“Blimey.” Hagrid said and stared down at the pile of ash on the floor that used to be one of the school teachers. “I think we need ta get going, Harry. Things ta buy in Diagon Alley.”
No one said a word as Hagrid grabbed Harry by his shirt, tucked him under his arm, and walked out the back door of the bar. Once outside, Hagrid used his umbrella to poke a series of bricks on the back wall of the enclosure. The wall shifted and folded back out of the way to reveal an alleyway that was crowded with both people and shops.
Hagrid ignored everyone's stares and walked quickly down the alleyway. “Pardon. 'Scuse Me. Pardon.”
“H-Hagrid.” Harry finally managed to speak. “What happened to that man back there?”
“I don't rightly know, Harry.” Hagrid said. “Ain't never seen nothing like that before.”
“But...” Harry looked at his hands and wondered what had happened. Did he do that? Was he powerful enough to melt someone, just by touching them? He shook his head and knew that it wasn't true. Dudley would have been a pile of ashes years ago if it was. Also, none of the others had reacted like that when they shook his hand. It was only that professor.
“I'm sure Dumbledore would know. Great man, Dumbledore. Knows lotsa stuff.” Hagrid mumbled and carried Harry down the alley and stopped at the large stone and brick building with the word 'Gringotts' on a sign that was over the large front doors. “Great man, Dumbledore.”
Harry could only go along as Hagrid walked up the steps and went inside. Hagrid didn't wait in line like he was supposed to and walked right up to one of the tellers.
“Hey, no cutting in line.” One of the people in the short line said.
“Sorry.” Hagrid said, flustered. “Hogwarts business. Very important.” He looked at the unhappy goblin behind the teller window. “Fergive meh brashness. I'm in a bit of a rush.” He said. “Young Harry here needs to make a withdrawal.”
“You committed a breach of etiquette and jumped the line for a student?” The goblin asked.
“No, no. I'm just doing that first.” Hagrid said and took out an envelope. “This is from the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. It's about you know what in vault you know which.”
The goblin's eyes flicked over the letter as he took it. He didn't read it, however. “Very well.” He said and looked at Harry. “I assume Mr. Potter has his key?”
“Oh! I got that here somewhere.” Hagrid said and gently put Harry down, then he started to empty his pockets. When a large pile of various items was on the counter, a few of them tried to crawl and wiggle away. “Here it is.” He said and held up a small brass key. The goblin took it and the letter, stepped down and came around the counter.
“Follow me, please.” The goblin said and waved for them to follow.
Hagrid quickly scooped up most of what was on the counter and stuffed it back into his pockets, then he pat Harry's back and made him stumble and fall. He stood the boy up on his feet and the two of them followed the goblin to a large door at the back of the bank. Two armored goblins there came to attention and opened the doors for them.
Harry was glad that his mind was clear and he could see the creatures in front of him without freaking out about something like that existing in the world. It was a little disgusting, considering he had never seen anything like it before, and he was more than fascinated to know how something so odd had come to be in the world.
The arms, legs, and faces were distorted, shortened, and slightly twisted versions of humans. As far as he could tell, if it wasn't for the large pointed ears and the slightly off skin color, they could be what some uncharitable people called 'midgets' and everyone else that had common sense called 'little people'.
They piled into a mining cart and took off, even though no one had pushed them and no mechanical sounds had been heard, like on a roller coaster. Harry's eyes widened as the ride actually turned into a roller coaster and they went deep underground. He had never been on one before; but, thanks to the ridiculous ride he had survived on the flying motorcycle, the ups and downs on a mining cart was almost laughable in comparison. The goblin had his hand on the brake handle and brought them to a stop in front of a vault.
“Come here.” The goblin said and Hagrid and Harry went with him to the door. “Hand, please.”
“Go ahead, Harry.” Hagrid said. “Yer taking over the vault from yer parents.”
Harry held his hand out and the goblin put the key into his hand, then used his hand to turn the lock. The goblin's hand glowed and then Harry's hand glowed. In the next moment, the key faded away and disappeared. Before he could ask what happened, the vault make several clicks and unlocked.
“Yeh don't need the key no more.” Hagrid smiled. “Yeh don't hafta worry about losing it now.”
Harry was going to ask how that worked, then the vault door opened up and he saw what was inside.
Piles and piles of gold coins filled it.
Even with a clear mind, Harry couldn't fathom how much money was inside the vault. Thousands of coins. Hundreds of thousands of coins? No, maybe... maybe millions. He thought, shocked. He honestly didn't know how much was there and he wasn't sure if he actually wanted to know. He pinched his arm again and knew that he wasn't dreaming. He blinked his eyes several times, rubbed them twice, and all of that shiny and glittering gold was still right there.
“You'll be needin' a few handfuls fer yeh school things.” Hagrid said.
“A... few... handfuls.” Harry whispered and he knew that he wanted to take a lot more than just a few handfuls. He had never been given a single penny for the entire time he had been at the Dursleys. He had always been filled with envy as Dudley was given lots of money for an allowance. He spent it and wasted it, knowing full well that he would get another pile of money the next week, and he lorded it over Harry that he never got anything.
Not this time. Harry thought and looked at Hagrid. “Do you have any big bags I can borrow?”
“Harry, galleons are heavy. Taking a large bag of 'em would be hard fer yeh ta carry around.” Hagrid said and was about to pat him on the back, then remembered Harry falling the last time he did it and stopped.
“You can use magic.” Harry said, unperturbed. “Give me a magic bag.”
“Sorry, Harry. I don't have one.” Hagrid said. “Just take a few handfuls and put 'em in yer pockets...”
“Mr. Goblin.” Harry said, which surprised the goblin. “Do you have, or can sell me, a magic bag? I need to take more than a few handfuls of my money with me.”
“Certainly.” The goblin said and blew a whistle. A few moments later, another mining cart with another goblin appeared and parked behind their cart.
“What can I get you?”
“A medium...” The goblin started to say.
“Large.” Harry corrected. “Please.”
The goblin gave him another surprised look. Not for the interruption, it was for the 'please'. “A large capacity money bag with a hidden expansion charm and weight canceller.”
“What about an anti-theft charm?” The second goblin asked.
“I would definitely want that.” Harry said with a smile. “Thank you.”
Both goblins stared at him for a moment, then the second one reversed his cart and disappeared.
“He will be a few minutes.” The first goblin said and closed the vault, then waved at their cart. The three of them hopped in and the goblin took them down another few tracks and ups and downs, then they passed through something like a waterfall.
Harry didn't try to cover himself, since he knew there wouldn't be any danger. The water splashed his face and soaked his clothes for only a second, then he was suddenly completely dry. He also felt a little tired. It had been a long day so far and he hadn't even bought the things on his list. Also, things seemed to be a bit darker than they were before and he wasn't enjoying the ride as much.
They pulled over at another vault and got out. The goblin did something with just his hands and the letter from the headmaster. The envelope disappeared and the vault opened. Inside was a small wrapped bundle, barely the size of someone's palm.
“It's best if yeh don't talk about this.” Hagrid said and stepped into the vault and picked up the thing. It practically disappeared into his giant hand and he slipped it into a pocket. “Hogwarts Business.”
Harry didn't say anything as Hagrid stepped out and the vault closed. Even though the effects of the aged pepper-up potion had ended, he still knew which pocket Hagrid's motorcycle keys were in and where the vault bundle was hidden.
The three of them rode the cart back through the waterfall and went back to Harry's vault. They only had to wait another couple of minutes for the other goblin.
“How do I open my vault?” Harry asked.
“Touch the vault door and think for it to open.” The first goblin said.
Harry did so and the door opened for him. “How much is the bag?”
“Three galleons.” The second goblin said.
“Three galleons!” Hagrid nearly yelled. “Why you little...”
Harry scooped up a handful of coins and handed three to the second goblin. “Thanks.”
“It's nice doing business with you.” The goblin said and rode away in his cart.
“It will sort the money into piles for you as well.” The first goblin said.
“Great.” Harry said and held the money bag near the closest pile of gold coins and shovelled nearly half of the pile inside. He did the same with the closest pile of silver coins and the closest pile of bronze ones that were right next to the door. “Okay, I think that's enough.” He said and shut the vault, then tied the money bag to his belt. “Can I come back when I want to get more?”
“You can.” The goblin said. “I look forward to seeing you again, Mr. Potter.”
Harry reached into the bag and took out a silver coin. “Is this an insult?”
“Are you trying to bribe me?” The goblin asked with an angry face.
“I'm just paying for your services.” Harry said and put the coin back in the bag.
“The bank pays me.” The goblin said, his voice without inflection.
“My mistake.” Harry said and climbed into the cart. Hagrid followed him and then the goblin climbed in. He didn't speak further and drove the cart back up to the surface.
“Blimey.” Hagrid said and stared down at the pile of ash on the floor that used to be one of the school teachers. “I think we need ta get going, Harry. Things ta buy in Diagon Alley.”
No one said a word as Hagrid grabbed Harry by his shirt, tucked him under his arm, and walked out the back door of the bar. Once outside, Hagrid used his umbrella to poke a series of bricks on the back wall of the enclosure. The wall shifted and folded back out of the way to reveal an alleyway that was crowded with both people and shops.
Hagrid ignored everyone's stares and walked quickly down the alleyway. “Pardon. 'Scuse Me. Pardon.”
“H-Hagrid.” Harry finally managed to speak. “What happened to that man back there?”
“I don't rightly know, Harry.” Hagrid said. “Ain't never seen nothing like that before.”
“But...” Harry looked at his hands and wondered what had happened. Did he do that? Was he powerful enough to melt someone, just by touching them? He shook his head and knew that it wasn't true. Dudley would have been a pile of ashes years ago if it was. Also, none of the others had reacted like that when they shook his hand. It was only that professor.
“I'm sure Dumbledore would know. Great man, Dumbledore. Knows lotsa stuff.” Hagrid mumbled and carried Harry down the alley and stopped at the large stone and brick building with the word 'Gringotts' on a sign that was over the large front doors. “Great man, Dumbledore.”
Harry could only go along as Hagrid walked up the steps and went inside. Hagrid didn't wait in line like he was supposed to and walked right up to one of the tellers.
“Hey, no cutting in line.” One of the people in the short line said.
“Sorry.” Hagrid said, flustered. “Hogwarts business. Very important.” He looked at the unhappy goblin behind the teller window. “Fergive meh brashness. I'm in a bit of a rush.” He said. “Young Harry here needs to make a withdrawal.”
“You committed a breach of etiquette and jumped the line for a student?” The goblin asked.
“No, no. I'm just doing that first.” Hagrid said and took out an envelope. “This is from the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. It's about you know what in vault you know which.”
The goblin's eyes flicked over the letter as he took it. He didn't read it, however. “Very well.” He said and looked at Harry. “I assume Mr. Potter has his key?”
“Oh! I got that here somewhere.” Hagrid said and gently put Harry down, then he started to empty his pockets. When a large pile of various items was on the counter, a few of them tried to crawl and wiggle away. “Here it is.” He said and held up a small brass key. The goblin took it and the letter, stepped down and came around the counter.
“Follow me, please.” The goblin said and waved for them to follow.
Hagrid quickly scooped up most of what was on the counter and stuffed it back into his pockets, then he pat Harry's back and made him stumble and fall. He stood the boy up on his feet and the two of them followed the goblin to a large door at the back of the bank. Two armored goblins there came to attention and opened the doors for them.
Harry was glad that his mind was clear and he could see the creatures in front of him without freaking out about something like that existing in the world. It was a little disgusting, considering he had never seen anything like it before, and he was more than fascinated to know how something so odd had come to be in the world.
The arms, legs, and faces were distorted, shortened, and slightly twisted versions of humans. As far as he could tell, if it wasn't for the large pointed ears and the slightly off skin color, they could be what some uncharitable people called 'midgets' and everyone else that had common sense called 'little people'.
They piled into a mining cart and took off, even though no one had pushed them and no mechanical sounds had been heard, like on a roller coaster. Harry's eyes widened as the ride actually turned into a roller coaster and they went deep underground. He had never been on one before; but, thanks to the ridiculous ride he had survived on the flying motorcycle, the ups and downs on a mining cart was almost laughable in comparison. The goblin had his hand on the brake handle and brought them to a stop in front of a vault.
“Come here.” The goblin said and Hagrid and Harry went with him to the door. “Hand, please.”
“Go ahead, Harry.” Hagrid said. “Yer taking over the vault from yer parents.”
Harry held his hand out and the goblin put the key into his hand, then used his hand to turn the lock. The goblin's hand glowed and then Harry's hand glowed. In the next moment, the key faded away and disappeared. Before he could ask what happened, the vault make several clicks and unlocked.
“Yeh don't need the key no more.” Hagrid smiled. “Yeh don't hafta worry about losing it now.”
Harry was going to ask how that worked, then the vault door opened up and he saw what was inside.
Piles and piles of gold coins filled it.
Even with a clear mind, Harry couldn't fathom how much money was inside the vault. Thousands of coins. Hundreds of thousands of coins? No, maybe... maybe millions. He thought, shocked. He honestly didn't know how much was there and he wasn't sure if he actually wanted to know. He pinched his arm again and knew that he wasn't dreaming. He blinked his eyes several times, rubbed them twice, and all of that shiny and glittering gold was still right there.
“You'll be needin' a few handfuls fer yeh school things.” Hagrid said.
“A... few... handfuls.” Harry whispered and he knew that he wanted to take a lot more than just a few handfuls. He had never been given a single penny for the entire time he had been at the Dursleys. He had always been filled with envy as Dudley was given lots of money for an allowance. He spent it and wasted it, knowing full well that he would get another pile of money the next week, and he lorded it over Harry that he never got anything.
Not this time. Harry thought and looked at Hagrid. “Do you have any big bags I can borrow?”
“Harry, galleons are heavy. Taking a large bag of 'em would be hard fer yeh ta carry around.” Hagrid said and was about to pat him on the back, then remembered Harry falling the last time he did it and stopped.
“You can use magic.” Harry said, unperturbed. “Give me a magic bag.”
“Sorry, Harry. I don't have one.” Hagrid said. “Just take a few handfuls and put 'em in yer pockets...”
“Mr. Goblin.” Harry said, which surprised the goblin. “Do you have, or can sell me, a magic bag? I need to take more than a few handfuls of my money with me.”
“Certainly.” The goblin said and blew a whistle. A few moments later, another mining cart with another goblin appeared and parked behind their cart.
“What can I get you?”
“A medium...” The goblin started to say.
“Large.” Harry corrected. “Please.”
The goblin gave him another surprised look. Not for the interruption, it was for the 'please'. “A large capacity money bag with a hidden expansion charm and weight canceller.”
“What about an anti-theft charm?” The second goblin asked.
“I would definitely want that.” Harry said with a smile. “Thank you.”
Both goblins stared at him for a moment, then the second one reversed his cart and disappeared.
“He will be a few minutes.” The first goblin said and closed the vault, then waved at their cart. The three of them hopped in and the goblin took them down another few tracks and ups and downs, then they passed through something like a waterfall.
Harry didn't try to cover himself, since he knew there wouldn't be any danger. The water splashed his face and soaked his clothes for only a second, then he was suddenly completely dry. He also felt a little tired. It had been a long day so far and he hadn't even bought the things on his list. Also, things seemed to be a bit darker than they were before and he wasn't enjoying the ride as much.
They pulled over at another vault and got out. The goblin did something with just his hands and the letter from the headmaster. The envelope disappeared and the vault opened. Inside was a small wrapped bundle, barely the size of someone's palm.
“It's best if yeh don't talk about this.” Hagrid said and stepped into the vault and picked up the thing. It practically disappeared into his giant hand and he slipped it into a pocket. “Hogwarts Business.”
Harry didn't say anything as Hagrid stepped out and the vault closed. Even though the effects of the aged pepper-up potion had ended, he still knew which pocket Hagrid's motorcycle keys were in and where the vault bundle was hidden.
The three of them rode the cart back through the waterfall and went back to Harry's vault. They only had to wait another couple of minutes for the other goblin.
“How do I open my vault?” Harry asked.
“Touch the vault door and think for it to open.” The first goblin said.
Harry did so and the door opened for him. “How much is the bag?”
“Three galleons.” The second goblin said.
“Three galleons!” Hagrid nearly yelled. “Why you little...”
Harry scooped up a handful of coins and handed three to the second goblin. “Thanks.”
“It's nice doing business with you.” The goblin said and rode away in his cart.
“It will sort the money into piles for you as well.” The first goblin said.
“Great.” Harry said and held the money bag near the closest pile of gold coins and shovelled nearly half of the pile inside. He did the same with the closest pile of silver coins and the closest pile of bronze ones that were right next to the door. “Okay, I think that's enough.” He said and shut the vault, then tied the money bag to his belt. “Can I come back when I want to get more?”
“You can.” The goblin said. “I look forward to seeing you again, Mr. Potter.”
Harry reached into the bag and took out a silver coin. “Is this an insult?”
“Are you trying to bribe me?” The goblin asked with an angry face.
“I'm just paying for your services.” Harry said and put the coin back in the bag.
“The bank pays me.” The goblin said, his voice without inflection.
“My mistake.” Harry said and climbed into the cart. Hagrid followed him and then the goblin climbed in. He didn't speak further and drove the cart back up to the surface.
