Both Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley gape at the family tree represented by the Familial Heritage Ritual.
Mr. Potter gains control of himself first. "I'm an heir to two of the founders and Merlin?"
My voice nearly catches in sheer shock at these revelations. "Yes, that's what this says. What it doesn't say is that the Black Family Headship is yours, as is the Dumbledore's."
At his disbelieving and slightly shocked look, I continue. "Sirius Black left instructions in both of his wills, one dated 31 August 1981 and the other 5 May 1996; you were to become head of the House of Black upon his death, once you were of age. Albus Dumbledore left a sizable sum, a property and a business in Hogsmeade to his childless brother, but the rest he left to you. Therefore, you are heir in blood and spirit of six very powerful families."
I reach into the massive cabinet behind my desk, pulling out an engraved mahogany box. I open it before Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley, explaining the items within as I did so.
Mr. Potter lifted out a large gold ring, embossed with runes and set with a peridot. "That, Mr. Potter, is the Potter ring. Place it upon your left index finger." I said, and he did. A blast of magical light engulfs him for a split second.
"Wow." He says, clearly a little stunned by the power held within the family rings.
He pulls out another ring, this one a thin band of electrum, finely detailed and depicting a snake. Malachite gleams in the candlelight, appearing as if the eyes of the coiled serpent are glowing. "That's the Black family ring. It will be at home on your left middle finger."
Mr. Potter slides the band into place, and a halo of starry lights erupts from his hand. Ready as he is for the feeling of the Rings, Mr. Potter still looks a little dazed at each acquiring.
He lifts out a third ring, this one made out of turquoise and onyx, the two halves of the ring cleverly fitted together. A citrine is situated into the band, and it glows as Mr. Potter places it into his palm.
"The Ravenclaw ring, Mr. Potter, is usually worn on the left hand's smallest finger," I state, watching the proceedings with interest.
He slips the disc onto his finger, and the citrine's amber glow grows into a nimbus of light akin to that of the sun, temporarily blinding me, Miss Weasley, and Mr. Potter.
The fourth ring is made of gold and set with a ruby and a beryl, the former surrounding the latter. "Mr. Potter, that is the Gryffindor ring, made to be worn on the index finger of your right hand."
He pushes the heirloom into place, and the beryl glows like that of a candle-flame, with the ruby in the part of the candle. Unlike the other rings, whose effects have died away, this ring's glow does not fade.
The Dumbledore ring is next, and Mr. Potter slides it onto his right hand's pinky finger. The ring, a thin gold band set with a larimar and a moonstone in the sign of yin and yang, hums as if in the throes of phoenix song, and then it subsides, leaving Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley, and I refreshed.
The last ring is the most simple. A carved band of dogwood, Merlin's ring doesn't look like much, but when Mr. Potter puts it on...