Disclaimer: I own nothing; it all belongs to J.K.Rowling. I'm just borrowing the characters to play with for a while. This is for pleasure only, no profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
CHAPTER THREE – Recognition
A relatively uncommon sight for Diagon Alley was for a phoenix to appear in a burst of flames carrying a house elf. When the phoenix popped into Harry Potter many people gasped and ran for cover. Dobby was disgusted by their behavior but was sadly used to it. Harry didn't even seem to give people's responses a second thought. First Harry needed to go to Gringotts and make sure his finances were in order. Anything more than that Harry was going to decide later. He wanted to purchase some things, but sometimes dealing with clerks and retail people was just too much human contact for his tastes. Maybe pick up a few owl order catalogs if there were international businesses.
The uncommon pair walked into Gringotts and seemed to be attracting quite a crowd. No one had actually approached Harry or said anything directly to him, but they weren't exactly whisper quiet either. Harry was quite pleased when he actually recognized one of the first goblins he'd ever met. He walked over to him, put his hand across his chest, and gave a slight bow. "Greetings Griphook." Harry said in clear Gobbledegook. Griphook had a brief look of surprise before it twisted into a giant smile. He responded in Gobbledegook "Greetings Mr. Potter. It pleases me to see the reports of your madness in Azkaban were greatly exaggerated."
Harry saw Dobby was slightly curious and had a little fearful look on his face. He switched back to English for Dobby's sake. "Dobby, I would like you to meet Griphook. Griphook was the first goblin and perhaps even first magical creature I can ever remember meeting. Griphook, this is Dobby, a friend of mine who has saved my life almost as many times as he has endangered it."
Dobby blushed a little and bowed. Griphook nodded back to him and asked in English "Can I help you with anything Mr. Potter?"
"Please call me Harry. And yes, I was hoping to visit my vault as well as inquire some about Gringotts practices and other branches."
"Certainly, I can take you to your vault now. Though it has changed significantly since you were last here. You've had three vaults that were combined into one."
The three of them climbed into a cart, though Dobby was a bit hesitant, he trusted Harry.
Griphook assured the scared looking elf. "Just hold on tight Dobby. I think you will enjoy this."
Sure enough Dobby was holding his head high, loving the feeling of the wind rushing by and his ears flapping violently. A few times in his joy he was unable to keep his tongue from wagging out until he would catch a rock or bug in his mouth. Harry and Griphook were both laughing at the house elf. Harry could tell they were going to a vault far deeper than his vault had been, but even still he suspected Griphook was taking the long way for Dobby's sake. Along the ride, Harry discovered that by prosecuting and sentencing him as an adult the ministry had immediately granted him emancipation and adult status in the wizarding world. Thus he gained control of the Potter Family Vault, as well as his previous personal vault, and another one that was left to him by Sirius. Apparently Sirius's will and Remus Lupin's insistence had helped insure that Harry's finances were secure. It had previously been a joint account for Remus and Harry but Remus had left the most simplistic instructions in his will. Everything that was his now belonged to Harry. Which covered his share of the things Sirius had left to them both.
The vault inside was massive. A ton of wealth, as well as family heirlooms and a couple of portraits were in there. Harry did not recognize the first one, a man named William Potter, but the second one had a pair of people Harry did recognize: Godric Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff. Harry spotted some old school trunks that he suspected belonged to Sirius and his parents. He started collecting everything he could that he thought he might want or need in the near future. Scores of books, many of them quite obviously ancient were piled into a trunk. Another one he and Dobby filled with other useful things, a few wands, staves, swords, and other weapons. The portraits and a few other family heirlooms were added to that one too. They put a small fortune into a third trunk. Griphook explained to Harry that Gringotts did have branches all over the world, and money could easily be taken from any branch, but that items other than money usually took overnight to be retrieved from their vaults. Griphook asked Harry if he wouldn't mind meeting with an elder goblin and answering some questions he had. Harry told him he would be happy to. Once Harry and Dobby had gathered up all the things they wanted they shrunk the trunks and pocketed them and hopped back in the cart. As Harry suspected the ride back was decidedly shorter than the ride down to his vault.
Griphook led Harry and Dobby to a private office that merely said "Ragnok" on the door. Griphook knocked some specific pattern on the door, and ushered them in. Ragnok had a significant beard and was seated behind a large mahogany desk. He was putting a up a quill as he finished writing something. He smiled a somewhat disconcerting smile at Harry.
Harry again bowed and spoke in Gobbledegook. "Greetings Ragnok. I hope you don't mind I've brought a friend with me."
Ragnok's smile didn't change but it seemed to lose some of its unsettling qualities. The elder goblin replied in English. "Not at all. Dobby, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He said nodding at the little guy. Dobby smiled and nodded back.
"In fact, Dobby's presence alone makes us more comfortable." Ragnok continued.
"Us?" Harry asked.
"I apologize, when I say us, I am speaking as a representative for all goblins, though especially those present here in Britain."
Harry was a bit shocked that apparently their community had issues they wanted to discuss with him. "Alright. Well I appreciate all the consideration and cooperation I have always received from goblins, and now I'm wondering what it is that I can do for you or to make you more comfortable."
"Ah well, let's just get right to the heart of the matter then. The goblins rarely get involved in the affairs of wizards, and we have no intentions to choose sides in this current battle between the dark and the light." Harry was nodding. Ragnok continued "But that is not to say we do not have vested interests in seeing which side eventually prevails. It is not our place to judge whether your past treatment is fair in the eyes of wizarding society, but we would like to assure you, were it our place, you would have gotten a medal and a raise not imprisonment."
Harry was smiling and thinking he liked Ragnok.
"And in addition, goblins as a whole are a bit more attuned to magic than wizards are in some ways. You will quickly find this true of many other magical races and species. And from what we're hearing from the magic, is that we should be listening to what you have to say."
"Hmm. Wow. Well okay. What you need to know about me is that I have no interest in participating in this wizarding war. My problems and issues of late have all been with wizards, and as a whole, I'm a bit ashamed of them as a race. Right now, the term humanity carries negative connotations to me, and I have every intention to remain an active part of the magical world, but not necessarily to play any role in the wizarding world."
Harry took a breath and continued. "If things get too bad, and I am forced to choose a side, I would obviously be more inclined to look at intentions and tolerance, and right now that would mean supporting the people who felt I deserved to rot in prison. Those following the homicidal psychopath who murdered my parents and has tried to kill me numerous times in the past are a lot less likely to see any of my sympathy. But I'd be a fool to ignore the possibility that my opinion on both sides could change."
Ragnok smiled and nodded. "Very well. You should be aware, there is no wizard anywhere who commands as much respect among goblins as you do and your significant wealth doesn't hurt that either. If you choose to support a side, I would like you to know you can ask for and would receive the goblins' support."
Harry was a bit shocked at this, but didn't show beyond a slight widening of his eyes. "To be honest, I doubt I would ask for it. This is not a battle you should have to fight. It's not a battle I should have to fight either, but at least it is my own direct race attacking itself."
Ragnok had a knowing look on his face. "It is that very reason that you are so unlikely to ask for it, that the goblins are willing to give it. You seem to be blind to the prejudices most all wizards hold. I certainly do not know any other wizards proud to count a house elf as a friend and equal." He finished with glance and smile at Dobby.
"There's no arguing that. Wizard's prejudices are too ingrained into their society. Their own intolerance has brought this war upon themselves."
"Well, we can always hold out hope, that those most intolerant will wipe each other out. If I thought their mindsets could be changed, I'd be more pacifistic and supporting rehabilitation. But as goblin history teaches us all, sometimes, the only solution can be found in the eradication of the problem."
"I'm not a fan of might makes right, but I have a feeling I'm not going to be able to stay on the sidelines for the entirety of this game. But I am certainly going to try."
"Excellent Mr. Potter. Consider us an ally in neutrality at the very least. If you don't mind me inquiring, do you plan to remain in Britain? You do own several properties in a variety of places, not all here in Britain."
"Please call me Harry. And actually I have a place in mind I was planning on building myself a new home. I haven't really discussed all the options with Dobby yet, but I suspect I will offer all magical creatures and beings a safer alternative if they wish to withdraw from the war or oppressive wizards. I'm not sure if it's even feasible or possible, but I feel as though I shoulder some responsibility as a wizard to try and correct some of my forefathers' mistakes."
"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea Harry. If you would like any assistance, even in something as simple as spreading the word, we would be glad to help."
"I may take you up on that. If things work out as I hope, I will be in touch sometime soon. But first Dobby and I need to check out the area and see what can be done or needs to be done."
"Don't be a stranger Harry. We'll let you know if there's anything we think you should be aware of around here."
"Thank you Ragnok. Do you mind if Dobby and I leave straight from here? I don't particularly care to make a scene in the Alley again."
"Be my guest, though I should warn you we have anti-apparition wards and portkey wards up and both are quite strong."
Harry smiled "I may be able to help you strengthen those wards, and perhaps even further protect some parts of Gringotts actually, but I was planning on using phoenix fire travel anyway."
Ragnok chose to mimic some of Harry's own words and replied "I may take you up on that Harry. It has been a long while since a mage has tried to make any improvements to our protections."
Harry nodded at Ragnok. "Dobby, you ready to see where I want to set up shop?"
"Yes Harry. And looking forward to the fire travel again too." Dobby said with a smile.
Harry turned and bowed again and said "Good day Ragnok" in Gobbledegook, before transforming into a phoenix, and grabbing Dobby and disappearing in a flash of fire. Ragnok was shocked into silence at this feat of magic. Though he would deny it later and claim there was merely no one to hear him.
