Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dear Narcissa,

I am glad to hear that your day with Teddy went well, and wish that I could have been there as well. Thank you for watching over him while I was out on duty, by the way. 

Once I got home from my case, barely unscathed mind you, I received an owl from Hermione saying that she and Ron are engaged! Even though I haven't seen or heard much from them since the war, I'm glad that they thought of telling me about it and invited me to their wedding. 

How are you? By the time I receive your next owl I should be able to get some time off duty. Would you like to have tea together? Since I've begun working full time as an Auror we haven't been able to meet up as much, and despite the irregularity of it, you truly are one of my greatest friends. 

Sincerely, Harry

~

Harry was sitting in his office as he wrote his response to Narcissa. He'd only just gotten one since he finished his auror training, and since he just moved in it was still very empty. He'd really only come in to finish his work mission report, but after he finished he realized that he hadn't responded to her yet and immediately sat down to write her. 

Once the war was over Harry immediately started his auror training. With his past experience, he was easily allowed to take some tests that allowed him to pass some of the required training which helped him move up in the ranks. Now at nineteen, Harry is a fully fledged auror and is being sent out on high level missions with the rest of his colleagues. The job is serious, lacking any of the fun that he and his friends ever had, but it’s easy and familiar, which more than makes up for it. 

Speaking of Ron and Hermione, he hasn't spoken to them much at all since the war. Hermione works at the ministry so Harry sees her sometimes, and he still writes to all of his other friends like Neville and Luna, but Ron and him seem to have grown apart. If Harry was still young, maybe in his fourth year or so, he would probably be more upset about this, but as it stands, Harry is an adult now, and with his job he understands that they just don't have as much time as they used to to hang out. It's sad, but he's come to accept it and move on. At least he will see him at the wedding and maybe catch up. 

Breaking out of his train of thought, he called for one of the office owls to take his letter. Quickly, a brown barn owl makes its way to him and holds out its leg for him. He ties his letter to its leg and gives it a treat before telling it to take his letter to Narcissa Malfoy, knowing that it will be able to find her. Before he can close the window after it, he sees another owl flying towards him. While he wasn't expecting any mail, and he certainly does not recognize the fully black owl flying towards him, he also refuses to leave an owl out in the rain like that and holds the window open to let it in. 

The owl is of a kind that he's never seen before, its feathers all a perfect black color, blending in well with the darkness that it comes from outside. If Harry didn't know better, he would have thought that it was just an oversized raven. Once the owl had settled itself on his arm, he reached to grab the letter from its leg, but the owl seemed to have other plans because as soon as his hand came close it snapped at it with its beak and dug its claws into his arm through his robes. Harry resisted the urge to cry out and withdrew his hand, an uneasy feeling making its way through him. 

“C’mon bud, that letter’s for me isn't it?” He asked the bird, but it looked at him just the same as before, beady black eyes steady. “Do you want a treat? Payment?” He asked it, holding up a sickle and an owl treat to see if it would go for one. The bird only continued staring before suddenly dropping the letter on the floor, and soon falling from Harry's arm right after it. Harry, using his quick reflexes from years as a seaker, grabbed the bird before it could fall any farther and bent down the rest of the way to grab the letter. As he made contact with the parchment the feeling in his gut only got stronger as he looked at the bird in his arms, now unmoving and lifeless. Sitting back down in his chair he realized that he was starting to feel nauseous. Staring at the black bird, Harry Potter, hero of the wizarding world, took what would be his very last breath. 

~

Harry quickly sat up, heart racing. His first thought when he woke up was relief. He must have just been having a dream. This relief was very short-lived, however, because upon looking around he found himself somewhere he hadn't thought about in years: His old room at the Dursley’s. 

‘What the hell? What the bloody hell?’ he thought, breath quickening as his panic mountained. If he hadn't been so freaked out, he would have asked himself how this was possible, but the sheer fear at the thought of being back in this house was enough to eliminate almost all of his Auror training. He has to calm down; he needs to breathe and calm down. 

He looked around the room for something to latch onto, something to ground himself with, and all of his thoughts stopped when he saw a fully alive and healthy Hedwig sitting on the window ledge. Seeing her stopped all of his thoughts about anything else, his mind centered on her and her alone. He held out his arm for her, and she gracefully flew over and landed on his arm. Her talons dug into his arm and he barely managed to muffle his sobs into what he's sure was a very confused bird. 

She's alive, he thought, it must be a miracle, or maybe her angel was visiting him in a nightmare to console him. Maybe he will wake up any minute and she will be gone and he'll be back in his room, all by himself. Maybe he'll wake up and he won't be alone, but one thing’s for sure: he’ll be soaking up every last minute he has with his girl. 

He isn't sure how long he sits there, holding a very patient Hedwig in his arms, before he's disturbed by something hitting him in the face and thumping into his lap. Opening his eyes with a rapidly beating heart, Harry looks down and finds the same letter from his office sitting in his lap. Feeling no immediate danger or nausea like last time Harry sets down Hedwig and carefully picks up the letter. Still, he feels fine, heartbeat settling back to normal as he flips it over in his hands. 

The envelope is the color of sand and from what he can tell carries something other than parchment inside. The envelope in itself is a bit strange because most wizards will send their letters simply rolled up and tied with a string or ribbon. Only official letters from workplaces or schools are sent in envelopes. Nevertheless, Harry decided to open the unmarked envelope and see what kind of sick plan his dream had decided to follow. Or, he would have if not for the sudden realisation that it hurt when Hedwig had dug her talons in and it hurt when the letter had hit his face. It's a well known fact that you can't feel pain in dreams. There have been countless studies done in both the muggle and magical worlds about the topic and Harry believed both wholeheartedly; which brings about a new problem: Hedwig is dead. If Hedwig is dead and Harry is here, in the Dursleys' old house, then is he dead? Is he in hell? He certainly can't be in heaven because no matter how much Harry loved Hedwig he hated living with the Dursleys more. Was he to spend the rest of eternity in this damned house, forced to relive some of his worst memories and torments? The thought was enough to send him spiraling yet again down a rabbit whole of panic. He can’t be back here, in this damned house! He can't be forced to live with these monsters again, he won't be! Were all of his sacrifices for nothing? Was fighting a war to save the wizarding world simply not enough for the universe? For whatever gods or whatnot out there? Was he so horrible that they thought he deserved to go through everything all over again? To re-live such horrible treatment? He knows hes not alone now, can hear his uncle and cousin’s obnoxiously loud snoring through his panic filled haze, his aunts ridiculous looking cpap machine whistling alongside it. Now though there isn’t a letter hitting his face to snap him out of his meltdown, only time. 

It takes a lot of it. Time, that is, for Harry to snap out of it. So much time in fact that the dark streets that can be seen from the window of his room begin to lighten. It's not near morning yet, but it will soon approach. Seeing this, Harry gives his head a shake and wipes the tears from his eyes. He refuses to believe that he will be stuck like this forever. He's going to figure out what's going on and the first thing he needs to do to achieve that is search for clues. Clue number one: the letter. Before he woke up here, he saw that same letter in his office. He needs to read the damn letter already. 

He grabs the letter now, letting himself be fueled by his resolve to leave this hell hole, and rips it open, dumping the contents into his lap. Harry grabs the first thing that fell out of the letter: a small parcel, about the size of a quarter, wrapped in fabric. He opens the parcel and nearly faints. Sitting in his hand is the Gaunt family ring. A ring he thought was destroyed! How on earth was it sitting in his hand completely unmarked? And to add to the thought, how is his hand not rotting? He saw the way Dumbledore's hand had deteriorated, and that was with extremely powerful healing and spells done to it. Now though, it seems the ring has barely any magic to it at all. If anything, it felt somewhat like his invisibility cloak, which makes sense because they are both deathly hallows: a clue perhaps? 

Setting down the ring, Harry moves on to the letter, folding it open carefully. Inside, only a sentence was written: To my master, this path is yours to make, signed Death. Death? As in the Deathly Hallows, Death? Is that why the ring was sent with the letter? Because this- whatever it is! Is Deaths doing? According to the story, which Harry now knows to be true, he must have become the Master of Death after he defeated Voldemort and took the Elder wand. If this is true, then how does that help him find out what's going on. This letter, from Death apparently, says that the path is his to make. No! Not the, this! This path is his to make! So if he isn't on the path, then he must be on a different one. Harry quickly looked around himself, searching for anything that could help him determine the date. If he's right, then something, anything, with the date on it will help him. He sees his messy homework scattered around him, probably from falling asleep while working on it, and grabs the papers, searching the tops of them for- Yes! The date shown at the top of his potions work is August 26, 1995! He's gone and traveled back in time!

“Bloody hell!” he whispers excitedly, still clutching his potions work in his hands. His mind began to race at all of the possibilities. He could save everyone! Remus, Dumbledore, Fred, Tonks, Sirius! Holy shit, he can save Sirius! For the first time since the war ended, Harry felt pure, unfiltered hope. He can go and get all of the horcruxes! He can stop Voldemort earlier, save everyone! Death, whether he-it?- is a god or just a magical being, Harry couldn't have been more thankful for this chance. 

Harry grabs the ring on his bed and slips it onto his finger with shaky hands. This path is his, his chance to fix things. 

~

Turns out, knowing that something is going to happen doesn't always make it better. A few hours after finding out that he had time traveled, Harry was snapped out of his planning by the shrill voice of his aunt. Rising from his bed with a racing heart, Harry snapped to attention and opened the door, placing his glasses on his face messily. 

“Good, you're awake.” She said, eyeing his hair and clothes disdainfully. “Get started on breakfast immediately, we-and I do mean we , not you- are leaving for the airport shortly and I don't want Dudley to be hungry on the plane.” She spits out, pushing the door the rest of the way open and hurrying to Dudley’s room to wake him. Harry rushed out of the door, feet barely making a sound as he skipped over the more noisy stairs and spots on the floor to the kitchen. Airport? When did the Dursley’s ever go to the airport? No matter how he wracked his brain for answers, he just couldn't remember. Pulling eggs and bacon out of the fridge, Harry thinks back to the night before. The date on his homework said that it is 1995, which means he's currently 15. What happened that summer? 

He had nightmares all summer about the graveyard so he spent most of his time outside to escape the wrath of Vernon about his screaming during the night. He was always at the park and then- The Dementor! That's right! Harry got in trouble for using magic outside of school and around muggles. He remembers that his trial was on the 30th of August, four days after the ‘crime’ was committed, meaning that today is the day after, and yet he knows that when this happened last time the Dursley’s were livid, yet now they seem normal, or as normal as they can get. Is this the timeline altering event? He hadn't really planned on changing too much about the timeline besides saving people and getting started on the horcruxes earlier with his foresight of the events, but if this has already been changed without him knowing then what else is different? The Dursleys may very well have left after he was taken to Grimmauld place and he would never have known. Is there something significant about him being here by himself? Will something happen? 

Suddenly, a knock on the door grabs his attention and he quickly walks to the door to answer since Petunia is upstairs still getting everyone else out of bed. 

“Hello?” he says, wondering why somebody would be at their door so early in the morning, only to find Arrabella Figg standing alone. 

“Hello, boy. Where’s your aunt? I need to speak with her about what to do with you while they're gone.” She says, pushing him aside gently with her cane and stepping into the house. 

“I can go get her, she's just upstairs.” He says, moving to do so before he hears heels clicking behind him. 

“Miss Figg, good morning. I assume you're here to watch the boy? We'll be leaving in a moment, just have to grab food and then we'll be on our way!” His aunt says with a fake-cheery voice. Miss Figg just nods and heads into the living room to take a seat wordlessly, and Harry watches as his aunt's face drops back into disdain before she turns to leave down the hallway she came from. 

It was an interesting interaction, in Harry's opinion, because both women had seemed so fake, in that moment. His aunt, who always acted like that was no surprise, but Arrabella was a squib, Harry knows she is and she has no idea that he knows, so seeing her here, getting ready to watch him before he has to leave and return to school, makes him wonder if anybody would have picked him up if he hadn't gone and gotten in trouble originally. He knows that Arrabella works for Dumbledore, informing him of his everymove. They wouldn’t just leave him here for a whole summer would they? The thought troubles him and he decides to focus on something else, which is easy when his aunt has mountains of things for him to do. He loads the car for her and plates up their food, and by the time he's done with these things they are ready to grab their plates and leave. They don't say so much as a goodbye and he honestly wasn't expecting them too. He's just glad that while he’s being forced back into this hell hole that he doesn't have to deal with the hell part of it. 

Once they are gone he goes back into the living room, hoping to ask for details about where they’re going. Upon reaching the room though, Harry finds a bit of a problem with that plan: Miss Figg is gone. She must have slipped out while he was plating food in the kitchen. With how Dudley stomps around in the mornings he isn't too surprised he didn't notice. He does however notice a note left on the coffee table that wasn't there when he walked down this morning and assumes it's from her. 

~

Dear Harry, 

Since I know how good of a boy you are, and with how old you are, I've decided to give you some grace and let you be. I'll be over in the evening everyday until the 31st between five or six to make sure you don't need anything, but otherwise I'll be out of your hair. Enjoy the last of your summer break. 

Miss Figg

~

Harry’s eyes widened in disbelief when he read the letter, barely believing what he was seeing. While he wasn't upset about the news that he would be alone for the rest of the holidays, he still couldn't believe that he was being left alone for the rest of the holidays. How irresponsible of her to leave a 15 year old alone, unsupervised for multiple days in a row. He couldn’t imagine leaving Teddy alone for an hour even! 

Taking a breath to get over the outrage his inner adult was having about Miss Figg’s laziness, he looks at the clock in the living room showing seven a.m.. He could probably sleep in a little if he wanted to, which he does after the long night he had, and decides to head back upstairs and go to bed. 

When he opened his door he looked over at Hedwig, just to make sure she was really there, and was surprised to see another owl sitting beside her.

“Well hello there big guy, what’ve you got for me?” He says, not recognizing the brown barn owl that has appeared in his bedroom as belonging to any of his friends. The owl simply looked at him and held out its leg, looking like it had better places to be. Harry walked over the rest of the distance to the perch and gently took the letter from its leg. 

The letter was in an envelope and sealed with the golden Gringotts emblem on the front. The envelope confused him some, because he really had no idea why they would contact him, and also because he never got an envelope in his other life. Though, he wasn't here at this time last time, and since Grimmauld is under the Fidelius Charm no owl would have been able to find it. 

Opening the envelope curiously, Harry begins to read. 

~

Dear Heir Hadrian James Potter-Black,

This is Griphook, the goblin personally charged with overseeing your accounts, contacting you in regard to your inheritances once again. If you would be so kind as to answer any of the messages I have sent you and make your way to the bank at your earliest availability it would be much appreciated. 

Sincerely, Griphook.

~

Reading this letter cleared absolutely nothing up for harry. At all. The most confusing thing in this letter- actually no, it's all confusing. What does he mean accounts? What does he mean by inheritances? What does he mean messages, in the plural? Harry has never received a letter from Gringotts before, and as far as he knows he only has one account. And who the hell is Hadrian? Is that his full name? And Black! He never knew he had the Black name attached to him before! 

He scrambled to grab a quill and parchment, eager to respond because of how many questions he had and because of how urgent the letter seemed. 

~

Dear account manager Griphook,

While this may seem hard to believe on your end, I have never before received a letter from Gringotts, and have many questions regarding almost everything in your letter. As much as I would love to be able to come into Gringotts, I am unable to leave the house at the moment and have no way to get there. Unless you have a solution to this problem, then I unfortunately am unable to come into Gringotts probably till next summer. 

Sincerely Sorry for the Trouble, Harry Potter.

~

Satisfied with his letter, Harry grabbed a ribbon from his nightstand and tied it around the parchment, then to the barn owl which had stuck around while he wrote his response. The owl took off immediately, shocking Harry. 

Now with nothing to do, Harry went back to what he actually came up here for and went to sleep. 

Chapter Text

Harry is woken up by an obnoxious tapping on his window not even two hours after he falls asleep. With a groan, he manages to drag himself out of bed and to his window, not even bothering to check what's there, because really it could only be an owl, and opens it. A familiar brown blob rushes past him and he almost loses his balance in his sleep deprived haze, barely managing to catch himself on his desk. 

Sighing heavily, mostly rooted in sleepiness and not annoyance, because he doesn't have it in him to be annoyed with an owl, he turns around and returns to his bed where said owl awaits. 

“Hey bud, what have you got for me now?” He asks, handing the owl a treat he grabbed from his desk after almost face planting. The owl takes it happily and holds its leg out for Harry. “Thank you.” He says, because working owls deserve respect too. 

He grabs the letter from its leg gently and opens it, not bothering to preserve any of the envelope or stamp. 

                                                                                           ~

            Dear Heir Hadrian James Potter-Black

This news is quite troubling to me, seeing as I have sent more than a dozen letters to you previously. As for your transportation problems, I have included a solution inside this envelope. The key included is a portkey, set to take you straight to my office should you touch it. It will only work until 10 a.m. so please use it as soon as possible. I am waiting for your speedy arrival. 

                                                                                                                              Sincerely, Griphook

                                                                                           ~

Harry did indeed find a key inside of the envelope, and avoided touching it entirely. He was very surprised by the resourcefulness of Griphook and was thankful that he was his account(s?) manager. Harry didn't even try to think it through, fully believing that this was the true moment that changed everything; the true moment that Death sent him back for. 

He dressed quickly, noting that it is currently 9:30 a.m., which gives him 30 minutes to leave. He can't leave a note for Miss Figg without alerting her that he knows about her being a squib, though he hopes his meeting with Griphook won’t take more than seven hours to complete, so he isn't sure if it would be necessary anyway. 

Grabbing his wand and hiding the letter, Harry approaches the owl sitting on his bed. “You can leave now, bud, I won't be responding to the letter.” He tells it, setting down another treat and making sure the windows open before turning to where the key sits and grabbing it before he can even think twice about it. 

                                                                                          ~

Once the spinning feeling stopped and Harry could get a bit of a bearing, he realised that he was slouched over in a wooden chair with leather covered cushions. Grasping the arms to the chair he pulled himself up slowly, still feeling slightly nauseous, and took in his surroundings. He was in a brick walled room, weapons mounted all along the walls, and in front of him was a large wooden desk. Behind the desk were tall wooden cabinets with locks on every drawer. To Harry it looked like the world's most expensive filing cabinet, which it probably was considering where he was sitting. 

Finally feeling completely back to normal, Harry began to move, his curious mind practically begging him to explore the room more closely. Before he could, the large oak door behind him opened up, and a goblin marched in before it could swing closed again. 

“Heir Potter-Black, finally! I’ve been trying for ages to get a meeting with you. You say that you've never received any letters from the bank before?” The goblin asks in a grouchy, though not unkind, voice. If anything, the goblin seemed to stare at Harry as if he were an interesting specimen; different to how other people treated him, that's for sure.

Harry nodded at the man a bit nervously. Ever since he broke into Gringotts, the goblins here have terrified him. “Yeah, I have a lot of questions for you, actually.” He dared to say.

The goblin merely chuckled darkly, not seeming angry with Harry though, so the nerves slightly recede. “Yes, after some digging I can imagine that you do have some questions, heir Potter-Black.”  

“That's another thing: If you don't mind, just call me Harry, or Hadrian, as I'm assuming that's my full name from the way you addressed me.” He asked, hoping to come off as polite as possible. He feared he failed though when the goblins face scrunched up more than it already had been from his old age. 

“Alright then, Harry. Let's get down to business.” He says, reaching under his desk and retrieving a thin file full of paper. “There are a lot of things that I have needed to talk to you about, but unfortunately it seems that you have had a mail block ordered on you by your magical guardian. I must say, I'm a bit dumbfounded as to how this letter was able to slip past the block since you are still under aged, but glad nonetheless.” When he pauses for a moment to catch his breath, or gather his thoughts, Harry takes the opportunity to ask:

“I'm sorry, mail blocks? What are those? And my magical guardian? As far as I know my only guardian is my aunt who is entirely muggle.” He says, not sounding accusing, but still letting

feelings seep into his voice a bit. It was easy, seeing as he was feeling a lot at the moment, the main thing being confusion. 

“Yes, hei-Harry. Your legal guardian is indeed your aunt, which is stated in your file; however, since you are also a child of magic, you require a magical guardian. In your file, it says that this person is one Albus Dumbledore. You're saying you had no idea about this?” He asks Harry, eyebrows raised. Meanwhile, Harry's own eyebrows are shot up practically to his hairline in shock. Dumbledore was his magical guardian? How come he never told him? 

“I never knew anything about that. He never told me.” He says, sounding dejected, and honestly at a loss for words. Remembering what else the goblin said, he perked up. “You said it shows who he is in my file. What file? Can I see it?” He asks, now hopeful about finding out new information. 

“Certainly, that was the main point of this visit after all, to reveal to you your inheritances.” Griphook says, handing over the file. “Most wizarding children are presented with this information at a much younger age, usually around ten or eleven from what I've seen. The point in showing their inheritance is to reveal any important details that could be unknown by the parents, as well as give children the opportunity to see what their lives may have in store for them.” He informs him, and Harry looks up from the cover of the file with interest easily noticeable, urging Griphook to continue. “The main thing people will look for are Creature Inheritances, Monetary Inheritances, and even Magically Bound Betrothals. Since the Potters and the Blacks are part of the sacred twenty eight, there is obviously a great Monetary Inheritance, but I am sure that you were already aware of this.” He finishes, looking at Harry to gauge his reaction to the information. 

To Griphook, the child was very interesting. It seems as though he had no idea of any of this, and if it weren't for the nagling feeling in his chest that it isn't so, Griphook would have thought that the child was just plain ignorant or uncaring. Seeing how polite the child is; seeing how open minded as well, Griphook can only assume that there is something deeper to the situation.

“I know about my parents' vault, it's the only one I've ever been to or been told about. I didn't even know I had Black in my name until your letter.” The child says, looking more annoyed than when he first appeared. “It seems as though a lot has been hidden from me.” He mutters, turning to look at the file, opening to the first page. 

                                                                                       ~

        -Guardians: 

-Lilly Potter nee Evans (Mother-Deceased)

-James Potter (Father-Deceased) 

-Sirius Black (BloodFather-Incarcerated) 

-Alice Longbottom nee Fortescue (BloodMother-Hospitalized) 

-Albus Dumbledore (Past-Magical Guardian)

-Petunia Dursley nee Evans (Aunt and Primary Guardian-Muggle)

       -Close Relatives: 

-Vernon Dursley (Uncle-Muggle)

-Dudley Durlely (Cousin-Muggle)

                                                                                        ~

The first page contained only information about his relatives, and he was surprised by the information that Mrs. Longbottom, Neville’s Mother, was his godmother. He had no clue about that! It made him wonder if Neville didn’t know as well or if he thought Harry just wasn't interested in talking about it. The other thing that was interesting was the fact that Sirius is his BloodFather? 

Unsure what a BloodFather is, Harry decides to ask Griphook, “What's a BloodFather?”

Griphook’s mouth actually drops open at the question, but he doesn't say anything about how the child should have been taught about this stuff, only answers the question. “A BloodFather, or Mother, is like a GodParent, only different because they have blood adopted the child, in this case you. This means that the child and the BloodParent are now of the same blood.” Griphook said, feeling more like a teacher and less like an account manager at a bank. “This was created many many years ago to help carry on magical bloodlines and families.” He finishes explaining. 

“Alright, thank you.” Harry says, turning back to the folder and flipping to the next page. 

                                                                                        ~

         -Vaults:

-Potter: 125,678,013 Gal.

-Peverell: 131,462,000 Gal.

-Black: 97,648,304 Gal.

-Gryffindor: 400,000,000 Gal. (Untouched Account) 

-Slytherin: 376,057,000 Gal. (Touched Account)

-Ravenclaw: 400,000,000 Gal. (Untouched Account)

                                                                                       ~

Holy. Shit. It was Harry's turn to drop his mouth open in surprise. That's…an unimaginable amount of money. He has billions of galleons. He's a billionaire. 

That was the first thing that went through Harry's mind. The second, after he closed his mouth and calmed down, was the amount of accounts he has. That's not to mention the names of the accounts. ¾’s of the Hogwarts founders account names? While the slytherin thing doesn't really surprise him, since he knows that since he is a Parseltongue and has a piece of Voldemort, the actual heir of slytherin, inside of him, it makes sense that he has some type of connection to the bloodline. It's interesting that the account is marked as ‘Touched’ though. This probably means that Voldemort has already begun using the account since he's been resurrected. Interesting. 

“So, the reason you're so invested in me is because,” he picks up the folder and gestures with it, “this?” He says, even though it's phrased like a question, Harry doesn't really need an answer. He already knows. 

“I’ll admit, that is part of the reason, Harry. However, should other things come up, then no, not the only reason. Not the only reason at all.” He says, before making a face like a grimace

that Harry thinks is a grin, “the fact that you make up over 75% of our total vault value definitely helps though. I get paid  a lot of money to oversee your accounts.” 

“Right…” Harry says, ready to move on and ignore the fact that he has access to more money than the rest of the wizarding world combined, Harry flips the page. 

                                                                                       ~

          -Properties: 

-Ravenclaw palace

-Slytherin palace 

-Gryffindor palace 

-Black manor

-Black beach house (Molded: Fixable)

-Potter manor (Ruined Wards: Fixable)

-Peverell palace

-Three fourths Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 

          -Beings:

-House Elves(one)

-Snakes(many)

-Hippogriff(two)

-Black Banded Owl(one)

-Phoenix Egg(one) 

-Basilisk Egg(one)

                                                                                           ~

The page Harry flipped to next was honestly right about as shocking as the other two. The Founders were obviously very wealthy, why the fuck would they not have palaces? Actually, the most surprising thing about it was the Beings section. There was so much going on there he could barely decide what to think about first. A phoenix egg? That means he could have a phoenix within his lifetime, right? Because they take a long time to hatch, and if it's just been sitting in a palace since the Founders were alive then it must be very close to hatching now. Not that he knows which founder it belonged to, or if it even belonged to a founder at all, but it's Harry's running theory. 

The next thing is the house elf part. He has a house elf now. What does that even entail? Would it be like Dobby? And another owl, very exciting to think about, he can’t wait to see it.

Harry thinks it's safe to assume that the hippogriffs belong to the Gryfindor part of his inheritance, seeing as its half lion and stuff. The most obvious thing on the list is the snakes which are ominously labeled as many, and the Basilisk egg. Watch there be a mote filled with snakes at the Slytherin Palace with a freaking Basilisk egg just sitting at the bottom.

Besides his interest in the being he now has access to, the thought of owning properties is immensely interesting to harry. If he can somehow manage to sneak away, then he won't have to live at the Dursleys anymore! 

“Any questions, Harry?” Griphook asks, voice sounding mildly amused. 

“Yes, actually. Since this is all in my inheritance, that means I have access to it right? So the properties for instance?” he asks.

“Well, not exactly. The whole point of bringing you here was to show you what your inheritance looked like, and then testing you for each title and seeing which ones you can claim.” he explains, looking yet again annoyed with harry's lack of knowledge. 

“Wait, why would I need to be tested? I thought all of this was because I was related to these families or whatever?” Harry asks, brain pausing in its planning. 

“Yes, well that is partially true. Obviously the Potter name and now the Black name are because of blood. Blood inheritances are the easiest to claim since you have a very high likelihood of sharing traits that the bloodline finds favorable. However, unlike what I'm assuming you know, it's not only Lordships and Heirships that you can claim.” He says, feeling like that may have been the biggest part of the misunderstanding. 

“Oh, they aren't?” 

“No, you can also claim something called a Barony. A barony is for someone who is claimed by a dead bloodline's magic. In your case, this would be the Gryffindor Barony. There are no more living ancestors of the Gryffindor bloodline, but the family’s magic found favorable characteristics within you so now you have the opportunity to restart the family name and inheritances. The baron title is like the lord title, but it lacks the familial aspect, basically.” Griphook explains, hoping to have made some type of sense.

“Okay, I feel like that makes sense. So, is that what happened with the Ravenclaw name too?” Harry asks, not knowing how Ravenclaw could have slid in there. 

“No, actually. It appears that the magic your mother possessed was passed down a long long time ago from someone who had Ravenclaw blood in them. It was just so distant that nobody would have known; also, your mother wasn't claimed by the family magic, meaning she never became an heir to the Ravenclaw name. I believe her Gryffindor placement could have caused that.” He says, ready to be done with the question game. 

Harry seemed to understand his annoyance with the questions and moved on. Still not done but feeling more solid in his understanding than before he flips to the next page.

                                                                                         ~

           -Lordships and Baronys: 

-Black(Heir) 

-Potter(Lord) 

-Gryffindor(Baron) 

-Slytherin(Heir) 

-Ravenclaw(Lord)

-Peverell(Lord)

          -Wizengamot seats(22/28): 

-Potter(three) 

-Black(three) 

-Peverell(four) 

-Slytherin(six: Heir Cannot Claim)

-Ravenclaw(six)

-Gryffindor(six)

                                                                                        ~

“Well, the titles in here line up with what you said and what I know so that makes sense.” Harry says, not really surprised by the reveal. He already knew that the Potters came from the Peverells because of the Deathly Hallows so that isn't very surprising, but he's still glad to see it out on paper along with everything else. The fact that he's the heir to Voldemort makes his insides quest though, Harry can admit. He doesn't really want anything from the man he killed once upon a time. 

“Oh? I was wondering if you had an explanation for the Slytherin and Peverell titles; care to explain?” Griphook asks him curiously. 

“Well, I can't explain any Slytherin stuff to you, but Peverell is easy enough.” Harry says, making Griphook raise an eyebrow. “Sorry, but anyway; the Potters came from the Peverells, and that's pretty much it. I learned about that, at least, a while ago. I think a grandfather or great grandfather of mine married into the Peverell family and ended the name.” Harry explains, for once. 

“I see.” Griphook says, and Harry turns to the next page. 

                                                                                        ~

         -Business shares: 

-Daily Profit(55%)

-Honeydukes(37%)

-Quality Quidditch Supplies(48%)

-J. Pippins Potions(72%) 

-Flourish and Blotts(100%)

                                                                                       ~

“Ohhhh.” Harry says, making a griphook look at him curiously. While Griphook has had access to the file and knows about what Harry has claimed, he doesn't know the hows or whys behind it, so it's interesting to talk to someone who can fill in the blanks for him. 

“What?” He asks.

“I always wondered why people at Honeydukes were so nice to me, now it makes sense.” Harry explained for him, getting a nod in return.

While Harry had literally no clue about his ‘Business shares’, he knew exactly how he would be taking advantage of some of it. For instance, Rita Skeeter. That bitch wouldn't be publishing any more rude, fake shit about him ever again. Not like she can since they (him, Hermione, and Ron) know about her animagus form anyway. The thought brings a grin to his face. He can use this advantage now to stop her from writing more slander about him in the papers this year especially. 

Happy with his half formed plan, Harry moves on to the next page. 

                                                                                          ~

-Creature inheritance: 

-Ice Veela

                                                                                          ~

This page only consisted of one thing, and Harry didn't really know what to say. He remembers Griphook mentioning something called a Creature Inheritance before, but Harry had never even heard of that before. 

It must have shown on his face that he was confused because Griphooks face turned a dark shade of green, which Harry thinks means he's angry. “If the next words out of your mouth are ‘What’s a Creature Inheritance’ Hadrian, I'm going to start a neglect case against Albus Dumbledore in place of murdering him!” He just about shouts, making Harry flinch back. 

“Well…” Harry says quietly. 

“You cannot be serious.” Griphook says, face now in his hands. 

“I haven't heard of them before, what are they? And you don't have to start a neglect case against Dumbledore, it's not worth the trouble." Harry says.

“Child, a creature inheritance is extremely dangerous business if left alone. From what you've told me, you live with muggles, yes?” Griphook asks.

“Yes?” Harry's answers, confused. “Why is that dangerous?” 

“A creature inheritance is when a wizard has the ability to turn into a specific type of mythical creature.” Griphook explains. “It's almost exactly like being a werewolf, except these are genetic, not passed by bites. You will experience the same pain as a werewolf does the first time you transform into the being, which, as stated on your paper, is an Ice Veela.” 

“So I'm a werewolf, basically?” Harry asks, a horrified look on his face. 

“Yes, child. Since you are about to be fifteen, you should begin to feel the being awaken in your subconscious throughout the year. Most creature inheritances awaken on the full moon closest to your sixteenth birthday.” Griphook says, trying to settle the child with facts and information. “Besides that, there isn't much I can tell you. I'm not a professional on creature inheritances. I suggest getting a book on them while you're still in the alley and reading as much as you can; maybe go to a doctor as well before you go back to school.” 

“Yeah, thank you. I-I’ll probably do that.” Harry says, honestly a bit terrified and confused about everything he's ever been told. The distrust he suddenly has in Dumbledore feels foreign to him, and he wants to try and push it away from his mind, but this is too much to ignore. He's seen Remus’s scars from his werewolf, and with what Griphook is saying his transformation will be like that, but longer and more unplanned? Not to even begin thinking about the fact that he never had this happen in his last life. Was something stopping this from happening to him? Him going to the bank seems like too little of a change, even with how insane his visit has been, to have made him a WereVeela? Is that what he should call it? He honestly has no clue anymore, and his exhaustion from his late night is catching up to him with all of these surprises. 

Harry flips to the last page quickly, ready to be done with this already. 

                                                                                             ~

             -Betrothals: 

-Draco Malfoy(signed 1838 by Hridaan Potter and Jacques Malfloy)

-Ginevra Weasly(signed 1991 by Albus Dumbledore and Molly Weasly: Ineffective) 

                                                                                             ~

Harry's heart stopped beating, he swears it. There is no way he's reading what he thinks he is right now because that is literally impossible. Why the fuck does he have two people signed to be betrothed to him!? What the fuck. 

“You. You need to tell me that I don't have to marry these people. Right now, please.” Harry says urgently, voice significantly higher than it was before. 

“Ah, no, I'm afraid not Harry.” The goblin says, feeling amused by the reaction the child was sporting. “If I could provide some reassurance?” He asks, and Harry is so shocked still that he can only nod. “You only have to marry the Malfloy heir, for starters. The betrothal between the two families is quite old so it's more important to honor it first.” He says. 

“Okay, okay. That's still Draco Malfloy though. Why the fuck do I need to marry Draco Malfloy?” Harry says, voice still incredibly high, attempt for respect completely thrown out the window by now.

Griphook grabs a pitcher from somewhere and pours Harry a glass of water before going on to explain more in depth. “Unlike the ridiculous betrothal that was set up by your incompetent guardian, which only came to be because of the specific names stated, the one between you and the heir Malfoy is much more magically intertwined.” Griphook begins to explain. “When a betrothal contract is signed between two families, especially back when this one was signed, it's because the families thought they could each get something out of the deal. However, the actual betrothal does not come into effect right away in most cases, which is what I'm trying to get to here. A betrothal like this one only comes into effect between two people who are magically compatible with each other. I can see that this news is upsetting to you, so I assume that something must have gone astray somewhere, but it is a fated thing. Like soulmates, practically.” Griphook explains and Harry's face goes white. 

Harry knows for a fact that Malfoy is a month and some older than him, so Harry knows that he's been to see his inheritances. That means that when they met for the first time, Draco had been excited to meet Harry, a hero and his future husband, but was instead rejected for someone who his family has a blood feud with. This of course would cause spite in an 11 year old boy who up until that point had gotten whatever he wanted. “Everything makes so much more sense now.” Harry says sadly, now coming to realise so much more about Draco than he did before. 

After the war, he and Narcissa, Draco’s mother, became very good friends because of Teddy: Remus and Tonks’s son. With Harry losing touch with Ron and Hermione, having a friend like Narcissa was amazing, but somehow Harry had managed to steer clear of Draco altogether. Now though, Harry realises why Narcissa had asked him where Draco was in the forest and spared his life. She knew that if her child was alive and Harry wasn't then Draco would be as good as dead in a few years. She must have thought they at least knew each other and were acquainted, and he bets that both of the male Malfoys never thought to correct her about it. She thought Harry was going to be her son in law, and he had no clue. 

“What happens if we don't get married?” He asks, now less upset about this than he was before, but still reeling because he's only ever thought he liked girls before and this is like, an awakening. 

“Well, most betrothal contracts are set to be confirmed when both people reach the age of 21 and yours is no exception to this. If you don't get married by the age of 21, then you and heir Malfoy will lose all magical abilities, so you see, it's quite important to heed the betrothal.” Griphook explains. 

“Right, because that makes perfect sense.” He mutters. 

Looking back down at the folder, Harry confirms that that was the last page and closes it. “Now what?” He asks the goblin. 

“Now, we see how much of the material inheritance you can actually inherit.” Griphook says with another grimace like smirk. 

“And how do we do that?” Harry asks.

Chapter Text

“Inheritance Rings, Barony Necklaces, and Heir Bracelets.” Griphook says as he sets down six boxes of varying sizes and colors. 

Harry looks at each one with great interest, barely containing his curiosity. “What do they do?” He asks.

“Each piece of jewelry, Goblin crafted by the way, contains a strong amount of each bloodline's magic. This magic has the ability to accept or deny any candidate for the title they may hold.” He explains. “The only way to tell is by putting them on and finding out.” He says, going to hand one to Harry before pausing, face falling flat. 

“What? What is it?” Harry asks, worried something was wrong with the jewelry. 

“I forgot about the health inspection.” Griphook says grouchily, setting the box back on his desk and slouching into his chair. 

“The health inspection?” 

“Yes. Before any type of inheritance jewelry can be tried on, the candidate must first take a health inspection test to ensure that they are in the best shape for acceptance. It's very crucial to the process.” Griphook says, straightening in his chair and grabbing a piece of parchment out of a drawer. Out of another drawer he grabs a dagger and sets it down on top of the parchment. “Three drops of blood, Harry.” He says, tapping the middle of the paper expectantly. 

Harry obliges and grabs the dagger, making a small cut in his pointer finger and letting three drops fall before pulling his hand away quickly. “Is that it?” He asks, watching as his finger magically heals itself and the blood on the paper disappears. 

“Yes.” Griphook says. “It will take a few moments to reveal the results and then we can proceed accordingly.” He says while watching the paper with interest. 

Harry knew at least one of the things it would show: the Horcrux. Besides that however, his eyesight is horrible and he is probably malnourished since he's been with the Dursleys all summer. 

That was Harry's best guess on what was wrong with him, so when the paper almost immediately filled up with lines upon lines of writing he felt the blood leave his face. 

“What the hell?” Griphook muttered, not believing what he's seeing on the parchment in front of him. 

                                                                                             ~

         Hadrian James Potter Black

-Physical Age: 15

-Magical Age: 19 

       -Physical Injuries:

  -Improperly healed bone fractures and breaks

-bruises and small lacerations along body

-Malnourishment

-Dehydration

       -Curses:

-Poor eyesight Curse 

-Reckless-behavior Curse 

-Pro danger Curse

-Creature suppressing Curse

-Pro curiosity Curse

-Albus Dumbledore

-Horcrux(within scar)

-Tom Riddle

       -Charms: 

-Anti Slytherin Charm 

-Pro Hogwarts Charm

-Anti Snape Charm

-Anti Malfoy Charm

-Pro Gryffindor Charm 

-Pro Weasley Charm

-Anti Potions Charm

-Albus Dumbledore

       -Blocks:

-Necromancy Magic block 

-Parsel Magic block (93% withstanding)

-House Magic block (50% withstanding)

-Partial Magical Core block 

-Wandless Magic block (43% withstanding) 

-Wordless Magic block (74% withstanding)

-Eidetic Memory block

-Albus Dumbledore

~

The first thing Harry registered coming out of his shock was the sound of paper rattling. Looking across the desk, Harry sees Griphook with the paper clutched in his hands, which were shaking so violently that Harry was worried the ink may fall off. Figuratively, of course, unless that was something magical ink could do, which would be pretty cool. 

He may be a bit crazy if his first thought is that it would be cool if ink could fall off of parchment, but he's at his limit. With everything else he's learned today, this is just too much. Curses? Charms? Blocks on his magic? And the horrible thing is: he just accepts it. After today, he wouldn't be surprised if the Weasleys had never actually liked Harry at all! If it was all just a farce ordered by Dumbledore, who clearly has more say over his own life than Harry does! Magical guardian his ass! He hasn't guarded anything other than crucial information that Harry would very much liked to have known! 

The rattling has gotten louder, and Harry is so caught up into his mind that he doesn't even realise that it's the desk rattling now, because of him, rather than the paper that Griphook was holding. The hand that suddenly grasps his arm causes the rattling to stop, and Harry looks up to see Griphook with a face that expresses just how he feels. 

“It seems, Harry, that you have been slighted terribly.” The Goblin says, voice several degrees calmer than the rage pooling in his eyes. Harry just swallows, trying to dispel the thick feeling in his throat at the words. 

“What-” Harry starts, voice breaking. He takes a moment to compose himself before trying once more. “What am I supposed to do?” He asks, feeling suddenly like a little kid again, crying in his cupboard about things he had no control over. About the unfairness of it all; of the lack of control he has over his own life. Ever since he was an infant, Harry has had no control over his life. The thought brings the tears in his eyes out, now openly crying in front of a Goblin he's only just met. He should feel embarrassed about it, but all he feels is empty. He supposes Dumbledore hadn’t planned this event out for him, maybe that's why it's gone so far out of Harry's control. 

“I think the first thing to do is calm down. We can discuss what this test has revealed once you have settled.” He says, voice even and unfeeling. The lack of comfort in the voice, the unfamiliarity of it, makes Harry settle. This isn't somebody trying to make him feel better, this is somebody doing their job and speaking facts. All that he's telling him is the truth.

For a while (Harry thinks it could be any increment of time and he wouldn’t know), they sit in silence, Griphook’s hand still tightly latched to his arm, anchoring him to the present. It's when Harry feels his heart begin to swell with a pure desire for revenge that he breaks it. “That paper said that my magical age is nineteen. Does that mean I'm considered an adult magically?” He asks, needing the answer to be yes more than anything else. 

“Yes, you are considered an adult by magic.” Griphook answers, seeming to understand Harry's train of thought. He takes back his hand now and crosses his arms over the desk. 

“So, Dumbledore isn't my magical guardian anymore, right? Since I'm an adult?” He says anyway, just to clarify. 

“Correct, Harry. You are able to do what any nineteen year old could do, including use magic outside of Hogwarts, if you're so inclined." Harry nods at this, relieved that he had been granted this one miracle. Not that time-traveling and still being sane aren't miracles at this point.

“Alright. And the rest, the other things the paper says; what can we do about that?” He asks. 

“Well, since it's so important that we rid you of these curses, we can put a rush on your cleansing and I can send you to the Head Goblin here at Gringotts, Ragnok, today. He will be able to perform the ritual that will cleanse your being and you will be able to have a clear mind.” Griphook says professionally. 

“That would be wonderful, thank you.” Harry says, and as an afterthought, a plan already forming in his head, “am I able to get a copy of that statement? It could come in handy.”

“Oh, that's absolutely doable; however, not necessary. When we at Gringotts come across a case as severe as this we are bound by law to report it to the ministry.” Griphook says, noting the flash of surprise on Harry's face. “This is abuse, Harry. Abuse of magical children is not taken lightly in the wizarding world; not at all.” 

“Oh,” he says, suddenly feeling awkward; ashamed. “Well, that in itself is pretty magical, right?” He says quietly, wishing it was taken as seriously as Griphook looks right now in the muggle world.  

“Indeed,” Griphook says, reaching into another drawer and pulling out a sheet of paper. 

“What's that paper for?” Harry asks. 

“I'm going to send a message to Ragnok and prepare him for your arrival. We can head down to his office after.” He explains. Harry simply nods, relaxing into his chair for the moment and watching Griphook write the letter. 

The letter writing process here, Harry notes, is the same as that at the ministry. They use charmed paper to write on and then fold it into a paper airplane which then flies to the person addressed. Harry was ecstatic to get his own office and have a use for the paper once he was hired as an Auror, and watching Griphook use it now was nostalgic for him. Now that he's so young again, he'll probably have to go back to Hogwarts lest he drop out or reveal his time traveling; both of which are not options. This means he won't be able to use them for quite some time, and that's if he even gets another job! What if he just… doesn't? He has the money to stay unemployed forever pretty much, so why would he need to work?

Harry knows that, of course, no matter what has happened here today, and no matter who has betrayed him, he will always be a bit of a busy-body; always trying to do the right thing. He wouldn't be able to just not work forever, he would simply go mad! But, thinking of the future comes with other things, like the Malfoys, for instance. His future will undoubtedly be intertwined with Draco’s now, because he’s nothing if not a loyal person, and he refuses to lose his magic. Plus, with what he's found out today, it seems that he and Draco just got off on the wrong foot, and entirely because of Dumbledore .

Dumbledore is a major problem for Harry, because he has no idea what to do about him. Even if Harry gets the spells removed, Dumbledore could just as easily replace them and make him think nothings wrong! He's a very powerful wizard, so surely he could get away with it. And what about the report Griphook has to make? There will definitely be a case called about it, and if Harry has to guess, he'll have to stand in front of the Wizengamot for an entirely different reason this year. A much more serious reason. 

“Harry.” Griphook's voice breaks Harry's train of thought and he's pulled back into real time, thoughts of Dumbledore forgotten. “We can go now, follow me.” He says, getting out of his chair and beginning their walk to the Head Goblin. 

They walk for a while, and any plans Harry had of asking what to expect were gone, whisked away and replaced by his curiosity and awe of the hallways. 

Every part of the uneven, stone-lined floor they walked on sloped downwards, leading them towards more offices and chatter the further they went. The walls were made of stones of all different colors and shapes, lined with wooden columns that resemble tree trunks with the bark stripped off. Between most of the columns were large wooden doors like the one in Griphook’s office, some opened and some closed. Harry realises as they go that while he can hear a lot of chatter, he can't actually understand it. 

“What language are they speaking?” He asks, genuinely curious and unknowing. Luckily he is him, because if he was any other wizard, one without spells stemming basic knowledge from their skulls, it would be terribly offensive to not know of the Goblin language. 

“That would be Gobbledegook, the first language all Goblins speak. It's very hard for wizards to learn, I've heard.” He answers, that same grimace looking smile on his face from before returning. 

“Cool.” Harry says, because it really is. He's always loved learning about new things; when had that stopped? 

Harry comes to a stop suddenly and realizes that Griphook had stopped too. “Here you are. Ragnok is ready for you, so do what he says and you'll be curse free in no time.” Griphook instructs. 

“Okay, should I go back to your office after?” He asks, nerves returning now that he doesn't have the hallways as a distraction. 

“I’ll be here once you wake up, so you don't have to worry about it.” He says, making Harry panic. 

Before Harry can even ask him what he means, the door, this time made of a very pale, almost white, wood is opening. Out of this door steps a very old looking Goblin that Harry assumes is Ragnok. 

“Hello Master Goblin.” Griphook says politely. “I'll be back in, say, an hour?” He asks the Goblin. 

“Yes, that should be just enough time.” The now confirmed Ragnok responds. “Hello, Harry.” He says as he turns his attention away from Griphook. 

“Hello, Master Goblin.” Harry says as politely as Griphook, hoping he doesn't offend him in some way. 

It seems he succeeds because the Goblin nods at him and moves aside to let him enter. Harry is quick to oblige and makes his way into the room. 

Said room is in the shape of an oval, with shelves and cabinets lining every inch of the walls beside where the door is. In some of the shelves are brightly colored potions and strange looking artifacts. In the center of the room is a large wooden chair, made of the same wood that the door is. 

“If you'll just take a seat, Harry, we can get started right away.” Ragnok instructs and Harry is quick to follow his instructions. 

“What will you be doing? I know Griphook said that you could remove all of the spells, but- and this is with all respect, sir- I seriously doubt you can remove a Horcrux.” Harry asks, now sitting and listening for the Goblin who's moved behind him. 

“Well, you would be right. Horcruxes are nasty business, and never before have I seen a living Horcrux. However, the rest of your ailments are very simply fixed.” He says, causing Harry to relax. “I will be giving you a potion which will send you into a painless, almost sleep-like, state. After administering this potion, I will perform a cleansing ritual that will annihilate any and all spells that are sticking to you. Once I am sure everything is gone, I will bring in another Goblin who will heal and repair all of the physical damage. Then, your body will rest for an unknown amount of time to heal from the trauma and you will wake up.” Ragnok explains, now moving a chair and several books and potions to sit in front of Harry. 

“Okay, and how long will that take, do you think? I kind of need to get back by five, and it's already been a few hours since I left.” He asks, hands clenching at his sides.

“I would estimate around three hours, at most.” He says, handing a green vial to Harry. “If you're ready now, please drink that and we can begin.” Harry nods and quickly downs the potion. 

While he had been expecting it to taste horrid, he was pleasantly surprised by the blankness of it. It almost tasted like static, if static could have a taste.

“It will take a second to kick in, it may help to talk while you wait since the potion has to send your brain into overdrive before shutting down.” Ragnok says, and Harry does notice that his brain seems to be processing things more clearly than before. 

“What's up with the white wood? Your door and this chair are white, as well as the shelves.” Harry asks curiously. 

“White wood symbolizes purity in Goblin kind, which is why I use it here. Since I'm in charge of purifying certain wizards and artifacts, it makes sense. I believe this wood comes from Sycamore trees.” He explains. 

“Oh, that's pretty cool.” Harry says, his brain thinking over time now, the static he tasted before being all he can hear. It reaches an almost painful volume before it's suddenly gone, and everything goes blank. 

~

“Harry?” A voice says, breaking through the static. “I believe he's waking up now, will you grab that purple bottle? The short one.” Was Harry waking up? Who's calling for him? 

The static continues to die down until finally it goes away completely. Harry opens his eyes to the ceiling of the Curse Breaking room, a layer of multi-colored stones seemingly held together by the roots of the Sycamore trees lining it. 

“Good, you're awake.” A voice says roughly, scaring the living daylights out of him. “Up you come.” The voice says, a hand now grabbing his arm and pulling him up. 

He goes easily, recognizing the voice as Ragnok’s and doing what he says. A small purple bottle is thrust into his face and he barely has time to register the horrid smell it emits before it's being forced into his mouth. He swallows immediately, desperate to get the taste out of his mouth as soon as possible. 

“Merlin, what is that!” He says, coughing into his arm from the rough treatment. 

“It's a Rejuvenation potion, meant to help you recover from the healing quicker.” The Head Goblin says with a grin on his face. “The worse something tastes the better it works.” 

“Right.” Harry says, face flat. Remembering the Skele-gro potion from his second year, he can't help but give the Goblin some credit for his statement. 

Despite his annoyance, Harry does feel better already. His glasses were taken off his face at some point, but he can still see just as well as he could without them, and where he previously had a fat foot-shaped bruise feels completely back to normal. That's only on the surface though. He needs to know about the enchantments.

“Did it work?” He asks, trying to keep his voice steady through his nerves. 

“Yes, of course it did. I was the one doing it after all.” Ragnok says, voice filled with righteous confidence. 

“Where's Griphook? He said he would be here when I woke up.” He asks, noticing the Goblin’s absence. 

“I just sent for him, you woke up faster than I expected.” 

“Oh, alright then. Do you need me to do anything else? I can just walk back to his office if he's busy.” Harry's offers, not really knowing how long it's been or what other duties the Goblin has. 

“No, it's fine. Your his top priority today under my orders, he was simply going over the inheritance process once more and beginning to compile his report on Albus Dumbledore.” The Goblin explains, and Harry feels confused once more. Why would he need to be his top priority? The money is probably why, but he has a feeling it's something else. After all, only Griphook should really know the full contents of his inheritance, even if Ragnok is the Head Goblin he still has to respect the basic Confidentiality laws. His thinking brings him back to something that Griphook had mentioned before, but maybe now he can get an answer. 

“Is there a reason, sir? That you’ve ordered that, I mean." Harry asks, nervous to be asking so many questions to the unfamiliar Goblin. His worry was for nothing, simply him being in his head, because the Goblin’s face seems to shift thoughtfully at the question. 

“Well, I suppose there are many reasons. One being, of course, the large amounts of money in your vaults. Others though…” He trails off, seeming a little unsure of what to say. “Let me ask you, Harry: do you know how you were turned into a Horcrux?” He asks, surprising Harry. He nods, unsure if he should reveal anything to the Goblin. “Enlighten me, if you will. Nothing you say will leave this room, do not fear.” He says, seeing the trepidation on his face. 

“Well, it's obvious, isn't it?” He asks, grimacing. When he doesn't answer, only staring at him blankly, Harry continues. “Voldemort, of course. When he cast the killing curse on me a part of his soul accidently latched onto mine, and now I'm a Horcrux.” He explains, cutting the story short and keeping the fact that Harry is the only one who knows to himself. 

If Harry was actually his fifteen year old self from before, then talking about that night would probably make him angry; make him want to lash out. Now, though? He just feels tired. Tired of having to talk about it, and tired of it affecting him as much as it does. The deaths of two people he never got the chance to know shouldn't be so heavy on his conscience, but what came as a result of that? Being shoved into the Dursleys' house, unwanted and unloved? Being forced to grow up with no adults to take care of him and teach him how to control his emotions or cultivate his mind? That was what really weighed him down. 

Does he still hate Voldemort for killing his parents? Of course, but he doesn't hate him more than Dumbledore, who was the whole reason the After happened. Voldemort is just a homicidal maniac who will kill anyone that gets in his way. With all the parts of his soul that got erased, it was inevitable that he would lose his mind somewhere down the road. Dumbledore was his own Crockpot of nastiness and he was completely sane, seemingly. He has no excuse for any of his actions. 

Ragnok, who had been watching Harry after his explanation, decided to interrupt his thoughts when the candles in the room began to flicker up dangerously. While the wood in the bank was fire proofed, it still wouldn't do for the candles to be melted down to stumps just because of some accidental magic. “The other reason I prioritize you is because of Rowena Ravenclaw.” He says and watches as Harry jumps in his seat. 

“What?” He asks, having not heard the Goblin. 

“The other reason is that you are a descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw.” He says again, only slightly annoyed about having to repeat himself.  

“Oh. Why?” He asks, shifting his thoughts to focus on the conversation again. 

“When our bank was founded, there was a lot of controversy about Goblins being trusted with all of the wizarding world's money. Even now, there are many unnecessary laws that restrict us from having full freedom with our bank, and in general. It was the main reason Voldemort came to us during his rise of power: To offer us more freedom.” He says, pausing to make sure Harry is still listening. “He came to us again recently, and once again he was rejected. The reason behind that is Rowena Ravenclaw.” He says. Harry's eyes are comically wide with surprise, and a bit of awe, at what the Goblin may be implying. “She devoted many hours with my ancestors to work out fair laws for us and give us as much freedom as she could. Because of her kindness, we still have faith in good wizards willing to fight for our rights. You are her descendant, and a hero at that. We Goblins stand viscously with you, kid.” He finishes saying, and Harry almost wants to cry. He remembers how awful it had been the first time through: going to the ministry after being locked with the Dursleys after Dudley and himself were attacked; being ignored by the headmaster; almost all of his friends turning on him. It was ridiculous how quickly the world turned on him, so to know that this whole time the Goblins had believed in him was a relief, more than anything, and an honor. 

“Thank you.” He says, emotion evident in his voice, but he doesn't cry. “I’ll do my best to deserve that trust.” 

“I believe you.” Ragnok says, just as somebody knocks on the door. “It's open!” He calls, voice gravelly.

The door opens in response to his call and Griphook walks in, looking slightly surprised to see Harry fully sitting up. “Hello, Master Goblin, Harry.” He says politely, walking closer to the both of them.  

“Griphook, do you have everything gathered to submit his case? And his inheritances?” Ragnok asks in place of a proper greeting. Harry waves at him, but keeps quiet and awaits his answer.

“Yes, I just sent an owl to The Ministry to submit the case and have everything gathered for the inheritances.” He replies, eyes flashing to Harry's hand the only expression on his face. 

“So we can go and do the tests now?” Harry asks, trying not to think to much about the ministry finding out about all of this. “You didn’t call me anything crazy in your letter did you? I don't want anybody to know about my inheritances yet.” 

“No, I just called you heir Potter, so if they ask about why you were brought to the bank in the first place then you'll have a reasonable excuse. I suggest promptly getting a good lawyer, Harry, as I believe this case will move very quickly with your societal importance and with how serious our evidence is.” He says, now shifting back to the first question, “ and yes, I got everything together, we should leave soon if you still wish to be home by five today.” 

Harry nods his head in response and stands quickly, vision momentarily blacking out after sitting for so long. “Goodbye, Master Goblin. I’ll do my best to live up to my ancestors.” He says respectfully, turning to follow the already leaving Griphook. 

“I’m sure you will.” He hears the Goblin say, just barely, door shutting behind him quietly. 

Chapter Text

The walk back to Griphook’s office is short, and just as cool the second time through. The woods of the doors are different, Harry realises. Now that he knows about the Sycamore trees and their meaning, he wonders if those woods also represent something. Maybe something for him to research in his spare time? Now that he's able to perform magic outside of the school, he's hoping to go Diagon Alley and get his school supplies since he didn't get to go with the Weasleys this time; maybe he’ll get a book or two on Goblin culture. 

The sound of the large oak door shutting behind him startled him out of his thoughts and he quickly followed Griphook back towards the desk where the six boxes sit.

“Have a seat and we can begin, I know you want to get out of here soon, and it's already two o’clock.” Griphook says, and Harry nods, sitting back in the chair he was in before. “I have to present them to you in order of nobility, so the Ravenclaw ring is first.” He explains, handing a small blue velvet box to Harry with the silver Ravenclaw crest on it. 

He opens the box carefully, and inside sits a silver ring with a large sapphire sitting in the middle with six smaller ones lined up beside it. It was beautiful, the gems reminding him of the exact shade that the Ravenclaw banners are at Hogwarts. 

He looks up at Griphook nervously, but with the blank look pointed at him he slides the

ring onto his finger. Almost immediately the ring grows warm, feeling like a hug wrapped tightly around his finger, and then cools back down. The ring had been loose when he put it on, but now it fits him perfectly. 

He looks up at the Goblin with a grin on his face and he nods before handing him the next box, this one red velvet and much larger than the other. “Why are you handing me the Gryffindor one next? I thought I was only a baron to the name.” He asks, though he does take the box from him. 

“Nobility, remember? The four founders of Hogwarts are like royalty, as you saw with the palaces they possess, so even though the title is less than a lord, it still has a higher spot in society than your others. Also, a baron has a higher title than an heir and because of this it goes before Slytherin.” He answers and Harry nods to show he understood. Turning back to the box in his hands he opens it and gasps. 

The necklace looks just like the sword of Gryffindor. It has a thick chain, each link alternating between silver and gold, and in the middle sit three giant rubies, each held in place by gold in the shape of lion claws.  “Is this Goblin made?” Harry asks, shocked. The sword being given to Gryffindor before was already a miracle, but to have their family jewelry made by them too is very rare. While Harry doesn't know much about Goblins, he knows that they don't like letting their work fall into the hands of other races, meaning wizards, unless a great price was paid. 

“Yes, I'm glad you noticed. The Sword of Gryffindor and their family jewelry were all made by the same Goblin. The Ravenclaw ring is also made by us.” He says proudly. 

“That's amazing, no wonder they’re so nice still after all these years.” Harry says, and the

Goblin nods. 

“Yes, while that's mostly due to spells, our metals are also very durable and long-lasting,” He explains. “Now, try it on already. You still have four more left.” 

“Right.” Harry says, already excited to see what the other jewelry looks like. 

He puts it on over his head, the chain being much longer than he originally thought, and after a moment the chain grows hot before calming down. Unlike the ring however, this heat was more challenging(?), in a way. Instead of being warm and welcoming, the chain grew hot enough that Harry was almost tempted to take it off. It makes sense for the Gryffindor necklace to challenge him before accepting him though, and with a grin he gives the Goblin a thumbs up. 

The next box he gets is larger than the Ravenclaw box, yet smaller than the Gryffindor one. He remembers that Griphook said heirs get bracelets instead of rings though so it makes sense. It's made of a dark green velvet and in silver writing is the Slytherin crest. Harry opens the box nervously, half expecting something to jump out at him like the locket before, but all he sees is a small silver bracelet. It seems to move and shift around a bit in the box, almost like a snake would. Harry picks up the bracelet and examines it more closely, seeing that the main part of the bracelet is a snake, looking eerily similar to the basilisk he killed in his second year. The basilisk has emeralds in place of its eyes, and it blinks metal over the jewels every few seconds. 

“There are rumors that the reason the snake moves is because it holds the soul of Slytherin’s first ever pet snake.” Griphook tells him, making Harry shiver at the thought. He couldn't imagine locking Hedwig's soul in a bracelet charm forever, it would be too lonely for her. 

Regardless of the creepy rumor, Harry slips on the bracelet and watches as the snake charm immediately begins to circle its chain, sucking the warmth out of his wrist. He almost takes it off before a small voice speaks. 

“Don’t take me off, boy! You're warm.” It hisses out and Harry immediately puts his hand down. 

“Sorry, the other pieces got warm so I thought I was being rejected.” He explains in parseltongue, noting the interested look on Griphooks face, he explains: “I can speak parseltongue because of Voldemort.” 

“I see, and she accepted you?” He asks, though Harry is unsure of how the Goblin decided that it was a girl. 

“Yes, my wrist got cold so I thought I was being rejected, but I suppose it's quite a Slytherin idea to use the wearer as a source of warmth instead of giving them any.” Harry says, quietly marveling about the different types of magic that must have been used to make it work that way.

“Interesting.” The Goblin says, and despite the short answer Harry can tell that it does interest him. Moving on from that conversation, new friend(?) on his wrist, he takes the next box from Griphook’s hand.  

This box, and the other two, are all around the same size as the Ravenclaw ring. The box is made of a black leather this time and has some scuffs on the corners showing its age. On the top side of the box is the deathly hallows symbol, which easily tells him which ring it is. 

Opening the box, there sits a plain silver, maybe even iron, ring. It's a simple band with one black stone in the middle and a “P” engraved on the inside. Harry slips it on quickly, thinking again that this would have been good information Before, but forgets it when the ring's temperature shifts from room temperature to warm and then cold in the next instant. 

Knowing that the Peverells had a close connection to Death, Harry isn't very surprised by the reaction. 

“The Peverells are a very old line of wizards, known to use dark magic. Some say that they even figured out necromancy long before the rest of the world had begun thinking about it.” Griphook tells him, so used to his questions that he was able to beat him to it. 

The thought of necromancy used to make Harry's stomach turn, but now it interests him. Maybe Peverell Palace will have a library Harry can look through one day. His inheritance did mention something about necromancy magic.

Griphook grabs the next box, this one a rich purple velvet, off of his desk and hands it to Harry. He takes the box with shaky hands and opens it quickly, recognizing the crest from the doors of his vault. This was the Potter ring.

Harry's first thought about the ring is that it's nothing like the Peverell one. It’s beautiful, with a golden band and a dark purple sapphire in the middle, surrounded by smaller black stones similar to that of the Peverell ring. Harry can guess that it's a nod towards them and smiles, grabbing the ring and putting it on his finger, happy to have something of his fathers so close. 

The acceptance is immediate, and feels like being enveloped in a comforting hug, similar to the Ravenclaw ring but so much stronger . It's exactly like how hugging Sirius for the first time felt, and Harry suddenly has tears in his eyes again. How many times is he going to cry today? 

He dries his eyes and reaches for the next box himself, this one covered in black leather, expecting to find a ring. Instead, he finds an earring. It's made of a black metal that Harry can't place a name too and has a blood red gem in the middle. 

He almost laughs when he sees it, reminded immediately of the painting of Sirius’ mother screaming at Grimmauld Place. Of course the Blacks would force their heirs to pierce their ears and show off their position where everyone can see it, instead of being like everybody else and giving their heirs bracelets. It's the exact cruelty he expects from the Blacks, and he thanks Fred Weasley in his head for giving him piercings in his third year. 

He slides the earring in with a bit of a shove, holes having closed since school when he took his earrings out for the summer. It hurt a little, but definitely not like it would have if he had to pierce his ear with it. The little blood that does come out when he puts it on seems to be enough of a reason for the Jewelry to accept him though, because he feels a burning pain in his ear after a moment that quickly fades. It's almost like it doesn't want to accept him but knows it has to do something so it makes it hurt while it does. Again, it's what he would expect from them.

Looking at the table, and going over a list in his mind, Harry knows that there aren't anymore titles to collect. He’s honestly shocked he was accepted by every family, but is thankful nonetheless. 

Now that the jewelry is on him, he's a bit overwhelmed by how ridiculous he looks. He has three rings, all varying in size and appearance on his right hand, making it significantly heavier than his left, and his neck is being weighed down by the chain looped around it. He can feel his heartbeat in his ear, and is sure its bright red from the forceful intrusion through his skin. The only jewelry Harry isn't particularly bothered by is the bracelet, whose charm simply circled his wrist, hissing quietly about being free and warm. 

“Am I allowed to take them off? Or put some type of glamour on them? This is quite a lot of jewelry and I don't want to openly display everything I've found out today, as I'm sure you can imagine.” He asks. After he first put on the Ravenclaw ring he had wanted to return it to its box simply because he didn't want to risk losing or damaging it. Seeing the rest of the jewelry only confirmed his feelings on the matter.

“No, you can not. Well, you can, but you really shouldn't.” Griphook says haltingly. 

“What do you mean?” Harry quickly prods.

“As I'm sure you have guessed, these artifacts are very expensive and powerful. Letting them fall into the wrong hands is simply not an option. If they sense that you have lost them they could reject you as their holder and you'll lose everything that they have given you.” He answers gravely. “Aside from what I just said, they are also very helpful to have on you.” 

“Really? Like how?" Harry asks. 

“Every family jewelry set is crafted with runs embedded to protect the wearer. They ward off any sort of mind altering spells and potions, as well as offer some protection from very minor hexes.” Griphook explains, voice losing some of its earlier seriousness. 

“So, things like what Dumbledore did, right?” Harry asks. 

“Yes, exactly like that. They were mostly created to protect families from line theft and to keep their heirs safe, so these wards were very important to them.” 

“So I just have to wear them all the time? What about the glamours and stuff?” Harry says, repeating his earlier question. 

“Yes, simply say invisibilis with your wand pointed at them and they will appear only to you. You will still be able to see and feel them, but you can simply cast a feather weight charm on them and their weight shouldn't be a problem.” Griphook instructs and Harry nods, quickly bringing his wand out to cast the spell on each piece of jewelry on him. 

Now with his worries about the jewelry quelled, a new question pops up in his mind. “Hey, you mentioned something called ‘line theft,’ what is that?” Harry asks, obviously having an idea because of the name, but still wanting a proper explanation.

“Line theft is when the heir of a noble family is manipulated in some way in an attempt to steal their money and name. This is a serious crime, even worse when magic is used to accomplish this. I would talk to your lawyer about this, too, seeing as this is obviously a part of what Dumbledore has done. You may be able to get some of the Weasley family as well, seeing as they were included in his spells.” Griphook explains, leaving Harry reeling once more. Part of him was happy to hear this, because now he has more to stack onto his case against Dumbledore; but the other part of him is furious to find that even more crimes have been committed against him! And even thinking about the Weasleys having anything to do with it makes Harry want to break something. 

With a sigh, Harry manages to find his voice again. “Is there anything else I need to do today? Anything else you have to tell me?” 

“No, I believe that is everything. I already sent a report on my findings and a bit about our discussion to the Department of Wizarding Affairs, so, like I said, find a lawyer as soon as possible. I also told them to address it to you, and not to your listed address, so they can contact you wherever you go.” Griphook says.

“And you think they'll seriously take my case? Even with all of this Voldemort crap Dumbledore is spouting?” He asks, voice hesitant.

“Yes, no matter what Dumbledore or anybody else says, the ministry has to at least look into whatever cases we send them. The least they'll do is interview you and a lawyer, and if they find merit in what I've reported then they will form a case and allow you to follow through with the charges.” He answers, voice almost reassuring. 

“Yeah, alright then.” Harry says with a nod, trying to think of where he would even get a lawyer from. “Well, I guess I'll go then, if that's all. Can I have my statements?” He asks while standing. 

“Yes, here.” Griphook says, also moving to stand and handing Harry the file from earlier. “If you want to get to your properties, know that you're keyed into the wards now as the owner, so however you try to get into them you'll be able to with no problem.” Griphook informs him. 

“Right! I was wondering about that. So if I wanted to apparate or floo to any of them I can just think of their names and it'll work?” 

“Yes, exactly.” Griphook says, raised eyebrow, or skin, seeing as he's a Goblin, at the implication in the sentence. Harry just grins mischievously and nods in reply. 

“Thank you for trying so hard to get into contact with me, this has been very enlightening.” Harry says, grin now replaced with a sincere expression. 

While Harry knows that it's literally Griphook’s job to contact him, he still appreciates the effort and the help the Goblin has given him today. He's learned so much, and gotten so much, that he never would have without his help. 

“Of course, goodbye Harry.” Griphook says, holding his office door open for the boy. 

~

Harry leaves the bank and walks as fast as he can into the nearest store, which just so happens to be Eeylops Owl Emporium, and he figured that since he's already there he could buy some more owl treats, since he knows he'll be getting a lot of owls in the next few days with everything going on.

After grabbing the treats and checking out, he makes his way to the floo opening in the store and shouts the first property he could think of into the fire. “Ravenclaw Palace!” 

He feels the familiar and disorienting feelings that come with floo travel and is pulled away to his new property. 

Instead of the usual feeling that he's used to though, he seems to hit some kind of resistance, and it takes a minute to realize that he must have reached the wards of the palace. As soon as the thought comes though he's already bypassed it and is nearly sent tumbling out of a fireplace. 

Once Harry had moved into Grimmauld place, that being the only property he knew about at the time, he had gotten used to apparating everywhere, but he barely used the floo until he started at the ministry where they had anti-apparition wards up through the whole building. So, his fireplace-exiting skills still suck.

Harry dusts his robes off quickly, looking around the room he came out in with interest. It was a large room with stone walls and floors, blue banners and carpets lining them. It was very obviously the Ravenclaw palace which was reassuring, seeing as he still had a hard time believing that he could possibly be related to such an amazing woman. 

After he had brushed himself off he decided that he would just apparate back to the Dursleys house. He hadn't appeared in the Alley because he didn't want anybody to notice and accuse him of unlawful magical use, or worse: tell Dumbledore. Now that he's here though he should be fine. 

As he's about to apparate, he hears the signature popping sound of a House Elf from behind him. He quickly spins around and takes a moment to stare at the Elf in front of him. It's standing hunched over and looks like it's about to cry, which Harry really doesn't have the emotional strength for today, so he decides to try and talk to it. 

“Er- hello, I’m Hadrian, Hadrian Potter-Black. Are you the Ravenclaw House Elf?” He decides the best way to get it to not cry is to talk and hopefully distract it; however, this has the opposite effect because now it's openly crying and leans into a bow so fast Harry thinks he heard its back crack. 

“Welcome home, new master! I is Teeny the 8th, the last House Elf of the Ravenclaw family!” The House Elf, now decidedly a girl based on its voice, introduces. 

“Hi, Teeny, it’s nice to meet you. I’m glad you're here, actually.” He says kindly, hoping the Elf's tears will stop if he lets her get it out of her system. “I only just found out I was in line for the Ravenclaw Lordship today, so it’s nice to know you and your ancestors have been taking care of the palace until now.” 

“Oh, of course master; it be Teeny's pleasure, sir!” She gushed, whipping her eyes and finally seeming to get herself together. 

“I actually have to go somewhere right now, but while I'm gone could you set up a room for me? I just need to grab some of my belongings from where I used to live and bring them here, so it shouldn't take long, really.” He tells her, still keeping his voice kind.

“Of course master! Please call if you be’s needing me!” She said, clearly happy to take an order. 

“Thank you, I'll be back in about an hour.” He says before finally apparating out.

~

Harry pops back up in his bedroom in the Dursleys house at around four o’clock, giving him around an hour to sort out his belongings there. He obviously doesn't have much to grab besides his trunk, and now that he's free of the place he's just going to leave his clothes behind and buy proper wizarding robes. 

He walks down the stairs and uses his wand to open the door to his old ‘bedroom’ and levitates his trunk out, bringing it back up the stairs with him. The old toys that Dudley had in the room had long been removed and donated, so it was very empty besides his bed and a dresser which was barely half full. It makes him feel sad for his younger self, seeing how awful everything is. He could probably fit all of his clothes into his school trunk alone, and it wouldn't even be full. It makes him even more grateful now that he's able to leave years earlier than before, and that he has somewhere to go where the Dursleys won't be around. No more getting shoved around by Vernon and Dudley, or bossed around and worked to death by Petunia. For the first time, he has a bit of his summer vacation all to himself, and he can spend it however he likes. Well, mostly however he likes, seeing as he has to find a lawyer and get his school supplies and check on all of his properties and- yeah, okay, not however he likes, but still! Better than any other summer. 

After about fifteen minutes of folding his clothes (by hand, because he's stressed and it calms him down) he finally has all of his robes packed and is able to put his books on top with his holiday schoolwork nestled securely between the pages of the books so they don't rip, he shuts his trunk and sits on his bed with a sigh. He still needed to wait for Miss Figg to get here, so he can't leave yet, but he's already done everything he needed to. He's got all of his stuff, and he put Dudley’s old clothes all in a trash bag on the floor so they can be donated or thrown away; he literally has nothing else to do, until the thought occurs to him that he should probably tell the Dursley’s where he’s going. He really can't just up and leave without saying anything, though he's sure they would love that, so he decides to use this time to write them a note of his own. 

~

                Petunia,

Today after you left the house, I received a letter from the wizarding bank I use. I won't tell you all the details because I doubt you care, honestly, but the result was a very prompt visit to the bank where I learned about the things I was left by my parents. Within these things were multiple wizarding properties and I've taken it upon myself, after finding out that I'm legally emancipated in the wizarding world, to leave you people be. 

You lot have been nothing but horrible the whole time I've lived here, and I'm grateful that I get to leave. Within the nightstand beside a bed in this house is a generous sum of money that I've decided to leave you all, despite your horrible treatment of me, as a thank you for actually keeping me alive all these years when you could have just given me away. Never say I didn't thank you, alright? 

Now you won't have to deal with magic ever again and can get back to living your boring ass normal lives that you so desperately wanted all these years. 

If an old man with a really long white beard comes here, tell him I never came back from school and that you haven't seen me since. Or don't, but I would really appreciate it if you would. 

                                                                                                                                 Sincerely, Harry

~

After finishing the letter, Harry folds it and puts it on the counter in the kitchen where it's easily noticeable. By this point it's already four thirty so he quickly casts a notice-me-not charm on himself and apparates to the Diagon Alley. He decided to leave the Dursleys' money, hopefully as a bribe, so that they won't spill anything to Dumbledore if or when he comes looking for Harry. This is why he came back, to get money from Gringotts to transfer into muggle money to leave for them. He'll probably just withdraw the most he can at one time and give it to them, because he honestly just wants them to be quiet, and greedy people will be quiet with money.

Harry knows that Dumbledore wanted him here when he was younger to keep the protection from his mother, but honestly? Harry doesn't care anymore. As Harry got older, he finally realized that he's a bloody brilliant wizard, and with all of his training to become an auror wasn't for nothing. While he doesn’t think he could take on Voldemort or Dumbledore, he still thinks that he could defend himself until he could escape them. So he'll leave this time, because he isn't a little boy anymore. He's nineteen years old and he has a lot of experience. Hell, he's fought in a war, and he's captured criminals, and he's taken out hoards of absolutely horrendous creatures: All by himself! He doesn't need his mother's wards anymore, and he certainly doesn't want to listen to Dumbledore. 

Harry is going to use his second chance to the fullest, and instead of Voldemort being his enemy; it'll be Dumbledore. 

Chapter Text

Harry ends up withdrawing 10,000 dollars to leave for the Dursleys, which he thinks is very generous. He crosses his fingers that it has the intended effect. 

Upon returning to Privet Drive, Harry slips the envelope of money into the guest room nightstand, hoping it takes them a bit of searching to find. Now, with the note on the counter and the money planted, he really does just have to wait for Miss Figg. It was exactly five o’clock when he returned to the house so he hopes she'll be here soon. He doesn’t want to keep Teeny waiting. 

He takes the time he has to wait to plan what to do with Miss Figg once she gets here. With his foreknowledge, he already knows she works for Dumbledore, so he can’t let her tell him Harry’s leaving the Dursleys because it would cause suspicion, so he needs to decide: Obliviate or lie? 

If he Obliviates her then there is no chance of her blabbing to Dumbledore about what she knows because the information will be gone period. Harry discovered a strong aptitude for Obliviation during his ministry training and was the best in his department, so he knows that even Dumbledore wouldn't be able to dig them out of her head. The problem with this is that he isn’t as confident in his ability to replace the memories. He did learn legilimency as part of his training as well, and found it easier than Occlumency, but it's nowhere near perfect. 

His other option is to lie, which would make him feel better about tricking her, but it isn't as reliable. And what would he say? He has no friends or family to take him in and she knows it because she's the one who's been stuck watching him his whole life. 

Obliviation goes against his morals, because he's doing this for himself and not for work, but ultimately he needs to leave this shitty place and that's going to be the best way to do it. 

The sound of the door opening draws him out of his thoughts and he sits up to face Miss Figg. She seems surprised to see him just sitting in the living room but before she can say anything Harry casts a quick obliviate and is in her mind. 

He searches around memories of her cats and of that very morning and takes out the memory of the Dursleys leaving and being told to watch harry. He can see that she hasn’t written a letter to Dumbledore yet about her watching him so he erases the thought from her mind and quickly replaces it with ones of her feeding her cats and going on a walk. Furthermore, to really drive in the fact that he's here, he adds in a memory of seeing himself also on a walk from that morning. 

Feeling satisfied with the obliviation he exits her mind and catches her as she falls, setting her on the couch. He then shrinks his trunk and Hedwig's cage and puts them in his pocket before charming Miss Figg’s body to look like it’s walking and leaves the house with her beside him. To anyone who sees them they would think that they were simply taking a walk together, which was the whole point of course. 

Entering her house with a quick Alohomora, Harry cleared a space on the couch and laid her down to look like she was napping. Dusting his hands of all the cat hair they’d accumulated in the short time he'd been in the house he relocks the door from the inside and apparates back to the castle. 

~

Harry appears once again in the same room as before, fires still going in the fire places and on the various candles. He hears the crack of Teeny once again entering the space and she smiles at him nervously. 

“Hello Master, Teeny has prepared your chambers like you asked and dinner. Would you be having dinner in the dining room or in your chambers?” She asks him, voice only wavering slightly throughout. 

“I'd actually like to eat in the kitchen if you don't mind? I want to see the whole palace, so I was hoping after dinner you could give me a tour?” He asks her. She nods her head quickly, ears flopping all the while. 

“Absolutely sir! Teeny can be doing that! I’ll show you to the kitchen.” She says, still nodding a bit as she talks. Harry for the most part finds it endearing, his soft spot of house elves ever present. 

“Thank you Teeny.” Harry says earnestly, beginning to follow her down another stone and blue banner lined hallway. 

Just like at the bank earlier that day, Harry barely pays attention to much other than his surroundings. The palace is truly beautiful. The hall’s walls are lined with different interchanged stones, thin blue banners with the Ravenclaw eagle hung every few yards. There are candles hanging between them and windows scattered seemingly at random. The windows remind him that besides where he's been just now, he has no clue what the palace looks like or how big it actually is. He decides that tomorrow he’ll get on his broom and fly around the castle to get a good look at it. 

He’s brought back to the present by a sudden change in scenery, the hallway opening up into a large room. Compared to the Hogwarts kitchen it's not very large, but he could also probably fit the Dursleys’ whole house in here so that has to say something. The same stones from the hallway are carried into the room and up along the counters. The countertops are made of creamy colored polished wood and the sinks are all silver in color. There’s a large, silver, candle lit chandelier hanging from the domed ceiling that brightly lights up the room and illuminates the steak dinner sitting on the counter in front of him. 

The steak is huge, much more than Harry's body after a summer with the Dursleys could probably handle, and around it are an arrangement of vegetables: corn, carrots, peas, mashed potatoes and gravy, and-french fries? Weird, but he isn't judging because he loves french fries. Also, he's probably the first human Teeny has served for so she’s probably just guessing at what to make. 

Besides the strange addition, the food looks and smells amazing, which Harry tells the elf, much to her delight. She seems to be more excited to be serving than nervous of him now, which he takes as a major win, and thanks her for the food before tucking in. 

He thinks there must be some type of elf magic that goes into all of their meals because it's absolutely heavenly . Harry easily can say that he's a good cook, could go as far as saying that he's a great cook even after all of his years of cooking for the Dursleys, but this? This is seriously next level, Hogwarts feast kind of food, and she only had a little over an hour to make it! 

“Teeny,” Harry says between a bite of mash potatoes and steak, “you are seriously awesome.” 

The elf in question tears up again, but Harry knows that this time she's at least happy so he doesn't worry too much about it. 

“Master is very kind to Teeny. Yes, this Master is very good.” She says, walking over to another counter and grabbing a pitcher of pumpkin juice. “Master must slow down, he is going to choke.” She says, pouring some into a pitcher and sliding it closer to him. 

“Thank you.” He says, taking a break from eating and slowly drinking to show that he heard her comment. She seems to straighten up a little bit, what with him listening to her and complimenting her she must have gained some confidence. 

“Master is most welcome.” She says happily. “Teeny will begin cleaning up, Master can call upon Teeny once he's done and Teeny will be giving him a tour.” She says before scuttling over to the sink and washing the dishes. 

Harry only takes a few minutes more to finish eating as much as he can, and he can see Teeny’s disapproving face when she takes the dish, but she doesn't question it which he's thankful for. “Teeny can be giving the Master his tour now.” She says as he stands up, and after a minute of going back and forth, he manages to convince her to show him around the kitchen first. She seems distraught that after eating and complimenting her food that he would want to be shown the kitchen, but after explaining that he likes cooking sometimes she lets it go. She shows him into the pantry where there are shelves lined with jugs of different juices and wines, as well as different ingredients under a stasis charm, including meat and vegetables. It is the exact kind of pantry he would expect a palace to have, wooden shelves bolted into the stone walls stacked with food, and he follows her out after a minute of her showing him where certain foods are. 

The next place she leads him to is the dining room, which she insists is different from the formal dining room, because its table only seats six, while the formal dining room seats up to fifty .  She explains to him that the formal room is for when he has parties or large gatherings, as expected of him as a new lord and heir, which he didn't know about. She tells him that all new lords and heirs are meant to show off their wealth and position to the other lords and heirs, like the sacred twenty eight for example, and suggested that for christmas when he returns from school that he should make plans to host a gathering. He thanks her for the information and tells her to carry on with the tour, noting that the wood from the kitchen continues through the rest of the palace. Like at Gringotts, he wonders if there is a different meaning to the wood and hopes that there are books here that could explain it to him. 

The next place she takes him to is the owlery where they find Hedwig sitting on a perch by a window. She looks absolutely beautiful and he's hit with gratefulness at the chance to have her again. 

After stopping to say hello for a few minutes, he and Teeny leave the owlery and she brings him through a few hallways that she tells him have a few guest rooms and bathrooms all along them. He doesn't feel the need to look inside all of them so he tells her to take him to the next place when asked. 

Teeny tells him that the only other place she wants to take him to is his chamber so he follows her up a round staircase that comes out in a short window filled corridor with two wooden doors along it. 

“The door on the left is your private sitting room, and the door on the right is your room.” She tells him happily, opening the left door and revealing the sitting room. 

It was a very cozy looking room with a few love chairs and arm chairs. The floor was wooden and had a thick blue carpet covering most of it. Overall, it would be a nice space to bring friends to, if he even has any after what he’s learned today. 

After he steps back out of the room Teeny closes the door and gestures at his chamber door for him to open it. He obliges and opens the door, stopping in his tracks as he takes it all in. 

The room is massive; rounded walls made up of a much smoother stone than the ones in all of the other rooms giving it a very polished look. On the middle of the back wall is a large four poster bed made up of the same wood from the rest of the palace with blue sheets and quilts on top. The walls had four doors on the side with the walls in between broken up by beautiful bay windows with blue curtains separating them from the rest of the room. 

“Wow, this is incredible Teeny.” Harry said, taken aback by how nice everything was. All of the wooden detailing was intricately done, which was hard and expensive to come by in the wizarding world since most furnishers use their wands to make furniture instead of by hand, which is less detailed. It was even more impressive because of how old all of the furniture must be too. 

“Well, it was Lady Ravenclaw’s room, so only the best of the best would do.” She explains to him. 

“This was Rowena’s room? Like, this room?” Harry asks her, completely shocked. 

“Oh yes. This is the lord’s and lady's chamber, so only they may reside here. The other rooms are much tamer.” She says. Harry nods to show he heard her and continues to look around. He hears a snap from Teeny and all four of the doors open gently for him to look into. 

The first door on the left-most side of the room turned out to be a bathroom that rivals the prefect bathrooms at hogwarts. There was a large, deep tub on the far wall with a few different taps on it and a nice vanity sink and a toilet. Above the tub was a shower head which he was thankful for since he doesn't always have the patience for a bath.

The second door, now on the right side of the room closest to his bed, is a large walk-in closet. Inside are built in wooden shelves and drawers with painted on blue and silver designs. There are some robes inside, though they are women's robes that Narcissa would definitely call outdated. The thought sends a pang through his heart, knowing that he can’t just send her a letter and tell her about all of this madness himself, but instead may have to wait years to get back to having such a nice relationship with her.

Putting the thought aside, he enters the third room just to the right of his bed with a blank wooden plaque on it. Inside was a very cozy office space with a large wooden desk and bright candles. They must have some kind of oil in them because it smelled wonderful as soon as he entered the room. It was a clean and warm smell, but not overpowering at all. Overall, Harry could definitely imagine himself here doing his homework, which reminds him that he still needs to finish his holiday homework during his remaining break.

A small sound, so quiet that he almost didn't hear it, catches his attention quickly and he looks around for the origin of the sound. 

Looking in the corner of the room behind him, he sees a table with a large golden red egg sitting upon a cushion. Barely containing his excitement about what it surely is, he walks closer to get a good look. 

Upon closer inspection, the golden exterior of the egg is being burned and separated by thin lines of molten red metal, making it look like it just came out of a volcano or something. Harry refrained from touching it like he wanted to, knowing that it would only burn him, but it's hard, because this is a literal phoenix egg! He wants to hold it and inspect it, but he won't, because he doesn't want to risk breaking it or messing up the hatching process. 

He notes that the sound must have been from the metal shifting and marvels at the magical creature. He loves magic; has he mentioned that?

Taking a step back, he retreats from the room and enters the fourth door in his room, coming into a library much larger than the one at Hogwarts. The floor has a thick blue carpet all along it with silver patterns tracing the outer edges and the shelves have the same creamy wood as everywhere else. He thinks the room must be magically enlarged because the ceiling goes very high and has a second floor with even more books from what he can see, a nice, sturdy looking ladder being the only way up. 

“Does the Master have any questions about the great library?” Teeny's voice pops up behind him. 

“Yeah, actually. Is there any kind of organization to it? Like a guide to making my way around?” He asks her, still looking in awe at the room. 

“Well, there is a spell that will allow you to magically illuminate the books related to what you're looking for, but there isn't much organization to it. Liberem Invenire is the incantation Teeny believes, but you have to think of what you want for it to work.” The elf tells him happily. 

“Alright, thank you.” He says, making sure to remember the spell for later before turning around and facing her. “Is there anything else you wanted to show me, Teeny?”

“No, sir. Tomorrow Teeny can be’s showing you the gardens if you wish, and the potion room, but there is nothing else in the palace for you to see.” She informs him. 

“Okay,” he says, trying to think of anything else he needs to tell her or do himself tonight. Deciding that a conversation needs to be had, he sits down right where he's standing and pats the ground for Teeny to follow suit. She does, of course, and once she’s settled he talks. “I have some questions for you, and some things I need to tell you in general, but most of it can wait till tomorrow.” He tells her and she nods her head with wide eyes at him. 

“Teeny can answer any questions!” 

Harry smiles at her enthusiasm and begins. “Do you want to be a house elf? Like, with a master, I mean?” He asks her. Almost immediately he regrets it because she seems distraught at the question. “I-i just mean, I have this friend, her name’s Hermione, and she has this thing called SPEW which is all about freeing house elves, only I've never seen any house elves really interested in the topic and I just want to be sure you’re happy here, is all.” He says quickly, trying to explain before she gets even more upset. It seems to work a little, because she calms down a bit before answering. 

“Well, while Master’s friend's idea is very kind, it isn’t very realistic.” She says politely, though the grimace on her face is a bit telling of her true thoughts. 

“Like how?” He asks.

“Well, without a master to be bound to a house elf will eventually die.” She explains, making Harry's eyes widen almost comically. “Since we get all of our magic from the master we are tied to, and since we are magical creatures, without any magic we have nothing to support us. That's why so many of the Teenys have died. Normally we live for a very long time, but with no master we’ve had to rely on the palace’s magic to sustain us.” She finishes. 

“So, freeing house elves is basically signing them up for death?” He confirms, still not believing what he's hearing. How had they not known this?

“Yes, unfortunately there isn't any case where a house elf can live their life out without a master. Some elves get lucky though, like Teeny, and get very nice masters to serve.” She says with a smile on her face. Harry smiles back, though it's a small thing with the topic. 

“Did you know, that in the muggle world, the muggles used to mass enslave people, just because of their skin color?” He asks her, hoping to make her understand Hermione’s thoughts a bit more. 

“The muggles enslave other muggles?” She asks, completely shell shocked. 

“Yes, well, they used to.” He says. “They treated them just like how some witches and wizards treat their house elves, probably even worse, which is why Hermione was horrified when she first learned about house elves. Honestly, I was too. After learning my whole childhood that slavery is bad, and then coming to the wizarding world and seeing it be provided to the masses and looked upon as a privilege made me want to gag.” He finishes explaining to her. 

“Does Master not want Teeny?” She asks tearfully, though she seems to understand now where he’s coming from.

“No, Teeny. It isn't that.” He says with a sigh. 

“Then what, sir?” She asks. 

“I just wanted to put the offer out. That you don't have to be here if you don't want to, you know? But, now that I know what that would do to you, I understand that that isn't an option.” He explains. 

“So Master does want Teeny?” She asks hopefully.

“Yes, but there needs to be some rules. For my own peace of mind and for your comfort.” He says, the idea popping into his head as he does. 

“What kinds of rules, Master?” She asks curiously.

“Well, for starters, no more pillow case!” He says enthusiastically. “While I’m certainly not disowning you, I don’t want you to have to wear something like that anymore. I have the money and free will to get you some nice clothes and shoes, so I will.” He says.

“Clothes?” She asks, clearly startled by the idea.

“Exactly: Clothes.” He says feeling proud of himself. “The second rule: No more ‘Master’ business. My name is Harry, and I would rather you call me that.” He tells her. She nods along with this rule, seemingly much more content with it than the first one. 

“Teeny can be doing this.” She says.

“Thank you. We’ll have to go into Diagon Alley tomorrow because I have a lot of running around to do, so when we’re there we can get you fitted and you can pick out some clothes to start off with.” He tells her, thinking of what all needs to get done. 

He needs to get his school supplies, and he also really needs to find a lawyer—though he doesn't have a clue about how he would do that—and he needs clothes. He also probably needs to find a few more house elves for his other properties because he doesn't want Teeny to have to do everything by herself. 

“Do you know of any wizarding lawyers?” He decides to ask her.

“While there aren't any proper lawyers, most people ask somebody from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to act as one.” She informs him. “Why? Are you facing charges?” She asks, looking a bit panicked. 

“No no no, nothing like that.” He says quickly. “I’m actually pressing charges, or my account manager from Gringotts is, anyway.” He says, a bit embarrassed still. Even as an adult his past with the Dursleys will haunt him, and not telling people was always his thing, so having to air everything out is embarrassing. He doesn't want people to see him as a weak child, unable of besting a few muggles, but really? What was he supposed to do? It's not like he could tell any trusted adults, and he certainly couldn't use magic against them!

“Well, in that case I would either ask an adult you know to represent you or do some research and defend yourself.” She tells him before looking at him curiously. “How old are you? If you're old enough to claim the lordship then you should be of age, but you look very young.”

“Oh, er- physically I am fifteen, my birthday was on the thirty first last month; my magical age however is a different story.” As Harry tells her this, he thinks about how much he should really reveal to her. Since she's a house elf she can't tell anybody else against his orders, and he doesn't think she would anyway, but how much would it affect the timeline if he tells anybody? That's always the first rule of time travel: don't tell anybody. Should he tell her? 

Thinking for a minute more, Teeny thankfully letting him do so in peace, he decides that he should tell her for himself at the very least. It would be nice to have somebody else who knows everything that he can talk to. 

“I actually have a confession to make, Teeny.” He says cautiously. At the nod of her head he continues. “I'm from the future. A little over four years in the future, to be exact.” 

“Four years? That's a long time.” She says, more curious than anything. “How did you do it?”

“Well, that's kind of the thing: I didn’t.” He says, and at her confused look he tells the story. “I was at work and it was late at night, when this huge black owl came in with a letter for me. I didn't recognize it, but did not want to leave it outside so I let it in. Next thing I know the owl falls off my arm, dead. When I picked up the owl and the letter it dropped I got this terrible feeling and then passed out. Woke up at my relatives house four years younger and very confused.” He finishes with a shrug, realizing as he talks that he doesn't really know why the bird died in the first place. 

“But what caused it? Do you think the letter acted kind of like a portkey? Are you going to stay here forever, or are you going to be sent back?” She asks him, bringing up some good points. 

“Yeah, that's the next part.” He says before quickly continuing. “When I woke up the letter just kind of popped out of nowhere and hit me in the face. This time, however, it didn't kill me, which I honestly think is what happened to my future self and why I was able to come back in the first place.” 

“What did the letter say? Did you open it?” Now that she’s more comfortable, Teeny sure does have a lot of questions; not that he can talk.

“Yes. So, the letter is apparently from Death, like capital ‘D’ Death, and it just told me that it sent me back for a second chance, since originally a lot of things went wrong before they went right and it wanted me to fix things and be happy.” He tells her, before remembering the ring. “It also left me a ring, which I believe is the original one from that timeline because the one here is a dark artifact. The one it gave me is important for my connection to it so I think it makes sense that it would give it to me since it's the one I'm connected to.” He says, now spinning the ring around on his left hand where it sat with the other rings fondly. He had one ring on each finger of his left hand beside his thumb, but with the charms on them he could barely tell they were there without looking or removing the charms. He currently had the Ravenclaw one out for Teeny’s sake, but would recharm it once he left in the morning. 

“Wow, so you're the Master of Death then, right?” she asks, much more casually than he expected, though still with a bit of awe. 

“Uhm, yeah. How’d you know about that?” 

“The elves of the Ravenclaw family are much more informed than other house elves, and I've had a lot of time to read while waiting and taking care of the empty palace.” She tells him proudly.

“Well, that saves a lot of explaining then, good job Teeny.” He tells her, thinking about how lonely she must have been before he arrived. He can't imagine being all alone in such a big place for so long, no wonder she was so happy to see him.

Her response to the praise is a small smile, and Harry thinks that it's time to call it a night when he realizes how tired he feels. After all, it's been a huge day for him and for her. “That's all I really wanted to say, just make sure you keep what I told you today between the two of us, alright? I don't want anybody else to know just in case it could mess up the timeline or something.” 

“Of course, Harry. I won't tell a soul.” She promises and Harry smiles at the tentative use of his name. 

“Thank you, I appreciate it.” He says, meaning more than just for keeping his secret. “Could you keep an eye out for an owl from the ministry in the morning? I’m expecting one about my case so if one arrives before I'm up could you grab it? I'm thinking of waking up pretty early since I have so much I need to do tomorrow, but I don't know when it'll come.” He asks her politely. 

“Yes, sir. I'm connected to the wards so I'll know if any owls come in. Would you like me to wake you up in the morning?” 

“No, I can set an alarm. Thank you though.” He says, getting up from where he was sitting, the lack of resistance in his younger body making him thankful that he's young once again. Teeny follows suit and rises with him, telling him a kind goodnight before popping out of the library. 

Once she's gone he walks back out into his room and to his closet, quickly unshrinking his trunk and magically hanging his clothes up and putting his pants away. Looking sadly at the small selection, he quickly grabs his pajamas and closes the door gently behind him.

Heading to the bathroom this time Harry unrobes himself and sinks into the quickly filling tub. After the day he's had he thinks it's more than deserved. 

Now that he's alone he lets himself relax and falls into himself. One would think he's cried enough today, but honestly he can't be bothered to care. What is he going to do? He had spent most of the night before trying to plan but he's just so overwhelmed now, and once he's at Hogwarts he won't have time to go out and do stuff to stop the war.

God, and what about the trial? He doesn't have a lawyer, and he doesnt know a thing about wizarding laws. He doesn't even know how much trouble Dumbledore will be in if he loses the case, which he probably will with how much surefire evidence there is against him. Will he be removed from Hogwarts? If he is, then who will defeat Voldemort and keep Hogwarts safe? Plus, the Order is forming this year and if he just disappears then they'll probably disband without their leader and then there will be no one to fight against Voldemort besides Harry and the Ministry if they can manage to pull their heads out of their asses! He's basically stuck between five hundred rocks and hard places and he has no real good ideas about how to get the hell out. 

He doesn't have any trusted adults to talk to for help, and he has to worry about keeping up a good cover which means not acting any differently than he's supposed to, but he doesn't know if he can go back to Hogwarts and act normal after everything that's happened now. He knows nothing will be the same with the Weasleys now, and Hermione and Harry grew so far apart after the war that he barely remembers what it's like to be around her and Ron anymore. 

He can't ask for help from Dumbledore, which is what he would have done before, and Sirius isn't an option because he's right in Dumbledore's back pocket and Harry honestly doesn't think he can face him yet. That leaves any of the teachers at Hogwarts, which is of course strange because they work so close with Dumbledore that he wouldn't trust them enough to actually ask for help. Who does he know that doesn’t really like Dumbledore and would be willing to help him? 

His first answer would be Narcissa, but she doesn’t know him yet and that would be dangerous for their family simply because he doesn't know how involved with Voldemort they are yet. He knows he doesn't move in with them until the summer before sixth year, so he knows they don't live with him at least, but that doesn't mean he isn’t watching them already. 

His second thought is strange, but it could have some merit to it. Snape. He now knows that Snape made an unbreakable vow to protect Harry, which means that technically, he is the only person that will fully protect him, so he could ask him. 

The problem with that though is how to contact him without gaining any attention from anybody else. If he talks to Snape and asks for help, then he’ll have a very powerful wizard on his side, but the downside to this is that he'd be putting him in a dangerous position, blocked in on both sides by the Light lord and the Dark lord. Of course, Harry now knows that Voldemort would kill Snape if he got the chance, so he could be saving his life, but at the same time it's an equal risk. 

Deciding to think about it tomorrow when he isn't as tired and stressed, he wipes his face off on his towel and gets ready for bed. 

Chapter Text

Harry wakes up to his alarm at nine the next morning and is only slightly confused at his surroundings. Then he remembers where he is and what happened the day before and sighs. He then takes the next ten minutes to put on his day clothes and brush his teeth and hair. 

Satisfied with his appearance Harry heads down to the owlery and feeds Hedwig and croons at her over a rat she caught, much to her delight. 

Next he goes to the kitchen and finds Teeny there already making breakfast. 

“Good morning, Teeny.” He says pleasantly, trying not to let his anxiety over her making the food show. 

It seems to work because Teeny responds cheerfully, telling him that an owl just flew through the wards and was on the way to the owlery. 

“I can go retrieve the letter, Harry.” She offers. 

“Yeah, thank you.” He says before beginning to eat.

It wasn't like nobody had ever made food for Harry before, it's just that he's been making his own food and taking care of himself for years and to have somebody else to live with all of a sudden made him antsy. Despite the fact that Harry did feel lonely before, he also thrived when he was by himself. After all, he spent his whole childhood alone before being thrust into the crazy Hogwarts atmosphere. He had forgotten what it was like to be alone with the dormitories and his friends. After living alone for two years he had gotten used to waking up alone and making himself food, or not on the bad days, and then going to the Ministry. Now he has Teeny here making him food and doing things for him, and he knows that if he got up and tried to do the dishes when he was done she would be heavily offended. 

Teeny re-enters the kitchen with his letter in hand, and after being asked sits down with him to eat breakfast. 

“How did you discover the Ravenclaw Lordship?” Teeny asked suddenly, yet again proving her rather Ravenclaw like curiosity.

“Well, I got a letter at about nine in the morning yesterday from Gringotts about collecting my inheritances, I had had a mail block placed on me previously, and then made arrangements to go to the bank that day. I was at the bank just before I came here and met you.” He tells her honestly. It's crazy to him that so much had happened yesterday. 

“Inheritances? Do you have more than the Revenclaw one?” she asks. 

“Well, I’m a Potter, so I have that Lordship, but I also have the Peverell family Lordship, the Gryffindor family Barony, the Black family Heirship, and the Slytherin family Heirship.” He informs her awkwardly. Its a mouthful to remember. 

Teeny's reaction at least is hilarious. Her eyes are wider than even Dobby’s were whenever they first met. “Wow, so many titles. That's incredible!” She says, voice showing her excitement. 

“I can give you my inheritance file if you want to look through it? It may help to know everything going on with me that way.” He offers, and when she nods he summons the file from the bank and makes a copy to hand to her. “That's the one I got at the bank yesterday.” 

“Thank you.” She says, handing him his letter now that she can see that he's done eating and her curiosity had been sated. She grabs the dishes and moves to the sink to wash up. 

“Thanks Teeny, it was great.” He says distractedly, looking at the ministry seal on the letter. 

Harry quickly opens the letter, much more gently than he did the Gringotts letters, and unfolds the parchment inside. 

                    Dear Heir Harry James Potter,

         I hope this letter finds you well. We witches of the Ministry’s Department for the Welfare of Magical Children (DWMC) are contacting you with concerns over a file sent from your accounts manager at Gringotts. We hope to see you today at one o’clock for a briefing and conference over these concerns. Enclosed within the seal on your letter is a visitors pass which will grant you access to the fourth floor of the Ministry of Magic, which is where we reside. 

         Please note that no lawyer is needed for this meeting, and should you require one, we at the Ministry will provide you with one. 

                                                                                                                                              Sincerely, Adeline Zelby: Head of the Department for the Welfare of Magical Children

True to Miss Zelby’s word, the seal of the envelope did infact have a visitors pass in it to the fourth floor. Harry was somewhat used to this department of the Ministry because he often escorted victims from his missions there in cases where the child’s caretakers were killed or missing and needed someplace to go. 

He was also familiar with Miss Zelby because of this, and because of Teddy. After Remus and Tonks died, Teddy was left to Harry so he had to go and claim guardianship of him and had many welfare checks to make certain he was a good guardian. Like he could be anything else. 

With his familiarity also came relief, because with how strict she was with Harry before, he knows how seriously she takes her job. He trusts her to be unbiased during his case despite who he is and with how the wizarding population views him currently. Of course, the Wizengamot seaters do have to sign vows before all trials involving children now, courtesy of Miss Zelby, so he knows they would be forced to be unbiased anyway. 

An idea hits Harry then, and he has to take a moment of pause at the brilliance of it. The way to solve all of his problems. If his case is serious enough, which he knows it is, then Dumbledore will at the very least be dismissed as the headmaster of Hogwarts, meaning that he won’t have any kind of control over Harry while he's there. Now, here's the most brilliant part: That’s entirely what Minister Fudge wants ! If Harry can talk to Fudge and convince him to help Harry with his case, then he will get what he wants and Harry will have a huge ally on his side. 

He sets the letter down on the counter in front of him and sits back in his chair wide eyed. Holy crap. He may be able to get Dumbledore in Azkaban ! If he goes there then he’ll be in the way of Voldemort when he breaks the Deatheaters out in January and he may even kill him while he's there! Harry wouldn't have to lift a finger towards Dumbledore at all, and by that point Fudge will have gotten what he wanted and will probably take Voldemort’s return more seriously and then Harry will be able to have him on his side to defeat him! He’d only need to set him up and then destroy all of the horcruxes, and he bets he could get Ragnok to help him get the Horcrux out of Bellatrix’s vault instead of breaking in this time. It’s a perfect plan, and a perfect set of events. It almost makes Harry feel bad for being so happy about it, but he just can't. Dumbledore is unforgivable in Harry's eyes, and if he can get him killed without having to put up a fight then he's golden. He's already defeated Voldemort twice, he can do it again. This time with much more intel and preparation than before. Maybe he can even convince Fudge to stay the hell away from Hogwarts with Dolores so he won't have to deal with the pink toad this time around. Though, if he and the Minister are on good terms he may not need to deal with the lady this time at all since she's so far up his ass. 

The thought of Dolores brings his attention to something much more dower than his previous thoughts: Snape. What should he do with him? Since the man is a double agent and he really only works through Dumbledore, he may be in danger if he no longer has something to offer Voldemort. Even if he doesn't need his help anymore with his recent revelations, he should still warn him about what may happen and help him into hiding if need be. While he didn't like the man for treating him so horribly, he also literally made an unbreakable vow to protect Harry. He's a weapon for Harry to use at least, and he's learned from being an Auror that all weapons are valuable if you know how to use them. 

Deciding that he needs to write some letters before he goes out today, Harry quickly summons two sheets of parchment, a quill, and an ink jar from his new office.

        Dear Minister Cornelius Fudge,

             Hello, I hope this letter finds you well. I am unsure if you are aware, but I have been called to the Ministry today for a meeting with the DWMC regarding forming a case against Albus Dumbledore. From what I have seen in the Daily Prophet recently, it seems to me that you are in cahoots with the man and was wondering if you would be up for an impromptu meeting to discuss how this may be able to benefit the both of us. 

            If you are at all interested, my meeting is at one o’clock this afternoon and will probably last the better part of two hours. 

                                                                                                                                  Sincerely, Heir Harry James Potter

Crossing his fingers the Minister actually sees this he seals it in an envelope and applies strong wards to protect it from getting into the wrong hands.

           Dear Professor Snape,

                Hello, I hope you are in good health this summer. I would usually be much more polite but I doubt you want to hear that so I'll just get straight to the point. I know you are the reason Voldemort went after my parents, and coincidentally, my mother. I also know you made an unbreakable vow to protect me after because I am her son. 

               With this aside, I'd like to inform you of some things and ask for your help. My accounts manager at Gringotts sent in a case against Dumbledore for child neglect, endangerment, and abuse, as well as line theft, and since the man was my magical guardian he will obviously be removed as such when the charges drop. In all honesty, you're the only other adult I know who isn't either untrustworthy or thoroughly in Dumbledore’s pocket. 

              Because of these things I was hoping you would consider becoming my magical/legal guardian until I become of age because I refuse to go back to my muggle relatives and besides them I have no other adults who could possibly do it. And before you think of the Weasleys, I should let you know that they also participated somewhat in the line theft case and I am still undecided about pressing charges against them. Sirius is obviously not an option because he trusts Dumbledore so much and because he’s still technically on the run.

             If you decide to help me, I would be very grateful, and I would also not require much from you besides your signature on some documents. I am already living in one of the properties I inherited and have a house elf taking care of me which is more than fine for me to live properly. Also, sir, if we could keep this between us I would be very thankful because for once in my life I just want to get some privacy. The things going on in my trial are honestly embarrassing and I don't want anybody to know about it at all. 

                                                                                                                                      Sincerely, Heir Harry James Potter

Harry rereads this letter multiple times, wondering if he should even send it at all. He was honest in saying that he won't live with the Weasleys or his relatives, and Sirius isn't an option for obvious reasons. It's awkward, yes, but Harry has to have a legal guardian and Snape is his best and pretty much only option. Plus, he is Draco’s godfather, so if he saves him in this timeline and gets in his favor even a little then he may win some points with Draco, since he plans on apologizing and marrying him.

After rereading it for the fifth time Harry decides to just send the damn thing and move on. The worst thing he’ll do is say no and be even more of a git than before, which honestly doesn't matter to Harry because he has much bigger things to worry about. 

Folding the letter and putting it into another warded envelope, this time so it doesn't get opened around other people, Harry gets up to give the letters to Hedwig and tells Teeny that he plans on leaving soon and that he would like her to come with him for new clothes. Exasperated, she tells him he needn’t do it but he just smiles and walks to the owlery. 

Since he already grabbed his book list from upstairs, and because he remembers the damn books, he is already ready to go by the time he’s done with Hedwig. 

He heads down to the floo room and finds Teeny already waiting for him, looking nervous. 

“Listen, Teeny. If it bothers you so much, we can transition into clothes slowly, how about that?” He asks her, kneeling so that he’s at her height. 

“How do you mean?” She ask curiously. 

“Well, we could get you some nicer pilowcases? Instead of one that looks like a rag.” He says, amused by her behaviour. He gets it, really, he just also thinks that wearing clothes shouldn’t have to be such a big deal for the poor thing. 

“T-that is much more appealing to Teeny.” She says, happy that he’s decided to compromise with her and wasn't going to force her into something she didn't want. 

“Alright then. It's already ten o’clock, and we should be back here by twelve thirty so I can get ready for my meeting, so let's go.” He says, trying to sound enthusiastic. 

She nods at him with a smile, so he thinks he succeeds, and grabs his arm to apparate them to Diagon Alley.

When they come out at the Diagon Alley apparition point there's already a huge crowd of people in the Alley. Harry assumes it's because school is starting soon and people are getting their last minute shopping done like he is. He grabs Teeny’s hand so she doesn’t get lost and gently drags her after him out of the crowded area. The first item on his list is a new trunk, because his old one from the Dursleys is horrible. 

While working as an Auror Harry was constantly traveling so he needed a nice trunk for his stuff and discovered the blessing that is enchanted trunks. There’s all sorts of enchantments that you can get on them and he wants to use one now to be able to carry more things with him to Hogwarts and also to keep his stuff protected. Since he’ll probably be bringing the horcruxes that he finds in the next couple of days with him to Hogwarts for safe keeping it's imperative that he has a good safe space for them. He knows that he’s the only one currently who knows where the room of requirement it so he may keep a trunk in the junk room for safe keeping. 

He tells Teeny his plan and hurries through the crowd towards the trunk shop. Once inside he finds a free salesman to tell him what he wanted. The trunk he had Before had four expanded compartments. One had a closet space, one had a small library, one had a food storage space, and the other was for potion storage. He had considered getting the same one as before but doesn't think it particularly fits his current needs. 

He’ll need a space for his broom and school books, as well as a compartment for his new clothes and school robes. He’ll then of course need a compartment with heavy wards for the horcruxes, and then a space for his own books.

“Hello sir! What kind of trunk are you looking for?” The salesman says with a charming smile. Well, somebody else may find it charming, but Harry had seen and heard Vernon using the same kind of smile and was never fooled. 

“I’m looking for a large shrinkable trunk with four compartments.” He tells the man politely. 

“Alright then! And what kinds of enchantments do you want on those compartments? We have a very large variety, so anything you need we’ll be able to provide.” The man says, summoning a piece of parchment and quill to write down Harry's order. 

“I need one of the compartments with the closet enchantment, one with a deep enough extending charm for my broom, but wide enough for my school books to fit. Maybe shelves on the side? And then I need a full library compartment.” Harry says quickly and watches as the man hurry's to write down everything he says. When he seems to near the end of Harry’s first order he continues. “I need the fourth compartment to have the strongest wards you offer, inside and outside. I want it to be locked on the outside and locked again inside the trunk with blood locks if possible, and I need it to have four shutting boxes inside it that also have blood locks on them. Is that do able?” Harry asks him. 

The man quickly nods, and Harry internally cringes at how excited he looks. This is going to be expensive . “Yes, absolutely sir. Do you have any preferences for color? We have special designs for Hogwarts students that are fifty percent off right now.” He says while leading Harry over to a book with different colors and trunk designs. 

“Uhm, no, just black leather please.” He says awkwardly as the book is thrust into his hands. He pauses when one of them catches his eye though and makes a new request. “Actually, can I get it with black dragonhide on the outside? And have silver for the latches and stuff.” He asks. 

“Yes, of course! If you’ll follow me to the front I’ll get started on your trunk. It should take an hour to make.” The man says as he quickly walks away. Harry and Teeny follow, both slightly winded with how fast the man was walking and talking and moving from one thing to the next. 

“Yeah, alright.” Harry mutters, knowing the man wouldn't even hear him but didn’t want to be rude just in case he did. 

Once at one of the counter like stations the man grabs a large plain wooden box and multiple sheets of dragon hide. He then starts to magically attach the dragon hide to the wood and adds on silver metal clasps on each corner of the trunk. Now that the stuff is on it Harry feels like he made the right choice, because it looks quite nice. 

“What do you think, Teeny? Should I have added anything else?” He asks her, feeling the need to include her since he had dragged her along with him. 

“I think it looks great! Very distinguished and clean.” She tells him proudly. She had been a bit worried when he came to the palace the day before in such run down clothes. No heir or lord should ever look so undistinguished in public. While his robes today were still a bit run down and cheap, they were much better than the muggle clothes he had been wearing before. 

“Good, I’ll need your opinion on some stuff since I’m not very good with choosing colors and such. I'm sure it’ll help to have your opinion.” He tells her while nodding his head at her words. The salesman had only looked up once during their conversation, mild bewilderment on his face, but Harry ignored him in favor of Teeny. The man had been smart enough to stay quiet and continue working on the trunk. 

It now had a completely finished exterior and the inside was also coming along nicely. Harry could see one of the compartments with a few upwards slanting shelves, the library compartment, and another wider one with similar shelving that went farther down which he assumed was the compartment for his broom and school supplies. The compartment the man was currently working on was the closet one, he could tell because of the hanging rod and drawers the man was installing currently. Figuring that this would probably take a while more Harry decided to walk around and look at the other types of travel supplies they sold. 

They had various different open trunks displaying the different types of enchantments they offer, as well as one you can walk into that has a whole bedroom inside it. 

That one would have been great for work trips, Harry mused. 

The only thing that was interesting in the store was the extendable school bag that was on sale at the front of the store. Harry had never seen or heard of anything like it on sale and was intrigued. It reminded him of the bag Hermione had made when they were on the horcruxe hunt and he knew he had to get one. 

Taking in the selection at the front of the store Harry decided to grab the black bag with silver stitching and a black shoulder strap. He takes the bag upfront and sets it with the trunk, telling the man that he would purchase it too. The man just nods enthusiastically and writes it on the receipt he had created for Harry.

After another thirty minutes in the store the salesman finishes and presents Harry with his total. All in all, the trunk was 250 galleons and the bag was seven, which Harry thought was decently reasonable. He easily pays the bill by writing a check for the store for his Ravenclaw vault and shrinks his trunk into his pocket. 

Now that he’s got his trunk, Harry and Teeny head to their next stop: Flourish and Blotts. He needed to get his fifth year book list and also an updated book, if possible, on creature inheritances. However, upon asking the store worker tells him sourly that they don't have any books on creature inheritances in stock due to them being related to dark magic, and that since they sell school books that they don’t supply them anymore. Harry is upset by this, because it's annoying that he has to go and find them somewhere else, and also because it's terribly dangerous for kids to have no access to the books. When he asks her where he could find them, the worker tells him quietly that Borgin and Burkes always have darker leaning or just completely dark books in stock and to check there. 

He thanks her and has Teeny put his school books into his trunk before heading over to Madam Malkins.

Upon entering the store Harry finds the madam in the back with a younger wizard, probably an upcoming first year, who gapes at him when he sees his scar. Harry just grimaces at the expression and goes to look at the robe selection. 

He ends up picking out several differently designed and cut black robes, as well as a few blue, maroon, and green ones to honor his houses. Teeny seems to like the blue the most and hesitantly tells him that he should get a pair with silver stitching as well. He agrees immediately, having failed to see them, and grabs them and adds them to the pile in his arms. When he hears the bell to the shop ring again, Harry looks and sees that the boy finally left and he brings his pile over to the madam. 

“Excuse me? Could I have these all fitted please?” He asks her politely, knowing that he would soon be in close contact with her sewing needles. 

“Of course dear, step on up here and we’ll see what were working with.” She says kindly, gesturing to a rack for the robes in his arms and a stool for him to stand on. She quickly gets a measuring tape out and starts to get his measurements, pointing her wand to the clothes on the rack and one by one putting them on a manikin of his size and fitting them to its shape. Overall, the process was interesting to watch now that he could actually see what she was doing and he was impressed by the ingenuity of it. Instead of having the robs on himself, she seems to have a re shape able manikin that she then transfigures to the size she measures and puts the robs on that to avoid having to pin on her costumers. 

Since she didn’t seem to need Harry anymore, he asks her what his pant measurement should be, politely, and he then goes and gets a very large selection of pants. Most were jean like in texture, while some were like sweat pants. He gets an assoutment of colors, though mostly black, and puts them in a basket beside the clothes rack with his robes on it. He then asks Teeny to grab him some socks from the shelf on the other side of the store while he grabs new underwear and undershirts. 

Happy, with his new collection of clothes, which he was sure would also be expensive, heads back over to Madam Malkin and sees that she has just finished the last set of robes. 

“Have you finished your shopping dear?” She asks him while calculating his total. 

“Yes ma’am, thank you.” He responds.

“You’ve got quite the collection here. Did you grow out of all your old clothes this summer?” She asks him, skeptical given his small size. At this point in his life Harry is definitely not short, around 5’7, but since he's so skinny it makes him look much smaller than he should be. 

“Well, I didn’t have much to begin with, but you could say that.” Harry says slightly amused. He did grow this summer, in a way, just not physically. 

“Alright dear, totals 107 galleons and three sickles. Here’s a check.” She says, handing him a blank check to write out for the bank. 

He quickly fills it out and asks Teeny once again to put them in his trunk. Before he leaves he decides to ask the woman for her opinion on what robes to wear today too, just in case he can’t decide later. 

“I have a meeting today at the ministry and want to look presentable, what do you think would be best from what I bought today?” He asks her politely.

“Well,” she says, looking pleased to be asked her opinion, “I think a black robe with those lovely green pants would look dashing on you, dear. With your eyes, I mean. And of course black shoes to go with them.” 

“Thank you. I only have Teeny with me to help decide what to wear so I wanted a professional opinion too." Harry says, laying the flattery on a heavy. 

“Oh, I wouldn't say that!” She says, hand over her heart. 

“You do own one of the most successful wizarding shops in the Alley so I’d say you’re one.” He tells her. It's easy to say because it's true, it's just not something he would say normally. He doesn't really know why he's flattering her so much, but being nice isn't hard and she did help him for free, and he did want her opinion, so it can’t hurt. 

“Thank you dear, that’s quite kind.” She says before hurrying off to help a costumer that just walked in. 

Harry and Teeny take the dismissal as it is and leave the store, now heading off to gather the required potions ingredients for the year. The visit was boring and simple because Harry only needed a few things and didn't really care much for potions. He learned that after becoming an Auror there wasn’t really any point to having a potions NEWT because they just buy potions anyway. He had decided to ask Professor Mcgonagall if he could switch his Divination and Care of Magical Creatures OWL classes out for Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, because he was much more interested in those subjects and they were much more useful. While he loved Hagrid there really was no point to the class and he already took it so there was no point for him to retake it this time. Because of the class change he had had to buy those books off of a list at Flourish and Blotts, but since he's already a fifth year and hadn't taken the classes earlier he decided to buy the third year books since he would probably be placed with them. He was still undecided about changing his potions class out for something else, but for now he would keep it. 

Leaving the potions store, Harry realizes that the only place left to go is Borgin and Burkes for the Creature Inheritance book. It's already eleven thirty which means he only has an hour before he needs to go home so he has to be kind of quick.

The thought of going into Knockturn Alley made him nervous, since even the people in Diagon were giving him dirty looks. He can’t imagine, well he probably can , actually, the way the people of Knockturn would look at him.  

With this in mind, Harry pulls his inner Gryffindor out and hurrys into the small entrance to the Alley with Teeny. Unlike Diagon, Knockturn is pretty much empty. Either all of its inhabitants were shopping already or there weren’t any. 

Thankful he remembers the way to Borgins he hurrys to the store. 

As an Auror he had had to come and check the objects sold here more than once for one case or another, since people who stole or had a lot of dark items often sold them to the store to get them off of their hands for inspections. He knew how Borgin worked and knew that he would probably try and scam Harry since he’s a supposed “light” wizard and all. 

Another thing he had learned as he got older was things like houses and light and dark don't really matter as much as most people think they do. At all. And it wasn't even that magic was involved when it came to being light or dark, it was simply a matter of political views, like the stupid Americans and their red and blue people. The light believed that magical creatures were less than and shouldn't have a part in society, while the dark believed that they should. This is of course very simplified, but it's still true! And Remus is a werewolf, so doesn’t that mean he, and in relation, Harry, would be a dark wizard? If they use the actual meaning and not just kids terms and stuff? Plus, Harry has a creature inheritance! Know what that means? He’s part magical creature! It made Harry angry that Britain was so ridiculous because other countries just didn’t have these kinds of problems. 

Breaking off from his internal tangent, Harry approached Borgins and quickly stepped inside. Besides one or two people lingering in the store, there weren’t that many people. None that Harry recognized at least. 

He slowly made his way over to the book section, not touching any out of fear of being cursed. 

It took him a while to find the section he was looking for, but while he had been looking he found many other interesting books that he wanted to read too. A specific one about Goblin culture was especially intriguing and he decided to buy that one, two on creature inheritances, and three more about Goblins and other magical creatures. He was hoping to find something about Ice Veelas because he had never heard of them before. 

After collecting his books, making sure they weren’t cursed first, they head up to the front of the store to pay. The books should only be thirty galleons total, but he knows Borgin will put up a fight for sixty, which Harry will not buy them for. Ten galleons a book is ridiculous. 

“Excuse me? I’m ready to check out.” He says, getting the attention of Borgin and setting the books down. 

“Well, if it isn’t Harry Potter.” He says with a sneer, taking in the books on the counter. 

“Yup, that's me.” Harry says, not letting the mans attempted intimidation get to him. 

It seems to cause the man to lose interest in intimidating him, seeing as it wasn’t working, because he continues talking. “Those’ll be sixty Galleons.” 

“Thirty.” Harry says quickly, not letting the man get to him. 

“Excuse me?” Borgin asks, glaring at the child in front of him furiously. While it isn't advertised that people can bargain, it is a thrift store, and Harry knows from his visits here before that you’re allowed to. 

“I’ll do thirty or take my business elsewhere.” Harry says, remaining nonchalant. He pulls out thirty galleons and sets them on the glass counter, only to be interrupted by Teeny. 

“Harry, look at that courting bracelet. That would be perfect for your first gift.” She says, pointing at a beautiful yet simple emerald and black diamond bracelet in the display case. Unlike some of the other pieces under the counter, this one wasn’t marked with the usual warnings of death. It seemed to be just an ordinary bracelet. 

“My first gift? What are you talking about?” He asks her, confused with what she could be talking about. 

“For your betrothed!” She say indignantly, surprising Harry, “please tell me you were planning on properly courting him.” 

“Oh, that will have to be one of the things you teach me Teeny, but if you like it then we’ll get it. I agree that he would like it, though I don’t understand how you would?” He tells her, not surprised she had already looked over his file, though he’s glad she hasn’t said his name yet. 

“I read many books on the sacred twenty eight. I recognized the family.” She tells him dead pan. She hadn’t realized how much Harry didn’t know. 

“Eh, how much trouble will you give me if I say I didn’t know they were part of the sacred twenty eight?” He asks her awkwardly, only receiving a glare in return. 

The man at the counter, who was now much more interested in the deal, was quick to jump into the pause. “You want the green and black bracelet down here?” He asks, opening the case to pull it out.

“Yes, is it adjustable? With magic, I mean.” Harry asks, taking the offered bracelet and looking over it carefully. He even casts a few detection charms to make sure. It really does seem to be just a bracelet though. 

“Yes, with a simple adjusting charm it should work just fine.” He tells him with a wave of his hand. “I’ll do 520 for the bracelet and the books.” He says, acting like its a burden to offer that amount.

“500.” Harry says, just because he wanted to be annoying. The bracelet is real, Harry knows because Borgin prides himself in getting the best quality, and probably an expensive heirloom or something. If this was muggle money it would be worth well over 3,000 dollars so he isn’t going to fight too much on the price. 

“Alright.” The man says, trying to act like its a terrible loss despite the fact that his eyes were crinkled in the corners from how hard he had to try and stop himself from grinning. 

Harry quickly writes the man a check to his Ravenclaw account for 500 galleons and has Teeny once again put his purchases into it before he reshrinks it and puts it into his pocket.

“Good doing business with you, sir.” Harry says as he leaves the store, not waiting for a reply. 

Harry quickly begins to make his way out of the alley, only to be stopped by a grey owl flying straight into his face. “Oh my god!” He shouts, reaching out to grab the bird blindly. Why the hell is there an owl flying like that in the middle of the road? 

“Potter!” An angry voice shouts, filling Harry with dread. He knows that voice. The last time he heard it it was strained and choked. The voice of a dying man. A dead man. 

“Professor Snape?” He asks, looking at the man nervously. He was probably a laughable sight right now, with his face no doubt scratched up and a dazed owl held awkwardly in his arms. 

“What, are you doing in Knockturn Alley? You should know it isn’t safe for you to be here right now!” The man says, leaning down to whisper the last part to Harry as he looks around furiously for other people. 

“I had to go to Borgins for a few books. Why was your owl looking for me?” Harry says, knowing that the only way to go with Snape was honesty. 

“The letter you sent was extremely vague. We need to talk about everything you just told me and you need to be honest.” The man drawled, looking for the first time at the owl in his hands. 

“Well, I have a meeting in thirty minutes at the ministry and now I need to fix my face because of your bird, so if we could take this back to my place where there are less ears that would be great.” Harry says with a snarl. He was willing to trust Snape with his life, but he wouldn’t be pushed around and talked to like he was shit anymore. 

“Don’t talk to me that way!” Snape says, a matching snarl on his face. 

“Then don’t be an ass!” Harry practically shouts. “Now, are you coming or not? I really need to go.” Harry says impatiently. 

Instead of replying verbally, Snape just gestures with a complete look of disdain on his face for Harry to lead the way. He takes the win as it is and quickly walks with Snape to the Knockturn apparition point and turns to the man. 

“You’ll have to side along with Teeny and I to get through the wards.” Harry says, grabbing the man’s arm tightly before he could protest and thinks of the palace.

Snape quickly lets go of Harry’s arm as soon as his feet hit the ground again. “Do you know how dangerous what you just did is!?” He asks furiously, and rightfully so, he thinks. 

“Oh, would you get off of my ass? I clearly know how to apparate, and seeing as we’re both fine it doesn't even matter!” The insolent child said, walking away from him quickly. 

“Don’t walk away from me! What is the meaning of all of this?” Snape snaps at the child. 

“Look,” he says, finally turning towards him, “I really do have a meeting at the ministry in less than thirty minutes. I can give you some files to go through and give Teeny permission to answer any of your questions, but I can’t stay and explain right now. If you want to come back at five o’clock, I can give you the floo address and open the wards to you, or you can stay here and wait for me to come back.” 

“Why are you pressing charges against Albus?” Snape demands, not responding to the invitation as he followed the child who was still walking. He would of course return later to ask more questions, but he wants to know as much as he can now. 

“Because, I went to Gringgots yesterday and they sent a letter to the ministry requiring them to look into pressing charges. He is without a doubt going to be removed from Hogwarts this year, I literally can’t think of a way for him to get out of this.” He explained, and Snape only had more questions. 

“What did he do that made them report him to the ministry?” Snape asks, still speed walking behind the boy as he made his way across what appears to be a palace or castle of some kind. He’s honestly walking too fast right now to be able to pay attention to his surroundings. 

“A ton of crap, but I’ll explain later. Now, unless you want to watch me change clothes I suggest you follow Teeny into the sitting area and let her explain some things to you. She doesn’t know everything, but she knows a lot.” Harry says to the man, now turning to Teeny who snaps to attention. “Tell him about everything besides the last thing I told you about last night. The Death and the Time stuff are no goes for now.” He orders and she nods quickly before turning to lead the bat like man out of the room. 

“I will be here at five, and you better explain what’s going on properly if you want my help.” Snape says before following the elf out. 

With Snape gone, Harry sighs. He hadn’t expected the man to come and find him in the Alley. He just thought he would respond and be a git before accepting or denying Harry’s request. He’s glad he at least listened to him though, because having to knock out Snape would not be easy and he really didn’t want to have to kidnap his professor. 

Taking his new trunk out of his pocket, Harry quickly unshrinks it and heads to the bathroom to fix his face and put his clothes on. He decided to do as Madam Malkin said and wear the emerald green robes with black pants and shoes. His face was only slightly scratched up so he drank a healing potion and quickly changed. Its now ten till his meeting so he needs to be leaving right now to make it to the ministry on time. 

Checking his appearance in the mirror one more time, Harry messes with his hair and then practically sprints out of his bedroom all the way to the floo room. 

Chapter Text

Harry feels as his feet hit the ground, barely stumbling through the ministry’s floo entrance. He quickly makes his way to the check in desk and swipes his badge from his letter across the top of it and is easily let through. He walks to the elevators feeling like he should be heading to the Auror office, but remembers once he steps in with the ministry workers and is swallowed by their height that he is young again. Since he had been forced into the back corner of the elevator, the closest wizard to the buttons asked him, as is polite, what floor he needed to travel to. 

As Harry's luck would have it, the wizard was none other than Lucius Malfoy. While it doesn't necessarily matter if the man knows he's going to the fourth floor, seeing as he will be overseeing his trial with the other Wizengamot members, it still makes Harry nervous to see him with everything that he knows now. 

“Fourth floor, Lord Malfoy.” Harry says politely, trying not to let his nerves show. Now that Harry is in public, and interacting with people he once knew, it makes it more real to him that he's really in the past and that almost everything he ever knew is now different. 

Lucius doesn’t seem to notice, or care, about his nerves, but his eyebrow raises slightly at being called by his proper title. Nevertheless, he pushes the button and goes back to pretending like he's the only one in the elevator. 

Since Harry came in on the 0th floor, and the floors go downward, he was the first off the elevator, making for an uncomfortable squeeze past the elevator's other occupants. He rushes by though, already very familiar with how little time he has to get off, and feels the air hit his back as the doors close behind him. 

The hallway he comes out in has soft cream colored walls with pastel flowers painted along them. If anybody stepped off on this floor accidently, they could easily guess it had something to do with children. Harry walks down the hallway calmly, relaxed now that he's finally here and not going to be late, and makes his way to the soft blue check in desk. 

“Hi, my name is Harry Potter. I have an appointment with Miss Zelby, could you tell me where her office is?” He politely asks the woman at the desk. 

She nods her head and tells him which hallway to go down and which side of the hallway her office is on, and Harry thanks her before walking down the hallway on the right of the desk. Of course, Harry does know where Miss Zelby’s office is in the future, but he doesn’t know if it's the same now, so he thought to ask. 

It's a good thing he does, because it is different. 

Now that he's standing in front of the door, a light orangy-pink color, Harry reads the name tag by the door, just to make sure, and knocks once he sees her name. 

“Come in!” A kind, older female voice calls from inside the room, the door clicking open without Harry even having to touch it. 

Adeline Zelby is an old witch with a kind face and an even kinder heart. All the times Harry has met her before he's looked at her and hoped that his own grandmother was like her, because it's just how she acts. Like a kind grandmother. She's the perfect person to head a department for children, really, Harry can't think of anyone better. 

“Mr. Potter! Come in, have a seat! Would you like tea?” She says quickly, though Harry doesn't feel overwhelmed by it, just glad that the woman is happy to see him. 

“Yes please, ma’am.” He answers politely, taking a seat in the offered chair, this one pink and the other beside him orange. 

“Of course, of course.” She says, waving away a piece of paper with her wand, which comes back as a tea tray on the desk between them. “How are you, dear?” She asks, pouring him a cup of tea. 

“I’ve been better. Yesterday was…not good.” Not good? That's an understatement, but Harry thinks it's the best way to honestly explain. Now that he’s actually here, the full weight of what he's doing hits him full force. 

In the Before, Harry never really told anybody about his time with the Dursleys. Besides the Weasley twins, Ron, and some of the Order members, nobody ever saw his room there, and Harry had learned from a young age that he was better off not talking about what happened in that house. Now though, Harry is expected to tell this witch everything, and it's terrifying. The control the Dursleys still have on him despite being out of his life now makes him want to throw up. 

His nerves must have shown on his face, because Miss Zelby looks much more concerned now. “Are you alright, dear?” She asks, much softer than before. “It's okay if you're nervous, I know it must be hard for you right now with the little I got from the goblins, and with all that’s been in the Prophet.” 

“I’ve never told anybody about any of this before.” Harry admits quietly. “A-and now I feel like the choice was ripped from me, because Griphook had to report it, so now I have to talk about it and I'm scared.” He says quickly, the confession making him feel small. 

“I’m sorry dear, we can take things slowly today if you want to, I'm in no rush now that I know you're out of such a bad environment and being taken care of properly.” She tells him, placing her hand on his carefully, like he's a scared animal she doesn't want to frighten.

“No, I need to tell you. I just don't know what to say. About the muggles, that is. Dumbledore is just an old loon, I can tell you all about him. He’s the real problem.” He says, remembering the real reason he's here. He doesn't care what happens to the Dursleys, but he needs Dumbledore in Azkaban, which means he needs to drop as much dirt on him while he’s here as he can. 

“Well, if you're more comfortable talking about him we can start there.” She says while pulling a file form out of her desk. Harry sees his name on the cover. “This is the file your account manager sent me yesterday. It has your health test on it, as well as proof of Dumbldore’s guardianship and your magical emancipation, among other things. I'll ask you some questions based on what’s in there and see if we can figure out what really happened, okay?” She asks. 

“Okay.” 

“First things first, were you aware before yesterday that Dumbledore was your magical guardian?” She asks calmly. 

“No, I had no idea what a magical guardian was, and definitely not that I had one,” He tells her. 

“So before you went to Hogwarts you didn't know who he was?” She asks him, a quill scratching separately beside her, most likely writing down what they were saying. 

“I didn't even know what magic was before Hagrid came and told me I was a wizard.” He says, realizing now that he's said it how ridiculous that is. Miss Zelby seems to agree, because her eyebrows shoot up. 

“But your file states that you have a creature inheritance! Surely you must have been told?” 

“No, if you take a look at the medical or physical test, it says that I had a block on it, so even if I didn't know it wouldn't matter because it wouldn't awaken.” He says. 

“Yes, I did see that, but I just thought it was a precaution for the muggles you lived with, until you were able to present. You mean to tell me you think it was permanent?” 

“I didn't know what a creature inheritance was until yesterday, and I still don't fully understand what it means. I had to buy some books on it today so that I can read up on it.” He tells her.

“That's- alright.” She says, furiously writing something down with her own quill on the paper. “And just to make sure, the goblins did remove all of the compulsions yesterday?” She asks him, still writing. 

“Yes, when we found out Griphook immediately sent a letter to the healer and got me into his office within minutes. As far as I was told, they removed all of the magical compulsions on me and gave me a nourishment potion to help with my malnourishment. I think I have to go to St Mungo’s to get the physical stuff fixed.” He says with a wince, not looking forward to what he believed would be many skel-e-gro potions and healing sessions. 

He had thought that Ragnok was going to fix his body and eyes as well when he was at the bank, but he only was able to fix his malnourishment and heal some of the bruises and cuts he had. The breaks and fractures were too large scale to do at one time, and since they are goblins it would be best if Harry went to a wizarding hospital instead.

“And you haven't gone yet? Is that something you and the person you are hoping to make your new guardian are going to fix before school starts?” She asks him, making it obvious that she wanted to know who the person was as well. 

“I haven't yet, but I plan to. Probably tomorrow? With the amount of damage they will need to fix I dont think it will be a quick appointment, but once it's done I can send you the updated medical file to use for the trial.” He says, still omitting Snape for now. 

“And what is the extent of the damage, exactly? It only says what they are, not how much, yet you make it seem like there's a lot of damage.” She asks, setting her own quill down again and letting her magical one get back to writing. 

“I thought we were talking about Dumbledore first.” He says with a bit of a pout, not really ready to talk about the Dursleys yet. 

“Well, if you want to really incriminate Dumbledore, which I'm gathering that you do, then the more we have to use against him the better. A verbal account of what happened to you while under his ‘care’ would be helpful.” 

“But can’t I just send the report from the hospital and use that as evidence? I can even write down in Veri-Ink what caused each break on the form, I just don't want to talk about it.” He tells her, hoping that she'll understand. “I don't care what happens to the muggles, I won't ever have to see them again if everything goes well with this trial. I just want Dumbledore in prison for what he did to me. My whole life would be different if he hadn’t involved himself! I probably could have gone to Augusta Longbottom, since Alice was my Blood Mother, I’m pretty much her grandson because of that! My guardianship should have gone to her.” He tells her angrily, the thought of Dumbledore practically making his blood boil, as it has done since he found out about his crimes.

Now that the blocks have been removed, his physical appearance has begun to shift to look more like his blood parents, Sirius and Alice. He can see a little resemblance to Neville in the way his ears are shaped now, which is definitely weird. He and Neville have always been friends, so finding out they are brothers is weird. Like somehow they knew, subconsciously, that they belonged with the other. Just another thing Dumbledore stole from him.

“Alright, I get it dear. We can certainly use Veri-Ink to get a written account for the injuries.” She says with a smile. “So you are wanting to press charges against Dumbledore, yes? I need that confirmation from you so I can begin making a case. We can add on to the list of charges as we talk today, and any other things that come up after will be added to the sheet.” She says while pulling another file from her drawer and setting a paper in front of him with a quill.

The paper was a regular consent form used by the ministry to get approval to press charges on behalf of another person. Since Harry is technically still a minor, even though the trace is gone, he would need the ministry to act as his temporary guardian and represent him in the trial, seeing as Snape hasn’t agreed yet and can’t have his cover blown anyway. 

“I definitely do. I don't feel comfortable knowing that someone like that is in the same building as me, or that he's allowed to walk freely and potentially do what he did to me to somebody else." Harry tells her, taking the quill. “Did you see that he had me under anti-Malfoy charms? Do you know why?” He asks her as he signs the allotted places. 

“No, I don't. Why?” She asks, looking back at the paper and seeing that he did indeed have anti-Malfoy charms. 

“It’s because he set up a betrothal with the youngest Weasley daughter and I, and since me and the Malfoy heir are betrothed by an old marriage contract he wanted to overrule it. However, since the one with the Malfoy heir is older it will come into effect instead.” He tells her, enjoying watching her connect the dots in her mind. “Meaning that both Draco and I would have lost our magic once we turned twenty-one, no matter what the contract said.”

“But that's line theft!” She says furiously, looking at the pages of his file and seeing that he also had pro-Weasley compulsions on him. “So he set you up to be with the girl? Do you know if he had access to your accounts at all? He may have been sending them money over the years as compensation!” She asks him, her quill writing even faster than before. 

“Griphook had my accounts closed until I came of age, so no, he didn't touch my money. And yes, it is line theft. I've spent a lot of time with the Weasleys over the years because I'm friends with Ron, the youngest Weasley, and since yesterday I've realized just how much he annoys me. I don't think I would have become friends with him if I didn't have those compulsions on me.” He says with a shrug, knowing now that he and Ron would stop being friends in the future once Harry loses his value to him and his family. It makes sense now that he knows everything why Ron stopped talking to him. It makes him think about Hermione too, he still doesn't know what to think about her. 

On one hand, he doesn't seem to have any compulsions for her, and he does think they could become friends, especially now that she's become more humble and social. And she did continue to send him letters every once in a while, so maybe it's not a lost cause? He'll have to see  her in person and figure out how he feels then. The only problem with being friends with her is that she’s in love with Ron. He would rather lose Hermione and let her be with who she loves than take her for himself.

“That's awful dear, I'm so sorry that this has happened to you.” She says sadly. “Have you ever thought about pressing charges for the use of your name in products and the like?” She asks him, making him a little confused at the sudden topic change.
“What do you mean?” He asks.

“Well, you're a minor, so your legal guardian would have had to consent to the use of your name and ‘face’ on all the Harry Potter merchandise and kids stories and news articles. Since Dumbledore clearly did something less than legal to gain guardianship, would you want to press charges for that too? Also, you mentioned that Weasley contract, did you actually look at its conditions? Because they could help us to further incriminate him, and the Weasley family, since they had to have agreed to the contract for it to be signed.” She asks him, a serious look now replacing her kind one. 

Harry loves this woman more and more every time she opens her mouth. 

“I didn't even know I could sue for that, but I definitely want to. I apparently am a majority owner of the Daily Profit, so I was going to go to their office and put a stop to the crap they've been doing this summer anyway, but if I can sue the people behind all of it that would be awesome.” He says with a grin, thinking about all he could put on Skeeter for her stories. 

“Then we can work on that too.” She says with a nod. “And the contract?” 

“I haven't seen it, but I can get it easily enough.” He says, making plans to ask Griphook tonight for the papers. 

“Alright, I'll add all of that to your contract okay?” She asks. 

“Yeah, go for it.” He tells her, watching as she adds onto the paper he signed. 

“So, just to clarify one last time, you wish to press charges against Albus Dumbledore for child neglect, use of unlawful compulsions against a minor, being an accomplice in child abuse, illegal possesion of a minor, illegal drawing of a marriage contract, and line theft. Am I missing anything else?” She asks.

“How about child endangerment?” He says, the idea coming to him beautifully. He would love to get Dumbledore in trouble for everything he's put Harry, and in turn Ron and Hermione, through over the years.

“On what grounds?” She asks non-accusingly. 

“Let’s start with the fact that he hid the literal Philosopher's stone at Hogwarts in a non-magically guarded corridor at the school where the door could be opened by a simple Alohomora and had a Cerberus behind it.” He says sarcastically. He doesn't know if he should tell her everything, because that’s a lot of stuff to get into and he’s already getting close to the two hour mark, but he thinks an example like that is a pretty good one. 

 “Okay, until we have Veritasium, I'm just going to tell you to prepare some examples to use when asked at the trial.” She says, adding on to the list. 

“Okay, I can do that.” He says, going to say something else when a golden airplane flies into the office, landing in Harry's lap. 

“That's a letter from the minister!” Miss Zelby says.

“Yeah, I think I'm going to head to his office after this, but let me see first.” He tells her, opening the letter carefully.

            Dear Mister Potter,

I am certainly interested in hearing what you have to say today! Please stop by my office once you are done in the DWMC, preferably between two and four o’clock!

Sincerely, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge

Harry grinned at the letter, very happy with the response. The minister sounds like he just won the lottery, but Harry is the one who really won here. If he can actually get the minister into his pocket today, Harry's work will be cut down significantly, as will his stress.

“Is there something wrong?” Miss Zelby asks, confused by his grin and the letter in general. Harry decides to give her some grace and explain. 

“The minister is only being so horrible in the profit, and by horrible I mean targeting me and Dumbledore, because he is scared it's just the old loon trying to steal his position as minister. Since he doesn't like Dumbledore, and my case could easily get Dumbledore completely stripped of all power and titles, I thought it would be a good idea to use it to get on the minister's good side." Harry explains, holding up the letter for her to read. 

She takes a moment to read and to think over what he's said before a strange look comes onto her face. “You're a gryffindor, aren't you?” She asks him sceptically. 

“Yes?” He answers, confused.

“It’s just that that's a very cunning way to think about your own abuse, Harry. Very slytherin.” She says, both praising and a bit scolding. 

“Oh,” he says, not even thinking of it as abuse from Dumbledore, but it is, isn't it? “It just doesn't feel real yet, you know?” He asks her. 

“No, I don't. What do you mean?” She asks.

“I only figured out all of this yesterday, and now I'm sitting here with you plotting the downfall of somebody I've looked up to and admired for years, questioning all of my previous relationships, and basically having a crisis.” He says, throwing his arms up dramatically. “Yet, I'm also doing better magically and physically than I have in years, and have the tools and support suddenly to get help and fix things.” 

“I understand now, it's a big change.” She says sympathetically. 

“Yeah, and now I'm about to go meet the minister, and probably have him help me win this case, while also getting the public to back off before school. It's just crazy how quick everything changed.” 

“Well, how about this: you go and meet the minister while I finalize and schedule a trial, and once you're done you come back and we go over everything one more time?” She says, hoping a break in their already two hour long conversation would help him relax once he came back, and give her the time to get the paperwork done and facts straightened out. 

“That sounds great. Do you want me to go now?” He asks, checking the clock on the wall saying it's currently two o’clock, right around time to meet with the minister.

“If you feel ready. Do you need anything from me for this meeting? Maybe proof of what you're about to do, or even what's already been done, will help you convince him to help you.” She offers before rolling her eyes and smiling at him jokingly, “not that he needs much convincing, seeing as he pretty much just jumped into your pocket.” 

“That would be amazing, thank you so much for your help.” He says, taking the offered paper with her signature and a list of the charges, with room for more to be added. 

“Of course dear, anything to help a child in need.” She says, making his heart warm from how kind she was being. He wishes his opportunity to have somebody like her in his life hadn't been taken from him.

Wiping the tears that had gathered on his lashes, because he hadn’t cried enough in the last two days apparently, Harry stands up and takes the letter from Miss Zelby, waving a quick goodbye and leaving her office.

The minister's office happened to be on the tenth floor, and thankfully when Harry got into the elevator, there was only one person inside. Unfortunately, the person yet again was Lucius Malfoy. Did this dude have a tracker on Harry or something? Why does he keep popping up?

Deciding to ignore the man's presence, besides an awkward glance at him, Harry goes to press the button for the tenth floor, only to see that it was already lit up. 

“Are you not going to select a floor, Potter? It can't read your mind, in case you didn't know.” The man said with a sneer, eerily reminding Harry of Draco. 

“It seems, Lord Malfoy, that we are going to the same place.” Harry says cooly, not letting the man's attitude get to him. He holds up the golden paper, apparently belonging only to the minister, and gets a raised brow in turn. 

“And why would you be going to the minister's office? I can't imagine that you're very welcome there.” He says coldly, not believing a word out of his mouth. 

“Well, he seemed quite excited to see me in his invitation.” Harry said with a shrug. “And as for what we’ll be doing, I imagine it will be plotting against Albus Dumbledore, mostly.” 

“Really.” He deadpans. 

Why are the elevators moving so slowly? They're only on the seventh floor!

“Yes, really. Though I don't plan on explaining anything to you, future father in law or not." Harry says, deciding to drop a bit of a bomb on the man. Of course, he knows his son is betrothed to him, but the reminder is probably more painful in such a hostile environment. 

“I had thought you had no plans of associating with a Malfoy?” The man says with a raised eyebrow, looking almost relieved? Not the reaction Harry wanted, that's for sure. 

“Well, there are some…extenuating circumstances, currently; however, I assure you that I have every intention of marrying Draco.” Floor eight finally passed by. 

“I thought you would marry one of those blood traitor Weasleys.” He says, sneer back in full force.

“Absolutely not.” Harry says pointedly, cheering inwardly as the nine turned to a ten with a ding. 

He ends up walking swiftly into the overly fancy lobby of the tenth floor, leaving the reeling Malfoy lord in his place. When the woman working the secretary desk sees him, she turns pale quickly, almost like bleach had been poured over her head and took her melanin with it. 

“Hi, I have a meeting with the minister right now, he gave me this.” He says, holding up the golden paper plane. The woman just nods her head and mumbles quickly that his door is the one all the way at the end of the hall. 

Harry, already knowing where the office is, hurriedly makes his way down the hallway and knocks on the door politely, not too loud and not too softly. He had learned some etiquette in his time here after all. 

The door opens very quickly after he knocks, a red faced Fudge, and Percy Weasley in the room.

“Mister Potter! Come in, come in! Have a seat wherever you like! Do you want tea?” The minister asks, ushering him into the room with a hand on his back, causing Harry to almost trip on the fancy carpet lining the floor. 

“Ah, no thank you, sir.” He says, walking over to the man's large wooden desk and taking a seat in the plush purple arm chair in front of it. When he looks over, he sees Percy staring at him in open shock. 

“Weasley, make sure to record all of this conversation, it's very important.” The minister orders, tone much colder towards the redhead than to Harry, who nods quickly. 

“I thought it would be just the two of us?” Harry asks, pointedly not looking at the boy.

“Well, I didn't want to forget anything important from this meeting, so I thought it best to have Weasley here record the conversation! But don't worry, he isn't able to tell anyone about what he hears here, it's part of his contract.” The minister says happily, taking his own seat behind the desk. 

“Alright then, let's get started.” Harry says, face turning serious, and in turn causing the minister's smile to fade. 

“Yes, let's begin.” He says, surprising Harry with how serious he was being. 

“I know you're only dismissing Dumbledore because you don't want him to become minister, and I can help you stop him from doing that, and get you on the side of the people to keep you in office. So, let me tell you what I know and am able to do for you, and then we can come to an agreement.” Harry says, pulling out a piece parchment and ignoring the ministers quickly changing facial expressions. “This is a magical contract, as I'm sure you know. I need you to sign this and promise to never tell anybody what I'm telling you without express permission, alright? I can't tell you anything if you don't do this.” Harry says, sliding the parchment closer to the man. “Percy too.” 

“You want me to sign a magical contract? For what?” The man says, pulling the contract closer and looking it over to verify it is what he says it is. 

“Because the things I'm going to tell you are dangerous, and I in turn will also sign the contract and make a vow of honesty, so that you know I'm telling you the truth.” Harry says, turning the paper towards himself and using his wand to magically spell out his name on the line provided. “See?” He says with an eyebrow raised.

“Alright, I get it. Weasley, you sign this too.” He orders, taking back the parchment and signing his name. Percy quickly grabs it and signs it too. “Now, tell me what you know.” 

“Voldemort has returned, first thing first. He literally tied me to a gravestone and used my blood to do it, okay? He's back.” Harry says, pausing to see if the man would interrupt. When he didn't, he continued. “Before he killed himself trying to kill me, he created five objects called horcruxes. Each of these objects held a piece of his soul. They are what has allowed him to return. I have already destroyed one, and I know where the rest of them are and can get them easily enough.” Harry says, ignoring the shocked looks on their faces to continue. “With that being said, I have a very good plan that we can use to kill him again, for good this time.” 

“Well? Out with it!” Fudge says after Harry pauses to think. 

“I went to Gringotts yesterday and discovered some things about Albus Dumbledore. Things that will get him put in Azkaban easily. I plan on going to trial and putting him where he belongs, and then letting Voldemort kill him when he's weakened.” Harry confesses, not able to ignore their matching gasps. “I learned that Voldemort plans to attack Azkaban soon in an attempt to get back some of his followers and control of the dementors, so what I need from you is for more guards to be placed there the day of the attack. If you do this, then you can take the credit for his destruction and Albus will never bother you again, and I get my revenge on that asshole all the while.” Harry says grinning, he admits, a bit psychotically. 

“You want to have he-who-must-not-be-named kill Dumbledore?” The man asks, clearly thinking harder than he normally does about what Harry is saying. The only sound in the office is the sound of Percy's quill writing fast enough to rip the parchment and the fire crackling behind him. 

“Yes, and if you help me speed up the processing on his trial, then we can have it in the next few days and get him stuck there until the attack in January, and by the time Voldemort goes to get his followers back he'll know that he's there and kill him! And we'll be ready to intercept the death eaters and Voldemort and kill him after he kills Albus! Then you'll get what you want and I'll get what I want. It's the perfect plan.” Harry says, done with his monologue. 

“If I may, sir, this does sound genius.” Percy says hesitantly, though the awe at what he just learned seemed to outweigh the fear of his boss. Harry shoots him a grin. 

“Yes, I think you're right, Weasley.” The minister says, a grin forming on his face, more viscous than Harry had ever seen. This must be the man who became minister, not the one he always displayed for all of his donors and allies. 

“So you’ll do it?” Harry asks, excitement lacing his voice.

“Yes, of course.” The minister says with a wave of his hand, like the idea of him not is ridiculous. “I am curious though, what charges are you pushing? Are they legitimate?” He asks Harry. 

“Yeah, here. I was just in a meeting with Adeline Zelby about the case, and once we're done here I have to go back and talk to her some more.” Harry answers, handing the paper from Miss Zelby to the minister. 

He reads over it and thinks for a few minutes, running the charges and their seriousness over in his head. “You said the attack is in January?” He asks, seeming to be contemplating something. 

“Yeah, why?” 

“Well, while these charges all put together will certainly keep him in for a while, depending on the seriousness behind them, if we can't get them all passed then it may not be enough. Now till

January is four months, and some of these charges are monetary and some are bad enough to be life sentences. We have to play our cards right to really hit him where it hurts.” The minister explains, making Harry question just how intelligent the man actually is. He's definitely smarter than he looks. 

“Well, I don't think that will be an issue, sir. I've agreed to use veritasium during trial and will be providing a detailed health record from St Mungo’s, written in Veri-Ink, for the trial. I think most of the people will be so upset by what is revealed, and by their distrust in Dumbledore, that they will vote against him even if they don't think he's guilty." Harry says confidently. He really, really thinks this is going to work. There's no way it won't. 

“And what about the public and wizengamot’s distrust in you?” The man says, though he seems convinced by the explanation given before. 

“Simple, you tell the public that according to recent events, Albus Dumbledore lied about me telling him that Voldemort is back, and put me in an even greater position against Dumbldore by telling people that I’m pressing charges against him for all that he's said. It is on the list so it isn't a lie, and it'll make people sympathise with me and hate him more.” Harry says, feeling proud of how well he's coming up with some of this stuff on the fly. 

“That's brilliant, I'll call in and get it started tonight so the story can be posted tomorrow. The earlier he's in prison the better.” Fudge says, pulling out a piece of parchment and telling Percy to write to the Prophet to get that started for the front page. 

“Good, good. We'll need to schedule the trial right after the papers arrive, and since Dumbledore is the accused he has to be attained for trial. You should have Aurors sent to bring him in, and have them convince him that they think it's just a misunderstanding and stuff. That way he won't be so suspicious about it, and then he'll come and be contained easier so he can't flee." Harry says, and Fudge again pulls out a piece of parchment and hands it to Percy, the message clear. 

“You're brilliant! I wish my advisors were so good at scheming!” Fudge says, grin on his face yet again. Harry can’t blame him, he's grinning too. 

“It's crazy what a clear head and a lot of spite can create.” Harry says, proud of himself for what he's managed to do today. They both watch as Percy writes, and both read the letter to the Prophet and the DMLE before he sends them off. 

“So,” Fudge says, turning serious again. “While I get that you want Albus dead, what else do you want? That can't be all.” He asks, looking curiously at harry. 

“First of all, don't send anybody to Hogwarts this year. I know you planned on sending Dolores Umbridge as the new defense teacher, but that won't help your reputation at all. People hate Umbridge, and she hates kids. She will make parents think that your people are unintelligent and viscous, which is something that we don't want.” Harry tells him, thinking that this demand is much easier than the next. 

“Done.” He says, handing Percy more parchment. 

“Second of all, I want you to excuse Sirius black of all charges against him.” Harry demands seriously. 

“What!?” Fudge shouts, looking more surprised by this than him wanting to kill Dumbledore. 

“Sirius Black is an innocent man, and also my Blood Father. I want him to be free to live his life and heal from his imprisonment.” Harry says, glaring at the minister. 

“You-your telling the truth.” He says in disbelief, glancing back and forth from the contract to Harry. 

“Yes, he wasn't the secret keeper for my parents, Peter Pettigrew was, and Sirius didn't kill all those muggles, Pettigrew did. I want you to excuse him publicly, after we complete the trial, and I want him to be free." Harry says. 

“But, how do you expect the people to just be okay with that? All I have is your word, and while I believe you, I don't know if I'd be able to prove it.” He asks.

“Tell them Pettigrew was spotted and contained, and that under veritasium he confessed to everything. It's easy and foolproof. And, if the real Pettigrew shows up because of it, then that will just make it legit. You can just tell people he managed to escape somehow and then give him the kiss for his crimes." Harry tells him, not willing to let up. 

“Okay, okay. I can make that work somehow.” Fudge replies, not willing to risk such a good deal. “Anything else?” He asks. 

“One more thing, but it's not that big.” Harry says, the idea comes to him suddenly. 

“Yes?” 

“I want you to convince the school board to let Remus Lupin come back to Hogwarts as the new Defense teacher. They won't have to find a new teacher, and we can finally have a good defense teacher again." Harry says, just explaining right away so he doesn't have to be asked.

“You're sure that's a good idea? People were furious when they found out he was a werewolf before.” Fudge asks, looking skeptical. 

“Yes, he's the best teacher we've ever had. Percy?” Harry asks for backup from the redhead. He kind of feels bad that he hasn't talked at all, even if he is being a git to his family right now. 

“He was very adequate. I owe my Newt scores to him, seeing as Lockhart was so incompetent that year.” He admits, and Harry sees the acceptance in his eyes. 

“Alright, I'll do what I can tomorrow after the trial. Now, I believe that that is everything, yes? Unless there's more.” Fudge asks, getting up and grabbing his hat. 

“No, that's it. Now, remember, get him tonight and make him think that he’s innocent, then see the Prophet, and at some point, free Sirius and give Lupin his job back. Keep quiet about everything else you know unless it is absolutely necessary to talk about. We cannot mess this up.” Harry says, watching the man walk towards the door. 

“Yes, I'll get it done, don't you worry. We made a deal, didn't we?” He asks, turning around with a grin on his face.

“Yes, now go!” Harry says, making a shooting motion with his hands. The minister heeds the order/request and scurries out of the room, leaving a breathless Harry and a shocked Percy. 

“Yes! Yes, yes, yes!” Harry shouts, jumping out of his chair and grabbing Percy's shoulders, continuing to jump. 

“Harry, Harry!” Percy says, trying to keep his face serious but failing when Harry just jumps more.

“Percy! Do you know what this means?” Harry asked him, stopping his jumping and breathing heavily.

“What?” Percy asked, still smiling a little from the boy's outburst. 

“We now have a solid plan to deal with Voldemort and Dumbledore! And it will work. It has to." Harry says, smile turning viscous. In Percy’s eyes anyways. 

“Yes, I suppose so.” Percy says. “I don't know how you came to know all of this, or how you even came up with this plan in the first place, but I hope it works.” Percy says, and Harry can see the hope he feels. Feels the hope in himself, too.

It’s seven o’clock when Harry finally leaves the ministry, and he's exhausted. So exhausted in fact, that he completely forgot about Snape, who did happen to stick around after he left and talked to Teeny. 

He's reminded of this when he walks upstairs from the floo, half asleep, and gets the literal shit scared out of him by a raging Snape. 

“Potter!” Is yelled, almost immediately followed by a red burst of light. 

“Expelliarmus!” Harry shouts, catching the wand instinctively when it comes at his face rather quickly. He's not yet used to his improved magical stores. 

“What do you think you are doing?” Snape says indignantly, snatching his wand out of Harry's still outstretched hand. 

“Crap, I'm so sorry!” Harry says, pulling his arm down, now much more awake than he was before. 

“You should be! It's been seven hours!” Snape says indignantly, turning around and walking back up the stairs that he came from. 

“You actually stayed here? I honestly thought you would leave when I offered.” Harry says, deciding to follow the man back to his room. At least he'll be closer to his bed up there. 

“Potter, do you have any idea how well guarded a secret that is? You know things that you should not know, and you said your elf had the answers, of course I stayed! Not to mention you practically threatened me in your letter!” Snape says, still sounding furious, just slightly quieter. 

“I didn't threaten you!” Harry says, sitting in one of the armchairs in the room, the one he picked being blue. 

“You told me you knew one of my most well hid secrets and then asked for something! I don't know if you're just dense, Potter, but that's basically a threat!” 

“Why are you screaming right now? Just sit down, I have a lot to tell you." Harry says, gesturing to the other chairs in the room. 

Snape sits down in a yellow chair, after glaring at him with obvious ‘hate’, and gestures at Harry to continue. 

“So, first of all, I met with both the head of the DWMC and the minister today, and both meetings went amazing.” Harry says, and he can already tell Snape has questions so he stays silent so he can ask them. 

“What did Dumbledore do to you? As far as I could tell you practically worshiped the man." Snape asks. 

“He's a manipulative fool, that's what. Look at this.” Harry says, deciding to put his debrief on hold and hands the same file Miss Zelby got to him.

Snape reads through the compulsions, eyebrows shooting up at all that he was seeing. “He did all of this?” Snape asks, disbelieving. 

“Yes, he did all of that, and now that it’s all gone it's ridiculous how much has changed. And the Weasleys are a part of everything too! Now that I'm not being compelled to like him, I realize that I hate Ron! He's a lazy, messy, selfish, idiot!” Harry shouts, arms in the air. “And look at this! This is the full file I got from the bank yesterday! I've never even seen or heard about some of the things on there!” Harry says, handing him another file, this time the full one from the bank. 

“There's more?” Snape asks, noticing the much thicker file. 

“Well, of course there are. I’m Harry bloody Potter, there's always more!" Harry says sarcastically. 

“Yes, it appears so.” Snape says, reading everything in the file carefully, this time keeping straight faced as he does. 

“That's why I need you to act as my guardian. I don't need a magical guardian, as you can see, but I need a legal one. I can't use Sirius, because he's a mentally ill criminal, and Mrs.Weasley can kick it for all I care, seeing that she must have known about all of this. That leaves me you, who I trust and who my mother trusted, or Augusta Longbottom, who is a mean, strict old woman that I’ve never even met." Harry tells him, knocking the names off his fingers as he goes down the list. “I don't need a parent or a caretaker, I just need somebody to legally take over so that nobody else can try to take away my freedom like he did.”

“And the Dursleys?” Snape says, lips curling on the name in disgust. 

“Are on vacation currently and will find a note telling them I'm gone once they return, which will be much to their delight I’m sure.” Harry says, wishing he wouldn’t have brought them up. But, it does bring him to the next thing he needs from the man. “Speaking of the Dursleys, I need you to take me to St Mungo’s early tomorrow, if you do decide to sign the papers, that is.” Harry tells him, setting said papers on the table. He got them from Miss Zelby before he left. 

“St Mungo’s? Why? Are you sick?” Snape asked, looking, not concerned , but a little uncomfortable? Maybe?

“The healers at Gringotts couldn't heal most of the physical damage done by the Dursleys, so I have to go to St Mungo’s tomorrow, if you sign the papers tonight, to heal it and to get a detailed medical examination done by the healers for Dumbledore's trial, which happens to be tomorrow in the afternoon.” Harry says, dropping multiple bombs on Snape in quick succession.

“They hurt you?” Snape says, looking horrified at the thought. The test done by Gringotts is really very vague, so he didn't know how severe the injuries were, but if the healers at Gringotts couldn't heal them, then they have to be bad breaks, and they have to be old. 

“Look,” Harry sighs, not wanting to have this conversation with him, “to me, it's not such a big deal. Yeah, it sucks, but I don’t ever have to see them again, and they may get a visit from the muggle police after the trial tomorrow if Miss Zelby feels spiteful enough about it." Harry says, not really lying but also not telling the full truth. The more that he says he doesn't care about the Dursleys the more real it feels. 

“Harry,” Snape says, and holy shit he said his name, “abuse is a serious thing in the wizarding world, even if she doesn't feel spiteful, she has to contact the police on your behalf. If she gets the medical file then she can give them solid proof, and if the muggle police won't do anything, then they are susceptible to magical imprisonment.” He says, trying to drill it into Harry's head that it's serious. 

All it does is make Harry cringe. “Look, it's been a long day, and I still have stuff to tell you. Let’s not let the Dursleys take over the whole conversation.” 

Snape looks doubtful, but he seems to come to the conclusion that it is late and that he should just let Harry talk. “Fine, we’ll go to St Mungo’s in the morning. When is Albus’ trial?” Snape asks.

“So you'll sign the papers?” Harry asks, realizing that this is the longest it's taken for somebody to agree with him all day. 

“Yes, obviously you insolent child. What other choice do you have?” Snape says, returning to his usual batty self. Harry simply rolls his eyes at the man and hands him the papers. 

“Sign on the line at the bottom. I've made it so that the name is obscured to anyone but the people who already know what it says. That way, your cover isn't blown by people finding out about it, aka Voldemort.” Harry tells him as he reads over the papers. 

After a few minutes of reading them over, in which Harry grows impatient with the man's distrust, Snape signs the papers. “Is that all I have to-” Snape says, but the papers burst into flames before he can finish his sentence. 

“Once signed, they magically are added to the ministry’s and the bank’s files, that way they can't be manipulated or changed.” Harry tells him. 

Despite not saying anything about it, Snape is impressed with how prepared Harry seems to be so far. It's like he's a completely different person than he was just last school year. 

“Alright, now that that's done, tell me about the trial.” Snape practically orders him, making Harry roll his eyes. 

“Right, so the ministry Aurors have been ordered to bring Dumbledore into custody, but they’re supposed to make him feel relaxed about it, like he will get out of the charges on him. With his mind at ease, it will be easier for them to get him into magic suppressing cuffs and put into a cell at the ministry overnight." Harry tells him. 

“So that he can't escape.” Snape says, understanding where he was going with that. “And you came up with this plan?” 

“Yes, everything that's going on has been planned out by me. I just persuaded the minister into helping me and seeing it as me helping him instead.” Harry says grinning. “Not that I'm not getting a lot out of this deal. The minister will definitely get elected again in the next election, and I'll be in his favor for that. I also had a few requirements for the deal, but that isn’t important right now.” 

“Right, what happens after the trial? Are you sure he'll be convicted on all charges?” Snape asks. 

“Yes, I'm certain. The minister is writing to the Daily Prophet for the front page tomorrow, saying that I never told Dumbledore that Voldemort is back and that I’m suing him because of the slander and stress he has caused me, as well as for other, private matters. Since all of the people coming to the meeting tomorrow will have read the article before the trial, they will know that Dumbledore is without a doubt an idiot and won’t trust him as much as they did before. I'll make sure whoever is allowed to question me tomorrow knows that I refuse to answer questions about Voldemort seeing as it has nothing to do with the trial and that way they won't know that I'm lying. Since Dumbledore is in custody he won't know what's going on and why people don't like him, and will then be completely blindsided by the trial.” Harrys tells him, laying out his plan happily. He doesn't think it's necessary that the papers get out just to blindside Dumbledore, because with all of the evidence and with the Dark and Neutral sides voting against Dumbledore, it won't matter what the Light does. But, Harry wants Dumbledore to feel completely betrayed by him. He wants him to know that Harry knows and that his master plan to get Harry killed failed miserably. Maybe he'll even visit him in Azkaban just to rub it in his face. 

After Harry's explanation of his plans, Snape goes quiet, clearly thinking everything over. He won't admit it to Harry, he'd rather die, but this whole thing is absolutely brilliant. A true master plan.

“And what of Voldemort? With Dumbledore gone, we don’t have many people who are even close to being on par with him in dueling." Snape asks, finding this to be the only flaw in the plan in the long term. 

“I have a solution for that too.” Harry says happily, making Snape flinch away in surprise. What the hell happened to this kid?

“Enlighten me then.” 

“The reason he was able to survive the rebound from the killing curse when he was defeated the first time is because he created five things called horcruxes.” Harry tells him.

“Horcruxes? Are you sure? How do you even know what those are?” Snape asks, shocked that the boy even knew the word at all.

“I know what they are because he made me one when he tried to kill me. It's why Dumbledore was so convinced that it had to be me to kill him. Because I need to die before he does. It's what the prophecy means with the whole ‘neither can live while the other survives’ crap." Harry says flippantly. 

“What? You have to die?” Snape shouts, actually standing up and beginning to pace in his outrage. 

“Yes, but it will only be temporary. If I kill the horcrux inside me, either with basilisk venom or the killing curse, then it will kill the horcrux and not me. So, I just need the venom and I need to drink it before he gets killed. I told the minister about this plan, and I know where all of them are and how to get them, so when the time comes to kill Voldemort I will destroy all of them and he will be mortal again. Then the Aurors will kill him because he'll be weakened without the other pieces of his soul and die. The minister will get ‘credit’ for his planning, and I'll get a dead darklord and hopefully a dead Dumbledore too.” 

“But how will you get him and the Aurors and Dumbledore in the same place?” Snape asks, pausing his pacing to stare at Harry, looking slightly unhinged as he does so. 

“Voldemort is planning a mass breakout at Azkaban in January, so I've had the minister make it easier for people to get in, and harder for them to get out. That way, the death eaters he brings in and he himself will get in no problem but be stalled by the wards if they try and leave. The new wards will alert the Aurors who will be on standby and they will all apparate in and capture the death eaters while Voldemort goes and kills Dumbledore, because there's no way he'll let the opportunity to kill the man go when it's right in front of him. He's too impulsive and deranged.” Harry tells him. 

“I honestly can't believe that you came up with all of this. This might just work, Harry." Snape tells the boy who's now his ward. 

“It will work, there's nothing wrong with it. The dark lord will fall and so will that old idiot Dumbledore." Harry says with a certain hardness in his eyes that almost makes Snape want to run away. What a terrifying child. 

“I hope so,” Snape says quietly, mind clearly not fully in the room with them. 

It's then that Harry decides to end the conversation, feeling even more tired after his fourth serious conversation of the day. It's probably almost nine o’clock now and Harry is drained.

“Okay!” Harry says, standing up suddenly and getting Snapes attention. “Are you wanting to stay here tonight since you'll have to come back in the morning or are you going home? I can have Teeny set up one of the guest rooms for you." Harry asks him.

“I’ll just go home, I'd have to get a change of clothes anyway.” Snape says, still with so many questions but the teacher in him sees that Harry is exhausted and needs sleep. “What time do you want me here tomorrow?” He asks.

“Well, I want to make sure that we have enough time tomorrow to get everything done at the hospital, so we should go at seven. Get here at six fifty-five? We can floo directly to the hospital." Harry says. 

“Alright, will I be able to floo here or should I apparate? Can I apparate here?” 

“Yes, I'll have Teeny add you to the wards and then you can just apparate. You have to apparate to the entrance hall though, the rest of the palace has anti-apparition wards on it, but I'll meet you there anyway." Harry tells him, walking over to the door and holding it open for him. 

“Fine. Am I expected at the trial?” Snape asks.

“No, you can't blow your cover.” Harry tells him seriously as Snape walks by and out into the hallway. 

“Okay,” Snape says, turning at the sound of Teeny popping into existence next to him. 

“Teeny can be taking you to the entrance hall.” Teeny says, looking much more awake than either man feels. 

“Good night, Potter.” Snape says, turning his back and following the elf.

“Good night, professor.” Harry says, walking the opposite way and going into his bedroom. 

What a damn day. A good day, but a lot of talking and socialising. Today was a lot, and tomorrow will surely prove to be worse, but once it's done, it's done. Dumbledore will be in Azkaban, Voldemort will be on his way to death, and Harry will be physically healthier than he's ever been in his whole life. And after tomorrow, he can go and retrieve most of the horcruxes, besides Nagini and the Diadem obviously, and then he only has to worry about the rest of his summer homework. He only has three days left of summer holidays now, and two of those days will mostly be for the trial and the horcruxes, but it'll be worth it.

Once summer ends, he can focus on other things, like courting Draco. He needs to ask Teeny what that means and what he needs to do, but at least he has the courting gift? It seems important so it's good that Teeny helped him find one so quickly. Since he's really nineteen, he only has two more years left to marry Draco before he turns twenty one himself, meaning that Draco and him need to be married by the summer before seventh year. Merlin, he can't believe he's actually considering marrying Draco Malfoy! Not even considering it, because he will marry Draco. He doesn't have a choice. 

Harry's life is a damn mess.

Chapter Text

Harry’s alarm goes off at six a.m. the next morning and he gets out of bed with an excitement unusual to him; though, with everything he has planned for today, he has an excuse. 

He walks into his bathroom, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he does so and begins getting ready for the day. Since he knows that he will have to undergo a lot of different medical tests and possible procedures today, Harry takes a shower and brushes his teeth with even more care than usual. He puts on his clothes, a plain set of robes with the wizarding version of sweatpants underneath, and a more comfortable pair of shoes. He also folds up his clothes for the trial today into the expandable bag he bought yesterday with multiple anti-wrinkle spells, courtesy of Teeny, so that he doesn't need to make the trip back. 

A quick tempus reveals the time to now be six thirty so Harry quickly runs to his office to write his letters to Griphook and eat breakfast. He asks the Goblin for the betrothal contract between Ginny and himself and Draco and himself. The one between him and Ginny is for the trial, and he asks that a copy is sent to Miss Zelby so she can add it to her evidence file. The other is for Harry's own interest, seeing as he already has so little knowledge on the matter, he wants to be as prepared as possible for school, which is in just a few days. Harry also includes in his letter that should he be unable to receive the files upon arrival, that they should instead go to Severus, who will be with him when they arrive. 

Folding the letter and sealing it with both wax and magic, Harry asks Teeny to send them off from the owlery using Hedwig and runs to the floo room where Severus is already waiting for him, sitting on a comfortable looking blue chair. 

“Good morning, Professor.” Harry says politely, nodding to the man as he slows to a stop in front of him, his endurance from quidditch the only thing allowing him to breathe normally after his run. 

“Good morning, Harry, are you ready to go?” Severus asks, looking the most unbothered by Harry's presence that Harry’s ever seen him, and saying his first name! Without scowling! It's a miracle. 

Not letting his sarcastic inner thoughts show, Harry nods and gestures towards the fireplace in front of them. 

“After you.” 

With a nod, Severus is through the fire, saying the name of their destination clearly and disappearing. Harry follows soon after with little fanfare, and finds himself in the familiar lobby of St Mungo’s. 

“Welcome to St Mungo’s! How can we help you today?” The desk witch asks, voice cutting through the empty waiting room. 

“I owled last night about an appointment for Hadrian Potter-Black? He should have a room ready in the intensive care unit.” Severus says before Harry can even open his mouth, shocking him enough to keep it closed. Severus really doesn't mess around, Harry thinks amused while following behind the witch and Severus down a white hallway. 

“The intensive care unit is all the way at the end of this hall, once you get there tell them the patient's name and a mediwitch will be asked to assist you.” The witch says, pointing down the hallway before walking back to where they came from. 

Now that they’re alone, Harry immediately questions Severus. “You made an appointment?” 

“Of course I did, Harry, I thought that was what I was here for?” Severus asks with a raised eyebrow. 

“I’m just surprised is all. I would have just walked in either way, but an appointment is much more convenient.” Harry tells him. He gets a single ‘hm’ in response before they reach the intensive care unit. 

The unit is already bustling despite the early hour, and Harry and Severus both look around a bit lost for a second before a wizard bumps into them both. Literally. 

“Oh! Hello, are you two in need of assistance?” The man asks, overly pleasant for so early in the morning in both men’s opinions.

“Yes, we have a room booked for Hadrian Potter-Black, are you able to get us there?” Severus asks, and at the Potter name the wizard freezes, face becoming much more serious. He pulls out a red clipboard and whips through the pages before he finds what he's looking for. 

“I do have Hadrian on schedule, and a room made for him. I can lead you there and provide the patients care for today.” He says, leading them down another hallway, this one a light grey color. Both men follow wordlessly, all the way until they reach a room with Harry's name on it. “This is your room for today, Mr. Potter-Black, and my name is Dr. Ivers. I’ll be looking after you today, if that's alright?” The doctor asks, and Harry nods quickly, moving to sit on the hospital bed as directed. Severus takes a seat in one of the extra chairs in the room and watches the doctor intensely as he begins to move about the room. 

“You can just call me Harry, Doctor.” Harry tells him, uncomfortably shifting on the bed.

“Harry, then. What are we in for today?” The doctor asks, pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill for his clipboard. 

“I need a full body health examination. I’m going to trial today against my old gaurdian for neglect and child abuse, among other things, so I need a properly recorded file of all of my injuries. I'd also like to get any injuries healed today, before my trial if possible, but I’m willing to come back after if needed.” Harry explains. The doctor looks surprised at the easy way Harry speaks, but doesn’t mention anything, simply nodding.  

“I see,” the man says, writing down something on his clipboard before continuing with his questions. “In this case, I will provide you with a potion that will move through your body and examine every part of you it comes in contact with. Any injuries or past injuries will then be recorded and listed on a sheet of paper. This will help me identify what problems there are, and in your case, provide you with the sheet for your trial. After that, we can make a plan to heal whatever we find and decide what we can do today and what will have to wait until later.” 

“Okay, let's do that then.” Harry says with a shrug. “How long will it take for the potion to work?” 

“It shouldn't take more than an hour.” The doctor says, moving towards the door. “I will go grab the potion and then we can start. I suggest laying down and adjusting the bed to a more comfortable position. The potion, while not painful, is certainly not pleasant.” 

“Most potions that work well aren't.” Harry says with a roll of his eyes, moving so his legs are on the bed and he's in an almost sitting position. 

“Quite right Harry.” Severus says, reminding Harry of his presence, which he had forgotten in his nerves.
He knows that the Dursleys did a number to him over the years, especially Vernon and Dudley, but he never really kept track of any of it. He honestly has no real idea of what will show up on the paper. And the potions he will have to take are probably going to all be unpleasant, so that's not great to look forward to either. 

“You don't have to stay the whole time, you know. I'll be fine by myself.” Harry tells him, truly not caring if the man stays or goes.

“I will stay. It would be suspicious if I left while my ‘child’ was having procedures done. It could be cause for them to remove you from my care, which isn't what you want, correct?” Severus explains, and Harry nods in agreement. 

“That makes sense, and I forgot that you need to be here anyways to receive my letter from Griphook. I told him to send it to you if I'm unreachable.” Harry tells him, relaxing back into the bed. 

“What's in the letter?” Severus asks, more suspicious than curious. 

“My betrothal contracts between Ginny and Draco. I need the Ginny one for the trial as evidence against Dumbledore and I wanted to read the one between Draco and I so that I know what I'm getting into." Harry tells him. 

“I see,” he says, looking intrigued. “Are you going to press charges against the Weasleys? For line theft?” 

“I’m not sure yet, I wanted to read the contract before I signed anything. I know they have some part in all of this, but at the same time, the Weasleys are broke with seven kids. Dumbledore could have bribed them with something, and if that's the case then I'll just leave them alone, maybe sue Dumbledore for any money stolen from my accounts. I still don't like them, but I can understand why they would do it, which is why I don’t want to punish them so much.” Harry tells him, trying not to let how upset what he's saying makes him. He is of course upset with the Weasleys, but he also knows that the older Weasley sons are good people. He honestly doubts that they know anything about the situation. 

“That's quite a mature look on things, though if I was you I would charge them and be done with it.” Severus says with a sneer, though the look in his eyes is one of respect, almost. Harry’s just glad to confuse the man. 

“Well, I'm just saying that I get it. I may not like it, and I still think it's a horrible thing to do, but I don't want any of their children who aren't involved, Percy for example, to suffer for their actions. Besides, having a falling out with the Boy-Who-Lived is enough of a stain on their reputation.” Harry says, grinning weakly at the end. 

“I see.” Severus says, and the door thankfully re-opens before an awkward silence can develop. 

“I have the potion, all I need is for you to sign a form for me and allow me to put a bit of your blood into the potion before you drink it, and onto this paper, so that way it can record and confirm your identity.” Dr. Ivers says with a bright smile, handing Harry said paper. 

“Okay, I can do that.” Harry confirms, and watches as the doctor pulls out what looks like a muggle thumb prick kit. It's a much better idea than cutting his hand with a blade like he did at Gringotts, and he sets the idea aside as a suggestion for the next time he sees Ragnok. 

“Alright, I'm going to use this on your finger and it will draw some blood out, then I will put it on the paper and in the potion like I said and dispose of the rest. Signing the paper with your name by the blood mark will allow the magic in your blood to connect from body to paper and give your consent to the use of your blood in magic.” He explains, hand held out for Harry's finger which Harry gives him, and watches as he pricks his finger quickly, covering it up with a bandage soon after. He then opens the little vial the blood went into from the prick and puts a dot of it on the paper and half of the rest in the potion. He hands the paper to Harry and shakes the potion gently to disperse the blood before handing it to Harry as well. 

Harry signs the paper quickly and finishes doing so in time to grab the potion bottle from him, giving it a quick glance to steal his nerves before downing it entirely. It tastes like electricity if it could be bottled and put into a potion. It makes his tongue tingle and his hair stand out like he's been shocked. 

“It should come into effect in a few minutes, I'll give you this time to relax and let it work through your system. If you have any questions or need anything just tap the bell beside your bed and I'll come as fast as I can.” The doctor says, waiting just a moment to make sure he's fine before leaving the room and shutting the door after himself. 

After ten minutes in relative silence, Harry begins to feel a bone deep chill settle in. It started in his face and head and slowly trickled down. It feels like somebody is pouring cold water on his head slowly, except the feeling is internal and he gets the feeling that there isn't much he can do to stop it. 

After half an hour Harry gets tired of sitting and staring at the ceiling, listening to the pages of Severus’ book flipping every minute or two, so he grabs the paper from before and looks at what's been written so far. He can already feel the chill just below his hips, so he knows that the potion is about done. 

The list already on the paper is enough to make Harry sick. It's one thing for Harry to feel hurt and know that something inside of him is wrong, but it's another to have it confirmed. Seeing on paper the list of what all has actually been done to him during his life kind of cements in his mind how horrible the Dursleys really were to him. It also makes him despise Dumbledore even more than he did before for forcing Harry to stay there. 

Without realising it, Harry had begun crying. It wasn't full-on sobs, but the tears were there. It was enough to cause his hand and shoulders to shake from the way he was trying to hold himself together. 

His body was mangled . 

“Harry,” Severus’ voice breaks through his thoughts and the paper slips out of his hands in his panic to right himself in front of the professor. 

“S-or-” Harry tries to apologize, but his throat has closed up and it doesn't help that he feels completely empty and cold and hot and horrified all at once and he can't breathe .

Cold hands grab onto his shoulders, but the feeling they emit is warm. He can't help but lean into the only comfort he has in the moment, but he still can't breathe. 

“Harry, you have to breathe.” Severus tells him, and it's all Harry can do to think ‘ I know! I’m trying!’ 

The cold hands grab him now and bring him up to Severus’ chest. Harry forgets to think about what the man is saying, hyper aware of the hands touching him. People don’t touch Harry except to hurt him, and don't they? His body is destroyed. There's so much wrong with him, they've broken so many parts of him. He can’t focus on what's beneath his hands, he can barely think at all except for the mantra repeating in his head, telling him he needs to breathe.

The sound of the hospital cot creaking alerts Severus to Harry's movements, and he looks up in time to see the boy grabbing the paper from the table beside him. He watches him as he reads the report so far, and is admittedly unsurprised when he starts crying a few seconds after. It isn't until Harry begins to shake that Severus gets up to comfort him, hoping to stop what is obviously the beginning stages of a panic attack. 

See, a very well kept secret about Severus Snape is that when he was seventeen he was kicked out by his father. His life up until that point had been abysmal and lonely. The only bright patch had been Lily. 

At the point when he was kicked out, Lily had left Severus alone, at no fault of her own, admittedly, and that bright patch was gone. Severus’ mental health declined more rapidly than anyone could have expected, did expect, and that led him to St Mungo’s where he spent a week in the urgent care ward and another in the mental health ward. During his time there, the doctors used the same potion Dr. Ivers used on Harry today on Severus, and the report revealed everything needed to imprison his father. When Severus found out what had happened and saw what had been done to him, he had a very similar reaction to Harry. He was horrified his body had been mangled so horribly, horrified he had been allowed to stay in such an awful place, and righteously furious with his situation. 

Severus had nobody on his side when he found out about all of this, and worked himself into a panic all by himself. Maybe it's the familiarity of the situation, maybe it's some type of magic tied to the papers he signed last night, but Severus has the strongest urge now to care for and calm Harry. 

So, he does. 

He grabs the boy's shoulders how he wished someone would have for him, he asks him to breathe, tells him it'll be alright, and guides him towards his own chest for an example of a proper breathing pattern. Harry still passes out on him, slumping into his chest and crumpling the paper between them. 

Severus sighs and shifts the boy back onto the bed, putting the paper back on the table and refraining from looking at the significant amount of black on the paper. He stays close, just in case Harry wakes up, but he doesn't hover, and he doesn't panic. The boy's chest was moving in regular motions now, and the potion is most likely close to done moving through him, his heightened breathing no doubt helping the blood move through his veins faster than before. 

He was right, of course, as moments later the doctor returns with multiple potions in one hand and a medical box in the other. 

“Oh! Is everything all right here?” He asks, quickly setting his supplies down and coming over to examine Harry upon seeing his lack of consciousness. 

“He had a negative reaction to what was on the paper. I was unable to calm him, but his breathing is stable once more and the paper has stopped updating, so I do believe that it's done.” Severus says, moving back to hover at the end of the cot, giving the doctor more room. 

“I see, well, as his guardian I can run this by you and we can figure out a plan for once he wakes up.” Dr. Ivers says, picking up the paper on the bedside table after placing a diagnostic spell on Harry. 

“Alright, I'll warn you that this is his show, however, so we can’t do anything until he is conscious.” Severus tells the man who simply nods at the comment. 

“That's fine, what I tell you is what I will tell him when he wakes up, I just wanted to run it by you first. From what I can see here, multiple bone replacements and replenishment potions are needed. He also needs new glasses and some dental work done, though that can also be fixed with various bone replacements. He needs new glasses because his eyes are seriously strained, which I'm certain is a result of bad prescription.” Doctor Ivers tells him, reading over the list carefully. “All in all, we will need to vanish and regrow his whole left arm and shoulder, dislocate and relocate his hip, vanish his ankle and regrow it, and perform multiple dental surgeries to fully heal him. He also has severe malnourishment and because of this his stomach has shrunk to adjust to how much he was or wasn't being fed, so he needs to start on a strict diet and potion regimen to get to where he should be for his age and size.”

“How much of that can be done today before eleven o’clock?” Severus asks.

“We can do his hip pretty quickly and get his eyes checked and a new prescription made today, but with such a short time frame I ask that you both come back and he stays for the night for the bone replacements. It will be better for him to sleep through it and the regrowth takes a long time.” The doctor says, turning back to Harry and casting a spell, which is evidently meant to rejuvenate the affected because Harry wakes up instantly.

Harry wakes up suddenly, feeling as though he's been shocked with energy or downed a Pepper-Up potion.

“Hello Harry, I heard you had a negative reaction to the results?” A man's voice, who Harry remembers as Dr. Ivers, asks as he sits up. 

“Yeah, sorry about that.” Harry says guiltily, looking at Severus nervously. The man's reaction to Harry was strange, and he wants to know why he acted like that. 

“No need to apologize, as shown in your results, there are clear reasons for such a reaction.” The doctor says kindly, and puts said paper on his clipboard with what Harry assumes is his patient file. “How about we talk about your treatment instead? Your guardian and I have made a plan together for what to do, but he wanted me to check it over with you before I started anything.”

“Alright,” Harry agrees. 

“So, in my professional opinion, we should stick with fixing your hip, which involves dislocating it and then resetting it properly with a healing potion to help it along, and getting you some new glasses today. I genuinely do not think we will have time to heal everything needed today before your trial if you want to get there looking presentable and functional.” The doctor tells him, and Harry sees Severus nodding out of the corner of his eye.

“That's all we can do today?” Harry asks, something akin to a pout on his face. The short amount of time he has before school starts can’t get any shorter, there’s too much to do.

“Yes, though you are welcome to come back tonight for the rest of your treatment. I just think that with the multiple bone regrowths and dental surgeries needed that you should hold off on anymore for this morning. These injuries are quite advanced and it's never a good idea to rush along bone regrowth.” 

“Alright, I get it, we'll come back tonight.” Harry tells him. 

“Okay, I can have the room saved for you so that you can come back tonight and get started on treatment right away.” He says, writing something down on the board before looking back up at him. “Along with the procedures, you also require assistance with your diet. I need you on a strict meal plan and potion regime to get your stomach adjusted to the size it should be for someone your age.” 

“Okay, I can do that.” Harry says with a nod. 

“Alright then! Hip or eyes first?” 

“Eyes.”

It takes almost an hour for Harry's new glasses to be made and two more hours for his hip to be fixed to the point where he can walk on it. The change just from that is amazing. Usually, when Harry takes a step on his right leg, his hip will click and he can feel the bone grind on bone. Now, it feels smooth and there's no more clicking and grinding. 

The excitement from this revelation is enough for Harry to send a blinding smile at Severus and the doctor, much to his embarrassment when Dr. Ivers laughs.  

“Well, from the look on your face I can already tell that you feel better, but allow me to perform a quick diagnostic spell just to be sure.” The doctor says, doing as he said and performing the spell. The results look fine to him and he gives Harry a reassuring smile and nod. “Your hip looks to be in perfect working order, so I give you the all clear to leave for your trial, I just have to make a copy of your potion diagnosis from earlier. You both are free to stay as long as you need to today since the room has been booked for you.”

“Okay, thank you so much.” Harry tells him, the doctor's face much clearer now with his new glasses; plain black with silver detailing for now with thick lenses for his eyes. 

“Of course, here you go.” He says, handing Harry the copy before leaving the room with a friendly wave. 

Just as he leaves, a brown eagle owl begins to knock on the window of the room and Severus is quick to let it in. 

“Is it from the bank?” Harry asks him, seeing as Severus grabbed the letter before he could get over there. 

“Yes, here.” 

Harry takes the letter from Severus and sits back down on the bed, quickly opening it. The inside revealed two sheets of parchment.

Betrothal Agreement Between Heirs Potter and Malfoy

(signed 1838 by Hridaan Potter and Jacques Malfloy)

Requirements:

• Both parties should be creature compatible, should they have them.

• Both parties must be of the Potter or Malfoy line.

• Both parties must be of great or equal wealth.

• Both parties must be the heir or lord of their respective house.

• Both parties must have the capacity to develop a romantic relationship.

• Both parties must be equal in power or intelligence.

-Pair in agreement must be betrothed by the magical age of twenty-one. Failure to meet this date will strip the pair of their family magic and name. 

-Pair must have completed the proper courting requirements.

-Pair must produce an heir.

Harry reads over the agreement quickly, not very surprised by what he was reading other than the first and fifth requirements because of what they implied. Or atleast, that was the case until he saw the bottom line of the scroll. 

He and Malfoy are both men! How the hell are they supposed to ‘produce’ an heir? 

Thinking about it harder for a second, the answer comes quickly and simply: Blood adoption. He and Malfoy must adopt at some point in the future. The idea strikes Harry as something that he would want to do anyway, with whatever partner he would have ended up with. Even just taking one child in and giving them parents is enough for Harry, who before now had never even considered being able to have a family.  

Moving on to his other thoughts, shock and distress over the idea of an heir quelled, the second thing Harry thinks of from the list was that Malfoy has a creature inheritance. What it means by compatible, Harry is uncertain, but he will assume that it means he and Malfoy have similar creatures. The third is that he and Draco must be romantically compatible in some sense, otherwise the agreement wouldn’t come into effect. 

Learning that they are compatible is surprising, yet also, not. With his mind as clear as it is now, it's obvious to Harry that things with Draco are different than how he perceived them. By listening to Ron, he allowed himself to be made constantly suspicious of Draco and other Slytherins, when in reality, they hadn't actually been doing much. Yes, Draco became a death eater, but not by choice. He was literally forced, and that won’t happen this time. And it isn't only Draco's fault that he and Harry fought so much, actually, it's almost all Harry's fault. He was the one who disrespected him first, he's the one who was rude first, and he's the one who was ignorant of everything between them.

Harry knows that this isn't actually his fault, it's Dumbledore’s, but Draco nor anyone else knows that. Hell, if Draco's friends knew about the betrothal then they probably thought he was much more of an arse than Draco was, and not just because he's their friend. He was basically

saying that he would rather lose his wealth and magic than marry Draco. Not only is it illogical, it's also rude as hell. And for him to have decided that and announce it to the whole of their year the first time they met is insane. An instant rejection for no apparent reason. 

So, deciding he will do his best to apologize going forward, knowing that there’s nothing else he can do about it today, he sets the letter down and grabs the second letter, which most likely holds the fake betrothal between him and Ginny.

Betrothal Contract between Ginevra Weasley and Harry Potter

(Signed 1981 by Albus Dumbledore and Molly Weasley)

Conditions for the spouse of Ginevra Weasley:

• One male child must be born by both parties.
• Wife will gain all assets should husband be hospitalized or otherwise incapacitated. 
• Husband will remain faithful to wife. 
• -Husband should accept any gift from wife. This includes food, drink, clothing, etc. 

Conditions for the spouse of Harry Potter:

• -Wife must produce a male child born of both parties.

To say Harry was furious with the contract was a delusion crafted in the most optimistic of minds. The only thing holding him together at the absolute bullshit that was in his hands was the promise of revenge on the headmaster and his partner in literal crime: Molly Weasly, his second mother.

How dare she? How dare she come into his life and act so motherly when she had signed him for death ages ago. Reading through this contract has put every question in Harry's mind about the betrothal and the Weasley’s intentions into place. 

Through the specific instructions for him in the contract it is obvious that they had planned to potion him or curse him into submission to Ginny and then create an heir before offing him and stealing everything he had. As horrible as it is to see such a thing from people he trusted once upon a time, he feels a sick sense of glee rise up in him at the pure, clear evidence of line theft. 

No more ‘speculating’ about what they were going to do with him, this was basically a signed confession!

“The grin on your face is frightening.” Severus’ voice breaks through his gleeful thoughts, and his grin drops at the words. 

“It seems I'll be pressing charges against one Weasley after all.” Harry says, though the indifference in his voice is only for the benefit of Severus, who did look genuinely disturbed by his previous expression. 

“I see.” Severus says, looking at the paper in his hands curiously but otherwise keeping his opinion on the matter to himself. “You should probably look at getting dressed for your trial soon, it's already eleven.” 

“Crap, yeah I’ll do that.” Harry says, grabbing his bag from the second chair in the room and quickly pulling out his clothes. “You can go now if you want to, I'll probably just have Teeny

grab me some food and then prepare my copy of the diagnostic.” He offers, already taking his shirt off and replacing it with the one for the trial so fast he doesn't see the pained look on Severus’ face at the state of his body.

“If you're sure, just write to me once you're done with your trial and let me know when you plan on coming back to the hospital and I’ll be here.” Severus tells him.

“I will,” Harry says, listening to the mans receding footsteps. 

“And, Harry?” 

“Yes?” He looks at the door confused.

“Good luck, you’ll need it.” Severus says before leaving with a grim nod at his charge, leaving him suddenly much more nervous than before.

Chapter Text

Harry Floos directly to Miss Zelby’s office, avoiding the crowds at the ministry and the need for another visitor’s pass. He immediately sees her sitting at her desk, reading over what looks to be the betrothal agreement between him and Ginny. 

“Hello Miss Zelby.” Harry greets politely, taking a seat in the same chair as the last time he was in her office, finding comfort in the somewhat familiar space. 

“Hello Harry, how are you feeling?” She asks him, a kind smile on her face as she sets her quill down. 

“Nervous, mostly, but also really excited.” He tells her, a nervous smile on his face. 

“Yes? And how did your visit to St. Mungo’s go this morning?” She asks, smile tightening at the reminder of his mystery guardian. 

“It went well I guess. I got new glasses,” he says, proudly showing her his new glasses,  “and I have my diagnosis here for you, with Veri-Ink explanations as well ready to be copied and distributed as evidence.” 

He hands over the paper and she looks over it closely before nodding, smile off of her face now at the too-long list in her hands. “This will certainly help solidify your case.” She says, smiling up at him sadly before placing the paper in a stack with the other papers. 

“Good,” he says awkwardly, still not used to the idea of people knowing what all has happened to him. 

“I have some good news: The minister found you a good attorney for today!” She tells him, a knock sounding just as Harry opens his mouth to ask who. “Come in!” She calls politely. 

In walks a tall, dark skinned man with a strict look on his face. 

“Harry, this is Lord Anderson Anders, he’s going to be your attorney today. Good timing, my dear.” She says to the man, gesturing for him to take a seat. 

“Thank you, Miss,” the man says, turning in his chair to look at Harry. “It's good to meet you, Harry, are you ready for your trial?” He asks, surprising Harry with the softness of his voice, contrasting his sharp appearance.

“Uhm, yes, I believe so. Has Miss Zelby, or the minister I suppose, filled you in? Do you have what you need? Any questions for me?” Harry asks, hoping he won't have to fill the man in on everything in the thirty minutes they have before the trial. That was one of the down sides to getting a trial together so quickly: he didn’t have much time to prepare. 

“I believe so, yes. You brought the diagnosis, correct?” He asks. 

“Yes, Miss Zelby has it with her.” Harry nods, shoulders slumping in relief.

“Good, are there any questions that you have for me? Anything I need to know before we enter the chamber?” Lord Anders asks. 

“The only thing I can think of is the whole no-questions-about-Voldemort thing. I don't want to answer any questions about the man outside of the questions involving the slander charges. The only thing I'll say is that I never gave permission for anything about me to be in the papers, and that a lot of what he’s claiming I said is false. I won’t say directly that he isn't back, because that's a lie, but I can work around that admission." Harry explains, hoping he made sense. 

Thankfully, the man just nods and asks more questions about the trial. They go over what questions are allowed and what he absolutely won't agree to talk about, as well as the procedure they will follow inside the courtroom. Anders tells him that the minister is the one questioning him and Harry feels like jumping for joy. The minister won’t do anything underhanded to him, and once his people see that he's gunning for Dumbledore and not Harry they will support the minister and in turn Harry during the trial. 

After thirty minutes of them talking, he and Anders leave the office and head down to the Wizengamot chambers for the trial, Miss Zelby wishing him luck on the way out. They manage to arrive just on time and Harry barely has time to take a breath before suddenly the doors are open and loud chatter overwhelms him.
He follows Anders to the plaintiff stand and sits beside him, looking at the judges booth to see the minister sitting and talking to Umbridge quietly, Percy beside him writing feverishly as always. He noticed that when he entered all of the conversations in the room seemed to die down significantly, and he’s sure that if he looked around at the people in the stands he would catch many eyes. 

“Just ignore them, Harry, the trial will start soon now that we're here.” Anders tells him quietly, somehow sensing his discomfort. 

Harry nods, his confidence cowed by all of the staring. He forgot how many people were in the Wizengamot, and how intimidating they could be. The one time he does look up, he manages to catch Fudge’s eye briefly. The man has a confident look on his face and is now talking loudly to Percy, surprisingly, and Percy must agree with the sentiment because he looks just as surprised as Harry, quill drooping out of his hand, forgotten.

The moment ends when the doors to the chamber close with a loud bang and the minister looks over everybody in the room before nodding and telling Percy something before addressing the room for the first time.

“Alright, we’re going to get started now if everyone could please return to their seats.” The minister says, and the people who were standing sit and the people who were talking stop. Once they do he nods once more and turns to face the Gamot. “Let’s begin. Today is August twenty-ninth, of the year 1995. Acting as the judge in today's trial is myself, Cornelius Fudge, with the Wizengamot currently present as acting Jury. Hadrian James Potter-Black, the plaintiff, bringing Anderson Anders as his attorney, and Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore as the defendant. The defendant is presented the following charges: child neglect, use of unlawful compulsions against a minor, acting as an accomplice of child abuse, disregard for mandated reporter laws, child endangerment, kidnapping, illegal possesion of a minor, illegal drawing of a marriage contract, slander, and line theft.”

Before the man has even finished his introduction the chambers are in absolute chaos. People on the Light faction’s side are furious, while people on the Dark faction’s side look angry and disbelieving. 

More than anything, Harry feels intrigued by the Gamot’s actions. Even as an active Auror he never attended a trial besides his own, so to see the whole Gamot in action is intriguing indeed.

“SILENCE!” A strong, female voice shouts suddenly, a loud bang soon following the command. Immediately, wands that were raised were lowered and all voices disappeared. Harry looks over to where the command came from and sees Amelia Bones standing guard by the doors, looking slightly red in the face and definitely disgruntled. 

“Thank you, Miss Bones,” the minister says awkwardly before once again addressing the room. “With the plaintiff now present, and the charges presented to the Gamot, we will bring in the defendant,” he says professionally. 

Harry sees him nod at the guards stationed at the other set of doors in the room and suddenly the doors are open and Dumbledore comes striding into the room. Two guards are flanking him from behind and a dreadful looking man in a decently nice suit is walking behind them to the stand beside theirs. Dumbledore appears to be speaking, but Harry can't hear any noises coming from the man. Whatever he’s saying must not be good though, because he’s lacking his signature twinkle in his eyes and the usual grandfatherly look is gone, replaced with a serious, no nonsense one which honestly looks intimidating. Looking at him now, Harry easily believes that this is a man who would happily send him to his death. 

“Why is the defendant silenced?” Fudge asks, directing the question to the two guards from the DMLE stationed behind Dumbledore. He looks positively gleeful at the sight of him, though he hides it well.

“He was causing a scene and attempting to persuade the officers on duty to release him. They saw fit to administer the silencing charm until the trial, and his attorney had it put back on.” The guard on the left answered dutifully. 

“I see, thank you.” Fudge says with a nod to the guards before turning back to the stands where Harry and Dumbledore now sit. “Now that everyone is here, we may begin.” 

Harry left the trial feeling relieved and utterly exhausted. It had dragged on for four hours with the number of charges and evidence to go through, as well as Dumbledore's rambling and attempts at manipulating the Gamot once he had finally been unsilenced. Harry almost wanted to just go home and saw screw it to the hospital, but he only has a few days left until he has to return to Hogwarts and he has too much to do to skip tonight. 

“Congratulations again Mr. Potter-Black for winning your case.” Lord Anders says with a small bow. 

“Thank you, especially for getting prepared so quickly for the trial. I'll ask Fudge to send a generous gift your way for all your work.” Harry says gratefully, returning the formal bow to the man awkwardly, seeing as he's not accustomed to doing so yet. 

The man gives one last nod and leaves, face still as blank as ever. 

Shortly following the man's retreat, Harry hears a loud clamor of voices approach him. Turning to see what was going on, he finds the minister and a few Gamot members talking. 

“Minister!” Harry greets, making his way through the hall towards the group.

“Harry, congratulations!” The man says with a smile so big his face could split open.  

“Yeah, thanks.” Harry says with a smile, suddenly self conscious with all the people around them silently soaking up every word of their interaction. “Thank you for providing Lord Anders, by the way. He did an excellent job.” 

“Of course! I couldn't leave you to that man's horrible scheming once you enlightened me to the situation and only the best would suffice.” Fudge says jovially, surely enjoying being able to imply that he helped Harry a lot. Which he kind of did. 

“Well, I have to go now. I have an appointment at St. Mungoes, but I’ll be in touch about what we previously discussed.” Harry says, not having the mental energy required to put up with political scheming at the moment. 

“You better be off then, I'll be awaiting your owl.” The minister says with a tip of his head. As Harry walks away from the group and to the elevator he hears the crowd grow in volume. 

He makes his way to the elevator and presses in the button for the atrium once he enters, painfully aware of the blond headed man already inside. 

Wishing to simply ignore his presence, he stares steadily at the wall, not blinking too fast or too slow, and acting like he didn't notice his presence. 

“Potter.” Fucking Malfoys. Why is this damned elevator cursed?! He's only using the other elevator from now on!

“Lord Malfoy, I believe I’ve given you the courtesy of addressing you properly, the least you could do is address me in the same fashion.” Harry says, eyes not leaving their designated spot on the wall. 

“Why are you acting in favour of the Dark Lord? You have just gifted him his greatest oppposition!” Lucius spits out viciously. 

“Unless you blocked out that whole trial, which I seriously doubt, then you should know that Dumbledore was also my greatest opposition, outside of your ‘Lord’.” Harry says, spinning on the man now in his anger at him even suggesting that Harry was trying to help Voldemort. “I was simply doing what I had to do to free myself of a life full of misery and manipulation by a sick and selfish man. I hate Voldemort, and I want him dead , make no mistake about that, but my absolute loathing for Dumbledore exceeds anything I feel towards that snake ten-fold!” Harry finishes, absolutely fuming. 

Lucius just looks at him in disbelief, but before he can say anything to respond the doors slide open and Harry is angrily forcing his way past the wizards already pushing their way into the elevator. 

When Harry gets back to his room at St. Mungo’s the first thing he does is call for Teeny and ask for parchment and a quill to write to Severus with. He simply tells him that he's back in his room and that the trial went well, but nothing more. 

As Harry writes the letter he thinks about Severus's change in behavior in the past twenty four hours, especially this morning though. 

He hugged him! Severus, who used to be Snape to Harry, hugged him! Severus who used to wipe his hands on his robes if he made even the smallest amount of contact with him! 

Harry doesn’t even necessarily blame Severus for most of his behavior, knowing how his father and his friends used to bully him. He hates it, but he understands it. If he was bullied and had his only friend stolen by a rich, happy, popular guy and then saw his identical famous son years later he would be a bit conflicted too, but he certainly wouldn't bully the child! 

Maybe there is a logical explanation for it though, and he decides to just ask Severus when he gets a chance, but he still can't shake it from his mind as he waits for Dr. Ivers to come by. 

Is it the adoption papers? Harry doesn’t know anything about adoption in the wizarding world, so maybe the contract had magical bindings on it to make the parent more caring towards the child? It sounds ridiculous but he's seen a lot of weird magical things over the years and that would be the least awful one. 

Another thought that seems more realistic is that Severus simply realized that Harry isn't actually like his dad at all. He wasn't raised rich or spoiled, and he certainly isn't a bully(except maybe to Malfoy), so maybe he just realized that he was being unreasonable. 

Speaking of unreasonable, maybe it was Dumbledore's doing? Thinking back on how everything went before, Severus had made an unbreakable vow to protect him. What if Dumbledore manipulated Severus into disliking Harry so that when he told him that he had to die he wouldn't fight him to protect Harry? Harry had been manipulated into a sacrifice, so Severus being manipulated to sacrifice him isn’t too far of a stretch.

Either way, he likes the new, weird Severus more than the old one. 

Harry gets scared out of his thoughts by the sound of house elf apparating, and suddenly Teeny and Severus are in his room. Before they can even get a word in, the door opens and now Dr. Ivers is in the room too, face positively glowing yet again. 

“Hey! Sorry that took so long, how did your trial go Harry?” The doctor asks energetically for someone who's been at work since early in the morning. 

“It went well, all charges were passed and he's going to jail for quite a while. It took forever though. I was only expecting it to take an hour but there was so much evidence to look through and he just kept talking and talking every chance he got. I think he talked more than his lawyer honestly.” Harry tells them, taking in Severus's appearance. “What happened to you?” 

“Order meeting. They're losing their collective mind thanks to you.” He answers with a roll of his eyes. 

“Yikes. At least I bailed you out.” Harry says with a wince, turning his attention back onto Dr. Ivers who's doing his best to seem uninterested and busy. 

Noticing his attention on him he begins to talk. “So, we fixed your hip and your eyes, now we need to fix the rest of your past injuries and your teeth. We have a few options regarding how we will fix your bones so I'll let you decide which one you prefer.” Dr. Ivers says, suddenly much more serious than before. 

“Okay, what are my options then? I thought you were just going to vanish my bones and use a Skeligrow potion?” Harry asks, unsure what other way there is to do it. 

“Well, instead of removing every bone in an area, I can go in and only remove the afflicted bones. This way would require me to cut into your arm, leg, etc. to get to these bones. The only benefit to this is it will take less time and will have a lesser drain on your magical supply. The down side is that it’s a bit more painful while they grow back and there's a chance your other bones won’t adjust well to the new bone.” Dr. Ivers explains. 

“It’s already really painful to have a bone regrown anyways. What's the chance the other bones don't adjust well?” 

“Well, for most people I'd say there's barely a chance, but a lot of your breaks are very old, which unfortunately means that your other bones surrounding the breaks have slid around to accommodate. So, for this reason I don't recommend it.” 

“Alright, is that it? I don't really care either way but I want to strain my core as little as possible.” Harry tells him, looking at Severus to see what he thinks too. 

“Then we should vanish all the bones at once instead of singularly.” Dr. Ivers says, writing something down on his clipboard. 

“Wouldn’t it be better if you vanished them in sections instead of all at once? That way his body can be given a chance to recover in between limbs or sections.” Severus asks from his chair, Teeny sitting beside him. 

“We can do that, I would just recommend a dreamless sleep potion and a draught of living death, weakened of course, so that you sleep the whole night. Does that work?” He asks Harry.

“Sure, if that's what you both think is best.” Harry says with a shrug.

“Alright then, as for your teeth, it's very simple. I will vanish them and regrow them with Skeligrow. After I do this however you must be very gentle with your teeth. They will be very sensitive and a bit weak, so I recommend soft foods and gentle brushing so they don't move around or chip. That goes for your body too, you need to be careful to not be too rough with yourself. Maybe stay in bed and limit your movement for a day or two after this.” Dr. Ivers tells him, a strict look on his face almost rivaling McGonagall’s. 

“Alright, I can do that.” Harry says, having no intention of doing that. He’s a busy guy! He’s got stuff to do!

“Alright, if there's no more questions then I’ll leave you to get some food and prepare your potions. Should be thirty minutes give or take.” Dr. Ivers says, eyebrows raised questioningly before they both shake their heads and he leaves. 

Harry immediately turns to Severus and asks about the Order meeting.

“What was it about? Were they freaking out about Dumbledore?” Harry asks excitedly. 

“It was about Albus, obviously. And yes, they were ‘freaking’ out. They went to check on you in the morning after the article came out and found out you were gone and called an emergency meeting.” He says with a roll of his eyes. Harry isn't sure if he should be offended or not. “Then they couldn’t get a hold of Albus so they panicked even more and since Albus wasn't there to lead the meeting it was chaos.” 

“Seriously? They don't have a second in command or something in case he isn't there?” Harry asks, seriously baffled at the unorganized adults.

“Exactly! I suggested it many times but nobody listens to me there. McGonagall ended up taking charge which kind of worked until Molly and Black started fighting about where you went and what happened. Black was certain you were taken by Voldemort and was yelling at her for suggesting you ran away, and Molly was yelling at him saying that he didn't know you at all and that he needed to be quiet. It was horrid.” Severus drawled, energy leaving his voice as he recounted the fight. 

“You see why I need you now?” Harry asks, only slightly teasing. 

“Yes. They are both unfit to parent if you ask me, even if some of the Weasley children ended up decent.” He replies. 

“So? What else happened? No way the meeting was just about me and Dumbledore disappearing.” 

“I shouldn't be telling you anything, but we decided on continued patrols in certain places and to keep a low profile. So, whatever plans you have should still be fine. I'll do what I can to keep things quiet with them but I don't know how long that will last. Without Dumbledore, nobody really knows how to move forward with The Order.” Severus tells him seriously. 

“Don’t worry, I have a good plan. Dumbledore being out of the equation will make things easier for us in the long run anyways. You just keep spying for Voldemort and keeping The Order quiet and I’ll do my part.” Harry tries to reassure him, not knowing what else to say without revealing all that he knows. Even if he and Severus are currently not hating each other it doesn’t mean he trusts him with everything. 

“If you're sure. When are you planning to retrieve the Horcruxes?” Severus asks. Harry can tell he’s not completely convinced still so he decides to tell him more than he had planned to.

“I’m going to go tomorrow to try to retrieve two of them. Hopefully, if Gringotts works with me, which I’m sure they will, then I’ll actually get them both relatively quickly. Should be pretty simple.” 

“You sound very confident, are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Severus asks, eyebrow raised skeptically. 

“Yes, I'm sure. I know what I need to do and what to expect.” Harry tells him. 

“I still don’t understand all of this. How do you just suddenly know everything? This is the Dark Lord we're talking about. Are you sure this isn’t a trap?” Severus asks, actually looking genuinely worried. 

“I know you don’t understand, and I’m sorry, but I can't tell you everything yet. Just try and trust me? I swear I’m not being tricked.” Harry says, making an embarrassing connection between Severus and Mrs. Weasley before he found out what she’s done. He’s kind of smothering him with worry right now; it's almost touching. 

“Alright, let’s table this conversation for now, you have a long night ahead of you. Call Teeny and ask her to get you some dinner so you can take your potions.” Severus says while leaning back in his chair, a tired look on his face. 

“Shoot, I forgot about that. Teeny!” Harry calls, realizing they’ve been talking for about fifteen minutes of their thirty. 

Teeny pops up immediately after being called, somehow disappearing without either of them even realising. Harry asks her for something to eat, something light for when he inevitably becomes nauseous later. She brings him a sandwich and water which he immediately scarfs down, realising he hasn't eaten in like five hours.

When Dr. Ivers eventually returns, Harry is talking to Teeny about his trial and she is celebrating the take down of the ‘bad man’ as she calls him. 

“Eat already Harry?” He asks, setting the load of potion bottles and his clip board down on the counter. 

“Yeah, I’m ready to turn into a temporary lump of skin.” Harry says with a good natured smile on his face. 

“Good, good,” the doctor says as he grabs out his wand from his pocket and two potion bottles. “This is the dreamless sleep potion and this is the draught of living death. You need to drink both bottles when you're ready and then I will vanish your bones once you are asleep and administer the Skeligrow.” 

Harry nods along with the instructions and takes the bottles from the man, turning to Severus hesitantly. “You don't have to stay for this part if you don't want to, I'll be fine on my own.” 

“Are you sure? Would you like Teeny to stay instead? I admit I will probably be at the school for most of the day tomorrow because of Albus's imprisonment so I won't be here in the morning.” Severus tells him, and Harry suddenly feels a wave of guilt towards the Hogwarts staff for the mess he's made just before school starts. 

“I’ll be fine, Teeny can stay if she wants and watch over me, and you can always send a message through her or owl me if needed. I'll owl you anyway to tell you how everything goes tomorrow." Harry insists, making shooing motions with his hands. 

Between Harry shooing him out the door and Teeny nodding along reassuringly, Severus decides to leave. “Alright fine, but I'm holding you to that. Owl me tomorrow after everything is finished and let me know how it went, and if you need help send Teeny and I'll come.” 

“I will, I will, promise.” Harry tells him, and only then does he leave. “Well, let's get started.” Harry says, downing his two potions as quickly as he can to avoid the taste. 

“Alright, just lean back.” Dr. Ivers says, helping Harry lay down as the world around him quickly begins to fade.