Chapter 22
Alex/Harry came to himself in a semi-cluttered and slightly less dusty attic than it had been a few hours ago. Alex blinked and wobbled as a wave of vertigo washed over him, his memories as a preteen Harry Potter melding into his own as his psyche adapted to the persona that he had been not a minute prior.
Looking down he saw that his hands were paused in the process of opening a wood and leather trunk with the words 'Lily's chest of Awesome' embossed in flaking gold lettering across the top.
Alex smiled as he completed opening the trunk, already knowing what he would find inside.
Inside the trunk was three small notebooks and a tiny gold necklace with what appeared to be the letters 'L,' 'J' and 'H' artistically entwined together.
Knowing the significance of these items, Alex fused with the necklace much the same way he had done with the Time Medallion: hiding it within himself yet still retaining the benefits of wearing the small rune-charm. He quickly thumbed through the books confirming Lily's notes on Charms, Potions and most importantly Runes.
What set the world of Harry Potter and the Rune Stone Path apart from the canon story was a relatively minor change and a later much larger one. Much of the plot was the same as canon whereby Harry went through the same adventures during his first, second, third and fourth years, albeit with a greater level of danger. The main difference was that this Harry was what was called a Rune Savant; meaning he possessed an intrinsic magical aptitude and understanding of Rune and Rune crafting.
It was this aptitude that pushed Harry to being more than his canon counterpart. He became a Harry that could eventually find pride in his talents as he invented various useful and powerful rune schemes which aided him on his adventures as well as being the impetus of greater emotional growth through different interpersonal connections.
Alex could already feel this aspect of his new self latching on to the runes seen in Lily's notebook. He had never seen these runes and rune schemes before and yet their meaning and the way they connected to each other was quickly becoming apparent. The feeling was difficult to describe, a combination of slowly turning up the lights in a dark or dim room and the sensation of sudden understanding much like when hearing music in the distance but being unable to identify the song only to suddenly just know what was playing and picking out the lyrics.
"Boy!" Alex jerked upright as the voice of Vernon Dursley was shouted from down below. "Get down here and get dinner ready! If it's not in the table in fifteen minutes it's the belt again boy!"
Alex hadn't realised he had gotten lost in reading through the Rune notebook. "Yes, Uncle Vernon! Right away!" Alex called back.
"And that attic better be damn-well cleaned!"
Alex growled quietly but put on a forced smile. "Yes, sir!"
Like hell he was going to put up with being a slave to the fat walrus, the giraffe and the piglet for long, but for at least today he would play along. He needed to meet up with the girls and touch base on where everyone was before he threw the plot completely out the window.
Alex stored the books into his Gem and stood as he brushed the dust off his hands and knees. Idly, he stored the trunk into his Gem also. He may not be the true Harry Potter of this world but he did have his memories and experiences. As such he already possessed a fondness for Lily and a slight ache in his heart at the loss of nebulously defined 'parents.' Seraphina had explained it once while he was reading through the Jumpdocs. He didn't replace a character when he entered a jump, instead it was more like directed reincarnation. He was Harry as much as he was Grey Diamond or Snowball McBearface. James and Lily, therefore, were as much his parents as his own were, as much as the mother of Lyn and himself was his mother.
Alex spent the next few hours cooking a standard English dinner of bangers and mash with green peas. His own pride prevented him from ruining the meal and if the way the family devoured enough helpings of it to fed a family twice the size said anything then he did pretty damn well in making it. That said, given the Dursleys eating habits, he could be wrong to judge the quality of the meal by the quantity consumed. But seeing as Petunia; who scarcely consumed a full portion of anything, partook of a whole extra sausage: Alex was pretty sure he was right.
Not that he himself got to enjoy the meal. The smallest sausage and slice of bread was all the chef was entitled to. He also had to eat it in the kitchen and only after he had washed and cleaned everything spotless. After that he was then sent to his cupboard away from normal folk. Their words not his. Yet, seeing as Alex was wanting to get some privacy away from horrid excuses for human beings that the Dursley's were, he didn't complain and sequestered himself willingly less he lose control and snap the Dursley's necks with a thought.
Once alone in his cupboard, Alex conjured an illusion of himself curled up on the thin and dirty mattress and pulled a Spectre from his Gem which would alert him if someone came or called for him, though it was unlikely as the Dursleys generally like to forget he existed once he was put away.
Alex then opened a portal to the warehouse on the back wall and covered that too in an illusion to appear as if nothing was there. Confident that the illusions would hold without his direct supervision; Alex entered the warehouse and walked to the lounge were everyone else was already waiting for him.
"What took you?" the tiny red-head asked.
She was as cute as a button with pale white skin and a brushing of freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her eyes were not a simple brown but a more complex hazel with a warm brown centre that lightened to a pale green around the edges. These contrasted nicely with her coppery red hair.
"Had to make dinner for the Dursleys." Alex explained as he sat next to Lyn who was in the form of Ginny Weasley.
Lyn snuggled into his side. "Bloody tossing wankers."
Alex laughed. "Already getting into your British persona?"
Lyn just sniggered. "You had the Dursley's but I've got the memories of growing up with six older brothers, you pick up a few things."
"Yes. Well, at least you didn't get a hyperactive little sister from the deal." Said the regal blond sitting on the other couch. Well, as regal as a ten-year-old girl can be — which was surprisingly a lot.
While her stoic face was the epitome of pureblood propriety the way she had kicked off her shoes and curled her legs under her on the couch was all Lapis.
"Daphne's little sister is named Astoria, right?" Lyn asked.
Lapis nodded. "She's only nine right now but already has Daphne wrapped around her little finger." Lapis gave a wry smile. "I may complain, but having a sister is nice."
Alex grinned and hugged Lyn closer to him.
"I wonder if I will have incestuous relations with her as you two do." Lapis continued. Only her glittering eyes betrayed her mirth.
Alex sighed but didn't give into Lapis' teasing while Lyn just snickered.
"Unfortunately, I've gained no official siblings, but I've been good friends with Daphne for years now." Piped in the wavey haired brunette who was leaning against Lapis' side.
Lapis pulled her in closer to her. "Tracey is like another sister. So much so that I suspect that she may be the result of an intercession of my Father. Her mother is a muggle-born yet seen often with both my mother and my father and yet Tracey's father is never mentioned."
"So what? You're the daughter of the mistress?" Alex asked.
Alice shrugged. "Mum hasn't said anything outright but I wou;dnt be surprised if that the case, the question is if I'm Daphne's illegitimate half-sister of the product of a prior relationship. If it's any consolation they all seem happy with the arrangement and I am well cared for even if I'm not recognised."
Alex could see it. A child of the mistress who becomes the companion of the heir, provided for yet excluded for matters of inheritance.
Lapis kissed the top of Alice's head. "Well. It least I know I'll be intimate with my half-sister then."
Alex was starting to think he might be a bad example on his companions… but at least it was fun.
"So, what's the plan?" Lyn asked and in the process of asking bringing them back on track.
"I'm not sure." Alex admitted. "We're going to change things without meaning to so trying to keep everything the same is foolish and perhaps even dangerous. That said, I really want the soul rune that Bill Weasley shows to Harry Summer before second year."
"Why? Don't you already have super-runic skills and the Merlin perk?" Lyn asked.
"I do. But that doesn't let me know things ex nilo. I have to be exposed to a rune before I understand it and the soul rune is supposedly very hard to find. I doubt any available books will list it."
Lapis leaned back in though and started stroking Alice's hair when she laid her head on Lapis' lap. "So, you need to stick with the Dursleys until the end of next summer so you can be rescued by the twins and taken to the Burrow."
"More than that I also need to get close to Babbling so that she can tell Bill about my ability with runes. Though I doubt out relationship will be the same as the fiction."
"Babbling?" Alice asked from Lapis' lap.
"Professor Bathsheda Babbling is the Ancient Runes teacher at Hogwarts." Alex explained. "In the fic she becomes the adoptive mother of Harry once she finds out about the abuse with the Dursleys. She has to fight tooth and nail for him against Dumbledore who can't stop meddling in Harry's life."
"Are you going to play up the abused little orphan to go down the same path?" Lyn asked, not judgementally just curiously.
"I don't know. I'm not sure how else to go about it. I'm hoping I can be more of a little brother rather than a son though. I'm not nearly as traumatised as fic-Harry was."
"I'm sure we can get her on side. You can be charming if you put your mind to it." Lyn said.
"Thanks, I think." Alex rolled his eyes.
"Are you going to try and hook her up with Lily?" Lapis asked, then frowned. "Actually, what are you going to do with Lily?"
Alex shrugged. "I was going to dig her up once I've sorted the horcrux in my scar and when I do that is dependent on how first year goes. I don't want to change too much with Quirrell and don't know if banishing it will change anything. Earliest I get rid of it will be second year."
"What about Sirius?" Lyn asked.
"I'm getting him out soon. Unlike Lily, who is safe and not in any pain or danger. I don't think I could stomach leaving someone in Azkaban when I know they're innocent." Alex admitted. "But I'm going to have to do it carefully."
"Why?" Alice purred under the attentions of Lapis, showing that she was still listening.
"Because Dumbledore is still my magical guardian and will try his hardest to remain in control of my life. So, he's going to push to stop Sirius stepping into that roll."
Lyn lightly smacked Alex's shoulder. "Then why on earth did you take that Drawback?"
"Because he was always going to do that. In the fic, Dumbledore became increasingly paranoid and manipulative towards Harry. It's his character in the fic so I took the Drawback to at least get some points out of it." Alex explained. "Aaaaand I only took the two-hundred-point version which is limited to observation and suspicion, there's a fifty-fifty chance that the fiat will actually limit how bad he can get to enforce the mild hostility."
"Oh… that makes sense."
"At the moment though the only thing Dumbledore can really do is sign a Marriage Contract to Ginny, which honestly wouldn't be the worst thing." Alex leant down and kissed Lyn who now was Ginny.
"Meh, could be better." Lyn grinned against his lips before Alex sat back up.
"I'm not sure how I'm going to escape the guardianship." Alex admitted to the frowns of the girls. "Worse comes to it I only need to hold him off on doing anything reckless until the Triwizard Tournament. If I become entered into it then I'll be able to claim emancipation."
"Is there anything else we could do sooner?" Lapis asked.
"I don't know but we can use the time before Hogwarts starts to gather more information." Alex said and the girls nodded resolutely.
"So, what's the plan for tonight then?" Lyn asked.
"We need to share our perks and alt-forms around and if we have time we need to find out where the Temple and the Tower are located."
"Oh! Goodie!" Alice exclaimed as she started taking off her shirt while still lying in Lapis' lap.
"Someone's eager." Lapis smirked but also started to help Alice out of her clothes while simply willing hers into her Gem and revealing her new lithe form.
"Mhmmm." Lym hummed in appreciation as Lapis started kissing Alice's newly revealed budding breasts.
Alex would have at one point made a remark about starting the fun in their new immature forms but more than a year with his companions had started to desensitise him to the varieties of form. With Biological Shifting, Sir Bearington and Nothing as Sexy as a Bear in play: none of their forms were at any point unattractive and they had all taken advantage of that fact to enjoy each other in a variety of different shapes and figures.
Lyn curled into his side and kissed his neck as one hand unbuttoned his shirt to run her nails shiveringly down across his chest as they watched Lapis reach into Alice's panties and rub her quickly moistening snatch.
"Your too thin." Lyn whispered into his ear with concern.
Alex cupped her panty clad bottom and pulled her onto his lap. "I'm using my ghost shapeshifting to maintain Harry's original appearance until I get the Mind magic ability that will allow me to remember it's exact appearance with occlumency. If I'm suddenly really attractive and healthy then questions will be raised."
Lyn pouted as she ground her pussy into his leg. "I don't like it."
Alex kissed her as the first moans of Alice orgasming were muffled my Lapis' lips.
"Judging by the sound of it, I'll get the ability soon." Alex smirked.
⦖⋄⦕
Removed NSFW Scene can be found on QQ and AO3
⦖⋄⦕
It wasn't until early the next morning that the weary group were able to check off the final two tasks that night. Well… Alex, Lapis and Lyn in any case. Alice was still sleeping a very happy yet exhausted rest after she was made to cum again and again and again to spread the various perks out among the four of them. If it wasn't for the fact that the breeding ghost she had fused with gave her a near unlimited sex drive and refractory period then she would certainly have been hurting by the end of it.
As such, Alex was looking much healthier now that he had access to occlumency, as it meant that he could easily remember the exact shape and form of Harry's original unhealthy condition for when he needed to present the evidence of his abuse to others. With some training with Metamorphism, he would be able to easily switch into that unhealthy state when he needed to. But for now he could let his other abilities improve his health and appearance to superhuman levels.
It was not just Mind Magic and Metamorphism that he had attained. No, he and the girls had shared everything that they could and thus had access to every, perk, ability and form that the others did. Alex could feel the sheer potential power of the varieties of magic thrumming through him but would have to hold off on experimenting until later.
"We need to check out the Temple and the Tower before we return to our respective homes." Alex said as he walked towards the warehouse's warp-pad.
"Or we take our time and send a duplicate home." Lyn said as she used her ghost powers to duplicate herself.
"Someone's been practicing." Lapis smirked. "That was a very smooth split."
Lyn blushed. "I can still only split once."
"I'll also cover for Alice." Lapis said as she easily split in two and then one of her forms split again and assumed the form of Tracey Davis. When they said they could share all alt-forms that really did mean ALL alt-forms.
"Show off." Lyn muttered.
"Girls, behave." Alex laughed and tried not to show that he had once again forgotten he had that ability.
Alex split in half and the had one of him split again, he then reabsorbed on of his duplicates leaving him as two forms, one at 75% power and the other at 25%. His lesser self morphed into the emancipated Harry look and walked back though the portal into the cupboard under the stairs to wait until the Dursleys called for him to make breakfast. Eventually, Alex, two Ginnys, two Daphnes and a Tracey stepped onto the warp-pad and beamed away to check out the location of the Temple.
On arrival the duplicate Ginny, Tracey and Daphne utilised their new Shadow Mage abilities to silently slip away into the shadows and travel back to their homes before their absence was noticed.
Alex looked around the temple, noting it still maintained the various modifications he had added during the last jump. Going to the entrance he stepped out to take in the new location.
The first thing he noticed was how high they were. The early morning air was clean and chill and the new dawn light illuminated a large forested valley within which stood a magnificent castle resting next to a large and placid lake. Beyond the castle, just visible in the distance, was a small and modest town of stone and slate houses and cobblestone streets. It didn't take a genius to recognise that the castle below was Hogwarts and it's surrounds.
The Temple was nestled between two rocky outcroppings on the side of one of the mountains that surrounded Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest. The entrance had changed again to become the statuesque form of a regal looking woman seated on a throne. The statue's appearance was much like that of Morrigan except this one was dressed to match her namesake in a Celtic style dress that left her breasts bare. It was also decorated in light carvings representing war paints done in Celtic whirls and knots. On her shoulder a crow or raven — Alex was never sure which was which — stood with wings outstretched and in one hand she held a vicious looking spear. The actual entrance to the temple was between her legs and part of the throne, flanked on either side by her bare stone feet. Finally, the entire thing was encroached with thorns and brambles that blended the larger-than-life statue into the surrounding cliffside.
"Damnit!" Alex hissed as he turned right back around and back into the Temple returning moments later to release a handful of jade orbs which scattered and floated around the statue and latched onto the stone.
"Of all the stupid places to put the temple." Alex kept grumbling as he interfaced with the Gem-tech and activated the adaptive camouflage.
There was a glitter of light that Alex hoped went unnoticed by anyone at the castle and the temple's grand entrance was quickly hidden behind holographic mimicry of the surrounding cliff face.
Lapis and Lyn stepped up next to him and nudged his shoulders with their own.
"Don't worry about it." Lyn said. "I doubt anyone noticed between yesterday afternoon and now."
Lapis voiced her agreement. "It's summer and so none of the students should be there. And anyway, they would have to been watching the surrounding mountains with a telescope from the astronomy tower instead of the sky."
Alex just sighed and double checked the holographic systems with his P-comm just to make sure. Having one of his bases right next to Hogwarts could be advantageous in the future but it was also a security risk. He made a mental note to look up notice-me-not charms as soon as possible.
"Let's just go check out the Tower." Alex said with a hint of exasperation as he led the girls back to the warp-pad.
The Tower turned out to be a thin spire of black stone that grew almost organically from a dense green mossy forest. The tower was circular from the base to the top and made from glassy black stone that contrasted deeply with the incredible amounts of rose vines that grew almost three quarters up the sides of its impressive seven floors. The stonework was without decoration except for a series of vein-like honeycombed channels that acted as guides for the massive amounts of thorned vines and which influenced their growth away from chaotic disrepair and towards a naturally cultured and balanced appearance. The rose-vines were also in full-bloom and included a multitude of colours in carefully arranged swathes of dark-purple, deep red, bright crimson and airy pink.
Around the tower was a thick semi-tropical old growth forest nestled between undulating hills and mountains. The air was heavy with the scent of nature and a hint of the ocean that could be seen between two of the surrounding peeks from the very top of the tower.
"Where on earth are we?" Lyn asked.
Alex just shook his head that he didn't know and looked at Lapis who simply shrugged.
"I don't know but it sure is beautiful." Lapis said.
The other two could only hum in agreement.
The tower contained everything needed to perform almost all types of magic native to the wizarding world. The bottom floor was dedicated to a simple living area, including a kitchen, a dining area, a lounge, a bathroom and a handful of bedrooms with attached ensuites. The warp-pad could also be found here in defensible room of its own. Above that were storage rooms and workrooms with large solid tables along with various carving tools, for stone, wood and glass. Next was a potions floor with a large collection of common and rare ingredients and a ridiculous selection of cauldrons in various sizes and materials.
The next four floors were dedicated to an incredible library hosting every book on every freely available subject. From Alchemy to Wand making, almost any subject could be explored. The only limitation was the availability of the text. If it was incredibly rare or unique to private libraries it was unlikely to be found in the Tower. Additionally, if it was known as some sort of great lost knowledge of old it would also be absent. What could be found here was any freely available text. Any books from any of the school libraries could be found on these shelves. Any books that could be owl-ordered from the various distribution catalogues or found for sale in any well-known wizarding bookstore would also exist within the tower. Thankfully the selection wasn't limited to the censored publication of wizarding Britain as it included texts from all around the wizarding world which vastly improved the selection of texts. These floors also had plenty of cozy reading nooks and bright seating near the windows that looked over the green forest outside.
The highest floor seemed to be dedicated to astrology as the ceiling was completely clear to the sky above and intricate bass models of the movements of the celestial bodies took up much of the available space. A spiral staircase in the corner of the room next to rows of various powered telescopes indicated that the roof could be accessed for a clearer view if needed.
Lastly was the basement. It seemed that their purchase of a ritual hall had been conveniently added to the Tower. The space was cavernous with large clear areas of flat stone for various rituals and ceremonies. Each corner hosted alters and braziers of different make and design and storerooms along the sides of the space held almost any needed ritual ingredients one could want. One surprise was that of a long hallway that turned out to be a tunnel that led to the forest outside. Here, could be founds an assortment of hot and cold pools and baths nestled in a rocky grotto beneath the mossy trees. Alex couldn't think how a bath related to a ritual chamber until Lyn suggest ceremonial bathing and cleansing rituals. Still, with the way that Lapis was eying the inviting waters approvingly it was likely to see a different use at least initially.
"Ok, we've got about a month until our letters start arriving for Hogwarts. With our duplicates taking our places we can spend some time priming ourselves on magic." Alex said as he walked through the stacks in the library.
"Don't forget we need to prepare a space on the moon for the school." Lyn reminded Alex.
"I remember." Alex said. "I saw the globe on the table in the warehouse."
Deciding there was no need to preserve power if he was just researching Alex split himself and his duplicate nodded and left for the warehouse to start constructing the needed Gem-tech to make a safe zone on the moon.
Lapis pulled out an American book on Magical Theory that seemed to be a primer for beginners and found a comfortable couch near the window. "Let's get started then."
Alex and Lyn followed her example and started to read.
⦖⋄⦕
"Yer a wizard, Harry."
"Right, well that certainly explains some things." Alex replied the half-giant.
"Er, well, yeah. Like I said. A wizard, and a thumpin' good one given yer folks and what-not." Hagrid continued.
"I wouldn't know. These sorry excuses for people never mentioned anything about magic, or my parents except to say they were no good unemployed drunks who survived by my mother whoring herself out." Alex said. He didn't even have to embellish; he had the memories of the Dursleys saying such.
"Drunks an' whores! NEVER! They were hero's they were!" Hargid built up a head of steam and Alex decided to shovel in some more coal.
"Said that I was a failed abortion and that my parents would likely have sold me off for drug money if they hadn't died in a drunken car crash." Alex kept going, making sure Vernon could see his smirk as he stood behind Hagrid.
Vernon was turning an ugly shade of puce and Petunia was become more and more pale with each word. Not because they would ever have regretted the disgusting lies they had told an orphan child but because Hagrid was actually starting to fume. Literally.
Whether an effect of his giant heritage or an accidental release of the magic he was denied the use of for over fifty years, his beard was smoking a little and his breath was visible in white plumes as he huffed angrily at the Dursleys.
"They were the finest wizard and witch yer could ever get to know." He thundered. "And a ruddy great prune such as yer'self don' have the right to even speak their names!"
"Now see here!" Vernon pulled himself together and finding a bit of his backbone, or maybe he was just an idiot. "We took the boy in and we have the right to raise how we like. We won't tolerate any of this magic freakishness like his parents. They were freaks that deserved what they got!"
The crunch of Vernon's nose breaking under Hagrid's fist was a memory that Alex was going to hang on to and share with any other Harry Potters he should ever run into in the future.
⦖⋄⦕
The next day Hagrid was leading Alex around Diagon Alley, gathering his school supplies. They had escaped the overenthusiastic welcome in the leaky cauldron and entered Diagon Alley proper. Despite intellectually knowing what was there, Alex was still awed at the presentation.
The Alley was much wider than Alex had imagined yet it still managed to convey a cramped and crooked feeling. Much of this was because there was just so much more than was described in the books and another reason was that everything on the street seemed to use a judicial number of spatial charms. Storefronts seemed to diminish and squeeze together in the distance yet stretched to full size as they walked down the Alley. It gave the feel like they were moving much faster than they actually were.
The books could only convey so much and the movies could only show a fragment of the wonder that was on display. Stores of books with red, green, brown and black leather-bound tombs spilling from the stores open windows and onto tables against the storefront. Stores of filled with brass doodads and crystal whatzits that glittered and tinkled and spun with magical purpose. Stores of flowers and other plants that changed colour, and growled, and even a vase of roses that catcalled any of the women who walked by.
Alex caught a matronly woman blushing up as storm as the roses rudely complimented the bounciness of her quaffles.
There were grocers and candy shops, leatherwork stores and broom shops. Cafés, restaurants, street venders and tea parlours. Menageries and potion supply stores. Solicitors and barbers. Music stores with vinyl that danced the tango and clothes shops specialising in everything from dragonhide boots to disappearing lingerie.
Alex made a note to come back to the last one with Lyn and the girls at a later date.
Another reason for the near claustrophobia inducing crush of the famous Alley was that it was also built upwards as well as longways. Many of the shops were stacked on top of each other with the upper level leaning over the coupled street with brightly coloured signs and adverts enticing and soliciting their wares or services.
Despite the amount of advertising, most of the stores on the higher levels seemed to be those that didn't particularly cater to foot traffic. Law services, real estate brokers, specialty clothes and smaller bars as well as a whole bunch of other stores that Alex and Hagrid passed too fast for Alex to even guess what they were.
It actually reminded Alex a little of some of his time exploring the busy shopping streets of Japan: if it was also mixed with old-town Edinburgh of course. What it resulted in was a tight and twisted Alley that was absolutely busting with people and commerce in a fantastically loud and colourful way. It also explained how a single alley could be considered the centre of Magical Britain's commercial economy.
"I, er, hope yer don' think too badly o' me, Harry." The gentle giant said sheepishly as they made their way down the alley. "I usually don' let me temper get away like tha'."
Hagrid had been quiet since the he punched Vernon and scared the Dursleys into hiding in the bedroom of the shack on the rock. The man was a gentle soul and it took something especially heinous to rile him up to violence and he truly felt ashamed for letting himself act like he did.
Alex had to walk at a brisk trot for his much shorter legs to keep pace with the much larger man yet also didn't have to dodge around the other patrons as he kept himself in the clear wake behind Hagrid.
"Don't worry about it. Vernon's broken my nose enough times that it was great to see him finally get a taste." Honestly, he thought that a broken nose was actually more kind result compared to canon. Dudley was a little prick but he didn't deserve to be given a pig's tail that later had to be surgically removed.
Hagrid scowled, but didn't reply except to mutter under his breath. "Shoulda hit 'im harder."
"So, what are we getting first?" Alex asked clearly changing the subject.
"Firs' thing is Gringotts, it's tha Goblin bank."
"Goblins?" Alex asked innocently. He had read through a collection of resource books on Goblin culture from the tower so likely knew more than Hagrid.
"Nasty lil' blighters, but darn good at what they do. They run the bank an' 's prob'ly the most secure place ter keep summat important like. 'cept perhaps Hogwarts o' course."
The journey through the bank played out much like Alex expected as he gathered a pouch of gold from his vault and then accompanied Hagrid as he picked up the 'you-know-what in vault 713.' Though, Alex did manage to telekinetically pickpocket his key away from Hagrid as they were leaving. It was his after all.
The rest of the day followed established canon as well. Hagrid helped Alex gather his school supplies and purchased him a snowy white owl that Alex was resigned to name Hedwig. The timing for a meeting with Draco during the fitting of his robes must have been off though as Alex saw neither hide nor hair of the blond ferret.
The day ended with Alex coming to the firm understanding that he could not trust Hagrid. That's not to say that he didn't like Hagrid or think he was not a good person. But no one with an ounce of rationality would drop a child back at the doorstep of the family that Alex had described.
But Albus Dumbledore must have mentioned that Harry was to be returned to the Dursleys and so Hagrid had followed orders either against his better judgement or more likely without any thought or judgement at all. Hagrid was Dumbledore's man, through and through.
Thankfully the Dursleys were not home at the time Hagrid had dumped Alex at four Privet Drive with a smile and a wave goodbye. Alex took full advantage of that fact by deciding that the Dursleys didn't have to put up with his company for the next week or so before September first.
Still, just in case Dumbledore really did have magical devices monitoring his presence at the Dursleys; Alex duplicated himself and left one of his duplicates to hide and stay invisible in the attic. He had a selection of books in his P-comm to read so it's not like he would get bored. His other duplicate opened a portal to the Tower to meet back up with the others and continue to study.
⦖⋄⦕
The next day Alex and a duplicate of Lyn ventured back to Diagon Alley. This time Alex was able to pass through the Leaky Cauldron without being swamped as both he and Lyn had changed into the Alt-forms they had used in their previous Jump. Instead of looking like an out-of-place celebrity orphan, Alex now appeared to be an attractive and well to do young man with a lithe blond beauty on his arm.
They took their time browsing the various shops and perusing the goods on display. Due to the large amounts of founds they had access to through the King's Ranson purchase from the Luigi's Mansion Jump and liquidity that the Monopoly gauntlet had given them they were able to pay any number of Galleons asked.
As such, by the time they eventually reached their original destination of Gringotts, they had purchased high-end school robes of acromantula silk with self-fitting, cleaning, comfort, warming and cooling charms included. A luxury wizarding tent with six bedrooms, four baths, kitchen, living, dining, and a study. A seven-compartment expanded trunk with a plethora of security charms and runeschemes. A set of charmed quills and inks that would make writing in the wizarding world that much cleaner and neater. A pair of omnioculars that Alex was hoping to steal the runework from. A mokeskin pouch with the best expansion charms that money could buy. The highest quality undergarments for men and women, again made from acromantular silk. A very nice wizarding chess set made from onyx and white marble and seven new Nimbus Two Thousands, that had to be placed on back order to be owl delivered at a later date. Everything was conveniently stored in their new mokeskin pouch to be later studied and hopefully replicated and improved.
"May your gold ever flow, sir." Alex politely addressed the Goblin teller.
The goblin stilled but for one long-haired eyebrow that slowly rose at the young human males traditional Goblin greeting. "May your hoard be increased, patron. What is your business with Gringotts?" He spoke sharply but, unlike when Alex was there the day before with Hagrid, his tone was without contempt.
"I have need to converse with the Potter Accounts Manager. I have sensitive information in relation to his client." Alex answered and at the same time he allowed the famous lightning bolt scar to become briefly visible through his alt-form.
"I will have a vaultrunner take you to Account Manager Snapfist." The teller said primly before his words morphed into a low growl. "Though know this human. If this should be some sort of trickery, you will be disposed off with great haste and enjoyment."
Alex nodded that he understood, they were just doing their duty in protecting their clients' assets after all.
"Thankyou, sir. May your enemies fall before you." Alex inclined his head in a slight bow.
The teller was slow to respond as he eyed him critically yet eventually nodded his head in a small bow in response as he completed the social ritual. "And may their blood wet your blade."
Alex turned and followed the smaller goblin that came to lead him to the Potter Account manager's office and realised it was Griphook, the same goblin from the day before.
"Well met, Goblin Griphook. May your gold ever flow."
Griphook's eyes widened almost comically. "May your hoard be increased. Do I know you wizard?"
Alex smiled and making sure no wizards or witches were looking his way, allowed his Harry Potter features to shine through momentarily. "You led me and Hagrid to my vault and one other vault yesterday."
Griphook grinned viciously. "You are full of surprises, young one."
"You don't know the half of it." Alex grinned back but was careful not to bare his teeth back at the shorter goblin.
After a few moments they reached a solid door with a brass plate reading 'A.M. Snapfist - Potter' and Griphook knocked.
"Enter." Came a deep response.
Alex and Lyn entered the office. A goblin was seated behind a solid and well cared for desk of deep brown wood. The walls were lined with solid bookshelves filled with tombs and parchments except for a section of wall behind the goblin upon which hung a wicked looking battle-axe.
"Greetings patron, I am Snapfist, Account Manager of the House Potter." The goblin said gruffly. "What business do you have with me and my client."
"May your gold ever flow, Account Manager Snapfist." Alex said with a small bow and let his form change to that of Harry Potter.
Alex was not prepared for the hostile growl from the goblin as he sneered from behind his desk at them.
"May your hoard increase." Snapfist spat the words. "The only reason that you have not been clasped in irons for your deceit, shifter, is your courtesy with your words. But know that politeness will not save you should you attempt to fraud the bank and my client."
Alex was actually sweating a little now. He had not expected this level of animosity from coming to the bank in disguise. He felt Lyn tense beside him in preparation for either fight or flight.
"My apologies, Snapfist." Alex again lowed his head slightly. "I am Harry Potter and only sought to enter Gringotts without certain parties knowing my movements."
Snapfist's eyes narrowed. "Then you would consent to a test of identity?"
"I would." Alex agrees staring confidently into the goblin's eyes.
Snapfist maintained eye contact for a moment then snapped his fingers while muttering something in the goblin tongue. Which, by the way, was not actually called Gobbledegook and should never be called such in the presence of a goblin less you wanted to find yourself shorter by a head's length.
Upon the desktop appeared single blood-red quill, a thick leather-bound tomb embossed with faded gold lettering that spelled out 'Potter' and a sheet of yellowed parchment with silvery runes in goblin script bordering the edges.
"Write you name, in full, on the parchment provided." Snapfist directed Alex who picked up the quill already guessing what it was given the lack of provided ink.
Alex carefully wrote 'Harry James Potter' on the parchment and tried not to show the sting as the words were carved into the back of his hand before the cuts quickly healed. Once done, Alex gently placed the quill back down on the table.
Snapfist twisted the parchment around to read the name Alex had written, picking it up to examine the writing for anything hidden in the words. With a final huff he placed the parchment on the cover of the book and said another command in the goblin tongue.
The runes of the page lit with silvery light and the name written in blood positively glowed like ruby lines of molten glass. The light intensified briefly before the parchment ignited and went up in a flare of fire that consumed the paper in less than a breath.
The book glowed red then flipped open to a page halfway through. Snapfist leaned over the page and examined it carefully, his eyebrows raising in surprise.
"Well, it seems you are Mr Potter." He growled out but this time it was without aggression. Alex was beginning to think that much of Goblin nuance was conveyed through different types of growling.
Alex indicated that he would like to see the book and Snapfist spun it around to face him.
There on the page was his name in stylishly done calligraphy in black ink. Next to the name was a circle of slowly glowing red that had to look of a tiny drop of blood. Above his name were the names of his parents, each with a red circular stain next to their names.
"What is this?" Alex asked indicating the tomb.
"That, Mr Potter, is the Potter Ledger. It records all transactions, additions and identifications attached to the Potter Accounts. Your parents brought you in soon after your birth to add you to the account. At that time your name was recorded and a drop of blood used to identify you in the eyes of magic." The goblin explained patiently. "At least in the eyes of magic in relation to the accounts of Gringotts."
"So, it confirms my ability to access the accounts and my identity as being the same as the baby added by my parents." Alex surmised. "I was actually expecting some sort of inheritance test that would list my identity and heritages revealing unknown abilities and connections to famous figures of old."
"Ha!" Snapfist barked out a laugh. "We get a couple muggleborn each year requesting a test such as that. They each expect to be the long-lost heir of a wealthy family. I'll tell you what we tell them: this is a place of business not fiction. Such inheritance tests do not exist and only individuals added to accounts by their predecessors may access them despite any distant blood relation."
"Oh well. Can't say I'm not disappointed though." Alex just shrugged.
"No, I daresay you can't." Snapfist chuckled with narrowed eyes. "I for one would be interested in how you developed a metamorphmagus ability when such a talent has primarily been seen only in the main line of the Blacks."
"I think my grandmother was a Black." Alex said trying to remember if it was ever mentioned so in the fanfic or if he was thinking of the many others that head read before starting his Jumpchain.
"That is so." Snapfist agreed then turned his eyes to Lyn for the first time. "As you have been confirmed to be Harry Potter, I must ask the identity of your companion and if you wish for her to remain for the following discussions."
Lyn smiled a closed mouth smile at the goblin so as not to bare her teeth. "Brooklyn Black, Mr Snapfist. May your gold ever flow."
Snapfist inclined his head slightly. "And may your hoard be increased."
"Lyn here is much like a sister to me." Alex informed the goblin while ignoring Lyn's soft snort at his words. "She has my full confidence and before we leave, I would like to add her to the accounts."
"That will not be possible until you reach the age of majority, only the Head of House may add or remove names from the Ledger."
"I half expected as much." Alex admitted
"So, please tell me Mr Potter, why you felt the need to see me under a disguise. I daresay you were here just yesterday and made no such enquires to you account and the letter I sent you could have been replied to by owl."
Alex shook his head. "If you sent me any letters, I'm afraid I never received them and the reason for that is much the same as the reason for my disguise."
"Are you insinuating that I did not attempt to correspond with you, Mr Potter."
Alex shook his head. "Not at all. I suspect that my mail is being intercepted or redirected without my consent."
"Tampering with one's mail is a criminal offence and tampering with Official Gringotts communications is an offence against the Goblin Nation." Snapfist ground out.
"I am aware, though I doubt I'll be able to get the criminal charges to stick."
"Who do you suspect of such actions." Snapfist asked though he already had suspicions. There was really only one figure who had the power and the position to do such a thing and he had already annoyed the Goblin Nation plenty with his meddling.
"Albus Dumbledore, the magical guardian I've never met." Alex said.
"Never met?" Snapfist asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Supposedly he dropped me on my relative's doorstep two nights after the attack in Godric's Hollow and I've seen neither hide nor whiskered hair of him since. Though, I'm fairly certain he's been receiving reports my regular beatings, starvations and privations from his puppet Arabella Figg, a squib who lives nearby."
"You claim he was that negligent in his duties?" Snapfist asked horrified that a child would be treated such.
"He's got a lot of control in my life. I didn't even know magic existed until about a month back and I've spent almost every moment since then trying to understand my place in this world. I know that as my magical guardian he should have instructed me in many different aspects of our culture and my responsibilities as the future head of House Potter. Instead, he has neglected me to languish in the care of monsters all the while he utilises my seat on the Wizengamot to ensure the stagnation and rot of the wizarding world." Alex ranted.
"I'm not sure what you want me to do, Mr Potter. Other than charge him a fine for intercepting official Gringotts mail there isn't much I can do for you. You are required by the Ministries' Law to have a Magical Guardian which can only be overturned by a majority vote of the Wizengamot, a body over which Albus Dumbledore presides." Snapfist admitted.
Alex smirked. "I had some ideas but need some confirmations from you."
Intrigued, Snapfist motioned for Alex to continue.
"What would happen if my mother was found to not have died when Voldemort attacked my home near ten years ago?"
Snapfist's eyebrows rose. "Are you suggesting Lily Potter is not dead?" His mind immediately went to Lily Potter's last Will which had never activated.
"She performed an experimental piece of magic which boosted my magical protections enough to repel the killing curse in exchange for her physical body entering a dormant state."
Snapfist leaned back in his chair and considered the ramifications if such a thing was true.
"How do you know this?" He asked.
Alex pulled out the pendant he found in the attic. "My mother left a series of notebooks explaining most but not all of her methods but it does include the method of reawakening her. It should state in my father's will that should touch her body while holding this necklace as that's the method of bringing her out of stasis."
"Yet his Will and your mother's inactivated Will were sealed by order of Albus Dumbledore in his position as Chief Warlock."
"Not only that but he was supposedly one of the first on the scene of my parents supposed murder. He declared both James and Lily dead despite the fact that a simple diagnostic charm would have revealed that my mother was very much alive."
"That almost sounds like he intentionally prevented her recovery." Snapfist mused.
Alex snorted. "It gets worse. Within a few days I am disposed of on the doorstep of child abusers, my Godfather is falsely imprisoned in Azkaban without trial and my Godmother is rendered insensate under the wand of renegade Deatheaters."
Snapfist bared his teeth and growled angrily. "Once might have been happenstance, twice a coincidence."
"But third is enemy action." Alex completed the saying.
Snapfist grinned viciously. This youngster understood. "And don't think I didn't notice your comment about the imprisoned Lord Black."
"I'm working on that too." Alex admitted.
Snapfist reached behind himself and pulled down binder of parchment from the bookshelves and pawed through it.
"These are a collection of copies of various decrees and rulings as relate to yourself, Mr Potter." Snapfist informed Alex. "As your account manager I must keep abreast of such things."
The goblin seemed to have found what he was looking for and took a second to read through before nodding in satisfaction.
"The Wizengamot ruling to emplace Albus Dumbledore as your Magical Guardian was deemed 'due to the tragic deaths of your parents, this august body hereby declares Chief Warlock Albus Brian Wulfric Percival Dumbledore as the Magical Guardian of the child Harry Potter.'" Snapfist quoted the document.
Alex grinned. "Which means that if one of my parent's was not dead…"
"Then their ruling would become null and void and guardianship both Magical and Mundane would automatically return to your mother." Snapfist confirmed.
"Excellent." Alex said and felt a tension he didn't know he was holding leave his shoulders, he grinned at Lyn as he felt her place a hand comfortingly on his knee.
"Gringotts can arrange to exhume your mother's grave at your earliest convince." Snapfist began, eager to make progress.
Alex winced. "Yeah, that. I'm not going to be able to actually revive my mum until next summer."
"Whyever not?" Snapfist asked in confusion.
Alex sighed. "There's going to be trouble at Hogwarts this year and I need my mum's ongoing protection to ward off the shade of Voldemort that's going to be at the school."
"I'm afraid you've lost me, Mr Potter." Snapfist was now becoming concerned that he had misjudged the child and that maybe he was just insane.
Alex shook his head. "I can't reveal how I know but I do know that Voldemort is not dead. He took precautions to prevent his demise years ago. Right now, he's a shade of his former self and will be infiltrating the school in an attempt to steal what was in vault 713."
Snapfist froze then said slowly. "Are you telling me you might have information on the attempted break-in of vault 713 that occurred last night."
Alex nodded. "I can't prove anything yet but I know it was Professor Quirinus Quirrell who attempted to steal the Philosopher's stone from the vault."
"Mr Potter." Snapfist said sternly. "This is a matter of great importance to the Goblin Nation."
Alex sighed again. "I know. I'm sorry that I can't tell you more. I don't know how much Voldemort can feel in his current state but I need him to keep acting like he is now to eventually fall into the trap I am preparing for him."
"And what would a boy such as yourself be able to do to trap a Dark Lord that plagued Wizarding Britain for the better part of a decade." Snapfist almost sneered but it was close.
Alex let some of his magic, tinged with deeper and darker energies from both his Necromantic perk and his Ghost King perk, seep to the surface causing his eyes to glow and his hair to ruffle in a non-existent breeze while the shadows of the room deepened and stretched.
"Do not think me some powerless child, Snapfist." Alex said as the Goblin felt the pressure of the magic choking the air in the room.
Alex released the magic and the pressure as Snapfist swallowed his words.
"You, Mr Potter." Snapfist said after he had recovered and reevaluated the boy — no, the young man — before him as well as noticing that his female companion was completely unphased by the display of power. "Are certainly more than you appear."
Alex nodded. "Next summer I will hopefully have defeated Tom Riddle, aka Lord Voldemort, again and will be able to reveal more. I do apologise but I promise you that I do not have any physical proof of what I say regardless."
Snapfist accepted the apology as without actionable proof there would be little they could do anyway. He would still pass on the information gleaned from the young man and Quirinus Quirrell's movements would be watched most carefully by Gringotts.
"There's two more things we must deal with before I go." Alex informed the goblin.
"And they are?"
"Are there any betrothal contracts arranged for me by Dumbledore and what can you tell me about my current properties and assets."
"There is a drafted betrothal contract between yourself and a Ms. Ginevra Molly Weasley, it has been signed by a Molly Prewett but has yet to signed by you Magical Guardian."
Beside Alex Lyn struggled to hide her mirth. "Would it really be so bad?" She asked Alex.
Alex rolled his eyes but otherwise ignored her. "Please store the draft in the main family vault." He told Snapfist.
Snapfist nodded and grinned at the deviousness worthy of a goblin. "The contract can only be destroyed or signed by either the signatory, your Magical Guardian or your Head of House, the family vault is inaccessible to your Magical guardian and until you reach your majority you may not remove any documents from the family vault. A wonderful use of loopholes to prevent the contract being enforced or a new one created while this one exists."
Alex nodded knowing that he couldn't really take credit for the idea as it's what Snapfist had suggested himself in the fic.
"It shall be done." Snapfist said as he wrote something down on a slip of parchment and rang a small golden bell which summoned a Vaultrunner who took the slip and left.
"Now as to your assets and properties."
Snapfist listed off the totals of his trust vault and the family vault as well as the various properties and investments that Alex had through Harry. He had access to a significant wealth yet had more from his own private stores in the Warehouse. He did have some very nice shares in muggle companies, especially the ones he had in 'Apple.'
Alex suggested a few other companies that he knew were likely to do well over the coming decades. Hopefully the nineties of the Harry Potter world mirrored his own's history enough to take advantage of the coming boom in technology and social media.
He had lost the cottage in Godric's Hollow as Albus Dumbledore had signed off on it becoming a memorial and a tourist attraction. He had a summer bungalow on the coast of France that was in good condition and he needed to sign off on the final construction permissions for the repairs of the Potter Family Manor.
"The official permissions and payments were granted by James Potter as the Head of House before his death. We just need a final confirmation on the design to proceed in repairs which you are able to do as the heir." Snapfist explained.
Alex looked over the design and signed off on it. Any changes he might want to make could be done himself after the repairs were complete.
"Before you go, Mr Potter, to whom may we address future correspondence while we get your mail-redirection spell sorted."
"Actually, can you leave the mail tampering alone for now?" Alex asked. "I don't want to tip Dumbledore off on how much I know yet."
Alex then had an idea and grinned. "In fact, can you start sending me weekly financial reports via owl instead of monthly. I'm sure the fee levied for every act of tampering with Official Gringotts correspondences is quite significant."
Snapfist barked out another longer laugh and actually had to wipe a tear from his eye. The fines were not small and a weekly statement would just mean they could fine the whiskered meddler fifty-two times a year instead of only twelve.
"A plan worthy of a goblin, Mr Potter."
Alex bowed his head in acknowledgement of the compliment.
"If you need to actually contact me for something important then I can leave you this." Alex said and pulled a thin rectangular plane of crystal from his P-comm. It was about as thick as a finger and a little larger than an A4 piece of paper.
"And this is?" Snapfist asked as he took to offered crystal board while trying not to show his interest in whatever storage enchanted device the young man had used.
"It's like a muggle fax-machine." Alex said and continued when he saw that the goblin understood as to the device he was referring to.
"Place a letter on the surface and then press here." Alex pointed to a series of lightly raised icons on the glasslike edges. "It will light up and send an image of the letter to myself. It doesn't matter if its in an envelope or folded or multiple pages, it will be able to capture all of it."
Gem-tech imaging software was able make use of many types of light in many different ways to capture incredible detailed images of things, inside and out. Repurposing the equivalent of a futuristic MRI machine into a glorified scanner was not difficult. The images of the letters would be forwarded to his P-comm and the Virtual Intelligence attached to the P-comm could easily run them through text recognition programs to convert the correspondences into easy-to-read emails.
"Truly?" Snapfist ran a clawed finger along the crystal causing it to light up dimly. "Are you able to make more of these?"
Alex grinned. "I'm sure something can be arranged."
By the time Alex and Lyn left Gringrotts he had made a significant profit and had an agreement to supply a hundred of the scanners as well as a set of imaging crystals that could receive the images and even convert them to standardised print. Alex already had ideas brewing to build and supply more items such as printers and maybe even modified P-comms once he could incorporate runes into the tech. A modified Gemino runescheme would work much better than a fully tech-based printer given the likelihood of non-standard parchment sizes for printing.
⦖⋄⦕
Snapfist was ushered into the cavernous stone room deep within the bowels of Gringotts.
"Speak Accounts Manager, Does the boy have honour?" The words were growled out from the large goblin seated upon the Basalt Throne.
"My Liege." Snapfist swallowed nervously. "The young Potter heir does indeed have honour. He spoke the appropriate greetings and dismissals much like his mother before him, he was courteous yet not subservient and…" Snapfist was unsure if he should continue.
"And?" Ragnok; the Director of Gringotts, King in all but name, pressed.
"He stood his ground when challenged, he did not insult the Nation by drawing his wand yet his magic was far stronger than his age would imply, making the still air of the office churn and pressing down on those around him."
"Hmmm." Ragnok leant back against the cold rock of the throne as he contemplated the Account Managers words.
"My Liege." Snapfist sought to speak.
"Speak." Rognok allowed.
"He claimed that his mother Lily Potter still lives."
"Truly?" Ragnok asked sceptical. "Lily Potter was a fierce woman and the Nation was saddened at her death. What proof does the boy offer?"
"He claims that he had journals describing the method Lily Potter used to defend her child from the Dark Lord, that she is in fact in a state of stasis until he can revive her."
Ragnok considered Snapfist's words. "If the boy is speaking truly then the revival of his mother will verify his claims. Should he speaking falsely then his failure to resurrect his mother will give way his deceit and we will not trust his words again."
"As you proclaim, My Liege." Snapfist bowed.
"What of these 'Scanners' and 'Imaging Crystals?'" Rognok moved the meeting forward and picked up the report he had received earlier that day mentioning the purchase of a fair quantity of these devices for a very modest sum.
"They appear to work as described." Snapfist reported. "One set was sent via international portkey to our branch in Egypt. The letter scanned and sent arrived instantly and could be easily viewed on the imaging crystals surface. Initial experimentation has found the devices to be incredibly intuitive and secure."
Ragnok nodded. He wasn't a fool and could see that these devices would be incredibly useful for rapid communication between the branches of Gringotts. Similar devices had been made before using small boxes based on vanishing cabinets yet they were expensive, prone to breaking and had almost led to disaster when a cursebreaker had sent a particularly nasty amulet through. These new scanners could become the answer they were looking for especially since they could only transmit images making them much less of a security risk.
"Have our Crafters examine the devices and attempt to understand their construction and magics, implement their use between the three major branches yet restrict communication through the devices to level four and lower priority information." He told Snapfist. It wouldn't do to use the new devices without verifying their security.
"Either the young Potter heir will prove himself a trustworthy patron of the Nation or we will discover the workings of his creations. Until then we will not risk Goblin secrets being exposed."
"It will be done." Snapfist bowed low.
⦖⋄⦕