Harry Potter and the Tails of Change

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, nor do I own any of the settings that JKR created in Harry's world.  Any resemblance to anyone; living, dead, or imagined, is purely coincidental, and not intended on my part.

A/N: This is a work of fiction, and I have altered reality from how JKR wrote things.  First off, Nymphadora Tonks is a 6th year when Harry is in his first.  Second, this story starts off in the summer between Harry's third and fourth years, so he has met Sirius, and knows he's innocent.  Third, I'm having Harry be just a wee bit more intelligent, and have something more of a backbone by this time in his life.  This story may include relations between two consenting females, so if that doesn't float your boat, you have been warned here, and can take appropriate action.

Chapter 4: Lessons, Learnings, and Lordships
	Harry, having gathered the required parchment and writing utensils, seated himself down at a desk, preparing to write several letters, grinning as he envisioned the reactions to the news.
	The first letter was to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, letting them know he was okay, and that he wouldn't be needing any more care packages, smiling as he envisioned Molly’s' reaction to the news.  He also let her know that he was planning on heading to Gringotts in the near future, seeing if she wanted to make an outing with her family.

	That letter done, he started on the Twins' letter, smiling as he hinted he might have a surprise for them, if they could figure out the secret he'd figured out over the summer.

	Ron's letter was next, and was actually the easiest to write of the batch, so far.  He also made note to his best friend that he'd noticed a cute witch from Slitheryn checking the red head out, after their run in with the Dementors.  Thinking to himself as he inked that part of the letter, “I'm almost glad that we did encounter those foul things, as they caused a marked change in Ron's behavior.  I never asked what he saw, that last time, nor does it matter in the long run.”

	After that, he started on Ginny's letter, grinning as he pictured the feisty little red head, “One wonders what she'll make of what I'm telling her.  I know she's over her crush, but I do know she'll be happier in the long run if she takes the love that's being offered freely to her.”

	He then pens a letter to another girl in Ginny's year, one Luna Lovegood, who he ran into a couple times while wandering the castle.  The exceedingly observant, and eccentric girl had a way about her that, on the surface, made her seem battier than his Divination professor, but once you thought on what was said, the truth was easier to see.  He also knew she encouraged the impression that she was a bit odd, because it allowed her to see more than what was normally visible.

	His second to last letter is to Hermione, grinning as he pictured her reaction to the news he'd not only finished his homework, but that he'd done extra credit.  He knew she'd be a bit worried when she heard the news of his Bonding, and the death of his 'relatives', but he knew she knew better than most just how bad things had been for him.  He was also a bit blunter about hinting that he had a secret he wanted for her to figure out, knowing just how to word it to get Hermione to go into research mode, something he knew he'd need if he couldn't figure out his second form.

	His last letter is to Professor McGonagall, asking if it was possible to switch from Divination to Ancient Runes, denoting his reasons for asking for the change, the primary being that he was tired of having his demise be predicted each and every lesson.

	Once each letter is sealed, a hunch having him place Luna's in with those going to the Weasley's, he looks up and notices Hedwig perched on the sconce between two lamps, watching as he wrote the letters.  He shook his head, “Should have known you'd know there was mail to be delivered, girl.”

	Hedwig ruffled her feathers, and then gave a pleased sounding bark, before descending to the table, and proffering her right leg for the letters to be attached to.

	Harry smiled, and then said, “The big one goes to the Weasleys, the next smaller goes to Hermione, and the last goes to Professor McGonagall, you got that, girl?”

	The Snowy Owl bobs her head, and then happily nibbles on Harry's proffered fingers after he's done tying the letters in place.

	Harry smiles, then says, “I don't know if any of them will be wanting to write back, but I'm sure that an owl like you will be able to tell, and help where she can.”  He then grinned, “Especially since Errol really shouldn't be stressed more than he's already been.”

	Hedwig barked what sounded like laughter, and then took off through the window that was spelled to allow post owls like her easy access to the house.

	Harry called out, “Vilma?  Could you help me a moment?”

	With a soft 'pop', the House Elf appeared, “Master Harry Potter has need of Vilma?  What can Vilma do for the Great Harry Potter, sir?”

	Shaking his head at the House Elf's antics, “First off, please just refer to me as 'Harry', if you can, if you need more formality, sir is okay.  Second, could you tell me where my wife is?”

	Vilma blinks, then curtseys, “Harry Potter sir is very humble, me thinks Harry Potter is deserving of being called 'Master'.”  She then closes her eyes for a moment, “Mistress be gathering clothes that be easy to alter to fit Master for his trip to Gringotts, Vilma be using elf magic to make clothes fit Harry Potter, sir.”

	Harry nods, “Thank you, Vilma.  'Dora is definitely wise to get things ready, as I know I don't have anything worthy of appearing in any situation where appearances are important.”

	With a blush for the praise, the House Elf popped away to return to what she had been doing.

	Making his way to the dining room again, Harry thought back on all the changes that this past summer had wrought, so far.  The biggest being the change in his family, losing the relatives that he barely tolerated and gaining so much more.  He wasn't sure if he should join 'Dora at the moment, as he needed to go over a few things in his head.  He then grinned and reminded himself that there were two people who he'd be able to tell the news to immediately, once he recovered the mirror in his trunk.

	“Vilma?  Could you bring me the mirror that's tucked away in my trunk, please?” He utters to thin air.

	With another soft 'pop', the mirror appears next to him, evidence that being polite to House Elves made them happier.

	Harry smiled as he picked up the mirror, “Thank you, Vilma.”  He then poked the top right corner of the mirror with his wand, and said, “Padfoot!”  The mirror vibrated several times before Sirius answered, a look of worry on his face, “What's up, pup?”

	The young wizard smiled, upon seeing his godfather, “First off, this is good news, so get that look off your face.”  When Sirius looked startled, Harry chuckled, “I wanted you to find out from me, before it gets written up somewhere.”

	Sirius' image tilts as he looks curiously at his godson, “Your phrasing makes me worry, pup.  What's happened in two days?”

	Harry grew serious; “First off, my Muggle relatives were killed yesterday, supposedly by Terrorists in their world.”  Seeing Sirius' reaction to that bit of news, he continued, “I'm safe and got moved to a safe house.  Which leads me to my next bit of news.  It seems I've Soul Bonded to your 'cousin' 'Dora.”

	Sirius gives a startled bark at that news, then shakes his head, “Potter luck strikes again.  Your dad told me a tale of how according to legend, his great grandfather met his wife in a similar fashion, and that it seemed all Potters fell hard for their intended spouse.”

	Harry blinks at the news, “Well, I'm waiting on a response from Gringotts, as to when I can get my parent's will read, but they hinted that I should get an Inheritance Scroll done, as there were things happening within the Bank they couldn't put into a letter.”

	Sirius' image nods, “That could be either very good or very bad, depending on what's happening.  One major good thing about your Bond is that it should negate any Marriage Contracts specifically worded to affect you.”

	The young Wizard blinks, and then shakes his head, “Knowing my luck, there were a ton of them being offered, because I'm 'The Boy Who Lived' or some such nonsense.”  He then says, “'Dora and I are going to 'date' until I have to return to Hogwarts, so we can get to know each other better.  Plus the fact there's supposedly another Witch in the bond out there has caused us to wish to wait until we've met the other before consummating the Bond.”

	The older Wizard blinks at this news, and then shakes his head, “Only you, Harry, only you.”  He then smiles, “If we can get my name cleared, there is fun news that can be shared with everyone, though Moony already knows some of it.”

	Harry blinks, and then looks at the image of his Godfather, “If my instincts are telling me right, I should be offering the House of Black congratulations on a new generation in the making?”

	Sirius' image looks back at Harry, with a gob smacked expression, “How'd you figure that out?  I had to spell things out for Moony.”

	The young wizard just chuckled, “First off, your hair's tamer than last time, second, I just saw an arm snake over your shoulder, with a well manicured set of nails on the fingers.”

	Sirius just shook his head, and then smiled, “It can't be official until I'm pardoned, as I don't want to paint that big a bull’s-eye on my beloved's back.”  He then places the mirror down and steps back, brining into view a rather stunning woman, wearing as little as the climate allowed, “Harry, I'd like for you to informally meet Dominique; Dominique, meet my godson, Harry Potter.  Dominique is part of the community down here.”

	Harry smiles as he takes in the image presented to him, the woman in question definitely seemed to make Sirius happy, and the way that his godfather emphasized 'community' caused him to believe that, while magical, the young lady in question wouldn't be exactly welcome amongst the 'pureblood elite'.  “Greetings miss.  It's an honor to meet the woman who is attempting to tame my dogfather.”

	Dominique gives a laugh, “I definitely have my hands full with this one.  It's an honor to meet you, Harry, and I look forward to formally meeting you.”  She then kisses Sirius' cheek, “Hopefully by that time, the Rat issue will be taken care of, and we can meet without worry for Sirius' life.”

	Harry nods, “Well, I'll let you two get back to what I interrupted,” giving a wink, having noticed just how hastily donned Dominique's clothing appeared to be.  Hearing Sirius' laugh, he touches the lower left corner with his wand and says, “Mischief Managed.”

	Feeling a presence behind him, he turns and sees 'Dora studying him, giggling at the news she'd just heard, “So, Husband, it seems that we're not the only ones with news.”  She then snuggled into the chair beside him, “Perhaps we should question Junior to see if he knows where the Rat might be?”  She then gets out her wand and says, “Expecto Patronum!”  When her patronus is revealed, it takes the form of a female centaur, somewhat of a counterpart to his stag, she then says to it, “Go to Amelia and ask her if anyone's had a chance to ask Junior any questions about fellow Death Eaters.  I have a couple to add, if they haven't.”  The patronus nods, then gallops through the nearest wall.

	Harry blinks, “How?”

	'Dora chuckles, “You have to concentrate on the knowledge you want to send a message.  It's a lot more secure than Owls, but they're a bit showy, so can't be used while undercover.”

	Harry nods, then, touching the upper right corner of the mirror with his wand, he utters, “Moony!”

	After several moments the mirror is answered, showing the couple a rather worried looking werewolf, “What's up, Harry?  Just got a message from Dumbledore that guarding Number four won't be needed any more.”

	The young Wizard chuckled, “Well, I'm now living with my Bonded Wife, 'Dora.”

	He is interrupted by a shout of “What?” from the mirror.

	Harry laughed harder, “Well, a lot happened yesterday.  First, my muggle relatives got themselves murdered, apparently by terrorists in their world. Second, after 'Dora rescued me; something in our magic recognized something within each other, and we Soul Bonded.  Third, I just spoke to Padfoot, and it seems that the Shaggy one has impressive news of his own.”

	The image of Remus nods at each point then shakes its head, “Sounds like you've been busy, pup.  I do know where you're staying, so if you need me, I can come over and help out.”

	The young Wizard nods, “I figure at least this weekend would be best, as I'm expecting a missive from Gringotts telling me when I should come to hear my parent's will.”  He then says, “By then, I should also have a potion for my wife, if Metamorphmagus are able to use the magic I was researching.”

	Remus barks a laugh, “Yes, Harry, Metamorphmagus' can become Animagus' as well, it's just folks with 'Creature' blood in them that cannot use that magic.”

	'Dora looks at Harry, “You've already become an Animagus?”

	Harry shook his head, “I haven't done the full transformation yet, but I do know what my First form is.  Moony can help me research what the Second is, as I couldn't find anything that looked like it in the Monster Book of Monsters.”

	The young Auror blinks, “First?  Second?  Are you telling me you have two forms, Harry?”

	The young Wizard nods, “Any Animagus who did things in class, or in a similar fashion to how I did it, will have two forms.  It's only those who don't do the potion correctly that only have one.  And it's a good thing that the Rat didn't take a properly prepared potion, or we'd have a harder time finding him.”

	Remus' image nods, “As for Padfoot's news, he did tell me about it.  He's also threatened to find me a young witch who could tame the wolf.”

	Harry gave a yip of a laugh, “All I know is that Sirius' family would never approve of the young woman who's tasked herself with the mission to land my dogfather.”

	The werewolf burst out laughing, “Good to know.  As long as she makes Padfoot happy, that's what matters.”

	'Dora nods, “Well, I look forward to seeing you this weekend, Moony, and I look forward to discovering just what my forms are.”

	Harry smiles, “Be well, Remus.”

	Remus nods “Don't do anything I wouldn't, Harry.”

	Blushing, Harry shakes his head before touching the appropriate corner of the mirror and saying, “Mischief Managed.”

	'Dora smiles before kissing Harry's nose, “Business taken care of, for now?”  At his nod, she smiles, “I picked out several of my father's old dress robes for you to use until we can manage a proper shopping trip to get you attired better than you ever have been.”

	Suddenly Hedwig swoops in and deposits a letter on the bed, before alighting on her perch, the cup for food overflowing with her favorite bacon.

	Harry sighed as he picked up the letter, which was the same type of parchment that the other missive from Gringotts had been.

	Lord Potter,

	I was pleased by your prompt response to our letter and wish to set up a meeting to go over everything.  If 9:00AM today is good, please respond by placing a drop of blood on the corner of this parchment.

	You are also requested to bring your bonded mate along, as certain aspects of this bond have triggered discoveries, which must be discussed privately.

	I look forward to our meeting, Lord Potter.

	May your gold never decrease, and may your enemies never succeed.

	~Lord Ragnok

	'Dora, reading over Harry's shoulder looks up at the clock, “We have just enough time for a shower and to dress ourselves appropriately.  Why don't you 'answer' the letter, dear, while I head for the shower?”

	He nods, then sighs and, finding a small pin, causes the required drops of blood to fall on the indicated piece of parchment. A deep blood-red glow emanates from the paper, the words, “This Portkey will activate at 8:50AM, please don't miss It.” appearing on the parchment.

	Shaking his head, he gets up and strides for the bathroom, taking a few moments to take care of nature, conscious of 'Dora's silhouette in the shower, yet giving her the privacy she deserves, “Letter's a Portkey, set to go off at ten 'til nine, beloved.  I'm going to take a quick shower in the guest bathroom, I'll meet with you in the dining room before then?”  Hearing an affirmative, he heads to the bathroom and, using magic to aid the soap and water, takes one of the quickest showers he'd been able to pull off in a long time.

	Putting on the clothes Vilma had laid out for him, he took a moment or two to get used to having clothing that came close to fitting him, for once.  He then calls out, “Vilma, you did a wonderful job with the clothing.  While we're out might be a good time to seek Dobby out, if you don't have anything else you need to do.”

	Entering the dining room, 'Dora sees Harry waiting for her, the letter in hand, with a projected number '20' hovering in mid air above it, “You look wonderful, husband.  And, for the future, I won't mind sharing a shower with you, but I understand why it was better to do it separate today.”

	Harry nods, then takes 'Dora's arm in his, blushing at the images running through his mind, “Any advice, my love?”

	'Dora nods, as the numbers reach 10, “Step into the Portkey, with your right foot, when you feel the tug, it'll aide you in the landing.  Other than that, just keep treating those you meet with the respect that you've already shown, and you'll get better service than 90% of the Wizarding world.”

	Harry nods, then as the numbers dwindle to '1', he steps into the Tug as it pulls from just behind his navel, the world, once again, twisting in dimensions which most sane people wouldn't dare think existed.
~~ Meanwhile, halfway across the country ~~

	Halfway across England, just outside Ottery St. Catchpole, there existed a house like no other. Seemingly built in stages, but without rhyme, reason, or an adherence to either physics or architecture, The Burrow was a Wizarding home, home of the Weasleys. At this time, four of the children who called this house home were out in the screened off Orchard behind the house, practicing their Quiddich moves and simply having fun.

	Fred and his twin brother George were passing a practice Bludger between each other, hitting it so they had to move to intercept the ball with each pass. Ron was working on the close-quarters flying drill that was part and parcel of being a good Keeper. Lastly Ginny was simply doing laps, working on her speed and endurance, for she wanted to be a Chaser when an opening happened on the House Team.

	As Ginny approached one edge of the paddock she noticed her neighbor Luna Lovegood watching her, she smiled to herself as she swung her broom around and settled close to her long time friend, "Heya, Luna, how's the summer going so far?"

	Luna quirked her head at Ginny in her typical fashion, "Been having fun with Daddy, researching where to take our next Safari. He's heard rumors that there's a clutch of rate Vinesian Pygmy Dragons up in the Himalayas."

	Ginny simply shook her head at her friend's attitude. She knew better than to ask the blonde Ravenclaw anything about the fantastical creatures that Luna and her father hunted and researched.

	Suddenly, Ginny heard a whistling sound, then quickly dove and caught Luna up in her arms, moving her several meters away as the practice Bludger smacked into the fence where Luna had been leaning.
Luna blinked at Ginny, then, suddenly, kissed the red head full on her lips, then shrieked, "That was too close! The Xaqtly Fairies must have been nesting close for that to happen!"

	Ginny blinked at the kiss, her eyes losing focus briefly before she shyly hugs Luna, "That and my brothers need to work on their aim!" She then settled down on the ground, placing her broom aside, and asked, "Luna, why'd you kiss me like that?"

	Blushing as only a blonde can, Luna looked into Ginny's eyes, "Because I wanted to thank you for saving me. Plus … Ihavefeelingsforyou!" she says in a rush.

	Ginny blinked at Luna, then hugged her, "I'm glad you told me, my friend. How about we see about exploring those feelings this year at school? I admit to having some feelings for you as well, but I like blokes too."

	She manages to get this all out before either Fred or George come over to retrieve their practice Bludger, and simply glares at them when they come over to apologize.

	Fred lands beside the two witches, panting, "Sorry, Sis, I didn't pull that last hit the way I wanted to and neither George nor I could get to it in time with the speed I hit it at."

	George hovers over head, "Fred really whacked it good, must have hit one of those mythical 'sweet spots' that we keep reading about in Quiddich Quarterly."

	Ginny smiled, glad the twins were avoiding their typical 'twin-speak' around her. She knew they did it to play confuse other people, but they also knew that she could tell them apart, and was very accurate with her patented Bat Bogey Hex, and had been experimenting with using other bodily 'fluids' for use in getting even with pranks. "Though knowing the gits at school, I'll have plenty of opportunity to refine my techniques."

	Suddenly all four look up to see a snowy white owl winging its way towards the Burrow, a rather large letter clutched in its claws. Ginny raises her voice and yells at Ron, "Oi, Ron, incoming mail from Harry!"

	Ron nodded his head as he swooped down to meet the other four as they made their way back to the Burrow, not paying too much attention to Luna, having learned that Ginny will stand up for her friend rather vehemently, to the point of involving mum.

	Fred reached the back door first and escorted the rest in, calling, "Mum, we saw Hedwig heading this way, what's the news from Harry?"

	Molly Weasley smiled as she came out of the kitchen, having just completed the preparations for dinner. She held in her had not only a large letter from Harry but several envelopes addressed to each person present, even Luna, "Hedwig must have known you'd be here, Luna, as there's a letter from Harry to you here."

	She then opened up the letter addressed to her while handing the others out. Her eyes widened at the news, "Oh, Dear! Dreadful news! Seems like those relatives of his were killed in a muggle bombing. He says he's safe with someone from the Order, and that where he's at is under the Fidelius, so he can't tell us exactly where he is, even though he wants to." She continued to read down the parchment, then blinked and murmured, "Bonded? Oh, my good lord!" She then sat down to collect herself as she reviewed the letter.

	Ron opened his letter while Molly read hers, studying what's written within.

	Dear Ron;

	How's your summer going? Hermione driven you crazy asking whether or not you've done your homework?

	I've been doing okay, though with what's been going on, I've had nothing better to do than my homework, including my Transfigurations Essay.

	I doubt I'll be coming to the Burrow this year, due to the fact that somehow my 'relatives' got themselves killed in a terrorist bombing. From what news I can get from my source, it appears right now to be totally muggle related.

	I hope to see you on the Express!  There's news that needs to be passed, but it's too sensitive to put in a letter.

	Molly's letter has more news on what's been happening lately to me.

	Enjoy the rest of your summer!

	Harry

	P.S.: I should tell you now, there's a girl, in our year, who's been checking you out, since we freed Sirius.  I'll let you think on that until we see each other.

	The Twins and Ginny's letters say similar things, each also having little personal messages as well.  The Twins' teasing Gred and Forge about the fact Harry had noticed how close two of the Chasers had gotten to them.  Ginny's and Luna's remarking how close the two of them appeared to be.

	Ginny looks up at Molly when she hears the word 'Bonded', "What was that mum?"

	Molly looks at her daughter, "Ginny, you might want to sit down for this." She then looks at her other children, "Might as well all sit down for this news."

	She then sits, "It seems that Harry has a Soul Bond..."

	Both Ginny and Luna hug each other, then smile, Luna stating, "I'm glad the Nargles finally cleared up around him! He deserves to be happy, after all the pain he's had to endure." Ginny nods sagely, knowing that she's given up her crush on 'The Boy Who Lived' and considers him to be one of her closest friends, "Does he say with whom, mum?"

	Molly glances at her daughter and smiles, seeing that Ginny's not crushed by this news, "Yes, he states that it's Nymphadora Tonks..."

	Fred, George, and Ron are all dumbstruck by this latest news about Harry, the Twins knowing that Tonks would balance out Harry, and that she was one of the few people who could understand Harry's wish to be 'normal'.

	Ron shook his head, "Harry can never have a simple summer, can he?" A slight jolt of jealousy hitting him as he remembered the one time he'd met Tonks, at school. He then glances at his letter, "I'm going up to my room, mum, I've homework to do."

	Fred and George smile, "We've got stuff to plan for, this year. We need to make sure we've everything we need." They then head up to their room, slowly following Ron, but getting off the stairs well before Ron's level.

	Ginny and Luna giggled, "I'm taking Luna up to my room, mum, we need to discuss our options for third term."

	Molly nodded absently as her children dispersed, reading more of Harry's letter.

	Dear Mrs. Weasley,
		First off, I'd like to reassure you that I'm well, and that for the first time in a long time, I'm happy.
		As you knew, my 'relatives' went on vacation, leaving me alone.  Well, according to those watching over me, they were killed by a Non-magical group of Terrorists.
		I have moved out of my old house, to one that's been placed under Fidelius, for the time being.  While there, something unusual happened. Nothing bad, just different.
		According to Dumbledore, who looked up the Records, I have started a Soul bond with Nymphadora Tonks.  This development may prevent me from visiting the Burrow this summer, for which I do apologize.
		I have sent personal notes to the Twins, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, as well as Luna Lovegood, who I had the pleasure of making friends with this past year.
		I hope that you and your family are well, and if nothing else, I look forward to seeing you all on the First.
	Sincerely,
	Harry James Potter

	Molly shook her head, as she read Harry's apology for the fact that something beyond his control caused him to miss visiting.  'That young man takes too much upon himself, hopefully Nymphadora will help him get over the issues that those despicable relatives instilled in him.'
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
	In another section of England, a Snowy Owl flew towards a stately three story tall building that seemed to have a dentists' office on the ground floor.  Hedwig homed in on the third window from the left on the third floor, coming to rest on the windowsill, right by the window to Hermione's room.

	Tap * Tap * Tap

	Hermione looked up from the book she was reading at the noise, and upon seeing Hedwig at the window, sprang up and let the majestic bird in, “Letter from Harry, Hedwig?”

	Hedwig bobbed her head as she came to rest on the corner of Hermione's desk, allowing the letter to be removed, and staying, stating that the owl would wait for any replies.

	Hermione shook her head before unfurling Harry's latest missive.

	Dear Hermione,
		Just figured I'd let my best friend know what's happened, since we last wrote.
		My ever-lovely relatives apparently got themselves killed by a group of Non-magical terrorists, though there is a minute possibility that Wormtail had a hand in it, as he did know my relative's name.
		Our friend, Nymphadora, took me to her place, which is under the Fidelius charm, to provide a safe place until more is known.  I think you'd love the house, if just for the impressive library.
		I did manage to get all of my homework done before I got evacuated, even Potions.
		Something odd did happen, after Dora and I got to her house.  According to the Records, which we got Dumbledore to check, Dora and I have started a Soul bond.
		Now, I can just hear the gears starting to whirr, (tease), and I will try and find you some books on the subject.  And, yes, I know that often times it seems that my name and odd occurrences are synonymous, but I can say that I'm quite happy with the results of this latest development.
		If all else fails, I will see you on the train on the first.  I do hope that you're doing well.
		Sincerely,
		Harry James Potter

	Hermione just shook her head, emitting a soft giggle at Harry's teasing, “Only you, Harry.  Only you.”

	She then quietly penned her response, writing that she was happy that Harry had found someone who understood him for who he was.  She also smiled as she wrote that she had been in contact with a cousin of hers that had just gotten a special letter, “I wonder what Harry will think, when he meets Morrigan.  I wish I understood my family's obsession with literary names.”

~~ Back with Harry ~~

	As Harry and 'Dora arrive at Gringotts, they're greeted by a familiar Goblin, “Lord Potter, Lady Potter, glad you could make it.”

	Harry blinks as he gathers himself together from the Portkey, “Griphook?  Glad to see you again.  Could you call me 'Harry'?  It will take quite some time to get used to being called 'Lord'.”

	The Goblin blinks, and then nods, his impression of Harry increasing, for the simple fact that Harry doesn't behave like 90% of the Wizarding population.  “Would you two please follow me, Lord Ragnok is waiting for us.”

	Harry nods, then holding 'Dora's hand, follows Griphook deep within the labyrinthine corridors where most Wizards only glimpse at what might be hidden, not truly getting the vastness that is the Goblin's empire.

	The group comes to a stop before a massive door, the dimensions lending a sense of importance and security, the base material of the door seeming to be made of a deep red marble, inlayed with veins of mithril; the hinges seeming to be made of titanium, with inscribed runes that are etched into the metal.

	The door opens in, and a powerful voice beckons them to enter, the light from within masking that which is within.
~~ TBC ~~
A/N: Sorry about the long delay, I had to flesh several things out.  Still working on the second Animagus form for Harry, and what 'Dora's forms will be.  I am also still trying to figure out who the third woman in Harry's Triad will be.
	I'm also revising just how big the 'core' group will be.  I think that's part of what got me stuck in the first version.  I am also taking a slower approach to the relationships that take place within my story.  Harry is only 14, he's still a virgin at the start of the story, so won't have any experience at all.
	Hermione's cousin will bring along with her more facets that will impact how things turn out, but I'll reveal them as they need to be.
	Sirius' girlfriend will impact things as well … and, yes, there is more to her than appears on the surface.