Written February 21 2016
Harry Potter: LifeSpark
Chapter 7: High ho, high ho
Transformer list:
Medkit
Snapchat
Knightroad
No magic American ministry, no Lord homes or properties. Just my own try at something, thank you.
Since they were leaving tomorrow and going across the pond Harry thought it a good idea if he had the currency of the area, but the only place he knew where to do that was Gringott's. Which was in Diagon Alley, one of the places he was trying to avoid. Looking at the coins in his hands then towards the largest of his little family Harry wondered. He knew he couldn't go on his own not after what happened last time, but Medkit was too small and conspicuous to take with him. Same thing with the others except that Knightroad was both too big and a car. Eyeing Knightroad again Harry walked over hoping that maybe the bot would have some ideas that he hadn't thought of yet.
"Knightroad?" Craning his head back to look the bot eyes, er… optics and gain his attention.
Knightroad gave his full attention to their Maker wondering if he needed his assistance with something. He took notice of Makers gazing upon him and was hoping he would approach.
"Yes Maker, is there anything that I can help you with?" He moved closer to lessen the strain on Maker's neck, and waited for him to reply to his offer.
"That's the thing, I don't know if you can or not. I need to head to Gringotts which is the Wizard's Bank to exchange some of my money for American money. But I don't know how you guys would be able to join me. It's a bit suspicious to have a toy ambulance follow me around and you're a bit too big to go through the Leaky Cauldron." Here Maker trailed off leaving himself confused as to how the anatomy of his body was to fit through a faulty middle age cooking appliance. Maker seemed to notice his confused expression and continued speaking,
"Oh the Leaky Cauldron is a pub for the Witches and Wizards and the only entry I know to get into Diagon Alley."
Knightroad nodded, an unusual name for a drinking establishment, looking towards his fellow bots neither one would be suitable protection for their Maker should he go on this venture though his sister bots' scalpels were indeed deadly enough. Going through his programming hoping to find something to allow entry into Diagon Alley he found something most suitable and turned to tell Maker.
"I do believe I have found a solution to your problem Maker if you would stand with the others I would like to show you."
Nodding and moving to stand with the others Harry waited for whatever it was that Knightroad wanted to show him. At first Harry thought the bot was going to transform but instead something fizzed into existence in front of him. If he didn't know better Harry would have thought the projection was just a businessman, a rather posh one at that. Suitably awed Harry was not expecting it to move its mouth and talk.
"I believe this shall be suitable enough for myself to join you on your trip Maker."
Merlin he sounded like proper gentleman too, was that what Knightroad would sound like without all that static behind his usual voice? Harry could only nod since his ability to speak at the moment was gone. He watched as the body examined itself pulling cuffs and straightening seams, it was all impeccable really. The features were mild, nothing outstanding or memorable it even had a receding hairline. Yet his eyes were a piercing blue much like his original self, filled with confidence and power it was rather mesmerizing.
"Shall we head out now Maker, the faster we retrieve the necessary funds the sooner we can make our way to the States."
Jolted out of his embarrassing daze, Harry looked up at Knightroad then down at his littlest bots who were also looking up at him. He didn't want to leave them behind who knows what could happen to them while they were away. It seemed Knightroad picked up on that since he spoke again,
"Medkit and Snapchat shall reside in the cabin of my vehicle form while you and I attend to business. I shall be parked across from the establishment where they can keep watch for any suspicious activity."
Letting a relieved sigh Harry nodded eagerly, the sooner they left the better. Watching the transformation never got old as Knightroad folded and bent into his alternate form, the projection from before blinking to life behind his wheel. The back seat driver side door popped open for the other two bots to get inside. Harry held back a laugh when Medkit had to push Snapchat up onto the car seat, since he was so small, Medkit being the being the bigger of the two pushed herself up from the frame of the door and onto the seat. Before Harry could take his own seat, he first had to open the garage door so Knightroad could leave. So with that in mind Harry pulled on the chains listening to the sounds of rusted metal moving and the door slowly moving its way upward. The car bot rolled his way to the opening waiting for enough space to drive through safely, when the door was about half way up he drove on through watchful for any traffic and quickly pulled up front waiting for Harry to come.
Harry, once he saw the Bentley make it through, gently lowered the door back down and made his way out the opening and towards the open car door waiting for him. Sliding into the leather seat Harry nearly jumped when the projection came to life in the driver's seat frowning, not pouting, when the face smirked at his reaction. Watching as he looked for any oncoming traffic the form proceeded to drive off towards downtown London.
It was very weird watching someone drive a being that was essentially driving itself and that someone was that being and really made Harry's head spin. To keep from thinking about that, Harry focused on the area around him to see if he could find the Leaky Cauldron. In the back seat the other bots were also doing the same, looking around that is. Snapchat was complaining about the tinted windows messing up his shots while Medkit eagerly looked at the people and shops going by, it was almost like a normal family outing. If that family was a bunch of robots that is. Pointing out streets that looked familiar, the group slowly made their way towards the Leaky Cauldron as they were turned around more than once. Finding a parking space that gave the bots a clear view of the pub was difficult but after a few passes a previous vehicle finally left and Knightroad smoothly parked and 'turned off' the car.
Knightroad turned to look at Maker then back towards his siblings,
"We will make the trip as quick as possible, if anything goes wrong you will know via communication link. I do believe I do not have to tell you that leaving the cabin is ill advised. Maker if you will." He gestured towards the outside getting a silent nod in return. Maker turned to the smaller bots patting them on the head and shoulder, Snapchat and Medkit respectively.
"Listen to Knightroad alright, we'll be back before you know it. Stay safe."
His cabin was far more secure than the warehouse that they previously resided in but Knightroad was not offended by the lack of trust in his abilities, he was newly born after all it would take some time before Maker fully trusted in his ability to protect. Letting his holoform open and close the door Knightroad kept a close watch on both his Maker and his current surroundings, one could never be too careful.
With a ball cap and lowered eyes none of the patrons bothered Harry as the both of them headed to the back of the alley, Knightroad seemed to get more tense when he lead them to the alleyway and was quick to tap the correct sequence on the brick wall. Watching the portal open wasn't as magical the first time but it still looked pretty cool. Without thinking about it Harry grabbed Knightroad's coat sleeve and pulled him forward, going straight towards Gringotts. He immediately let go surprised he could physically touch what he thought was a projection. Knightroad apparently saw his surprise and explained thankfully.
"My holoform is a form of energy that if thick enough can create a solid shell that allows me to hold or pick up objects. That is of course if I have enough energy to keep the form solid, the less energy I have the less solid my holoform becomes until it goes away entirely and by then I would most likely be in recharge, to gain back the energy that I lost."
Harry stared wide eyed, that was amazing.
"Wow, you sure are amazing Knightroad. Can Snapchat and Medkit do the same thing?" After asking the question Harry for sure thought he saw pink coloring the holoform's cheeks.
"My fellow bots are unable to produce a holoform, the bodies are too small to require one and their energy levels are too low to be able to hold one long enough even if they could."
Harry nodded, that made sense actually, one was a camera the other a toy they had no need for holoforms though it would be pretty cool to see what their forms would look like.
After that they walked in silence getting closer to the marble building that was Gringotts, ignoring passing witches and wizards as they went about their day. They climbed the steps, Harry nodding at the goblin guards that stood by the doors as he made his way inside. It wasn't too busy so there were a few tellers open he could go too. Spotting a familiar goblin Harry made his way to his desk and coughed to gain his attention.
"Hello Griphook, I would like to make a withdrawal of about 50 galleons and I want to have that transferred into American currency if that's possible."
The goblin looked surprised that a wizard remembered his name before baring his teeth and holding out his hand,
"Key please."
Harry frowned,
"I don't have my key, could I actually get a new one made?"
Now it was the Griphook's turn to frown as he reached for something underneath the desk,
"You will have to place 3 drops of blood to prove you have an account with us before Gringotts can make you a new key."
Handing over the golden bowl and wicked looking dagger, Harry had to set a hand on his arm to keep Knightroad from saying anything. Taking the tip of the dagger to his finger, he didn't really have to press all that hard before the metal pierced his skin. Holding the bleeding digit over the bowl, he counted the three drops before placing the digit in his mouth. The bowl glowed red before a single parchment appeared in it. Griphook took the sheet and read it quickly looking up to stare at Harry, actually he was looking at where his scar was currently hidden underneath the ball cap he wore.
"Right away Mr. Potter, a new key will be made immediately while your funds are collected. There is a fee for the transferring of galleons to paper money, that isn't a problem is it?"
Harry was about to tell him that he didn't when Knightroad interrupted,
"How much is this fee exactly, nothing too outrageous I presume?" Harry turned to look up at him preparing to scold him when Griphook made an odd scratchy sound,
"Of course not, the fee is a mere galleon a paltry amount compared to what Mr. Potter is withdrawing."
Knightroad nodded, satisfied his question was answered. The two didn't have to wait long as a briefcase was brought out along with a small silver key.
"Mr. Potter is you would place a drop of blood on the handle of the key, we here at Gringotts can assure that no one but those of Potter blood can access your Vault. The other key is now useless to whoever may have it."
Once more poking himself with the sharp tip the key glowed red and the process over with. The key was given to Harry who stuffed it into the pocket of his jeans before staring at the thick briefcase that sat on the desk.
"Now this Mr. Potter is the funds you requested, we took the liberty of making even amounts of each paper money the America's use. 1's, 5s', 10's, 20's, 50's and 100 dollar bills are what you will find inside, if you have need to withdraw more funds do not hesitate to send an owl with your key and they amount you wish for. If that is all Gringotts wishes you a good day and your gold ever flowing."
Harry was too stunned to say anything back his mind computing the fact that 50 galleons gave him a lot more cash than he bargained for, so Knightroad took the briefcase and did a half bow to the goblin reiterating what he said and shuffling the shocked boy out of the bank.
Once outside Harry blushed red with embarrassment as they walked towards the exit blushing even harder when Knightroad patted him on the head and mentioned his gaping expression reminding him of a fish.
"How do you know what a fish looks like?"
Knightroad looked at him with the most serious face ever before telling him, "The Internet."
Harry rolled his eyes and left through the door Knightroad held open, it didn't matter how silly he looked he guessed they got what they came for and was a step closer to America. He still had some feelings of guilt about abandoning everyone but this was the first time he did something for himself and he was going to hold on to it for all he's worth. With his new family beside him, he won't go at it alone and that filled him with a warmth that chased away the guilt.
'America, here we come.'
I'm nearly half way to my original page/word count and I'm pretty happy with the direction I'm taking. It's not as exciting as other stories since I'm not comfortable in my writing to put stuff like that in them without making it seem rushed and super super cliché. Anyway I hope I can stick with the once a month updating don't want to disappoint any readers out there.
