Hello readers! I just wanted to thank you all for receiving my story so well. I've had the idea of this story for FIVE years. I did have another Emma Potter story that reached 33 chapters about three years ago here on FanFiction, but it was poorly written and things started to not match with the world that J.K. Rowling beautifully crafted. I just couldn't work with it any longer, so I deleted the whole thing and started over. So really, this is Emma Potter version 2.0. I hope to update regularly and do the Harry Potter world justice. I really hope you all enjoy my fanfiction!

Also, I hate to be THAT author, but I would love it if you guys could review. It means a lot to me if I could read your reactions and thoughts about my story. I always love feedback! Now, without further ado…

Chapter Four

Crazy Carts

My mind was reeling from our encounter with the Malfoys. Mr. Malfoy seemed too interested in the subject of my meeting new people this year. Interesting people. Of course I was excited to meet my fellow Hogwarts students; I wanted to make new friends. However, Mr. Malfoy had too much of an emphasis about this. It made my skin crawl.

We filed inside the grand door of the bank and found ourselves in a lobby area.

"Well, that was strange," Ron commented.

"Don't worry about them, my little Ron," Mrs. Weasley said. Ron made a face of disgust and mumbled something I couldn't make out.

We shifted to our left to enter the next set of doors that led to the main hall. There was a scripture engraved on these doors that I couldn't help but read:

Enter, stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed,

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn.

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there.

Chilling. Remind me to never steal from Gringotts.

Gringotts was indeed a magnificent structure. It appealed to the eye with its high, decorated ceilings, the rich, marble walls, and the elegantly designed stone floor. However, it was also imposing with the huge counters that engulfed the room. Mean looking goblins sat behind these counters.

A few goblins eyed us with disgust after we entered the main bank hall. However, they motored on with counting their galleons, sickles, and Knuts. At the end of the aisle of which we walked stood a high counter with a specifically fierce looking goblin.

"I wonder what would happen if one of the goblins were to lose a galleon, say by accidentally dropping it on the floor," I asked Ron.

He pondered this thought for a moment, then replied with, "They'd probably gut the place. It would drive them into madness if they didn't find it." We both quietly giggled, only to be pinched by Mrs. Weasley.

"Hush you two, or you'll be scrubbing my kitchen floor when we get home!" She whispered harshly. Ginny smiled at our misfortune.

We finally reached the counter, where the ugly goblin leaned forward to better look at us through his be speckled, beady eyes.

"We wish to access the Weasley vault today," Mrs. Weasley commanded. "And Emmalyn's as well."

The goblin grimaced (and I as well; I hated my full name), showing crooked and jagged teeth. "Your keys?" Ginny and I delicately placed our keys onto the counter, which was quite high to reach. The goblin then regarded the two keys closely. "This vault has already been opened once today," the goblin said, gesturing to my key.

I blinked in surprise. "How, sir? I am the only one who possesses a key. I must have been robbed!"

The goblin rolled his eyes, "No, you certainly have not been robbed. The person who accessed your vault also had a key. It was legitimate." My brows furrowed as the goblin handed Ginny and I our keys back. This did not make sense.

Before anything else could be said, Mrs. Weasley interrupted. "Thank you for clearing that up, Bogrod," she said, a little flustered. "But we would really like to go to our vaults now."

Bogrod sneered at her, but waved his hand forward, summoning another goblin over. This goblin was introduced to us to Griphook, who would be taking us to our vaults.

"This way, please," Griphook motioned with one long finger to follow him to the door that would take us to the carts. These carts were an awful way of transportation! They zip around so quickly that it makes all of the organs in one's body flip to places where they shouldn't be.

"Um, I think that I'll just wait here," Mrs. Weasley said. "You'll be fine." With an uneasy smile, she walked towards the exit. Great, if she, one of the strongest women I knew, couldn't even ride in the cart, how could any of us?

Griphook led us innocent children through the elegant door that the cart was waiting behind. Through the door was a large cavern with vaults and tracks strewn everywhere. It was dark and grey. If I ever had an intention of robbing this place, I would be extra intimidated at this point. "Please, step inside the cart," Griphook commanded, standing to the side and holding his hand to the cart. "Keep your hands and feet inside the cart at all times."

Ginny, Ron, and I looked at each other with uncertainty. Who was to plop into the cart first?

"Ginny, you're the youngest, get in first," Ron said, pushing her a little forward.

Ginny stepped back quickly, pinching Ron. "You jerk! By that same logic, you're the only male here. Be a gentleman."

I glanced at Griphook while they were bickering. He looked weary, and annoyed. I almost felt bad for him.

"Oh, I'll go," I announced. "We're wasting time."

"We were hoping you'd say that," Ginny said. Griphook look relieved.

I stepped into the cart, and gave it a little jiggle. The tracks wobbled a little bit too much for my likely. I squealed, then quickly sat down. This thing better not break and send us plunging to our doom. "It's perfect," I said.

"Don't be such a baby," Ron teased, climbing in.

"May I remind you that I got in first, Mr. Man?" I replied as Ginny settled in beside me.

"Oh, don't act so high and might-YYYYY!" As Ron spoke, the cart blasted off into the dark abyss. I was thankful that I was born with a strong constitution, otherwise Mrs. Weasley's breakfast would have splattered all over the cart. The cart moved with such crisp action that every twist and turn moved the organs inside my body. We all braced our feet to the floor. Ginny held tight on my arm, and Ron's face was green.

At last, the cart slowed as we neared the Weasley vault. Griphook descended from his seat behind us and grabbed the lantern. I leaped from the cart to the cobblestoned sidewalk and exhaled. Land, sweet, still land! I helped Ginny out of the cart and left Ron to help himself. He wobbled once he stumbled to the ground.

"Vault 312," Griphook said. "Key please?" Ginny obediently handed her the key to her family vault, and the goblin opened it. We all stepped inside. There was only a small stack of galleons, a few sickles, and one knut.

"What should we take?" Ginny asked. "Mum never said how much to bring back."

"Well, I only have to buy books, and I know Percy does too," Ron said. "Fred and George refuse to get books."

"Maybe just a few galleons and sickles?" I offered, hoping to make the process go faster. "Besides, I can give you money from my vault if you need more."

"You know mum would never let you," Ginny said.

"Which is ridiculous," I muttered.

"Just grab something and let's go," Ron whined. "That goblin is looking impatient." Ginny quickly grabbed what I suggested, and we left the vault.

"Onto my vault please," I informed the goblin.

"Of course," he replied, a little gruffly, and back on the cart we went.

This time, there was a dramatic plunge right when we started moving. I held onto the side of the cart for fear of falling out of my seat. This time, I just closed my eyes and waited for the ride to be over.

When our cart came to a halting stop, I opened my eyes. We were in front of my vault.

"Vault 687," Griphook announced after we scrambled out of the cart. "Key please."

I handed over the key. "So, someone was in here earlier today?"

"Yes, miss," the goblin replied, shoving the key into the lock and turning it.

"Who?"

"I am not at liberty to discuss other clients." He pushed the door open.

"But they were in my vault!" I exclaimed. "Why won't you tell me?" My only answer from the goblin was the turn of his head. I sighed. Why wasn't I allowed to know who was in MY vault? Who was taking my money? I glared at the goblin as I entered my vault.

Unlike the Weasleys' bare vault, my vault was fat with coins. Piles of galleons, sickles, and Knuts littered every inch of the ground and rose like skyscrapers. The room glowed from the lantern light reflected off of the coins. I almost felt ashamed of letting Ron and Ginny see all of my money, when they had none. Yet, it wasn't as if it was my fault I had it. I wonder where it all came from.

"How much do you think I'd need?" I asked. I have taken money from my vault before, but mostly just to buy Christmas presents for everyone. I've never needed it for such an important cause as school.

"Well, you need everything new, right?" Ginny inquired. "I would say to take a lot."

"Or you could use Charlie's old wand, so you won't have to buy a new one," Ron chimed. "That could save you money."

"Silly Ronnikins," I gushed, "Charlie's wand is just for you!"

He pinched me, and said, "Whatever makes your broom fly, pea brain. I'm just letting you know."

I'm sure, Ron. I decided on taking a generous amount from a tall pile of each of the coin types. It's probably far more than what I needed, but it was better to be safe, rather than sorry. Besides, I never knew when I'll need to pay off one of the twins to leave me alone or prank someone for me.

As I turned to exit, I noticed a whole section of coins that had been knocked down in a messy pile. Never in my memory has my vault been messy like this. I always had the goblins keep the neat piles for me. The only explanation for this was that whoever was in my vault earlier knocked it over.

"I'm sorry to bring this up again," I started, "But I must know who entered my vault. They left it a mess!"

The goblin sighed. "I assure you that the young man who entered your vault had legitimate business, and a key. I will clean up your vault after you leave." He motioned for me to leave, and against my own will, my legs moved towards the exit and back on the cart, where Ron and Ginny already sat. Ginny grabbed my hand, and then the cart shot off.

Until we were back in the sunlight outside of Gringotts, I didn't say a word. I was lost in thought about who could have been in my vault. Griphook confirmed that he was a young male. Was he around my age? And how had he come across a key? How did he fool the goblins into thinking that he had legitimate business in my vault? Surely, I must be getting pranked. Mrs. Weasley spotted us, and looked at me with concern.

"Emmy, dear, why do you seem so worried?" she wondered, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Whoever was in my vault today took money," I told her. "Griphook said it was a young man who had a key."

A look of alarm flashed across her eyes, but she disguised it quickly. Did she think I was broken into as well?

"I'm sure it is all fine," she said quickly. "But I'll go back in and talk to Griphook about it. Ginny, give me half of what you took, so I can give it to your father after I am done in the bank." After the transaction was completed, she continued. "Now, you three run and get school supplies. Remember we are meeting at 3!" And with that, she hurried into the bank.

"I wonder what's gotten into mum," Ginny said, perplexed by this alarmed manner of her mother.

"Someone obviously broke into my vault, Ginny," I said gravely. "A clever thief for sure."

"But he had a key."

"I'm the only one who is supposed to have a key.

"Ah…well I guess I know it's a problem," Ginny mumbled.

Ron snorted, "Finally." We hit him on either shoulder.

"Don't get sassy," I warned him. "Now, let's go to Madam Malkin's first."

"Mum said that I was getting Percy's old robes."

"I know that Ronald!" I huffed. "But I need new robes since I'm the oldest girl."

Ron mumbled a 'lucky' underneath his breath as we began to walk through the crowd. We were walking past Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor when suddenly a huge brown figure went backing down the steps, knocking Ron over.

"Ho there!" the figure said, turning around. This guy was huge! He was larger than the doorway in both height and width, with a spectacularly bushy beard and hair to match it. He was dressed in simple earth toned clothes, and a large brown coat. "Sorry 'bout that! Lemme give ya a hand!" He boomed, as he reached a massive hand down to pull a gaping Ron up. "There ya are. Are ya alright?"

Ron blinked a moment, then answered. "Y-yes."

"Good," the man said, then glanced over to where Ginny and I were standing with open mouths. Who was this enormous man?

"You look a little familiar.." the man started, looking at me.

"Um," I said unintelligently.

"Nevermind that," the giant man said, as if he had spoken wrongly. "Have a good day!" He then made his way down the street.

"Woah!" Ron exclaimed. "What was that?"

"I don't know," I said, "but I hope we don't encounter anything that large at Hogwarts."

I tried to do a quick Google search about the number of the Weasley vault, but I could never find a number. Yet, according to the Harry Potter Lexicon, the Weasley vault would be closer to the surface than the Potter vault, hence my use of a smaller number. If the Weasley vault does have a known number, please inform me!

Did you all enjoy the little part with the not so little man? I also promise you all that the next chapter will be the last Diagon Alley chapter. There's a little scene that I want to happen in the robe shop! Hopefully you all won't be disappointed!

PLEASE review!