Vault 9527

"Ugh~ blech~~~"

In a secluded alley, Horatio leaned against the wall with his right hand, clutching his stomach with his left, his insides churning as if wanting to vomit bile.

"Doesn't the professor have any gentler methods? Blech~ This method is fast, but it's really not friendly to the stomach. Blech~ I can even remember what I ate last night. Blech~"

"You'll get used to it. This is Apparition, the fastest way for wizards to travel. Because there's a risk of body separation during the process, this spell is only allowed for those who are 17 years old and have obtained permission."

Professor Dumbledore looked at Horatio with a kindly expression, especially after Horatio had left a golden bed for the orphanage. Dumbledore's attitude towards Horatio was exceptionally good.

Horatio stood between a bookstore and a record shop. He double-checked the house number: Diagon Alley Number 1. A sign that read "Leaky Cauldron" hung askew on the faded doorframe. "Professor, are you sure this is it?" he asked, looking at Dumbledore beside him.

"Of course, child," Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon spectacles and pushed open the creaking wooden door. The smell of mildew mixed with the aroma of malt liquor wafted out. Horatio looked into the pub. The facilities were extremely dirty and rudimentary, with just a bar and a few tables. Behind the bar, the piled-up glasses gleamed greasily under the candlelight, and a few mice scurried about.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Tom the innkeeper poked his head out from behind the bar. "And who is this gentleman?"

Dumbledore smiled and turned to Horatio. "This is Mr. Horatio Queibel, a new student enrolling this year."

Tom squinted, sizing up Horatio's Muggle attire. "I see. Follow me."

Following Tom, they entered a courtyard enclosed by three walls through a door. Inside, there was nothing but a trash can and some miscellaneous items.

As Horatio watched with confusion, Tom took out his wand from his pocket. "Watch carefully, young wizard. Count three bricks up from the trash can and two bricks across. Then tap the wall gently three times with your wand, and the entrance to Diagon Alley will open." He then tapped a brick three times with his wand.

As the bricks rearranged themselves and slid open to the sides, a bustling street appeared before Horatio. Tom clapped his hands and said, "Welcome to the wizarding world, young wizard."

Horatio glanced at the wall and the trash can, lost in thought. He had some bold ideas, but standing next to Dumbledore, he couldn't act on them for now.

"Let's go, child. We'll go to Gringotts first to exchange some Galleons. Muggle currency is not circulated in the wizarding world."

Following Dumbledore's steps, Horatio arrived in front of a white arched building. Gringotts' first door was a gleaming bronze gate, guarded by Goblin guards in scarlet and gold uniforms. They bowed to Dumbledore and Horatio upon their arrival.

After passing through the first gate, they entered a second silver door, upon which the following words were inscribed:

"Enter, stranger, but beware, Of what awaits the greedy soul, Who takes but does not earn, Shall face the direst toll. Thus if you seek to plunder from our vaults, A treasure that is not your own, Thief, you have been warned, Lest you reap but sorrow, not a stone."

Passing through the second silver door, they entered a spacious marble hall. About a hundred Goblins sat behind long counters, hastily making entries in large ledgers. Some weighed coins, others inspected gemstones with magnifying lenses. Upon entering, Dumbledore and Horatio were led by a short Goblin in a suit to a counter where another Goblin, also in a suit, sat. This one, however, wore round, gold-rimmed glasses, much like a capitalist.

"Hogwarts freshman?" the Goblin at the counter glanced dismissively at Horatio. "Show me your acceptance letter."

Horatio took out his Hogwarts acceptance letter from his pocket.

"Freshmen can only exchange 200 Galleons per year. Any other questions?" The Goblin at the counter impatiently counted out 200 Galleons and threw them onto the counter.

"Sir, can these be exchanged for Galleons?" Horatio took out a pouch from his waist, a gift from Dumbledore, which had been enchanted with the Undetectable Extension Charm.

"There's an annual exchange limit for Muggle currency..."

Before the Goblin at the counter could finish speaking, a golden nightstand and a golden candlestick crashed heavily onto the marble floor under the Goblin's stunned expression. All the Goblins present were startled by the loud noise.

"Radon, you blind fool, hurry up and serve our distinguished guest." The Goblin at the counter changed his fawning expression. "Esteemed sir, my name is Zola, and I am honored to serve you."

"Uh... I preferred your arrogant expression just now. Could you please revert to it?"

"Ahem, sir, Gringotts values fairness and justice above all else. Rest assured, I will provide you with the most impartial valuation." Zola's expression turned serious again, the speed of the change reminding Horatio of a specialty from his past life in Bashu.

"Exchange it all for Galleons."

"Certainly, sir. Please wait a moment." Who knew how a Goblin's eyes could display a pie chart of thirty percent greed, thirty percent fawning, and thirty percent seriousness.

After a short wait, Zola approached Horatio with a bag. "Sir, we have assessed the total value. It comes to 150,000 Galleons. This Undetectable Extension Charm bag is a complimentary gift. Would you be interested in our storage services?"

"Oh, tell me more," Horatio asked with interest.

"Radon, give the sir a show."

"Oh, whee!" The Goblin named Radon immediately performed three backflips and landed steadily on the ground.

"Sir, Gringotts has three security levels. The first level is the lowest. It only requires your key to open the vault, and the annual management fee is 200 Galleons.

The second level requires your key and the presence of our Goblins to open the vault. Without our Goblins, the door will firmly restrain any intruders, rendering the key useless. The annual management fee is 1,000 Galleons.

The third level requires not only our Goblins' escort but also passing through a waterfall that washes away curses and potions, and then passing the Dungeon Guardian. The vault is also protected by a spell-repelling enchantment, and anyone attempting to steal your belongings will be buried in gold. The annual management fee is 5,000 Galleons."

Horatio stroked his chin and pondered for a moment. Considering he would have many alchemical materials and supplies in the future, having a vault to store them might be a good idea. After all, Galleons were just the result of the Philosopher's Stone's touch for him. What mattered were rare materials and alchemical products. "I have a question. Am I allowed to set up my own anti-theft measures in the vault?"

"Of course, no problem. You can use any spells and alchemical products you wish in your vault. We support you in setting up anti-theft measures."

"Alright, then give me the highest level. Can I choose my own vault?" (The original setting was for pure-blood family vaults, but in this book's setting, Goblins only care about money, not blood purity.)

"Thank you for your generosity, sir. Of course, no problem. Which vault number would you like?"

"Vault 9527, it sounds pleasant."

"Certainly. Let me check... Vault 9527 is currently unoccupied, sir. Please follow me."

Horatio and Dumbledore followed Zola through the doors of the hall into a narrow stone corridor. Below was a small railway. Led by Zola, they boarded a small cart and traveled through the labyrinthine, winding passages.

Along the way, they passed an underground lake adorned with giant stalactites and stalagmites. After passing through a waterfall, they arrived at the lowest level of Gringotts. A massive Dragon lay in the center. Upon seeing Horatio and the others, the Dragon rose and let out a threatening roar.

"Get away, you filthy creature! Don't scare my client." Zola rang the small bell in his hand. The Dragon, hearing the sound, fearfully retreated into a corner.

Arriving at the entrance of Vault 9527, Zola slid his finger across the door. With a clatter of metal, the door slowly opened, revealing a vast space before Horatio. Zola took out a key from his pocket. "Sir, this vault now belongs to you. Please keep this key safe. We recognize the key, not the person."

Horatio took the key and said to Zola, "Please take out the Galleons and pile them in this vault. Leave 2,000 Galleons in the bag, and take 5,000 Galleons for this year's management fee."

"My pleasure, sir."

After an unknown amount of time, Horatio followed Dumbledore out of Gringotts. Zola and Radon escorted them to the entrance, bowed respectfully, and then returned inside.

"Professor, could you trouble yourself to teach me a spell to prevent loss?" Horatio held the key, which was now threaded onto a rope and hung around his neck.

"No problem, child, but I think you'll need a wand of your own first."