Chapter Text
Harry adjusted his cloak as he walked through the streets of Diagon Alley. The summer had been a long one and it was only August first. Dumbledore had insisted that he return to his relative’s home even though he had killed Voldemort over Christmas break when the madman had attacked Hogsmeade. Dumbledore insisted it was for his own safety as there were still Death Eaters, such as Bellatrix Lestrange, on the loose. Dumbledore had promised that he could go to the Burrow at the end of summer like usual, but Harry didn’t really know if he wanted to go. And he still had another two weeks stuck at the Durselys now with no wards, how was that safe?
In the wake of Harry killing Voldemort his fame was understandably at an all time high. Ron did not take this well and the pair had had yet another falling out. Hermione was pulled between the pair, having started a romantic relationship with Ron but not wanting to give up her friendship with Harry. Ron had eventually tried to make up with Harry towards the end of the year, but still refused to admit he was in the wrong. During their time apart Harry had grown a lot closer with Neville and Luna seeing them as true friends who weren’t obsessed with his fame. Luna and Neville had become his confidants and the people he relied on most.
On his seventeenth birthday Harry had received a summons from Gringotts to speak about his account. It was strange that the letter had said final notice, given that he had never received any from the bank before. He figured it must have something to do with the wards falling around his aunt and uncle’s house when he turned seventeen.
Like other wix his age Harry had come into his inheritance on the morning of his seventeenth birthday. Luckily the Dursleys were on vacation to the seaside or he would have woken the entire household with his screams. Looking in the mirror he noticed that his usually messy brown hair had changed to a dark black and now fell in curls about his shoulders. His skin had taken on a lighter complexion and he no longer needed his glasses. Harry had no idea why these changes had occurred but he no longer looked like a clone of James Potter.
Entering the bank Harry made his way over to one of the open tellers. He waited patiently for the goblin to finish what he was working on.
“How can Gringotts assist you today?” asked the goblin, whose plaque read “Ironfoot”.
“Good morning Mr. Ironfoot” greeted Harry. “I received a summons from the bank about my account”
“Name and key”
“My name is Harry Potter and I haven’t got my key”
“No key, you’ll have to do a blood test” declared the goblin pulling out a sheet of paper and a dagger. He directed Harry to cut his finger with the dagger and add three drops of blood to the paper. Immediately the blood began to crawl over the page forming words like ink.
Name: Harry James Potter
Date of Birth: July 31, 1980
Mother: Lilian Marie Potter ne Evans
Father: Severus Tobias Snape
Father: James Fleamont Potter (Blood Adoption)
Godparents: Sirius Orion Black (Deceased) and Alice Rose Longbottom ne Smith (Incapacitated)
Lordships: Potter and Black
Abilities:
Parseltounge: 100% block broken - July 31, 1997 (placed by A. Dumbledore November 1981)
Illnesses/Injuries:
Malnourishment
Anemia
Major Depressive Disorder
Extraneous Magic:
Block on Magical Core – 100% broken - July 31, 1997 (placed by A. Dumbledore November 1981)
Blood Magic Protection - 100% broken - July 31, 1997 (placed by Lilian Potter October 1981)
Blood Glamour - 100% broken - July 31, 1997 (placed by Lilian Potter November 1980)
Recurring Charges:
45 galleons (to Order of the Phoenix approved by A. Dumbledore November 1981)
30 galleons (to Albus Dumbledore approved by A. Dumbledore November 1981)
30 galleons (to Petunia Dursley approved by A. Dumbledore November 1981)
Harry stared at the paper in shock, not believing what he saw. His dad wasn’t his dad? How was that possible? Was this blood glamour thing why he suddenly no longer looked like James? And why would Dumbledore steal from him? Harry’s head was spinning, full of questions.
“Well it seems that you are who you say you are, please follow me Mr. Potter” ordered the goblin, hopping off his tall stool and leading Harry through a set of tall golden doors off to the side. Harry followed in a daze, still shocked by what he had read.
The pair arrived at a large oak door carved with pictures of Hippogriffs and goblins. The plaque on the door read “Sharpclaw”. The goblin pushed open the door while saying something in gobbledygook to the goblin who sat behind the desk.
“Welcome to Gringotts Mr. Potter, we have been trying to get in contact with you for sometime. My name is Sharpclaw and I am the Potter and now Black family account manager” shared the goblin.
“Nice to meet you Mr. Sharpclaw. I am sorry but the letter I received yesterday was the first I have ever received from the bank”
“That is concerning as we have been sending you monthly statements as well as our requests to meet”.
Harry was quiet for a moment thinking about the wards around number four and the school, “I have my suspicions as to what happened but no proof” shared Harry.
“Due to the communication problems, Gringotts recommends that you purchase a mailbox that will connect you to me directly”
“That sounds like a smart idea” agreed Harry, not loving the idea of someone apparently messing with his mail. He quickly filled out the forms to purchase the mailbox. “Is there any way to recall all my keys? I want to be the only one with access to my accounts”.
“It will be done. Now the reason we at Gringotts have been trying to contact you is about your lordships”
“Wouldn’t those have just started yesterday?” asked Harry.
“No, you were emancipated by the ministry three years ago due to your participation in the Tri-Wizard Tournament”
“What!?! I’ve been considered an adult this whole time!” asked Harry. That meant that he never actually had to go back to the Dursleys since fourth year.
“Yes, we at Gringotts need to know if you wish to take up your Lordships or let your steward continue voting in your place”.
“I have a steward? Who?” asked Harry, though he had a good guess.
“Albus Dumbleodore is your steward and was your magical guardian until you were emancipated”.
“I will take up my lordships today. I don’t want the headmaster in charge of them any longer” decided Harry, especially as it appeared the man had been stealing from him for years.
The goblin reached into his desk and pulled out two ring boxes which he passed over to Harry. Harry opened them to find two elegant rings one with a black stone and constellations carved into it and the other a ruby.
“Place them on your right ring finger, as soon as you do the Ministry will be alerted to you taking up your Lordships” directed the goblin.
Harry did as he was told, sliding on the Potter ring first and then the Black.
“Congragulations Lord Potter-Black, the ministry has been alerted to the change and you should receive a letter from them in the next couple days. The rings will also work as a payment method connected to your vaults. Now about your blood test, I would recommend heading over to St. Mungos to get treated. Before you go I have a letter here from your mother that she entrusted to Gringotts before her death. She instructed us to give it to you on your seventeenth birthday if she had passed on”
“Thank you Sharpclaw” said Harry, reverently taking the letter from the goblin. He planned to read it once he was home and had some privacy. “One more question about my blood test. It states that Dumbledore was taking the money without my approval for years, is there anything I can do about that?”
“You can hire a solicitor who will work with the bank to get the money back. Gringotts does not tolerate thieves” hissed the goblin. “I recommend reaching out to another Lord to ask for advice on a trusted solicitor”
“I think that is all for today then, thank you for your help”
“Of course Lord Potter-Black. Remember if you need to get in contact with me directly to use this mailbox” ordered the goblin passing over a small box.
“Thank you Sharpclaw, I will speak to you again soon” agreed Harry, accepting the box and heading back out of the bank.
Taking the goblin’s advice, Harry apparated to St. Mungos next. He checked in with the mediwitch at the front desk and didn’t have to wait long before he was seen.
Harry was taken back to an exam room where he explained to the mediwitch that he was suffering from malnutrition, anemia and major depression. He passed her the blood test from Gringotts as proof of his illness. The healer, a woman named Laurel Halloway, cast a few spells of her own before summoning a collection of potions.
“Well Mr. Potter, you are in luck we have everything in house to get you fixed up” said Healer Halloway. She passed over a green potion saying “This is a nutrition potion. I will be writing you a prescription for more of these”
Harry drank the whole potion in one go, it didn’t taste as bad as other potions he’d had like skellgrow.
“This next potion is a blood replenisher, it will help with your anemia” Harry drank the red potion.
“This final potion is an antidepressant which paired with a cheering charm should help with your depression” shared the woman, passing over a purple potion and casting a strong cheering charm.
Harry drank the potion and immediately felt so much lighter, he hadn’t realised how weighed down by sadness he’d been before.
The healer wrote out his prescriptions and passed them to Harry. “Is there anything else that I can do for you today, Mr. Potter?”
Harry took a deep breath and summoned all of his courage to ask for the potion which Luna had told him about last year. “Yes, actually. Are you able to administer a Transmorph potion?”
“Oh? Yes I am indeed, you understand that the effects are permanent” checked the woman.
“Yes, I’ve always felt like I was born in the wrong body. When I learned about this potion I did plenty of research” explained Harry.
“Very well, as you are of age you do not need your guardian’s permission. You will feel a brief burning sensation but it should pass quickly” advised the healer summoning an orange potion this time.
Harry drank the potion in one go and immediately felt as if his blood was on fire, he screwed his eyes shut and focused on not screaming until the sensation passed.
Harry opened her eyes and looked in the room’s mirror and teared up seeing the beautiful young woman looking back at her.
“I will submit paperwork alerting the ministry of your transition, Miss Potter. Would you like to change your name as well? If you do so on the paperwork here, it will magically change on all of your legal documents”
She eagerly agreed and signed the papers with the name she felt fit her best and had only told Neville and Luna, “Holly Potter”.
“Very well Miss Potter, if that is all for today you can return to the front, we will mail you your bill. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you in the future”
“Thank you Healer Halloway” said Holly, before gathering her things and exiting the exam room.
—------Lessons in Love—------
Holly apparated back to number four Private Drive grateful that the Dursleys were still away on vacation for another few days. Sitting down at her desk she made a list of things she had to do now that she was of age.
The first on her list was finding somewhere to live, Holly considered her options seriously. She now had access to the Potter and Black accounts so she could find somewhere to rent but that would take time. Glancing over at her trunk she remembered the two-way glass that Sirius had given her back in fifth year. As Lady Black she now owned Grimmauld Place which the Order had abandoned after Sirius’ death using the Burrow as their headquarters instead. Planning to check out the house later she moved on to the next order of business… her mother’s letter.
Breaking the seal on the letter Holly began to read her mother’s final words to her:
My Dear Child,
I am so sorry to do this in this manner, but if you are reading this then I am dead and was never able to tell you the truth. James isn’t your biological father darling. Your biological father is my best friend, Severus Snape. James and I had broken up right before our wedding and I took comfort in my old friend. Your dad and I ended up working things out and I didn’t find out that I was pregnant until after we were married. Your dad loved you though from the moment he found out you existed and blood adopted you as soon as you were born. I planned to tell Severus the truth but then your father and I had to go into hiding. Given the fact that you are reading this it didn’t work and we were discovered. I have written a letter to Severus and left it with the goblins as well. I urge you to seek him out and try to form a relationship with him. Please forgive me for keeping this secret and know that your dad and I love you dearly.
Your loving mother,
Lily Potter
Holly wiped away tears after reading the letter. It was good to know that she was loved by her parents and to have something of her mother’s.
Pulling herself together Holly packed up her belongings into her school trunk. The trunk had definitely seen better days, but hopefully it would hold up for her final year of school. Once she had gathered everything Holly let Hedwig out of her cage and instructed her to meet her at Grimauld Place. Shrinking her trunk, Holly put it in the pocket of her oversized jeans. She grimaced looking at herself in the mirror. Adding shopping to her mental to do list she apparated back to London.
Opening her eyes Holly found herself standing outside the rundown townhome of Number Twelve Grimauld Place. Opening the door Holly stepped over the threshold into the house.
A loud pop sounded shocking Holly as Kreacher appeared in front of her. “Halfblood mistress returns”
“Hello Kreacher,” sighed Holly. “Aren’t you supposed to be at Hogwarts?”
“Mistress never said how long Kreacher must stay” croaked the elf.
“That’s fair,” shrugged Holly. “Well I’m moving in, Kreacher. I’m tired of living with my muggle aunt and uncle”
“Mistress living with nasty muggles? No! Mistress will live here with Kreacher” muttered the old elf.
“I’m going to go pick a room then” declared Holly
“Kreacher will go clean the master suite” decided the elf before popping away.
As soon as the elf disappeared Walburga’s portrait spoke. “You are the new Lady Black?”
“Yes, Mrs. Black”
“See that you are not as much of a disappointment as my son” ordered the woman.
Holly just nodded and headed upstairs towards what she assumed was the master suite on the third floor. Opening the door to what had been Buckbeak’s room Holly was shocked at how clean it was. Kreacher was moving around snapping his fingers and getting rid of dust.
“Mistress, will need dinner?” asked the elf.
“Uh, yeah?” replied Holly confused at the elf’s change in demeanor towards her. Apparently just knowing that she had been raised by muggles was enough to make the crazy elf adopt her. Holly wasn’t going to think about it too hard as she would rather have the elf as an ally than an enemy.
Holly took out her trunk and unshrunk it. Before she could unpack it though the elf had snapped his fingers and the items flew to various areas of the room.
Kreacher looked at Holly’s clothing in disgust which was large, stained and full of holes. “Not good enough for mistress” muttered the elf, snapping his fingers and burning the clothes.
“Kreacher!” shouted Holly in shock. “What am I supposed to wear now!?!”
“Mistress Black will borrow the old mistress’ robes until she can order new clothes” declared the elf.
Given the fact that her old clothes were ashes now, Holly didn’t have any room to protest.
The elf gestured towards the wardrobe, “Mistress will bathe and change for dinner. Kreacher will go cook now” before popping out of the room.
Curious, Holly opened the wardrobe to find several fine dresses and robes inside. Holly made her way into the bathroom and was greeted by a gorgeous space. There was a large marble vanity, a deep bath with glittering golden faucets. Beside the bath were glass vials of shampoo, conditioner and soap. Sinking into the hot bath full of sweet smelling bubbles Holly let herself fully relax.
A while later Holly got out of the tub feeling clean and refreshed. Wrapping herself in a towel she wandered over to the wardrobe and chose a simple black dress and slipped on a pair of fluffy slippers. She charmed her hair dry and headed downstairs to the kitchen for dinner.
—------Lessons in Love—------
The next morning Holly set herself up in the study on the second floor. Kreacher had done her hair that morning having declared her spell dried hair the night before a disgrace. The elf had braided it back leaving a few strands hanging in Holly’s face. Overnight Kreacher had cleaned the house of dirt, dust and grime while Holly slept, and was currently hunting down the magical creatures which had infested the house.
Word of her transition had been leaked by the ministry to the Daily Prophet. So Holly was once again front page news. Luckily her parentage hadn’t been leaked so she knew the healer and the goblins hadn’t talked.
Choosing a spare green leather journal from the room’s bookshelf with the Black family coat of arms, Holly decided to write out a to-do list. She knew she probably didn’t have long before Dumbledore’s spies noticed that she was gone from number four. She had taken care to apparate from inside the house as to not tip off her watchers, but they would eventually find out she was missing.
To Do List:
1. Buy new clothes - ask Kreacher where to go?
2. Get a hair cut - Kreacher says I look shaggy…
3. Find a lawyer to sue Dumbledore - ask a Lord? Ask Kreacher?
4. Write to Luna, Neville and Hermione
5. Reach out to Snape - should have received mom’s letter by now
6. School supply shopping - need new uniform
Content with her list, Holly called for Kreacher.
“Mistress called?” said the elf popping into the room
“Kreacher, you burned all my clothes so where do you suggest I buy new ones?” asked Holly.
“Mistress Walburga always shopped at Twilfitt and Tattings” advised the elf.
“Ok, that’s in Diagon, right?”
“Yes, mistress. Mistress Walburga also went to Haus of Beauty in the Alley” added the elf looking at Holly’s hair.
“I hear you, a hair cut is on my list” promised Holly. “I better head out now if I’m going to get everything I need done”.
Kreacher snapped his fingers and summoned a black cloak for Holly to wear. “Will mistress be back for lunch?”
“Probably not. I have a lot to do. I’ll plan to grab something in the alley” decided Holly, putting on the cloak. “I will be back for dinner though”.
The elf nodded and popped away to continue hunting the invasive creatures that had taken over the dungeon. Taking a deep breath to steady herself Holly summoned her Gryffindor courage and apparated to Diagon Alley.