When the cart stopped outside of Kassel's vault, Kassel stepped off the cart followed by Harry. Kassel walked over to the door and placed his Le Fey lordship ring on it. It glowed and opened up for him. "Bloody hell." Kassel whispered. The doors opened to reveal stacks of books that looked old and rare, gold and gems, and even old looking trunks.
"Watch your language, Mr. Potter." Snape said.
"Sorry, professor." Kassel said over his shoulder as he made his way deeper into the vault, looking through the trunks further in.
"Kassel, your pouch!" Harry shouted after him, but it seemed like Kassel didn't hear him. Harry sighed, shaking his head with a small smile on his face. "I'll take it to him, Ragnok." Harry said to the goblin who had walked over to the vault doorway.
"Of course, Lord Potter." Ragnok handed the pouch to Harry and walked back to the cart after a short bow.
Harry turned and walked into the vault. "Kassel!"
"I'm over here, Harry!" Kassel shouted back. He was standing in front of a trunk that was filled with old books, a few small boxes, and two large snakes. "Look what I found." He told Harry excitedly when Harry reached him.
"You are always finding something." Harry said, amused. He leaned over to take a look into the trunk. "They're beautiful." He whispered, mesmerized by the two snakes.
One snake was nearly three meters long. It had midnight blue scales that looked black but shone blue in the light. Its eyes were like blue sapphires. The other snake was about four meters long and a deep green that looked black but turned a shimmering forest green in the light. Its eyes were like emeralds.
"Right?" Kassel agreed. He looked at the snakes and raised his hand, moving it toward them slowly so as not to make them feel threatened.
Stupid human. How was he allowed into mistress' vault. We should kill them where they stand. The green snake hissed.
Wait. Kassel said to the snake as it opened its mouth in a threatening manner, fangs glistening with venom. I mean no harm. We were able to get into the vault because we are descendants of Morgan Le Fey.
"Kassel, I think there's something wrong with us. We can understand the snake, and you were just speaking to it!" Harry exclaimed.
The snake paused, its tongue flickering out to taste the air around Kassel. You tell the truth, young speaker. Your magic tastes like my mistress'. What is your name? The snake asked. And you both speak the language of snakes: Parseltongue. It said to Harry.
My name is Kassel Potter, Lord of the Le Fey and Gryffindor houses. Kassel answered. What's your name?
My name is Esmeralda. Who is the other human who looks just like you? Esmeralda asked.
My name is Harry Potter. I am Lord to the Peverell and Potter house. I am Kassel's twin brother. Harry answered her.
The blue snake slithered closer to the edge of the trunk, stopping just in front of Harry. My name is Saphira. The snake hissed. Her tongue flicked out, brushing against Harry's nose. You taste like Mistress. Will you take me as your familiar?
Harry looked down at her in shock. What is a familiar?
A familiar is an animal who bonds with a wizard. With time, the wizard will be able to read the familiar's mind and vice versa. The animal will also be able to tap into the magical core of the wizard to help it grow larger and perform small bouts of magic. The wizard will also be able to take on characteristics of its familiar. For example, Kassel took me to be his familiar, he would be able to gain characteristics of mine like my venomous bite. Esmeralda answered. Kassel, will you take me as your familiar?
Kassel and Harry looked at each other before nodding. We accept you as our familiars. Quicker than they were able to register, Esmeralda bit Kassel's hand, and Saphira did the same to Harry. The twins hissed from the searing hot pain in their hands before it was replaced with a comforting warmth. The snakes climbed up the arm of their respective wizard, resting on their shoulders. "Oh, Kassel, you forgot your pouch." Harry finally remembered why he stepped into the vault in the first place. He handed Kassel the pouch that he was holding.
Is that featherlight and bottomless? Esmeralda asked. At Kassel's nod, she continued. Good. Bring the trunk that Saphira and I were in. Mistress said to give it to her descendants who were worthy of it, and Saphira and I believe you both are worthy.
Kassel nodded. Let me just get Professor Snape. He'll be able to shrink it for us.
There's no need, Kassel. Esmeralda said. The trunk contains a few wands inside that Mistress herself created. I'm sure you both will be able to find one that is perfect for each of you. She slithered back into the trunk and coiled her body around four slim boxes. She raised her body so that Kassel was able to grab them without bending down.
Kassel sat on the floor and spread the boxes out before him. He took the lids off, and the sight of the wands made him shiver. He could feel the magic pulsing within each piece of wood. What do I do now?
Now run your dominant hand over the wands. You'll feel which one is right for you, young master. Esmeralda told him.
It seemed simple enough, so Kassel lifted his right hand and ran them over the wands slowly. All of them felt warm, but none of them felt right until he reached the last one. He felt an immense heat emanating from the last one and picked it up. A burst of euphoria filled him, the magic in him pulsing in time with the magic of the wand. This is it. He said.
The components of the wand are listed on the inside of the box. Esmeralda told him. He picked up the box and moved over so that Harry could pick a wand for himself as well. As Harry tried to figure out which wand was his, Kassel read the components that made up his wand.
Harry's was much easier. His wand was the first one. "I found mine." Harry told Kassel. "It's body is Yew, and the handle is Ash. The core is Basilisk skin. What about yours Kassel?"
"The wand has an Ivy body and Alder handle. The core in the handle is made up of Acromantula web and Phoenix tail feather." Kassel answered.
Both very powerful wands. We knew you would be worthy wizards. Saphira said, and Esmeralda nodded in agreement. Now to shrink the trunk, just place your wand on the top and will it to happen. Magic is about intent more than it is about the words and wand movement. Saphira told Kassel. Kassel nodded and, after putting away the wands and wand boxes and closing the trunks, he did as Saphira instructed.
His magic hummed happily as it eagerly did what he wanted. The wand pulsed with the surge of magic, and the trunk shrunk. Good job, master. Esmeralda said.
Thank you, Esmeralda. Kassel said graciously, picking up the now shrunken trunk and placing it in his pouch.
"What's taking you two so long?" Harry heard Snape shout from the doorway. "We still have to shop for your school supplies."
"We'll be out in a moment, professor!" Harry shouted back at him. "Hurry, Kassel. Grab whatever else you need." Harry said, walking toward the entrance of the vault.
"Alright. I'm coming." Kassel placed his pouch on to a pile of Galleons and started scooping as much as he could into it. He ran to catch up with Harry, reaching him right before he crossed the entryway. "Is there an easier way to go about taking money from one's vault to spend it, Ragnok?" Kassel asked as he and Harry climbed into the cart where Snape and Ragnok were waiting. After a moment of silence, Kassel asked, "Ragnok?"
"I do believe he's in shock, Mr. Potter." Snape responded instead. At Kassel's confused look he continued. "You and Lord Potter have rather large snakes wrapped around your shoulders." He explained.
Kassel's facial expression became one of understanding. "Oh, right. We found them within my vault. They're now our familiars. Anyways, Ragnok, do you know if there is another way to make withdrawals from one's vault?" He explained and then asked again.
Ragnok seemed to have recovered from his shock because he did not hesitate in answering this time. "Yes, Lord Le Fey. Gringotts has a magical card, like a muggle debit card, that is provided to the lord of all of our more wealthy vaults." Ragnok told him.
"Wonderful. My brother and I would like one for each of our vaults." Kassel said. "I don't particularly like the bottomless pouch for gathering money from the vault, though it has its merits for collecting other things from the vault."
"Of course, Lord Le Fey. Gringotts will provide these cards to you by owl within the next week. All the runes and magic used to make the cards take a while, and we'll be making to for each of you." Ragnok said as they neared the end of their journey.
"Thank you, Ragnok. Perhaps you can send the cards when you send the information on our vaults and properties." Harry told him, climbing out of the cart after Kassel.
"Of course, sir." Ragnok bowed his head as he too climbed out.
"Now that that is all settled, we have many things to do today." Snape said. "Good day, Ragnok." He bowed his head toward the creature.
"Good day, Mr. Snape. Lord Potter, Lord Le Fey." Ragnok said, bowing to each wizard.
Harry and Kassel bowed back before following Snape out of the bank. "Maybe you should try to hide your familiars." Snape suggested. "Many witches and wizards are frightened of snakes because Lord Voldemort was able to speak with them." Snape explained at their confused looks.
The twins glanced at each other quickly, eyes wide, before regaining their composure. So Lord Voldemort was a parseltongue like us, Kassel thought to himself.
Yes, Master. Kassel jumped when he heard Esmeralda's voice inside his head. You are much stronger than I originally thought if our mental bond is already forming. Esmeralda said.
"Kassel." Harry said to him. He nudged Kassel on the shoulder. "Saphira was able to sink into my body to hide herself from view." He pointed at the snakehead that was imprinted behind his ear. "Ask Esmeralda if she can do the same."
Mistress would be pleased if she knew you both were her descendants. Esmeralda's thoughts filled Kassel's head before he felt an odd sensation, and she was imprinted on his skin, hidden from view like Saphira.
"Where to, professor?" Harry asked Snape as they made their way through the crowds of people. So far, no one noticed the twins, and Harry couldn't be more thankful.
"We'll be going to Ollivander's first, so you both can get your wands." Snape answered.
"Oh, there's no need, professor. Kassel and I found our wands within the Le Fey vault." Harry told him, showing the man his wand, and Kassel did the same.
Snape eyed the wands and the twins. "Is that so?" He drawled. At the twins' nods, he nodded. "Well then, we can head to Madam Malkin's for your robes." With that, he led them to the shop. Luckily they beat the rush, so there weren't too many people inside. There was only a boy with platinum blonde hair that was nearly white, and a man who was obviously his father with the same hair color and sharp facial features.
"Severus, what a pleasant surprise." The man said when he noticed them.
The boy turned and grinned waving at Snape. "Hello, Uncle Severus." The boy said.
"Draco, Lucius." Severus nodded his head toward them in greeting. "These are my charges of the day." He gestured to the twins. "Meet Harry and Kassel Potter." He introduced.
"No bloody way." Draco whispered.
"Language, Draconis." Lucius said, not taking his eyes off the boys.
"Sorry, father." Draco responded automatically, looking at the twins as well. "It's nice to meet you both. I'm Draco Malfoy, and this is my father Lucius Malfoy."
Both Harry and Kassel bowed slightly at the waist to the Malfoys at the same time. "Pleasure." They murmured together. Lucius eyed them. He could feel the dark magic in the air, and he knew it wasn't himself, Draco, or Severus, but surely it couldn't be coming from the supposed saviors of the light.
"Why are you both dressed in muggle rags?" Draco asked, his head tilted to the side slightly.
"Draco!" Lucius admonished.
"No, it's quite alright, Mr. Malfoy." Harry said.
"We're dressed in these muggle rags because we've been living with our disgusting muggle family since the death of our parents." Kassel finished, answering Draco's question.
Lucius eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. "Sounds like you harbor hatred for these muggle relatives of yours." He drawled, wondering if the hatred ran as deep as he was hoping it would. If the light's saviors were dark, it'd be the biggest irony he'd ever known in his life.
"Hate is a strong word, Mr. Malfoy." Harry started.
"But in this case, it's not nearly as strong enough to describe our deep loathing for them and muggles in general." Kassel spat. His green eyes almost glowing with his anger.
Harry placed a hand on Kassel's shoulder and squeezed it. "Excuse my brother. He gets quite emotional when discussing the topic of our relatives."
"Of course." Lucius nodded, intrigued. "May I ask why that is?"
Harry's posture stiffened, and Kassel clenched his jaw. "You may ask, Mr. Malfoy, but I hardly think we know each other well enough to be discussing our life stories in public, don't you think?" Harry said.
"Yes, of course." Lucius agreed. "My apologies." Internally, Lucius was grinning from ear to ear. Surely, this was something no one could have predicted.
"Do you know what house you'll be sorted into when we get to Hogwarts?" Draco asked the twins, trying to ease the tension in the room. Honestly, where was the blasted lady with his robes.
"Houses?" Kassel asked, staring intently at the Malfoy heir. Harry noticed this and smirked.
"Yes, there are four houses: Slytherin, the ambitious and cunning, Gryffindor, the brave and foolish," Kassel chuckled at the clearly biased descriptions of the houses, "Ravenclaw, the wise and boring, and Hufflepuff, the loyal and annoying."
"Do you know which house you'll be in?" Kassel asked.
"Of course." Draco nodded confidently. "I'll be in Slytherin."
"Well then I hope I get placed in Slytherin as well." Kassel smirked at the grin on Draco's face.
"Draco." Lucius said. "Come, your things are ready. Mr. Potters it was a pleasure meeting you."
"A pleasure for us as well, Mr. Malfoy." Kassel nodded. "Goodbye, Draco." He smirked in Draco's direction. Draco waved goodbye with a grin before following Lucius out the doors.
"I see you've taken an interest in the little blonde." Harry commented lightly as the lady now ushered him onto the raised platform and began taking his measurements.
"You have no idea." Kassel replied with a smirk.