Harry Potter and the Artificer Legacy Chapter 21 (Patreon)

Hey friends and fans! Kairomaru is bringing you another chapter of Harry Potter and the Artificer Legacy! Harry learns some interesting information about the Magical World’s adaptation of his Mana Measuring Method. He gets his first Commissions as an Artificer! Then he pulls a little bit of Trickery of his own!

As always Patrons get all chapters early and all one-shots are Pat re on exclusive.

If you’d like to become a patron and get access to these chapters earlier, just head on over to Pat re on and add a /Kairomaru after the com.

Make sure to thank the patrons that make these stories possible by checking out the Patron Plaque on my profile!

So without further delay, please enjoy.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Chapter 21 – Scholars, Commission, Trickery

“What’s this?” Harry asked as Fleur smiled. The Veela girl handed him a small stack of parchment and Harry read the top line. “Magic Measurement: Mana in relation to Spell Effects and Power.” Harry blinked at what was clearly a title before reading a bit further. “Oh, I see, so they want to further understand and quantify mana and how it applies to using Magic.” The parchments Fleur had handed Harry were the Magical equivalent of a research paper. Apparently several Magical Scholars had taken his measuring method and used it to further break down and understand Spells.

“It is so very interesting, Harry!” Fleur smiled at her friend. “Madam Aveline is part of the research group! She makes copies of her notes for me to look over! They’ve broken down your mana measurement into two factors!”

Harry smiled at seeing Fleur so excited. The silver blonde was very intelligent and already on her way to becoming a Magical Scholar. Being able to read over the notes of one of the biggest changes to the Magical Community in regards to Magic would obviously make her happy. Harry looked over the parchment again and noted the names of the two factors of mana usage. The Lum and the Thaum. Lum was each individual unit of mana, or a 1 if measured by a Scouter or Test Frame. A Thaum was the unit of change per Lum. They’d apparently started their research with the Lumos Charm just as he’d done. It was certainly interesting. By the notes he was looking at if a standard Lumos Charm produced around five lux of illumination, or light per square meter, per Lum, then the Thaum, or how much changed with each Lum, would be measured as five. This was for just the basic Lumos Charm too. A more complex spell, such as Protego or a Stupefy, would certainly have much more differences in their power and duration of effect as they were measured.

“What’re they testing now, Fleur?” Harry asked as he looked over the parchments.

“Madam Aveline says they’re testing the Summoning Charm at the moment.” Fleur answered with a bright smile. “A Lum produces about a meter of movement per second. So the Thaum is one as well. More Lums increases both the distance and speed at a ratio of two V to one D. This is even before you factor in the object in questions weight too!” Fleur was excitedly chatting about the research and Harry was just able to keep up with the girl. He was glad that further research into Magic and Spells was being done because of his measurement system. The Magical Scholars of the world would be the ones that tested and made sense of his measurement system in relation to Magic. From the parchments in his hands and Fleur’s excited talk about the results so far. Well he was fairly certain his measurement system would be integrated into the understanding of Magic from now on. It might even become a staple of Arithmancy in relation to Spellcraft.

“This is brilliant, Fleur.” Harry smiled at his platinum hared friend. “I’m glad to see that more is being understood and tested in regards to Magic. This could make understanding Spellcraft easier for people. I might just try my hand at a few original spells, since ‘some people’ don’t seem to want to share theirs.” He threw out towards Tonks and Penny. Both young ladies replied in their own way to Harry’s comment. Penny simply smiled and returned to the book she was reading. Tonks, maturely, stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry at him.

“Nuh uh, Mister! ‘Cube’ is my spell! I worked hard on it!” Tonks stuck her nose into the air in an act of faux pompousness. “If you want to learn it you’ll have to have an original spell of your own to trade.” The Metamorph teased from where she was sitting on the coach flipping through Witch Weekly.

“Just you wait Nym. I’ll create a spell so amazing you’ll be begging to learn it!” Harry promised as he pointed at the, currently green haired, woman.

“Promises, promises, Harrikins!” Tonks chuckled as she flipped a page in her magazine.

The group was currently hanging out at Wood End Cottage. The summer break was almost over and Harry was taking a break from his Enchanting and Spell practice. It was Tonks’ day off and they’d all been able to get together for a bit. With Floo addresses shared during their visit to France, it wasn’t odd to find Fleur at Wood End Cottage a few times a week. Likewise it wasn’t odd for Harry and Sirius to pop over to the Delacour Chateau for a weekend on invitation. Fleur, Penny, and Tonks had most certainly hit it off and become rather good friends. Fleur and Penny were both Academics and could ‘nerd talk’, as Tonks called it, for hours. Though Fleur enjoyed a good Duel almost as much as Tonks and the Metamorph relished having a partner to practice with that wasn’t her rough around the edges mentor. Alastor Moody apparently didn’t know the meaning of ‘take it easy’.

Harry and Fleur got along with both Academics and Dueling. Fleur was very much impressed by his Enchanting as well. Harry truly had an affinity for this Branch of Magic. Fleur was amazed the one time Harry had let her flip through one of his journals with his ideas written into it. The number of ideas was impressive, to say the least. But it was the depth of thought noted down on the ideas closer to testing or completion that blew her away. Details about the idea or item, tests and re-tests, notes about failures or successes. So much existed in the journal and Fleur had only skimmed through it! The Veela girl was very much aware that Tonks and Penny seemed to have ‘made a claim’ on the young Artificer. But she couldn’t help becoming more and more interested in him. From their time as Pen Pals, to meeting each other the first time, to now when they met up and spent time together often.

‘I’m becoming smitten with Harry.’ Fleur sighed at her thoughts. She’d have to speak with Tonks and Penny, privately, at some point. Fleur was hopeful her new friends would understand and potentially welcome her even further into their group. For now though, she’d be content to just be near the amazing young man. Her feelings, along with the situation between Harry, Tonks, and Penny, could be settled at a later time.

-Last Week of August ~ Diagon Alley-

“I’ve got everything I need.” Harry mentioned as he and Sirius finished up their shopping trip. Harry was now ready to return to Hogwarts for his Third Year. He was hoping his new Electives, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, and Care of Magical Creatures, would make the School Year more exciting and challenging. He was starting to get bored with the slow pace of the Hogwarts curriculum.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Sirius questioned his Godson with concern.

“That money belongs to me and they’re basically holding it hostage. I’m getting it back.” Harry replied with a determined gaze. “I just need you to come with me, Sirius, so that they take me seriously.”

“Alright, Harry, I get it.” Sirius sighed before smiling at his Godson. “Don’t tell Marlie. She’d be giving me hell about messing with the Goblins.”

“Just think of t as one of your pranks that you enjoy so much.” Harry mentioned as the duo made their way towards Gringotts.

“The most dangerous prank I’ve ever been a part of.” Sirius cracked a grin. The two walked up the steps of Gringotts and joined a line for the Tellers. A few minutes later they stepped up and Harry requested to speak to his Account Overseer.

“Follow me.” A Goblin waved them over and then started walking without waiting for them. The two Wizards caught up with the Goblin and were led to the same door Harry had stood in front of before his first year at Hogwarts. The door with a gold plaque that simply said Margok hadn’t changed at all. The Goblin leading them knocked three times and a call of ‘Enter’ was heard from within. Without waiting for a word the Goblin left Sirius and Harry standing at the door. They entered and sat in the two plain chairs before the Goblin’s desk.

“Back again, Mr. Potter?” Margok questioned the teen in front of him. “I see you’ve brought your legal Guardian this time. Regardless, you still cannot access the Potter Family Vault.”

“You have things that belong to me in your possession.” Harry began and noticed the Goblin looking vaguely amused. “But I have something that I believe your people want far more than the contents of the Potter Family Vault and my Trust Vault.”

“I highly doubt that, Mr. Potter.” Margok snorted dismissively.

“So you don’t want this back?” Harry asked as he unwrapped his Invisibility Cloak from around the Sword of Gryffindor. Margok’s eyes locked onto the Legendary Blade and the Goblin was suddenly sitting straight up.

“That’s a fake.” Margok accused bearing his fangs.

“No, I found it at Hogwarts last year, test it if you want.” Harry placed the sword on top of the desk, but he didn’t let go of the handle. Not even when Margok glared harshly at him for the ‘implied threat’ of holding a sword within Gringotts. “Your choice.”

“Very well.” Margok growled as he ran his claws over the blade. Harry briefly noted a bit of Magic passing through the sword from his grip on the handle. After several minutes Margok sat back with a blank expression. Without a word he grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill. The Account Overseer wrote something down and then folded the parchment. In a blink the parchment was gone from the Goblin’s desk. “You’ll wait here and not move.” Margok instructed his face blank. The Goblin’s eyes were harsh and promised suffering if he was disobeyed.

“Margok.” A deep voice came from behind Harry and Sirius as the door to the office was opened and a dozen armed Goblins entered the room. The voice came from the largest Goblin Harry had ever seen. This large Goblin stood at least as tall as Drad Erdunn, though Harry thought the Goblin might actually be a bit taller than the Dwarf. “Has it truly come into our Halls?”

“Yes, King Ragnok.” Margok bowed to the large Goblin.

“Do not move.” Ragnok growled at the Wizards as he moved over to the desk and touched the blade with the claw of his index finger. Once again Harry felt Magic moving through the blade. This time it was far more mana and it stayed in the blade longer, it even lingered for a brief moment after Ragnok took his claw off the sword. “What is it you want, Wizards?”

“I only want what is mine, Mister Ragnok.” Harry intoned as he stared into the eyes of the large Goblin. The greed and resentment he saw in the Goblin’s eyes was near sickening.

“I am King Ragnok Gringott, Wizard! Do not try to disrespect me in my own Halls!” Ragnok growled threateningly as Sirius and Harry noticed the armed Goblins reach for their weapons. “I could simply take this sword as it is within Gringotts! It is Goblin made and our Treaty with your Ministry allows us to reclaim what is ours!”

“Except that it’s not.” Harry replied evenly. Ragnok and the other Goblins tensed up for an instant. “I know that old story is a load of rubbish. This sword is no more Goblin-made than my wand. Taking it would be theft on your part and it’s not like you can make either of us disappear without starting a war.”

“We’re a bit ‘high profile’ you could say.” Sirius spoke pleasantly though the implied severity of any hostile actions was easily noted.

“So you know your History.” Ragnok scoffed at the teen. “What do you want for it?”

“As I said earlier, I want what is mine.” Harry replied, still holding onto the sword with a tight grip.

“How much is in the vaults under the Potter Family?” Ragnok questioned Margok while never breaking eye contact with Harry.

“Less than fifteen thousand Galleons, plus assorted heirlooms and other such objects, nothing we care about.” Margok answered while glaring at Harry.

“Stuff it all in a trunk and bring it here.” Ragnok ordered and Margok quickly wrote out a note and made it vanish.

“Seems we’ll be done here soon, Harry.” Sirius remarked to his Godson, his eyes not straying from the Goblins in the room.

“Thankfully.” Harry responded as he and Ragnok continued to stare each other down.

Several tense minutes later and two Goblins carried in a plain trunk with a scroll of parchment on top. A few words passed in the Goblin language and Margok pulled the scroll off the top of the trunk. Handing the scroll to Harry the Account Overseer sneered. Harry opened the scroll and went through the list inside. He noted the various amounts of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. A bit of math showed him it was right about what the sum total of the Potter Family’s liquid assets should be. He briefly noted that a list of items, most labelled as ‘Miscellaneous’, was included and skimmed it too. He passed the scroll to Sirius to look over.

“It has the seal, Harry, they have it all.” Sirius remarked and pointed to an odd mark on the bottom of the scroll. “That seal was part of the last Treaty with the Goblins. When they gained full control over the Bank they had to enter into a Magical Contract with the Ministry. It was to keep both sides honest. If they’d left so much as a Knut or even a scrap of cloth behind that belonged to the Potter Family the seal wouldn’t have formed.” He explained as he rolled the scroll back up.

“Then our deal is done.” Harry stated as he let go of the Sword of Gryffindor. Ragnok carefully picked up the sword and moved away from the Wizards. The sword briefly glowed a dark, putrid green before Ragnok smiled a fanged grin.

“Our deal is done.” Ragnok agreed. “Potter, you are never to set foot inside of Gringotts again. If you do so you’ll be treated as an invader and killed. Now take your trunk and get out of my Halls!” Harry and Sirius stood up and took hold of the trunk before heading towards the door.

“Gladly.” Harry tossed back over his shoulder as he and Sirius were escorted from the Bank. Once they were in Diagon Alley again they quickly made their way to the Apparation point off to the side of Slug and Jigger’s Apothecary. Sirius side along Apparated Harry and the trunk back to Wood End Cottage. When the duo arrived they both burst into laughter.

“I can’t believe you pulled it off, Harry!” Sirius laughed loudly as they collapsed onto the grass in the backyard. “You’re certain you can get the Sword back too?”

“That’s what the Sorting Hat told me!” Harry chortled as he patted the trunk containing all of the Potter Family’s wealth and possessions. “I’m just glad to have everything out of the Goblins’ greedy claws.”

“Well let’s get this all inside and start going through it!” Sirius smiled at his Godson as he levitated the trunk inside. Harry agreed happily as he was eager to find out what was in the Potter Family Vault since he first heard of it.

-September 1st ~ Hogwarts Express-

What turned out to be inside the trunk, aside from money, was mostly old clothing and wands of his ancestors. There were also a few trinkets such as fine china and silverware and even a decent amount of books. Harry was more than happy to spend quite a bit of his last few days of summer looking through it all. But now he was on the Hogwarts Express on his way to his Third Year.

“Harry? You seem to be lost in thought, are you alright?” Penny asked as she sat across from him. The train was set to depart in just a few more minutes. Harry smiled at Penny before he got a mischievous thought and decided to tease her a little.

“I’m fine Penny. I was just thinking about my birthday.” Harry innocently remarked. As expected Penny’s cheeks turned pink and she looked away from him. “You three looked nice in those swimsuits.” Indeed, Tonks had gotten up to her own brand of mischief for Harry’s birthday. The Metamorph had gotten Fleur and Penny in on it too, though Penny hadn’t known the full extent of Tonks’ plan. So it came to be that Harry, poolside at the Delacour Chateau, had gotten to see Tonks, Penny, and Fleur in bikinis. Tonks had grinned before, with a snap of her fingers, the bikinis had become much less ‘covering’.

“Those were not swimsuits!” Penny practically hid behind her hands in embarrassment. “Lingerie covers more than those ‘bikinis’ did when Tonks was done!” Considering the fact that said swimwear had suddenly become mostly strings. They barely had enough cloth to cover what needed to be covered and Harry had gotten quite the eyeful. Oddly enough Fleur hadn’t seemed bothered by it at all. She and Tonks had even posed a bit for the teen with teasing grins and smiles. Penny had shown off her ‘assets’ by turning around while also trying to cover herself. Harry had politely covered his eyes until Penny calmed down.

“I don’t think I could have asked for a better gift though.” Harry teased lightly. Especially since Penny, Tonks, and Fleur were all very lovely young ladies. Fleur would be considered ‘perfect’ by most men. Pretty face with deep blue eyes, blemish free skin with a light tan from the summer sun, long flowing platinum blonde hair, her large breasts that had barely been covered in the slightest by the transfigured bikini, her thin waist and flat stomach, the wide hips and long, smooth legs. Veela were known for their physical beauty and Harry had gotten an up close view of Fleur in ‘almost’ all her glory.

“Shush you!” Penny huffed as she flicked a ball of mana at him. Harry chuckled as it ‘popped’ against his forehead.

“Alright, alright, I’m sorry.” Harry apologized for his teasing. “You did look very beautiful though, Penny. You’re a lovely girl after all.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere, Mister.” Penny grinned at him softly.

“Aww that’s too bad.” Harry playfully huffed and Penny rolled her eyes at him.

The two were joined by Luna shortly before the train began to move. Hermione, Padma, and Mandy came by to chat for a while during the trip too. All in all it was a regular train ride to Hogwarts. The only ‘bad’ part of the trip was when Penny had to leave for almost two hours for Head Girl duties. Penny had been so happy to be made Head Girl. Harry, Tonks, and even Fleur had congratulated the blonde on her achievement. When Penny came back she sat beside Harry instead of across from him. Luna had smiled at the sight for some reason, but Harry was too happy to have Penny back to care much. They’d spent the last of the train ride leaning against each other happily.

-Great Hall ~ Sorting Ceremony-

“Hey Penny, where do they keep the Sorting Hat during the year?” Harry asked as one of the new First Years got sorted into Hufflepuff.

“In the Headmaster’s Office, why?” Penny whispered back curiously.

“I need it to keep an agreement I made.” Harry whispered to her.

“What kind of agreement requires the Sorting Hat?” Penny questioned quietly.

“I just need to return something.” Harry looked at her knowingly.

“Oh, are you giving it back?” Penny asked curiously.

“More like getting it back to its rightful owner.” Harry told her before he clapped as a new Ravenclaw started walking towards their table.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Harry.” Penny remarked.

“I have an idea that could very well hinge on this.” Harry smiled back. “If it works out I’ll be able to free up quite a bit of time.”

-September 4th ~ Saturday-

The first weekend of the school term saw Harry making his way to the Headmaster’s Office. He’d gotten confirmation from Sirius about the part of the plan his Godfather was in charge of. He’d also heard back from Drad Erdunn and was pleased as could be that the Dwarf, and his father King Erdunn, would be meeting him shortly. Sirius had already sent ahead a letter to Dumbledore stating that Harry had a meeting in Hogsmeade. Penny, as Head Girl, would be escorting Harry to the village to meet with Sirius. Dumbledore had been curious about the meeting but had let the matter rest when Sirius had said it was for Harry’s Professional Enchanting. Interfering in the Business of another was punishable in court if the Business owner pressed charges.

“Ice Mice.” Harry spoke to the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster’s Office. Why Dumbledore had that set as the password was a mystery to Harry. The gargoyle moved aside and Harry stepped onto the revolving spiral staircase. Once at the Office door Harry was about to knock before he heard Dumbledore.

“Come in, Harry.” Dumbledore welcomed as the door opened by itself. Harry stepped into the large office and took note of the multitude of odd devices. There were bookshelves filled with heavy tomes, and several cupboards along the walls. Sitting on a perch next to the Headmaster’s desk was the same Phoenix from the Chamber. Oh Harry would very much like to get some more samples of Phoenix materials for his research! But for now he’d have to focus and do what he came here for.

“Good morning, Headmaster.” Harry greeted politely.

“Good morning to you as well, Harry.” Dumbledore smiled. “I was a bit confused that you said you needed to meet with me before your Business meeting in Hogsmeade with Sirius. If you’re hoping to ask for business advice I’m afraid I don’t have much experience.” The old man joked.

“I actually need to ask your permission to speak with the Sorting Hat, sir.” Harry informed Dumbledore of his reason for meeting him.

“The Sorting Hat?” Dumbledore questioned curiously. “Why would you need to speak with it? You aren’t trying for a Re-Sorting are you?”

“Is that a thing?” Harry questioned. He’d never heard of it after all.

“Rather rare, Harry, but it has been needed in the past a few times.” Dumbledore admitted.

“Well, that’s not why I’m here.” Harry shook his head slightly. “I need to ask the Hat for something.”

“An odd request, Harry.” Dumbledore mentioned as he levitated the Sorting Hat off the top of a bookcase and onto his desk.

“Thank you, sir.” Harry thanked the old man before focusing on the Hat. “I have need of the sword.” He spoke clearly and the Hat moved a bit. Dumbledore’s eyes widened a bit at the term ‘sword’.

“Where did you leave it?” The Sorting Hat questioned as it faced Harry. “I’m not a Post Owl you know.”

“I apologize, but where it is right now is inaccessible to me.” Harry informed the relic in front of him.

“Fine, fine, just give me a moment.” The Sorting Hat brushed off before it straightened up and a dull thud was heard from within it. Harry reached under the hat and took hold of the handle. Pulling back the Sword of Gryffindor was in his hands once more.

“Harry?! Is that?!” Dumbledore almost choked at seeing the legendary sword of Godric Gryffindor in the Third Year’s hands.

“Yes sir, it is the Sword of Gryffindor.” Harry admitted. “The Sorting Hat can explain the details to you, but I need this for my meeting.”

“I don’t understand?” Dumbledore looked very confused. Harry stood up and pulled his Invisibility Cloak out of his inner robe pocket.

“The stories you’ve heard about Godric’s sword have been greatly altered Dumbledore.” The Sorting Hat spoke up and the old man turned his attention to the ancient hat. While the Sorting Hat was telling the Headmaster the true history of the blade, Harry wrapped the Invisibility Cloak around it. The sword vanished from sight and Harry turned back to Dumbledore.

“Thank you, Headmaster, but I must be on my way to my meeting. Have a nice Saturday, sir.” With that Harry left through the still open door and down the spiral staircase.

“Harry? Harry wait!” Dumbledore stood up from his desk.

“Don’t!” The Sorting Hat spoke loudly, stopping Dumbledore from taking a step. “The sword does not belong to you, to Hogwarts, or even to Mr. Potter. Now that Gryffindor’s Line is gone that sword belongs to the Line that forged it. No one has any right to stop Mr. Potter from returning it.”

“But it’s a Relic of Hogwarts, one of the lost items of the Founders.” Dumbledore stated and the Sorting Hat did its own equivalent of a head shake.

“It is no longer the Sword of Gryffindor. That Family Line is gone from this world. It is the Sword of Erdunn now, just as it should be. Do not make the mistake of thinking you have the right to dictate where that sword goes.” The Sorting Hat stated with a tone of finality.

“I would not wish to become a thief.” Dumbledore sighed as he sat down again. “But how did the story come to be twisted so much?”

“That happened long ago, shortly after I took possession of the sword.” The Sorting Hat began to tell the tale from the information that it knew. It would be a lengthy tale if the Hat told everything of it’s nearly one thousand years of existence. For the sake of saving time though, the Hat would only tell the Headmaster what related directly to the sword.

Harry met Penny in the Great Hall and the two of them were quickly on their way towards Hogsmeade. The village came into view after a short ride on one of the carriages. Sirius was waiting for them at the Three Broomsticks as planned.

“Your associates are already in the private room Harry.” Sirius said in an imitation of a personal secretary.

“Ha ha, Sirius.” Harry deadpanned. “This is important, so behave?”

“If I must.” Sirius chuckled and Penny stifled her giggles at the antics between Godfather and Godson. The trio made their way into the private room of the Three Broomsticks. Waiting for them was Drad Erdunn and his father King Drasurd Erdunn.

“A pleasure to see you again, Erdunn.” Harry greeted the Dwarf he knew. He got a nod back from the Dwarf in response. “It is good to meet you King Erdunn.”

“Not much of a King without a mountain, lad.” Drasurd replied with a tired look on his older face. “Why have you asked to meet with me? Your letter was rather vague.”

“I have something that belongs to you, King Erdunn, and I believe it is more than time that it was returned to you.” Harry answered as he unwrapped the Invisibility Cloak from the sword. Both Dwarves jolted when the sword was revealed and Harry presented it to them.

“Lad, no, Harry Potter where did you find this?” Drasurd asked as he slowly stepped towards the blade.

“Inside the Sorting Hat if you can believe it.” Harry replied. “Was defending the school last year, almost died to a Basilisk, the Sorting Hat arrives with a Phoenix and gives me the sword. It’s a long story, honestly.”

“The sword my father forged.” Drasurd murmured quietly as he looked the blade over. “It’s been so long.”

“Careful with the blade, King Erdunn, I might have accidentally given it a Basilisk Venom upgrade by accident.” Harry informed the elder Dwarf.

“How the hell to you give it a power like that accidentally?” Drad questioned and Harry turned to look at the confused younger Dwarf.

“Shoved it through a Basilisk’s head and it got coated in the venom.” Harry explained sheepishly. The teen Artificer was pretty sure he felt Penny’s eyes staring into the back of his head. “But I return this to you, as it should have been long ago.”

“Thank you, Harry Potter.” Drasurd spoke as he picked the sword up and held it before his eyes. “The Line of Erdunn has hope once more.” The sword suddenly glowed and the inscription on the guard that read ‘Gryffindor’ changed until it spelled out ‘Erdunn’. The rubies in the guard almost seemed to have fire in them as the sword’s innate Magic synced with Drasurd’s Magic. The ‘Claiming’ was a sight to behold and when the Magic died down the sword almost looked brand new. It gleamed with a light that had never been present in all the time Harry had it in his possession.

“Haven’t seen a smile like that on your face in ages, father.” Drad smiled at his father. Indeed, Drasurd had a smile on his bearded face, to Harry it looked like the weight of years had suddenly left the Dwarf King. The elder Dwarf switched the Sword of Erdunn to his left hand and extended his right hand out to Harry. Harry returned the gesture, expecting a handshake, only to find his forearm grasped. Realizing what Drasurd was going for Harry clasped his hand around the Dwarf’s much thicker forearm.

“From this day forth, Harry Potter is a brother to the Dwarves of Erdunn, if ever you need our aid you have but to call on us.” Drasurd intoned and Harry felt a shift in his Magic. On his forearm a small symbol had appeared. Harry surmised this was a Magical Rite of some kind. The mark was probably the Emblem of the Erdunn Line of Dwarves.

“I am honored, King Erdunn.” Harry replied and the two released each other’s arms.

“Welcome, Brother Potter.” Drad grinned at the teen and Harry grinned back.

“Pleased to be a part of Erdunn.” Harry responded.

“Is there anything you need us for at the moment, Harry?” Drasurd questioned the Artificer.

“Actually, I had a business proposition for the Dwarves of Erdunn.” Harry informed them. Seeing both Dwarves were interested Harry continued. “I recently got my first professional commission. The DMLE wants to make one of my items standard issue to their Aurors. They’ve put in an order for five hundred of them and I simply can’t fulfill that by myself.”

“We would need a place to work, if what you need done is blacksmithing and rune work.” Drasurd replied and Sirius stepped forward.

“Already taken care of, King Erdunn.” Sirius gave a small bow. “I’ve purchased a large building in Diurn Alley that can be used for blacksmithing and as a workshop. It even has a storefront for direct sales to walk-in customers.”

“Sixty-forty in your favor Harry, I’ll not hear another word.” Drasurd had a light in his eyes that showed a surging of emotion. Harry was fairly sure that emotion was Hope, a newly rekindled Hope for the future of his people.

“Alright, but we’ll renegotiate for an even split in ten years.” Harry agreed. He wanted the Dwarves to have the appropriate compensation for their time and skills after all.

“Very well.” Drasurd chuckled along with Drad.

“I’ll show you the plans for the items I’d like you all to make. You can also make your own items and sell them in the storefront. All the profits of those sales are yours to do with as you please.” Harry told his new business partners.

“I’ll sign the Secrecy Contract and bind my people to it in regards to your creations Harry.” Drasurd promised the young Wizard that had already done so much for his people.

From there Harry, Sirius, and Drasurd had spent the next two hours going over the Secrecy Contract that Sirius had drawn up by a legal professional. Sirius had also spent the equivalent of nine percent of the Black Family fortune to buy an iron mine. The land the mine sat on had belonged to another Magical Family that had long abandoned the site. The Wizards and Witches of that Family had fallen on hard times since the war against Grindelwald. Now they were more than happy to restore their wealth by selling a piece of land they didn’t even use.

Drasurd had barely kept his emotions in check when Sirius had said that the Dwarves could work there to mine iron ore and any other metals they found. The Dwarf King felt real hope for the returned prosperity of his people. For the first time since they’d been driven to the edge of the Magical World the Dwarves had a real chance, Mining, Smithing, and Crafting! These were the true callings of the Dwarves! His people could finally have their respect and dignity back!

Needless to say all parties involved had happily signed the Contract. That night the Dwarves had celebrated for the first time in far too long. They had a real chance to secure their future now! They had their Ancestral Sword back. They had steady, respectable work for good wages! The only thing they were still missing from before they’d been all but exiled was a Mountain Hall. For some reason Drasurd was fairly certain that the Dwarves would even get that back with their continued brotherhood with Harry Potter.

-End Chapter-

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

So the Goblins think they are the only ones that can be tricky and underhanded? *Laughs in Human*

So Harry has gotten all Potter assets out of Gringotts. He and Sirius now have a joint venture with the Dwarves. The Dwarves have their Ancestral Sword back, plus steady, respectable, well paid work.

Harry even got his first professional commission from the DMLE! Thankfully with the Dwarves working with him he now has the workforce necessary to meet such numbers! Things are looking up for the Harry and his friends!

Now how long will that last?

Keep reading to find out!

Current Mana Levels

Harry – 5,208

Tonks – 6,524

Penelope – 5,742

Fleur – 6,000+

Until I get your reviews, later!