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Auditor
Hooktooth stared at the junior goblin across his until she began to show signs of distress. Damn the higher ups for insisting he bring someone with him. Worse, it was someone he was wholly unfamiliar with.
"You will not do anything to bring shame to Gringotts or to jeopardize our burgeoning relationship with the Granger Clan," he said firmly. "Should you be so foolish as to ignore my orders, you will not be given the opportunity to make another mistake."
"With one exception, my orders are to sit quietly and to take notes on all I observed," she replied. "I am along mainly as a second set of eyes and ears and as a stenographer should the Potter permit it."
"I see." Hooktooth relaxed a touch. "I had feared you were here as part of a power-play on the senior level."
"My word that I am not here to hinder you or your patrons in any way."
"So far as you know."
"So far as I know," she agreed.
"Very well." Hooktooth motioned for the female to seat herself. "We have a bit of time until we have to leave for our meeting. I'd have preferred you be assigned earlier so as to personally brief you on the situation. I suppose, given your intended role in the proceedings, that a complete briefing will not be necessary. To start with, what do you know of the Potter?"
IIIIIIIIII
The Headmaster instructed the gargoyle to step aside as the wards informed him of Harry's approach to the staircase that led to his office. It did not take long for the boy to arrive.
"Thank you for taking the time to see me, Harry," Dumbledore began. "I understand how busy you are."
"I'm always willing to spare a moment for you, sir," Harry replied. He checked his watch. "Or in this case, up to twenty minutes. I'm afraid I have another meeting I need to go to then."
"I believe that should be sufficient." Dumbledore nodded. "I suppose that you are wondering why exactly I asked you here."
"I am."
"You may have noticed that you've spent considerably less time in my office than you have in previous years, Harry," Dumbledore sighed. "I'd like to start out by explaining why." The old man closed his eyes. "Guilt, shame, and fear. I apologize that it's taken this long to muster the courage to have this meeting."
"Sir? Is . . . is this about what happened to Sirius?"
"In part," Dumbledore agreed. "When I placed you with your Aunt, I sought to protect you from Voldemort's loyalists. I knew that things would not be easy for you there and, as you grew, my agents informed me of exactly how bad things were." The old man shook his head. "I thought keeping you there was for the best, I wanted you to be safe. I forgot, I forgot that a life not lived was a life not worth living."
Dumbledore forced himself to look Harry in the eye. "In a recent conversation, Minerva said something that made me realize that my behavior towards you has been inexcusable. I had thought to tell you that you need not return to your relatives this year before realizing that I had no right to decide. Instead I'll tell you that your fate is in your own hands, I will certainly encourage you not to return to the Dursley residence, but in the unlikely event that you chose to do so, I will not stand in your way. Minerva made me realize that your life is your own, Harry, I will no longer try to control how you choose to live it. I can only apologize at how long it's taken me to realize that simple fact."
"I understand how good intentions can sometimes lead us to unfortunate places, sir. Last year would have driven that point home if I didn't know it before that." Harry smiled. "Why don't we let the past remain in the past."
Harry checked his watch as he rose to his feet. "Now if you will excuse me, I really must be on my way."
"Of course," Dumbledore agreed. "Please know that my office door is open, as it always is to any student, and please do not hesitate to come if you require any aid or counsel that you believe I might be able to provide."
"I'll take you up on that." Harry laughed. "You wouldn't happen to know a way to distract obsessed researchers, would you?"
"I've found that giving them another target to focus on often works," Dumbledore stated, regarding Harry with a half smile. "Thank you for volunteering yourself, by the way."
IIIIIIIIII
Oliver took a moment to admire the blank in his hands. It was a bit rougher than his factory broom in some places but the increased comfort more than made up for it.
"Thanks for getting me in on such short notice, Ron," he said sincerely. Word in the league was that there was at least an eight month wait just to get onto the list to get a five minute consultation with his former housemate.
"Thank the fact that you know Harry and the twins well enough for them to lobby on your behalf," Ron replied.
"I'll be sure to thank them too then," Wood agreed. "So what's this I hear about you dating the Harpies?"
"Bunch of dreck, I'd wager," Ron said, making another pencil mark on the broom blank. "In short, I'm not."
"Oh?"
"They're just teasing me because they know I'm safe and because they know Mandy doesn't mind," Ron said absently.
"Why would she?"
"She, I'm dating." Ron sighed as he reached up to check the fit, it was a lot more enjoyable to do with the Harpies than it was with someone aptly named 'Wood.'
"Oh. Congratulations," Wood said with a grin. "Why've you been seen with other Harpies on your arm?"
"Mandy doesn't mind loaning me out to her teammates if one of them needs a last minute date," Ron said absently. "Apparently it can be hard to find one that doesn't expect that they get to take liberties at the end of the night. They know I'm not the sort to try to take any liberties they don't want me to and they also know that I'll back them up against the sort that is."
"Oh." Wood considered the matter for a moment. "What would it take to get me an introduction to one of them? I promise that I'll keep my hands to myself without an invitation if you can wrangle it for me."
IIIIIIIIII
Flint was waiting when Harry descended from the staircase leading to the Headmaster's office. Harry gave an internal sigh. If it wasn't one thing it was another.
"Got a few minutes to meet with a couple people?" she asked with a grin.
"Who?"
"Daphne Greengrass and Tracy Davis," Flint replied. "They're worried that the inspector the Ministry's sending to look over Hermione and Luna's latest device will try to regulate and fine them out of existence."
"Is it a valid worry?"
"It is but it's been taken care of," Flint stated calmly.
"When's the inspection?"
"Should happen about the time you're meeting with the Goblins."
Harry checked his watch. "Do I need to meet with them or will a message suffice?"
"All depends on the message."
"Tell them that I am aware of the situation and that things have been arranged. Should something go wrong, I will ensure that the situation is resolved in their favor."
"That'll work," Flint said cheerfully.
"And be sure that some of our people are on hand to monitor everything. I don't trust the Ministry or anyone working for it save perhaps Bones and her people."
"Will do," Flint agreed, not bothering to tell him just how many people Tonks had already assigned for the exact same reasons.
IIIIIIIIII
Hooktooth gave a discreet nod to one of his security people when they arrived at Hogsmeade causing the other goblin to separate from the group.
"Welcome to the Three Broomsticks," the proprietress said with a wide grin. "Ha-Mr. Potter is already in the meeting room and asked me to pass along that his people had already swept the room for listening charms and that he would not take any offense if you would like for your people to do the same."
"Would prefer it actually," a dark haired female human added. "More eyes looking, more chance for something to be found if there's anything to be found."
"We accept the Potter's offer," Hooktooth said. "Would it be acceptable for the meeting to be held directly afterwards?"
The human nodded to one of her subordinates. "Escort whomever he wants to send up and assist them with whatever they need."
The human turned back. "Before I forget, my name is Flint. I'm in command of the Potter Security assets on site for the duration of this meeting."
"Your counterpart," Hooktooth indicated a scarred goblin on his right.
"A pleasure to finally meet you in the flesh." Flint nodded to the goblin.
"Likewise," the heavily scarred goblin replied.
IIIIIIIIII
Drusilla was a slightly round witch of middling years with dark hair and a hook like nose that brought to mind Hogwarts' least loved professor, not surprising considering the number of ancestors they shared on his mother's side. She'd been an inspector for the Ministry office of licensing since shortly after her graduation from Hogwarts and had long accepted the fact that she had scant chance of ever rising much above her current position.
She'd been on her way out the door to deal with her next assignment, one that circumstance had indicated might be worth a significant amount of graft, when the head of the department called her into his office for a rare personal meeting.
"How aware are you of the issues surrounding your next inspection?" he asked bluntly the second the door closed and the privacy wards went up.
"Two aides to members of the Wizengamot bought my lunch today and loudly expressed worry at a muggleborn owning something so important to our society," she replied. "They didn't make any promises but it was understood that it would be beneficial to both my career and to my bank account if I were to find some significant problems."
"Don't," her boss said simply.
"Alright," Drusilla agreed, having worked for the man long enough to know when he was serious. "Why not?"
"In the last hour I've had floos from Arthur Weasley, Amelia Bones, Augusta Longbottom, and a representative from Harry Potter all stating that they would be watching and that they would all be most displeased if there were any irregularities."
"That's . . . pretty impressive," she said honestly. Wondering if they'd threatened anything aside from their displeasure if something went wrong.
"It is," he agreed. "It's why I called you in here to let you know. Do the job by the book and be prepared to overlook any issues minor enough to be ignored. Be sure to note any major violations if there are any but do not assign any fines, official or otherwise, until after you've had a chance to meet with me."
"We're not accepting any 'donations' on this one at all?" she asked in shock, this was something entirely outside her experience.
"Not so much as a single knut," he agreed. "Should have seen the look Greengrass' face when I told him we wouldn't be requiring any extra licensing fees." Her boss grinned. "It almost makes the rest of this worth it."
"Got it." Her retirement vault was full enough that she didn't need to be too vigorous about finding ways to supplement it anyway. Not if it meant getting on the bad side of the afore mentioned individuals anyway.
IIIIIIIIII
Hooktooth was pleased by how well the first half of the negotiations had gone. In less than one hour he and the Potter had managed to work out an agreement for his superiors to meet with the Potter's contact in the non-magical government. He was just about to suggest bringing the meeting to a close when the goblin who had been forced onto him at the last minute quietly cleared her throat and handed him a note.
"The first point out of the way, would you have any objection to using the rest of the allocated time to discussing an unrelated matter?" The goblin fought to keep his face impassive as he waited for the Potter's response.
"I would not," Harry replied.
"To ease into the matter, might I enquire as to how young Sprocket is working out?"
"Quite well from what I understand," Harry replied. "The girls have nothing but good to say about him."
"Would you or the head of the Granger family object if more goblins were to leave Gringotts to seek employment with your female companions?"
"With the understanding that there is only so much work to go around, no," Harry stated.
"I see." Hooktooth considered the matter. "How many would be allowed?"
"There's no hard number. Hermione will hire as many as she can keep busy and likely use the spare labor to open more projects which in turn will require more labor." Harry fought down a laugh. "With enough time, labor, and resources she'll likely end up owning the magical world before she graduates at the rate she's going."
The goblins went still, each one shocked to the core at what they'd just heard the boy admit. Their response would have to be crafted at a level far above their own.
"In the event that she doesn't have a need for any labor and provided they don't object to other sorts of employment, I'm sure I could find a place for them somewhere," Harry finished. He was sure Phil would be delighted to have a dozen or so mechanics to keep his collection in top condition if nothing else.
"You say-" his voice broke. "-you say you do not mind the idea of goblin technicians taking service with Ms. Granger." Hooktooth licked his lips. "Would you object to goblins from the other trades doing so as well?"
"I would not," Harry tilted his head, aware that more was going on than he'd previously realized. "Why?"
"The offspring of a senior member of the clan has expressed interest in broadening her horizons in the human world."
"They are more than welcome to come and, as I said before, if we can't find a position for them with Hermione, I will do my best to find a position for her somewhere else."
"The goblin in question is a fully trained auditor."
"I see." Harry considered the matter. "That could actually be quite helpful," he mused. "Assuming I'm correct about Auditors being skilled in financial matters."
"You are," the goblin agreed.
"Excellent. Based on what you know of their capabilities, do you think they would be able and willing to work as an accountant?" Harry asked, thinking of how useful such an individual would be to help keep track of everything.
"I can safely say that she will be happy for the opportunity and gratified by the trust placed in her at being given such an important task."
"Wonderful," Harry said. "Hermione's good with numbers but it's almost impossible to get her to take an interest in money."
"Oh?" The goblin's heart was racing. "I was given to understand that she'd made quite a bit of it in her business ventures."
"She has," Harry agreed. "The thing is, money is a means to an end for her." He laughed. "Don't get me wrong, she's quite good at it when she can be bothered to be, it's just difficult to convince her to focus more time on her finances if it comes at the expense of less time with her projects.
"I see." The goblin carefully considered his response. "That is often the case with engineers."
IIIIIIIIII
Auror Pinch was amused to note that the future head of the Longbottom family was already in the research space when he returned from his meal.
"His young lady was quite enthusiastic about the idea of regular access to a private floo connection," the lead potions researcher whispered.
"Should I make a note to do something nice for that young lady?" Pinch whispered back.
"Yes."
"How nice?"
"He's cranked out the formulas for five new potions since he arrived today and brewed two of them," the researcher stated.
"Oh? How interesting are we talking here?"
"It's not that we wouldn't have been capable of creating these potions, it's more that we never thought to. No one really has, no one has ever really seen the need to develop one hundred percent plant based potions. The one he created is about ten percent better than any of the control potions we brewed from his recipe, he's reading the potion as it brews and tweaking the recipe to fit the ingredients at hand. We've got the makings of a master if we can convince him to go for it."
IIIIIIIIII
Spikenose had always been a bit disgusted by the pitiful creatures the humans called house elves. They were weak, they were servile, they were pathetic wastes of flesh unworthy of the resources they consumed to gain the energy needed to be self mobile.
The creature blocking her path had none of those defects. In stark contrast to the usual slump, it stood proud and erect. Rather than cringing cowardice, its eyes sparked with fury and barely restrained madness. In fact . . . taking care to make no sudden moves she gave the creature a once over. He didn't look too bad.
"Why is yous asking questions about the Great and Powerful Harry Potter sir?!" the goblin had to restrain herself from taking a step back from the uncharacteristically fierce house elf.
"I am trying to gather intelligence for my superiors," Spikenose replied with as much calm as she could muster. Even his voice was filled with the promise of violence and pain. Her pulse quickened as she realized just how close she was to death, it was invigorating.
"Why?" Dobby's glare deepened, sizing up his potential opponent. A quick pop back to create distance, a hand wave to bombard the goblin with everything he could touch with his magic, followed by another pop to close. A bit of quick work with a kitchen knife and bob's your uncle. Solid bits to Hogwarts' pigs and the drain for everything else. Though . . . hadn't Harry Potter sir's Loveygood said something about goblins making good pies? Perhaps the pigs would have to do without. He took a moment to eye her to identify the areas that would deliver the best cuts of meat.
Spikenose's pulse quickened at the way the creature was eyeing her, exactly how a predator eyed its next meal. "We wish to know more about him and the Granger clan so that we may negotiate without fear of accidentally causing offense," the goblin replied, noting that her admission caused the house elf to relax his stance and to stop eyeing her like the security dragons eyed their morning sheep. "Our problem is that neither he nor the Granger Clan act as humans are supposed to."
"Dobby understands that humans can be difficult to understand," the house elf sighed, allowing himself to relax completely. "Dobby will be happy to share tales of the Mighty and Wonderful Harry Potter sir's fantastic deeds."
And in a flash, the terrifying predator she'd been facing disappeared, cloaking itself in camouflage to appear to be nothing more than another of the humans' servants. She wondered if perhaps she hadn't discovered a new species, something that mimicked house elves to get better access to its human prey . . . which seemed to be contradicted by its protective interest in the Potter. She gave a mental sigh, why couldn't she have gone into a simple field like dragon husbandry? Only thing you had to worry about there was being eaten or the odd accidental maiming.
Spikenose listened in wonder as the creature educated her on the great deeds of the 'Great and Wonderful Harry Potter sir the Great and Wonderful.' The things he described sounded as if they came from one of the sagas told by the huldufólk of the frozen island.
"The next part." The house elf looked downcast. "Dobby is ashamed of his actions in the next part. Dobby thought Dobby was protecting the Great and Wonderful Harry Potter sir, Dobby . . ."
The goblin motioned for the house elf to continue.
"Dobby didn't realize," the house elf said mournfully. "Dobby didn't know that he was saving bad former master's life. It wasn't until later, when Dobby saw the corpse of the great snake that Dobby understood the might of the Great and Cunning Harry Potter sir."
"Please continue."
"Bad former master came to Hoggywarts not knowing that he was entering a trap set by the Most Cunning and Amazing Harry Potter sir. Bad former master did not know that Harry Potter sir had figured out his evil schemes. Harry Potter sir waited until bad former master was alone and struck with the first part of his plan." The house elf straightened up. "Freeing Dobby and provoking Dobby's bad former master to attack Harry Potter sir with the killing curse."
"He did what?!" Spikenose exclaimed in shock, almost unable to believe what she was hearing. That anyone, even Lucius Malfoy would be stupid enough to attack a child in a house of learning. She gave a mental shake of the head, yet another piece of evidence that backing the man's master would be a mistake as if they needed any more than they already had.
"Dobby saw bad former master tried to use death curse on Harry Potter sir and Dobby was filled with rage." The house elf took a breath. "Dobby used his magic to throw bad former master hard enough to break seventeen bones, shatter one kidney, and rupture three other organs, and ensure that bad young master would never have sibbylings. Dobby didn't understand that he was doubting the Stupendous and Awe Inspiring Harry Potter sir's prowess, Dobby didn't understand that if he had waited one second more that bad master would have been no more."
"Based . . ." the goblin tried to slow her breathing. "Based on your story it's quite possible Harry Potter delayed acting in order to give you the opportunity to strike him yourself."
"Dobby doesn't understand."
"It could have been a test to see how you'd react, a test of your worth as a potential vassal or ally. If that is the case, I would assume that you passed in light of the fact that associates with you on a regular basis," the goblin replied, returning to her normal monotone. "Or it could have been a gift to you. He may have figured that your aid to him earned you the right to make the first strike on your former master or he may have figured that you deserved the first strike after learning of your treatment at the man's hands. It's also possible that it was both; a test of your worthiness combined with a gift for passing. Based on your stories, I'd say all three are equally likely."
"Dobby knew that the Most Mighty Wizard Harry Potter sir was generous, but Dobby never realized the extent of it," the awestruck house elf whispered.
"Sometimes it takes an outsider to point out what is before you," the goblin stated. "Might I request a boon in return for the small service I was able to provide?"
"What does goblin want?"
"Might I request a viewing of the great snake's corpse for myself and at least one of my superiors?"
"Dobby doesn't see the harm." The house elf nodded to himself, one really couldn't get a proper picture of just how powerful the Great Harry Potter sir was until one got a chance to take the measure of one of his defeated foes.
IIIIIIIIII
Daphne and Tracy waited nervously in the engine shed with their business partners waiting for the Ministry's inspector to arrive.
"She's coming," Tracy announced, informed by several carefully pre-placed charms.
"Please remember to let us do all the talking," Daphne half begged as the Ministry inspector walked through the door.
"My name is Inspector Second Class Glass. Take me to the device," the woman said, pronouncing each word as if it were a vulgarity.
"Right this way," Daphne said.
"How does it work?" the inspector demanded the moment the'd gotten within sight of the package lorry.
"It uses steam just like the Hogwarts Express," Tracy supplied.
"Is it the exact same system as the Hogwarts Express?" the pinch faced woman asked with a frown of confusion. "Why doesn't it look the same as the Express?"
"Uh . . ." Daphne winced, cursing herself for the fact that she had yet to do enough study to truly understand the design.
"The Hogwarts Express runs on coal, our delivery wagons run on coal oil. Different fuels and different roles mean different design," Hermione stated, trying not to look bored.
"Is coal oil similar to the stuff the muggles use to run their horseless carriages?" the woman asked intently.
"Only to the point that they're both liquid hydrocarbons derived from destructive distillation of fossil fuels," Hermione replied.
"Uh . . ."
"Muggle vehicles run on the petroleum distillate gasoline, often referred to colloquially as petrol where as the fuel used is created via an alchemical process involving decomposition of our feedstock, in this case cannel coal, which as you know is a form of bituminous coal, to produce liquid coal oil. They're completely different substances."
"We'd be happy to give a more detailed explanation of the process if you have time," Luna chirped. "It shouldn't take more than seven or eight hours to go over the highlights."
"I'd recommend it," Hermione continued showing a bit of life for the first time since the conversation began. "It's absolutely fascinating stuff."
"That won't be necessary," the inspector said quickly, having been cornered by Arthur Weasley who seemed to have a pathological need to explain everything about his hobby/profession enough times to know what was coming. "I'm only here to satisfy the Ministry that you aren't improperly using any muggle devices."
"I can safely say that you won't be able to buy this type of engine in any of the muggle shop I've frequented," Tracy told the woman seriously. "There isn't a bit of it that was made in the muggle world, right Hermione?"
"There is one bit," Hermione stated calmly. The girl reached into her pocket to pull something out. "Every bit of it was made in house save for the mantles for the pressure lanterns."
"What-" the inspector bit her tongue, hoping that choking off the question would prevent being on the receiving end of another incomprehensible lecture. "They're just wicks?"
"They're essentially smaller versions of what's used on the gas lights in Diagon Alley," Luna said helpfully.
"The same actually," Hermione stated. "The Diagon Alley Merchant's Association is the ones who gave me the contact information for their supplier."
"Oh. Do you enchant them in anyway?"
"We're currently using the same process as the Ministry," Luna replied.
"I suppose that's alright then," the inspector smiled. "Good work. I'll be happy to report to my superiors that you've created the first completely magical horseless carriage in the country. Don't be surprised if you get an inquiry as to the feasibility of converting or replacing the current Ministry cars with one of yours."
"We look forward to it," Daphne said quickly. "Just be sure they understand that each one is made by hand by skilled craftsmen so wait times and prices will be understandably high."
"Not that we aren't willing to give the Ministry a special deal or to rush them to the front of the queue," Tracy added with a smile. "Being the fine patriotic witches that we are."
IIIIIIIIII
Harry gave Flint the eye to have refreshments brought out as the meeting came to a close.
"Thank you," Hooktooth said, carefully selecting a cigar.
"Please take as many as you wish to," Harry said. "Flint. Be sure they're given a few boxes to take back to Gringotts."
"Yes, sir."
"There's no need to trouble yourself," Hooktooth said with what passed for a grin.
"Please, I insist. It's the least I can do in return for all the new employees you're being kind enough to send to us."
Hooktooth's eyes rolled back in pleasure as he savored his first bite. "Exquisite. Easily the best I've had the pleasure of experiencing."
"Glad you approve," Harry said with a grin. Seemed Hermione's uncle Jim's tastes were good. He'd have to remember to thank the man again for all his help.
"I am eternally grateful that you pressed me to take more back to the tunnels. It would have been a great shame for the others to miss out on something so good." He sighed. "A shame I'm not empowered to make trade agreements," he finished somewhat wistfully. Or perhaps not, there was little chance that he would be able to bargain effectively after his first bite.
"So bring along someone who is for our next meeting and we'll hash something out," Harry suggested. "Flint."
"Sir?"
"I want you to triple the number of boxes you give to our guests when we leave. Have them marked as product samples on our expense forms."
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you," Hooktooth said.
"Thank you for helping me reach another market," Harry replied. Looked like Phil had been onto something. He gave a mental snort, no surprise that a businessman of his ability would sniff out a chance to make a profit.
IIIIIIIIII
Spikenose stared in awe at the corpse of the great serpent. To think that a human child could slay such a beast in single combat. She shook her head in wonder, it was an amazing task even with the aid he had from the firebird. More than anything else, it drove home the fact that Gringotts would do well to make allies of Clan Granger for she had no doubt that they'd be terrifying opponents with such a warrior on their side.
"Any-" She swallowed. "Any idea why it hasn't begun to decay?"
"Dobby and the other elfies has been keeping it fresh for Harry Potter sir," the house elf replied. As a monument to his triumph if for no other reason.
IIIIIIIIII
The head of Hooktooth's detail pulled him aside as he stepped out of the meeting room. The senior security goblin seemed a bit off, as if he'd just been the recipient of a bit of life changing information.
"One of my people has something she says you need to see before returning to Gringotts."
"Oh?" Hooktooth glanced at the security goblin's face. "Which one?"
"The one I assigned to gather information on the Potter."
"What does she want me to see?"
"She suggests that it would be best to go without any foreknowledge." The goblin thought for a moment before deciding to add a bit more information. "It's possible you wouldn't believe her if she told you about it ahead of time. I almost didn't," the goblin snorted. "Hell, she almost didn't when she heard it." And likely wouldn't have if the Potter's servant hadn't revealed what was lurking beneath his camouflage. Looked like they'd have to start taking house elves into account when they made security plans.
AN: Not sure what's going on with ff dot net but I am crossposting this on AO3 under the name RorschachsBlot so you can find this fic there if you have trouble loading it here.
Omake by EJ Daniels
Harry looked up as the portrait opened and a very weary and bedraggled Neville Longbottom stumbled through it. "Hey mate, you all right, there?"
"Six hours," Neville bemoaned as he collapsed into an empty chair. "They questioned me over and over again for six hours!" The tired wizard's head rolled so that he could glare at the Boy Who Lived. "This is all your fault, Potter! I should have never let you talk me into swapping caldrons!"
Harry gave a half-hearted shrug. "Better you than me mate. The professors already monopolize enough of my time!"