A/N: I'm not making money from this. This is J.K.'s world, I'm just playing in it.
Alexandra spent the rest of the day with Harry and Neville in the classroom of the Manor. They had decided to get History of Magic done in one afternoon, so working from various tomes and a copy of the syllabus, she had lectured them about Goblin rebellions, various treaties with magical beings, magical wars in other countries and so forth. She had recommended that they use dictaquills in their History of Magic lessons and use the time to do other work, an idea that Neville and Harry had loved- it meant they wouldn't have to listen to the old ghost drone on and on for an hour.
While she had been meeting with House Black, Harry and Neville had had a grand time working through all the practical work in both first and second years, which had surprised her. Harry was desperate for Neville to catch up, and this motivation had sent them both whizzing through the syllabi.
Neville was perfectly happy with all of the theory, so she promised him tutoring in Potions while Harry worked on Herbology. Both had decided to do Ancient Runes together, and soon the History slot on their timetable would be filled by Runes.
The boys were set an essay on the merits and failings of boomslang skin in Potions, but otherwise were given the weekend off, apart from the two hours they had scheduled on Sunday for etiquette and politics, and Neville had been encouraged to partake in the early morning runs Harry and Alexandra completed.
The next day, after physical training that started at nine and a shower, Harry and Alexandra sat in the kitchen at the wooden table discussing the day between mouthfuls of breakfast. They had decided that in August they would begin learning subjects not offered by Hogwarts- Animagus training, dueling, wards, Occlumency and research into Parselmagic, something that only Harry would be able to achieve.
Alexandra, however had taken to meditating for an hour every night- working on 'seeing' her Animagus form. Once she knew what it was, all she had to do was make a complicated potion and then she would work on transforming one limb at a time until she could make a full transformation. Harry loved the idea of being an Animagus like his father, but she had made him promise not to try until she could do it, so that she could assist him.
"We're meeting Ragnok at eleven, so after breakfast go up and put your Wizengamot robes on. Ragnok is the leader of the Goblin Nation and a King in his own right, so we have to look the part." commented Alexandra as she stabbed a piece of watermelon with her fork. Ragnok had owled her a few days previously after her excursion in Diagon Alley and offered an audience, which she had eagerly accepted. The support of the Goblin Nation would be crucial in the next few years, and Alexandra had been shocked at the offer of a highly coveted meeting with the Goblin King. Not many of the wizarding community had ever seen Ragnok, let alone spoken to him.
"After that, I want to head to Quality Quidditch Supplies- I need a new broom, and we could do with some Quidditch equipment- the set in the gym are at least thirty years old, and aren't quite functioning. Then we can get your third year books, and head back here for some Quidditch."
Harry swallowed, and cast Tempus. It was 10:20, so he raised his eyebrows and she nodded so that he could go racing upstairs to get changed. Alexandra had explained to him the situation of Narcissa and Draco, and he had been accepting of their impending arrival. He had told her that he would only attempt to be friends with Draco if he apologised to Harry, Hermione and Neville for his insults over the past two years, but she had assured him that he would.
Narcissa had written her early that morning to say that she and her son had successfully moved out of Malfoy Manor, made Draco the Black Heir and finalised the divorce. Thankfully the marriage contract Narcissa and Lucius' parents had signed had made it clear that multiple children were expected, and so Narcissa had solid grounds for a divorce. Alexandra was very happy to have Lucius out of the family- the less contact she had with a Death Eater, the happier she'd be.
Upstairs, she donned the grey suit she had worn a few days previously, this time pairing it with a white cami and grey heels. I have to buy some more suits next time I'm in Muggle London- I can't wear these two all the time! She donned her House robes (again, another set of these!) and quickly brushed her teeth and cast a breath freshening and deodorising charm as she made her way downstairs. Harry was waiting by the entrance to her study, and a Tempus told her it was 10:53.
Harry was dressed in a sharp white shirt and grey dress slacks, complementing her own outfit, and his Wizengamot robes displayed the Potter griffin above his heart and the Black cobra on his right shoulder, to show that he was under her protection. Grasping Harry's shoulder, she turned on the spot, and they landed with a crack at the apparition point. As they began to walk, side by side, Alexandra became aware of the looks they were given.
She and Harry had discussed the previous evening how they would handle the public once they were out and about in Diagon. It had been agreed that as soon as the meeting concluded, the robes would be discarded so as not to attract the attention of the public, but as they walked towards the bank, Alexandra could see many eyes directed at the crests on their robes, so a quick notice-me-not charm allowed them to move unhindered.
Once inside Gringotts, Griphook moved forward to intercept them.
"Lady Potter-Black, Heir Potter. If you would follow me, Ragnok will see you in a few moments." He said, sweeping a shallow bow, which they returned with murmurs of "Master Griphook." The small goblin led the way past the desks in the lobby and down a side corridor. She glanced down at Harry, who was worrying his bottom lip between his teeth as they walked and slung her arm around his shoulders and gave them a comforting squeeze. Before she could say anything, Griphook entered a doorway and the two Potters followed.
Alexandra looked about her in wonder. The room was very large, made completely of beige coloured marble and hints of gold décor completed the room. A large golden throne stood on a raised dais, and she and Harry stood at the bottom of the steps, awaiting the Goblin King.
"Just follow my lead, okay? They're on our side." She whispered out of the side of her mouth, and she saw Harry's mouth quirk up in a small smirk. Before he could reply, a young goblin carrying a magnificent axe and wearing a simple golden circlet entered the room at the top of the dais, making his way towards the throne. Alexandra and Harry knelt on one knee on the floor with their heads bowed, in the traditional royal bow.
"Rise, Lady Potter-Black, Heir Potter." said Ragnok, and he inclined his head when she met his gaze.
"King Ragnok, may the blood of your enemies flow freely and the gold in your vaults never falter." She declared smoothly, bowing her head again.
Ragnok looked impressed at her traditional goblin greeting, but did not reply, instead motioning for her to continue speaking, which threw her off for a moment.
"It was very kind of you to agree to meet myself and my Heir on such short notice- the matter we wish to speak of is urgent and severe. Twelve years ago, Albus Dumbledore abused his power as Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump to seal the wills of James and Lily Potter and failed to place Harry with his rightful guardian, Amelia Bones. Instead he was forced to live with his Muggle relatives, who abused him and denied him food for twelve years. On top of this, Dumbledore has been stealing money from Harry's trust vault, which he gained access to after illegally naming himself Harry's magical guardian. On behalf of my cousin and as Head of House Potter, I wish to seek retribution."
As she spoke, Ragnok had remained silent, but leant forward on the throne. "I see. Well, Lady Potter-Black, on behalf of the Goblin Nation I offer my apologies for the theft of such a large sum of money, which I have been informed has been returned. Gringotts has filled Heir Potter's vault to its original value.
"I understand that you will be attending the Wizengamot session in a few days' time. I suggest that you take steps to lessen Dumbledore's influence over the next month until the August session in which Gringotts will provide sufficient evidence as to remove him from the positions of Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump. That is our short-term offer. I would also like to offer you a limited alliance with the Goblin Nation, until such time as the Dark Lord has been defeated. Yes, we have heard of the events at the school and the shade of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named who called the basilisk, and we have reason to believe that the Dark Lord invoked very old, very dark magic to preserve his life beyond its natural capacity." stated the goblin king, and Alexandra's jaw dropped.
She knew that it would take time for them to discover a way to defeat Voldemort, and was prepared to wait months, even years to exact her revenge on Dumbledore, but what Ragnok had offered was inconceivable. With the help of the goblins she could research a whole range of ways that Voldemort could bring himself back, and an alliance would further their standing within the Wizengamot. Harry stared in similar shock, mouth open and a light in his eyes that she had never seen before.
Alexandra dropped to one knee, Harry following her lead, and she bowed her head again. "My King, I would be honoured beyond words to welcome the Goblin Nation into the Potter-Black alliance."
Ragnok chuckled, surprising the three other occupants of the room, and Alexandra looked up. "Lady Potter-Black, I would like to express my eagerness in taking down that old goat. We goblins are good at seeing how to get what we want, and my Lady, you and your cousin are the way."
With that, Harry and Alexandra were escorted out of the room and out into the hallway by Griphook, where they were left to collect their thoughts. They stood in silence for a moment before Harry let a little giggle escape, which prompted Alexandra to laugh and soon the two of them were in hysterics, leaning on each other's shoulders with tears slipping out of their eyes.
"Oh, Merlin," wheezed Harry, "this'll be easier than I thought!"
Alexandra grinned, and shed her robe, shrinking it down and motioning for Harry to do the same. The two began walking down the corridor and through the lobby of Gringotts, her arm slung around Harry's shoulders. "It sure did, kiddo. Now, how about we head on over to Quality Quidditch Supplies, eh?"