Not My Magical World
Chapter 3
Callisto and Harry exited Gnome and Sons. Calisto tilted her head back, sniffing the air, a file tucked tightly under her arm. Tilting her head forward, she glanced at Harry, "Isn't it amazing how clear and clean the air is here even though we're in the city."
Harry tucked his hands into the pockets of his brown leather jacket, "We're only partially in the city; this is a pseudo-pocket dimension overlaid over existing buildings. Only those with magic or that know the way in can enter."
Moving over to a nearby bench, the two sat down, and Callisto ran her hands over the polished wood as Harry watched the people move about. "So," he began, "what are you going to do now?"
"Honestly, that depends on you. Did you take care of Norman?"
"He won't remember you or the work he did for you."
"What about you?"
"He'll remember me; I may have some use for him in the future."
"Well then," Calisto cleared her throat and stood to her feet, "I guess this is where we part ways, huh?"
Harry looked at her, "It doesn't have to be, but I think it's for the best for now."
Callisto nodded, "Probably, it's been a long time since I lived within the law," she hefted the folder under her arm, "I need to look through this and see what kind of job I can get."
"More importantly, I need to find out who I am away from the Morlocks, and though I like you," a smirk curled one corner of her mouth, "I think trouble is going to follow you, and I don't need that right now."
Harry snorted, "With your skill set and temperament, you'll find trouble without my help." He stood to his feet, offering his hand to Calisto, "It was nice to meet you, Ms. Jones."
Callisto bit her lip and looked away before launching forward and wrapping her hands around Harry's neck, "You too, Mr. Potter," she whispered in his ear before pulling back. Without another word, she turned and began walking down the street.
Harry watched her go, his head cocked to one side, "I wonder if she knows how to get out?"
Shrugging, he turned on his heel and vanished in a flash of pale purple light.
–XX –
Appearing in the cabin sitting room, Harry crouched down and shifted into a cross-legged position before looking around the house, "I hope this works; I can't keep imposing on Robert's generosity."
Closing his eyes, Harry took a moment to steady his breathing. Once the tension in his shoulders faded and he was relaxed. He reached out with his mind in a direction; he felt more than he saw.
While growing up in Otherworld in his home dimension, Harry's mother, Lily, did not like how limiting Otherworld's curriculum was. Hence, she taught him how to enter the akashic plane, a realm where all knowledge was gathered.
As he thought about his mother, he remembered her warnings about the akashic plane. If the person venturing there did not have a strong mind and shape the knowledge in the realm into something they understood and could access, they would be lost and their consciousness forever shattered.
Releasing a breath, he focused on what he needed. He needed money, preferably hidden money. Knowledge began to whisper to him, but he couldn't understand it.
Gripping his knees, Harry focused on an image in his mind that would show him the location of his desire.
Blue light with streamers of gold shone through his closed eyes, filling his vision as his spirit was whisked elsewhere.
–XX –
Harry appeared in a small office. Bookcases lined the walls, packed with blue books with golden symbols or words written on the spines. A desk sat within arm's reach of him, a brown leather chair behind it.
There was no door, but a marble fireplace filled the far end of the space. Two more brown leather chairs sat facing each other with a small circular wooden table between them.
His gaze locked onto the chair, and his eyes burned with unshed tears as he stumbled forward. Collapsing into the chair, he stared at the other, his heart hammering in his chest. After a long moment, he released a breath, a single tear trailing down his cheek.
His mother helped him forge this place when she showed him the Akashic Plane. When he decided to enter the plane, Harry thought he would have to generate a new space, but finding the room he and his mother created together was a boon, even if it hurt not seeing her here with him.
Wiping the tear away, he reached out with his mind, hoping beyond all hope to feel her mental presence, but he found nothing. His mind flashed to falling into the darkness, his parents, Henry and Lily Potter, reaching for him as they all descended into the void.
Shaking his head, he rose to his feet and walked to the room's newest addition.
A globe sat beside his desk on the stand, each of its landmasses glowing a pale green. Spread out across the continents were ten glowing dots. Reaching forward, he poked one. His body froze as knowledge about a hidden treasure flowed through his mind. He spoke its name, slightly dazed by the information, "Riches of Captain Kidd."
Blinking, he pulled his hand away; he knew where to find the treasure, the realm of knowledge having recorded where the old pirate had left it.
Unbidden, his eyes flicked to the other spots, and a small smile spread across his face. "I hope time hasn't worn them away, but if it had, the realm of knowledge would record that."
Looking around, he tried to find a piece of paper to write the locations down. However, he only saw the books on runes, elemental manipulation, potions, alchemy, biology, temporal manipulation, gravity, and transmutation he had gathered on previous trips.
With a sigh, he concentrated on the treasure of Captain Kidd again, burning the location into his mind.
It would seem, in his time away. He forgot a rule of the realm of knowledge. The realm of knowledge could take the form of books so the inhabitant could better understand what was provided, but it couldn't produce objects that could leave the plane.
His mother had theorized that with the proper ritual, they could pull the knowledge gathered into mediums or maybe even pull the room they had created into reality, but they had never had the chance to test her theory. He closed his eyes as he thought, 'but we may never be able to put that theory to the test.'
Opening his eyes, he focused on another point on the globe. Maybe, if he gained enough money, he could test his mother's theory, "Fortune of jean Lafitte," he muttered.
–XX –
Around five hours later, Harry appeared in the arctic before two Spanish conquistador ships and a French vessel covered in a layer of seaweed. Their tattered sails flapped in the breeze. Chests of golden coins sat in the snow, their contents glistening in the sun's light.
Over the last five hours, he has gone to eight out of ten sites. Using telekinesis as a type of sonar, he found each treasure. With an image of his prizes, he teleported them to this location.
Slowly, he began walking around the collection of wealth, the layer of fire surrounding his body creating steam as it came in contact with the cool, damp air.
Steam burst from his mouth with each exhalation.
As he moved, he shot a stream of fire from his finger, carving runes into the snow. Once he completed the circle around the wealth he had gathered, he created a wider circle with fewer larger runes.
Floating into the air, he brought his hands together, and the runes he carved into the snow flared with a purple light. First, the circle he created folded in half, magical threads pulling the treasure into a crescent moon shape.
When the crescent shape formed, the second circle folded in the opposite direction, digging a trench in the snow as it came together. Slowly, the two half-moons came together, shifting as they connected to create a sphere with a flash of light. The shrunken globe dropped into his hand, thousands of runic symbols swirling around one another containing the minimized wealth.
–XX –
Harry strode into Gringotts Bank, his footsteps echoing off the marble floor as he veered towards an Ebony counter that ran the length of the room as the sunset at his back, painting the sky a pinkish orange.
Stepping into line, he slipped his hand into his jacket pocket, wrapping his fingers around the sphere within.
As the line moved forward, he looked around. About four more lines were running the length of the counter, but that didn't interest him. Where he had entered, a row of chairs sat. Every once in a while, what he assumed was a goblin would make his way to someone sitting in the chairs and lead them to a hallway.
From his vantage point, he could see the first couple of doors lining the hallway. Lamps mounted on the walls obscured the rest of its features with writhing shadows.
Taking another step forward, he focused on a goblin approaching the chairs. If you counted Rust Blood, this was only the second goblin he had seen.
The one he was eyeing now was shorter than Rust Blood, standing at 3'4".
He had the same pale leather-like skin and slanted yellow eyes.
His dark red hair was slicked back, drawing attention to his pointed ears.
He was dressed in a flowing white shirt, Brown vest, Brown trousers, and pointed black leather shoes.
His gaze snapped forward as someone cleared their throat. A sheepish smile spread across his face as he realized he was now standing before the counter, "Hello, my name is Harry Potter; I am here to open an account."
His smile became stiff as the goblin jerked at his name, her long thin fingers steepled as she looked at him, "Mr. Potter, we've been wanting to meet with you."
Harry glanced from side to side, eyeing every person in the bank. While he could escape, he didn't know how the goblins would react if he tried. Closing his eyes briefly, he felt with his senses, wondering if the protections around the bank could stop his teleportation.
Opening his eyes, he inclined his head to the goblin, deciding to hear them out instead of putting bystanders in the middle of a conflict, "Oh."
"Yes," the female goblin hopped down from the stool, leaving Harry with only a view of the top of her head, "Please Follow Me."
Harry followed her to an opening at the counter. Her long finger curled as she slipped through the space, beckoning him to follow. A step behind her, Harry took the chance to take in her features.
She was 3'2" tall, slender with wide hips, a visible bust, and a narrow face. Her white hair was pulled back into a ponytail, highlighting her pointed ears and high cheekbones.
Unlike the male goblin he had seen, she wore a long black wool coat that came down to mid-thigh.
She led him into the hallway, and he got his first look at the space.
Electric Lamps fashioned to look like gas lamps sat in the space between the doors. As they moved, Harry caught sight of nameplates fastened to the center of each entry.
Eventually, they stopped, the female goblin turned, and her wool coat shifted, revealing the grey blouse she wore along with a pair of tight jeans. She opened the door and gestured for Harry to go in.
Harry inclined his head and stepped forward, reaching out with his mind to check her intent.
Whatever was happening here, this woman had no desire to hurt him.
He glanced at the nameplate on the door as he moved into Conference Room III.
–XX –
Conference room three was a large room with a long wooden table. Each chair was ornate, having different scenes carved into its surface.
The walls of the room were smooth and painted a neutral white. A brief bit of power in his eyes let him see the protections inlaid into them. Staring at the protections, he wondered if they imbued them into the wall as they smoothed it, placed them in afterward, or put them in the paint.
Pulling out the chair at the far end of the table, it scraped across the obsidian floor. Stepping back, Harry gestured to the chair.
The female goblin shook her head, "I'm not the one you'll be meeting with."
Harry's lips twisted into a frown as he moved into the chair, "Can you at least tell me what this is about?" His pupils flared purple as he peered into her mind while she spoke.
The female goblin hesitated briefly before speaking slowly, "You completed an outstanding contract for Gringotts. We honor our contracts, so you are here to collect the reward."
"I don't know anything about a contract or a reward; I'm just here to open an account."
The female goblin inclined her head, "Whether you knew it or not, you completed the contract, and Gringotts always honors its debts." The woman turned to leave, and the small Golden earrings in her pointed ears caught the light.
"Wait!"
The woman paused in the doorway.
"What is your name?"
The woman glanced over her shoulder, a hint of surprise in her slanted yellow eyes, "Clarice Glitterstone."
"Well, Clarice, thank you for your assistance today. If I may ask, is the person I'm going to meet able to help me open an account?"
Clarice straightened and turned to face him, "he will be able to. How much are you putting in your account today?"
Harry shook his head, pulling the runic ball from his pocket, "I honestly don't know, I went treasure hunting and got lucky, but I'm not exactly sure how much is in here."
Clarice nodded, "Crimson Coin will be able to help you, Mr. Potter. Have a good day." With a dip of her head, Clarice left the room.
As the door shut, Harry spun the runic ball in his fingers. He knew exactly what everything in the orb was worth, thanks to a liberal use of telepathy allowing him to check the current price of gold and silver, but let's see if the goblins would be honest with him.
He glanced at the wall; he would read the goblin's mind. Once he had a measure of the man, he wouldn't allow him to speak the value. The walls obviously had ears
–XX –
Thirty minutes later, a goblin strode into the room, and Harry tensed. The magic radiating from this goblin was similar to Rust Blood's.
Harry's pupils flashed purple as he took in the goblin's features and the aura around his body.
He was 3'6" tall with narrow features, broad shoulders, and copper-colored hair. His pupils were round, unlike the vertical pupil of his fellow goblins, and he wore a black suit accented by a reddish-brown button-down shirt the color of dried blood.
Harry rose to his feet and turned to face the goblin but made no move to approach, "Crimson Coin, I presume?" The goblin inclined his head, and Harry noticed his ears weren't his pointed as the other goblins.
"That's right."
"Rust Blood was your kin," it wasn't a question; it was a statement.
"He was."
"Are you here to kill me?"
Crimson coin shook his head, moving around to sit at the other end of the table, "no, my nephew killed a lot of goblins and used blood magic to take their strength and talents. I am sad he's dead, but he needed to be removed; he was too dangerous to leave out in the world."
Harry followed Crimson coin's movements but did not retake his seat. "So," he folded his arms behind his back, "what happens now?"
His yellow eyes stared into Harry's. "Now, I'll give you the $100,000 reward, and we'll set up your account."
"$100,000 for one man!"
"He killed a lot of goblins. As you can imagine, their families were displeased. As thanks for your services to them, they have agreed to pay the taxes, so you get the full amount. Gringotts will deposit the money in your account once it is set up now," Crimson coin gestured to the seat Harry had vacated, "Sit, and we can get started. Time is money, after all."
Once Harry was seated, Crimson coin leaned forward, his hands folded in front of him, "Now, to open an account with Gringotts, we will need certain information. Unlike banks in the mundane world, we are a sovereign nation, a combination between an embassy and Switzerland."
"That means you offer services that a typical bank would not, correct?"
Crimson coin grinned, "For the right price, almost anything is available."
"From what I am learning, Gringotts handles the acquisition of properties, items, and information for the magical world."
"That's right," Crimson coin's eyes narrowed, "where are you getting this information from?"
'From your mind,' Harry thought. Out loud, he said, "I have my sources."
"You are correct. We also work with Gnome & Sons to make investments, but we're getting off-topic," he stretched his hand forward, palm up, "To open an account with us, I'm going to need certain information."
Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a small folder covered in moving runes. With a thought, the rune shattered, releasing Moats of purple light into the air as the folder enlarged back to its standard size.
Flipping it open, he looked through the information provided by Norman. Pulling out two sheets of paper, he slid them across to Crimson Coin.
Crimson coin picked up the papers and tapped them together before scanning each carefully, "Everything looks to be in order. We will have the bounty transferred into the account and mail you the necessary documents to access your account. Is there anything else?"
"Clarice Glitterstone told me you can appraise items. I recently came across some treasure and would like to have it deposited in my account. I would also like to use this to acquire certain properties and a home for myself."
Crimson coin set the papers down, "I can do that. Of course, I need to see what you have to appraise it."
Removing the orb from his pocket, Harry set it on the table, "I trust you can appraise the value of an item in a minimized condition. Enlarging it to its normal size could," he paused, glancing around the room, "get messy."
"That won't be a problem."
Harry rolled the orb across the table with a flick of his wrist.
Crimson coin snatched it up, his long fingers wrapping around it. Red light shone from between his fingers as he stared at his fist.
"Do you use blood magic as well?"
Crimson coin raised his free hand; one finger extended, "No, now, Shh."
Silence settled in the room.
As it stretched on, Crimson coin's eyes widened. He glanced up at Harry and then looked back down at the orb before his fingers went slack, and the sphere rolled to the center of the table before going still. "There is about…."
Harry raised his hand, "I know exactly how much it's worth. Let's discuss what you can do for me and your cut."
A grin stretched across Crimson coin's face, showing serrated teeth and overly pronounced canines, "Gringotts can, of course, set up an account for you and, with the help of gnome and sons, create a Backstory that will make suspicion impossible. Of course, something like that would be expensive and time-consuming, and we would need at least fifteen percent."
"Ha, pull the other one. I'll give you three percent; that's 83 million and change. If you don't like it, I'll speak to gnome and sons directly. I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard for Mr. Newman to make the money appear as if I inherited it from the original Potters."
A scowl spread across Crimson coin's face, "You are very well informed."
Harry gave him a deadpan look, "It pays to be when people try to give you the shaft."
"We'll need more money, it is a lot of paperwork, and as you know, Mr. Newman's services aren't cheap. Give us seven percent."
"I'll give you four."
"Five."
Harry raised his gaze to the ceiling, staring at the square section of glass in the center that flooded the room with light. "I'll give you 4.5 percent, but Gringotts must sign a blood contract stating that Gringotts will always get me the best deal on the properties and investments I desire."
Crimson coin's yellow eyes shifted to the side, "I don't think a blood contract is necessary."
"I think it is; you tried to overcharge me. Besides, 4.5 percent is 90 million and change. I'm sure gnome and sons will be glad to take the money. With the money, they may not even need Gringotts anymore after they work their magic."
"Fine," Crimson coin spat and rose to his feet, "I'll have someone draw up the paperwork."
"No need," Harry reached into his folder, "I visited gnome and sons early this morning on unrelated business; I had them draw up a contract while I was there. That won't be a problem since you work closely with them anyway, right?"
"No," Crimson coin said through gritted teeth as he flopped back down into his chair, "not at all."
Crimson coin's yellow eyes scanned the document, "It says here whoever becomes your account manager will get two percent of whatever money they make."
"That is correct."
"Well, I would be more than happy to…."
Harry raised his hand, "I don't think that would be a good idea. After all, I did kill your relative, and you've already tried to cheat me once."
Crimson coin slammed his hands onto the table, "Then who did you have in mind!"
"Let's get Clarice Glitterstone back in here." She was brilliant and driven from what he had seen of her mind.
The only thing holding her back was the lack of family connections. She was also honest, but that could be because of her half-human nature.
Less than five minutes later, Clarice Glitterstone hesitantly stepped into the room, "You wanted to see me, sir."
"Yes," Crimson coin began angrily, "Mr. Potter has decided you will be his new account manager."
Clarice's eyes widened, "Really?"
Harry nodded solemnly, "Yes, I regret that Crimson coin and I can't work together, a conflict of interest, you see. Since you are the only other goblin I knew, I thought it would give you a chance. Are you interested?"
Clarice nodded eagerly, her eyes still wide, "yes, yes, of course."
Crimson coin pushed the contract towards Clarice, "Place a bloody thumbprint here. The magic in the contract will transform it into your signature."
Clarice cut a small nick on her thumb using one of her serrated teeth. As she placed it on the contract, the contract glowed, pulling a bit of magic from her as the blood shifted into her name on the signature line.
Crimson coin pushed the contract towards Harry, and he placed his thumb on the signature line. Purple light flared from his skin and formed his name.
Crimson coin pulled the contract to him and stood stiffly, "If that is all, I will get this filed." Without looking back, he strode out of the room.
Once the door shut, Harry turned to Clarice as a layer of pale purple energy covered the walls. "I trust you can use your precognitive abilities to find suitable investments to make us money."
Clarice's eyes widened, "How did you…."
Harry cut her off, "You're not the only one with special gifts," he tapped his temple, "now, can you do it?"
Clarice moved to sit in the chair beside him, "I've never tried it before, but I think so."
"Good," he handed her a slip of paper, "I want you to buy these properties."
Clarice took the paper and looked it over, "The old Potter Manor," she glanced at him.
"No relation. I thought it would be funny to own a previously owned home by another set of Potters."
Clarice nodded, her eyes scanning farther down the list, a slight frown making its way onto her features when she looked at him again. "You realize the rest of these properties are landfills, right?"
"Yes, I have plans for them."
"Okay," Clarice said, drawing out the word, "is there anything else?"
"Yes, I need an artificer to enact my plan with the landfills. Do you know anyone?"
Clarice leaned back in her chair, and her eyes glowed briefly. "Yes, there are two brothers that can help you."
"Good," he gestured to the runic ball in the center of the table. "Can you handle that?" He asked, rising to his feet.
Clarice grabbed the sphere, "of course, I'm the one that gets the five percent of what's in here, right."
Harry shrugged, "You're the one that signed the contract, so it goes to you."
"Excellent."