CHAPTER 5
The frustrating and frankly infuriating talk of politics was a bit much for someone who had lost his entire family and all of his childhood to the argument that had blown all out of proportion even before he was born. Besides, no one had ever asked him what his opinion on this argument was, come to think of it. Having had the misfortune of growing up in Durzkaban, and now considering his narrow escape from becoming a dangerous obscurial himself, he wasn't so sure he disagreed entirely with Draco Malfoy's side of the disagreement that turned bloody. He would have gone about it all differently perhaps, and he had no personal beef with non-magical humans, but maybe, just maybe, the two worlds should mostly steer clear of each other?
That was an avenue of thought that had to wait another day or more perhaps. For now, Harry was bone-weary and desperate for respite, healing and change. It was time to step back and take a breather and let willing others share the burden, if only temporarily. Harry sighed deeply, stood up and figuratively speaking, handed the full responsibility of repairs of their wizarding nation to Ragnok and for the Goblin to coordinate with Kingsley and make the magic happen. He would get stronger and then come back to bear the load like Atlas. He had fought too hard, struggled too desperately, and lost far too much for this world to simply give up and walk away at this point; it's what Dumbledore had done after defeating Grindelwald, and it's what had led to the hot soggy mess landing in his lap and giving him 17 years of suffering and loss, and burnt his world, all because Albus bloody Dumbledore had baulked at finishing what he started.
Harry Potter would not make that stupid mistake and pass on the nightmare to Teddy and his generation to sort through. He would be a better man. He asked Ragnok to set up a comfortable vault for Teddy and Andromeda, even if she blamed him for Teddy being an Orphan and Edward Tonks being hunted down like a mad dog. They were furious and grieving, but they were still Blacks and his family. Ragnok and Gran both approved of his gesture, and Gran promised to reach out to Andromeda and build a relationship so she could keep Harry in the loop about them. Harry asked Ragnok to find Andi a good Elf to help around the house and with raising the newborn grandson of hers. She would not be able to do it all, just by herself, he knew.
He then blew off all the brownie points with his sappy stupidity; he asked if he could transfer fifty thousand galleons each to Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, but Gran shot that idea immediately, instead persuading Ragnok to not penalize them or the other Weasleys for their role in Raid of Gringotts. She scolded Harry for trying to buy love with galleons, where his method of teaching the Weasley twins to fish was more than adequate; even in the most difficult times, their prank store had thrived, after all. It was wrong to simply throw money at the family in expectations of affection, friendship or support; Harry had to concede that point.
Harry had to satisfy himself with ensuring that Bill and Fleur still had their old job and their credit, repute and credibility in Gringotts, a job offer to teach Transfiguration at Hogwarts for Percy, and an interest-free loan of ten thousand Galleons for a period of in Arthur Weasley's name if he ever came looking. Gran and Ragnok were adamant that Harry not turn into a Malfoy and throw his money at every problem. He felt nauseated at the thought that as soon as he had discovered his wealth, he had indeed been throwing his money around, but hopefully not as obnoxiously as the Malfoys. He vowed to be more circumspect and consider investing as he did for the twins, rather than just offer charity for those who were not motivated to make anything of themselves.
The mention of that particular family name reminded him of Narcissa's last act of defiance in the Forbidden Forest; Harry narrated the same to his captive audience. Gran knew the elder Malfoys only too well and was swift to point out that not one of the Malfoys had done anything for either side of the fight with any altruism in mind. If allowed to go Scot free, they would buy their way to freedom and start the whole cycle all over again. Harry had to concede that point too since that's what had lend so much power to Voldie, second time around. Apparently, Hermione was not the only one who had maintained her naïveté even through war. That thought made him wonder why he had been so ready to forgive Snape and Dumbledore. Had they not harmed more than they saved?
Harry was tiring fast. The excitement of this day, the ugly truths, the vast information overload, and the stress of many months, and even years was wearing him down. His contribution to the discussions was slowly starting to wind down. Ragnok had one last thing for Harry; a full medical scan, darkness cleanse and healing program, courtesy of Gringotts, for all the trouble. The Goblin called for his assistant to escort Harry to their personal infirmary for a healing regimen and a fortnight-long stay in Gringotts territory as Ragnok's personal guest. Harry called Kreacher, had the elf fetch the Black and Potter family Grimoires and the Peverell invisibility cloak, and asked to borrow their ritual room, and total privacy; he wanted to try something.
But before he could attempt anything, Harry was astonished by his diagnosis; there was still a degree of darkness lingering in his scar. His magical core had a few frayed but present and active bindings and blocks. A few of his natural abilities had been blocked. More than sixty per cent of his bones were far too brittle to be healthy, and neither were more than half his internal organs. The basilisk venom running in his veins were still wreaking havoc and needed to be drawn out. There was much to be done, and he was glad to be knocked out, allowing the Goblin Healer to work on repairing him in peace. There were no foul potions or painful processes; Goblins were earth elementals and worked their magics through Rituals most of the time. So Harry slept for a few hours and woke up in the Cleansing Rituals Chamber, a truly changed and strengthened man.