Chapter 8 -

3rd June, 1896

Today was a particularly special day for Adrian as, after his persistent efforts, he received confirmation from Gringotts that he could open and verify his family vault—the first in the lineage. Establishing a family vault involved a series of intricate background checks and rituals, as the founder of the family needed to ensure that the vault would serve as the rightful Lordship and Heir's choosing, securing the entire family's assets while identifying the rightful heir, even if the vault had not been in active use for centuries, let alone a mere 10-15 years. These rituals were essential to mark the bloodline to the vault, ensuring that only legitimate family members could access its contents.

In light of this significant step, Adrian brought Angelina along as she would become the 1st Lady of the house. Prior to this visit, he had inquired her about whether she had a vault in the Rio de Janeiro branch of Gringotts, to which she responded that she did not have one.

Though Angelina's mother seemed to have had a vault, she was instructed not to reclaim it before her mother's passing if she didn't become a very powerful figure in the magical world. Throughout her study years, her mother had been the source of her financial support, and even after relocating to England and starting to work, Angelina preferred to have her cash on hand. As a result, she had only visited Gringotts in Brazil a few times with her mother, making this experience a novel one for her as well.

Although Angelina's past experiences provided some hints to Adrian, he decided not to delve into that matter for now, considering his current responsibilities. Subsequently, they were warmly received by a goblin named Ergot, a relatively young yet shrewd individual appointed by Gringotts to serve as their family's main financial keeper.

While goblins are restricted from using wands and generally considered less powerful than human wizards, their extended lifespan, surpassing that of humans by three to four times, means that one goblin can serve a family for three to five generations. Establishing a positive relationship with goblins is crucial for accessing additional facilities and services.

Despite being bound by magical contracts preventing them from harming their clients' interests, goblins may not go out of their way if they are dissatisfied. Adrian, recognizing the delicate balance, greeted Ergot politely while projecting a strong and assertive image, establishing a foundation for a positive working relationship.

The subsequent procedures were efficiently handled by Ergot, who was enthusiastic about securing his first familial account, even if it belonged to a new family. The first step involved signing a magical contract and bond with Gringotts across all branches. Following this, they participated in a magical blood pact with Ergot. Adrian and Angelina's blood was drawn and transfigured into a high-level ward, using their blood as the primary core.

This blood ward, immune to forgery or duplication, was a pivotal factor that led wizards to entrust goblins with the management of financial services in the magical world. After completing these meticulous rituals and magical pacts, they were presented with a Bronze Key, containing a dark blue ruby, serving as the master key for their family vault.

Their main family vault was assigned the number B380. Additionally, they could open various types of vaults under this main vault to serve specific purposes. Although Ergot mentioned the possibility of opening a muggle operation vault, Adrian was advised against it due to the aftermath of the witch hunts in the last century.

The wizarding world had lost several contacts during that time, potentially affecting the profitability of such an investment. However, they could explore this option later if they desired or use alternative means, as some wizarding families did.

After gathering most of the needed information, Adrian handed over all the precious metals he had collected, which were swiftly transferred to their vault in the form of Galleons.

Lastly, they were provided with two spatial bags, the wizarding world's equivalent of a debit/ATM card. Using these bags, they could withdraw up to 10% of the Galleons deposited in their vault at any time and in any place, offering convenient access. Importantly, the bags were designed to self-destruct if someone other than Adrian, Angelina, or their authorized personnel attempted to use them.

Following the completion of these necessary procedures, both Adrian and Angelina felt tired and hungry. Despite being wizards and witches, they had spent most of their lives in the muggle world and were not fond of the peculiar magical food. Consequently, they decided to dine at a local elite restaurant in the muggle part of Diagon Alley, as they also needed to visit the Ministry for their family registration, a task that had been delayed for some time.

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After a small lunch date with Angelina, they both proceeded to the Ministry of Magic for their family registration appointment. While many Ministry officials were pure-blood and sometimes held a lower view of muggle-born wizards, this attitude could be understood given the historical context. The witch hunts and subsequent events had forced the magical world into hiding, leading to a natural aversion to all things muggle.

This sentiment was exacerbated by the fact that many muggle-born wizards tended to impose their beliefs on the magical world without making an effort to integrate. It was akin to entering someone's house and dictating how they should operate without understanding the basics.

However, Adrian stood apart from such behavior. Renowned as a genius in Potions and Runes, he held a respectable position in magical society. Coupled with his strong work ethic and the potential to become a Master Potioneer, he was warmly welcomed by the Ministry official in charge of their family registration.

After some small talk and document review, the Ministry official efficiently completed their household registration. Consulting with Angelina, Adrian chose a Snapping Turtle with a background of Lavender flowers as the family crest, reflecting his aspirations for the family motto. The Snapping Turtle, known for its longevity and calm nature, could unleash extreme ferocity when provoked.

The symbolism conveyed Adrian's desire for family members to lead quiet and serene lives, progressing peacefully. However, if faced with adversity, they should defend themselves ruthlessly and swiftly, leaving no room for negative perceptions. After selecting the symbol and paying the fee, Adrian received the registration document for the Half-Blood low-tier family – the "House of Walcombe."

After completing the registration and other necessary tasks related to his Gringotts vault and Ministry work, they returned home with a sense of satisfaction. Adrian felt that he had taken a step forward toward his goals, albeit a small one. It was progress, nonetheless.