"I don't understand," Minerva said as she stared at the Goblin before her. "I thought Tom Riddle was the last of the Slythrein line."
The Goblin that held Fiona and Duncan's heritage test results grinned at her. "It appears as Morphin Gaunt fathered a daughter. Tom Riddle was not able to claim the Slythrein title and now it seems we know why. Your children's birth mother was the heir. It is understandable why she never claimed the title."
Minerva nodded her head in agreement. "Tom Riddle would have killed her to get that title if he had been aware of it," she answered thoughtfully. "Who is listed as the heir, Fiona or Duncan?"
"The Slythrein line is rather suprising," the Goblin explained. "It matters not if a male or female controls the heirship. Fiona is the oldest and therefore holds the claim of future Lady Slythrein. Unfortunately, you will not be able to conduct Slythrein House business for her other than use her Wizengamot votes. Her account manager will see to her holdings until she claims her title at fourteen."
"Fourteen," Minerva asked suprised. "I thought lines couldn't be claimed until age seventeen?"
"Normally so," he answered. "Slythrein House is an older house without a current Lord or Lady which allows the heir to claim the title at fourteen. She can use Heir Slythrein and I would recommend her getting their heir apparent ring. Slythrein House has many protective charms on them that will protect her."
Minerva nodded her understanding and offered a tight smile. "If you feel it is best than she shall wear it. Any other suprises?" she asked the Goblin.
He nodded his head and grinned at her. "Both children will have their own trust vault established with an annual amount of 500 galleons added each new year. You will have a stipend of 100 galleons added to your vault each month for care of the children as Slythrein House stipulates."
"What," Minerva asked shocked. "I don't want money to care for my children."
"Slythrein House stipulates the money must be paid out," the Goblin said with a calculated gaze.
Minerva gave him a hard look before requesting, "Place the stipend into their trust vaults equally."
"Are you certain?" he asked her. Minerva nodded her head yes. The Goblin smiled widely at her. "I had heard you were a morally strong witch. I'm happy to see it is so."
Minerva offered a smile in acknowledgement. "Is there a Slythrein House family book or history that I can teach to the children?" she asked.
"I shall have the vaults searched and will send anything I find to you," he promised. "I would like your permission to speak of this meeting."
Minerva raised her eyebrow in suprise before asking, "Why?"
The Goblin smiled at her. "For the children," he offered. "The Goblin nation believe the children should be protected fiercely including their finances. Not all House lines have safeguards for the future heirs. I believe it would do Magical Britain good to witness the fine example you have established. While some families need the stipend to care for the children, others will undoubtedly take in Magical children simply for the stipend. I wish to avoid that and believe if we circulate your response it might help."
Minerva looked thoughtful for a moment before agreeing, "Very well. Lord Black has already determined I would be the example for his laws. I might as well be the example to protect the children as well. What of the heritage tests for Harry?"
"We already knew the Potter Family were the last known Gryffindor heirs but his mother's side is rather suprising. It seems Lily Potter's grandmother was an illegitimate daughter of the Smith family. Harry is the heir of Hufflepuff House. Will you be requesting to have that stipend added to his existing trust vault as well?"
Minerva was shell-shocked at the revelation. "My children are descendants from 3 out of the 4 founders of Hogwarts?" she questioned. The Goblin nodded his head in amusement. Shaking her head, she focused on business. "Please add the stipend to his trust vault. I shall not be paid to provide for my children. Those funds are rightfully theirs and I shall not take a knut from them."
"As you wish," he answered with a wide grin. "The Grangers have asked you to be Hermione's Magical guardian. They gave permission for the heritage test but they want you to be present during the reading of it. Is it alright if I go ahead and invite them in?"
Minerva smiled and nodded her approval. She was curious about Hermione's heritage test. The other three had shocked her and she wondered if Hermione had some wizarding kinfolk somewhere along her family tree.
Hermione bounced in the room followed by her parents. The bushy haired girl smiled sweetly at her before climbing up on Minerva's lap. "Hi Aunt Min," she greeted.
"Hello Hermione," she responded with a grin. The girl had quickly included Dougal, Remus and Sirius as honorary uncles while she had been claimed as a beloved aunt. The lot of them had become wrapped around her pinky. She watched the Grangers as they sat down with amused grins directed at her.
"Hermione's heritage test revealed both her parents are squibs," the Goblin explained. Minerva raised an eyebrow at that. "Her father is from the Dagworth-Granger Family. I would like permission to contact Lord Dagworth-Granger regarding Hermione's heritage. He is currently without an heir and is a rather respectable wizard."
"I shall like to meet him before any meeting with Hermione," Minerva injected. "We shan't tolerate traditional pureblood bigots."
The Goblin smiled at her fierce protection of children. "I will make sure he understands that. Hermione's mother's family has a long history of squibs. She is the only heir to Ravenclaw House."
Minerva stared at the wizard in shock. "Hermione is the Ravenclaw heir?"
"She is," the Goblin explained. "The Ravenclaw hasn't had an heir in a very long time so the finances are rather disorganized. The House doesn't have any stipulations on the vaults. You, as her Magical guardian, can access it all."
Minerva frowned at that. These children needed a way to have safeguards for their finances. "Set up Hermione a trust vault that self fills yearly," she said. "Is Hermione's funds similar to that of Slythrein House?" The Goblin nodded his head. "Set the same amounts on the trust vault and stipends for the family. Once that is done please add a stipulation where only Ravenclaw heirs can change that in the future. These vaults belong to the children and guardians shouldn't be able to access them. Also, make sure assests can't be removed from the vaults unless it is by the heirs."
"As you wish," the Goblin said. "Hermione may claim her title at fourteen but until then you can conduct her House business including Ravenclaw House votes."
Minerva sat back and thought for a moment before nodding her head. "Please have a summary of her pocessions and finances compiled and sent to me. I'm positive it will take some time and effort."
"As you wish," the Goblin said with a smile.
"Will you see if any books regarding Ravenclaw House Magic or history is in the vault?" asked Minerva. "I'm positive Hermione and her mother would enjoy reading about their family."
"I will have the vaults searched and send what I find," he answered with a smile. "May I also discuss this meeting?"
Minerva smiled and simply nodded her head in acceptance.