Return to Spinner's End.

A loud bang was heard outside the Malhooks' house. No muggle would hear it or see the triple-decker bus that made it. They might of caught a glimpse of me as I exited the bus but there was no one around, it was cold and snowing. I carried most of my possessions in my satchel, besides my guitar case and the covered cage of my new owl. He was a grey eagle owl I had named Henley.

I knocked on the Malhook's door. "Eddie! You back for Christmas." Mrs Malhook looked happy to see me.

"Yes, Mrs. Malhook, I did send a letter. I just had to sort some stuff out at the bank before coming", I said. "This is Henley. He is my owl." I said, holding up the cage so she could see the grey owl. "Don't worry, he might beg for treats, but he's tamed, and we'll behave," I explained.

"Well, I'm sure he'll be fine." Mrs. Malhook said, "Why don't you put your luggage away and get washed up for dinner."

And that's what I did. After dinner, we sat watching the television.

"So, what did you have to do at the bank?" Mr. Malhook asked during a commercial.

"A thing called an inheritance test", I said. "They match somebody's blood with their records to prove linages and to find heirs to vaults." Mr and Mrs Malhook looked worried about that.

"Turns out my parents were wizards, American too, but they're both gone," I said. I cleared my throat. Mrs. Malhook moved to sit with me on the couch and put an arm around me. I broke down in her arms and cried for my parents that I would never know, the hope that I had of meeting them or anyone, had pretty much gone. Bludrook said I might have grandparents from my mother's side, but they were half a world away and didn't know about me. The loneliness that I was okay with finally gripped me, sapping my strength and will, leaving me a wreck.

After I calmed down, I saw Mr. Malhook sitting before me with a letter in his hand. "This came with you; it's how the system had your name; it's addressed to you on your 17th birthday." He said as he handed the letter to me. "Eddie, I was going to keep it till then, but I am giving it to you for your decision." I looked at the envelope; my name and open at 17 were written on it. I looked at Mr. Malhook. He had a genuine look of concern.

I reached out and pulled him into a hug. We might have been distant, but the Malhooks have always looked after me. They had raised me since I was five; they were family.

That night, I sat at my old writing desk and penned two letters to Grant and Tim.

Explaining that I was a pureblood American and I was still an orphan. Of course, I told them I was fine. I sent Henley the letters. And I spun my letter in my hands. Deciding on what to do. Ultimately, I put the letter in a drawer and went to bed. What I didn't know then was that even though I was sleeping, people half a world away were making plans.

--Gringotts america--

The branch manager had just received a letter from the British branch manager. And he was unsure what to do with the information. An heir to the Carter family had been found. In theory, he would also be heir to the Burroughs. He knew of course that was the more dangerous title, if he was acknowledged, the hunter family would be after him. The branch manager rapped his fingers on the desk and then decided what he would do. He hit a bell, and a goblin came running into his office. "Get me a full accounting on the Carter family vault and properties and send a letter to Lady Burroughs telling her I would like a meeting with her at her earliest convenience.

-- the Hunter family mansion --

"Those goblins are up to something", Michael Hunter said to his father. Michael was 16 and a student at Ilvermorny, but he was home for the holidays. His father, Marcus, was the head of the hunter family and nephew of the Burroughs family Matriarch.

"Yes, they are son. Your great aunt has a meeting with them in the near future" he smiled "Maybe they are pressing her to name a heir" the thought tickled him "as I am her last remaining family she has only one option".