7/29/15 dianemalfoy has done some edits for this chapter. She is awesome and all should praise her.
AN: Have another.
Got a comment that Gobbledygook is the name of the goblin language. I know that is what they call it in cannon. But like Harry calls muggles, non-magical, he thinks of and refers to the goblin language as Goblin, because Gobbledygook is insulting.
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It was nearly 6 when they were done exploring and collecting everything, and everyone was exhausted. When they arrived back at the bank, Trilu and Shimusnox were waiting on them.
"You must be very tired and hungry. You are all invited back to our home for supper." Trilu offered kindly. Many of the goblins declined, wanting to get home to their families. But Griphook and 2 others joined them.
"I would love too. Neville will your Gran mind?" Harry asked.
"No, as long as we get back by curfew at 9." Neville replied. Being invited to a goblin's home was unheard of, Neville thought.
Theo stayed silent. He had been reprimanded for rudeness once, and he did not want to repeat the experience. Theo was used to a single warning, followed by a physical punishment. And he did not want a wizard as powerful as Harry punishing him and he definitely didn't want it to occur in public.
Supper at the Lok house was a bit awkward at first, but it got better once Neville and Theo relaxed. After the meal, Trilok told the tale of Potter and Longbottom, in honor of their guests.
Both men were from humble beginnings. Potter started his life on a farm and Longbottom was an apothecary's son. Both wanted to do more with their lives, become better. They joined King Ravenclaw's army. Potter excelled at swordsmanship. He was known for being a great battle mage. He wielded a sword in one hand and a staff in the other. Longbottom took another route. He became an archer. It was said he could hit a Knut from 2 miles off.
Time passed, each man rising to the top of their profession but never really interacted. They had little reason to. But the King had enemies. The Romans were looking to take what is now Scotland and Ireland and the King's armies were spread too thin to mount a counter. So Potter and Longbottom were chosen to become an army of 2. They were sent to destabilize the marching army and destroy as much as they could.
In the beginning, it was a miracle they survived. They had little trust or respect for the other, never having fought side by side. As they traveled, fought, and generally lived together, the two grew closer. They became friends and, by the time they returned home, brothers.
They are famous for their exploits once they became like extensions of one another. One such battle was an attack on a camp of Roman magi. The few surviving witnesses say that Potter charged them like a demon from the mists and all around him rained feathers and shafts. Potter trusted the archer and his ability to fire nearly on top of him. The tale goes that some of Longbottom's arrows would fly but a hair's breadth from Potter.
Over the 4 years they were gone, the pair destroyed 3 legions of Roman soldiers along with the battalion of magi. From then to the fall of Rome, the two were depreciated as the sons of Pluto, the Roman god of death.
Once they returned, the king was so pleased he gifted both men with lordships and their choice of lands. Longbottom choose a large plain which became great farm lands. Potter took a crumbling clifftop castle that he had rebuilt and it still stands today.
"Wow Trilok that was a great story." Harry said looking at the goblin like a kid at Christmas. "Isn't it awesome how our ancestors became lords by becoming friends?" He turned and asked Neville.
"Yeah I never knew how my family got their lordship. I guess Gran knows but she hasn't told me yet."
"Alright children story times over." Trilu said. "You boys had best get your things and head home. It's gone 8 and your families will be worried." She smiled at the 3. "You boys come by anytime. Just ask to see me or Trilok at the counters."
After goodbyes, Griphook showed them to the receiving room before heading home himself. Theo gave Harry a small hug in thanks for today. He then flooed to the Nott house to gather his things and call Blaise.
Augusta was sitting and waiting for them when the two boys arrived. Neville stepped out with only a minor trip but Harry ended up sprawled on his face at her feet, he was getting better at the floo but the trip through such powerful wards threw him off a bit. She raised an eyebrow at the dirty but smiling and pink faced boys. "Did you have a good time?"
"Yes Gran. The chamber was amazing. Slytherin was clever if nothing else. Harry has a map that shows all these maze like passages and traps to keep anyone from learning his secrets. Harry battled a basilisk Gran. Not today. Back in May when all those people were petrified. It was huge. The goblins let us help harvest it. After we were done Trilu, a goblin lady, invited us home for dinner. Then when we were done eating, Harry's manager Trilok, Trilu's husband, told us a story about how the first Potter and Longbottom became lords. Do you know it?" He rambled with a huge grin.
Augusta was impressed. Goblins and basilisk aside, this was not the same shy boy she sent out this afternoon. "I do know the tale. I am glad you had fun but you are forgetting your manners."
Neville blushed and bowed his head lightly in shame. "Sorry Gran, Harry. Gran, this is my friend Harry Potter. Harry, this is my Grandmother Madam Augusta Longbottom nee Mazvile."
"A pleasure to meet you my lady." Harry said kissing the back of her hand. "Thank you for having me."
"How long will you be staying Harry?" She asked with a hint of a smile.
"11 days ma'am. I'll be going home on the 24th. Also I don't know much about the wizarding world so I have hired tutors that will be coming on Tuesday and Thursday to teach me if that's alright."
"And what pray tell is Neville to do while you are being tutored?" She asked wondering if this boy was a brat like James had been.
Harry blinked confused. "Being tutored. I asked if it was ok for him to join us. And Theodore Nott will join the last lesson of the day. He is... well... we're mated... kinda. I don't fully understand the whole contract thing."
Augusta looked at the boy. He looked so much like James but they were obviously very different. James was never shy in his life and if he was confused or unsure he would often bolster right through. "What is it you are confused about? Maybe I can help."
"Why don't I start from the beginning?" Harry told her about everything that had happened since he first decided to leave his relatives.
Augusta sat and listened to the tale. 'This boy has been thrown to the wolves. He'll need all the help he can get just to survive the political storm this is going to kick up.' She thought. "If you don't mind, I'll contact some of my friends and allies tomorrow and tell them about the situation. A lord being falsely imprisoned, they'll jump at the chance to remove some figure heads. I'll arrange for you boys to meet them. You are a lord and should start making allies, but in just 4 years Neville will gain lordship as well."
Harry smiled. "Thank you. I was hoping Neville could learn with me so that there would be two heads instead of one, in case I run into trouble."
Augusta nodded. "I think we've chatted long enough. You boys need baths and rest. I will see you at breakfast in the morning."
Both boys did as they were told and were in Morpheus' arms the moment their heads hit the pillows.
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They woke early the next morning. Harry from habit and Neville due to excitement. He was glad to have a friend over. He wanted to show Harry all around his house, and the grounds. With Harry, Neville was quickly losing his shy nature. Harry's easy friendship and acceptance was coaxing him out of his shell.
Once dressed, they headed down and had a nice breakfast with Madame Longbottom. Once they were done eating, she spoke. "Let's get this vault business taken care of. As you know from the tale of how our houses gained their Lordship, the Potter's and Longbottom's have been allies for 2 millennia. That includes vault access. You have access to vault 8 correct?"
"Yes ma'am."
"That is the Longbottom ancestral vault."
Harry nodded. "So we share everything. That makes sense. I wasn't upset or angry, just curious. Out of everyone I know, Neville is one of the most trustworthy."
Neville lit up at the praise.
"What are you boys going to do during your stay?" She asked.
"I thought we could explore around Plásmata Katafýgio and the non-magical world. There are lots of places I've never gotten to go to and would love to try. And I was hoping you could teach me some about being a Lord."
"Creature's Haven. I've never heard of it."
"It's an alley like Diagon, only larger and much more diverse. There are loads of creatures from all over that shop there."
"I suppose that's fine. You will eat breakfast and dinner here. During those meals we will use formal edict so that you can learn. On Tuesday's and Thursday's we will also have a formal afternoon tea. Neville knows most of the procedures so he will help you as needed. I will be sure to inform you when the meeting with the Lords and Ladies will occur."
"Thank you Madame Longbottom." Harry replied agreeing to the education and aid.
She nodded then shooed them from the table.
That day was spent in the manor. Neville showed Harry all around as they talked and caught up with one another. Finally after Harry was shown Neville's pride and joy, the green houses, they settled down to work on some homework.
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The next day was Thursday and the start of lessons.
Just after breakfast, which made Harry feel uncivilized due to the number of times Augusta had to correct him, was investments and estates. The class was taught by Lokaxe. It was difficult and both boys were confused. Seeing that what he was teaching wasn't making sense to his students Lokaxe gave them a simple test. The results made him sigh and wonder how humans even survived this long. He had to go back and start with basic algebra, before he could begin to explain the statistic models used for investments.
Their second tutor right after lunch was Joshua Moby. He was an older man that had retired as the Secretary of State for the Spanish minister of magic. He had them memorizing all the lords and ladies and how they were related to one another. Neville did pretty well at this but Harry was confused and tongue tied by the end of the lesson.
Theo arrived just at the end of that lesson. He joined them for afternoon tea before the final lesson on the day. Griphook was enjoying watching the 3 boys trip over his native language. But thankfully goblin edict was very simple.
Augusta was pleased with the lessons. The tutors were all excellent and the courses would serve them well. She was concerned with the Nott boy. She invited him to stay for dinner. He did rather well. It was obvious he had been well trained though not up to her high standards. His meek behavior coupled with his father's reputation painted a poor picture though. But she would wait and see. After all, an absolute contract had to be terrifying.
"Theo?" Harry said once dinner was over. "What are you and your friends doing tomorrow?"
"Nothing that I know of. Why do you ask?"
"Neville and I are going to a non-magical amusement park around 11. If you guys want to come we could get to know each other better and I could get to know your friends."
Theo wondered what an amusement park was but didn't ask. "I'll tell Blaise. He has been wanting to meet you."
"Alright. Good night. We'll meet you at the Leaky Caldron tomorrow at 11."
"Good night, Harry, Neville, Madame Longbottom. Thank you for having me." He said with a bow before flooing home.
Just before bed that night, Neville asked if they could invite some of his friends as well. Harry tilted his head wondering who Neville had become friends with. Neville told him that the shy and often meek Hufflepuffs, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot, were his friends before he even started Hogwarts. Augusta and Madame Bones had been friends for years, so he met Susan when she was just a baby. The Abbot's lived close to Susan, so they would watch her when Madame Bones had to go into work on short notice.
Susan was thrilled to get to spend time with her new friend and Madame Bones Ok'd the trip after learning she would be in a large group and in the muggle world where dark wizards would have a hard time locating them. The Abbot's agreed the second Harry's name was mentioned.
While Hannah was caring and easy going, her parents were social climbers and always looking for ways to improve their standings.
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AN: I know very, very little about investments and just slightly more about formal edict.