The Leader

Chapter 46

"I'd like to see Writ immediately," Harry informed the goblin guards as soon as he was within hearing range. The bank was busier than normal, resulting in glares of annoyance and envy being sent in both his and Severus' direction when they bypassed everyone and seemed to be welcome at Gringotts - guessing correctly that they would be seen quickly - despite how busy the bank was.

"Follow me, Master Thorn," one of the goblins said, and began walking towards Writ's office, "Please be seated," he added, once they were in the consultant rooms, Severus and Harry did indeed take a seat directly outside Writ's office. The Goblin disappeared inside the office, closing the door behind him to keep the clients meeting from being overheard.

"You don't really think this is going to work do you?" Severus asked doubt coating his voice, the goblins were very greedy but honest, and he couldn't see them taking something out of the vaults belonging to one of their customers. Especially not the Lestrange vault, he felt as if it was a wasted venture, but was curious to see what Harry tried, the goblins respected him that would go along way for them to just hear him out.

Harry smirked, "We have to try," he had to get the Horcruxes or get close enough to hit Voldemort with the spell to force his soul to knit back together. Which he had already tried, he wasn't sure he would get another opportunity to cast it, so the only other alternative he had was to collect them. There was no mistaken if he had the opportunity to use it he would, Voldemort was a menace, he had to destroy him before be damaged the reputation of dark 'creatures' any further and put a stopper in his cause and plans.

"Indeed," Severus murmured quietly, his eyes going dark as he remembered the torture Voldemort had put him through. It had changed him, he wasn't sure exactly how, but it had, he doubted he'd ever be the same. Although he could only thank his lucky stars that he had not ended up like Frank and Alice Longbottom, although if it had gone on any longer he would have been. He'd been tortured beyond his endurance, he was sort of grateful he no longer had to sleep and endure the nightmares that had plagued his sleep.

"Master Thorn, Writ will see you now," the goblin insisted as a wizard red in the face looking furious as he was shooed from the room like a dog.

Harry stood without even sparing the humiliated wizard a glance, brushing past him, giving a nod to the goblin before he took a seat in Writ's office, Severus as usual followed closely behind him. He sensed a lot of curiosity in Severus, but for a moment the humiliation of the wizard had cloaked the entire corridor in the repugnant scent. He couldn't help but relax once the scent faded, removing a paper folder from his pocket tapping his foot while Writ finished what he was doing.

"Lord Potter, what can I do for you today?" Writ asked, giving Harry his undivided attention, as he should, Harry was extremely important to Gringotts.

"I need five minutes of King Ragnuk's time," Harry said smoothly, his face serious showing Writ that he wasn't kidding around.

Writ stared blankly at Harry for a moment before his brain kicked into gear, "It takes months to set up a meeting with king Ragnuk," Writ admitted, without any sign of anger at Harry's request.

"I understand that, I will make it worth Gringotts time," Harry promised, money was a good motivator, especially to the goblins they didn't get much in way of money, not even the so called 'goblin king' but it was more than starters got.

"How much?" Writ asked, his beady eyes narrowing contemplatively.

"Five hundred galleons," Harry replied without batting an eyelash, it wouldn't even put a dent in one month's profit margin he received in interest.

"Give me a few moments, I'll need to get in touch with him," Writ told Harry, not yet moving until he had confirmation.

"Of course," Harry said, understanding that he might take a while to contact him and reveal the offer. He would come though; there was no way he was going to pass up the opportunity for five hundred galleons for five minutes of his time. Nobody was insane enough to say no to that, ironically enough he would have been willing to offer more, but he had a feeling that he might have to up the stakes before any headway was made.

Writ left immediately after receiving his confirmation.

"Doesn't he work?" Severus frowned; the title 'king' was a fancy name for someone who made all the decisions for all branches of Gringotts.

"If rumour is to be believed he has a private office," Harry revealed wryly, "He rarely visits any of the branches, he can get all information he needs with a click of his fingers, goblin magic is very…interesting." and he admired that about them. "He nonetheless has offices on the top floor of all Gringotts branches,"

"That I was aware of," Severus nodded, it was a huge waste to have offices filled to the brim with artefacts for nobody to use it.

"Yes, it's the most known piece of information regarded as a rumour," Harry agreed. He knew more than most about the Goblins having spent a lot of time building up his fortune and buying and selling objects, books and antiques. He missed the simplicity of it, and the rush, Merlin winning the items had been euphoric. Once things weren't so hectic he vowed to go return even if it was just to experience it a few times, take his mate with him he was sure he would love many of the items on sale. A great deal of it was potion ingredients. "Have you ever been to the auctions?"

"I've heard of them, I thought you had to be invited? It's a very exclusive event, and not to mention clientele." Severus revealed, glancing curiously at Harry. He knew Harry had gone to auctions and hadn't thought more on it, had he really attended Gringotts auctions and from such a young age? What had he done to make the goblins respect him so much?

"They are exclusive," Harry admitted, he'd outbid Lucius Malfoy on many items, probably what gave him such a rush.

"How did you get invited?" Severus queried, "Better yet, what made the goblins respect a twelve year old boy? If that is the age you were when you first approached them." he could have been eleven still.

"I was, technically speaking," Harry confirmed, "I got myself emancipated, became the Lord of two well respected lines, the Black and Potter vaults certainly opened a lot of doors where money is concerned. I took a lot of risky investments that paid off, quadrupled my money within six months the way I went about my business they respected that, and the fact I treated them with respect, learned their language and ways. I asked them to auction a few pieces and they became aware of my…hobby, the rest as they say is history, would you like to attend one with me this evening?"

"I am curious," Severus answered, agreeing to it, surprised that Harry would have the time to do anything let alone attend auctions.

"You'll enjoy it, there are many potion ingredients that go up for sale," Harry told him confidently. "I even got ingredients that only grow in Africa once, you don't see them on sale here in the shops, the seller likes to get top dollar, and selling them here they only need to take off commission which is less than what a shop owner wants for items to be sold in his or hers shop with no guarantee they'd all sell."

"The rates are extortionate." Severus snorted derisively, they certainly got their money's worth, and the ingredients weren't even fresh which added insult to injury. Unfortunately with Diagon Alley being so small, the owners of the buildings liked getting their money's worth.

"They're also very stubborn, I've offered to buy them out dozens of times but they won't budge." Harry said, normally he would admire that tenacity, but not when it prevented him from getting what he wanted. His foot began to tap impatiently, it was taking too long for his liking he had much to do today as it was.

"You are trying to buy out Diagon Alley?" Severus stared quiet stunned by that admission, although he wasn't sure why now he thought about it.

"Yes, I already have both Hogsmeade and Knockturn Alley, when the time is right they'll both go through some serious renovation, having only a dozen houses and flats for the magical population are at the height of idiocy." Harry snorted derisively, "Wizards and witches shouldn't have to live amongst Muggles, and you'll find many of them do because they obviously don't have an inheritance to buy a large property or can't wait until a property goes onto the market."

Severus had to concede that point, it was precisely why he had kept the house in Spinners End, and at least the houses were so run down that he didn't have anyone in the way of neighbours. It stank something absolutely foul, but he wasn't there for most of the year and when he was it was a simple matter of flicking his wand to remove it. Some of his potion ingredients smelt undeniably worse, so it truthfully hadn't been a problem. "You plan on expanding and building?"

"Yes," Harry confirmed, his ears picking up the sound of movement outside, just as five goblins made their entrance, there was Writ of course, and three guard goblins and the 'Goblin king'. Harry stood up and gave him a customary greeting in gobbledegook, only slightly aware that Severus had copied his move and was standing as well.

Ragnuk replied back in his own tongue, nodding, his black eyes gleaming with satisfaction perhaps even respect. "You have your five minutes, Lord Potter," Ragnuk eventually said in English, taking Writ's seat, and the Goblin stood next to him, respectful and silent.

"I require an item that's currently in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault," Harry started off, claiming a seat but leaning forward, "And before you get worked up, the item was stolen from its original owner, it does not belong to them." he informed them, bringing the newspaper clippings of the items that had been stolen from Lady Smith, a descendant of Helga Hufflepuff. "Tom Riddle murdered her for both items; I don't need to tell you what his other name is since I'm sure you're probably aware. He's defiled it with dark magic that can affect anyone that is in close vicinity to it. It's a Horcrux it needs to be destroyed."

Ragnuk spat out curses in his native tongue, utterly disgusted by what he was hearing.

"I know you remain neutral in the war I respect that, and I am not asking you to join a side, but it does need to be dealt with. Let's not pretend that he gives a shit about anyone other than ruling over magical Britain. He's much like Dumbledore, promising things he has absolutely no intention of seeing through." Harry added, making it clear that if they did this for him, he wouldn't consider it them being on his side.

"Doesn't Bellatrix's vault fall under your jurisdiction as the Lord of the Black estate?" Severus questioned pensively, speaking for the first time since the Goblin king entered the room.

"If it was her dowry, yes, I'd be able to without a problem, but it's her personal vault that was opened up in her married name after she was off age." Harry explained, Bill had found out which vault it was for him, but he couldn't come right out and say that, he would never do Bill the disservice of letting the goblins find out and him lose a job he really liked through it. Although in reality, Bill would make a lot more money by going about his job independently. He had done it for him quickly as well, but he had given Bill a lot more than he'd offered the goblins to speak to Ragnuk. "Technically since she was a wanted woman she shouldn't have access to her vaults before she died, but the goblins are extremely thorough and found quite a few loopholes," he added amused, it was how Black was able to use his vaults and houses.

"I see," Severus murmured nodding his agreement and understanding. It made sense that she'd put it in her own personal vault, she'd left school probably before the Dark Lord gave her the cup no doubt.

"You've also known to sell items from peoples vaults to pay off debts, this is very similar, I am willing to pay for it, and if you are worried about anyone finding out the Lestranges will be spending what's left of their life in prison, they will never go free." Harry added, speaking to the goblins again giving a light shrug. "If you want to add it into a stipulation then I can arranged," his lips twitching vindictively. The goblins didn't care whether the vaults were used or not they got the profit from it regardless.

"I have a feeling if we say no, you'll find a way to get what you want, Lord Potter," Ragnuk stated staring at Harry with narrowed calculating beady eyes.

"I have a back-up plan," Harry nodded in agreement to his thoughts, not doing them the disservice of lying. He did still have the Lestrange's in his hold, albeit only until tonight, a simple Imperius curse and he'd have the cup, but he'd rather not risk him fighting off the curse at the last minute and getting away with both the cup and Voldemort becoming aware that he was hunting the rest down.

Severus' eyebrows rose at that, Harry had always been straightforward but to admit as such to a Goblin? He wasn't sure whether to applaud Harry or wince.

Ragnuk stared thoughtfully, "We will make an exchange but we want more than just money," Ragnuk decided.

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose, nodding to concede that he would hear it, "Name it,"

"We want the sword, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi," Ragnuk requested without sounding even slightly ashamed.

Writ froze; the urge to warn Ragnuk that he was barking up the wrong tree, that Harry Potter wasn't to be trifled with was strong. Yet he could not, it wasn't his place.

Severus' eyes widened in shock, the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi? The sword was legendary; it was the equivalent of King Arthur's sword, Excalibur. It was priceless, and he couldn't believe that Harry had it. Or the fact the Goblins were actually trying to get it for something simple as a damn cup.

Harry pursed his lips, not the slightest bit impressed and it conveyed with ease. "Absolutely not," he had nothing to gain other than the loss of a fortune in doing that. He wasn't going to be made a fool off, plus as he had said he had a back-up plan that he most definitely would prefer to enact rather than give over the priceless sword. "I'm insulted you'd actually think to ask for something so priceless."

"Other than the fact we risk our business? Our reputation is priceless as well." Ragnuk stated right back.

"Your reputation is already been impugned," Harry stated sharply. "It was poured all over the front page of the Daily Prophet years ago. Your only saving grace was that the vault had been emptied earlier the very same day. The end result was still the same; the vaults can be broken into, to add insult to injury the perpetrator got away."

"One incident cannot dictate all the years we have successfully kept the bank safe from intruders," Ragnuk argued, but there was a lack of bite in his voice that portrayed that Harry's statement had hit home harder than the goblin wanted anyone to know.

"All it takes is one incident," Harry corrected him, "I will not give over the sword, I am willing to compromise to an extent, as long as I am not insulted again." anger bleeding into his voice.

"We have no interest in anything else," Ragnuk admitted, nothing to bargain with.

"Very well," Harry replied, "Writ, deduct the amount from my account for this…conversation." with that he stood up, he had no interest in playing their games. He would go down another route, he couldn't believe the audacity of them to actually try and demand the sword as payment.

"Very well," Writ replied, knowing what was happening and helpless to prevent it, his king was testing Harry, and he was going about it the wrong way, he was not going to deal with him now.

"Wait," Ragnuk sighed.

Writ's thoughts were proven correct as Harry left without as much as a glance back.

Harry ignored him, and made his way back to the front of Gringotts, extremely pissed off with them.

"You had them right where you wanted them, why didn't you proceed?" Severus questioned cautiously, as they began to step down the marble steps of Gringotts.

"The second they asked for the sword it was over," Harry stated sharply, "I don't think I've been more insulted in my life, a priceless bloody sword," gritting his teeth at their audacity. The respect he had for the goblins shot down severely, their continued attempts were just ludicrous even after he said he had an alternative plan. Unless of course Ragnuk didn't believe he had and was only going to him as a last resort. He would have to get Bellatrix's husband to retrieve the cup, the Imperius might not be the best way to go about it, and perhaps giving him a potion would be for the best. The spell as well, so that the idiot couldn't talk about what happened should they be caught.

As soon as they were in the street twin pops could be heard as Severus and Harry left for Potter Manor.

His day had just gotten extremely longer and more arduous.

"I need to get the Portkey's created for Amelia, when word reaches Voldemort about his Death Eaters being transferred he may attempt to pull off another break in." Harry sighed as he trudged up to his bedroom, grasping two packs of hair bands, they would work in transferring them to his prison, which still hadn't been named as of yet. He would think of something appropriate nothing like Azkaban though.

Snipping off the plastic keeping the bands together, he sat down and began the long arduous task of making Portkey after Portkey, the task was divided between both himself and Severus cutting the time he spent on it.

"Dobby?" Harry called as both dropped the last of the hair bands into the box.

"What can Dobby do for Master Harry?" Dobby asked as he made an appearance.

"Take these to Amelia Bones, make sure she's alone, she knows what they are but there is a letter for her in this that requires an immediate answer, I'll call you in a few hours for help getting the prisoners to their new cells," Harry said dismissively. He would need to be there to oversee the operation, he had asked Amelia to let his vampires get it done, and pay them for their work. There was less chance of any wizards getting one over his men; vampires were much stronger after all. Plus if anything happened like Voldemort attacked, his men would be able to handle it without the effects the Dementors had on humans.

"Yes Sir!" Dobby exclaimed happily, taking the box carefully before he was gone with a gentle pop.

"Now to deal with Rodolphus Lestrange," Harry stated sharply, it was a good job he couldn't sleep, since for most part, he couldn't get a moment to rest.

"He will be able to fight the Imperius," Severus informed him.

"Yes, I suspected as much, which is why I'm going down a different route," Harry nodded grimly, potion it was then.

Severus glanced curiously, raising an eyebrow only for Harry to Apparate away. He didn't pause for a second before he too Apparated, he was proven correct in his thoughts, and Harry had come to the warehouse. He followed Harry, not even thinking about the Malfoy's, who should just be grateful they were alive and had a safe place to stay.

Sorry about the length! but is there anything besides what's been written and done that you'd like to see? more of the other characters? tension from somewhere? or just smooth sailing that hands Harry the magical world on a silver platter? will something happen to the warehouse? I have to admit i wouldnt want anything to happen to it but they can't get away unscathed...maybe an attack outside their home? hmm guess i'll need to think on it ;) R&R please