Harry woke up early on his birthday, at his usual time of 5.30 am in the morning. He portkeyed to the chamber. Today he would do the work out only. Then he will go back to the leaky and prepare to go to Gringotts. He had received a letter that said that he should visit Gringotts for his family business anytime between 8 am to 2pm or 5pm to 11pm. Gringotts anyways opened at 6 in the morning and closed at 12 in the midnight. He would have to come back to the chamber by 12 and start preparing for the puberty ritual. It could only be done once in your lifetime and only on one's thirteenth birthday. At 1pm he would start the Ritual and by 2, he would be free from everything else for the day. He planned to buy himself a gift and then go sight seeing in London. His money from Malfoy's bag had not run out yet and a little more than 2000 G was left.
So once he portkeyed into the chamber, Salazar and Helga wished him Happy Birthday, with Helga singing the whole Happy Birthday song, while Salazar clapped his hands in rhythm. He smiled at them and started his exercises. He did 4 sets of 10 pushup, 10 squats, 10 crunches, three minutes of planks.
Then he took a shower and went back to the leaky cauldron after a good breakfast. In his room, several owls were waiting. Birthday presents.
He opened the letters first. Ron told him that his dad had won the daily prophets grand draw price, and enclosed a photo. Harry had read about it two days ago in the daily prophet he had subscribed at the end of last year. The Weasley's now may have a lot of money, Percy had sat shocked when the letter informing them about the new found money as a donation. Harry had left an anonymous letter in which he had written to the Weasley's that the money was a reparation given to the family due to the incident of the chamber and Ginny and Ron's role in it. Ron knew but he had sworn never to tell that to anyone. So had Hermione. Another thing in the letter was that Percy was the new Head Boy. And if Ron's words were anything to go by, he and the twins were not thrilled about it.
Hermione's was a long winded letter wishing him a Happy Birthday and her being thrilled about all the classes she would take. She was currently in France.
For gifts, Hermione had sent him a broom polishing kit. He had in all truth expected a huge-heavy book as a gift from her. Ron had sent him a pocket sneak-scope he had bought from a local shop. Apparently Bill had checked it and confirmed that if anyone untrustworthy came in a radius of 10 meters it would light up and spin once he activated it. Ron had written that some people even sold cheap, fake ones to tourists, so he had bought a proper working model.
His last gift was from Hagrid. It was a biting book. As soon as Harry had tried to open it, the book had developed jaws and teeth and started biting. Harry had dropped it on the floor and hit it with a wandless stupefy . Nothing happened. He followed it by a Petrificus Totalus. Still nothing happened. Finally he cast an immobulos on it and it stopped. He finally opened it gingerly and saw it was a book on magical creatures and titled the monster book of monsters. There was another letter from Daphne surprisingly. She had just wished him a Happy Birthday. It was a short letter written in a neat script. His birthday was after all public knowledge. There was also the yearly booklist from Hogwarts. It had five more books than usual due to the three new subjects he was taking. It had the monster book of monsters as one of them.
Harry just put them in his trunk and walked towards Twitfit and Tattling's shop, a high class clothing shop. He had decided to buy himself a semi-formal robe. He would wear it to Gringotts today as he was going to become Heir Potter. Also if he went on a date in Hogsmeade, he should wear something nice. He bought one in royal blue colour made of fine silk. There was also an acromantula silk one but he decided against it. The robe had resizing charm, an anti-wrinkle charm, weather charms and an auto clean charm. It cost twice more than a normal robe from Madam Malkin's shop, but it was actually extremely comfortable and stylish along with the extra charms. He wore them and walked to Gringotts.
He entered Gringotts and went to a nearby teller. "Good morning. I have a meeting with the Potter's account manager. Can you kindly show me to him?" He asked politely. The Goblin nodded and called another Goblin. Before leaving Harry remembered and said, "May your enemies fall and your gold overflow, Teller."
The goblin blinked in a bit of shock, not accustomed to hearing the Goblin Salutation by normal humans, only their curse breakers said this. Given the Goblins always used Goblin tongue for it but this was the nearest humans could say as they were unable to speak their noble tongue. "And may your gold overflow and enemies fall, Mr. Potter."
He was led to Ragnok's office. He entered the office and saw the same old Goblin as last time. "Manager Ragnok. It is a pleasure to meet you again. I am here for the meeting."
"Yes Mr. Potter, come and sit. First we must confirm your identity for this, I am afraid. The wards of Gringotts would identify any intruders, but it is a necessary procedure."
"I also want to take a Ability's test and a Heritage test."
"The fees is 350G and 150G respectively. If you are doing heritage test, there is no need for Identity test. Lets get going. Take this knife and put three drops of blood on this parchment Mr. Potter. The results will show." Harry did as instructed.
GRINGOTTS HERITAGE TEST
NAME: Harry James Potter
MOTHER: Lily Elizabeth Potter nee Evans, deceased
FATHER: James Charlus Potter, deceased
BIRTHDATE: July 31st 1980
LORD TO: N/A (due to age)
HEIR TO: Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter
MEMBER OF HOUSE: Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
Beneath this was a Family tree that he could see drawn. It went back 13 generations. "What does it mean that I am a member of Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Black?" Blacks were notorious death eaters, well most of them anyways. Narcissa Malfoy nee Black and Andromeda Tonks nee Black were not. Narcissa wasn't, atleast officially. Then there was the last head of house Arcturus Black. He was a good friend of his Grandfather and his brother in law. His grandmother Dorea was also a black before marriage. Baron Arcturus Black had fought alongside his Grandfather in the war against Grindelwald.
"It means that you MAY have a chance of inheriting heirship or lordship if either the current Lord makes you the heir or on his death, you are judged worthy by the Lord Ring. Currently there is no lord, but most likely Sirius Black . And no one would be able to inherit it or do anything till he decrees it or he dies. the former being more likely."
"How can he be the lord. He is in Azkaban! With life imprisonment no less." Harry said. "It can not be changed by that Mr. Potter. Several Lords of Families who supported the previous dark lord are currently permanent residents in Azkaban, and nothing can be done due to the laws of the land till they die." Ragnok shrugged. Harry nodded. Sirius Black was imprisoned for killing 13 people. Atleast that was what he was told. "Ok sir." He was handed the Potter heir ring. It had a Dragon on it roaring. The Great Horned Hebridean Black, the core of his secondary wand. He realized once he looked closely enough. He wore it on his left pinky finger, and it resized itself.
"Now the ability test. Then I will give you an overview of your finances before you can visit the family vault." Harry nodded and repeated the procedure for Ability test.
GRINGOTTS HERITAGE TEST
NAME: Harry James Potter, Heir of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter
ABILITIES:
1. Arch-Mage
2. Battle Mage
3. Mage Sight
4. Occlumens
5. Paselmouth
"I thought that Occlumency can only be developed?" Harry asked.
"Mr. Potter, there are several abilities, not all but many, that can be developed over time with practice. Occlumency, Legilimency, Mage sight, Magical sense, Animagus etc. are some of them. An Animagus and Occlumens are the most common ability to be developed. Also one can gain them by rituals, which are forbidden by the ministry of magic. But some like Arch mage ability that you have can only be present naturally at birth. That one is a super rare ability to have I must say." Harry nodded. "Kindly keep it confidential. I don't want my abilities being known to anyone."
Ragnok swore a vow that the word of his abilities won't leave the room, atleast due to the actions of any Goblin. He also was told to keep the paper. Then they started discussing his finances. He had more than 12 million Galleons in the Potter family vault along with the heirlooms and jewelry. He had several Shares in magical businesses like Nimbus company(15%), Daily Prophet(25%), Teen witch weekly(12%), Puddlemore United(40%), Holyhead Harpies(35%), Twitfit and Tattling's (7%) etc. He also had shares in rising muggle companies like Apple(23%), Ferrari(18%), Microsoft(21%), Ford(14%) etc. This was the major sources of his income. The potter vaults were lying dormant since more than a decade and thus had accumulated a lot of money over the time.
The Potter Family even owned a Dragon reserve, A magical creature farm, a Potions company all overseen by a board which whose dealings were cross checked by Ragnok, who had sworn an oath for Fleamont Potter, Harry's Great Grandfather to serve the best interest of Potter Family for of course a salary which had an automatic raise of 3% per annum as decreed years ago. They also had the patents to several things. Harry did not know what to say. To think he was so rich! A millionaire! Add to the fact he had more than 2 million Galleons from Lucius sitting in another vault. He and his future generations were set for life.
He also had several Homes around the world which he could unfortunately not access till he was of age or emancipated. Potter Manor would be accessible by the Lord Ring only, which Harry would get on his 17th Birthday. Harry finalized a few things and left for his family vault. He would now get financial statements quarterly by owl.
There was a dragon outside the vault which was subdued by weird sounding drums by the Goblin. There was the Potter crest in the middle underneath the words "novissima autem inimica destruetor mors( The last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death)*" It was an odd motto but he did not question it, It was probably here since Gringotts was founded along with the ministry and The house of Lords( Now the Wizengamot), when Magical Britain was given financial autonomy by King Arthur. He pressed his hand on the crest and the doors swung open.
It was Huge. Bloody fucking huge filled with mountains of gold and silver. There were Suits of armor, swords, Spears from medieval times, several Trunks, A cupboard full of Silver dishware and book shelves filled with books. Many-many books. But most importantly, on the middle there was a pedestal. On it was a single book: The Potter family Grimoire. A book that contained ancient spells as well as Spells, potions, wards etc. invented by the Potter family over the generations. It also contained family History and secrets of Potters. He flipped through it. The book could only be opened and read by a Potter. If someone accidently picked and read it, they would just see gibberish. If someone picked it with the intentions of knowing the secrets of Potter family they would be cursed. Horribly. Such was the protection on his family Grimoire.
He saw the last entries. They were by his mother and father. In their own handwriting. His mother had invented a sort of cutting curse, which made multiple cuts on the body as if slashed by a pocket knife several times. The most interesting fact, it's only counter for healing was the essence of dittany. His father's spells on the other hand was a Butterfly shield, which would work against the unforgivable Curses! Pappilonis was the spell.
He shut the book and took it. He would have to protect it fiercely nonetheless, The Chamber was the only ideal place for this book to be read it in privacy. He toured through the rest of the vaults, picking up some books from there. He soon left to go back to his room. He changed back from his new robes he had worn for the occasion to normal clothes. He wore a white t-shirt, Black jeans and the jacket he had bought from muggle London. It was still 10:50. He decided to treat himself with a sundae from Florescue's ice cream parlor. He needed to go to the chamber at noon only.
At noon after touring the Alley some more and even buying his books for the year, he portkeyed back to the chamber. Under the watchful eye of Helga and Salazar he started the preparation for the puberty ritual. The ingredients for it were fairly common, not something that a Hogwarts student won't need, so Harry had owl ordered them from the apothecary with a full third and fourth year potion making kit. It was a kit consisting all ingredients required for a year for potions class according to the curriculum. Salazar had started teaching him potions. Now he was much better. And Salazar was a million times better teacher than Snape. He actually understood the working of ingredients now, stirring effects on a potion and proper chopping methods, some things Snape had not bothered to teach them.
The Ritual started by his chant at exactly 1 pm. The runes glowed blue again and he felt a tingling sensation in his whole body. He was thankfully clothed since this ritual won't be affected by clothes. Only his Jacket and belt was removed, along with of course all the magical items on him. The sensation continued for nearly 10 minutes before stopping. He did not feel or look any different. Of course this was because the ritual worked over a period of time than immediately. The effects would be visible within six to eight months and the ritual would continue working till he was 16.
"Done." He said, putting his rings on and sticking his wand Holster back on his forearm. It contained the Elder wood wand. His other went on his right calf.
"Good. You have successfully done your third ritual. Next would most likely be done on the equinox, which we will decide afterwards." Salazar said. Harry nodded finally putting on his necklace.
"Harry, we have a small gift for you. Happy Birthday Harry." Helga said. "You didn't have to do it Helga. You teaching me is good enough."
"Hush young man. We wanted to. It is your birthday after all!" Helga said.
A house elf popped in with a small cake. It was a little bigger than a pastry, but he was the only one eating. He smiled and thanked them. "Oh! that is not all. This is just celebration. The gift is on the table." The gift was a holster of some sort with a handle sticking out of it. He pulled it out and a seven inch knife came out. It was beautiful and very sharp. A combat knife. "It is made of goblin silver, laced with a special venom of my own invention. The venom would paralyze the person when hit within 5 minutes, and if antidote is not given, kill after 2 hours. The antidote is simple to make if you know, but testing it and making will definitely be fatal as it would take time. We will make a batch tomorrow. And the holster is similar to your wand holsters." Harry nodded, repeatedly thanking them for the gift. It certainly was useful. He finally went back to his room and relaxed by reading the Lord of Rings for the rest of the day.
The next evening there was a knock at the door. He was in his room, completing his History homework. He opened the door and found Tom, the barkeeper, not the dark lord. He said, "Mr. Potter, the Minister of magic along with the headmaster and Madame Bones are wanting to meet you. They are in room 17." Harry's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. Three of the most powerful people in the country wanted to meet him. He had not done anything wrong since they were not arresting him and he had not done anything wrong. He nodded and told Tom that he will be in there within a few minutes. He quickly put on his new robes and Knife Holster (on his left calf). He let his heir ring visible and controlled his emotions of worry by his occlumency. He put on his aristocratic face as Salazar called it. A face to deal with politicians. He made his eyes faintly glow with power. It looked even better now he did not have glasses. He strolled out of his room towards room 17, all the way clamping down his occlumency. This was his first time he would deal with politicians. The Minister of Magic, The Head of DMLE and The Chief Warlock. He had only met Dumbledore before. Heck, he had not even seen the other two in person, only pictures in the prophet. He put a wandless Notice-me charm on his heir ring, thus cementing his position as Heir Potter.
The door was open. He saw that the three people were standing inside, conversing lightly. He knocked on the open door. Their attention snapped towards him.
"Harry, please come in." Dumbledore said. He strolled forward and smiled at Dumbledore. "Nice to see you again Professor Dumbledore." He turned to Fudge and Bones. Fudge was a porky short man wearing horrendous green robes, who did not look anything special, except the fact he was the minister. The woman, Madame Bones, was on the other hand in one word, Hot. Her beautiful red hair tied in a bun, an hourglass figure with DD cup rack made her drool worthy. Her lips had light lipstick applied, which looked so kiss... Damn Hormonal changes! Concentrate. Harry told himself, breaking out of the teenage fantasies.
Fudge shook his hand saying in a jovial tone, "It is a pleasure to meet you Harry." He was behaving like a favorite uncle meeting his nephew.
"The pleasure is all mine, after all I am the one meeting the esteemed minister of our country." He gave a charming smile. Fudge puffed his chest at the compliment. Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the man's vainness. He turned to the beau... Madame Bones. "Madame Bones, Head of DMLE and Reagent Bones right." He asked rhetorically kissing her knuckles. "It is a pleasure to meet you My lady. Susan speaks highly of you." Harry finished.
"Heir Potter. My niece speaks well of you. It is a pleasure to meet you in person." She said nodding curtly and giving a brief smile. She had noticed the ring after all. Dumbledore also had but did not address it. He was not sure about the fatty, err... the minister.
He walked towards the only chair in the room and without turning back spoke, "What can I do for you all? Please have a seat. Let us be comfortable." and took the seat. Being in control of the situation. Salazar's teachings.
Minister Fudge took the couch along with Madame Bones while Dumbledore conjured a chair. The minister started speaking. "Harry, we are here because we are afraid your life may be in danger." Harry raised an eyebrow. It was the same story last year, only Dobby warned him in a deranged manner. Now it was the three most powerful people in Britain. Last year by the house elf he was warned by a Basilisk, now he wondered what was the danger.
"How?" Dumbledore spoke before Fudge could open his mouth, "Harry, what do you know about Sirius Black."
"He was convicted for killing 13 people, 12 muggles and a Peter Pettigrew. He was given life imprisonment in Azkaban. He was also one of Voldemort's Death eater." Fudge flinched violently while Bones stiffened. "Don't say his name." The minister hissed.
"Okay, He was Voldy's death eater and said to be one of his chief enforcers and his Right hand man." Dumbledore's lips quirked up, Madame Bones did too but looked like she was resisting the urge to facepalm. The minister goggled. "He killed those 13 people with a single spell. Nothing more than a finger was found of Pettigrew's." Harry finished.
"Err... yes. That is fairly accurate. Now, do you know anything more?" Madame Bones asked
"No. That's all." Harry answered, not liking where this conversation was heading.
"Ok, you see that is not all. He was the secret keeper of your family. He sold your parents to Voldemort Mr. Potter."
"What is a secret keeper?" Harry asked with narrow not knowing the term except the obvious meaning. "Ah! Harry, you see, Your parents went under fidelius charm, an extremely complicated and special charm which hides an location inside a person known as the secret keeper. No one except the secret keeper can give the location. For the people who do not have the secret, provided by the secret keeper the place in concern disappears from Earth and their mind. Suppose I was to Leaky Cauldron by the fidelius and make you the secret keeper, for every witch and wizard, the location would disappear and they would forget about it except those who you will give the location. A secret keeper can only be a person who is immensely trusted to keep the secret. So your parents could not be the secret keeper as they were the ones hiding under it. I had myself offered my services but they declined and chose Black. The charm depends on trust Harry. The secret keeper has to willingly give the location. It can't be given even under the truth serum, or the art of Legilimency- the art of mind reading." Dumbledore said, ever the teacher.
"So... Black is the reason that my parents are dead." Harry asked calmly but his eyes were swirling with anger. "Yes." Madame Bones nodded. "What is this to do with you all visiting me?" Harry questioned, dreading where this was going.
"You see Harry, Sirius Black as of yesterday evening has escaped Azkaban." Harry turned his attention from Bones to Fudge. He instantly tried to sink back in the couch seeing his eyes swirling vortexes of power. "How?" his voice was barely above a whisper but was heard in the whole room. "Err... you-you see that-that no one in his-history has escaped Azkaban... it was unex..." Fudge stammered but was interrupted by Harry "I asked how he escaped. Not information about Azkaban minister." His voice was calm but had the effect of successfully scarring the life out of Fudge due to his dangerous tone.
Cornelius Fudge gulped. The boy was an excellent young man when they met. He had praised his work and greeted them like a Lord would greet his friends. When the news about Black was told to him, he had turned angry. The boy's eyes scarred him... no it terrified the shit out of him. His eyes were like Dumbledore's when he was pissed, and he had seen Dumbledore pissed only once which was years ago. His eyes were swirling with power, speaking volumes why he had defeated He-who-must-not-be-named. No 13 years old should have that kind of stare. His tone conveyed him to speak out soon or the consequences won't be good. Of course! His parents betrayer had just escaped. He would be pissed. "We don't know... there was nothing. No evidence of how he escaped. He just vanished. From his cell."
Harry took a calming breath and counted to ten in his head. He applied his occlumency shields. "Why is this not in the newspapers yet?" He questioned once he brought his emotions under control and started thinking straight.
"It will be tomorrow." Madame Bones answered. Harry nodded. "And you think he is coming after me?" He deduced. "Yes Harry. We are here to ask you to stay in the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley till the summer ends. The Minister is also going to provide you auror protection." Dumbledore said.
"And what are you doing to catch him?"
"My auror and hit wizard force is spread thin. We will be looking everywhere possible. Tomorrow it will also be in muggle news. The efforts would be better if the funds were not cut due to peace time" Amelia Bones spat the last word. There was nothing like peace time cuts. A country must be ready for any conflict, internal or external. "Then increase the funds! My parents betrayer and Voldemort's Right Hand man is on the loose."
"Mr. Potter, it is not as easy as you think." Fudge tried to placate. "Minister, if you increase funds now, it will really look good on you. You will be seen taking actions for the safety of citizens of Great Britain." Fudge's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes, You are absolutely correct! Thank you. I will tell to call an emergency meeting in two days for it."
"If you want I will also give an statement to the Daily Prophet tomorrow stating the need for a man like Black to be caught and the importance that funds should be increased. It may influence the bill positively as it was my Parents the bastard betrayed and it will be in the daily prophet before the meeting. I will also myself give an donation of 50,000 G as an Donation to DMLE for it." Fudge's eyes lit up further. "Thank you! that is quiet generous of you. I will do my best to ensure that the DMLE gets their funds doubled." Fudge said. Dumbledore's and Amelia's faces held shock.
Harry had masterfully played them. He now held better reputation with all of them, the three most powerful people in British isles. By the statement and the word of his donation, public opinion for him would shoot up. Any backlash he had received due to last year's Paselmouth revelation, would be repaired and forgotten. Salazar would be proud as he had taken his politics lessons to heart.
"Yes minister. You do that. Also do not dedicate the auror force to protect me. The public is more important than an individual. Just give me a permit to do magic freely so I can hone my skills if he attacks me and protect myself without worrying for repercussions. I will escape if needed by the portkey Professor Dumbledore in case as provided to me. Also I don't think Black will be foolish enough to attack me in middle of a magical district."
"It is quiet dangerous but makes perfect sense. And it is quiet wise of you Harry to give the donation and interview." Dumbledore said. Harry nodded.
"Yes Mr. Potter. It is perfectly fine. I will give you the official permit tomorrow by owl. Just do not venture out of Diagon Alley and remember the statute of secrecy. Now I have an emergency meeting to call." Fudge said and got up from the couch. "Minister, what about Hogwarts? He will most likely come there"
"The ministry will deploy dementors there on the boundaries of the school. If black comes there, they will catch him."
"You are putting Dementors in school!?" Harry exclaimed
"Yes... they are under ministry control and would catch Black if he comes there. The decision is final!" Fudge said in a tone that he had done this conversation with Madam Bones and Dumbledore, if the looks Fudge was giving them was any indication.
"Yes minister. I understand. I was just shocked that those beasts will be in a school." Fudge nodded and smiled before leaving. Once harry was sure he was out of earshot, He turned to the remaining people in the room. "Is he mad! Who puts dementors in a school! It is a school not a Prison!"
"We told him the same thing Mr. Potter. He is adamant. But atleast you convinced him to increase funds. We had even failed at that. And you have my most sincere thanks for the donation." Amelia said and gave him a grateful smile.
"You are welcome. I suggest that you both also give a statement with me tomorrow. It would do loads good for the matter to be passed."