Chapter 25 - More Vaults and Meetings
A/N You know the drill. I first have to beg forgiveness for not having updated in quite a while. Sorry! My muse has left on a slow boat to China and I cannot find her. I hope she didn't run into a storm at sea. You know that anything you recognize is property of JKR. Aren't we all glad that she lets us play with her toys! All I get out of this writing in the pleasure of your reviews. Please.
Thanks to the Sheriff and Glitter. You two know why! It's nobody else's business.
Hogwarts - Hermione's bedroom
"Of course I'll marry you, you silly fool." said Hermione as Draco knelt in front of her holding out a ring box. Draco took the ring out of its box and slipped it on Hermione's finger. She jumped as she felt some heat from it and it sized itself to her finger. "It's beautiful Draco. You must have had it specially made."
"You're right love. I ordered it from the goblins jewelers six weeks ago."
Hermione stared at the ring. There were two stones each about three carats weight. The emerald was held in a yellow gold lion's mouth while the ruby was set in a platinum snake's mouth. There was something engraved in each stone. In the ruby were the initials "DM" while the emerald had "HG" in it. The band of the ring was made up of the lion's body and the snakes body. The craftsmanship was such that you could not really tell where one body stopped and the other started. As soon as it was on Hermione's finger the band of the ring started glowing. At the same time a glow appeared on Draco's left ring finger. When the glow died down Draco sighed.
"The goblins were able to do what I asked. I was concerned that it wouldn't work but they said it would. There are runes on the band. If anyone else tried to put it on except for you, they would find their finger cut off and the ring would reappear on either your hand or mine. If you are ever in danger, the ring will act as a portkey to bring you to where I am."
"Draco, I love my ring almost as much as I love you. Thank you." Hermione said this in between kisses. When Draco tried to deepen the kisses, she jumped up. "Not now. I have to go and show off my ring."
Gringotts' Vaults
Harry was glad that Petunia was willing to meet him at Gringotts bank. He saw her walking in the door and went over to greet her. "Hi Aunt Petunia. How are you feeling today?"
"Okay I guess, Harry. Severus and I went out last night with Rubeus, Bell, Minnie and Xenophilius. I think I had a little too much to drink so today I feel just a little under the weather. When we left the Leakey Cauldron Severus and I went to . . ."
"IEEE! Too much information! Too much information is no good!" Harry squealed sticking his fingers in his ears.
Pet laughed. "All right nephew. No more information. I promise. Now why did you ask to meet me here?"
Harry turned serious. "You and I are the last of the Evans' and I want to show you the Evans vault and talk about it. Ragnook will be taking us down in a moment. Oh there he is now. Good morning Director Ragnook. May the morning find your vaults full." Harry bowed to the goblin.
"Good morning Mr. Potter. Good morning Ms. Evans. May your vaults also be full and your enemies cowering in front of you." He bowed to the two of them and Petunia also bowed in return. "Shall we get started?"
They turned toward a seemingly blank wall and a doorway opened. Walking through, they got into a cart and the cart took off. Petunia could not help but scream while the cart flew down the track moving as fast and as wildly as the highest roller coaster she could imagine. When it finally came to a stop and they got out Petunia bent over and put her hands on her knees to catch her breath and find her equilibrium.
"First time?" Ragnook said. "It happens to everyone their first time. Some never get used to it. At least you didn't throw up all over the cart."
They faced the door to the Evans vault and Harry placed his hands in the appropriate places. The door popped open and they walked in. Petunia's mouth fell open. "What is all this?" she asked.
"This was mom's vault. After she was killed, there were reparations placed in here from various convicted death eaters and from Riddle's estate." Harry explained. "Director Ragnook, I want half of the galleons that are in this vault transferred to my Aunt Petunia's vault."
"But Harry," she protested, "that's not right. She was your mother and this is rightfully yours. You should not be giving me half of what you have. After all the things I did to you growing up. . ."
"Aunt Petunia! We both know who was responsible for that! I never want to hear to talk about that again. Don't worry about me. There are still the Potter vaults. This is nothing compared to them. She was your sister and I want you to have half of her estate. There is nothing you can say to change my mind." Turning to Ragnook he continued "Please have it done immediately."
Ragnook nodded and half the galleons vanished.
They got back in the cart and returned to the lobby. "I have to be getting back to work, Harry." Petunia said, "So I'll be going."
"I have another meeting so I'll just wait here. The people I'm meeting will be here in a moment. Bye." Harry said as he hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Pet hugged him back and returned his kiss and left the building.
"Director Ragnook, do you know if Arthur and Ginny Weasley are here yet?" Harry asked.
"They are waiting just down the hall. Shall we join them?" the goblin replied.
They joined Arthur and Ginny. When she saw Harry, Ginny rushed into his arms. "I haven't seen you all day, Harry. I missed you." They hugged and she started kissing him.
Arthur coughed. "Ginevra, you do realize I'm standing right here don't you? Would it make you uncomfortable if I was snogging Narcissa while you were standing waiting for me and watching us?"
Harry broke the kiss immediately with a look of fear on his face. "Ginny, Ginny stop! You're father is right here and we're in the bank."
Ginny looked at him with regret in her eyes "Damn hormones. " she muttered under her breath. Aloud she said, "Sorry daddy."
Harry sighed. "We have some business to take care of. Director Ragnook, please take us to the Potter vaults."
They got in a cart and the usual bumpy ride ensued. None of them were affected however since it was something they expected. They got out when the cart stopped. "This is very close to the new Weasley vault, isn't it?" Arthur asked Ragnook. The goblin simply nodded.
Harry placed his hands on the door and felt the usual pin prick taking a drop of his blood. Before the door rumbled open, Harry said, "Director Ragnook, I want Ginevra Weasley to have complete access to the Potter vaults."
The goblin indicated where Ginny should put her hands and the door took a drop of her blood. "It is done as you requested Mr. Potter." he said.
"Before we go inside, Arthur, I understand that you are splitting up things that are in Molly's vault among your children. Once we go in I think that you will understand why I don't want Ginny accepting anything."
Arthur's face fell when he heard this. As soon as the vault door opened however his mouth fell open. "I've never seen anything like this before. I can't imagine how many galleons there are here."
"Daddy please don't feel bad," Ginny said embracing her father. "You always knew that the Potters were among the wealthiest of all the wizarding families."
"I don't feel bad. Don't worry. I'm so happy for you that you're becoming a Potter. I just wish your mother had been able to see it. And to be completely honest, I wish that the marriage had come before the pregnancy. At least it will be before the birth."
Ginny and Harry blushed and hung their heads. Arthur continued. "Harry I understand what you said but please understand what I'm going to do is not because I don't trust you. Molly and I married after Bill was conceived. Her father created a vault he called 'The Molly Prewitt Emergency Fund'. Molly was the only one who could gain entrance to that vault. In fact I knew nothing about it. I'm going to have Nikenik create a 'Ginny Weasley Emergency Fund' vault just like my father-in-law did. Shh, Ginny my dear, don't say anything. We don't know what life holds for us. You will be the only one who has access to this vault, just like your mother had access to the vault her father created. Just promise me that you will not keep any secrets from Harry. That vault and how she filled it were the only things that your mother kept from me in all our years together."
"Daddy, thank you. I don't think I will ever need it but I promise both you and Harry that there will be no secrets between the two of us." Ginny said as she threw her arms around her father.
"I'm glad that's settled." said Arthur. "I have to get back to the office now. Harry it almost seems that you are taking all the staff from my office. First Petunia, than me and I understand you're meeting with Narcissa in a while."
"Yes sir. There are a few things that have to be ironed out and sooner is better than later." Harry said.
They returned to the surface and Arthur said his goodbyes. Harry and Ginny went to a waiting room where they waited for the rest of their group to arrive. The first to be shown in was Draco who had Hermione with him. "I hope you don't mind but I brought Hermione with me," he said. "We're going to be married after all and have no secrets from each other."
"Of course I don't mind you bringing my sister with you." said Harry with a huge smile on his face. He shook hands with Draco and gave Hermione a huge hug. Ginny gave each of them a hug and kissed Hermione on each cheek. As this was happening, Narcissa Black walked in. Harry saw her and said "We're only waiting for one more person. Narcissa have you heard from Andromeda?"
"She stopped for a moment to speak to one of the goblins. She'll join us in just a moment. I came ahead so that you wouldn't worry. In fact there she is."
Andromeda walked in and said, "Hello everyone. Sorry I'm a couple of minutes late. Harry what's this about?"
"I'll explain in a couple of moments. Director Ragnook, are we ready to go?"
"Yes Mr. Potter. If everyone would everyone just step this way." Ragnook gestured to a door that appeared as he spoke. On the other side of the door was an extended version of the carts used to transport people to the vaults. They all got in and the cart took off pell mell down the track. When it stopped and they all got out Narcissa recognized the area near where Arthur had taken her to the new Weasley vaults. "Mr. Potter, would you please open the Black vaults."
Harry placed his hands in the appropriate spots on the door and the door immediately recognized his authority to open the vault. As the door rumbled open Harry said, "The door recognizes me because Sirius was the last head of the Black house. In his will he named me his magical and physical heir even though I am a Black by blood only from my great grandmother."
They all entered the vault. Andromeda and Narcissa began tearing up. "We have not been in this vault in so many years I really can't remember." Narcissa said.
Andromeda added, "I haven't been here since before I met Ted and got blasted off the family tapestry."
"Well, just to let you know, I instructed Kreacher to place you back on the tapestry along with Ted, Nymphadora and little Teddy, my godson." stated Harry. "That's not why I asked you to meet me here. Director Ragnook, I hereby instruct you to transfer 20% of the galleons in this vault to Andromeda Tonks, 20% to Narcissa Black, 15% to Draco Malfoy 15% to Nymphadora Tonks and 20% to Theodore Lupin. That leaves 10% under my control. As we discussed I also will need you to draw up documents indicating that Theodore Lupin will be my magical and physical heir with regard to any Black Family holdings. When he reaches the age of 25 he will have the choice of taking over the Black family even if I am still alive as long as he changes his name to Theodore Lupin-Black."
While everyone else stood with their mouths open in surprise, Ragnook said "Your instructions will be followed exactly as we discussed, Mr. Potter."
Suddenly Ginny squealed "Hermione, what's that on your finger! Did you get engaged?" She grabbed Hermione's left hand and held it up to the light. "Oh my God what a ring that is."
Narcissa took one look and turned to Draco with a look of pride on her face. "I'm proud of you son." she whispered.
Harry on the other hand took one look at the ring on his "sister's" hand and said, "Great Malfoy, now what are the rest of us supposed to do? You're set the bar so high that I don't think anyone will be able to top it." He sounded angry but his smile gave him away.
Charlie Weasley's flat - Ireland
Charlie had left work early. He left detailed instructions with his deputy about what he wanted done with Norbert. He thought that if they were going to succeed with training any dragon it would be Norbert. After all she was born in captivity and imprinted Hagrid as her parent as soon as she came out of the egg.
He was going to meet Tracey's parents for the first time that evening and wanted to get ready. He wasn't really nervous but really kind of was. He knew that he could already feel himself falling in love with her and wanted to make sure he made a good first impression on her family. After all he and Tracey were going to be married forever. He reviewed what Tracey had told him about her parents. Her father, Harold Sherif, was originally from Nottingham in England. He worked his way up in the diplomatic corps of the ministry until he was assigned as the ambassador to Ireland. He fell in love with the country and decided that he should have been born Irish. A number of years later, he was transferred. They assigned him as the ambassador to Asia Minor. He replaced a wizard who was relieved of duty and accused of treason ending up serving a life term in Azkaban for his crimes.
While Harold was assigned there he met, fell in love with and married Tracey's mother, Irene. Their meeting and entire courtship lasted all of three weeks. Some witches claimed that Irene gave Harold a love potion to drink but the truth was that as soon as they saw each other they felt such a strong connection that the only words to describe it were "Love at first sight." Charlie thought to himself, "I guess if anyone understands a quick marriage and almost no courtship it will be them."
In Asia Minor, Irene's family were very successful farmers and landowners. They raised potions ingredients of very high quality that were sought after throughout the wizarding world. When his tour of duty was over Harold and Irene returned to the British Isles and settled in Ireland where they had developed a farm growing extremely high quality potions ingredients similar to the farm Irene's parents owned. They were among the first growers to make extensive use of greenhouses so that they could plant year round instead of just during the spring and summer.
"I'd better get in the shower and get dressed before Tracey comes to pick me up and take me to her parents' house." Charlie said to himself.
A/N Well what did you think? Please let me know.