Chapter 7

The Vault and Shopping Spree

Gringotts Lower Level

Harry was standing in front of the larges set of doors he had ever seen. In the center of them was a carving of the Potter Family Crest, it had two magnificent griffins with their wings spread behind them holding a shield, and in the center of the shield was a gold and silver phoenix with wings spread splitting the shield into four sections. In the top left was a crest that Harry knew well, The Gryffindor crest. In the top right there was a pair of crossed cutlasses under a dragon's skull, much like a wizarding version of the Jolly Roger. In the bottom right was another crest Harry didn't recognize, but assumed it was another family crest, perhaps representing the two families the Potter line derived from. Harry wasn't sure but he thought he had seen it before somewhere 'better ask Dumbledore later maybe he knows.' In the last section was another pair of crossed sword under a regular skull this time. Under the shield written on a flowing scroll where the words "Si vis pacem, para bellum." 'What a surprise more Latin, I really need to get Hermione to finish teaching me how to read it. While Harry was staring at the crest trying to remember every little detail; the goblin that had brought him to the vault had walked up to the door and waved Harry over.

"Now Mr. Potter what you must do is place your hand on the phoenix's chest and state your full name. Now don't get alarmed if the wards have you recite more of your name then you have known so far. These wards are old and like to have their fun. Go on, it won't hurt."

Harry stepped over and did as he was told. Within his own head, much like the Sorting Hat Harry heard a voice begin to speak.

"So the son of James has finally come. Tell me child why is it you have come to this vault. I know it is not for gold, for you have my sister vault for that."

'I have come to get the signet ring of the family. I was told in my godfathers Will that I need to wear it now. Please let me pass you have already said you recognize that I am my fathers son. What more do I need do?

"Only state your full name as it should be know to all"

"I Lord Harry James Potter head of the House of Potter, Heir to the Lines of Gryffindor, and sworn protector of the Castle Hogwarts. Do here by claim my rights as Lord, and entree into this vault."

When Harry had finished speaking he had to cover his eyes from the flash of magic. When he could see again the vault doors stood open to revel a monstrous cave within, filled to the top with books, weapons, armor, furnisher, tapestries, jewelry, and of course mountains of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. When Harry was finally able move after the shock, it was as if he was drawn to a box sitting on top of a chest of jewels. When he opened the box inside was a ring with the same crest as the door. He slowly slid the golden ring onto the ring finger of his right hand, as it came to rest it sized itself to his finger. As it did there was another glow from his hand and from a long dagger in a sheath hanging on a weapons rack and an elegant scabbard and shoulder sling near by, as he began to walk to the rack, the dagger and scabbard lifted and began floating to him. When they reached each other the wards began to speak again.

'The scabbard and sling are for the Sword of Gryffindor, the dagger is to be carried by the Head of the House Potter. Use them well young one, for they both will be needed."

Harry was stunned by everything that had just happen. He wished he had more time to spend in the vault but knew that the others were waiting for him. So he grabbed a bag to carry the scabbard in and grabbed two money purses that he filled with galleons. As he turned to leave two sets of robes caught his eye. One was a beautiful set of black dress robes with the Potter crest on the ends of both sleeves and across the back and more gold and silver threading around the hem. The other looked to be made of heavy leather also in black with pieces of dark gray metal at the elbows, knees, and chest. When he went to pick them up he found that they both felt as if they were light as a feather. He quickly tossed them in with the scabbard and walked out the door.

In no time at all he rejoined the other in the bank lobby. As he said he would the bank manager had the paper work ready, and after signing the group made for the doors.

"Well that was good, now who's for shopping." Tonks said with the air of a woman that just got her entire lifetime's salary in one hour. If Harry hadn't felt the same way he would have been scared.

"I first would like my nephew to explain what he was doing in there. Just because Vernon is gone dose not mean that we need charity. You still are my responsibility as is Dudley. When I made the decision to have that man arrested, I knew I would need to find some way to provide for you and him. But I would have, and still plan too. So start explaining." Petunia looked expectantly at Harry waiting for him to explain himself. She had no idea what he was about to say.

"Aunt Petunia I own your house, the stipend I setup for you is enough for you to feed me, Dudley and yourself for the next three years. It will cover the power, water, cable and phone for the next five to give you a chance to save up enough to support yourself after Dudley and me move out. I am not doing this as charity. I am doing this to help myself. If we don't have to worry about where we are going to get our next meal, or how we are going to survive, then Dudley and I can considerate on training and on our studies, and you can take your time and find a job you love not one you had to take. We will all be happier and maybe we can start to be the family we should have been all along. Now, I knew you wouldn't want this to be like you are indebted to me ether, so I put a clause in the paper work that says that if you or Dudley ever decide to start a company or business I will hold one-fourth share to be used to pay back this stipend. But if the stipend is not paid back in the next twenty years the house will be sold to pay for it. Now let's not think about that anymore today. Today is a day to celebrate the life of one Sirius Black the way he wanted it. Today we shop!"

With that and before any more arguments could be made Harry started walking up the street to Flourish & Blotts with Moody right by his side. Unlike most teenage males Harry didn't go straight to the Quidditch section but to the Defense Against the Dark Arts section. There he started at one end and worked his way to the other, by the time he got to the end he had 42 books that he thought would be good to study. He then proceeded to the Transfiguration section and did the same ending with 25 books from this section. This mostly consisting of the Animagus transformation and the use of Transfiguration in duels. It went like this through all the sections with the same result. By the time they left Harry with help from Remus, Tonks and Mad-Eye had 1,351 different books. They arranged for the majority to be delivered tomorrow to Privet Drive but Harry kept about a dozen to carry with him to look over more tonight. The next stop after Remus had shrunk the books to put in Harry's bag was Madam Malkin's for new robes. Once inside Harry looked at the different fabrics while Tonks promptly told Madam Malkin that Remus was there for 14 new sets of robes of his choosing and I neon pink set that was not. While Remus was measured; Harry tried to explain to the Dursleys why wizards wore robes instead of the "normal" clothing.

"Well most wizards consider this as "normal" clothing. I mean if you have never worn anything else, or have always seen people wearing them how are you to know? I find that they are a lot more flexible and a lot more comfortable then the hand-me-downs you have had me wear for so long. We still have a uniform on under our school robes, but my quidditch and workout robes are a lot more comfortable then my regular clothes. I planed on getting a few casual sets and a couple more new workout ones." While Harry was saying this Mad-Eye happened to be walking by.

"Ya know Potter, it might not be a bad idea to get one or two battle sets as well. Ther' strong and most come with there own shield charms on them. They could come in handy now and then, ya know…Constant Vigilance!"

Petunia and Dudley were not ready for Harry and Mad-Eye to yell at the same time and nearly wet themselves.

"After we finish here I want to take you to a shop I know down the way that specializes it just the kind of stuff I think ya may be looking fur."

"Well let me get measured and I could go with you now. If this shop is where I think it is I don't think we should bring these two with us." Harry whispered back to Moody. Moody nodded and Harry went to get his measurements adjusted for the new robes he wanted. He showed Madam Malkin the fabrics and styles he wanted and also order new school robes since it had been two years since he had new ones made. After a quick whispered conversation with Remus and Tonks, Mad-Eye handed Harry his spare long hooded cloak and once he had it on and the hood up he ushered Harry out the door.

Just as Harry had thought once they were on the street Mad-Eye lead the way straight down Knockturn Alley. Though they didn't go far into the alley Harry could just feel the darkness all around him. They didn't stop until they were in a small shop that compared to the outside glowed with light. On every available piece of wall hung cloaks and robes and weapons of every imaginable type. In a case at the back of the store held what can only be called replacement part for every part of the body. On the wall behind the counter was a menu of charms that could be permanently placed on anything you wanted. From an unbreakable charm to a permanent sticking charm if it could be added to something it was there. Behind the counter sat a man that could make Hercules envious. He looked like if he wanted he could shatter you spin with a pat on the back.

"Well Alastor what'll be today? Some new daggers or some of those exploding bouncing balls, maybe I can finally talk you into that new portable ballista you been looking at for a month. And who's that with ya? Don't tell me you finally told that shite of an ex-partner of yours where you get your lovely toy?" The man said with a laugh

"No Amish I didn't, but ya nock about two hundred galleons off that ballista, and I'll promise not ta tell. Now, Amish, ya know me, I trust ya with me life and I kno you would trust me with yours. So when I ask ya now, to take a wizards oath to never talk about this meeting, I kno ya will."

Without bating an eye Amish swore on his magic and life never to talk about what he was about to see or hear. With an approving node from Moody, Harry lowed the hood walked up to the counter, with a mischievous glint in his eye, dropt one of the bags full of galleons on the counter and said…

"We'll take the lot!" To which Amish, a battle harden wizard, who had lived through more battles then most men alive today, promptly fainted dead way.

"Damn it Potter I think ya broke him!"