Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Hadrian Orion Black
Remembering the glamour, he nearly laughed aloud at the knowledge that Sirius Black must've been marginally taller than James Potter. Climbing out he found a pile of neatly folded clothes where his old ones had been dropped.
As he touched them, he found himself completely and very suddenly dry. He blinked. One second he'd been reaching and dripping wet, the next he was holding his clothes and perfectly dry. Magic. He shrugged, pulling on the clothes, shoving the new and unbroken glasses onto his face.
Everything actually fit him for the most part, which was a first. He was still underweight and very thin, but he definitely didn't look the same.
Glancing at the mirror, he saw himself in the black pants and shirt, high collar and buttons and all. He watched himself pull on black socks and cover them with chunky black ankle boots he'd seen in a window and instantly wanted.
He also saw his brown curls were gone. He now had jet black hair, settling in gentle waves around his ears and brushing the back of his neck. It no longer stuck up in every direction, and instead waved downwards with gravity. He sighed in relief.
Studying himself as he walked closer, he noticed several differences. His skin was no longer slightly honeyed, but a pale white. He'd by no means been brown, or even close, but before his skin had been slightly tan despite Harry spending every second in his cupboard. Now, he was pale as milk and his skin looked softer, more delicate than before.
His eyes were the same luminous green, but his nose was smaller and straighter. His cheekbones were slightly higher, and chin more defined. He determined that his new parent must have been fairly attractive, because Harry found himself deciding he himself was better looking than he had been before.
Harry was in for one final surprise, as he smiled. He no longer had a reckless grin, full of mischief and curiosity as he beamed. Instead, he saw a delicate face beaming with genuine happiness and small softness. He immediately knew this was who he was always supposed to be.
Squaring his shoulders and taking a breath, he knocked rapidly on the door four times, and stepping back. The goblin and woman entered.
"Mister Potter?" Griphook asked, slightly startled he was no longer only a head shorter than the 11 year old, but nearly double that. Harry beamed at him.
"Hello Griphook! Can you believe how tall I am?" Meanwhile, Pomfrey was assessing how skinny he was, and how even the clothes that were supposed to magically fit him were a little loose.
"Mister Potter, I think it's time for your treatments." Pomfrey cut in.
"Sure Miss Pomfrey, thank you." Harry nodded earnestly.
"Right this way." Harry was led back into the Infirmary and sat on the same bed as before. He found a cart of dozens of potions next to him.
"Are those for me?" He asked curiously, examining the tray. She nodded.
"Yes. But I would like to ask, do you want to see the list of Compulsions and Blocks from before? To process?" Harry immediately agreed, and was given the previous paper again.
Name:Harrison James Orion Potter-Evans-Black
Age:11
Number of Compulsions:6
Number of Blocks:3
Glamours:1
Compulsions:
Mild loyalty to Albus Dumbledore (A.D.)
Mild loyalty to Gryffindor (A.D.)
Mild avoidance of Slytherins (A.D.)
Complete avoidance of Dark Magics (A.D.)
Complete avoidance of Dark Rituals (A.D.)
Complete Hatred of Tom Riddle (A.D.)
Note:(:A.D.) Any and all Compulsions keyed to grow stronger as years pass, reaching Complete Hatred or Complete Loyalty Level by 18 years of age
Blocks:
Parseltongue (A.D.) - FAILED
Horcrux (A.D.) - Current
Dark Core (A.D.) - Current
Note:(:A.D.) Any and all Blocks keyed to remain the same until in need of complete reapplication at 15 years of age
Glamours:
Blood Glamour - Paternal - Active
Note:(:J.P-E-B.) Any and all Glamours keyed to stick permanently until or unless voluntarily removed or cleansed.
Harry sighed. "This basically means Dumbledore is definitely not to be trusted, doesn't it?" They both nodded sadly.
"If he has to resort to this for you to be loyal to him, he should definitely be avoided." Pomfrey told him, disgusted.
"It probably also means Slytherins should be trusted, which is good considering you own the Slytherin Heirship." Harry nodded at Griphook, confused.
"Speaking of, I have questions." They nodded. "What is Slytherin and Gryffindor?"
"They are two of the four houses at Hogwarts. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff." Pomfrey listed. "Durmstrang has Soscrofa, Ucilena, Vulpelara, and Wolverine. Beauxbaton has only three, Ombrelune, Papillonlisse, and Bellefeuille." Harry nodded, determined to remember them.
Okay, what's a Horcrux?" This time Griphook responded.
"A Horcrux is very Dark soul magic. It's very rare. Usually, a wixen uses a sacrifice and places a piece of their soul into an object. It's basically used to create immortality. You see, even if the wixens' body is destroyed, their soul is still at least partially intact inside the Horcrux." Harry nodded, and then frowned.
"So I have a piece of someone's soul inside me?" He asked, confused.
Exactly." Griphook confirmed with a nod. "We have no way of knowing who's though. And now that the block on it is gone, it's possible you'll be able to communicate with the person." Harry's eyes widened.
"Okay, alright, great." He muttered finally, frowning. Then his eyes widened again and he focused on the parchment. "Wait, Dumbledore made it so I would completely avoid and hate a person called Tom Riddle. Maybe that's who it was?"
"It's possible." Pomfrey admitted, finger pressed to her chin. "It would make sense actually, to keep you two separated." Harry fumed before taking a breath.
"Okay. Wow, I really need to process this later. Moving on, Potions?" He gestured to the cart, and Pomfrey took the subject change in stride.
"First is the easiest, eyesight corrector. It heals any damage in your eyes. It'll sting pretty badly for about 5 seconds, and then it'll be over." Harry nodded, took the vial she handed him, and downed it. He shuddered at the taste.
He held his breath and shut his eyes as the pain started. It felt like he was blinking with glass in his eyes, but he kept them firmly shut until it was over, and then squinted them open. He was briefly confused as to why the world was blurrier than before, when he remembered his new glasses and pulled them off his face.
He glanced at the vials to his left, and found he could easily read each label from where he was sitting. He beamed.
"Thank you!" He said to Pomfrey. "What's next?"
"Unfortunately, these will be even worse." She told him gravely. "These potions attack old injuries that didn't heal right. I have to administer five of them. Each one will find a number of injuries in your body, rebreak or injure them, and then heal them up properly. It'll be extremely painful." Harry nodded seriously. "Now, you have the choice of taking them one at a time, or all at once. Each potion needs 20 minutes to work through the injuries, so it'll either take 100 minutes, nearly two hours, or just 20 minutes but be much more intense." Harry thought it over before speaking.
"I'll take them all at once." He decided finally. "It's more efficient that way." She looked nervous, but agreed and handed him a tray with five potions.
He balanced the tray in his lap, and then carefully drank all five vials. He then handed the tray to Pomfrey, and laid down. He grimaced at the aftertaste. Looks like potions all must taste like crap. He sighed and shut his eyes.
A few seconds later, he felt his arm splinter. He bit his lip and whimpered, and prepared for the next one. Soon he had several broken ribs, numerous fingers and toes as well as his stomach ripping. He breathed slowly and evenly, sweating breaking out on his forehead as he focused on his breathing as the bones in his legs joined his arms in breaking clean through. He felt his head throb and realized that meant the potion also addressed head injuries. Pretty soon after his whole head pounded with the rest of his body.
Harry remained completely still, occasionally gasping or whimpering slightly as the bones broke and rebroke and healed and snapped, but he never screamed. He'd learned as a small child that fear and pain were only more reasons for a beating from his cousin and his friends, as well as his Uncle.
Griphook watched the child breath heavily yet slowly, sweat clustering on his brow yet not making any significant sounds and felt only anger. Griphook hated wizards, and went out of his way to find ways to trick them or taunt them. He was woefully unprepared when a small child had bounded up and cheerfully admitted he'd never set a single foot in magical Britain before, and was also Harry Potter, the current most famous wizard in Britain.
He'd also not been prepared for the child to like him, and for him to tolerate the child. What was more astonishing still, the child had learned proper greetings so he'd know what to say the second time he entered Gringotts. Probably directly from the kit Griphook had given him.
Because of this, he felt intense anger at the Muggles who'd done this to him. He'd seen the parchments while Harry was in his cleansing, and he was floored when Harry had chosen to take all the potions at once. Looking at the child now, he knew it was because the child was so used to pain, he was probably just breathing and ignoring it. Griphook fumed.
Evenlyn Pomfrey wasn't like her older sister Poppy. Poppy became a healer because she followed in their mother's footsteps, and started working at Hogwarts because she said it would be easier looking after students. Evenlyn didn't agree.
Children required special care. Some because they grew up spoiled and they expected to be cared for, and some because they were so abused they didn't expect anyone to care at all. Harry was the latter. He'd taken the potions most likely because he'd rather feel intense pain in a rapid period than low levels of pain drawn out. He'd also probably known he could prevent himself from crying out.
Evenlyn knew that abused children caught on quickly that crying or screaming only caused more pain. Silence was the golden rule for abused children when hurting in most cases. Whether that be complete silence, following the crowd and ignoring everyone, or people like Potter who had bigger personalities and distracted people by being so silent about their pain that nobody ever noticed anything but their smiles.
Twenty minutes rolled by, and Harry breathed through the last dregs of pain fitfully, hair clinging to his face with sweat. As the pain left slowly, Harry kept his eyes shut as he took a deep breath, swallowed, and carefully tested his limbs. He wiggled his toes before shifting his legs and locking his knees, he twiddled his fingers before tensing his arms and flexing his shoulders and back, he tightened his core, locked his jaw, and was completely satisfied when he relaxed his body and opened his eyes.
He blinked into the light before sitting up slowly. He paused once he had, staring at Pomfrey with impossibly wide eyes.
"I'm not in any pain." He breathed in astonishment. "I've never been not in pain." He blinked at the admission. It was true, but he'd never voiced it.
"The potion heals past as well as current injuries." Pomfrey told him lightly, watching his shocked face slowly move to understanding. She then flicked her wand and his sweat was gone, clothes dry and stickiness gone. He was clean.
"Thank you." He told her with no short amount of awe. She smiled at him.
"Let's move on to vaccinations, yeah?"
For the next short while she explained the different vaccines and which ones were yearly and which ones were permanent. She also explained each disease and its symptoms, how to get it and how it's transferred. Harry listened with rapt attention before taking each one, shuddering at the taste.
She then moved to explain nutrition potions. They slowly healed a person's body starting with the stomach, by moving through the esophagus and intestines, then anywhere else affected. This includes the hair and nails, the rest of the organs including the brain, as well as the teeth and gums. Harry was shocked to learn that a lack of nutrition could affect the whole body.
She'd given him two potions, saying one was for lunch and one was for dinner. She also instructed him to go to The Apothecary and buy a month's worth to take, to restore his body to a healthier state. She then ordered him to return before school started, and ushered him and Griphook out.
"Thank you so much." He said to her at the door. "I'll be back like you ordered." He told her. She smiled.
"You'd better." With that, she shut the door.
Looking expectantly at Griphook, he smiled. "Heirships are next, right? And Lordships?" Griphook grinned.
"Yes Mister Potter. Right this way." He led Harry from the Infirmary to what looked like the same waiting room they started at, before leading him through a different blue door.
The new room was like an office, with an expensive rug and elaborate wooden desk with bookshelves and displays with small boxes, and a chandelier.
"Woah." Harry breathed in awe.
"Sit here, Mister Potter." Griphook interrupted his gawking, gesturing to a large and very comfortable looking chair on one side of the desk. He sat, and watched Griphook climb into the chair on the other side. "I'll once again need blood. Only one drop this time, simply for Lord and Heirships." Harry nodded easily, taking the offered thin knife.
Repeating his process from before, he dropped a single splash onto the paper before giving his wrist to Griphook who healed it.
Inherited Lordships:
Lordship Potter - BA(P)
Lordship Peverell - BA(P)
Lordship Black - Father
Inherited Heirships:Heir Potter - BA(P)Heir Peverell - BA(P)
Heir Slytherin - Other
Harry smiled. He realized looking at it that he had so much family. He briefly wondered who "Other" was.
"Hey Griphook, do you think Tom Riddle might've made me his Heir, and he’s the "Other"?" The goblin frowned.
"I can check, give me a moment." Sliding out of his chair, Griphook left the room. Harry once again studied the parchment as he waited, thinking.
His Potter and Peverell Lordships and Heirships came from James Potter, his second father. The Black Lordship came from his real father, but Harry wasn't sure why Sirius didn't have it, even if he was in Azkaban. Also, Harry wondered who had the Black Heirship, if it wasn't Harry's. Lastly, Slytherin. Harry realized bemusedly that if he went to Hogwarts he'd almost definitely be in Slytherin, simply because he was the Heir.
Griphook returned, parchment in hand. Sitting down again, he slid it over to Harry for inspection.
Name:Tom Marvolo Riddle
Age:65
Status:DeadAlive
Spouse:None
Siblings:None
Children:None
Lordships:
Slytherin Lordship
Gaunt Lordship
Heirships:
None
Magical Abilities:
Emotion-based Magics (Dark)
Mixed Magics (Neutral)
Parseltongue (Dark)
Necromancy (Dark)
Parselmagik (Dark)
Note:(:Tom Riddle) attempted a name change in 1942 to (:Lord Voldemort) but was rejected by his Magical Guardian (A.D.)
Note:(:Tom Riddle) created 6 Horcruxes and is both dead and alive. (:Tom Riddle) died October 31st 1981 but his soul lives on.
Harry blinked. "So, yes he's the one who's Horcrux I am, and yes he's Lord Slytherin." Griphook looked confused.
"Haven't you heard of Lord Voldemort?" Griphook asked.
"Nope, he's famous?" Harry guessed. Griphook nodded eagerly.
"He was fighting for Dark Creature and Magics Rights. Though, he also wanted all Muggle-borns and Muggles dead. Horrible man. There was a war that lasted about 11 years until Voldemort was destroyed." Harry nodded easily. "He represented the Dark, and opposed Dumbledore who represented the Light. There's no proof beyond speculation, but it's said that he broke into your house, killed your parents, and then you killed him. October 31st, 1981." Harry blinked.
"But, I was only a year old!" He exclaimed. "I didn't do anything of the sort." Griphook nodded.
"That's what I believe too." The goblin agreed. "However, that's why you're famous." He explained.
"Regardless, let's focus." Harry said quickly. He really didn't want to think about being famous. Griphook cackled.
"Alright then, please wait." Griphook raised the parchment with Harry's blood on it above his head, let go, and snapped. Harry was intrigued to the paper levitate where Griphook let go, and then watched it zip around the room before filing itself away into a nearby cabinet. Then, several small boxes in the display cases shook violently, before zooming to Griphook and dropping into the desk. Harry stared.
"Just going to look at them, or are you going to accept them?" Griphook grinned toothily as Harry stuck his tongue out.
"What do I do?" He questioned.
"Open each box one at a time." Griphook instructed. Harry reached for the far left box and opened it.
Inside was a small ring with a strange symbol on it. The ring was black, and smooth. It was thin on one side and thick on the other, a strange symbol melted in silver into the ring. He raised his brows at Griphook.
"That's the Peverell Lordship Ring." Griphook said. "Their family symbol is the Deathly Hallows. I'm surprised you're allowed the Lordship, but I shouldn't be. They allow underage wizards their Lordships if they're entitled to three or more." Harry nodded. "Just put the ring on, and accept the magic."
Slipping it on his left pinkie, he felt ice crawl up his finger and then his arm. He shut his eyes and welcomed the sensation, letting it consume him before it soaked into his magical core and he shivered. Beaming, he opened his eyes.
He reached for the next box and found a heavy silver ring inside with a snake on it.
"Slytherin?" He questioned, and Griphook nodded.
Harry put this one on his left index finger, welcoming the magic. This ring poured magic into Harry like a tidal wave, raging and sloshing as if it might overflow into the chair he sat on. It settled in his scar, strangely, instead of his core. Harry shrugged, reaching for the next box.
This one was the same as the first, except it was silver with the symbol being black. He glanced at Griphook.
"You don't need that." Griphook assured him. "You're entitled to it, but there's no need to hold both the Lordship and Heirship. When you turn 17, you'll be able to name an Heir." Harry nodded, and replaced the ring in its box.
The next box held a gold ring with three blue gems. He turned it over in his hands, and felt a burning warmth held within.
"The Potter Lordship." Griphook prompted.
With a nod, Harry placed it in his right index finger. He was immediately assaulted by so much heat he almost thought he'd surely catch fire. Embracing it with eyes squeezed shut, Harry sighed when the heat dissipated to a small warm at his core.
Ignoring the Potter Heirship he picked up next, he found himself soon staring at a beautiful black ring with a black gem set into the metal. He spun it in his hand with a small smile.
"The Black Lordship?" Harry asked Griphook. He received a nod.
Slipping it on his right ring finger, he felt a plume of darkness. It was like walking through a cloud of smoke, squinting into the dark, feeling the weight in the air. Harry felt at home in the heavy sensation, and smiled into it as it caressed his magical core, recognizing the echo of his father's magic.
Opening his eyes, Harry smiled at the four rings. Raising his eyes to Griphook, he saw only approval there. He beamed.
"Now Lord Potter-Peverell-Black, is there anything else I can do for you today?" Harry thought for a moment.
"First of all, I'd like to be called Lord Black please." He felt a hum of approval from the Black Ring. "Second, is there a way to change my name? I'd like to just be a Black, without all the other stuff. The Black magic feels more like mine than anything else." Griphook nodded for him to continue. "Also I need gold, and a way to carry it. I had the 100 galleons Hagrid gave me just shoved in a pocket before I put it all in my Muggle-born kit." Harry paused. "Where did that go, by the way?" Griphook cackled.
"If you left it in the pocket of your old clothes, it should've been transferred immediately into your new clothing." Harry felt around for pockets, and soon realized he did indeed have a small box in one of his pockets. He grinned.
"Thanks Griphook. So name?" Griphook nodded and led him into a large room that looked faintly like the courtrooms he'd seen on Dudley's Television.
Griphook took him to a podium with a basin on it and stopped. "Normally, like in Riddle's case when he was 16, if you were to change your name you'd need your Magical Guardian to sign the form. However, there's a special case where if you're entitled to three or more Lordships, you may have them. The moment you receive a Lordship you're granted emancipation. Congratulations, you're an adult." Harry grinned at him, before hesitating.
"Where did the name Harrison come from?" He wondered. Griphook frowned in thought.
"Well, James and Sirius were Purebloods, and Lily was a Muggle-born. Harry is a Muggle name, so they probably used Harrison as a more formal, Pureblood passing name. Everyone would know you were a Half-Blood just from your informal name." Harry frowned.
"Are there any Pureblood names close to mine?" Griphook thought for a moment.
"Hadley, Holden, Hadrian, and Holland would probably all work. Pureblood names are supposed to be elegant, and sound nice when spoken with your last name." Harry smirked.
"I think I got it. What about Hadrian Orion Black?" He said with a raised brow.
Griphook smirked. "Here's the form. Fill it out, and then I'll place it in the basin where it will catch fire if Lady Magic accepts the name change." Harry nodded, still grinning as he took the form and filled it out eagerly.
Name:Harrison James Orion Potter-Evans-Black
Preferred name:Hadrian Orion Black
Magical Guardian signature:N/A
Accepted Lordships:
Potter
Peverell
Black
Date of birth:July 31st, 1980
Date of name change:July 31st, 1991
Harry double checked his answers for spelling errors before handing it to Griphook who briefly looked it over before nodding.
Griphook placed it in the basin and they waited. Not even a full minute later it burst into flame and the newly named Hadrian beamed.
"Alright. Money, aye?" Griphook said to himself, "Lord Black, you'll be needing to view your Vault withdrawals since you're emancipated, and then I'll explain how to pay for things properly." Hadrian nodded, and was escorted back to the office room.
"So, Vault withdrawals?" Hadrian prompted as he sat down. Griphook nodded, pulling papers from a cabinet.
"You have several Vaults, and this will tell you which ones you can use and if anyone has withdrawn money since two of your parents died and the last is in prison." Hadrian grimaced at the reminder.
He ended up giving the paper five drops of blood, and was handed the parchment after his wrist was healed.
Name:Hadrian Orion Black
Age: 11 (emancipated)
Accepted Lordships:Potter, Peverell, Black
Accepted Heirships:Slytherin
Inherited Vaults:
Potter
Potter Lordship Vault - Inactive, Useable
Potter Trust Vault - Active, Useable
Peverell
Peverell Lordship Vault - Inactive, Useable
Peverell Trust Vault - Active, Useable
Black
Black Lordship Vault - Inactive, Unusable
Black Trust Vault - Inactive, Useable
Black Dark Vault - Inactive, Unusable
Slytherin
Slytherin Heirship Vault - Inactive, Useable
Personal Vaults:
Personal School Vault - Active, Useable
Personal Trust Vault - Inactive, Useable
Hadrian soaked in the information, not moving to the second page.
"Why are two of the Black Vaults Unusable?" Hadrian asked.
"I'd assume because the Black's in previous generations were all Purebloods, and were prone to madness. All of their states and properties might be a bit of a mess. Your father Sirius pretty much rejected everything to do with the family and didn't bother to fix it up." He frowned. If his father wouldn't do it, Hadrian would.
"What's the difference between Active and Inactive?" Hadrian asked next.
"If a Vault is active, it means it's been used in the past year." Hadrian nodded, then frowned.
"Some are active?" He questioned uneasily.
"The next page will explain that." Was all Griphook said. Eyes narrowed in suspicion, Harry moved to the next parchment.
Vault Transactions: Inactive
Potter Lordship Vault - Inactive
Peverell Lordship Vault - Inactive
Black Lordship Vault - Inactive
Black Trust Vault - Inactive
Black Dark Vault - Inactive
Slytherin Heirship Vault - Inactive
Personal Trust Vault - Inactive
Vault Transactions: Active
Potter Trust Vault:
Withdrawals of 50,000 galleons yearly by (A.D.) since 1981
Withdrawals of 5,000 galleons monthly by (A.D.) since 1981
Withdrawal of 2,000 by (A.D.) in 1981
Withdrawal of 2,000 by (A.D.) in 1983
Withdrawal of 5,000 by (A.D.) in 1983
Withdrawal of 2,000 by (A.D.) in 1984
Withdrawal of 1,000 by (A.D.) in 1986
Withdrawal of 4,000 by (A.D.) in 1986
Withdrawal of 2,000 by (A.D.) in 1988
Withdrawal of 9,000 by (A.D.) in 1990
Withdrawal of 2,000 by (A.D.) in 1991
Peverell Trust Vault:
Withdrawal of 2,000 galleons yearly by (A.D.) since 1985
Withdrawal of 300 galleons monthly by (A.D.) since 1985
Note:All above withdrawals are signed as approved by Harrison Orion Potter-Evans-Black / Hadrian Orion Black for his upkeep.
Personal School Vault:
Withdrawal of 100 galleons by (:H.B.) in 1991
Hadrian fumed, staring at the money and the lies all over the parchment.
"I haven't approved anything, and never revived even a sickle for my 'upkeep'." Hadrian said furiously, glaring at the paper.
"You know," Griphook said sharply enough for Hadrian to look up. "You, as an adult, can also file for theft, citing you never received the money withdrawn." Hadrian took one look at Griphook's evil grin and felt immense excitement. "As well as that, he's locked out of all Vaults as of now since your emancipation."
"What does filing for theft entail?" He asked.
"You'd need to file a claim that you never approved the withdrawals, and sign it. Then we'd send it to the Ministry for checking. The Aurors would then question Dumbledore and if they deemed your claim correct he'd be obligated to send every galleon back where it belonged, and then he'd go on trial for punishment. The usual punishment is a year in Azkaban per year of theft. So he'd spend 11 years in Azkaban." Griphook explained. "Unfortunately, he probably won't go to Azkaban at all, seeing as he's the Head of the Wizengamot. However, either way, you'll get all your money back." Hadrian nodded.
"If I did that, Dumbledore would know about my name change." He decided sadly. Griphook's grin fell but he nodded in understanding.
"Now, I promised to show you how to pay for things as a Lord does, didn't I?" Hadrian nodded. "It's done with your Lordship rings. When buying things, you can ask for a LordStone. It's a small stone that should fit in the palm of your hand (yes your 11 year old hand and not an adult's hand I said it was small) and you just need to press the gem or symbol on your ring into the Stone. It'll glow blue if the ring is valid, and then you're done." Hadrian nodded. Simple enough.
"Okay, and what if I want to pay with coins?" He asked.
"You can always purchase a pouch with an extension charm and featherlight charm to carry with you." Griphook replied.
"I'll definitely need one of those. I presume you sell those?" Hadrian said confidently, and received a toothy grin in response.
"Of course Lord Black." Griphook said. "We have them in different colors too." Hadrian grinned.
Paying for his new pouch, Hadrian brought up his next and final subject.
"I want to know if I can claim those properties I own." He blurted, remembering the different places he recalled seeing on his Inheritance hours ago. "That paper said the properties couldn't be accessed unless the Lordships were accepted, which they were." Griphook smiled sharply.
"That's correct Lord Black, you can Activate any of the properties owned by you." Hadrian blinked.
"Can I see my Inheritance Test again or something, I don't remember the specific names." Griphook nodded, and pulled another paper out of the cabinet.
Inherited Properties:
Potter Manor - In stasis
House in Godric's Hollow - Unusable
Number Four Grimmauld Place - Unprepared
Black Manor - In stasis
Peverell Palace - In stasis
Slytherin Castle - Unprepared
Note:Any and all properties cannot be accessed until corresponding Lordships are accepted.
"What's stasis?" Hadrian asked finally.
"It's a freezing or stopping spell. When something is in stasis it's frozen in time and cannot change in any way. Grass doesn't grow, dust doesn't collect, water doesn't evaporate, nothing happens." Hadrian was slightly in awe, and very relieved. It meant no damage had come to those properties in years.
"Okay, and the difference between Unusable and Unprepared?" He prompted, glancing at the paper again.
"Unusable basically means you can't live there. In the case of Godric's Hollow, because the house exploded." Hadrian blinked in surprise. "Unprepared means it wasn't placed in stasis, and therefore has deteriorated. This could mean the house is full of dust and cobwebs, or it could mean the place is overrun by plants, or possibly took damage in some fixable way." Griphook finished.
"Okay, so I should wait to use an Unprepared place until I'm older and can do magic to fix it up." Hadrian deduced. Griphook nodded in approval.
"I'd recommend one of the Manors. They're well preserved, and will be easier to live in than a Castle or Palace. Those are often so massive that living alone can be daunting." Griphook advised.
"I'll go with Black Manor then." Hadrian decided. "I'd like to be able to see Potter Manor though, if I visit will I disrupt the stasis?"
"Yes. The stasis is immediately removed upon the Lord's return." Hadrian pouted.
"Fine." Griphook cackled. He snapped his fingers and a goblin appeared instantly. They two spoke in a wobbly language Hadrian didn't know, before the other goblin disappeared again.
"Ironteeth will fetch the Black Manor portkey." At Hadrian's blank look, Griphook elaborated. "A Portkey is a magical item that moves a being from one place to another instantly." He ignores Hadrian's awed whisper of 'teleportation'. "You have to touch the object and say a certain word for it to activate."
"Was that disappearing thing not a Portkey then?" Hadrian gestured to the spot Ironteeth had disappeared from.
"No, that's Apparation. It's similar, using your own magical energy in place of the object. Wixen require their wands, while most magical creatures can do it inherently." With a pop Ironteeth was back, dumping a black necklace on the desk and popping away.
"That's the Portkey?" Hadrian asked curiously. Griphook nodded.
"Yes. You should always wear it, so you can always go to the Manor. Especially if you're in danger, the Portkey is a good way to leave a place instantly. The only downside is it always takes you to the same place." Hadrian frowned.
"Once I'm at the Manor, how do I leave?" Griphook cackled.
"The Floo of course. The last of the three instantaneous magic travels is by Floo Powder." Hadrian nodded for him to continue. "Wixen fireplaces are all registered when they are created, and all connect to each other magically. To travel through one fireplace into another, you simply throw some Floo Powder into the flames, wait for them to turn green and call out your destination. Then you step through, and come out where you ordered it to take you." He sighed. "Unfortunately this means mute wixen and creatures are unable to travel through the Floo system, but there's not much they can do to alter it." Hadrian nodded in understanding.
"So I can Portkey to the Manor, and Floo anywhere I want?" Hadrian clarified.
"No." Griphook said firmly, reaching for another piece of paper. "You can Floo to any open fireplaces." Griphook clarified, heading him a parchment with a list on it. "There are only a few dozen permanent fireplaces in Britain. Otherwise, you'll need to request entrance by throwing the Floo into the fire and then tossing a request for entrance through. Just write something along the lines of 'this is Hadrian Black requesting access to your Floo because of' and then your request. The Floo you wanted will then turn green and spit out your request. If they allow it, they'll send a response. Only then can you travel to that Floo Address." Griphook finished his explanation.
Hadrian nodded thoughtfully. "Is this a list of the permanent ones?" The goblin nodded. "Alright. One last thing, can I go to a different school than Hogwarts even though I was accepted?" Griphook paused.
"Did you send a reply acknowledging the acceptance?"
"No." He said slowly. "Hagrid just collected me and brought me to Diagon. Does that count?" Griphook shook his head.
"No. Since you never responded, it's acceptable to attend another school. However, you do have a keyed payment to Hogwarts set by your parents at the start of every year starting now for the next seven years." Griphook replied.
"Can I come back to cancel those and set up a different school payment when I'm accepted somewhere else?" Griphook nodded firmly.
"Yes. Since you hold the Lordships to those accounts, you can change and cancel any keyed payments."
"Thank you Griphook. I think I have everything then."
They both stood and Hadrian was escorted back to the entrance of Gringotts where he shook Griphook's hand.
"May your enemies ever fall." Griphook said, grinning.
"May your gold ever flow." Hadrian said back, shaking the goblin's hand.
He left with a new face, new clothes, no compulsions or blocks, with a new name and an actual home to return to. Hadrian grinned to himself as he left, pulling out the Beauxbaton pamphlet and headed to the owlery to send his request for attendance.