Adjustment 2

A few days after settling in my new flat, I apparate to my primary school to get my report and graduation certificate with Joan Petrakis. After that, we apply to a secondary school near the Diagon Alley. The school won't start until Sept 1, 1988, though. So, I'm free at the time being.

I don't need to enter the Diagon Alley through the Leaky Cauldron anymore now that I have my elves with me. I could request them to apparate me to and from my secondary school. I could apparate myself, but I feel like I should refrain from doing it to prevent too much strain on my magical core. I already use enough energy to morph and practice occlumency.

By the way, I totally forgot about my EuroMillioner lottery tickets. Luckily, there are still a few days left for me to see the results. So, I hastily apparate to Chargin Cross after applying to my new school. There, I morph into a balding man in his 50s with an average face. Looking at the announcement board, I'm smiling inside. I've won another one. Hehe

This time, the prize is about 9.5 million pounds. After getting the check from the EuroMillioner office anonymously, I go to the CSB to cash in the money. There, I appear and claim the money as one Alexander Mortiss. After a few signings of legal documents. I'm a proud owner of another 9.5 million pounds. At this point, I just want to get it over with.

Because I already have so much money inside my account, I decided to withdraw 7 million pounds cash, donate 2 million pounds to my orphanage and other charity cases, and save the remaining money in my personal account.

A brief meeting with my personal financial manager in CSB reveals that my investment has generated results. With my 100 million pounds of seed money, I already collect about 10% of revenue from my overall investment. So, about 10 million pounds.

The majority of revenue comes from Exxon Mobile and the Coca-Cola Company. To yester's knowledge, the 80s is one of the pinnacle times for the oil & gas company. So, it's not surprising that revenues are soaring. I just left the money in my account for now.

Next, I visit the Gringotts to change 7 million pounds to galleons and deposit 1 million into my vault. The remaining 400,000 will be stored in my new separate money pouch. Then, I visit BloodFangs in his office. He told me that he had contacted a solicitor for me and he has a portkey ready for the meeting this afternoon. So, I do just that and go to the solicitor's place.

After a dizzying moment of portkey transport, I arrive in an elegant room inside a building in central London. It belongs to one Richard Vaughn. He is both a muggle and a magical solicitor. BloodFangs said that he is very good at his job. So, here I am, sitting in front of Mr. Vaughn as Svetlana Vautoure.

"Ms. Vautour, a pleasure to meet you. I'm Richard Vaughn, a solicitor in the muggle and magical worlds. I understand that you have questions about guardianship?" he said.

I like this man, a very straightforward one. If you haven't noticed, I like straightforward anything.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Vaughn. Correct! I do have questions about that particular issue. I believe that this conversation will stay between us?" I ask him to make sure that he will not run his mouth after I leave his office. I know that lawyers have binding oaths to be confidential, but I'm a naturally paranoid person. So, I need assurance.

Mr. Vaughn then procures a paper containing a confidential agreement between us. The agreement stated that everything we talk about in this session won't be talked outside the room ever, and nothing won't be done to retaliate to any information shared in the room.

After reading the contents 3 times for any loophole, I sign the paper, then Mr. Vaughn signs the it. After that, I start my questions.

"I'm in a position where any guardian is not 'majorly' present. Hypothetically speaking, if I somehow get adopted by someone in the muggle world, will guardianship also apply in the magical world? And what does a guardian do in the magical world other than for legal purposes? Does one need a magical guardian when (s)he has had a muggle guardian? Also, when I go to Hogwarts later, will the headmaster automatically be my magical guardian if I need one later?"

He said, "Well, Ms. Vautour, one does not necessarily need a magical guardian when (s)he has had a muggle one. And by extension, from your question, the headmaster will not automatically become your guardian in the absence of one. The magical laws stated that magical children should be under the supervision or care of the guardians, which in most cases mean their parents. Some minor occasions see the guardian fall into other positions, such as godfather, godmother, close relatives, or foster parent(s). However, in extreme instances where nobody is to care for the child, the headmaster or other authoritative person could act as a guardian. The roles of guardians are to supervise, if you will, and care for the well-being of the children. There are many definitions to this depending on, let's say, their 'parenting styles'. The guardians are responsible for the child in their care until their age of majority, which is 17 years old. There are cases where earlier majority age could be considered in some extreme condition such as during imminent danger or other similar cases. But the earliest age should not exceed 15 years."

The more I listen to Mr. Vaughn's explanation, the more relieved I get. I am, at this moment, legally adopted by a 'muggle' woman, even when through questionable means. I had checked the public record for my adoption process with Gilly a few days ago. It has been finalized and completed. So, it is legal and legit.

After that, I have no more questions to ask him. So, I say goodbye to him for now and leave the room with the portkey to BloodFangs' office. After saying thanks to BloodFangs and paying Mr. Vaughn's fee (150 G/hour), I go out to the Diagon Alley.

Since it's still early in the afternoon, I stop by the (finally) Flourish and Blotts Bookstore to purchase magical books to pass the time. When I enter the shop, I see so many books stacked inside. It's basically a bookworm's paradise. Simply impressive.

After some time browsing, I decided on several books on:

- Hogwarts books year 1 – 7

- Few magical theory books for beginners and advanced level

- Several books on the History of Magic

- Several books on Wizarding Etiquette, Wizarding Law, How the Ministry and Legislative Body Works, and Properties and Investment book

- Books on Flying brooms and how to fly the flying broom

- Newt Scamander's books

- Supplementary potion books such as Potion preparation for Beginners; 1001 potion ingredients and how to best prepare them; Cauldron and Scales and Other Equipment for Beginners; and Do and Don't in Potion Making.

- Supplementary Charms and Transfiguration books, especially the advanced one

- A book about wandlore for beginners

- Some books about healing, from beginners to advance

- Some books about warding

- Some books on charms for daily use, beauty charms, household charms, etc.

- Hogwarts: A history

I do not buy any Harry Potter books here. Also, I can't find any about occlumency, legilimency, or soul magic here. So, I think the Ministry limits the circulation of such books.

The clerk seems apprehensive to hand over the books to me at first since I am, in fact, a child. But, after a few seconds of scrutinizing stare, he packs all of my books and hands me the receipt. All of that cost me 1055 G. Well, money is money, after all. Next, I go back to my flat after a long day to rest.