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Harry Potter was in the middle of a dilemma. See, it was his 3rd year at Hogwarts, which meant he could finally go to Hogsmede if he got his permission slip signed.
So, no permission slip to play a game on a piece of wood up to a hundred feet in the air, to go into a forest full of dangerous creatures for detention, or to even possibly die making potions but not to go to a harmless village? Sounds legit. Harry thought to himself, rolling his eyes at the stupidity. ‘Mione was right, Wizard’s don’t have a lick of sense to them.
Harry had even tried asking the Minister of Magic himself to sign the form, but he was just laughed off. He blew the chance with his Uncle Vernon when he accidentally blew up his Aunt Marge.
If I can’t get Minister Fudge to sign this, there’s got to be some adult to sign this. They’d have to have a position of power, it’s not like I could walk up to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley like “hey, can you sign this?” It would be thrown out! I can’t ask Lucius Malfoy, that’s asking for me to get killed. Who can I ask? Harry thought, before sighing and standing up.
He was at the Leaky Cauldron where he escaped to after the previous night, which led him to suddenly smile.
“Diagon Alley! There’s got to be someone there!” Harry whispered, grabbing a nearby robe and leaving the room he was in.
He said hello to the barman named Tom and walked into the alley, pondering where he could go to find someone who would sign it.
If it has to be a parent or guardian, it’d be best if we shared blood. Harry reasoned to himself and set out to go to Gringotts. He was told before he left by Hermione Granger that Gringotts had a test where he could find out if he had any other relatives.
He quickly made his way inside, where the only open spot was with a goblin who was working on something Harry couldn’t see. He decided to wait patiently, knowing that goblins were an extremely proud race. After a few minutes the goblin looked up, an eyebrow raised.
“Yes?” They growled, and Harry smiled.
“Hello there, I was wondering if I could get a genealogy test done,” Harry said politely, and the goblin nodded.
“Name?”
“Harry James Potter.” At that, the goblin turned and yelled something in their native language, as Harry highly doubted that it was Gobbledegook , before turning back to him.
“Very well, Mr. Potter. If you will follow Griphook he’ll lead you to Bloodclaw.” The goblin said, and Harry smiled gratefully at the creature.
“Thank you very much, I really appreciate your help,” Harry said, quickly turning and following a very familiar goblin. “I have a question, Mr. Griphook. Were you the one who took me and the half-giant Hagrid down to Vaults 713 and 687?”
“Yes, Mr. Potter, I was. This is the Potter account manager, Bloodclaw’s, office.” Griphook grumbled, knocking on the door. He opened it once the goblin inside said to, where Griphook left with a small nod.
Harry walked in, where there was a goblin waiting on him, an annoyed look on their face.
“Greetings, my name is Harry Potter and I’m here to request a genealogy test,” Harry said, and Bloodclaw nodded.
“Greetings, Harry Potter. In order to do that I need to test if you are who you say you are.” Bloodclaw said in a gravelly voice, and Harry nodded.
Bloodclaw brought out a dagger and asked Harry to cut his hand and drop 8 drops of blood into a potion vial, where Bloodclaw dumped it onto a piece of parchment.
“Very well, Mr. Potter. Another 3 drops into this vial.” They demanded, and Harry hurried to follow the instructions.
Bloodclaw dumped it onto the second piece of parchment and pushed the forming list at Harry. Harry picked it up, staring at it in shock.
It went through his family he knew of before he saw one name, the one that caused the shock.
Salazar Marvolo Slytherin (Status, Alive). As far as Harry knew, the only Slytherin left was Voldemort, but his name was Tom Marvolo Riddle. He was also distant cousins with the man but was also close enough that he could take care of him.
He isn’t Voldemort, and I need to get away from the Dursleys. Maybe this Salazar guy can help. If nothing else, I can get him to sign my permission slip and say he’s my cousin and I won’t be lying! Harry thought to himself, before clearing his throat slightly.
“Bloodclaw, erm, sir or ma’am or whatever title you would like to be called, can you find someone listed on here as alive?” Harry quietly asked, and Bloodclaw nodded.
“I prefer Master Goblin as that is my title, but if need be, sir works just fine. For a fee of 5 galleons, which is added to the 5 already used for your test, we can. Who do you want to find?” Bloodclaw asked, and Harry pointed to the name.
Bloodclaw did something and the paper showed the location, making Harry fight back a grin because it was at Borgin and Burkes!
“Thank you, Master Goblin, sir! You can take the galleons from my account.” Harry said, before bowing his head and leaving quickly.
Harry quickly left Gringotts and headed straight for Borgin and Burkes. He didn’t really care that the man was a stranger, he just needed someone to sign it, and possibly take him from the Dursleys. Once he got inside, it was easy to find the man, he looked a bit-a lot- like the man from the diary the previous year.
Harry took a deep breath, summoning all of his Gryffindor courage, and walked up to the man.
“Mr. Slytherin, sir? My name is Harry and somehow we’re distantly related. Would you mind signing my Hogsmede permission slip?”
Salazar Marvolo Slytherin was just browsing for some new books, part of him desperate to leave his Dark Lording business behind, when he heard a voice he never thought he’d hear.
“Mr. Slytherin, sir? My name is Harry and somehow we’re distantly related. Would you mind signing my Hogsmede permission slip?” Harry asked, causing Salazar to turn around quickly. He looked down and saw his prophesied enemy and fought back a laugh.
“We are, are we?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. Harry blinked at him in confusion. “Apologies, child. It’s a way of asking if you're sure we are, as I don’t remember the Slytherin line ever being connected to the Potter line.” Salazar explained, and Harry’s eyes widened.
“Oh, Mr. Slytherin sir, we are. It’s from a long time ago, someone named Peverell? Anyways, I need my permission slip signed, and seeing as how we’re distantly related, I can claim you were taking care of me this summer.” Harry said, shrugging.
Salazar barely held back a laugh, all he had to do to get the Boy-Who-Lived to go to him was for him to need a permission slip signed.
“I suppose so, child. Who are you staying with?” He asked as he pulled a self-inking quill from his pocket. He signed his name, knowing that Dumbledore would panic slightly.
“I’m staying at the Leaky Cauldron! I was with my relatives but that didn’t go well. Thank you, Mr. Slytherin.” Harry said, and Salazar held a hand up.
“Keep in contact, it would be smart to do that so that if questions are asked on why your supposed guardian isn’t sending you mail, it’s known that you're getting some. Have fun in Hogsmede.” Salazar said, and Harry nodded before running out of Borgin and Burkes.
I could have saved so much time like this.