Chapter 4: Healers and Trunks

The room inside the double doors, that held Harry's concern a few moments before, looked a lot like the infirmary at Hogwarts. Along the wall were metal bed frames with firm mattresses. Above the beds were two cabinets, one that had potions on shelves, the other was closed with metal doors. Next to one bed was a tray with many different colored crystals lined up, looking like a miniature glass rainbow.

There a small female goblin, dressed in a white nurse's smock, flat shoes on her thin feet and she even had a jaunty nurse's hat between her rather large ears.

I wonder why she's dressed like that. Does she do it only for human patients to make them feel more comfortable? I do wonder how she keeps that on her head, Harry mused with a silent chuckle as he looked her up and down trying to see if she would be like Madam Pomfrey.

The nurse goblin turned from the tray as they entered. "I am Healer Spellfollower," she said in a soft yet firm voice. "Now, young man, if you would; take your shirt off, remove your glasses, hop up on the bed and lay down, please," she ordered, her voice very plainly told him that she was not one to waste time or words. "Let's see what you've been up to. Young human men are always getting into mischief, curses here, missing limbs there. When will they learn that they are fragile and breakable?" she muttered the last part under her breath.

Yep, just like Madam Pomfrey, Harry thought and did as asked, removing his shirt and glasses then scrambling up on to the bed.

While Harry was doing what was ordered... um, asked, Ragnot informed the healer, "We believe there may be charms placed on Mr. Potter and that there may be a block on his magic core. As I requested, I would also like you to do a full diagnostic to see if there are any other ailments that need to be corrected."

"Hmmm, we'll see. I need you to hold still, young man," she said, turning back to her patient. She placed a green crystal on his chest and tapped it three times with her long index finger, its sharp fingernail making a slight scraping sound.

A scroll and quill popped up beside her and started writing of its own accord.

When it was done writing, the nurse snatched and read aloud, "Well, you seemed to have suffered past malnutrition, Mr. Potter, and I am sorry to say that you won't grow to be much taller than you are now. Though years of good eating have repaired your bones, from the looks of it they were quite weak at one time. I'll bet they broke rather easy." She raised her thin eyebrows at the teen.

The dark-haired young man cringed at the memories of all the times he bones broke during Quidditch; just simply falling that first and second year would snap them. Madam Pomfrey fixed his weak bones up with a nutrition potion and an added bone strengthening solution. "Well, that's disappointing, I mean, I'm used to being around five-seven. Still, not the shortest of my dorm mates anymore, but I was hoping for a growth spurt," Harry said with a sigh. "As for the bones, Madam Pomfrey fixed those up."

"Sorry to say, that growth spurt won't happen. Ah, yes, Madam Pomfrey is a good Healer," she said with a nod and then turned back to the parchment. "I also see that there is indeed a block on your magic and that it was placed on you as a baby. We can take that off. Your glasses don't fit your prescription. You should see a wizard eye-healer about that, we're not equipped to handle human eyes," she continued.

"That will be awhile," the emerald-eyed teen grumbled, knowing that there were going to be problems if he left the house too often. Maybe with the elves help it will be easier. I wonder if there are healers inside Diagon Alley or maybe I should go to St. Mungo's, I'm going have to look into that.

Healer Spellfollower ignored his mumbling. "There's something wrong with the scar on your forehead that I can't quite make out, but we can do a deeper scan to see what that is and if it can be fixed." She raised an inquiring eyebrow.

"I'd like the deeper scan, please," he said, hoping that there was nothing to terribly wrong with his scar.

The nurse nodded and gathered up the crystal needed for the deeper scan and placed it on the tray and then went back to the list. "I see remnants of Basilisk venom in your veins, but there are also remnants of Phoenix tears counteracting those effects. Most of it is diluted due to it being in your body for so long, however it might give you a... how do you humans put it?" she asked herself, tapping her chin in thought, "oh yeah, a leg up on poisoning. You wizards have the weirdest sayings," she shrugged and went back to reading the scroll. "There appears to be some charms on you as well, not many and they're not harmful, we can remove them. Other than that, you are in excellent health," she removed the crystal and placed it back on the tray.

"What are the charms?" Harry asked, though he was glad to hear that he might be mostly immune to poison. He wiggled to get more comfortable on the bed.

"Well, there is there's a Post Redirect Charm that seems to be breaking down on its own. There's also a mild Notice-Me-Not Charm that looks to have been placed about a few months ago. It is alongside a soft Muggle Repelling Charm, they seem to be working together and keyed to a few specific people," the healer goblin replied, her eyes narrowed as she concentrated on the scroll. "But, I can't see who, the charms are too mild."

"Oh," Harry said, figuring that that was why his relatives were pretty much leaving him alone. That was helpful. He did wonder who put it on him, though. "Can we remove the post charm and leave the other two?"

The Healer nodded and took a silver crystal from the tray, laid it on Harry's chest and tapped it. There was a glow that filled the entire room with silver light. When it died down she removed the crystal. "That should do it. The post charm should be gone," she said as she watched the quill move after the charm was removed.

Harry figured it was adding the charges. He sighed in relief. That was easy. A lot easier than in Hogwarts' hospital wing where Madam Pomphrey would have kept me overnight. Speaking of the Hogwarts healing, "Healer Spellfollower, why do you use crystals?" he asked. "How come you don't use a wand? Why don't wizards use crystals? They seem to be easier and work more quickly than wands."

"Goblins are of the earth, the magic we use is earth based," she explained, chuckling at the inquiring teen. Teenage humans were always asking questions. Not that she saw many, most of her human patients were older, but sometimes family came to visit. She remembered the redhead and his family, those twins never shut up. "We use crystals as they're from the earth and it is easier for us to control. We don't have that type of control with a wand. We only fight for those rights because wizards should have no say as to whether we can use them or not," she snarled, but when she saw she was upsetting her patient, she took a calming breath and went back to the subject. "Wizards are not from the earth and while the crystals can be used on wizards they cannot be used by wizards. They need goblin magic to activate. If I were to do something, say heal a broken bone, you'll find it would be just as difficult as it would be for a wizard. But charms, curses and other magical ailments are easier with the crystals."

"Oh, I guess that makes sense," the teen said, settling back down and waiting for what was next.

Reaching for yet another crystal on the tray she turned to Harry and said, "I am going to lay this crystal on your scar for the scan. Be as still as possible," the healer instructed as she laid a blue crystal on his scar.

Another scroll and quill popped up and started writing. This one went by quicker than the last.

"Well, it seems there is a soul fragment in your scar, Mr. Potter. Any idea how it got there?" she questioned as she removed the crystal. "We can remove it; for a fee, of course." Not even goblin healers did anything for free, it was against their culture.

"Spearhead will be paying for today's visit. Do what you can to remove the fragment," Ragnot ordered from the chair he had sat in.

Spellfollower nodded in understanding and went to the other side of room to get the crystal needed from the locked cabinet, which was on the left wall. After gathering it and a pair of gloves, she made her way back to the bed to try and calm the now hysterical teen.

"Soul fragment…? In my scar?! What does that mean? Am I possessed?" he yelled the questions in a panic rubbing his face with both hands, worry lines etched his eyes. Why do these things always happen to me? he wondered. "Oh, Merlin, it could be from Voldemort! Maybe from that night my parents died, since he is the one he gave me the scar. Can we get it out?" the bewildered boy frantically questioned. His palm made contact briefly with the accursed scar. He snatched his hands back as if burned.

Patting the frightened boy on the arm, the healer calmly told him, "Don't worry, it won't hurt and no, you're not possessed. You're probably correct in that it is from that night. We can remove it without a problem, after all it is a curse," she said. Then she got a sparkle in her eyes and winked at the frightened young man. "We do this for a living you know? You're not the first human to come to us like this. Our curse breakers are constantly getting these horrid things imbedded in them. They just can't tell anyone, it's against Gringotts policy." She held up a black crystal and placed it on the scar. "Now don't move. This will take a minute or two."

There was a loud screech as the fragment was sucked into the crystal. Harry resisted the urge to cover his ears as per Spellfollower's request to remain still.

When the sound stopped, she removed the crystal with a dragonhide covered hand and placed it into a heavy bag. "I'll get this to the mystics and see if they can destroy it. Now, Mr. Potter, how are you feeling? No hot flashes or chills?" she asked as she removed the glove and felt Harry's now horcrux free head.

"No, I'm good. That scream was kinda creepy though," he said in relief as he sat up and gave a slight shudder. "What was that? If that was from Voldemort does that mean I'm no longer a parselmouth?" Harry asked as he settled down against the headboard.

He did wonder if there were any other soul fragments lying around. He thought about the scream he heard when he destroyed the diary in second year. Did he make more? Was this one on purpose or was it and accident? Am I the reason he is still alive? I am going to have to research this. But how? I don't have those kind of books at home. Maybe I'll check in the Black library, his thoughts were churning, though he was relieved that he no longer had this fragment in his scar. Then he got another thought. "Healer Spellfollower, why didn't the basilisk venom destroy it?" he asked, remembering the fang that destroyed the diary.

"The screams you heard were from the soul fragment, it did not want to leave you. You shouldn't have any adverse effects from this. The fragment was incased in its own… for lack of a better word, sack. The venom wouldn't have reached it or perhaps the phoenix tears stopped the venom before it got to your forehead, we can't be sure. As for you still being a parselmouth, there's only one way to find out." With that, the healer waved her hand and a snake appeared on the floor in the middle of the room.

It was a large snake with black eyes that it couldn't narrow, but would if given the chance. "Who is calling me? Why have you brought me here?"The agitated snake hissed.

"I'm sorry, we're testing a theory. Do you want to be sent back?"Harry calmly asked. He was glad he could answer; you never know when something like that could come in handy.

"Yes, send me back. Now!"The snake answered, its body undulating at a rapid pace, trying to find the enemy. "If you don't send me back, I'm going to bite you, speaker or not."

"It says it wants to be sent back, it's none too pleased we brought it here," Harry told the goblins. The healer waved her hand again and the snake was gone.

"Well that answers that question. The soul fragment has been in you a long time, so the magic that it gave you is completely your own," Healer Spellfollower said, before she turned to the tray beside her. "Now we'll see about this block on your core. Lay down again, please," the healer said.

Harry complied, once more trying to get comfortable on the firm mattress.

The female goblin turned to the bed holding a purple crystal. She placed the crystal on Harry's chest and waited. A bright light filled the room and when it died down, she removed the gem. She replaced the green crystal on his chest, tapped it, and watched as the scroll and quill start writing again. When it was done writing, she read. "Well, it seems we're done here. I'd work on your magic since it has been suppressed a long time. You'll find you're far more powerful than you thought you were. Remember to get your glasses updated. You can get dressed now," she said, after that last glance and then handed the parchment to Ragnot, who had been all but forgotten sitting in a chair off to the far side of the room, to give to Spearhead.

The young wizard put his shirt and glasses back on and ran a hand through his hair. He could feel the scar was far less prominent then it had been. "I will," he stated, though he had no idea how he was going to accomplish that.

Ragnot and Harry took their leave of the infirmary and after the teen donned his cloak. They went back up the stairs to Head's office. The lead goblin took his seat and motioned Harry to sit once more. "I will call Axegrind now." He rang the bell and the young goblin appeared. "Tell Axegrind that we are ready for him."

Harry wondered something that he should have asked quite a while ago. "Ragnot, what's the balance of both my accounts?"

"Axegrind will know how much is in the Black account after the will. Let us wait until he gets here so we can know if the ledger is up to date. There might be more after the reading of the will with the Malfoy and Lestrange dowries added. We will figure it out." He placed his folded hands on the desk.

"Oh, I can wait. Can I put them into one account? Should I?" he asked, rubbing the back of his head, thinking he really needed to know more about handling money.

"You should keep them in separate accounts. That way if you have two sons neither line will die out," Ragnot answered, with a nod.

Harry thought on it, seeing the sense in his words, he nodded and settled back into his chair. He was tired after a late night and early morning, so he leaned his head back and closed his eyes to rest for a moment.

Axegrind entered the office, carrying the Black ledger, which he had been updating while waiting for them to be done with the healer. He retook the chair next to the resting teen and waited.

Harry kept his eyes closed and listened. He knew he was being a bit rude, but he was exhausted.

"Mr. Potter would like to know his balance of his accounts and afterwards I am sure he would like to visit the vault," Ragnot informed him.

Axegrind took a look at the Black ledger before replying. "There are 2,890,873 galleons in the Black account after the reading of the will, including what was taken back from the Malfoys and the Lestranges." He then read the Potter ledger. "There are 980,345 galleons in the Potter account. That makes it 3,871,218 galleons altogether. In addition to the cottage in Godric's Hollow and Mr. Black's place of residence," he included the last bit so that Harry knew all of his holdings.

"Are there any other properties?" Harry asked as he opened his eyes to look at the Black manager.

"The Potter Mansion was destroyed in the last war and your father sold the land immediately after it was passed to him. All the Black houses were sold by Mr. Black's grandfather, Arcturus Black, with the exception of the townhouse in London. The address doesn't seem to be here, so it must be under a charm," the neatly dressed goblin answered.

"Well that's too bad, I was hoping for… well, a connection to my ancestors," Harry sighed.

"We can visit the Black vault now if you wish," Axegrind said, handing the teen two small, golden, skeletal keys, after retrieving the Potter key from Ragnot.

Harry stood and put his cloak back on, leaving his head out. He put the keys in the front pocket of his jeans and hoped this wouldn't take long. He had been gone far longer than he had thought he would. He glanced at the clock on the wall, it was nearing 7 a.m. and Aunt Petunia got up at 7:30 each morning and was bound to notice his absence. "Thanks, Ragnot, you've been a great help. Now that I know who my managers are, I hope I don't have to take up your time in the future," he said with a bow of his head.

"It was not a waste of my time, Mr. Potter. I learned as much as you did this visit. I will now have to do a full audit all my managers, thanks to you." The head goblin held up his hand at the young man's guilty look. "It is a good thing, something that should be done anyway. Until next time, Mr. Potter," he nodded the two out of his office and went back to his abandoned paperwork.

Harry raised the hood of his cloak and followed Axegrind to the carts. The trip down seemed far faster than he remembered. Soon they were standing outside the Black vault. A tall door was blocking its riches from view.

Axegrind ran his finger down center of the stone door and a seam formed. "Place your hand on the seam and state your name. It will then be attuned to your magic. Then put the key in this hole here," he instructed as he pointed out the keyhole midway up the entryway.

Harry cautiously did as he was told. This wasn't the same as when he visited the Potter vault. That and he remembered Griphook's warning the first time he came to a vault such as this. There was no way he wanted to be sucked in that foreboding door.

The door opened with a groan. Inside the enormous vault were piles of gold, silver, and copper coins. All of them were piled high along the backside of the vault. There were jewelry, furniture, and other household items on the left side, while books and trunks lay on the right.

Knowing he didn't have much time, Harry inspected the trunks briefly. If he could find one that could hold all these books, he might see if Axegrind would put them in there for him. The first four he saw were regular school trunks and filled with what appeared to be junk. The fifth was just what he was looking for and it was empty, making it easier to fill. It had three compartments, each bigger than the next. He decided to take all the trunks since he saw books laying amongst robes and parchments.

"Axegrind, could you shrink the books and the trunks? Then can you put them in here, please?" Harry asked, indicating the empty trunk. Then, almost as an afterthought, he continued. "I was wondering, my elves are cleaning out the Black house and I'm having them put all the dark objects in trunks. Can they bring them here? Do they need the key?" he asked, forgetting what Dobby had told him earlier.

"You could do this yourself now, Mr. Potter, as you are an adult," the goblin reminded him with a slight grin. "Yet, if you take the trunks, I'll collect the books, we can leave much faster." With a wave of his hand the first shelf of books started to shrink. "Your elves are attuned to your magic, so they may pop in here and deposit the trunks. The bank will automatically update anything that is deposited or taken from the vault by me or you and since the elves are attuned to your magic—they are included. There are curse breakers here at the bank and, for a fee of five galleons a day… each, they can go through your vault and remove the dark curses or destroy any dark object," he offered with a greedy glint to his eyes.

Harry pulled his wand from his back pocket and started to shrink the trunks. There were fewer trunks than books so he finished faster. He placed the ten trunks he found in the first compartment of the larger three compartment trunk then opened the second compartment for Axegrind. He would go through the trunks at the Dursleys.

Axegrind started levitating the books into the second compartment. In a few minutes they were all done with a compartment to spare.

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea, especially in this vault," Harry said, continuing where the last conversation stopped. "What with things from the Blacks, the Malfoys, and the Lestranges, there's bound to be a nasty hex or two. So, yeah, if you can arrange that for me that would be great," he said with enthusiasm, because he didn't have to deal with dark curses. After a minute he asked as he gathered some coins, "Hey, is there a Potter vault with valuables in it? 'Cause Spearhead didn't mention a family vault and I want to know if there are any mementos left by my family. I have so little to remember them by."

"There was such a vault long ago; however, I believe all the valuables were sold off to help the war effort, the first time Voldemort rose to power. I know that once your parents went into hiding there was nothing left, except what is in your vault. It was only by your mother's demands that your father left enough money that you would not have to work. Do not think he did not love you; he just wanted the world to be safe for you," he added quickly at the teen's frown.

"Well, that's sad to hear. Yeah, I get where Dad was coming from. I probably would've done the same. I had hoped there was at least something left to remind me of my family. Maybe you're right and there's something in Godric's Hollow," Harry said as he closed the trunk. I'll have to see about getting there sometime soon. "How do you know this? Aren't you the Black family manager?"

"The only reason I know this, is through talks with the late Potter account manager. He used to complain about how your father made no profit and gave all his gold away," Axegrind said as he looked around to make sure he got all the books. The only one left was the one Mr. Black had left for his son/godson, so he left it out.

Harry shrugged, that was a good as reason as any. I guess even goblin gossip. Then, he shrunk the remaining trunk and placed it in his front pocket. He noticed and grabbed the book Sirius had left him, shrunk it, and put it in his back pocket. He replaced his wand in his other back pocket, pulled his cloak back on, and left the vault.