The sun was at least a half hour away from rising, but Nymphadora Tonks was waking up. She was still slowly fighting her way out of sleep's grasp when she heard the sound of paper being shifted about. She opened her eyes and felt the sting of light in them. With her eyes closed, she remembered the previous night and everything that happened.
'Oh, that is going to leave a mark isn't it?' Tonks moved the sheet a little, blocking the light, and looked down at her stomach near her belly button. She saw a bruise had formed over night and knew that her neck was going to be just as bad or worse. 'It was worth every minute. He is too much fun for me. Thank Merlin he had enough self-control to stop me when I tried to…do not think about that. It will only end up happening again and that is not what you want…or do you?'
Tonks used her metamorph abilities to hide the marks. 'I don't want him to worry about hurting me this early in the morning. Merlin knows he would too. He has too big a heart for his own good.' Tonks found she could lower the sheet without her eyes screaming in pain from the light. She looked and saw Harry sitting on the floor leaning against the bed. She saw his messy black hair move around as he continued with what he was doing.
"Harry, what are you doing?"
Harry didn't answer, but Tonks felt a surge of magic flood her senses. She felt like she was drowning in it. It was worse than when Harry was in fights with Horace or Vernon. "Harry!" Tonks scrambled out of the bed and to the floor in front of Harry. She found him sitting cross-legged with a box sitting open to his right and a pile of papers and folders to his left.
One folder was open, in his hands, and he looked like he was reading the contents. "Harry, you are scaring me. Why are you so mad?"
Tonks moved back as Harry's eyes rose to look at her. A look of pure malevolence was shining in his eyes. Tonks had never seen Harry look that dangerous before. She never thought it was possible for a fifteen-year-old to look that scary. She hesitantly asked the question again. "What is wrong, Harry?"
"There is so much they never told me." The hate was rolling off him in waves mixed with the raw magic he possessed. "I have been lied to. I have been kept in the dark. I have been ignored. I have been prevented from knowing who I really am. I want to hurt people right now and that scares me."
Tonks watched the fierceness on Harry's face swirl with fear and eagerness. She needed to know more if she had any hope of stopping something from being destroyed. Tonks only hoped that she and Harry weren't the ones who got hurt.
"Harry, please explain it too me. I do not know what is in those files. I read mine, but we weren't allowed to read others unless it is part of a mission. Tell me, please. Maybe I can help."
Harry fought the all-consuming urge to level the Dursley's home. He fought with his own magic which was screaming to be used. He took a few controlling breaths before answering the very frightened woman in front of him.
"My grandparents died of a wizarding disease and old age. Did you know that? My other grandparents died from a car accident. What harm would it have caused to tell me that? Why do I have to find this shit out for myself? Why can't people just tell me these things?"
"Is that why you are so mad?" Tonks asked cautiously.
"Not even close. I learned that my father didn't have a job because he managed my family's investments. Apparently, the Potter's have a stake in many businesses in both the wizard and muggle worlds. My mum was employed but it doesn't say where. She did something, but I haven't found out what yet.
"I also found out that Dumbledore has been filling out my release forms for Hogwarts. He can do that since he is my wizard guardian. I read that a few days after Sirius was sent to Azkaban, Dumbledore had the guardianship changed to him and the document sealed.
"Apparently it pays to be the Supreme Mugwump, Chief Warlock, and other such things. He got that file sealed so no one would find out without actually nicking the document itself. I also read the transcript of the trial. Dumbledore didn't do much to help Sirius. He basically let him be sentenced without trying very hard to find out the truth. Granted, Sirius didn't say much in his own defense, but still Dumbledore should have wanted to know what really happened.
"I know that it was Dumbledore, himself, who had that magic sensor thing set to watch this neighborhood. Fudge only trained it on me once I started mucking up his life. That old man had Mrs. Figg put here to watch me. I don't know what she told him, but he didn't do much watching or listening did he?"
"When I told him about your uncle attacking you," Tonks said hesitantly afraid the truth might do more damage than good, but she knew Harry's opinion on that subject. "He asked if you were unhurt. He didn't seem to care about what that fight would do to you. I nearly got into it with him when he wanted things left as is. He told me not to tell the Order about it."
"That sounds just like him from what I have learned. He has mucked about my life since everyone died. I should have been given to Remus to have been taken care of. He was the next one, after all, on the list my parents created when they went into hiding. Dumbledore wasn't even on the list, yet here he is pulling the strings. Remus didn't even know about their choice. Dumbledore prevented the notification from being sent out that night. Here is the real kicker. The list my parents created expressly says that I should never be given to Petunia for care. Never be given to her. My mum forbade it and what does Dumbledore do? He gives me to her against my mum's wishes.
"I should have lived in my family's home, Potter Estate, not in this hellhole. We have house elves there, or at least we did before we went into hiding. The Ministry files mention the house's existence, but they don't know where it is.
"My life has been fucked with ever since I was one year-old and Dumbledore is a big part of that. What gives him the right? Because he is the all-powerful Albus Dumbledore? Fuck him! How dare he do the things he has done. I could have grown up in a normal home away from these people. Yeah, there would have been a werewolf and house elves, but it would have been better than this God forsaken place. A normal childhood is all I wanted. That is all I ever wanted. I dreamed of someone taking me away from here every night for as long as I could remember.
"The night Hagrid showed up is one the happiest of my life. He took me away from here, from these people, and I owe him for that. But Dumbledore put me here. I owe him for that as well." Harry started getting darker in his mood and the feeling in the air reflected that as well.
"Harry, please listen to what I have to say." Harry looked at her. "The magic you have been learning is dangerous to practice and use. You have done a great job with it, but there is more than just using it. You have to know when to use it and when not to. Dark magic is insidious. It can change a person for the worst. I know you can handle it because I have watched you. You hate using the spells, but it gives you a sense of strength and power. You have never been in control of your life until now.
"Do not think the magic gives you that power. It is you, who have assumed control over your life. You are getting the power because you are not letting others take it from you. Do not think that magic can produce power. That is the wrong way to think. It is the wrong way to go."
"I don't think that, Tonks. I know what is going on."
"I know you do, Harry. I only want you to watch out. I can see you fighting the urge to hurt something and if you did you would only feel worse. You are a good person who has been in a bad situation. You are strong enough to find a way out of this doing the right things. I am here to help if you need it. Horace should have had this discussion with you about the spells you have been using, but I think he has gotten carried away with how fast you pick things up."
"Fast? Ha, he says I am too slow every time. I am never good enough."
"And would you try as hard if he did? Would you try to prove yourself with such determination if he praised you? He knows how to motivate you, Harry. He has used that to get the most out of you. It took me a week to get those shields mastered when he taught me, and I have to use my wand to do them too. You get them all in a day and wandlessly. Don't tell me you don't know how good you are at this stuff."
"I just do my best, Tonks. That is all I have ever done."
"And your best is better than anyone else's. It is that simple. You are amazing and I am so proud of you. Be proud to be yourself. Anyone else would. You are Harry Potter and you are strong enough to make good things happen in this world. If you have to sneak around the Ministry and borrow files or fool a group of old guys, you can still make things happen that are good. I do not want you to fall into what is easy like the Death Eaters."
"I am not like them!"
"I know you aren't, Harry. I just wanted to remind you that doing what we do, it is a constant struggle to stay good. We have connections and support from people who get us out of just about anything. Our job is riddled with temptation that lesser men would fall prey to. Do not become overwhelmed by the magic you control. You wield more than anyone I know so please be careful. Besides, you are too cute to go bad." Tonks smiled and altered her ears to make them pointed again.
Harry's mood subsided, but he could still feel his magic swirling. "I will not disappoint you, Nymph."
"I never said you would, Harry. Now, I should take a shower considering what you did to me last night. We can practice your Occlumency when I get back. The last thing we need is Albus finding a secret in your head today. He would only start digging trying to figure out what it is."
"You got that right," Harry said very seriously. "I will keep reading until you get back." Tonks grabbed some clothes and put on her cloak. Being found in her knickers by the Dursley's would be an unpleasant experience for everyone. Harry watched Tonks leave the room but she flashed a leg before closing the door after her.
'She is crazy, but she is fun, and my life hasn't had much fun in it. I intend to keep having fun and enjoying my life. To hell with the Dark Tosser and his morons. To hell with the Ministry and anyone else who gets in the way. I am going to live through this and I am going to enjoy doing it too. Now what else haven't I been told.'
Harry pulled the discarded folder into his lap and continued where he left off. Every page told him something new about his life and his family. Every new fact gave Harry something else to think about. Every untold story filled in more of his past.
Harry read his father's school records. The disciplinary folder alone gave Harry many things to laugh about and quite a few ideas for the twins. Harry started a list and added things that seemed viable considering their talents. His father definitely had a problem with Snape. Most of the times he got caught were when Snape was the victim. As Harry thought about it, he started wondering how many of those times Snape set his father up to be caught. Many of them seemed similar to how Draco had tried to get Harry caught during his first year.
His mother's school folder nearly brought as many laughs but not for the same reasons. Harry could only think that Hermione's would read the same except for all the times his name would be listed next to hers. The scores and efforts his mother put forth were sickening. 'How could Mum be this smart and still end up with Dad? Their records are polar opposites of each other.'
His mother had one detention in all her years, but a note on the sheet said that Lily was covering for another student but wouldn't reveal who. The detention was during seventh year and served with James Potter with McGonagall as the monitor.
Harry compared his parents' records for their seventh year and found that after the detention his father spent with his mother, he had far less nights of punishment. He couldn't help but laugh at the situation. 'Could Mum have changed him in three hours?'
It was a laughing Harry that Tonks found when she returned to his room. "What is so funny, Harry?"
He explained the correlation and started laughing again. "Women can change a man in far less time than three hours, Harry. You remember that and you will go far in life as long as you accept the fact that you are the one to do the changing." Tonks cracked a smile and watched Harry figure out what she had said. Her own laughs stopped when Harry wrestled her onto the bed and held her down.
"Getting aggressive, I see."
"You wanted me more playful so here you are, Nymphadora."
"Yes, quite nice, Harry, but we have other things to do besides trying to suffocate each other. Oh, and next time don't suck so hard for so long. It took me ten minutes to hide all of the hickeys on my body. The ones on my neck were particularly hard to conceal. The ones on my back I couldn't see so I did my best. You better hope I don't have to get naked today in front of someone or there will be difficult questions to answer, mister."
Harry hesitated before letting his 'evil' grin spread across his face. He heard Tonks sigh as he lowered himself to give her a kiss. "Like I said last night, it is my life and everyone who has a problem with that can fuck off."
"I know and I am with you on that, but I don't even want to think about how the questions would be asked. Oh, the shame." Tonks was teasing with her words as she used her leg to rub Harry's bum.
"Now you stop that you frisky minx. Weren't we going to do something now?"
"Oh yeah, I need to test your Occlumency skills. I am not expecting perfection here, just a passable defense against Albus. At the very least, you should know when he is trying to get into your head. If he does, get my attention and we can stop him."
"Us stop him? What did have in mind, Nymph?"
"I don't know. I could ask him a question or step between you two. There are easy ways to stop it from happening. I doubt he will outright attack you with it. We will be among others and he doesn't need a scene like that where others can watch. Think of the press. "Albus Dumbledore attacks Harry Potter's mind." That would go over as well as Fudge winning the Most Charming Smile Award this summer. In fact, you have won that one haven't you?"
"I don't think so, but I never paid much attention to it. Ask Hermione or Mrs. Weasley that question. One knows everything; the other reads up on that kind of stuff."
"You really rely on Hermione for things don't you?"
"Yep. Either you rely on her or she makes you rely on her. It is easier not to fight it. You don't know her very well do you?"
"Not really. I just know what I have heard and the few days I was at headquarters when she was there. Ginny and I meshed better. She is more fun than Hermione. Less books around too."
"Anyway, let's get this over with. As much fun as it is having someone roam around your head, I would rather not."
"Well, I like roaming around your head, Harry. There is a lot in there I find humorous and entertaining."
"Glad I could help, Nymph."
"Much thanks, Harry. Now, ready?"
Harry nodded and he felt a presence in his mind. Harry signaled he felt her presence so she started pushing into his mind. Images started appearing in his mind for no reason. Harry tried to confine the source of the disruption, but with every attempt the intruder moved somewhere else.
"Try to box me in, Harry. I am not going to make this easy for you, but I am not going to run pell-mell in there either. Trap me with your mind. Use some of your magic if you have to but don't fry me in the process. I am too cute to be killed by you."
"That you are, Nymphadora." Harry tried to box Tonks in but every time he got close she would escape his efforts. As his frustration levels rose, Harry started using more of his magic to confine her. He had her cornered once, but she broke through the thin walls he had created in an amateur attempt to confine her.
Getting even more frustrated with himself, Harry forced more magic into his attempts and trapped her presence tightly in his own mind. He opened his eyes and saw Tonks lying on the bed fighting against an invisible enemy. Harry dropped all concentration and moved to hold Tonks. Once his mind changed its purpose, Tonks was released by the magic and freed. A few deep breaths were taken before Harry scooped her up into his arms and held her to him.
"I am alright, Harry. I kept getting away when you were playing nice. I deserved what I got. You can trap anyone in your mind by doing what you did. Remember that if you need it in the future. Also if you put that much effort into it, you could the choke attacker easily enough. I, for one, prefer our other way of trying to suffocate each other." Tonks smiled widely and licked her lips.
Harry lowered his body a little as he held Tonks in his arms. "You think I could hold off Dumbledore?"
"If you needed to, most definitely. I don't know if you could prevent the initial attack or break into his mind, but you should be able to hold him in place for a long time. There is no way he would expect you to be this good at Occlumency after Snape's pathetic efforts. Now, how about some metamorph training. I would like to know how much you can do."
"Alright, what is first?"
"Start with what you know you can do, hair length."
Tonks spent the remaining time watching Harry struggle to change his appearance. He could lengthen his hair at will after thirty minutes, but he couldn't change the color one bit. His eyes proved even more difficult. Harry couldn't change the shape or color at all. After Tonks told a very frustrated Harry how to change the texture of his skin, Harry proved that he lacked that ability as well.
Tonks went through every area of the metamorphmagus' training regimen she had created through her own life. Harry could change the length of his hair anywhere on his body with some serious thought. He could alter his center of gravity a little bit which aided him in his Quidditch skills and made Tonks very jealous since she couldn't. His reflexes were heightened by what little metamorph gift he had. Harry could do something else, but he flatly refused to tell Tonks what is was. Harry would only tease her saying that she might find out later in the summer.
A huffing Tonks brought the session to a close. "Well, you may not be me, but at least you have a few things you can do. The more you use them; the easier it is to make it happen quickly. I had hoped you would be more advanced, but I was just looking for someone to discuss the gift with. Don't worry, Harry, I still like you even though you aren't very talented at this one area of obscure magic."
"Thanks, Nymph, I think."
"That is a compliment, Harry. Now, it is nearly nine fifteen so you should shower so we can eat something quick before we leave for Gringotts. Wear something new and sexy."
"Ah, could you just pick out what you want me to wear. I would have just worn jeans and a t-shirt again."
"Oh, that is no good. You have to look dapper today. You are going to get some money and meet a few people you would probably rather not meet. So, you have to make a good impression and appear formidable. Dumbledore may spring some new summer plan on you that neither of us knows about yet."
"If he does, it will not go down easily. I will resist any plans he has for me. Anyway, what am I wearing?"
Tonks opened his trunk and sorted through the new clothes. "Here, wear these," she said tossing clothes at him. I will hang up your other clothes and put away the files while you are busy. Now get moving." Tonks shooed him from the room and into the hallway.
Harry turned and headed to the bathroom only to find Dudley leaving his room and Petunia dusting the picture frames. Both stopped what they were doing and stared at Harry with their jaws hanging open.
"What now?" Harry asked clearly lacking patience.
"What have you done to yourself?" Petunia asked a little angry and puzzled at the same time.
"What are you on about?"
"You taking steroids or what, Potter?" Dudley chimed in.
"Steroids? What the bloody hell are you on about, Dud?"
"Look at you," Dudley said waving a hand at Harry. "You aren't all titchy anymore. It has only been a week. You have to be hitting them hard for this kind of change." Jealousy and anger to could be heard in Dudley's voice.
Harry looked at himself and found that he was holding his clothes near his waist covering certain areas. He also noticed that his arms, legs, and pretty much his entire body wasn't so scrawny anymore. Over the last few days he didn't have the time to realize what had been happening to himself. A long forgotten conversation came to his mind. 'The potion they gave me. Didn't they say something about me not being so small after that?'
"Oh, this," Harry said moving his hand up and down in front of himself. "I was given a potion to help me fill out a bit. I guess it is working. I have been so busy lately that I never noticed. Well, if we are finished, I need to take a shower. Excuse me." Harry pushed past Dudley and dismissed his aunt with a look. Once the door was closed, Harry turned the water on and pretended his 'relatives' didn't exist.
When Harry finished, he put on the clothes Tonks had given him. The shirt seemed a little bit tight around the shoulders, but he wasn't going to say anything about it. The pants fitted fine and he tried in vain to comb his hair. 'I can change the length, but I can't make it lay down. What good am I?'
Harry left the loo and returned to his room to find Tonks sitting on his bed waiting for him. He noticed his trunk had been cleared of all clothes and his cloak was hung over the back of his desk chair. On the desk was the bottle of wine from the night before.
"As sexy as it was yesterday, Harry. Very nice," Tonks commented as if she was waiting to give him a score at some pageant. "We can finish the wine tonight when we have dinner, but it is breakfast time and the muggles need to see that you are alive and well."
"No worries on that. I met two of them on my way to the loo."
"Really?" Tonks seemed thoughtful. "Did they say anything interesting?"
"Actually, they thought I had been taking drugs to make me bigger. What was in that potion they gave me on Wednesday?"
"It is a special mix of stuff. We use it to help ourselves become stronger. It is much faster and safer than the ways the muggles try. It should almost be done so you won't get much bigger. It won't make you huge like some professional body builder, but it gets you going in the right direction. I don't think your body could handle much more than you have right now. It only gives you a comfortable increase in your strength. Do you like it?"
"I never noticed it until Dudley made a comment. Do you like it?"
"Did he really? Makes you think, don't it?" Tonks faded off. "What? Oh yes, I love it, Harry. You look very hot in your new clothes and improved physique. A heart stopper if there ever was one." Tonks watched as Harry got embarrassed and looked at the floor. "Modest as ever, too. That is what I like about you, Harry. Ever the clueless hottie."
"Ha! Is that what my Goblin name would be? Harry Ever-The-Clueless-Hottie Potter."
"I like it so I don't care how insulting you get about it. It fits all the same. Now, grab your new sexy cloak, your keys, and anything else you think you will need. Be prepared in case something happens. You take care of yourself above all others, Harry. I can take care of myself so you worry about you. Understand?"
"Are you expecting there to be trouble, Nymph?"
"I am not sure, but think about who the Blacks are related to. There is a good chance a Malfoy will be there for the reading. I don't think they will get anything, but as a direct family member they can't be excluded from the reading. I am sure they will lodge a complaint if they get nothing. Narcissa would not stand for being completely left out of the will. She has always had entitlement issues thinking she should get everything.
"Be prepared, Harry, that is all I want. There will be people in the same room who are enemies. That makes for a bad situation altogether. Be ready, be prepared, and for Merlin's sake stay sexy."
"Tonks! Can't you stay serious for one minute?"
"I could but this is far more entertaining. Come on, let's get some food, scare some Dursleys, and frustrate my aunt a whole bunch."
"I am glad you are looking at the bright side of this trip, Nymph. I know I won't be."
Tonks stood in front of Harry and gave him a passionate kiss while holding her soft body against his. Harry could feel her ample chest moving against his. Her silky top hid little and allowed her body heat to meld with Harry's. She broke the kiss only after running her hand down his chest and stopping right above his waist line. "Stay positive and I might be able to make it worth your effort, Harry." Tonks grabbed her cloak from the bed and moved to the doorway.
Harry grabbed his cloak and followed Tonks down the stairs and into the kitchen. As he walked trailing behind Tonks, he watched her bum and used that as motivation to ignore the Dursleys. Tonks seemed to be swishing her rear a little more than necessary as she walked and Harry could only figure that was on purpose.
The chatter from the kitchen ceased the moment the door opened, and Tonks entered the room without hesitation. She walked over to the cooker and found it clear of any food. "Ruddy muggles can't even leave a bit of toast for us? Ah, Harry, do you know how to cook? It is best if I remain a good distance from all kitchen ware and appliances."
"Yes, Tonks, I can cook. What do you want?"
"They don't count, Harry. Who are they going to tell anyway? Bacon sounds good and maybe some eggs while you're at it."
"Would you like some kippers as well?" Harry asked offhandedly.
"Yes, please."
"Too bad I haven't got any. You will just have to do without, Nymph." Harry smiled at Tonks.
"Rotten luck anyhow."
The Dursleys watched the by-play and were silent as Harry and Tonks bantered back and forth. Dudley slowly pushed his plate away and he hadn't even finished his food.
"What is wrong, Dud? Not hungry for once?" Harry asked.
"You two are making me sick," Dudley replied. "As if before wasn't bad enough."
"What before?" Vernon asked barely holding his anger in check.
Dudley looked at Tonks and then at Harry. He saw Harry tensing and flexing his wand hand. "No…nothing, Dad. Nothing, never mind."
"Dudley, don't you worry about them. They wouldn't dare do anything to you. Would you, Boy?" Vernon cast a scornful look at Harry.
"I would and you have nothing to say about it to begin with, Vernon. I haven't even been here a week and you are starting to return to your normal self. Do not forget what happened last time, Uncle. I am more willing to stop you now than I was then. Do not test me." Harry stared Vernon down and waited for the large man to relent.
Harry decided he should test out his Legilimency abilities while he had a 'volunteer' willing to participate. Harry made eye contact and tried to open Vernon's mind a little bit just to listen. What Harry heard was very garbled and unintelligible. After a few minutes, Harry managed to figure out a little bit of what Vernon was thinking. Mostly, Vernon was trying to decide if Harry was bluffing or if he was serious. Harry chose to give Vernon proof.
Harry slowly drew his wand and held it at his side. Then he willed an Imprimis Shield into existence and waited for Vernon to react. His uncle jumped back from the table sending his chair flying across the kitchen. Harry watched Vernon back away as he sputtered incoherently.
"I am serious and I will not allow you to bully me, Vernon. Try it and I will fight back and I assure you that I will fight to win."
"So, you are threatening me, Boy? Maybe I should call the police and let them remove you from my home."
"You could do that, Dursley," Tonks said drawing her wand with purpose. "Only once the police left I would come back and destroy this house. The thing is that is nothing compared to what the Death Eaters and Vol…You-Know-Who would do to you."
"You almost said it, Nymph. Keep trying, you will get there."
"Thanks, Harry. You see, Harry is the only person keeping you lot alive. If he leaves this dreadful place too soon, the protections on this house will fall and the Death Eaters will kill you. It is what they do and they would love to get a hold of anyone who has sheltered Harry."
Tonks saw the gleam in Vernon's eyes. "And before you get any ideas, Tubby, they won't listen to you. You are a muggle and that makes you worse than a muggle-born wizard. You are as low on their list as you can get. Besides, Harry can protect himself if you didn't know. Now, Harry, make with the food. Chop chop."
"Thanks, Nymph, I think." Harry opened the fridge and started up the cooker. He kept one eye on Tonks and his relatives and the other on the food. He made up a decent sized breakfast and they ate while the Dursleys watched. Vernon never opened his mouth but the vain in his head was throbbing. Petunia looked down on every action, but her heart didn't seem to be in it. Dudley made a big production of looking away, but his eyes kept swinging back to watch Harry and Tonks.
When the eggs, bacon, and toast had been eaten, Tonks stood up and waved her wand cleaning the dishes. Every Dursley jumped and two squeaks and a grunt sounded in the kitchen.
"Well, that puts us near our time, Harry. We had best get going so we can arrive a little early. I will let you do the honours of creating the portkey. You had better make it near the apparition point and a return trip one just in case things get unpleasant."
"Alright, I can do that." Harry pulled out the metal ring and started concentrating. Vernon paled even more when he saw Harry tap the ring and it glowed blue.
"You keep getting faster at that, Harry. Do we have everything?"
"I think so. Let's get this over with." Harry sighed deeply and stepped towards Tonks. She put an arm around Harry's waist and held him tightly.
Tonks used her other hand to tilt his head to look at her so she could kiss him. When their lips broke, Harry held up the ring and Tonks grabbed it. A tap of Harry's wand triggered the portkey and they disappeared from the sterile kitchen reappearing in a very non-sterile Diagon Alley.
The bright sun did little to raise Harry's mood. He was sad and angry at the situation he found himself in. Thoughts kept swirling in his mind as Tonks pulled him along the alley towards their destination.
'I am always the one to survive. Why am I always left in the end? Why do others die when it should be me? Will Hermione be next? The Weasleys? Nymphadora? No, I can control who gets into that much danger. I can keep them away or in safer places. I can watch out for them. I can't lose anyone else. I couldn't live through that or at least I wouldn't want to.'
"Knut for your thoughts, Harry?"
"Just wallowing, Nymph. Don't mind me."
"Ha, like I will leave it at that. You get more cheerful or you will hear about it from me, mister," Tonks scolded.
"Yes, Nymph," Harry said in a resigned way.
"He would want you to be happy right now. Think about last night or all the trouble you are going to cause with his money. At the very least, remember Vernon's face when you threw up that shield." Tonks smiled widely and laughed.
"I will try. I hope things go well today, but knowing my luck they will fall apart within an hour." They walked up the steps to the bank and entered the lobby area. Harry saw a group of people standing near the gilded doors at the back of the bank. "Better make that five minutes, Nymph."
Tonks looked at the group and saw Dumbledore, Remus, Arthur and Molly Weasley, Narcissa Malfoy, and Cornelius Fudge. An array of aurors were scattered about the lobby taking up much of the open area. Harry turned to Tonks and gave her a wounded look.
"You are in charge, Harry. You are the primary beneficiary so you control the reading. Unless they are expressly mentioned in the will, you can object to their presence."
"Good, I plan to then." Harry squared his shoulders and strode towards the group. The new cloak Tonks had him buy was flapping behind him as he walked. The elegant material shimmered in the dim light of the bank; his body and his stride gave him a very imposing look. He focused on Remus and the Weasleys ignoring the others.
A few people in the lobby turned and followed Harry's movement with their eyes causing others to take notice. After a few seconds, most of the bank's patrons couldn't help but watch the young man advance on the idle group. The aurors watched Harry approach but many seemed to move back as Harry passed them.
"Remus, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Harry said as he neared the group causing them to turn around quickly.
"Harry, dear!" Molly exclaimed and rushed to sweep Harry into a vigorous hug. "I have been so worried about you, dear. Oh, how are you doing? The muggles treating you better?" Molly held him tightly before stepping back and holding him at arms length. "Harry, you have changed. Have you grown?"
"Molly, let Harry be. He just got here and this can't be easy on him," Arthur interjected preventing a larger scene from being made. "Having a good summer, Harry?"
"Better than any of the others all things considered," Harry answered.
"We need to discuss a few things when you have time, Harry," Remus said.
"Yes, well, we can arrange a time after all of this, Remus." Harry wasn't going to be weak in front of anyone. He had to put the strongest face forward and prove his resolve.
"Hello, Harry." Albus stepped forward and extended his hand in a gracious manner wearing a slight smile.
Harry looked at his hand and then up into the old man's face. Harry could tell Albus was trying to make amends but considering what he had learned earlier in the morning, Harry wasn't interested. He ignored the greeting, much to the surprise of everyone present, and looked to the Minister.
"Why are you here, Fudge?" Harry asked bluntly. One of Fudge's assistants nearly lost his head from shock at the way Harry addressed the sitting Minister, but many of the aurors had to work hard at hiding their mirth.
"Harry, my boy," Fudge began in a very friendly way. He stepped forward extending his hand and placing his other hand on Harry's shoulder. "How wonderful to see you again. Perhaps we could lunch together and speak of important matters. You could be of great assistance to the Ministry and the Wizarding world by helping me out with a few things."
Harry smirked as his mood darkened. Everyone but Fudge noticed the mood shift. "If I get to be the one to throw you out of the Ministry, I am all for it. Otherwise, sod off you incompetent git." Harry turned away from Fudge, brushed his hand off his shoulder, and ignored the shocked look on the Minister's face. Albus watched the exchange and dropped his shoulders in disappointment.
The aurors couldn't help but laugh at this point. Many had to turn around to hide their insubordination. Molly wore a dismayed look while Arthur chuckled with Remus. The only one who didn't react was Mrs. Malfoy. All further discourse was interrupted by the doors opening and Griphook exiting through them.
"Mr. Potter and a guest may proceed to the hearing room in advance of the others to settle previous business," said the goblin.
Albus stepped forward as did Remus. "Tonks let's go," Harry said as he moved toward the door with Tonks following him closely.
"Harry, maybe I should accompany you…" Albus stopped speaking when Harry and Tonks kept walking away without slowing. Once the doors closed, Molly stepped forward wearing a confused look.
"Albus, what did you do to the poor boy?" Molly questioned in her normal domineering motherly-tone. "He has always been so respectful."
"I made a mistake and it appears that Harry hasn't forgiven me for it." Albus sighed and adjusted his eyeglasses. "Well, it appears we wait to be summoned."
Harry and Tonks walked down the twisting hallways before being showed into a large room with an ornate table and numerous old chairs. Everything looked stately and formal in the light of the candle chandelier hanging above the table. Harry and Tonks took seats next to each other facing the doorway.
Griphook accompanied another Goblin into the room. The goblin looked as old as Dumbledore, but he had no beard and no hair on his head. The goblin had numerous wrinkles and he walked with a gnarled, wooden staff with gold accents. The goblin slowly made his way to the high backed chair at the head of the table. Harry and Tonks looked at him and waited for him to do or say something.
The seconds ticked by as Griphook took up a position behind the elder goblin. The goblin sorted through a pile of papers slowly arranging them into smaller piles. Harry decided to prep his mind for the inevitable intrusion from Albus. Tonks was getting impatient and figured on having a little bit of fun while she could. She placed her hand on Harry's lap and started moving it up his leg.
A clearing of a throat stopped all activity in the room. "Mr. Harry Potter," the elder goblin prefaced. "I am Ragnok, director of Gringotts. I will be handling this hearing personally due to the implications presented by such a family merger."
"Family merger, sir?" Harry asked puzzled.
"Yes, Mr. Potter, the Black estate will mostly be rolled into the Potter estate. This is a serious matter that has every board member's attention. I am here to protect the interests of the deceased, the heirs, and the bank of course. If you have any questions now, during, or after the reading you are free to ask them. Moving forward, I will be available to you when needed, Mr. Potter."
Tonks' jaw dropped at the announcement and she looked at Harry finding a confused look. She nudged Harry earning a reaction from him. "Thank you, sir. I don't know much about all of this. I only recently learned a little about my family's financial position."
"Really?" Ragnok seemed honestly surprised. "Have you never received your statements? We send them out every month for account holders of your status."
"Is that so," Harry asked. "Does Albus Dumbledore know about the statements and their schedule?"
"Why, yes, he does. He is your guardian after all."
"I learned about that recently, too." Harry felt his anger increasing. "Is there something I can do about that? Some way I can change that or remove it altogether?"
"There are some things we can do but only if the position was abused by the guardian. Has Albus ever injured you?"
"No, not directly."
"Has he ever withdrawn money from your account without your knowledge?" Ragnok was getting more animated as time went on.
"I only found out about my vault when I turned eleven. So, anything before that would have been without my knowledge."
"If you are referring to your trust vault, then there is no recorded activity prior to your eleventh birthday's withdrawal. Now, your family account has had minor activity, but most of that is only prearranged maintenance activity. Some of your family investments have yearly obligations to meet and your father setup arrangements to comply with them. There have been no other improper deductions or activity."
"Are there any other ways?" Harry wanted to know the answer to this since he should be able to handle at least some of his family's business on his own.
"You have never received your monthly statements so that is a small breech of the guardianship agreement with Gringotts. Has the person in question ever broken a written contract in his dealings with you?"
"Yes, he has," Harry saw his only opportunity. "Before my parents were killed, they stated that I was never to be given to my aunt for care. I was supposed to go to Remus should Sirius not be available. Albus prevented that from happening. He sent me to live with my aunt."
"If you have a copy of that contract so I can verify the breech, it would be a direct violation in opposition with the documented wishes of his charge's parents. Essentially, the guardian would have usurped the orders of the parents and that is never permitted. The parents are the supreme authority in family matters concerning their own children even in death. Do you have the contract with you?"