Last Time: Realizing that something was needed to lighten the tension in the room, Ranook (who had been Flitwick and Harry's guide to Dagar t'Kan) casually reminded Harry that there were bets to be won concerning his first few months at Hogwarts. Details were required post-haste!

More than once, Ragnok's presence had been required for a scene such as this so as to allow Ranook and Grimhook to have an impartial accounting of the latest Potter exploits to show their peers. Knowing that these details would likely be a good segue into the original reason Harry requested the meeting (and more than slightly curious besides), Ragnok motioned for Flitwick to remain silent. In time, all would be known.

Ragnok smirked to see his son take copious notes on everything from Harry's sorting (such a strange social structure for a learning institution) to his budding friendships and class grades. It seemed that the goblin youth who ran in the three's circle of friends had made bets on every minute detail. Part of Ragnok wondered if his son would be asking for information on how often the boy visited the loo. The smirk that formed on Ragnok's face at that idea was one of the last to come during the recounting of events.

Too soon, Harry had finished telling of September and most of October's adventures. When the child actually flinched before describing the events of All Hallow's Eve at the castle, those who knew him were aware that something significant had happened. The offer was quickly made and accepted to use a pensieve to show that day. Now Ragnok understood what had sparked his intense reaction. Though he stood by his statement that no boon was remotely called for, he could see how the traumatizing events of October 31 could cause such heartfelt gratitude in the boy. Had he had a traditional childhood, it is unlikely that he would have survived. Of course, a traditional childhood likely would have caused him to not notice Hogwarts' plea for help in the first place….

"So yeah...that's what has been happening at Hogwarts. Ummm...I've put the last boon you gave me to good use. The other week in the club, we started talking about common courtesy that should be used at Gringotts. One of the Slytherins actually bought a copy of Togar the Wise's English to Goblin dictionary. I've been giving some lessons on how to write Gobdekul script. Of course, it'll be awhile before we actually talk about word order or any of them are actually prepared to do business correspondence…."

At that, Grimhook burst into laughter. "I should have known. I should have known you were behind that little burst of insanity. Only...only you could-"

Once he had calmed down sufficiently, Grimhook explained that contrary to expectations/assumptions, he was not here simply for juvenile bets ("It's only juvenile because I won twenty galleons off you for betting which House he'd be in!" crowed Ranook) but was on a mission from his father to make Harry aware that a certain sum of money had been anonymously donated into a special vault for the betterment of Hogwarts…. Said vault was to be placed under the direct control of Harry Potter and used as he saw fit. While confidentiality laws did not allow Grimhook to share the anonymous donors' names, he did confirm that all but two had chosen to send their instructions to Gringotts in two languages - English and Gobdekul. Around the figurative water cooler, the letters were creating quite a stir due to the dearth of clients who wish to make an attempt at learning the Goblin tongue.

By this point, Harry was hiding his head in his arms and proving his fluency in Gobdekul through some rather creative curses. Unfortunately, the others simply found this quite hilarious, and his head of House decided to use his role as Representative of Hogwarts to make his day complete.

"Though we have not yet heard of your surely magnificent plans to better the school, I feel quite confident in saying that Hogwarts will cover any expenses remaining after the donation provided by her students."

"Ugh, I'm really not going to be allowed to pay a knut toward this am I?"

"Now, now Harry. I assure you that a knut from your personal vault will be quite sufficient for your financial contribution" Ragnok stated with just the barest hint of a smirk.

"Would you care to explain the master plan that has so many of your peers going to extreme lengths to help finance it?" Ranook asked primly.

Eventually, Harry calmed sufficiently enough to explain that since Halloween, the students had been working on a plan that would allow more Lycan youth to have a formal education at Hogwarts.

"One of the largest hurdles, the need to keep things secret, has essentially been eradicated. With the second-seventh years being aware of the situation, it would be simple enough to create a suitable alibi. Miakoda, a 7th year Ravenclaw, suggested forming an exclusive, invitation-only club that meets twice a month (the full and new moons). Beyond that, my club would continue and discuss lycanthropy at some point each year. This way, even if a first-year discovered their friend was furry once a month, it would not cause much, if any, reaction. The next issue is of course funding," turning to Grimhook, Harry continued, "I believe our dads have been coming up with a plan to fix that?"

With the feral grin of a goblin who knows something is happening that would anger most of the wizards at the Ministry, Grimhook gave more detail. "Your godfather and a few of my uncles are involved as well. Together, the Potter and Black names have a significant majority in the publishing companies of your textbooks. They have been convinced that Beowulf's Bookshop on Lycan Lane would be an excellent secondary location in which to sell their merchandise. The Hook clan is working on growing the seed fund started by your father when he turned 17 to help fund Lycan education. Your father was quite generous such that after your uncle's time at Hogwarts, every lycan since has had their tuition covered. In its current state, however, it would be unable to support a significant increase of students."

"I will get your clan a list of low-risk, high payoff investment opportunities next week. The goal need not be an entirely tuition-free education, merely one that does not cost a prohibitive amount on the various packs."

"While the Headmaster would have to confirm, I believe that Hogwarts would be able to provide a scholarship or two as well." Flitwick gave his input.

"Well it seems that you have thought this out quite thoroughly," Ragnok stated with pride in his eyes. "It seems you are going through all of the traditional channels to get things accomplished. Why did you need to meet with me?"

"There are a few more problems that need to be overcome, problems that your people would best be able to resolve. As Hogwarts currently stands, dangers abound in every hallway of the school for unprepared individuals with lycanthropy. I asked about it with Amou. He is of the opinion that the dangers are simply something that comes from having the bite, and nothing need be done. After a few moons, it is apparently simple enough to avoid touching those items made of silver. I disagree and have talked it over with the Headmaster. Because of my...unique upbringing and heritage, I have the means to get all the silver on the grounds in a single room that has the capability to enlarge if need be. A team of goblins would then come and either make the items safe by way of wards or transfiguration or take the items to be placed inside the Hogwarts vault. In addition to payment for this service by way of the donations of my fellow students, the headmaster has agreed to return any goblin-made items that are discovered in the silver room to the goblin clan that has rights to it. Hogwarts is also in need of a new place in which future students with lycanthropy can roam during the full moon. For the last three weeks, I have been in negotiation with several of the residents of the Forbidden Forest. They have agreed to permit a small section of the Forest to be used for this purpose so long as certain niceties are followed."

Turning to his friends, Ranook and Grimhook, Harry continued "A few summers ago, the three of us came up with a comprehensive warding schematic for this purpose. For various reasons, it never left the theoretical stage. With a bit of tweaking, I believe it would be perfect for Hogwarts' needs. Further, I believe that the changes in my generation's thinking could cause its system to be quite profitable in a few years. I would like to work with you to optimize this plan so that those wards could be put in place at the same time as the desilvering project. Even if it does not pick up like I expect, this one project would be far more profitable than your betting habit."

Neither goblin hesitated. "We're in!" They shouted. An hour later, all the details had been ironed out, contracts had been written in exhausting detail and signed, and the boys had rushed off to put in a bit of time towards their project before Harry had to go.

Ragnok and Flitwick had retired to the formal sitting room, both contemplating what they had learned. Filius was still reeling with everything that he had learned. Yet again, Harry had sought to solve Hogwarts' problems himself. He hated that Harry had felt the need to hide his activities, had chosen detention rather than explain himself….Ragnok felt pride and concern. A decision five years earlier was reaping benefits in spades, and the children involved were growing to be world changers. The youngest of the group, Harry Potter, was continually fighting battles, battles that the elders around him deemed unnecessary or a problem that children ought not concern themselves with. Every culture has the right to raise their youth as they see fit. Ragnok feared that this child of many worlds was not being given the help he needed to reconcile his recent experiences.

Based on the happy sounds of children floating down from the second floor of Warrior's Refuge, all was well for the moment. Ragnok would make sure that he would be part of the group to go to Hogwarts. If Harry had a need that wasn't being met at Hogwarts, it would be provided. News of Harry's arrival had spread, and as the hour grew later, it was decided that Harry should stay the night to catch up with his many goblin friends, an idea that his mum and dad were perfectly okay with when they were contacted. For once not having any papers to grade or lessons to plan, Flitwick happily accepted when the invitation was extended to include him. The time in Ragnok's office had helped him to calm down somewhat concerning just who he was rubbing shoulders with, and Filius' natural curiosity was bubbling to the surface. He wanted to know more about the circumstances that had helped form such a unique individual as Harry Potter.

"Your Majesty, I...that is" Flitwick was unsure as to how he should begin.

"I gather you've questions about your student?" Ragnok chuckled kindly.

"Um...well, yes"

"Once the boys have fallen asleep, I'll get Griphook to come over with a bottle of his grandfather's finest. This tale is best told with a bit of alcohol in the system…."

AN See Goblin Discussions for the conversation between Ragnok, Griphook, and Flitwick.