The Myth of Innocence

22nd June 1993

St Mungos, London

Harrys owl had finally agreed to a name for herself the night before after weeks of argument. It’d perhaps be more accurate to say she’d finally chosen her own name last night. After spurning every name he suggested she'd chosen her own name by pointing her talon at her favourite picture in ‘A History of Magic’ and making a racket to get his attention when he’d begged her to decide on one because he had letters to send to Ron and McGonagall in the morning. 

He peered at the photo she was pointing at and started to read the caption below it ‘Hedwig, an Anglicisation of King Jadwiga of Poland from 1384 to 1399’. Harry thought it was incredibly odd that she’d been crowned as King and not Queen despite being a woman but thought bringing it up with the owl would just end up with him being squawked at. Andromeda had made a joke about a regal name and clearly the owl had run with it… Queen consort just wasn’t good enough. The owl wanted to rule in her own right and it was an entirely fitting name in his opinion. One of the mediwitches had pointed out that King Hedwig was named after a distant relative St Hedwig of Silesia, the patron saint of orphans. Neither had been able to decide if that was prophetic or pure unadulterated chance. 

“Want to take these letters to McGonagall and Ron” he waved them in her face. “Or are you not up to it after sitting about for a month being pampered?” Hedwig got all haughty and stuck her leg out while giving him a pointed stare. “Oh! Just because you're a familiar now you thought you could get out of taking the post?” Only for her to start playfully nibbling on his hand to try and get them until he was giggling at her antics the feeling across the bond was almost like bottled exuberance waiting to be let loose.

Andromeda let herself into the room, Ted trailing behind her as he was standing by the window with his arm sticking out of it into the street. Hedwig flapping on his arm getting some lift before she took off wheeling in the air until she was facing north and headed towards Scotland.

Harry turned around to face the noise behind him. Ted tried to bring some levity to the situation as he settled into his preferred chair “That's quite the big step considering it took us days to convince her she didn’t need to go with you to the toilet only a fortnight ago. Does this mean you two finally came up with a name?”

“She decided she’d let me call her Hedwig without beating me up for it.” He joked.

“Where's she off too?” Andromeda asked while still staring out the window in thought about the upcoming conversation she was really here to start.

“She’s off with letters for Ron and McGonagall about picking O.W.L subjects.”

“Did you go for Arithmancy as well?” 

Harry nodded “Yeah, I did. It seemed dead useful after going through those books Dora lent me. I actually finished with the runes books she left me too if she wants them back.” He turned, picking up two books from his bedside table and profering them towards Andromeda who accepted it and put it into a bag it shouldn’t have been able to fit in.

Harry pointed at it and said “Expansion runes?”

“I didn’t make it myself but I imagine so… probably with a healthy dose of charms too.”

“See dead useful. I didn’t even know things like that existed before last week.”

“How do you feel with Hedwig away?” Andromeda said with a touch of concern. Normally a person would be okay to be without their familiar for a week or two at a time but she’d quickly come to realise nothing about Harry was normal. 

“I can’t explain it but I can sort of feel that she's okay and that makes me feel okay. Some of the thoughts she keeps sending me are; well, they're odd.”

“Well it would be odd if an owl thought exactly like you do Harry.”

“I suppose… a lot of them are about rats so it might just be about food. For the last week she keeps alternating between a person then a rat sometimes for 30 seconds at a time.”

Ted chuckled to himself before saying “Surprised she’s not constantly peppering you with visions of bacon.” drawing that portion of the conversation to close.

Andromeda used the pause that followed to steer the conversation and gently ease into her real concerns. She’d spent hours playing the upcoming conversation over in her head during the last few weeks to the point she dreaded being alone with her own thoughts in the shower. “Harry, me and the rest of the healers have decided you’ve improved enough to be released.” Harry looked at her eyes widening, Andromeda couldn’t tell if it was in fear or resignation. She’d already tried to bring up the abuse she assumed he’d suffered at the Dursleys but either out of embarrassment or pride he’d deflected and the most she’d got was vague remarks about cupboards and a belt. She knew pushing him too far, too fast would only drive a wedge in any foundation of trust they were building and it might take months for him to open up fully to her. Poppy Pomfrey had shown her reams of parchment records of her secretly giving him malnutrition potions but them not being effective, presumably being negated by the parasitic soul leeching of him. Dozens of untreated old fractures she’d fixed while he was unconscious during one of his frequent visits which is why what she was building to saying left a very bitter taste in her mouth. “Me and Ted already talked with Albus yesterday and wanted to discuss where you’ll be staying for the summer. Ted’s been preparing the paperwork to get custody for the last few weeks but well…”

As Andromeda flattered her voice beginning to crack Ted took up the slack to spare her having to say it. “We’ve kicked a hornets nest, Harry. If we make any further approaches in the ministry through official channels we think the Malfoys will make a political move and try to take custody themselves. I heard a rumour on Tuesday from some of my legal contacts in the DMLE and Amelia confirmed that they’ve had their solicitor begin preparing some documentation. With Andy being cast out of the Blacks and disinherited, Narcissa, Draco’s mother, would have an almost airtight case for a better claim of your guardianship.”

The way Harry looked at Andromeda almost broke her heart into pieces, he stared at her almost catatonic before deflating and staring at his balled up fists. “So I’ve to go back to the Dursleys or I’ll end up tortured by the Malfoys?”

Ted kept talking, it was ridiculous that he had a better bedside manner than hers despite years of being a healer, she was so angry that she wanted to burn the world at the injustice of it all. “We’re not certain yet, we’ve still got a few options we’re going to try but… it looks likely. Our only good option at the minute is to take you to the Goblins and see if they can find any paperwork to get you away from the Dursleys and the Malfoys. But if that doesn’t turn up anything decisive...” He trailed off leaving the obvious conclusion unsaid.

Harry's anger finally won out “How could I even end up with the Malfoys?! They tried to kill Ginny!.”

“He must be spending a fortune to keep getting away with it, he tried to kill me at least twice during the war.” Ted grumbled, leaning back on his chair and staring at the ceiling.

Andromeda put her hand on Harry's forearm hoping to calm him down slightly “When we met Dumbledore yesterday we asked him how you ended up at the Dursleys. Initially it was only supposed to be until the will was resolved and to see what the post war settlement would be but the Chief Warlock at the time was Silvanius Selwyn. His son was found to be a death eater a week or two later and he was voted out shortly after the scandal but by then he’d already sealed your parents will. It’s actually that incident drove Albus to take the position; he'd been trying to avoid taking it or the minister's position for decades.”

“Could Dumbledore not just bloody unseal it then!?” Harry was clearly exasperated by the entire thing. He didn’t even really know what politics was and he already hated it.

“Harry, believe me I’m every bit as livid about this as you are but pureblood politics can all be a bit…” Ted Took a second or two trying to find the right world that wasn’t just a string of incoherent swearing. “baffling. Sometimes it’s all a bit medieval and the legal code hasn’t been cleaned up the way muggle law codes have. The Chief Warlock can seal a document unilaterally if they deem it a security risk, but to unseal it requires either the 50 year classification period lapsing or a vote by the Wizengmot to unseal it. We think it was sealed because after the war ended and with everything that happened in the aftermath those who followed the Dark Lord thought with the obvious guardians unavailable that if they could ignore the will they might be able to get my grandfather Pollux guardianship since he was your grandmother's brother. Needless to say if that happened we wouldn’t be having this conversation as he’d have made sure you met a tragic accident so Dumbledore kept you where you were and hid you at the least bad option.”

“Least bad option.” Harry huffed and crossed his arms,“Shouldn’t the lawyer who wrote it have a copy or something? Uncle Vernon had to do his will with a solicitor that time the doctor told him his cholesterol was so high his blood was basically butter.” as he looked at Andromeda hopefully.

“Harry, the lawyers the Potter’s used were attacked in Diagon Alley and then the place put to the torch. It wasn’t very safe to be involved with trials at the time. Albus mentioned he asked the goblins too since they normally end up involved with inheritances and have copies. They said he didn’t have the authority to see the will and those that did were unavailable.”

“Makes sense with Max, Sirius and Marlene all being out of the picture and the way the ministry treats Remus.” Ted mumbled with his hand pinching the top ridge of his nose.

Andromeda continued speaking over Ted only giving a nod in his direction and rolling of the eyes to acknowledge him. “So the plan is to take you to Gringotts later today and hope you have the authority. I don’t want to get your hopes up too much though there's a good chance they won’t let you near it until you're 17.”

“Why would Gringotts have copies anyway?”

“A concession that they got in a peace treaty after a rebellion to be a neutral arbitrator. You probably slept through Binns talking about it from the way you complain about him” Andromeda waved her hand in a flippant way as her and Ted stood up and waved Harry to follow them to the bank. “Suited wizards because they didn’t trust their political enemies on the Wizengmot to deal with inheritances. I don’t know if you know this Harry but Gringotts is more than just a bank; the Gringott Horde lives in Underholt Scraefham beneath the vaults. They’re quite tight-lipped about numbers but there's supposed to be a dozen or more clans and they advertise most of the services they offer to wizards like smithing, curse breaking and gambling through the bank rather than separately. Now come on, get ready, we’ll be waiting just outside.”

22nd June 1993 

Gringotts, London

Harry found himself being hustled into an office that had ‘Account Manager Skarsnik’ written in black lettering on a copper plate attached to the door at what he assumed was head height for a goblin around the height of his armpit. 

He thought the one doing the hustling was angry but the one behind the desk when they entered the room had looked absolutely irate at him. “You claim to be Harry Potter?” The Goblin took its monocle off before setting down some parchment and peering over the desk at him with something between a grin and a sneer that made Harry shift in his seat feeling slightly uncomfortable. “It may surprise you to know that one Mr H.J Potter has been ignoring Gringotts missives for the last 11 years which has led some in the bank, for example his account manager, to be less than pleased with him.”

Harry's face scrunched up at the statement and he looked towards Andromeda. Andromeda just looked at him stoically, he thought she’d started acting differently since she came into the bank, formal in a way she hadn’t been at the hospital. Eventually Andromeda waved her hand in a motion that told him to get on with it. “But I don’t get letters?” he eventually said to everyone as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

The goblin held up his hand to stop a confused Ted responding. He tapped his other hand with its long bony finger off the desk for a second or two before responding. “Is that so? There are very few things that would prevent a Gringotts owl reaching its destination and they are not typically something a child is capable of.”

Andromeda raised an eyebrow in thought and spoke softly “Harry, did you never get anything from me and Ted? Or any fan mail?”

Harry blanched with incredulity, “Fan mail!? No. Why would anyone send me fanmail?”

“Harry, you keep underestimating just how famous you are. She might kill me and you if you ever bring it up in conversation but Nymphadora used to send you fan letters asking about your adventures in the Potter books. Ted and I used to send you birthday and Christmas cards. We definitely weren’t the only ones, there should be mountains of mail meant for you somewhere.”

Skarsnik started speaking again “Mr Potter you should have received letters regarding quarterly financial summaries, an end of year financial and tax summary in addition to more than a dozen bequeathments. This does not account for the request for you to take up your rights. Are you claiming you’ve never once received a Gringotts owl?”

“Ermm…. Yes. Only Hagrid, Hermione and Hogwarts send me stuff.” Then he tapped his finger on his chin staring down at the corner of the desk in contemplation before quietly saying. “Although a house elf stole some of there letters and supposedly all of Ron’s letters”

“Do you believe this House Elf has stolen other mail you were supposed to be the recipient of?”

“No?” Harry replied with no surety in his voice. “I think he only stole them last year because he didn’t want me to fight the basilisk at Hogwarts.”

Skarsnik tapped a crystal on his desk before speaking into it in gobbledygook that set the adults noticeably on edge then rubbing his monocle with a cloth. Harry felt like he was trying his best to look like a stereotype of a Bond villain. “Yes, the basilisk. Another mystery Gringotts has tried to get in contact with you regarding. However, we will deal with one mystery at a time.” before he looked up towards the door which opened just as he ended his speech.

Three goblins stepped inside two guards carrying halebards and another goblin in a muggle suit who began talking to Skarsnik in gobbledygook who pointed at Harry. The goblin pulled a crystal out of his pocket then began waving it about Harry about 20cm off his skin then turning to Skarsnik again nodding and having another short conversation as he handed across a piece of parchment which had appeared from air in front of him. The three left as suddenly as they entered and had only been in the room at most 90 seconds. Harry saw Andromeda relax slightly and Ted turned in his seat watching as the Goblin guards stomped out.

Skarsnik looked at the paper before handing it towards Ted who took it and began reading it to himself as Harry and Andromeda watched expectantly. “A DMLE Mail redirection ward. Why would he have a DMLE ward placed on him?”

“Gringotts is currently investigating that question, Mr Tonks. Indeed, many of the senior staff at the bank, including myself, are likely to be rather annoyed once they find out exactly what's happened.” Skarsnik replied.

“I thought in the event of a mail redirection ward placed by the Ministry that Gringotts receive a notification from the Goblin Liaison Office? I remember reading Sirius', it’s usually only for the duration of Azkaban sentences.”

 “I can assure you we received no such missive. As the Potter account manager I’ve read and re-read every document relating to Mr H.J Potter the bank is in possession of.” 

“Is that a good thing?” Harry questioned and Andromeda gave him a quick nod.

Skarsnik smirked which Harry thought was the closest he’d come to smiling. “It means Mr Potter that you have not earned Gringotts ire or my personal wroth.” He turned in his chair before pulling out a bowl, a small slightly blue transparent crystal and some vials out of a cabinet behind his desk, setting them in front of him before placing a piece of parchment into the bowl and pouring an iridescent green, blue and red liquid out of one of the vials on top of it. He then held the very small crystal out to Harry “Now, Mr Potter if you could push some of your magic into the beorhtstan.” 

Harry looked at Andromeda confused so she pointed at the crystal and started to explain. “It’s for the inheritance test Harry. Beorhtstan’s a gemstone that you can push your magic into, they’re rare and fairly expensive. They need a sample to test your family magic.” She said the last bit questioningly while looking at Skarsnik who nodded in agreement. “It’s old English for bright or shiny stone, it should change colour to represent your magic when you fill it.”

“Erm… how do I push magic into it?” He felt like he was asking a silly question but he was out of his depth.

“When Arcturus had me tested I was told to use the feeling like you're doing a simple spell like a lumos and instead of a wand push it through your hand. Best to hold it against your chest instead of at arm's length like a spell while you do it. You might have to force it until you get older when feeling your magic gets easier.”

After two attempts a warm, sweaty and slightly wobbly Harry held a multi-colored stone that glowed in a swirl of colours that Andromeda raised a confused eyebrow at. 

Skarsnik began giving instructions again, “Excellent, now place it in the bowl.” Harry dropped it with a soft plop then stared at the potion expectantly until Skarsnik coughed and he looked up to see him holding a knife. “Now place seven drops of blood in the bowl.”

Harry baulked slightly but Andromeda spoke up again. “They have something to test your magic but they need something to test your blood as well.” Harry stared at the knife then steeled himself and held his hand over the bowl before cutting across his hand surprised when it hadn’t hurt at all then healed itself as soon as the seventh drop of blood fell into the bowl. For some reason nobody but Harry thought that was out of the ordinary so he just accepted it and moved on.

“And now we wait.” Andromeda provided running commentary to Harry as nothing continued to happen for thirty seconds apart from Ted mentioning that he’d never seen alchemy in practice before. Eventually Skarsnik stopped staring at his pocket watch and pulled the parchment out of the bowl. 

He took a quick look at the paper before pointedly staring at Harry and asking “Are you sure you're comfortable with those accompanying you knowing this information or would you like to read this in private? Much of this is as I expected having performed the same test on your father and grandfather. It represents some of the deepest held secrets of House Potter.”

Harry thought about it for only a millisecond before nodding “No it’s fine if they stay”. Skarsnik who had obviously put more thought into how important and how dangerous information can be handed across two sheets of paper and asked Ted and Andromeda to sign an agreement that they would not be able to talk about the results of the inheritance test without Mr Potter's explicit permission. After that was taken care of Skarsnik made four copies of the inheritance parchment then slid three across the table before turning to file the original.

Harry heard a shocked gasp from Andromeda and he was almost sure he heard Ted mutter “Fuck me.” despite his insistence for years afterwards that he didn’t. He picked his sheet up and began to read.

Gringotts Inheritance Test Recipient: Harry James Potter

Heir Apparent

• Heir Apparent to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter.
• Heir Apparent to the Honourable House of Fleamont.

Heir Designate

• Heir Designate to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black.

Tasked Heir

• Tasked Heir of the Most Ancient and Founding House of Gryffindor.

Untested Heir

• Untested Heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Peverell. 

Untestable Son

• Untestable Son of the Most Ancient and Founding House of Slytherin.

Harry put the page down again after re-reading it twice. “What does that mean?”

The goblin smirked for only the second time since Harry entered the room “It means you are indeed Harry Potter as you claimed so you won’t be put on trial for attempted fraud of this establishment. It also means that the 1500 Galleons fee for the inheritance test will be drawn from your existing accounts.” Harry was starting to get the impression goblins were incredibly formal,  liked money, liked to make you feel uncomfortable and liked to threaten violence. Like a slightly more restrained and calculating Uncle Vernon.

Andromeda finally came out of the slight daze that she’d been in for the last minute. Ted had leaned over Harry and was patting her on the shoulder reassuringly before shaking her gently when he got no response. “You’re heir Black.” She choked slightly as she said it. “How can you be heir Black? Why would Acturus do that?” then she smiled and said softly and gleefully “Narcissa is going to be so annoyed!” giggling slightly. It was so different to the Andromeda that Harry had got to know in the last month that it shocked him slightly.

“Indeed one of a handful of surprises even to myself.” Skarsnik hit the crystal on his desk and had another conversation in gobbledygook though it.

Harry's mood was wildly swinging, excited that he belonged, he was a Potter and it looked like he really was a Gryffindor even if he had no clue what the task thing was about. Then he vacillated and turned pensive, thoughts about the Chamber of Secrets and the sorting hat telling him he could be great. “But what does this mean? I don’t know who half these names even are. Does this mean I was Slytherin's Heir?” 

Just as Harry finished, another set of three goblins came into the room leaving three boxes on the desk and retreated with one of the parchment copies of his inheritance test.

Skarsnik began speaking “Yes, one of the aforementioned suprises not present on previous Potters tests. Likely a result of something in your mothers ancestry.” Another shocked gasp came from Andromeda and he was almost certain this time Ted had muttered “Fucking Hell”. “I cannot comment on the specifics and potential heirs to the houses that require a task or trial are far from common, it’s even less common, unprecedented even, that they complete them. However I can say that ‘Untestable son’ has been encountered by the bank previously and it is suspected that it happens where the individual runs afoul of the family charter in some capacity.”

Harry spoke over him “Family charter?”, Andromeda wistfully replied, “Think of it as the official rules or the ideals of the family. If you break them there's usually some repercussions”

“So I broke the family rules? Is that because I killed his snake?”

“I’d suspect it because you're not a pureblood.” Ted chipped in.

“Oh… But that’s why I’m a parselmouth?”

Andromeda took up the conversation again. “Probably, being disowned by the family, or in this case ineligible to be lord doesn’t mean you can’t inherit the family magic or in this case inheritable abilities.”

“Speaking from experience there dear?” Ted smiled at her and got a grin in response that Harry thought was quite similar to the goblins earlier.

“What about the others? Who are the Fleamonts’ and Peverells?”

Skarsnik glanced at something on the wall behind the shelves to his left before speaking. “Fleamont was your great great grandmother's maiden name and your great grandfather's given name. If I may Mr Potter I would recommend to you what I recommended to your grandfather. As an honourable family they hold no political office and you should merge the accounts once you reach your majority at seventeen.”

“Honourable house?”

“We can talk about the minutiae of wizarding Houses later Harry” Andromeda whispered to him and made a motion for Skarsnik to continue. 

“The Peverells’ and Gryffindors’ on the other hand have been mainstays on Potter inheritance tests since this establishment opened. However, the order is reversed from my previous experiences, both your father and grandfather were tasked heirs of Peverell and untested heirs of Gryffindor. Another mystery to which I can provide no enlightenment. No doubt they were aware of the first Peverell condition but I am not. It matters little to Gringotts other than as a curiosity, you cannot claim the ring or have access to the vaults; it does not alter your circumstances.” At this he opened and slid three boxes across the table. “The house heir rings Mr Potter.”

“Do I just pop them on or do I have to do something?”

“We'll start with the Potter ring.” He pushed one slightly further out than the rest towards Harry. “When you put it on the totem of the family magic will judge you. Should it find you worthy you will in this instance become head of the family.”

Harry put his hand into the box and picked up the ring. Andromeda would later explain that it was a signet ring made of platinum inlaid with red beryl but all he saw was the crest of a rampant golden griffon on a red background. He popped it on and it felt like a cold shudder passed through his spine before something familiar and warm pressed against him from every direction before lessening its grip. An image of a griffon the same height as himself staring into his eyes passing judgement went through his head and he reached out to touch it but found only air as if this was just a figment of his imagination despite how real it felt. Up until this point he hadn’t thought to question what Skarsnik had meant by Totem of the family magic and now he felt silly about it. Then as quickly as it had started the room returned to normal and Ted was holding his shoulders as he stumbled slightly. “Woahh.” he muttered and Andromeda smiled at him with a hint of pride in her demeanor.

“Now that you have been judged and accepted by the heir ring Mr Potter, if we hurry with the next two we can settle down and discuss what I’m sure you’ll find some rather interesting Potter business.”

Harry picked up the next ring of platinum and ruby inlay with an orangey red flower that looked slightly like an orchid on a green background. He thought it was slightly gaudy compared to the Potter ring, the colours clashing slightly then quickly popped it on. He felt the press of the magic much more slight than the previous and it quickly passed. He looked down at his hand curiously and asked “Is that it?” 

“The Fleamonts’ are a much less prestigious family than the Potters. Less history, less legacy, less endowment, no totem of the family magic.” Skarsnik answered what had been a rhetorical question. 

Andromeda passed him the next box with a slight look of worry on her face. “It’s made of mithril and the dark gems musgravite” she said as she handed it across. The crest was a shield of three ravens below a sword arm on a sea of stars. When he put it on it felt like he'd had a bucket of ice cubes poured on his head and he shivered slightly, the press of the magic felt stifling, slightly oppressive even. Then his vision darkened and a pair of red eyes peered through the mirk and he froze in their glare. After a second or two a large dog-like animal stepped forward towards him menacingly until it was just millimeters away from his face before it licked him then retreated slightly before fading away.

Andromeda had held him up this time and was staring into his eyes. “Did you see the grim?”

“The dog thing?” he asked back.

“So that's a yes.” She deadpanned before smiling widely and pushing him down into his seat again.

Skarsnik grinned again while looking at Andromeda. “I do believe Mr Malfoy will be rather annoyed by what's occurred here today. I’ll send a missive to Gloomclaw the Black account manager so he can pass on the relevant information before you leave today.”

Harry added annoying wizards to the list of things goblins might like then looked at Ted who encouraged him to ask what they’d prepared before visiting the bank while Andromeda simmered excitedly in her seat. “Account Manager Skarsnik, as Heir Potter can I enquire if Gringotts is in possession of a copy of my parents wills.” 

Skarnsik pulled open a drawer on his desk and began to monologue. “As heir Potter you are entitled to become executor of the will left in possession of the Goblin Nation as stipulated in the document and as such not subjected to the unilateral sealing by the previous Chief Warlock.” He copied the document three times and handed them across the desk upside down before staring at Ted with the widest grin yet on his face, “There is no law that makes it an offense to hand this countersigned document bearing the Gringotts seal to anyone outside these walls once opened. Like for example Wizarding Child Services or the DMLE.” This obviously meant more to Ted than it did to Harry. He continued “This is the copy that went into effect should both have perished within a short timeframe and supersedes the copies in event of individual deaths.”

Harry picked up the copy nearest to him and started to read.

Last Will and Testament of James Charlus Potter & Lily Potter

We, James Charlus Potter & Lily Potter, of Godric's Hollow, being of sound mind and disposing memory, hereby declare this to be our last will and testament, revoking all previous wills and codicils made by us.

We have one living child Harry James Potter born on the 31st July 1980.

We appoint Sirius Orion Black III of Chelsea, London or any subsequent Regent or Heir of the Potter Line by blood or by magic to be the executor of this will.

To Sirius Orion Black III we leave the contents of Gringotts vault 34182. We also leave 100 bags of Spratt Dog Food Treats to be used on the rare occasion you're a good boy.

To Remus John Lupin we leave a value of 50,000 Galleons. We also leave our secret stash of snacks hidden in the back of the pantry, speak the password and find your treasure.

To Peter Andrew Pettigrew our bequest is conditional upon receipt of a legal affidavit from Blackstone & Gavel Writs and Solicitors by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and any subsequent investigation pertaining to. 

• Case 1; We leave a value of 5,000 galleons, the rights and deeds to the property known as ‘Little Paws Lodge’.
• Case 2; As per case one.
• Case 3; We leave a value of 30 pieces of silver.

To Marlene Florence McKinnon we leave a value of 5,000 galleons. We also leave a lifetime supply of Sleekeazy Hair Potion in the hope you come to your senses and decide a perm only belongs in old photographs showing poor teenage decisions. 

To Frank Harkon Agustus Longbottom, we leave a value of 5,000 galleons with the provision that it is only used for the purchase of classic brooms. Hopefully Alice won’t murder you for frittering away your inheritance on ‘two hundred year old planks that can barely stay in the air any more’ if it comes as a gift from someone who’s already dead.

To Alice Edith Longbottom we leave a value of 5,000 galleons with the provision that it is only to be used for the purchase of additions of your choosing to the DMLE Aurour Library. Teach them to keep their limbs better than Moody.

To Minerva Constance McGonagall we leave copies of ‘Art of Alteration’ and 'Shifting Shapes: Transfiguration in Battle’ by Godric Gryffindor, leased so long as you shall live at a rate of one knut per century. As fond as I am of a lark, they are entailed to the Potter Library so it is outwith my ability to gift. Use them well, turn Voldermort into a newt for us.

To Master Filius Flitwick, it struck us as we sat down to write this that we are unaware if you have a middle name and it is our deepest wish that you have secretly been holding out on us calling you something suitably impressive such as BathedinBlood or Smashmouth. We leave you ‘Symphonie des Enchantements’ by Elanor Potter and a selection of Lily Potter's charms mastery notes in the hope there's a way to banish the aforementioned newt into the sun.

To Edgar Wulfric Alexander Bones IV we leave the stewardship and profits derived therefrom of any woods, forests, groves and glades associated with the property known as ‘Stinchcomb Castle Ruins’ until such time as Heir Potter assumes all duties. 

To Amelia Josephine Bones we leave a foot long branch of English Oak to throw at your enemies when you find yourself accidentally without a wand in battle again. May it save your life in a time of great need. We Also leave four skins of 8 x 6 ft Hebredian Black dragon hide to make sets of armour from; in case the  aforementioned stick proves defective or you lose it too.

To Andromeda Cassiopeia Tonks we leave a value of 25,000 galleons to be used in lieu of the dowry you forfeited following your heart. 

To Maximillian Hardwin Potter we leave the regency of House Potter under the terms set out in the Potter Family Charter and a stipend to the value of 10,000 galleons per year until the heir comes of age. May the family magic protect you all from any foes.

To Our Son Harry James Potter we leave all our remaining earthly possessions; the family legacy, inheritances, vaults and properties pertaining to. We also leave you with love and affection from beyond the veil and the greatest hope that in spite of initial sorrow your life is filled with laughter and joy.

In Adversis Virtus Viget

Guardian List

• Maximillian Potter - Regent Potter.
• Sirius Black - Godfather.
• Marlene McKinnon - Godmother.
• Frank Longbottom - Formal Alliance.
• Edgar Bones - Informal Alliance.
• Andromeda Tonks - Second Cousin.
• Samuel Evans - Grandparent.

Harry heard Ted whispering over him with Andromeda once he got about half way through about how he would go Amelia as soon as they were done while she takes him to the vaults for whatever he needs.

Once he got to the end everyone was looking at him expectantly.

“Who is Maximillian Hardwin Potter?” he tapped the parchment with the back of his hand in a slapping motion.

Andromeda's smile dropped a little as she looked at him then she counted off on her fingers for a second before replying. “He was your fathers third cousin once removed. Slightly older than your father but they were close, he lived at the house closest to your grandparents, the two plots backed onto one another. He was a Potter through the male line so I assume he had access to the family magic.”

Harry was afraid to ask but he felt he had too. “You keep saying ‘was’.”

Andromeda sighed deeply, sorrowfully and slightly angry that Harry hadn’t been aware of the scale of his loss. “He was killed. About two months before your parents. Death eaters attacked the house, killing him, his wife and the two children.”

“Oh.” Harry whispered slightly ashamed that only a few moments ago that he’d been angry that this person had never come to save him from the Dursleys.

Ted broke the silence that followed after and smiled at him. “On the bright side I’m sure you noticed that once I show this to Wizarding Child Services we should be able to stop the Malfoys getting their hands on you! The spare room has been ready for a decade but I think you might want to paint over the baby blue on the walls once you get settled in. It'll be nice to have an annoying little brother to help me keep Doras ego in check.”

Harry beamed at him but was broken out of it when Andromeda and Skarsniks' whispered conversation changed into her shouting. “You what!”

Ted's face turned glum and he knew exactly what was being discussed before he spoke to Andromeda. “Yes, the affidavit points to what we always thought. I take it you didn’t get the significance of the thirty pieces of silver?” Andromeda and Skarsnik both looked at him blankly but Ted seemed to expect that. “No, I didn’t think you would. It’s a sort of universal symbol of betrayal among large parts of the muggle world.” Ted wasn’t getting into another fruitless explanation of muggle religion with a baffled Andromeda again, this wasn’t the time for it.

“Is it enough evidence to get him acquitted?”

“No but I'll raise it with Amelia when I meet with her.”

Andromeda sagged into her chair slightly.

Skarsnik looked at his pocket watch again before speaking quickly, evidently wanting to bypass this conversation and start talking about something that would begin making him money again. “Gringotts will begin the probate process, notices will be delivered to all concerned parties regarding a public reading set for 5 days hence before beginning distribution of bequeathments. The process for the noble houses has been extremely streamlined over the centuries and as the sole descendent it should be completed within the fortnight.” 

“These are your account details and balances that are within your authority to have access or partial access too as head of house for two families and heir of another.” He handed Harry a piece of parchment that he began to read and shocked Harry so much that he wanted to ask another half dozen questions but Skarsnik just kept talking. Ted who was reading the parchment over his shoulder definitely muttered “Fuck me” this time. He’d said it right in Harry's ear.

Ancient and Noble House of Potter Vaults

*Partial Access. Unable to make monetary withdrawals until reaching the age of majority.

A further value of 226,104 Galleons 3 Sickles and 18 Knuts have been bequeathed to Gringotts listing one Harry James Potter as the primary beneficiary and are currently unassociated with an account.

Honourable House of Fleamont

*Partial Access. Unable to make monetary withdrawals until reaching the age of majority.

Ancient and Most Noble House of Black Vaults

“If I may give some advice Mr Potter. You and your advisors should check your vaults for any deeds or legal documentation of business interests that may have been lost during the attacks on both the family lawyer and accountants during 1981. Gringotts account managers do not hold deeds or involve ourselves in financial transactions regarding property not within the borders of the Goblin Nation due to existing treaties with the Ministry so that is outside my purview. Nor do we necessarily have access to all of our clients' shares or business contracts, although I would be willing to recommend myself as custodian of such going forward.”

“Now let's discuss the sale and procurement of the Basilisk carcass you’ve just acquired, Mr Potter.” He grinned again at the surprised look on Harry's face.

23rd June 1993 

Great Hall, Hogwarts.

Ronald Weasley looked up and put his arm protectively over a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon while eying the white owl that had just landed in front of him and stuck it’s leg out in his direction before barking at him.

“Alright but you can take that bacon over there” He pointed his finger at Neville's plate and took the letter from her “I’m not giving up my breakfast as easily as Harry does.” Ron had just started letting his guard down, letter in hand, as she hopped towards Neville when an eagle owl with a Gringotts livery on its breast landed in front of him and stuck its leg out in his general direction.

The owl bit him in the hand hard as he put his hand down to take the letter drawing a tiny bit of blood. “Ow! The bloody hell was that for?” and noticed the owl had stuck its leg out towards him again. “I’m not falling for that again.” He huffed and leaned back slightly away from the owl while sucking on his hand to stop the bleeding.

Neville looked up at the commotion, eyes narrowed in thought as he gave Hedwig two rashers of bacon and took in the second owl for a few seconds before saying. “Can you read the name on the ID band without taking it?.” 

“Yeah, sure. I can try as long as this maniac doesn’t try and gouge my eyes out for it while I’m bent down.” A finger pointed directly in the owl's face who just nodded before warily bending down to read the ID band on the outside of the note. Ron’s face scrunched up with some confusion as he read it since it didn’t match anyone he knew in Gryffindor then called out loudly “Who’s Peter Petigrew?” drawing attention over from the staff table. Hedwig tilted her head to the side at the question before taking two long hops across the table until she stood beside the owl and leered down at Ron's pet which had just started scrambling for cover under a bowl  in front of Ron. Then after a moment's contemplation she struck, knocking the bowl over spilling some fruit that rolled across the table while pinning the rat with one of her talons and tore at its back left leg. Within seconds the great hall had turned into a scene of absolute panic, students scrambling, teachers rushing to the scene as a screaming man suddenly appeared on top of the table holding both hands to the back of his leg at his ruined tendon rolling in pain, an excited owl pecking at his side.