The Cupboard Series 4: The Fourth School

Chapter 20

Harry snickered softly as he and Sirius were led along the narrow rock corridor within Gringotts.

A grunt of pain from behind him caused his snicker to morph into more of a chuckle. And then he was the one grunting in pain as he put a hand up to the back of his head where he'd just been slapped.

"What'd you do that for?" Harry groused glancing behind him.

"It's not polite to laugh at your elders," Sirius declared haughtily, although the effect was negated somewhat by the fact that he was walking with a distinct stoop in an effort to not hit his head on the low rock ceiling.

"Sorry, old man, I'll try to remember that," Harry retorted, only to have to duck to evade the second swat. "What? You're the one who said you were my elder."

"Account Manager Slipshard is ready for you," the goblin broke in, clearly displeased with the air of non-professionalism the two were displaying.

"Thank you," Harry replied, sketching a half-bow in a show of respect.

After straightening with a pointed grin over his shoulder, Harry strode into the room. Behind him, he heard Sirius muttering something about waiting until Harry'd had his next growth spurt, a sentiment that he dutifully ignored.

The small cave-like room was exactly as Harry remembered it from his last visit. Shelves and pigeon holes full of books, weapons and trinkets were carved into the very walls to either side of the room. Behind the enormous rich desk, were floor to ceiling bookshelves, laden with books, files and folders. And behind the desk, sitting regally with his fingers steepled, was Slipshard.

"Greetings, Slipshard. It is good to see you again," Harry smiled, offering the bow of respect that he'd learnt so long ago from the book on goblin etiquette that Slipshard had once gifted him.

"Mister Potter," Slipshard returned with a heavy nod of his head. "Lord Black. You are both exactly on time."

Harry grinned at the elderly goblin and offered a truism in both the goblin and muggle societies. "Time is money, after all."

"Indeed, indeed," Slipshard agreed. "I believe that you have something for me?"

"We do," Sirius replied before pulling a scroll out of his robes and handing it over."

Long goblin fingers accepted it, unrolled it and began waving over it in an intricate pattern.

"Congratulations, Mister Potter. It appears that you have managed to attain your majority nearly three years early," Slipshard said, his eyes piercing the boy across the desk. "Much responsibility comes with this. I trust that you are up to the task?"

"I hope so, too, Slipshard," Harry replied. "Especially if I can count on you and Sirius and even Mister Tentridge to advise me, that is."

"Still the unusual wizard," Slipshard noted. "One who is still aware of his limitations and works to find others to counter those limitations and to teach him what he needs to know."

Harry ducked his head, remembering something similar that Slipshard said to him the very first time that they had met.

"Gringotts accepts this Ministerial decree of Harry James Potter's emancipation," Slipshard stated formally. "Within Gringotts, you are now seen as being eligible to control all vaults, investments and properties that you are entitled to."

Harry nodded, recognising the full weight of what Slipshard was stating.

"Shall we see exactly what that entails?" Slipshard asked.