Chapter 0022 - Gringotts Banking and Building Society

Tuesday, November 15, 1994

Conference Room 23

Percival Ebonwood's POV

"Hurry up; we're already running late," Professor McGonagall said as she rushed in the last few students. "Oh, deary, we need more chairs. Marcus, would you be a dear and collect a few more chairs from the room next door? Thank you. There are so many students this year. I knew we should have booked a bigger room. Why did they not tell me they were coming before lunch?"

"Steady, Minerva. At least it's not every seventh year student," Horus Slughorn said as he sipped a glass of tea behind the conference table. "You've hosted this event marvellously since you took over from me. This year is no different. Only that, you have a lot more students here. No pressure."

"I also have students from eight different schools, so there is a little smidgen of pressure," McGonagall said. "No, Marcus, place it at the back."

"Sorry, professor," the Gryffindor prefect replied as he stopped what he was doing. He placed the chair at the back for the one's remaining standing.

"Everybody settle down; quiet now," McGonagall said as she walked to the front of the room. "Thank you for your patience. I know we are running a little behind schedule, so I'll try to be as quick as I can. Welcome to this year's career fair. Unlike the one you should have had before, our guest will be informing you of an organisation you can join after your graduation. You would be in a more senior position than most of your peers who decided to graduate early. Now onto our guests.

Horus Slughorn is one of our own and an ex-professor at Hogwarts. He is here on behalf of a private consortium made up of some of the most influential and wealthy members of British society. Nol'Ahta: Representative from Gringotts. He will be informing you about places available at Gringotts Britain. Victoria Buckthorn-Snyde: Ms. Snyde will be informing you about the guilds. Lauren Weintraub: She will be informing you about some ministry programmes that may interest you. Horus, would you like to go first?" 

"It would be my pleasure. I just need to let my old bones jiggle for a second before I can stand up," Slughorn said as he slowly stood up and walked to the front.

Leaning casually against the podium, Slughorn's eyes twinkled with a mixture of pride and mischief as he addressed the eager faces before him. His eyes stayed on me for a moment longer than necessary. "Now, I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say, we have opportunities aplenty for those of you with ambition and talent. I, myself, am one of the founders of the consortium. Alongside some of the most wealthy lords, after the fall of Voldemort, we noticed that the British economy was going to face economic turmoil. The value of the galleon would drop; land prices would rise; and the chances of you finding a job would be close to naught.

The consortium was founded to alleviate those problems. I can not speak for the other departments, but for the potion section, I can. We offer three places for students at Hogwarts. There are, on average, seven potion students per year. We provided jobs for almost half of them. Speaking to friends from other departments, the situation is similar.

When you join the consortium, you will have the opportunity to go for your mastery. The consortium will fund most research projects for a share of the profits. We also have branches around the world. This means we can transfer you somewhere else if you get tired of the weather, effective immediately. I can not tell you how lovely the Spanish sun feels on your skin after a week of boring paperwork under the grey clouds of Britain.

Some openings we have are for potion brewers, artificers in general, rune specialists, and researchers in all branches of magic, as well as department specific recruitment. We also offer you a clear route into management, if that's what you like. 

I'm sorry if this has put you to sleep, but I saved the best bits for last. The salary and benefits. As soon as you sign for the consortium, we offer you a salary that is ten percent above the market rate. We offer a 3,000-gallon bonus depending on your circumstances and repay your educational loan to the ministry. That means the money you earn is yours, excluding tax, obviously. You also get 33 paid days off. 

Sounds good, doesn't it? It's better than what these people offer. Thank you for your time," Slughorn said as he received applause. He went to sit down as Nol'Ahta took his place.

"We're a global, vital, and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world. We're proud to operate offices in a number of locations around the world. From the UK to the US, to India, Asia Pacific, and beyond.

We help communities, individuals, and businesses thrive. And we've created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth, breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

We offer two programmes for graduates like you. Our Expert programme and our Explorer programme. The Expert programme: It's a 1-2 year targeted, fast-track programme focused on developing specialist technical expertise. You will get to work on live projects that builds your experience and enhance your skills. All members of this programme are able to participate in job-based bespoke training from the start, enabling you to go fully-equipped into your role. You will also have access to support from a dedicated talent coach and self-paced learning opportunities always at your fingertips.

We have five main branches for this programme. The most basic position we offer is that of 'Teller'. You will be trained in public relations and how to handle a multitude of different people. As you are going to be the first face most people see, it will be your job to fulfil the customer's needs to the best of your ability. The second position we offer is 'Account Manager'. We only have a limited number of spaces for this positions. Here, you will have a one-to-one relationship with the account opener and will be in charge of growing their fortune. You do get a 2% cut from the profit; however, you will have to swear an oath to make sure you are handling their fortune to the best of your abilities. The next two positions are similar, but fundamentally different. In both occupations, you will be analysing the market, both magical and mundane, to find out where the best place to put your fund is. The difference is that 'Investment Banking' will give you a small portion of funds from the public fund created by the ministry, and 'Market Research' will do it from a fund allocated by 'Gringotts Banking and Building Society'. The last position we offer is 'Intranational Banking'. You will be joining the department that deals with the mundane. Our main partners are Barclays Bank and Nationwide Building Society. In this position, you will be working with muggle experts to try and meet the ICW economical goal of connecting the different populations and species inhabiting Wizarding World. The Explorers programme will allow you to experience three of these branches, and from there, you will choose which one you want to pursue.

Salary wise, we offer anywhere between five percent and fifteen percent above our competitors. We offer very similar benefits as the consortium. I am here after we finish, so if you wish, don't be shy and ask questions. Thank you for listening."

The half-vampire received a small applause before sitting down. Ms. Buckthorn-Snyde stood up and walked to the podium. She placed her notes down before she started speaking.

"Good afternoon, everyone. This is my first time speaking in front of a large group, so please excuse me if I do mess up at some point. So, let's start this off with a simple question: Who here doesn't know what Guilds are?"

About 60% of the students present raised their hands. They were mostly half-bloods raised in muggle society and muggle born. None of the students from other schools raised their hands.

"That is concerning, but I don't blame you. The last time a guild member walked through the hall of Hogwarts was when some of your grandparents were students here. The Guilds are, basically, a collection of the brightest minds and highest achievers in their respective fields working together to help the younger generation grow and develop. All senior members are mandated to take on a mentee and help develop them and their academic skills.

We are the people of progress. We don't live for centuries. Humans don't live for centuries. We can't wait for progress. We make our own progress."

"But, is zat not dangeros? Your methords are prown to erro," said a girl wearing a Durmstrang uniform.

"The Guild recognises that any worthwhile venture involves risk. You can't make a prototype without breaking a few retches. The guild ensures that the risk to human lives is at a minimum. It is in our ethos that 'No great science should ever put lives in danger'.

Now back on track. As I said earlier, every senior member will take on a mentee. They will help them develop and help them in their research. Sometimes, you may get stuck, and those experienced eyes could help you out. Also, it's quite handy to talk to someone more experienced who knows what you're going through.

In the Guild, we usually have a black box in the foyer of the main headquarters where anyone can leave a suggestion of what that Guild should develop. Twice a year, the members select two ideas and make them a reality. Thanks to the collaboration of many greats and random ideas from the public, we have managed to catch up with other continents in terms of progress. We are still behind America and Asia, but we are gaining on them.

By being a member of the Guilds, you have access to one of, if not the best, facilities in the world. The European Confederation has been pumping a huge amount of money into having the best facilities in the world. And, do you know what the best thing about this is? It's worked. Researchers far and wide are returning to Western Europe in the name of advancement. We have, once again, become the land of progress.

As a member of the Guild, you will have access to our resource channels. You will be able to get your hands on exotic materials that are unavailable on the common market. You will also have access to unpublished articles before they go live.

As one of the largest collections of minds in Western Europe, you gain the opportunity to meet industry leaders and experts in their fields. You have the opportunity to pick apart their brains to further your own progress. We also fully support and fund members who want to become educators. We believe education is key and vital. That is why we spend so much money on making it the best in the world. Since Hogwarts reintroduced Guild approved textbooks and lessons, they gained two places on the international ranking.

If you have just been sitting here, twiddling your thumbs, and not paying attention, I just want you to take one message with you. We are here for progress. It is in our blood. If you want to change the future, join us, and we will make it a reality. Thank you."

Ms. Buckthorn-Snyde received a half hearted applause as she sat down. Miss Weintraub stood up and walked towards the podium.