The Umbra Occultist: Harry Potter
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Hi my beloved readers. This is a Harry Potter fic that I took the first chapter from another writer. The other writer doesn t log on often anymore so I haven t been able to reach him about it. I have, however, limited myself to the taking of only the first chapter since I don t want to be too much of a copycat. The last one first one I actually wrote got carried away ad I had to force stop it. Toddles!
Please review so I'll know how you liked it.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or other published works that this fic might have some similarities with. Give credit to where credit is due.
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Chapter 04: Meetings at Gringotts
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Harry wakes to the sound of Kipsy bouncing on his bed and the feeling of the elf bouncing on his tummy. Catching Kipsy before he can continue he sets him next to him as he slowly stretches out the kinks in his muscles. Carefully pointing his finger at his hair he uses the spell the Goblin Director told him about. "Gracius Harium." He felt his hair instantly begin growing as he stands and walks over to the wardrobe holding his formal robe. Kipsy watches his hair grow before Harry turns to him and asks, "Is Madam Malkin's open yet?"
Kipsy nods eagerly as he quickly begins brushing out his hair. "Yes Master, the robe shop be open. Is there something Master wishes for Kipsy to get?" Harry turns to him as he touches his hair and sends a pulse into it to try to comb it out. It quickly cleans itself and straightens rapidly.
"Actually, I think that Nico is coming with me. Could you quickly sew the potter crest onto your pillowcase and take Nico to Madam Malkin afterward. I think it would be wise for him to have formal wizarding wear and a whole new wardrobe if he wants it. Tell her that I'll let her 'borrow' the seamstress for a total of two years instead of two months if she can get him in the thing." Kipsy nods as the door to his room opens and Nico walks inside. He looks at Kipsy as he uses his magic to sew the Potter Crest into his breast of the pillowcase.
"Why are we up so early?" He yawns widely and Harry gently pokes his forehead getting his attention. He looks annoyed at the gesture.
"Since we are going to Gringotts for a formal meeting we are going to have to get your formal wizarding apparel. Kipsy will take you to a woman by the name of 'Madam Malkin' to get a full wardrobe. She owes me for lending her something and she should be willing to help out. If you prefer get a muggle wardrobe too." Nico gently gets snatched by Kipsy and they disappear with a silent pop. Harry sees Dinky walk into the room and he quickly helps him into the robe.
"Dinky wants to braid you's hair. Dinky worked very hard on Dinky's former Mistress' hair every day so Dinky is a very good hair stylist. May Dinky?" Harry nods and transfigures a nearby table into a a ladder with small steps. Dinky begins weaving his magic into Harry's hair magic it twist and turn rapidly as it began braiding itself. After it was complete Harry was astonished. Dinky was able to turn the entire length of hair into a crown made of hair. He even woven fancy jewels and ribbons into the hair. Turning to Dinky he hears a pop and sees both Kipsy and Nico appear. Nico is now wearing a victorian style suit and looks annoyed with it.
"It will be alright. Do you want me to grow your hair so Dinky can style it?" Nico looks at him with an answer on the tip of his tongue before his eyes widen considerably. He stares before he gently nods. "Gracius Harium." Pointing at Nico's hair causes it to grow really long and Dinky obediently weaves his hair. After a few minutes ico looked just as stunning as Harry. Whistling sharply Harry turns to Kipsy.
"Kipsy, I need you to do me a favor. Can you please go ask Director Ragnok if there is a way we can sneak into Gringotts to meet him? I think that we would attract too much attention in the alley and I'd rather not be the focus of the day." Kipsy silently vanishes for several long minutes as the two boys inspect each other. Harry, personally, was very excited. He can now make what he wants of his life.
"Don't we look 'dashing' today." Nico jokes. Kipsy appears with a small handkerchief and Harry turns to the two elves.
"Kipsy, you are now my personal elf, Dinky, can you act as Nico's own personal elf until we find somebody? After that I think that you can help me start a hair salon if it makes you really happy." Kipsy squeals as Dinky nods with determination. Harry smiles at the two of them. Before he could speak further Alex meanders into the room and Harry pauses.
"Exactly who we are waiting for. Do you want to have you hair braided or would it be too heavy? I can carry you if you wat me to." Harry tell him. The head sighs sadly as he begins explaining something.
"Shrunken heads like me cannot grow hair. We would need a wig. It is okay, I can come as I am." Harry frowns heavily before he looks at the two elves Dinky, the cutie pie, has hair early the color of Alex's own.
"Dinky, can I grow your hair so we can cut it and form it into a wig? I'd hate to leave Alex out of the decor and you look like you have hair about the same color." Dinky swoons before he nods eagerly. Alex splutters at him before sighing with a small grin.
"Thank you Harry, for being so considerate towards me. Most alive humans use Deluxe head as a gain and not as family. I truly appreciate the kindness you have shown me." Harry simply winks at him as he points at Dinky's hair.
"Gracius Harium." The hair began growing until it reaches about seven feet long. Apparently Dinky has something in mind for Alex. Cutting the hair carefully he begins weaving his magic into it causing it to twist, turn and sew part of itself together into one piece that would keep it attached to the head it was on. Placing it onto Alex's head he braids the three tails on each side and unite them at the bottom making a tassel of hair. After that he began wearing, twisting and churning the hair to make it beautiful. After nearly ten minutes of doing tiny details Harry knew one thing for sure. He didn't really care about it though. "You look perfect! Good job Dinky and thank you for giving your hair. I'm pretty sure that he looks the most gorgeous out of the three of us. You two elves can grow your hair and make it into a simple decorative piece if you want. It will make you look eve cuter! I want to see the two of you with braids!"
Dinky allows her to grow his hair again and he weaves it into a simple thing with only two braid that are meant to keep it our of their face. Kipsy has his hair grown and he allows it to be braided just like Dinky does his own. Half way down the two braids on them the two braids merge. Harry squeals as he hugs the two of the adoringly. Then she stands up and shakes herself off.
"Let's get going, we are have to be on our best behavior. Is this a portkey?" Kipsy nods and all four of them gram it while Harry gently grabs Alex so he doesn't have to bite it. Just because it looks clean doens't mean that is is clean. Feeling a tug on his tummy he lands in a heap with the two elves on top of him. laughing lightly he makes sure that they are okay.
"We be fine, it is them that Master has to worry about." Kipsy points behind him and Harry turns to find a table with four very important looking goblins sitting there. Blushing ripely Harry stands and dusts off his robe. Looking at Nico he realizes that he landed perfectly. Eh, trained reflexes that he has is useful. Looking at the four of them Harry smiles bashfully as Griphook enters the room with a few files.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to land in a heap like that. I am Harry Potter. This is Nico Di Angelo, ad this is my adopted brother, Alex Potter." the two of them wave, or give the equal, at the five goblins as they sit at the desk. The Director nods to him with a slight smile upon his face while motioning for them to sit across from them. Harry obeys and Nico follows after. Harry didn't know if he made a good impression or not since the three advisors are frowning heavily.
Director Ragnok clasps his hands on the table. "I am very happy to meet you. I am aware that you have dressed up despite only meeting with a mere goblin. I am honored. I never expected for you to try to go all out like this. I've never seen anyone who looks as beautiful as the three of you do right now. You even braided your elves' hair!" The other goblins look at Kipsy and Dinky and they relax some. Harry blushes at the praise as he clasps the back of his neck shyness leaking out despite his good control. Seems like too many emotions have been leaking out the last three or so days.
"I din't think that I was meeting with just anybody. I am meeting with a goblin who is undoubtedly smart enough to twist laws in order to steal my wealth if is comes down to it." Griphook snickers as grins spread between the two groups. The goblin advisors ponder it as they look at each other.
Ragnok slowly pulls out a quill. "I have a small test for your say that as long as the object knows something it can use it. Can you ask this quill to write in gobbledegook as it makes the outlines of the contract?" Harry ses him place the quill in the middle of the table. Harry closes his eyes and reaches out with a tendril of his magic.
Harry asks the quill, Will you please write the outline of the contract in gobbledegook for us? The quill slowly gives him a mental nod before it reveals that it is made from a holly wood wand and a few dozen hairs. It seems happy that it is finally being allowed an option and it asks him another question of its own. Frowning at the though as he opens her eyes he looks at the wand. It is standing up looking at him with the equal of a pout. Raising his hand for one minute it nods as it begins titling the contract.
"The quill says that it is made out of a wand. It has more intelligence than a ordinary quill and it has asked me to be its partner. Will you allow it?" The four goblins look at their fearless leader.
He smiles at her as he nods to her out of respect. "I didn't know if you would truly be able to talk to it. From my understanding it is very difficult to learn this skill of speaking to objects." Harry shrugs as he didn't know anybody else who he could compare practice to. Ragnok turns to the quill that was waiting for agreements. It is perky at the thought of going home with Harry. "I actually have decided that I will add a guard to in front of your vault door and continue guarding it and your family treasures as the first stipulation from me." Harry nods to him as the quill writes it down. Figuring that it was a transfigured wand he ignores it for now.
"My first payment stipulation is that I will write the book and give half of the revenue to your people for a charity along with several copies of books from all my vaults to go into the Harry James Potter Public Goblin Library. I'lll cover as many subjects as I possibly can even if I have to buy additional books." The goblin council members smirk at the thought of having human money spent on them. Harry watches as the quill writes it down quickly with a flourish. Ragnok shifts from where he sits and speak softly.
"I believe it would be wise to get a feel for what want want now. Are there any specific things that you wish for or to give us?" The three council members stiffen considerably at the thought.
"Yes sir, In a few months we plan on starting our wandless education early. But for now we just want a potions tutor. Besides that I have thought of a charity to start. S.P.E.W. is going to be the Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare. It is basically going to be us gathering the elves who don't have bonded from around the world and placing them into homes that are approved. Dinky told me that they die without a bonded and I would hate for anything as cute as these guys to die." Harry forces himself to stay calm at the thought of them being dead.
The four goblins begins speaking with each other and Ragnok nods briefly. Turning to the four who argue he whistles getting their attention. "I believe I can allow that as long as they make things in the free time. We can sell those to profit both the goblins and the elves. But since it is the elves hard work they would get the first benefits." Harry smiles as Ragnok nods to the quill causing it to write it down quickly. Harry then thought of another thing. He pauses as he thinks about it briefly.
"My third one is only a request. I know, that somewhere in Europe, magicals might still be a part of slavery. I want something similar to the Elf Protection group to try to help me with rescuing those I can. I heard that... some of them... get raped badly." The goblins eyes wide widely as Harry snaps his fingers again. Looking at Griphook he points at the parchment in front of him and he gives it to him. Writing down a few things he lets them know what he has to offer. Pushing it toward Ragnok he allows him to read the list.
"I'll take them working to brew a few potions under my specific nurses. I'm sure that if we treat them fairly that they are going to be much more willing to help us protect other. We could also bond a few dozen house elves to the group of slaves." Harry nods as the quill write down both suggestions. Ragnok then speaks quietly with one of the goblin advisors. He nods briefly. "We will also take the eggs off of your hands in return for etiquette lessons from a few humans that we have as staff of Gringotts. I am sure there are a few from the nobility among our humans." Harry nods with acceptance.
"That sounds wonderful. What do you want for the potions lessons?" Ragnok shuffles as he looks at the parchment. He then grins widely at a thought. Looking at Harry he tells him something that he doesn't expect.
"I am willing to arrange a potions tutor if you pay for him out of your money and if you try to help the rights of us Goblins and other races in the Wizengamot. It is like the parliment and you have seats on there." Harry smiles as he nods to him eagerly. He has always wanted to be able to help others when he can. Ragnok sighs deeply as he proposes one final thing.
"I also heard that you are allowing us to craft a few copies of the Instant Seamstress. I want you to open a new shop somewhere on Diagon with these doing most of the work. But there should be at least two people there at all times. One as the manager for the entire day and one from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm. Also if you do this I am more than willing to allow you to browse Merlin's Library that he gave to us goblins. We are entrusted with its care and until the new master is found we cannot allow you to take the original books. You can, however, bring blank books and ask a quill to make a copy of the book for your personal library. That is, if it is agreeable to your standards." Harry's eyes bulge as he realizes how much trust Ragnok is putting in him. Harry takes a deep breath as he knows that many goblins would be afraid that he would tell somebody.
"I swear upon my magic that I will not tell anyone other than a goblin of this news. Nor will I speak of it. So mote it be." Harry glows brightly and Nico leans in a little.
"I, Nico Di Angelo, Ghost King, swear upon the river Styx that I won't tell anyone nor discuss it without permission from a goblin of status." A glow envelopes him as well and the formerly angry council stares at the two of them in shock. One of them gently pulls out a jewelry box and pushes it toward Harry. Another pulls out another and pushes it toward Nico.
"Ghost King and Lordling," Ragnok starts out slow as if he was awarding them a title. From the jewelry boxes he probably was. "I wish to reward you two as goblin friend. Not i any of my former years has there been one announced. Should you accept these rings will bind to your soul telling every race that can listen that you are not to be trifled with. They will protect your from some of the darker races such as the werewolves and the vampires by showing them that you will not judge them as beneath you. I cannot tell you how much it pleases me that we have a very honorable pair of people among us on this earth." Harry nods before looking at Alex apologetically. He gives him a shrug to say it is okay. Harry turns back to Ragnok as he continues after a pause.
"I, however, must warn you of the curse placed on these rings. Should you ever take them off all protections they allowed you will be stripped along with a large portion of your magic. These rings are intelligent. They know who we wish to honor as friends as they can use their innate magic to read minds. Everything, from the smallest Imp to the largest Giant would recognize you as a potential alley. Unfortunately this includes the ones who hate and wish for the destruction of many human lives. Should you accept these rings then it should be known that eery non human being will accept you out of common curtesy. It is your choice to bear this burden and you may now choose." Harry looks at Nico before looking down at the ring. He quietly slips it oto his finger and it shrinks to fit him quickly. Looking back up as Nico holds the ring between two fingers he turns back to the goblins.
"I'll accept if I have a guarantee that ONLY myself can take it off. I'd hate to lose a part of me because some guy stole something from me while I slept." The goblins smirk at him as if they already have a treat.
"We have it spelled so that only you or myself can take it off. We do think of these things in advance." Nico quietly slips the ring on and it shrinks to fit causing him to nod in acceptance. Looking back at the goblins Harry decides to ask a question that he finds important.
"Director Ragnok? Could you find a book on meditation authored by a magical? I'd like for Nico to at least read it. It might help him find his core."Ragnok grins at him before folding his hands in front of him. Looking at a guard next to him he gives an order to him. The goblin salutes him before rushing away. Turning back to Harry he grins widely.
"I'll allow you to have a copy of such a book that is currently in the Royal Goblin Family's library. I read it once and have used it to find my own core. However, I want you to claim that you authored the book and to have it published. Such a thing can help many other races. Because it is a simple book on meditation my kinsfolk will be able to buy it and learn to control their magic faster. However, a quill will have to copy the entire book. I cannot allow the original to exit Gringotts as it is too valuable. However, it is currently a very large scroll. If you would pay for the parchment I would allow such if the money profited from the endeavor goes to us goblins in secret." Harry grins widely at the thought of having a book to help him out.
Nodding in acceptance as the guard enters the room with a six in thick scroll harry starts grinning widely. Harry connects his magic to the wand turned into a quill and asks it, Will you copy the whole scroll for me if you are willing? The quill picks itself up and begins writing furiously fast before realizing something. Turning toward Harry it twists as am image pops into his mind.
Looking at Ragnok he clears his throat, "You wouldn't happen to have about six more quills that can translate it, would you? The quill showed me an image of the scroll being unwind and with several sheets of parchment laying next to it as it and a few other quills copied and translated the book. I'll power them all but it would save time." Ragnok reaches into his desk and pulls out a few raggedy quills that look like huge feathers of some mythical bird and he places them on the desk. Harry stands and picks up the scroll before placing the top edge on one side of the room against the wall. Unrolling it until it reaches the other end of the room he walks back over to the feathers and connects to them before asking them as a group, Will the six of you please help copy and translate this scroll? To his utter surprise all of them split at least twice before each portion of the group of feathers quickly began copying the pages while giving him an image of them being sent into dragon claws to be used as foci.
Grinning at Ragnok he taps his finders against the table. "Hey, the quills told me that they would copy it if they were placed inside of dragon claws to be used as foci for magic. Can you do that?" Ragnok gives a thoughtful hum before turning to the first advisor and asking him a question in goobledegook. He shrugs as he smirks somewhat and replies in a very amused tone of voice.
Before Ragnok could reply to Harry the third Advisor speaks up. "I believe that we now owe you a debt. By definition a wand is a stick of wood with a magic core. It is illegal for a goblin to own one. A Dragon Stick is completely different. It is not wood therefore it is not a wand. We truly appreciate the fact that you gave us a new way to have foci in our lives. However few of us will ever need one. If you wish, and since a human youth under eleven cannot have a wand either, we can try to attune a Dragon Stick to you. How does that sound?" Ragnok grins widely at Harry as the other two advisors nod as it would remove a portion of the new debt.
Harry looks at both Alex and Nico before commenting. "I will allow such if you help get both Nico and Alex a wand. We will have to figure a way out to get it to work with Alex but it would make the debt be null in my sight." The goblins look at the two older folk beside Harry and they nod as Griphook frowns.
"I think that I couldn't accept it being nulled like that so quickly. We can creat a puppet body for Alex to use to walk and work with things as well if you accept." Harry's eyes light up in delight as he nods to him happily.
"If you can try to make the puppet life size of child-life size then I will be happy to accept. I believe that Alex was planing on brewing some potions and he might need something bigger than a normal puppet limb for that since I don't want him to get hurt. Even I would get hurt if I had a body the size of a puppet only. Is that okay with you, Alex?" Alex is frozen as he continues hovering where he is but he gives them a quiet sob. Harry is beside him in a heartbeat worrying about him.
Launching himself into Harry's arm he snuggles into him, "Harry, you are so kind. I never expected for a human to be concerned about my well being and thinking of me as a brother... I truly appreciate it. Even if you didn't mean to Christen me as your brother." Harry gently rubs his head through the wig as he sits down on the floor where he is.
"Look, just because you aren't human doesn't mean that you don't have feelings! Even Umbra has feelings and he is a phoenix. I bet that just about everything ca have a feeling of pride or joy. Nobody know if a dog or a cat can feel all emotions but they do act on what humans assume is feelings such as cuddling with a person that is always nice to them. Heck, many abused dogs are often whimpering out of fear! I just don't wat to hear you cry, okay?" Alex gapes at him at his thoughts on thing before nodding to him.
"I never thought of it that way but you are right. Owls normally have at least a little magic and they can get excited at the thought of treats like the Eagle Owls I feed at your house yesterday. I guess it is something that I can do a study on. Thank you for the idea!" Harry smiles widely at him as he begins floating again. Standing up Harry sends a pulse of magic over his body to clean the robes he wears from wrinkles.
Walking back over to his seat Harry looks at Ragnok before asking a small question hesitantly, "Could Griphook use your office as a base of operation until the scroll is finish? We can go over to the corner and conjure a desk and chairs if you want this table." Ragnok smiles a soft genuine smile. Nodding to him Ragnok picks up the contract and signs it with a paint brush that evidently had the same charms as a Blood Quill he hand both to Harry.
Using the paint brush to sign his full name he sees it copy itself before the copies vanish. Handing the document to Ragnok he sees him shake his head. "This copy is for you in case you need to review your duties to us. And since this is just my office for meeting with humans I would be happy to allow you to use it for the day. If you need anything please do let us know." Ragnok stands and begins making his way out of the room quietly with the Advisors behind him.
Harry turns to Griphook and asks, "Can we set up a retainer vault for Alex and get an inheritance test for Nico?" Griphook nods to him as he reaches into the nearby filing cabinet and pulls another scroll out. Handing it to Nico Griphook gives him a small smile.
"Mr. Di Angelo, this is a magical scroll used to find out what vaults and titles a person may own. Place your entire hand on the seal on this part and say activate. The more skin that touches it the more it can read unless you can force your magic into it." Nice takes it before taking off his jacket, vest and shirt and forming a triangle around it using both arms and his chest.
Looking at them nervously he inhales deeply. "Activate." It begins drawing magic out of him in large waves before it suddenly makes the sound of a lock being opened and uncoiling. Nico shakily opens it before his eyebrows furrow in confusion. Handing it to Harry he gives him a questioning glance. Taking it from him with a nod of understanding he sees a few noble titles that he remembers from the book his father had for him.
"First of all you aren't just any nobility, you are the current Conte di Provincia di Varese. A Conte is a ruler of a county according to the nobility book I've read. The Di Angelo family apparently is just you now and you are named as the heir. Right now you have somebody assigned to rule over that and the rest of the areas until you arrive. We should probably change your name magically to make it seem like you were born a few years back cause this says you are over seventy." Harry gives Nico a once over as he scowls at the paper. Smiling at the thought of aging like him Harry returns to Nico's paper.
"Next it should be known that, by marriage and death of the married family, that your family integrated a few more family titles into their name. However according to most nobility practitioners you will have to choose one area to own and return the rest to the leaders of the country. Either way you gain what the family owned money wise ad that looks like a shit load of money. However, you have at least ten vaults needing to be merged. Do you want this Gringotts Building to be the base of your accounts? If so you need to mail the other bank and inform them that you want everything transfered here." Nico looks at the paper before nodding to him.
"That sounds wise right now. I'll keep the Provincia di Varese as my own since my family owned it. My mother was Maria di Angelo and I don't remember her at all. I want all of the vaults merged in a certain way. I am sure that the books should be stored separately for extra care so I want them separate from the money and such. Other then that I want the family records of every vault placed within another vault. I also want a ten page summary of my accounts and the recent history of my own family history. Is that able to be done, Mr. Griphook?" Turning to Griphook with Nico they see him nod happily.
"Yes Heir Di Angelo. However, since you are able to I would apply for emancipation. It will save a lot of problems and if that cannot be done then I would file a request for Lordling Potter here to be your guardian. I am sure that he would be very lenient since the two of you appear to be on friendly terms." Nico sighs as he knows that he will have to and he turns to Harry.
"Harry, I really don't like it one bit..." Harry gently reaches out and takes his hand into his own as he gives him a wide smile.
"With as old as you are and your maturity I would be willing to just do it for name's sake. You are more knowledgeable and you have places to be but you are very responsible. I doubt that you could get into too much trouble o your own. Besides that I want you to be more like family if possible." Harry smiles sincerely at him as he waits for a reply. Nico thinks about it for a while before nodding.
"Let's do it. This might be the best way to allow me back into the magical world." Harry looks at Griphook who stands and walks over to the nearest filing cabinet and grabs a few sheets of parchment. Bringing them back over him begins explaining to them. They were there for just thirty minutes before they left to complete Harry's shopping.
