Disclaimer - The world of Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling and various publishers. I make no claim to ownership.
A/N: Thanks to my beta Vettesr, and those kind enough to review.
Chapter Four: Diagon Alley
"Come on Ron," chastised Ginny, "we've got a lot to do! We have to meet up with Harry and Hermione in Diagon Alley, Hedwig just dropped off a note last night that they would meet us at nine o'clock in front of Flourish and Blotts. I have to get my school robes and potion supplies as well as a wand."
Her mother interrupted to say, "You'll be using Aunt Muriel's old wand: Holly, eight and a half inches with a core of Unicorn tail hair."
Ginny sighed, "Well at least it's a wand, I wish we could get a new one though."
"Maybe next year firefly," her father promised.
They all lined up for the floo to take them to Diagon Alley. Percy went first, then the twins George and Fred. Ginny and finally Molly and Arthur next followed Ron.
Landing in the Leakey Cauldron, they quickly made their way through to Diagon Alley.
***
The Grangers and Harry arrived in Diagon Alley early, since they had to go to Gringotts to exchange muggle money and Harry wanted to visit his vault to check what else might be there.
Standing in line, they finally made it to one of the goblin clerks at the massive counter. Introducing himself, he asked for access to his vault.
"Ahh, Mr. Potter," the goblin replied, if you would be so kind as to accompany me, there is a spot of business to take care of."
"Err… can Hermione come too?" Harry asked.
"As a matter of fact, we were hoping that she would accompany you since this concerns her as well."
The goblin directed them to a well appointed office and upon entering bade them have a seat. An old wizened goblin sat behind a large ornate desk and introduced himself.
"Good morning Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, or should I say Mrs. Potter, my name is Pickaxe, I'm your accounts manager here at Gringotts.
Hermione gasped at this. "Sir, we're not married yet."
"Ahh, but you are soul bonded. To us at Gringotts, that is the same as married. When the bond is completed, you will have all the legal rights of a married couple. At this time, we need to verify your identity and fill out some documents. When you both reach legal marriage status, you will inherit the family titles as well. You, Harry, will be Lord Potter, and Hermione will be Lady Potter. Your family was one of the wealthiest and oldest families in Britain."
Harry and Hermione were stunned at this news.
Now, Mr. Potter, you can have limited access to the Potter family vault that will allow you to withdraw certain items. Financial instruments may not be withdrawn until the bonding is complete. This would include gold and bearer bonds, as well as other cashable items, such as raw jewels. Jewelry, such as rings may be withdrawn as well as paintings, books and weapons if you so desire. Your school vault will still be your main vault for money.
Pickaxe then directed Hermione and Harry to a document and asked for a blood sample. A quick prick with a magical sampler and their identities verified and the samples were transferred to the parchment.
"Now, Mr. Potter, would you like Hermione to have access to your vaults as well?"
"Yes, of course," Harry replied.
Harry, that's yours, I shouldn't have access!
Love, what's mine is ours now. The bond ensures we will always be together, so I don't see the problem.
Are you sure Harry? I wouldn't want to take advantage of you.
Hermione, we are one. How could you take advantage of me? I want this, we are equals in this bond.
"Mr. Pickaxe, if you could ensure that Hermione has equal access to everything in both vaults, we would like to visit both vaults."
"Certainly Mr. Potter. I'll have Griphook escort you and provide a key for the Potter family vault."
Travelling to Harry's personal vault, they stopped just long enough to fill his money pouch with galleons and some sickles. The vault still had a great deal of money stacked there.
The Potter family vault was much deeper in the caverns and the temperature rose until the two were sweating.
"It's an added protection Gringotts has for the old family vaults," Griphook stated. If an unauthorized entry is attempted, the dragons will roast them for dinner Griphook grinned evilly at this. "Of course each vault has it's own internal wards and other protections. You will have to provide a sample of blood to gain access. Both of your blood samples have already been keyed to the locks. Only those who provide a proper sample can gain entry. Gringotts goblins have a special way to deposit and withdraw money from the vault, and only by proper authorisation."
A small prick of their fingers from an ornate medallion mounted on the door took their samples.
Unlocking the vault, Harry and Hermione were amazed at the size and variety of items the vault contained. Looking around, Hermione spotted a large shelf of books.
Harry, let's see if any of these books will be useful.
Good idea Hermione, look for anything on soul bonding and defence. We may need to defend ourselves properly in the future. Dumbledore said that Voldemort could come back,
Here are some that might come in handy… `The magical soul' and `Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts'.
Harry had found an advanced potions book and a book on transfiguration that looked really old. Hermione, here's a notebook on becoming an animagus signed by my father! I think I read something about animagi in `Hogwarts, A History'. This is really a lucky find! We might be able to change ourselves into an animal!
Picking up several more likely looking books and noting all the other items in the vault, they exited and the door resealed itself.
"Griphook, can I get an itemized list of the vaults contents?"
"Gringotts can only provide the financial details. The other contents are not our concern. Certainly we can send you a balance sheet by secure means. It should arrive at Hogwarts the day you return."
Thanking Griphook, they made their way back to Pickaxe's office.
"We'd like to thank you for all the help you've provided. I had no idea my parents were so wealthy."
"We at Gringotts, feel honoured to assist the next Lord Potter and Lady Potter."
"Umm… Is there a way to withdraw money without actually being present?" Harry asked.
"Certainly, Mr. Potter, we have our own bank card that we will be only too pleased to issue you and Miss Granger. It only takes a minute and is very secure. You might also wish to purchase a magical trunk to keep those heavy books in. Several shops offer them with shrinking charms and lightening charms on them. We also offer a never empty money pouch keyed to your personal vault."
"That sounds like a very good idea Mr. Pickaxe. Both of us will need one."
After finishing with the bank, they made their way to a luggage shop. Entering, they asked a clerk if they had magical trunks.
Spotting Harry's scar, he recognised him at once.
"Yes Mr. Potter, they're a bit more expensive, but we carry a complete line. What did you have in mind?"
"What do you have that will hold lots of books and can be charmed to be light and small?" asked Harry.
"Ah yes, we have a number of multi compartment trunks that should suit your requirements. They are quite expensive though."
"Money isn't really much of a consideration, we need sturdy trunks that can't be broken into."
"We might have just the thing for you, it has seven compartments with a magical self-updating inventory and catalogue. All our better trucks are charmed and warded against unauthorised entry or theft. You will have to supply a drop of blood to activate the security wards and then the trunk will only open for you. The trunks will magically expand to contain whatever you wish to put in it. Each compartment is unique and you specify what each one will hold. Since they are magically expandable you could even enter it yourselves, something like our magical tents we also offer."
That sounds like just what we need. We'll take two. You do accept Gringotts bank cards don't you?"
"Of course Mr. Potter, let me prepare the pair and help you set them up."
After taking the usual drop of blood from each of them, and keying them so both could use each others trunks, the clerk helped them set each of the compartments and showed them how to open and seal them. The first compartment would hold their books and contained a parchment that was a self updating catalogue and fetching charm. You tapped the item on the catalogue that you wanted, and it appeared on top. The second compartment was set for clothes and had an ever fresh and self cleaning charm in it. The third compartment was reserved for emergency supplies such as bandages and healing potions. The fourth compartment was used for important document storage and had extra protection built in. A key word was needed to open it. The fifth compartment was emergency food storage and had a preserving charm in it. The sixth compartment could be used as a refuge for the owner and a ladder extended down to a large room completely furnished, with bed, desk, comfy chairs and a small kitchen. The seventh compartment could be set for anything else the owner desired, activated with a special wand movement and saying what was needed.
The featherlight charm and shrinking charm were activated with a tap from the owners wand. The trunk could also be locked from the inside for privacy.
The total bill for each trunk came to slightly over five thousand galleons, but Harry considered it a bargain. Hermione shuddered a little at the price, but Harry assured her it was a drop in the bucket from their personal vault.
Hermione's parents and sister met them at Flourish and Blotts to pick up their books.
Harry and Hermione were standing in line at Flourish and Blotts with their second year books. Emily had her first year books and was practically bouncing with enthusiasm.
Turning around at a commotion, Harry saw the Weasleys enter.
Their books for Defense Against the Dark Arts were all written by the wizard that was now signing them. Gilderoy Lockhart was a smarmy looking blond wizard in Harry's view, but all the witches around him thought he was quite handsome.
Hermione snorted. At least she wasn't taken in by good looks, thought Harry.
Just yours, Harry, she thought to him.
Avoiding Lockhart, Harry made their way to the counter and paid for their books.
A disgusted look crossed Harry's face. He didn't want to be singled out by the smarmy git for obviously publicity purposes. After Harry purchased his books, he waited for Hermione, Emily and the Weasleys.
"Well, if it isn't the `Boy Who Lived' and his adoring entourage. The famous Harry Potter!" came a sneering voice. Draco had walked in. "Famous Harry Potter, can't go anywhere without his adoring fans."
"Now, now Draco, be nice." Draco's father interrupted.
"Lucius Malfoy," he introduced himself, checking out Harry's scar.
"Your scar is legend, as is the wizard who gave it to you."
"Voldemort was nothing more than a murderer, he killed my parents!" Harry blazed.
"So brave of you, or very foolish to say his name," Lucius countered.
"The fear of a name is foolish! Names can't hurt you, only evil people can!" Hermione retorted.
"You must be Hermione Granger. Draco's told me about you. Muggle born, aren't you?" Lucius picked up one of Emily's books, flipped through it and gave it back. Associating with Muggles! Tsk, Tsk, and you a Pureblood. At least your father was." Noticing the Weasleys, he continued, "Ah, the Weasley clan. What's the use of being a Pureblood, Arthur, if they don't even pay you enough to support all these Blood Traitors."
At that Arthur lunged at Lucius and a fight ensued. Hagrid stepped in and separated them, but Arthur had got in a few good punches that left Lucius with a black eye and a cut lip.
Harry smiled to himself and thought, That's what I would have done.
No Harry, that wouldn't have solved anything, Hermione thought to him. He's just an arrogant Pureblood used to insulting people.
After the Malfoys left, Molly was in a towering rage at her husband's behavior. "Fighting! Arthur how could you! And in front of the family. I'm ashamed of you." Turning to the Grangers, she said, "I'm sorry for the way Arthur acted, I'm Molly Weasley and this is my husband Arthur and my son Ron and daughter Ginevra."
"Mum!" Ginny said, "I wish you'd just call me Ginny, everyone else does."
Arthur Weasley hung his head and apologised to the Grangers.
"We're pleased to meet you Molly and Arthur, you've already met Hermione and Harry, My name is Jean and my husband is John, and our youngest daughter Emily. She's starting her first year at Hogwarts."
"Ginny's starting her first year as well, we should get together for tea some time. We've heard lots of good things about Hermione from Ron."
"That would be lovely Molly, we can arrange something later, after we've finished shopping."
Hermione went to her parents and quietly explained about the Malfoys. "They're just rude people that think they're better than anyone else, because they're from an old Pureblood aristocratic family. The Weasleys are really decent Purebloods, and the father, Arthur Weasley, loves anything Muggle. He was incensed that the Malfoys would dare insult his family and friends.
"I understand, Hermione, I hope most wizards aren't like the Malfoys," replied her father.
Harry came over to offer his apologies for the actions of the Malfoys. "They're really bad people, We overheard Mr. Weasley mention that Lucius was caught as a Death Eater, (a sort of wizard gang) he explained but talked his way out of trouble. He claimed he was put under the Imperious Curse, but we don't believe that. He's just the type that would have joined willingly. After leaving the store, they all went their separate ways, saying they'd see each other again when the train left on September first.
A trip to the other stores and they had replenished their school supplies. Emily purchased her first wand at Ollivanders, and they were fitted with new school robes at Madam Malkins. Both Harry and Hermione had grown quite a bit since last year. Their old robes simply were too small. Harry also purchased some regular clothes to replace the old ones that were now looking a bit worse for wear.
***
Harry and Hermione returned with her parents to their home. He helped Jean prepare supper, saying he had loads of practice at the Dursleys. After a delicious meal, they retired to the living room and talked quietly until bedtime. A quiet kiss and they retired for the night, quite exhausted after the full day. Tomorrow they would catch the train back to school.
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