoy has corrected their oversight, Draco and his issue are barred from ever inheriting the House Black Estate. Bellatrix must publicly denounce the Half Blood Bastard Tom Marvelo Riddle within one lunar month of leaving the Island Resort of Azkaban, or be cast from House Black."
Ashraq snickered as he scratched his notes.
"In your stripping Bellatrix's personal Vault, you will find an item from the Proscribed List. I need the Relic returned to me. I can clean it and will give the spell to your Curse Breakers. If you want to strip the item to hunt for others, please wait until Solstice Break to collect them. He made a total of six. I have killed one, cleaned another. I plan to clean two others on Samhain. The relic below and another in Little Haggleton are the two that you are free to hunt."
"Why are you being evasive?" Ashraq glared at Harry.
"Because of I tell you, then when She comes for her silver, the Bank will claim that as past due and be within their rights to bring the Axe of Justice down on her and those who stand with her. Let her taste the Fate of Herpo the Foul."
The Goblins paled.
"House Black has concluded its declarations." Harry leaned back.
"Okay, that leaves your contracts." Ashraq flipped the ledger to a different page. "Greengrass has a contract with Black as the price for a loan of thirty thousand Galleons."
"Increase the amount to fifty and add the option to buy the contract off by paying us back Sixty by my twenty-first birthday. If they have not, we will be married on Samhain."
Ashraq nodded. "Anything else?"
"House Patil has twins my age. Write up a contract, but leave the bride price/ Dowry blank as well as the date. One thing all my wives have to look forward to is following their hppes and dreams in the professional fields."
Ashraq nodded as he finished with his notes.
"Now House Potter." Barchoke grinned toothly. "The Manor or Castle is under a Blood Ward and obscured from all forms of Detection. With your Lordship Ring, you should be able to scry for it. On your next summer holiday, I will join you as we Quest for it."
Harry nodded.
"We have your Ring…your parents' wills are in probate… that leaves your contracts. House Bones…"
"I have been in talks. Today for Lunch I am exchanging Padfoot for Susan in an Exchange of Hostages. He is going to Face Trial and the Bloodline is being held against a fair trial."
"That's a little blood thirsty." Barchoke frowned.
"Between the file on the case, and his Defense Attorney…" Harry grinned evilly, "The only way he doesn't walk is if someone tries to kill or kiss him before the trial."
"And the Director will do everything she can to keep him safe." The shaved head nodded. "And should anything happen, the person will be facing a blood feud from the Three Houses."
'Is it just my imagination, or does the shaven head lead to an even nastier image?' Harry thought to himself.
The Account Manager scratched his notes. "There's a contract between Albus Dumbledore and Molly Prewette for Ginevra Weasley to become Lady Potter." The Goblin peered at Harry from under his fluffy eyebrows. "Mrs Weasley has used this contract to draw on the Potter Accounts."
Harry shifted. "How much and for how long."
"Numbers or…"
"Just tell me."
"Enough for their last five children to buy seven years of Hogwarts. To pay off the mortgage of the Burrow… and fines for a flying car."
"The flying car was partly my fault." Harry frowned. "They weren't just splurging with the money." He flicked a glance at Sirius and saw that he was angry, but wanted Harry to either handle it or ask for help or advice. "I understand that you employ one William Weasley. I ask the Bank to call him back when he finishes his current project and explain everything to him. I'm willing to forgive the debt in exchange for Vassalage. I am willing to talk to both Arthur and William. If Molly tries to borrow again, block her, and tell her to ask William."
Barchoke grinned evilly as he scratched the orders into the ledger. "The contract?"
"It no longer is for Lady Potter, but I will entertain a consort contract." Harry leaned forward. "If Ginny asks for one."
"Anything else?" The two goblins asked.
Harry shrugged. "Three hundred Galleons, and a couple drafts. I owe both the youngest two birthday gifts, and my best friend has a birthday coming up."
"The bag and cheques will be waiting for you at the teller counter." The two goblins rechecked the paperwork. "Any paperwork we are to send you will be…"
"Sent care of Susan Bones." Harry stood up and offered his hand to the Goblins. "Hopefully this will hold us until the Winter Solstice."
The Goblins shook his hand and left.
Harry followed the runner back to the Lobby, Sirius once more in his Grim form. At the counter he received his money bag and cheques and exited out onto the steps.
Just after Harry had exited the Bank, Padfoot pounced one last time and Howled.
The screaming and fainting caused the guards to chuckle as the lad just shook his head.
Harry's first stop was the bookstore and bought a two hundred Galleon 'gift card'.
Padfoot whined and cocked his head.
"I am providing her the option to choose her own titles, mostly because I don't know what she will have and or need. I know she really likes books. It also means that for Christmas I will not be getting her anything book related."
The Grim nodded and picked up the leash and pranced along at the lad's heels.
Next stop was the Quidditch store. Harry bought a refurbished Nimbus 2000 and a used Dragonfly. He had the Shop-wizard shrink and box the brooms separately. He also bought a set of new gloves for everyone.
Lunch was held at a Cafe patio table where Harry waited with a goblet of pumpkin juice and bowl of water for the Grim.
Shortly he was joined by two redheads. Standing as they arrived. "Director, Susan. Pleased you could make it."
"This low, Mister Potter." The square jawed woman glared at Harry through her monocle.
"I was instructed to find Susan on the train and to ask to talk about House Business. With the History Lesson just learned before your message was delivered, I just took a step to insure that Black would face the Court because those who might be bought would know that anyone who threatens his safety before he gets his trial, faces three great Houses in a blood feud."
The three witches drew back. "Blood Feud?" Susan paled, her freckles standing out even more.
"Three Houses?" The Director hissed.
"House Black, Bones, and Potter." Harry grinned evilly. "And I will be giving them the Riddle treatment."
"Riddle?" The director lost her anger for the minute.
"The man who killed my Parents and tried to kill me in my crib.," Harry snarled. "He tried to steal the Stone from Hogwarts our first year, and was the one calling himself the Heir last year."
Seeing the Director frown, Harry turned to Susan. "You didn't tell her about the attacks Last Year, did you?"
"What attacks?" Bones snarled.
"Last year, Riddle possessed a first-year witch and released a … Basilisk onto the school. Five students and Mrs Norris were petrified until June, and Albus swept everything under the rug. The Basilisk is dead, Goblins are letting the meat age before they send in a Rendering Squad from Guild."
"And this is the first I am hearing about this…"
"Director Bones. This Summer, the same night as the Black File landed on your desk, I learned that the Man I and every gentle member of our society look Up to is not the Saint and Savior everyone thinks he is. He is a master of the mind magics. Odds are that during the Leaving Feast he cast a web over the whole school and encouraged the students to not talk about it."
The director sat back as the waiter approached to take their order.
After a selection of the daily specials and a ham bone for Padfoot the conversation turned to Susan asking for clarification on some rumours about his adventures. The first was what caused the one hundred fifty point loss back in their first year.
The last two questions were about the big issues with the last year. "What were you really saying to the snake during the dueling tutorial?" Susan leaned forward, reminding Harry of the barely contained bosom of her older self.
"I was telling her not to attack. She was not happy being drawn to the cold of northern Scotland in the winter. Then Flophart trying to undo the spell only bouncing her and with Smith right there…" Harry shrugged.
"What happened to Lockhart?"
"When the Heir posted his last message, Lockhart said he could get her back and when circumstances caused me to look for him to help, Weasley and I found him packing. The spell he taught us back in February came in handy and because we needed an adult… we took him with us. In a tunnel to the Chamber of Secrets, he snagged Ron's wand and made a confession. His books were not his adventures but taken from others before he mind-wiped them." Harry sipped his juice. "He was going to wipe our minds and claim that the fate of the girl caused our minds to snap. Only Ron's wand was not in good shape and an overpowered oblivion caused a backfire and a cave in. I was trapped on one side, Ron and a blank Lockhart on the other. I heard he could only talk and obey simple commands. He lost everything including toilet training. He was sent to St Mungo's Spell Damage Ward."
Amelia Bones was sipping her wine with one hand as she milked the Grim's ears with the other as he laid his head on her lap. "And I used to think your Father was a handful." She frowned at the head on her lap. "He even had a Grim Familiar as well… named Padfoot… hated Sirius… "she smiled, "they could not even be in the same room at the same time…" her hand stopped. "You Son of a Bitch!" Her goblet hit the gobble stones as she grabbed the leash and exploded to her feet.
She tossed a pair of carved ivory bracelets to Susan. "Have those bracelets on before leaving the table. I need to see a man about a dog." She tapped the leash with her wand and she and Padfoot vanished into a swirl of blue light.
The heavier of the two settled around his wrist as he smiled at his newly bonded witch. "So… Now what are your plans?"
"Have my school shopping to do."
"Yeah. Me too. I was thinking about sending Hedwig to McGonagall for a booklist. The Weasleys are getting back later and they still need to shop. The only thing they don't need are quidditch gloves. Do you want to do our basic shopping or check into the Leaky Cauldron?"
"The Leaky Cauldron?" Sue frowned. "I thought I was going to be able to visit Hannah tonight. I left my trunk at home!"
"You have an Elf?" Harry asked.
"Yes."
"Call her tonight and have her bring your trunk to your room. As for Hannah, just Floo her and hang out here. On the Alley. I need a few things for when I am not dressed in school robes. These are Reggie's old robes taken in. I need a full wardrobe makeover and something tells me that two or three females advising me would be best for me."
"Oh, you can be trained." Susan smiled as she stood.
Twenty minutes later they were in Harry's rented room, staring at the contents of his trunk.
Susan turned to look at him. "It's more than just your clothes that need a redo. Let me get Hannah and we will get started."
The headed down to the Floo, and as Susan was floo-calling Hannah, Hermione and Parents entered.
"Harry!" The squealing hug monster glomped onto him.
"Just who do you think you are to be handling my princess in that manner?" The Father loomed. His wife just shook her head as she smiled.
"Just the idiot that promised to handle her book habit." Harry smiled at the man.
Hermione froze. The man stiffened. The wife went white.
"Son, do you know what you are saying?" The man spoke slowly.
"Well as you just returned from France and just getting ready to shop for the year." He pried her off so that he could breathe. "Make you a deal, Sir. I will take care of Hermione's shopping this year, and next summer you foot the muggle bill for my Quest for Potter Manor. It will take us at least a week, maybe two. I will also be coming back during Christmas, so she will be home then too."
Dr Granger shook his hand, grabbed his wife and exited the way they came.
"Harry, do you know how expensive this is going to be?" Hermione asked.
"Just promise that you will dress up in a Leather Bikini for me." Harry smiled at her. "Oh yeah I am supposed to tell you that the Zeb-ra sleeps alone."
The Muggleborn froze again. "Fuck!" The word was spoken softly. "What did you do?"
TBC