Hadrian Peverell: High Lord of Skagos

Harry Potter stood nervously outside the massive, ornate doors of the Goblin King's chambers deep within Gringotts. The final battle against Voldemort had ended only a few days ago, but it already felt like a lifetime. He was tired, both physically and emotionally, but he knew he had to deal with this. When the summons from Gringotts had arrived, it was direct and clear. The Goblin King wanted to speak with him, and Harry suspected he knew why.

The heavy doors creaked open, and Harry was ushered inside by two goblin guards.

The chamber was grand, dimly lit by flickering torches that cast long shadows across the ancient stone walls. At the far end of the room sat the Goblin King, his throne elevated on a dais, surrounded by other goblins of high rank. The King's eyes, sharp and calculating, followed Harry as he approached.

"Harry Potter," the Goblin King began, his voice deep and resonant, echoing slightly in the vast chamber. "You stand before us as the vanquisher of the Dark Lord, but also as someone who has brought significant damage to Gringotts. I trust you understand the gravity of both these actions?"

Harry swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. "I do," he replied, meeting the Goblin King's gaze. "And I'm here to make things right, if that's possible."

The King leaned forward slightly, his long fingers drumming on the arm of his throne.

"The theft from Bellatrix Lestrange's vault, and the escape on one of our dragons, caused considerable destruction and humiliation for Gringotts. However," he added, before Harry could respond, "it also exposed a significant security breach—one that we were unaware of. You revealed that even within our ranks, there can be those who would betray the sanctity of Gringotts for personal gain."

Harry shifted uneasily, unsure how to respond. "It was never my intention to bring harm to Gringotts or to the goblins," he said sincerely. "We were desperate, trying to stop Voldemort. The Horcrux we took from the vault was a key part of that."

The Goblin King's expression remained unreadable. "Indeed, your actions were driven by a cause greater than your own. For that reason, I do not intend to charge you with any crimes, despite the severity of your transgressions."

Harry let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Thank you," he said, relief evident in his voice.

"But," the Goblin King continued, his tone still stern, "you must understand that trust between wizards and goblins is fragile, at best. What you have done... it cannot be easily forgotten."

"I understand," Harry nodded. "I don't expect forgiveness, but I want to do what I can to repair the damage."

The King considered Harry for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. We will consider this matter closed, for now. But be warned, Harry Potter, we will be watching. You would do well to tread carefully in the future."

"I will," Harry promised.

There was a pause before the Goblin King spoke again, this time in a different tone, almost as if he were changing the subject. "Then there is nothing else we need to discuss, you may leave."

Harry emerged from the imposing chambers of the Goblin King, still reeling from the intense, high-stakes meeting. The grandeur of the throne room had left him feeling a mix of awe and apprehension. As he walked through the grand, echoing corridors of Gringotts, he was escorted by one of the goblin guards to a more subdued and less intimidating part of the bank.

After a brief walk, they arrived at a smaller, less ornate office. The door was adorned with a simple bronze plaque bearing the name "Sharpclaw – Account Manager." The guard knocked softly before opening the door and gesturing for Harry to enter.

Inside, the office was much more modest compared to the King's chambers. It was lined with bookshelves filled with ledgers, scrolls, and ancient texts. A large oak desk sat in the center, covered in neatly arranged papers and an open ledger. Behind the desk sat Sharpclaw, who looked up with a welcoming nod.

"Mr. Potter, please come in and have a seat," Sharpclaw said, his tone warm but professional. "I trust your meeting with the King went well?"

Harry nodded, taking a seat across from Sharpclaw. "Yes, it did. Although I'm still trying to process everything."

"I understand," Sharpclaw said, settling into his own chair. "The Goblin King's chambers can be overwhelming. But now that you're here, there's another important matter we need to address."

Harry leaned forward, curious. "What's that?"

"Given your recent inheritance of the Potter lordship," Sharpclaw began, "it's crucial to understand the full extent of your lineage and any other familial claims that may have come with it. This involves more than just the Potter family. There are ancient practices and traditions connected to various houses that might also fall under your purview."

Harry frowned slightly. "I'm not sure I follow. What other families are we talking about?"

Sharpclaw nodded, reaching for a stack of parchments on his desk. "To clarify this, we should conduct a lineage test. This will allow us to trace your ancestry and determine if there are other families, titles, or estates connected to your bloodline that you might not be immediately aware of."

Harry's eyes widened. "A lineage test? I didn't realize there could be other families involved."

"Yes," Sharpclaw said. "The Potter family alone is a significant legacy, but ancient wizarding families often intermarried, and their lines can intersect in unexpected ways. This test will reveal if there are additional familial connections—such as other noble houses—under your lordship."

Harry nodded slowly, processing the information. "That sounds like it could be very revealing. What's involved in this test?"

Sharpclaw explained, "The process is relatively straightforward. We use a special potion combined with a blood sample to reveal your complete lineage. This potion has been used for centuries to trace bloodlines and confirm familial claims. It will show any direct or indirect connections to other families."

Harry considered this. "And how do we proceed?"

Sharpclaw stood and moved to a nearby cupboard, retrieving a small, ornate box. He opened it to reveal a silver bowl, a dagger with an intricate handle, and a vial of shimmering liquid. "You'll need to prick your finger with this dagger, and a few drops of blood will be added to the potion in the bowl. The potion will react and display the results."

Harry looked at the items with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "Alright. Let's do it."

Sharpclaw nodded approvingly and set the items on the desk. "Very well. I'll guide you through the process."

Harry took the dagger, feeling its weight in his hand. He carefully pricked his finger and allowed a few drops of blood to fall into the bowl. As the blood mingled with the potion, the liquid began to swirl and change colors.

Sharpclaw leaned over the desk, watching the potion with keen interest. "This will take a few moments to reveal the results."

Harry watched as the potion's colors danced and shifted, reflecting a myriad of hues. His heart raced with anticipation. What if there were other powerful families or ancient legacies linked to his name?

After a few minutes, the potion began to settle. Shapes and symbols started to emerge from the swirling liquid. Sharpclaw's eyes widened in recognition.

"Here we go," Sharpclaw said, pointing to the symbols taking shape in the potion. "Let's see what our results reveal."

As the potion's final colors solidified into distinct crests and sigils, Harry saw the familiar stag emblem of the Potter family. It was followed by other crests, each more intricate and surprising than the last.

Harry's heart pounded as he watched the potion's display. The first crest to appear was unmistakably the Potter family emblem: a stag rearing on its hind legs, surrounded by the protective wards of the Potter lineage.

"The Potter family," Sharpclaw confirmed, his voice steady. "This is the primary house of your heritage."

As the potion swirled, another emblem emerged—this one a lion rampant on a field of red and gold. Harry's eyes widened as he recognized the Gryffindor crest.

"This is incredible," Sharpclaw said, clearly impressed. "It appears that your family has a direct connection to Godric Gryffindor through a marriage centuries ago. You are not only the Heir of Gryffindor but also the Lord of the Gryffindor estate."

Harry felt a rush of awe and disbelief. He had always known he had some connection to Gryffindor House, but this was beyond anything he'd imagined.

The potion continued to swirl, revealing another crest—a dark, ominous symbol representing the Peverell family. The emblem featured a symbol Harry recognized from his own experiences: the Deathly Hallows.

"The Peverell lineage," Sharpclaw explained. "Through a marriage between the Potters and the Peverells long ago, you have inherited the Lordship of the Peverell family as well."

Harry's mind reeled. To be the Lord of both Gryffindor and Peverell was almost too much to grasp.

The potion shifted again, revealing a new symbol—an intricate, twisting serpent on a green field. It was the Slytherin crest. Sharpclaw's voice grew somber.

"Finally, the Slytherin line. This was claimed by conquest after you defeated the last scion of Slytherin in combat. The duel you fought with Voldemort granted you this lordship."

Harry took in the significance of the Slytherin crest. It was a stark reminder of his victory over Voldemort, but also of the heavy responsibilities that came with it.

Sharpclaw adjusted his glasses, his gaze shifting to a final, slightly worn scroll. "There is one more matter to address," he said, unrolling the scroll carefully. "This document concerns the inheritance left by Sirius Black."

Harry leaned forward, intrigued. "What does it say?"

Sharpclaw cleared his throat. "Sirius Black named you his heir in his will. The reason this worked is due to your grandmother, Dorea Potter, who was born Dorea Black. Her marriage to your grandfather, Charlus Potter, connected the Black and Potter families. Thus, when Sirius made you his heir, it was valid because of this familial link."

Harry felt a surge of emotion. Sirius had, in the short time that they knew each other, been a father figure to him, and to learn that this inheritance had been legally binding because of his grandmother's heritage made the connection even more moving.

"So, what does this mean for me?" Harry asked, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"It means that you now hold multiple titles and responsibilities," Sharpclaw said gently. "The Potters, Gryffindors, Peverells, and even Slytherins have all been intertwined with your lineage. Each family's assets and estates are now yours to manage."

Harry looked at the various crests and symbols still shimmering in the bowl. "It's a lot to take in," he admitted.

Sharpclaw nodded. "Indeed. But you are not alone in this. The responsibilities are significant, but you have the support of Gringotts and the guidance of those who have managed these lineages for centuries."

Harry took a deep breath, trying to absorb the weight of what he had learned. "Thank you, Sharpclaw. I appreciate all your help."

Sharpclaw gave a small, reassuring smile. "It is my honor to assist you, Mr. Potter. If you have any further questions or need guidance, do not hesitate to ask."

With that, Harry left the room, feeling a profound sense of both responsibility and honor. The legacy he now carried was immense, but he was determined to honor it. As he walked through the grand halls of Gringotts, Harry couldn't help but feel that despite the challenges ahead, he was ready to embrace the full extent of his heritage.