There were many things Harry regretted after leaving the Wizarding world behind. A few did have to do with some of the people he left behind, but mostly it came at the reason of something else. Namely his Godfather and perhaps the individual he had loved the most, Sirius Black.
The man, since his death, had been a constant source of rage, sorrow, remorse and weakness for the younger Harry. Bringing up his Godfather would usually either make him shut off completely or fly into a rage induced haze.
He had taken a sick, sadistic pleasure in what he did to his Godfather's killer at the ten year anniversary of his death. Bellatrix Lestrange had been killed by Molly Weasley during the final battle, a thing Harry had been immensely angry about. Angry as he had been, he hadn't voiced it and simply allowed the woman the pleasure of killing such a brutal woman.
Though Harry wanted his revenge.
Despite Annabeth and Celeste's warnings, Harry had begun researching a rather old branch of magic that had long since been banished and labeled the darkest of dark magic. Necromancy. The art of raising the dead and bending them to your will.
Bellatrix had come back screaming and crying as Harry ripped her soul from oblivion and forced it into a weak and feeble construct of flesh and string that Harry himself had constructed. Those were dark years for Harry. Years he spent breaking what little remained of her soul after he kept bringing her back. Right down at the end she had begun begging pathetically for him to just end it permanently and wipe out her soul.
Harry hadn't granted her wish. He had sent her to wherever the dead go.
After that open defiance of death, Harry spent years erasing every trace of his necromantic activities. Going as far as doing the equivalent of cleansing his soul. He had every fear that the Dark Elves would find out what he had done, and would come for him. Even Harry at the time wasn't confident that he could take down the Obsidian Guard if they came for him.
But that all lead to him standing here, now, staring down at the broking form of Bellatrix Black. The one who had written that letter, the one who would eventually kill Sirius.
With a wave of his hand, Harry banished Bellatrix into the wall and pinned her to the wall with raw magical pressure.
"I'm going to ask a few questions and you are going to answer. If I think you are lying… I'll make the Dementors out there seem like a vacation." Harry threatened
It was clear the Bellatrix believed him. Her frantic nodding told him all he needed to know. She wouldn't lie to him, at least not for now. But something told him that there would be some spells or something left behind from Voldemort to stop her from speaking about certain things.
"The letter you left for Sirius" Harry began "Is it true? Have you and yours truly betrayed Voldemort? If so, why?"
Bellatrix eyes shone with something akin to sadness, but Harry saw the mixture of happiness hidden behind them. He couldn't decipher what she had to be happy about.
"It's true. When the Dark Lord first began amassing followers he performed a display of strength and gave the ultimatum that all that didn't join him would be killed. My parents came up with a plan. Though the Black family has long been known for its practice of its namesake magic, we have never truly been a "dark" family. At best, we supported some of the rising dark lords to help our standing, then silently sabotage them until someone else could wipe them out" Bellatrix said with a raspy voice, slowly finding it again after all these years.
Harry's emerald eyes squinted at her answer. He wasn't detecting a lie. 'I never studied the Black family history before I came back, so I wouldn't know if this was also true before, but I doubt it. How much did change when I was sent back?' Harry mused to himself as his next question formed on his lips.
"You pushed Sirius away from you when he was sorted into Gryffindor, this was to protect him from the influence of Voldemort I take it?" Harry asked and continued at Bellatrix nod "Why haven't you come forward then? Revealed everything now that Voldemort is gone?"
Bellatrix face contorted into one of disgust "You know as well as I, if you read the letter, that he isn't gone. Those blasted Horcruxes of his will keep him alive until we destroy the rest of them. I take it he Cup is destroyed?" Bellatrix finally decided to counter with her own questions.
Harry nodded "The Goblins destroyed it. I will claim the locket over Christmas, then I will begin to look for the remaining ones. We have the ring from the fool Quirrel's hand. That only leaves the Diadem and the Diary" Harry growled
"What about the one in your head?" Bellatrix asked, worry oozing out of every word.
Another growl escaped Harry as he tried to cover the infuriating scar. The worry that Bellatrix displayed was equally annoying, he hated the woman and yet this version of her clearly held a deep love for whatever child Harry had been.
"When the time comes, I'll rip it out myself and send it to death's embrace" Harry said.
Bellatrix shivered at his cold tone. He sounded almost void of care, as if the act was one performed as easily as taking a piss in the morning.
"If you have the letter… I take it Siri is dead?" Bellatrix asked, her voice cracking at the thought.
"He is two levels down, very much alive." Harry replied, a small tinge of relief flooding his chest as he spoke the words. Bellatrix also seemed to cheer up at the idea, at least until her face fell again.
"Then how did you get the letter?" she asked
"Simple. Gringotts does not like something like a Horcrux being kept within their vaults, so when we informed them of it, they removed it instantly. Purged it of the soul fragment and handed the now clean cup to Dumbledore. The letter was addressed to Sirius, so they handed it to me as his next of kin" Harry replied casually as he began gathering his focus to go back to Gringotts.
"But how did you know?" Bellatrix asked
Harry glanced at her sideways with a grin that almost made Bellatrix lose control of her bowels. That grin was not normal! It was like a demon was smiling at her, as if she had just offered up her soul.
"That's my little secret" Harry teased before another loud crack rang through the Wizarding prison, and an emerald lightning bolt once more traveled across the sky, leaving a confused and scared, but hopeful, Bellatrix behind.
Gringotts, moments after Harry left.
It had barely taken a moment after Harry had forced his way through the wards before a large group of goblins stormed into the room, armed to the teeth… literally. As one would expect, the Goblins didn't exactly take kindly to someone forcing their way through their wards, which would usually mean they had broken down and thus leaving the bank undefended.
Of course had the goblins bothered to check, they would have found that Harry had indeed forced his way through the wards, but left them oddly intact in doing so.
"Mr. Dumbledore, would you care to explain how it is an eleven year old has just broken through the Gringotts wards?" Ragnok growled at the old wizard, his sharp teeth showing through.
"Mr. Potter is no regular eleven year old. His association with the Dark Elves should have been more than enough proof of this" Dumbledore retorted, none to pleased with the goblins tone "Have you checked your wards to estimate the damage? Or has the possibility that young Mr. Potter might have a way to bypass the wards not crossed your mind?" he finished. Old as he might be, Dumbledore was still a formidable wizard and he wouldn't be threatened by this goblin, their leader or not.
Ragnok turned towards one of the guards and barked something in goblin tongue before turning his gaze towards the two humans in the room. He had not considered Dumbledore's point, because what eleven your old child would ever be able to perform such a feat of magic.
But Ragnok had to concede to Dumbledore on young Mr. Potter's connection to the Ashwoods. The magic the Dark Elven people commanded was not to be trifled with. Should they so desire, they could easily break through the wards of the bank, thankfully the Dark Elves never put much stock in gold… strange creatures they were.
The silence hang heavy until the guard finally returned, a piece of parchment clutched in his hand. Ragnok almost ripped the hand straight off the guard when he proved to slow in handing it over. Harsh eyes scanned over the scroll, the damages to the wards listed there. To his surprise, Ragnok saw that there had indeed been no damage caused to the wards. The shock they all felt came from the wards being forcefully parted as to allowed Mr. Potter passing.
"It would seem, Dumbledore…" Ragnok began as he put down the parchment "That you were correct in your assumption. I don't know how Mr. Potter did it, but he made the wards part for him so he could freely leave the bank. Though it does not explain his… unique… apparition technique" the old goblin punctuated his statement by tossing the parchment into the bin next to him.
"I cannot speak for Mr. Potter's apparition abilities. But having cleared that matter up, I assume we will have to wait for Mr. Potter before continuing with our business?" Dumbledore asked.
"Correct. Once Mr. Potter returns we shall resume" Ragnok declared before hopping off his chair and walking over to the side of the room. A bottle of something was pulled from a cabinet and the goblin filled himself a generous glass before offering one to old wizard.
"I don't assume you drink, Miss Weaver?" Ragnok inquired.
"Best not, eleven years is a bit early to develop alcoholism" Vanessa replied with a cheeky grin.
"Hmm… quite" Ragnok agreed as he took a swig of his glass before moving back to his chair. His gaze fell on Vanessa a few moments later "Miss Weaver, while we are waiting I don't suppose we could discuss some business of our own?"
"Shouldn't I have my parents or guardian or something here for that?" Vanessa inquired in return.
"Mr. Dumbledore is your Magical Guardian while you attend Hogwarts, so his presence should suffice" Ragnok informed in tact with Dumbledore giving a nod of confirmation.
"Then by all means, business away" Vanessa quipped before a piece of parchment appeared before her.
"I had hoped that I could convince you to turn your banking needs towards Gringotts rather than the muggle bank your parents are currently using" Ragnok informed as he indicated towards the parchment in her hands, "That is a contract that shows what you would gain from making this change, as well as the fees we charge for various services, also listed in the contract"
Vanessa grabbed the parchment and looked it over. She might not have looked it back before she became a child again, but she had been a rather successfully law student before she decided that killing people for money was a better income. The story is a bit more complicated than just that, but let's leave it at that for the moment.
It was a fairly standard piece of financial contracting. As the head of her magical family (because neither of her parents were magical) she could make this choice for her family in a magical sense. Of course it would still be up to her parents whatever they wished to move their money into the bank or not. All in all it was a pretty fair contract with a few notable exceptions that Vanessa figured she could talk her way around.
"It all looks well and above board, Ragnok. However, this particular part here that states that should I sign this document, I would be binding both myself and the next five generations of my magical family to use Gringotts for our banking needs does seem a bit steep. I plan on getting married in the future and I will not subjugate my future husband to such a contract. If you wish for me to sign, this will be changed to only remain effective until such a time that I marry" the words fell from Vanessa's mouth as if she had spoken them a million times before, surprising the older goblin.
"I must say, Miss Weaver" Ragnok began with a toothy grin "You are the first witch to have caught the particular details of that part of the contract. If you wish it changed then so be it, we shall have a new document written up. Anything else you wish to discuss?" Ragnok had barely finished his sentence before he saw the wide grin on the young Witch's face and realized he might just have made a mistake.
Dumbledore sat and watched in awe and amusement at how the two began bantering back and forth, haggling over the smallest things in the contract. Both trying to ensure that when the names were written at the bottom, they had come out with the longer part of the stick.
Their debate continued for long enough that Harry actually returned, a bit more subdued this time. He arrived through the office doors via goblin escort. Apparently he had arrived inside the apparition point in Gringotts and requested to be taken back here. When he had seen his girlfriend sitting and arguing with the goblin leader, Harry had taken a seat next to Dumbledore and whispered his inquiry to what was going on.
A short explanation later and they were both watching in amusement.
After almost three hours of none stop arguing, Ragnok released a loud breath and looked over the revised contract one last time "Very well, Miss Weaver. 5% it is and your oath that any profitable business ventures you become part of will be shared with Gringotts" the old goblin finally relented.
Vanessa gave a beaming smile as she put a hand forward for the goblin to shake "Then we have a deal, Ragnok. Slap your signature on the bottom and I'll place mine next to it and then we can both look forward to a profitable partnership" Vanessa stated as they shook hands.
Ragnok did as asked and signed, then he handed the parchment to Vanessa whom did the same. The contract glowed golden for a short moment to indicate that everything was above board and a moment alter it vanished.
"Now then, Mr. Potter, I believe we had some unfinished business regarding your current status?" Ragnok opened the conversation back up once a copy of the contract he had signed with Miss Weaver had appeared before him that he then handed to Vanessa.
"I shall apologize for my rather aprubt departure and the potential damage done to your wards in the process. When my temper flares I have had trouble controlling myself. I do hope no exceptional damage was done?" Harry asked in return.
"Worry not, Mr. Potter. Your little stunt didn't damage the wards at all" Ragnok clarified
"Very well then, to business" Harry began with a relieved sigh "I, Lord Harry James Potter, being of sound mind and body do hereby declare my acceptance and compliance in Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore becoming my Magical Guardian until such a time that my rightful Magical Guardian, Lord Sirius Orion Black can take up the mantle." Harry danced through the words like any skilled politician, phrasing the wording so they could not be taken out of context.
"I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, being of sound mind and body hereby attest as witness to the arrangement put forward by Harry James Potter. I also accept the position as Lord Harry James Potter's Magical Guardian until such a time that his rightful Magical Guardian, Lord Sirius Orion Black, can take up the mantle" Dumbledore continued before a voice sent all three men into silence.
"I, Lady Vanessa Weaver, being sound mind and body hereby attest as witness and betrothed to Lord Harry James Potter to the arrangement put forward by Lord Harry James Potter, in the form of making Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore his Magical Guardian until such a time that his rightful Magical Guardian, Lord Sirius Orion Black can take up the mantle." Vanessa's voice rang clear through the room as all eyes fell to her and the particular wording of her oath sunk in.
Recognizing what Vanessa was doing, Harry jumped on it instantly "I, Lord Harry James Potter, being of sound mind and body do hereby declare the Lady Vanessa Weaver as my betrothed in relation to all dealings with Gringotts Bank" Harry had the widest grin on his face as he finished speaking.
Not one to be outdone, Dumbledore added his five cents "I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, being of sound mind and body hereby attest as witness to the announced betrothal of Lord Harry James Potter and Lady Vanessa Weaver"
Ragnok was grinning up a storm. These three humans had in the span of few minutes completely hamstringed the Ministry in any future plotting against young Mr. Potter and Miss Weaver. Any and all things that involved one would now have to involve the other. Not to mention that with Dumbledore acting as witness the Wizengamot couldn't open their big mouths either.
"I, Battlemaster and Bank Manager Ragnok of the Goblins, being of sound mind and body attest and accept the betrothal of Lord Harry James Potter and Lady Vanessa Weaver as witnessed by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore to be filed and sanctioned under Gringotts law" Ragnok sealed the entire deal with his words and a small contract appeared in a golden flash, Harry and Vanessa's signatures already at the bottom.
Everyone sat and stared at each other with knowing grins before Vanessa broke the silence as she turned towards Dumbledore.
"Sorry to say this sir, but you have too many middle names"
Dumbledore hadn't laughed so much in years.