Hello to my wonderful readers. I am nail biting and wanting to eat all the potatoes over the election. To combat these urges I am offering you an update. Thank you so much for follows and reviews. I love reviews! LOVE THEM! Anyway, I hope you are all staying sane and safe out there. Love, Lark P.S.- Still don't own this world

Objects of Beauty

Chapter 4

Hermione started from a book induced stupor as Hokey popped into view. She had brought her to the library as instructed and Hermione had only been dimly aware of anything else after that. Thousands of books were neatly lined around a grand circular room. On the ceiling was painted a complete scene of the constellations that twinkled like real stars in a twilight sky. She wasn't sure how long she'd been there. Now she shook her head and concentrated on what Hokey was saying.

"Miss Hepzibah has come back and a guest will be arriving soon." Hokey appeared uncomfortable at the mention of this. "You is to come with me and meet her in the downstairs drawing room." The drawing room was decorated with yellow and black. Hermione wondered at the odd combination of colors but remained silent. The ceilings stretched high above them and every surface gleamed in a way that wood polished lovingly for generations can.

Hepzibah had been reading a long scroll written on parchment. Silver reading glasses perched precariously on the tip of her nose. "Ah! Here she is." Placing the document to one side she stood up and walked over to her. "Let me have a look at you."

Hermione stood up straight. She was wearing one of the robes that Hepzibah had bought that afternoon. They were made of black silks and Hermione loved the softness of them after months of scratchy wool.

Hepzibah took her in. At first glance the girl had been plain, almost ugly. After a bath the child's looks had altered dramatically. She still wasn't much to look at but Hepzibah knew how changeable children were. The hair, which had been tamed by the potions, was luxuriously thick. The curls were a light brown color threaded with streaks of gold. Her eyes were quite special. A deep brown with radiating lines of gold and rimmed with dark green. Her father's had been the same, Hepzibah recalled. The girl's body was scrawny from months of too little food. She tutted and continued to appraise.

The older witch circled her, a look of deep concentration on her face. The child looked young for her age and probably would all her life. Hermione's cheekbones sat high on her face and her lips were full. A thrill of delight shot through her. One wouldn't know it yet but this girl was going to grow up to be a great beauty. It was hidden just under the surface at the moment. She kept this thought to herself. "Well, you clean up well." She told the child approvingly.

She sat back down on a yellow chair that was embroidered with black flowers on vines and gestured for Hermione to sit in an identical one opposite her. "Now, I've invited a goblin from Gringott's to come see you in a bit."

"A goblin?" Hermione shot up in her seat. "I've never seen one! A goblin will come here?"

"Yes, they run the wizarding bank here, Gringotts. I pointed it out to you earlier? Very useful, goblins, though I dare say you'd never want to cross one. He will run a series of harmless tests on you and ask you some questions."

"What sort of questions?" Hermione was suspicious.

"Questions about your parents. You'll see. I suspect I knew your father, most especially I knew your grandfather, but never mind, the goblin will be able to tell me for sure about your origin."

"You think you knew my father?" Hermione was thunderstruck.

"I believe I did. I don't want to get your hopes up until we speak with Griphook."

The fireplace suddenly whooshed to life as the floo activated. A goblin in a smart three piece suit and bare feet spun into view. As soon as he was standing he began to brush the ash from his clothes. He had a rather ugly face dominated by a large crooked nose. Tufts of dark hair sprung from his large ears. Hermione was fascinated, sensing her scrutiny he glared back at her. She looked away quickly, chastised.

Satisfied, Griphook turned away. "Madam Smith." He bowed formally from his waist. "I've brought the necessary documents and items that you requested." He held a large, jeweled box in his long gnarled fingers. A golden crest, which featured a large "G" on its front. A pile of rolled documents sat neatly on top. He walked forward to stand in front of Hermione.

"This is the presumed Miss Granger?"

"Yes, I am Hermione Granger." She said a bit stiffly, not liking the goblin's tone.

Griphook smiled a smile that was meant to be reassuring but was anything but. "Griphook at your service. Apologies, Miss Granger, if I seem a bit skeptical. We run into so many who wish to take what is not rightfully their's. I understand from Madam Smith that this is not so in your case. At any rate, the tests I will perform will prove her right or wrong without a shadow of a doubt."

Hermione's brow wrinkled in confusion. She looked to Hepzibah. "I'm not really following. What's this about please?"

"I'm sorry dear. I should have been more up front. It's just that so much has happened since meeting you. The fact is that you have an old wizarding name. If you are indeed who I think you are then you would be entitled to the Granger Vaults. I just didn't want to excite you if it proves to be a dead end."

"Vaults?" Hermione had been sure that any money her parents had would have burned down to the ground. Her father had put no store in banks. Although, perhaps it had just been muggle banks now that she thought of it.

Griphook cleared his throat. "Yes, well I've a full schedule today and we've a lot to get through. If you don't mind, I'd like to begin."

"Of course." Hepzibah twittered. Hermione had noted in their outing that the older witch tended to simper and flirt when in the vicinity of males. It was like a different outfit that she slipped into for the occasion. It confused her since in the brief time she had known her, Hepzibah seemed sharp as a tack and more intelligent than most. The stupefy spell that she had aimed at Tom had been extremely powerful.

The goblin turned to Hermione. "Now then, would you mind telling me the names of your parents and any known relatives?"

"My father's name was Hector Granger. He never spoke of his family so I'm sorry to say I have nothing more than that. My mother's name was Rose Granger but her maiden name was Evans. They are from Cokeworth. She has two sisters Petunia and Lily. I've never met them. Mother often spoke fondly of Lily but I believe her and Petunia had some sort of falling out. Her parents were John and Daisy. They've passed on." Hermione looked down at her beaded house slippers. "That's all I know, sir."

Griphook nodded and pulled out a quill and scratched a note into his leather bound journal before opening a scroll and consulting its contents. Hermione craned her neck to get a peek and could just make out a graph of connecting lines that looked very much like a family tree. Griphook, sensing her interest, snapped the document closed.

He walked up to the child and grasped her chin with his long, bony hand. With one black fingernail he ran his index finger from the top of her forehead to her chin. Hermione tried to resist the urge to squirm away from his cold grip. "There is no disguise placed upon her." He held her face, staring intently. Surprise crept over the goblin's features. "Child, let me give you a word of advice, and mind that you pay attention as a Goblin's advice is rarely given. I can see that you are more intelligent than most humans, perhaps more than most goblins, though it pains me to say it. Your honesty can lead you into trouble. Cultivate a way to twist the truth to suit you when needed. It will save your life one may not think this brave but in the end you will be courageous enough for ten wizards."

An indignant squeak sounded from the grey haired witch. "Can you now see the future?"

Griphook released Hermione's face and raised a tufty eyebrow at Hepzibah. "Goblins can see more of a human's true character than you realize." Hermione imagined that she could hear a hint of superiority. "And perhaps it will be you to teach her such a skill Madam Smith." The goblin said with a knowing smirk. Hepzibah crossed her arms and leaned back into her seat, pouting. She was so short that her pink fluffy slippers dangled a few inches above the floor.

The remainder of the tests went rather quickly. A golden wheel spun as it was held over her head, a shower of blue sparks erupted from the tips of her fingers as Griphook scanned her with what looked like a large silver ear trumpet. At last Griphook was satisfied. He turned and snapped his fingers. The carved box he had come with hovered over to him.

"Now we come to the final test. Miss Granger, will you please extend your finger? This last part will require a drop of your blood." Hermione looked into the goblin's black eyes and somehow knew that she could trust him. She held her hand out. Griphook pierced it with a silver pin topped with a small skull. A drop of blood splashed on to the top of the chest. It immediately disappeared into the wood and the top sprang open with a loud click.

"As I thought, you are the Granger heir!" Hepzibah stood up and did a girlish dance of glee.

"But what does it all mean? And couldn't you have dropped my blood on the chest to begin with?" Hermione was bewildered.

"If you hadn't been a true Granger it would have gifted you with a nasty curse." Griphook told her with more than a little relish. "Please look inside and pull out the document you see there."

She peered in and found an ornate golden key and a scroll. She handed it to the goblin who accepted it with a formal flourish of his hands. He unfurled it and glanced over it. "It states that you are the heir to the Dagworth/Granger vaults as wells as their rather substantial land holdings. However, you will not have access to them until you are of age. Griphook's brow wrinkled. If your parents meet an untimely end a guardian will be appointed to you. It states that Albus Dumbledore, professor at Hogwart's School will be the one to determine this.

"Albus Dumbledore? My, my, he does seem to have his fingers in many pies these days." Hepzibah muttered to herself.

She checked the handsome grandfather clock that was a marvel of silver and gold wheels. "Classes are not in session this time of year. Let's hope he's in." Tottering over on her heels she pinched up some green floo powder and threw it on the flames. "Albus Dumbledore Hogwart's School!" She said clearly and precisely. Kneeling on the floor she stuck her head into the fire. Hermione gasped. A moment later Hepzibah stood up completely unharmed. "He says he'll come around in about half an hour if you are able to stay?"

Griphook looked as if he were about to argue before his gaze landed on Hermione. "I will stay." He said simply.

"Thank you. Now, come with me. Did Bobbins mention that I would be entrusting some of my things to you for my vaults?"

"He did. Why don't you lead me there so that I can send the items directly?" The goblin was packing up his tools into boxes which vanished when he tapped the top.

"Of course. Hermione? Dear? Would you mind waiting here in case Dumbledore arrives before we return?"

Hermione, who had been nearly bursting with questions quelled her annoyance that she would have to wait a little longer for answers. "Yes, of course." She sat back down. She snuggled back into the soft velvet of the chair. Firmly, she told herself that this was so much better than the orphanage that it was worth the secrets that seemed to swirl about her since arriving in the magical world.

...

Hepzibah handed Griphook the last set of goblin made glasses that were to be stored in her vaults at Gringotts. The Goblin was marking them down in a purple leather bound ledger. "I wonder who will take in the Granger girl." He said in an offhand tone.

"Oh, I'm sure we can find someone." Hepzibah replied as she examined one of her statues. A smile of satisfaction graced her lips as she took in the exquisite craftsmanship of the figurine.

"Yes, I can see that she will one day be a great beauty, perhaps even an incomparable one." The goblin mused. "With the girl's magical potential and fortune, wouldn't it be a shame for her to fall into the wrong hands?" Griphook appeared deeply engrossed in his writing.

Hepzibah looked up. "You think so? That she will be a rare beauty?" An almost greedy look had appeared on her face.

"Hmmm. I'm only a mere goblin, as you see, but as one who looks at the world in terms of rarity and value I'd say that child will be a credit to whatever house takes her in. I only hope that some witch will take the time to mold her into a powerful force. It would be a pity indeed were she to fall for false charms or dishonest characters."

"It would indeed." Hepzibah was calculating. "I can't think who could take her."

"Yes, it would have to be someone who have to be someone who wouldn't try to wrest her fortune from her." The goblin said thoughtfully.

Hepzibah hissed. "It's always a concern with young witches. I'm myself would have been better served if I'd been taught that early on."

"How well I remember." Griphook murmured as he vanished a set of silver napkin rings in the shape of dancing nymphs. "And her being a half blood will certainly hinder her in this society."

"Yes, that is unfortunate with Grindlewald on the rise." Hepzibah pondered, then brightened. "She would do well at Beauxbatons. The French aren't as concerned with that sort of thing these days." Her mind wandered to the child's enormous potential. Combined with what was sure to be an almost ethereal beauty she would be unstoppable. If only she were to be taught in the correct way. A beauty like that could bring your downfall just as easily as it could lift you to the greatest heights. These were hard lessons that Hepzibah herself had learned far too late.

Griphook raised a knowing eyebrow at her as if reading her thoughts.

"Of course, I could not imagine myself a mother figure to anyone at my age." She fretted.

"Can you not?" Griphook sneered. He snapped the ledger shut with a decisive snap. "We are finished here Madam Smith. Let us go and see if Dumbledore has arrived."

...

Hermione had been examining a grumpy pewter statue of a badger that paced and snapped in a glass fronted cabinet when a rushing sound from the floo startled her. A tall wizard with greying auburn hair and beard stood in front of the crackling flames. His suit was a garish shade of peacock blue and his eyes were twinkling. "Miss Granger!" He held out his hand to her with a flourish. "You must be her. You've your father's eyes, did you know? Never mind, I'm sure you will tire of hearing that eventually."

Wearily, Hermione took his hand. "You must be Albus Dumbledore. I've never heard of you, yet you are here to decide my fate. I hope you'll let me have a say in it and if you will not, then I must beg you to be kind." Her chin jutted up obstinately and the set of her shoulders were brave and true.

Dumbledore smiled with his lips. "A Gryffindor then. I can see that we will get along famously Miss Granger."

Hermione eyed the brightly colored wizard suspiciously. There had been so many surprises today. Her body still ached from Tom's attack. She had just discovered that she was an heiress and that a whole magical community had been just out of sight her whole life. The fact that this man held her fate in his hands had been the last straw.

"There now Miss Granger. This must all have come as a shock to you. "Please, let's have a seat. Hokey!" He called.

The elf popped into view. She was holding another vial of the potion Hermione had taken earlier. "Hokey was just looking for young Miss. She is needing to take her potion." Hermione accepted it gratefully and drank it down, welcoming the warmth to her limbs. Dumbledore eyed the potion and his expression became somber.

Satisfied that Hermione was finished she turned to Dumbledore. "What can I do for Mr. Dumbledore, sir?"

"Please let Miss Hepzibah know that I have arrived." He looked to want to say more but was distracted by the sound of voices approaching.

"Excellent! Albus, you're here." Hepzibah hurried into the room and went to stand next to Hermione. "I see you've met the surprising Miss Granger."

"Yes, she's already let me know that she wishes for autonomy. An admirable trait." Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling once more.

"I only wish to have a say in my future." Hermione said stoutly. She did not like being treated as if she were a precocious child. Her father never had. Despite her firm tone her eyelids were beginning to droop. The day and all that had occurred were catching up with her at last. With the effects of the last dose of portion came drowsiness.

"But you must be exhausted!" Hepzibah placed a wizened hand on the girl's thin cheek. Hermione, who had not felt a kind touch since the day her parent's died, leaned into it. To her horror, tears filled her eyes. "There, there, you must be utterly spent. Hokey! Please escort Miss Granger back to her room."

"No!" Hermione swayed a bit in her seat. "I don't want any decisions made without me. I want..." Her words trailed off. In truth she had no idea what she wanted and her tired brain couldn't seem to activate.

Dumbledore walked over to her. "Miss Granger, I can see that you need rest above all else. I can promise you that we will speak this evening about what is to be done but no final decisions will be made without your say. Alright?"

"I'll hold you to it." Her voice was fierce but fading.

Dumbledore chuckled. "I believe you will." He held a hand out to her. Maintaining eye contact she gave him a firm handshake.

Hermione looked at the other two. "Thank you for all you've done Hepzibah. I don't know where I'd be right now if you hadn't come into that alley." She turned to the goblin. "Mr. Griphook, I've never met a goblin before, well, until today I could not have said if you truly existed. I find that I'm glad that you do. I thank you for taking the time to help me today, and yes, I do understand that you did. I hope I see you again." She nodded once more to the unlikely looking trio and allowed Hokey to lead her from the room. When she was out of sight she yawned hugely. She hoped that when she woke up this would not have all been a terrible and beautiful dream.