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Harry Potter and the Amulet of Sea Gold

Or:

Harry Potter and the Wizard of Chamon, Harry Potter does not waste his potential, Welcome to Hogwarts Gentlemen!

Summary: Harry Potter finds the Amulet of Sea Gold in his vault during his first visit to Gringotts. It is an ancient artifact which contains the imprinted personality of one Balthasar Gelt, a tremendously powerful wizard from a long-lost realm. The former Supreme Patriarch begins teaching him the secrets of Chamon, known as the Lore of Metal, which centers mostly around the magical manipulation of metals, alchemy and transmutation. Gelt is also somewhat of a chemist and an engineer, training Harry in his Gold Order's unique blend of science, alchemy and magic. The Boy-Who-Lived is transmuted in the crucible of Gelt's harsh tutelage, reforged into a stronger alloy driven to prove his worth to the witches and wizards of Wizarding Britain.

Image credit: Kuro_Ibara from Reddit

- BREAK -

Harry Potter had never seen so much gold before in his life. In fact, he realized he'd never actually seen gold in person before at all. A heap of fat golden galleons was piled haphazardly in the middle of his vault, with bronze Knuts and silver Sickles scattered here and there throughout the pile. But it was the gold that really captured his attention, its lustrous gleam taking on an almost ethereal radiance.

He was startled out of his revere by his guide to the Wizarding World, an enormous man named Hagrid. "Well go on then, Harry," the giant man said kindly. "Pick up some Galleons an' let's get goin'."

Harry nodded, quickly stuffing the expanded pouch Gringotts had provided with as many coins as he could manage. He hurriedly made his way back to his waiting escorts, only for his attention to be drawn to a small shelf next to the entrance of his vault. It was almost empty except for what looked like a small trinket or amulet.

"What's this?" he asked curiously as he picked up the amulet. Both the chain and pendant were solid gold, and it was rather heavy for such a small object. The pendant was fashioned into the shape of a stylized bird or eagle.

Their goblin escort, Griphook, shrugged as he sneered at Harry with a mouth full of pointed teeth. "The contents of your vaults are not of my concern, you stupid git. Now stop mucking about! We have another high-security vault to visit, courtesy of your large friend here."

Harry quickly put the amulet into his pocket, blushing slightly as he realized he had been procrastinating from leaving the vault. He squeezed back into the goblin cart where Hagrid was already waiting, still unable to take his eyes off the gleaming pile of Galleons. The golden coins seemed to call to him with an almost magnetic pull, and he was left feeling vaguely unhappy as the vault door closed before his eyes.

- BREAK -

Harry's new bedroom was small and messy, full of his cousin Dudley's discarded junk. There was barely enough room for Hedwig's owl cage, which he had put next to the window, and his trunk full of textbooks, which he had squeezed into place near the shabby desk. The single bed he was lying on was dusty and smelled slightly of mildew. He didn't really mind though, as it was still a far sight better than his cramped old cupboard.

His attention was currently focused on the golden amulet, which he was closely examining now that he was alone. The heavy chain was thin but sturdy, with a simple robust clasp at the back. The pendant was a bird-shaped talisman that seemed to shimmer with power, outlined with a faint yellow haze that made his eyes water. A symbol was etched into the center of the gold eagle; a simple circle with an arrow extending from the center.

Harry thought that the amulet might be enchanted. He felt like he had experienced something similar earlier, that surge of magic that had happened when he had received his wand. The aura of the amulet was not the same however, different from his wand in some odd way that he didn't know how to describe. It had come from his vault in Gringotts so it was unlikely to be dangerous, yet he was hesitant to put it on.

Making up his mind, he quickly slipped the heavy chain around his head before he lost his nerve. The amulet settled in place easily around his neck like it was meant to be there, and he felt a tingling rush through his body for a moment as a strange presence pressed on his mind. Harry almost jumped in surprise as a voice began speaking within his head.

'Greetings, child. My name is Balthasar Gelt, Magister Patriarch of the Gold Order, Supreme Patriarch of the Imperial Colleges of Magic, renowned Loremaster of Chamon. I will not lie, it has been an eternity since I have greeted a new apprentice. Fear not, however, for you will surely flourish under my able tutelage. I shall endeavor to impart some small measure of my infinite wisdom upon your receptive mind.'

Harry was astonished. A part of him was worried that he'd suddenly gone mad, but his curiosity overcame any reluctance he had at speaking with a voice inside his head. "I don't – Erm - Are you a teacher like Professor Dumbledore, sir? Mr – sorry, Professor Gelt?" he asked timidly.

'I am your mentor, yes. Compose yourself, child. Be not afraid. Marshal your thoughts and then ask the questions you desire.'

"Who are you, sir? Are you inside the amulet? How did you end up in there?"

'I am Balthasar Gelt. In my past life I was a preeminent wizard of Mallus, the Old World, a distant, long-lost realm. Such was my power that my personal equipment was imprinted with an infinitesimal portion of my character. The ancient artifact which you now wear around your neck is the Amulet of Sea Gold, within which resides a fragment of my illustrious personality. It survived the destruction of the World-That-Was and came into the possession of one of your distant ancestors. The Amulet became an heirloom, passed down through generations of your family. It now resides in your humble hands.'

"My family?" The brief mention instantly caught Harry's attention.

'Oh yes. You grandfather, Fleamont Potter, studied under me for some time. Regrettably his ability to perceive the Winds of Magic was limited, but he invented many new elixirs during his forays into Alchemy under my guidance. Your mother, Lily Ivans, had some affinity with Hysh and its protective spells that I was unfortunately unable to support. Your father, Jarvis Potter -'

"You mean James Potter?"

'Yes, yes, Jamie Potter. He gained an aptitude for Transfiguration under my tutelage, even as he grew bitter at his total inability to perceive the Winds of Magic. It was your father who exiled me to that accursed vault due to his petty spite. Unfortunate, but simpler minds often blame their shortcomings on my so-called arrogance. Hah! As if I, Balthasar Gelt, the Supreme Patriarch, the Incarnate of Metal, last remnant of the World-That-Was, do not deserve every single honor and accolade that I have earned!'

Harry was beginning to understand his 'mentor's' temperament and wisely chose not to comment. "Sir, you said you could teach me magic?"

'The magic of the Imperial Colleges, yes. You have the Witchsight, the ability to perceive and manipulate the Winds of Magic. The Winds are stifled in your realm, hardly more than a breeze, but it shall have to suffice. You are fortunate indeed to possess an affinity for Chamon, the Yellow Wind, known to the Imperial Colleges as the Lore of Metal. My own expertise with this Lore is unparalleled, and I trust you will not squander your opportunity to learn as my apprentice.'

"Witchsight?" Harry asked. "Strange things have happened around me in the past, but Hagrid told me that was my accidental magic flaring up. I don't remember anything which sounds like Witchsight."

'The Winds can manifest in many ways for those gifted with the Second Sight. Colors that defy description, vaporous clouds, flickering hues of emotion. The Wind of Chamon is drawn to dense, heavy material, especially gold and other metals. The very Amulet you wear is so steeped within the Lore of Metal that it is surrounded by a veil of the Yellow Wind.'

"I do see a bit of a yellow aura around your Amulet, sir," Harry said thoughtfully, holding up the eagle shaped pendant for a closer look. "It's hard to describe though, because my eyes can't seem to focus on it. Is that the Yellow Wind? How do I go about using it?"

'That is indeed Chamon, apprentice. I applaud your eagerness, but I must warn you not to attempt drawing upon the Winds of Magic without my guidance. The magic of the Old World is dangerous, threatening in a way that your realm's Merlinian magic is not. I shall not speak of the malevolent, endless evils I once fought nor the climatic cataclysm which consumed the World-That-Was. Know only that you must be both strong in mind and disciplined in spirit in order to wield such power.

'Now, for your first task as my apprentice. Clean this accursed area! I will not have you learning the intricacies of magic in such an unkempt hovel.' The presence of Balthasar Gelt retreated from Harry's mind in what felt like disgust, leaving the boy alone with his own thoughts.

Harry's head was churning, and he felt rather overwhelmed with all that he'd just learnt. A part of him wanted to ignore Gelt, take off the Amulet and simply go about his day like he'd always done. But the Professor's tale had ignited a spark of curiosity within him, to learn more about this new type of magic that he apparently had an affinity for.

He'd probably be forced to clean up eventually anyway once his Aunt or Uncle stepped inside his new room.

- BREAK -

It was late in the evening once Harry had finished tidying up his room, what with all the chores his Aunt kept calling him down to do. He'd forgotten to take off the Amulet of Sea Gold before going downstairs, but Dudley and his Aunt and Uncle hadn't noticed it at dinner. Uncle Vernon in particular would probably have snatched anything made of gold off him in an instant, yet none of them had mentioned the Amulet around his neck. He thought that it might be charmed to avoid unwanted attention, especially from Muggles.

He hadn't sought out the presence of Gelt in his mind since his brief exploration earlier, wanting to wait until he was alone and done for the day, ready to start learning. Dudley's old junk was sorted neatly into labeled trash bags he'd pushed into the closet, and he'd also thrown out heaps of broken toys, trash and other unsalvageable items.

"Um, sir?" Harry asked out loud in barely concealed excitement. "I've finished tidying up my room."

There was the faintest huff of haughty disdain as Gelt's voice once again spoke inside his head. 'This room, nay, this entire house still reeks of banal mediocrity, but it shall have to do. Now, for your second task. Go study your school material! You must excel in every aspect of your magical education, such that none can question your superiority!'

"But – "

'Apprentice! You will excel and surpass every last one of your peers! You will become supreme!' There was a pause, and Gelt's voice softened slightly as he went on. 'To shape the world based on your will alone, that is magic in its purest form. Both Imperial and Merlinian magic share the same fundamentals of will and intent. It is therefore safer, easier and more succinct to start with learning the basics from your assigned curriculum.'

Harry honestly hadn't thought about even opening his Hogwarts books yet, still stuck in the same mindset of coasting along in school like he'd always done. Yet, he couldn't deny his growing enthusiasm at the idea of excelling, of being top of his class for once in a school where Dudley and his Aunt and Uncle had no power.

"I'll try, sir," he said timidly, remembering the disaster that was his first school test. "But I don't know if I'm smart enough for that."

'Utter nonsense! Do not let your insipid relatives cause you to doubt your own intelligence. Your parents were clever and astute, and I have faith that you are the same.'

Gelt's condescending manner was grating, but it was heartening for Harry to hear that he was just as smart and intelligent as his parents. The reassurance fed the growing fire in his heart, fanning the tiny spark of curiosity and defiance into a healthy flame. He wanted to be the best, to prove his mentor right and make his parents proud.

'I do have a working knowledge of your realm's magic,' Gelt continued. 'We have approximately one month left until the start of your school term. You will study your Hogwarts syllabus to the best of your ability, strive to understand and master every aspect of the magic which is your birthright. In return, I shall initiate you into the secrets of the Winds of Magic, induct you into the mysteries of Alchemy, and introduce you to the unrivalled power of Transmutation.'

Harry was no longer content. Not satisfied to simply coast along, to take life as it came as he had done since he was a small child. For the first time in his life, the Boy-Who-Lived felt like he had a goal, an ambition that he had to work to achieve.

'I hereby formally accept you as my apprentice,' Balthasar Gelt declared. 'Welcome, Harry Potter, into the Gold Order.'

- End -

A/N: I've had many ideas for fanfiction over the years, but this is my first time committing one of them to paper. Unfortunately that's because I'm normally extremely busy, and don't have any free time for writing. I do have a basic plot plan, but don't expect quick or even many updates. Please do let me know if you spot any spelling, formatting or other errors.

Our eminent Supreme Patriarch will be the only significant Warhammer cross, although there will be other bits and pieces here and there that won't affect the main story. Everything should be explained so don't worry if you know nothing about Warhammer, although there will be references (and memes) that you probably won't recognize.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the story!