A snort was the first reaction any of the nations made. As it turned out, it was a reaction to the first shop which sold Dragon Liver, and came from Prussia. The second reaction was a, "Are you fucking serious? A wall as the entrance?" and came from Germany. The third and fourth reaction came almost at the same time, from Canada and Russia, "Are you sure we are right here?" and "We can buy our stuff we need really here?" Japan just looked disbelieving and Italy was too busy to gawk at everything. Paris stared but decided to not comment any further than the other nations just did. England seemed to be disappointed by their lack of fascination and admiration.
"If we really have to go to Hogwarts next year, too, then we go shopping in my magical Alley," Paris finally said and stepped into the Alley. Like one the nations followed his example and they made their way to a white building with big letters which built the word "Gringotts" over it.
"This is the bank in our world," Paris explained mostly to Russia, but every other nation listened in. "It is led by goblins. They are a really prideful race but they are great warriors and accountants. If you open a vault here in England it will be accessible all over the world in every Gringotts branch there is. Be respectful when you talk with goblins and I recommend learning their language as soon as possible. If you manage to impress them they'll maybe give you discounts or name you Goblin Friend. But at least they'll be less hostile towards you."
"Ne, uhm, … Paris?" Germany seemed to flounder a bit on what to call him, but decided finally that nobody would consider it that this was his name and not some silly nickname he got as a five-year-old or something like that. Paris would probably thank him because his name would cause a lot more trouble for the shopping nations. The capital couldn't help but grin a bit. It was funny to see Germany at his wits end.
"Yes, Germany?" he finally said while falling a bit back. They earned a few strange looks, but nobody said anything against it. Seemingly they all thought that they were nicknames. Paris rolled his eyes. Sometimes the people were so blind, even when the truth was in front of their eyes.
"How many languages do you really speak? Francis said that he hired language tutors for you and you learned a lot of them in the time you lived with him, but how many are that?" Prussia asked the question every nation had in their mind.
"Well, fluently I speak English, French, German and Spanish. I am quite good in Chinese, almost going to fluent. I started learning Portuguese, Italian, Turkish, Dutch and Egyptian a few years ago, though I am nowhere near fluent, I am getting close. From the magical languages I speak Gobbledegook fluently and I can screech a bit of Mer on the land, but I'm pretty sure the mers would never understand me. For the Centaurs I have studied the language of the stars, so I understand what they tell me. Not that many, really."
The nations were flummoxed. Not many? They had centuries to learn what Paris spoke after six years! And the magical languages they didn't even know they existed!
"I speak a lot of these languages only because children have an easier time learning languages. They don't have the same problem as grown-ups, who don't hear a difference between a rolled 'r' and a normal 'r'," the capital nearly answered their thoughts, much to their amusement and shock. "When Papa hired the first tutor I had so much fun learning new languages that I simply continued with it. My fascination with them never ended. I know that a lot of you had other things to worry about than learning languages. As such it is … only expected that I learned more in six years than you in your lifetime. You all have much more experience when it comes to war, peacetimes and even the everyday-life." Almost inaudible, but in hearing range of Russia and Japan, he said, "When Papa first found me I felt … replaceable. A parasite who fed off of the goodwill of Papa. He seemed so wise, so … old beyond his seemingly young years. I couldn't even begin to understand what Papa went through while he could relate to me in an almost creepy way. That was the time I decided to make him proud. I immersed myself in my studies of history and languages, so I could understand his colleagues whenever he felt assured to introduce me to them."
I hide a lot of my insecurities behind a façade of a knowledgeable boy, Paris thought bitterly. If it came to him, nobody would ever see his insecurities.
Paris smiled sardonically and lapsed into silence. The nations had all heard him, even though Paris was sure that the noise of the magical alley had drowned it out. All of them were unsure how to react to such a statement. As such they kept quiet and let him think he went unheard. Before one of the nations could break the silence, they reached the double doors of Gringott's and the Goblin Guards guarding the entrance. They bowed before them and the nations were speechless. Paris on the other hand, bowed back and stepped to the next set of doors. The goblins at the front door were shocked but the shock increased when every nation that was with the boy followed his example and only then entered the bank. They knew that these weren't normal customers as soon as they stepped on the stairs of their bank, but that the nations bowed before the low guard was unheard of. The shock came for the guards at the second door, too. This time the nations and Paris bowed at the same time. It was an impressive image they made, if someone would have bothered to look: Nine people, eight of them children, mismatched as they were, showed their respect to the goblin nation by bowing to them. Paris straightened and the others followed. They stepped into the bank. It was a bright hall, chandeliers hanging everywhere and many desks where goblins sat and did their jobs. One was weighing rubies and another one was writing the weigh of gold bars down. At every desk was a long line of wizards and witches, waiting to be brought to their vaults. A guard stepped to one desk and gestured to the group of people still standing at the entrance. The goblin sitting at the desk followed the gesture and stood as soon as his eyes fell on England. Much to the chagrin of the people waiting in the line he put up a sign saying that this counter was closed. Then he came over to the group.
"Lord Kirkland," he said in a raspy voice. "The guard from the entrance told me something really interesting. Since when are you showing us respect?"
England felt the burning look in his back and prepared to run from the capital if need be.
"Ah, eh, it's... someone finally told me how to behave correctly around you?" he 'stated' unconvincingly.
Paris gave his input, but it was in a language that seemingly only the goblin seemed to understand. At first he seemed only shocked that someone knew the language of goblins but then amusement seeped into his eyes. At the end he showed his teeth in a smile, then asked something in return. The exchange lasted five minutes.
"Come with me," the goblin said finally in English and every nation turned questioningly to Paris. This time he didn't answer but walked just behind the goblin. When he looked back his look said, "We'll talk later about it."
Canada smirked and followed the two. That seemed to wake the other nations up and they hurried to tag along.
"So, you are all here for an inheritance test?" the goblin said and the nations blinked confused. Why would they need an inheritance test? It was pretty obvious for them that they didn't have any vaults here. They were personifications of countries and had lived a long time but never had they ventured into the magical world.
"Yes, yes, we are. You see, they grew up out of the country and as orphans. I think it would be great to see if there is anything for them," Paris answered. "Lord Kirkland was so helpful as to say that because of the last Dark Lord many families sent their heirs away, especially if the families were Light inclined. The panic was so massive that even some of the foreign families did it!"
What a lie. Germany was pretty sure that the goblins knew this but the nod they received was a dead give away that this wasn't as obvious as he had thought.
After what felt like hours they reached an office and were led in. They seated themselves like they sat in World Meetings: Germany in the middle, on his right Japan, on his left Italy, Canada next to Italy, Russia on his side. Paris sat on the left to Japan, England next to him, then China and then Prussia. Another goblin entered and blinked surprised at seeing so many people in his office.
He said nothing but gave each of them a vial with a dark blue potion in it.
"Three drops of your blood in it and wait until it turns gold before you pour it over the parchment in the basin," he finally said and gave them a blade. Russia started and cut his middle finger. He gave the knife to Canada, who repeated the process, followed by Italy, Germany, Japan, Paris, China and Prussia. After ten minutes of waiting in front of the basins given to them they took the parchment out of it. Sounds of surprise rung through the air.
The goblin took the parchment from Russia and his eyes widened in surprise. It took him only a second to compose himself. He gave the parchment back and yelled for a goblin to go to the Braginski Vault to retrieve the Lordship Ring. Paris didn't seem to be surprised. On the parchment stood in bold letters: Russia, aka Ivan Braginski, Head of the House of Braginski
On Canada's stood something similar: Canada, aka Matthew Williams, Head of the House of Williams
On Italy's stood: Italy, aka Feliciano Vargas, Heir to the House of Vargas
Germany's said: Germany, aka Ludwig Beilschmidt, Erbe des hoch geschätzten Hauses Beilschmidt
Japan's said: Japan, aka Kiku Honda, Head of the House of Honda
Paris' surprised the goblin pretty much: Paris, aka Harry Bonnefoy-Potter, Head of the House of Potter, Heir to the House of Bonnefoy, Heir to the House of Williams
"Well, what a surprise, Lord Potter" the goblin said. "I didn't think that I would ever see you here. None the less as heir to such prestigious families."
"I … don't understand," Paris answered shocked and looked over to Canada. "When and why did you name me heir, Canada?"
"Well, I did it, because I see you as a member of my family, maybe I can be your favourite uncle? I grew up with Francis, as such I am in a way family, am I not?"
"Oh, and by the way, I'll be going by Bonnefoy. It's a more prestigious title and it's the name of my father. As such I will carry his name. … Ah, the Potter name carries way to much prejudices for my taste." The capital looked sad to have to abandon his family-name Potter, but he had decided before he even knew that Bonnefoy was a prestigious name that he would carry the name of his new father, so that the attention was directed to his Papa. Dumbles would probably try to contact the nation as soon as Paris uttered the name Bonnefoy for the first time. If he knew the press right, the Daily Prophet would try to interview France as well and that was the time that Dumbles would wish that he never knew where Harry had been all the time.
After that being said and the shock being settled they turned to the other nations who didn't have their parchment looked at just yet.
China's read the following: China, aka Yao Wang, Head to the House of Wang
Prussia's was interesting, too, just because it gave the only clue that Ludwig was the younger brother: Prussia, aka Gilbert Beilschmidt, Familienleiter des hoch geschätzten Hauses Beilschmidt
Goblin after Goblin filed in the room and gave box after box to the poor goblin. He took all of them and put them on the desk. When the last goblin left the room he heaved a sigh.
"Well, here we have the Lordship-Ring of the House Wang" he held the box to Yao, who took it and slipped the ring on his left ring finger. "The next is the Heir-Ring of the Haus Beilschmidt." Ludwig took it and slipped it on. "Lordship-Ring of Haus Beilschmidt." Gilbert took it. "Lordship-Ring of the House Braginski." Ivan slipped it on. "Lordship-Ring of House Williams." Matthew got the box and put the ring on. "Heir-Ring of the House Vargas." Feli jumped up and wore the ring with a proud smile. "House Honda." Kiku received his ring. "Lordship-Ring House Potter" the goblin sounded giddy. Paris raised an eyebrow but slipped the ring on. Instantly he felt as if he became a capital for the second time. Too much information in a too short time flooded his brain and he had a murder headache when he opened his eyes again.
"That was so not funny," he groaned and the nations threw him a pitying look. Because they were nations for a longer time, they were used to a constant information influx and as such got no headache from the rings. But Paris was a capital for only two years and had an information influx on a much smaller scale than them. "Tell me that this won't happen for every ring."
"Well, if you speak all the languages, then I can say that no, it will not happen again. If you do not speak the languages of the family you're heir to then it will be painful."
The next rings, Williams, and Bonnefoy, were much easier to live with. The Potter-Ring sat now on his little finger on the left hand, the Bonnefoy Heir-Ring on the ring finger on the left hand and the Williams Ring made it to the index finger. Like all the nations, he knew that he could just melt them to one ring but he found it looked better to have them all on a different finger.
"Well, now that we know that we have a vault here, it would be just great to get money and do our shopping, don't you think?" Paris asked after he chucked down a headache reliever while grimacing at the taste. The goblin called for seven different goblins and they were taken to the different vaults. England stayed behind and Prussia and Germany only needed one because they had to go to the same vault. It was an eventful day for said goblin. Many of the vaults they discovered were still active when they entered the bank but nobody had ever seen heir nor head of the house so it came as a surprise to see so many of them and then they had so strange names, too. He didn't understand why China, Japan, Russia and co. stood as the given name and the normal, human names as aliases. Even in the magical community it wasn't a thought worth that they may be the personification of nations.
~O~
When the nations and the capital gathered in the entrance hall again everybody was in awe at how much money they had. Nations weren't poor at a far stretch of the imagination but they surely didn't have enough money to just buy everything that struck their fancy.
"You knew we were heirs and Head of noble houses, didn't you, aru?" China asked finally the obvious question, and Paris smirked.
"No, I didn't know, no matter how omniscient you think I am. But I had an inkling as to what I had to expect."
"How come?" Germany asked.
"I thought that your families would have done something. Magic goes back to Ancient Egypt, so why should your parents not know of magic? I imagine that they opened the vaults and didn't think anything of it. Maybe they even told you once upon a time and you forgot it again. That you were named Houses is explained with the for the goblins continuation of the line, even though you just never died. The only House which surprises me is the Hoch Geschätzte Haus Beilschimdt. Your other lines have no fancy title to strike with as you never were active in the wizarding world. But the Beilschmidts must have done something that the German wizards found impressive. That's what interests me pretty much," Paris admitted.
"I'm only active in my magical sector since Arthur accidentally transfigured me into a cat. After that proof I could not deny it any longer that there is magic in the world," Canada said and Paris looked down at his index finger. With a snort he shook his head.
"I still don't understand you, Canada!" he exclaimed and earned confused looks from wizards and witches alike.
"You don't need to~" Canada nearly sang. "Just accept it!"
Paris snorted and entered Ollivander's wand shop .
The nations followed and were greeted in a typical Ollivander manner. At least it would have been, if he could say who he had in front of him. But he couldn't, so he only stared. Paris and the nations stared back, not in the least intimidated by the man. A smile twitched on Paris' lips but he wouldn't be the first to break the silence.
"Here for your wand, I guess?" Ollivander gave finally up after seeing that the others wouldn't break and tell him who they were.
"Guessed correctly," Paris answered.
~O~
After two hours, everybody had a wand in his possession. Paris took quite a while because he rejected even strange combinations like Holly and Phoenix Feather, until finally one wand with Lynx fur accepted him.
"Well, that was horrible," Paris sighed as they left the shop and went to buy their school uniform. That went over well, Paris ordering it in completely different styles and materials, but that was expected. He was the son of France. He argued quite well, that they still were plain, even if the style was slightly changed. As such they were still qualified as the uniform. The seamstress wanted to argue against it, but found that the argument was valid. There was no contradicting argument she could make. Even if the robe was tighter on his torso and flared around his legs, it was still a plain, black robe. If the material was cotton or silk made no difference whatsoever and if he was happy, she would do it. They were looked at strangely because they came one day before the school started but as always, the nations didn't care in the slightest.
Even the rest of their school shopping went well, until the topic of animals came up.
"I'll take Kuma with me," Canada stated plainly. "He is my familiar, so the school can't say anything against it."
"They won't believe you, Canada," Paris warned and earned a disbelieving look. "I know that Kuma is not a simple polar bear but I don't think that Dumbles will believe you if you tell him that he's a spirit. And you know as well as I that it's nearly impossible for a non-magical animal to bond with a wizard as familiar."
"I won't let him stay with America!" he protested.
"No, not him. I would take him with you, too, but it can get problematic if Dumbles decides to throw him out. Let's just try it. If it doesn't work out, you can send him to Papa. He can take really good care of animals."
Paris shrugged at the looks he got. He knew that France was a little (okay, way too much) of an airhead sometimes but he really wasn't. Just like Paris was certain that Italy was more than the happy go lucky person he showed the world.
"I'll have to buy an owl," Paris mused. "Somehow I'll have to stay in contact with Papa. If I take Aphrodite, I can write Papa, but am without means of messaging anyone, when she's with him. So an owl it is. Hopefully Aphrodite and her or him get along."
"Who the heck is Aphrodite?" England asked and the others, besides Prussia, nodded. Prussia as France's friend knew, that Aphrodite was the pet of the country of love.
"Papa's pet dove. Don't tell me, you didn't know that he has her?" Paris asked astonished.
The other countries gave a sheepish smile. The capital rolled his eyes and went into the store. The others stayed outside, considering that Germany had three dogs, it was for the best. The cats in the store would attack him, if he even considered entering. A few minutes later Harry exited the pet shop with a snowy owl on his shoulder. He stared in concentration at the owl and after Italy decided he wanted to take her on his shoulder, he decided to talk with England.
"Something is not right with her," Paris murmured to him. The island raised an eyebrow at him. "Her magical flow is off."
Now, that got the interest of Russia and England. Both countries stared at the proud owl perching on Italy's head, with ease ignoring his pleas of not touching his gravity defying curl. They had to agree with the capital, something was off with the owl.
"We'll look into it. I'll ask Romania and Norway for help," England decided. After this decision he gathered the other countries, telling them, that it was time to go home.
Paris again went with Russia and nearly fell asleep on the tall country. Russia smiled down on him and carried him to the room they shared.
~O~
Erbe des hoch geschätzten Hauses (German) → Heir to the Most Valued House of
Familienleiter des hoch geschätzten Hauses (German) → Head of the Most Valued House of
Sue me, I'm lazy like hell, so I don't write what wands the others have. Just that Paris didn't get the holly and phoenix feather one! :P
So, just saying, but my beta, Frey, and I had a lengthy discussion if Harry, aka Paris, got too many Houses he's heir to and speaks to many languages and found this as a normal enough ground, considering the house I want to put him in... Anyway, tell me what you think.^^ By the way, this will be one of the last 'short' chapters, the others I've already written will be longer.