Resolving problems

Saturday morning saw Harry meeting with Madam Bones and Auror Shacklebolt again. First, the Auror confirmed that the school was completely cleansed of Dark Items, save for the storeroom for them next to the Heir's offices. The forest was well on the way to being cleared, especially due to the recent decrease in acromantulas.

Bones confirmed that the trials were continuing apace for those who had been revealed at the Hogwarts session. She also had word from St. Mungo's that Sirius was declared fit enough for visitors, and she had told his protective detail to expect Harry. Similar news had been delivered to Neville the night before, and though his parents were not up for long visits, he could see them briefly every day.

The Minister also approved granting permanent, multi-use portkeys to the families of all Muggleborn students, which would allow them to attend parent-teacher conferences, games of Quidditch and the other new sports, and the monthly Parent Weekends. A Portkey receiving room had been created next to the Heirs' offices, with an alert ward that would summon a House Elf if anyone appeared in it.

Madam Bones had a petition from Narcissa Malfoy, in proxy of her husband, to convene the Hogwarts Board of Governors and overturn the actions of the Heirs. Harry quickly pointed out the charter of the school, which made no provisions for a Board of Governors, and officially disbanded it, promising to create what he called a Parent-Teacher Board in the future.

Madam Bones also brought up a suit from a nameless parent, which Harry had been expecting all week. This parent claimed to have been under the Imperius when receiving their Dark Mark, and was appalled that they would be denied access to their child.

Harry smirked as he gave her their official answer, which he also intended to send to the Prophet. "We at Hogwarts by no means deny a parent's right to their child. Students may leave the campus at any time, provided proper notice by a legal guardian has been submitted to the Assistant Headmaster and the student's advisor. Also, parents are welcome at Hogwarts, provided they have not committed some heinous crime, such as willingly joining Voldemort. It a parent can prove, under Veritaserum, that they did not willingly accept the Dark Mark, then of course the Wards will be adjusted accordingly. However, for the safety of our other students, we cannot in good conscience do otherwise."

Madam Bones also smirked, knowing that Harry's reply had effectively shut down any future complaints. They quickly finished up their remaining business, and Harry escorted them to the Apparition point.

Harry had a few minutes' time to check in on Hermione, who was still interviewing teacher candidates, and she let him know that Neville had just gotten back from St. Mungo's and had also checked in with her before heading out to the orchards.

It was soon time for Harry's next appointment, and right on time a House Elf led the Goblin contingent into his office.

After exchanging the traditional greetings, Harry got right down to business. "So, updates on the Defense Curse and wardings?" he asked.

Toughnut stepped forward. "Curse Breaker Weasley and I identified the curse and found it on the doorframe between the Defense classroom and office. Every time a person crossed the door's threshold, they would get a dose of it. Students or other teachers who only entered occasionally wouldn't be affected, but over weeks and months of encountering it daily, the target would be affected. Because of its subtlety, we are unsurprised that Wizards missed it."

Harry smirked at the dig, "Most wizards are rather oblivious, aren't they? Did you remove it?"

"We did," Toughnut confirmed.

"Excellent, then we have just one more project for your department. The Aurors have collected a trove of Dark items from around the school and placed them in storage around the corner behind the black door. We would like an itemized list of the objects and what curse or curses are upon them. We would then employ your services to break the curses as applicable."

Toughnut's grin widened. "We look forward to it."

"Next, the Warding," Warclaw said. Toughnut stepped back and Sharptooth replaced him.

"We have finished the assessment of the wards and submitted our proposed scheme," he began.

"And we approve of it," Harry said, pulling the roll of parchment from his bottomless satchel. "Here is our copy, signed by all three heirs."

"Thank you," Sharptooth accepted the parchment. "Then we shall be able to begin as soon as you would like. With the number of people crossing the boundaries every day, it might be better to make the changes at night."

"Yes, it wouldn't do for someone to cross the boundaries mid-warding," Harry mused. "I'd prefer splinching over getting tangled up in a warding."

Again, the goblins showed surprise at his comment; wizards and witches rarely knew the consequences of a failed warding, and one Harry's age should not have experience with apparition and splinching either.

"Can you do it tonight?" Harry asked, "Or will you need another day to prepare?"

Sharptooth and Warclaw exchanged a look. "We can be ready tonight, Lord Slytherin," Sharptooth said.

"Excellent!" Harry rubbed his hands together. "I love it when things work out. This is why we hire experts!"

Very pleased, Sharptooth and Toughnut left the room, leaving the two Account Managers with Harry.

"With regards to your hiring plans, I take it you are also pleased?" Warclaw asked. The Heirs had set up payroll services with the bank, so he was well aware of how their hiring was going.

"Yes indeed!" Harry said. "I am especially pleased with some of our language teachers." The students were going to be in for a surprise when their teachers were introduced. "It is good for the students to get a broader view of our fellow beings than what is taught in limited and sometimes questionable texts. The more they see all beings working together for a common good, the better!"

"Indeed, Lord Slytherin," Warclaw said respectfully.

"Now, what else?" Harry asked.

"With regards to tuition, we have the documents you asked for," Warclaw said. Griphook opened his briefcase and pulled out a thick banker's box, which he passed to Warclaw. The latter then passed them to Harry. "This contains all of the relevant information on each case. We also found several instances of Muggle families applying for loans from Gringotts during the summer months. Since they claimed the money was for Hogwarts supplies and tuition, but it was several times higher than the stated tuition amount, Gringotts rejected them for fraud."

"You think those were Muggleborns being overcharged by Dumbledore?" Harry asked curiously.

"We do. Most of those families do not appear to have gone to Hogwarts. They might prove a good starting point for your investigations."

"Thank you!" Harry said. "That will indeed be helpful."

"Now, about Dumbledore's theft," Warclaw continued. "We now have a complete list of his thefts, but have run into a snag while making reparations. His vault has run out of money, and the usual Gringotts procedure is to sell off his possessions."

"But he admitted to stealing many of those," Harry realized.

"Exactly," Warclaw nodded. "The DMLE is endeavoring to get accurate lists of every item stolen, but the subject is proving… shall we say… difficult."

Harry snorted. That word certainly fit Dumbledore. "Are they using Veritaserum or looking at his memories?"

"I am unsure. We shall enquire." Warclaw said.

"Good." Harry said grimly. "He confessed to taking Potter family heirlooms after getting my parents killed, and I want them back."

"We are working closely with the DMLE on this, as it directly affects our own investigations," Warclaw promised him. "Once the stolen items are returned to their rightful families, we shall sell the rest to finish the monetary reparations."

Harry nodded. He trusted the goblins to make sure that every knut went to the proper victims.

"Speaking of reparations, we have news about your family house in Godric's Hollow," Warclaw said, pulling forth a new parchment from his file.

"Oh?"

"It seems that the Ministry claimed the land as a monument the week after your parent's deaths."

"I see." Harry said. "What are my options?"

Warclaw waved Griphook forward. "The Potter accounts have been paid nothing for this use," he said. "You could sell them the land, or you could keep it and charge them rent."

Harry thought for a few minutes and then smirked. "Please figure out what appropriate land rental fees are for the last ten years, and charge the Ministry accordingly. Under a yearly rental, they would be paid through this November. At that point, give them the option to buy the land at current market value, plus a little something for historical interest. If they chose not to buy, inform them that the land will be hidden from passers-by, and I will decry the Ministry for attempting to profit from the orphaning of an innocent child."

Warclaw and Griphook wore matching smirks; Harry truly had the mind of a Goblin. "It will be done, Lord Slytherin," Griphook said respectfully.

"I assume Hogsmeade is in a similar situation?" Harry asked.

"Indeed," Warclaw nodded. "A few hundred years ago the Ministry began to rent, and eventually sell, the lands of Hogsmeade. Currently, a handful of shops and a dozen homes have been sold by the Ministry. They continue to collect rent on the other properties."

"Excellent!" Harry rubbed his hands together. "First, the heirs demand all moneys obtained by the Ministry from Hogsmeade to be immediately paid into the Hogwarts fund, including back interest. We also demand all paperwork dealing with said sales and rentals. New rental contracts will be drawn up for all current tenants, and those monies will be paid to Hogwarts. We shall deal with the illegal sales as soon as we have gone over the contracts."

"Yes, Lord Slytherin," Warclaw said happily.

"Anything else for me?" Harry asked.

"That is all at this time."

"Wonderful! As always, it has been a pleasure doing business with Gringotts!" Harry said.

Both Goblins bowed respectfully in return before leaving. Harry returned the gesture before moving on to his next meeting.