Chapter 3 – Gringotts

On the next Saturday, the 30th September 1944 left the small group of four boys at 9 a.m. Hogwarts to travel via floo to Diagon Alley.

"It's bleak, isn't it.", murmured Cygnus.

"Yes, but what else to expect, with the way those muggles tried to kill themselves.", agreed his brother.

"They're animals.", growled Abraxas.

"Then I would be a half-animal, ain't I, Abraxas.", interrupted him Tom Marvolo Riddle jr.

"No, you know I wouldn't see you in the same light, Marvolo.", recoiled the Malfoyheir. Sceptical Tom raised a single brow.

"It was uncounted from me to utter something so stupid. Forgive me, please."

"This time. Even when you are right in regard to most Muggles, Abraxas.", admonished him the Heir of Slytherin.

"Do you have plans, Marvolo?"

"Indeed, but not here, you never know who will try to overhear them.", smirked the lean teenager.

"True, some of them would sell their own mother, to further their social standing.", replied Orion. He acted as the lookout of the small group, as they have to be careful not to become targets of the more violent sheeple of Albus Dumbledore.


They walked silently to Gringotts each of them lost in their own thoughts. Tom thought about Eileen. "Would her parents accept me? Yes their a dark family, but it's their magical inheritance. I have a dark core as well, I have known it for years. And it's nothing bad at all. It only help me to learn certain spells easier."

He relaxed his breathing, after entering the building and greeted the goblin teller politely: "May your gold flow and your enemies lie at your feet."

"May your gold flow, too, Sir. How can I help you?", asked the teller with a smile that showed his sharp teeth.

"I would like to take an Inheritance Test, Sir."

"Follow me, what about them?"

"They're with me."

"Should they be your witnesses?"

"Yes, I would like them to witness this experience.", answered Tom without hesitation.


The Goblin stared at him, before beckoning them in a small office on the left side of the building. "This is Vǫkr, he is originally from our Nordic branch and will be responsible for the test."

"Er, did he have other duties as well?", asked Orion hesitantly.

"I am one of the four account manager for the Prince Account, young heir.", replied Vǫkr smiling. "Who need this test?"

"I need it, Sir.", said Tom firmly. "You have an unusual name, Sir."

"Yes, it is an honour to be named in the old language of the Nordic gods. And Lord Prince liked my name that he even consider to named his newest creation after it."

"What kind of potion has he created?", wanted Tom to know.

"Why should I trust you, wizardling.", snarled the Goblin.

"I love his daughter, and I want to marry her, when I got a positive result for my inheritance test, Sir.", replied Tom politely.

"You follow the old ways?"

"Of course, it is my birthright, as of of the last descendant of Salazar Slytherin."

"I want a wizard oath from all of you, that you won't disclose it to anyone without the permission of Lord Prince."

"I Tom Marvolo Riddle swear on my Life and Magic never to disclose any secrets about Lord Prince latest potion. So mote it be."

This oath was quickly followed by the rest of the party with an accordingly worded oath, to prove their trustworthiness to the Goblin Nation.

"Lord Prince has worked on a new revolutionary potion. You know about the Imperius-curse. And it existed a liquidated form of it "liquid imperio" - but Lord Prince has created a much more stronger version. He calls it vǫkr tarnal and nobody is able to resist this variation."

"But how can he brew it, Dumbledore would never allow it…?", asked Cygnus baffled.

"It was a special order from the British Ministry of Magic, they wanted another option to makes them less dependant on Dementors for Azkaban and other Wizarding prisons, which the Ministry will build in the next years."

"That is ingenious, but frightening.", murmured Tom. "No way to break free form it. Imprisoned in his own body. And to do whatever they want you to do..."

Following his instruction, Tom cut in his finger with the bloodquill, let three drops of blood fall on a specially prepared parchment. A sharp hiss of pain, was the only sign, that it hurt him.


All looked on the parchment as more and more names became visible: Peverell, Slytherin, Gaunt and LeFay were the important ones. "Can I merge them?"

"Yes, when you wish it. Peverell-Slytherin-Gaunt. I want to be Lord Peverell-Slytherin-Gaunt, to honour my magical ancestors. I want to forget my Mugglefather, as he never cared for us, even when he knew that she became pregnant during their marriage."

"This can be done, use the Bloodquill, young Master write down your name and cross out the Part you want to change and then write in the next line your new name. It will be yours, shouldn't you change it during your marriage. And the same is valid for your descendants."

Tom wrote his new name down, after letting Magic getting rid of his old name. Nothing connected him anymore to the man who condemned him and his mother to death and misery.

With a little bell the goblin ordered another to bring the lord insignia for Peverell, Slytherin and Gaunt. Although Tom had already the legendary Gauntring, it wasn't the official ring for the Lordship, but the heirloom that the family inherited from Cadmus Peverell, the middle of the three brothers.

"Marvolo, do you know, what you have accomplish today?", asked Abraxas smirking.

"What do you mean, Abraxas?"

"You're now Lord Peverell-Slytherin-Gaunt, you can order the Potters around, as they are only descendants of the youngest brother. You can even confiscate the majority of their wealth."

"Revenge is so sweet, my friends. Are they still an account manager for those accounts, Vǫkr?"

"No, but you can choose one for it, Mylord."

"Can you owl me a list with suitable candidates during next week? We have to study for our NEWTs and I have to write a letter to Lord Prince for starting a formal courtship with Eileen Aurora Prince. And I want to ask him for advice for my future. I wouldn't be amiss a career as Politician to prevent the destroying of our tradition. Albus Dumbledore was the worst was could happen to Wizarding Britain. He is a danger for everything, that we want to preserve and protect. He even outlawed branches of Magic. This will only kills it faster."

"We have to go back, it is getting late.", warned Cygnus.

"You're right, Cygnus. Thank you Vǫkr, you was a great help. May your gold always flow.", greeted Marvolo in Gobbledegook as he left with his friends.

They returned without further troubles to Hogwarts and went to Dinner. Marvolo smirked as he glanced to the teachertable. Not even Albus Dumbledore could have stopped him from getting his Lordships. He took his goblet and toasted into Slughorns direction. Without his permission, their mission today would have failed. And Sluggy could have been a useful ally, should he need him again.


Successful trip for Tom Marvolo Riddle jr. and his friends. With the Peverell-Slytherin-Gaunt titles he is free to act on his own behalf. He did not have return to the Orphanage either or have to follow Dumbledore's orders. And he can even ruin the Potters, should he wanted it, as they are die-hard supporters from Albus Dumbledore. And he have the control over their vaults as Lord Peverell.