"Hello Hermione."Ricbert the goblin chief bank teller greeted Hermione when she and Prof.McGonagall entered Gringott's bank.Minerva bristled at the familiarity the goblin used with Hermione but didn't say anything.She learned long ago that if she tried to correct the beasts it wouldn't go well.Not only would the goblins get angry but Hermione as well. The girl had a love for the small creatures and none of wizards and witches who witnessed it understood why.Goblins were notorious for hating humans and never missed an opportunity to remind them.The fact that Hermione was so obviously loved by them confused those who witnessed it.After many years Minerva just accepted it.
"Ricbert, you are looking good.How is your mate?"Hermione asked.
Ricbert smiled brightly causing fear to take hold of some of the bank customers."She is well.The baby is due in a month.I was hoping you could attend the naming ritual."
"I would love to go.Thank you for including me."Hermione knew it was quite the honor for anyone outside the goblin's tribe be it goblin or human to be invited to a naming ritual as it was a very private and personal event.
"Let me get Griphook for you."Ricbert shut down his window and made his way into the back.
"It was very nice of him to invite me to the naming ritual."Hermione said to Minerva.
"Yes it was."Minerva couldn't imagine wanting to spend time with a single goblin let alone a whole tribe.
"Hermione."Griphook walked from the back and held open a door for Hermione and Minerva.
"Uncle."Hermione hugged the goblin as she made her way to the door.
"You are cutting close child.Today is the last day."Griphook said as he led the pair to his office shutting the door behind them causing the wards to slip into place.
"I know but I wanted to wait as long as possible so that I could put off the families finding out."Hermione explained.
"Let's talk about what exactly it is you want to do."Griphook took out a quill and parchment to take notes."You are about to become the head of household for four major wizard houses.That is going to cause quite the shock wave and I predict that I will have a lot of angry people in my office once they find out."
"I'm sorry for that.I wish it was an easier process."Hermione did wish that Griphook would be spared but knew he wouldn't.
"Don't apologize for your birthright.It's of my opinion and most of the others that you will do a lot better with the accounts than their current owners.Wasting money on buying peacocks."Griphook grumbled.
Hermione smiled hearing that.If there was one thing goblins hated it was someone wasting gold."I have some plans but they don't include spending a lot of gold.As a matter of fact I was hoping once we went over the accounts we could look into some investments I have been looking into."
"It's good to hear you are thinking of your future."Griphook said.
"That being said let's get to why we are here."Minerva had given the pair their time for greetings now she wanted to get this done.She had classes to teach.
"Alright first I need a sample of your blood."Griphook held out a goblin forged knife to Hermione."Just a few drops onto the enchanted paper and it will confirm your rights to the households."
Hermione took the knife and pierced her finger holding the wound over the paper.When the third drop dissolved into the paper a family tree appeared."It worked."
"That it did."Griphook opened his desk drawer and pulled out four boxes.Opening the first one Hermione saw that it contained a ring and a key.
"So once I put the ring on I can't take it off."Hermione wanted to make sure she understood.
Griphook nodded."When your blood hit the paper and the family trees were updated the ring was summoned from the finger of the former head of household.As soon as you put it on the magic will fully recognize you."
"I guess this is it then."Hermione held her right hand out for Griphook to put the ring on her finger.As soon as it was settled Hermione felt herself engulfed in the family magic. The process was repeated three more times and with it Hermione felt the magic of each family engulf her."I can feel my magic getting stronger."
"The blood of four very powerful wizard families was just activated inside of you.I would predict your magic would grow stronger."Minerva, Dumbledore and Snape had been preparing Hermione all her life for this day.Now that it had come to fruition she felt very proud of the girl.Hermione had come a long way from the little child that would have bursts of accidental magic that destroyed parts of the castle.Now she was a powerful adult.
"Now how do you want to handle the accounts?I'm assuming you want to revoke the right to enter the vaults from anyone other than you."Griphook asked.
"Yes any family member of my houses is to be immediately cut off from accessing anything to do with not only money but any family businesses they inherited as well.If they have a business they started on their own even with family money they may keep it.Any of the inherited businesses I decided to go with your recommendation of having a goblin oversee the books and interview candidates for each position held by a family memberThey can of course apply as well but there will be no guaranteed positions anymore."Hermione told him.
"People are going to be upset with goblins being so involved with human businesses.There may be backlash."Minerva warned.
"I know but I don't want anyone to be able to bribe anyone.If we put a human in charge they would be exposed to the unhanded tactics that the families are known for."Hermione said.
"The Goblins are loyal to Hermione."Griphook proudly proclaimed."We wouldn't do anything that wasn't in her best interest."
"Good now on to distribution of money.We know most of the families expect for the Rosiers are known loyalist of Voldemort.I want to stop any monthly allowances that have been authorized."Hermione cut off Minerva before she could interject."I know that a lot of them are going to be pissed but the money to the Dark Lord needs to stop flowing.We have all heard from reliable sources that his followers are becoming active again."
"It's a valid point."Griphook agreed.
"I just worry about your safety."Minerva knew Hermione was right but she didn't want the girl getting hurt.
"They won't know who is the new head of household without me announcing it. They will know that the houses have now become one.I expect some kind of infighting with them trying to figure out who the new head of house is."Hermione said.
"Ok so for allowances let's start with the Rosiers."Griphook pointed out on the parchment where the family was."The head of household was Molly Weasley."
"Her husband Arthur was disowned by his family due to his love of muggles."Minerva told them.
"He works at the ministry now right?"Hermione had gone over the family trees as much as she could but couldn't remember all the players.
Minerva nodded."Yes,and his son Percy works as the assistant to the minister."
"I'm related to Percy?"Hermione chuckled."He is going to be very upset when he finds out."
"I think the children will all be upset when they find out as the Weasleys have been funding their lifestyle with Rosier family money."Griphook told her.
"You had the account manager go through the purchase history for the last five years?"Hermione asked.
"Each of the account managers went over them like you asked."Griphook said.
"How much of the Weasleys spending was for actual living expenses?"Hermione would base her opinion on how much the family wasted.
"Not even ten percent went to legitimate purchases.From what I was told the family has a love of quidditch and spends most of their money on equipment and games.They travel all over the world to see games in different leagues.This summer they purchased 10 brand new top of the line brooms."Griphook's distaste of the wasteful spending was so obvious that even Hermione was able to pick up on it.Not that it was hard as Hermione was better at interacting with magical creatures than she was with humans.
"Alright then cut them off completely.If they come to you to complain tell them that they can write a petition to me explaining why they need the money."Hermione had feeling she would be getting many angry letters instead of petitions."I know that they live at Burrow so let them keep that and revoke all privileges they have to other properties that are in the Rosier holdings."
"How about the Black estate?"Griphook asked.
"What do you think Minerva?"Hermione didn't know much about the Blacks other than the former head of house worked with the order and was now the guardian of Harry Potter.
Minerva sighed."Sirius was working with the order during the war so he has that going for him.But his role was small and anything he helped with was always for his own benefit.That being said he is also very lazy, never had a job in his life and without the family name and money he has nothing."
"What is his primary residence?"Hermione asked.
Griphooked looked through a few papers before replying."Grimmauld place in London."
"Revoke any privileges he has to any Black properties expect for that residence.Then cut him off from any money that comes from the Black estate.When he comes here have the Black family account manager sit down with him and make a budget of his monthly living expenses.I will go over it and decide what to do after that."Hermione wanted to know what Sirius was spending money on before allowing him to get anything from her."Is there anyone else who is drawing from the Black accounts?"
Griphook nodded."Two have accessed the vault and withdrawn gold.Narcissa Malfoy and Andromeda Tonks."
"I wonder why a Malfoy would be withdrawing from the Black vault."Hermione mused.
"Narcissa and Lucius were both students of mine.Narcissa was outgoing and smart. She had lots of friends.Then she got betroth to Lucius. It was arraigned by their parents.Once the house ring was on her finger Narcissa changed.I could never prove it but I suspect that Lucius was abusive.It was the little things like she wasn't spending time with her friends and was always with Lucius.Her grades went down hill and when I asked why she said it wasn't important for a housewife to have an education.I think the reason she has been accessing the Black vault is because Lucius probably doesn't allow her access to any money."Minerva told them.
"And the other sister?"Hermione would have to look into the situation with Narcissa later. She needed to investigate exactly what was going on in that marriage.
"She was burned off the family tapestry by her father when she fell in love with a muggle and married him.She is healer at St.Magos.I would think that she doesn't make enough to cover her expenses if she is taking money from the vault."Minerva knew that Andromeda's husband was a mechanic in the muggle world but didn't think he made much money at it.
"I'll have to look into restating her as a Black."Hermione mused."Until then I want their access cut off as well.If they ask the account manager why have him inform them of the new head of household.If they wish for money they will have to do the same as Molly and submit a request."
"What about the Malfoys?"Griphook asked.
"Where do they live?"Hermione asked.
"The live in the main Malfoy family manor."Griphook told her.
"They only have one son correct?"Hermione asked.
"Yes, Draco is the same age as you."Minerva said.
Hermione thought about what she knew of Lucius Malfoy and his son.Draco had been one of the many people to challenge her and she hurt him rather badly in return.He deserved it for casting an unforgivable at her.His father made his career as a politician using the family's seat on Wizngamot to gain influence and power."Have the Malfoy account manager select a suitable home for a family of three out of the Malfoy holdings. They will have a week to move out the manor however they are not to take any family heirlooms or antiques out of the house.Once that is done remove all access to any property owned by the Malfoy family except the one the move to.Can you hire security to go to the house and make sure they don't destroy or steal anything."
Griphook sneered in distain at the implied theft."What of the money?"
"The same as Sirius.Lucius will need to work with the estate manager.I want a monthly budget that is to be modified for their new living circumstances."Hermione told them.
"Finally we have to deal with the Carrow estate."Griphook said.
"One of them is in Azkaban right?"Hermione asked.
"Yes the woman Alecto was sent for killing muggleborns.It is well known that the brother committed the same crimes but it was never proven.He is married and has twin daughters that are in their 6th year at Hogwarts."Minerva explained.
"He and his family live at the main Carrow family manor."Griphook told her.
"The same treatment we gave the Malfoys."Hermione figured that was the best idea with dealing with known supporters of the Dark Lord.
"That should be all then.You are now officially head of the newly formed house Black-Malfoy-Rosier-Carrow."Griphook handed her the keys to her vaults."You'll need them to access the vaults."
"Can you hold on to those uncle?I trust you to keep them safe as I have no secure location for them."Hermione didn't even have a proper place to live let alone a place to store vault keys.
"Are you sure that's wise?"Minerva knew that Hermione trusted the Goblins but didn't think it was a good idea to give them the only access she had to her vaults.
"I will guard them with my life."Griphook was obviously insulted by Minerva's lack of faith in him.
"I have no doubt.We should get going though.I need to pick up a few things from my potions lab before I go back to Hogwarts."Hermione said.
"What are you working on?"Griphook asked."Something new you can patent I hope."
"I'm in the final stages of making a potion to make werewolves fully human again."Hermione told him.
"That will make you a lot of money."Griphook said.
Hermione smiled at the goblins.It was his own way of telling her he was proud of her."I will have my first official patient tomorrow.If it works I will let you know."
"I will send a letter to our in-house lawyer to get the paperwork ready."Usually newly invented pieces of magic had to be patented within the ministry but if a wizard or witch was claimed by the goblins they were able to file through the bank.Hermione had been claimed by Griphook's tribe so every time she created something new the goblins filed for her.
"I suppose you are going to claim this one as well."Minerva sneered at the goblin.When Hermione went through the goblins they were able to take credit for the creation.Not only that but for the many patents Hermione held each one filed by the goblins entitled them to take 10 percent of all money made from it.
"It's alright Minerva.I take great pride in being able to contribute to the tribe."Hermione knew that most humans didn't like goblins but she did.They were like her. People looked down on them because they were different.
"And we take great pride in being able to claim you as one of our own."Griphook said.
"We need to get going.I have a class to teach soon and I don't want the students to think it's ok to be late."Minerva knew if she wasn't there the kids would probably destroy the classroom.
"I will send off the letters to the Carrows and the Malfoys about having to move.I suspect that they will probably show up before they receive it."Griphook told them as he stood from his seat and escorted them out the door.
"Thank you for all your help uncle."Hermione gave the goblin a hug before following Minerva to the lobby.When Minerva pushed the door open to leave she was almost trampled by an angry red headed woman.By the resemblance to Percy Hermione guessed that the woman was none other than Molly Weasley. With how angry the woman was Hermione knew she would have to bring some gifts to the bank employees to make up for the headache of having to deal with the mess her birth created.