By Loralee
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and associated characters are not mine.
Harry was surprised by the extent of the Goblin Nation's dwellings. The caverns beyond Gringotts were extensive. Not that he'd seen much of them. Madam Clark had taken a special liking to him. She had thoroughly analyzed the wards on Privit Drive and found them to be sorely lacking. She had spoken to Aunt Petunia and assured her that Harry would not be returning, retrieved Harry's belonging, and led a special team of goblins in warding Privit Drive. The wards now were some of the most secure of goblin wards. Something not available to most wizards and would keep out not only dark wizards but Dumbledore and his order as well. It was the best thing for the Dursley's keeping all wizard kind from their doorstep.
The cleansing rituals had taken three exhausting days and Harry now knew a lot more about ritual magic. The spell work had been lifted and most of the dark residue was gone. Harry felt better than he had in years. His scar hadn't changed but the link to Voldemort had been reduced. Madam Clark had suggested learning Occlumency and had been out raged at Harry's treatment at Snape's hands. She had provided Harry with a basic Occlumency book and offered to teach him herself. She had also taught Harry the owl warding and filters he needed to keep his privacy once he left Gringotts wards. All that was left was setting up a retrieval system from the mail drop.
Harry had been meeting with a goblin tailor who was making him some formal and everyday robes and had brought a catalog of muggle clothes for Harry's selection when Dobby popped in through the goblin wards.
"Harry Potter, sir, Dobby is here to save Harry Potter sir." Dobby reached toward Harry to pop them away as Harry yelled, "Stop!"
Dobby froze a look of confusion and horror on his little face. Harry Potter the greatest wizard in the world had yelled at him. He knew he'd done something wrong. As Dobby prepared to punish himself, Harry grabbed his hands and looked him straight in the eye.
"Dobby, why do you think I need saving?" Harry asked.
"Master Head is being telling Dobby Harry Potter sir is missing and is being needing rescuing and Dobby is being the only elf for the job." Dobby said in a rush.
"Thank you Dobby but I don't need saving. I'm here because I want to be. I've made friends with the goblins and am visiting for awhile." Said Harry smiling gently at Dobby. "I am glad you're here though, would you like to work for me?"
Dobby who'd been looking completely dejected started to bounce and nodded his head so rapidly he made himself dizzy.
"Yes Harry Potter sir. It is being what Dobby has been waiting for Harry Potter sir. Dobby is being wanting Harry Potter sir to be taking his sock forever. Master Head is being telling Dobby that Harry Potter sir is not being wanting Dobby and Dobby should being bonding to Master Head but Dobby is being waiting anyway." Dobby's grin was contagious as it stretched across his face but his answers were giving Harry several things to think about.
"I thought you liked being free, Dobby?" asked Harry
"Dobby liked being free to working for bad master, but Dobby's magics is being diminishing and Dobby is wanting to bond to good master. Harry Potter sir's magics is being strongest magic and is making Dobby's magics stronger so Dobby can be making eflings with …" Dobby trailed off as his brain caught up to his mouth and he realized just what he was telling his prospective master. Dobby and Harry both blushed.
Harry spit and sputtered and then tried to get back on track.
"Ah well yes uhm. Dumbledore sent you here? Where were you supposed to take me?"
"Master Head wanted Dobby to bring Harry Potter sir to dark house." Dobby answered.
"Grimauld Place, headquarters?" Dobby nodded.
"Well Dobby what do I have to do to bond you then? I don't want you to have to tell Dumbledore anything about me." Asked Harry.
Dobby snaped his figures and was holding a rather familiar dark sock.
"Master will accept pledge of Dobby?" asked Dobby as he held out the sock to Harry.
Harry reached for the sock with the words,
"I Harry James Potter do accept the pledge of the house elf Dobby and accept him into my service." With those words the magic flared as Harry touched the sock.
"Dobby you can wear whatever you like. Only giving back this sock will free you and you can ask for it at any time if you don't think I'm a good master any longer." Said Harry with a smile. Dobby nodded also smiling.
Harry then remembered the goblin tailor Needlehands who was patiently waiting for Harry.
Stonebender had sorted out Harry financial situation and together they had gone through the information. Harry now had the full muggle kit that contained muggle ID, passport and driving license, bank atm card, visa credit card, national heath card that functioned as a direct portkey to St Mungo's emergency entrance and a theft proof wallet. He'd sent Dobby to check out two different properties and decided to split his time between them. One a two story farm on several acres of land under plotless and muggle repelling wards and a three bedroom flat in Diagon Alley. The farmhouse was a Potter property; the flat was in the name of Nigel Grim and had been purchased less than six months earlier.
Sirius's legal problems prevented the Black estate from being settled. Stonebender had decided to not acknowledge Sirius death until such time as his name was cleared or the ministry pardoned him. This would continue to hold the estate in limbo however Sirius had several hidden accounts under the name Nigel Grim and had been siphoning off monies from the estate. These accounts were left to Harry as his heir. Harry found to his pleasure that Sirius (Nigel) had purchased the building at 93 Diagon Alley and through the goblins had leased the shop on the ground floor to Weasley Wizard Wheezes and the two bedroom flat on the first floor to Fred and George Weasley who of course had no idea who they were actually paying rent to. The second floor was the three bedroom flat Harry was about to relocate to. Harry's id cards could be altered to read Blake Grim and Stonebender had provided Harry with a goblin made glamour the anchor which was a wide gold arm band that fit Harry's bicep, for a small fee of course. The glamour could not be seen through or dispelled by normal wizard magic so was a secure method for Harry to use as a disguise.
Harry was aware that not only death eaters would be looking for him but Dumbledore's Order would be looking as well. Dumbledore had already been trying to get information on his accounts from the goblins. Harry had only one stop to make before retreating to his flat. He intended to pay a call on Mr. Mann to thank him for his help and let him know that Harry was all right. After all Harry thought Mr. Mann was probably expecting Harry to have come back that day.
A/N Nigel is from a Latin word meaning black. Blake is English for black.
I'm looking for suggestions for the floo address to the Diagon Alley flat. Nothing to obvious like grim's pad or the dog house. :) Thanks to everyone who reveiws you really make my day.