43
*
Gringotts 5 November 1991
*
"Master Shnagrog, I need the service of curse crackers. How much will it cost?"
"Depends on the complexity."
"And yet, to what extent?"
"Between five and a hundred thousand galleons."
For that kind of money, I'll get a platoon of house elves, two helicopters, and a yacht.
"One more question, Master Shnagrog. Is it possible to move more safely to Gringotts? The area in front of the entrance is too accessible for any intruders."
"You see, Master Potter, we provide this service to customers who own five hundred and over a million galleons. Unfortunately, you're not under that condition."
"Thank you for your advice, Master Shnagrog. I have everything for today."
In short, I'm disappointed in goblins based on reflection and goblins' affairs. Let them fight for their rights if they're such galactic assholes. They won't help me keep my head.
.*
Delacour Estate, Alain's office...
3 p.m. November 5, 1991.
*
Delacour, as a good owner, met me standing up.
"Pleased to meet you, Monsieur Potter! It's good to see you alive and well. Have a seat."
"Good day, sir. Thank you, sir."
"You requested an off-schedule meeting, what happened?"
"Sir, did you follow the "toilet incident" in the British press?"
"I did, Monsieur Potter, but the press coverage is too emotional and unconstructive. Did I miss something?"
"You must have noticed that a Muggle-born student, Hermione Granger, was also injured in the incident."
"Yes, I did. But she was still alive."
"Sir, with some information, I can assume she was the one who was the victim of the troll. It was thanks to my emergency portkey that she survived. The victim was Longbottom, and it caused a storm of outrage in the British press. For my part, I declare that I only cared about the man I thought Dumbledore was going to kill. Longbottom's death came as a surprise to both me and Dumbledore."
"Well, what is it?"
"Requires French citizenship for this victim and her parents. A student, if possible, to be placed in Madame Maxim's magic school. All three are fluent in French. They have a Muggle family in France, they've been here often and for a long time. I'm sure Dumbledore and his organization will be hunted down on the island. Besides, we can use her case to show once again the path of our anti-racism policy. The only reason Dumbledore chose her as a victim is that she's a Muggle-born with no one to avenge."
"What's your interest, Monsieur Potter?"
"My interest, of course, is. But in this case, compassion for an innocent victim plays a big role. I cannot leave my fellow citizens in trouble. It's a pity I don't have enough money to help myself in this case."
"Very well, Monsieur Potter. I think it can be arranged. Can you shed some light on the recent unsuccessful escape of Azkaban prisoners?"
That's favor on his part. And when will he decide to demand debt?
"According to my analysts, Dumbledore's actions to restore his reputation should have been expected. The obvious decision was to get the old but very scary scarecrow out of the closet. And the kind of thing that Dumbledore would have seen as a defender in the face of, in an instant, it would have become necessary. His future actions were obvious, easily predictable, and just as easily preventable."
After discussing the development of the campaign in the French and European press, and my achievements in collecting homicide dirt on Spider, we parted.
*
12 Grimmauld Place, living room
I ordered Kreacher to bring in the senior Grangers.
"I went to the Minister of the Interior of Magic France on an unofficial visit today. It is very likely to organize French citizenship for you and get Hermione into the French school of magic. Anyway, even if it doesn't work out, I won't leave you."
With those words, Joan clenched my hand.
"Forgive us for what Hermione said, Harry," she said.
"But Hermione hardly said anything to me."
"Didn't Mr. Kreacher tell you about the conversation he was watching?" Dan was surprised.
"It's his business to keep you out of this house, but not to report your conversations to me, sir."
"Hermione thinks you're evil and dark," said Joan.
"She's right about something. It's hard to call me kind and bright. It's a pity if she thinks Dumbledore is kind and light."
Daniel put his head down, confirming my suspicions. What else would you say to that? Nothing. She'll still have time to grow up and acquire her views, not those imposed by propaganda.
"What are your plans for work in France?"
"We were thinking of opening an internship there, but now there's not enough money for that," replied Daniel, "we'll have to get a job as a private doctor."
"We can do something about it, but not now, but in two months. As you can see from the papers, it's a hot time, and it's taken me almost all my money."
"Did you get involved in the story with the escaped convicts, too?" Dan's not stupid, but you can't call him smart either.
"Don't ask questions that you don't want answers to. These "fugitives" are members of an ultra-radical terrorist group that promotes the murder of Muggle children. And they weren't just propaganda. In the end, they just tasted the same medicine that they so persistently offered to society. You don't have to worry about those rabid dogs. By the way, they were released apparently by the Order of Merlin Cavalier in the first degree, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, the head of Wizengamot and ICM President Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. He wanted to catch a fish in muddy water. At this point, if you'll excuse me, I have a business to attend to."
And my business was to think about the next steps. Let's say the Spider gets kicked out of Hogwarts. Where will he go? Godric's Hollow. Where will Snape go? To Spider End. And if I've almost got my homework done against Snape, it won't be easy to get Dumbledore, although it's a lot easier than Hogwarts. I can't do without a helicopter.
When I was alone in my office, I took the letter.
*
Lady Narcissa Malfoy, born Black.
Dear Aunt Narcissa,
I hope this letter finds you in good health.
There have been many recent events that can be used by the Black and Malfoy families to our advantage.
I would be delighted to see you, if you wish, with your spouse, Lord Malfoy, at the Black family home at 12 Grimmauld Place 12 on Friday 8 November at three p.m.
Sincerely, your loving nephew, Harry Potter, heir to the Black family.
*
"Kreacher!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Deliver the letter to Aunt Narcissa Malfoy, born Black!"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
I forgot to award Kreacher! Should I give him a bigger room? Sleep the Galleons? How do they even award house elves? Buy a wife? Oh, that's the deal!
*
***
*
Soon on the screens
Naruto Clones vs. Wizards
*
Snotty Jones was walking through Knockturn Alley at night. Suddenly he saw a flash of light ahead that cut through the night darkness. The flash blinded Snotty Jones and he scolded. The thief shook his head and saw the boy on the rocks of the street. The strange boy lay before him. And Snotty John didn't like that boy at once. The boy was dressed as a Muggle!
"Damn Muggle. I don't know how you got here. But you're not going to get away alive!"
Snotty Jones quickly pulled out a magic wand and cast a Stupefy spell on the Muggle. The red beam of the stunning spell flew into the victim's body.
Suddenly the boy threw his body away from the impact of the spell in one movement and threw something towards the wizard.
Snotty Jones froze. The wand fell out of his hand. Then the body fell to the rocks of the Alley. A strangely shaped knife was sticking out of the wizard's bloody eye socket.
The little shaggy blond with strange stripes on his cheeks was wearing a strange orange jumpsuit. He was anything. But he certainly wasn't a wizard. And he definitely didn't belong on Knockturn Alley.
The blonde jumped up to Snotty Jones' body and picked up a magic wand. He leaned over the body and took his kunai. Then the boy ran to the wall of the nearest alley and sat by the wall. Suddenly he was out of sight!
The boy was very good at Kakuremino no Jutsu