Ok boys and girls, here is chapter two, and yes, it is much shorter than chapter 1, but the main reason for this is I wanted to finish up with the inheritance bit quickly and then have a clean chapter for the shopping/secret bit.
Also, some of you will complain that areas are choppy, and yes they are, but when dealing with goblins things are going to be cut 'n' dry. If you have a problem with that, take it up with the dementers outside my office.
R&R
PS: Winner of the throne challenge, as well as the award for most disturbing reviewer goes to ILOVEANDROS. And please, no more stalking.
The door opened to reveal a very excited Griphook. Sneering at the spark in his red eyes Harry let out a cold chuckle. "And so the obedient puppy returns to his master."
If Griphook noticed what the boy said he didn't show it. Instead he practically skipped towards the director's desk before slapping the scroll down and dropping into a newly materialized chair. Grinning to himself Ragnok opened the scroll before his eyes began dancing with excitement. Sliding the scroll across the desk he watched Harry's cold eyes zip from side to side as he read the flowing script upon the parchment.
House Potter
Vault 11:
35,000,000 Galleons
Large Collection of Books
Large Collection of Gems
Collection of Portraits (Subjects: UNKNOWN)
Collection of Weapons (Status: NON-FUNCTIONAL)
Sealed Chest (Contents: UNKNOWN)
In reference to the sealed chest, its contents are unknown, however, it is known that Charles Potter sealed the chest within the vault when it became clear that he wouldn't survive. The extent of Gringotts's knowledge of the contents is that there are items belonging to Charles, James, Dorea, and Lily Potter.
Properties:
Potter Castle (Location: UNKNOWN)
Potter Cottage (DESTROYED)
Potter Manor (Location: UNKNOWN)
Owned Businesses/Venues/Properties:
Knockturn Alley 100%
Knockturn Alley (Shops) 100%
Diagon Alley 45%
Diagon Alley (Shops) Jiggers Apothecary, Flourish and Blotts, Magical Menagerie
Daily Prophet 100%
International Snitch Crafters 100%
Quality Quidditch Crafters 100%
Quality Quidditch Supplies 100%
Pottermiles Vineyard and Winery 100%
House Peverall
Vault 10:
100,000,000 Galleons
Large Collection of Books
Large Collection of Gems
Collection of Armor (Condition: NON-FUNCTIONAL)
Tome Containing Notes on Deathly Hallows
Properties:
NONE
Owned Businesses/Venues/Properties:
Diagon Alley 45%
Professional Potioneers 100%
Peverall Brewery 100%
Ogden's Firewhiskey Distillery 100%
House Black
Vault 9:
40,000,000 Galleons
Massive Collection of Books
Assorted Unknown Artifacts (State: DANGEROUS/DEADLY)
Chest Containing Black Family Armor (NOTE: ARMOR IS IN FACT THE LEGENDARY BLACK KNIGHT. NOTES REQUIRED FOR DUPLICATION OF KNIGHT CONTAINED IN CHEST)
Properties:
Black Castle (Location: UNKNOWN)
Black Manor (Location: UNKNOWN)
Black House (Location: LONDON)
House Gryffindor
Vault 8:
400,000,000 Galleons
Collection of Books
Collection of Armor (Condition: VARIABLE
Collection of Weapons (Status: VARIABLE)
Properties:
Gryffindor Castle (Location: FOUNDERS ISLANDS: LION'S DEN)
Owned Businesses/Venues/Properties:
Hogwarts 25%
House Hufflepuff
Vault 7:
450,000,000 Galleons
Collection of Books
Collection of Gems
Properties:
Hufflepuff Castle (Location: FOUNDERS ISLANDS: BADGER CAVERN)
Owned Businesses/Venues/Properties:
Hogwarts 25%
House Ravenclaw
Vault 6:
350,000,000 Galleons
Massive Collection of Books
Collection of Gems
Sealed Chest (Contents: UNKNOWN WORKS COWRITTEN BY SALAZAR SLYTHERIN AND ROWENA RAVENCLAW)
Properties:
Ravenclaw Castle: (Location: FOUNDERS ISLANDS: RAVENS NEST)
Owned Businesses/Venues/Properties:
Hogwarts 25%
House Slytherin
Vault 5:
750,000,000 Galleons
Massive Collection of Books
Collection of Gems
Sealed Chest (Contents: UNKNOWN)
Properties:
Slytherin Castle: (Location: FOUNDERS ISLANDS: SERPENTS LAIR)
Owned Businesses/Venues/Properties:
Hogwarts 25%
House Drakul
Vault 4:
5,000,000,000 Galleons
Properties:
Castle Dracula:(Location: UNKNOWN)
Valerious Manor:(Location: TRANSYLVANIA)
House Emerys
Vault 3:
50,000,000,000 Galleons
Massive Collection of Books
Massive Collection of Artifacts
Properties:
UNKNOWN
House Le Fay
Vault 2:
45,000,000,000 Galleons
Massive Collection of Books
Massive Collection of Artifacts
Properties:
UNKNOWN
Clan Gringot
Vault 1:
900,000,000,000 Galleons
Massive Collection of Various Priceless Artifacts (CONTENTS OF VAULT CONDENSED TO SAVE TIME, INK, AND HAND OF GOBLIN WRITING THIS)
Properties:
UNKNOWN
Owned Businesses/Venues/Properties:
Gringotts Banks 65% (Explanation: 65% OF EACH BRANCH OF GRINGOTTS OWNED)
Titles Available For Claim by HJP:
Lord Potter
Lord Peverall
Lord Black
Lord Gryffindor
Lord Hufflepuff
Lord Ravenclaw
Lord Slytherin
Lord Drakul
Count Dracula
Lord Emerys
Lord Le Fay
Lord Gringot
"So, Harry my friend, any questions about the contents of the scroll? Or, are you ready to go and claim the final piece of your inheritance?" Ragnok waited with baited breath as the youth rolled the scroll up and slide it inside of his coat. Looking up at the goblin the emerald-eyed boy smirked.
"What's the final piece?" The goblin's blue eyes were practically glowing with glee as he stood and motioned for Harry to follow.
"Griphook, please begin searching for our friend's properties and any house elves. I'll take him before the high council." With a grin the director pulled the youth through a newly appeared door and then stopped in front of a large mirror.
"Uh, Ragnok, before we go, wherever it is we're going, could you please tell me where we are going, and why?" The goblin turned with a wicked gleam in his eye before he decided to answer.
"We are going to the most sacred of places for goblins, The Blood Grotto. It is an enormous cavern that houses the ten thrones of the goblin council, as well as the throne of the king. YOU my friend, are going to claim that throne, and once more the goblin nation shall be united under the banner of the High King." Practically jumping with joy the goblin didn't wait for Harry to respond, rather he proceeded to drag the boy towards the mirror which quickly dropped aside to reveal a swirling vortex of blue energy.
Harry grinned as he looked upon what was obviously a portal. He thought about what Ragnok had said. Grinning to himself he stepped through the portal without any encouragement from his goblin counter-part.
After stepping out the other side Harry found himself amazed as what he saw. A large room containing ten thrones in a semi-circle. But, directly across from him was a blank stretch of wall in front of which stood a small basin resting atop a short pedestal.
"Impressed?" Looking beside him Harry's cold eyes sparkled with hunger as he nodded to the war-loving goblin.
"Very much so. Blood Grotto is quite appropriate I must say." Though he didn't show it in his speech Harry had only just noticed that the walls seemed to pulse with a bloody light. He heard a handful of whooshing noises and looking behind him, he let a small sneer twist onto his face as he noticed nine goblins walking into the room, seemingly ignoring him before they each sat upon their throne. Quickly nine pairs of eyes went to Ragnok and waited for him to begin.
Ragnok pulled Harry down to his level so he could whisper to him without fear of being overheard. "Go wait outside the door. You'll be able to hear, and then make a grand entrance. Because of the ancient magic within this grotto the others won't notice you until I announce your presence."
Following the advice given to him Harry swept outside the chamber and stood right outside the large archway listening intently.
"My brothers, I have summoned you to share wondrous news. The heir has been found, the king has returned at long last!" A chorus of cheers echoed throughout the chambers as the goblin lords celebrated the arrival of their new monarch.
"Where is he? Bring him before us to ascend to his rightful throne!" The goblin who had spoken soon regretted it as cheers of, "ARISE NOW! ARISE NOW!" filled the chamber. Looking at his brethren Ragnok frowned before raising his thumb and index finger to his mouth and giving a loud whistle.
"If you would kindly shut up I will introduce him." Almost instantly all noise vanished from the room as nine goblins sat with baited breath.
"And now, I give you, THE KING OF GOBLINS!" As soon as the final word was uttered Harry strode inside with his coat billowing lightly behind him. As the council took in the boy's appearance several actually gave cold smiles. Here was a youth who reeked of power, strength, and confidence. Roughly 21 seconds after Harry entered the cavern cheers erupted. The black haired youth frowned at the noise increase, the frown twisted into a smirk when the chanting started.
"ALL HAIL THE DARK PRINCE! ALL HAIL THE DARK PRINCE!" Ragnok quickly gave another loud whistle to quiet down the cheers so that he could speak without interruption. However this time, nobody paid him any attention. Slightly dejected the sapphire-eyed goblin glanced toward Harry who gave a small smile.
"Quiet please! Silence! HUSH UP ALREADY!" Almost instantly the noise vanished and twenty eyes were watching the young wizard intently.
"Thank you. Now then, everyone please pass forth your seals of worth and let us restore the throne of the king." As he spoke Ragnok pulled out a small silver disk and watched as nine others were passed to him. Walking towards the shallow basin he dropped all ten disks in and waited. Almost instantly the disks melted into a bright silver liquid out of which rose a large shadow.
Harry's eyes narrowed as a large dark mass flew from the basin to the center of the room and began to assume a shape. Roughly 18 seconds after the shadow rose from the basin it solidified into the visage of an ancient warrior goblin with twin swords strapped to his back. Then, to Harry's shock, the apparition spoke.
"It would seem that things have gone according to plan. I told Alexander that the extra bit of insurance was a good idea, and I was right. Though you may not look it, Harry James Potter, you do in fact have goblin blood within your veins. My son married Alexander's daughter after all, yes, you are truly the heir to the goblin throne. May your fortunes be vast, and your blade ever sharp." With that the apparition faded away. Once the last vestiges of the shadow were gone, the small pedestal and basin sank deep into the floor seemingly triggering a massive vortex of crimson energy to erupt in the now empty space. The energy quickly condensed to form a massive black throne.
Harry's face contorted into a large grin as he looked upon the grand obsidian throne which sat, shrouded in shadows. It was simplistic yet elegant, in its design. At the end of the armrests two human skulls were placed, upon which the occupants hands could rest. Draping down from the backrest were two large cobras that were carved to arch away from the back of the throne with their hoods flared and their mouths open in an intimidating hiss. All in all, it looked the pinnacle of dark power.
"Ragnok, what did that apparition mean when he said, son of his, but daughter of Alexander Slytherin?" Harry quickly noted that several of the goblin's went a very interesting shade of purple, and Ragnok himself looked to be fighting the urge to retch.
"Uh, let's forget about that little detail okay? The inter-species mating process is something better off forgotten. In fact, your ancestor, and one of Hogwarts's professors are the only two examples of such unions. But that doesn't make them any more pleasant to talk about." Nods were given from the rest of the goblins present. Harry kept his face neutral but inwardly gave a grimace. From what he'd seen of the goblins, a warrior race reminiscent of barbarians, well, if something disgusted them, it was better off not thought about.
Harry jerked suddenly as he felt an outside force pulling him towards the black throne. Deciding to follow the suggestion he walked the short distance before taking a seat on the magnificent obsidian creation.
Instantly the torches in the room dimmed and the air grew cold as the goblin magic within the cavern accepted its new master.
"Now then my king, you will of course need to organize your court, and likely re-organize a large portion of your kingdom, after all, there hasn't been a king in many centuries. However, I would advise you to do some research into the ranks and then seek out the goblins most suited for the positions. Myself, and the rest of the council shall serve as your advisers and we shall help you whenever you require it." Looking two seats to his left Harry observed the goblin who'd spoken. If he had to describe the creature with a single word, he'd have to use ancient.
"Thank you for the suggestion, and your name is what again?" Harry smirked as the others flinched at realizing the mistake their comrade had made.
"Forgive me sire, I am known as Gornuk. My family has served as the organizer of the goblin nation for centuries. It is our duty to ensure that everything is structured, and, when the heir returns, to assist in rebuilding the kingdom." The elder goblin was worried that he'd find himself missing his head, but he frowned when he heard his king's cold laugh.
"You honestly thought I was upset with you! Please, I can understand in your excitement failing to introduce yourself immediately." Time seemed to blur after that as Harry was introduced to each of the ten councilors before he and Ragnok went back through the portal. In spite of his better judgment Harry decided to rent a room at the Leaky Cauldron. Nobody realized it, but the young man sleeping in the dingy pub would shake the magical world to the very core.