Chapter 5 Other Arrangements
After the second mine cart ride in which all of them followed the same route Harry's guard decided to draw straws to decide who would have the misfortu…humm…honor of riding in Harry's cart with him. The rest would take a decoy route and wait for the teen at the site of the next vault he had to investigate. This gave the guard the chance to investigate the site of each vault from the outside and it also gave the added bonus in that only two of their members were temporally incapacitated for a short period of time after each trip not to mention the fact that cleaning clothes with magic didn't get them as clean as a proper washing would.
Each of the vaults that Harry investigated had been treated in the same manor. By the third vault the group had satisfied their hunger and all had drunk some of the excellent white wine that had been supplied. Harry finished up fairly early in the evening with his vaults and only had to open the Malfoy and Snape vaults before they called it a day. After finding the money polished and stacked up in neat rows, table, chair, wine and food in all of his vaults he was a bit surprised to find what appeared to be total chaos in the last two.
"I should have collected Snape and Malfoy to come look over their vaults. I'm not really sure what they own. The only thing I have done to their vaults was to purge them of black artifacts a few months ago. Griphook, Did you get me that list of investments they had? I really need to start putting their money to work. Malfoy especially. He has a mother to support and only about 100,000 galleons left after paying out his fines."
Griphook smiled at the question "I've gone over Snapes portfolio and he has only one investment and that's with a potion supply company. As for the Malfoy's there are four that seem to be nothing but a financial drain on the estate but as you requested I have not yet changed anything. I suspect those companies are or were a front to help support Voldermorts war. Total there is 16 investments that are paying quarterly revenues although three of those are somewhat questionable." Griphook answered. "I was preparing a statement for you when this incident side tracked me."
Shacklebolt had never asked mainly because it had never seemed like the right time. Now it was. "I've always wondered, why you testified in defense of Mrs. Malfoy and her son and Snape. You know they were guilty and yet you got them out of going to prison. Why them and not anyone else?"
Harry smiled at the question. He knew that a lot of people wondered at his motives for helping out those three death eaters instead of any others that had survived the purge but Shacklebolt was the first to ask. "Snape never rang true to me Kingsley. He saved my life to many times and even after the death of Dumbledore when Draco and he running for their lives and I tried to bring him down he took time to instruct me instead of fighting me before the two made their escape. I can't prove it because the man won't tell me but I strongly suspect that he was ordered by Dumbledore himself to not break his cover for anything or anyone except if it compromised my safety. You know about the spy that sent us inside information on Voldermorts activities? I strongly suspect it was Snape. If I ever prove it was I'll work to get him a full pardon. As for Draco? He's a coward through and through. He never really did anything to anyone although he knew how to 'talk the talk' as it were. He proved that fact very well when he failed so spectacularly at his first and only task assigned to him. Did you know that he spent the rest of the war hiding and shaking in his boots for fear that we would win and send him to the Dementors or that Voldermort would win and A.K. him for his failure? When the aurors caught up to him he was making his home in a burned out cellar of an old abandoned house. His mother was and is nothing more than a social butterfly. She really doesn't have much brain power on her own and just followed her husband's directions. For that she deserves punishment but not prison or death." Harry shrugged, "That's why I stepped in."
Harry sighed and once more looked at the mess that was the Malfoy vault. "I really need to get at least Draco in here to do an inventory of the non-monetary assets. Can we come back in the morning and do it? I want to get back to school."
Harry's guard exchanged glances and the last two that had shared a cart with him looked slightly green at the prospect of another cart ride with him but they all agreed that they could return in the morning with his charges to do an inventory. After the agreement was made the group made its way back to the surface and portkeyed back to Hogwarts.
It was too late for dinner so the group made its way down to the basement Harry leading the way. Once they came to the portrait of the pear Harry reached out and tickled it. The group except Harry watched in awe as the door opened to the Hogwarts kitchens. Harry caught the eye of a house elf and begged for some food for himself and his companions. A small table was set up for the seven and a virtual feast was placed before them. Before digging into the food with gusto Harry requested that Dolby fetch Draco for him. He wanted to let the boy know about the intended outing scheduled for the morning. He decided that he would send a letter to Snape after they had eaten and just have Snape meet him at Gringots.
He was well into his third piece of fried chicken before Draco made his appearance. The boy had a sullen look on his face as the house elf that had led him here went back to his usual chores.
Before Harry could greet his charge Draco jumped in immediately attacking the teen. "It figures that you would get special kitchen privileges that the rest of us lowly students are denied." He snarled.
Rather than retaliating Harry just raised an eyebrow at the unwarranted attack. His guards bristled with anger after hearing the teen vent his venom. Harry smiled as he watched Draco notice the other six sitting around the table directing less than friendly looks at him and allowed his smile to widen even further as the teen quelled under their regard. As he had explained to Kingsley earlier in the day, Draco was not much more than a coward who had learned to 'talk the talk' but when confronted with adversity he was very quick to back down unless he felt that he had enough of the upper hand to win the confrontation.
This was the main reason that Harry refused to give Draco a waver to use his wand without supervision here at school. Really, Draco was just a spoiled brat whose bark was much worse than his bite. Draco could talk with the best of them, but he was quick to back off from or avoid confrontations altogether. The only time he ever initiated a confrontation was when he was at a distinct advantage. Harry wasn't really worried about Malfoy. He was just a coward who was use to riding on his daddy's reputation. Draco would use that reputation to try to gain revenge on those less able to defend themselves before his daddy's defeat but now that daddy didn't factor into the equation he was mostly harmless. Well, harmless unless he could attack from ambush or greatly outnumber his opponent. Not odds that Harry was about to allow.
Harry did allow Draco the use of his wand in all of his classes where it was a necessary tool to his education and he also allowed practice time outside of classes under close supervision by either himself or one of the professors that taught him. Draco was not appreciative of the privilege and indeed seemed to think that Harry was withholding his God given rights by not allowing him to hex, curse or otherwise retaliate as he wished.
Well anyhow, back to the subject at hand. "Draco, I know that tomorrow is a rest day but I need you to accompany us to Gringots to look over the content of your family vault. I also want you to do a complete inventory of all of the artifacts being held there for your family. We'll meet you in the great hall for breakfast and leave directly after. Is that ok with you?" Harry had been a bit concerned over the fact that as he talked Draco was getting pale.
Shifting his eyes over the team assigned to guard Harry Draco took several moments before he attempted a response. "Do I get to do this alone? What's in my vault isn't any of your business."
Harry pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "No Draco, you cannot do this alone. Even if I wanted to let you I cannot. You know this so why are you asking?"
Draco's face started to get red in anger. "Why?" He barked out. "What business do you have there?"
"I was named the executer to your family trust as you are well aware. You have no access to the vault except through me. Draco, this would be a whole hell of a lot easier if you would just stop fighting me every step. I told you before and I'll say it again this time in front of witnesses. I neither want nor need your money. I will not steal from you or your family now stop being so childish."
LaRay Asher started to snicker as he narrowed his eyes at Draco. "Like your money could be considered anything besides a drop in the bucket? My family isn't rich but even we now have more than you do."
Draco's face became even redder at the Aurors words. Harry turned to the man with a mild look on his face and delivered the scold with a calm that many would envy. "Auror, do you really think its good policy to pick on someone who cannot defend themselves?" Harry raised one of his eyebrows as he contemplated the man. "Draco is under my ward ship and protection. That entitles him to a certain level of respect that you have breeched. Please control your tongue in the future."
LaRay's face went scarlet at the setdown before lowering his head in shame. "Sorry sir. Your right, I had no right to say those things to him."
Harry inclined his head acknowledging the apology before turning back to Draco. "We leave directly after breakfast. Be ready." With that the boy got to his feet and started out of the kitchen. "I tired and am going to bed. Night all."
Of course his rather dramatic exit was spoiled by the fact that he had six grown men scrambling behind him to reach the door ahead of him. Harry controlled the snicker that wanted to erupt at the sight of Kingsley scrambling to reach the door first so he paused to give them the illusion that they were on top of their job and exited the kitchen after two of the aurors did. He walked back to his common room sandwiched between the unspeakable Duncan Brames and followed by the aurors Kingsley Shacklebolt and Shelby Marwash after agreeing to meet the other three in the morning in the great hall for a meal.
The four got back to the painting that guarded the common room without incident. Shelby remained behind as the three passed through the portrait guarded door. Harry waved to the students that watched the three enter with shocked expressions on their faces before he went upstairs and into his dorm room. His two guards followed and stationed themselves Kingsley to stand guard outside the room and Duncan entered the room and positioned himself off to the side of the door.
Harry rolled his eyes at the security measures and asked, "Do you think your being here will disturb the others sleep? I should just ask Professor McGonagall for a private room till this is all over or perhaps a small apartment. Something with more than one bedroom that way we can set a private password to insure no one comes in uninvited and you lot will be able to relax a bit more. Even get some sleep instead of standing around like this. What do you think?"
Duncan looked relieved by the suggestion. "Truthfully we had discussed doing just that but we didn't want to disrupt your life that much."
Harry couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. Before he had time to get himself under control Kingsley had come rushing into the room to find out what the commotion was about. He was treated to the rare sight of Harry Potter engaged in a full belly laugh. Holding his sides to control the pain the unrestrained mirth was causing himself he could only helpless point a shaking finger at the auror and if anything Kinsley's entrance caused even more uncontrolled laughter. It was quite a few minutes later that Harry had regained control of himself. He had almost managed the task two times but seeing the confused grin on Kingsley's face and hearing the laughter coming from Duncan were his undoing both times.
Finally gasping for breath he managed to stop the laughter. "Sorry guys but this proves what I was saying. We need a private apartment till this is over. Can't have you busting in here over some laughter or you'll be scaring my dorm mates half to death." He wiped his eyes and shrunk his trunk down before grabbing it and heading for the door. "Coming?" he asked the two men as he left the dorm room and headed back down to the common room and out the door.
Shelby was startled to say the least when the small group exited the common room after he had though Harry was going to settle down for the night. Duncan explained to the two aurors what they were doing as the group made its way to the headmistress's office.
Harry rode up the moving stairs and as the door guarding the office stairs was open he just tapped lightly on the inner door before the headmistress bid him entrance. "Was your trip successful Mr. Potter?" she asked.
Harry threw himself down onto a comfortable chair before he answered her. "Yes although I need to go again tomorrow with Draco and Severus to have them check out their vaults. I needed to ask you if there was any way we could get a private apartment till this blows over. Its not going to work having them standing around in the dorm when we try to sleep. Its just going to make my dorm mates uncomfortable and unable to sleep." Harry winced as another though occurred to him. "I forgot, I need to send a message to Severus so that he can meet us at Gringotts in the morning."
Minerva grinned at the youth. "Is he staying at Lands End?" Harry nodded at the question. "Good, I'll send a message to him for you. As for your other request I had anticipated your needs and have set aside a three bedroom apartment for your group. It is fairly plain. Three bedrooms and a small common room although there are two loo's attached to the suit. Unfortunately the loo's are only equipped with showers but I am sure you seven can make due for a few days with the inconvenience. Two of the three bedrooms have two beds each and the third has three beds. I will allow you to sort yourselves out as to where you will be sleeping."
Softly calling "Kispy" a short house elf appeared. "Please show these gentlemen the way to their new room." She looked up at the group. "I have already taken the liberty of having the rest of your group directed to the apartment. Good night gentlemen."
After having received thanks from the four they followed the house elf out and to their new quarters.
It was well after midnight when the first white diminutive figure suddenly appeared just outside of the wards surrounding Hogwarts. It was soon followed by many others. The group crowded around the first to appear and excited whispers abounded. Shortly after the whole group was assembled they stepped forward as one and the wards in front of them bent inward and up forming an arch twelve inches high and eight inches across. Within the arch the wards vanished and the little creatures passed onto the school grounds without anyone within being any wiser. After all were within the wards the arch collapsed upon itself and the breech was sealed. The creatures scattered and blended into the background as they methodically began to search.
Excitement was high because they could feel that they were close to achieving their objective. Soon, very soon they would find god and rescue him from those evil ones that had kept him from them. Soon they would take him home…