[a/n0]1st mail day after New Years, got ads with Valentine's Day sales. OY VEY!
[a/n]Thx Dunuleos
Harry Does Different CCDXXXVII
Lone Traveler VI
Less and less did the immortal think of himself as Harry. Whenever he happened upon a mirror, his face was unchanging, but sometimes he felt OLD. He sighed as yet another world materialized around him. *sigh* "When am I THIS time?"
"Bou two peemma guv'ner." An unkempt, shaggy woman said helpfully.
He took pity on her and flipped the first coin that came from his pocket "Thank you, ma'am."
"A sickle!" she exclaimed "Worth at least a week in the hay!"
THAT made the Lone Traveler a little queasy, but a long lifetime kept his face neutral. He replied "Not at all ma'am. Consider it a birthday present, or maybe Christmas. Though you might tell me the date?"
"Tis August 12 1918." She replied and offered herself again "Sure you don't want at least one go?"
Making his sigh more impatient than disgusted he answered "My tastes are for young boys. Have a pleasant day, madam." The date had no particular significance so he strolled away, knowing that the currents of time would direct him. Quickly enough, he located himself in Diagon Alley at the entrance to Knockturn.
"Useless squib!" a subadult taunted a young girl with an older man looking on in approval.
The Lone Traveler had a major grudge against bullies of any kind. More for appearance sake, he drew his wand and fired a couple of Banishing Charms. Actually, he wordlessly fired two more at each male, each denting the nearby brick wall. He walked over to the abused child and asked "Chu doin in Knockturn Alley? Dodgy place."
"My brother and father." She answered warily, not accepting the offered hand.
This only served to deepen his rage "I know the type…all too well…Would you like to walk with me a while?"
"How do I know I can trust you?" the girl asked.
He offered his wand "You can hold this as long as we're together, and any time you wish to part company I will take you wherever you wish to go. My name is Harry. What's yours?" The Lone Traveler knew, even without the child's name, this was why he was here.
"Merope Gaunt." She answered, with an unpleasant expression "But one day I'll be Merope Riddle. And I am NOT a filthy squib."
This was quite a moment for The Lone Traveler. A little change here could alter the entire course of the next century. Kindly, but firmly, he chastised "I didn't say you were, child. But use language like that in my company again, and I'll Scougify your tongue. Do we understand each other?"
"I have your wand!" Merope countered.
The Lone Traveler waggled his fingers in front of the girl's face and whispered harshly "Scourgify!" Then grinned wickedly as her mouth filled with soap bubbles.
"Yuck!" she cried "How did you do that if I have your wand?!"
He didn't answer her question, instead "For someone who professes to love a Muggle, you have some strong opinions of people without magic."
"How do you know Tom?" she demanded, still rubbing the taste from her tongue.
The cryptic response was "I know many things, Meri. And I've decided how best to complete my mission. You know of Gringotts?"
"Of course, my family runs the place." she retorted arrogantly, then bashfully "Well…we used to." She recovered strongly "My name is Mer-ROPE!"
He had a gentle but unbreakable grip on the girl's hand and cheerily responded "Of course it is, Meri. Now come along. When we're done here, you'll never have to see Morphin or Marvolo unless it's by your choice."
Abcij
"Teller Ragnok, how goes your scheme to take over?" The Lone Traveler asked blithely as he brought the little girl up to the counter.
The goblin growled "Silence fool human! Wha'd'u want?"
"The gold from my enemies' vaults flowing over their bones." He answered "And I have the means to make it happen. We can start it all with a modest withdrawal from the Potter emergency account."
This got the young goblin's attention "You realize the price you'll pay should you prove false?"
"Blood gore guts on the floor." The Lone Traveler answered flippantly as he sat Merope on the counter right in front of the goblin's face.
Respect, and truthfully, a bit of fear showed on the goblin's expression "You must be very brave. Or very foolish."
"Likely a bit of both, oh future director." The Lone Traveler retorted, unconcernedly "Now please. Your inheritance test?"
Ragnok frowned, a most unattractive expression on a goblin and growled "Your compliments could be considered bribery. Matthew James is the current Head of House Potter. There is a high price for false claims."
"I do not make that claim." Said The Lone Traveler "Again, the test. Your dagger? Or mine?"
Ragnok slapped a wicked weapon on the desk, point to the human and sneered "Proceed."
"Blood rituals are very serious, Meri." He addressed the girl kindly "Never and I mean NEVER willingly give your blood to an enemy." He picked up the weapon by the blade and squeezed, soon red was seeping between his fingers. He didn't so much as flinch.
Ragnok looked disappointed "You actually COULD make a head claim."
"I do not wish to. I shall not be here that long." Replied the human "Just two questions, teller. How much is available in the emergency vault? And how much does a Hogwarts education cost today?"
The goblin was most displeased with this interaction, for many reasons "GG10,000 and refillable twice a year. The full seven years currently costs GG1,000, with a twenty percent discount if paid in full before Second Year."
"Excellent. Withdraw GG2,000." The Lone Traveler ordered "Pay the tuition, in full. Now. And give me a receipt. Split the balance. Invest half in these companies, the other under your personal control at DOUBLE the usual maintenance rate as long as you exceed average market return. Cash withdrawals are authorized for upkeep of Meri here. Legally Merope Gaunt. Yourself and Meri's school Head of House will be trustees and must both agree to any other withdrawals until her majority, whereupon she takes control."
Ragnok was immensely pleased, but wouldn't show it, continuing to snarl "Any additional instructions?"
"Merely a quill and some parchment please." The Lone Traveler requested "Include this with your next correspondence to Lord Potter."
MATTHEW JAMES POTTER
My Lord
Greetings and salutations
An emergency presented itself making it necessary for me to access the account. My bloodline was verified by Gringotts. This was used to assist a child in desperate need. I, personally, took no financial benefit from this and apologize for not asking prior permission.
Success to you and our clan
HARRY JAMES POTTER
"Headmaster Dippet" the visitor offered a courteous bow "may I present Miss Merope Gaunt?"
The ancient wizard in magnificent robes smiled at the child, but gave the young looking wizard a suspicious glare "But you have not identified yourself, young man."
"By blood, a Potter" the visitor answered "I am most frequently addressed as The Lone Traveler. And my youth is only skin deep. And my secrets are mine, you'll find my Occlumency more than sufficient. You should know my ward is the last blood descendant of Salazar Slytherin, her abilities include parseltongue."
The Headmaster looked unhappy, but smiled at the girl "And how did you come to be her guardian?"
"See, all you need is ask." The visitor was a touch flippant "I apologize sir, a minor ache from your probe. I prevented young Meri being abused by her father and brother. The scene was quite public. I strongly suspect Meri's magical talents have been suppressed as a result of longterm abuse. She needs encouragement and a nurturing environment. Here is a receipt for all seven years tuition. There is a vault in her name at Gringotts that a goblin and her Head of House will jointly administer."
Dippet puffed on his ornate pipe and ran fingers through his white hair "Most irregular. Something my professors do not undertake. Why not you yourself? She is your ward, by your own words."
"You and your Heads act in loco parentis for all muggleborn children." The Lone Traveler pointed out "Would you do less for a certified pureblood descendant of one of the Founders? I can tell my time draws nigh. Please allow me a final word with my ward."
Dippet was quite shocked when he could no longer hear what was said between the visitors. And greatly dismayed at his inability to even read their lips.
"You're leaving me too!" the mostly quiet girl protested.
To which The Lone Traveler squeezed her shoulders and knelt down "Not by choice Meri. It is simply the way of my life. I have spent more time in this place than is usual for me. I suppose more needed to be done. Some last advice. I chose two people to manage your affairs so that neither has absolute power. If one gives you reason to mistrust them, goto the other. It's your life… as much as possible for an 11-year old… make it a good one."
"Thank you Harry." She replied "And I AM Mer-ROPE … to everyone… but you."
The Headmaster was all but blinded, and when his vision returned he was alone with the young witch.