July 18 th 1992, The Leaky Cauldron
Harry picked up a piece of parchment and grabbed an ink pot. Placing them on the table, he began to write.
Dear Aunt Petunia,
I know you asked to never be written to or bothered by the wizarding world again, but I thought I should inform you that I planned on staying in the wizarding world for the summer with friends of my parents and my own school friends.
If you are worried, I can be reached by owl if it is addressed to me.
Yours,
Harry Potter
The letter he received back, Harry had opened with glee. He had the letter in his trunk, waiting to be used as evidence.
Stop using such a barbaric means of communication!
We do not care what you do, just leave us alone. You can get hit by lightning for all we care.
Do not contact us again! We are good, normal people.
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon and Petunia Dursley
July 23 rd 1992, Gringotts London
"You have the letter?" Ragnok asked after Harry had told him what it said.
"Yes, in my trunk," Harry confirmed.
"Excellent. Now, what are you going to do about the meeting tomorrow?" Ragnok asked.
Harry considered what to do for a few moments before speaking. "Sirius will be at St. Mungo's, so I'll take Remus. I want to report my relatives for abuse. Amelia knows about it anyway, so really it's just providing evidence now. She is also looking into Dumbledore for me, according to Susan."
"Speaking of your young friends, have you spoken to them?" Ragnok asked.
Harry winced. They would not be pleased when they found out Harry had been hiding Sirius. "No, I plan on asking them to meet me in the Alley the day Lockhart has his book signing. I have business that day," Harry said.
"Very good," Ragnok said. "What about your other plans?"
"I have ideas, but nothing yet solid. I need to destroy Dumbledore's fan base - people need to see him for what he is…." As Harry spoke, an idea hit him and his smile turned devious.
"You have an idea," Ragnok said rather than asked.
"I do. Tell me, what do you know about a reporter named Rita Skeeter?" Harry asked.
Ragnok's eyes widened at the thought of using the famous gossip journalist. "Her stories never say what you want them to - she's unreliable."
"Ah, but I know how to make her do exactly what I want," Harry said, smirking.
"Blackmail?" Ragnok asked, a smirk curling his own mouth.
"I'd prefer 'persuasive handling'," Harry said.
"If you can get her under control, then you're in business. She has the largest and widest following in the UK. You will just have to be careful; some will discount her because she usually just sprouts gossip."
"But her gossip is always surprisingly true, if not just twisted," Harry said.
"You want to use her to spread your web of disheartenment about Dumbledore."
"Yes," Harry said. "With her, I can gain a control of the media. Not total, but enough to keep what I want in the cycle."
Ragnok smiled toothily. "And have you had any other success with your bonded?"
Harry felt his smile fade slightly. "No. I know there is an answer out there, but I have yet to find it," he said.
Ragnok nodded his head in a show of support. "I can ask around in discrete circles," he offered.
"That would be appreciated. I plan on scouring the Black library once Sirius reclaims his homes," Harry admitted.
"A wise idea," Ragnok said.
A knock at the door sounded then and Harry felt an odd, familial pull as Sirius entered. The sensation was completely new to him.
Seeing Harry's face, Healer Mauve explained to him, "Your godfather bond is now open. The bond being blocked on either side makes it impossible for the other to feel it, as it's not an overwhelming bond like, say, a soul bond as it is created, not intrinsic."
"Oh," Harry said dumbly. "Will it always feel like this?"
"It should fade and settle; it's just pronounced now as it had been blocked," Mauve said.
Seeing Sirius pacing in the doorway, Harry stood and approached him. Trying to send a sense of calm through the bond, something he had never tried before, but had read about in his mind magic books.
"Siri, calm down. I need you to be calm right now," Harry pleaded, hoping Sirius' need to be there for Harry would get through to him.
It worked immediately: Sirius paused and grabbed Harry, pulling the small boy into his arms and hugging him. Harry noticed Sirius looked a lot better, more like the man he remembered. His hair and skin looked healthier and his magic, although agitated, felt stronger.
Pulling free from the hug, Harry pulled Sirius down to the chairs and made him sit.
Ragnok nodded at them. "First, I believe you should claim your Lordship, Mr. Black, before we discuss your healers report. As a Lord, you have more power and protection," the goblin said.
Sirius let out a breath. "I agree," he said formally, surprising Harry. A formal Sirius was something completely new and a little foreign to the younger man.
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