Chapter 2
"Mr Potter, what I'm about to do is called side-along apparition. Its essentially what the muggles call teleportation. All you need to do it take my arm."
"Ok professor." Harry took her arm, and he had the familiar sensation of being squeezed through a tube. Apparition never did get easier for him, he always favored brooms.
Harry and Professor McGonagall arrived in the middle of Diagon Alley. He was glad they didn't have to go through the leaky cauldron this time, he really hadn't liked how Hagrid had paraded him around the place the first time around.
"This place is amazing professor! Where are we headed first?" He said in an adorable innocent voice
"We are going to Gringotts first, the Wizarding bank. Your parents left you a considerable amount of money, although due to your age you will only be able to access the trust vault until your older. Come along now." As they passed the goblins in Gringotts, he discretly gave them a discreit bow, out of view of professor McGonagall, in the way that he had learned was polite after working with goblins for five years after Hogwarts. After doing so, the goblins' eyes widened each time. The goblins weren't used to receiving respect from wizards.
They made their way up to the nearest free counter, where an elderly wizard was working on some paper work
"What can I do for you?" The older goblin asked, face looking sour.
"We need to take some money out of Mr Potters trust vault."
"Does Mr Potter have his key?"
"The boy is eleven, surely he doesn't have a key made yet? I was hoping to get his key made here today, after a blood test proving his identity?"
"According to our records, Mr Potter's magical guardian requested a key on his behalf 6 years ago, was this not the case?"
"Excuse me sir," Harry piped in "what is a magical guardian? And whos mine?"
"A magical guardian is one who is supposed to check up on you, if you are not directly under their care. They're supposed to be your representative and advocate in the magical world, and to teach you about the magical world, along with your family magics, heirships, and inheritances. The fact that you do not even know who your magical guardian is, is concerning. According to our records, your magical guardian is Albus Dumbledore." Harry had known, vaguely, about magical guardians, but had assumed he just didn't have one, and had certainly never known that Dumbledore had been his. He felt something sick well up in his stomach. Looking at Professor McGonagall, she had a disconcerted look on her face as well.
"Your magical guardian requested a key to your trust vault, 6 years ago, saying it was at your request, and that it would go into your possession. Since then there have been regular withdrawals from your account. If what I am understanding is correct, you were unaware of any of this?" Harry fumed. Not only had Dumbledore not been doing his duties as magical guardian, but he had been actively stealing from him? Beside him, Professor McGonagall looked shocked.
"It couldn't be…"
"Perhaps we should have this discussion in a more… secure location."
"Yes, of course…" they followed the goblin out of the room into a hall to the side, and into an office.
"Bonecrusher!" Another goblin entered the room. "This, Mr Potter, is the manager of your family accounts and vaults.
"Nice to meet you Mr Bonecrusher." Harry said politely. The elderly goblin spoke to Bonecrusher briefly, explaining the situation, and then left.
"Now, to business. Now, we have to options. We could recall the current vault key, as it was made without your consent or knowledge, and we will make you a new one today. We go through the transcripts and figure out just how much Albus Dumbledore has been stealing from you, and will then charge him for the money, and standard interest for loans. This however, could be dangerous."
"How so?"
"Albus Dumbledore is a powerful man, and has made himself out to be the leader of light, and practically the next Merilin" the goblins scowl showed what he thought about that. "He also has been headmaster of Hogwarts for 40 years now, and been a professor there for even longer, so he has long been in a position to lead children in the direction he saw fit, become a powerful influence, and to collect debts. In this way he has spread his influence throughout the magical world, and amassed a large group of supporters. Additionally, he seems to have a controlling hand in all spaces of the government, he is chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, member of the ICW, and is essentially controlling the ministry, as the minister is a puppet that relies on Dumbledore himself. For these reasons, it could be very dangerous to go against Dumbledore directly by taking your money back immediately."
Harry shivered. "So what is my other option?"
"Your other option is we recall the key, saying that due to security issues at Gringotts all keys have been recalled and reissued to the owners of the vaults. This is easy enough, given that it is true."
"So you'd recall all of the keys just so Dumbledore doesn't get suspicious? For me?"
"Gringotts takes security issues very seriously Mr Potter, and we do not tolerate thieves. Additionally, Dumbledore has been in control for far too long, and anything that we can do to assist in taking him down a bit we would be more than happy to do." He gave an unsettling smile just a bit too wide.
"Moving on, I also suggest that, either option you take, you get a blood test.
"But I know who my parents are?"
"In the magical world Mr Potter, there are many more uses for a blood test than simply learning who one's parents are. A blood test can give your close relatives, your godparents, and creature blood you may have, any magical restrictions, compulsions, or curses that you may have on your personal, and any inheritances you are eligible to receive."
"What do you mean, inheritance?"
"To see if you are an heir of an ancient and noble house. There are many, and the Potters are one of them. Lines often intermix, so it's often a good idea to check. You can then register and be officially recognized as an heir, and a lord later on. A lord or lady of an ancient and noble house has a seat in the wizengamot to use to vote towards laws in the wizarding world, and in trials. Lords and ladies also have enormous social status, and control of the family.” Harry was a little confused. Sure, he had heard of the Wizengamot, but all he had been told about it was that it was a pretentious group of purebloods. He had never known what its true purpose was, and he had certainly never known that his parents were a lord and a lady.
"Um, ok, yeah, let's do this inheritance thing." He looked over at Professor McGonagall, who looked extremely white. "Professor?"
"Yes, I, I suppose that would be best."
"Are you all right professor?"
"In all honesty, I don't know, Mr Potter. I, I have trusted Albus for so long, put so much faith in him, I, I am having trouble processing all of this. Mr Bonecrusher, are you absolutely sure that it was Dumbledore who stole from Mr Potter?"
"Yes." He replied curtly. The professor took a sharp intake of breath.
"Well, I guess we might as well get on with it." She tried to compose herself, but Harry had known the woman for over a decade, and had kept in contact with her after leaving Hogwarts. He could tell she was struggling with this.
After watching the wizards for a moment, Bonecrusher took out a long piece of parchment, a silver knife, and a small bowl.
"All right Mr Potter, just make a small incision in your left palm, and pour your blood into the bowl. Just a small amount is necessary. Harry gulped. He wasn't so much worried about the blood as he was the words that would soon be appearing on them. Professor McGonagall, sensing his anxiety, placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Its alright Mr Potter, it will be over in a moment." He smiled at her shakily, and then cut his hand.
Across the parchment read the following:
Harry James Potter
Aged 11
Father: James Fleamont Potter
Mother: Lily Juliette Potter nee Evans
Godparents: Sirius Black, Alice Longbottom, Severus Snape
Creature blood: N/A
Heirships:
Potter
Black
Peverell
Slytherin (conquering heir)
Emrys
Blocks, compulsions, charms, and curses:
Loyalty to Albus P. W. B. Dumbledore
Loyalty to Griffendor
Loyalty to Ronald Billius Weasley
Loyalty to Hermione Jean Granger
Loyalty to Weasley family
Hatred towards Slytherin
Hatred towards 'Dark Magic'
Hatred towards Malfoy family
Hatred towards 'dark familys'
Hatred towards Severus Tobias Snape
Dislike towards studying
Dislike towards reading
Intelligence blocker
Magic blocker
Attention span blocker
Impulsiveness curse
Parselmagic block
Truth-telling curse (keyed to A. P. W. B. D.)
Hero complex curse
Recklessness curse
Current injuries:
Several contusions on back
Severe bruising
Malnourishment
Harry looked at the parchment in disbelief. Professor McGonagall had tears in her eyes. Boncrusher had clenched fists. He usually didn't care what humans got up to, but this was a step too far. Besides, in the goblin kingdom, children were treasured. If anyone were to abuse a child in the goblin kingdom, they would be imprisoned for life, if not death. Bonecrusher decided, at the very least, he would do everything in his power to help this young wizard, if only as his family account manager.
"Well, the first order of business is to get all of those curses, blocks, and compulsions off of you as quickly as possible." Bonecrusher stood up, and called down the hall in Gobledegook. Soon, two more goblins were standing in the room, with matching pure white uniforms. "Heir Potter, these are two of Gringotts healers."
"Um, excuse me, why did you call me Heir Potter? You were calling me Mr Potter just a minute ago." Bonecrusher sighed in annoyance.
"I called you Mr Potter because your heirship status had not yet been confirmed. We have just done so, therefore, you are Heir Potter, and will be referred to as such by polite society. You also could be referred to by any other of your heirships. Now, let me continue. These healers will be removing everything tainted from your person. Please sit down." He pointed to a small white cot that had most definitely not been there two seconds ago. Harry cautiously sat down on the cot. He was still in shock. He had suspected, over the years after Hogwarts, that Dumbledore was a little suspicious, but he had never thought he had gone so far as to put all the magic shit on him. And Ron, Hermione. He felt devastated. Sure, they haden't been as close once they left Hogwarts, but he had still cared about them. And they had been his first friends, his only friends through most of his life, had always been there for him, and now he was finding out it was all a lie.
Once the goblins finished the ritual, he felt completely different. Like a weight had been lifted off his chest. After a few moments, it was just him, Professor McGonagall, and Bonecrusher in the room again. He took a deep breath.
"So what now?"
"Now I suggest making a plan. Albus Dumbledore is a powerful enemy to make, and he will not be pleased to learn that you have shed his magics. You must be careful. I also suggest you take some money out of your account, and get all of your supplies." He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Anything I can do, Heir Potter, to assist you, just ask. I may just be your account manager, but I will do everything in my power." He gave him a small bow, and ushered them out of his office.
Outside Gringotts, Professor McGonagall took a deep breath.
"Mr Potter, we really must still get your supplies for school, that was the purpose of coming here in the first place, after all." She gave a weak chuckle. "First, you might as well get your robes. You should ask for the full Hogwarts set, and a full wizarding wardrobe. She will fit everything for you."
"Your not going with me?" He asked, in a nervous little kid voice.
"No, I need a moment outside to collect my thoughts, if that's alright."
"Of course! That was a lot, even for me, and I don't even know this guy yet. I'll be alright."
So with that, Harry went into Madam Malkins, while the professor wandered over to a corner of the alley.
When Harry walked into the shop, he was instantly hit with a wave of nostalgia and de ja vu. There, standing in the middle of the store getting fitted, was a tiny Draco Malfoy. His heart caught on his throat.
"Hogwarts too dear?"
"Um, yeah."
"Well hop on next to this young lad here."
"Um, Madam, I'd like a full Hogwarts set and a full wizarding wardrobe, please."
"Of course! One moment, let me grab my supplies from the back."
After she had left, it grew very quiet.
"Hogwarts too?" It was just what he said the first time around, except…
Except it sounded off. And when he looked a bit closer at Malfoy, his face was closed off. More than it was first time around. And there was something in his eyes. Something he himself saw when he looked in the mirror. It couldn't be… but, if Harry had come back, why couldn't Malfoy…
"Um, yeah, I am." He gave a nervous cough. "I'd shake your hand, but I'm afraid to mess with the Madam's tailoring." There, if Malfoy did come from the future, he would understand the reference to the rejected handshake in their first year.
He saw Malfoy choke.
"You too?" It was barely a whisper, but Harry had understood. Harry silently nodded. "Is that oaf waiting for you?"
"Hagrid is not an oaf, but no. Professor McGonagall is with me." Malfoy raised his eyebrows, but didn't comment.
"Do you think you could spare a moment to talk?"
"Um, yeah."
A little while later, once they had both been fitted and equipped with their new robes, Malfoy dragged him behind a store where (hopefully) no one would see or hear them.
"Are you responsible for this Potter?"
"What? No!"
"So I just randomly become eleven in the middle of the night, I suppose? With no explanation?"
"Well I'm sure there's an explanation, just probably one neither of us know of." Malfoy rolled his eyes.
"So you have no idea why we are both suddenly in the past?"
"No, I swear." Malfoy sighed. "It's not exactly the worst outcome anyway, I suppose." At Harry's confused looks he elaborated. "Theres a lot of bad things that happened last time around that I'd like to avoid."
"Like what?"
"Like the bloody dark mark that got branded into my arm. I never want to wear that disgusting thing ever again."
"So, you didn't want to be a death eater?" Harry was mildly confused.
"Of course not! Who would want to be a bloody death eater? I was forced into it, he," Malfoy choked a little. "He was going to kill my Mum if I didn't cooperate." Harry was stunned.
"Why didn't you go for help?"
"Help?" He gave a small, humorless laugh. "Who would have helped me, I was an evil little death eater from the start, just because me and my family are from slytherin, and purebloods. Besides, who would I go to, Dumbledore?" Malfoy then seemed to realize who he was talking to. "Um, I mean,"
"No, relax. I hate that old bastard." Malfoy looked shocked. "I, um, just got back from Gringotts. It turns out he was manipulating me my whole life, turning me into a bloody weapon, and he put on a crap ton of blocks and compulsions to make sure I would cooperate." Malfoy was speechless. "Also it turns out my friends weren't really my friends, and they were in on it too. And I was compulsions to hate you."
"Why are you trusting me enough to tell me all this?"
"Because if we both went back in time together, I'd say that means we are in it together." Harry smiled. "Its nice to meet you properly, sans Dumbleycoot magic, my name is Harry Potter and you can call me Harry." Harry held out his hand for Malfoy to shake. Malfoy looked at the hand and looked speechless for a moment. A moment later, be took it and shook.
"Call me Draco then." He said, with a small smile.