NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: The Vault of James Granger
"Anyway, when is the Headmaster coming today? I should probably speak to him before the hearing." Harry asked. "He is busy all day today and tomorrow, Harry dear. He said you should stay in the house at all times, and he'll try to be here tomorrow evening." Mrs. Weasley responded.
August 8, 1995 – Grimmauld Place. With the exception of Hermione, the Order of Phoenix and Harry's "friends" believed Dumbledore would get Harry off, and therefore there was "no need to worry or prepare". Harry and Hermione however believed Harry needed a backup plan. They used the last few days to research the rules regarding magic performed in front of muggles, and tried to find examples of past cases. Dumbledore and the Ministry archives either wouldn't or couldn't provide any help in his defense, so they had explored the Black Family library and even sent away for a law book by mail order (they actually had Dobby pop Hedwig outside to deliver the order). Hermione explained to Harry the rules for expatriating from Wizarding England as she was told them by Professor McGonagall – obliviation and binding of magic. After researching Black library, Harry found a few helpful spells he wanted to learn: Stellaruptus (starburst), Abscondus Sinum (hidden space – creates a hidden pocket of space that is not visible), and Obliviate – the spell that might take his memories. Harry really did not want to lose any of his memories, especially his friendship with Hermione, so he spent a particularly long amount of time learning the defenses to Obliviate. Harry and Hermione also learned about mail redirect and about blocking owl post, Fidelius and creating an unplottable space. He was reminded that magic is about intent. Hermione showed Harry how to evaluate the Abscondus Sinum spell to see if it could be applied to a trunk using Hermione's knowledge in Arithmancy. In addition, they developed together an expandable, feather-light and bottomless bag, sewing a rune set for the modified Abscondus spell on the inside of the bag, making it also invisible.
August 9, 1995 – Grimmauld Place. As the date of his hearing drew close, Harry became more and more nervous. He didn't trust Fudge. He understood that if he was found guilty and obliviated, everything he owned would be separated from him forever. With Malfoy Sr. whispering in Fudge's ear, Harry would not put it past Fudge to make a grab for the Potter family vaults. "Hermione, in the muggle world, how would someone protect their accounts?" he asked. "I recently read a really good thriller novel called the Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum" she began. "In the book, this guy, Jason Bourne, a man that was trained and programmed as an assassin, got amnesia, forgetting that he was an assassin." "How is that going to help me?" Harry asked. Hermione gave an exasperated sigh and continued. "While trying to find out who he was, Jason Bourne found out he had several bank accounts under different names at different banks, and several passports under different names. I am not sure if that is possible in the wizarding world, but it might be something to look into." she responded.
"The only two people I know at Gringotts are Ron's older brother, Bill, and Griphook. I don't really know either very much; and isn't Bill back in Egypt?" Harry commented. He nodded his head sharply and said, "Griphook it is then." Harry took out a parchment, some ink and a quill from his bag and wrote a short letter to Griphook explaining his situation and asking about the possibilities he spoke with Hermione about. He also thought about his mother, who grew up muggle – he wondered if they ever had a will; she died so young. Maybe she had an account in her maiden name at the bank? Maybe she had an account in the muggle banks! MAYBE…..Harry could transfer all the vault contents to one of those if they existed! He added all those questions to Griphook, asking for his help? The letter was sent by Dobby Express. Griphook replied the next day – stating that indeed this Ministry was known for stripping money from people and even their families. Griphook suggested Harry open a vault under a false name, and move everything into it. Griphook further told Harry that both his parents indeed made out a will, however the will was sealed by Headmaster Dumbledore. Lastly, Griphook mentioned that Harry's mother, as Lily Evans, did have a bank account in Lloyds of London Group, but without getting his mother's will probated in muggle court, it was unlikely he could have access to it. Griphook reiterated that Harry's best bet was to establish a new account under a different name. As long as Harry lived, the vault would remain untouchable.
Harry put the new vault under the name James Granger, and listed Hermoine as trusted "family", with authority to access the vault as needed.