AN: QLFC-Daily Prophet
Position: Seeker
Team: Tutshill Tornados
Prompt: 993
Word Count: 1996 words
Vault 993
Spring, 1996
Gringotts Bank was an immense marble structure of secrets at the heart of Diagon Alley. Run by goblins, this secure facility housed the many treasures of members within the Wizarding World community. From money to ornate objects, the labyrinth of vaults that lay far below the bank held many things that prying eyes could only imagine liberating. Each vault was unique and had their own sizes, purposes, and protections. From keys to direct access by goblin staff only, if any witch or wizard wanted to keep something safe, they would keep it in Gringotts. One vault was rumored to have a dragon guarding its contents, but the shabby aging wizard Remus Lupin had little interest in investigating a supposed rumor about a deadly creature standing between him and a vault he had no business entering. The brown, slightly graying, haired wizard stood outside the grand bank, his tired green eyes fixed on the shimmering golden sign Gringotts Wizarding Bank. He dressed up as best as he could, he wore a slightly shabby brown robe, a green and brown patterned jumper, brown pants, and slightly-scuffed black shoes. He recalled a fond memory when he saw the sign to the bank.
Summer, 1979
"You really didn't have to do this, James. I can manage just fine on my own." Remus told his longtime friend.
James Potter adjusted his glasses and smiled, his hazel eyes sparkling like they always did. "Oh, come on, Moony! I know I don't have to, but I want to. I know it's hard for you to get a job. Trust me, it's no trouble." He knew his friend struggled to get a job due to the werewolf regulations. Remus could, if he were lucky, work at a place for a little over a month before his symptoms began to show. In addition, he was forced to take jobs well below what he was capable of.
"I just-I feel like I'm just taking advantage of you." Remus admitted quietly.
"Don't ever think like that, Remus! I know you can use the money more than I can. I'll never spend it all in my lifetime. I doubt that even my grandchildren will want for anything!"
Remus chuckled. "Planning ahead that early, are you?" James blushed and laughed. "Then, you should save it, for when you and your family need it."
"What, you haven't figured it out already, Moony?" James placed his hand on Remus's shoulder. "You, Sirius, and Peter, you're all my family too. That fortune is ours. All of us. That includes you, mate. Alright?" Remus nodded, a small grin curled onto his face. "Come on, we have to do some annoying paperwork. After that, we can go out for a few drinks."
Spring, 1996
Remus smiled as he strolled through the grand entrance to the bank. He walked down the main hall, passing by goblin bank tellers hard at work. He stopped before the head goblin working at the main desk. He was working on some paperwork. The green-eyed wizard greeted the goblin in a friendly manner. "Good morning. I would like to withdraw from my vault, please." He said hoarsely as he presented his wand and vault key.
The goblin raised his head, set down his quill, and picked up the wand and key. "Very well." He handed the wizard back his belongings and motioned for him to pass. Another goblin accompanied Remus during the high-speed, twisting, and rickety railway ride that brought them deeper into the depths of the caverns below Gringotts and Diagon Alley. The car somehow managed to stay upright while the wheels and rods spun furiously below them as the car dipped and the track turned upside down. Remus wondered how the dimly-lit lamp was still glowing with a campfire-like light, even after all of the spinning. Suddenly, the railway car halted in front of a set of vaults. "Vault Nine Hundred Ninety-Three." The goblin stated.
Summer, 1979
"That was so much fun! Sometimes, I come here and withdraw a single sickle to ride the Gringotts cars. It drives the goblins mad." James laughed as the car came to a screeching halt. The lamp on the car lit the whole walkway with its bright and fiery embers.
"I can't imagine why." Remus rolled his eyes and smiled.
"Here we are. Vault Six Hundred Eighty-Seven." The goblin announced. The small group exited the car. "Key, please." The goblin said as he extended his arm towards James.
James reached into his brown denim jacket pocket and pulled out a small, golden key. The handle was decorated with molded, winding features that made the small object look quite elegant. He handed it to the goblin with a pleasant smile. The goblin merely rolled his eyes, took the key, and unlocked the vault. Inside this vault, there were mounds of gold, silver and bronze that twinkled in when the lantern light hit them. Remus stared in awe at the contents of the vault. He never thought he would see so much money in his entire life! He was used to seeing silver sickles and bronze knuts, but their dull shimmers could not compare to the glistening magnificence as the small mountain of galleons. "Whoa." Remus involuntarily muttered out, not realizing that he made such a noise. The young werewolf quickly quieted down, but not before James noticed.
"Come on, we've got to pick out some galleons. What about forty to start?" James suggested.
Remus's eyes grew wide. "Forty?! James, that is way too much!" Remus gasped. He thought five galleons would have been too much, not to mention forty!
James anticipated his friend would act like that, so he continued with his thought. "Ok, how about this: you take half of the galleons to spend, and then put the rest away in your own vault until you need it? So you can always have some emergency money." James explained. Remus still looked unsure. James walked into the vault, picked up a bronze knut, and tossed it to Remus. "Here, take this too."
Remus caught the small bronze piece and gave his friend a confused glance. "Why?" Remus asked, puzzled beyond saying anything else.
"When we get to your vault, put that near the door. Gringotts has a lot of protective enchantments, but there is a special kind of magic in a lucky coin. It can even rival Felix Felicis!"
Remus grinned. "I'll take your word for it, Prongs. And thank you, James, for everything. I can't even begin to express how much I appreciate this."
James nodded. "Of course, Remus. Like I said, you're my family too."
Spring, 1996
The goblin unlocked Remus's vault for him and opened the door. Compared to the Potter family vault, it was quaint. Instead of mounds of riches, there were some collections of silver and bronze with a couple of glints of gold scattered throughout. Remus picked up a few sickles, a galleon and a single knut, the one that was closest to the vault door. The goblin peaked his head in and tilted it curiously. "Why grab that one in particular?" He grumbled.
Remus offered the goblin an exhausted smile. "For luck."