Tom finally relaxes once they get into Diagon Alley - he's always felt more secure in a magical environment, in the knowledge that he belongs in this world and that he's heading back to Hogwarts soon. And Evelynn seems to be much the same, as he can see her shoulders drop just the slightest bit when they get past the brick wall.
They head to Gringotts first, since that's where they'll get the money from the vouchers they received with their letters to access the school funds. But, to Tom's utter amusement, the Goblins seem to sense something is off about Evelynn almost immediately…as the two of them are taken to Director Ragnuk's office by goblins with even paler faces than normal and anxious expressions. And Ragnuk openly gapes at Evelynn when the two of them enter, words appearing to fail him as he does a goldfish impression. After a moment, he simply collapses into his seat, and Evelynn and Tom follow suit - Tom's one-hundred percent following Evelynn's lead in this, as she knows a bit about Goblin customs thanks to finding books on them in old Manors and it's considered extremely rude to sit if you aren't told to do as much or the Goblin your meeting with isn't.
After another moment of silence, Evelynn clears her throat then asks "Is something wrong, Director Ragnuk? I can safely say I've only ever gotten a reaction like this once before and it most certainly wasn't from Goblins."
That seems to snap the Goblin out of his state, and he says "Most Magical Creatures are more…in tune, I suppose you could say, with magic than humans. It would take a rare kind of Witch or Wizard to sense the energy that clings to you, Miss…"
Evelynn clears her throat, and says "Ah, apologies. I go by Evelynn Peverell."
Director Ragnuk nods, saying "Miss Peverell. The energy of the Void is…distinctive, to say the least. Any Creature that isn't a newborn would know instantly who and what you are, and even a newborn would know you are unlike any other human in existence. Death, and the Void, clings to you, Miss Peverell, and anyone that can sense magic can sense it immediately."
Tom blinks, then asks "Is that what that electric cold is? The Void itself? That's the undertone to your magic?"
Ragnuk immediately yelps "You can sense it?!"
Tom nods, saying "Always did, I'm more sensitive to magic than most. I felt Evelynn coming before she arrived, before the Hall went dark and freezing cold. And every single time she uses magic, I can sense it."
Ragnuk stares at him for a minute, then says "You are either the bravest Wizard I've ever met…or you have an ardent Death Wish."
Tom glances at Evelynn, who's looking more exasperated with the situation than anything else. "Well, I don't plan on killing anyone in the near future, so can we just get down to business? I was going to ask for an Inheritance test to see what all I can access, if anything. I'll pay for Tom's, to."
Ragnuk hurriedly nods his head, and Tom can't help but stare at the sight - he's never seen a Goblin do anything but sneer at people, and every single one that's laid eyes on Evelynn is acting like she could kill the entire Bank just by thinking about it so they'd better not piss her off. In all honesty…she probably could, really. She can direct the energy of the Void with her thoughts, its how she got here after all - and the energy of the Void is deadly to anyone but Evelynn in its raw form. About a minute later, the guard that hurried out comes back with two rolls of parchment and a ceremonial-looking knife. With a wicked-sharp point, to boot. Tom glances at Evelynn, who's just calmly staring at the items as they get placed on the Director's desk. Ragnuk says "Cut yourself on the knife, and let seven drops of blood hit the parchment. The parchment will then show everything about you."
Tom asks "Everything?"
Ragnuk nods, saying "Parents, date of birth, abilities, Heirships, everything. Even Compulsions, broken or not, Potions, and unhealed injuries."
Evelynn immediately asks "How much is this? Both tests?"
Ragnuk immediately shakes his head, saying "No, nothing at all. All fees are waived considering…circumstances." Circumstances of wanting to stay on this girl's good side.
Evelynn doesn't say or do anything, but Tom gets the gut feeling that she's getting annoyed with the way the Goblins are acting - to be honest, they're acting like she's threatened to kill all of them in the bank to the last child, instead of having simply walked into the bank and asked to do business with them. Even so, she picks up the knife and runs it across her hand without hesitation before handing it back to Ragnuk sideways. She lets the blood from the cut she made on her palm drip onto the parchment, and it absorbs into the material before words appear on it - a lot like the Diary from her memories, incidentally.
After witnessing the unheard-of sight of a Goblin flinching, and at being handed their own knife back to boot, Tom does the same with the now-sterilized object and watches as his own blood absorbs into the parchment and then lists what amounts to his entire life's history.
Name: Tom Marvolo Riddle.
Date of Birth: December 31st, 1926.
Mother: Merope Gaunt.
Father: Tom Riddle Snr.
Maternal Grandmother: Merope M. Gaunt.
Maternal Grandfather: Marvolo Gaunt.
Paternal Grandmother: Mary Riddle.
Paternal Grandfather: Thomas Riddle.
Abilities: Parseltongue, Mage Sense, Natural Affinity to Magic.
Heir to: Gaunt, Slytherin, Peverell, Riddle.
Magics Affecting: Compulsion to confide in Albus Dumbledore (1938, Broken)
When he looks over at Evelynn - mainly in shock, after reading that he's an Heir to the Peverell line, despite her telling him they're distantly related through the legendary three brothers, and the Compulsion that was applied on him and broken the day Dumbledore came to give him his letter - and sees she's staring at her own sheet in shock…and a bit of horror. When he glances over, all he can see is proof that what she told him is utterly true - her birth date is July 31st, 1980, her parents were James Potter and Lily Potter nee Evans, her Godfather was Sirius Black, she was emancipated at age 14, and she's the Heir to the Potter, Black, Peverell…and Le Fey and Flamel lines. Those last two, through her mother - her Muggleborn mother, how in the world?! She must've been a descendent of a Squib. And she's the Master of Death and her soul is thirty one years old, because somehow or other this test can detect that status. He's no idea how, though. Oh, yes, and all the Potions and Compulsions that were used on her are listed out, just like she described.
Evelynn squeaks out "Death said…he said nobody would be able to find out…"
Oh. Oh…
Shock slams into Tom right then as well - should anyone else get that information, it would likely be disastrous for her.
Ragnuk nods, saying "No Wiccan will be able to. The shimmering in the ink means its been concealed by magic. But Goblins have been perfecting this for millennia, Lady Peverell. Once you claim your Inheritance, we can create an identity for you for a fee. After that, any and all Inheritance tests will show that identity. Be it spells cast on you or tests done here." And then, after Evelynn puts the parchment back on the desk…it turns black like its burning and becomes unreadable. Evelynn stares at it in shock, and Ragnuk says "I'd imagine that would be Magic herself getting rid of the evidence."
Evelynn murmurs "Or Death, perhaps."
The thought makes Tom shiver, but at least the Goblins are doing the same. Tom shakes his head at her, and says "Evelynn. Only you would suggest a being literally known as Death could affect this plane of existence so casually and not be extremely creeped out by the implications."
Evelynn glances at him, then mutters "Right. I was never normal to begin with…" At Tom's questioning glance, she adds "Death was the only being I could rely on for twelve years. I may or may not have gotten used to him. Add to it I was always expecting I would end up dead before the year was out..." She shrugs, even as Tom scowls at the reminder.
Ragnuk sighs, and says "I don't even want to know. I really don't. Is there anything else either of you two wish to do?"
Tom asks "Can we claim any of these Heirships? Or Lordships? Since we're Orphans?"
Ragnuk shakes his head, saying "Apologies, but no. Not at this time, anyway. You, Miss Peverell, need to be fourteen in order to access your inheritance. Circumstances of when you were last Emancipated by Magic. And you, Mr. Riddle, need your Uncle to either grant you the title of Lord Gaunt or get himself killed or incarcerated for life. The title will automatically pass to you if either of the latter options happens. And once you claim the Gaunt Lordship and become Emancipated, you can claim the Slytherin one as well, due to clauses in the Slytherin Lordship."
Tom nods his head, thanking the Goblin politely before the two of them are shuttled off to the Hogwarts trust fund vault to get the stipend for supplies. Evelynn, however, refuses to take the money that she doesn't actually need - she hasn't spent a Knut of the money from the Room, and there was quite a bit in there. Ergo, she's got plenty of money for her own supplies. Though, the poor Goblin - and isn't that something hilarious to think about? - that took them to the vault is practically shaking in his boots by the time they get back up to the ground floor. And its not to do with the cart ride that Evelynn seemed to love - of course she'd love it, apparently she's an adrenaline junkie.
Tom just has to roll his eyes at the realization - only the Master of Death would find enjoyment in risking her nonexistent mortality. Evelynn has to be the biggest bundle of contradictions he's ever known, even if he does know all her secrets.
That doesn't make her any less confusing, though - at least, not what she does to him. Her motivations for doing some things are, perhaps, a bit clearer, but the reactions they give him? The things she so effortlessly makes him feel? Yeah…no. Not. A. Bit. And he's not very sure he wants to try to think what they might mean. He doesn't think she's trying to manipulate him with them, but…better safe than sorry.
He'll ignore them, hope they go away, and see what she does if they do. If she keeps acting the same…then its him, its all him. If she changes her attitude, or tries to slip him a Potion or something, then he'll know to get as far away from her as possible - because he's not stupid or cocky enough to Curse the Master of Death and expect to live long, especially when even the warrior-race of Goblins start all but trembling at the mere sight of her. His insane sixteen-year-old Horcrux would have been, perhaps, but not him.
And if they don't go away...then he's no idea what to do, since he doesn't even know what they are.
AN: Hey, everyone! Did anyone else find the image of a pack of terrified Goblins hilarious? I know I did, I laughed until I cried when I thought of it! Besides, if Tom can sense it...you can bet all the other Magical Creatures like House Elves and such can. Can you imagine what happened the first time Evelynn set foot into the kitchens? At least they're almost back to Hogwarts! Enjoy! More updates coming soon!