It was hilarious to relive the Dursley's experience with Hagrid again. Harry even helped a bit by making Dudley's little piggy tail permanent. No matter how many times they cut it off it would grow back exactly six hours later.
It was a frustrating to go through the whole "I'm a Wizard?" speech but thankfully his mind was still befuddled enough from his death experience that he managed. It also helped when he tried to appear amazed at the sights and sounds of Diagon Alley. Harry didn't ask many questions as they toured around the alley, Hagrid merely thought Harry was overwhelmed by the experience, but Harry was more interested in determining whether or not Hagrid could be trusted or if being a buffoon was all an act. It had been over 200 years since Harry had interacted with the giant and his memory wasn't accurate enough for him to make that determination. A whole day of watching Hagrid's eyes light up with genuine enthusiasm over the smallest of things Harry concluded that he was a true friend, just not one he would be crying into a drink with.
There were several times during the day where Harry almost let something slip. The first was at the bank, he absolutely detested goblins now and that was the reason he was made an ambassador; he did give the greedy buggers and inch. When he saw Griphook for the first time he had to stop himself from killing creature with his bare hands. At Ollivander's Harry almost snapped the wand in his face, intent on finding another one, but realized it wasn't a big deal after all wands were such a trivial matter to him now. Then Hagrid bought his first friend back into his life. Harry almost broke down into tears when he saw Hedwig in that window. He held up well and promised himself he would cast every protective spell on her that he could.
Another plus to Hagrid's excitement was the fact he never noticed Harry had never tried to buy something beyond his list or when it was time to leave Harry told him he would take the night bus home. Harry hadn't realized his slip until he was sitting on the bus waving bye to Hagrid. He figured "Oh well" you can't do everything right.
Later on that night Harry cast a series of wards that would keep prying eyes off of the property and examined the blood wards that protected him. It amazed him when he read in Dumbledores diary that they were real. Apparently because of Voldemort and the prophecy, Harry had gotten a stay in his execution. Now he was just checking the ancient man's work. Harry noticed the wards were at their bare minimal power which didn't add up. After 10 years of living there the wards should be charged just enough to last another 7 years until they collapsed.
"No wonder he told me to come back every year" Harry mused. With these kinds of readings Harry concluded that the wards broke every year and had to be put up again just before he got home.
Harry found the rune set that allowed Dumbledore to monitor the ward strength and changed them to only show the current strength. After that was accomplished Harry managed to charge the wards with raw magical energy to full capacity. Now he could go any where with out having to worry about the damn things failing and bringing down the old man's wrath.
August 5th 1991
Harry walked into the Gringotts bank hopefully for the last time. He had managed to contact a bank in Switzerland run by humans that he used in his previous life. He hoped to do four things today, 1 remove all his assets to his new bank and 2 create just enough of a scene to cause the goblins to lose face in the eyes of the public. 3 Deal a crippling blow the Voldemort's financial resources should the war stretch beyond the time allotted in Harry's plan. 4 hopefully try and divert the Weasley's attention from him by selling off their debt to an even more hated family.
Waiting in the queue patiently like any good Englishman it took several minutes before the goblin called him forward.
"What's your business?" the goblin asked gruffly with out looking up.
Harry presented his key to the goblin "I want to speak to an account manager about all of my assets held in this bank."
The goblin looked at the key then at Harry "Too young! Come back with your guardian or when you're 17. Next!" the goblin sneered.
'Thank you for being predictable' Harry thought. Harry waited just a moment before someone tried to push him aside for their turn. "Excuse me, but my business isn't done here!"
The Goblin just looked at him while the wizard trying to push past him looked affronted at being pushed back by a mere child.
"You sir are not an adult, and have no business discussing finance with us. Now leave before I have you escorted out and have your vaults seized."
Harry just smiled back "Very well I invoke the financial treaty of 1893 signed by Gorank the Ghastly and Minister Eugene Potter"
The Goblin at the desk and several others around stopped dead in their tracks "What do you know of that treaty boy?" he said while barring his teeth at Harry, an obvious sign of disrespect.
Harry was non pulsed and bared his teeth right back "Said treaty states in article 12 section C paragraph 8a, and I quote. Last scion of the house in question has all rights to control any assets held with in Gringotts' care regardless of age or lineage provided there is proof that said person is the last of the line. Failure to comply with said addendum requires Gringotts to forfeit the total of ¼ of the total assets in question from Gringotts own coffers. End quote. Now since everybody in this room knows for sure I am the last of my line and considering what I'm worth I don't think your superiors would be too happy with you and when my business is completed your people will have you for their next feast." Harry finished with a smile.
The goblin lost all of his gusto and nodded to a goblin off to the side of the room and gestured for Harry to follow it.
Harry was led to a cubicle used specifically for the purpose of discussing general business. As he sat down Harry slightly modified the silencing ward around the cubical to project their conversation to the whole bank while keeping the goblin inside from hearing the echo on the walls and added a repelling ward to keep bank employees from interfering with them.
The goblin glared at him for a moment before he began. "You have a lot of nerve wizard throwing a treaty like that around. What makes you think we will honor anything you request of us?"
"Simple If you don't not only will you lose a fair amount of gold but I can approach the ministry and have them declare a breach of contract and you will lose control of this bank by the end of the week." Harry said evenly and sure.
The goblin sat back and thought for a second "Very well, but don't think we will acquiesce to your demands again."
"I will use any treaty still enforced by the law if need be. If you don't like it enter into negotiations to have it changed or annulled. It really doesn't matter to me because by that time my business with Gringotts will be concluded." Harry countered with sneer.
The Goblin pulled a thick file out of a cabinet and slammed it on the desk in front of Harry. As he silently perused the file he discreetly changed the ward back to its original form so he could discuss the rest of his business with out any body else the wiser
"Well this is all well and good but there seems to be some account files missing" Harry said with a smirk.
"This is everything we have on the Potter accounts" The goblins said through gritted teeth.
Harry nodded "True, very true, but I'm not talking about Potter accounts, I'm referring to the Black and Lestrange accounts."
"You have no right to that information Mr. Potter. Even asking about them is a serious breach of contract you are under" The Goblin yelled.
Harry waited for him to catch his breath "Actually Mr. Manager, as you are no doubt aware Sirius Black is currently serving a life sentence in Azkaban. With his mother passed on that makes him head of the family. Again because of his current situation said duties fall to his next of kin and chosen heir, which just so happens to be me. The Lestranges are currently in a similar predicament and thanks to the shrewd business practices of Orion Black who arranged their marriage since Rudolphus and Bellatrix don't have an heir control of the Lestrange finances fall to the head of the Black family…again me."
The goblin just looked at Harry like he grew a second head.
"Go ahead and confirm it. I'll wait" Harry said sitting back
It took several minutes for the goblin to find the right files and scan their contents for the appropriate documents when he found them. With a defeated sigh he handed the files over to Harry and he looked over the files much like he did for the Potter accounts.
Harry swiftly altered the ward again "Well these are all in order, I assume these copies are for me to keep. Well the next order of business is to transfer these accounts to this bank" Harry said while handing over a piece of parchment with his new banks information.
"This is not a branch of Gringotts! What are you playing at?" The goblin jumped from his seat.
"I find this bank better to my liking. Their estate management department charges far less than Gringotts ever will and I actually get to keep all of the interest earned as opposed to splitting it with your fine institution. I also hear the dwarf jewel smiths they keep on contract actually understand that their commission entails full ownership of an item as opposed to the F'd up leasing tradition your people cling to. Plus I just don't like goblins." Harry stated calmly "I do expect you to comply with the staff of my new bank, I would hate to think you are trying to keep what is rightfully mine."
"Fine, but know that you and your family will never be allowed to do business with us again. If you ever step foot inside any branch of Gringotts you will be charged and tried as a thief and an enemy of the goblin nation" the goblin declared.
Harry stood and got nose to nose the cretin. "Thief am I? I fail to see how taking control of what is mine makes me a thief. As for being a enemy I knew that was going to happen long before I stepped through these doors. Good day sir"
As Harry left he saw the faces of confused and astonished humans and pissed of goblins. Harry just chuckled at their stupidity. Before Harry made it to the door several wizards and witches approached him about his new bank and enquired how to get in touch with them. Harry came prepared and handed out a bunch of business cards. When Harry crossed the threshold he could hear many people yelling in gobbledygook and laughed even harder.
Harry serenely made his way towards the Leaky Cauldron for his luncheon with his new financial manger and lawyer. He immediately recognized the two men dressed smartly in muggle suits.
"Mr. Carlisle, Mr. Alexander… Harry Potter, it's a pleasure to meet you" he introduced him self with a handshake. The men acknowledged him and gestured them to sit at there table.
As they were seated Harry looked over the menu quickly before the waiter came and took their order(1)
As they waited for their order, Harry began their meeting.
"OK guys I know we are supposed to have a strategy session but the day just got away from me. So I just want to get this out of the way enjoy our lunch then I have to be on my way, for some reason my time management skills seem to be off this week" Harry laughed at his personal joke.
The other men just laughed with him
"What is it you would like us to do Mr. Potter?" Carlisle asked
Harry handed over the files from Gringotts "I took care of the bank and their expecting you. The next thing I want you comb through these records Find out who owes me money and vise versa. I can tell you right now sell off the Weasley's debt for whoever will take it for what ever price they are will to pay. I'm not pressed on the details I just want it gone. Secondly send notice to the Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, and Parkinson Family. 60 day with full interest or they will be sued, after 45 days put a lean on their income and property."
Both men looked over the loan documents and nodded to each other in silent communication.
"Well Mr. Potter, that is pretty straight forward. It can be implemented within a day. I must say though you're going to ruin a bunch of old fortunes with this one act. May I ask why" Alexander asked.
Harry looked him dead in the eye and said "I don't believe in the imperious defense." Not exactly true in some cases but they didn't need to know that.
"anything else then sir" Alexander asked again.
Harry smiled "Yes I seem to have come across some spare change recently and my loving uncle always "beat" it into my head that investment is the key to financial success."
The others nodded.
"Well let see… I want 90% of the Daily Prophet, 51% of Witch Weekly, 33% of Zonko's with the understanding that I will lease to them various products of my own design that will keep them in business for years to come. At your discretion I want some of the Nimbus Company, and I'm willing to invest in a new company called Firebolt provided I get the first Six sequential brooms of the line and if they're as good as hear they will be let them know I will be willing to endorse their product for a fair price."
The two men were furiously scribbling on notepads. "Anything else" they asked in unison.
Harry liked their enthusiasm "Well there are some muggle companies I'm interested in. Lets see… There is a software company I think are onto some big stuff I wouldn't mind getting in on it. It's called Microsoft; I can just see a huge boom with in the next couple of years. Lets say 20% of the preferred stock and 15% of the common stock. Telecommunication companies are starting to pick up, not really sure which ones except for Motorola. Oh! There is also some companies in Japan. Sony, Nintendo, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai and Suzuki (2)"
"Mr. Potter, that is quite the gamble are you sure you want to do this?" Carlisle asked.
Harry just smile "It's not a gamble if you already know the out come"
Before Carlisle could retort Alexander asked "Anything else Mr. Potter"
"Yes just one thing. A large supply of international patent and copyright forms. I have a great deal of ideas and the sooner I get them tested and marketed The better off I'll be" Harry finished.
Both men looked over their notes just as their lunch arrived.
It was a relatively quiet meal after Harry set them on the direction he wanted to take.
All too soon the meal ended "Well gents, we met, we greeted and I don't know about you but I am certainly merry about our future prospects together. If you need anything I'm just an owl away"
Harry stood shook the men's hands and left back out into Diagon Ally to pick up some much need potions supplies and notebooks.
Harry was planning a busy month.
King's Cross Station
September 1st 1991, 11:45am
A group of redheads walked between platforms nine and ten. The matriarch of the group would stop every now and them and scream aloud about the station being packed with muggles and then looking around for a boy who was described as a miniature James Potter only with his mother's eyes and the fashion sense of a drunk troll. They had been doing this for the last half hour and the little girl was getting tired of answering her mother's questions eagerly when all she wanted to do was go home and veg out to her shrine of the very boy they were looking for.
When it got to the point when they couldn't wait any more they went onto hidden platform hoping they might make a good impression on the boy before he met some of the more unsavory denizens of their world.
They hadn't even noticed the boy following just behind them with the snowy owl perched on his shoulder. Granted he looked nothing like Harry Potter with his curly blue hair and light brown skin. The boy just watched as the redheads walk and he wondered how he never noticed it the first time. The first time he was there for 30 minutes before the Weasleys arrived.
'Oh well' he thought he had bigger plans right now. Using his wand Harry pulled out a memory strand of the event and placed it into a crystal phial before giving it to Hedwig with a pre penned letter for the DMLE. The memory showed their disregard for the secrecy laws, and the crowd of muggles that gathered to follow the nut job running up and down the platform even the 2 or 3 that managed to get onto the platform because the followed them right in. True none of that stuff with the muggles happened, but with his bitchin' occlumency shields the Ministry didn't need to know that part now did they?
1) Incase anybody is wondering Harry ordered Brazened butterfly lamb chops stuffed with curry rice, and Oven roasted garlic and chive potatoes
2) That was my If I knew then what I know now moments.—If I had only listened to my uncle when I was 10 I could have retired a wealthy man by the time I was 18.
There is one cliché that really rubs me the wrong way. Harry gets money and all of a sudden there are between 2 to my highest count was 10 chapters of nothing but shopping spree where He spends millions of galleons between the bank and the leaky cauldron and then goes to buy hundreds of thousands of pounds in London proper. It just doesn't work for me and from what I've noticed it's not working anymore for a whole lot of others as they have just started skipping the scene all together. Granted having investing his money the way he did kind of counts towards the millions of galleons from point A to point B, but I don't see it as Harry going from poor to completely frivolous peacock in one afternoon just to get back people most portray as not worth his time.
Anyway I'm going to need a beta soon I don't think I can really do the kind of bashing and evil that I have in mind. If anybody is interested let me know
