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Heavy is the Crown (Harry Potter) Chapter 21: Gringotts Bank
🕑 Added 2025-04-09 21:00:07 +0000 UTC[Third Person's PoV]
Arthur returned inside for breakfast after his usual morning training. Even if it was a special day for him, that didn’t mean his routine was going to be broken.
After showering away the morning sweat, he sat down at the table. Merlin placed a warm plate of birthday breakfast in front of him.
“So,” Merlin began, eyeing the thoughtful expression on his face, “judging by that look in your eyes, I take it you already have an idea of how you want to spend your day?”
Arthur gave a slow nod. “I do. There are a few things I want to take care of…”
He reached into his shirt and pulled out a small key tied around his neck. “I think it’s time. I’ve delayed this moment long enough… It’s time we go to Gringotts and open the Pendragon Vault.”
“Oh?” Merlin raised a brow, surprised. “Why now of all times? Is it because you turned eleven?”
Arthur shook his head. “No, it’s something much simpler. I’ve finally figured out the alchemic formula for the project I’ve been working on. It took me a while, but I’ve done it. I don’t want to use the money from my books—that’s reserved for the business I’m starting. So I’ll need additional funds. And honestly, I might need Gringotts’ help to get things running.”
Merlin nodded, understanding. As they ate, she asked, “Are we stopping by the Flamels first, or going straight to Gringotts?”
Arthur chewed thoughtfully before replying, “Gringotts. If we go to Penny first, she’ll throw me a celebration that’ll last the entire day—and we won’t get anything done until tomorrow. I’d rather get this over with.”
“Alright, I’ll send them a note explaining the delay,” Merlin said. “Once you’re finished eating, get ready and I’ll take us to Diagon Alley.”
Arthur finished his breakfast and headed to his room to change. He dressed in a white and gold three-piece suit, the middle hem of the jacket split into two elegant tails. Even his usual black gloves had been swapped for white ones. He looked refined—like a young aristocrat.
Deciding not to bring their furry companion, Arthur and Merlin left him behind with plenty of food and water.
The two apparated to an old, abandoned shop they’d discovered during Arthur’s previous book tours. From there, they calmly made their way to the northern end of Diagon Alley—toward Gringotts.
It wasn’t hard to find. Gringotts was an imposing, snow-white, multi-story marble building that towered over the surrounding shops. Located partway down the alley and near its intersection with Knockturn Alley, the bank’s grandeur was unmistakable.
As Arthur stared up at it, Merlin glanced his way. “Nervous?” she asked.
“More like excited,” Arthur grinned. “I want to see what kind of treasure I’ll find in the vault.”
They climbed the white stone steps to the burnished bronze doors, flanked by a goblin in a scarlet and gold uniform. Contrary to the green-skinned versions from fiction, these goblins lacked any such pigmentation. They were pale, short, and sharp-eyed.
Arthur smiled warmly at the goblin doorman. “Greetings.”
The goblin said nothing—only stared at Arthur with a strange, wary look. He seemed… unsettled.
Arthur glanced at Merlin, confused. She simply covered her mouth and chuckled quietly.
Unbothered, Arthur stepped forward and opened the bronze door for her, bowing slightly. “Ladies first~”
“Wow, such a gentleman~ And they say chivalry is dead,” Merlin teased with a pleasant smile.
“As long as I’m around,” Arthur replied with a grin, “chivalry is eternal.”
That earned a hearty laugh from Merlin as the two stepped inside Gringotts.
The bronze door only seemed to lead into a small entrance hall. The actual way into the bank was guarded by a silver-inlaid door, and engraved in bold letters for all to see were the words:
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed.
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
“That is such a cool verse,” Arthur said with a sigh. However, before he could open the door, Merlin stepped forward and did it herself, motioning for Arthur to enter ahead of her.
Arthur strutted inside, his white-gloved hands in the pockets of his matching white trousers. His coat, draped casually over his shoulders, fluttered with each confident step.
He was greeted by the sight of a vast marble hall, with long counters stretching across its length and doors leading off to various vault passageways. Nearly a hundred goblins were stationed behind the counters, busy at work.
Arthur and Merlin approached the nearest available goblin. The nameplate on the marble counter read Goburk.
“What do you want?” Goburk asked, looking down at them with a mixture of boredom and suspicion.
“We’d like a private conference,” Arthur replied, his tone firm and authoritative. “The matter we wish to discuss is not for public ears.”
Goburk raised an eyebrow. “And who are you? By whose authority do you demand such a privilege?”
Arthur didn’t reply with a name. Instead, he reached beneath his shirt and pulled off the chain that held a key, holding it up for the goblin to see.
“Pass it here,” the goblin demanded, snatching the key and pulling out a monocle. As he examined the key, his expression shifted. His eyes widened, and his breathing hitched.
In a tense, almost threatening voice, he asked, “Tell me, boy—where did you come by this key?”
“Grant us the conference, and then we can discuss that matter,” Arthur said calmly, holding out his hand.
The goblin hesitated before handing the key back. “Cover for me,” he said to a nearby goblin, then quickly climbed down from his perch.
He approached Arthur and Merlin. “Follow me.”
The two followed as Goburk speed-walked through a series of doors, eventually reaching a long corridor lined with more rooms. He stopped at one of the doors and pulled out a keyring with several jangling keys. After isolating the correct one, he inserted it into the lock, and with a satisfying click, opened the door.
Inside was a private chamber, heavily warded and enchanted to prevent eavesdropping.
The goblin hurried to his desk as Merlin closed the door behind them. Without wasting time, the goblin demanded, “Where did you find it? The key to the legendary vault of the Pendragon family—where did you get it?”
“Before that,” Merlin interjected smoothly, “we require a magical contract. A non-disclosure agreement. No one is to hear or speak of what is about to be discussed.”
“I know what an NDA is, girly,” the goblin snapped, rolling his eyes. He squinted at them, clearly debating whether to proceed.
But the key was too tempting to refuse.
With a reluctant sigh, he pulled out a sheet of enchanted parchment from his drawer.
Arthur let Merlin handle it. She filled out all the clauses, ensuring airtight protections and severe consequences should Goburk break the agreement.
Once complete, Goburk signed his name with a grumble, and Arthur signed his just below. The moment Arthur's quill left the paper, the goblin’s eyes widened, his jaw dropping as he read the name.
The document magically duplicated—one copy flew into Goburk’s hands, while Merlin collected the other.
“You… what… what is your name again?” the goblin asked, stunned.
Arthur leaned back in his chair, interlocking his fingers.
“My name is Artorius ‘Arthur’ Pendragon, Head and heir of the Pendragon household,” he said with a smile. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Comments
Bryan Vargas
Wait...
Vilmer
Head and heir?
