Heritage Revealed

I glanced back at the words and realized that I probably shouldn't have read them out loud. I look back at McGonagall, ready to say something, but instead she just kept walking inside. As Professor McGonagall led me through the grand hall of Gringotts, my eyes darted around, taking in the impressive architecture and the bustling activity of the bank. The air was thick with the scent of metal and parchment, and the sound of clinking coins filled my ears.

We approached one of the tellers, a stern-faced goblin who regarded us with a sharp gaze. Professor McGonagall stepped forward, her posture straight and businesslike.

"Good morning," Professor McGonagall greeted the goblin politely, her voice carrying a hint of authority. "I am here to withdraw funds from the program for the less fortunate account."

The goblin regarded her with a calculating gaze, nodding slowly in acknowledgment. "Very well, if you would please provide the necessary documentation, we shall proceed with the withdrawal."

McGonagall handed over the paperwork, and the goblin's clawed fingers flipped through the pages, scanning each one. After a moment, he looked up, his sharp eyes meeting hers. "Everything appears to be in order," the goblin acknowledged. "If you would follow me, I will retrieve the funds for you momentarily."

She nodded towards the goblin, then turned to me. "Cassius, would you mind waiting here for a moment?" she asked. I looked up and nodded, which prompted her to start walking.

As I waited for McGonagall to return, my attention was drawn to a nearby conversation between a wizard and another goblin. They spoke in regular tones, not bothering to keep their discussion private.

"...so I need to take this inheritance test to prove to my friends that I'm related to the Notts; they don't believe me for some reason," the wizard explained, his voice tinged with determination with a slight tone of annoyance.

The goblin nodded, his expression impassive and unimpressed, as he listened to the wizard's request. "Very well, sir. We can arrange the necessary test for you to prove your inheritance rights."

Intrigued, I couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversation.

My curiosity was piqued by the mention of an inheritance test, and I couldn't help but let my imagination run wild. As I was thinking, I found myself walking towards them. I could see the wizard walking away with a surprised and disappointed look on his face.

'He seemed so sure of himself,' I thought to myself as I walked up to the goblin. When I got closer, I could see him looking at me with a glare, but I could tell he held a hidden form of respect for me.

"Excuse me, Mr...?" I asked the scary little creature. "Ironclaw, Grimgore Ironclaw." He replied with an impassive voice. "I was wondering what the cost of an inheritance test is."

Grimgore's sharp eyes flickered towards me, sizing me up for a moment before responding in a gruff voice, "Two galleons, young wizard."

I nodded, mentally calculating my finances. "Thank you," I said, realizing that I would have to come back for one when I had money. However, before I could turn away, the goblin called out to me.

"Wait," he said, his voice cutting through the bustling noise of the bank. "I can allow you to take one now." A sleazy grin was forming on his face. "But you'll need to pay ten galleons within the next five months, but with each passing month after, the price will increase by five galleons."

I stood there, stunned by the audacity of the goblin's scheme. I couldn't help but scoff incredulously. It was a blatant attempt at swindling, and I had no intention of falling for it. However, as I turned to walk away, a strange sensation washed over me, as if something was tugging at the corners of my mind

"Wait!" he called, his tone surprisingly eager. I hesitated, turning back to face him, curious about what he could possibly want now.

The goblin stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with a newfound enthusiasm. "I have a proposition for you," he said, his voice carrying a hint of urgency. "I'll let you take the test now, but you must agree to pay me back by the end of the year. Deal?"

I blinked in surprise at the unexpected turn of events. Wasn't this just an even worse deal than normal? Although I was surprised and curious about what made him change his mind so quickly, I didn't let myself take too long to respond. "Deal," I replied firmly, shaking Grimgore's hand. He then turned around and waved for me to follow him.

The goblin led me back to the counter. I couldn't help but notice the strange bowl-like object he reached for. It was made of gleaming silver, intricately engraved with symbols that seemed to shimmer in the dim light of the bank.

Beside the bowl, Grimgore then placed a small vial, a needle, and a parchment. The vial contained a shimmering liquid, its color reminiscent of liquid silver, while the needle gleamed ominously in the goblin's grasp.

He then poured the liquid within the vial into the bowl; afterwards, the goblin instructed me to prick my finger and let a drop of my blood fall into the bowl. Nervously, I complied, wincing slightly as the needle pierced my skin. A single drop of blood welled up, crimson against the pale backdrop of the bowl, before splashing into the liquid below.

As the blood mingled with the shimmering substance, the goblin quickly placed the parchment into the bowl. Instantaneously, the liquid began to glow, casting strange shadows across the room. I peered into the bowl, watching in awe as words began to form on the parchment, swirling and shifting as if alive.

I watched as Grimgore reached into the bowl and retrieved the parchment. He waved it around for a moment before his eyes narrowed, focusing intently on the words inscribed upon it. His brow furrowed, and with each passing moment, his eyes widened in disbelief.

I watched in growing apprehension as the goblin's gaze darted around the room, his expression growing increasingly nervous. Without a word, he grabbed my arm in a vice-like grip, his touch sending a jolt of apprehension coursing through me.

"We should go into a private room," he muttered urgently, his voice low and urgent. With a sense of foreboding, I followed him, my heart pounding in my chest as I wondered what secrets the parchment revealed about my past.

....

Grimgore led me into a dimly lit room, furnished with plush couches that faced each other. The air was thick with anticipation as we took our seats; the only sound was the soft rustle of fabric as we settled in.

The room itself was small but elegantly decorated, with intricately carved wooden furniture and rich tapestries adorning the walls. The flickering light of the nearby torches cast dancing shadows across the room, lending an air of mystery to the surroundings.

As I sat opposite the goblin, he handed over the parchment with a grave expression. My fingers trembled slightly as I took it, my heart racing with excitement. Unfolding the parchment, I gazed down at the words inscribed upon it, my eyes scanning the elegant script.

(Cassius Gaunt Smith:

Parents: Father - Hezick Smith Mother - Aurora Gaunt 

Heritage:

Heir to House Smith/Hufflepuff and Second In line to House Gaunt)

My jaw couldn't have been more open when I finished reading the parchment.