Disclaimer: Just the usual. It's a pain putting it every time.
Special Note: I'm glad people are really enjoying this story. I honestly didn't think that many people would. I also have to laugh at the person that hated this fic sooo much that they decided to write a review about it...on the third chapter. It makes me laugh.
Harry Potter and Death's Deal
Chapter Four
"D & S"
As Harry leaves St. Mungo's, he notices how terribly hot the outside is. His cloak starts to become heavier with the sweat that is being soaked up. Charlie starts to notice him trailing behind and asks why, but Harry is too hot to answer. He then realizes what the problem is and casts a charm and Harry immediately feels better. Charlie also takes Harry's trunk and shrinks it so that Harry could carry it in his pocket.
"Thanks." He mutters.
"Oi, what's taking the two of you so long? We need to move as quickly as possible. Who knows when we could be discovered!" Regulus hisses at the two. All too soon, the company of three arrives at their destination, Gringotts. Regulus strides confidently towards the goblins.
Charlie sighs. "When will he ever learn that's not how to handle intelligent beings? Let's go save him before he makes an ass out of himself. As much as he hates being a Black sometimes, he sure can act like one out of habit."
Harry and Charlie quickly cut Regulus off before he insults the goblin. Charlie politely asks for a private consultation with a high-ranking official. The teller is happy to oblige. They are escorted to a medium sized room filled with stacks of papers of varying height. There were also medieval looking tapestries on the wall depicting a variety of battles Professor Binns always went on about. As Harry starts to look closer at one tapestry that showed the lynching of a vampyre, a goblin enters and he is forced to look away.
"Good afternoon. What can I help you with today?" The goblin deadpans. He is taller than most goblins that Harry had ever seen. Height must mean more status, Harry figures. Regulus and Charlie lower their hoods so that the goblin can see who they are. The goblin is barely shocked, almost like he was warned about this.
"As you can see, high chancellor, we should not be alive; however, we wish to deal with all financial and legal matters as discreetly as possible. That is why we are here and not at that farce of a ministry." Regulus begins. The goblin's mouth works itself into a tight grin.
"And what legal matters are we dealing with today gentlemen?" The goblin asks with a monotone. Charlie and Regulus signal Harry to lower his hood.
"We wish to regain custody over Harry, my nephew and also to look at the Potter and Black estates. Something tells me that someone has financially tried to gain control over Harry here," Charlie states with the blankest face Harry had ever seen.
"I will go and get all the paper work to transfer him to your custody, both magical and muggle. I will also retrieve the Potter estate's manager and have him explain things, Mr. Black," The goblin turns to Regulus, "would you like to have a separate room or..."
Regulus cuts him off, "I'll wait my turn."
"Very well." The goblin leaves the office and Charlie smacks Regulus upside the head.
"Must you always be like that?!"
"It's a hard habit to break." Regulus whimpers as he's rubbing the sore spot on his head.
"Uncle Charlie? How is it that the goblins can do all this without having to bother with the ministry?" Harry asks.
"They are beyond ministry laws. They are governed by magical laws only. The ministry has tried many times to have them bound by human laws but the laws of magic bow to nothing. Therefore, if I gain custody through goblin means, the Wizengamot cannot break my guardianship nor can the Ministry of Magic. It also helps that I'm your uncle. The laws of magic are very traditional and family oriented. It's almost like they are sentient." Charlie explains to the best of his ability.
"Charlie, the laws of magic are sentient. How else do you ask them to make us blood brothers?" Regulus sarcastically adds.
The goblin from before enters with another slightly smaller one. The shorter one looks incredibly nervous. The three men are unsettled because they had never seen that level of emotion in a goblin; they are usually secretive and stoic.
"It seems that Vargot here has done the bidding of Albus Dumbledore since before James Potter got control of the vaults. Here are all the papers you requested." The high chancellor handed Charlie the papers. Charlie was still quite shocked. The goblin continued, "Would you like to press charges of your own or would you like the Goblin Council to deal with this?"
"Judge him by the magical laws, high chancellor." Regulus says after glancing at Charlie. Vargot pales and starts to shake. Harry figures that the magical laws are something not to be threatened with.
"Very well. I'll be back to make sure all the paperwork is in order." The goblin snaps his fingers and eight battle clad goblin warriors come and take Vargot away. It all happened so fast that Harry had to wonder if it was his imagination.
"Well let's begin shall we?" Charlie and Harry go through the tedious process of all the paperwork with Regulus smugly watching them. After what seemed to be an eternity, Harry and Charlie were able to stop writing. Regulus was lounging in his chair looking particularly bored. The high chancellor came in five minutes later.
"He has been found guilty. It appears that Dumbledore has been stealing money since before James got the vault. All monies have been safely brought back to your vaults, gentlemen, with interest." The goblin smiled showing off his pointed teeth. "Evidently that was the reason the Potters were under the Fidelius Charm, to protect Dumbledore from being found out. Seems very convenient that James died when he did or else he might have realized what Dumbledore was really up to. All the paperwork will be filed tonight so you might want to go somewhere safe and low-key. Mr. Black would you like to conduct your business now?"
"Actually I have no real business besides being their backup," Regulus answers. "I cannot access the Black vaults because I am not the Black heir so I would have to ask my brother if I could. So I guess that is all the business we have today."
"Very well." Harry was beginning to think that was the goblin's favorite phrase. "If you wish to conduct more transactions against Mr. Dumbledore, just ask for myself, Bogrod. Also, when you two see your sisters please tell them that everything they asked for has been done." The three men started at that. Charlie and Regulus had to calm themselves down for their next question.
"High chancellor Bogrod, we have been out of touch with our sisters for quite some time. Where can we find them?" Regulus asks as politely as he could but Harry could see the desperation in his manner.
"They are running the inn down on Knockturn Alley. It is called D and S. Mayhaps that is where you should stay for the night. No one would suspect you staying there, young Potter." Bogrod whisks them out of his office and into the plaza of the bank. The men pull their hoods over their faces once more. "This is where I leave you. Just do not forget the message. May the gold always flow."
The guys walk purposefully out of Gringotts.
"Well that was unexpected. I really didn't think they would tell us where to find them so easily." Charlie breaks the silence. "So what's our plan of action? Should we go get something to eat at the Leaky Cauldron since it is past lunchtime or should we go to the inn and get a room?"
Harry wanted to see his aunt and Sirius' sister. He had gone without food for much longer than this. He could survive.
"I say we go get food. Harry is still just a teenager and I still remember how much I ate at that age." Regulus decides for the group. The trio had a lovely afternoon tea that was not interrupted by anyone. The two older men were constantly on alert but still enjoyed the light conversation. After finishing their meal, the three head out to find the inn.
Knockturn Alley was exactly how Harry remembered it. He saw the same witch that tried to sell him the whole human fingernails. Her mossy teeth still haunt him in his sleep. A little ways further he saw the poisonous candle shop that told him where he was when he got lost trying to use the Floo. There tucked away was a small little alley. Harry hadn't noticed it last time he was here.
The alley had a history for playing host to the darkest of dark. No mortal knew the name of the lane and no mortal wanted to. It sent shivers down the spines of those who even heard mention of it. The regulars of Knockturn Alley and the aurors never ventured down there because that was the vampyre's realm. What made the mortals petrified of this place? Cheap parlor tricks and theatrics.
The alleyway was the oldest establishment dating back before Ollivander's came to England. The community nicknamed it Magyc's Alley. The rules and regulations were the true laws of magic that the Ministry always tried to taint. Werewolves, vampyres, goblins, ghosts, and the like were treated like equals. The lane was a neutral zone. If a werewolf insulted a vampyre, the vampyre would not be able to attack the werewolf population for the insult, only that one werewolf.
The three men stopped at the opening of the alley. The inhabitants of Knockturn Alley paused in fright then looked away wondering why anyone was stupid enough to go down there.
"Bogrod was right. No one would suspect us being down here. If any aurors did ask, no one on Knockturn Alley would say anything; they are too terrified of being taken and eaten." Regulus explained to Harry with a laugh in his voice. He did not care if the witches and wizards around heard him.
"Why would they fear being eaten?" Harry asked despite his best effort to stay quiet and analyze everything.
"Because vampyres have no Ministry restrictions on them down this alley. People always fear those more powerful than them. It's human nature." Regulus says as the men start walking down the alley. "I wonder where the inn is at."
A tall, broad shouldered man stops the three. "What is your business here, gentlemen? I don't seem to recall any of you getting an invitation."
"An invitation? To find a place to stay for the night?" Charlie exclaims incredulously. "We've never had to have an invitation before!"
"I can tell you aren't from around here. In addition, if you aren't from around here, you aren't welcome. Time for you to le-"
"That's quite enough. I invited them because they have business with me." The man freezes and slowly turns around. His face contorts to sheer terror. There standing behind him was a cloaked woman. The bottom half of her face was aristocratic, very sharp. Harry could not see her eyes beneath the ruby-red velvet hood. Wow, she must be hellishly hot underneath that. Harry thought.
The lady was standing with her hands on her hips, pointing her gloved finger at the intimidated man. She had a long garnet colored gothic skirt and an intricate looking corset. Harry did not think to look too long otherwise; she might think he is a pervert. Regulus and Charlie did not have any problem staring at her, which would not have been a problem except for the fact that their hoods blew off their heads. They really should have remembered a sticking charm.
"Like what you see gentlemen?" The woman asks wryly. The man spins towards them looking like he wants to punch them. The woman continues as if she does not notice, "Well if you are quite done having a cock fight, can we proceed to the inn?"
The man looked sufficiently cowed as he scurried away; he knew when he was dismissed. The woman turns, not looking back as if she knew they would follow her. She works her way through the crowd to the very end of the lane. There stood a quaint-looking inn. The exterior looked like what most women want when they are looking for a typical cottage-the white washed picket fence, two-story small house with a summer garden off to the side. It looked out of place beside the stores that flanked it.
"Well here we are," the woman opens the picket fence and walks up the stone walkway to the front door. "The ones you are seeking will meet with you at nine tomorrow morning."
She proceeds to lead them up the stairs to a nice sized room with three bedrooms connecting to it. The suite is well lit and has an open feel about it. There was a sitting area off to the left and a kitchen to the right. The blue and yellow brightened the men's gloominess from earlier in Knockturn Alley. The whole place gave an air of comfort and happiness. The men were speechless.
"No vampyre, werewolf, or 'dark' being will be able to harm you in this room. I'll even ward the place. I heard that—"
"GEMINI!" A yell startles the men from their silent reverie. "Gemini, I need you down here right now! The London lord just insulted the Master of Peru. The shit's hitting the fan down here and I can only calm them by myself for so long!"
The woman, now named Gemini, reaches into her plush robe and extracts a glass orb. A face is floating in the fist-sized sphere. She answers the face, "I'm coming down now."
"Gemini?" Regulus inquires breathlessly. Harry turns to him and sees him reaching out to the woman and looking as if he is about to break down crying. Gemini backs up so as not to attract too much attention and cause him to act.
"We'll talk in the morning. Have a good lie-in. Oh and look Harry, your owl has come to you. A smart one, that one. You might want to open the window for her" Regulus lunges to catch her but she was too fast. The door loses its handle and becomes part of the wall. The trio was trapped. Regulus punches the wall and falls down in a silent sob. Charlie gives him a one-arm hug to comfort him.
"We'll talk with them in the morning then." Charlie consoles. "At least we know one of them is alive. They'll be able to answer all our questions hopefully."
Harry hoped the next morning would bring answers and the end to all this cloak and dagger mystery. He had seen that orb before but he couldn't remember where. His head was beginning to hurt. He also hoped that no one could find him and take him back to the Headmaster. As much of a grandfather as he used to be, the trip to Gringotts showed him the flaws in thinking like that. He needed to become shrewder about who he trusts. He should learn to bring out his true nature-an observer.
