Chapter 6
Gringotts
On the morning of his 13th birthday, Harry woke up at the Leaky Cauldron without high expectations. He was getting ready for breakfast when an owl landed on the headboard of his bed, carrying an envelope sealed with the Gringotts crest.
Curious and slightly apprehensive, Harry quickly opened the letter.
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Gringotts Bank
Bank Street, London
Mr. Harry James Potter,
We are writing to inform you that, in accordance with the will of your parents, James and Lily Potter, you have now turned 13 and are entitled to an additional portion of your inheritance.
We request that you come to Gringotts as soon as possible to discuss the details of the transfer of your assets and to conduct an inspection of your family vault.
Sincerely,
Ragnok,
Manager of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter
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Harry's heart raced. Until now, he had only known the vault he always used, where his parents had left enough gold for him to use throughout his years at Hogwarts.
Harry decided to keep the visit to Gringotts a secret. He didn't know why, but he had the impression that this would change his life.
Harry headed to the bank, and the atmosphere inside Gringotts felt even more imposing and oppressive than he remembered. The building was massive, with marble corridors and goblins patrolling the premises with an almost frightening efficiency. Harry felt a bit nervous but was determined to find out what awaited him.
He was greeted by an attendant goblin who led him to Ragnok's office. The manager was seated behind a large desk, flipping through some documents. Upon seeing Harry, he stood up and gestured for him to sit.
"Heir Potter," Ragnok began in a formal tone, "as you may already know, your parents' will stipulates that you should gain access to certain properties and additional assets upon turning 13."
"Yes, I received the letter," Harry replied, trying to hide his anxiety. "What exactly is in the family vault?"
Ragnok nodded and signaled to one of the attendant goblins, who stood up and fetched a set of keys and documents. Upon returning, he handed them to Ragnok, who then addressed Harry.
"Your family vault is much more than just a deposit of gold," Ragnok explained. "It contains magical artifacts, historical documents, and some personal items of your parents that are of significant importance to your lineage."
Harry frowned. "And how do I access these items?"
"I will accompany you to the vault," Ragnok said. "But first, there's a small formality. We need to verify your identity and ensure you have permission to access the contents."
Harry went through a quick verification process, and finally, Ragnok signaled for him to follow.
They descended into one of the depths of the bank, where the environment grew colder and darker. At last, they reached a monumental vault door covered with ancient, complex runes. Ragnok inserted a golden key and turned it, revealing an interior filled with gold and artifacts.
"This is the Potter Family Vault," Ragnok said solemnly. "Remember that access to this vault is a privilege, and what lies here is part of your inheritance and legacy."
Harry entered the vault and was immediately overwhelmed by the sight of the accumulated treasures. In addition to piles of gold and jewels, there were numerous dusty boxes and chests, as well as a collection of ancient and curious objects.
"First, I recommend that you examine these documents," Ragnok said, pointing to a stack of parchments in a corner. "They contain important information about your inheritance and your family's history."
Harry approached the documents and began leafing through them. He found a series of letters and detailed records about the Potter family's history, as well as a will written by his parents. There was also a set of parchments detailing properties and assets owned by the family.
Among the documents, Harry found a small intricately carved wooden box. When he opened it, he found a set of small magical artifacts and an ancient wand. There was also a medallion bearing the Potter crest and a small note written in delicate handwriting.
"Harry," the note began, "if you are reading this, it means you have reached the age where you can take on the legacy of our family. The items in this box were chosen to help you on your journey. Use them wisely and always remember what our family stands for."
Harry felt a lump in his throat. It was an emotional and meaningful gift, something that connected him directly to his parents and his family's history.
As he examined the items, Harry realized that many of them were of great value not only financially but also magically and sentimentally. He knew that these relics could offer clues and assistance in his fight against Voldemort.
With a deep sense of gratitude and a bit of anxiety about the responsibility that came with the inheritance, Harry began organizing the items and documents he would take with him.
After finishing the visit, Harry bid farewell to Ragnok and left the bank with a sense of accomplishment. Although the weight of the inheritance was still settling on his shoulders, he was more determined than ever to use what he had learned and found to protect what mattered and face the challenges ahead.
After the visit to Gringotts and the discovery of his inheritance, Harry felt somewhat overwhelmed but also excited about what he had found. Determined to explore more about the items he had received, he made a plan to perform an inheritance test mentioned in some of the documents he had found. It was a magical ritual designed to reveal any enchantment or influence attached to the items or to himself.
After a few days of researching, Harry managed to find a description of the test in one of the old books about family magic in the "Ancient Magic" library. The ritual seemed complex, but he was determined to follow it precisely to ensure that there was no hidden influence that could affect him.
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Harry prepared the environment in his room at the Leaky Cauldron. He arranged some of the items found in the vault around a table, lit candles, and set out a series of potions and ingredients necessary for the ritual. Having meticulously studied every step, he was ready to perform the test.
With the book's instructions in hand, Harry began the ritual. He murmured ancient words and made complex gestures with his wand as a bluish glow enveloped the room. The items he had gathered began to glow and emit subtle sounds.
As the ritual reached its climax, Harry felt energy flowing through him. The blue light began to focus on a specific point—himself. From this point, a series of images and symbols started forming in the air, revealing the magical influences around him.
Suddenly, Harry saw a series of spells and enchantments surrounding his aura. He recognized some as protective and strengthening charms, but what caught his attention most were a series of invisible enchantments that seemed designed to alter his thoughts and decisions subtly, manipulating his emotions and choices to favor certain individuals.
After a few moments, the words solidified and became readable:
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Detected Blocks and Compulsions:
Magical Power Block:
- Spell: Placed at a young age to suppress 70% of magical potency.
- Caster: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
- Purpose: Control magical growth and maintain surveillance.
Loyalty Compulsion:
- Spell: Advanced compulsion charm to ensure blind loyalty and trust in Albus Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.
- Caster: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
- Purpose: Influence decisions in favor of certain strategic plans.
Memory Block:
- Spell: Multiple memory blocks on critical information regarding the Potter will, inheritance, and ancient magics.
- Caster: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
- Purpose: Prevent knowledge of inheritances and powers until a "safe" time.
Sacrifice Compulsion:
- Spell: Emotional compulsion to sacrifice oneself for the "greater good" in dangerous situations.
- Caster: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
- Purpose: Preparation to become the "Sacrificial Lamb" in the conflict with Voldemort.
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Harry was shocked by the depth of the manipulation. He felt a mixture of rage and betrayal as he realized that someone had placed these influences on him. The manipulation was subtle and complex, designed to ensure he remained aligned with certain individuals and their agendas.
The ritual ended, and Harry was left alone in his room, reflecting on what he had discovered. He felt confused and distressed but also knew he needed to act cautiously. These revelations could have profound implications for his relationships and future actions.
He decided that the first thing he needed to do was find a way to remove or neutralize these enchantments without alerting those involved.
Harry planned to seek the help of an expert in ancient magic and runes, someone who could help him deal with the enchantments he had uncovered.
He recalled a book he had found on protection magic and complex enchantments. In it, he had come across the address of a specialist in London who might help him better understand the enchantments and find a way to deal with them.
With a new mission in mind, Harry prepared to leave the Leaky Cauldron and seek the help he needed. He knew that the battle against Voldemort wasn't just about magical strength but also about mental clarity and the ability to see beyond hidden manipulations and influences.