CHAPTER 3
(Gringotts and Diagon Alley)
It was mid-morning when Elijah with Harry headed out to look for this Leaky Couldron place. They were on the street of course, looking for a place where Mortem so vaguely describe nor stated any clue on what's in it. They were wandering the streets for quite a time, pubs after pubs they looked for, people after people they crossed paths with walking from buildings to buildings. To say that it was tiresome is definitely an understatement, even for a vampire, like Elijah. He was also paying a close attention to the child he was holding. Harry's cheeks and nose had streaks of pinkish-red blush, which Elijah had taken a sign that the weather is definitely affecting Harry. After a few more minutes of wandering off, he stopped at yet another pub, located beside centuries-old buildings and a bustling atmosphere eerily reminding him of the tangible affect taste of magic. Elijah looked up and stared at the sign which read 'The Leaky Couldron', and he mentally face palmed at the irony of that occurrence. He entered the pub, which felt warm the moment he fully stepped inside. Tables were filled with people, drinking coffee, consuming soups, and chattering. The ambiance of the place gave a slightly dim shade, and the same tangible sensation got stringer. He headed at the counter and was met with a middle-aged man with some white beard. The man wore a warm smile as he turned and fully faced Elijah.
"Good day gentleman, what can I do for you?" the man greeted. Elijah, in response shot a simple smile and replied "Good day to you too, Mr?..." "Tom" "-Tom. I was informed by a friend to pay this pub a visit, and that he mentioned Gringotts?" he continued. Tom looked at him with slight amusement before he smiled at Elijah again. "You must be new here then. Come now gentleman, I'll show you to the entrance" Tom asked, walking away, but not so fast and looking back checking to see if Elijah is following him. Elijah followed Tom with mild curiosity, he was also wondering if the man was just not curious enough to asked him many more questions, or the man just truly believed that he's new and nothing more. He stopped just behind Tom as they reached a tall brick wall, which made Elijah's curiosity peak a little higher because of the oddity that they'd stop on a dead end. Tom then raised his wand and tapped the brick in what seems to be in a patterned sequence. The bricks started to jiggle and moved in rows and alignment, making a halo part on the middle, enlarging into an entrance that leads to a long and very crowded street.
"Well, here it is Mr? sorry I didn't have the opportunity to know your name" Tom said, turning around and looking at Elijah's awestruck face. The voice of Tom reverted Elijah's mind back to reality. "Forgive the rudeness, Tom. I'm not acting like myself these past few hours. I did not even remember to introduce myself" Elijah answered. "I'm Elijah" he continued. "Okay Mr. Elijah, here it is, Diagon Alley. Go straight ahead and there you'll see an intricate marble building with 'Gringotts' written at the top." Tom answered. He then walked away from the entrance and back to the pub, leaving Elijah alone carrying the whole reason why he was there. He then finally focused on the busy street of the alley.
The street was packed with loads of people, others wearing odd robes and some even wear pointy hats. Some were carrying a cauldron and some are carrying books, pets and many more. The scene made Elijah, in his millennium of existence, fascinated. He also noticed that the tangible sensation he had felt before is more prominent in the very air. Few glanced at them with curious eyes, but quickly turned away and manage their own business. The stores were eerily similar to the witches' store from his universe, old, ancient, and some are gloomy. He walked a little further and inspected more of his surrounding, taking note of the names of the stores such as Quality Quidditch Supplies, Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, Borgin and Burkes, Flourish & Blotts, Eyelops Owl Emporium, and Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. Through the wandering of his vision, he spotted a marble looking building that has Gringotts on top of it, to which without his vampire vision he would not have been able to distinguish that easy. He headed towards the direction of the building he had been looking for, keeping an alert sense on his surroundings to see if people would take an interest in them. If these people around him is anything like that nose-less man that almost ended the Potter clan, he did not want to take his chances.
He reached the building with ease, that's if he excluded the few people that actually approached them and tried to take a peek at the bundle he was holding. In all honesty, does the people in that world really that meddling? He had the fortune to face two green tiny little creatures with a prominent hint of distaste plastered on their faces. 'Goblins?' Elijah thought, remembering an image from a book he had come across a few years ago.
"Greeting, goblins. My name is Elijah Mikaelson. Forgive the directness of me but I was instructed by someone to pay this place a visit." Elijah greeted respectfully, to which shocked the two goblins guarding the entrance. The two guards seemed hesitant at first but a few seconds later, a knowing look on their face replaced the distaste they wear. "You can talk to the lobby inside, vampire. But be warned, may you try to steal from us goblins, the consequences would not be in your liking." one of the goblins replied with a warning tone in the end. "I do not mean to be rude, but how did you discover what I am" Elijah asked in return, which earned him a smirk from the goblins. "Wizards mostly treat us with disrespect and look at us as if we are lower than them. Plus, your aura says so that you are an ancient vampire" the goblin answered back. "Now get inside"
Elijah entered the facility, looking around and taking notice to the intricate design of the marble wall, and the hoard of goblins having their own station, few of them are even talking with what Elijah assumes are witches and wizards. He headed on the center station where a gruff, mature-looking, and wary goblin was seated. Elijah greeted the goblin by saying, "Good day, Master Goblin. I was told instructed by a friend of mine to head to this place." he said with a slight bow, his tone laced with respect.
The goblin on the other side of the desk took great surprise by the wording of the person in front of him. Wizards think of the goblin race so lowly, thinking that they are monsters and abominations, and it also does not chance their view that wizards think that they are more superior than other magical creatures. The goblin looked up and had the chance to glance at the man who was holding a bundle, to which the he assumed was a baby. He then noticed that the man was different than a wizard, as goblin often have the ability to sense another creature. And with regards of the creature in front of him, he'd already knew that it is a vampire.
"And pray tell, who are you?" the goblin asked, at the same time raising one of his brows. Elijah then decided to introduce himself, clearly his intention to stay vigilant had taken a toll on his attitude as a gentleman with respect. "Elijah Mikaelson, Master Goblin." Elijah finally introduced. Upon hearing the name, the goblin in front of him paled and backed away from Elijah. "Right then, follow me Mr. Mikaelson" the goblin, now with a different tone instructed. Elijah followed the goblin to what looked like corridors, with giant doors aligned, it looks like it was extending infinitely. As they reached a seventh door, to which Elijah remembered, they stopped right in font of it. The goblin he had followed knocked and backed away from the door. A few seconds then there was a gruff voice that came from the other side of the door. The goblin then ushered Elijah inside, closing the door as Elijah fully stepped in.
Elijah looked around the room, finding that the design is slightly different from the design outside. The room is confined with marble walls, with flecks of gold intricates. The floor has a wooden texture look, looking shiny and has a gleam of dark brown. It was only when he was at the center that he paid attention to the creature seated at a leader chair, a professional looking table in front of it, and a name plate that has a gold embossing which read: 'Bloodrean'. The said goblin coughed to get Elijah's attention, sitting straighter than it was a few moments ago. "Good day gentleman, take a seat" the goblin said, to which Elijah complied. As he made himself and the baby, he was holding comfortable, which surprised him greatly as the Harry hadn't even made a fuss since they were out, of course he knew that the baby had been awake for quite sometimes now since he had put him to sleep not long ago, the door to the room opened again and came in the same goblin that had brought him there. Said goblin went straight to Bloodrean if the name plate is any indicator, and whispered something which Elijah clearly heard. Bloodrean then reacted with a nod, whispering something to which the other goblin immediately tended to.
"Mr. Mikaelson, I have been told of your predicament. We goblins had nothing to care about those prejudice wizards nor their fate. However, the family of the child you are holding right now had been a goblin-friend among wizards. Setting those aside, if the child would be raised to those horrid muggles, the outcome would have been devastating for reasons that I can't tell you, well some of it I can't. Before you ask question why, Mr. Mikaelson, let me make it clear that we goblins have sworn to secrecy with regards to the transactions our customers did." The goblin said, before taking a long pause. "But before anything else, I would like to ask you one question. What are your plans with Harry Potter, Mr. Mikaelson?" the goblin continued. Elijah was taken by surprised at the question Bloodrean had just asked. What are my plans to do with Harry exactly?
"To be frank Master Goblin, I am still not knowledgeable enough to navigate this place, and I would like to take any recommendations from you if you would be so kind to help to help." Elijah responded. The goblin seemed to be thinking for a moment before he opened his mouth. "I am sure that you are aware that you cannot take possession of a child unless you are a relative or listed in the will and testament of the late Lord and Lady Potter?" the goblin asked, which earned him a noise of confirmation. "To make you aware Mr. Mikaelson, those muggle relatives of Heir Potter were not listed to care for him on the will, nor was Albus Dumbledore permitted to bypass the will. But as the person listed to care for Harry Potter is all unavailable, Dumbledore can gain possession Harry if he discovered that this incident happened. You will not be able to contest custody." Bloodrean finished. The information took Elijah on edge, the moment he had seen how that fool left a child alone on a freezing night at a doorstep, he had vowed to never let that fool laid a hand on his ward anymore. "What are my options then, Master Goblin?" Elijah asked. "Call me Bloodrean, had you been a wizard, I would have not entertained you like this, and you certainly held respect so I give you that. Not many people respect our race." the goblin interjected, which Elijah internally hid a smirk that fought its way to his lips. "What are your suggestions then, Bloodrean?" Elijah asked.
"You could perform a blood adoption." The goblin replied, to which Elijah looked confused. Elijah certainly knows what adoption is, but Blood Adoption? He wasn't familiar with that at all. Upon the slight wrinkle of Elijah's forehead, the goblin explained. "Blood adoption is just like adoption Mr. Mikaelson, however, there are few differences from the ordinary one. To simply adopt in the magical world is to simply tae custody, but other can contest you to it. They can appeal and make it look like you forced the adoption. Blood Adoption on the other hand will bond you and Harry Potter by blood, making him just like your biological son. Others cannot question the legality of the adoption as magic facilitates and allows the Blood Adoption to succeed. If you have abought mal intention to the Harry, magic will not allow the adoption to take place. If it did, then Harry would have your blood running through his veins and adds him to your family line." The goblin explained as much as he could.
Elijah on the other hand analyzed the details entailed with the Blood Adoption. He will have someone as his biological son, of course it won't change the fact that he'll still love Harry as his own even without the blood adoption. But the quest to protect and keep Harry made it all sure that he would be blood adopting the child. He's sure of it. Elijah turned to the goblin with a knowing look. And with a shift of the bundle Elijah was holding and looking down at it, Elijah spoke "What are the procedures?"
The goblin then took out a dagger and a vial, which contains a bluish clear liquid, and placed them in front of Elijah. "Six drops of blood from the both of you, then Harry Potter would have to drink the concoction" the goblin said. "You must be trying to make a joke, Master Goblin. You cannot possible be nicking a child with that dagger." Elijah replied, his anger slightly audible in his tone. The goblin in turn just smirked and toothily laughed "Not to worry, Mr. Mikaelson. The dagger is enchanted, making the prick painless and they would heal up after getting the desired amount of blood needed. Mr. Potter would be safe, he won't feel any pain." the goblin said. Elijah looked hesitant, as he couldn't brush the feeling of unease. So, to satisfy his cautiousness, he offered his hand first, just to make sure that the dagger's enchantment is true. The goblin pricked Elijah's finger, drawing a blood as intended. The little tore on his muscle tissue healed up quickly, may it be from the enchantment or his vampire healing ability he wasn't sure. But one thing is for sure, the prick did not hurt, even for his hypersensitivity. That did ease the wariness of Elijah a little, so he hesitantly held the baby's hand and offered it to the goblin again, taking a close observation on the calmness of the child. The child in turn just looked at Elijah with curious eyes, and had the chance to flash him a toothy smile. The look of the child smiling at him innocently, made Elijah's inside swam with warmth, his long dead cold heart feel joy and heat pooling through it. He knew then that he made the right decision. Perhaps the fiasco he was dealing with was worth it for what he's gaining.
As the last drop of blood hit the mixture in the vial, the wound from Harry's little finger healed up instantly, at the same time the liquid on the vial looked as if it is swirling. The swirling lasted for thirty seconds before it glowed pink, a bit blinding for such a small vial. The glowing died down, hues of pink dimming from where it illuminated Elijah's face. The vial in question was now in the shade of crimson, flecks of glittering blue barely visible around it. "Now Mr. Mikaelson, young Mr. Potter would need to frink this vial. The success of the adoption will still depend whether magic allows it and so does Mr. Potter's magic accept it. I cannot promise if the potion will make him a little uncomfortable, but nothing to worry that much.
"How will we know if the adoption went through then?" Elijah asked in concern. "This parchment will allow us to determine if magic accepts the adoption or not" Bloodrean answered, pointing his long fingers at the parchment that he had brought out during the gathering of blood.
Elijah then uncorked the vial, bringing it close to Harry's lips, making the baby drink as gentle as he could. The child downed the contents of the potion, and for a while he did not react. It wasn't until Elijah started to assume that the adoption failed when Harry started to whimper a little, his entire body gaining a pinkish glow. Elijah looked at the goblin in mixture of alarm and anger, but all had left him when the whimpering stops and the parchment glowed gold and hovered a little before falling down gently.
"Now Mr. Mikaelson, as you can see, the adoption went through, which makes you the official guardian and the new father of Harry Potter. And as of the moment, Harry James Potter is now your child by blood and magic." the goblin said, confirming Elijah's unspoken question. "Now, I would request 3 drops of blood from your son Mr. Mikaelson. It is merely a requirement for acquiring an inheritance test and that will provide you information regarding his heritage. From there, I will explain to you all the things you'll need to know about the Wizarding World." the goblin added, pointing at the parchment
Elijah, with the assurance that the dagger would not hurt his SON, took the dagger and prick Harry's little finger, letting blood drip to the parchment, satisfying the requirement. Upon finishing, the parchment glowed and a few moments passed, black ink started to surface on the parchment, letters forming and words materializing.
The goblin then picked the parchment, skimming through it before handing it to Elijah, who in return looked at it with curious eyes, scanning and reading the details entailing the inheritance test.
HARRY JAMES POTTER-MIKAELSON
BIRTHDATE:
JULY 31, 1980
Fathers:
Elijah Mikaelson (Blood Adoption)
James Charlus Potter
Mother:
Lily Potter nee Evans
Godfather:
Sirius Orion Black
Frank Longbottom
Godmother:
Alice Longbottom
HEIRSHIP:
Heir to The Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter
Heir to The most Ancient and Noble House of Peverell
PROPERTIES AND ASSETS:
Trust Vault: 25 000 galleons
Potter Family Vaults: Undisclosed
Potter Family Heirlooms and Books
Peverell Family Vaults: 2 354 789 galleons
Peverell Family Heirlooms and Books
Potter Manor: Unplottable
Peverell Castle: Unplottable
The readable part of the parchment ended there, as the succeeding part looked as if faded, which earned a rising of eyebrows from Elijah. Elijah then gave the parchment back to Bloodrean, who examined it for the second time and hummed a sound of satisfaction. "I assume you would need further explanation Mr. Mikaelson?" the goblin asked, more like stated. "Dating back from a thousand years ago, Linfred of Stinchcombe started the line, which had a son William Potter. William Potter then had an offspring: Hardwin Potter who married a woman named Lolanthe Peverell. From the same past Millenia, there was the rise of the Three Brothers, also known as the Perevells. The Peverells were one of the most powerful wizards to walk this very land, blessed by death. I would not delve deeper on that information, as you will have the chance to discover. The Potter line is known for producing powerful wizards; mages, that makes the people who cross them cower in fear. The line delved into magic far more than what others does. They accumulated properties and lands, producing and earning money that people did not know of. They established a name where the people that truly knows them wouldn't dare to cross them. The Potter and Peverell family are one of the most powerful lines, Mr. Mikaelson. And your son, Harry, is the apparent heir of both lines. People desired to get a hand on the things the family has, families fantasized about marrying into that family." the goblin told Elijah, starting what seems like an hour-long tale. "But through time, one by one the family passed away. From being murdered, diseases, and old age. The family used to have different branches scattered across the world. But they were all hunted and slaughtered. Some died because of wars that happened" Bloodrean continued
"Then there was the previous war, the rise of the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord terrorized wizarding families, and even the muggles. Non-magical people. The Potters were safe for a time, Charlus and Dorea Potter were happy to welcome their grandson, Harry. But also, at that time a pandemic was raging, where a disease kills witches and wizards. Dorea was one of the casualties. Charlus took her death heavily, which had him waste away for quite some time. Then he was attacked here, at Diagon Alley, by not less than 20 Death Eaters. All Death Eaters ended up dead, but no one knew what happened to Charlus. Some says he dies, and that he also caught the disease which caused his death." The goblin had a sad face at that. Elijah deduced that he had known the couple personally.
"Then there was the prophecy that made the Dark Lord target the family. He hunted them" the goblin added, to which Elijah cut in. "What does the prophecy entails?" Elijah asked. "You would need to be more specific, Mr. Mikaelson. The one is from a witch and the other is from a goblin. Though, no wizard knows about that of course, they only knew about the Witch's prophecy."
"If you wouldn't be bothered, can I ask for both?" Elijah asked. he wasn't nosy perse; he just wants to know as much as he could. The goblin looked grim at first, but decided to take out two pieces of parchment. The goblin handed the first one to Elijah "that's from the witch" Elijah then opened the paper, reading the intricate scribbles written on the parchment.
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...
Elijah finishes the prophecy, and as if reacting on instinct, hugged Harry closer to him. The goblin then handed the second one to Elijah, taking the first as he did so. And there Elijah read a much more intricate scribble.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal… but he will have the power the Dark Lord knows not… Raised by the Noblest of the Five… With their blood running through his veins… Dormant is where his abilities lie… Freak of Nature is he to be known to many… With the power that knows no bound… for either will live while the other survives… the one to end the darkness arise."
Elijah read the letter thrice to make sure that he's not hallucinating or anything. It was there, in that prophecy, that he would be the one to raise Harry. The goblin noticed the zoning out of Elijah and cleared his throat.
"Moving back to the matter on hand, as you can see, there are properties that young Mr. Potter inherited. The heirship, as he is still a baby cannot be claimed yet. The customary age for heirs to receive their heirship ring is when they reach 15. But seeing as young Potter is the last of the line, he can claim the heirship at 11. Being the last of the family makes him vulnerable in many ways, if he's to die then the line will die with him. So, the rule bends for him, as the ring adds extra protection. The money in his vaults cannot be touched until he claims the heirship, but the money from the trust vault can be touched if you wish to." Bloodrean said.
"The money he had in his trust vaults will not be touched unless he decides to himself. I have my own fortune, Bloodrean. And modesty aside, I can provide for him for eternity" Elijah replied. He's very capable of sustaining for his son and himself thank you very much. "I have a question I have been meaning to ask you though. Why are the Manor unplottable?" Elijah asked.
"The Potter family is a very secretive family Mr. Mikaelson. Those properties are under the Fidelius Charm, a charm that hides objects, places, and even information to all people except the people that the secret keeper had told to and allowed to share the information. And just like the other vaults, those can only be accessed once Harry claimed the hairship." The goblin answered.
"And the faded inks?" Elijah asked.
"There are confidential informations that the family had sealed Mr. Mikaelson. And magic is merely protecting them. And we cannot disclose because of confidential agreement. My apologies but that is all I can tell." The goblin finished.
"That is fine Bloodrean, nothing to apologize for." Elijah assured him, knowing that they also keep their word seriously as he also does. "What are the other things I need to be aware of?" Elijah asked
"Nothing else left at the moment, I-
Bloodrean's words were cut off as another goblin came barging in carrying a mediem-sized box. The goblin in question then handed the box to Bloodrean and left without saying a word. Bloodrean then handed the box to Elijah before he continued, "As I was saying, I just have to give that to you. That contains books with information regarding this world, and some books are grimoires from the Potter vault that will help train Mr. Potter in magic before he gains access to the Potter Manor and the books inside that Manor's library." The goblin said.
"With that all said Mr. Mikaelson, you are free to leave." Bloodrean said, to which Elijah took as a que to stand. He resituated the now napping child on his hip and carried the box with ease. "I would like to express my appreciation of your help, thank you Master Goblin" Elijah said with gratitude, which shocked the goblin, but then again, the vampire was a gentleman. Not expecting a response, Elijah headed for the door.
"You are very much welcome, Mr. Mikaelson." The goblin replied. "Take care of him, will you?" all the grimness from the goblin's tone had all but gone, replaced with sadness and anger. The last statement of the goblin made Elijah stop on his tracks. He looked back to the goblin with sympathy. "You speak of the family so close, as if you know them." Elijah said. To which the goblin answered with "Dorea and Charlus were great frients to me, and so is James"
"Then you have my word that I will always protect my son" Elijah vowed.
The now father and son exited the bank, on their way to but clothes for Harry, and to have a lunch. It was then that Elijah made his vow to Harry. "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you, you have my word on that Harry. I will love you always and forever" he said, before kissing Harry's forehead, who smiled in satisfaction even in his sleep.
A/N: SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE GUYS, I'VE BEEN BUSY.