Hello all, and a late Merry Christmas!

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING. BUT MARK WALDEN IS AWESOME.

AND I HAVE DREADNOUGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8D


Not Dwarves. Goblins.

Inside, Otto, Laura, Shelby and Wing were at awe. Wizards and witches were filed up in front of these tall, long, and definitely grand tables. A little… person conversed with each customer at the front, though those weren't the only objects of interest. There were large doors as well, where the little… er, dwarves, walked in and out, and for the others who exited those large doors, they seemed rather green-faced.

"Welcome to Gringotts." Said Harry, though the four hadn't heard them. As they walked down the many aisles, Otto took interest to what the… dwarves were accounting. Some held large gold coins the size of his palm, some had rubies that were being measured on scales or even emeralds the size of hubcaps.

The group of eight (Hermione and Ron had gone to get their ingredients from the apothecary) lined up in front of the marble counters. As they waited Otto, Laura, Shelby, and Wing's heads resembled swivel chairs, as they kept on looking left and right to take in the scenery.

After about five minutes, their large group reached the front, and the four kids stared at their receiver.

An extremely short person sat in front of them, with thin, sinister eyes and rather long ears. The man's hands were rather creepy as well, when he tapped them rhythmically on the marble table.

"What may I help you with?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at the amazed teens. "We'd like a withdrawal for these four. From the Hogwarts scholarship account." Said Harry, handing the stout man a bronze key. He stared at the key for a moment, and passed it as authentic.

"Brookwood! Rhinstone!" he called suddenly, and two other tiny dwarves came up to them. "Bring them to Vault 413. They have scholarship students in need of a fund." The last part of his statement was said rather meanly, and Otto was taken back very slightly.

The other little people bowed, and brought them to one of the large doors. Behind the doors was a dark, dank cavern, with a few torches for lights.

'This couldn't get any more medieval.' Otto thought, as two small carts stopped in front of them.

"The carts can only provide for five people at most, so we'll divide your group into two." Said Brookwood. Quickly, Harry put Laura and Otto with him and Ginny, while Shelby and Wing went with George and Draco. Otto's group climbed in first, and as they went down the caverns, Otto found out why the people looked green faced when they left.

"So," Otto mustered. "How is this place governed by… er, dwarves?"

Suddenly, Rhinstone twitched, seeming rather annoyed. "Er… did I—"

"Yes, yes you did." Said Harry, though he was smiling. "They're goblins." Ginny explained, and Otto noticed Brookwood nodding.

"There's a diff— Never mind." Said Otto. He would find out the difference between dwarves and goblins later.

"But, I just have to ask:" said Laura. "How are the cars running? I mean, I don't see any wires or anything." She said, looking over the side of the cart. Ginny pulled her back.

"Remember dear, this is a world of magic. It's rather unexplainable." She said. "Also because Ginny doesn't know either." Harry said, receiving a playful smack on the head.

"I don't think that they'd want to tell me why, right Brookwood?" said Ginny, addressing the goblin in front of them.

"Yes, we really wouldn't tell you, even if we wanted to." He said. "Oh, and we're here."

The cart stopped rather suddenly; four of the passengers lurched forwards. Once they pulled themselves apart from their undignified heap, another cart came. It was the other group, and they seemed as green faced as they were.

"Never. Again. Please." Said Shelby, as she stumbled out of the cart. Otto would have laughed, if it wasn't for the fact that he was ready to hurl like her. As did their friends. However, the adults seemed not to mind at all. Neither did their two dwar—er, goblin guides.

"Key please." Said Rhinstone. Harry handed him the bronze key, and only then did Otto notice a name engraved in the metal. Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titllandus. As far as Otto knew, that meant 'Never tickle a sleeping dragon', or something on the lines of that. What was that supposed to mean?

Before Otto could think any further, Rhinstone had turned the key in its lock. There was the sound of many, many, many locks opening. When the vault opened, many jaws dropped once more.

Giant piles of gold coins the size of large fists piled up to the ceiling. Even larger piles of silver and bronze coins stood brilliantly on the walls. On one end, a large shelf of iron held many grand things, from swords, to trophies, to glass ornaments, to little shiny emblems.

"It's beautiful." Said Laura. Draco chuckled.

"Some of it will be yours. Not much, but enough for you to survive the school year." He said.

"Whoa." Was all Shelby could say, when they were handed small leather bags. They were very heavy.

"Thanks." Said Wing, as he was handed one of the heavy bags. He looked inside, and said the same thing Shelby said.

"You're welcome." Said Draco, and for some reason, he was elbowed playfully by both Ginny and Harry. He didn't seem comfortable with that, so everyone laughed.

However, the laughing ceased, when they were due to climb back into the carts.

Before Otto clambered on, he groaned.

"This is even worse than going through ventilation shafts." He said exasperatedly. Harry looked at him quizzically, and Laura giggled.

"Inside joke, Harry." She said. "But why would you have to go through ventilation shafts?" he asked, and at that, Otto and Laura burst into laughter.

They immediately regretted doing so, when they travelled back to the main part of Gringotts Bank.


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