Title: The Rise of the Reaper

Author name: Ham

Summary: After the death of his Godfather Harry nearly breaks, the only thing holding him together is a terrible rage. He swears to himself that he will destroy Voldemort and his minions. The thing Voldemort fears above all is death and so Harry decides to turn himself into death. The feared Dark Lord would learn what fear was all about.

DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Author notes: Ok Guys… there has been a misunderstanding. Harry is not going to become Batman and wear a cape or anything like that. I have plans but the Batman idea was just a springboard. And also please stop giving me advice as to which Superhero I should ideally base it on. I do like the input… but I have already plotted out the storyline and changing it now would screw up everything. But please don't take this to mean that I don't want input… I do… just not on this.

Also for all you shippers out there… there wont be a ship for a long time in this fic… and it certainly wont be Harry/Ginny or Harry/Hermione. Sorry.

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The Horrendously Long Name

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The minutes after the will had been read were filled with silence. Nobody knew what to say.

For the first time they saw even Dumbledore at a loss for words. The Headmaster was in a pensive mood as he thought about the consequences of Sirius' actions.

Harry was too busy trying to figure out what all of it meant for him to say anything. But finally he hesitantly asked. "Erm… Lord Harry James Potter Black?"

It was Fliptusk who answered. "Yes, Lord Black, as the head of the Black family, one of the most ancient and noble families, you automatically gained the status of a Lord. With your status you also gain several other privileges, one of which is a seat on the Wizengamot."

"But… but… Sirius… how come he wasn't called Lord Sirius Black?"

"The late Mr. Black was disinherited by his mother while he was still at school. But when she suddenly died without a will he automatically regained his position as Head of the Black Family. Unfortunately after that he was sent to Azkaban. When that happened his wand was snapped and his status as Lord of the Blacks was revoked," Fliptusk explained.

Harry nodded. "Right then, is there anything else I need to know?"

"Well, Mr. Potter, with the event of your emancipation you were granted the status of an adult. You can finally claim control of the Potter family vaults and properties."

Harry's eyebrows shot up. "But I already have control of the Potter family vault."

"That is just a trust fund set up for you till you reached your majority, Harry," Remus said softly.

"You mean there's more gold than what's in that vault?" Harry said weakly.

Remus grinned, thoroughly enjoying himself. "From what I know, lots more."

Harry slumped down in his seat. The surprises were coming thick and fast.

"I suppose the next thing you'll tell me that I'm the heir of Gryffindor," he muttered softly.

Dumbledore cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"WHAT? NO! YOUR'E JOKING!" Harry yelled.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Remember what I told you when you pulled the sword out of the hat?"

"But…but… I thought you meant… can't you ever speak normally? Why does everything have to be so cryptic?"

Dumbledore chuckled. "When you reach my age, Harry, you will perhaps understand. Anyway, you are not Godric's relative by blood. Godric Gryffindor never married and so his line ended with him. But he made it so that a person would rise who would have all the qualities that he so prized in abundance. That person would pull the sword out of his hat and be declared his magical heir. I do not know all of what that entails, but I have no doubt that you will find more clues down in the Gryffindor Vault."

Fliptusk cleared his throat. "Yes, like the Headmaster said, you inherit The Gryffindor Vault as well and the status of Lord Gryffindor."

"So let me get this straight," Fred said in a tone filled with laughter, "Harrykins…"

"Lord Harrykins, George."

"Right, Lord Harrykins is now Lord Harry James Gryffindor Potter Black?"

"That would be correct," Dumbledore agreed solemnly.

Harry went a bright red and Ron seeing that grinned heartily. "Cheer up mate, just think of Malfoy's face when he has to call you 'Lord'."

Harry shook his head in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? I'm never letting anybody know! I already get far too much attention."

Dumbledore coughed.

"What now?" Harry asked, almost afraid of the answer.

"You see, Mr. Potter, when somebody gains the status of Head of one of the great families it is immediately recorded in the Ministry Archives. And then it becomes a public record," Fliptusk said slowly.

"You're bloody kidding me!" Harry burst out.

"Harry! Language," Hermione and Molly Weasley both yelled.

"That's Lord Gryffindor Potter Black," a snickering Ginny commented unhelpfully.

"Ok, ok, just tell me what I need to do so I can get out of here," Harry said in exasperation.

Fliptusk slid across three velvet ring boxes to Harry. "In there are the Potter, Gryffindor and Black Family rings. You will need to put them on to finish the ritual of inheritance. Each family ring is unique and it is usually found that they are enchanted with powerful magics. No one will be able to tell you just what powers they have and you will have to wait for them to manifest. Once we are done with the ritual I will have a Goblin will take you down to the vaults. You may find more information in there."

Harry nodded absently and opened the first box which contained the Potter family ring. The ring inside was a plain gold band which had a magnificent bejeweled crest in the center. It consisted of a royal blue shield with two swords crossed on top and a prancing Lion and Unicorn on the sides.

He slowly picked it up and slipped it onto his index finger.

There was a flash of warmth that ran through his body and he felt the ring shrink down to fit his finger perfectly.

He slowly opened the next box, the Black family ring. Harry looked at the ring for a long minute. The ring consisted of two fierce creatures on either side, facing each other, their tails forming the bottom of the ring. The two creatures were a Dragon and a Runespoor. The Dragon had its maw open and was snarling, the feeling of fierceness was only enhanced by its eyes, which were chips of rubies. The Runespoor, on the other hand, had its three heads rearing up, as if to strike. Its eyes were made of cold chips of emerald. Right in the center of the ring, in-between the faces of the two creatures, was a large black onyx which had a mysterious rune carved in the center. The ring was both beautiful and terrible at the same time and Harry was very hesitant in putting it on.

He looked up and glanced towards Dumbledore, but his eyes caught those of the woman that had come with him, the woman he now knew as Andromeda Black Tonks. She smiled warmly at him and nodded.

He slowly put the ring on.

There was a bright flash of magic and Harry could almost feel himself being examined. But the feeling faded away and the ring recognized him as being worthy. What he didn't notice was that similar glows surrounded Andromeda Tonks and her daughter.

Nymphadora looked at her mother questioningly and her mother simply mouthed 'later.'

Harry opened the final box quickly, eager to get it over with. Inside was a thick gold ring, the entire surface of which was covered with powerful looking runes in red. Right in the center was a large flawless ruby. Etched on top of the gem in gold was the figure of a prancing Lion.

The moment Harry put the ring on his finger there was a blinding flash of light and Harry felt a huge spurt of magic rush through his being. He felt warm and safe and his magic felt more alive than he had ever felt.

Fliptusk turned to him. "A Goblin is waiting outside to take you to your vaults whenever you wish, my Lord."

Harry nodded his thanks.

"Harry, before you go there are things that must be discussed," Dumbledore said wearily, his smile and the twinkle in his eyes vanishing. "With Sirius emancipating you the wards on Privet Drive have dropped. You cannot go back there. Unfortunately the Burrow hasn't been adequately warded either, so you can't stay with the Weasleys either. I'm afraid that there is no option but for you to head to Headquarters."

Harry was silent for a long moment before his face slipped into a determined mask. "No."

"Do you have an alternate solution, Harry?" Dumbledore asked gently.

"I think Sirius' whole intention in emancipating me was to make sure I didn't have to stay with the Dursleys ever again. But I'm sure he didn't mean for me to stay at Headquarters either. That place is unfit for anybody to stay in and if I never see that miserable house in my life I would consider myself blessed. I have spent my life wishing I could have a home… some place to call my own. Now that I can finally make it possible I won't compromise, not for anything," Harry said firmly.

"Harry, there is no doubt that you now own several properties that you could live in. But they might not be in a livable condition and we will need to ward them," Dumbledore said patiently.

"Then that is what we shall do," Harry said quietly. "With the blood wards having disappeared the safest protection you can give me is the Fidelius charm. You can cast that anywhere. I will consent to go back to Hogwarts with you for a few days till the wards can be cast, but I will not go to Headquarters."

Dumbledore nodded. "Very well, Harry. If that is what you want then that is what we shall do."

"Thank you, Professor. I greatly appreciate it," Harry said with a smile.

"Why don't you go on down to the vaults. I will wait for you in the Lobby. Take your time, when we are done we shall head to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, returning the smile.

Harry nodded and turned to bid the Weasleys and Hermione goodbye. He received tight hugs from Mrs. Weasley, Hermione and Ginny.

"Do write, won't you, Harry?" Hermione whispered. "Even if it is a few lines."

"Don't worry, I will."

"Take care mate," Ron said giving Harry a one armed hug. "If you need anything just Owl."

Harry nodded. "Thanks Ron, I will."

With that the Weasleys left, leaving behind the Tonks, Remus and Dumbledore.

"Well, cub, I think I'll head off too. I have a couple of things to take care of. But I'll come by in a day or two to take you shopping for clothes," Remus said, ruffling Harry's hair fondly.

"Thanks, Moony," Harry said, reaching forward and giving the Marauder a tight hug. "Take care, yeah?"

"I think that should be my line," an amused Remus commented as he walked out of the door.

Harry turned to see that Andromeda Tonks was standing with her daughter to the side, waiting for him to finish talking to Remus.

"My Lord, may I also take your leave?" she said as she curtsied gracefully.

Harry blushed. "There's no need to call me that, Mrs. Tonks. Please, just call me Harry."

Andromeda smiled. "There is every need, my Lord. You are now the Head of the Black family. That comes with certain privileges and certain responsibilities. Wear your title with pride and dignity. You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders and have the power to change or ruin a lot of lives. Do not take it lightly, if you cannot wield your power then you will garner no respect. Remember, there is a difference between arrogance and pride."

Harry bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement. "Thank you, Mrs. Tonks. I shall remember that."

"Have a good day, My Lord," Andromeda said with a smile as she swept out of the room, followed by a bemused Tonks.

Harry turned to Dumbledore. "Well I guess I'd better…"

"Go on, Harry. I'm sure you are very eager to see your inheritance," Dumbledore said with a smile.

Harry walked out of the room and saw a Goblin waiting patiently outside.

"Hello," Harry said politely. "Are you the one supposed to take me down to my Vaults?"

"Yes, Lord Gryffindor Black," the Goblin answered, before turning to lead Harry towards the carts.

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