Bypath

Harry Potter felt a dull rage.

Once off the train, his twin had taken him around London several times. Clearly, he was lost and looking for a specific place. At first, he found it amazing. It was the first time he was traveling, and everything fascinated him. But now he was starting to get exhausted and sweating profusely. Moreover, he had to wear that stupid hat his double had stolen from a thrift store (the saleswoman had given it to him, but he wasn't naive and knew he had used his powers on her). Every time he tried to take it off to be less hot, his double ordered him to put it back on sharply. What was he afraid of? If he were going to die of sunstroke, it would have happened long ago given the number of hours he had to spend in the sun without protection taking care of Petunia's plants. Yet, seeing him care for him warmed his heart. But he didn't need anyone to take care of him. He wasn't a baby anymore. He did what he wanted, and he had no reason to obey him. Despite everything, he kept the hat.

At the end of an interminable wandering that seemed infinitely long to him, his double stopped visibly satisfied and forcefully took him inside a seedy bar.

What!? That's what he was looking for all this time: A bar! Harry Potter thought scandalized, before worrying that despite his age, they would start drinking like Vernon. When Vernon drank, he changed completely. When he was lucky, he was almost nice and would start crying, saying he regretted it and that it was all Petunia's fault. But most of the time, he became more violent than ever. Harry hated alcohol and knew that whatever happened, he would never drink it.

Once inside, his double looked lost and timidly approached the bar, looking around him. After a moment, the owner noticed him and asked:

Well, my little one, what are you doing here? You know, this is not a place for children.

He squinted, as if he were about to cry.

I lost my mom. We came to buy school supplies for my big sister, but I lost them.

Calm down, my boy. We will find your mom. She must be on the side path. We'll walk around the alley together, and if we don't see her, I'll ask the militia to help us. What's your name?

Nott.

The bartender stepped back abruptly and gave him a nasty look.

I open the way for you and then you're on your own, dirty ... Anyway, follow me.

The bartender led them to the back room. Harry Potter followed them backwards. He didn't like the idea of being alone in the back room with a man who obviously hated them. Especially since during the exchange, he had observed the bar and its occupants and it didn't seem to be what his uncle Vernon called a reputable place. The customers were all stranger than the others. He would have even sworn that one of the customers was eating raw meat.

But his double smiled at him, so he forced himself to follow them. He hoped he knew what he was doing. The bartender took a wooden stick out of his jacket and tapped several stones, and the wall disappeared as if by magic. What he saw made him realize something that enraged him: Hundreds, if not thousands, of people also had powers and, moreover, they all seemed much more powerful than him. Not only was he nothing exceptional, but on top of that, he was still the weakest.

He grabbed his double's hand and squeezed it as tightly as possible, terrified at the thought that he might abandon him in this strange place about which he knew nothing.

oOoOoOoOo

Does Mr. Potter have his key? asked the goblin.

Harry Dursley stopped shaking his hand. Despite his thinness, this little one had a strong grip. The child was visibly frightened, but as since the beginning of this trip, he had remained silent. Harry Dursley did not know how to interpret this behavior so different from his own. Even if he had tried to hide it from the Dursleys, he had been amazed by his first visit to Diagon Alley. That he was afraid when entering Gringotts and seeing the goblins, that he could understand, but what had scared him so much throughout their crossing of Diagon Alley? And why wasn't he saying anything to him? In his place, he would have had a thousand questions. Until now, he hadn't reacted to his silence, because deep down it suited him well, but now he wondered if his double wasn't more damaged than he thought.

But once again, he chased away his intrusive thoughts and focused on their current priority: getting money.

I'm sorry, but we lost it. What is the procedure to make a new one? Explained Harry Dursley.

It will be extremely long and painful. And know that if we discover you have attempted to impersonate one of our clients, we will be merciless. No one has ever managed to deceive the goblins and lived long enough to boast about it. Are you sure you want to embark on this path, young people?

"We are not thieves!" he exclaimed without thinking, before remembering his actions that morning and realizing he was a very bad example for the kid. Then he added:

What do you mean by long and painful?

Sorry, but I am not authorized to give you more information about our identity verification processes. Replied the goblin with disdain.

Harry Dursley thought, but no matter which way he looked at the problem, he concluded that he absolutely needed money. The only alternative would be to go directly to Hogwarts to ask Dumbledore for help, but he found this solution too risky. How could he be sure that Dumbledore would believe his bizarre story? He himself wasn't sure he believed it. There was a great risk that he would be seen as a dark wizard who had just kidnapped the chosen one (seriously injuring his Muggle guardians in the process). But it might be a better solution for his counterpart. Upon learning how the Dursleys had treated him, Harry Dursley had no doubt that Dumbledore would do everything possible to find him a loving family and offer him the psychological care he seemed to need. Finally, Harry Dursley declared to the goblin:

Okay, I will take your tests. What do I need to do?

This response seemed to surprise the goblin who stood up and leaned towards him with a threatening look.

Are you aware, young man, that this is not a game? Declared the goblin, explicitly showing his teeth.

Of course. Harry Dursley affirmed without a shadow of hesitation.

Very well. Follow me.

The goblin led them to a small room resembling an infirmary where, after about twenty minutes of waiting, a goblin came to take a blood sample. Then another arrived with a strange silver object and asked him to cast a spell on it. He almost fainted casting a Wingardium Leviosa without a wand, which failed to lift the object even a millimeter. Nevertheless, the goblin seemed satisfied (he would have even sworn that the goblin was impressed, but it was very hard to judge the emotions of goblins). During all this time, his double remained silent in a corner.

Finally, they were moved to a waiting room devoid of any decoration where they had to wait two hours before a goblin brought them a golden key that was still warm.

Your identity has been certified, Mr. Potter. We have deactivated your old key. If a miscreant attempted to present themselves at the Gringotts counter thinking to deceive our security systems, they would be immediately detained for questioning.

oOoOoOo

Wow! exclaimed little Harry upon seeing the mountain of gold spread out before him.

That's all. Is there some missing here? Where is the rest? exclaimed his double. Little Harry did not hide his disbelief at this reaction.

Are you insinuating that we would embezzle our clients' money, young man? replied the Goblin in a dangerous voice.

No, it’s ... ? Pardon me, but in my memories, there were many more and I don't remember making any withdrawals. Explained his double in a hesitant voice.

The goblin calmed down and explained to him:

Indeed, this is the first time we have the honor of receiving your visit, dear client. However, in your absence, your guardian has regularly come to withdraw significant amounts to cover your educational expenses.

Little Harry had a hard time holding back from screaming. All this time, Vernon had been stealing from him. How had he dared to claim that he was a burden to his family?

My guardian! It's impossible. The Dursleys would never have come to Gringotts, exclaimed his double.

Who are the Dursleys? Asked the Goblin.

Well, my parents, or rather my guardians. Explained his double.

I don't know any witch family by that name.

They are muggles.

Ah, I understand. Be aware that under wizarding law, Muggles have no legal existence and cannot be the guardian of a wizard. Since your godfather's imprisonment, legally Albus Dumbledore is your only recognized guardian. As well as that of many other war orphans. Of course, we are aware that he only holds this position in a mannerSymbolic. Nevertheless, to our great annoyance, we cannot oppose his requests for withdrawals from his wards' accounts. If you believe you have been wronged, then our legal service is at your disposal. Explained the goblin.

For a fee, of course. His double replied with visible sarcasm.

His double thought for a few seconds before adding:

Thank you for your proposal, but although I acknowledge the extraordinary quality of your services, I doubt they are up to the task against Albus Dumbledore. I will not take the risk of further emptying my vault for such a risky venture. Could you just prevent him from having further access?

Normally, I should refer you to our legal department, but I feel I must inform you that despite your status as the sole heir of the Potter family, in the absence of a proper trial, this is unlikely. Like many wealthy light families, to support the war effort, before dying, your father signed a power of attorney to Albus Dumbledore on the Potter family account. Despite common sense, after the war, all our attempts to revoke those concerning the accounts of families decimated by the war were all rejected by the Wizengamot.

The Wizengamot of which Dumbledore is the president, his double commented cynically.

Gringotts cannot make such subversive remarks without risking being condemned for defamation by the Wizengamot. Replied the goblin with a bow.

Harry Dursley then addressed his double:

As soon as we can, we will come back to empty everything. In the meantime, take everything you can.

Little Harry hastened to obey him. After what he had just heard, he was beside himself and needed to do something. He was angry at that Dumbledore who had dared to strip him, at the Dursleys who had obviously lied to him about the causes of his parents' death.

But above all, he was angry with his so-called twin. Although he seemed to want to defend his interests, little Harry had noted that according to the vile creature, the Potters had only one heir. And it could only be him. Whoever his mysterious guide was, he was obviously a thief who had used his powers to adopt his appearance. He was beginning to see things more clearly. He hadn't come for him (as if anyone could really be interested in him), but because for some reason or another, he needed his presence to trick the identity tests of those proud creatures. What better way to access the contents of a vault than to be accompanied by its rightful owner? If he had been nice to him, it was only to gain his trust. But he had never been fooled, Harry lied to himself.

In a very visible manner, little Harry emptied his backpack of schoolbooks and filled it with gold coins. To make room, he hesitated to also get rid of the toys he had stolen from Dudley, but he couldn't bring himself to throw away his precious trophies from the rare times he had managed to get the better of those bastards. Unlike his books, he couldn't buy them back.

Discreetly, he put a few galleons in his pocket. For once, he was happy that his clothes were too big for him. Throughout the operation, Harry Potter watched the thief examine the furniture at the bottom of the chest, staying alert for any foul play on his part. All of a sudden, the thief seemed to experience a sharp surprise and rushed to a rod from which he detached a cloak that he examined thoroughly. Then, without warning, he rushed towards him. He stood up abruptly, hoping he hadn't seen him trying to steal HIS gold.

But the thief simply handed him the cloak, whispering so that the goblin could not hear them:

Take care of this. It's an invisibility cloak. It's an extremely rare and precious object that belonged to my father. Well, your father. It has been passed down in the Potter family for generations and now, it is yours. Keep it with you at all times. At the slightest sign of danger, put it on and hide in a corner without asking questions. Also take the key to the chest in case we get separated.

Initially skeptical, little Harry was astonished to see his hand disappear when he covered it with the thin fabric. He no longer knew what to think of the stranger.