Categories > Books > Harry Potter > Truth of the Matter
The Basics, the Base
0 reviewsBased on a challenge I by Tendrarinstat, the rating will go up later. This will be highly AU, especially with the advent of HBP, but Harry will not be doing a cross over. Dumbledore is evil, Voldem...
1Exciting
Truth of the Matter
Chapter 2: The Basics, the Base
11th September 2005
It was the night before they left Hogwarts for the summer, and Harry Potter lay to sleep in his first real bedroom. Back in number 4 Privet Drive his room was always "Dudley's second room" on a good day, and "Should have left him in our cupboard" on a not so good day. The Gryffindor boys dorm was crowded, and his was always just a large four poster bed. True he really appreciated and liked it, but this was truly his room that he was sleeping in.
Just the previous day, he'd succeeded in casting the Fidelius Charm after a runes lesson with Voldemort. Harry was still uncomfortable trusting him in many ways, but that was beside the point right now, and he was fully content and pleased with what it had gained him at the moment. That he was in the main bedchamber of the Chamber of Secrets meant little to him. It had been a rest day, and with Ron and Hermione arguing in the common room he'd gone into the Chamber to attempt the charm again, and after finally succeeding, he'd had a quick look through and found the private quarters.
He'd known at first sight that he'd have to introduce his best friends to the library, with its wall to wall, ceiling high book shelves, packed with books. The centre was a large square table with the Slytherian crest on it, and its large centre leg made of a circular bookshelf. A chess board lay hidden underneath the Slytherian crest, and Harry knew Ron wouldn't mind visiting this library. Absently he wondered if Ginny would mind coming down some time.
...
Over in Gryffindor Tower, a red head sneezed as quietly as possible while making her way over to the boys' dorms. She bit back a gasp when she found Harry's bed empty, his trunk gone, and his drawers empty. Sighing, she returned to her own bed with Harry's invisibility cloak.
.........
Albus Dumbledore sat behind his desk thinking. He seemed to have been doing that a lot lately, feeling something different within him. Yes he was aware that he wasn't exactly a white wizard, but he believed he was as close as possible, a light grey wizard as he called himself. He glanced at the empty perch that stood just inside his office, remembering the magnificent phoenix that used to sit there and keep him company.
Yes he wasn't quite so light enough for a phoenix any more, but he was still not dark, and there would be more than enough time after the war for another joining. Fawks had left soon after Harry's fourth year, leaving him feeling empty headed where the bond had been before. He sighed and leaned back, closing his eyes. There really wasn't a measure of a person's light or darkness in the magical world that had come about. True, phoenixes, unicorns, griffins, among other light creatures could tell, but they really didn't write things down.
His mind strayed back to his plans for fame and glory. Harry Potter hadn't appeared at dinner that evening, which wasn't actually a concern in and of itself. More to the point was that his link with Hogwarts as headmaster wasn't revealing where Harry was. He stopped and considered the possibility that Harry had left Hogwarts, but then realized that Hogwarts would have told him like the enchantments were supposed to do.
Sighing again, he headed to bed wondering what Hogwarts meant when she said Harry had gone into a toilet.
.........
"Ah, Potter. All alone I see, surely you don't expect us mere mortals to ignore you? What say you boys?" Behind Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle laughed loudly with pathetically confused expressions on their faces. Harry shrugged, "I suggest you get moving, or the carriages might leave without you and you won't get your usual pleasure of playing with other boys."
it took a few seconds, but his insinuation finally sunk in and Draco barred his teath and growled, "You watch your mouth Potter, you ought to learn to respect your betters." Harry raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "My betters? Your father and 11 other Death Eaters lost out to 4 fifth years and 2 fourth years, Draco. How do you expect to be my better with those kinds of odds?" Malfoy growled and pulled out his wand only to find Harry's pointed straight at his right eye.
Emerald green met steel grey, and Draco was about to yell a curse when Severus Snape stepped from the shadows of the dungeon just in time to intervene, "POTTER! What do you think you're doing?" Harry's eyes briefly changed from emerald green to a lighter green with rainbow colored flecks in them. Draco almost shuddered at the sight but stopped himself just short. Harry sneered at the four slytherians before giving his answer, "Nothing important Snape, just deciding which bludgeoning curse I should use on dear Draco here."
Snape's left eye twitched and he spoke in a chilling voice which didn't seem to affect Harry at all for some reason, "20 points from Gryffindor for your lack of respect, 10 for you intent to harm, and a further 10 points for fighting in the hall. Now move or it will be more." Harry snarled and moved toward the main entrance. Just before he exited, he turned to the four snakes and snarled at them, "Term's over, the points don't count. But rest assured, I will ensure you suffer a terrible end at my hands, so if you can find your own through someone else's I strongly suggest you do."
...
Harry moved swiftly across the grounds to a certain tree by the lake where a red head sat and stared unseeingly out across the vast expanse of water. Harry sighed to himself and sat down gently next to Ginny and touched her hand, startling her. He grinned at her sputtering insults for shocking her, "Yes I know you're rather upset I woke you up in time for the train back, but I'd like my invisibility cloak back if that's alright with you?" Ginny blushed rosily and reached into her robe, and returned the cloak, "You weren't in bed last night. Where were you?"
Harry chuckled, "I can't tell you yet Gin Gin, but I can promise you'll be the first to know when I reveal it. Deal?" She smiled prettily at him and nodded, and Harry couldn't help but notice how her hair seemed to shimmer when her head bobbed. Shaking his head, he stood up and reminded her again that the carriages were leaving soon before moving away towards the carriages for the ride back to the muggle world.
.........
The OWL results came faster than Harry had anticipated. He'd spent so much time in his dreams and subconscious that he'd hardly noticed the days passing. So far he'd learned the theory of some more powerful light spells. He'd been very surprised and almost shocked, but Voldemort had quite an arsenal of light spells, contrary to what he'd thought.
As would be though, the Dark Lord's had a veritable armory of dark spells. They'd spent a night just talking about magic in general, and Voldemort assured Harry that before the age of majority it was quite impossible for the human body to channel the power required for the darker spells unless at very high emotional states. On the other hand, the theory was much simpler than some light spells, so Harry was also starting on those.
His OWL results weren't much of a surprise. What did come as a surprise was the appended note telling him that due to his results he was permitted to practice magic within reason on his own. While this didn't bother him too much, what really attracted his attention was the last paragraph detailing the possibility of learning apparition. Once again, he woke the next day with his head full of apparition theory.
...
Using the disillusionment charm, Harry managed to slip out of Privet Drive, and into Diagon Alley unnoticed. He wandered around for a while, looking at the different items on display, silently debating the usefulness of various books, and wondering about various questionable items he glimpsed from adjacent alleys.
He proceeded to Gringotts first, money being the key to purchasing. He glanced around the large lobby before discretely removing his disillusionment charm and walking up to the nearest teller. He showed his key and asked to see his vault, but the goblin had other ideas, "Ah, Mr. Potter. We didn't expect you so soon. Would you please proceed down the hall marked with the yellow brick to room 4?"
Harry blinked, but decided he could get to explanations later, and walked as indicated. He eventually did come to the room, and knocked shortly before entering. He was surprised at who he found there: Albus Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Draco Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, what Harry could only assume were the Parkinson family, and several reporters and ministry staff. A rather large goblin sat at the head of the table with a pensive and letter in front of him, and shot a positively killing glare at the doorway, which instantly changed to one of reverence when he recognized Harry.
The goblin stood and rushed up to Harry, "Mr. Potter! I am so glad to see you, we were informed by the Headmaster that you were too busy to attend today's reading, but please sit down, we were just about to start." Harry took a the chair opposite Remus, which just happened to be right next to the letter, and the goblin spoke again, "as primary subject in this will, Harry James Potter, you have the right as to allowing anyone not explicitly named in the will."
Harry inclined his head slightly, "This is a private reading then." Before he could continue, the Ministry side erupted, trying to enforce their will. Harry waved his wand in a circular motion, muttering something under his breath; the Ministry representatives froze where they stood, and Harry requested they be evicted before he continued, "I also believe this is not at all a matter of public opinion, and so no reporters are allowed." The goblin took the initiative and summoned lower ranked goblins to remove the protesting wizards and witches. Harry glanced round at the remaining people before nodding to the goblin, "Whoever is left may stay." The goblin nodded, not missing the frown on Hogwart's Headmaster's face, and rose to address the assembled.
"I am Grappler, head of magical wills and testimonies, and am proud to witness the will of one Sirius Orion Black." He tapped the pensive in front of him a few times, and the air on top shimmered. Harry was reminded sharply of Trelawney in the headmaster's office not long ago. Sirius took shape, and seemed to glance around the room before he began speaking, "I, Sirius Black, being of sound mind, (shut up Moony) am fully aware of the following statement. This is my will, and if it is being read, then I must have left you.
"First, I know Harry is there, so Harry, please don't mourn over me. I'm sure I went out with a bang, and as long as I caused some trouble, then I have no regrets, save one, which is that I have been able to spend as much time with you as I would have liked. Please accept the following things that I give you, the first of which is all the Black family fortune, excluding several items which I will bring up later. The second are various properties I personally own. I am sorry I had to leave you, my friends, but I'm in a better place now, with James. (Though how I have no idea with the trouble I caused).
Second, to Remus Lupin, I leave 100,100 galleons. Moony, I know you never let James or I give you anything, but this time you have no options. I know you're a very private man by nature, Remus, but please find someone to share your life with. No matter what some blind, frightened wizards say, you're a good man, and you deserve a happy life.
Third, to Nymphadora Tonks, the only first cousin once removed that I'll even acknowledge right now, I leave 100,000 galleons. Find yourself a good wizard, Nymphie, and remember to live.
Third, to Albus Dumbledore, I leave 100,000 galleons. You may use them as you see fit. For the Order, for Hogwarts, or for leisure, I don't care. Use them well.
In conclusion, apart from the above mentioned exceptions, I leave the entirety of the Black family vault. Also, if Harry has finished his fifth year, then I hereby emancipate him in the wizarding world as his godfather. If he hasn't, then Remus Lupin is my chosen guardian for Harry.
With that, I wish you all well for the rest of your lives as of the 31st December 1980.
There was dead silence for several minutes after the will was read. Then Draco Malfoy jumped out of his chair in anger, "He can't do that! He's an escaped convict! That money is meant for the Dark Lord!" Harry slowly stood and gazed at Draco steadily, "He was not convicted as of 1980, therefore your argument is irrelevant. I will also not allow you to throw around wild threats while the will is not yet cold, Kire!" an ice blue blade of energy flew at Draco, who was too stunned to move, and got hit. He was thrown at the wall behind him and slumped to the floor with a large gash on his arm. Lower level goblins came quickly to clear him away.
Grappler sighed, "I do so hate it when people jump the guns. I was going to say I was sent a letter with an addition to the will a few months after that, I believe in commiseration of the anniversary birth of the Malfoy heir." He tapped the parchment twice, and the image of Sirius came up again, "June 5th, 1981. I, Sirius Orion Black, being of sound mind, hereby add the following statements to my existing will.
"To Narcissa Black-Malfoy, I leave fifty thousand galleons under two stipulations. First, you divorce your dear husband and renounce the Malfoy name. Second, you take a magically binding oath not to assist in any way, shape, or form the Death Eaters, Voldemort, or any other evil wizard or witch or any such followers for as long as you live. Same goes for Draco Malfoy."
Grappler ended the parchment presentation and looked at Narcissa, who shifted unsteadily under his gaze. Finally she stood, "I need time to think. I will get back to Gringotts on this matter." Silently she made her exit, and most frowned at her back for their own different reasons. Glancing around and noticing no other comments, Grappler stood again and cleared his throat, "If that is all, then will Baron Potter and Remus Lupin please remain, everyone else may leave."
Most nodded, some stiffly, and shuffled out of the room. Albus Dumbledore remained though, and Harry picked up on it almost immediately, "Yes Albus, is there something you need?" the Headmaster stood and walked over, a grandfatherly look in his eye and a twinkle in his eye, "Now Harry your outburst earlier was uncalled for. I expect you to write him a letter apologizing for your actions. Also, it is for the greater good that you are kept safe, we both know how important it is for Voldemort to get his hands on you. I am shocked that you'd risk journeying to Diagon Alley, when your presence would not have been required."
Harry raised an eyebrow and his hand, which was still holding his wand, twitched mightily, "Is that so? Let me recount then: Moody, Tonks, and Kingsley all tailed me to right outside this room, starting with Kingsley because he was on duty, later Moody and Tonks who were in the alley. I am the primary subject of Sirius's will, and therefore am required to be here unless a proxy is appointed. As I did not even receive a letter from Gringotts, I shall have to assume that you forged a letter to keep me from my godfather's will. As for greater good, I place more trust for the greater good in the splinter of wood that came from your chair than in all the hairs you have. As there is nothing for you here, please leave."
While Harry had been speaking, Remus had been sent into shock; something must have happened between the two to cause this, last they'd talked Harry had been slightly disappointed in the headmaster, but nothing to indicate a level of hostility even remotely like this. He then speculated about the 'why' Voldemort wanted to get his hands on Harry, which led to the possibility of it being whatever the Order had been guarding in the Department of Mysteries and had shattered in the death chamber.
Grappler had been paying the exchange loose attention, but enough for him to know when to call in lower goblins to escort Dumbledore. True they really couldn't stop him if he was truly determined, but they'd still do him a large amount of damage before he got away. He drew out several sheets of parchment and waved his gnarled hands, causing writing to appear. When Dumbledore had been escorted away, he traced a circular pattern into a pad he carried, and the room glowed for briefly, "That's to neutralize any tracking, listening, and spying charms around the room. Now, Mr. Lupin, your current account is too small to accommodate the new galleons that are going to be transferred in. We wondered about any extras you may want on your new vault?"
Remus looked surprised at the change, but quickly recovered, "I would like it as safe as possible. I've encountered resistance to anything lycan, so if I can be certain they won't get their hands on Sirius's money then it's a load off my mind." Grappler nodded and wrote on the parchment and handed it to Remus to sign off before signing off himself. He sent it off with a messenger goblin before turning to Harry, "Mr. Potter, what we need from you is a blood sample to key you to your vaults permanently, as well as any others you'd like to grant access to." Harry chuckled, "Just me for now, I want all trackings to all my accounts. And Grappler, I mean every single one of them." Grappler gulped and visibly paled before moving off to carry out the request.
.........
Back at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore sat straight up in his chair, just about vibrating in anger. His thoughts were a whirl, and the red and gold parrot he now had wasn't about to calm him down. How could Harry do that? Didn't he realize how much the Order needed funding? Of course, he reasoned, it didn't matter that he himself needed funding for his own pleasures; no, it was just for the Order. He forgot to mention though, that everything to do with the Order was right under his thumb.
He snarled and started laying plans for when Harry returned to Hogwarts: that money would be his, no matter what. Thank goodness he still had the Potter fortune to use, and in itself it could easily contend with the Black fortune. He wrote out a list of people he could use to gain the money, surely the Weasleys could be turned, given that they needed money badly?
...
she contemplated many things, and often figured them out relatively easily. This time, however, Minerva McGonagall just couldn't think of a single reason the Headmaster would go to Gingotts happier than should have been allowed, and return with an aura of anger clearly visible to all. It was definitely something to think about.
.........
"Enter." A single word, all it took really when one was president of Gringotts International. Lord Gold watched silently as Grappler, a werewolf named Remus Lupin, and their now biggest single investor Harry Potter, were led in by an aide of his named Griphook. He raised a gnarled eyebrow as Potter grinned at Griphook and clapped him on the back as they passed each other.
Grappler bowed to him and shuffled over with a several sheets of parchment, "My Lord, Baron Potter-Black has requested to be appraised of every account he has. My authority level does not allow me to have anything to do with such large vaults or movements, or I'd have spared you the trouble." Gold chuckled softly, "No matter, I'd have wanted to speak with Baron Potter-Black at some stage any way. You may leave, Grappler, and rest assured I will carry out the Baron's requests."
Grappler bowed again and exited the room quickly. Harry sat on a straight-backed wooden chair and gazed at Gold seemingly waiting for something. Lord Gold chuckled again before tracing a rune on his desk. The room glowed for a moment and Harry smiled, "I find the method of secrecy most interesting. I myself haven't gone into runic studies, but that rune set is probably one of the first I'll look into." Gold grinned at him, "I wish you the best of luck then Baron Potter-Black, just don't be too disappointed if you can't find it immediately."
Harry laughed out loud at this before leaning forward, "I have recently gained the knowledge of a certain set of vaults. Or rather would be set of vaults. I need my connections to these vaults severed totally." Seeing the question floating just below the surface he elaborated, "The Dumbledore estate vaults. I happen to know now that they were almost totally exhausted in the first war with Voldemort. I have suspicions on has he has funded his war so far, but nothing solid yet. I was hoping you'd be able to help me?"
Lord Gold frowned, "I didn't know there was even a possibility of this. However it is a possibility; Griphook, bring me the Potter files." They waited a few moments, Harry watching Remus out the corner of his eye, thoughts seeming to flash across the werewolf's face. Anger, fear, disappointment, resentment, sadness, regret, all paraded across Remus's normally poker-straight face. Harry sighed, it hurt, but there was really only one way to do this. Griphook set a large stack of files on Gold's desk and left quickly.
Lord Gold set them into three stacks, and proceeded to explain each one, "This one in the middle, the smallest one, is your personal transactions records, money going in, money flowing out. Gringotts finds nothing suspicious with it." He paused and shifted piles, "This one here, the largest, are transactions made by letter supposedly from you. We have kept these letters, and tracked them. I haven't actually looked into them, so I wouldn't know." He pushed this set to Harry, who silently leafed to the letters, looking them over, before looking up, a storm of anger in his eyes, "I didn't write any of these letters. However, I have a feeling Dumbledore wrote them, his Es have the tendency of curling sideways while mine do not." Gold nodded and set them aside before moving on to the last set, "These are direct interactions with you from Gringotts. The strange thing about this file is that you seem to have responded to every letter, and yet have personally done nothing in regard to their contents." Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes, "Again, not me. I have never received a single letter or owl from Gringotts."
......... >
Chapter 2: The Basics, the Base
11th September 2005
It was the night before they left Hogwarts for the summer, and Harry Potter lay to sleep in his first real bedroom. Back in number 4 Privet Drive his room was always "Dudley's second room" on a good day, and "Should have left him in our cupboard" on a not so good day. The Gryffindor boys dorm was crowded, and his was always just a large four poster bed. True he really appreciated and liked it, but this was truly his room that he was sleeping in.
Just the previous day, he'd succeeded in casting the Fidelius Charm after a runes lesson with Voldemort. Harry was still uncomfortable trusting him in many ways, but that was beside the point right now, and he was fully content and pleased with what it had gained him at the moment. That he was in the main bedchamber of the Chamber of Secrets meant little to him. It had been a rest day, and with Ron and Hermione arguing in the common room he'd gone into the Chamber to attempt the charm again, and after finally succeeding, he'd had a quick look through and found the private quarters.
He'd known at first sight that he'd have to introduce his best friends to the library, with its wall to wall, ceiling high book shelves, packed with books. The centre was a large square table with the Slytherian crest on it, and its large centre leg made of a circular bookshelf. A chess board lay hidden underneath the Slytherian crest, and Harry knew Ron wouldn't mind visiting this library. Absently he wondered if Ginny would mind coming down some time.
...
Over in Gryffindor Tower, a red head sneezed as quietly as possible while making her way over to the boys' dorms. She bit back a gasp when she found Harry's bed empty, his trunk gone, and his drawers empty. Sighing, she returned to her own bed with Harry's invisibility cloak.
.........
Albus Dumbledore sat behind his desk thinking. He seemed to have been doing that a lot lately, feeling something different within him. Yes he was aware that he wasn't exactly a white wizard, but he believed he was as close as possible, a light grey wizard as he called himself. He glanced at the empty perch that stood just inside his office, remembering the magnificent phoenix that used to sit there and keep him company.
Yes he wasn't quite so light enough for a phoenix any more, but he was still not dark, and there would be more than enough time after the war for another joining. Fawks had left soon after Harry's fourth year, leaving him feeling empty headed where the bond had been before. He sighed and leaned back, closing his eyes. There really wasn't a measure of a person's light or darkness in the magical world that had come about. True, phoenixes, unicorns, griffins, among other light creatures could tell, but they really didn't write things down.
His mind strayed back to his plans for fame and glory. Harry Potter hadn't appeared at dinner that evening, which wasn't actually a concern in and of itself. More to the point was that his link with Hogwarts as headmaster wasn't revealing where Harry was. He stopped and considered the possibility that Harry had left Hogwarts, but then realized that Hogwarts would have told him like the enchantments were supposed to do.
Sighing again, he headed to bed wondering what Hogwarts meant when she said Harry had gone into a toilet.
.........
"Ah, Potter. All alone I see, surely you don't expect us mere mortals to ignore you? What say you boys?" Behind Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle laughed loudly with pathetically confused expressions on their faces. Harry shrugged, "I suggest you get moving, or the carriages might leave without you and you won't get your usual pleasure of playing with other boys."
it took a few seconds, but his insinuation finally sunk in and Draco barred his teath and growled, "You watch your mouth Potter, you ought to learn to respect your betters." Harry raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "My betters? Your father and 11 other Death Eaters lost out to 4 fifth years and 2 fourth years, Draco. How do you expect to be my better with those kinds of odds?" Malfoy growled and pulled out his wand only to find Harry's pointed straight at his right eye.
Emerald green met steel grey, and Draco was about to yell a curse when Severus Snape stepped from the shadows of the dungeon just in time to intervene, "POTTER! What do you think you're doing?" Harry's eyes briefly changed from emerald green to a lighter green with rainbow colored flecks in them. Draco almost shuddered at the sight but stopped himself just short. Harry sneered at the four slytherians before giving his answer, "Nothing important Snape, just deciding which bludgeoning curse I should use on dear Draco here."
Snape's left eye twitched and he spoke in a chilling voice which didn't seem to affect Harry at all for some reason, "20 points from Gryffindor for your lack of respect, 10 for you intent to harm, and a further 10 points for fighting in the hall. Now move or it will be more." Harry snarled and moved toward the main entrance. Just before he exited, he turned to the four snakes and snarled at them, "Term's over, the points don't count. But rest assured, I will ensure you suffer a terrible end at my hands, so if you can find your own through someone else's I strongly suggest you do."
...
Harry moved swiftly across the grounds to a certain tree by the lake where a red head sat and stared unseeingly out across the vast expanse of water. Harry sighed to himself and sat down gently next to Ginny and touched her hand, startling her. He grinned at her sputtering insults for shocking her, "Yes I know you're rather upset I woke you up in time for the train back, but I'd like my invisibility cloak back if that's alright with you?" Ginny blushed rosily and reached into her robe, and returned the cloak, "You weren't in bed last night. Where were you?"
Harry chuckled, "I can't tell you yet Gin Gin, but I can promise you'll be the first to know when I reveal it. Deal?" She smiled prettily at him and nodded, and Harry couldn't help but notice how her hair seemed to shimmer when her head bobbed. Shaking his head, he stood up and reminded her again that the carriages were leaving soon before moving away towards the carriages for the ride back to the muggle world.
.........
The OWL results came faster than Harry had anticipated. He'd spent so much time in his dreams and subconscious that he'd hardly noticed the days passing. So far he'd learned the theory of some more powerful light spells. He'd been very surprised and almost shocked, but Voldemort had quite an arsenal of light spells, contrary to what he'd thought.
As would be though, the Dark Lord's had a veritable armory of dark spells. They'd spent a night just talking about magic in general, and Voldemort assured Harry that before the age of majority it was quite impossible for the human body to channel the power required for the darker spells unless at very high emotional states. On the other hand, the theory was much simpler than some light spells, so Harry was also starting on those.
His OWL results weren't much of a surprise. What did come as a surprise was the appended note telling him that due to his results he was permitted to practice magic within reason on his own. While this didn't bother him too much, what really attracted his attention was the last paragraph detailing the possibility of learning apparition. Once again, he woke the next day with his head full of apparition theory.
...
Using the disillusionment charm, Harry managed to slip out of Privet Drive, and into Diagon Alley unnoticed. He wandered around for a while, looking at the different items on display, silently debating the usefulness of various books, and wondering about various questionable items he glimpsed from adjacent alleys.
He proceeded to Gringotts first, money being the key to purchasing. He glanced around the large lobby before discretely removing his disillusionment charm and walking up to the nearest teller. He showed his key and asked to see his vault, but the goblin had other ideas, "Ah, Mr. Potter. We didn't expect you so soon. Would you please proceed down the hall marked with the yellow brick to room 4?"
Harry blinked, but decided he could get to explanations later, and walked as indicated. He eventually did come to the room, and knocked shortly before entering. He was surprised at who he found there: Albus Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Draco Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, what Harry could only assume were the Parkinson family, and several reporters and ministry staff. A rather large goblin sat at the head of the table with a pensive and letter in front of him, and shot a positively killing glare at the doorway, which instantly changed to one of reverence when he recognized Harry.
The goblin stood and rushed up to Harry, "Mr. Potter! I am so glad to see you, we were informed by the Headmaster that you were too busy to attend today's reading, but please sit down, we were just about to start." Harry took a the chair opposite Remus, which just happened to be right next to the letter, and the goblin spoke again, "as primary subject in this will, Harry James Potter, you have the right as to allowing anyone not explicitly named in the will."
Harry inclined his head slightly, "This is a private reading then." Before he could continue, the Ministry side erupted, trying to enforce their will. Harry waved his wand in a circular motion, muttering something under his breath; the Ministry representatives froze where they stood, and Harry requested they be evicted before he continued, "I also believe this is not at all a matter of public opinion, and so no reporters are allowed." The goblin took the initiative and summoned lower ranked goblins to remove the protesting wizards and witches. Harry glanced round at the remaining people before nodding to the goblin, "Whoever is left may stay." The goblin nodded, not missing the frown on Hogwart's Headmaster's face, and rose to address the assembled.
"I am Grappler, head of magical wills and testimonies, and am proud to witness the will of one Sirius Orion Black." He tapped the pensive in front of him a few times, and the air on top shimmered. Harry was reminded sharply of Trelawney in the headmaster's office not long ago. Sirius took shape, and seemed to glance around the room before he began speaking, "I, Sirius Black, being of sound mind, (shut up Moony) am fully aware of the following statement. This is my will, and if it is being read, then I must have left you.
"First, I know Harry is there, so Harry, please don't mourn over me. I'm sure I went out with a bang, and as long as I caused some trouble, then I have no regrets, save one, which is that I have been able to spend as much time with you as I would have liked. Please accept the following things that I give you, the first of which is all the Black family fortune, excluding several items which I will bring up later. The second are various properties I personally own. I am sorry I had to leave you, my friends, but I'm in a better place now, with James. (Though how I have no idea with the trouble I caused).
Second, to Remus Lupin, I leave 100,100 galleons. Moony, I know you never let James or I give you anything, but this time you have no options. I know you're a very private man by nature, Remus, but please find someone to share your life with. No matter what some blind, frightened wizards say, you're a good man, and you deserve a happy life.
Third, to Nymphadora Tonks, the only first cousin once removed that I'll even acknowledge right now, I leave 100,000 galleons. Find yourself a good wizard, Nymphie, and remember to live.
Third, to Albus Dumbledore, I leave 100,000 galleons. You may use them as you see fit. For the Order, for Hogwarts, or for leisure, I don't care. Use them well.
In conclusion, apart from the above mentioned exceptions, I leave the entirety of the Black family vault. Also, if Harry has finished his fifth year, then I hereby emancipate him in the wizarding world as his godfather. If he hasn't, then Remus Lupin is my chosen guardian for Harry.
With that, I wish you all well for the rest of your lives as of the 31st December 1980.
There was dead silence for several minutes after the will was read. Then Draco Malfoy jumped out of his chair in anger, "He can't do that! He's an escaped convict! That money is meant for the Dark Lord!" Harry slowly stood and gazed at Draco steadily, "He was not convicted as of 1980, therefore your argument is irrelevant. I will also not allow you to throw around wild threats while the will is not yet cold, Kire!" an ice blue blade of energy flew at Draco, who was too stunned to move, and got hit. He was thrown at the wall behind him and slumped to the floor with a large gash on his arm. Lower level goblins came quickly to clear him away.
Grappler sighed, "I do so hate it when people jump the guns. I was going to say I was sent a letter with an addition to the will a few months after that, I believe in commiseration of the anniversary birth of the Malfoy heir." He tapped the parchment twice, and the image of Sirius came up again, "June 5th, 1981. I, Sirius Orion Black, being of sound mind, hereby add the following statements to my existing will.
"To Narcissa Black-Malfoy, I leave fifty thousand galleons under two stipulations. First, you divorce your dear husband and renounce the Malfoy name. Second, you take a magically binding oath not to assist in any way, shape, or form the Death Eaters, Voldemort, or any other evil wizard or witch or any such followers for as long as you live. Same goes for Draco Malfoy."
Grappler ended the parchment presentation and looked at Narcissa, who shifted unsteadily under his gaze. Finally she stood, "I need time to think. I will get back to Gringotts on this matter." Silently she made her exit, and most frowned at her back for their own different reasons. Glancing around and noticing no other comments, Grappler stood again and cleared his throat, "If that is all, then will Baron Potter and Remus Lupin please remain, everyone else may leave."
Most nodded, some stiffly, and shuffled out of the room. Albus Dumbledore remained though, and Harry picked up on it almost immediately, "Yes Albus, is there something you need?" the Headmaster stood and walked over, a grandfatherly look in his eye and a twinkle in his eye, "Now Harry your outburst earlier was uncalled for. I expect you to write him a letter apologizing for your actions. Also, it is for the greater good that you are kept safe, we both know how important it is for Voldemort to get his hands on you. I am shocked that you'd risk journeying to Diagon Alley, when your presence would not have been required."
Harry raised an eyebrow and his hand, which was still holding his wand, twitched mightily, "Is that so? Let me recount then: Moody, Tonks, and Kingsley all tailed me to right outside this room, starting with Kingsley because he was on duty, later Moody and Tonks who were in the alley. I am the primary subject of Sirius's will, and therefore am required to be here unless a proxy is appointed. As I did not even receive a letter from Gringotts, I shall have to assume that you forged a letter to keep me from my godfather's will. As for greater good, I place more trust for the greater good in the splinter of wood that came from your chair than in all the hairs you have. As there is nothing for you here, please leave."
While Harry had been speaking, Remus had been sent into shock; something must have happened between the two to cause this, last they'd talked Harry had been slightly disappointed in the headmaster, but nothing to indicate a level of hostility even remotely like this. He then speculated about the 'why' Voldemort wanted to get his hands on Harry, which led to the possibility of it being whatever the Order had been guarding in the Department of Mysteries and had shattered in the death chamber.
Grappler had been paying the exchange loose attention, but enough for him to know when to call in lower goblins to escort Dumbledore. True they really couldn't stop him if he was truly determined, but they'd still do him a large amount of damage before he got away. He drew out several sheets of parchment and waved his gnarled hands, causing writing to appear. When Dumbledore had been escorted away, he traced a circular pattern into a pad he carried, and the room glowed for briefly, "That's to neutralize any tracking, listening, and spying charms around the room. Now, Mr. Lupin, your current account is too small to accommodate the new galleons that are going to be transferred in. We wondered about any extras you may want on your new vault?"
Remus looked surprised at the change, but quickly recovered, "I would like it as safe as possible. I've encountered resistance to anything lycan, so if I can be certain they won't get their hands on Sirius's money then it's a load off my mind." Grappler nodded and wrote on the parchment and handed it to Remus to sign off before signing off himself. He sent it off with a messenger goblin before turning to Harry, "Mr. Potter, what we need from you is a blood sample to key you to your vaults permanently, as well as any others you'd like to grant access to." Harry chuckled, "Just me for now, I want all trackings to all my accounts. And Grappler, I mean every single one of them." Grappler gulped and visibly paled before moving off to carry out the request.
.........
Back at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore sat straight up in his chair, just about vibrating in anger. His thoughts were a whirl, and the red and gold parrot he now had wasn't about to calm him down. How could Harry do that? Didn't he realize how much the Order needed funding? Of course, he reasoned, it didn't matter that he himself needed funding for his own pleasures; no, it was just for the Order. He forgot to mention though, that everything to do with the Order was right under his thumb.
He snarled and started laying plans for when Harry returned to Hogwarts: that money would be his, no matter what. Thank goodness he still had the Potter fortune to use, and in itself it could easily contend with the Black fortune. He wrote out a list of people he could use to gain the money, surely the Weasleys could be turned, given that they needed money badly?
...
she contemplated many things, and often figured them out relatively easily. This time, however, Minerva McGonagall just couldn't think of a single reason the Headmaster would go to Gingotts happier than should have been allowed, and return with an aura of anger clearly visible to all. It was definitely something to think about.
.........
"Enter." A single word, all it took really when one was president of Gringotts International. Lord Gold watched silently as Grappler, a werewolf named Remus Lupin, and their now biggest single investor Harry Potter, were led in by an aide of his named Griphook. He raised a gnarled eyebrow as Potter grinned at Griphook and clapped him on the back as they passed each other.
Grappler bowed to him and shuffled over with a several sheets of parchment, "My Lord, Baron Potter-Black has requested to be appraised of every account he has. My authority level does not allow me to have anything to do with such large vaults or movements, or I'd have spared you the trouble." Gold chuckled softly, "No matter, I'd have wanted to speak with Baron Potter-Black at some stage any way. You may leave, Grappler, and rest assured I will carry out the Baron's requests."
Grappler bowed again and exited the room quickly. Harry sat on a straight-backed wooden chair and gazed at Gold seemingly waiting for something. Lord Gold chuckled again before tracing a rune on his desk. The room glowed for a moment and Harry smiled, "I find the method of secrecy most interesting. I myself haven't gone into runic studies, but that rune set is probably one of the first I'll look into." Gold grinned at him, "I wish you the best of luck then Baron Potter-Black, just don't be too disappointed if you can't find it immediately."
Harry laughed out loud at this before leaning forward, "I have recently gained the knowledge of a certain set of vaults. Or rather would be set of vaults. I need my connections to these vaults severed totally." Seeing the question floating just below the surface he elaborated, "The Dumbledore estate vaults. I happen to know now that they were almost totally exhausted in the first war with Voldemort. I have suspicions on has he has funded his war so far, but nothing solid yet. I was hoping you'd be able to help me?"
Lord Gold frowned, "I didn't know there was even a possibility of this. However it is a possibility; Griphook, bring me the Potter files." They waited a few moments, Harry watching Remus out the corner of his eye, thoughts seeming to flash across the werewolf's face. Anger, fear, disappointment, resentment, sadness, regret, all paraded across Remus's normally poker-straight face. Harry sighed, it hurt, but there was really only one way to do this. Griphook set a large stack of files on Gold's desk and left quickly.
Lord Gold set them into three stacks, and proceeded to explain each one, "This one in the middle, the smallest one, is your personal transactions records, money going in, money flowing out. Gringotts finds nothing suspicious with it." He paused and shifted piles, "This one here, the largest, are transactions made by letter supposedly from you. We have kept these letters, and tracked them. I haven't actually looked into them, so I wouldn't know." He pushed this set to Harry, who silently leafed to the letters, looking them over, before looking up, a storm of anger in his eyes, "I didn't write any of these letters. However, I have a feeling Dumbledore wrote them, his Es have the tendency of curling sideways while mine do not." Gold nodded and set them aside before moving on to the last set, "These are direct interactions with you from Gringotts. The strange thing about this file is that you seem to have responded to every letter, and yet have personally done nothing in regard to their contents." Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes, "Again, not me. I have never received a single letter or owl from Gringotts."
......... >
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