A Famous Name Finally Gets a Face
Enter, stranger, but take heed, of what awaits the sin of greed.
...
Thief, you have been warned, beware...
The poem gets everyone.
I shouldn't be surprised that Harry got caught by it as well. Nothing for it but to keep him on task.
"Come on, brat. Percival is expecting us, and I don't like being late if I can avoid it."
I say, hurrying my new cousin along.
Gringotts and their poem. I swear they have some kind of compulsion on it. The first time I came I had to stop and read the whole thing myself. Sure, I didn't have my memories of this world at the time, but that's neither here nor there. Ever since I got used to maintaining my occlumency practice during my day to day, the poem lost any real interest. If they are running compulsion magic, that might be a part of why so few use one of the other magical banks like the gnomes or dwarves. Percival still banks here though, and he's the most competent magical I've met so far, so there has to be a whole lot more to that story.
...
As Josh and Harry entered the bank, Josh knew the meeting time was still twenty minutes off, but he'd been raised with a fifteen minutes early is on time, on time is late, and late is fired mindset from marching band in his first life. It was a habit that he'd forced himself to adopt and that had leaked over into his current life. Still, though, even with his book getting out there, he doubted anything would truly prepare someone for their first meeting with goblins.
Nothing wrong with that. Coming in too prepared could lead to assumptions, and if this world is one of those darker ones, that could get bad fast.
System: You are getting too much in your head.
I know. I'm allowed to think damnit.
If that's what you call thinking, sure. To me it sounds like negativity and the start of a monologue. Should I find you the route to the nearest cathedral for you to perch on? I think I can even find you a domino mask.
Fuck you.
Love you too.
.....
Gringotts was much busier than the street outside of it would suggest. While the vaulted hall was cast in clean white marble, with gold lettering and filigree decorating most of what was plain to see, there was an almost unfamiliar element present this morning. Mundane clothes. Not on every person there, mind you, but at least common enough to note. Additionally, many of the goblins looked busier than normal.
Josh and Harry made their way toward the first available teller, waiting while the goblin finished whatever he was writing in the ledger spread across the counter. When he finally looked up, Josh gave their names and asked if their account managers were ready for them. The goblin checked the day's appointments before informing them that Stormblade and Gornuk were expecting them and that someone would be along shortly to escort them farther into the bank.
Josh and Harry moved aside to clear the counter for the next customer, though Harry only made it a few steps before looking up at Josh. "We have account managers?"
"Our families do. Stormblade handles the Myrddin accounts, and Gornuk handles the Potter accounts." Josh kept walking slowly while they waited, leaving Harry to glance back toward the rows of goblins working behind the counters.
"So Gornuk works for my family?"
"Works with your family," Josh corrected. "There's a difference, but I'd let Gornuk explain exactly what that difference is."
Harry's attention returned to him. "Why?"
"Because I don't want to have to fight a goblin with a weapon as part of their name in an honor duel. Especially one that I think will kick my ass and then charge me for the ass kicking, the cleaning fee, and for instruction in martial combat."
Harry stared at him for several steps before something apparently occurred to him. "Was that in your book?"
Josh snorted. "The part about respecting goblins, their customs, and understanding who you're doing business with was. I don't remember putting anything in there about getting my ass kicked by my account manager."
"What about the cleaning fee?"
Josh considered that one. "You know, I'm pretty sure that wasn't in there either."
It wasn't long before another goblin approached and confirmed that he was there to escort them to their meeting. Josh and Harry followed him away from the main banking hall and into one of the passages leading deeper into Gringotts. Harry's attention wandered as they walked, taking in everything he could without actually stopping, while Josh was content to let him look. They were early anyway, regardless of what his own sense of punctuality had to say about it.
Their escort eventually stopped outside a set of heavy doors and opened one for them, revealing a meeting room considerably larger than the offices Josh had visited before. A long table occupied most of the space, and judging by the stacks of parchment, sealed cases, and assortment of magical tools already laid out across it, Gornuk and Stormblade had come prepared.
Both goblins were already inside with Percival, the three of them in conversation when the boys entered. Percival looked over first, a small smile appearing when he noticed the time.
"Early as usual, Joshua."
Josh shrugged as Harry followed him inside. "I don't like being late."
"A habit I have no intention of discouraging."
Gornuk left the table to meet them, and after a brief greeting to Josh, turned to Harry. "Harry Potter. I'm Gornuk, the account manager for House Potter. We've been expecting the opportunity to meet you for some time."
Harry glanced toward Josh before offering Gornuk his hand. "It's nice to meet you."
Harry glanced toward Josh before offering Gornuk his hand. "It's nice to meet you."
Gornuk accepted it before Stormblade greeted Josh in turn and introduced himself to Harry.
Stormblade greeted Josh in turn before addressing Harry, though the introductions didn't have much opportunity to go farther. They had barely settled around the table when a knock sounded at the door.
Josh looked toward it as the door opened and Ted Tonks stepped inside.
The opportunity was simply too good.
Josh leaned toward Harry. "Have you met Ted?"
Harry looked from Josh to the man who had just entered. "No."
Ted stopped just inside the room, one eyebrow rising as he looked at Josh.
"Ted Tonks," he said, apparently deciding to handle his own introduction. He crossed toward Harry and offered his hand. "Solicitor. Among other things."
Harry shook it. "Harry Potter."
"Pleasure to meet you, Harry."
Once Ted had greeted the others and taken the remaining seat, the atmosphere changed slightly. Not enough to become uncomfortable, but enough that Harry seemed to notice everyone was finally present and whatever they'd actually brought him here to do was about to begin. Ted turned toward him. "Before we begin, Harry, I should probably explain why I'm here. Percival retained me as your solicitor and legal counsel. I was involved in the proceedings concerning Sirius and the copy of your parents' will two days ago, and I've been working with Percival on the legal matters that came out of them."
Harry frowned slightly. "So you're my lawyer?"
"Essentially, yes. There are some distinctions you'll learn eventually, but that's close enough for today." Ted nodded toward the documents and sealed cases arranged across the table. "Percival is your guardian, which means there are decisions he can legally make on your behalf. My job is somewhat different. I'm here to advise on the law, make certain your interests are represented, and make sure everyone involved does what they're legally supposed to do."
Harry looked toward Percival at that. "You hired him?"
"I did," Percival answered. "The circumstances surrounding your parents' estate, Sirius, and your guardianship are considerably more complicated than they should have been. Theodore was already familiar with most of them, and after what was uncovered two days ago, I saw no reason to delay arranging proper counsel for you."
Ted gave Harry a small nod. "And if you ever have a problem with something I'm doing on your behalf, you're allowed to tell me. Percival may have retained me, but you're the person I'm here to represent."
Harry seemed to consider that for a moment before nodding. Stormblade had remained quiet throughout the exchange, allowing Ted to explain his place at the table before reaching toward the parchment prepared in front of him. "If there are no further questions before we begin?"
Harry shook his head, and a quill rose from the table.
"Formally, before we begin, I wish to state for the record that we are here conducting business on behalf of the Goblin Nation and Harry James Potter. The following persons are present: Lord Percival Myrddin; Heir Joshua (Josh) Myrddin; heir apparent to House Potter, Harry James Potter; solicitor to the Houses of Myrddin, Potter, and Black, Theodore (Ted) Tonks; Gornuk, manager of the House Potter accounts; and myself, Stormblade, manager of the House Myrddin accounts."
Stormblade began as the quill lowered itself to the parchment and started recording his words.
"We are here today, on the eighth day of the fifth month of the year 1991, as recognized by the magical courts, to formally establish Harry James Potter as Heir of House Potter, conduct the reading of his parents' Last Wills and Testaments, and settle any remaining matters inherent to those proceedings."
Stormblade allowed his gaze to pass once around the table before placing a hand against the parchment.
"So mote it be."
A pulse of magic passed through the room.
Harry shifted slightly in his chair as the pulse faded, his eyes moving around the room before eventually settling on the quill still scratching across the parchment. It finished the last of Stormblade's declaration before lifting from the page, and only then did Gornuk turn his attention fully toward him.
"Before we proceed, Mr. Potter, there is something you should understand about the timing of today's meeting. Much of what we are about to do should have been handled considerably sooner."
Harry frowned. "How much sooner?"
Gornuk's expression remained unchanged. "Years."
That got Harry's attention.
"Your circumstances prevented that, and assigning responsibility for those circumstances is not the purpose of this meeting. What matters now is that you will turn eleven in less than three months and are expected to begin your magical education in September. That creates a window in which several matters concerning House Potter can be formally addressed before you enter Hogwarts."
"And if we don't do it before then?"
"Then you wait."
Harry glanced between the adults around the table. "Until when?"
"Fifteen."
His eyes widened. "Four years?"
"Approximately. There are exceptions for extraordinary circumstances, but I would strongly advise against beginning your education while leaving the affairs of your House unresolved on the assumption that an exception will later be granted."
Harry didn't need long to consider that. "So we do it now."
"That," Gornuk said, "is why we are here."
Gornuk drew one of the smaller cases toward himself. "Gringotts already has sufficient evidence to identify you as the sole surviving legal heir to House Potter. That does not, however, make you Heir Potter."
Harry looked down at himself and then back at Gornuk. "I'm going to need you to explain that one."
"Being born the person entitled to inherit a position and formally assuming that position are separate matters. You are Harry James Potter regardless of anything we do in this room. You are the sole legal heir to the Potter family regardless of anything we do in this room. What you have not yet done is step forward and accept the rights, obligations, and recognition that come with being Heir Potter."
Gornuk rested his hand on the case.
"Today, should you choose to proceed, you will."
Gornuk opened the case beneath his hand and removed a polished silver disc, setting it carefully on the table between himself and Harry. Beside it he placed a fresh sheet of parchment and a small stoppered bottle of clear liquid.
Harry eyed the disc. "What's that?"
"The first step," Gornuk answered. "Before you can formally assume an Heirship, Gringotts must conduct a bloodline confirmation and determine your inheritance eligibility. The process is relatively simple. A single drop of your blood is placed on this disc. The assessment uses that blood to identify the lines through which you possess a valid magical or legal claim, as well as any inheritances attached to those lines. The results will then be transferred to the parchment for examination."
Harry's attention shifted from the disc to the parchment. "That's all?"
"For your part, yes."
"Does it hurt?"
"Only as much as obtaining a drop of blood normally does."
Harry gave him a look that suggested that answer hadn't been particularly helpful.
Josh had to hide a smile.
Gornuk continued, apparently unconcerned. "Once the assessment is complete, the disc will be cleaned in your presence and inspected to ensure none of your blood remains in Gringotts' possession. The parchment becomes part of the record of these proceedings, with copies provided to your account manager and legal counsel."
That seemed to matter more to Harry than the possibility of having his finger pricked. "Why clean it in front of me?"
"Because your blood belongs to you," Gornuk said simply. "Gringotts has been entrusted with enough things that belong to your family. We have no claim upon that."
Harry stared at him for a second before giving a slow nod.
Gornuk gestured toward the silver disc. "There is a fee of twelve sickles for the assessment."
Harry blinked.
"I have money?"
Gornuk's expression didn't change.
"That is one of the questions today's proceedings will answer in considerably greater detail than you are likely expecting, and as you lack the funds on your person, it will either be charged to your holdings or paid by your guardian."
Gornuk passed him a small silver knife. "One drop. No more is necessary."
Harry hesitated only briefly before drawing the edge across the tip of his finger and holding it over the disc. A single bead of red struck the polished silver.
The cut closed almost immediately.
Harry jerked his hand closer to his face. "It healed."
Josh snorted. "Yeah. I liked that part too."
Harry looked at him.
Josh shrugged. "I've done this before."
Gornuk began speaking before Harry could ask anything else, the harsh syllables of Gobbledegook filling the room as he addressed the disc. Harry's attention snapped back toward him. The blood remained motionless for several seconds before the silver beneath it began to glow.
Gornuk continued.
The glow strengthened.
Then he lifted the disc and pressed it flat against the waiting parchment.
Ink began appearing across the page.
Harry James Potter - Inheritance Eligibility
Potter Lordship - Vacant
Potter Heir - Available
Evans Lordship - Lord - Joshua E. Myrddin
Evans Heir - Available
Peverell Lordship - Lord - Joshua E. Myrddin
Peverell Heir - Available
Sayre Lordship - Lord - Joshua E. Myrddin
Sayre Heir - Available - Proximity
Black Lordship - Lord - Arcturus Black
Black Heir - Sirius Black
Hufflepuff Lordship - Lord - Smith
Hufflepuff Heir - Zacharias Smith
Gryffindor Lordship - Vacant
Gryffindor Heir - Available - Contested - Can only be claimed with the Gryffindor sword
Slytherin Lordship - Vacant
Slytherin Heir - Available
Gaunt Lordship - Available - Conquest
Gaunt Heir - Available
Oakheart Lordship - Vacant
Oakheart Heir - Available
Magical Inheritances
Potter - Family Magics
- Potions Affinity - Active
- Warding Affinity - Active
- Battle Magic Affinity - Active
Evans - Family Magics
- Parseltongue - Active
- Charms Affinity - Active
- Potions Affinity - Active
Peverell - Family Magics
- Transfiguration Affinity - Active
- Battle Magic Affinity - Active
- Elder Wand - Must be earned through combat
- Resurrection Stone - Lost
- Invisibility Cloak - Available
Black - Family Magics
- Battle Magic Affinity - Active
Hufflepuff - Family Magics
Gryffindor - Family Magics - Battle Magic Affinity - Active
Slytherin - Family Magics
- Parseltongue - Active
- Battle Magic Affinity - Active
Gaunt - Family Magics
- Parseltongue - Active
Oakheart - Family Magics
- Battle Magic Affinity - Active
Skywalker - Family Magics
- Battle Sense - Active
External Magics
Blood Wards - Active
Blood Ward Reinforcement - Active
Tracking Wards - Active - 37
Magical Activity Monitoring - Active
Foreign Soul Fragment - Active
...
Stormblade was the first to make a sound.
He laughed.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!"
Not a polite chuckle or the short bark of amusement Josh had heard from him before. The goblin leaned back in his chair and laughed hard enough that Gornuk slowly turned away from the parchment to stare at him.
Ted, meanwhile, had gone very still.
Percival merely raised an eyebrow.
Josh looked between the three of them before returning his attention to the parchment. He'd already spotted his own name several times while the thing was filling itself out, but apparently everyone else had decided that was considerably more interesting than he had.
Harry finally looked up from the page. "What's funny?"
Stormblade's laughter tapered off, though the grin that remained showed entirely too many teeth. "Joshua."
"What?"
"You."
Josh frowned. "That's incredibly helpful."
That earned another short laugh from Stormblade before Gornuk finally reached for the bottle beside the silver disc. He poured the clear liquid over its surface, cleaning away the last trace of Harry's blood before holding it up for Harry, Ted, and Percival to inspect. Only after all three had confirmed it was clean did he set it aside.
Harry's attention immediately returned to the parchment.
"Why is Josh's name on my assessment?"
"Because the assessment does not examine only what belongs to you," Gornuk answered. "It establishes where you stand within every line Magic recognizes as relevant to your inheritance. In several of those lines, Joshua currently stands before you."
Harry leaned closer to the parchment. "It says he's Lord."
"Three times," Ted said.
His voice was remarkably even considering the expression he'd been wearing a few seconds earlier. He adjusted himself in his chair and looked toward Josh with the carefully controlled expression of a solicitor who had just discovered that some of his paperwork had become obsolete while he wasn't looking.
Josh looked down again.
Evans.
Peverell.
Sayre.
Huh.
System: Congratulations.
For what?
Apparently, magical adulthood.
Josh's eyes narrowed.
Fuck off.
Harry was still looking between him and the parchment. "I thought he was an Heir."
"He was," Stormblade said cheerfully.
"Still am," Josh pointed out. "Myrddin."
"Indeed. You are "Heir Myrddin"." Stormblade's grin widened again. "You are also, apparently, Lord Evans, Lord Peverell, and Lord Sayre."
"Since when?"
"An excellent question."
Josh looked toward Percival.
His grandfather was studying the parchment with considerably less surprise than anyone else at the table. After a moment, he gave Josh a small, almost satisfied nod.
"Congratulations."
Josh stared at him. "That's it?"
"Would you prefer a speech?"
"No."
"Then congratulations."
Harry looked thoroughly lost now. "How can he be a Lord? He's thirteen."
That finally pulled Stormblade's attention away from Josh.
"Normally, he could not."
Ted leaned forward slightly. "That normally is doing quite a bit of work."
"Yes," Stormblade agreed, still visibly delighted by the entire situation. "It is."
Harry looked at Josh as though he might have an explanation.
Josh raised both hands. "Don't look at me, brat. I found out at the same time as you."
Harry turned back toward Stormblade. "Then how is it possible?"
Stormblade settled more comfortably into his chair, his earlier amusement giving way to something closer to the patient expression he'd worn while explaining Harry's inheritance. "Ordinarily, magical Britain recognizes a witch or wizard as an adult at seventeen. Lordships complicate that somewhat. A Lord cannot exercise the authority of their House while remaining a legal minor, and inheritance has never been considerate enough to wait for convenient birthdays."
Ted leaned forward, resting one arm against the table. "That caused enough succession disputes over the centuries that the Wizengamot eventually established fourteen as the minimum age at which an Heir may assume a vacant Lordship. Doing so also grants them the legal rights and responsibilities of an adult."
Harry's eyes immediately moved toward Josh. "But he's thirteen."
"Precisely," Stormblade replied.
Josh looked down at the parchment again, his eyes passing over Evans, Peverell, and Sayre. "Which brings us back around to how the fuck I managed that."
"That," Stormblade said, showing a little more tooth, "is why I find this so entertaining. You were already the recognized Heir to all three Houses. Their Lordships were vacant. Under ordinary circumstances, the only thing preventing them from passing to you was your age."
Josh looked up from the parchment. "And apparently something decided that wasn't a problem anymore."
Ted's expression became thoughtful. "That would appear to be the case."
Harry looked between the solicitor and the two goblins. "What could do that?"
Stormblade tapped one finger against the table before answering. "There is an old form of ritual magic known as the Rite of Trial. It allows someone with sufficient grounds to petition for a claim or recognition they could not otherwise obtain. Ritual magic is highly regulated in Britain, so legally beginning such a Rite requires authorization from the Wizengamot."
Harry frowned as he worked through that. "So the Wizengamot decides if you get it?"
"No," Ted answered, shaking his head. "They decide whether you're permitted to perform the ritual and make the attempt. That's an important distinction."
"Quite," Stormblade agreed. "The Rite is the petition. If accepted, what follows is known as a Trial of Ascension. The Wizengamot neither chooses the Trial nor determines whether the petitioner succeeds. That judgment belongs to Magic."
Josh's brow furrowed. "Except I haven't performed a Rite of Trial."
"No," Stormblade replied. "You haven't."
Harry looked confused again. "Then how could he have a Trial?"
Stormblade's attention returned to Josh. "Because while a Rite of Trial can invoke a Trial of Ascension, it is not the only way one may occur. There are documented cases in which Magic imposed a Trial herself."
Josh remained quiet for several seconds, his irritation giving way to a more contemplative expression.
Harry broke the silence first. "And if someone passes?"
"In most cases, it means a new Lord joins the Mot as their status is elevated," Ted explained, his earlier shock now tucked firmly behind his professional composure. His eyes shifted toward Josh before the corner of his mouth twitched. "For you, apparently, it means taxes."
Josh stared at him. "Fuck."
The laugh escaped Harry before he could stop it.
Stormblade's grin returned in full. "A remarkably concise description of adulthood, Mr. Tonks."
"I am a solicitor," Ted replied with perfect seriousness. "I felt it best to begin with the most important consequence."
Harry was still smiling when his attention drifted back toward the parchment. After another moment, the smile faded into curiosity. "But what did Josh actually do?"
Stormblade's expression sobered with the question. "That is considerably more difficult to answer. No one at this table can tell you with certainty what Magic judged or when she judged it. We can only speak to what we ourselves know."
He paused, his attention settling on Josh what looked like a mark of respect in his eyes.
"The Goblin Nation can speak to one part of that."
Josh caught his meaning. "The book."
"A portion of it," Stormblade corrected. "Specifically, what you wrote concerning Gringotts, goblins, and how those entering magical society should conduct themselves when dealing with our people."
Harry glanced toward the wrapped parcel he'd carried in with him that morning. "But his book only came out a few days ago, and that is just one part of it."
"Publication occurred a few days ago," Stormblade replied. "The work itself began considerably earlier."
Stormblade inclined his head slightly. "The section itself is not especially long, but length was never what made it significant. Gringotts was consulted while he was writing it, as were members of the Goblin Nation outside this bank. He asked how we wished our customs to be represented, where misunderstandings most commonly occurred, and what someone entering magical society should know before doing business with us."
Josh shifted slightly in his chair. "It seemed better than just assuming I knew everything."
"A sentiment the Goblin Nation wishes was considerably more common," Stormblade replied. "More importantly, when you were corrected, you made the corrections. You did not argue that wizarding convention should take precedence over our own customs simply because it was the convention with which you were familiar."
Ted gave Josh a sidelong glance. "A remarkably low bar, when you put it like that."
"You would think so," Stormblade said dryly.
Harry looked toward the wrapped parcel again. "But how does that make someone an adult?"
"It may not have," Stormblade answered immediately. "I am not Mother Magic, Mr. Potter, and I will not presume to speak for her. I can only tell you what the Goblin Nation sees in the work Joshua undertook."
His attention returned to Josh, the respect in his expression remaining.
"For generations, Gringotts has watched children and families enter magical society with little understanding of the other races they are expected to interact with. Misunderstandings become insults. Insults become grievances, and grievances have a habit of surviving considerably longer than the people who created them."
Gornuk gave a slow nod from farther down the table. "Sometimes for generations."
Stormblade continued. "You recognized part of that problem and attempted to address it in a way that actually benefits both sides, with no benefit to yourself, or being directed to do so. Whether forty-nine copies have been sold or forty-nine thousand is irrelevant to the intent behind the work. Nor are sales the only measure of its reach. Your family has already paid to place additional copies into the hands of those who would otherwise be entering this world with little guidance at all."
Josh rubbed a thumb along the edge of the table. "That still seems like a hell of a leap from writing a useful guide for those not born with a silver spoon up their ass to suddenly being magically an adult."
"Perhaps," Stormblade acknowledged. "Which is why I did not say the book was your Trial. I said the Goblin Nation could speak to one part of what you have done."
Percival, who had allowed Stormblade to finish without interruption, finally shifted his attention fully toward his grandson.
"There is also Sirius Black."
Harry's attention shifted toward Percival at the mention of his godfather.
Percival rested one arm comfortably against the table before continuing. "I cannot speak for Mother Magic any more than Stormblade can, but I can speak to the young man I have known for the last three years."
Josh leaned back slightly in his chair as Percival regarded him.
"You arrived in Britain as the newest member of this family to return from America, claimed your place as Heir Myrddin, and entered Hogwarts shortly afterward. Since then, I have watched you routinely perform beyond what is expected of students several years ahead of you, both at Hogwarts and during the time you have spent studying under me."
Josh gave him a faintly suspicious look. "Careful, old man. Someone might think you're proud of me."
Percival's expression barely shifted. "I shall endeavor to be more subtle in the future."
"That'd be appreciated."
Harry's mouth twitched.
Percival allowed the interruption to pass before continuing. "Academic achievement does not make someone an adult, however impressive it may be. Nor does possessing an unusual degree of magical ability. What matters far more to me is what someone chooses to do with what they know."
His expression grew more serious.
"When Joshua became aware of the circumstances surrounding Sirius Black's imprisonment, he recognized that something was wrong. He did not possess all of the answers, nor did he pretend that he did. He investigated what he could, and when the matter required authority and resources beyond his own, he brought what he had discovered to me."
Josh remained quiet, giving Percival room to continue.
"You came to me because you understood that recognizing a problem and having the authority to correct it are two different things. You had questions about Sirius Black's imprisonment, you gathered what information you could, and when you reached the limits of what you could reasonably do yourself, you brought those questions to me."
Percival rested his arm against the table, his attention remaining on his grandson. There was pride there, certainly, but none of it diminished the weight of what he was saying.
"I have trained you for three years, Joshua. I have watched you grow from a remarkably gifted first-year into someone capable of holding his own beside students several years his senior. I have also had the opportunity to see the difference between what you can do and what you choose to do."
Josh's expression shifted slightly, but he remained silent.
"You are not always right," Percival continued. "You are certainly not always cautious, and there have been occasions where your confidence in your own abilities has exceeded what I would consider prudent."
"That's fair," Josh admitted.
The simple acknowledgment drew the faintest smile from Percival. "Yet when it mattered, you did not allow that confidence to convince you that you could resolve Sirius's situation alone. You asked for help. You listened when others knew more than you did, and you remained involved until the matter was placed before those with the authority to correct what had been done."
Harry had been listening quietly, his attention moving between them.
Percival continued, "Sirius received the trial he should have received ten years ago. I will not pretend Joshua accomplished that alone, because he did not. What I will say is that the question was asked because he chose to ask it."
That left Josh without an immediate response.
Percival let the silence remain for a moment before adding, "Whether Mother Magic considered that, your work on the book, something neither Stormblade nor I know about, or simply the person you have proven yourself to be over time, I cannot say. I doubt anyone here can."
Stormblade inclined his head in agreement. "We cannot."
Percival looked back toward Josh. "What I can say is that I have spent three years teaching you, training you, and watching how you conduct yourself. Given that experience, I find her judgment easier to accept than you seem to."
Josh sat with that for a few moments, his eyes eventually returning to the parchment.
"Still feels strange," he admitted.
"I would be concerned if it didn't," Percival replied. "Whatever recognition Magic has given you, you learned of it less than half an hour ago. You are allowed some time to decide what you think about it."
Josh gave a slow nod. "I can work with that."
Stormblade waited until Josh looked back toward him before continuing. "Fortunately, there is no need to determine the exact nature of your Trial today. Whatever led to it, the result is considerably less ambiguous. Magic recognizes you as an adult, and the vacant Lordships to which you were already Heir have passed accordingly."
Josh's eyes moved across the parchment once more. "Evans, Peverell, and Sayre."
"Correct," Stormblade confirmed.
Harry followed his gaze down the assessment. "So Josh can be Lord of three Houses and still be Heir Myrddin?"
Percival gave Harry a small nod. "He can. Joshua's position as my Heir has not changed simply because he now holds Lordships of his own."
Harry studied the parchment for another moment, his attention passing over the different names and titles scattered throughout the assessment.
When he looked up again, the question on his face was almost inevitable.
"Then what's the difference between a family and a House?"
Stormblade glanced toward Gornuk, giving the Potter account manager the opportunity to answer.
"A family is exactly what the word suggests," Gornuk explained. "A recognized line of descent. It may possess property, wealth, family magic, traditions, and any number of inheritances accumulated over generations. Most magical families are simply that. Families."
Harry's eyes moved back to the assessment. "But some become Houses?"
Gornuk nodded. "They do. A House is a family whose position has received broader legal and magical recognition. How that recognition was originally obtained varies considerably. Age, service, achievement, political authority, accumulated obligation, and other circumstances have all played a part throughout history."
Harry looked down at the parchment again. "So Potter is both?"
"Precisely," Ted answered, indicating the vacant Potter Lordship near the top of the parchment. "The Potter family is your bloodline. House Potter is the legal and magical institution that grew from it. People commonly use the terms interchangeably because, most of the time, the distinction doesn't matter. Today happens to be one of the times when it does."
Harry nodded slowly before his attention wandered farther down the page. "What about these?" he asked, pointing to the other available bloodlines.
Gornuk followed the gesture. "Those are somewhat uncommon to see. Four families came together more than a thousand years ago to establish Hogwarts: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Each brought their own family, knowledge, resources, and traditions into what they created together."
"They founded Hogwarts?" Harry asked, looking up from the parchment.
"Together," Percival confirmed. "The four school Houses still carry their names."
Harry's expression cleared slightly. "So that's where the names come from."
"It is," Percival replied. He rested one arm against the table as he continued. "Though the school was considerably more important than the names attached to it. The world in which they lived was changing. Old protections were disappearing, relations between magical and nonmagical communities were worsening in parts of Europe, and preserving magical knowledge was becoming increasingly important."
Percival glanced briefly toward the parchment before returning his attention to Harry. "Hogwarts gave young witches and wizards somewhere relatively secure to learn what they were, how to control their abilities, and how to function within magical society. It was a school, certainly, but it was also a refuge."
Harry considered that before looking down at the Hufflepuff entry. "But they still have a Lord."
"And an Heir," Gornuk confirmed. "Your blood carries a connection to Helga Hufflepuff, but House Hufflepuff already possesses an established succession."
Harry's finger moved lower until it reached another entry. "Gryffindor says contested."
"Because your blood alone is insufficient to settle that inheritance," Gornuk explained. "There is an additional requirement attached to the claim, and you are far from the only person whose blood would reveal some connection to Godric Gryffindor."
"The sword," Harry said, reading the condition printed beside it.
"Correct," Gornuk replied.
Harry lingered there for another moment before his attention shifted to the next name. "Slytherin doesn't say contested."
"No," Gornuk replied. "Though that does not mean your claim would be uncontested if you attempted to exercise it."
Harry frowned at the apparent contradiction. "Why not?"
"Because blood assessments identify rights and eligibility," Ted explained. "They do not erase the rights of other people simply because those people aren't sitting at this table." He nodded toward another entry farther down the parchment. "The Gaunt family, for example, is descended from Salazar Slytherin."
Harry's eyes dropped to Gaunt. "So they're related?"
"Very distantly, yes," Percival answered. "The Gaunts have also been known in Britain as descendants of Salazar Slytherin for generations. That gives any question concerning the vacant Slytherin Lordship considerably more political weight than the word available might suggest."
Harry studied the two entries for several seconds before looking back toward Gornuk. "Then why does mine say available?"
"Because you possess a valid claim," Gornuk answered. "That is all the assessment is telling you."
Harry's eyes moved over the parchment again, this time with considerably more caution. "So available doesn't mean I should take it."
"Now you're beginning to understand why inheritance meetings take so long," Ted replied.
Harry continued down the page until his attention stopped on another name. "What about Sayre?"
That drew Stormblade's attention. "House Sayre is another matter. Its history is somewhat unusual."
Harry glanced toward Josh's name beside the Lordship. "Because Josh has it?"
"Partly," Stormblade replied. "But its history is also relevant. The Sayre line has been absent from Britain for centuries."
"Where did they go?" Harry asked.
"America," Percival answered. "The woman responsible was Isolt Sayre. She was born into the Gaunt family."
Harry's eyes immediately returned to the Gaunt entry. His finger moved between the two names as the new information settled into place. "So Sayre is related to them?"
"Through Isolt Sayre," Percival confirmed.
Harry's attention shifted back toward Slytherin, and this time the connection was visible on his face before he spoke. "Which means she's descended from Salazar Slytherin too."
"Precisely," Percival replied.
Harry studied the three names for another moment before looking toward Josh. "So why did you choose Sayre?"
"Because it was the better choice," Josh answered. "I had a valid claim, the House was believed to have died out in America, and claiming it didn't mean picking a fight over the Slytherin name."
Stormblade nodded. "The Gaunts remained in Britain and have been recognized as descendants of Salazar Slytherin for generations. Sayre possessed the stronger magical claim, but asserting that claim through Slytherin would have created political complications Joshua had no reason to invite."
Harry glanced between Sayre and Slytherin. "So you took the one that wouldn't cause trouble."
Josh gave him a crooked smile. "I wouldn't go that far. Just considerably less trouble."
Percival's quiet amusement disappeared as he brought the conversation back to the parchment. "More importantly, Joshua did not make that decision alone. He had people who understood the implications of those names and listened to their advice."
Harry caught the point almost immediately. His eyes dropped toward his own assessment.
"Like I do."
"Exactly," Percival replied.
Gornuk reached across the table and turned the parchment slightly toward Harry. "Your assessment establishes what your blood makes available to you, Mr. Potter. It does not recommend that you accept every claim listed upon it."
Harry's attention moved slowly over the page again. Potter was obvious. The rest no longer looked quite as simple as they had when the ink first appeared.
"So we go through them."
"We do," Gornuk confirmed. "We determine which claims should be recognized, which should be left alone, and what obligations accepting them would place upon you."
Harry nodded. "Potter first."
A faint smile touched Gornuk's face. "Potter first."
He reached for the next prepared case on the table.
.....
The next stack of parchment dealt with the Potter estate itself. Gornuk opened the first ledger and turned it so Harry could see the entries. "There are four vaults immediately relevant to you. Your trust vault, the personal vault of Lily Potter née Evans, the personal vault of James Potter, and the Potter family vault."
Harry leaned forward as Gornuk indicated the first account.
Harry James Potter Trust Vault55,000 Galleons, 13,000 Sickles, 482 Knuts
Harry studied the figures before looking back at Gornuk. "Is that a lot?"
"For a personal trust, yes," Gornuk answered. "The vault has been funded from the Potter family holdings since your birth and was intended to cover your education, clothing, equipment, and reasonable personal expenses while you remain a minor."
That gave Harry some context, though judging by his expression, fifty-five thousand Galleons still wasn't a number he could attach much meaning to.
Gornuk moved to the next two entries, identifying the personal vault of Lily Potter née Evans and then that of James Potter. The balances were substantial, but Harry's attention settled almost immediately on his parents' names.
"Those were theirs?" Harry asked.
"They were, and both passed to you as their son," Gornuk explained. "James Potter never assumed the Potter Lordship, and Lily Potter never became Lady Potter. Their personal property therefore remained separate from the holdings belonging directly to House Potter."
When Harry asked what remained inside, Gornuk explained that currency represented only part of either vault. Both contained personal correspondence, books, school materials, clothing, keepsakes, magical artifacts, and possessions accumulated throughout their lives. Other belongings recovered after the attack at Godric's Hollow had subsequently been secured with their estates. "Their wands are among those possessions."
Harry's attention sharpened immediately. "Their wands are still here? Can I see them?"
"You may access both personal vaults," Gornuk confirmed. "Everything within them passed to you."
Harry nodded, but his eyes remained on Lily and James Potter's names for several moments. No one interrupted him.
When Harry finally looked up again, Gornuk continued to the final account. "The Potter family vault is different. Its contents belong to House Potter and will remain under House protections until you reach your majority."
The number beneath it was large enough that Harry tried reading it twice before looking toward Gornuk. "I don't really know what that means."
"Taken together, the four vaults contain slightly less than one hundred and twenty million Galleons in liquid monetary holdings," Gornuk explained.
Harry looked back at the figures. "I still don't know what that means."
"Sterling," Ted suggested from his place at the table. "Give him the value in pounds."
Gornuk inclined his head. "At the current exchange rate, approximately six hundred million pounds sterling."
Harry's head came up. "Six hundred million?"
"Approximately," Gornuk confirmed.
Harry stared back down at the ledger.
Percival let out a low whistle. "Christ Almighty."
Josh looked toward his grandfather, finding him staring at the figure with considerably more appreciation than he'd shown the Galleons.
"I knew the Potters had money," Percival continued. "Didn't realize James was sitting on that bloody much of it."
Harry looked between him and the ledger. "So that's really a lot."
"Aye, lad," Percival replied. "That's really a lot."
Gornuk allowed Harry a moment to absorb the comparison before explaining that the sterling figure represented the practical exchange value rather than necessarily the value of the materials from which magical currency was minted. Gold, silver, and other materials could command different prices outside the magical economy.
Harry glanced at the Galleons listed in his trust vault. "So the coins themselves might be worth more?"
"In certain circumstances," Gornuk answered. "There have been individuals who noticed that discrepancy and believed melting or exporting magical currency for its constituent materials represented an opportunity. Such an attempt would violate Goblin law, British magical law, international magical law, longstanding banking agreements, and several binding oaths governing the issuance and exchange of magical currency."
Stormblade showed a few teeth from farther down the table. "It would also be a remarkably effective way of making enemies of the Goblin Nation."
Harry looked between the two goblins. "So don't melt Galleons."
"A sound financial policy," Gornuk replied.
The Potter family's wealth extended considerably beyond the vaults. Rather than bury Harry beneath every account and contract attached to the family, Gornuk summarized the larger House holdings. Potter Manor headed the list, followed by the Wharf, business interests, investments, patents, licensing agreements, commercial contracts, and other assets accumulated under the Potter name. Control of those holdings would remain under their existing management until Harry reached his majority unless James or Lily's wills directed otherwise.
The personal properties were another matter.
The house at Godric's Hollow came first. Ted made a notation beside the entry, leaving its unusual legal status for the will reading. There was also a flat in London, a townhouse in Wales, a house on the French coast, and approximately thirty-five acres of woodland outside London.
Gornuk moved to the next entry. "The Stag and Hound. A public house and inn in Ireland. James Potter held a fifty-percent interest in the property. The remaining half belongs to Sirius Black."
Harry looked up from the ledger. "My godfather?"
"Yes," Gornuk confirmed.
Percival leaned closer to see the name and broke into a grin. "The Stag and Hound? I've been there."
That caught Josh's attention. "Seriously?"
"Aye. Years ago." Percival chuckled. "Never knew James owned half the bloody place."
Harry looked back at the entry with renewed interest before Gornuk continued farther down the inventory.
"There is one additional attachment to House Potter. A house-elf named Alistair, bonded to the Potter family and presently responsible for maintaining the family's residential properties."
Harry looked up. "Who's Alistair?"
A sharp crack sounded beside his chair.
Harry nearly came out of it.
A small figure had appeared at his side.
The house-elf was impeccably dressed. A pressed white shirt sat beneath a fitted waistcoat, accompanied by properly tailored trousers and small polished shoes. Nothing looked borrowed or improvised from human clothing. Every piece had clearly been made for him, and every button, seam, and fold sat precisely where it belonged.
Alistair straightened after his arrival. "Alistair answers the call of House Pot..."
He stopped.
His eyes had found Harry.
For several seconds, the elf didn't move. His gaze traveled across Harry's face before settling on his eyes. Whatever he saw there held him until his attention dropped to the Potter ring on Harry's hand.
His composure cracked.
"Master James?"
Harry's breath caught.
Alistair stared for another heartbeat before recognition overtook the hope that had appeared on his face. "No," he said quietly. "No, of course not."
The little elf straightened again. His clothing remained immaculate and his posture returned to something approaching proper, but neither could hide the emotion that had slipped through.
"Harry."
It wasn't a question.
Harry swallowed. "Yeah."
Alistair closed his eyes for a moment. When they opened again, he looked directly at Harry rather than the ghost of James Potter he'd apparently seen when he arrived.
"Heir Harry Potter," Alistair said carefully before bowing.
"Welcome home."