Chapter 16: Absorbing Books

As I left Gringotts and started to wonder up through Diagon Alley, I felt as though I could finally relax myself. Whilst the treatment I received from Gringotts seemed pleasant on a surface level, with them handing me a VIP status and acting subservient, that Griphook had many different schemes laced within his words. They of course want an amicable relationship with me long term as that helps them, but there were times where he slipped up showing the his true intentions.

Before we made the trip down to the vault, Griphook explained to me that the 'ancient' goblins had built Gringotts above inheritances like Merlin's as a way to safeguard them. From the outside perspective this sort of task would seem really noble, as if they are trying to protect these ancient witches and wizards inheritances from being fought over or destroyed. In reality though it was the opposite, they were 'claiming' these inheritances. Griphook even slipped up whilst we were travelling to the vault about how many of goblins have 'tried to access to inheritances' but had failed. In addition to this he also stopped a certain distance away from the vault fully aware of how Merlin's vaults defence mechanism functioned exclaiming it would 'attack him'. Knowing that, it was obvious he had tried to access Merlin's vault many times…

If they were truly noble and wanted to safeguard these vaults for descendants of the wizards that owned them, they wouldn't try to break into them. With the final words Griphook said to me it was also clear that their intentions were placed heavily on what I had gotten from the vault, as his curiosity got the better of him thinking an 8 year old child would divulge all his findings if he simply asked the question of 'anything else in Merlin's vault beside that gold?'. Sadly for him though I knew better than to let him know what was truly down there.

It seemed I would have to be careful of them for a while… I'm unsure how sly Griphook can be but judging by his display today and what I know about him in the canon it would be safer to keep Gringotts as a whole at arm's length, using them only when necessary and never relying on them…

Solidifying this fact in my mind I found myself arriving in front of my next destination on this trip around Diagon Alley. Looking up at the shop name, I smiled as I walked into the entrance.

'Flourish and Blotts'

.

Walking into the wizarding bookshop I felt an extreme sense of excitement looking around at the numerous books. As someone who found reading a fun past time, I felt overwhelmed by the amount of content that seemed to be held within this store. As I was taking in the sight of the store, the skop clerk walked over to me with a smile.

"Hello young man, are you here to get some books?"

I collected myself as soon as I was called out to.

"Yes, specifically I want to read books about healing magic or potions if possible…"

"No problem at all! We have tons of different books here regarding that field. Let me get some out for you…"

The shop was pretty empty at the moment which was probably why the clerk was being so attentive. As he headed back into the shop and grabbed some of the books to show me, I noticed there was a table within the shop to sit down and read at. Considering I still had a decent amount of time until all the shops closed and I also had time tomorrow before I had to head back to New Leaf, I wondered if I could now spend the rest of my time today just reading here…

Sitting down at the table I waited for the shop clerk for a bit longer. Eventually they came over to me with a pile of books, all be made to float along over to me with their wand.

"This is all the material we have on healing magic's and potions… If you find that you get bored of these books feel free to look over some more of the books we have on offer on the shelves around. If a book is to your liking after flicking through it please come up to me at the desk and purchase it~"

"Thank you"

Hearing my thanks the clerk returned to his position behind the desk and started to flick through a book of his own. Looking at the mountain of books in front of me I had no idea where to begin. It was like a feast had been placed in front of me and every part of it looked delicious. I wanted to read it all.

Picking the closest book to me I started to read. Just like in my last life my reading speed was incredible as I scanned the pages. In all honesty my reading speed was more of a by-product of my eidetic memory as I was able to memorize the pages fully after reading through once or twice dependant on the content.

I fell into a world of my own as the pages kept being turned, more and more information poured into my brain. Different spell applications to heal different illnesses, injuries and even spells that were designed to heal animals. Healing spells seemed to be more diverse than I initially thought seeming as though different spells were needed based on what you were healing…

The book pile in front of me started to be sorted between unread and read. The read pile grew at an incredible pace as my speed started to increase the more I got interested. I was so invested in what I was reading that I didn't even notice the shop clerk had come over to my table and was watching me read.

"Blimey boy, are you even reading the books at all?"

I let out a slight chuckle hearing these words. They were all too familiar to me at this point.

"They are just very interesting is all so I find them easier to read! I want to read as many as possible as I can only afford a few"

In reality with the money I had I could probably buy up all these books, however If I didn't need to spend money I wouldn't. Id commit as many books as I could to memory before buying a few books I truly wanted to keep. Hearing my response the shop clerk headed back to his desk bewildered at my display.

The light within Diagon Alley seemed to fade as time passed throughout the rest of the day. As it started to near closing hours, I read through one of the last books left for me on the table and closed my eyes, sorting through all I had learnt. With what I knew now, I should be able to help Nana. I actually had many different ways I could help Nana after reading all I did. However I wanted to pick the best option, one that might even give her benefits alongside healing her.

Spells would be the quickest method of healing however for a more beneficial healing method it would be more prudent to make a potion that healed the crux of the issue and gave additional benefits along the way. If tomorrow I bought the right equipment, I could spend time creating the potion I had in mind at New Leaf. Eventually when I'm happy with the results I could just give it to Nana under some excuse, maybe even sneaking it into her tea... If I wasn't able to make the potion in time though I had the backup of using a spell or two to stop the issue quickly.

I felt a smile rise on my face as I had a plan now to help Nana. I could feel more heart ease up greatly and the anxiety hidden deep within started to wither away. After collecting my thoughts I turned around and noticed it was now dark out. Looking over at the shop clerk, he seemed to be coming over to me as I turned back.

"You really do like your books young boy… Feel free to come back whenever you like. We are closing now though so if you want to buy any books I'm afraid you'll have to do that tomorrow when we are open again"

I nodded at the shop clerk and headed out of the store. I would probably come back here tomorrow and buy some books to take back to New Leaf. Today's focus was fully on healing books after all, tomorrow I would purchase the best books on other subjects…

It's probably time I get back to my room in the Leaky Cauldron and get some sleep…

.

Entering into my room at the Leaky Cauldron I jumped onto my bead and stared at the ceiling. A lot had happened today and I hadn't fully digested it all yet.

The main part I was still conflicted around was my bloodline, The Emry's bloodline. I was truly grateful for it however it would have been smoother if Merlin left behind everything in one place. Judging by his notes and what was left in the vault it seemed as though he wants his descendant to grow in the world themselves instead of being handheld to the top instantly. Strictly speaking it made sense though to enact this method, making sure descendant's earnt their power rather than just getting shortcuts.

That ancient gold certainly netted me some money but to Merlin I imagine he left not even 1% of what he actually had fortune wise. It was to him a simple donation. Also, leaving his wand behind in the vault was something I never expected… Most witches and wizards stay with their wands unless it's broken or answers to someone else after a certain event. For Merlin himself to ditch his wand, leaving it in a box in a vault deep underground, it only meant one of two things.

He was either so magically talented he didn't need a conduit like a wand near his later days or he had developed a better wand himself… perhaps even a staff that had better output...

Merlin in my past life was included in many different stories and media. His main allure was that he was as powerful as he was eluding, an enigmatic man that nobody could truly understand the intentions of. In the Harry Potter world that man was described to be a great wizard also but compared to the founders I always thought he might have been lacking in some regard. Seeing everything that happened today though, I was instantly proved wrong. It was the complete opposite for that matter just based on the contents of the vault and everything he left behind.

The heart in his vault, that dragon heart wasn't a normal dragon heart. It was huge in size and the magic it emitted made me truly feel fear. The key as well left behind… what the hell was that going to be for? How would I even know where to use it? Also those notes, why did it sound like he knew this would happen? Should I go ahead with this Emry's ritual written down within the notes considering all this?

Taking the box out of my pouch I placed it in front of me and took at the wand in it with the notes as well. Holding the wand in my hand I felt satisfaction as it linked with me perfectly. Considering the ancientness of this wand I would take a guess that there's a high chance there's no trace on it. I wasn't 100% sure on how the trace worked though whether it was a wand or something else that detected when an underage wizard used magic… ill read into it tomorrow when I have the time at Flourish and Blotts. Hopefully there was some book containing knowledge about how the trace functioned for witches and wizards.

I felt my eyes growing heavy as my mind went from one question to another. Now that I thought about it, I completely missed the dinner time here at the Leaky Cauldron as I came back so late, I was feeling hungry also which was making my brain work slower than usual.

The Emry's ritual… reading through it, it looks like a ritual where a wizard can absorb the abilities of magical beasts. The way to set it up was extremely complex, the runes needed were all ancient and detailed. It would probably take me years upon years to actually set up the runes necessary for it. Whilst I'm debating whether I shall do it or not though, I can always just start keeping an open mind to collecting parts of magical beasts.

Finalising my thoughts on all these matters I packed away the box again with the wand and notes inside. Part of me really wanted to use the wand now, but until I knew how the trace functioned I didn't want to risk anything. Most likely though, I think I'll be safe.

It's been a long day. I should get some sleep.