CHAPTER ONE

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"BOY! WHY ISN'T THE BREAKFAST PREPARED?! WE'RE HUNGRY HERE! COME NOW!", the booming voice called in the morning.

"Yes Uncle Vernon. Sorry Uncle Vernon", a skinny Harry responded, hurrying downstairs to cook breakfast and start another long day.

His summer has started very badly that year and, judging from how things were going with his 'lovely' relatives, it would go even worse.

It was only a week that he had arrived at 4 Privet Drive and his so called 'family' had instantly showed him just how much they really loved him: chores over chores everyday, and only hateful words the rest of the time.

And if that was not enough, his nights were plagued by dreams of his godfather and Cedric's deaths, that left him feeling guilty every time and unable to sleep longer.

Every day was the same in that house: get up very early, clean every room, cook meals, rearrange the garden, be a punching bag for his cousin, go to bed late and be woken up by nightmares in the middle of the night.

Oh, how he wanted to run away! Forget the red-eyed madman, the manipulative old coot, the crazy adoring crowd, the damned prophecy, his hateful relatives. Find a little quiet cottage in the middle of nowhere and go living there, away from his fame.

But he couldn't. People were dying and he was the only one who would be able to kill that madman, always according to the prophecy. He felt like a puppet maneuvered by a sher number of people in different directions. He needed to find a way to take control over his life and end the war soon.

With that thoughts in mind, that evening, he wrote a letter to the Headmaster asking if it was possible for him to start some kind of training with the scope to defeat Voldemort. The letter was short and straight to the point and respectful at the same time. Harry felt very proud given that his feelings towards the Professor were far from respectful at the moment. He didn't hope in a positive answer, but felt like it was his duty to ask in case he was wrong and the headmaster really wanted him to win the war.

With a sigh, he called Hedwig from the perch in the corner and tied the letter to her leg. She nudged his ear affectionately and flew out the window. Harry watched until he couldn't see her any longer and went to bed, hoping to have a night without dreams.

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The next morning Harry was woken up by a persistent tap on the window. He glanced up from the bed and saw Hedwig waiting patiently for him to open it. With a soft growl, he did so and took the letter she was bringing from her leg. He fed her with some treats from his trunk, then sat on the chair to read the letter.

Dear Harry,

I received your letter yesterday.

I'm sad to admit I'm very disappointed in you, dear boy. It's very dangerous to correspond in this time. An owl can be easily intercepted and tracked. You can't risk your life like this. I'm obliged to remind you that you can't owl anybody during your staying there and that nobody can owl you in return, even your friends. As I said before, it's simply too dangerous. Don't be sad or disappointed for this, it's for your own good.

As for the content of you letter, I was very surprised when I read it. Every war must be fought by adults, my dear boy. You and your friends are still too young to think to participate. It's true, as you said, that the prophecy indicated you as the only one able to defeat Voldemort, but you don't need to worry. We are researching a way for you to not be in any danger when the time of the confrontation will arise. It's not required a training for you, what you learn at Hogwarts during school year is enough for you at the moment. Enjoy your summer with your family and don't think about the war. The Order is doing a great job against Death Eaters' attacks, even if the Ministry is refusing to acknowledge how in danger we all are. But these are matters for the adults to resolve.

On the other hand, I'm sure, you understand this danger. Voldemort has focused this war around you and those you love. As I said, you don't need to worry; the Order is handling everything very well. But there is something I'm requesting from you and I believe you will agree with me on this. You have to stay at home, always. It's too dangerous for you outside of the blood wards placed there. Besides we don't have enough men to send to guard you and your home during the summer. This time we must put our complete trust in the wards and I'm sure you will helping us remaining at home. I know it's difficult for you, but everyone must sacrifice something to help in a war. It will be only for the summer. Yes, you have read correctly. I said summer. This year you can't come to Grimmauld Place after your birthday, the house has become a meeting place for Order's members and there isn't enough room for another person. Whilst the Burrow isn't as a safe place as your current home for you, there aren't any blood wards surrounding it and the Weasleys are a numerous family. I'm sure you understand.

My best wishes for your summer,

we'll meet at school the 1st of September.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Harry was completely astonished after having read the letter. He couldn't believe what that fool had said. Too dangerous to send letters? To young to be a part of war with him at the center? He had to stay in that hell of a house for the entire summer? Not allowed to go outside?

"This is a fucking joke! He can't believe I'll listen! It's the same thing he did to Sirius", Harry whispered, sensing his anger arise another time at the memory, "I won't listen to him! Oh, no. I'll find a new place to stay for the summer. I can run away easily since there are no guards outside to 'protect' me this year. What a fool! Voldemort is stronger than ever now and that idiot can't have people wasting time protecting me from him! And he says he believes the prophecy. This is all a bloody joke! He won't even allow me to train! To learn to defend myself against my enemies: he's mad!".

Harry had to take numerous depth breaths before he was able to calm. He was so furious with that meddling man who was still trying to manipulate him.

He already understood he couldn't count on Dumbledore to win the war when the headmaster informed him about the prophecy only after his godfather's death and he destroyed the office in his anger. The old coot had a liking in keeping people in the dark and hold important if not crucial information from the same people, especially one Boy-Who-Lived.

If only he had told him exactly how crucial was learning and mastering Occlumency because of his unusual connection with Voldemort, then he was sure Sirius would still be alive. But no, he was too young to understand such important facts, he was only a child who knew nothing about the war, he didn't defeat the Dark Lord every year since he was eleven, who are you kidding?

He didn't need special training to defeat the most powerful wizard in centuries who wanted to kill him since his birth; no, he had essays to write for the next lessons.

If he thought about his years at Hogwarts and how he had been in danger in every single of them, he couldn't help but ask himself how could the headmaster have been in the dark: teachers possessed or polyjuiced, trolls, illegal blood quills, a gigantic basilisk and so on. He had to be blind or seriously mad to allow all that in his school.

He didn't have to worry about his safety in the summers: Voldemort and his minions couldn't trace him at his relatives' house, were he was starved, beaten and abused every single day. How could he be in danger? The blood wards wouldn't allow any harm to happen to him. He was safe there.

"Yes, bloody fucking safe from harm! Ah! What a joke!", Harry muttered under his breath while making breakfast for that evil family of his. It was still early but his relatives were about to wake up. He developed a sort of sixth sense for knowing when they were about to need him, during his living there, wanting to be as much invisible as he could. More invisible meant less shouting and less abuse. He was always a fast learner. One could think he was the perfect Slytherin if he knew him enough.

Harry snorted at that though, it was very amusing: the perfect Slytherin ended up being placed in Gryffindor. What face would make Ron if he ever found out? He was sure it would be priceless!

His line of thought was interrupted abruptly by his name being called, or rather shouted, by his Uncle. Harry turned his entire attention immediately towards Uncle Vernon, who was speaking/shouting to him.

"-so we will be gone for three weeks on holidays", only then Harry noticed the luggage in the entry hall, "Of course you weren't invited and, since your marvelous Aunt Marge is going with us, you have to remain here unfortunately. But be warned, boy! You can't touch anything in this house that don't belong to you! When we will return I will control personally that everything is still in place and unbroken or if something is missing. It goes without doubt that you must continue doing your chores during our absence. And that thing you freak and your kind do is ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED! Am I clear?"

"Yes Uncle Vernon. Of course Uncle Vernon. Have a nice holiday", Harry was merely able to respond trying to control his frustration. As always they were going on holiday without him. He was lucky this time to remain home. Mrs Figgs and her cats or Aunt Marge and her dog were terrible experiences in his memory.

"Good", was the only word muttered by Vernon before disappearing behind the door.

Then Harry was truly alone, for three weeks at least. It was an odd feeling for him. He couldn't decide if he felt disappointed, ecstatic, sad or simply happy.

"Maybe this is what they call freedom.", he mused. "Well then. I think it is time to start plotting a plan. First. The blood wards. I'm really secure here alone? I need more information and if I remember correctly, Hermione gave me a book about the different types of wards".

He, then, went to retrieve said book from his trunk and found what he was looking for.

Blood wards

Blood wards are very powerful wards. In ancient times these wards were used only by the rich and powerful Families to protect their Manors. Only in the last century they were declared illegal since they entail the use of blood, as the name indicate. They are now considered very dark magic, in fact they tie the wizard, whose blood is needed in their creation, to the place they guard. Said wizard ends unable to stay away from that place for more than a week, otherwise he may die a very painful death. Nowadays these wards are inexistent, curse-breaker dismantled every one of them. The ritual for this type of wards is composed by a spell chanted in latin and a vial of blood which is buried on the ground of the place designated.

Harry paled drastically upon reading that last line. For years he had to tend the garden and he knew every inch of it. Never, never he found any type of vial in it. There wasn't never one, so there weren't any blood wards. He was totally unprotected!

"Holy crap! That old fool has really messed up this time! I can't stay here any longer! Oh, how I'm going to kill him for this! Don't worry he says, the sacrifice your mother did saving you ensured you will be safe only with your relatives. Nobody can harm you there because of those wards. Wards that don't exist! He's mad! Completely fucking mad!", he nearly shouted in his rage while pacing.

"Where can I go now? Who can I trust? Maybe the twins, but it's too dangerous there. Then there're the members of the Order but they are under that old coot. Ron will open his big mouth and spill everything at the first person, while Hermione will directly disapprove and demand that I trust the adults because they can't be wrong and they know what they are doing. Remus, maybe, will help me, I'm part of his pack and will do everything to ensure my safety, but he's on a mission now and I don't know where. Damn! I have no one! If Sirius was still alive, he would have helped without questions". Harry sat on his bed disconsolate, his mind working fervently trying to find a solution at that mess.

After an hour, an idea struck. The Potters and the Black were very rich and powerful families, so it went without saying that they would have many properties. There would be surely a house for him, well protected and comfortable, hidden from everyone.

He needed to contact the Goblins for that and maybe ask also about his vaults and his parents and Sirius' wills. So he took parchment and quill and wrote a letter to Gringotts where he explained his situation and asked for their help in the matter. Then he tied it to Hedwig, hoping the headmaster didn't place a tracking charm on her to ensure he followed his orders. She nipped his ear as usual and flew out. Harry waited in his bedroom to see if someone noticed her, but when nothing happened he went to bed exhausted from that long day.

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The next day he woke up early, having had a bad night, and made breakfast for himself. "This is the first time", he mused.

When he finished eating, he went upstairs waiting for his owl. Few minutes later, Hedwig flew on his shoulder with the letter he wanted. He untied it and started reading.

Mr Harry James Potter-Black,

We at Gringotts were very surprised by your letter, but we will be delighted to help you.

We must inform you that after some research from us we discovered some disturbing facts.

First of all, your parents' will was never opened, since nobody asked to; while the will of one Sirius Orion Black was already read one week after his death. We were told you were too distraught and wouldn't come to the reading. We didn't doubt it since there was a letter with your signature that explained everything and allowed us to proceed. Nevertheless we assure you we will find the truth and the culprit will pay. No one is allowed to deceive us.

Meanwhile we enclosed both wills with this letter. Besides we inform you that, being you the new Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black and the Head of the Noble House of Potter, you can ask for emancipation so you will allowed to perform magic outside the confines of Hogwarts. The related documents are enclosed with this letter. If you have any questions we can arrange a meeting or you can safely owl us at any time (she is a very wise owl and flew to us very fast not allowing the tracking charm on her to work before being removed by us).

Now, your second request was about your estates. For the second time you can find us surprised, since we were of the knowledge that you were already informed about them by one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Doumbledore. If that is not the case, as we now tend to assume, you have our apologies. We can evaluate which house is more appropriate to your needs here at Gringotts. We included a safe portkey, in the envelope, that will transport you in a specific room here inside Gringotts.

Lastly, your third question: your vaults. Again we are shocked. We have sent you updates of the state of your vaults since you started school at Hogwarts at the age of eleven. Moreover numerous withdrawals were made under your name from your parents' vault to the benefit of numerous people during the years. We will investigate the matter instantly and adjourn you of the results. However we are glad to inform you that you are the richest wizard in the entire Britain.

With the hope to see you soon, our best wishes,

May your sword shine and your enemies fall,

Sincerely,

Griphook, senior accountant

Saying Harry was astonished after reading the letter was an understatement. He was truly shocked and incredulous. He never thought the old coot would keep so many things from him, informations that would have helped him adapt in the wizarding world. He couldn't believe it, but the letter was very clear.

A cold rage enveloped him and his magic went wild levitating numerous objects in the room. It took him several minutes to calm himself enough to control his magic and think rationally. He wanted revenge, he wanted to see the old coot fall and fall hard from his position of power. But he couldn't do it now and alone. He would wait for the best moment and then he would strike the fatal bow while watching his fall.

Reassured by his plan, Harry remembered the wills so he went to read them.

The first was his parents' will. It was very short and written as a letter to their son. They hoped to live through the war and be a happy family, the three of them. They said they loved him, Harry, very very much and that they were proud of him no matter what path he chose. They hoped he was safe and happy wherever he was. They claimed Sirius Black, his godfather, as his guardian and they were firm in saying that never, for any reason, they allowed him to live with Petunia Evans and his husband, affirming that he would be abused there. Naturally they also said Harry would inherit everything they owned in case they died.

Hot tears ran down his face at the end of the letter. He had always hoped his parents would be proud of him, but he was never sure. Only after reading their will, he felt the weigh of the old and hidden fear rise from his shoulders. Everyone told him his parents loved him very much, but it was always so difficult to believe them! He had no memory of them apart the one from that terrible night. Everyone told him only good stories of them, but he wasn't stupid, he knew they were human and that they made mistakes, so he couldn't never believe them completely. But now it was them that told him they loved him and he believed that. They would always continue to protect him.

With a lighter heart, Harry put down the letter and started reading Sirius' will. It was composed of two letters, one addressed only to Harry and the other for all to read. Harry took the first putting down the second.

In that letter, Sirius said he loved him and that he was sorry for not thinking about his welfare that faithful night, chasing that traitor instead and ending up in Azkaban. He regretted his stupidity and the time he lost not knowing his brilliant godson. He wrote he was very proud of him and that with a little help he could become the greatest Marauder in the history. He then warned him against Doumbledore and said that it was better if he didn't trust him implicitly, the headmaster wasn't as nice as he wanted people to believe. Sirius even suggested that Harry started training on his own, without telling Doumbledore, because Voldemort knew many spells dark and non and he had to be prepared. Then Sirius continued the letter telling him to find trustful allies without judging the book only from the cover. However he could count on Remus for sure, a wolf would never betray his pack and Harry was Remus' cub. Sirius ended saying to take care and be happy.

Harry was very touched from the letter. Sirius had been always so carefree, like a child at Christmas. He hadn't seemed a responsible man, always making new pranks and laughing. He had been more like a uncle with which have fun than a father figure for Harry. Knowing he had taken Harry's welfare so seriously was shocking, to say the least. Harry would be always grateful to have been able to meet him and he would miss him greatly.

"I'm fine Hedwig", said Harry to his owl when she nipped his ear, concerned because the tears had started flowing a second time and her master seemed so sad. "I was only thinking of Sirius and how much I miss him. I'm better now, thanks", he smiled at her, reassuringly.

After having wiped off the tears, he took the second letter and read it.

In it was stated that Sirius gave a vault to Remus, so he would be able to buy his monthly potion without trouble. Besides he gave him a cottage, far away from other houses where he could live peacefully like he had always wanted. To the Weasleys he gave a consistent amount of galleons, while to the Twins he gave the Marauders' book of 'pranks and useful potions'. To Harry he gave all of his possessions including a book on how to become an animagus and he named him his Heir and future Head of House. Last, he gave to Severus Snape ten books from the Blacks' library at Grimmauld Place of his choice as an apology for that bad prank during school.

"Merlin! That was really shocking! Sirius apologized to Snape for that. Unbelievable. The world is really changing.", said an amused Harry upon reading that last line in the will. "Well, better make lunch now. I'm really hungry and it's late. After, I'll decide if go to Gringotts or wait for tomorrow and think for a plan today."

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