NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Bridging Worlds
Before leaving Gringotts, Griphook took him to meet the Director. The Director updated Harry as to what was going on politically in the wizarding world and what the position of the Goblins was. He then asked Harry what he thought. Harry replied that he was fed up with the wizarding world and the way they treated him. The Director reminded Harry that the Magical world was much more than just the Wizarding world, and that not all the Magical world hated Harry. The Director had inquired around and found that many magical sentient species either supported him, or were indifferent towards him. These included the Goblins, Centaurs, elves, many werewolf clans, dragons and even snakes. Harry was surprised, but responded that he didn't think he could complete his education in the magical world, at least not right now.
The Director sighed, and asked that Harry not discount the Magical world in its entirety based on the behavior of the British Wizarding world. He then gifted Harry with some books on Goblin culture and on parselmagic. He explained that, as a direct descendant of the Peverell family, of which Salazar Slytherin was as well, Harry had inherited the gift of parseltongue and parselmagic. He was therefore also entitled to the Peverell vaults through inheritance, and the Slytherin vault by conquest. The Director further exclaimed that, as the presence of Gryffindor's sword during the ritual showed, Harry was also a magical descendent of Gryffindor, and was entitled his vault as well. Everything was being moved to the new vault set up by Harry. The Director wished him good luck and requested he maintain contact with Griphook.
Harry walked to Griphook's office in a bit of a daze: Peverell, Slytherin and Gryffindor. Just…WOW! When he arrived at Griphook's office, he snapped out of his daze, remembering the devastation around him after his bindings had been released. With this new inheritance, he could afford to pay for the repairs, and offered to Griphook to do so. Griphook approved the offer in great respect that a wizard would think to make unsolicited reparations to Goblins – will wonders never cease? Before Harry left, Griphook reminded him that England was a member of the International Confederation of Wizards (ICW). The ICW can and does provide OWL and NEWT testing that is recognized worldwide. Griphook suggested Harry look into the requirements and curriculum needed to test at the ICW. Harry thanked him and, with Griphook's permission, Harry called for Dobby who popped him back to the warehouse.
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August 18, 1995. Every day Dobby would bring a copy of the Prophet for Harry to read. He also read the local paper to become more versant in local news and happenings – something he truly lacked. When reading both papers, he occasionally found himself correlating news from the wizarding world with happenings in the non-magical world. He wasn't so much concerned about the wizarding world, but Voldemort's and his Death Eater's actions were definitely affecting the non-magical world, they just didn't know it, and that was something he was not going to be part of or cared for.
In his nearly daily correspondence with Hermione, he wrote her of his desire to advance his non-magical education, and that he was going to buy some study guides. He asked her to ask her mother if they she knew of any good bookstores that sold educational material. In the meantime, the library was going to be his go-to place.
Training
August 18 – On the way back from the library, Harry found the local YMCA where they had a swimming pool, gym, and other programs. As he never really learned how to swim (using Gillyweed didn't count), he signed up to take lessons every day for an hour for the next two weeks. He planned to practice swimming for an extra hour after each practice, then work on improving his sit-ups and push-ups, then work out in their weight room before showering and going to Hampton Station. The Recruitment Officer told him the Hampstead Station in North London had one of the longest staircases (320 steps!), which he could climb/run to get into shape. The station is located on the Edgware branch of the Northern Line, between Golders Green and Belsize.
Today was his first day, so he donned his swim suit and a T-shirt and went into the pool area. It looked HUGE! It was about 30 meters (100 feet) by 8 meters (about 26 feet), and about 1 meter deep at the shallow end and 4 meters deep at the deep end. A diving tower was constructed at the deep end, with platforms at 1, 5 and 10 meters high! The female swim instructor was waiting at the shallow end. His lesson mates – were almost exclusively below the age of 5! The one exception was an elderly lady of 50 years old. Harry was at first hesitant to continue with the class, but it was the only one currently available, so needs must. Today they learned to hold their breath and float on their back. Harry was r...e...a...l...l...y going to need that extra practice time as he more resembled a rock instead of a floatie!