Marcus said with a smile "This is Hexatorial Square." Daphne and Cross looked around in awe at all the shops and people. Marcus flashed a proud smile and brought them along with him as he explained everything on the streets.
Cross listened to Marcus say "Everything you need for school is here and you can even get your own custom wands." Cross asked "But I don't have a lot of money.." Marcus looked at him and said "You have money?" Cross nodded and took out a bag from his pocket before pouring out the bills and coins, showing Marcus.
Daphne laughed and Marcus said with a smile "Cross, this is muggle money. Nobody will take it here." Cross was confused and said "What's a muggle?" Daphne said "Humans." Cross was even more confused and Marcus clarified "People without magic."
Cross scratched his head and said "Humans sure are weird... You all look the same to me." Marcus froze and said "Cross.. Most wizards and witches don't like muggles. This is considered an insult to them." Cross said "Oh! Sorry." Marcus smiled and rubbed his head as he said "Don't worry about it. Put away your muggle money. You can use it if you travel to the muggle world in the future."
Cross nodded and put his money back in the bag before putting the bag in his pocket. Marcus said "First we have to make a trip to Gringotts." after he said that he patiently explained to Cross and Daphne "Gringotts is run by goblins and is the most secure bank in the entire wizarding world. They are very serious and greedy."
Marcus walked to the bank and said seriously "Under no circumstances should you ever steal from Goblins. They are very dangerous." Cross and Daphne nodded along and they walked into the bank.
There were high desks with Goblins working at them in two rows, leading to an even bigger desk in the middle with a goblin at that one as well. The bank was empty except for the Goblins walking around and working, it was a very peaceful scene. Until Cross walked in, that is.
Cross looked around and all the Goblins snapped their heads in his direction, staring at him intently. Cross picked out a pamphlet by the door and started reading as he followed Marcus to a teller. Marcus had noticed the Goblins staring at Cross and frowned.
The head teller Goblin hopped off his chair and walked over.
Marcus watched the Goblin walk right in front of him and say respectfully "May I speak with this child alone, sir?" Marcus frowned and was about to deny, when Cross spoke Elven "What do you want?" the Goblins looked excited and the Goblin standing in front of Marcus said directly "I wish only to speak with your Highness."
Cross tilted his head, revealing his ears as he said "Okay." he looked at Marcus and said "I'll be right back, father." the Goblins gasped and looked at Marcus in surprise, before treating him even more respectfully than before.
Marcus was overwhelmed and Cross walked to the side with the head Goblin. The head Goblin looked around before getting on one knee and saying in Elven "Your Highness, Bogrod is at your service." Cross waved his hand and said "Bogrod, why are you like this? Even House-Elves treat me like this. Isn't it good to have freedom?"
Bogrod chuckled and said "Your Highness, you cannot possibly understand the importance of your race. The Elves have gone extinct ages ago, to my knowledge you are the only one remaining. Though I can only feel the suppression from your bloodline, it is enough to prove your origins."
Cross sighed and said "Rise, Bogrod." Bogrod stood up and Cross pinched the bridge of his nose as he said "If at all possible could you help my father? I was on the street before he gave me a home, in many ways he is my benefactor." Bogrod bowed and said respectfully "Of course, your highness. Is there anything else?"
Cross patted his shoulder and said slyly "Come on, Bogrod. Who are you trying to fool? I'm smarter than these humans, tell me what you wanted to talk about." Bogrod chuckled nervously and rubbed his hands together as he said "Your Highness is sharp! Bogrod just wanted to offer you a royal vault and free use of all Gringotts services in the future."
Cross tilted his head with a smile and said "And the last thing?" Bogrod gulped and said "And.. And for you to meet our King." Cross touched his chin and said "Why?" Bogrod said quickly "Your Highness, our King would kill me if he found out I didn't take you to meet him. It won't take long, I swear on my life!"
Cross sighed and said "Very well, have someone inform my father I will be away for a few minutes." Bogrod was excited and said immediately "Of course!" before disappearing.
When he reappeared he led Cross to a cart and sped away extremely quickly. Cross watched the surroundings change as he crossed his legs and leaned his elbow on the cart, rested his head in the palm of his hand.
Bogrod asked "Your Highness, why are you here today. If you don't mind me asking of course." Cross replied "I'm preparing to go to school. I need supplies, a wand, animal, enchanted robes, etc." Bogrod hesitated for a moment before finally saying "Your Highness are you sure you would like to go to school? The only one I know of is Hogwarts."
Cross frowned and said "What are you saying?" Bogrod was scared and said quickly "Your highness please treat my words as fart." Cross rolled his eyes and knocked his knuckles on Bogrod's head as he said "Relax, I'm just talking with you." Bogrod let out a breath of relief and explained "Humans.. They're not very trustworthy. Historically, Humans have stolen from our Goblin race before.."
He paused and added "I'm afraid that you Highness would be in danger. Elves have long since disappeared and you may attract a lot of unwanted attention." Cross said "I already have a solution for this. Simply saying I am a Metamorphmagus should suffice. Physical appearance can be changed and often times permanently, I was simply born like this."
Bogrod thought about it and said "This is a solution, however it's really dangerous. What if your highness' was exposed? It would be extremely easy for your Highness to stay within the Goblin race and mature."
Cross shook his head and said "Bogrod what is the most sought after thing in the world?" Bogrod replied immediately "Money." Cross smiled and said "But what is the most precious?" Bogrod was confused and said again "Money?" Cross shook his head and said "It is freedom. I simply want to be free and live my own life. Staying with you Goblins will keep me safe but I will feel caged, I only wish to be free and unfettered. If my life is put in danger, then so be it!"
Bogrod was amazed and knelt on one knee as he said with awe "Your Highness is wise!" Cross chuckled and raised his hand as he added "Of course, for you I assume you would much rather money." Bogrod chuckled and scratched his head saying "Your Highness is correct."
Cross laughed and patted Bogrod's shoulder saying "That's right! Hahahaha" Bogrod smiled and they stopped at a giant vault inlaid with gold markings. Bogrod said "This is your Highness' vault." Cross looked up at the giant '714' on top of the vault before asking curiously "Bogrod, how many vaults are there?"
Bogrod replied "Your Highness, the number is countless. A single Bogrod couldn't could them all even with 3 lives." Cross whistled in awe and said "Cool!" they both heard a voice "Hagrid, who is that?"
Cross looked over and saw a boy with round glasses and a scar on his forehead with a very tall man, who had a big beard and long hair. Hagrid shook his head and said "I don't know. Let's hurry up, we need to get your things Harry."
Cross looked at Harry with interest and said in Elven "Bogrod, do you know who that boy is?" while keeping his eyes on Harry. Bogrod was silent for a moment before replying "Your Highness, he is the boy who lived." Cross was doubtful and said "Could you explain?" Bogrod explained "He survived an attack from the Dark Lord. This is the origin of his scar."
Cross' red eyes stared at Harry, who was staring back, as he said "Doubtful. Perhaps the intention wasn't to kill him in the first place." Bogrod was confused and asked "What does your highness mean?" Cross shook his head and said directly "It seems like the boy doesn't know either. I won't spread his secrets. Let's go."
Bogrod nodded and went to work the cart. Cross smiled at Harry and waved as they sped away. Harry looked in Cross' direction in doubt, Hagrid looked at him and said "What's wrong?" Harry said "That boy was very strange, he can speak a different language just like me!"
Hagrid smiled and said "Maybe he's going to Hogwarts too, you can be friends." Harry made a small smile and nodded as he said "Yeah."
Around 5 minutes later
Cross and Bogrod got off the cart and walked into a giant building. There was a throne in the middle of the building with a Goblin, who was wearing a crown, sitting on it... Well currently the Goblin was sleeping and snoring.
Bogrod was embarrassed and shouted "KING!" The goblin snorted and woke up, he looked around saying "WHO!?" Bogrod coughed and said "My King, his Highness is here." The Goblin King said "Who's the highness other than me?!" Bogrod felt his eye twitch and he pointed at Cross.
Cross waved and said in Elven "Yo." The Goblin King said "YOU! You're an elf?! Woaaaaah!" Cross laughed and Bogrod almost threw up blood. Cross walked over and hooked his arm around the Goblin King as he said "Hey, man."
The Goblin King laughed and said "I've never seen an Elf before! You're hurting me though." Cross backed off and touched his nose as he said "Sorry." The Goblin King coughed and said "My name is Ragnok. Nice to meet you, your Highness."
Cross smiled and said "Cross Greengrass. Nice to meet you too." Ragnok chuckled and said "What brings you here?" Cross smiled and explained that he was shopping for school supplies and Bogrod brought him here.
Ragnok clapped and said "Good job, Bogrod!" Bogrod smiled happily and bowed, Ragnok hopped off the throne and brought Cross with him as he said "Come with me. I'll give you a gift." Cross said "Really? I didn't even do anything.." Ragnok shrugged and said "Who cares? You're our Highness, don't worry about it."
Cross sighed and followed him. Ragnok grinned and said "You know, other than money, we Goblins love to collect things." Cross looked interested and said "What kind of things?" Ragnok replied "All kinds of things! Even rare things that have never been seen before or have disappeared already."
Cross said surprised "Disappeared?!" Ragnok smirked and said "Interested? Let me show you. Open the vault!" the giant door in front of them slowly rolled open and Ragnok and Cross walked inside.
Cross looked around and saw tons of gold coins but there were also random things laying around as if they were garbage. Ragnok looked around before grabbing a few things and stuffing them in a bag before giving the bag to Cross.
Cross noticed that Ragnok did not even put a single gold coin in his bag and felt his mouth twitch as he teased "Can't part with a single gold coin?" Ragnok chuckled and said "You're right." before giving Cross a single gold coin.
Cross laughed and put the gold coin in his pocket saying "What's in the bag, Ragnok?" Ragnok smirked and said "Things for your wand and a little surprise from me!" Cross rolled his eyes and smiled as he said "How do you use these bags?" Ragnok brought him out of the vault and said "You can see the things inside. They appear right in your mind. It's a special space bag. Not made of extension charms."
Cross was stunned and said "Wait really?!" Ragnok grinned and answered "You thought I was stingy?" Cross laughed and said sincerely "Thank you, Ragnok." Ragnok smiled and said "You're welcome, your Highness."
Cross smiled and they walked back to the cart, Ragnok suddenly said seriously "Your Highness. You must be very careful if you are staying with Humans. If something happens to you, I will not hesitate to come help you." Cross smiled and nodded as he said "Don't trouble yourselves."
Ragnok shook his head and said "No, I'm serious. You are very important." Cross was confused and Ragnok said "Don't think about it, just take care of yourself, your Highness." Cross nodded and boarded the cart with Bogrod before speeding away.
Cross asked "Bogrod, What did Ragnok mean?" Bogrod shook his head and said "Even I don't know, your Highness. The King knows the most out of all of us Goblins." Cross hummed and nodded before pulling out his storage bag from Ragnok.
Cross looked inside and saw a block of black wood, a blue feather, a red feather, a blue egg, and a rainbow colored ribbon with a small golden bell on it. Cross didn't know what the ribbon was but the rest he was somewhat familiar with. The black wood was African Blackwood, the rarest wood in the world, the blue feather was an Ice Phoenix feather, and the red feather was a normal Phoenix feather.
As for the egg, he couldn't be sure until it hatched but it was something related to Ice, judging from the coldness. Considering he had an Ice Phoenix feather, it must be an Ice Phoenix? Only time would tell.
As he was looking at the items, Bogrod got back to the Bank floor before bringing him back to Marcus, who was getting worried.
Cross smiled and said "Thank you, Bogrod" Bogrod smiled and nodded before leaving. Marcus smiled and said "Let's go." Cross nodded and followed him out of Gringotts.