"You can turn into an animal?" asked Dylan in surprise. In response, Sirius changed into Padfoot as he pounced on the boy, licking his face. Dylan laughed as he tried to push the black dog off of him, but failed.
"Get off, Uncle Sirius, you're too heavy!"
Harry was concentrating on the final stages of the Animagus transformation. He had spent nearly a whole year on this and was close to finishing it. Sirius transformed back and the two of them sat down, watching Harry, who had his eyes closed.
"Concentrate," Sirius instructed him. "The Transfiguration process is done and now you need to merge with your animal form. Feel it within you and let your instincts guide you."
Dylan watched curiously as Harry got up and stretched his arms towards the side. They were outside, on the beach, early in the morning. He watched as Harry's body began shrinking. Dark brown feathers began making their way on his body. His arms turned into large wings with lethal-looking talons for legs and after several seconds, Harry's head changed, creating a sharp beak.
Harry's Animagus form was a golden eagle.
"Wow," Dylan whispered as he looked at the eagle in awe. He could see that the raptor's eyes were a stunning emerald green instead of the yellow they were supposed to be. Just above the eagle's right eye, there was a distinctive lightning shaped scar as well. It wasn't too obvious, but if you knew where to look, it could be seen.
"Congratulations, Harry!" said Sirius, beaming with pride. "Go on. Let's see if you can fly."
Five minutes later, Sirius and Dylan were still rolling on the ground laughing as Harry tried to learn how to use his wings. The eagle screeched at them, not at all amused by their display of laughing at him but he didn't give up. Nearly an hour of trial and error later, he managed to fly a short distance.
"Now, be careful when you change back," warned Sirius. "You need to want to be human again. Think about your original self and concentrate."
Several seconds later, the eagle slowly began to shift and a pop later, a very naked Harry Potter was standing in front of them. They couldn't help it. Sirius and Dylan began laughing again.
"It's not funny!" snapped Harry, folding his arms over his chest. "You didn't say anything about clothes!"
"I thought it would be obvious," Sirius replied, wiping his tears away. "Didn't you imagine yourself with clothes on?"
When Harry flushed, he laughed again. "Knowing you, I should have expected it. Don't worry, kiddo. It happens. The important thing is that you're now an Animagus. I'm so proud of you!"
"That was awesome, Harry!" said Dylan excitedly. He was blushing slightly, embarrassed due to the fact that his new friend was standing before him without any clothes on. The older boy seemed to be unbothered by his nudity, having not even attempted to cover his exposed genitals. Clearing his throat, he asked shyly, "Do you think I can learn it too?"
"Finish the next two or three years at Hogwarts and I'll teach you," Harry smiled. Wrapping an arm around the younger boy, he ushered Dylan towards the castle. "Now that I've managed to transform, I deserve a break. Let's head to the pool. I promised to teach you how to swim."
Dylan beamed.
Sirius simply smiled as he observed the two boys before he returned to the confines of his family's ancestral home.
...
The next morning, Harry, Dylan and Sirius were in Ragnok's office at Gringotts. This was the first time Dylan had stepped inside Gringotts and he was in awe of seeing something so different.
"Greetings, Ragnok," Harry greeted him with a small smile.
"Greetings to you as well, Mr Potter, Lord Black, Mr Lestrange," the goblin replied. "What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to talk to you about the new business we invested in a year back," Sirius took over. "I've been told that it's called Firebolt Broomsticks?"
"Indeed," said Ragnok, extracting the files. "The owner seemed to have changed the name from what he originally intended, but by my estimates, the company will do quite well in the future. It is a worthy investment."
"Any news about Miller's Mirrors?" asked Harry curiously.
"Your endorsement of the company has greatly helped increase their sales, Mr Potter," Ragnok gave a toothy grin. "Very cunning of you to do so and the gifts which are given free of cost to the customers when they buy products more than a hundred Galleons is quite a technique to attract customers. I have received a report that production is going well and that sales are increasing every day."
"Good," said Harry. "What about expansion plans?"
"We are currently looking at places of business in several magical districts of Europe, Americas, Africa, Australia and Asia," said Ragnok. "I can give you a clear picture in four to six months or so."
After Harry nodded, Sirius began. "We are here to see if Dylan here can claim his status as the heir of House Lestrange."
Ragnok nodded as he brought forward a small silver bowl. "As you know, being the illegitimate child makes this more complicated, but since he is the only heir of the Lestrange family, no one else can stop him from trying. Pour seven drops of blood into this bowl, Mr Lestrange and dip your hand in it."
Harry took Dylan's hand and waved his hand over it, creating a thin cut over his palm. Dylan winced but allowed seven drops of blood to fall. Once done, Harry healed it and he put his hand inside the bowl. A grey mist formed around him as the Lestrange family magic judged him.
After what seemed like a minute, the aura seeped into the boy's skin. Dylan removed his hand from the bowl and a thin gold band with a small onyx stone appeared on his right ring finger with the Lestrange crest on it.
"Congratulations, Mr Lestrange," said Ragnok. "Even though it is unnecessary, I must point out that if your father ever gets married and has a child, that child would automatically be made the heir. But considering the fact that he'll be in Azkaban for life, it is highly unlikely."
"Can't he claim headship as I did?" asked Harry.
"No, the law does not allow that because technically, his uncle is still Lord Lestrange even if he is in prison for life. He can claim headship on his seventeenth birthday only. He may claim it before only if all three of them die in Azkaban before he turns seventeen."
"Thank you for your time, Ragnok," said Sirius. "We'd like to visit the Lestrange family vault, please. I'll come back later next week to discuss the investment options."
"Good. Griphook will take you to the vault."
After a long cart ride, the three of them stepped out of it and in front of a massive round metal door with the Lestrange crest on it. Griphook began chanting for a few minutes as the goblin wards came down. Sirius and Harry were not surprised by it because it was something which was there on their family vaults as well, but it was new to Dylan.
"There are both wizard and goblin wards on the vault," said Sirius quietly to the boy. "This is one of the oldest vaults in the bank. The Black and Potter vaults are nearby, actually. They are heavily guarded and protected by the best wards money can buy. Having such a vault is very expensive, which is why I want to get the investments rolling again."
"Place your hand on this pedestal and pour three drops of blood," instructed Griphook firmly. Dylan did as instructed and after a series of clicks, the massive door opened. He gasped.
There were mountains of gold and other treasures inside it. Dylan had never seen so much gold in his life! When he was an orphan, he didn't even have money to get food if he was hungry but looking at this…
"All yours," said Sirius with a smile. The three of them stepped inside it, looking carefully. "Be careful not to touch anything. Some of the items can be cursed."
Harry was looking through the vault when his eyes landed on a small golden cup. Suddenly he screamed out in pain as another memory assaulted him.
"Bella, my most loyal servant," he said in a silky voice. "I have an important task for you."
"Anything, my Lord," said Bellatrix, falling to her knees, her eyes glistening with pure devotion, as though she was talking to a supreme being.
"I have an object that is extremely valuable to me, Bella," he said clearly. "I want it to be stored in a very safe place, so I am entrusting it to you. Tell me, who has access to the Lestrange family vault at Gringotts?"
"No one other than me, Rodolphus and Rabastan, my Lord," breathed Bellatrix. "What can I do, my Lord? I live only to serve you!"
"I'm glad to hear that, Bella," he replied, amused. "Protecting this item is more important than your life itself. It is a chalice that was created by Helga Hufflepuff. I need you to place it in your family vault. Tell no one other than Rodolphus and Rabastan about it. The cup should never leave that vault. Take all the necessary precautions. If something were to happen to it, Lord Voldemort would not be pleased."
"I will not fail you, my Lord," said Bellatrix passionately. "I will destroy the world before I let that cup fall into the wrong hands."
He smirked slightly. "You have the gratitude of Lord Voldemort, Bella. Rise."
He passed her a familiar looking small golden cup.
....
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