Author's Note: Hey everyone. I've heard a couple of you have concerns with the dynamic between Harry and Hermione, if I could get a few opinions from you all just send me a message. What else? I'm working on chapter 10 right this minute. But I confess its proving a little difficult to get right, so there will definitely be a Chapter 9 tomorrow, but maybe not a chapter 10 until I release the next bundle. As ever I'd love recommendations for FFs, I read a ton so I go through them pretty fast.
Chapter 8: Negotiations
Harry walked into the lobby of the bank a few minutes later to find that Madam Director Bones had arrived early, and was standing tapping her foot irritably as she stood waiting under the watch of Goblin soldiers.
Ragnok must have wished to present an impression of security because the temple to money was crawling with soldiers and security guards. At virtually ever corner of the large room stood Goblin warriors in full armour, brandishing Halberds and scimitars. He spotted archers in the shadows along the upper balconies. Even the more typical guards were now wearing goblin made breastplates and bearing stun batons in addition to their usual wands.
She spotted him as he and his small group approached. "Ah, Lord Potter, I see you decided to bring some friends, hello again miss Granger, miss Smith…" She said nodding to each in turn, before looking to the two adults. "Ah, , I'm afraid you look a little worse for wear following your incarceration, it appears Dumbledore has been holding out on the ministry though, as to your location that is." She said smiling crookedly at the nervous looking marauder.
She then turned her attention to Tonks, frowning slightly. "Auror Tonks, I need to speak with you, if you could stop by my office later tonight?" She asked though her tone suggested it wasn't really a suggestion. Tonks nodded hesitantly in agreement. "Good, thank you for your assistance with the incident site by the way."
"No problem boss…" Tonks said feeling slightly less nervous.
Director Bones turned her grey blue eyes on Harry and frowned slightly, "I wish to apologize Lord Potter, I was less delicate than we had agreed when I questioned you," She admitted. "But I felt I had a duty to be so, especially in light of the information you were providing." She explained but still sounding remorseful.
Harry considered that, he honestly hadn't been bothered by it, somehow having some of those facts out there, was oddly liberating. He eventually nodded, "I understand, you had a lead on the nature of Wizarding enemy number one, how could you not go after it?" He said shrugging it off. She smiled gratefully, and he sighed as he got himself back on track. "Now I understand you wished to discuss something, would you like to move to a more private setting?" He asked.
She nodded briskly. "Considering, that may be wise." She agreed.
It took them a couple minutes to arrange it but they eventually found themselves standing in a small conference room. Harry standing across the table from the Director of the DMLE and her bodyguards. "So what was it you wished to discuss?" He asked leaning on the edge of the table.
She looked at him seriously for a moment. "Harry, may I call you Harry? Did you nominate me for Minister or was that more of Rita's usual theatrics?" She asked.
Harry nodded, "Yeah, I prefer my first name to my title. As for your question? That was Rita, all I said was that you were the only big wig present who impressed me." He explained and she smiled thinly before sighing.
"That would explain it," She agreed, and started pacing. "But I had to call a meeting in case, this wasn't the case. Harry…your voice carries more weight than perhaps you fully understand just yet. When you offer a statement intended as a compliment, the press and through them the Wizarding world, including your rivals will see it as an endorsement." She chastised. "You are the last scion of a Most Ancient and Most Noble House. Not just any house by the way, the last descendants of the Peverells. Perhaps the next best thing to being descended from Merlin himself or one of the founders. Your blood carries more weight than just about any other currently speaking. That's an incredible amount of power for a teenage boy to wield…or anyone really," She explained.
Harry nodded understanding, those with him looked one variety of speculative or another. "I will definitely be more cautious going forward. I don't aspire to that kind of power. I don't want that sort of power." he assured her.
She bobbed her head and continued to pace. "I have a couple questions which didn't really fit the tone of the trial Harry, I'd like to ask them now if you would bear with me?" She requested.
Harry nodded and waved for her to go ahead. "Harry, how did you become such an accomplished duelist? Despite the tragicness of what occurred in that alley I must say I am impressed with your combat abilities, enough so that I find it strange that any fifteen year old still learning the basics of magic at Hogwarts could manage it." She confessed.
Harry chuckled. "You learn how to fight properly, fast, when you're me. I've got the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters after me," He said bitterly. "Necessity may be the mother of invention, but its also the driving force behind what I do to survive."
Madam Bones smirked darkly in response. "I don't believe I've ever heard that saying before, Necessity is the mother of invention you say? I'll have to remember that…as to the other? I must credit your survival instincts then. Many would be hard pressed to survive what you did let alone emerge victorious." She explained. "You, from what I've seen of that alley and your memories, you, could practically teach Defence Against the Dark Arts yourself." She noted.
Harry smiled thinly shaking his head ruefully. In someways I already have, you just don't, and can't, know that. He thought to himself.
He heard a chuckled behind him and turned his head to look to Kara, "You know Harry, that's not a terrible idea, I can think of worse people to teach a little self defence." She said smiling wickedly at him. "It's almost like you're meant for it." Harry snorted thinking of his mission directives.
"Hang on, are you two planning something?" Hermione asked watching the byplay as Amelia watched them all carefully…
Harry shrugged. "I've considered opening a defence tutoring group, it's basically just an idle thought at this point," He said dismissively.
"So long as you aren't teaching them how to throw Bone Shattering Curses and the like, I think that may be a better idea than you think," The director noted smirking. "Now, as It's nearly the end of the lunch hour I should really leave and get a head start on some paper work, do try to stay out of trouble Harry," She instructed firmly before stalking to the door.
Hermione waited till she had left the room, "Were you serious about that Harry? Considering what our other DADA teachers have been like, that may not be a terrible idea…"
He chuckled. "I was serious, I may do it anyways, even if we have a half decent teacher, I don't know that Dumbledore is going to like the idea though," He noted glancing to Sirius and Tonks. "But that's a question for another day, we have some time before the Greengrasses show, we can grab some food before they arrive." He noted, opening the door and holding it for the others. Hermione looked to her friend and worried, the Harry she thought she had known was ever shifting in her view. He was stiff and formal one moment, and amicable the next, but he had a hardness now that hadn't been their before the summer break. It was as if he'd aged a decade while she wasn't looking. As she looked at him she tried to gauge how much he'd changed as they walked out into the alley. But even when she tried to just gauge the physical changes the maths were all off. Things simply weren't adding up. What had Harry been doing to change like this? She wondered in frustration.
—
Harry ended up having to leave for the bank early, apparently wishing to check some things to do with his accounts. He was trailed by Tonks and Sirius, leaving Hermione and Kara to browse the shops in the vicinity of the bank. Hermione was getting tired of just wandering aimlessly. "So, what do you need for school that you don't already have?" She asked eventually.
Kara gave a sheepish grin. "I don't know really, I've got a wand, but I never got a shopping list of any kind."
Hermione nodded. "We don't get our book lists until closer to when we need to go to Hogwarts. But there are some basics you will need, robes, a wand, thankfully you've got that covered…A familiar? Do you even want a familiar?" She asked speculatively. She didn't know Kara well enough to judge whether or not the girl favoured pets like some students did.
Kara looked at her speculatively. "You mean like Harry's owl, or your cat?" She asked.
Hermione nodded hurriedly in agreement. "Yes, though some people favour toads or rodents." She pointed out.
"Dogs?" Kara asked curious.
Hermione gave a start, she'd never heard of a canine familiar, she couldn't help but wonder why. "I've never heard of a dog familiar at Hogwarts…" She noted confused.
Kara shrugged, "Sure I wouldn't mind taking a look, I won't necessarily get anything today though," She hedged nervously.
"You don't need to get anything at all if you don't want to." Hermione noted dryly.
They wandered into Eeylops Owl Emporium & Magical Menagerie, to take a look at the critters present, Hermione wandered away from the transfixed American and up to the clerk at the desk in order to satisfy her recently sparked curiosity, "Excuse me?" She asked trying to catch the attention of the bored looking woman.
The woman looked up at her from her rumpled copy of Witch Weekly, "Yes?" She droned disinterestedly.
"I was wondering, do you know why there are no Dog familiars?" She asked uncertainly.
The woman looked a bit surprised, and vaguely more interested to get a question which didn't involve directions to the washroom. "There are, it just not legal to sell them to students under seventh year at Hogwarts." She said simply, looking over her glasses at the bushy haired teenager. "Why?" She asked skeptically.
"I was just curious, Dogs are very popular pets, so I wondered why I'd never seen one at Hogwarts." Hermione explained as she watched Kara bobbing her head at a bird she couldn't see and laughing to herself. "But you mentioned seventh years can, why not younger students?" She asked intently.
The clerk dug through her brain for the infrequently used tidbit of knowledge. "Its because of the way dogs are already symbiotically adapted to Humans, it makes them particularly powerful and intelligent familiars, but it also makes them exceptionally…sensitive, to mistreatment?" She said trying to find a way to put it. "The intelligence enhancement regimens that are worked into the breeding make them sentient, or the dog equivalent of it, but people have the nasty habit of treating them like…crap, despite warnings, why?" She asked.
Hermione blinked at her and nodded rueful understanding, she could definitely see that. People treated animals horrifically fairly routinely, the animals being more intelligent did little to reduce the incidence of this in her experience. She nodded sadly as Kara walked up burdened by something which rattled. "Thank you, I was just curious," She turned and was surprised to find herself, nose to nose…or rather nose to beak with very large Raven which was blinking at her a serious expression on its face as it cocked its head at her and croaked.
She was surprised, this was definitely a first, even for her. "Uh—Are you sure you don't want a cat?" She asked weakly. The Raven contrived to look offended.
Kara barked a sarcastic laugh from behind the cage. "Not a chance, I've met Crookshanks, he's got more than enough feline attitude to be getting on with. Besides me and Huginn have already reached an understanding."
The Raven bobbled its head scowling at Hermione. Hermione was vexed by this statement, she knew Harry seemed to have a supernatural ability to communicate with Hedwig, but… "Er, an understanding?" She asked weakly.
Kara put the cage on the counter before a doubtful looking clerk. "Yup, I let him pick his name, he didn't like Quoth or Muninn by the way, and told him if he didn't crap on me I'd let him ride on my shoulder occasionally and scare the bejeebers out of people. Also watch this," She turned to look seriously at the bird, "Huginn? Ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for…" She led, and the Raven shrieked in response.
"THEEE! THEEE!" It said happily bobbling its head.
"Someone went and taught him that before putting him up for sale, now if that's not awesome I don't know what is." Kara said smiling brightly.
Hermione squinted skeptically at the enthusiastic girl. "Alright, why Huginn?" She asked eventually.
"Odin All Father, had a pair of ravens which acted as messengers and a magical pair of eyes. They were called Huginn and Muninn." Kara relayed petting the preening bird.
She noticed the funny looks she was getting. "What? I can know stuff too you know," She said looking a bit hurt. The bird was scowling at Hermione again.
Hermione realized she'd just unintentionally insulted Harry's new friend. "I'm sorry, it's just I wasn't expecting you to come out with facts about Norse Mythology." She admitted feeling remorse for hurting the girls feelings. "What courses are you taking? Or have you decided yet?" She asked uncertainly.
Kara decided to accept the apology. "Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, DADA, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes and History of Magic." She listed off.
Hermione was surprised. "Not Divination, Arithmancy, Astronomy or any of the others?" She asked filling in the blanks in her mind about the girl in front of her.
Kara snorted. "No, I've got more than enough to catch up on without those don't you think?" She noted sourly.
Hermione watched as Kara dished out the galleons Harry had provided her with for shopping, a generosity Hermione wasn't entirely sure she understood, another idiosyncrasy she'd seen in her friend. Not that Harry wasn't generous, but still… "How much did they teach you in the coven?" She asked as they made their way outside.
Kara snorted and barked a laugh, which the Raven imitated bobbing its head. "Pretty much jack shit all. I was basically told, "Congratulations you have magic…we're gonna send you to Hogwarts now…" She said sarcastically.
Hermione blinked startled. "What do you mean? You found out you had magic and then got sent across the planet for schooling? What about your home, your friends, your family?" She asked shocked.
"They won't miss me," Kara noted coldly. Hermione came to a halt and stared at the girl who sighed irritably. "I never got along with my parents, my memories of where I used to live are shitty, and I have no intention of going back, I've got all my belongings in this world back at Grimmauld, I'm hoping to make some friends I can stay with next summer." She admitted.
Hermione had seen Kara's small pile of belongings. She couldn't believe that was everything the girl had. "What about the coven?"
"Didn't really get to know anyone in my short time there. Plus they kinda had as little to do with me as possible, I wasn't one of them and they only put me up and provided for me enough to keep to the international statute of secrecy, Hogwarts was the only one who would provide a scholarship." Kara replied easily. "It's one of the few major laws beside those about capitol crimes and those against murder and rape and such that they actually listened to." She listed off simply. Hermione was listening with rapt attention. "They're independent you see, what I mean to say, is that the do not recognize the authority of the American Magical Senate. If I can say one thing for the Newark New Jersey Coven, at least they aren't a bunch of angry revolutionaries like many of the independents." She admitted dryly.
Hermione goggled at her, her attention entirely focused on the information coming to her. "What is it like in America exactly, for magicals I mean?" Hermione hurried to ask, curiosity burning.
Kara considered that and guided her to a bench before starting in. "Why don't we grab a seat it may take a bit to explain all this." She suggested. "Alright here's the deal about Magical America as I understand it. Most magicals there, are, just like here, under command of the central authority, also known as the American Magical Senate. Problem is, that just like anywhere else there are people who don't like the way things are run on specific issues." She noted dryly. Hermione snorted rueful agreement, that was indeed nothing new. "They have a serious financial and social disparity problem. The rich who have become societies elite are essentially running roughshod over laws and people. There are racial tensions which I'll come back to. Then there's the disagreements over marriage laws, keep in mind America was a nation built by a multitude of pioneers of different faiths and nationalities right. Some practiced polyarmory or similar prior to moving to america, some of them regularly used arranged marriages and the like. And then of course there's the ever present debate over the right to wield the dark arts in defence of their land…Its a bloody awful mess." She saw Hermione was following so far. "Point and problem with all that? Those who don't agree simply go independent, the really nasty ones finding some unoccupied back water and setting up shop there and kill anyone who comes near. The government is so busy quashing violent rebel and militia groups that they can't be bothered with the peaceful ones, like the Newark Coven. So you get independents almost everywhere." Kara finished rolling her eyes and handing Huginn a bird treat which he gobbled greedily chortling to himself.
Hermione frowned "Do they have the whole blood purity and racial and gender equality issues they have here?" She asked.
Kara shrugged. "Yes, though to lesser degrees, like I say there's a ton of independents for different reasons. There are blood superiority extremists holed up in Georgia, Louisiana and Alabama. Old noble families from the old country you know. Constantly fighting ancient blood feuds." She explained.
Hermione frowned. "It sounds chaotic, I was hoping it was better there." She admitted.
"Nowhere's really better in my experience of the world," Kara noted jadedly. "Everywhere's just as screwed up as everywhere else. The big conflict the A.M.S is involved in right now, is with the Mexican Federale, it's making immigration from the south a mess, most just assume that if you look latin american you must be Mexican and therefore an invader. That's that racial tension I was talking about. They pass off the blood baths as drug wars and the like." Kara admitted darkly. "As I understand it its differences between the Mexican Blood Purist Nobility and the AMS rich elites. But I admit I didn't get all the details before we had to leave."
Hermione sighed. "I was hoping they ran things differently there and maybe we could hold them up as an example of how things could be." She admitted.
Kara was sympathetic. "Looking to remake your nation a bit?" She asked curious.
Hermione nodded tiredly. "There's so much work to do, but I can't even get started on it until Harry's mess is sorted out." She complained.
Kara shot her a look. "To be fair, from what I hear it's not Harry's fault…"
Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh—No! Thats not what I meant at all. I simply meant that he's up to his neck in trying to fix it, and by extension I'm going to be tied up helping him for the foreseeable future." She hurried to explain.
Kara nodded understanding. "Might want to be careful how you word it in the future, if Harry had heard you just then and taken what you said at face value?" she chastised. Hermione nodded agreement. Kara and her sat in silence for a bit, "You do quite a bit for Harry don't you?" She asked idly.
Hermione nodded. "And he for me, best friends right? I mean the boy jumped on the back of a troll for me," She said smiling and chuckling a bit.
"You ever think about going after that?" Kara asked curious.
"What, date Harry?" Hermione asked surprised.
"Come on I barely know the guy, its not even the celebrity status which makes him attractive. That whole white knight complex is beautiful to behold and thats only half his charms." Kara pointed out.
"Me and Harry are just friends, besides he's got a legion of girls throwing themselves at him that he could choose from. You're at least relatively unique in that your interest isn't based on his star status." Hermione pointed out a touch bitterly. Harry hated fan-girls.
Kara chuckled ruefully and noted the clock above them them on the bank. "Ugh, better go in and meet up with Harry, the Greengrasses'll be here soon." She said pushing to her feet and helped Hermione to hers before grabbing Huginn. Who was bouncing exciting on his perch.
"One thing before we go in, how's your research going for Harry," She asked.
Hermione sighed tiredly and brushed some of her hair out of her eyes. "It's coming along, I'm afraid of what I might be finding though." She admitted worriedly.
Kara looked unsurprised, and grimaced. "What have you got?" She asked.
"Possibly PTSD," Hermione said grimly, Kara nodded in recognition of the term. "Possibly, related to a number of things, I'm trying to pin down one of them though,"
"Which one?" Kara asked a calculating look on her face.
"I'm concerned there may be physical abuse on top of the neglect…" She said delicately. Kara snorted angrily. "No doubt, I've seen a few kids who got beat up in my time, Harry's got the look of one," She agreed.
"Really? I never see any bruises on him…" Hermione protested.
"Well you wouldn't, not if his abusers are smart, they'd hit him where it doesn't show, and how often do you see Harry without his clothes on?" She asked a cheeky smile touching her lips.
Hermione blushed. "Um—never?" She answered.
"Exactly, two more things that I'd say seal the deal, have you noticed how surprised he gets when you hug him? Like he never expects it? Finally, his instinctive ability to dodge quickly? Have you noticed how twitchy he gets when people make quick movements?" Kara pointed out.
Hermione pondered that for a moment, standing at the base of the steps up into the bank. "Okay, let's suppose I agree with the assessment he's been beaten… What do we do? How do we prove it?" She asked uncertainly.
"Besides just vanishing his clothes?" Kara teased. Hermione flushed and jerked her head in agreement. "I don't know, it's a good question." She admitted frustrated. "We'll just have to wait and see, maybe we'll come up with something."
—
Harry had some business he needed to check on with Gringotts, mostly it was things he had forgotten to check on last time. He shuffled through the small waiting line and up to Griphook who was manning, or possibly goblining, one of the tills. He stuck his finger in the analyzer as was custom. It turned green. "Hello Griphook, It is nice to see you again," Harry said tentatively and bowed slightly at his waist. He'd found respectful was apparently the way to go with Goblins, the reacted well to it.
Griphook looked up surprised at being addressed thusly and smiled (or possibly sneered), "Ah Harry, you as well," he said sounding vaguely pleased. It was rare for a human to show them a variety of respect, this was twice in a row with this particular young man that had done so. "How might Gringotts help you today?" He asked dutifully.
Harry smiled sincerely at the Goblin. "I just want to check a couple things, firstly I'd like to know if there have been any changes of note in the status of my accounts. Second, on a related note, I was wondering if there is an account manager assigned to my family's accounts. Finally I was wondering If my family kept records here of their dealing with other families." He listed off going through the list in his head.
Griphook retrieved a report from a filing cabinet before returning to his seat and nodding thoughtfully as he read it over. "Harry, or should you prefer it, Lord Potter, the trial which is so prominent in the papers has resulted in your elevation to the peerage and emancipation as a minor being officially recognized." He explained glancing up to Harry. "This means, you now have access as the sole heir of your house to all accounts and properties." He announced sounding pleased.
Harry considered that. "You can just call me Harry, Griphook," He assured the Goblin. "May I ask what these accounts and properties constitute?" He asked watching Tonks who was standing a ways off surveying the crowds warily.
The Goblin noticed his glance but took it in stride. "Several Vaults with a total valuation coming to this sum." He replied cautiously and pushing a small slip of paper across the desk to him. Harry picked it up and stared at the figure sketched on the parchment.
He took a moment to ensure his face was school and his voice even. "That is quite a bit of money, I'm not sure what I expect to do with it all," He admitted and the Goblin chuckled. He could admit in the privacy of his own head, that in the boys place he would be likewise stunned. It was quite a hefty sum. And the boy was clearly not a lad accustomed to extravagance. "What—*cough*— what about the properties?" Harry asked uncertainly.
The goblin withdrew one of the sheets from the file and read off the pertinent details. "In addition to the properties at Godric's Hollow and in Downtown London, you have an small property in the Sandwich Islands, and an apartment in Paris. Several miscellaneous properties, which have been reinforced with wards. A warehouse here in London, a Laundromat in Sheffield, a fortified manor cottage in Guernsey, and the Family Fortress off the Isle of Sark. Otherwise, you own a small fleet of muggle vehicles, A Private yacht stored at the aforementioned warehouse. A pair of container ships currently sitting up on blocks at the shipyards in Edinburgh, these are left over from the liquidation of one of your families companies following your parents deaths. Finally a number of Automobiles and a single private aircraft at a warehouse near Heathrow…" The Goblin put down the paper nodding in satisfaction. "Otherwise their is only your family investments, which are still producing a significant profit each year." He noted.
Harry considered all of that barely keeping his jaw from dropping to the floor. "Uh—um…when you say "Family Fortress?" He asked trailing off.
The goblin sympathized. "Yes, a castle, there is a small island off the Isle of Sark, near your property in Guernsey. The isle is largely cliff face except for the small region at its base the commune inhabits, the fortress proper sits atop the peak above. Commune and Fortress both are currently abandoned. However the property now encompasses a small set of muggle fortresses that were built in waters around the isle. The fortresses were constructed to aid in protecting the Channel islands prior to their capture in the Second Muggle World War." he reported. They were purchased by your grandfather following their decommission after the war and added to the property at large." He explained.
Harry felt a hysterical cackle building in his chest, but he stifled it. "My—ahem—my family owns an island fortress and world war II fortifications. Ha!" he barked and stilled. "Well that's…certainly not what I was expecting, I must confess." He said shakily, as he waved to Tonks who looked over at his bark of laughter. Sirius was off at another counter chatting with a goblin about something.
"The fortress and commune are frankly in a state of advanced disrepair, the wards protect the lot of it from detection, but those too will fail in time. The Muggle fortifications are in better repair being newer and being reinforced concrete, but they too need renovation." Griphook noted, looking over a severely dated survey with distrust. He turned back to the young human, "Is there anything you wish to do with these properties?" He asked neutrally.
Harry stilled as he considered that. It took him a good couple minutes to come up with a plan. "I want the vaults fully inventoried. I'll pay whatever is required for all of this of course. I want the state of the vessels in question assessed and then an estimation of value provided. Can I have the key to those warehouses provided, actually, to all the properties if possible? And…An inventory of investments and recommendations on what to do with them for now." He listed and the goblin dutifully started taking notes. "As for the property on Guernsey and the family fortress off Sark… I would like to request a full survey run on the sites, all of it, including the muggle fortifications. I'd then like an assessment done on what kind of expenditure would be required to bring the lot of it up to modern muggle and magical standards of construction. That means, electrical and magical both, able to work at the same time…" he noted. "Uh…I'll also need locations, addresses and such so I can visit these locations." He finished.
The goblin finished writing all this down, and checked that Harry was willing to pay the cost for it all, He was. Eventually Griphook settled back pleased with the amount of business he'd just secured for the bank. "Excellent Harry, I shall see to that immediately. But first what else was there you desired to discuss? Ah! Yes the issue of an accounts manager, I regret to inform you, that due to extended inactivity there is no manager assigned to it on a permanent basis." he explained apologetically. "Considering the amount of business you have just commissioned would you like to assign one?" he asked.
"Would you be available for the position?" Harry asked uncertainly.
Griphook gave a start. "I would, however there are other far more experienced employees available…" he offered.
Harry shook his head. "I don't know them, I assume them to be trustworthy, but you I know to be such." Gryffindor's sword not withstanding. He noted in his head.
"I—am flattered Lord Potter, I would definitely be able to take up such an endeavour on your behalf…" He agreed happily. Being an account manager for a Most Ancient and Most Noble House, would be very beneficial to his own finances. He shuffled some papers and considered what else he needed to do. "Ah, I believe you also wished records of your dealing with other noble houses? Are their any in particular you wished retrieved?" He asked, making a new list.
Harry nodded, "Greengrass, Black, Longbottom, and Bones." he listed off. It took a few minutes and Griphook had to leave to go in search of the keys but Harry eventually had everything he need. "Thank you Griphook, I appreciate your efforts. Is their anything I may do for you or Gringotts today?" He asked sincerely.
The goblin just shook his head and chuckled. "No Harry, both the bank and myself are managing just fine. Though I thank you for asking." He said. Honestly he was surprised as the young human bowed then turned and walked off. Humans almost never bothered to ask how a goblin was doing, let alone whether or not they could do anything for the Goblins and not the other way around. He would make a notation in his report to the Director.
—
Daphne let go of her father as they came crashing to a halt in the apparition zone for Diagon Alley. The bang of the sidelong apparition ringing in her ears as she massaged her chest over her heart, she hated the way apparating felt, like getting squished through a pipe.
Her distaste for apparating was somewhat evened out by her fondness for the market district, it wasn't so much a fondness for shopping, though she did enjoy shopping well enough, it was how vibrant and alive the alley always was, even when the inhabitants weren't in a dead panic. She and her father straightened themselves out a touch before they started towards the bank. It wouldn't do to look like they'd just been wrung out like dish rags.
She had been surprised when less than two hours after the departure of her father's owl they received a visitor in the form of a Snowy Owl, one Daphne recognized as the Potter owl, a beautiful owl with the bizarre and unfortunate name of Hedwig. She wondered what had possibly possessed the boy to name the poor owl that. That never-the-less failed to stifle her surprise at the haste of his reply. The letter wasn't even a Howler.
She'd notified her father to the letters arrival and they read it with ever mounting surprise finding that Harry was apparently eager to meet. Enough so that he would be at Gringotts at around two o'clock that same day, in the hopes of meeting them.
The bank had undergone a small transformation in the wake of todays news. Goblin Soldiers scuttled about in their insectile armour and Guards stood everywhere. She knew just how reluctant The Director was to present a militant facade at his bank, so the fact he was now doing so, told just how serious the return of the Dark Lord truly was. She knew just how tough Goblin armour was too. Her father had educated her in such things. Assuming it didn't hit one of the un-armoured joints even a killing curse wouldn't get through it in one blow. The goblins were master enchanters and smiths, only rivalled by the Dwarves for such skills. But the Dwarves didn't like to share their creations, of all the races, they were quite possibly the most…miserly about such things.
She recalled having seen suits of Dwarven Armour just once before, during an exhibition at the Ministry when she was eight. The exhibit of artifacts had been body guarded by a squad of Dwarven warriors, there were few things more intimidating than a Dwarf in full armour wielding a war hammer as big as she was.
She shook herself out of her reminiscence to note and evaluate the group they were here to meet. Lord Potter had apparently brought an entourage. She noticed his ever present best friend, Hermione, who looked somewhat more physically matured, standing looking worried and chewing her lip absently. She looked to the side and nodded at something said.
The next person she looked over was a face she didn't recognize, she was dark haired and pale with striking blue eyes. She wore an outfit which could only be of muggle manufacture and a crooked closed lipped smile.
The next was a face she'd seen in passing once or twice at the ministry, the only reason she remembered the woman's face was she was one of the few female Aurors currently in service. She didn't know her name off the top of her head though.
Two figures stood, one of them with their back to her the other towards her. His face was recognizable from his wanted posters. This slightly gaunt and rough looking man was Sirius Orion Black. He smiled jovially and patted the figure in front of him on the shoulder and jerked his chin towards them.
Through process of elimination she could thus tell who the final figure was but was surprised at the level of change in Lord Potter as he turned to observe their approach.
The boy, or perhaps young man, was taller by an appreciable margin, enough that she felt some sympathy, such a growth spurt had likely been uncomfortable. In addition he'd filled out, the baby fat, what little the boy had, had entirely dissolved and been replaced by proper muscle depth. Unfortunately he looked like hell on a crutch too. He was obviously exhausted, in a bone deep way that couldn't be erased by a good night's sleep. He had deep shadows around his eyes, his somewhat broader shoulders sagging slightly despite his efforts to remain upright, his smile of greeting tired and restrained.
He paced forward after visibly steeling himself and offered a hand as they stepped up to him. "Hello," he greeted soberly, his voice a few octaves lower than usual as he shook first with her father, then with her. His hand shake was warm and firm without being a knuckle grinder like some tended to prefer in order to show strength. He smiled briefly into her eyes.
She noted something odd as the Auror stepped to the side a bit, Harry had deliberately placed himself between her father and the rest of the party, his stance and posture suggesting he was protecting them, not the other way around. As she let go of his hand she noticed something else, in addition to the wand hanging at his hip, the telltale bulge of a wrist holster was visible beneath his sleeve.
He turned and gestured to the party, still standing between them, he indicated Hermione. "I'm sure you two have already met, but this is Hermione Granger," He offered.
Hermione smiled her eyes flicking periodically to her friend as she greeted Daphne, "Hello Daphne, it's good to see you again,"
He indicated the new girl. "This is Kara Smith, she's going to be transferring from a coven in Newark New Jersey," He reported, smiling to the girl in question, who smiled in a friendly way at the Greengrasses and nodded. "This is Auror Tonks" He pointed to the pink haired woman standing off to the side.
Daphne remembered now, Nymphadora Tonks, the child of Ted and Andromeda Tonks. Infamous in some circles. The Auror nodded greeting to her and her father, smiling roguishly.
He turned and indicated Black, "And this is Sirius Black, my Godfather," he said smiling genuinely, if briefly.
Sirius stepped forward and shook hands with her father. "Hello Matthias, it's been some time, I hope Laurel is well?" He greeted.
"She is, thank you for asking," Her father replied, an odd look briefly entering his eye as Sirius offered a brief crooked smile.
Black turned to Daphne and nodded to her. "Young Lady," he said deferentially. As he turned and returned to standing at Potter's shoulder she realized something with a start, Ron Weasley wasn't present. Which was odd, the two were basically joined at the hip. She made note of the discrepancy and filed it away fro later analysis.
Lord Potter paused for a moment, visibly thinking, "Would you like to follow me? I've arranged a conference room, if you're willing?" He asked uncertainly. He shot Granger a look that appeared to contain gratitude. She realized Granger had reminded him they'd need a meeting place at some point.
They arrived at the conference room a minute later, led by a surprisingly polite and cheerful goblin, a pair of Goblin soldiers with halberds guarded entrance to the room, a security guard stepped forward and requested they deposit all wands in the case. Potter and Sirius had a whispered conversation and the older man stepped back from the group agreeing to stand watch outside the room. Potter pulled a pair of wands and deposited them in the lockbox and entered the room holding the door for everyone else. Daphne deposited her own wand last, a 12" Joshua wand with dragon heartstring at the core. She found an uncertain Harry hurrying about pulling out the chairs for the women in his party even offering one to the Auror who indicated she'd rather stand.
Hermione was giving him a confused but pleased smile at his small act of chivalry, its not that Harry was ever disrespectful, but he was clearly pulling out all stops today for some reason today.
Daphne waited while her father extended her the same courtesy, before seating herself.
Potter checked to make sure everyone was seated, his eyes darting about behind his glasses before seating himself with a small wince and massaging his shoulder distractedly. Daphne recalled he had been reported injured in the battle with the Minister's lackeys. She wondered just how bad those injuries had been.
He leaned forward interrupting this thought. "I uh— I apologize if i'm forgetting something, but I confess I am not used to all this stuff." He admitted sheepishly. "I was never raised with such things,"
Her father smiled benignly beside her and nodded magnanimously to the youth across from him. "It's alright Lord Potter," He assured the boy. Daphne was running over what she knew of Potter's background. There was next to nothing about his life before Hogwarts in the rumour mill. It was said he was raised away from the magical world by his relatives but nothing more. She placed a hand delicately on her fathers forearm and leaned forward. This was an excellent opportunity to get some intelligence straight from the source.
"I apologize for interrupting Lord Potter, but may I ask what the nature of your upbringing was? I've only heard the barest rumours regarding it." She admitted.
She noticed Hermione and Kara stiffened almost immediately and looked to him worriedly. He hesitated for a moment. Daphne was impressed by just how much reaction that simple question had illicit, and waited for a response. He nodded thoughtfully and cocked his head. Hermione leaned forward and placed a hand on his forearm, giving him a worried look. He jumped very slightly at the contact.
He looked to his friend, his expression softening a touch, and he squeezed his friend's hand for a moment before shrugging, something only Hermione could read in his eyes. He turned back to Daphne, "I was raised by my muggle relatives from the time my parents died to the time I received my letter from Hogwarts, I was completely unaware of magic that entire time. They hated magic and thus hated me. Does that answer any of your Questions miss Greengrass?" He asked stoically.
That was one possibility which had never occurred to her, "It does Lord Potter, I apologize if I was too personal." What the hell was the Boy-Who-Lived doing living with magiphobes?
He shrugged again. "It's alright, I'd appreciate it not being spread to widely, but that is up to you." He allowed. His eyes briefly flicked to hers and she noticed just how intensely green they were for the moment before they skated away again. "Now, I understand you wished to speak with me, but the reason why wasn't particularly clear." He explained looking to her father again.
"In addition to the fact you have proven yourself to be powerful politically, your family and our own have been allies in the past, and I was curious to see just what the current head of House Potter is like…whether he might be amenable to being allies again." Matthias offered smoothly.
Harry smiled sincerely if a touch ruefully, "I wouldn't say no to making some friends,"
Daphne read that as sincere and gave a start at the realization, that he was open to negotiating with them…Harry saw the small reaction and his eyes zeroed on her again. It was uncomfortable being under his gaze when it got that intense. Her father shot her a reproving look, for failing to conceal such a reaction.
She coughed, embarrassed, struggling to reassert her Ice Queen persona "I apologize, But not to be blunt Lord Potter, but am I to understand then that you did not order Mister Weasley to intercept and rebuff our overtures?" She felt her skepticism tinging her tone a bit and worked to check it before she offended.
She gave a start when Harry almost literally snarled, a low growling noise of frustration and curl rippling over his lips for a moment, Hermione gave a start and her eyes widened startlingly, Kara shook her head disgust marring her pretty features, Tonks stood against the wall a look of fascination on her face as she observed the whole show with curiosity. Harry spoke as he reigned himself in. "No," he said bitterly, "I never ordered him to intercept you, that… I'm sorry, no, I was not aware you were even being stopped from approaching me," He confessed then looked to Hermione a meaningful look in his eyes. "May I ask in what ways he rebuffed you? I'm building a…case against him," he admitted, a warning in his tone.
Nobody noticed Tonks as she pondered that turn of phrase and silently started taking notes in her head. Something was not right between Harry and the Weasley's youngest son.
Daphne looked questioningly to her father, who nodded permission, for her to air the issue. She looked to Potter disguising her uncertainty behind a blank facade. "He started with slurs, mostly vile imprecations about a girls place in the Slytherin Dungeons, when that failed to dissuade me, he moved to telling me you weren't interested in meeting with "the Snake Pit Whore" and worse, I attempted to meet you to confront you for offering such an insult at which point he offered threats of physical violence," She offered gritting her teeth slightly in memory of the insults.
Harry was obviously disgusted with his erstwhile friend. "I'm very sorry Miss Greengrass, I was not aware, he will not be offering such interference in the future if I have anything to say about it." He promised, looking down right mutinous. "If he attempts to stop you from approaching me in the future, catch my attention and I'll deal with him." he promised.
She nodded acceptance, clearly all was not well within the golden trio. "Of course, and thank you for clarifying the issue somewhat, if you wish we could allow you to handle your ally before we try and bring our complaint to his House," She noted with her fathers permission. He had looked murderous at her recounting of the insults Ron had hurled at her.
"Thank you, that is appreciated." He said sourly as he leaned back in his chair irritably raking his fingers through his hair.
Her father took over again and leaned forward. "Now, to business, we desire to settle any and all debts between our families before proceeding any farther." He stated smoothly.
Harry nodded and pulled a sheaf of papers from Hermione who had carried them peering at them to this point with her ever-present book. Daphne saw a Gringotts sigil on the papers, though she could not read anything else from across the table. "Ok, what debts are you aware of?" he asked reading over the paper in his hands.
Her father recounted the debts on their ledger as he knew it. "There are, extant, an Honour Debt, a Financial debt and a marriage contract as yet unaddressed between our houses according to our records."
Harry nodded and handed the paper across the table. "Any debts owed by my family to your own?"
Her father shook his head. "Not last I checked." he explained. Ledgers and debt records made by Goblins automatically updated when a debt was incurred. "Ah, but I see another debt has arisen since I last checked." He gave his daughter disapproving look as he slid the offered page to her. "A personal debt resultant from slander by the Heir of House Greengrass to the Heir of House Potter. Dated last year," He said reproachfully, his eyes on his suddenly very embarrassed daughter.
She felt a blush darken her cheeks as she looked to Harry who was looking interestedly at her. "I apologize, I may have been the er…Desginer behind those badges Malfoy dreamed up." She confessed thinking of the Potter stinks badges from the tournament. She noticed Hermione looked affronted and was in the process of opening her mouth when a chuckled came from her male friend.
"Well alright then, I hope you got some bonus marks for that piece of spell work Daphne," he offered something twinkling in his eyes for a brief moment. "Which debt should we discuss first?" He asked.
"The Financial debt would be the most straightforward." Her father interjected. "We rented a property for a business venture from your family. It was lost in a fire. We owe you three hundred thousand Galleons for the facility." He explained. Daphne winced, that was a significant number of Galleons, even when you could afford it. "In this case it would be simplest to repay such a debt with capital." Her father admitted.
Harry glanced at his two friends who sat next to him. "What do you two think?" He asked curiously.
Hermione looked thoughtful, then leaned in and whispered to him, Daphne couldn't hear it but she was advising her oldest friend that it would be best to go easy on someone he hoped to gain as an ally. Kara nodded and murmured agreement beside them. Harry sat up straighter as Hermione sat back in her chair. "were any injured in the loss of the facility?" he asked. They shook their heads honestly. He grinned broadly and Daphne braced for any demands to come. "Debt Forgiven," he said happily and Daphne felt her mouth pop open slightly in surprise. He explained, that tired look in his eyes withdrawing slightly. "I'm here to make friends Miss Greengrass, I have enough funds as it is, I don't need more. Allies are far more valuable to me right now." He confessed.
"That is very generous Lord Potter" She offered, and he shrugged smiling crookedly. Daphne had to confess she was thrown off by just how differently this meeting was going to her predictions. Harry was about as un-Slytherin like a person as she'd ever met, he clearly had some kind of political acumen but her was nowhere as cut throat as her house-mates were. Her father, she noticed, was looking pleased.
Harry rubbed his hands idly as if trying to rub the dirt from his palms. "Now whats next?" He asked.
"Perhaps the personal debt?" Her father prompted.
In the end Harry couldn't simply set aside this debt as he had the previous, as it involved Daphne's personal Honour. So he settled for a minor favour or service performed at a time of his choosing. One which she could always turn down if it reached too far.
The next issue was more complex. "An honour debt is one caused by a service rendered by one party to another, in this case, your father saving my own life, during a raid by Death Eaters on one of the Wizarding Hamlets in Wales. He stepped between me and a Death Eater, who meant to kill me, and slew him." Matthias said solemnly. "As such I owe a debt to house Potter, which is incumbent on my honour." He explained. "Renumeration can be financial, services, favours, or, though it I am loath to admit it, up to, and including, my Daughter's hand should you require it." He said stiffly at that last part.
Harry barked a short laugh, though it was obvious it was more from surprise than anything. "Do not worry Lord Greengrass, as lovely as your daughter truly is, I have no designs on her." He promised, and numerous shoulders which had tensed sagged in relief. "I assume I cannot simply forgive such a debt as I did the other one?" And Lord Greengrass shook his head. "Then I will simply request a service or favour at a later date. I will find something suitable in time I am sure."
Her father nodded and made a note. "Which brings us to the last issue, I do not foresee it being a true issue as such, but a Marriage contract is out requiring that should there only be one heir for each house, they marry, as such a condition would indicate a critical state of emergency for both houses." Lord Greengrass explained. "You are the sole heir for your house, yes, but I have both Daphne and Astoria." He explained. "Unless something horrible were to happen, It will not come up." He promised.
Hermione wasn't happy. "It's distasteful that marriage contracts even exist." She said having trouble keeping her temper at the thought in check. "It's disrespectful to the women involved and others women everywhere." She argued.
Lord Greengrass nodded. "It's generally not kind to the male party being forced into the marriage either, but I tend to agree. But that is largely the influence of having so many strong willed and free thinking women in my life." He said smiling fondly at his daughter. "Many Pureblood families disagree though, so the laws regarding it have only been partially repealed, new contracts are exceedingly hard to get passed, but those already in existence are upheld." He noted nodding deferentially to Hermione, who still looked displeased but was letting it drop for now.
"Well, if we can just skip it for now, I say we skip it." Harry said.
Daphne and her father nodded in agreement, Her father got down to business proper. "As I believe it is indeed possible we could forge an alliance between our two families, I have only a couple questions, if you would permit?" He requested formally. Harry indicated he could proceed. "May I ask what you goals are, long term? If your performances in that courtroom are anything to go by, you are hell bent on it…" He trailed off politely.
Harry chuckled. "Simply put it is to eradicate the Dark Lord Voldemort and his followers and to ensure they never rise again. I see this conflict we are in as an all out war, us or them." Harry summarized.
Lord Greengrass nodded acceptance. Though he and his daughter were sharing a thought that the boy sure had a seriously rough road ahead of him. "Very well, our house can offer some support in that task perhaps, but I have another pressing question, what is the nature of your relationship with Albus Dumbledore?" He asked carefully neutral, though Lord Potter seemed to see through that.
Harry considered that seriously. "Me and him are both focused on the defeat of the Dark Lord, otherwise? I have no desire to go to war with Dumbledore, either against him or at his side." He explained. Tonks' eyes snapped to him and she was clearly worried.
"Perhaps you could clarify that?" Daphne's Father requested.
"Of Course. I will be going to war against Voldemort." He ignored the shudders. "I however barely trust Dumbledore enough not to interfere in his own efforts against the Dark Lord. I do not trust him at my back in a fight, nor to lead me against the evil bastard. I have come to the opinion that Dumbledore has a vision of the future and he see's himself as the herald of that future, I do not believe it crosses his mind that this vision may not be ideal, whatever it is, or that he is not the right man for the job. He would never accept that possibility, so it blinds him. I will not follow someone like that into a war which has the potential to cost me my life."
Daphne was completely flummoxed by this point, though she did an admirable job of hiding it. It was held as common knowledge that Harry was Dumbledore's man. That this was apparently no longer the case raised dozens of questions. Apparently not just for herself judging from the reactions his allies were having. She leaned in "May I ask Lord Potter, how you intend to successfully wage a war without Dumbledore?" She asked.
He smiled. "I never said I'd stop him fighting, I simply said I would not be following him. I intend to do everything I can to help the Ministry and any other force against Voldemort rally against him. I will do this by lending what ever funds, support or blood of my own body required, to this cause."
Hermione looked disturbed by just what he was suggesting. Daphne could sympathize, she'd just heard her friend proclaim he'd march alone into the jaws of death to ensure Voldemort died if necessary. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to hear Tracy or Astoria make such a claim and to actually believe it.
Her father was thoughtful, "Harry I believe that we may very well be an excellent fit for an alliance, do you have any questions you wish to ask of us?"
Harry consulted with a worried looking Hermione and a focused looking Kara, before turning back. "Do you now or have you ever been involved with the Death Eaters, Do you now or have you ever supported the marginalization of non pure bloods?" he asked dutifully.
Her father wasn't offended. "No I have never, nor will I ever be involved with the Death Eaters, and no, to my knowledge I have never supported the marginalization of non pure bloods… unless you count a few unfortunate and ill though out slurs from one teenager against another in an argument?" he confessed.
Harry smiled grimly. "No, everyone has said something stupid on occasion." obviously thinking of something in his own past. "Very well, I have no immediate questions." He decided nodding.
And with that, it was all over save for the paperwork. They had the Goblins provide the contracts and after reading them and adding or subtracting addendum the deal was signed. Should House Potter require aid, House Greengrass would come, the reverse was true as well. Should she find her house in need House Potter would return the favour.
What had Daphne silent, for basically the rest of the proceedings was just how far off she had been in her predictions. Some of that could be blamed on the interference of Weasley, an insult which they would see answered. However Daphne prided herself on the accuracy of her assessments, and that she had been so inaccurate, when it was her own father requesting the assessment stung. She was determined never to repeat a misjudgement of this scope. She'd speak with her father about it, but she foresaw having to keep a closer eye on the Boy-Who-Lived.
—
Tonks watched the Slytherin Ice Queen and her father leave before turning to those in her care. "Okay," She said gathering their attention with her growl. "Just what the hell is going on? Alliances? Declaring yourself separate from Dumbledore? Building a "Case" against Ron?" She barked, uncharacteristically tense.
Harry sighed as he pushed to his feet, "If I answer your questions, what are the chances of those answers not making it to Dumbledore's ears?" He asked staring intently at her, looking into her currently dark brown eyes. Eyes lacking their usual twinkle.
Tonks considered that. "Unless it involves breaking the law, I'll keep it in the confidence it was given, deal?" She said. If she was honest it hurt that the Boy-Who-Lived, felt it necessary to ask that. Since when had she appeared to be Dumbledore's puppet?
Harry decided to take her at her word, though he'd never trust her again if she broke her word. "I'll trust your word then, I'll keep it simple and answer in the order you asked. Alliances?" He said raising his eyebrow. "I need friends, especially those willing to expend resources to fight this war. This was part of that, making friends, were a long way from marching into war together, but its a start." He said firmly. "As for why I'm breaking ties with Dumbledore? I'll keep some of it to myself, but I'll give you a glimpse of it. First do you know how many times Dumbledore's mistakes have caused me suffering? Dozens if not hundreds now. The most notable incident being those that nearly cost me my life at Hogwarts. I've nearly died at least once per year since coming to Hogwarts. You should ask yourself how often he risks your life Tonks, how often does he have you watching that door when he could simply bloody tell you what's behind it?" He growled.
Tonk's eyes widened in shock, "How the fuck do you know about that Harry!" She shouted, distressed.
"Dumbledore's operational security it pants. The twins caught word of it before you lot cottoned on and unperturbed the door." He explained. Nobody except Kara remembering he hadn't had time to talk with the twins to know that. "Also as to how I know Dumbledore knows what's in the bloody prophecy?" he said growling. "It was one of several things in the letters accompanying the will my parents left me." He decided to go for broke. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies …" Tonks had paled, and Hermione gasped. "He's always known about it, and what it means. Now I know too, do you want to know what it means Tonks?" He asked getting angry. The memories rising in his mind. "It means I'm the sorry bastard who has to either kill him or die fighting him before he can be destroyed. Until I either die in battle or take him down nobody can touch him. And Dumbledore is using you like canon fodder against him? Guarding a door, in single shifts, with something the enemy wants more desperately than anything behind it?" He asked sounding skeptical.
Tonks' mind was racing, she couldn't believe it. She knew exactly what Harry was implying in the tirade. But he said it anyways his pain pushing him forward. "Dumbledore doesn't see me coming out of this alive, he see's me dying in battle and him, or one who serves him, being the one to deliver the killing blow. Tell me Tonks will you be the one to step over my body and finish him?" he asked suddenly sounding exhausted.
Tonks hated the image his words just conjured inside her head. She hadn't known him long, but she liked Harry, he was a good kid, the image of him being dead at her feet… "Harry, I'm sure Dumbledore…I'm sure he's got a plan…" She tried.
Harry barked a bitter laugh. "Tonks, he's got a plan of course, but whether it'll be any good is a poor bet…Did you know, Snape is as responsible for my parents deaths as Pettigrew?" he asked seemingly running off on a tangent. Tonks shook her head. "He heard the prophecy…or at least part of it, before he got caught and tossed out on his ear. He told Voldemort about it. Of course he didn't realize at first who he was dooming. He had a thing for my mother you see, when he found out she was in danger he pleaded with the Dark Lord to spare her, to kill me and my father but to spare her. Of course Voldemort doesn't keep promises even when he makes them, so he went to Dumbledore and tried his luck there. Dumbledore came up with the plan to put my parents into hiding, but Pettigrew betrayed them. Voldemort ignored his promise as he always intended and killed both my parents before turning his attention to me… So much for the plans of Dumbledore eh?" Harry paced a bit. "So no Tonks, these reasons, among many others, is why I won't be following Wrinklenuts into battle." He said stiffly.
Tonks could only nod. She hadn't known half of that, though she couldn't help but wonder how Harry knew it. More revelations from the inheritance the old man had denied him?
"Now, last question, Ron?" He asked and she nodded. "I have everything save the smoking gun…Er—The guilty wand?" he suggested. "To prove he and his mother have been illegally dosing me and Hermione with potions. That answer your question?" He asked.
She nodded stiffly. "What do you need before you can prove it?" She asked, her mind racing. If one of the Order had betrayed them in this way…
"I need the vials with the potions in them before I can reveal it." Harry explained. "Assuming they are returning tonight, they'll likely have some on them, as me and Hermione haven't been dosed in a few days now." He explained. "Do you have any ideas on how to find out for certain?" He asked.
Tonks was hesitant, if Harry was wrong this could blow up in her face in a big way, but if he was right, "I might, but if we're wrong?" Nothing more needed to be said.
Author's Note: As always, read, rate, subscribe, comment, message, predict whats coming next and ask questions.