Do you have any idea how useful that art is? Well we have been known to offer more than platinum rates for someone with those skills. Last I heard some of the foreign postings tended to still offer all the amenities. Hell's bells that last one had more money, power and partners than some of the kings. - Goblin Courier Swiftknife on Necromancers.
A little after the pair had been dropped off at Alice's house, they managed to round up Alice and Anne. After a very frustrating discussion of business matters, the group got themselves prepared. Well it had been a mix of business and pleasure as each of the girls briefed the group on their aspect of their joint business ventures. He had also met their proxy, Sarah. That she had managed to acquire control of several fringe clubs and ventures was a useful way to increase their resources.
'Feh,' Harry thought thinking back. 'She has helped the girls find plenty of prey to cull, and she also allowed them to avoid what I had first worried I was getting into with Alice's original situation. Free will and consent are too damn important. Never thought I would have some ventures in exotic entertainment or providing fool proof preventatives for the masses. Well I also didn't think that the girls would mellow any apprehension by a three headed blowjob while the remaining girl gave her report. It was damn effective though. I didn't even stress when they mentioned what my fan girls had been up to. Now that is a scary prospect having the girl gang that I was guarding practicing to be connoisseurs of the sensual and sexual arts.'
As it was, Harry had enjoyed the encounter and the increased money would allow him to leverage some of the things he had so far found on his list to complete both his ambition and his objectives. Still he was seriously thinking about having all meetings having some relaxation during it; even if it was merely some food and drinks, it would be an improvement on what he had overheard Vernon bitching about with his meetings. Part of that was the notion that Dora would likely not have a long report and that reclining while having her attentions if just enough to calm and not excite was an enjoyable one. For a moment he had thought about reversing the situation, where after a satisfactory report setting Dora loose as a reward, but he squished that after a moment in his mind's eye. The girls would enjoy it and the bits of what they had been doing with the girls he had protected gave him a very good indication that they would do so.
'I do worry what they will do to the school next year,' Harry thought as he raided his closets for appropriate attire. 'Alice can be a force of nature as can Anne when they set their sights on something. I would have expected Alice to do something more to get my less than readily given attentions before; however, I had believed she would have been far more direct in bringing my rival to heel. As it was, Anne was the one to have developed some dependencies, and now I know that her own further degradations have led to her needing more deprivations to satisfy her wants and desires.'
As he was searching his closets, the girls were still nude as they went over appropriate outfits. They would need the proper attire and equipment in case anything went wrong. Even if some wizards did not think of it as such they were all armed so what issue was there in carrying another weapon or several. It was with those thoughts that they were trying to mix intimidating and appealing. Each of the three was planning on a penetrative encounter after the bank matter was handled; therefore, they were planning for any situation that might occur in either event.
The three had agreed on black as it was sexy and intimidating. Hermione was met with approvals on her no longer seeming to have to cover herself with what would get in the way of their later fun and provided little protection; however, the three had talked about and Harry studiously blocked out their discussion on finer garments and which might be more appealing other than as little and as accessible as possible.
Thinking on it, Harry was sure he didn't want to pay attention to the discussion and the competition that Alice and Hermione were doing as they continued to prepare. He really didn't want to get distracted even if it would be enjoyable until after the Gringott's meeting. He was aware that he should be able to get more funds to expand and locate the rare and restricted ingredients he would need. The thrice blasted ministry had to monitor several things that he had yet to find common alternates to replace. The money that the clubs, potions and other ventures were producing was good, especially with the packaging of a combined potion pill that would prevent pregnancy and other issues. With a quicker potion to test that none of the clients or servers had any disease and those with the money among the clients were quickly cleaned, the girls had with Sarah rapidly removed the more tedious issues of such ventures.
'At least they know better than to get mixed in the more dangerous businesses,' Harry thought as he pulled the pants he had decided on. 'I don't think getting involved in the illegal drug trade would be profitable and safe enough even if I have less disinclination to do so with the potions trade. At least there I can use magic openly to cow those who would betray or otherwise bother my business. Considering that the girls went through with Sarah and arranged for Verisiterum to see why they joined the trade, I have little room to object with them finding most were desperate for money and being kept has been better than becoming one of the freelancers or those under a less mindful patron. Simple rules at least that they gave the workers: no drugs, no rape, keep themselves safe and attractive, and report any difficulties to be dealt with. Moving them into other ventures might not be too difficult if it wasn't for the fact that most are refined under one of the previous owners. Here I am not even twelve and I have at least one escort service and adult club to ensure the operations of. As long as they keep all activities consensual, I have no problem with them skirting any of the more idiotic laws just that they make sure not to get the officials involved.'
It was something that Harry had drilled ruthlessly into himself as well as his three followers. He did not wish to become anywhere the monster in human form that he had so long been ending. He didn't really care what someone found pleasurable and exciting so long as it did not unwillingly harm the participants. He found that Hermione and the rest seemed somewhat inclined to mixing some physical discipline into their games and thus was in no position to criticize the hedonists that sought to explore sensations.
'Besides our sacrifices offer themselves to us by their own actions,' Harry thought as he tested the silk shirt, magical and reinforced of course. 'Still there is what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is evil, what is moral and what is immoral, what is legal and what illegal, as well as what is ethical and what is unethical to consider. The legality of things is no proper judge considering certain prohibitions are in the face of common sense. Morality is in ways no more than what the social harpies seem to want as law but not often succeeded in doing. As for the others, they are more for philosophers and religious scholars to interpret as sometimes good guys do evil things and vice versa; therefore, I am more inclined to develop a sense of ethics and what rules I chose to live my life by. I do not murder, I kill. I do not rape, though I may seduce. I do not lie when I can bend the truth. I protect those that I must not just those who deserve it, and yet will readily strike those who seek to harm my protected regardless of what some think is the response.'
As he started to button his shirt, Harry noticed the girls were getting there in their own dressing. He was grateful that he had been so caught up in his own thoughts as he clearly heard the advice that Sarah was giving the three mostly undressed ladies. He had no need to do anything with her and her own needs were being met so that was a non issue in their mostly business relationship. For the most part, Harry consigned her to a role of his vassal's vassal. He had read up enough to know better than to even imply they were his minions, even if they were, in the company of the light wizards and witches or those that automatically believed a minion had to serve someone sinister.
Oh he admitted, he could be quite sinister to whoever crossed him, but he was quite aware that he, while lacking some social graces do to his childhood, was someone who had a somewhat archaic notion in regards to certain behavior and respect among them. Still he was often whispered about as a quiet and cold boy, but remarkably polite and helpful. That image had been useful in originally curtailing the Dursleys original propaganda against him. He was loath to tolerate bullies and had ended up with what would have likely spontaneously turned into a harem or at least a communal relationship without magic.
'Of all the things in higher education that we have studied,' Harry thought as he gave himself a look over before being grateful for the draining before as the three were quite enticing already, 'I find that philosophy to be the most intriguing for debate. Science is, like magic, a way to analyze and predict the world, while history is the records, wither true or not, of what is believed to have occurred, mathematics a static and true description of things, and thus it is that while people discuss what is true in all of them; only in philosophy and such studies are their true conflicting truths. Even though Hermione and I are in Ravenclaw, I do not believe that most especially the muggle born or raised would find it possible that we will be able to complete not just our comprehensive education but be close to graduate or post graduate while simultaneously reaching the same in the magical fields. Even if Alice and especially Anne are prone to more oft to be distracted by their needs, the four of us are driven, and we are more so than others. I have to find a way to accomplish my goals while amassing sufficient knowledge as well as the wisdom to properly, efficiently and effectively utilize it when my inevitable rivals have at least half a century if not more on me. Complacency is for sheep and any sheep is ready food for a wolf; none of us can afford to be that, especially with the way things are going...'
The girls were mostly dressed now. They like Harry were in a mix of leather and silk if not lace. The black silk ribbons around their necks were enough to almost make him reconsider and simply have Christmas early. When Sarah dropped something subtlety and none of them squatted and instead bent over flipping their skirts up as they did, he really was tempted to give in to his more base urges and act next Halloween a few months early by coupling and losing themselves in a decadent bit of debauchery. That Sarah was arranged with her legs spread and attached to a double pronged pole was very distracting.
"Ladies," Harry said as he took several deep breaths to regain control. "If you are ready, we should go now. Whenever you are done decorating the festivities that is..."
The girls giggled and Sarah moaned at that. Alice quickly added a suspension to keep Sarah from falling off, while Anne added some excessive decorative and likely stimulating chains. Hermione was looking on with an artful eye and approval at how they had set the scene up.
"The release phase is 'Catharine Ridding a Horse," Alice whispered before kissing Sarah and giving her a swat. "A bit long, but you shouldn't manage to accidentally say it as likely as the last few..."
"We're ready, Sir," Hermione said with Alice and Anne moving to flank her. "Anything else we should do before?"
He looked them over and saw them pulling their robes over and concealing the sight that would have sent many a wizard to aneurism. As amusing as it would be to have them unrobed and trailing after him with their heads held proud at being paraded, that was not the image for the day. When he was ready to completely crush his opponents, he would use that to confuse and awe the sheep.
"No," Harry said with a repressed sigh as he watched Sarah respond to the situation they put her in. "We will be taking the path from one of the less savory areas to the bank. Do not hesitate to respond to any threat against us; however, I expect you to limit yourselves to less than lethal or crippling or even maiming actions unless the threats do otherwise."
"Yes, Master," the three said in unison. "As you command so it shall be."
"We have an image to hold when among the sheep," Harry said as he was reluctant about this next part. "Our companions will not be coming with unless they are able to completely conceal themselves. Sadly this means only Kiki will be going with us. Shadow, do be a dear and keep an eye with the others on this house. I have the feeling that someone might investigate while we are out."
Despite their animal forms, the group heard the acknowledgements from their non biped friends. They were not disturbed that it was actually a series of hisses, chirps, yowls and barks. They were however wondering why Kiki was chattering animatedly as if she would get to slate her bloodlust. They had their other lusts to sooth that one, while Kiki could not do so and thus was even more bloodthirsty.
With a gesture, they stood close before kneeling and touching his robe. Kiki managed as always to be childlike in her gently gripping his arm. With his other arm, Harry reached in and pulled out the most likely illegal or at least unregistered Portkey. Even if they had not sent a message for his underage magic especially his accidental apparition years ago, Harry was not taking a chance that no one not even Dumbledore, the ministry or any of the still free death eaters were able to detect his comings and goings.
"Elegant the Enchanter," Harry said with a smirk as he felt the tug and the world spin around him.
"My, if it isn't one of my better customers," Came the greeting as they appeared in the store. "I take it that you need to make a statement with that attire. It is quite flattering on the four of you. Do be a dear and bring your lady friends back for a proper fitting? I would be ever so grateful for more people to properly use my skills on."
"Of course," Harry agreed as he wondered if his attire would be as impressive as the shopkeeper could do. "It is so much better than the common and boring attire one can gain at Madam Milken's or even that still unstylish Gladrags."
"I would expect nothing less," the clown like man said with a bow. "If you find any more seeking unique apparel than please send them my way..."
"I will," Harry promised before taking a thinking pose. "Any chance a private fitting could be arranged elsewhere. Some of them are a little unable to fit in if you catch my meaning."
"For you that would be no problem," he said with a laugh. "None of your acquaintances are likely to settle for the inelegant trash that is hawked elsewhere unless they have no choice."
With a nod, Harry left the shop with his ladies trailing behind. They were in Knocturn proper, and the place was more often trafficked than the official alley. The inhabitants parted for him and some gave nods and other signs of greetings. Be polite had been a bloodily reinforced behavior. Those that knew his reputation and had unsuccessfully tried to intrigue him in their wares were quick to remove themselves from his way. The hags and others hawking things including themselves knew better. They suspected that he declined not out of any disinterest in their sex, but that he likely was able to have better even when he had not been seen frequenting the higher class brothel down the alley.
As they passed closer to the more reputable alley, the alley seemed to become more sinister and intimidating in its presence as well as less visibly attractive. Hermione contemplated it as a way to keep the ignorant out. Alice was likely one to approve of keeping the meddlers out. She had done some of that to keep her girls or more they thought Harry's waiting and eager girls out of trouble. Anne contemplated doing something like that in Surrey and watching Dudley and his pathetic crew piss themselves before running like the scared cowards they were.
As they moved, the group cut a path from where they entered Diagon Alley. Concealed in black robes with the hoods obscuring their faces, there was enough of an air that those few loitering along the alley cleared a path as they walked. The human eyes of the crowed would miss a number of details about them. They failed to notice anything concealed by the robes, though the shadows about them did aid in concealing several of their darker artifacts. The ministry would have tried to send them to Azkaban for the bone weapons let alone the blood stone Harry wore.
Gringott's bank was a place that do to its economic necessity was oft frequently traveled to as the officially sole place to access ones funds even if there was a somewhat smaller branch in Knocturn Alley. Despite what most had imagined one Harry Potter had yet to enter this particular location as he had been aware that certain circumstances would make his retrieval of his funds to be quite difficult. The lack of his vault key or keys for one and the complication of why they had not been in his possession would have caused quite a stir.
Still he was no shy little boy to cower at the ornate and opulent doors that were created to inspire awe and a sense of prestige and power in the goblin run bank. He did not allow the subtle magic enchanted into the Gringott's motto to draw even the slightest of his interest. His attire spoke of refined power and calculated cunning. Dressed in black from his silk shirt to pants even going so far as black leather or perhaps even dragon hide topped off with a black cloak that immediately led to recalculations as the cut and appearance came from only one selective shop among those aware of such matters. Goblin eyes were sharper than human in certain respects and they easily made out the complex pattern of silver woven into the design before their eyes were drawn to the red stone proudly and predominantly displayed on the entering man's chest. While they may not by sight know what it was, it screamed of power and not just monetary.
The two goblins that had stood at the sides of the doors to the entrance had been chosen for a few reasons. One they were quite good at discerning intent as well as power and danger of anyone approaching. Two the person was armed with more than a wand and as they had been well trained to detect the approach of certain metals realized that either this was a very important client or someone that would be far more dangerous to stand in the way of. They could tell that while the individual had no intentions to cause problems that whoever it was would not hesitate to remove anything or anyone that impeded their passage. That whoever was following was dangerous but eclipsed by the leader of the group was not something they would likely have told any of the human clients.
'This one is a warrior through and through,' the goblin on the right thought. 'We would be dead before sounding an alarm. Several daggers are on their persons not counting anything that has stronger wards than we can detect. Best we can do is to let them pass and then sound a 'be on immediate standby alert'.'
The other goblin was a somewhat less senior goblin and yet was able to detect one thing the other had not. His eyes widened at the implications of what his senses were telling him.
'Goblin blades and they have been used as well as treated with something very potent,' he thought as he covered his twitching from human but not necessarily goblin eyes. 'To think that some of the clan chiefs thought being able to detect our blades would be a waste for a keeper of the gates, it just goes to show that sometimes the chiefs are too distant to be aware of what the common goblin needs to know. Still there is something about the way that they move that reminds me of... oh just what we need that maniac here to find out something. Just got to hope that whatever the keeper of the vaults has been doing doesn't come to bite us back on the ass, well unless I get to sample some of the rival clans. So where is that killing machine of his? Not that I think he would need it as he moves even better than that vampire he destroyed.'
None of them paid much attention to the two guards as they passed. Their eyes however had been clearly showing a quick analysis of how rapidly, efficiently and almost effortlessly they could have negated the guards if they so chose. None of the group had felt a need to hide their less than typical human thoughts. They rarely voiced the fact that whenever they passed anyone who was not part of their group that they had immediately analyzed and contemplated methods for termination as they passed. It had become almost as instinctive as breathing to them. All that meant for the goblin guards was that they showed far less or even little contempt for the group passing through.
The other goblins watching saw the changes in the guards and were though long practice not inclined to panic. They waited for the group to make their way to a teller to ask for whatever service was that they wanted. To them there was no more or less. They had no reason to panic as for due to several hard won treaties they had regained a portion of their autonomy unlike some of the other magical beings.
The group was patient in the way they stood in line and waited to be called on. Oh they knew that there was a tendency for those in such roles as his were used to preferential treatment. Goblins were tempted to hope they could levy serious fees on them and they would do so willingly as well as gladly take whatever money they could from over naïve muggleborns. They were greedy underhanded fighters that made up for the lack of killing things by committing other harmful behavior.
"How may Gringott's help you today?' the teller asked barely refraining from sneering at them. "Look up funds, arrange transfers or some other such transactions."
The goblin did leave unsaid how much they might charge for such things. Oh there was a time when they had gladly let foolish upstarts claim vaults after paying the piled up fees and they were practically empty. They had bankrupted a few who had spited them over the years in that way. Especially when it was lines that were prestigious and yet little to know things were left in the high prestige vaults. They had almost played that trick on a young half blood a little less than half a century ago. That boy had unfortunately been prone to a few secrets that he had used to keep them from ruining the lackluster line he had been from.
"Inheritance to start off with," Harry said holding off his smirk before saying quieter. "Maybe even some rather substantial deposits..."
"How substantial?" the goblin asked almost as quietly. "Far too many think that a mere thousand galleons is a fortune let alone substantial."
Harry smirked as he let a small representative of the level of wealth he had independently acquired be seen by the goblin. It was simply one proper bar of metal worth even more than the gold that they favored. He enjoyed seeing the greed shine in the goblin's eye. There was something about getting a goblin to be mesmerized by shiny valuable that made him feel just a bit proud.
"Would making that in profits in less than a month be considered a substantial deposit?" Harry asked with a bit of interest. "I do believe I would consider it to be. Still some of my more profitable ventures are expanding let alone some services that could be exchanged."
"I do believe that you would be capable of substantial investments and profits," the clerk said with a nod. "The inheritance offices are that way."
"Thank you," Harry said with a nod to the goblin as they turned to go that way. "After I see how things have been handled so far there may be need for more services..."
The goblin started at that. The veiled promise of increased profits was almost as good as blood for them. Besides he had a bar of the only metal they knew was more valuable than gold and like it was a very precious metal. Despite what wizards would say there was more metal of value besides gold that could not be conjured or lastingly transfigured. Still they had secured and proofed all their metal for their coins and safeguarded them, it would not do to let the wizards or worse muggles cause economic dangers with their greed. Some of them thought that was there job.
As they passed down the corridors, the goblins that were going about their day were busy with their tasks and yet without really thinking about it seemed to move out of the marching group. They did pay attention to the various names and titles along the office doors. One could tell which goblin and this which families they represented from how ornate the doors were. At the end of the corridor was a very ornate door with several gold plaques, the title both in goblin and several human languages was Keeper of Records of the Lines. The name was Grimtooth the Platinum Fist.
"Greetings, Honored Keeper Grimtooth," Harry said with a slight inclination as he entered the room. "I must ask for a few moments of your time to set some rather pressing business to order. I will be brief as we are both rather heavily scheduled."
"And what does a young child have need in my records?" the goblin asked in interest. "You would not have been directed here unless there was something to accomplish and such things are normally covered by one of the tellers until one is of age."
"I have been informed that there is a sizeable amount of galleons invested in a few accounts here," Harry said with a calculated drawl. "The circumstances of the proceeding period have left some uncertainty in some matters."
"As you are underage by current Wizarding custom," the goblin began, "You would likely have access to a trust vault at this time and a family vault when you are of age."
"Ah," Harry said with concern. "Someone didn't go through proper channels as some of the paperwork seems to be missing in some areas and I already have made discrete inquiries into both the Ministries and the Muggle records. I merely wish to ensure that a certain meddler hasn't managed to do more than retain possession of my keys."
"Ones keys should only be in the possession of oneself or their guardian if they are under aged," Grimtooth replied with a frown. "Still as you are Hogwarts age, normally one would receive a trust key to help them begin to learn to understand money."
"Ah but from several sources there is precedent as I am the sole remaining member of a family to initiate some things," Harry said with a smile playing on his lips. "I would prefer to be aware of what responsibilities I will eventually have to deal with. Now is it so difficult to see what things I have inherited and when which level of access to those things will occur?"
"No it is not," he admitted with a scowl. "Still most are reluctant to let a goblin have their blood for confirmation."
"But I am not most people," Harry said as he held out his right hand. "How much is required for this?"
"A few drops at most," the goblin admitted as he brought out a small bowl and set it on a stylus with quill and parchment. "Now just let a few drops fall and we will see what we will see, Mister?"
"Potter, Harry Potter," Harry said with dark humor shining in his eyes. "I do believe from the official records that there should be significant resources and that at least this way I can find whatever incompetent was listed as my guardian as I have never seen them since they arranged for my childhood dwelling."
"I see," he said as he watched the blood react in the bowl as the Quill started to write. "You should have had a trust key in your possession also you should have had a reading of your parents will at eleven. I take it that neither of these things occurred?"
"No, neither of those things occurred nor have I had an official communication from Gringott's or even any mail save from Hogwarts," Harry answered as the goblin seemed to watch the names being written and grow pale. "I can understand that someone likely was sorting my mail, but there lack of any forwarding while I am dwelling in the muggle world is quite odd. Considering the awe that the wizards and witches show, I find it odd to not have received any birthday, Christmas or other cards let alone the odd letter of any sort."
"That is quite irregular, Mr. Potter," he said with a bit of interest as he tried to cover the emotions that the current results were producing. "Were you aware that you are named as primary heir and next patriarch of the Blacks as well as sole heir of the Potters?"
"I was aware through some channels of the Potter inheritance existing with some chance to being somewhat affected by the current state of the Black Family," Harry admitted. "Still primary heir when I was not the blood heir of the main line is odd, is it not?"
"There are two reasons for that," he said with an inclination of the head as he tried not to panic at what was still transcribing considering the number of items. "One being that your godfather has no issue and was the heir. The second was that you are a closer relation than any other of Black Blood."
"So that would explain that," Harry said with a sigh. "Is there a reason that I was not summoned to hear my parents' last will and testament?"
"Yes," he admitted as he looked over at the ledger on the side. "It would appear that whoever your magical guardian is, that they have ensured that you cannot view it until you come of age. That is most strange."
"What about the Black matter?" Harry asked in interest. "What affects are there to the current heir residing in Azkaban and most likely for life?"
"Effectively dead," he admitted reluctantly. "As he was not invested as the Head do to his incarceration and the previous head is deceased, there is the chance for another heir to claim the headship."
"What requirements are there that you are aware of?" Harry asked in interest. "I have heard some things from one of the cast out branches and am interested on what is needed."
"The Blacks are an old family," the goblin said. "Possession of a familial gift as well as a lineage test would suffice."
"That would be enough to be acknowledged as a member of the family," Harry said with a hint of irritation. "I am inquiring if the test I heard for irrefutable and unchallengeable instatement as Head of House Black still remains."
"You are more informed than you have showed so far," Grimtooth chided him with barely concealed fangs. "As practice of that art outside of certain grandfathered families or under an apprenticeship to such is quite readily met by immediate action by the Ministry, it is not often that one would do so. No one of Black blood can be trained in that art and thus claim through training to meet that requirement. They do have several tomes on the subject; however, I can confirm that if one of Black blood demonstrates the ability as more than skill but as a gift than that clause comes into effect. Do you realize what you are insinuating and the dangers as well as stigma such a thing would cause?"
"I do," Harry said with barely a whisper. "I chose to do more than let my gift dwindle and die do to the closed minded hypocrisy that consumes this society. What proof must I offer to meet this requirement?"
"All of Black blood, no matter how far from the source, has a fraction of the abilities," he said with a distant look to his eyes. "The Black Flame is something they are known for possessing regardless of the lack of those born to their founder's art. Do you have proof of your skill in the art?"
"Would the blood stone upon my neck be good enough?" Harry asked slowly with a feral grin. "Perhaps my students and their own humble tools would suffice." With that Alice showed her bone blade as proof. "Still there is my more impressive development. Kiki if you would..."
Kiki came into view causing the goblin to gasp in shock as his face contorted in terror.
"Black skeleton," he whispered in awe mixed with terror and respect. "That is more than enough to meet the Black guidelines. The stone, a flame besides the black, or even calling a spirit would have been enough, and this goes far beyond that, Lord Harold of the House of Black. I take it you wish to hear his will as well as your parents?"
"Yes," Harry said with a nod. "I wonder why he would keep me his heir if he betrayed my parents. It is something that I hope this testament answers."
"That is something that has been speculated on by all those who are aware of it," he said as he made a motion. "Now while that is brought as is the Black ring there are a few other things to settle."
"I take it that something other than what was suspected came up with that little test," Harry said with a sigh. "I hope that there were no unforeseen effects from Halloween. So is there anything besides that to discuss?"
"Yes there appears to be some confusion on who should have next inherited some of the families assets after the main branches died off," he said as he barely repressed his shudder at the amount of money involved and misallocated. "Some prominent families as they were believed to be the closest claimants seized some assets from the extinguished families. It is rather disturbing that a number of them were quick to use these funds to make some rather large donations to the Ministry in the wake of that event."
"I see," Harry said as he realized the complications this could cause. "That could be useful. Do they have sufficient funds to cover the reclamation of those funds?"
"Not all of them and even those that do would need to liquefy some assets rather quickly," Grimtooth said with a toothy grin. "A shame that some families failed to secure their holdings and made such poor investments; don't you think?"
"Yes, it is a shame that they might find themselves destitute and homeless after having spent so wantonly," Harry said with a feral grin of his own. "Still one should not feel too bad for those that seem unprepared for the consequences of their actions. Do they have any businesses that might be useful to acquire?"
"Several prominent and prosperous ones," he said though a slight humor was present to his voice. "They have dealings in services and commodities some of which would be less desirable in polite society. Though as both Potter and Black accounts have similar or less politely inclined ones there is not much to say about it. Still some would look down on having businesses even as profitable as some of these are. Wizards seem to have a strange notion on propriety even if they are readily infatuated with the gold they gain."
"Are any of these businesses dealing with acquisitions including potions ingredients and brews?" Harry asked in interest as that had been providing a reasonable profit for himself. "Also are there any prominent businesses in need of investments either in Diagon or preferably Knocturn."
"Yes there are some already in your inherited portfolios," he said with a sly look. "Also there are rental properties some of which give discounts to renters in exchange for profits as they were investments before the properties were acquired or freed from previous leases."
"So I can see my businesses expanding," Harry said with a nod. "That is good to know. Now what are the businesses that would be politically disadvantageous if they were publically linked to me?"
"Ah sharp of you to notice that," he said with a bit of respect present. "Among the various holdings are things most polite society or the pureblood elite would frown at being associated with. There is however the investments in both the magical and muggle world that are, while not strictly illegal, close to being so. One of these is several clubs and even a few brothels. Oh the muggle ones are careful to skirt around illegality through a series of things, but the magical ones are outside of those prohibitions."
"Is there a reason for that?" Harry asked in interest as the idea of zoning businesses as Wizarding to avoid certain laws came to mind. "The more I can keep legally grey at worst the better. Why things have so many complications for legal matters is another thing that does not make sense."
"In part, it is due to the legal separation between the two worlds," he said in a savored breath. "Several things are illegal for muggles but legal for wizards and there vassals to do. Among these are the rather lax guidelines that remain for what authority Heads have over their houses members, There is also the fact that unlike the muggles, wizards tend to either marry young or be betrothed young this also includes young witches marrying wizards far older than themselves. Those instances tend to be due to familial obligations that are passed until there are both sexes available in a given generation."
"What of the age of consent of minors?" Harry asked in interest as he felt a sudden dread approaching. "I find it a bit odd to believe that they would require a young witch below a certain age to consummate a marriage let alone other such things."
"There are not a lot of legal issues with that matter," he said with a calmness that made him grateful that he was holding up so well to Potter's students' gazes. "In the end it comes to status in a way. There is however a tendency not to require the consummation of a marriage before it would be fruitful and the witch has had her first menses. On average the earliest a witch is permitted to engage in sexual congress is twelve, there are however exceptions to that."
"These exceptions would be?" Harry asked in dread as he thought, 'Oh this is very bad. I accept the inevitable, but they might be a bit miffed if they could have legally consummated our relationships.'
"Vassals in general are completely under the authority of their lords," he said as he savored the fear the boy had from the witches. "As such at whatever age that one can be properly claimed magically, the lord can do whatever they wish to their property. They do have to keep to their obligations and terms of service. There is however the difficulty those non purebloods have, that being that there is a distinct disadvantage legally in such matters. The muggleborn without a patron is likely to be unable to find a job in the magical world regardless of any outside marriage skills they have. Halfbloods have less of a problem with that though females do require a patron unless their own head of house sponsors them. Most if they get desperate do not read what contracts they sign and more often than not end up indentured servants either to a family or a brothel."
"I see," Harry said with mixed annoyance at the magicals and dread that the girls would claim dues for having not properly ravished them already. "I take it that at least there is already a holding or will be acquired that does so among the invested businesses. Are they purely magical or are muggles similarly ensnared?"
"While it is not common, muggle women can be still legally entered into magical contracts," the goblin said with indifference. "With the use of a blood quill to sign such a contract the muggle is unable to break the contract or they die. Some purebloods are known to trick muggleborns and the occasional muggle into a situation where they would sign such a contract. As it is, the business you have inherited does not have any such affected at this time. Most of them are muggleborns or disinherited witches that are in need of money and availing themselves does support them as unlike muggles they are kept free of disease and as visually appealing as possible."
"So there is no real risk of problems from this," Harry said as he recalled the briefing on the junior escort service that Alice had been running and realized that as long as it was their choice that it was no different than dating a rich man to get things. "I will of course need to go over their records to see if they could be better utilized elsewhere. I hope that at least one of these establishments is more refined than crass in nature. I find the deplorable condition of the illegal variant to be quite distasteful. Now how much longer will it take for the wills and the ring to reach us?"
"It should have been here already," He said in irritation as he wondered what was diverting his meeting. "It would appear that there is a problem with the Potter accounts. The manager is quite insistent on the will not being released without certain circumstances. I do hope that those were outlined in the will or it will cause him quite the problems."
"Than what of the Black testament and ring," Harry inquired. "It is likely that whatever argument will be rendered moot if I am invested officially as Head. Perhaps there is something in the testament to explain the oddities in the inquiry?"
"Yes that will work," Grimtooth said as he scribbled out an order. "So I take it from both your lack or disgust with the issue and the repeated interests in Potions, how you have accumulated as much wealth and influence as you have?"
"I had thought that obvious by now," Harry said as he leaned back into the chair as the rest stood and drew closer to him. "Is the requirements to gaining a lordship still the same as I have read?"
"A specific amount of property holdings under a minimum number of tenants," he hedged in interest. "While muggle lordships must be sanctioned by the crown, magical lordships require a specific number of magical vassals in addition to any tenants. Still it would appear that you did inherit a peerage and that the line managed to have exceptions to being dissolved on the lack of a male heir. So you do qualify for your current status more than twice over."
"Useful but the attention that some pay to any of the peerage would be problematic at this point," Harry said as a goblin entered and bowed to them in turn. "It seems that when time is money that Gringott's still delivers, and most definitely worth the gold and platinum for the services."
That causes the courier goblin to barely shake in trepidation at the amount of importance being discussed. Wizards and goblins rarely referred to more than silver and gold matters. Platinum maters were rare and the amount of business during such a venture could reshape entire clans and factions. For a moment, he felt terror of what would have occurred had he even been held up let alone dawdled in getting to the meeting. Unlike wizards, goblins were more than willing to devour their own in addition to stabbing them in the back or front. It was in fact quite common to feast on the roast of one's enemies when one won and especially when one disposed or replaced a superior. It was just the way that things were done.
"Your ring, your lordship," he said as he motioned for the messenger to hand over the items. "This will cause quite the stir among some of the clans. I do wonder which faction will profit from your ascension."
"Whichever is best suited to improve profits of course," Harry answered as the ring slid on to his finger before igniting in black flames before settling. "Now that was a nice safeguard, and a shame that it could not be used to remove any rival if they attempted to usurp my interests. I guess it is a good thing that unlike Wizarding children that goblin young are smarter than to slip something out without checking it. Otherwise we could have had a nice roast with this courier if he had. Pity, I had been looking forward to try something new. Still if whoever is holding things up keeps on doing so, I believe that they are practically volunteering to compensate us with a few pounds of flesh."
"Yes," Grimtooth said with a feral look at the still prostrated goblin. "I do believe I would wish to do so as well. Now, onto the testament... Well that is strange!"
"I take it something unexpected is there," Harry stated in interest even as he flicked his eyes to the concealed Kiki who was almost salivating at the waiting goblin. "So is there a reason written there in why he didn't eject me if he betrayed my parents?"
"It seems that he was quite paranoid and given the times it is understandable," he said with a look. "He was a Black and he knew that it was unlikely that he would live long enough or remain able to produce an heir. It is interesting in that magically he set several provisions in case things went wrong. Your parents' death and his incarceration, while not exactly planned, do still allow his plan to continue. He lists you as his heir and in the event that he is unable to assume his ascension passes all rights and privileges as well as duties granted at ascension to you. He seems quite insistent in the language he used. It is the fact that his wishes in your placement seem to be ignored as it refers to what should happen should he be unable to take care of you."
"It will be enlightening if similar things are found in my parents will," Harry asserted. "Still I wonder why someone is so reluctant to release that information. There must be something quite disruptive if this is the case."
"Yes," he said as he turned to the courier that was still waiting to be dismissed. "You go to the Potter Manager and bring him here."
"Yes sir," the courier replied before dashing off. "It shall be done, Platinum Fist."
"So who is the Potter Manager and why would he be so reluctant to provide what his services require?" Harry asked in interest. "It would be a shame to have to withdraw the Black holdings and when things settle all of the rest of my holdings. Perhaps this goblin will have something to say to explain himself, because if he does not than I am quite prone to seeing what gains a goblin's sacrifice will bring. At the very least, I am quite prone to asking for either flesh or blood in compensation for this irritation. I do think that compared to a dragon that a goblin warrior while formidable would be less of an immediate threat."
"Yes, I am inclined to agree," he said with a snarl at the audacity this subordinate was causing. "I do hope that whichever clan or faction he belongs to has something to say on his behavior."
"Yes it would be nice," Harry replied as he looked at the others as he assessed how ready they were. "It would be a shame if this goblin has let whispers of potential gain blind him to his responsibilities. Hermione, I wonder what your inclination is to this?"
"I believe we are agreed on this matter," Hermione said with a gaze at each of her partners. "All obstacles are to be dealt with. Besides I wish to see what can be gained from such a willing sacrifice. You also have yet to find a worthy enough sacrifice to forge your weapon as does Anne."
"True," Harry admitted as he turned to the high ranked goblin. "I do hope that this manager has something to justify his actions. It would be a shame for the agreement to be so carelessly abandoned..."
"Yes," he said as he recalled why the Goblin Nation had made treaties with the necromancers of old and were quite willing to hire even the barely more than mediocre ones. "Griphook has much to answer for. I do hope that once this has been satisfactionately handled to continue a business relationship with Gringott's and the Goblin Nation."
"The Goblin Nation has yet to behave anywhere near as discourteously as the wizards have," Harry said as he looked at his students and followers carefully. "I look forward to the platinum such ventures will gain the both of us."
A new goblin came following the courier from before. He was standoffish and seemed quite displeased to have been brought here. He gazed around the room and wondered why he a very important account manager was here. He knew that the current heir was both uninformed and unable to lay claim to his accounts, and thus he could still proceed in using his control to improve both his own standing as well as that of his clan and their faction. He almost hoped that it was a fool attempting to claim his account. The past few attempts had added a god amount of gold to his own accounts as well as the added bonus of fresh human meat.
"Ah, Griphook," he said turning to the admitted goblin. "Is there a reason that you seem reluctant to come here? You have kept us waiting and time is money after all."
"Why have I been summoned here, Grimtooth?" Griphook inquired in hope of crushing another fool who tried to wrestle his benefits and bonuses away. "I have important matters to attend to. The accounts under my discretion need focus to grow them to their potential limits."
"One of your account holders wishes for you to disclose the nature of their holdings," he said with a smirk at the self righteous goblin. "You were also summoned do to questions on one of your accounts."
"I do not see how that can be as the current heir's guardian wishes for certain things to be followed," Griphook said in disdain. "Besides the Potter scion is not of age to claim the family vaults or have much control on investments. You do recall that the ministry forced those changes when a less than financially reliable heir ascended and proceeded to bankrupt his account do to reckless spending. There are also the other limitations placed on releasing that account."
"And who would this guardian be?" Harry asked in interest. "The muggles who are legally unable to access Gringott's funds of a wizard or someone else who has never been in my life?"
"Those records are sealed until you come of age, child," Griphook said upon seeing the scar prominently on the hoys head do to the lighting dispersing the shadows concealing his face for a moment. "Now sir, why have I been called when a minor, who cannot claim their family vault nor do more than advice on what to invest in, is present? I do not appreciate my time being spent for such lost profits."
"Why have you failed to supply a summons to hear the will of the Late Lord Potter?" he asked in interest. "He should have heard it before or upon his eleventh birthday. As it is, I must wonder on these recent actions."
"The will is sealed until he is of age by his guardian," Griphook answered. "He is limited to access to a trust vault and the family vault is bared save to refill the trust vault for him. If that is all, I have some calls to make."
"Ah then you haven't heard have you," Grimtooth said with a smirk at him. "I would think that your rival would have informed you. The Blacks have a new Head and as all heads are emancipated and declared of age, young Potter is of age. So do be quick in bringing the will here before our client seeks other aid."
"How could he claim the Black assets," Griphook asked with his gaze accusing at Grimtooth. "The account is to be frozen due to the family being either dead or in Azkaban."
"Did you think I was not aware of the Black payments and gains?" he asked the now putrid looking goblin. "Narcissa Malfoy nee Black along with her spawn receives a stipend. In fact, no evidence of a trial has passed through my office nor has a claim by Mrs. Malfoy as proxy and regent for young master Malfoy occurred. Does that not seem odd to you, Griphook? To accept only a stipend when a claim should be made?"
"If they don't wish to claim it yet than that is their choice," Griphook said. "Now what is this about being declared Head and of age come from. As he is not legally able to claim either title yet, where do you come from declaring him to be so?"
""He meets the requirements to ascend to Head of House Black," Grimtooth rebutted. "As you say that he must be of age to see his parents last will and testament, and as he has been declared to be so, do be quick and bring that document."
"The Heir is unable to see those documents until he is declared of age and claimed his title," Griphook said with finality. "Now as he does not meet the requirements to do so, I will be leaving now..."
"Not so fast Griphook," Grimtooth cut him off. "You seem quite insistent on this. Does this not sound odd to you, Lord Black?"
"It does indeed," Harry said with a gaze at the goblin. "It almost seems as if you are hiding something, something from a client. That does indeed sound odd to me that an account manager is keeping important things from the account holder. Perhaps it would be best to get a new one if this one has such... questionable habits. Why one would almost think that he was conspiring to defraud a client. It would be a terrible precedent and who knows what the ramifications would be..."
"How dare you," Griphook asked as he snarled in rage, "you ignorant child, to question me?"
"I am a legal adult and more than a match for a gluttonous fool who thinks he can feast on the gold of others," Harry said with a glare. "Still I am not without information; therefore, it is only fair to give fair warning. I am not a child, you unblooded coddled nestling, and I am more than prepared to put more than mere words and gold on the line."
"Insolent child," Griphook roared in rage. "I am a blooded warrior of the Goblin Nation! You have no chance against me in combat. I should kill you for your insult, you who should have dribbled out of your slut of a mother's ass!"
"Do not even ask for 'peace' in this matter, Grimtooth," Harry said as he glared at Griphook who seemed to miss the way he was being visualized in a variety of certain deaths. "Let our disagreement be settled in an appropriate way, in the Arena. Your blood will quench this distaste your actions have caused. I look forward to carving you like the overfed and weak prey that you are. I have more than enough evidence to call challenge anyways."
"So it would seem Lord Black, Account Manager Griphook," Grimtooth said with a mix of interest and disappointment. "I do hope you realize what you have gotten yourself into, Griphook. You risk far more than you realize..."
"I understand that I am putting an upstart wizard child in its place," Griphook said with a glare at Harry. "Today we will see the power of goblin Might! I should thank you brat for practically giving my clan, my faction and myself all your gold!"
"One shouldn't count their coins before they are minted," Harry chided as he resisted cackling at how easily Griphook seemed to take the challenge. "One never knows when they will be short of what they thought they had..."
The group moved as Swiftknife was sent to spread word to the couriers outward. This was something that didn't happen every day, and besides the wizards were too lazy to show up at this point in time. Most of them were asleep with their bellies stuffed and the odds of any of them popping in when they could be enjoying the occasion were negligible. They had best hope that they didn't trip the wards to announce their presence. It was time for a good spot of violence after all.
The challenge had been given. Goblins unlike the humans still had trial by combat. The ministry had removed it when several weak purebloods had perished after dueling half bloods of formidable power. That was not the official reason, but it was the most likely one as well. Goblins at least were still warriors enough to maintain their fighting traditions and even if it had trickled to the world at large, the Goblin Arena was still a sight to see. Similar to the Roman Coliseum, the goblin's arena had plenty of seating space and similar to others private and important areas. The stage would allow for many a variety of situations for the ritual combat.
It was a goblin eat goblin world though and one could gain glory for themselves and gold for their clans as well as further their factions in the arena. With the dangers of Ministerial interference, the goblins only other sole recourse was the machinations in the Gringott's bank and its subsidiary structures. There was no advancement outside Gringott's and the Arena. They could not work for other companies nor could they still hire themselves out as mercenaries; the closest that they had was Gringott's security and the odd contract that wizards would take from the bank for goblin security.
"This trial by combat has been called," Grimtooth announced to the crowd after bowing to their ruler and the heads of the clans in descending order, "to settle the matter between these two. Griphook of the Goblin Nation stands to fight unto the death to prove his freedom from the following charges brought to him by this young Lord: impeding the execution of a will of an old family, willfully covering up the contents of said will, conspiring with a human to do so, investing and seeding control of said accounts to said human, and plotting to defraud both the accounts under his control and their rightful owners. His challenger is a blooded warrior and head of one of the noble houses. He came to bring significant profits to Gringott's and to further several factions and clans if not the whole of our nation. He is the Head of the House of Black by right of blood, power and the sought after gift."
That caused a sudden silence to wash over the crowd who had been grumbling or cheering for the fight to start. To do such a thing was one matter and oft to lead to ones death; however, for one to be caught in such actions was even worse. For a goblin to conspire with a wizard in such a manner was disgraceful, it was a given that normally the goblin would end up dead. That they had been doing so against someone with power that would aid the Goblin Nation was dangerous. They were goblins and even the youngest was aware of the more prominent Wizarding lines and what their familial gifts were. Wands were barred from such fights and wizards were rarely masters at wandless magic in the more recent years; therefore, it was normally considered impossible for a wizard to either issue challenge or attempt to win it.
"This is going to be interesting," one of the younger warriors said with a smirk. "The chiefs have been going on about what one of them can do for ages. Think that little runt Griphook has a chance?"
"Against a Black and a necromancer at that," his neighbor said in disbelief. "I don't think the odds are very good, but the brat is young. I wonder what that faction is thinking of risking a Black Necromancer of all things."