The first chapter to be edited before posting! So excited! Much love to my beta dianemalfoy!
AN: More for you my faithful readers.
This one addresses one concern a reviewer brought up. I hope this explanation helps clarify some of my ideas. :)
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When Harry and Neville returned to Longbottom Manor, they were just in time for dinner. As they finished eating Harry spoke.
"Neville, Augusta, I was wondering if you could help me sort through some proposals from the goblins?"
"What sort of proposals?" Augusta asked, wondering if it had something to do with him being a friend of the goblin nation.
"There were crates of raw materials stored in the Potter vaults and I offered them to the goblins." Harry told her.
"You just gave them the crates? Harry that sounds very foolish." She reprimanded.
"No I get the value of the item crafted or said item once they are done crafting with it." Harry explained.
"And how do you know this is a fair deal?" She asked, her opinions of Harry dipping a bit at his foolishness.
Harry stood and left the room.
"If he gets in a huff over something so simple then he isn't the young man I was beginning to believe he was." Augusta said to Neville who had sat and listened to the exchange.
"You're wrong Gran. Harry is a wonderful and kind person. He wouldn't just run off it's not in his nature." Neville told her coming to his friend's defense.
Before Augusta could make a reply Harry returned. He sat the case full of proposals on the table followed by 3 books.
"These are the ledgers for the Potter vaults." the ledgers read 007, 031, and 687. "Though 687 is now closed and the funds transferred to 7 the main Potter vault." He added. Harry opened the books to the first page that listed the creation information and the total estimated value.
Augusta and Neville both gasped at the figures before them.
"That is the estimated total value of gold and items in those vaults at the moment. And that number currently excludes all the raw materials that are being stored in the work areas of the Underground. This is why I don't care if I lose a bit of money, OR if some of the material is lost in the working of this raw material. These things have sat in the Potter vault for years and years. Who knows how long they have just sat there never touched. Never being worked or used, just preserved. There may have been Potter crafters that bought all this stuff to use but it hasn't been and if in the future my kids or grandkids want to be a crafter then they have more than enough money to buy materials. Why should I deny my friends something that makes them happy?"
Augusta gave him a soft look. "I am sorry for thinking ill of you Harry. You truly are a fine young man. I see now. With this kind of money, you could have gifted them these materials and never even noticed the difference. Now explain about the proposals."
"So Ragnarok, the goblin king, said that lots of people would want to use the materials and there wouldn't be enough for everyone. So anyone wanting to craft with my items must submit a proposal to the king. He would look them over and any he approved of would then be sent to me to read and sign off on. I give those to the bank and they release the materials to the person."
"You mean goblin?" She replied in a neutral voice.
"Most likely but I was told there are other races that would also like to craft using these items so there may be proposals from them. But I have looked over a couple and they just talk about the item they want to make with sketches and stuff." Harry said pulling out one of the proposals and showing then the packet of 3D drawings of the item. There was lists of what and how much of each material would be used and other aspects. (Almost like a grant application). "The only part I don't understand is this." Harry motioned to a green box at the top corner of the top page. In the box was a number. "Each of them have one I'm not sure if it's a ranking or if it even has a meaning."
"It may have meaning or it could be like a vault number and this is proposal 153." Augusta replied looking over the well planned out presentation. She wished proposals to the Wizengamont where half this organized.
Harry shrugged. They pulled all the dozens of proposals out. "There is well over a hundred of these things Harry." Neville said. "How are you going to decide?"
"Perhaps we should organize them by what they are." Harry replied. The other two nodded and the made a pile for weapons, armor, jewelry and other stuff.
"Well this one is the smallest." Augusta said motioning to the other pile. "Why don't we start there?"
After looking over all of those Harry spoke. "These two are the only ones that don't sound completely ridiculous." Harry announced after a bit. "I mean who would want a mithril end table?" Harry asked referencing one of the proposals they had decided to reject.
"I bet the king let some stupid ones through as a test." Neville told him. "The goblins are your friend but there hasn't been a goblin friend in so long they are bound to be distrusting."
"You're probably right."
"It could also be a cultural difference." Augusta added. "To the goblins perhaps these aren't totally ridiculous."
The boys nodded. That was another possibility.
"So we are approving the new telescope." it was going to be made using special type of gem from his vault. "I like the idea that it is going to be used for education even if it's a gamble." Harry said
"It's not as much a gamble as it appears Harry. This states that once the value of the piece is acquired you will be give 63 percent of the profits until you are paid off, then 21 percent thereafter. But if the telescope fails the alchemist who came up with the idea and the jeweler making the piece will owe you a great debt. You could use their skills at no charge and garnish their wages until the value is paid off. Therefore it is a win-win for you." Augusta explained.
Harry nodded. He hadn't been looking at the payment methods just the items themselves. "And this other one using vibranium as some kind of echo locater sounds fascinating too." Harry understood the gist, which was that this person was going to use the item to try and find mineral and gem deposits.
They moved onto the weapons which was the next smallest pile. Again some seemed to be ludicrous, but more of them made more sense that the other category. Harry made about half way through this group before he let out a large yawn.
"Alright I think that means it's bed time." Augusta said. "Pack up and head to bed you have a meeting tomorrow." She said reminding Harry of his appointment to meet the Dubear family at one.
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The next morning after breakfast, Harry finished going through the proposals. During the sorting last night, Harry had asked Dobby for a red pen. He placed a small red 'X' in the upper corner of the ones he was rejecting and a check mark in a circle for the ones he approved. That way he could tell which he'd gone through and which still needed looking at.
As he was finishing the last of the weapons proposals, Hedwig arrived with a letter. Harry read over the shaky tear streaked words and felt even more determination to help free his godfather. He may have more living family now but no one deserved to be falsely imprisoned.
Harry already planned to floo Neville as soon as the meeting was over and the two of them were going to visit Trilu for a late lunch. Even though it was summer, both boys were a bit sad that they had decided to cancel all but their evening Goblin classes that day.
Serpens POV
Due to the Dubear contract being a Perciville family issue and having personal experience with the Lord and Lady of the house, Serpens was joining Harry for this meeting. He knew Harry was bright but Serpens also knew Victor Dubear. The man was only a few years older than Harry's parents, but he was a slimy weasel. He would double talk you out of your first born if you weren't very careful. Serpens feared if Harry went alone he would end up forced to marry into the rotten line.
Serpens having been longtime friends with Alexander Longbottom knew Augusta would be having breakfast around 8 and tea at 11 leaving lunch till 1 or 2 in the afternoon. He didn't want to barge in during breakfast so he decided to floo over at 10:30 so he would have time for tea and could chat with Harry for a bit.
Just before he left Serpens made sure Alfred had someone watching their guest. Remus Lupin was growing on him, but outside family Serpens was not a trusting person. The older man nodded and made sure to as Remus if he would lend a hand with a few things, there by keeping the man occupied and supervised. Serpens smirked Remus is a smart man he'll likely see what their trying to do but he was also sure the werewolf would play along.
They had an enjoyable tea. Serpens gave Harry a few tips about how to handle the meeting and how to keep his cool when someone tried to get a rise out of him. Mostly though he spent the time until they were ready to leave chatting with Augusta about bills and politics. Neither of the boys were all that interested even if Harry knew he would need to learn these things.
When it was nearing 1 the two of them said goodbye to the Longbottom's and took the floo to Dragon's Den. Serpens had never been to this magical ally and he was doing his best to take it all in as they walked passed the stalls. Harry waved to a couple of the merchants he had spoken to on previous visits and they all smiled and waved back kindly.
The shock of Plásmata Katafýgio didn't prepare him for the bank at all. Having spent 60 years dealing with goblins, Serpens had never seen them so friendly. Harry beamed and went straight to one teller. He greeted the goblin in its own tongue, which impressed everyone in the room. The goblin smiled viciously and replied.
"This is my friend Griphook. Griphook, this is my great uncle Serpens Octavius Perciville. We're here for a meeting with the Dubear family."
The goblin... Griphook nodded. "Trilok will be out in a moment to escort you there."
"Thank you and may your friends be many and your troubles few." Harry told the goblin heading over to an older goblin with a scar by his right eye. He smiled as Harry approached, the gesture looked even more threatening on his face than of the younger ones. Harry offer the same greeting and received the same reply as with... Griphook.
"An O for effort but an A for execution." The goblin told Harry.
Harry laughed. "At least I didn't fail."
The goblin laughed, a startling sound that drew attention. "That is true childe."
"Trilok this is my great uncle Serpens Octavius Perciville. Serpens, this is my friend and account manager Trilok." Serpens shook the goblins hand much to the pleasure of Harry and all the other goblins in the room.
Once the greetings were out of the way, Trilok began leading the way. "I have some of the proposals sorted." Harry said handing over the ones he was done with and explaining the markings. He then asked what the number in the corner was for.
"That is the crafter's skill ranking. The highest rank is 200, the lowest is 1, which is completely untrained. You would be a 1." The goblin replied.
Harry nodded "So any news before we get there?"
"Yes here are a few dozen more proposals, the schedule for the healing classes and your mate's test results." he said handing over said files.
Harry groaned. "Next time I am going to be much more cautious when making agreements with king Ragnarok. He's going to kill me with paperwork." Harry whined.
The goblin gave another startling laugh this time louder but not as frightening as before.
Once he had regained composure the gob... Trilok spoke again. "The chamber has also been truly stripped and as you asked all books are being checked and stored in a separate vault for now. The crew is nearly half way through. Have you thought of what you want done with all the items once they are finished?"
"Yes I have. I'd like copies made of any that you can using the Potter spells. I want 3 copies made. One to go back in the chamber once all the repairs are done, one for the Goblin Nation and the third I want to be put on display so that wizards can see and read them. So that wizards can learn more about what the founders were really like."
"Even if it proves them right and Salazar was a dark wizard?" Trilok asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't think he really was. Even if I'm wrong, the truth is better than suspicion and lies.
The goblin nodded and Serpens smiled at Harry. "Can you have it set up like a non-magical museum exhibit? That way the things that can't be copied can still be displayed behind like unbreakable glass or something."
"We can. Where would you like this displayed?"
"I don't know. Can you come up with a few areas and I'll choose from one of those?" Harry asked.
"I will inform the curators working on this project and the King. They would have a better idea on how to make such a display." Trilok replied. "For now though we have arrived."
Normal POV
Harry looked at the double doors. He had yet to come to this part of the bank and wondered what it was usually used for and why they didn't just meet in Trilok's office like before. Harry got his answer once they went inside.
In the room, there were 2 adults and 7 children ranging from age 9-19. All were dressed in fancier clothes and the whole group reminded him so much of the Malfoy's, Harry wanted to leave right away.
Harry decided to put them on the defensive. "Good afternoon. I am Lord Harricius Potter-Perciville. Lord of the Archaic and Noble house of Perciville, the Ancient and Noble house of Potter, the Honorable house of Blush and the Belix family. Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Black. Thank you for joining me here today with all the eligible submissives of my generation. And this is my great uncle Serpens Perciville"
There was a pause. Serpens smiled at Harry catching them off guard. He was sure that would throw them and make Victor think twice before scheming.
"A pleasure to see you again Serpens." Victor said after his moment of recovery. "I am Victor Dubear, Lord of the Aged and Honorable house of Dubear. This is my wife Felicity. My children Vincent who's 17, Victoria 14, and Vladamir 11." He said motioning to the woman by his side and then to three of the children. "These are my nieces and nephews. Cynthia 19, Clara 18, Stephan 13, and Romona who is 9."
Harry spoke with each of the children for a short amount of time. They were all just as stuck up as he feared. They were rude, bossy and very, very full of themselves.
"I hate to cut this meeting short but I do have other matters to attend to." Serpens finally said when he and Harry both were getting to the end of their patients. "Harricius, is there any here you wish to court?"
Harry was quiet for a long moment thinking it over. "Yes." He finally said. "I believe Romona and I are the most compatible and will agree to court her for one year to see if any feeling develop." Harry knew she was young but he would rather chew off his own arm than be related to any of these people. Draco was less annoying. But the girl was the youngest and she seemed more interested in her dolls than in social climbing like the others present.
"Excellent." Serpens said. "Does lunch dates on Fridays for the remainder of the summer work for you?"
Victor's face was a bit red in anger that one of his children wasn't chosen. "That's fine I'll let my sister know."
A few handshakes and Harry and Serpens were soon leaving. As soon as they were in private, Harry spoke. "Did you hear them? They were awful. Boasting themselves and their family like they were God's gift to the world. Who do they think they are? They're all so narcissistic. And rude." Harry ranted. "I'd rather my magic and my drake side kill me, than take one of those people as my mate."
Serpens chuckled pulling him into a hug. "You are amazing. I am so proud you kept your head in there. I remember your grandfather Charles Potter. He was such a hot head he would have never had the patients to hold his tongue like you just did."
Harry turned pink. "Thank you. Would you like to join me and Neville for lunch?"
"If you don't mind." Serpens replied.
Harry nodded and made his way back to the main floor of the bank. He asked the teller to use the floo to call Neville. Within a few minutes, Neville had flooed in and they were on their way to the Underground. Serpens was once again silent, just taking everything in. This was a whole new world to him and he was amazed by how well Harry seemed to fit in with these creatures and how quickly he was learning the pureblood ways.
Trilulok was the sweetest woman Serpens had met in a very long time. It was during lunch with just the four of them that Serpens really started to see the goblins as just another being. It wasn't till later that night, as he sat in Longbottom manor with Augusta as the boys had their goblin lessons from Griphook the teller that Serpens wondered why he had thought of goblins as creatures when his family employed so many that were non-human. He didn't have an answer for that and would have to think on it more at a later date. For now, he wanted to get to know his great nephew's mate.
Theo was normally shy but meeting Serpens took it to a whole new level. Theo knew his family's place in the social pecking order, being one of the lowest ranking Slytherins in his year. Malfoy had made sure that all those below him in money and standing knew their place. The only thing that stopped Draco from bullying Theo more was their relation and Blaise. He was sure when he went back to school as Harry's mate, Draco would come down hard on him. Serpens Perciville was someone even his father showed respect to even if he didn't like the man.
Theo was beyond mortified when his nerves caused Griphook to reprimand him.
Harry looked at Theo curiously. "Griphook let's take a small break. Theo with you join me outside."
Theo's head bowed at the order/request.
"Theo, did something happen at the healers?" Harry asked him once the door was closed. Thinking he had been given some kind of bad news and that was the problem.
"No." Theo choked out head still bowed. He hated how his voice cracked and that there were tears stinging his eyes. "They were fine... great. Ironfang was very nice. It's just... I'm sorry." He sobbed lightly. "Serpens is just so... intimidating. I'm sorry I..." he let out another sob.
Harry stepped closer and gathered Theo in his arms. The boy was his height but he still held him close. "Shh. It's ok. There is nothing to apologize for. Serpens can be very intimidating. He was frightening when I first met him too. But he is very nice when you get to know him. He's probably still upset after having to deal with the Dubear family today." Harry told him rubbing his back. "Serpens may have been some big powerful figure before, but now he's your family. You should never have to fear or be nervous around family."
As Theo clung to him Harry really hoped that book was right and he did grow when he got his inheritance. "I... I never thought of Serpens as being family." Theo didn't touch the not fearing family comment. The person he feared the most was his father. He was more afraid of Lord Nott than the Dark Lord. "As your consort, I would be the highest ranking member of Slytherin. Potter and Black both are just under the Zabini family, but Perciville is a higher rank than Blaise. I guess I should get used to out ranking others. I'm just so used to my old status at the bottom of the food chain."
Harry chuckled, tilting his head up and wiping away his tears. "You are only 12 or 13. You can't expect to be perfect. All you can do is try. All I ask is for you to keep an open mind and tell me if something is bothering you. I will do my best to take care of it and take care of you." Harry said and kissed Theo on the forehead.
Theo turned bright red and ducked his head in embarrassment. "Thank you Harry, you have been so good to me so far." He hugged Harry again.
Harry just hugged back. "I also have your results from the healer. Tomorrow the healing lessons will start. Why don't we look over the results then? Today has been a long day." Theo nodded. "Come on, lets go back in before Griphook comes looking for us."
Theo smiled and quickly kissed Harry on the cheek before fleeing back inside. Harry touched his cheek, a blush rising. He was still pink when he rejoined the lessons. For the rest of the night, Theo was still a bit nervous and didn't say much but he was better than before.
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AN: another chapter for my lovelys.