Author's Notes: Alright, first of all I understand your worries that perhaps Harry was too quick to forgive. But as things go forward you will see him occasionally worrying about causing another blow up. Just have a little faith. Second a few of you are wanting Harry and Hermione to just up and declare their feelings and get it on. Well…I don't know about how it was for you as a teen but Teenager were stupid and awkward and had a tendency to not be able to find their arse if someone taped their hands their backsides. This means their is going to be some painful dancing about, and worrying on their parts. It's not like Harry was ever a casanova, and Hermione has never had anybody except Krum show a mature interest in her. Otherwise, well just relax and enjoy! Also please review. My cyber hamster is getting hungry again.
Warnings: Language, implied sexuality, mature/disturbing topics.
Chapter 12: If you Dance with the Devil…
There is no horror greater for a human male, than to be taken on a shopping extravaganza by a small horde of female friends. This might be a slight exaggeration, but not by as much as you might suspect. The social and instinctual pressure to keep so many important females happy is immense, and sadly Harry had fallen into the same trap so many others had before.
This was what Harry imagined a textbook in the future might have in its blurb about his untimely demise. He'd made a critical error. When you are questioned on the state of your clothing by the a group of four women, the unwritten handbook of manliness clearly instructs you to calmly say "Yes, I am aware my clothes are looking somewhat shabby, however I intend to rectify this soon," with as much confidence as you can muster. If your confidence is sufficient said unwritten handbook states that the woman will believe you are a competent and mature human being and therefore can handle shopping by yourself when you next visit the shopping centre. Said unwritten Handbook has many warnings. First of which is this, do not display confusion or weakness when questioned about the state of your apparel. Second, do not admit you do not know much about clothes, which leads into the Third, and most important, DO NOT ASK FOR FEMALE ASSISTANCE when picking a new wardrobe. Said guide of manliness states that if you do you either come across as a moron, an idiot, or an immature dolt, who is incapable of the hallowed task of shopping for garments. Or, it sends across the message that despite the fact you do know how to shop you have no idea what kind of clothes you want, and that leads to unauthorized free thought. Which is forbidden.
Harry Potter had never read this manual, said manual was in many places flawed and skirted in several places the forbidden realm of sexism. Not that anyone had explained or provided the manual to him. His relatives had clothed him in second hand cast offs with the refrain "And you be staying away from them Girls Boy! We don't want you freaks procreating!"
So Harry unintentionally stamped all over perhaps one of the semi-sane areas of interactions within the mental guidebook.
Emma had been looking at him with a look on intense concentration for what felt like half an hour, a disturbing thing to be subjected to as a young man, before finally speaking. "Harry, what are those things you are wearing?"
As happened sometimes when he was surprised, young/reincarnated Harry became flustered. "Uhm… Clothes?" He ventured, she rolled her eyes. "I known they're not very nice ones but the new outfit was getting a bit overwork and needed to go into the wash today." He babbled.
"You only have two pairs of clothes?" She asked stupefied.
He shook his head, "No, just one good pair, the rest are my usual castoffs from Dudley." He admitted sheepishly.
"Harry that's horrible," She protested.
"Well yeah I suppose so, I mean, I only wear them during the summer…" he saw her fierce look and tried a new tact, he'd just barely recovered from the explosion of one mount Granger, he didn't want another. "I uh—I admit I'm not an expert on clothing. I've been meaning to get more clothes for myself, but…" He shrugged helplessly.
"Do you want help dear? We could go shopping at Diagon, maybe hit some of the muggle stores nearby?" She suggested.
Harry sagged in relief as he agreed, suffering under the mistaken belief that he was now out of danger.
Which is how Harry ended up standing in a pile of shopping bags atop a stool in Madam Malkin's in Diagon Alley. He had appealed to Sirius and Dan both for a rescue when he realized the magnitude of his mistake, but they seemed more inclined to pointing and laughing at him before running away hurriedly when the girls noticed.
Madam Malkin had wandered off to attend to Hermione and left Harry with Kara in the room used for tailoring. Not that the outfits Harry had purchased here really required tailoring. Madam Malkin preferred selling and making robes, but she did some decent casual wear as well. The only reason Harry was being subjected to this torture today in particular was that the Gringotts Curse Breakers had arrived and taken over the house while they installed the wards.
Kara had picked up a copy of the latest issue of the Quibbler and was relating it to him. And just like last time, he had to admit that whenever you could get Xeno focused on the task at hand he really wasn't that bad a journalist. You just needed him writing about the facts as opposed to the speculation. Apparently his interview with them had gone over spectacularly, pretty much everywhere one looked there were people reading the magazine. True Xeno had pushed a specialty secondary article detailing the theory about Heliopaths being a project rather than a creature in lurid detail. But the primary article the issue was based around was excellently written and perfectly accurate in relating what he had said in response to questions. Luna would, no doubt, be over the moon about this success. Perhaps he could drop in and visit her and her father a bit later?
Kara shifting in her seat as she read a particularly funny ad in the magazine drew his mind to something which had been kicking about within it for some time. "Kara? You have a minute to talk?" He asked.
She looked up and noted his serious expression before nodding carefully closing her magazine and setting it aside. "Yeah sure, what's up?"
"How are you managing? We haven't really had the time to sit down and talk for a bit."
She shrugged noncommittal, "I'm doing okay all things considered, better than before I guess. I'm doing okay in my practice, but you know that already," She noted. Harry nodded, he was the one teaching her for the most part.
He chuckled "Actually you're doing really damn good for someone who just started this a week and a bit ago." He praised. "I was never this fast starting out," She smiled, obviously pleased. "How do you manage to pick this all up so fast?" he asked ruefully.
She shrugged again, "I have some idea what I'm doing from you know where, I was basically doing magic while doing my work. Just a different brand you know?" He nodded thoughtfully. "Magic is all about willpower, assuming you have the necessary genes to access it. Angelic, mortal, daemonic, they all have that in common. Angelic is obviously easier and more potent than mortal magic, but it all comes down to instincts in the end. I'm doing well at mortal magic, because I'm used to instinctively reaching for the power and directing it. I may have to tie it all up in incantation and wand movement to get it clear enough, but thats how it is when you get right to the heart of it."
Harry nodded understanding, listening to Kara once she got going could often be educating. "Can you still use Angelic magic?"
She shook her head, "No, I can reach for the mask and the wings, but the other stuff is out of reach. As it is both of those take far more power and will than it used to."
"What kind of magic do Angels use?" He asked curious.
"Depends, most of it's based around the archetypes of fire and light, sometime around the concept of purity. All of it powered by love and similarly positive emotions. Not all angels can do the same things of course. You're given what are referred to as "Keys" when assigned a position. Think of them as a stamp of authority. As an angel of death I lacked anything beyond rudimentary healing magic, but had more in the way of death magic, I knew when someone was sick and dying, how and why, where and when. Plus a wicked scythe of course." She noted smiling saucily at him. Other offices came with access to different magics. Hospitallers, also known as Angels of Mercy had the whole Healing Magic arsenal. They handled it when god intercedes and decrees a mortal to be healed. Archangels, who are essentially the Captains in God's Army get the whole battle and leadership package. Inspiring aura, Flaming sword of justice, armour of faith, you get the idea. They get the most keys of those that still follow god." She explained. "The Fallen, demons for lack of another word, get a whole arsenal, completely unrestricted. But its black, all of it, all tied up in hate and pain and rage. It would make them more powerful and dangerous if they weren't consigned to outer darkness."
"And God, does he do magic too?" He asked.
She waggled her hand. "Yes and no, what can you call it when you have the ability to make and unmake the laws of the universe at will at a moments notice? Magic is despite all appearances, a force of nature, just like gravity, mass, energy, time and other such things. But it was created when the universe was, it didn't predate it. So…"
They were interrupted by a knock at the door which swung open a touch a couple moments later. It was Emma peeking in uncertainly. "Hey you two, sorry for interrupting but the others are about done, I just got back from grabbing a bite with Sirius and Dan. I tell you this place, I'll never get used to it, It's like I've fallen down the rabbit hole every time I come here." She explained smiling happily. "Just without the Cheshire cat, stoner caterpillars and a mad hatter. I could have sworn I saw the queen of hearts earlier though." She joked while Harry and Kara gathered up their bags.
Harry wandered out into the shop proper and noticed Tonks patrolling the rows idly carefully watching the other customers. Harry turned in search of Hermione and stopped dead, not understanding exactly what he was seeing at first.
Hermione stood grinning beside the counter, swishing her dress playfully at him. It was a stunning little red affair, which was strikingly familiar. He realized it was identical to the little number she had worn to Fleur's wedding and she looked just as wonderful in it now as she did then.
"Hey Harry, what do you think? I felt like something a little more fun than robes." She grinned hopefully.
Harry for once knew exactly what to say when it came to the infinitely complicated question of girls. "It looks amazing Hermione, you look wonderful." He said sincerity ringing in his voice.
She smiled even brighter. "Thank you Harry," Harry noticed Kara who had padded around the girl in question smirked in amusement at the gobsmacked expression on Harry's face.
A whistle heralded the arrival of Tonks. "Damn lass, that look amazing on you, we need to take you dancing!" The Auror exclaimed as she approached their little group.
Hermione chuckled. "I'd need a partner for that Tonks,"
Tonks batted her eyelashes comically at her, Harry could have sworn she enlarged her eyes somewhat to make them seem more soulful. "What? Am I not your type Hermione?" She asked feigning hurt, before quickly reverting. Hermione laughed.
"What about Harry then, he's a strapping young lad," Kara said smiling mischievously thumping Harry on the shoulder as she wandered past.
He gave her an aggrieved look. "E Tu Brute?" he asked. "You know perfectly well I've only danced once, and I wasn't that good. I'm pretty sure Parvati hasn't forgiven me yet."
Hermione laughed at Harry's expression, "Honestly Harry, you weren't that bad."
"How would you know?" He shot back, "You were too busy dancing up a storm with Krum" he teased.
Emma was intrigued. "Who's Krum?"
Hermione looked a touch awkward and embarrassed, once again her close lipped policy had come to bight her in the shapely bum. "Oh you know, he was just a guy we knew, he was one of the visiting students from the other schools last year."
It was Harry's turn to laugh, and explained to Emma. "Viktor Krum was and is THE premier Quidditch player of the decade, A Bulgarian, but the wizarding world's equivalent of David Beckham."
Hermione's mother whistled in appreciation as her daughter blushed. "Damn it Hermione, you should tell us the good parts you know! How did you manage that?" Hermione just shrugged bashfully.
Harry carried on the explanations. "Everyone was jealous of those two, let me tell you." He said smiling fondly.
Hermione snorted. "Well yeah, the girls wished they were dancing with him, and the guys wanted to shake his hand or get autographs." She explained waving that off.
Harry shook his head. "That explains why they were jealous of you, not why they were jealous of him. Hermione every guy in there except Weasel and Ferret wished it was them dancing with you and not him," Harry asserted, and hermione blinked owlishly at him.
"Harry don't exaggerate," She protested weakly.
Harry looked to Emma feigning a put upon expression. "Hermione's never shown you how she looked in that dress has she?" He asked, and the woman shook her head as they walked out into the street. "We'll have to get you to see the penseive memory some time. We'll use mine, I was watching her the whole night,"
"Really and what did you think of how she looked," Emma asked blissfully ignorant of her daughters blushing.
Harry paused and considered how to explain. "How about I put it like this, there was a girl at Hogwarts last year, Fleur Delacour, she was the French Champion for the Tournament. She's part Veela, which by extension means she's part non-human. Naturally and supernaturally beautiful, so you can imagine the effect she has on guys," He said and Emma nodded, "Good, then you understand better what Hermione looked like to me when I say this. Despite Fleur's Magical beauty I would hands down, without a shadow of doubt, choose to dance with Hermione instead of her." He explained solemnly.
"Wow," Emma said in agreement, "Come on Hermione, you need to tell me the details about this, we can hit the book store while Harry hits the bank for more spending money" She said persuasively. Hermione spent a good five seconds waging a battle in her mind. A her desire to go to a book store duked it out against her desire to avoid the interrogation her mother was planning. Predictably, this being Hermione, the desire to go to the book store won out, and she gave in.
—-
Harry strolled into the bank, the marble floor causing his footsteps to ring somewhat in the hush of the temple of money. Harry paused briefly within the bank's main doors to observe his surroundings. As before the banks security was at a heightened state of readiness, and a somewhat unnatural quiet had fallen over the customers. Harry's reasons for being in the bank today were somewhat more complicated than just a simple need to withdraw some more funds for their shopping trip. He needed to sound out the Goblins in regards to some ideas which had been bouncing around his mind the last couple nights.
He walked, unhurried up to a counter at random, and spoke with the Goblin behind it. "Good day, I was looking to speak with Director Ragnok about a couple of business concerns, I was wondering if you would please relay my request to meet with him?" He asked pleasantly.
The Goblin for his part gave him a funny look, something hard to recognize on a Goblin's face, in response to his unusually courteous address. "Perhaps I may enquire who it is who is making the request?" He asked cautiously.
Harry chuckled a bit, "Sorry, I got ahead of myself I guess, my apologies, my name is Harry Potter, pleased to meet you." He said smiling politely at the person behind the counter.
The Goblin recognized him now, and knew just what position and status accompanied the name, it was indeed likely that the Director would be willing to entertain his request for an audience. "Ah, of course Lord Potter, please wait while I relay you request." He instructed as he hopped down off his chair.
Harry waited, but it was only a short while before a Goblin Soldier marched up to him. If pressed Harry would admit that it was a little odd to feel menaced by anyone who only came up to a just ahead above your waist. But he reminded himself some of the things he had, despite himself, managed to absorb about Goblins the last time around. In addition to their well known crafting abilities, Goblins were despite appearances strong little creatures for their size. People if one was being politically correct. Faster and more agile than you'd credit them with too. It was a foolish man or wizard who assumed they were less intelligent that a human, and suggesting such would inevitably result in you getting cut off at the knees and then perforated repeatedly with sharp objects.
Harry looked into the pair of dark eyes behind the eye slit of the helmet and was careful to appear non-threatening. "Lord Potter?" The gravelly voice inquired, he nodded. "The director has agreed to grant you an audience, would you please follow me?" The warrior asked gesturing with an armoured hand towards the office section of the bank.
Harry indicated he would and followed on the being's heels as he was led through the bank. They were at the Directors office once again a minute later and he was allowed through the door by a pair of glaring warriors hefting poleaxes.
The Goblin himself pushed to his feet as Harry entered the room and came cautiously around his desk, bowing slightly. "Ah, Harry, it is good to see you again, may I ask what brings you to Gringotts today?" He asked.
Harry nodded, and smiled returning the slight bow, "Hello again Ragnok, it is good to see you again too. I'm here because I have some issues your bank might be able to help with." He explained as he took a seat across the desk from the director. The Goblin waved for him to go on. "I understand that Goblin business ventures into areas others do not?" He asked.
Ragnok peered at him, understandably a bit suspicious following such a carefully phrased question. "We do, but may I first ask what you might be referring to?"
Even Harry could read the caution in the Goblin's tone and understood how his statement might be misconstrued. "I was specifically referring to the remains of rare and dangerous magical creatures. As you may or may not know, there was an incident at Hogwarts a couple years back, student were being petrified. It turned out this was the result of indirectly catching a Basilisk's gaze. I killed the beast myself, and as I understand it this means that its remains are mine by right." Harry noted, he'd had to do some hasty checking around, largely by inquiring with Sirius about such things.
Ragnok studied him speculatively. "Your explanation as to the events at Hogwarts those years ago do explain a number of things, but tell me if you did indeed slay such a beast, how did you manage it? What can you tell me of the beast in question?" He asked delicately.
Harry understood his caution and so did not take offence to the questioning tone. "I had a lot of help, a magical sword and a Phoenix belonging to the headmaster," He explained. "The Phoenix, Fawkes in case you are curious about that, took it's eyes so I could fight it, I was separated from my wand, though I understand it would have done me little good against its hide…" He noted ruefully. "I managed to kill it with the sword, and it's only thanks to that Phoenix that I didn't die of the venom in it's bite. As for the details on the creature? It was big, I was only twelve at the time so my judgement of its size might be skewed but it looked to be around fifty feet long five feet across the head or so, grey hide."
Ragnok considered that, it was all things considered an odd tale, but not outrageously so. And the boy would likely need to be a fool to try and pull one over on the head of Gringotts about such a thing. And if what the boy had said was true… "Such a beast would need to be thousands of years old." He noted, and the boy nodded.
"I know it was old, at least since the time of Slytherin, the creature was caged in his chambers at the castle." Harry agreed.
Ragnok nodded slowly. "A beast of that magnitude, glutted for so long on the magic emanating from the school, possibly a familiar of a terrible and powerful wizard such as Salazar…It's body would be positively saturated with magic, nearly useless for a couple years in all honesty…But once the worst of the excess had faded? This beasts remains would be uncommonly potent." He noted a touch of avarice at the thought of what possessing the remains of the creature could do for him and his people. "It's hide would be fully developed, second only to the hide of the more powerful dragons…If you were to have such a specimen in your possession I would need to insist on inspecting it's remains personally. Such is the nature of the financial gains that could be made off such a creature. I wonder if the Headmaster will be difficult? I imagine not, after all creating a fuss would likely cause unwanted backlash for him…Very well, perhaps the first week in september upon your return to Hogwarts?" The Goblin decided.
Harry nodded agreeably. "I would be amenable to that…" Harry couldn't help but hope he wasn't wrong and that the remains would live up to the Goblins hopes. He also couldn't help but speculate on just what a boon the funds provided by such a sale might be. To him or any cause he might throw it at.
Ragnok looked pleased and made a couple notations on his books. "Now then, there were additional matters you wished to discuss?"
Harry nodded, glad to have at least succeeded in one regard. "Yes, we'll cover the easiest of the remaining two issues first I think? I would like to speak with both muggle and magical master shipwrights, and muggle and magical master builders. It is related to those property reviews and surveys I requisitions of my families bequests. Perhaps we could arrange such meetings for the day of the Basilisk survey and rendering?" He suggested.
"That would likely be the most efficient arrangement," Ragnok agreed making an additional note.
Harry nodded happily then grew sober, "There is one other matter, and it is something that needs to be handled delicately, while I'm certain that the ministry or others might be willing to handle the issue I'm not sure it is within their capabilities…" He trailed off.
"Oh, It is unusual for a wizard to admit anything might be beyond their grasp." Ragnok noted somewhat bitterly. Harry could only nod his concession of the point.
"It pertains to dark artifacts, specifically the kind that I mentioned during the trial with the wizengamot." Harry said cautiously.
"Ah, I believe I do know what type of artifact you are referring to, but I find myself wondering do you understand the scope of what you are speaking of?" The Goblin asked. "Your references to such objects were…vague."
Harry nodded, then considered, few places were as secure as Gringotts, if he wasn't free to speak relatively openly about it here? Then nowhere was safe. "I am, in the interest of disclosure, I'll admit I know precisely what such objects are, and have an idea of how they are created, I know what we call them, though not what you might…" Harry offered.
"Abominations," Ragnok said shortly.
Harry barked a dark laugh, "Appropriate as that is what a Horcrux is. An abomination, I hope to find and destroy any of the others that may be out there. I believe I know the location of one other but…If I tip my hand, and Voldemort hears of it?" He said uncertainly.
The Goblin looked at him sharply, from anyone else he would suspect they were implying he could not keep a secret, but this being Lord Potter he knew the boy was being relatively straight forward and so took his comment as it was intended. "He would hide the rest, possibly beyond the reach of those seeking to destroy them." he said astutely.
"Exactly, and we don't want that. I want to see these things destroyed. Including the one in me, but I have no interest in dying either. Not before the others are destroyed at least. If they were to be destroyed and no alternative were available though?" He said a touch hopelessly.
Ragnok, felt sympathy for the young man, a rare occurrence for the Goblin in regards to Humans in general. "I quite understand, and I believe I know why you desire an expert in Dark Artifacts. Normally were a person to request such a specialist from us we would dispatch curse breakers such as who I believe you are passingly acquainted with?" He asked and Harry nodded agreement. The Goblin got up and paced, "But a Horcrux, that is indeed something else entirely. Especially seeing as this one is secured within an unwilling living host…" He speculated. "I know of one expert who might know something about such things…However the specialist is of unique position and quite dear to the Nation. I would need not only formal assurances, but acts of good faith in order to sell such a proposal to the Nation's Elder Council. That is if I can get the specialist to agree to meet with a human Lord at all…" He explained.
Harry nodded understanding. "Of course, I am aware just how dangerous and rare the knowledge related to such things is. I know those among my own people who possess the knowledge of these things, part with it very reluctantly. I would expect nothing less from the Nation in regards to the safety of one of their own. What might you require in regards to a good will gesture?" He asked.
Ragnok was pleased by the boy's willful cooperation. "The location of the Horcrux you know of would be an excellent start, at least so we know where such a threat exists." He noted, and Harry reluctantly nodded. "I would also make a request which we make of all people who come to us with issues that may affect the nation's welfare. I must request that any Goblin made artifacts that are yours by right of inheritance or conquest be returned to the nation." He said.
Here Harry paused. "The first I will do without reservation as I believe you understand the weight of the situation. The second however may I request one caveat?" He said slowly. The Goblin glowered, but nodded. "One of the Artifacts that is available to me, I suppose you could say by right of inheritance…I need it at least for a time, the object is capable of destroying the objects we're speaking about, and parting with it before that task is complete, might hamper my efforts." He explained carefully. The Goblin looked to him in interest and Harry continued to explain a bit more. "I'm willing to part with any Goblin made artifacts in any of my family's vaults, or in any of my families properties, however I need to hold onto the…other until I've completed my mission against Voldemort." He explained more succinctly.
Ragnok considered, "I am prepared to make such a concession, on the condition you tell me what the artifact in question is." he decided.
Harry nodded in relief. "Thank you sir, that's a weight off my mind." he smiled ruefully. "Right then, how about we deal with the first requirement, the location of a Horcrux. The object in question is the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff." He explained and the Goblin blinked surprise. Harry soothed his conscience by telling himself that the other objects needed to be dealt with in a certain way or timeframe, by Heavenly decree. So holding off on revealing them early made sense. He was only revealing the location of the Cup in the confidence Ragnok would not destroy it early in the hopes of keeping Voldemort unaware longer. "And I'm afraid it currently resides within the vault of Bellatrix Lestrange, right here in the bank," He said apologetically.
Ragnok hissed and made a gargling cackling sound which Harry took to be a Goblin curse word. "You mean to tell me that—honourless, profitless, H'zarak son of a cur dog snake humping bastard whoreson, secreted one of those abominations in the Nation's heart?" He demanded.
Harry nodded agreement. "I'm afraid so, you see why I stressed the need to leave it unmolested or at least undestroyed for the time being?" He asked.
Ragnok agreed grudgingly, without that understanding, he might have ordered it destroyed immediately in his rage fuelled haste. "I do, but that does not make me any happier, leaving such an object grates against me, against everything I profess to stand for. Very well, thank you Harry, you have done us a service, one we shall not forget, I will dispatch the curse breakers to tear down its defences and place our own in their stead, no servant of the Dark One will get near his filthy prize while Goblins still draw breath in this bank." Ragnok vowed.
Harry was rather impressed, such a plan hadn't occurred to him, but it fulfilled the requirements he had been dictated. The Horcrux would remain untouched until later, but this way it wouldn't be protected, it would be guarded against.
Ragnok calmed down a minute or so later, "Indeed, now, I would like to offer our aid in destroying any other Horcruxes you come across in the future, but first we will move on to the issue of the artifact you need for your mission…" He directed.
Harry nodded dutifully. "You recall I mentioned slaying the Basilisk with a blade, it was a Goblin made sword. It was provided to me by the Sorting Hat. It safe guarded it for one it's previous owner would have considered worthy." He explained. "The Sword of Gryffindor,"
Ragnok, paused for a moment, before throwing back his head in a laugh. "Ah, I see why you were so cagey at first when discussing it, again hasty action could have harmed your cause had you not negotiated first. You have some good measure of sense young Harry." He said smiling in that disturbing Goblin manner which resembled a full blown snarl. "You say the blade is capable of destroying Horcruxes?" He asked, then answered his own question, "But of course, you killed a Basilisk with it, it's venom became infused in the blade. As if the weapon were not wondrous enough!" he cackled. "Yes, you shall be allowed to wield it unchallenged Harry, at least until the Horcruxes are gone. Then we will be wanting that gift back." He cautioned.
Harry smiled in relief once again, "Excellent, then I believe we have an agreement, I'm very appreciative of your help today. May I ask if there is anything I can do in addition to what we agreed upon in thanks?" he asked. He knew strictly speaking there was no reason to make such an offer, they'd already negotiated fair terms. But he was grateful and a gesture like this could mean a lot for future dealings.
Ragnok laughed, somewhat surprised and unfooted by the boy's offer. "No Harry, at least not right now,"
"Then I will take my leave for today I think, if you will permit, I look forward to speaking with those we discussed in the first week of September," Harry said happy with how the meeting had gone.
They exchanged pleasantries and Harry departed. Leaving a very thoughtful Goblin in his wake. He knew who he needed to contact to fill the requests made by the unusual young man. He was actually pleased to find he had for once come out of a meeting with a wizard more or less entirely satisfied with the result. He had implied getting agreement from the Elder council for some of the boy's requests would be difficult, but he now realized that despite the stipulation they had agreed upon the Goblins came out of this deal very well off. Oh, it was no pleasure to hear an abomination like a Horcrux was lurking beneath their feet of course, but he knew they were getting the best of the deal. The carcass of a Basilisk, significant funds from the deals Harry was looking to work in regards to his properties, a returned sword of Gryffindor and all the Goblin made artifacts belonging to House Potter. Oddly enough all these things paled in comparison to the two things Harry was providing them with, quite without his knowledge. First was the chance to quite deliciously harm a very hated foe in the Dark One. The second was this, Harry Potter had strengthened the Goblin Nation by quite a significant margin with his actions. Many would trip over themselves to placate or profit with the Goblins in these dealings, and for the first time in centuries the Nation was dealing with a friendly and powerful Human Lord. One who would, Ragnok reflected as he watched said Lord walk out the door, be quite powerful in the future, one who could and likely would work with them when the time came. Were he more like Dumbledore, he might have reflected on just what kind of powerful piece had been added to his side of the board. But Ragnok was nothing like Dumbledore, he didn't think of people in terms such as that. Soldiers, warriors, and heroes were not just resources to be expended at will and then forgotten, they were treasures to be hoarded, and held dear, only to be used up in necessity. The Nation had just gained a great treasure indeed in getting the Boy-Who-Lived on there side, but they may have gained something greater by getting Harry Potter.
The boy was strange, unlike any Wizard Ragnok had had occasion to meet, he quite strangely seemed to lack the biases most of his kind seemed to harbour against Goblins. He treated them fairly and on occasion with a level of deference, even favouritism. As one might a dear friend or trusted ally. This was far more than Goblins had come to expect from Wizards, or Humans in general. It made the Director wonder, just what kinds of changes might be riding on the wind.
—
Draco reached out and snagged the crystal cup from his mother's hand bringing it up to his nose, drawing a deep breath. Detecting no sent of alcohol he recognized it as nothing more than fruit juice, just like the healer ordered. His mother gave him a grim and rueful thin-lipped smile. The healer had been summoned following her most recent outburst. He had prescribed a number of potions, but he said at this point the most critical thing for Narcissa Malfoy was regular nourishment. Sadly Narcissa's stomach had taken a bit of a beating from her drinking and was now quite sore, confining her for a time to beverages. In this case pulped orange juice. He smile apologetically back at her, he didn't like being required to lord over her so carefully, she was his mother. Draco may have enjoyed exercising power more than the average person his age, in fact he loved it. But he never indulged in this appetite in regards to his mother. There was such a thing as honour, something which despite appearances Draco did know at least a little something about and remembered now and then.
"Sorry mother, you understand I had to check?" He asked carefully, as he sat heavily in the seat next to her at the dinning room table. He couldn't help but wince a little at a crash in the background. He'd ordered the elves to dispose of all the liquor in the house. The elves had taken to the task with gusto and were apparently dancing around an alcohol fuelled bonfire out back. Normally he'd intervene in such a…display from the creatures, but today he was just too blasted tired to care. He'd chased his mother around the yard all evening last night and then stayed up with her while the healer looked her over.
She nodded. "Yes, I know," she said and yawned a bit. She had dark circles around her eyes and her hair was more than a little frizzed out. "Thank you for looking out for me Draco," She intoned sadly as she stared at the cup of liquid before slamming it back like it was whiskey.
Draco shuddered a bit at the memories from the evening before, he may be a hot blooded teenage male, but he had no desire to see his mother streaking about in her skivvies. He couldn't help but think of the things a very drunken Narcissa had shrieked at him though. He knew she wasn't exactly herself at the time but it didn't make the accusations any more palatable. "I'm sorry for…adding to the stress you're facing." he said uncertainly. He wondered if this might set her off again, alcohol or no.
Narcissa just sighed, "Yes, you made a difficult situation worse Draco, however that doesn't make my behaviour any more acceptable. I apologize." She refilled her cup from the pitcher and stared at the cup blankly for a moment. "You do understand why I'm upset do you not dear?" She asked.
He nodded, he understood at least in part. "I threw us into conflict with a powerful foe at a time when our resources are severely reduced." He said dutifully.
She shook her head. "That is part of it true, but only a small part. I will lay it out for you plainly as we have no time for wasted words. I am upset for a number of reasons. Your father has been arrested and is likely being charged this very minute with treason and a number of other serious offences, all as a result of allying so foolishly with that monster. Pureblood ideals are one thing, but what the Dark Lord intends in lunacy. Add to this the censure the Ministry has placed on our family for it, the seizure of funds, the re-warding of the house and the Dark Lord is likely supremely displeased with us right now. It is quite ironically only those wards which are keeping him from invading our home and killing us right now." She shuddered at the thought of what the Dark Lord might do to her and her son if he were to get his hands on them right this minute.
Her and her sisters had never been part of that crowd in their youth, not like Lucius had. They had been Purebloods, members of a very prominent, very wealthy, and very powerful dark family. It was true that her family had leanings that would make it easy to assume they would automatically ally themselves with someone spouting Blood Purity as their party line. Her family had intended to, under the orders of the family patriarchs make loose connections with those who were on the rise. It had been almost purely by chance that these figures had included the Malfoys and the Lestranges. Her two elder sisters and her were to be married off to cement alliances. While she would never admit it, Andromeda may have been the smartest of the three when she bailed by intentionally getting herself cast from the family when she announced her love of a Muggleborn at christmas dinner. It very publicly put her on the "No Touching" list for other more hard line Purebloods. Bella and herself had not been audacious and had married as was expected. She herself had married Lucius, a man who she only grudgingly allowed to touch her as a husband should his wife.
Arrogant even by the standards of many purebloods, that was Lucius alright. But he was a paper tiger, which is to say all his influence and power was purely tied up in the theoretical and somewhat ephemeral world of money and politics. Sadly the Lestranges had proved a different beast entirely.
Bellatrix Black, had been a lively, erudite, and somewhat irreverent but vivacious girl, with a cast iron will and the kind of hardheaded family pride that people could only dream of in one of their scions. For Bella family had always come first, no questions no compromise, even above notions of Pureblood supremacy, which Bella had at the time quietly scoffed at. She had as her family demanded married a Lestrange, a dark and and broody young man called Rodolphus. It was it was assumed going to be a loveless marriage. They hadn't known the half of it. Rodolphus and Bella had disappeared immediately into the ranks of the Death Eaters the night of their wedding and had not returned. Narcissa had suspicions what had happened to her sister, but had never had them confirmed until one night when Lucius had been uncommonly drunk. In short, they had broken her. Bella had been defiantly against their cause, but the Dark Lord wanted her for his many and heinous purposes. So she was broken, a process that according to Lucius had taken the better part of a year. The details didn't bear thinking on, but Bella had been systematically torn down before being ever so carefully built back up from the oblivion she'd been reduced to. If she showed the barest sign of independent thought or defiance she was tortured or violated in whatever myriad of ways the Death Eaters could think of, while if she did as she was told or professed any sentiments that synched with those of her captors she was rewarded, at first with a reprieve then with tasks that pleased her masters thus extending such reprieves. Eventually Bella was gone, and Bellatrix was reforged into something unrecognizable. Brain washing was not a new idea, but the Death Eaters had taken creative joy in it. When next Narcissa personally saw Bellatrix, it was a year and a half later, when she helped storm Hogwarts with her brethren. Purebloods like Narcissa and Lucius were overlooked as they dashed in a panic about the burning school's halls, trying to avoid being caught in or being implicated in the worst of the fighting. Muggleborns and Halfbloods, or anyone who stood up to the Death Eaters were not so lucky.
The school hadn't fallen, Bellatrix in all her insane and frightening glory had, along with her elite retinue been driven back by the teachers and the Aurors. But not before Narcissa had seen the monster which had replaced her sister butchering children.
Narcissa had then realized the extent of her folly when she followed her parent's will. She was then trapped in a marriage with Lucius, one of the mildest of the Death Eaters. Oh he might spout the rhetoric and gladly kill in its name, but he steadfastly protected his wife as his odd sense of honour dictated from her being subjected to the same treatment as her sister. She had no illusions that this protection would evaporate should she leave Lucius.
And so Narcissa now stared the evaporation of that protection in the face of what happened at the trial. What would be done with Draco she knew not but she knew it would be terrible. No amount of talk of blood purity or towing the line would protect them now. And then her impetuous son had made it worse.
He had as his interpretation of honour demanded, declared a blood feud with the Potter brat. Now as bad as that could have been usually. Even at the height of their glory the Malfoy's would have been hard pressed to overcome the negative effects of declaring war on the beloved Boy-Who-Lived, the impoverished and muggle raised urchin with a penchant for trouble and befriending underdogs. Now, with their funds and allies stripped from them, her son had been so foolish as to declare war on the last scion of a Most Ancient and Most Noble house. A Lord with Allies in high places and apparently more than a little fire in his blood.
"Do you not understand?" She asked. "We are trapped now, we could have sought allies in less trafficked quarters of the houses of power, even after your father's disgrace, but now no sane person would dare. We are trapped within a very thin layer of defences, with more enemies than allies. The prime examples of this are Dumbledore and his deluded do-gooders, The Dark Lord who would gladly have us flayed alive as an object lesson, the Ministry who see us as criminals, and whatever mad faction it is that Potter is trying to raise." She explained, Draco paled in the face of having it so baldly explained. "We are quite frankly fucked darling." She growled as she emptied her glass again, clearly wishing it were something stronger. "And we can't get out of it, even if you were to back out now we would be in no better state than we are now."
Draco nodded soberly suddenly wishing he had some Fire whiskey too. "All we have left is our honour and precious little enough of that as it is. I can see no way to break off the feud without further tarnishing it. Throwing ourselves at the mercy of Potter and his Mudblood horde would net us nothing I think,"
Narcissa snarled a bit. "Draco, despite the state of war between us and Potter I would advise you to tread more carefully about him, his unwillingness to kill us outright is the only thing we have going for us in regards to him. Try not to antagonize him further, and bloody hell, if you must fight him because your idiotic pride demands it, try not to actually kill him, unless you want us fed to the wolves immediately afterwards. As to the Mudbloods, you might want to excise that word from your vocabulary, who knows, perhaps if he doesn't hate us too much Potter won't have us kicked outside the wards when he hands us our arses."
Draco was suddenly feeling very ill, it was a very bad day when you were so low you had to keep words like Mudblood out of things as a Pureblood prince. He couldn't help but agree with his mothers coarsely worded assessment. They were screwed. But…perhaps he could think a way out of this mess? He was after all a Slytherin? A student of cunning? Perhaps he could find a way to bow out of the conflict with his honour intact? With that done, their family would be able to court others for favours to be repaid later? He would need to think on it.
Narcissa sighed again. "Draco, I apologize again, I think exhaustion is getting to me, I should never have allowed my language to deteriorate so. I'm just—I'm scared Draco, you're the only thing I love that I have left in the world. And in a little over a week you will be going to that school. Where I can't even begin to try and protect you. You do realize what you will face there? You won't be able to count on Gregory or Vincent anymore, Theo will be out for your blood…Who knows what Zabini will do." She shook her head. "The Greengrasses have officially allied with House Potter so you'd best mind yourself around those girls, and for the love of all that is holy, try not to alienate parkinson."
He nodded sharply. Pansy and her family were perhaps the only allies they had left, and that was only because of the tentative marriage contract they had with her family. It was only because of Pansy's fondness for him that her father hadn't already dissolved the pact between them. He hated to think what his life would be like without her at least. She'd been the only one smarter than the average troll that he could converse with openly. "I understand, I love you too mother, and I'm worried about leaving you behind. Are you certain you'll be safe here?" he asked uncertainly.
She shrugged. "The wards are just as powerful as ever just for the most part reversed, they'll hold long enough for me to run should it come to that. If worst comes to worst…well I pray cousin Sirius is feeling at least a touch merciful. As it stands he's unlikely to shelter us with us threatening his Godson."
"Then I'll see what I can do to have the word put out, you have nothing to do with the Blood Feud," Draco said decisively. "It may not be enough, but perhaps in time we can at least open that avenue to you. I'll try and smooth things over and withdraw in such a way we loose as little face as possible. God help us if I fail though,"
—
Harry hurried out of the bank a short time later almost immediately spotting the girls in the crowded street as they waited for him to return. It was Hermione who spoke up as he arrived. "What happened in there Harry you were gone an awfully long time?" She asked perplexed.
Harry shrugged. "I just had some business to take care of," he said offhanded. She gave him a worried look and he remembered the incident a couple days ago. He hurried to reassure her. "Nothing you need to worry about, it's nothing imminent either."
She looked doubtful, "Are you sure?"
He nodded. "Yes, mostly just some questions about property and such, I'll be meeting with a couple specialists during the first week at Hogwarts, do you want to come along?" He asked, realizing belatedly that these things were subjects Hermione might be interested in.
She nodded hurriedly. "Of course…" She hesitated. "That is if you want me there, I know the property thing is probably a bit personal so if you want to handle it on your own—But if you'll have me I'd be more than happy to…"She babbled. Harry held up a hand to stall her.
"I'd be glad to have you, I'd like to get your ideas on some of the renovations I might take a look at. And you never know, maybe you can come up with a use for some of this stuff." He noted as their group slowly padded towards the Leaky Cauldron.
"Well I'm not sure I can help with the details of renovation, but I might have some general ideas that could help," She hedged. "Have you thought about visiting any of the properties? Or taking a look at some of the stuff in storage?" She asked.
He nodded. "Yeah sure, but its pretty spread around, and I don't know what's safe to be around in the case of Whitewall." He pointed out. "I've thought about checking out that property in Hawaii though, if only for the chance to be on the far side of the planet from my problems." He said ruefully.
"Well, it looked lovely, if we had more time before returning to school I'd suggest using it to get away for a bit." She agreed. "I hear that Hawaii is spectacular."
He nodded agreement as they entered the pub. "Maybe a trip for one of the holidays then, might be nice to get to a place warmer than the highlands in december." He pointed out.
"Ooooh," Hermione groaned. "That sounds nice, Hogwarts is so cold that time of year. It'd be nice to go somewhere I could get a tan and swim without losing bits to frostbite,"
Kara decided here would be a great place to interject, "Plus you could show off in your bikini, or are you a thong girl?" She teased winking.
Harry just about choked to death on his own spit at the images those statements caused while Hermione shot Kara a panicked expression. Her self confidence was not so strong that she was ready for the boy she was secretly nursing a crush on to see her like that. Emma was, unbeknownst to the pair, shooting Kara a thumbs up while Tonks chortled behind them.
"We'd have to go shopping for a proper set then," Emma said happily, "The only time we've been to a beach with Hermione was in France, and the dress code was a little different." She said smiling at her horrified daughter.
"Mum!" She shrilled as Harry once again nearly died from accidental asphyxiation. Tonks laughed heartily at that.
"Aw Hermione, I didn't know you were so daring!" She teased.
"I wasn't! I wore a one piece, it was only mum who…argh, Never mind!" Hermione said her face burning red, she sought retribution. "Mum's right we'll need proper suits if we go to Hawaii, Americans are different about that sort of thing than Europeans. But Tonks?" She said sweetly as they approached the tube station. "If we end up going there Harry's gonna need to bring along his trusty bodyguard, you'll be needing one too unless you want to stand on the beach in that," She shot back indicating Tonks' typical semi-goth outfit. "Besides I bet you look great in a g-string!" Kara practically had to give Harry the Heimlich maneuver as Tonks blushed, a rare occurrence for her, but Hermione was merciless in her counter attack. "That is of course assuming that Harry's place there isn't on one of those nude resorts. But what are the chances of that? Are you okay Harry?" She asked suddenly concerned.
"Yeah fine, just— never mind I'll be fine," He gasped his eyes bugging a little. "Bollicking hell!" He murmured as the images the girls had been conjuring danced in his mind. He'd need to see a mind healer soon, if this kept up he wouldn't be able to walk and think at the same time.
Author's Notes: By the way I'm aware Harry is having...trouble handling "sexy" conversations. He's still a teenager in many ways. And fairly quiet spoken, so that's why he's not just shrugging it off. Again he's no casanova.
So tell me what you think. Rate, Review, comment, message, make predictions, ask questions (P.S Please make sure questions are actually stated as such. Some of them come across as statements or accusations). What else….Uh, I forget.