2 Chapter 2: Gringotts Visit pt.1

(TW: Small bit of blood)

Great Britain

The Leaky Cauldron-Diagon Alley

Gringotts

Harry stared longingly at the brick wall in front of him, knowing he was but a step away from being back home. His decision to escape his torturous life was decided on a whim and he quickly realized that the chances of being recognized by some wizard is far more likely than he would like it to be. Hedwig, his faithful friend, had flown off to the Burrow, where she would hopefully be fed and cared for as he navigated his new life and new decisions. He was positive that the Weasleys, especially Molly, would care for her just as they cared for Errol and Pigwidgeon.

At the moment, he didn't believe he could protect Hedwig if some wandering Death Eater were to simply attack him on his trip through Diagon Alley. He muttered a curse under his breath just thinking about that awful possibility, knowing he would be thoroughly underprepared for such an event. Despite his status as the light side's icon of sorts, Dumbledore never taught him anything extra, leaving him to flounder through his classes and learn the most basic of spells which he was sure Voldemort and his little minions already knew.

Taking a deep breath, Harry moved away from the entrance to the wizarding world, searching for a hat or bandana that would hopefully cover up his scar that has henceforth damned his life. It took time, as many stores were no longer open, however Harry was lucky to find a dirty old beige hat lodged in a bin on the side of the awfully busy road. Truthfully, he would rather wear anything else but, beggars can't be choosers. Plopping the hat onto his head, Harry made his way back to where he needed to be, grinning happily.

No one had discovered that he had left yet or he would surely have been found already. Harry knew long ago that the next door neighbor, Arabella Figg, was different from the rest. She had plenty of cats and her home was reminiscent of that of a wizard's. However, he hadn't quite picked up on those differences until he found himself in the wizarding world and learned what Squibs were. From then on, he became suspicious about her placement next to his residence. Why would someone with ties to that world live right next to him and not tell him anything about who he was? Unless the woman had completely shut herself off from that world, she would have known who he is.

Clenching his fists, Harry ignored the stinging pain present on his palms as he carefully moved his wand in order to open up the entrance. He was as quiet as a snake, refusing to bring unwanted attention to himself. As the entrance slowly but surely opened up, Harry quickly went through as he felt as though walking slowly would bring attention. The pale-skinned male was quick on his feet, having learned that making unnecessary noise results in nothing but pain. He moved under the cover of the shadows, before staring up at his destination.

"Gringotts." He quietly whispered out, hoping that he would be able to take out money as the last time he even saw his vault key was when Hagrid took it back. Hagrid should have never taken it, for it had no place in his enormously large hands. It was his vault key, something left over from his parents. Gritting his teeth, Harry walked into the wonky-looking white building with his head held high above his shoulders. Confidence was key in this scenario, as being a stuttering nervous mess would surely cause the goblins to sneer at him.

Harry made his way straight towards the banker, face set in a neutral position. He had no qualms about the goblins being friendly to him, as wizards tended to act as superior against anything deemed a creature. It was disgusting and wholeheartedly reminded him of his relatives. He quietly scoffed to himself, wondering how the Dursleys would react if forced to communicate with anything other than a human or non-magical animal/creature. The emerald-eyed male could easily hear the shouting match that would occur, with Petunia loudly shrieking at the 'abominations' in front of her. Vernon would most likely turn to violence as his first response.

"What do ya want?" The goblin at the counter sneered at him, seemingly wanting to be anywhere but where the goblin is currently. Harry was tempted to sneer back but held himself back, knowing it would only serve to impede him if he were to act rude to those who hold his vaults. "I would like to extract money from my vault." His voice was smooth like velvet, seemingly losing the boyish features it often had.

Harry dutifully ignored the wizards who were within the bank at this late time, pretending his eyes hadn't been drifting towards the pale-blonde in the corner. Grey eyes met emerald green eyes for a few seconds, before both sets broke away. However, in those few seconds, it was as if time had completely stopped. Harry decided to think nothing of it for the time being, as he had plenty of other issues to worry about. "Key?" The goblin sneered at him again, causing Harry to subtly roll his eyes. 'Treating wizards poorly would never help their case,' he thought to himself.

"I don't have my key. Hagrid does." Harry quietly stated, noticing how his statement seemed to annoy the goblin even more. For a minute, nothing really happened, until another goblin sauntered on over. "Follow me Mr.Potter, we have much to discuss." The goblin began walking away, leaving Harry to slowly follow behind. Confusion was visible on his face as he couldn't quite recall what would need to be discussed.

Once within the goblin's office, Harry took a seat on the lush red chair, finished off with a miniature brown pillow. He took in the sight before him, amazed by the intricacies of the design. The goblin sat before him behind a mahogany desk full of papers that would surely make his own head hurt. "Now, Mr.Potter, why have you not come to us beforehand? We've sent plenty of letters throughout the last year after your emancipation." The goblin, whose name is Griphook according to the nameplate, curiously asks.

Harry stared at Griphook baffled. Emancipation? What the hell did the goblin mean by emancipation?!? Narrowing his deadly green eyes, Harry took a second to formulate his question. "I have no idea as to what you're talking about. What do you mean by emancipation?" His words are slow on purpose, as though he needs time to still process the information himself.

The goblin, Griphook, angrily mutters under his breath about incompetent wizards and the like, before wearing a fearful smile. "Well well, it seems we both have questions, now don't we? Mr.Potter, when the goblet declared you as a champion, you were automatically emancipated or seen as an adult in the eyes of the wizarding world. You should have gotten a letter from Gringotts, with information on how to take up your lordships and exactly comes with that. Now, somehow, you did not receive any of our letters, which could only mean that they were either warded against or were intercepted. However, now that you are indeed here, we can discuss everything necessary for you Mr.Potter to take up your lordships."

Harry could feel anger coursing deep within his veins, screaming to be let out in a fiery vengeance. Here he was learning about how he was technically an adult, meaning he didn't need to be with the Durselys at all. He was also being told about lordships, something he didn't even know he had. It all pointed to one very special thing. Someone was continually trying to keep him in the dark in order to have some form of control over him. It was as if they wanted him to be abused. Harry gripped onto the seat he was sitting in, unknowingly releasing his own magical aura all over Gringotts. It was suffocating to say the least, but Harry was far too gone in his head planning to destroy whoever kept such vital information from him.

Eventually, his magic exploded tremendously, causing bouts of destruction within Griphook's office, who didn't seem to mind the reaction. Harry was out of breath after the explosion, leaving him to slide down into the seat he was in. His mind was blank, with thoughts of betrayal being locked away into the deepest corner of his mind, along with his imaginary friend.

"Mr.Potter, please drop 3 drops of blood onto this piece of parchment. It will prove your identity, claim to your lordships, and any possible ailments that are on your person, such as compulsions, loyalty potions, and the like." Griphook handed Harry the piece of parchment and a goblin-forged dagger with tiny ruby crystals adorned on the hilt. Harry shakily grasped the dagger, before nipping his ring finger. He watched as his blood slowly dropped onto the parchment, before revealing truths that caused his face to scrunch up in disgust, horror, and pure unadulterated anger.

However, as soon as the anger came, it faded away into an unbearable sadness. He just couldn't understand why this was happening to him. Was he really that unlovable? Were the Dursleys right about him being nothing but a freak? His 'friends' would have disappeared but the truth on the parchment makes him believe otherwise. Tears begin to fall down his face as he comes to terms with the fact that maybe no one is on his side. For most of his life, he had been taught not to cry no matter how awful of a situation he was in and he followed those beliefs, but for the first time in years, he couldn't hold the tears in.

Taking a deep inhale and letting out a calming exhale, Harry looks back at the parchment, deciding that adults truly couldn't be trusted. He promised himself that he would never fully trust any of those who betrayed him again. A wisp of magic flowed throughout the office as Harry unintentionally made a vow.

This simply reaffirmed his decision to create a side of his own full of those he completely trusts.