Disclaimer: My name is not J. K. Rowling. I don't own Harry Potter and I never will. I don't own Naruto either.
"Parseltongue"
"Normal speech"
'Thought speech'
Flashback
"Parseltongue in Flashback"
AN: Thank you all for the reviews! I'm really sorry for being late. I suffered SAT testing, CST testing, SAT subject test registration, ACT registration, AP testing (for about FIVE hours), a Chinese tournament, and a Math Analysis test.
I was braindead for a while. It took a while for my poor brain to reboot. All in all, these past two weeks have been VERY stressful.
Happy late Memorial Day!
P.S. READ the AN at the bottom; it's about Neko.
Chapter 7
"Come." Tom held out his to which Harry latched on, in almost a daze. The colors, the sounds, even the smells. Everything was so strange yet incredible at the same time.
Dozens of little shops litter the alley. People were bustling along, conversing excitedly over this and that. A stack of glossy cauldrons stood in front of the nearest shop.
"Where are we going Tom?" Harry chirped, excited and full of energy. "Are we going to get my wand first?" Tom shook his head.
"We need some money so we're going to Gringotts first." Tom answered as he, Neko, and Harry made their way to the tall snow-white building.
Harry looked around in wonder at all the bright and colorful knick-knacks being sold in the passing shops. He looked around curiously as they passed an Apothecary where two people were bargaining over the price of dragon liver. The soft hooting coming from Eeylops Owl Emporium had Neko's full attention. Then he noticed a gaggle of boys and girls around a shop.
"-but look at that handle! The Cleansweep 5 has nothing on the Comet 260!"
"Nu-uh! The Cleansweep 5 can-" Harry tried to lean in to hear them more clearly but they had walked too far. He switched his focus and a glint in the corner of his eye caught his attention.
Tom chanced a glance at Harry when he was looking longingly at beautiful shiny chess set in a passing window and stored the sight in the back of his mind.
When they got closer to the white building with the sign; Gringotts, Harry noticed the short figure standing beside there. As they reached the gleaming bronze doors, Harry realized with a start that the little man wasn't human.
"He's a goblin. But don't worry, he won't hurt you." Tom hissed under his breath to Harry. Harry gave an almost imperceptible nod, cuddled Neko, and shyly hid behind Tom when they entered. Once they were past the first set of doors, another set, silver in color, faced them with word engraved upon them. Harry squinted to try and read it but most of the words indiscernible to his bad vision. Tom, noticing this quietly read the words aloud.
"Enter, stranger, but take heed Of what awaits the sin of greed, For those who take, but do not earn, Must pay most dearly in their turn. So if you seek beneath our floors A treasure that was never yours, Thief, you have been warned, beware Of finding more than treasure there."
Harry shivered when Tom was done. Even though he had no intention of stealing anything, the words still chilled to the bone.
"As long as you never try to steal from a goblin, you will be fine Harry." Tom reassured Harry. "They just take money and valuables very seriously."
Harry nodded. Two more goblins bowed as they passed the second set of doors. Harry's eyes widened as they took in the sight of the enormous marble hall. Behind a long counter sat about a hundred goblins on high stools, all busy at work. Some were recording in large ledgers while others were weighing coins in brass scales. There were even some examining precious stones. Beside those goblins, others were showing people in and out of the dozens of doors that lead off the hall. All the while Harry was in shock; Tom had scanned the counter for a free goblin. Seeing one, he pulled Harry and headed for in that direction.
"Good morning," Tom addressed the goblin politely. "We wish to withdraw some money out of our safes."
"Do you have your keys, sir?" The goblin asked.
"I have the key to my vault. However, my charge here, unfortunately does not." Tom said with a touch of regret. "I believe his previous guardian still has the key and I was unable to obtain it. Is there any way for him to access his vault?" The goblin pursed his lips and replied.
"In the case of lost keys and such we are able to do a blood test to confirm the identify of the person in question." The goblin looked down a Harry. "Will that be acceptable?"
Tom noticed how nervous Harry was and gently asked him. "Do want to do the test? Don't worry, it will only take a drop of blood. But you don't want to, we don't have to. I have more than enough money in my own vault. I just wanted you to see your vault and perhaps allow you to take a little bit."
Harry looked uncertainly at Tom and then at the goblin. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
"Yes, it is as- asep-"
"Acceptable." Both the goblin and Tom spoke at the same time and look at each other in surprise. Harry giggled and relaxed when Tom and the goblin smiled. Neko just purred.
"Very well. Griphook!" Another goblin appeared. "Please lead these gentlemen to room 7A and give them a blood confirmation test. Once that is done, take them to their vaults." The goblin named Griphook nodded and bowed.
"This way please." Griphook began to lead them to one of the doors on the left. Just as they turned, Harry paused, looked back at the goblin, and waved.
"Bye bye Mr. Goblin!" He chirped. The goblin was startled for a monument before almost gingerly, as if he had never done it before, waved back.
"My name is Ragnok, little one." He answered back, amusement and intrigue apparent in his voice.
"My name isn't little one either. My name is Harry Potter! It was nice to meeting you!" Harry had turned back to follow Griphook and missed the twin looks of shock and bewilderment that passed between the two goblins. Tom and Neko however had not. He held Harry's hand a little tighter. Neko wiggled into a position that allowed her to unsheathe her claws and attack immediately. Both relaxed slightly when nothing happened.
Griphook led them one of the many doors and down a long and narrow white marble hall. Finally they arrived at a dark mahogany door with 7A burned in silver on it. He opened the door and held it for them.
The room was a nice and cozy room with cushioned chairs and a large oak desk. Set upon the desk was a black bowl with silvery liquid in it. They sat down and Griphook began to explain.
"This bowl is the instrument we use to determine heritage and the like. It is a simple process. You need only put one drop of blood into the bowl and your name will rise up from it. Depending on your status, it will also give any titles you hold." Harry stared at the bowl in fascination. What had appeared to be silvery fluid was actually some sort wispy liquid. It wasn't a gas, yet wasn't a liquid either. It gently swirl
"What do I cut myself with?" Harry hesitantly asked. In response, Neko nudged her head against Harry's chest to get his attention. Once he was looking at her, she gently nipped his right index finger. He winced and realized that the cut was just big enough for one drop to form. He held his hand over the bowl.
The little drop clung resolutely to his finger. He tried shaking it into the bowl but it wouldn't fall. He frowned and suddenly he heard something weird. He looked up from his predicament to find Tom, Griphook, and even Neko trying to hide their chortles and amusement.
Harry just pouted.
"Here let me help you." Tom picked up the small knife on the table that Harry had not seen. He gently scraped off the droplet from Harry's finger and tilted the knife over the bowl. The charms on the knife, which Tom had sensed, let the droplet slide easily off the blade and into the bowl.
The silvery wispy liquid immediately began to churn almost violently. Suddenly it turned a garnet red and wisps of it began to rise into the air. It slowly formed the words:
Harry James Potter
Heir of Potter
Griphook took in the sight and was about to speak when the garnet red wispy liquid began to churn and some more whorls began to rise. Slowly, it formed:
Heir of Gryffindor
Tom sucked in his breath. He was shocked in the revelation. Glancing around, the others weren't much better. Griphook's were wide as he stared at the words floating there. Neko had her mouth agape and gave quick glances from the words to Harry.
As for Harry, he just looked confused at everything. He had no idea what was going on and didn't think he'll like it from everyone's expressions.
"What's wrong? Is being the heir of Gryffindor bad?" Harry asked, starting to tear up. Everyone immediately started to reassure him.
"No, no Harry! Nothing is wrong! It was just surprisi-"
"-is a great honor being name the heir of-"
"Purrrrr!"
Harry was bewildered. He could barely understand what anyone was saying.
"Umm. So it's okay that I'm the heir of Gryffindor?" Harry hesitantly asked.
"Yes Harry, it is perfectly alright for you to the heir of Gryffindor. It was just surprising to all of us. There is nothing wrong with being an heir to such an ancient line. I myself am the heir of Slytherin." Tom assured Harry. Griphook and Neko both looked at Tom in surprise. Neither had known he was the heir of Slytherin. Griphook immediately understood the implications of Tom being the heir of Slytherin.
"You… are the heir of Slytherin?" Griphook shakily asked. Tom just gave Griphook a fleeting look and nicked his finger with the silver knife he was still holding. Allowing a drop to fall into the bowl he absently cast a wandless healing charm on his hand.
As the bowl's contents all returned and started to churn again, he gently lifted Harry's hand to see the cut. To his surprise, it had already healed. Looking down he caught a look from Neko.
"My saliva has healing properties. It comes from being what I am." Neko hissed, so muffled that Tom barely heard it himself. Their attention returned to the bowl when its contents suddenly turned Avada Kedava green and wisps began to rise.
Tom Marvolo Riddle
Heir of Riddle
Heir of Gaunt
Heir of Slytherin
"See Harry. I am the heir of all of these. Being a heir is not bad. So don't worry." Tom soothed Harry. Griphook stared at the words floating there and turned to Tom with nervousness in his eyes.
"Mr.… Riddle. Would you or Mr. Potter be needing anything else before we visit your vaults?" Griphook said evenly, disguising any hint of anxiety in his voice.
"Yes, just one more thing. I would like to know if Harry's previous guardian ever accessed Harry's vaults and if he did, how much was withdrawn." Tom stated with a hint of authority. Griphook frowned and stood, walking to one of the cabinets in the corner of the room. Opening the third drawer down, he quickly flipped through the folder until he found what he was looking for.
"Ah. Here it is. The Potter Vaults. There are three vaults in total. The first vault is the family heirloom vault. It contains all manner of items stored to be passed down to future heirs. It is not to be touched until the owner reaches the age of seventeen or their majority. The second vault is the savings account. It contains most of the money of the Potters. It also is not to be touched until the owner reaches the age of seventeen or their majority. Finally, the trust vault. IT was meant to be the vault in which young Harry here uses for his purchases for school. Unlike the other two vaults, this one allows access for the owner and guardian. Approximately 6,428 worth of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts have been withdrawn." Griphook said while consulting the papers that he had taken out of the folder.
"And who was Harry's guardian?" Tom asked with ill-concealed ire. Griphook looked at the papers again and flipped the page.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." Griphook pronounced with a touch of disdain to his voice.
"Dumbledore." Tom practically hissed. Hatred almost radiated from him. "I want him to never even touch a single Knut of Harry's money again. Is that understood?!" Tom snapped at Griphook.
"Y-yes sir. Understood." Griphook stuttered, barely disguising his fear. Neko reproachfully looked at Tom while Harry timidly hugged Tom. Tom realized with a start that he had scared Harry.
"Please don't be mad at Mr. Griphook. He didn't do anything." Harry murmured to Tom's chest. Tom felt something claw at his heart and quietly replied.
"I wasn't mad at Griphook. Nor am I mad at you or Neko." Tom said gently to Harry while rubbing soothing circles on his back. Turning to face Griphook, he stiffly said, "I… dislike Dumbledore very much and took my anger on you. For that… I apologize." Griphook's eyes widened at the apology.
"Tis no problem. I will do what you asked right away after I escort you gentlemen to your vaults." He said with no little surprise. "This way please." Getting up, he opened the door for them and led them further down the marble hall and opened the door to reveal a narrow stone passageway with little railway tracks. Its dimly lit torches were a stark contrast to the almost sunny marble hall.
"Which vault do you wish to visit first?" Griphook asked as he gave a shrill whistle that made Neko hiss. A medium sized cart came hurtling in front of them.
"Harry's first and then my Vault 797." Tom said as they all gingerly climbed in. Once in the cart shot off down a steep slope.
Left, right. Right, right. Left, right, left. Right, left, left. It was a maze of twisting passageways and tunnels. Harry eagerly looked around as they raced at an extremely high speed. He laughed as the cold and stagnant air ruffled his already messy hair. He looked back and saw Tom and Neko look back at him in amusement. He gave them a bright smile and returned his attention to the Griphook. Griphook who was also watching Harry, suddenly found himself the recipient of a dozen questions.
"Why aren't you steering? Does this cart steer itself? Was that a dragon down there? I saw some fire down that tunnel. And was that an underground lake? How deep are these tunnels? What's the difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite? How fast can this cart go? Can we go faster?!" Harry chirped, completely excited. Griphook was at a loss with the tsunami of questions. He hadn't even understood half of them with the wind in his ears. He cautiously gave a pleading look toward Tom and Neko.
Tom chuckled and began to answer all Harry's question since he had heard them all perfectly with the wind blowing them straight to him.
"I believe Griphook isn't steering because this is a magical cart that is spelled to steer by itself. Dragons are kept here to guard maximum security vaults so it was possible what you saw was one. That was in fact an underground lake. These tunnels extend for miles under Muggle London. The difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite is that a stalagmite is on the floor and a stalactite hangs from the ceiling. An easy way of remembering that is to remember that stalagmite has a "g" for ground and stalactite has a "c" for ceiling. Carts go to 35 miles per hour and only have one speed." Tom finished with a slight smile at Harry's rapt interest and how Griphook's mouth was open in astonishment.
"Have I answered all your questions Harry? I will never lie to you. Why would I lie when the truth is so much more satisfying?(1)" Tom said as Harry gave a smile so bright it seemed to light up the whole tunnel. Griphook watched the interactions quietly, contemplating what he had seen.
Finally the cart began to slow. Coming to a stop in front of a small door in the tunnel wall, they all climbed out.
"Seeing as you do not has Mr. Potter's key but we have confirmed his identity I will open his vault. Before you leave, leave your owling address with Ragnok so we may owl you a new set of keys. The lock on this door will be changed to prevent any future… mishaps." Griphook said as he bit his finger and smeared some blood on the lock. The lock glowed a dim orange for a moment before a click was heard. The door swung open to reveal a room filled with glittering coins.
Dozens of gold, silver, and bronze lay in enormous heaps. The glitter of all the precious metals was almost blinding. Harry could only stare in complete shock.
"This… this is all… mine?" Harry croaked out, emotion choking him up. "I'm not worthless anymore." The last bit was said in a whisper but everyone heard nonetheless.
"You were never worthless." Tom growled. Harry jumped at the sound. "No matter what those filthy muggles said, you were never worthless. If anything, they were worthless!" The sheer menace literally dripped from his word. Harry looked at Tom for a moment before giving a small smile, albeit weak but still a smile.
"Thanks." Harry all but whispered. "What are they all called? How much do I get out?" He asked, his voice a bit stronger.
"Hmm. Well, the bronze ones are Knuts, the silver ones are Sickles, and the gold ones are Galleons. There are 17 Sickles in a Galleon, and 29 Knuts in a Sickle. You can take a dozen handfuls of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts." Tom explained. Griphook held out two small black velvet bags.
"Here, these bags are charmed with lightening charms, expansion charms, and containment charms. There are also anti-theft charms as well." Griphook explained to them. "Gringotts issues them to many of their customers."
"Thank you." Harry said with a smile. He scurried into the vault and began sweeping coins into his pouch. After dumping several piles of coins into the pouch he straightened. "I'm done! Can we see Tom's Vault now?"
"Yes we can." Griphook said while walking back to the cart. They all climbed in again and they were off.
Deeper and deeper they went. The temperature began to plummet. Tom, noticing this cast a general warming charm over everyone. Griphook turned in surprise but Tom was already looking a Harry. Harry was fascinated. He had tried to see the bottom of an underground ravine they passed but Neko had distracted him.
Just when Harry thought they could go no deeper, the cart started to slow. It came to a stop at a pitch-black metal door with a small hollow on the side. When Harry's looked closer, he realized there was a metal snake coiled around a keyhole within the depression in the wall.
Tom strode right up to the indention in the wall. He reached into one of his pockets in his voluminous robes and withdrew a small silver key with a tiny emerald. Reaching within the snake's coils, he inserted the key. Immediately, the snake came to life and constricted his hand, preventing his from removing his hand. Harry gasped and started forward but Neko, who sensed that this was supposed to happen, bit his robes and prevented Harry from interfering.
"Who dares awaken me from my sleep?" the metal snake hissed. "No one but master may command me to unlock the door!"
"I am your master." Tom hissed in Parseltongue. Griphook closed his eyes. With this there was no doubt to the identity of his passengers. He had hoped that the bowl had gotten contaminated from Harry's blood, being he was linked to the Dark Lord. But seeing the man converse with the personal lock the Dark Lord himself had installed into his vault and not get bitten, it was now undisputable.
"Shitami, I understand you are excited to see me but I need you to do two things for me." Tom said calmly as if there wasn't a metal snake wrapped around his wrist.
"Yes master! What is it? I will do anything the master commands!" Shitami immediately declared.
"I need you to accept Harry here as one may open my vault. He too, is a Speaker. However, due to some who are accompanying us. Harry can not reveal his talent. Will you do this for me?" Tom asked evenly.
"Of course! Whatever my master wishes, I will do everything in my power and ability to do." Shitami hissed. "Just place his hand near my mouth so I can retain his scent."
Tom held out his hand to Harry. Harry firmly placed his hand in Tom's and allowed himself to pulled toward the snake. She flicked out her metal tongue and tasted the air, absorbing Harry's scent and forever retaining it in her mind.
"It is done. What was the other that you wished for master?" Shitami asked.
"I wish to withdraw some money from my vault. I need you to open it." Tom hissed and watched with amusement as Shitami started.
"My apologies master. I forgot in my excitement of seeing you again." She hissed apologetically as she started to slither into a hole the her body had hidden.
"It is understandable. Do not worry, I am not mad." Tom hissed back. She in fact was the real key to the door. He had designed the lock to be absolutely impenetrable to anyone but him. When someone stuck the silver and emerald key into the lock, it did not open the door but actually triggered a charm that animated Shitami. Once "awake," she would wrap herself around the arm of the key-holder, preventing him or her from escaping. It the trapped person did not start tell to her he was Tom Riddle or master in parseltongue, she would bite him. concealed in her metal fangs was two vials of basilisk venom. Any thief would die in minutes. If it was Tom with the key, she would slither down the secret hole which led to a tunnel around the door to the vault. As she slithered, she would open all the inner locks with the parseltongue passwords. Once that was done, she wound return to the hollow in the wall. Closing the door and hissing "Death is a sleep that lasts forever" locks the vault. Removing the key forces Shitami back to dormancy.
Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Clank. All seven lock were open. The heavy metal door swung open silently, revealing a fortune carefully stored away. Tom strode inside and began sweeping fistfuls of coins into the second pouch Griphook had offered. Harry petted Neko while waiting. After a few minutes, Tom strolled out and shut the door.
"Death is a sleep that lasts forever." He hissed. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Clank. 'There, all locked.'
"Come, let's go." Tom ordered. Everyone got back into the cart and they zoomed off. The trip took considerably less time up than down. Harry thought he saw another cart around the corner.
At last they reached ground level. They climbed out and Griphook escorted them through a door that led to another narrow marble hall, this one was gray instead of white. Eventually they were back in the big white marble hall. Spotting Ragnok, Harry practically dragged Tom to him.
"Did everything go well?" Ragnok asked when they reached him. Luckily he was free at that moment. He felt himself liking the little human child named Harry Potter.
"Yup! I did the test and it wasn't scary at all! Then we went on a cart down to our vaults and put our money in the little black pouches. Tom told me what the money was and how much each was." Harry chirped happily. "The Knuts are the little bronze ones, the Sickles are medium silver ones, and the Galleons are the big gold ones. There are…19, no! 17 Sickles in a Galleon, and 29 Knuts in a Sickle!"
Ragnok gave a low raspy chuckle. He was unused to chuckling. "That very good. Well done." Harry beamed up at everyone, proud he had got it all right.
"Well, we have to go buy supplies. Griphook told us to leave our owling address with you so you can owl us Harry's new Vault key." Tom said. Ragnok blinked and nodded. "Address your owl to Slytherin Manor. I will adjust the wards to allow owls bearing Gringotts letters and packages."
Ragnok, who had been dipping his quill in preparation of writing the address, froze. A single droplet of ink fell fro the tip of his quill and landed on the crisp sheet of blank paper.
"Sly- Slytherin Manor?" Rangok asked in shock. Tom leaned down to take Harry's hand and began to leave.
"Yes, Slytherin Manor. I expect that owl in at least three days." Tom called quietly over his shoulder. Harry who had been following Tom stopped and pulled his hand out of Tom's grasp. Turning, Tom watched as Harry scurried over to Griphook was talking to the shocked Ragnok. They abruptly stopped talking when Harry wrapped his little around first Griphook and then Ragnok.
Then stepping back he cheerfully said, "Bye bye Griphook! Bye bye Ragnok! See you next time!" Tom mentally chuckled to himself as he turned back to the double doors. 'The looks on their faces was priceless.'
Harry happily skipped away, oblivious to the absolute shock he had caused. Laughing he darted through the double doors and passed Tom and Neko when they opened the other doors.
"Harry wait!" Tom called. Harry turned his head and slowed down. Unfortunately that meant he didn't see the man in front of him.
Wham!
"Oof!" Harry, being the smaller in both size and weight bounced back and landed on his behind. The shadow of the man briefly blocked the sun, making it had for Harry to see who he had slammed into.
"Be more careful child. Or else you may learn that lesson the hard way." A snarky voice drawled. Harry tried to crawl backwards but felt a hand on his shoulder. He nearly flinched but relaxed when he saw it was Tom.
"Hello Severus." Tom said pleasantly. Though his words were pleasant, his eyes smoldered with a carefully controlled rage that could escape at any moment.
"M-my lord!" Severus Snape stuttered out. 'Oh no. I'm going to die.'
To be continued…
Hahaha! Cliffe! After almost two weeks I give you this a cliffhanger! Sorry about the long wait. Explanation (cough rant cough) at top AN.
Why would I lie when the truth is so much more satisfying?(1) - This quote belongs to KrystalRoze. (Amazing author! Check out her work!)
Thank you all including anonymous reviewers!
adenoide: I'm glad you like Tom. I hope you continue to like him. I don't like Dumbles or Ron very much so no worries there. As for Hermione and the rest of the Weasleys… I like them for the most part. I love Gred and Forge. But Harry definitely won't become a "Golden Boy" for Dumbles. ;)
IMPORTANT! I posted a picture of Neko on my Deviantart. My homepage is the link to my Deviantart account. Tell me if you like it! And if any of you wish to draw/paint/or anything her, I would love to see your rendition of Neko!
I updated! I did so as soon as my brain rebooted.
Happy late Memorial Day!
Mr. Bunny would like to apologize for Aki's rant(top AN). She was on a life-support of sugar, sugar, and more sugar.
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