Hey guys! So, here's a brand new chapter! I hope you guys enjoy it!
Don't forget to go and vote on the Creature Inheritance Poll. It'll be up until I decide for Harry to go back to Gringotts. That could be in chapter 7, it could be in Chapter 12, so...
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"Talking"
'Thinking or Flashback/Memory'
Mind Link
~Parseltongue~
Letters or Books
~POV Change~
-*-Timeskip-*-
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Harry Potter and How Things Changed In A Day
Chapter 4:
Let's Get Down To Business
Harry sat in his chair, a plate of sandwiches and treacle tart on a round table next to him. On his other side sat goblets containing: water, orange juice, as well as a cherry flavored sweet drink that he'd never had before but quite liked (he decided to ask what exactly it was later, as it was really tasty). As Harry took a bite of his second sandwich, munching happily, Ragnok spoke up, "Are you ready to begin now Mr. Potter?"
Harry nodded since he decided not to speak with a mouthful of food. "Now, the reason we invited you here is because, as of recently, we believe that the withdraws taken from your account were done without proper authorization from you Mr. Potter. We believe someone has been stealing money from you."
Harry blinked. Then blinked again. He swallowed his sandwich with a loud gulp before clearing his throat, "I'm sorry, Ragnok- er, Sir, but I haven't any money. My aunt and uncle do, but I... I haven't any."
Ragnok calmly put on his reading glasses and picked up a piece of parchment from the desk in front of him, "According to this parchment, someone has taken a total of 500,000 galleons from your Potter Family Vault since the beginning of this year."
"P-Potter Family Vault?" Harry coughed lightly, making sure his throat was cleared of food before he spoke, "B-but…"
"You didn't truly believe your parents left you with nothing when they died, did you?" Ragnok questioned.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, taking a delicate sip of his cherry flavored drink.
Ragnok cleared his throat, going through his papers before picking up yet another piece of parchment, "Your parents, on the time of their death, left you with three vaults: the Potter Family Vault, a Trust Vault, and a Private Vault. The family vault is filled with your money for everyday needs, as well as some trinkets kept by your family. The Trust Vault is filled with money explicitly for the use of your Hogwarts tuition and expenses, as written by your mother before her passing. Finally, the Private Vault…" Ragnok trailed off here for a moment before continuing, "It is unknown what exactly is held inside the Private Vault, although it is easy to assume there is something of great value within each of your vaults. We will go and visit them at a later date," Ragnok added, noting the curious look on the boy's face.
"Currently held within the Potter Family Vault: around twelve billion galleons, or in muggle terms about sixty billion, a number of gemstones consisting mainly of rubies, diamonds and emeralds. There was a large collection of books in the vault, as well as a few magical artifacts, both of which were removed, we believe, without your consent. In your Trust Vault is five-hundred thousand galleons to be used to buy school supplies and the like as mentioned before." Harry blinked in surprise, "As of this moment, you're the richest wizard in the world." Harry blinked again before going into slight shock. The goblin winced as the goblet landed on the floor with a clatter, spilling red liquid everywhere.
The room was silent as Harry tried to process what had just been said. He had money! He wasn't the poor urchin his uncle had always called him. "T-twelve B-b-billion?" He tested the words shakily, sounding as if he was in an earthquake. At Ragnok's nod, he nearly fainted. The only reason he didn't do so was because of the Calming Draught still in his system.
It was then that Ragnok stated, "I suppose we will discuss the other vaults you inherited at another time. For now I believe you should go shop for a few things, rest, and return in the morning." At Harry's questioning look, he continued, "I believe that getting a good night's sleep will help you understand a few things we have discussed today. We will continue tomorrow, instead of giving you everything at once and overloading your young mind."
Slowly, Harry nodded, accepting the fact that perhaps he should leave to mull over things. Softly, he spoke, "Where will I go? Back to my Aunt's?"
The goblin shook his head, "No. I do not think it wise for you to return. I have someone in mind to take you in until tomorrow." Harry then became slightly frightened until he relaxed. The goblins had been nothing but nice to him, giving Harry enough faith not worry. Seeing his acceptance on the matter, the goblin pressed a button underneath his desk, and a shorter goblin quickly ran into the room. They spoke in a strange tongue before the goblin rushed back out to complete his ordered tasks.
Harry tilted his head, "What language was that?"
"Gobbledegook," Ragnok replied, "It's the tongue goblins use to speak to one another. I simply told him to get the man I requested as well as some money from your Trust Vault. Now, the man who will come here may look intimidating, but trust me when I say that he will take good care of you from now till you return tomorrow Mr. Potter." Ragnok silently took down the time compression spell he previously activated before the meeting seeing as how they might've been waiting half a day's time normally. After all, time is galleons!
Harry nodded, yawning lightly, "What's his name?"
"Tripp. Cyrus Tripp."
-*-A short time later-*-
It seemed like only seconds had passed until a knock was heard at the door. Ragnok called out for the person to enter, whilst Harry sunk deep into the soft cushions of his chair. When the door opened, a man strode in, his body covered in dark blue robes. He stood tall, a towering six foot. He had dark brown hair that was pulled into a ponytail behind him, and his jaw was well sculpted. Harry could not see the color of the man's eyes, as he hadn't looked his way yet. When he spoke, his voice was deep, rumbling with power, "Lord Ragnok, you requested to see me? I apologize for taking so long but Annie couldn't seem to stop her excitement at the thought of a guest.''
'Who's Annie?' Harry thought.
"When I left, I believe she was still tidying up."
Ragnok chuckled, "Yes, Mrs. Tripp always was quite happy. You opened a hotel for the unwanted, correct?"
'Unwanted?'
At Cyrus's nod, he continued, "Well, we should continue on to the actual reason as to why you're here." The eyes in the room turned to Harry, and it was then that Cyrus noticed the small child in the armchair. He raised an eyebrow, studying the small form before turning back to Ragnok. "This is Harry Potter. He requires a safe place to stay for at least this evening. I know you can provide that."
Cyrus went silent for a moment before calmly walking over, and kneeling in front of the armchair. Cyrus gazed at Harry with dark brown/gold colored eyes, and Harry froze under the stare. Suddenly, the eyes seemed to brighten with warmth and Harry smiled, "Hello." He gave a small wave and Cyrus chuckled, which caused Harry to let out a small giggle.
Cyrus stood up fully while turning to Ragnok, "Is there anything I need to know before I take him back?" Ragnok nodded, pressing the button on the desk again.
The same goblin from before came running in carrying a small pouch. Ragnok held out the pouch after testing its weight in his hand, "This is from Mr. Potter's trust vault. I suggest buying him a trunk, as well as some proper clothes. Those… garments…" he said the word with distaste, his eyes taking in the child's clothing with disgust, "are not exactly well fitting for a wizard of Mr. Potter's stature, nor would I assume they are comfortable." Cyrus nodded once again before moving to the door.
"Also," Ragnok grinned as Cyrus turned back, standing at the door with perfect posture. "Don't be afraid to splurge a little bit." Cyrus grinned before nodding. Ragnok turned to Harry for one final time that day, "Cyrus will take care of you until you return tomorrow. What happens after that has yet to be decided."
Harry, taking notice of the obvious dismissal, slid out of his chair and began to walk slowly towards the tall man. He stood silently as the towering figure spoke, "Follow me, young one. Hold on to my cloak at all times." At Harry's nod, and the tightening of the small hand clutching at his robe, he left, the golden doors closing behind him.
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So, who's Cyrus and what does he have to do with this story? Well... Another story for another time.
Uri~