AN: Slightly updated and betad. Goblin houses have been inspired by Terry Pratchett's dwarven houses in Thud.

Disclaimer: Its in the description.

Gornuk slid the key into the lock of Griphook's house or more accurately, the basement door. Griphook owned a smaller building on the corner of Knockturn and Diagon Alley. The frontage was on Diagon Alley, which was lucky. Gornuk, as Harry's account manager had found himself with the dubious duty of checking over the property Harry had inherited from Mr Griphook.

The upper levels were rented out to wizards. Gornuk had taken a look at Griphook's books before he'd come and noted the rates were a little steep. That would have to change. There were a number of rooms empty. The bottom floor as well, apart from a few bare tables. In typical goblin fashion, however the basement had been expanded, both magically and physically into a large and expensive second house under street level.

The wards on the entrance were heavy and Gornuk had to call in a few favours to have them temporarily lifted. Harry could have walked right through them as a Griphook, but the goblins still hadn't told Harry about the new arrangements. They honestly weren't planning on telling him either, at least not until he was an adult. Dumbledore had far too much of a hand in Harry's accounts. Gornuk knew that as this was still technically goblin money it would not fall under ministry influence, but there were all kinds of issues that could be created by Albus if he wanted to.

Gornuk moved down the basement stairs, with two things on his agenda. Firstly, he had to ensure that any items he had bought off other goblins was returned to the rightful owner. Secondly, he had to ensure that the house was fit to live in for the future. That might be a long way off, but Gornuk was hoping it wouldn't be.

"Its safe to come down Afe." Afe came down the stairs carrying a pack of muggle flat packed cardboard boxes, while Gornuk returned upstairs for the enchanted containers and a magical chest.

Gornuk moved around the house, noting the high ceilings which were a little odd for a goblin house. Thick carpets covered most of the floors except in the kitchen and laundry, which was original bare stone and the bathroom, which had been tiled. All of the living areas had wood panelled walls and a large number of lamps. The Griphooks must have enchanted them to only light for the Griphooks, so Gornuk was forced to rely on his own.

The house had two living rooms, a dining room, five separate bedrooms, two studies and a large library, as well as the kitchen and laundry. Gornuk hadn't picked up on any hidden rooms, but he doubted he would have the skill to notice those. Those rooms probably wouldn't have any bought possessions inside , wizarding or goblin, due to the risk of detection that would pose.

Gornuk's first sweep for goblin-made items only turned up a calligraphy set and a custom made set of bottles full of a liquids. Gornuk took one look at that set and placed the entire lot into a heavily warded box and locked it. He wasn't sure that he'd want to know exactly what those were. Addressing the two boxes and placing them aside, the goblins began checking for other items Harry would be better off not having. It turned out that all of these were to be found in either Griphook's study, or a locked cabinet in the library.

In the study, Gornuk found a set of cursed clothes, made to size up to the person who would wear them. As far as he could tell they were imbued with a slow moving contact curse that gave the wearer cancer. That was one thing magic could very rarely cure. There was also a set of twenty fountain pens charmed to leak ink onto a person's suit. That the ink was laced with a weakened Weedosoros solution did not bode well. That there were twelve pens missing from the set was even more worrying. Afe knew they needed to track down the rest of the set. The wizards probably wouldn't notice the effects within one generation, but if a second generation of wizards committed suicide and were found with the same pens, someone might make the connection.

The library cabinet contained a set of the darkest books Gornuk was ever likely to see. Placing on heavy gloves, Gornuk and Afe moved the entire set into the magical chest. Checking the other shelves Gornuk noted other dark books, which instead went into a case to be taken to Griphook's bank vault along with the pens and suit. Gornuk hoped Harry would not need them, but a leg up was always important.

The chest however, was added to the items to be sent off by mail. Gornuk addressed the chest to August Derleth, Librarian, Miskatonic University, Arkham, Massachusetts. August and Gringotts had an understanding that any... unusually dangerous books that Gringotts found would be sent to the Miskatonic University Library for safe storage and study.

HPHPHP

Gornuk walked back into his office, having left Afe to deal with organising postage for the two goblin items and escort for the chest to be taken to Miskatonic University. It could be quite a feather in Afe's cap if he performed well and considering Afe had taken the time to help him with a sensitive case, it was the least he could do. Overall, Gornuk was pleased with the way his day was going. He opened the door to his office and found himself looking at the midriff of a tall green clad witch. He blanched in surprise.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" he asked, looking up. "And may I ask how you came to be in my office?"

The severe looking witch flared her nostrils. "No, you may not Mr Gornuk," said the witch shortly. "What you may do is tell me why Mr Potter shows up on my records as Harry James Potter Griphook." Gurnok's eyes widened. That shouldn't be possible. Unless, of course...

"Your personal records, Professor McGonagall?" Her eyes flickered. So that was a yes then. "I'm assuming you've had them charmed by Mr Flitwick?" The woman stiffened. Gornuk hadn't thought to consider the part goblin professor.

"That is neither here nor there. I would like to know why Harry has a name he was not given at birth." Gornuk pinched the bridge of his nose and considered.

"Professor are you a competent occlumens?" Her brow furrowed.

"I can feel when someone attempts it and brush it off if that's what you mean. I've never had to fight anyone over it however." Gurnok sighed. It would have to do.

"Professor, please sit down," he said, gesturing to a chair as he moved around behind his desk. "Mr Potter's financials recently revealed that Mr Griphook had been stealing from the Potter account for quite some time. The simplest way to deal with this was to provide Mr Potter with Griphook's name." He could see the scepticism in her eyes and groaned internally. "There is more to this, but I am unable to to tell you more at this time."

"Why wasn't Mr Potter informed of this?"

Gurnok tensed. "You didn't tell-"

"No I did not. You are the first person I came to after I managed to convince Harry to give me your name." Gurnok relaxed a little. He doubted this was a woman who brooked no for an answer and couldn't begrudge Harry.

"Mr Potter wasn't informed of this so that no-one would find out accidentally, much as you have. We were a little..." Gurnok paused for a moment, considering the most diplomatic wording, "concerned of Mr Dumbledore's handling or Harry's accounts. The boy showed up to Gringotts in rags, you know." Gurnok decided that this was all the Professor needed to know.

"What?" said McGonagall, disbelievingly. "But-"

"Don't worry. I have rectified the situation, though I would wish you not to tell Dumbledore. I don't believe he has any right know. Now, if there is nothing else you wish to know, I bid you good day." The witch stood stiffly. Griphook watched her carefully. She clearly wanted to know more, but realised that she was getting no more answers for him and walked out the door.

Gornuk leaned back, breathing out a sigh of relief. He wasn't certain what she'd done, but Gornuk decided then and there that he was going to add so many wards to his office that a breath of wind wasn't going to get through. That had to be one of the most nerve racking moments in his life.