Blue Foundation: Runnin' Down a Dream
Disclaimer: Well, considering I’m not richer than England royalty, I don’t own Harry Potter.
Story: Apathy. It’s a dangerous path. After Sirius’ death, Harry’s life continues downhill as he finds out about betrayals, manipulations, lordships, and delves into politics and power plays as he transfers to Beauxbatons and champions for several gods. Unsure of people, Harry lives life in either an air of resignation or detached indifference. Yet, cold calculation is there and subtle (and not) revenge is designed.
Set after book 5.
Spoilers: Books 1-7 probably.
Warnings: ????
Pairings: Harry/OMC (3x), platonic sexual relationship between Harry/Fleur and Harry/Hermione, with odd sides of smidgens of Lucius/Harry/Narcissa, Remus(from his wolf’s standpoint)/Harry, several gods/Harry…
Blue Foundation
Chapter One: Runnin’ Down a Dream
“What would you have me do?” Petunia asked him tiredly, a strange manner from her to him.
“You’ll be rid of me. I just need your help leaving.”
And that was how Harry Potter convinced his only living relatives to help him leave Britain.
He had everything ready, and all that was left was for him to go to Diagon Alley and settle the last of his affairs. Dudley would be with his friends as his uncle and aunt reluctantly came with him to finish everything up, and he had nothing left there.
The shortcomings of British Wizarding World was blindingly obvious, and he had no idea why he hadn’t tried to escape from their clutches before then.
And it had all started when he’d met a beautiful woman in his room.
Without care, Harry trudged up the stairs and then to his room, pausing in his doorway when he saw the incredibly beautiful woman on his bed, unsure who she was or if he was seeing right.
“Harry Potter,” she intoned, voice ringing quietly with power.
He blinked and cautiously stepped closer, closing the door behind him.
“Hello?”
She smiled thinly, but it still felt warm.
“I am Hecate, Goddess of the Three Crossroads and Witchcraft, Queen of the Night, and of the Titans. And your champion Goddess.”
And that was how Harry met Hecate, who proclaimed him her champion for his remarkable and not yet fully explored control of magic that more than rivaled her power over it.
“It is time for you to realize the truth and make your own decisions. Do you yield your eyes?”
He trusted her for some reason, and believed in what she said. So he nodded and she leant forward, placing a soft kiss upon his lips and then his eyes rolled backwards and he was pulled into a vision.
“Sir, is this really legal?” a younger Hermione asked Professor Dumbledore.
The benevolent look was firmly planted, and he smiled grandfatherly at her.
“Yes, Miss Granger. If we don’t keep an eye on Mr. Potter, who knows who can trick him or get to him to cause any amount of harm. You understand, don’t you?”
“Yes, Professor…it’s just Harry saved my life and I don’t want to betray him,” she said unsurely.
“Don’t think of it as betrayal. You want to help keep him safe. It’s all for the greater good.”
Eleven year old Hermione Granger reluctantly agreed to spy on her newly found friend.
Harry didn’t have time to think about that scene as he was immediately transported to another one. This time he saw an eleven year old Ron Weasley.
“Yes, sir! I’ll spy on Harry Potter no problem!” Ron agreed enthusiastically.
“Good, good. Now, we’ll open up your own account in Gringotts, and wire the money you’ll be paid with there.”
“That’s great, Professor Dumbledore, sir. Does my family have to know?”
“No, of course not, Mr. Weasley. This is his picture. I’ll have him run into your family at the station and you’ll go look for him on the train and befriend him. Do you have that understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
And they kept coming and coming, until everything Dumbledore had been hiding had been unearthed and revealed to him. The man had ignored his parents’ will, circumvented it so that it didn’t have a reading. He knew about the abuse Harry suffered at the hands of his relatives and did nothing about it, in fact encouraging them so that Harry would be more susceptible and obedient to him. He had known keeping Sirius isolated, especially in that house, would drive his godfather crazy and had intentionally kept him in 12 Grimmauld. All his years at Hogwarts had been planned and he’d been manipulated from the start.
There was so much more and Harry knew that he could never trust Dumbledore ever again…or even have the heart to trust anyone else.
Now he was on his way to Diagon Alley with two complacent Dursley’s, quickly going through the early morning to head to Gringotts first. With an early start, barely anyone was awake and moving through the magical alley.
Once in Gringotts, he settled the first thing that would cut him off from the Dursley’s once and for all, and after it they would never need to see or talk to each other ever again. And before they heard of his inheritance and decided they were entitled to something.
Getting a teller to get into contact with someone who could deal with his emancipation rites then, he was surprised to see Director Ragnok coming to deal with the matter personally himself.
“It’s a matter of interest, Mr. Potter,” was all the goblin said to him.
He signed the papers, his aunt and uncle signed the papers, and they left quickly, deciding that they knew the way enough themselves to attempt heading back without Harry or anyone else’s help, and wanting to get away as fast and as quickly as they could now that they no longer were responsible for Harry.
“Now that your relatives are gone, was there anything else you wanted?” Ragnok had an amused smile faintly appear on his face.
“How fast are those emancipation papers ready to be processed?”
“They’re being processed right now.”
Harry smiled just as faintly, “As an emancipated minor, I would like to request seeing my parents’ will. I have been uninformed of it and consequently the assets I was entitled to. I don’t know if their will was enforced and I have definitely not received any bank statements from my accounts.”
Ragnok nodded and took out a several folders.
“You were prepared.”
Ragnok nodded again wearily. “You are a priority client, coming from one of our wealthiest and most prestigious families. As such, our priority clients are our main concerns and take precedence above anything. As well as your stance with magical creatures,” he sneered at that, “has endeared you to us somewhat. Seeing you come in with your ‘rarely’ seen relatives had been brought to my attention and I guessed as to what was coming and had everything ready to inform you once you had been emancipated.
“We were unable to inform you before due to the interference of your Headmaster, so we had to wait for an opportunity to come –most specifically something like you coming in alone and better yet with your relatives. Anything else would have been compromised and we would never have been able to fully inform you of any inconsistencies or anything else of note.”
“I see…I had figured as much,” Harry said, remembering Hecate’s words and her visions.
“Now to your parents’ will, I will just give you a summary and hand you a copy to take with you. As Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, you claim the Potter estates and fortune. Your Godfather named you the main beneficiary and everything he owned were to belong to you, including the title of Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, inheriting all of the Black estates and fortune. Also, with the former Black Lord having died, he’d arranged for you to be emancipated in the magical realm. Originally, you were only to have one guardian, that of Sirius Black. When he was convicted, Dumbledore somehow was able to grant custody in a joint guardianship between your muggle relatives for the muggle world and himself as your magical guardian. Once escaped, your Godfather was considered viable once more to take care of his duties as he was outside of prison and of sound mind. Although he couldn’t change your muggle relatives’ custody, he managed to usurp Dumbledore’s position as your magical guardian and reclaim his duties and therefore in charge of your situation in the magical world.”
Harry sighed, starting a dry voice. “Basically, Sirius was my only guardian, he got sent away, Dumbledore pulled strings to become my magical guardian and decide things for me in this world, while leaving me to be dealt with with my relatives in the muggle world. Sirius found out, couldn’t change anything about the Dursley’s since it was all legal and final, so he took back his job from Dumbledore and did what he could from that end. Which is why he needed to emancipate me in this world, even though the Dursley’s had emancipated me from their end.”
“Correct. Now, the Black family has four Wizengamot seats and the Potter family has five, giving you nine votes in the Wizengamot. You also have controlling interest in several muggle and wizarding companies. And as you’ve become head of both Houses, each with a lordship, you’re given the right to the title of Lord Potter-Black. The Potter family has a long lineage dating back to when the main line of Gryffindor married into it. Along with being named Lord Potter-Black, you’re also named Lord Gryffindor. On your mother’s side, the Evan’s family has long since produced a line of squibs, back to when Ravenclaw married into Hufflepuff, causing you to be Lord Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw. You’ve also been named Slytherin’s heir, and have now become Lord Slytherin. The Slytherin line is the oldest and your most prominent lordship, and it is the title you will be referred to. However, if you wish to be identified as something else, it is up to your discretion. All of their vaults, assets, and estates belong to you, as well as their unused Wizengamot seats.”
Harry was dizzy with all the information and almost gaped at the Head Goblin. Instead, he took a couple of breaths and shook his head.
“Does…does that mean my mother isn’t really a muggleborn?” he asked dazedly.
“No, she was not. You are essentially a pureblood.”
The matter-of-fact tone threw Harry off and he had to start all over to regain his composure.
“Oh, I see. Is there anything else I should be informed of?”
“You will officially claim your inheritance once you’ve sign these documents, place several drops of your blood onto each document, and each family signet ring accepts you as the new head. The rings will merge together once they’ve accepted you, and shrink to the size of your finger.”
Harry began doing so, and he put each ring on his right index finger, each one merging until the last one was the Slytherin signet. He put it on and then examined the end result. The Slytherin crest, that of an emerald snake curled into a sideways eight symbolizing eternity, was set against an onyx stone and positioned on a silver band. The other crests from the signets was around the Slytherin crest in smaller engravings.
“Congratulations, Lord Slytherin. You have officially taken the first step to reclaiming control over your life and cutting ties.”
“Just…Just Harry, please. You’ve helped me much today, and I owe a lot that’s happened to you, Director Ragnok,” Harry muttered, feeling overwhelmed.
Ragnok looked at him curiously, though calculatingly. “Indeed. You will be a useful ally, young Harry. I will be intrigued and eagerly following your rise to power.”
Harry blinked at him in confusion and wariness, but put it aside for now.
“Your trust vault from the Potter’s is on the moderate level, and while sizable not nearly as important as the rest of the Potter vaults located in the high-security level, alongside Sirius Black’s former trust vault 711. The Black family vaults are on a higher-level security, right next to the Lestrange’s family vault. The last level after that is the highest security available, with only a handful of vaults belonging to the area, most of which are the Founder vaults. The other two vaults belonging to that area are the Pendragon vault and an unnamed one.”
Harry hid his confusion. Gringotts was very protective of their clients and customers. For Ragnok to say such information about the security and location of vaults that didn’t belong to him…what was the goblin thinking right now?
“Um…I read that the vaults are inherited through blood only. How is it that I can inherit the Black vaults?”
A shark-like smile flitted across Ragnok’s face. “Well, a curious wizard at last. As you can see with your hair becoming tamer, your Godfather blood-adopted you when you were a baby, making you a Black by blood. As you grow closer to your majority, which is earlier than most because of your emancipation, you will notice slight differences. However, since you have Slytherin genes, you will mostly take after that line instead. Slytherin genes have always been dominant and taken precedent over others.”
“I see. Thank you for your time and help, and much thanks for the information, Director. I…I was wondering if you would consider help fight against Voldemort. I know we need all the help we can against him,” Harry hesitantly asked.
Ragnok smiled nastily. “I’ve been very anti-wizard, Harry. You are the only exception to that.”
“Can I, um, ask why?”
“I know the Ministry did a cover up about Bagman’s treachery. That traitorous wizard never gave back the gold he’d swindled from that bet he made with us Goblins. You’ve proven honest and interesting, as well as likable for a human. And you are most probably our wealthiest and most powerful client, at least politically. You have a lot of money and many seats in the Wizengamot, along with your lordships. Considering just exactly which lordships and seats you have, combined with your Boy-Who-Lived status, you have a lot of influence and power to toss around with your money. Magically has yet to be proven, but I already believe it has.”
“If,” Harry started out cautiously, “I were to convince Bagman to come here and give a formal apology, as well as pay off his debt myself…would you reconsider your position?”
Ragnok considered him carefully. “Perhaps. Make it happen first and then we’ll see.”
Harry nodded, secretly relieved he hadn’t angered the Head Goblin.
“Already learning to bargain, have you Lord Slytherin?”
“I guess I have,” Harry answered softly.
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Mr. Ludo Bagman,
You have caused a precarious position with the goblins. I remember you quite clearly in my fourth year, and have always known you as a kind, supporting, and jovial man. It had been a pleasure, so I can’t imagine that you would be the cause of such discord among the Goblin Nation, most specifically between them and wizardkind. I’d like to make a proposal, for your surprising and heartening support during the Triwizard Tournament. I’d like to help your predicament. If you are willing to make a formal apology to the Goblin Council, I will pay off your debt to them. Please consider my offer seriously. They are willing to consider.
Meet me outside Gringotts at half past noon today if you wish to accept.
Yours truly,
Harry Potter
He didn’t need to elaborate on who was willing to consider, knowing it would be figured out quickly. Harry had made sure to put an added measure of flattery, though the man really had been very supportive and kind to him that year. Even if it was all probably for a bet, his support had helped against the rest of the antagonism Harry had faced against everyone else.
“Director Ragnok, I will be meeting with Mr. Bagman in 10 minutes. I am very optimistic on him accepting. I should head out now and hope to meet you soon with him,” Harry told him.
When he went outside, he saw the Head of the Department of Games and Sports leaning against a pillar and staying in the shade, with a five o’clock shadow, a leather jacket, and actually smoking a muggle cigarette lazily. He was as tall and as powerfully built as ever, though the extra weight he’d gained after retiring from his Quidditch team seemed to have lessen a bit –though, Harry had a feeling it was more from being unable to keep regular meals than from any intentional work from Bagman himself. His usual overgrown schoolboy appearance seemed to have gone with the new look.
“Hello, Mr. Bagman. I’m glad you came. You seem to have changed quite a bit from what I’ve remembered of you. Muggle cigarette?”
Bagman jumped a foot into the air, whirling quickly to face him. He dropped his cigarette and stamped it out, smiling automatically when he saw Harry.
“Harry, great seeing you again. Sorry for the look…I, uh, haven’t had a chance to get myself cleaned up. The cigarette’s nothing, just thought I could try it this once. And call me Ludo, since I’ve always been so familiar with you, Harry.” Ludo gave him a wide grin.
Harry’s lips twitched, “You don’t need to lie or act in front of me, Ludo. You were smoking like it was natural to you, so you’ve done it before. Probably a habit by now. But this is exactly why I wanted to talk to you. You’re great with words, and very charming. It’s in your very nature to try to charm everyone you meet. Are you still Head of your department?”
Ludo sighed, deflating and his cheerful attitude disappearing as quickly as it had come, reverting to the brooding image the man had been in before Harry had greeted him.
“No. I was let go suddenly and informally. I’ve been…jobless for about a year and half, two years. Something like that. I do odd paying jobs here and there to get by. Started to smoke because it was calming. You don’t mind, do you?” Ludo asked, taking out another cigarette and handling it between two fingers, showing him.
Harry shook his head that he didn’t mind and Ludo lit it up, placing it between his lips and taking a long drag.
“So what do you have in mind? I could give you a blowjob for a sack of sickles even, if you want,” Ludo gave him a lazy smile and Harry blushed heavily, the first real big emotion he’d shown since he’d been overloaded and worn out after Hecate’s visions.
“N-no thanks, I’m fine.”
Ludo laughed heartily, “I was just joking…though you’ve grown up quite a bit. Quite nicely from where I’m standing as well. If you change your mind, I could too.”
Harry blushed even more and coughed in embarrassment, “Actually, I was thinking about you because of your charm, like I was saying. You charm people easily. I’d pay off your debts to the goblins if you apologize to them. After that, if you apologize to everyone you’d ever owed and pay them back money I’m going to give you from your new job, you get to keep said job and have a home and food I’d offer as well.”
Ludo sized it up between his hands acting as scales. “Let’s see. Food and shelter and a job. And also apologizing to endless people for ripping them off and then having to give them money afterwards.”
Harry frowned, “You shouldn’t be so greedy or prideful –”
“Harry. I was just kidding around. I’m not Lucius fucking Malfoy. I can get on my knees and beg,” Ludo smirked.
“Oh…um, okay. Does that mean you’re going to do it?”
“Yeah. Sounds great. Best deal I’ve had in years, probably my whole life, exempting getting signed onto the Wimbourne Wasps and my time with them,” Ludo ended with a wistful smile.
“Well…like I said, charm plays a big part in what I need. I’m going to start becoming more active in the coming months, and taking small steps. But I’m not yet ready to face everyone as I am. I’m just not ready,” Harry muttered the last part, hiding his scared tone, though Ludo still caught it. He didn’t say anything. “I need you to represent me and be charming, be the face I need to show the world while I’m still developing myself. And I know you still have contacts.”
“Got it. Charm, I have in spades. No matter how pissed off someone is at me, even if it’s creditors, I can still charm them and butter ‘em up easily. Even as I am right now. Charm is no problem at all, Boss.”
Harry sighed, “Why do I feel like I’ve gotten more than I bargained with with you?”
“Maybe you did,” Ludo just laughed.
So they’d gone back into the bank, and Ludo made a formal apology in front of the entire Goblin Council, who reluctantly accepted –mostly due to the fact the man had been backed by Lord Slytherin, though they were a bit assuaged by Ludo’s charm already starting to work its magic. Harry walked with Ragnok back to make the arrangements for the transfer of money, Ludo following behind in a sedate pace, an unlit cigarette between his lips and his hands shoved into his pockets.
“Sirius’ trust vault, the money in there was given to him by his Uncle Alphard, right? So it’s not really part of the Black vaults but his own,” Harry questioned.
“Yes, that’s right, Lord Slytherin.”
Ludo perked up at the title, also picking up on the Black vaults and apparently putting Sirius and Black vaults and trust vault together to make up the fugitive’s name. He kept quiet, but listened intently, figuring he’d asked Harry later when he wasn’t busy talking to the Head Goblin.
“It’s Harry,” he automatically reminded. “And it has a higher clearance?”
“Yes.”
Harry frowned, “There’s too many people with access to my trust vault. Is there any way you could transfer the entire contents of my trust into Sirius’?”
Ragnok slowed his pace down, thinking. “We could do that…but it’ll cost us a lot of paperwork.” He looked over quickly at Harry calculatingly. “But for you, we could have it done by tonight. Earlier even.”
“Thank you, Director. I, um, am very sure copies of my key has been handed out, and money taken from it without my permission. I would like to remedy that by getting rid of that vault, so they would no longer be able to access it.”
“Not to worry, Harry. Myself and a team of goblins will be looking into your accounts for anything amiss, now that you are aware of the situation. Before we’d only been able to gather up the papers and statements, unable to look at them closely without your permission –well, Dumbledore’s since he had been your magical guardian. But now that you are emancipated, I can ask you directly.”
“Permission granted. Please, feel free to do whatever you can. I just want this whole thing to be settled. It’s all very much for me right now, and I’m not sure I could face Dumbledore at this moment without reacting emotionally,” Harry said tiredly, glad when they finally reached his office.
“I see. I’ll have you sign on these. And you’ll be free to go, with a Gringotts card as well. As much as we love your patronage, I’m sure you are eager to start your plans. Please look at the papers, folders, and statements I’d originally given you. There are some very useful, important, and/or interesting things you could find in there.”
Harry nodded and signed the papers.
“Um, are you…going to reconsider your position now? Or you still don’t want to?” Harry hesitantly brought up.
Ragnok’s eyes briefly glanced at Ludo, which the man caught. “Shape him up first. Then we’ll see about my allying with wizards. You did well choosing him to represent you or help you out. No one would think to associate him with you, seeing as there is no connection between the two of you or any obvious closeness. He can walk about freely under your name.”
Both humans in the room were thoughtful, though mostly for different reasons.
Harry finished up and then finally led the way out, with Ludo trekking behind him.
“I’m going to ask you what that was about later. Right now, you need clothes,” Ludo looked at him critically.
“What? What do you mean?” Harry furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
“You’re a Lord. And not just any Lord. Lord Slytherin. As Head of his family, Lucius is Lord Malfoy because his family has long held a lordship. But the Malfoy line is a lesser lordship, unlike the Slytherin line. So you have to dress better or at least as nice as Lucius,” Ludo explained.
Harry grimaced. “Oh.”
“Don’t grimace, Harry. You want to groom yourself into that image that’s going to help sculpt the world, right? Well, appearance, from clothes to attitude to body language, matters. You’re going to have to get over your distaste and start the change sooner rather than later.”
“…You’re right…How do you know all this?”
“I had an internship when I was younger, and went over to work at the French Ministry for the summer. Hated it. I was surrounded by a bunch of pompous, uptight pricks and twats. Same thing working at the Ministry here. But I picked up on things.”
Harry blinked. At least he was sure that cursing wasn’t common with Ludo…he thought so at least…
He automatically started heading over to Madam Malkin’s when Ludo stopped him and started to lead him in another direction.
“Where are we going?”
“Malkin’s is good and all for everyone else. But you need to be dressed in an entirely different manner. You need custom attire, dressed in all sorts of fine clothes. We’ll have to go to Matilda’s Distinguished Cloth and Finery, which isn’t too far away. The best clothes come from her, but she’s very expensive. Even the Malfoy’s only occasionally buy their clothing from her. I have a feeling you could buy an entire wardrobe from her. But be rest assured, I meant it when I said she was the best. She’s unrivaled in all of Britain, and I hear that she could even rival international competition.”
“This is going to be a way to showcase my wealth, isn’t it?” Harry asked curiously.
“Yes. One way to display the fact you have money without outright bragging, is the clothing you wear. Don’t worry, her clothing are always comfortable and easy to put on,” Ludo reassured him after seeing the hesitant look on Harry’s face.
They entered a humble shop, neatly tucked away into a corner, with a plain sign in a blacked out window showing what store it was. When they entered, it was a very brightly lit room, simple and empty. To one corner to the far left was a mirror, and a stepping stool in front of it. To the far right a counter with a missing receptionist, and a door behind that. The only other thing was another door, in the far middle and in between the counter and the mirror.
“Well, what do you want?” a high girlish, but rather childish voice asked grumpily.
Harry thought it had come from behind the counter. Then a small pretty girl jumped into view, scowling at them.
“Oh, it’s you,” she sneered when she saw Ludo. Her eyes trailed over Harry critically.
“Matilda dear, you may hate me, but you’ll love him,” Ludo said cheerfully, pushing Harry forward.
“I don’t work for charity,” she snapped.
“I know you don’t. He needs a complete wardrobe, dress robes and formal muggle. Make as many as you think will make a complete wardrobe.” Ludo grabbed Harry’s hand and showed her the signet. “Emboss this crest into the right side of his collars. Include whatever you find necessary. He can pay on the spot.”
Her eyes widened, though a hint of confusion entered them. “I recognize this crest, though the symbols around them is familiar, but not surrounding this crest.”
“This is Lord Slytherin, or as everyone else knows him, Harry Potter. I’m…not quite sure why there are other symbols as well,” Ludo looked at him hesitantly, hiding his confusion.
Harry blushed, “Um, Ragnok informed me that I’m also Lord Gryffindor, Lord Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw, and Lord Potter-Black.”
“Interesting,” Matilda murmured, eying him closely. “Gryffindor from your father’s side, yes? And then Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw married into Hufflepuff and had over time disappeared with no knowledge from either line. I suppose the combined clan married an Evan, a low-level pureblood family, and hence your mother. You inherited your Godfather’s title. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, and Potter and Black have combined to form two merged crests. Yes, very interesting.”
“So you’ll do it?” Ludo interrupted abruptly.
“Yes, yes,” she said annoyed, ignoring Ludo and focusing on Harry, eying him even more closely. “Good, I have his measurements. Go on then. I’ll see both of you in an hour.”
“Hm, she likes you,” Ludo smirked, placing an arm casually around Harry’s shoulders.
“Really? How can you tell? I thought she didn’t like me at all,” Harry said skeptically.
“She agreed to outfit you, and didn’t complain about the work like she usually does. She even agreed to do extra work. She hates customers who come in unprepared, and yet we had nothing specific to give her to work on. She’s also an arrogant pixie who hates humans, and pixies are known to be spitfires, but she wasn’t nearly as aggressive or caustic with you. She usually bargains too, on prices and work. Tries to lessen work, up prices. I think it might have to do with your titles and your obvious wealth. I think she was impressed.”
Harry frowned.
“Okay, superficial, but it’s brokered a window for you. She might be your friend later on, but it would never have happened if you were below her notice. Not all friendships are ideal and start off all honky-dory, Harry. Not everyone is willing to be a friend or start off as one because it would be nice or have a genuine like of you. Sometimes things do end up like that and you end up with a friend. Then you have the other outcome where it just stays as a business friendship, which can be good too. You have to get over the whole relying only on friends thing, because you’re entering an arena where sometimes not everyone is as they seem. You can’t have friends off the bat, Harry, and you need to get over not using your wealth and status. You need allies first, and you get allies when you have something they can be impressed with and something that can help persuade them to ally with you. They’ll learn to like you and become your friend as they get to know you while working with you. Although, I have no doubt you could probably make friends with them in the first meeting, ideally bargain with everything you have is your best bet.”
Harry nodded resignedly. “It all sounds so complicated. I don’t know if I can do it.”
“Don’t worry about it, Harry. You’ll learn. But for now, you have me to help. Besides, I don’t like a lot my own contacts, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t useful and I’ll pretend I do like them for the sake of mutual business,” Ludo soothed.
Harry was calmed, but still he was unhappy. Ludo watched him, before smirking and squeezing Harry’s shoulders with the arm he’d placed around them.
“You need to loosen up. Let’s head to muggle London in the meantime and shop for clothes there. We’ll have a funner time.”
“Funner’s not a word,” but Harry’s lips twitched upward, so Ludo’s goal had been reached.
“But I say so, so it is.”
And cheering Harry up was now a permanent fixture in Ludo’s list of things to do.
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Ludo nodded, “Nice. Very nice. Handsome, Harry. Go try the other one I’d picked out.”
Harry actually could admit that shopping wasn’t so bad. Maybe because he was so deprived of things for himself, that he didn’t mind being spoiled and Ludo was doing his best to pick out a whole assortment of clothes for Harry. Right now, he had a lot of polo shirts, t-shirts, sweaters, shorts, jeans, and just casual outfits. Ludo even included caps of all kinds and a leather jacket similar to his own.
“Matilda’s probably stacked you up with just formal muggle clothing, so I thought you’d like some casual things. You like?” Ludo pointed them out.
Harry nodded and led the way to the counter to pay for them.
“You don’t like your glasses, do you?”
“No, I hate them. I know they make me look like my dad even more than I do without them, but I hate the way they look and they sit uncomfortably on my nose. Not to mention the prescription has been out of date for years.”
Ludo shook his head, “Not good. We’ll have to take care of that, but it’ll be better to do it in the Wizarding World. But we should get frames here. Muggles have better taste, unless you want similar frames to the ones you have now or even worse. Which I gather you don’t want.”
“Please no,” Harry pouted and Ludo laughed.
“Let’s go get some glasses then!”
Ludo easily navigated Harry to a shopping centre, where he led him to an eyeglass shop.
“Oh! These look cool! I had no idea glasses can come rimless,” Harry noted, looking at a pair of Kazuo Kawasaki brand glasses.
“Mmhm, those are nice. I don’t like the shape of the lens for you though,” Ludo commented.
So he’d set to a teller, had a custom pair of the Kawasaki glasses ordered up after he’d drawn the specific shape, and though they confused them for wanting non-prescription lens, were able to at least get the glasses in half an hour.
“We’ll walk around the mall for awhile and then come back for them. Then we can go to Matilda’s and pick up your clothing before going to a wizarding eye shop.”
“Thanks, Ludo…for everything,” Harry mumbled. But he still had that depressed air about him.
“That’s it, kid. As soon as we’re home, I’m giving you a blowjob.”
“Ludo!”
Started 10/17/09 –Completed 1/10/10
Story: Apathy. It’s a dangerous path. After Sirius’ death, Harry’s life continues downhill as he finds out about betrayals, manipulations, lordships, and delves into politics and power plays as he transfers to Beauxbatons and champions for several gods. Unsure of people, Harry lives life in either an air of resignation or detached indifference. Yet, cold calculation is there and subtle (and not) revenge is designed.
Set after book 5.
Spoilers: Books 1-7 probably.
Warnings: ????
Pairings: Harry/OMC (3x), platonic sexual relationship between Harry/Fleur and Harry/Hermione, with odd sides of smidgens of Lucius/Harry/Narcissa, Remus(from his wolf’s standpoint)/Harry, several gods/Harry…
Blue Foundation
Chapter One: Runnin’ Down a Dream
“What would you have me do?” Petunia asked him tiredly, a strange manner from her to him.
“You’ll be rid of me. I just need your help leaving.”
And that was how Harry Potter convinced his only living relatives to help him leave Britain.
He had everything ready, and all that was left was for him to go to Diagon Alley and settle the last of his affairs. Dudley would be with his friends as his uncle and aunt reluctantly came with him to finish everything up, and he had nothing left there.
The shortcomings of British Wizarding World was blindingly obvious, and he had no idea why he hadn’t tried to escape from their clutches before then.
And it had all started when he’d met a beautiful woman in his room.
Without care, Harry trudged up the stairs and then to his room, pausing in his doorway when he saw the incredibly beautiful woman on his bed, unsure who she was or if he was seeing right.
“Harry Potter,” she intoned, voice ringing quietly with power.
He blinked and cautiously stepped closer, closing the door behind him.
“Hello?”
She smiled thinly, but it still felt warm.
“I am Hecate, Goddess of the Three Crossroads and Witchcraft, Queen of the Night, and of the Titans. And your champion Goddess.”
And that was how Harry met Hecate, who proclaimed him her champion for his remarkable and not yet fully explored control of magic that more than rivaled her power over it.
“It is time for you to realize the truth and make your own decisions. Do you yield your eyes?”
He trusted her for some reason, and believed in what she said. So he nodded and she leant forward, placing a soft kiss upon his lips and then his eyes rolled backwards and he was pulled into a vision.
“Sir, is this really legal?” a younger Hermione asked Professor Dumbledore.
The benevolent look was firmly planted, and he smiled grandfatherly at her.
“Yes, Miss Granger. If we don’t keep an eye on Mr. Potter, who knows who can trick him or get to him to cause any amount of harm. You understand, don’t you?”
“Yes, Professor…it’s just Harry saved my life and I don’t want to betray him,” she said unsurely.
“Don’t think of it as betrayal. You want to help keep him safe. It’s all for the greater good.”
Eleven year old Hermione Granger reluctantly agreed to spy on her newly found friend.
Harry didn’t have time to think about that scene as he was immediately transported to another one. This time he saw an eleven year old Ron Weasley.
“Yes, sir! I’ll spy on Harry Potter no problem!” Ron agreed enthusiastically.
“Good, good. Now, we’ll open up your own account in Gringotts, and wire the money you’ll be paid with there.”
“That’s great, Professor Dumbledore, sir. Does my family have to know?”
“No, of course not, Mr. Weasley. This is his picture. I’ll have him run into your family at the station and you’ll go look for him on the train and befriend him. Do you have that understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
And they kept coming and coming, until everything Dumbledore had been hiding had been unearthed and revealed to him. The man had ignored his parents’ will, circumvented it so that it didn’t have a reading. He knew about the abuse Harry suffered at the hands of his relatives and did nothing about it, in fact encouraging them so that Harry would be more susceptible and obedient to him. He had known keeping Sirius isolated, especially in that house, would drive his godfather crazy and had intentionally kept him in 12 Grimmauld. All his years at Hogwarts had been planned and he’d been manipulated from the start.
There was so much more and Harry knew that he could never trust Dumbledore ever again…or even have the heart to trust anyone else.
Now he was on his way to Diagon Alley with two complacent Dursley’s, quickly going through the early morning to head to Gringotts first. With an early start, barely anyone was awake and moving through the magical alley.
Once in Gringotts, he settled the first thing that would cut him off from the Dursley’s once and for all, and after it they would never need to see or talk to each other ever again. And before they heard of his inheritance and decided they were entitled to something.
Getting a teller to get into contact with someone who could deal with his emancipation rites then, he was surprised to see Director Ragnok coming to deal with the matter personally himself.
“It’s a matter of interest, Mr. Potter,” was all the goblin said to him.
He signed the papers, his aunt and uncle signed the papers, and they left quickly, deciding that they knew the way enough themselves to attempt heading back without Harry or anyone else’s help, and wanting to get away as fast and as quickly as they could now that they no longer were responsible for Harry.
“Now that your relatives are gone, was there anything else you wanted?” Ragnok had an amused smile faintly appear on his face.
“How fast are those emancipation papers ready to be processed?”
“They’re being processed right now.”
Harry smiled just as faintly, “As an emancipated minor, I would like to request seeing my parents’ will. I have been uninformed of it and consequently the assets I was entitled to. I don’t know if their will was enforced and I have definitely not received any bank statements from my accounts.”
Ragnok nodded and took out a several folders.
“You were prepared.”
Ragnok nodded again wearily. “You are a priority client, coming from one of our wealthiest and most prestigious families. As such, our priority clients are our main concerns and take precedence above anything. As well as your stance with magical creatures,” he sneered at that, “has endeared you to us somewhat. Seeing you come in with your ‘rarely’ seen relatives had been brought to my attention and I guessed as to what was coming and had everything ready to inform you once you had been emancipated.
“We were unable to inform you before due to the interference of your Headmaster, so we had to wait for an opportunity to come –most specifically something like you coming in alone and better yet with your relatives. Anything else would have been compromised and we would never have been able to fully inform you of any inconsistencies or anything else of note.”
“I see…I had figured as much,” Harry said, remembering Hecate’s words and her visions.
“Now to your parents’ will, I will just give you a summary and hand you a copy to take with you. As Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, you claim the Potter estates and fortune. Your Godfather named you the main beneficiary and everything he owned were to belong to you, including the title of Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, inheriting all of the Black estates and fortune. Also, with the former Black Lord having died, he’d arranged for you to be emancipated in the magical realm. Originally, you were only to have one guardian, that of Sirius Black. When he was convicted, Dumbledore somehow was able to grant custody in a joint guardianship between your muggle relatives for the muggle world and himself as your magical guardian. Once escaped, your Godfather was considered viable once more to take care of his duties as he was outside of prison and of sound mind. Although he couldn’t change your muggle relatives’ custody, he managed to usurp Dumbledore’s position as your magical guardian and reclaim his duties and therefore in charge of your situation in the magical world.”
Harry sighed, starting a dry voice. “Basically, Sirius was my only guardian, he got sent away, Dumbledore pulled strings to become my magical guardian and decide things for me in this world, while leaving me to be dealt with with my relatives in the muggle world. Sirius found out, couldn’t change anything about the Dursley’s since it was all legal and final, so he took back his job from Dumbledore and did what he could from that end. Which is why he needed to emancipate me in this world, even though the Dursley’s had emancipated me from their end.”
“Correct. Now, the Black family has four Wizengamot seats and the Potter family has five, giving you nine votes in the Wizengamot. You also have controlling interest in several muggle and wizarding companies. And as you’ve become head of both Houses, each with a lordship, you’re given the right to the title of Lord Potter-Black. The Potter family has a long lineage dating back to when the main line of Gryffindor married into it. Along with being named Lord Potter-Black, you’re also named Lord Gryffindor. On your mother’s side, the Evan’s family has long since produced a line of squibs, back to when Ravenclaw married into Hufflepuff, causing you to be Lord Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw. You’ve also been named Slytherin’s heir, and have now become Lord Slytherin. The Slytherin line is the oldest and your most prominent lordship, and it is the title you will be referred to. However, if you wish to be identified as something else, it is up to your discretion. All of their vaults, assets, and estates belong to you, as well as their unused Wizengamot seats.”
Harry was dizzy with all the information and almost gaped at the Head Goblin. Instead, he took a couple of breaths and shook his head.
“Does…does that mean my mother isn’t really a muggleborn?” he asked dazedly.
“No, she was not. You are essentially a pureblood.”
The matter-of-fact tone threw Harry off and he had to start all over to regain his composure.
“Oh, I see. Is there anything else I should be informed of?”
“You will officially claim your inheritance once you’ve sign these documents, place several drops of your blood onto each document, and each family signet ring accepts you as the new head. The rings will merge together once they’ve accepted you, and shrink to the size of your finger.”
Harry began doing so, and he put each ring on his right index finger, each one merging until the last one was the Slytherin signet. He put it on and then examined the end result. The Slytherin crest, that of an emerald snake curled into a sideways eight symbolizing eternity, was set against an onyx stone and positioned on a silver band. The other crests from the signets was around the Slytherin crest in smaller engravings.
“Congratulations, Lord Slytherin. You have officially taken the first step to reclaiming control over your life and cutting ties.”
“Just…Just Harry, please. You’ve helped me much today, and I owe a lot that’s happened to you, Director Ragnok,” Harry muttered, feeling overwhelmed.
Ragnok looked at him curiously, though calculatingly. “Indeed. You will be a useful ally, young Harry. I will be intrigued and eagerly following your rise to power.”
Harry blinked at him in confusion and wariness, but put it aside for now.
“Your trust vault from the Potter’s is on the moderate level, and while sizable not nearly as important as the rest of the Potter vaults located in the high-security level, alongside Sirius Black’s former trust vault 711. The Black family vaults are on a higher-level security, right next to the Lestrange’s family vault. The last level after that is the highest security available, with only a handful of vaults belonging to the area, most of which are the Founder vaults. The other two vaults belonging to that area are the Pendragon vault and an unnamed one.”
Harry hid his confusion. Gringotts was very protective of their clients and customers. For Ragnok to say such information about the security and location of vaults that didn’t belong to him…what was the goblin thinking right now?
“Um…I read that the vaults are inherited through blood only. How is it that I can inherit the Black vaults?”
A shark-like smile flitted across Ragnok’s face. “Well, a curious wizard at last. As you can see with your hair becoming tamer, your Godfather blood-adopted you when you were a baby, making you a Black by blood. As you grow closer to your majority, which is earlier than most because of your emancipation, you will notice slight differences. However, since you have Slytherin genes, you will mostly take after that line instead. Slytherin genes have always been dominant and taken precedent over others.”
“I see. Thank you for your time and help, and much thanks for the information, Director. I…I was wondering if you would consider help fight against Voldemort. I know we need all the help we can against him,” Harry hesitantly asked.
Ragnok smiled nastily. “I’ve been very anti-wizard, Harry. You are the only exception to that.”
“Can I, um, ask why?”
“I know the Ministry did a cover up about Bagman’s treachery. That traitorous wizard never gave back the gold he’d swindled from that bet he made with us Goblins. You’ve proven honest and interesting, as well as likable for a human. And you are most probably our wealthiest and most powerful client, at least politically. You have a lot of money and many seats in the Wizengamot, along with your lordships. Considering just exactly which lordships and seats you have, combined with your Boy-Who-Lived status, you have a lot of influence and power to toss around with your money. Magically has yet to be proven, but I already believe it has.”
“If,” Harry started out cautiously, “I were to convince Bagman to come here and give a formal apology, as well as pay off his debt myself…would you reconsider your position?”
Ragnok considered him carefully. “Perhaps. Make it happen first and then we’ll see.”
Harry nodded, secretly relieved he hadn’t angered the Head Goblin.
“Already learning to bargain, have you Lord Slytherin?”
“I guess I have,” Harry answered softly.
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Mr. Ludo Bagman,
You have caused a precarious position with the goblins. I remember you quite clearly in my fourth year, and have always known you as a kind, supporting, and jovial man. It had been a pleasure, so I can’t imagine that you would be the cause of such discord among the Goblin Nation, most specifically between them and wizardkind. I’d like to make a proposal, for your surprising and heartening support during the Triwizard Tournament. I’d like to help your predicament. If you are willing to make a formal apology to the Goblin Council, I will pay off your debt to them. Please consider my offer seriously. They are willing to consider.
Meet me outside Gringotts at half past noon today if you wish to accept.
Yours truly,
Harry Potter
He didn’t need to elaborate on who was willing to consider, knowing it would be figured out quickly. Harry had made sure to put an added measure of flattery, though the man really had been very supportive and kind to him that year. Even if it was all probably for a bet, his support had helped against the rest of the antagonism Harry had faced against everyone else.
“Director Ragnok, I will be meeting with Mr. Bagman in 10 minutes. I am very optimistic on him accepting. I should head out now and hope to meet you soon with him,” Harry told him.
When he went outside, he saw the Head of the Department of Games and Sports leaning against a pillar and staying in the shade, with a five o’clock shadow, a leather jacket, and actually smoking a muggle cigarette lazily. He was as tall and as powerfully built as ever, though the extra weight he’d gained after retiring from his Quidditch team seemed to have lessen a bit –though, Harry had a feeling it was more from being unable to keep regular meals than from any intentional work from Bagman himself. His usual overgrown schoolboy appearance seemed to have gone with the new look.
“Hello, Mr. Bagman. I’m glad you came. You seem to have changed quite a bit from what I’ve remembered of you. Muggle cigarette?”
Bagman jumped a foot into the air, whirling quickly to face him. He dropped his cigarette and stamped it out, smiling automatically when he saw Harry.
“Harry, great seeing you again. Sorry for the look…I, uh, haven’t had a chance to get myself cleaned up. The cigarette’s nothing, just thought I could try it this once. And call me Ludo, since I’ve always been so familiar with you, Harry.” Ludo gave him a wide grin.
Harry’s lips twitched, “You don’t need to lie or act in front of me, Ludo. You were smoking like it was natural to you, so you’ve done it before. Probably a habit by now. But this is exactly why I wanted to talk to you. You’re great with words, and very charming. It’s in your very nature to try to charm everyone you meet. Are you still Head of your department?”
Ludo sighed, deflating and his cheerful attitude disappearing as quickly as it had come, reverting to the brooding image the man had been in before Harry had greeted him.
“No. I was let go suddenly and informally. I’ve been…jobless for about a year and half, two years. Something like that. I do odd paying jobs here and there to get by. Started to smoke because it was calming. You don’t mind, do you?” Ludo asked, taking out another cigarette and handling it between two fingers, showing him.
Harry shook his head that he didn’t mind and Ludo lit it up, placing it between his lips and taking a long drag.
“So what do you have in mind? I could give you a blowjob for a sack of sickles even, if you want,” Ludo gave him a lazy smile and Harry blushed heavily, the first real big emotion he’d shown since he’d been overloaded and worn out after Hecate’s visions.
“N-no thanks, I’m fine.”
Ludo laughed heartily, “I was just joking…though you’ve grown up quite a bit. Quite nicely from where I’m standing as well. If you change your mind, I could too.”
Harry blushed even more and coughed in embarrassment, “Actually, I was thinking about you because of your charm, like I was saying. You charm people easily. I’d pay off your debts to the goblins if you apologize to them. After that, if you apologize to everyone you’d ever owed and pay them back money I’m going to give you from your new job, you get to keep said job and have a home and food I’d offer as well.”
Ludo sized it up between his hands acting as scales. “Let’s see. Food and shelter and a job. And also apologizing to endless people for ripping them off and then having to give them money afterwards.”
Harry frowned, “You shouldn’t be so greedy or prideful –”
“Harry. I was just kidding around. I’m not Lucius fucking Malfoy. I can get on my knees and beg,” Ludo smirked.
“Oh…um, okay. Does that mean you’re going to do it?”
“Yeah. Sounds great. Best deal I’ve had in years, probably my whole life, exempting getting signed onto the Wimbourne Wasps and my time with them,” Ludo ended with a wistful smile.
“Well…like I said, charm plays a big part in what I need. I’m going to start becoming more active in the coming months, and taking small steps. But I’m not yet ready to face everyone as I am. I’m just not ready,” Harry muttered the last part, hiding his scared tone, though Ludo still caught it. He didn’t say anything. “I need you to represent me and be charming, be the face I need to show the world while I’m still developing myself. And I know you still have contacts.”
“Got it. Charm, I have in spades. No matter how pissed off someone is at me, even if it’s creditors, I can still charm them and butter ‘em up easily. Even as I am right now. Charm is no problem at all, Boss.”
Harry sighed, “Why do I feel like I’ve gotten more than I bargained with with you?”
“Maybe you did,” Ludo just laughed.
So they’d gone back into the bank, and Ludo made a formal apology in front of the entire Goblin Council, who reluctantly accepted –mostly due to the fact the man had been backed by Lord Slytherin, though they were a bit assuaged by Ludo’s charm already starting to work its magic. Harry walked with Ragnok back to make the arrangements for the transfer of money, Ludo following behind in a sedate pace, an unlit cigarette between his lips and his hands shoved into his pockets.
“Sirius’ trust vault, the money in there was given to him by his Uncle Alphard, right? So it’s not really part of the Black vaults but his own,” Harry questioned.
“Yes, that’s right, Lord Slytherin.”
Ludo perked up at the title, also picking up on the Black vaults and apparently putting Sirius and Black vaults and trust vault together to make up the fugitive’s name. He kept quiet, but listened intently, figuring he’d asked Harry later when he wasn’t busy talking to the Head Goblin.
“It’s Harry,” he automatically reminded. “And it has a higher clearance?”
“Yes.”
Harry frowned, “There’s too many people with access to my trust vault. Is there any way you could transfer the entire contents of my trust into Sirius’?”
Ragnok slowed his pace down, thinking. “We could do that…but it’ll cost us a lot of paperwork.” He looked over quickly at Harry calculatingly. “But for you, we could have it done by tonight. Earlier even.”
“Thank you, Director. I, um, am very sure copies of my key has been handed out, and money taken from it without my permission. I would like to remedy that by getting rid of that vault, so they would no longer be able to access it.”
“Not to worry, Harry. Myself and a team of goblins will be looking into your accounts for anything amiss, now that you are aware of the situation. Before we’d only been able to gather up the papers and statements, unable to look at them closely without your permission –well, Dumbledore’s since he had been your magical guardian. But now that you are emancipated, I can ask you directly.”
“Permission granted. Please, feel free to do whatever you can. I just want this whole thing to be settled. It’s all very much for me right now, and I’m not sure I could face Dumbledore at this moment without reacting emotionally,” Harry said tiredly, glad when they finally reached his office.
“I see. I’ll have you sign on these. And you’ll be free to go, with a Gringotts card as well. As much as we love your patronage, I’m sure you are eager to start your plans. Please look at the papers, folders, and statements I’d originally given you. There are some very useful, important, and/or interesting things you could find in there.”
Harry nodded and signed the papers.
“Um, are you…going to reconsider your position now? Or you still don’t want to?” Harry hesitantly brought up.
Ragnok’s eyes briefly glanced at Ludo, which the man caught. “Shape him up first. Then we’ll see about my allying with wizards. You did well choosing him to represent you or help you out. No one would think to associate him with you, seeing as there is no connection between the two of you or any obvious closeness. He can walk about freely under your name.”
Both humans in the room were thoughtful, though mostly for different reasons.
Harry finished up and then finally led the way out, with Ludo trekking behind him.
“I’m going to ask you what that was about later. Right now, you need clothes,” Ludo looked at him critically.
“What? What do you mean?” Harry furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
“You’re a Lord. And not just any Lord. Lord Slytherin. As Head of his family, Lucius is Lord Malfoy because his family has long held a lordship. But the Malfoy line is a lesser lordship, unlike the Slytherin line. So you have to dress better or at least as nice as Lucius,” Ludo explained.
Harry grimaced. “Oh.”
“Don’t grimace, Harry. You want to groom yourself into that image that’s going to help sculpt the world, right? Well, appearance, from clothes to attitude to body language, matters. You’re going to have to get over your distaste and start the change sooner rather than later.”
“…You’re right…How do you know all this?”
“I had an internship when I was younger, and went over to work at the French Ministry for the summer. Hated it. I was surrounded by a bunch of pompous, uptight pricks and twats. Same thing working at the Ministry here. But I picked up on things.”
Harry blinked. At least he was sure that cursing wasn’t common with Ludo…he thought so at least…
He automatically started heading over to Madam Malkin’s when Ludo stopped him and started to lead him in another direction.
“Where are we going?”
“Malkin’s is good and all for everyone else. But you need to be dressed in an entirely different manner. You need custom attire, dressed in all sorts of fine clothes. We’ll have to go to Matilda’s Distinguished Cloth and Finery, which isn’t too far away. The best clothes come from her, but she’s very expensive. Even the Malfoy’s only occasionally buy their clothing from her. I have a feeling you could buy an entire wardrobe from her. But be rest assured, I meant it when I said she was the best. She’s unrivaled in all of Britain, and I hear that she could even rival international competition.”
“This is going to be a way to showcase my wealth, isn’t it?” Harry asked curiously.
“Yes. One way to display the fact you have money without outright bragging, is the clothing you wear. Don’t worry, her clothing are always comfortable and easy to put on,” Ludo reassured him after seeing the hesitant look on Harry’s face.
They entered a humble shop, neatly tucked away into a corner, with a plain sign in a blacked out window showing what store it was. When they entered, it was a very brightly lit room, simple and empty. To one corner to the far left was a mirror, and a stepping stool in front of it. To the far right a counter with a missing receptionist, and a door behind that. The only other thing was another door, in the far middle and in between the counter and the mirror.
“Well, what do you want?” a high girlish, but rather childish voice asked grumpily.
Harry thought it had come from behind the counter. Then a small pretty girl jumped into view, scowling at them.
“Oh, it’s you,” she sneered when she saw Ludo. Her eyes trailed over Harry critically.
“Matilda dear, you may hate me, but you’ll love him,” Ludo said cheerfully, pushing Harry forward.
“I don’t work for charity,” she snapped.
“I know you don’t. He needs a complete wardrobe, dress robes and formal muggle. Make as many as you think will make a complete wardrobe.” Ludo grabbed Harry’s hand and showed her the signet. “Emboss this crest into the right side of his collars. Include whatever you find necessary. He can pay on the spot.”
Her eyes widened, though a hint of confusion entered them. “I recognize this crest, though the symbols around them is familiar, but not surrounding this crest.”
“This is Lord Slytherin, or as everyone else knows him, Harry Potter. I’m…not quite sure why there are other symbols as well,” Ludo looked at him hesitantly, hiding his confusion.
Harry blushed, “Um, Ragnok informed me that I’m also Lord Gryffindor, Lord Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw, and Lord Potter-Black.”
“Interesting,” Matilda murmured, eying him closely. “Gryffindor from your father’s side, yes? And then Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw married into Hufflepuff and had over time disappeared with no knowledge from either line. I suppose the combined clan married an Evan, a low-level pureblood family, and hence your mother. You inherited your Godfather’s title. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, and Potter and Black have combined to form two merged crests. Yes, very interesting.”
“So you’ll do it?” Ludo interrupted abruptly.
“Yes, yes,” she said annoyed, ignoring Ludo and focusing on Harry, eying him even more closely. “Good, I have his measurements. Go on then. I’ll see both of you in an hour.”
“Hm, she likes you,” Ludo smirked, placing an arm casually around Harry’s shoulders.
“Really? How can you tell? I thought she didn’t like me at all,” Harry said skeptically.
“She agreed to outfit you, and didn’t complain about the work like she usually does. She even agreed to do extra work. She hates customers who come in unprepared, and yet we had nothing specific to give her to work on. She’s also an arrogant pixie who hates humans, and pixies are known to be spitfires, but she wasn’t nearly as aggressive or caustic with you. She usually bargains too, on prices and work. Tries to lessen work, up prices. I think it might have to do with your titles and your obvious wealth. I think she was impressed.”
Harry frowned.
“Okay, superficial, but it’s brokered a window for you. She might be your friend later on, but it would never have happened if you were below her notice. Not all friendships are ideal and start off all honky-dory, Harry. Not everyone is willing to be a friend or start off as one because it would be nice or have a genuine like of you. Sometimes things do end up like that and you end up with a friend. Then you have the other outcome where it just stays as a business friendship, which can be good too. You have to get over the whole relying only on friends thing, because you’re entering an arena where sometimes not everyone is as they seem. You can’t have friends off the bat, Harry, and you need to get over not using your wealth and status. You need allies first, and you get allies when you have something they can be impressed with and something that can help persuade them to ally with you. They’ll learn to like you and become your friend as they get to know you while working with you. Although, I have no doubt you could probably make friends with them in the first meeting, ideally bargain with everything you have is your best bet.”
Harry nodded resignedly. “It all sounds so complicated. I don’t know if I can do it.”
“Don’t worry about it, Harry. You’ll learn. But for now, you have me to help. Besides, I don’t like a lot my own contacts, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t useful and I’ll pretend I do like them for the sake of mutual business,” Ludo soothed.
Harry was calmed, but still he was unhappy. Ludo watched him, before smirking and squeezing Harry’s shoulders with the arm he’d placed around them.
“You need to loosen up. Let’s head to muggle London in the meantime and shop for clothes there. We’ll have a funner time.”
“Funner’s not a word,” but Harry’s lips twitched upward, so Ludo’s goal had been reached.
“But I say so, so it is.”
And cheering Harry up was now a permanent fixture in Ludo’s list of things to do.
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Ludo nodded, “Nice. Very nice. Handsome, Harry. Go try the other one I’d picked out.”
Harry actually could admit that shopping wasn’t so bad. Maybe because he was so deprived of things for himself, that he didn’t mind being spoiled and Ludo was doing his best to pick out a whole assortment of clothes for Harry. Right now, he had a lot of polo shirts, t-shirts, sweaters, shorts, jeans, and just casual outfits. Ludo even included caps of all kinds and a leather jacket similar to his own.
“Matilda’s probably stacked you up with just formal muggle clothing, so I thought you’d like some casual things. You like?” Ludo pointed them out.
Harry nodded and led the way to the counter to pay for them.
“You don’t like your glasses, do you?”
“No, I hate them. I know they make me look like my dad even more than I do without them, but I hate the way they look and they sit uncomfortably on my nose. Not to mention the prescription has been out of date for years.”
Ludo shook his head, “Not good. We’ll have to take care of that, but it’ll be better to do it in the Wizarding World. But we should get frames here. Muggles have better taste, unless you want similar frames to the ones you have now or even worse. Which I gather you don’t want.”
“Please no,” Harry pouted and Ludo laughed.
“Let’s go get some glasses then!”
Ludo easily navigated Harry to a shopping centre, where he led him to an eyeglass shop.
“Oh! These look cool! I had no idea glasses can come rimless,” Harry noted, looking at a pair of Kazuo Kawasaki brand glasses.
“Mmhm, those are nice. I don’t like the shape of the lens for you though,” Ludo commented.
So he’d set to a teller, had a custom pair of the Kawasaki glasses ordered up after he’d drawn the specific shape, and though they confused them for wanting non-prescription lens, were able to at least get the glasses in half an hour.
“We’ll walk around the mall for awhile and then come back for them. Then we can go to Matilda’s and pick up your clothing before going to a wizarding eye shop.”
“Thanks, Ludo…for everything,” Harry mumbled. But he still had that depressed air about him.
“That’s it, kid. As soon as we’re home, I’m giving you a blowjob.”
“Ludo!”
Started 10/17/09 –Completed 1/10/10