Dear Mr. Potter
In accordance to the last will and testament of Sirius Black you are requested and required to present yourself to the Diagon Alley branch of Gringotts Wizarding Bank for the purposes of performing the Inheritance Ritual. Please note that according to Statute 42924A failure to present one's self within two months of the receipt of this letter will result in loss of the right of inheritance and possible forfeiture to the Ministry.
Sincerely
Snaphook, Senior Solicitor Gringotts Bank
Harry stared dully at the letter in his hand; it had come in just minutes before a post Owl carrying a letter from Dumbledore.
He didn't know what to think, the thought of profiting off of Sirius's death turned his stomach and the thought of walking away from any legacy that Sirius had cared to leave him was equally unpalatable.
After a few moments of contemplation he resolved to write Dumbledore and ask for his counsel since even after all that had happened between them at the end of the school year he did still respect the old Wizard's opinions.
Placing the letter from Gringotts to one side he opened the letter from Dumbledore.
Dear Harry,
It has come to my attention that Gringotts has ignored my urging to leave you in peace this summer and has contacted you in regards to your possible inheritance from Sirius. I am writing this letter to inform you that at this time it is impossible to risk a trip to Diagon Alley. Their will be plenty of time for such things when it is safe but at this time it is not safe even with an escort from the Order. Harry it is imperative that you remain with the Dursleys this summer. I find that I must also inform you that it will be impossible for you to leave their care this summer due to Voldemort's increased activity.
Sincerely
Albus
PS
You didn't like it when I kept things from you last year so I decided to trust you with this, please don't betray my trust by going off on your own Harry it really is too dangerous.
Reading the last line of the letter filled Harry with a rage that made his little outburst in Dumbledore's office seem like a minor show of annoyance.
How dare he, Harry was shocked by the audacity shown by the old bastard in his letter by filling a letter about truth with lies one would think that the old man learned nothing about Sirius's death.
Firming his resolve he pushed down his first impulse to send a letter explaining just what he thought of the old wizard's actions and he completed half of his angry reply before logic was able to reassert its control over his actions.
Tearing up his first draft he took out another parchment and started anew, resolving to adopt Dumbledore's own methods in dealing with the old man.
Dear Albus,
Though I am disappointed I cannot help but be heartened by the fact that you have chosen to be honest with me, as you said their will be time for such things when it is safe. With this in mind I have chosen to respect the trust you have placed in me and remain at my present location.
Your Obedient Servant
Harry James Potter
PS
I understand the necessity of your statement in light of my attitude last year but I feel that I must assure you that I could no more allow myself to betray your trust then you could allow yourself to betray mine.
Harry smirked, turnabout is fair play and he just wished that he could see the look on Dumbledore's face when he realized the significance of what had been written.
Calming Harry had to admit that in hind sight he had to thank Dumbledore for helping him to make the decision to accept what Sirius had left, without his letter he may have decided to stay at number four.
It took him two days to plan his escape, something that appeared on the surface to be quite difficult but something that he found to be in practice to be painfully simple.
Wizards, he had found relied overly much on their magic, so that while he would never be able to sneak past them under an invisibility cloak his muggle upbringing provided him with other options.
He awoke early and dressed, making sure to be out of the house before his 'Family' could demand that he make them breakfast or do some bit of meaningless busy work.