A/N: Bear with me if this is not as good as my other fics. I don't often delve into these territories.
I think it goes without saying that I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 2: Blood Ritual
Harry was up earlier than normal that day. He didn't want to alert Vernon Dursley to the fact that he was being civilized for the first time in...well ever....and test his lucky streak and earn a smart whooping for his insolence. Part of Harry wasn't still certain that this wasn't a cruel joke perpetrated by...someone. But then again the goblins wouldn't be in on something like that. Harry rounded through the thoughts as he took a shower and brushed his teeth. In no short order he was downstairs and fixing breakfast for everyone.
The morning affair had proceeded as simply as the dinner the night previously had. No words were exchanged until Harry had brought out his trunk and put it back in the Dursley's car. Fortunately for him....the car was in the garage at the moment per his request. As Harry and his Uncle Vernon pulled out Harry looked back and saw his Aunt standing there waving, actually seeming to smile. It chilled Harry to no end.
Along the way out of Little Whinging he managed to spot Mundungus standing guard near a lamppost, trying to look as discreet as possible. Harry hid from view and the dodgy wizard didn't notice Vernon turn the corner. When they were further away Vernon looked down at his nephew, regarded him for a moment, and then continued onward.
It was halfway to The Leaky Cauldron and a good long while before Harry heard any voice. He was almost half-asleep, though his mind was still swimming with the possibilities. A gruff cough from his Uncle Vernon drew him back to the reality, and he looked up at the burly man and was surprised not to find any trace of a changing face color on him.
"So b....Harry," the afore mentioned wizard flinched at the use of his given name, "What sort of nature is this business. Anything I should be concerned about." Harry wasn't sure he could trust the man. He knew he couldn't admit it was an outright lie, but to be quite frank he hadn't thought of more of a cover story. He regarded the man for as long as he could without a reply as he came to a conclusion and pressed forward.
"Well sir," he said, sticking to half-truths and marginal revelations, "I have to pick up a few things for a school project." That wasn't entirely a lie, he did need to pick up a few ingredients from the apothecary. But Harry wanted to let the man in on a bit more. For some reason he felt as if a great veil had been lifted between him and his last living relatives and he wanted to explore it, if for only a brief foray into the weird new world.
"I also need to stop by Gringotts," Harry announced. He looked at Vernon who was confused. "The wizard's bank," Harry explained. "I received a letter from them yesterday saying that I had some papers to sign."
"Concerning your godfather?" Vernon asked without a moment's hesitation.
"Yes, among other things." Vernon looked like he would press forward and Harry hoped that he wouldn't. He wanted to explode with the excitement he was feeling, the first real joy he had felt in a good long while and if his uncle pursued the line of inquiry any further he'd likely be unable to hold the breach. Much to Harry's relief however, his uncle deviated and went down an entirely different path altogether.
"Harry," his uncle began, a tinge of sorrow apparent in his voice, "I know that your aunt and I haven't always been the most loving people to be around." The hairs on Harry's neck were beginning to stand on end. This. Was. Not. Normal.
"I honestly don't know what came over us. One minute we'd be fine and the moment we saw you or thought of you we'd be all angry and blind with rage." He paused a moment and made a turn down a main road. "But yesterday, on the way to get you we...well something happened. It was like a light turned on and things went into motion. Suddenly, you didn't seem all that bad. Yeah...you were still a bit....unnatural but....not a freak." Harry half-expected to explode at this point. The car came to a stop in front of the dingy pub Harry had instructed Vernon was The Leaky Cauldron. As Harry got out and grabbed his trunk, he turned to hand his Uncle the money promised, when his Uncle held up his hand.
"Keep it," he said, a smile nearly forming on his face. "I doubt we'll meet again Harry. For whatever it's worth...we're sorry. Good luck." At that Vernon drove off. Part of Harry thought that his Uncle was just elated to have him gone for good and was turned inside out with joy. Another part considered what Hermione had written to him, and nothing made any sense. Shrugging it off and trying to ignore it as best he could, he rolled his trunk into the inn, making sure to lift the hood on his jacket he was wearing to try and hide his identity.
He casually strolled into the bar area and found it thankfully devoid of anyone at the moment. He approached the bar man and sat on a stool, gaining his attention.
"Hello sir," the man said without looking up from scrubbing his mugs, "can I get ya something?"
"Yes, Tom," Harry said, making sure to lift his hood slightly so his scar was visible only to him. Tom looked at him and his eyes went wide before Harry's gaze made him assume command. "I need a room for my things for a few hours. Do you think you can manage that?"
"Certainly can Mr. Patterson," Tom said loud enough for everyone to hear. Harry smiled and threw down a few galleons in front of the bar man.
"I was never here," he simply said. Tom nodded and took the money. He might have done it for free anyway, but he wasn't one to turn down free money. "I may send a House Elf or goblin for my things later," Harry mentioned, gaining a nod from Harry. Harry had had time to formulate some of his plan, and it involved a certain pair of House Elves he would have to hire soon. Leaving his trunk and other belongings, Harry turned away from the bar and headed for the back room. Finding the usual brick wall there he pulled out his wand and tapped the bricks in the proper motion, watching them rearrange till the entrance to Diagon Alley appeared in his view. He readjusted his bangs to hide his scar and proceeded down the main alleyway. He stopped at a few stores he knew to be among his favorites, but stopped himself from window shopping. He wouldn't have much time before Dumbledore figured out what had happened, and he didn't want to be drug back to his cage kicking and screaming. If he was emancipated however, than the old man wouldn't have a say in the matter anymore.
Harry made his way to Gringotts and slipped in the front door. The lines were incredibly short for the time of day, but that meant no concern to Harry. He kept the letter he had received in his pocket and approached the nearest goblin he could find, namely Griphook.
"Griphook," he called out, drawing surprise from the afore mentioned goblin. He turned around looking for the source of his name and his gaze stopped on Harry.
"Yes sir....how did you know my name sir?" Griphook was a little intrigued. Most wizards never bothered to learn a goblin's name in the first place, let alone remember it.
"You were the first goblin I ever met. A few years ago," Harry replied. He rolled his eyes slightly This was something he would never understand as it related to goblins and wizards. Griphook looked amazed that Harry would remember not only his name, but also would remember how they had met. Harry just shook his head and flushed the letter out of his pocket. "I'm here to see Haiden Orlock concerning some estates." Griphook nodded and led Harry off from the main lobby. They walked through a double set of oaken doors and into a large hallway lit by torches. They walked down past a few doorways and stopped about halfway down the corridor. Griphook motioned to Harry to enter, and after a moment's hesitation he did.
The office of the Haiden Orlock was rather ornate. Tapestries from what Harry guessed (if Professor Binns' lectures were any indication) were the Goblin Rebellions held depicting reliefs of various battles and skirmishes. Behind a desk sat an older goblin shuffling some papers. He looked up and gazed at Harry for a moment with what appeared to be a scowl, but it quickly changed to an inquiring gaze.
"Yes, is there something I can do for you Mr...." the goblin's voice was raspy Harry noted, and he sounded much older than he looked.
"Harry..." the teen said confidently as he could muster, swinging his way into the office and shutting the door. "Harry Potter. I got a letter from you yesterday and..." the goblin was now smiling and had walked over to the corner, grabbing a basin and a dagger. He set the two of them on his desk and motioned for Harry to sit down in front of him. Harry did as he was asked and set the letter back into his pocket. Orlock read a few more pieces of paper and glanced at Harry, before folding his arms and continuing.
"Yes, thank you for coming on such short notice Mr. Potter. And let me again extend our deepest condolences on the loss of Mr. Black." Harry's features darkened at the mention, but the goblin continued. "Right then...as I said in the letter you are to come into the inheritance of the House of Black immediately. Now, if you would be so kind as to give me your hand." Harry held back for a moment, untrusting for a brief second.
"I have a couple of questions first." Harry had many questions in fact, but the goblin shook his head in response.
"I'm sorry Mr. Potter," Orlock explained, "but many of the questions you have can't be answered to an underage wizard. Technically were it not for the Black family's standing within the Goblin Nation and the instructions of Mr. Black's will you would not be here anyway. Now, if you please give me your hand I can verify your identity and give you your first inheritance." Harry was still a little unnerved by all of this, but nonetheless held out his hand, directing it over the basin of silver liquid at Orlock's motion. Orlock picked up the ornate bronze dagger and chanted something in a language that Harry didn't understand, before prodding him across his fingers. A few drops of his blood dipped into the silverly liquid, and he leaned forward while he cradled his hand to his chest. The red swirled around for a few moments, before there was a loud pop and the liquid turned completely gold. Orlock nodded and looked at Harry. "Here, let me get that," he said, and Harry offered his hand. A moment later the slight cut was healed. Orlock stood up from his desk and grabbed a small torch that hung on the back wall. Pulling at it a small portal opened in the side and Orlock grabbed the torch and motioned for Harry to follow him. Having no other choice, Harry did as he was told.
It was a short trip down the dark and cobweb infested tunnel to a small antechamber where torches surrounded the room. Harry took a glance at the ornate stoneworks in the room and guessed it to be almost as old as the building itself. "This is where we conduct the initiation ceremonies. In days gone past wizards would do these things, but they've since entrusted it to us. I prepared this chamber for your arrival, I trust you don't mind." Orlock motioned for him to stand in front of a carved obelisk rising out of the middle of the floor. Orlock waved his hands and the obelisk glowed.
"This is a Goblin Recorder," he explained, "It allows us to keep track of the heads of all the Most Noble and Ancient Houses." When Orlock noticed a bit of fear cross his charge's face he reassured, "We treat our customer's privacy with the utmost care, even moreso than their vault's on occasion." He let that sink in for a moment before he walked over and grabbed a small black box. Harry looked at the onyx carved box and saw the Black Family crest etched on top of it. Orlock stood before Harry, a serious look drawn across his ancient face. "Kneel," he said with a simple command. Not knowing what else to do, Harry did as he was told. He noticed that the flames had grown brighter as Orlock stepped forward.
"Do you, Harry Potter, son of James, hereby take on the duties and responsibilities of leading the Noble and Ancient House of Black?" Harry began to nod but quickly realized that wouldn't do.
"I do," he clearly intoned, as serious as he could be. All the pomp and circumstance nearly made him grin.
"Then arise Harry Potter, son of James, Lord of the House of Black." Harry stood up and Orlock motioned for his hand. Onto his ring finger Orlock slipped a small platinum ring with a simple black stone set in the middle and a silver dragon with small emeralds for eyes sitting in the center of the stone. Harry immediately felt a rush of power coming from the ring, filling him with a calming sense as the ring fit to his finger. He opened his eyes and looked at Orlock, who was bowing before him, causing him to smile a bit.
"Enough of that," Harry said, waving his hand. Just because he was the head of a wizarding line didn't mean people would kneel before him now. He never enjoyed that idea. Orlock looked up at him a bit sheepishly before conjuring a couple of chairs.
"Now that you are officially Lord Black," he began, summoning another goblin as he did, "I can answer some of your questions." The new Lord Black sat down on the chair and ordered for some refreshments when the other goblin came into the chamber. He had a million questions flowing through his mind before he finally settled on the first.
"Why me...I'm not a Black I mean...yeah I'm related to them like second cousin sort of thing but. Heck Malfoy should have inherited it before me." He idly remembered the Black Family Tapestry and tried to remember the lineage.
"Actually," the goblin began, "It should have been one Bellatrix Lestrange who assumed leadership of the House of Black." Harry's features really darkened at the mention of the witch. "Though it is one of the older houses, it does not prescribe to the patriarchal lineage. Women can inherit that line. It is not so with some of the other lines."
"So, why me," Harry asked again, noticing the refreshments popping into existence.
"Mr. Black, though he had never undergone the actual inheritance since he was in Azkaban at the time, was in effect the de facto heir to the Black Line. He couldn't dismiss anyone from the family, but he could do what he wanted with the title of Head of the House, and he bequeathed it to you. And since you now where the crest of the family Black, there are several perks that come with it." Harry's eyes widened as the Goblin continued.
"You have control over all of the Black family assets. You can name other members of other families into your own House though this has not been done in ages. You can disown someone completely and remove them from the family, provided they are not the next in line for the lordship. You also have the ability to swear fealty to other lords and have other lords swear fealty to you. Should the need ever arise you promise to defend one another's family. It's usually a way of forging alliances in times of war." Orlock added emphasis to this point before continuing. "Pertaining to you in special occasion you are now for all intents and purposes emancipated. As Lord Black you have all the rights and privileges thereto, including being free from the restriction based laws against the use of underage magic. You also have a voting seat on the Wizengamot. The first of many." Harry's mind reeled from everything. He didn't realize how much this entailed. A seat on the Wizengamot? Emancipation? It all meant one thing in Harry's mind.
Freedom.
He actually had legitimate power over his own life....for the first time in his life. No more Dumbledore to hover over him for his greater good. No more Dursley's to do chores for. No more being everyone's tool, he was his own man. As he sat there he went over what Orlock had just said, and something dawned on him.
"Orlock sir," he began before the goblin raised his hand.
"Do not call me sir my lord. It is honor enough that you refer to me by my given name." Harry was about to protest but the look on his face held him off. "It's protocol my Lord, we must respect the niceties." Harry simply grumbled.
"Very well, Orlock, you mentioned something about the first of many?" Orlock nodded and took a sip from his goblet.
"Yes. As I told you in the letter you are heir to four other lines. Three of these lines are yours by direct blood descent, and the other because of the patriarchal succession." Harry nodded, though this was of some note and parlayed into one of his questions.
"I figured that about the Potter line. But I've never even heard of the Seldon and Warrens line. They couldn't have come from my mother, her parents were muggles." Orlock nodded with a small smile.
"Yes I noticed that too. In actuality the Seldon and Warrens lines do come from your mother." He pulled out a sheet of paper and continued. "In 1832 one Jacob Horace Seldon married Evangeline Warrens. Their union produced two children. One was a wizard of no importance. But the other was a squib named Maggie Warrens." He paused as he made sure Harry was keeping up. "She was cast out of her family but never disinherited. She married a muggle and all of her children were muggles. The line continued downwards and, technically, since she was never disinherited, each one was an heir to both the Seldon and Warrens lines. They could not claim them naturally because they were muggles. All up until your mother. She did claim her lines but chose not to undergo the ancestral ritual. I'm frankly surprised no one told you about these things."
"So am I," Harry whispered under his breath, his anger flaring up. "What about the Draven line," Harry asked.
"That is of patriarchal descent. Technically there is a cousin that would come before you in the lineage, who's name I don't have here. But you are the first male wizard of that lineage to be eligible to be the heir in some time. Your father would have been eligible had the last heir, Erik Draven, still not been alive." Orlock set aside his goblet and leaned forward. "All of these houses carry with them the same rights and pledges as the House of Black. And since you are now for all intents and purposes an adult, you may claim this inheritance should you choose to do so." Harry nodded, drawing Orlock to get up and fetch four more boxes.
The next few minutes were a combination of Harry kneeling down before Orlock and accepting his houses one by one. As each ring was placed onto his finger, they merged with the Black family ring, drawing a gaze from Harry. "They're charmed so that you only need wear one ring at a time," Orlock explained. "You merely need state the name of the family ring you wish to appear and it will be there." As Harry nodded, he called out the Potter name and the gold, ruby encrusted ring with a lion in the center appeared.
When all was said and done he was now Harry James Potter, son of James, Lord of the House of Black, the House of Potter, the House of Seldon, the House of Warrens and the House of Draven. Looking over himself in his ragged jeans and t-shirt, he knew he'd need a new wardrobe soon. He was just glad you didn't need dress robes for this thing.
"Now," Orlock said, drawing his attention, "there is one final matter to attend to. As I stated in the letter, you are eligible to claim the ancestral lines of the Founders of Hogwarts. Bear in mind these are not the same as the lordship of Houses, though each one does carry a seat in perpetuity on the Wizengamot. You cannot disinherit others who will be eligible to claim this ancestral line in the future, nor can you add people to that line. They must be direct descendants of the founder in order to be eligible. The Weasley family for example, are distantly related to Gryffindor by way of a brother Godric the Great had, but not descended directly from him, thus unable to claim his ancestral line." Harry nodded, but frowned upon the blood lineages. "You also must earn this inheritance, it does not come easily. You must be tested in three ways.
"First will be the easiest, a test of your blood. You will be presented before the Guardian of the Founders Vault who will test your blood to make sure it is pure. Once you pass that test, your magic will be tested. This too is a simple test, it simply ensures that you are not a squib or muggle trying to pass off as a wizard. Once you pass these two tests....then comes the hard part. Your spirit will be tested. You will be taken to the Room of Spirits, where fragments of the souls of the Four Founders permanently reside. They have remained their since the Founder's passing, united in death though they were divided in life. There they will judge your spirit based on their own criteria. I can't go into more detail for you will be alone in there, and your thoughts will be bare.
"Understand my lord, this is a one time offer. Should you choose to ignore it or fail in this task, you may not repeat it. Should they judge you unworthy, you will not be punished, simply cast back into our world with no change. But should they judge you worthy, should they freely choose to bestow their ancestral line upon you, you will be given unique and wondrous gifts, as well as the family rings of all of the Founders. Your situation is a bit different since you are eligible for multiple lines. One of the founders may accept you while the others reject you. I must ask you now Lord Potter, is this what you want?"
Harry considered it for several minutes, weighing the possibilities. Here was the chance of a lifetime, the one time he could take it. There didn't seem to be much risk involved, but perhaps Orlock merely didn't want to worry him. Perhaps he should just quit while he was ahead.
But then he considered the possibility that he could really change the world with this power. Not squander it on petty attempts of revenge or futile attempts of maintaining the status quo. He could change the entire wizarding world for the better, perhaps put an end to all of these prejudices and titles once and for all.
They were lofty goals to be certain, and in the more immediate future he could use this power to effectively fight Voldemort....the way he should be thought. He had his own ideas when it came to fighting this war that Dumbledore....that no one knew. The Gryffindor Golden Boy was an image he had worked hard to maintain over the years, especially when the urge to curse someone into oblivion was heavy in his mind. Did he want those thoughts laid bare to the Founders?
Weighing all options, Harry nodded to the goblin. "I wish to try," he simply stated. Orlock nodded and led the young man down a second hallway adjacent to the chamber and towards his next destiny.