Chapter 4
Harrie couldn't stop her eyes from widening as words continue to appear on the parchment. She could see her name at the top, as it was quite a bit bigger than the rest of the words and leaned forward to get a better view. Before she could read anything further however, it glowed a soft yellow, and the creature snatched it up.
"Hmmm," he said, reading it over. When he reached a point around the middle of the page, he leapt up, talking quickly in that guttural language again and pushed his hand onto an odd looking shape on the wall behind him. It glowed red briefly, before he turned back around to Harrie.
"You probably have some questions," he said.
"Yes, to start with, what is your name?" Harrie had many other questions but figured this was as good a place as any to begin.
"Thraxnik. I am the goblin account manager for the Potter accounts. Your accounts," he said. Harrie wasn't sure what a goblin was exactly but at least she had a name and a species to be getting on with.
"What else did the paper say? And why did it turn yellow?" Harrie risked asking two questions at once, hoping Thraxnik would be more forthcoming.
"The Identity Test confirmed your identity as Harriet Lillian Potter. Identity Tests can glow different colors as a recommendation for next steps. In this case, yellow indicates three recommendations: an Inheritance Test, a Vault Audit, and a Full Health Scan. Now, these tests do cost and normally we would require payment up front, but with these recommendations, it is usually best to wait to pay until all scans are complete. This is because each of these could require follow up steps or reveal as of yet unknown information. We would hate to charge you the incorrect amount to your vaults," Thraxnik's smirk told her he really didn't care if she was charged the incorrect amount.
"My vaults?" Harrie focused on the information she had been given so far. She didn't know what those other tests were but Thraxnik had confirmed her identity and existence of at least one vault, which apparently required an audit. However, to require an audit meant the vault had contents. And Harrie was determined to improve her current living arrangements. She would not be going back to that orphanage if she could help it.
"Yes, wizarding families at a minimum will setup a trust vault for each heir at his or her birth. In your case, as the last living member of your family, you have control of the family vaults as well. If you will place your palm on this parchment, we will begin the Inheritance Test. I have already begun the Vault Audit," Thraxnik pushed another parchment across the desk to her.
When Harrie placed her palm on the parchment, this time there was a small pinch to her palm seven times, instead of three. This parchment also glowed after she removed her hand but did not change colors and as the glow faded away to normal parchment again, she could clearly see what was written on it:
Inheritance Test
for
Harriet Lillian Potter
(b. 31 July 1981)
Heir:
Slytherin
Peverell
Lady:
Potter
Le Fay
"Ah, yes. Here they are," Thraxnik began flipping through folios that had appeared on his desk while Harrie reviewed her results. "Yes, I see, I see." Thraxnik was muttering to himself again. Harrie waited patiently as he had already helped her along much further than she initially expected. "We will go to the ritual room now for the Full Health Scan. Once those results are determined, we will reconvene here."
~~~~~~
The results of Harrie's health scan had sent the goblin healer into an absolute frenzy. Harrie was barely consulted on if she wanted the blocks removed (she bloody well did), if she wanted her incorrectly healed bones and general malnutrition and her eyesight healed (she didn't realize her eyesight needed healing, but of course she wanted that too), and if she wanted the horcrux removed from her scar (Harrie didn't even care about the cost, she wanted it out now). Apparently, goblins viewed children as sacred, and the extent of her past suffering was absolutely intolerable.
All in all, it had taken seven hours to return her to full health, and Harrie felt better than she could ever remember. Her magic (magic!) came easily to her fingertips and she had to spare barely a thought to change any of her features. She was extremely happy she had decided to follow that blonde man earlier. Harrie's brain whirred with thoughts, ideas, plans. She couldn't wait for Thraxnik to come back. She had a list.
Once Harrie was again seated across the desk from Thraxnik, who had a significantly larger pile of folios in front of him than he had before, Harrie leaned forward and began to gather more information. She wanted to know all of her options, she wanted training, but more than anything she wanted to know why.
"What does it mean that I am Heir or Lady to these titles?" Harrie asked.
"The heir is the person designated to inherit a title, land, or estate, typically after the death or abdication of the current holder. In this case, there are likely additional requirements set forth by the original Lords that have not yet been met. We do not have access to what those requirements may be. They would be found in the Family Charter or Family Grimoire. The duties of a Lady are multifaceted and often revolve around the management of the estate, governance of the wizarding world, and the well-being of those under their care." Harrie did not interrupt as Thraxnik continued his explanation, including the protection provided by heir or lady rings, to prevent any similar spells like the blocks they had removed.
"And this governance of the wizarding world? If I were to take up these duties, who would be notified?" Harrie asked.
"At this time, only the Potter governing seat and accounts are being monitored by your magical guardian," Thraxnik's smile was vicious at the mention of her supposed guardian, Albus Dumbledore. "I would be willing to offer recommendations for you, for a price of course."
Harrie felt a slow, sharp smile creep across her face. "Of course. I believe we may be able to come to a mutually beneficial arrangement, Thraxnik."