Chapter 19: Harry Gaunt - Chapter 19
Harry sped up towards the elevator doors which were slowly closing, intent on getting in before Bellatrix could try to speak to him again.
She was like a cat - and Harry the mouse. "Hold the door!"
Harry between people in the way, spotting with relief as man peered out the elevator. He held the door, doing so with practiced ease.
"Thanks," said Harry as he stepped inside.
"No problem," returned the friendly man. "I hate when people don't hold the door."
Harry nodded, though he wasn't really listening now as he tapped the button for the doors to close.
Nothing happened.
"It can take a few goes," said the man. "There's also a timer once the doors are held."
Harry looked at the man incredulously, beginning to tap the button with growing speed.
"This your first time at the Ministry?" asked the man conversationally.
Click Click Click Click.
"No." Harry paused to take a look at him. "Do you work here?"
The man nodded, he rode the elevators all the time.
Harry didn't have to listen as he noticed a flicker of dark curls slip between people in the crowd.
Bellatrix was coming straight for him.
"Any second now," said the man with growing concern. "Just relax."
He moved a hand to stop Harry pressing.
"Harry!"
Harry looked as Bellatrix appeared in a huff, her dress a little skewed upon her slender figure. "I told you to wait."
She was almost here.
Clunk.
The metal grate slid across, prompting a frustrated sound from Bellatrix as she grabbed a hold. She peeked through the gaps to see Harry's face.
She could see him looking at her.
"I am sorry Bellatrix," he said quietly as the elevator began to slide away. "It's better this way."
Bellatrix scowled, thinking that wasn't for him to decide as she watched him disappear with the elevator, no doubt pleased he'd been able to escape her.
She'd just wanted to talk him, just a word to arrange something later. "Idiot," she muttered, stepping back with an impatient sigh.
It was all Arcturus's fault. He'd told Harry to go on ahead.
"Bellatrix, you were supposed to wait!" came Cissy's voice as she arrived with Arcturus. "Did Harry leave?"
Cissy had been surprised at how quickly he'd hurried off.
"Yes," said Bellatrix in annoyance. "I just missed him."
She tapped the button on the tiled wall, waiting at the frost while a queue began to form just behind them.
"I told you to leave him be Bellatrix," said Arcturus, withholding a sigh when she pretended not to hear. "Bellatrix…" he looked at warningly.
This wasn't like her. Even Cissy felt caught between them. "Oh look, the elevators here," she said, pointing at the box sliding toward them from afar.
She moved behind Bellatrix when the doors opened and the people came out, then slipped inside just behind her. "We still haven't got our books," added Cissy sadly as they settled in. "We'll have to go back before term starts."
"No, we'll arrange that separately," said Arcturus as he made space beside them, making sure he had enough to avoid people touching him. "Kreacher will go. He enjoys running errands for you two."
Arcturus cleared his throat, narrowing his eyes at at a man that had come too close.
"Why?" Cissy peered at him in confusion. "Harry's fine now."
She looked between him and Bellatrix for confirmation, then became even more confused when neither was forthcoming.
"He was always fine," assured Bellatrix. "Just…" Bellatrix skipped over what she was about to say. "We'll ask Kreacher to get our magical supplies."
Bellatrix gave Cissy a playful look, one shared while they'd talked about muggle clothes in her room.
Cissy had to stop herself from giggling as she realised what Bellatrix meant.
"Yes of course," she agreed. "Kreacher can go. It's much easier."
She began to fiddle with a bit of Bellatrix's dress.
"Good, then that's settled." Arcturus was none the wiser as he said it, his attention on the levels as they approached the surface. "Straight to the floo. No running off."
Arcturus was keen to get home. He had work to do.
'Ministry Atrium'
The doors opened a moment later to a swarm of people, and not just witches and wizards but goblins and the occasional muggle too.
Arcturus didn't favour any of them as he led Bellatrix and Cissy towards the fireplaces, doing his best to find a clear path.
"Cissy first," he instructed as they came to the fireplace, which Cissy promptly stepped into.
"Grimmauld Place!"
She disappeared in a swell of green flame.
Bellatrix waited for them to die down before stepping in herself, knowing Arcturus was watching her as she turned around.
"Grimmauld Place."
She disappeared.
"That girl," grumbled Arcturus as he stepped inside. "She should already be married - Grimmauld Place!"
Arcturus disappeared, then stepped smoothly out from the fireplace in his sitting room.
"Ah, Arcturus. Perfect timing," said Walburga beside her two guests. "You know of course Lord Lestrange and Lord Yaxley."
She introduced them pleasantly, the two men offering a nod which Arcturus didn't return.
He seethed.
"Get out."
Arcturus turned on his heel and walked to the door. He had need to speak with Bellatrix one last time. She'd probably fled upstairs with Cissy.
"Arcturus, we have guests," said Walburga with concealed frustration. "Surely you can spare some time?"
It had taken so much just to arrange this small get together, and right when Arcturus should have been at home reading letters he was instead out doing shopping like a mother hen. "Arcturus."
Walburga took a few steps forward, feeling as she did the judgemental eye from the two lords behind. "Consider what you're doing…"
Arcturus hadn't stopped until those words were uttered, which forced him around with a rigid glare.
He'd had enough of this.
"They are not my guests, and nor are they yours you jumped up housewife!" Arcturus jabbed his finger at her. "I should have never allowed Orion to marry you."
He gestured her away from him, the two coming back towards the fireplace.
"Lord's Lestrange - Yaxley," said Arcturus with nod to them both. "Please forgive my poor regard, but I must ask you to leave now. We will arrange a meeting for another time."
Walburga tried to step in.
"Of course, Lord Black," returned Lestrange without wait, followed by a nod from Yaxley. "We apologise for the intrusion."
They walked promptly to the fireplace, ignoring Walburga as they retrieved the powder. They were gone a moment later, leaving her boiling in suppressed rage.
"Say it," said Arcturus a moment later. "I am here, I am listening. Go ahead."
He goaded her still with an amused smile.
"YOU WILL LEAD THIS FAMILY TO RUIN!" she screeched from beside the fireplace, her expression wild with rage as she in-turn pointed her finger at him. "You haven't a clue what's going on! Too busy playing dinner with upstart Lords and going shopping." Walburga all but spat on the notion. "I have worked hard to ensure House Black is properly placed, and you sending away-"
"Properly placed?"
Arcturus scoffed. "You've done just the opposite," he rebutted, coming near with a menacing air. "You're going to tell me everything you've done."
Walburga shuffled back.
"Everything," affirmed Arcturus dangerously. "And if I don't like what you tell me, I will cast you out, along with Cygnus and anyone else who thinks they know better that me!"
Arcturus raised his hand, but didn't touch her as he came frightfully close. He held Walburga's gaze.
"Y-yes my lord."
She backed into the wall, nodding meekly as Arcturus stepped away. He sealed the room with his wand, including the floo which Walburga glanced at.
There was no getting out of this, he was going to find out everything she'd been plotting behind his back.
~~~~~~~
Harry checked his pockets as he walked into Gringotts, the people sparse and the Goblins in good spirits as he felt his shrunken things.
The bank was closing soon.
"Lord Gaunt, here to see Greycup," he said to a teller packing away.
"Proceed."
The Goblin waved idly behind towards the corridor, then clacked a set of documents against his desk.
Harry blinked.
"Thank you," he said, pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. "Have a good evening."
He swept past the counter, feeling justified in bidding the Goblin good evening as he walked to Greycup's office. "He must have moved up again," murmured Harry, picturing as he turned a bend what new things he'd see inside.
Knock Knock.
"Come in Harry."
Harry opened the door. "Greycup," he said, stepping inside. "You knew it was me."
Greycup nodded pleasantly as he finished writing a letter at his desk. "I had instructed no one disturb me except you," he replied, looking up with his toothy grin. "But it's good you're here, I've news to share."
He offered a Harry a seat.
"News?" said Harry as he perched. "Did the investments go well?"
"Well enough," returned Greycup with a slight shrug. "They've yet to mature properly, but this is about something else."
"Okay," said Harry. "I've got news to tell as well."
Though probably not as good as Greycup's news.
"You first then my lord." Greycup set the things aside on his desk. "Any news of yours takes priority."
Greycup shuffled forwards as well.
"I was arrested," stated Harry, grimacing a little when Greycup's face became slack. "It's alright though, it's all been settled."
Harry averted his eyes from Greycup's own, which seemed to see much within his gaze.
"So it was you then," asserted Greycup. "I did wonder if something like this might happen."
Greycup may not have known Harry very long, but the wisdom of a Goblin near a hundred years old wasn't to be denied. Harry had a touch of 'leap before looking' to him.
"I shouldn't have, I know. But that's beside the point now." Harry hopped from his seat, yet another thing to add to his list of regrets. "They know my name Greycup, the whole alley saw me."
Harry began to pace, thinking of all the bother he'd be subjected to now. If before only those he owed money to knew, then now the whole country would.
"I see…" murmured Greycup. "That does change a few things. For one, we'll be receiving more letters like the one I did today."
News travelled fast it seemed as Greycup reached into his letter draw. "This letter came from House Potter," he explained, seeing well the flash of panic across Harry's face. "That woman you spoke of, she'd like to arrange a meeting and… assist you."
Greycup handed the letter over, which Harry took with a reluctant hand. He didn't want to interact with his paternal grandmother, things were getting complicated enough as it is. "What does it say?" he asked. "Just tell me the main points."
Greycup chuckled, gesturing for the letter back. "She reminds you of her offer of help, which might she say has been rudely ignored, and hopes that as recompense you will agree to tea at Potter Manor before the holidays are over."
Greycup slipped the letter back into his draw.
"That's it?" said Harry. "She didn't ask anything else?"
Greycup shook his head.
"Good, I'll keep ignoring her then."
Harry didn't want to have tea and have a break down when his father scorned him, probably still with a grudge after what he'd done to Remus.
Harry wondered if his blanket was still intact.
"I agree," said Greycup. "Her offer of help is insulting, nor is she your peer. It should be Lord Potter to extend such an offer, offensive as it still would be."
And Lord Potter more than likely didn't care to. He'd never even met Harry Gaunt.
"If more should come," continued Greycup while Harry observed the new things in his office. "What is your stance?"
Ignore? Gratefully decline? Meet for lunch, dinner scheduling-
"Ignore them all," declared Harry with finality. "All of them."
He turned back to Greycup.
"My lord," hesitated Greycup. "You should consider the effect this will have on your reputation," he began, slipping from his chair and approaching Harry. "A Lord on his own is a Lord left vulnerable."
It was why the Black family were at the top - they were the largest and most widespread of the Pureblood families.
"It is no consequence at the moment," said Harry, taking a moment to see Greycup's point. "I am still in school and have more important things to do than be dragged into politics."
Harry would make friends with them, but on his own terms. Certainly not at their request.
"As you wish my lord." Greycup bowed, he would respect Harry's decision. "And on another note, I assume then that the alliance is still ahead with House Black?"
The money to be repaid had been reserved just in-case, which left enough to the buy the house but little else.
"It is, Lord Black didn't withdraw it," explained Harry, wondering though what Arcturus would discover in the coming weeks. He might change his mind, Harry didn't know what had occurred before.
"Excellent, I'll release the funds back into the main account then," grinned Greycup, finally with something to do now he had money to invest.
"I'll leave it to you," said Harry, he didn't care all that much about money. It was just one of those things you needed. "Invest more in Firebolt," he added. "I want majority ownership, I've some ideas that will help them."
Greycup nodded, returning to his desk as Harry headed for the door. "Have a good evening Greycup," said Harry.
"You as well my lord."
Harry smiled unseen as he disappeared out the door, seeing neither Greycup's own or the pleased nod as he returned to his writing.
Such a strange a thing, Harry would never have thought that by the time he was eighteen, his closest confidant would be a portly Goblin with a niche for House Gaunt.
How things could change. Harry vowed to do right by him, which meant money.
Lots of money.
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