The next day was quick to come and when Harry woke up, it was because of Hedwig, who picked on the window shortly after dawn. Next to her sat a particularly big exemplar of a tawny owl with a package from Flourish and Blotts. He opened it, while Ron was still groaning into his pillow. Hedwig nipped his ear affectionately when she landed on his shoulder.
"Hello girl," Harry said and petted her wings. A small note was attached to her foot. It was sealed with wax. Probably magical, to prevent the wrong people from reading it. Harry took the note and Hedwig graciously flew over to the bowl with water. Meanwhile, the tawny owl had a hard time getting in and Harry helped her by relieving her of the hefty weight pulling her down. Pigwidgeon chirped excitedly, which led to Ron groaning once more.
"Shut up pig," Ron mumbled under his blanket before he fell back asleep.
Meanwhile, the tawny owl expectantly stretched its foot with a small leather bag attached to it. Once Harry had checked the price scribbled onto bill stuck to the package, he rummaged through his suitcase, till he'd gathered the right amount.
Once the owl was paid it also made its way to the water bowl where Pigwidgeon excitedly fluttered around them before it took off and left.
Harry first opened the large package, ripping away the brown paper to reveal three books.
All of them seemed used, their edges worn and the pages yellowish from age. Harry didn't look forward in the slightest to read them, but if he wanted his plan to work he needed to do some research first. The cover of the biggest read, "A constitutional and legal history of magical law in Great Britain (i. e. England, Scotland & Wales) from 1847-1881" while the other two were titled, "Law reports and commentary, Wizengamot 1876" and "Consequences: The effect of magical Law and its complexity on wizarding society by A. Bodwick - 1880".
After briefly checking the books and flipping through their pages, Harry put them aside, shifting his attention to the letter. His mood visibly improved once he had broken the seal and read what was written onto the parchment.
Dear Mr Potter,
you wanted to be informed as soon as possible. Preparations have been made and we await you today. If your attendance is being prevented for some reason and therefore shan't be possible, please inform us per owl.
Sincerely Gringotts Bank
With a grin, he put the letter aside. Outside the sun had barely risen, fog still heavy over the city. Sighing Harry pulled one of the old books towards him. If he was already awake, he could at least use the time and begin his research.
About half an hour into his reading, Harry had resorted to using some basic spells which helped him find the pages in the books which were of interest to him. Meanwhile, Death had materialized in his human form, lounging on Harry's bed and lazily watching him as he flipped through the books.
Ever so slowly, the house came to life and Harry could hear muffled voices as the first people went down to get to the kitchen. Shortly before Ron woke, Harry shoved the books under his bed where the other two from the Black library were already collecting dust.
When they eventually headed down for breakfast, he'd already gained a pretty good overview of what he had to know.
Once they had eaten, Harry subtly discarded the evidence of his correspondence in the big fireplace, as he wasn't very keen on being bothered with unnecessary conversations consisting of annoying questions.
Something that turned out to be rather useless, as Ron and Hermione had apparently decided that now was the perfect time to confront him about his outburst regarding their lack of communication during the summer. Thus, the first half of his day mostly consisted of him dodging their attempts to talk to him, Death being surprisingly helpful in alerting him of their presences and stepping between them, whenever they spotted an opening.
Sirius showed up somewhere around noon in a wrinkly shirt, yawning and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, but when he spotted Harry he grinned at him, probably still elated by what had been discussed during their late-night conversation.
Even Mrs Weasley's demanding nature didn't seem to darken his mood while they cleaned out the showcases in the drawing room, although the glass-fronted shelf with the vampire blood and the daggers was left untouched.
When they were almost done, Sirius announced that whoever threw one of the blades at the old tapestry and was able to hit one of his relatives would be free of further cleaning for the next day.
Despite Hermione's worries, this was the highlight of their cleaning hours.
Of course, this new sport was soon prevented by Mrs Weasley, who came back with a plate of self-made sandwiches. Fred later claimed, that he should've been declared the winner because he managed to hit Sirius' scorched name, which technically had to count, while Ginny countered that Sirius explicitly said that they had to hit one of his relatives and not himself. Their argument was still ongoing when they headed downstairs for dinner. It was also when Harry intercepted their heated discussion by stating that he was the only one beside Sirius to even manage to get the dagger to stick in the tapestry, which automatically should entitle him to take at least half a day off from cleaning.
"Kreacher will be devastated when he discovers the scratches," Hermione said empathetically when they had almost reached the entrance hall. She was shaking her head.
"If it's not a dark spell you use, it repairs itself on its own," Sirius said, side-eyeing Death's snake form, which was curled around Harry's neck and shoulders, "And as far as I know, the blades weren't cursed. The least you could find on them was some poison."
"Poison?!!" If on cue Mrs Weasley's had materialized at the foot of the stairs.
"Oh no, the dragon approaches," Sirius whispered under his breath and Ginny in front of him snickered. "No Molly, that was just a joke," Sirius said louder while smiling a crooked smile and lifting his hands in defence. But Mrs Weasley didn't buy it.
"IRRESPONSIBLE, letting children throw with KNIVES-," she exclaimed, already starting her second tirade today. Harry noticed how Sirius expression fell and almost comically changed to annoyed.
"Technically they are daggers, Molly," Sirius replied in a cool tone and used the opportunity to rush up the stairs in a perfect pureblood manner, while Mrs Weasley was still too shocked to say something in return. Fred and George were also gaping, but they seemed more impressed than anything else.
Harry had the feeling that through Sirius' involvement with him, some of the old arrogant attitudes of the Black family resurfaced. He couldn't say, that he didn't find it amusing. As Harry saw Sirius walking away, he realized that this was the perfect opportunity. He turned away from a speechless Mrs Weasley and looked at Ron and Hermione.
"Hey, I think I'm going to talk to Sirius about something for a moment."
"Harry," Hermione said and held him back, "I-" She hesitated, "-I just wanted to say, that you can talk to us too. We are really sorry what happened, but ignoring us isn't going to change anything."
"I know," Harry said, "I'm not angry. It's just, that I talked to Sirius yesterday, and he promised, to help me with a few things. It's because of my trial."
"Oh Harry," Hermione said, worry shone in her eyes. "Are you nervous? I mean they can't really do anything, I spoke with Tonks and Moody, you see? And they said that wizards are allowed to use magic if they are in danger, even if they are underage," she ranted to reassure him.
"Yeah, I know," Harry said, "And I'm not really nervous, but I would like to be prepared." He smirked.
"Harry," Ron whispered with a suspicious look, not assured by Harry's speech about 'being prepared' while he side-eyed his mother, who was fussing over Ginny. "You aren't planning something, you didn't tell us?" Harry only smirked.
"Harry, you can't... With Sirius-" Hermione whispered, but Harry interrupted her.
"Sorry, I have to go," he said cheerily and rushed up the stairs.
"HARRY!" Hermione shouted when Harry had already reached the Hallway. Harry heard Ron cursing, Mrs Weasley shouting, "RONALD!" and then quick steps following him.
Harry smirked at Death and he started to go faster. While he wasn't too bothered by the thought that Ron and Hermione knew something was up, he didn't want to deal with them right now.
"It seems Death, that we are able to get to Gringotts earlier, then I thought," Harry hissed. The impression of a grin passed through his mind.
Just around the corner, he caught up to Sirius. Slightly panting, Harry grinned at him. "Sirius, hey. What do you think, if we hurry up with our plans? You know, sneaking out and so on."
Sirius smirked. "What time did you have in mind?"
"Like, right now?" Harry suggested with a shrug.
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Sure, just let me grab som-"
Harry quickly scanned Sirius' clothes. A worn band-shirt reading 'Sex Pistols', black jeans and battered pair of boots. "Nah, it will work like this," Harry said and without a second thought, he gripped Sirius' arm and with a little help of Death pulled him along through the shadows.
They reappeared in a lively street in Muggle London. Harry immediately started to walk, following the masses and pulling his godfather along. Sirius was breathing heavily.
"What the hell?" he uttered and with his hands, he felt his torso. His head snapped to his left and right, quickly scanning the area. Then he turned back to Harry. His magic was swirling violently. Probably caused by panic, Harry guessed. "I think one time saying it, won't be enough," Sirius exclaimed, "So, what the fuck Harry?!" Sirius was almost edging on hysterics and he looked around nervously. "You know that I am a wanted man!" he hissed under his breath, "Muggles still search for me, not to speak of wizards. And you chose to bring me here, in the middle of all these people?!" Sirius started to laugh. Harry couldn't tell if it was hysterical or because of the ridiculousness of the situation. Maybe both. "And they say I am risky..." Sirius muttered as he watched the People carry their shopping bags as they were walking past them. A few threw curious glances at Harry.
"I think it's better if you go invisible for now," Harry whispered at Death. The black snake disappeared and the being in his familiar human form started to walk next to him. Harry's gaze stuck to him for a moment longer. Suspiciously he eyed the being.
He got the vague impression that Death didn't look exactly like him anymore. Of course, they were still very similar but Death appeared taller and somewhat older. His hair was longer and he was way paler than Harry. It was as if he changed the way he was looking almost unconsciously to resemble something that was more unique and not a copy of something else.
When Death didn't say anything, Harry turned back to Sirius. "Hiding in then masses. You don't look like the ghost they were shown on television after you broke out of Azkaban anymore. And I think, you'd fancy some shopping."
"Shopping?" Sirius inquired taken aback. His magic appeared to have calmed somewhat.
"Yup. Shopping. When was the last time you were able to pick your own clothes or stuff in general?" Harry said with a shrug.
"Ages," Sirius replied, "But I think, I just want to walk a little through the streets - or do you have any money on you, that isn't a golden coin?"
"No," Harry replied, "But I have to practice some wandless summoning anyway. So, if you could tell me when you spot an ATM, that would be great."
"What about the trace? In my-" Sirius coughed, the fidelius charm not allowing him to reveal the location of Grimmauld place - "In the headquarters, it's another thing. It's protected. But out here in the open? You already got a hearing sitting in your neck and the ministry will keep a close eye on you. They'll probably show up immediately if you fuck up." The 'and lock us both up' was implied.
Harry paused. He hadn't really thought about that. Most likely, he would be monitored more closely than anyone else right now.
"It won't be an issue," Death suddenly interfered from the side. Harry looked at him surprised. "You died," the being simply stated at his silent question. "No magic placed upon you before that lingered after you were reborn."
"Huh," was the only thing Harry could say. Apparently, he was free from the trace. A development that was as interesting as it was useful. Harry turned back to Sirius who still looked at him questioningly. "Apparently it won't be an issue," he told him.
"Apparently?" Sirius inquired but Harry waved him off while they continued to weave their way through the crowd. After a moment Sirius addressed him once more. "What does an ATM look like by the way?"
"It's a machine that spits out money. Muggles use them to..." Harry explained, but he paused mid-sentence. "Don't bother, I found one."
Five minutes later, Sirius stared at the money that had appeared in Harry's hand. Apparently the smaller the distance to the object he wanted to summon, the easier it was.
"Basically you just robbed a bank in front of a witness," Sirius stated after he had recovered from the first shock.
"What are you going to do? Report me?" Harry said and Sirius grinned.
"Sure. Just let me send a Patronus with the message 'Hello is this the Auror Department? My name is Sirius Black, and I witnessed Harry Potter rob a Muggle bank," his godfather joked.
"I think after they've arrested you, they would even be willing to listen. Imagine the headline: 'Harry Potter stealing from innocent Muggles', right after 'Black in chains - the ministry strikes again'," Harry answered grinning.
"Yeah," Sirius laughed as they continued walking through the streets. "And Kingsley would have to give an interview and explain how he finally managed to capture me."
"I would bring you a paper clipping after I'd bought myself free with my stolen money," Harry said grinning.
The next hour, they walked through the streets and Harry watched how Sirius relaxed more and more. They picked up some clothes for Sirius' which he shrank to a manageable size for easier transportation and eventually, they ended up buying some ice-cream cones and paused to sit on a bench.
Harry had stopped chatting with Death sometime earlier because Sirius paled every time he started talking to the invisible being or responded to a comment Death had made, which Sirius couldn't be aware of.
Currently, the creature was curled around Harry's neck in his snake form, which strangely seemed to calm his Sirius somewhat. According to him, knowing where the being was, was a relief as he would no longer worry that he could accidentally 'run' into him.
Harry refrained from mentioning that no one ever ran into Death and that his presence had been an easy way to get around, as the crowd almost automatically parted in front of them. But for Sirius' sake, he gave up on that advantage and instead took comfort in the weight around his shoulders, even if his godfather didn't really approve. After they had sat down on the bench, Sirius cast a privacy charm, which enabled them to talk freely.
"Can you even eat chocolate, I mean with your Animagus being a dog?" Harry asked curiously after a while of watching his godfather eating his ice cream.
"Hm?" Sirius looked up from his cone to Harry. "Oh yeah, as long as I'm in my human form. I once ate a bar of chocolate as a dog. I'm telling you, it wasn't funny even though your father and Remus thought so at the time. I had to listen to their jokes for weeks, even after the whole ordeal."
Harry smirked. Once they had both finished their ice cream, Harry found that it was time to do what he originally had in mind. He turned to his godfather.
"I think we should head to Gringotts now," Harry suggested. Death slithered down, over his thighs.
"Gringotts?" Sirius asked, "That's where you wanted to go?" Harry nodded. "Do we have a plan for my disguise?" his godfather inquired further.
"I don't know," Harry said truthfully. "The goblins are very discreet and we have enough gold to ensure their secrecy. As long as they stay neutral, we don't have to worry. But the question is, how you get past the wizards and witches."
"I could go as a dog," Sirius said.
"Yeah, but you would have to reveal yourself in front of the goblins. Voldemort might know that you are an Animagus. There is the chance that a Death Eater spots you and gives the hint that you are in London. It's your decision in the end, but I don't have a better idea right now either."
"Well, a good plan is always a little bit risky," Sirius said grinning. He looked much younger than he had a few days ago.
"Then why are we waiting?" Harry asked. Sirius' eyes scanned the people around them. Thanks to his charm nobody noticed them. He stood up and turned into a gigantic black dog, quite similar to Deaths first attempt at disguise. He barked once. "I take that as the hint to go," Harry said and he dug his fingers into Sirius' fur. It was Death's hint to pull them along through the shadows.
They reappeared in a dark alley, which Harry soon recognized as a lesser-used connection between Knockturn Alley and Diagon Alley. He looked down at Sirius who met his gaze and licked once over his snout.
"I think the best way to go about it is if you follow me in some distance. It's the first time I'll be seen in public after the things that happened last summer during the tournament. I'm guessing that people will stare, so a dog a bit behind me won't draw as much attention." The black dog tilted his head and wagged his tail. "I take that as a yes," Harry said. He messed a bit with his hair, so it didn't cover the lighting bolt scar on his forehead till he was satisfied. "Alright. Let's go."
Almost as soon as Harry took a step into Diagon Alley he was noticed and whispers filled the air.
"...Harry Potter-"
"- Dumbledore -"
"- you-know-who is back"
"Nonsense, I know..."
"-ave you seen it? Do you see the snake?"
"-next dark lord..."
From the corner of his eye, Harry saw Sirius slip out of the narrow alleyway and then to not draw further attention to him began to head for Gringotts.
Harry walked past all the onlookers, his head held high while Sirius followed him in some distance. As he had predicted, the people were way too curious to pay much attention to a dog and instead proceeded to gape at Harry.
The prophet had done a good job pulling him through the dirt during the whole summer but now this only turned to his advantage.
Harry simply drew up an unnerving grin which he had seen on Death's face more than once and stared at the people who looked too long.
Those individuals froze like deer in front of a headlight, a feat to achieve fulfilled Harry with an unreasonable satisfaction.
They reached Gringotts without problems, and if somebody saw a giant dog entering the bank, they didn't mention it.
The entrance hall was impressive as always. And the Goblins didn't shower him with accusing looks as they had done some time in the future, which was probably due to the intact ceiling.
Right now he wasn't yet infamous for breaking into Gringotts and escaping on the back of a dragon which could only help him in his relation with the goblins.
A few witches and wizard talked to the eerie-looking bankers, but no one had noticed them yet. They were spotted by a goblin, who was just inspecting a bar of gold. He quickly informed the colleague next to him in gobbledegook, who stood up and approached them.
"Mr Potter," he greeted Harry as he came to stand in front of him, about a head taller than Kreacher with pointed ears and a cunning spark in his beady black eyes. "I wasn't aware, that you own a dog," he added with a piercing look at Sirius, his long ring-adorned fingers twitching.
"He is more of a guest than a pet," Harry replied and bowed slightly, glad that Death was hiding under his shirt.
"Ah, these things are better spoken about elsewhere," the goblin said, all businesslike now and turned around, "Follow me," he snarled over his shoulder.
They traversed through the large entrance hall, entered a hallway and then walked through a heavy door, which fell shut when the goblin leading them snapped his fingers.
"Take a seat," he said and pointed at two chairs in front of a heavy wooden writing desk, which - although fitted for his size - was elevated on a marble platform as to bring him eye to eye or perhaps even a tiny bit higher than his customers. It was crowded with stacks of parchment, magnifying glasses in various sizes, a balance scale with matching weights, a candelabra, multiple inkwells of different colours and a few quills.
Harry sat down at the offer, but Sirius stayed next to the closed wooden door.
The room was mostly taken up by high drawers of dark wood and the heavy desk, which would've presented every occupant with a slightly oppressive atmosphere, were it not for the jewel-adorned chandelier, which threw sparkling lights on every surface. The only wall without any shelving was the one on the other side of the desk. At least fifty strings hung there, disappearing through small holes close to the ceiling.
"My name is Gornok," the goblin introduced himself once he had sat down. "Now Mr Potter, I already know your name, but your guest… I suppose it's the person you mentioned in your letter?"
"It is," Harry confirmed and looked at his godfather. Harry hadn't told the goblins who Sirius was, but he had mentioned the possibility of another person accompanying him. A person whose identity was not to be revealed to anyone else, should they come with him. Turning back to the goblin, Harry said, "I can count on your discretion, can I? Should the identity of my ...friend come to light, it would put us both in an awkward position."
"Ours is the trade of gold, Mr Potter, not secrets. I can assure you, that the identity of your friend doesn't concern us."
Harry stared at the goblin for a while before he turned to look at his godfather, who got the hint and changed back into his human form.
"Sirius Black," Sirius said and greeted the goblin with a nod in a sophisticated manner. It stood in stark contrast to his appearance, with his old 'Sex Pistols' shirt and the worn jeans.
"Ah yes," the goblin acknowledged him after the short moment in which he didn't speak. It was the only outward sign of surprise he showed. "Sit down Mr Black," Gornok said in a professional tone and Sirius took the seat next to Harry. The goblin folded his hands. "Mr Potter, you approached us because you want to claim your title as a lord?"
"Yes," Harry said.
"That request is rare nowadays," Gornok responded and he shuffled through the papers on his table. "It is no longer custom like it once was. Ah here," he said and then pulled a parchment scroll out of the stack. "Since you are not of age yet, the things are a bit more complicated. It is explicitly stated that the lordship title can only be claimed by someone who is of age."
A moment of silence followed and Harry noticed that Sirius threw him an uncertain glance. Sirius was about to speak up when Gornok continued. "However, since you are the only Potter left, the things are a bit different. The laws regarding the lordship are old. Back then the term 'of age' did not only denote a wizard who has reached their seventeenth year of life. Considering these circumstances..." Gornok dove under the table and pulled a silvery case out of a drawer and set it onto the table. "As the head of your house, you are - in those terms - officially treated as an adult and thus, able to claim the title. Congratulations." Gornok smiled a broad smile, baring his sharp teeth at Harry.
Through the whole monologue, Sirius' expression had shifted from worried, to surprised and now he was grinning at Harry like a maniac. Once more Harry was avidly reminded of the fact that Sirius was indeed related to Bellatrix. Who else but a Black would've treated him still mostly the same, after learning that Harry was indeed the master of a very real Death.
"I've taken the freedom to retrieve this scroll from your vault. If you would sign here with your full name please," Gornok said and pointed at an empty space on the parchment. The document was covered in names, written in dark brown ink sometimes almost black. And every single one of them was a Potter.
With his long claw-like fingers, Gornok opened the silvery case and pulled out a quill. It was pitch black.
"A blood-quill?" Sirius asked with furrowed brows. The goblin looked at him.
"This is to ensure the validity of his identity," he explained pointedly. Turning to Harry, he added, "Unless you aren't really Harry Potter, there should be no magical backlash." He looked at Harry - with what should probably be a threatening grin - but compared to Death, this was nothing. Harry mirrored the expression, smirking back at the goblin who paled somewhat.
Harry noticed that even Sirius shivered. And this time it wasn't because of the being that was disguised as a snake. Harry picked the blood-quill out of Gornok's hand.
"Then I don't have to worry," Harry said sweetly and restrained his own magic which threatened to spill out of his skin. The tension in the room faded noticeably.
When Harry signed, his hand stung for a moment, but there were no visible wounds. As soon as the last letter of his name was written, Harry felt old magic wash over him.
"Now, Lord Potter," Gornok addressed him with a sneer and pulled another thing out of a drawer. It was a small jewellery box and when he snapped it open, it revealed a golden signet ring, which was fastened to - what appeared to be - a pocket watch chain. "The claiming of this title has opened up the technicality of you being considered an adult-" The goblin pierced him with a knowing look - "in certain aspects, not by law. Contractually though I'm therefore required to present you this ring. It was last worn by one Corvus Potter, who hadn't claimed Lordship but of whom I assume received the ring in common wizarding tradition-" Gornoks face showed very clearly what he thought of common wizarding traditions, but he continued anyway - "by it being handed down from his father." Harry, who only had the vaguest notion of his own family reached out to take the offered ring, inspecting it with mild curiosity. It seemed to be in pristine condition and Harry looked at - what could only be - the Potter family crest.
Sirius surprisingly snorted.
"What?" Harry asked him.
"I had forgotten about it," Sirius began, "But there was a story, a family legend if you so will, about Dorea Black, my great-aunt who married Charlus Potter. Apparently she was so outraged that all the family heirlooms ran through the main Potter branch, that she insisted on creating one herself. It was said that she had a signet ring fashioned, rather fitting, as one of the oldest Black heirlooms is one as well. From the name, I imagine that Corvus Potter was her son. I never saw the ring on James or Fleamont - your grandfather - so I never put much credit into the story." When there was no reaction from Harry, Sirius shrugged. "It's kinda funny that her attempt died with her son."
Harry shook his head amused, though more entertained by Sirius than the actual story. He looked at the signet ring once more. It was rather pretty. And apart from the invisibility cloak, he'd never possessed anything that had been passed down through his family. But the cloak as it had been was now gone. A physical reminder of the ties to his family might be nice. On a whim, Harry pulled the ring off the chain and slipped it onto a finger.
My godfather would also like to claim his title," Harry mentioned when he raised his head. The goblin leaned over the table and looked at Sirius, who'd watched Harry incredulously.
"Is that so?" Gornok snarled and hummed thoughtfully.
"Yes," Sirius replied hastily and turned to look at the goblin. Gornok nodded and wrote something down. "This might take a day or two. We will write you, as soon as the preparations have been made," he said and now he almost sounded bored. "Is there something else I can do for you?"
"There is once more thing," Harry said. "I would also like to lay claim on the Peverell title."
"Peverell? " the Goblin repeated slowly. Now his interest seemed roused. "Well there is no official heir left, as we know. You can lay claim on their title, as long as you can prove that you have a right to do so."
"Ignotus Peverell's granddaughter Iolanthe, married Hardwin Potter, who is an ancestor of mine," Harry said and Death moved for the first time, since they had entered Gringotts. He slithered over Harry's shoulders. If he didn't know it better, Harry would've guessed that Death had been napping. The goblin only spared the snake a small gaze.
"A simple heritage test will certainly clear us from all doubts," Gornok said. He opened a drawer at the bottom of his desk with a small key. Harry could hear glass clinking and then the goblin pulled out a vial not bigger than a finger. Inside was a liquid that reminded Harry of Dumbledore's Pensive. "If you would be so kind," the goblin said and held out his hand. Harry stared at him in confusion. "I need some blood," Gornok added at his questioning look.
"Oh." Harry extended his arm. Gornok used the blood quill to slice into Harry's finger, pressing the vial against the wound. He let go of Harry's hand, when his blood had coloured the liquid a light pink.
"Excuse me for a moment," he announced and walked through a small door, which Harry hadn't even noticed until now.
"It's a charm, similar to the one my family used on the tapestry in the drawing room," Sirius explained out of nowhere and he leaned back in his chair, stretching out his legs. "New-borns appear magically on the Black-tapestry. Of course a heritage test is much simpler because you actually have the blood of a person, but it's the same principle. It shows your ancestors, but the blood can only be used on a charmed surface. That's the complicated part. I guess they have a special scroll of parchment somewhere," Sirius ended.
A movement on his shoulder drew Harry's attention. "You really can do something else if you want," he hissed in parseltongue. The sound caused Sirius to look at him, but he paled when he realized who Harry was talking to.
Meanwhile Death said nothing, but curled tighter around Harry."It's a miracle you aren't bored," Harry continued after a moment, "Because I am, kinda. All the time the cleaning in Grimmauld Place... I think we should visit Voldemort sometime in the future. It could be fun."
At that, Death materialized in his human form. He grinned predatorily. "I would like that," Death said and he moved past Sirius, who shivered violently.
Harry smirked. "You like to tease him," he observed, as he watched Death interact with his godfather.
Sirius looked at Harry half offended half terrified. His eyes searched for Death and Harry was suddenly reminded that his godfather only heard half of the conversation.
"I might," Death admitted with a shrug and moved closer. Harry's eyes snapped up to the being, who was still grinning. "He is the only one, who knows about me. I could kill him if we don't need him anymore. I know that you are curious," Death stated.
Harry felt the thrill for a hunt echo in his own mind. And Death was right. He was curious and he wanted to know what it was like to kill somebody as the Master of Death.
He had killed as an Auror. Not often, just in those cases when it had been really necessary. When it had been justifiable.
In the beginning, there had been many Death Eaters on the run. In his apathy it hadn't been difficult. The use of the killing curse had been legal for a year or two after the battle, to 'clean the world from that filth staining the wizarding community as the Head Auror had liked to put it.
The ministry apparently, was always a bit fucked up. But Harry had to admit that he didn't really have room to talk, considering that he just pictured Death tearing apart Sirius and didn't feel horrified at the image. It was rather a morbid curiosity that slowly spread through his mind, causing him to wonder about the ifs and hows of this notion.
Something was really wrong with him.
He'd known for some time that some of Death's personality - mainly his lacking morals and empathy - had begun to bled over to him and it wasn't hard to figure out that it was the same way with the being's emotions.
Was just to hope that it worked vice versa, because in this moment, Harry had a hard time telling whether it was Death or him who was eager to kill.
Objectively it was a terrible realization and yet when Harry looked at Sirius, he could only think about how lucky his godfather was that he was fond of him. As his gaze was lingering on Sirius, he sensed a second layer of emotions - not quite his own - but a echo of what he was feeling himself.
"Curious perhaps," Harry repeated his thoughts out loud, "But I don't think either of us would be too happy about that solution." Grinning Harry looked at Death, who tilted his head at being called out like that.
Besides, killing someone just for the sake of it and on top, someone within his immediate environment was just plain stupid.
And Dumbledore was way to suspecting for his own good.
Meanwhile Sirius followed their conversation with a frown and although he could only hear half of it, it was apparently enough to have him worry.
"He's alright," Death said with a glance at Sirius and a small shrug. A motion, which Harry intriguingly noticed, Death must've picked up only recently. Perhaps he wasn't too far off with his guess that he impacted Death just like the being was influencing him.
Meanwhile Death stopped behind Harry. "We can wait," he rasped in his inhuman voice and after a moment, his fingers found their way into Harry's hair.
A pleasant tingle went down Harry's spine and he sighed at the touch. Suddenly he grew aware of Sirius, who watched him with an odd look. Harry awkwardly cleared his throat while Death smirked.
Altogether, they waited for fifteen minutes till Gornok reappeared. "It seems like everything you said was correct, Lord Potter," he declared. "As there are no conditions to claiming the title of the Peverell family, you are now also officially Lord and head of the house Peverell."
"Alright. I guess this would be all then," Harry announced and was already about to stand up when the goblin interrupted him.
"Not so fast. Of course, you were aware that claiming a Lordship comes with a price," Gornok said. "Additionally there was the heritage test, which is 10 galleons. But as a Potter, this shouldn't be a problem, am I right?" Gornok said and he grinned slyly.
A muscle in Sirius' jaw jumped while Harry's eyes narrowed dangerously. The goblin was right, money wasn't a problem, but Harry didn't like the way Gornok had sounded.
"I'll cover the costs," Harry commanded, "Take everything from my vault and double it. I don't have to repeat, that this should be handled with the uttermost secrecy." Harry leaned forward and stared at the goblin and he felt Deaths smirk next to him. The being seemed to find this whole affair amusing. Gornok took a step back as Harry's magic spilled over, his aura expanding around him like poisonous fog. "I pay my debts. That's for sure," Harry hissed. And as he stared at the goblin, he really felt the part of him that was stemming from Death. "But don't try to cheat me. You wouldn't succeed."
With that, he turned around and left, Sirius followed him, already shifting back into his animal form.