The strange way the owls were staring had not gone unnoticed. It was not just Julian who saw it. A few nearby witches and wizards paused mid-step, frowning as they followed the birds' unified gaze, trying to figure out what had caught their attention.
Julian quietly shifted position, moving to the far side of Hagrid so that the half-giant's bulk blocked him from view. If anyone tried to trace that wall of feathered stares, all they would see was Harry and the enormous gamekeeper.
"Come along, lads, we have got to make a stop at Gringotts," Hagrid called, giving them a moment to soak in Diagon Alley before nudging them toward the snow-white bank.
If he noticed the odd looks he was getting from the few people who had seen the owl spectacle, he did not show it.
He is probably used to it, Julian reasoned, and simply followed close behind.
...
A very short humanoid figure stood at the entrance to Gringotts, barely two feet tall. It had long, wiry hair and a hooked nose rising out of a deeply wrinkled face that froze in a permanent frown. A large mouth stretched beneath it, and cold, beady black eyes stared out at everyone approaching the giant doors, promising swift pain to anyone foolish enough to cause trouble.
Hagrid walked past without a second glance.
Julian did not.
He dipped his head in a small, polite bow and flicked a single Galleon toward the sentry. The creature snatched it out of the air with quick, practiced fingers.
"May your day be profitable," Julian said calmly.
The goblin's eyes widened slightly, then curled into a grin full of small, sharp, shark-like teeth. "The same to you, young friend," it replied in a deep, slightly shrill voice.
Julian stepped inside and lengthened his stride to catch up with Hagrid and Harry.
They really are like the books described, he thought. Greedy and petty, yes, but strict believers in reciprocity. Offer respect and a bit of coin, and you get respect and maybe an easier time in return.
He stored that away for later.
...
Gringotts' marble hall was lined with long counters, each attended by a goblin who looked like they would rather be anywhere else than dealing with wizards. Hagrid stood at one of them, rummaging through the many pockets of his massive coat, while the goblin on duty looked more than a little impatient.
Julian repeated what he had done at the door, offering a respectful nod and a Galleon, along with a courteous wish.
The goblin at the counter accepted it with a subtle lift of its brows and a glimmer of approval in its expression.
Hagrid paused his frantic searching, staring between Julian and the goblin in surprise. "You speak Gobbledegook, Julian?" he asked, astonished.
Julian froze. "No. Why?" he asked, genuinely thrown.
"You just did, lad," Hagrid said.
Julian blinked. "I have no idea how. Might just be a gift," he said with a shrug, pretending it was nothing.
Inside, he was anything but calm.
No such ability was ever mentioned in the books, he thought, pulse speeding up. Parseltongue, sure, I could accept that with my magic circuit theory. But Gobbledegook is not a magical bloodline language like that.
His mind raced.
What if I am not a parselmouth at all, but something closer to that gift of tongues from the Bible? That would explain this perfectly. Maybe I spoke with snakes because Harry was there and the shard in his scar resonates with that magic, and now I am speaking Gobbledegook because I am talking to a goblin.
It was the best explanation he could come up with, so he latched onto it.
Neither Harry nor Hagrid seemed inclined to dwell on it. As far as they were concerned, Julian had some odd talent, but there were more pressing matters at hand.
Hagrid finally located what he was hunting for: a sealed letter from Dumbledore and a small golden key that belonged to Harry's inheritance vault.
The goblin took the letter, broke the seal, and read it carefully before setting it aside with a nod. Then it picked up a bell from somewhere behind the counter and gave it a sharp ring.
Another goblin arrived a moment later.
The first goblin addressed the newcomer in English for Hagrid and Harry's benefit, not bothering to include Julian in the courtesy, since he clearly already understood their native tongue.
The second goblin took the letter to verify its contents, then looked up and said, simply, "Follow me."
It turned and stalked off.
...
Julian silently annoyed their guide without meaning to. No matter how many sudden drops, sharp turns, and wild accelerations the cart took, his face did not so much as twitch.
The rail system of Gringotts was a madman's maze, all extreme speed and stomach-turning dips, a chaotic tangle of tracks crossing and spiraling through the rock. It might have made for a thrilling ride in other circumstances, but here it mainly served to emphasize how unpleasant robbing the bank would be.
Harry clung to the cart for dear life, wide-eyed and windblown. Hagrid did not look much better.
Julian sat like stone.
...
"This is vault six eight seven. Key," the goblin said at last, holding out its long-nailed hand.
Hagrid handed over the small golden key. The goblin slid it into the lock, turned it, and the door opened.
Inside, a small mountain of golden coins glittered in the dim vault light.
Harry stared, stunned.
"You did not think your parents left you with nothing, did you, Harry?" Hagrid asked with a warm smile.
Tears pricked at Harry's eyes as the truth sank in. His parents had not abandoned him to misery. They had left him something, proof of their care, a tangible reminder that he had been loved.
The goblin shifted impatiently, its foot tapping.
Harry hurried forward and scooped a modest stack of Galleons into the small pouch provided for him, still sniffling but smiling now.
With that done, the goblin shut the vault again, and the group climbed back into the cart to head toward the next stop on their journey underground.