The sun shone down on Diagon Alley in the late afternoon, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow across the cobbled streets. The vibrant ambiance resonated with lively conversations, while tantalizing aromas wafted from the apothecary, and now and then, a flicker of wand-waving enchanted the scene as witches and wizards busily tended to their magical shopping and other affairs.
Greg's footsteps followed the path of his wife and sister, leading them to Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour. That phrase felt foreign; his wife. He had never envisioned someone willingly attaching themselves to him in such a way. The arrangement with Daphne Greengrass, orchestrated by his parents, had been brief; once she could dissolve the contract, she promptly did so. Now she resides in Italy with Blaise Zabini and their new born son. He harbored no resentment toward her. Greg had always felt undesired, often dismissed as too unattractive, too much of a bully, too dim-witted, or merely Draco Malfoy's sidekick by potential partners, until Hermione Granger entered his life.
With her beauty and exceptional intelligence, she stood as a proud former Gryffindor and a vital member of the celebrated Golden Trio. Greg knew he wasn't the type of person she'd usually be drawn to. His union with Hermione wasn't founded on love; they were, in essence, acquaintances despite their six years at school together. She had married him out of a sense of obligation, fully aware that their circumstances might not allow for an easy divorce.
He was damn grateful though, and his promise to Potter was heartfelt—he would show her every day. Greg was ready to fulfill her every wish; anything she wanted that was in his power she would have. He realized that also included if she wished to be with someone else. Although their marriage wasn't rooted in love, he was dedicated to remaining faithful, but if she ever fell in love with someone else, he would support her pursuit of happiness. Yet, he couldn't deny the growing possibility of falling for her himself.
His thoughts were abruptly halted as they arrived at the ice cream shop. Hermione and Lena had been engaged in animated conversation the entire way, and this brought a warm smile to his face. Typically, it was him or Poppy with whom she shared such uninhibited openness. Even in the presence of Theo and Susan, who were both accepting and nonjudgmental when it came to blood status or magical ability, Lena often maintained a degree of reservation.
Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour enveloped them in an atmosphere of enchanting whimsy. The interior of the parlor felt like a journey into a magical world of sweetness and delight. Pastel-hued walls adorned with vintage ice cream advertisements surrounded them, and whimsical ice cream cones floated playfully in the air.
The delightful scent of freshly churned ice cream and the sweet aroma of waffle cones filled the air, making their mouths water with anticipation. They gravitated toward the cozy, mismatched tables and chairs, each with its own unique charm. It was the perfect setting for them to savor the extraordinary flavors that Fortescue's was renowned for. This shop was more than a mere
indulgence; it was a portal into a realm of sweet enchantment, where laughter and magic intertwined, creating a delectable symphony of delight.
The line was thankfully short. As they reached the counter, Fortescue's eyes lit up, and a warm, genuine smile spread across his face. "Miss Granger, it's an absolute pleasure to have you back! Would you care for your usual, a scoop of butterbeer-flavored ice cream with a generous drizzle of caramel?"
"Yes, please."
"Wonderful. Anything else for you today?"
"Yes. Whatever they would like," Hermione replied, gesturing to Greg and Lena who were standing behind her.
Fortescue's gaze shifted past Hermione, and his smile, though slightly less warm, remained cordial. "Mr. Goyle, what can I serve you today?"
"I'd like two scoops of your Chocolate Cauldron Crunch please. Extra sprinkles. Lena, what would you like?"
"Oh, um," Lena had been entranced by the shop's decor. Her eyes flickered to the extensive menu on the wall, and she began to fidget. "Um, I'm not sure."
Greg, too, studied the lengthy list on the wall, easily tallying over 30 flavors. It was clear that Lena was struggling to make a choice, feeling utterly overwhelmed by the myriad of options. "You like strawberries right?" Greg asked. Lena nodded. "How about this one? Dragonfire Strawberry Swirl Ice-Cream. Sweet strawberry with a tangy swirl for a delightful balance of flavors." He read the description to her slowly, mindful of his reading difficulty and not wanting to feel embarrassed in a public setting.
"Yes please." Lena said.
"Wonderful. I'll have those ready for you in just a moment. 2 galleons please." Greg and Hermione both reached into their pockets, each with the intention to pay.
"I'll get it." Before Hermione could argue, Greg set his galleons on the counter. He couldn't help but notice the look she gave him, and he had a hunch that money would soon become a topic of discussion.
Treats in hand they ventured in search of the perfect seat. They settled at a cozy corner table with each chair a different color to match the Pastel-hued wall. For a few minutes nobody spoke. Each was enjoying their chosen flavor of ice cream.
"Do you need to visit your bookshop?" Greg inquired.
Hermione contemplated, then replied, "I should, but if I need to accompany you to Gringotts, I will, even if the Goblins are never thrilled to see me."
Greg, a bit puzzled, asked, "Why?"
"They're still a bit miffed about the whole breaking-and-entering incident," Hermione explained.
Greg stared at her. "I heard about that, but I thought it was just a rumor." Hermione shook her head. "Well then I don't suppose you need to come. Do you have a vault?"
"Yes. All that's in there is my Order of Merlin. Why?" She asked.
Greg's nerves were evident as he said, "Wizarding law dictates that when a couple gets married, the wife's assets, well, they become her husband's property, at least in the realm of wizarding assets."
Hermione paused, taking another bite of her ice cream, and then continued with a touch of bitterness, "Oh, I forgot about that. The joys of our archaic society," she sighed, "but fine, as long as 100 galleons per month are contributed to Potter House, I suppose I can live with it. That's mainly what I've been using it for, along with the occasional withdrawal when needed. The majority of my funds are in the Muggle world."
"I never intended to close your vault. Your money is your own, and I'll make sure the donations continue. You'll also have access to the Goyle family vaults. Anything you want or need, it's at your disposal. We might not be as prosperous as the Malfoys, but everything I have is yours," he assured her, gazing at her with sincerity.
"We can set you up with a muggle account as well. That way, when you're in the Muggle world, you won't have to keep going to Gringotts to exchange galleons for pounds," she offered.
"Um, alright."
"If there's nothing else I'm needed for, I should go relieve Sam. Today was supposed to be his day off," Hermione said as she got up and collected her belongings. "I'll probably be back at my house around six this evening. Then we are expected at the Burrow at six thirty for dinner."
Greg ran his hand through his hair, "I'm not sure we'll go. Weasley didn't look too happy at our announcement last night, and I don't want our presence to cause a problem."
"Don't worry about it. Harry invited you, and Molly always enjoys a full table. You're both more than welcome. It might come as a surprise to everyone, but they'll be fine with it. And as for Ron, I'll talk to him," Hermione said.
"Can I go with Hermione?"
They both turned to Lena in surprise.
"Not today. I'd like you to go back to Hermione's house while I go to Gringotts," Greg replied.
"I won't be a bother I promise. I'd really like to see her bookshop," Lena said with a pleading look in her eyes.
Greg couldn't help but be amazed at how quickly Lena had bonded with Hermione. Truth be told, he wasn't too keen on Lena venturing into the Muggle world without him, at least for the time being. The Muggle world was a foreign and somewhat intimidating place for both of them, and he wanted to experience it for the first time with Lena, making sure he was there to protect her from any potential dangers. While he trusted Hermione, he preferred to wait until they could all go together.
"Lena, my shop is closed on Sundays. How about we wait until then? I can take you both to do whatever you'd like. We can see or do anything that interests you, including a tour of my shop if you'd like," Hermione suggested with a warm smile.
"Yes, ma'am," Lena responded with a hint of disappointment in her tone.
Greg raised an eyebrow and gave her a questioning look, "Legilimency?"
Hermione simply shrugged and then flashed a mischievous smile at him. "No magic needed, just good at reading people," she quipped. She gave them both a swift kiss on the cheek and exited the shop.
After Hermione left, Greg got up and extended his hand to his sister, who took it somewhat reluctantly. They exited Fortescue's and strolled down a quieter side street to avoid the crowds. "Izzy," he called, and his house-elf appeared beside him. "Please take Lena back to Hermione's house and stay with her until either Hermione or I return. Also, start packing our things. We'll head back to the manor later this evening."
"Yes, Master. Should Izzy pack Mistress's belongings too?"
"No, not yet," Greg replied. The elf's magic had already sensed his marriage to Hermione.
Greg impatiently tapped his foot on the marble floor of his family's account manager's office, consumed by nervous energy. He held hope that everything would proceed smoothly, but in the back of his mind, he had a contingency plan, although he prayed he wouldn't have to resort to it. Time was also pressing, with less than 24 hours remaining for him to challenge Minister Shacklebolt's official decree.
"Good day, Mr. Goyle," Gornak greeted him with a nod as he entered the office. "How may I assist you today?"
Greg replied, "I've come to claim the title of Head of House Goyle. I'm now married and, based on traditional wizarding customs, I believe I meet the criteria to assume the role."
Gornak sat in his chair behind the polished stone desk, deep in thought as he considered the situation. "You're absolutely correct, and you do meet the criteria, and it has been possible to usurp the Head of House position" he began, "but it's worth noting that, traditionally, heirs often refrain from asserting their claim until after their fathers have passed away, to avoid potential complications." Gornak fixed him with a meaningful look.
Greg replied, understanding the Goblin's implication. "Nott, Flint, and Malfoy have managed to do it without resorting to murder."
"That is true. Although I am not at liberty to discuss other families' business I will say that two of the three you mentioned their father's willingly passed on the role."
Greg inquired, "What about Nott?" He continued, "He married and took on the title of Head of House. His father is still alive, and didn't willingly pass it on." Greg then added, "I also recall that my grandfather assumed the role at 21 without permission and without harming his father. What steps do I need to take to do the same and quickly?" Frustration welled up within him, and he teetered on the edge of losing his temper. However, Greg was acutely aware that antagonizing the Goblin was not an option, as it could lead to his expulsion from the bank.
Gornak leaned in closer, his words heavy with meaning. "You see, Mr. Goyle, the succession of the Head of House isn't solely a matter of human tradition. It is deeply entwined with family magic. Most heirs opt to bide their time until the current Head of House has passed away, as this allows the family magic to definitively choose its next leader."
He elaborated further, "When an heir attempts to seize the position, it essentially places the family magic at a crossroads, and this can result in grave outcomes. If the family magic does not favor the heir over the current Head of House, the individual striving to assume the role may risk a significant loss of their own magical abilities."
Greg expressed his surprise, saying, "I had no idea about all of this. I assumed getting married was the key."
"Well, Mr. Goyle you were misinformed. Did your father not instruct you on matters such as this? Did he not teach you your family's magical history and train you to succeed him?" Gornak asked?
"No, he didn't," Greg replied with a mixture of bitterness and frustration. His father had failed in imparting the essential teachings that pureblood parents were expected to provide to their children, such as the importance of family duty and obligation. He also couldn't help but wonder why Theo hadn't shared this critical information with him. Why hadn't his friend cautioned him about the potential loss of magic and how it might affect his ability to assist Lena?
Greg took a moment to gather his thoughts. He knew he had to make the attempt, and it was all for the sake of his sister. He silently prayed that he was worthier than his father in the eyes of their family's magic.
"I want to take my rightful place as head of my house. What do I need to do?"