Eng - Vernon thanks Harry

by Smargden

After the 5'th year at Hogwarts, Harry is at Number 4, and bad things happen. During a home invasion Harry kills two intruders to save his relatives and himself. With Harry performing magic both the aurors and Dumbledore's club of the flaming chicken received alerts. Rated for 'bad mouth'.

2. Chapter 2 Secrets revealed

Chapter II Secrets revealed at Gringotts

As chapters be up here they also be up at google doc se my profile for a link,
and there you can make coments to.

Co-work by Smargden & bbmc

Smargden u/923931/

bbmc u/6211258/

/AN: A draft is just that. A draft can have miss-spellings, troll gramma, and wrong sentences, and not that good wording, and whatever you reader can put into the draft ff do not have the possibility to type with outcrossed words, hence -wording like- can be seen as scratched words, or even smaller letters.

And in this chapter there will be talking of age, in this story normal upper age for a goblin are around 800 years. : End AN/
thanks to gaschalk there are some corrections have been updated 14:10 Swedish time dec 26

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There was no phone call or letter sent, only a draft of a letter Harry wrote, and what a letter it would be.

:-:-:-:

Dear friends and Honorable DA members,
I am writing this -statement- (letter) and -sending- (submitting) it to you by owl from where I am currently -made to stay- (residing). The letter may come to you personally or by a backup as I also hope to have it -printed- (published) in The Prophet and The Quibbler.

You are (currently) not permitted to write to me because of a certain -irritating pain in my backside- (headmaster) who has taken the law into his own hands. He has taken it upon himself to place -barriers- (wards) that prevent letters by owl post from reaching me, no matter who sends them.

So here is what is currently happening in my life. My family and my home were victims of(, what I like to think was,) a burglary attempt by non magicals. My uncle Vernon and I were injured, but we have been healed. The thieves -are dead- (were taken care of by the Ministry Aurors who came to our aid.)

I -have some- (want to share some of my) thoughts and experiences -after- (of) what (has) happened at Hogwarts over the years -. -and- (The) five years (we have attended) -at- Hogwarts we have -not had more than- (truly had only) one acceptable teacher in defence. -and he- (This capable teacher) was driven -away- (from the DADA position) because he had some "problems" the day - or more -rightly- (precisely) the night -with- (of the) full moon.
-The (only) other teacher, that could -actually do a lot, and taught, he did to,- (competently teach the subject) was a Death Eater in disguise who sent -me and- Cedric (and me) to -that would- (what could) have been certain death -and also became that for- (for both) Cedric (and I). -Do not improving the statistics.- (The Death Eater in disguise does not improve the statistics regarding capable DADA teachers in Hogwarts.)

The first(year we) had Voldemort (riding on the back of the defense instructors head) as a parasite. -The other- (Second year the Professor for that year) could do one spell, the Obliviate (charm), and was a -mere- (total) -buffoon- (idiot). -And- (During) my third year (we had the one competent teacher, that was not a death eater, named) Remus (Lupin), -he was good- .
Fourth year (we had, of course, the) Death Eater in disguise -and so last year Ministry attempts. One who refused us all- (In fifth year we had the, as I like to think of her, Ministry appointed Pink Toad who took it as her duty to restrict our) education. -And- (This Ministry appointed educator thought it perfectly acceptable to) -tortured- (torture) us with blood quills. -Which- (These quills) are illegal both to possess and use for (anything) other than -very- specific (monitored and regulated) contract(s).

-Actually, there is no reason for me to continue to go there- (Ok, so let me stop there so that both my temper and my blood pressure do not become elevated due to the memory of it). I learned more during -our own- (the student organized) -own- (Defense Association) meetings than I have done in all the (other) years -in which the total- (total). So, (I find myself asking) why return (to Hogwarts).

Since I'm not -yet- (considered) old enough to have the right to decide for myself, -there is a risk- (it is almost assured) that I will be FORCED back. If I -be- (am forced back) there, well . . . they (are)going to have one very rude and unwilling individual. One they have to -force to- (forcibly) move -around- (to the classes) as I'm not going (there) willingly. -And I'm going- (I plan) to ignore all the lessons-. And- (and) when I'm 17, I (will) skip -it- (them) entirely.

I can -very well- buy the books and read (them) myself. -But since- (Due to the fact) I'm (a) minor practice(ing) magic with a wand (during the summer), is -a no no- (not permissible). -I'll just- (I have decided to) concentrate on the topics that do not require -it- (a wand instead). (Subjects like) History, muggle-s- (studies), Potions, Herbology, Runes and Arithmetic,-and such things-. -And- later (I will) focus on wand(ed) magic -after I have become- (once I have reached the age of) 17.

But why bother, we had our, well I and my -years pals- (fellow classmates all) had our OWL's what more do I need. Well -that be the skill to- (other than to) stay alive (and) Hogwarts -don't- (will not) teach (you) that.

Or maybe the do, (at least) for me that is. First year -some- encounters with what's left of -Dumbles friend- (moldy old) Voldi in the (form of) one -who- possessed -the- teacher. -Or- (How about in second year when I) saved a first year -girl- (student) from a sixty feet basilisk and live(d to tell the tale). It (certainly) wasn't -in- (on any) -the- classlist (that I saw) and it (certainly wasn't on) -only was on- my 'to do list'. -Well, I can do that elsewhere.-
The money I save (four semester fees, or two school years) covers the costs I -get extra by- (have because of) buying extra books -and- (,) extra ingredients, and a little visit to the botanical gardens.

One idea has been (rattling) around in my mind since the middle of the spring semester. -Though if we are few together- (If we as a group, pool our money) we can -with our joint tuition fees- employ one or more -good teachers- (tutors) to help us.

-Another- (A second) option is to relocate to the United States. -And school all together- (Once a competent and safe school is found) there, then we -need- (would) not (need to) wait to practice magic until we are 17. To take the test (for) OWLS and NEWTS (the total) cost (is) 240 galleons - 20 gallons per subject. (If we take the tests in groups of 10 or more then the Ministry offers discounted pricing.) So it is entirely possible (and potentially cheaper) for us to do it together.
I -ask- (beg of) you to continue to learn to defend yourselves whether we do it together in groups -or- (and especially) if you stay at Hogwarts. (In these troubling times do not leave yourself defenceless, study and learn defensive spells, protect yourselves and your loved ones.) If I do not get -there- (to Hogwarts) to see you -there- (then), I wish you all a good -continuation of the- summer and -your future- (a blessed) life.

(Sincerely,)

Harry James Potter.

:-:-:-: Telling about homeschooling :-:-:-:

He had not mentioned the letter to Tonks, until he let her read the rough draft he had written. Once he did, and she had read it thru at least twice, he saw the cogs begin to turn. Her hair color began to slowly alter to, what he assumed, was the speed in which she processed what she had read. The color of her hair cycled faster and faster as thoughts and ideas formed in her mind.

"Harry,"she began "I care a lot, and I think I can help with the tutoring. I know Remus would love to and if you wrote to Moody, the man with the crazy eye, he would certainly help. Heck, he may even take it as a personal challenge. The challenge would be to get you, and any that choose to come, up to Auror standards. I think you should try to get Smugwart. If you lead the letter or conversation with little mentions of your fame well, he is one of those who lap it up. He is extremely well versed at Potions, both to make and at teaching them. I think we're going to do some things quickly, and certainly before you send it out there Harry."

"Smugwart" - who's that?" Asked Harry
"Oh - sorry, he is the Professor that taught potions before Snape. His real name is Horace Slughorn, but most of us just say Smugwart. He is known for his Slug club for people that are, or might become influential. I guess we could have chosen a different moniker for him like 'Sluggy" or something but the man can be a smug bastard and wart on the boil of society. I mean, he is an ace instructor don't mistake that but LORD help you if you let him get started about all the people he knows or I should say he has collected over the years. He will if left go, start talking about who he has taught, the gifts they give him, the favors they owe and so on."

"He might not be a person that I would like to have around me. As you say, he may be good Professor, but thanks - no. We can find someone else." Replied Harry. "I really don't think I want to deal with that from a Professor. It is bad enough dealing with just the normal people or some students who are like that."

"He isn't a bad man but I think he likes to make himself look or feel important by doing that. It almost seems that for all he has done or accomplished he feels as if it isn't enough. But you might be right and maybe we should look at alternatives. Maybe not rule him out completely but maybe move him to the bottom of the list, kinda like a last resort." agreed Tonks.

"Yeah - that we can do. Hey, do you think we should, you know, open our own business?" Harry asked , and he was now thinking along 'new lines' and new possibilities.

"Yes, why not. But first you need to break free from Albus and it can only be done with a visit to Gringotts. I would really suggest before you send that rewritten letter out. No need to give Albus time or opportunity to prepare and it gives you a little more protection if things go the way we hope."

:-:-: Visit at Gringotts, secrets told :-:-:

"Griphook, it's so good of you to see me on such a short notice. You might remember me from my first visit, when Hagrid brought me here, about five years ago. Auror Tonks has told me that we need to talk about certain things privately."

"Come with me Lord Potter."

"Call me Harry Griphook there is no need for the Lord stuff. I like being just Harry."

"Thank you Harry but, here among the listening ears of others, we will all refer to you as Lord Potter." Replied Griphook as he quickly led Harry through long and twisted corridors. "Here is the office of Regnok. He is the head of the bank and he wants to speak with you first."

"May I include Tonks in the discussion as well?"

"May? She may, it's your decision and possessions that we are trying to protect. It is and always will be your decision, as to who is allowed to know your personal business, at least within the walls of Gringotts."

"Tonks the things that we will go over here, I have no reservations against you knowing about them, but may I ask that you don't spread the information around please?"

"Harry, I will only discuss topics, about you, that will help me to protect you from the obvious risk. Those topics will be discussed with you first if possible or with trained professionals such as the Aurors or medical staff at St. Mungo's if not possible. I may or should say will, request help if needed. Now, nowhere in these topics that I would discuss, do I foresee any of information that will be discussed in this bank coming up. The topics about possessions and monetary wealth, this information is private, and it stays private until you deem otherwise."

"Okay, I can agree to that and would like you to come in with me."said Harry.
With the decision made Griphook opened the door and announces both Harry and Tonks to the waiting goblin.

"How can we be of service to you Chief Regnok?" Harry asked, bowing and knowing it's unusual to be where he was. He could see that in the surprised look on Tonks face from the corner of his eye but from the moment the door opened his entire focus was on the goblin in the center of the room. This goblin exuded strength both through just his presence or aura and also physically. Harry watched him as any prey would watch the predator stalking it. He did not truly believe that Chief Regnok would harm him but one does not look away from something or someone that has the ability to kill you. One does not disrespect the predator because it appears chained or caged that is a sure fire way to lose a limb or die painfully.

"Lord Potter, and companion please sit we have much to discuss. Gringotts has wanted to contact you prior to this however we were previously forced into a oath promise to not make contact with you first. But now that you have come to see us and as you have requested our help nothing can prevent us from responding to your requests through words or actions, if you understand my meaning." As Regnok was speaking both Harry and Tonks moved to the chairs the goblin indicated and sat while keeping an eye on the goblin speaking.

"I think I begin to understand quite a bit director and please, my name is Harry, just Harry. Sir."

"Okay, Harry, and there is no need to address me by the title of Director or Chief for me either, I do have other titles to, but I would like you to call me Regnok or Reg for short. Many years ago your great grandfather requested that we take care of the day to day workings of his portfolio here at the bank. At that time it was agreed upon by all that profits will be shared between us and your great grandfather's company. As Lord Potter, it's now yours but it was in your great grandfather's will that certain stipulations would be enforced.
"Through the will one of the first things mandated was that it would be a discrete ownership. There were other stipulations as well but we will discuss all that in a moment. Before we discuss that topic I wanted to go over something that promises to not be as time consuming. Now this" Regnok takes a moment to reach into another stack of parchment and withdrawals a small portion of the stack that looks to be about an inch thick "is of formal notice to Gringotts that Lord Black wanted to adopt you. So if you wish to have Lord Black share the "title" Father or sire with James Potter we would have you sign here and here.
"We would then take a drop of blood place it inside that frame and the adoption would be complete in name only. But in order to avoid protests by some people, we have a blood adoption potion preserved for you to drink.
"If you decide to accept a blood adoption by Lord Black and drink the potion then there are a few things you will need to know first. The first is after taking the potion you will experience moderate to excruciating pain for a duration of about three minutes. During that small time span the potion will make alterations to your appearance. It could be as small as having your hair grow longer or the potion could have you grow in height and body mass. Also the changes, if not immediate or completed immediately, can continue to occur for up to twenty four hours after the potion has been consumed. There has been some cases were the changes did not occur till the subject went to bed that night."

"Wait are you saying that Sirius would be my DAD and I could be taller?" Asked Harry.

"The possibility is there Harry but I will not guarantee that result. The only thing that I will guarantee is that, if you take the potion, Lord Black would show up on any hereditary tests as a third parent, a second father. Again I will stress that IF you decide to take the potion, then after that you would be considered Lord Potter-Black just as you would be if you did the adoption in name only. The difference is that one would only be on parchment and the second option would tie you to Lord Black by blood and no one can take that away from you. I do also need to mention that without the blood adoption, there are ample ways for others to protest against your heritage and inheritance of the Black family name and money. It could mean that Draco Malfoy, and whatever faction he supported, could have a alternate supplemental supply of money if he protests the adoption and win. This is something that Lord Sirius Black was seeking to prevent. Lord Black can will whatever he likes to whoever he likes… but out of his private estate, the family estate is entailed. To be eligible to inherit the family estate you must be male and a Black by blood. Is it your desire to obey the will of the late Lord Sirius Black, and prevent that which he feared from coming to pass?"

"Yes." Replied Harry, for he was beginning to see just what Sirius was asking of him and what it could possibly begin to include.

"Very well give me a moment to retrieve the potion. For security I have it in a private storage vault that only I can access. I did not want to withdraw the potion until you had decided one way or the other. Once the potion is taken out of stasis it must be used as intended within 48 hours or it expires and will not work. I will return in a few moments please remain here."

As Harry watched Regnok or Reg, as he preferred to be called, leave the room. He realized that, as the door closed behind the goblin, he had entered the goblin's territory or office without even looking around. He had been so focused on the goblin chief, and the deadly aura he exuded, that nothing else had even registered before now. Harry finally had a chance to breath again and decided to use the time that they had, before Reg returned, to have a look at the office they were currently in. Sometimes the spaces that humans inhabited would give you a feel for what type of person they were, he only hoped that goblins were similar.

He started the process of trying to analyze the goblin's character by reviewing the area he seemed to be in the most. From the wear of the carpet he would say it was a newer carpet recently replaced and what little wear and tear there was seemed to be centrally located. It seemed, from Harry perspective, to start at the massive door that he and Tonks had entered through. He could also see a little wear in the carpet behind the desk and leading to the door that Regnok used just moments ago to leave the room. Harry assumed that the door that Reg used may lead further into the goblin's personal territory. So while a lot of humans spent time tramping in and out the main doors it looked as if the goblin used the side entrance to enter and once here didn't seem to leave the room until quitting time whenever that was. Harry took this minute amount of information and started a mental file of Regnok and continued in his observations.

Aside from the carpeting, the desk, and the chairs that they were using to sit in the office didn't boast much in the way of comfort. The desk the goblin used was unusual. It was, well, he supposed it kind of looked like a modified kidney bean of sorts. The surface of the desk itself was kidney shaped and towards end of the table on the left side was what looked to be a cabinet attachment.

The desk had highly detailed winged griffins in the center, what looked to be runes etched on either side of the griffins and dragons in flight on either end of the table. The beautiful detailed carvings spoke of hours if not months of labor to create. The cabinet attachment by comparison looked to be plain and ordinary, almost an afterthought really. It was still well made and of good quality however the desk itself was the true masterpiece. So while the goblin didn't overly decorate the office he did go for quality, functionality and craftsmanship. The detailing on the chairs seemed to match the desk so Harry assumed they were ordered and made as a set. All told the only pieces of furniture in the office spoke of wealth, practicality and functionality.

Harry looked to the walls next. They appeared to be dark in color he wanted to say red, in the back of his mind he was saying blood red not painted but stained with the blood of enemies, but he really didn't want to focus on that or he may humiliate himself and pee his pants. The walls did boast some, what he could delude himself into thinking of as, decorations. He saw swords, battle axes, maces, daggers, spears and a multitude of other weapons. All the weapons appeared to be sharp and perfectly useable. Breathe Harry, don't think about the sharp, pointy objects on the walls! But he can't seem to stop, he can just see it now he is going to irritate Regnok and be introduced to his leetle friend…. Mr. Pointy! Harry at this point seems to stop and collect himself once he realizes he is sitting in the office nervously giggling to himself while staring at a wall of weapons.

Seeing Harry's face become quite white and hearing the giggling Tonks turns to look at Harry. She reaches out to him, puts her hand on his and asks "Are you alright Harry?"

Harry shakes his head as if to clear his mind of whatever captured his thoughts. "Yes, thank you for calling me back from" at this point Harry seems to pause sway a little before gathering himself and continuing "from the … abyss that I was staring into."

"You're welcome Harry. Do you mind if I ask what you were thinking about?"

"Ummmm.. Well I have just been looking around the office trying to get a feel of Regnoks character ya know? Sometimes you can do that by looking at the things the person or in this case goblin surrounds themselves with."

"Ok… I can see that could be beneficial in most dealings but what made you go white and start giggling?" asks Tonks.

"Well.. " began Harry a little embarrassed now "I guess let my imagination wander a little to freely because I saw myself handling weapons like the ones on the wall."

"Well that doesn't sound so bad. If you know how to do so without hurting anyone but the intended target. Hey! If you're interested in that we can get you some training in hand to hand combat and weapons!" says Tonks with a little excitement in her voice.

" Yeah - BUT the thing is …. I don't think I could even lift them and then my overactive imagination supplied the lovely picture of my imaginary opponent gracefully wielding them like it was and extension of his body, like it was no heavier than foam or plastic. Of course just by looking at the weapons on the wall my imagination had no problem letting me believe they would still be sharper than razor blades. I imagined the walls stained with the blood of those that had previously tried to fight my opponent and lost. I could see my end coming, you know how they say that your life flashes before your eyes and all that."

"Okaaaaay… yeah I can see we need to rein your imagination in a bit Harry. I mean eeek! That was a gruesome place for your mind to go."

"Yeah I know but do you wanna know the worst part about all that?"
"Sure Harry hit me. What's the worst thing?"asked Tonks.

"I looked to you and saw on the wall behind you what looks to be severed heads. Do you think that is where the Blacks got the idea for putting severed house elf heads on the walls of Grimmauld from?" Harry asked.

"Well Harry, that is quite possible as several members of the Black family have visited this office numerous times over the centuries." replied Regnok.

"Oh Reg! I am sooo sorry we didn't hear you come back." begins Harry a little startled.

"That is quite all right Harry I took a little longer getting the potion because I wanted to see if you would do that little human thing while I was gone."

"Human thing?" queried Harry.

"Oh yes… Over the course of our dealings with humans we have noticed that they seem to make decisions based on all sorts of things. Some things they base their decisions on are quite ridiculous. Such as when your kind bases a persons or creatures worth based on material possessions. So Harry, I am a little curious, what did you see in the room? What conclusions did you come to about me when you perused the room?"

"OOOO um… heh heh .. yeah … well" Harry looks a little flustered about being asked such a direct question. Most people tend to know when you did the little character analyses thing, but tended to ignore it, and the majority of people never really asked for what the you deduced after doing it. This could be for numerous reasons but most fell into 1 of 2 categories, one because of fear of what they will be told they don't ask or two they truly didn't care.

"Go ahead Harry you won't offend me and I truly want to know."

"Ok so, I look at the office and as far as material possessions you go for quality, practicality and functionality. The desk and chairs are here because you need them, I mean yeah it looks a little decorative because of the carvings, but I think practicality and functionality won out when you chose them. The weapons might be of some importance either for remembrance or use. They could be there because you have used them to train or in the previous years defeating your opponents. So they mean things, a reminder if you will. I assume some of them are spoils from those you have defeated.
"May I ask if they are they spelled? I also noticed the walls are dark so they showcase the gleaming metal quite nicely. It really draws one's eye to them. Over all the office says you are a banker, organized and dedicated to your job. We can see from the carpet you have a lot of visitors and since they come in the main doors I would assume they are clients. The side door you used probably leads to your home directly or indirectly and from the wear on the carpet there you don't leave the office a lot, hence dedicated. The desk says you have wealth, the craftsmanship is exquisite, but it is practical as well.
"The weapons and your physique say that you do exercise, plus going on what limited information I have on goblins, I also bet you know how to use every weapon on your wall. The room as a whole says you are competent, driven and ruthless. It says I am banker and proud of it and if you mess with me, if you live, you will be fucked up. I think I was just a little caught up in it, I let my imagination run a little free. It was like when I was twelve and I was back fighting the basilisk with a goblin made sword. But those weapons on the walls I don't think I could handle. So overall, you are a goblin, a warrior, with a veneer of gentility covering him but woe to ones that strip the veneer away."

"Ha HA! I like that assessment. It wasn't quite what I had intended when I set the room up but, I quite like how the humans perceive it. I like that you were honest about it to. We have caught a few humans doing that little human thing and most lie or say what they think we want to hear. Humans are quite easy to catch lying, your sent changes among other things, even our blind can tell if you lie. You were correct in thinking you wouldn't be able to lift these weapons. These weapons here were not made with humans in mind, the one you did use was most likely made by us for a human. I do wonder who made the sword you used." mused Regnok. "It is a little known fact about us goblins Harry, but in our culture when we make something for someone, when that person or creature dies that item is to return to the goblins. Can you tell me a little about the weapon, how it was used and why?"

"Sure I guess so." says Harry "So in my second year Slytherins infamous Chamber of Secrets was opened again by Voldemort, or at least, by a part of Voldemort. It began with weird sayings written in red on the walls. Things like Begone Mudbloods and Blood Traitors or Beware the Chamber has been Opened. We later learned that the person writing on the walls was using chicken blood. They had slaughtered Hagrid's' chickens for some reason and we found out why at the end of the year. Pets, people and ghosts were getting petrified and no one knew who or what was causing it. All through the year I would hear a voice saying Rip! Tear! Kill! and it said it was hungry. I told my friends about the voice and they said that hearing voices even for a wizard was strange so I didn't say anything to anyone else.
"There were several petrifications until finally there was a message left on the wall saying something like 'Her body will lay forever in the Chamber of Secrets'. My friend Hermione Granger, who is almost like a sister to me, discovered through research that the voice I was hearing was that of a snake. The reason I could understand it was because I am a parselmouth which we learned during the dueling class, set up by that joke Lockhart, earlier in the year. Over the rest of the year everyone was terrified and had begun to think I was the heir of Slytherin. Then Hermione was petrified and we went to visit her in the hospital wing at Hogwarts. In her hand we found the page, from the library book, detailing the information about had also written the word pipes on the bottom of the page. Hermione never got a chance to tell us any of this because she was one of these last people petrified. She did however, TEAR A PAGE FROM A LIBRARY BOOK! If you knew Hermione you would understand that destroying books is a sacrilege to her. It would be similar to spray painting a religious monument it just isn't right according to Hermione."

"Harry quit with the tangent about Hermione and books and finish telling us what happened!" Tonks demanded.

"Ok ok... yeesh! Calm down will ya? So as I was saying Hermione's petrified but had told us through the torn out page and the word "pipes" both; what was causing the petrifications and how it was moving about the school. We knew from other sources that the last time the chamber had been opened a student died, Hagrid had been accused of opening it and summarily expelled. We had spoken with Hagrid and with the acromantula that he had kept as a pet. Word of warning if Hagrid says follow the spiders.. don't. From speaking with those sources we deduced the student who died, now known as Moaning Myrtle, was still at Hogwarts and residing in the second floor bathroom. We also found that since the pet Hagrid had was a spider it couldn't have killed Myrtle without biting her. Since she wasn't bitten the creature was something other than a spider. Now to save Ginny, Ron and I knew we would need help so, we went to get a teacher. The problem is the teacher we went to was Lockhart."

"Harry you already said the guy was a joke of a teacher what were you thinking going to him of all people for help?" cried Tonks.

"I know, I know but it was more Ron's decision than mine I just went along with it. So we go to Lockhart and end up having to force him at wand point to go with us to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. We asked Myrtle how she died and figured out the entrance to the chamber was beneath the sinks in the girls bathrooms. I hissed the word 'open' at the sinks and a giant tunnel opened. We sent Lockhart, the great pansy, down first. He called out to us that he was ok so we went down next. When we got down there Lockhart managed to steal Ron's wand from him and tried to Obliviate us. He was going to claim that we lost our minds or something trying to save Ginny. He was then going to use everything we had learned to write another book. Well when he tried the spell the wand backfired because it broke earlier in the year. Lockhart ended up Obliviated and caused a rockslide separating me from the others. I asked Ron to start clearing a path and said I would continue on to find Ginny." Harry paused to gather his thoughts and to take a breath before continuing.

"I passed some shed skins and realized that the snake was going to be gigantic. I still decided to try and find Ginny I just prayed that the snake wasn't there when I found her. I entered the last chamber and saw Ginny lying still and pale on the floor. I thought she may already be dead. I ran to her and tried to wake her even when I didn't know if she was alive. Then he spoke to me. He came from behind me and said his name was Tom Riddle. I asked him to help me with getting Ginny out of there before the snake came. He said it wouldn't come till it was called. I noticed he had my wand and asked him for it. He refused and started asking me questions about the night Voldemort attacked my family. He later told me that he was a memory and he had been possessing Ginny causing her to leave the messages and let the basilisk loose in the school. He told me he was a teenage Voldemort and again asked how I defeated him as a baby." said Harry remembering the self important look on a teenage Voldie's face.

"When I couldn't tell him he called for the Basilisk to come and kill me. He said the Basilisk would only listen to him. I heard music and realized that Fawkes, the headmasters phoenix, had come and had brought the sorting hat. That gave me a little hope that I would survive. The hat was dropped on my head and I spoke with the hat while Fawkes blinded the Basilisk. The hat gave me the sword by dropping it on my head. I reached up like this" at saying this Harry then pantomimed like he was reaching into the hat again and lifted his hand up toward the ceiling. He felt something drop into his hand and automatically caught it, closing his hand around a hilt. He stopped speaking and brought his hand down and stared. It was the sword, the same sword he used to kill the that Great Big Bloody Snake!

"Harry do you mind if I look at that sword please?" asked Regnok as he turned from slightly bored to curious when he saw the sword materialize in Harry's hand.

"Sure just be careful. I killed the Basilisk with it and I don't know if the poison was ever cleaned off the blade." Harry replied.

Regnok carefully takes the blade from Harry and begins examining the weapon. "Harry, this is the blade my people forged for Godric Gryffindor one thousand years ago. The goblin who forged it was my grandfather. I will also thank you for the warning about the poison. Unlike other swords that can be cleaned, goblin made weaponry will absorb that which could make it stronger. The poison from the Basilisk is now a part of the sword and this sword will now cause almost instant death just from the smallest nick. Well whoever is nicked by the sword will hope for near instant death"

"Oh wow! And I guess according to your culture it should belong to you then. Right?"

"I'm going to reveal a little secret for you Lord Potter, house elves do know a lot. Some of them are even independent while they still are bound to individuals, family or an institution like Gringotts or in this case Hogwarts. As you did slay the basilisk the carcass is yours. When nothing happened some of them had to clean the mess up. As it so happens we were contacted by some Hogwarts elves, they know that the meat from a basilisk is considered valuable to us. We negotiated a fair price and bought the meat from them. The house elves did not take the payment but rather set up a vault here for it to be held for the true owner of the meat to come to us. Due to the oddity of the sale we decided to place the meat and everything else into stasis till the true owner made themselves known or the house elves came for the payment."

"Everything else?"inquired Harry.

"Oh yes! We immediately bought the meat but the house elves stated they were unsure what the owner would want done with the rest of the harvested parts. We have the hide prepared, roughly 900 sq feet, for your use or to be sold. We then have the teeth, skeleton bones, blood and venom. The rib-bones can be used for wands and the majority of the other parts can be used as potion ingredients. I give a rough estimated value of, let's say two to four hundred thousand G, if sold. That estimate would include the shed skins. We may be able to get a little more if we spread the sale out to a couple different countries rather than complete the sales here in Britain. If you deal with us and let us collect a commission for the sale, perhaps half of the total sale price, then we will take care of everything."

"So if I were to agree to the sale you would oversee selling the snake give me half the money and take the other half?" asked Harry.

"That is correct Harry."

"Ok not to be rude here Reg, but do I look like an idiot? Or do I have the word 'STUPID' tattooed on my forehead? I know the goblins rendered the basilisk but even with that and managing the sale that doesn't mean that you should get half the profit."

"Oh so you wish to negotiate a little Harry?" Reg asked as a sharp predatory smile crossed his face. "Let me sit down this could be fun and I can also write up a bill of sale if we reach an agreement. So what would you like to see come from this sale?"

"I have plenty of money but I am looking at fighting in a war. At the very least I have one nut job, possibly two, coming after me. I have heard of dragon armour is there such a thing as basilisk armour? Is Basilisk something that can be used for armour and would it be worth the effort to make it into armour? Would it hold up against spells and/or physical attacks? Would it be flexible enough to move with a body in motion or would it be stiff?" asked Harry.

"Armor … you want us to make it? … for you two I assume? … You know we have the best craftsmen in the trade and they create quality pieces no matter the material they use. Well 2 sets of armour and we get … not half but lets say... two third's?"

"Two thirds!? . . . . . if you still want that much then I also want two wands crafted from the basilisk bones as backups possibly as primary wands. With a small portion of basilisk blood and poison to go with the armor. I also would want a goblin to train us." states Harry. Choking noises were heard beside Harry which interrupted the negotiation. Harry turned and saw Tonks was staring wide eyed at him, her mouth was open a bit as she choked and her hair was once again cycling through colors.

"Are you ok Tonks?"

"Harry are you CRAZY! You are sitting here making demands of the goblins, taking profit away from them, and then ASKING THEM TO TRAIN YOU!?" cried Tonks.

"Well I actually said us Tonks. Like you and me. Why Is that a problem? Did you not want to train with me? I really think we could benefit from it."

"Do you know what training means to a goblin? THEY KILL! you, well they come pretty damn close to it. I have even heard whispers about those they train dying and being brought back by some arcane ritual. Their training is fight or die training. Think Yoda, there is no try there is only do or DIE!" Said a horrified Tonks.

"I am pretty sure Yoda's saying was do or do not there is no try. But seriously Tonks I need the training. I figure they may be able to show me some spells but I also need the physical side of the training to. I think a lot of wizards rely so much on their magic that they neglect the physical side of things. Realistically Voldemort has decades of experience on me so… yeah, if I can learn some spells, cool …. I still won't be anywhere near the amount that Voldie knows. I need to be in better shape physically so that I can dodge and wear out my opponents while fighting. Since I won't be able to beat Voldie with my knowledge of spells I need to improve what I can to give me a better chance of survival. I am not going to stop learning spells but from where I stand the training would definitely improve my odds. As for the arcane ritual, DO you really think if they had a ritual like THAT we would have heard about it? Or better yet that Voldie would have left them alone? He would have come after that ritual if it existed. "

"Harry if we train you we will not kill you, but you better improve quickly if you would like to be able to walk after the training." Said a laughing Reg.

Reg and Harry continued to negotiate a little while longer hammering out a few fine details. By the end of negotiations both found the terms, while not perfect, were something they could live with.

"Harry you are no fun. I did hope that negotiating with you would take a little longer. I had also hoped Gringotts would end up getting at least two tenths but here I stand with two-thirds. Oh well, what can you do. As you know humans have rules and laws, we goblins do too. One of our rules is to get as much gold as possible when negotiating. I not only tried, but succeeded. The ONLY complaint I truly have is that you didn't make me work for it more. Maybe as part of your training we can teach you the true art of goblin negotiating. I would be seen, among my kind, as criminal if I didn't accept these terms." Regnok say.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I just didn't want to seem greedy. I also didn't know the value of the basilisk before now. Hell! For that matter I didn't know it was mine to render. I am getting money for killing it and that's ok but, you have to do the work. I have always known that if I am getting a quality service or product that I would pay for it. Gringotts offers both quality service and products so I won't quibble over the small stuff. I know that when I receive the armour, made from the basilisk skin, it will be the best available. An added bonus is that my friend slash bodyguard will have that quality armour too. It eases my conscience a little to know that, while she may risk her life to help me, I can at least help protect that life with Gringotts quality craftsmanship. The wand made of basilisk bone, if it would prove to be of no use in a fight, can still be a stylish accessory when attired formally. If the wand isn't of use in battle maybe it can still be used for day to day low level magic. As for the blood and poison, we may find some good use for it. The training, well that is something I truly need so I can't say I am a loser with this negotiation either." Harry stated.

"I can't stop the negotiations just yet. There is one more thing that I request as my part in this deal." Regnok smiling

"You want more gold? Isn't the two-thirds profit from the sale enough?"

"Gold Harry… Well gold is gold and the amount is just a figure. No, what I want isn't gold. I want what you stole. You stole the fun from me trying to get the two tenths from you through the deal. I am looking at closing the deal and gaining Gringotts more than three times times that…. What I want I can't get anywhere else other than you. The fight! The fight you just described, I want a copy of your memory of the battle and the kill. With that I could add more depth to your training. The instructors will be able to view the memory to see your weak areas and your strengths. They can then work on your weaknesses from the beginning and develop your strengths faster. We will be able to determine what weapon would work best for you, if any, and maybe at the end of training we may negotiate with you again, this time for a goblin weapon.

"If I can give you the memory then tell me how. Ummmmm….. I can do that without pain right? If not then I'm still okay with giving a copy of the memory. I just don't have anything to deal with the headache if it would prove to be painful" Replied Harry

"So you agree then? You will provide a copy of the memory as part of the deal? To ease your worry the process to copy the memory is pain free." questioned Regnok.

"Yes." confirms Harry

"Perfect!" said Reg grinning. "Now as to your training, we have not discussed how it is to handled. I will leave the actual planning of your training to the ones chosen to be your instructors. You will learn of their plans once you begin the training. We will start training as of tomorrow so prepare to come to the bank at three o'clock every day from now on. When you enter the bank a guard will direct you to a chamber. Your instructor will be there waiting on you. They will have already viewed the memory of the fight and will then have a very basic idea of where to start the training. Now, to help accelerate your training you will be in that chamber for a full moon cycle. When you leave the bank it will appear, to the public, that you were here for only ten minutes. I say 'from now on' but that means it will be for as long your master continues training the two of you. Once your master states you are done then you no longer have to come back. Harry, you paid well for this service and Gringotts goblins are no thieves." said Reg firmly.

"Yes I did say one of our rules is to get the best deal for the bank. Your training, while it will generate more work for us and use goblin power, you paid well for this service. I also was able to see the sword my grandfather made for Godric again. When we goblins craft a weapon it is part of the magic that it will only work or be able to be used by someone with honor. That my grandfather's' sword came to you and allowed you to use it says something about your character. I know we said that when goblins make a weapon for a human at the time of death it is returned to us but I would still like you to keep the sword with you. Carry it forth into battle and let the blood of your enemies coat it. I will collect the sword from your estate upon your death. Now, Madam Nymphadora Tonks … do you agree to the terms negotiated here today? Or would you like to refrain from taking part of the training part of our agreement?"

"I'm just the bodyguard, trying to help keep Harry as safe as possible. I will not interfere with this as long it doesn't threaten his life, direct or indirect. The terms of the agreement are fair. Now, if what I have heard about your training is right, it would be good for me to partake in it so thank you I do agree."

"Before we continue Reg I just have a question or two. You said we would come to the bank at three, train for a full moon cycle, then leave ten minutes after we arrived? How is that going to work?" questioned Harry.

"Yes, Harry. You see there are a few ways to get a great deal of training done in a short amount of time. One way is to go back in time but as far as the humans know you can only go back a few hours. Then there is a ritual that we have knowledge of. For that we need to make a rune array and power it. Once powered and activated a minute outside is about a week inside. So for example four minutes outside the field is about a month inside. Oh, that reminds me you will need to bring enough clothes and whatever other everyday general supplies you will need to last for a month. Gringotts will supply the food and any medical supplies that may be needed."

:-:-:-:

They paused the discussion for a moment while Regnok pressed an almost invisible button on the left side of the desk. He spoke into an intercom, in a quick guttural language that Harry assumed was his mother tongue of gobbledegook, and a moment later the main doors to room opened again. In scurried a goblin carrying a small, rather plain box. He placed the box upon the desk, turned and left the office as quickly as he entered.

"Ok Harry, I had an associate retrieve a memory crystal so we are ready to begin. To copy the memory all I have to do is hold the crystal to your forehead. The crystal has already been spelled to begin copying memories so all I need you to do is think of the battle that the crystal is to copy. Once the crystal begins you will 'see' mentally the copying process. When you see the memory is fully copied just lean your head back a bit to break contact with the crystal and the process will stop."

Regnok opened the box, retrieved the crystal and standing from his seat walked over to Harry. "Again Harry I am just going to hold the crystal to your forehead, please think of the memory and once you 'see' it copied lean back." He then held it against Harry's forehead. Harry now understood what Reg meant about seeing the memory copy. It felt surreal, he saw the memory winding up, he equated it to something similar to winding a VCR tape, the crystal acted as a blank tape and the memory quickly made a copy of itself. Once Harry saw the memory fully copied he leaned back and Reg stepped back, turned and placed the crystal on his desk. Reg continued to walk away from Harry, around his desk, and back to his seat. Once seated Reg encircled the crystal with his prickly fingers. Harry studied the crystal and saw that it sometimes glittered with small spots of light.

"NOW!... Now I will see the FIGHT! I will see with my own eyes my grandfather's work of art in action . . ." Reg said gleefully rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Reg pressed another carefully concealed button on his desk and a small panel on top of the desk slid open. Harry watched as a small device seemed to lift up out of the desk before seamlessly locking in place on top. Once the mechanism came to a complete stop it almost appeared as if it was always part of the desk and that Harry had just overlooked it previously. Reg picked the crystal up and carefully placed it in a crevice in the device. From that point on the events of the Chamber of Secrets played before the trio. Harry felt that it was an awesome experience, granted he would have chosen a different memory but the quality was unmatched. It was almost like being on the Star Trek Enterprise and entering the holodeck but without actually interacting with the memory.

"That Harry was a true test of your skills as a warrior, true you were a youngling and untrained but, you fought and you lived. That you escaped the experience relatively undamaged is remarkable, you are quite good at thinking on your feet and didn't let panic overtake you. We can work on and build that aspect. I actually had not thought to see such raw talent when I collected the memory. While we can show you fighting moves and teach you about weapons we can't teach you to be a survivor. That you seem to have in spades. But, if I'm not mistaken, you will need to be very careful with what you do with your blood. The tooth, when it pierced your arm, inserted snake venom into your body and yes the Phoenix tears healed the injury. It certainly saved you from death however your blood will always carry traces of the venom within it. We have healers here, both human and goblin, that could analyze your blood to see if there may be issues that you could face later on."

"That may be a good idea. With the training we will be doing I'm sure to get injured I wouldn't want anyone training me to be potentially at risk. From the sounds of things we are going to be a lot of time here. Hey Tonks, are you ok? What's wrong why are you so pale?"

"ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME! I JUST SAW A BLOODY TWELVE YEAR OLD FIGHT A GINORMOUS FREAKING SNAKE! OF COURSE I AM BLOODY PALE! AND NO I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE FOR CURSING! Harry you were really small at twelve. You were doing things like killing that snake and that is something that a squad of Aurors would have had issues doing. Hell most would have run screaming, they would have packed and moved from the Isle. Now try and see it from my perspective I'm the one that is supposed to guard you. I really think it would be better, for my sanity at least, for our roles to be reversed …. Especially after seeing THAT!"

They stared at each other till laughter broke the silence. They turned and saw Reg clutching his stomach and releasing deep, rolling, belly laughter. Tears began to fall from his eyes and slide down his cheeks. They were soon concerned they may be arrested for killing a goblin through laughter because his skin was turning some alarming shades. Finally, Reg seemed to be able to collect himself, he turned to Tonks and said "Miss Tonks, now do you understand why I and Gringotts, are eager to become friendly with this young warrior. If it was possible I would adopt him myself. Speaking of adoption that is what we need to proceed with the blood adoption. Alright to begin the blood adoption you will need to drink this,. Just a reminder there will be pain. Actually, it may be best for you to go ahead and lay on the floor. Don't feel you need to muffle your cries of pain. It should be over quickly and the changes may be noticeable immediately or take up to 24 hours to fully show. Remember the changes can be subtle or drastic."

Harry did as Regnok bid him to and moved from the chair to lay on the floor. Tonks then moved from her seat to kneel beside Harry. She took the potion from Regnok, and once Harry was fully settled he looked toward Tonks. Lifting his head, and with Tonks gently placing her hand under his head to help support him, Harry opened his mouth. Tonks quickly poured the potion in. Once he swallowed his first thought was it hurt. 'BLOODY HELL IT HURT!' It was a downright evil pain. Harry was sure Satan himself was dancing on his nerve endings to give the most pain possible. He had been under Voldemort's Crucio so in comparison he supposed the potion could be similar to a summer breeze.

While the potion had initially stolen his breath away he quickly learned to compartmentalize the pain. Harry then opened eyes, which he hadn't realized he had closed, lifted himself to a sitting position and as this did not bring new jarring pains he proceeded to stand. He calmly turned to look at Regnok.

"It is over now." Regnok said at the three minute mark.

"There is still some residual pains, but the worst of it stopped after a few seconds of intense pain. Voldemort's crucios were a lot worse." said Harry still looking at Reg. Harry then turned to look at Tonks to thank her for her assistance and saw the tears trailing down her face.

Before Harry could say anything to her Reg said "Now sign your name here, and place a drop of blood right there."

Harry did as instructed and, when the blood was absorbed, the parchment began to shimmer with a blue light. It hovered in the air above Regnok's desk for a moment before the shimmer flashed blindingly bright and disappeared. Three copies were left neatly stacked on the desk. Then the first copy disappeared, a moment later so did the second copy. Reg picked up the last copy and said "This is your copy. The Ministry records department now has a copy, the original is magically sealed in your vault, and a copy is available in our archives."

"The public reading of Lord Black's Last Will and Testament will take place on August 5. As of your sixteenth birthday you are considered of legal age in all respects. It was a point that Lord Black made absolutely certain was still part of the family charter regarding Black heirs. As just Lord Potter you would have previously had to request it from the Ministry and they would be forced to at least consider your request. Now, they have no say about it. Furthermore, according to the late Lord Sirius Black's Will there are some details that may concern you, Lord Potter-Black.
"According to what's listed in the Will by October 31 1994 you were to be declared of age by Gringotts. It technically isn't needed any longer since you will be considered of age due to the family charter but Sirius had it added in case you didn't accept a blood adoption. Also our investigations have come to the conclusion that the person currently claiming guardianship did not do what was required of him by law on many occasions. The fact that your Ministry gave him the responsibility of your guardianship, and then did not follow up to make sure he performed his duties, is abominable.
"He has never told you of your lineage and that was to be done at the age of seven. On that point he was a total failure, there were many more but that was one of the first and worst. The date I quoted to you, the date your name was drawn for the triwizard tournament, he among others declared you of age. He declared to the school, the headmaster's of two visiting schools and to several high ranking ministry officials that you were to be considered of age. Not one single authority figure there denied the claim. Then last summer your ministry called on you to defend yourself in a full court trial that is supposedly for adults only…."

"I have been informed about that by Madam Bones."

"Ahhh... Good. With all that happening, and being part of official record, you are considered as of age Lord Potter now Lord Potter-Black.

:-:-:-:

"Now let's discuss finances, specifically the finances of One Particular Potter. You may find this somewhat interesting. But before we start let me give you a copy of the documents that I have here. This is a basic overview of the Consortium and, just to make you aware, none of the documents can be taken from the bank. This is only for review while here in the office." said Reg. He had paused for a moment to gather a rather large stack of parchment which he then handed to Harry. Harry upon receiving the stack, started to review the information but quickly passed it to Tonks after he started seeing lines and dots before his eyes.

"Ok to start with your great-grandfather's company is, as previously, stated currently managed by Gringotts. When I say 'great-grandfather' I mean several times over 'great'. Specifically it was Ralston Potter and I met him in the year of 1653. Normally most businessmen would have taken care of their businesses without outside assistance and your great-grandfather was no different. He, however, had realised that the business he had created would not last if it became widely known it existed. He also realized that, along with the possibility of losing everything business wise, it could potentially place a marked danger to the Potter family. In an effort to protect his business and his family he kept his business information very discrete and began shuffling the information about the legal ownership around to hide it. As he grew older he knew he had to make a decisive choice as to the direction and leadership of the company so in a bold move he came to Gringotts." Reg paused here and took a sip of water from a glass located on his desk behind a stack of parchment. Or at least Harry assumed it was water. He had heard tales that goblins liked honor, battle, money, and their version of ale and not necessarily in that order.

"That's a long time ago," Commented Harry. "How long do goblins live if you don't mind me asking? I only ask as I like dealing with you and I hope you will be with me for quite a while."

"The one I took over from, as director of the London branch of Gringotts, was 950 years when he died. I truly think that the enjoyment he got from assisting with the consortium kept him going in his later years. He was over the normal age our kind usually reach. I myself am just turning 473 this year. I remember it was what you humans call a scandal when I took over because, as a goblin, I was so young but I had proven myself in battle and in business when I accepted the deal with you great-grandfather. Helping your ancestor to create the consortium wasn't anything to sneeze at either. It does give me an inner sense of joy to 'stick it to the man' the wizarding hu-man that is. I, as part of the consortium, run some of the more profitable wizarding businesses and the non magical side is more than profitable as well."

"Wow!' Harry exclaimed.

"I was not the bank director at that time, just a lowly clerk, but I was the one that was assigned to handle the business transaction Ralston had brought to us that day. When he explained what he was there for I knew it could be a huge boon for Gringotts. What he had created was BIG then and he had a growing demand for it. Before he finalized everything with Gringotts he had a few requests or demands I should say." Reg paused and cleared his throat before continuing.

"First it was not to come to attention of the then sitting minister or the ministry, past or present, in any way. He had kept the business so quiet not even his family knew the true extent of it. His second request was that nothing was to be told of his business to even his family until certain conditions or stipulations were met. He then began to tell us of the income he had managed to slowly transfer, over the years, to build a great family fortune. He knew it was too large an amount to quietly and conceivably incorporate into the family holdings. So the third request was, not a great surprise. We were told that we would hold the fortune in trust for his family till certain stipulations were met."

"He gave it all to you?" asked Harry

"No, not gave it to us but, he trusted the Honor of the Gringotts Goblins over that of a human wizard and without thinking or even asking us to swear a magically binding oath. It did not even occur to him that we would not follow his wishes so he did not put anything into the contract with us to prevent it, like most wizards do. The Honor he gave us with that one transaction we have yet to see again from a wizard. He was truly a one of a kind wizard. He also knew we would need and want compensation as we were effectively taking over the day to day running of the business. In the business contract, that he brought with him, he outlined that it would be a shared ownership. A Potter created it and we were brought in to manage it with the profits equally shared after a portion of the profit is reinvested in the company to keep it growing. The breakdown is that three quarters of the profits are to be reinvested in the company and the remaining amount shared between Gringotts and the financial holder of his legacy."

"I wish I could have met him. He sounds like someone that I could learn so much from even now. Did he by chance have a wizarding portrait made so that I could speak to him?"

"If there is, it must be in the Potter manor." stated Reg.

"Potter manor? I hadn't heard anything of the Potter's having a manor."

"I thought the Potter manor was destroyed during the first wizarding war with Voldemort." said Tonks. "Do you mean it still exists?"

"That was Potter's publically known manor. I think a Potter could give a Slytherin lessons in being sneaky. This is one of those lessons. Don't tell the enemies or potential enemies where to find you. Everything and I do mean everything that was in that manor was either a duplicate or something that could easily be replaced. So, when it was destroyed, it was no big deal. Your grandparents, Fleamont and Euphemia, weren't even there when it was attacked. James, your father, still lost them a short while later due to old age in combination with a bad case of Dragon Pox. They passed within days of each other but their last years, prior to this, were spent in relative comfort and peace. They only lived long enough for James to marry and to hear that Lily was pregnant. They may also have portraits in the manor somewhere. Now the true manor house is still standing and the wards are in perfect working order." said Reg he then goes on to state that the manor is located in Northeast Barbados and called Potter Hills. He also told Harry he could read more about it later when they went over the official Potter holdings. The last thing he said about the manor was that unfortunately, due to the secrecy charms, Tonks would not retain any of the knowledge of the existence of Potter manor once she left the bank.
"By the time Ralston came to Gringotts, and we met, he was well past wizarding middle age. I had the honor and privilege to have worked with him a couple of years before he passed away. I can honestly say I lost a friend when he passed and after he passed his successor more or less took over where he left off, mostly less I might say. As part of the agreement we, Ralston and I, chose to form a consortium with Gringotts as handler. Among those employed by Gringotts there are a number of people, both human and goblin, who manage the company. We, Gringotts, place the right kind of people in the right positions to both maintain and grow the company. All those involved with the company go through extensive background checks, sign binding contracts before knowing anything and once in the know make vows of secrecy. The vows are binding in life and death. The reason for the extensive security will be explained shortly but first let me give you an overview of the consortium."

"From the little you told me so far it sounds like it was big deal back then the fact that he's one of my ancestors just makes the security of it sound better to me." Harry was clearly interested now. "I like, knowing that something my family created is handled with such care and protection by Gringotts."

"Let's start with the profit gained after all expenses are paid. It is quite high even with most reinvested into the company. Ms. Tonks, if you wish to review a more detailed version of the information about this year's profits turn to page 34, that should be the beginning of the report. Now continuing, the company has a percentage interest in a variety of companies in the magical world, but our main dealings and profit are in the non magical world." Reg paused briefly to take another sip of water and to inquire on Tonks health as she had just screamed rather loudly and fallen from the chair she had previously sat in.

As Tonks shakily got to her feet and sat back down in her chair she squeaked a reply to Reg. "Thanks, I feel fine but if I could, I would like a glass of water or something stronger if you have anything please." Reg again pressed the hidden button on his desk for the intercom and, in gobbledegook, requested Tonks a stiff drink.

The main doors opened again and a goblin carrying a silver tray, a tumbler and an unmarked bottle came in to stand by Tonks. Tonks took the tumbler and as the goblin turned to leave she also decided to grab the bottle. The goblin was leaving as Tonks took her first sip of a goblin version of firewhiskey, it was a drink on steroids. It was only thanks to her metamorph ability that she was saved from neurological issues such as tics and tremors. 'Damn!' she thought 'that is one strong drink!'

After she had swallowed the first sip she had remembered the Hogwarts motto never tickle a sleeping dragon. She now equated it to never ask a goblin for something stronger - be specific. Hell they can kill you with spears and swords and now it seemed with booze.

Tonks might not be able to believe her eyes. She wanted to blame the alcohol but she hadn't drank anything till after she had seen the report. All the figures that supposedly make up the income for this business, it's way too many figures for her to comprehend. She tried to compare the figure shown to her own salary and all her mind could do was scream back at her Warning! Warning! Danger Will Robinson! She didn't think if she stared at the page for ten years she would understand anything other than the lad made more in a day than she did in a year, a lot more.

Harry just seemed to watch the interaction as if in a daze. Tonks wasn't sure if much was registering with him at present. She reckoned that he was experiencing a little information overload. Once everything had filtered into his mind slowly he may have some questions.

Reg started again but with how things were going so far, he didn't think he would get much farther before something else happened. "This is why when the consortium was created, and well before the company grew as large as it is today. It was decided that it was a good decision we kept the ministry of magic unaware of its existence. Think of the consortium as a grand hustlers shell game. The hustler to lure you in, may lose a turn and a little money but he is directing your gaze, showing what he wants you to see. Once you look left he zigs then zags and everything is changed. That is something like what your great-grandfather did in his time. He hustled the magical world into thinking the Potters while honorable, reasonably well off, and light oriented progressives. That they were nothing special or out of the ordinary. They were in reality the most Slytherin family to come about since Slytherin himself. Hell! Who knows Slytherin may have taken lessons from a Potter. It was also through Ralston's efforts, to hide everything, that none of these companies seem to lead back to us."

:-:-:-: Flying Dutchman :-:-:-:

"Are you with me so far Harry?" Asked Reg. Harry nodded still looking a little dazed but Reg took the nod as an ok to continue on.

"Your grandfather believed in logistics. It was the time when major sea travel was just beginning for people. Therefore it was felt that we should be at the forefront when it comes to the transportation of goods and people. You might have heard of the Flying Dutchman?" Reg paused a minute waiting to see if Harry had heard of it. Unfortunately Harry indicated that he hadn't but Reg could see Tonks nod that she had.

"You see, back then all ships were sailing ships. When Ralston Potter came to us he only had three ships the Lolita, the Maria and the Elisabeth. They were all magically repaired older ships but at sea they were able to raise just over the waterline. They were then able to reach high speeds and not wreck the ship, but to do this the air needed to move with or around them. This forced the rest of air as they passed to build up into storms, hence the legends that if you see the Flying Dutchman, a storm was coming. But as the styles of the ships changed we couldn't be seen to arrive in modern ports with old ships. Especially ones that would go from Singapore to Boston in less time than the more modern ships. This forced us to retire those ships and they are now anchored off the coast of a Potter property. We have since done the same with a number of ships as the styles change and the ship can no longer possibly make the run, at least according to muggle standards. That was just one aspect of what we have been involved with."

"That was us?" Asked a very surprised Harry.

"Everyone needs things. Things they need to have such as food and housing. Now the things they want to have are computers and cars. Over the years it has come that we now have major parts of ownership, among others, PAN AM, BA and the Grimaldi Line. The Cunard Cruise is owned entirely by us, just to name a few of the more well known businesses, plus we have a large quantity of shares in a variety of businesses. Should you travel and need places to stay overnight or longer we have shares in multiple hotel chains such as the Hilton. As a side note if you ever go to Manhattan in New York your grandfather Fleamont would always recommend staying at HHH it's on 57th street. He mentioned some other chains as well as some independent establishments but he really seemed to have fond memories of HHH. Ok, as for the profits which we have handled over the years, they are doing well. Not to exaggerate but as the years pass by it really has added up to a nice sum."

Harry still did not understand much of information that Regnok gave him, but he knew with how white Tonks was that whatever it meant it was huge and involved substantial sums. As she had taken to drinking water, after her second glass of the strong goblin alcohol, Harry supposed she would be awake and alert to answer his questions or give a more simplistic overview later.

The discussion continued for another 2 hours. The brief gaps, due to screams and or thuds made by Tonks, in the information coming at Harry was just enough time for Harry to start fully processing the information. Given that it was just enough information to give Harry a broad overview of everything his many times great-grandfather began he was quite sure he would leave the handling of the business to the goblins if possible. There really was no other option.

"Not that I understand much about it but is there something I must do because of this information?"

"Not that you have to, but you can. If you want to be more active within the business we can discuss your options and what you may need to do to get to where you want to go. As it is now we, the business that is, are doing well and the profit is distributed evenly. So as previously stated, you really don't need to do anything at all." Reg then went over a few finer details with Harry before the discussion about the business concluded.

"So the business handles food, travel, and people to a degree? What about anything with communications, like satellite telephones and talking to ships at sea? You would need satellites … right? Computers and things like that, you would need power to run them. Can we harness the power of the wind and sun? You said food is something we handle but I see her drinking water. What about converting seawater or contaminated water to drinkable water for those in need? Could that be an interesting possibility? Or finding alternate ways or places to grow food?" Asked Harry because he had heard Vernon talk about different issues that non magicals have faced over the years.

"This is good. You have brought up several possible new streams of income. If we, the company that is, don't manage to create or start the business then we can get shares of the companies that do. I will definitely look into that, and one last thing. Again please consider, that if you intend to start traveling, talking to Gringotts first. We, Gringotts, can help arrange your travel as it will be free with British-Airways' and Pan-American plus you could live free in the Hilton in one of their best suites. This is just a little benefit of having investments in the right places. Also before you leave today you will receive a card similar to a debit card. As previously mentioned, the paperwork for this business venture does not leave the bank EVER, but the money that your many times great-grandfather's business has generated is yours. The card is one of two ways you will have to access the funds outside the bank. And only this branch knows the full history behind the funds. The card can be used anywhere but only this branch can replace the card if damaged. I previously said the card is like a debit but that is partially incorrect, it is more like a credit card. It will be accepted anywhere that the muggle mastercard and visa is. Once we can get the muggle ATM's to work with it you will be able to use it as a debit card."

"Who knows about all of this besides us?"

"Very few know everything, within the Gringotts goblins we have a group of four who work on the accounts full time. Now including you two, we have four humans. The business and consortium is not publicly linked to the Potter family estate as previously stated, and it has to stay that way. It is held separate to protect the family as well as to hide that it exists. If the magical ministry found out about this it could be devastating to the world. The saying ignorance is bliss has never been as true as now. If you would ever like to know how your great-grandfather came into the money to start everything then find and read about 'tulips' and the crash back then. The money Ralston Potter had then came from tulips. He knew he could not let anyone know he still had money because a lot of folks were ruined. More I can not and will not say about it and you never shall either." Reg paused and pointed at the card in Harry's hand, before he continued.

"This is the card that is linked to the vault the consortium has guarded for you. To temporarily solve the muggle atm issue here is something that looks similar to a muggle side satchel but with more security. It also has a mailbox feature inside it from now on any letter from us to you will automatically be there. When you receive correspondence from us the mailbox pouch in the satchel will glow lightly till you retrieve your mail. Do you want us to make sure that all your mail get there?"

"Yyyyyes. Yes please."stammered Harry.

"After we've scanned your mail for any unpleasantness we shall put the 'cleansed mail' in a particular cover. The 'cleansed mail' shall also come with a list of what was removed in the case of tracking spells they will be transferred to a rock and dropped in the ocean. Will that be ok?"

"Yes please. If I understand what you have told me. . . this bank card it gives me access to my money in the muggle world in a manner of something like a credit card, but what if I need muggle cash? Also if I need money from this account in our world do I just come to the bank first?"

"Oops I did gloss over that part didn't I? First, if you look in the side satchel you should see a pouch there marked with a muggle dollar symbol. That is a pouch that is linked to the bank account here at the bank for you to have access, just use the bag. It will work for both wizarding and muggle currency. There are security measures in place on the bag so that if it is ever stolen it will return either to you or to the bank. The money pouch, in the bag, is also set to only work for you and it identifies you by your magical signature. The card will work in Diagon Alley in some stores. We are working to drag wizarding britain into the twenty first century it's just taking a little effort. Telling them that accepting the card makes it easier for them to get their payment directly to their Gringotts accounts does help.
"Now, do you see the picture on the card? The picture on the card can be found in most muggle stores. They have it showing where they take payment for product or services rendered. It's also a little indicator to everyone that they also sell things that belong to the magical world. To ask about their magical selection simply draw their attention to the card and ask if they have a more interesting section. The muggle merchants have instituted procedures for anyone asking that question when they are presented with a card bearing the picture. The merchant will look at the card to make sure it isn't a fake and then the wizard or squib that works for that merchant will be called to show you the magical selections and answer questions about the products you are interested in."

"Thank you. Tonks, when you first mentioned going to Gringotts you said I needed to do something quickly, what was it again?"

"Remember what Madam Bones said? She said to come here as soon as possible and find about your family. She wanted you to see if it was possible to claim your rights as lord. It might have, and still can, be granted to you. Then you would have been recognized in wizarding world as Lord Potter. If you had become Lord Potter then that would have made you an adult in both the muggle and wizarding world with the corresponding responsibilities. It was also thought that if you were able to take the lord's ring and then file the appropriate documents you could have been recognized as of age as early as your sixteenth birthday. The hope had also been that if we were quick enough that we could have gotten it pushed through before Dumbledore could react. Now however, with the Sirius adopting you, it is a moot point now. The fact that you are legal adult in the wizarding world will be made public knowledge at the Will reading. If we rush and make that knowledge public too soon it can do more harm than waiting would. The Black traditions, concerning the heirs and lords, are grandfathered in through the Wizengamot and are legally binding. You are considered of age on your birthday and Dumbledore can legally do nothing about it. He would have all the purebloods up in arms if he tried. Light, Neutral or Dark it wouldn't matter this would unite them and they would be baying for his blood if he tried to alter or remove pieces of the family charters like that. You should still look into the records of your family vault and the Potter lords' ring though. Oh and one other thing if I may be so bold as to suggest something?"

"Thank you for trying to help. At least that is one thing we don't need to worry about. What was the other thing you wanted to suggest?"

"Director Regnok, I wanted to mention that Harry was not been given access to his vault after he was here with Hagrid. Dumbledore has always kept Harry from making his own withdrawals and many times his own purchases. He has even gone so far as to order Harry to lend his key to others so they could purchase his school materials for him. I have several thoughts on this and none of them are pleasant. I guess my question is this … is there a risk that others have taken more money than Harry was aware of? What I mean is with each shopping trip they came back with his school purchases for Harry. Is it possible they took more than what they purchased for Harry and gave him as spending money for the train? Can he get a bank statement for the last five years withdrawals?"

"We have sent bank statements to him every month." replied Reg looking a little concerned.

"But…. I have never received a statement from Gringotts before." said a mystified Harry. "I can get a bank statement?" This question saw Regnok trembling in rage. He looked down at his desk and took a moment to collect himself, picturing shoving a manipulative old goat before a hungry dragon certainly helped.

He looked to Tonks and Harry and said "A few moments please while I have someone gather the requested information." Reg again touched the button on his desk and barked orders in gobbledygook.

A few minutes later another goblin came in with a stack of parchment.

"Ok... this is a record of your personal vault. Let's see…so your first visit we have recorded as in 1991, July 31, you were escorted by a Rubeus Hagrid." at this Reg pauses and looks at Harry for confirmation. Once Harry nods in the affirmative he continues "Then we show withdrawals of 1000 galleons in the years 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1500 in 1995." Reg again looked to Harry but when he saw Harry's shocked look he knew the amounts were unauthorized. "Unfortunately since what was taken was with your key having been, technically, freely given, whether it was ordered or not, it can not be recovered. How much of the withdrawals did you actually receive?"

"Each year they left me with less than 50 galleons after they had bought that years' school supplies. It's not even about the money. I knew I had a lot from when I was here the first time with Hagrid and now, I have access to even more. If they were stealing from me when I was as young as twelve and thought I only had the one vault I don't want to think of what they would do if they could access the rest. It also just freaks me out that people I thought I could trust … responsible adults … that they could steal from a kid, it's just wrong!"

When Tonks heard his answer Harry saw that she went almost apoplectic with rage and that was putting it mildly.

"Harry what you saw when you came here the first time, that was just your trust vault. What I'm concerned about is that they may know that beyond the trust vault there is a Potter family fortune. The vault for a family fortune is generally held in a separate vault with limited access until the vault holder is of age. Granted the family vault, in comparison to the vault from the consortium, is still relatively minor but it is still a concern that they could know about it. Most people know or have an idea that the older families usually have some money to their names but your family has never been ones to flaunt their wealth or to make large purchases, they also have always been able to make the larger purchases appear to come from the galleons they earned from their jobs. So I really want to know if they are just stealing from an orphans trust vault because they can or if they actually know there is a family vault with more in it. Then once that is answered they need to answer how they found out about the family vault and what was contained in it." said Reg as he sat pondering the possible security issues that could be involved.

Harry sat looking at Tonks thinking, he really didn't want to be near her when she blew her top, when he suddenly thought of an idea. "Regnok, can I get the money from my trust vault and move it to a new vault with higher security? And next time someone tries to retrieve something from my old vault they should notice that the money has run out. Or maybe we should leave the old vault with thirty Sickles. Hmmm…. Could we set it up something like a mouse trap? We could put the sickles in the back of the vault, that will be the cheese, so they have to go inside it to find or see the coins. Then if we subtly add some security to the existing vault so that if anyone but myself or let's say ..you enters the vault it springs the 'mouse' or I should say 'rat' trap inside. We could set it up to sound an alarm for you and that way we may be able to catch them in the act. It could also be a way to determine if someone in the bank is helping them."

"That shouldn't be a problem to arrange and have completed quietly. May I ask if you currently in possession of your key?"

"No, it was never given back to me and I think it was Molly Weasley who took care of my purchases last year. I haven't seen the key since I was ordered to give it to her before second year."

"Well, the 1500 galleon withdrawal was the last recorded use of the vault. We will commence with emptying it of all funds except for the Sickles. What else did you have in mind Harry?" queried Reg.

"Well…. I was thinking I will need a place that can possibly house a few hundred people and if possible I would like it to be in the southern United States. I'm going to start my training there and would like to offer housing to a select few from Hogwarts who want to join me. But we would need everyone else, such as the Order of the Flaming Peacock and the Death Munchies, to believe that this residence is here in Britain."

"A large manor house, a facade, and then a larger ranch or something equivalent in the United States, and some form of transport to that place from the facade I suppose. When would you need it by?"

"In late August, if possible."

"We can arrange that. In fact, I think I know of a place that is already owned by the consortium. Let me check into it a little more and we will discuss it further when you come in for the public reading of the will."

"Thank you Director Regnok. I have another question and I do not want you to waste your time with my simple person. Would it be possible for me to learn more about the goblin culture and language in the coming years? Maybe employee an instructor to teach me the information? "

"Harry Potter-Black you are simply a marvel, a jewel in the rough and I am delighted to help facilitate this. Yes, I'll even set everything up for you but just to let you know you are also going to learn a lot of it during your training. Now while it has been a profitable and thoroughly enjoyable talk you may wish to see your vaults before you leave and I know you will want to eat soon. Just remember my door is always open to you and your friend."

"Thank you Regnok and if you ever need my help or if there is anything that I can do to be of assistance just let me know." Harry said as he gathered up the adoption documentation and put them in his new side satchel.

"Thank you Director Regnok. Admittedly I work at the Ministry but I feel I need to say that all of us who work there do not have the we are better than you attitude. Unfortunately the sorry self important excuses for wizards are in higher positions usually due to family or wealth or both."

"Madam, I must say it has been an absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance. You are like a breath of fresh air when dealing with the wizarding raised witches and wizards." Replied Regnok with a smile. After that comment Regnok walked Harry and Tonks to the main doors of his office where they were greeted by a goblin guard. "This guard will escort you back to the main lobby to meet up with Griphook. He will show you to the family vault."

Harry and Tonks followed the guard, through what looked to be a totally different corridor then when they were first brought to Reg's office, and met Griphook in the lobby. From there it was quick jog to the carts and a fast ride down to the family vault. With Griphook's assistance they were able to leave the bank a few minutes later.

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:-:-:-: EOC :-:-:-: