"Mr. Potter has specifically requested that you take him to his family vault," the goblin said in a stern tone.
Griphook seemed startled by this proclamation but quickly recovered and turned toward Harry. "You do me great honor," he said with a nod of his head that might be taken as a bow. "Please follow me." He turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.
Harry followed the goblin into back into the caverns and into a cart before finally asking "What was all that about?"
Griphook answered the question with a question "What do you mean?"
"Why did you seem so surprised that they'd ask you to take me to my vault? And why did you tell me I honored you?" Harry asked, perplexed.
"Your family vault is not like your personal vault. It is one of the older vaults and is very heavily protected. It is deep within the mines underneath the bank and is normally only accessed by senior goblins. It would be another 20 years before I become eligible to be promoted to a level that I might handle such vaults. A goblin in my position being asked to take anyone to such a vault is unheard of," Griphook explained.
"Oh," was all Harry could think to say in reply. The ride was especially long, at least twice as long as the trip to his personal vault, Harry decided. When they finally arrived Harry realized something "Umm, Griphook?"
"Yes, Mr. Pot - I mean Harry?" the goblin replied.
"I just realized I don't have a key for the vault," Harry explained. He was about to say more about the circumstances when he was interrupted.
"These vaults do not require a key, Mr. Potter. Not for blood members of the family, anyway. Follow me." Griphook exited the cart and led Harry, who had dutifully grabbed the lantern from its stand, up to a door with just a relatively small round impression in it. "Place your hand in the circle."
Harry did as he was instructed by placing his palm within the circle. Nothing happened for a brief moment, then Harry heard a rumble and a number of clicks and the sound of stone grinding against stone. Moments later the entryway was open and he was staring into a treasure room.
There was gold everywhere. Some was contained within trunks half of which were open, but there were mountains of gold scattered around. The room was enormous. Harry noticed there was some old fashioned furniture on his left. He walked over to a shelf that was holding various objects in it, many of which were forms of jewelry or precious stones. There was a sofa nearby with a table in front of it. On top of the table an envelope caught Harry's eye. As he walked closer, Harry realized that there was writing on the envelope, his name.
Harry snatched up the envelope and sank into the sofa behind him. He stared at his name on the envelope for what could have been an hour but was probably closer to a minute. He eventually shook himself out of his stupor and gently opened up the envelope. There were two pieces of parchment inside, different handwriting, but both beginning with the words Dear Son . Harry hungrily lifted the letter in feminine script and devoured its contents.
Dear Son,
Writing this letter to you is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. Your father and I are taking you and going into hiding tomorrow. Voldemort found out about some prophecy that might name you as his future killer, so you have become one of his prime targets. What could possess a man to attack an infant is beyond me, especially one as precious as you, but Voldemort seemingly lost his humanity long ago.
I am writing this letter because I fear for what might happen. If you are reading this, then my fears were well founded. I am sorry that I was unable to be there for you as you grew up. Since the day I learned I was pregnant, you have been the center of my life. I want you to know that I love you with all of my heart. I take comfort in the fact that I know that your father and Sirius love you as much as I do, so I know you will always be in good hands.
This past year with you has been the best year of my life in spite of the war. You are a light in my life that could guide me through the darkest of times. You are the most precious baby in the world. And I think you might be the only person that is capable of taming Sirius. The only time he shows the smallest amount of responsibility is when he's holding you. And we know you're going to be one powerful wizard someday because we've already seen you doing magic. When you see something you want, you'll do everything in your power to get it, even if it means summoning it from across the room.
When you're reading this I imagine you'll be all grown up already. I want you to know that I will always watch over you through the good times and the bad. If you ever feel alone, know that I am always with you in your heart. What I hope for most is that you live a long and happy life. Always stick up for what you believe in and follow your dreams through to the end. Don't let others dictate how to live your life. Your life is your own to live as you see fit. And if you find love, hold onto it with everything you have. Believe me when I say that it is worth it.
I love you, Harry.
Lily Potter
Tears dropped onto the parchment that he hadn't even realized he'd been crying. His whole life Harry had wanted something from his parents, anything at all. He craved something that would tell him even a little bit about his mom and dad. At the end of his first year at Hogwarts he was given a picture album of his parents. That was the only thing he owned, besides his father's invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map, that linked him to either of his parents. Now he had a letter from his mom sitting in his hands, written to him. It was quite literally a dream come true.
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