Sirius ends up where?

Sirius Black, AKA Tom Riddle, AKA Voldemort, AKA You-Know-Who, sat in the cottage his follower had given over to his use and contemplated what he had found when sifting through the memories left behind by the wanker.

He had been thoroughly disgusted by what he had found out – Tom Riddle was far worse than even he had possibly considered. The Pureblood Supremacy movement made sense compared to the actions of Tom Riddle.

Old Tommy Boy was, however, just crazy. That was Sirius' conclusion. He hated Muggles because he hated everyone. Pureblood ideology was just a means to an end for him. The Purebloods had power, he wanted it, and so that was what he used.

If the Muggles had power, he would have used them.

But, considering his background, he had absolutely no knowledge of Muggles as they were now. Even Sirius Black, from a stone cold Supremacist family, had more knowledge than Tom Riddle. Tom Riddle had no knowledge of Muggle advances and didn't want to know them.

Sirius, however, was of a different mentality. He had listened to Lily Evans/Potter when she had often ranted about the Magical world. And so he had a small idea of how quickly knowledge advanced in the Muggle world. Comparatively, the Magical World was a hundred years behind.

He had told the Inner Circle that he would give them a week. It had taken all of two days to reconstitute his memories. As a result, he had five days to make his plans on how he was going to change the Magical world from his current position as the Dark Lord.

His first task, however, was to handle the immediate threat of pieces of Tom Riddle which had been stowed around Magical and Muggle Britain. Having the memories, he knew how to release the pieces.

Tom Riddle's study of the magic had revealed several "Don't Do This" warnings for those who had horcruxes. Only the original creator could make these mistakes and he hoped that deliberately performing the "Don't" actions would handle them.

First Stop: The Gaunt Shack.

It had taken an entire two days, contacting two followers (Malfoy and Lestrange), using the House Elf provided by Nott for his needs to sneak into Hogwarts, and Imperiusing a Garden Gnome he had stolen from the Weasley property to drink the Draught of Despair protecting the cave, but he had gathered all of the pieces of "his" soul and released the enchantments.

He had then cast Fiendfyre into the Cave and sealed it, cooking the internal lake water off and allowing the Inferi within to be destroyed utterly. As Voldemort had often used the Inferi to destroy certain families, getting rid of the entire cave's worth was ultimately worth the risk.

After waiting for an hour, he had re-opened the cave to find the fire had burned out and the water was refilling from some underground streams. No magic remained in the cave. The ash present was being washed away. No Ashwinders had been created (fiendfyre often did this) which Sirius counted as a success.

The next thing he had decided he needed to do was to ensure he had funds that didn't require his living off of the Death Eaters. Tom Riddle had enjoyed forcing his followers to take care of his needs; Sirius Black had an innate need to be free of being beholden to anyone.

His solution would be considered unethical and illegal: He would raid the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts.

Tom Riddle, Sirius decided, was an idiot in so many things. When he had been reviewing the memory of hiding the Diadem as well as his time in Hogwarts as a student, Tom Riddle had seen many things but, not being from a magical background, had dismissed the information from his mind because he had considered it unimportant.

One matter was the knowledge of a whole slew of items left behind and forgotten. Wizards, Sirius knew, were often idiots and teenage wizards would bring valuable things to show off and then lose them.

This meant that there were likely things that would provide an income stream if one had the desire to do the work. Tom Riddle was militantly controlling and wished others to do the work; Sirius Black was not so inured against it.

Still, this meant he would need to sneak in himself. Or he would need a House Elf that wasn't bonded to someone else. Considering the problem, he called for Dinny.

"Elf. Your service in your Master's name has been quite sufficient. But I require my own elf. Do you know of any free elves requiring a Master?" After dealing with the drama of the elf lamenting being insufficient, he finally convinced the elf to scout out "disgraced" elves. An elf which had been freed after being made a scapegoat was located.

At first, the elf was horrified to be taken to the presence of "Voldemort" – the Dark wizard wasn't known to be kind to House Elves – but ultimately had been convinced because any service was better than no services.

After ensuring his secrets would be kept, Sirius told the elf (named Hanny) exactly what had happened and who he had been. Dinny, serving the Notts, could not be commanded to keep all of his secrets. Hanny, however, was his elf now. Hanny's attitude had changed significantly as the situation had been explained.

Sirius' convoluted logic as to why the Room of Requirement could be raided resulted in an agreement that Hanny would look for valuables that did not register as being owned by anyone. Hanny could not steal but things that were "abandoned" could be claimed in his name.

Sirius' luck held: Hanny returned with every Galleon, Sickle, and Knut which had been unclaimed as well as a trunk full of jewels. Using Hanny to buy two fresh trunks from Diagon Alley, Sirius transferred the money and jewels to the new trunks and vanished the old ones: No need to take any chance of something being recognized by the Goblins.

With only two days left before he had to call his Inner Circle, Tom Riddle now had resources which were not dependant on his followers' largesse.

His next step would be tricky, but one other item Hanny had been asked to bring back would assist him greatly.

Gorlack, the Goblin assigned to the particular desk in Gringotts which received House Elves sent by their masters, looked at the Elf which had appeared before him. As expected, he said nothing until the Elf spoke: It would not do to be polite to an Elf serving any wizard until Gringotts had some sense of how polite the request being made was.

The Elf stepped forward. "Hanny has come to make request of Gringotts for Master. Master wishes to negotiate for Parley."

Gorlack was taken aback. Parley was only required when the Wizard in question could expect a poor response. Which usually meant a Wizard which had wronged a Goblin or the Goblins as a whole.

He peered at the Elf. "What form of Parley?" he asked suspiciously.

"Hanny is to ask for Goblin to come to Master's location with assurance that Goblin will be safe and will listen to Master without trying to attack Master."

Gorlack considered this. If the Wizard in question was requesting this, it meant that he could not come to Gringotts. Which usually meant trouble. However, unless the Elf had been instructed to give the identity (which he had not) there was no way to force the issue. And so Gorlack asked the next logical question. "And what surety will your Master provide?"

Hanny snapped his fingers and a chest appeared. "Hanny's Master ordered Hanny to bring this to Goblins. Is meant as a show of good will."

Gorlack considered the chest which was sitting next to the elf. "Is this meant as a gift or a payment?"

The elf shook his head. "Is not gift or payment. Hanny was ordered to give this to Goblin as sign of respect. Master told Hanny to gather and bring to Goblin."

Gorlack peered at the Elf and decided to humor him. He got up and came over and, after ensuring there was no curse, he opened the trunk and peered in. His eyes widened as he saw that the trunk was filled with various items, all of them Goblin made if his senses were to be believed.

He asked the elf suspiciously, "Is this not a bribe?"

The elf was emphatic. "No! Hanny ordered to return these to Goblins. Master explained that Wizards had paid but not returned items after they dies. Items were all abandoned by Wizards in place Master found. Master respects that he does not own, but belongs to Goblins; so Master orders Hanny to gather and return. Master is not paying Goblin with things; Master is paying Goblin with respect."

Gorlack considered the argument. This Elf's Master was a wily one. Gold was coveted. Jewels were admired. But true respect was a coin rarely offered. "And in return your Master asks for Parley alone?"

The Elf responded, "Hanny was told it is not exchange. Master requests Parley. Goblin can agree or not agree. Items are for Goblin if answer is yes or answer is no. Master says meeting will be to explain true things and to negotiate business. But Master knows that Goblin may not react well if Parley is not in place."

Gorlack considered the argument for a long moment. "Wait here. I must consult my superiors."

"Hanny will wait." The Elf turned and moved back away from the trunk.

Gorlack raised his voice and two Goblins came in the door. He ordered the guards to bring the trunk as he went to talk to his superior.

It was later the following day when Voldemort waited in a neutral location. Using his magic, he ensured that Muggle-repelling charms were in place, and that there were minor wards to ensure his protection. He had no plans on ever returning to the Muggle location he was using – it was owned by the Government and was located within a park. Using Hanny and converting some sickles via Gringotts, he had paid for the privilege.

It would not do to have the Goblins think he was not respecting ownership of the location.

Hanny had also cleaned it and refreshments were available, both Wizard-created and Muggle-created.

He stood quietly outside to receive his guests.

At the correct time, three goblins had arrived at the location which he had provided which had allowed for Portkey use.

The three Goblins had peered around, seeing no one other than a Wizard standing next to a stone cottage. Upon seeing who waited, the two Guards brandished their weapons. The one in the Middle snarled and, reluctantly, the Guards returned their weapons to their normal positions. The three stepped forward.

After having stopped and peering at the Wizard for a long moment, the Goblin in charge said, "It is well that you negotiated Parley. Otherwise you would at threat for your prior actions against our people." The tone used was not friendly at all.

"I am aware. But there are things that you need to be made aware of and Parley was my only choice."

"You have three hours: Such was the instructions given to me. I am Grimlock."

"In this body, I was born Tom Marvolo Riddle, also known as Voldemort, the Dark Lord, You-Know-Who, and, by various Wizards and Witches, that Dark Wanker. At this time, I accept Parley for three hours, at which time we are both free to leave in safety and unmolested from this location."

Grimlock looked at the Wizard and then nodded.

"Please come in."

Sirius turned and went into the cottage and waited by the table inside. One of the guards came in and looked around. After casting magic to ensure there were no traps, he gave a report to Grimlock, who waited just outside. Grimlock then entered with the other guard following.

"Please have a seat. I offer refreshment at this time."

Grimlock accepted tea, after he had poured both and drank some to prove it was safe. As Voldemort, he was not trusted at all and he accepted that.

Hanny, present and standing guard for him, was ordered to bring to watch and ensure his own safety. Goblins respected how powerful Elves were when protecting their Masters and it was sufficient deterrence to prevent the Goblins from acting against the agreed Parley.

Sirius then accepted Veritaserum, and Grimlock accepted the parchment with the questions he was willing to be asked. Needless to say, the initial answers given were a complete shock to Grimlock and the guards he bad brought with him. Hanny, Grimlock noticed, was not surprised at all.

Grimlock considered the Wizard before him after the antidote had been given.

"This changes much. What do you want and what are you offering?" Grimlock asked bluntly.

"What I want is as follows: I wish to create a Vault at Gringotts to allow me to conduct business. I will deposit the proceeds from the sale of these." He motioned to Hanny and the Elf opened the trunk which had been sitting off to the side.

Grimlock looked over and was surprised to see a trunk full of gems of various types and sizes. He looked at the Wizard. "I wish to inspect this."

Sirius motioned him permission and Grimlock went over. Pulling a loupe from his waistcoat pocket, Grimlock spent a bit of time looking at, feeling, and checking magically the jewels. Satisfied Grimlock asked, "And to whom will you be selling these?"

Sirius answered, "Actually, I rather wish to sell them to Gringotts. Their Market value is quite considerable but if I sold them to a Wizard or even to Muggles, there might be a drop in price due to the quantity. Gringotts has the ability to make their existence widespread and thus prevent oversaturation in one location. You can also store them and sell them at intervels ensuring the best profit. And Goblins might wish to use them for their own purposes. I have no attachment other than wishing to exchange them for currency. I am willing to sell them at 90 percent of Markey value, allowing Gringotts to achieve a 10 percent profit."

What followed was an intense negotiation. Seventy Five percent would have been proper if the negotiations had been with a respected customer, Fifty percent would imply that he was a sucker. The final price was 65.7 percent of the Market value – two-thirds was considered a good price; Sirius had thrown in the extra two percent as a courtesy, a "gratuity" to the negotiator to pay for the three hours time.

Sirius Black had a much better knowledge of Goblin relations than Tom Riddle ever had.

"Good. Now." Sirius pulled a piece a parchment from his robe and pushed it to Grimock. "Here is a statement containing all knowledge I have obtained from reviewing the memories I found when I arrived to this world. This includes reports of actions against Goblins and who orchestrated them – another sign of good faith. You may use the information however you like – another assurance of my good faith. I only require that the source of this knowledge not be made available to anyone who might inform the Ministry or the Public at large. Once we leave I will disavow any knowledge of this matter heretofore or henceforward. It would not do my standing with my 'followers' any good if they knew but at the same time I would prefer certain activities are curtailed. It would be best for all of us."

Sirius knew that a few Death Eaters would soon "disappear" – knowledge of where they had gone to would never be found. Walden McNair especially was not in for a pleasant or long future and Sirius was okay with that.

Grimlock eagerly read the statement. After ensuring that it was as purported, he nodded sharply. His superiors would reward him greatly for this information. He could abide by the strictures and he was certain his superiors would accept as well.

"Now. I will need some leeway. Convincing the Pureblood wizards into a new paradigm will take time. I may lose control of them if I move too fast. Some of your customers will be attacked but I wish to ensure that such attacks fail. How might we work together to ensure that this is so?" he asked Grimlock.

Grimlock sat back. "You are willing to pass word through us to our customers?"

"To your customers and to potential customers. There will be Muggleborn who might not yet have accounts as well." He considered. "Perhaps I can use you as in intermediary. There are Aurors who are Death Eaters – I will provide a list – and there are those who are trustworthy. I am certain that you could communicate to the trustworthy ones. Or perhaps use a customer who has good relations with you to pass on the information. I do know that Barty Crouch would be a very poor choice – he's the Ministry's version of a Death Eater. His willingness to authorize the Aurors to use unforgiveable curses is just as bad."

Sirius knew that Crouch was as destructive in his own way. Suspicion was as good as guilt as far as Crouch was concerned and many innocents had suffered in the final months of the first Voldemort war.

Sirius, as Voldemort, was almost willing to use Crouch Junior to kill the bastard outright. Currently, Voldemort used Crouch to destroy neutral families that had refused to follow him – there was a reason he had left him in charge of the DMLE. But Crouch Junior was enthusiastic despite being young. He had just graduated and was used to pass on information to the Death Eaters that he obtained from his hated father.

Grimlock considered the idea. "I will ask my superiors what they wish to do. What other issues do you wish to discuss?"

Sirius considered. "I need to get the idiots educated as regards modern Muggles. They have no idea about actual Muggle numbers, weapons, and knowledge. The Muggles have knowledge which would explain why Purebloods are becoming less magical – the study of genetics has advanced a hundredfold in the last century. There are over 4 Billion Muggles – that number will rise to 6 within twenty years. Muggles also have weapons that are much more destructive than we Wizards can imagine. We cannot afford to antagonize the Muggles. The Statute of Secrecy is as important as ever. But the former occupant of this body had no true knowledge and no willingness to learn it. I told my Inner Circle that I had run across information that was vital and ordered a moratorium on attacks. But now I have to deliver."

Grimlock asked, "That is why it has been extremely quiet these last days. We at Gringotts had noticed something was taking place."

"Yes. As soon as I realized who I had become, I gave the order. But I must act within 36 hours – my week is almost up and it has taken a bit of time to handle the worst parts of Voldie's old plans."

Grimlock sat back. "I will talk to my superiors. We do have contacts in the Muggle world – Oxford University has provided education for certain employees at request. We provide the subject we wish to have explained and they provide a lecturer, hall, and material. We can ensure that those who come to hear the lectures are treated anonymously and very respectfully. The lecturers do not know who is being taught – only what is to be taught."

Sirius considered that. "It might work. But it will need to be arranged quickly. And I have to provide reasons that they will accept. My authority is theoretically ultimate – but in truth they can be fractious."

Grimlock stood up. "Give me 24 hours. Send your elf to me in one day's time. This conflict has caused a loss of profit. An opportunity to ameliorate the worst of it will be welcome. I do believe that my superiors will accept working with you once I give my report." He turned his head and barked an order. A guard came forward and pulled a knife.

Grimlock pulled a vial out. "Fill this with blood – it will be used to key in your Vault. My tomorrow night, your Elf will be free to act as your agent with us." Once Sirius did that, Grimlock out the vial in his pocket. "Good business and good health, Mr. Riddle-Black."

"Good business and good health, Grimlock."