Diagon Alley Part 3

Harry and I exchange looks, sharing a nod. Then we turn to the goblin. "Can we buy a bag to carry all this?" We ask in unison.

While Hagrid looks at us in confusion, the goblin quickly hides a sly smirk behind a readjustment of the lantern. "We do sell storage containers of various styles, or we can sell you an item that allows transfer of funds directly to your person. However, this option is limited as it cannot function in proximity of certain wards."

"What kinds of wards would those be?" It's not like we'd need access to the money all the time, but I just want to make sure there won't be any problems.

"Unfortunately I am not at liberty to say."

I blink and stare at him, but his face remains schooled in neutrality.

On one hand, it could be some kind of security concern. On the other, it could be a scam and the item will only work at certain stores.

"... Tell me more about the storage containers."

If I hadn't been watching for it, I wouldn't have noticed the slight slump of his shoulders at my words. "The containers have a VERY minor extension charm and are mainly used to reduce the inconvenience of being placed in a wizards' robes. To prevent them from sagging or throwing off one's balance, you understand. After all, the ministry keeps a close eye on anything that could reveal wizardry to muggles."

"Do you have one we could look at as an example?" Hagrid is tapping his arms in impatience to get going, but this is important!

The goblin pulls out a plain brown coin pouch the size of my hand and opens it. I look inside but can't tell anything extraordinary about it. He hands it to me and gestures to the pile of coins in the vault. Shrugging my shoulders I grab more than I think it should hold and pour them in. My eyes widen when I go past the point where it should have been filled.

I look at him and manage to see a self satisfied smirk before it disappears.

"Got it in red and green?"

Soon enough we leave the vault behind, my new coin pouch filled with a dozen of each of the coin types in the vault. Unlike my pouch, which is stylized in flames that shift between red and green, Harry got the plain brown pouch and filled it with a mix of the gold and silver coins.

I muse to myself about why they decided to use semi-precious metals as currency while the muggles advanced to a mostly paper currency economy. By the time we reach our next destination, the only conclusion I can come to is that since the goblins own the bank, the goblins make the rules. Or magical folk just want to feel superior to muggles.

"Vault 713." My thoughts are interrupted by the goblins' voice announcing our arrival.

While I observe the strange door in front of us, I listen in on Harry's conversation with Hagrid.

"What's in there Hagrid?"

"Can't tell you Harry, Hogwarts business. Very secret." A hint of pride colors his words at being entrusted with the apparently secret mission.

I can't help but roll my eyes at his response. 'If it's a secret, then why are you bringing two kids along with you?'

"Stand back!" The goblin gestures for us to stay where we are and approaches the door. I watch with interest as I theorize on where the keyhole is hidden. But to my surprise, he doesn't pull out a key. Instead he simply drags his finger in a line down the length of the door. He doesn't even touch the door when he does it!

Slowly, the door opens and I can hear someone playing ominous music in the background. A quick glance around doesn't reveal anyone though so I shrug it off and turn my attention to the contents of the now open vault.

Once we see it, Harry and I exchange confused glances. It's some palm sized object wrapped in a brown cloth, with a piece of string tying it closed.

Hagrid moves in and picks it up, admiring it as he turns back to us. "Best not to mention this to anyone, you two." He puts it in a pocket lining the interior of his coat and pats it.

I can't help but roll my eyes as we return to the minecart. 'Again, why bring us if it's meant to be a secret?'

Soon enough we're back to the surface. As Harry and Hagrid leave, I thank the goblin who showed us around. He looks surprised, but nods his head in acknowledgement.

We meet up with Clarity and her parents in the main lobby of the bank and make our way out. As we walk I ask Clarity how everything went.

"Pretty well. We got enough money for all my stuff and some extras. My father also managed to convince the goblin helping us to let him invest in a new wizardry business. Not sure what it is though."

I give her a thumbs up. "Nice! It'll be good to have income from both sides of the world. How was the conversion?"

"Decent. I think?" A grimace crosses her face. "None of us really knows what things cost, so I think the conversion is fair? We'll see when we get our supplies."

By this time we're back on the street and Hagrid claps his hands to get our attention. "How 'bout me and the parents grab your books and such while you three get fitted for your robes?"

"I would really rather that Clarity remains with us, Mr. Hagrid. New place and all..." He trails off as Hagrid stares at him, but he simply nods.

"Right, that makes sense. What about you Harry, Misha?"

I think for a moment. "The robes will probably take awhile, so if you're grabbing some of the stuff we need, it makes sense for us to do that. What do you think Harry?"

He nods. "It's fine with me. Best to get that out of the way as quickly as we can."

I give Clarity a hopeful look, but she shakes her head. "I'm interested in what kind of books I can find at the store. I'll let you know if I find anything interesting."

I nod in understanding. Then I grin as I remember something. "If you find something about the current headmaster, I think his name is Dumbledork?, can you grab it for me?"

"Sure thing."

After sharing nods, Hagrid points me and Harry to the robe shop with a grimace while he and the Insanias go to the book store.