Last time in Harry Potter's very Black Plan:
Harry went into the basement where he found the portrait of Alphard Black. A kind and funny man, very much like Sirius had been. Alphard has some helpful advice for Harry and tells him he has a name he didn't know he had. Harry was a nickname his parents used for Hadrian. Also, Hermione writes him a letter in which she tells him off, wishes him the best and warns him about Dumbledore's strange behavior. She also gives him a wonderful birthday present in the form of a foto album with pictures of all his friends and a few with just the two of them. Harry can't wait to see her again.
After resting for an extra bit of time in bed and eating a delicious breakfast with Dobby and Kreacher, Harry wanted to start writing the letter for Gringotts so that Dobby could deliver it as soon as possible. Harry was glad to say the Elves had gotten used to eating with him at the dining table. It made for a much more enjoyable meal without his Elves pouting at him. A cranky pout in Kreacher's case, but a pout nevertheless.
Still, Harry was glad that Kreacher was showing more emotion. He didn't want House-Elves who were so very submissive. That just reminded him of how he used to be behave at the Dursleys. To be silent and submissive just so he wouldn't get punished. It was no way to live for anyone. Harry would not allow anyone to live like that if he had anything to say about it.
Now he had to write the letter to the goblins. Harry had read in the Culture book that goblins were quickly offended but not how he could offend them. It made him nervous to write this letter but he had to try. Just be polite, he thought to himself. Hopefully what he found polite would also be polite to goblins.
To the Potter and Black Family manager[s],
I hope this letter finds you in good health. First I must apologise if anything in this letter is offensive. I've not been not raised in the magical world and I'm still trying to learn about it's culture and all it involves. Second, I know next to nothing about my heritage. Does the house of Potter have an account manager? Does the House of Black?
My apologies for my ignorance. I will strive to learn as much as possible about my Houses.
Therefore I'm writing this letter to ask for the possibility for a private meeting room with my Gringotts manager. Since the war has started up again I would like to ask permission to directly pop into the meeting room, on the agreed time, with my bonded House Elf named Dobby for personal safety reasons.
There are a few important matters I hope to be able to discuss with the Account managers of the Potter and Black Families.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Harry James Potter
Heir of House Black
He really hoped he wouldn't offend any goblins with his letter. He still had much to read in the Wizarding Culture book but even then he expected that there wouldn't be much more on goblins in it. Most Wizarding books were not very kind to creatures.
Harry called Dobby to him and when Dobby popped up next to him he asked, "Dobby, could you read over this letter for me? It's the letter for my account manager but I don't know for sure how to write politly to goblins. Do you know much about goblins? Do you think this is polite enough? I really wouldn't want to offend anyone." Harry asked as he held the letter out for Dobby to read.
Harry still thought it weird that Wizards distained goblins so much yet left them in charge of their gold.
Dobby took the letter and carefully read it over, "Dobby be thinking that letter looks good. But maybe yous can ask goblins about goblins when yous be at Gringotts?"
"Yeah, that might be a good idea. Thanks Dobby!" Harry smiled at his friend, "You really wouldn't want to offend a warrior race like the goblins and even less when they are in charge of your money."
It was really strange that the wizards would give their money to the creatures they have gone to war against and kept insulting. Kinda dumb, really. Why hadn't Binns ever talked about that if the ghost had to talk about goblins? Harry knew nothing about how that arrangement came to be.
Harry put the letter in an envolope and gave it to Dobby. He was a bit nervous to sent Dobby to the goblins but Dobby looked so excited for his new job. "Good luck, Dobby. I hope you can find the accounts manager for the Potter and Black families."
"Master Harry schould not be worried about Dobby. Dobby be fine. I bes doing job as trusted bonded Elf. Dobby be seeing you later." And he popped cheerfully away.
While Dobby was gone, Harry decided to read more in the Wizarding Culture book. He needed to find out if there were any different rules of society in the Wizarding world. He would be a Lord after he got the ring and he needed to know more about the duties and expectations of one.
A hour later and Harry was deep in his book when Dobby popped back in. Harry startled but sonn relaxed when he saw an excited Dobby bouncing on his toes with a official looking letter in his hands.
"Dobby be finding both managers and they be writing this letter for Master Harry together. Here be letter for Master Harry Potter Sir." And the letter flooted over to Harry. While Dobby had listened to Harry when he told him that he preferred a shorter term of address, the Elf still slipped sometimes. It was kinda funny now instead of just cringeworthy.
Harry broke the official looking seal of Gringotts and started reading the letter,
Heir Black,
We of Gringotts have been trying to get a hold of you since your partipation of the Tournament in your fourth year of education. Unfortunately we were blocked and ignored. Until now.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We have important business to discuss and time is money. We would appreciate it if we could talk with Heir Potter-Black as soon as possible.
We, the account managers of the Potter and Black families would grant your request for a private meeting room in our bank. We wil see you on the 4th of August on 11.00 o'clock. Press your thumb on the Gringotts logo if you agree to the time and date. If not, sent a letter back with your House Elf.
Your Elf will know where to take you. Do be prompt.
Black Familie Account manager,
Bloodaxe
Potter Acount manager,
Bogrod
Harry was relieved to read that they were willing to grant him a private meeting room and looked back at Dobby to say, "The letter mentions that you know where to pop us, Dobby?"
Dobby nodded and said, "Goblins be showing Dobby where to take Master Harry for meeting."
"Alright then, I have to get prepared for my meeting with the goblins and the claiming of the Lord ring." Harry groaned, "I think I'll have to write a list again. Lets hope Hermione never finds out about this or I will be writing lists for the rest of my life."
Dobby grinned at him and said, "Poor Master Harry. Nasty female who cares for Master be making him work? The horror." He finished with a smirk hidden in his voice. The Elf looked startlingly evil right then before a big smile took over again.
Harry wished he could sweatdrop like one of Dudley's comic book characters. "Since when did you get so cheeky?" Harry asked with a grin. He loved it when the Elves showed some cheek. It made him hope he was doing the right thing, bonding as he did with Dobby and Kreacher.
Dobby clicked his fingers and a quil and paper appeared. He said. "Master go make list now for goblins. Dobby be going clean bedrooms upstairs. Kreacher almost being done with library so it be almost safe for Master Harry to enter again." And Dobby popped away.
Harry knew an order when he heard one so he grabbed the paper and quil Dobby brought him. Sometimes it was more like Dobby was the master of the house but Harry didn't mind that. It was nice that Dobby dared to be more assertive. It meant he felt comfortable with Harry.
He thought about what he wanted from the goblins for a moment before writing it down.
Things to ask the goblins:
1. Get the Lordship ring
2. Do a Heritage test
3. Did my parents make a Will?
4. Dark artifacts in Black town house
5. Ask about services Gringotts provides
6. Book about goblins made by goblins?
He hoped he had everything written down now, but he still had a day until the meeting if not. It was almost lunch time now and he still had to write a letter to Hermione, read more in the culture book before the meeting with the goblins and he wanted to ask Kreacher about some more the locket someone left here for the Heir or Lord of House Black. First the hardest thing, writing the letter for a worrying Hermione.
Dear Hermione,
First I need to say that I'm sorry for worrying you and not warning you about what I was planning. You know how invested the Headmaster is in making me stay with my relatives and I couldn't risk him learning of my plans. Know that I am safe and happy at you-probably-know-where.
Thank you for the present! It's great! What were we small in our first year, right?
I hope we can meet soon. Are you able to get to Diagon Alley in the last week of August? We can get our school things and maybe eat some ice cream together? I have much to tell you but I wouldn't dare to put it all in a letter.
Don't worry I haven't done anything reckless. Probably. Maybe.
And I am unable to do my homework just yet. I know that there is no excuse for you, Mione, except a horrible death, to not do your homework but I had to leave the Dursley's without my trunk. Could you find it in yourself to forgive me for the unforgivable sin of leaving my schoolbooks behind?
I promise to owl order my school books soon so I can do my homework. I promised to do my potions homework in the letter I wrote to Professor Dumbledore so I will do that first. Any tips for your hopeless best friend?
Thank you for caring, Hermione, and thank you parents for me?
See you soon,
Harry James Potter
He waited for the ink to dry and then put it into an envolope. He looked to the owl stand where Hedwig and the handsome eagle owl were getting cosy. Suddenly he felt his protective dad instincts rear up.
Harry barked the first words he thought of at the owl who seemed to be flirting with Hedwig, "Hey! Ease up on the charm you scroundel! Hedwig is a young Lady and she is to young to deal with owls drooling after her!"
Hedwig seemed to look at him like he was crazy and she quickly flew up to his shoulder to gently pick at his ear. He felt his cheeks heat up at the reprimand and said to the offended looking eagle owl, "Alright, I'm sorry for judging you so quickly. I'm sure you are a very nice owl, but I still meant what I said. You better be respectful towards Hedwig, you hear me." Harry said while pointing a finger towards the uncomfortable looking owl.
Then Harry smiled and the strange owl visibly relaxed, "I have a letter to sent back to Hermione. Would you be willing to bring it to her, despite my rudeness?"
The eagle owl hooted and sticked his leg out to Harry. Harry bound the letter to his leg and watched the owl take of and fly directly through the window. Since the window and the bird stayed whole he assumed the window was charmed for owl post.
Harry looked sideways to Hedwig who was sitting on his shoulder and asked, "Would you like to go with me to talk to Kreacher?"
Hedwig hooted agreeingly and settled down on his shoulder. Harry scratched her on her head and walked to the kitchen where the wards told him Kreacher was.
"Kreacher, do you have a minute to talk?" Harry asked.
"Kreacher be having minute to talk to Master. Does Master want a cup chocolate milk to drink with the talk?"
"Yes, that would be great. Thank you, Kreacher." Harry said as he watched Kreacher make the chocolate milk. House-Elf magic facinated him. It just seem so much more natural than Wizarding magic. Elves just did it while wizards had to wave a stick around while saying some words in a strange language.
Harry took a sip and it was delicious. House Elves really knew how to cook. He took another sip with a pleased sigh and asked the old Elf, "Kreacher, what can you tell me about the locket you brought to me?"
Harry could see something was very wrong with Kreacher when he asked him that. Kreacher seemed to crawl into himself and he started moaning while pulling on his ears, "Oh old Kreacher being bad bad Elf! Kreacher being unable to fulfill last order from Good Master Regulus! Kreacher be bad Elf! Bad Elf!" Harry had to lunge forward so to stop Kreacher from banging his head against the stove. Hedwig flew of his shoulder and landed on a kitchen chair.
Sirius's little brother, the Death Eater? Harry was officially worried now, "Kreacher stop that!" He orderd. Kreacher immediately went still.
Softly Harry asked, "Would you tell me about your Master Regulus last order, Kreacher?"
Kreacher sniffed, nodded his old looking head and began his tale, "Master Regulus be good boy, he be kind to old Kreacher. But Master Regulus was getting in dangerous things after Master Sirius left and Good Master Regulus joined the Dark Lord. Dark Lord be needing House Elf and so Kreacher be going to cave with Dark Lord."
Kreacher took a deep breacht for the next part, "Kreacher had to drink awful potion for Dark Lord till the bowl was empty and he be putting that awful locket in bowl. Potion gave poor Kreacher horrible nighmares and made Kreacher so thirsty! Kreacher be needing to stop drinking the potion but Dark Lord did not care. He be leaving Kreacher in dark cave to die in dirty dark dead lake."
Kreacher sniffeled there before continuing, "But Good Master Regulus gave Kreacher the order to come back and so Kreacher did. Master Regulus nursed poor old Kreacher back to health and then made Kreacher take him back to the dark cave to steal the Dark Lords locket! Master Regulus ordered Kreacher to take the locket to the Heir or Lord Black and never speak to anyone else about it! Locket needs to be destroyed he said! Master Regulus drank potion, gave the locket to old Kreacher and died in nasty dead lake!" Kreacher wailed.
Harry was silent for a moment before he put his hand on the shaking shoulder of Kreacher and told the Elf, "Kreacher, you have given the locket to the Heir Black. That means you have followed Regulus last order. You are a good Elf, Kreacher. Your Master Regulus would be proud of you."
Kreacher sniffed, looked at his new Master and said, "Master be kind to old Kreacher. Kreacher be thankful. Kreacher go be cleaning now. Manor still needs some cleaning but is almost back to standards."
Harry nodded but said before Kreacher popped away, "Kreacher? I have a appointment with the goblins the day after tomorrow. I will ask them if they know more about the locket and if they can destroy it. Would you like that?"
Kreacher looked tearful again as he nodded, bowed lowly and popped away to do some therapeutic cleaning. Therapeutic for House-Elves at least. Harry hoped that he himself would never be forced to do housework ever again. Harry drank the rest of his chocolate milk and thought about what to do next.
He decided it was a good time to start reading some more in the Runes book. Soon Dobby brought him lunch which Harry ate with gusto. House-Elf cooking was just the best. Even better than Molly Weasley's cooking not that he would ever tell her that. That woman took a lot of pride in her housekeeping skills. The Runes book was so very interesting that he kept reading till dinner time.
After dinner with both Elves, Dobby looked him over again and told him he had done enough for the day. Harry didn't quite agree since he barely had done anything fysical today but Dobby just gave him a look.
Harry drank the rest of his warm milk and decided he had enough for today after all. He grabbed the Wizarding Culture book and retired to bed. There would be another day tomorrow. He said goodnight to Hedwig and the Elves and went upstairs. Elves could apparentely give very good disappointed-in-you looks if you didn't take good care of yourself. Who knew.
He had done enough for today.