Gathering Intelligence
Harry smirked at the Goblin. "What do your people know of Herpo the Foul?"
"Before Herpo, while there were many wizards who used magic in destructive ways, there were other things that these wizards did which were also constructive. Herpōn ho deinos, Herpo the Foul, concentrated almost solely upon magic which would be classed as Dark. As a result, he is the first wizard historically labeled entirely Dark– though it is unlikely that he was actually the first Dark wizard. He created many magic spells classed as entirely Dark. He was the first wizard to domesticate the basilisk. He was the first known Parselmouth. He was the first known to have split his soul to preserve his life. A thoroughly disagreeable man. It is also rumoured that Salazar Slytherin was a descendent."
Harry nodded. "And he was one of Tom Riddle's inspirations. Tom Riddle did not breed a basilisk – though he controlled Salazar Slytherin's beast. Tom created Dark spells – though he often left that to his followers. Tom is a parselmouth. And, like Herpo, Tom Riddle split his soul and went much further than Herpo ever did. Tom created six splits though he only knew of five."
The manager gave his visitor a long look. "Then that abomination is still alive."
"Yes. And his very life is very likely protected by Gringotts' wards."
The manager became someone irate at that, cursing sulfurously. Harry waited patiently – it would eventually run out. Finally the manager asked, "Where?"
"One of his followers. Tom demonstrated extreme avarice, wanting things that he did not have. Tom Riddle, though powerful, was a bully, a con man, a thief, and a murderer. He had almost no redeeming qualities. He had no title of nobility, and so he created "Lord Voldemort" from an anagram of his birth name. He had no money, and so he parlayed his charm into controlling rich wizards. He had a tainted pedigree (in his eyes) and so started killing any who didn't follow the Pureblood supremacy doctrine, cementing the idea that he himself was pure. He had no grand inheritance, and so he stole the legacy of others, killing any who could decry him – though one of those items was obtained from his mother using deceit. And he had no Gringotts vault, and so ensured a part of his soul was placed within the vault of his most faithful follower."
The Goblin considered what he knew for a long moment. "Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black."
Harry chuckled. "You know your Death Eaters." Harry immediately noticed the instant irritation. "Please do not take offense as none was intended. I understand that Gringotts has long been neutral. You know your customers – who happen to be Death Eaters."
The manager considered that and decided that he would refuse to be offended and accepted it as the compliment it was intended to be and not the insult it could have been. "Yes. Well, what are we to do?"
Harry sighed. "Is there any legal means by which you can destroy the item – or at least release the piece of soul it carries? I ask because every universe has its own rules and interpretations."
The manager considered that. "And what interpretations might allow Gringotts to act?"
"Well, ask yourself this question: Under what contract did the Lestranges obtain their vault? Which version of Gringotts charter was extant? Have the laws and regulations changed the contract – or were the rules under which you act the product of Wizards claiming a right to interfere with your business? There are many treaties that have been signed between Wizards and Goblins. There were many contract signed between Gringotts and customers. Has anyone actually reviewed these with a mind toward what to do under these circumstances? Is there anyone other than the customer who, under the contract, has a legal right to make a decision? Is the magic within that vault – a high security vault if there ever was one, thus requiring a Goblin to open it, which would threaten such a Goblin? And if that is true – does Gringotts have a right to do something about it? Is there a contract between the wife of Lestrange and the house of her birth which will allow them to act if alerted? There are many things which should be decided. And they should be decided by you."
The Goblin smirked at his visitor. "I see that you have a keen mind – and experience with these things."
"As the Magicals say, it is not my first Gringotts cart ride."
The manager barked a laugh. He then sobered. "And what of the other pieces of the Wizard's soul?"
"If we can come to an agreement which profits you and allows these things to be taken care of, then I will make an agreement with you. If not, then I will have to make arrangements to alert Dumbledore at the right time – and I cannot stand this version of Dumbledore."
"Things are as you suspected they might be?"
"Dumbledore is as slippery a snake as exists. He is one of the more self-aggrandizing versions – and one of those who are most convinced he is right."
"A pity. What other items might be involved in any agreement made?"
"I have placed a ward which I learned in another world which would prevent a possessed being from crossing it – and reverse the possession. You may have interest in how such a ward is created. I know that I have experience with a possessed Wizard who successfully breeched Gringotts security – though his efforts at theft were thwarted when the vault he got broke into proved to have already been emptied."
This caused the manager some anger, though he hid it. He wasn't angry with his visitor – his visitor had warned of the possibility. "And who was the thief?"
"The wraith of Tom Riddle, possessing a wizard who was either forced to carry him or whom agreed to it. That wizard, in this world, has not done this. As a matter of fact, Tom Riddle has not done this in this world. But Tom Riddle has already demonstrated his ability to murder and steal – the very item that is within Lestrange's vault was obtained by theft though not acknowledged as her heirs did not know she had the item. I do know another was framed for the murder. I am sanguine about naming him as a possible threat."
The manager considered everything he had learned. Goblins at Gringotts often made extreme threats against those who had knowledge of possible threats to them or crimes against them – the bank had wide latitude as long as the one being threatened was a Gringotts customer or was caught within their grasp. This being was not a customer of their bank and he did not fool himself that there was anything they could do against him. And so they would have to bargain. He was both disappointed – and excited.
"Would you like to begin negotiating?" he asked the god before him.
Harry smirked. "Not yet. I still have a Muggle family and young wizard to visit – and other choices will help determine what I will ask for. To negotiate now would be … premature."
"I see. And when will you return?"
"In some worlds, there are Wizards powerful but cryptic. Upon being asked when he would return, one particular wizard revered or feared throughout the lands and quite well known for being abstruse gave a shockingly simple answer: Look for me … when you see me." And with that the god disappeared from the office.
The Goblin was torn between outrage and amusement.
Harry Potter, Lone Traveler, stood once more upon Privet Drive. Unlike his earlier visit, it was the middle of the day. He had once again cast spells on himself but instead of disillusionment or similar spells, he was mostly under a notice-me-not.
The neighbours might see him, but they wouldn't care to pay attention to him.
He smirked as he considered his dress. Due to promotion of the movie Terminator, his typical dress of demins, t-shirt, and leather jacket was actually considered quite fashionable during this summer. The movie was still two months away but there were trailers. The one thing he did was ensure that his clothes looked fairly new: Scruffy was a big no-no on Privet Drive.
All it needed was one more item: Sunglasses. However, he knew that such would annoy Petunia Dursley – at least the Petunia he knew. And so he forewent them.
He calmly walked up to the door and knocked politely.
Very shortly, a visibly disapproving but actually nervous Petunia answered the door. "Good afternoon. I am looking for Petunia Dursley nee Evans."
"What of it? What are you looking for" she asked.
He gave a friendly look (but not too friendly). "I have come to you to speak of family matters which might be of great importance to her."
Petunia said, "I am Petunia Dursely." She paused and then continued, "Are you looking for a handout of some type? My husband is not in the habit if giving handouts to lazy layabouts!" Harry immediately noted that she had specifically named her husband as controlling the pursestrings.
He chuckled. "No. I have … quite sufficient means for anything I might need or even want to do. All I will say is that I my mother was an Evans before she married and I recently found details which caused me to come and visit."
He could tell that she really wanted to ask if he was "one of those" but she withheld herself. "Fine then. Come in please."
He nodded thankfully and entered, being careful to maintain his distance. After allowing him to sit she asked stiffly, "Would you like some tea?" She was a proper housewife, after all.
"That would be lovely, thank you."
When she retreated to the kitchen, he cast a spell to check on the boys – both came back as asleep. He wordlessly reinforced their sleep – no need for interruptions.
He sat there casually, making no threatening moves. He accepted the tea she provided and, waiting for her to sit down herself, he sipped it.
After a moment, she set down her tea and said, "Well, what would you like to speak about? I do not have a lot of time as I must have things finished by the time my husband returns from work."
Harry casually nodded and said, "Wait just a moment."
With that, waved his hand and casually cast without looking at anything but her. Instantly, everything that was less than perfect about the house was taken care of and moved his hand back to the teacup. "Now we have time to talk."
Her face had gone white and with some actual fear she said, "You're one of … those!"
He smiled and said, "Actually? No, I am not."
"Then what are you?" she asked.
He allowed a bit of his aura to show and he said, "Think of me … as an angel. I work for higher powers who wish to ensure that the world is not destroyed."
Petunia Dursley was terrified. To cover for herself she grabbed the tea and took a large gulp. Instantly the hot tea burned her mouth and she bit back her cry of pain.
Harry sighed and waved his hand, numbing the small burn. "Really, Petunia, you should not be so frightened. I have not come to destroy your life."
She felt her lip and noticed that the pain had instantly receded. She took a deep breath. "Then why are you here, if I may ask?"
"I am, as I said, trying to save the world. If things progress as they would have, your nephew would live such a life of pain and sorrow that he would eventually snap. And, regardless of what you were told when you were given the boy, he is not powerless. As a matter of fact, he has power that even now is as much as a grown wizard and when he grows he will be matched by a very, very small number across the world. And before you suggest getting rid of him, if you tried then I would guess that you and your child would die within ten years – perhaps a little more or less."
"What would you have me do?" she asked angrily and then tried to catch herself. "What would you have me do? It is not as though I come from privilege. My husband controls the resources and I have no desire to end up on the street without my son, or my nephew. If you are what you say you are then you know what Vernon is like. I cannot report him to the local constables – they are his pub mates and the first effort would result in harsh penalties. My sister," and she said this with both grief and anger, "has disappeared into that world and I don't even have the means to contact her. I have no resources. What am I to do?"
Harry sighed. "I can understand your feelings and, even though this might surprise you, I know what it is like. I have not shown up without the means to assist you. Even now you think that I am going to lay unrealistic burdens upon you but our Creator has given me … much latitude in what I can do. Even Michael has not the ability that I do to act as I see fit. I will not put you in a situation that will make your life worse. I have come only to help. But, to do it properly, you must listen to the truth of what is happening with your world and with your family. And then you must decide."
She looked at him for a very long moment and then said, "Tell me."
And so he explained everything he could of exactly what had happened with Lily in the last 15 years. He explained what role Albus Dumbledore had played. He explained what limitations currently existed and he explained what he had already done. "Now, you have choices. The first is: What would you like to do about Vernon? First of all, are you aware that your sister has provided funds to help raise him? Are you aware that there is a legacy that he was to receive when he reached his majority?"
Petunia was horrified. "No! We received no money!"
Harry gently told her, "You husband is lying to you. He received money into your accounts – quite sufficient to assist in any costs."
Petunia was then taken with anger. "He dares to complain about how much of a burden my family is and he is being paid? It is obvious where the money he spends on his own sister comes from! No wonder she has come around so much since the boy arrived!" Petunia then remembered that she was frightened of Vernon. "But what can I do about it?"
Harry smirked. "Well, if the local constables are completely useless, do you think that Inland Revenue is? I am quite certain that if he did not tell you of the money that was received, he didn't tell the government either."
Petunia was struck in that moment that this was likely quite true. "How can I find out?"
"Well, perhaps this might help." He reached into his pocket and retrieved the legal records of the account that was set up for little Harry's welfare. It included the records of disbursements. And though Petunia was listed as the person who was to receive it, the copies of the cancelled cheques showed that it was Vernon's signature that was present. It even said, "Vernon Dursley for Petunia Dursley." He also, having asked Gringotts for assistance, had gotten records of the Dursley's bank accounts, which Petunia was listed on but was not allowed to actually use, which showed no corresponding deposits.
"I would recommend telling them that you suspect that Marjorie Dursley is receiving much of those funds and that her bank may show corresponding deposits after the withdrawals listed. I would then suggest that because your husband is friendly with the local constables that you may have to run for it to protect yourself and your son and your nephew and if you do so you will ensure that they know where you can be found."
Petunia looked through the documents and it showed what Harry was telling her. "When would you suggest I call?"
"Well, that is up to you. But sooner is probably better than later."
She considered it and then said, "I will put these in the laundry room. Vernon doesn't go there." She stood up. "When plans have been finalized, I will call them."
Harry chuckled. "Actually, I have a better place." He stood up himself and led her to Dudley's toy room. He moved to a particular board and, with very little effort, lifted it up. She was actually a bit amazed. Dudley even rarely used this room. This was where Vernon had started throwing things that Dudley broke. She cached the documents and checked it once the board was back in place. She even stepped on it and there was no hint of movement. She nodded curtly.
The two made their way back downstairs.
"Now, you are going to have to feed Harry more. And eat more yourself. And Dudley will have to eat less – unless you want him in an early grave from heart disease."
In a small voice she said, "Vernon watches very carefully. I am supposed to keep myself thin because that is how he prefers me when I am to … perform duties. And if he caught me feeding my nephew more than the absolute minimum, I would experience punishment."
Harry gave her a compassionate look. "Keep appearances up. I might have a place where you can take them as soon as tomorrow. We will have to keep it out of Dumbledore's view as well so we will have to keep it in the regular world. Where would you go if you had the choice? Harry will eventually have to go to school – but it doesn't have to be here. You don't need to work so hard to keep up appearances if you can go where you all could have a new life." He then chuckled. "And I hear that in some places in the world, they find women with British accents quite attractive. Once Vernon is out of the picture, and you are in a healthier way, you can, perhaps, work toward a happier life for yourself as well."
With that, her proper British mask cracked a bit and she blushed a little.
Knowing that she would soon be shot of this life, she actually woke Harry up first and made sure he ate, warning him not to tell Uncle Vernon or Dudley. Being surprised and quite happy for the unlooked-for food, he agreed quite easily. Harry was almost at the point where Vernon would have begun working him like a servant, but he wasn't quite there yet. Vernon preferred it that the boy stay out of sight which was perfectly fine with Harry.
The visiting Harry actually stayed out of sight but watched. Even Petunia didn't know he was sticking around. He wanted to ensure that Petunia was, as he had gathered, actually worth saving. She seemed to be.
Dudley, however, was a nightmare. It would take much work to get him out of the habits that Vernon had encouraged. He saw that as soon as the temper tantrums started. Petunia, he decided, had the patience of a saint when she had to.
After seeing that, Harry went to Gringotts and exchanged a large chunk of his reserve for British pounds.
Harry then considered where he could get Petunia and the boys stashed. He immediately rejected the idea of a hotel. There would be too many problems. And if Vernon's constable friends made inquiries, they could be found fairly easily – Dudley was too distinctive.
He also wanted to keep her out of less affluent areas: The assumptions that Vernon might make would probably concentrate on such areas. Vernon knew Petunia had no resources. That meant that he would have to get Petunia into a better area with someone with the gravitas to stand up to someone making threats.
Suddenly, he got an idea. And his face took on a distinctive smirk.