Chapter Text
"'Arry we're back." The call of my name and the screeching sound of machinery bring me out of my thoughts. I flicked my eyes back over to him from the paintings, "Back here!" I call out as I step back around the piled money. Hagrid laughs at my messy attempt to avoid stepping on items and helps me out by picking me up from under my armpits. Pulling me close to him he places me back down on the ground with a chuckle.
"Are you lookin' around, then? We'd best be headin' off before it gets busy." The giant chuckles out as he pulls a purple velvety bag from his trenchcoat pockets. His large hand reaches towards the tall towers of copper, gold, and silver coins that were neatly stacked, grabbing a handful of each. "Now, 'Arry, ye'll want t' remember this. One gold Galleon is about €5.58, one silver Sickle is about €0.33, and one copper Knut is about €0.01. Simple enough, aye?" The quick numbers gave me a headache almost instantly but I nodded as if I caught what he said.
He tightened the sting of the bag and handed it to me before hesitating. "Mind ye, don't go wastin' such coin now. Most folk haven't got it so easy, and I've put more than enough aside to cover all yer shoppin'." His tone was a warning, a scalding almost by the way he wags his finger in front of my face.
I slowly nod along with his words, "Okay- but you will still be helping me right?" Hagrid's face softens and he ruffles my hair, "Of course, silly. I've gotta keep ye from gettin' lost." Looking back at the vault I ask a rather dumb question. "So I can use all of this whenever?" My voice was timid but I was too curious not to ask. "Well, um, I wouldn't quite put it like that. There are rules in place until ye're an adult, of course. Goblins and yer magical guardians oversee the money and estates-" "Estates? What all did my parents leave me?"
Hagrid pauses, chuckling nervously, "Um, ye see, 'Arry, it ain't just yer parents. I reckon ye've at least gotten-" "Please be aware that I have other customers to attend to besides yourselves, sirs." Griphook's voice said, its scratchy tone calling out from the trolley cart where he still stood with a bored expression. His long unkempt nails tapped against the lever beside him. He's quite impatient and rude for a customer service employee. "Ye, of course! C'mon now, 'Arry, we dinnae want to keep 'im waitin'." The giant laughs while stepping back from the vault back into the trolley. With one last look at my family's vault, I too join the goblin inside the small cart.
The old creature grumbles something about wizards and takes their time before dismissively waving his hand toward the vault. In an instant the door swings back, gently closing itself as the locks reactivate. Sadly even after that interaction, I was even more confused. What is with these people and not finish their thoughts? Is that everybody or just Hagrid?
The ride back to the surface was quiet besides Hagrid humming himself a small tune and the clunking of machinery quickly speeding along the tracks. The noise of our transportation was far too loud to ask any of my questions so I decided to just pocket them for a later moment, for now, I just silently sat beside the man with a tight vise-like grip on the velvet bag.
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Out of the stuffy underground, Hagrid offers his hand to me easily pulling me out of the cart and onto the solid ground. The motion sickness subsides much quicker than the first time. "Perhaps it's time to review this transaction and enlighten Mr. Potter about his outstanding balance?" The goblin croaks out, still holding a rather hostile tone towards us. Hagrid glanced down at me before his eyes darted back to the goblin, nervously looking between the two of us. "Is that even possible? I'm not 'is guardian, just supposed to fetch the money and, er, well..." He sighs, nodding in defeat. "Yeah, I suppose it's 'is right to know..."
Griphook simply nods, wordlessly walking off down one of the long corridors. Confused I looked from Hagrid and the growing in distance goblin. "Are we supposed to follow him?" I whispered unsurely to the male I'd grown to trust. "Yeah just- just mentally prepare myself for paperwork. I've never been ta brightest student and it always gives me a killer headache." He mumbles with his head down before chuckling. "Guess t'ats why I ain't a student no more," he jokes before placing a hand on my shoulder guiding me behind the goblin and in turn letting the small creature lead the way.
Griphook waddles into a secluded office, snapping his fingers for the door and blinds to shut, giving us privacy. Griphook walks behind the large white desk, temporarily disappearing from our sight. "Mr. Potter, we need to address this promptly," His voice was faint before he sat up on the chair that lifted him into our view once more. It was just enough so that he could look over the desk.
"I understand you might prefer not to spend the entire day discussing your finances." His scruffy voice drones on before the goblin snaps his fingers and the plain brick wall pulls back to reveal a small quil, an inkwell, and an old yellowing scroll. They all moved as one, floating in the air and softly bobbing up and down while trailing toward the goblin. The items float till they gently lay themselves upon the wooden desk.
It was a moment's pause as Griphook's fingers grasped the quil. With a quick scratch of the paper, Griphook wrote his name before passing me the quill. “Do I…?” “Yes, full birth name.” I quickly look down and write my name, trying to keep it from the messy cursive that I was taught in early primary school but fail. “Harry Potter? Do you not even know your full name?” His voice sharply says with a scoff. “Try again.”
With a dismissive wave of his hand, he erasers my scribbled name and hands the paper back. What do I know? What have the Dursleys kept from me? My palms became rather sweaty as I picked back up the quill. “James,” Hagird whispers to me encouragingly. I nodded and once again wrote my name. My full name. A curt nod is all I was given as Griphook took the paper back from me pricked his finger on a small needle I didn't even notice, and pressed it onto the scroll. He passes the thin and sharp needle to me and I repeat his actions.
The contents on the surface level get absorbed into the material. "Mr. Potter, as of today's date, it has been determined that you are now the sole inheritor of 1.2 million galleons, four substantial house estates, two esteemed house names, and access to three vaults."
Silence.
I’m just standing there in complete silence, shocked, and waiting for my brain to play catch up. Barely grasping the first thing he said.
“So I’m a millionaire?” How is that even possible!?
“Merlin's sake didn’t think it was that much…” Hagrid mumbles, completely taken aback by the numbers. "Well, that assessment only considers his tangible holdings. The assets tied to his grandfather's company far exceed this figure, and it appears he has not collected his annual compensation from the company in nearly a decade. Let's also not overlook the extensive family investments."
JESUS! I’M RICHER THAN A MILLIONAIRE
“Who is in charge of that account?” I speak up, my brain finally catching up to the present time; I still have so many questions though. "It appears that Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were originally designated, but subsequently, Albus Dumbledore has taken their place." Griphook mundanely lets out, peering over the scroll in his hands to look at me.
“Who’s Albus Dumbledore?” “Mr. Potter, I feel obliged to tell you we are a bank, not an agency for magical child services. I suggest consulting your muggle guardians for guidance.” I scoff at him, angry at his standoffish attitude. Seeking help I turn to Hargird with a desperate look on my face. “Who are my magical guardians, and why are you here and not them? If their my guardians then where are they? Where have they been?!”
The giant pauses under my gaze, looking away from me nervously. I know he’s hiding something from me. "Oh, blimey, Harry! Well, y'see, yer magical guardians... they're, uh... they're Dumbledore and... well, a few others, I reckon. 'S'pose they sent me 'cause- well, they're busy, y'know? Out and about, doin' wizardly things, keepin' everything runnin' smooth-like. They'll be back when they can, I'm sure of it. Just... just gotta be patient, yeah?"
Out busy? I scoff at that. Who am I kidding, why would Hagrid help me out? Being done with Hagrid as he’s obviously not going to get me anywhere, I turn to Griphook and place my hands on his desk. “Back to the family company. Is there any way to collect compensation from them?” “Well, Mr. Potter, I certainly can initiate contact with the said company to ascertain the reason for the cessation of their deposits; however, please be advised that this is not a swift procedure.”
I just nod, because of course, with my luck, why would it be quick?
“Yes, that’s fine- just please keep me updated.” “Look, Mr. Potter, although the funds indeed have been left to you, decisions regarding them are not within your purview. Mr. Dumbledore retains control until you are of legal age, which in case you need to be reminded is 18. Hence why I must seek his authorization for any requests. Now, is that all?” I scoff at his statements. “Yeah, I’m finished.”
“Very well. Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, I have other people and matters that require my assistance. Good day.” Griphook exclaims and hastily he lowers his chair, the items previously pulled out were returned, and the blinds opened. The goblin stands up and leaves us alone. "So, I reckon it's time to start thinkin' 'bout gettin' yer school supplies, eh?" Hagid spoke up after a moment of silence. I just sigh, turn around, and step out of the room to rush towards the leaving goblin.
“Griphook!” I call out while running over to the old male who stops his fast-paced walk at the sound of my voice. It didn’t take me long to catch up as the goblin's strides mirrored his short height. “Listen, I’m sorry for bothering you, but I just wanted you to know that I appreciate you telling me about all of this,” I say softly, making sure to make eye contact with Griphook.
I watch as the goblin’s eyebrows raise almost as if he’s surprised at my apology, or by the fact that I chased him down. Either way, I could tell that Griphook wasn’t expecting me to follow after him. “I trust you understand that gratitude for fulfilling my duties, Mr.Potter, is not a requisite expectation”
I nod at his words, a small smile gracing my face. “That doesn't excuse me being short with you. I hope to see you again.” The goblin lets out a slight, what seems to be an amused huff, before walking away once again. This time as I watch him leave I feel a little better about our interaction. He doesn’t care about me, sure I can understand that, but at least he won’t steal my money.
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