Gringotts

Diagon Alley bustled with a diverse crowd. Smartly dressed individuals mingled with those sporting peculiar outfits, and there were even some who carried an air of doom and gloom about them. A crucible dangled outside the nearest store with a sign that read: "Copper-tin-silver crucibles, all models, automatic stirring-foldable."

Children eagerly pressed their faces against the window of the next shop, where a glass cabinet displayed the latest flying broom.

Malach Slytherin, accompanied by Veronica Slytherin, made their way to Gringotts. Despite his preference for beauty and pleasantness, Malach couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain toward the rather unattractive goblins who worked there.

It was widely known that goblins, as a race, tended to be greedy, fawning over the rich while showing disdain for the poor. Gringotts, with its network of branches worldwide, was considered the prime establishment for these goblins. Though, Malach had always thought of the British Gringotts as the main bank, even if it wasn't formally a branch.

As Malach disliked the goblins for their appearance, he also admired them for their business acumen. Their inherent greed, however, remained a source of irritation.

Upon reaching a desk manned by three goblins, all wearing glasses, with one in the middle being slightly higher than the others, Malach and Veronica patiently waited for them to speak.

"Ah, Lady Slytherin, what brings you to Gringotts today?" inquired the middle goblin.

Veronica placed a hand on Malach's shoulder and positioned him in front of her. "I would like my son to undergo the inheritance test for the Slytherin house lordship."

The middle goblin furrowed his brow and replied, "Lady Slytherin, in the past, this test has only served to verify one's ability to inherit the lordship. None of your ancient bloodlines have received the inheritance itself. Are you confident that your son will succeed where you have not?"

Veronica, growing somewhat annoyed, responded, "I am confident. However, the details of this ceremony are private, bound by an oath between you and our ancestors. Unless you plan on violating that oath and forfeiting your entire fortune, I suggest we proceed, Griphook."

Veronica wore a smile, though it was tinged with irritation.

Griphook, the goblin, quickly changed his demeanor. "Of course, Lady Slytherin. Let's proceed with Young Lord Slytherin's inheritance ceremony."

Malach and Veronica followed Griphook to the area designated for bloodline testing, where the noble families conducted their inheritance rituals. Here, a room featured a fountain with a spherical orb floating in its center. Malach couldn't help but gaze at the orb with curiosity.

Veronica and Griphook discussed the cost of the inheritance ceremony, which involved a considerable amount of elixirs, herbs, and materials. According to records kept by the four noble families, the ancient spell used in the bloodline inheritance ceremony required the descendant's blood, along with various herbs and elixirs, to determine the purity of the bloodline. The records suggested that if the bloodline purity was sufficiently high, the inheritance left by the founders would awaken.

Malach had reservations about this, as he recalled no such thing in the original Harry Potter world. This world appeared to be an alternate version, yet the scar on Harry Potter's forehead still seemed significant.

Returning to the present, Veronica tapped Malach's shoulder. "Malach, why are you lost in thought? It's time to start the ceremony. All that's left is your blood."

Malach looked at his mother hesitantly. "Mom, are you sure this will work? I mean, my talents are good, but all of this seems far-fetched, even if it's recorded. I don't believe Salazar would have hidden something like this in a bloodline orb."

Malach pointed at the fountain. "If it were real, surely it would have been discovered by goblins or someone like Dumbledore by now."

Veronica, impatient to proceed, grabbed Malach by the ear and led him to the fountain where Griphook was waiting with a ring and a knife.

Malach, his mood somewhat gloomy, gazed at the golden liquid in the pool. "So, all I have to do is pour my blood into this, and it will start the ceremony?"

Veronica looked toward Griphook, signaling him to explain further.

"Mr. Slytherin, it's not as simple as that. You see, the ring of inheritance must also be immersed in the liquid along with your blood."

Griphook presented a silver ring with green snake-like lines on its edges and markings that resembled words on the inside.

Malach was intrigued by the ring and seemed drawn to it, as if some form of magic were at play.

Growing impatient due to time constraints, Veronica prodded Griphook to continue despite his mumbling.

Griphook finally resumed. "Now, hold your hand over the fountain."

He handed Malach a knife with the same green snake-like lines as seen on the ring.

Malach held his hand over the fountain and made a small cut on his palm with the knife, allowing the blood to drip into the pool. Dark green and black blood flowed from his hand into the fountain, and he tossed the snake-lined ring into the liquid.

The liquid and blood began to merge, with the ring in the centre, absorbing the liquid as it converged around it. Malach watched as the liquid was absorbed by the ring, causing the snake-like lines on its sides to glow more intensely.

After a brief moment, all of the liquid had been absorbed by the ring, which then dropped back into the empty fountain. Griphook and Veronica, perplexed, approached the fountain, scrutinizing the ring.

Malach, puzzled by their reaction, inquired, "Why do you both look so confused? Isn't this a natural occurrence during the ceremony?"

Veronica, with a sly smile, replied, "You've always been curious, Malach. But sometimes, it's best to keep that curiosity to yourself, isn't it, Griphook?"

Veronica cast a stern glance at the goblin, who seemed to quickly regain his composure. "Yes, pardon my manners, Lady Slytherin."

Veronica turned to Malach. "Now, Malach, put on this ring and touch the orb. The ring should glow a brighter green if you qualify for the inheritance. Remember, you're not allowed to reveal the color of your blood to anyone except the other three heirs of the noble families. Understand?"

Malach nodded and accepted the ring, placing it on his index finger. He then approached the orb hovering in the middle of the fountain and touched it with his ring-adorned hand.

And then, the room went dark for Malach...