Ironstream had managed the vaults, accounts, and messes of the Black family for the last thirty years. Despite the family's endless fighting with others and themselves, he'd managed to curtail throwing money after bad causes from the primary vaults. If the individuals threw away their money as gifts to Dark Lords, Light Lords, or bribes for politicians, Ironstream continued to grow the wealth vast wealth of the Black Vaults.
'Gringotts needs to add a tag line underneath our name – A Subsidiary of the Black Family,' he decided with a chuckle. 'And I must arrange for a Black Foundation to be formally created in this next generation – if I can find someone sane with Black blood to continue the family.'
The current situation was contentious and dangerous for Gringotts. If wizards panicked, there could be attacks against the bank by cadres of powerful wizards with spells that destroyed the wards. If the wards that kept the Thames out of the lower caverns failed, goblins would drown in the water of the river flooding their homes.
'Mother Magic hear me and make Malfoy and Dumbledore both smell like Sturrdel forever,' the goblin cursed. 'First, Sirius Black is proved innocent but then declared mentally unfit so they can lock him up in Saint Mungos. And Fudge – that wizard should have been dropped from the top of a muggle skyscraper sometime in the last thirty years – tried to grab the Black vaults with a piece of paper. Magic can be limited by the words on a piece of paper, but they have to be the right words with the proper intent.'
The vaults were closed and Ironstream was determined to penalize the Malfoys for their continued attempts to pass off Draco Malfoy as an heir to the Black wealth. The boy was not born of Narcissa Black's body and there'd been no blood adoption. Draco's education vault remained open because it was not funded by Black family wealth, but by Malfoy's wealth. Lucius stretched his wealth to make Draco appear as rich as an heir of the Black family should be. He was able to do this only because the Black vaults paid the household expenses for the manor house where they lived. Narcissa's dowry provided the house, the elves, and the accounts to pay for food, drink, new furniture, and most of the clothing worn by the inhabitants.
And Gringotts would never make any announcement of the machinations of a family with their vaults.
The pop of a house-elf distracted Ironstream for a moment. Dobby Elf was known to Ironstream; he'd been a Black family elf included in the dowry of Narcissa Black seventeen years ago.
"What have you got, Dobby Elf?"
"Dobby brings a letter from Husband of Healer Tonks to Ironpants."
'Healer Tonks? Andromeda Black and Ted Tonks?' thought Ironstream. He held out his hand and took the scroll from the elf who sat in a corner to wait for an answer.
'Ted Tonks is a bright wizard with the common sense of the muggle-born,' the goblin remembered as he untied the ribbon, unrolled the parchment, and then read.
Glancing up at the elf after twice reading the letter, Ironstream motioned the elf closer. Dobby stepped forward without fear of the goblin though Ironstream noted the scars on the elf's head and wondered who had beaten the elf.
"Ted Tonks writes that Harry Potter needs healing and sanctuary until the first of September. But based on your statements to Mr. Tonks that Pigsmouth – Sowsbreath – is stealing from the Potter vaults, Ted Tonks and his wife doubt that goblin has honor or honesty in his dealings with wizards or other goblins."
"Pigsmouth don't be honorables or honests, Ironpants," Dobby replied without hesitation.
Ironstream hated to hear any goblin described as dishonorable or dishonest – a goblin could be ruthless with business and acquire large amounts of wealth so long as he didn't steal from other goblins or from clients. And it was impossible for Ironstream to interfere with the Potter accounts.
"Dobby Elf, I can't do anything about this alleged theft, and it would be hard to help the young wizard without creating a lot of controversies," Ironstream explained.
The elf's hopeful look disappeared but then Dobby asked, "Can youse help son of Sirius Blacks? Sirius Blacks be youse Lord Black if his mind is righted and clearest."
"Yes, that's true."
"And Harry Potters is dog-son of Sirius Blacks. Harry Potters be grand-grandson of Arcturus Black."
Vaguely remembering the many branches of the Black family tree, the goblin rose from his chair and went to a tapestry of a goblin victory over the dwarves and pulled it to the side, revealing a tapestry of the Black family genealogy. He located the last Lord Black and traced all the man's sons, grandchildren, and their descendants. Nymphadora Tonks was the only blood heir in the new generation and with her mother cast from the family, she was not eligible to inherit. Then Ironstream went to the only daughter of Arcturus Black, Euphemia Black. She chose to defy convention and married Fleamont Potter. Their son, James Potter, married squib-born Lily Evans. Their son was Harry Potter.
"Your wizard Potter does have a claim to the Black wealth through his grandmother Euphemia, sister of Arcturus."
Shaking his head, Dobby said, "This be about family. Harry Potters beat by muggle relatives and now been beat by Howler Weasel. He needs family with Sirius Black who love and not beat."
Ironstream frowned, dropped the covering tapestry back in place, and walked back to his desk.
"Harry Potter is Black's godson? His sworn godson?"
"Yes, Ironpants, they'se be blood bonded."
Consulting some books, Ironstream said, "Dobby go back and watch Mr. Potter. Listen for my call – I have to talk with some leaders of higher rank."
The elf nodded and popped out of the bank as Ironstream hurried to the private quarters of the king.
SCENE CHANGEIn an opulent chamber deep under London, goblins met quietly. After bowing respectfully, the first goblin stated, "There is a child named Harry Potter."
"I am aware of the wizard's existence," replied the goblin seated in a comfortable but not ostentatious chair.
"He's been abused by muggle relatives. For relief, he sought shelter with a pureblood wizarding family where he was also abused – welt hexes on his bottom that bled terribly."
The second goblin frowned, took a sip of some ale, and asked, "Are the wizards trying to make another dark lord before they rid themselves of the last one?"
"It would appear so."
"And?" asked Ragnock, king of vaults in Gringotts, motioning with his hand for the conversation to move forward at a faster pace.
"He is the great-grandson of Arcturus Black and the blood-bound godson of Sirius Black."
After hearing that statement, the seated goblin set his goblet aside and commented, "He's a wizard with a good blood claim to the Black vaults as well as the Potter vaults. His future is full of wealth."
"If he receives the proper education and encouragement, he might work openly with Gringotts."
"Sowsbreath has the Potter vaults in good shape."
Ironstream did not comment on Sowsbreath and his performance, and the silence was noticed by Ragnock.
"It would be difficult for you to bring Mr. Potter into the bank. Sowsbreath has the right to know of his client's presence in the bank," Ragnock reminded Ironstream.
"But as the Vault Manager for the Black family, I can bring the godson of Sirius Black here."
"We should have stormed the ministry and rescued Sirius Black. If he was here in our hospital, he'd heal faster than under the quacks at Saint Mungo's."
This time, Ironstream nodded in agreement with Ragnock's words.
"Bring Godson Black into Gringotts," Ragnock declared as he renamed Harry Potter within the bank. "He receives care of our highest standards, learns everything you can teach him about the Black family importance and spells, and never meets with Sowsbreath. He can't access the Potter family vault. If he proves capable, perhaps – perhaps – we can open a vault to save the economy of Magical Britain."
CHANGE SCENEOnce Ironstream departed, Ragnock walked into a hidden cavern that maintained detailed, complete copies of all accounts and record books in the bank. Even secret books hidden in the bottom drawers of the desks in each vault manager's office were duplicated here. There were books of each letter sent and received – this was the Department of Secrets with the goblin Unspeakables who were called Auditors, and feared more than the powerful, secretive wizards of the DOM in the wizards Ministry for Magic.
Auditor941 bowed to the king and asked, "How can the Department of Secrets serve Auditor001 today?"
"I want a complete audit of every expense, deposit, transfer, check, and gratuity involving the Potter vaults beginning 01 September 1981. Compare the results to the Bones vaults and the Longbottom vaults. They're not as rich but there should be similar expenses."
"It will take a month to be complete," replied the Auditor.
"Not a day longer," Ragnock said before he turned and walked back through the secret doorway.
Auditor941 grinned, his golden tooth caps shimming in the light of the torches in the cavern. The Department of Secrets would do battle with numbers this month.
CHANGE SCENEOnce back in his office, Ironstream arranged for secure quarters and an excellent healer to be prepared in the hospital cavern. Then he called for Dobby to return and provided the elf with a port-key that would allow the boy and his healer to enter the hospital without any difficulties or under the gaze of any wizards or the majority of goblins.
Stirring after several hours of sleep, Harry Potter woke in an unfamiliar environment. The antiseptic smells were familiar, but the stone walls and artificial light were different. He was on his face and his buttocks were sore.
'Those welts hurt!' Harry remembered. 'And Ron laughed.'
"Harry?" asked a friendly voice. It was the witch he sorta remembered when he got off the Knight's Bus. "How do you feel this evening?"
Lifting himself up on his elbows he replied, "No pain, just sore."
Harry looked at the witch closely and asked, "Are you Andromeda? Sirius's cousin?"
"I am. I'm Healer Andromeda Tonks," the witch replied as an introduction. "Stan Turnpike brought you to me and I've been treating your wounds."
Motioning toward a goblin in healer robes, she continued, "This is Healer Stonecup and she'll be taking care of you here in Gringotts."
"Gringotts?"
"Yes, Godson Black. You are in the hospital cavern in Gringotts."
"What…can I sit up?"
"Carefully, Godson Black," the goblin healer advised and allowed Andromeda to help the boy up. She kept the sheet wrapped around the boy to maintain his modesty and while Harry leaned to one side rather than sitting fully on his bottom, his recovery was well underway.
"I need the loo," he insisted, and the goblin waved toward a door that opened. With the sheet wrapped around him, Harry shuffled through the door and closed it.
"He'll be fine," Andromeda replied but the goblin growled.
"Look at the other wounds and problems," StoneCup insisted.
Nodding, the witch allowed the goblin to review a potions regimen to correct malnutrition, brittle bones, and muscle weakness. There were separate treatments for Harry's eyes, ears, and fingers. The binding on his magic would be removed tonight while he slept, and the black magic embedded in his scar would be exorcised tomorrow afternoon with a simple power diverter; the magic in the scar would be pulled out one jewel at a time and added to the wards that protected the bank.
"In five days, we'll have Godson Black ready to return to Hogwarts."
CHANGE SCENE LETTERSHarry laughed when Dobby appeared, bowed, and addressed him as Godson Black.
"That's be youse name in deep caverns of goblin Gringotts," the elf reminded his friend.
Letters arrived from Ron and Hermione. Hedwig delivered the letter from Hermione, and it was a normal muggle envelope with a long, handwritten letter. But Godson Black was surprised when Dobby intercepted the owl from the Burrow and wouldn't let the bird deliver the letter to Harry. The moment, Dobby touched the letter, he vanished for a moment but then popped back, madder than the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets two years earlier.
"Dobby?" asked Harry. "Are you alright?"
"Weasels sent port key – White Whiskers Goat Lover with Big Nose in Mr Harry Potter's business and all Weasels thrown through windows when letter returns and explodes."
"Did they see you? Did anyone get hurt?"
Shaking his head, Dobby explained, "They no see Dobby Elf. Only Howler, White Whiskers, and Mouth be in kitchens. They all be bruised, sore, and sorry for trying to tricks Godson Black."
If the elf forgot to mention that Howler had a concussion and White Whiskers had a broken skull, he would beg forgiveness from his friend later.
However, Stonecup threw axes at the goblin in charge of security in the hospital for five minutes – she hit him twice, denting his armor and cutting off the tip of his left ear.
"How dare you not have the wards up to prevent a port-key from kidnapping my patient!" she thundered.
The letter from Hermione asked how Harry was doing and if he was safe. She didn't ask where he was but explained she'd left the Burrow the same day and returned to her parents. In the letter, Hermione wrote: The very next day, Professor McGonagall showed up on our doorstep in the middle of the day while my parents were at work. She kept asking about what I'd seen at the Burrow.
Professor McGonagall kept wanting to come inside but I refused, telling her my parents were not at home and strangers were not allowed inside. This upset Professor McGonagall who promised to return that evening. When she came back and spoke with my parents, they both argued with McGonagall about safety and called her a liar to her face. McGonagall threatened to tell every word to the headmaster and my mother provided the professor with a list typed on the office computer.
Harry, Professor McGonagall couldn't understand how a printed list was created so easily and it scared her more than my parent's complaints. She muttered about underestimating the mudbloods again and left. I dread her first class and know I'll never make prefect now. Mum and Dad want us to transfer to Beauxbatons or a school across the pond for our fifth year. Can we talk about that at school? Without Ron around of course!
Change SceneThere were innumerable potions to take with each meal and before bed at night, but Stonecup and Dobby stayed with Godson Black and made certain he was comfortable at all times. The teenager was allowed into a dueling chamber on the third day with a dummy using second-year spells. The elf was exhausted quickly trying to repair the dummy after each exchange of spell fire with the boy who'd had the binding on his magic removed. The goblins eventually added three more dummies to the chamber to create a challenge for Godson Black.
Harry found his charms textbook for the upcoming fourth year to be of great interest. Ironstream promised to write to his cousin, Professor Flitwick about some dueling and fighting lessons on the weekend for Godson Black in the coming year.
CHANGE SCENE: Visit with SiriusWhen StoneCup agreed that Harry was recovered from the welts and responding to the potions and other treatments, Andromeda brought news of Sirius and the treatments he was receiving at Saint Mungos. Without any coordination with the staff at the wizarding hospital, Andromeda took Harry to visit his godfather in the evening when she visited with patients.
This allowed the wizards to visit and talk without interference from others. Harry enjoyed the stories Sirius told about James and Lily's courtship at Hogwarts and their time with their son.
"Never doubt for a second that your parents loved you, Prongslet," Sirius said with a sad smile. "They held you every second they could. They talked about their bright boy all the time."
After a moment of silence, Harry asked, "When do you think you'll get out of here?"
"The healers won't talk about that with me," Sirius replied. "And I can't get a clear answer on who is the leader of the team of healers I see every day."
Harry frowned, "Andi may be able to find out."
"Yeah, but then Dumbledore will interfere and assure everyone that he has full confidence in the decisions the healers make but he'll never tell us what he knows," Sirius added. "And my friend Remus has said nothing except to listen to Dumbledore."
"Yeah, what's with Lupin's faith – unshakeable faith – in the headmaster?"
Sighing, Sirius replied, "Remus is grateful to Dumbledore for letting him attend Hogwarts. He was an experiment about werewolves. If I hadn't been an ass in our sixth year and almost gotten another student killed by Moony, there might have been more werewolves to attend the school."
"You screwed up?"
"Spectacularly. I sent Snape to investigate…your Dad saved Severus. I came as close to being expelled from school."
"Is that why Snape hates me?"
"No, he hates you because your mum picked your dad over him."
"Huh?" asked Harry with a strange look on his face.
Sirius snickered and said, "Snape knew your mother while they were kids. He thought they'd be together when they were grown but, James Potter grew up and won your mum's heart."
That led to another moment of silence before Sirius changed the subject to the people who tried to slip into his room each day. He talked about the reporters who floated up to the window, and the entrepreneur who came in underneath the food cart and reversed a shrinking charm, but his clothing ripped apart.
"Now if it had been a shapely bird, I would have been more receptive to his ideas and need for cash," Sirius said.
Harry laughed and said, "The Daily Prophet has a story or two every day about the vaults being closed. You have a huge amount of wealth and it's all locked away."
"Because Dumbledore, Malfoy, and Fudge tried to get control of it. The only letters that got through to me are from Rag-a-rock and Iron-steam at Gringotts about giving them control of the vaults to help people out."
"Iron-steam?" asked Harry, innocently. "I think his name is Ironstream."
Sirius paused and looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know, I think you're right. Ironstream is the goblin who is vault manager for my family vaults."
"So, who is Iron-steam?"
"Probably some charlatan trying to rob me or the bank."
Drawing his wand, Harry asked, "Can I cast Finite Incantatem on the letter?"
"Sure, if you think it'll do any good. The wards here won't register using your wand."
Drawing his wand, Harry took a breath and cast the spell. Since the binding had been removed from his magical core, all of the teenager's spells had been more powerful, often by a factor of ten. Harry's spell grabbed the magic in the letter and the piece of parchment turned bright blue. When the light faded, the letter was revealed to be an authorization that appointed Albus Dumbledore as the designated agent to manage all matters with Gringotts on all Black family vaults.
"That wanker!" Sirius swore. He rolled up the parchment and asked, "Can you and Andi get this to Ironstream at the bank?"
His face still under control, Harry said, "Yeah, I think we can get it to the goblins."
"No, you need to put this into Ironstream's hands."
Nodding his understanding, Harry guaranteed his godfather he'd deliver the letter to the goblin. Looking away for a moment, Sirius muttered about interfering old coots. Then he grabbed some paper and began writing a letter. He paused and looked at Harry before a big grin appeared on his face and he asked, "Want to help me prank Dumbledore, Lucius Malfoy, and the Ministry of Magic?"
"Sure! But how?"
"I'm going to nominate you as my agent for the Black family vaults. That'll but a kneazle in the owl tower."
"Will that hurt any people?"
"No, because I'll tell the goblins to make everything legal and above board but to hide the information under the fidelius charm. I'll name a couple adults to be in on the secret and the goblins will pick a few managers who can authorize the use of my money but because of the fidelius charm, they can't tell anyone."
"Didn't Pettigrew get around it?"
"Yeah, but if the secret keeper shares the secret with the designated adults and goblins and then destroys the only copy, no one can share it with anyone else.
"So, Peter Pettigrew must have written the secret down again and then gave the copy to Dark Nutter?"
"Yeah, only the secret keeper can write the secret down."
Harry asked, "What if the secret keeper can't write?"
"What? Who doesn't know how to write?" Sirius asked but Harry didn't reply. Finally, the godfather said, "I don't know. You'll have to ask a charms master for ideas."
Change SceneAndromeda Tonks was not happy with her cousin Sirius Black, or her patient and distant cousin, Harry Potter. Once they were back inside Gringotts, Harry revealed the existence of two letters that he had to get into Ironstream's hands that same night. Despite the late hour – 11:35 PM – a messenger hurried from the hospital cavern to the personal quarters of the Vault Manager and returned with the goblin in question.
When questioned about the need for a meeting this late in the evening, Harry explained, "First, this letter was delivered by person or person's unknown to my godfather in his hospital room. Originally, it was written on Gringotts's stationery with the name 'Iron-steam' and asked Sirius to sign his name to allow his statements to be sent every two months instead of every month. After I cast Finite Incantatem on the letter, it revealed itself to be a letter naming Albus Dumbledore as the agent for Sirius Black in all matters dealing with the Black family vaults."
"That wouldn't have worked," Ironstream replied. "I must personally visit with Sirius Black in the company of a healer of my choosing to determine that the wizard is in his proper mind. Then he can designate an agent if he wants to, or he can decide to leave Magical Britain in limbo until he is released."
Harry nodded and handed the second letter to Ironstream who read it, looked at Harry and Andromeda, and then snickered. A goblin's snicker, chuckle, or laugh are different from the timbre and tone of those human sounds. When Ironstream snickered, Andromeda felt a shiver race up her spine. Harry found his hands clenched in preparation for battle.
"I must take this to Ragnock. We'll speak in the morning, Godson Black. Healer Tonks, I guarantee you that Gringotts will take no final action until we have consulted fully with you and your husband tomorrow. But we will act tomorrow."
"Good night, Ironstream," said Andromeda.
"Yeah, Iron-steam, sleep like a rock tonight," called out Godson Black as the goblin walked out of his chamber, snickering again.
Alone for a moment, Andromeda turned to Harry and though she tried to look angry, a smile appeared on her face. "Ted likes a good prank too. Your mum and dad would enjoy this one too."
Then she surprised Harry Potter aka Godson Black by hugging him and kissing his cheek. She exited the room after saying, "Get some sleep tonight."
CHANGE SCENE