Lord Voldemort, also known as Tom Marvolo Riddle, “You-Know-Who”, “He Who Must Not Be Named”, “The Dark Lord” and a lot of other names, not a least “You, no, please, mercy, aghhhhhh” heard on the rasping voice of his rat, as Pettigrew read the very secret file on the Potter brat for him.
10 gallons payment to the clerk. It was not the best thing for a Dark Lord to be in the shape of a small child, no respect and cash in advance, and he did not have the power to kill as he wished - yet.
Pettigrew continued his reading: “As regard the heritages of the former Lady Potter, it seems that one possibility to her relation to the Imperial family of Jurai, is through the late Lady Parkes, who was known for her beauty and as the first non-Japanese woman to ascend Mount Fuji.”.
Voldemort thought back, he had visited many places in his search for knowledge, including Japan.
Among the places visited there was a shrine, which was famous for binding a demon. He had found a priest, an old tree and much boredom there, so he had left quickly, for better hunting grounds like the library of the Mahora Academy. The experiences and the knowledge he had gained as the teacher responsible for the Library Exploration Group was a vast part of what had transformed little orphan Tom into Lord Voldemort.
But he should have sensed it, understood it. After all, the tree of the Academy was also powerful. He had been tricked. That would not happen again.
So Lily was the key to his problems with killing the brat Potter. Was that the real reason that Snape wanted Lily to live, not because of “LOVE”, but because of the powers she carried?
What did Snape known? Maybe he should have a little chat with his old friend Severus, soon.
Scene shift
Millicent was waiting, early in the morning. If someone saw her, she would probably be compared to a cat before the mouse hole, of cause not her own cat, since it was much too lazy to hunt a mouse now a day. And of cause, her cats dignity would newer had allowed it to hunt in such a depressing place, but her mouse was a bit bigger than most mice’s. Most of her fellow snakes would have ignored the arrival of a goblin. It had paid off to follow that goblin, but the waiting – it would be put on the bill.
Scene shift
Director Ragnok looked down on the bald head of Griphook, who was lying on the floor before him: “So the new Lord Potter will sell us one dead basilisk and the skin it had shredded in its lifetime?”
“Yes, Director”, answered Griphook: “He claims that he killed it about 1½ year ago in single combat. I saw it body, still very well preserved and the tunnels around the chamber is filled with its leavings”.
Ragnok thought it over: “Very well, offer him 50 pct. of the sale value after expenses”.
Griphook moved his head negative: “Sorry Sir, he demands at least 63 pct. of its sale value, made on a public auction, a set of basilisk amour for him and a knife made of a poisoned fang he has and true silver, and we must pay all expenses for the auction and the goods, including the transportation of the body and its shredding by night and with no one to witness it”.
“Hmm” it sounded from Ragnok: “It seems that wizard has someone to advice him?”
“Yes, Director”, answered Griphook: “He has hired me as an economic adviser in the matter of the disposal of the basilisk for 6 pct. of his gains on the sale”.
Ragnok kicked Griphook in the head with his left foot: “And you think it is all right to steal from your brothers like that”.
“Yes, Director” answered Griphook, while trying to sucking up the pain:” As I work for the Office of Dragons, the feeding of, and do not handle customs relation for Gringott, I have the right to act as an advisor outside of work”.
Ragnok grunted and for god measure kicked Griphook again: “It is allowed. Did you or he take the initiative on making the deal”.
Griphook quickly said: “I did. The young Lord accepted our agreement with little fuss”.
Ragnok grunted at that, went to his desk, turned, and once more spoke to Griphook: “Very well, is there other information you wish to give me, before I return you to the client with our acceptances of his offer”.
“Yes, Director, thank you, I am most sorry to be the one to inform you of a failure to uphold a contract”, answered Griphook.
“What”, exclaimed Ragnok, as he sat down in his chair. If he didn’t have problems enough already with the mess of Bagman.
“After I had delivered the ring to Lord Potter, I was transferred to the Office of Dragons, and given the honor of serving the dragon guarding the Merlin vault” said Griphook.
Ragnok gazed down on his underling. Interesting, that was a job with few option of advancement. That particularly dragon had a nasty habit of eating the goblin, who feed it.
“As the Director is of cause aware of, that particularly dragon was not hired directly by Gringoot, but instead hired by the wizard Merlin, and Gringotts took over that contract, when the bank took over the management of Merlins vault. According to the contract, the dragon has the right to leave the bank to get fresh air every Sunday. Unfortunately, the dragon has been too big to use the tunnel the last 200 years and its inherently magic resistance makes it impossible for it to get teleported out by portkey. Because of that, it has been punishing us according to its contract right by eating one of us monthly”, Griphook said in a rush.
“Yes, I see. And how is that challenge solved? To present a problem without also offering at least one solution is not a good move”, sneered Ragnok in annoyance.
“Yes Sir, I propose that we dig bellow Merlin’s vault, and open up a new access up to the surface for the dragon”, answered Griphook.
“Hmm, I see, an expensive solution, but it would create a new level for vaults below the Merlin Vault, which several Houses probably would pay well for the prestige’s of”, said Ragnok. Funny they haven’t thought of that before. Now to find a way to market the new vaults. Well, that was why he was the Director. “Very well, you have my leave to leave, and send in my secretary on your way out”.
Griphook got up, and backed out of the room, closing the door before him. To show ones back to ones superior was the fasted way to get stabbed in the back – literally.
A little later the doors to Ragnoks office opened once again. His secretary, one of his nephews, who had managed not to irritate him too much, yet.
Ragnok quickly scribbled his orders down and gave the papers to his nephew, saying: “Take the first note to the Office of Contract, the second to the Office of Building and Repairs.
The last note is to the Office of the Kitchen with the list of those who will contribute their body to the coming board dinner, tell the Kitchen I want the meat well done, several of the board members has complained to family members and underlings about the dinner served at the last board. When you have delivered the notes, than set up a meeting for me with the Head of Marketing, understood?”
His secretary nephew bowed his head once more in acceptance, retreated, closed the door before him silently, and then vent to his desk in the front office to check the notes.
Interesting, the first note cited a high price to offer a mere wizard, oh, it seemed that Griphook had a share. Smart. It had been Griphooks luck that the new lord Potter had developed paranoia regarding strangers and would not speak with other more worthy goblins, but the paranoia would undoubtedly help the young lord’s chances to survive.
For the time the odds offered for Potters survival was 1 for 100, with the Dark Lord after him, estimated with a risk of 11 pct. chance to take him out, based on the Dark Lords miserable success the last 3 times and a risk of 88 pct. chance, that he would croak in a Jurain wedding ritual. Well no pain, no gain. But that the boy had killed a basilisk at the age of 12. Maybe he should make a little bet.
The second was for the expansion of the vaults. Good, that would open up new positions in the Bank as account managers. He had some friends who would be grateful, if given their chance to show their worth. And last the note for the Kitchen. Hmm, it seemed that the Head for the Office of Dragons had pissed of uncle. Probably something to do with Griphook again. Griphook was making some interesting waves. Maybe he should invite Griphook to a small party, a little gathering to taste mushrooms. His sister’s latest boy toy was starting to getting annoying, mouthing off and claiming that he should be recognized by the family.It was time that his sister god a new toy to chew on. He added a name to the third paper, and vent smiling about his work.
Scene shift
Millicent watched as the sink vanished and footprint started to show up in the water, she had splashed on the floor, much to the annoyance of Myrtle. Although she had been easy to bribe to go away. Myrtle had a weakness for Quidditch players, like so many others.
Millicent: “Lord Potter, if I can have a moment of your time before your breakfast”.
The footprints stopped.
Millicent: “Yes, Lord Potter. I know you are there. You have been quite good to get away from you many admirers, but I think you have a problem ahead, you need help with”.
Harry’s head emerged from nothing, hanging the air: “Help, why should I need help?”
Millicent laughed: “Your lordship may have quite the way with dragons, but regarding your ability with the fairer sex, I do not think you can expect the same positive results. Who are you going to invite to the ball? The leading champion can’t open the dance alone after all”.
The first test. Yes that had been quite a surprise, who would have thought that.
Scene shift
“And there was the Horntail, at the other end of the enclosure, crouched low over her clutch of eggs, her wings half-furled, her evil, yellow eyes upon him, a monstrous, scaly black lizard, trashing her spiked tail, leaving yard-long gouge marks in the hard ground”. (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Dr. Horn of the Galaxy Academy enjoyed the show, the primitive was presenting for her. It was a splendid way to do field-studies, and she got free child-care too. Her article on the ritual would gain a front-page on the monthly paper when presented – no doubt.
Now to her so-called opponent, hmm, not especial developed, a child, a boy. The boy scanned pretty high on the magical index, lower on the intelligence index, hmm, interesting. Maybe she should get a sample from him. Dr. Washus articles on the locals had been very interesting, but Dr. Washus didn’t seem to be in contact with the magical part of Earth’s population.
“Warning, warning”, her scanner beeped. She called the new info onto her eyes. Shit, that was impossible. A descendent, in the great queen’s name, what was going on here? Fuck, what a mess.
There was only one thing to do – and to do it with dignity. The great queen’s order in regard to her legacy was clear, as was the punishment for breaking them.
She raised her long neck, spread her wings and open her mouth, spitting fire into the air. This had to be done - with dignity.
Scene shift
Millicient continued her talking: “Of cause, some of the girls will probably be willing to fetch sticks and let you rub their bellies, if you ask. Would be an interesting new way of dancing you could start up”.
Harry looked warily on Millicent. She looked as always as a hag in training to him, but at least she wasn’t wearing a whip today. Harry said: “And how can you help me with that. Are you offering to be my companion for the ball?”
Millicent laughed, it was not a pretty laughter. Harry reevaluated, no, not a hag in training, a Dark lady.
“No”, said Millicent: “You are to high-maintenance for me, Lord Potter. I have no wish to precipitate in neither deadly situations nor fighting with a bunch of females over who get to spend the night with you. I prefer to have men fighting for my favors”
Harry thought: “Your wish”.
“This”, said Millicent, as she took a roll out of her school robe: “is a list with every female in Hogwarts, alphabetic, details about their sizes, status, their favorites foods, drinks, songs and whatever is needed to get a date rolling”
Harry took the list from Millicent and rolled it out: “Everything?”
“Yes”, answered Millicent.
Harry: “Including information about their use of whips?”
“Listed, both in regard to their ability to use it, and how they like to use it, if they do”, said Millicent. Millicent laughter could once more be heard.
“Hmm” was heard from Harry, as he read through the list. “What, Hermione”, he exclaimed as he got to ”G”.
“Yes”, Millicent said: “Ganger is, as always, the best in school. Poor Krum”.
Harry looked up from the list and on Millicent and said: “What about Krum?”
Millicent moved her hand to her head as to remove a tear: “You are not alone in your problem with fan girls. He does not have access to a secret lair as you do, and sought refuge in the library. Right into the lion’s den. His date for the ball is Hermione”.
Harry looked down on the list again, it was a pity for the art of Quidditch, Harry had enjoyed Krum’s game at the World Cup, but for the greater good of Harry, well sacrifices had to be made, so much he had learned. Harry said: “Well, what is your price for this list”.
“Nothing” said Millicent and her smile stated to spread. It reminded Harry of the Cheshire cat from that story, their English teacher has read for them in school. What was her game? Suspicion showed on his face.
Millicent: “I do not want to sell the list to you; I want to sell the services of my sneaky devious Slytherin intelligence to you”.
“Why?”, said Harry as his suspicion sky rocked: “What’s in it for you?”
“Well”, answered Millicent and her grin got even bigger: “You did mention in you now famous talk with you royal cousin, that you had another cousin, right?”
Harry: “Dudley, yes, what do you want with him?”
Millicent laughed again: “Marry him of course. That way I gain access to you and your powers, whatever it is in your life as “the Boy who lived”, as “Lord Potter”, as “Prince of Jurai” or as “Emperor of the Galaxy”. You simply just have so many interesting names, and family is family, no matter the name you use”.
Harry stared into the eyes of Millicent, trying to gauges her.
After some time Harry exhaled slowly and said: “I hate my cousin”.
Millicent laughed once more, saying: “Can you think of a better punishment than me marring him, then?”
As pictures of former thoughts of revenges went through his mind, Harry answered: “No, no and I have thought of many. But how will you get him to marry you? A man does have free will and so on”.
Millicent smile turned evil, as some teeth’s now showed in her mouth: “That what you men like to think. Leave that to me, as long as Lord Potter of the Noble and Ancient House Potter, Prince of Jurai, will accept the marriages of Millicent Bulstrode, half-blood of the family Bulstrode, to his cousin”.
Millicent felt her face turn red, as the last words got out of her mouth, while Harry got caught by nervous tics. Millicent statement reminded Harry about the Universe and his particularly role in it. But there was something, she had said.
After a while Harry started to smile also: “A half-blood, yes. Yes. I accept your price for you services to House Potter, Millicent to be Dursley, half-blood of the family Bulstrode. May your marriages be long and blessed”.
Harry felt himself suddenly to be in a much better mood than he had been in a long time and said: “But before I let you go to hunt your future husband, then you should assist me with your sneaky devious Slytherin brain. Who should I ask to the ball?”
Millicent composed herself; her family background had been hell for her in Slytherin, but to Harry, it was security. Her revenges on those who had slighted her would be great, they would be the stories whispered at night in the dorms of Slytherin to the end of time.
Millicent: “Well, that is a matter of taste. If you want large boobs with reed hair, Susan Bones will accept an invitation and more, since she had order to do so by her House”.
Harry: “Orders?”
Millicent started to explain. It would take time, it always did with royalty, but it was the best way to get ahead. The Malfoys hadn’t gained their rank or their wealth on the battlefield.
Read the comments on this episode
See other episodes by Nostrategy
(Posted Tue, 15 Jul 2014 19:46)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.