Chosen
Chapter Nine
There was something about Harry that scared the common wizard shitless. Maybe it was the black robes with the hood pulled over his head. Maybe it was because his feet were floating a few inches above the ground. Maybe it was because body was visibly radiating magical energy.
Either way, it seemed that the crowd of wizards and witches in the packed magical alley would always have enough space to slide sideways and clear him a path. All eyes seemed to be on him as he ascended the white marble steps leading into Gringotts.
Harry pushed the immense double doors open, and listened as Gringotts descended into silence. His footfalls echoed off the massive stone walls and seemed almost deafening in he oppressive silence of the room. The Goblins were still doing their quiet calculations and messing around with money, and almost failed to notice the impressive figure garbed all in black walking across the room.
Harry approached the desk of the highest ranking Goblin on duty. The Goblin raised his eyes from the account statement he was looking over and adjusted his glasses.
"May I help you?" the Goblin asked. The sign on his desk identified him as "Cragclaw, Senior account manager of the London Gringotts branch."
"Yes, I would like to make an appointment with Ragnok." Harry responded in flawless Gobbledegook. The Goblin raised an eyebrow at him. Few humans had a tongue capable of speaking the Goblin language. Fewer still had the balls to approach the counter and ask for a direct appointment with Ragnok, head of Gringotts bank.
"May I ask what makes this matter so important that you must speak to the head of Gringotts himself, and not one of the qualified clerks on this floor?" The Goblin politely asked in his native tongue. While he doubted that this man was important enough to meet with Ragnok, he could tell that he was quite powerful and did not intend to incite his wrath. "He would also need to know who he would be speaking to."
Harry lazily lifted one finger and hooked it around his hood, pulling it back to drop to his shoulders.
"My name is Harry Potter. I would like to speak to Ragnok about Gringotts and its continuing existence in the Wizarding world." Harry had a glint in his eye as he said this that made Cragclaw shiver.
"Right this way, Mr. Potter." he managed with a gulp.
Harry followed the Goblin, a smirk plastered across his face.
-------------------------------A few days later-----------------------
The-Half-Blood-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named
By Sarah Jetty Romper
Recent studies into the historical records of the last century has just uncovered some disturbing evidence. The Dark Lord, whom everyone refers to as "You-Know-Who" was not originally born with the name we all cower before. According to this study, The Dark Lord attended Hogwarts, just like the rest of us. His name you ask? It was Tom Marvolo Riddle. Tom was a Half-Blood Slytherin who was raised in a Muggle orphanage. Apparently Albus Dumbledore delivered his Hogwarts letter personally. During his seven years at Hogwarts, Tom proved himself to be an exceptional Wizard, and did astoundingly well in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration and Potions. He got ten O.W.Ls and eleven N.E.W.Ts. He became the Prefect for Slytherin, and eventually, Head Boy. He graduated in 1943, and not much was heard from him again.
Approximately fifteen years later, Tom resurfaced bearing a new name. He called himself the Dark Lord and claimed to be the Heir of Salazar Slytherin. He pledged to rid the world of Muggleborns, Half-Bloods and all who were "unworthy to study magic."
It makes one wonder what could possibly happen to turn a Head Boy with extreme potential with marks as the highest in his year into the hateful monster that he is today. That question is one best answered by yourself. Below are a series of pictures taken across periods of Tom's life. The most recent was taken in late 1980, and there is one from every decade since his Hogwarts years until that point. Below that, there is a complimentary anagram puzzle containing Tom Marvolo Riddle's name. Tap the puzzle with your wand and say "solvus" and the answer will appear. You too can see inside the mind of a Dark Lord... and see who he once was.
This article shockingly made the front cover of the Daily Prophet and the Prophet sold more copies of the paper than ever before. The printing press was still printing out copies of the paper at noon. Every copy sold. People were buying papers off people who had just finished their's for twice the normal rate. It was staggering. One thing was clear though. The Wizarding world was anxious to hear more from this daring new reporter.
---------------------------------With Harry-------------------------------------
Harry left Gringotts grinning. He had secured a powerful ally, and they were already working up ways to weasel a lot of money out of the accounts of known Death Eaters. Legal ways.
The bank was already foreclosing on a dozen Malfoy owned properties, as Lucius Malfoy was still in Azkaban and could do nothing about it. They planned to auction them off shortly, and Harry had already authorized access to his vault so that Griphook could bid for him on their behalf. The Goblins were, of course being paid generously for their exploits.
But he had one last piece of business to attend to before calling it a day. Harry Apparated to where he wanted to be. An Apparation point just inside the entrance of the Ministry of Magic.
He walked through the checkpoint, and had to wait several minutes for the surprised witch at the counter to stop blushing and get him an ID badge.
'What the hell...' Harry thought as he walked past the checkpoint. He turned his head and made sure the witch was still watching him. She was... and so Harry winked at her. Harry was rewarded with a satisfying THUMP! She fell out of her chair in shock.
Harry chuckled to himself and made his way towards Rufus Scrimgeour's office. Upon his arrival, Harry was greeted by a secretary.
"May I help you with something?" The young, blond secretary asked without looking up from her work. It felt vaguely like she had eyes in her forehead or something, as Harry was almost certain he hadn't made a sound entering the room. She seemed to be playing some sort of number game on a tab of paper on her desk. He vaguely recognized the Muggle number puzzle as a brief craze his Aunt had gotten sucked into a while ago before throwing out the book of puzzles in frustration when she couldn't solve any of them. Sow dookie or something. Despite her slacking, it was blatantly obvious why the Minister kept her around. Her tight, but revealing blouse proved that.
"I'm here to see the Minister." Harry responded.
"Do you have an appointment?" she asked, not looking up.
"No, but I will shortly."
"Huh?" the secretary said stupidly, looking up this time to see Harry Potter in all his glory. He was using magic to accent his appearance... and the slight squeak that the secretary let out proved that it was working. She blushed. "I'll go and see if he's busy."
She returned a few moments later. "The Minister will see you now."
Harry nodded to her and gave a polite smile before heading into the office. The door shut itself behind him and he walked in.
"Harry!" The Minister exclaimed, as though he hadn't expected him. "What do I owe the visit?"
"Good afternoon Minister." Harry greeted. "I was hoping to have a bit of a... discussion with you concerning the future of the Ministry."
Rufus did not like the sound of this. "And?" he asked.
"I was wondering, Minister, what all was stopping me from destabilizing the Ministry personally and rebuilding it in my own image. I have the power, the money and the fame needed to do so. I would just need to speak to a few of my contacts... and I could be Minister of Magic. Being in control of everything would make the war against Voldemort much easier."
Rufus's face turned purple, but Harry was not finished speaking yet.
"The answer is simple, Rufus. I don't want the job. I want to be the puppet behind the scenes. I do not want to be controlled by endless Beuracracy and having to look good in the papers. So, I've come here to do the next best thing. I will give you two choices Rufus. You will co-operate with anything that I say, without questioning why I ask it of you... Or I will dispose of you as Minister and place someone more... agreeable in your position."
"Why you-" Rufus started. Harry raised a hand and Rufus's mouth disappeared.
"I will return in three days to ask for your answer. That is all." Harry snapped his fingers and Rufus's mouth reappeared. "Your voice will return in five minutes."
Harry strode out the door, leaving Scrimgeour behind...shaking in his seat.
