Authors Note. A big thank you to those of you who reviewed the last chapter and I hope that everyone enjoys this one.
Harry Potter and the New Neighbours.Chapter 3. Gringotts.
As Harry relaxed in his bed the next morning he was extremely happy, his girlfriend, he liked the sound of that, the bushy haired bookworm had turned into a little minx and all things considered he loved it. Add onto that kissing in the swimming pool, it must be one of the best things ever and he just couldn't wait to…
His reverie was broken by a yell from his uncle, "If you don't move yourself Potter you are going to be late for work."
For a change his uncle was not being vindictive, he was right.
Harry jumped out of bed and dashed into the shower, fifteen minutes later he was heading out of the front door telling his aunt that it was his own fault that he had had no breakfast and nobody would blame her.
Of course Harry wasn't really in too much of a hurry so as soon as he disappeared from sight, around the back of number two he slowed down and started taking his time to walk to the back door. Hermione had been standing by the back door but as soon as he rounded the rear of the house she came to meet him and she gave him an amorous kiss, she put her arm around his waist and led him off for a walk around the swimming pool.
As they were strolling along Hermione said, "I heard your uncle bellowing at you this morning, was it a problem."
"No it was my own fault," he said, "I should have been up and dressed but I was lying in bed daydreaming about you, I even had to assure my aunt that it was my own fault that I didn't have any breakfast before I left. It serves me right for reading until one thirty in the morning."
"You were reading the book I lent you?"
"All of it."
"What did you think of it?"
"I can't wait for my birthday."
"Neither can I," she said smiling at him, she gave him a kiss and hugged him before they made their way in through the backdoor for breakfast.
x-x
At the same time as the couple were walking around the pool; in the kitchen Jane said, "I would of thought that you would make more of a fuss about a boy kissing our daughter?"
"Why? She hasn't opened a school book since she has been home," Matt answered, "and I can hardly accuse him of kissing her, she's like a tiger attacking him all the time but best of all she hasn't mentioned stocking the library since she set eyes on him. He has to be good for her and they've been best friends for five years so it's not like she's leaping into the unknown."
Jane chuckled, "The bookworm has become a tiger in heat," they both laughed, "anyway I think that she is safe enough with him, if anyone tried to hurt her I think that he would practically kill them, the stories she tells about him."
Thoughtfully Matt said, "He doesn't look like a hero does he? I will try to get him talking sometime about some of the things Hermione has told us and we better shut up now they're coming."
x-x
As the four of them were eating breakfast Tonks arrived in her Auror dress robes, they were purple satin with a golden cape, she had brightly polished dragon hide boots and today her hair was tidy but exactly the same colour as her robes.
"I like women in uniform," said Matt with a grin.
Jane retorted, "That wasn't what you said when that traffic warden gave you a parking ticket last week."
After some pleasantries Tonks told them, "I have a Portkey that will take us to the VIP waiting room near to Director Bones office, from there we have permission to take the direct Auror link to Gringotts Bank. She suggested that we should be as early as possible because she would like to talk to Harry about him dating her niece Susan."
"WHAT!" screamed Hermione, with a look of horror on her face.
Harry was looking confused, Jane had a small smile on her lips, she had been winked at by Tonks who herself was having great difficulty staying on her chair because she was laughing so hard.
"I'm so sorry Hermione," Tonks said still laughing, "You were listening so intently I just couldn't resist changing the last half dozen words. Actually she needs to talk to him about what he might want her to look out for on his behalf and I am sure that you will be in the room all of the time."
Hermione was trying to hide her smile behind a scowl as she muttered some threats about Tonks being paid back for what she had done, then she and Harry went up to their rooms to change into their new dress robes.
Jane was wearing a very smart navy blue suit but Matt was in his normal working clothes, they had patients with appointments at the surgery and they couldn't just leave it without a dentist in attendance.
Breakfast had been cleared away and Matt had gone off to work so the four of them used the Portkey to Amelia's waiting room.
x-x
Shortly after they arrived an Auror whom Tonks greeted as Geoff but neither Hermione nor Harry knew showed them all through to the Head of Magical Law Enforcement's office.
Director Bones greeted them all, she told the three of them that for today they were to call her Amelia, this of course did not apply to Tonks and then she said, "I have prepared these Permits for you two, they grant you permission to do magic even though you are underage, don't forget that all of the usual restrictions apply.
So Harry do you know what you might want me to do for you?"
Hermione and Harry first thanked the Director for the permits, then he said, "I am not entirely sure but there are a few people who seem to think that my life is theirs to do with as they please and frankly I am not to happy about it. Mainly it's Professor Dumbledore he treats me more like a chess piece than a human being and when he's done with me he puts me back in a box out of the way for the summer. Why does he have any say in what I do in the summer? As far as I know he isn't and never has been my guardian, I would like to have Tonks appointed my guardian. Also, if you think that it is necessary, I will pay your MLE office for her services and I realise that it will take someone very astute to stand up to the Headmaster."
"They would prefer a man to be your guardian." Amelia told him.
"I have been told that before so my next choice would be Remus Lupin," Harry said, "and after they reject him for being a werewolf, I am asking if I might use your name?"
Amelia had a small smile, "Why me?"
"Well they would have a bit of a job refusing you, wouldn't they?" Harry said with a grin, "And if they were to approve you and you don't want the job then we can throw Tonks back in their faces."
Director Bones laughed out loud as did the other three ladies, then she said, "If it gets as far as them offering me the job it might be best if I accept it and then immediately issue a Power of Attorney for Tonks to carry out all of the requirements of your Guardian on my behalf. Excuse me a minute."
She left the room and came back three minutes later, she handed Harry a piece of parchment for them all to read, it was a Power of Attorney for Tonks. Effectively it would give her freedom to do everything Harry's guardian could do for him and with the 'Potter Trust'; they all indicated their approval. Amelia took back the parchment and signed it, put it in an envelope then she put the envelope into her pocket and said, "I will give Tonks that if they appoint me as Harry's Guardian and we should be going now, we don't want to be late."
The five of them used a Portkey directly from Amelia's office to the Security office of Gringotts Bank and from there they were escorted to one of the executive conference rooms.
x-x
It was obvious the moment they walked into the room that the Headmaster was not pleased to see the Director of Magical Law Enforcement in Harry's party, especially since she appeared to be laughing at one of Hermione's mother's jokes. Jane had just told Amelia about the trick that Tonks had played on Hermione with regard to her niece Susan.
There were only two people in the room whom Harry did not recognise, one was a Goblin by the name of Grimnog who also introduced himself as Raggnog's assistant and the other proved to be a solicitor by the name of Mr Flattery.
Grimnog directed Harry's party to the right hand side of the conference table, sitting Harry next to a large empty chair at the head of the table, automatically Hermione sat next to him and then Grimnog said, "Mr Flattery the solicitor is here to establish the Guardianship of Mr Potter."
Harry spoke before anyone else had a chance, "Mr Flattery, why in particular are you the solicitor appointed with respect to my Guardianship?"
"For the last fifteen years our office has been handling the affairs of the Potter Trust, Mr Potter." He replied smarmily.
"And I assume," asked Harry, "that in a years time when I take control of the Potter Trust you would like to remain in the same position?"
"Yes sir." Mr Flattery replied in a much more respectful tone.
"Thank you for 'clarifying' that for me", Harry said, "please carry on."
Amelia thought, he certainly put that slime ball in his place, what on earth does he want me here for? Yes to help with Dumbledore he probably won't be so easy to intimidate.
Mr Flattery said, "It is my duty to ask you Mr Harry James Potter, whom would you like as your Guardian?"
Immediately Harry answered, "I would like Auror Nymphadora Tonks to be my Guardian please."
It was an answer none of the others had been expecting and there was a stunned silence for a second or two, then the solicitor said, "We would prefer you to choose a man for the job."
"Remus Lupin." Harry said without preamble and Remus smiled at him.
"Remus Lupin is a werewolf," the solicitor said.
Molly asked, "Harry, what's wrong with Arthur?"
"Nothing at all Mrs Weasley." Harry said kindly, "But I will not have you and Mr Weasley arguing over something as inconsequential as my welfare. So if Mr Weasley swears me a wizard's oath that he will consult with you with regard to my welfare and not with Professor Dumbledore. Also you will similarly have to swear to me that you will consult with me with regard to my welfare and not with the Headmas…"
Arthur interrupted quietly, "I can't do that Harry."
Harry said sadly, "I didn't think that you would, but I wish some people would realise that it is my life.
The solicitor was struggling between a rock and a hard place, "What is wrong with the Headmaster having a hand in your Guardianship sir."
Harry had been waiting for a question like this, "Under his Headmastership I have faced Voldemort four times," most of the room cringed at the mention of the name, "Dementors twice, saving amongst others Snape and Sirius, oh and I had to kill a Basilisk to save another student." Ginny was blushing but smiling sweetly at her hero. "Excuse me if I don't believe that he holds my personal safety in very high regard."
Grimnog was sat in the corner franticly taking notes and the solicitor asked, "Is this all true?"
"I am afraid that it is," said the Headmaster, "and it is Professor Snape Harry."
Harry was on a roll, he knew it and he wasn't going to back down now, "I will call Snape by an honorific when someone gives me a valid reason to trust the hypocritical evil git." Hermione looked shocked but Ron was delighted. "Anyway we digress. I will give you one more name for my Guardian, Amelia Bones the Director of Magical Law Enforcement."
Dumbledore knew that he was done for, Bones was a powerful witch and she knew all of the rules, so he gave a small nod and Mr Flattery said, "Does anybody have any objections to Amelia Bones being Harry Potter's Guardian?" When there were no objections the solicitor looking relieved filled out some names on a form, he signed it then he touched it with his wand and it disappeared to the ministry to be registered.
As soon as the form was gone Amelia took the envelope out of her pocket and passed it to Tonks who put it in hers.
Hermione asked, with an all too innocent expression, "What was that Amelia?"
She gave her a cheeky smile and said, "It was a Power of Attorney Hermione and it will allow Auror Tonks complete freedom to act on my behalf in all regards as Harry's Guardian."
The Goblin in the corner laughed out loud, something none of them had ever heard a Goblin do before and Dumbledore knew that he was really screwed. Also to all intents and purposes Harry had exactly whom he had asked for as his Guardian in the first instance, except nowTonks was backed by the head of MLE, he couldn't even give her a rough time in the Order.
Still smiling Grimnog stood and said, "Chief Raggnog will be with you in about a quarter of an hour." Then he left.
Everybody stood up and Ginny came straight over to Hermione and they disappeared off into a corner whispering franticly.
Harry, Tonks and Jane first went over to Molly and Arthur they arranged to meet Molly after the Will had been read also the Weasleys assured Harry that they fully understood what he had had to do in order to gain some control over his own life.
Jane remained talking with Molly while Tonks went to the solicitor to get a synopsis of the Potter Trust for herself and Harry, whilst he went to chat with Hagrid, Remus and Ron who was full of news about his dates with Luna.
At the same time the Headmaster was talking to Director Bones and he was most surprised when he discovered that the whole thing hadn't been thoroughly rehearsed. He was even more impressed when told that only the 'Power of Attorney' was the onlycontingency had been pre-planned and that Harry had done all of the rest on the spur of the moment.
A little later Grimnog came back in and said, "Chief Raggnog will be with you in one minute." So all of the conversations died down and everyone moved back to their places.
When Raggnog came in he greeted everybody generally but the only person he greeted individually was Harry whose hand he also shook.
Then he said, "The matter of the last will and testament of Sirius Black.
To Miss Ginevra Molly Weasley, I leave the sum of twenty-five thousand Galleons, look after yourself you're an angel and please look after Harry.
To Mr Ronald Bilius Weasley, I leave the sum of twenty-five thousand Galleons, remember that you can only ride one broom at the time.
To Rubeus Hagrid, I leave the sum of twenty-five thousand Galleons and I don't have to ask you to take care of Buckbeak.
To Miss Hermione Jane Granger, I leave the sum of twenty-five thousand Galleons and the whole of the Black family library.
Miss Granger, we have had to spend considerable time collecting the library together again, the books were as far apart as Hogwarts and Malfoy Manor and some of them had to be taken with force to be returned to their rightful owner's. Mr Black's note with the gift is, 'she's the only person I know who will enjoy reading them and Please look after Harry'.
The books are currently in a special high security book vault and if you wish they might remain there permanently, here is the key as a word of advice, some of the books are very valuable but more pertinent some of them are very dangerous, please be very careful with them.
To Professor Dumbledore, I leave the sum of one hundred thousand Galleons.
To Auror Tonks, (I was going to call you Nymphadora but I didn't aren't I good) I leave the sum of one hundred thousand Galleons and please look after Harry.
To Molly and Arthur Weasley, I leave the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand Galleons. I also ask you to look after Harry.
To Remus 'Moony' Lupin, I leave the sum of two hundred thousand Galleons and the house of Black.
I do not have any further details of the property but I do have this package of papers, which I have been asked to pass to you, and you also have been asked to look after Harry.
To Harry, (I've got more people looking out for me than you've had hot dinners,) James Potter, I leave the contents of this box which you are to open when you are alone and the residue of my estate. Take care of yourself kiddo and I almost forgot my flying motorbike it is in the garage at Moonie's and both he and Hagrid know how to operate it."
Raggnog handed Harry a brown box that was about four inches on a side and about two inches deep, it had a lid but no apparent lock or hinges.
Raggnog continued, "When it was checked yesterday Mr Potter, the residue of the estate was slightly over eleven and a half million Galleons, you must appreciate that this amount of money generates well over a million Galleons a year in interest. From this time onwards you will never be fully aware of exactly how much you are worth.
That concludes the reading of the will of Sirius Black."
The group sat there stunned for a minute and Raggnog said, "Is there anything the Bank can do for you Mr Potter?"
"Well you can call me Harry if you wouldn't mind."
"Certainly Harry." Raggnog replied smiling.
"There are some things that I would like and some things that I need, but mostly I need a Passport and I would like a means of accessing my money without coming to the bank all the time."
"Grimnog see to Mr Potter's request."
"Yes Chief." Grimnog said and he disappeared out of the door.
"I would like to ask some questions around the table first if you don't mind sir." The Chief Goblin nodded and Harry continued, "Amelia, is it possible and how much would it cost to assign an Auror to Hogwarts to teach Defence?"
She answered, "It is certainly possible and it would cost about fifty thousand Galleons a year, because we would have to train another Auror to replace whoever was assigned."
"Headmaster."
"Yes Harry."
"If I set up the 'Sirius Black Educational Trust Fund' for two hundred and fifty thousand Galleons a year, can you or would the governors ensure that part of it is used to fund the teaching of Defence?"
"The answer is yes and I am authorised to do it and thank you." Answered the Headmaster. "Also you could retain overall control of such a fund, as we both know there are several areas where the teaching could be greatly improved and several subjects we should introduce. But this is not the time or the place to go into that."
"Thank you Headmaster," Harry continued, "Chief Raggnog…"
The Goblin chief interrupted him, "Just call me Raggnog Harry, it's like me calling you Harry."
"Sorry I did not know. Raggnog can you arrange the funding for the 'Sirius Black Trust', please."
"Certainly I will Harry," as Raggnog answered Grimnog came back with a laden tray and the Chief continued. "Grimnog is one of my personal assistants and if at any time you need anything Harry you should call him, now unfortunately I must leave you all as I am very busy." He went around and shook everybody's hand, when he reached Jane shaking her hand he said, "I have never shaken the hand of a Muggle before, I thank you." Then having told Hermione once again to look after Harry he said goodbye for now to Harry whilst shaking his hand and left.
The Chief's big chair disappeared into the floor and was replaced by a normal one which was taken by Grimnog who said, "I have done what I think was required and I also offer my services to all three of the Bank's new customers. So Mr Ronald Weasley here is your vault key, Miss Weasley here is yours and Miss Granger here is your key and your Money vault is located next to your Library vault for your convenience.
Now Mr Potter your passport, you need to sign it here." Harry signed where he had been told then Grimnog touched it with his finger so that it was sealed and he handed it back to Harry. "Now some other things, this is a driving licence, it is for Muggle cars and motor cycles, I trust that you will have someone teach you properly before embarking on any solo jaunts and this is proof of insurance for whatever vehicle you are driving. You are probably aware that these are a Muggle Bank Card and Chequebook, you may use any four digits for the PIN number of the card because being enchanted, nobody else will be able to use it.
Finally this is a Gringotts Mobile Bank Bag, put your right hand with your wand into it and the bag will be charmed to you."
Harry did as he had been asked and although the bag appeared to be quite small his hand with his wand both disappeared into the bag, it then glowed blue as he removed his hand with his wand.
Grimnog continued, "This is our latest model and it is quite clever, you can not lose it, it does not matter where you might leave it whenever you put your hand into your pocket looking for it, it will be there."
The bag was still on the table so Harry put his hand into his pocket and the bag disappeared from the table and Harry took it out of his pocket, he had a big grin.
"Continuing," Grimnog said, "if you want Galleons or any kind of Muggle currency just think of what you want, put your hand into the bag and it will be there. If it is a lot of Galleons you need then simply think Gringotts Chequebook and take yours out of the bag, you may also deposit any money that you do not need by simply putting it into the bag. The bag can also be used to keep your Muggle documents, Bank Card and Chequebook in along with this Portkey." The Portkey looked like a large old-fashioned brass key. "The Portkey will, if you touch it with your wand, convey you and anybody else who is a friend, to the security room of this bank, provided of course that the bank is open.
Do you think that I have forgotten anything?"
Having sat in silence for about a minute, Hermione said, "Thank you very much Grimnog, it appears that you have thought of everything."
"Yes, thank you Grimnog." Harry added.
Grimnog bowed, "It is Gringotts pleasure to serve you Mr Potter and Miss Granger I have been asked by Chief Raggnog to give you this book." He passed a book that had just materialised in his hand to Hermione and continued, "You may all stay and use this room for as long as you wish but I am afraid that I must also be leaving. So thank you all, goodbye."
They all sat for about half a minute then Harry asked, "What's the book darling?"
She looked at it and said, "The Customs and Rituals of the Goblin Race, it should be very useful."
"It is also extremely rare," said Remus, "the Goblins don't dispense such information lightly."
The Headmaster, the Solicitor, Arthur, Remus, Hagrid and Amelia excused them selves saying that they had a lot to do, the other seven decided, at Ron's behest, to go for lunch in the Leaky Cauldron.
Ginny, Harry, Hermione and Ron were walking together up the Alley and Hermione said, "Harry, what do you think I should do about all of those books?"
"Well I think that they need to be sorted by someone who knows what they are looking at," answered Harry, "Remus would be ideal and as far as I know he is not working. Hang on, Tonks is Remus working?"
By this time they had reached the wall to the Leaky Cauldron and Tonks's reply was delayed until they had ordered lunch and were all comfortably seated in a small private room, "No he's not why? Does Hermione want him to sort out those books for her?"
"Did you read my mind?" Hermione asked giggling.
"What's wrong with Hermione?" asked Ron, "She never giggles, that's one of the things I like most about her."
"Well," said Ginny, sounding a lot like her mum, "Hermione is in love and when girls are in love they do a lot of things they wouldn't do otherwise." She was thinking of putting their elbow's in the butter dish, just as an example of course.
"Oh," said Ron, sounding like he had just received a divine revelation, "you mean that they are even weirder than usual."
"Is your brother always as charming as this?" asked Tonks, "Or has he been working on it."
Luna strolled in just as lunch arrived, she plonked herself on Ron's lap and informed him that she would share his lunch, to everyone's amazement Ron agreed.
Luna burst out laughing, "Don't worry, I only eat the green bits and Ron doesn't like those, but I am big on puddings," then she added dreamily, "especially with thick custard." Ron and Luna both went crimson.
Tom came to clear away the empty plates and asked them if they wanted desert they all ordered and Luna just said that she would have the usual, they all looked at her strangely. She seemed to wonder for a minute then she told them that she came in quite often because the Quibbler offices were only just down the Alley, so Tom knew what she liked.
When their deserts came Luna had a large plate with Sticky Toffee Pudding, Treacle Sponge and Spotted Dick swimming in a sea of thick custard, she smiled at them and said, "Well I did say that I was big on puddings."
Deserts had been finished, Luna had eaten all of hers and Ron was talking to Ginny about going to Quality Quidditch Supplies to look at the brooms.
Jane said, "We should get back to the Surgery, we have been out all morning."
Tonks went to the fire to call Director Bones using the Floo and the Director promised to send a car straight away
So they all stood whilst they said goodbye to the Weasleys and Luna, then Tonks went out to check the Muggle Street. Three minutes later she poked her head back into the pub and told them that their car was here, so the four of them went to Croydon.
It was the first time that Jane had been in a magical vehicle and until she became used to it she was terrified, a cocktail cabinet, two overstuffed armchairs and a sofa were unusual enough but it went through gaps that…that...well they just weren't there. She was glad when they stopped.
Authors Note; Well that was the next instalment, I hope that you enjoyed it.
Do you have any ideas as to why Ron and Luna should turn crimson at the mention of thick custard? If you do you could include them when you REVIEW PLEASE.