Chapter 2
Stepping out of the bank Harry realized it was late afternoon and the Alley was much busier than earlier. Using his metamorphmagus ability he successfully hid his famous scar, very glad the horcrux in it fully merged with himself allowing it to be manipulated. He figured his new look would keep him from being recognized so didn’t bother to change anything else.
He had his old black leather satchel that had an undetectable expansion and featherweight charms on it. He had his estates files, books, journals, wand holster, some heirlooms, and even Harrison’s wand from his vaults inside, along with his money pouch.
Deciding clothes were needed first he headed to Twilfitt and Tattings, having shopped there as Harrison Garlot. As he headed there, he saw a picture of himself on the Daily Prophet. They were calling him a liar and an attention seeker for saying Voldemort was back. Surprisingly they were attacking Dumbledore too.
Causally he tuned in to the crowds of people as he walked, listening to what they were saying. Most were talking about random everyday things, while the rest gossiped about his supposed sanity, or lack thereof.
‘Sheep.’ Harry thought. Oh well, whether they believed him or not, was not his problem.
Walking into Twilfitt and Tattings, Harry was at first looked down on before he flashed his Garlot Lordship ring. Though they didn’t recognize it as Garlot, they did recognize it as a lord ring. Harry ordered a full wardrobe which included casual robes, formal/dress robes, trousers, shirts, underwear, outer cloaks, sleepwear, and footwear. He requested it be owl delivered to Garlot Manner, Somerset. After paying with his Garlot ring he walked out in a new outfit. He wore black slacks with a dark blue silk shirt, a casual black over top and black dragonhide boots to finish the look. For the first time in this life, Harry looked like the rich pureblood he was.
Since Twilfitt and Tattings didn’t do school robes, Harry slipped into Madam Malkin's to order 3 new pairs. He decided he would add growing charms to them. Though he did get a couple more inches in height from the health ritual, he was hopeful he would get a bit more of a growth spurt.
Next, he went to Flourish and Blotts to get some more books. Grabbing books in History {in order to see what he missed and what is to be currently believed}, Politics, Laws, Potions, Healing and other topics that caught his eye. Harry even talked to the cashier to get last year's books for 5th, 6th, and 7th years in every subject. While he did know they were subject to change, he wanted to see how different they were compared to in his past lives. Putting the shrunken books in his satchel he left.
Harry went to Classics Trunks & Junks to buy a new trunk. He got one with 7 compartments, consisting of a library, wardrobe, quidditch gear, cold storage {like a fridge} with stasis charm, potions/ingredients storage, school/stationery supplies, and one for miscellaneous stuff. It had a featherweight charm on it with a shrinking charm activated with a tap of his wand. He could even set up a password. Shrinking it down he placed it in his satchel before he left.
Stopping at Slug & Jiggers he bought a bunch of potion ingredients he knew were used in most potions. After that he stopped at Scribbulus Writing Instruments to buy parchment, ink, quills, etc.
Deciding to head to the Leaky Cauldron for something to eat, Harry was surprised to see Hermione, Ron and Ginny sitting at one of the tables. Wanting to know why they were ignoring him and possible if they knew about the marriage contract, he deliberately walked by. Close enough that he could silently cast an eavesdropping charm wandlessly before taking a seat in one of the booths. Harry quickly ordered a bowl of chilli and a butterbeer when he was approached. He then threw up a privacy spell.
Activating the charm, he listened in.
“.. one job to do, clean. He’s a house elf for Merlin sakes.” Ron complained.
“Right. Why do we have to clean? It’s not even our house.” Ginny whined.
“Padfoot should just release Kreacher. Its slavery and he’s useless you can tell by how disgusting Grimmauld is.” Hermione stated.
‘Padfoot? Sirius is with them? At this Grimmauld place?
“Didn’t you hear?” Ginny began with a giggle. “He can’t. Dumbledore ordered him to when it first became Headquarters so it couldn’t spill secrets, but only Lord Black can dismiss it.”
“Wait. I thought he was technically Lord Black as he wasn’t fully disowned and is the last Black?” Hermione questioned.
They paused as their food was delivered. The most expensive things on the menu.
“Dumbledore suspects that the last Lord Black named Malfoy heir since his mom is a Black.” Ron grumbly explained after their server left, before digging in.
“How was Padfoot able to enter Grimmauld and why does Kreacher kind of obey him?” Hermione asked, keeping the conversation on track.
“He has Black blood and wasn’t fully disowned.” Ginny said simply before taking a bite.
“Unfortunately, he can’t access any Black vaults though.” Ron put in disappointedly, in between bites.
“Don’t worry. As The-Boy-Who-Lived’s best friends everyone will do what you want. Soon I’ll be Lady Potter and we’ll be rich.” Ginny exclaimed.
‘Hell no!’
“I feel like we should get more money for being that idiot’s friend, especially since we’ll have to stand with him against everyone again this year and it’s OWL year.” Hermione complained.
‘More money? They were being paid?’
Ron laughed. “Goodluck with that. Sir-Padfoot already asked Dumbledore on the account of playing Godfather to the Traitorous James’ spawn is tough work.”
‘Sirius is getting paid t0o? James was somehow a traitor?
“But he isn’t doing much. A letter here or there, while he safely chills under a Fidelius Charm. We do the most work.” Ginny reasoned.
“True. Maybe we can get a raise.” Hermione remarked before beginning to eat.
‘Bastards!’
Disgusted, he cancels the charms. Leaving more than enough money on the table, Harry heads to the closest apparition point before he apparated to Garlot Manor.
--*--
Due to stasis being activated with his… Harrison’s death, Garlot Manor was exactly like he remembered. Hopefully when he took the Lordship ending the charm, the house elves started cleaning.
Entering the entrance hall Harry was indeed correct, the Manor was immaculate as ever. As angry as he was from learning about being betrayed by those closest to him, the familiarity of the Manor comforted him.
*Pop*
Suddenly there was a house elf in front of him. She wore a pressed dark blue pillowcase with the Garlot crest hemmed on the top right. Big purple eyes stared at him with such happiness.
“Nimsey.” Harry greeted. “It’s great to see you.”
Nimsey looked confused. “Nimsey knows Master?”
“I was Harrison, your last master in a previous life and have retained all my memories.” Harry decided to tell her.
“Master Harrison.” Nimsey stated in awe.
“My name is Harry now.” He informed her. “All my previous orders as Harrison still stand so everyone can continue what they were doing before however I would like everyone to familiarize themselves with this new time period.”
“Yes, Master Harry.”
“I will be in the library. Can dinner be made right away and sent up there?” Harry requested.
“Right away, Master Harry.” She confirmed happily.
“Oh, I’m expecting an owl order from Twilfitt and Tattings and my personal snowy owl, Hedwig.” Harry remembered.
“Would you like us to replace the old wardrobe with the new one in the master's room?” Nimsey queried.
“Please, however, just move the old wardrobe into one of the guest rooms.” Harry confirmed.
With that Nimsey popped away and Harry headed towards the library.
The Garlot library was massive, bigger than even Hogwarts library. There were thousands upon thousands of books. It was three stories high, two walls had long vertical windows interspaced to get as much natural light as possible. Stairs that led up to alcoves. Books lining the wall. Bookshelves in rows on one side of the room. Magical ladders in order to reach any book. A few couches, chairs, and tables strategically placed around the side without the rows of bookshelves. It was something Bell from Beauty and the Beast would be jealous of.
The books have been collected since the start of the Garlot Family, hundreds of years of collecting any and every topic. All were layered in protection spells, keeping them looking brand new. No book was ever permanently removed once it entered the library. Harry was pretty sure a lot of the books were even considered illegal nowadays. Like Secrets of the Darkest Art, Magick Moste Evile, Blood Magic for Beginners, and The Nightshade Guide to Necromancy.
Sitting at one of the tables Harry took out an empty journal, quill and ink from his satchel. He writes down every betrayal he learned today. He’s not sure what shocks him most, Ron and Hermione’s betrayal or Sirius’, who is being paid to be his godfather but is really his uncle. Speaking of Sirius.
Harry quickly grabs the estate files from his bag. Looking through the properties he spies 12 Grimmauld Place. Glad he was Lord Black and technically owner so he could ‘see’ the place. Making a quick decision he called for this Kreacher the traitors mentioned.
*Pop*
An old house elf dressed in dirty rags appeared before him. He eyed Harry. “Who is able to call Kreacher?” He muttered.
“Hello Kreacher. I am Lord Harry James Licorus Potter-Black-Peverell-Garlot. I am the son of the late Heirs Regulus and James Potter-Black.” Harry stated, figuring it would be best to be formal from what he remembered of the Black Family.
Kreacher’s eyes grew impossibly wider, before he bowed so low his nose was touching the floor. “Master Black.” He greeted, before he began to mutter. “Kreacher did not know Master Regulus had a son. My Mistress will be happy.”
“Kreacher, you are not to mention me unless I give explicated permission.” Harry commanded.
“Yes Master.” He croaked, standing up.
“I know you live in 12 Grimmauld place.” Harry stated. “Tell me who’s there and what they’re doing.”
“Mistress’s house is full of blood traitors, mudblood, thieves, scum, werewolves. All allowed in by my Mistress’ disappointment.”
“Do you have names?” Harry questioned.
“Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Mundungus Fletcher, Hestia Jones, Sturgis Podmore, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, Nymphadora Tonks, Alastor Mad Eye Moody, Hermione Granger, Arthur, Molly, Bill, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny Weasley. Is what Kreacher has heard. Kreacher hears them calling themselves the Order of the Phoenix.” Kreacher sneered. “Such filth in Mistress’s home. Coming and going all hours, disturbing Mistress’s portrait.”
Harry didn’t recognize all the names. “What are they all doing?”
“They gather and talk about the Dark Lord and Harry Po- You, Master.” Kreacher says, watching him closer.
“A lot of them had me under spells and compulsions. I’ve escaped them but they don’t know that.” Harry briefly explained.
“Filthy mudbloods and blood traitors...” Kreacher begins to mutter.
“What else, Kreacher?”
“Red headed blood traitors, mudblood, Mistress’s disappointment and his werewolf are living in Mistress home. Ordering poor Kreacher around. Throwing out Noble House of Black’s treasures.” Kreacher grumbled.
“What?” Harry interrupted. “They are throwing stuff out?”
“They call it cleaning. Kreacher tries to save what he can.” Kreacher wailed, looking at Harry desperately.
Just then Nimsey popped in with some dinner for him. She placed it on the table before looking at Kreacher.
“Nimsey, this is Kreacher a Black House elf. Kreacher, this is Nimsey Head Garlot elf.” Harry introduced.
Nimsey curtsied, while Kreacher stared.
“Kreacher, in order to protect Black property. I need you and Nimsey to go to Grimmauld place and pack up everything and bring it here. Place it in the farthest spare room in the west wing. It should be big enough. Although, put all the books in the library and all Regulus stuff in the room next to mine. You may take as many others as you need to get it all done tonight while they sleep.” Harry explained his idea. “Once I remove the traitors from Grimmauld, if you want Kreacher, everything can be put back.”
“Thank you, Master Black.” Kreacher cried in relief.
“Yes, Master Harry.” Nimsey agreed.
“Kreacher, for now, act like usual until they fall asleep or at least are in their rooms, then come here and get Nimsey. Once morning comes, if they ask, say you cleaned but you are not to follow any orders from Sirius Black that you don’t want to.” Harry instructed.
“Yes, Master.” Kreacher confirmed.
“Dismissed.”
As both elves left, Harry started dinner.
After dinner Harry decided to call it a night. He was thoroughly exhausted. Crawling into bed Harry fell asleep quickly. For the first time in a long time, he had a peaceful sleep. Dreams of loving parents, who he grew up with in this home.