Welcome to the Family

Summary: At the end of third year, upon the request of Hermione, Harry starts asking for information about his family and gets it from the goblins at Gringotts. What he learns changes his world and the wizarding world around him. Eventual H/Hr. Very A/U

Family Business

Thirteen-year-old Harry Potter was looking out the window of the Hogwarts express as the trees of the countryside flew by. His best friend Ron had been asleep for the last hour and Hermione had had her nose in a book since the train took off. She had excused herself to the rest room not too long ago and Harry was left by himself to reflect over what had happened just a week ago.

Sirius Black, Harry had a godfather and his godfather had been wrongfully accused of aiding in the murder of his parents. Now Sirius was a fugitive on the run from the law. For how long, Harry didn't know. He did know that once this mess was settled he'd never have to go back to the Dursley's again. Harry hadn't spoken much to his godfather; hell he didn't know anything about him besides the fact that he and Remus Lupin were best friends with his dad during their Hogwarts years.

The compartment door slid open and Hermione made her way back in. She took her seat across from Harry and a sleeping Ron, but she didn't pick her book back up. She turned to Harry and Harry looked over at her after feeling her eyes on him.

"What's up Hermione?" he asked casually.

"Just wondering how you're doing with all of this, just a week ago we were saving Sirius and Buckbeak from their death sentences and you haven't spoken about it since." She stated clearly worried for her friend. Harry smiled at her.

"I guess It just hasn't sunk in yet, all I can really think about is the fact that when Sirius is free I'll never have to go back to the Dursley's again," he said turning his head back to the window. "I'll finally have a real family." Hermione gave him a sad smile. She knew that that was all Harry really wanted.

"Harry, speaking of family, what do you know about yours?" she asked He turned to her once again and thought about her question for a while.

"To be honest, nothing really." Hermione got a thoughtful look on her face.

"Don't you think that's a bit odd?" she asked.

But Harry never really thought about it before. He was just used to being the orphan whose parents died saving him, he never thought about having any family outside of them, and the Dursley's. But anyone who knew Harry knew he didn't consider his aunt, uncle and cousin family.

"Now that you mention it, it is a bit odd yeah? I mean Dumbledore had to have known more Potters than my mum and dad, how come he's never told me anything?" Hermione shrugged.

"Have you ever asked?" Harry sighed and shook his head. He'd only had conversations with Remus about his mum and dad but none of his other relatives on the Potter side. He didn't even know if Remus knew his dad's parents.

"Do you think your parents left a will Harry?" she asked. Harry shrugged again realizing that he never thought about any of these things in the past. "I mean during the first war a lot of pureblood families who fought against Voldermort were targeted wouldn't the Potters be one of them and they knew that had you survived you would need to be taken care of so wouldn't they leave a will?" she asked.

"I honestly don't know Hermione, I wish I could find out." He said trying to think of a way too.

"Maybe you could ask Professor Dumbledore." Harry shook his head. He didn't feel too comfortable with a man who insisted he returned to live with relatives who hate him every summer holiday.

"What about Gringotts, maybe there was something left in your family vault." She offered. Harry nodded his head and decided he would check on that as soon as possible.

"Why the sudden interest in my family Hermione?" he asked curiously.

"Well I just realized that even though you've just met Sirius he's the only real family you have left, besides me and Ron." She said smiling. "Maybe your parents left you something from them so that you could get to know who they were, and if so you need to find out."

He nodded at her reasoning and decided that he would go to Gringotts as soon as possible.

"Hermione don't tell anyone about this conversation ok, not even Ron, I don't want Dumbledore finding out." Hermione nodded.

Harry just didn't really trust the old Headmaster anymore. He felt like he was keeping secrets from him. Like why he'd ended up fighting Voldermort two years in a row. Something just didn't feel right.

"Of course Harry, but maybe you should see if Professor Lupin can accompany you?" she asked.

"I'll see if I can get in touch with him Hermione." Hermione nodded as Harry got up and excused himself to the restroom this time.

Once she was sure he was gone and Ron was still out like a light, she pulled out a calling mirror and activated it. She saw the face of the woman she wanted to see and said.

"I did it Aunt Mary, he's going to look into it as soon as he can." The woman on the other side of the mirror smiled at her and said.

"Good child, very good." Hermione smiled back and deactivated the mirror before Harry got back.

Once the train pulled into the station the three friends said their goodbyes and promised to write. Harry sent a wink Hermione's way and she smiled at him before running off to her parents. Ron shook his head confused at the gesture before his aunt and uncle hauled off Harry.

"Come on freak, we need to beat the traffic home!" roared his uncle. Harry rolled his eyes. So the summer hols begin.

A few days after Harry arrived back and Number 4 Privet Drive he'd noticed Mrs. Figg watching him through her house from across the street. He needed to figure out how to get out of the house without alarming the Dursley's and Mrs. Figg, something didn't feel right about her.

The Dursley's gave him that opportunity when they decided to take Dudley out to the city for the day. Of course they didn't ask if Harry wanted come, not that he cared. His uncle gave him the usual speech about keeping the house clean and having dinner on the table by the time they got back. Harry nodded and answered when he was supposed to and the Dursley's left.

After they'd been gone ten minutes Harry went to look out of the window to see if he could see Mrs. Figg staring, when he did not he walked out the back door and climbed the gate. He walked to a secluded area near the park that was full of trees and hailed the knight bus. It was there within seconds and Harry was greeted by Stan the bus driver. Harry decided not to ask Professor Lupin for his help with this. For one he didn't know where the professor was and two, he knew that the professor was loyal to Dumbledore and he didn't want him to find out.

"Hello Harry, how can I help ya?" asked Stan.

"I need to get to Gringotts wizarding bank please." Harry said politely.

"That'll be five knuts sir," Harry paid and Stan drove Harry straight there. Harry thanked him once he got off and walked into Gringotts.

A little goblin by the name of Bloodfang greeted Harry. It was no secret that goblins didn't like wizards nevertheless Harry did his best to remain polite.

"Welcome to Gringotts, what can I do for you?" Bloodfang asked less than enthusiastically.

"Hi Mr. Bloodfang, my names Harry Potter and I'm here to see about my parents will." He said.

"Where's your magical guardian Potter." Asked Bloodfang looking around behind the boy.

"I don't have one," said Harry honestly. What the hell was a magical guardian anyway?

"Well then we'll have to take a sample of your blood to prove that you are who you say you are before we can proceed."

Harry nodded and allowed Bloodfang to take the necessary amount. After a small pinch and a healing lotion Harry was escorted to the waiting room where he was told that his families vault manager would assist him. A few minutes later another goblin came in and introduced himself, as Griphook but Harry already knew him.

"Mr. Potter what can I do for you today?" asked Griphook.

"I wish to know if there was a will left for me by my parents." Said Harry standing up. Griphook nodded.

"Let's go to my office shall we." Harry nodded and followed Griphook to his office and sat down inside. Griphook took a seat behind his desk and summoned all the paperwork he had on the Potters.

"You're by yourself I assume Mr. Potter."

"Yes, I am Mr. Griphook and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't let anyone know of my visit here today."

"Of course Mr. Potter, whatever you say." Said Griphook thumbing through the paperwork.

"Ah here it is, the last will and testament of James and Lily Potter. They had each written separate ones as well in the event that one of them lived but seeing as neither did I'll just read this one." Harry nodded for him to continue. Griphook came around his desk and took a seat in front of Harry.

"In the event that neither my wife nor I survive and our son does we leave to him. The title of Lord Potter of the most ancient and noble house of Potter, twenty-five million galleons, the Potter estate, our home in Scotland, the house in Godric's hollow and all other properties acquired by the Potter family. We must insist that he return to the Potter Mansion upon the end of the reading of this will it is very important that he do so. Below is a list of people Harry should be placed with in order should we meet our unfortunate demise."

Sirius Black

Marlene McKinnion

Alice and Frank Longbottom

Remus Lupin

Minerva McGonagall

Amelia Bones

Andromeda and Ted Tonks

Filius Flitwick

"Under no circumstances is Harry to be placed with Petunia or Vernon Dursley. As it is written so shall it be."

Harry gasped his parents didn't want him to be placed with the Dursley's so why was he. Rage filled the inside of the young wizard as he fought to gain control of his emotions. The only thing he could think of was Albus bloody fucking Dumbledore.

"Mr. Potter it leaves instructions on how to get to the Potter Mansion, would you like to hear them." Harry nodded he was too angry to speak at this point.

"There is an item in your vault a Gryffindor Tie it is to act as a Portkey to transport you there. I'll take you there and we'll get you to the Potter Mansion before the day is out." Harry nodded and followed Griphook to his family vault. After a brief description of a portkey Griphook opened the vault and Harry found the portkey. Griphook activated it.

"Thank you for all you've done for me today Griphook, your assistance will not go unnoticed." Said Harry, Griphook nodded.

"See you later Mr. Potter I hope that you find what you are looking for." Harry nodded and grabbed the sock; in a flash he was gone.

Harry not being use to a portkey fell on the ground with a hard thud as he ended up outside the Potter Mansion. Harry stood and dusted himself off and took in his surroundings. This place was huge surrounded by nothing but trees and woods there was a large mansion on the hill that looked bigger than any house he'd ever seen before in his short life. Harry found himself standing outside of a black Iron Gate with two large P's on the front of them. He briefly wondered how he would get in then he saw a hand activation key on the side of the gate. He placed his hand on the print and it took a bit of his blood before opening the gates.

Harry made his way to the front doors of the Potter manor and once again had to place his hand on another activation spot. The doors to the mansion opened and Harry was greeted by an older looking house elf.

"Welcome home Mr. Potter, we've been waiting along time for you to arrive. Come, there is much to discuss."

(A/N: This story is very A/U and I know that readers will have a lot of questions hopefully they'll all be answered throughout the story.)