A/N – Harry Potter and the world, locations and characters his story is set in belong to JKR.

This story is AU and begins at the end of The Chamber of Secrets. The goblins in this story are most definitely NOT the goblins of the canon world. The case can be made either way for whether or not the canon Dumbledore can be related to this one, or to what degree. The same can be said for most of the other characters in this story.

Chapter 1

The Hogwarts Express was approaching Kings Cross station and the various students were gathering their belongings and returning to their own carriages after hearing the announcement. Almost all of them were looking forward to seeing meeting up with their family and going home for the summer.

Harry Potter on the other hand, was wishing he was going somewhere, almost anywhere, else.

Despite repeatedly asking the Headmaster if he could stay at the school over the summer, or at least ask his friends if he could stay with them, the Headmaster had informed him that he HAD to go back and stay with the Dursley's. That there was no other choice.

He wasn't looking forward to the coming summer at all. The Dursley's treated him like he was a slave and when he wasn't doing the many chores they gave him, he was locked in his room. Literally. Although at least the room was bigger than the cupboard they had shut him in before the Hogwarts letters had begun to arrive.

He had thought that the events of the last school year would have given him at least some leeway in his living arrangements. But no. It turned out that doing well in your exams, solving the mystery of where the Chamber of Secrets was located and killing a 1000 year old basilisk while saving the life of Ginny Weasley and preventing the return of a Dark Lord just wasn't enough. All it got you was a few school points, a plaque with your name on it in the school display case and a pat on the back while you got shipped off to a life of drudgery with people who hate and despise you.

At least the train ride had been good. Apart from having to put up with the now usual visit from Malfoy and his goons. Although it had been quite fun hexing the three of them and kicking them out of the cabin, the insults and taunts from Malfoy beforehand hadn't been very nice to hear.

Once the train came to a stop, he waited until Ron had lifted his trunk down, then helped Hermione with hers before finally getting his own down along with Hedwig's cage. It took a few minutes to convince Hedwig to go into the cage, by which time the other two had left the carriage so he was able to manoeuvre his stuff out onto the platform before taking a look around.

The platform was fairly crowded but he was able to spot the Weasley's without too much trouble. All that red hair made it fairly easy, and there was Hermione standing just to the side of them, obviously waiting to say a final goodbye to Ron before she left to go and meet her own parents. Dragging his truck behind him with one hand and with Hedwig's cage awkwardly held in his other hand, he made his way over to them just in time for Mrs. Weasley to look round and see him approaching.

'Harry!' she called out before smothering him in a rib-creaking hug. 'You must look after yourself this summer and make sure you eat more. You're all skin and bone young man.'

Before she could say any more, Mr. Weasley stepped forward and held his hand out.

'Thank you again Harry. If you need anything, anything at all, just let me know.' he said.

'You're welcome Mr. Weasley.' Harry mumbled in reply, not knowing what else to say he turned to Ron.

'I'll see you in September then.'

'Sure,' said Ron. 'I'll ask Mum and Dad if you can over and stay for a bit if you want.'

'That would be great,' Harry replied. 'I mean, I don't want to put you or your family out or anything, but it would be fun.'

'Well, Mum said something about us maybe going on a trip somewhere, but maybe after that we can work something out. I'll ask them and see what they say. I'll send you a letter once I know what's happening.' Ron said.

'Ok, I'll see you later then.' Harry finished up with a brief handshake and turned towards his trunk to see Hermione waiting for him.

'I thought I would wait for you and we can go through the portal to the muggle side together.' she said in response to his questioning look.

'I'll go and get a trolley then.' said Harry, before heading off to do just that.

The two of them quickly loaded their trunks and Hedwig's cage on the trolley and set off for the portal.

Passing through the portal, Harry quickly spotted his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, both of them looking annoyed about having to be where they were. Before he could say anything however, Hermione gave an excited squeal before setting off at a run and wrapping her arms around a tall, well built and extremely fit looking man who was standing next to a woman who, from her looks and the smile on her face, was most definitely Hermione's mother.

Deciding that he had better get a moving before his uncle went from annoyed to angry, Harry quickly pushed the trolley over to the Granger's. By the time he got there Hermione was wrapped in her mother's arms and the man he took to be Mr. Granger stepped forward and held out his hand.

'From her descriptions, I'm guessing you must be Harry.' he said. 'I'm Hermione's Dad.'

'Good afternoon Mr. Granger. Harry Potter.' Harry replied. 'Hermione's trunk is on the trolley there, if you give me a minute I'll go and get another trolley to put it on.'

Making his way over to where he had seen some trolley's sitting, Harry caught a glimpse of his uncle's face. It didn't look like his temper was improving any and he quickly realised that he would have to cut short any conversation with the Grangers if he didn't want a beating and no dinner when he got home.

Pushing the new trolley back over beside the old one, he quickly transferred Hermione's trunk onto it.

'That's us then,' he stated to Hermione. 'I guess I'll see you in September.'

'Ok Harry, I'll be at home for the next two weeks before we go to France for a month. But either side of that you have to write to me. And remember and do your homework.' she said.

''Bye then, goodbye Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger, it was nice to meet you.' Harry said to them before quickly pushing his trolley over to where his aunt and uncle were waiting.

'Finally decided to grace us with your presence then Boy.' Uncle Vernon snarled at him.

'Sorry Uncle Vernon,' Harry quickly replied. 'The platform was busy and I had to help Hermione with her trunk. I got here as quickly as I could.'

'Well we don't have all day boy. The car's that way.' was the only response from his uncle, before he and Aunt Petunia set off. Not stopping or even looking back to see if Harry was following them.

Wishing once again that he didn't have to go back to Little Whinging, Harry set off after them.

They had reached the car and Harry had just finished loading his trunk into the boot when they were interrupted.

'Mr. Dursley? Mr. Potter?' a voice from behind them said.

They both turned to see who was speaking.

In front of them were three men, two of them standing behind the third. The man in front was of average height, with dark brown hair and was wearing an obviously expensive suit. The other two were extremely tall and looked like they worked out. A LOT.

'My name is Scribeshank, I represent Gringotts. I am here to invite you to a meeting at Gringotts regarding Mr. Potter's inheritance.' The man said.

'And if we don't wish to go?' asked Vernon belligerently, although the slight quiver to his voice betrayed him.

Scribeshank gave a small, shark like smile while the two men behind him stepped up level with him.

'That would be entirely your choice Mr. Dursley. Although given the importance my superiors at the bank placed on your attendance I believe it would be in your best interests to accompany us. My associates here would be more than willing to discuss the matter further with you if you would prefer though.'

At that, the two large men smiled. Although Harry noted the smile didn't show in their eyes at all.