Disclaimer:The Harry Potter universe does not belong to me, I am only borrowing these characters to tell a story.
"Well, is it Mr Snape or Mr Potter? Harry even? It looks like we have a lot of work to do and I am now in line for a promotion," Griphook cheerfully sneered.
Harry understood Griphook a lot better now and chuckled. Perhaps things would be smooth sailing from here on.
Harry sat contemplating Griphook across from him. He considered letting himself be called Potter, as magically he was heir apparent. Thinking deeper, he realised he had a sense of loyalty towards his real father. Perhaps it was time to get used to his actual identity.
"Mr Snape. Though perhaps after such an intimate exchange you should call me Harry," he said simply, realising slowly that living through Griphooks memories had added years of experiences and a sense of maturity he knew he did not have back in his own timeline.
"Well Harry, what shall we do first?" Griphook asked, while greedily stroking his hands together.
"First I think we need to prevent the old man from accessing the Potter accounts. Obviously he hasn't touched the Snape accounts as my father is still alive, but I would like you to look into it just in case. Also I would like your input on my plans for freeing my godfather. I find it fascinating that he is still my godfather, even if he was part of a set of godfathers," Harry mused, thinking of how he found out that James and Sirius were both his godfathers.
"I have the files here concerning the Potter account, as of yet no one has used the vaults since before Halloween. We shall put up blocks, specifically blocking any supposed magical guardians from having access. From the looks of it the Snape account is similarly untouched. Black however may be a problem, however if you can get Pettigrew I promise it will be brought to the correct authorities," Griphook shuffled through the paperwork that had magically appeared on the desk as he was talking.
"Putting it out to the public to look for a suspicious rat would probably be too obvious, wouldn't it? I think I will just have to visit the Weasley's under guise, or invisible. Do you have access to an invisibility cloak or know how to disillusion a wizard? Perhaps I should buy a wand, I hear they have an excellent shop in Knockturn that makes wands suited for the wizard. What are your thoughts?" Harry asked, sincerely interested in Griphook's input.
"Well I can always teach you some Goblin magic, if only to keep you ahead of the game. However, that will take time we do not have. I assume you want to get Black out quickly so you can go live with him? I can assure you that as soon as he is released, we will prompt the ministry to give him custody of you after a period of mind healing. For your immediate problem, I think you should go get a custom wand and a wand holster that goes invisible and is able to shrink with you. That or you could pay more to have the wand morph into an invisible ring that grows when you do, which accounts for shrinkage. As to the spell, why I do not know the incantation, intent could get you around that pesky detail," Griphook pondered.
"Hmm… Perhaps you are right. Only one way to find out of course. I think I need to go on a shopping trip, before I come here near the end of the day. Can I have an unlimited pouch of Galleons please?"
"Ah, I keep forgetting that now we have met minds, you know what to ask for to save yourself financially. Very well, I have one here, it will only take a moment to charm it to the Potter account, seeing as blood wise you are not quite a Snape anymore. Anyway, this will save you a trip down to the vaults which may give away your identity."
Harry waited patiently for Griphook to weave his brand of magic on the pouch he asked for. It looked like he had a nice shopping trip to look forward to.
~OMT~
Rain had started to fall as soon as Harry made his way out of Gringotts. This only set to remind him that he was only wearing the barest of clothes and a pair of house slippers that really did not fit him. Vetoing getting a wand first, he made his way to the first clothing store he found. He found a small unobtrusive store that sold both Muggle and Wizard clothing. Luckily for Harry, it also stocked bags with expansion charms.
The salesperson was happy to help him find some clothing and he soon left the store a lot more comfortable, wearing nice wizarding robes charmed to avoid the elements and a shirt, pants and shoes that actually fit him properly. Holding his new bag filled with clothing for his new persona, he walked across Diagon Alley and through to Knockturn Alley.
Remembering Griphook's instructions, he walked briskly, straight towards his destination, aware that wandering would only lead to trouble. Halfway down the alley he found the place he was looking for, Selwyn's Personal Wand Makers. Grimacing at the looks he received from a nearby witch selling rat tails, he slipped into the store.
A bell rang announcing his presence to Selwyn, the man who owned the shop. Selwyn looked old, but meaner than Ollivander. He had a permanent scowl on his face, made more evident by the bushy eyebrows he sported. Baldness seemed to balance out the amount of hair from his eyebrows and the small neat goatee on his face. Calculating eyes searched Harry, as though looking for trouble, seeing none he set down a wand holster he had been making to greet his new customer.
"Welcome, do you wish to have a personal wand made today? If not leave." His demeanour was not inviting, but Harry had expected this, it was a tactic Griphook had warned him about, obviously he looked like he wasn't meant to be in Knockturn Alley.
"Yes. A personal wand shall do nicely," Harry said abruptly, keeping to the point like he was told to.
"Fine, it is expensive, but if you have the money I won't ask questions. Come here and hold your hand over this box. Your magic will choose the wood for your wand."
Harry stepped forward and looked into the box now sitting on the counter. Holding out his hand he felt his magic searching for something. Time seemed to drag, until very suddenly a piece of wood flew into his hand.
"Hmm… Elder, how interesting..." Selwyn pondered under his breath, replacing the wood box with one full of wand cores. Harry chose not to ask about the wood, deciding instead to ask Griphook of the significance later.
Again Harry reached a hand over the box in front of him, willing his magic to start a new search. Time stretched longer this time, before two cores worked their way into his waiting hand.
"Hair of a Thestral and a Basilisk scale. Very interesting," Selwyn said, louder this time as though he was waiting for Harry to ask about the combination; instead Harry put forward a bored exterior.
"How much and how long?" he asked simply, choosing not to play into Selwyn's hand.
Selwyn looked put out by Harry's tone, but moved at once to make the wand.
"I want it to be able to transfigure into a ring that only I can see and grows to the size of my finger," Harry added, thinking of Griphook's suggestion from earlier.
Selwyn grunted as he worked, mentioning the cost would double, but Harry did not care as it was a necessity. In the end Harry waited almost 15 minutes for the wand to be made, happily exchanging the 40 galleons asked of him at the end of the transaction.
Before returning to Gringotts for a final meeting with Griphook, Harry decided to visit the eye healer situated in Diagon Alley. His time was spent allowing the healer to adjust his eyesight with some very difficult charms. It was not perfect but would last until he was in Sirius' care and could have a permanent fix.
Walking back to the bank Harry happily played with his new wand that was inconspicuously wrapped around his middle finger on his left hand. The power he felt from this wand made him want to go and break into Azkaban to rescue Sirius because he felt he could, but he decided to stick with his plan. Better to be an unobtrusive figure that a being that breaks the law in full sight of others.
As much as he was still worried, he couldn't wait to get back to work. Everything just felt like it would be so much fun, especially since this wand did not hold the trace.
A/N: I hope you like the way the story is going, reviews with suggestions are welcome. However, I am just happy for people to be reading this. Just finished a major assignment for university so I haven't had a chance to write. I should have the next chapter up in a week at least. I hope to make this a regular schedule. Anyway, thank you for reading - Ziggy