chapters 7,8and9
Chapter 7 - a long ride
“Um you too?”
“It's okay kid, I don't expect you to treat me like an old friend. I would rather build a friendship.”
“Ok what do we need to do first?”
“Go to Gringotts. It is the wizarding world's equivalent to a bank. Also don't be startled when you see the goblins. They may look scary but they are honest folk.”
“Goblins?”
“Yes, they run Gringotts. Have done for hundreds of years. Wouldn't be able to handle the place without them.”
“Woah, but why are we going there?”
“To get you hooked up to your family’s money of course. You're the sole heir and therefore have inherited all of the Potter family fortune. You should have enough to take care of yourself until you get a job of your own and then some.”
“Really!?”
“Yep, the Potters are an old wizarding family so they built up quite the savings.”
“I had no idea. Um how are we going to get into the vault though, I don't have a key”
“But I do, your father left it in my care.”
“Why did he do that? Where you really that close”
“Not really, Sev was closer to them than I was but it might have been because I would have no need to take any of the money and had the time to spare. Only he knows. Not that Sev would take the money, but he was busy as a teacher.”
“Sev?”
“Severus, he's going to be your potions teacher. He's also my older brother. He and your mom were childhood friends.”
“Oh.”
“He is still rather closed off about the whole thing so if you have any questions about your parents feel free to ask me, but that will have to wait until another time because we are here.”
The second we entered I could feel the excitement and wonder coming off of him in droves.
“This way.”
As I led Harry towards Griphook, I could hear the whispers from the wizards and witches. Luckily, it seemed that Harry was too occupied with the architecture to take much notice.
“Griphook, lovely to see you again. I'm here for a withdrawal and exchange in ownership.”
“Exchange in ownership? What is the meaning of this?”
“It's the potter key you see, Harry here is finally entering the wizarding world,and it is time for him to claim his inheritance.”
“Ahh yes it is time for that I suppose. Is there anything else you need? If not Hand over the key and we shall be on our way.”
“Unfortunately there is another thing I need to do at my own vault, but that is further into Gringotts than the Potters so we can stop there first.”
“Understood, this way please.” As Griphook hopped down from his perch, I offered Harry my hand. He took it as we made our way after Griphook.
~ Time skip ~
“Do you need a second Harry? I understand that people can get nauseous after such a ride?”
“No, I'm okay, I was just a bit dizzy.”
“Your vault Mister Potter.” It was the first time either of us had seen inside the Potter's vault, not that you would know judging from my expression. While being nowhere near as surprised as Harry, I was intrigued by the lack of artefacts. For such an old family to not keep hold of their family heirlooms was suspicious.
“Is all of this really mine?!”
“Indeed, did you not believe me when I told you earlier?”
“Well, I just did not to this extent. It looks like I could swim in all this money.”
“I don't recommend that Harry, it would be very uncomfortable. Griphook, we will withdraw 100 galleons, 60 sikles and 30 knuts please.”
“That much! Are you sure I'll need all of that?”
“It is for both your school supplies and your allowance.”
“Ok professor Sìleas.”
“Professor?”
“Yeah, I was roped into becoming the Head of Ravenclaw and astronomy teacher at Hogwarts.”
“Never thought I would see the day.”
“Right there with you, Griphook.”
“Here is your money shall we be on our way to the Douglas vault?”
“Yes, are you ready Harry?”
“Yep.”
“This is going to be a long ride so make yourself comfortable.”
Chapter 8 - an old gift
“I feel sick.”
“That is to be expected. The Douglass family is as old as the four houses of Hogwarts. Their vault was one of the first. Not much longer now though.”
“The four houses of Hogwarts?”
“They are the titles of the founders of Hogwarts. Godric of Gryffindor, Rowena of Ravenclaw, Helga of Hufflepuff and Salazar of Slytherin.”
“Do the houses mean something? You said earlier that you were the new Head of Ravenclaw?”
“Yes, you are sorted into one of the four houses, it determines your dorms and such. A hat created back when the castle was first built will sort you into a house. Its original purpose was to help split up wizards into different categories based on their magic affinity, where they were then sent to whichever of the main four specialised in that field of magic; it made it easier to learn magic back then, when the wizarding world was still being brought together.”
“What did the main four specialize in?”
“Well, if i'm remembering correctly, Gryffindor specialised in the more fiscal aspects of magic such as riding a broom, combative spells and curses. Hufflepuff specialised in magical botany and animals, all forms of nature. Slytherin specialised in potion making and medicine. Lastly, Ravenclaw specialised in spell crafting, charms and studying all aspects of magical theory. It is merely a show of respect to our ancestors now as the wizarding world is in a much more stable place as opposed to back then.”
“What house do you think I'll be in?”
“Well if you want my opinion i'd say Gryffindor you seem like the type to be more physically inclined rather than theory or potion crafting. Plus, both of your parents were in Gryffindor. Your father was actually an auror which is the wizarding world equivalent to the police.”
“They were? That's so cool. So I'm going to be a Gryffindor.”
“Only time will tell, kid. Ah, looks like we are here! Stay right there Harry, I'll be right back.”
“Aww, I wanted to see your vault too, I mean, you got to see mine.”
“I suppose you've got a point, just don’t touch anything.”
“Yes ma'am!”
As the door to my vault opened, I heard Harry gasp in shock from my right. I couldn't blame him though, the Douglass vault was quite the sight. Walls lined with jewellery that belonged to my ancestors, mountains of money and gems that reached the roof. If it wasn't for the fact that my family is famous for their handmade jewellery, that only the top of the top can afford, I would think that it was a bit absurd myself.
“Holy sh*t.”
“Language harry.”
“What do you even do with all this stuff?”
“We make high quality magical jewellery out of it, all the gems and all the gold, silver and bronze will be crafted into the finest of trinkets. It has been the family trade for as long as we've been around. Within every generation, at least one member of the family will be a jeweler or goldsmith, whichever you prefer. And this generation, it's my younger cousin Shoji. He's only 10 and is already so full of ideas. If he wasn't so young he'd be in the workshop with Uncle working away. He's manning the register currently, while learning to properly map out his designs. That's why we are here actually.”
“It is? Did your uncle ask you to get him some materials since you were going to stop by?”
“No, let me rephrase that, I'm here to give you a piece of jewellery.”
“What! There's no need to do that, really! You’ve already done alot for me and this is only the first stop we need to make.”
“It rightfully belongs to you. They were supposed to be a gift for your mother to congratulate her on having a child but I never got the chance. It only feels right to give them to you. They are earrings so you won't be able to wear them right away, but it doesn't take long to get them pierced, and using magic we could skip past the healing phase, and that's if you want to wear them at all.”
I was cut off as a heavy weight crashed into my chest. It was Harry and he was crying.
“Thank you. You don't know how much that means to me, and can I get my ears pierced today?”
“After all the shopping, okay?”
“Okay.”
Chapter 9 - i’m your biggest fan
“Okay, so we are going to need to go to Flourish and Blotts for The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk, which would be 1 Galleon. A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot, which is 2 Galleons. Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling, that’s 2 Galleons. A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch, that’s another Galleon. One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore, that's 2 more Galleons. Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, another 2 Galleons. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, 2 more Galleons. The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble, and that's another Galleon. Put that all together and that should be 12 Galleons.”
“That doesn't seem expensive.”
“It is actually. A galleon is around 5 pounds, so it would be 60 pounds in muggle terms”
“60!”
“Yep, and that's just the books. We also need quite a few other things to get, but let's start off with books. I also bought you this bottomless trunk so we can just put all your supplies in there.”
Harry turned to me in confusion to ask what I meant by bottomless trunk, only to stop dead in his tracks when he came face to face with a fanciful looking trunk.
“Where did that come from?”
“My bottomless bag, now let's get going shall we.”
It didn't take long until we were walking up the steps and opening the doors to Flourish and Blotts.
“Ah it's the same as I remember, let's hope the shelves are arranged the same too. Oh and Harry, feel free to look around and get a book for personal use if any catches your eye.”
“Thanks professor Sìleas.”
~ Harry’s point of view ~
This has to be the best day of my life. I found out a bit about my parents. I was given a gift that would have been my mothers, and I'm being shown around by the coolest person ever. She was a close friend of my parents, she's smart, and she's going to be my teacher. She’s letting me pick out something I want to read. I need to start looking. Sìleas said that she is going to teach astronomy right? Maybe I should look for books about that.
“Astronomy, astronomy, ah, astronomy! Lets see, Atlas of Celestial Anomalies by: M. P. N. Carneirus, Celestial Bodies, Constellations and How to Identify them by: Sìleas Douglass,
A Guide on Celestial Mapping by: Sìleas Douglass. Wait, by Sìleas Douglass, she’s written books?”
“Well of course she’s written books, she is the most famed astronomer in history. She revolutionised art. I’ve read almost all of her books already,” an unexpected voice responded to me mumbling to myself nearby.
“Really, can you point them out to me? She was a friend of my parents and she’s done alot for me, even went out of her way to help me get my school supplies. I’m curious to learn more about her and her research.
“Wait, wait, wait you're telling me that you know THE Sìleas Douglass personally!!”
“Um yeah, she's here right now-”
“SHE IS! WHERE?! I NEED HER AUTOGRAF I'M HER BIGGEST FAN!”
“Yeah I can take you to her um, what's your name?”
“I'm Hermione, you?”
“I’m Harry.”
“Okay, introductions done. These are all of her books. Let's go!”
~ Sìleas point of view ~
Having found all the necessary books I made my way over to where I had seen Harry go, not expecting to have a bushy haired girl squeal at an octave only dogs can hear, and started talking at me like there was no tomorrow.
“You're real right? I'm not dreaming? I am your biggest fan! I have read all your books, front to back! Is that your cat tulip? What's your favourite drink? I think it's coffee but I want to be sure! I love your hair! Your glasses look amazing. You're from Scotland right! Can I get your autograph?!”
It took a second to register her question, but I did try my best to answer them all.
“Yes, I am real. I do believe you're awake.This is my cat tulip. My favourite drink is coffee iced caramel frappuccino to be precise. Thank you for the compliments. I am half-Scottish, half-Australian. I would be more than happy to give you an autograph. Is there anything in particular you would like me to sign?”
“Yes! All of these pleas-!”
It took a few seconds but it was worth it to see the smile on her face. She looked like she was about to cry out of happiness.
“Can I hug you?”
“Um yes? Umph- ha you're quite strong for your age.”
“Thank you! I’ll leave you to your day now Madam Sìleas.”
And with that she was gone
“Well that was unexpected.”
“Wait, you have a cat?”