Chapter 9 Srunk as a Dkunk

Harry and company visited the Snape vault first. With a small malicious smile Kingsley assigned Draco to the mine cart Harry was riding in and wasn't disappointed in the sweaty, slightly green face the boy sported once they arrived at their firs destination.

Morgan and LaRay accompanied Snape and Harry into the vault as Draco sat himself down on the ground digging deep into his will power to settle his rebellious stomach without spewing. Something no one of his stature would ever do in front of an audience. After he had regained some control of his body he started regaling his somewhat captive audience about how unfair life was treating him and how unfair and unreasonable Harry was being about him going into his vault alone. He was after all not a child and did not need supervision. He tried his best to talk Kingsley into letting him go on ahead to complete the chore without the group till finally in exasperation Kingsley just threw a silenco on him to give the rest of them some peace. Although none of the others cheered at Kingsley's actions you could see the hidden and not so hidden grins from the others.

It took almost two hours before Snape was finished with his inventory but at least no new dark objects had been found and none of the personal treasures of the Snape family had come up missing. Something Harry was very grateful for.

When the small group came out Harry and Snape were still deep in conversation about Harry's plans to revitalize the modest fortune that Snape owned. They sat together in Harry's mine cart and Harry dug out the notebook that he had written down the names of the four companies he had planned to put the funds into. Snape was a bit surprised at the knowledgeable explanations he was given about things like quarterly earnings, common stocks and market demands. When Harry started talking about things like bulls and bears which completely lost the potion master, Snape held up a hand to stop the enthusiastic youth's recital.

Harry would have been justified in making Snape look the fool for all the times he had belittled the boy in school but instead of continuing on once he realized that Snape didn't understand he stopped and grinned at the man and simply asked. "Do you approve?"

"Yes I do. I feel confident that you will do your best for me Harry. Thank you." Snape had never had much of a head for finances and he idly wondered if he could talk the youth into the continued handling of his money after the ten years were up. He had every confidence that if he did then in his old age he would be well situated financially and if he ever took a wife and had a family he was sure that under Harry's guidance they would want for nothing.

Their talk continued for another twenty minutes with the two making plans to get together again in four days to go over Snape's financial goals and to set a budget for day to day living expenses before they parted ways. Snape into the smallest mine cart to return to the surface and the rest into the larger carts to continue their journey to Draco's vault.

Kingsley at Harry's request removed the silencing charm he had placed on Draco. Fortunately all Draco did was sulk for the short trip. Once they came to a stop in front of Draco's vault the group was treated to a high pitched shriek of outrage. The Malfoy family vault had always resided on the lower levels where the security was the highest but at Harry's request it had been moved to the second level below the streets. The same level where poor families and muggles had their vaults. The minimum security level.

Advancing on Griphook in anger Draco demanded answers. "Why has my vault been moved? Who gave you the right to do this?"

Griphook just cocked an eyebrow at the angry boy and turned to Harry to explain.

With a sigh Harry touched Draco on the shoulder. "I ordered the change in location Draco. The higher security vaults charge a 5000 galleon maintenance fee per year as apposed to the 50 galleon fee charged at this level. Right now your family accounts are running in the red and you can't afford the higher fee."

Draco narrowed his eyes as he glared at Harry. "My family has many priceless artifacts that need protection. Change it back!"

Harry sighed again and gave a ruthful grin before he answered the demand. "Draco, were you at your fathers trials or did you at least read about them after they were over? Your father gave up a lot of the dark artifacts that were being held by your family in exchange for his life. The Aurors and Unspeakables went through your family estate and confiscated a lot of things that were classified as dangerous. They were destroyed. Draco, there's hardly any artifacts left here to protect. Look, if you find something that needs more security here I will see to it that it gets it but I warn you now if its dark I'll see it destroyed."

With a tight lipped snarl and a grim look on his face Draco pushed past Harry and put his hand on the signature spot and waited for the vault to open. One more sigh and Harry moved beside him before placing his hand where Draco's had so recently been. The vault opened.

Draco gave Harry one last outraged glare before he stormed into the vault and stopped dead in his tracks in shock. He knew on an intellectual level that most of his family's wealth was gone but this was the first time he had seen the proof. The pile of gold in front of him wasn't even as large as what his trust fund had once been and this was with the trust fund added back in. Oh Merlin, how could he and his mother live on this pittance? Even as he watched about a thousand golden coins vanished. Turning hurt filled eyes back to his guardian he stumbled over the question. "Wwwhere did ththat money j-just go?"

Harry looked at the shocked teen with pity. "There are a few unsound investments your father was involved in. I had my account manager make up a list for me and I plan on pulling your support out of them and re-investing in other companies. That's one of the things I wanted to get started on today. The money that disappeared was probably a stock loss."

Draco gave a jerky nod in understanding before he stumbled over to the set of shelves that held a fraction of the artifacts that his family had once owned. Grabbing the notebook and never out quill Harry held out to him he let his fingers ghost over several items. Turning his hurt eyes back to Harry he asked softly. "What do I need to do?"

"Write down what each item is along with a description of it and if it has magical properties that you know of list them too. If you know the approximant value give that as well." Reaching over Draco's shoulder he brushed his fingertips across a jewelry box. "This for example would be 'Black lacquered jewelry box. Can be keyed so that only the owner may open it. Value approximately 300 Galleons.'"

Once again the jerky nod and Draco went to work. Harry walked off to the side with Griphook and the two started to talk to each other softly enough that no one else could eavesdrop on them. Harry and the goblin bent their heads over Harry's notebook. Twice the two softly argued about something and Griphook made lots of notes on whatever the two were so engrossed in. All in all it was quiet in the vault.

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Vernon finally found his way to the slightly familiar area in a poorer section of London by early afternoon. Driving around block after block he searched for the ramshackled inn that he had dropped Harry off at three times before. 'I know its here somewhere' Vernon thought as he circled block after block after block. Nothing…Vernon pounded his hands on the steering wheel in frustration before he asked his family. "Any suggestions?"

Petunia had been staring out the side window studying the people they passed. Suddenly she shouted "Stop!" Vernon slammed on the brakes and brought the car to a stop. Petunia opened her door and climbed out.

Approaching a man dressed in blue, green and yellow plaid slacks, a red Hawaiian button down shirt with large flowers on it and a cowboy hat perched on his head she started talking. A few moments later the man grabbed her and enfolded her in a tight hug. With his arm still around Vernon's wife the man half dragged the woman over to Vernon's window. Letting Petunia go he reached into the window and half dragged Vernon out of the car in his enthusiastic hug. Grabbing Vernon's hand he started pumping it up and down. "A pleasure to meet you sir, a real pleasure. Dannis Marklo at your service sir."

Spotting Dudley in the back seat on the other side of the car he started around to that side. Dudley quickly rolled up his window and locked the door.

Petunia stuck her head in through the window and whispered to her husband, "He's a freak and he can help us find the boy."

Gasping for breath after the almost bone crushing hug, his eyes still a bit wild from almost being dragged out of the car through the window her husband nodded. "Fi-Fine. Let me park the car."

Fortunately there was an open spot just ahead and Vernon eased into it. Turning off the car he pocketed the keys and snapping at Dudley "Get a move on." He exited the car and locked his door.

Dudley eyed the strangely dressed man before he opened his door and climbed out of the car. He quickly moved over to his mother hoping she would prevent the freak from trying to hug him and waited for his father to join them.

After the three Dursleys were lined up like little ducks in a row the man once again hugged each of them this time including Dudley. He grabbed Petunias hand and placed it on his bent arm. Draping his other arm across Vernon's shoulder he turned the group to a bar that none of the three had noticed before. Vernon recognized it from before and swallowing his distaste he allowed the man to escort his small family inside.

"Ladies and Gents, can I have your attention please. I have the honor of presenting our very own Harry Potter's family! The muggles what raised him up from a baby!" Marklo was grinning after he made his announcement to the room at large. The Dursley's faces paled and Vernon started to wonder if coming here had been a good idea after all.

Everyone froze for a few seconds before jumping to their feet as if a pin had been shoved into their butts and the whole group crowded around the family. Hands were grabbed and shook, hugs were given and pats on the back almost knocked them to their knees. The whole group seemed to feel the need to tell the three how much they loved Harry, how grateful they were for what he did. How smart, powerful and wonderful he was. How hansom, kind and modest he was.

Petunia looked like she had drunk a glass of lemon juice; Vernon's face was oscillating between white and puce. Dudley, Dudley just looked like he wanted to laugh. He shook hands and returned hugs with good humor and made the right kinds of comments back to the crowd. "Yes we are very proud of him. Has to almost beat the girls off with a stick. Very strong and very talented, a wonderful guy and quick too."

The three were invited if you can call being dragged forward and pushed into a booth invited to have lunch on everyone. Tom the barkeep stopped the argument as to who would have the honor of paying by stating that he would be footing the bill for the meal for the family. It wasn't long before large plates of fish and chips were placed before the family. Petunia picked up a piece of fish and sniffed it suspiciously before she started to nibble on it. Dudley just dug right in. He was hungry having missed breakfast and lunch. Vernon watched his family eating the freaks food with horror. What if it was poisoned?

Butter beers were placed in front of his wife and son and for himself a shot of fire whiskey.

Thinking to steady his nerves a bit he downed the drink and as flames shot from his mouth he found out why first hand it was called fire whiskey. The first shot was followed by a second as the patrons argued about who would get the honor of picking up the tab for the next round. A forth shot followed the third and Vernon got into the argument . He wanted to buy the next round. By the time the sixth shot was downed Vernon was being instructed on the finer points of how to flame after a shot. The eighth shot had Vernon set the table on fire much to everyone's hilarity except his wife. The ninth shot had Vernon teaching the group muggle drinking songs. Shots number ten and eleven had Vernon dancing on the bar with an old hag. After shot number twelve was drank Vernon gave his wallet to his wife and kissed her on the ear and patting her on the ass he told her to go do some shopping. He would wait here for her.

That was how Petunia and Dudley found themselves alone in Diagon Alley with a wallet full of muggle money and no idea where to go to find Harry.