Harry Potter had only been back at number 4 Privet Drive for three days when the Dursleys announced that they were leaving on vacation the next morning and he would need to find somewhere to stay for the rest of the summer. It was barely the first week of July and he was already homeless.
“I don’t care where you go, Boy, but Miss Fig can’t take you. She’s off visiting relatives. And I won’t have any of those freak friends of yours coming here. If you want to head to their house fine but I don’t want them here.”
“Can you at least drive me to London since you don’t want anyone coming to pick me up?” Harry asked tentatively.
“No, absolutely not!” Vernon blustered. Thankfully Petunia pulled him to the side for a moment whispering reason in his ear. Eventually, he wandered off muttering unhappily.
“We will give you bus money to get to London, but after that, you’re on your own,” she said, sternly eyeing her nephew.
“Thank you, Aunt Petunia,” Harry murmured keeping his head down and trying to look pathetically grateful.
“I expect your best behavior until then. Go to your room and pack. We will leave early in the morning and I expect a good breakfast to be waiting when we get up." she snapped waving him off with a sniff of disgust.
“Yes, Aunt Petunia,” Harry murmured as he quickly headed to his room, glad for the escape.
Harry got halfway through writing a letter to Ron and his family before he crumpled the parchment up. The last place he wanted to go right now was Grimmauld Place and Ron’s family was guaranteed to be there. They would be staying there since it had to be safer than the Burrow.
It’d been a horrible year. He let himself wallow in depression the first day back before he acknowledged that he was being ridiculous. He was mourning the death of a dream more than the man who died. He barely knew Sirius Black but he’d been a connection to his parents and Harry latched on to that weak link fiercely.
It just proved to him that he had only himself to rely on, just as it had always been. He could no longer count on his friends not to turn their back on him or be swayed by gossip and rumors. It happened to him too many times before, not even counting the times since entering the magical world.
He would have to stand on his own and he had wasted too much time already trying to live a normal life. The prophecy simply highlighted that fact. He was never destined to be normal, no matter how much he dreamed and yearned for it.
Hermione would have been proud of him. He spent the next two days making up a study chart and schedule for the rest of the summer and organizing his notes and books. He might have never put much of an effort into his tests and lessons but that was more a habit for survival than his natural inclination. He’d gotten beaten too many times for getting better grades than Dudley to try and do his best in school. He matched his effort to that of Ron without giving it much thought. Now he was starting to wish he had tried to push himself in all his classes like he had in Defense against the Dark Arts.
Now that his plans had changed, he might need to rethink things. He really didn’t want to stay at Grimmauld Place; it was still too open a wound. That left him trying to contact Dumbledore or Hermione. He knew Dumbledore would send him to Grimmauld with a pat on the head without a second thought. Hermione would probably report any request he made straight to an adult, who would tell Dumbledore. There was a chance she would help him stay somewhere else, but it was a small chance. He never knew which way her love of following rules and those with higher authority would fall in her decision-making.
He decided to make his way to Diagon Alley as planned. He could hit the bank, pick up his supplies, and find a place to stay. If he went to the Leaky Cauldron, he was all but guaranteed to have his presence reported to one of the professors, if not to Dumbledore himself. He would just have to play it by ear and hope for the best. At the very least, he could get some unsupervised shopping time.
****
The next morning, Harry woke up at four in the morning to make breakfast for the Dursleys, sneaking a bacon and cheese sandwich into his bag for later. Surprisingly, the Dursleys seemed in a good mood, handing him the money for the bus with nothing more than dirty looks. Vernon drove to the closest bus stop and left without a backward glance while they drove on to their vacation.
With a grimace, he considered waiting the hours until the first bus of the morning arrived, but in the end, he pulled on a ripped ball cap that he rescued from the trash last summer and summoned the Knight Bus instead. A short, hair-raising trip later, he was left outside of Gringotts, brushing the crumbs of his sandwich off his sweater. Surprisingly, the bank seemed open even this early, so Harry made his way inside. Only a few of the counters were open, but they each had a small line, so early morning transactions must not be that uncommon.
“I would like to go to my vault, please,” Harry said calmly, handing the young goblin manning the desk his key when his turn came. The goblin examined the key before flipping something over on his desk and hopping down from his high chair. A moment later, another goblin took his place and called on the next person in line.
“Come with me.” The teller said, gesturing for Harry to follow.
“Is there a problem?” Harry asked, hesitating.
“There is a notice attached to your account. I am taking you to your account manager… He will explain.”
“All right. Thank you for taking the time to do so. I know the bank is very busy.”
“Time is gold, Mister Potter.” The goblin said, eying the young man who stood at nearly the same height. “Here is your bank account manager’s office, Thadin Gold Kris.”
“Thank you,” Harry said with a nod, turning and knocking on the door without preamble. If time was gold, then wasted time must be an egregious sin to the goblins. He missed the approving glance from the young goblin as it turned and moved back down the hallway at a ground-eating pace.
“Come!” A deep voice demanded. Harry quickly squared his shoulders and opened the door, stepping briskly inside and shutting the door behind him with a firm click. “What is it?”
“My name is Harry Potter; I was told I needed to speak with you?”
“Indeed, Mister Potter. We have been attempting to contact you for several weeks. Goblins do not take well to being denied.” Gold Kris said sternly, gesturing for Harry to take a seat in one of the two chairs set before the desk.
“I was not aware, or I would have come sooner. How can I assist you, Master Gold Kris?” Harry said, quickly moving to a chair and taking a seat. This looked to be an interesting conversation. He had never seen such an old-looking Goblin or one that wore so many earrings.
“With the death of your legal guardian, you need to review the changes to come to your accounts and to attend the will reading. We have requested your presence several times from your current magical guardian, Albus Dumbledore, and have been refused.”
“I was not aware that Headmaster Dumbledore was my magical guardian,” Harry said carefully, the headmaster hadn’t done anything to show he was any kind of guardian.
“Has he not spoken with you about your accounts or taken you to review your current holdings?” The goblin pressed, gesturing with a claw and pulling more files from somewhere behind himself.
“He has not,” Harry said slowly, forcing himself to be calm. “I only found out about my vault at Gringotts when Hagrid, the Hogwarts groundskeeper, brought me to buy my supplies for my first year. He gave me my vault key.”
“Interesting, Dumbledore appointed himself your magical guardian after the death of your parents. Considering that your appointed godparents are also indisposed, Gringotts had no standing to refuse this placement. I take it you have not been living with and trained by Dumbledore?”
“I have not. I was raised by my muggle Aunt and her husband. I still stay there during the summers when I’m not at school.”
“Most unsettling, I wish to do a full review of your accounts, Mister Potter. To avoid suspicion, should things be...mismanaged...I will log it as part of the requirements of your God Father’s will. Is this acceptable?”
“Yes, how soon would you have more information?”
“We would be, though, so I would say at least a week before a more detailed review could be started, as the family holdings are extensive.” the goblin offered with a frown.
“Have the accounts been in decline?”
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Most of the Potter family investments are long-term investments. Some heavy losses were incurred in the war and not rebuilt; properties lingered damaged and unoccupied. Without a family representative to authorize these decisions, our hands were tied. Dumbledore has authorized some changes but not many, mostly, the estate has been left in stasis since the death of your parents.”
“Then, in dealing with these issues, our time will be well spent in increasing both the family’s and the Bank’s wealth.”
“Well said, Mister Potter.” The Goblin said with approval. “Let us begin.”
The goblin began pulling out documents, stuffing some through slots in the top of his desk. He tapped a crystal Harry had taken for a paperweight with one claw, making it glow a deep ruby for a moment. A knock at the door several minutes later made Harry jump. Gold Kris called for them to enter, and another goblin came in with several small wooden and metal boxes. These were quickly left on the desk, and the goblin dismissed.
“These are your family rings. You were named as a blood heir to the Black family and must either uphold their family name and claim the ring or combine the House into the Potter family.” The Goblin held up a staying hand when Harry went to respond. “Since you were not raised as a Magical, I must warn you, there are consequences to either decision. I will give you the names of several books to read that will explain these issues and more. For now, you need to at least wear the Potter ring. The rest can be dealt with at a later date.”
“Very well. Is there any ritual or method to it?”
“There is not.” The goblin said with a huff, “The Potter ring will go on your right hand. The ring will judge that you are of the Potter line and allow you to access the family estates, library, and vaults. Some families include other enchantments on their House rings, but that is a family matter. If you are not of the House, you will not enjoy the experience.”
Harry nodded and stepped forward to open the indicated box. Inside, a gold and ruby signet ring emblazoned with the family crest was nestled against red velvet. There was a slight sting when he slid the ring into place, but that was quickly replaced with a swell of warmth as the magic of the Potter family swelled through him, accessing and accepting him. There was a feeling of pressure that increased and pushed at him, making him gasp. As quickly as it came, it was gone, leaving only the warmth of magic pulsing against his skin and seeming to soothe away the small aches and pains that he never really realized were wearing him down. He missed the slight golden glow that had enveloped him as the ring did its work.
“Interesting; The ring appears to have removed some sort of enchantment that was placed upon you. If you wish, I can have one of our curse breakers come in and check you for other spells?” Gold Kris offered, pulling out yet more paperwork.
“Yes, I would appreciate that. I only ask that it not be Bill Weasley. His family’s well connected with Dumbledore, and I don’t trust them not to inform him of my activities.”
“Very well, however, his vows to Gringotts should prevent such a breach of contract.” The goblin said with a frown. He quickly wrote out a note and tapped the crystal, handing the message to the goblin, who arrived with a quick order in gobbledygook. While they waited, Gold Kris began laying out and explaining the documents that Harry would need to review and sign before he left today.
“If I may, Mister Potter, What were your plans for this visit?”
“I had planned to find a place to stay near or in the Alley for the summer. I was coming to the bank to make a withdrawal so that I could pick up my school supplies and some books.”
“You have several houses and properties around the globe that are currently sitting empty, as well as your family manor. As for the shopping, you may be able to find what you need in the family vaults. I will have an inventory prepared for you. It will take several meetings to review the changes that need to be made to the Potter accounts. I will arrange for a portkey to the Bank to be made so that you can travel here as needed, for a small fee, of course.”
“Of course. Thank you for your assistance in all this, Master Gold Kris.” Harry said with a respectful nod.
“The prosperity of a goblin family rests on how well his accounts are going, Mister Potter. By allowing me to help put your House in order, I will be increasing my own family’s prestige and wealth.”
A knock at the door interrupted them. The curse breaker and a goblin healer were quickly shown in, and the door closed firmly behind them. Harry stood and turned to face them as they entered.
“I need to have my client scanned for any foreign spells or interference upon his person.” Gold Kris said, indicating Harry and turning back to the mounds of paperwork accumulating on his desk.
“Of course; if you will remove your robe and set your wand to the side, I can begin.” The curse breaker said briskly; she was an older woman with dark grey streaked hair pulled back in a tight braid. She started casting as soon as Harry finished turning to face her, ignoring the instinctive flinch the action caused. She cast on and off for almost thirty minutes, pausing occasionally to add to a scroll that she used to note down each spell’s results.
“You can take your seat again. I apologize for how long the scans took. I had to double-check some of the results." she paused, glancing at his account manager before continuing. “Requesting a curse breaker to scan an account holder is not that unusual however, it normally means that an illegal curse or impersonation is being used. Mister Potter, I can verify that you are, indeed, Harrison Jameson Potter, called Harry. I detected fifteen different curses and spells placed upon Mister Potter, ranging from simple protection charms and magical restrictions that are normally placed on infants to several borderline dark curses meant to lessen his intelligence, increase anger and depression, and block or restrict his magical abilities. These spells can be removed, but it will take several sessions, and I might need more than just myself to remove them. Whoever placed the spells was very powerful. The rest of the spells are used to monitor his health and location.” The curse breaker trailed off, disturbed by her findings.
“What spells can be removed today?” Account Manager Gold Kris asked, jotting down notes and sending them out as fast as he sealed them.
“One of the blocks may be removed, the locator and monitoring spells, and the curses on his emotions and intelligence. The dark spells blocking his core are the problem, they will take longer to remove and could cause a fair bit of pain.”
Harry sat pale and stunned. Dumbledore had to be behind many of the spells if it took a powerful caster to place them. How long had his personality and reactions been tampered with? Was he even normally like this if he had been under spells since just after the attack on his parents?
“How long?” Harry choked out. “How long have they been in place?”
“It is hard to say. I would say the majority of the spells were placed while you were an infant, given how degraded some of them have become. Your magic has been wearing at the spells constantly in an instinctive attempt to remove them. Frankly, I am amazed you can do magic at all with the amount of blocking and draining spells covering your core. You shouldn’t be able to do anything other than basic magic.”
“But I can cast a patronus! I can do all the spell work required for Hogwarts.” Harry protested weakly, reeling back in his chair.
“But how much effort does it take?" she asked gently with a knowing look.
“The patronus took months to learn right. Most spells are not that hard, however. I can normally get them around the same time as everyone else in class. Well, except for potions.” Harry said slowly.
“Your spell casting should improve once your blocks are removed. You’ll have access to your full magic, which will mean that you will be able to power higher-level spells, and the low-level spells you already know will be easier to cast. Potions should improve as well since brewing uses the low-level magic we naturally extrude that you don’t have with the blocks." she turned to the healer. “Healer Baston, can you check his overall health? I want to make sure that the strain of removing the spells won’t adversely affect him.”
“Of course.” The healer said, stepping forward. “You might feel a slight tingle from some of the spells, but this will not hurt. Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Harry said, ready for the scans to be over so that he could have the curse breaker start. The scans were quicker this time, but the healer frowned as the review concluded.
“There is no reason not to remove the spells and curses now however, I would like to suggest a session with one of our healers for Mr. Potter at a later date.”
“I will add it to his later appointments.” Gold Kris said, jotting down a note. “Are you ready to begin, Curse Breaker Harris?”
“Yes." she turned to face Harry. “Just try to relax and breathe. I have never removed a curse this old from a living person, and I cannot guarantee that it won’t hurt. I can say that it will be over quickly and that you will be tired for the next few days as your body and magic adjust.”
Harry gave her a quick nod in response and tried to get his muscles to relax into the solid wood of the chair underneath him. The first few spells that washed over him had no effect beyond a faint wash of warmth or tingling sweeping across his skin. An icy blue spell washed over him, and his breath caught in his chest, it felt like the magic had hooked something deep in his chest and was trying to pull it out. It went on and on before finally something snapped, and Harry fell, gasping back in the chair.
“That was the last of them I can do today. Are you alright?”
“Yeah, just out of breath.”
“Do you mind if I check you one more time, Mr. Potter?” the healer asked, wand already out and ready.
“Sure,” he murmured, still getting his breath back. After all the other spells, he barely noticed the healer’s scans.
“Just exhausted as expected. Here, a pepper up, this should get you through the rest of your meeting, but after, you need to eat and rest.”
“Thank you,” Harry murmured, taking the red pepper up potion and downing it before handing back the vial. He already could feel his energy coming back, but he knew the crash once it ran out would make him feel even worse than he did now.
“Let us wrap things up then, Mister Potter.” Gold Kris said, gesturing Harry up to the front of the desk as the others took their leave. “I have arranged for a portkey to the Potter family manor for you. Once you arrive, ask for a Potter Family House Elf to assist you with anything else you need. The portkey will bring you back to my office in two days for your next appointment as well. By then, we will need a decision on whether or not you will be combining your Houses. We will have completed a full inventory of your accounts and vaults, and I will be able to lay out your options for each. I will also arrange to have the rest of the spells on your person removed and your appointment with the healer to be that afternoon. We will conduct a full inheritance test once you are free of outside influence.”
“Thank you, Master Gold Kris.” Harry murmured, “Is there any other business that can be dealt with today?”
“Some paperwork that you must sign.” The goblin said, gesturing him forward.
Hours later, Harry finally finished reviewing everything as best he could and signing every manner of documentation. Documents to revoke all access to his accounts except for himself, documents to recall all keys, documents to allow the inventory to be conducted, documents to combine all the smaller vaults with his family vaults unless they had their family vault, it went on and on. Finally, Harry was handed a ring with the keys to all his new vaults and his copies of all the paperwork.
It was now late afternoon, and Harry was exhausted, his head pounding and stomach twisting from having nothing to eat. Gold Kris had called for refreshments at noon, but Harry could only nibble a few pieces of the dried fruit and jerky that was brought, though he sipped constantly from the goblet of cold water that never seemed to empty. The pepper-up potion had long worn off by the time he gathered his paperwork into his trunk and activated the portkey.