08 Goblin Reports
Disclaimer: This Harry Potter story was written for fun. All rights belong to the wonderful lady (JK Rowling) who gave the world Harry Potter to read and enjoy. No ships. Bashing around everyone.
CHANGE SCENE &&***
Report by Vault Manager Ironstream to Gringotts Chief Ragnock
Honoured Chief Boulder:
Today was my first opportunity to meet and talk with my client, Heir Potter, that has ever occurred. As feared, Liar* Albus Dumbledore has shared nothing or offered any opportunities for education regarding the Potter estate, vaults, responsibilities, and holdings with the young heir.
* To offer less offence to any human followers of Albus Too-Many-Names Dumbledore reading this report, I will refrain from labelling him as liar, thief, or charlatan in the subsequent sentences. The chance of any such human reading this report is most unlikely, but like all goblins, I prefer to be polite when slicing off my enemy's nose.
Before today, Heir Potter believed that he had a single vault to pay for his education at Hogwarts and was unaware of the extent of his wealth. The wizard altered between tears and fury as he learned of the information hidden from him since 1990 (when he was ten years old and should have been first informed).
ACTION: Bring legal action against Albus Dumbledore for failing to act as proper custodian of the Potter estate. Heir Potter is wholly unprepared to assume the control of the estate – see Emancipation below.
The young wizard has been raised by his mother's squib sister and her husband. The relationship was troubled for many years (?) but the individuals have reached a détente for this summer holiday and have provided Potter with freedom and food. The human came to London without his wand – the prohibition against using his magic in the summer and the intense scrutiny the ministry maintains over him has made him leery of any use of his wand.
ACTION: Bring legal action against Albus Dumbledore for child abuse by neglect, inaction, and violating the laws of Magical Britain.
ACTION: Bring charges of theft against Albus Dumbledore for stealing the maintenance fees that have been withdrawn from the Potter Education Vault and supposedly paid to the persons caring for him. Heir Potter stated that his muggle guardians have received no money to support him since he was placed in their care in 1981.
The heir has been emancipated. Heir Potter was not aware that his forced participation in the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry meant that the government of Magical Britian and the school recognized him as an adult. When he brings the wand on a future visit, I shall provide the services of a runes master to ensure that the trace has been removed and CANNOT be reapplied.
ACTION: Bring legal action against Albus Dumbledore for withholding vital information from the young Lord Potter. As an adult, Potter could sue the Daily Prophet for defamation, charge Dumbledore with illegal confinement (with the squib relative) and sue multiple individuals including three Aurors for aiding and abetting this illegal confinement.
There have been mail wards in place that prevent the young lord from receiving regular postal owl mail. He never received any Gringotts Statements (monthly or annual summary), mail from other students, etc. While this protection was certainly needed immediately following the events of 1981, his guardian could have made use of the Gringotts service to sort mail and report abuses to the DMLE.
ACTION: Upon his return to Gringotts tomorrow, the mail wards will be changed. And all Gringotts statements will be hand delivered to Lord Potter's personal elf for delivery. Tomorrow, I shall offer the young wizard the chance to place the Potter family ring on his hand and become Lord Harry Potter.
He has asked that I prepare to assist him with betrothal agreements, and a strategy for placating Minister Cornelius Fudge, short of bribing the wizard, to leave Potter alone.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The highly trained and valuable elf named ''Dobby' disappeared twenty years ago. Lord Arcturus Black determined that his Gringotts Vault Manager managed the estate and vaults of the Black family so well, that there was no longer a need for a steward who depended upon this elf to manage communication, contracts, etc. I am certain that you remember Sowsbreath's proposal to Lord Black was based upon the wizard selling the elf to Gringotts. When the elf vanished (into the kitchens at Black Castle) Gringotts scrambled to find human accountants and managers to fulfil all the roles the elf had provided. And it was ten years before the Black vaults began to return the level of profits that Sowsbreath had promised for that first year.
The elf was included in the dowry of Narcissa Black when she was married to Lucius Malfoy. They used the elf to care for Mr Malfoy's wardrobe, Mrs Malfoy's jewellery, and to change the nappies (?) of their only child. Mr Malfoy never understood the value of the elf and abused the creature. In 1992, Mr Malfoy made several blunders (refer to reports from Agent Flitwick in Hogwarts regarding appearance of the Dark Lord's Soul Jar(!) in the school, etc.) New information I received today includes the presence of an enormous basilisk underneath the school, Lord Potter's slaughter of the monster (TRUE! Memory available for viewing in my Pensieve), and then the young wizard's manipulation of Lucius Malfoy to free the elf with a dirty sock. Dobby immediately bound himself to Harry Potter but pretended to be free (freedom is not possible for house elves).
There are other dangerous trials thrown at the young wizard including meeting his godfather – Sirius Black – in the 1993-1994 school year. Lord Potter hopes to see his godfather at some point this summer and I respectfully request the elders ADVISE me in what manner to present information and disclosures to Mr Black.
Referencing the status of the Dark Lord Tom Riddle, Heir Potter refused to state that the Dark Lord had returned. This remains true to form (per our agent at Hogwarts). Potter stated firmly that he was confused that night due to poison injected into his leg by a giant spider he encountered in the third task. He insists that Albus Dumbledore's statements to the Dailly Prophet and the Wizengamot are NOT his beliefs.
Respectfully submitted,
Ironstream Potter Family Vault Manager, Fleamont Family Vault Manager, Perevell Legacy Vault Manager
Goblin 27 Grip 6481
Human 19 July 1995
CHANGE SCENE &&***
Report by Vault Manager Ironstream to Gringotts Chief Ragnock
Honoured Chief Boulder:
Today, the house elf Dobby popped his wizard into our elf receiving room. There were two problems in Little Whinging last evening that occurred because of my first meeting with the young wizard. His absence from the property was noticed by the magically enhanced eye of Alastor Moody (Auror-Retired) and led to a confrontation between the two wizards. Potter told the retired Auror to depart from the sidewalk in front of Privet Drive and Moody drew his wand to threaten the boy.
There was a loud bang (the boy described it as a car backfiring but that did not give me a suitable reference) and Moody disappeared. Our watchers at Saint Mungo's report the veteran of the last war was admitted in Casualty at 4:15 PM and remained in a treatment room until 7:00 AM this morning. Potter reported the other vagrants left and as far as he can tell, no one has returned.
The second problem arose when the teenage wizard entered the home and spoke to his aunt and uncle about obtaining a notarised statement affirming, they had received no monies (pounds) to pay for his upkeep – food, clothing, shoes, medical care. He assured them this would allow Gringotts to pursue charges of theft against Albus Too-Many-Names Dumbledore.
Unfortunately, the adults had lied to the young wizard. Because their son, Dudley was present, the couple were forced (by this son) to admit they received £500 each month since November 1991 through the current month. (45 months x 500 = £22,500).
This figure matches with the withdrawals by Dumbledore so the bank cannot pursue theft charges at this time. Young Lord Potter and his cousin reached an agreement to not pursue any charges against his aunt and uncle so long as they ignored the boy for the remainder of the summer.
The elf Dobby was restrained from wreaking havoc on the adult muggles only by the strongest orders from his wizard. This autumn, Gringotts will check with muggle Inland Revenue and advise Lord Potter of any penalties his aunt and uncle should pay.
The first matter I wished to address today was to provide the young wizard with his family ring. There was a great deal of hesitation on the boy's part to put on the ring and assume the formal title of Heir Potter or Lord Potter. With the assistance of the elf, I learned that the boy wants to depart these shores as soon as possible.
At first, I was unable to understand why the wizard wanted to leave the land where so much of his wealth was concentrated. Once again, he reminded me of the bigotry at Hogwarts and throughout Magical Britain, the dangers he'd faced in four years attending the school, and the continued danger of Lord VoldeHorse (another new name that Potter provided instead of using the nom de guerre adopted by Tom Riddle).
There is a loophole in the Hogwarts contract that muggleborn and muggle-raised students enter when they arrive and are sorted – after their fifth year and successful passage of three or more OWLS, their muggle guardians can legally withdraw them from further education at Hogwarts (provided they do not use their wands until age 17 and/or obtain tutoring and guidance from recognised wizards and witches to complete their studies). If the young magical muggleborn or muggle-raised wizard LEAVES Great Britain as well as Magical Britain, they fall under the laws of the new nation where they establish residency.
I have managed the Potter Family Vaults for almost a century and knew the young lord's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Each of those men were extremely proud of their family's role in Magical Britian, its history, and culture. However, why did they not prepare for the proper education of the heir? Only so much blame can be laid at the feet of Albus Too-Many-Names Dumbledore.
Young Lord Potter has few friends and fewer reasons to feel good toward Magical Britain. Gringotts must fulfil our obligations to the vault holder, and I am thankful that I have eleven months to prepare.
I explained how becoming Heir Potter or Lord Potter would provide the young wizard with access to more of his wealth as well as authority to sell contracts, businesses and land. (This is an opportunity to throw dust* at the Ministry and open lands and houses that are behind wards for sell to muggles.)
*Potter asked about the expression 'throw dust' and after we discussed the meaning, he said the muggle equivalent was to say, 'thumb your nose' and we shared a laugh because of the size of my nose. Dobby spent two minutes thumbing his nose and promised to teach the expression and gesture to every house elf in Magical Britain.
After a midmorning tea, Potter and his elf discussed the pros and cons of taking on the ring. Dobby assured his wizard that the ring would be invisible and not recognized by any professor at Hogwarts or at the Ministry for Magic.
I request respectfully that the following information NOT be shared with our agent at the school. No one outside the halls of Gringotts can know this.
Harry Potter agreed to don the Potter ring and become Lord Potter. The elf retrieved the ring in the formal box from my desk without me being aware. He examined the ring, smiled and handed the open box to his wizard.
The boy pulled the ring from the box and slipped it onto his finger. He cried out once and collapsed. The elf would not allow me to summon help and after only a few seconds, something evil was ejected from the wizard's forehead. The elf cared for his wizard, while I raised substantial wards in the office. The mist attempted to possess me but could not penetrate my stone-hard skin. It approached the elf, but Dobby simply waved a finger at the swirling mist to throw it into the far corner of the room. Before it could fly back and attempt to possess the boy, I closed the wards around it, containing it in a box that grew smaller and stronger with each moment.
NOTE: Upon inspection by elders and secret magic holders, they left the mist confined within box but moved it to their secure and warded caverns deep under the bank. I believe this thing is a bit of the soul of Lord VoldeSocks as Lord Potter named him. The protections and power of the family magic in the Potter ring ejected the parasite from the scar on the boy's forehead.
Lord Potter recovered after only ten minutes. Then he apologised for the excitement, begged to be excused for the remainder of the day, and promised to return tomorrow.
Respectfully submitted,
Ironstream Potter Family Vault Manager, Fleamont Family Vault Manager, Perevell Legacy Vault Manager
Goblin 28 Grip 6481
Human 20 July 1995
CHANGE SCENE &&***
Report by Vault Manager Ironstream to Gringotts Chief Ragnock
Honoured Chief Boulder:
Lord Potter arrived this morning in the Gringotts receiving room and he began by thanking every goblin there for their assistance the past two days. This behaviour is unprecedented by a wizard. It left several goblins unsettled and suspicious of the boy's motives.
I escorted the young wizard to my real office, and he immediately asked about the names on the name plate – Potter, Fleamont, and Perevell. Inside my office, he admired the awards and the trophies. He asked several questions about the trophy wands and then took the seat as I indicated.
Lord Potter spoke of dealing with volumes of family magic overnight while the ring helped him build his Occlumency defences – he expects to spend hours every day until the anniversary of his birth fortifying his mind against all intrusion. We reviewed several ledgers, and he deferred to my advice in every instance.
The house elf became agitated after an hour and Lord Potter asked the little fellow about the reason for his distress. The elf could feel another elf wanting to come into my office to submit to Lord Potter. With wards raised to their highest level of protection (to prevent any attempt to kidnap the wizard) Dobby Potter Elf popped out and returned with a ragged, elderly elf.
The elf stared at Lord Potter for a moment and cried before kneeling to say, "This elf be Kreacher Black Elf, and I come to begs Lord Black to complete mission and task of my goods master, Regulus Blacks. Master Regulus defied the false lord Snake-in-Grass when master discovered that Dark Snake make multiple many soul jars to keep him alive when he should be dead dying and done."
Dobby asked, "Why be Kreacher come to Lord Potters?"
The elf blinked with snot running down his nose (a characteristic of too many living creatures) and replied, "This wizard be Lord Black! Mangy stupid half-blood wizard with blood of Blacks. And Black Family Magics tells Kreacher to come finds and ask him to clean, cleanse, and crumple Dark Snake's soul jar."
BACKGROUND: Regulus Black (1961 -1979) was the second son of Orion Black (Heir Black until his death in 1991.) When Lord Arcturus Black died in 1993, Lucius Malfoy stated that his son, Draco Malfoy was the new Lord Black. Magic did not agree, and Lucius Malfoy was banned from the bank for six months.
The elf pulled an ancient artefact hidden inside the tea towel to show. This locket is supposedly from the time of Salazar Slytherin who is credited with creation of the piece. (Evidence suggests it was crafted three centuries later and was made a part of the Slytherin legends). Immediately it was evident that the locket was corrupt with the same evil presence as the mist ejected from Lord Potter the previous day. And the artefact was contained by wards in my office and then taken into custody by the elders and secret magic users. Their language was so abusive toward the Dark Snake that I hoped nothing in Lord Potter's family magic provided a translation.
Lord Potter was sceptical about being Lord Black (and reluctant), but Kreacher explained that 'Bad Son Sirius Black' was crazy with Black Family Madness and if the dog(?) put on Lord Black's ring, the family magic would kill Sirius 'like his mother always wanted to do.' These comments disturbed Lord Potter.
With information from the elders and secret magic users, I was able to assure Lord Potter that the soul jar would be destroyed and agreed that Kreacher would be called to witness the destruction.
And Lord Potter promised to give Kreacher's information (plea) to become Lord Black due consideration before his birthday and decide then. The elf cried and said, "If not Potters half-blood, then Malfoy brat becomes Lord Black with all the vaults in the world!"
Once the elf departed and we completed our review of the Potter accounts, I inquired with young Lord Potter if he had brought his magical focus with him at some point in the morning. The young wizard was aware that he had to ask for permission to draw his wand inside Gringotts the wards that protect Gringotts. With my verbal permission, Lord Potter's wand popped out of a wrist holder. I asked him to lay the wand on my desk which he did though the wizard and the elf divided their attention equally between the wand and me thereafter.
I kept both hands flat on my desk and explained that there were secret magic users among the goblins who specialised in magic artefacts such as the cursed items of the Dark Lord and as well as rings, necklaces, and wands. The young lord inquired as to why I thought his wand needed to be examined by this goblin.
My explanation of removing the trace (if it remained on the wand even though he was emancipated) and looking for other charms or curses placed on the wand caused the wizard to hiss. He apologised for cursing in my presence, but the elf whispered, "Youse speaking Snakie-Snake talk, Mr Harry Potters."
This comment caused the boy to blush and apologise a second time. I assured him that I was in no way insulted for him to use Parseltongue in my presence. It was also telling that there was not punishment commanded for the elf to have spoken out of place with his master.
With his permission, I summoned Copperknife to my office. The secret magic user arrived in only ten minutes and Lord Potter gave an adequate greeting to the senior expert in magical theories as practiced and taught inside Gringotts Bank. The memory of their interaction is recorded in my Pensieve for your viewing pleasure.
Respectfully submitted,
Ironstream Potter Family Vault Manager, Fleamont Family Vault Manager, Perevell Legacy Vault Manager
Goblin 29 Grip 6481
Human 21 July 1995
CHANGE SCENE &&***
Harry's Meeting with Copperknife 21 July
Harry observed the old goblin openly but without any expression on his face. He looked twice at the fellow's head – his scalp appeared to stone with bits and pieces flaking off. Looking behind the figure, Harry believed the goblin left a trail of dust and small stones behind his robes.
"Honoured Copperknife Secret Magic User, I thank you for the moments you give to me and my vault holder, Lord Harry James Potter, Lord Potter, Lord Fleamont and Lord Perevell."
The goblin turned his attention to the human who bowed at the waist and said, "I welcome you, Copperknife Secret Magic User."
The goblin turned his attention from Ironstream to the human and his elf. The long claws on each finger twitched and Harry realized the goblin was a master of wandless magic.
"What question do you have at the forefront of your mind, young human?" asked Copperknife.
Harry smiled and stated, "I am curious about casting magic without a wand…or magical focus. Goblins are denied the right to use wands, and I have observed Ironstream's spells at work here in his office without a magical focus. Your claws seem to drip with magical spells."
"Excellent question!" Copperknife replied. "Humans…no, wizards! Wizards are a separate subset of humans that I have always found to be particularly shortsighted. When your ancestor Henry Fleamont brought the first draft of the peace treaty to Gringotts in the human year 1660, he believed that he scored a great triumph by denying goblins the right to use any wands."
"Why was that?" asked Harry though he wanted to ask questions about this many-greats-grandfather.
The old goblin grinned and displayed a mouth filled with teeth capped with gold that flashed in the light. "During the war, the wizards observed goblin magic users standing behind our front-line warriors using what appeared to be magical wands. We allowed several of our wands to be seized by the wizards to convince them that we were using them as our magical focus to cast spells.
Harry nodded, "So you used wands as a feint. Was there a great gnashing of golden teeth during the treaty negotiations over the wands?"
"There was and I enjoyed sparing with your many greats grandfather," Copperknife replied.
"You were there? That was three-hundred-and-thirty years in the past."
"Three-hundred-and-thirty-five years to be exact!" Copperknife commented. "But your ability with arithmancy is better than most purebloods."
"That's just simple maths that all children are taught in regular – muggle – schools."
"You may call the muggle world the regular world," Copperknife granted the young wizard. "Goblins count the stupidity of wizards as a boon to our safety and future existence – they can't do simple math, so they depend upon us to sum and subtract their accounts each month, collect their taxes, and administer their wills."
Copperknife continued saying, "Some of my favourite memories are taking my nafflings to performances of William Shakespeare's plays in at the Globe Theatre across London in the regular world."
His eyes growing wide, Harry asked, "You knew Shakespeare?"
"Never met that human but I did enjoy his theatre productions. Those were the years before the English Civil War that killed the king and almost destroyed the wizards in Britain. Once that unpleasantness ended, a king was restored, and this new monarch forced the Treaty of Separation on his kingdoms. Then across all of Europe, the wizards forced the Statute of Secrecy into place."
Frowning Harry asked, "How was it you were able to go out in public like that? Didn't the regular people…weren't they afraid of you?"
The goblin lifted one hand across his face, and it transformed into the face of an elderly man, his body shifted slightly to look more human but without additional height. "At that time, many people were short, and my nafflings and I appeared as regular Londoners in the theatre."
With another wave of his hand, Copperknife appeared in the clothing of a rich man from that time with a collar of ruffles around the neck that threatened to choke him. "I would never appear dressed like this without fifty guards around me in London of that time – thieves were more numerous than the words in one of Shakespeare's dramas."
"Do goblins go out today?" asked the excited young wizard.
"That's not a question you should ask," Copperknife replied.
Grinning, the young lord bowed once again and said, "Thank you for the education and sharing a piece of history with me this morning, Copperknife Secret Magic User."
"Polite and sincere – he's extraordinary Ironstream! Where have you hidden this wizard from me?"
Thereafter followed a dialogue by Ironstream and Harry of the boy's life beginning with the death of his parents, the years at Privet Drive without any support, and then a condensed version of the young wizard's adventures at Hogwarts. As the tales were told, Copperknife pursed his lips, spit against the wall in Ironstream's office twice (the sputum caused some stone to flake off) and muttered in the goblin tongue.
Harry noticed that Ironstream's face registered surprise from time to time to the secret magic user's different reactions. But Dobby appeared to be calm throughout the exchange of information.
When Harry and Ironstream finished telling Copperknife the outline of the boy's experiences in life, Magical Britain, and Hogwarts, the old goblin asked, "Is there any human adult that you trust?"
Shaking his head immediately, Harry replied, "No. I don't trust any professor, or anyone associated with the Ministry for Magic. I don't trust my aunt or uncle either."
Seeing Copperknife glance at Ironstream, Harry stated, "I don't have any reason to doubt my vault manager's words. But I believe he has a goblin's perspective on people and events around me. He'll take care of my vaults and give me honest advice about money and investments."
Copperknife smiled again, revealing the gold points on the end of each tooth. He said, "The wizards have no idea what they've allowed to happen, do they?"
"Pardon?" Harry asked for clarification to ensure he understood the magic user.
"Lord Potter, I believe it safe to say that you would not deign to piss on any fire burning in Magical Britain," Copperknife explained.
Sneering for the first time, Harry Potter replied, "Piss on a fire? The truth of the matter is that I'm more likely to throw petrol on the fire to burn Magical Britain to ashes! Magical Britain can hang itself for all I care."
Copperknife cackled, an impossible thing – goblins did not have a sense of humour. Today the ancient goblin realized that he liked – felt good – about the young wizard's words. The Gringotts horde would face challenges soon, but their magic was strong, their warriors were well trained, and their defences were formidable. Let the wizards scramble and starve as their prejudiced society fell apart in chaos and fire; goblins would survive and rebuild from the ashes.
"Now, Ironstream wanted me to look at your magical focus," stated Copperknife turning his attention to the wand lying on Ironstream's desk. Harry's attention turned toward the desktop where Copperknife once again waved his claws to cast 'wandless' spells.
"The wizard Oppenheimer is a passable workman, but I shall never refer to him as a craftsman," commented Copperknife. Harry's face registered surprise to hear the goblin magic user misstate Garrick Ollivander's name; Oppenheimer was one of the men who helped invent the atomic bomb. Ironstream did not react, but Dobby did reach up and pull lightly on Harry's trouser leg. The young wizard understood this meant to not interrupt or attempt to correct the magic user.
"With the change in your magic from expelling the tiny bit of that Phvyhgs- Sturrdel-Gryhiglzehwe, the wand may perform differently for you.," Copperknife continued Copperknife. His eyes were drawn to the young wizard's hand where the Potter family ring lay. "I read Ironstream's reports about you taking the Potter ring and that will change your magic somewhat as well though I imagine you are discounting the traditions and precedents you're finding."
Harry didn't respond and the goblin magic user added, "I advise you to take the Black family ring also and combine the family magics. With that power and insight, you may decide to loot Magical Britain of every ounce of gold before you burn it to the ground."
"I suggest we wait to adjust the wand until after you decide about family rings. This will allow your family magics to settle; remember, you can force your opinions and beliefs on those magics!"
"Thank you, Copperknife Secret Magic User."
"When should the young lord return and seek your assistance with his wand?"
"Will you come down from Scotland at Yule?" asked Copperknife.
"Every year before, the headmaster has restricted me to the castle during the winter and spring breaks," Harry replied. "I imagine this year will be no different. But there will be Hogsmeade weekends where I am allowed to wander around the village and perhaps, I can slip away and visit Gringotts on a Saturday or Sunday."
"Even more, young lord, because you are emancipated, you can leave Hogwarts after 7:00 PM on any Friday so long as you return by 7:00 PM on Sunday," Ironstream stated.
"I have never heard…" surprised Harry began to stammer.
"Check with the seventh-year students in your house who are already seventeen years old when school begins," Ironstream suggested Ironstream. "Have your elf bring a letter advising me of your plans, and I shall have this old boulder available that weekend."
CHANGE SCENE &&***
Watching Copperfield as he departed, Harry noticed the goblin's fingers summoned all the bits of rock and dirt that had fallen from his head. He gathered the materials in his palm and swallowed it without chewing.
CHANGE SCENE &&***