Chapter Four:
The children woke the next morning to a persistent tapping. They looked around the hut to see an owl tapping his beak against the window. Harry looked at Harley bemusedly.
"Hagrid told me wizards use owls to deliver their mail."
"How odd."
"I thought so, too. Let's go let it in."
Harry nodded his head and the pair made their way over to the window. As soon as Harry lifted the pane the owl swooped in, dropping the paper on top of Hagrid.
"Five more minutes," Hagrid grumbled sleepily, causing Harry and Harley to burst into giggles.
"Hagrid," Harry began. "There's an owl."
"He'll just want paying, you can get the money out of my coat. Five of the little bronze ones."
Harry complied and started searching the many pockets for the coins. After giving the bird the coins it flew back out into the fresh morning air. The two children ran to the window to watch it fly away, smiling madly.
"This is so exciting," Harry whispered to Harley, entwining their fingers. It felt so good to have her near him again.
"I know," she whispered back, squeezing his hand.
They heard shuffling behind them and turned to see Hagrid hauling his large body off the sofa. The poor piece of furniture would never be the same again. He picked up his coat and put it on before turning to his charges. "Alright, you two. We best be off. Lots to buy."
"How are we getting back, Hagrid?" Harry asked when the stepped outside. Hagrid was walking to a rowboat attached to a small dock on the side of the rock.
"We'll take the boat."
Harley protested, "No! I want Harry to ride the bike! We can both fit in the sidecar!"
Hagrid shifted his weight uncomfortably. "Well, I was given permission to do magic to get to Harry, you see, but technically, I'm not allowed to do magic. Plus we don't have the cover of night to block out the bike, Harley."
"Why can't you do magic?" both children asked simultaneously.
"Never mind that you two." Hagrid replied. He hefted himself into the boat and both children snickered at the way his end sunk into the water almost to the brim of the boat. They followed after him, settling themselves in the opposite side. It did little to counter Hagrid's weight. He eyed the oars, looking around quickly. "It'd be a shame to row all the way back the muggle way, though. You two won't mention it if I use a bit of magic, would ya?"
They both shook their heads furiously. "We won't tell anyone!" they both vowed, eager to see more magic.
Hagrid smiled and charmed the oars to row the boat themselves which thoroughly impressed both children. "Hey Hagrid? Do you think you could give Harry a ride on the motorcycle some other time? I know he'd love it."
Hagrid pulled out the morning paper and opened it up while smiling at the young girl. "We'll see. Maybe we can take her out over the Christmas hols if you two decide to stay."
Both children nodded excitedly and Hagrid began reading his paper, grinning at their enthusiasm. While he was busy reading, Harley told Harry all about how they found him and arrived to his rescue on a flying motorbike.
Harry was smiling happily during her story and afterward told her all about the hundreds of letters he'd received before his uncle went mad and dragged them to the middle of the sea. He thought it was brilliant that they found him anyway. Harley thought it was especially amusing how 24 letters made their way into the house hidden inside the two dozen eggs delivered one morning.
They were both giggling merrily by the time they reached the mainland. Hagrid informed them that they would be taking the underground since they couldn't use magic. As they walked to the terminal both children snickered at Hagrid as he pointed out perfectly normal things in wonder, such as a parking meter and traffic signals.
Just before they made it to the stairs leading to the underground the trio passed a souvenir shop and Harley had an idea. "One moment! I'll be right back!" she shouted as she sprinted gracefully into the small open shop.
She returned after a few minutes carrying a grey baseball cap adorned with the British flag. She placed the hat low over Harry's forehead. "To hide the famous scar," she explained at their bewildered faces.
Harry smiled beatifically and pulled his thoughtful girlfriend into a hug. She knew he would hate having people stare at him if he truly was as famous as Hagrid said. "I was thinking we should come up with code names as well," Harley informed enthusiastically. "I imagine if people hear the name Harry they'll wonder if it's you under the hat. I'll be Mary. What do you want your name to be?"
Harry thought about it for a minute before shrugging. "How about Daniel?"
"Works for me," responded Harley, turning to Hagrid. "Got that, Hagrid? I'm Mary and Harry's Daniel."
Hagrid looked at the two kids as if he'd never seen them before. "Why on earth wouldn't you want people to know who you are, Harry? People's been looking forward to your return to the wizarding world since you was a baby! Blimey, Harry! You're the Boy Who Lived!"
Harry looked down, but Harley's eyes narrowed at the giant man. Honestly, she thought, how can he not understand? It's so obvious. She felt Harry's hand slip into hers, giving her a squeeze. She knew this was Harry's silent plea for her to answer for him.
"Hagrid," said Harley slowly. "They call Harry the Boy Who Lived…do they give a second thought to those that didn't? Maybe Harry doesn't want to be famous for something that made him an orphan…did you ever think of that?" said Harley, not unkindly.
Harry squeezed her hand again and Harley knew she'd found the right words. Hagrid seemed taken aback. "Blimey Harry, I never really thought of it that way." He seemed very upset, so Harry tried to lighten the mood a bit.
"That's Daniel, to you Hagrid," said Harry, smiling cheekily which caused Harley to giggle. Their antics seemed to ease Hagrid's tension and he smiled at the pair.
"Right then Daniel, Mary, we best be off." He turned toward the terminal steps, the two children skipping after him with wide smiles on their faces.
Hagrid made quite a sight on the London Underground. He took up two seats and passed the time knitting some yellow…something. Neither child was really quite sure, but it garnered a lot of attention. Especially after half the people on the train saw Hagrid struggle with the muggle money at the turnstile.
After exiting the train Harley and Harry followed Hagrid hand in hand as he maneuvered through the morning foot traffic. He was like Moses parting the red sea, and the two kids were able to simply follow in his wake.
They entered a dingy old pub called The Leaky Cauldron. It was a dark and rather depressing looking establishment so Harry put his arm around Harley's waist and pulled her closer to him. The bartender looked up and recognized Hagrid, greeting him jovially. This lessened the children's tension, but Harry still held his girl close.
Hagrid begged off a drink claiming "Hogwart's business" and the trio made their way out to the back of the pub. There was a small courtyard leading up to a brick wall. Hagrid pulled out his pink umbrella and tapped a particular brick three times. Harry and Harley watched in amazement as the bricks melted to form an archway leading to the most fascinating sight they'd every seen, and they'd just seen a brick wall melt into an archway.
Harry went back to holding Harley's hand as they pointed sights out to each other. There were owls, bats, cauldrons, broomsticks, telescopes, potion ingredients and much more. There were witches and wizards everywhere in robes of all colors. It was like stepping into a fantasy land and both children were excited for their new adventure.
Hagrid led them to a bank called Gringotts. Both children were intrigued by the small creatures standing guard outside the doors. Hagrid informed the pair that the beings were goblins. Both Harry and Harley smiled and waved at the guards as made their way into the bank. Neither noticed the goblins' slightly raised eyebrows in response to the action.
Hagrid led them to an open teller and quietly informed the goblin that they needed to visit Harry Potter and Harley Black's vaults as well as vault 713. At his declaration Hagrid passed the goblin a letter which was labeled "Confidential". The goblin read the letter and responded with a curt nod.
He then asked for the keys to the kids' vaults. Hagrid had Harry's key, but he didn't have the Black vault key.
"I will need a drop of your blood to confirm your identity, Miss Black," the goblin informed, leaning over the counter to eye her skeptically.
Harry seemed upset at this, but Harley was fine. She appreciated a certain level of skepticism in a person, especially if they were in charge of guarding her fortune. She didn't want any old person coming through the bank claiming to be her and stealing all her money.
So, before Harry could protest the young girl responded to the teller. "Of course, sir. I appreciate your diligence in keeping my vault protected." The goblin attempted to mask his surprise at the girl's response as she turned to Hagrid. "Mind lifting me up, Hagrid?"
Hagrid easily lifted the small girl up to the counter's height and she quickly extended her hand. The goblin eyed her curiously as he made a small cut on her finger and allowed the blood to drip on a parchment imbued with identification potion. Harley watched, amazed, as the name "Harley Lillian Black" appeared in elegant script on the middle of the parchment.
When Hagrid set her back down, Harley turned to Harry. "Harry, my middle name is Lillian. I wonder if it has anything to do with your mum."
"Well she was – " the goblin began, but was quickly cut off by Hagrid.
"Alright, now that that's settled we'll need to be making it down to the vaults. We've got a busy day, you two," he said loudly.
Harry and Harley narrowed their eyes at the man. He was obviously trying to keep something from them, and they didn't like it. Harley could see that Harry was about to protest, so she slipped her hand in his and gave him a squeeze. He understood her silent request and kept mum, eying her curiously.
The teller had called another goblin named Griphook. He would be their guide down to their vaults. Hagrid set off after him and the two followed. With Hagrid's back turned Harry raised a questioning eyebrow at the girl beside him.
"We're going to have to come back without him. There's got to be a reason he didn't want the goblin to finish his sentence. I think it's best that we let him continue to believe we're in the dark," she whispered.
Harry agreed with this logic but had concerns. "I don't want you to come back here by yourself and there's no way my aunt and uncle will let me come with you."
Harley looked at him like he was completely insane. "Harry, you're not going back to the Dursleys. No way in hell."
Harry was shocked by her proclamation. "But…where will I go?"
Harley rolled her eyes at her dense boyfriend. "Where will we go, Harry," she corrected. "McGonagall told me I had a fortune in my vault. No way are we going back to the orphanage and cupboard under the stairs if we have other options."
Harry smiled widely at his brilliant girlfriend. "They actually gave me Dudley's second bedroom," he informed. "But I don't want to stay there either."
Their whispered conversation was interrupted by Griphook before Harley could respond. "This cart will take us down to the vaults. Please get in."
Both children scrambled into the cart with a "Thank you, sir." Hagrid hefted his bulk into the cart next, followed quickly by Griphook. The cart then took off at a breakneck speed and yells of glee erupted from the two children who'd never before experienced a roller coaster. Hagrid didn't seem to share their enthusiasm and began turning a sickly shade of green.
The cart came to an abrupt halt and Griphook exited claiming, "Vault 687, Potter Trust Vault." Harry and Harley were dying to ask if there was another Potter vault, but both decided it was best to inquire without Hagrid present. They had doubts about him after he cut the teller off earlier.
Harry exited the cart pulling Harley with him. "Key please," said Griphook. Harry handed him the vault key and Griphook opened the door. Both children stared at the piles of gold in shock. "Looks like you have a fortune, too, Harry," Harley whispered.
He nodded his head dumbly. He'd been living in the cupboard under the stairs at his horrible relatives' house when he had all this gold available to him? His thoughts went back to what Hagrid yelled at the Dursleys back in the Hut-on-the-Rock. He'd said he was there when some Dumbledore person left him with a note for his aunt. Who was he and what right did he have to place him in that horrible home?
Harry angrily turned to Harley, wanting her opinion. He could see that she was dealing with her own anger and concluded that she was having similar thoughts. She turned to him sharply. "Dumbledore?" was all she said. Harry nodded and they shared a look that clearly said We'll talk about this later.
Harry accepted the bag offered by Griphook and swept some gold into it while the goblin explained the value of the different coins. With his money collected the group trouped back into the cart.
The cart took a much longer journey this time, going through vast cave after vast cave. Harry and Harley thought they may have even seen a dragon at one point, but Hagrid had hauled then back into the cart by the scruff of their necks when they tried to bend over the side to see it.
They eventually came to another sudden stop and Griphook exited saying, "Vault Seven Hundred and Thirteen." He placed his finger on the vault door and slowly ran it down the length, causing the door to simply vanish. Both children peered into the vault to see Hagrid collect its only contents. It was a grubby little package about two inches in diameter.
"It's just a small little package," Harry whispered to Harley bemusedly.
"Hey!" she whispered with mock indignation. "Good things can come in small packages you know; I'm proof enough of that," she grinned cheekily.
Harry chuckled, "I can't argue with that logic, my sweet," he replied, kissing her cheek.
The two then broke down into giggles drawing raised eyebrows from both Hagrid and Griphook. The latter then walked two vaults down. "Vault Seven Hundred and Eleven. Black Family Vault," he called out.
Griphook again slid his finger down the length of the door. It didn't vanish, however. Instead a keyhole appeared in the middle of the door. He then passed Harley the newly fashioned key. "Only a Black can open the vault, Miss."
Harley nodded and inserted the key into the hole. It turned with a soft click and both children gasped audibly this time. The vault was HUGE! There was gold piled everywhere and the vault seemed to be comprised of multiple rooms. There were also weapons, jewelry, trunks, artwork and much much more.
She turned to Harry, wide-eyed. He looked just as astonished as she did. Griphook offered the shocked girl a bag like Harry's and she slowly reached a trembling hand to accept it. "I wouldn't recommend touching anything but the gold, Miss Black. There could be dark or cursed items in here."
Harley nodded quickly in agreement and swept a fair amount of gold into the bag before returning to the landing outside the vault. Harry took her hand, and gently led her back to the cart. "It's still you and me, Harley. Everything around us can change, but that never will," Harry whispered.
Harley smiled gratefully at the boy who always seemed to understand how she felt and knew exactly what he needed to say in order to calm her down. The ride back to the bank proper was a quiet one, both children contemplating the changes in their lives.
Before Hagrid could usher the pair out of the bank, Harley turned back and sank to one knee in front of Griphook. She wanted to be on his level so she could speak quietly without Hagrid hearing, but the goblin seemed quite shocked.
She ignored this and reached her hand out to shake his. "It was nice to meet you, Griphook. Thank you for showing me and Harry to our vaults." She spoke quietly. Her voice lowered another octave as she spoke her request. "Would it be possible for me and Harry to come back to the bank without an escort? We have some questions about our finances."
"Of course." Griphook understood what the child was trying to say without actually having to say it. He reached into his pocket and pulled out one of the portkeys every goblin keeps in the event they need to provide them for customers. "This is called a portkey," he explained quietly. "It will bring you and anyone else touching it back to the bank when you say the password, which is 'Chariot'. There will be a two galleon charge for this service, which will be charged to your vault." They were still shaking hands, so Griphook slid the portkey into her hand discreetly by cupping her hand with both of his before letting it go.
Harley stood, smiling at the goblin. "Thanks again, Griphook!" she exclaimed before turning back to Hagrid and Harry, the former eying her skeptically.
"What was that about, Harley?" he asked.
"Oh, I just wanted to thank Griphook for showing us to our vaults. I was also telling him how brilliant the cart ride was. I could have sworn we'd passed a dragon, so I was asking him about it."
"Oh, what did he say about the dragon, then?"
This wasn't Harley's first rodeo, so if Hagrid thought he was going to trip her up he was sorely mistaken. "Oh, he told me the bank's security measures are confidential and explained that he couldn't tell me anything about what they do to protect the vaults." She threw in the innocent look she'd perfected years ago for good measure.
Hagrid accepted this explanation and turned to leave the bank. Harry grabbed her hand, smirking. You're so bad, he mouthed. She just smiled smugly as they followed him out.
They went to Madam Malkin's first to get their robes. Hagrid begged off for a drink, claiming he needed something to settle his stomach after the wild cart ride. The pair was greeted by a pleasant witch who told them to go to the back of the shop so they could be fitted for their robes.
There was a blond boy already back there for his fitting. He was pale with white blond hair and a mean, pointed face. Harley decided she didn't like him before he even spoke one word to her. He just had an air about him that told her he thought he was better than everyone else.
He noticed their joined hands and eyed them curiously. "Hello," he greeted. "Hogwarts, too?"
They both nodded. The boy seemed to be eying Harley with interest, much to Harry's annoyance. He helped her up the footstool furthest from the boy and took the middle stool for himself.
The boy started drawling on annoyingly. He reminded Harry of Dudley's attitude as he was going on and on about what his father was going to buy him and how he should be able to bring a broom to school even though first years weren't allowed.
He started asking them a bunch of questions about which house they would be in and their quidditch team. Neither Harry nor Harley had any clue what the boy was talking about. Harley completely ignored him while Harry gave one word monotonous answers.
Hagrid returned with ice creams for the three of them and both Harry and Harley smiled and waved. "Who is that brute? Do you know him?" the annoying boy asked.
"Yes. That's Hagrid. He works at Hogwarts; he brought us here to get our supplies."
"Why? Where are your parents?"
Both children responded that their parents were dead. Harley didn't want to get into the whole, "My father is in Azkaban" thing.
"Are you siblings, then?" he asked.
"No," answered Harry.
"Were your parents our kind?"
Harry and Harley glanced at each other briefly. "They were witches and wizards if that's what you mean."
The boy then revealed himself as a bigot, yet to be determined if he was of the sadistic variety. He started spouting off at the mouth and both Harry and Harley went back to ignoring him. Suddenly the boy stopped and leaned forward to eye Harley some more.
Harry raised a questioning eyebrow, "What are you doing?"
The boy ignored Harry and spoke directly to Harley. "You girl. You look familiar. What is your surname?"
Harry glared at the boy and was about to respond when they were rescued by the seamstress. "That's you two done."
"Thank you," they said simultaneously, eager to get away from the boy.
"I'll see you at Hogwarts, I suppose," the boy called after them, watching Harry practically drag Harley out of the store.
They were quiet when they ate their ice cream. "What's up?" Hagrid asked.
"There was a boy in the robe shop asking us all these questions and we had no idea what he was talking about. Plus I didn't like the way he was eying Harley."
Hagrid chuckled. "You're gonna have to get used that that, Ha – er…Daniel. You've got a very pretty girl, there. And what was the boy asking you about?"
Harry scowled. He didn't want other boys eying his girl. Harley slipped her hand into his and leaned in to whisper in his ear. "You and me, Harry. Always."
He squeezed her hand in thanks. He still didn't like it, though. Harley decided to leave Harry to his brooding and answer Hagrid's question. "He said something about Slytherin and Hufflepuff, and asked who we follow in quidditch. We have no idea what he was talking about."
"Blimey, I forgot how little you two know." They were both scowling now. "It's the wizarding sport. There are four balls and it's played on brooms. It's hard to explain. Hufflepuff and Slytherin are school houses. There's not a witch or wizards whose gone bad who wasn't in Slytherin. You-Know-Who was one."
"Voldemort went to Hogwarts?" they asked simultaneously causing Hagrid to flinch violently and quickly look around the Alley.
"Shhh! Don't say his name! And yes, years and years ago."
They contemplated this development as they made their way to Flourish and Blotts to get their school books. Harry was looking at a book on pranks and curses with interest. After running into the blonde headed git he thought he might need them. Hagrid noticed this and led Harry away, telling him he wouldn't be skilled enough to use any of the spells for a few years anyway. Harry planned to come back for it later.
Harley picked up her school books as well as a book called Hogwarts, A History, a book chronicling the war against Voldemort and a book called Quidditch through the Ages.
After leaving the bookstore the trio meandered around the Alley picking up all the items on their supplies list. The pair was excited when the only item remaining was their wands. That is what they'd both been looking forward to since they arrived.
"Before we go get your wands I need to get Daniel's birthday present. I was thinking about a pet, Daniel. You're allowed to bring an owl, cat or toad. What do you think?"
Harry stammered for a moment, telling Hagrid it wasn't necessary. "I know it's not necessary, but I want to."
Deciding on an owl, the trio made their way over to Eelyops Owl Emporium. There were hundreds of owls of all colors, shapes and sizes. Harry saw a beautiful snowy owl and decided upon her. He left the store beaming, his new pet in one hand and his girl's hand in the other. It was his best birthday ever, and now he was going to get a magic wand!
They finally made it over to Ollivander's, whose sign proclaimed them to be Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 BC. When they entered the small dusty shop both Harry and Harley felt a strange prickling on the back of their necks. Both children were looking around at the thousands of narrow boxes stacked up all around the store when they heard a soft voice, "Good afternoon!"
Both children jumped, as did Hagrid, which caused the spindly chair he was sitting on to make a violent crunching sound.
"Hello," both children said uncertainly, gripping each other's hand tightly. The way the man was examining Harry was…unnerving.
"Ah yes," he said. "Yes, yes. I thought I'd I'd be seeing you soon. Harry Potter." It wasn't a question. "You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself buying her first wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work."
Mr. Ollivander was moving toward Harry unblinkingly. "Your father, on the other hand, favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration. Well, I say your father favored it - it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course."
Mr. Ollivander had come so close that he and Harry were almost nose to nose. Harry could see himself reflected in his silver, misty eyes. "And that's where..." Mr. Ollivander lifted the hat off Harry's head and touched the lightning scar on his forehead with a long, white finger.
"I'm sorry to say I sold the wand that did it," he said softly. "Thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Powerful wand, very powerful, and in the wrong hands... well, if I'd known what that wand was going out into the world to do..."
He shook his head and then spotted Harley. Harry was happy to have the focus off himself but didn't really want Harley to suffer under his attentions either. "Harley Black," the man said surprised, his eyes darting to their joined hands. "That is unexpected." He opened his mouth to continue, but Hagrid drew his attention with a cleared throat.
The two then had a conversation about Hagrid being expelled from school and having his wand snapped. The conversation topic made the giant man shuffle his feet nervously. He insisted that he didn't use the pieces of his wand, but both Harry and Harley had a sneaking suspicion that the pieces were now residing in his pink umbrella and that he did in fact use them with some regularity.
All too soon Mr. Ollivander had his attention back on the children, but luckily this time he didn't scrutinize them quite so closely. He started shuffling through boxes while a measurement tape took the oddest measurements over the both of them.
They had been through a few dozen boxes by the time something happened. Mr. Ollivander placed a ten-and-a-quarter inch Blackthorn wand into Harry's hand. Ollivander claimed that it was bendy with a phoenix feather core. Nothing happened until he plucked it from Harry and placed it in Harley's hand. Suddenly sparks of every color burst from the tip and Harley felt a warmth travel up her arm and fill her entire body. She turned to Harry, smiling brilliantly. "Wow," she said. Harry was smiling back, happy for her.
Mr. Ollivander smiled as well. "Excellent, excellent. We'll focus on you now, Mr. Potter." The process continued for a bit longer, Ollivander seemingly more excited with every failed wand. He suddenly turned to stare at Harry with interest.
"Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find the perfect match here somewhere. I wonder, now – yes, why not – unusual combination. Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."
Harry took the wand. He felt the same warmth Harley had felt earlier, and when he gave it a wave red sparks shot from the tip.
Harley and Hagrid whooped and clapped and Mr. Ollivander cried, "Oh bravo! Yes, indeed, oh, very good. Well, well, well…how curious…how very curious…That will be seven galleons each."
He turned to wrap up both their wands while muttering, "Curious…curious."
Harry looked to Harley questioningly. She just shrugged her shoulders in response. She had no idea what the barmy old codger was mumbling about. Harry turned back to said codger. "Sorry," said Harry, "but what's curious?"
Mr. Ollivander fixed Harry with his pale stare. "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter. Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand gave another feather – just one other. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother, why, its brother gave you that scar."
Harry swallowed and Harley's eyes widened comically. "Yes, thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember...I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things - terrible, yes, but great."
"Great?" Harley asked rudely. "You think it's great that he tortured and murdered a bunch of innocent people?" Harry shuddered. He'd been thinking the same thing and wasn't sure he liked Mr. Ollivander.
"Well, no," the man responded. "He conquered great feats of magic, Miss Black. That cannot be denied, no matter how egregious the acts he committed in his bid for power."
Harley raised an eyebrow; it seemed like splitting hairs to her. "The man murdered my mum and Harry's parents. I refuse to think of him in any context that includes the word 'great' unless you're referring to what a great sadistic murdering arse he was," she said, slamming 14 galleons onto the counter and plucking the wand boxes from Ollivander's hands before turning, grabbing Harry's hand and exiting the shop.
Both Hagrid and Ollivander stared after the pair in shock for a few moments before Hagrid snapped out of the trance and hurried after them. "Har – Er, Mary, you can't go around saying things like that to people. You need to be respectful to adults."
Harley internally scoffed. Yeah right, when are adults ever respectful to the opinions of children? She had enough sense to keep this retort in, however, simply eying Hagrid skeptically. She couldn't quite figure him out. He seemed alright, but perhaps a little naïve. He never seemed to feel the need to question authority, instead blindly following the orders of those he believes to be his betters. Harley thought it sad that an eleven-year-old child has a more realistic view on life than a fully grown man.
He seemed satisfied with her lack of response and ushered the pair back to the Leaky Cauldron. From there the trio made their way to the train station. Harry and Harley dutifully found a seat on the train after Hagrid gave them their tickets to the Hogwarts Express, waving to him as the train left the platform.
At the next stop Harley grabbed Harry's hand and led him away from the train. They made their way into the busy London streets, quickly finding an empty alleyway. Harry was looking around nervously while Harley dug through her pockets. "What are we doing, Harley?" he asked.
She ignored him in favor of continuing her search. She finally pulled a small black stone from her pocket and held it up triumphantly. "Griphook told me it's called a portkey. He said it would bring us back to the bank." She held out the hand that contained the stone for Harry to hold. Once their hands were interlocked Harley looked to Harry nervously. "I have no idea what's going to happen. Chariot."
As soon as the password was uttered the children felt a sharp tug at the back of their navels before being swept up into some kind of vortex. They were spinning very rapidly for about 10 seconds before they were deposited on their asses inside Gringotts. Hard. They were in some kind of receiving room, and the only witnesses to their graceless arrival were goblins, all of which began to laugh. At least that's what Harley thought they were doing. Harry was less optimistic as the sounds sounded more like growls than anything else.
Unperturbed by the vicious sounding laughter, Harley sprung to her feet. "Thank you, thank you! We'll be here all week!" she said while taking a bow. The goblins laughter just got louder and more vicious sounding, but Harry felt better nonetheless as he was nearly certain they really were just laughing and not preparing to eat them.
Finally Griphook approached them and led them to an office down a long, stone, torch lit hall. The nameplate on the door read, "Bogrod". After rapping the door sharply Griphook led the two children into the office.
"Miss Black, Mr. Potter, this is Bogrod and Gornuk. They are the account managers for the Black and Potter accounts, respectively. They will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding your finances."
Both children held out their hands in introduction before turning to Griphook. "Thank you for your help, Griphook. I know you were just doing your job, but we really appreciate it," said Harley while Harry nodded his agreement.
Griphook nodded his response before excusing himself and the pair turned back to their account managers. "Thank you for meeting with us on such short notice," said Harry. Both children were very intelligent and had picked up on social niceties despite their upbringing.
"It is not a problem, Mr. Potter," said Gornuk.
"Please, call us Harry and Harley," requested Harry.
"Very well, what can we do for you Harry, Harley?" asked Bogrod.
Harry looked to Harley. He wasn't entirely sure what she had in mind. "Well sirs, Harry and I have been living in less than ideal circumstances." She looked to Harry for permission to reveal some of the realities of their lives. Harry seemed to understand her questioning glance and nodded encouragingly.
"Until Harry received his Hogwarts letter he'd been living in the cupboard under the stairs in the home of his so called relatives. I do not believe it is necessary to reveal any further details for you to understand that the way these people treat him is unacceptable."
She took the anger apparent in their features for confirmation. "He had no choice but to endure life there before today. He did not know he had a vault full of gold waiting for him, or that his girlfriend was filthy rich," she said the last part with a smirk, which Harry mirrored. "For my part, life in the orphanage is less than pleasant, but it is much more bearable than the imprisonment Harry has suffered."
"However, now that we have options I do not plan on either of us returning to our previous establishments. I was wondering if you were aware of any properties either of us may own that would be a safe place for us to set up a home." She turned to Harry to run the next part by him before officially adding it to her request. "I think it's best if no one in the wizarding world, besides our advisors here, know where we are staying, or that we've left our previous living arrangements at all."
"I agree, but would like to know your reasoning," responded Harry.
"Well, Hagrid saw you sleeping on the floor of that horrible hut with barely any covers, yet sent you happily back to the Dursleys. You heard what he said, that Dumbledore person left you there. What if he tries to send you back? I think it's best if we approach every person we meet with a healthy degree of skepticism, Harry. After everything we've learned about the wizarding world and Voldemort…I just think we need to be on our guard with any new witch or wizard we meet."
Harry nodded his agreement before the pair turned back to their account managers. Both goblins had listened to the girl's reasoning with glee and their faces showed terrifying grins as a result. "That is very wise, young Harley," said Bognod. "There are many wizards who would love to control The Boy Who Lived." Both children nodded grimly. Why couldn't anything in their lives just be easy?
"I wish I could send you to Potter Manor. Unfortunately it was destroyed by Voldemort's followers while your father was still in Hogwarts, Harry. The house was protected by ancient wards and magics that would ensure your safety. The Blacks own such a hosue as well, however, it is probable that there are many dark items that could be potentially harmful found within its walls. There is one other promising property, however," claimed Bognod. "Your father bought a penthouse in muggle London shortly after your mother was murdered, Harley. No one knew the location except the Potters."
Both children gasped. "Our parents knew each other?" they both questioned loudly.
The goblins looked at each other anxiously. "Well yes," said Gornuk. "They were best friends." He turned to Harley. "When you were born your parents made James and Lily Potter your godparents." Harley gasped as Gornuk's eyes traveled to Harry. "When you were born your parents made Sirius and Dorcas Black your godparents." Harry turned sharply toward Harley to find her just as shocked as him. She had tears in her eyes and her hand gripped his tightly.
She turned back to the goblins. "But, they say my father was a traitor. A murderer. A - ," she gulped, "A Death Eater."
The goblins shared a frightening look. "Yes. That's what they say. The goblins don't believe it. I tried to force the Ministry to give Lord Black a trial, but they refused," said Bognod resentfully. "They wouldn't even listen to the requests of a lowly goblin."
Both Harry and Harley gasped again. "My father was thrown in jail without a trial?" Harley nearly shouted. "And they wouldn't even listen to you, just because you aren't human? Bastards!"
Harley stood and began pacing the length of the office. "How are we supposed to know why he did what he did if there is no trial? How are we supposed to know that he even did what they claim? How can they lock someone up without a fair trial?"
She continued to mutter to herself until she heard Harry address the goblins. "Is there anything we can do to get Sirius a trial? Can Harley, as his daughter and only legitimate member of the House of Black, demand one?"
Harley turned her hopeful gaze to the goblins. "I believe she could, Harry," said Gornuk. "I can give you the name of a very good solicitor who is one of the few wizards trusted by the goblins. If anyone could help you get justice for your father, he could. Excuse me for a moment."
After Gornuk left, Bogrod turned the attention back to the children's living arrangements. "While Gornuk looks into that matter, I believe we should discuss the apartment I mentioned. It is a penthouse located at One Hyde Park in London. The building has impeccable security, especially for a muggle establishment, which is one of the reasons your father chose it. All the glass in the building is bullet proof, which would also hold up against most spells. There is also what the muggles refer to as a 'panic room'. Only the most destructive of spells would be able to penetrate the room, most likely killing both the targeted person as well as the caster. The simple fact that the apartment is muggle adds to the security. Voldemort's followers don't typically venture into muggle areas unless they're…muggle hunting."
All three beings grimaced at that. Harley began to feel more and more certain her father was innocent, and she told the other two as much. "I think my father is innocent. Why would he need to hide amongst muggles if he was really Voldemort's follower? Why would he allow a muggleborn to bear his child and give the child the name of a muggle motorbike and another muggleborn witch, then make said witch his child's godmother. It makes no sense."
Harry took her hand. "He wouldn't. I agree with you. Something isn't right."
Bognod nodded. "I agree, young ones. We will continue that discussion when Gornuk returns. Now, the building has 24-hour room service and the apartment is fully furnished. No one will question you about your parents as long as you don't draw attention to yourselves. If they do, send us an owl and we will take care of it, for a fee, of course." He explained, sliding what looked like a two credit cards across the desk. "These are tied to your vaults. Mr. Potter, Harry, this is tied to the main Potter vault. What you visited today was just a trust vault. You own another vault similar to the Black vault you saw today, only without the dark artifacts."
Harley lowered her head in shame. Her family was a bunch of assholes, less, hopefully, her father. "No need to be ashamed, young one," said Bognod. "Would you like to hire a curse breaker to clear your vault of any dark or cursed items?"
Harley lifted her eyes. "Yes, please."
"We'll have to destroy anything we find. It is against bank policy to store dark or dangerous artifacts in your vault, so we rarely get these requests. We only enter a vault for this purpose at the request of the owner or if we receive evidence of dark items. Ordinarily we'd destroy the items and remove the banking privileges of the offending wizards. We shall make an exception in your case. Your father had planned to set up such a clearing out of items when his brother died and he became Lord Black. He never got around to it because of the war, and we will not punish an innocent such as yourself or your father, for the deeds of your forefathers."
Harley was practically sitting in Harry's lap at that point, needing his comfort. It was all so much to take in. She looked across the table to Bogrod. She didn't know why, but she trusted him completely. Maybe it was the fact that he wasn't human. Maybe it was the fact that his motives were completely unhidden. He was an account manager and made money off his clients. He managed their finances, their investments and received a percentage in return. There was a charge for any service he provided, be it the curse breaker or helping them remain unnoticed at their new home. There were no secret agendas or bids for control. He gave advice, but left the decisions to them. He sought permission as opposed to acting without consulting them. Whatever it was, she trusted him.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "I truly appreciate everything you're doing for us. I'm not one to trust easily, but I feel like I can trust you, Bogrod. This is a whole new world for us, and we don't have anyone to turn to for advice. We have no family to look our for our best interests above their own. While this world offers new wonders, it also brings much more danger. We both know that. I for one would feel completely lost without your advice and counseling today. You've answered all our questions and made no attempts to hide anything from us, as far as I can see, anyway. It is…refreshing. Again, I thank you."
"I'm just doing my job, Miss Black, Harley."
Harry cleared his throat. "I thank you as well. We need guidance from someone we can trust. Someone without ulterior motives. If what Hagrid said is true, there are a lot of witches and wizards who would like a piece of The Boy Who Lived, but these people left me to a life with my awful relatives. No one bothered to check and make sure I was being treated properly. A wizard killed my parents and Harley's mum. Wizards imprisoned Harley's father, my godfather, illegally. From what I gathered today, wizards don't really trust goblins very much, but yet you were the only one to question a man's wrongful imprisonment. We have left a world where we can trust only one person and entered a world where we can trust no one. So, please accept our gratitude, it means more to us than you can imagine."
Bogrod gaped at the two children's earnest faces. They truly meant what they said. Wizards have looked down on goblins as long as there were wizards and goblins, yet these two children clearly look up to them. Bogrod didn't quite know how to respond to the two anomalies before him. Luckily, Gornuk entered in that moment, negating his response.
"Alright, Harry, Harley. I have made some progress on some of your issues. First, you have an appointment with Mr. Alberts, the attorney I mentioned earlier, tomorrow at one o'clock." He passed Harry a note with the address. "Now, I've also magically filed paperwork with Harley's orphanage for a false adoption. They won't be expecting to see you again, nor will your Aunt and Uncle, Harry. I've sent them a notice that you've found alternate living arrangements. The parchment had a mild compulsion charm to ensure they didn't try and inform anyone in the magical world that you are no longer living there."
Neither Harry nor Harley thought there was any danger in the Dursleys inquiring about Harry's new living arrangements, but both were pleased with Gornuk's thoroughness. "Excellent, thank you, Gornuk," chimed Harry and Harley simultaneously.
"I have one more item I'd like to present you with." At their nods, Gornuk continued, showing them two necklaces, both with a small black stone similar to the portkey they used earlier. "These are emergency portkeys. You'll be living on your own, and while the building is quite secure, I'd feel more comfortable if you had a means to escape if need be. If activated, the portkeys will deliver you to a special room inside Gringotts and both Bogrod and I will be alerted to your arrival. There is a ten galleon fee for each of these, if you choose to add this extra layer of protection."
Both children nodded their heads enthusiastically, glad they'd decided to trust their goblin advisors. Gornuk had not been present for that conversation, yet he'd been concerned enough for their safety to provide the emergency portkeys.
The goblins exchanged a fair amount of galleons into pounds before sending the children on their way, encouraging them to contact the pair if they had any questions or concerns about anything at all. If the goblins couldn't answer their question or provide the service, they'd direct them to someone trustworthy who could.
On their way back to the Leaky Cauldron the pair stopped by into Flourish and Blotts to pick up the book of hexes Harry had seen earlier, as well as some books on goblin culture and language.
The children left the Alley immediately after, hailing a cab to their new home. They were quite surprised at what they found when they arrived. The apartment was more spectacular than anything they'd ever seen and the two ran around, happily exploring their new home and giggling like mad. They'd ordered every desert available from the room service menu and spent the night watching whatever they wanted on television.
After changing into the new night clothes they'd bought earlier in the day, the duo decided to sleep in the same room. They'd never been on their own, and needed to feel each other's presence. As they slowly drifted to sleep on the most comfortable bed they'd ever slept in, Harry heard Harley's faint murmur, "Happy Birthday, Harry." He had a contented smile on his face when sleep claimed him shortly thereafter. Yes, this was by far the happiest birthday he'd ever had.
A/N:
First let me thank all my reviewers! You guys are awesome! Your kind words keep me motivated and give me so much inspiration. I can't think you enough!
MORE, Lara, Ashba7, Naginator, LightningStar 0.o, EnterNameHere9999, and Mini Luna!
I have to give a special thank you to Lara for being my first reviewer from my other story to read my new one! Thanks!
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I know it's clichéd to have the goblins as an ally, but it made sense with my story, and any HP story, really, as humans have let Harley and Harry down quite spectacularly. It only makes sense for them to seek advice from a new species.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'll love you forever if you leave a review!