Soldier

A/N: I do have the book mentioned (somewhere in my collection), somewhere collecting dust. I have always equate the goblins in JKR's world with those devilish aliens. Don't believe me? Watch Deep Space Nine and compare Quark to a goblin.

Yes, Isshin is being pretty tame here. He is after all in London and not Japan. Also, he is in his doctor mode, dealing with an abused child. Wait until Harry is more comfortable and they are back in Japan. - GF

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. "The Rules of Acquistion" belongs to its writers and the Star Trek franchise. As we have said before, we are just two old ladies that don't that much about Japanese, so please bear with us.

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Chapter 5: Buried Deep Beneath a Stone

The trio were up very early the next morning. Harry was told to wear the school clothes that were in his trunk as they were the only clothing that fit him decently. Ichigo then loaned him one of his hoodies, so they could sneak into Diagon Alley and make their way to Gringotts unnoticed. Once inside they found there were not many wizards around to notice that Harry Potter was among them.

A short time later found them deep under Gringotts in the office of Flintlock, the Potter Account Manager.

"Good to see you again Account Holder Potter," Flintlock said as the meeting opened. "And these are?"

"Dr. Isshin Kurosaki and his son, Ichigo, Account Manager," Harry introduced. "They are distantly related to me through my mum. They came in answer to the letter I sent them before the third task."

"Ah yes," Flintlock said as he pulled out a file. "You may not be aware of it Dr. Kurosaki, but Account Holder Potter was recently emancipated in the Wizarding World. This is due to his having been forced to compete in that twice be-damned Tournament. Also, the fact that in a few days, he will turn fifteen, the age at which the last of an Ancient and Noble House may claim majority. However, that does not translate into the Muggle World. He will now need a new guardian in both worlds. His current ones do not meet their responsibilities, and his 'magical guardian' will fight to keep things as they are."

Isshin pulled out the paperwork he'd had the Dursleys sign last night. "Would this help? It is only temporary, but I am sure you would be able to make it permanent?"

Flintlock nodded. "Yes, indeed. How did you manage this?"

Isshin shrugged. "When a boy of fourteen contacts complete strangers asking if he could visit and discuss possible living arrangements; it usually sets off warning bells. I am a doctor. I am trained to notice them. Plus, I had a friend who also has connections do a little research on Harry-kun. I didn't like what he found out."

"Indeed," the goblin said. "This makes things much easier."

Harry sighed. Things were finally happening for the better. "Account Manager Flintlock, were you able to do as I asked?"

"Yes, Account Holder Potter. Your vaults show some unauthorized transactions. We were able to recover most of the funds, plus interest, as we had discussed. The only ones we were holding off on were your muggle relatives."

"I see," Harry said, leaning back in his chair with a relieved sigh. "Go ahead with that. I refuse to go back to the Dursleys. And Flintlock?"

The goblin looked up from his files as Harry gave him an evil smile. "Remember our deal. I get one percent of all interest of the monies recovered the rest goes to you to waive any fees that might accrue. Stick it to the Dursleys as much as you can!"

The goblin responded with a predatory grin. "You should've been born a goblin for brokering that deal, Account Holder."

Harry turned to the confused Japanese men. "Goblins are a lot like the Ferengi. Their rules of acquisition are very similar."

Ichigo smirked. "Like, 'Greed is eternal and profit is its own reward'?*"

Harry grinned as Flintlock held up a small, well-thumbed paperback. "Indeed. When Account Holder Potter first came to my office last winter, he gifted this to me. It has been most educational."

Ichigo snorted as he read the book title: "Ferengi's Rules of Acquisition." It had a Star Trek logo on it. Isshin gave a thumbs up.

"We will need a passport for Harry-kun, as well as official papers. Also translation spell for us as well," Isshin said, rubbing his chin.

"That's doable," Flintlock said. "Also, Account Holder Potter has asked for a goblin healer to take a look at his scar as well as his over all health."

Harry shifted in his chair. "I . . .uh. . . was never allowed to eat much when I was at the Dursley's and well, Poppy was a good school nurse but she was in the pay of Dumbledore. I get the feeling that she tried to correct things but was stopped by the old codger."

Isshin nodded. "So how long do we have before they come after you?"

"I think a couple of days," Harry said, with a calculating look. "If my observations of the guard rotation on my relatives' house are correct. Moody and Moony are the two I am most concerned about. They would be quick to notice, but they aren't due until the end of the week."

The four of them estimated that they had less than a week before all hell broke loose in the Wizarding World. That left them little time to get everything done they needed to before their departure.

It took a couple of days to sort things out. Harry was poked and prodded by the healers. He was thankful that the few times he had been able to make it to the goblins previously had laid the ground work.

The worse thing discovered was that the famous scar on his forehead held more than a curse, it held part of a soul.

That night, before Harry fell asleep, the voice in the back of his mind spoke. He was incensed. "Harry, I knew that scar was dangerous! I can sense it, but can't get near it." The spirit informed Harry.

In the short time he'd known him, the spirit had helped Harry deal with all the anger and frustration in his life as the young wizard uncovered more and more of Dumbledore's dealings.

The most telling of the help was the fact that the spirit kept the nightmares at bay and for the first time in years, Harry was able to sleep the sleep of the just without being plagued by them.

They were still staying at the hotel, but Harry had insisted on paying for the room. It was only right. Both Japanese men protested but Harry stood firm.

"Please let me do this," Harry explained. Thankful that the goblins taught him the translation spell so he could understand both spoken and written Japanese so Ichigo and his father didn't have to rely on their English skills. "You came all this way and took the time to see me, it is simple courtesy, my way of thanking you," He said in fluent Japanese. The pair couldn't argue with that.

Ichigo and Isshin had taken the boy shopping for clothes while they waited for the results of the tests. They also took a break to see the sights, as well as going to the cinema. Harry had never been to one and it had been fun. He'd never had the money or the time, and the Dursleys had refused to take him. Both Japanese men were appalled that Harry had experienced so little fun in his life.

On one of their shopping trips Ichigo also had Harry get a Game Boy and a cd player. "You'll need it on the plane he explained, either that or sleep the whole way."

Harry and Ichigo bonded quickly. The younger teen had always wanted a sibling, someone to look up to and now felt he'd finally found one. Ichigo, for his part, never talked down to him as the older students at Hogwarts did, nor did the older boy dismiss any of Harry's fears.

Ichigo one night told Harry how he became a Soul Reaper and why he was still alive. It was a mixture of English and Japanese. "So, Runt," he asked with a nudge and a grin, "Have you figured out your zanpakuto's name yet?"

"Runt?" Harry shrugged. He'd been called far worse. "Sort of. He's been a big help dealing with memories and the nightmares, even though I know he's hurting as much as I am. He doesn't say much about it, but I can tell."

"Ah. His wielder was a very cruel and power mad Soul Reaper," Ichigo said one night. "Byakuya was the one who killed Koga. Both were of the same clan. Byakuya always came across with. . . 'a stick up his ass'?. . if you ask me."

"Wait, according to the goblins I'm a noble too," Harry said. "I don't have, 'a stick up my ass', do I?" With a grin Harry said a silent thanks once more for the Goblin translation spell.

"You are different, Harry," Ichigo assured him, ruffling his hair. "You're a runt." Ichigo grinned at Harry's pout.

"Hey!"

"So are you getting anything from him yet?" Ichigo asked, changing the subject.

"I think his name is Mura something," Harry said. "You know what it is, don't you?"

Ichigo nodded and gave Harry a serious look. "I do but if you want his respect and for him to work with you. . . you must earn his trust before you learn it. I can not help you."

Harry sighed, as he fell asleep. It was their last night in London. They were leaving for Japan the next day.

"Harry," came the spirit's voice.

"You know I wish I could hear your name," Harry groused. "It's been almost a week and I'm still trying."

"Most soul reapers don't learn the name of their zanpakuto until they are well advanced in their studies," the spirit consoled. "I wouldn't worry too much."

"But Ichigo said. . . "

"Ichigo Kurosaki is a special case, as you know, Harry Potter. You are doing well in this. Very well, let's try this again. My name is Muramasa."

"Mura . . . masa. Nice name," Harry said. "I like it. It suits you."

Muramasa gave a shy smile. "Sleep Harry Potter we have a big day tomorrow."

Harry smiled. "Night Muramasa and its Harry. Just Harry."

"Sleep well, Harry."

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As the plane taxied down the runway, two Gringotts owls winged their way across the morning English skies.

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It was early morning. An emergency meeting of the vigilante group known as the Order of the Phoenix had been summoned. They were called to order by Headmaster Albus-too-many-names-Dumbledore.

The kitchen of number 12 Grimmauld Place was crowded and noisy.

Molly Weasley, a rotund woman with a motherly disposition, was busily making breakfast. She fussed over them all, making sure everyone at the table was eating. She also made sure that her very large brood of children were behaving themselves, especially the twins.

"Harry hasn't been seen in almost a week," reported a scruffy man in a worn tweed jacket. "The last two people to have seen him were Dung and Mrs. Figg."

"Harry knows better than to run off," scoffed Molly, as she slapped the hand of one of her sons as he tried to reach across the table. "Ronald, manners!"

"But mom, I'm still hungry!" Ronald Weasley said with a mouth full of food.

"Eat what you have in your mouth before speaking! More pancakes are coming! Wait your turn!"

Just then two owls wearing Gringotts collars soared into the meeting. One dropped a letter on the head of Sirius Black, Harry's godfather and the other onto Dumbledore's head. Both owls soared out of the room, not bothering to stay.

The headmaster opened his missive quickly...and just as quickly crumpled it in his fist after reading:

"Headmaster,

I shall be gone for the rest of the summer. I may return when school begins in September.

HJP"

"Bloody Hell!" shouted Sirius, as he read most of his letter aloud to the waiting company:

"Dear Padfoot,

Just a quick letter to let you know that I have claimed my inheritance and my lordship as Head of the Ancient and Noble house of Potter. Seems there is a law that states that I can claim it on my fifteenth Birthday if I meet one of the following:

One: I am the heir to the lordship and am the last of my line. Which I am, thanks to the Dark Tosser.

Two: My guardian, magical or muggle, is deemed incompetent, unfit, or has failed to teach me my place in society. I didn't even know I was a wizard until Hagrid told me at age eleven.

Or –

Three: I have been declared a legal adult in the eyes of the Wizengamot. Which they did when I was forced to enter that damned tournament last year.

Congratulations! I fit all three!

So I'm now free from all of Dumbledore's schemes and am heading as far from here as possible.

Do not look for me. You won't find me. I may or may not return to Hogwarts in the fall. I'm still deciding on that one.

You can contact me through the Potter Account Manager at Gringotts. He helped me escape. However, be warned, if there is any tampering of the letter, such as a port-key, trace, or any kind of spells or charms on it, he won't pass it on and he WILL dock any fees for that service from the sender. I like that part!

Harry

ps. The goblins are looking for Hedwig. If you see her, send her to them. They promised to look after her for me."

"You bastard!" Sirius looked up at the stunned face of the headmaster, slammed the letter down and leaped over the table to strangle an old man with his own beard.

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To those that found the mistakes in Japanese in the last chapter, thank you. I will try to correct them.

Until Next time. – GF and The Frau

*Ferengi RoA #10 and #41.