C18 Gringotts
(A/N: Want to read ahead of what I've posted so far? Go to my patreòn and get early access chapters.
As of this chapter, the patreòn is 4 chapters ahead at chapter 22. Chapter 23 is almost done. I'll probably be posting 2 chapters tonight.
https://www.patreón.com/AlienWarlord
Get on Discord https://discord.gg/JhVeZn5)
[Do I really have to say it? Hand em over. OR ELSE!]
"Follow along!" Professor McGonagall calls out as she leads Bruce and Alfred towards an imposing snow-white multistoried marble building located partway down Diagon Alley, near its intersection with Knockturn Alley.
Gringotts Bank.
The huge building towers over the neighboring shops and seems to have a slight bend to its design. Whether that was planned or the building is structurally unsound is unknown.
Walking up the marbled steps, the group was met by a sign displayed on the front doors of Gringotts bank.
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...
"Very ominous..." Alfred comments offhandedly.
"Yes, goblins aren't the most welcoming bunch, so be on your best behavior and don't take any insults to heart. It's just the way they are." Professor McGonagall explains before they go inside.
"Goblins?" Alfred raises his brow questioningly.
"You'll see." She says as she opens the door and leads them into a lavish and clean bank with marbled floors, pillars, and a grand crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
On either side of the room, small humanoid creatures sat atop teller stations, grumpily helping customers with sneers adorning their faces.
'Goblins...' Bruce thought excitedly.
Goblins were short and fair-skinned, as they spent very little time outside. They had very long fingers, ears, and feet, dome-shaped heads along with large noses.
"What do you want?" A goblin asks as Minerva leads them towards an empty teller.
"We need to exchange some muggle money." She says and gestures toward Bruce and Alfred.
Hearing why they're there, the Goblin's face lights up with a greedy grin. Exchange rates change from goblin to goblin. If he can up the exchange rates then he would walk away with a nice profit for himself.
Depending on how much muggle money they are exchanging of course.
"How much would you like to exchange?" The goblin asks in a much more professional manner than before.
'What a two-faced little sh*t' Bruce thought in amusement.
Seeing this Goblin's obvious behavior, Alfred hesitates to do business with this teller.
"How much is the exchange rate?" Alfred asks suspiciously.
"1 Galleon for 10 British pounds." The Goblin declares without a single ounce of shame.
That's double the rate that Minerva told them it would be.
"What!? That's outrageous!" The stern Professor exclaims in outrage.
"That's the exchange rate. If you don't like it, feel free to find another bank." The short pointy-eared creature sneers, knowing that there are no other Wizarding banks.
Minerva just stood there speechless with her mouth hanging open. She's been overcharged by goblins before, as they are a naturally greedy bunch, but never before has she been so obviously and blatantly ripped off.
"No need for that. We'll merely find another teller." Bruce says and walks away towards an open teller across from them.
Seeing her future student's mature response, Professor McGonagall was fairly surprised and impressed as she and Alfred follow behind him, leaving a shocked and infuriated Goblin behind.
After negotiating with many tellers, they were finally able to bring the price down to what Minerva originally told them.
Goblins aren't very united unless it comes to politics or war, which is why Bruce's strategy of shopping for better exchange rates worked so well.
In fact, Goblins are very divided when it comes to money. Every one of them is born greedy and would gladly fight for clients and customers.
The funny thing about this was the look on every Goblin's face as Alfred opened a briefcase and handed over £100,000 to the one Goblin to give them a fair rate.
All who tried to overcharge them were drowning in envy, while the lucky goblin collected his winnings.
Shortly after handing over the stacks of money, the Goblin handed over a magically expanded coin pouch filled with 20,000 Galleons.
After handing over 7,000 for Hogwarts tuition to Professor McGonagall, Bruce had 13,000 left which should be more than enough for today's expenses.
Unless something truly pricey catches his eye. In that case, he would simply get more money and come back though.
"Nice doing business with you!" Bruce calls out over his shoulder as he walks out of the bank with his new gold coins.
"Where to first?" Bruce asks excitedly.
"Well, we should start with robes as they may take some time to finish." Minerva says as she leads Bruce to MADAM MALKIN'S ROBES FOR ALL OCCASIONS.
After getting measured and fitted for all the clothes that were listed on the Hogwarts acceptance letter. Bruce made sure to buy the most high-end version he could, with the best quality materials and enchantments for things like size control, heating, cooling, and cleaning.
While waiting for the clothes to be finished, Minerva lead them from store to store, buying all of the supplies Bruce would need.
Course books (Along with some books that caught Bruce's attention)
A trunk
A cauldron
Crystal phials
A telescope
Brass scales
...
After buying everything on the list, Minerva took them to the place Bruce was most excited about.
Ollivanders
He would finally get a wand, which meant Bruce would be able to feel and use his magic soon.
Just the anticipation of grasping the wand that chooses him causes Bruce to vibrate with excitement.
'Ding ding'
The bell on the shop's door chimes as Bruce walks inside before Minerva could explain anything. She didn't even tell him what type of shop it was, but Bruce didn't care.
He's too excited to finally use his magic.