Gringotts, and Home
Hermione didn’t bother going to lunch when classes finished on Friday. Following Study of the Non-Magical World, she went right up to Gryffindor tower to change, and grab her bag for the weekend.
Headmistress McGonagall had given her the password to her office where she would be able to floo to and from the school, rather than apparating at the gate. She sent a quick patronus message to the Headmistress with a reminder that she would be away for the weekend. Sneakily, Hermione put her name in the in/out book at the back of the hall as she left breakfast, so she could go directly to Minerva's office.
When she reached the familiar gargoyle, she gave it the password, and it let her up without question. Hermione was caught off guard when she found Headmistress McGonagall in her office when she arrived.
“Hello Minerva.” Hermione said, finally remembering to use her first name.
“Hermione, lovely to see you. I just finished listening to your patronus message. Thank you again for keeping me up to date with the relevant information.”
“You’re welcome. Thank you for being so open to me coming and going.”
“Dear, I can’t blame you. You are ready to live your life. After everything you have been through, no one should fault you for that.”
Hermione could only smile in response, and give a curt thank you.
“Where are you off to today? Sorry, I’m a nosey old cat.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle at Minerva’s sentiment.
“Well I’ve had a small change of plans. I’m off to Gringotts first, then I’ll be heading home.”
“Why the sudden change?”
“I received some very interesting results from the inheritance test we took during History of Magic & Magical Culture.”
“Oh. Anything you would be interested in sharing?”
“Why not.” Hermione said as she pulled the results paper from her pocket, handing it to the headmistress.
Minerva read the paper, and had a reaction similar to Hermione’s.
“Wow. That is certainly some news. I assume you’re going to Gringotts for an Inheritance Test?”
“Absolutely. The results you’re looking at are from a test given by the Unspeakable, Professor Tonks had lecturing today. So, I’m sure they’re correct, but with news like that… Well I believe the sentiment is trust, but verify.”
“You would be correct. Well darling, I won’t keep you. I’m sure you’re eager to find answers. Don’t forget you can floo directly to Gringotts.” Minerva reminded her, as she handed her back her results paper.
“Thank you Minerva. Have a great weekend!”
“You too Hermione!”
Hermione grabbed a handful of floo powder, threw it into the fireplace, and said “Gringotts Bank.”
She stepped out of the fireplace in the Gringotts Bank entry way, and made her way to the line. For a Friday afternoon, the bank was surprisingly calm. When it was her turn she politely greeted the goblin teller.
“Well met Teller Sharp Tooth. I am Hermione Granger. Could I please speak with the Granger family Account Manager?”
“Follow me.” The teller closed his station, and led Hermione into the area of the bank designated for account managers. The teller escorted her into a small conference room.
“Please take a seat, Account Manager Blade Fang will be with you shortly.” With a head nod, the Goblin teller gave the formal goodbye. “May your gold flow freely, Ms. Granger.”
“May your enemies fall at your feet, Teller Sharp Tooth.”
Not even five minutes later there was a sharp knock on the door, before it opened, revealing her account manager.
“Well met Miss Granger.”
“Well met Account Manager Blade Fang.”
With the niceties aside, the Goblin took a seat at the table across from Hermione.
“What can I do for you today Miss Granger?”
“I would like to take an inheritance test please.”
The Goblin looked up at Hermione abruptly, and she could see the questions in his eyes that he was far too polite to ask.
“For the heck of it, I recently took an inheritance test from an Unspeakable. Their test revealed information I did not expect. Gringotts is the best when it comes to maintaining inheritances, I knew I had to come here to get answers.”
With a smile that rivaled a sneer, the Account Manager said, “If it’s answers you want, then answers you shall receive.”
“Thank you Account Manager Blade Fang.”
“The inheritance test requires a few drops of blood, onto a special piece of Gringotts parchment. The cost is 30 galleons, and includes line acceptance testing following. Would you like to proceed?”
Nervous, Hermione could only nod her head yes.
“This sheet I’ll have you sign is a consent to the test, and having your blood drawn via dagger.”
She signed the paper immediately, and thanked the Goblin.
Account Manager Blade Fang subsequently pulled a gold rimmed piece of parchment from the folder he carried.
“This is the parchment of the inheritance test. Next I need the palm of your hand. I’ll make a cut across your palm, then you will make a fist with your pinky towards this paper. Let the blood flow until words start to form on the paper, only then may you magically heal the wound.”
“Yes sir.”
“Your palm Miss Granger.”
Hermione put her hand, palm up into the Account Managers Hand. He used his dagger to make a quick slice across her palm, which turned red with blood. She followed his directions to the letter, and only removed her hand when writing showed on the paper.
She quickly healed her palm as the writing flowed across the paper, revealing her lineage, and inheritances.
Father: Daniel John Granger
Mother: Emma Jean Granger
Hermione Jean Granger
Inheritance(s):
Heir to the House of Dagworth-Granger (by birth)
Heir to the House of Fawley (by birth)
"It seems, Miss Granger, we have some inheritances to check."
With a snap of his fingers two boxes appeared in front of Hermione.
"Now, these two boxes contain the house rings for the house of Dagworth-Granger, and Fawley. If the house magic accepts you, then these rings are yours to wear. All you have to do is try to put the rings on."
Hermione picked up the first box. When she opened it she saw an ornate crest with the name Fawley below. She plucked the ring from the box and placed it on her index finger. She felt warmth envelope her, and magic swarming throughout her insides. It felt comfortable, like an embrace from someone you hadn’t seen in a long time. Enjoying the warmth of the magic, she couldn’t help but smile.
“The first magic has accepted you Miss Granger. Your ring will remain invisible for all but who you allow to see it.”
Now curious to see if she would be accepted by the magic of the other house, she picked up the second ring box. Like the first, the ring had an ornate family crest with D.W. woven into the design. She put the ring on her other index finger. At first the magic felt cold, making her shiver, as though it was testing her. After a short moment, the warm feeling enveloped her again.
“It appears the magic from that house has also accepted you. As both of these families were at the end of their line, you are now the sole heir. If you’d like to come back at a later date, I can go over the accounts, and properties with you.”
Hermione stared at her account manager. All she wanted was answers. Her mind wasn’t even considering money and property.
“One more thing, Miss Granger. Both of these inheritances come with seats on the Wizenagemot that you will likely want to claim.”
With that, Hermione’s jaw dropped. Unable to accept any additional new information today, she knew her Account Manager was right, and she would need to come back another day.
“Thank you for that information Account Manager Blade Fang. I think I will definitely come back another day to go over the other information.”
“Of course Miss Granger. With that, I’ll show you out.”
Her Account Manager showed her back to the lobby, giving her formal salutations as they parted.
“Miss Granger, may your gold flow freely.”
“Account Manager Sharp Claw, may your enemies fall at your feet.”
Hermione was in a daze as she walked out of Gringotts. All she wanted was information, which she got, but now there were the two Wizenagemot seats to manage.
Much of her life was spent preparing for the non magical political landscape. Now she would also be faced with managing two seats in magical politics. This was far more than she bargained for.
Hermione apparated straight home following her Gringotts meeting. This evening was going to be busy preparing for Bicton. She wanted to get in a ride with the two horses she would be competing with tomorrow, and she still needed to make sure she had the dressage pattern memorized.
When she walked in the house the first thing she did was check the time. 2:45pm, she needed to change, and head out to the stable where she knew her mum would be. She was changed, and heading out to the stable not even five minutes later.
Nearly running into the barn, Hermione went straight into the tack room, oblivious to those giving her funny looks. She changed into her riding boots, now ready to ride. As she was about to leave the tack room the door opened, and her mom entered.
"I heard you had made your way in here." Mum said with a laugh.
"Oh no. I hope I didn't make a scene. I was rushing to get down here."
"No scene, just some grooms laughing about your obliviousness."
She chuckled at her mum's response.
"Well I was on a mission to get down here to ride."
"As you always are darling. Now do you have any questions about this weekend?"
"Yes, who is registered for what?"
"So we have you registered with two horses this weekend. I registered you, with Ruby, and Mercury."
Hermione's eyebrows shot up when she heard Mercury was registered.
"I thought he was still too green?"
"We've been working with him like you asked, and he's absolutely amazing. When the grooms, and I, saw you rush in, I asked them to get him locked up for you."
"Thank you! I guess I'll be riding him first then?"
Her mum nodded in response, and the pair began walking to the indoor.
Hermione wasted no time. She loved on Mercury, then mounted up immediately warming him up through walk, trot, canter, and ground work before moving to jumps. The pair progressed through jumps of many heights before taking a short break.
"Okay, he is a dream. I see what you mean… What class is he registered for?"
"Nothing too crazy. I figured the BE100 would be the best place to start. He is more than capable of the 100 cm heights, but needs to meet the minimum eligibility requirements before moving up to international."
"Makes sense. Is it the same for Ruby?"
"Yes, both of them need one last BE 100 event, before advancing to international level."
"Fair. This should be a fun weekend then. Thank you for all the work you have done with him."
"Of course sweetheart! Now let's finish his workout before we move onto Ruby."
Agreeing with her mum, she got back on Mercury and did a final full run through of a show jumping course at the appropriate height.
"Beautiful job you two!" Her mum said. "You two will do brilliantly tomorrow."
"Thank you mum!" She said, as she hopped off Mercury and handed the reins to his groom.
As Mercury walked out, another groom walked Ruby in.
"She is ready to go, already stretched, and everything."
"Thank you Liz." Hermione said, as she took the reins from the groom Liz.
Much like she had with Mercury, she exercised Ruby, who was as much of a dream as she remembered. The pair seamlessly worked through jumping, and the dressage pattern Hermione would need to know.
"How did everything look mum?"
"Fantastic! I think this will be a really good weekend for you and these two horses."
Hermione couldn't help but smile, hopeful for the same. She dismounted Ruby, and with her mum they walked Ruby back out to her groom Liz. Once Ruby was with her groom, her mum started discussing additional preparations.
"The Lorry is packed with all the necessary Food, and equipment. What I need you to do is make sure your gear, and clothes are packed."
"Let me list it out to make sure I'm not forgetting anything. Show coat, boots, and breeches. Helmets, body protector, hat silk, cross country shirt and number bib. Am I forgetting anything?"
"No, just don't forget regular clothes." Her mum laughed.
Hermione rolled her eyes, and started to gather her show clothes, which were kept in a special locker in the tack room. Before going back up to the house for dinner she loaded her things onto the Lorry, now feeling prepared for the weekend ahead.
She and her mum made their way back up to the house for a quick dinner. Following dinner they were off to bed early, as they had to be on the road by 3:00 in the morning. The worst part about this weekend was the nearly 4 hour drive to Bicton. Before going to bed, Hermione made sure to pack a personal bag of normal clothes, makeup, and everything she needed to do her hair.
Meanwhile, Friday evening at Hogwarts.
To many Hogwarts students, Friday was just another day. Only the seventh years had the half day of classes, and you had to be over 17 to come and go as you pleased. So, it was no surprise that some of the older students disappeared after lunch.
What did happen to catch Ginny Weasley off guard, was that her best friend wasn’t back for dinner. This behavior was unlike Hermione, as she always told someone where she was going.
Ginny knew Hermione wasn’t in the dorms, or common room, as she had just left there. Deciding to check Hermione’s normal places before panicking, Ginny made her way to the Library, where again she couldn’t find her in any of her normal places.
She even asked Madam Pince if she had seen Hermione. To which she received a curt “No.”
Unsure of where else to check, Ginny made her way down to the Great Hall. When she entered she kept her eyes peeled, knowing Hermione liked to sit with her friends in different houses.
Again nothing.
Ginny took her normal seat at the Gryffindor table, and immediately started asking those around her if they had seen her.
“Harry. Harry!” Ginny had to say his name twice to get his attention.
“What?” He responded.
“Have you seen Hermione since breakfast?”
Harry looked like he was thinking really hard before he answered.
“The last I saw her was leaving class at 12:15. She looked like she was in a rush. I don’t recall seeing her after that. What about you Ron?”
“Huh?” Said Ron, with a mouthful of food.
“I haven’t seen her either.” He said, mouth still full of whatever he had found to eat.
Ginny’s face scrunched up, even more confused than when earlier. She looked around the Gryffindor table, and noticed Neville was seated by himself a few people up from where she sat down. She moved to join him.
“Good Evening Ginny.” He said politely.
“Good Evening Neville.” She responded in kind. “Have you happened to see Hermione since your last class?”
“I haven’t actually. Why? Do we need to be concerned?” Neville responded.
“I don’t think so. It’s just incredibly unlike Hermione to just disappear without telling anyone anything.”
“Very true. She’s always been big on making sure someone knows where everyone is. Let me see if she signed out in the book.”
Neville got up, and walked to the back of the Great Hall where the sign out book was. He reviewed the names, then sat back down near Ginny.
“Anything?” Ginny asked impatiently.
“She’s signed out, but there is no return time.”
“Damn it. What do we do now?” She asked Neville.
“Let’s wait, and see if she turns up during dinner. If she doesn’t, we can talk to the Headmistress.”
“Okay.” Ginny agreed.
Ginny stayed on high alert, all through dinner. Hermione still hadn’t shown up, and Ginny was growing more concerned.
Dinner came to an end, and Ginny looked to Neville, knowing it was time to go talk to the Headmistress.
“Ready Nev?”
“Yepp. Let's go.”
Neville, and Ginny walked up to the front of the Great Hall where the professors sat. They politely approached the Headmistress before jumping into their concern.
“Excuse me, Headmistress McGonagall. Do you have a moment to speak.”
“Of course, Neville, Ginny. What’s wrong?” The Headmistress asked, taken aback by the looks of concern the duo shared.
“No one has seen Hermione since her last class.” Ginny started.
“She signed out in the book, but there’s no return time.” Neville added.
“I see.” Headmistress McGonagall added, with a knowing glint in her eye. “Ms. Granger is away for personal reasons, she will be gone all weekend. You will see her again at breakfast on Monday morning.”
“Thank you Headmistress.” Neville said, pulling Ginny away from the head table.
The pair walked out of the hall, and headed back towards the common room. Neville could tell Ginny was silently reeling.
“Why the hell wouldn’t she tell us she was going somewhere?” Ginny asked.
“I have no clue Gin. Hermione does seem to be more secretive this year.”
“Yeah.” Ginny scoffed. “I’m not sure I like it too much. It feels like she’s hiding something, and that's a sure fire way to ignite my temper.”
“I understand that. I wish she understood that she could trust us.”
“I agree. I feel like something happened while she was on the road with Harry, and Ron that made her trust even less.” Ginny said.
“You haven’t heard?” Neville asked.
“Heard what?”
“While they were traveling last year, Ron left, Harry, and Hermione.”
“He what?” Ginny said seething.
“There was apparently some sort of argument, where Ron thought Hermione was sleeping with Harry. She wasn’t for the record. Without waiting for an explanation, he apparated away abandoning the pair.”
“Wow. Someone who she thought of as a best friend, just abandoned her. No wonder she feels like she cannot trust anyone this year.” Ginny said sadly.