London, England
November 1st, 2010
Noon
Cruella and the gang reached London around noon after a little over two-hour drive from De Vil Hall. Harry slept very peacefully during the trip after getting some milk and applesauce during breakfast. Thank the gods the maids and manservants she had John hire were good at their jobs. The motor Cruella was in with John as her driver led their journey with Jasper following behind them in the rear, making sure no other motors got in between them. Arite, who sat in the back with Cruella with baby Harry sat in between them, started giggling.
"Something funny, Artie darling," inquired Cruella, as she sipped from a chilled water bottle from the small motor ice crest.
"Nothing too much, Ella. I was just imagining the imposing image our little family will make as we enter Gringotts, dogs and all," replied Artie, wiggling Harry's tiny hand slightly, who had a firm grip on Artie's pinky finger.
Cruella did smirk at that image, for indeed they were known to be an imposing sight when all together, dogs included. "So, John, how much further until we reach Gringotts?"
John, still paying attention to the road, responded, "Not far now. We will be parking the motors not far from the corner of Charing Cross Road and Tottenham Court Road. Once on Charing Cross, we must first stop at a pub called the Leaky Cauldron, which acts as a known gateway into Magickal London, its many shops and more importantly, Gringotts. It's run by a man named Tom, or hopefully still is. He or whoever runs the Leaky will certainly help us reach Gringotts with no trouble."
"Lovely. Also, once parked, I need you to call the Regents Park home to inform them we will be there a few days before returning to the Hall, then call the Hall to inform them of the change of plans."
"Very well, it shall be done."
Artie, curious at the news, looked up from his little playing with the sleepy baby, "Whatever for, Ella?"
"Well, to check on various things of course, which I didn't think of when I gave my original orders last night. I wish to inform the world about my soon to be son with the help of Anita, check in on the company, speak with the shareholders, you need to be checking on your store and most importantly, to buy the needed items for Harry. I want him to have a very comfortable life with us, after what that evil Dumblecunt had planned," finished Cruella as Artie nodded his head in understanding, John too who had been listening.
Anita Darling was in fact one of the truest darlings in the world in Cruella's mind. Cruella considered her a member of her crazy family and found her to be very useful since she still wrote for the paper Tattletale, one of the 3 major newspapers in all the UK, thanks to Cruella. A year after the fall of the Baroness, she had brought the company and promoted Anita to the head of the paper, which soon saw new life being brought into the company and making an even bigger name for themselves. She then sold the company to Anita for the promise that Anita would be Cruella's main interviewer for future stories.
When Cruella won her spoils of war from the Baroness, among them was the fashion company once owned by the former Baroness, which Cruella quickly gutted and refashioned into the House of De Vil, picking a better location and hiring more people, some who helped with her plots against the Baroness. She later brought on investors and shareholders, making sure it wasn't stuffy, old men who couldn't tell the difference between the past and the future who got those spots, but people from all walks of life and ages. Cruella truly loves to shake up everything in life, which tends to annoy a lot of people who prefer the old status quo of how things are usually done.
John drove a few more blocks before finding a proper lot for the motors, with Jasper parking next to them. The gang emptied from the motors, with Harry in Cruella's arms while Artie carried his basket. Jasper held the leases for the Dalmatians and Horace was joined by Buddy at his feet while Wink rode upon his shoulders. John looked everyone over to make sure they were all present, "Follow me."
The gang followed after John as he led them down Charing Cross Road, soon stopping next to what appeared to be a run-down pub. John noticed their nervous looks and quickly explained it was just an illusion, before grabbing the door and entering, the gang quickly shuffled in behind John. The Leaky Cauldron was a stone building, with dark wood stairs leading to a second level. The tables and chairs scattered around were mostly filled and so was the bar, with it being manned by a jolly looking man with a big, round nose and a hairstyle most likely inspired by old Charles Dickens, minus his famous beard. The barkeep looked at them after helping a customer with their drinks, eyeing mostly John before exclaiming, "By Merlin's great beard, I can't believe what my eyes are seeing! Is that you, Zephy?!"
John broke out in a broad smile, "Tom, you old dog, still alive I see. Indeed, it's me, although I'm better known as John these days." The men hugged each other. John turned to Cruella and the boys, "Tom is a known friend to almost everyone in magickal London, more so to Squibs and the Muggle parents of newly discovered magickal children."
"Aye, Zephy be right about that, Opps, my apologies, I meant John here," Tom smiled slyly before looking over to the rest of the gang, "Can't say I've ever seen any of you here before. So, what can I do to help you all out today?"
"We need you to let us into the Alley, we are on our way to Gringotts for important business," John explained their purpose there without giving too much information away.
Tom nodded his head in understanding, "Of course, follow me then." He led the gang to the back of the bar, into what appeared to be a storage room with an odd brick wall that was different compared to the rest of the structure. Tom grinned at their confusion, loving the looks he got before the real magick started. He pulled a stick from his sleeve and tapped the odd wall in several random places, returning the stick up his arm. A few moments later, the wall began to shiver and quake, before pulling apart to reveal a most stunning sight to everyone but John and Tom. "Welcome to Diagon Alley!"
The gang was marveled by what they saw. People dressed as if from a Renaissance Faire, origami figures zipping in the air, birds flying to and fro, fireworks blasting in random spots in the air and small animals and kids running around along the Alley. Everyone was busy chatting, smiling grins on so many faces and going about their business. They passed several shops that had them curious, John promising to explain the best he could after Gringotts. He pointed to the opposite end of the Alley, to a giant marble building that towered over the shops, sitting in a three-way foot traffic spot, the gang not realizing the place was far bigger than they had imagined. They passed the cowards of people, Harry keeping his face buried in Cruella's neck.
As they approached the giant structure that was the Gringotts Bank, John nodded to the goblin guards near the front door, "Greetings, noble warriors of rich earth and bloody steel. May your day be filled with riches gained and the blood of foes upon your blades."
The guards were visibly shocked but nodded their heads back in greeting, leaving the group undisturbed. It was not often that any human showed them respect, especially wizard kind. Jasper and Horace noticed a curious warning on the silver doors written in black before they entered.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So, if you seek beneath our floors,
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
They looked a little terrified, not sure how these beings would react to even pickpocketing on their grounds. The boys looked at each other, silently promising there would be no pocketing anything during this trip. The last thing they wanted or needed is to be shish kabob by those deadly spears they saw the guards holding. While the boys worked to keep their fears in check, Cruella and Artie were soaking it all in with gusto.
They all entered the main lobby of the bank, which was filled with customers and workers. As John led them, they passed several witches and wizards, some waiting their turns while others were helped by goblins who sat at tall desks that towered over the customers, coins clicking and scales squeaking, the sounds of paper being written on filling the air. John stopped at a teller stand that stood separate from the others and was a little grander in terms of design. "Greetings, honorable banker. May Mother Magick bless you and Gringotts with many Galleons this day, while your foes weep in painful jealous rage. Me and my party wish to meet with your great king Jareth, should he be available."
All bank tellers were absolutely shocked by the respect the main teller was receiving, along with Gringotts itself and the fact that the customer was speaking their native language, Gobbledegook. The main teller got over this shock quickly, "Greetings, noble friend, I am the teller Griphook. The King currently has no appointments on this day. Whose name should be used when you are presented to our King, friend of the Nation?"
"Zephyrus Corvus Lestrange the Squib, renamed John No-Name, then reborn as John Micheal Hellman, along with his companions."
Several gasps could be heard from the goblins at the name, being aware when Squibs were discovered and disowned by their families. Griphook nodded his head, before gesturing to a nearby goblin, whispering in his ear for a few moments before said goblin rushed off from the lobby. Griphook then gestured for one of the guards to approach and switched to English before readdressing John, "Please follow this guard here, he will lead you to our King, noble friend."
John bowed his head in gratitude for the help. He got his groups' attention and motioned that they should follow him again. As they left the lobby through one of the back doors, mutterings could be heard from the present witches and wizards, witnessing something they had never seen before in all their years. The group paid them no mind as the guard led them through several passageways until they reached an ornate set of oaken doors inlaid with various gems and metals. Two guards stood outside said doors, before the guide pounded on the door with the butt of his spear three times. A musical sounding 'Enter' could be heard from behind as the doors opened and they were beckoned inside.
They entered what appeared to be a cave like office space, bookshelves lined the walls, a door on each wall except one in and the roof was inlaid with several crystal balls that gave light. The back wall had a giant fireplace and in the middle of the room stood a grand desk, which sat the Goblin King, who appeared as a man instead of a goblin, with a hairstyle that was popular back in the 1980s, wearing tight clothes with an open crest shirt. The King looked up from his paperwork, waving his hand which caused chairs to appear in front of the desk, allowing the group to sit down. "Well, this is a surprising day indeed. Not only is the whole world celebrating the end of a war, but great respect has been shown to the Goblin Nation as well. It's been many years since I last saw you, Mister Hellman."
John smiled genuinely, "My apologies, King Jareth. Life became very busy shortly after our last meeting. I come now on important business in regard to two of my companions with me," making a motion with his hands towards Cruella and Harry, "I have the honor of presenting to you my current employer, Lady Cruella De Vil and the child she wishes to adopt, Harry James Potter."
Jareth was left speechless at the news. "You have the Potter Heir with you?"
John went on to explain the events that took place last night, evening handing over the letter they found with Harry. Jareth paled then raged after reading the contents of it, setting it aside on his desk. He looked over the entire group, looking deep into everyone's eyes as if searching for some kind of answer. Satisfied by whatever he saw, he then quickly pressed a button on his desk, summoning his secretary, "Bring me the overseers for the Potter and Lestrange Vaults now," his voice leaving no room for arguments, as his secretary did his bidding, "Now as we wait for them to arrive, there is much news for all you to know, so I ask that you don't interrupt as I speak," the group nodded their heads in understanding as they await for Jareth to continue.
"Things are moving very fast it seems, faster than things usually happen for the magickal world. As I mentioned when you walked into my office, that a war had ended, very much in the literal sense of it happening a few hours before Heir Potter showed up at your home. News spread like wildfire, reaching all of the UK within two hours, then the rest of the world. The war was between the Light and Dark factions, for reasons unknown currently, both led by two of the most powerful wizards of the current era, Lord Dumbledore for the Light and Lord Voldemort for the Dark. The followers for the Dark Lord were called Death Eaters, while the Light Lord had no special name for his followers that we know of. Last night, Lord Voldemort went to kill off the remaining Potter family, wiping out both Lord and Lady Potter in quick order, but for some reason, when he went to finish off the Heir, the Killing Curse backfired and he vanished, seemingly destroyed forever." As he spoke, two other goblins entered through the left door, but stayed quiet as their King spoke.
"The gods must be smiling on Heir Potter, because we have heard news by our own sources that in less than six hours from now, Lord Dumbledore plans to seal the Potters' Wills and declare himself the magickal guardian of Heir Potter, which would allow him limited access to the Potter Vaults. Lady Luck is surely with you all, as your timing couldn't be any better. We Goblins have no love for Dumbledore for several reasons, chief among them being that he is a hypocrite liar. We now have more reasons to hate him," waving his hand at the letter in disgust.
"Now, you mention adoption, Hellman. This will surely protect Heir Potter during the years before he is sent to school, as we can arrange it here without the Ministry or Dumbledore being aware of it until it's too late for them. Miss De Vil, we can keep your name hidden to avoid wizards like Dumbledore from finding Heir Potter. We will need to do an inheritance test for Heir Potter to confirm he is indeed the Heir for the Potter Family, and one for Mister Hellman too…."
John, shocked at this, spoke up loudly, "WHAT?! But I'm disowned and a Squib and…," noticing the deadpan looks he was getting from the two goblins and their King, he backtracked, "My apologies for the outburst, very unprofessional on my part but why one for me?"
Jareth waved his sorry off and chuckled. "Ten years ago, new laws were put forth in regard to Squibs and disownment from the Gray Faction, which was supported by half of both the Light and the Dark Factions. Among them, a Squib could be let back into the family if the current main family is dead or in Azkaban for life, thus allowing them to take up the Family Vaults. As for the family seat on the Wizengamot, while a Squib can't hold the seat, they can assign a Proxy as long as the Proxy was an actual witch or wizard. Since you are a Squib of the main family, you can take over as Head of the Lestrange family."
John looked a little sad at the possibility of his birth family being gone forever. "What happened to the Lestranges?"
"Your father Lord Corvus died some fifteen years ago, your mother Lady Selena soon followed a few years later, while your two younger brothers, Rodolphus and Rabastan, were known followers of Lord Voldemort, along with Rodolphus's wife, Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black. Shortly after their Lord vanished, the three of them plus one other Death Eater, went after the current Lord and Lady Longbottom, torturing them to the point of comatose insanity with the Cruciatus Curse. We believe they were looking for information in regard to their missing lord. Their trials are set for eight and a half hours from now."
John nodded his head heavily, Cruella and Artie gripping his shoulders in silent support before letting go. "So, what do the inheritance tests involve and why such support for the Potters?"
One of the goblins who entered earlier but remained unspoken addressed that question, "Like yourself, Mister Hellman, the Potters are in fact Goblin friends as well. The friendship we have with the Potters goes back to a time when they were known by other names. Hmm, seems I forgot to introduce myself properly. I'm the Potter Overseer Bloodstar, while my coworker here is Silverhowl, the Lestrange Overseer" pointing to the still silent goblin, who merely nodded his head in acknowledgment, "As for the tests, a few drops of blood is all we need in a special bowl, six drops actually."
Artie paled a bit at the mention of blood, while Jasper and Horace looked seldom, as John and Cruella just nodded along in agreement. Before anyone else could continue on speaking, a rather loud boom popped off and a large cloud of towering smoke appeared from the fireplace. The ears of everyone were ringing while they waved away the smoke from them, coughing here and there.
From within the smoke tower, an elderly man walked out with a walking stick and a brown owl on his shoulder, wearing a simple blue robe and matching hat. He had a long white beard, a warm smile and had kind eyes. Shortly after, a small woman wearing different shades of purple in a simple dress came out behind him, she and the owl surprisingly wearing similar expressions. Only Jareth recognized their newest guests, groaning and dropping his head heavily on his desk, awaiting the drama that followed these three like the plague.
"Pish, you old fool, can't you time hoppity without all the smoke and booms?"
"Indeed. My second time on one of these trips and I already regret this. My poor feathers feel strange."
"Now, now. It's not that bad once you get used to it. Honestly the landings could use some work, but the rest it for effect, I tell you."
"Oh? And pray tell, what effect you were hoping to invoke then, you bungling blockhead?!"
"Very simple really, you bitter old featherbrain, for shock and awe, of course!"
"HA! Shock and awe? You old fool, I have more of that in one little toe! Why not change me into some new color dragon we've never seen yet?! That's sure to bring shock and awe to people!"
"You mean like how you did when you cheated during our last duel, you old hag?"
"Oh please, if anyone cheated, it was you, turning yourself into some horrible illness I never heard of before to win sure was a fair move!"
"You're both blockheaded fools, is what you both are. Seriously, I honestly should have stayed in Greece, at least then I wouldn't have to deal with either of your madness!"
"Madness like your old mistress sending out a metal owl to help the hero then instead of you?"
"Pish posh, she was clearly confused, nothing more. Makes me wonder if you had something to do with that, you silly time hopper, with your goofy make-believe inventions!"
"Goofy make-believe inventions?! Now see here, you crotchety pigeon, I have seen those things with my own eyes! Mankind does indeed reach great heights!"
"Oh yes, like how Wart still hasn't grown another foot yet in the last year. Great heights indeed, ha!"
"Shut up, the both of you! In case neither of you old fools have noticed, we are in the presence of others now!"
The three newcomers finally took notice of their environment and the people there, while the goblins and humans stared dumbfounded at the three and their recent exchange of words. Jareth summoned several glasses and cases of heavy liquor, pouring the goblins and humans a glass each, before focusing on his own glass, drowning three of them quickly. "Hello Merlin, Madam Mim and Archimedes. Welcome back to Gringotts."
A heavy silence fell upon the room before the loudest "WHAT?!" rung out all over the room, the walls giving the word an echo effect. John and the two goblin overseers had their mouths hanging open while the others were too stunned to speak properly. Merlin started introducing himself and his companions to everyone. "Hello young folk, I am indeed the Merlin, although I usually prefer just plain Merlin. With me is my owl, the familiar Archimedes of Athens and one of my rivals in magick, Mad Madam Mim. As to why we are here, it's for an important matter indeed. We are going to awaken the magickal cores of five humans right now."
"What in the name of Morgana are you talking about?" Exclaimed John, not believing the miracle that might happen soon.
"It's as he said," Mim explained kindly, understanding the confusion of the young Squib, "We received a prophecy via Archimedes' unique powers. It spoke of a child already bound to another prophecy needing the aid of ancient magicks reawakened in Squib lines, to which every human gathered here is from one." Cruella, Artie, Jasper and Horace were certainly surprised by this nugget of information.
Archimedes hooted a few times and his eyes glowed royal purple, which caused six Gringotts ritual bowls to appear. "I take it the goblins already explained how the inheritance tests work, yes?" Getting confirmation nods, he hooted happily. "To do this as painlessly as possible, your cores will be linked to the inheritance tests, becoming active once your tests have become known to each of you, being read by King Jareth here. You will feel a deep searing burning within your chests, but it will pass fairly quickly."
Merlin and Mim nodded along in agreement. Mim then spoke, "We have reason to believe that aside from you five have strong ancient magicks from long forgotten bloodlines, we feel like any future allies you gather around you might also have this great potential. Who among you is considered the leader of your group?"
Everyone looked point blank at Cruella, causing a small chuckle from Merlin while Cruella rolled her eyes at the boys, "Since time hopping isn't something I do often or much, I plan to leave you with a special gift, but limited in its scoop. I will leave you the power to awaken magickal cores in humans, as long as they are declared either your allies, friends or family." Cruella was truly stunned by this gift she was being blessed with by such a legendary figure of history.
Archimedes looked over at the gathered humans, sensing the time for the tests to start soon was approaching, "Now then, who should go first then? If we double them in pairs, it might go faster, and I pick…"