Head bent down, a girl labored in the dark with only a small lamp for light. Scratching on parchment with a feathery quill, the girl mumbled strange and meaningless words to herself.
"Ghosts," she whispered, "goblins," was heard a minute later.
Finally at 2 in the morning, the girl put down the pen disguised as a quill and flipped a bunch of pages over.
Who are...the Goblins? could be seen on the front. As the girl's breathing turned even, the wind coming from the open window flipped the bound pages over.
What do goblins value?
Most of all, goblins value children. Their children are very precious to them. This is partly why line theft in goblin culture is punishable by death. To even attempt to take over a family would see you sent to the Pit. (See: Punishments). When a new house is formed, a Senior Goblin is elected to be its account manager. Like with the Wizengamot, these positions are hereditary unless the Lord of the House wishes to change the banker.
Goblins and their Gold
Goblins greatly value gold, silver, and bronze. It is what they use to make their famous armor. Most of the ancient families' armor is goblin made. Anything goblin made is highly regarded and precious. As wizards don't exactly have the best relationship with the goblins, goblins do not like having goblin-made items in possession of wizards.
The pages flipped themselves again, settling on a page titled Punishments.
What are goblin punishments?
Goblins take honor very seriously. To even be accused would see a goblin delegated to serve time in the lobby. A simple punishment would be to lose your job, or be on dragon dung duty. Others include sweeps of the vaults, training children, and paperwork. More intense punishments include torture and death. One such punishment is the Pit. Two or more goblins go into the Pit….and only one side comes out alive. It is typically used for honor fights or by getting revenge. They are not taken lightly, as it is a fight to the death.
(OvO)
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# #
Lucius Malfoy snarled. He growled. He raged. He stomped his feet and brought his fists down on the table.
And yes, this was the 36 year old head of house Malfoy. The letter from his son lay forgotten as Lucius threw the biggest temper tantrum his wife, Narcissa had ever seen. Narcissa hesitantly crossed the room, ducking to avoid the flying fists. She picked up the letter and read.
Dear Father,
There is a really annoying mudblood at school. She cheated me out of 5 million galleons. Plus there were the 12, 103,000 from before. I'll challenge her to another contest. Perhaps potions? After all, Uncle Severus has been teaching me since I was 9.
No, I would not like to go to the Switzerland mansion. Baker took it from me. And the French Chateau is also a no.
It's not fair. She blackmailed me and now I have to dance in some stupid muggle ballet. Oh yeah - she wants a copy of the Malfoy family Blackmail Book. And if I don't get it for her, I'll lose my magic. It also has to be the exact copy with every bit of information we know.
I now owe her 7 favors. Come deal with her and put her in her place.
Draco
Narcissa's eyes widened, seeing every single little slight that her son made against her new favorite girl.
(OvO)
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# #
"DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY! HOW DARE YOU INSULT MISS BAKER! SHE IS AN ADMIRABLE YOUNG WOMEN AND YOU WILL NOT CALL HER THAT HORRIBLE NAME! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR? AND STOP EXPECTING YOUR FATHER TO SOLVE OF YOUR PROBLEMS. IF YOU CANNOT INTERACT WITH MISS BAKER NICELY, STAY AWAY FROM HER AND FOR YOUR SAKE, DO NOT MAKE ANY MORE BETS WITH HER!"
The howler burst into a million tiny pieces of red confetti.
Draco Malfoy sat at the Slytherin table, stunned, as red confetti drifted down into his hair.
(OvO)
_ ( )_
# #
"I have died everyday, waiting for you, darling don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years. And I'll love you for a thousand more!" the girls chorused, spinning en pointe as they did. "One step closer!" they sang as Daphne/Aurora fluttered her eyes and 'woke up'. Daphne flung herself into Theo's arms as he lifted her up and twirled her over his head.
With a nod from Mia, who had been roped into attending, the boys all knelt for the girls to step up on their bent legs, which led to them being thrown gently in the air.
"Cut! Cut!" Allie yelled in frustration. "Harry James Potter, Hermione will not break if she falls!" Allie exclaimed as the boy in question flushed and suddenly found his shoes very interesting.
"Again, take 17!"
Mia edged her way out of the room amid shouts of "Plie on three! One - two - MIA SOPHIA CARTER! GET BACK HERE!"
"NO!" was the yelled response amidst the thudding of sneakers on stone as she ran away.
"Since when is 'three' pronounced as 'MIA SOPHIA CARTER?" Mia heard someone ask as she rounded a corner.
(OvO)
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# #
Mia ducked into a room across Hogwarts, breathing heavily. The room itself was dark, save for some dim lights focused on a mirror. On it were words in a language she did not speak. She looked at the girl in it. She was surrounded by strings, using and controlling them. Her head began to hurt. This was a puppetmaster at its finest: controlling everything. But that wasn't what disturbed Mia. What disturbed her was who the girl was.
It was her.
She was the girl in the mirror.
Mia returned to the centaurs to continue learning. They wanted her there so she had to be there. Even if it was making her into a monster.
(OvO)
_ ( )_
# #
"And that's a wrap!" Allie called out, letting the dancers free. She had her mind on other things… like her best friend's apparent drinking problem.
(OvO)
_ ( )_
# #
"What's your favorite way to eat grapes?" They'd been walking in Hogsmeade and Allie was looking through grape dishes. Mia shrugged,
"Wine."
"YOU! ARE! ELEVEN!"
"And lowkey an alcoholic. Next?"
"Why don't you like beer?" Allie asked and Mia scrunched her nose in obvious disgust.
"It's like poorly liquified bread. Ew. What do you want for your birthday?" Her eyes traced the magic alley as Allie eagerly pointed at a silver dagger.
"That!"
"I AM NOT BUYING YOU A KNIFE FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY!" Mia whirled to face her in horror. Allie pouted.
"But it's so pretty!"
Mia had ended up buying her the knife, she recalled, and enchanting it. The little gem changed colors when she tapped it now, which was kind of cool. She nervously fingered the knife, watching blue become pink as she thought about the people her friend had been meeting up with. Mia made some of the strangest friends, but this was new. Normally they were introduced, but nothing.
She was going to find them right then and threaten them, Allie decided. Perking up, she headed to the forests surrounding their school.