While Dumbledore was being led merrily around by the nose by a goblin assigned to this duty by the Nation, Hermione, Ron and Ginny decided it was time they confronted Harry about what they considered his theft of their assets. Dumbledore had told all three of them not to mention it to him as he, Dumbledore, would get it straightened out and Harry didn't realize they were drawing a salary from his accounts.
But all three were upset over their missing money and completely sure of themselves where dealing with Harry was concerned. They were positive they could go to him and get their keys restored without him ever realizing exactly what they were doing. Because they believed he was simply too stupid. That and too much under their thumb so as not to lose their friendship. So they set out to track him down.
Since he wasn't staying in the tower, they had to hunt him down in the Castle itself. Instead of looking here, there and everywhere they went straight to their favorite Professor. She always believed anything they chose to tell her no matter how ridiculous or obviously untrue it was. Especially if it included something bad Harry had done or was doing. Professor McGonagal really didn't like Harry Potter and but she did like them.
They got the Deputy Headmistress to tell them where they might find him using the excuse they wanted to see if they could persuade him to come back to the tower or at least join them in the common room for a bit. She told them if he wasn't in a class or the Great Hall for a meal he'd either be in his room or in the Library. And no, she couldn't give them the password to his old room or even tell them for sure where it was because she didn't know. Though she didn't understand why they needed to look for him at all as he was back in the fifth year dorm this year. Surely they could just wait in the common room for him to show?
They glossed over the fact that he wasn't staying in the tower right now by telling her they wanted to talk and visit with him now. Not whenever he finally decided to return to the tower. None of them wanted to tell her he wasn't staying in Gryffindor Tower. They all knew it worked to their advantage having him elsewhere in the Castle where he couldn't as easily counter their actions against him.
They waylaid him in the library, where he was sitting alone at a table studying. The library was full of studying students. Both from Slytherin and from Ravenclaw. And in their year to boot. The trio smiled smugly to each other knowing that those two groups would make sure it got around the Castle very quickly about how they'd once again put Harry Potter in his place. Which to them was under their heel and doing everything they told him to do. It could only benefit them to have their year mates seeing them pulling his strings while he danced to their tune.
The two Weasely siblings straightened their spines and followed Hermione as she marched across the room to where Harry was sitting alone at a table reading and taking notes from a book. She was their leader and they took their cues from her as always. Making sure she had the attention of the room, Hermione demanded, "Harry Potter, you stop ignoring us right now. We've been trying to talk to you for days now and you keep ignoring us. We're your friends, Harry. Did you forget that over the summer? You know we're the only friends you have and it isn't wise to ignore your friends. You just might wake up one day to discover you no longer have them. We've told you this before."
"But that isn't important right now. Right now, we want to talk to you about our vaults and why our keys no longer grant us access to them. We demand you give them back to us right now." She held out her hand as if she expected him to meekly lay her missing key in her palm. Slightly behind her both Ron, who was smiling smugly, and Ginny who was trying for a 'I'm a sweet innocent girl' smile, both held out their hands as well. Both were eyeing the tables of students closest to them from the corner of their eyes making sure the other students saw what was taking place now with Harry Potter. naturally they were ignoring the stacks and Madam Pince as the Librarian didn't like them and would never like anything they were involved in.
Looking up from his book, Harry set down the quill he'd been taking notes with on the special blotter pad so ink wouldn't leak all over his parchment. The pad would absorb any ink left on the quill tip so it could be stored safely. Speaking clearly but still in that whisper quiet voice that was now normal for him, Harry replied, "Excuse me, but I have no idea what you're talking about. Could you be a little more specific as to what vaults I've supposedly blocked you from entering? And just why it is, you believe I have that kind of authority? Do I look like a goblin to you? Or maybe I look like your parents, hmm? As far as I know, the only person who could legally give you a vault, or vault access, would be your parents. And forgive me but there's no way in hell I'm claiming any of you as my children."
Ron and Ginerva's smiles faltered as their focus sharpened on Harry. Their hands dropped. This wasn't what was supposed to happen. He was supposed to be intimidated by an angry Hermione acting in parental mode. It'd always worked that way before. What had changed? Hermione sneered at Harry making sure of course none of the watching students saw her doing so while her mind scrambled to find something to say that would put the ball back in her hands. She couldn't let him control the conversation. If she did, she just knew the school rumors wouldn't go in her favor.
He kept speaking not giving any of them a chance to say anything. He knew now was the best time to put the plan he and the twins had worked out into motion. Dumbledore wasn't in the Castle to interfere and none of the teachers were present to stop him either. Madam Pince was unlikely to do anything once she realized what was happening. He just had to get them where he wanted them first.
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