Looking at the embarrassed teenager in front of me, I thought about the things that made Harry's life what they are. His worst experiences in life seemed to be pronounced – killing a basilisk, rescuing a criminal, getting into a life-or-death duel with Voldemort himself, and living through it gave him a thorough understanding of life. However, his home life prevented him from getting the love he needed as a child – as a result, he seems to withdraw into himself often.
"Hey Hermione, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here with my parents, but what are you doing here? I thought Dumbledore said that you need to stay at your house, for your protection. You didn't sneak out, did you?"
Harry seemed to pick up what she meant in her words – that if he defies Dumbledore, she would not hesitate to turn him in. His expression soured, but he responded as if he didn't notice anything.
"I got permission… from my legal guardians… to go take care of some business." Harry evaded.
I'm proud of his way to answer a question without lying – but managing to mislead the other person anyway. He made it seem as if the Dursleys gave him permission to go out. In a roundabout way, that's true, but he is in charge of his own life now. Unfortunately, Hermione, being the most intelligent witch of her year, picked up on the twisted logic.
"But I thought the Dursleys hated you? Why would they give permission for you to leave?"
"They were scared – remember the Order warnings? – they also think that if I leave the house, I can get run over by a car or something."
Harry seemed to be tiring of this conversation – the fact that one of his friends, the more logical one, would think that being locked up and safe is better than taking a slight risk, even after seeing what happened to Sirius, stunned him.
"But still Harry, it's unsafe, with You-Know-Who out there…"
"Can't you see? If I don't train, I can't defeat him. I was out here after trying to run – I need to get into better shape."
"What makes you think it will be you who defeats him? Are you really as arrogant as Snape says?"
Looking at Harry, it was obvious her words hurt him. His memory of his father from the Pensieve surfaced. Quickly making up an explanation, he turned around and left.
"Dumbledore hinted at it – I don't know why he thinks so, you can ask him – but I have to go, my Aunt wants me home by 5."
I stayed back for a few moments, and saw Hermione try to explain to her parents that Harry was not her boyfriend, and that she was actually angry at him at the moment. I chuckled, then followed Harry out of the restaurant.
I saw how this shock affected Harry. His best friend, someone he knew from his first year, didn't believe he was experienced enough to be out on his own. He immediately classed her as being a Dumbledore supporter, then wondered – when did he start thinking of Duimbledore as against him?
I caught his train of thinking, and answered: "Anyone who does not let you live in peace and how you wish to live is an enemy at some point – It is a fact of life."
He smiled a bitter smile, then asked "Where next?"
Pointing to the nearby clothing store, I smiled at his groan. Apparently he hated clothes shopping, but he can't look like this and expect to be respected. His clothes were too big for him, and they looked like they were years old.
Walking into the store, Harry was immediately approached by an attractive young salesgirl. She introduced herself as Jamie, and said that the clothes Harry was wearing did not suit his physique at all. I laughed at that, only Harry hearing me of course, but those clothes would not fit the physique of a whale, much less a human.
Falling back into his usual shy state, Harry could barely answer the questions Jamie was throwing at him. Questions such as his age, where he goes to school, what are his favorite sports, received short, curt responses, but when asked for his phone number, he blushed and said that he didn't have one yet, but that he was getting one today. When Jamie slipped a slip of paper in his pocket, he blushed even more, but thanked her and said he'd call her later today with his number.
After finding all the clothes he needed, Harry paid for the purchases and asked me what to do with them. I quickly transported the clothes back to his house, leaving him a pair to wear out of the store. Quickly changing, Harry asked me where next.
As if I was a girl directing his movements, I quickly dragged him to the Mobile Phone store a few blocks away. Of course, dragging him was near impossible – as I did not have hands at the time, but the theory was the same.
Harry enjoyed getting his Cell phone, and after I placed an anti-magic field on it, immediately called Jamie to tell her his number. He seemed a bit more outgoing than he used to be, but I suppose that being on your own would do that. Naturally, I teased him about Jamie, but he didn't respond to my jibes and said:
"She's not really my type, but any friend I can have that doesn't betray me is a good friend."
I nodded, realizing his situation. He was still feeling hurt about Hermione, and he needed company. I said "Well, enough with the fun stuff – we have to get to business."
Getting a grasp on his shoulder, I phased him to the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. Because it was close to the building, the passing muggles did not notice us appear directly in front of the pub.
Hiding us both, I told Harry to hurry up and get through the barrier separating the two worlds – goblins are not the nicest creatures, and we want to finish our business with them early.
Entering Gringotts, Harry headed immediately to the counter. When faced with a familiar goblin, he told him– "I am Harry Potter and I have some business for your manager."
The goblin raised his eyes, but complied with the request. He went over to the fireplace nearby, stuck his head in, and a few minutes later he looked out and said:
"The manager will see you. You will need to follow this hallway until the end."
At his words, a door opened up. Harry walked into the door, and followed the hallway. Coming into the conference room, he saw a big desk, with a nametag on it. The nametag simply read – "Ragnok."
I whistled quietly to myself – "Harry – This is the president of all the goblins, for Merlin's sake, DON'T BLOW IT!"
Harry gulped, but before he could introduce himself, Ragnok spoke.
"Ah, Harry Potter. You are the owner of the second-largest pureblood account, the Blacks. What can I do for you?"
I tried to coach him, but it turns out it wasn't needed – this boy was a natural leader, he inspired others to follow him.
"I have a few requests, and in return, I may provide your race with the freedom it desires, the money it craves, and the recognition it deserves. Goblins are vastly underrated, that even Voldemort does not talk to you, except for banking. However, I know that your race are master warriors, and if you assemble as a force, your might is incredible."
I nearly fell over at those words – my student sure knows how to speak!
"Yes, flattery and an appeal to our wants – you will be a great leader someday. May I ask why Dumbledore sent you?"
"Dumbledore did NOT send me. I am here of my own free will, and he doesn't know I am here. I trust him no more than I trust Fudge – after all he has said he has done for me, and after telling me how much he believes in me, he still tries to deny me independence!"
Listening to Harry, I saw how he was thinking. Rally the goblins, but don't be a part of the groups that wronged them before – if they can be spurred into revolt against the Ministry, Harry has a sizeable force on his hands.
"Hmm – so for whom are you working? If you are for the dark, know that we are neutral."
"I am my own side. I know that Fudge is an idiot – if I may get him on my side, it would be an asset, but only for getting laws passed. Voldemort is obviously evil, but is also insane. He would not make a good leader. Dumbledore has the quality that makes people follow him, but he has no concern for anyone's life – years of fighting made him that way. I am my own side – I have no reason to ally with anyone."
"But you are just a child – you are not even legally an adult."
I thought for a second – that was a low blow. But Harry knows how to recover from that.
"I am no longer legally a child. In the muggle world, there is something called release of custody. I am emancipated, and if I get Fudge to my side, I will also have those rights in the Wizarding world. Either way, I have a bargaining chip against Dumbledore."
He seems to be playing against Dumbledore in this – but at least he is being honest.
"You convinced me of your intentions, Mr. Potter, but what would your requests be? As you said, the goblins are vastly underrated, and nobody thinks to ally with us – what do you want, and what can you offer for it?"
I know how much he does not like using his celebrity status for gain, but he will have to. Unfortunately, that is the only thing he can offer.
"I can offer a few things. First, if I defeat Voldemort, I will have vast public standing. I can use that standing to support the goblins, and get the equality laws you are wishing for. I am willing to swear a Wizard's oath in order to prove it. Second, I have an idea you can use to get more money off of your customers."
He didn't! My student actually offered a new way for goblins to make money? If he pulls it off, he will have lifelong supporters!
"Interesting. Let me listen to your requests, and then I will decide."
"My first request may seem selfish, but it is necessary for me to be able to promote my ideas. I would like to request access to my family vaults, and to also prevent Dumbledore from accessing any of the vaults belonging to me."
I thought that that seemed logical, but maybe not the best thing to start with.
"That can be done even without speaking to me, and it shall be done. What else did you want to ask?"
"My second request is tied together with the way to make money I promised you. Would you like to hear it?"
"That is interesting, many wizards have come up with requests, but none of them promised money to us."
"The premise is simple – develop cards that allow easy transfer of gold between vaults – make it so that a wizard can just tap the card, and say the number of gold, and it would transfer. It is used in the muggle world to great success."
"And of course, there would be a fee for transferring," Ragnok grinned, showing his pointy teeth. "I like it, and I see no reason why this can not be done. I assume you want one of those cards for yourself?"
"Yes, and I want it by the end of this conversation, if possible."
Ragnok turned around, yelled a few words in Gobledegook, and turned back.
"It will be done."
"My last request will seem the most controversial. I would like to garner the support of the goblins against Voldemort. If many people help the light, we can win the war with less casualty."
I held my breath. If Harry succeeds in this, he can use the ministry against Voldemort, and get himself a good position. Ragnok appeared to be thinking it over, but then seemed to come to a conclusion.
"We will not rally behind the light, but we will rally behind you. You are a much more spirited leader than Dumbledore, and you have more to offer us. I will take your wizard's oath to help the goblins, and I in return will swear an oath to you to follow us.
As they said the words of the oath, their palms grew blue. When they shook hands, the two blue glows combined, flashed, then a blue symbol glowed on the back of each hand.
Ragnok seemed to take something out of his desk, then handed it to Harry.
"This is the mark of your financial independence, Harry. Treasure it."
Harry was now the owner of a new card, similar to his muggle one, but one that gave him limitless control over a big chunk of the wizarding world's economy.
I smiled as Harry walked out of Gringotts, happy that my Student was able to rally the support of the goblins – they will be happy to help someone who fights for their rights, and their control of the banks will make a good strength against both the Ministry and Dumbledore.
A/N: The reviews I got were astounding – in two days, getting put on a few favorite lists and over 6 reviews? My original story didn't get nearly as much, and it's been up for a month and has over 10,000 words!
Review Responses:
Gred: What does it say in the summary? ;-)
Wavefunction: Unlike most independent!Harry stories, this one will probably not just span the summer – I expect to get to school pretty quickly. I actually know how I'm going to handle Dumbledore for the first part of the story – it should be pretty funny if I pull it off right. He will not accept Harry's emancipation, I will tell you that.
Pazed: I'm going off the American credit theory – basically, if you are of age, you can get a credit account easily – and borrow up to a certain amount. Harry just promised the manager a million pounds – think of the commission. And the backstory for Niamp is basically a question with no answer – why were any of us created? I will give hints however.
Silver8036: Yes, as you can see, he can phase with Harry. However, those powers are limited when carrying someone. If Harry was in battle, he could not be phased, and even if he could, would Harry really abandon his friends for safety?Niamp does not need a disguise - he can make himself invisible at will. His phoenix form isnt really a phoenix - its just a dark bird that resembles a phoenix. He doesn't sing. Be thankful for that ;-)
Santa Claws: No H/Hr - basically, this chapter already kills that idea, don't you think? I have an explanation for Hermione acting like this, but she is not possessed, and she is not under anyone's control - she is acting like this of her own free will. And although you may not like the SHIP I chose, I'm not a romance writer - I may use Ginny as a strong second lead, but this is not from Harry's perspective - it will probably gloss over most of the relationships.