Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Lumorem Heré

Part VI: Gringotts, the Menagerie, and the Letter

{…} indicates dragonspeak

*…* indicates parseltongue

"Okay," said Severus, "no matter where we go next, we have to go to Gringotts first."

"Alright!" said the two boys who were trailing along behind the two adults.

They threaded their way through the masses of people until they came to a stop in front of a glittering white building with a flight of steps in front. They walked up these steps to a set of enormous gold doors. They opened of their own accord, and the group of four went inside.

They walked up to a free spot in the counter, which was as long as the room they were in. The goblin behind it saw them and said, "Hello! How may I be of service to you today?" Lucius said, smoothly, "We would like to make a withdrawal from the Malfoy and Eldar family vaults, both senior and junior."

'Now, that's interesting,' thought Morning 'What is?' asked Draco. 'Oh! I forgot you could hear me. What's interesting is the fact that a goblin is being nice to Uncle Lucius. From what I've heard, goblins are hardly nice to anyone.' 'Yes, that is strange.' agreed Draco. 'We can ask him about it later.'

          The boys were interrupted from their speech-void conversation by a goblin saying "I'll take you there myself. Right this way, please."

          They followed the goblin to another set of double doors. These also opened of their own accord into a cavernous trackway with many small doors leading off. They got into one of the rickety mine carts used to negotiate the labyrinth cavern. Many twists and turns later, they came to a tunnel made out of obsidian. In front of it was a dragon, of the Antopedian Opaleye variety.

{Halt!} something thundered in Morning's head. He realized it was the dragon. {Who wishes to pass?} The goblin pointed a finger at the dragon, muttering a spell, as if to stun it. "Wait!" Morning shouted. The goblin looked at him incredulously, but put his finger down. Morning opened his mouth, and the words came out, not in English, but the Dragon language. {Hello. I'm sorry to bother you, but the vaults we need to get to are in that tunnel behind you Can you please move so we may reach them?}

{You are the Heir!}the dragon sang, shell-shocked. {Of course! Go right ahead!} And it moved aside, letting them pass.

"What was that?" breathed Draco. ^That, Draco, was Lothocan, and he is a member of the Dragon Council. He was stationed here to watch over your vaults.^ Alec told him. By this time, they had traveled very deep underground while in the tunnel.. They came to a stop in front of four vault doors.

"Vaults 1033, 29021, 1093, and 29024!" the goblin said, in a loud, clear voice. The four of them got out. The goblin said "Farewell!", and it and the cart vanished.

          The two adults went to the first and third vaults mentioned, while the younger went to the second and fourth. A jet of rainbow colored light shot out of each of the doors, and scanned the person in front of them. Apparently finding everything in order, the doors vanished. Mountains of gold were in each one, and they held their open money bags out, each thinking of the amount of money they wanted. That exact amount flew from the piles into the bags. After this, the amount they had withdrawn reappeared in their vaults, thus giving them an infinite supply of gold  This done, they wondered how they were going to get back, as they had never been left before.

          Suddenly, Morning had an idea. He talked it over with Draco in his head, and they agreed. "Daddy! Uncle Lucius! Stand over here and hold our hands. We have an idea!" Puzzled, they did as asked. The boys held their staves in front of them, and said "Vaneci Superficio!" A white light burst forth from the orbs on the tops of their staves, and they vanished. Next thing anybody knew, they were back outside on the front steps of Gringotts.

"That was interesting." commented Severus. "Where do you wish to go next?"

"The Magical Menagerie!" said Draco. "Let's go, then!" laughed Severus.

          When they entered the shop, an assortment of noises greeted their ears. There was the yowling of cats, the croaking of toads, squealing of rats, screeching of various types of birds, and the hissing of snakes. Morning headed towards the latter. Cai started giving him advice on which type to get.

^But, Morning, I think you should get a python! They're the best! ^

'Drake?' he sent.

'Yes, Morning?'

' Cai says I should get a python. I'm not sure whether or not I should get one of those, or a venomous one. Which do you like?'

'Ooh! Get a venomous one! They're much cooler, and they have better defense techniques! I think I saw a black mamba.'

'Cool!'

Morning proceeded to walk over to where  the mambas were. One particular snake was hissing. *Sssstupid humansss. Alwaysss making too much noisssse.*  *Sssorry if I disturbed you* hissed Morning. The snake looked up at him, surprised. *You! You are the Sssspeaker of the Prophecy! I musst go with you! The Council has delegated it! Then we can get my King!*

*What?* hissed Morning. "Daddy! I found what I wanted!"

Sev strode over. "But, Morning, that's a black mamba!" "He says that I am the Speaker of the Prophecy, and that we can get his King, whatever that means."

Sev looked taken aback. "Very…very well." They went to the counter. The shopkeeper came rushing toward them.

"Mr Eldar! I have a letter for you! It says that on this exact date, you would visit us, and that we were to give it and this," here he held up an egg, "to your son. It is signed by Salazar Slytherin!"

"But…that's a basilisk egg!" said Severus, incredulously

*My King!* hissed the snake.

"May I see this letter?"

"Certainly." And the shopkeep handed Severus a piece of yellowed parchment. As the letter changed hands, so did the writing. It read:

Mr. Eldar:

If you have this letter in your hands, it is because you have visited the shop for the last time before your son's (and his mate's) eleventh birthday (Rowena is a True Seer, and she saw that you and your company would be going today.)

      As my gift to the child, I send a basilisk egg, which will hatch precisely one week after getting it. It will be about the size of a python for its first one hundred years, then it will grow a foot every five years after that. It can grow or shrink at will. This basilisk is a child of the one in the Chamber of Secrets. As such, the little one will want to see its mother when you get to school. This may be accomplished either by holding this necklace, (here a marble snake with emerald eyes, which was on a chain, popped into existence) and thinking of the Chamber, or by going to the second floor girls bathroom, saying 'Open' to the sink in the seven o' clock position in Parseltongue, sliding down the pipe, walking through the tunnel, saying 'Open' a second time, walking to my statue, telling it, in Parseltongue, that its child is here. The mother will come down to greet you. One more thing. The wizard who called himself Voldemort was never my heir, and neither are his children. Only your son and Draco are.

      As Godric's gift, he sends a portable armory. It has infinite supplies of every kind of sword, dagger, fighting staff, mace, longbow, arrow, flail gun, halberd, knife, piece of armor and automatic weapon available. It shrinks to fit in pockets. Just tell it what kind of weapon or defensive covering you would like, and open the door. It also updates itself. Also, none of any of the items mentioned in this letter can get lost or stolen in any way, shape, or form. The items are unbreakable. (here a shrunken cabinet made of ruby, and which had gold handles, appeared.)

          Helga's gift is a case with every single Potions ingredient known to the universe. It refills itself and shrinks to be able to fit in small spaces. (here a willow cabinet with two doors appeared.) Just tell it what you want.

      Rowena's gift is a book containing every book in the world in it. Hold it in your hands, and think of what you want information on, and unlock the book. (here a leather bound book with a sapphire and bronze lock appeared. A key appeared on a blue ribbon around Morning's neck.)

      The gift from all of us is this piece of parchment. This is so you may ask us questions if needed, or, if you want to, just to talk. If we do not know the answer, we will point you to the correct book or person.

Please give this to Morning when you are finished.

Yours truly,

Salazar Slytherin

Severus, totally struck dumb, handed the letter to Morning, and in a dazed voice, said, "Here." Morning took it, puzzled, and read the letter. The writing then changed. It now said:

Dear Amroth, and probably Elrohir. (these are your actual Elven names),

       This parchment will serve as your guide in life. It has many protection, warding, and indestructible spells placed on it. Only a member of your families, or someone you have absolute trust in, and who is not evil, can read it. Others will not see it.

            The four of us, plus Merlin, are going to teach you how to use your powers. One of these are your Animagus abilities. You are Omnétios, which means you can transform into any type of animal, magical or otherwise. But, before you can do this, you need training, which we are going to give you.

       You are also capable of wandless magic. Likewise, before you can use this to its full potential, you must be trained. Same with your elemental abilities.

       Every day, we are going to train you. The schedule is as follows:

Sal: Potions (with Severus), element of Ice, Arithmancy, fighting (using potions and espionage), Astronomy, Magical Defense (Creatures)

Rowena: History of Magic, element of Water, Charms (with Lily), Divination, Fighting (daggers)

Dric: Fighting (Martial Arts), Transfiguration, Healing, Element of Fire

Helga: Element of Earth, Herbology, Magical Theory, Recognition and Care of Magical Creatures, Fighting (using plants)

Emrys: Magical Defense (Spells), Elements of Air, Void, and the Mind; Element Integration, Dragon Magic

All: Omnétio and wandless magic training, Basilisk, Unicorn, Phoenix, Gryphon, Soul, Heart, Dwarven, Djinn and Elven magics; Duelling (using spells, Magical, and Muggle weapons), Telekinesis and other Psychic abilities.

       While you are in here, time will freeze. When you leave, you will be rejuvenated, ready to face a new (or rest of the) day. Our gifts to you (minus the basilisk) may be psychically stored in your head. All you have to do is think of them, and they will appear.

See you soon!

Dric

Rowena

Sal

Helga

Emrys (Merln)

***

Yay! Nice and long chapter. Please review!

Redmeadow: I do too!

Vaneci Superficio: vanish [us] outside