Part One: The Approach
The vaults of Gringotts were a marvel of engineering and magic that even time couldn't diminish. Harry Potter had learned that lesson the hard way over the years—a place where time moved differently, where prophecies hung suspended in glass spheres like captured stars, where the very fabric of reality seemed thinner, more negotiable. But standing in the marble corridors of the most prestigious wizarding bank in Britain, he'd never imagined just how valuable those vaults would become.
The appointment had been arranged through careful intermediaries. Harry had sent a formal letter, signed with his new name, Hadrian Harrow, requesting a private consultation regarding matters of inheritance and lordship claims. The goblins, with their keen eye for profit and their absolute pragmatism, had responded within a day.
They loved secrets almost as much as they loved gold.
A goblin named Ragnok—not the current Director, but a senior account manager with considerable influence—received him in a private office lined with ancient contracts and ledgers. The goblin was ancient by human standards, his skin wrinkled like parchment, his eyes sharp as flint and calculating as a master mathematician. He looked up from his desk with an expression that suggested he'd seen every scheme and stratagem wizarding society had to offer, and had profited from most of them.
"Hadrian Harrow," Ragnok said, testing the name on his tongue with obvious skepticism. "An unusual name. Not British in origin, I would wager."
"Continental," Harry replied smoothly, settling into the chair across from the desk with the confidence of a man who'd spent years learning how to navigate the complex politics of the wizarding world. "I've spent the last several years abroad, pursuing various interests. My business here in Britain is of a more recent development."
Ragnok's eyes narrowed slightly, studying Harry with an intensity that suggested the goblin was trying to look directly into his soul. "Your letter mentioned matters of inheritance. That is not a topic goblins take lightly. We maintain the records of all legitimate claims to titles and vaults. If you possess such claims, they would be documented here. And documented very thoroughly."
This was the moment. Harry had spent weeks researching, cross-referencing old records he'd found in the Black library and the knowledge he carried from his own time. The goblin records were meticulous, but they were also vast. And there were gaps—ancient claims that had been dormant for generations, bloodlines that had been thought extinct but which careful genealogical research could resurrect.
"I have reason to believe," Harry said carefully, his voice steady and measured, "that I possess legitimate claims to two lordships. The Potter lordship and the Black lordship."
Ragnok's expression didn't change, but something shifted in his posture. Interest. Pure, undiluted interest. The goblin leaned forward slightly, his long fingers steepling together in a gesture that suggested deep concentration.
"That is a bold claim, Mr. Harrow," Ragnok said slowly. "Extraordinarily bold. The Potter lordship is currently held by Charlus Potter, a man in robust health and with no shortage of heirs. The Black lordship belongs to Orion Black, patriarch of one of the oldest and most prominent pureblood families in Britain. Both families are very much active and very much in control of their own affairs. Do you have documentation of your claims?"
"Not yet," Harry admitted, and he watched carefully to see if Ragnok's expression changed. It didn't. "But I have genealogical knowledge and historical records that suggest my claims are legitimate. I came to Gringotts first because I knew that if anyone would have the resources to verify such claims—and the discretion to do so quietly—it would be you."
Ragnok leaned back in his chair, steepling his long fingers. The gesture was one of contemplation, but there was also something predatory about it. "You're asking Gringotts to conduct an investigation into your genealogy. That is not a simple matter, and it is not free. Such investigations require time, resources, and the expertise of our genealogical specialists. The cost could be substantial."
Harry had anticipated this. He'd spent considerable time thinking about what would motivate a goblin like Ragnok. Money was always a factor, but for someone of Ragnok's station, it was more about the opportunity—the chance to be involved in something significant, something that might change the balance of power within wizarding society.
He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small leather pouch. He'd been careful with his money, but he'd also anticipated this moment. He placed the pouch on the desk with deliberate care. Inside were galleons—real gold, minted by Gringotts itself, each coin bearing the goblin seal. Not a fortune by any means, but enough to demonstrate serious intent and financial capacity.
"A deposit against the cost of the investigation," Harry said, his voice carrying absolute confidence. "I'm prepared to pay whatever is necessary to verify my claims. And if the claims prove legitimate, I would be interested in establishing a relationship with Gringotts. A very lucrative relationship. The kind of relationship that could benefit both parties considerably."
Ragnok opened the pouch and examined the contents with an expert eye that suggested centuries of experience in evaluating precious metals. His lips curved into something that might have been a smile, though it was difficult to tell with a goblin. The expression contained equal parts amusement and calculation.
"You understand goblins well, Mr. Harrow," Ragnok said, his voice carrying a note of respect that hadn't been there before. "Very well indeed. You come to us with a bold claim, substantial payment, and the promise of future business. You understand that we value discretion, efficiency, and profit. Very pragmatic. I approve."
He closed the pouch and set it aside carefully. "I will authorize an investigation. It will take time—perhaps two weeks, perhaps a month. The records are extensive, and we must be thorough. If your claims are fraudulent, Gringotts will pursue legal recourse. We have very effective legal teams."
"I do," Harry said. "I also understand that if my claims are legitimate, Gringotts will want to cultivate my business."
The goblin's smile widened slightly. "Precisely. You understand the nature of our relationship. Good. This will make everything much simpler."
Part Two: The Waiting Game
Over the following weeks, Harry became consumed with research. He couldn't simply wait passively for the goblins to verify his claims. Instead, he spent his time building the foundation for what would eventually become his power base.
He visited the Ministry of Magic's public records office, examining genealogical documents and family histories. He attended various pureblood social events, observing the dynamics between families, understanding the complex web of relationships and rivalries that characterized wizarding society. He made discreet inquiries about the Black family, learning about their current situation, their assets, their influence.
What he learned was both encouraging and deeply troubling.
The Black family was in chaos. Their current patriarch, Orion Black, had lost several heirs in recent years to various accidents and illnesses. The family's direct line was weakening, and there was no clear succession plan. The family's vast wealth was secure in Gringotts' vaults, but without a strong heir, their influence was beginning to wane.
This was the opportunity Harry had been waiting for. If he could establish a legitimate claim to the Black lordship, he could position himself as the solution to the family's problems. He could offer Orion Black a way to preserve the family's future, while simultaneously gaining access to the Black family's considerable resources and influence.
But there was more to consider. Harry needed to understand not just the Black family's situation, but the broader political landscape. He needed to know which families were rising in influence, which were declining, which might be vulnerable to Voldemort's influence in the coming years.
He spent long hours in the archives of various libraries, studying the history of pureblood families, their alliances and rivalries. He learned about the various factions within wizarding society—those who supported modernization and reform, those who clung to traditional ways, those who were primarily motivated by profit and power.
Harry also began to lay the groundwork for what would eventually become the Harrow Prince persona. He couldn't simply appear out of nowhere as a powerful dark creature hunter. He needed a history, a reputation, a reason for people to take him seriously. So he began to plant seeds. Whispered conversations in various establishments about a mysterious foreign wizard who had made a name for himself hunting dangerous creatures. Rumors of a man with knowledge of dark magic and the will to use it. Stories that would eventually coalesce into something real.
Part Three: The Verification
Three weeks after his initial meeting with Ragnok, Harry received a summons back to Gringotts. This time, he was escorted directly to a private vault chamber—a sign of considerable respect. Ragnok was waiting for him, along with another goblin—older, with a scar running down the left side of his face. The second goblin introduced himself as Ironfoot, the head of Gringotts' genealogical records and one of the most respected authorities on pureblood lineages in all of Britain.
"Your claims are legitimate," Ironfoot said without preamble, his voice carrying absolute certainty. "We have verified your magical lineage through multiple sources. Cross-referenced with the official Ministry records, examined historical documents, and consulted with our own genealogical databases. You are indeed a legitimate heir to both the Potter and Black lordships."
Harry felt a surge of relief. He'd been confident in his research, but there was always the possibility of error or misunderstanding. To have it confirmed by the goblins—by perhaps the most authoritative source on such matters in the entire wizarding world—was immensely satisfying.
"The Potter lordship is currently held by Charlus Potter," Ironfoot continued, his voice taking on a more formal tone. "He is in good health and has several direct heirs. Your claim to that lordship would not be viable until his death or voluntary abdication. The line of succession is clear and undisputed. However, the Black lordship is a different matter entirely."
Ragnok took over the explanation, his sharp eyes gleaming with something that might have been amusement. "The Black lordship is currently held by Orion Black. However, there are several male heirs in the Black family line, and the lordship passes through the male line according to ancient family law. According to our records, you have a claim that predates all current male heirs in the direct line. This is a matter of considerable complexity and historical significance."
Harry's eyebrows rose. He hadn't expected this level of detail. "I thought the Black lordship was firmly established with Orion Black."
"It is," Ironfoot said. "But your claim is ancient. It stems from a branch of the Black family that was thought to have died out centuries ago. However, our genealogical research indicates that the line did not die out. It simply went dormant. The bloodline continued, passed down through generations, eventually leading to you. Your claim is legitimate, though dormant."
"What would it take to activate the claim?" Harry asked, his mind already working through the implications.
"Several things," Ragnok said, his fingers steepling together again. "First, you would need to formally petition the Wizarding Council for recognition of your claim. This would involve presenting your genealogical evidence, submitting to magical lineage verification, and allowing the Council to examine all relevant documentation. Second, you would need to prove your magical lineage through the appropriate tests—blood tests, magical resonance analysis, and other methods we've developed over centuries. Third, and most importantly, you would need to demonstrate that you are capable of holding the lordship. That you possess the magical power and the political acumen to maintain the family's holdings and influence."
"And if Orion Black contests the claim?" Harry asked, though he already suspected the answer.
"He can," Ironfoot said. "But if your claim is verified and deemed legitimate by our genealogical experts, he would have limited grounds for contest. The goblin records are absolute in matters of magical lineage. If we say your claim is legitimate, the Wizarding Council will have to accept that determination. Orion might argue about the legitimacy of your political claim, but the blood claim is irrefutable."
Harry considered this carefully. There was a risk here. If he pushed too hard, if he made his claim too publicly, he might draw unwanted attention. Orion Black would not take kindly to a stranger appearing out of nowhere and challenging his lordship. And if Orion felt threatened, he might take action to eliminate the threat.
But there was also an opportunity. If he could gain the Black lordship, he would have access to the family's wealth, their influence, their ancient magic. He would have a legitimate place in wizarding society, a foundation from which to build his counter-movement against Voldemort's eventual rise.
"I want to pursue the claim," Harry said finally. "But I want to do it carefully. I don't want to announce myself to the Wizarding Council just yet. I need time to establish myself, to build relationships, to prepare for the political complications that will inevitably arise."
Ragnok nodded, as if he'd expected exactly this response. "A wise approach. Gringotts can facilitate this. We can maintain your claim in our records, marked as dormant but verified. When you are ready to make your formal petition, we can move quickly. The Council respects goblin genealogical expertise. In the meantime, we can also begin the process of transferring certain assets to you—those that are held in trust for the dormant heir."
"What sort of assets?" Harry asked, though he suspected the answer would be substantial.
"The Black family has several properties that are held in trust," Ironfoot said, consulting a document in front of him. "There are also certain artifacts and magical items that belong to the lordship itself, rather than to the current Lord Black. These can be transferred to you as the verified heir. Additionally, there are liquid assets—gold, magical currency, and various investments—held in trust specifically for the dormant heir."
Harry felt a thrill of anticipation. With those assets, he could accelerate his plans considerably. He could establish himself more firmly in wizarding society, could begin the work of building his counter-movement.
"How much are we talking about?" he asked.
Ragnok and Ironfoot exchanged glances. Then Ragnok spoke, his voice carrying a note of satisfaction that suggested he was pleased by Harry's reaction.
"Approximately two hundred thousand galleons in liquid assets, held in trust," Ragnok said. "Seven properties scattered throughout Britain, including a manor in Yorkshire and a townhouse in London. And a collection of magical artifacts that, conservatively valued, would be worth another hundred thousand galleons or more. Additionally, there are various investments and business interests that generate income."
Harry's breath caught. It was far more than he'd anticipated. With that kind of wealth and resources, he could do almost anything. He could establish businesses, fund research, support various causes. He could become a significant player in wizarding society within months.
"There is one condition," Ironfoot said, his voice taking on a more formal tone. "The assets held in trust are meant to support the lordship and the family's interests. If you access them, you must use them in a manner consistent with the Black family's legacy and standing. Gringotts will monitor the expenditures to ensure they are appropriate. We have a fiduciary responsibility to the family, even if the current patriarch doesn't know about your claim."
It was a reasonable condition, and one that Harry had expected. The goblins would never simply hand over vast wealth without some assurance that it would be used responsibly.
"I understand," Harry said. "I intend to use the assets to strengthen the Black family's position and influence. That is consistent with the family's legacy, I believe. Though I may need to modernize some of their approaches."
"Acceptable," Ragnok said. "Very well. We will begin the process of transferring the assets. It will take some time—perhaps a week or two—to complete all the paperwork and ensure all the proper magical contracts are in place. But by the end of that time, you will have access to everything that belongs to the dormant heir."
Part Four: The Foundation
As Harry left Gringotts that day, his mind was already working through the implications of what had just happened. He now had wealth, resources, and a legitimate claim to one of the most powerful lordships in Britain. He had a foundation upon which to build his counter-movement.
But he also had a deadline. Once he accessed the Black family assets, people would notice. The goblins would keep his secret, but the movement of that much wealth would eventually attract attention. He needed to be ready for that. He needed to have his persona established, his relationships cultivated, his strategy refined.
He had perhaps six months, maybe a year, before his existence became public knowledge. After that, everything would change.
Harry walked through Diagon Alley in the fading afternoon light, thinking about the road ahead. The Black lordship was a tool, nothing more. The true power would come from what he could accomplish with it. The alliances he could forge, the influence he could wield, the movement he could build.
Voldemort would rise in ten years. But when he did, he would find himself facing not a scattered, divided wizarding world, but a unified force led by someone who knew exactly what was coming and had spent years preparing for it.
Part Five: Strategic Considerations
Harry spent the next several days considering his options carefully. He had the wealth and the potential lordship claim, but he needed to think strategically about how to use these advantages.
The Black family was powerful, but they were also deeply entrenched in pureblood supremacist ideology. If Harry simply took over the lordship and tried to change them overnight, he would face massive resistance. He needed a different approach.
He needed to find a way to make the Black family—and other pureblood families—see that their interests were better served by unity and progressive reform than by the kind of dark ideology that Voldemort would eventually promote.
This would require finesse, patience, and a deep understanding of pureblood culture and values. It would require him to work within their system while gradually changing it from within.
Harry also needed to consider the broader political landscape. The Ministry of Magic was currently stable, but there were already signs of corruption and weakness. If he could identify key Ministry officials who might be vulnerable to Voldemort's influence, he could potentially prevent their recruitment before it happened.
He also needed to think about the other pureblood families. Not all of them would be susceptible to Voldemort's ideology. Some were genuinely progressive. Others were simply motivated by profit and power. If he could build a coalition of families who saw their interests aligned with his vision of a unified, powerful Magical Britain, he could create a counter-movement that would be strong enough to resist Voldemort's rise.
The key was to move carefully, to build his power base gradually, to establish himself as a legitimate player in wizarding society before making any major moves.
Part Six: The First Steps
Over the following weeks, Harry began to put his plan into action. He rented a small shop in Diagon Alley, positioning himself as a dealer in rare magical artifacts. The shop was really just a front, a way to establish a legitimate presence in the wizarding community. But it served its purpose.
He also began to attend various social events in wizarding society. Parties hosted by pureblood families, fundraisers for various causes, intellectual salons where wizards discussed magical theory and politics. He was careful to remain in the background, observing, learning, understanding the dynamics of power within wizarding society.
He also began to build relationships with key figures. He was particularly interested in the Blacks and the Potters, the two families whose lordships he had claims to. He needed to understand their strengths and weaknesses, their ambitions and fears.
Harry also started laying the groundwork for the Harrow Prince persona. He began to spread rumors about a mysterious foreign wizard who had made a name for himself hunting dangerous creatures. He planted stories in various publications about dark creature attacks that had been mysteriously stopped. He was building a legend that would eventually serve his purposes.
But all of this was just preparation. The real work would come later, when he had established himself firmly enough to begin making his moves.
Part Seven: The Implications
As Harry settled into his new life in 1970, he reflected on how far he'd come. In just a few weeks, he had secured wealth, established a legitimate claim to the Black lordship, and begun building the foundation of a network that could eventually grow into a counter-movement against Voldemort's rise.
But he was only just beginning. The real work would take years. He would need to be patient, strategic, and willing to make difficult choices.
He would need to manipulate people, to forge alliances, to use every tool at his disposal to build the power structure that would eventually stand against the darkness.
The question was whether he could do all of this without losing himself in the process. Whether he could maintain his humanity while becoming the kind of person who could reshape the entire wizarding world.
Only time would tell. But for now, Harry Potter—or rather, Hadrian Harrow—had taken the first steps on a path that would change everything.
The Black Account was open. The game had truly begun.