Marvelous Return

It was hard and long to get their Non-magical companions to walk through the Ministry, so they could get to their appointment with Ragnok, who sent them an owl in the morning asking for them to come immediately, and prepare to be present for the day, rather than wait for the 4th as planned.

Remus was glad Severus thought about it and made them leave as soon as breakfast was done. They knew Ragnok gave a Portkey to Sirius, but neither of them thought it was the best introduction to magic, so they decided to walk. Even Natasha was trying to discreetly take it all in, and she had already seen magic done while at Dumstrang. Tony kept mumbling about impossible things and the laws of physics being trampled. Clint and Phil were observing everything taking mental notes of little details. 

Remus had to admit, they were looking at everything too, Sirius because Harry and Luna kept pointing out things and giggling at every bit of magic, Remus and Severus because it was their first time in the USA, and they were surprised by how different the MACUSA was. You would never see, for example, a well-dressed and well-mannered House Elf operating the elevator in the Ministry, in London, for the Purebloods in charge, House Elf needed to serve but never be seen, and clothes were meant to be given only when the Elf was dismissed. Another example, while the elders mostly wore traditional robes, the younger generation wore less restrictive clothes, a fifty years old woman wore a simple pencil skirt going mid-thigh with boots and a jacket with a half-cape, and farther from them a young man, about twenty years old, wore dark jeans and sneakers, only his shirt, vest and tie showed he was here in a working capacity. Remus had only ever seen Sirius wear jeans to the ministry before, and it was only to piss off his parents. 

They made their way to Gringotts and were immediately guided toward Ragnok’s office, once more surprising Severus and Remus. Severus because he only ever witnessed Goblins making people wait, even Dumbledore had to wait, he wondered if it was because they had an appointment or what Harry brought back with him from the Future, it was still hard to believe even after everything they learn the previous night. Remus was surprised because as a werewolf, he had only ever been allowed to wait in the lobby while his friends went down to their vaults, he had an account in the muggle world and had to exchange money every time he wanted to buy something in the Alleys, but here, it looks like it doesn’t matter. 

Once in Ragnok’s office and after the introductions were dealt with, everyone sat around a conference table, Remus had the forethought to pack the cubs’ playpen which he put down on the floor space between his chair and Sirius’, Luna immediately asked to be let down and started to stack her cubes giggling when they wouldn’t fit, but Harry seemed content to stay with the adults and listen. 

“‘’nok,” Harry said, waving his little hands at the Goblins sitting in front of them. 

Sirius and Remus took the head seats, Severus to Remus’ right with Natasha next to him, Phil on Sirius’ left, then Tony and Clint, Ragnok was at the opposite end surrounded by papers, and with the heavy looking blue trunk, which was the one Sirius had been told to brought him, at his right. 

“Young Harry,” Ragnok nodded to him, which made Harry smile. “I reserved the whole day for this meeting, food and drinks will be provided, at Gringotts cost,” which surprised the magical users in the room, the Goblins were not known for their generosity. “As magic will be discussed in length, do not hesitate to ask for clarifications,” He told the non-magical users, though Remus thought it was good for them to know too, as they were barely out of Hogwarts, and they were bound to wonder about what Dumbledore might have done. 

“Let’s start with the tests if you please,” Ragnok said and with a wave of his hand granite bowls and a silver dagger appeared before each of them, two before Sirius and Remus, though Remus noticed one of the daggers, certainly his, was made of gold instead of silver. 

“Should the…” Severus stopped himself, he thought about it last night, but also after he called Lily that awful name, calling muggles ‘muggle’ didn’t feel right. 

“What Europeans call Muggle, we call No-Maj, if this help Master Snape, and to answer your question, as they are here, they might as well, one of them might be a squib, or from a squib line, the tests were not in the trunks, I can only guess no one thought to bring them to me before,” Ragnok explained. 

“What does it do? And what is a squib?” Tony inquired. Remus had quickly learned to let him do it and answer with as many details as he could or follow-up questions would be asked later. 

“In the bowls, I prepared an herbs and potions preparation, once mixed with seven drops of your blood, it will verify your identities, tell us your level of magic if you have any, though in your case Mr. Stark it would be very surprising as magic interferes with electricity, few known squibs are able to work with your technology,” Ragnok told them, then kept on explaining, “many a thing can be found from our tests, you can’t fool magic, birth name, birthparents will appear, even if it was changed later on, as well as siblings, and grandparents. I never had the opportunity to test No-Majs past a simple identity check when No-Maj-born’s parents come to register the child’s magic, but less complex tests are used at the time. I am anxious to know what your tests will reveal. For the witches and wizards in the room, titles, properties handled by Gringotts, contracts, blocks, potions, medical condition, creature inheritance, Magical and non-magical familiars, possibly soulmates if you had any.” 

Everyone followed the instructions, they took the blades and cut their fingertips to let seven drops fall into the bowls, Harry, who could understand them, held his index finger up to cut when Sirius was done with his, then babbled at Luna who held her own hand up to Remus after a minute of back and forth. 

“Young Miss Lovegood is very wise,” Ragnok said, getting everyone’s attention on him. 

“You understood them?” Phil asked surprised. 

“Of course, us, Goblins, have to understand our clients no matter their age or disposition, we are taught human baby talk at school. It wouldn’t do for us to miss abuse may it be verbal, physical or by mishandling their finance or their seats in case of an orphan, we usually don’t reveal this or people would stop bringing their young children to us,” Ragnok explained. 

Everyone nodded, it was smart, also they realized they were trusted by whom, Remus gathered, was the highest ranking Goblin. 

“What did she say?” Remus asked curious about his daughter. 

“She was wondering if it had anything to do with you, she knows you are her sire and likes all the new people. Young Harry told her she wasn’t going anywhere, they were your, I guess he called them ‘cubs’, now.”

“Yes, they are my little cubs,” Remus said taking the time to kiss each kid before he turned back to the table. 

Ragnok summoned each bowl to himself as the blood interacted with the preparation, then he poured them on separate sheets of parchment.  

“Do you wish for me to hand the results back to each of you or can I read them to the group?” Ragnok asked. 

“We are here to help, and as we will hear things about each other I don’t think any of us will go around and betray the other, we need to learn to trust each other,” Natasha said and everyone nodded their assent. “Read out loud it is,” she told Ragnok. 

“Should we start with the little ones?” Phil asked, certainly thinking it would be faster, Remus knew he was wrong without Ragnok saying anything. 

“We should alternate, but I think the children should be kept for last, as I will have to compare the results with the one I found in the trunk,” Ragnok told them. 

“I don’t know if I should hope they are different, or similar,” Sirius mumbled, but shook his head when everyone asked what he meant, though Remus could understand, Harry asked them to go to Gringotts because he feared a block was already placed on their magic, Sirius hoped the parchment from the future showed it was broken, and not still in place. 

“You can start with mine, as I was the one to suggest the public reading,” Natasha volunteered and Ragnok grabbed the parchment on his far left. 

Natalia Alianova Romanova

Known as Natasha Romanoff

Born Anastasia Elizabeth Lehnsherr

(not putting in birthdate because it was all messed up… Time doesn’t exist)

Sire: Erik Magnus Lehnsherr

Bearer: Erin Anastasia Yaxley

Adoption: Kristoff Romanova

Title - Ranking:

Magical World:

Yaxley - 5th in line. 

Black - 52nd in line

No-Maj World:

Romanov - Not applicable

“Okay, can you explain?” Clint asked moving around the room to take his friend’s hand in his, even Remus knew it was the only type of comfort she would allow. 

“Erik Lehnsherr as in Magneto?” Tony asked but Phil kicked him under the table. 

“Yes, Mr. Stark, the same Erik Lehnsherr,” Ragnok said and Tony whistled, getting himself kicked again. “As I said, names are given in full, and give the birth name if one was given even after adoption, as well as the parents name, Sire is what human call Father, but we don’t give it this designation as it would be confusing in cases such as Miss Lovegood,” Ragnok said, and having heard Remus’ story, everyone nodded, “the same way, Bearer means the person giving birth, whether female, or male, the term is gender neutral.”

“Erin Yaxley was my great- great aunt’s great niece, she is Corbin Yaxley’s aunt,” Sirius said but looked pensive. “I don’t know how you are related to the Blacks, it is spread wild in the wizarding community and I would bet the low ranking isn’t only due to you being a female but also the diluted blood, you could be the great-granddaughter of a squib my family sent to the muggle world, or of someone my mother or any other Lord or Lady cast away from the family, their descendants wouldn’t appear on the Family Tree.”

“So, we are family?” Natasha asked. 

“Yes!” Sirius said happily, he was always happy to have more family, who didn’t relate to his parents' drivel. Even little Harry was nodding happily. “Though I wouldn’t recommend getting in contact with Corbin Yaxley, he is a renowned Death Eater,” Sirius added with a shiver, having encounter Yaxley not that long ago on the job when he went to protect the Bones' manor from an attack. 

Harry must have felt the shiver too because he burrowed himself deeper into Sirius’ hold. 

“Not applicable doesn’t mean none was found,” Phil inquired. 

“Kristoff Romanova was part of the Emperor family, but as we all know from history, that title doesn’t exist anymore,” Ragnok explained, “and even if it did, an adopted child wouldn’t be considered into the succession.” 

Ragnok looked around the table and when no more question came forward he continued his reading. 

Magical core:

Level 3 - Squib

Mutant:

Level 1 - Enhancement possible

“At this point, I feel I should explain, while the mutants are graded on five levels of capabilities. Level 1 being minor, often found to be limited cosmetic changes or body modification, such as keeping a perfect weight or memory enhancement. Level 5 requires special measures to counter, Magneto is a level 5, his control over metal is near perfect, it was never tested against ours, and to contain him they had to build a prison made of plastic without an ounce of metal in,” Ragnok said. “Magical cores are graded differently, Level 3 means your core is about as big as a newborn magical baby, your core exists but was forced to stay small probably because magic and mutation don’t mix well in the children.”

“So her mutation kept her core from growing?” Clint asked. 

“It is the theory, those communities don’t generally mix, we don’t get to test many of their children. Miss Romanoff probably displayed either form as a young child, either with accidental magic or by summoning objects, if Mr. Romanova was aware of her origins he probably thought it was a mutation and…” 

“And he chose to enhance it, with a healthy dose of serum,” Natasha interrupted him. “I knew about the enhancement, not what led them to do it, as not all the Red Room girls were given serum, I know of only three between World War II and the KGB shutting down the Red Room program.”

“It is my responsibility to inform you, interacting with magic users might open your core, you can, and should, be brought here regularly to test it, as an opening adult core can create damages which should always be monitored,” Ragnok informed her as both Tony and Phil opened notepad to write it down. Tony had been sad when he was told he’d have to bring paper and a pen, like a caveman. His reactor was risky enough, they almost left him at the tower, only Ragnok asking to see all of them kept them from doing it, the wizards thinking Ragnok wouldn’t risk the building and must have known how to protect it. 

Magical Familiar: 

Kneazle - Unknown

“A what?” Was asked by those No-Maj around the table, while Severus mumbled: “I know why it is going to take all day now.”

“A Kneazle is a magical feline creature related to, and similar in appearance to, a cat. They have spotted, speckled or flecked fur, large ears and a lightly plumed tail, akin to a lion's. They are thought to have separate breeds, like cats, and therefore vary in appearance. They make excellent pets if they like a witch or wizard,” Severus explained, reciting from the Care of Magical Creature book, from what Remus could tell. “They have a very high level of intelligence, are independent and occasionally aggressive, and have an uncanny ability to detect suspicious and distrustful people. They can also safely guard their owners home. Due to their aggressivity towards certain individuals, Kneazles have an XXX classification by the Ministry of Magic, if they are not interbred with another species”

“Sounds like Tasha alright,” Clint said and moved away quickly when she glared at him. 

“We will have to see if Mr. Whiskers was left at the house,” Remus told Sirius, and he nodded. “Noc!” His personal House Elf appeared in the room, getting a grin and babbles from both kids. 

“Of course little Masters,” Noc said and snapped his fingers, bottles of juice appearing in front of them, followed by more babbles. “Master Padfoot what you be needing?” 

“When you packed the cottage did you find Mr. Whiskers?” Sirius asked. 

“I be finding Mr. Cat, I be getting Mr. Cat to Baskerville,” Noc told him. 

“Perfect, please feed him, I’ll tell you if you need to bring him to us,” Sirius told him and Noc snapped away. 

“What was that?” Tony asked and Harry glared at him until he changed his question, “Who was that?” Tony asked unsurely but Harry nodded, making everyone laugh. 

“You’re perfect my little pup,” Sirius told him when he stopped laughing. 

“Peo’ll’” Harry told him with a shrug. 

“Yes, they are people, thank you little pup,” Sirius told him, before turning to talk to Tony. “This is Noc, he is my House Elf. House Elves are a magical race, due to an unstable core they need to bond with a magical family, or so, we were raised to believe, but I saw some working in the building here, so I am guessing this was propaganda, anyway, purebloods keep them as a working force, at home, or in their industries, some are specialized to help in shops, I pay Noc and Dewey, but not all wizards do and I know my parents' House Elf hated me after I suggested they should pay him for everything he did in the house.”

“You are right, the House Elves are magic transitive creatures, they don’t have their own core but feed, live and use magic, through either the ambient magic or by being bonded to a magical stable being, or a magical building. Schools often are refuges for Elves while they look for work, as the ambient magic is at its peak there. The ones working at the ministry are stabilized by the Department of Mystery, and they are paid just like every other ministry employee, it is a law form the ICW Great Britain vetoed, and they were exempted as they were blocking the others from voting it,” Ragnok explained. 

“Well, I am glad I have been respecting the law then,” Sirius said with a bright grin, making Harry giggle, while the adults just shook their head at him. 

“And Tony, basically they can do everything JARVIS does or so I’ve witnessed, but as they have a body they can do more, like cooking, cleaning. I know my mother left hers to change all our diapers, things like that,” Sirius told him. 

“JARVIS can order food,” Tony protested, making everything snicker. 

Contract Filed with Gringotts:

Employment - SHIELD Special Agent

“More contracts are specified, I’ll explain them later. Next on, you are in peak physical condition, though your history shows many injuries, which are healing fast, probably thanks to your magical abilities and your serum enhancement. We can easily fix the procedure done on your 16th birthday,” Ragnok told Natasha, who nodded in acknowledgment but didn’t answer, so no one commented. “Miss Yaxley opened the traditional child vault for a Yaxley containing 127,000 Galleons or 610,839.03 dollars, as well as a dowry of 70,000 Galleons, equaling 336,682.93 dollars.”

“Wow, you’re loaded,” Tony said, “Well, not as much as me, no one is as rich as me,” He stopped to glare at the look Sirius sent to Remus and Severus. “One of you owns more than me?” 

“Don’t know how much you have.” Sirius told him with a shrug, “But I come from one of the richest family in the Wizarding World. And think, the Yaxley, who FYI don’t come close to the Black, gave her a little under a million dollar just for being born, even though the dowry part can only be released if she marries.” 

“The current balance of Miss. Romanoff’s vault is at 306,632 Galleons, 2503 Sickles, and 17 knuts. The Goblins invested the money with Miss Yaxley’s approval,” Ragnok said with a grin, that showed razor blades teeth, making everyone cringe, well, everyone but Harry who grinned back. “It converts to 1,475,533.47 dollars.”

“You double her vault worth only by investing?” Tony said then looked up to the ceiling and sighed, “I might have to take lessons from you.” 

“Through the wizards you know Mr. Stark you can let us invest for you,” Ragnok said, looking at the man like Sirius would a prank plan, it was all kind of scary, though Remus could see the same gleam in Tony’s eyes now. 

“I might just take you up on that, my bankers aren’t that good,” Tony nodded at him. 

“I might just transfer all my accounts to them,” Natasha told them too. 

“Or you could stop working,” Clint suggested in jest. 

“I’ll get bored,” Natasha said with a shrug. 

“I am certain Fury would be happy to let you work for free,” Phil told her. 

“But nothing is free in life,” Natasha retorted. 

“As you didn’t grow up in the wizarding world, you don’t have any blocks or potions in you. Also, I would like to inform you on how easy it would be to transfer your SHIELD salary into your vault as SHIELD’s salaries come from a Gringott’s account,” Ragnok told her. “I also have to inform you a deposit of 1 million Galleons onto your account as of yesterday. You will find, the same amount appeared into all of your vaults, under the control of the Goblins. I will explain as it becomes relevant.”

“How much is that?” Clint asked. 

“4,809,756.12 dollars,” Tony said before Ragnok could answer, shrugging when the Goblins sneered at him. 

“Okay, wow,” Clint commented, opening and closing his mouth, but not adding anything, so they moved on. 

Ragnok handed the parchment to Natasha for her to keep and moved on. Looking toward the wizards waiting for them to decide which one would go first.