Oaths and Honor

"I am well aware of your loyalty and oaths to your nation but if I am to remain here and discuss anything with your nation, I require that I have someone on my side. I find that my upbringing has left me woefully ill prepared to face what lies ahead. It may go against your previous oaths and I'm sure it will require the permission of your leaders, but I ask that you swear a loyalty oath to me as well so that I know I am being told the truth in my discussions today."

Griphook looked at Ragnok. It was Ragnok who spoke "I can understand your position Lord Peverell but only Account Managers are allowed to take such an oath to a non Goblin and Griphook is still a low level teller."

Harry stood there for a minute before asking "Did Bearclaw have such an oath to the Potters?"

"Yes Milord."

"Then I think our business here is concluded. I will notify the Gnomes to start transferring my families' assets from your institution."

"May I ask why?"

"You just claimed that Bearclaw was under a loyalty oath to my family but yet he still stole from my vaults and plotted the death of my family. I have no desire to remain in such a relationship as to have my death being plotted by those who have sworn to help me. In case you are not clear on the subject, I am calling into question the honor of your nation and have no desire to allow the theft and plotting against my family by your nation to continue."

Ragnok leapt around his desk and bowed in front of Harry. "Milord, please allow us a chance to atone for our actions. I will admit that Bearclaw was left unchecked for many years and that is entirely my fault. These Goblins behind me are the high council and we have implemented something that has never been needed before in our institution. We have put in place a series of checks that have us overseeing the account managers."

"You mean to tell me that they had complete control."

"Yes Milord but it wasn't until Bearclaw that we have ever had a problem in the millennia we have served the magical community. Milord, Bearclaw was my blood brother and I trusted him like no other. I trusted him enough to allow my sister to marry him and start a family. For his betrayal to not only you but our nation, I had him put to death. Goblin law is very strict on this matter and not only was he executed but his entire family as well. I personally beheaded my beloved sister."

Harry looked down at the bowing director and asked "Do you have a reason for his betrayal?"

Griphook stepped in front of Harry and said "He speaks the truth Milord. I will submit myself to your oath whether I have permission from my leaders or not. I feel it is the least I can offer you after we allowed these things to happen."

Dobby grabbed Harry's arm and whispered something in his ear. Harry asked. "Won't that forfeit your life in the eyes of your nation?"

"Yes Milord but I feel it is better to die with honor than without it. The actions of a few people in my nation have stripped us of our honor and I for one cannot live in shame."

"I then accept your oath and if they try to punish your for it, I'm sure I have a place for you in my house."

The other Goblins looked stunned. Harry took in their wide eyes and once again in their own language said "I value honor and loyalty above everything else. That the one you claim to be lowly has done more to stay my hand in destroying your nation than any of the so called high council."

An old but strong voice called out from the doors to Ragnok's office. "Well said young Lord Peverell."

Harry turned towards the voice and saw an ancient Goblin dressed in regal robes. He asked "I don't mean to sound rude Milord but may I ask your name?"

The old Goblin smiled and said "I am Ironfist or more commonly known as the Regent of the Goblin nation."

Harry bowed deeply to him and said "I am honored by your attention Sire but what possibly could draw the attention of one such as yourself to one such as me?"

The Goblin chuckled. "You really are modest like the rumors say. May I say how pleased I am that the reports of your death were premature? And please, call me Ironfist or Fist as my close friends once did."

The Goblins were standing there in shock that their king had appeared. "Only if you will call me Harry and by my side is Dobby."

Ironfist nodded "Will you honor me by taking down your hood? I feel that I would rather look a man in the eye when doing business with him than to keep things hidden."

Harry reached up and pulled his hood down to reveal his face at the same time Dobby did. Ironfist chuckled out "My, you have both changed a lot since your last visit here. I can finally see the man you were meant to be."

Harry nodded as Ironfist waved his hand and four chairs appeared before him. He gestured for them to sit and as Ragnok was moving to sit as well, Ironfist discouraged him with a glare. He then motioned for Griphook to sit as well.

"You have my personal assurance that no punishment will be directed at Griphook. In fact, I encourage the oath and approve the promotion of him to the position of Account Manager for all your accounts. To further protect your assets, I will personally oversee his work and offer you the same oath as well."

"Milord, a man of your stature should not be concerned with such trivial matters."

"On the contrary Harry. I find it most necessary to do this as the removal of your assets from our nation would quite literally destroy us. I would like to explain our system and the agreement between your family and our nation so that you can better understand. It is true that the Potters were instrumental in helping us start our business. By them placing their wealth in our hands, it allowed us freedom to invest as well as make loans to other wizards. We had no wealth of our own until the arrangement was made with your family and we owe them for everything we have. If you were to remove these assets, we would be bankrupt quickly as our income is made from managing these loans and investments which primarily come from your family's assets."

"If you are so worried about me leaving and you are aware of my anger towards your nation, why would you tell me these things?"

"I came up here with the intention of being completely honest with you. No secrets, no manipulations, no underhandedness. I know you better than you think Harry and I know you share in your family's deep seated honor. It was my hope that if I told you the truth, we could see past our differences and forge a better alliance that would benefit us both."

"I will agree to your suggestions that only you and Griphook will be allowed to handle my accounts. My personal feelings on the others are that they were only trying to save their own asses. I was taught to never put all my eggs in one basket so unless you prove once again to be untrustworthy, I will allow my holdings to remain."

Ironfist smiled. "Thank you Harry. I don't think I can thank you enough for saving my people from ruin. Is there anything else we can do for you?"

Harry gave a feral smile that was scary enough to make even a Goblin cringe. "As a matter of fact there is."

Ragnok stepped forward and said "Name it Milord."

....

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