Disclaimer: I don't own The Potterverse. That's total JKR domain. Just dabbling with the characters for the sake of creativity. Not using this story for any monetary gain.

Chapter 2 – The Laws of Goblins Part 1

The words of enquiry from McGonagall and the rest just became background noise in the cacophony of thoughts that were swirling in Harry's mind. He was trying to come to grips with his actions and its consequences. Arthas' arrival and subsequent delight at the merging of the Hallows raised familiar alarm bells which had Harry in a troubled state of mind. Quite frankly yet again, he was left with missing pieces of a puzzle that was his life, with him trying to fix it all or wait for an event which will explain it all in the most life-changing of ways imaginable.

So immersed was he in his thoughts that he didn't realize when he was led to the Great Hall. He only snapped out of it when he saw the glare of the light in his eye from the tables. He could see Luna, Susan and Daphne were still present at the table giving the incoming entourage a curious look. When he finally looked around, he could see the look of concern on McGonagall's face and that of panic on Hermione's. Realizing that his being comatose wasn't helping anybody, he softly replied, "I am alright. It was nothing special. I was about to lay Dumbledore's wand beside him when the wand glowed. It seems the Elder Wand has bonded with me."

Ignoring Hermione's gasp and pointedly looking towards the three girls he continued, "I was expecting this. It seems the wand has recognized the wizard this time. I am not sure on this development and I guess a talk with Mr. Ollivander is long overdue."

Hermione then made her presence felt quite sternly, "I would like to accompany you in to meet Ollivander. I would like to know how this happened and the implications which it can have."

Harry was going to reply to that when Hagrid chose to interrupt the impromptu meeting. Panting from exertion and looking at McGonagall, he declared, "Headmistress McGonagall! Goblins! Around 20 of them! Coming towards Hogwarts! Demanding to meet you!" With that almost everybody stiffened. The Goblins were notable in their absence in the Battle of Hogwarts and nobody had forgotten it. McGonagall replied irritably, "Bring them to my office Hagrid. Let's see what they want with us now. After the Battle is won!"

Hagrid then hesitantly added, "Uh.. They demand Harry also be there." With that everybody turned to look at Harry who had a stoic expression on his face. Then, turning to Flitwick, he asked, "Would you accompany us to the meeting Sir?" Flitwick just nodded in reply. Harry then faced Hermione, Neville and Luna while motioning Susan and Daphne to listen in. He asked them to wait for him and he will explain the details of the meeting.

All of them agreed albeit reluctantly and then the trio of Harry, McGonagall and Flitwick moved towards the Head Office while indicating to Hagrid to let the Goblin Entourage to the Head Office.

The Boy-Who-Lived and the two Professors had to wait only a couple of minutes before the Goblin representatives showed up. Only two of the Goblins had come up to the office. With perpetual sneers in their face one of the Goblins introduced himself. "My name is Argo Blacktooth. One of the members of the Elite and our delegation is here to summon one Harry James Potter to appear before the Goblin High Council. He is to be questioned within our territory and under our laws with no outside interference from the ministry." The professors were shocked at hearing that and after a moment, Flitwick asked, "On what charges?" Argo, on hearing Flitwick's question scowled and said, "None of your concern Half-Breed! That is to be decided when he has been thoroughly questioned and only then the charges will be levied."

Harry had been listening with growing ire to the Goblins subpoena. On hearing the blatant disrespect to Flitwick, he interjected rather coldly, "It seems that even after Voldemort's demise, the bigotry is prevalent. Do I need to remind you that you are at the moment guests in this Institution?" McGonagall and Flitwick tried to warn him but Harry ploughed on "You seem to think you own the ground which you walk on. Yet this is not the case. So be a quiet little messenger which you are and answer this? Do you need to escort me now or can we fix a time and place to meet and discuss these questions?" Harry said with a mocking tone in his voice.

The other Goblin, who had been quiet so far chuckled and replied, "Certainly Mr. Potter. You will have your answer. The certain callousness in the tone of your voice will be overlooked, for now." The Goblin grinned rather cruelly. "However that doesn't belie the fact that the charges you face are serious. You have to accompany us post haste to the meeting with the Council."

Harry turned his attention to the other Goblin and asked, "Can I bring an advisor to the questioning? Or is it supposed to be a hatchet job?" The Goblin grinned at that "Yes. You may bring an advisor to this meeting. We will give you sometime to get presentable and then we will leave for Gringotts." With that the two Goblins left the Head Office, leaving the three occupants to their own thoughts.

Harry slowly broke out of his musings and turned to Flitwick and asked, "Professor.. Your thoughts?"

Flitwick looked at Harry gravely and replied, "This has the potential to be serious Harry. The Goblin High Council only sits in session for matters related to the Goblin clans. Convening for a human is as rare as it is alarming."

Harry listened to Flitwick calmly and then replied, "Any idea on how to navigate the issue in my favor?"

Flitwick looked at Harry calculatingly and then replied, "Harry. The Goblin High Council consists of the Head of 12 clans of Goblins from all over Europe. As we know, convening at Gringotts means that they were called by the clan residing here and the issue most likely emanated from this territory. What surprises me is that all clans convened for this. That means that they are going for the proverbial kill here."

Harry nodded and said absently, "I think I know what the case pertains to. It must relate to the break-in which Hermione, Ron and I conducted in Gringotts. That has to be it. No other logical explanation comes to mind."

Flitwick nodded at that and then replied, "The 12 members haven't gotten along in recent years so you may sway the verdict in your favor by currying up to the clans. Only you will be allowed to speak although you may take any advisors you want to the meeting."

Flitwick hesitated and continued, "Harry. Remember two things. Appeal to the Goblin's greed. They will listen if you manage to provide an offer which they cannot refuse. As seen from the reaction of Blacktooth, they think nothing of you. But your family is one of the oldest in the Wizarding World. They, being a warrior clan, respect longevity in a line. Also, any deal made should be in writing and signed in blood. That is the only honorable deal for the Goblins. An oath or vow doesn't mean anything for them.

Harry stared at the diminutive professor and nodded his thanks. He then looked towards McGonagall, who was listening to the conversation pretty intently "I would like both of you to attend the meeting this…. meeting with me."

Both the professors nodded and McGonagall said, "We will meet in 15 minutes at the Great Hall Harry."

Harry nodded and left for the Gryffindor dorm. Upon reaching the dorm, he walked silently past the throng of people trying to get his attention to his room and looked for some formal dress to wear. On accomplishing that, he went back down and trekked his way to the Great Hall. There, he saw McGonagall and Flitwick waiting for him with the Goblins. He then looked beyond them to see Hermione and the others were still present there. He went towards them and said to Hermione, "It was regarding the break-in which we conducted. The Goblin demands answers. And I shall give it to them."

Hermione looked a little fearful at that and replied, "Harry. That could be dangerous. We did commit a crime and… Come to think of it, why only you have been called out? Why not all three of us?"

Harry looked at her and said, "I have an idea as to why. But for now, know that I will do everything in my power to wipe the slate clean with the Goblins. For all three of us."

"Let me come with you Harry. We will face this together."

"I really can't Hermione. I can't give them more ammunition than they already have. Which seems to be a lot. Don't worry. I have a plan as to how to tackle this issue."

The Harry looked at the other four people there who were listening in and nodded to all of them, giving a small smile to the three girls. Harry then hugged Hermione and departed with the Goblins.

The walk to The Hogwarts Gates was silent and on reaching there, The Goblins gave a portkey to the three and then upon touching that portkey they all vanished.

Harry and the professors landed at the Gringotts main lobby and then were escorted to the inner offices of the bank. Flitwick was whispering to Harry as they were going towards the meeting chambers. "The leader of the Goblin clan in England is Ragnok. There will be two leaders from the GermanMountain clans, Blacktooth being one of them. Three from the Forest clans near the RhineRiver. One from the ScottishHighlands and another from the Irish. Two from the Scandinavian Mountain Ranges and two others from near the Italian peninsula. The charges and the proceedings will be levied by Ragnok upon you and as such will make it a direct fight with between him and you. The others are just here for announcing the verdict as a jury of sorts."

Harry nodded to all that and as he was trying to wrap his mind around around it, they had reached the Meeting Chambers.

The Chambers itself was a dimly lit room. It contained 12 seats which were spaced to form a circle with the accused to be sitting at the center facing them. The advisors were outside the circle clearly indicating that they can observe but not interfere. The room was decorated with statues of what Harry thought to be prominent Goblin figures throughout their history.

Harry looked at the 12 seats and saw them to be empty. He had since the confrontation with the Goblins been anxious and restless. Though outwardly showing a calm front, inside he felt a maelstrom of emotions running through him. As he was led to the center of the circle, a gong sounded and the Head Goblins came out of an antechamber and started sitting on their designated seats. On reaching the center, Harry scoffed at the chair which was placed for him. He then brandished his wand, waved it and conjured a comfortable sofa to sit on.

If the Goblins wanted a show their superiority, damned if he backed out.

The Goblin guards in the room bristled on seeing this but did nothing. The 12 seated Goblins merely raised their eyebrows and one of them chuckled. Harry turned to the sound and found that the Goblin, who came with Argo to escort him, was also present.

Before he could think any further, a gong sounded and the Goblin seated in the middle rose up and announced, "I am Ragnok Aurclodd! Leader of the Goblin clan dwelling here in England. We have convened here today to question Harry James Potter on the break-in which occurred at Gringotts on 1st May 1998. Let the proceedings begin!"

AN : Hope you like the new chapter. Will update the next one within the week. A little late with this update. I will be trying to update the story on a weekly basis. Though sometimes it could be a little late as two/three ideas go round in my head and i m not sure on how to jot everything down. :)