This Harry Potter story was written for fun. All rights belong to the wonderful lady (JK Rowling) who gave the world Harry Potter to read and enjoy.
Slash. While the character of Harry Potter is gay in this story, there will not be any intimate scenes – he's fourteen and that's too young to be involved in an adult relationship. He doesn't seem to think much of the adults around him in any case.
Set at the end of Harry's third year at Hogwarts, the story veers from the novels with interference by Dumbledore to keep anyone from using a time turner to rescue Sirius Black. The dementor brought by Minister Fudge kisses Sirius and his body dies without a soul. Dumbledore believes that there's no one who can free Harry but he did not consider the determination of the goblins to protect the Black family wealth in Gringotts. In this chapter, Harry learns he is the heir of Sirius Black and becomes 'Lord Black' when he flees from Dumbledore's control to the goblins. Revelations make the teenager determined to chart his own course in life. Dumbledore makes the mistake of tangling with Augusta Longbottom and her house elf relieves the headmaster of a prized possession.
Printed Word in letters and newspapers.
{Parsel tongue conversation}
Chapter 1 Becoming Lord Black
Time Turner runs AmokIt was the end of their third year at Hogwarts and the Gryffindor Golden Trio was once again in the infirmary. To rescue Buckbeak and Sirius Black from execution, Hermione and Harry planned to use the time turner to go back two hours in time. From his bed where he rested while a skelegrow potion repaired his broken leg, suddenly Ron summoned the time turner from Hermione's hands.
"Ron, give that back!" insisted Hermione as she ran across the room to the bed.
"This thing is dangerous. Dumbledore told me it would kill you!" the red-head argued. "He said I shouldn't let you…"
"When did Dumbledore..." Harry asked as Hermione and Ron fought over the time turner. An orange bubble surrounded his two friends and they disappeared. Then the bubble exploded, throwing beds, potion bottles and Harry Potter against the wall.
A familiar voice called Harry from his slumber…
"Mr. Potter, can you hear me?" asked Poppy Pomfrey's voice. "Harry, wake up."
Slowly opening his eyes and reaching for his glasses, Harry saw relief in Pomfrey's eyes when he focused on her face.
"You have been asleep for almost an entire day," she explained. "The Unspeakables have taken over my infirmary since that time turner exploded and we have been confined to this room."
A wizard in a red robe with a hood that covered his face stood nearby casting spells on the walls, furniture, Madame Pomfrey and Harry.
"How do you feel Mr. Potter?" asked the Unspeakable.
From the doorway, they could hear another wizard yelling at Professor Dumbledore about the time turner. Apparently, Professor Dumbledore was attempting to deflect the blame for the time turner explosion.
"But it was all Minerva's fault. She is the one who gave it to the girl..."
"And you are the headmaster! Did you not know there was a faulty time turner in Hogwarts? Are you aware of what goes on in your school?"
Dumbledore ignored the Unspeakable and turned to Harry. "Ah, Mr. Potter, you are awake at last! How do you feel my boy?"
"I feel fine sir. Can you tell me what happened to Hermione and Ron?" asked Harry as he rose from the bed. While Dumbledore would not answer him, the mediwitch pointed to a nearby crib where Harry found two sleeping babies – a red-headed boy and a bushy-haired little girl. "How did this happen? Will it wear off?"
Pomfrey left the room while Harry stared at Headmaster Dumbledore and Unspeakables.
"Your friends are perfectly fine, Mr. Potter," replied Dumbledore. "They will just have to grow up again."
"But how did this happen, headmaster?" Harry demanded to know but rather than answer, Dumbledore swept from the room with the head Unspeakable still berating and promising consequences for the headmaster's inaction with a time turner in the school. The Unspeakable that had been there when Harry awoke moved to stand beside Harry at the crib.
"You should know Mr. Potter that the headmaster always edits the facts when he speaks. He twists events to suit his purposes always."
Harry nodded in agreement but then turned back to stare at the infants who had been his best friends only yesterday. The Unspeakable continued, "The headmaster knows that time turners cannot de-age anyone. The only way to be de-aged is by potion. We tested the time turner – it was nothing but a port key. Your friends were transported somewhere here in the castle, given a potion and then transported back here."
"But why?" asked Harry.
Poppy Pomfrey appeared from her office, placed baby Hermione in the teenager's arms with a bottle and instructed him to feed her.
"I shall feed Mr. Weasley. His mother should be here shortly to take him to the Burrow. Then Professor McGonagall and I shall take Miss Granger to the home of her parents."
"What day is it?" Harry asked.
"Today is Friday," the mediwitch replied.
"Hermione told me her parents only work a half day on Fridays. You best catch them before they go to their dental practice or at their office before it closes at noon. They could be going away for a weekend."
"How long do muggles have to practice dentistry before they get it right?" asked Pomfrey. "I would have thought they were trained by now."
"For muggles, sometimes the word 'practice' means a medical business. Physicians, opticians and dentists all have a 'practice'."
"I never heard that in my muggle studies classes here at Hogwarts," the healer replied. "Ten points to Gryffindor, Mr. Potter."
"Will you promise me something Madam Pomfrey?"
"I shall if I can. What promise do you need?"
"Don't leave Hermione in a basket on the door stoop. Place her into the arms of her Mother or Father," Harry insisted.
"I would never leave..."
"But Professor McGonagall allowed the headmaster to leave me on a doorstep in November. She might think it is okay with muggles to find babies on their doorsteps."
"They left you on a doorstep..." the mediwitch struggled with the news she had been told. "...in the middle of the night?"
When Harry nodded his head, Pomfrey frowned as she replied, "I promise Mr. Potter. I personally shall return Miss Granger to her parents and place her into their arms."
The doors to the infirmary flew open and Molly Weasley rushed inside followed by her husband, Ginny and the twins. Fred and George were laughing about baby Ron but Ginny looked sceptical that this wiggling infant was a blessing. Madam Pomfrey handed baby Ron to his mother and Molly coo'ed to her infant son, took a towel and placed it over her shoulder before she placed baby Ron there and patted his back until he spit up. The projectile mess flew and smacked Ginny in the face.
Arthur quickly cleaned his daughter's face with a spell and said, "That's Ron for certain. He always had the ability to hit someone with his spit-up after feeding."
"Here Ginny, you hold the baby," Molly told her daughter. "You need to practice."
Ginny did not look particularly pleased to be holding baby Ron as she watched Fred and George move closer with a maniacal look in their eyes. A quick word and stern look from their father and the twins nodded – there would be no tricks or jinxes cast at or near the infant.
Turning her attention to the black-haired teenager, Molly sadly said, "Harry, I am so sorry about your godfather."
"My godfather? What about Sirius?" asked Harry quickly as Madam Pomfrey and Arthur Weasley both frowned but Molly explained before they could stop her.
"The minister and his undersecretary ordered a dementor to kiss Sirius Black last night. His body died just a little while ago," Molly said as she stepped closer to enfold the boy in a hug that threatened to mash baby Hermione.
Harry did not move – yesterday he discovered he had a godfather who wanted him. They would have a home somewhere away from the Dursleys and all the crazy wizards. Now, Minister of Magic Fudge and his toad-like Undersecretary Umbridge had taken that away by ordering the dementor's kiss for Sirius and remove his soul.
"You will come and spend part of the summer with us at the Burrow," Molly told him. "We'll always be your family."
Harry did not reply as Madam Pomfrey returned Hermione to the crib and then turned on Molly Weasley.
"You don't tell a child about his godfather's death in such a brutal manner! Leave!"
Arthur attempted to intervene. "Poppy, there's no cause..."
"If every Weasley isn't gone in one minute, I shall begin throwing medical hexes and mine sting for three days!"
From past experience with the mediwitch's hexes, George and Fred told their father they should all leave. The twins guided Ginny with baby Ron out the door while Arthur pulled Molly along while she protested that Harry needed her.
"You've done enough for today, Molly dear," he consoled her. "Let's get Ron home and into his crib."
Escape from Dursleys and DumbledoreHarry sat quietly, staring at the wall and ignoring the meal a house elf brought him.
"Mr. Potter you must eat if you want to be released from the infirmary before the end of school," Pomfrey said.
"Why?" Harry asked sullenly.
"You will need your strength."
Harry gave Pomfrey a very sad look but began eating the food. He noticed a pair of potion bottles on the tray and looked at the mediwitch for an explanation.
"I understand your relatives do not feed you well. I shall take steps to prepare you for summer and an elf will deliver food from Hogwarts to you every day."
"Thank you Madam Pomfrey. No one has done this much for me in my entire life," Harry replied.
Shortly thereafter, Professor McGonagall came into the infirmary. "Mr. Potter, I am pleased to see you eating. Professor Dumbledore and I worry you do take care of yourself."
"It is hard for the boy to take care of himself, Minerva," Poppy offered sarcastically.
"I know Poppy!" The deputy headmistress frowned before she continued, "And we must return the infant to her parents. I do not care for muggles in the middle of the day when I bring bad news."
Harry sat silently, eating and listening. Neither of the witches thought to offer Harry the chance to say goodbye to Hermione; they were both gone through the floo with the baby heading for the Leaky Cauldron. Once in London, they would apparate to the Granger home in search of the infant's parents.
It was less than a minute after the witches left that Dobby appeared before Harry and bowed.
"Mr. Unspeakables says that Mr. Harry Potter needs Dobby. Dobby is pleased to see Mr. Harry Potter eates his breakfast."
"Thank you," Harry told the elf.
"Mr. Harry Potter, sir, can Dobby asks a question?" the house elf asked carefully.
Harry set the last potion bottle on the tray and nodded, "Certainly Dobby. What do you want to know?"
"Does you want to takes cares of yourself? No more bads Dursleys? No more stupid greasy git? No more lies from Mr. Whiskers?"
Harry's face was sad and wistful when he replied, "I wish there was a way Dobby."
"There is Mr. Harry Potter, but I musts has your permission to brings someone into Hogwarts to tells you about it."
"My permission?"
Dobby nodded and explained, "Mr. Whiskers blocks all mails and visitors from Gringotts. He does not want Mr. Harry Potter to ever talks to the goblins. They have many, many things to tell you and now..."
"And now?" Harry asked when Dobby hesitated to continue.
"Now with Mr. Harry Potter's dog-father kissed, there are more goblins who want to talk to him."
Harry didn't hesitate to agree. "Dobby, bring one of the goblins here – one who knows about Sirius – but do it quietly. I don't want anyone to interrupt us."
"Mr. Whiskers is gone to London for the Whizzes-agot. No ones will bothers you."
Harry nodded but Dobby had already popped away. Rising from the infirmary bed, Harry made his way to the bathroom and then dressed. He returned to make the bed when he heard a pop behind him.
Turning, he found Dobby with an older goblin who was dressed in a suit of clothes that were fashionable among muggles a century ago. But Harry bowed to the goblin and introduced himself.
"I am Harry Potter, sir," Harry said.
"Heir Potter-Black, may your blade drink deeply of the blood of your enemies and your gold ever increase. I am Ragnock, chief of Gringotts Bank and I thank you for agreeing to see me while recovering from your latest ordeal."
Harry thought for a moment. "Chief Ragnock, I wish you success in battle with the heads of your enemies adorning the walls of your office as you count their gold. How may this wizard be of assistance today?"
Ragnock smiled; a fierce sight with a mouth full of sharp teeth. "Heir Potter-Black, when Minister Fudge ordered a dementor to kiss Lord Sirius Black, it became imperative that I speak to you. The goblins who manage the Potter estate have tried for years to reach you but Dumbledore has blocked every effort. The Black estate is still intact and Gringotts does not intend to allow Dumbledore to loot it as he has your father's estate."
"Professor Dumbledore has looted...wait... I have an estate?" Harry asked incredulously. "I thought I only had a trust account for school. No one ever told me..."
Ragnock nodded his head as he saw the teenager begin to wonder how many lies he had been told. The green eyes flashed with fire for a moment before Harry Potter turned to the goblin and asked, "Ragnock, advise me what to do."
The goblin nodded. "First, we ask the house elf to remove all the tracking charms on yourself, your possessions and your wand. They will all be placed on other students or their belongings to keep Dumbledore from being able to track you any longer..."
"Dobby, do as Ragnock suggests."
Two days later, Harry Potter pulled his trunk behind him as he walked with the other students from Hogwarts to the train station to ride the express back to London. The leaving feast the night before had seen Ravenclaw receive the House Cup for once and Harry ignored by everyone except for Ginny Weasley who he did his best to ignore. Today in the train, Neville Longbottom joined Harry in a compartment and the two boys spent the trip talking quietly about the past year.
"So Sirius Black was your godfather. I didn't think the godfather oath would allow him to harm you."
"I don't know anything about that Neville."
Neville frowned. "Harry someone needs to tell you all about laws and magical traditions for the Ancient and Noble families. My grandmother and great uncles give me lessons and books about my obligations and rights as Heir Longbottom all summer. Your magical guardian certainly has let you down!"
Harry smirked and shook his head. "Neville, I don't even know who is my magical guardian."
"Gran might be able to help."
Harry considered this offer for a moment and nodded his head. "Neville, I know a way that you can help me today."
"Sure. What can I do?"
"I am going to use my invisibility cloak to slip passed everyone and go to Gringotts. The goblins have information I need about Sirius Black and my parents. But I can't shrink and carry my trunk with me."
"Handling your trunk is easy," Neville replied. "Tipsy, can you come here please?"
A house elf popped into the compartment and she smiled at Neville. "Hello Mr. Nevilles, sir. We's looking forward to you being home this summer. Youse greenhouses are bursting with plants that needs your attention."
Harry saw his friend's face light up. "That is good news Tipsy." Pointing at Harry, he said, "This is a friend of mine. I need you to take my trunk and my friend's trunk to Longbottom Manor and put them into my room."
"Certainly Mr. Neville," the house elf said as she popped out, taking both trunks away.
"Grandmother agreed that dragging a trunk through the train station was cumbersome," Neville explained. "I call Tipsy to get my trunk sometime during the trip home."
Harry smiled. "That's brilliant Neville!"
Harry Reaches GringottsIn London, the Hogwarts Express came to a stop at Platform 9¾ and the students spilled off the train, seeking parents or guardians for the trip home. Mad Eye Moody waited in the shadows, watching for Harry Potter and his nasty, muggle relatives. According to Dumbledore, the boy had been too quiet the last few days of the term and the headmaster wanted to make certain nothing happened to his plans for Harry's summer.
There were no signs of the muggles from Surrey or the boy as the crowd began to thin out. His magical eye could not find Potter, his trunk or his wand in the rapidly diminishing crowd. He stepped forward and climbed into the train to search for clues as the last magical family used the floo to exit the platform.
"Dumbledore's going to be unhappy if the boy's done a runner," the retired Auror muttered.
Slipping off the invisibility cloak, Harry Potter stepped into Gringotts for only the second time in his life. A pair of goblin guards immediately approached to lead him around the queues of witches and wizards and through a door that shut behind them.
"Heir Potter-Black, we were expecting you. Please come this way," one of the guards said as the two goblins sped along a beautiful hallway deep into the underground of Gringotts. Finally they stopped at a large doorway and opened it for Harry.
Stepping inside, Harry Potter found a large table, a dozen goblins and Dobby waiting for him.
"Welcome Mr. Harry Potters, sir," the house elf said as he escorted Harry to the goblins. Ragnock was first to greet Harry with a deep bow that the boy returned. Each goblin introduced the next in line, goblins that managed the different financial and real estate holdings of the Black family and the Potter family.
"Thank you for inviting me today Ragnock," Harry said after the last introduction was made. "May your gold increase and your enemies fall before you."
"Heir Potter-Black, it is my sincere hope that your enemies fall to dust as your gold begins to grow once more."
"Can the goblins help me?" Harry asked. "I need a place to hide and I need knowledge."
"Gringotts is here to help you," Ragnock replied. "Let us begin. Last winter, Sirius Black came to see us. Gringotts knew he had never been tried and convicted of a crime so there was no problem with helping him. He assumed his title as Lord Black that day and made a new will. You were his sole heir even before that day, Mr. Potter-Black. The changes he made were to curse anyone who interferes with his will and with you."
"How does that help me?" Harry asked.
"Lord Sirius Black included a declaration of emancipation for his heir in his will," the goblin chief explained as he motioned one guard forward with a box. Ragnock opened the box and Harry saw a large ring inside with large stone of onyx surrounded by a ring of small diamonds.
"Take up your mantle as Lord Black today, Mr. Potter-Black. You will become emancipated, free of all traces, magical guardians and hateful relatives."
With that incentive, Harry did not hesitate to reach into the box and take the ring. He placed it on the middle finger of his right hand and it immediately resized itself to fit perfectly. Within his head he felt new information, spells, and incantations cataloguing with his existing knowledge; within the magical core at the centre of his being, he felt blocks on his magic melt away as the Black family magic settled upon him.
He became aware of his surroundings again after many minutes; he had been moved to a chair and a potion bottle waited on a table beside his arm.
"It is a pepper-up," Ragnock explained, motioning toward the potion. "Your body and brain are working furiously to process a great deal of information and new magic, Lord Black."
Harry nodded and drank the pepper-up quickly, the steam pouring out of his ears as his body removed the toxins of hard work without enough rest.
"He must be found!" Dumbledore insisted to the members of the Order of the Phoenix gathered in his office at Hogwarts. "Moody, take Tonks to Surrey. Find out what the Dursleys know about Harry's plans. Remus, contact Harry's friends."
"What friends Headmaster?" Remus asked. "Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are both infants again. They were really the only friends that Harry had at Hogwarts."
"What about Neville Longbottom?" Minerva asked. "They shared a dorm room in Gryffindor for the last three years."
"Augusta Longbottom will not allow Remus within one hundred yards of Neville now that she knows he is a werewolf," Severus Snape announced.
"And who is at fault for that?" asked Remus.
"Enough!" Dumbledore commanded. "Severus is correct. Dowager Longbottom is very careful of her grandson's life." He seemed to consider several moments before he said, "I shall visit Longbottom Manor myself."
"Remus, check with the werewolf packs to see if there are any rumours about the Dark Lord's minions taking Harry," the headmaster ordered. "Severus, visit the Malfoys and see what they have heard."
Dumbledore vs. Augusta LongbottomAs the others filed out of his office, Dumbledore strode to the floo and threw floo powder into the flames. "Longbottom Manor," he called but rather than stepping into the fireplace he stuck his head into the flames and spoke with a house elf that quickly went to get her mistress.
At Longbottom Manor, Tipsy popped first into Mr. Neville's room where she hid Harry Potter's trunk under a spell and then popped to the side of Augusta Longbottom, her mistress.
"Missy Augusta, there be a Mr. Whiskers at the floo wishing to speak to you and Mr. Neville."
"Mr. Whiskers?" asked the elderly witch as she sat down her book and considered her elf's announcement.
"Whiskers that runs Mr. Neville's school," the elf explained.
"Ah, you mean 'an old goat with whiskers'," her mistress exclaimed. "We're not home a day yet; I wonder why he is calling?"
She considered her options for a moment and then said, "Allow him entrance Tipsy but confine him to the floo room. Once I arrive, I may direct you to fetch a tea service but do not become distressed if I do not. He may not be welcome in this house. And make certain he does not cast any tracking charms or other spells while he waits."
"Yes Missy Augusta," Tipsy replied before she popped out. Augusta rose from her chair, set her novel aside and walked confidently toward the floo room. She decided to not disturb Neville unless it was necessary. The boy was in his greenhouses already and enjoying his first afternoon home.
Dumbledore was not pleased to wait within the confines of the floo room, but he needed Augusta's good opinion to maintain control of the Wizegamot and retain his position at Hogwarts. He conjured a throne-like chair but the construct continually fell apart before he could sit. When the door to the room opened only two minutes later, the headmaster was angry and threatening the house elf cowering in a corner when the creature continued to disperse his transfigurations.
"A visitor does not perform magic within the home of his hostess without permission Albus Dumbledore," stated Augusta as though she addressed a small child. "And no one threatens my house elves because they follow my orders!"
She stepped fully into the room and closed the door behind before demanding, "What do you mean coming into my home and conjuring furniture?"
"My apologies Lady Longbottom, but my old back has requirements for a chair that supports my bones."
She sneered. "Nothing else sits comfortably since you put your backside on the throne in the Wizegamot chambers all those years ago. I understand you have thrones at Hogwarts and in your office now. Is there also one in the staff room?"
Attempting to laugh off Lady Longbottom's question, Dumbledore smiled congenially and waved at one of the plain chairs. "If you would be so good to accommodate me then Lady Longbottom."
The plain chair transformed into a throne-like chair without the movement of her wand and Dumbledore was impressed with the witch's wandless magic.
"Tipsy, you may return to your duties. We will not be taking tea," Augusta said as she sat with great dignity in one of the regular chairs in the floo room.
They sat in silence for a long moment; to not be offered tea meant Lady Longbottom considered Dumbledore to be an unwelcome guest in her home.
Finally Dumbledore spoke. "Thank you for giving me a moment of your time, Augusta."
"Lady Longbottom," she said to correct him. "And who is calling on me today, Headmaster Dumbledore or Grand Warlock Dumbledore?"
"I am here as Headmaster," Dumbledore replied. "I need to speak to your grandson about Harry Potter."
"Harry Potter?" Augusta asked with surprize evident in her voice.
"The boy is missing and I wanted to see if Neville has any information that might help me locate him. It would be best if I could speak to your grandson," Dumbledore said.
"You will not attempt to enter my grandson's mind," Augusta stated as she stared directly at Dumbledore's eyes, daring him to attempt to enter her mind.
"No, of course not, Lady Longbottom."
"Tipsy," called Augusta. The elf immediately popped into the room. "Please find my grandson and bring him to the floo room."
"Yes Missy Augusta," the elf replied as she popped away and almost immediately returned with the teenager. Neville was dressed in old clothing with a gardener's apron on with tools and dirt. The teenager removed his gloves before he moved to stand beside his grandmother.
"You sent for me Grandmother?"
"Yes dear. Headmaster Dumbledore wanted to ask you about Harry Potter."
Neville looked surprised and scratched his head, a signal to his grandmother that he did not want to have this conversation. Neville put his best absent-minded face in place and filled his mind with thoughts of plants and flowers before turning to the headmaster.
"I don't understand Headmaster," he said. "You have not spoken to me once in the three years I have attended Hogwarts. Why have you come today to ask about Harry?"
Neville paused only a moment before he asked, "Has something else happened to him? First, he lost Ron and Hermione, and then lost his godfather on the same day that the time turner exploded throwing him about."
Dumbledore frowned as Augusta Longbottom rose from her chair. "A time turner? What was a time turner doing at Hogwarts? Neville how do you know this?"
"Uncle Horace told me. He was there for an entire day investigating the explosion in the infirmary."
"Who is your uncle, Mr. Longbottom?" asked Dumbledore.
"He is the Unspeakable who was yelling at you about allowing a faulty time turner to be used at Hogwarts for an entire school year."
"A 'faulty' time turner?" roared Augusta Longbottom. "Dumbledore, you know what time turners are capable of! And one was at Hogwarts for an entire year! All the children must be examined at St. Mungo's for stress and aging."
"Two students were de-aged back to infants, Gran. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger both disappeared and then reappeared as infants."
"Time turners can't de-age anyone," Augusta told her grandson. "Only potions can change a person's age."
Realizing that too much information had been shared with the Longbottoms, Dumbledore attempted to draw his wand from his sleeve but Tipsy reappeared and the throne where he was seated suddenly wrapped magical chains around the headmaster's arms.
Neville moved to place himself between his grandmother and Dumbledore as Tipsy took the wand away from the headmaster.
"You dare to draw your wand on my family in my own home?" Augusta swore. "Merlin's bullocks Dumbledore, have you lost your mind?"
"Return my wand and I shall leave," Dumbledore replied.
"You will leave for certain and I shall consider returning the wand at a later time," the dowager replied. "Tipsy, send our visitor back to Hogwarts through the floo."
"No, I insist you return my wand now!"
The elf levitated the chair, tossed some powder into the floo, and then threw the chair with the headmaster through the flames. On the other side of the flames, Dumbledore and his throne flew through his office as Minerva McGonagall leapt out of the way. She had just returned from London and the only entrance by floo was through the headmaster's office.
The powerful witch cast a spell to arrest the flight of the throne to keep the headmaster from crashing into the wall opposite the floo and the instant the throne sat with four legs on the floor again, it disintegrated into dust, dropping Dumbledore the last two feet to the floor from his seated position.
"Albus, what are you doing?"
Standing slowly and brushing off his robes, Dumbledore replied, "Just a misunderstanding with Augusta Longbottom. She took offense at a comment I made."
Minerva said nothing about the Dowager Longbottom; she dreaded her own meetings with the woman concerning her grandson. "Albus, I have just returned from the ministry – the Grangers have petitioned the ministry to have their daughter examined at St. Mungo's Hospital to see if a cure for the de-aging can be found."
"I am certain as her magical guardian, you will see that it is not in the child's best interest to have such an examination occur," Dumbledore replied with a wandless compulsion charm. "Her mind was returned to the state of an infant as well and nothing could recover the experiences and memories if she was 'aged' to be..."
"Almost fifteen years old," the assistant headmistress said.
"Yes, it would be most dangerous," Dumbledore agreed. "I completely agree with you."
Late in the same evening, Alistair Moody came through the floo to the headmaster's office to make his report with many members of the Order of the Phoenix present.
"There's no sign of Potter anywhere, Albus. The muggles say they received a letter from the boy by muggle post stating that he would not be bothering them ever again. They were right pleased to be rid of him if you ask me."
"They are his family, Alistair," Dumbledore replied. "I am certain they will welcome him back once we find him."
"There's no sign of him in Diagon Alley. Tom's not seen him in the Leaky Cauldron and Remus didn't caught the boy's scent anywhere," Tonks said. "It is as if he has vanished."
"Molly, you've had no news? No letters to the twins or Ginny?"
"None. The twins won't talk about Harry, and Ginny is busy learning how to be a good housewife," Molly smiled but then stopped before she said too much.
"What of the Unspeakables?" Severus asked. "They were very concerned that day at Hogwarts. Could they have taken him under their wing and hidden him away?"
"That is a possibility," Dumbledore agreed. "And the Unspeakables are difficult to deal with on any subject."
"Who in the department of mysteries can we depend on for information?" asked Arthur Weasley. "Do any Unspeakables belong to the Order?"
"No," Albus admitted regretfully. The Unspeakables seldom gave Dumbledore the time of day and never any information.
Lord Black's EstateHarry sat across from Ragnock and the team of goblins who managed the Black holdings.
"Sirius Black swore upon his magic that he did not betray Lord and Lady Potter in 1981. He kept his magic after the oath so we are certain your godfather was innocent of the crimes he was arrested and incarcerated for without trail."
"How could they forget to give him a trial?" Harry asked.
"We have been assured by Mr. Barty Crouch, Sr., and by Grand Warlock Dumbledore that there was no need for a trial; Black was guilty without doubt in their opinion. They sent him to Azkaban ten years ago and last year he escaped."
Harry nodded and then asked, "How did I become Sirius Black's heir?"
"When you were only a few days old, Sirius Black performed a blood adoption of you. This was with the permission of your father of course and explains your black hair."
"But won't Draco Malfoy and his father protest this inheritance? Draco's mother was born Narcissa Black."
Ragnock frowned and nodded slowly before saying, "Lucius Malfoy is anxious to get his hands on the Black vaults."
"Why does he need...I thought the Malfoy's were wealthy?"
The goblin sat forward. "Several years ago, Mr. Malfoy experienced a streak of bad luck when the Aurors raided Malfoy Manor on a Monday morning looking for any dark cursed objects. They are quite expensive objects and in demand whenever a dark lord rises anywhere in the world. The DMLE traced several illegal objects to Mr. Malfoy and thus the raid that found a great deal of dark residue, they did not find any objects."
Harry listened quietly as Ragnock continued, "After the raid, when Mr. Malfoy was unable to complete several orders for dark objects for wizards in South America, he had to return a great many galleons that he had already spent. Without sufficient funds, he was forced to take out several loans."
Now Harry grinned. "Malfoy is in debt?"
"Up to his eyeballs." Ragnock waited just a moment before he added, "He believes that his son will become the next Lord Black. If he can secure the Black vaults, Malfoy can pay off his loans."
"How much money do I have as Lord Black?"
Ragnock pushed over a ledger that listed a total that Harry had to read three times to comprehend.
"How much money do I have as Heir Potter?" he asked excitedly. "Am I this rich twice over?"
Highblade, the chief Potter goblin growled. "You would be but for your magical guardian's spending and malfeasance."
"Who is my magical guardian?"
"Aldus Dumbledore acts as your magical guardian though he has never officially been appointed to that position. He sealed the last will and testament of Lord and Lady Potter, hid you away in Surrey, and then began spending your galleons."
Harry took a minute to relax, the Black family magic helping him to calm the Potter and Evans temper. "How bad is it?"
"The primary Potter vault is bare," the goblin explained. "The family artefacts vault is sealed and can't be opened until you turn 17 and become Lord Potter. Your trust vault has had some withdrawals – mostly by Molly Weasley– but they are limited to no more than a thousand Galleons a year."
Watching the goblins for moment, Harry's new Black family knowledge of facial expressions and body language–even among goblins–made him ask, "There's more, isn't there?"
"Indeed, Heir Potter. This summer the Ministry of Magic will foreclose on all Potter homes, businesses, properties and farms for failure to pay taxes for the last ten years. With interest, the total tax bill is one million galleons due by July 31."
"My birthday!" Harry hissed. "Fudge and Dumbledore must be working together on this."
Highblade pushed over a folder that Harry opened and reviewed. "Gringotts was hired by the ministry to catalogue the contents of your family manor, other homes, farms and buildings.
Glancing through the catalogue, Harry quickly found items of interest.
"There are magical portraits of my parents in the manor! Can I retrieve them? I have only a few pictures of my parents! But these portraits I could talk to."
"I am sorry Heir Potter, but the ministry has locked down all assets to include in the auction."
"Use money from the Black vaults to pay the taxes!" Harry ordered but he saw the goblins frown.
"We can't mix the funds from the two estates. Lord Black can't pay Heir Potter's debts," Ragnock explained. "You are in effect two persons within a single body."
Now Harry rose from his chair, grabbed it and threw it against the wall. "Damn wizards and their damn laws!"
Harry James Potter-Black ran from the meeting room to the exercise room where he proceeded to duel with animated dummies for more than one hour to work off his anger. He ate a small supper and went to bed, safe behind the wards of Gringotts Bank.
The next morning, he sought out Chief Ragnock to apologise for his temper tantrum the night before and then he sent Dobby to ask Highblade for a meeting.
"Heir Potter, forgive me for being late," the goblin said when he arrived three minutes past the appointed time.
"May your gold flow Highblade. Think nothing of the three minutes for your advice is worth much gold to me and I need your advice this morning."
"How may I be of service?"
"I understand I cannot use funds from the Black vaults to secure the Potter tax debt but do I have any money from all the Harry Potter books and toys I have seen sold in Diagon Alley?"
"Again, that is money your 'magical guardian' has used to pay for his robes and vacations for the last ten years."
"Can I borrow the money from Gringotts?"
"Not to pay taxes," Highblade reported with sadness in his voice.
Harry and Highblade spent an hour that morning discussing money. The young lord was mollified to learn that he could purchase items from the estate sale using Black family money but the items would all become property of the Black family.
"You will have to have two sons at least Mr. Potter," the goblin said. "But there may be problems if Heir Potter feels resentment for Heir Black for having riches while he is forced to labour to feed his family."
"Money complicates life doesn't it, Highblade? Nothing is simple when there's money involved. I am not fourteen years old but already I have to worry about what my children will do for money."
Granger RescueOn a Saturday morning in Crawley at the Granger home, the parents were busy feeding their infant daughter when the door bell rang. Helen Granger left her husband with Hermione in her new highchair to answer the door. She returned in a few minutes with a thick overnight packet that she opened at the table.
"Richard, come look at this packet. It appears to be from Gringotts Bank."
The Grangers read of an invitation to bring Hermione to Gringotts that morning for a complete physical examination. The invitation came from Ragnock, Chief of the Goblin Tribe Gringotts and from Lord Black.
"What is a port key?" Helen asked her husband as they examined a small box inside the package.
"The letter says it is instant transportation into Gringotts from our home and an instant return once our business is concluded. When we are ready and holding Hermione, we open the box and say 'Truth'."
"Then let's dress and go visit the goblins. Perhaps they will tell us the truth about our little girl."
In short order, the Grangers were ready with Helen holding Hermione close, and Richard lugging the diaper bag. He opened the box to find a red stone that he grasped in his hands while holding Helen and said, "Truth".
"They are here, Mr. Harry Potter-Black sir," said Dobby. "The Grangees arrived just a minute ago."
"Thank you Dobby," Harry told his elf as he excused himself from a meeting with the Potter estate goblins.
In this secluded section of Gringotts, Harry was not concerned about meeting any witches or wizards. His guard escorted him to a meeting room where he found Hermione's parents and the infant who had been his best friend for three years until a few days ago.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I am Harry Potter," he said as he stepped into the room. "Thank you for coming this morning. I hope the goblins and their healers can answer your questions this morning."
"What was done to our daughter?" demanded Richard. "No one at that damn ministry will talk to us and Professor McGonagall refused to allow a healer at St. Mungo's to examine her."
Harry frowned and then shook his head, "She must be Hermione's magical guardian. The Ministry for Magic will not pay you any attention if a wizard or witch tells them not to because you are muggles."
"Is Hermione going to be okay?" asked Helen. "Will she grow up again?"
"No one will tell us if she's stuck like this or not."
A female goblin entered the room dressed in a robe with the medical symbol on the upper shoulder.
"I am Glendall, a healer of the Gringotts clan. May I examine your child?" she asked.
"Yes," Helen replied instantly and Harry could hear the gratefulness in the mother's voice. Harry waited patiently with the Grangers while Hermione was examined with spells by the goblin healer.
"The girl child has been de-aged to ten months of age. Her birthday is in September?"
"Yes," Helen replied. "She will be fifteen."
The goblin shook her head, "She will be one year. The potion truly returned her to infancy. She will grow normally and suffer no ill effects from the potion. Her magic will remain unaffected as well."
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, you raised a wonderful person the first time," Harry assured them. "I am certain you can do so again."
Richard and Helen looked at each other and nodded.
"We love our daughter – there's no doubt, but how can we allow her to go through all the prejudice and bigotry of magical Britain again?" Richard asked.
"I have a proposal for you," Harry said. "The goblins are master craftsmen with documentation. I want to protect Hermione as well and know she can grow up as bright as before."
"What do you propose?" asked Helen.
"Allow the goblins sell your business for you and tell everyone that you have relocated to the United States to be dentists there."
"The US is attractive for witches like Hermione we understand," Richard said. "Most muggleborns leave Britain and move there or Australia before they reach thirty years of age."
"Yesterday, I became Lord Black following the death of my godfather. I am very rich and have holdings in Australia. I want to offer you new identities and a new career. There is a winery and vineyard in my portfolio there that I will sign over to you. Hermione can grow up with parents who are home every day."
"I do like wine," Richard told his wife.
"We accept," Helen said. "We have no family here in Britain and we can leave quickly."
"Lord Black, it is time to move from Gringotts and return to Magical Britain," Ragnock told him. "We must establish your presence in Magical Britain."
"Where will I go? The Potter manor house is to be auctioned off at the end of July," asked Harry. "I will not return to the Durk-wads in Surrey!"
"No one can make you go to Surrey or remain there if you were to discover yourself there," Ragnock assured the boy. "Gringotts will send the goblin guards to rescue you even if it starts a war with the wizards."
"Now, you have many properties as Lord Black; one is here in London but it has not been lived in for six years. Our records indicate it is a large, well-built house."
Nodding the young Lord Black agreed to venture out the following day to explore No.12 Grimmauld Place.