Chapter 7
Meetings with Goblins.
Harry Dresden P.O.V.
We had to move quickly to get to Gringotts before the Death Eater's regrouped. Young Harry, Ron, Molly and I readied ourselves. Ready for a fight and armed with a letter to Ripshank from Lily in his pocket, Harry looked just like the scared kid he was. He put on his invisibility cloak, a truly amazing piece of clothing and we stepped out onto the ways. It took a surprisingly short time to get to the exit to Diagon Alley and we were soon moving invisibly towards Gringotts. Molly's power as the Winter Lady and her powerful veils let us enter the great bank, right past their Wizard detectors. Once within the safety of the bank Harry slipped invisibly up to a goblin teller and whispered softly to it. It didn't move, didn't blink but after a few seconds casually got up and walked purposely towards a door. We followed. Once alone within a private office we revealed ourselves to a neatly dressed goblin behind a huge elegant desk. Harry stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Master Ripshank, I am Lord Harry James Potter, heir to the houses of Black and Potter. I bring you a missive from the Lady Lily Potter and beseech your help as the last Potter." then he placed the letter on the desk and stepped back respectfully.
The Goblin studied him for a long moment then picked up the letter. He read it, growing more and more angry as he did. When he was done he threw the letter on the desk and swore angrily in gobbledegook. He looked up at Harry and said, in a husky guttural tone, "Well met Lord Potter, you have brought the Goblin nation a great boon this day, a way to finally rid this world or the scourge that is the Dark Lord. We will help you, in anyway that we can. First, you need to claim your titles. As both Lord Black and Lord Potter you can access the Lestrange vault, you are after all, the Head of Bellatrix Lestrange's Maternal House.. and she was foolish enough to use her personal vault." he smiled evilly, " No theft involved." Harry nodded then thought for a moment and spoke. "I would like to appoint the white Knight, Harry Dresden as my representative, I defer to his greater age and knowledge." I smiled, touched. The kid was unsure and wanted me to take the reins. I stepped forward.
"I am Harry Dresden, Winter Knight. This boy, the Lord Harry Potter, and all of our companions are under my protection. I will aid Lord Potter in his endeavours to rid this world of the Dark Wizard with the made up name." Ripshank grinned evilly. He was gleefully skimming over the pile of copied notes I had just handed him, information on Death Eaters and Riddle, dirt on the Ministry, everything the Goblin's needed to secure the Wizard's economy before it was too late.
It was a quick matter really, for Harry to claim his lord ships. A wave of Ripshank's hand brought two beautifully carved boxes from nowhere to the surface of his desk. "Lord Potter, please step forward and lay your hand upon the boxes. If you are the true heir they will open at your touch and you'll be able to claim the Lord's Rings." Harry swallowed and straightened his shoulders. He stepped forward and laid his hand on the first box. It opened immediately. A silver ring with the familiar Black family crest was revealed and Harry put it on reverently. A silver glow surrounded him briefly then dimmed and he smiled. "I can feel Sirius..like a hug." he whispered, awed. Then he lay his hand on the last box. It too opened, revealing a beautiful gold ring with an embossed stag's head, with emerald for eyes. It was delicate yet strongly made and Harry slid it on, above the Black ring and a brilliant gold glow surrounded him. "Dad.. Mum" he whispered. And grinned. Ripshank bowed to him, "Welcome Lord Potter Black. Would you like a tour of your vaults?" and we all smiled a feral smile.
Now I had read about the Gringotts carts in the books and seen them in the movies... but nothing prepared me for them in reality. While Molly, Harry and Ron had whooped and screamed, I had hung on for grim death, muttering expletives under my breath. Staggering out at the main Potter Vault I was deeply grateful when Ripshank told us that the Black's Vault was on this level too, and we'd only have to use the cart to get to the Lestrange Vault and back out. Joy. I fought hard not to throw up. It would not be very mentor like to puke in front of the kids.
I let Harry explore his vaults alone for a few minutes, he came out, a little shocked and with several bundles of journals, odd gadgets, a half dozen goblin wrought weapons, some impressive defensive magic spell books and a bag of rare potions and ingredients. Ripshank carefully put everything into a bag, apparently enchanted much as Hermione's beaded bag was. Then we headed down to the last vault. When Ripshank pulled out the clankers and passed them along I remembered what as to come. The Dragon.
It was a massive thing, but sad, scarred and chained as it was. I knew it had to stay there though. It was too vicious to allow free. We clanked our way past and Ripshank let us into the Lestrange Vault, effortlessly dispelling the charms in place. Harry looked around and spied the cup. I reached it down with my staff and dropped it into a bag Ron held out. He tied it tight and pocketed it with a grimace. Molly had edged away from the cup the instant it had come within a few feat of her. Ripshank surveyed the vault, a snarl on his face. "There are many stolen Goblin treasures here Lord Potter Black." Harry nodded. "I give you permission, as Lord Potter Black for you to inspect every Black Family vault and remove all dark artefacts, destroy them all. Reclaim your stolen treasures." I coughed and touched the boy's shoulder. "Ripshank, Lord Potter Black is showing great trust in you and your kind. Do not abuse it or I, the Winter Knight, will return to seek retribution." Ripshank took no offence, respect and understanding showing in his intelligent eyes. He bowed low. "As you say, Lord Knight." He said. The Goblin's knew of the Winter Knight's power. I had just made sure they would not take anything but what had been stated and Harry would be safe from any nasty dark artefacts. I was satisfied.
The Goblin's are an amazing race, the wizard's were fools to underestimate them. Ripshank gave us talismans that allowed us to move about Diagon Alley unrecognised. It wasn't the bright bustling place described by Ms Rowlings. It was a dark, battered place, many shops boarded up. People moved quickly, suspiciously. No one stopped to share gossip or compare prices. We quickly returned to the alley's exit and to the Way. An hour later we were back, outside the Keep.