Disclaimer: I do not, nor shall I ever, (unless someone's very nice to me this year), own Harry Potter or any of the characters/places/nouns in this story. Except Sophie. I do own Sophie. All offending characters/places/nouns do belong to J.K. Rowling and her different publishers and other people I don't remember right now.

A/N: I sincerely apologise for the lack of updating for, what's it been, two, three months now? I've been having troubles with school (who doesn't?) and other things. Please don't hate me! Also, This story was marked as up for adoption, which I never noticed until very recently. That is not true, and I have fixed it. Someone hacked into my account.

There, at the top of the scroll, lay the name of Lily's ancestor, one nobody would have guessed, given his reputation.

"I take back everything I ever said about Merlin, Lily. And this explains why you're so powerful," said James.

Even the Director of Gringotts was speechless. In all his years, even he'd never heard of a descendant of Merlin. The closest any line had come was the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, descendants of three of the four Hogwarts Founders. But Merlin himself? That was literally unheard of.

"I assume you don't want this information leaked?" asked Director Ragnok.

"Leaked? If this was 'leaked,' as you put it, Director Ragnok, Lily would practically be hailed as the new Queen of the Wizarding World. Even You-Know-Who… Voldemort would be terrified. Which, now I think of it, isn't such a bad thing," James replied.

He didn't get much further than that as Lily hit him on the arm.

"James, you're thinking like an idiot. That is to say, in the present, not the future. While it could be fun for the first few years, we would be in great danger. Like in the muggle world, there are countries that go into civil wars because one person decided to overthrow the royalty."

James looked ready to protest, but was silenced at a look from his wife.

Then Director Ragnok cut in. "If I may, Lord Potter, I'm inclined to agree with your wife. Any hint of this could throw our world into turmoil. Yes, it would most likely succeed in removing Voldemort, however, your family would be in most grievous danger. Many people would gladly kill all of you to become the Heir of Merlin by conquest. But enough of this. Have you any questions?"

"Actually, yes," said Lily. "If I'm related to Merlin, and I'm his sole living descendant, how am I muggle-born?"

The goblin nodded thoughtfully. "An excellent question. I do believe we have a certain book in our libraries that may be able to tell us the answer. If you'll follow me?"

He led them to a large gold book, covered with silver designs that Lily recognised as Runes and that James recognised as those symbols Lily seemed obsessed with all the time.

"Here we are. The only known Book of Families in existence. It shows the growth of every magical bloodline, be it pure, or… not. I assume you are wondering why I didn't simply use the book to check Lady Potter's lineage?"

At their nods, Director Ragnok continued.

"This book updates automatically. When a witch or wizard is born, they are recorded under their family name. If they are muggle-born, a new family name is created. Now, I will show you how it works."

Ragnok opened the book to the front cover. Running his finger down the spine, he spoke.

"Merlin."

The book came alive, turning pages so fast they were a blur. Finally it stopped on one page. Compared to the cover, it was relatively plain, just containing a series of names and dates.

"There's Merlin, at the top. You can see how his bloodline mixed with muggles over time, eventually becoming a muggle line, which would explain how you, Lady Potter, are muggle-born and a descendant of Merlin," Director Ragnok explained.

"That makes sense," Lily agreed. "But what should we do? About this, I mean. Do we tell everyone? Do we tell nobody? If it somehow gets out, do we disappear off the face of the earth?"

By this point she was practically hyperventilating. James laid his hand on her back, comforting her, as he too looked to the Director for advice.

"If this does somehow escape these ears, and safety is your biggest concern, which I may assume it is, then yes, I do recommend disappearing off the face of the earth, as Lady Potter has put it. I would potentially escape to a muggle town somewhere. Either way, tell nobody unless you would trust them with your lives," Ragnok instructed.

James nodded. "Thank you, Director Ragnok. I trust you will keep this to yourself as well?"

The goblin looked deeply offended.

"Of course. I never reveal anything without my clients' consent. To even suggest a thing is preposterous."

"I'm sorry, but I had to make sure. I only want my family to be safe, you know," James replied, apologetic.

As Lily and James left the bank, they talked in low tones about making preparations for the future, one they hoped would never happen. Unbeknownst to them, a small service goblin hurried out of the library, where he had been reparations to a shelf near the Book of Families, with one line running through his head.

"You, Lady Potter, are muggle-born and a descendant of Merlin. You, Lady Potter, are muggle-born and a descendant of Merlin. You, Lady Potter, are muggle-born and a descendant of Merlin. Descendant of Merlin. Descendant of Merlin..."

A/N: Ooh! A cliffie! I'm so evil, aren't I? Teehee. I should have the next chapter up by Sunday, but then again, I was supposed to have this one up by February, so I've learned not to rely on my schedule too much... :|