Harry Potter & The True Power
Chapter 7 : The Gringotts Visit Part 1
A/N: I would like to thank all of you who have read and reviewed my story, especially warra, who has been reviewing me every chapter. It really helps.
Warra: I thank you for your reviews. I can understand your questions. But I cant answer now. The answer to these questions is the story itself. I hope you continue to read and review. I would welcome any suggestions anyone of you has. I know where the story is headed, but the path it takes is still under construction. If any of you people who read have any suggestions, I would gladly take any input from all of you.
Goddess Selene: thank you. I really appreciate it.
Albus Dumbledore was truly having one of the worst days. He had thought the same thing yesterday. But after sending Severus to poppy for the rest of the day (he would be fine. Wizarding medicine was good for something), he had just read the scroll that Severus had left in his hands. He recognized the read-out. It was a very rare thing to happen. But by know means unknown. Similar things had happened to many wizards who were experimenting in what the modern day psychic called as astral projection. It was just not very well known. Any competent healer could find the cure in a very small time. But what was even more alarming was the power levels. Older riddle was powerful, but not this powerful. He must be undergoing some more rituals. This may be one of the possible explanations, he thought. What was more interesting was the way Harry was behaving. His faith in prophecy was equivocal. He was sure that Harry could beat tom. Hence, he must be getting more powerful. More to the point, this was the time around which most wizards started the second phase of their magical growth. And nobody had noticed the absence of glasses on Mr. potter, at least no had commented about it.
Dumbledore was very worried. The breakdown in the wards was something which should not be taken lightly. More so because of the uniqueness of the wards that had been put in. even he himself couldn't have done what had just happened. The only way he could think was that somehow the protection that he had anchored the wards to had been removed somehow. As tom shared the blood with Harry now, it could not be beyond the scope of possibility. But even he was not aware of how that could be done. And with the power that the backwash he had suffered with. He knew tom would be more powerful than the reading was, still it was not sufficient. He needed information but didn't have the means. Severus would be recuperating for a few days at least. The only good thing that came out of this was that Voldemort would be out of action for some time now. His getting knocked out like this may also make his followers believe of his fallibility. It was a mess. But the information regarding tom would give him some time to regroup. Two successive battles had been won off tom. Most of the high ranking death eaters were now in Azkaban. That event had done a lot of good to the Order of the Phoenix's fight against Lord Voldemort. Not only because of the death eaters that had been arrested, because the whole fiasco was open, in the hallways of the ministry. The daily prophet had covered it. But the coupe' had been the quibbler's in-house reporting. Luna being a part of the events had made a lot of difference. Her father had had pensieve memories of all the students except Harry who had been to the Department of Mysteries. Fudge, who had been hindering the fight against Lord Voldemort, was now trying to cover his actions laying blame left right and center. Percy had lost his job as the minister's assistant and was now relegated to the dust mites of the ministry, Umbridge was pending trial after getting out of St.Mungo's. Arthur had been promoted. The only regrettable thing which had come out of the whole event was the death of Sirius. And possession of Harry by Lord Voldemort. He needed to take care of Harry. Now that he knew of the prophecy, maybe some training would do well with him. Maybe he should let him go out today. There might not be much time later. With Voldemort out for sometime, it was a very good option.
Professor Dumbledore was lost in thought. In all such planning, he totally overlooked the changes that were apparent in Harry last night. Later he would blame it on his lack of health, but in the heart of his hearts, he knew that it was another one of the mistakes he made. Probably one of the biggest he had ever made.
At Grimmauld Place, Harry was now downstairs in the kitchen. He was surprised to see that Dobby had grown a bit and now exuded power and confidence. Most of all, he looked happy. Lost in his thought, he was taken aback by a wild screech. Hedwig, had just come in thru one of the windows, completely angry. She looked complainingly at the young one. She felt a change in him. It was as if, for the first time, he was at peace. Taking the offered strip of bacon, she sat at the right side of Harry, having her breakfast. Harry was glad. Though he couldn't honestly say that he had missed Hedwig, he knew that he incomplete without his most faithful companion. She was like a friend you never knew you had, until she was not around. Yes, she was a damn good friend. Lost in thought, planning how to get to Gringotts alone, he was interrupted by Professor McGonagall entering the kitchen.
"Good Morning, Mr. Potter" she said.
"Good Morning Professor McGonagall", he replied in the same tone.
"Hope you are well." She stopped for a bit and then continued "I have just spoken with Professor Dumbledore. Your friends should be coming in a few minutes. After that, if you wish, you may go to Diagon Alley. Tonks and Alastor would be with you"
the old Harry would have been disappointed with the watch-guards. The new Harry now knew that the battlegrounds were often picked by the instigator. There was no such thing as too much security. He nodded silently as he saw Professor McGonagall take a plate of breakfast which had just been offered by Dobby.
It was nearly quarter past eight when he saw Ron, Hermione and Ginny walking in led by both Alastor and Tonks. Tonks was not looking her usual bubbly. She too had lost her cousin. Harry remembered.
But before he could even say hi, Hermione and Ginny both had enveloped Harry in a hug which reminded in ferocity equivalent to that of Mrs. Weasley.
"Air, 'mione, Ginny. Can't breathe" Harry said in broken words.
Both of them quickly broke away, blushing. As both of them looked up, they saw the most beautiful, sparkling, green as a pickled toad and alive eyes. Without any encumbrance of the spectacles, they were quite catching. More than that, for the first time since they had met, Hermione saw Harry happy. She was happy for him but was wondering what had happened? She had expected Harry to be in literal shambles. She knew that he would blame himself for his godfather's death. She made a mental note to ask him later. Harry however had now changed his stance to the one facing Ron. Though he was a jealous, unthinking prat; Ron was still his best mate. They shook their hands customary that of athletes who are in the same team.
"so Harry", began Hermione, "what happened? How did you come here so quickly? Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had been after professor Dumbledore to get you to move in from the Dursley's. he didn't allow it. Now …." She stopped as Harry put a finger on Hermione's lips, shushing her up.
"I have been meaning to ask the same question. However, when I woke up, he was already gone. I may see him today or tomorrow. I will ask him." that shut up Hermione who looked like continuing the questioning until she got a painful nudge in the back from Ginny. She relented and finally everybody went to sit on the sofa.
There was only dung at the HQ besides them, so they needn't go anywhere. Tonks and Alastor had left to the Diagon alley to make sure everything is fine before their excursion. There wasn't much to talk about as everybody's memories of the events at DOM were fairly new. Though Ron had been treated of the strange brain, he still had some minor itching. Hermione had already been put off and Ginny, she was just keeping quiet. Harry, to top it all was not speaking at all. He had too much to do today and too many secrets to keep. All in all, everybody felt very strange at this awkward meeting.
In a little while, both Tonks and Alastor arrived, telling them they are ready for the trip. Mad-Eye conjured a rope and said "Portus", making a portkey. Everybody touched it. Soon everybody felt a jerk around their navel and in a few seconds, found themselves standing nest to Gringotts. Hermione had to get some muggle money exchanged as she wanted to look at the new books which had come in at flourish & bottoms.
They all entered the Gringotts. Ron & Hermione quickly went and joined the currency conversion counter queue with Tonks. Ginny stayed with Harry as he went to one Goblin with his golden key. He intended to make some withdrawals.
"Ah! Mr. Potter. We have some business to attend with you. As a matter of fact, we were just dispatching an owl to you. If you could spare us a few moments, we could finish this." Harry looked puzzled but felt that it might be a good opportunity to get away from everybody else. He nodded, of course.
"Thank You Mr. Potter, I am sliktrat. I will just escort you to our director ragnork." All these names meant little to Harry. The only goblin he had ever seen was Griphook, the very first day he had entered the Diagon alley with his first wizarding friend, Hagrid. He nodded just the same. As he started to walk with the goblin, Ginny and Alastor started with him. Sliktrat stopped and said, "I am sorry sirs and young woman. The matter to be discussed is confidential. You are not allowed to join in." both Ginny and Alastor started to object but were stopped by Harry. "It's okay. I am in Gringotts its one of the safest places around. Why don't you join others. I will go to the twins place as soon as I am free. Looking trapped, Ginny nodded. Alastor on the other hand took out a small knut and said "when you are free, tap this knut with your wand once. I will come to get you" nodding, Harry went with the goblin.
The goblin led Harry through several corridors until they came to an office with two guards in the front. The door was small, typically fit for a goblin to enter. However, as soon as, Harry turned to face the door, the door magically increased its height to accommodate Harry and opened. Looking a little amazed, Harry followed sliktrat as he entered the room. In front of him was a large office, with an expansive table. Behind that was another throne like chair on which he saw a goblin, who was looking at him intently. As if sizing him up. He felt a general pressure on his mind, which was automatically ejected from his mind. Griphook frowned. He had not expected this from the young Potter. however, now accepting the visitor as worthy, in addition to his being a very important client, he smoothed his features, almost putting a smile on the rugged face and said, "Mr. Potter."
Harry on the other hand, after recognizing the intrusion attempt, was deciding on his future course of action. He had always slept thru all of Professor Binn's classes. He also had had very limited interaction with the goblins. Unfortunately, he had no clear idea as to how best deal with this awkward situation. More than that, he was totally negligent of what business such a senior goblin had with him. He momentarily closed his eyes, concentrating on the house at godric hollows. In less than a split of a second, he found himself standing on his chair. His mother was smiling at him.
"I see you have started to control your visits." She smiled teasingly. He returned the smile, as she pulled him into a hug. They had just met, and after so many years of being denied the giving of love to her only child, lily felt that she had to compensate for all the hardships that Harry had faced. She knew how her hugs comforted the restless and troubled soul in front of her. But now was not the time. They had less than heart-beat to finish this visit.
Harry smiled, returning the infectious grin. "I need your help, mom"
"I know. I have been observing. Though I have had limited interactions with the goblins themselves, your father was very close to few of them. The potters have always been held in high esteem due to our fair treatment of all those who reside in the magical community as well as because of the great wealth. Your father once said that the key to all goblins was respect. You respect them, they respect you. It's the best I can do."
Harry nodded. Smiled again and in less than a split second of real time, he was back, facing the senior goblin. Ragnork, on the other hand, was studying Harry Potter intently. As he entered, he saw the look of amazement at seeing something, probably the door. Then as he entered, he must have felt the intrusion or more likely, had the shields in place as a precaution. Having such strong occulemency skills at such an age, without being given the proper environment to inculcate and develop the gifts, made him a wizard who could merit respect. Goblins hardly ever respected the wizards who were always treating them grossly unfair. There were only a few exceptions. Most of them were from the potter line. However he had not been raised amongst them and was surrounded by mostly bigoted fools. He was unsure. The press always made him out as an attention seeking wizard, but some private intelligence said otherwise. He had reserved his decision. He would decide in the due course of this meeting. Till now, it looked promising. However, just as the young wizard faced him, he felt a look of indecision on his face. Then he blinked his eyes. The eyes which now faced him had all the indecision were now replaced with a quiet confidence. Ragnork had a feeling that he would like the young potter indeed.
"why don't you have a seat? Sliktrat, I will call you when we are finished." Accepting the dismissal, sliktrat bowed and left.
"I would like to apologise for the earlier intrusion. Believe me, there was no mal-intent." Ragnork said. To say that Harry was surprised would be the understatement of the week. And the way this week had started, it was saying something. He had never heard of a goblin apologizing to a wizard. Recognising the respect the senior goblin had just shown him, he decided that he should return the complement.
"I accept and hope that we may continue to treat each other with the utmost respect. Though I would myself confess that I am not an expert on our magical brethren, I only consider that respect is one commodity, if equally given, is received in a similar amount" Harry said with all the new found maturity in his heart.
Ragnork smiled, slowly. He had not expected such an answer from a not yet sixteen year old wizard. It would seem that their intelligence report was better informed.
Seeing him smile, Harry continued, taking it as an acceptance of his earlier remark, "though I am not clear as to the reason of our meeting, I would like to thank you for the uncommon courtesy you have just rendered me and would hope that you believe that I shall do all that is in my power to prove my worthiness of your respect". Ragnok's eyes were now shining with pleasure. The young potter had recognized the apology as the extreme mark of respect a goblin gives to a wizard. And from the aura around the young wizard, he knew that Harry hadn't lied. This meeting could become the cornerstone in Goblin-Wizarding relations.
Harry had, by now sat down on the chair that he had pointed to and was now waiting for the goblin to speak up.
"Mr. Potter. I had requested your presence here because of two different reasons. One was that recently a will was recently activated in our archives. As the wizard in question had made special request as to the handling of his will, we had to request your presence. The second was that pursuant to the activation of the primary will, certain conditions were satisfied to another will of which you are the beneficiary. Both the wills are from very prominent wizarding families. Hence, I requested your presence to handle certain issues which required your personal attention." With each word being said, Harry was feeling a sharp pain in his heart. The first will was obviously that of Sirius and secondary was probably his parents will. Controlling the look of grief that must have shown on his face, Harry nodded. Seeing that Harry understood, ragnork continued.
"As you have probably surmised, we are talking about the will of your godfather, Sirius Black and your parents will. The blacks are a prominent family. Their last direct male heir has just died. When we opened Mr. Black's will, instead of the usual will, there were two envelopes. One was the will, but the second and more important was the one named to you. The instructions were clear; we had to open the first envelope first in your presence only. After this, we would open the will in front of all the beneficiaries and interested parties." With this ragnork took out a small manila envelope. As he opened it, a slight light bathed the room. As soon as it touched Harry, he felt love envelope him all around. Then slowly it receded and the envelope was transfigured into a small box. It opened by itself and a white halo came out. It was Sirius."