IY: I love you guys! -blows kisses- 20 reviews for ONE chapter... I am astounded. I don't have 20 reviews for HBD yet, and it's been around for MUCH longer...
Kit: Well, maybe that should tell you something...
IY: Hey! That's one of the stories I like the most, out of the grand total of 18 that I've written.
Kit: And whoever said you had good taste?
IY: -growl- I do too have good taste!
But, anyway! -smile- You guys deserve another chapter for the many reviews you've sent in. Hey, maybe I should up the review quota for each chapter? What do you guys think of that? Is that fair?
THANKS TO: MidnightSuburbia (I got your review for chapter 1 after I had posted 2, so I'm sorry I didn't mention you. Thanks for reviewing again, though! They made me giggle.), ThatGirl7858, Caldonva, death by storm, storm tigeress, Katsy16, Dezra, Akkalia (The time-turner will be explained a bit later, but no. He'll stop when school starts.), sakikaiba, wonky (Yeah, I made myself laugh while I wrote those... I am so lame...), Star, nubby, digi-writer1392, red eyed dragon, Slasherific (Thank you for adding me so soon, then!), -x-Bashli-x- (No, this will not be BZRW. I was thinking maybe BZSF and RWHG. Would that be okay? I could always make it no pairings, if not.), Darkspider, Limit (Well, that's good, 'cause I'm not above accepting bribery... And no, I don't, but if you find any, send me a link, please? I'd like to steer away from overused plots... For once. XD), kateg123
Disclaimer: I disclaim. XD
Stonewall Secondary: Chapter THREE
"So, uh, should we go to Diagon Alley today?" Ron asked, opening the refrigerator only to find it empty.
It seemed that four teenage boys ate a lot… Instead of the estimated week, they'd run through all the food in three days.
Harry peeked over Ron's shoulder - quite a feat, seeing as Ron was almost a foot taller than him, now - and felt a dumbfounded look plaster itself on his face.
"Wow," was all he could say, after several seconds of stunned silence. "I guess we have to go, unless we want to starve…"
"Have to go where?" Blaise asked, stepping into the kitchen, yawning widely.
"You're barely getting up?" Harry replied, looking towards the digital watch integrated in the stove, "It's almost nine…"
"So? You have a problem with that, Potter?" Draco drawled, sauntering into the room while still clad in his pajamas.
"Er, no… Just asking." Harry said, trying to evade yet another verbal match.
"Hmm, that's what I thought."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Uh-huh, whatever, Malfoy. We have to go to Diagon Alley today; we need money so that we can go grocery shopping."
"I thought we were all set until the end of the week?" Blaise asked, confused.
"Well, it kind of is the end of the week; it's Friday…" Ron replied.
Harry laughed, "Yeah, but I was hoping that the food would last until at least Sunday…"
"Okay, fine," Draco interrupted, "Let's just go already."
Green eyes looked him over. "Are you planning on going in your pajamas, Malfoy?"
"No! Of course not, you twit." Draco scoffed haughtily, trying to cover up his embarrassment.
"Uh-huh," Harry said, lips twitching. "Well, you just go change, Malfoy, while I go tell the Order."
Draco didn't dignify that with an answer; he just turned and walked out of the room.
Harry laughed, watching his departure. He turned to the other two, "Well, you guys should go get ready, too."
Blaise shook his head. "Nah, I'm fine. I'll go wait in the living room."
Ron nodded, "Yeah, me, too. I wouldn't dream of walking around in my pajamas; you know how ugly they are, Harry."
He snorted, "Yeah, I know."
Ron scowled playfully, "You're not supposed to agree, mate!"
Harry shook his head, grinning. "Fine, how's this? Ron, your pajamas aren't ugly; they're the most beautiful pieces of clothing I've ever seen!"
"You really are deprived, then," Draco said, walking down the stairs, "If you think a Weasley's clothes are beautiful."
"Oh, sod off, Malfoy!" Harry said, frowning. "Go wait in the living room with Blaise."
Ron and Harry watched as Draco shrugged and did as told.
"I never thought I'd see the day when Malfoy followed orders- without complaining, even!" Ron said, surprised.
Harry shrugged, "He must still be in shock over having to live like a Muggle. I'm sure he'll snap out of it soon enough."
Ron sighed, "I hope not too soon."
Harry laughed, "Yeah, I do, too."
Ron shook his head, "You better go talk to the Order, Harry. We need to get going."
The green-eyed teen nodded, "You're right. Go wait in the living room with the others, Ron; I'll be back soon."
Ron nodded and walked away, Harry heading the opposite way to the door. Opening it, he stepped out.
"Hey, Order? We're going to Diagon Alley; we need to get some money. Um, I just thought you'd want to know…" Harry felt a bit silly, talking to midair.
"That's fine, Harry," came a muffled voice from nearby. "Go ahead."
"Er, okay. Thanks…?" Harry shook his head, opening the door and walking back inside.
That was certainly a strange experience to remember…
Joining the others in the living room, he said, "Okay, it's a go. We're all set."
Draco's mercury-colored eyes pointed to the ceiling. "Finally! Let's go already!"
Blaise sighed, "You're always so impatient, Drake…"
"Shut up, Blaise, and get your ass up."
The brunette Slytherin sighed again, lethargically sat up from the chaise he'd been reclining on, and stood.
"Okay… If we're all ready, let's go," Harry said, grabbing a pinch of Floo Powder and throwing it in the fireplace. Green flames instantly sprung up, and he stepped into them. "Diagon Alley!"
Draco rolled his eyes, "Who died and made him leader?"
Blaise shrugged, watching as Ron spun away as well. "The Dark Lord disappeared for a while… Does that count?"
Draco sighed, "It was a rhetorical question, Blaise, and you know it."
Blaise laughed, "Yeah, but it's fun to rile you up." He threw his pinch of Floo Powder, stepping in and crying out, "Diagon Alley!"
Draco scowled, "Why am I last?"
"Uh, hello. Um, I want to change some of my money into Muggle currency… Is that possible?" Harry asked, shrinking slightly under the goblin teller's piercing gaze.
"Yes. It is possible. Key?"
"Er, uh, hold on…" Harry dug into the big pockets of Dudley's old jeans.
Draco scoffed, "Here. I want to change some, too." He handed the goblin his own key, which opened the door to his private vault.
The goblin inserted the key into a small box, then read the parchment that spilled out. "How much would you like, Mr. Malfoy?"
"I don't know. What's the exchange rate?" the blond asked.
"Five pounds sterling per galleon," the goblin replied monotonously.
"What the hell is a pound?" Draco muttered, confused. "Oh, whatever, give me whatever a hundred galleons converts to."
Harry gasped, "That's five hundred pounds…" (As of May 07, one pound is equivalent to 1.99 USD, so… about $995.)
Blaise shrugged, pulling out his own key. "Give me the same."
Harry considered… He had a lot of money in his own account, most of which he'd never touched… If he exchanged it, then he could finally buy the things he'd always wanted and been denied…
Harry waited until the other two had each received small, magical bags (designed to expand to fit its contents) full of their money, then moved in front of the teller's desk.
"Er, here's my key…" he said, handing it to the goblin. He waited until the goblin had received the piece of parchment before asking, "Er, could you tell me how much I have?"
The goblin looked at him over his small glasses, "Of course, Mr. Potter. However, I think you should speak with our manager first."
Harry frowned. "Uh, sure…"
The goblin nodded, then called out, "Griphook!"
Draco laughed, "What did you do, Potter? Steal something?"
Harry scowled at blond, "No, you twit!"
Another goblin came scurrying up to them at that moment. "Yes?" he said.
The goblin teller looked at him, saying, "Griphook, take Mr. Potter - and his friends, if he wishes - to Mr. Goldcain."
The new arrival nodded. "Certainly, sir. Mr. Potter, please come this way," he said, leading them away from the usual path to the vaults.
"Oh, okay…" Harry said, slightly hesitant. "Say, um, Griphook… Are you the one who lead me to my safe about five years ago?"
Griphook looked like someone had hit him with a mallet. "You remember me, sir? No one ever remembers lowly goblins like me…"
"Er, yeah, I do…" Harry said, uncomfortable with the adoring gaze Griphook was directing at him. It strongly reminded him of the house elf, Dobby…
"Uh, Harry? What's going on?" Ron broke in, sounding mystified.
The green-eyed teen turned to him. "I have no idea, Ron."
Draco and Blaise, who had remained silent up till then, snorted simultaneously.
"Goldcain is the head goblin; he runs the bank," Blaise said, deciding to clue them in.
"It's not surprising that the two of you don't know who he is… You probably don't have enough money to earn you the attention of important people…" Draco drawled.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Anyway, Griphook, are we almost there?"
The small goblin accompanying them nodded eagerly. "It's those doors right there," he said, pointing towards the end of the hallway.
"Whoa…" Ron said, tilting his head to see the top. "Those are some big doors…"
Harry nodded, "Yeah…"
Draco scoffed, "We've ended up in the company of plebeians… How did we sink so low, Blaise?"
The brunette Slytherin laughed. "We were put here by Dumbledore, remember?"
Draco smiled, "Oh, right. It's all that old kook's fault."
Harry shook his head. Honestly… Malfoy wasn't in peace unless he was insulting somebody…
Griphook reached the massive doors first. He pushed one open and used some handy magic to keep it open until they had all passed through.
"Mr. Goldcain, sir, I've brought Mr. Harry Potter and his friends."
"Ah, good, good. You may go now."
Harry looked at the older goblin. He seemed rather shrewd. Harry was sure that no one had ever gotten away with lying to him.
"Er, I was told to speak with you?" Harry said tentatively.
"Yes, I've been meaning to speak with you, Mr. Potter. But, please, have a seat before we start," Goldcain said, waving towards the chairs set up in front of his desk.
"Er, right. Okay." Harry sat down in a plush velvet chair; it was overly soft, causing him to sink into it.
He noticed that Ron and the two Slytherins also looked uncomfortable sitting on furniture that seemed to want to eat them alive. Maybe it was an intimidation tactic?
His attention was drawn back to Goldcain when he cleared his throat. "Mr. Potter, I've been expecting you for quite a while now. I was severely disappointed when you didn't show up at our meeting."
Harry frowned, confused. "What meeting?"
The goblin looked surprised. "Did you not receive our letter? We sent it with one of our very reliable owls."
Harry shook his head. "No, I haven't received any mail this summer."
Goldcain nodded. "Well, I have a copy here; it is kept for reference, you see. I could show it to you if you would like to see it."
Harry nodded, "Yeah, that would be great."
Goldcain snapped his fingers, causing a file to appear on the desk. He opened it and took out the single sheet of parchment it contained. Wordlessly, he handed it over.
Harry took it and began to read:
Dear Mr. Potter:
We, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, were very grieved to learn of the passing of Mister Sirius Black, last of the prestigious Black family. We are honored to be able to carry out one of his last wishes: the distribution of his property as stated in his will.
Mr. Black has left everything to Mr. Harry Potter, godson. This consists of two landed estates: Grimmauld's Place, in London, and a small summer home in Scotland; his flying motorcycle; several well-placed stocks and bonds; and a total of 12, 379 galleons, 5, 408 sickles, and 306 knuts. Mr. Black has asked that Mr. Potter consider sharing this money with Mr. Remus Lupin, friend and werewolf.
We would like to request a meeting to discuss your options, Mr. Potter. Please come to Gringotts on the date of June 6th. You will be shown to Mr. Goldcain's office; he is the head of Gringotts Wizarding Bank, London.
Sincerely yours,
Tattlehorn, Gringotts teller
Harry looked up, eyes foggy and throat sore. "So, Sirius left me all his stuff?"
"That is correct, Mr. Potter," Goldcain said, respectfully looking away as Harry dried his eyes.
"Well, I don't want it," Harry said, standing up.
"Harry!" Ron cried, "If you don't take it, who will?"
"The inheritance goes to the nearest family member," Goldcain answered. "As Mr. Black had no children, it would be divided between Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange."
Ooooh... I bet you guys weren't expecting THAT... ;)
Review, please! Feel free to tell me what you'd like to see. Who knows, I might get inspired by one of your ideas and write it in. XD