Harry, the now thirteen year old teenager, is currently in the Leaky Cauldron. Because of his Aunt Marge's unfortunate event, he has been staying here out of fear of his relatives retaliating against him. The boy honestly didn't mean for it to happen, and he obviously wasn't aware that accidental magic could still happen.
Harry turns toward Dobby, his friend and ally here, "I've got a question." Harry is currently in something like a dorm, where all the guests staying can come down to visit with each other if they need to. It is usually used by foreign visitors and since nobody is using it Harry has been allowed inside. His tiny, cramped room doesn't really have any space to sort out his summer homework.
"Go ahead and ask your question, Harry." And that reveals another surprise. House elves are like parasites in a way, they don't absolute need the bond and can survive without it, but they can grow more powerful if they do bond with a wizard or witch. When Dobby bonded with Harry, Harry had a magical outburst, causing their frames to bulk out to a reasonable size while becoming completely healthy. Most of the time, house elves have something similar to autism due to their underdeveloped magic core. It usually impairs their speech to a significant degree and often times mean they have a different thinking pattern.. Harry's magic ran through Dobby, allowing him to think and speak like any other race.
"So, you said that some things are typically taught to Heirs is their innate magics. Do I have any?" Dobby pauses, not really sure how to answer this question. Dobby quickly sorts their notes out, bringing a new muggle notebook out to get some ideas flowing. These notebooks have been robbed from Dudley's second room when Harry realized he has a stash. Though Dobby also ransacked the house of any creative supplies, like markers, paints and the like.
"I believe we need to visit the goblins. I was going to save this lesson for latter as I assumed that you didn't need it yet, but we need to go over Goblin Etiquette." Harry perks up, knowing that Dobby has been a reasonable tutor to him during the last summer, the last year's school breaks, and the current summer break.
"I get that, but I don't know why you are saying we need too visit them." Harry reminds him softly, with a little amusement at the slight scowl. Harry gives him a cheeky grin, knowing this time he has surprised him a little bit. Harry has been trying to one-up him for months.
"Harry, I will explain as it is part of the lesson I taught Draco when I served as his elf." Dobby's amusement at his one-up causes him to realize that Dobby has really explained things in depth when talking about any cultures so far. He has explained their typical jobs and services too.
"That's fine." Harry pouts a little as he realizes the scowl is not of embarrassment, but of slightly hidden amusement that he is trying to disguise.
Dobby chuckles at his failed attempt before he turns toward the notebook he has placed in front of Harry. "Let's begin with Proper greetings." Harry turns toward the notebook, rather eager to get down to work if it will help him figure out things he needs to know. "What is an impressive greeting to a human, give an example.
"Hello, I'm a huge fan of your works." Harry tells him, remembering how people flattered Lockhart when he has been introduced to him the first time.
"I didn't think of that, but yes, complimenting or thanking them on the same greeting might work. However, what would you say to a goblin that is similar?" Dobby asks him, causing Harry to turn toward his notebook.
"I'd say, Hello, Honorable Goblin, I've been interested in learning more about your culture, among others, and I'm hopeful that I can have help getting a few guidebooks." Dobby pauses, wondering if that will actually work.
"I'm sure that might work, but write down at least three more greetings and I'll rate them." Dobby has the odd habit of rating how similar things are, especially if they are comparing to prime examples of the same.
Good Morning, Honorable Goblin, I apologize for not being aware that I have some things to attend to within your amazing establishment.
Honorable Goblin, I'm hopeful that I may benefit both myself and your establishment with some of my family's notes, I can't complete them myself right now so I'm willing to share the profits if you finish them.
I appreciate the efforts and policies put in place to protect the vaults I didn't always know about, Honorable goblin.
Harry leans back, allowing Dobby to view his handiwork. Dobby hums thoughtfully. "I don't believe they've been apologized to in a while, and sharing profits is something that they will go haywire over, the appreciation has to be sincere, and I know it will be from you. These are rather unique, once more, so I can't accurately rank them." Dobby tells him softly before standing up taller to look him in the eye.
"What?" Harry asks, confused.
"You are wise not to say 'thanks' or 'thank you' to goblins. They take great offence to that, and so appreciation is the absolute best way to go." Dobby explains to him careful not to mention why. Harry nods to him with understanding.
The lesson continues for nearly three hours before Dobby seems satisfied even the slightest. Most of it is common sense, but most purebloods lack such, which Harry has in spades, the lucky guy understands a lot of stuff easier.
Nearly thirty minutes later, after Harry is properly dressed according to Dobby's standard in a full suit, Harry enters Gringotts with Dobby trailing after him. The goblins stare at him with a critical gaze, almost like they are judging him for bringing Dobby along with him.
Dobby clears his throat in front of the counter, causing the goblin to lean over to look at him. "Dobby would like to request a few basic tests for Dobby's Employer." Dobby motions at Harry with a cheeky grin at the teen even as he fidgets at the long look the goblin is giving him.
"Does he pay you?" A nearby goblin asks with interest.
"Harry Sir refused to go lower than ten galleons a month." Dobby tells them with a slightly pleased tone as he gives an amused look in Harry's direction.
Harry pauses in his fidgeting as he recognizes a look of respect in the gaze of the many goblins aiming at him. He realizes that he has made a good impression somehow and frowns as he glances at Dobby. "Why are they so happy?" Harry asks him, confused all of a sudden.
"As a nation, goblins discourage forceful bondings, like house elf bonds, unless both sides are treated well." A familiar goblin says as he strides up to his left side.
"Good morning, Griphook. I never knew that Dobby bonded with me." Dobby blushes as Harry turns toward Dobby. "Dobby, when you get a chance help me find books and scrolls detailing different types of bondings, okay?" Dobby nods to him eagerly at the order, knowing Harry won't mind most of the 'contract' for service.
"Harry sir, it is currently a partial bond, Dobby was afraid to mention it and thought even a partial bond would be nice with Harry Sir." Harry frowns in confusion, obviously unaware of something he feels that he should know.
"Okay, if you want we can make it a full bond while here after I get some advice on it from my accountant." Dobby, now with misty eyes, stares at Harry with complete adoration at this news.
A small chuckle is heard from Harry's left. "Do you have your key?" Griphook asks him with a small smile, this time his eyes are merrily twinkling.
"I've never really touched my key as far as I am aware." Harry tells him, startling the goblins at the news.
"I believe it will be best to have the Basic Introduction Tests performed." Dobby tells them softly, aware this end be badly otherwise. Griphook nods to them despite the angry faces of the goblins staring viciously at their paperwork.
One suddenly mutters, "I need to kill something." Before another goblin teller from behind the desk switches places with him. Several others copy the same display as Harry and Dobby are led toward the back. When none of them come toward them, Dobby relaxes, obviously thinking they might harm Harry.
"Dobby calm down for a moment. What would a goblin get from attacking me?" He asks, trying to help Dobby like he does him.
"It likely would get him killed and his family and clan disgraced. After that there would definitely be another goblin rebellion." Dobby relaxes at this thought before a snort is heard from Griphook.
"I apologize if I sound rude, as I don't know human customs, but there is not one goblin who overheard the conversation who would be wanting to bring harm to someone like you. You obviously care for your employee, have been sincere with us so far, and the only reason you didn't think to use manners the first visit is likely because you were excited about seeing your vault for the first time. Am I correct, Dobby?" Dobby nods firmly once, seeing what he is saying to them. Harry, to be honest, is just confused.
"So you guys are willing to learn about human manners?" Harry asks, getting a harsh stare from Dobby.
"If it helps us sort business easier, then we study it." Griphook tells him with a frown marring his face as well.
"If I agree to help tutor one of your kin on the basic etiquette of muggles, which the muggleborn will follow, could I have some additional lessons on goblin etiquette? I also have a friend who might love learning about things from your point of view as she is aware most books are biased in the wizarding world. She has a shoe for Ravenclaw but ended up in Gryffindor, almost becoming a Hat Stall." Harry tells him easily enough. Griphook appears to be thinking about it for a few minutes before he suddenly stops and motions toward the first door to their right.
Harry walks up to it, knocks briefly, and waits. Almost a minute later the door opens on its own, revealing an elderly goblin being assisted by a house elf who is overly excited. "Master, Tinky is so happy to see Harry Sir!" she exclaims at the sight of Harry.
"That confirms it." Griphook says himself for the record. "Lurnott, Mister Potter is here for the Basic Introduction Tests and to conduct business." Griphook tells him in a no-nonsense tone.
"Understood, Griphook." He turns toward Harry with a fond smile. "Heir Potter, please enter and have a seat. We have much to discuss today and little time." Harry comes over to the seat and sees a smaller, chair, designed for House Elves.
"As you know, I'm Harry Potter. This is my friend, Dobby." Dobby sees the goblin giving him a serious look as Harry waits for permission to be seated.
"I'm sorry to say that the tests come first in all meetings, mostly because they have to." He pulls out a few sheets of parchment, a quill, and a ring. "Let have you sign the parchment with your known name before it will start working on its own from the blood drawn by the quill and your magic within that blood sample." Harry takes the quill, fidgeting with it before scratchy letters say 'Harry James Potter' across the top. Harry, being smart, taps the quill against the center of the page, allowing it more of a blood sample and the magic sample.
A few moments later and the goblin motions for him to lift the quill, which he does readily. "Most never ask about that, though it does make it more potent and allow the page to draw blood and magic if needed. Let's see here..." He takes the parchment before Harry can get a good look at it and hums thoughtfully.
Lurnott frowns heavily as a copy appears in front of Harry. "This shows your investment portfolio is now able to be edited. If you are interested in any particular things I suggest listing them now." Lurnott looks up at him as his wide eyes stares at the number of digits of galleons.
"First of all, how much is a galleon worth?" Harry asks him with politeness despite his overwhelming shock.
"A galleon is five muggle pounds." Harry nods, mentally calculating it before realizing it is more than he can count.
"Harry sir also has a Basilisk Corpse to harvest. He killed it this past year after it went after the students when a cursed diary possessed a little girl several times. It very well nearly killed her, almost resurrecting the spirit in the book in the process." Dobby tells him and the goblin slowly looks up at him, beyond pissed at the news.
"Can either of you tell me where the book came from?" He asks as smoothly as he can, showing that he is controlling his anger somehow.
Dobby hesitates before sighing. "I'm aware that my former master, Lucius Malfoy is a very bad person. I overheard plans of his to get rid of it and it was placed in Ginny Weasley's possession before her first year when they Weasley Family went shopping for school supplies."
"Ginny didn't think that about it and eventually tried to destroy it. I finally managed that when a fang pierced my arm, I took the fang out and stabbed the book a few times for good measure." Harry tells him, expecting to be reprimanded. Lurnott looks him over and Harry reveals the bite mark near his elbow.
"I congratulate you, Warrior. Not many cann say they defeated a basilisk alone without much help, let alone that and a Soul Jar at the same time." Dobby gasps at the news, shocked by this discovery.
"Well, I figured there was something up there in my head. Black tar started spewing from it when Fawkes cried on it, causing whatever was in there to instantly die and deteriorate." The goblin quickly stands up, pressing a series of buttons on the wall.
"Lurnott speaking, I'm asking for a Horcrux Assessment for Mister Harold Jameson Potter." Lurnott sees that both of them are confused.
"How long has it been near him?" A voice asks him with a snarl.
"Ever since his parents died." He answers bluntly earning a sputtering, vicious noise from the other end.
"Please have your house elf bring him promptly." The voice orders before Tinky reaches her hand for him. Harry takes it and lets her pop him away, and Dobby appears next to him as a few nurses and doctors of the goblin kind surround him with hurried actions.
Harry knows this is going to take a while to finish up.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Someone messaged me and I realized that I hadn't explained the autism part correctly. I meant that it effects their speech and their thinking pattern, making it different from that of the Muggles and the wizards.
