Gringotts and the Ministry
Sitting in the reception room at Gringotts had become a familiar pastime for Harry. In the year he had been part of the magical world it seemed he had spent a significant amount of time in this room. Next to him, his betrothed was his usual stoic self; he appeared to be reading an old potions journal. Harry, however, was not fooled, Severus was completely focused on his surroundings and he was poised to respond to any threat which might present itself.
The appointment with Harry’s account manager had been surprisingly easy to procure. Harry was beginning to realise the depth of his power in the Wizarding World and this revelation brought with it an understanding of the breadth of Dumbledore's betrayal. The man had stolen not only Harry’s money but his name and influence and used it for his own ends. It seemed that Dumbledore had only ever wanted Harry for his power, political, financial and magical, he had cared nothing for Harry himself.
“Heir Potter-Black, Lord Prince, I am sorry to have kept you waiting please follow me,” Griphook said appearing from nowhere and indicating the door.
Harry and Severus stood up and followed the goblin to the familiar office of Harry’s account manager Brindleby. “Heir Potter-Black and Lord Prince, May your gold ever flow,” the goblin greeted from behind his desk. “Please do take a seat,” he said waving at the chairs. Griphook, Harry noticed, did not leave the room. Instead, he stepped into the office, closed the door behind him and proceeded to stand by the door.
“May your enemies fall at your feet and your family prosper, Brindley,” Harry replied more at ease with the Goblin's greetings this time than at his first meeting.
The goblin gave a slight bow of his head to acknowledge the proper greeting given by the young heir. “I have some good news for you regarding your property Heir Potter. The items that were removed from your vaults by your previous magical guardian have finally been reclaimed. All the missing items, except for the Peverell Cloak, have been returned to your vaults,” the goblin said with a toothy smile.
Harry returned the grin, “That is wonderful news, you got all of Mum’s journals back?” he asked.
“Yes, Heir Potter we took a full inventory. The previous guardian had tried to copy them fortunately there was an anti-duplication charm on them,” the goblin went on.
“Well, we have them back that is the main thing, you said they are in the vault?” Harry asked.
“They are yes. Now what else can I help you with today,” Brindley asked settling back in his chair with the air of one well pleased with his own work.
“I would like to look through my vaults. I realise there are six of them and they all contain quite a lot. However, I would like to make a start on familiarising myself with their contents,” Harry informed him.
“Yes, of course. Were you looking to find anything in particular today?” the Goblin asked.
Harry nodded slowly, “I have a few items gifted to me by my father Lord Malfoy which I would like to leave in the Potter vault. While I am there I am hoping I might find something to protect me from unknowingly consuming potions hidden in my food or drinks. I would also be interested in anything which might help to protect me from spells, jinxes and the like, given my experience at school last year, I feel I would rather be safe than sorry,” Harry explained.
Brindleby looked serious “You are concerned for your safety at Hogwarts?” he asked.
“Not exactly, I have Severus there with me as well as my housemates looking out for me but I am wary. I suppose a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous but with what I know about potions now…well I had a conversation with Draco about what potions can do. I really don't trust Dumbledore.” Harry replied.
The Goblin looked grim, “I see, well the Potters and the Peverells were very good potioneers. I imagine there will be something in those vaults to guard against the malicious addition of potions to food. The Black family vaults will most certainly have something, however, given the recent legislation I would advise leaving anything in those vaults alone.”
Harry nodded “I agree Brindleby, I will look into the contents of the Black vaults another time, perhaps when my father can be with me,” he said firmly.
Brindleby acknowledged Harry’s agreement with a small nod and produced a roll of parchment. He picked up a large black quill which he set to writing. When the quill stopped moving the Goblin took the parchment and passed it to Harry. “There are several items which might meet your needs currently stored in the Potter and Peverell vaults,” he said.
Harry took the parchment, it listed three items in the Potter Vault and three in the Peverell Vault.
“Thank you. Is there a particular process for leaving items in my vault?” Harry asked him.
“No, there is no process. Griphook will take you down to both the Potter Vault and the Peverell Vault. You need only place the items in the vault you want to store them in and they will be automatically catalogued by the magic protecting your valuables,” the goblin told him.
“Wonderful,” Harry said warmly. He turned to Severus who had remained silent throughout Harry’s conversation with his account manager. “Will you come with me, Severus?” he asked.
“Yes, if you don’t mind, I would like to see those returned items for myself,” the man replied evenly.
“Of course,” Harry said smiling at the man.
Harry had not known exactly what to expect the first time he rode the carts. They looked like they would not be out of place at a muggle carnival, not that Harry had ever been to a carnival. The carts were both thrilling and terrifying and Harry slipped his hand into Severus’ hand. He knew that they were perfectly safe, but they still made him nervous.
The older man looked down at Harry and smiled reassuringly and he squeezed the small hand gripping his hand. They climbed into the cart Harry sitting as close to Severus as he could without sitting in the man's lap.
The cart rocketed off at Griphook's command and they hurtled at an impossible speed deep into the earth. After a few minutes, the cart began to slow and they drew to a stop at the door of the first Potter Vault. It was a large door with the number 233 engraved above it. Griphook put Harry’s key in the lock and ran his finger down the door and it melted away.
Harry and Severus entered the Vault and Harry looked around for a place to leave the shrunken box in his pocket. He spied an old kitchen cabinet with large cupboards in the bottom and he moved towards it. He opened the door of the cabinet and found it empty, so he took out the box and enlarged it then he pushed the box inside and he went to close the door. Something in the box however did not want him to leave it behind, he felt a pull followed by an urge to take the box out again. He pulled out the box and looked through the contents, a brown leather diary caught his eye and he fished it out of the box. It was not a particularly noteworthy diary, at least not that Harry could tell. It had the year 1943 embossed on the front cover and the corners were decorated with some kind of metal. There had been a name written inside the cover at one time but it was water-damaged and therefore unreadable, As far as Harry could see it was just a muggle diary, it had a maker's stamp on the back which read - Winstanley’s Bookstore and Stationers Vauxhall Road London. It must be dangerous Lucius had put it in the box after all but Harry could not put it down.
The pull of the diary was strong and Harry knew he should tell Severus. Instead, for reasons he could not have verbalised, he slipped the small book into his pocket. He glanced in Severus' direction and seeing him occupied at the other end of the vault, pushed the box back into the cabinet and locked the door with a tap of his wand.
After making sure the diary was secure in his back pocket and concealed by the robe he had put over his jeans and shirt that morning, Harry innocently turned his attention to a bookshelf to his right and his eyes fell on another leather-bound book. He pulled it out and discovered it was a hand-bound journal. He opened it and this time he could read the name on the first page, Iothane Potter. Something about that name tugged at Harry’s mind but he could not place it. He flicked through the book it was clearly the research journal of a potioneer. Maybe it would be something Severus might like, Harry recalled Narcissa mentioning that his next courting gift needed to be something connected to his family. He kept hold of the book as he moved towards his betrothed.
“Found anything interesting Severus?” Harry asked as he approached.
Severus looked up and held out a leather-bound book wrapped in plastic. It seemed to be the theme of the day. Harry set down his find to accept the book Severus offered. He looked at the cover. “I found this in the box of your mother's journals, it is unopened and the wrong colour. All her others are red or blue,” Severus said.
Harry frowned “Red or blue?”
“Blue was Lily’s favourite colour until she was sorted into Gryffindor. Her father bought her a blue leather-bound journal on his first business trip to Italy when she was about eight years old. She loved it so much that he brought her a new one every time he went back. After she started at Hogwarts and was sorted into Gryffindor, she asked him to buy red ones. This one however is green and it feels like…” Severus trailed off.
“Like it might be yours?” Harry asked turning it over in his hand.
“Yes,” the older man said looking down.
“I agree,” Harry said softly “I think she meant for you to have this, you should keep it,” Harry told him.
“If you would not mind. I think there might be something in it, for me,” Severus replied.
“I don't mind, is everything else there?” Harry asked.
“It is yes, the gobstones, the potions book and all her journals, I would like to take them all with me, if you don't mind,” Severus told him.
“Not at all,” Harry said with a smile. “I found something too,” he held out the journal he had found.”
Severus took it and opened it, “Iolanthe Potter,” he murmured. “She was Iolanthe Peverell until she married and she was a potions genius. Many of her discoveries led to life-saving potions being developed. This seems to be her research journal,” the Potions Master told him.
“Do you like it?” Harry asked cautiously.
“It’s wonderful Harry, an incredible find, I would like to borrow it sometime,” Severus said holding the book reverently.
“Well, I thought it could be your next courting gift,” Harry told him. “We are supposed to give something that symbolises our family, right?” he asked.
Severus looked surprised “Yes, it is but this…Harry, I have nothing that could match this gift.”
Harry opened his mouth to say it made no difference to him if Severus liked the journal that was all he cared about when a noise from the door drew both their attentions.
“Pardon me Lord Prince, I did not mean to eavesdrop, but have you looked in the Prince Vaults? You would certainly find something the equal of the young heir’s gift in there,” Griphook said bowing his head.
Harry looked vindicated “There you are Sev, find me something in the Prince vault and keep the journal,” he said easily.
Lord Prince inclined his head to Griphook, he was still getting used to the idea of being Lord and having a family vault. “Thank you Griphook, I had not thought of that but I will do so,” then he returned his attention to Harry. “You will need to hold onto this until the correct time. I believe Narcissa is planning a family dinner. Would you like to accompany me to the Prince Vault?”
“I would Lord Prince,” Harry said with a grin.
They turned their attention to the search for amulets and eventually, they located the three items listed on the parchment Brindleby had given him. Harry looked over the items and chose a silver gentleman's signet ring which was set with a large deep green emerald. Severus explained that the colour would grow lighter in the presence of potions or poisons in his food. Harry slipped it on his left index finger and they headed to the Peverell vault where Harry found a goblin-forged silver armband engraved with protection runes and studded with onyx and aquamarines to protect against unfriendly spells and to help with insight and clear thought.
In the Prince Vault, they found several more treasures. Severus found more potion journals these ones were written by Agatha Prince. A renowned Potions Master of her time her work led to many advancements in treatments for mind injuries, and to the development of potions for depression; however the bulk of her work was thought to have been lost.
Harry found an obsidian scrying mirror that intrigued him, he had never seen such a thing but he felt a jolt when he saw it and picked it up. Severus raised an eyebrow and Harry shrugged. “I am not even sure what it is but I…I can’t explain it I am drawn to it,” Harry said reluctantly.
Severus took the mirror and cast several detection spells before he called Griphook over for his opinion. When Griphook had declared the item safe Severus offered it back to Harry.
“It is a scrying mirror, scrying is a form of divination. There are those who insist divination can be taught but in reality, you must have a gift for it. Your mother had the gift. If this speaks to you then perhaps you have it too,” Severus told him softly.
“I will give this to you as a courting gift if you would like it, on the condition we find a good book on scrying for you to learn the art and you never show this to Professor Trelawney,” he said, his nose inadvertently wrinkling at the mention of the Divination Professor, who Severus considered to be a charlatan.
Harry agreed and they then searched the vault for a book to go with the mirror which they found in the back of the vault. Severus discovered much to his surprise that his great-grandmother had been a seer and a fairly reputable one.
One wild cart ride later they found themselves back in the reception room. Harry called his elf, Dobby, to come and collect the treasures they had removed from their vaults. The over-enthusiastic elf was thrilled to be called and happily took everything back to the Manor. It was a quiet day in the Ally, perhaps because of the heat. Severus who was almost unrecognisable in his linen trousers and shirt conjured sunglasses and a panama hat as they walked through the alley. It was almost lunch time so they stopped for a light lunch in a small tea shop. Harry was expected at the Ministry to meet with Amelia Bones regarding the way he was treated by his relatives. He was beginning to feel nervous and he struggled to eat his sandwich.
Severus of course noticed and he cast a privacy spell. “There is nothing to worry about Harry, All you need to do is listen to the advice of your lawyer and tell the truth,” he soothed.
Harry rolled his eyes “People will send letters when they find out,” he said with a resigned sigh. “I don't even know if I want to do anything about them. They were horrible and I hate them but I don't ever have to see them again and I just want to forget about them,” he confided.
“I can understand that Harry, and if that is what you want you should tell your lawyer. However you should consider that what they did was against the law,” Severus told him.
Harry shrugged his shoulders “I know, I just don't want to have to stand in court and tell people what they did to me. I don’t want to have to explain myself and I don’t want some lawyer trying to trip me up and make me say the wrong thing,” he said hesitantly.
“Talk to your lawyer and to your father Harry, let them know, your worries” he encouraged. “I will always support you no matter what you choose but your relatives hurt you and they should not get away with it,” Severus told him.
Harry nodded and drank his juice.
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They entered the ministry five minutes before Harry’s appointment, Severus had cut it as fine as he could to avoid Harry having to wait in the in the atrium. They approached the reception desk and were directed to Madam Bones’ office on the third floor. They attracted some attention from curious bystanders all keen to get a look at Harry Potter and maybe learn something about the rumoured investigation into Harry’s childhood. Severus put his hand on Harry’s shoulder and guided him to their destination where they found Lucius and Counsellor Margarite Saari waiting for them.
Severus greeted Lucius and farewelled Harry, he then made himself scarce. The Headmaster had eyes everywhere and Severus was sure someone would report his presence at the Ministry to him. It was essential he be able to tell Dumbledore he had simply escorted Harry to the Ministry to meet Lucius and his lawyer.
The meeting was not as long or as difficult as Harry had feared. Madam Bones explained the process of the investigation outlining everything that would be required of Harry. He was intrigued to find out that he would only be required to give his memories to her and that the memories would be taken from his head and placed in a glass phial. The memories would be viewed by Amelia and her hand-picked team which would include; someone from the Department of Child and Family Welfare, an Unspeakable specialising in the use of memories and an auror. If the memories Harry provided proved to be enough to open an investigation then Essie would be contacted and asked to come to Gringotts. Amelia would then call for a judgement of Essie’s contract with Albus Dumbledore. If the contract was judged to be invalid or unjust then Essie would be asked to provide further evidence. The team would then consider her evidence and make a plan for further investigation or they would go ahead and lay charges.
Amelia did caution Luicus that unless the memories showed Dumbledore seeing or speaking of the abuse, they would not be enough to put him in jail. It would however bring his actions with regard to Harry into question and could be used as a base for further investigations. In particular with regard to the Potter’s wills and Harry's placement with the Dursleys.
Harry was happy with the way things would be handled and he agreed to give Madam Bones a selection of memories these were removed by Unspeakable Levi Stanley who was called in once Harry had agreed.
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Lucius guided Harry out of Amelia’s office and down to his own office in the legal department so they could talk about the next meeting with the Minister. Harry was not entirely pleased with the idea of meeting Fudge he thought it was a waste of time and Lucius could see he was not happy.
“Harry, you are under no obligation to meet with the Minister,” Lucius told his son. I will make your excuses and I will take you back to Severus, if you would prefer.”
Harry frowned. It was tempting to just leave, he would much rather spend time with his betrothed. “I know. Why does he want to meet me?” Harry asked.
“He is hoping you will publicly offer your support to the Ministry and the Muggle Protection Act, he believes you will support it because of the letters that have previously been presented in your name,” Lucius said neutrally.
“Oh, so he thinks I will support it,” Harry mused.
“He does,” Margarite spoke for the first time. “Harry, if you are not willing to support the Ministry then I would suggest telling the Minister that you have no knowledge of the previous letters. That you know nothing about the workings of the Wizengamot and you would not have been able to write the letters due to you being so young when they were allegedly written,” Margarite told him.
“Should I mention Miss Daniels?” he asked.
“You could, I will stop you if I think you are going to say too much,” the lawyer told him.
Harry nodded. “All he knows about me is what Dumbledore has told him right?” Harry asked setting his jaw.
“Yes, I imagine that is true,” Lucius said carefully.
“Well then, I can’t let him down now can I?” Harry replied with an innocent smile, which neither adult believed. Lucius shuddered there was absolutely no doubt in his mind Harry Potter had been sorted into the right house.
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Harry walked into Cornelius Fudge's office wide-eyed and curious, he looked around at everything and took it in like a child visiting the Zoo for the first time.
“Mr Potter, welcome, welcome, I see you have some people with you,” Fudge said with an edge of annoyance.
“Yes sir, I have my dad Lucius Malfoy and this is Counsellor Margarite Saari, my lawyer. She is helping me with the investigation into my relatives, she said I shouldn’t say anything without her present,” Harry said lowering his voice as if he was sharing confidences.
“I see. Well, take a seat all of you,” Fudge seemed irritated, and Harry smiled.
“I asked Lucius to bring you here so you could see for yourself how things work here. I know you have been taught everything about the Wizengamot and our Wizarding system of government so I thought you might like a tour and then we can chat about recent legislation. Perhaps would you like some tea first?” the Minister asked with a smile.
Fudge spoke genially as if he were addressing a contemporary and Harry had to smother his smile this was going to be too easy.
Harry allowed his mouth to drop open in a way that would have horrified Narcissa and made Severus roll his eyes. He sunk down in his seat and looked for all the world like a deer caught in headlights. “I am sorry Mr Fudge, but I have no idea about the Wizengamot. My Aunt and Uncle are muggles and they didn’t even tell me I was a wizard. I didn’t know anything about the Wizarding World until Hagrid came and collected me to get my school books last year. Dad said he would teach me about the Wizengamot but we haven’t started the lessons yet. He said we would start closer to when I get my Heirship ring at sixteen,” Harry told him.
Lucius almost choked on the snort of laughter that bubbled up at the sheer audacity of Harry’s performance. Margarite glared at him but he could see amusement in the stern woman’s eyes, she was very impressed with her young client.
Fudge turned red then purple as he splutted. “But…but the letters, Mr Potter. You wrote letters to the Daily Prophet and to the Wizengamot in support of the bills…Dumbledore read them out,” Fudge blustered.
“I am sorry, but I don’t know anything about any letters, was this recently?” Harry asked.
“Well no, it was a few years ago your first letter was about the Werewolf Control Act in 1986. I think the most recent was two years ago about the Creature Protection Regulations,” Fudge told him.
A worried frown creased Harry’s forehead. “I never wrote any such letters Minister. In 1986 I would have been five or six. I didn’t even have Miss Daniels helping me at school then so I would not have been able to write much of a letter. She didn’t come until I was…seven.” Harry said scrunching up his nose like he was trying to remember something. “The start of year two I think. She helped me a lot with my reading and writing and she gave me lots of other things like food and clothes…”
“Harry,” Margarite interjected in a warning tone, as Harry had known she would at that point. “You mustn’t say any more about school until Madam Bones has decided on the next course of action for her investigation,” she said in her no-nonsense tone.
Harry shrank back again. “Sorry, Miss Saari,” he said to the lawyer.
The blonde woman turned her ice-blue eyes on the Minister. “You know better than that Minister Fudge. I will not allow you to exploit my client's naivety and trick information out of him before the investigation is completed and presented to the Wizengamot,” she told him in a harsh tone.
Cornelius Fudge sank back into his chair, he had no idea what was going on but either Dumbledore had lied or Harry Potter was one hell of an actor and was being coached by Lucius. He thought hard about his next move, he needed to keep the boy talking he could not be that good of an actor. If he really knew the things Fudge was sure he did know it would come out, he just had to keep the conversation going long enough.
Harry turned back to Fudge. “I would love to learn about the Wizengamot though Minister, if you have time to teach me, sir,” he said earnestly.
“Perhaps a spot of tea then, and we can talk about how things work hmm?” he said with a forced smile.
It did not take long for Harry to convince Fudge to give him the Wizengamot for dummies run down. He listened to the explanation and asked questions which seemed to indicate the boy really did not have any knowledge at all about the Wizengamot. Three hours later Fudge sat back red-faced and exhausted and watched as Harry left with his father and lawyer. As they exited the office Cornelius heard him asking Lucius questions about the Muggle Protection Act which made Fudge’s blood boil. Dumbledore had lied to him and to the whole Wizarding World.
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Margarite Saari arrived back at her office later that afternoon still smiling in amusement at Harry Potter’s antics. Lucius had warned her about Harry but she had not truly appreciated the boy's ability to play to his audience until she had seen him in action.
Margarite was relatively new to Britain; she had not attended Hogwarts; she had been born in Finland and as such attended Durmstrang. Her mother was a witch who worked as a doctor in a muggle hospital, her father was a squib and a geologist working at the University of Helsinki, that was how she had come by her unusual name.
Margarite had studied Muggle Law in her home town of Helsinki when she finished her schooling and had become involved in Wizarding Britain when she read for her Magister Juris at Oxford. Margarite had made a name for herself in the Muggle world but had only very recently crossed into working in the Wizarding World.
Studying the law and working as a lawyer was a relatively new concept for the magical world. Traditionally Lords were the only ones given any legal training. It was part of their Lordship education and only covered enough about Wizarding Laws to enable them to sit on the Wizengamot. People accused of a crime had to rely on friends or family to help them mount a defence. Durmstrang taught elective courses on the law but Hogwart had not taught Wizard Law in many years not since Albus Dumbledore had become Headmaster.
Margarite had opened a small law practice in London after she graduated from Oxford. She met Lucius Malfoy through her friend Saoirse Greengrass, who had introduced her when she needed help establishing herself in Wizarding Britain. Her Law Practice had taken off in recent years and Margarite had many Muggle clients but Harry Potter was only her third Wizarding client Essie Daniels was her fourth.
Naturally, she had heard of the boy who lived. She had read the stories written about him and she remembered seeing those letters published in The Daily Prophet when she was studying at Oxford. Margarite had been wary of taking on Harry Potter as a client but there was no doubt in her mind the boy needed a good lawyer. His poise and seriousness in the meeting with Amelia Bones reassured her that she had made a good decision, Harry was not an average child and he had shown today that he was willing to take her advice. His performance for Cornelius Fudge had been icing on the cake, the boy was smart and he was learning quickly how to play the cards he had been dealt.
Margarite had been very impressed and very entertained. She smiled as sat down at her desk, Harry Potter would be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come she had no doubt. The lawyer opened her laptop and began work on her address to Wizengamot on Harry’s behalf. She knew she would have to work quickly now to be sure she was well prepared. Madam Bones had indicated she would move as fast as possible on this investigation and when the things she had learned today came out publicly, all hell would break loose. Harry would find himself in the middle of a three ringed circus and he would need his lawyer to be prepared.
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Harry Potter sat in his bedroom at Malfoy Manor holding the diary he had taken out of the box of Dark Artefacts Lucius had asked him to store in his vault. He was not certain why he had pocketed the diary but he did know Severus would be furious with him for keeping it. The book just called to him somehow and he was not sure why or how.
There was nothing written in it, there had been a name on the first page but it was water-damaged and Harry couldn't quite make it out. He raised his wand and cast a clarification spell the watermark receded and a name appeared written in the watered-down ink,
Diary of T.M. Riddle
Harry’s blood ran cold and he dropped the diary.
Merlin, Mordred and Morgana! He was in trouble.
Lucius, Narcissa and Severus were all going to kill him.