CHAPTER 8

"I thank you for agreeing to meet me Chief Ragnok," Ivy said as she crossed her right arm over her chest, resting her closed fist on her heart.

The goblin in front of her raised an eyebrow, but stood and repeated the gesture. "The pleasure is mine Ms. Potter. Though I admit I'm surprised you know the traditional greeting of respect among my people, and more impressed that you would use it," he told her. He then gestured to the chair in front of his desk, "Please, take a seat."

Ivy did so, and it was only after she took her seat that Ragnok took his own.

"I must admit, I'm curious as to why you asked for this meeting," the goblin admired. "No wizard has asked for a meeting with the Chief of Clan Gringott since 1865. Most of the time, they request a meeting with the Director of Gringotts. And while I answer to the second, it is a position that is purely a fictitious creation of your Ministry."

"I had the good fortune to discover journals, left in my Godfather's library, that were from the time the Bank was returned to Clan Gringott, as well as older journal, written by a Black that married a goblin. To be honest, I was surprised to find the latter considering the stance most of the Blacks I've heard about took on wizard superiority," Ivy explained. "But as to why I requested this meeting, there are several issues that I hope Clan Gringott could aide me with. Of course, I'm willing to pay for that aide."

"And these issues required you to meet the Clan Chief?"

"A few," Ivy said with a small upturn of her lips. "I will admit that most of these issues could be dealt with through the appropriate offices in Gringotts Bank. But there are two issues in particular that I can only deal with through you as Clan Chief. It simply seemed easier to address them all with you."

"I see." The goblin leaned back in his chair, one hand stroking his chin. "Let us begin with these, mundane issues first then, before we discuss what are no doubt much more serious issues."

Ivy nodded her head in acknowledgment. "I do not know if you are aware, but I have been living in the London home of the Black Family. There are many items within the home that are enchanted, or cursed. I have identified some of these items, but while I am studying enchanting, I do not yet know enough to identify everything, let alone remove what could be harmful, perhaps even lethal, enchantments. I was hoping to use the banks curse-breaking services. As payment...I would allow you to take back every item that was goblin made, along with a payment of...say ten percent of the total value of all items, including those returned to your people."

"That is acceptable," the goblin informed her. And Ivy was pleased to hear that, especially as the normal price for curse-breaking was fifteen percent the value of the item being dis-enchanted. Ivy was glad that her offer or returning the goblin pieces would lower the cost. She just hoped that it also bought her some goodwill.

"The second issue has to do with the terms of the marriage contract's between Narcissa Black and her husband Lucius Malfoy, as well as Bellatrix Back and her husband Rudolphus Lestrange. It was written into those contracts that, should their husbands die without issue, the family wealth of the Malfoys and Lestranges would default to House Black. Lestrange has died, thus the family wealth should be transferred to the Black Vaults. And, while Draco Malfoy outlived his father, as he and his mother are both dead, I believe that the monies should pass to the Black vaults, due to his mother's relation to the family, and the fact that, as I understand, Draco had no will of his own."

"I will have to have both contracts on file checked, but the Lestrange vaults should prove no problem. Provided no Malfoy relations can prove a higher claim, the Malfoy vaults shall be yours as well," Ragnok assured her. "Though I believe Bellatrix Lestrange will complain, she is currently in no position to walk into the bank."

"The last of these, mundane issues, is that I wish to audit the Potter and Black holdings. As I am Lady Black, as well as Lady Potter, I understand the need to keep the family assets separate, but both accounts have been mostly inactive for the past fifteen years. They both need a thorough going over, and a determination if all business holdings and all lands are truly viable, or need to be let go of. I also believe that both accounts could use new account managers, since they've been so inactive."

"Indeed. Without approval, we were unable to appoint new managers when the previous retired, and died, respectfully. I will have a full audit done on both accounts, which I will have sent to you, along with a list of managerial candidates for both accounts." The goblin chief leaned forward now, resting his forearms on his desk. "Now what are these issues you had to speak to me with?"

Ivy was silent a moment. Running a hand trough her raven black hair, she finally said, "I'm currently fighting against Voldemort. Once that is done, assuming I survive, there are two things I want. I'm hoping you, as Gringott Clan Chief, can aid me. Though I don't know what I could truly offer for that aid. The first, an perhaps most important to me personally, involves my mother. I discovered she sold her soul a demon, in exchange for my survival."

The sharp intake of breath from Ragnok wasn't that much of a shock. "That explains why you survived something no one else had, but I do not know how Clan Gringott could possibly help you."

"I have been researching, trying to find a way to rescue my mother from the demon she sold herself to," Ivy explained. "I...magic is proving not to have any of the answers I need. After I deal with Voldemort, I want to get away from the UK, and the magical government here. I want the chance to study science, in the hope that I can find a way there that I have, thus far, been unable to find magically. But I am not a fool, and I have no doubt that what I am doing will eventually be found out. When that happens, I doubt Magical Britain will simply let me walk away. I'll need a new identity, one unknown to the magical world. If I go through normal channels to get a non-magical ID, there is a chance it could be discovered, and I wouldn't be able to study in peace. I need an undocumented identity."

The goblin was silent as he contemplated the request. After a moment, he asked, "Is it safe to assume that you are the mysterious green-cloaked figure that attacked Azkaban?"

"It is," Ivy admitted.

"Hmm." Ragnarok's eyes narrowed in thought. "Voldemort would not leave us in peace. If he were to conquer the Ministry, his eyes would turn towards us as the next rivals to his power in the British Isles. If, IF, you succeed in vanquishing Voldemort, we will provide this service, but not if you run. Understand?"

"I do, and I appreciate it. Though you do not need to worry about me running," she assured the goblin. "Voldemort and his lackeys have taken too much from me to let them live," she growled lightly.

Ragnok grinned. 'It's always a lovely sight to see someone with a thirst for vengeance,' he thought to himself. Out loud, he asked, "The second issue?"

"Latveria," the witch said simply. "I learned not long ago that Mother was the nations princess, before the USSR invaded the country. Now that they've left it, those that betrayed my mother's family to them are in power, and I understand the conditions in the country are not the greatest. After I finish my studies, I intend to take back my mother's birthright as ruler of Latveria. But I will need allies. I was hoping that Clan Gringott could be counted among those allies."

Ragnok's eyes gleamed. "Now that...could be interesting. Let's assume for a moment that you can pull this off. That you successfully kill Voldemort, and are successful in reclaiming Latveria. As ruler of Latveria, what would you offer Clan Gringott?"

"Access to non-magicals for one, which would expand your client base. I would also guarantee that I would take at least two goblin advisers, who would be placed in positions of power in my government. And I can also promise much more fair treatment of your people than they receive from the Ministry. Though you should know, that if I do manage to reclaim my mother's homeland, I would create a magical vow to prevent a similar situation from happening again."

"Ms. Potter, I will, tentatively, agree to an alliance with you to reclaim Latveria. But first you must prove you're capability. Defeat Voldemort, and I will make our alliance formal." He grinned, showing his sharp teeth. "We of Clan Gringott can lay a foundation for you to reclaim and rebuild you kingdom on while you attend non-magic school, provided we can come to an agreement after Voldemort is dealt with of course."

"Of course."

Ragnok leaned back in his chair. This has indeed proven to be a most...interesting meeting milady. I do hope we see each other again soon."

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Holy Cow Another Update! Consider it my apology for the long wait for the last chapter.

This chapter seems short to me, but I think you'll all agree that it lays a very important foundation.

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