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Chapter 2

Gringotts

Harry and Dobby arrived in Diagon Alley, right in front of Gringotts Wizarding Bank with a silent pop. It was late in the afternoon and there were only a few wizards walking around the alley. Not wanting to be noticed, Harry hurriedly entered the Wizarding Bank with Dobby right by his side.

Walking inside, Harry noticed that there wasn't anyone in the lobby other that Goblins. As they passed several Goblins sitting at their work stations, Harry realized they were all staring at Dobby with a toothy grin. Not thinking to much of it at this point, Harry headed to the branch managers office. Having only heard of the branch manager through random conversations between Remus and Sirius, Harry hoped he didn't end up accidentally offending the Goblin.

Walking up to the extravagant counter top, Harry approached the Goblin. "I would like to speak to the Branch Manager regarding some special circumstances regarding my account." Looking down at the small wizard, the Goblin was about to speak when he noticed the House Elf standing next to the young wizard. Harry noticed the look of curiosity that flashed across the Goblins face, looking to his left, he realized the curiosity was once again directed at Dobby.

Getting irritated Harry spoke up again, "look, I know I don't have an appointment but this is really important." The Goblin, finally taking his eyes off of Dobby, addressed Harry. "Is this your House Elf?" Glancing down at his watch, Harry knew that the shops in Diagon Alley were going to be closing soon, and he had too much that needed to be done. "Look, if the Branch Manager is to busy to speak to one of his customers, then maybe I will no longer be one of them."

Turning on his heal, Harry began to walk away when he paused and glanced over his shoulder, "Come Dobby, I will let you handle the closing of all the Potter accounts in the morning." The Goblin, sitting in his chair with the smuggest grin on his face, looking like he could care less that a wizard was closing his account, that was until he heard the name Potter.

Still glancing over his shoulder watching Dobby walking towards him, Harry watched the Goblin fall right off his chair and vanished behind the counter with a thud. With a huge smile spreading across his face, Harry waited until Dobby was by his side before continuing his walk back to the main door.

The Goblin rushed around to the other side of the counter and practically tackled Harry to stop him from leaving. "Please Mister Potter, Do not leave, and for Heaven's sake….please do NOT close your accounts with Gringotts."

Harry startled by the Goblin grabbing him around his legs, Harry was about to say something when the Goblin was lifted off of Harry by force and flew a cross the floor, landing close to the very counter that he worked at. Not knowing who or why the Goblin was attacked, Harry withdrew his wand, crouching down in attack mode, ready for anything. As a few of the Goblins started to surround Harry with menacing looks, Harry realized, he was in serious trouble. Standing up and stowing away his wand in a gesture that clearly spoke he meant to do no harm, The Goblins still closed in looking even more menacing.

Harry nervously spoke, "I mean you no harm, I didn't attack the Branch Manager's assistant, I…," but Harry was cut off by Dobby who suddenly appeared in front of Harry with a very protective look on his face that Harry hadn't seen before. " It was I who attacked the Branch Manager's assistant, I wouldn't have had to if he would have maintained a professional distance from my Master."

The Goblins, not slowing down or backing off, kept approaching, closing in on Dobby now that they had a confession on who attacked one of their own. Still standing in a protective stance in front of Harry, raising both hands, a greenish gold shield, leapt forth from Dobby's hands and formed around himself and Harry just before a plethora of spells left from the Goblins, heading straight for Harry and Dobby.

Harry attempted to dive and roll away in order to dodge the majority of the spells, that was until he realized he couldn't move. Every single spell that was shot at them was easily deflected away, slamming against counters and desks as paper flew everywhere and smashed up wood chips scattered across the lobby entrance.

Dobby, who wasn't the least bit tired at the magical outburst he just released, just continued standing there, shield held firmly in place, looking so fierce that Harry feared anyone who crossed Dobby's path at that moment. The Goblins just stood there amazed, that a single House Elf could stop at least twenty powerful Goblins with such ease, this scared the Goblins to no end.

The Goblins hesitated, worried that this powerful House Elf was going to go on the offensive, The Goblins started to slowly retreat until a loud deep voice interrupted the scene, startling everyone at the newcomers sudden appearance. Immediately all the Goblins dropped to their knees as the newcomer spoke again. "What in Glabrock's name is going on in here?"

Harry, who turned in the direction of the strangers voice, realized immediately that this was the Branch Manager of Gringotts. Thinking hard, trying to figure a way out of this mess, Harry began to put a plan together in his head and was about to speak when he was interrupted by the Branch Manager.

"Mister Potter, my most humble apologizes," as he waved his right hand, the twenty Goblins rose up into the air and flew in a single file line, flat against the wall. Being held against the wall by force, the Goblins just grunted painfully as the Branch Manager spoke again. "Borak…" the Branch Manager's assistant flew Over from where he was lying on the floor from Dobby's attack, to right in front of the Branch Manager. "Can you explain to me why you approved stage four of our defenses against one of our most honorable clients? I would hate to have to kill you Borak, good assistants are so hard to find these days."

Harry just standing there with Dobby in front of him decided to intervene on behalf of Borak. "Dobby, release the shield" Harry said forcefully. As Dobby instantly did what he was ordered, Harry calmly walked up to stand in front of the Branch Manager before speaking again.

"I am truly sorry for causing so much trouble, but this was all just one big misunderstanding. I will admit that those warriors you have here," as Harry waved his hand to mention the twenty Goblins that were still crunched flat against the wall, "were a little to eager to attack. I clearly stated that I meant no harm and had lowered my wand, if they bothered to do a little investigating, they would have clearly discovered that I'm no threat to the Goblins.

But as for Borak, He was a little incapacitated to give any such order to attack me, and for that I am completely to blame. My friend here, ( as Harry waved his hand back towards Dobby) mistakenly judged Borak's eagerness for violence, and as we can see here, (waving his hand in a sweeping motion across the Lobby) he is quite protective of me. As I take full responsibility for the actions of my friend, I would like to pay for all the repairs that are needed."

The Branch Manager Whiplock, was a little surprised, but only a little, as he had heard remarkable stories about the young wizard standing before him. "I thank you for your honesty and integrity Mister Potter, but your gold is not needed to fix this, do I have your permission to deal with the punishments of my warriors, or would you like to handle those matters personally?" asked Whiplock.

" No thank you, I am confident that you will get the message across clearly," replied Harry. "As you wish Mister Potter, now that we cleared all this mess up, why don't we retire to my office to discuss further business, Borak clean this mess up and bring us some drinks, This way Mister Potter." Whiplock motioned the way to his office. As Harry and Dobby followed towards Whiplocks office, they could hear Borak yelling at the Goblin warriors, slapping and kicking them as they passed by him.

Harry walked into Whiplock's office and took a seat at the elaborate oak desk, with Dobby standing behind him. As Whiplock sat down in his chair, Harry motioned for Dobby to sit next to him. "So Mister Potter, what can Gringotts do for you today" began Whiplock. "Please Mister Branch Manager Whiplock, Just call me Harry." "Only if you call me Whiplock" said the Branch Manager with a smirk. "Deal" Harry answered quickly "Now on to the business, I am sure you are aware that I am the last and sole heir to the Potter throne, as such it is written that I can not claim my position as Head of the House of Potter until I turn seventeen. Thus granting me access only to my trust vault until such time."

Whiplock simply nodded as his hands came together at the fingers as his elbows rested on his desk. Harry Continued, " It is also written that such age guidelines can be removed by a Branch Manager or a Goblin Council Member upon extraordinary circumstances."

Whiplock nodded as he could see where Harry was going with this, "Might I ask, why the rush? You have plenty of gold in your trust vault and you do turn 17 in a year or so?" asked Whiplock. " The Rush…well how many sixteen year olds do you know who are marked for death by Voldermort personally and live to see seventeen?" Harry answered with a bit of annoyance, before he continued. " All I'm saying is that I know Voldermort is coming after me, you know that he is coming after me, the entire wizarding world knows he is coming after me, and when that time comes, I want to be as ready as I can be. I'm not sure, but something tells me that Voldermort won't wait until I turn seventeen to come after me, would you?"

"You do have a point there Mister Potter, and by me granting you Lord ship and full access to your vaults, you could use the vast amounts of weaponry and protective armor in your vaults to help your mission. Is this what you were hoping for?"

Harry slightly bowed his head with embarrassment as he spoke just above a whispering level, "Well actually Sir, I have never been told the contents of my family's vault, that's actually part of my problem, I am tired of having no control over my own life! As it seems I may not have much of one left after very long, what little time I have left, I plan to make the most of it and answer to no one!"

As Harry finished, the shy and embarrassed look on his face had completely disappeared, replaced with a fierceness that Whiplock had rarely seen in a wizard, especially as young as Mister Potter. "I would do the same as you in your position Mister Potter and I apologize for your lack of information where Gringotts is concerned, but just to clarify Mister Potter Your Family has Vaults, five of them to be specific, not to mention the three Black Family vaults that were left to you by your Godfather Sirius Black."

At the mention of Sirius' name, Harry felt a stabbing pain in his chest, but he suppressed it. " So, am I to assume that you agree that my case is extraordinary and that you are going to grant me Lordship and access to all, (pausing for he could hardly believe he had so many), nine vaults?"

"Yes Mister….Harry, I am" said Whiplock as he laid out a rather old looking parchment in front of Harry and asked, "Can you please place three drops of blood on this parchment and sign your full name at the bottom of this form please Harry."

As Harry began to do what was asked he had a thought, "I am curious Whiplock, who has had access to my family vaults and has any gold been withdrawn from my accounts other then for my schooling?"

Picking up the parchment Harry just signed with his blood absorbed into it, Whiplock formed a toothy grin. "Congratulations Lord Harry Potter Black, now that you are granted ownership of all nine vaults, I can easily access that information for you."

As Whiplock was rifling through some paperwork on his desk, Borak entered the office with a tray of drinks that he set down on the corner of Whiplocks desk. Turning so he could address Harry, Borak asked: "What would the young Mister like to drink? Pumpkin juice perhaps?" But before Harry could reply, Dobby interrupted. "Lord Potter-Black would like a glass of your best fire whiskey, make that two."

Harry, who was completely shocked by Dobby's assertive behavior, couldn't help but smile, why not, he thought, I am of age now. "Excellent call my good friend" said Harry as he lightly patted Dobby on the back. "As you wish Lord Potter-Black" Borak replied as he quickly vanished from Whiplocks office.

"Ahhh here it is, the only person besides yourself who has had access to your accounts was Albus Dumbledore, and as of today he has taken one million, six hundred thousand gallons from your accounts." Said Whiplock still looking down reading off the parchment.

At hearing this piece of information, Harry became visibly upset. "Does he still have access to my vaults or can I remove him from gaining access?" Said Harry as he was slowly grinding his teeth to keep his temper from boiling. "The moment you signed those Lordship papers, all keys, access, and knowledge of your vaults contents have been removed from Mister Dumbledore's memory.

This news brought a small smile back to Harry's face, as Borak re-entered the office with Harry's Fire Whisky. Handing Harry and Dobby their drinks, Whiplock picked his drink up and offered a toast. "Let us drink, to Lord Potter-Black and his new found independence," as Harry, Dobby, and Whiplock brought their glasses together before downing the liquid fire. Harry felt a wave of warmth spread through his entire body. "Now that's what I'm talking about!" said Harry as he slammed his glass down on the tray. Dobby mimicking Harry, slammed his glass down on the tray next to Harry's.

Harry, who was laughing quietly at Dobby's strange behavior, addressed Whiplock once again. "I think I have taken enough of your valuable time for tonight Whiplock, but I do have one final request." Whiplock gave a toothy grin and replied, "you want to visit your vaults?"

"No actually, I was wondering if there was some way that I could withdraw gold from one of my vaults without coming to a Gringotts location?" Smiling, Whiplock opened his desk drawer and removed a small black muggle wallet with a gold letter G on the cover. "Use this, just place you thumb over the gold G emblem, and think of how much money you need. It can be in Gold or any kind of muggle currency, it is protected and can only be used by you."

Taking it from Whiplock, Harry was in awe. "This is perfect, how come I have never seen one before?" Laughing at Harry, Whiplock answered, "We only grant this privilege to our most wealthy of clients, and you Lord Potter-Black are our richest client. Do you have any idea how much gold you currently possess in your nine vaults?"

Not having a clue as to how much gold he owned, Harry took a guess, "A couple of million?" A huge Laugh escaped Whiplock's mouth and after several seconds he slowed down enough to get a few words out, "A few million, maybe in your trust vault Lord Potter-Black."

"What happened to calling me just Harry?" "Well just Harry, Here is a list of your holdings in the five Potter vaults and the one Trust vault, as you can see you are a very wealthy young wizard. We will have to meet at another time to discuss the contents of your Black vaults. I assume that Dumbledore did not inform you of the will reading that is to take place in two weeks time?"

"No he didn't, in fact, I haven't heard from anyone from the wizarding world since I left Hogwarts weeks ago." "I see" said Whiplock, "well, I for one will make sure that I inform you directly of any information from here on out."

Taking the parchment from Whiplock, Harry flipped a few pages and glanced down at the bottom line that showed his Potter vaults total holdings. Harry had to blink several times and he feared he was going to pass out. "I….I….I mean…. I thought I had….I….?" Completely bewildered, Whiplock just smiled. "Like I said before….you are Gringotts most wealthy customer." Whiplock said with a smirk.

Still a little gob smacked after finding out he was one of the richest people in all of England, Harry finally stood up with Dobby following suit. "Just one final thing, as you are aware, Dobby here speaks on my behalf and he will be handling certain business issues for me. I do expect him to be treated as I would be, I simply state this for the safety of your fellow Goblin warriors, you don't want to see Dobby upset."

At hearing this, Dobby lowered his head with a slight blush flashing across his face. "I was curious, did you by chance perform some sort of wizard oath with Mister Dobby?" Whiplock asked. "I might have, why do you ask? Said Harry. "It is something that Goblins are known for, we can see through polly juice potion and we can see various wizard bonds and oaths. I merely ask because, I can see the bond between you and Dobby, and it is one of the strongest I have ever seen."

"Just one more advantage for team Potter against Voldermort isn't it?" As another huge smile spread across Whiplock's face he said: "I am definitely pulling for Team Potter as you say, and if there is anything else I could do for you, just stop by. I'm sure Borak will send you right in without provoking another situation."

Both Harry and Whiplock laughed at that, as Whiplock stood and escorted Dobby and Harry to the lobby. Walking through the hallway and entering the lobby, Harry noticed several Goblins along the way that all bowed their heads to not just Whiplock, but to Harry and Dobby as well. Harry thought he would ask Whiplock about this the next time they met.

As they reached the exit into Diagon Alley, Whiplock stopped and shook hands with Harry and then to Dobby. "I will send notice to you in regards to the Black will reading, until then, take care of yourself Lord Potter-Black."

"Thank You again Branch Manager Whiplock, I truly appreciate all that you have done for me. If there is anything that Lord Potter-Black can do for Gringotts, you just let me know, until we meet again sir."

Exiting Gringotts, Harry realized that they were in the bank longer then he expected to be and all the shops in Daigon Alley were all closed. "Well we will have to finish phase two tomorrow Dobby, what do you say we pick up some food and head back to Privet Drive." "As you wish Master," and with a almost silent pop, they were gone.