Thanks to all of you who took the time to review my story :)
AN-2021-07-16: huge thanks to dstone12 and Miette for reviewing this chapter and correcting my mistakes :)
Gringotts was grand and imposing. Severus had never entered the bank before, Mother never needing him to go with her. After her death, he had signed the magical contract sent by owl to accept her will without any other form of procedure.
Severus had seen a few Goblins in Diagon Alley but was eager to observe them while doing their trade. Indeed, Goblins dealt in magical contracts and were the best at it. From his book on magical bonds, Severus knew them to be precise yet able to adapt and think of the many possibilities words could be interpreted. They were renowned for being shrewd and efficient contract writers and administrators. It was the reason all Ministry contracts were drawn by Goblins and signed at Gringotts.
According to Severus' books, Goblins were so adept at writing contracts because of the complexity of their language. Few Wizards understood Gobbledegook, even less spoke it fluently enough to do business with Goblins in their own language. These were well respected by Goblins although Severus' book had not been precise as to what it entailed. Other Wizards who were well recognized by Goblins included those who managed to negotiate their contract at the same speed as them. The exercise was precarious and, according to the book, required a fine balance. Sometimes, it was better to ask for more time to study the contract and not sign it in haste, overlooking unwanted conditions. Other times, the signing of the contract at the time of the negotiation was imperative not to lose the Goblins' respect.
Severus thought you had to be a little crazy to try and match the Goblins at their game. He bet Dumbledore was good at it.
If some Wizards were respected by the Goblins, a few Houses had managed to make an alliance with them. Severus did not know which ones they were. His book had not said. He thought they might all be extinct. People reckless enough to ally themselves with Goblins must die young or impoverished.
Two Goblins were standing guard at the bank entrance. They looked mean, angry and... bored if Severus read them correctly. He was not an expert in Goblin's expressions and behaviours, and might be misreading them completely but they felt bored. As he would be in their shoes. As the Wizard checking wand at the Ministry had been.
Thinking about the man's surprising abilities, Severus wondered if the Gringotts guards also had their own. Were they amazing warriors able to catch any thieves daring to try to steal from the bank? Warriors able to defend their fellow Goblins against any Wizard?
How should he behave when in front of them? Ignore them like the Wizards he had seen enter the bank up to now? Bow to them? Say hello? No way he would dare talk to them. Anyway, it would be foolish to engage a guard in conversation, Severus chided himself. The best was to do like his Mentor... who was nowhere in sight.
Severus looked around in alarm. No trace of Lord Malfoy nor Professor Flitwick. He had been so lost in his thoughts they must have already entered. He really needed to be more careful. He never would have forgotten to watch for his father's moves.
Well. He did not think it was a good idea to ignore the two guards so... Steeling himself but trying to look like it was not the first time he came to the bank, Severus walked to the entrance, bowing slightly to each goblin guard but without addressing them. They did not move and he passed through, almost disappointed.
Lord Malfoy and Professor Flitwick were waiting for him in a hall which overlooked two great stairs. Downstairs, queues were organized, each in front of a counter behind which sat one Goblin. These Goblins did not look bored. They looked ready to pounce on the Wizards—and any other species—in front of them and eat them raw.
Severus shivered. You survived a Werewolf. You have Sectumsempra. Breathe. You are not harmless. He squared his shoulders, unwilling to be scared when he was going to become an adult Wizard. If I am going to be a Wizard responsible for himself, I will act like it.
Taking his eyes from the Goblins, he saw the two adults looking at him approvingly but with a knowing eye. He joined them, grateful they had not waited among the queues, and Lord Malfoy led them through the crowd. After what felt like hours of avoiding people and walking in circles, he settled at one queue. Severus finally noticed the huge sign above each counter. Theirs read "Ministry of Magic Contracts".
Looking around, Severus spotted other signs reading "Private Accounts Operations", "Enterprise Accounts", "Gringotts Investments", "Private Contracts", "Apprenticeships", "Councillors Meeting", … Gringotts seemed to be involved in many aspects of the Wizarding World. Severus wondered how much power the Goblins had over Wizards, and which contracts bound them to the Ministry … if it was not the reverse.
While Severus was observing Gringotts as much as possible, their queue was advancing quickly. Soon, the three of them were facing the Goblin behind their counter.
He did not look bored like the entrance guards. His eyes seemed to pierce through Severus and he had to use his Occlumency shields to bolster himself and not let his discomfort show.
Lord Malfoy took a step forward to address the Goblin.
"Greetings, Master of Words and Bounds. May our paths merge today to bring us both the reward we deserve."
Severus perked up. The sentence was familiar. He racked his brain for recognition… Yes. According to Magical Links, Theory, Practice and Rumours, proper sentences existed to greet Goblins depending on the links you shared with them. The book said you had no chance of signing a contract in your favour if you did not first address the Goblins properly – Severus wondered how Muggleborns were expected to know this kind of information without a sponsor.
His Mentor had used the greeting for esteemed partner, meaning the Goblins and he were doing fruitful business for both parties. However, he was not considered an ally – Severus really thought those were all dead.
"Greetings, Master of Growth and Bounds. May our paths merge today as fruitfully as our long collaboration," answered the Goblin respectfully. "How may Roathtook help Lord Malfoy today?"
"I am here on the behalf of a young under my protection, seeking to grow before his time. He has been deemed acceptable and as such, his deed must be recognized, Master Roathtook."
Severus was puzzled by his Mentor convoluted sentence. Really, why use such flowery metaphorical way to describe a simple emancipation?
Yet, he saw the approval in Flitwick's face. And Roathtook seemed satisfied. On cue, the Goblin looked at him. Squaring his shoulder and praying his memory was as precise as usual, Severus launched himself.
"Greetings, Master of Bounds and Beyond. May your path curve to cross one as little as mine for the briefest time."
The Goblin smiled, in pleasure, anticipation or ferocity Severus could not guess.
"Greetings, Learner of Bounds and Beyond. May my path cross yours in the blink of an eye."
He paused, examining Severus from head to toes.
"Roathtook will hear the Learner's demand."
"Thank you, Master Roathtook. May your time not be wasted by one such as I."
Severus breathed deeply then went on, focusing solely on the Goblin in front of him.
"I am Severus Tobias Snape. My emancipation was accepted this morning by the Ministry of Magic and I have hereby come to sign the agreement, providing it is up to my expectations."
"For such a contract, I will need to verify your identity. However, your wizarding identification will not suffice in this case." Said Roathtook, showing pointy incisors with what looked like delight to Severus.
"I will need blood."
He was stunned. Blood?
"Master Roathtook, this Learner has yet to know about many practices. May he ask how his sample of blood will help identify him without being used otherwise?"
Mother had drummed into him blood was the easiest way to use Dark Magic on someone.
The Goblin looked at him in silence, long enough Severus began wondering if he had offended him.
"As this young Learner may not know, when a child is born from Wizards, his birth must be reported to the Ministry of Magic. It includes linking the child's name to his blood. For Muggleborns, it is done when they first come to Gringotts. We have ways here to detect any Wizard not linked to a name."
The Goblin paused, watching Severus. He reached out under his desk, then put on the counter what looked like a plate, with several symbols on it. At first, Severus thought they were runes but several symbols were just foreign to him, not even looking like script.
"You, Learner, have been linked to a name. With one drop of your blood on this device, I will know your name."
It meant Mother had taken the time to declare him. Well, he had wizarding identification so of course, she had. He had just not thought it implied more than in the muggle world.
"So, I prick my finger, put it on the device and it suffices?" asked Severus, making sure he understood the procedure.
"Exactly," said Roathtook.
"Will my blood be absorbed during the device working?" Severus asked, unwilling to leave some of his blood in unknown hands.
"Indeed, the blood will be entirely consumed by it".
Nodding his head, Severus took his wand.
"Learner, you will need to use our knife."
Right. Severus eyed the sharp looking knife Roathtook had produced. Once again, there were symbols on it.
"Why are there symbols on the knife?" he asked, knowing he might be overstepping some boundaries but caution was always needed when dealing with blood magic and Goblins.
"Those symbols will ensure your blood is not tampered with, as well as extract only the amount of blood needed for our purpose."
Well. The Goblin had answered him, and he seemed … pleased.
Taking the knife, Severus pricked his finger. It did not hurt more than when accidentally slicing himself during potions making. He put his finger on the device, felt the blood fall on it, a light tingle in his finger. Severus took his hand back. There was no injury on his finger. The knife was gleaming without any trace of red. He put it back on the counter.
Meanwhile, Roathtook was looking at his counter.
"Excellent. I confirm you are Severus Tobias Snape. Do you have two living beings, at least one magical, to act as financial and educational cautions?"
"Yes, Master Roathtook. Lord Malfoy agreed to be my financial caution, and Professor Flitwick my educational one."
"Quite the cautions you gathered Learner."
The Goblin waited, as if expecting a comment from Severus. He was at loss. He knew his Mentor was an influential member of the Wizarding World. Flitwick certainly was an impressive academic to teach at Hogwarts while being a Half-Goblin. Still… he could not shake the feeling there was more to the Goblin's remark.
"I am honoured they agreed to assist and support me in my quest," said Severus, settling for a neutral answer.
The Goblin's ears moved. Severus could not say if it was in approval, surprise, disapproval…
"Lord Malfoy,… Professor Flitwick. I need to check your identity please."
Roathtook's even tone did not reveal what he was thinking. Both his cautions went through the same steps as Severus, Roathtook confirming their identities.
"Alright, here are your emancipation papers signed by the Ministry."
Severus took hold of the papers. There were only two sheets. He read them carefully, checking for double meanings and fine prints. After reading them twice, he gave them to his Mentor. Lord Malfoy looked over them, then handed them to Professor Flitwick. The Half-Goblin read them quickly before giving them back to Severus with a nod.
"Master Roathtook, I agree with the content of these papers."
"Very well, Learner. You may sign your name on each sheet. Your two cautions must sign as well. I will then triplicate the papers so you may keep one exemplar. One other will be for the Ministry. The last will be kept at Gringotts"
Focusing with Occlumency to control any shake of his hands, Severus took the quill available on the counter and signed his name as elegantly as he could. Releasing his breath, he moved over for his Mentor and Professor to sign.
Roathtook took another device from under his desk and put it on the papers. Severus watched, surprised to see them triplicate. The Goblin put one set under his desk, one in a box, and then handed the last one to Severus.
"Congratulations Learner, you are now an adult Wizard responsible for his every action."
"Thank you Master Roathtook for your guidance in this matter."
"Tell me, Learner. How is it you chose an ally of the Goblins for caution?"
Severus frowned. His Mentor was not an ally of the Goblins, only an esteemed partner. Why… Oh, maybe professor Flitwick? But even if he was only Half-Goblin, from what he had read, he should be counted as clan by the Goblin, not a mere ally. Was it a test?
"Master Roathtook, I am but a mere Learner, so please forgive me if I am confused by your question. I know my Mentor is your esteemed partner. My Professor is clan with you. I do not know any ally of yours," answered Severus, looking the Goblins straight in the eyes.
The Goblins ears moved again. Severus thought he looked pleased.
"Well said Learner of Bounds and Beyond. May your path keep flowing undisturbed and cross mine again. Here is a token you may show when you come back here if you wish to broaden your horizon. Beware, the token leads to a path a Wizard walks alone until he reaches its end."
"Thank you, Master of Bounds and Beyond," answered Severus, taking the silver wristband the Goblin was giving him. He did not know what had happened but he needed to answer as adequately as possible. "May your path provide you and your clan with rewards as great as the honour you showed me."
Severus bowed then took a step back behind his Mentor.
"Thank you, Master of Words and Bonds, for another fruitful business. May our paths meet again."
"Thank you, Master of Growth and Bonds, for bringing a new seed to us. May our path meet again so we shall see its growth."
Severus repressed a frown. Had he been compared to a seed? He was not a plant! His indignation did not last in the face of curiosity when Flitwick and Roathtook began talking in Gobbledygook. The sounds were fascinating. And it was hard to guess what was being said between the two of them, also Roathtook seemed almost deferential to Flitwick.
Finally, they were outside.
"Congratulations Mister Snape," said Professor Flitwick. "I was really impressed by your behaviour in Gringotts. Did your Mentor tutor you?"
Oh. He did not have the necessary license to own the book his Mentor had given him. He supposed his Mentor had tutored him in a sense…
"I gave him access to some texts I deemed necessary for his success in our world," intervened Lord Malfoy smoothly.
"I see. The Ministry can be overzealous when banning some books from the younglings' eyes," said Flitwick, eyes sharp but mischievous. "In any case, well done Mister Snape. I cannot wait to see what you will do after your NEWTs. Do not hesitate to contact me with any question or advice you might need."
"Actually, do you know what Master Roathtook offered me with this band?" asked Severus, showing the silver token he had been given.
"Impressive," said Flitwick. "The way you answered, I thought you understood its meaning. You have been given the chance to take the test for Goblin Apprenticeship. I am afraid I cannot reveal more without you being chosen."
A Goblin Apprenticeship? How? Why?
"I do not know why they proposed this to you Severus," said his Mentor, "but it is an honour. You would be well advised to wait until after your NEWTs to delve into this option though."
"Indeed,", said Flitwick. "I must return to Hogwarts but do keep in touch Mister Snape."
"Thank you, Professor," answered Severus, genuinely touched. "I really appreciate your support."
"You are welcome, Mister Snape. Lord Malfoy."
The Half-Goblin bowed then apparated away.
"Congratulations Severus."
"Thank you, my Lord."
"Abraxas."
Severus looked at him, startled.
"You are a man now. And dear to me. Please, call me Abraxas."
"Yes, s… Abraxas."
Life would have been perfect if Mother had been there with them. But it was already pretty good.
Severus was still lost on his cloud when he settled in an elegant and opulent yet comfortable armchair, joining Lucius and... Abraxas in the private salon of their Manor.
A House Elf – Pelly or Bink? – popped in, serving champagne and butterbeer, French pastries and chocolate macarons, to celebrate Severus' emancipation.
"To Severus, may he keep on making us proud and be wiser than his years, for now you are not a child but a Wizard!"
Severus blushed under the proclamation, Lucius hooting his approval of his father's worlds.
Severus raised an eyebrow, surprised by his friend's behaviour in presence of his father. The Malfoy's decorum was lacking, and Lucius seemed to realize it, looking surreptitiously toward his father.
Abraxas was looking at him, an amused sparkle in his eyes.
"I will allow this uncouth demonstration of joy, seeing you were the one to notice Severus and the first to claim he was exceptional and would surprise us."
Severus turned to his friend, stunned. Abraxas had said Lucius had been the one to convince him to choose Severus but not the extent of his son's praise.
"Of course I was. You know I have flair to notice hidden talent and usefulness," said Lucius, looking both regal and pompous. He certainly knew how to put on airs. But unlike many others, he had the power and cunning to back him. Severus really hoped he would not marry too soon.
"I am happy to have taken pity on you that evening," he said fondly, making Severus blush at the memory. He had been pitiful.
"Like a cute, lost but eager puppy if I remember your words," said Lord Malfoy teasingly.
What? Severus glared at Lucius. He was not a puppy. Other students shivered at the thought of his acerbic tongue. He made some of them cry. He was not a puppy! and never had been, even back in first year!
"A puppy with teeth Father," agreed Lucius sagely. "Now, why don't you explain to said puppy "The Familiar Ritual" before he gnaws on me?"
"Yes my son, a very subtle change of topic," said Lord Malfoy.
Severus swore his Mentor would have rolled his eyes if he had not been too distinguished for such childish manners.
"Alright. Severus, I suppose you are still interested in the Ritual."
"Yes Sir... Abraxas," he answered vigorously, his Mentor's name still foreign on his tongue.
"The Ritual we are talking about can only be attempted with custom made wands. Ollivanders' will not work because the wand is not 100% compatible with its Wizard. I told you how a wand's goal and its Wizard's must be aligned for them to be totally bonded. The ritual pushes the bond one step further."
He paused, taking the time to savour some champagne. Severus knew Lucius had inherited his storyteller talent from his father, but sometimes he wished they would hurry up to get to the point of the story.
"No one really knows why the Ritual doesn't work with Ollivanders' wands. Some Wizard-wand pairings were said to be bonded but the Ritual always failed. Nowadays, even the owners of custom-made wands seldom attempt the Ritual anymore because they say the risks outweigh the gains."
Abraxas paused again, making Severus squirm with impatience. He smirked knowingly.
"You do know you need to learn patience, Severus. The more useful information usually comes after long detours and waits."
Severus blushed, knowing the reproach was true.
"You also need to control this blush if you want any hope of surviving in high society," quipped Lucius.
Severus glared at him, knowing the advice was sound but still smarting over the puppy comment.
"The Ritual allows one to transform his wand into a familiar," continued Abraxas undeterred. "Familiars usually are more intelligent and sensitive than mere animals because of their bond with their Wizard. However, they have no magical power. You won't see a Wizard bonded to a magical animal unless he underwent the Ritual. In this case, his familiar will take the form of his wand's core animal."
Severus' mind was reeling. It meant his familiar would be... a thestral! Thinking of the magnificent beasts, he smiled. How wicked it would be!
"However, even with custom made wands and the impression you have bonded fully with your wand, the rate of success in the Ritual is barely 30%. The other 70% saw their wand explode in pieces."
Abraxas paused, looking serious.
"Most say they never found a wand as satisfactory as their first one. Only 5% attempted the Ritual again with their new wand. Only 1% of these succeeded."
Oh. The information sobered Severus.
"But before even attempting the Ritual, you must master wandless magic. Indeed, you will not have a wand anymore if your Ritual succeeds."
Severus knew how well this enterprise was going for him.
"Wandless magic is only possible after mastering one's wand because a wand is jealous and fears being abandoned. When you master your wand, you are considered fully bonded and thus your wand cannot be replaced by another."
Abraxas took a sip of champagne.
"Of course, this is the theory, and I remind you wands are still mysterious to us even though we use them daily. Even wand-makers do not fully understand them, that's what makes it magic," he added, eyes sparkling.
Severus was quickly reconsidering his enthusiasm about this ritual, although a thestral familiar would be awesome.
Still, he asked:
"Which kind of ritual are we talking about?"
Dark Arts. Blood magic. Elven. There were so many possibilities, each with their own inconvenience.
"A Goblin one. The bond between Wizard and wand is tested at the Ministry first," said Severus' Mentor, raising his hand to prevent his interruption. "Yes, the Ministry is trying to keep an eye of those who want to try The Ritual. But since the rule was instituted, the mortality rate due to failed Ritual attempts has decreased drastically. The Ritual itself is done at Gringotts."
Mortality rate. Severus swallowed.
"Now you understand why few attempt this Ritual. But do not dismiss it yet. Wait for a few years, the time for you to learn from your apprenticeship and for your magic to mature. The Ritual's appeal usually depends on your job and family situation."
Right.
They did not talk about the Ritual again during the month Severus remained at Malfoy Manor. He had accepted his Mentor's hospitality at Abraxas' insistence. The older man had claimed that as Severus' financial caution, he had to give him the means to succeed in his endeavour.
Studying for his NEWTs was harder work than Severus had thought, despite his advanced study of several courses, because new concepts were introduced. NEWTs allowed a student to determine if he was capable of mastering a given field, each field having different grades in mastership from III to I. Hard work only got students so far and less than E usually meant you were better off dropping the course after Hogwarts.
All courses focused on adding the sense of Magic in their field practice.
For Transfiguration, it meant to feel the magic at work to be able to undo an unknown transfiguration or to feel for weak points in one's transfiguration.
Happily for Severus, he had already spent several years working on this sense thanks to his difficulties in the field. He was no genius at it but years of training had developed this sense. If not for this, he knew he would have had no chance to pass his Transfiguration NEWT. He had a passing chance but Severus worried about the amount of power and control it would require from his wand and himself.
Thankfully, Lucius had chosen to work in the manor the whole month Severus would have to study. He trained Severus ruthlessly, making him transfigure and untransfigure again and again until his student was drained and ready for bed.
Severus was grateful and cherished their after-sessions when Lucius remained talking with him while they ate a collation, his Mentor sometimes joining them.
Defence Against the Dark Arts was about sensing magic to develop counter-curses to spells you did not know as well as sensing the exact location spells were directed. It was almost like creating a new spell or twisting a potion. Having already covered the material on his own the years before, invented his own spells and created his potions recipes since he was eight, Severus found it easy and quickly pushed the subject aside.
Charms did not come as easily to Severus but the same principle applied. He quickly felt confident enough he only did cursory practice at the end of the day.
Herbology was trickier. You were supposed to sense plants' moods and needs, to encourage their growth, to increase the potency of their perfume or venom... It required patience. A lot of patience. Severus sometimes had a lot of it. Other times... He was lucky to be able to practice on the Malfoy's greenhouse, under the direction of Leafy.
Leafy was the master of the greenhouses and a House Elf. He was as strict as Lucius and Severus would never have dreamed of disobeying him inside his kingdom.
Care of magical creatures was more or less the same, Severus tried to tame beasts when before he had tried to tame plants. Some were easier than others and he prayed on the day of his NEWTs, luck would favour him. Once again, he was grateful for his Mentor's offer to study at the Manor, which allowed him access to the Malfoy's menagerie.
Arithmancy was a huge disappointment for Severus. His years at Hogwarts had covered different possible uses for Arithmancy, from numerology to determining the best day to harvest potions ingredients, with the impact of numbers on Magic in between. However, the NEWT was centred on numerology and getting the feel of which number felt right in answer to one question. It was one part of Arithmancy Severus found useless and he had a hard time studying for it, more often than not foregoing the subject planned study session and practising Runes instead.
While Severus Hogwarts years had been spent learning basic Runes, their possible meanings and translations as well as some rudimentary spells applications, the NEWT curriculum required him to feel for the runes power in order to notice its existence then work on countering it. Feel also allowed the Wizard to make rune combinations more complex than the basic ones taught in 3rd and 4th year. However, for the combination to work, each rune composing it had to be altered slightly to fit together. It was fascinating, frustrating and time consuming.
Time passed quickly and before Severus knew it, he was sitting at the Ministry among other independent candidates.
The exams lasted one week, the written part being in the morning while the practicals were held in the afternoon. NEWTs were harder than his OWLs and Severus sometimes felt like he knew the answer but it was beyond his grasp... The practicals lasted longer than for OWLs, and Severus' concern over his wand's behaviour combined to the power required for most subjects exhausted him. At the end of each day, Severus barely had enough energy left to eat diner then drag himself to bed.
After his NEWTs ended, he spent two days only sleeping and eating at Malfoy Manor before going back to his own house.
Abraxas had asked him to remain at the Manor but he had refused, touched by the thoughtfulness of his mentor but needing to be alone for a while. He needed some quiet after the rush of last year, his OWLs, his emancipation, his NEWTs…