Chapter 3: The Sword of Gringots
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING, well except for OC's, but you all know that.
Barchoke was leading Harry through a maze of corridors, coming to a large ornate door. On the door were 2 giant battleaxes crossing over each other. On either side of the door was a goblin in full battle regalia, each wielding a spear. When they approached the door, the goblins barred their way.
"What gives this wizard scum the right to see the director?" The goblin on the right growled.
"I think that the director can make that decision for himself." Harry said smoothly, albeit he was shaking lightly.
The goblin guards stumbled back in shock. A wizard, speaking their language? Unbelievable, inconceivable, impos-
"How about you let us in now, and we continue this later?" Barchoke interrupted, "If the director finds that we were obstructed by you…" Barchoke didn't finish, he didn't have too, the threat was there. The goblins moved back faster than a hummingbird flaps its wings.
"Let us go then, Mr. Potter." Barchoke commanded.
Harry nodded, and followed Barchoke inside. He then almost got gutted by a throwing knife. The only reason he wasn't, was that Barchoke caught it by the handle in an amazing show of reflexes.
"I'll have you beheaded for this, Barchoke, you've broken sacred law!" a heavily scarred goblin growled out.
"Even when the will of Gringots has been disregarded? Even if a wizard was able to speak our language? I believe there are exceptions in the laws for this, oh mighty director. Use that thing between your ears, or I'll cut yours off" Barchoke threatened.
The director lowered his head in acknowledgment. He had acted without thinking, something unbecoming of the Goblin Nation King.
"I apologize for my actions, wizard. I acted without thinking, and for that almost gutted an innocent who has been brought here. My name is Ragnok, and yours is…?" Ragnok apologized.
"Harry Potter. I am hoping this is in your language, as I am hoping to have at least some form of control over it." Harry said.
"It was, but let us find out why the sole Potter heir is malnourished and abused, shall we? We'll stick to English, easier for everyone." Ragnok said. (AN: Especially the author.)
"I was left with my relatives-" Harry started.
"What relatives? You have no living family members." Ragnok questioned.
"I lived with my aunt and uncle, the Dursely's." Harry answered.
"WHAT!?" Ragnok roared in his native tongue, "YOU WERE NEVER TO GO WITHIN A 20 MILES OF THEM!"
"I heard that Albus Dumbledore ordered a friend of his to take me to their house." Harry said quickly, hoping to quell Ragnok's anger.
It didn't.
"ALBUS DUMBLEDORE? HE WAS WITNESS TO THEIR WILL! HE-" Ragnok ranted.
"He will not be let on that we know," Barchoke cut Ragnok off, "If he knows, we lose what little advantage we have. While his reputation will be shit here in Gringots, he is quite powerful and respectful to the sheep- I mean people."
"Your right of course, but- Harry what's wrong?" Ragnok questioned, concerned that Harry was just letting them talk as if he wasn't there. Then it hit him.
Harry was scared.
Not just scared, he was absolutely terrified. Ragnok being pissed off is not good for those around him. But for Harry, he was raised on a diet of "speak and get hit". Ragnok was mentally scolding himself.
While Ragnok was kicking himself, Barchoke was awkwardly comforting Harry. Having no experience with children due to his mate dying in childbirth, with the baby stillborn. Children were sacred to goblins, yes, but there is only so much one can do to comfort one that is scared, human, and has had no prior contact with them. Heck, that's with any species.
"I'm sorry, I'm just a bit overwhelmed is all. That combined with Ragnok's mood…" Harry shrugged helplessly.
"That and your upbringing. Speaking of which, I shall bring this toward the high council. This is a matter of The Nation, not just Gringots. This event will shape history, and we need to make sure that we do this properly. Now," Ragnok said, turning to Harry, "we need to get you emancipated. Or, at the very least, out of Dumbledore's legal control. I believe I have a copy of the Potters 'Just in case' will. Your mother didn't quite trust Albus, found him to complacent and forgiving. That, and she didn't trust the ministry to follow through with their will." Ragnok was now searching through his desk, looking for it.
"I'd assume all very important documents you have would be hidden, in a safe, or hidey hole perhaps?" Harry suggested.
Ragnok pounded his desk, "You're right! It's in safe 3, give me one moment."
Ragnok left the room, while Harry took in more of the room.
"That was to close." A cloaked male said.
"Agreed, James, agreed. We have to be careful, if we influence to much we could be revealed." A warrior like man said.
"At least he reacted as he should. We need to reveal ourselves to him soon, or else-"
"James," the warrior said, "if we reveal ourselves, even to him, it could be found out. We can't risk it, and you know it. Just because you want to stop hiding, doesn't mean we can. Block off your emotions for now, James, we will reveal ourselves eventually."
James sighed, "I know, but it's easier said than done."
"James, it took me 5 years to control my emotions. And that was with constant work to! I don't expect you to do so perfectly, just enough to hold out for a little longer. My gut is telling me we will be revealed soon anyway." The warrior explained.
James nodded, and started to walk away, but the warrior said something else.
"When we're revealed, I expect a speech."
James chuckled, "Of course, I would do nothing less."
Ragnok walked back into the room, holding a beautiful box. (AN: Think the Bracelet of Anubis box in The Mummy. Love that movie XD)
"Could you not find it director?" Barchoke questioned worriedly.
"What are you talking about Barchoke? There's a beautiful box in his hands." Harry said, confused that he could see it, and Barchoke couldn't.
"A Potter and goblin protection, only the current director of the bank and the Potter heir can see it. Tell me, what do you think is the key?" Ragnok explained, shooting the question at Harry.
"My first guess is my father's wand, but I think that would be to obvious," Harry said thoughtfully, "while a key would be obvious, it would be unexpected because it's the obvious choice. Then there's my final guess: my blood. The blood of a Potter, or perhaps they blood bonded it to me, assuming that's possible."
Barchokes' jaw was hanging while Ragnok looked impressed.
"Impressive guesswork, young Harry," Ragnok said, "Your final guess is correct, as well as the reasoning for the other options."
"Well, no time like the present I suppose," Harry said shakenly, worried it wouldn't work.
Harry stood and walked over to Ragnok. Thoughts ran through his mind, thoughts like "what if it's a mix up" and, "what if it rejects me?".
He slowly walked forward. After a few seconds, he reached Ragnok.
He put his finger on the box.
