The next seven days passed in a busy blur for Harry
I Don't own Harry Potter. Nuff Said
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The next seven days passed in a busy blur for Harry. Being told that he would be able to leave the Dursley's and receive intense magical training had managed to get him out of his depression. The fact that the phoenix tears had helped to strongly dilute the connection between Harry and Voldemort had also helped. Not wanting to look like an ignorant idiot, Harry reviewed all his textbooks from year one to five.
He was already good in DADA so there wasn't much that the year 1-5 books in DADA could help him with. He made a marked improvement in charms and transfiguration. The permission to do magic outside of school had been a great asset to Harry. Although he didn't turn into a Hermoine replica, it felt almost refreshing to Harry when he actually read the books and tried to understand what was going on.
It was as if he had regained the thirst for knowledge he always had before the Dursley's cowed him into underachieving so that he wouldn't make their precious Dudley look bad.
On the day that Harry was to picked up from Privet Drive he had his trunk ready by the crack of dawn. He only took his textbooks and the sweaters that Mrs.Weasley had given him every Christmas. All that remained of the rags he used to call clothes was ashes after he had hit them with a slightly overpowered incendio.
He planned to visit Diagon Alley and buy a full wardrobe. Harry had decided a few days ago that he had to grow up. He hated his fame and the fact that people would always use him as a scapegoat or laud him as a hero, but he figure out that since he was a hero in their eyes once more he had to use it to his advantage.
Skimming through his history books, Harry gained a new appreciation for the skill of Voldemort even though he was reluctant to admit it out loud. The man had through the years learned the fickleness of wizard kind, he also knew very well of their laziness.
Riddle used this to his advantage by instilling fear and dread into their hearts. One or two horrific massacres were all that was needed to shake the wizarding world. This had turned him into something more powerful than he actually was. Harry was certain that were it not for the prophecy, Dumbledore could have beaten Voldemort in a fair duel.
His death eaters did shoddy jobs at the best. They weren't the best duelers. Apart from Bellatrix, Malfoy, the Lestrange brothers and Mcnair the rest of them were at the same level as any fresh graduate from Hogwarts since they didn't have further training except in the casting and relishing of the unforgivables. It was fear that gave the Dark Lord the upper hand in the first war. Harry was determined not to let that happen this time around.
Harry knew that making one or two public statements was all that was needed to give the wizarding world some hope. A few whispers about the mediocrity of the death eaters and wizards and witches all over Britain would have the ability to stand up to them when attacked instead of running like scared dogs, tails between their legs.
To be taken seriously, Harry realized that he had to work on his image and he planned to do that but not before some discussion with Dumbledore. The man was a great artist in the art of manipulating people. Although that wasn't a good trait, Harry had to accept that it was a necessary one. Dumbledore never abused his power like Voldemort, he had morals and he stuck to them never deviating from his beliefs. He sometimes took the 'greater good' theory too far but he always did what he did for the betterment of the wizarding society.
His musings were interrupted by the appearance of Fawkes. He looked fondly at the phoenix, remembering what this magnificent creature had done for him. Harry knew that he would have died in the second year were it not for this bird. Standing up he went over to Fawkes who was now perched on Hedwig's cage, he soothingly stroked the phoenix's feathers eliciting from it croons of satisfaction. 'I'll be right back Fawkes, make yourself comfortable', he said cheekily as he left his room.
Harry had gone through the basics of conjuration but he wasn't that adept at it for him to be able to conjure food, that's why he was now headed downstairs to get Fawkes some fruits. He had a promise to keep after all. He was back in a few minutes and presented the juicy grapes to the phoenix. Fawkes looked at the grapes then back at Harry and gave him a satisfied look that clearly said, 'you know how to please a bird'. Harry just chuckled as he watched the phoenix eat.
He was fascinated by this bird. Every time they met he would learn something new from it. Right now, Fawkes was using what Harry believed was phoenix magic. The bird touched each grape with its talon before eating it.
At first Harry had thought that it was some kind of ritual, but upon looking closely he saw that every time Fawkes touched the grapes, the skin would come off. Glancing amusedly at Fawkes, he murmured,' I see that you like your grapes both seedless and skinless.' The bird merely looked at Harry and raised a talon at him and the look in its beady eyes clearly suggested that if Fawkes had hands, its middle finger would be raised just now. After getting his mind around that idea, Harry was rolling on the floor laughing so hard that he could hardly breathe.
Composing himself he sat on his rickety old chair and waited for the phoenix to finish its snack. He got so lost into his own thoughts that he jumped up from his chair startled when Fawkes landed on his shoulder. This of course had the effect of Fawkes losing his balance. This made the phoenix squawk indignantly at the young wizard.
Harry calmly placated the bird by stroking its feathers. 'So what brings you here old friend? , Harry asked gently. Fawkes just raised his talon and in a burst of fire a regal looking parchment appeared on it. Harry untied it carefully and opened it to see a letter from his Headmaster.
Harry,
I hope you are doing well and that you are prepared for what we talked about the other day. As I had told you before, you will begin your training with the Flamels. Unfortunately, the only way to get into their residence is by phoenix travel. This of course shows you how much they value their privacy.Fawkes will take you there and hopefully you will enjoy your time at the Flamel's.
Please remember Harry that knowledge is power, and the Flamels have so much knowledge. What I am trying to tell you is that you shouldn't waste this opportunity. Learn as much as you can from them, not only in preparation for your destiny but life after you have fulfilled it.
On to other matters, only the people who will be training you know about our little plan. They have been sworn to secrecy using ancient magical vows. No amount of torture, veritaserum, or leglimency can make them reveal what they know about you. This means that your friends are also in the dark.
Since you will be training in secret, I will inform them that you decided to take a break from British Wizarding society and have gone in search of greener pastures. I hope you don't hate me for trying to keep your secret at the expense of your friendships.
As for the rest of the wizarding world, rumors will be started by our own esteemed Mundungus Fletcher. With indirect help of Ms.Skeeter's gossip column , people will soon think that you are in Timbuktu or some other far-fetched place.
Finally, I am not sure of how long your training with the Flamel's will go on so be prepared to stay with them for an indefinite period of time.
Warm Regards,
Albus Dumbledore.
'Wow', Harry thought after re-reading the letter. Glancing at Fawkes, the emerald eyed teenager gave him a grin reminiscent of James Potter in his marauder days.' Want to take a small detour old pal?' he asked the phoenix. The bird gave him an inquiring look as if waiting for an explanation.'Well, I wanted to go on a shopping spree before going o the Flamel's', he said a bit sheepishly. Fawkes stared at him for almost a whole minute before nodding his head. Harry gave a sigh of relief.
Looking at himself in the mirror he mused out loud on what he should look like s he prepared to do glamour. Fawkes gave a trill before placing another image in his head. To say that harry was impressed would be an understatement. The person was just the same build as harry, to make the measurements for clothing easier, but the face was so bland and inconspicuous that Harry was sure that even the shopkeepers wouldn't have remembered what he looked like after he had left. Concentrating on the image and muttered commuto aspectus. Nothing happened. He had to re-try it a few times before he got it.
Quickly shrinking his stuff he grabbed Fawkes tail and in a flash Harry disappeared from Privet Drive hoping that he would never come back to this place.
At the entrance of Gringotts two security goblins were startled when a young wizard appeared out of thin air without making the usual pop of apparition. Apparently Fawkes had turned himself invisible and was currently perched on Harry's shoulder. The green eyed wizard took note of this before entering the wizarding bank. Looking at the information board he headed for teller 9 where inquiries could be made.
At the teller sat an ancient looking goblin that had a bored look as he weighed what looked like fist sized rubies. Harry cleared his throat trying to gain the attention of the goblin. It had no effect. Trying to be a bit more respectful he said, 'Excuse me sir'. This had an immediate effect; the goblin straightened up and looked at Harry as if he were an interesting experiment.
With a drawling voice that reminded Harry of Malfoy senior, the goblin asked, 'How may I help you Mr. Potter?' Harry's eyes went as wide as galleons wondering if his glamour had failed. Chuckling appreciatively the goblin placated the teen by informing him that there was an invisible veil between the teller and the customers that revealed the true identity of the customers. Nodding his head in understanding Harry inquired about how much he had in his vault.
Greymane, (that was the goblins name) merely asked Harry for his vault key. On receiving it the goblin placed it on some weird looking device. The device rattled a bit and produced a cloud of green smoke. The goblin then took some grey powder from an ash holder and sprinkled it at the smoke. Immediately a parchment started forming in the air. Before it could fall down Greymane snatched it fro the air and looked through it.' Hmm..ahhh..Aha', he mumbled quietly as he read through the parchment.
After a stretch of silence the goblin turned to Harry and said.' Mr. Potter, according to this you had an initial amount of 45,000 galleons in trust vault that was set up for you by your parents. Since your first year in Hogwarts you have made five withdrawals amounting to 2,550 galleons. This leaves you a balance of 42,250. Curiously, it isn't the only vault that has your name on it. In your third year, one Sirius Black opened a new vault in your name and deposited what amounts to 650,000 galleons.
As per his instructions, you were to receive the key on your next visit to Gringotts, which happens to be today. Also your parent's vault which hasn't been touched since 1981 was directly transferred to you after their unfortunate demise. This vault however cannot be released to you until you turn 17. It happens to contain roughly 800,000 galleons. Another vault was recently opened in your name by Messrs Weasley and Weasley. Apparently it contains your share of profits from the new shop they opened. I would advice you to re-invest the money in that vault into their shop since it seems to be promising. It contains 32,250 galleons. So Mr. Potter in total you own 1,524,500 galleons in liquid assets.
You also own two houses, one in Godrics Hollow that was rebuilt under orders of Chief Goblin Ragnok. You also own a seaside cottage in France that was gifted to you by the late Sirius Black when you were born.'
Harry was stunned. No forget about stunned, he was overwhelmed. The young wizard was swaying on the spot trying to wrap his mind around what he had just heard when the gravely sound of Greymane clearing his throat woke him up from the stupor he was in. Shaking his head in an attempt to de-fog it he asked if he could get the information he had received in written form.He also inquired if Gringotts could open a muggle bank account for him.
After an hour of signing of forms and explanations from Greymane Harry was now the proud owner of a Gringott elite member card. It was a multipurpose card that acted as a debit card both in the muggle and magical world. He had also retrieved a pouch of galleons for pocket change. After profusely thanking the goblin for his services Harry prepared to leave.
Just as he was about to open the door of the private office he was in, he remembered something.' Say, Greymane, what did you mean that the house at Godric's Hollow was rebuilt under the orders of Chief Goblin Ragnok?' The goblin chuckled as he gestured for Harry to retake his seat. 'I was wondering when you would ask about that Harry' they were now on first name basis since Harry had appointed the Goblin to invest some of his money into worthwhile ventures. The young wizard had plans, and a lot of them required funding.
The goblin went on, 'Three days before your parents were murdered and Voldemort defeated by you, a spy for the goblins had found out that Voldemort planned to launch a full scale attack on Gringotts in five days. This had the Goblin high council in an uproar, we couldn't prepare an army to defend Gringotts in such short notice. Things were getting desperate.
The only possible solution that was available was an ancient protection ritual that would guarantee the failure of Voldemorts attack. There was one setback however. The ritual required that 500 goblins give up their magic and life essence for it to work. Many goblins volunteered to die for the sake of their race but the council knew that it wasn't acceptable. The past goblin wars had reduced our number drastically. Only 17000 goblins remain in Britain, and thus losing 500 in one go would be a big blow to the process of repopulation.
We were still at a quandary when we received news of Voldemorts defeat at the hands of one Harry Potter. We rejoiced and celebrated for days. It was a miracle. Goblins, Harry, are very honorable beings. Humans will never accept that and they trust us with their money. Crazy I tell you. Anyway you did us a service Harry, one which cost you your parents.
We didn't know how to repay you so our Chief decided to rebuild your parents destroyed home and ensured that the best wards were placed around the house. This would ensure that you always had a safe haven. The high council also promised to ally themselves with you. They were not fooled. They knew that Voldemort wasn't gone forever and they knew that only you would be able to defeat him. Thus you have the goblin's allegiance. Not the ministry, not Dumbledore you Harry.'
Harry was fascinated and intruiged by the narration and his Slytherin instincts quickly kicked in. He just realized that he had powerful allies that would never side with Voldemort. Looking over at Greymane, Harry thanked him formally for the trust that the goblins had put in him and promised to try his best not to make them regret their decision. He asked to meet Ragnok at a later date.
Thanking him once again Harry left the bank and headed for Madam Malkins. After getting a dozen or so robes for different occasions, he went on to the trunk shop where he got a multipurpose trunk.
He was passing by Ollivander's shop when an idea struck him. Retracing his steps he went into the old wand maker's shop. After the usual 'scare and mention the wizards wand type tactic' Ollivander inquired about what Harry was doing in the wand shop. He too could see through glamour's. Harry looked at the wand maker for some time when he said,
' I read somewhere that the best wand for a wizard is one that he crafted by him self. I was wondering if you had any manuals on how to craft wands'. The old wizard looked at him shrewdly before saying that he did indeed have a guide that was passed from one Ollivander to the other. It was a family occupation after all.
'I will give it to you under two conditions Harry'. The boy who lived nodded.' First you will never reveal the secrets contained in the guide to any one since it is a family secret.' Harry nodded knowing that the first condition was the easiest one. He crossed his fingers as he waited for the second one.
' Second, after this war is over and you finally vanquish Voldemort, I would like you to be my apprentice since I have no heir to pass on the Ollivander family secrets and trade to.' Harry stared blankly at the old wand maker as his mind quickly thought about the offer. After a while he asked Ollivander if he could get to him at a later date with the answer. Ollivander just chuckled and told him to take his time.
Thanking the wand maker for his time Harry left the shop empty handed. 'It was worth a try' he mused.
After a few hours of shopping, with Fawkes sending him humorous images every short while Harry was done. Glancing over his shoulder to where he knew Fawkes was, he said in his best impersonation of Stan Shunpikes(Knight Bus) voice, ' Take us away Fawkes'. In a flash they disappeared, on their way to the Flamel residence.
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That's all for today folks. I don't know when I will update next but hopefully it will be soon. Please review and give your thoughts.
