The inheritance test
The inheritance test had been a revelation—one that unraveled not just Petunia’s connection to the magical world but her very identity. When the goblins presented the results to Petunia, they spoke in a hushed tone, clearly excited about what they had uncovered.
The test had shown three primary bloodlines—Macmillan, Prewett, and Shafiq—each tied to Petunia’s soul, each with a unique legacy that stretched far back into wizarding history.
It made sense to Petunia on some levels. She had always wondered about the strange red-haired Evans family. Lily, with her wild locks of fire, and Mrs. Evans, whose hair was a softer shade of red, could very well be descendants of the Prewett family, known for their fiery temperaments and brave hearts. It was easy to imagine the connection there. Mr. Evans, with his sandy blonde hair, might have had roots in the Macmillan family, known for their steadfastness and calm demeanor. Petunia had always been able to see some of that calmness in her father.
But the third bloodline—the Shafiq family—was a mystery. It didn’t make any sense. There were no traits in the Evans family, not in Lily or the Evans parents, that suggested any link to an Arabic or Asian lineage. Shafiq, after all, was a family steeped in the traditions of ancient magic from the Middle East, but no one in the Evans family had ever shown signs of that heritage.
The goblins, however, were thrilled by the results. They explained that the Shafiq bloodline had been dormant for over 30 years, since the 1930s, and had nearly faded into obscurity. If no heirs were found within the next 20 years, the vaults, titles, and seats in the Wizengamot held by the Shafiq family would be absorbed by the other branches in Asia or Middle East. Petunia’s rare magical situation, her ability to access the Shafiq family magic despite being officially a squib, was an anomaly, something the goblins had never encountered before.
Eileen, who had been quietly listening, felt a spark of hope for Petunia. She knew that the Shafiq bloodline could offer opportunities for Petunia and, in turn, her family. While a Muggleborn witch or wizard could be shut out from much of wizarding society, a half-blood like Petunia might have a better chance of acceptance, especially with money and influence on her side.
“Petunia, this could be a way out for you and your family,” Eileen said softly. “A way to make things better. You don’t have to settle for what everyone expects of you. The Shafiq bloodline could change everything.”
Veronica—now fully aware of her reality—was struck by the goblins’ insistence that she had access to the Shafiq magic. As a squib, she had no right to claim any of the Prewett or Macmillan family legacies. Those lines would pass to Lily, who would become eligible when she turned eleven and took her own inheritance test. But Petunia’s situation was different. Even though Petunia’s body had been marked as a squib, her magic was more in tune with the Shafiq family’s ancient and arcane magic. That was something the goblins couldn’t ignore.
In fact, it wasn’t that Petunia was entirely excluded from the inheritance. The Shafiq magic could be unlocked, but only under certain conditions. When Petunia turned eleven, she would be tested again. This time, it wouldn’t be an inheritance test for her as a squib but an opportunity to claim the Shafiq legacy—an heir ring that would determine whether the ancient magic would accept her. If she passed, Petunia would be trained in magic that was unlike anything the wizarding world had seen, magic that was rooted in the Eastern traditions of magic.
“This is not something we can take lightly,” the goblin explained with a serious tone. “The Shafiq bloodline is ancient and powerful. If you are truly the heir, you will need to go through the Shafiq magical education, likely at one of the esteemed magical schools in Asia. You would need to be trained in the ways of Eastern magic, as it is very different from the magic you are familiar with here.”
Veronica, who had been silently absorbing this information, knew that this was a turning point. She had never intended for things to get this complicated, but now she realized the enormity of what was unfolding before her. Her situation was unique—not just because she was in Petunia’s body but because she was in possession of magic that could potentially make her a powerful figure in the wizarding world. If the Shafiq magic accepted her, she could change everything—not just for herself but for her family and even Severus, whom she had come to care for.
“I don’t know if I can do it,” Petunia said softly, more to herself than to anyone else. The idea of being part of something so vast and unknown, of leaving her home and going to a magical school on the other side of the world—it was daunting. Yet, a part of her knew that this was her path now. Whether she wanted it or not, Petunia—no, Veronica—was no longer just an observer in this world. She was a part of it, and the consequences of her actions would ripple through the magical community for years to come.
Eileen smiled gently at Petunia’s reluctance, sensing the storm of emotions beneath the girl’s confusion and hesitation. “You don’t have to make any decisions right now. But remember, you don’t have to follow the path everyone expects you to. You can forge your own future. And I’ll be here, every step of the way.”
As Petunia left Gringotts that day, she felt a sense of weight settle on her shoulders. The magical world had just become even more complicated, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for what lay ahead. But one thing was clear: the world of magic was opening up for her, and there was no turning back now.
In the months to come, as Lily’s magical journey approached and Severus prepared for his own destiny, Petunia’s role in this world would grow more significant. She wasn’t just a squib or an ordinary girl—she was an heir to an ancient bloodline, and her decisions would shape the future of not only her family but the wizarding world itself.
But first, she had to survive being ten years old, navigating the complexities of being the sister of a powerful witch, the daughter of squibs, and the bearer of a magic that could alter the course of history.