WhiteDevil here. First (again) Merry Christmas. Second, Happy New Year. Placing my bet first, it's gonna be another shit show of a year. And with that out of the way here's the official chapter. It took a little longer to write, my bad. I've been obsessed with watching the James Webb live stream and letting the beta's take a swing at it first. Anyway, Chapter 36 everyone, have at it. Let's start the New Year off with a good bang. After all, a wise old trolling namekian once said, "All downhill from here." To be fair though, I don't plan on letting that interfere with my writing. And on that pessimistic note: I present to you...
Beta'd by: ScottKen & MarktheBob
Book II :: Chapter 16 :: Golden Opportunities
Sitting behind his desk, Ragnuk focused his attention on the files in front of him. What lay before him was a conglomeration of betrayal to his people. A summarization of facts which gave credence to the biases of the goblin nation. This naturally enraged him but even Ragnuk knew that even everything before him none of it would change a thing. Not the status quo, not the injustice, and certainly not his anger.
If anything it would only bring harm and set the goblins back even further than the treaties that bound them at the wizard's boots.
After all, even should Gringotts support and place charges against Albus Dumbledore, Ragnuk knew those charges wouldn't be able to do anything against the man let alone change the prejudice of the wizards that supported him. He knew the Wizengamot wouldn't dare go against their image of the man, so blind were they to their own egos. The revelation would only amount to nothing and spark a new rebellion as justice was again ignored.
The phrase, easier was it to turn a blind ear towards reality, rang with a venomous sting in his mind.
So much so that as he clenched his battleaxe he found the gnarled green of his knuckles turned white under the strain.
The Tonks man had presented to him all that he had found. A status report on the case of crimes against Harry Potter by Albus Dumbledore laid before him. Pages upon pages of crimes against both the goblins and the Potters. All of it circumstantial, the worthless man unable to find solid evidence to prove his case. Nothing that would hold in court really.
A useless man, Ragnuk had thought. Yet now he was looking at the official records – the Gringotts Official Records - which took a full three months to acquire from the administration itself and not only did that circumstantial evidence suddenly have evidence proving the claims made, it explained some inconsistencies in them too.
Albus Dumbledore's comings and goings, the disappearance of a galleon which would reappear in another linked vault. The proof the man altered and hid the true Potter will. Proof he stole from the Goblin people. Proof he stole from the Potters after their death. Proof that from the shadows the man was breaking laws with impunity. The only thing it didn't provide was a motive explaining why.
Ragnuk let out a growling sigh and for the umpteenth time relaxed his grip on his axe.
Even with all this he could do nothing. No, he could do something, he could present his findings and force a trial, but even Ragnuk knew it was unwise to reveal these findings for surely nothing good would come of it.
Nothing would come from dragging these documents before a court much less a wizarding court. The wizards would naturally side with their so-called hero. Why listen to goblins whom they viewed as beneath them.
Ragnuk threatened to swing his axe down on his table, but bit back the urge. It didn't matter.
The evidence itself was retrieved from one if not the second most closely guarded secret of the goblin nation of Gringotts. A secret that if it was a choice between boredom and war the nation would sooner choose boredom to secure their secret.
Yes, a nation of goblins, a proud, violent, and cunningly bloodthirsty race would sooner choose submission over revealing the contents of their most inner records.
And even if they chose to disregard that and submit their evidence, at worst, this would start a war. One, Ragnuk wasn't sure they could win. Against the wizards, easy victory. He had no doubt they could take on the wizards. The last two Rebellions were close calls, ending in their loss. But years of decline and death brought about by one of their own had rendered them significantly weaker than before. No, the wizards weren't the problem they would face. It was who they would have to fight afterwards.
The other goblin nations. Many of whom in their dire times were eager to take what little prosperity existed from Gringotts.
A war with the wizards would weaken them, and in turn Gringotts would be left vulnerable and weakened, susceptible to the other nations. The first to try would lose, but what of the next one and the one there after them. Spurred by the prospect of a weakened Gringotts, tired and weakened from the previous war, this truth would inevitably inspire nations to try their luck one after the other and eventually one would stand on top victorious.
So here he sat, fuming. Staring at the evidence that no wizard would likely ever see and Ragnuk grimaced at the hilarity of it all. Here was a chance for the revenge every goblin wanted and it would either bloom to nothing or result in their doom.
Some goblins, mostly the young ones, would call him cowardly. But that was because he was far wiser then they and they would only do so till his axe stripped them of their heads. After all, goblins were meant to be blood thirsty and cunning. Suicide was not the goblin way.
Ragnuk relaxed his grip and let go of his axe, his fingers tracing over the Potter Will, the only evidence that could be used. The blank document whose face held damning ramifications against Albus Dumbledore.
This paper drew even more annoyance from the aged goblin.
"And on top of this list of bloody situations, the Heir of House Potter hasn't even deemed us worthy of answering my summons." Ragnuk grumbled out. He had expected better from the young boy, believing he was of a different character but it turned out he was another wizards after all.
"My apologies for that Sir Ragnuk."
The sudden and unwarranted acknowledgment from Harry Potter drove Ragnuk into preemptive action. Not even aware of who answered he acted. He shot up gripping his axe and swinging it at the invader who spoke, instincts and rage roaring for blood. His axe's edge stopped short of its target even before his mind could catch up with his instincts.
Standing there as comfortable as humanly possible sat Harry Potter, disguised as his alter aged ego, Return Returner. Six feet of dashing, in an official tux, black traveling cloak over his arm, and blocking his blow with a large cloth wrapped package.
"Mr. Returner, this is a grave insult you present to me. I should take your head." Ragnuk bit out, a mix of adrenaline and spite intertwined in his words. Yet a bit of approval was there too. He did sneak up on him with surprising skill and stopped his blade with ease.
Harry chuckled a bit moving the long wrapped package down, lowering Ragnuks blade in the action. "Forgive my insult, but I come here with no regard to protocol because secrecy is absolutely required for this transaction."
With his eyes sharpened to match even the edge of his blade, Harry bowed in respect, an act of silent request. Ragnuk was again reminded why he liked the boy. Wizard as he might be, but he showed respect to those who earned it.
Growling Ragnuk grumbled. "Next time go through proper channels Mr. Returner. You'll lose your head next time."
Harry smiled and nodded, placing a silent hand on the cloaked form of Ginny in such a manner that Ragnuk wouldn't know that she was there.
"How did you break in?" Ragnuk demanded.
"With means that are only capable by myself." Harry responded just as firmly. "If it is that big of a deal I suggest adding some pitfalls or bear traps to Gringotts if you wish to keep me from entering."
"I think we will." Ragnuk started with a toothy sinister grin, approving of the boy's gall to talk back. The tone Harry spoke clearly told him that any further details would be ignored and the boy clearly came with intent, with something big.
"Well, for now at least I'm glad you didn't." Harry said. Pulling up his package he handed it to Ragnuk, softly and respectfully placing it on his desk for the man to take. "Consider this a gift, an apology, and a preamble for my proposal." Harry announced respectfully.
Ragnuk harrumphed but took his seat and reached to grab the object. As his hand approached he felt the familiar presence of goblin magic. His eyes wide and assuming the worst glared at Harry. Gripping it he jerked it out of his hands and began to unravel the package and as he did so his hostility was consumed by a mix of awe and jubilation. For he sat there, now caressing the object silver edge with a single hand in disbelief.
Ragnuk held the Sword of Gryffindor.
"A red headed friend of mine told me what it was when I showed it to them." Harry explained giving an appreciative pat on Ginny's with his hand masked by the table. "Turns out I could summon it from its hiding place and when she told me of the story behind it, I decided to return it to you. And so, Sir Ragnuk of Gringotts, I hand over and return to you, the Sword of Gryffindor."
Ragnuk carefully held the blade as if it was his own offspring. "What's your angle wizard? What's the catch?"
Harry shook his head. "Nothing. I wish to express where I stand before I possibly ruin what faith I have established with you and your side." he explained. "What comes next may be the greatest insult and or threat to Gringotts if misread, so now seems like no better time to hand it over. What better way to demonstrate I am a friend of Gringotts and not an enemy."
"And what exactly is this 'next' you wish to not misconstrue?" Ragnuk asked Harry cautiously.
"What is the value of gold to the Goblin Nations?"
Ragnuk froze for a moment but hid it well enough that even Harry didn't notice. "Gold? We Goblins make our living by managing gold. I thought that would be obvious."
"With riddles, the most obvious answers tend to be the most incorrect." Harry retorted. Holding his finger up Harry proposed, "Here's what I think. I think that gold holds far greater worth to Goblins than it does to Humans. I think Goblins need gold as a necessity. I think for Goblins gold holds power and that it is essential that you keep possession of gold. The more the better."
Ragnuk was very tempted to sever Harry's head from his torso as he spoke. A mix of fear and fury tempered only by the weight of the sword Harry had returned. As much as he wanted to raise his battleaxe, the sword's weight fell upon his fury like gravity damning his desire.
"And what do you exactly, do you plan to do with what you 'think'? Mr. Potter." Ragnuk asked hesitantly. He would give him a chance. Harry Potter had shown to him that he was different from other wizards, he snuck in and risked death to keep these 'thoughts' a secret. An effort that was to their benefit and not his own. He was here offering his own respect to all of Gringotts, and with due care touching upon the greatest secret of all Goblins.
"Nothing." Harry answered surprisingly, causing Ragnuk to tighten his grip on the sword. "I know that I am very likely touching upon may very well be a critical weakness of your people. A weakness that if the rest of the wizarding world knew of would bring about the end of Gringotts. I do not want this, but for my proposition I need to know for sure, how much your kind truly values- no, the necessity of gold in your lives."
Silence loomed over the room in equal measure with the tenseness of the atmosphere. So thick and heavy that a spark could probably ignite it. Slowly, Ragnuk weighed in favor and trust ruled in favor of hostility. The boy after all was taking great care to not share this truth that he was so close to touching upon.
"We goblins require gold. Gold to us is reason. It is power and fury. Without it our ancestors were mindless, powerless. The greater the gold our nation possesses, the greater our power is in the world." Ragnuk began. "As we created empires, gold became a symbol of power. Gold lets us focus, retain our cunning and reason and is viewed as a scale to measure another nation's power. The more gold in their care, the more powerful the goblin nation is." Ragnuk explained speaking honestly to the glowing seriousness of Harry's eyes.
Harry nodded. "There is more than one goblin nation, and the reason you tolerate wizards is because we have bequeathed our gold over for you to manage."
"Our hatred of wizards is well earned, however the benefits for our nation tempers our desire to sever the heads of each of your lying kind." Ragnuk stated with a burning rage.
"Then it is my turn to trust you." Harry said, causing Ragnuk to raise a brow. Pulling out of his coat, Harry removed a plate of gears. Tapping his wand, the plate began to rise, its parts separating into multiple levels of floating rim gears. The air within shimmered in a spherical wave as magic began to concentrate within the whole formed by the multitude of gears. The golden apparatus began to hum to life and began to glow slightly.
Ragnuk looked upon the device with teetering intrigue. Despite attempting to appear uninterested Harry could see his natural pull towards the device, only further proof of its value in accomplishing his objective. "Before you ask, this is a magical device of my own creation. Created via charms, runes, alchemy, and a particularly old spell." From his pocket Harry pulled out a vial slowly so as to not provoke Ragnuk. "A simple vial of water." Harry explained as he slowly tilted it over the device. "Such an abundant thing, water, capable of being conjured by magic, spellcraft, or simply harvested from the world itself. And with this device-" the vial began to empty into the gap between the horizontal gears and the moment they reached the center a golden platter phased into existence. The water making contact with the plate scattered out and down the plates slowly transforming from a liquid into small beads of metal. Upon sliding off the plate's convex edge – no longer water – flowed down and fell through the remaining partition of gears to settle on the desk as smooth granules of pure gold.
Ragnuk could not sit quietly upon seeing this. Shooting from his desk, a calm and hostile facade no longer mattered. His eyes were wide and violently shaking along with the rest of his body. With unstable hands he picked up one of the grains and pulled out a small magnifying glass. With purpose he examined the grain with disbelieving haste.
It was real... and if he was correct in his observations, pure.
A pure, solid piece of gold devoid of impurities. Not water, not a coated shell. It was gold. Pure, uncontaminated, solid gold.
The weight of what Harry presented before him shook him to his core. The prospect was terrifying. It took him a few minutes to calm himself down. Slowly lowering himself back into his desk, he shakily put away his battleaxe and specs. At this point, he could do nothing against Harry. Rather, he couldn't afford to act on his own. There was too much at stake now. No longer did room exist for impulsive action or pride. This was far above his station as a civil servant to his nation.
This device was world changing. For humans, it would be revolutionary, but for the goblins, it would either bring forth inflammable prosperity resulting in a world war between the many goblin nations.
If this device became known to any one of the other nations, Ragnuk knew they would stop at nothing - literally nothing - to obtain it. This device would make any one nation not just the strongest Goblin Nation, but the Goblin Nation. Had this boy gone to any other goblin nation, any of Gringotts's many enemies, Harry Potter could guarantee the end of Gringotts.
For a second, Ragnuk fear drove him back to his battleaxe. The temptation inching his hand closer. This was an opportunity. The chance to change everything. The goblins were dependent on the wizards, he knew this, was loath to admit it. Yet it was true. Their gold made Gringotts one of the leading goblin nations in the world. With this item, that could change. They were alone. No one knew he was here. If he killed him now then no one would know, and he could...
Ragnuk stilled and shook such thoughts from his head.
No, at this point the young boy would already have plans in motion. Even if he wanted to, it was too late to silence him. Ragnuk knew this for certain having worked with the young heir.
Yes, he could kill him, but Ragnuk knew the boy was parcular for a human. He conducted business with the cutthroat clarity of a goblin but the honest transparency of a human. When he entered the room, he did so with everything prepared. Ready to engage in business efficiently and swiftly and just as ready to conclude his business with respectful haste. He didn't waste his time, and what time he did use he did so with reason. Respectable for a human, even more so for a wizard.
Before, Ragnuk saw this as simple respect for taking up his time. However it became clear with time, Harry Potter did so with his own interests in mind as well. It wasn't only for respect, it was to not waste either party's time. Harry Potter conducted business as such because that was what he also expected from the Ragnuk. He wouldn't come here without precautions. So long as he didn't know what those precautions were, he couldn't threaten Potter without risking the very existence of Gringotts itself. Not with the artifact that lay in front of him.
For a moment Ragnuk wasn't sure what to do, but as he looked up and stared into Harry's eyes he saw the same eyes he encountered the first day they did business. Eyes carrying the weight and sincerity of his faith. Eyes that conveyed the truth of the words he spoke.
"Any deal is built off of trust... you coming here was to respect that trust." Ragnuk voiced aloud with a questioning look as he started to piece together Harry's intentions. The secrecy, the gift of Godric's Sword, the artifact and his words, they were coming together in his mind. Harry's nod only made Ragnuk feel even more out of place. Trust, after all, wasn't something a goblin was used to feeling.
Yes, trust was important to Harry, and for Ragnuk, it gave him pause as he considered trusting a wizard for the first time in his life. A wizard ally. As absurd as it was to think of, Harry Potter may very well be...
"What exactly do you want, Mr. Potter?" Ragnuk asked, ignoring the secrecy of Harry's guise. "As plainly as possible. What do you want from this?"
"The economic backing of Gringotts, equal to this fount's maximum output, and a non hostility pact between Gringotts and myself along with those I love and care for."
"And they would be?"
"Few in number right now and growing." Harry stated, "If need be, I'll make a list of names to specify as new people enter that definition."
Ragnuk nodded. Internally he debated but he decided to go with the instincts that had never failed him in battle. While uncertain he had made his decision. One that went against the social expectations of his kind.
"Follow me." He dictated finally and abruptly. "And bring the..." He gestured to the golden device.
"Auratus" Harry identified helpfully.
The stout goblin didn't even wait for Harry to move, time was of importance and he already knew that Harry would follow. He might have been cool and calm, but Ragnuk could tell that he was also on a time table.
Keeping in step with him, Ragnuk led Harry through the brightly lit halls of Gringotts, leading him down a side passage where a more 'secured' rail car awaited them. Unlike the cars that led down to the wizard vaults, this one actually had doors and "walls" to secure passengers. Even if they were only bronze and waste high. It was basically goblin luxury, no different from a carriage with curtains or a limousine with an icebox.
Stepping into that cart Harry immediately braced for the G-forces that goblin ingenuity were notorious for but found himself surprised as the cart sputtered forward at the pace of a slug. Despite the slow start it didn't take long for the cart to gain speed, reaching the rate of a leisurely afternoon car ride.
Even at such a speed, it didn't take long for them to reach what must have been a far distance away, after all, the nearest site of volcanic activity to London wasn't anything but a fair distance away.
Traversing free of the confines of the goblin tunnels, the cart entered the tomb of a dead volcano. Even a keen observer could tell with ease that this underground cavern was the remains of an ancient caldera. The remains of which were formed after the goblins cleared away the magma before it could erupt.
Obsidian and sputterings of magma glowed dimly on the cavern floor while giant pillars of limestone held up the giant void born of the merging of stalagmites and stalactites. Floating through the cavern their cart clacked and rattled along the single insignificant track of rails that approached their destination. At the foot of a singularly black stalagmite that stood ten times bigger than any of the other stalagmites the tracks reached the end of the line before a great door
Barely illuminated from the sputtering of candlelight and magma, an entrance similar to Gringotts in London stood proudly. However, unlike the grand and shiny marble of white, this entrance was of granite and stone, many times older in appearance and carrying a depressing and forgotten air about it. Old and deteriorated, the only aspect that appeared refurbished was the doors which showed signs of use and repair after years of service.
Stepping out and towards the doors, Ragnuk stopped and turned to him for the first time since they left his office.
"Mr. Retu- no, Mr. Potter. Please wait here." He stated with a shaky voice clearly concerned with that lay before them. Harry couldn't blame him. Not only was the fate of his race on the line, his clan, nation, and livelihood could very well come to an end with his actions today.
Harry watched as Ragnuk walked up to the golden doors and slipped inside as they opened to permit his entry. When they shut themselves Harry sighed as he muttered to Gin, "Guess I'll just wait out here alone then."
Behind him and beneath the cloak, Ginny with her wand at the ready, recognized Harry's intentions when he spoke aloud and so tightened her grip over the invisibility cloak surrounding her. The silver silk tightened around her even more tightly in response to her will. This was the moment. The calm before the storm and the time when their fate would take one of two paths. Destruction or Prosperity lay before them.
Before, when Ragnuk was ready to attack him, Ginny thought that was why he had her under the cloak the entire time. She was backup, to be on standby with spell-fire at the ready.
She was wrong.
Standing before these doors and the sensation she felt from within, she now knew this was what Harry wanted backup for. Whatever lay beyond those doors was something wizards were never intended to encounter. No, any wizards till now who entered these doors, never returned. That was the feeling she got from those looming gates.
With nothing but time on hand Harry's gaze adapted to the dim glow of the magma below and along the edges of the caldera's wall he could make out the ruins of an abandoned village. One and two structures led to ten, then twenty and quickly Harry realized this wasn't once a home to a forgotten village but an abandoned city.
The gates reopened and Harry stood up from the ground having spent the hour observing the city around him and levitating rocks around his wand aimlessly. Stepping forth, Ragnuk looked at Harry and nodded. "Make this short Potter, for your sake as well as mine. He will see you now."
Stepping through the small gap presented by the barely opened doors Harry entered the contrasting halls of a great rectangular forum. Closer to a long hallway, the room looked very reminiscent of the Wizengamot court hall or American Senate hall. Whichever it better looked like, the circular structure of the rooms both were known for, if distorted into the shape of a long hall would be an accurate representation of what Harry was looking at. The only difference between the two being the large pillars along the sentral walkway towards the end of the hall.
With each step his feet echoed harshly off the granite slabs, reflecting his steps in their pitch black mirrored surface. The ceiling was like a black void where no light or sound returned, supported by the forty pillars that stood at attention on either side as Harry walked. The black granite, plated with gold and intricate engravings reached into the darkness from the mirror below only to fade and vanish into nothing. The torches of fire hanging from the walls and pillars only added to the feeling of doom that Harry was stepping into hell. A feeling exacerbated by the sense of vertigo assaulting him as he looked up at the pillars which seemed to vanish into nowhere.
"Stare into the abyss... I guess." Harry muttered with distracting amusement as he tried to focus his attention towards the throne at the end of the hall.
With each echoing step the empty chamber all but spoke of an empty room, devoid of life. His magic however told him otherwise as a swarm of voices assaulted his senses and the thoughts of hundreds of aggressors rattled in his ears. This throne room was anything but empty.
"Wizard." A booming voice echoed within the chamber startling Harry and Ginny who still lay hidden under the cloak. 'Good.' Harry thought with a smile, 'Wizard, male, singular. They don't know she's here.'
"You stand in the heart of Gringotts. Accountant 135798V, Ragnuk has stated your intentions of breaking into our abode. You shall be executed."
'Well that escalated quickly,' Harry thought with amusement. "You won't kill me though." Harry calmly replied. The voices almost completely in unison began echoing shouts of disdain and blasphemy. All amounted to the same inconceivable thought of Harry, a wizard, daring to talk back to their king.
"DO NOT SPEAK HUMAN. DEATH IS ALL THAT AWAITS YOU. DO NOT TEMPT IT SOONER!" The voice bellowed echoing throughout the chamber, causing it to shake violently. And yet despite being loud enough to shake the hall physically, not a whisper of the voice sounded within his mind.
"Your bark is loud, but bare no venom." Harry spoke back, loudly and clearly. His voice dominating the hall and resounding in mighty echoes throughout the room. "This deal is too important and too much of a risk to ignore. You speak of killing me, but if that was the case I'd already be dead. You know that my death will amount to more harm than good so let us move past the facade of you being here and get down to tacks of brass. What do I want, and what do you want."
For a second nothing sounded but then the disembodied voice spoke.
"What is your scheme wizard?"
"Pardon?" Harry asked.
"Your scheme wizard. Speak or die." The voice spoke but Harry felt the mental voices shift in his favor from outrage to fear. The goblins were afraid, and that was something he could work with. It was something that protected him and Ginny. He wouldn't not use it, especially when their intentions were unclear. So, Harry said nothing.
He remained silent until his silence provoked them. When it came it came with a silent smile from Harry. For he was playing the role of antagonist to an already uncertain and fearful foe.
"Your kind brings nothing but lies. Arrogant, pathetic, treacherous, thieving liars. Also claiming what isn't yours. Always taking what isn't yours. Always plotting how you will take what isn't yours to take. Up there, you may hold some power. Your name might mean something wizard but here you are nothing. Your lies are nothing. Your plans are nothing. At a whim we can end you and none would be the wiser. Death awaits those who anger us so I will ask once more. WHAT ARE YOU SCHEMING!?"
The voice was calm but his fury arose to a fevered pitch by the end. His silence fueling the fear within as Harry at no point showed any fear or submission to their authority. They then understood that he knew they couldn't touch him and feared his death.
Harry remained silent for a second, drawing out his control over the room all the while smiling casually before he calmly answered. "The preservation of the magical world."
"Preservation?" The voice repeated in befuddlement.
Harry nodded. "Magic is dying. Slowly but surely. Soon, if nothing is done, all of magic will face its own extinction. Magic will recover but those of us who live now or even in a century from now most likely won't."
"We are well aware of the decline of you wizards. Why should we care."
"For the same reason you work with those very same wizards you hate." Harry snapped back. This ominous overlord theater was becoming old and was getting them nowhere. "When we fall, so will you."
A chorus of laughter sounded around them. "You think our survival is dependent on you wizards? You are too arrogant, human."
"Wizards?" Harry asked with a smirk, "No, you'll die in the aftermath of us humans."
The hall grew still and the voices died upon hearing Harry's cold admission. "Wizards will likely fall but we won't die. We can survive alone and in small pockets of the world. You? Your people rely on their strong social constructs. Your dependency on gold makes you worth something. Both as an ally and target. The moment the Statute of Secrecy falls and your people become known to all humans, your very culture, your hostile and distrusting nature will make an enemy of all humans who know nothing of magic. When that happens, you'll die. All of you. Nothing will remain but a memory. Your wealth taken as spoils of war you'll likely promote yourselves. Because gold is a resource most valuable, both to naturals and magicals."
"YOU DARE THREATEN US!"
"Are you threatened by honesty? By Truth?" Harry snarkily asked back. "I speak to you now out of respect for Ragnuk. You goblins have not earned my trust, he has."
The Voice seemed to be amused by this. Some action was clearly given as Ragnuk was pulled into view with four goblin guards dressed in full armor of silver and black gold. Their ages pressed against his neck. The voice chuckled in amusement. "Yes, The human loving traitor has pleaded his case and will suffer for his treason. Orchestrating this deal behind the nation's back, sell us to a wizard, he will die a fool's death."
Harry's eyes flared with hellfire as his voice fractures the stillness of the room. From his shadow up to his legs in an instant an dark oily mist flowed off of Harry coating him in a coat of darkest pitch and like ice grew and speared forward into the armed guards. The black icicle-like spears struck the trakia of each guard, silencing them instantly. The black mist receding to reveal Ragnuk at Harry's feet and under his protection and safety, his eyes set aflame with a cold rage. In an instant, their bravado was met with absolute death.
"I do not cower away from threats GOBLIN! Lay a hand on mine and not even death will save you. You call me a coward but you're the ones hiding behind anonymity!"
Some in hiding must have been warriors as their pride would not allow such words to stand. Even invisible, their thoughts and intentions rendered such efforts in vain.
As they approached Harry's will demanded their hostility be met in kind and the shadows within him agreed. This first blade to approach might as well have been clearly visible as the goblin's subconscious provided Harry with a play by play to his location and strategies.
Raising his hand Harry grabbed the invisible shaft with his off hand and whipping his wand in a sweeping motion deprived the goblin of his head without a word. A deceivingly simple rotation spell, aimed at the neck, applied at a forty five degree angle in line with the muscles, applied with a refined balance of torque and speed amounting to three hundred and forty-three newtons.
With the ease of a ballet dancer, Harry repeated the process. One, two, three, four, one, two, three, four. Wait, reach, grab, cast. Wait, reach, grab, cast. One by one, surgically and methodically the swarm of goblins, 34 in total with more pride than brains attacked Harry and fell before they could even touch him. When reality started to hit them, the goblins stood hesitant to approach. The corpses and heads of their fellow warriors surrounding Harry Potter who had barely moved away from his original position.
Harry's proposal made them hesitant to kill him out of concern. Now his demonstration of force culled the pride and bravado of the goblins watching. While their pride called for blood, it was slowly becoming understood their pride would call for their own blood.
The ball was now completely in Potter's court. He did not shout, he did not yell, but the cold horror in his voice might as well have been deafening.
"That day will come, and that which has been kept hidden and unknown, that we collectively know as magic, will come under fire once again. The Inquisition, Salem, the countless burnings of our culture throughout our history, such tragedies will happen again and this time it will be on a scale unbefore seen in our world. Naturals have shown time and again, throughout history, how far they will go to destroy that which they fear, misunderstand, dislike, or can't control. If you won't acknowledge this then we can not reach an agreement Goblin."
Stillness enveloped all, as while he spoke, the weight of his words carried with it the experience of death, the weight of truth. Compounding this, as if responding to his mental state, the obsucus within him stretches out from his position, slowly crawling outward towards the hidden goblins that surrounded him. Matching him word for word, the obscurus shadow teased and tickled the feet of the hostile, as if tempting them to attack and provoke him.
"I am not here to lie, condemn, or die for your pleasure. Nor to allow you to slay one of your kin, who has shown more loyalty, wisdom, reason, intellect and bravery worthy of your pride. I came here for one thing and one thing only. An answer. I have made a device that would benefit your nation with untold power and prosperity. I offer to bequeath, to give, the physical device to your nation. In return, I ask only that such wealth is returned in equal measure to my blood when it is needed. I ask only that those of mine not be threatened or harmed by those of yours. I ask you only for a single answer. Will you or will you not accept the deal I have presented to one of your most loyal!"
The silence was palpable. The pride and warrior spirit the goblins were known for resonated with Harry's words. Those who counted themselves as warriors now felt hatred and shame for following the command of those above them. For hiding behind shadows and under disguise while this warrior stood before them.
Yes, they wouldn't argue it now. Yes, wizards killed goblins before to their fury. Adding onto the years of hatred and grudges born of generations. But this wizard didn't lie, cheat, or hide. He stood there and killed them. The first time was with magic they didn't expect which only enraged them. But from that point on he killed them all the same with the same spell. No trickery, no deceit. Just skill. This wasn't a wizard as they knew it. This was a warrior.
In their silence, Harry continued to speak, now with the respect and ear of the goblin warriors surrounding him.
"This device can be scaled up to fit the needs of your nation. What you convert is not simply limited to liquids but also solid matter. I will repeat my intentions. An equal trade agreement. Possession, protection and management of the artifact, Auratus in which wealth generated will be a one to one ratio between the agreeing recipients of the pact as well as a non-aggression pact with allies of the named recipients of Harry Potter and the Nation of Gringotts. Do you reject or accept?"
Straight forward, direct, and to the point. A fact recognized by the goblins and while hesitant the warriors in the hall recognized the opportunity that Ragnuk noticed. The revival of their empire.
A fact lost to the enraged voice who saw only blood.
"Traitorous filth. Obsidians! Kill the Wizard! Goblin blood has been spilled! Kill the Wizard!"
Harry braced and readied himself for the coming of axe, sword, and blades. Yet what came was the sound of metal hitting the floor. Harry jerked toward the sound only to see a goblin standing before him. Standing proud, a sentry of gold and black. Full body platemail adorning his four foot form with battleaxe standing tall beside him, not raised for battle but at attention. At his feet, a roman styled helmet with what Harry suspected carried the white hairs of a Demiguise upon its brush like crest.
The clattering of another helmet hit the floor, and another goblin appeared. Then another, and another.
One by one, the goblins in hiding, defying the orders from afar stood before Harry. Soon all the remaining goblins stood before him.
"What is this treason! Kill him!" The voice said only now Harry noticed it wasn't a voice but the synchronized voice of many individuals.
"Harry Potter."
Harry turned to face a very grizzled and angry goblin. A veteran commander if Harry had to guess.
"You proclaim to offer a deal and kill our own. What say you to this charge?"
Harry turned to face him. "Hostility will be met with death. Good will, will be met in kind. I stand as a mirror to those who approach. Stand with a sword and I will stand with a wand. Offer me trust and I too will return it in kind. I do not apologize for the death of antagonists, only that they were foolish to do so." Harry said with curt hostility. A promise that death awaited those who attacked.
"Are you threatening us, Harry Potter?" the goblin asked.
"How is telling you what will happen if you attack me, a threat, esteemed veteran master of war?" Harry asked with a shit eating grin, one that was met in kind with the goblin.
"I/We order you to kill him!" The voice above shouted no longer in unison as the phrasing of I and We clashed in contrast.
Harry had had enough. "Be silent cowards!" his rage bellowing like the flames of a forge. He returned his attention to the goblin before him as he spoke far more calmly. "I am speaking to a proud goblin of Gringotts."
The goblin grinned in response, seeing what the voices above couldn't. This human saw him, all of them as goblins. Worthy of respect.
"So? Will you accept my offer?" Harry asked.
"Gringotts will not accept! Kill him! What are you doing Bloodsag! I/We order you to kill him!" the voice spoke but the two ignored them.
"And if I refuse your offer?" the goblin asked.
"Then I will give my offer to another." Harry said. "However," Harry's eyes drifted to his accountant manager. "I have had good dealings with Gringotts. I have trust built here and would like to continue building that relationship."
The warrior nodded and looked toward Ragnuk as he ignored the now frantic shouting of the voice. "Accountant Ragnuk, you have had most dealings with this human. You proposed we listen and agree to his offer. Do you swear on your blood and ancestors, upon your gold itself, that this deal will benefit the Goblin Nation of Gringotts?"
Ragnuk stood proudly at Harry's side. "This human has intrigued me since his appearance before me. He is not afraid to stand his ground, and doesn't shy away from blood when it is called for. Honestly, dealing with him feels more like I'm working with a fellow goblin at times. He has earned my trust and I believe his gift, the return of our sword, should earn him the chance to earn our trust."
The goblin showed his teeth and cackled. "I can see what you mean by that." Turning to Harry he continued. "Lord Potter of the House of Potter. I am Bloodsag, Warchief of Gringotts. Our kingdom has been in steady decline since our first clash with you wizards. We have suffered and our empire persevered only at the feet of your government. I have witnessed our fall from our glory days as told by my forefathers. By my axe, by your blood, by that which you hold most cherished and proud, do you swear to bequeath the prosperity we have lost."
Harry smiled and his eyes softened. "Upon the death I hope to see and upon the love that I seek to protect, I guarantee it. Upon Auratus, Gringotts will become the goblin word for gold."
"WE REFUSE!" the voice spoke.
Helfting his axe, Bloodsag exerted the demeanor of a wizened commander. "Those of our blood! I call for your blood! I call for Nebokklun!"
Instantly the hall tore itself into a frenzy of battle as the hundred or so goblins within the hall tore into each other instantly. As several goblins tore towards Harry, Bloodsag raised his axe and tore into them. Impaling his hand into the open wound of his bisected enemy he withdrew his bloody hand and dragged it down his shoulder, painting a strip of identifying red before letting out a warcry that called for his allies to do the same. One by one the veteran and younger goblins who took up arms in rebellion also marked themselves in blood. The Nation of Gringotts was now marked by the red of Goblin blood.
Without so much as another word, Harry watched as a literal civil war broke out before him as goblins slayed goblins in brutal combat. Occasionally Harry partook in a bit of sleight of hand as he levitated and interrupted the goblins lacking the blood mark and aiding Bloodsag and his allies.
The battle didn't even last thirty minutes. As quickly as it began, it was over. Hundreds of dead bodies lay around them. Bloodsag and Ragnuk covered in the blood of their enemies.
"For a bench sitter, you're pathetic with that axe." Bloodsag said to the proud Ragnuk snapped out his retort. "If you want to see how pathetic I am, I'll introduce you to its bloody edge!"
The outburst caused Ragnuk to huff and clutch his chest, an act that didn't not go unnoticed by Harry.
"Sir Ragnuk, pardon my intrusion." It was the only warning the two Goblins received as Harry stabbed his hand into Ragnuks chest.
The moment of shock was quickly followed by feelings of betrayal as Bloodsag raised his axe in outrage. Only he was stopped by what he saw, rather than what he didn't see.
"I see... Slight deviation of the lung, blunt force trauma, and a clogged artery." Harry's hand, Still embedded in the goblins body moved up and into the goblins arm were like a phantom of flesh it messaged the muscles under the skin. "You also have stray bone fragments embedded in your arm. That explains your lackluster grip and the slack in your downward swing."
Pulling his hand out from Ragnuk's flesh, Harry smiled as he unclenched his fist, dropping small bone fragments and a whitish yellow pus from his hand. Ragnuk, feeling the instant difference in his body, reached for his axe, hefted it and brought it down. For those who had seen him fighting before, the difference was staggering as the black mirrored floor cracked into a web of fractures and shook under his heel. Even Bloodsag was surprised by the difference.
"Wizard, what did you just do?"
Harry, leisurely wiping his hand with a small cloth he pulled from his robe, replied, "I removed the problem. More importantly, now that the skirmish is over, what now?"
"Now we continue our battle Mr. Potter." Ragnuk stated with a blood hungry grin. He could feel that while the act appeared hostile, the young wizard had simply healed the one thing that ailed him, the one thing that stripped him of his place on the bloody fields of battle. "The old council of elders will be next under our axe."
"Ragnuk! Stay your tongue wood scratcher! He is not a goblin."
"This wizard can hear our thoughts as readily as words from our lips. Why bother hiding it." Ragnuk retorted. "I placed my trust in this human, I will continue to do so, as long as it benefits Gringotts!" Ragnuk spit back.
Returning to Harry he continued. "This revolt will end with blood, we will be triumphant. As you yourself said, those rotting grave sitters are no goblins. Their leadership has left us in decline for years. We are a goblin nation without a king, ruled by a bloody committee of cowards unfit to even wear the green and gold of our race. Mr. Potter, this matter is ours to handle. I ask you to stay out of this while we tend to our house."
Harry smiled. "Do I take this as a sign of your agreement to my proposal?"
"Indeed wizard. The precise wording will need to be established for legal reference but on my honor, I swear for my people, we will uphold our side of the deal. And any who would betray it will be cut down for betrayal against Gringotts, traitors of our people."
"Then I will get started on my end. If possible, bring all the gold from my private account before me. I will use it to create a proper Auratus worthy of our agreement. With the use of magic it shouldn't take me more than two hours to complete."
"Then make it so. When we are done, I will see our traitorous brothers become the very foundation of our nation."
Giving a slight bow to Ragnuk, Harry silently left the hall as several goblins stepped aside to avoid his path.
Stepping outside the great hall, Harry looked about the great caldera and smiled as the cart that brought him here was now returning, filled to the brim with gold, coins of which were falling from the sides into the void of the cavern.
"Can't let it be said that the goblins aren't efficient." Harry replied with a smirk. No sooner did Ragnuk say it will be done, did the magic of Gringotts react with haste.
Rolling up his sleeves Harry began the painstaking process of magically phase shifting the gold coins into a liquid form and shaping it into each of the structured gears necessary for the Auratus, nearly twenty times the size of the one in his pocket. True to his word, his guess was correct as with the coming of the second hour, the final gear was set in place, forming the iconic plate like shape that his prototype had taken. Placing his hand into his robe, he pulled out a glowing bubble, where within floated a shrunk copy of the formula that Harry used on his prototype. Scaling it up to size, One by one Harry placed the gears into the bubble, which now was the size of a mansion, nearly three stories tall and three wide.
Gold gear by gold gear, like bricks, the structure took shape as the metal structures fused and absorbed the magic array suspended in the massive bubble.
When the doors opened again, and the hall was revealed to Harry one more, the goblins that exited came out with the severed heads of their former elders.
"Your timing is excellent." Harry said happily. "I was just about to activate it."
Raising his wand, Harry gave a toothless grin. " Auratus, gold stream of Gringotts. Activate."
A flash of gold shot from Harry's wand and hit the bubble, bursting it and striking the gold plate that floated within. For a second the solid gold gears began to fall but their momentum was halted as they began to rotate. One by one the gears began to slowly rotate and then separate layer by layer into a spherical outline.
When the gears glow reached a crescendo. Harry turned to the goblins and walked over to the nearest head. Without a word, Harry grabbed the head and tossed it up to the top and watched as it hit the interior, and fell off the inner concave lens of magic, before falling to the cavern floor, no longer a fleshy grayish green but shimmering gold."
The eyes of the goblins grew wide in shock. Ragnuk was too shocked at the size and scale and seeing the opportunity commanded the legion behind him, "Throw their heads into the Auratus!"
Eager, and a little bloodthirsty the goblins did so and threw the heads of the elders into the Auratus. One by one golden heads exited the device and a smile grew on each of their faces.
"I suggest you channel a stream or river down here. Water would be quite an efficient tool for further production." Harry chimed in.
"And Gringotts will. But right now we still have a house to clean." Bloodsag stated. "Lord Potter was it. I ask that your leave Gringotts for a time. As Ragnuk stated, the details of our agreement will be stamped out later."
"And should I require gold during this little coup of yours?" Harry inquired.
"Any transactions you make during this time will be counted as paid by Gringotts. Will that suffice?" Ragnuk interjected.
Harry grinned. "Perfectly. I shall leave you to it. And return before the seventeenth hour."
Not waiting for a reply Harry turned and walked to the cart and entered it. As it began to move back towards Gringotts, Ragnuk nodded and spoke. "Very good Lord Potter. I suggest you leave the same way you entered."
Back in Gringotts Harry exited the cart with Ginny, both now under the cloak of his house and were greeted with a very different site. A war zone. Blood pasted the walls, floors and ceiling of Gringotts with old and young goblins dying, fighting, or bleeding out in the halls of the white chapel of banking.
There were no wizards to be found, and outside, Aurors were lined up readying for a possible Goblin Rebellion not realizing this was a civil war. Wizards both fearful and curious lined the edge of the Gringotts steps and Harry smiled as he slipped through the crowd unnoticed.
"That didn't go as I expected." Ginny stated, a little shocked at what had transpired.
"But not entirely unwelcome. The goblins you told me about would never have done something so extreme unless it was against wizards. Today, the future has changed and if I am correct, in our favor."
"But was all that death necessary?" Ginny asked.
"For the Goblins, apparently. It was kinda loud, but I got the impression that the young and the veterans of Gringotts were tired and upset with the ruling power of Gringotts. While they didn't say it out loud, apparently Gringotts is the only Goblin Nation who has been without a King for the least century."
"That can't be!" Ginny interjected. "Goblin culture-"
"Requires a king." Harry finished. "I know, you told me so. Yet that seems to be the case. For whatever reason, a group of elder goblins have been holding power all this time. However, that will change today. One way or another, Gringotts will have its king, and our deal will be the beginning of this new Gringotts."
"Do you think this will affect the ministry? Or the treaties?" Ginny asked.
"The latter, unlikely. The former, without a doubt. But that is neither here nor there. We have several hours to kill and now we both have a task to complete before returning to Gringotts to finish the deal."
"Right." Ginny replied, reaffirming a serious expression as she focused her attention on the second part of Harry's plan. The systematic negotiating and dismantling of the Malfoy family's power base. "I'll take the side and main streets as we planned."
"And I'll handle the less savory in Knockturn Alley. As well as the more stubborn individuals." Harry replied.
"Divide and Conquer." Ginny agreed. Being more familiar with the wizarding world and culture then Harry, she offered to handle more official businesses. Meanwhile, Harry, more skilled in matters of death and conflict, would handle those who wouldn't never change their mind without a forceful hand.
With a smile they both exchanged a light kiss and went their separate ways at Ginny's parting words. Harry overflowed with reassurance that everything would go swimmingly.
Everything honestly was going better than he had hoped.
While Ginny didn't really need to do anything in Gringotts, that was more the result of circumstances.
The whole act of acting as a goblin was a coin flip and a half. Equally liable to start a war and just as liable to earn their respect. Thankfully he earned their respect and Ginny didn't have to drag his dying body from the bank. While he could have established connections with other goblins, Harry didn't know where they resided. While he could have spread his knowledge and prepared contingencies, those contingencies would require a few months to establish. The whole endeavor was a bluff and a gamble. A high risk gamble he won.
Truly, Harry was grateful for the inner turmoil within Gringotts. The fact that they were suffering under their own system, losing their own gold but keeping power with wizard gold on top of not possessing a king whose word was law was a boon to Harry's gambit. Now, Harry had sparked a revolution within the nation and painted himself as a key ally to the military might of the nation. Securing not only his needed wealth for his future projects that he had intended to start up but also securing a foothold to gaining the nation's complete trust and faith.
Stepping before Borgin and Burkes, his black cloak painting a foreboding silhouette of anonymity, Harry opened the store and as he looked about heard the thoughts of the two he was looking for. Both owners of the establishment, Mr. Borgin and Burke. Stepping over the counter, Harry passively walked into the back room and without so much as a moment of hesitation destroyed the door to the back.
Unlike Gringotts, this matter didn't require finesse. These two possessed skills at acquiring magical artifacts. Their methods however would leave Harry with no reason to hold back in the method of negotiation. If they thought Voldemort was to be feared Harry was going to educate them in how mistaken their fear was.
As the door exploded inward and Harry appeared, both Borgin and Burke rose to meet him but froze as Harry uttered a spell under his breath.
"Tangere Vitam"
The two men froze as they felt their chest cave in and they collapsed to the floor. Grasping at their chest the two men howled in pain as Harry stepped forward toward them, his form cloaked in a black robe.
"Lets not jump the wand preemptively gentlemen." Harry said aloud with a grin visible from the hood of his cloak. "I have come with a proposition for you that will determine the rest of your lives."
The two men looked up and seeing the evil grin upon Harry's face then turned their attention to the two objects in his outstretched hands. Two very crimson and transparent beating hearts.
Seeing their appearance Harry nodded. "Good you see what I have to bargain with. Make no mistake, I do not like either of you. Your sins are quite numerous to count, however I believe we can come to an arrangement. Stand up!"
The two men breathed a sigh of relief as Harry released his grip on the two hearts. "Look upon the table."
There Harry placed a sheet of paper. A Geass Scroll. "Read it carefully. Do not speak, do not shout. Do so and I will not squeeze the remainder of your life."
The two did as they were told. Their literal lives, beating in Harry's hands. The contract amounted to three statements. First, transfer ownership, rights, and land of Borgin and Burkes to the scrolls owner. Second, the right of priority purchase be given to the owner of the scroll. Thirdly the right to actively choose who can and can not shop and purchase goods from Borgin and Burkes. In exchange for accepting this deal, the owner of the scroll will pay four times the base value of the goods sold via priority purchase. Second, the owner of the scroll will give a down payment of five thousand galleons within one months time and a consecutive twenty galleons every month, retrievable from Gringotts. Several stipulations littered the contract including coverage as to what would happen upon the business shutting down, being renamed, and being criminalized, all of which would ensure their upholding of the deal as well as keeping himself away from any political or criminal prosecution.
Seeing this the two men saw their eyes go wide with greed. Harry could practically see the gold in their eyes.
"Do not try to barter. This is a one time deal and time is not on either of our sides. If you agree, sign it. If you refuse, the contract will burn away and I will leave you and never appear with such an offer again. Your lives will also remain in one piece whichever choice you make.
Harry dismissed the two hearts and with a flourish of his wrist was replaced with two quills.
"You have one minute to decide." Harry replied, allowing the magnitude of his power flow without restraint. Like a cat puffing its fur, this was completely impractical and did nothing other than expanding one's presence. But as a show of force and bluff it worked wonders.
After forty seconds, their decision was made.
Several hours later Harry stepped into the Leaky Cauldron and took a seat next to Ginny.
"So? How did it go?"
Waving away the innkeep Harry snickered. "Which, the contracts or Gringotts?"
"Yes." Ginny replied with equal snark.
"Smart ass." Harry muttered with an amused grin. "I honestly didn't expect a full blown revolution to come about from Gringotts. The matter has been settled, the Ministry is trying to find out what happened and business is now coming back to Diagon Alley. As for the contracts, of the eighty four shops within Diagon Alley, forty-one signed on. Twelve tried to kill me." Harry took a break and pulled a canteen from his robe and took a drink, quenching his dried lips. "You saw how that song and dance went in Gringotts. And the remainder stated they couldn't agree to the contract as they had other more... noble, contracts in place."
"Did you kill them?" Ginny asked with worry. Harry's answer alleviated her worries.
"No. I performed legilimens and left several anonymous tips to the local aurors. Considering what I dragged out of their heads, on top of providing locations to find clear irrefutable evidence I doubt their shops will last much longer. The fines will be pretty heavy, which in a few days will leave them begging for any money they can get to make ends meet. No reason to grant them an easy out."
Putting the flask back into his jacket, Harry swallowed the pill that passed from the flask, prolonging his disguise. "So how did your end go?"
Smiling with a shit-eating grin, Ginny raised to peace signs. "Thirteen out of Fourteen. Most of the potion shops were barely making ends meet. The offer you gave them was pretty favorable. I mean really Harry, eight thousand galleons and the gifting of several recipes that only you know of. Honestly if I was in the potion making business, I'd have a hard time turning them down."
"What about the fourteenth?"
"They flat out refused. I may not be a mind reader, but I'm pretty sure they're in bed with Malfoy." Ginny answered back.
"Think they recognized you?"
"Nope. I mean, I'm not me yet." Ginny replied confidently. Harry had to agree. The specimen of beauty before him was not the eleven year old girl everyone knew.
"Oh before I forget. There was one other thing." Harry sprang up.
"What?"
"On my way back, I met-" "Rudy Secretive Goblins!"
Harry and Ginny turned to see who the gruff and rugged voice that cut Harry off belonged too as a series of profanities flowed from his lips.
"Alastor, please for the love of Merlin, enough already. The last thing I need is for your shouting to give me a headache. Enough work has already happened today that I can't deal with your banter right now."
Ginny looked wide eyed in surprise. "Is that Moody? Wait is that Tonks with him. And isn't that-"
"Amelia Bones." Harry interjected as his mind was racing and a sudden series of events popped into his head. A series of possibilities, and in turn contingencies he could establish.
"Gin. When you told me about the fall of the Stature of Secrecy you never mentioned. How much did the second wizarding war affect its collapse?" Harry asked.
"Well it played a pretty big role, since a lot of muggles realized that all the strange things happening during the war were likely caused by magic." Ginny was confused by the smile on Harry's face.
"While it didn't expose magic to the world, when the Stature collapsed it definitely influenced the paranoia and belief that magic was possible."
That was all Harry needed to hear. Today was a day of opportunities and gambles and now before him was another that could play out either to his advantage or his detriment.
A grin lit up Harry's face as if he was blessed by the queen herself. As if magic had granted him a boon and then doubled it twice.
Standing from his seat Harry began to walk towards them. "What are you doing?"
"Seizing an opportunity." Harry answered as he pulled from his pocket a small glass vial. Within floated a silver strand of memories.