Chapter 7 – Lordship Business
A/N: A thank you to all for reading my story, and a thank you for those who have reviewed or followed. I'd like to shoutout to America for being the most viewers and also to places like New Zealand and Brazil ect., as the lowest amount of views so far but hopefully the popularity of the story will rise, it's nice to see a language barrier hasn't stopped this story from being enjoyed.
To those of you hoping for a short story to read for the time being, I'm sorry this is no such story, eventually Harry will get to a stage before (Spoilers) will have to go back.
As always please enjoy and leave a review if you wish.
Disclaimer: Right retains to JK Rowling, obviously I don't own HP, or I would be in a better place then where I am writing this.
Harry POV:
The familiar sight of the doors as I stood, yes stood, for once without stumbling from using a portkey, was quite a feat for me including with the added bonus of not feeling ill. Win-win I believed. Soon I hoped I wouldn't need to use to portkey, seemed a necessary for now, being unable to use magic unless the tracker charms broke or at Hogwarts. Apparition was something I was looking forward too, seeing as I could leave places at any time, or have to use the strange yet fun Knight Bus.
I made my way through the now recognisable tunnels, thanks to the binding on my intelligence being broken, to the meeting with Bloodfang and Malock, my account managers. I also wondered if the Chief Ragnok would be there, but I realised he should have different matters to attend do while I sort out my estates. I had to pause however, wondering which way to go as I saw a goblin look at me with the hint of suspicion in his eyes. I decided to clear it by asking which way to go for a meeting with account managers. I saw the doubt in his eyes as he looked over me and the word managers, suggesting of course more than one, the only way I could clear it and get a truthful answer I guessed, was to interrupt before he could reply and showed him my Lordship rings. Of course, the response was immediate as he bit his words already forming on his tongue and widened his eyes to me. Replying with the directions I thanked him politely and left where he pointed to.
Making my way through the now unfamiliar tunnels I soon saw a door bearing Account Managers, knocking off course before entering, I opened the door and paused. Around me was a massive corridor, with each bearing a different family crest as they went along. Inwardly, I sighed. I recognised the first few house crests I saw last night reading one of my new books, and with my experience of Gringotts, I knew the oldest and probably most protected family accounts would be stored. Like Black and Potter, which meant I likely had a long walk ahead. Luckily, a goblin teller or maybe assistant was close by and asked politely what my business was, I replied with the names of my account managers and a meeting that was made and watched her look at me in recognition. She looked through a book she had close by, I presumed held the list of families to their location in Gringotts, as she found the Potter and Black's door numbers, and told me they were quite close together as they were nearly as old as each other. She offered me a cart to use as the corridor was quite lengthy and walk would have made me late and pulled a swich in the wall before the corridor shifted and a track, cart and rail appeared before us. Goblin magic or machinery is all I can say, maybe both. Seeing as the cart would need a goblin to work, she of course joined me, and we made our way to my managers offices.
The ride was quite unusual looking back on, as I got out and watched her zoom back up the corridor, she left with the promise of being back when the meeting ended, the ride was nothing like the rollercoaster of speed and adrenaline when going to a vault. Shaking my senses from the fast-straight forward speed, I noticed the Longbottom crest to the entrance side of the Potter Account door with the Monroe crest, I knew from last night, to the left in the direction of the deeper parts of the corridor. Unfortunately, the door on the left had a clear X running through it, as I learned last night it wasn't in use anymore. We all knew why. And if you don't, the answer was Voldemort. I entered after knocking and saw both Bloodfang and Malock sitting in a shorter but similar room to Skullsmashers' office. They grinned and rose to meet me with a handshake before sitting down to begin the day's business.
"Good afternoon Harry, I will begin with starting with the Potter Accounts since we are here, as they are slightly younger than the Black family and also have less to go through." Bloodfang began, I quickly got comfortable knowing the process by now and guessed I would soon be shocked; quite a feat it should be with my life, and the recent development of Goblin Shocks I will soon call them.
"I would like to begin with the property and vaults you asked for previously, followed by the business owned and may potentially be interested in, then the life and family debts, including owed to and from, lastly, we will move on to contracts." Bloodfang stated, opening a large file but smaller than the one Malock was holding, and handed me a list to begin with.
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter, Vaults and Properties, businesses including debts and contracts. Confidential client info. To Gringotts and the House of Potter.
Potter Trust Vault: 2,326 galleons, 416 sickles, 17 knuts. Refillable up to 10,000 galleons, each year for remaining: 1 year.
James C Potter Vault 403: 77,208 galleons, 256 sickles, 3 knuts. Personal items including jewels, artifacts, and books including journals and photographs.
Lily Potter nee Evans Vault 488: 46,319 galleons, 12 sickles, 64 knuts. Personal items including books, journals, photographs, and personal trunk.
House Potter Vault 31: 8,284,300 galleons, 205 sickles, 47 knuts. Items include jewels, artifacts, books, and house member items.
Harry Potter Vault 563: 254 galleons, 13 sickles, 9 knuts.
Properties include:
The Potter's Place, Ancestral home of the House of Potter, located in Yorkshire Countryside, England. (Hidden with Filelius charm and Family magic.)
The Potter Cottage, located in Godric's Hollow, England. (Broken Filelius charm)
Diagon Alley Apartment 14-15 (Hidden under Filelius Charm)
Other properties include manor, chalets, and apartments in Europe and USA.
"I believe I should stop you for there, Harry, as you can see the House of Potter is Ancient and Noble in descent, and therefore wealthy clients of the goblins of Gringotts. Now that you have seen the properties and vaults you now hold control over and have unsealed your parents wills', we can carry them out now if you wish?" Bloodfang stated as I looked up from the list. I shook my head before he continued.
"This includes a total of 30,000 galleons into one Mr. Remus Lupin, collectively from both your parents, a total of 20,000 galleons into a Mr and Mrs. Frank and Alice Longbottom, who currently reside in St. Mungo's meaning the transferal will go the Longbottom Family Vault." As he finished Bloodfang slid some parchment over for me to sign, and of course not being stupid even though I trusted the goblins and was respected back, still read them before I would put my signature and use the Potter Lordship ring, to stamped it officially. Before I could do so Bloodfang requested I wait another few moment.
"As for the other items in your respective parents wills' such as to Mr. Black, the items remain in your possession and will be moved into your own vault with your own inherited items. As for a Mr. Pettigrew, his vault has been closes since his apparent death, seized by the Ministry for the terror relief against the Dark One." Malock spoke for the first time in the meeting, surprising me as I thought Bloodfang would have continued, I quickly nodded following his words.
"Now the collective will of the Lord and Lady Potter, is a bit more difficult than the separate wills' of course. To the Most Noble and Ancient Houses of Greengrass and Longbottom, the respective 8,000 and 10,000 can be bequeathed easily, alone with the 10,000 galleons owed to the Noble House of Bones. However, with the destruction of the family McKinnon, the requested becomes void and remains to the House of Potter, one detail being, upon a return of the closest living member identified the total of 5,000 galleons would be transferred." Bloodfang breathed, motioning to look over the wills' of my parents from yesterday if I wanted too. "The sum of 15,000 to be given to Albus Dumbledore however, is the most complicated. As the Dark One, as we shall name him has returned, yet you remain in the dark to the actions of the Order, the conditions of your parents unmet, the sum should be halved into a total of 7,500 galleons to be used by the Order of the Phoenix. However, should you wish to claim this, say…" Bloodfang drifted off for a second as Malock jumped back in to continue.
"You can claim this under the pretence that the finances of the Order are under Albus Dumbledore, therefore not to be allowed use, freezing this part of your parents will until such time, if ever, the financial control of the Order passes from Dumbledore." He paused, looking at my posture, I would guess to see how my mood was. He glanced to Bloodfang, indicating he had said the small piece he wanted, or to get out of the bad news about to be delivered by Bloodfang.
"It has come to our attention Lord Potter," He spoke formally, indicating there was something definitely officially wrong, "That both the Potter Trust Vault and your own Vault has been used multiple times in the past, by your magical guardian – Albus Dumbledore, however since we are aware of his transgressions and manipulation of you, we are worried that you weren't aware of said transactions." He finished professionally, as I sat in silence. I was raging of course, but the main thing was that I refused to show it even when it called to be let out in that moment.
"I wasn't even aware I had my own personal Vault. Never mind that Potter Trust refills itself, I'm guessing since I started Hogwarts?" I said to my account managers. I have to say one of them, never mind two of them were looking at me scarily, and I mean worse than Aragog scary.
"This is unbelievable! Your magical guardian using you like a leech, a report shall be sent to the Director, Lord Potter, as you are a friend of the People, we can help reclaim the stolen gold under both wizarding and goblin law. This will increase the process of doing so dramatically and can be started now if you like, of course keeping this from Mr. Dumbledore himself." Bloodfang could have screeched out, if he could screech that long. Malock was foaming, I swear I thought he actually was, glad that the goblins had a similar reaction to mine.
"Yes," I started, "Make sure he's unaware of the fact for as long as you can, and if you can and need be when he asks, inform him of something like an irregularity or discrepancy in his vault, that needs checking out before he can take anything else. Can the People do this?" I asked respectfully, I promise I doubt anyone had seen a goblin change from vicious to impressed in a blink of an eye, like I just did.
"Of course, a perfect and cunning solution, Harry, to think a lion could outwit the snake." Malock stated chucking at my plan. Bloodfang continued, "The total to be reclaimed from Albus Dumbledore is…" he took a moment and did some Arithmancy (math magic, I guess) goblin style, before looking up and claiming, "126,846 galleons, give or take a few knuts. Along with the interest for such a disgrace and goblin intake to reclaim said gold, the total would be 130,000 galleons, the previous amount will be transferred back into your own vault after the process as well as what remains of James and Lily's personal vaults included." I gasped at the amount, that was the amount that was completely stolen from me by Dumbledore, seeing as I had seen how hard the Weasley family had it over the years, made me wary of even spending the 10,000 I knew I had from the beginning of entering this world. I was sure that Ron would have gladly tried to kill me in my sleep for such an amount. That caught my thought train.
"Bloodfang, is it possible to trace where that amount ended up to through Dumbledore? I believe the Weasley's or perhaps a personal vault may contain an amount, I doubt it was the whole family involved." I asked as the goblin replied that the information would be most helpful to find and claim the gold.
"Now as we have dealt with that important matter, we can get back to the previous matter of dealing with the Order's conditional matters." Malock stated to get us back on track. I replied, already knowing what I wanted to do.
"Yes, I want the Order to be given half under the event of Dumbledore relinquishing control, eventually he might if I plan this right, including the condition the control given is someone I trust to control the vault after. If this isn't met before the defeat of Voldemort than the gold shall remain the Potter Vault." I stated, my words flowing onto the page of parchment next to Bloodfang, adding my condition to my parents for the Order.
"Now I believe all that is left for the inheritance to be complete on the account managers' side is for you, Harry to sign allowing the gold to follow into the respective vaults." Bloodfang stated with a grin at the Gringotts motto. I smirked back and signed officially, sealing the ring of House Potter into the parchment and it flared with magic, for a moment.
"Now the Inheritance process beings for Skullsmasher to complete, as he confirms the transaction and Will fulfilment. We can move onto the business of the Potter family which has been generating over the last decade plus, into the Family Vault. Then the debts and contracts required by the Potter family to fulfil. Skullsmasher will then get the approval to carry out the will, you will be notified of the reading." Bloodfang looked pleased how the work was moving along faster than he thought.
Businesses, Debts including life owed to and from as well as contracts for the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter:
34% Share in the Daily Prophet
66% Share in Eeylops Owl Emporium
20% Madame Malkin Robes F.A.O
42% Share in Florence Ice Cream.
50% Share in Weasley Wizard Wheezes
Debts:
To the Most Noble and Ancient House of Monroe, 50,000 galleons owed.
To the House of McKinnon, a sum of 5,000 galleons owed.
By Minerva McGonagall, a sum of 2,000 galleons owed.
By the Most Noble and Ancient House Diggory, partial loyalty with the return of the Heir Diggory's body.
Life Debts to/from:
Hermione Granger to Harry J Potter – Girl's bathroom, Hogwarts.
Ginevra Weasley to Harry J Potter – Chamber of Secrets, Hogwarts.
Arthur Weasley to Harry J Potter – Department of Mysteries, Ministry of Magic
Fleur Delacour to Harry J Potter – Triwizard Maze, Hogwarts.
Gabrielle Delacour to Harry J Potter – Black Lake, Hogwarts.
Contracts; Business and Marriage/Concubine
The Most Noble and Ancient House Potter creates the contract for the Heir, and presumed Lord to Marry, within the year of coming of age or inheritance, thus the Lord of House Potter may choose his own Lady.
The Potter House offers a contract with the Noble House of Bones, to rebuild their House through the use of a Concubine Contract, if the Lord has claimed his Lady.
The Potter House offers an alliance with the Most Noble and Ancient of Houses, Longbottom and Greengrass against the murderer of the Most Noble and Ancient House Monroe – Lord Voldemort. House Greengrass retains neutrality protection.
With that shocking piece of parchment, I looked over what could basically be considered a piece of national history by Hermione, a noble alliance forged against the first wizarding war from Voldemort? She'd consider this study worthy. I was shocked at the businesses I partially owed, apart from WWW of Fred and George. Bloodfang began the discussion regarding the list.
"Well to start off with, the businesses are doing quite well, including the newly started WWW as I believe, the debts to the stated Houses of Monroe and McKinnon cannot be paid for the obvious reasons, and if you wish the debt of Ms. Minerva can be called in, while the partial debt with House Diggory will likely be paid beyond Gringotts and the Peoples' influence." I sat back, taking this in. "The life debts can of course be called in whenever and however the circumstance, such as in a moment of life and death, as stated that person owes you their life, until granted otherwise by only you." He paused before going onto the complicated subject of contracts. "As you can tell, Lord Potter, you are clearly free to marry whom you wish, however within the next year as well as the subsection clauses within, that you provide an heir as soon as possible. As well as a concubine contract that may be activated should either party wish and an alliance contract to help against the Dark One." He finished and waited as I sat in silence, I was overjoyed I wasn't going to be forced into a marriage contract, I would have royally kicked off, as much as a Noble and Ancient House could do at least. The Alliance could definitely help wrangle some support from the Houses themselves and the Houses under them in the Wizengamot, I doubt they would refuse such a Noble Alliance, even with the pure-blood racism, clearly supported by the Most Noble and Ancient House Malfoy. I had to say, I hadn't heard that one from him before, maybe that's why the shopkeeper looked worried over Draco mentioning his father. 'Very interesting' I thought.
"No Bloodfang, I'd like the debt to Professor McGonagall to be wiped and her alerted discreetly that is had been delt with. The life debts may be called into use for some of them but not as of now, and the concubine one left as it is. Now for the Alliance I would like to learn more after dealing with the Black estate or some research." With that, Bloodfang smiled as I looked at him and asked for the remained of my parents' personal vaults to be emptied into the Potter Family Vault. Including what remained of mine, seeing as it was the most secure of the Potter vaults. Bloodfang agreed, sending an order to a team of goblins with a wave.
I finished business with Bloodfang who smiled and nodded at my instructions, letting me sign the parchment, finishing the Potter business before waving his hand for some refreshments and lunch. Getting a small amount of food and some pumpkin juice, I started eating as my stomach slowly got used to having decent food instead of whatever I got at Privet Drive. Bloodfang and Marlock quickly finished before I had even finished half, so with a quick mouthful I finished and removed the plate from my lap but kept hold off the pumpkin juice.
Malock opened the larger file, that until now was left to the side untouched, with a simple incantation I mustn't have heard from Bloodfang. Reaching forward for the list from Malock I whistled at what my second father had left me in control off, Malock added we could go through the entire fill before completing Sirius's Will and the items of business he wanted me to look over.
The Most Noble and Ancient House of Black, Vaults and Properties, businesses including debts and contracts. Confidential client info. To Gringotts and the House of Black.
Black Heir Vault: 42,326 galleons, 416 sickles, 17 knuts. Up to 50,000 per Heir. (Remaining from previous)
Sirius Black Vault 443: 32, 931 galleons, 65 sickles, 4 knuts. Personal items including artifacts and books including journals and photographs.
Lord Black Vault 60: 72,000 galleons, 10 sickles, 5 knuts. Personal items including books, journals, and memories of previous Black Lords.
House Black Vault 30: 9,468,298 galleons, 100 sickles, 30 knuts. Items include jewels, artifacts, books, and house member items.
Seized Lestrange nee Black Vault: 84,324 galleons, 10 sickles, 7 knuts. Items include jewels, books, and rare ingredients.
Properties include:
The Black House, Ancestral home of the House of Black, located in Northumbria, Durham, England. (Hidden with Filelius charm and Family magic.)
12 Gimmuald Place, located in London, England. (Filelius charm. Order of the Phoenix Headquarters.)
Diagon Alley Apartment 12-13 (Hidden under Filelius Charm)
Other properties include manor, chalets, and apartments in Europe and USA.
Businesses, Debts including life owed to and from as well as contracts for the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black:
21% Share in the Daily Prophet
66% Share Borgin and Burkes
44% Shares in Twilfitt and Tatting's
31% in Flourish and Blotts'
47% of The Hag's Head Pub
Debts:
To the Most Noble and Ancient House of Monroe, 50,000 galleons owed.
By the Noble House of Lestrange, the agreed upon price of Bellatrix Black, 18,000 galleons owed.
By the Noble House of Rosier, Nott, Carrow and Flint, a debt of 25,000 galleons owed each. Total of 100,000 galleons
By the Most Noble and Ancient House Malfoy, the agreed price upon price of Narcissa Black, 20,000 galleons owed.
Life Debts to/from:
Multiple money debts created upon members of notable Houses, including several on the Wizengamot.
Contracts; Business and Marriage/Concubine
The Most Noble and Ancient House Black creates the unbreakable contract between the Most Noble and Ancient House of Greengrass, to marry and collide their respective Houses, when two Heirs of the Houses are of age and available, in Pure-Blood status.
The House of Black enters a contract with the House of Lestrange, to marry in Pure-Blood status, between Bellatrix Black and Rodolphus Lestrange. Breakable only to the Lord of either House. The Bride Price accepted in full and unreturnable.
The House of Black enters a contract with the House of Malfoy, of Noble and Ancient Status, the Heir of House Malfoy will share Black blood and as Pure-Blood, and upon being the last male relative, can claim the House of Black. Breakable though the will of either House Lord, or upon so must return the agreed upon price, if an heir has not been produced.
The House of Black offers a contract to any Pure-Blooded daughter of a House, willing to enter a Concubine Contract in order to repopulate said House, under the condition the provided will swear to serve the Black Family in necessary circumstances.
Malock waited for a few tense moments as I took everything in regarding the Black Family. I signed in frustration, and I let Malock continue as he stated Sirius's will for the transfer of gold. "The transferal includes 30,000 galleons to Mr. Remus Lupin, 25,000 galleons each to Mrs. Andromeda Tonks nee Black and her daughter, Nymphadora Tonks, including a further 25,000 galleons for a Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy nee Black, and her son Draco Malfoy. Additionally, Mr Black has requested that both are reinstated as members of the Black House including their children, upon the condition for Mrs. Narcissa to agree with the annulment of her marriage, and her sons' Draco, the House and Family Oath to be sworn. The remaining sum of 30,000 for a Miss. Hermione Granger, is conditional and as is likely to be completed, set aside. The Order of the Phoenix and Albus Dumbledore are set to receive the amount of one knut, respectively. In total, the sum of 230,000 galleons and 2 knuts are prepared for the transferal, following the acceptance of terms and signature of the Lord Black, after the official reading had preceded next week." Malock stated. I sat and thought about each transaction Sirius wanted, easily Remus, Tonks and Hermione could get what they wanted after the conditions met, Narcissa I could see agreeing with, since the marriage clearly looked threatening for both her physical and mental health. But her son, Draco was going to be a problem. If I could get him to agree and swear the Oath, as it would bind him under the Family as he was now to the Malfoy's, he would become Draco Black, and could eventually still claim the Malfoy House after the war. I just hope he wasn't in too deep. I guess I would now have to contact him. Somehow. I decided to sign for now, if he agrees than it's prepared already, if not no harm no foul, I would cancel it if he wanted to stay evil, instead of plainly dark. Looking at the signature it was no wonder why Sirius had asked me to become Heir and Lord, as he asked for some money from the Black Family Vault to give. It wasn't like I could or would have said no, it was still his money before mine that he had never gained access to, and it was his last request as I gave the money and accepted his family back into the House.
"Now, the debts owed to the House of Black," Malock looked particularly pleased about this part, as he would be in control of shifting large amounts of gold from the vaults of the rude wizards, the People dealt with. "The Houses, including the large sum owed, from Carrow, Nott, Flint and Rosier, can be recalled immediately from their family vaults. Others can be called in when deemed appropriate by you Lord Potter-Black but may be used to gain influence on the Wizengamot. If Mrs. Malfoy agrees to her marriage annulment to the sum of 20,000 galleons will be returned to the Malfoy Vault. As for the reintroduction into the Black Family, the members can return as after the will reading. Bellatrix Lestrange, however, can have her marriage annulled and removed from the Black Family as of now. Upon doing so will make her simply, Bellatrix, a which without a House." Malock looked particularly happy to announce that fact, and I guess his family may have been hurt from Bellatrix in the past, like Neville and his family.
"The contracts are a bit similar to the House of Potter ones, Harry, the marriages simply broken with your seal and the concubine one follows opens the contract to any who comply with the stricter set of conditions. The only difference is the unbreakable contract between the House of Greengrass and has activated between Miss. Daphne Greengrass and yourself. Congratulations on becoming engaged, Harry." I'm pretty sure Malock added the last bit just to see the look on my face as my jaw dropped. What can I say? Goblin Shocks. Told you this would happen, not the marriage part - the shocks though, called it.
"Great," I started uneasily, "Does that mean that her and the House are aware? And does that mean I we can get married and I assume the condition for an Heir is relevant, so do I need a to another, starting now?" I asked, my face a sheet of white as I tried to comprehend having two children to be my heirs, then it hit me. "Hold up, with the marriage contract from the Potter House how can I even marry Daphne Greengrass, I don't even know her!" I added, thinking for one short moment I had found a loophole, in an unbreakable marriage contract.
Of course, magic laughed at me and the state of my pitiful life. "Harry, you are Lord of two Houses, which means you can have two Ladies, and therefore two separate lines for each, to provide heirs. Yes however, the condition for the heirs to be conceived is activated, but the engagement you are under can allow the contract to flow slower for now. The Potter Heir clause is still active and needs at least to come closer to completion or the Potter Lordship may become null until you have created said heir." Malock explained in detail. I sat there in desperation at the fact I now had find a bride, and marry not one but two women, heaven help me!
The goblins both grinned at my expression and further added, "Of course, you may gain more Lordships through an inheritance test to claim further descent from bloodlines, either through blood, magic or right of conquest?" Bloodfang told me, the grin in his face and gleaming in his eyes.
"No. Not anymore, not yet at least." I exclaimed, anything more right now could quite possibly, break me right now. 'I am stuck in a different dimension.' I thought to myself, going back over the events of the last few days, this really can't be real. But of course, yet again the universe used me as the punchline and proved this was all real, as Malock continued.
"We can invite the Greengrass House, for a meeting to declare the contract active whenever you wish, Harry. Perhaps in the next few days, after you think on the notion, before making your intended aware." Malock simply stated, a little bored after his excitement removing Bellatrix, from the family. "Yes, in a few days." I stated, wanting to at least have some sort of plan to deal with this. After all I barely knew the Greengrass House, Daphne included as she was in Slytherin, only the fact that she was viciously cunning and known as the formal 'Ice Queen of Slytherin,' was all I had heard after five years with her in Hogwarts.
As the meeting was beginning to close, I saw the time on an ancient looking, grandfather clock to the right of me, show it was 4pm, another long meeting, and stood to stretch my legs and shake the hands of my account managers, before Ragnok entered through the doors, making us all pause as we looked at him come closer.
"Lord Potter-Black, Bloodfang, Malock," the Chief said in greeting, "I must interrupt the meeting after receiving the note from Bloodfang, stating gold was stolen from the Potter Trust Vault and your own personal Vault Harry?" Formalities over and done with, I replied, "Yes, Ragnok there was a sum of gold took without my knowledge, we have deduced it was my magical guardian, Albus and perhaps Molly Weasley who took it out, or received payments from Dumbledore, for herself, Ronald and Ginevra, her youngest children." I said, my voice clear and loud with the audience I had and the personal matter being spoke off.
"As an important client of two Most Noble and Ancient House Lords, you would of course have the best working in Gringotts for our case. However, you are also a Friend of the People, and a member of the Goblin Council, remember Harry? This deserves the attention of the highest authority, myself, and the other members of Council, we will have this matter resolved before the day is out, I assure you. The thief's will be caught, fined, and punished for this treachery including the might of the Goblin Nation behind you for these offences. As chief it is clear, a goblin helped these transaction take place, and the treason of an offence is the highest dishonour to us. Do you have any idea who may have been able to access these vaults in your time here?" Ragnok detailly explained and asked for my opinion. I guess as an honorary goblin, and Lord my opinion mattered.
"Honestly, I would prefer not to accuse anyone without proof, but to answer the question the only goblin I know and who had accessed to my vaults, was the one I first met, Griphook." I said slowly, not wanting the goblin to be in trouble if he was innocent, if he was guilty, let him be damned for all I care. I watched as Ragnok and my account managers thought on what I said, if it was possible and likely wondering what the goblins personal reasons to do such a crime.
"He will be looked into, along with the others you mentioned. Their transactions can be traced and eventually the goblin who made them as well." Ragnok finished, the others silently making a paper trail right now, as parchments were summoned with a wave of their hands, going back all the way to just before my parents died, I could see from some dates.
Since this was going to take some time, I quickly changed my train of thought from Albus and his stealing, to ask Ragnok if some items could be brought up from my vaults instead of trekking through the each of them. He smiled and asked for a list that he would send out to be collect upon immediately. I gave him a short list including: a dragonhide pouch, (if there was one to find) my mothers' trunk, my dad's, and Sirius's journals of pranks and Animagus guide, and the photographs stored in each of their personal vaults, before the rest would be moved into my own personal vault. I had changed my mind about moving the remainder of Mom and Dad's items into the Potter Family Vault, they and Sirius were close to me specifically, and I could go through their things together instead of separate Family Vaults. Before Ragnok could send of the list I asked if I could move my personal vault into any recently vacant, best guarded vaults, similar to any Family Vaults. Ragnok again give a small grin, and referenced the vault number 44 to me, asking if that was guarded enough. I believed this would surely be the best he could give me, and most guarded for my own things, and asked for the price of such a switch in Vaults, knowing everything with the goblins come with a price. Our negotiations began, as the adrenaline of the bargaining battle was already showing on the Chiefs' face.
"8,000 galleons, several artifacts both useful and damaged for study of the Goblin People, some particular jewels such as rubies, diamonds and a sapphire or two. Lastly, the official contract stating you and your direct descendants, will continue to bank and store their possessions, providing business and the consideration to the goblins who work here, till the day either your family line dies out or the Bank of Gringotts, and therefore the Goblin Nation are destroyed or leave the magical world of Britain." He finished; a grin plastered on his face. Until he watched me open with my offer,
"4,500 galleons, a collection of artifacts to, agreed upon the study for the People, a small chest of rubies, emeralds, some sapphires and a small amount of diamonds. A contract stating the Direct family descendants of each line I provide the wizarding world, give their banking business to Gringotts, who however must be made informed and protected by Gringotts to avoid any and all cases of outside and inside deception. Consideration for the People and Nation, to be given however unable to be enforced, since only I can give my word for said descendants. With the conditions, the Bank is always working in the interest of said family lines, aimed to help their goals as long as unharmful and/or beneficial to the Nation, and the promise of aid for instances such as I do now, a Dark Lord. Agreed?" I asked Chief Ragnok, I worked the deal to be the best for my family if it was going to include my children's children.
Ragnok paused, the smile still stuck on his face, as he worked out the implications of such a deal, before changing it up once more, "Agreed, upon the added conditions that your family helps overturn the current laws, regarding our race and position in the wizarding world." He stated, offering his hand clearly showing this was the last offer he wanted to make. I smirked though as I agreed and shook his hand and replied, "My friend and Chief, that was already my intention." The shit-eating grin reappeared on the Chief's face, and I'm sure a personal friendship with the Chief of Gringotts' was now a personal friend of mine.
As the meeting now ended, my items suddenly appearing near the doorway, I remembered to quickly ask if they knew anywhere, I could get a wand, preferably without the trace on, since I didn't know if Ollivanders' could or would remove the charm or would let me get another. Including a shrinking charm for my items, as I used the black leather pouch to store the items in till I could reverse the charm with a wand from a shop in the heart of Knockturn Alley, the Chief had referred me to. I shook hands with him and the account managers, with the promise of my likely return in the next few days since I now had a marriage contract to worry about and left the meeting room to find a new wand first of all.
A/N: This is the longest a chapter took me to write, I really hope this one was great for you to read, I noticed some reviews before I finished and of course thank you for them, as well as understand to look out for some particular words I've been misspelling and tenses I've been using. Hopefully, they will be correct, but if not please look past them or if you wish to would leave a review to let me know, I will try and edit and update the mistakes. I am quite proud how this turned out regardless of any mistakes or errors overlooked, it made me feel more like a improving author.
I'd like to thank loyal reviewers, and ask readers who wouldn't normally review or send PM's to feel free if you want or have questions, as I hope this chapter stood out to you enough to do something you wouldn't normally do after you finish reading. Thank you.
