Disclaimer: Read the disclaimer on the first chapter.

Chapter 3: Goblins and Dragons and Minecarts, oh my!

Harry careened sideways in the cart before catching himself on the side with one hand. "You've made these faster since I was here last," he stated simply. The diminutive goblin nodded slightly and replied in an excited tone,

"We have. In fact, it was my idea. We're able to save a few galleons per diem per banker by speeding up the carts by ten kilometres per hour. That's the idea that put me on the short list for Banker status."

Harry responded with a smile, "I'm happy for you, Griphook. You deserve some recognition for an idea like that." They passed a massive archway, and Harry could make out two massive steel rings mounted to the wall, massive chains with two foot long links hung from them to alcoves on either side. Inside the alcoves, he could just make out giant forms of dragons in the dim lighting.

"Welcome to the high security wing," Griphook mumbled as they passed the archway. They came to a gentle stop at a solid wall, and the goblin asked for his key. Upon handing it over, Harry watched him hold it up in the air above his head. A small beam of light struck out from high on the wall, and seemed to scan the key before the wall melted away, at which time they once again careened down the tracks.

They came to a stop again in front of a long walkway. "This way, Mr. Potter," Griphook grunted out in his odd accent as he clambered his way out of the cart.

Harry followed along a few paces behind the goblin as they made their way to a large door in the far wall. He couldn't help but stare around the hallway and gawk at the unbelievable stonework surrounding him. The walls were hewn out of the solid rock that is common in the crust of the Earth, but were cut so smooth they felt like polished marble. The tool marks made it obvious that it wasn't carved by magic, but instead by the hands of these incredible creatures. The archways at the thresholds were similarly hewn from the surrounding rock, but were ornately decorated, and held sconces containing giant gas torches for light. Harry wondered if the gas pipes were actually placed inside the archway supports, or if they were simply cut out, using the stone itself as a pipe.

Harry was pulled from his musings by Griphook, who asked him respectfully to place his hand on a circle on the door. The plate was made from what looked like rune-covered ivory, and was very ornate. He gently touched it, then when it didn't try to bite him, he placed his palm flat against it. A tiny buzz was all he felt as the panel recognized his magical signature and confirmed him to be a Potter. "Welcome, Harold James Potter, Lord of House Potter, House Black, and House Gryffindor," was spoken in a soft feminine voice throughout the hallway as the door slid open silently. His jaw dropped at the third name.

"House..." he began."

Griphook smiled and finished his sentence as Harry stood there flabbergasted. "Gryffindor, yes. You are the rightful Lord of House Gryffindor, and all properties, rights and responsibilities that that entails."

Harry was speechless. He stood and gaped at the expansive Potter family vault in front of him, but wasn't really seeing the treasures inside as his brain processed the newest bit of information. "Shit," he mumbled out loud, "just one more thing to be idolized for..."

Once he'd come to terms, he opened his eyes for real, now actually seeing the vault beyond the door. "Damn..." He was once again rendered nearly speechless due to the massive vault. Piles upon piles of Knuts, Sickles, Galleons, and other coins that he'd never seen before. The pinkish coins glittered in the gas torchlight of the vault. "Griphook," he began, curiously, "what are those coins there," he asked, pointing at the beautiful pink piles.

"Those would be Claymores, Mr. Potter," the small goblin answered quietly, "they're high-value coins worth thirty three galleons. They allow international trade without sending an entire fleet of ships." He flipped some pages on a clipboard that Harry hadn't seen in his hands before, then spoke again. "You have one hundred and twenty one thousand, five hundred claymores; three million nine hundred thousand galleons, and one million five hundred and thirty eight thousand five hundred sickles. All knuts and accrued interest have been placed in your trust vault since your parents passed away."

Harry stared at Griphook in amazement for a moment before he turned and wandered into the vault. He passed by chests of gold, barrels of whisky and other spirits, furniture, paintings and other curio as he waded through the crowded aisles.

"Mr. Potter," Griphook began again after a few moments, "I would like to inform you that because you are not yet at the Ministry's set age of majority, you cannot make any withdrawals of currency from this vault. However," Griphook smiled conspiratorially, "you may remove anything else, as items other than currency were not mentioned." Harry looked disappointed for a moment until Griphook had finished, then understood. He continued his exploration, passing racks of weapons and armour from what seemed to be the middle ages, birdcages, chandeliers, tapestries, and many other items.

Around an hour later, Harry had made it back to the entrance to the vault when he passed a small table. Atop this table lay a tiny quartz amulet with a silver chain. He felt inexplicably drawn to it. He picked it up gently, and held it in his palm as he turned it over slowly. "Griphook, can you identify this," he asked the goblin curiously. He received a negative answer quickly, as Griphook had never seen the amulet before. Harry stuffed it into his pocket as Griphook made a note of the removal, and they reboarded the minecart. "Okay Griphook, I'm finished for the day."