Gringotts
I walked to one of the lines with the fewest people. After about 40 minutes I was called in front of the teller. The name plate said Steelspear. Unusual name, but what do I know?
"Morning Mr. Steelspear. I would like a private meeting with the manager for the Potter accounts."
"And why, pray tell, should I arrange the meeting?"
"I cannot disclose, the reasons at this time. It is of utmost importance and urgency that the Potter accounts be put right."
"Alright, the waiting area, have a seat someone will come and meet you shortly." Steelspear said whilst pointing behind me and to the right.
I walked over to a set of low maroon leather and mahogany couches and an exquisite black marble coffee table. Considering there was nobody else here, I took a seat closest to the fireplace. I took a deeper look around whilst waiting. The place was larger on the inside, that was pretty fucking clear. The attention to detail and finesse in the décor and operations of day-to-day banking were handled with utmost care and seriousness. The goblins were people too. Just with different morals and values. They were fundamentally a warrior culture and civilization. They now directed their considerable skill into crafting and banking. The number of companies the goblins had a stake in was mind-boggling. If you truly knew the extent of their prowess, you'd be a lot kinder to them. Unfortunately wizards are being misinformed about winning the goblin wars. Therefore think themselves superior.
I think it's just my outlook from my past life. I've always envied people who had more money than me. I got into trading as a way to bridge the wealth gap. But no matter what I did, the gap always seemed to get wider and wider. It wasn't until I learned that making money while not working is what proper investment strategy dictates. Trade, work, do what you have to, for all of that money. Then use then money in a secure and sensible way to make more money. The propose of money is to make more money. I was pretty well of in my previous life, in this life I'm going to be rich and anonymous. Fuck up a country with a phone call rich.
I was broken out of my musings, by the gruff coughing of a goblin attendant. The attendants and/or apprentices wore a coat for most of their dealings with clients. Whereas the tellers and account managers removed to coat to the back of their chair when working. Where was I? Ah yes, the goblin attendant.
"Excuse me sir, Account manager Bismarck Swordbreaker will see you now."
"Thank you for the update. May I know your name?" I replied to the goblin.
"My name is William, no epithet, yet. I am not yet of age." Replied William.
"Ah interesting, well thank you William, please after you."
"Right this way sir."
See being respectful has it's uses. In the beginning William treated me with contempt. Probably thinking me another young heir to some nouveau-riche muggleborn house. He knows I am here to meet the Potter accounts manager, but he does not know my identity. I am wearing muggle clothes, nice muggle clothes but I kind of stand out without at least a robe.
'Need to look into that later.'
Anyway, now William has a better impression of me, and possibly will be told my identity after my departure. That will not lead to embarrassment or disdain due to our mutually respectful address and communication. The social intricacies are mind boggling, but also quite useful once you learn to play the game.
William and I walked for quite while through many corridors and stairs. Gringotts was much larger than I originally envisioned. We walked for almost 4 minutes. Inside a bank. We finally reached Bismarck Swordbreaker's office. William knocked on the door, a voice inside beckoned us to enter. William opened to door and ushered me inside. Walking inside, I was greeted by a very sophisticated and minimalist office. The side table was reminiscent of Louis XV styling, and probably worth a fortune. The rest of the furniture was mostly mahogany, with exquisite workmanship. Just the marquetry work on some of the smaller pieces would be worth thousands if commissioned today. Seeing the sole goblin inside, I greeted him, "Hello Mr. Swordbreaker, I am Hadrian or Harry Potter. I have come to settle the affairs of my house and to request assistance from the Goblin Nation."
This caused Swordbreaker to raise his eyebrows. "Be that as it may, we will first need to verify the veracity of your claims. Then we can talk business. Please have a seat on the right hand couch." He said pointing to where he required me to sit. In the meantime he got something from his drawer, and walked over to the opposite couch. I can see why he did this. The seats in front of his desk were very plush and for adults. The couches were somewhat lower and easier for a child of my size. It's the little things that make all the difference. I went and sat on the correct couch on the seat closest to the high-backed chair. Swordbreaker was, from his lack of expression, pleased I wasn't a complete imbecile.
He brought a box and several parchments over to the seating area. "So Mr. Potter, If you are who you claim, I will need you to sign an indemnity waiver. The security of our institution is paramount. If in the course of our business today, you are injured or affected by the artifacts of your house as you claim, then we are not obliged to rectify your condition. Also under the terms you will have lied to us and agree to suffer the consequences of such actions." Swordbreaker explained the process. This is going to be a long day.
"A question if you don't mind sir. What definition of indemnity are we working with? Insurance, immunity or reimbursement?" I asked a simple question, and Swordbreaker's face lit up like a Christmas tree. He pulled out a different form and placed it in front of me.
"Very well Mr. Potter, here is a simple waiver stating that everything you say regarding your business in Gringotts is, as far far as you know and to the best of your knowledge, correct and any decisions made based on your current experience, are solely yours. We at Gringotts are simply the executers of your will and are not responsible for any losses incurred in the course of business."
I read and re-read the form. "Very well." I said before signing it. The HUD did not alert me to any hidden clauses on the parchment. I also turned it over to check. The other forms lit up like an AA battery against a plastic bag.
"Now that's done, I will proceed to give you the Potter Heir Ring. If it rejects you, we'll finally know what happens upon rejection. If it accepts you, we can proceed with the upkeep and reinstatement of your house to it's rightful glory." Swordbreaker said solemnly. The tone was enough to tell me that House Potter had fallen a long way. No matter, I'll sort out my house today, and House Black next weekend. Sirius won't mind the wait. Especially if I can purge him from the Dumbledore worship. Both houses must be at their peak within 3 years time. My conquest of global financial markets relies heavily on those two pillars. I can later lessen the financial reliance on the family vault, but initially, I need capital and lots of it. Robbing a few criminals and police stations will sort me out for the short term. Maybe I can head over to Miami later and setup my operations there. I mean as a British national, I will have access to Cuba. Just the cigars will net me millions. 'Later.'
Swordbreaker put on a pair of white velvet gloves. He opened the intricate box he brought along. Finally paying attention to the box. It was a golden jewelry box. 6" long, 3" wide and 3" tall. The embossed figures of griffons, eagles, stags and lions. The inside of the box held 2 rings. One smaller than the other. The inside of the box was plush golden brown fur. Swordbreaker took the smaller ring and handed it to me. "Left little finger if you would." He instructed me.
I took the ring and did as he recommended. After putting it on I felt a cool sensation pass throughout my body. It turned warm for a moment then receded. The ring resized itself to fit my finger. I looked to Swordbreaker, I had no idea of what to do next.
"Well it looks like you were telling the truth, Heir Potter. Now onto business." He then rang William and told him to bring the paperwork and backlogs for the Potter accounts. Poor William, doesn't even have a chair. Whatever their customs are their own. William came in wheeling a trolley of binders and manila folders. I looked at Swordbreaker like he was insane. I say trolley it was the size of a baggage cart at the airport. Not the ones for passengers, the one the ground crew uses to bring luggage to the plane.
"Eight years of back logs are not going to clear themselves up Heir Potter." He said smiling wickedly at me.
'Paperwork! You have followed me into the afterlife. I shall vanquish you once and for all!'
Ahem
'Perhaps being a child has influenced my thoughts. Yes that's it. Nothing at all to do with my hatred of useless forms requiring to be filled out in triplicate.'
*****20:00*****
An entire fucking day gone going over the paperwork to revive and upkeep the Potter accounts. The rents that were on hold were now due. The fees and taxes as well. Thankfully my parents died before they could dissolve all loans made to Dumbledore and others. I can call those loans back. And crash the British wizarding economy. But I'll settle for a payment plan amortized for 25 years at 10% interest compounded semi-annually not in advance. 0.5% was for Swordbreaker and 0.5% for Gringotts. The amount loaned out was in the hundreds of millions, galleons. Billions of pounds. And these vermin were living on the kindness and grace of my ancestors. Well, Most Ancient and Noble house Potter is back, and boy will they know it. The Ministry alone owes me 150-200 million Galleons. All accumulated over the centuries. The ICW only owes me 50 million galleons. I don't know why they had to borrow money from the Potters but I would simply remind them of the loan. Repayment would be left to them. I had an in with the global government council. I'm not going to piss on that. Also looking further into the matter, the loan was never stated to be repaid. The terms were left vague and open-ended. But the Loan could be recalled at any time. Also the ICW was to keep it in a trust vault. Meaning it had been accruing interest for centuries. I'll leave that for now. The Ministry however is going to be my personal dancing monkey. The death-eaters claiming the Imperius curse are going to have a hard time getting anything done. Especially the Malfoys and Lestranges. I have enough business ties to basically bankrupt them overnight. And the Black accounts were also interconnected. Together with Sirius' recalling of the Black loans, the Malfoys will be back to shagging sheep in France. Money only gets you so far dear boy.
The properties and holdings were cleared up. I wasn't selling shit. You pay me restitution for taking illegal possession of my property.
My parents will was also read out. A law wizard was to come in and verify the will and see if the executor of the will had followed the wishes of the deceased. I recommended Ted Tonks. The only decent Black sister was married to him. Having Sirius out of prison and her status back as a Black would see her family status and situation improve immensely. That was all for tomorrow.
I still haven't gotten to the part about being healed and restored to a healthy state. I don't have the Horcrux in my forehead, but I need to know if I am a Parselmouth or can become a Parselmouth. The Basilisk is too good of a resource to pass up. I'll have more detailed plans drawn up as time to go to Hogwarts nears. Now back to the Savoy and sleep.
*****22:00*****
I finally got back to the Savoy, I took the ageing potion. Victoria and Samantha were both there.
"Still here?"
"You paid for the week."
"That I did."