Morning, Hospital Ward, Hogwarts - May 15, 1995

  The laughter filling the Hospital ward was new, but not unexpected. With Harry there for the last few weeks from school and his Auror guards. This was the scene that Snape walked in on, the three of them conversing and making jokes while Harry was eating the last of what looked like a good four plates worth of food.

  Inwardly Severus smiled, it was good to see the young man recovering from his troubled start in life. If he was honest with himself, he felt relief more than anything. Harry seemed to be recovering from the trauma everyone in his life so far had inflicted upon him.

  Greeting the group as he walked over, Snape tried to drop his guard some. He was tired of playing the role necessary for the ‘eventual’ rise of Voldemort again. Just so he could play the part of a traitor spy.

  Honestly, he never wanted to do the types of things he had to do in the previous war at Dumbledore's urging. It destroyed a little piece of his soul every time. Life was precious, to torment and twist the lives of the innocents he encountered while playing his role as a faithful Death Eater simply destroyed him.

  Taking a seat, he had a few things to do. Since the Auror’s were of higher ranks, it would shortcut the process to get in contact with Amelia. He wished to inform her of his part in the previous war, he wanted to shield himself from the eventual fallout coming for ‘Professor Whiskers.’

  “Ah, Poppy and Mr. Potter, you will be glad to know that by the end of tomorrow the Mandrakes should be ready for harvest. This will allow me to make the potion required for our petrified students sooner than expected.” Snape opened up after the initial small talk.

  “That’s great!” Potter exclaimed, “Please let me know when you give them the potion Poppy, I don’t want ‘Mione to wake up alone.”

  “Of course not Harry, please finish your food before you get distracted, you have a long day ahead of you.”

  “Copy that boss!” Harry said with a sarcastic salute and a cheeky smile.

  “Tipsy! Could I bother you for a spot of tea?” Snape asked the air, smiling when his personal elf helped him out. “Thank you!”

  xOxOx

  Morning, Leaky Cauldron, London - May 15, 1995

  An hour later…

  “Mr. Potter, I have never seen such poor grace when exiting the Floo before! My goodness.” Snape laughed quietly as he walked towards Harry. Staring at a dishevelled young man who managed to do some incredible acrobatics as he exited the Floo in the Leaky Cauldron.

  Picking him up he wandlessly banished the soot and ash that clung to him, “Up you get now, I should have realised that you’ve never been taught how to Floo travel before. My apologies Mr. Potter.” Snape said softly, “I’m sorry for laughing too.”

  Sighing in dismay, Harry said quietly “Nah, it was pretty funny. I’m useless at wizarding transport apart from flying on my broom.”

  “Well there’s just a small trick to it, I’ll teach you on the way back, alright?” Snape said, his mouth twitching into a reluctant smile.

  “Thanks, Professor.”

  “Let’s get our business done, we can shop afterwards. I need to set you up with a great number of things. Especially since you should already be the Heir.” Leading the way out the back, Snape and Harry greeted Tom with a smile and a wave.

  Which was a first for Tom, Snape never smiles.

  Tapping the correct bricks, Harry let them through. Swiftly walking through and rushing to the bank. “Slow down Mr. Potter! No need to rush.”

  “Sorry Professor, I don’t like how people stare at me when I’m in public you know?”

  Snape had to stop and think at that statement, for a shy introverted boy…well, it's certainly understandable. Being famous for something that is a source of great pain for him. “Understandable Mr. Potter, to be quite honest there’s not much you nor I can do to change that. However, let’s put this problem in perspective. A thought exercise if you will. We have two options, you can choose to hide from it. Passively experiencing life, and choosing to never control people's perceptions nor their reaction to you. In essence, you allow them to behave as they please.”

  “...Or?” Harry snarked.

  “You can control your life. Set expectations, boundaries… how you do that is completely up to you.”

  The conversation drops as Snape can see Harry is deep in thought. Trying to muddle through his problem. He was glad that the young man was thinking about solving his problem. Proud also that he continued to encourage the young scion to grow and change for the better.

  “Ah, here we are. Are you ready Harry?”

  Harry looked up at the famous poem at Gringotts entrance. Firming his will, pulling his confidence to the fore. Taking a deep breath, his eyes lit up as he led the way through the final doors into the bank. Ready to take on whatever challenges that await.

  xOxOx

  Morning, Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley - May 15, 1995

  “Greetings Master Goblin, may your enemies lay crippled before you and their gold fill your vaults.” Snape spoke, imbuing a feeling of sincerity in his voice.

  Yet the goblins ignored him completely. Bowing their head to their desk they had eyes only for Harry. “Greetings Warrior Potter, may your enemies' broken corpses lay before you, their wealth now your own. Irontalon at your service.”

  Bemused, Harry responded quickly in kind. Happy to be shown a modicum of respect for a change. The goblins actually saw him for who he was, not what he ‘is’.

  “I have come to see my account manager, Irontalon. If you could please notify him of our arrival.” The goblin quickly scribbled a message before dropping it into a small locked box on the side of his desk. Goblin magic, Harry presumed.

  “Glad to hear Warrior Potter, the rumours have somewhat explained your absence since your return to our world, yet Account Manager Blacktooth will require a full accounting. Please follow Griphook, he will lead the way.”

  “Our thanks Master Goblin.” Harry said, as they followed the younger Goblin towards a hidden door behind the aisles of tellers.

  “Glad to see you once more Griphook, may your enemies fall at your feet and your vaults fill with gold evermore.” Harry intoned with a smile.

  Surprised, Griphook returned the mandatory greetings. “I’m surprised you remember me, Warrior Potter, it was over a year ago since we last met.”

  “You showed me kindness in a world that had none.” Harry stated. His simple words showed spine while offering respect, something that Goblins respected above all else.

  Nodding his head in agreement, the younger goblin thoughtfully responded. “It seems that it has forged a stronger person then. The world will eventually fear your name Young Warrior, so you can pay it back in kind.”

  Knocking sharply at the door, Griphook opened it quickly shepherding them inside. “Farewell Warrior, may your enemies' broken bones form your throne, and their wealth your palace.”

  Nodding his farewell, Harry curiously inspected the room before taking his seat before the older goblin. It was a rather spartan environment, if you ignored the individual's personal trophies. A taxidermied Troll head, the fang of a Wampus cat and even a singular large dragonscale.

  “Warrior Potter, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. My name is Blacktooth.” The venerable Goblin said quietly, after which he offered a belated Goblin greeting. This distinct snub was not something that Snape nor Harry expected after their most recent interactions with representatives of the Goblin Nation. Especially from the Potter Account Manager.

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  Knowing that Goblins appreciated forthright behaviour and honesty in their dealings, Harry decided to deal with this matter head on. “Have I done something to offend Master Blackjaw? It seems to me that you are not happy that the rightful Heir Potter is here to tend to his accounts. One would think that you have a deal on the side.”

  The hunched little Goblin perked up in alarm. Clearly something had gone on with the Potter accounts. “Professor, is there a way for me to request that someone of a higher managerial position in Gringotts checks my accounts? I’m a little, sorry, very unconfident that this individual has stayed true to his previously outlined contract with my ancestors.”

  “I’m glad you brought it up Harry, first you must make the request in formal language. Best to make it public, so that this miscreant can’t misplace your request, nor hide any of his wrong doings.” Snape said, his dark eyes focused on the Goblin in question.

  “So it would be best to go back to… Irontalon, was it? And make the request there?” Quick on the uptake Harry pushed the act further. “I wanted to at least check that my families investments were healthy. Otherwise I would have to seek to do my banking elsewhere, perhaps with the Dwarves of Svartheim?”

  “Exploring your options is never a bad idea Harry, especially if you believe members of the bank have subverted or mishandled any of your business dealings. To be honest, I would have advised you to get in contact with the Gnomes and the Dwarves. It wouldn’t surprise me to find that your Mother, Lily Potter nee Evans, had individual accounts in different locations. She was a pragmatic, prudent and frightfully intelligent woman.”

  At these comments the Goblin simply couldn’t take it anymore, “By what right do you have to advise Heir Potter to remove his gold from our service?” Blackjaw said, his argumentative tone letting us know we had hit onto something.

  “With how he’s asking Harry, I would request that higher power forthwith. In fact, do you remember the way to the entrance? I can watch that this cretin doesn’t destroy some crucial piece of evidence, nor contact his colleagues in crime.”

  “Copy that Professor.” Harry said, quickly standing and making a move towards the foyer of the bank. In less than five minutes, Snape was swiftly surrounded and asked to stay seated while they awaited ‘Higher Judgement’.

  Nearly half an hour later, Harry turned up escorting a finely dressed goblin who was carrying a Goblin Silver Lochaber axe. It wasn’t the traditional large size, but it was still a fearsome weapon. Accompanying them was a group of other guards, dressed even finer than the previous two Goblins that had waited with Snape in the account managers office.

  Once everyone had entered the room, an aged and hunched over Goblin finally clunked into the room, bent over a cane. Accompanied by his apprentice who carried a small black briefcase.

  “Warrior Potter, Professor Snape, thank you for your forbearance and patience. I, Ragnok Bonesplitter, wish to apologise on behalf of the Goblin Nation for the lack of care and service that you have experienced this day.”

  Before anyone could even respond, the account manager flinched, knowing something bad was coming his way. “Blackjaw, would you care to explain how exactly it was that you came to earn the privilege of acting on behalf of the Potter accounts?”

  The older goblin flinched, he knew now the game was up. Looking around him, taking in the situation he found himself in, he knew there was no way out. “Politics Lord Ragnok. The original Account Manager was framed for a banking discrepancy by someone, I know not who. Following which my clan was encouraged to place someone in this role and assist Headmaster Dumbledore in managing the Potter accounts.”

  Hanging his head in fear and shame, he tried to justify himself. “Personally I have not acted against the interest of the Potters, nor have I personally stolen or taken anything from the vaults. I made sure that I would act in the best interest of this Ancient Magical House, and their wealth.”

  Humming to himself in thought, Ragnok leaned on his axe. Playing with its edge, a delicate tinkle would resound through the room every time his thumb brushed against its sharp edge.

  “Now, let’s get down to business shall we?” Ragnok announced with a wicked gleam in his eye.

  xOxOx

  Lunch, Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley, London - May 15, 1995

  “Well that was not what I expected of the Honourable Goblin Nation.” Snape stated firmly. “I must admit my confidence in this institution has been rocked. I believe that I will be informing my closest financial allies to shift our funds elsewhere…” he finished, shaking his head in dismay.

  Even Ragnok was a little put out, his so far, stoic facade cracking in places. “To be quite honest, this is the biggest breach of our contractual logic and procedure in well…ever.” Handing his personal weapon to his guard, he eyed the assembled goblins before him. Walking away from the table he massaged his own brow, his frustration was now peeking out behind his rigid self-control.

  “Professor, if I could request that you allow me and my higher account managers to address this issue? If it is not to your satisfaction, Gringotts will waive all fees for the transfer of wealth to the institution of your choice, plus a reimbursement of monies lost and an extra half million galleons for your silence on this matter.”

  Snape was genuinely stunned, he only wished to apply such pressure on Harry’s behalf. After all he was the party that was not just affected, but detrimentally harmed by the Goblin Nations actions.

  “I will consider it, my answer will depend on how you choose to help Heir Potter with his needs today.” Snape thoughtfully responded.

  Harry stayed quiet, knowing only the surface details, not seeing the carefully conveyed message underneath the pleasant discussion.

  “Of course! A reasonable response Sir.” Ragnok replied, “As for our response, we will of course deal with that forthwith. It isn’t an imposition, after all we just need to do what should have been done in the first place. Seeing as the law both wizarding and goblin have been breached in this matter...” The goblin clicked his fingers, signalling to a guard and the Account masters apprentice to see to his decree.

  “Now they will take a half hour to grab the necessary paperwork, fully corrected, with moneys from Blackjaws own accounts used to make up for the missing moneys. As to the heirlooms that were removed from the main vault, they shall be tracked down and recovered, free of charge.” Sighing heavily, “The issue comes, where if we are unable to recover any of the Potter possessions.”

  “If I might make a suggestion Ragnok?” Snape asked carefully. “Why don’t you lock down the suspected perpetrators' vaults, and not notify him. That way when he comes you can hold him under goblin law and seek the truth of the matter.”

  “That is a rather extreme, yet a very effective response.” Ragnok mused. “I believe that we can keep that option ready to go, after all, we may not need to go so far.”

  “Now, as to the Potter wills, we will be unable to unseal them Lawfully, at least, until the Ministry gives the OK. Though with the information we have uncovered and the clear and disgusting misuse of power and justice in this matter… It shouldn’t take long at all.”

  Harry chimed in, “If you were to imply that this story would be leaked to the Daily Prophet and even some other foreign news publications, the loss of face alone would be unbearable for Fudge. He seems like a paid for stooge, his political acumen is bought and created by his backers. If he loses the credibility that he has painstakingly maintained? Well, the house of cards would come crumbling down…”

  At the entire group's stares, he hung his head with a quiet, “Oops?”

  “That is brilliant Harry,” Snape said quietly. “A very cunning move, very Slytherin in fact.”

  “Well the hat did want me to go to Slytherin…” Now Snape had a gobsmacked look, his jaw was now trailing behind him on the floor.

  “Didn’t expect that, Professor?” Harry smirked, his glib tone just added to Snapes confusion. All the while Ragnok howled, his laughter so loud it even alerted the guards outside.

  Once everyone settled down, Ragnok said, “We’ve done the majority of the auditing now. However, that doesn’t help you with the business you actually wanted to attend today, Heir Potter.”

  “True, I was just looking for an itemized list of my assets, particularly residences. Though I do want to go through my family's investments. I am as of yet, uneducated in such matters, but understanding my profit loss profile would be a good place to start. There are also a few people who can help me learn about such matters. Though I was considering hiring a tutor with an understanding of muggle based business, marketing, investment and economics.”

  Snape leant back in his chair. Baffled by these well structured and intelligent requests, it simply illustrated to Snape how a little support could go a long way. Harry was running the show, and it seemed like he wasn’t even needed here today. He marvelled at how far he had come out of his shell.

  “Hmm, easy enough to do. Though I would also recommend that you take up your Heir Ring. There are a few inbuilt protections that would help a great deal. Especially from befuddlement charms and potions to name but a few.”

  Snape stepped in at this point, “It also allows you to have more of a say of what is going on with your houses finances. While you will not be able to take up the position to your Head of House until your seventeenth birthday, as there is no head currently, you will then become known and acknowledged in wider wizarding society. They formalise a situation such as yours naming you, THE Potter, or Lord Potter, even if you are yet to claim your Head of House position.”

  “There are a few more details that are unimportant as of yet. Though I will encourage you to do a few things today. Firstly, check how much is in your Trust vault. Secondly, ask the goblins for a list of investments for a monetary amount equaling no more than half of that value. Thirdly, find out when your trust vault refills from the main family vault. Finally, I would also recommend a full bloodline test.”

  Ragnok interrupted the Professor at this juncture, “Why the bloodline test? There’s no need…?”

  “Correct, however I know my best friend very well. In fact I expect there to be emergency vaults or some hidden assets that can be collected by Harry. She was a frighteningly intelligent woman who planned far into the future.”

  “I never met her but I would not put it past her. She did have a reputation for being the smartest witch of her generation, muggle born or not.”

  “Agreed professor, you’ve made a compelling argument. However, could I please request three or four meals? I’m beyond hungry.” Harry said, grimacing slightly. “I feel like I’m eating myself alive right now.”

  “Not a Problem Warrior Potter, I can certainly offer you a highly infused magic meal.” Ragnok claimed with a wide toothy grin.

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