Chapter 5 – Serious business or laughing in your sleeve
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A long walk down several corridors and we arrived at a massive door with Goblin guards.
Griphook opens the door enough to put his head in and stated, "Director Ragnok Master Potter has a few requests and I felt you would be the best to handle them."
"Enter; I must see what is so urgent that it bring you two to my office."
"My first request is for your signature on these emancipation papers. Should you sign I wish to appoint a new account manager for the Potter vaults." I could imagine that I presented an intimidating presents as I was only as tall as a Goblin.
Ragnok scanned the paper work and saw a bit of leverage. "Lord Potter we here at Gringotts have put off this day of reckoning but we must talk about your vaults. By my signing this we here at Gringotts put ourselves in a regrettable position, by not signing them we are able to put off our problems only for a few years. What would you do?
"Your asking me to decide on something I want? Tell you what, lets work together so be are both happy or if not happy at least come to a mutual agreement."
"Fair enough Lord Potter." Ragnok signed the paper work for my emancipation.
"Thank you Ragnok, what is our mutual problem?"
"The Wizengemott will rule against the Goblin bank because we are Goblins. The problem is Dumbledore secreted the Potter Will in the Potter vault as your guardian. We should have reviewed the Will but we didn't. As your guardian he was able to remove books and a great deal of money unfortunately the will stated he was not your guardian. We here at Gringotts are liable for these stolen Galleons." Ragnok took a big breath. "Dumbledore is not a lord and has no vault. His income would never repay what he took in his lifetime."
"Ragnok, could you show me total Galleons we are talking about, both what is left and what was taken." I was giggling inside as the books I had taken were now blamed on Dumbledore. From the way Ragnok was talking the few Galleons I had picked up were not relevant.
When Ragnok put the totals in front of me my handful of Galleons were indeed not relevant.
"Ragnok, scratch the books off the list and lets forget they ever existed." That should stop everyone from looking for them. "I see he only took from one vault which is strange but two million lost compared to the twenty million left in that vault seems almost insignificant."
"It is still a loss and as I said not retrievable from Dumbledore. Gringotts will indeed have to make it good but many Goblins will suffer because of this oversight on our part."
"Since I could never spend that kind of money in my life time lets just write it all off and say you owe me a couple of favors. Nothing odorous but like my request for a new account manager.
"As I said many Goblins are indebted to you, you have our thanks. Now let's get to the fun, why would you wish to replace your account manager?"
"I am sure I am going to insult someone but that is not my purpose. I have entered the bank a number of times and each time I have been served by a teller who is less that assisting in the movement of gold. He shifted his work each time to Griphook. Upon meeting my account manager for the first time I was again greeted by "Your business Wizard" and again the work was shifted to Griphook. I expect to give and get the same courtesy as Griphook has shown me especially when it is my Galleons we are dealing with."
"I assume you have a replacement for your account manager in mind?"
"If Griphook is willing the job is his."
"I will see that it is done. I do have a question or two you could answer for me."
"Please Ragnok my time is yours."
"Why is Dumbledore training a new person to defeat Voldemort and yes we know Voldemort is still wandering out there somewhere."
"He has had a bit of a problem finding me and controlling me, so he has found someone who he can control for whatever purpose that will satisfy his "Greater Good".
"So it would not be wrong to say that you will not stand up to the Dark Lord when he returns?"
"I fail to see this as my battle but should I accidentally run into him I will fight to say alive."
"A very interesting choice of words Lord Potter, our records aside, are you not going to revenge you parent's deaths?"
"Should the chance arise I will not say no but I will not be manipulated to do so nor pushed into a battle that I should not be able to win. How many decades of training would you guess I would need to defeat Riddle and his experience."
"I agree that it would seem to be a fool's errand. What do you feel are the chances of Longbottom beating the Dark Lord?"
"The odds are so small that a mad gambler would not put a knut on him winning in a hundred years."
"That was our assessment. I would recommend that you do not underestimate him however. His parents were driven insane by the Dark Lords minions and with Dumbledore providing advanced training he still could be dangerous. Hate and revenge often breeds unfortunate results.
"Thanks for the warning. I do have one other request that I could use your help on, I want to start a company or organization that I would call PJ&H."
I explained what I wanted and Ragnok gave it to Griphook with his blessings. Since I didn't want to run PJ&H I left all that up to Griphook and I started to leave Gringotts.
"Keep in touch Harry Potter as the Goblin nation will be interested in any news you might find like the Power he shall not know." Ragnok grinned.
I just shook my head and laughed, "Everyone has a finger in this one way or another or so the prophecy say. Good day to you Director Ragnok."
Griphook provided my head of house ring and keys to all my vaults. I was shaking my head as I left, it seems that Griphook still ended up doing all the work. I headed for a secluded alley so I could fade back to Hogwarts.
/Scene Break/
The evening meal was well under way as I walked into the Great Hall. I hadn't even gotten to the Slytherin table when, "Mr. Potter please report to my office after you have eaten."
I walked to the head table and asked, "Sorry, but you heard him so I am ready when you are."
"What are you talking about Mr. Potter?" Minerva stated.
"Your orders about not being alone with him Professor."
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
I leaned a bit more to my left, "Madam Pomfrey will you ensure that Professor McGonagall gets to St Mungo I fear she has received some memory charm tampering.'
"No need Mr. Potter I know the spell to see if someone has been memory charmed. Dam I know I know that spell but I just can't remember it off-hand."
"Might I suggest you accompany Professor McGonagall and have both of yourselves checked."
"Yes I see what you mean."
/Scene Break/
I decided that Dumbledore could go suck a lemon drop, I was not going. Well actually I did go but in my spirit form. I got to hear him call Snape and give him orders, "Find the little brat and drag him up here as soon as you can."
"Why is it always me, why not get Flitwick to do your dirty work for a change?"
"Severus I want to arrange a duel between Potter and Longbottom. Don't you think it would be interesting to see who is stronger?"
"Yes that would be interesting as you have taught Longbottom some really nasty curses that he has trouble with."
I started to head out to speak with Daphne but then I remembered Hermione had the same problem, room mates. It wouldn't do for me to show up in their dorm. I headed to see Hagrid but when I arrived I found that he was out tramping in the forest or getting drunk in Hogsmeade. While I was wandering around looking for a ghost to talk to I saw a rat turn into an ugly squat man who slinked into the Forest. It appeared that Hogwarts was busier than one thought.
I finally gave up and headed to the spirit land of peace and music to watch the sun come up. It was a very enjoyable place, lonely but comfortable.
/Scene Break/
Before the day was over I wished it never had happened and I was still in spirit land. Breakfast started off nice with a lot of fruit, bacon and eggs Benedict. Then the doors flew open and Minerva and Pomfrey charged in flinging curses at Dumbledore while screaming verbal curses at him. It appeared Dumbledore was handing out memory charms again.
Dumbledore was doing well with his shield like it was no big deal. Minerva then started transfiguring things into like tigers, leopards and other friendly cats and directed them to Dumbledore. Having enough he called his phoenix and departed the hall under a steady stream of curses. Minerva gave me a hug and thanked me and did a bit more verbal cursing of Dumbledore.
At lunch Dumbledore ordered me to stand and gave me detention with Snape for missing my appointment the previous night. This all happened in the great Hall apparently to show the students he meant business and to miss Minerva's ire in a private setting where she could really let loose. That caused Hermione and Daphne to give me hell for different reasons and advice on how to become a better person
After lunch there is this two-hour class, called Potions, with Mr. lovable Severus Snape instructing.
"Mr. Potter, why are you using your wand in this class? Has your poor brain forgotten that it is expressly forbidden by me to do so?"
Not that my dead stick was doing much sitting in my pocket but I gave a hearty reply, "To stop Draco's switching spell on my ingredients, Sir."
"Five points for lying Potter you…Mr. Creevy why are you here interrupting my class?"
"They want Harry for the wand ceremony which is waiting on him to start Sir."
"Tell them they can…Mr. Potter where are you going?"
"The wand waving ceremony of course, Sir."
"Get back to your seat this second."
"Sorry but I was told by the Headmaster that it was a mandatory ceremony and I would not miss it for any reason." I started to walk out the door when I heard Snape yell 'Stupify'. I had no doubt who that spell was aimed at so I stepped to my left and walked out the door.
/Scene Break/
The wand weighing ceremonies was for show yet no politicians were there. If it was to advertise the event why was the Dailey Profit the only newspaper represented? The ceremonies however turned into a fun time and provided a lot of entertainment. All I wished was that I didn't have to be part of the entertainment.
Olivander was making a production of checking wands. I wondered who would be dumb enough to enter a dangerous contest with a wand that didn't work but then I remembered that mine didn't. So as the show continued and pictures were taken Olivander had wine coming from a wand, while flowers sprang from another and everyone felt important. They finally got to my wand and nothing happened for a second.
"This is not a working wand" Olivander stated.
"Didn't you give him the wand I told you too?" Dumbledore charged to the podium.
"I tried Albus but it exploded as soon as he touched it, I have no idea where he got this, it's not even a working wand."
In all this yelling the words "working wand" was Olivanders words in the wand trade so no one thought that is was not a "real" wand. So when Dumbledore grabbed it and snapped it into; silence hit the room. Destroying another's wand was considered a most despicable act and could get you fined and some time in prison.
Dumbledore threw down the pieces and grabbed my arm as to drag me somewhere but received a strong 'Depulso' which sent him sailing into Rita Skeeter of the Profit.
The next morning's paper sent Dumbledore racing to the Ministry to explain that it was not a real wand but the photo in the newspaper showed him snapping tThe-Boy-Who-Lived wand. Of course him laying on top or Rita Skeeter in a most compromising position was the hit of the rumor mill within Hogwarts.
/Scene Break/
Being slightly dead did not give me much incentive to go broom flying so I never went to first year broom training. How Longbottom made the Quittage team as a first year was baffling. His flying abilities were dismal. Ron made the team this year and Draco's father bought him a position on our team. Me? I was happy staying in a warm room studying with two girls. I had yet to figure why it was so nice or why they kept me confused most of the time. Rechecking Riddle's memories provided no information on girl or women. If he swung the other way was also not in his memories he left behind. Power, hate and those black ribbon memories made Riddle who he was.
"So are we going with the rest of the school for the pick-up game?" Daphne asked the day after my wand was snapped.
"I have a good book that I'm into." I replied.
"Yes, Daphne grab the book worm's other arm and let's get some sun and fresh air. It's too nice a day outside." Hermione huffed.
I used a finger on Daphne's chin to close her mouth. Hermione not wanting to study and wanted to watch a game, the world was ending. The day outside was not a total loss.
The girls did indeed hook arms into mine and escorted me to a seat in the stands. I noticed that I was sandwiched very closely in-between the two warm girls, well at least I knew I was warm. I tried to focus on the pick-up game rather that my odd feelings of being comfortably uncomfortable.
The match was boring but it got liven up when Draco knocked Ron off his broom which was a foul. Being only a couple of feet off the ground Ron sprang up and tackled Draco off his broom. The two then commenced to punch each other. Longbottom raced over to break them up but was knock out cold by an uppercut by Higgs. That emptied the Gryffindor stands followed by the Slytherin stands. We three enjoyed the action from where we safely sat.
The ensuing fight between the two houses sent many to the hospital with different hexes. The major damage was done by flying fists. It took several teachers and several stunners to stop the Donnybrook.
/Scene Break/
Four days after the wand weighing ceremonies MadEye showed in class that he could not 'Imperio' a spirit even if he didn't know I was a spirit at the time. Professor Moody asked that I say after class and was trying to help me with the tournament and what I could do with my dragon. That was news to most of the champions when I told them that a teacher was helping a champion and that the first task was Dragons. The next day came however for me to meet my Dragon.
I was sitting at breakfast and considering a few things. I had pictures from Minerva and Hagrid of my parents so I was able to keep my physical form about right for my age. I knew what I was going to do with the Dragon. I hoped Minerva and the girls didn't feel bad about what I was going to do. Then again I hoped that I didn't feel bad or hurt too much after the task.
"Harry! Hurry up its time to head down for the first task."
"Thanks Hermione I don't know what I would do if I missed meeting the Dragon."
Daphne and Hermione escorted me to the tent and gave me a kiss on the cheek and went to sit in the stands. The tournament officials had a Dragon for each of us. The only one that was really hurt was Longbottom as he got smashed by the Dragons tail as he tried to out fly his Dragon. Madam Pomfrey said he would be out of the hospital in a week as most of his bones had to be replaced. I entered the arena last and sat on a comfy rock far from the dragon. I then yelled as loud as I could that I was not participating in the tournament.
Well after the time limit ran out and they hauled the dragon away. That's when the questions, yelling and other confusion started. Of course they asked me to do some magic which I showed them I was incapable of doing especially without a wand. It was so important to have a wand weighing ceremony but not important to check the champions had wands that worked before each task. Finally Hermione and Daphne grabbed me and escorted me back to an empty class room. I was expecting a tirade of yelling from them but I got from Daphne "How are you feeling Harry?"
Hermione was just emotional and hugged me tight.
I don't know why but I just asked them if they could keep a secret. They of course said yes.
"No, I mean a don't tell on penalty of death type secret."
Both girls were ready to swear an oath but I stopped them and conjured a love seat in front of me for them to sit down on. I took a minute for them to realize I had used magic but I then got yelled at and I thought they were going to beat me. After all the hugging and kisses to the cheek I got to say my piece.
"Look I never wanted into the tournament and I get they have a plan with my name on it and well I just don't want to play." I explained the prophesy and that I had already dealt with the globe containing the prophesy but what were they going to do with me or Longbottom was still a mystery.
I let Minerva in on the secret that I had not lost my magic later after the big blow-out with Dumbledore. It seems that Dumbledore wanted me out of Hogwarts and staying with the Weasley family. This made me wonder if I still had use as cannon fodder but stored at the Weasleys.
I got to stay at Hogwarts or Minerva was leaving with me. Minerva was doing Dumbledore's job and paperwork as well as her own. It didn't take Dumbledore long to figure out that no one could take her place so he agreed to my staying at Hogwarts. I mean what kind of trouble could I cause now that I couldn't do magic.
Finally I had a minute to sit and reflect. Did the Goblets magical binding contract try and kill me but failed because I was already dead? Death couldn't move me to his house so I had figured that the Goblet couldn't either but I did notice that a good part of my reserve of magic was gone. Was that because the Goblet could only extract so much magic or did my concentrated magic exceed what the Goblet could hold or take when my magic expanded? This looked to be a question with no real answers.
/Scene Break/
"Hay Potter how does it feel to be a muggle? Why don't you move over and let me have your two girlfriends. I'm sure you will soon be joining your mudblood mother…" SPLAT!
Draco got my right fist to his nose and by the sound it broke his nose. His was rolling around on the ground in a fetal position and screaming in pain and that seemed odd to me. Daphne told me later of a hex she knew that caused that reaction when applied to a boys lower body part.