£ Cat tongue £

$ Serpent tongue $

: High Mind Speech:

SPRB

The next morning, after a breakfast of leftovers chopped up, mixed with potatoes, and covered in cheese, the House did as they were asked by Harry.

Harry, Ted, and Hermione went to see the Goblins.

Tasha, Daphne, and Andi went to intercept the DMLE Witches and take them shopping for new clothes. Harry had insisted that Daphne wear a Harness, as both Human and Feline. He told the Girl that she could also pick out the Harness for him to wear when he was being a kitty outside of the house.

Emma and Dan were staying at the house. She was keeping an eye on Winky, he was walking the property for what was needed where.

Lupin was taking Padfoot to get a wash and haircut, before joining the ladies with the shopping. Harry told the Adult Child that he was being trusted with Little Daphne. Only if he failed her, he would not get a chance to revisit the memories.

Lord Potter, Aunty Hermione, and Advisor Tonks went to the Brazil Branch of Gringotts.

As they crossed into the Lobby of the Bank, Grindstone was quick to arrive to guide them to the boardroom. After making sure they were comfortable, Grindstone was about to head out.

"Grindstone. House Black and House Potter have a need for a local manager." Harry grinned, showing his teeth. "We find that you are a bit ambitious, and you don't scare easily, but you know when to step back. You also know how to handle brutes and Beasts."

Hermione also showed her teeth, "Join the meeting."

Grindstone nodded and trotted off.

Harry looked around the room. The table was set up as a triangle. Each side had three chairs against the table. There was a bench behind the chairs.

A few minutes later, Barchoke in a silk suit with the collar open and ascot untied, Ashraq in a linen suit of toupe, and an old Goblin in a black silk suit so old that it was dark blue.

"Lord Potter, Lord Black." Barchoke grinned at Harry. "We present Gripsaq. Your Grandfather's Litigator. We are representing House Black and House Potter for this inquiry. In place of our usual Fee, including but not limited to Travel and Expenses, we Require a piece of Goblin Craft."

Harry licked his lips. "In principle I can agree. It will depend on what you are demanding. I recognise that your Culture sees the concept of Ownership differently than we do. That said… what is in the Vaults are mine… until they are not mine." Harry sat in the centre of one Side of the table. "That said, I presume you have items selected." Ted sat beside Harry as Hermione sat on the other.

Barchoke handed half of the files in his hands to Ted. "The third file has the list of items from both Houses, and we each have requested three items.

Harry looked at the list. "And what would you do with the Item… once it is in your possession?"

"Display it as a trophy for a year and a day, while the Clans argue whom is now entitled to the item." The old Goblin sneered.

"Gripsaq. You have marked a jeweled dagger from House Black." Harry tapped the page. "I think I am going to have to demand a second service before you take it. House Malfoy has sullied the name of House Black. Heir Malfoy has touched what is mine. Bleed them. Start with their gold, their Power, and their Blood. I would include their Honour… if they had any."

"Deal. It's a pleasure to do business with you my Lord." the old Goblin grinned widely.

"Also. Until the matter of Ownership is resolved within the Clan, keep the dagger on your person." Harry turned the page. "Sometimes you gotta cut a bitch. Especially if they have white hair and are from France."

The Goblins chuckled.

Harry looked through the file for a few minutes. "Ashraq. I see you have requested a set of Goblets and the matching decanter. Drink to my Health, Weath, and Power. Double my Vault Holdings."

"It's a pleasure to do business with you my Lord."

"Barchoke I am seeing things that are embossed with the Crest of Potter, Peverel, and Gryffindor. Now, while I get the Value of the craft workmanship, I can not let them go. I could allow my Account Managers to Hang the Items in their Offices for as long as they are handling My Accounts. Both Potter … and Black." He continued to flip through the pages, stopping on the last page.

"Barchoke. Ashraq. As the Official Envoys between House Potter and House Black, I think I found something that is a Craft… but it was not bought." He wet his lips. "I have an item in the Potter Vaults that was given as a Token of Brotherhood, Friendship, and Alliance. I think it is time to reforge those Bonds. The Axe of Ragnar. If I remember my butchered History of the Goblin Wars… this was …"

Hermione snatched it from his hands. "Do you know the value of this Artifact?"

"No." Harry snatched the sheet back. "What I do know is that it is twice as valuable as my Gift to the Current Head of the Nation. Houses Black and Potter seek to reforge and re affirm our Bonds of Brotherhood, Friendship, and Alliance. Please, House Account Managers, when you return to the Home Office, Deliver said Gift to the King."

The three Goblins swallowed. "You want us to carry a War Axe into the presence of the King?"

"You personally. No. You two know how best to present my Gift to the King." Harry returned to looking through the list. "Ah, Barchoke, what is this… Bloodblade of Bath?"

Tonks choked. "That thing is still in play?"

"What was it?" Harry asked.

"You no doubt know of the Wife of Bath. She was a Blood-witch. She killed her Husbands to collect their money and keep her youth." Ted spoke softly. "She killed five… but the Sixth was a Black staff. A wizard hunting Wizard. She tried to bleed him, but he turned the blade on her. When the Sun rose, both him and her body were gone. The Blade with them."

"A Blood-witch." Barchoke hissed. "But it has been there for so long…"

"You as a Race, know the Damage and Dangers of a Relic of this kind can bring." Harry tapped his finger on the entry. "Slag it. Burn it clean." He glared at the Goblins. "I notice that these are the Relics in my Vault. Not the contested ones that you have requested me to meet about."

Barchoke chuckled as Ashraq pulled out a shiny Galleon, and passed it to his colleague.

Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"We bet that he would overlook that detail." Barchoke's grin flashed his teeth.

Hermione groaned and passed Harry a Bookmark. "He said that you would try to cheat him as a Game of Competitive Profit. We agreed to Books as our Medium. We both have ten bookmarks. Each Bookmark represents a book of the Holders' choice."

"I am going to use mine to buy favours at a later date." Harry smirked.

"Second file." Barchoke flicked a long fingered hand. "The Contested items. Value. And Fine."

"Okay I see." Harry peered over the first page. "The first five are cheap gold… but the curse and or purpose hold a steep fine. The next three are pocket change… but the items are Goblin Craft. If you convascated everything, you couldn't fine me and you would be leaving money on the table." He flipped through the top ten pages. "My Trust Vault piled high type of money. And you could not just fine me and let me keep all of the Relics."

The Galleon slid back.

Harry leaned back. "I presume that bribery is not an option. If you would take it, not saying that you would, it would be Greater than just paying the Fine. You're Bloodthirsty and Greedy, not Stupid." Harry Frowned at the sheets before him. "Aunty Hermione. Your take on this." He passed the Contested File to her.

"You take her advice over His?" Gripsaq snarled, pointing to Ted.

"Yes." Harry nodded. "She has led me through some of the greatest threats to my life. The three for which she was sidelined, I was bitten by a Basilisk, Almost started a War with the Merfolk of the Lake, and Was used in a Necromantic Ritual to re-embody Tom Riddle."

Gripsaq sat up. "Who?"

Harry chuckled. "You know who."

"No I don't." The Goblin sneered.

Without looking up, Hermione reached out and slapped the back of his head.

"And now I see why you trust her." Barchoke chuckled.

Rubbing the spot where she made contact, Harry refocused on the old Goblin. "Apologies Elder. I saw a perfect opertunity. The person who the English Sheeple refer to as 'You know who' or as 'He who must not be named', was born as Tom Riddle."

Gripsaq thought about the last few minutes. "I conseed. Your word play was excellently timed." He bowed his head. "Be sure to walk the Brazil Branch Rep into as many as you can."

Hermione mumbled to herself as she was now making notes on the copy.

"On an unrelated note. One of your Relics that acquired from this mess, was a Silver Plated Skeleton of a Welsh Green." Barchoke Drummed his talons on the Desk. "I was thinking that the Bank would like to buy it."

"What for?"

"No reason." Barchoke now was picking his nails.

"I don't think I will sell." Harry interlaced his fingers. "But a Friend of The Nation might be enticed to loaning a Family Relic to the Bank… of course the Bank will insure said Relic for twice its base components." The three Goblins froze. "Oh We all Know, that's just a formality… After all, what really is protecting my Relic is the Goblin Nation's Honour."

"That's Low, Boy." Gripsaq sneered. "Good one." He turned to Ashraq, "Make a note. Before we are finished here, He will have a Goblin Mail Box… first year free."

Ted whistled.

The Doors opened and three Goblins and a Human in light silks entered.

The eldest Goblin sneered at Gripsaq, before addressing the youngest. "Thank you, Grindstone. You may return to your Duties."

"Thank you Master Hangnail." Grindstone bobbed a quick bow, before closing the doors and standing before them.

"I said that you were Dismissed." Hangnail turned his Sneer on the younger Goblin.

"Yes sir." He sneered back. "But before I went to get you or even Account Managers Barchoke and Ashraq, I was promoted."

"Barchoke. Ashraq." Harry Stood and smiled at them. "Grindstone will be handling House Accounts here in Brazil. That way you don't need to travel from London to kiss my ass, your protector can do it." Harry sneered at Hangnail. "Please direct him to his seat."

The Galleon slid back to Barchoke. "He Insults us and makes us look good doing it."

"His Father and Grandfather were Masters of the Art." Barchoke nodded.

The Human held the centre chair for Hangnail, as he climbed into it.

"I don't like you, boy." Hangnail sneered.

"That's easy. Stamp the File settled, fees paid and we can and will get out of your nose hair." Harry grinned at the Goblin. "We don't have to like each other, we just have to do Business together. The only one I need to get along with is Aunty." He showed his teeth. "My Auntie."

"If she were to have an accident?" The Human asked as he sat to Hangnail's left.

"Then the Branch will Burn." Harry's voice went cold. "She is all that keeps me Harnessed."

"You would risk a War with the Bank?" The third Goblin sneered.

"No… The Bank didn't threaten my Aunty. The Bank didn't come looking for a fight." Harry leaned on the table. "No… Just the Cowards who threatened me and mine."

Gripsaq started chucking. "Shore up your tunnel before you go digging in that direction."

"Now that the pleasantries have been exchanged, shall we get down to Business." Harry retook his seat. "My first question: how fixed is the Bank on the Fees and Fines? If there is some slide, I can be talked into returning to the Nation, one or two Relics."

"And what are you calling Relics?" The third Goblin inquired.

"A Craftwork of Value… older than fifty years."

TBC