Chapter 3
Goblins, House-Elves and Gold
As the two witches, stepped out of the large fireplace, Annie slightly disoriented from the quick travelling at the early morning hours of being awoken by Minnie, whom was shaking her awake and bringing the little witch to the kitchens for a quick breakfast. Meeting the kitchens cooks and befriending the little house-elves quickly, they made a quick breakfast for the two witches and one little female, blue-eyed house-elf in particular seemed to recognize the little witch, Minerva shot her a warning glare to shut the little house-elf up, but she talked to Annie just the same, having dropped the subject immediately at the stare.
"My name's Winky." The little house-elf bowed to the little witch, her big floppy ears touching the ground.
Annie smiled and bowed right back in a sign of respect, which made Winky smile, and almost immediately the little house-elf seemed to find something in Annie that no one else seemed to see, except Minerva; recognition.
"My name's Tassiyanna, Annie for short." The little witch smiled at the house-elf, whom beamed right back at the young witch.
The two witches ate in the kitchen then bid their goodbyes and thanks to the house-elves, returning to Minnie's office, to find Spirit curled in a ball in front of the fire sleeping soundly.
"Can't she come with us?" Anna asked in a slight whine, Minnie having told her to leave Spirit here to roam around for the day.
"No dear, besides Goblins have a dislike for cats. They would normally eat them. When we go back to Diagon Alley, next time maybe, but not when we go to Gringotts, alright?" Minnie whispered, Annie understood and immediately dropped the subject, nodding. The two girls went to the fireplace and Minnie took a handful of what Annie now knew was Floo Powder. She took Minnie's free hand tightly and Minerva threw the powder down, shouting "Diagon Alley!" They stepped out of the fireplace in Diagon Alley after they'd dusted themselves of the soot they walked hand-in-hand once again along the brick road of Diagon Alley, Annie was a little sad that she couldn't bring Spirit, but she knew it was for the best.
The two witches walked up the marbled staircase of Gringotts Wizarding Bank, a sign on the giant bronze French doors in a large redwood plaque with peeling golden lettering read:
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
Anna ogled the sign in slight fear of the unknown behind the doors. Minnie opened the doors and pulled the youngest witch along sensing the youngsters fear with her feline instincts. "That sign is just for thieves Annie, we aren't thieving, I know how you feel; the first time I saw this sign myself even I was a little scared, but don't worry there's nothing to be afraid of, besides maybe the goblins, but they won't harm you with me around, let alone lay a finger on you."
The two witches entered the bank, only to be surprised by yet another door, a silver door. Anna, whom was wearing the proper clothing this time around, a small, brand new, black travelling cloak,—another gift from Minerva seeing as they'd be travelling together for the next month before term began, September 1st—also happening to be Annie's 11th birthday—, seeing as Minerva planned on showing her the world for a little, Apparating to new places in the world—over Muggle attire, which was a small white blouse and a little floral skirt, she was wearing some purple ballet flats as well. Minnie was wearing the same travelling cloak that she had wore the day before.
Upon opening the second door, two rows of counters ran along each side of the room, it looked like a giant ballroom, from one of her Muggle fairy-tale books. Annie's grip tightened in Minnie's hand, when Anna had finally spotted the nearest goblin, they looked worse than house-elves.
Anna quickly made a note to herself never to get the two mixed up ever in her life. Goblins had long pointed noses, like the house-elves did, but house-elves looked more friendly than goblins did and she immediately checked that, when the two witches made it to the front desk.
"Name?" The young, menacing-looking goblin asked harshly in a deep voice.
"I am not here to open my vault Griphook, I'm here with a student. We're looking to make an account for her." Minerva said clearly. Anna nodded vigorously when the goblin, Minnie called Griphook looked at her, as if Minnie was lying.
"Very well, come with me." Griphook said, a lot nicer than the first time. The little girl smiled at the goblin and Minerva could've sworn that he'd smiled right back.
"Every week I shall give her a small amount of Galleons, say 5 each week, just take it from my vault and put it into hers. It'll start her off. And I saw you smile at her, she can make anyone smile that one... oh! don't worry about it Griphook I won't tell a soul. Thanks again." Minerva finished whispering to the goblin, as Annie was waiting in front of the silver door looking at the beautifully painted ceiling in awe.
"I've got to admit, Minerva, I don't know how she managed to do it, to make me smile, but she did or even how you managed to find one like her. The first Muggle-born you've ever brought in here to actually make a goblin smile, let alone me of all goblins. Bless my soul, that little one's a blessing to the Wizarding World." Minerva agreed instantly.
"I have a strong feeling she'll be a Hufflepuff." Minerva admitted,—the goblin agreeing with her immediately—she said goodbye and thanks once again to Griphook before walking towards the little witch taking her hand and leading the little witch to the door, but not before the little witch stopped her by pulling backwards and pointing to the ceiling, looking at it like it was the most beautiful thing she'd even seen, and it probably was seeing as she was Muggle-born. Griphook chuckled at her enthusiasm and let a small smile escape once again.
The two witches had stopped outside of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour for a quick ice-cream treat before heading back to the Floo to go back to Hogwarts. Annie had just finished her triple-fudge mint ice-cream when she spotted a shop she hadn't noticed before and it immediately made her run to the window where a group of kids were crowded to look at a new broomstick.
"The Cleansweep 1700!" One boy squealed.
"It's the fastest model yet!" Another exclaimed excitedly.
Anna looked at the broom longingly, wishing that she could have it, but Gods she didn't know the first thing about flying. She looked at the name of the shop: Quidditch Quality Supplies, the sign said in newly painted gold lettering.
"Come along dear, we need to get back I have work that needs to be done." Minnie said pulling at Annie's hand, she followed and they made their way to the Floo Network, Minnie grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and Annie held on tightly as the older witch threw the powder into the ground and silently shouted "Hogwarts!" to not draw much attention and they were engulfed into the green flames once again.
Anna stepped out of the fireplace dusting herself off.
"Spirit!" She called, the little black kitten appearing immediately, when her owner called and excitedly jumping into her owners arms, having missed her when she was gone. "Catch anything while exploring?" The little witch asked, the kitten shook her head looking to the ground in disappointment. "It's alright Spi. Boy, do I ever have a lot to tell you." The little witch said as she put the little feline to the floor and they went exploring, not before Anna ran back into the room and gave Minnie the biggest hug of all. "Thank you for everything, by the way." The little witch whispered, before taking off once again to recount the events of her morning to her new best friend, which happened to be a feline, Spirit.
I know this is a short Chapter, I litterally just noticed, but Chapter 4 makes up for it. Trust me. J. K. Rowling owns the poem from the plaque at Gringotts; not me.