Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine! Thank you Ms. Rowling.
Chapter 2: Gringots
May 6 1998
Harry arrived at Gringots ten minutes early, in shabby too small school robes, and was immediately escorted by two armored and menacing looking goblins to an office that was empty except for a desk with a piece of parchment, a small granite cauldron, with a bronze dagger on it. Two more goblins entered the room shortly after. They were both dressed in the normal business suits of the bank goblins. The taller of the two began to speak "I am Director Ragnok Mr. Potter this meeting is not about your break in with Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger. We will address that after this." He then smiled but Harry thought it seemed more like a wolf showing its teeth than a smile. "We are going to administer a blood identification and then read two wills. If you will present your wand hand, the Potter account manager Bloodfin will make a cut and draw the blood for the test."
The goblin that entered with Ragnok stepped up to the table and took the bronze dagger. Harry stuck out his right hand palm down and Bloodfin directed it over the cauldron and swiftly cut Harry's palm. When it was half full the goblin pulled out a white handkerchief and placed it over the cut. Ragnok then poured a vile filled with black potion in and stirred it with the dagger, an orange smoke, that had the metallic smell of blood, rose from the cauldron. He then moved the dagger over the parchment and let a drop fall onto the center. A mist rose from the cauldron that began forming black writing on the parchment. After two minutes the cauldron was empty, Bloodfin picked up the parchment began reading, he then handed it to Ragnok, bowed to Harry and left the room. Ragnok nodded to the two guards and they left the room. "This is why we hoped you would not have your key when you arrived with the giant almost seven years ago Lord Potter. More titles have been added since then but it seems you are always to be full of surprises. Please read this and then we will proceed to the will readings." He then handed Harry the Parchment.
Harry James Potter
Lord of the Ancient and Noble house of Peverell (Blood)
Lord of the Ancient and Noble house of Slytherin (Conquest)
Lord of the Ancient and Noble house of Potter (Blood)
Lord of the Ancient and Noble house of Black (Inheritance)
Earl of Hogwarts (Conquest, Slytherin) and Duke of Godric's hollow (Blood, Peverell)
Order of Merlin (First Class)
Basilisk Slayer
Horcrux Destroyer
Vassal houses (Conquest)
Bulstrode
Crabbe
Goyle
Malfoy
Nott
Lestrange
Vassal houses (Blood)
Fudge (Peverell)
Greengrass (Peverell)
Lupin (Potter)
Pettigrew (Peverell)
Selwyn (Peverell)
Shacklebolt (Potter)
Wood (Potter)
"Wow what does all of that mean?" Harry asked.
"You will need to consult a lord or lady of another Noble and Ancient house or search some of your libraries for those answers. I know for sure that you now hold more than one seat on the Wizengamot and you are a very wealthy wizard. Now it is time for the will readings and vault accountings. Follow me please" Ragnok's smile was back and not a bit less predatory. He led Harry to another room with conference table and some comfortable chairs. Bloodfin was already there. Four large ledgers and two envelopes were on the table.
"We will start with the Potter will first. Since your mother survived your father by less than a fortnight your fathers is considered the valid will." Bloodfin stated, he then read "I Lord James Ignotus Potter do hereby set forth my last will and testament on this 20th day of august 1981. This supersedes all previous wills. I Lord Potter leave all my properties and the contents of my vaults to my wife Lily Potter nee Evans. Should she join or precede me in death it shall go to my son Harry James Potter along with all titles due the house of Peverell and Potter. A trust vault with five hundred thousand galleons is to be established for the care of Harry until he is of age to receive his inheritance at seventeen. Custody and care of Harry is to be given to his godmother Alice Longbottom. In the event she is unable to care for him custody will pass to his godfather Sirius Black. Signed James Ignotus Potter. Witnessed by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and Theodore Tonks - solicitor."
"Now onto the Black will" Bloodfin continued. "I Lord Sirius Orion Black do hereby set forth my last will and testament on this 3rd day of December 1996. This supersedes all previous wills. I Lord Black leave all possessions and titles to Harry James Potter. With the exception of two million galleons that is to go to Remus John Lupin or his heir(s) whether he wants to accept it or not. Signed Sirius Orion Black. Witnessed by Arthur Weasley and Severus Snape.
"With that done we come to the accounting. I will start with the Slytherin account book. You will note that the balance is 0 Galleons 0 Sickles and 0 Knuts, there was only one item in the vault the family ring. You should put it on and claim your lordship" Harry put the ring on his right ring finger and felt a rush of power in his core. "Since you have earned the title of lord Slytherin by conquest you have the right to seize the assets and titles of its subservient houses. Do you wish to do that?"
Harry thought for a moment, then said "Seize the Lestrange vaults and search for dark and cursed objects, take your fee for the search, all goblin made items are to be returned to their makers, then transfer the remainder including titles to Arthur and Molly Weasley please. Bring me copies of the account books for the rest and call in the heads of those houses for a meeting with me here at the bank. If that would be alright with the goblins and the bank."
"A very interesting decision, Lord Potter. It would be the banks honor to host those meetings. Next the Peverell account contains two properties, four house elves, one vault containing one hundred eighty two million galleons, unvalued jewelry, magical objects, and art, and the Peverell family ring. Please place it on the same finger as the Slytherin ring" Harry did and he felt another surge of magic and the rings combined.
Bloodfin continued. "The Potter account contains sixteen properties, two businesses, ten house elves, two vaults. The trust vault contains one hundred and seventy four thousand galleons and assorted change. Twenty thousand galleons a year for ten years in support then five thousand a year for six years paid in pounds sterling monthly to Vernon Dursley. Fifteen thousand galleons a year for six years tuition paid to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Withdrawals totaling six thousand galleons by Harry James Potter over the last seven years. Potter family vault."
Harry interrupted "THE DURSLEYS WERE PAID TO TAKE CARE OF ME?"
"Correct Lord Potter." Harry was steaming, but Bloodfin continued. "As I was saying the Potter family vault contains Seven hundred thirty one million two hundred thousand four hundred and sixty galleons, an unvalued amount of jewelry, magical artifacts, furniture and art, and the Potter family ring. Please repeat the same process as the last." Harry did with similar results.
"The Black account contains four properties, one business, one house elf, one vault containing four hundred million one hundred thousand seven hundred and forty three galleons, unvalued magical objects, jewelry and art, and the black family ring." Bloodfin handed Harry the ring and he put it on.
"The Ministry requires us to estimate your tax and requires us to make immediate payment. Your estimate is four hundred and fifty million galleons. It will be split proportionally between your vaults. If you wish to visit any or all of the vaults today, we can schedule that after your meeting with the director." Bloodfin concluded.
"No, not today. Please withdraw six hundred galleons from my trust vault and transfer the rest into the Potter vault. I would like to come back tomorrow and discuss some immediate plans with you. Could I also have copies of all the account books to take with me as well?"Harry asked.
"Certainly Lord Potter"
"Thank you Bloodfin may your enemies breath be extinguished by your fingers wrapped around their throat. I should get to the meeting with the director."Harry said.
Bloodfin led Harry to the director's office then bowed to him. Harry was slightly surprised to see Hermione and Ron waiting outside. They did not have time to talk as they were ushered in immediately. The director was wearing his predatory smile as he began the meeting. "It seems the theft from the Lestrange vault resolved itself when you claimed it as spoils of victory Lord Potter. You can hardly steal from yourself."
Hermione and Ron both mouthed. "Lord Potter?"
"So it seems we are just left with the theft of a dragon and damage to the bank to resolve. I think eighteen million galleons is a fair price, unless you wish to pay with blood in combat."
Ron was pale and looked about to vomit, and Hermione did not look any better. Harry gave his best predatory smile to the Director and said "That sounds very fair for you director, but I think nine million sounds fair to me." Ron fainted.
Director Ragnok Laughed and said. "You really are full of a never ending supply of surprises Lord Potter! Make it eleven million and we will call this business done."
Hermione pulled Harry close to her and whispered. "Where are we going to come up with that kind of money? It will take us a lifetime to pay it off."
Harry smiled and said. "Take the eleven million from Black vault Director. Sirius would have been more than happy to pay for that bit of mischief. May your gold multiply and may I never be your enemy."
The director had not stopped laughing since Ron fainted, and choked out "Well said and well negotiated Lord Potter, I foresee one day soon the goblin nation calling you Friend."
"Help me pick up Ron and let's get to the Burrow." Harry picked up the copies of ten account books and put them in Hermione's bag, they then woke up Ron then flooed to the Burrow.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ragnok walked to his office door and quietly spoke to his assistant who left soon after. He turned to Bloodfin. "It seems you have been promoted Bloodfin! You will need to be present for my next two meetings, Senior Account Manager. While we wait tell me your thoughts on Lord Potter."
"It would appear that the combination of the four family rings has given him at least some knowledge of proper goblin greetings. Also the rumors that his lack of prejudices extends to all beings seems to be true, he was certainly respectful in his dealings with us today." Bloodfin replied.
"Yes and he is cunning, knows when to negotiate, and so far ruthless in dealing with adversaries." There was a knock at the door, and a very round goblin entered. "Thank you for coming so quickly Boartusk. Please sit down. The owners of your Lestrange accounts have changed." If a goblin could look surprised the round goblin would have.
"Has Rabastan been killed?" Boartusk asked.
"No but I imagine the wizards will send him through the veil very soon. His lord has been conquered and his new lord has seized his assets and titles and redistributed them to your new client. You will inventory the vault and transfer ownership to Arthur Weasley. Move the contents of his old vault and ready it for reissue. That would be easiest, I think. Let them know out front Lord Weasley is to be sent to you on his next visit." Ragnok did not think his smile would fade for a month.
"Yes sir!" Boartusk responded. He knew he was dismissed and left the director's office. He now wore a smile, he had hated answering to the rude bigoted Lestranges. He had worked with Bill Weasley for a short time and thought highly of him, for a wizard. He had high hopes that the lad learned his manners from his parents.
There were five nervous account managers waiting outside the director's office when Boartusk left. Seeing the smile on his face gave a small hope to them, as they were all asked to enter.
"This will take but a moment. Your accounts are being reviewed by a conquering lord. Audit them, confer with each other and summon the head of house for your accounts in three weeks time. Their new lord will determine their fate at that time. You are dismissed."Ragnok said. They left the office. "Bloodfin I will leave it to you to select new account managers for your separate accounts. Notify Lord Potter of his appointments with the heads of houses when that is settled. Then select a suitably intimidating office for his use." As Bloodfin left the director poked his head out of the office door and spoke to his secretary. "Tell the Curse breaker Weasley he will not be returning to Egypt. We will need him for Lord Potter's victorious plunder of several vaults." It had been a very good day.
May 7
Daily Prophet
Headlines
Potter called to account for break in, by Gringotts goblins.