Disclaimer: When young, the weird things you do in secret are always known by your momma.
*****
Daphne sagged and seemed to melt onto a chair as soon as she was sure the Ministry's inspector wasn't going to return. She shared a look with her cousin, neither of them had so much as heard of an inspection that had gone half as well, not even one conducted on a business belonging to Lucius 'the Minister's in my back pocket' Malfoy.
"Potter said he'd taken care of it," she mumbled to herself.
"I told you there was nothing to worry about," Hermione sniffed. "Like you said; Harry arranged everything. If Harry says something's been taken care of, it has been."
"Don't suppose he'd be willing to help us with a few other things?" Tracy asked hopefully, tongue darting over her lips as she contemplated the possibilities.
"Like what?" Hermione prompted, eyeing the girl with no small amount of suspicion. It wasn't that she distrusted her two business partners per say, but Harry already had a lot of time consuming activities on his plate and she was more than a bit reluctant to add to them if she didn't have to.
"Ministry isn't the only one that asks for donations," Daphne said sourly. "More than a bit surprised that no one's come by to ask us to pay 'insurance' to keep any 'accidents' from happening to our business."
"Likely because we haven't moved much product yet," Tracy opined. Could also be their new partner's staff, she reflected to herself, no one messed with Goblins if they wanted to stay above ground. They treated threats as challenges.
"Harry's already looking after our business." Her lips pursed as she considered the matter. "I could ask Harry to look into it for your father's businesses when he has a spare moment if it's really important," Hermione offered. "Just realize that it might take a while before he has a spare moment. He's really rather busy these days."
"It'd take a while to talk our dads into agreeing to bring him in on this anyway," Tracy giggled. "Thank you, Hermione. We'll talk to you and cousin Livy after we get their agreement. It may take some time but I'm sure they'll agree after hearing how things went."
"We owe you one," Daphne agreed, looking like she hadn't liked admitting it. "We personally that is, not our family or business."
"They're not the same thing?" Hermione asked, looking a touch confused. "Sorry, none of my business."
Sprocket suppressed a grin at his Chief's words. A goblin in human skin. He'd been more fortunate than he'd known at the time when he'd been offered a chance to seek service under the heiress of Clan Granger.
IIIIIIIIII
Hooktooth's entire attention was on the corpse of the great serpent. It filled the entire chamber, coiling from one end to the other, a long sword like fang jutting from the thing's half closed jaws. How in the hell had the Potter done this even with the aid of a phoenix? He'd have laid odds on it against any three of the security dragons and counted himself fortunate for every sucker dumb enough to take a bet against it.
"What do you think?" he asked the security chief, trying and failing to tell himself that his analysis must be flawed and hoping that the other goblin could give him something better.
"I think I didn't bring enough guards," the other goblin said calmly, eyes searching the chamber for hidden threats.
"What?"
"My instructions are to see that you are protected against all possible threats. All possible includes the Potter, I did not bring enough guards." The old goblin sighed. "I find myself sincerely hoping that he did not take that as an insult."
"No need to worry, humans don't think like that," Hooktooth said absently, unable to rip his eyes away from the corpse.
"Humans can't kill a beast like this when they're children either," the older goblin replied. "Or when they're adults which begs the question; How sure are we that he's a human. Sprocket says the Granger Heiress is a goblin in human skin and we're still not sure what the hell the Potter's house elf really is." The old goblin turned to his subordinates. "Find out everything else you can about the Potter's triumphs and gather what evidence you can as well. Higher ups and analysts are going to want every detail you can ferret out."
"So are the storytellers," Hooktooth added faintly. "The Potter has already performed at least one deed worthy of a saga." He waved his hand at the evidence of the boy's triumph. "Imagine what other tales are lurking in his past. We should see if we can ask for a memory. Hopefully that doesn't offend him."
"Not the first human to be honored, but the first in quite some time," the chief of security agreed, trying to decide the proper number of security goblins to bring with him to the next meeting to show the proper amount of respect and worrying that the proper number would be too large to fit in the town of Hogsmeade.
IIIIIIIIII
Padma rocked back on her heels as the fire changed color, indicating that the floo was connected, and would have fallen if not for the steadying hands of her sister.
"Did you put up privacy charms?" the face in the flames, an Indian man with a neatly trimmed black beard and a strong familial resemblance to her sister asked.
"Yes, father, just like you taught us," she agreed.
"Wonderful. I trust that you are both doing well?"
"We are, daddy," Parvati stated. "Padma's number four in our year."
"Parvati is doing quite well despite not being in the top ten," Padma continued calmly. "Easily in the top twenty."
"Cept in divination where I'm always one or two," Parvati finished. "What did you tell us to floo you for, daddy?"
"I've recently come into possession of some interesting information concerning one of your classmates," their father replied. "What do you know about Harry Potter?"
"He's a terrible date and a worse dancer," Parvati stated firmly. "Though he was sweet enough to apologize after."
"Unlike his friend," Padma sniffed. "Though that bit of information is a bit dated. He's currently involved in several research projects that take up a large amount of his time."
"He spends the rest of his time hiding from the Professors so that they don't have a chance to drag him into even more. Poor boy's so busy that I almost never see him around the common room anymore," Parvati giggled.
"He also controls the largest private security company in the magical world," their father said with a hint of grin. "One that is charged with ensuring the physical security of at least three of your classmates."
"Who?"
"Hermione Granger, Susan Bones, and Hannah Abbot."
"Add Luna Lovegood," Padma said after a moment of thought. "I can not confirm that but it is not likely that she isn't being looked after if Hermione is."
"Hermione Granger is their principle charge."
"Not surprising if they work for Harry," Parvati said, looking as if she'd just been handed a juicy piece of gossip.
"Her family is rich enough to buy and sell the Malfoys with pocket money," their father said simply, silencing both his daughters. "They have a contract with Harry Potter to keep her safe by any and all means necessary."
"You are sure of that, father?" Padma asked dumbly.
"I am."
The twins shared a look for a several moments, sharing the same doubts.
"Do you have any other news to share, daddy?" Parvati asked, breaking the silence.
"Have you heard the rumor that Harry Potter stated the Malfoy manor house was smaller than the Granger family's stables?"
"We have now, daddy." And they'd both see to it that it got passed around, neither was fond of the racist little git or his inbred family.
"Her mother had yours and a number of other society women including Dame Augusta Longbottom over for tea. She states that he was not exaggerating."
"Oh." For the first time, Parvati looked unsure of herself. "She doesn't act like it."
"Unless you consider how she expects to be obeyed when she gives an order or the fact that she seems to regard rules as being meant for people other than herself," Padma laughed. "It makes sense with that in mind."
"Guess so," Parvati mumbled, wondering just how she'd managed to know so little about one of her roommates even after living with her for years.
"Do you want us to get you more information, father?"
"If you can without giving offense. The main reason I instructed you to contact me was to remind you of the fact that one of the reasons you were sent to Hogwarts was to make connections and to point out some valuable potential connections to make."
"Are you telling us to get closer to Harry, daddy?" Parvati asked with a gleam in her eyes.
"I'm telling you that he'd be a good person to be friends with if he is worth befriending," he said. "No amount of potential gold is worth approaching him or spending so much as a second in his company if he is not."
"Thank you, father," Parvati said sweetly. "I am on fairly good terms with Luna," she volunteered. "Though I can not say I know her very well."
"Hermione and I get along just fine," her twin added.
"Good. Be upfront about what you're doing, as I said Hogwarts is a place to build connections as much as it is a place of learning."
"Yes, father/daddy," the twins agreed.
"Good. Padma, I trust you not to let Parvati be overly impulsive."
"Yes, father."
"Parvati, I trust that you will not allow Padma to be excessively cautious."
"You can count on me, daddy."
IIIIIIIIII
Harry noted with approval the way the maintenance personnel watched him as he approached the girls. The imperius and polyjuice meant that no one could be trusted and the return of Voldemort meant a little paranoia was warranted.
As focused as they were on the problem at hand, it took several minutes before the girls noticed his presence and Harry took the time to run his, admittedly amateur, eye over the building to look for possible vulnerabilities.
"Going to have to have another word with Tonks," he muttered to himself. Both to have her run her own evaluation and to have her speak with the workers. Dumbledore's decision not to permit any private security to enter Hogwarts grounds was inconvenient but not insurmountable. All else failed he'd have the Express crew trained as bodyguards and the bodyguards trained as crew. Would take longer than he liked, but-
"Harry," Hermione said in delight, cutting off his train of thought. "How did the meeting with the goblins go?"
"Fairly well I think. Managed to secure a few more workers for you including someone to help you deal with your finances and I may also have laid the groundwork for a trading deal with Gringotts which will likely be profitable."
"That's great, Harry!" Hermione cheered.
"We could do so much more if we had more workers even half as efficient as Sprocket to assist us," Luna agreed.
"Not to mention the fact that the trade deal I'm working on could pay for some of the raw materials and machinery you're using in your projects if I farm it out to your import business," Harry said dryly. "Imagine all the toys you could buy with extra funding."
"That's-" Hermione cut off as she pondered the matter.
"Never thought about where the money comes from?" Harry asked, more than a bit amused by his friend's attitude.
"It never seemed important," she said simply.
"Oh." Harry took a breath. "Your father wanted me to point out the fact that your profits go back to you and can be used to fund further projects."
"They can?" Hermione blinked. "I'd assumed . . ." she trailed off. "I suppose a proper foundry might be nice to have."
"Not to mention how convenient having a steel mill would be," Luna chirped. "And a heavy machine shop."
"Yeah," Hermione agreed, getting a far off look in her eyes. More profits meant more toys, the girl thought to herself. She'd never considered that before. Money had always just been something that was available. The thought of making more of it to ensure she had a steady supply had never seemed important or necessary in the past.
IIIIIIIIII
Daphne waited until her cousin had finished putting up the wards and secrecy charms before tossing a handful of floo powder into the fire and whispering the address.
"Is everything alright?" her uncle asked the second his head appeared in the flames.
"It is, father," Tracy answered with uncharacteristic formality. "Or at least, we believe it is."
"Is my father there?" Daphne asked softly.
"He will be in a moment, Daphne, can you wait or is immediate action required?" Concern marked his features as his mind sought a reason for the two girls' odd behavior.
The two cousins shared a look. "It can wait, father," Tracy stated.
"How is school going?" the man in the flames asked.
"All is well, father," Tracy replied. "There were a few remarks about our partnership with Granger, but as yet, everyone has been intelligent enough to avoid saying anything offensive."
"What about your personal lives?" he tried another tack. "All going well there too?"
"We both maintain that none of the available boys are worth our time, uncle," Daphne answered. "Two or three may have potential after they do a bit of growing up and a couple more that may be suitable if the Dark Lord situation is resolved favorably."
"Muggleborn?"
"Along with a couple of half bloods from what would be unacceptable families if the Dark Lord wins," Tracy agreed.
"I . . . your father's just arrived, Daphne." He moved to the side to allow his brother-in-law to join the conference.
"Father," Daphne stated.
"Daughter," he replied calmly.
"Uncle," Tracy greeted the man.
"Niece," he greeted back. "Why did you two decide to contact us early?"
"The Ministry Inspector looked at the delivery carriage today, father," Daphne began. "We tried to do things the way you told us to, but-"
"But she refused to certify," her father sighed. "I was afraid that would be the case after the head of the department refused to consider accepting any sort of 'licensing fees' until after the inspection." The man exhaled. "How did our new business partner take it?"
"That's not what happened," Tracy said. "She asked a couple perfunctory questions and then granted a permanent unrestricted license for it and any similar vehicles Granger and Lovegood decide to build. From start to finish it took less than five minutes."
"What?" Tracy's father blurted, eyes widening in shock. "That doesn't happen, it's completely unheard of."
"Do you have any idea how this happened?" Daphne's father asked, confusion marring his features. This wasn't normal at all.
"We shared a few concerns with Granger about the inspection. She later informed us that Potter had taken care of everything and that we were not to worry," Tracy reported. "That couldn't be it, could it? I know that Potter is influential but he can't have that much of a hold on the Ministry, can he? Can you explain?"
"What did Potter say?" Tracy's father asked.
"We were unable to get a meeting with him before the inspection," Daphne replied. "We've since been able to determine that he was in a meeting with Dumbledore this morning and spent most of the afternoon meeting with representatives from Gringotts."
"Cousin Livy said that we were not to take his refusal as a snub and that we were not to worry about the meeting because everything had been arranged," Tracy added.
"Find out what you can and keep us informed," Daphne's father said after a moment of thought. "My preliminary thought is that Potter was not the only power involved. The Grangers are connected to the Longbottoms, for example. Just keep your eyes open and we will do the same."
"I concur," Tracy's father stated. "All we know is that Potter interceded on our behalf. We do not know if he was the sole party that did so. In addition to that, while we do know that the parties that interceded with the Ministry did so in a manner that benefited us this time, we do not know that they will continue to do so in the future. It would behoove us to learn more in order to gain a more complete understanding of what occurred behind the scenes. As my dear brother-in-law said; you girls keep your eyes and ears open, we shall do the same."
"Yes,," Daphne agreed.
"We will," Tracy echoed.
IIIIIIIIII
Hooktooth looked a bit shaken when he entered his superior's office a few hours later, mind still reeling from the unbelievable things he'd been able to confirm.
The senior goblin's eyebrow raised as his subordinate took his seat. "Well?" His appetite having been wetted by the preliminary report.
"Which report would you prefer to hear first? The one on the meeting or the one about the Potter?" Hooktooth asked.
"Start with the meeting," his superior ordered.
"Based on information given to me by the Potter, I am no longer sure of our theory that the Potter is proctoring the heiress's test of worthiness," Hooktooth began.
"Why not?"
"The Potter stated that the Granger heiress would likely own the human magical's society before she graduated," Hooktooth stated, mouth dry. "He further stated that while the Granger heiress's appetite for labor was not endless, that we were welcome to send him as many workers as we liked from any sector of society and gave his personal word that he would do all he could to find a place with them if there was not one at the heiress's side. As things stand, either he or the Granger need only say the word and the country will be theirs."
"I see." The senior goblin rocked back. "What of the auditor?"
"He was quite eager to have her and stated that he intended to make her the heiress's personal accountant. The Potter explained that despite her talent for it, the Granger heiress is generally disinclined to indulge of matters of business unless related to her primary passion of engineering."
"What do the analyst think?"
"They're still pouring over the contact reports."
"Alright," the senior goblin sighed, why couldn't the data he wanted be available when he wanted it? "What do you think. Your first impressions only."
"As the Potter stated, the Granger heiress is skilled in both engineering and business. Not surprising considering her lineage, the Granger Clan is among the strongest in the world thanks to their proven abilities to grow wealth. Picture yourself in the shoes of the Head of Clan Granger, your offspring is skilled in two areas, but is prone to neglecting one in favor of the other. What would you do in his place?"
"You would do your best to impress upon your heir the importance of the neglected area, failing that, you find them a trustworthy partner or assistant to help them."
"What if your offspring has enough wisdom to find partners for themselves? What then?"
"You verify that your offsprings choices are good ones and ensure that they are . . . that's what the Granger Clan Chief is doing with the Potter."
"Yes, sir. I believe that if there was a test of worthiness, it was for the Potter to prove that he was worthy of remaining at the heiress's side."
"He passed."
"He passed and in doing so, impressed the clan chief so much that he was made warmaster of the Granger Clan. Note that the armsmen responsible for the heiress's safety are the Potter's sworn armsmen. Note how closely the Potter is involved in the heiress's businesses. So closely that we had assumed he was proctoring the heiress's test of worthiness."
"Warmaster indeed," the senior goblin muttered to himself. "Do you have any other information to support your theory?"
"The Potter offered refreshments at the close of the meeting."
"Go on."
"He then offered a trade deal after I commented on how difficult it was to get cigars of the same quality in the tunnels, insisted I take several cases back with me to help convince those senior to me that such a deal would be in our interest."
"Interesting that he arranged the possibility of opening an import deal with us so soon after the heiress obtained a fifty percent share of a company dedicated to importing muggle luxuries," the senior goblin mused. "Alright. Tell me what happened after the meeting."
"Have you seen the preliminary report, sir?"
"I have."
"The things the Potter's retainer told us were unbelievable," Hooktooth replied. "So unbelievable that it's understandable that we would doubt them."
"Get to the point?" the senior goblin prompted again in a harsher tone, warning his subordinate to get to the point.
"They're true," Hooktooth said firmly. "They're all true."
"Even the part about slaying the fourth founder's beast in single combat?" the senior goblin asked with a hit of disbelief.
"The Potter's retainer took me in to the fourth founder's private chamber to view the corpse," Hooktooth replied. "It's all true. A half grown boy killed a thousand year old basilisk in single combat with nothing but a wand and a sword."
"Further evidence supporting the idea that the Granger clan named him their warmaster," the senior goblin stated. "What did you think of Auditor Spikenose's report on the house elf?
"I noticed he was different but I did not see what she did. I recommend reading Senior Armsmaster Bloodclaw's report."
"Summarize it."
"The creature carefully evaluated each of us when we arrived and spent the rest of the time staying out of arms reach. Based on its body language and positioning, he believes it was prepared to murder all of us if it decided we might pose a threat to the Potter."
"What do you think of Spikenose's belief that the Potter's retainer is not a house elf?" the senior goblin demanded.
"I believe that while it is possible that she is correct, that it is far more likely that the bonds the wizards forced upon his species are being used to suppress their true nature or that his bonding with the Potter has allowed him to take on some of the Potter's traits."
"Or some combination of the above or something else," the senior goblin stated. "We've confirmed he has a bond with the Potter?"
"Yes, though it is different from every other house elf bond the security personnel have seen. They are still trying to find a way to explain how that's possible."
"Have three analysts assigned to the matter and be sure they're given the opportunity to speak with Spikenose and anyone else that had close contact with the creature."
"Yes, sir."
IIIIIIIIII
In a move that would look very much like smoothing one's robes to an outside observer, Anguish checked again to be sure that the tools of her trade had not disappeared since she'd last checked them thirty seconds before.
'Not an hour out of the bank and I've already lost my nerve,' she thought in disgust. Chin straightening, the goblin strode confidently into the wooden structure in which her new chief awaited.
It took only a moment for the goblin's eyes to adjust to the difference in light level. Her proximity wards reported the presence of three humans, one less than she could see. The sound of soft, regular, breathing from deeper in the shop told her the probable location of the missing human. Neither of the two was her new warchief, though the larger human, the female, matched the description of her chief's aide. Well, she decided, nothing for it but to push on and see what happened.
"My name is Anguish," she introduced herself.
"I'm Flint, Mr. Potter's assistant," the larger human replied.
It wasn't a confirmation that the human was the chief's aide, while the human displayed no signs of deception that she could detect, Anguish did not yet consider her a reliable source. Best continue cautiously but respectfully.
"I was instructed to report to the Potter here so that I could swear myself into the service of the Granger Heiress."
"You're going to have to wait a few minutes," the female human stated.
"I see."
"He's asleep at the moment," Flint explained. "That is not meant as an insult to you, he gave strict instructions that he be woken the second you arrive
"You are ignoring his orders?" Anguish asked calmly. It would be interesting to see if and how the individual would try to justify herself to the chief. It would be equally interesting to see how the chief chose to address the situation.
"He doesn't get much opportunity to sleep and Hermione Granger ordered that we weren't to disturb him unless it was unavoidable when he does get an opportunity." The human grinned, being respectful enough to keep her teeth covered. "Both of her parents and Amelia Bones have countersigned that order."
"I see," Anguish repeated.
"We wake him if it can't wait, we don't if it's not time sensitive. I hope you understand."
The human appeared to ready herself for violence, Anguish presumed that it was on the off chance that she decided to make an issue of it. Such was the reputation of her profession, she supposed, terribly useful at times, terribly inconvenient at others.
"I am able to wait as long as need be," Anguish replied.
"Shouldn't be long, he doesn't usually drift off for more than a few minutes at a time. Can't be good for him to get so little rest."
"Is ensuring he gets rest one of your responsibilities?" Anguish asked curiously.
"One of them," the human agreed. "You'd still have to get past Ron even if it wasn't. Between the two of us, that wouldn't be as simple as you might think."
"I am aware," Anguish stated. "I have reviewed all of the material Gringotts had on the incident in the Harpies' locker room."
"Has the auditor arrived, Flint?" a deeper voice called out from the depths of the shop. It appeared the third human had awoken.
"Just got here, boss," the human replied. "Her coming in musta been what woke you up."
Her new chief stepped out of the shadows and regarded his aide with a flat look for a few moments. To the other human's credit, she did not look away until he nodded his head in acceptance.
"My name is Harry," her chief began. "You come highly recommended."
"Thank you, sir. I have adopted the name of Anguish when dealing with humans."
"Welcome, Anguish." He did not offer his hand, showing that he had some knowledge of goblin customs. "The current political environment makes it difficult to have an obvious security detail with the girls at all times. So far as Hogwarts is concerned, your only duty is to help Hermione manage her finances."
"I assume my true duties are to ensure that she is protected, both physically and financially," Anguish asked.
"They are," her chief confirmed. "You have a meeting scheduled with Tonks tomorrow, who serves as the local head of security and with Ms. Jane the day after, who has been the head of Hermione's security detail since she's had a security detail." His lips pursed. "Hermione tends not to acknowledge the fact that she even has a security detail, but will listen if told she cannot do something for her own safety. Just be sure to stress that it is important."
"Understood."
"Do you have any questions for me?"
"I do not, sir," Anguish replied.
"Do not hesitate to speak with me at any time if you have any or any concerns," her chief ordered. "Dobby!"
Anguish twitched at the appearance of the creature her cousin had spoken of. It really did appear to be nothing more than a common house elf.
"Yes, Harry Potter sir?" the still unidentified creature asked.
"This is Auditor Anguish," her chief introduced her. "She is going to be working with the girls from now on."
"Yes, Harry Potter sir! Dobby will be sure to bring an extra meal to Harry Potter sir's Hermy's shed for Harry Potter sir's Hermy's new worker."
"Thank you, Dobby." Her new chief pulled an expensive looking watch out of his pocket and checked the time. "Time for my nightly detention."
"With Flitwick and McGonagall tonight," her chief's aide said helpfully. "Your head of house believes it best for you to explore the potential of combining the two fields."
"If you'll excuse me," her chief addressed her.
"Of course," Anguish said automatically.
"Flint."
"Yes?"
"Escort her to the engine shed and introduce her to the girls."
"Yes, sir."
Anguish followed her new co-worker out of the workshop and across the school grounds to the engine shed that housed the the trains that serviced Hogwarts. They found Hermione and Luna elbows deep in the engine compartment of their new delivery vehicle.
"Got another employee here for you, Ms. Hermione," Flint said respectfully.
"My name is Anguish, Mistress Granger," the young goblin calmly introduced herself. "The Potter has assigned me to help look after your personal finances.
"Harry said you'd be coming soon," Hermione said cheerfully. "This is Luna, we work together most of the time." She indicated her best female friend with a wave of the hand. "That's Sprocket." She indicated a goblin on the other side of the shop who looked anything but pleased to be brought to the attention of the newcomer. "He takes care of our locomotive and helps us make things. Pleased to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Mistress Granger," Anguish stated, making a mental note to investigate both of the indicated individuals. It mattered not that they'd both presumably been vetted by the Granger Clan and Gringotts. They had not been vetted by her.
"Would you like something to eat, Anguish?" Hermione continued. "We were just about to get something."
"Thank you, Mistress Granger, I most humbly accept," Anguish stated, pleased her primary knew enough to keep her close.
"Everyone," Hermione let her gaze sweep across the faces seated around the table. "This is Anguish, she's going to be working with us from now on." After waiting for a round of greeting, the girl then named each of the workers currently present.
"Interesting name, Anguish," the foreman commented.
"Goblins who work with or around humans typically take second names in order to make things easier for all parties." A necessary accommodation when one race lacked the physiology to properly pronounce the other race's language. "These names often have something to do with the goblin in question's occupation."
"That's why your name is Sprocket," Hermione said beaming at the other goblin at the table. "Did you know that, Luna?"
"I did, Hermione," Luna replied. "The Quibbler had a second page article on the subject a few years ago."
"So why did you choose Anguish?"
"It is the feeling most individuals get when they hear that I have been assigned to audit their books," she said with a toothy smile.
IIIIIIIIII
Sprocket did not know how to feel about the new addition to his employer's staff. On the one hand, he could certainly see the benefit to the girl's safety. On the other, it had the potential to be quite detrimental to his own. The fact that she had pulled him aside for a private discussion at the completion of the meal led to him slightly favoring the latter idea.
"Before we begin, I wish to make one thing perfectly clear," the auditor began. "I am not here to punish minor infractions or to discover imaginary sinners. I am here to protect the Mistress from all threats physical and financial. Am I clear?"
"You are," Sprocket said, almost sagging in relief.
"Good. I have chosen to speak with you on this matter because you have been thoroughly vetted and for the simple reason that you are a known quantity; you understand who I am, you understand what I am, and you understand what I am prepared to do should I deem it necessary to do my duty."
Sprocket choose silence as the best answer.
"Who is the mistress's blonde companion?"
"I refuse to break the employer's confidence," Sprocket said woodenly.
"I will give you a couple moments to contemplate exactly what you just said and who you said it to, and what I am capable of doing to you if you persist in being an obstacle," Anguish said calmly. "Speak."
"I refuse to break the employer's confidence," Sprocket repeated, preparing himself for the worst. "I am prepared to face the consequences of my refusal."
"Wonderful." A toothy grin split Anguish's face. "It is good to see that my assessment of you was correct."
"What?"
"I am not the only one of the people coming to take a position in Mistress Granger's staff and you will soon be one of many Gringotts trained technicians in our lady's service. Do you understand what that means?"
"There will likely be several with seniority over me," Sprocket sighed. Nothing good ever lasted, a shame as he'd grown to like helping the Employer with her projects and servicing her personal locomotive.
"That is both correct and incorrect," Anguish stated calmly. "There will likely be some that have seniority over you in the Gringotts system, but none that do in service to the Granger Clan. Something you must imprint in your mind is the fact that you hold your position because Mistress Granger desires it, you can not be moved from your current position by anyone unless our lady desires it. Do you understand?"
"I do," Sprocket agreed.
"See that the new employees understand that as well. This is not Gringotts and as such, the rules and traditions of Gringotts are meaningless. This is the Granger Clan and we are in personal service to the Clan heiress, as such her desires are paramount. Do whatever you must to drive that point home and call me if you need the point driven forcefully."
"My oath," Sprocket agreed. "I will not allow any to go against the Employer's will in anything for any reason."
Anguish nodded in satisfaction. "Without betraying a single one of Mistress Granger's secrets, please tell me what you can about the Mistress's companion."
"What?" Sprocket was confused by the meeting's sudden change in tone.
"Do you need me to repeat my question?"
"Uh, no. I am unsure, but I believe the Employer has selected Ms. Luna, the blonde, to be her junior wife or mistress.," Sprocket said, thinking of some of the rumors he'd heard when he'd gone home to visit. "Ms. Luna is her closest female companion in any case."
"Interesting." Anguish was pleased to get independent verification for some of the speculation in her briefing packet. "What about the rest of the humans here?"
"Though new to her service, I have no reason to doubt any of their loyalties to the Employer," Sprocket stated formally.
"Do you know or suspect potential threats in the castle or the surrounding region?"
"I've heard that there might be some in the castle, not sure who." Sprocket took a few moments before coming to a decision. "Best ones to ask on that would be one of the Potter's armsmen or the Employer's kinsman. The shop foreman may know more." Sprocket considered the matter. "I would like to formally request that you share any potential threats to the heiress that you learn with me, Auditor Anguish."
"Why?"
"Though not any sort of fighter I have pledged my loyalty to the heiress and the Granger Clan," Sprocket stated. "As such it is my duty to prepare myself to defend the heiress. Knowing potential threats will allow me to better prepare."
"True," Anguish conceded. "Very well."
IIIIIIIIII
Anguish found the next person she wanted to meet in one of Hogwarts' smaller greenhouses tending what appeared to be a purple melon.
"Good afternoon," she stated. "I am Anguish, the Granger heiress' new auditor. I wish to have a few moments of your time to meet if you can spare them."
"Alright," the boy agreed, not even bothering to look up from his task. "What do you need?"
It was puzzling. Her files stated the boy was a pureblood and thus should know what her title implied, yet he seemed unconcerned.
"You know what I am," she stated calmly.
"I know what you are," he confirmed, still intent on his work.
"You do not seem worried."
"What me, worry?" Neville grinned, hands going still as he turned to regard the goblin. "Here? With the Peruvian mantrap I cultivated from a seed behind you. Here? With the dart throwing alder on your left, or . . . well, I think you get the idea."
"You're sitting in the middle of a very well crafted death trap," Anguish said, looking around. "One I lacked the knowledge of to recognize."
"Most people wouldn't," he laughed. The boy's hands were clean with a wandless and well practiced charm.
"What do you want in trade to help me achieve enough knowledge so that I'm not caught in a similar trap in the future?" Anguish asked intently.
"You're sworn to protect my cousin?"
"I am."
"I'll give you the family rate," Neville grinned. "I'd like someone to go over the family books and to help me learn enough to maintain them myself. A service for a service?"
"That is acceptable," Anguish stated.
"Wonderful." The boy rose to his feet and indicated that she should follow him. "I've got an area set up back here. Not much, just a place to catch a few hours of sleep if I have to be down here for a while, but it's got a table and a couple chairs so it'll be more comfortable than squatting in the dirt."
A dozen leaf covered vines had been grown in such a way that they twined and wove themselves together to form the table while the chairs were crafted out of old gardening tools and earthenware planters.
"It's not much, but it works," Neville commented as he took a seat. "Would you like anything to eat or drink?"
"I have already eaten today, but thank you for your offer. I came to ask for your assessment on the leader of the pro-dark lord faction," Anguish explained.
"He and the ones he hangs out with are mostly talk. I strongly suggest not getting proactive without Harry giving the go-ahead unless you become aware of an immediate threat." The boy pursed his lips. "Scratch that, if you become aware of any kind of threat, do what you think best and I will back you to the hilt." He laughed. "Get me and I'll heat up the irons for you and hold their feet if you want. The Longbottom family has been looking for an excuse to remove the Malfoys since they slithered in from the continent, but so far the bastards have been smart enough not to give us anything we could publicly act on."
"Here's hoping young Draco isn't as intelligent or lucky as his fore bearers," Anguish said with a smile that matched the one on Neville's face. Wide and hopeful.