Disclaimer: All characters belong to JKR. Only the script is mine and it is for purely recreational purposes. No profit whatsoever.
A/N: I had super fun with this chapter and I have tried to make it as realistic as possible. Hope this entertains!
Also, the response to this story has been very good so far and I hope this continues. To everyone who has followed this story or has added this to their favorites, thanks! And to those who have taken the time to review the first chapter, I appreciate it very much. As always, let's keep the reviews coming!
Chapter 2: A big friend and a little friend.
Harry gaped at the numerous shops in Diagon Alley as his mind struggled to take in everything he was seeing. True, he had believed the gentle giant when he had rescued him from the Dursleys, but the skeptical side of Harry had been screaming at him that it sounded too much like a fantasy to be true. But now, seeing an entire hidden world had amazed him and he was stuck speechless.
And magic! He finally had answers about why he was weird. Turns out, he was a Wizard. No wonder he had never fit in properly in the non-magical world. Hagrid had even told him that the non-magical people were called muggles. But the word sounded just wrong to Harry. He had been called a 'freak' all his life and to him, calling somebody a 'muggle' sounded like an insult. May be the Dursleys; since they so much wanted to be 'normal' and Harry didn't really care if he was insulting them. But there were other nice people who had no magic and he didn't want to call them any degrading term. But he was not sure if he should share this opinion with Hagrid, since it was clear that Hagrid wouldn't understand it. Hagrid seemed nice, despite giving Dudley a tail, but his perception of the world seemed too naïve, like he was an overgrown child and not an adult. Harry had never been given a chance to be a normal child because of the Dursleys, and so he was overly cautious and right now, had a lot of questions.
He had been utterly taken by surprise by people's reaction to him in the Leaky Cauldron and he was not satisfied with the explanation that Hagrid had given him. In fact, the more Hagrid spoke to him, the more questions Harry had. Hagrid tried his best to help Harry get accustomed to an unknown world but it was obvious that Hagrid had no clue how to go about it. He limited himself to pointing out the various shops and their merchandise, sometimes going as far as to point out certain people but that was the extent of his help. When Harry had wondered aloud if Hagrid had done this before, he was baffled to learn that this was his first time. He wondered why they had not sent a Professor like they did with every other child with a non-magical background.
The trip into Gringotts where he got his money was confusing as well. He never even spared a thought about the other vault where Hagrid had removed something. After all, it was not his concern and he was pretty sure that Hagrid or the Headmaster would not appreciate it if he poked his nose into their business. So, he put it out of his mind. But he did spend much time thinking about the small fortune that he found he had many miles underground. He so wanted to ask someone about how much he had, if he could take some more so he can buy stuff that he had always dreamed of having, like some decent clothes or his own pair of glasses. But, Hagrid had already said that they did not have much time, so for now, he contended himself with the small amount he had taken and only proceeded to get what was absolutely essential. He made a note though, to return as soon as possible so he could find out more about this world and get more stuff if he could. Hagrid had even surprised him with a beautiful, snowy Owl and he found himself in love with her at first sight. He did not know then that it was the beginning of one of the most meaningful relationships in his life. Nevertheless, the only thing that had unnerved and made him uncomfortable was the incident at Ollivanders and he had decided then and there that he had to learn more about wands.
Now Hagrid had left him at the station and he was dreading having to go back to the Dursleys. He tried to tell Hagrid that it was not a good idea but his worries had been brushed aside. He still had 3 weeks left for school and he worried about what they would do to him if he went back now. But he was more worried about his Owl. He was pretty sure that he would be in for some serious thrashing but they could even kill his Owl and that he could not take. He even doubted that they would allow him to get to Hogwarts without anyone coming for him and he did not wish to be a bother. So, he finally decided that he would have to find alternate lodging for the remaining days but he realized he had very little money. He sighed as he retraced his steps back to the bank, struggling with the trunk that contained all the things that he had bought and the Owl cage which contained the beautiful bird. He hoped that no one would notice him as he absolutely did not want a repeat of the incident at the Leaky Cauldron. He found the idea of complete strangers cozying up to him very much disturbing, and frankly, creepy. As he walked from the station to the little Pub, he bought a baseball cap and covered his scar as well as he could. He finally reached Gringotts, trying very hard to stay below the radar, but it was proving a very difficult job with the trunk and the cage. Luckily for him, there were many other Hogwarts students milling about as well and he quickly walked up to a teller.
"Excuse me sir, can you tell me if I can get some more money out of my vault, please?"
The Goblin never even looked up, just grunted. "You tell me, can you?"
"Oh, umm, I want to get some money out, please."
"Key."
"I don't have a key sir. Sorry."
The Goblin looked up and sneered at him. Harry just stared back apprehensively.
"What are you playing at, young human? Do you know the punishment for trying to steal?"
The Goblin snarled at him and Harry's eyes widened. But he was also angry. The Goblin didn't even know him. All his life, he had to put up with the Dursleys who had always accused him of stealing food out of Dudley's mouth. And the first time he was alone in this new world, someone was yet again accusing him of stealing. Harry glared at the Goblin as he said in a cold voice,
"My name is Harry James Potter and I was here only this morning. My parents had left me a trust fund and I only wanted to withdraw some of my 'own' money. I did not know that I had to have a key, Sir, because no one told me. I might not have much money under my name but as a customer of this bank, I deserve, if not respect, some common decency, which I find appallingly lacking in your service."
The Goblin stared at him for a minute, and then slowly blinked.
"WarHorn, take Mr. Potter to his account manager now." He barked at a nearby Goblin and then turned to Harry. "Address your issues to your manager. He will sort you out."
Harry deflated. "Well, uh, thank you, Mr.."
"Just RedBlood."
"Thank you, Mr. RedBlood."
The Goblin stared at him again and then nodded. Harry turned to find WarHorn staring at him as well and thanked his lucky stars that he did not garner more attention from other customers. He trotted behind the Goblin quickly, as he was led to a room deeper inside the bank.
"Mr. Potter, here to see SharpClaw." Harry thanked WarHorn and entered the room as soon as he was announced to find an older and much shorter Goblin sitting at a big desk, surrounded by papers and files. He peered at Harry and rose in his seat.
"I must say I was not expecting you here, Mr. Potter. Nevertheless, what can I help you with today?"
"Uh, I had some questions Mr. SharpClaw. I, uh, also don't have a key to my vault."
The Goblin raised his eyebrow at that and gestured Harry to take a seat.
"Did you lose your key, Mr. Potter?"
"No, Sir. I never had a key to begin with. And it's just Harry, if you please."
The Goblin showed his teeth and made a guttural sound. Harry wondered if he was somehow choking but then realized that the Goblin was just chuckling.
"I see you are your mother's child. She too was very polite and utterly unprejudiced, if I recall correctly. Not many witches and wizards show Goblins any courtesy Harry."
"But, why not? Everybody deserves to be treated with respect."
"Let's not get into that now. And just call me SharpClaw. No Mister this and that. We, Goblins do not use such titles."
"Oh, alright then..SharpClaw."
"Now, onto business. When you visited your vault this morning, you should have produced a key."
"Hagrid did."
SharpClaw sat back in his chair and ran a hand through his beard. "Hagrid should not have had that, Harry. That key was given to your guardian so he could pass it on to you, when you first visited the bank. He should not have given it to anybody else except you."
"My..WHAT? You gave a key to my uncle?" Harry was horrified.
"Your key was given to Albus Dumbledore. Are you implying that you had no idea he was your guardian?"
Harry was gob smacked and he just nodded. SharpClaw cussed and mumbled something like, 'should've known' and then sighed.
"Listen carefully Harry. He is your magical guardian and had been given the charge of governing all your accounts and assets, which are quite extensive. I handle all the finances. He should have informed you of certain things but it seems that he has not seen fit to do so. Now, it falls to me to enlighten you but I can only give answers, albeit thoroughly, to whatever questions you pose. If you do not ask the right questions, I cannot give you the right answers. Do you understand?" SharpClaw asked pointedly.
"I think so. You have some things to tell me but you can't tell me on your own, right?"
"Precisely. I cannot interfere in Wizard business. But, since you are the Potter Heir, I am duty bound to answer all your queries, as thoroughly as possible."
"Okay..Umm..What do you think he should have told me? And what do you mean by I am the Potter Heir?"
"You belong to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter and I have been your family's Gringotts manager since the time of your grandfather, Charlus Potter. As such, you are the sole remaining heir and therefore, entitled to have some amount of say in the running of your estate. Not much, certainly not anything like your family seats on the Wizengamot. That will be your concern only when you come of age. But you have enough rights to direct your investments and such, with counsel from your guardian of course. You were to be informed as soon as you turned 7 so you might learn how to handle your affairs, since there is an option of getting emancipated early. But Dumbledore informed us that you were being raised by muggles and it would not be possible for you to be involved until you came to Hogwarts. So, you were to be informed when you turned 11. Again, he informed us that there was a mail ward on you and assured us that he would liaise between us, and that it was your decision. There was no reason that I could object to that, so the matter was considered settled. Are you following what I am telling you?"
Harry was staring at SharpClaw with his mouth hanging open. He snapped it shut and blinked furiously.
"I understand that my family has money. But not everything else. If he is my guardian, why am I with the Dursleys? What do you mean there's a mail ward on me? And what's a Wizengamot?"
"He is the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, which is the governing body of the Wizarding World. You must have noticed that you are quite famous here. So to protect you from unwanted attention, he placed a mail redirecting ward on you, as is his right. As for your other question, I believe only Dumbledore can answer them."
"He's been getting all my mail? He lied. I never told him I wanted him to handle anything. I never even knew."
"I understand that all this might be a bit overwhelming. I will do my best to help you where I can."
"You mentioned emancipation?"
"You are the last of the Potters. If you so wish it, you can apply for emancipation once you turn 15. Not any earlier than that. If you do that, you will, in essence, be claiming the Headship of the House of Potter. Mind you, it comes with various duties and responsibilities and you should be up to it."
"I am somewhat lost here SharpClaw. I've known I am a wizard for less than a day. I don't know what to do now."
"Let us begin slowly, shall we? First things first, I noticed you have your things with you. Might I ask why you are lugging them around?"
"I need a place to stay until I go to Hogwarts. My aunt and uncle will not be pleased if I go back now."
"Well, that can be easily arranged at the Leaky Cauldron. But, may I ask why your family will not be pleased?"
"They have never been my family. They are just people I stay with."
"I see." SharpClaw eyed Harry sharply, but Harry refused to meet his eyes.
"I would prefer it if I can stay someplace else. People just go crazy around me."
"Ah, yes. But that will not be a problem. A few glamours should do the job. No one will know if you don't tell them. I assume you also want some money."
"Yes, I was not sure how much I was allowed to take. I've never had any money before."
"You have much to learn. Might I suggest some books for you to read?"
"Of course. I also wanted to go back to Flourish & Botts. They had so many interesting titles."
"Very well. Will 100 galleons do? That should be enough for now. If you need more, you can always come back later."
"But that's.." Harry tried to convert galleons into pounds and his eyes got wide when he realized how much that was. "How much money do I have exactly? Hagrid told me that the money in that vault I visited was for all seven years."
SharpClaw eyed him strangely as he said, "He was misinformed. Your vault gets automatically refilled so that there is a minimum sum of 1000 galleons in it, at any given time. Usually, your vault has much more than that. Obviously, there is an upper limit to your expenditure every month and if you ever go overboard, there will be penalties. But your trust vault has more relaxed restrictions than others'."
"You mean everybody has one?"
"Not exactly. Most Noble Houses create a trust vault once a child is born. This vault will become accessible to the child when they start Hogwarts. These vaults get refilled only every other month and even then only a limited amount is put in. For any more money, the parents' or the guardians' approval is a must. But your parents, during their last visit, made provisions that there will always be at least 1000 galleons available to you and that, in case of emergencies, you will have access to all of it, regardless of your guardian's wishes."
"Why would they do that?" Harry asked quietly. There was a picture forming in his head and he did not like it very much. "What else did my parents do at their last visit?"
After a prolonged silence, SharpClaw said, "Both of us know that you are a smart child Harry. I can sense it in you. I have been acquainted with three generations of Potters before you. I would like to think that Charlus was a good friend. Your mother and father treated me well. They even consulted me with many decisions. I was very surprised when you were placed with muggles because it did not sound like your parents. But Dumbledore was your guardian and we do not interfere in the affairs of Wizards. But I have done my duty well even if it meant that I had to go against the wishes of some Wizards." It was clear who that barb about 'some wizards' meant. Harry liked less and less of Dumbledore by the second and he was furious with what he was hearing.
"Your parents Wills were sealed by the Wizengamot but they had left other instructions on their last visit to the bank. In the case of any unfortunate events befalling your parents, all Potter properties that had not been rented or leased were to be immediately placed under lockdown by blood wards. All your family vaults were to be placed under blood wards as well. Only those of Potter blood were to be allowed access. The trust vault would be the only one open with minimum security and all rents or interests received were to be placed in it. Your guardian, whoever it might be, had only limited access to the vault, but that was more than enough to take care of a child, even when brought up luxuriously. Do you understand what I am saying?"
"They were prepared." Harry breathed.
"Yes, they were. They did everything they could to secure your inheritance. To see to your well being."
"Then why was I placed with Dursleys?"
"I do not know. The instructions at the bank were only to secure your finances. All other aspects, including your placement as well as any bequeaths by your parents would have been stated in their Will."
"But they made Dumbledore my guardian, didn't they?"
"Did they?"
Harry frowned. And then realization dawned. "They didn't. Their wills were sealed."
"Precisely. By the Chief Warlock, to be exact."
"He made himself my guardian." Harry breathed. "Why didn't you try to tell anyone? Why didn't you try to contact me?"
"And say what Harry? Forgive me but there was nothing I could do, until I have spoken to you and that has been next to impossible. I had no idea how much you were aware of and I was not sure how you would react. I also could not just go around spouting accusations against any wizard, particularly not against your guardian, especially when there isn't a smidgeon of proof that anything illegal has taken place. Everything so far has very well been within the law. I had to wait until you came to me."
"And then what? I'm here now. But there's nothing I can do, is there?" Harry's face was thunderous by now but SharpClaw seemed to be grinning ferally.
"I never said that, did I? There is much to be done. But now, we have time and you seem to have had a very long day. We shall continue this tomorrow."
Harry was incredulous. "If you think I will go without resolving.."
"Your grandfather always said that nothing will come to good if you do not think with a cool head. I agree. I have a portfolio here that I want you to look at closely. You might also want to read these two books." He gave Harry two books, one old and one new. "Trust me, it will be well worth your time and you will know what questions to ask."
Harry looked at the books long and then sighed. "OK."
"Wait here a few moments. I need to retrieve something."
Saying so, SharpClaw left the room, leaving Harry to think about everything he had learned that day. He thought about the very different portraits of Dumbledore that had been painted by Hagrid and SharpClaw. He wondered which one was true. But all the facts were right in front of him and all of Dumbledore's actions screamed suspicious. He thought about Hagrid and wondered how much he knew. Certainly more than he let on perhaps, but Hagrid seemed to have genuinely cared for him. Thinking of Hagrid, he made a note to ask SharpClaw about the mail ward on him.
When SharpClaw returned, he handed Harry a ring and said, "This ring has been imbibed with some basic glamours and a notice-me-not. You will not attract any undue attention. And here is a pouch with hundred galleons. Use it well. I expect to see you here around 11 tomorrow, shall we say?"
"Of course. Thank you for everything. Can you do something about the mail ward?"
"I can place some spells on your Owl, with your permission, that will enable her to overcome any magic that is specifically not done by you. That way, you can choose who you want to communicate with."
"Yes please." SharpClaw turned to the white Owl and waved his hand at her while Harry looked on curiously.
"It is done."
"You don't need a wand?"
"No. Goblin magic is quite different from Wizards."
"Oh..ok. I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Very well. Leave your things here and make it to the Leaky Cauldron. You said you wanted to visit the bookshop. By the time you are done in the Alley, your room will be prepared."
"Thank you very much, for everything."
"I was doing nothing more than my duty Harry. Besides, we are just starting." SharpClaw grinned then and Harry would have thought the goblin looked quite mischievous if he knew what to look for.
A/N: Not what I had in mind exactly, but this is what I ended up with. So, I'm just going to try and make this work. Also, I have this obsession with details which I have been told can be quite annoying sometimes. So, bear with this little quirk! And let me know what you think!
Next up, Harry runs into some people and they make quite an impression!
