Thick Of It

guys so I made calculation error in previous gold value .

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The house smelled of freshly baked cookies and cinnamon as Jason sat in the living room with his grandmother, Q, sipping on hot cocoa. The Christmas tree sparkled in the corner .

Q: "So, Jason, how was your year at Hogwarts?"

Jason: "Pretty exciting, grandma. But I need your help with something."

Q: [raising an eyebrow] "And what might that be, young man?"

Jason: "I need to set up a bank account in Gringotts."

Q: [leaning forward] "With what money, Jason? Last I checked, you've yet to earn a single knut, and I'm certainly not giving you any."

Jason: "Oh, don't worry about money. I've got some resources to cash in."

Q: [narrowing her eyes] "What resources, Jason? Spill it, or you're on your own."

Jason: "Hey, hey, that's not fair!"

Q: "No, what's not fair is being kept in the dark by my own grandson. Now, talk."

Jason shifted uncomfortably in his seat before breaking into a smile.

Jason: "Alright, fine. I've got 50 kilograms of pure gold in my trunk."

Q: [eyes widening, nearly spilling her cocoa] "What?!"

Jason: [grinning smugly] "Fifty kilos. Pure. Gold."

Q: [leaning back, stunned] "How on earth…?"

Jason: "Trade secret, grandma." 

Q: [giving him a sharp look] "Jason, do you have any idea what that's worth? That's over a million pounds in today's market. "

Jason: "Relax, grandma. This gold won't bring me any trouble. Trust me."

Q studied him for a long moment, her sharp mind calculating. She decided not to press further—yet.

Q: "Alright, let's say I believe you. What exactly do you need my help with?"

Jason: "I need you to come with me to Gringotts to open a vault and handle the paperwork. You're better at this sort of thing and a adult."

Q: [sipping her cocoa with a sly smile] "And what's my fee?"

Jason: [groaning] "Fee? You're my grandma! Shouldn't you help me for free?"

Q: "Oh, look at this cheeky brat. You're keeping secrets from your dear old gran, and now you want a freebie? No, no, Jason. Nothing comes for free in this world."

Jason: [sighing] "Alright, how much?"

Q: "Hmm, let's say... 20%."

Jason: "Twenty percent? That's daylight robbery!"

Q: "And what exactly can you do about it, young man?"

Jason frowned, trying to think of a counteroffer that wouldn't leave him penniless.

Q: "You can always negotiate, but insult me with a lowball offer, and I might just decide you're on your own."

Jason: [grinning] "Alright, how about 10% and a hug?"

Q gave him a long, deliberate stare, her face unreadable. Jason shifted nervously in his seat.

Q: "Hmm... okay. Deal."

Jason: [pumping his fist in the air] "Yes! Oh, yes!"

Q: "Now come here and give your grandma her hug. Ever since you've grown older, you've forgotten your poor gran needs her hugs. What a sad life for this old heart."

Jason got up and gave her a big hug, which she returned with surprising strength for someone her age.

Jason: "Out of curiosity, grandma… how much would you have agreed to?"

Q: [smiling wickedly] "Just a hug."

Jason: [pulling back, staring at her in disbelief] "What?! , I can give more hug."

Q: "But now, this old lady is a little richer, isn't she?" [she patted his cheek affectionately]

Jason: [groaning] "I've been conned!"

Q: "No, Jason, you've been taught a valuable lesson in negotiation. Now, when do we leave for Gringotts?"

Jason shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips .

Jason: "You're impossible, grandma."

Q: "And don't you forget it, dear."

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The gleaming marble of Gringotts shimmered as Jason and his grandmother, Q sat in a plush meeting room. 

Jason: "Grandma, you had goblins in tears during that negotiation."

Q: [smirking] "Well, you handed me pure gold, Jason. That alone drives its price up. Pure gold is a rare commodity in both magical and Muggle markets—it's invaluable in potion-making, charms, and other fields."

Jason: "True. By my count, we should have gotten around 20,000 Galleons, but we ended up with 40,000 and with Your 10% fee leaves me with 36,000."

Q: [leaning back smugly] "And worth every knut."

Khelgar Goldstrike: [entering the room] "Ah, Madam Q, Master Jason. A pleasure to assist . We at Gringotts offer numerous banking services—vault storage, secure loans, land acquisitions, and more."

Q: [raising an eyebrow] "Hmm, Khelgar. I assume the funds have been deposited into our account?"

Khelgar: "Yes, madam. And if I may say, I didn't realize you had a ward under your care."

Q: [sharply] "And nobody else will realize it either."

Khelgar: [hastily] "Of course, madam. Absolute discretion."

Jason couldn't help but chuckle at how easily goblin has been scared of his grandmother .

Jason: "So, do you goblins dont offer loans? You're a bank ."

Khelgar: [grimacing] "Sadly, most wizards distrust us for loans. They prefer to deal with their own kind."

Q: "And with good reason. Your fine print reads more like a curse-breaking manual."

Khelgar: [with a sheepish grin] "It's just business, madam. We cannot be blamed if wizards fail to read the terms and conditions."

Jason: "So that's why you act as middlemen for wizarding loans?"

Khelgar: "Precisely, Master Jason. But we're not here to discuss that. Madam Q, I presume you're not looking for investments?"

Q: "Not today. We're here for Jason."

Jason leaned forward eagerly.

Jason: "So, any business opportunities worth looking at?"

Khelgar pulled out a thick booklet, flipping through the pages.

Khelgar: "We do have a variety of opportunities. "

Jason skimmed through proposals ranging from the absurd to the outright insane.

Jason: "This guy claims he's Zeus reincarnated and wants money to start a cult. And this one plans to trade moon rocks if we invest in his trip to the moon."

Q: [dryly] "What did you expect, Jason? Good businesses don't just fall into your lap."

Jason groaned, but his attention was caught by a thin file labeled "Firebolt Broom Company."

Jason: "This one looks interesting."

Khelgar: [adjusting his glasses] "Ah, the Firebolt project. A fascinating venture. Its founder, a former Nimbus employee, left the company after his request for creative freedom was mocked. He claims he can fix Nimbus's speed and turning issues but has no working prototype yet."

Q: [skeptical] "Credentials?"

Khelgar: "His work on the Nimbus 2001 is well-documented, but he's burned through his savings trying to develop his own broom. He's asking for 20,000 Galleons in exchange for 40% of his company or as a loan."

Q: "Twenty thousand? For 40% of a non-existent company? That's robbery."

Jason: "I think it's worth the risk."

Q: [incredulous] "Jason, are you out of your mind? Nimbus dominates the market. Do you really think some lone tinkerer can compete?"

Jason: "Grandma, but I trust my instincts. His story resonates with me."

Q: "Instincts won't save you when this goes belly up."

Jason: [grinning] "Well, if it all came so easily, it can go just as easily. I want to make this choice."

Khelgar nodded and left to prepare the paperwork. When he returned, he placed the contract on the table.

Khelgar: "Sign here to finalize your investment, Master Jason. Remember, Gringotts charges a 500 Galleon annual maintenance fee for handling business accounts storage."

Jason ignored the snort from Q and signed with a flourish.

Q: [sighing] "Jason, listen to me—"

Khelgar: [interrupting] "Madam Q, I will arrange a meeting with the Firebolt founder. Shall I assume you'll oversee matters while Jason is at Hogwarts?"

Q: "You assume correctly. And if this turns out to be a disaster, Khelgar, expect an earful."

Khelgar: [smiling nervously] "Of course, madam."

Jason grinned and turned to Q.

Jason: "Thanks, Grandma." [he hugged her tightly]

Q: [rolling her eyes but hugging him back] "Just don't come crying to me when your gamble doesn't pay off."

Jason: [smirking] "If it does, you'll owe me an apology."

Q: "Cheeky brat."