Chapter Two: My Return
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Over the next week I read, re-read and then re-read again the letters and books my parents had left me. I learnt off by heart the the eight book collection my mother had left me and it was, as I had expected, a guide to life in the Wizarding world for muggle-borns, and I found it answered pretty much all of my questions. Seven of the books covered all of the school subjects I would be taught in my first year at "Hogwarts". They were very helpful, as they gave basic advice such as how to best cut my ingredients in Potions, or various visualisation techniques I could use in Transfiguration. However, the best book was the last one, a comprehensive guide to the magical world. It included information such as various magical means of transport, but also explained the Ministry of Magic to me, and how the various underage magic laws worked. It even explained quidditch, as well as how to access "Diagon Alley". I had even figured out that what I previously had thought was stick that the griffin held in my family crest was in fact a wand, a rather marvellous sounding tool that I planned on getting my hands on as soon as possible.
After finishing all my books I set about plotting, and some ideas sprang to mind, but in order to fulfil of them I would have to get into Diagon Alley. I placed the date for my "great adventure" for next weekend, as my delightful relatives were taking Dudley to the beach that day. As per usual, I hadn't been invited, but I wasn't too upset by it. Seeing Dudley and my dear Uncle in a bathing suit was not exactly pleasant. So, that morning after my relatives had left with strict instruction to make the house spotless for when they got back, I snuck out the back door and caught the first bus I could to London. I wanted to take the Knight Bus as I sounded like fun but I had no magical money on me so was forced to settle with the traditional version.
I got off the bus at "Charing Cross Road" as listed in my book, and stood looking around at the surprisingly deserted street. After a quick glance around I located the "Leaky Cauldron" on the other side of the road. It looked rather run down, but unperturbed I crossed the road and pushed open the old door. It was pretty empty, only a few of the more loyal patrons sitting and drinking in corners. Some of them looked up when I walked in, but soon returned to staring into their drinks. In one corner was a very sooty looking fire place. It looked like it was used often, but there was no fire lit, which made me think that it must be used for "floo travel", one of the Wizarding forms of transport mentioned in my book. I glanced around fugitively, but after taking a deep breath I walked over to the bar with the intention of asking the bar keep if he wouldn't mind opening the door into Diagon Alley for me as I had no wand. The barman was an old man with very little hair, but he looked decent enough. After growing up with the Dursleys it was very useful to be able to read people as it helped to be able to tell when my Uncle was angry when he got home in order to make myself scarce. When leaving the Dursley's I had made sure to grab an old hat of Dudley's when I left in the morning as it had looked cold out, and I smoothed it down over my forehead to make sure I looked neat.
"Umm, excuse me?" I asked the barman tentatively. "You wouldn't know how to open the door into Diagon Alley would you? I'm meeting some friends there but forgot I needed a wand to get through".
The bar man smiled somewhat creepily in response, but nodded.
"Of course ya do. Come this way then". He turned and walked past the bar to a small wooden door set into the wall. I followed and he opened the door into a very small alley which contained nothing more exciting than a dustbin. He walked to the end of the alley and took his wand out of his sleeve and tapped five bricks on the wall. He stepped back, and after a moment the entire wall started receding into itself. I couldn't contain a small gasp, and the barkeep looked back and smiled, revealing a collection of teeth that had certainly seen better days. His job done, the barkeep turned and walked quickly back into the pub, shutting the door behind him. I tuned back round to face the doorway, and walked through it quickly, half afraid it might shut before I got my chance.
Diagon Alley was a wonder. It was almost like stepping back in time, with the cobblestone street and wood and stone buildings. It wasn't too busy, but there were still what I assumed were witches and wizards walking around. They were also dressed like something out of time, all flowing capes and pointy hats. They looked ridiculous to me, but everyone was wearing it so I guessed it must have been the norm. There were numerous shops with very unusual names. One shop was called "Eeylops Owl Emporium" which looked like it sold nothing more than owls. I had read in my book that messages via owl was the primary form of communication in the Wizarding World, so I added buying an owl to my list of things to do.
However, the main thing the caught my eye was the gleaming white building at the end of the street. It was obviously the biggest business in town, and was made of white marble. It was positioned at an intersection, and the darkened street leading away to left I assumed was "Knockturn Alley". I'd read about it, and despite its somewhat shadowy reputation I was still interested in exploring its depths. But, I had more pressing matters to attend to. I made a beeline for Gringotts, only stopping at the second pair of doors for a moment to read the words engraved upon them. It was certainly threatening, and I found it hard to comprehend just how stupid you would have to be try and steal from goblins. From what I'd read about them it seemed idea like a stupid idea to cross them, and I had every intention of treating the goblins with as much respect as I could muster. According to the Wizarding laws book my father had left me they could perfectly legally punish thieves or trespassers according their own laws, and goblin punishments generally entailed death.
I stepped into the atrium, which was a long marble room lined with counters on one side and large stone doors on the other flanked by guards, with a pair of bronze double doors at the far end. I walked to the nearest goblin teller, and waited patiently for him to finished writing before I spoke.
"Excuse me? My name is Hadrian Potter? I was hoping I could arrange an appointment in regards to my accounts?"
The goblin looked up, and I can honestly say I was not prepared for just how… unusual he looked. He, at least I thought it was he, had a long pointed nose and was completely bald. The hands were pale and the fingers were unusually long. It was a rather sinister appearance all in all, but I swallowed my fear and stared the goblin right in the eyes.
"Do you have your key?"
"Yes sir, right here". I handed the goblin my key, who turned it over in his hands several times, paying particular attention the family crest in the handle. Finally appeased, the goblin looked up and handed it back to me. He gestured with his spare hand, and a goblin standing behind him stepped forward.
"Take Mr Potter to room 17, and tell account manager Canton that he is here", the goblin behind him stepped past me and proceeded to walk off at a sharp pace towards the double doors at the far end. I walked quickly after him, stopping only to nod my thanks to the first goblin, and followed him through the double doors and down the subsequent hall to the door number 17. The goblin stopped.
"Account manager Canton will be here shortly" he said and then opened the door for me. I walked in and sat down on wooden chair positioned in front of the desk. This room was also made of marble, it was obvious the goblins weren't shy about showing their wealth. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and on the far wall a large iron door was set in. In the centre was a large imposing desk, with neat piles of parchment stacked up next to quills and ink pots. After a few minutes of waiting the iron door opened and another goblin walked in. This one was a small amount taller, but no less scary looking. He was dressed in a small black suit, but it looked like it was fine quality.
"So Mr Potter, I take you are here about your accounts? I'm your family's account manager, and have been for the past 50 years. I worked for your father, and your grandfather before him, and I must say it is a pleasure to finally be serving a Potter again".
"Thank you sir, I appreciate all that you have done for my family over the years. I have a few questions about my family's accounts, and was hoping you could help me. I recently became aware of my standing in the magical world, and was wondering if perhaps you could help me set my family affairs in order". The goblin nodded, and pulled one of the large stacks of parchment towards himself.
"Well, Mr Potter, before we can go any further I need you prove you are who you say you are. If you would be so kind?" The goblin pulled a draw open and removed a large red velvet box. My family crest was imprinted upon the top, and the same lock I saw on my mother's trunk was over the hinge. "If you would be so kind as to place your thumb on the lock? It should open. If you are who say you are, of course". I nodded, and reached forward to press my thumb over the lock. I felt the same sharp pain, and the lock clicked open. "Very good Sir. I apologise for the inconvenience but it is protocol".
"No, of course not. I understand. Can I ask what was in the box?"
"It contains your family rings. The box has a fairly basic family blood enchantment on it. It can only be opened by one of Potter blood. He pushed the box towards me and I could see two rings nestled inside. There were both of the same design, a plain golden band with a ruby in the middle with the family crest placed on the centre. However, the one on the right was bigger, with two smaller rubies flanking the large centre one, while the ring on the left didn't have the second set of rubies and the centre one was somewhat smaller. "The ring on the right is the head of the family ring, the one on the left the heir ring. Since you are under eleven you cannot be made the Head of your Family, but you can claim your position as Heir".
"What exactly does becoming Heir entail? I've read a book on the topic but I was wondering if you wouldn't mind going over it for me. You are the expert after all". Canton seemed surprised at the praise but nodded.
"Of course Master Potter. By claiming your position as the Heir to the family of Potter you will gain certain rights and privileges. For one, you will be allowed to carry a wand before the age of eleven, as well as have the trace removed from you". I'd read about the trace in my muggle introduction book, and knew it was a spell performed by the Ministry to keep an eye on underage magic users, and having it removed would allow me to perform magic wherever I wanted. "You will be allowed control over your family's finances, including stocks and profits, but will not be allowed to banish any family members from the family". I'd read about this as well. In the past the Head of the family would be allowed to throw out any members that slandered the family name. This would negate any betrothal contracts and stop any money said family member may have been receiving from the family accounts. However, this rule was not particularly relevant to me as I was the last Potter, and as of such had no family members to throw out. "You will not be allowed to take your family's seat on the Wizengemot either, as you are underage, but you will be allowed to appoint your own representatives".
"Who is my current representative now Mr Canton? I have not been made aware of this".
"At the moment Master Potter it is a Mr Albus Dumbledore. He appointed himself representative as next of kin after your parent's death. As you were un-locatable at the time, and the only other available guardian was imprisoned in Azkaban we had no grounds to refuse him. He has also appointed himself your guardian in the magical world, but if you claim your position as heir that will be negated as you will be an adult in the eyes of the magical law".
"What about the muggle law? My home situation is not exactly preferred as of the moment".
"I'm afraid Sir, but as you are legally underage you will remain a minor in the eyes of the muggle law until you are at least 13 years old, providing you have claimed Headship by then".
"Thank you Canton. I appreciate your willingness to help me here. I am working on curing my ignorance of the magical world's ways, but it is a long process".
"I understand Master Potter. I take it you wish to claim the position of Heir formally?"
"Yes, how would I go about this?"
"It's fairly simple. I need you to sign this document with a blood quill, and then add your blood to the family chalice. Once you have been accepted, you will be able to claim the ring and all the privileges it entails, as well as will be allowed entrance into any family wards, properties and vaults". I nodded in agreement, and Canton pulled out another stack of parchment and what appeared to be a golden cup, engraved with rubies and the family crest. He offered me a large quill, with dark black feathers on the end and a razor sharp looking nib. I took it, and wrote my name on the parts of the document Canton indicated. I knew what a blood quill was, another item I'd read up on in the book of Wizarding laws, but that didn't make it hurt any less as my name was engraved on the back of my hand. I was grateful when Canton offered me a small bowl of what looked like water, but obviously wasn't because after submerging my hand for a moment the pain lessened and the wound healed up leaving no marks whatsoever. I then took the offered silver knife, and cut a deep gash on my left hand. I held my closed fist over the chalice, and watched as a single drop of blood dripped into it. Almost immediately after the blood made contact the chalice seemed to glow with a golden light, and the heir ring glowed in response. The light faded after a moment, and Canton smled, or grimaced it was hard to tell, over the desk. I then placed my left hand in the same bowl of 'water' and watched the same process occurred.
"Congratulations Mr Potter. I believe it is now time to discuss your family's accounts? And what you would like to do with them?" I nodded, and reached forward to slip on the ring. It glowed when I put it on and automatically resized itself to my finger, and Icould feel a sort of warm feeling. Almost like the magic was accepting me, welcoming me.
"Yes Canton, I believe it is. Shall we start with Dumbledore?"