Banks and Brothers
When the trio landed, they were standing outside of a tiny grubby-looking pub. It seemed like it was later in the day, and the weather was dreary at best. This was England then.
McGonagall led them inside the pub and towards the back past tables of odd-looking people. Well, she tried to lead them, but at almost every other step they were stopped by someone wanting to shake Iris' hand. Tony seemed a bit miffed that no one was paying him any attention what's so ever.
"So nice to meet Ms Potter," Said the old bold barman. He had previously been talking to a little man wearing a top hat who looked like he was about to burst in excitement.
"I just spoke to your brother!'' The little man burst out. ''And what an honour it is to meet you too!''
They would have been in there for ages had McGonagall not cleared the way.
The Starks were led through the bar and out into a small, walled courtyard, where there was nothing but a dustbin.
''What are we doing here? And how come everyone knew Iris?'' Tony asked in confusion.
McGonagall pulled out her wand and started counting the bricks above the bin whilst she answered Tony's question.
''We are here because this is the entrance to Diagon Alley. As for why everyone knows Iris, it is because she is famous. She and her brother are the siblings who lived, the defeaters of You-Know-Who, and I expect you to not let that get to your head, Ms Potter.'' She said sternly.
McGonagall finished counting the wall and went to tap it. Iris had gone stiff, and icy fear filled her veins.
''You-Know-Who?'' Asked Tony.
''Voldemort'' Iris whispered back in reply.
Tony shut up then, he knew that name, and he knew what it meant to Iris. She had often had nightmares of that night, the night her birth parents were killed and it was the one thing she refused to talk about, to anybody. All Tony knew was that Voldemort had killed James and Lilly Potter and Iris remembered it all.
The Stark man put his hand on his daughter's shoulder in comfort and pulled her into his chest, kissing her forehead. She smiled up at him in reassurance and squeezed his hand before letting it go and stepping forward.
They turned their attention back to the wall and watched as a small hole appeared. It grew wider and wider - a second later they were facing a large archway onto a cobbled street that twisted and turned out of sight.
''Welcome to Diagon Ally,'' said McGonagall.
The two Starks stared in amazement and stepped through the archway.
''Hagrid said he would be meeting us at Gringotts, so we best get a move on hadn't we.''
Iris buzzed in excitement next to her father, pointing in almost every direction. She was finally going to the magical school her uncle Pads always spoke about. And she would get to do it with Harry.
They passed many different shops on their way to the bank. There was a cauldron shop, with a stack of cauldrons sitting outside, an apothecary with a plump woman and a haggled-looking man arguing about prices for a "Dragon liver". There was a dark shop with a sign saying Eeylops Owl Emporium - Tawny, Screech, Barn, Brown, and Snowy.
''You said that they communicate by owl didn't you?'' At Iris' nod, Tony continued, still looking at the owl shop. ''We'll both have to buy one then, Pepper will have a field day when I bring home a pet owl.'' They both chuckled at the idea.
McGonagall stopped them outside of a broom shop with a crowd of young boys looking in the window. She pointed to an ally next to it.
''Down there is the market street, you can go there to buy food and drinks. There are a few other alleys like that one that stems from Diagon Ally, the main street. Up there,'' she said pointing to a side street next to a robe shop. ''That is Fern Ally. The fashion street, you can buy clothes for all different occasions. Traditional wizard clothes, muggle fashion, ball gowns, baby clothes. Anything you need.''
After that they continued walking, McGonagall pointing out anything else she thought they needed to know. Both Starks marvelled at all the sights. Finally, they reached a large snowy-white building which towered over the other little shops. The street they had been walking along split into two, one going either side of the bank.
''This is Gringotts,'' McGonagall said. She then pointed to the left-hand street. ''To your left is Street Hestia, where you will find hotels, bars and restaurants. You can find somewhere to stay here tonight. On your right Diagon Ally continues.''
Iris shivered at the name of the street. Hestia, the goddess of hospitality, home and hearth was one of the nicer deities, but it was still weird for someone to be using a god or goddess's name so casually.
The small group continued to the bank. Next to its burnished bronze doors, wearing a uniform of scarlet and gold, was little goblin-like people.
Tony was about to ask McGonagall but she beat him to it.
''Goblins,'' she murmured.
Oh, Iris thought.
The goblin bowed to them as they walked inside, and out of instinct Iris bowed back and murmured 'thank you'. Tony followed her lead and bowed as well, though he didn't say anything. The goblins both looked rather shocked, actually so did the professor.
''You know how to speak gobbledegook?'' she asked after they passed the second set of doors.
Iris, and by extension Tony, bowed to the goblins again and Iris thanked them. They too looked shocked.
''What?'' Iris asked back in confusion.
''Is that what that language was?'' asked Tony.
''What language? What are you on about, I just said thanks to them,'' Iris explained.
''In gobbledegook, you said it in the goblin language,'' the professor said.
''Well, I don't know how.'' Iris muttered.
McGonagall looked doubtful but turned back to the vast marble hall. About a hundred more goblins were sitting on high stools behind a long counter, scribbling in large ledgers and other things. There were too many doors to count leading off of the hall, and yet more goblins were showing people in and out of these.
Iris looked around frantically, trying to spot Harry, not paying attention to what was going on until she bumped into her father who had stopped walking.
He turned and steadied her with a hand on her shoulder and raised an eyebrow. She smiled sheepishly and mumbled "Sorry". Her dad rolled his eyes and turned back around, but Iris spotted his fond smile.
The older witch was about to speak when Tony stepped forward and put on what she liked to think of as his business face.
''I would like to open up two accounts please,'' Tony spoke.
''Names sir,'' the goblin asked.
''Tony Stark and Iris Stark.''
Iris saw McGonagall wrinkly her nose slightly next to them.
''Are you aware that Ms Stark also has a shared account with a Mr Potter?''
At Iris' nod, the goblin continued.
''Do you have money to place in your safe?''
Tony nodded and took out a stash of money from his backpack and Iris got the money out of hers as well. Tony kept the wads separate before pointing at the one in front of him.
''This is for my account, and that is for my daughter's one,'' he said pointing to the other stack. ''And if you could please exchange it first, that would be most appreciated.''
The goblin nodded and started counting out the money from the first stash, marking things in his book as he went. Iris liked that he was being extremely professional, and didn't seem to have an opinion on the large pile of money. Tony then started talking about investing and the goblin signalled someone else over. McGonagall joined the conversation then as well as all the adults and goblins talked about the best investment opportunities. There was an annoying buzzing around Iris' ear.
She got incredibly bored very fast. Just because Tony had been teaching her to take over Stark Industries didn't mean that she found business talk fun. Even Annabeth would struggle to listen. What with their ADHD and all. The buzzing got louder and Iris started swatting at the air.
Iris
She could hear a whisper coming from somewhere. But she couldn't make out what it was saying.
Iris
There it was again! Except she could hear it properly now. She started twisting her camp necklace nervously as she looked around her. The voice was deep and sounded vaguely familiar.
Iris!
The voice got louder and more annoyed. She turned towards the left side of the hall and then the right, then turned in a full circle when she didn't spot anyone. She was about to turn back to her father and the professor when she blinked in surprise. There he was. Ares. He was standing in front of an open door at the back of the hall, his arm held out towards it. The message was clear.
Come.
Iris turned toward her father. Tony was absorbed in his conversation. She faced Ares and shuffled towards him, head down and avoiding the goblins and other people walking around. When she got closer he slipped into the room.
''Hey kid,'' he said.
He was leaning against the table, his sunglasses on his eyes and a biker jacket on his bulky arms. His usual look.
''Hi Ares,'' she answered back dryly. She wasn't all that happy to see him and he knew it.
Ares rolled his eyes and stood straighter.
''What, not calling me dad?'' He asked sarcastically, holding his arms out as if he was offended.
''Tony is my dad, so no. What are you doing here?''
''Straight to the point then,'' Ares mumbled. ''There are a few procedures that typically happen with a demi-wixen. Demigod witch or wizard. Hecate would tell you about it, but she's busy so the job falls to me.''
''Why would Hecate tell me?'' Iris asked head tilted in confusion.
Ares sighed, shifting his stance to get more comfortable as he explained.
''Usually, the Gods avoid procreating with wixen, but when it does happen, things are a little different.''
''Different how?''
''I'm getting to that,'' the god replied. ''For starters, because you're part witch, and Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft and all that jazz, she becomes your patron goddess by default. Means you get extra gifts from her, but I'll get to that later. She can also ask for you to do things for her, and as she is your patron, you can't say no without consequences.''
Iris scoffed a little. Since when could anyone say no to a god.
''Anyway,'' Ares continued, ignoring Iris. ''Back to the procedures.''
Iris raised a brow. ''What procedures?'' She asked.
''Nothing too complicated. Firstly, there is an account that Hecate made for demi-wixen, when they do come about. Just hand one of the goblins the key and tell them you need to access vault one.''
Ares pulled an intricate-looking key out of one of his pockets and handed it to her.
''Next, you can't use a normal wand, they don't mix well with Greek magic, so you need to choose one out of the vault, don't worry, there's loads.''
The god paused as if debating something to himself before he then pulled something out of his pocket. It was an intricate silver band that looked like the metal had been woven together, with a red ruby in the middle. He gave it to Iris.
''Got Hephestus to make this. Stick it on your wand when you choose it, if you twist it turns into a sword so you can have a two-in-one.''
Iris inspected the ring and, ducking her head, smiled a little. She didn't want Ares to see her appreciation, didn't want him to think she was weak enough to get sentimental over a gift, but this was the first one he had gotten her. She debated saying thank you but thought against it.
''Anything else?'' she asked looking back up at him. The corner of Ares's mouth quirked up in what appeared to be amusement.
''Yeah, the extra powers you get off of Hecate. She's the goddess of magic, but also of magical creatures. It's why you could speak the goblin language. If Hecate rules over them, you can communicate with them, so be respectful and stuff.''
Iris nodded to herself, that made sense.
Ares groaned and stretched his arms above his head whilst he stood straight.
''Gotta go, I'm meeting up with Aphrodite. Cause trouble. And don't disappoint me again.'' He said the last bit sternly with a frown before he disappeared in a red haze.
Iris rolled her eyes before the redhead left and went to rejoin the others.
''Isn't that right Iris?'' Tony asked turning to his daughter who had just rejoined them. Iris just started blankly before shrugging. Had they not noticed that she had left them?
Tony picked up a velvet pouch from the counter and nodded to the goblin.
''Thank you for your help,'' he said.
The goblin nodded and went back to his paperwork. Tony tried to lead his daughter away as the professor walked towards the exit.
''One minute'' Iris said, before turning back to the goblin. The blonde man standing behind them huffed in annoyance and his son who looked like a carbon copy whined.
Ignoring them, Iris placed the key Ares gave her on the counter.
''I need to enter vault one,'' she said.
At that moment it seemed like the whole hall stopped breathing. All eyes were on her and she could hear the blonde bitch behind her suck in a shocked breath. McGonagall's eyes widened comically and Tony just stood confused. He looked at his child who just mouthed Ares to him. Tony made an "ah" noise and nodded in understanding.
The goblin picked up the key, and his eyes widened at the magic flowing through it. He nodded at a goblin who came over and bowed deeply.
''This way if you please,'' he said pointing to the very back of the hall where there was a door. Tony stood back and watched whilst McGonagall tried to follow but was stopped.
Iris was led down a dark hallway before they reached a large oak door that had many locks covering it in intricate designs. The goblin inserted the key into the lock and gestured for Iris to place her hand on a part of the door. When she did she felt a prick before the door glowed golden and opened.
Iris looked around the vault in astonishment. It was huge and had two smaller chambers on both sides. Along the walls were several torches lit with Greek fire. She walked in and looked around. Lining the back wall was a large bookcase that she walked towards first. Then she turned back to the goblin.
''Do you have a bag I could use to carry some of this stuff?''
The goblin nodded and handed her a small sack. Iris shrugged and figured there was some sort of magic on it to make it bigger on the inside.
She went back to the books and took some that she wanted to read. There were titles like Magical Mysteries, The Ancient Arts and Their Language, and Creatures From The Above And The Abyss. A lot of the titles were in Greek, so Iris was happy, as it meant she would have an easier time reading them with her dyslexia. She also figured that if she didn't read them, Annabeth would.
Iris carried on walking around to see what was there. She saw a few tiaras, a lot of fancy clothing, and a lot of money. She played around with a staff for a few minutes until the goblin told her it belonged to Merlin, so she put it back, not wanting to break something that belonged to someone so important. She found a few paintings that greeted her when she passed them, one of which pointed her towards an ornate-looking chest. Inside she found a few valuable things, like a complete map of Hogwarts, all the entrances and exits included. Iris bagged that, thinking it would be useful.
When she entered the left side chamber, she found a large rack of wands. She went towards it and looked at each one. They were all labelled, and each had something about them from Greek mythology. In the end, she was drawn towards a holy wood wand that had a hair from Pegasus for its core.
It was a long light brown wand and got thinner at the top, where it sort of swirled like the tip of a unicorn's horn. The base was thicker, and the wood there was browner than the rest of the wand. Iris thought the wand's coolest feature was the little pegasus's that were carved into the hilt, and looked so life-like. The creatures had been painted a deep sparkly silver, and the colours almost seemed to glow and swirl.
Iris pulled out the ring Ares gave her, and slipped it on, watching as it adjusted to fit the wand.
She had a look in the other chamber and found weaponry. There was lots of armour, as well as swords, hung up on the wall and a rack filled with daggers. She went to look at that and after some browsing pulled out two twin blades that turned into bracelets when twirled. She tried them on and they looked nice but didn't draw attention.
She decided then that it was time to leave. She had picked up a few other things and was satisfied with her finds.
When she left the vault, the goblin locked up and handed her the key. When she took it from him it turned into a small, inconspicuous ring that looked like a golden laurel wreath. Iris stopped for a moment in surprise, but she continued walking at the glare the goblin gave her for her sudden stop a moment later. She wondered briefly if in the future she could just show her hand to the goblins to get access to the vault, or if she had to turn the ring that now rested on her right pinky finger back into a key.
When they reached the main hall again she bowed to the goblin and said the traditional goodbye and thank-you in gobbledygook before she returned to her father who was waiting with McGonagall.
''Ms Stark, one moment please,'' said a high-pitched voice behind her.
She turned and was met with an old but stern-looking goblin, who was wearing a deep purple waistcoat, and looked to have wrinkles on his wrinkles.
''Uh... yes?'' The redhead responded semi-politely.
''I am the account manager for the Potter accounts. I am sorry we can not talk properly as I assume we are both in a rush, but I was just hoping to introduce myself.''
''Oh that's fine, I'm Iris Stark, although I'm sure you already know that,'' she told him.
The goblin nodded.
''I am Ironclaw. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Now as I am sure you are aware, you are currently the oldest, and therefore the most eligible member of the Potter family. That means that you will take the title of Lady Potter when you come of age. But for now, you are the heir apparent.''
The goblin pulled out a black box that had the name Potter engraved on the top. She opened it to see a ring similar to her Hecate one. The Potter ring was dark silver and had a raven holding a branch on it.
''I will owl you at some point with the details of what your position means and all of your bank details so you are up to date on everything. Finally,'' Ironclaw said, pulling out a second box that was also black. Instead, the name engraved on the top was Peverell.
''This is yours as well. We had thought the Peverells had died out, but it seems you have enough of their blood to be able to claim this title as well. I must be off now, but a good day to you Ms.''
The two nodded before Ironclaw scampered off. The Peverell ring had an odd symbol on it, Iris thought as she slipped it on.
Outside the trio stood and waited. Apparently, Hagrid had to get something out of one of the other vaults. Iris was practically vibrating where she stood. She was a weird mixture of excited and nervous. She would get to see her brother again.
Tony was trying to get his daughter to calm down and McGonagall was looking at her curiously. Probably because of that whole vault one thing.
''Someone's here to meet ya, Harry.''
Iris heard this and spun around in anticipation. And stopped.
There he was. Harry, her Harry. But all she could see was James. Iris started tearing up before she came bounding over to him. He was too small. Her Harry.
Before the poor boy could register what was going on he had been knocked to the floor with Iris hugging him.
Her Harry.