9 Chapter 9. Lord.
[Diagon Alley]
# Gringotts #
As we approached the grand entrance of Gringotts, the towering white-marble facade glistened under the sun. The imposing bronze doors, etched with intricate engravings of mythical creatures, loomed before me. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and mystery as if secrets were whispered within the very walls.
On entering the larger door, we came across the famous Goblin warning sign,
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
Stepping inside, I found myself in a vast marble hall, adorned with chandeliers that cast a warm glow upon the polished floors.
Goblins scurried about, their sharp eyes keenly observing every visitor. The sound of their footsteps echoed, mingling with the low hum of hushed conversations.
Many wizards and witches were standing in queues to withdraw some gallons or exchange currency, I found a smaller queue and stood in the line for my turn. I order Dobby to wait in the hall until I completed my work here, my turn came rather quickly.
I made my way to the teller's counter, where a stern-faced goblin peered at me, evaluating my purpose. Behind the counter, rows of small, guarded vaults stretched deep into the labyrinthine recesses of the bank.
Each vault was protected by intricate enchantments and guarded by the goblins themselves, their reputation for unyielding security well-known.
As I made my way through the imposing entrance of Gringotts, the goblin at the counter greeted me with their usual rudeness. "What do you need?" the goblin sneered, clearly unimpressed by my request.
"I want to take an ancestry and lineage test, along with an inheritance test," I replied confidently, refusing to let their attitude discourage me.
The goblin's eyes narrowed as they assessed me. "You think you're someone special, don't you? It'll be 2 gallons for each test," he retorted, a hint of mockery in his tone.
Unfazed, I handed them the remaining gallons I had. "Yeah, I am someone special. Why don't you check this?" I said, challenging their skepticism.
After verifying the payment, the goblin called another of their kind to guide me.
"Follow me," the second goblin instructed, leading me through the labyrinthine passages until we arrived at a small office.
"Here, take this," the goblin said, handing me a sharp instrument. "Make a cut on your finger," they instructed.
I did as I was told, carefully making a small incision on my finger. The goblin placed two bowls in front of me and gestured for me to drop a few drops of blood into each.
"It will take some time for the results to come," the goblin informed me, their demeanor slightly less abrasive than before. "Wait here."
Minutes later, the goblin called me back into the office. "It seems you were lucky," they said, extending a piece of paper towards me. "You've just won a fortune."
As I read the paper, my heart skipped a beat. The information revealed my true identity. "Severus Tobias Snape, Prince Family" it read, with details of my parents and lineage.
The list of vaults associated with the Prince family was staggering, including the vaults opened by previous generations.
"I want to make a withdrawal from the Prince family vaults," I stated, determined to claim what was rightfully mine.
"That would be for the Goblin concerning to Prince to deal with, wait here I will summon the goblin." The goblin said and called for another goblin named Tor.
Together, we made our way to Tor's office, where he handed me an heir ring and spoke about the future acquisition of the lordship ring.
"How much money does the Prince vault hold?" I inquired, eager to know the extent of my newfound wealth.
"Here." Tor pushed a paper towards me, detailing the contents of the vaults. The numbers were staggering, with millions of gallons, sickles, and knuts stored within.
Vault -676
7 million gallons
34,500 sickles
124,567 knuts
Vault -123
20000 gallons (refilled every year)
Vault-100
2 gallons
145 sickles
134 knuts
Other vaults' situation was the same as my vault they had a meager amount, and other family members must have transferred their wealth to the family vault.
"I would like to withdraw 1000 gallons from the vault," I requested, my mind already racing with plans for the wealth at my disposal. "And are you interested in making some galleons as well?"
Tor's interest was piqued. He looked at me with a calculating gaze, intrigued by my proposal. "Tell me, what do I have to do?" he asked, his skepticism slowly giving way to curiosity.
"I want you to act as my agent. You have to send some books to the ministry for approval and then publishing, this isn't just restricted to books. I want to open a vault under the name 'The Half-Blood Prince' and control the flow of money for any of the businesses under this name will be under you." I explained to him. I had many perfect and improvised potion recipes at my disposal that would make me a lot of money, a lot.
Tor snorted and replied, "Do you want me to believe that you wrote some book that would make a profit? Youngsters these days seem to over-evaluate themselves. I am not interested in losing the deal."
"You should think before you say something," I reminded him, relishing the upper hand. "I could easily find someone else willing to take on this role. If you're not interested, I'll simply take my business elsewhere."
Realizing the value of the deal, Tor hastily called me back before I could leave. "Wait, don't be hasty. I'll consider your offer after consulting someone about the quality of your work. But first, let's talk about my payment," he said, trying to negotiate his share.
I smiled, knowing that he would ultimately accept.
"2% of the profits made from the publication of my books and other ventures," I proposed.
"10%,"
"2.5%,"
"9%"
"2.75%"
"8.5%"
"2.75%"
He was getting frustrated. After all, the money I will make will already be a cut amount. All the manufacturing and publishing costs will go to the publisher, leaving me with more than enough money. And from that huge amount, even 1% would be huge.
"7%"
"3%"
"5%. Final, take it or leave it" He yelled in frustration.
"5%, it is then."
I smirked and extended my hand toward him.
"You brave to bargain with a goblin when gallons are concerned" He grunted and shook my hand.
"I assure you, you won't regret it," I assured him, already envisioning the wealth that awaited us both.
"I hope" He replied.
Tor led me to my vaults, where I withdrew 1000 gallons and placed them securely in my pouch. "I'll send you the book in a week," he confirmed.
Returning to the entrance hall, I encountered Dobby, who had been patiently waiting for me. "Come on, Dobby. Let's leave."
Exiting Gringotts, Dobby and I stepped out onto the bustling streets of Diagon Alley.
Making my way towards Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, I entered the shop and quickly purchased three pairs of school robes, finding them rather dull compared to the variety of Muggle clothing I had grown fond of.
Leaving the shop, I continued my stroll down Diagon Alley, my next destination being Flourish and Blotts. As I perused the shelves, my eyes sought out books that differed from the usual Hogwarts syllabi.
Among them, I discovered a collection of potions books that contained recipes not taught within the confines of the school. My interest was piqued further when I stumbled upon a book on martial magic, a tome unlike any I had encountered before.
This particular book delved into the importance of physical fitness in dueling and the ability to handle multiple opponents. It contained detailed instructions on various exercises designed to improve strength and agility.
It was an unorthodox find, diverging from the conventional texts on martial magic. Although I had become proficient in dueling through my encounters with Potter and his gang, the thought of facing multiple adversaries still posed a challenge. My lack of agility often left me at a disadvantage, and this book seemed to hold the key to rectifying that. Deciding to add the book to my collection, I purchased it alongside the others.
Exiting the store, Dobby silently followed me, never uttering a word but casting glances toward Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. Intrigued by his subtle inclination, I turned and walked towards the parlor.
"Madam, two ice creams, please," I ordered upon reaching the counter.
The lady behind the counter inquired about our flavor preferences. "A dark chocolate for me and Dobby. Which flavor do you desire?" I questioned, looking towards Dobby.
Dobby seemed hesitant to voice his preference, but I insisted firmly, "It's an order."
With a subdued tone, Dobby replied, "Same as the master's."
After savoring our ice creams, I proceeded to purchase a plethora of potion ingredients and a sturdy cauldron from the various shops in Diagon Alley.
Finally, we arrived at Eeylops Owl Emporium, where I acquired a snowy owl that I named 'Hermes' for the purpose of sending letters, though I intended to set it free at a later time.
"Dobby, apparate us to Knockturn Alley," I instructed, pulling up my hood to conceal my identity.
Covering my face, I entered 'The Coffin House' within the eerie confines of the alley.
Ever since my first visit to the cemetery, a strange sensation had enveloped me, prompting me to explore the connection between it and necromancy.
The condition of 'The Coffin House' matched that of my former home, and I had no difficulty acquiring books on necromancy and other dark arts. While others might view them as dangerous, I sought knowledge to expand the boundaries of magic, not solely focused on the dark arts but aiming to develop methods to counter them.
The Dark Arts were numerous, diverse, ever-changing, and eternal. Even those who fought against them required knowledge of their workings to effectively counter them.
I understood that there were limits to what one should explore within the realm of Dark Arts. Like a double-edged sword, they possessed immense power but also carried inherent danger. They had the potential to disfigure, drive one insane, or even consume their very soul. It took patience, intelligence, and an unwavering will to study the Dark Arts without succumbing to their temptations.
The reason I had delved into Occlumency was to distance myself from the emotional impact that studying the Dark Arts could have. It was imperative to shield my mind and preserve my sanity while delving into such dangerous realms.
Tor had provided me with a map leading to the location of Prince Manor. "Dobby, apparate us to this location," I commanded, and in an instant, we vanished from Knockturn Alley, reappearing amidst lush greenery.
Within this picturesque landscape stood Prince Manor, an elegant mansion that exuded wealth and refinement. I opened the gates, which seemed to have been enchanted to grant access only to those bearing the heir ring. With the ring in my possession, I entered the grand estate.
The surrounding garden was sprawling and well-tended. As I explored the mansion, my footsteps echoing through its Victorian-era corridors, I marveled at the intricate details adorning the walls and the opulence of the furnishings.
Eventually, I found a room that captured my interest, a spacious chamber adorned with ornate wall carvings. After settling on this room as my quarters, I turned to Dobby and gave him instructions.
"Dobby, take Hermes and ensure he is fed. I have some tasks to attend to, and I shall return by evening. Prepare a meal for us."
"Dobby will take good care of the owl, sir," he replied dutifully.
Emerging from the mansion, I swiftly apparated away, reappearing near my childhood street.
In an effort to conceal my identity, I altered my black hair into a blond hue and proceeded towards an internet café nestled at the end of the road. It was a place where Lily had introduced me to the wonders of the internet and the vast realm of information it held.
Though Lily's family possessed a laptop and internet access, it was initially acquired for her sister, Petunia.
With a modest payment, I secured a booth and settled in front of the monitor, ready to embark on my online quest. Opening the browser, I entered the keywords "Powered Individuals" into the search box. Instantly, a plethora of articles materialized, ranging from accounts of a colossal green monster to alleged sightings of witches.
One article in particular caught my attention—a firsthand report of a massive green creature wreaking havoc in an alley. The attached clip revealed a being of incredible strength, leaping through the air while clad solely in purple pants.
Mentions of groups known as the "Avengers" and the "Fantastic Four" also intrigued me, but I resolved to delve deeper into their narratives at a later time.
For now, my focus centered on the magical and mutant realms.
Clicking on another article, I discovered an account of a witness in New Orlando who claimed to have seen a witch soaring through the skies on her broomstick.
Though the accompanying photo was blurred and met with skepticism, I knew firsthand that the sighting was genuine. It astonished me that such evidence persisted despite the Ministry's efforts to conceal the existence of witches.
While many individuals still harbored animosity and misconceptions towards witches, it appeared that wizards had not garnered as unfavorable a reputation in the online realm.
Continuing my search, I shifted gears to investigate mutants. Numerous articles and video clips surfaced, each claiming that these individuals possessed extraordinary powers.
As I delved into the stories, I encountered a recurring theme—hatred and vilification. The comments section seethed with curses and derogatory remarks, branding these individuals as spawn of the devil.
After much reading, I chanced upon an article featuring a scientist and philanthropist named Charles Xavier. He spoke of mutants as fellow humans, possessing a specific gene known as the X-gene.
According to Xavier, this gene lay dormant until a certain point, often during puberty, when individuals would manifest incredible powers.
The article offered scant details about Xavier himself or the specific abilities mutants could develop, merely mentioning his bald appearance and research.
Expanding my search to understand the nature of the X-gene, I found only a handful of articles. They primarily discussed how certain individuals suddenly exhibited powers, emphasizing the common thread of this elusive X-gene. However, one article caught my eye—it delved into the notion that powers could manifest under circumstances of extreme stress and trauma.
As I concluded my search, my entire worldview underwent a profound shift. Muggles possessed tangible evidence of the existence of the wizarding world, while
mutants—individuals with extraordinary abilities—faced vehement hatred and persecution. The realization dawned upon me that my own powers had likely been activated by the profound pain I experienced upon my mother's passing.
Having settled my affairs at the café, I bid the owner farewell and departed. Seeking solitude, I apparated to a secluded location, all the while utilizing my mother's wand to evade detection from the Ministry's trace.
Surprisingly, I encountered little difficulty in focusing my magic with her wand in hand.
Returning to the mansion under the cover of darkness, I found Dobby diligently preparing meals and tending to the cleaning.
After completing the dinner, I retreated to the room I had chosen for my repose, the weariness of the day weighing upon me.
Closing my eyes, I surrendered myself to sleep's embrace, knowing that rest was much needed after the revelations that had reshaped my understanding of the world.
.
