winter break part 2

Before he even put a foot on the marches, the two goblins guards at the bank had already spotted the iconic red mane making its way towards them. With widening eyes, and slight fear in their gaze, both immediately straighten and shatter the crystal embed in their armour chest piece.

Three seconds after giving the alert, another eight guards immediately rush through the hall, not bothering with the frightened cries of some surprised wizards, vanishing outside.

The group return, this time as nine rather than eight. One would think that the one at the centre of the formation was protected from any outside interference if it wasn't for the worried gaze of all goblins tellers at his sight.

As the group immediately vanish in the corridors of Gringotts, some wizards directly bolt out of the bank, wanting to be the first to sell the information to the prophet.

~~~

On his side, the guards immediately introduce Alex in an office he had visited not long ago. Behind the newly put desk, a visibly old goblin was already waiting, all game of pretence left on the side.

"Heir Potter, your presence in the all of Gringotts is not welcomed." Say the old goblin neutrally.

Alex, knowing the meaning of his words, only nod, before speaking.

"This situation falls on the Nation, not me. If you weren't as greedy to control the wealth of the underground for the magical ones, this would have never happened." Harshly said to him, looking at the goblin straight in the eyes.

While he could feel the stress of the guards behind him raise, he didn't break his sight out f the one in front of him.

Rather than becoming furious at the slight he just did against the Nation; the old goblin only sighs in relief and sorrow. He too, know full well why they were in this situation.

"Never before a lion had raised from the sheep, our blades had turned dull and our instinct muddled. Why are you here, heir Potter?"

"To bleed the magical world again, once again they show rashness rather than wisdom, and again, I will feed on their decaying corpses."

Hearing the grim words of the boy, the old goblin couldn't help but crumble in his seat, knowing that his fear was real.

"How much will you tears from us, Heir Potter?" Say him with a little of desperation in his voice.

On the side, all guards were warry and saddened at sight. While goblins enjoy a worthy adversary, no one like to be crushed again and again, before having the time to stand up and strike back.

"It all depends on you, director. I could take the least of my right and leave, or I can plunder your ground and leave you to your fate."

Were it was Keenbuster, he would have immediately chosen the first, but the old goblin had learned how devious the Heir was. He would have never given them a choice if there wasn't something for them to gains back.

~~~

While the old goblin was pondering on the available choice, Alex took two different stacks of paper, putting them face hidden on the desk.

Through his action, he left the real choice to the goblin and became clear of all suspicion.

Looking at the two stacks, the goblin know whose were what. Taking a deep breath, he took the higher stack, choosing the second option.

Looking through the documents, he sees the 56 letters, the affiliate House to those 56, and the result of the trial, along with the bill. Swallowing difficultly at the astronomical wealth Gringotts will loose again today, he turns the page.

When he sees the next document, Elder Fralenght, now director, nearly fall off his chair. Snapping his wides eyes to the stoic boy, he couldn't help the curse flying out of his mouth, making every goblin in hearing range to quake in their boots.

It's only when he turned to the next document that he relax and carefully examine the proposition.

"Are you aware of what will this signifies for us?" Asked Farlenght in a dangerously calm voice.

"Yes." Responded Alex still as emotionless that the start oft eh meeting."If you accept, I will reveal to you two pieces of information that would ensure your safe exit from the isles."

~~~

When the guard hears the Potter heir speaking of exiting the island, more than one nearly faint, it was the Nation that allotted the clans to survey the isles. Leaving them without its authorisation was akin to treason and punishable at least by death.

All held their breath as the elder was putting all their lives in a single choice.

~~~

As he closes his eyes, Farlenght mind and heart aches. Never before the Nation had submitted such a crushing loose from wizards, as they never understand that honour was all for a goblin.

This was until the apparition of the child in front of him. Every time he had struck at their heart. First, he busts out the worse traitor of the Nation on his own, before wiping them out, not leaving the Nation the possibility to wash it's shame away. Then came the crushing blow, the wealth of an entire clan, vanished in hours.

While the loss of such riches was hard to take, it was still bearable, but not what he had in front of his, the exploitation of the mines right. As the most prominent miners and crafter, Hammerfall had under them, the right to exploit 68% of Britain Gringotts mines.

This had been their real aim when they search the Vaults; without them, It was a twentieth of the Nation wealth they would lose!

Had it been only the British island, it would have been fine. However, unlike the mundane side, Magical Britain had still its colonies and dominion and protectorate when they established Gringotts. As such, the wealth earned through British soil represents a tenth of what constitutes the entire Nation wealth.

Now that they know the Heir Potter had those documents in his hands, they were done for as, while the papers were momently lost, they couldn't stop mines and extract ores and gemstones. The second he acknowledges them in the Potter heir hand, he knows they breach the treaty between wizards and goblins prohibiting them from having a hold on each other business.

They don't have a choice. Should he made it know, it would be the start of an uprising against the Nation, and all communities would try to eradicate the goblins to retake hold on mining rights.

This document in itself was more than enough to allow them to return to the Nation without fearing to lose their head, but it was the fact that he was willing to offer than two other failsafe, for the right amount, that decides him.

~~~

Opening his eyes, Farlenght immediately fetches his blood quill and sign the contract. Where they not so well trained, more than one guards would have reacted. For the director to sign over the document in blood quill would be an irremediable proof against them.

Sliding the document back, Alex also signs with the blood quill. When he raised his hand from the paper, a strong bloodred flash in the office, as two other copies appear from the document, sealing he trade.

"As stated, Gringotts will pay 1,000,000,000G for each per cent of share I had over the exploitation of the British mines, for a total of 68,000,000,000G. The British clan of Gringotts will repay a fine of 100,000,000G for each per cent for breaching the treaty. Finally, the entire goblin community of the British isle is to vacate the land under eight days, before the start of the new year.

For those, I swear to never act against the Nation ever again, to return the right over the goblin mines won over the Hammerfall clan, immediately. I offer the British clan another two failsafe to retain their honour and safe return to the Nation." Declare Alex, taking aback the guards.

Is the price too high? Yes, loosing 68,680,000,000G, along their ancestral dwelling on Britain was a crushing blow. Was it worth it? Absolutely! No matters how you looked at it, the 68% exploitation right are worth way more than the messy 68,000,000,000G. It may be a high price now, but what in ten years, twenty, a century? They would have already mined it worth back and more. It was only a minor inconvenience compared to the potential economic loose of losing the mines.

~~~

Hearing the Heir Potter words brought a little peace to the old goblin, knowing that he had preserved and prevented a disaster to the Nation for some gold coins. With the promise of not interfering against the Nation ever, it was assuring them to never suffer such a loose again, at least from the Potter Heir. Still, seeing the state they will leave the British community, they wouldn't have to fear any uprising for the next century.

They will put time will in use to sharpen their blade and return their instinct to their past glory. Should another war raise, the goblins would be ready.

~~~

Farlenght was broken out of his thought by Alex. Taking a wooden insignia bearing the clan crest, he put it on the desk of the goblin.

"This is a two-way portkey. It will allow only ten persons to my propriety before taking them back. You have eight days to assemble and bring me the money before broking the contract." Say him with an undertone leaving it clear that they wouldn't like it.

Nodding thoughtfully, Farlenght pocket the portkey, before receiving the rights, back.

He visibly relaxes at seeing and having them in hands.

"I will give you the other information after the money is delivered. You will only have a five seconds window a day to activate the Portkey, at 11 A.M. pulse magic once; it would take you there. Spring!"

None react when the elf appears, already knowing why it was here.

"Vaults 001011, take the necessaries items from the land to clean it. Here is the accounting of its content, had this to this year inventory."

"Yes, master!" Bowed the accountant elf, before vanishing to execute is order.

"It seems we are done, director. I will await your delegation eagerly."

"We will be here, Heir Potter." Nodded the old goblin sharply, relieved to have finally finished with this affair.

~~~

Without a world, Alex exits the office, following without a word the escort. When the doors closed behind the last goblin, Farlenght crumbles in his chair, drained from the encounter. Even in his wildest dream, would he have thought that he would witness such disaster befalling on the Nation.

Looking at the animal carved on the mountain landscape background, he couldn't help the ominous feeling to raise.

"It's majesty must be immediately warned."

On this, he immediately bolts through the hidden door, sinking rapidly in the depth of Gringotts, he vanishes through the use of transportation magic under the goblin.

~~~

While one can say the majority of the wizard kin wasn't the brightest star in the universe, to the point of doubting they know what a star was, they weren't dumb to the point of not linking fact.

When the Prophet receives new that an individual was escorted to the bank by no less than eight guards, they immediately send their reporters to the Ministry records. After the colossal scandal about the old families not long ago, and knowing that only the Wisengamot at the right to create bills for Gringotts, it wasn't long before they see the truth.

The first shocking news was to finally learn that it was the Potter Heir that appears in the Alley. Until now, not a single photo of the boy wonder had been published or was even know to exist.

The next one was after Alex bankrupted the 19 Ancient houses, 15 Magical Houses and 22 Elder Houses, another 26 Elder Houses, the remaining 4 Magical Houses and 7 Ancient Houses were now facing the same fate.

The financial destruction of 48 Elder Houses, 19 Magical Houses and 26 Ancient Houses, was merely disastrous. All were old families, and while not all had the means to be promoted to the next social layer, they had formed the British wizard community for hundreds of years.

Due to the enormity of the situation, throughout investigations of those Houses were immediately dressed, their interaction with the island economy thoroughly investigate, and it means for the community, studied.

The result was frightening. All in all, it was 36.7% Of the British economic power who vanish. Along with them, 80% of those families wouldn't be able to keep their commerce afloat until the next year. Due to this, it was 48% of the market product, from potion ingredients to bookstore, food product that would vanish.

Even the Prophet wouldn't be out of reach, as its ink and paper suppliers wouldn't have the means to supplies them for more than half a month. For the isolationist government, it was an insurmountable blow. Fueled by their pride and greed, the old Houses at the head of the remaining store would immediately act and purchase their crumbling business opponent.

The price would soon go through the roof, and the living condition of the poorer would become even worse.

Due to the panic state of the WIsengamot, and the Lord turn popper overnight, the Ministry wasn't able to censure the Prophet in time, and the news spread like wildfire. In less than four hours, the special edition was ready and sent to any subscribers.

~~~

The following day, just before Christmas, the British community raise with the bad news. COntrary to the Lords, the Prophet editor in chief was sufficiently smart to direct the state of Britain to its first responsible, Dumbledore.

Needlessly to say, the older Wizard, purging an eight months sentence in a high-security cell of Azkaban wouldn't understand what hit him when he would exit the prison. The last dregs of his supporters immediately die when they understand that the actual situation was born of his stubbornness to bring back the Boy-Who-Lived, from the muggle world.

The only reason Dumbledore had to keep his Headmaster position was the fact the Wisengamot trialled him as Dumbledore, and not in his quality of headmaster.

Even then, his last position of power was now in danger, and at the smallest incident involving a student, he would be immediately stripped of his power and throws out.

~~~

While the commoners were weeping at the dark future incoming, the Dark side was gloating. Old opponents having been a thorn in their sides for years were now at their mercy. The challenging stores of old were now brought for misery, letting the past owner survive a little more.

While it would take time to milk their news business correctly, the old Pureblood house of the Dark side had now the control over 89% of the alley. The Longbottom and Bones, along with two other Magical Houses, were now the only constituent of the White block. The Grey side was now dead, as the few Lords forming them, loose everything. The three left of it had to other shift dark or Light.

For all-purpose, the Wisengamot had just fallen irremediably into the Dark hands.

~~~

While the Dark block celebrates the event in the Malfoy Manor, as its lord was holding this year winter solstice ball, the coalition of Lord was reunited in a private meeting.

"Things are not good, Lucius. While we now had a clear path for our Lord to take over once he returns, the Potter brat had turned from a thorn to a fucking dragon!" Yelled Lord Nott, striking his fist on the table in anger. "With the last clusterfuck of those Light moron, the little bastard had transformed into a merlin damned piggy bank on it own! Do you have the least of the idea of it liquid asset?! 6 fuckin billion, that it!"

During the rest of the assembly where sporting dark face at the ridiculous wealth of the boy, Lucius had stay calm all long of Lord Nott rent.

"And, pray tell, how much did he have access?" Asked him, before taking a sip of his glass.

"What?" Blurted the man, before calming down at the realisation. In his haste, he had forgotten that the boy was only eleven.

"You seem to have remembered." Say Lucius softly at the changing expression on the man face." While it right that he represents a threat, for now, the only thing he could is to strike back, after being attacked. While I'm sure our Lord would have wanted to get rid of him; personally, it time we take things in hands.

The Dark Lord will be sorely displeased, but the amount of wealth it will bring him should smoothen his mood, I sure."

"And pray tell, Lucius, how will you kill the boy? Better then, why should we act, at the possibility of displeasing the Dark Lord? Even if we kill him, we will not see a Knut!"

"True, but I have already take care of it. Thank some 're-election fund for his campaign; Fudge had happily helped overtake an old fulfilled betrothal contract between House Potter and House Bones. Who would have thought that Amelia secretly wed to James Potter?" SMirk him.

"What?! Why haven't we been averted of this!" Yell Lord Avery

"Simple, due to the condition of the contract. It was a concubine act. As a daughter, but not Heirness, of House Bones, Amelia Bones had been married to James Potter to perpetuate the Bones Line. While the kid would take the Bones name, he wouldn't have rights on the Potter gold.

From the old record of St. Mungo, she had been three months pregnant before the death of the Potter's. She lost the child during a raid, hit by Bella curse, but that doesn't matter. What does is the fact that Fudge, as Minister, along with Bones, had faked a second contract, for her niece and the brat.

It will be put into effect the day after is twelve birthday, after that he is free game. At his death, the Bones will take over the Vaults. For her protection, Amelia had sworn to give over 75% of the assets, for an immunity. She seems unwilling to be unfaithful to her past husband, not caring about her niece fate." Smirked the albinos ferret senior.

~~~

Hearing the news, all Lords visibly decontracted, sporting similar expression, before they re-start plotting the death of the boy with renewed vigour. What none of them had taken into consideration, like any other self-entitled Lord, was the presence of Kreacher.

The elf had been sent to the Malfoy by Alex, wanting to keep an ear on the Lord, knowing that he would plot something soon enough. None of the Malfoy had suspected a thing at the sudden apparition of the house-elf one day. On the contrary, Lucius had been overjoyed, taking it presented as a sign that Draco was considerate the next Lord Black.

Contrary to the poor Doby, Kreacher, as the fateful Black elf had been treated with care, that to say a meal per day, a new tea towel, and complete indifference at his presence.

After wordlessly vacate to its duty, the elf immediately pops away.

~~~

On Christmas morning Alex was warned, by Autumn of the Malfoy, and by extension, Bones and the Ministry through Fudge, plan for him.

Knowing were to look, after a fruitless search through the Potter's archives, he found the documents buried under pills of meaningless forms. Looking at the copy given by Amelia Bones, he could easily make the Lord signature, the one of James for the Potter side, along with the one of Amelia and Fudge.

When he sees that they all signed in their names and not through their official position, a large smile split on his face.

-What made you so happy?_

"You see this?" Start Alex, pointing to the signature of Amelia, under the Lord line. "And this one?" This time showing the one of Fudge.

-Yeah, what of it?-

"A simple fact, really, but once that its importance. First, the case of Fudge. While founding his signature isn't that surprising, as the document needs a witness, not of any of the two families, he didn't have his place here, at least not as himself."

-What do you mean?-

"I mean, that in his quality as head of the magical House of Fudge, he doesn't have the power, nor the standing to be the witness on an official document for the Most Ancient and Noble House of Bones, let alone, the Potter!

As for his position of Minister, while it carries enough power, he had no right, as head of the government, to immerse himself in the matter of the Houses!"

Hearing this, CS was astonished by the gal of the man.

-Are he stupid?-

"I don't think so; It seems just a mix of the git self-worth, along with his greed and lack of knowledge of the law of old Houses. Anyway, he didn't and shouldn't have done this. Now, for Bones, the first glaring fault was for her to sign as Head of House Bones when she was only the regent. That Position could only fall on Susan, and even then, she still only the Heiress.

The second incriminating fault was for her to try to cheat House Potter by using a contract already fulfilled and worse usurping it to link the two House on a stronger base.

Lastly was her using and faking the past Lord Potter signature to pass it as a valid document, as it could have never happened.

-How so?-

"For this to happen, it needs to have been made before he dies. The problem was he only knew me being a boy only after I was born. The fact that we immediately go into hiding and for an extended time shouldn't have allowed them to make this.

More so, this requires that she wait after her brother dies. Due the time, she couldn't have gone claim regency, as the Ministry at the time hadn't the possibility to gather due to it member dying!"

-That one colossal clusterfuck.- Could only say CS, having difficulty to understand the subtility of the pureblood laws.

"That it does."

-So, if I understand correctly, she fucked up?-

"Oh, yes, the bitch won't see what coming for her, nor Fudge for that matter." Darkly smile Alex.

He may not care for the Potter, but that doesn't mean, he will the other walk over him. Not only his mother in law had tried to trick him, but there was also another unseen point.

"Winter!"

"Yes, master?" Asked the like elf a little fearfully due to his menacing tone.

"House Longbottom had failed us, found why." Said him succinctly.

Hearing the order, she didn't lose time and scurry away, wanting to found an outlet for her master wrath. While they know he would never lower himself to strike one of them, it doesn't mean he will be kind to those crossing him.

Winter know of the long-standing alliance between two of the oldest Houses. If it were to understand that the Longbottom had abandoned the Potter, the fallout would be disastrous for them. Even if they were innocent, for them to fail to their duty was already a slight against their names.

~~~

With the following days, Alex would rummage carefully through the mountains of document of the wartime. Every allusion of deals between the Potter and Longbottom at this time carefully recorded and put aside for the evergrowing case he was building against them.

With just the only fact that they had concluded deals, after the death of the Potter, and Frank, the Lord, turned into a vegetable, was enough to burry then. Even if Augusta claim not to have been aware of Dumbledore machination, all the blame fall on her, as he wasn't a member of House Potter, and should never have seen him as such after he falsely claim guardianship of Alex at the time.

While the British wizarding community was barely keeping up with the fact that their life just became harder, none could have suspected that it was only the start.

~~~

On December 28th, Alex was alerted by the Wards of a Portkey passing through them. Looking at his wristwatch, displaying 12:00:01, he smiles.

'Seems that my goblins guest are there.'