Chapter Six: At Gringotts:
Harry followed Griphook through Diagon Alley and into Gringotts with Sirius. They headed to the offices of the Goblins and it looked as if both were going for a meeting on their accounts. However that was not the case, today Harry was going to put what he had learned to use. If he had the magic, and Griphook was sure he did he would be able to use the weapons that went with the book that had chose Harry as the Goblin mage. Both humans and goblin had the hoods of their cloaks over their faces and no-one paid either any mind. Harry did not much like his fame and was glad to just be able to walk through Diagon alley without anyone recognizing him.
While Sirius was here to go over his accounts Harry was taken to a plain door down a hall from the offices of the goblins and to a small lift. He got in and Griphook pressed a button and they were off deep into the earth. They came out deep under London, Harry thought it had to be miles under London but only the goblins really knew how deep he was. He stepped out into a tunnel that was level paved with stone and the walls shored up were needed with good strong beams. The ceilings were lower than what he would have liked but still they were high enough so that he could walk along at full height and the ceiling was still a foot above him.
They walked along and soon they came to a long opening in the tunnel that was held up with carved columns that ended in a short wall two feet high. Harry looked out over the massive space in awe at what he was seeing. Hundreds of goblins were working, most were working on the monies used in the Wizarding world, others on weapons, and other metals that the Wizarding world bought in droves. The space itself was beautiful, Harry could find no other words for it. The space was carved and shaped to look like a cathedral with carved pillars and statues of amazing stonework. The "windows" were all stained glass that showed goblin histories and there was a light behind them that Harry knew was not from the sun but was goblin made.
"We do not use torch-lit young human." Griphook said, "we use what your non-magical humans do, the electricity comes from thermo-vents."
"But what about magic, does that not interfere?" Harry asked.
"You know of Tesla no?" Griphook asked.
"Er Tesla coils?" Harry replied.
"Well unlike many non-magical humans in the sciences, arts, communication, physics and the like this one human was magical and he was able to get electricity and magic to work together."
"Oh, he was good to you was he not?" Harry asked getting a sharp look from Griphook, "he treated you as an equal."
"Still does young human, you know him by another name though, he is Nicholas Flamel and between you and I he will not die, just take on a new name with his wife."
"Oh so the stone…"
"He does not need the stone to stay alive, his wife and he will live long, even they do not fully know why. You cannot speak of this you understand."
"Yes sir." Harry said.
They walked past four more chambers full of busy goblins and they came finally to a smaller plain chamber where several high goblins waited. Harry stepped into the chamber removing his hood knowing he was the first human to ever enter this chamber. It was done completely in black marble with two towering statues of goblins in full battle regalia flanking a dais. Gold leaf trimmed the tops and bottoms of the columns and before the dais stood an anvil on which rested what looked like a Frankish battle axe. He stepped forward and bowed low before the high goblins clad in their best velvets, silks and satins all in black red and gold.
"Harry James Potter come forward." One of the Goblins said.
Harry stepped forward until he stood before the anvil.
"This weapon has been made for the Goblin mage, we goblins forged it but it is not ours to use, to prove you are worthy of the honor it is not enough for you to read a book, you must take up this battle axe."
"Er that is it sir?" Harry asked.
"Indeed Mr. Potter." The goblin said grinning.
Harry stepped up and reached out to pick up the axe, and almost dropped it once he had a good grip on it. He felt pain like fire going through his body but he dared not drop the axe. His whole hand was glowing white hot and the pain was more intense than any he ever had felt. Then, as suddenly as the pain had come it was gone and he saw a set of runes on the back of his hands. The goblins grinned as one and looked at him with respect.
"Very good Mr. Potter, you are indeed what we have been looking for." Ragnook the lead goblin said, "your training will began as soon as your guardian gives permission."
"Yes sir" Harry said irked he was not considered an adult.
"Ah young master you will be of age in a year, but allow your godfather to take care of you as he wishes to. He will be honored for that."
"Yes sir." Harry said.
He was finding out goblins were not anything like what he had learned, they could be ruthless but only because they had to be. They were a hard but noble race for the most part and were nothing like the Orc who had created them. They were a good people and Harry was realizing that centuries of misunderstanding could end and then with a shock he realized he was the hope of an entire race of beings. He felt humbled and a bit scared as he headed back up to meet with Sirius.
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So there is that, Harry now has at least one weapon. He is still a minor and the goblins are right, Sirius has a right to make sure he is well cared for.
