Chapter 4
Gringotts
Harry was comfortable, warm, happy. He woke up with a start and sat up. He smiled when he remembered where he was; it wasn't a dream! He got up and dressed in the clothes laid out for him and then went to the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mr. Potter," Snape said, as he sat at the table stirring a coffee and reading from a book. "You are up earlier than expected, did you sleep well?"
"Yes, best I have in ages... guess I'm an early riser."
Snape had a guess as to why, but kept it to himself.
"Please have a seat. I need to explain a few things to you."
When he sat down food appeared on the plate in front of him. Good food, he looked at Snape.
"Go ahead, eat first," he smirked, and picked up his book to continue reading while the boy tucked in.
When Harry was so full he could not eat another bite he leaned back.
"Well, I wanted to let you know the outcome of the health scans I performed on you yesterday, and the best way I know to deal with them."
"Are you a doctor?" Harry asked.
"Well, not in the sense you know them. I am a potion master. I often create potions which, from your perspective, would be considered medicines."
"I see," Harry nodded.
"There are three potions I would like you take. Two of which I hope to be completed by the time school starts. One is a nutritional potion, it will be included in all the food we eat."
He looked at his empty plate.
"Yes, it was in the food. It is similar in effect to a multivitamin. It makes sure your body has all the nutrients it needs."
"Oh, that makes sense."
"The second is a healing potion. It will heal any lingering injuries you may have and help your growth catch up to where it should be."
Harry looked at him questioningly.
"Am I small?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Snape answered. "How much is genetics, and how much is lack of needed food will be determined in about a month."
"Oh, so that is why you had me get two sets of clothes," he beamed.
"Yes, the potion is in your drink there, so be sure to finish it." Harry took the glass and drained the rest of the milk. "It tastes fine and you will take it at both breakfast and dinner."
Harry nodded.
"Now the last one is the most important, and it is here in this." Harry looked at a small amount of red liquid in small glass.
"What does it do?"
"Now there is no way you aunt and uncle could have know this, but I doubt they would have cared. When a young witch or wizard reaches about eight, their magical core really starts to develop. This is a physically taxing process, and it requires a fair amount of sustained energy over the course of many years. It ends at around the age of sixteen, when a person's magic is then considered mature. During these years it is imperative that a young person is well feed, and healthy, or damage can be done to this core."
Harry paled, "Is my core okay," he asked scared?
Snape was distracted as the house started it shake, and quickly answered.
"It will be," he assured Harry and the house stilled.
"It seems your magic was taking the food you were getting before your body was, which is fine. Your body is much easier to fix. This will slowly repair any damage to your core and shore it up, but," he paused.
"But what?" Harry asked.
"It tastes awful, and there is no way to make it taste better and still be effective, plus it's slow working. Therefore you will need to take it for at least a year, maybe longer. Franny another glass of milk please."
His glass refilled.
"The milk you can drink to get rid of the taste after you count to ten."
Harry nodded as Snape pushed the cup over to Harry. He took the cup and knocked the foul tasting liquid back. Snape started counting and Harry quickly started to pay attention to what was happening inside his body rather than the taste in his mouth. It started as warm burning sensation in his stomach and it slowly spread out to his whole body. It was neither pleasant nor unpleasant, just warm, odd, and bit prickly. Just as Snape reached ten the sensation ended and he picked up the milk and drank.
"That felt odd," Harry said.
"I've never seen such a strong reaction to this potion," Snape said a little concerned. "When you can take it and feel nothing, then it has done all it can. What did you feel?"
"It was warm and prickly and moved throughout my whole body. Ugh, the aftertaste is horrible."
Snape pushed a bowl of hard candy mints over to him.
"Take one of these. It should pass by the time the mint is gone. It spread over your entire body? The warmth did not stay in your chest?"
"No, should it?"
"I am not sure. I'll see if I can find anything on this particular reaction," he said reaching into his robe and pulling out what looked like a small leather coin purse.
He laid it on the table and then picked up his wand. After touching his finger to a mark on the bag he looked to Harry.
"Touch the money purse here," he instructed. Where he had just removed his own finger.
Harry did so.
"The purse is now keyed to you, and you only. Only you can open and close it, take things in and out of it. It will not fall off your person as well."
He handed it to Harry.
"Tie it to a belt loop for now. Once you get robes, they will have a pocket for it. Since our first stop is the bank I thought it would be necessary."
"I have some money," Harry said looking back to his room.
"You may put it in here later if you wish, but you will not need it today."
"Okay," Harry agreed.
"The bank is called Gringotts and it run by goblins."
"Real goblins?" Harry asked.
"Yes, they can be very … specific." Snape decided on. "They are a sticklers for rules. However, if there are loopholes, within those rules, which allow for things to work in their favor, they will take advantage of it. They are are also very big on respect and honor. When dealing with them, say exactly what you mean, and don't try to cover up, or be dishonest with them. They will know it."
"Are they safe?"
"Very, as long as you are not trying to steal from them. That will get you killed."
"Right," Harry said not sure Snape had understood the question.
"Alright," Snape said sticking to the plan he had come up with. "Next, we need to talk about our trip to Diagon Alley. Most everyone and everything there is magical. As such we need to talk about a few things." Harry nodded. "Remember how I told you, that someway, somehow you defeated the Dark Lord Voldemort."
"Yes," Harry said.
"Well in the wizarding world you are …. a celebrity," he said with a hint of distast. "Gratefully there are only two sure ways to identify you. Your name and your scar."
Harry's hand went to his forehead.
"Unless you want to mobbed by well wishers," the thought seemed almost painful to Snape. "I suggest we come up with a way to deal with both of those issues."
"What did you have in mind?" Harry inquired.
"Is there another name I could call you by today?" Snape asked.
"Well my middle name is James, would that work?" Harry asked.
"Yes," inwardly Snape cringed, but knew it would probably be what he would say, "and if needed I will add Evans. Will James Evans be acceptable?"
"Yes!" Harry said with a smile.
"Very well, now I will try to cast a spell or two to hide the scar. It will come off at the bank for security reasons, but I can recast it before we leave. May I try?"
"Yes," Harry agreed.
He sat very still while Professor Snape cast spells until he was satisfied with the result.
"Now, at least, it is not going to draw attention to you. The only other thing I can think of which may raise suspicion is your hair."
"My hair?"
Snape sighed and leaned back there was no way to get around what he was going to say next.
"Mr. Potter, you are the spitting image of your father with your mother's green eyes. Anyone who has recently looked at a picture of your father could put two and two together."
"Oh, really?" Harry said a little taken back. "I don't know how my father looks. I've never seen a picture of him," he said softly.
"I'm sure we can take care of that today. Hopefully, we will be able to get into your family vault. If so, I have no doubt we can find many things from your family. As for your hair, let's just make the robe shop our second stop and put a hat on your head."
"Okay, but what do we do if people recognize me?"
"Well, if we have to, we will leave and return another day, but I have a way with people," Snape sneered.
Harry couldn't help but choke down a laugh as Snape sneered at him and then raised an eyebrow at his his response.
"Come, the bank opens in 20 minutes, and I want to be there as soon as it does. The shops are not open yet and fewer people will be there."
"How do we get there?" Harry wondered out loud jumping up to follow him.
"We are wizards, we simple 'jump' to a designated spot and walk on. Wizards do not use the word jump they apparate." Harry nodded. "And technically you are too young to apparate by yourself so I must be with you, unless it is an emergency, understand?"
"Yes, sir." Harry agreed.
"Now," Snape said as they walked. "Have you ever heard of the word Muggle."
"No," Harry said as he shut the front door behind him.
"It is the word those in the wizarding world uses for non-magical people. You would say, 'I was raised by non-magical people.' Wizards would say you were raised by Muggles."
"Oh," Harry said.
"You will hear it quite a bit, so get use to it. Now, stand here beside me, and we will go."
This time Harry was ready for the pinched feeling and simply let it take him. When he opened his eyes again Snape was already walking him forward with a hand on his shoulder.
"Best not to linger there, you don't want someone landing on you," he said as they walked through a stone arch.
Harry looked around and around as Snape guided him. There were so many things to see, so many questions about what all things were. He saw cauldron shops and an Apothecary for potion ingredients. There were pets shops, and one which just sold owls. There was a bookstore and a robe store. A shop that sold broom sticks and another which sold wands. Harry was trying to take it all in and all the strange people as they made their way to a huge white building located at the far end of the street, the bank, Gringotts.
Once they reached the steps they stopped.
"The bank is not quite open yet so let let me explain the money to you. In the wizarding world there are gold coins called galleons, silver coins called sickles, and bronze coins called knuts."
"Only three?" Harry asked.
"Yes, only three. There are 29 knuts in sickle and 17 sickles in a galleon."
"How much is pound worth?" Harry asked.
"I am not sure, we can ask inside if you really want to know," Snape offered. "For some sort of reference, a copy of the daily paper here costs 5 knuts."
Harry was mulling this over when he saw the locks on the large bronze doors release and a creature with a uniform of scarlet and gold walk out and stood beside the bronze doors."
"Finite incantatem," Snape said as he waved his wand over Harry.
He was sure is scar was now visible as they walked up to the the large and imposing building. The goblin was shorter than Harry, but he was scary. He had long fingers and feet with a smart and knowing expression on his face. He bowed as they passed and Harry nodded in return, and they approached a second set of doors, this time silver. There were glistening words on this door.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those that 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.
Harry had to acknowledge that the professor's warning to him was point on as the doors opened and a set of goblins bowed for them to enter.
Harry again nodded at them too, and entered.
The place was huge and there were goblins and doors everywhere Harry looked. There were large ledgers and scales, quills and coins, gems and trinkets, high stools and long counters. He followed Professor Snape to an available goblin and the professor handed him a parchment he took from his robes. The goblin looked at Snape then at Harry, lingering a second on his scar, then opened the letter. He read it once and then again, allowed the letter to roll and then called,
"Griphook!"
A smart looking goblin in a suit came from behind a door. The goblin behind the counter spook with him in a language Harry did not understand and handed him the letter. He read it and then looked at the two of them.
"Right this way sirs," the goblin called Griphook said, and led then to an office were he offered them each a chair and took up his behind a large and expensive looking desk.
"How my I be of service Professor Severus Snape and Mr. Harry Potter," he asked.
"Thank you for seeing us off of the main floor," Snape started. "We are trying to keep a low profile in Diagon Alley today, and I did not what his name spoken out there. He cannot wear the charms to hide his scar within your walls, and I thought it prudent."
"A reasonable request professor," Griphook acknowledged.
"We would like to access Harry's vault to acquire the needed funds for his school supplies. I have his key here." Snape said placing a small gold old fashioned looking key on the desk and pushing it toward the goblin.
"Also, I have reason to think he may be able access his family vault," Snape offered.
"Really?" The goblin seemed intrigued at that as he took the key and examined it.
"I have here a letter from Dumbledore giving me permission to act on his behalf in matters regarding Harry. I would like to see if the vault will allow him entrance, and if it does, collect any items he may need for school and some personal effects of his family."
Harry smiled and nodded in agreement.
"We shall see," Griphook seemed doubtful as he came around his desk.
"Follow me please."
They followed the goblin through one of the many doors and the feel of the bank changed entirely. The walls were now stone, not marble and the passageway was lit with torches, the dampness in the air could be felt. The temperature must have fallen at least ten degrees as well. Harry saw carts, reminding him of roller coaster rides, and tracks to match them. Griphook motioned for them to get in.
"Hold on tight and keep your breakfast down," Snape whispered.
He was grateful for the warning, because it was one heck of a ride. At neck breaking speeds and huge drops they whipped around the vast network of caverns and tunnels. Harry lost track of any sense of direction, and wished he could keep up with it all. There were stalagmites and stalactites everywhere he looked. He even saw what looked to be lake of some kind. Finally the cart came to stop near the a small door. The goblin jumped out and Harry scurried after him. Snape followed, though more slowly.
Harry watched as Griphook took the key Snape had given him out of his pocket. It was inserted into a keyhole and turned. Green smoke came bellowing out of the of the vault as the door opened. What in there caused that, Harry wondered. After the smoke cleared Harry looked in the vault and stared in disbelief.
"Is this all mine," he said stepping in.
"Yes," Snape said leaning against the wall. "It is more than you will most likely ever need. Grab your coin purse and get a few handfuls of each type of coin, the bag has divisions inside, you will see."
Harry undid the coin purse and opened it. It was divided into six triangular sections, like a pie. He walked over to a large pile of bronze kunts and dumped three handfuls of them into one section. He expected it to be full, but he noticed no difference, confused he looked over at the professor.
"It is charmed Harry."
Harry nodded and walked over to a pile of silver sickles and did the same, and then over to a mountain of gold galleons adding three heaping handfuls. After this he closed the bag and tied it securely to his belt loop. Snape seemed a bit… amused as he seemed to have recovered somewhat from the ride.
"With that much you may not be back here for a few years."
"Did I take too much," he worried?
"It doesn't really matter, Harry, let's go."
They all got back into the cart again. Harry noticed Snape took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Harry thought the cart ride was great. This ride seemed longer, and they seemed to be going deeper, and deeper, and deeper into the earth. Ahead he noticed a waterfall, they were heading right for it!
"AGHHH," Harry yelled expecting to be soaking wet, but he was dry.
"What was that!" Harry yelled.
"It washes away any disguises," Snape answered loudly without opening his eyes. Apparently he had been through this before.
After sometime the cart stopped again, and they exited the cart. Harry looked at the door in front of them. The name "Potter" was engraved above the door. Harry looked to Snape, he was leaning against the walls trying to recover from the ride again. So he turned to Griphook.
"Sir Griphook," he said to the goblin, not sure how one addresses a goblin and bowing slightly.
The goblin bowed back and said, "Just Griphook is fine Mr. Harry Potter."
"Thank you Griphook," Harry started. "I have been raised by Muggles, and I am sorry, but I do not know what I am suppose to do here."
Griphook nodded and stepped forward to explain.
"It is simple Mr. Harry Potter. Place you hand in the circle, there on door, and ask it to open. If it does, you may go in, and take whatever you wish. If it does not, we leave."
"I see," Harry said thinking. "You seemed to believe earlier I would not be able to open the door, can I ask you why?"
"I have never seen any one under the age of majority open a family vault, let alone an ancient one for the first time."
"Does it require a great deal of magic?" Harry asked.
"It does, and blood magic at that. If you do not have the Potter blood in your veins, it will not open for you, no matter how much magic you have."
"I see," Harry said.
Harry stepped forward and focused. He was so focused he was unaware of what Snape and Griphook where seeing. A wind seemed to swirl around him and his skin had a magical sheen on it. When he opened his eyes and placed his hand in the center of the circle the door clicked unlocked and blew open. Harry instantly exhaled and relaxed.
"I did it," he said turning to Snape and smiling.
"Quite the understatement, Potter," Snape said now standing and almost fully recovered from the cart ride.
The goblin Griphook was now the one frozen to his spot and staring at Harry. All of a sudden a roar of gigantic proportions echoed through the cavern. This seemed to snap Griphook out of it, and he motioned them into the vault. Then door closed behind them.
"What was that?" Harry screamed once the door was closed.
"A dragon," Snape said looking at the door uneasy.
"A dragon who should not be this close to us," Griphook said flatly.
"Why is he so mad?" Harry asked.
Snape looked at him questioningly, but Griphook respond.
"Dragons are almost always mad, Mr. Harry Potter."
"Oh," Harry said, looking around the vault for the first time.
Vault was an odd word for this place. It seemed more a collection of caverns. While, like his personal vault, there was no shortage gold, silver and bronze coins, there were also … things.
Each cavern seemed to be organized into different types of things. As he wondered, he looked. There seemed to be one for armor, one for various types of jewels, another for works of art in large frames and covered in paper. There were a few caverns completely full of books, and they seems to go on for quite a ways. Harry returned to the front of the vault where Snape and Griphook were standing.
"Sir, I mean Griphook. Is there a way for me to find my parents' things in this place?"
The goblin smiled, if goblins can smile that is, it looked odd to Harry, almost creepy.
"There is a ledger there," he said pointing to a book on a stand near the door, "but if you simply say what you want, we can see what happens." He said with a smirk. Snape looked at the goblin oddly.
Harry then looked to professor Snape.
"Is there something you believe I should ask for?"
Snape seemed to think for a minute before answering.
"Well, you are embarking on your education of magic. Things and necessities for that may be useful. Also, you are looking for things your parents had, or used. Specifically, you mentioned wanting a picture of your family."
Harry smiled and thought for a moment. Once again he focused, he thought about his mother's letters and wanting to see pictures of his family. He thought about going to school and the things he might need to do well there. He thought about the help he needed when it came to learning and controlling his magic. He thought about all the help he would need. Then he raised his hands.
"I Harry James Potter call to me all those things my magic deems I need to study, learn, and control my magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I call to me my parents most treasured possessions which may accompany me there, and pictures of me, my parents, and grandparents."
Harry then put his hands down and opened his eyes. He was amazed to see a white glowing smoke blowing through the caverns. It seemed to be going in and out of every nook and cranny of the vast network of caverns. Then things started flying into the air and coming toward Harry. First, a large truck which skidded to stop in front of Harry and flipped open. Then things started zipping into the truck; books, clothes, a shiny cauldron or two, and then more. Harry was sure he saw a sword and some jewelry, plus some smaller boxes which shrunk as they went into the trunk. It went on for a minute or two, and then things started to slow down. The lid snapped shut, and then on top two pictures covered in paper rested with a box beside them.
Harry looked up at Snape who raised an eyebrow shaking his head. Griphook appeared to be bouncing on the balls of his feet. Snape walked closer to Harry.
"Would you like to see the portraits?" He asked.
"Yes, please," said Harry.
Snape took out his wand and tapped the paper saying something. The paper turned see through, and Harry was looking at his parents and himself as a new born baby. Snape was right, he did look like his father. The couple was smiling, moving and waving at Harry.
"They're moving," wailed Harry, falling to his knees. The walls of the cavern shook.
Snape quickly knelt beside him.
"I am sorry, Harry. I should have warned you. All magical portraits do this. Think of it as a short movie, which plays on a continuous loop. They aren't real."
Harry took a few deep breaths to calm himself and looked at the portrait again.
"I do look like my dad," he admitted.
Snape could only nod and hold his tongue.
"The other one is probably your grandparents. Do you want me to show you it too?"
Harry nodded and waited. When he looked at this one it was easier. There were the grandparents he had never known, and his dad, a few years older than him. The resemblance was shocking.
"Thank you," Harry said standing up.
"What is in the small box?" Harry asked.
Griphook had come over at some point and was studying the box, but had not touched it.
"Mr. Harry Potter, if you can open this box, and use what I believe is inside, then there are a few other goblins I would like you to meet."
"Should I open it?" Harry asked.
Griphook nodded his head in the affirmative.
Harry picked up the box. It was old and dusty, he wiped the dust off of the top with the palm of his hand. As he slipped his hand over the top of the box the markings under the dust came to life and danced. Although he could not understand the characters themselves he seemed to just know, whatever was inside the box was the help he had asked for, so he opened the box.
Inside was what looked like a bracelet of some kind. It was a couple of inches in width and had similar markings to those on the outside of the box. There were many gems of various kinds located throughout the piece.
Harry Potter looked over as Griphook bowed low to him.
"Lord Harry Potter, in the name of the Goblin Nation, it is my honor to offer you any assistance you may ever require, you need only ask."
Harry looked over to Snape whose eyes were fixed on the bracelet. He snapped out of it and mouthed thank you to Harry.
"Thank you, Sir Griphook," Harry said bowing low like the goblin.
"You honor me, Lord Potter." He said standing again as a ring now hung in the air in front of Harry.
He looked at the other two, and it was Snape who spoke.
"Place the ring on your right ring finger," he explained shaking his head again.
The ring seemed much too large for Harry, but he did as was explained to him. The ring seemed to reduce in size until it fit his finger as if it was made just for him.
"We will return to the surface now," Griphook said. "Tell the portraits to go into the truck. Close the lid on the artifact and place it in your coin purse. Keep it on your person until it is on you."
"Yes sir," Harry said adding it to the fourth pie piece in his bag.
"Please, get in the trunk," Harry said to the pictures, they did so.
"Touch here in this divit and the trunk will shrink," Snape said.
He did, and once it was shrunk he placed it in the fifth spot of his coin purse. They were ready to go. He looked forward to coming back to this place someday, Harry thought as he followed Griphook back to the door.
"All you need do know is place your hand on the door, it knows you now."
The door opened and then closed behind them as they entered the cart. They were just starting the ride again when another dragon roar echoed through the cavern, closer than the last for sure.
*I sense you. I will tell the others you have awakened.* Harry heard as the cart speed upward at its neckbreak speed.
Harry decided that if understanding snakes was suspicious, understanding dragons was really not something people should know. He would just hold on to this tidbit of knowledge for know. After what seemed like forever they arrived back at the torch lit passageway and stumbled out of the cart. Snape seemed the worse for ware. Once on solid ground they followed Griphook back to his office.
"Please sit here and enjoy these refreshments. They will settle your stomach. I will collect a few individuals and return shortly."
As soon as Griphook was out of the office. Snape drank down two cupfuls of the liquid before speaking to Harry.
"Listen to me Harry. The bracelet is a huge deal. I can not stress it enough, and you will need it, but today is not the day to put it on. Do not take it out of that box. Do not let them touch it. Do not agree to do anything for them. There is too much you need to learn, and too many things to explain before you are ready to wear it. The box stays on you at all times."
Harry nodded and Snape downed another glass of the drink. He seemed to be visibly improving and was sitting more normally now as they waited.
"Why did he change what he called me?" Harry asked.
Snape touched the bridge of his nose and chose his words carefully.
"By opening the family vault door, and then opening the bracelet box, you met enough of the requirements to be considered …. Oh… the Muggle equivalent would be an emancipated minor, I think. Basically, you now have many of the rights, privileges and responsibilities of an adult. In the eyes of the goblins, you will now be considered an adult. The same may not hold true in the eyes of the wizarding world though, I am not sure."
"But I'm not ready for that!" Harry exclaimed.
"Well, that may be, and I don't think anyone is going to expect you to be an adult right now either. However, it does give you important rights and some protections as well. Don't worry much about it for now."
"What's going to happen now?" Harry asked.
"I have no idea," Snape said. "Never dealt with the goblins beyond that cursed cart."
Just then Griphook enter the room and bowed.
"Follow me please," he said to the two of them.
They followed him through another door and down another hallway into another large room. This seemed like a conference room of some kind and there were three other goblins standing behind the table when they entered.
"This is Professor Severus Snape from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Lord Harry James Potter, holder of a scared artifact."
He then motioned to the three goblins standing behind the table.
"This is Chief Ragnok, head of Gringotts Bank at London," the goblin in the center bowed, and Harry returned it.
"And Barchoke, Head of Artifacts," the goblin to the right bowed, Harry returned it.
"And Sharpshard, Head of Wizarding Relations," the goblin to the left bowed and Harry returned it.
The goblin who was the head of Artifacts, Barchoke, was the next to speak.
"Lord Potter, Griphook has informed us you called, from your family's ancient vault, an artifact of great importance."
Harry thought for a moment before answering.
"So I have been told. However, two days ago I did not know anything at all about the wizarding world. I only learned this morning that goblins were real. I have lived my life raised by Muggles, told magic did not exist, and trying to keep it hidden from those around me. Honestly, I do not know what I have. Any information you can share with me regarding what I have found today, would be most welcome. I would like to understand what it is, and how it is used."
The three men spoke in another language for a few minutes before the same one addressed him again.
"May we see the artifact?" Barchoke requested.
"Yes, but you can not remove it from it's box, nor touch it. Is this acceptable?" Harry asked.
"That is acceptable," Barchoke agreed.
Harry could have sworn that Griphook bounced on his feet a little, and Harry retrieved the box from the purse at his side. Just as he had in the vault he ran his hand over the lid. Once again the markings danced. He titled the box so the goblins standing on the other side of the table would be able to see the writing, and then he gently lifted the lid. Harry let the goblins look and babble in their language for a few minutes trying to tell what they were saying by the expressions on their faces. He decided goblins were hard to read. They seemed to be arguing about something, and it was the artifact guy and the chief who seemed to be doing the most talking. Finally Harry just closed the box. This seemed to bring the three out of their conversation.
"Please have a seat," the Chief Ragnok said, and than sat himself. Only Griphook remained standing to the right and slightly behind Harry. Harry let the box sit on his lap.
"Lord Potter what we believe you have there is an ancient goblin artifact of the utmost importance. It was made many centuries ago by the finest craftsmen our people have ever known. Made with ancient knowledge and techniques which have been lost to time. It has only been written of a few times. It is believed to channel wizard magic in some form or fashion. It is also adaptable to those it deems powerful enough to wear it. It's exact purpose and function can change and vary as your needs do. I can tell you, some of the markings currently on it are for control and protection, not fighting or casting. The many jewels have functions as well, which we can research and forward to you at a later time. There are also some markings we would like to do further research on as well. Tell me, do you plan to put it on?"
Harry though for a moment, not sure how to answer.
"May I answer, Harry?" Snape asked.
"Please," Harry accepted.
"Lord Potter has already displayed magical abilities well beyond his knowledge and control. Is my understanding this artifact can in someway control, harness, store, or bind his magic in, so his skill and knowledge can have a chance to catch up with his power?"
The three of them spoke again for a few minutes before answering.
"Yes, Professor Severus Snape, this is what the current markings on the artifact show, but there is more?"
"Such as?" Snape offered.
"We need to consult with some ancient texts to be sure."
It was Harry's question which amazed the three goblins sitting in from of him.
"Does it have something to do with dragons?" he asked.
The silence was telling.
"How did you know that?" Chief Ragnok asked.
"Because of the dragon roars," Harry put forth.
The three of them started talking in goblin very quickly.
"Tell me, were you able to understand any form of communication in the roars?" Barchoke proposed.
Harry turned to Snape for guidance.
"Honesty," was all he said.
Harry remembered what Snape had told him of goblins earlier in the morning and opted for the truth.
"The first time, it was just a roar. When we leaving there was a second roar, that one I believe I understood."
"You had this on your person at that time, correct?" Barchoke asked.
"Yes."
"What did it say?" Chief Ragnok inquired.
"Do you really need to know?" Harry asked worried.
Everyone looked at Harry now and wanted to know, even Professor Snape.
"He said, 'I sense you, I will tell the …. others," there seemed to be more, but that was all I caught. It was hard to make out. It was weird and muffled."
Harry was now super embarrassed and was looking at his shoes. This was not how he had wanted this day to go. He just wanted to be done at this point, but was not sure how to get out of this. It was getting to be too much. He felt it. He looked at Snape.
"I need to go, or something is going to happen."
Snape snapped up. Standing and bowing to the goblins.
"Excuse us. I am sure you would like to speak more, but my charge needs to leave. His control is not ready for all of this. Can we continue this another time?"
The walls of the bank started to shake, it was too late. Without asking anyone, Harry flipped open the box and slapped the bracelet on his right wrist. They all watched as the walls stopped shaking and the jewels started to glow. Harry watch, entranced, as the bracelet molded to fit his lower arm from the high bend of his wrist to a good six inches up is forearm. To Harry it felt good, it felt calming, he breath out and relaxed into the chair.
"It works," he proclaimed, "nothing exploded. Sorry Professor."
The goblins had jumped up and came over to where Harry was.
"May we see it now?" They asked. "It has bonded to you, only your natural death can remove it."
"Go for it, but you must tell me all you can figure out about it?" Harry stipulated, just holding his hand up and out for them. He wanted to be done.
"Agreed," Barchoke said.
Soon parchment and quill were taken out, and a detailed description of the the jewels and markings were noted.
"We have all we need," the Chief Ragnok said. "We will owl you as soon as we have worked out all we can."
"Thank you," Harry said.
He turned to Snape, "can we go home?" he asked.
"Certainly, Diagon Alley can wait."
They apperated away as soon as they were able.
