There are a few days left until the first task. I was having breakfast with my housemates on this beautiful but cold morning when the mail arrived.
In front of me, 3 owls landed. One, Hedwig, carrying a letter that, upon seeing the sender, I realized was from Sirius. The second owl came from Gringotts, and the third, from the Ministry of Magic.
After giving some bacon and water to the three owls, and unclipping their letters, I started with the one from Gringotts.
There were 3 folded sheets.
GRINGOTTS WIZARDING BANK
This bank is aware that the wizard Harry James Potter, since November 1, 1994, is considered by law an adult wizard, emancipated as a result of the contract made by an object known as the Goblet of Fire.
By accepting to participate in such a tournament, Harry James Potter thus gains the right to, and because of this, to be considered an adult by right in the wizarding world.
Gringotts wishes Mr. Potter all the luck and happiness, and eagerly awaits the visit, to take possession of his family and personal vaults.
Att: Account Manager Eyred, since 1952.
Somewhat surprised, I take a look at the other two attached sheets, which were nothing more than a summary of all the accounts to which I had access, as well as a list of houses and shops belonging to my family.
Carefully folding the letters, I keep them in my dimensional 'pocket', so as not to run the risk of losing them somewhere. You never know, when someone might, I don't know, play the magician and steal my correspondence, out of pure curiosity, of course.
The letter from the Ministry had basically the same content.
Ministry of Magic
This bank is aware that the wizard Harry James Potter, since November 1, 1994, is considered by law an adult wizard, emancipated as a result of the contract made by an object known as the Goblet of Fire.
By accepting to participate in such a tournament, Harry James Potter thus gains the right to, and because of this, to be considered an adult by law in the wizarding world.
The rights and duties corresponding to his family continue to be the pillar of our magical world, and we hope that as before, the Potter house remains faithful to truth and righteousness.
Wishing you luck and a happy life.
Att: Griselda Marchbanks, Deputy Chief Justice and Counselor of the British Supreme Court, since 1929.
What caught my attention the most was the date on which the then Griselda entered the Supreme Court. I think this makes Dumbledore the second oldest living person I have ever heard of.
Once again, I put it in 'my pocket', and started to open the third letter, from Sirius.
Seeing that its content was a little shorter, I realized that it wasn't something related to our protection plans, so I let myself pay more attention to the letter, a little worried.
Pup,
Things are going well, and we've already prepared some escape routes just in case. Howard took things too seriously, and now Lupin and I are forced to participate in his morning runs and physical training at a gym nearby.
I must say, your godfather is getting back into the league, and some little sprouts are giving this old dog wings. If it weren't for Lupin, I think I would have to move, because the sprouts stir something strong in me.
While I was there, a long-time healer friend of mine paid a visit to help me with my physical and magical improvement. Unfortunately, my years at the Askaban resort have caused a lot of damage to me, which I didn't even know was possible.
The first of these is depression, a dangerous thing according to my friend. If what he said is even remotely true, I'm going to be very worried. But he says that with time and some medication, it can be controlled.
What helps me now is being with my friends, Remus and Howard, who help me stay in shape and cheerful, minimizing the effects of depression. But not everything.
Unfortunately, my dream was to one day give birth to my own child. To give the world the chance to have a second coming of the Marauders, to brighten up this gray world we live in. But that will be impossible.
Somehow, magic redirected the problems that the Dementors cause in people, to different parts of my body. Among them, and I won't go into this too much, it means that I'm dry, although I can still use it.
So, you are the Heir of the Blacks, and with that, you have political and financial power that few dream of having. That's what I could do, my son, and I hope it helped. I'm waiting for your words of encouragement and who knows, some drunks to use, even if you don't need them.
Att: your most handsome, handsome, elegant and modest godfather, Padfoot.
When I finished reading the letter, I was worried about him. Knowing that you would never have a child, when you dream of having one, must be quite heavy, even more so with the depression present.
Putting the letter 'in my pocket' once again, I started to write a much more cheerful letter. Of course, here and there, I showed that I was worried and sad, but that I would be a friend, godson and son whenever he needed me.
I also called Dobby and asked him to deliver the letter, but to put a package of condoms in the envelope for Sirius. Even if he didn't need them, but that wasn't the only function of the drunks as he calls them.
I would need to go to Gringotts and set some things in motion. Now that I am a Black heir, I can even pass the inheritance to Nymphadora, which would be a good slap in the face, not only to the Malfoys and their cronies, but also to those blind old men in the family.
I think Sirius would see this as a great prank and would support my choice. But I need time, and that is something I currently have.
Now, the most important thing was to find out why Hermione, and a large part of the school tables, had tears in their eyes, while others looked at me with pity. There were those, Malfoy and his, who looked at me with joy.
"What happened, Hermione?" I asked the girl worried.
"Oh, Harry..." her voice was of someone who didn't know what to say or do, showing me the front page of the newspaper. I could see myself standing out from the other champions with a rather heavy headline.
The Lies Lived by the Boy Who Lived.