Chapter Three: The Challenge of Gringotts

Author note: Okay, first order of business. On this past Tuesday (May 2nd, 2017), this site pulled a 'glorious' fail. While it successfully posted the last chapter, it also threw an error message at me and never sent me an email confirming a new chapter. I therefore assume that it never sent an alert to anyone who is either following me or following this story. It also pretended that I'd never updated the story, but that's a minor issue in my book.

I attempted to get the alert sent out by deleting the chapter and reposting it, but I still never got a confirmation email, so again, I assume no one else got one either. If you did (and got two), sorry about that. But if I'm right and my followers are only now wandering over, please, read the last chapter before reading this one.

And now, on with the show!

Greg Parker had to force himself out of bed. Unlike the day his kids had arrived, Greg had been able to take the day off, but the difference brought him no pleasure. Today was the day he lost the family that had been part of his life for the past two years. Still numb, he punched the coffeemaker on and pulled two sodas out of his fridge. The two sodas went on the small kitchen table for the kids while Greg grabbed a mug out of his cupboard for the coffee. He didn't pull out any breakfast for himself, the idea of food made him nauseous.

Two silent children joined him in the kitchen, retrieving bowls for their morning cereal. They were quiet and subdued, trying not to cry as they sat at the table for the last time. Greg hid his own sorrow in his cup of coffee as his kids ate their breakfast.

The atmosphere around the small family was almost smothering in its oppressive grief. The teens only managed a small portion of their breakfast, their stomachs churning just as much as their uncle's. In the living room, both suitcases were packed and ready to go, just as stuffed as they had been when the teens arrived. The teens had left several keepsakes behind for their uncle, determined to leave him reminders that they loved him and planned to come back as soon as they could.

A tapping on the window brought the teenagers' heads up from their bowls. Lance slid off his chair, racing over to the window to open it and let the large hawk inside. Greg, unfamiliar with this particular wizarding custom, opened his mouth to protest, only to stop at the roll of parchment his nephew pulled off the hawk's leg. The hawk took flight, sweeping back out of the window as soon as its burden was free.

The parchment roll bore an unusual wax crest; the silhouette of a lock blended at the top with a pair of wings and two unfurling rolls of parchment. A key hovered over the lock and a golden circle surrounded the key. The word 'Gringotts' was written on the circle and below the entire crest was a motto: 'Fortius Quo Fidelius (2).'

For a moment, all three hovered over the mysterious letter, then Lance broke the seal, opening the roll to reveal a letter. He read it through, then looked up, an impossible, wild hope in his eyes. He offered the letter to his uncle, his hand trembling with the force of his hope.

"Mr. Gregory Parker,

Gringotts has received notice of Britain's decision to overturn the Will of the late, honorable Lord Calvin. You and your wards are required to attend a meeting at Gringotts to determine the legality of Britain's position on the issue of guardianship. This meeting shall occur today at precisely 12 o'clock.

Gringotts has determined that, regardless of the guardianship, the Regency of the Ancient and Noble House of Calvin shall remain yours until Heir Calvin reaches his majority. As you are Regent of the House of Calvin, Lord Potter may not deny you access to either of the young Calvins in matters concerning the House of Calvin.

Yours in Business,

Silnok, Account Manager for the Ancient and Noble House of Calvin"

Greg read the note through once, twice, three times before it sank in that this 'Silnok' was telling him that he couldn't be completely cut out of his nipotes' lives. And more, it sounded as if Gringotts was going to give him a chance to keep the kids. He swallowed hard and met his nephew's fierce gaze. "Guess we'd better be there," he remarked.

"More than that, Uncle Greg," Lance said, grim with determination. "Remember those fancy dress robes we talked you into?"

Greg nodded, confused. About a year earlier, the teens had practically bullied him into getting dress robes with the Calvin family crest; not for them, but for him. He hadn't been pleased at all with them for several days afterwards, but they'd both been adamant that he needed the robes. "What about them?"

The two siblings traded looks, then looked back up at him. "You'd better wear them," Alanna said softly, "And we'd better wear ours."

Greg followed the kids into the gleaming marble building and trailed after them as they got in line. He could now see the wisdom of arriving close to an hour early for the meeting, as the line was rather long. Fortunately, the line also moved rather quickly and the family was soon in front of one of the goblin tellers.

Lance presented the letter they'd received to the teller, saying, "The Ancient and Noble House of Calvin is here, as requested, for the meeting at 12 o'clock."

The teller examined the letter closely, scrutinizing every detail. At length, he was satisfied and looked up at the three. "Follow, please," he said, hopping down from his chair and walking around his desk. They followed the goblin across the atrium and into the warren of corridors beyond. Greg, for his part, was grateful he was wearing his uniform under the dark brown dress robes. It made it much easier for him to move without being awkward in the unfamiliar robes. He'd opted for a brand new black uniform delivered only a few days before. The SRU hadn't even switched to the black uniforms yet, they were so new.

After more twists and turns than Greg could count, they arrived at a plain office door. The teller knocked, receiving an "Enter" from within. The door opened and the teller ushered them inside. The goblin teller bowed to the three humans and departed, pulling the door shut behind him.

"So we meet at last, Sergeant Parker," the goblin behind the desk remarked, leaning forward. Greg blinked in surprise at the 'Sergeant Parker'; the letter had been addressed to 'Mr. Parker'. He took a moment to study the figure behind the desk. Sharp pointed features stood out, but the goblin's white, stringy hair was well groomed, styled after an American, Donald Trump. The goblin's nose was longer than a human's and pointed, like his equally long ears. His mouth was wide and his teeth, those that Greg could see, looked like a carnivore's.

Polite as always, Greg replied, "You must be Mr. Silnok," as he extended his hand to shake.

The goblin gave an odd chuckle and took Greg's hand. It was dry, much drier than a human's, and rough. "So I must be," he remarked, his dark eyes glinting with an inner humor. "It is, by the by, just Silnok. Goblins do not have honorifics as humans do. If you intend to use a title, Accountant Silnok will do." Now the goblin smiled, showing every one of his sharp teeth. "I see that you are wondering at my choice of address," he announced bluntly. "For the letter, your status as the Calvin Regent was far more important than the title you have earned in Muggle and Magical law enforcement." He spread his hands as he spoke, gesturing at the office. "Here, I acknowledge your earned title, as is only proper."

Greg inclined his head, but was far more interested in the upcoming meeting. "I see," he said, noncommittal.

Once again, Silnok laughed. "I take no offense, Sergeant Parker. Of course you are more interested in retaining custody of your young cousins than in the oddities of different forms of address." He paused for several moments, a hidden amusement dancing over his features. "It shall be…very interesting…indeed it will."

Another knock sounded from the door and Silnok bade the new arrival enter. Greg stiffened at the sight of Auror Potter, he fought down the urge to grab the kids and run. Auror Potter for his part sneered at the SRU Sergeant, looking offended that Greg was wearing wizarding robes. He knew, however, better than to say anything too offensive. Though his actual remarks were not much better for he turned toward Silnok and raised the letter he'd received, demanding, "What is the meaning of this? I will be the Regent for the Ancient and Noble House of Calvin, as per the ruling of the Wizengamot."

Silnok growled, his expression showing a brief, but terrible rage. "The Wizengamot may not dictate the terms of a goblin-executed will, Lord Potter. Gringotts means precisely as I said, Sergeant Parker will be the Regent for the House of Calvin, regardless of the guardianship of the Heirs Calvin."

" 'Will be'?" Potter questioned, still indignant.

A harrumph came from Silnok. "When the will was originally executed, Sergeant Parker had no status in the wizarding world. As such, the Calvin estate went into trust, to be held and managed by Gringotts until Heir Calvin's majority." With a sly smirk, the goblin continued, "Beyond a few token allowances, Sergeant Parker had no actual say in managing the estate. Such would have remained the case," Silnok leaned forward, "If Britain had not been so insistent upon the Heirs Calvin being placed into your custody, Lord Potter. With the will in dispute, its provisions may be examined once again and we have determined that Lord Calvin foresaw the potential of his cousin's line to produce magical offspring. In such an event, Lord Calvin wished for his cousin to have more rank and authority than most Muggleborns' parents do."

"He has no magical offspring," Potter pointed out. Greg shifted in his seat, but didn't argue.

"No, he does not," Silnok agreed. "However, his rank as an Auror Sergeant gives Gringotts leeway to fulfill Lord Calvin's proviso."

Auror Potter looked less than happy, but did not protest further.

Waving a long-fingered hand, Silnok proceeded. "As Britain has seen fit to challenge the late Lord Calvin's will, so too does Gringotts see fit to challenge both contenders for the guardianship of the Heirs Calvin."

"What?" Auror Potter choked out. "We are merely…"

Silnok cut off Auror Potter with a sharp, "Attempting to overrule laws that have stood for centuries! Sergeant Parker is, by the terms of Lord Calvin's will, the guardian of Lancelot and Alanna Calvin by right of blood, of spirit, of magic."

"Magic?" Auror Potter demanded loudly.

Silnok was unimpressed. "Blood is blood, Lord Potter, no matter how thinly it is spread through the centuries. While the House of Parker as yet has not regained enough magic to rejoin the world of their Calvin ancestors, they do still retain the potential for magic. That alone is enough for Sergeant Parker to have the right of magic." He gave Auror Potter his wide, toothy smile. "Therefore, Gringotts has chosen to set forth a challenge to both potential guardians. In the meantime, Gringotts shall hold guardianship."

One long finger pointed at the door and it opened, revealing several armed goblins. They entered, and, to Greg's considerable alarm, escorted the teens away. Before the kids left, Lance met Silnok's eyes, clearly searching for something. The goblin gave the teen a subtle nod, one Lance returned. Lance twisted toward his uncle and, to Greg's surprise, gave him an encouraging smile. Greg watched his kids go, heart in his throat and looked over at Auror Potter. His gut clenched, he wasn't a wizard, didn't have the same abilities as any wizard would. But he wasn't giving up; not without a fight.

Greg whirled toward Silnok. "So what's this challenge?" he asked, quiet, firm, and determined. Then he wondered why Silnok looked so pleased and smug.

"Taming and riding a Narnian gryphon," Silnok announced.

Oh. Joy.

[2] Strength through loyalty