The Battle Mage
Stalking down Diagon Alley always gave her an odd sort of satisfaction. Whether it be because of her attire, or her fierce scowl, or her predatory gait, people scrambled out of her way as she walked. Some whispered and gasped and pointed to the sling on her chest and the child huddled within, but the few brave enough to step forward scurried away as soon as she curled her lip at them.
"That's the Morrigan," they whispered behind her, "She's holding the Boy-Who-Lived."
She nodded to the goblins guarding the doors of the bank as she entered Gringotts and moved to an empty teller. She spoke in fluent Gobbledygook, causing many to turn to her in shock, as she said, "May your gold be plentiful and your enemies tremble at your feet, Master Goblin. I must speak with Director Ragnok and the Potter Account Manager as soon as they are available. I expect foul play within the Potter accounts."
The nearby goblins straightened and many even snarled, but the teller in front of her said, "Greetings Morrigan, may your swords be sharp and your hunt successful. I am Sharpshield. I will bring you to an office and call for Director Ragnok and Manager Bladetooth as quickly as possible. Follow me."
She nodded and the goblin turned and entered a hallway, following the torch-lit corridor past many doors until they reached one where he stopped. They nodded to one another and Noelle opened the door, moving into the office and sitting in a chair where she could see the entire room, including the door.
She spent the time waiting and answering Harry's questions. She told him what language she had spoken and what goblins were and who they were meeting and to be incredibly quiet unless they asked him a question. If he was good, they would get a treat later. He perked up at that and laid his head on her shoulder, nodding off quickly. Noelle wasn't concerned; Andy had said that he would sleep a lot to conserve energy so that his magic and hers could heal him properly.
The door opened and three goblins filed inside – Teller Sharpshield, Manager Bladetooth, and Director Ragnok – and Noelle stood, careful not to wake Hadrian. They bowed and exchanged greetings in the goblin tongue, quickly sitting and getting down to business.
"Albus Dumbledore hid the deaths of my brother and his wife, the incarceration of my fiancé, and the guardianship of my nephew from me. I found my nephew with Lily Potter nee Evans' magic-hating relatives, which I know was specifically prohibited in the Potters' will, which he and I both witnessed. I would like to take up the Potter Ring as Regent, formally request the Potters' Last Will and Testament be opened and read, and the guardianship of one Hadrian James Potter be officially turned over to my custody," she said.
"As you know, we must give twenty-four hours' notice so that those listed in the will may arrive, but we will send the letters out immediately and open it tomorrow upon your request. Take this ring and repeat the words of your House in order to claim the Lordship as Regent," Manager Bladetooth said, holding out a box that contained a familiar ring.
She plucked it from the velvet fabric and placed it upon her right middle finger. She studied its face, golden surface marked with a worn shield and a regal gryphon, lined with the House motto: Non ducor, duco. I am not led, I lead.
She murmured the words she felt ingrained on her soul and gasped as the Family Magics welcomed her and the ring shrank to fit her finger. She felt the impression of warmth from Lords and Ladies of the past and almost wept with the brush of her mother's fingers through her hair, her father's kiss upon her brow, James' arm around her shoulders and Lily's welcoming squeeze of her hand. Give Harry our love, Bast, James' voice rang out.
"All that and more, Prongs," Noelle vowed, feeling rip and tear of grief that she hadn't allowed herself to feel yet. She hadn't realized how much she missed her big brother's voice, and his sense of humor, and those stupid nicknames based on their animagus forms he insisted they use.
The Director looked impressed, "I've never witnessed such an impressive display from Family Magics before. As you are now recognized as the Regent of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, you automatically gain custodial and magical guardianship of Heir Hadrian James Potter."
"I want to look over all recorded activity within the Potter accounts since the death of my brother and his wife. I don't care if Dumbledore okayed it as Hadrian's magical guardian. How was that man appointed as such in the first place?"
Manager Bladetooth began to gather files and papers, and the Director bared his teeth, "Dumbledore had the Wizengamot vote to place the child in his custody and to close the Will. Because the so-called 'reformed' Death Eaters are trying to convince everyone that they're innocent, he gained quite the majority."
As she grabbed the stack of paper the Account Manager set in front of her, she glanced up slyly, "I know that you aren't allowed to release confidential information on your clients, but if you were going to say… hunt escaped terrorists, where would you likely start? Hypothetically, of course."
"Huntress, you know we would not share information about our clients, not even for a prince. If we were to share any information, we could ruin our reputation," the Director said, meeting her eyes. She nodded her understanding, already eager to hunt.
But first, she glanced over the list of actions within the Potter Accounts. Rage caused ice to spread from her fingertips across the edges of her chair and the paper, and she hissed, "I would like all Potter Family artifacts, heirlooms, and books, up to and including the Potter Family Invisibility Cloak, returned to the Main Vault. All funds enclosed to the Order of the Phoenix after the death of my brother are to be collected and returned with interest, as they were in no way benefitting Hadrian Potter. All funds transferred to Molly Weasley are to be returned with interest. Any funds marked 'Miscellaneous' are to be tracked down and verified as a purchase to benefit Hadrian Potter or returned with interest. Seeing as he was being severely neglected and abused, I doubt that is the case. The set fund for Remus Lupin may continue if he Vows not to waste it by buying the Wolfsbane Potion, and half of the yearly donations to St. Mungo's may continue from this day forward."
The Potter Manager began taking notes as she listed what she wanted done, when she wanted it done by, and how she wanted to punish the thieves – by running their coffers dry – all in fluent Gobbledygook. The Director and Teller were both impressed by her understanding of her rights and their laws, especially seeing as she wouldn't have necessarily been prepared or given Lordship training.
She continued in a clear voice, "The Potter Cottage in Godric's Hollow was not paid for by the Ministry, and Albus Dumbledore did not have the right to gift it as a national monument. I want the Ministry to pay for their use of it thus far, and I want it made clear within the Daily Prophet that it is the property of House Potter and trespassers will be punished. Have it warded and fixed up and remove the necessary funds from my personal account to do so. If any belongings were taken from the home, I would like them recovered and the thieves punished. I believe that is all. Was there anything else we needed to discuss?"
She pinned them under her cold purple gaze and the goblins wished that their every customer was like this: strict, straightforward, well informed, and aggressive. The Manager shook his head while he kept scribbling feverishly so the Director said, "That concludes our business. I apologize on behalf of Gringotts for the thefts committed, but there was nothing we could do. Our hands were tied under Ministry Law. May your vaults be plentiful and your hunting successful."
"I understand the difficulties such a situation may have had for your clans under Ministry Law, and do not hold these insults against your people, or yourselves personally. May your deals be favorable and your enemies shiver in fear," she returned with a bow, careful not to disturb the sleeping toddler in her arms.
"I will take you back to the lobby," the Teller said.
"Actually, do you have a Floo access point? I need to find a file and make some politicians sweat," she smirked.
The Teller grinned, "Right this way, Regent Potter."