They Reap What They Sow
October 3rd, 1989
Harry opened his eyes to the early morning light streaming in the window. For a moment Harry didn't know where he was exactly. The events of yesterday came crashing back into his mind. A whimper left his painfully dry throat. Movement under his cheek startled him. He found his glasses on the nightstand. Peering down at his arm where he'd had his face pillowed was Loki. His head was curled into his little body. Little paws were curled in, and his tail was lazily curled around a foot.
Harry smiled at his little friend, remembering the comfort he'd given Harry last night. Though what surprised Harry the most was that Loki was still there. As distressed as he was Loki could've escaped. Yet there he was with Harry all night long. He'd have to do something nice for Loki later. Carefully Harry moved off the bed and glanced back. Loki hadn't moved an inch from where he was laying. He went to the bathroom and washed his face off. The cold water woke him up further as he dried his face. Frowning Harry went to the nightstand to get Percival's box.
Biting his lip Harry brought it over to a small table with two chairs. It was in the corner by the window and had a menu on it. Harry didn't really feel like eating at the moment. But he missed dinner the night before. Harry decided on toast and eggs, he even ordered for Loki. They had a garden salad without cheese, onions, and croutons. He didn't think Loki would eat those anyway. Now that he was inside the magical world. Harry really needed to get some pet care books. It would be nice if he knew how to care for Loki properly. He was pretty sure that nobody else ordered salads to feed their Nifflers. After some hesitation Harry activated the box.
It wasn't that he didn't want to see Percival. But he knew what Percival would want to talk about what happened.
"Harry...are you okay? Where's Loki?" Percival asked.
"I'm...okay, I guess. Loki's actually still sleeping on the bed." Harry replied.
He jumped a little when a creature appeared in his room. It had big eyes and floppy ears and it was slightly taller than a goblin.
"It's okay Harry it's only a house-elf. They're generally friendly and most wizards and witches have them. Not all mind you, they cook and clean. But they can also look after children. " Percival said.
The house-elf merely sat the tray down on the table and disappeared.
"So they work for wizards like a job?" Harry asked, curiously.
"No, I've never heard of anyone paying them for their work. " Percival admitted.
"But that's just out right slavery!" Harry cried.
Those poor little creatures.
"House-elves need to be bonded to wizards or their families. The magic that they use comes from the bond they share together. Without a bond the life expectancy for a house-elf is incredibly low. Plus, they are proud creatures. Even if you offered them money, they probably wouldn't take it." Percival informed.
Harry frowned unhappily. It still didn't seem right but if they needed to do it to survive. If anyone understood survival it was Harry. So, he'd let it go as he had no desire to kill a race of magical creatures in the name of freedom. After covering his toast in blackberry jam, he chewed off a corner slowly.
"Have you thought more on your meeting later?" Percival asked.
"I have thought a bit more about it. And I think that I'm still going to go through with it." Harry replied.
Finishing his toast he sipped at his tea.
"I just want to make sure this is something you want. And that you're a hundred percent sure about it. You can't ever take this back it will be irreversible." Percival said, warningly.
Harry looked at his concerned face and nodded.
"I don't know why they abandoned me that night. But no excuse could ever be good enough Percival! Not after everything I've been through because of it. Plus, they would still have legal sway over me. And I don't want those people in charge of me! How would I be able to trust them? I can't trust in people who thought Dumbledore and the Dursley's were a good idea. And even if they didn't know where I ended up. Dumbledore was still in charge of me, and they obviously trusted him. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt in this. But I'm not at a place right now where I can handle it. I've been rejected my whole life Percival. It was just easier to think they were dead." Harry replied, mournfully.
There were times Vernon had been really angry. Times when he'd been hurt so bad Harry had wished for death. Because if he'd died, then he'd get to see his parents again. But that had been when Harry had thought them dead. When he'd still believed they might actually love him. Now Harry wasn't sure what to believe or feel about them. The most prominent emotion was anger followed by sadness. It was two more people that didn't want him.
"Oh, Harry I wish I knew what to say. But I really have no frame of reference for this situation. Loki and I are here for you Harry." Percival said.
Harry smiled weakly as he sipped his tea. A squeak sounded from the side, looking over Harry saw Loki. Loki did a full body stretch and jumped off the bed. His little claws clicked on the wood floor. He made a running jump at Harry's pant leg. Loki climbed all the way up onto his lap. Loki stood on his hind paws looking at Harry questioningly. Percival chuckled at him.
"I'm okay Loki I promise." Harry said, smiling.
Loki blinked then turned and jumped on the tabletop. His snout snuffling around until he hit the dish with his salad. He jumped in and disappeared under the greens. His head popped out a second later. A cucumber slice was victoriously held up. Percival chuckled at Loki's antics. Harry finished a half slice of toast before pushing the plate away. He couldn't eat anymore even if he tried.
"Do you think it'll hurt Percival?" Harry asked, uncertainly.
"Possibly it's hard to say as I've never known anyone whose gone through it." Percival replied.
Harry studied his face carefully. Burping sounded from the bowl next to them. Loki was laying on his back his stomach was huge as he halfheartedly bit a spinach leaf.
"Are you done? I have to leave soon to go to Gringotts." Harry said.
He looked at Loki pointedly. Loki upended the bowl getting out of it and landing on his tail. Harry grinned as he scooped Loki up patting his head affectionately. After giving him to Percival, Harry shut the box and tucked it away. After a quick shower and a change of Dudley's clothes. Harry left the room his head down and face shadowed from his hat. After talking to Tom and paying for a few more nights. Harry was off into the brisk barely morning light. It was still mostly dark save for a sliver of red in the sky. The Alley was quiet with next to nobody in it. Most of the shops were still closed. Well, except for Ollivander's and Madame Malkin's their store fronts were lit up.
Either way it was nice to see the Alley without all the people. He saw store's and side Alley's Harry hadn't seen yesterday. The crush of the crowds had been dense and had made Harry uncomfortable. Gringotts loomed before him in the darken street. The streetlamps did next to nothing to dispel the shadows hanging off the bank. Biting his lip, he hesitated for a moment before climbing the stairs. Who puts this many bloody stairs on a building? After reaching the top Harry huffed before passing the goblins at the door. He talked to one of the tellers. Harry was unceremoniously led back to Goldaxe's office.
Harry took his seat in a plush armchair and waited. Goldaxe came in holding a large mug with a reddish brown liquid in it.
"Well, if it isn't the little lord. I had wondered if you'd show up at all. Given your circumstances when we spoke last." Goldaxe replied.
"I did think about it for a time. And I can honestly say my feelings haven't changed on the matter. For whatever pitiful excuse they have for abandoning me it wasn't a good choice. They entrusted me to a man who never checked on me. He left me in a place where I was physically hurt as well as verbally and emotionally harmed. And let's not forget that they barely remembered to feed me. Right now, they are out there living their lives without me. The goal of any lord is to pass their legacy down to their child. Well, I think the best way to tell my parents exactly how I feel. Is to take myself fully out of the equation. I'm abandoning them the way they so carelessly did to me." Harry said, angrily.
Goldaxe gave Harry an appraising look before grinning viciously.
"You're an interesting little human. I find myself respecting you more for your choice. Usually kids your age are sniveling little brats. The mere thought of going against their parents would be enough to make them piss themselves. But you have a fire in your soul...I like you kid." Goldaxe said.
Harry smiled at him as Goldaxe finished his drink. Harry took out the Potter portfolio as well as the folder from his Aunt's house.
"Now I might be leaving the Potter family but I will do them a small favor. In that folder is a series of bank statements. At the first of every month money from an account was deposited into my Aunt's account. If it's a form of 'care money' you should know none of it was used on me. I've worn my cousin's rags my entire life. I've never had anything new and lived in the cupboard under their stairs. I hate my relatives more so than my so called parents. I think this payment needs to stop immediately." Harry said.
He wasn't doing his parents a favor. Not by a long shot, no he just didn't want Petunia to have it. She'd used enough of his family money for her own selfishness. Not that it would be his money for much longer. But still if was the best revenge he could think of. Sure, he could always let it continue. As a form of revenge against his parents. But he wasn't going to, the amount was probably negligible to the Potters. He was already taking away their heir by removing himself. No, this was all another way to get back at the Dursley's.
"As you say though if it were me, I'd just let it continue. But then I'm rather vindictive and you aren't me little lord. You mentioned a need to change your name last time. That is a very smart thing to do. You are famous in our world Harry; everyone knows your name. Names like blood have power in our world little lord. There are those who would seek to trap you. Those who would like to trap you into contracts against your will. Spells, potions, contracts, hell even family wards can be manipulated to your detriment. By changing your name any current contracts will become void. Anything keyed to your person, blood, or hair will become void. It will be as if Harry James Potter died, you won't even appear on the Potter family tree. Even in death family members remain on the tree. Your name will simply vanish all together with magic's blessing. Most lords have two names anyway one that everyone knows and one for contracts. Have you given any thought to what you'd like to change it to?" Goldaxe asked.
A few names had swirled through Harry's head. He'd considered a few different variations during breakfast.
"Valerian Harrison Slytherin Peverell."
Goldaxe's eyebrows rose in interest.
"Obviously I'm going to leave the Slytherin part out. There's only one living descendant of Slytherin besides myself. And Tom Riddle or Voldemort isn't going to rat me out. He's looking for Harry Potter not some random kid that laid claim to Slytherin. He'll go hunting for a ghost first and I will be nothing but an inconvenience at best. Harrison is just in case I accidently answer to Harry. I can claim it as a nickname because I'm not overly fond of my first name. You said to have two names one that everyone will know. And one that's used for magically binding things and contracts. So, Valerian Peverell for normal and Valerian Harrison Slytherin Peverell for my second. Nobody will ever come close to guessing my choice in name. I couldn't use Black because they have living descendants. Most of them are in prison but there is an older Black who is free from prison. I have zero desire to be entangled in that family at the moment." Harry said, logically.
It was true Harry had skimmed the Black portfolio. It wasn't the same as a Lord's portfolio which detailed everything family related. No if Harry had to guess he'd say it was an heir portfolio. It had a family tree, a list of living relatives, a brief overview of the Black finances, and a list of properties. Compared to the Peverell portfolio it was downright skinny.
"Ah, so you don't wish to claim anything from the Blacks?" Goldaxe asked.
"If I did accept an heirship to the Black family, they would be aware of me. I want to completely vanish off the radar. I don't want the current Black lord to know anything about me. I will keep the Black family magic as well as the Peverell. But that's as far as I want to go into their family. I am interested in trying to help my godfather. But I haven't determined if I want him in my life just yet. I mean what if he forgives my parents? He could blab to them about me, and I'm not interested in reconciliation. Maybe someday I will talk to them and get the full story. But I want to be more secure in who I am. I want to be separate and independent something that won't happen with them." Harry replied, thoughtfully.
Part of Harry was afraid that he'd lose himself with them. He was who he was because of the life they left him to lead. Harry felt like he'd be surrendering himself and allowing them to change him. He might only be nine, but Harry wasn't foolish enough to believe that change wouldn't happen. And he was suspicious of what Dumbledore had to do with it all. The man obviously had great sway with his parents. He didn't have to know the man to know he was manipulative. Dumbledore had practically guilt tripped his aunt into keeping him. So, for now his parents and godfather were persona non grata. Harry wanted to also get more knowledge about the magical world's laws. If he couldn't stand on his own, then they would walk all over him. And Harry was tired of people walking on him. The Dursley's had done that more than enough.
"Alright little lord take out that wand you have on your person. I can tell it's not yours, but it will work just fine for this purpose." Goldaxe instructed.
Harry nodded slipping Percival's wand out of his sleeve.
"Now I'm going to say something and you're going to repeat it afterwards, okay?" Goldaxe asked.
Harry nodded focusing on Goldaxe.
"I Harold James Potter ask for magic's blessing to change my birthed named. I ask for mother magic's blessing to change my birthed name to Valerian Harrison Slytherin Peverell. So that I may bare that name until the day of my death. By Lady Hecate so mote it be." Goldaxe intoned.
The tip of the wand glowed in his hand. Harry repeated everything Goldaxe had said.
The wand glowed impossibly brighter as warmth spread through his body. It was in that moment he heard the whisper again.
"Ah, they truly won't see this coming. My devious little master."
Harry shook his head as he looked around the office. Nobody was there except for Goldaxe and himself. Harry had left Percival's box back in his room. A shiver went down his spine as a phantom chuckle sounded.
"Good, the magic has taken effect, and Hecate has accepted your change of name. Now we have other matters to discuss today. You have several medical issues as well as the Horcrux. You also haven't had any of your magical inoculations. If you're still planning on denouncing your Potter blood. I propose doing it all in one go. We would deal with as much of your medical issues first. Then move on to the disownment followed by dealing with the parasite. The disownment will be incredibly painful to point of leaving you unconscious. Which given the pain levels this would be for the best. The parasite might try to fight back using pain as its primary form of attack. Since you'll be unconscious you won't be feeling it as bad. The good news is the Horcrux is at most 1-2% of foreign soul. It's not strong enough to take your body. I personally believe that some of your magic has been keeping it in check. Even a weak soul piece should've been able to siphon some magic to grow stronger. It hasn't so that's good news for us." Goldaxe said.
Painful...Harry had experienced varying kinds of pain his whole life. Soul...how strange it was to think that he had a small piece of someone else's. Harry nodded at Goldaxe, he reminded himself that this was his choice. For the first time in his life Harry had a choice. This was his life damn it!
He wasn't responsible for the rest of the world. Where were they when Harry needed a hero? Where were they when his stomach ached without food? Where were they when Harry was bruised and battered? Nobody saved Harry...nobody but a strange man in a magic box and a niffler. All the same everyone had failed him in more ways than one. He was a child, and no child should know what war is. And for what exactly? What was this war even being fought for? Especially since this Voldemort was incapacitated. What if this second war never happened in Harry's lifetime? No, if Harry has learned anything at all. It's that nothing is set in stone, that 'fate' can be changed. Harry had thought that he'd never leave the prison that was the Dursley's. And now Harry was free...as far as Harry was concerned that prophecy means nothing.
"Alright little lord follow me and stay close. We have to go deeper down into the tunnel system. You will get lost if you don't stick close to me. We will discuss the necessary fees when you awaken. I wish you luck little human. I have a feeling you'll make things interesting in the near future." Goldaxe said.
Harry followed Goldaxe behind his desk to the other door. Huge, caverned walls came up on either side as stairs descended to darkness. While the darkness didn't bother him...the unknown was different. Harry had never been here and had no expectations of what would be there. They came to a huge open room that was a hub or nexus point. Several tunnels branched out along the walls. Goblins were everywhere! Some were dressed in little suits like Goldaxe. While others were in armor or wearing robes. None of them even glanced in their direction. He followed Goldaxe through one of the side tunnels. And after several winding turns Goldaxe stopped to rap on a large wooden door. The plaque next to the door was written in a strange language. Percival had said that the goblins spoke Gobbledygook. Harry seriously doubted that that was what the language was actually called. He couldn't picture the goblins naming their language that. Goldaxe started speaking to another goblin. This one was a girl??? Maybe? This goblin definitely looked different from the others. "Her" face was softer and there was actual hair on her head.
"Lord Peverell, assistant healer Legoritha, I will be overseeing your general healing. Then Master healer Raynor will oversee the rest. This is where I leave you little lord, come see me when you awaken." Goldaxe said.
Goldaxe left him with Legoritha and disappeared into the darkened tunnel.
"Follow me." Legoritha said, curtly.
After passing what was clearly a waiting area they came to a hallway. Several wooden doors lined each side of the hall. After passing the first three Legoritha led him into the fourth. She motioned for Harry to sit in a chair. Harry took the moment to look around the room. The walls had shelves of jarred...ingredients?? There were powders, plants, and body parts???? Yup, that one definitely had eyeballs in it. His stomach roiled at the sight...eyeballs. What the heck were those used for? The walls also had charts and posters up. They seemed to detail goblin and human anatomy. At least that's what he gathered from the pictures. The writing was clearly in the goblin language.
Legoritha returned to the room with a tray full of needles, potions, and a strange stone. It was smooth and blue in color...almost aquamarine in color. And it was roughly the size of Harry's fist. Legoritha noticed him looking at the stone curiously.
"Our kind doesn't use wands instead we have to find Foci Stones. Mine is an Aquamarine stone, the muggles classify it as a birthstone. But many of the gemstones have other uses besides looking pretty in jewelry. For that reason, it is a wasted resource on muggles and wizards. Aquamarine stones are best used for healing. Which is why many goblin healers have them. It works best for cleansing as well. It also brings about calmness and peace to those who receive its healing. We sell the imperfect or damaged stones to the muggles. They then in turn sell them for outrageous prices, or at least outrageous because the stones are flawed. Not that they know the difference really. They don't have keen enough eyes. Nor do they know what magical properties they possess." Legoritha said, watching Harry carefully.
Percival had mentioned Foci before but had never told him about them. Not that that was Percival's fault or anything. Harry just hadn't asked about it yet. The question always slipped from his mind. There was so many more interesting things Harry wanted ask Percival. Most of what Harry knew so far was about magical creatures. Percival would tell him about them on the bad nights. After his uncle had been less than nice to him. It had gotten better and less frequent once Percival started teaching him how to act. But in the beginning of their friendship, it had been extremely comforting. Learning about all the fantastical beasts that Harry had thought were fairy tales. Made him even more excited to join the magical community.
Legoritha moved closer to Harry.
"We realized that you didn't have any of the muggle inoculations either. So, I'm going to heal you first, then do the potions and inoculations. Afterwards Healer Raynor will come and take you to do the next step." Legoritha said, gently.
Harry nodded, offering his arm unsurely. Legoritha clutched the Foci stone in her left hand. It glowed with an eerily beautiful light that was calming. Her right hand skimmed over various parts of his body. He heard her curse multiple times. Her face became pinched as she hovered her hand just in front of Harry's face.
"It seems that we will have to do extra work while you are unconscious. Many of your bones are broken and healed wrong. You must have a very high tolerance for pain child. We will banish and regrow your bones. But you'll have to take a potion's regimen for your bones. You have what the muggles call Rickets; it means your bones are brittle. Your body is also lacking many of the essential vitamins that you need. More than likely a side effect from the malnourishment. Your eyesight is also atrocious it's a miracle you aren't blind! It's pretty common for Potter's to need glasses. But the ones your wearing are clearly not the correct prescription. On top of that I sensed that you may have had head injuries in the past. As I said it's lucky the damage to your eyes isn't permanent. We do have an eyesight repair potion; it is expensive but worth it. If your disownment of Potter blood doesn't clear it up, we will talk about getting it." Legoritha said.
Harry nodded knowing that she was right. His Aunt had gotten his glasses out of a church donation box. He'd had headaches in the past when he'd first started wearing them. Now Harry didn't even notice it anymore. But he was pretty 'blind' without his glasses. His sight was really, blurry and he couldn't distinguish shapes very good. Not that it was much better with them on. But at least Harry had been able to read. Albeit with a lot of squinting on Harry's part. Knowing that a simple potion could fix the damage was amazing! Harry flinched as Legoritha started with the muggle injections. Then she started handing him the potions. One by one Harry drank them...they were gross! Did all potions taste like that? If so, Harry wasn't looking forward to taking more.
"Okay we are all done I'm going to take you to one of the private resting rooms. I need to talk to Healer Raynor before he sees you." Legoritha said, gently directing Harry.
Harry nodded rubbing his arm that had been used as a pin cushion. A few doors down Legoritha gestured for him to go inside. The room was sparsely decorated with only a bed and a bedside table. Another door in the rear of the room led to a bathroom.
"There is a robe folded on the end of the bed. It will be a little big on you but you need to change into it. You can store your clothes in the nightstand drawer. Everything has to come off even your glasses. But the glasses can wait until after Healer Raynor is done with you." Legoritha said.
She left the room the door shutting quietly behind her. Feeling a little uncomfortable Harry looked at the robe. He noticed that there were pajamas underneath the robe. Harry stripped quickly and changed. His glasses and Percival's wand were on the bed. After straightening out the robe over his pajamas he slipped his glasses back on. He had just enough time to fold his clothes up and put them in the drawer. A goblin walked into his room his white robe trailed behind him. He was obviously an older goblin.
"Lord Peverell, Legoritha has given me a summary of your healing so far. Did she mention that we will have to banish and regrow your bones?" Healer Raynor asked.
Harry nodded in affirmative. It honestly sounded horrible. How did one regrow bones?
"Well, that's good but it will delay your bedrest for another day or so. We are going to keep you in a magically induced coma. Where we will heal your body as much as possible. Also given the number of inoculations you just had. We're expecting you to either have a bad fever or just be sick. So, it will be for the best in the long run. Do you have any outside affairs to deal with before we begin?" Healer Raynor asked.
"No, I already paid for another week at the Leaky Cauldron. And nobody will miss me, so I'm not worried about anything." Harry replied, quickly.
Other than Percival and Loki he had no one. Time seemed to flow strangely inside the trinket box. So, Percival wouldn't notice that Harry was gone for days. So long as Loki was within the box he didn't need to eat.
"Good, we will start with the disownment. It's best if you climb in bed as your body will give out during the process. Once you're comfortable I need you to hold your wand. And repeat these words: I Lord Valerian Harrison Slytherin Peverell disavow the Potter blood and magic. So, mote it be." Raynor intoned.
Harry peeled back the covers and got into the bed. It was single handedly the softest thing Harry had ever laid on. After pulling the covers up and making sure the pillows would catch his head. Harry took off his glasses sitting them on the side table. Harry repeated what Raynor had said as the wand glowed an ominous red color. At first Harry didn't feel anything at all.
Until a scream was ripped from his throat. Pain unlike anything he'd ever felt before spread throughout his body. His vision blurred even more as a sob was ripped out of his throat. Darkness tinged the edges of his vision.
Hogwarts Headmaster's Office
Had one Albus Dumbledore been in his office he would've panicked. Every one of his strange whirling metal devices broke. Some were scorched and other were melted. But all of the devices had been keyed to one Harry James Potter. A small floating orb that monitored 4 Privet Drives wards had shattered. An alarm blared but there was no one there to silence them. Fawkes trilled in approval knowing the child wasn't dead.
He then disappeared leaving some very annoyed portraits behind.
In another tower the Hogwarts Admittance Book glowed. An enchanted quill crossed out Harry James Potter from the 1991 admittance list.