章節 10: The Inheritance Test
Tom's day so far had been extremely ordinary. At 6 AM sharp he had opened his inn, the leaky cauldron after which he waited for his customers by cleaning the same glass he always did. Tom was an old man with a large bald patch, the few hairs he had left were grey and white. He also had a mutton chop beard with the same colored hair as the rest of it.
As the inn was filling he struck up a lively conversation with one of his regulars, Dedalus Diggle. As they were in the middle of a conversation about Pygmy Puffs the fireplace burned green and out stumbled a small girl in a blue. She had blood-red hair and two miss-matched eyes, one blue and one red but the most notable feature was how cute she was it was almost impossible to ignore her.
Reaching out the witch at the fireplace caught her before she fell.
Straightening up the girl dusted herself off before thanking the lady and walking towards him.
Noticing her approach Tom put down his glass and leaned over the counter.
When she stood before him she took a deep, reached out her hand, and said in a cordial voice "Eleanor Black." Suddenly the whole room went silent you could hear a glass smashing as it fell out of a person's grip. Taking her hand Tom looked at her suspiciously "Tom Hall, pleasure" he said disgust in his voice.
Looking around he could see people were slowly taking their wands out.
"So what do you want?" he asked disdainfully.
"Um, I don't know how to get into Diagon alley." She said intimidated by the many glares sent her way.
"It's that way" he uttered jerking his head to a door to his right.
Muttering a "thank you" she scoured towards the door but a voice made her stop "Wait" they cried out and as Eleanor turned around she saw the woman that had stopped her from falling.
She had shoulder-length black hair that slightly curled inwards at the end. She wore a dark brown robe and a red shawl. She had average looks and two pitch-black calculating eyes filled with intelligence.
Her body from what she could see through her clothes was slim and well endowed.
As she came closer Eleanor could see that the clothes were torn in places.
"Yes, what do you want?" Eleanor inquired curiously.
"I'll show you," the lady said walking past her and through the door.
As Eleanor followed her, the woman held the door open for her. When she stepped through the door Eleanor knew what the woman meant. Before he was a stone courtyard with a dustbin in the corner.
"You see what I mean?" the woman asked smiling.
Nodding Eleanor looked around with a frown, seeing this the woman continued "Well now that we're here there's an easy way to get to Diagon alley." walking over to the far wall she raized her wand and said "You have to tap this brick with your wand." while hitting said brick three times. Suddenly all the bricks from that point outward started to move to create an archway. Behind it was a long road lined with shops of every kind from a clothing shop to an apothecary.
Turning to the lady Eleanor asked "Ms?"
"Victoria Sharp," she said hastily.
"Well, Ms. Sharp first I thank you for helping me with this, but I can't help but wonder why you did it. Was it for gold or was it for a favor, I really doubt that it was out of the goodness of your heart." Eleanor said looking straight into Victoria's eyes.
From her thoughts, she heard 'I really want to take some money after I lost my job at the ministry. But a favor would be much more profitable.'
"Ms. Sharp, I have a question, are you perhaps muggle-born?" Eleanor asked looking up at the tall lady.
'Oh no, what should I say, I lost my job because I was muggle-bore and the Black family is known for its pureblood supremacy. No, it's better to say the truth, I mean if she already knows I'm muggle-born then lying to her would be the worst option.'
Straightening herself up she said, "Yes, yes I am."
A slight smile grazed Eleanor's lips "Do not worry I don't hold the same beliefs as the rest of my family." she paused for a second "Ms. Sharp, you seem quite desperate for money am I right?"
Victoria nodded dejectedly "Yes that's right Lady Black."
"Well I could give you a position in my family's staff, the pay would be quite good and you would be treated well and respectfully, I give you my word."
Victoria was stunned, the Black family the most powerful house in the whole of Britain and they wanted to employ her, her celebration was short-lived though as she speculated that the girl might be lying. But that was almost impossible a girl her age couldn't be that good a liar.
So she had her answer "Very well I accept your proposal."
"Great" exclaimed Eleanor joyously but suddenly she became serious "You'll have to sign a magically binding contract, you know."
Victoria chuckled at this "I suspected as much."
"Do you perhaps have some inc and paper?" Eleanor asked embarrass at the situation.
A clear laugh pierced the are "Here" Victoria said chuckling while pulling out a piece of parchment a quill and some inc.
Taking the items Eleanor looked around for somewhere to write everything down when she spotted a barrel she rushed over and started writing about five minutes later she was done.
The contract pretty much said that Victoria would fulfill her duties as a servant of the most ancient and noble house of Black and that she wouldn't disclose any information while or after her employment. After reading it through Victoria nodded approvingly and signed it the contract glowed for a second and then dulled down again slipping the contract into her mokeskin bag Eleanor turned to Victoria and smiled brightly.
"Great now that that's done could you please guide me to Gringotts?"
Walking forward Victoria said, "Of course my lady if you would follow me."
While passing by shops Victoria told Eleanor their names and items.
As they beard the end of Diagon alley she saw a tall snow-white building with two huge bronze doors and on each side, there was a goblin.
"Have you ever been to Diagon alley my lady?" Victoria asked.
"Yes, but it looked very different," she answered making a frown appear on Victoria's face,
"What do you mean by that my lady?"
"I'll explain later."
As they passed the first two doors before them stood another pair these were silver however with words inscribed on them.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
'Jolly' is all Eleanor thought as she read the poem.
Another pair of goblins opened the doors for them and as they walked inside they were greeted by a large marble hall lined with desks operated by more goblins.
There weren't that many people inside the hall at the moment so Eleanor strode straight for one of the desks. Noticing that she was too small to look over the counter Eleanor turned to Victoria. "Ms. Sharp could you please pick me up." Victoria had to hold in her laughter at the sight but did as asked.
As she was picked up Victoria noticed how light Eleanor was for her age.
When she was on eye level with the goblin Eleanor cleared her throat.
The goblin seemed to ignore her lifting a stamp the bobbin placed it on a piece f paper and then removed it.
Pushing uüp his half-moon glasses the goblin looked up at her and asked in a condescending tone "Yes?"
"I wish to take an inheritance test."
The goblin razed an eyebrow at this "Very well."
Slowly climbing of his chair he motioned her to follow him.
Letting Eleanor down Victoria asked in a quiet tone "My lady why are you taking an inheritance test?"
"You'll see," Eleanor said while walking away.
They followed the goblin through to doors behind his counter and down multiple staircases and corridors.
Reaching a wood door reinforced with steel the goblin pushed it open revealing a small room with a desk and two chairs.
"Urgrot will join you shortly." the goblin said before closing the door in their face.
Eleanor sat there for a few minutes when suddenly the door to the room swung open and a short goblin came rushing in. He was wearing what seemed to be a muggle suit and was caring a small device with him it was made of glass and had an opening at the top and a small needle at the bottom.
"So you want to take an inheritance test?" he asked gruffly.
"Yes, that is so," Eleanor said sitting up straight.
He grunted at this "Well I have to warn you a lot of people come here expecting to be part of some noble family but come out disappointed."
Suddenly Victoria spoke up "My lady already is part of a noble family."
The goblin raized an eyebrow at this "Is that so and which one is it praytell?"
Speaking up again Victoria said "The m-," but before she could continue Eleanor interrupted her "Who gave you permission to speak."
Victoria immediately went quiet and bowed "I'm sorry my lady."
Sighing Eleanor leaned back "It's quite alright"
Placing the device on the table the goblin spoke up "I apologize for my rudeness, the names Urgrot and I'll be supervising your inheritance test."
Looking him straight in the eye Eleanor leaned forward "Eleanor Black it's a pleasure."
Both of Urgrot's eyebrows razed at this but there was no other reaction.
Taking a knife out of his jacket he handed it to her "Just a few drops will be enough."
Opening a drawer he took a piece of parchment out of it and placed it under the needle.
Setting the blade against her palm she made a clean slice.
Victoria rushed forward seeing this "My lady you didn't have to cut yourself so deeply."
Eleanor just smiled at her "It's fine I don't feel it anyway."
Leaning forward over the table she closed her hand over the device's opening. A few drops fell in and a tingling sensation spread across her hand. When no more drops fell the blood started to flow into the needle and it glowed red.
A single thick drop gathered at its tip it wobbled and then fell straight onto the parchment.
As it hit its surface the blood was absorbed and disappeared.
Just a moment later letters started to form on the paper as soon as it was finished Urgrot picked it up and skimmed through this.
A sharp intake of air is all they heard before he rushed out of the room.
"What was that all about?" asked a confused Victoria.
Eleanor sighed "Well this is a good time to tell you as any, plus I don't want you to embarrass me in front of the goblins again."
Looking at Victoria, Eleanor motions her to come closer as she did so Eleanor started speaking "I'll keep it short and simple. You see I'm not just heiress to the Black family but also the Slytherin house and the Pendragon line."
Victoria looked at her in utter shock "But that's not possible my lady, the Pendragon line died out with Mordred."
A smirk appeared on Eleanor's lips "Yes, that would be impossible if, he didn't have a sister."
"My lady I-"
But Victoria was interrupted again as the door was flung open to reveal an old goblin he wore a suit that looked straight out of the Victorian era.
Behind him were several guards and Urgrot. When the old goblin saw Eleanor he approached her and kneeled. "I Ranguss Gringotts welcome her highness back."
An innocent smile appeared on Eleanor's lips as she said "Please stand, I do not wich you to dirty yourself on my behalf."
Standing up Ranguss bowed deeply "Thank you, your highness"
"No need to thank me, now please sit."
He did as asked and told the guards to leave the room. Walking forward Urgrot placed the piece of parchment in front of Eleanor and removed the device that was still on the table.
"Now I will explain, if you wish?" asked Ranguss.
"Please do," said Eleanor extending her hand.
"You'll know most of this stuff anyways but I'll still explain.
First your name 'Eleanor Igraine Pendragon' as you may know your father's mother and mother's mother was called Igraine.
Next, we have your date of birth '11. October. 516' and age '1470'.
Father: Arthur Pendragon.
Mother: Morgana Black.
Then bloodlines, firstly the main one the Pendragon bloodline.
Living members: one, which is you.
Properties: five, the rest are unknown.
Ability: Draconic, it gives you the abilities of a dragon we don't fully know what entails.
Family Volt: 152'627'534 galleons, 8 sickles, 16 knuts."
By now Victoria's mouth was hanging wide open as she couldn't believe how much money Eleanor had.
"Secondly we have the Slytherin bloodline.
Living members: two, who the other one is we don't know.
Properties: none, well none that we know of.
Ability: Parseltongue, it gives you the ability to talk to snakes.
Family Volt: 16'194'475 galleons, 2 sickles, 5 knuts.
Thirdly the Black bloodline.
Living members: seven, and two who were disinherited.
Properties: one, an estate on the east coast of England but we believe there are more.
Ability: dark magic immunity, it makes you immune to the side effects of using dark magic.
Family Volt: 172'398 galleons, 5 sickles, 3 knuts.
And lastly, we have the private volts.
Volt of Arthur Pendragon: 8'482 galleons, 12 sickles, 25 knuts.
Volt of Morgana Black: 23'750 galleons, 2 sickles, 19 knuts."
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