Harry Potter was bored.
Extremely bored.
Hogwarts was ridiculously easy. Disappointingly so, especially from the so called 'Premier Magical School in the World', but at least he could study magic.
But he wasn't at Hogwarts. He was back at No4 Privet Drive, in Dudley's second bedroom enjoying the Dursley's five star hospitality and a rather lumpy mattress for the rest of the summer.
He was that bored that he was almost wishing that Voldemort, the Chief dark tosser, would add in a summer murder attempt just to make things a little bit spicy.
He had no idea how long he had been staring at the ceiling and the hairline crack slowly growing across it but enough was enough.
He sat bolt right up startling Hedwig awake. "I'm sorry girl, I just cant be bothered with this any more" he said, stroking her snow white feathers, "Why don't you go hunting and meet me later".
Opening up the window for her to fly, she nuzzled his hand affectionately and took flight out of the window with a happy coo.
He watched her until she was just a spec in the distance.
Getting dressed and grabbing his go bag, he was down the stairs, out the door and onto the Knight Bus before any of the Dursley's could process what was happening. Little did they know that they would never see Harry Potter again.
For those who where paying attention, the Knight Bus appeared on Charing Cross Road with a bang most firework manufacturers would have been proud of. A group of strangely dressed men and women disembarked and made their way into a shabby looking Pub.
Among them, a black haired teen with a bright blue toothbrush in this mouth. One of the many benefits of the Knight bus was for an extra four sickles, you got a mug of hot chocolate and a tooth brush in any colour.
Not wishing to re-enact the drama of his visit prior to his first year, he made his way quickly thought the pub and into the alley. It was moderately busy due to the weekly market but not as chaotic as the last minute Hogwarts school supply rush. Jars of potions ingredients, bottles of wine, fabrics and jewellery where among the many goods on offer.
A couple of minutes later he'd made his way through the crowds and had entered the brilliant white Gringotts building. He found himself in a long queue… 'How tedious', he sighed to himself.
The queue slowly dwindled down as the Witches and Wizards in front of him completed their business with the sole clerk. Occasionally one was sent off with a younger goblin into the bowels of the bank.
Finally it was his turn next when he felt a short sharp tug on his sleeve. Looking down, a well dressed Goblin addressed him. "Mr Potter, this way" he snapped, before turning and leaving down a corridor he hadn't noticed before. He quickly followed the nameless Goblin with one last forlorn look at the Clerks counter. He only hoped that losing his place in line was worth following.
The Goblin took him through a maze of corridors, down flights of stairs, past armour clad Goblin warriors and past one open door where he was sure he had seen a Cerberus or at least as much as you could call the demonic spawn of Fluffy and Hagrids blast ended skrewt a Cerberus.
Eventually the Goblin stopped and Harry ceased the sweat inducing forced march he had endured so far to keep up with the quick stepped terror. Knocking twice before opening the door the nameless Goblin gestured at him to enter before leaving down yet another corridor. "Well I suppose his time is money" Harry sighed to himself before entering the room.
The room was simply decorated with oak panelling adorning the walls, a single dark brown rug covered the floor beneath the fire place with two leather backed chairs.
"Mr Potter." Harry turned to his right and saw a goblin sat behind a small desk, papers neatly stacked before him and filing cabinets littering the space behind. A Single Roman style gladius was propped against his chair.
"Senior Clerk Griphook, I hope you're well" Harry asked in response.
"Don't give me that Potter, time is precious and you're wasting mine! Why are you here?" the goblin barked back before sipping from a flask he pulled out of his pocket.
"I'm bored", Harry sighed.
"YOU'RE BORED" Griphook spluttered, amber liquid flying over his desk.
"That's what I said. I'm BORED. I'm bored of school. Bored of the teachers enabling the old goat. Bored of my so called classmates' fickle behaviour. Bored of the whole damn magical world And most of all I'M BORED OF THE FUCKING DURSLEY'S", Harry shouted at the goblin, which in hindsight shouting at an armed goblin in his office in the depths of Gringotts surrounded by armoured guards and a Cerberus hybrid was just asking to end up with loosing several inches in height… probably by swift removal of his head.
"God, the only excitement I get is the yearly plot to kill me" he said before collapsing into the nearest chair.
"Good." The goblin spoke one word with a smile and completely floored Harry.
"WHY IS IT GOOD?" yelled Harry, his heart hammering in his chest.
"Mr Potter, I have been your family's account manager for over one hundred years. My family has been working with yours for nearly five hundred and in all that time their has never been a Potter who wasn't bored. Your ancestors were warriors, diplomats, adventurers, and above all incredible mages. Your boredom comes from not advancing, from not being challenged. A Potter is only a Potter when he has his life on the line."
As the goblins words sank he he realised it was true. He had welcomed the challenge of learning magic before his first year, he had jumped into the danger of the third floor corridor obstacles, the drums beating in his ears when he played Quidditch. Fighting for his life against the basilisk a five X rated creature in second year, the dementors in third year and most recently the Tri-Wizard tasks and a duel for his life in the graveyard.
"What can I do?" Harry sighed wearily.
"Harry, the memories you have shown me of the past four years would make a fully fledged Gringotts warrior blanch in terror. Your magical and muggle skills are excellent, you are cool, calculating and a shrewd investor. The start up capital you loaned the Weasley boys has already started to pay dividends and if you never earned a single Galleon, the sale of the rendered basilisk parts would keep you in luxury for the rest of your life and that's without the already substantial wealth in your vaults. You find Hogwarts and your summers at the Dursley's boring? Simple, don't go back. You've already achieved enough owls to never go back." Griphook stated.
"How do you know that? I haven't even received my results yet". Harry asked shocked.
Griphook levitated a piece of parchment to him without a word. Glancing down, Harry saw his Owl results.
Account Manager Griphook,
Please find the following attached Owl Results for your records for:
Mr Harry James Potter, DOB 31/06/1980, Candidate Number 4491
Defence against the Dark Arts: Outstanding
Transfiguration: Outstanding
Charms: Outstanding
Potions: Outstanding
Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding
Runes: Outstanding
Arthimancy: Outstanding
Also please note that Mr Potter has also been awarded the following Newt Level:
Defence against the Dark Arts: Outstanding
During the defence exam, the examiner had Mr Potter continue through all the necessary spells for both Owl and Newts. He was also stunned by the use of Mr Potter's corporeal patronus, a spell well past Newt and into Mastery level for defence skills.
We would recommend Mr Potter consider advanced tuition in Defence and Charms.
Faithfully yours,
Mrs Griselda Marchbanks
Head of Wizarding Examinations Authority
"Wow. I knew I'd done well but not that well… what can I do now?" Harry asked, somewhat shocked by not only getting all outstanding grades on exams he had sneaked into, but also achieving a Newt as well.
"Well Mr Potter, with those results you've gained permanent wand rights. If you left school today, and I think you should considering Mrs Marchbanks suggestion of further study, I have a program in mind." Griphook grinned, with a rather vicious looking smile.
"What program Griphook?" Harry asked tentatively.
Griphook took a sip from his flask and smiled again.
"Curse breaking".
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