He may have lived across the pond, but he did have a very true statement he made regardless of that. Now while Hermione and the others would quote it, I find the paraphrase best: If you truly want to test ones resolve, give them power; almost anyone can overcome adversity, but power truly shows ones inner nature. It may be a bit cruel, but it is far better to describe the situation. Now while some will say that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely that is not necessarily true. Voldemort, as the self-deluded egomaniac he was, liked to convince people that there was no good or evil only power and those willing to seek it. He was for all his rage at least half-right. There is power and intent. I think it matters the reason one uses their power as well as why they seek it out as much as anything else. - HJP to Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley a few months after destroying Riddle's Diary.
Harry awoke slowly with a long drawn out stretch. He could feel the presence of his girls around him. They had talked about things after Su had briefed him on her information and Hermione had given her own report on Susan and Hannah. He almost thought it odd that he considered them with the same single concept as he did Alice and Anne. It was true that both pairs were individuals they did act somewhat similarly collaborative even though he didn't have the concern of Hannah shrugging and offing someone random.
His usual wakeup was like this unless one of the girls woke up first. Even though he was officially eleven going on twelve years old, he had found out that he was biologically closer to fifteen and that did not count the accrued years of experience from other sources. He was in bed with his girls and he hoped that they would be with him for the rest of his rather long life. That had been an eye opener when he had gone back and reread about the path he had embarked upon and the effects he now had to accept.
The only thing he had to compare it to be when he started raiding the chamber of secrets for any of Slytherin's hidden knowledge. Considering that, he had left a sentient guardian, which was now a sixty plus foot long snake, Harry felt he had done well with that all things considered. He had not really utilized the numerous rooms down there all that much. He had Hermione perform a ritual to enhance Dora, as he had been able to accept he had grown attached to her. He did find out that they had known each other as newborns in addition to being closer related than his relationship should allow among the non magical.
Hermione had explained the two Hufflepuffs concerns and he understood them. Still he knew that while they would not likely drift away in the foreseeable future that his obsession and ambition had led him down what could have been a very lonely path. He was a necromancer and it should have been obvious that they would eventually delve deeper in the study of death. It was in that study of death that one would seek a way to forestall it, although some theological points disagreed with that. He was born to it and he had declared himself to this course.
He now knew that a natural death was not a part of his future nor was it for most of his companions. He no longer had to worry about some disease or the rigors of aging stealing his friends away. Well most of them anyways were not at risk. He had three close or becoming closer ones that he would have such a worry about in the future. Hannah, Susan, and Dora's friend were magical and thus had a slightly longer life, but the muggles who had gravitated to him would eventually die before then.
Therefore, with all this in mind, he would be waking among his ladies for a long time. It was nice to wake up before them even if it meant he did not wake in the midst of orgasm, as his ladies seemed to delight in sucking him vigorously as he came back to the land of the living. There were more of them than just him and thus they had better odds. Still it was nice to wake up before them and delight in the look on their faces as he returned the favor in drawing them from the depths of sleep to a shuddering pleasurable climax in his arms.
It was complicated especially if one of his ladies was having a very vocal climax instead of the whimpers and sighs that the slower teasing should have caused. Still he did smirk at them as they each awoke and stayed silent as he went about in his pleasant task. It was rare that he woke before them and thus they did not wish to spoil the surprise and enjoyment for their fellow lovers. Besides, they got to enjoy watching with a conspiring smirk as they were roused from a deep sleep to sudden body locking with intense spasms inside orgasms.
"Good Morning, my lovelies," Harry said with a rather amused and naughty smile as he kissed his girls while his face was still slick with their juices. "As enjoyable as us simply staying in bed or at least my room would be, we have some work to do today, and it requires a bit of presentation. I will admit that you three have done a rather thorough job in convincing me that I should enjoy life and not just obsessively go headlong on a path to my destination."
His statement had a profound effect on them as they all showed how pleased and happy they were with what he had said. The most common response was a blush that appeared even through the flush of their afterglow. The looks on their face sent a shudder of arousal through him and he had to quickly clamp down on his first impulse or he was sure he would have spent the next few hours sunk into their warm and moist cores while they wrapped their arms and legs around him trying to become as close to one with him for as long as possible.
He could feel their desire to lose the day away in nothing but mutual gratification. His mind's eye had the impression of exactly how profound an effect his words had on their mental representations
. He felt the thrill that he had over the years expected to never feel due to the hypocritical, self centered, self-opinionated, and bigoted Dursleys. He realized that the girls were his family even if it wasn't a normal one there was no way around the truth that they were a family.
Ok, Harry had realized he had accomplished one of his long abandoned goals that he had in a way been obsessed with attaining. He wanted a family, he would have one, and there was no one that would deter him from that certainty. Now he had one; however, that did not mean he would settle for this new family alone. He accepted that he was responsible for them even if some of them were originally older than him by conventional reckoning. This was an odd relationship and thus a different family than he had once pictured in the cupboard under the stairs.
His sudden realization would not be something he would be able to ponder long as the girls around him settled down from his morning desert. He knew pleasure could be as disorienting as pain and an orgasm could do a very good job to persuade someone. He did doubt he was capable of certain things with his mindset. He knew deep down for certain that he would never do what his victims had done, but that his torture of the Lestranges and especially Bellatrix had been crossing the line. He didn't get to dwell on the fact that his little demonstration had likely snapped her mind with both pleasure and pain as he could feel his cute and perky submissive servant emanating a coherent and no longer descending in climax feelings.
"Good morning to you as well, our lovely lord and master," Su said with a smile, as she was content and happy with her life. "I know the rest are happy about that and that you are still as determined as ever even with what you had previously dismissed as irrelevant obstructions taking some of your time. You are right that we need to get ready, but the formal part should not be too bad. While I have not met either of the Flamel's personally, there are those I know who have spoken with them before and they will be there as well. I may not be able to promise the full support of the House of Li, but they are impressed already so they should be more agreeable than they would be otherwise."
Harry had a moment to process what Su had told him. Her family was more active in the magical world in general than he had a chance to have become just yet. Therefore, he did not doubt that they had gained valuable experience in dealing with the goblins and other movers over the centuries of their political, social, and economic intrigues. The ancient houses across the world were an institution in and of themselves with a number of truths that he was learning to grasp. Each house was in a way a political, economic, social, and philosophical unit that competed to raise their own glory and fortunes while preserving both the house and its honor.
The houses were the basic unit of allegiance among wizards with the families main, branch, and cadet making up a coalition along with long-standing partners or even temporary allies of convenience. It was why Wizarding history and politics were so convoluted and he was truly grateful for the insight that Su was providing. He didn't doubt that Susan would be as helpful in explaining the internal dynamics of the ministry in general and the Auror Corps in particular. He knew that Hermione had a particular view of the world that helped him as well and he had almost gone overboard with her this morning if her feelings were any indication.
"It should not be as bad as the difficulties at Yule, but goblin business is never as straightforward as most would think," Hermione said with a sigh as she had been going over some of the accounts of the Potter Family's dealings with them over the years, and the verbose written documents were almost enough to appeal to her inner bookworm getting her worked up even after Harry had drove her breathless when he drew her from her slumber. "They are competitive, greedy, and violent, but they do honor the letter if not the spirit of any agreement they enter into. We really should deal with Binns sooner than later as our peers are being indoctrinated into a belief that Goblins were in fact rebelling. Now while they have no particular concern for goblin life let alone human life outside of their own, their clan, and their species in that order, they are rather prone to being manipulative, and they are the epitome of how the hat described Slytherins not that the house even resembles what it should."
"You are losing track of the important things," Dora said as she languidly stretched next to her lovers. "We have to get out of this comfortable bed with its thick and comfortable sheets while being snuggled against our most inspiring master. Sadly, we have to deal with the business before the pleasure part of this mini break. Your two prospective are getting desperate I think even if you haven't told me who they are yet..."
"True, they are getting rather desperate according to Mine here, but no less interesting than your own offering," Harry said with a smirk as he looked over at the three girls who had shifted to cuddle next to him again. "At least those two are not as complicated as needing the both of us to wear masks in an attempt to keep some secrets. Still I suspect that given her manner of responses that your friend and our lover will want something more open next year once she is no longer under the pressure of her OWL exams. In addition, we won't be ickle firsties so there will be less of a problem with that concern, and there is also the fact that while you hinted at it that it might be necessary for her to have a patron to reach her own ambition. I cannot fault her for being somewhat cautions given how this world works."
"You are right on that," Su said with a sad look flittering across her face. "Patronage is an ingrained necessity that has been twisted over the years. It was originally designed for new bloods and other misinformed and under informed people to be sponsored so that they didn't cause problems by it helping to facilitate an understanding of the culture, social mores, and values. Nowadays it is often misused to require witches to sleep their way up the social, corporate, or political ladder if they do not have a head of house to make paths for them. Wizards have a bit more leeway although they would raise higher with a patron or in some cases a matron sponsoring them. It is likely that most head of houses are against their daughters marrying socially down because the man would have to work harder and the father would have to spend more capital to keep his daughter in the comfort and station she was used to."
"That might be where some of mother's issues have come from," Dora said as she thought on it. "She married for love and yet still became successful unfortunately there was the underlining stress she has been over. I think she was also against traditions in some ways, as mom seemed in part unwilling to maintain some of the things she learned from her family. She seemed to have a bit of an obsession with keeping me away from the old families and those she viewed as dark..."
"Which is ironic with how things have turned out," Hermione said from where she seemed unwilling to let Harry wiggle more out of their grasp. "You probably would have been safer if you had the pre-Hogwarts education that the light let alone traditionally dark families provided for their children. The hexes, curses and jinxes that would have kept the more forward and uncaring boys away would have been a given. There was also ways to study and better preparation for the demands of the schoolwork here, but I think the equivalent skills we have worked towards will help us all out."
"Yes, it would be best if all of you were prepared," Harry said as he realized that his control impulses made it necessary that they could defend themselves as he was feeling urges to do violence without completely thinking things through if they were harmed. "I doubt that either Alice or Anne will be as unprepared as it seemed that your mother was willing to allow. I do have the feeling that they will hopefully be more open than I have been. While there is only a small gap in our ages among all of us, we are not all able to spend time in our normal days socializing. I do have an intention that they will be able to occupy themselves and make more friends."
"I thought they were making more friends?" Hermione asked as Dora nodded next as she had taken to licking Harry's fingers clean from his morning stirrings. "Oh, I see what you mean in who they have been hanging out with and the things they get involved in doing."
"I thought you would," Harry said as he tried to figure out how to get them out of the bed and ready for the day. "Those two are even more insatiable than any of you and you know that they are either with each other or any of the willing girls back in Surrey. With the smaller number of students here, there is a chance that they will cause issues where back home the faction of our peers is pretty straightforward. I do not doubt that Anne will be the one to cause more trouble here. Alice is much more in control, but she has her own issues. Still all of that aside we do have a meeting to get to and we should keep our positive position with the Goblins."
"You do realize that there is not much that you can do that would decrease how much they approve of you, do you not master?" Su Li said with a look of long accepted suffering at having to explain to the group what was to her almost self-evident. "You could walk into any Gringott's location and be met with almost reverent deference by the goblins there. That fight you had technically allows you citizenship in the Goblin Nation and recognition of Potter-Black as an independent clan under their laws. A clan headed by someone with your level of magical potential and skill is not one that most of the clans would cross. That is without the fact that you inherited the holdings of the clan you conquered added to that as well as your existing and improved revenue, but to be succinct as long as you do not assassinate the head of Gringott's there is not much including challenging people or goblins to duels to the death that you cannot do there."
Harry blinked at that veritable world turning series of statements. He had been aware of some of the ramifications of their impromptu challenge of trial by combat, but he hadn't thought that it would have raised him as much as it had done. He had already had a decent rapport from his successful business dealings; however, he was somewhat shocked at the full advantage that he had gained from what had else wise been a profitable venture. Alice as well as he had gained their bone weapons that day. He had been shocked that Hermione and Alice had gained theirs so close to each other. They were an oddly balanced pair it seemed to him at times. Far too many similarities in the weird dynamic they had developed for him to consider at this time especially the parallels of Dora following Hermione's commands as easily as Anne followed Alice's directions.
"All right, I think that we could do with a cleaning off before we arrive at Gringott's," Harry said as he scooted out from under their cuddling grasp. "If you three ladies can extract your delicious bodies from the covers quick enough we might be able to play a bit in the showers before we leave..."
His lovers were treated to his nude body departing while bobbing as he moved. He may have not acted like it nor had they shown signs, but more than just two of them had been trying to tempt him to just part their thighs again except to sink his arousal into their so recently stirred and still ready slits. They blinked a few moments at the ritual enhanced muscles and felt their hands twitch to grab his ass and not let go.
They made a scramble for the bathroom as there was some time and they would be able to rinse off the sweat from the night before, this morning, and any that they worked up while in the shower. The bedroom was soon filled with the sounds coming from the bathroom. It was obvious that the four were getting a bit of morning fun in and were exercising in a very pleasurable way. Kiki's black skeleton head popped out from under the covers for a moment and shook her head in disbelief before settling back under the bed with the other companions and the sounds from the bathroom served to cover the sudden squeaks and crunches as the two companions tore into the no longer stunned prey that Kiki had liberated with their help from the house elves storage.
The three had decided not to draw their human companions to the area that the elves slaughtered the fresh meat or were the added blood for the two were coming from. The elves may be accommodating, but they didn't want to antagonize them anymore as if they had gone into the kitchens and started cooking or the halls and cleaning outside of a detention. Next year would be different with the entire group here, but until then they would likely not need the space to do some proper bloodletting. The hunters normally could grab a snack from the forest often enough for when they needed some fresher sustenance. The exit from the chamber did have an access for Lady Silver to go hunting and they had no inclination not to do that as well. The house elves were efficient enough that they did gather up whichever vermin tried to invade their home that the cats, birds and few snakes missed getting. Nothing went to waste and they completed all tasks to the best of their abilities as efficiently and timely as possible.
The goblins of Gringott's were preparing. They had gotten a very secure and exorbitantly comfortable meeting room ready. It was not often that the really important clients came in to do business. Oh, certain people thought they were important like most of the financially stable purebloods and the ministry lackeys, but there were few who were at this level of concern for their decisions.
The goblins had two important groups of people for the last five hundred years or so. The House of Li had been around for about a thousand years while the Flamel's had risen to prominence and as the only known holders of the perfected Philosopher's Stone there was not much they couldn't accomplish as so did the accumulated knowledge and recourses of the House of Li. Both had become more important than ministries in their courses. The House of Li had a number of abilities that were unheard of outside the house, but considering the goblins knew who their founder was and understood the nature of the house that didn't surprise them.
The goblins knew that while the House of Li was essentially leaders in truth that they were bred to be servants. They were a bit like house elves that way, but no one would think to cross them at this point. They could lead and think for themselves; however, they were conditioned and enhanced by their original master. It was a shame what some of that man's bastard descents had done. They had wasted what little money and recourses they had, but thankfully they had not access to the full vault and only had destroyed the seceded vaults for their use. It was why the man's assets were believed by the wizards to be depleted. The goblins never revealed clients' information, as it would be disastrous if they had such a reputation.
It would have been an insult to let those degenerates destroy such a legacy although they suspected that they had tarnished or tainted most of the clout already. The House of Gaunt had been an embarrassment to a once proud and important house. The last actions of the scion of that house even if he was a bastard son of a muggle and a near squib had been impressive in its affects even if they had been aware of the dangers if he had succeeded. They had known that the person leading that little crusade would have soon turned his attention to them. It would not do to keep funds in their hands when he could hoard it under his control.
Still they were not able to do certain things thanks to treaties, but they would have hoped that the house would have grown wiser when the young Tom Riddle showed power that far eclipsed his near squib relations. Oh the boy was brilliant academically, but he had somewhere gained the mistaken belief in his own self importance as well as immunity to consequences. The goblin nation was especially grateful that the House of Gaunt was a cadet house and unable to ruin the fortunes that Slytherin had accumulated in his travels thank you very much.
While most magicals of that age traveled far less than muggles of the modern era, Salazar Slytherin was the most traveled of the founders and they had wandered a good bit of the islands and the continent. Salazar had more thirst for knowledge than even Rowena and she had done a good job in her travel until she had encountered the areas with the crusaders and the Muslims and the conflict that was there. She was a woman and thus she had then turned to the north and did a good job in ripping the knowledge from the Norse and as far to the east as the twilight past the Black Sea. Salazar had not let a little thing like muggle religion impede his questing. He rooted around in Egypt and traveled along the silk roads through what had once been the Persian Empire. He passed through the strange to him and exciting orient. His time among the eastern mages and the serpent charmers had been useful.
He accumulated vast stores of wealth in both material and knowledge. He gained alliances and business relationships. Salazar returned to the cold wet islands of his birth with an agreement for items that were only available through import. Without the modern transportation methods, he had still managed to forge a link while the muggles were still living within a handful of miles from their birthplaces and dying fairly close to that. There were no Portkeys, brooms were shoddy, and yet he still moved elephant loads of goods from magical center to center. He had seen the wonderful cities of the east and yet his attempt to make his own country as impressive failed in some ways. He had settled for paved streets and some other minor sanitation.
He had taken his personal improvements on the space expansion charms to a family secret. He could place the entirety of most Gringott's vaults into something that fit on his pocket. He even managed to place shrunken space expanded objects into expanded space storage in contrast to what had been believed possible. Salazar had ended up with two major business associations that still existed. The House of Li had helped in his endeavors to understand and delve into the true nature of magic and existence. The other had managed to survive and prosper even when the British Empire eventually forced their trade into India. Salazar had even managed to get trade agreements with warring states so successful was his cunning.
'It was a shame that they are not here right now,' the goblin aid thought as he scurried around the higher ups coordinating this massively momentous summit. 'Still, three of the major economic powers entering into discussions is a very important event. Who would have thought that the Potter and Black fortunes would be tied together and that the one to do so would have managed to rise so far without any familial resources? It was almost as impressive as seizing that fool Griphook's and his clan's holdings. To think that a human would be honored with the titles of Clan Chief and Warrior is almost unexpected. It has been a few centuries at the least for a wizard to be granted equal respect as a warrior since so many of them are so cowardly with their wands. As for a human being an acknowledged Clan Chief of a clan that is considered goblin enough to carve their way to success has been even longer.'
The Goblin aid made his way to the Portkey and apparition points that had been allocated for this meeting. The wards were capable enough to keep out interlopers and there were only a handful of ways one could circumvent the wards that kept the bank secure from wizards and other external interests. A phoenix was about the only creature capable of bypassing the wards and despite appearances, Dumbledore did not have a phoenix more like his mentor sent the bird to keep an eye on him. There were maybe a few mostly forgotten methods to get past the layered safeguards and if they did then there was a contingent of blooded goblins to the front with some green rookies mixed in who did hope some of the less intelligent factions and groups would try to stick their nose into matters on goblin territory.
There was a distinctly eye watering distortion to the left of the chamber and a group of decidedly eastern individuals appeared in traditional garb unlike their western Wizarding counterparts. The clothing they wore was functional as well as formal and there was a distinctive scheme to the artistry on the silk clothes. The goblins in the room could tell there was enchantments woven into the fibers of the silk as well as functional dragon or similar hide as under armor that molded like a second skin from the lack of sound as they moved. The footwear that they wore was neither shoes nor boots; however, it was some sort of heavily altered slippers with particularly ridged soles.
"Welcome to Gringott's Bank London," one of the smartly dressed and properly bedecked in armor with a number of weapons strapped to his body goblins said with a traditional goblin bow that did not show the disrespect that they considered baring ones neck did. "We are honored to host this discussion and for your house to send such properly trained representatives."
"The House of Li could do no less," the spokesman said as he noticed the specific rankings and awards displayed on the goblin in front of him even if it did not display his name, which was typical of goblins as they had their own in fighting, "Warrior?"
"Silver-nail," The goblin answered before asking, "Li?"
There was a moment of silence as the goblin waited to hear whom he was addressing while he realized he had neglected his own introductions. He should have mentioned it sooner before the representative had prompted him and it was a minor social gaff, but there were a tendency in behavior when dealing with humans. The more he knew about whom he was dealing with than he would be better able to navigate the social dynamics of this level of politics. There was a tendency of privacy and often enough the eastern leadership tended to not have images of certain people. While the Flamel's had eventually ensured that their public image was as discreet, they had been featured on Chocolate Frog cards at one point; however, the modern ones did not have their accurate appearance on them.
"Li Wei-Shan, Head of House Li, I am honored to meet you Warrior Silver-nail," Wei-Shan said with a slight bow and smile as he watched the goblin's reactions in amusement. "I suppose it is unlikely that I should come here, but for such an important meeting it is better to come in person than to send even a trusted subordinate. Still I do hope we are not waiting long as it seems we are the first to arrive."
Wei-Shan had along with his entourage given the room a thorough look over. Those among his security force were already planning multiple evacuations and responses to the goblins present just in case there was a double cross by any of the four parties involved. The goblins may be very observant of the letter of their contracts, but that did not mean that they would not take every loophole, misinterpretation, and direction to their advantage. Goblins were trustworthy for a specific definition of the terminology. They would do what was in their best interests and their rebellions were as often about them trying to get some advantage in their own actions as possible.
"You are although I believe that the others will arrive soon," Silver-nail said with a slight inclination of his head and a look to the side. "The Flamel's are to arrive shortly, but Portkeys are still a ways from perfect in timing while apparition does have a limit in distance. I am sure you are aware of the general issues in this country in regards to certain beliefs and heritages. Unfortunately, the ministry here has not exactly been the most proactive of governments."
That was putting it lightly and Wei-Shan knew it as well. The British Magical community was arrogant to the extreme and believed that they made the policy for the whole world and with Dumbledore as Chief Warlock of their Wizengamot as well as their representative to the ICW and the Chief Mugwump of that they were not far off the mark. Thankfully, the ministries were as prone to nationalism as their muggle counterparts and as such, there was little chance for Dumbledore to shove things on a true international scale as while the ICW was powerful it was more like the League of Nations than the United Nations. Still there was more repression under the British Purebloods than elsewhere although the rest of Europe especially the eastern parts were almost as bad. Then again, the nations of Eastern Europe were often run by ministries where they were essentially controlled by the strongest wizard who would likely be called a Dark Lord by the British.
"We are aware of this, as well as other things that have made us less likely to involve ourselves in ventures here due to the level of risk involved," Wei-Shan acknowledged with a slight inclination of his head. "Still we have little reason to not involve ourselves here and since we have had connections here for a long time there is little need to change too much. As it is, we do have contingency plans in place even if we would prefer to never need to use them. I do believe that you have other safeguards as well especially with the way that the current trend seems to be going."
"I am not authorized to comment on such and thus can neither confirm nor deny the existence of any such things," Silver-nail said trying to sound as apologetic as a goblin could be. "I can state that Gringott's and the goblin nation are very concerned with safety of both our client's assets as well as our own."
"I see," he said as he looked at the goblin critically with an understanding having played the game for quite some time. "So when are the rest to arrive? I doubt that even for such a meeting that we can be away from our own affairs for too long, and we all have much to do and time is precious like any other finite resource. I take it that least one of the others will be arriving by Portkey?"
"Yes, it is an efficient if not pleasant experience that the magicals on this side of the world favor," Silver-nail replied even while he focused on the responses from the wards before he gave a sharp nod towards the eastern delegation. "It appears that at least one of the others is arriving that way now..."
The two groups, both the guards and clients, waited for the telltale signs of the Portkey to finish disgorging their travelers. It did seem somewhat disappointing that no one had managed to make a truly comfortable method of travel; although, the magical carpets used outside of England and somewhat the rest of Europe were comfortable to ride upon when travelling. It was a shame that the British businesses banned the import of carpets to prop up the broom market, but that was what most businesses would desire their governments to accomplish. The potion brewers in a number of countries did their best to make their particular brews with indigenous ingredients and did things to otherwise get around fees that went to licensed potions. It was why the potions in England tasted horrible while the French ones were smoother with pleasant aftertaste. If you wanted them to taste good, you paid more in Britain for them, or one had a few extras added to make them better.
Even if only the Goblins knew who he was at this point while the other two suspected, Harry's potions were a bit different as while they were made from native ingredients they lacked the extra junk that seemed to be used by the other brewers. Unfortunately, there were a few potions that did taste like the bottom of a person's shoes and were yet to find a way to remove the revolting taste do to the interactions with the rest of the ingredients. That did not mean that Harry just had brewers bulk producing potions as he did find a number were experimenting in making them enjoyable. He had been half-tempted to recruit the twin terrors once they graduated or more so when he was a bit further along, as they seemed to be talented in making their treats not unpleasant in taste. He was well aware that the pools of his employees had some ludicrous prizes for the ones who made the more unpalatable potions at least not make one queasy.
The underground potion supplier was known for his quantity, quality and more palatable potions. Wizards never suspected that one could be less than a squib magically and successfully brew potions. His ventures as well as employees had expanded since his foray to Gringott's all those months back. He really didn't know everyone that worked for him directly or indirectly anymore, which was something that he would have to fix in the future. As it was, Harry would never arrive by Portkey and the Goblins knew that and such they were expecting the Flamel's to arrive next. The greedy creatures were practically giddy with anticipation on how each would gain from these three and their interacting like this.
"Good day to you," Nicolas said as he and his party gently landed on their feet. "I take it we have made it here with plenty of time?"
"Indeed, Master Alchemist Flamel," Silver-nail said with a slight intonation to him and his party. "We are only waiting for one other party to arrive and I suspect you know how he and his guests will arrive. Have you met Wei-Shan Li, Head of House Li, before?"
"No I have not although we have had amicable relations with some of the previous heads," Nicolas said with a slight nod to the man. "Unfortunately, we have had some disagreements in the past as well. Have either of you met our other delegate before? We have only had written communications with him before. I will admit that it has been a while since we were contacted in such a way..."
"I see," Wei-Shan said with a note of interest. "I will admit the same and it has been some time since we were similarly contacted. Much better than that poor turkey looking bird, which that meddler has now and does such a poor job in maintaining. I do wonder what he has done to leave the poor dear so molted. None of the ones to the east have ever looked so depressed almost as if they had been forced to spend time among those guards the ministry here favors so much."
"And some people wonder why I prefer warmer more Mediterranean climates," Nicolas said with a shake of his head. "I admit the weather is nicer, but there also appears to be a more accommodating government when the weather and food are not so terrible. Still I am interested in meeting this young man, he definitely seems interesting."
"From what my daughter tells me, he is quiet interesting, but there is also much potential for each of us even if there is some risk involved," Wei-Shan said as he felt a nagging to his senses. "Still he will be interesting to meet in person, and to see if what we know of him is true. I am aware that we should not discuss all things in even as private a place as this, but I do not doubt that we will not be waiting too long. He is supposed to be quiet punctual unlike how disrespectful some are in this country."
"Perhaps that is true, but some places are even more lax in their appreciation for others time," Nicolas said as he felt a sudden sinking in the pit of his stomach. "Why do I have the feeling that he will arrive soon and that something of this is not what I had expected? Still this is a momentous day for all of us and I do hope we can at least hash out some prospects even if we don't necessarily come to a complete accord."
Before Wei-Shan could reply to that, there was a sudden rippling near them and a few figures seemed to surface out of a shadow near their feet in the center of the arrival point which was market by the golden seal of Gringott's. The long black cloaks were concealing their bodies somewhat while the hoods hid their faces. They could tell that the central figure was male and possessed a defined form if not yet his full height by the rest of his measure. On his shoulder was the particularly dangerous bird that had sent his missives to them. He was flanked with several decidedly female forms and the goblins held themselves at the ready as the arrivals were most assuredly armed and they knew were quite dangerous.
"Greetings to the Li Wei-Shan the Head of the House of Li, Master Alchemist Nicolas Flamel, and to the Goblin Nation at Gringott's Bank London at this most intriguing meeting," the cloaked man said with an inclination to each around them. "I believe the conference room is ready, Warrior?"
"Silver-Nail," the goblin replied while trying to keep his sudden instincts from being apparent. "I believe that you know them by reputation then, Warrior Clan Head Potter?"
"We have never met in person, and have exchanged some correspondence to know some of their beliefs; although, I do have it on good authority that they are not imposters as some fools would wish to entrap us for their own benefit," Harry said with an inclination of his head while Night cawed in agreement even as he flicked his hood down. "My companion here has met them and is sure they are who they say they are. One must never be too careful with the way some of our competitors behave. Why I even think that our Master Alchemist here had one of his trinkets purloined by his last student."
"Stupid meddling Dumbledore's," Nicolas said with his head down while his associates nodded in agreement while Perenelle just growled and muttered her own threats. "Ask him to look in on things and he acts like a Fletcher! I always knew he was trouble, but no we just had to try to prove that he wasn't a complete nitwit like his ancestors!"
"I understand where you are coming from as he has tried similar things in regards to my own property," Harry said with a sigh as he looked at the spry yet experiences older man. "I don't think I have run across one of the Fletchers, but given their reputation I suspect that any of that family would have to be foolish to try thievery against me. Some might lob their left wrist off to teach them a lesson, but I think it would be too quick for those notoriously wandering filching fingers of a Fletcher. I suppose I should introduce myself properly to you two and your entourage?'
"It would be appreciative, Warrior Clan Head Potter," Wei-Shan said as Nicolas continued to mutter under his breath about the things he would do to any Dumbledore. "I believe that Master Alchemist Flamel would agree if he was not temporarily indisposed do to the disappointment he is wracked by currently. As you surmised, I am Li Wei-Shan, Clan Head of House Li among other things."
"Ah well then, I am Harry James Potter-Black, Lord of the Houses of Potter and Black, necromancer and businessman of some success," Harry said with a slight smirk even as there was a sudden shift in the mood to his left. "It is a pleasure to meet you Clan Head Li Wei-Shan, Master Alchemist Nicolas Flamel. I hope that our discussion goes well."
"As do I," Wei-Shan said while Nicolas remained quiet.
He was quiet since this was not what either he or Perenelle planned to occur. It was a moment of shock and he felt he and his wife did well enough not to gasp at the significant of the double name. They were prepared for the necromancer to be a Potter, but the Blacks were a different matter entirely. They could only hope that he was less sadistic than the last one they had met. Thankfully, no one noticed their lapse of attention as they made themselves presentable. Well some of the ladies in the background might, but none of them would bring that up in public.
"Yes," Nicolas said covering his regaining of his voice with a cough. "I also hope that our discussions go well. Now as time is important and we do not wish to waste either our own or our hosts' time perhaps we should proceed to the meeting room?"
The two men looked at each other before nodding to Nicolas and then the Goblins. There were only so many hours in the day after all. Still one was not rude.
"If you would follow us then," Silver-nail said as he gestured towards one of the corridors. "The room prepared for your meeting is just a bit down the corridor."
"Of course," the three managed to respond just a few moments before each other.
As the three started behind Silver-nail, the ladies had a quick introduction of their own. It was subtle and mostly silent with the women focusing on reading the others lips to understand them. It was something that they were used to as part of the culture. In public settings, it was normal for a witch to defer to a wizard to make arrangements. The purebloods were fond of children and wives being seen and not heard unless they were being addressed that is. In private however, the women made arrangements for how the houses were run and were in charge of the servants and other internal matters.
While the men had acted as if they had not noticed nor their entourage, the Goblins had noticed the manner in which Flamel had acted on hearing the young necromancer's full name. They had also noticed the slight way the Li's had observed things before they had led them into the meeting room. They knew that there would be some important things going on here today. How they could best utilize the deals struck for their own well-being was something that they did not know yet.
The goblins had then led the human or mostly human magic users to the room and had arranged for refreshments to be in the room. The goblins had a few servants moving about serving all of them, but none of the clients paid them any mind although the Li's and the Potter-Black delegation always kept a weapon in quick reach as they knew how dangerous even the most innocent of servants could be. Even Nicolas had a sense for when an armed servant came close even if he had been enjoying the lavish lifestyle that he had since he could.
"Now as intermediaries," Silver-nail said with as much respect as a goblin could muster when surrounded by confirmed warriors and killers of the most successful sort, "is there anything that you require for us to do besides act as a neutral fourth party and thus try to facilitate your discussion?"
The three heads looked at each other. They were gauging what they wished to accomplish as well as what they needed to settle at this time. The subtle tilting of their heads and other cues led to them nodding to each other as they hashed out what response was best. Nicolas and Harry looked at Wei-Shan in a questioning manner and he subtle nodded in agreement.
"We do not believe so," Wei-Shan said while the other two nodded in ascent. "However, if we do not at this time that does not mean it will be the same in the future. Now which of us was going to start on this discussion?"
The obvious hinting that one of the other two should start since they had business just between them was apparent. Harry gazed at Nicolas obviously hinting that he should start. Nicolas gave him a quizzical look and contemplated it for a few moments. Harry inclined his eyebrow in question before Nicolas sighed and inclined his head. Wei-Shan smiled slightly as he wanted their business settled and he could get a better feel for them in how they interacted.
"I will admit that there was some business between us that needed to be done in person," Nicolas said with some hesitation. "Now considering that this is a private place, I must ask, what were you requesting for the secure retrieval of the item that meddlesome disappointment of an apprentice made off with?"
"Nothing all that bothersome," Harry said trying to make things seem to be unimportant. "I will admit that the disappointment didn't do too good a job of either securing it or protecting it. Considering that you have acquired a fair bit of lore, some access to such and some hands on enlightenment is not that high a price to pay. I will admit that I wouldn't mind watching you chastise the disappointment and that it would be somewhat enjoyable. That man thinks far too much of his own worth and opinions, and yet there is nothing yet that any of us could do at this point in time. Perhaps that is something for us to discuss at a later date?"
"Yes, it might be a good thing to discuss, and your request is not a difficult one," Nicolas said as he contemplated something. "You didn't bring it with you, did you?"
"No, although I can have it brought here fairly easily," Harry said with a slight bit of hedging. "I believe you would prefer it on your person than to wait until arriving at your home?"
"Yes, it would probably be best," Nicolas reluctantly admitted as he had dreaded what calamity Albus's meddling could have caused. "We can discuss the specifics later. I do not think either of us would like to waste anyone else's time by holding things up."
"Of course," Harry said before looking at Night. "Night, could you go retrieve the item?"
The necromantic bird looked at him and cawed before looking about the room. Harry was reluctant to let them know that his bird could circumvent the wards even if most of them knew or at least suspected that such could be done. Things were solved by one of the goblins opening a door and the hard to keep an eye on bird took flight before vanishing once out of their sight.
"A most unique way to keep things secure," Nicolas admitted while feeling a pang for leaving Fawkes with Dumbledore even thought it was necessary. "I do not believe that we will have long to wait and then we can at least continue our discussion."
Wei-Shan and Silver-nail nodded at that in agreement. The goblins were hosting this and while there may not be a lot of things decided there would be at least enough that the goblin clans would profit greatly. The House of Li did have a large number who were at least equal to a blooded goblin warrior and they did not wish to have them or their allies bring their might to bear on them. While they may not necessarily rule the east, Silver-nail knew that the House of Li was not to be crossed there. Sure, there were upstarts and rivals, but one did not provoke them with impunity. It reminded him of the Borgia and some of the other former ruling houses in Europe. The muggles may have placed more power in their central governments, but the ministries were a relatively new thing and even then, the older powers were still there. The ancient and noble houses were still able to raise armies and there were concessions to the old ways such as blood feuds and the like.
One may have been one of the light or dark families, but some things were the same regardless of politics. The wizards should have either settled their disputes privately without endangering others livelihoods or property or formed alliances and settled things. It was something that the goblins and most other magicals found stupid in the way humans lied to themselves at times. Regardless of their notions of good or evil, light or dark, or even political beliefs, if one was pushed to survive they did what was necessary. It was foolish to have some of their rules that they did. One either killed or conquered their opponent such that they were no longer a threat, and these touchy feely generations of light wizards were fools. The older generations of even the nicest most tolerant light wizards would have slaughtered any who threatened their survival, family, or interests. Those from the period prior to Albus Dumbledore and his greater good were what wizards should be to the goblins.
"Caw," Night cried entering the room before settling onto Harry's shoulder. "Caw... caw"
"Well, I believe this is the item you requested," Harry replied as he handed over a small bag with hellishly powerful protection spells woven into it. "Once you are able to ascertain its authenticity, I believe we will have enough trust to at least negotiate some things..."
"That we will," Nicolas said as he opened the bag and peered inside to see his stone. "Well it looks like we have some trust now."
"It is always better to negotiate when one has some understanding of the other and best when one has established trust and thus a rapport," Wei-Shan said with an inclination of his head while his other half observed the rest of each group's representatives even as he noticed their people doing the same. "I believe you have stated that you will be spending time with the Flamel's this summer and Su has mentioned that you wish to do so with us as well."
"That is true," Harry conceded to Wei-Shan. "Su was most proud of your libraries and believed that it would be beneficial to reference some things there. She also mentioned that there was some trade we could do..."
"Of course, knowledge is useful, but if one does not have the material that practical applications require it can be frustrating," Wei-Shan agreed even as he felt the approval for Su's master increasing among the rest of the family with him. "I believe that you have made a significant profit in potions and ingredients already. I take it you both wish to enter into the market in our area as well as acquire ingredients more readily than through other channels?"
"But of course, one always wishes to expand one's business," Harry said while tilting his head in agreement to him. "Growth is necessary for success even though stability is the key to longevity. Now not to be inconsiderate, but I believe our associate here also has some interests that we could collaborate with and thus further improve our individual holdings. One must always plan for the future, and I for one wish to ensure that none of me and mine will have the misfortunes that have visited others or us to occur."
The two rapidly nodded and they got down to hammering out a solution. The goblins watched in rapt fascination as offers and counteroffers, deals and compromises, as well as nitpicking of initial accords were discussed, debated, and decided. Now while the male heads were doing this, their entourages were visually dissecting each other. It would not be too long before they likewise negotiated, although they did hold silent communications as well as adding input into the negotiation. It was just tradition and practice that the heads negotiated a unified coalition.
The ladies were planning how to interact in the background. It may seem sexist to most, but the traditions had the men deal with outside issues while the head lady ran the household. This meant that the women would be having their own discussions to better the households. Harry was slightly peripherally aware that Hermione was watching some of the female Li's with an appreciative look. His subconscious was well aware that Hermione could have a voracious appetite for carnal needs. He had more than once watched as Hermione devoured and lapped at Dora and Su. He was aware that Alice did the same to Anne as well as the girls in the neighborhoods. His conscious mind was not really noticing that Hermione seemed to want to prove her dominance over other females or the pleasure his lover would take in leaving them drained and covered in fluids with her arm drenched while the females in question were vacant eyes and susceptible to her prodding.
The men did cast their gazes over the others present and even Harry was appreciative of the quality of the female forms around them. Their minds contemplated things even as they hashed out some preliminary trade agreements. Harry had almost cornered the British underground potion market with only a few long time competitors, but he would be foolish not to try to get more fingers into the business pies in other countries. He really wouldn't mind that he likely would have to have his fingers in some honey to smooth things out, and he knew that his ladies wouldn't mind. He suspected that Hermione would try to prove that youth and enthusiasm with some experience could equal the depths of Perenelle Flamel's skills. It would not necessarily be the worst such competition he could witness, but he could feel the looks that the younger Li ladies were giving him and he found that just a bit more amusing.
"So do we have an understanding?" Harry asked the other two after they had hashed out some bidirectional and tri-directional accords. "I think that we all have been fairly straightforward on what initial agreements we are willing to accept, and we all have other pressing business to deal with eventually..."
"I believe that we do," Wei-Shan said as he turned to look at Nicolas in agreement, even as his eyes ghosted over the ladies behind both and he felt a need to return home and deal with some pressing matters, "that is if Nicolas does not mind?"
"No, there is nothing that I mind in the current agreement, Wei-Shan, Harry," Nicolas said as his gaze was appreciatively on the tight clothed Asians and the already blossoming ladies arrayed around Harry. "Then if we are concluded, we all probably have things that need our attention."
Nicolas did not voice that he would likely not make it past the entrance hall before Perenelle demanded someone drive her to climax and that he would either be doing that or doing so to one of the other learning girls that came with them. He was really hoping that Harry would be accommodating with his apprentices as he could tell that they were already shaping up to be quiet the adventurous type. He had noticed Perenelle get a predatory look in her eyes when she had seen the darlings the necromancer was training and the necromancer himself. He doubted that the young man would mind emptying his drained arousal into and onto her body or if his ladies did the same and received the same.
"Well then, I guess we should be off," Harry said while making a circuit in nodding to everyone. "Silver-nail it was most profitable for us to have this meeting. Just let me know if there is any things that are needed..."
"Of course, Warrior Clan Head Potter," Silver-nail said with a goblin nod of respect, "you have brought much business to us already. We have little doubt that you will not bring great fortunes to those associated with you. Besides, you do have a stake in the bank now."
"He does?" Wei-Shan asked in interest. "Well that is something we can discuss later. Su was right in that you really are an interesting young man. The rest of the family and house is looking forward to meeting you."
He left unsaid that he was well aware that his wife and the other women had sent appreciative looks to both him and his ladies. He doubted that Su's praises would not result in at least one of his nieces if not another female relation trying to bed him at least once. He thankfully had avoided hearing his wife or the ladies talk about the pillow talk that Su had confided in her letters. He was her father and thus did not want to know exactly what she was doing with her man. If his wife got any tips from her well, he would enjoy it better without any details.
"I agree that is interesting," Nicolas said while wondering what affect it would have on both his and Perenelle's plans in regards to mutual coital bliss with both each other and this new snag. "I also agree with Wei-Shan here that we will need to talk about it later. We will need to set some things in motion before your arrival. I also will need to have words with the person who misappropriated some of my property..."
"It is good that we have some time to arrange things as I have some things to oversee before I can visit either of your homes," Harry said as the hungry gazes being directed at him and his girls. "Warrior Silver-nail, it is likely that I will be here again somewhat soon to go over some private business matters. My business associate seems to be doing a good job in managing things so I do not have to micromanage everything."
"That is understandable Warrior Clan Head Potter," Silver-nail said as he ignored the mating rituals of the human clients. "A good leader knows when to entrust things to ones underlings and does the best to make sure they are the best and most trustworthy and loyal as they can be. Now if you don't mind, I have business of my own to conduct..."
The three leaders nodded and proceeded down the corridors while Silver-nail made his way about his business. They were unhurried by the goblins bustling about. Most wizards would be somewhat off put with the fact that every goblin was armed, but most of the current group was as dangerous without as with magic. Even Nicolas was far less out of shape than the typical western wizards were, but it was the Li's and Harry's groups that were as in shape physically as magically although the Li's had the edge in experience.
"Until we meet again," Harry said with a nod to each as they moved closer to their arrival point. "Hopefully we can settle more things next time."
"Of course," Nicolas and Wei-Shan agreed as they rounded to the corridor heading directly to the apparition point.
The three groups had made their way to the exit point out of a slight bit of respect to the goblin's that is. Harry and his party could have simply disappeared regardless of the goblin wards, but that was not an ability he planned on advertising. Wei-Shan likewise had methods of traveling that was more common in the east, which tended to not be warded against in the west. Nicolas was likely able to similarly get his ass out of the fire if something went wrong, but his would have been used only if the meeting had degenerated to settling things with trials by combat.
They had not gotten too much agreed on with only preliminary potion related trading, but Nicolas had his stone back while Harry had gotten lessons in alchemy and other esoteric magics arranged with the Flamel's. Wei-Shan had used most of the time to observe in person the man who was his precious Su's master. He had managed to hide his shock when he had seen his eyes in that particular shade. If Su's suspicions were true and he was the one in the prophecy of Emerald Eyes and Silver Fire, then getting a feel on the future for his house was important. It had not been that much effort to extend an invitation to their house and their protection while they were there for part of the summer. If he were the one, it would be best if he and they got used to each other. As for the Flamel's, it was not as if they had bad relations with them for the most part.
They all had plans and things to arrange even if there had been some tentative agreements before this. The meeting was more for them to get a personal feel for each other and see if future relations would be beneficial. The three did settle and come to an accord on aiding each other in facilitating business supplies and services between each other. Mostly it was the potion ingredients and brews that had been very beneficial for Harry in exchange for foreign ingredients. Harry did suspect that Nicolas would be interested in some other services given how active they were. One of the things he had hesitated to negotiate was what all would be acceptable to occur over the summer. He was fairly certain that Nicolas did have traditional requirements for studying, but while he had no problem with either he or his ladies ravishing Perenelle or any of the female servants that did not mean he was willing to allow other males to ravish his girls. It would be something to discuss when they arrived anyways.
Harry had no real problems with the other girls doing things, and he was slightly less possessive of Anne than he was with Alice while Hermione was a bit of a different matter. The other two had been broken in a way, and even his own sinister side wished to prevent that from ever happening to Hermione. Dora was again different, but since he had been willing to allow her tryst with Dora's other female lover he knew he didn't have much room to complain if she told him that there was a guy she wanted to try. He didn't think it was all too likely since she was viewing most of the other guys she knew based on two standards: her father and him, which to him was a good thing. Sarah had been quiet open on telling him things and Alice and Anne had told him of the things that they had done. He couldn't blame them, but his mind did consider things other than vaginal sex differently than other sexual or sensual acts.
More things to deal with later, was the thought the three had as they departed. The three men suspected that there would be other issues over the summer. Both Wei-Shan and Nicolas had more than a few glances directed at the necromancer's students. They both could admit that they were attractive, but they were also sure that they were dangerous. With a look at the girls' master, they came to the realization that anyone trying anything that the ladies did not want or that he did not give permission for would be something one would regret for what little of their life was left. That in part had raised their respect for the youngster.
Wei-Shan was sure that he would take good care of Su and that she would be happy and challenged. If things worked out, he would likely see about arranging employment for some of his house even if he was not the one in the prophecy. He suspected that at least one of his nieces would wish a permanent arrangement while some would not mind some exercising with both the man and his women. There was a thirst there that he suspected would voraciously devour the library. The young woman to his right would be likely to find a way to learn all she could while she was there. He did not doubt the similar girl to his left was likewise driven. One was slightly more outgoing than the other was and their body language did indicate that the lot of them were quiet intimate. It was none of his concern unless it endangered his house and their survival, interests, or happiness.
Nicolas was grateful in part that the Potter blood seemed to be tempering the young necromancer. He had almost lost his bowels when he had heard that the necromancer they were negotiating with was of House Black. Despite the recent troubles, House Black and the Lord Black had a reputation. He had no doubt that Lord Harry Potter-Black had killed and that if anyone harmed those under his protection that they would have a very long drawn out and agonizing death. On the plus side, the youngster had definitely ensured that his women were in the peak of physical condition and the likely was not lacking for want of sexual congress. He didn't doubt that the eyes Perenelle were shooting were pure business or intellectual interest. He didn't mind his wife taking other lovers any more than she minded his. He didn't doubt that she would get ravished by the lot of them when they were there. He did hope that she was not foolish enough to try to dominate the boy as any successful practitioner of that art had to have an unbending will and resolve. It would be entertaining either way.
They each similarly left to how they arrived. Harry and company paid more attention to how the Li's departed since it was not a method they were familiar with presently. He did notice that his girls did give Perenelle a good look over and he could almost taste how interested they were. He didn't doubt that Alice and Anne would likely beat Hermione to wringing the woman until she was disheveled and worn in a bed and they had their fill. He was slightly grateful that Wei-Shan had not brought any associates closer to their age or they would likely have trailed off as they stared. Su's mother was intriguing enough as it was.