{Desk 13, Gringotts Bank}
...
"It's said that if I fail to make payments or if there are any significant delays, they have the right to make me repay my debts as a sex slave?" Her voice rose at the end, and I noticed Prof. McGonagall wave her wand, and the curious eyes turning toward us backed away.
All I needed was to look at Prof. McGonagall's grave face as she tried to form words to realize that what Hermione had said just now was pretty much the truth.
'Alright... so I'm not exactly in the canon universe. I already figured that out since I was 18 and going to Hogwarts. Still, that's a pretty fucked up provision to have included in a loan agreement.'
"It's the standard agreement that's agreed between the Ministry and the Goblins, Miss Granger... there is nothing I can do about it, my personal feelings set aside." Prof. McGonagall explained.
"But this is barbaric..." Hermione said as she looked around in distress before she finally said, "My parents could pay for my schooling. We have my college fund set up, and we have been saving to fill it for years. We could use that."
"Unfortunately, Miss Granger, the Goblins don't really care for Muggle currency much. Sure, you can get some galleons that way at the exchange station, but there is a limit to these conversions, and unfortunately they would not be able to cover the full amount of your school fees." Prof. McGonagall replied.
Hermione looked reluctant as she bit her lip and looked down worriedly at the contract. I'm pretty sure her mind is working at a hundred miles an hour trying to figure out what to do, but seeing such a golden opportunity in front of me, I couldn't exactly let it go now, could I?
"Prof. McGonagall, you said that this was the key to my trust fund, right?" I asked, holding up the golden key she had given me a few minutes ago.
"Yes, Mr. Potter," Prof. McGonagall replied with a smile on her face. And in that instant, it clicked for me as well: this whole trip, where she had come instead of Hagrid, was to judge my character as well as subtly guide me toward the good side.
'I'm gonna be honest, I almost didn't see it. Since I'm 18 and not an 11-year-old child who could still be led around by the nose and influenced by Hagrid's naivety. Dumbledore decided that it was a better idea to introduce the wizarding world through Prof. McGonagall,' I concluded. I would have been indignant at the hidden manipulations if not for this golden opportunity this provided me.
"Then can I assume that my trust vault gets refilled every year?" I questioned once again, and Hermione finally looked up from the contract, her eyes filled with conflict as she instantly connected the dots.
"Yes, Mr. Potter, you would be correct in assuming so," Prof. McGonagall replied.
"And I, since it seems like only rich kids get to have trust funds set in their name, then the amount of money in there is enough that I would not be able to spend it all unless I go crazy and start spending it on expensive stuff that I don't need. And there is enough in there to pay Hermione's tuition as well?" I continued through my line of questioning, ignoring Hermione's conflict.
"Yes, Mr. Potter. You have more than enough money to fund Hermione's tuition fees ten times over." Prof. McGonagall replied, giving Hermione a reassuring smile.
"Perfect." I replied, then turned to Hermione, but before I could speak, she refused, "No, Harry, I can't take money from you."
"I wasn't about to give it to you, Hermione, you see," I said, motioning toward my clothes. "I'm an orphan, with a family who hates me, so I can't even buy clothes that I clearly need, that fit me." My words made her protest melt away as pity crossed her face.
'Ding Ding Ding,' I thought and continued, "Since there is an exchange rate that the goblins follow, you can buy the wizarding money from me in exchange for Muggle currency, that way, I can finally wear clothes that belong to me and enjoy some of the things that I never got to do."
"Can we do this deal, please? You'll help me out a ton." I smiled at her as she hesitantly nodded, then lunged forward, wrapped her petite hands around my neck, and buried her face in my shoulders.
'Does hugging count as an intimate encounter? Will I gain LP for this?' I thought as I hugged her tightly.
I looked up to see Prof. McGonagall give me a proud smile and nod. Clearly pleased with this outcome.
"Good work, Mr. Potter," Prof. McGonagall said as she turned to the goblin who was sneering down at us. "We would like to get access to Mr. Potter's vault now, please."
...
"Are you sure this is safe?" Hermione asked, looking at the trolley cart and the metal beams that would serve as our track. The cart had 4 seats, and the goblin and Prof. McGonagall quickly climbed onto the front two seats, leaving the back two to us.
"Here, come, it will be fine," I assured her, bluffing my way through the encounter, even as my stomach flipped when I looked down at the ravine inside the cage. I felt her soft hand glide into mine, and I quickly jumped into the farther seat and helped her along to the closer one.
The trolley started rolling without warning as the goblin taking us pulled a lever. The trolley zoomed through the ravine, and while Hermione grabbed my hand and closed her eyes, likely praying for her life, I watched in fascination as we raced along the tracks and dozens of vaults flew by.
It took us a few minutes before the trolley slowed down as the goblin exclaimed, "Vault 687."
...