Thanks to all of you who took the time to follow/favourite/review my story! ("update soon!" is not a review and makes me want not to update just to spite you)

AN-2021/08/17: Thanks to Miette and dstone12 for kindly correcting this chapter's mistakes.

"Before even thinking about studying your Apprenticeship field, you must learn the two basics. They are the foundation of our civilisation. They were not included in your Contract because no one, be it Wizards, Muggles, Faes, any living creatures, even Goblins, can hope to master them."

Severus was hanging onto the Goblin's every word. Wirkrund was one of the Goblin's Wises. Among other things, he was responsible for the youngsters' general education. Severus was going to spend several days with him before being allowed to study his Apprenticeship chosen fields with other Masters.

Severus was living with Drunek, his Master, Master of Magic and Myst. Drunek had a wife, two kids and expecting a third. Severus had been uneasy at first, feeling like an added burden, but his Master had silently but efficiently put him at ease. His wife's smile -despite pointy teeth- and their two children's curiosity may had helped too. He wished Abraxas and Lucius could come visit him because he knew then he would be completely happy.

"Goblins live longer than Wizards. You can reasonably hope to attain 150 years. 200 if your magic remains balanced. We can easily live up to 300 years. The oldest known Goblin died just before his 392 birthday. Goblins reached adulthood in their 36th year. Not before. Not after. We have the time to learn how to use and manipulate magic through our bodies."

Severus listened with rapt attention. This was why he had accepted this Apprenticeship. To learn. To know.

"Magic flows all around us but through us as well, humans, plants, creatures. She flows through us but there are focused points where she takes from us as much as we take from her. Those points are called Khorlos, also humans usually know them as Chakras. Have you heard of them?"

Severus shivered. He would never forget the one time he had heard about Chakras. How one wizard used them to improve the effects of the Cruciatus curse.

"I have, in a story. Only in passing, without details."

"It is often the case with our few wizard apprentices. We learn to focus the magic through the Khorlos and then let it flow through our body. You do not have the time to learn so you use wands as a focusing point. It is not a bad thing, your species compensated for one weakness in order to survive."

Wirkrund's smile was predatory and approving.

"However, wandmaking is complicated if you want a wand to help you achieve Khorlo use, which is only the stepping-off point for understanding how to use magic. Nowadays, wands have become customary when before they were only a tool."

He paused, looking at Severus thoughtfully.
"Have you heard of the Ritual?"

Severus raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I have. Abraxas… Lord Malfoy told me about it."

The Goblin… smirked. Kind of.
"Yes, he would tell you. He does know the last English Wizard who passed the Ritual."

Severus was intrigued. But he had no time to ponder more. Wirkrund was speaking again.

"Achieving the Ritual means you have mastered the solar plexus Khorlo. It is the Khorlo of self. By knowing oneself, one can balance Magic within oneself. This balance usually manifest itself physically in the form of a familiar. I am talking about real familiars, meaning animals made of magic like phoenixes or dragons for example. The fact that you and your wand are bonded means you know who you are and can focus magic within yourself. At that point you just need to become aware of it and to learn how to balance it within yourself."

Severus frowned. He needed time to think. To compare the Goblin theory and what he knew – or thought he knew. But…

"How do Wizards pass the Ritual without your guidance, or one of long life species?"

Wirkrund's ears moved.
"Ah. A few managed on their own. Most indeed had guidance from one specie or another."

"Why is it not more well-known?"

As soon as he spoke, Severus knew it was a stupid question. Knowledge was power. Wizards who could not cast spells without wands were weaker. And powerful Wizards bereft of their wand when they failed the Ritual, imbalanced by their loss, were good for Goblins. Even though the last Goblin wars dated back to 1780s, it would be like yesterday for them.

"Why is it not more well-known when some of us know about it?" he added hastily.

Wirkrund's ears flickered again.
"Ah. Indeed. It must be because we chose our Learners carefully."

The Goblin smiled with an impressive show of dangerous looking teeth.

"I did not noticed many familiars here."

Severus almost clamped his mouth on his words. He was not insinuating Goblins failed the Ritual as often as Wizards. But he had only spotted three Goblins with Familiars thus far.

The wise looked at him in silence for a long time. Severus forced himself not to fidget. They could not kill him for being rude or noisy. His Contract stated his Apprentice status made him an honorary Goblin for the time being.

"Goblins' familiars are different from those of Wizards', as well as from Faes' or Vampires'. Faes' familiars usually are plants, whereas Vampires' will be humans."

Severus silenced a shout of surprise. Humans as familiars?

"Wizards' familiars usually are magical creatures. Goblins'...usually are Wargs."

Severus frowned. Wargs were big wolves who usually lived in pack. Goblins used them as mounts when they went to war.

"Wargs are pack creatures, as Goblins are. The familiar usually lives with his pack most off the time, his pack being familiars of other Goblins. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rules."

Severus nodded slowly. Wizards had different needs from Goblins or other Creatures. It made sense their familiars would offer something different to them too.

"Now. There is an Art every Goblin learns from their youngest years. It's not a magical Art because Khorlos are not only magical focus points. It's an Art used in all goblin Arts, so every Apprentice must learn it. We call it T'aichich'üan."

He paused, as if waiting for Severus to comment on the word, maybe expecting him to know it.

He did not. He was surprised by the sonority of the word. It did not sound like the Gobbledegook he had heard the day before. Neither did it sound like Khorlos. It was as though those words did not belong to the Goblin language.

"It does not sound like Gobbledegook," said Severus, hoping he had not made an etiquette faux-pas.

"Indeed." said Wirkrund, sounding pleased. "It is a Chinese word. Goblins have had means to travel quickly through the world for a long time. Our Nation is spread all over the planet, but you would not know it if you were to cross it on foot."

Severus was impressed. Portkeys were invented during the Grindelwald years. Before, Wizards only travelled by floo or brooms, both being limited in their travel range. Wirkrund words implied Goblins were far ahead of Wizards in this branch of Magic.

"It will be crucial for your runes study, but I will leave your Master the pleasure to tell you more."

Severus was pretty sure the light in the Goblin's eyes meant he knew he was torturing Severus by teasing him with a drop of knowledge and was enjoying it.

"Thank you, Master Wirkrund," he forced himself to say.

The Master nodded then spoke again.
"T'aichich'üan will help you find focus and feel the flow of Magic through your Khorlos… with time and practice. We will do so this afternoon."

Severus wanted to huff. Why could they not practice now?

"The second basic is the importance of one's word in a magical world. The importance of one word meaning. The importance to know how words apply to situation, creatures… Magic is intent, and words convey intent. Spells with one-word incantation have unforeseen results depending on who cast them because one word can have many interpretations. The same can be said for long worded incantations, except if the words are precisely chosen and assembled. It is even more true for Oaths and Contracts. In this matter, it is even more important to know the meaning of words. And to acknowledge which meaning we give to words. Lying to oneself only leads to failure and pain."

Severus was glad he had studied his Oath book, as well as had experience with creating new spells. It helped follow Wirkrund lesson. It did not prevent him from sporting a headache when they stopped for lunch. His mind felt overflowed with information he could not rationalise yet.

Lunch was simple yet filling and full of unknown tastes he enjoyed. Severus was relieved when Wirkrund led him to a small and quiet garden afterwards, instead of the room they had remained in the whole morning. He could not wait to begin T'aichich'üan.

He soon realised his mistake. He had forgotten the "no one can hope to master them" part.
T'aichich'üan was frustrating. And painful, although according to Wirkrund it should not be.
The goblin Master would take poses and Severus would copy him as well as he could. This part was already awkward, but then he had to hold the pose for what felt like hours, before Wirkrund would slowly move to another one.
They went through a short series of poses then the Master posted himself at Severus side and told him to do it again. Then, he corrected Severus every little mistake, pushing his body in position regardless of how unnatural it felt to Severus.

"This is the first kata. It is taught to our younglings as soon as they know how to walk, to teach them how to feel magic flow through their body. It is used after ailments to help the body find its balance again. It is used to quiet one's mind in time of trouble. Once you can move through it, I will begin to teach you how to see the flow of Magic in your body. It will take some time."

The more he practised, the more Severus was wondering if he had bitten off more than he could chew. He was not as athletic as James Potter, but he was not delicate or weak, his Trials were proof enough. But when his hips were in the right position, his legs were not. When his feet cooperated, his shoulders did not. Time and time again, Wirkrund had him repeat the series of poses.

Severus was grateful to go back to his room after an early dinner with Drunek's family. He was sore, tired and a bit homesick. He fought back the tears he could feel coming to his eyes and the hollow pit in his stomach when he saw the stack of letters on his desks. He should be happy. His friends had all written back to him, congratulating him for snatching such a prominent master. Severus was bound not to reveal his real Apprenticeship, but the Goblins were old hands at this. They had given him a false Master name, one used by any Wizard who took a Goblin Apprenticeship, to tell his friends.

Severus has not expected the false name to be so well known and recognised among his peers, even when they did not know what it really meant, and all agreed the mystery surrounding the Master was another appeal.
Abraxas and Lucius had written back letters full of pride and love as well. They did not seem to know Severus was with Goblins.

When he had filled himself with their compliments and happiness for him, one letter remained.
Curious, Severus wondered who, apart from Abraxas, would use such rich parchment. His name was elegantly scripted on the envelope. Turning the letter, he froze. He had searched in Hogwarts' Library for this emblem in his first year. Now, the Prince blazon was right there taunting him.

Severus threw the letter away from him. He summoned his wand without even thinking, throwing Incendio, Bombarda, Reducio, and any other destructive spells that came to mind without being dark.
The letter remained intact.

Severus looked around his room, searching for another way to destroy this letter that was many years too late. His quarters, like every goblin one, were mostly decorated with weapons of all sorts, shields, armours and the like. A growl of triumph escaped him as he finally spied a sharp looking knife. Taking it firmly in hand, he tore through the letter. Tried to anyway. It only glided further on the floor.

Well.

Might as well take a look.

Dear Grandson,

I am afraid you will find this letter to be too little too late. You would be right, and I can only try to explain how it came to be, although it is no excuse for my tardiness.

I put several protective spells on this letter as I heard from Abraxas you inherited the Prince's temper. Please, I only ask you to read my words, so I may hope one day you will agree to meet us, your grandparents.

That was unexpected- almost nice. A bit of twisted attention from someone who had ignored him his all life.

I was furious with your mother when she ran away with a Muggle a few days before her betrothal with one of Abraxas' cousins. Abraxas is the brother I never had, and the expected joining of our families was a joy to both of us. I would have eventually forgiven her if she had not hidden from her husband she was a witch. I knew too many sob stories to have any doubt how it would end. I disinherited her until she told her husband the truth or divorced him.

Mother had said as much in her letter. There would be at least one truth in this letter.

I knew when you were born, privilege of the Head of House. Your grandmother and I went to see you that day. Our daughter was so happy, looking at her husband holding their son with a smile. It was obvious she had told him about magic and he had accepted it, because she never would have chanced a child otherwise.

Right.

We watched the happy family from afar, and decided to respect our daughter's choice and happiness, even though it tore at our hearts (I have taken a photograph of the memory and joined it to my letter).

He did not want to see it. He really did not. But he had already taken up the envelope included with the parchment. Opening it with trembling fingers, he stared. He did not remember ever seeing his parents look as happy as they did in the photograph. They both alternated between looking at him and at each other. With love. Like nothing could be more precious than the three of them.

He did not know how long he remained watching them. Those well-known strangers. When he put the photograph on his bed table, his hands were shaking, fingers white and hurting from being clutched too tight for too long.

He breathed deeply to calm his heart and clear his eyes from the tears he had not allowed to fall. He had a letter to read.

You must wonder why we never went back to see our daughter and her family, even from afar. I owe you the truth, because you are my grandson and we already hurt you far too much without meaning to. She did not need us. We would not need her.

He understood the feeling. Anger and indifference were easier to bear than hurt and longing. But adults were supposed to be better than that. He had needed them to come back.

I was overjoyed to hear from you through Lucius several years later. I had hoped to, knowing you would begin Hogwarts – and Slytherin grapevines are the best… The boy sung your praises to Abraxas every chance he got: how you were a genius, the good grades you had… I was so proud.

He snorted. If he had been proud, he would have come and meet him. He would have come for him.

I began looking for a way to get to know you while respecting my daughter's choices. When we decided to implement the Mentorship, I wanted to take on you. Abraxas and I argued lengthily before I realised I would not be the best for you. You needed someone without baggage. Someone who would not try to mend his relationship with his lost daughter through you. If you are wondering why Abraxas never told you he knew you were my grandson, he was respecting my wish not to interfere with your mother's desire to obliviate us from her life. He would not have lied to you if you had confided your lineage to him, but you never did. I thought your Mother had taught you to despise us.

No, they did it all by themselves by never showing up.

I also shudder to imagine some harpies barging in on her to ask for retribution on past offences and perceived slights on their honour. I have taken great care not to let any Wizard or Witch know my daughter was no living in a paradise far away island.

You were included in the Mentorship program because as a Half-blood living in the Muggle World, you needed more connection to the Wizarding World. I now fear you also needed the Mentorship to protect you from your home life. You never said anything to Abraxas or your friends, but they expressed concerns… I now fear my daughter was not as wise as I thought she was. I fear she took the chance on a child without telling her husband of her heritage. I fear you are not an exception to Slytherin's rules…

He feared. Did he even know what it really meant to fear?

Abraxas kept me apprised of your progresses. I am happy Eileen took you to Maverick. I know you struggled with your wand – maybe still are – but trust me on this: Princes do badly with non-custom wands. We are the family with the highest success rate for the Ritual. And do not forget there are always different side to words and prophecies.

I was the one who provided the book on Oaths you needed. I am a bit worried about why you would need it. I know Princes, and although Abraxas believed you, I know you must have wanted it for more than theory.

How could he know Severus so well without having ever met him? Blood could not tell that much. He could not have spoken that much with Abraxas about him. He did not care that much. Giving a book was easy.

I felt Eileen death. Like a knife in my heart. Head of House privilege. Your grandmother wanted to come to you at once. But I had to care for my own mentoree who was being hurt by his family. I knew once I began to try and mend our relationship, I would be hard pressed to give him the attention he deserved.

That was the worst excuse ever.

We agreed to contact you as soon as his situation was under control. It sadly took much longer than we thought.

We went to see her grave but learnt you had her cremated. Wandering through town and listening to gossip, we learnt some truths about your father. I cannot help but feel I owe you a deep thank you as well as an apology, although your mother's urn and cinders showed nothing suspicious.

How did he know?

He was not mad at him… because he had preserved the Prince's honour, of course.

We finally managed to find a date to meet you. I arranged with Abraxas to come for your NEWTs celebration. But once again, there was an incident with my mentoree, concerning his little brother this time. I could not let him down. Abraxas was here for you.

Still the worse excuse ever. Even if he could understand. Barely.

And then, when at last your grandmother and I were waiting for you at Abraxas' home, when you were supposed to come for diner with Abraxas and Lucius, you went and got yourself an Apprenticeship with the Goblins, preventing any contact with us except letters until you mastered it. You found the most fitting punishment without knowing.

He laughed. Not to cry. With nerves. And sorrow. And loss. And…He knew...His grandfather knew he was with the Goblins.

You are a Prince true and true. We currently are the only family allied with the Goblin Nation. I am so proud of you, even though I do not have any right to be.

No right what so ever.

My mistake was to believe my daughter was wise. My mistake was to believe she would love you more than herself. My mistake was to trust without checking like a Gryffindor. It won't happen again, but it is too late for you, isn't it?

Sixteen years too late.

I still hope to meet with you once. If you cannot bear me, I beg you to at least allow your grandmother this incommensurable pleasure. Know that I as Head of House swore an Oath for you on your birthday giving you protection of the House of Prince until you reach your majority. By this admission, you should now have another chapter in your Oaths book about the Princes. I hope you will take the time to peruse it.

The sneaky Slytherin. He dangled knowledge of Oath in front of Severus to make him learn and maybe care about his family. He was not reading it.

Do not reply at once. You have time before you need to decide after all. We will be waiting.

Will you?

Your Grandfather
Lord Augustus Prince.

Underneath the signature, another hand had written, as elegantly but more delicately:

With all my love, regrets and hopes,

Your Grandmother
Lady Madeline Prince