Harry Gaunt - Chapter 40

Harry woke up early in the sitting room, his conjured bed just beside Arcturus's in-case something happened. He'd setup monitoring charms, the likes of which even Dumbledore would be proud as he lazily swung his legs off the bed. But something held him back.

"Bellatrix…" He looked back, he'd been alone before as she curled up towards where he'd been.

"Harry…" She murmured. "…where do you think you're going?" She looked at him.

Harry laughed. "You already know Bellatrix," said Harry as he hopped to his feet. "Where was the nearest loo again?"

Grimmauld place was like a maze without Sirius to guide him. They'd really meddled with where everything was supposed to be.

"Under the stairs. You've got to knock twice." Bellatrix grabbed the corner blanket. "Don't wander off. It's too early to get up."

She huddled back down as Harry hummed agreeably. It was still dark out as he walked out the sitting room door, and would be darker still once Christmas rolled around. Harry had never liked Christmas, but maybe this year as he knocked twice on the little door, things would be different.

Clunk.

Harry eyed the tiny space under the stairs. "Terrible place for a toilet," he groused, stepping in and getting it over with. This reminded him to much of how his cupboard had been: Kreacher truly was a terrible house elf.

Flush.

Harry would need to replace him, it was only fair and to be frank, he'd been meaning to acquire one himself since purchasing his own house. Dobby maybe, if he was alive yet.

"Did you find it?" Bellatrix asked as he slipped back between the covers. "I never liked that bathroom. Andi locked me inside once." Harry felt her arms smoothly wrap around his middle. She loved touching him. "I wonder how she's doing…"

Harry played with her hair. "I heard about that," he said, lying back as it tickled his chin. Harry hadn't heard about, but knew there'd be rumours. "Do you think she made the right choice?"

Bellatrix showed little reaction. "Between her two options, yes. But running away wasn't the answer. S-she left us behind."

Her own sisters. She'd chosen him over them.

"Perhaps you'll see her again," offered Harry comfortingly. "Your family's soon to be very different. That is, is Sirius accepts." And Harry wasn't sure that he would yet. He was still Padfoot, a boy.

"He'll have time." Bellatrix rolled over onto Harry's chest with a giggle. She looked into his eyes. "Because right now, we're in charge."

Harry chuckled.

"What?" Bellatrix pouted. "It's true. You could wait as long as you wanted to pass on the ring. Or until Arcturus wakes up." She sat up straight with her hips on Harry's waist. "Do you think he'll wake up?"

She glanced across to the bed where he slept deathly still, his soft breathing the only sign that he was still alive.

"I don't know." Harry looked as well. "But we can't keep him here, not now Kreacher's dead."

Bellatrix nodded. They couldn't take him to St Mungo's either, not with the Dark Lord after him. "Why not bring him back to Hogwarts?" she posed, playing her fingers against Harry's belly. She giggled. He was getting sleepy again. "Madam Pomphrey could take care of him. It's just Dumbledore I suppose that could be a problem."

He'd probably try to turn them away.

"It's a great idea," said Harry with a wiggle. "And I'll deal with Dumbledore." He kissed her head as she settled back beside him.

He covered them up with the blanket. They'd wake up again in a few hours. Greycup would be expecting them.

~~~~~~~

Bellatrix stood beside Harry within the Gringotts lobby, the pair of them looking idly around at the busy morning rush. They were not wizards though, no, not at all.

"I've never seen so many Goblins," whispered Bellatrix as they bustled past in their little suits. "Some of them are a lot bigger than I thought. See, look at that one." She tugged Harry's sleeve. "Harry."

Harry looked around. He had been admiring the redecorated walls. "I've seen bigger."

This one had nothing on some of the European goblins.

"No you haven't," snipped Bellatrix as she stepped around him in her leather heels. "And if you have, then, you shouldn't have. Goblins aren't good company Harry."

Bellatrix had tried to avoid coming here, and failed. Harry had seemed to enjoy her attempts though. "You're right be wary," he allowed as she looked at him, watching his gaze flick between things behind her. "But Greycup's a friend. You'll see."

Harry met her eyes. He'd seen a lot in his life so far, so much so that he often forgets what it was like to believe the things so many still did. That Goblins were bad, greedy. Deceitful creatures.

But they weren't. Not all of them.

"Is that him?" asked Bellatrix as she looked over Harry's shoulder. "He's coming right for us."

Harry turned around towards the exit. "Yes," he said with a smile. "That's him."

Bellatrix sniffed a little, holding tight to Harry's hand as the unsightly goblin waddled up to them. All her life she'd been told not to trust them, so forgive her if she didn't start now.

"My lord. Greetings." Greycup sounded out of breath. "Forgive my arrival in such a state, urgent business." He gestured them on without delay through the lobby.

Bellatrix scowled as they followed.

"What happened?" asked Harry as he matched Greycup's pace.

Greycup shook his head, encouraging them on as if they shouldn't speak of it here. They soon entered a tunnel where Harry said no more. He followed Greycup with Bellatrix at his side, the goblins puffing grating against her ears.

Thankfully, they soon arrived at an office which as they entered, was far more decadent than it had ever been.

Harry nodded appreciatingly. "Very nice," he said as he glanced up at the new chandelier. "It's bigger too. Things have been going well then?"

Greycup appeared very happy as he hopped up into his chair. "Indeed. And thank you," he said to them both as Bellatrix closed the door.

"Oh, Greycup. This is Bellatrix Black." Harry introduced her. She nodded politely. "We're… here together."

Harry cleared his throat.

"Excellent," returned Greycup as he gestured they sit. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms Black. But if I may, these matters are for Lord Gaunt only."

Harry had just sat down.

"Of course." Bellatrix held nothing but respect for Harry as Lord Gaunt, and besides, she'd not wanted to come here anyway. "I'll return to the lobby."

She got up to leave before being gently tugged back down. Harry had learned from the best after all. "Stay, it's fine." He wanted her with him. "You'll want to hear this too."

Harry didn't plan to speak to Sirius on his own. He needed Bellatrix there too as she settled back down.

Click, Click, Click.

She shunted it closer to his. "Alright, I'll stay." She crossed her legs and set her arm atop Harry's on the armrest. "Please, do continue."

Greycup blinked at her words. She was certainly a handful as he addressed a very amused Lord Gaunt. "My lord, I have good news regarding one of your investments," he said, reaching to a letter he'd been sent late last night. "Firebolt have begun production, they've setup an office to administer sales here in the alley."

It was brilliant news. They'd have models for sale far before previous estimates, and it was all thanks to Harry.

"When will they be ready?" Harry said hurriedly. "Within the year?"

Greycup eagerly flicked to another page. "Within 6 months. Your investment was just what they needed, development has been brought forward years."

Harry was becoming giddy in his chair. They were going to be rich, and Harry would have unlimited Firebolts.

"What's a Firebolt?" asked Bellatrix between the two of them. They were like excitable children.

"It's a broomstick," said Harry. "They'll be the best. The fastest to have ever been made."

"Hmm." Harry seemed to forget that Nimbus already made broomsticks, so why did they need another? "Of course Harry. They'll be great." Bellatrix patted his arm.

"They will be," assured Harry, already smug as he spoke to Greycup. "Well done Greycup, I'll leave the rest to you as always."

Greycup bowed his head. It was what he lived for. "And regarding this other matter," he followed on, having received Harry's message from yesterday. "An intriguing circumstance. Tell me again how the ring was given."

If what Harry had written was true, then they may very well have House Black within their hands.

"Arcturus gave me the ring, then told me to help Sirius, his heir." Harry felt frustrated at what had happened, the betrayal Arcturus must have felt.

"Did he say anything else in regards to the ring and what should be done with it?" pressed Greycup, appearing calm under Bellatrix's close scrutiny.

Harry shook his head. "We spoke of healing after that. He asked me to help Druella, which I did."

Greycup hummed. "Good. Very good." He drummed his fingers against his desk. "Lord Black was a wise man-"

"Is a wise man," said Bellatrix. "He's a still alive. We just want to know what we can and can't do now Harry has the ring."

Like for instance, casting out perhaps the entirety of her family. Cutting them off from their money and the very name they prized so much. That suited Bellatrix just fine, oh if she could be there to see Walburga's face.

"The ring will be the heirs, but only when you deem it so," began Greycup. "You will never have command over House Black's assets, however, due to your custodian of the ring, all of House Black's assets will be frozen until the inheritance is complete. Bimock, House Black's Account Manager, has already done this."

Bimock was a diligent goblin, he'd been alerted the moment Lord Black had transferred the ring.

Bellatrix sat up straight. "Wait, so until Sirius takes up the ring, none of us have access to our accounts at Gringotts?"

Greycup nodded. "They are all controlled by Lord Black, no member of House Black has been able to setup their own account here since the 13th century. Nor buy property, invest or run a business without it being ultimately owned by House Black. Failure to comply, and the member is cast out."

It was how it was with many of the Pureblood Houses. It's what kept them together, kept the house strong and if any member didn't like it, they could leave and suffer on their own. Many of course chose the easy option, one that sees all their needs met and provided for.

"Bellatrix?" Harry sensed her distress as she held his hand.

"And once Sirius becomes Lord?" she pressed with her eyes upon the goblin. "He can do anything Arcturus could?"

She so desperately hoped so.

"Yes, he will be Lord of House Black as Arcturus was. The house until then is considered frozen. But access to property already occupied and money withdrawn can of course still be accessed."

Bellatrix let out a relieved sigh. They wouldn't have to get married. Andi could come back whenever she wanted now.

Harry asked Greycup a question. "While House Black is frozen, can a marriage contract still be enacted without an active Lord?"

Bellatrix looked up. Surely not.

"Yes, the terms of the contract still hold," said Greycup. "That is, until the contract is abolished by the new Lord Black."

Greycup set a kindly gaze upon Bellatrix, who had begun to crumple in her chair at the prospect of Flint, Lestrange or whoever else he'd sold it to showed up to take her away.

They needed Sirius. Now. "Harry, we can't delay. Cissy-"

Harry smiled at her. She didn't need to ask him, Sirius would be lord within the day once they returned.

"Lord Black will need to fulfil whatever requirement has been put forth in the contracts before they can be nullified," added Greycup, assuming they were for Bellatrix and her sisters. "It's usually money. Or something of equal value to the bride."

Bellatrix huffed. She didn't have a price tag. "House Black has more than enough," she said smoothly.

"I am sure." Greycup of course had no idea. He wasn't their Account Manager. "Now, on one final note of business my lord, this came for you." Greycup rummaged in his draw for the letter he'd received. "It is as you said."

Harry had warned Greycup that a letter might come from the man he'd once made mention of, the only other who might claim the name Gaunt.

"I was right then," muttered Harry as he took the cream coloured letter. "He just couldn't help himself." Harry flicked it open and read the letter.

It was an offer to meet, nothing more as Harry reached the bottom in no time. "Heh. Interesting." There was something there written in Parseltongue:

'A gift we both share. Beautiful, is it not?'

There was a symbol of a snake intertwined through a human face. But the lines were simple, just a sketch to represent the language. Harry had seen it before, it was so very similar to the Dark Mark.

It was signed 'Tom Riddle'.

"Strange name," said Bellatrix as she came to the bottom. She'd been reading it the whole time. "Is that-"

"It is indeed a beautiful language," said Harry. It was such a pity how Tom had turned out. "What did you reply with?" he asked Greycup.

"That I would forward it onto you, nothing more. He awaits your response."

Harry set the letter down on the table. "We should be getting back." He looked to Bellatrix, who agreed with a squeeze of his hand. "Thank you Greycup, inform me of anything else."

"I will my lord. And a good day to you, you as well Ms Black." Greycup bowed his head from behind his desk.

Bellatrix seemed caught on what to say as she rose with Harry. "Good day." She settled on as she followed Harry's chuckling voice out the door.

Greycup was very pleased as it shut with a click. Bellatrix was an excellent choice.

~~~~~~~

Sirius walked to breakfast feeling uneasy. He'd not slept well last night, always tossing and turning at the slightest thing as he entered the great hall.

He glanced at the Slytherins while he walked, searching the many heads for his brother Reggie's. "Damn."

It wasn't there. "Where is he…"

"You alright there Padfoot?" said James as Sirius arrived.

"Yeah. Just tired."

James seemed to think otherwise as Sirius took a seat on the opposite side. "Can you believe the nerve of Snape yesterday," he began. "Thought he was all that. The git."

Sirius served himself some sausages. James was at it again, he seemed to have made it his mission since yesterday to get Sirius onboard.

"And Gaunt. They all just kowtowed to him."

Sirius rubbed his head. "James, please. I don't care. There are more important things to keep going on about."

Sirius served himself some sausages.

"Like what?" returned James incredulously as Sirius asked him to pass the scrambled egg. "What's gotten into you," he said confusedly. "We've only been back a few days."

Sirius was changing before his eyes. He was suddenly all clever and knowledgeable. And he kept looking for Reggie, more and more whenever they came to the great hall. Something was wrong. "Sirius?"

Sirius chewed some more of his sausage. He couldn't tell James the truth. How could he tell him that both he and him should be more like Gaunt, that they were equals and should therefore be equal in all things. But they weren't, Sirius could see his inadequacy. And it bothered him.

"What's that?" James murmured as he looked across the hall towards a fleeing Dumbledore. He'd run off quite suddenly.

Sirius looked as well, spotting movement by the Slytherin table. They always did seem to know what was going on, and they did this time as just there, Cissy was kept from following by Rosier - the girl one.

"Where are you going?" demanded James as Sirius rose to his feet. "Sirius? Wha-"

Sirius wondered off with a mouthful of sausage, heading straight to Cissy who'd been pulled back into her seat. He felt different today, he felt compelled to be around his family.

People noticed as he walked up beside the Gryffindor table, especially Lily and her lovely friend, Mary, who Sirius paid a glance to as he passed them both. They looked at him, confused.

Sirius kept going. They were all sitting together as he arrived at the end of the Slytherin table.

Trimble nodded. Severus looked at him. "Black," he said.

"Snape," returned Sirius. "Trimble. Rosier. Cissy." They each gave him a nod, he had always been heir to House Black. "Where's Reggie? He's normally here."

Something wasn't right. Cissy was avoiding his gaze. "Bellatrix isn't here either," she responded quietly. "They- mother took her."

"Took her?" Sirius stepped forward. "What are you talking about." He looked into her eyes.

Cissy took a calming breath.

"I don't know where Reggie is," admitted Cissy. "But Bellatrix is with Harry. They should be back soon."

Bellatrix had sent her an owl early this morning, saying little beyond that they'd be returning soon. It had done nothing to ease her worry. "You don't think…" Cissy said as she looked up into Sirius's face. "Walburga?"

"No, he wouldn't leave." Sirius took a step back with a cautious air. "But I need to find him. If you see him, will you let him know?"

He asked it of all of them, even Snape as he appeared to agree, somewhat.

"Thank you," said Sirius sincerely. "I'll leave you to it then."

He walked away.

Phyllida watched him go. "That was most unusual," she commented quietly to the group. "And Potter nowhere to be seen too." She took a sip from her pumpkin juice. "It's all happening today, right Sev?"

Severus bristled. "It's Severus, I've told you Phyllida." He went back to his soup with an idle hand. "And yes, all this week actually."

"It's Gaunt's fault," joked Trimble. "It's brilliant. Malfoy's got all his feathers in a knot."

It was amusing to observe it, especially when Cissy had chosen to sit with them this fine September morning.

Cissy gave him a sour look. "He's doing his best," she defended. "Everyone keeps scrutinising him whenever something happens with Harry, like he's supposed to respond or something. He doesn't, they have nothing to do with each other."

She didn't want Lucius to step in and 'put Harry in his place' as many were saying.

"Yeah, because he'd lose," smiled Trimble. "And Lucius knows it, that's why they haven't spoken yet. He's weak."

"He's not weak."

Trimble disagreed as he continued his meal. That's why he'd chosen Gaunt, why Snape had too. They both knew very well what weakness looked like, and they saw it clearly in Lucius's eyes. He was under pressure.

"Look, Dumbledore's back." Phyllida pointed to the harried old man coming in through a corner door. "He's coming towards us."

They each looked up. He arrived in a heartbeat. "Ms Black, please make your way to the Hospital Wing."

"What is it sir?" she returned with alarm.

Dumbledore shook his head, gesturing smoothly for her to go. "I will meet you there." He moved off with quick steps towards Sirius, his air one of sorrow and solemnness.

Cissy scrambled to her feet. She went right away.

"Should we go after her?" asked Phyllida to Severus. "Or…" She looked at Sirius who was being escorted by Dumbledore. "She'll be fine."

Severus nodded. She would be.

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