Disclaimer: see Prologue

Chapter 3: Gringotts

Entering the bank Cassie walked up to the nearest free goblin. After waiting to be acknowledged she cleared her throat and the goblin looked up with a sneer.

"I'm here to reopen my vaults. I hope that it will be swift and lucrative business for both parties." The goblin's eyes opened minutely at the greeting and then when she handed him her key his eyes nearly bugged out of his head.

"Ms.Potter! Follow me; your arrival has been awaited." He led her to an office where an old looking goblin was sitting. And standing in front of his desk was Albus Dumbledore.

"Dumbledore has tried to get access to your vaults, as only a member of the Potter family can open them he has been denied. He has tried to get control of you but your godparents have put a stop to that." The goblin opened the door and let her in. When she entered only the goblin saw her and he only smiled a fraction wider, not that Dumbledore noticed that.

What was the goat trying to do now? Didn't he get the hint that he wasn't involved in her life anymore?

"Ms.Potter, you have come to reopen your vaults? This 'gentleman' has been trying to convince us that he is here to represent you. And that he's your fiancé."

It took Cassie a moment to realize what the old goblin was saying but when she did her eyes widened and she flinched. Eww disgusting mental picture.

"As far as I know I am my own magical guardian as I am of age. And for my fiancé he's not here and it's definitely not you Headmaster. Now if you'll be kind enough to leave us alone this does not concern you only me. Or you can be thrown out for intruding on a privet ritual." With that Cassie turned her back to the Headmaster as a dismissal and he knew that if he didn't leave he would be thrown out. Grumbling he left. Blasted goblins! Nasty little buggers the lot of them.

"Now Ms.Potter I have your parents Will here and a copy of the Marriage Contract. I can help you with the Will but not the Contract. Only members of the families mentioned can read it." He handed her the Will and sat back to let her read it in private. A moment later raw magic was rippling through the air. It only lasted for a minute but it was enough to get him, a goblin, to shiver in fear. He was glad that it wasn't aimed at him.

"I need a statement from my trust vault. I got the key when I entered the wizarding world. I should have had it from the beginning as I am the only living member of my House." The goblins eyes go a decided feral look in them when he heard that and a moment later the statement was handed to her. Skimming over it she immediately knew that money had been taken out by strangers as she only took money since she came to the wizarding world. She told the goblin about it.

"I apologize on the behalf of Gringotts. This will be rectified immediately." Nodding she took the Contract that had been put in front of her. Her magic tingled as she picked it up. Taking a steadying breath she opened it and started to read.

Contract stipulating the joining of

House Potter and House Malfoy

When a female heir is born to either family she will be engaged to the living member of the other family. If there is no female heir born the contract will go dormant until there is a female in either of the families.

Both parties will when in public act as expected by persons of their statue. Disagreements will be kept strictly behind closed doors.

An heir will be born at the latest two years from the wedding date.

Vaults will be open to both parties.

Friends of both parties will in public be treated with respect, no matter what the personal feelings might be.

If a party cheats they will loose their magic.

The female will remain chaste as she will loose her standing in society if not. If she has not there will be no marriage.

Children born from the male's previous marriage will be removed from his family. As will his spouse. The children will have the spouse's last name and no right on the males name or fortune. Neither has the spouse.

James Harold Potter Napoleon Abraxis Malfoy

Head of Potter Family Head of Malfoy Family

The Contract surprised her. It was to the point and no unnecessary talking and fancy words.

But she had some questions about it. What did it mean with living male member? Shouldn't she marry Draco then? She could only wait until she talked to Mr.Malfoy to find out. The she remembered the incident yesterday when she was shopping.

Flashback

"Oh look, if it isn't the Weaselette. And who can you be? Probably another mudblood lover?" The familiar drawl came from behind Cassie. Malfoy!

"Hello Draco" When she turned his jaw dropped and his eyes bugged out. He was caught completely of guard. Both Ginny and Cassie foun it extremely amused as he always was in control of his reactions usually. "Potter? But… but you´re a girl?!" "So you noticed?" "Do close your mouth Draco, its not proper. Ms.Potter. Ms.Weasley." Lucius Malfoy appeared next to Draco. He seemed amused at the reaction she got. "Mr.Malfoy" Cassie and Ginny chorused and that made his eyebrow arch in question. She could see that he relized that Ginny knew.

"Are you done staring Draco? It's rather rude to stare at someone like you are doing. Where are your manners?" Ginny asked in her I´m-gonna-get-you-in-trouble-voice. And sure enough it worked, Lucius turned to look at him. He sneered and the proceeded to stare at him with an eyebrow raised until Draco looked at him. It took a couple of minutes but it worked. Draco blushed and averted his eyes when he noticed Lucius looking at him. Ginny grabbed him and pulled him away much to Cassies amusement. She knew that Ginny had a crush on Draco. Suddenly it hit me that I was standing alone with Lucius Malfoy, a known Death Eater. But my parent's letter popped up in my head and I relaxed a bit.

"Where are you headed Ms.Potter? Would you mind if I accompanied you as your friend left with Draco?" I turned towards him. Suddenly I realized that he probably knew the contents of the Contract as he had not sneered or acted as he usually did towards Ginny. It mede me want to know what it said.

"I need some proper clothes so I'm heading to Madame Malkins. " "I would recommend Ms.Potter not to shop there. Its one of the cheapest stores in the Alley. If you want high quality I'll recommend Shanestra. They have the same clothes as Madame Malkins but a much higher quality." "Why did Draco get his school robes at Madame Malkins then?" "Narcissa thought it to be a good way for him to get friends." "Where else can I get good quality then Mr.Malfoy?" "Knockturn Alley. Going down there alone is not wise Ms.Potter not for you. Not everything in Knockturn Alley is dark"

I watched the man next to me and I knew he was telling the truth. I never seen the kind of material he wore at Madame Malkins. He's dressed in high quality clothes but he's not showing it of as Draco is.

"Well then Mr.Malfoy. Would you show me where to shop in Diagon Alley at least? I'll leave Knockturn for another day. I want clothes that fit me and make me look good, not like a beggar. And as I have no idea what is proper for my status I'll need some help." With a slight bow he offered me his arm and I took it. Then he leads me to a store I have passed nearly a hundred times without realizing and as we enter I realize I'm shopping with a pureblood that probably knows more about what is proper to wear than I'll ever do.

I had a blast shopping with Lucius Malfoy. That man is as sarcastic as Severus but it is hidden beneath the mask of a snobbish, prejudiced pureblood.

End Flashback

"When will you have cleared up the mess with my vault? And how do I open the other vaults?" Cassie asks the goblin.

"It will be done in two days as it is a large amount taken every time. Do you want to sue them? The other vaults have been opened as we speak."

"I want to know who took money, every single withdrawal. Is it possible to get the money back without suing or will I have to sue them?"

"Do you want it personally or shall we owl the information to you? As it have been taken illegally the money will be taken from their account to be put back in yours. There is no need to sue but if you do it will be public."

"Personally is safer, I don't want it in the wrong hands. I'll see when I find out who's been taking money from me. I want a copy sent to my godparents and my fiancé, in case Dumbledore tries anything. Now I would like to go to my vaults if you don't mind"

"Follow me Ms.Potter." A goblin standing next to the door says. "Griphook, nice to see you again." The goblins eyes widen minutely when Cassie calls him by name.

Entering the vault is an surprise. Lucius has told her that the Potters are rich but this… Two trunks are standing directly in front of the opening. On them are two letters.

Dear Cassie,

In this you'll find my journals and other things that mean a lot to me. If you are reading this in our vault then we are dead. I'm sorry for not being there for you when you need me. No matter what happens know that I love you and will watch over you. Dad

Cassis couldn't stop the tears that escaped but it didn't matter.

My beautiful daughter, You´ll find journals in this trunk but there will also be some things that belong to you. You´ll understand when you open it. Be careful and if we are not therewith you never doubt our love for you. We will always watch over you, you are our baby. Live life after your own head and listen to your instincts.Mum

Shrinking the trunks Cassie wiped her face free from tears and went to collect some money. She might want to buy something in Hogsmeade. It would be fun to go back to school as a Malfoy. Going as her true self would only make it better.

Let the fun begin.

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