I encountered little to no problems as I travelled throughout Diagon Alley, which was still recovering from the aftermath of the war itself, thanks to my dad's trusty invisibility cloak.
However, as soon as I entered Gringotts, I couldn't help the sheepish look that dawned onto my face. Hopefully, the goblins won't expect me to ruin their architecture again by the means of riding a dragon, because the chances of that happening again were slim to none.
"Miss Potter, what can we do for you?" sneered the displeased goblin who was tending to the main desk in the lobby.
"I would like to speak to somebody regarding several private matters, if that's alright."
"And what would those matters endure?" The goblin smirked, and I had to refrain from rolling my eyes in irritance.
"I do believe I said that my affairs were private, but if you must know, I am looking out for the well-being of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black."
I did my best to suppress a smirk as the goblin lost his composure, stuttering out that he would retrieve the Black account manager right away before skittering out of sight.
A long sigh left my lips and I spent my time tapping my beaten up sneakers against the luxurious floor as I waited.
About five minutes later, the goblin returned with another in tow, this one slightly taller than him and wearing a pair of small spectacles.
"Miss Potter, I am Sharpclaw. May I say, what an honour it is to meet Lord Black's goddaughter and the saviour of all magic kinds."
My cheeks flushed.
"Thank you, Sharpclaw. If we may, I have much to discuss with you."
"Yes, yes." Sharpclaw tutted before gesturing for me to follow him. Soon enough, we arrived at a hulking, walnut coloured door.
I was quick to notice that it did not have a doorknob, but contained the same crest I had seen in Grimmauld Place etched into the expensive wood.
Sharpclaw, with his nails as accurate as his namesake, ran his light hand down the door. A blinding, golden light emitted from the wood and soon, the door swung open to allow us entrance.
Sharpclaw welcomed me inside first, a smile on his face that appeared much nastier than how he treated me.
Giving him a pleasant expression in return, I stepped foot into the dull room which had been decorated in damask wallpaper and wooden furniture as equally dark as the door. There were a couple of silver accents throughout the room, but overall I felt like I had just been welcomed to another funeral.
As soon as everything is sorted, I swear I am never wearing the colour black again.
"Please, take a seat Miss Potter–" the door slammed shut behind us and I couldn't help but jump, startled by the noise. The goblin did not bat an eye at my reaction, instead walking over to the desk he wanted me to sit at and quickly launched himself into the black, leather seat on the other side of it. He rummaged through the drawers as I made my way over, eventually retrieving some parchment and readying the quill, whose feather must have come from a raven or crow, that laid waiting on the counter.
The room is silent for a moment, and it's only when Sharpclaw observes me with slight annoyance in his dark, beady eyes that I realise he wants me to speak my requests.
"Sorry," I murmured before clearing my throat. "I'm not sure if you are able to help me with all of my problems, seeing as I am from the House of Potter–"
"Miss Potter, I am only going to say this once, so please listen with the utmost attention." Sharpclaw interrupts before he readjusts the golden spectacles on his face. "You are Sirius Black's goddaughter and personally, I preferred him and Heir Regulus to anyone else from Walburga's family. Sirius has practically left the Black fortune to you, and if my facts are correct, your paternal great-grandmother also hailed from the House of Black before her marriage to Lord Charlus Potter, your great-grandfather. Essentially, you are just as much as a Black as you are a Potter."
I am startled to hear that my grandmother was born into what was probably the darkest pureblood family in the entire wizarding world, but instead of feeling disgusted, a sense of joy overwhelmed me.
I had truly been related to Sirius after all this time, he was my family by blood as well as choice. I was amazed to know this and I think Sharpclaw noticed also, because he gave me another nasty smile.
"Now, what would you like to go over first? Perhaps, it is about the family's numerous investments."
"Uh, actually..." I trail off, now hesitant to give up the only thing that still connected me to my godfather. But, Grimmauld Place held so many horrible memories and I want nothing more than to clean the slate that was my life, so to speak.
"Well, spit it out. I haven't got all day, I'm afraid."
"S-sorry! You see, following the aftermath of the second wizarding war, I have been bouncing the ideas of leaving Britain and making a new life for myself elsewhere." I began to explain, the expression on my face appearing sheepish again.
"I would like to sell Grimmauld Place, my current residence, if it's possible. I want to move on from the glory that waits for me here, Sharpclaw."
"Sell?" The goblin asked faintly, his usually pale face now tinged with green. "I'm sorry, Miss Potter, but we have never had a request like this made to Gringotts."
I sink back into the plush leather of my chair, a frown now on my face as I wracked my brain of what to say next.
"Gringotts has never dealt with the matter of selling estates! You'll have to go to the muggle world for that type of service, my dear. Though, it may prove difficult for you, seeing as Number 12 Grimmauld Place does not exist to the muggles."
"Then what else do you suggest?" I asked, dissatisfaction clawing at my chest. The chances of me leaving Great Britain was beginning to look slim.
"You could always give the estate as a gift to someone else in the family, allowing them to charge over it."
My throat tightened as the image of Draco Malfoy entered my thoughts. His mother was a Black, if I remember correctly. But then, would she want to take the estate out of my hands? She already had so much on her plate, what with the slander the Daily Prophet was giving them following Lucius' sentence to Azkaban for the final time.
It seemed the fact that the woman had saved my life in the forest following Voldemort's second killing curse did not matter to the inhabitants of Wizarding Britain. It was sad, quite honestly.
Does nobody realise that if she hadn't lied, Voldemort would still be alive?
Of course, there was also Andromeda Black, who now went by the last name of Tonks since marrying a muggle, but I doubted she would want anything to do with Black family matters. Besides, she was currently grieving the death of her daughter, Nymphadora. Giving her Grimmauld Place would only cause more problems I suspect.
Sighing, I brush the skirt of the black dress I was still wearing, silently praying for help in the ability to do what's right.
"Fine," I eventually answered, with a tired voice. "I would like to permanently offer Number 12 Grimmauld Place to Narcissa Malfoy, who is also of Black blood."
Sharpclaw retrieved his quill again, swiftly writing down every word I said as he muttered, "Yes, yes. Excellent choice, I must say."
"I would also like to offer Narcissa Malfoy ladyship of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black."
Sharpclaw's quill fell onto the parchment without an ounce of grace as he looked at me in shock.
"W-what? Miss Potter!" he gasped, looking appalled by my suggestion.
"Lord Black would–"
"Only want me to be happy, I'm sure."
Sharpclaw faltered before he began writing again, this time much slower.
"If this is what you want, Miss Potter. Since you have not claimed the ladyship ring Master Sirius has left you, and have no intention of doing so, I will write to Lady Malfoy asking her if she would like to take responsibility for the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black."
"Very well, and what should happen if she wishes to reject my offer?" Curiosity tinged my voice as I leant forward on my seat, anticipation shining in my luminous green eyes as I watched Sharpclaw's hand scratch words onto the yellowed parchment in front of me.
"Then, the House of Black will lay dormant until someone blood-related wishes to claim it." Sharpclaw uttered sadly, looking up at me as he spoke. I stared at him blankly, not a hint of regret grasping at me.
I do not want to be the Lady of the House of Black, and I'm not sure I ever change my mind on the matter.
"What were your other questions?" Sharpclaw eventually asked.
"Where do you suggest I move overseas to?" I pondered, shifting in my seat to find a more comfortable position. I feel like I've been sitting here for hours.
"Well, America is an awfully big place..." the goblin smirked at me and I raised an eyebrow in return, silently considering the United States as a contender.
"I like the rain, which I know Britain has plenty of, but somewhere quiet would be a nice change."
"Then, may I suggest a nice manor for a lady of your standing, Miss Potter? Perhaps in Forks, Washington."
"Why, that sounds perfect. Thank you, Sharpclaw."
Suddenly, the goblin's face stretches out into a grin, as if he knew something I didn't. But, I paid the odd expression no mind as I began to arrange other matters with him, such as retrieving the money Sirius gave me in his will and acquiring the ladyship of House Potter.
I wasn't bothered about the status and power that came with my family's heirlooms, but I did desire the things that my deceased family once used. It would be a pity to leave them in Britain whilst I moved halfway across the world.
Forks, Washington sounded pleasant. I just hope the residents there are equally so.