CHAPTER 2
Diagon Alley to say at the very least was a very unique experience, thought Perseus.
The sun shone brightly on a stack of cauldrons outside the nearest shop. Cauldrons — All Sizes — Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver — Self-Stirring — Collapsible, said a sign hanging over them, undoubtedly for potions he thought amused at how accurate the stereotypes were, but then they too would have come from somewhere.
There were shops selling robes, books that were moving on their own, a shop selling brooms and a shop that displayed jars of small eyes and other ingredients apparently and another with the sign Eeylops Owl Emporium and Magical Menagerie. Up ahead was a dingy street leading to the side. The alley was surprisingly busy for the cold weather. A large white building loomed ahead with the words "GRINGOTTS BANK" written in gold.
"So, Professor, the wizarding world, was it always hidden from the rest of the world?"
"The International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy was passed in 1692 by the International Confederation of Wizards, but even before then our people lived without showing our abilities. However, we did use our magic in public before the first crusade at the end of the 11th century."
"Tell me more about it, please."
"Our people were never large in population, but after the war where a large part of our community died we went into hiding to avoid being used again. We recovered since then but the witch hunts further drove us into hiding."
Enthralled by the story, Perseus failed to notice that they had reached the bank. Minerva led him towards the entrance of the bank and spoke, "This is where we will be collecting your money, Gringotts, the safest place after Hogwarts. Run by goblins, it is where the entire banking of the Magical Britain is done. The goblins are a warrior race, do not offend them if you do not have enough gold for it."
Perseus saw two short, scaly creatures wearing an ornate heavy red armor holding a spear in one hand, standing on either side of large heavily decorated door made of silver.
The goblins saw the two approaching, scowled and pushed the door open. 'how charming creatures' thought Perseus as they made their way to another grand doorway engraved with the words.
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.
"The goblins take the security of the bank very, very seriously. The bank has never been robbed successfully here, of course some have tried but they all have failed." Professor McGonagall explained as they entered a grand hall with expensive marble flooring, wealthy gold chandeliers and a general sense of an establishment that drowned with wealth.
There were tables in a line on either side of the hall, high without a doubt to subtly inform the humans of their supposed superiority, manned by goblins in black business suits, working silently.
McGonagall maneuvered them to an empty stand and cleared her throat for the goblin to speak to her.
After an infuriating minute of silence, the goblin spoke while looking at the Professor "How may I be of assistance, human."
"Mr. Black here would like to claim his vault and withdraw gold" she answered in a cold voice, surprising Perseus who had thought of her as a person who would avoid confrontations.
"And does Mr. Black here have an identification to his claim or would he go for a blood ritual to prove himself" the goblin answered in a gruff tone with a greedy gleam in his eyes that Perseus didn't like.
"You will do no such things, goblin you will call the Black Family Vault Keeper and ask him for verification rather than using Mr. Black's blood for robbing him" said McGonagall confirming his instincts.
"Very well" said the goblin unashamed and uncaring of the allegation as he rang a bell.
After a few seconds, a younger looking goblin came rushing and bowed before the older goblin.
The goblins started speaking in grunts and growls and the younger goblin went away. After about five minutes, another goblin, this time dressed in pristine black robes carrying a thick tome stepped up to the table. Opening the ledger, he squinted and looked up towards Perseus as if verifying and asked for the Hogwarts letter. Once verified, the old goblin grunted and said "Follow me" leading them towards a hall towards the left. The goblin held the door open for them. Perseus, who had expected more marble, was surprised. They were in a narrow stone passageway lit with flaming torches. It sloped steeply downward and there were little railway tracks on the floor.
"I am Gornuk, the vault keeper for the Black Vault, appointed by Lord Arcturus Black in 1986"
The goblin, now Gornuk, informed in a guttural tone. Gornuk whistled and a wooden cart came rushing towards the group. They climbed in and Gornuk then started the cart. They travelled at breakneck speeds twisting and turning, lefts and rights, much like a roller coaster, as they went deeper into the maze. They passed an underground lake and a waterfall that magically seemed to avoid them. After some time, they came to a halt outside a large iron door with the number 811 engraved on it.
"The Black Heir Trust Vault" barked out Gornuk as they stepped in front of it. Gornuk took out a package from within his robes and opened it to reveal a small glittering gold key. He stepped in front and opened the door. The trio stepped inside and Perseus was shocked seeing huge piles of gold coins at the center of the large room, a smaller stack of silver and bronze coins sat at the side of the vault.
Quickly getting over the fact that he likely was filthy rich, Perseus asked "What are these gold coins, I mean what is the conversion and all that ?"
"The gold ones are Galleons," McGonagall explained. "Seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty- nine Knuts to a Sickle."
"And to pounds? "Perseus asked addressing the goblin.
"One galleon is equal to 200 pounds" came the reply from the goblin.
Perseus scooped a galleon from the pile and asked "Is this pure gold? Cause I read in school that pure gold can't be hardened without adding some other metal in it or is it some magic?"
"Gringotts has pure gold wizard, do not dishonor us by taking us as your human cheaters" Gornuk replied feeling offended.
'What an asshole 'thought Perseus and added checking a way to undo the magic holding the coin together to his to-do list, it could at the very least double his current wealth.
"Take about 20 galleons for your shopping, Perseus" said McGonagall as she strode outside the vault feeling a little nauseous from the cart ride.
Perseus quickly shoved about 30 coins in a bag he had brought with him and followed the goblin outside. The goblin locked the door and handed the key to Perseus and spoke "This is your vault key. Anyone can access your vault through this key. Gringotts offers a replacement key at 100 galleons."
The return ride was just as thrilling as the one before and with this Perseus followed McGonagall out of the bank, the sudden light forcing him to squint.
"You will be purchasing your school robes from Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. " guided McGonagall as they walked towards the said shop.
Madam Malkin was a short, squat, smiling witch dressed in mauve. She greeted McGonagall "Hello, Minerva good to see you after a long time. It has been a few years hasn't it ?"
"Greetings Agatha, I hope you are well, if it isn't too much of a problem could I use your floo for a moment" McGonagall answered.
"Not at all, the fireplace is in the room to the left. The powder is near the mirror"
"Thank you, Agatha"
"Hogwarts first year dearie? No worries I will just take your measure. Stand on the stool please" Madam Malkin turned her attention to Perseus. She slipped on a robe on Perseus and started fixing it about for a perfect fit.
"Hmm, good height for an eleven year. Oh my, going to be quite a heartbreaker aren't we" exclaimed Madam Malkin when her hand passed over Perseus' toned muscles.
"Well I..I play football Madam" stammered out Perseus blushing at the comment. While not oblivious to his own charms Perseus was rather unused to be spoken to like this.
"A muggle-born then? Funny I thought you were a highborn pureblood by the looks. Not that there is anything wrong being muggle-born, my ma was one herself."
"Well here we are, your measurements are done school robes, a winter cloak, your uniform, anything else dear?"
"Well I could use two pairs of socks and a pair of woolen gloves."
"That would be 7 galleons, 14 sickles dear."
Perseus handed over 8 golden coins and Madam Malkin returned 3 silver ones back to him.
Just then Perseus saw McGonagall enter the shop again with a beautiful woman with a voluptuous figure, about 30, with brown hair and an aristocratic face. She had heavy lidded ,soft ,wide deep violet almost black eyes a shade near identical to his own.
"Perseus, I would like you to meet Andromeda Tonks, your aunt."
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: I do not own harry potter blah blah blah.
So, Perseus meets Andromeda. Andromeda will play a large role in the series as a mother figure to Perseus.
Next chapter: shopping at Diagon Alley, Family History and going to the Tonks' household.
Cast:
1. Andromeda Tonks: Rachel Weisz from THE MUMMY RETURNS.
2. Perseus Black: reply in review a) William Moseley from Narnia
b) Logan Lerman from Percy Jackson
c) Alex Pettfeyer from I am Number Four
d) Grant Gustin from THE FLASH
e) any other.
