"Final step—Gringotts."
Tonks ushered George toward the marble-columned bank, its bronze doors guarded by scarlet-uniformed goblins.
"Ugly little buggers," George noted internally. Far from Tolkien's elegant elves, these creatures resembled gnarled tree roots with too-sharp teeth.
Past the entrance's ominous warning ("Steal and suffer" etched in silver), they entered a cavernous hall where a hundred goblins scribbled in ledgers, their long fingers flicking abacus beads with unsettling precision.
An available goblin clerk examined Tonks' Ministry paperwork, then slid a tiny key across the counter.
"Vault 352 inheritance transfer complete. Current balance: 13,200 Galleons. Will you be making a withdrawal?"
"Not today." George pocketed the key. The 500 Galleons left in the shop's till would suffice for now.
Tonks whistled. "Merlin's beard! That's a decade of my auror salary."
George's initial disappointment (he'd hoped for 100,000+) faded. Considering the apothecary's overhead and expensive potion research, 13,200 was substantial.
Wizarding currency worked thus:
1 Galleon = 17 Sickles
1 Sickle = 29 Knuts
Context:
Daily Prophet: 5 Knuts
Meal at the Leaky Cauldron: 2-3 Sickles
Wand: ~7 Galleons
"Hogwarts' letter should arrive tomorrow," Tonks said outside Gringotts, ruffling George's hair. "You'll make loads of friends—"
"Tonks," George interrupted with calculated earnestness, "let me cook lunch to thank you. Please?"
Her stomach overruled professionalism. "Well... if you insist."
Knockturn Alley Apothecary - Kitchen
"What's this called? It's brilliant!" Tonks mumbled through a mouthful of sticky-sweet pork.
"Sweet and sour pork."
"And this?" She stabbed at diced chicken with peanuts.
"Kung Pao chicken."
"This one?" A forkful of egg-tomato scramble.
"Stir-fried eggs with tomatoes."
Post-meal, Tonks slumped in her chair, patting her distended abdomen. "Didn't peg you for a Chinese cuisine whiz."
"Come by anytime," George offered while clearing plates. "I know dozens more dishes."
Tonks hesitated. "Can't freeload off a kid..."
"Actually," George lowered his voice, "your presence here... discourages certain elements." He nodded toward shadowy figures lurking across the alley.
Comprehension dawned. "Right. Well then—" She grinned. "—but I'm buying ingredients. No arguments!"