Harry awoke on Tuesday feeling quite happy. Last night he and Hermione had spent a good amount of time exploring each other with more than hands and he decided that it was quite brilliant. As he lay in bed wrapped around his girlfriend, his hand cupping her bare upper portions, he decided that this had been the best summer of his life.

Suddenly, he heard a pop. He looked over from his current position to see Winky standing there. "Master Harry Potter Sir! Mistresses parents told Winky to come and get Master Harry and Mistress Hermione for breakfast. They's be leaving for work soon!"

Harry groaned quietly but said, "Thank you, Winky. Tell them that we will be down soon." After Winky popped out, he looked down and saw that Hermione's eyes were open. He kissed her neck. "Time to get up, Luv."

Hermione sighed and then smiled at Harry. "I know. But I was having too much fun lying here. I really like waking up like this."

Harry grinned. He pressed his morning wood harder against her bum and said, "Me too." Hermione blushed a bit but grinned as well. "Still, it would be rude to not see Robert and Emma off."

Hermione sighed but began to get out of bed – deliberately moving against Harry as she did so. Harry groaned even as he smiled. At this rate, he'd need a cold shower before meeting Hermione's parents downstairs. Both knew that the two were intimate but he didn't like showing THAT much off.

Later, Harry and Hermione were eating breakfast when an owl arrived. Harry looked the owl over and saw the Gringotts crest it wore on a leg band. He took the letter, thanked the owl, and offered it some bacon. The owl hooted in negation and then took off.

Hermione looked at Harry curiously, waiting to hear what the message was about. Harry read it over and looked at Hermione. "Well, today we're going to Gringotts."

After finishing their meal and their morning routines, Harry called for Winky and Dobby to take them to Diagon Alley. He would use clandestine means when needed, but he also wanted people to see that he was unafraid to be seen in public.

The two walked calmly down Diagon Alley toward Gringotts. The message he had received indicated that Sharpclaw had something to be passed on. When the two arrived to the door, Harry recognized one of the goblins as another from the squad that had helped in his ritual, even if he didn't remember the name. He nodded as the goblin opened the door for them. "It is good to see you again, Warrior. Honor and health to you."

The goblin grinned in its scary fashion and replied, "Victory and profit to you, Mr. Potter."

The two walked in and informed a teller that they were there to meet with Sharpclaw. The two were led to his office.

"Profit and Strength, Sharpclaw. I received your owl this morning."

Sharpclaw nodded at his visitors. "Profit and Long Life, Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger. Yes, Mr. Snape arrived yesterday and completed his oath. Upon doing so, he asked me to deliver a missive which he reported contained information that would benefit your position. Your continued prosperity helps with our continued prosperity, and so I owled you immediately." He picked up an envelope from his desk and handed it to Harry. "In addition, the Curse-breakers have reported that they began work last night to inspect the Gaunt property and recover any items as described. As soon as I have word, I will pass it along."

Harry nodded as he opened the envelope. "Thank you." He glanced over the letter on top of the notes before putting it back inside the envelope temporarily. "I wish to look this over in detail while I am here in case something might require a Gringotts' service, but I also wanted to deal with another matter today as well."

Sharpclaw motioned Harry to continue. "Three years ago, I was involved in an incident at Hogwarts where I had to face and kill a very large magical creature. I wanted to find out if Gringotts would be interested in providing services to retrieving its remains and possibly acting as agent for the sale from the proceeds."

Sharpclaw thought about it. "We do provide the services you ask for, but I do not know if three years isn't too long for retrieval. What was the creature?"

Harry grinned a bit as he said, "Salazar Slytherin's basilisk."

Sharpclaw almost stopped breathing. However he suppressed his reaction, lest he give away too much. "And how large was this creature?"

Harry thought about it. "When I discussed this with a butcher in America by the name of Hookblade, I said it was about forty feet long. Afterwards, I considered it and realized it was more likely closer to sixty." Sharpclaw was almost salivating at the thought of such a find. "He happened to mention that only dwarves and your people eat such meat. He also explained how aging the meat might increase its value. Anyway, I thought that possibly Gringotts or a particular goblin clan might wish to actually buy the meat outright rather than selling it. I would be amenable to such an agreement."

Sharpclaw's face took on an unreadable look. He said, "Please wait while I consult others. I will return shortly."

Harry nodded. He and Hermione stood while Sharpclaw left the office.

Hermione said to Harry, "Let's look at the package while he is away." Harry nodded and retrieved the package of parchment. The two looked through the notes that Snape had put together. Harry was startled when he came across a note about a passing comment from Bellatrix. He pointed it out to Hermione and she agreed that, considering Malfoy and the Diary, it was something to talk to Sharpclaw about.

Very shortly thereafter, Sharpclaw came back to the office trailed by two other goblins. One was an older goblin who was introduced as Grimclaw. The other was familiar. "Hello, Dripfang! How fares your clan's health today?"

Dripfang grinned at the wizard. "My clan is healthy and strong. How fare's your family's wealth?"

Harry smiled in response. "Increasing all of the time, thanks to Gringotts and Sharpclaw here."

After the pleasantries were completed, Sharpclaw quoted a fee for the retrieval of the basilisk. He then said, "Grimclaw here wishes to negotiate buying the basilisk meat directly for his clan. I cannot provide advice as I am also a part of the Claw clan. Dripfang has agreed to provide you advice as requested. I asked him as I was aware that you and he have a somewhat cordial relationship and he would be neutral in our dealings."

Harry nodded and thanked Dripfang. The negotiations began.

When the negotiations had completed, Grimclaw and Harry both signed the contract for the basilisk meat that might be recovered from the carcass minus twenty three pounds that Harry had set aside for gifts. Dripfang got three, the other guards that had helped at the ritual each got two, Griphook got one, Sharpclaw got three personally, and three were to be sent to Hookblade with Harry's compliments.

Grimclaw left the office with a recording of Harry saying Open in Parseltounge and clear directions as to how to access the Chamber of Secrets.

Dripfang also rose to leave. He was very happy with the result of the time spent. "Thank you for the gift to my squad. We shall toast your clan as we feast upon your victory spoils."

Harry bowed respectfully and cheerfully said, "You have my thanks and my gratitude. May your blade ever find the blood of your foes."

Dripfang bowed back and replied, "May your foes' gold find its way to your vaults." He then left.

Sharpclaw then said to Harry, "I would like to propose that we come to an agreement regarding a manager for your accounts."

Harry nodded. "Your thoughts?"

Sharpclaw replied, "You get along well with teller Griphook, as evidenced by one of your gifts. I propose he apprentice under my direction with the payscale as laid out when we first discussed this several weeks ago."

Harry turned to Hermione, "What do you think?"

Hermione shrugged. "It's your money. If you get along, go for it."

Harry grinned, "I'm just asking because eventually it's likely it will be your money too."

Hermione blushed as she said, "Well, umm, okay." She was very taken aback by Harry's words. Certainly she had fantasized about a future with Harry, but they hadn't been so blunt about it in the past. "I agree with the suggestion. You get on well with the teller and Sharpclaw has been honorable and honest. I'd say to trust him."

Harry nodded. "Good enough for me." He turned to Sharpclaw. "Put together a contract and I will review it when it's ready."

"When you next visit about our other business, I will have the contract ready. Is there anything else?"

Harry took out the note he had found from Severus but held onto it for the moment. "I need to find out Gringotts' policy on storing magical items."

Sharpclaw sat back and said, "Gringotts, for the most part, does not regulate what can be stored in a vault. If the fees are paid and Gringotts and its employees are not threatened, any item may be stored in a vault."

Harry paused. "What constitutes a threat?"

Sharpclaw looked at Harry suspiciously. "Is there some item that you have in mind to store here?"

Harry shook his head. "No. In Severus Snape's notes, something struck me as he mentioned a magical item that is currently stored in Gringotts. The owner of the vault, however, might have stored an item which IS dangerous, both to Gringotts and to magicals in general. I was wondering if you were the proper avenue to report it."

Sharpclaw looked at Harry shrewdly. "You wish to take hold of this item?"

Harry shook his head again. "No. I would like to see it cleansed of any malicious magic. I don't need to own it, only get the harmful magics destroyed or dispelled. The item itself can remain where it is, for all that I care."

Sharpclaw sat back and contemplated this. If the wizard did not want the item taken but only cleansed of harmful magics, did it really violate the terms of the vault contract? "What is the nature of the curse?"

Harry said, "Do you remember our discussion on wanaYisapa, or horcruxes?" Sharpclaw nodded. "We have reason to suspect that the item in question is one of these. It might be dangerous if goblins or others are around it for any length of time."

Sharpclaw considered this. "Would this be true for the item we are contracted to retrieve from the Gaunt Shack?"

Harry shook his head. "The contract specifies that if it isn't safe to store or deliver, it would be destroyed. According to the book I have, such a short exposure is not likely to be a problem. If a goblin, however, were to work in the vicinity for any length of time … well, the vault is inside Gringotts."

Sharpclaw paused as he weighed the information. "What is the title of the book?" He noted the title down. "I will consult those I must regarding this. If they decide that it is in our best interest to take action, I will inform you. What is the item?"

"There is a Cup in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault that she was directed by Voldemort to store here. That is according to these notes." He handed the page with the item over to Sharpclaw to review. After reading it and making a copy, he returned the original to Harry. "If it's a matter of fees, I will cover it."

Sharpclaw replied, "If we decide to take action and it is as you say, the fees would be taken from the vault in question. If we take action and there is no cursed item, you would be charged a penalty for making a false claim."

Harry nodded. That was fair. "I would like to contract to take care of it. I will pay the inspection fee and the disposal fee if the item is as described. I would prefer the vault holder not be notified for as long as possible. If the information is released too early, it would create much conflict."

Sharpclaw countered, "I will write the contract for the inspection fee. If something is found, fees will come from the vault. We will wait until the vault holder arrives to report the fees applied, keeping your name and your involvement out of it. It will be reported that the curse was found on a routine inspection. We will imply that the action was taken in the past so as not to alert your foes that someone is moving against him. It would be more profitable to us if your accounts did not return to maintenance mode. We do not get involved in Wizards' conflicts when we can avoid it. It is simply in our best interest that we enforce the contract that all vault holders agree to."

Harry asked Hermione if she had any other ideas. Hermione said, "What if the vault holder attacks Gringotts somehow for acting? It would be better for you if she knew exactly who instigated this. Harry is already in danger from Voldemort." Hermione barely stuttered when saying the name. "Harry taking responsibility might prevent any of your people from being attacked." Harry nodded in agreement when the point was brought up.

Sharpclaw gave a predatory grin – if only a very small one. "While I appreciate, as I'm sure my elders will, your attempts to avoid embroiling our people in this, it does not change that we would be acting as the contract dictates. If a wizard or witch attacks in response? It would be stupid wizard to attack us. Their contract would be violated, their assets seized, and we would have just cause to retaliate. Our Warriors would be most put out for not letting them have their fun when they can. Gringotts and our employees will act as I suggested. You shall not be involved."

Harry nodded, calming Hermione down with a touch to her arm. While he agreed with Hermione and her desire to protect others from unnecessary risk, he could also see Sharpclaw's position on the matter. It would help if Voldemort found out only to be misdirected as to the source of the information. He said to Sharpclaw, "I'll sign."

Hermione finally agreed reluctantly. Only that Harry would be safer allowed her to drop it so quickly or easily.

Sharpclaw filled in a standard inspection contract, stipulating that if nothing harmful to Gringotts was found Harry would pay it. Otherwise, the fees would be charged to the vault holder at a standard "penalty" rate. Sharpclaw was happy with the contract. They would be paid regardless. Gringotts would actually make more if something WAS found. It was good profit.

Harry looked it over, had Hermione look it over, and then he signed it. Sharpclaw also signed it and then sent it on to those who would fulfill it.

Finally, Harry looked at Hermione. "Anything else you can think of?"

Hermione shook her head. "Nothing needing immediate attention."

Harry nodded. "Is there anything else, Sharpclaw?"

Sharpclaw nodded. "The question regarding dementors. I have consulted those that were needed and can report that Gringotts would be willing to negotiate with the current Minister regarding their destruction."

Harry smiled. He had forgotten he had asked – it had only been a passing idea. "I will let Amelia Bones know. Who should she contact?"

"She should be directed to myself. I will take her to the required person."

Harry agreed. "Thank you. I do not know if it will take place, but I will suggest it. Gringotts would profit and my enemy would be denied the resource." Sharpclaw grinned to himself. Profit and the confounding of enemies was good motivation to a goblin. Perhaps there were some walking roasts that were like minded. "Is there anything else?"

Sharpclaw replied, "Not at this time. I will contact you as information becomes available on current or future business."

Harry and Hermione stood. "My thanks to you and Gringotts then. May you acquire the need for a larger vault."

Sharpclaw also stood. "May your enemies become the cause of your feasting."

Harry suppressed the slight shudder that such a platitude implied. He liked the goblins' sense of fair play – he didn't want to live like one.

Hermione and Harry were allowed to use the internal apparition station to depart via house elf. Once the two had left, Sharpclaw made his way to his Clan Chief's office after picking up the special item he needed. He knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Sharpclaw entered. "Greetings Claw Chief Grimclaw. I have brought refreshment for a celebration."

Grimclaw nodded cheerfully. "Come in, Claw Elder. What do you have for us?"

Sharpclaw started pouring from the carafe he had brought. "A most distinctive drink that the walking roast we just met with brought to my attention. I think you will enjoy it."

Grimclaw smelled the contents of the cup in front of him. He grinned. "A most distinctive smell!" He tried it. "A most excellent taste! What is this?"

Sharpclaw grinned at his Chief. "A human drink called coffee brewed specifically for the palate of a warrior. The average roast cannot handle it." The two goblins raised their cups to each other and enjoyed the bitter and strong taste.

"That was a good catch, Clan Elder. Our clan will make a tidy profit from that contract."

Sharpclaw bowed in acknowledgement for the praise. Honesty compelled him to make a confession. "Thank you Claw Chief. The walking roast actually suggested it to me before I could offer. It was unfortunate that we only found out after the roast had talked to a Blood butcher regarding the value of the meat and the value of aging it."

Grimclaw made a face. "Damn Blood clan. Their living amongst those of the wide plains across the sea has made them too garrulous. While I applaud them achieving their recognized status there, their culture is too open to hide advantages we guard here. The extra 1000 galleons per hundredweight was an annoyance."

Sharpclaw sighed in agreement. "While I am learning that some roasts might not deserve the pot, the vast majority of them still would look better on a platter than in a chair."

Grimclaw laughed.

Sharpclaw's face took on a particular look that his Clan Chief rather enjoyed. "Still, we will have a legitimate contact in the wide plains to sell our recent purchase. When the time comes to deliver the roast's gift, I will deliver it personally and negotiate. With such a large amount of meat, diversifying markets will allow us to make it rarer in each individual market. Thus, more profit."

Grimclaw nodded enthusiastically. "An excellent strategy, Honored Elder! Let us look forward to completing this contract." The two clinked their cups together in agreement.

A/N: I thought the chapter yesterday was too short, so I added this today. The different clans names include Claw, Blood, Hook, Fang, Fist, Shard, etc. Goblin society in this fic isn't as monolithic as most fanfics imply. Even the British goblins recognize that the American goblins have a different culture because of circumstance and environment.

Besides: Goblins are always fun to write about.