The four of them walking down Diagon Alley certainly drew a lot of attention. Then again, Sirius Black walking down Diagon Alley with Harry Potter would always draw attention. Hermione ran her fingers over the crests on her new robes, easily the finest she'd ever owned. Sirius appeared to read her mind, answering Hermione's unasked question.
"You are betrothed to Lord Potter, hence the Potter Family crest. Harry is also my heir, which is why he wears both crests. You doing the same sends out very powerful messages. It very publicly proclaims Lord Black approves of this match, which I most certainly do. I've gone from facing death to walking down Diagon Allay a free man, in the space of a week, and all thanks to you two."
His praise had Hermione blushing, her mind was still as sharp though. "You said messages, plural. What else does it say?"
Wearing a wide grin, Sirius knew they would both like this bit. Sirius put on his 'Lord Black' persona to answer that question. "It also declares you will be Lady Black too, firmly closing the door to any families with daughters that may harbour the mistaken illusion that you would share Harry."
The look of shock on both their faces had Sirius and Remus grinning. It was blatantly obvious to them these two would never invite another to share their relationship, Hermione's robes put that message out there.
"We will be sneaking in and out the Ministry but those robes of yours will cause a stir in Gringotts, and probably a riot on platform nine and three quarters. I guarantee you Hermione's robes will be front page news in tomorrow's Prophet."
Wishing they had known beforehand, but wholeheartedly agreeing with everything Sirius just said, Harry and Hermione quickly got their heads back into the game. "Good, we won't be in Britain to see it, and it might deflect away from what we're going to be up to today. Don't worry, Remus, Hermione and I have this covered. You just need to handle the introductions."
It was a worried Sirius who spoke sotto voce to Remus, making sure the other two could hear as well. "You did tell them never to prank a goblin? I know you would but Harry has the same look James used to wear just before he pulled off a major prank. Guys, I don't want to swap Azkaban for the goblin catacombs. Rumour has it they're worse, though I can't think of anyone who got out of there to spread that story."
Their eyes may have sparkled with mirth but none of that was displayed on their features as they walked into Gringotts - the required ten minutes early for their appointment.
After being led to Barchoke's office, and Remus handling the introductions, everyone now understood this was Harry's show. He didn't disappoint.
"Barchoke, I need a meeting with Ragnok. I need it today, this morning actually, and I need you to arrange it for me."
The little goblin studded Harry intently before doing something none of them expected, he burst out laughing. Removing a hankie from his immaculately tailored suit, Barchoke dabbed his eyes and wiped his forehead while regaining his composure.
"Lord Potter, I admire your sense of humour, but what you ask is impossible..."
"No Barchoke, just not easy. Today I intend to become the richest wizard in Europe. The goblin who gets me in to see Ragnok will handle all my banking needs. If I don't get my meeting with Ragnok today, I'll have to make new plans - including who I do my banking with. At that point I would imagine Ragnok's anger would be mighty, and see quite a few heads rolling across the floor."
Barchoke was once more using that hankie to mop his brow, the little goblin was now sweating profusely. "Lord Potter, please. You must understand my position here, I'm going to lose my head either way..."
"Oh, did I forget to mention this meeting I'm requesting is in regards to secure vault number seven? There is also no need to stand on ceremony when it's just us here, we prefer to be known as Harry and Hermione to our friends."
All four could see the visible relief that gushed through Barchoke, though only Harry and Hermione currently knew why. With barely a bow, and shouting over his shoulder he would return soon, Barchoke shot out of his office as if fired by a cannon.
The door had hardly slammed shut behind the goblin when Sirius was demanding some answers. "What the bloody hell was that all about? No one gets to see Ragnok." Remus could only nod in agreement, too shocked at what just happened to speak at the moment.
A smiling Hermione calmly answered them. "Only Ragnok has the authority to deal with vaults numbered one to nine. Barchoke now has a valid excuse to set the meeting up, and simply mentioning vault seven means Ragnok won't keep us waiting."
Remus though he might know the answer but simply had to ask. "And what is to stop anyone just saying that, as a way to meet with Ragnok?" He hated Hermione's answer every bit as much as Remus though he would.
"Simple, we go into this meeting and if it doesn't concern vault seven, we won't be coming back out."
....
Guys my p@treon is live...
Join now to read ahead by more than 60 chapters.
Link: pa*treon.com/Amelie796 (Remove the *)