"Goblins, Harry." Hagrid replied. "They own and run Gringotts, their good with money, but not very fond o' wizards. Yeh'd be mad to try an' rob the place, full of spells and enchantments. It's a huge maze o' tunnels and even dragons if the stories are to be believed."
Harry almost stopped to stare at Hagrid in shock. Goblins as bankers of all things? That was quite the departure from the fantasy stereotype of stupid, smelly creatures that were found in the fantasy books at the library. They were probably more vicious though. According to Vernon's grumblings human bankers were the most cutthroat people in the world. Pairing that up with Magic and how these Goblins seemed to practically glare at everyone they saw didn't inspire confidence.
An inscription on the second set of doors caught Harry's eye and he quickly read it as they passed. 'Enter stranger, but take heed. Of what awaits the sin of greed. For those who take, but do not earn. Must pay most dearly in their turn. So if you seek beneath our floors. A treasure that was never yours. Thief, you have been warned, beware. Of finding more than treasure there.' Well that wasn't terrifying or anything, Harry thought to himself. Groundskeeper and soon-to-be student stepped up to one of the numerous goblin tellers shortly after entering the bank proper.
"Afternoon, we've come ter take some money outta Mr. Harry Potter's vault." Hagrid said. The goblin teller looked over the two of them before responding.
"Do you have the key?" The goblin asked getting Hagrid to perk up.
"Got it here somewhere." Hagrid replied digging through his many pockets. Within a minute Hagrid grinned as he held up a small golden key. The goblin took the key and looked it over carefully.
"This appears to be in order. You are aware that you may only withdraw from the trust vault, correct?" The goblin questioned getting Harry to start slightly. Trust vault? Didn't that mean there was another vault in his name?
"Yeah, I also have a letter from Albus Dumbledore about the You-Know-What in vault seven hundred thirteen." Hagrid replied as he passed a letter to the teller. The goblin took the letter and began to read over it. After a short moment the teller nodded.
"I'll have someone take you down to both vaults. Griphook!" The teller called out and another goblin came over.
"Excuse me you mentioned this was my trust vault, correct?" Harry interjected as politely as he could. "Does that mean that there is also another vault?"
"Of course, but you do not have access to it until you are of age." The goblin teller replied his tone laced with slight annoyance. Harry was much too excited by the idea of potentially learning about his Magical Family to care about that though, and pressed on with his questioning. "Would it be possible to discuss my account with the one managing it?"
"Is that necessary, Harry? I told yer Uncle I'd have yeh back before dinner." Hagrid asked him. "Yer trust vault should have more than o'nough for your school supplies."
"What's the You-Know-What?" Harry asked in response to Hagrid's comment.
"I can't tell yeh that! It's more than me job's worth to tell yeh." Hagrid replied quickly. Harry simply nodded. Obviously, they weren't going to tell a new student if they were being so secretive in the first place.
"If that's the case I can talk to the account manager while you retrieve the item you were sent to collect." Harry offered only to get a harrumph from the goblin called Griphook. Turning to look at the goblin both Harry and Hagrid were met with a glare.
"If you could decide your business quickly it would be most appreciated. Time is money and you're wasting mine." Griphook growled lowly at them.
"Please Hagrid, I just want to know what's in my other vault and if I can try and learn about my family." Harry pleaded with the gentle giant of a man.
"Alright, alright, Harry, no need ter start with the beggin' look." Hagrid relented with a sigh. "Look these Gringotts' carts make me queasy anyway. So I'll probably need a pick-me-up at the Leaky Cauldron afterwards. Once you're done with yer business and got yer money I'll be waiting for yeh at the bottom of the bank steps. If I'm not there come straight to the Cauldron, jus' knock on the bricks to open 'em from this side, and find me alright?"
"Of course, Hagrid, I still need you to show me around after all." Harry smiled back at the large man. Hagrid beamed back at him and they turned to Griphook. They were startled to find another goblin already waiting beside Griphook.
"This is Ripfang, he'll be taking you to vault seven hundred thirteen." Griphook introduced the new goblin. Hagrid nodded and followed the goblin. "Follow me, wizard, I'll take you to see Account Overseer Margok after we get your withdrawal taken care of." With that said Griphook set a brisk pace towards the same door Hagrid and Ripfang had left through only moments before.