Author's Note(s):
Disclaimer in Chapter 1.
Warnings: Mega-Powerful Harry! Mega-Rich Harry! Politically Powerful Harry Potter!
Ch. 8 Meetings
The Lord of the Triad Isles was up before the sun was even peeking over the horizon. A quick workout on the exercise machines he had bought the day before in London was put to good use in the makeshift gym in his humble home that did little more than serve the purpose of protecting him from the elements. A shower after the workout and a change of clothes, also picked up in London, later found Harry in his small kitchen putting the finishing a light breakfast.
Out the window the sun was out in full display, a buzz of the wards alerted Harry to incoming travelers. Harry looked out the kitchen window as he finished washing and drying the last of the morning dishes. The appearance of a contingent of Goblins would scare any muggle or wizard, but Harry had been expecting their arrival.
"Good morning, Lord Gringott," he greeted the goblin leader as he stepped out of this temporary abode.
"Good morning to you, Lord Emrys," the goblin replied.
The two shook forearms in the ancient greeting of warriors. "I must say that I am impressed with the work you have already completed." Gringott said eyeing the dugout foundation for the castle and the placement of the stonework.
"Your words honor me, Lord Gringott," Harry said with a slight bow.
The Goblin Lord flashed a toothy grin… "Allow me to introduce you to Master Builder, Grimlow," he said waiving a large muscular Goblin into the conversation.
Harry inclined his head… "Master Grimlow, I bid you welcome to the Triad Isles."
A gruff reply… "Not a bad start, I guess, Lord Emyrs," the brutish goblin carried a pile of rolled up parchment under his thick arms.
"If you wish, mi' lord, I have the finalized plans for your new dwelling and some preliminary sketches of the village that you wish to have built…"
"Excellent, Master Grimlow," Harry rubbed his hands together in excitement. "Shall we discuss the plans while I show you around the build site…"
"Lead the way, Lord Emyrs," Gringott spoke in agreement.
Harry led the trio around the castles build site. During the tour Grimlow made notes and discussed possible improvements. Two hours later, Grimlow had his goblin builders hard at work building the castle.
Meanwhile, Harry and Gringott were sitting at a conjured table overlooking the construction site. Each magic user had a goblet of wine close by as they discussed business.
"As discussed in my office I have alerted a team of harvesters to be on standby for the harvesting of the basilisk corpse…" Gringott took a sip of the fine wine. "…they are quite eager at the prospect of harvesting such an ancient monster…" he said with a toothy grin. "…the sales representatives for Gringotts have already begun to reach out to prospective buyers for the render parts, but we will only offer a small quantity to keep the prices from plummeting…"
Another sip of wine was savored by the goblin. "The profit forecast for the sales look to be quite promising for both of us…"
"That's good to hear, Gringott…not that I would be needing the extra gold…given the wealth of both the Potters and the Blacks…and their business interests and patents held for various potions and other magical inventions…" Harry took a sip of his wine.
Swirling the remaining of the wine in the goblet, Harry asked, "what were the estimates on claiming the bounty from the Ministry for killing a five X creature; especially one so old?"
Gringott flashed another wide toothy grin. "The nearest we can calculate from the last bounty award for killing a basilisk, the weight, size and age of the beast, plus the need to compensate for inflation, are all a factor in payout and you're looking at roughly twenty to twenty-five million galleons from the bounty alone…add in another five to ten million for the sale of the beast's renderings…" Gringott pause to take another sip of wine.
"…minus Gringotts commission for the selling and harvesting of the beast, of course."
"Of course," Harry said tipping his goblet in a salute to his business partner.
"…and you're looking at being the richest wizard in the Europe from the basilisk carcass alone…" Gringott pulled out some parchment with the figures of Harry's wealth from the basilisk plus the Black and Potter vaults, business dealing and magical patents.
"…add in the wealth from the other family vaults and you are now the richest and most eligible bachelor in the magical world." Harry hummed as he looked over the figures on the parchment handed to him by Gringott.
Putting the parchment on the table. "Another glass of wine, Gringott," noticing the goblins empty goblet.
"I believe so, Harry…" Harry used his magic to pour the goblin another glass of wine.
"Would it be possible to create an account at a non-magical bank and transfer some of the gold assets into British pounds?" Harry asked, as he refilled his own goblet.
Gringott though about the request. He rubbed his chin, "...it is possible, Harry, Gringotts does have dealings in the muggle world…not that we let wizards know about those dealings, mind you…"
Harry chuckled lightly, "of course not. Gringotts is a hundred percent wizarding bank."
Gringott shared his amusement at the audacity of wizards to try and limit the goblin nations profitable enterprises. "…I will have the paperwork drawn up for an account to be opened with Barclays, but we would have to put a limit on how much liquid assets are held in the account. The gold and silver conversion rate into pounds is much more than what Gringotts offers wizards…" said the Goblin leader.
Harry pondered this information and ran some figures on the conversion rate at today's market value before responding, "…would it be possible to start with 1 billion British pounds?"
Gringott ran the figures in his calculating mind. "It would be possible, yes," pausing briefly to give Harry a calculating look. "Why?"
Harry shared his plans. "I'd like to start a business in the muggle world…nothing publicly shared…privately owned…that could by up property around the world and then place it under unplottable and fidelius charms with myself as a secret keeper…while also investing in or purchasing companies."
Gringott thought over the possibilities and risks. "It could be possible, but you would need at least two founding members for a private limited company…I have contacts with squibs who work in the muggle corporate world. With your permission I will contact them about setting up such a firm."
"Excellent," Harry said cheerfully. "Now how are Bogrod and Gornuk doing with the audit of the Potter and Black accounts?"
"They have had to bring in assistants to do a full inventory, but they should have the final tally of the Potter and Black assets in another three days." Gringott said, "You still need to name account managers for your other families vaults."
Harry thought for a moment before responding, "I would like it if Bogrod and Gornuk were made the senior account managers for five house each…I know that will be a lot of work, but I am willing to pay them ten percent commission each and they can hire a junior account manager that will over see one house each and report to them. The junior account manager will receive five percent starting commission."
"Very generous offer, Harry," Gringott replied. Most wizards would put a cap of five percent on their account manager's commission.
Scene Change
Albus Dumbledore sat had the head of the dining table. He looked out at the divided ranks of the Order of the Phoenix. At one end of the table, one would find the contingent of the Order who had believed Harry's innocent from the very beginning. Sirius Black glared at him with contempt from his seat at the opposite end of the table. On his right sat Remus Lupin and, on his left, surprisingly, Andromeda Tonks had taken to joining their meetings as of the last year.
I only as she stated to offer support or Sirius and to keep him from killing you, Albus. The young Auror, Nymphadora Tonks, sat on her mother's other side. It hurt him deeply to see his protégé, Minerva takes the seat beside her former students. Next to Remus one could find the Weasley twins, Fred, and George.
In the middle of the table, acting as a buffer between his loyalists and Harry's loyalists. One would find, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Hestia Jones, Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour. Albus's loyalists were made up of Arthur and Molly Weasley, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle, and Emmaline Vance. Severus Snape and Alister Moody were also present but chose to remain standing.
"I call this meeting of the Order of the Phoenix to order," Albus intoned in his grandfatherly manner.
"Is there any new business that needs to be discussed," Albus paused, looking to the crowd.
"Yes, professor," Bill Weasley spoke up.
Fleur gave him a disapproving look knowing what he planned to say and worried that he could get in trouble if their goblin bosses found out.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley," Albus spoke in his grandfatherly voice.
"There was an unusual visitor at Gringotts recently…" Bill said, "The visitor, a wizard, about mid-thirties were escorted from the lobby by Lord Gringott, himself."
"Really," Dumbledore seemed intrigued, knowing how rare it was for the goblin leader to ever leave his post overseeing the goblin tellers.
"Yes, Lord Gringott, to two disappeared into Gringotts's office and spent several hours in a secret meeting."
"Bill!" Fleur whispered harshly. "You could get in trouble," she admonished in a thick French accent.
"You are amongst friends, Miss. Delacour," Dumbledore assured.
"I am sure we are Professor Dumbledore," Fleur said, "But our employer made it known that what we witnessed didn't happen…and that we were to forget that the wizard was ever there."
"I see," Dumbledore eyes twinkled. "Well then it is best if we moved onto another topic for now." His mind already planning on talking to young Mr. Weasley alone about the wizard.
"Let us move on, uhm," He portrayed a kindly grandfather.
"Alister," Albus looked to scarred friend, "Any news from the ministry?"
"Amelia still refusing to see you?" the veteran Auror queried.
"Alas, yes," Dumbledore sighed, "Both she and Augusta have rebuffed several of my offers to help."
Sirius snorted with amusement. Dumbledore ignored the disgruntled former pupil.
A wry grin shown on the battle-hardened warriors face. "Very well, I can tell you that Amelia has recalled all retired Auror's and enacted the oaths of secrecy for the entire Auror Corp, so I'm afraid that any information the Ministry won't becoming from me or my fellow Auror's in the room."
"That is disappointing to hear…but I will continue to make it known to Amelia and Augusta that it is best if we work together during these dark times…" Dumbledore turned his attention to his spy within Voldemort's ranks.
"Severus," the stoic potion's master straightened at hearing his name. "Is there any news about Voldemort's plans?"
"Non at this time, Dumbledore," Severus barely concealed his contempt.
"The Dark Lord seems to be content in letting the population stir in their fear and paranoia," Severus informed the group. "He has, however, tasked several followers to approach the were-wolves and vampires about joining his side…there was also an envoy sent Europe to approach several of the darker aligned pureblood families to see about possibly creating a European branch of Death Eaters."
A frown appeared on the old wizard's face. "This is very bad news…I hadn't expected Voldemort to approaching wizarding families across the channel this early…" he hummed.
The sudden slapping of hands on the table and the menacing gruff voice of Sirius Black sounded through the room. "AND…EXACTLY…WHAT…is it that you DID expect Voldemort to do?"
"DID you foresee Voldemort's attack on Harry," Sirius barked angrily."
"DID you foresee him FRAMING my godson for the death of his relatives and the other muggles?" Sirius cried, "WHY DIDN'T YOU help him? You could have seen to it that veritiserum or a pensive was used at that sham of a trial…My GOD Albus he was a child…no child should be ANYWHERE near Dementors!"
Albus tried to placate the suddenly tense atmosphere. "I have apologized for not doing more to help young Harry…but the evidence from the witness who survived, and the investigators recovered Harry's wand with residue of dark magic and unforgivable curses having been used…I will always regret not doing more…but the boy had become more secretive and shunning his friends in the previous school year. I, regretfully, believed that the strain of the pressure on his shoulders and the death of Cedric Diggory had pushed the boy over the edge…
…In hindsight, I should have pushed for the use of the truth serum or a pensive, but, alas, I did not," Dumbledore said sadly portraying his grieving grandfatherly figure.
The anger and disgust finally boiled over, "GET OUT," Sirius growled.
"What?" Dumbledore asked astonished.
"You heard me!" he said with deadly calm. "GET out of my home!"
"NOW! Dumbledore…YOU and YOUR PRECIOUS Order are barred from my home." The Black family magic pressed in on Dumbledore and his followers.
The only one's seeming unaffected, in some way, by the magic, were those, with Black blood in their veins.
"Very well," Dumbledore breathed heavily. The ancient Black family magic trying to suffocate him to force him to flee. "We will take our leave…" He stood abruptly from his seat. "I will owl you at a later time…hopefully by then you will see reason."
The magic became unbearable as the members of the order followed Dumbledore out. Only, the members of the Black family, either close or distant relation, remained along with Remus Lupin and Minerva McGonagall. While not related by blood to the Blacks, Andromeda had placed a hand on her old transfiguration professors hand shielding her from the worst affects of the family magic. Remus was unaffected because Sirius had added him to the wards when he first took shelter in his family's home.
The Weasley twins also remained, owing to a distant family relation, the other Weasley's could have staid but in a show of family support they followed their wife and mother out of the home.
"Well, that was…"
"Interesting, wasn't it Fred…"
"I'm not Fred, you are…"
"Oh, your right…sorry George."
"Not now you two…"
"You wound us, dear Nymphadora…" The twins watched as the metamorphmagus hair colored shift to red.
"Knock it off with the name…"
"Really, you three needs behave like adult wizards," Andromeda admonished.
Sirius stood from the table, his shoulders slumped, he left the dining room.
"I think it would be for the best if we call it a night," McGonagall said standing from her seat.
"Yes, that is probably for the best…" Andromeda concurred.
She and her daughter showed the remaining guest out of the house before locking up for the night.
Scene Change
Harry was just getting ready to call it a night when a large owl entered through an open window reserved for Hedwig. Hedwig +hoot+ at the intruder in disdain before taking to the air for her nightly hunt. Fawkes gave a musical trill before he tucked his head under a wing and went to sleep.
The owl ignored the other birds. Its sole mission was to deliver its letter. It watched as the wizard approached and having spotted the harness with the Gringotts crest that it wore.
"Well, what do you have for me at this late hour…" he said, as he released the bird of its burden.
Harry made his way to the small kitchen to fetch a piece of raw bacon from the magical refrigerator. The owl having followed him with his amber eyes through the small living area. The regal bird eagerly ate the offered of bacon.
Harry opened the letter to find was Gringott…
Lord Emyrs,
I have two pieces of information to pass on to you. The first bit of news is that it has come to my attention from sources that a meeting of the Wizengamot has been called for tomorrow at 10:00. I do not know if you would wish to attend but believe it prudent to let you know about said meeting.
The second, is that in writing this I have been approached by Master Account Managers Bogrod and Gornuk who have wished to inform me that the kindly accept your offer of raise in commission and the position to split the supervision of your many accounts. I, also, pass along an urgent request from Master Gornuk who wishes to meet with you soon to discuss urgent family matters pertaining to member of the Black family.
Sincerely,
Lord Gringott
Harry quickly wrote a reply with time and date for the meeting in two days. He attached the closed letter to the owl's harness and watched as the owl took flight.
"Well Fawkes it looks like tomorrow will be an interesting day," the bird woke briefly and let out a musical trill as a reply.
Next update sees Harry's return to Wizarding Society and wreak havoc on his enemies.