House of Sutcliffe

Chapter 10- Gringotts Matters

“So, what do I have to do again?” Harry asks as he looks up at his aunt. The two Sutcliffes and Potter-Sutcliffe were strolling down Diagon Alley on a blustery day where the London skies were steel gray, and the only precipitation was frost. Harry and Mattie were both bundled up in Sutcliffe blue looking formal for the meeting they were about to attend.

“All you have to do today is pay attention, listen, and think about what you want. House business may not be fun, but it’s important. I was around your age when my father took me to his meetings. You’re a smart boy Harry. You’ll catch on quick.” Maya explains.

Harry puffs his chest in pride of the faith that she has in him. He wasn’t sure what to make of it when Maya had told him that they were going to Gringotts today to deal with some House Sutcliffe and House Potter business. The trio climbed the marble steps and bowed their heads politely at the guard Goblins.

Once inside Maya leads Harry over to the tallest desk in the giant marble foyer and they came to a stop in front of it. The Goblin there pointedly ignores their presence, but Maya just stands there serenely waiting to me acknowledged. Harry is confused but follows her lead while Mattie goggles at the opulent surroundings around them.
After what feels like an age to Harry the Goblin finally places his quill in the inkpot and stares down at them. “May your vault ever overflow and your enemies bleed by your blade.” Maya says with a deferential nod. Harry quickly follows suit and the Goblin looks at them with something that looks like shock and grudging respect.

“May your vaults be ever protected and your enemies weep in fear of you. What business do you have with Gringotts today, Lady Sutcliffe?”

“I have an appointment with Master Bloodfang for house Sutcliffe business and an appointment with Master Ironclaw for house Potter business, Master Goldtooth. Heir Potter-Sutcliffe with be attending these meetings with me as well as Mateo Sutcliffe.” Maya says not breaking eye contact with Goldtooth. He nods his head grimly and with a snap of his fingers a different Goblin appears at his side.

“Silverscar, bring Lady Sutcliffe, Heir Potter-Sutcliffe and young Mr. Sutcliffe to Master Bloodfang’s office.” Goldtooth directed the younger Goblin.

“Right away Master Goldtooth. This way.” Silverscar waved the trio forwards and they followed him out of the main foyer and down a maze of hallways before they came to a stop at an office.

“Lady Sutcliffe, Heir Potter-Sutcliffe, and young Mr. Sutcliffe to see you Master Bloodfang.” With that Silverscar gestures them into the room before closing the door behind him. Maya leads Harry into the room where a heavily scared Goblin greets them from behind the desk.

“Well, I’m happy to see that the last Sutcliffe finally got their head out of their arse and came to see me.” Bloodfang growled.

Maya’s posture relaxed and she raised an eyebrow at the Goblin. “You got paid whether I was here or not you grumpy old goat. I’m here now and that’s what matters.” Maya quips.

Harry’s eyes feel like they’re going to pop out of his head in shock. Maya had always told him to be respectful to Goblins and here she was calling her family’s account manager a grumpy old goat.

The Goblin glares at his aunt for a moment before barking out a grumbly laugh. “Quite right. Quite right. Come now, we have lots to do and not a lot of time.” He states and Maya and Harry sit in the offered chairs in front of the desk. Mattie starts squirming in her arms so Harry wordlessly takes his brother and settles him in his own lap. Magically a stuffed quaffle appeared in front of the boy and he took it happily.

Bloodfang pulled out a heavy case full of papers and started taking some of them out and laying them on the table before them. “I think it would be wise to start with your will.” He stated giving the witch a critical look over. Harry wondered what the Goblin saw. He knew that he saw an incredibly strong, beautiful, and loving woman in front of him.

Maya glanced and Harry and Mattie and a soft look entered her eye. “I agree.” Bloodfang took out some more papers and picked up a quill from his ink pot.

“Let us start with who your primary beneficiary will be.”

“In the event of my untimely demise I would like the Sutcliffe fortune and property transferred over to Amelia Susan Bones, my wife, to look after until my son Harry James Potter-Sutcliffe becomes of age. Once he does, he will be the Head of House Sutcliffe until Mateo Alexander Sutcliffe is of age. Since Harry is Heir to the Potters as well, he will become the Head of House Potter while Mateo will take over Head of House Sutcliffe.” Maya maps out. She glances over to Harry with worry in her eyes.

“Does that sound fine with you Harry? I don’t want to put too much on you or take away too much either.”

Harry felt overwhelmed, but at the same time warmth flooded through him with pride. Maya always treated him like he was older and important. She valued his opinions. “I-I think that sounds fine. I-I don’t know how to be a Head of House though…” He stutters slightly.

Maya gives him a big smile and reaches over to squeeze his hand.

“There is much time for you to be taught the ropes young Heir Potter-Sutcliffe.” Bloodfang interrupts and Harry nods his head quickly.

“While my children are still under the age of majority, I will grant full custody to my wife Amelia Susan Bones.” Maya continues.

“It would be best and the simplest course of action if your heirs were bound by magic and legality to Lady Bones, Maya.” Bloodfang giving her a look. Harry cocks his head at that. To be bound by blood and legality that would mean…

“I have not discussed adoption magic or not with Amelia nor Harry yet.” Maya says quickly. Harry blinks a few times. He’s Maya’s son by magic and by law. He knows that since Dumbledore had not been able to take him from her. To have the same be done with Amelia would be to have another mom. He wasn’t quite sure how he felt about it. He liked Amelia and all but he just didn’t know.

“I strongly suggest broaching the subject then.”

“Duly noted. In the unlikely event that Amelia cannot look after my children then I would like custody to go over to Arthur and Molly Weasley with compensation given to support my sons while they are in their care so as to ease their financial burden. I know that my sons would be taken in with great love and care from them.”

Maya takes a breath and glances over at Harry again and he gives her a soft smile. Everything he has heard so far has sounded good to him, except for the thought of his aunt dying anytime soon.
“I’d also like it to be noted that guardianship over Harry and Mattie will never be granted to Albus too many bloody middle names Dumbledore or any of Dursley’s Harry relatives from Lily Potter’s side of the family.” Maya stipulates with rapid nods from Harry.

“What she said.” He pipes in to a sharp smile and a bark of a laugh from Bloodfang.

“Now I was wondering if we could go over the family holdings to see how they have fared under your watchful eye Master Bloodfang.” The tone of Maya’s voice and her more firm posture had Harry quickly attempting to match her.

“Quite. I have monitored the investments that your father had cultivated before he passed well. Your family’s share in Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions has brought a good yield. She has been interested in buying more of the shares in her business since it is so profitable.” He explains.

“Put 15% of our shares available to her for purchase. If she does well with the percentage increase and the store sees and uptick in profit, make sure to let her know that more would be on the table. My father invested in people not money. He wanted them to succeed.” Maya says softly and Harry smiles at her. He may not have ever met Henry Sutcliffe but he sounded like a great man.

“Indeed, he did. He had odd principles, but he was a strong man indeed.” Bloodfang admits grudgingly. Now, for Ogden’s Firewhiskey your family’s profit at 5% of the shares has kept steady and there has been no overtures to buy the shares out from you.”

“Okay Harry, here’s where it’s time to learn. So, our stock in Ogden’s is at 5%. We make a steady but relatively small income from them. The family company has been in business for many years and has been a good ally to the House of Sutcliffe. Should we attempt to increase our hold in the business or keep it as it is?” Maya asks him explaining the situation.

Harry flinches a little not having expected this visit to become a learning experience with questions attached to it. He bit his lip and glanced down at Mattie in his lap who was happily biting away at his plush toy. What would he do? That was what his aunt was wanting to know.

“I would leave our shares as it is. We do make a profit, right? A-and you said that you’re friendly with the family… isn’t that a good thing?” Harry says shakily hoping that he had a correct answer. If Maya’s smile was anything to go by then he did indeed answer correctly.

“Looks like you may just be a natural love. We indeed would not want to risk out relationship with the Ogden’s by attempting to grasp for more than we need. This company’s shares would not make or break the family as it is. And remember Harry, kindness and empathy are two important principles that should not be forgotten when dealing with family business whether it is House Sutcliffe or House Potter.”

Bloodfang looks disgruntled with the not so cutthroat approach to business but moves on. Harry’s head starts to spin as he lists of companies and their shares.
Honeyduke’s Sweets- 10 percent.

Quimbly’s Quaffles- 20 percent.

Tonks, Edwards, & Hoffman- 25 percent.

The Three Broomsticks- 2 percent.

The list continued on and Harry was amazed that one person could be a part of all that. The family also apparently had large stock in a plant called Aconite.

“Thank you Bloodfang. I feel extremely confident and pleased in our dealings. May our relationship continue to be mutually beneficial. May you vault be ever filled with gold and your enemy’s blood be spilled.” Maya says after standing to give the goblin a small bow. Harry scrambled up with Mattie to repeat the motion.

“May your return be fortuitous to your vaults and may your enemies always know your name.” Bloodfang replies. At that the small family makes their way into the hallway to see that Silverscar is awaiting them.

“Lady Sutcliffe, Heir Potter-Sutcliffe, and Mr. Sutcliffe Master Ironclaw is ready for you.” The Goblin announces and turns to quickly start down the hall. Harry hurries after him as Maya limps along behind them Mattie back in her one arm while the other is occupied with the cane.

It takes a minute or two to end up in front of another almost identical door. Silverscar knocked on the door and opened it for them. Maya and Harry bowed their heads to him before entering the office. It was situated the same as Bloodfang’s office except much more opulent decorated in gold and ornate wood carvings.

The Goblin behind this desk had a pair of thin glasses perched upon his nose and eyed Harry, Mattie, and Maya shrewdly. Harry got the distinct impression that his family’s account manager was less than impressed with what he saw.

“Master Ironclaw.” Harry speaks first this time inclining his head and after holding the Goblin’s gaze for a moment then glances at his aunt to make sure that he did it right. She nods her head slightly and relief floods through the boy. This was definitely the part of the day that he was most nervous about. Since it was his family account manager Harry would have to be the one who initiated most of the contact until he named which adult he would like to act as his proxy until he was of age.

“Heir Potter-Sutcliffe. I have been waiting for a Potter to come and visit me.” The Goblin threw a side look to aunt Maya and she looked distinctly uncomfortable. She cradled Mattie to her chest who had fallen asleep. “Better late than never I suppose. Before any business is started I want to read out the will of James Fleamont Potter and Lily Evans Potter.”

Maya’s eyes widened and Harry wondered what was so shocking about the will since she had just been making her own not even an hour earlier.

Ironclaw unfurled a piece of paper and began to read out the last will and testament of Harry’s parents.

I, Lord James Fleamont Potter, do declare that any wills created previous to this one is declared null and void. It is in agreement between myself and my wife Lady Lily Evans Potter that this is to be our will and testament. In the unfortunate case of our demise, we bequeath that all our earthly belongings and fortune are granted to our only son and heir Harry James Potter.

If my wife and myself pass before our son is of the age of majority, his guardianship is to be awarded as follows:

My sister Lady Maya Sutcliffe and her wife Lady Amelia Bones, for they already love our son like he is their own.

My brother in all but blood Sirius Black, for we know that he would lay his life down for our son if needed.

Lady Alice Longbottom and Lord Frank Longbottom, for they have one of the most loving relationships that we know and would provide our son with much love.

Under no circumstance is our son Harry James Potter to be left in the care of Lady Lily Potter’s family the Dursleys. They abhor magic and as such would be an unsuitable environment for him.

“That was merely the section that went over and dealt with the custody of Heir Potter-Sutcliffe. Lord James made a few other stipulations to his will that Gringotts will now follow since the final will has been allowed to be read.” Ironclaw explained.

“Wait, the will wasn’t allowed to be read?” Maya interrupts and Harry glances at her to see the shocked expression on her face. “All magical wills are to be read at the death of the Head of a magical family.”

“We tried to on multiple occasions. Your ‘esteemed’ Chief Warlock had the will locked away as government information the second that he was able to.” Ironclaw growled looking very much like he would like to take Dumbledore’s beard and strangle him with it.

Harry’s eyebrows rose as he heard more than a few colorful words that he did not recognize muttered under his aunt’s breath.

“Lord James asked that a sum of 5,000 Galleons be left to Mr. Remus Lupin to help ease burden and provide him a decent place to live.” Harry watched as Maya nodded her head in agreement as he did not know who Mr. Lupin was.
“Lady Lily asked that a scholarship fund be set up for two Muggleborn students to attend the entirety of their Hogwarts schooling every year. Next year would be the inaugural year, since the fund has never had the chance to be set up.”

“That sounds exactly like Lil. Your mother had the largest heart of anyone that I have ever known Harry.” Maya comments with a soft smile on her face. Harry sits taller at the information and nods his head excitedly. He loves being able to find out new information about his parents. So far, he thought that his mum sounded like the best and he felt a pang of sadness that he would never get to meet her.

“Lord James asked that new brooms be bought for Hogwarts every three years so that everyone at Hogwarts had the ability to play Quidditch. He even left plans for an ‘intermural’ Quidditch league outside of the house teams so that students of different school houses could play together for, and I quote ‘epic bragging rights’.”

Maya and Harry both burst into a fit of laughter Harry because of his father’s love of the sport, and Maya for imagining James’ face as he wrote that down.

“The last thing that Lord James noted was that Lady Maya Sutcliffe was to be formally acknowledged and instated into the Potter family as is her birthright. He wrote that it was only right that his sister got to be on the family tapestry next to him.” Harry tore his gaze away from the Goblin and to his aunt.

Maya’s face was frozen in shock and Harry was worried that she wasn’t breathing.

“Mum?” He says shaking her shoulder lightly so as to not wake his brother. With a loud breath she met Harry’s concerned gaze. He can see that tears are in her eyes and a lone drop rolls down her cheek.

“I never asked for that.” Maya says softly. Ironclaw clears his throat and looks quite uncomfortable.

“Master James strictly told me that he would not have it any other way and that if you ‘kicked up a fuss’ that I had permission to swing my axe at you.” there is something like glee in his voice when he says that.

“It’s a waste of breath to argue anything with my brother even in death.” Maya says thickly. Harry reaches out and clasps one of his free hands in hers.

“Indeed. Now, there is the matter of house finances to discuss and I got note that Heir Potter wished to discuss his House’s political standing as well.” Ironclaw directs them back on track.

Harry learned that the Potter fortune seemed to be more than that of the Sutcliffe. He had a 35 percent chare in Quality Quidditch Gear, 48 percent of Gamble and Japes Joke Shop, 15 percent of Flourish and Blotts, and a 3 percent share in the Leaky Cauldron. It turned out that a lot if not all the Potter fortune came from a potion that his ancestor invented called Sleekeazy’s Hair Solution. The goal was to take untamable hair. Maya had relayed that it never worked on Potter hair.

Harry tuned back in as the subject broached his family’s political standing. Maya had gone briefly over why that was important to him because his family had a seat on the Wizengamot and that meant that they had a voice to be able to speak up for the people who did not have a voice in the government. He had never thought about being a “hero” in that way before. One did not always have to slay dragons or survive killing curses.

“Currently, the Potter vote resides in the care of Regent Augusta Longbottom. Chief Warlock Dumbledore attempted to obtain the vote for himself, but was blocked by Regent Longbottom as he was to not hold anymore deciding power during votes. I do not foresee any difficulties coming from her for House Potter to reobtain their votes.” Ironclaw explained shifting his gaze between Maya and Harry.

“Harry, since you are still underage you are going to need a Regent yourself to sit for House Potter in business and political matters. Now, a proper Regent would discuss the issues being put forth and abide as much as possible by your wishes. You have options in whom you could choose for this position. You could have Amelia assist you, Arthur Weasley has a decent head on his shoulders, and if you want, I could reach out to a few more of your parents’ friends.” Maya explains attempting to give him the most options to work with.

“I want you to do it Mum. You are an actual Potter by blood and my dad just made sure to have you recognized as an official family member. I think that our house business should stay in the family after being controlled by others for so long.” Harry says after thinking the decision over for a few minutes.

“An astute decision Heir Potter-Sutcliffe.” Ironclaw rumbles and Harry jumps a bit at the grudging praise from the Goblin.

“Are you positive about this Harry. You have options and I would still be there to advise you in any way that you see fit. I know that this is too much for a nine-year-old, but I just want to make sure that you are safe and not in a position to be taken advantage of.” Maya grasps Harry’s hand tightly in hers. He can see the sincerity in her blue eyes, and it makes a strong sense of love fill him up.

Maya always treated him with the most respect she could possibly give. It was the polar opposite of how the Dursley’s acted. Harry believed that his aunt thought that he still thought that people treated him that way. There were times when it still seemed like she may have been a little afraid of him.

“I’m sure. You’ve never given me a reason to doubt you, you care for me, and you love me. Of course, I’d want you.”

And it truly was as simple as that.