Chapter 3: The-Boy-Who-Lived
From the outside The Leaky Cauldron is unnoticeable, easily being ignored by others in Charing Cross Road. After taking a big breath Harry steps into The Leaky Cauldron, it is a dark, shabby pub. His eyes scanned the pub as he takes in the bustling atmosphere, , chatters among the people that dressed weirdly, sound of glass clinking and the crackling of fire filled the place. The warm aroma of foods and magical concoctions wafted through the air, engulfing him in a sense of wonder and anticipation
"Excuse me," Harry speaks up, catching the attention of the innkeeper, Tom. "Could you tell me how to get to Diagon Alley?"
Tom's eyes widened with recognition as he looked at the young boy standing before him.
"Harry Potter," Tom says warmly. "Of course, you're here. Welcome back, lad! It's been a while."
The news of Harry Potter's arrival had spread like wildfire, and the patrons around the pub started whispering, their curiosity piqued.
Sensing the commotion and Harry's discomfort, "Clear off, all of you! Let the lad breathe!" Tom's authoritative voice resonated through the room, dispersing the crow "Let me take you somewhere away from the crowd."
He guided Harry to a quieter corner of the pub, a secluded space where they could talk without interruptions. Harry, still trying to process the sudden attention, looked at Tom, confusion and curiosity etched itself onto his face. "You... you know who I am?"
Tom chuckled warmly. "Know you? Everyone knows you! You defeated You-Know-Who, didn't you? You're a hero, Mister Potter. A legend!"
Tom's gaze softened as he observed the young wizard's innocence and curiosity. He realized that Harry was not yet aware of his fame, and it was his responsibility to guide him through this new world.
"Mister Potter, I'm Tom, the innkeeper here. I realised that you didn't know about your fame. I can only give you brief explanation as I cannot leave the pub unattended too long."
Tom took a deep breath and started explaining, giving Harry a rough overview of the events that led to his renown "Mister Potter, in 1970 rose a Dark Lord, he terrified the Wizarding world. You-Know-Who, or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is how we addressed him. The dark lord caused a lot of causalities, many families affected." Tom's voice trembled with fear.
He then paused a bit, looking at Harry attentively before continued "Then on 31 October 1981, he attacked your family. Both your parent died heroically that night, only you are the one survived. The Dark Lord has vanished possibly died. No ever survive except you, Harry Potter. You are a miracle. The-Boy-Who-Lived." As Tom spoke, Harry listened intently, absorbing the information about his past.
Once Harry had absorbed the shocking revelation, he shared his immediate goals with Tom. "I need to buy my school supplies and visit the bank," he explained.
Tom nodded understandingly. "Of course, Harry. Gringotts is the wizarding bank. It's where most witches and wizards keep their money and valuables. But I must warn you, dealing with goblins can be a bit tricky. They're not particularly fond of humans, you see."
Harry listened attentively as Tom gave him directions to Gringotts and offered advice on how to interact with the goblin bankers. He explained the importance of maintaining a respectful demeanour and not touching anything without permission.
Guiding Harry through the intricacies of the wizarding world, Tom taps a brick in a specific pattern, a sequence Harry commits to memory. To his amazement, the wall splits open, revealing a hidden pathway to Diagon Alley, the bustling street of the magical shopping district appeared.
"Thank you, Tom," Harry said gratefully, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in the sights and sounds of Diagon Alley. "I'll find my way to Gringotts now."
Tom smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Harry. Good luck with your shopping, and don't hesitate to ask if you need any more help. Enjoy your time in Diagon Alley."
With that, Harry bid farewell to Tom and made his way through the lively crowds, marvelling at the countless shops and magical products on display. The shops and displays filled with magical items dazzled him: magical animals, floating items, flying brooms. Everything feels so incredible. It's really amazed him. Eventually, he reached the imposing entrance of Gringotts, its doors guarded by stern-looking goblins.
Approaching the counter, Harry hesitantly asked the goblin if he had an account at the bank, feeling a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. "Excuse me," he began, "do I have an account here?"
The goblin scrutinized Harry for a moment before replying in a sharp tone, "Name?"
"Harry Potter," he replied, his voice steady despite his nerves.
The goblin's piercing eyes seemed to bore into him, searching for something. After a tense moment, the goblin nodded. "Follow me. We must confirm your identity."
Harry followed the goblin through the labyrinthine corridors of the bank, his mind racing with curiosity and uncertainty. Finally, they arrived at a small chamber where an ancient-looking scale and a stack of objects awaited.
"You must pass a test to prove you are indeed Harry Potter," the goblin explained, a note of authority in his voice. "Place your hand on the scale and speak your full name."
Doing as instructed, Harry placed his hand on the scale and announced, "Harry James Potter."
The scale shimmered briefly before a small ornate key materialized in the goblin's hand. "You have passed the test," the goblin declared. "This key grants you access to your vaults."
Relief washed over Harry as the goblin handed him the key. He then inquired about his account information.
The goblin led Harry to another room where an older and stern-looking goblin, Grimblade, awaited him
"Thank you, Mr. Grimblade. I have a few questions about my account. Can you tell me about the holdings in my account?" full of curiosity Harry asked the goblin opposite him.
"Of course, Mr. Potter. Your parents made arrangements with Gringotts to handle your financial matters. They had set a trust account for you after your birth. As the beneficiary, all their monetary holdings and assets were transferred to you. Your trust vault holds a significant sum, the current holding is around 10 million galleons and it is carefully managed by our team. Rest assured, we prioritize the security and growth of your wealth." Grimblade, his account manager answered Harry's questions, explaining that Harry's parents had left him a significant inheritance, which Gringotts had been entrusted to handling it on his behalf.
Harry closed his eyes as he absorbed the information. His parents truly loved him. They even prepared everything for him even after their demise, after all the goblins rarely "I see. And how can I access my funds or make transactions?"
"As a measure of security and responsibility, except for 2 500 galleons a year for your schooling and spending the rest are untouchable. It ensures that your inheritance is safeguarded until you come of age and prove your readiness." Grimblade replied.
"However," Grimblade added, a stern glint in his eyes, "your parents made it clear that if you want to control your account before you are of age, only by passing my test would you be in charge. You must prove yourself worthy."
Harry nodded, determination flickering in his gaze. He was ready to prove himself and learn the secrets of his parents' financial legacy.
[Chapter End]