Realising that they had moved into the kitchen while he had been lost in his thought, Harry took a moment to look at the clock and saw that Arthur, George, Percy, Fleur, and Bill all pointed to Shell Cottage. Not surprised, Harry refocused on the conversation.
"So Harry," Hermione eventually began, "what prompted the new look?" Although her tone was light, Harry could feel the tension in the room suddenly skyrocket.
"Well, 'Mione," Harry said, making sure to use her nickname, "I recently got a letter from Gringotts."
As soon as the word left his mouth they all froze and sent each other panicked looks. Ron seemed to choke on his own tongue and ended up gagging slightly. Pretending to be concerned Harry feigned worry and asked, "Ron, are you alright?"
Coughing slightly, Ron turned red. "Yeah, sorry about that, mate," he said, his voice strained.
"It's fine, as long as you're okay," Harry said in a concerned tone. His act seemed to ease everybody around him as they exchanged more covert glances before smiling.
"Anyway, as I was saying, I got a letter from Gringotts asking me to go in. Imagine my surprise when I went in and found out I was apparently named Sirius's heir and also that I was apparently Lord Potter. Apparently Dumbledore should have told me, but I'm guessing because he died—" at this point Harry made his voice break, taking a moment to suppress his real emotions. Harry made his voice waver slightly when he continued, "Because he died he didn't get a chance to tell me."
After he had finished speaking Harry looked up surreptitiously. Seeing their panicked glances, he suppressed his chuckles.
"What's that got to do with you looking different?" Ron asked.
Harry let out a sad sigh. "Well, after I found out I had money, not just what was in my trust vault, I decided to buy a few things. I mean, I've always worn Dudley's old clothes and now that I can afford not to, I indulged a little."
"Right," Ron said, sounding annoyed.
"What else was in the vaults?" Hermione asked, her eyes gleaming in a way Harry had never noticed before.
"Just money mainly, some old books and stuff I'm guessing," Harry said, making sure to sound disinterested.
"You know Harry, I would be happy to help you sort through them," she said. "I mean, it's important you document what you have."
Harry tried not to snort dismissively; as if he would ever let her near his vaults. "That's a good idea, 'Mione," Harry said. And it was - maybe he should check out his vaults and see if one of them holds an answer for him.
Mrs. Weasley took that moment to announce it was time for lunch. Plating up, she handed Harry his and took a seat. Harry, knowing he would be protected from any love potions by his lordship rings, still took a moment to send a nullifier at the plate before taking a bite.
Harry moaned in pleasure, even knowing that it was poisoned he had to admit that Mrs. Weasley did know how to cook.
"This is great Mrs Weasley," he said, again pretending not to notice their scheming smiles.
After lunch was over, everybody at the table seemed to go quiet as Ginny stood up. "Harry, don't you think you should come upstairs with me?" she asked, smirking.
Harry turned to her and said in a dazed voice, "Ginny?"
Thinking the potion had worked the Weasleys and Hermione barely contained their triumph. Ginny's smirk of victory was particularly vicious.
Deciding he couldn't be bothered to drag out the act, Harry continued, "Why would I want to do that, Ginny? I need to get going soon."
Harry barely contained his laughter when Ginny's face fell, going red then white in her anger.
"What?!" she demanded.
"I said I need to get going; I have business at Gringotts," Harry said, deciding to do as Hermione suggested and take a look in his vaults.
"But-but—" Ron spluttered, turning to Hermione in his confusion. Hermione looked like an angry cat; her hair was practically standing on end and her anger almost palpable.
Standing, Harry barely concealed his glee. Turning to Mrs. Weasley, who was doing a better job at hiding her frustration, Harry smiled.
"I'm going to apparate, thank you so much for the lovely meal Mrs. Weasley," Harry said before turning to the others. "I'll see you guys soon." Without waiting for them to say goodbye, Harry turned and left through the backdoor. However, instead of leaving, Harry cast a wordless disillusionment spell and snuck back inside before the door had fully closed.
Almost instantly, Harry had to cast a silencing charm as his glee quickly overcame him.
"I thought you said the potion would make him a mindless drone!" Ron shouted at Hermione, his face red.
"It was supposed to!"
"Well, it obviously didn't work!" screeched Ginny.
"I don't understand why it didn't!" Hermione wailed, "I know I brewed it right, I followed the notes out of Dumbledore's book perfectly!"
"Well, obviously, you made a mistake dear," Mrs. Weasley said, the only one not screaming. "It's not the end of the world, maybe next time I'll help you."
"But I want him now!" Ginny whined.