Chapter 6

Arcturus Black's Lessons Part 3 (Summer's End)

February 23 1991

Arcturus Black sat inside the office of Beograd his family's account manager. He was going over his will with the greedy goblin. "Your heir is to be emancipated at fourteen should you die per wizarding laws. Upon your death as stated your heir who will mostly be known as Hermione Ganger will be the main beneficiary of it. The others, Andromeda Tonks nee Black, Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black, Sirius Black, and Narcissa Malfoy nee Black will only be able to have access once their terms have been met. From what you have written only Narcissa at this moment will be able to have access to what you have bequeathed them."

Beograd looked up from the paperwork his beady eyes glimmering at the current head of the Black family. Arcturus withstood the need to hex the creature and tear certain names off of that list. Sadly, it was necessary. Andromeda, he was sure would be let back into the family by Hermione. It was one of her duties. Sirius most likely would as well but he hoped that she wouldn't be foolish enough to do so. He hated more than anything taking any part of life serious. He was reckless and headstrong. No cunning whatsoever save for the times he would prank others.

But it was necessary. That necessity he kept chanting in his head. "Beograd may your enemies fall to your blade and your coffers fill with their bounty." His goblin accounted tilted his head in acknowledgement. Neither of the two liked each other. In fact, they both tolerated one another with a small bit of respect. Beograd had become his family's account manager after his clan one the right to manage the Black Family vault. Arcturus wasn't too annoyed because although, the two of them tolerated each other his last account manager was close to an Avada.

"And may your family be once more brought to its glory." His dark eyes flickered with surprise. That was not normally something a goblin would say in response. It was usually about more gold and violence. But, Beograd must be hoping to keep this account.

"Thank you." It was the goblins turn to be surprised but he hid it better than the wizard. "My heir, upon my death when you send her a message from Gringotts, she will most likely be at Hogwarts. There is a secrecy required in this matter."

"It is understood." With that their meeting ended and Arcturus returned to the manor.

HGHG

"Today we will be going over finances." Arcturus told her.

Hermione was surprised. This morning her grand uncle had been gone for hours. Normally, he'd be in the dueling room. Most if not all of her information lessons about the wizarding world and etiquette were over with. Thank Merlin for that. She was annoyed at the dancing lessons more than anything that she had to do. But, now she was surprised they were covering finances. They hadn't even spoken of the family wealth besides him telling her that the family was well off.

"Why?" When she asked this question, she noted a slight hesitance in his gaze.

"It is necessary."

It was not the first but it certainly would not be the last time she heard that saying.

"I understand."

"We shall begin with the properties. We own numerous properties around the world. Some, of which has been there since the creation of our house. One of our oldest houses is in Greece the homeland of our founder. It is located in Athens near the Parthenon. Sadly, due to its proximity we do not normally visit that mansion because of it being so enjoyed by muggles." The last part was said in a sneer. He cleared his throat before continuing. "Here in Britannia we own numerous titles and some titles brought vast amount a land. We own three castles in Britain itself the names of which are Junai Castle, Borden Castle and Gaslow Castle. These castles are fortified heavily with magic that keeps muggles away as well as an assortment of wards that keep out those who we do not want…"

Hermione yawned slightly as kept naming properties and giving their significance to the family. Some properties bred sheep that was used as wool that was sold to seamstresses, others sat on rare magical gems that were on occasion used to make wands and as protective gifts. The properties were all fairly large and many of which were just 'vacation' homes. Some were used, when the Black family had a large enough branch family and they held members of the family that left home.

"Because of all of these properties we have taken steps to have citizenships in the countries in which they inhabit. Mind you not all of these countries have bequeathed us citizenship." With each second this was becoming more and more like a lecture. As attentive a student she was this was horrible. "Since we are done with properties let us move onto businesses and finance." She was unable to stifle the groan of annoyance.

June 25 1991

Tomorrow was the day. She could finally go home. She had missed her parents dearly now that she had been without them for almost a year. Yet, she didn't know how to handle being around them either. She looked at her heir ring and her pale hand. Internally, Hermione Granger was no more now there was only Hermione Black. And if it was stretched necessary Hermione Potter-Black. Although, she did not view herself as a Potter that's what her father was. And in her lessons, her grand uncle slyly told her that if she wanted to the young scion could take responsibility over the Potter Family. Although, that was only if the current scion (Harry Potter) did not acknowledge his heirship magically as she already had when she put on the family ring or however the Potters did things.

Hermione didn't think it was likely that she would have to. She was sure the famed Boy-Who-Lived understood his magical duties.

"Hermione." She sat straight and looked at her frowning Grand Uncle. She instinctively made her face blank of emotion and erected her Occulumency barriers keeping her mind protected. Lately, Arcturus had been in the habit of passively and sometimes aggressively attacking her a mind with Legilimency. Because of that, she has several mental barriers that keep him out. Some, will always be there they had become unconscious since beginning this. Her emotions were very controlled and she no longer had bouts of out of control anger that caused her element to go out of control.

"Yes, Uncle Arcturus?" She met his eyes and felt the gentle prod. He nodded before speaking.

"Are you packed?"

"Yes, I have the trunk full of day robes, books and more." The trunk he had given her was incredible. It had a weightless charm cast on it and it had some sort of extension charm cast on it. There was even a small reading room and bedroom inside the trunk. It was like a mini house. Not to mention the anti-theft protection and wards on it.

"As you know, I cannot accompany you on your trip to Diagon Alley. That being said you have your trust keys that he created for your schooling." Arcturus reached into his robe. "I decided to give you this." It was a pouch. He held it out to her and she took it. "The pouch is connected to your Black vault. It is not a trust vault and your father has given you the keys to them." He motioned to the pouch she now held. "The pouch is filled with one hundred galleons and will refill whenever the amount inside is used. You can use this as spending money to keep your secrecy intact as your father wished it. The school is not privy to your banking information all they know is that they are being paid from your vault."

"Thank you." He nodded stiffly and walked away with a limp that Hermione noticed wasn't there before.

August 15 1991

She had been home for weeks now and her parents were acting oddly. At first, she thought it was because of the fact that she no longer had the glamour ring on. But, when she put it on and they still made hesitant motions around it saddened her. She had not changed that much. Her siblings didn't think so from the way Jadyn and Crayston continued to make her play with them. Hermione knew it was because unlike her parents her siblings didn't know anything about her situation. In fact, her parents told them that she was away at a science camp during her missing days.

Despite the fact, she missed loads of school they believed them. Now they were absolutely fine with everything and happily showed off their 'accidental' magic. Magic that the young witch knew was no longer as accidental as they claimed. If they wanted something bad enough they could literally summon it to them. "Hermione?" Ariana peered into her room making the Black heir stiffen before turning to her mother, who wasn't acting like much of a mother lately.

"Yes Mom?" She turned to her mother who was now leaning against the door frame.

"I thought you'd want to go to Diagon Alley for your school things. I know you haven't been yet" she paused "unless Arcturus took you."

"No Grand Uncle Arcturus didn't take me. I don't have any of my school things. I was actually going to ask you to take me soon."

"Well how about we go now?"

As a little footnote on my part I'm just remarking on the Pre-Year 1 story end. We will now go onto the Philosopher Stone happenings. I hope so far you've all enjoyed my story on some level. I'll update that at least once every one to two weeks from now on.