21 Learning some Truth

July 1994

Gringotts Wizarding Bank

After few minutes of wait, Sharptooth arrived in the room.

Harry greeted, "Good morning Mr. Sharptooth. May you have gold flowing in your vaults and blood tripping your blades."

Having learned about Harry being versed in goblins greetings, Sharptooth was not surprised and he greeted back, "Good morning Mr. Potter. May your vaults be filled with gold and business flows like water."

Completing the greeting Sharptooth the empty chair designed for goblins opposite Harry, "How would you like to start Mr. Potter?"

Harry had came prepared for how to allow the conversation to flow, "Tell me first all you consider important Mr. Sharptooth. After learning all that is to learn from you, I will decide how to continue further."

Sharptooth nodded and took a deep breath and questioned, "I assume that you have all the knowledge about how our wizarding world functions and the role many of the old families play in the Wizarding Council also called Wizengamot."

Harry nodded in agreement.

Sharptooth continued, "Very well. The Wizarding Council was formed to govern the magical Britain almost a thousand years ago during the time of Hogwarts founders, King Arthur, Merlin Emrys/Ambrosius, etc. Over the years this structure has been modified or changed with some major or minor changes. The latest one which functions now is not more than 250 years old. But even during these changes what did not changed in the Wizarding Council was the power many of the families possessed. But even so the current Wizengamot is the most democratic one since its founding."

Harry nodded indicating to continue. Though he knew all these he allowed Sharptooth to build up the background and did not interrupt him.

"Now coming to you Mr. Potter, your family the Potter family is a Most Ancient and Most Noble family. And in case of Most Ancient and Most Noble families, the ministry of magic has little say about the term of inheritances, heirs and Lordship." Added Sharptooth.

He stated, "Your great-grandfather and grandfather Charlus Potter were brilliant minds. They specifically attributed in your family charter that in case that the family has no lord and the current heir is not of age to take over the Lordship of the family, the magical guardian of the said heir will have no say whatsoever for the family vault. They could at most regulate the trust vault which is set up for every next generation heir."

"Not only that they also added that if no member of the family is left behind, then all the vaults of the Potter Family is to be sealed shut for three centuries using ancient magic and after the prescribed time all the wealth and family heirlooms are to be distributed as per wishes of Gringotts," added Sharptooth.

Harry was keenly listening and without any implications he understood how clever that was of his grandfather and ancestors.

Sharptooth explained, "This regulation bound the hand of Dumbledore from siphoning of any major funds. Not only that it forced stop eyeing your wealth from killing you as that would seal shut the vaults for 300 years. To say the least even before your parents' death, Dumbledore has been systematically trying to weaken the autonomy, the old families have over their inheritances and their functioning. But since the Wizengamot is practically governed by these families he had been mostly unsuccessful. After all, even the so called light families that are in Dumbledore's camp would not be willing to give away their powers so easily."

Sharptooth sighed, "But now since the war many families have ceased to exit or are on the verge of extinction. Slowly Dumbledore will gather enough influence to wield a two-third majority in the Wizengamot and would probably change the laws as he wishes."

Harry nodded, "But not any of it is a crime."

Sharptooth nodded, "Yes. None of it is actually a crime. He is only trying to bring regulation to reduce the power of evil pure bloods and guilt trapping the light families in voting his favour."

"Now that I have informed you about Dumbledore machinations, we must talk about your trust vaults," added Sharptooth.

"But before that let me tell you one thing. I have not told you all about Dumbledore manipulations and I cannot do so because of goblin's magical oath to remain neutral in wizarding politics. I could only tell you what directly affected you and your family since that much scope is left for any account manager of ancient families. So, you must discover other things on your own," continued Sharptooth.

Harry nodded in understanding.

Sharptooth said, "Now Mr. Potter on your parents' death Dumbledore using his position of chief Warlock got your parents will sealed."

He continued, "Ideally this should have not been possible. But using the war as prelude Dumbledore passed many regulations allowing the chief Warlock many discretionary powers. But even so sealing the will should have not been possible. But after the death of your grandparents, James Potter never took up his Lordship. So, their will were never treated as a will of Lord of Most Ancient and Most Noble Families but as a mere member of Most Ancient and Most Noble Families."

Harry's face tightened in anger. Even the last wishes of their parents were not allowed. He was not allowed the last words of his parents.

Sharptooth sighed in sadness, "No one knows why your father never took up the lordship of your family. It was more than eleven months between your grandparent's demise and that Halloween night. But honestly speaking I would not deny Dumbledore's manipulation even behind this as well. Your father was too trusting of Albus Dumbledore."

Harry nodded solemnly. Even he could not deny Dumbledore's involvement, after all he himself has been the victim to Dumbledore's manipulations.

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