Harry woke with a scream as his soul reattached, yet again, to his body. His body jumped as he rammed his head into something solid. Opening his eyes, Harry recognized the space immediately. When Ian said they were sending him back, they were not kidding. This was back.
Way back.
Harry was sitting once more in his cupboard beneath the stairs. Thinking back, he knew this could be just before his first year. No telling how long before. His relatives had unceremoniously tossed him back in there as he returned from his shopping trip with Hagrid. Then again, this could be well before his time with Hagrid.
Harry heard stomps in response to his scream. Well, he would find out soon.
The vent on the door snapped open, revealing the light of day, before the door was yanked open. There, filling the doorway, was his massive uncle.
"Stop screaming boy. You are already leaving us tomorrow." There was a deadly threat to the man's voice. But still, Harry took what information he could and ran with it. Apparently it was nearly September first. And he still needed to meet with the Goblins.
"Ok Uncle Vernon. What if I were to get out of your hair before things got busy." This seemed to catch the man whose face was purpling off guard. He turned a cautious eye on Harry.
"Just what do you mean?"
"Well, when Hagrid-"
"The Giant?"
"Yes, him, when he took me shopping for my stuff, I saw an inn for our kind-"
"Freaks?" It took everything in Harry not to scream.
"Anyway, it was just down the road from King's Cross. Perhaps I could stay there. My parents left me a small vault to pay for school and since I got some secondhand stuff, there should be just enough extra to cover tonight." Harry really didn't want them to know he had money, but this made it sound as if he didn't. To take his money for school would lead to them being stuck with him longer. It was a chance he was willing to take. Vernon considered him a second longer before seeming to make a decision.
"Hurry up boy, grab that trunk and bird of yours. I can get you there well before dark." Vernon did not even wait for Harry to respond before moving off out the door to make his way to the car. Harry was left rushing in his small, weak, 11-year-old body as he attempted to drag his trunk and Hedwig's cage to the door. Harry didn't even have time to stop when he realized Hedwig was alive again. It did bring a tear to his eye.
Ten minutes later, Vernon was off trying to get rid of his nephew as soon as possible.
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As Harry arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, he nodded to Tom who silently nodded back before making his way over. So as not to be overheard, Tom leaned down.
"Well now isn't this a surprise, seeing you again. What can I do for you Mr. Potter?"
"Would it be possible to get a room until the 1st?" A Large toothless grin spread across the old barkeep's face.
"Of course Mr. Potter. Room number 7 upstairs and to your right."
"Thank you Tom," Harry stated, placing some coins in Tom's hand. "Would it be possible for you to make sure my Owl and trunk make it upstairs undisturbed? I have some business to attend to."
Another grin and Tom was off while Harry made his way back into the Alley. Drawing his wand, he felt the warmth as he pressed the appropriate brick. Still amazed by such simple magic, Harry stepped through the newly formed archway. Doing his best to maintain his childlike demeanor as he made his way through the crowd to get to the large white building at the other end. As he approached, he mulled over the carved poem. To the Goblins, it was poetry. Witches and Wizards may have interpreted it as a warning, but the Goblins were merely showing off their art.
Goblins were shrewd with long memories. It was why there were so many rebellions. It was why they were so rude to Wizards. And it was the reason they made such spectacular bankers. Goblins had dry, wry senses of humor. They were crude. But they were to the point. Their respect was hard to earn, but once done, they would never forget.
With this in mind, Harry approached the first open teller. He waited until the teller addressed him. Tellers were the lowest level of the totem pole for Goblins. Goblins despised humans, so the more contact a particular role had with humans, the less importance the role held. Cart runners were slightly above the tellers.
"What do you want, Wizard?" The goblin drawled without even looking up. Harry smiled to himself. Not to the goblin. You never smiled at a goblin before becoming friends with him. You were serious and respectful. Even to those low on the totem pole.
Harry heard a shriek from just down the row. He glanced over to see an older wizard looking ready to throttle someone.
Ok, well you respected them if you ever wanted to get anywhere and did not think you were better than all other races.
"I need to speak to someone about an inheritance test and to visit the potter vault." There, straight forward and to the point. There was a pause as the teller studied Harry. After a few tense moments, he spoke.
"Very well Wizard, we must have you go speak with Blackfang, the Potter account manager. Follow me."
A small pass immediately appeared in the counter beside the teller's stand, which Harry jumped to get through before it closed. The teller was already off and on his way toward a corridor. Harry followed until he reached a door labelled for Potter. As the knock was answered, Harry moved into the door, seeing a sneering goblin behind the desk. It was obviously an older goblin. He looked sleazy, even for a goblin. Harry cringed as he heard the voice which erupted from the goblin.
"Well Mr. Potter, now you decide to visit me. Couldn't even manage that the last time you entered our halls?"
"Do shut up, Blackfang." Harry knew he could not let himself be walked all over. This goblin was already rubbing him the wrong way. He had no issues treating goblins with respect, but Blackfang was pushing his patience. "We really have bigger things to discuss, such as your incompetence." Harry really hoped he wasn't pushing too hard. He knew the bank policy, but would that stand up with his ire? Would the rest of the goblins agree with him or their fellow here? There was a cautious face on Blackfang's face.
"And how is that, Mr Potter?"
"Simple. I have never received a single piece of mail from you. No bank statement's, no request for an inheritance test, nothing." Here it was. This was Blackfang's chance. Harry knew someone close to his account was in Dumbledore's pocket. His experience with Ian while reviewing what he knew and learned in his previous life was more than enough to confirm this. It was time for his account manager to prove himself to Harry. The long pause continued. Then a feral grin came across Blackfang's face.
"Come Mr. Potter. There is no real need for the inheritance test. We both know who you are. A for statements, they have been sent, I must assure you. I send them every month to your magical guardian. I also heard you wished to visit your vault?"
Harry froze. He had wanted to learn about the End Times Prophecy, but it seemed asking Blackfang was out. The goblin had just given himself away as a failure. So Harry took an alternative route.
"Very well. May I request a cart runner?" The look faded from Blackfang's face for a moment. It seemed he did not expect Harry to be so understanding or respectful. Harry couldn't tell the goblin's thoughts, but he felt confused about everything he had been told about the young man. He was informed this wizard despised goblins. That he would steal from them in a moment. So Blackfang went with that approach. Apparently Blackfang was wrong.
And he knew he just fucked up. He nodded his head.
"In that case, I would like to request Griphook."
"Very well, give me just a moment." Blackfang reached for some runes on his desk, signaling for Griphook.
It was a few minutes later when a bewildered Griphook entered the room.
"You requested my presence, vaultlord?" Griphook bowed before Blackfang. Blackfang was still studying Harry, who he gestured toward. Griphook looked over to the young wizard and did a double take.
"Welcome back Mr. Potter. We did not expect your return so soon."
"Is that so?" Harry commented. His own eyes were still focused on the goblin sitting behind the desk. Harry had already decided the older goblin was done managing his accounts. The only question was how. With a final glance at Blackfang, seeing the fear in the older goblin's face, he offered one final note before leaving with Griphook.
"Blackfang, I am disappointed in you. Should you leave this office or contact anyone between now and my return, I shall be far more upset. That would not go well for Gringotts." Harry followed Griphook, his point made. Previous to his most recent death, he had begun to learn about his fortune. And a fortune it was. Should he get upset, the Potter money could leave. That would place the goblins at a severe disadvantage in their general operations.
As they entered the cart, Harry said nothing beyond a general greeting for Griphook. As they arrived at the vault, Harry followed Griphook's directions to enter. Once inside, Harry collapsed. He'd been putting on a face with the goblins, but this was new. Seeing his family relics? That was a change. So was the voice he heard.
"Well now, there is a Potter if I have ever seen one."
Harry's head snapped around to see the portrait. There, before him was a picture. The name below it just said Alex. There was nothing more. The man had wild black hair, just like Harry. He also shared that crooked smile that Harry had, not knowing it drove women crazy. Harry grinned right back.
"Aye, so I am. And who might you be?"
"Alex, but most of you lot call me grandfather." Harry smiled.
"Well, good to see you then, grandfather."
"You seem to be enjoying yourself here. Don't worry, none of it is going anywhere. But, if I may suggest it, take a look at the podium near the middle. You may find something intriguing as well as useful there."
"Thank you grandfather, I'll be back."
"I have no doubt you will, lad."
Harry moved to the podium and froze. Sitting on the top of that wonderful little platform were three books. One Harry immediately recognized. It was a massive, leather bound unit. He would have been at a loss to name what it was if not for the name across the front: Potter.
It was the potter family Grimoire.
Next to this were two other boos which after looking just inside the front of them, Harry was moved to tears. "James Potter and Lily Evans."
"Indeed, they left them here, around…a decade or so ago?" Harry heard Alex's voice call out from behind him. With tears, Harry just smiled and grabbed both books. While he desperately wanted to take the Grimoire as well, he would start with these. Turning back to Alex, Harry said his farewells.
It was back in the cart that Harry began the conversation he really wanted.
"Griphook, I requested an inheritance test from vaultlord Blackfang. He said no. That seems a tad odd to me. He also said something about sending my statements to my guardian rather than me. Call me crazy, but isn't all of that a bit against bank policy?"
Harry placed his hand on his chin thoughtfully while he noted the rage building on Griphook's face.
"No Mr. Potter, that is incorrect."
"Harry."
"Sorry?"
"Please call me Harry, Griphook. You are one of the first people I have ever met in the magical world. While I hope we can be friends one day, I would like for you to call me Harry." Harry would have missed the grin attempting to form on Griphook's face had he not been watching.
"As you wish Mr. Potter. Before we return to Vaultlord Blackfang's office, would you mind if I spoke to a few people?"
"Are you sure Griphook? I do not want to be a hassle."
"No problem at all. Please wait right here."
Harry did not have to wait long before Griphook returned on the heels of a very dangerous looking goblin. This goblin paused to regard him.
"Mr. Potter, I understand there have been some issues with Vaultlord Blackfang?"
"Please excuse my ignorance, sir, but I generally prefer to know who I am speaking with before disclosing personal concerns." The goblin studied him a moment longer before beginning to chuckle.
"No worries at all, Mr. Potter. I am Ragnock the twelfth, current ruler of the goblins of Britain. I am here at the request of Griphook to discuss your situation." Harry was shocked.
"Excuse me sir, but why would the leader of the Goblin Nation wish to take time to discuss my issues?"
There was a shared glance between the two goblins before things clicked for Harry.
"Would this have anything to do with a certain 'end times prophecy'?" Another glance passed between the goblins.
"Mr. Potter, what do you know about this?" Ragnock had a tense look on his face.
"Nothing sir." Harry raised his hands in surrender. "I was told to come ask the goblin nation about it, but I prefer not to work with Blackfang."
Ragnock seemed to catch the greater meaning.
"You leave that to myself Mr. Potter." In that moment, both turned to enter the office. As they did, they caught one Blackfang attempting to contact someone on his personal floo. The only issue, was that Ragnock had shut down the floo.
"Mr. Blackfang!" Ragnock's voice roared. Harry was terrified. From the looks on their faces, so were Griphook and Blackfang.
"Your time here is no longer required. Please go return the cart."
All parties stared in shock. Griphook at the Blackfang's ignorance, Harry at the audacity of his Vault manager, and Blackfang at his simple dismissal. With a sour look on his face, Blackfang glared at the others. As he drew the door open, Ragnock's voice roared once more.
"And you are hereby restricted to the lower levels following. No access to anything beyond the walls of Gringotts."
All eyes turned to Ragnock. That was a very heavy reduction of privilege. As the surly goblin left, Ragnock settled into the chair, motioning for Harry to take a seat.
"Alright, Mr. Potter, let us get this inheritance test rolling. Please take this knife, and place a few drops of blood on this parchment."
After a moment to study the knife, Harry did exactly that. Then he sat in anticipation of what it would find. He was at a loss when Ragnock folded the parchment as a letter and handed it to Griphook.
"Take this to the inheritance office. I want a full test run." Catching the disappointed look in Harry's eyes, Ragnock chuckled. "Did you expect something, I don't know, more magical Mr Potter?"
"More instantaneous, at least." Harry muttered. Ragnock heard him and began laughing more heavily.
"Well now, Mr Potter, we must find a new vault manager for you."
"What about Griphook, sir?" Harry blurted this out before even thinking. He had only ever really met one goblin until today. Griphook was a thorough and good goblin. Still, he knew this was ultimately Ragnock's decision. Bowing his head abashedly, he missed the grin gracing Ragnock's face. Both turned as Griphook re-entered the room.
"Griphook, Mr Potter has requested you to become his new vault manager. What do you think?"
Griphook froze. Staring at Ragnock, then Harry in turn. He attempted to get his mouth to move. When no sound came out, he began to nod.
"Excellent. Now on to more challenging things." There was a pregnant and tense pause. "The End Times Prophecy."
Ragnock withdrew an ancient looking parchment from his robes.
"You have heard something about death being the great equalizer?" At Harry's nod, Ragnock continued. "It comes from this here."
Ragnock moved to open the parchment. In a clear voce which echoed in the large office the words seemed to hang in the air.
The power to end the darkest of times
Rides with the one with Green in their eyes.
Not once, not twice, but shifting the times,
Come with chocolate, brown, blue, grey, and silver.
The Harbinger of Death brings us all to unity.
All parties in the office stared calmly at one another. There was so much there, yet nothing at all. Too much like another prophecy which Harry knew had plagued his life.
"So just what does this mean?"
"Mr. Potter, you must understand, this prophecy is nearly as old as the written word. It predates not just the ministry, Hogwarts, and Merlin. This even predates Stonehenge and the Egyptians. Ancient does not describe where this comes from. So we respect it. And I know of only one line with a Green Eyed Wizard of power."
Again, they fell into another easy and simple silence. The atmosphere grew tense. But through it all, Harry was still lost. With these goblins beside him, he asked the one question which was truly haunting him right that moment.
"But what does it mean."
After a bit more jostling and debating as Griphook transitioned into his role, Harry stood.
"Forgive me gentlemen, but I have a train to catch tomorrow. Please do forgive me running out like this and have an excellent evening yourselves!
Harry returned to his room in the Leaky Cauldron. He would be early tomorrow. No chance was he going to miss seeing these people. He had lost several. One in particular jumped out at him.
Harry was going to see Hermione again tomorrow!
