All disclaimers are the same as Chapter 1 – I'm trying to keep the story dated to 1991.
AN: I know it's been a long time since I've updated. In my defense I would just like to say that I'm a reader at heart.
I would like to say money wise in this fiction that the galleon is equal to about 210 pounds (Closer to half of the conversion of about 3 ounces of gold in 1991. It helps to better explain that the prize money in the tri-wizard tournament was a fortune at a thousand galleons (If it's converted to roughly 210,000 pounds) – It will also make sense with the Weasley Twins using that money as both a start up cost and inventory for their shop. In America, the average bank loan for a small business is about $50,000. And not to mention a little bit more realistic that the Wand, a wizard's most prized possession is purchased for 7 galleons (This equals the cost to a used car).
1 galleon = 210 pounds
Economy in the wizarding world – (Equal to cost of living 1991)
Ministry of Magic AverageAnnual Salary's
Entry-level worker – 115 galleons (24,150 pounds)
Auror Academy Cadet – 130 galleons (27,300 pounds)
Mid-level worker/Hit Wizards – 150 galleons (31,500 pounds)
High-level worker/undersecretary's – 200 galleons (42,000 pounds)
Auror's/ Assistant Department Heads – 250 galleons (52,500 pounds)
Department of Mysteries – 260 galleons (54,600 pounds)
Department Heads – 300 galleons (63,000 pounds)
Minister – 400 galleons (84,000 pounds)
I believe this makes sense since the magical population is low and a ministry salary's are paid through taxes. For example – the President of the United States salary in1991 made only $250,000 and that was supported by a tax population of 200 million people. Besides, wizards don't need to pay for utilities (Gas, electricity, car/travel, etc).
Again, this is just the average. Also, some department head's salaries might make a lot less as their department might not have as much funding or budget espenses as others would. For example, Arthur Weasley's job-as expressed in the books-is the lowest of the department heads. This is just to give people an idea.
Hogwarts Tuition each year: 50 galleons (10,500 pounds) I decided this amount as Great Britain does have caps on their tuition for it's citizens.
Teacher's Salary's – Teachers are civil servants – they do not make that much. Keep in mind – this is a boarding school – Food/Housing is provided free to it's teacher's so they will be able to save a lot more (Example: How Minerva was able to buy Harry's Nimbus 2000 in canon)
Starting Teacher Salary/librarian – 150 galleons (31,500 pounds)
Tenure Salary – 200 galleons (42,000 pounds)
3 House Heads/Healer – 250 galleons (52,500 pounds)
Deputy Headmaster – 300 galleons (63,000 pounds) Basically all of Minerva's admin duties added on.
Headmaster – 350 galleons (73,500 pounds)
Everything else goes to Food, Potion ingredients for the infirmary, Everything teacher's need to stock up classrooms, replacing library books, emergency funds, Scholarships for the lesser enabled students, etc.
Chapter 4
Diagon Alley– Earlier in the Evening
"I can't believe they let us out so quickly," Harry said while thumbing through his Hogwarts list. From the time, they had about four hours to get everything before the business's started closing down for the night.
His brother Ranma was leading them to the Wizarding Bank, Gringotts or whatever it was called. It was a tall white building with marble pillars in front. It looked like it was built during the time that the Romans were occupying Britain. Some of the shops even predated that! Harry had remembered that he passed a shop named Ollivander's that was built in 383 BC some 700 years before the Romans!
Four goblins stood in full armor in front. Not to greet but more to intimidate. Both Harry and Ranma nodded to the guards as they walked through as they could respect Goblins ready to fight for honor and race.
They made their way to the front of the waiting lines. Very few patrons were in the bank at this hour.
A few more surprises awaited them.
"Can you say that again?" Harry asked. He was numb since the moment they were brought into this Inheritance office.
"You are quite wealthy," Griphook repeated. The Goblin looked a little menacing from having to repeat himself.
Both Ranma and Harry had to go through a blood ritual which was standard in opening up their new faults-high security vaults. Ranma had converted his money into galleons which he than split evenly for themselves. They each had about 3,200 Galleons now in each of their new faults.
The surprise came from the Goblin's revelation. Even the Goblin looked surprised at first. Once they had the new patron's blood and magic on record. They discovered quite a few vaults they were apparently heirs of.
Harry's Vaults:
Vault 587 – Harry Potter Trust Vault (Opened 11 Years Ago)
Total: 1,215 Galleons, 9 Sickles (Current Access)
Vault 209 – Potter Family Vault (Last Use: 10 years Ago) (Through James Potter-Father)
Total: 52,597 Galleons, 5 Sickles (Potter Will: Access at 17)
Vault 112 – Griffindor Family Vault (Last Use: 370 Years Ago) (Through James Potter-Father)
Total: 9,867 Galleons (Current Access)
Vault 103 – Slytherin Family Vault (Last Use 905 Years Ago) (Through Lily Evans Potter-Mother)
Total: 109,000 Galleons (Current Access)
The other Vaults he inherited as he was simply the last of that line.
Vault 97 – Peverell Family Vault (Last Use: 1,162 Years Ago)
Total: 236,619 Galleons, 9 Sickles. (Current Access)
Vault 92 – Lefay Vault (Last Use: 1397 Years Ago)
Total: 349,766 Galleons
Harry's Property Holdings:
Potter Country Cottage Rebuilt (Godric Hollow, Wales)
Potter Castle (Outside Caephilly, Wales)
Potter Manor (Outside City Limits of Cardiff, Wales)
Potter 97,500 Acres of Land (Land Magically Copied & Hidden in Beacons National Park, Wales)
Potter Apartment (Cardiff, Wales)
Potter Ocean Side Summer House (Pembrokeshire,Wales)
Ranma's Vaults
Vault 27 – Lina Inverse Vault (Last Use: 1509 Years Ago)
Total: 156,324 Galleons
Inherited As he is the last of the line -
Vault 9 – Luna Inverse Vault (Last Use: 1430 Years Ago)
Total: 289,977 Galleons
Ranma Property Holdings:
Inverse Castle (Whitehaven, England)
Several hundred Kilometers of Land Magically Copied in Cumbria, England)
Harry whistled as he read through everything. In British pounds that was converted into over 160 Million on his vaults alone -not including what the properties were worth. To bad he didn't have time this year to visit them for an assessment.
"Hey...Ranma, What do you say about us moving to Cardiff next summer?"
Outside Ollivander's -
"He was a little...creepy" Harry muttered. He received a 11 inch Holly and Phoenix feather wand while Ranma had received a 12 inch Oak made up of Dragon Heartstring.
He also didn't think Ollivander could move that fast when he had shoved them both outside the door.
"Yeah..kind of weird with what he said about our wands...hmm," Ranma advised with a particular look. Old man Ollivander had claimed his wand was made out of charred oak that was petrified from lightning with a rare Dragon Hybrid of Hungarion Horntail and Welsh Green...a strange mix. Ollivander had muttered Chaos before he threw them both out!
He didn't even charge Ranma for that wand.
"We need to get back and pack all of our...muggle things," he said not really worrying about what just happened. He was really testing the word Muggle. He didn't really like the word Muggle or using that expression. Especially for people living like they were in the Dark ages. If he didn't have Lina Inverse memories, it would be like living in culture shock.
9 ¾ Platform – Hogwarts express
The platform was loud. All around, kids of various ages were reuniting with friends. Parents were trying to say their goodbyes and than mumbling something or another after failing to get their thoughts through to their kids.
Only his mother succeeded. Molly Weasley was the loudest of them all.
"Ronnekins, you have dirt on your nose," Molly Weasley was trying to wipe it off with her fingers.
"Uh..Mom!" exclaimed Ron while he was trying to maneuver himself away from her.
"Brother-" Fred piped up.
"did he just-" George continued.
"talk?" the twins finished together.
"QUIET! He's nervous," Molly yelled and shot an angry look at the twins.
"Uhhh.." mumbled Ron in a reply.
Since yesterday he had been quiet. Thinking. Ron usually did not carry around such thoughts, really since he had the encounter. He had seen him. Him being the long lost Harry Potter. Harry Potter had just walked into the Leaky Cauldron. Alone. Professor Snape had taken him to Hogwarts.
He was intimidated by the whole thing. He couldn't understand how Harry shot away from the professor-let alone- his mother. On top of that, his family and him were held hostage or something like that by Ranma who claimed to be his brother! And he did things Ron had never seen before!
Last night, his parents had pulled him aside and explained that he was going to have to keep close to Harry. He had to be the example and show him what it really meant to be a Gryffindor! And show Harry what a proper Wizarding family was all about.
After all, Ron knew his family way was the right way.
Harry found himself in an empty compartment on the train. His brother wasn't with him. Ranma had muttered something earlier about copying that teleportation move and just skipping ahead to Hogwarts-leaving Harry there alone.
After settling down he was interrupted by one of those red headed boys he saw yesterday.
"Do you mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full." the boy said.
Harry seriously doubted that. Most of the kids were still on the platform running around. But he let the boy's comment slide.
After all he recalled from Ranma's words, Harry was here to make friends.
"I'm Ron. Ron Weasley by the way," the boy now Ron introduced himself.
"Harry Potter" he replied using the Western World greeting.
"ARE YOU REALLY!" Ron exclaimed.
Ron really couldn't have said that any louder. Harry just gave him a nod, hoping that no one else heard that. Harry had a long night.
"Can you be a little quieter?" Harry asked, "I'm a little tired." To emphasized the point, he yawned.
He really was tired. He had helped Ranma pack up everything in one of those multi-compartment trunks that shrink down. Ranma had taken it with him to Hogwarts. Hopefully, during the holidays they can just move into one of the places Harry had in Wales. Overall, they had decided to use Harry's apartment or manor in Cardiff for the school breaks since it was already well known to the school that the Potter's were from the country of Wales. Ranma properties haven't been used in a thousand years. For now, Ranma's properties were a secret between just them.
"Oh..yeah..sure," Ron said. It didn't take a minute for Ron to start fidgeting in his seat and staring back and forth from his seat to Harry's scar.
Harry sighed.
"I'll try to stay awake," he said not trying to anger a new friend. That was all Ron needed to start with the questions.
"Do you really have that sca.." Ron was a little eager to ask.
"Yes," Harry said not really trying to interrupt. The boy can clearly see it.
"Do you remember anything about You-Know..." Ron started to say.
"No." Harry said abruptly.
" "
There was a period of silence.
"So..uh you have three brothers and a sister," Harry finally asked.
"Actually, Five older brothers. Bill and Charlie have already graduated," Ron grinned. Ron went on to explain about his entire family. What his brother's did for a living. His current brother's in Gryffindor house. His father's ministry job. His Accountant Uncle that they don't really talk to.
"Wait! Hold on. What do you mean you have an accountant uncle you don't talk to?" Harry interrupted.
"Well...he's a squib..so it's always been like that." Ron just shrugged his shoulders.
"What's a squib?" Harry inquired.
Ron explained how wizards sometimes have kids who cannot do magic. That they were the opposite of muggle born kids.
"So you just ignore him," Harry raised his eyebrows.
"Don't worry about it mate, it's really nothing," Ron just had a puzzled expression on his face.
'Whoa!' Harry thought. He doesn't get it. Is all of the Wizarding World this prejudiced about people who cannot do magic? Gees! They're even labeling the ones who do magic!What would they think about me and my phoenix abilities?
It went on back and forth with questions for a while. And so much for quiet time. The entire train ride, they kept getting interrupted.
First, there was a lady selling Candy off a trolley. Wouldn't it had made sense to sell sandwiches? Gees! Selling only Candy on a Train full of kids is just asking for trouble.
Harry had declined the candy, he wasn't used to chocolates and other sweets after living so long on the road. Ranma had stopped them at a vender earlier and purchased a few sandwiches, crisps, three bottles of water and a soda for him to take on the train.
A boy named Neville had come around looking for his lost Toad and inquired if they seen him in which they both shook their heads.
A while after that, a girl with bushy brown hair had opened the door. She had taken one look at Harry and gasps. She quickly left after that.
Ron was snickering at that one. "That one looked mental,"
"Hmm.."Harry shrugged. It was the same girl that kept badgering him last night in the bookstore.
And finally a boy came in.
"I heard Harry Potter was in this comparment," a aristocratic looking blond boy who identified himself as Draco Malfoy said. He was followed by what appeared to be his own minions.
Harry shrugged and about to respond with a polite hello when Ron starting yelling about Slytherins and Malfoy. Comments were soon blaring back and forth and finally Malfoy and his minions left.
'Yep, everyone in this world was crazy,' he thought.
"You really don't want to be friends with Malfoy..his father is a death eater," Ron acknowledged.
"A Death... what?" Harry asked.
"A Death Eater..one of the followers or You-Know-Who, They'll all a bunch of evil Slytherins!" Ron furthered clarified.
"Ah a follower of Voldemort then?" Harry stated.
Ron screeched, "Don't say his name!"
Harry just rolled his eyes, "I get by the hyphenations that people don't say his name-but it's ridiculous! Not to mention of the concept that an entire house is evil. Regardless..if they were evil..I'm sure the professors wouldn't let them in the school."
"Mate, you don't understand the school. Slytherins are the slimy snakes! They are the Dark house!" He went on to explain how all the houses work.
Harry now thought the entire school system was backwards. So the moment they arrived at school, they were divided?
The concept reminding Harry of the old school apprenticeships where students were divided by their interests depending on what they wanted to major in. For a supposed school to divide them when they would all be learning the same things was ridiculous! The entire set up was medieval.
After listening about Hogwarts for another 2 hours. He sighed. He would have rather have flown to Hogwarts.
"I h'av..eh'll yer firs' y'ars, Pr'fessor" A giant man named Hagrid said. He had brought them across the lake and into Hogwarts.
Harry had to admit the view at night into Hogwarts was awesome. Hagrid was an okay guy. Harry could tell right away, that despite appearances, he was friendly and loved the outdoors. On the other hand, Professor McGonagall looked stearn and had a no nonsense type of aura around her.
Professor Minerva McGonagall nodded to Hagrid.
"Thank you Hagrid," She turned to address the first years.
"I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress, Transfiguration professor and head of Gryffindor House. Hogwarts is sorted into four houses. These houses will be your family in your stay here, and your actions, achievements and mistakes will either earn or lose points for your house." Minerva looked to each of the first years and continued.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Harry was reminded of the concept of the students being divided. As he looked around at his fellow first years. A few were quiet. Some were outspoken. He heard Ron mumbling about having to wrestle a troll.
Ron's comment reminded Harry of Happosai. He silently chuckled at that.
After a few minutes, Professor Minerva returned.
"I need everyone to form a single line and follow me," She stated in a no nonsense voice. He was right about her aura.
Harry got in line after a blond haired girl in Pigtails. Ron stepped in behind him.
Minerva lead them down the center of the Great Hall. They walked through the middle with two tables on either side of them. The upperclassman were already seated and watched them. In the end was a large space with a single three legged stool with an old looking hat sitting on top of it. Above them was a raised table with what appeared to be all of the professors were seated.
Harry spotted his brother Ranma sitting up there to the side looking bored. When they made eye contact, Ranma just smirked at him.
'Yeah, I must look ridiculous in this uniform,' Hary thought. Though, he did cheat. He was wearing his black Kung Fu clothes under a simple modified robe. The robe was modified to make him move better.
Professor McGonagall stopped in the empty space in front of the Teacher's table right before the hat. She raised her wand to tap the hat. Harry was surprised when the hat twitched and the hat broke out into a song:
"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
so try me on and I will tell you
where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravewnclaw,
If you've\a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands(though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
All the houses around applauded.
Professor McGonagall addressed them once again, "When I call your name, each of you will need to sit down on the stool and I will place the hat on you."
With that, she started calling out names. One by one, Harry saw the hat sort through each of the students into the houses. Some took a second and some took a few minutes. After that, one table would applaud the loudest in celebration.
Harry was started to get into the sorting and was anticipating where he would end up. Sure, he still hated the dividing part but he figured there had to be some social activities or clubs where the students can interact with each other.
By the time Professor McGonagall got down to his name, he was slightly bouncing up and down on his feet.
"POTTER, HARRY" he heard the Professor yell his name.
Everyone in the room went quiet. Harry saw Professor Dumbledore lean forward in anticipation.
Harry was not about to be intimidated. As he stepped forward, Harry stretched his arms and popped his knuckles before sitting down. 'Yeah that's how it's done,' he thought.
'Yeah that's how it's done Mr. Potter,' a voice said.
"Whoa! This hat is talking to me!" He exclaimed. Around him, students at the tables started chuckling. He could hear the others that were still standing sighing in relief.
Oops. He hadn't meant to say that out loud.
'Certainly, Mr Potter, What a mind...' the hat continued as he dwelled on him.
'Mr. Hat,' he questioned 'You can read my thoughts?'
'I'm under oath to not say anything.. if that's what your worried about.' said the hat.
'That's good,' Harry was worried about the students and teachers finding out about the things he didn't mention.
'Now lets see..where shall you go? Hmm...interesting..and what's this?...HOLY MERLIN!'
Yeah, the hat must have found out about Jusenkyo and Saffron, Harry can now hear the hat making this weird humming. He just sighed-if one can sigh in their own mind.
" "
" "
'Mr. Hat?' Harry inquired. Nothing. Great I broke the Hogwarts sorting hat.
'SNAP OUT OF IT,' he yelled. It actually took a lot of mental energy to yell inside your own head. That seem to work. He finally could start hearing some low murmurs around his mind.
'YES! You're what I've been waiting for!' exclaimed the hat. The hat was now excited-Very excited.
'Huh..waiting for what?' Harry anticipation was now nervousness.
'Oh yes...you will work..definitely work! I'm going to win now!' the hat was pretty much ignoring him now.
'Win? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?' Harry finally yelled.
'Oh Sorry!' the hat apologized, 'You see I..uh.. sorted someone about 8 centuries ago named Geoffrey Peeves...and I..um..kinda sorta made this bet with him...and uh I know where I have to sort you now'
'HOLD ON..Which..no wait... WHAT BET? Harry was wide eyed now and was starting to feel goose bumps now.
'Uh..never-mind that I said anything..' the Hat was acting really giddy, 'You will be in...'
"GRYFFINDOR"
With that, the Gryffindor house table went wild. Ron's twin brothers had started a chant. "We got Potter...We got Potter..."
Harry was just wide eyed as he walked over to the table.
'What the hell...' he thought. Did the hat just sort me to win a bet? A FRICKING BET?
END OF CHAPTER
AN: I appreciate all of the reviews in the past..uh 5 years..to update. Again, I would like to say I'm a reader at heart. Please review and tell me what you think.