Disclaimer: Sometimes it's better to be considered wrong than to take the time and effort to prove one's self correct.
*****
Phil was forcibly awakened early by a loud pounding on the door to his bedchambers. Holidays were supposed to be a time for relaxing, a time when you could laze around in bed until noon, he lamented to himself. A pity his offspring didn't understand that.
"Go see what Hermione wants," his wife muttered.
"How do you know it's Hermione?" he rejoindered.
"Who else would could it be? Harry wouldn't think to bother us and the staff would have come in if they thought it was important enough to disturb us," she replied.
"That does not explain why should I be the one to go see what she wants?" he pointed out calmly as the pounding continued and intensified, the spaces between the knocks getting shorter and shorter as their daughter's patience grew thinner and thinner.
"Because I'm asleep and you're much too considerate to disturb me," she said reasonably. "Snore, snore," she added unconvincingly.
"I blame this on your father for spoiling you so much when you were a child," he said conversationally as he shrugged into his bathrobe. "I shall have to remember to have to have words with him at our next meeting."
"Remember to mention the fact that he could have shipped me off to one of those dreadful boarding schools like my step mother suggested rather than hiring private tutors," she suggested with a yawn. "It was always a sore point with her that I was around to make it difficult to syphon off more than she did."
Phil yawned as he walked across the room and opened the door. The knocks sounding like machine gun fire at that point.
"What is it, darling?"
"We need to get Luna today," Hermione explained cheerfully, looking as if she had not in fact spent the previous few minutes disturbing the peace by pounding on her parents' bedroom door. "Mum said she wanted to wake up early so we could have breakfast together in London." Funny how she made it sound like she was being helpful.
"I think she meant early, not still dark outside," Phil said thoughtfully.
"The sun's been out for almost six minutes, daddy," Hermione giggled. "I didn't start knocking till it was out you know. I made sure to check."
"Of course it has, six whole minutes, silly me," he sighed. "It's for you, dear."
"I heard," Anne called back. She made eye-contact with her daughter. "Wait downstairs, darling. I'll be with you shortly."
"Okay, mum," Hermione agreed. "I can't wait for you to meet Luna," she added before happily skipping down the stairs.
"Our daughter is skipping," Phil reported, trying and failing to remember the last time he'd seen his baby girl do that.
"It's nice to see her so excited about something," Anne replied. "Also good to confirm that she's got at least one close female friend."
"Just be sure not to say that the girl is scruffy," he said seriously. "You know how that turned out the last time."
"How could I forget," she laughed. "How do I look?" She twirled around.
"Ravishing."
"Mind doing me a favor?"
"Knowing you? Quite possibly. What do you want?"
"Could you take Harry to the bank and make a quick check of his accounts? Hermione was worried about them."
"I am going to to the club today and after that I'm going to Gringotts bank to conduct some business," he stated. "I have been meaning to open an account for Hermione so she has a bit of pocket money for while she's away at school. If Harry wishes to come along with me the I would be happy to have the company."
"And also happy to give a bit of unsolicited advice," Anne added. "Please."
"Of course."
"Thank you, dear."
"Not at all. Off with you, wouldn't want to keep our daughter waiting."
"No telling what sort of ideas she'll get or what mischief they'll lead her into," she agreed. "I shall have to remember to make an itemized list of reasons to blame your side of the family for each and every one of them."
Phil took his time getting showered and dressed and was more then a bit surprised to find his house guest waiting for him in the sitting room when he finally emerged.
"Hermione wake you up too?" he asked sympathetically.
"No, sir. I was already up."
"Wake up early then?"
"Haven't managed to break the habit yet," Harry admitted. It had only been fear of getting lost in the giant house that had kept him in his room so long the first day.
"You'll get the hang of it some day, I'm sure." Phil grinned. "I'm going to London today, would you care to accompany me?"
"I don't want to be a bother," Harry said quickly.
"You won't be," Phil promised. "I'd consider it a favor if you did accompany me since I always have a bloody time of finding the entrance to Diagon Alley if Hermione isn't along."
"You're going to Diagon Alley?" Harry asked in surprise.
"To the bank, yes. I have some business to do there. I also wouldn't mind a chance to poke around the shops without Hermione dragging me towards the book store either."
"Alright," Harry agreed. "I'd be happy to come, sir. Thank you."
"Excellent, glad to have you with me. Just please, remember it's Phil, not sir."
"Okay, Phil. I'll try to remember."
"Good. Have you eaten yet, Harry?"
"Not yet."
"We'll eat at the club then." Phil decided. "Come along, Harry. The car should be waiting for us out front."
IIIIIIIIII
Anne paid the restaurant staff no notice as they bustled around the table. She chose instead to focus on her daughter who promised to be a great source of entertainment if her performance this morning was any sort of indicator of future behavior.
"Where and when are we supposed to meet your friend, darling?" the woman asked.
"Luna said she'd meet us at Kings Cross station around ten," Hermione replied, oblivious to the fact that the a portion of the security team had detached itself from the main group to make their preparations.
"Does she have any special needs we need to be aware of?" Anne continued. "Dietary requirements, that sort of thing."
"No, mum. She's just a little strange," Hermione said, sipping her tea.
"In what way?"
"She likes to believe in animals that don't exist," Hermione explained. "I think her dorm-mates like to pick on her because of it."
"I see."
"But she's a very nice girl," Hermione hastened to add. "And she's very smart."
"I'm glad you've got at least one female friend," Anne said with a soft smile, repeating her earlier words to her husband. "Wouldn't want to risk poor Harry getting jealous if all you had was boys around, would we?"
"Mum!"
Anne giggled at the expression on her daughter's face.
IIIIIIIIII
The car pulled up to the curb and Phil Granger's imposing driver stepped out, eyes scanning for threats and then glanced at the team leads in the lead car and the chase car for their nods. Assured that there were no immediate dangers, the man stepped around the car, opened the rear passenger door, and stepped aside to allow his patron to step out of the vehicle.
"Come along, Harry," Phil said as they exited the car.
"Where are we going, sir?" Harry asked politely.
Hermione's father made a face. "I believe I told you to call me Phil?"
"Sorry. It's a hard habit to break."
"Don't worry about it." Phil waved his hand at an impressive stone building. "We're going to my club for a bit to meet with someone."
"The Diogenes Club," Harry read the plaque on side of the building.
"Be sure not to speak with or look at anyone," Phil said firmly. "Not until I say it's alright to anyway."
"Okay," Harry agreed.
"Club rules," Phil explained. "Keeps the atmosphere relaxed."
Harry followed the man up the steps and to the front door which was opened by a man in livery just as they arrived.
"New member, sir?" The door man asked with a laugh.
"I'm thinking of sponsoring him in a few years," Phil agreed.
The doorman's smile vanished and he took a moment to examine Harry. "I look forward to hearing your reasons, sir."
"I look forward to giving them," he returned. He stepped into the building. "This way, Harry."
Harry kept his mouth firmly closed even as his eyes widened in astonishment at the rich furnishings and ornate decorations. After going through a maze of halls, up a flight of stairs and down several more until they finally came to a stop in front of a thick oak door.
"You can talk now, Harry," Phil told the boy. "Follow me."
Harry followed Hermione's father through the doorway and into a small room, bare save for a woman sitting behind a desk next to another large door.
"Good afternoon, Sir." The woman's right hand disappeared below the desk. "What can I do for you today?"
"Is 'M' in?" Phil asked.
"Who may I say is asking for him, sir?" the woman ignored the question.
Harry stepped to one side and edged a hand towards his wand due to the slight tightening in the woman's posture which indicated that trouble is on the way.
"Philip Granger. That's Philip with a P, not an F."
"Yes, sir." The woman relaxed and her right hand reappeared. "I apologize for not recognizing you, sir."
"No apology is ever necessary for doing one's duty," Phil said calmly. "Well, may I enter or is he busy?"
"Go right in, sir."
Phil crossed the room and threw open the door. As Harry followed, he noticed a name on the door, the letters faded with time. 'Mycroft Holmes,' he read silently. Why in Merlin did that name sound so familiar.
The office they went into was much richer then the first one. Thick Persian carpets covered the floor and Harry a man that Harry faintly recognized sat behind the desk.
"Got a new pair of glasses, did you?" the man asked with an easy grin. "Look forward to seeing how it affects your game."
"Still need to practice before I can take advantage of my better sight, sir," Harry replied cheerfully, finally placing the man as one of his teammates in the Polo Game.
"Not that it isn't always a pleasure, but what prompted the visit, Philip?"
"Problem dealing with security," Phil replied, taking a seat and waving for Harry to do the same. "You know where my daughter goes to school?"
"I am aware," the man agreed.
"Happen to know where I can find some of that sort of security?
"Afraid the ones we've got are all tied up," the man said regretfully. "I imagine that your young house guest could round some up though." He'd been more than a bit surprised by the contents of the boy's dossier.
Phil shot Harry a curious look. "What do you mean by that?"
"You mean you don't know?" The man hit a button on his desk to activate his intercom. "Hold all calls and meetings."
"Yes, sir," his secretary's voice agreed.
IIIIIIIIII
Luna was bouncing up and down in excitement as she waited for her friend to appear. The fact that she had a friend gave her a warm feeling in the pit of her spleen that quickly spread to fill the rest of her body.
"Did you forget anything, crabapple?" her father asked helpfully.
"Loads of things," Luna agreed. "That way I wouldn't forget anything important."
Her father nodded, sounded logical to him.
A flash of bushy hair caught Luna's attention and a she quickly confirmed that her very best friend had arrived.
"Hermione!," Luna squealed.
"Luna," Hermione replied as she rushed over.
The two girls embraced and began rapidly chattering excitedly to each other in an incomprehensible technobabble.
"Do you understand any of that?" Luna's father ventured cautiously.
"Not a word," Anne replied.
"Good," he sighed in relief. "I thought I was the only one and then I started getting worried that I'd forgotten how to understand English for a moment. Xenophilius Lovegood, but please call me Larry."
"Anne Granger," she introduced herself. "Pleasure."
"Pleasure is all mine," Xenophilius or Larry said quickly. His eyes shifted to the menacing looking figures that had surrounded their little gathering. "They with you?"
"I need someone to carry the heavy things for us after we go shopping later and they were convenient," Anne joked.
"Oh, right. Forgot you couldn't use charms to make things easier," Larry said, accepting the woman's explanation.
IIIIIIIIII
Harry was shocked when they were immediately met by an important looking goblin upon their entrance to Gringotts.
"Mr. Granger, a pleasure to see you again." the goblin said with a show of pointed teeth. "What can Gringotts do for you today?"
"Thank you for seeing us so soon, Hooktooth," Phil greeted the goblin. "I'd like to establish an account for my daughter and Harry would like a statement, if that's not too much trouble."
"Not at all," Hooktooth replied. "Why don't I show you to the lounge while we get the paperwork together."
"Thank you," Phil said graciously.
The goblin took them to a richly carpeted room and directed them to sit in two exquisitely made comfortable looking chairs.
"Please help yourselves to anything in the room with the management's compliments," Hooktooth said politely. "The paperwork should already be on the table next to you."
"Here it is," Phil agreed.
"It shall take us a few minutes to do a quick audit of Mr. Potter's vault," the goblin said respectfully. And to make a quick notation in the boy's file to insure he got a high level of service. Wouldn't do to offend someone with such powerful friends.
"We aren't in any hurry," Phil assured the goblin.
"Then I shall take my leave, please pull the bell cord if you need anything," Hooktooth said as he took his leave.
IIIIIIIIII
The Lovegoods' eyes were wide in fascination as they stared at the scenery through the car windows. Every second brought something new and exciting.
"I never realized the muggle world was so complicated," Luna admitted. The little blonde was a bit intimidated by the size of everything. "None of my muggle studies books said it was anything like this."
"Purebloods," Hermione snorted. A contrite look immediately appeared on her face. "I'm sorry, Luna, I didn't mean any offense by that."
The girl in question giggled as her father answered for them both.
"None taken," Luna's father murmured. "It's a well known fact that there isn't a pureblood alive that has enough common sense to fill a teaspoon."
"Where are we going for lunch, mum?" Hermione asked, desperately trying to change the subject to anything else.
"Marvelous place Thomas showed me over on the East End," Anne replied.
"I think you'll like it, Ms. Hermione," the large driver rumbled from the front seat.
IIIIIIIIII
Phil and Harry broke off their conversation when the door to the room opened to admit the oddly polite goblin that had shown them in earlier.
"The preliminary audit of Mr. Potter's accounts has been completed," Hooktooth announced as he entered the room. "Mr. Granger, the board asked me to again express their thanks for the help you've given us."
"Please tell the board that I'll always be happy to turn a profit," Phil said formally. "The occasions that I'm able to help others make profit as well, I consider myself doubly blessed."
"I shall pass your words back to my superiors," Hooktooth agreed.
"Mind if I get my business out of the way first, Harry?" Phil asked. "I promise that it won't take but a minute."
"No problem, Mr. Granger," Harry said quickly. "Phil," he corrected himself upon seeing a brief look of annoyance flash over the man's face.
"Have you decided how much you'd like to put into your daughter's account, Mr. Granger?" Hooktooth asked.
"Not much, only about five hundred thousand Galleons," he replied. "Please tell me if she runs through it and please extend credit if she needs it."
"Of course, Mr. Granger," the goblin agreed quickly.
"Needs, not wants," he cautioned. "I want her taken care of if there's an emergency in the same way I want her to get my permission before she decides to buy out every bookstore in the country or something like that."
"We will see to it, Mr. Granger," the goblin assured his customer.
"I've already filled out the paperwork," Phil said. "Don't believe there was any other business I needed to take care of."
"Mr. Potter has five hundred and forty thousand two hundred and fifteen galleons, two thousand and thirteen sickles, and five hundred and twelve knuts. In addition to that, he has three sets of silver, two gold cups, twelve silver cups, fifteen golden rings, six emeralds, twenty uncut diamonds, fifteen ounces of gold dust, two thousand dollars in American gold eagles, two hundred dollars in American silver coin, ten thousand dollars of American currency, two thousand Canadian dollars in mixed silver and gold coin, three thousand pounds in gold coin, one hundred thousand Swiss Francs in mixed gold and silver coin, five thousand French francs in silver coin, five hundred dutch guilders in silver coin, one Wilkinson motorbike, fifteen cases of scotch, twelve of gin, and thirteen of rum. Plus three sealed chests, two sealed file cabinets, and assorted closed bags."
"Was that the face value of the coins or the gold and silver value?" Phil asked.
"Face value," Hooktooth replied.
"Any idea why there's so much foreign currency in Harry's account?" Phil asked, noticing the confused look on the boy's face.
"It's rumored that the more modern Potter family made most of it's fortune sneaking alcohol into the United States during their 'great experiment' and a bit more of it sneaking things into and out of the continent during the last muggle war and possibly during earlier muggle wars. Gringotts has no evidence that any laws were broken and thus has no obligation to investigate or to report anything to the Ministry," the goblin added with a toothy grin. "We value our customer's confidentiality more than we value our relationship with the current and every past magical government. Something the current magical government has publicly complained about on numerous occasions. As far as wealth from the more ancient Potter family most of their money was placed back into their manors, businesses, experiments and the like. Gringotts does not have access to those properties or endeavors."
"Thank you," Phil laughed. "Wonderful story about your family, Harry. Wish mine were half as good, you don't want to know what we made the bulk of our first major fortune on."
"What?" Harry asked automatically.
"Guano," Phil said with a sour look on his face. "Disgusting stuff, even more disgusting was how they mined a lot of it. I'm fortunate that my ancestor was intelligent enough to diversify and more fortunate that his successor was good enough to divest the whole disgusting business before . . . well, I don't need to bore you with the details or the horrors."
"Oh." He made a mental note to ask Hermione about it later.
"Would you mind too terribly letting us use the floo on the way out?" Phil asked.
"Of course not," Hooktooth said quickly. "This way, sir."
They stopped in front of a large stone fireplace and Phil carefully threw a pinch of powder into the fire.
"Department of Magical Law Enforcement," he called out. "I hate these things," Phil murmured as he bent down. What followed was a hurried conversation with someone on the other end. "They'd like to speak with you, Harry."
"Okay." Harry took the man's place and finished the conversation two minutes later. "Guess they're not too busy today, we've got an appointment right now if we want it."
Hooktooth escorted the two humans to the banks exit and waited until they were out of sight. Then, in a quick walk, he disappeared through one of the side doors intent on reaching his manager's office as quickly as possible.
To his considerable surprise, he was intercepted and taken deeper and deeper into the bowels of the bank to thick bronze door behind which could only be one goblin, the Clan Chief himself.
Hooktooth's escort threw open the doors and led the goblin through a rich waiting room to a large steel door.
"Wait here," the escort ordered.
Hooktooth didn't even have time to agree before his escort disappeared. Minutes later, the large doors opened to reveal what was within. The walls were covered in functional and well used weapons covering every era of goblin combat. From the axes and swords of ancient times to the SMLE and the Lewis, of the latest and most successful revolt. At the center of the room was a middle aged goblin sitting behind a heavy oak desk.
"Come in," the goblin ordered.
"Yes, sir," Hooktooth agreed. He marched in and stopped four paces in front of the desk in a rigid attention.
"Report," the goblin barked.
"Sir, the Granger wished me to pass on his regards. He told me that he was always happy to turn a profit and was doubly blessed when he was able to turn a profit for others at the same time," Hooktooth said quickly. "He came to open a vault for the younger Granger."
"How much did he put into it?"
"Five hundred thousand galleons," Hooktooth said immediately. "Which he attached to an unlimited line of credit if there is an emergency, though we are to contact the elder Granger for approval if there is not."
"Testing his progeny?" the goblin mused.
"Possibly, sir," Hooktooth replied. "It may have just been an expense account."
"Pass any duties you may have that could come into conflict with your service to the Granger family. I want you to focus on them and I want you to keep me apprised on what is happening through Sub-chief Bloodrot. See that he knows everything the younger Granger chooses to do with the account and every other scrap of information you come across regarding the Granger family or the Potter," the goblin ordered. "I want you to also be sure that the counter drones know that the younger Granger is to be treated with the same amount of respect accorded to her sire. Emphasis how displeased I will be with them personally if they forget their place."
"Yes, sir," Hooktooth agreed. "Should I do the same with the Potter?"
"Why?"
"I am sure that you are already aware, sir, but the Granger was accompanied by the last Potter."
"I am. Were you able to find out why?"
"I'm told the last Potter is a close companion of the younger Granger," Hooktooth said quickly.
"Keep an eye on that one too then," the Chief said after a moment of thought.
"I will, sir."
"Was there anything else?"
"No, sir."
"Dismissed."
IIIIIIIIII
Amelia was in the middle of a rather large stack of paperwork when her assistant threw open the door and barged in without warning.
"What is it?" Amelia demanded, more than a bit annoyed at the interruption. "It had better be bloody important."
"Harry Potter to see you, ma'am," the star-struck assistant said quickly.
"Show him in," Amelia ordered, slightly confused by the visit.
A few minutes later, the savior of the wizarding world, The-Boy-Who-Lived himself arrived with an unfamiliar man in tow.
"Thank you for seeing me, Madame Bones," Harry said politely. "I understand how busy your schedule must be."
"Just what was so important that you needed to see me immediately?" Amelia asked, barely keeping her temper under control at the thought that she'd been interrupted for something that wasn't of vital importance.
"When we flooed , your assistant told us to come over to meet with you right away, Madame Bones," Harry replied quickly, hoping to defuse the woman.
"I see," Amelia sighed, her anger disappearing in a flash as she deduced the likely course of events which had led them to their current meeting. "Have a seat." She waited until her visitors had made themselves comfortable. "What can I do for you, Mister Potter?" Wasn't the boy's fault her normally level headed assistant was a bit of a fangirl.
"As I said before, I flooed your office to ask if you had a list of . . . uh . . . " Harry looked over at Hermione's father.
"Private security contractors," Phil supplied.
"Your assistant said that I should have a talk with you," Harry said politely.
"I see." Amelia leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temple. "Short answer is, there aren't any. Would you like the long answer?"
"Please," Harry agreed.
"I know of a couple dozen ex-Aurors that would be happy for the work if you don't mind muggle-borns and half-bloods."
"I don't mind them at all, Madame Bones," Harry replied. In fact, he preferred them, less chance they'd be tied to the Pureblood factions.
"Good."
"What would you like in return?" Phil asked smoothly.
"What do you mean by that?" Amelia snapped.
"I'm not asking if you'd like a bribe," Phil laughed, happy to see a bit of honesty in what his sources had informed him was a pit of corruption. "I'm asking if there is anything either of us can do to return the favor?"
"Sorry, it's just working around here you get used to people expecting you to act a certain way and around here that certain way is filthy." Amelia pursed her lips. "We're doing a benefit for disabled Aurors, widows, and orphans in a few months, an appearance by Mr. Potter would help us meet our goal."
"If I can get the time off school," Harry agreed, happy that he could do something to repay his host. "And so long as I wouldn't have to stay too long." He blushed. "I . . . I really don't like crowds," he admitted.
"Bloody hate them myself," Amelia said with a tight smile. "I'll be in touch."
"Thank you for your time, Madame Bones." Phil said, raising to his feet.
"Sorry for the mix up," Harry added.
"Got me away from my paperwork," Amelia said with a shrug. "Something that's rarely a bad thing. Have a good day."
They left the office and were half way out of the Ministry when Harry heard a familiar voice calling his name.
"Neville!" Harry called back. "What are you doing here?"
"Gran is talking to one of her pet Politicians," Neville explained. "You?"
"Meeting with Madame Bones," Harry replied.
Phil Granger stepped into the background to allow the two boys a bit of time to themselves and was joined a few minutes later by an elderly woman.
"I hadn't realized my Neville was such good friends with The-Boy-Who-Lived," the old woman said happily.
"Philip Granger," he introduced himself. "Hermione Granger's father and Harry's host for the Holidays."
"Dame Augusta Longbottom," she introduced herself.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Dame Augusta."
"The pleasure is mine, Mister Granger."
"Gran, can Harry come to the party?" Neville asked excitedly.
"Of course," Augusta agreed. Happy that hers was the first invitation that the Potter accepted and that it was Neville that had scored their family the social coup.
Harry nudged Neville with his elbow causing the other boy to blush a deep red.
"Uh, he's with Hermione and Luna this winter so . . ."
"So of course three invitations will be delivered to your three guests," Augusta said smoothly.
"Thank you, Gran."
"Of course, Neville."
"I would be happy to extend another for yourself and your wife, Mister Granger."
"Thank you, Dame Augusta," Phil said quickly. "Why don't we let the boys have a bit of time to themselves?"
Augusta made a snap decision. "Neville, stay here and meet with Mr. Potter. We'll just be down the hall if you need us."
"Okay, Gran," Neville agreed.
The two adults walked off to gain a bit of privacy.
"What can I do for you, Mister Granger?"
"I'm afraid that our invitation will need to include a few members of our staff," Phil said with a look of embarrassment. "I hate to impose like this."
"I trust that they are aware of the fact that magic is real?" Augusta asked.
"Yes," Phil agreed. "Again, I'm terribly sorry to impose like this, but there are security concerns that I can't ignore." Wasn't permitted to ignore, the more service he gave his country the more restrictions were placed on his private life.
"I was told that you and your wife are dentists?" Augusta asked with a raised eyebrow, wondering what other information might be missing from her files.
"My wife is a practicing dentist," Phil agreed. "I dabble a bit, mostly assisting her or doing charity, but unfortunately most of my time is taken up dealing with other business these days."
"I see." The old woman considered the man for a moment. "Please consider your staff included in the invitation."
"Thank you for your consideration, Dame Augusta."
"Think nothing of it, Mister Granger."
IIIIIIIIII
Hermione frowned in confusion when the car took an unexpected turn away from the route that would take them back to her weekend house.
"Are we going to the London House, mum?" she asked cautiously.
"We're making a quick stop before we head home," Anne said calmly. "Thomas suggested that it might be something you girls would enjoy."
"Figured you and your friend might enjoy a quick peek before we go back" the big man rumbled.
"Where are we going, mum?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Covent Garden, I thought you girls might want to get a look at the trains on display at the Transport Museum."
"You hear that, Luna?" Hermione squealed in excitement.
"I did, Hermione," Luna agreed. "Shame we couldn't bring Harry with us."
"This is just a short visit," Anne pointed out. "You can bring him along later, when we have the time for a proper look around."
"Yes, mum," Hermione agreed.