"Happy New Year Miss Evans. Walk briskly now, we have a lot to do." The Black matriarch returned the girl's hesitant greeting, nodded briefly to Marie then turned and set off down the garden path at a lively pace; a small grinding of luggage wheels followed as Walburga and her newest charge walked the length of Bowden Lane and turned a sharp right into a small alleyway, continuing until the road could no longer be seen. The elder stopped, carefully looked around then summoned in a quiet voice "Kreacher!" Petunia glanced behind her as a house elf popped into view and bowed lowly "Take Miss Evans' belongings to Grimmauld. Prepare her a bedroom. Remind Sirius and Regulus they will be dining with company tonight." the elf nodded, seized her trunk and vanished "Take my arm Miss Evans, we'll be apparating to Diagon.". She held out her arm expectantly, the teen looked at her suspiciously for a long moment but took it. They vanished in a pop of colours; and reappeared in a small circular room, William Morris' pimpernel wallpaper and a low curved cream chesterfield being all the decoration.
"Where are we?" Petunia asked in a quiet gulping gasp once the sick feeling of being so thoroughly squashed began to recede
"The apparition chamber of The Gastrognome, it is a rather charming little café and a particular favourite of mine. We'll return here for lunch. Come, we have an appointment at Gringotts to attend.".
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The crooked alley was bright and cheerful in all its' festive glory standing out starkly against drifts of white snow, shoppers chattered and called to each other, the briefness of their conversations and the quickness of step the only indicators of any unease; Gringotts stood glistening above it all steadfast as always, a smartly dressed goblin bowing the two inside greeting Lady Black personally as he closed the door behind them. "Drayhin. I have an appointment with Preezia." the teller behind the tall counter glanced up from his parchment and peered through his oddly spiked glasses (they made him look rather like he was wearing gems) at Walburga then nodded shortly
"Druen Lady Black, I shall inform Preezia of your arrival." with this he scribbled on a scrap of parchment placed it into a empty tray and watched as it vanished, moments later another parchment slither returned, the teller consulted the new piece then said "Preezia will be with you momentarily."
"Thank you.". Walburga retreated from the counter, motioning for Petunia to follow her
"What did those greetings mean?"
"They are gobbledegook. A mark of respect passed between goblin and other beings. You will do the same with your account managers and any dealings with goblins if you wish to garner prosperous relations with them.".
"What are we here for?" A calm voice interrupted before the elder could respond, a dark skinned goblin clothed in pinstriped cream business robes stood before them, brown hair piled neatly on top of her domed head
"Drayhin. Follow me." The two women followed the goblin as she led the way through a lacquered black door to a smaller chamber, then another door, this time polished brown, winding her way through a small marble corridor before stopping outside of a slim, roughened green marble panel. The two witches stopped beside her, Petunia glanced at Walburga, her face was impassive, merely waiting for their host to act; the goblin reached out a slim long finger and stroked over the bumpy surface. It melted away at her touch, revealing a narrow doorway previously concealing a wooden panelled office. The goblin gestured them through.
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"How can Gringotts be of service to you Lady Black?" Preezia asked once they were all seated, she had settled behind her wrought iron desk smoothly gesturing the witches to two comfortable visitors' chairs decorated with the same twirling leaf pattern as her desk, backed in decorative lace bearing a coat of arms, a crow in flight and crescent moon at its' feet; there was the occasional shuffle of wings as the crow fluttered.
"We have come to claim Miss Evance's inheritance. I am fostering her and intend to present her shortly." The goblin's sharp but kind brown eyes fixed onto Petunia, scrutinizing her as the blonde defiantly stuck her chin out and sat up straighter, meeting the evaluating gaze head on. The goblin harrumphed and clicked her long fingers, summoning a shallow bronze bowl and a curved, jade handled blade
"Hand out Miss Evance. Preferably your wand arm." she instructed as Petunia narrowed her eyes, folding her arms
"What are you going to do?" she asked, eyeing the blade and missing the goblin's lip curling at the corner and she answered
"We will slice the tip of your ring finger with the blade, the blood will go into the bowl, I will ask magic to test whether you are the Evance heiress." Walburga cleared her throat softly with a barely perceptible shake of the head when the teen had looked to her, she let her questions die in her mouth and held her hand out silently. Preezia took hold of her finger tightly and pulled it further across the desk, raising the blade with the other hand; there was a flash of bronze, a spark of pain before Preezia was directing the bowl to hover under the steady drip-drip of blood. The goblin released the witch who pulled her hand back carefully, letting Walburga heal it after the goblin indicated she could. She watched Preezia spread her long fingered left hand over the bowl and murmur gobbledegook, the bowl began to glow amber, heating up as the blood boiled slowly, bubbling thickly and beginning to change colour, shimmering into a icy, almost blinding blue before it vanished, leaving the bowl clean and shiny. Preezia banished it and blade as she simultaneously summoned a scroll.
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"Gringotts recognizes you Heiress Evance. Your rings are available for summoning. Would you like to visit your vaults?" The goblin was watching Petunia calculatingly as she took the scroll "That is a summary of your family's current assets. I am the Evance family account advisor. I am happy to continue in this role or to direct you to a colleague if that is what you would prefer?" The teen swallowed, staring at the scroll in her hands before she looked up and met the goblin's eyes
"I… I would like…I will look over th… my assets before I answer." Preezia's lip curled again in approval and she nodded shortly, saying
"I would be happy to go over anything you may struggle with. Heiress Evance." Walburga shifted beside the teenager and Petunia glanced towards her
"Thank you Preezia. Heiress Evance will, of course, be in touch. For now, we must be on our way." the goblin nodded slowly and stood from her chair as the witches did the same
"Ojuan." Lady Black bid as they reached the bright, white lobby once more, still bustling with the bank's many customers. Petunia parroted the quiet bidding and the goblin returned it, nodding her head shortly as she vanished behind the shiny black door again. Walburga smoothed her hand over her long coat briefly then began walking, striding through the bank, caring nothing for the people moving around her, she issued a calm "Come along Heiress Evance. We still have much to do.".
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"Now you must keep your hair tied up, you wear it down only amongst family. Chin up, dear, don't round your shoulders, hold your head high." Esmeralda Norwood instructed briskly, repositioning her head and pulling her shoulders back sharply. Earlier, Petunia had had all of her measurements taken by Norwood's fiancée, Reagan Soulton, the designer had since disappeared into the backroom of their store. Smooth hands worked through her hair, twisting and braiding it into a complicated knot at the base of her skull, the stylist had worked a sweet smelling potion through the blonde strands rendering it silky and gleaming. Esmeralda had then begun styling the teenager, listing off the various rules of social grooming as she worked "There we are. Darling are we ready?"
"Yes, Em dear. We have a few outfits and robes. Behind the screen if you will Heiress Evance!" Soulton called, a gentle lilt to her refined voice. The teen followed her instruction, accepting the firm hand guiding her to the three panelled, hand painted screen
"Clothes off, don't worry about your hair or make up, they're quite immovable. Where is your elf?" Norwood asked, glancing back at Lady Black who waved a hand at a small eager elf, clad in a smart pinafore; the two witches had hired the creature shortly after leaving the bank, Walburga insisting Petunia needed a personal house elf. Tipley had been chosen.
"Here we are Heiress Evance." Reagan appeared around the screen, floating several items of clothing behind her "We'll start with the undergarments.".
"Excellent work Miss Soulton. Miss Norwood." Walburga remarked, an approving tilt to her eyebrow and the edge of her lips curling "I trust you will arrange delivery of the rest."
"An elf will deliver, Lady Black. We'll be in touch, it should be before Heiress Evance returns to Hogwarts." the woman nodded at Esmeralda's answer and stepped back as Reagan led Petunia to a small viewing platform
"Careful now Heiress Evance. …Hmm, hold a moment. Put these on. …Yes, that finishes it quite nicely. Lovely. Take a look my dear." The misted mirrors cleared themselves as the teen peered at her reflection, eyes widening as she observed the careful black outline rimming her eyes, the soft rose colouring her lips and delicate pink dusted over the swell of her cheeks to the gold necklace curled around the base of her throat; tailored dark blue mid-sleeved outer robe with gold decoration, mid thigh length dark blue dress and black breeches with icy blue knee length boots and neat gloves of matching colour. She didn't look like herself.
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"Thank you. May we have a moment?" Walburga approached the mirrors as the two women left into their back room. "All you need now is to summon your rings." she said, voice soft as she stepped onto the platform beside Petunia, who looked up with a wordless question, Walburga's lips quirked once more "Close your eyes. I want you to focus on nothing but following my instructions.". With her eyes closed it was easier to focus on the Black matriarch's quiet words "Picture your magic, think of it as a light. Don't force a colour or a shape, just let it come. Put out your wand hand, flat, palm up. Imagine that light hovering above your palm. …Tell me it's colour." Petunia could feel her eyes screwing up in concentration, her mind blank and black until a tiny glimmer shone, shone and grew bigger, she sucked in a breath and whispered
"It's light. Whitish blue I think."
"Excellent." She could a tint of pride in the woman's tone as she directed "Send it to your palm. … … Wonderful. Keep that concentration." Petunia's jaw clenched and she could feel sweat beading in her hairline as Walburga murmured "Now I want you think these words. As loud as you possibly can. So you're almost shouting them in your head. Understand?" the teen gave a jerky nod "Fides et fortitudo. Fides et fortitudo. Fides et fortitudo. Keep repeating it until I tell you to stop." With each repetition of the phrase the light in her head grew brighter and larger until it felt like it burst out of her, wrapping itself over every inch of her skin. Scouring and searching, it felt hungry, she kept repeating the words determinedly, eyes still squeezed tightly shut, her fingers twitched. Slowly the magic settled, lapping, then soothing rather than scraping her skin, sinking back into her body as two soft, comforting weights wove their way around her right ring and index fingers. Walburga placed two fingers under the girl's chin and tipped her face upwards as the teen relaxed "You may stop now." She told her calmly "Well done Petunia." she opened her eyes, meeting the fierce yet approving gaze of her guardian then glanced at her hand. Two delicate rings, set with a variety of blue and purple gems sat sparkling on her fingers as she turned her hand examining the jewellery a flash of light caught her ring finger and she caught a glimpse of a crest. The same crow and crescent from Preezia's office "That is your family crest." Walburga explained quietly "They are the heiress' rings. You have been accepted by your family magic. It is yours to command.". She glanced back at the woman, there was the soft quirk to her mouth again as she watched the teen scrutinize the rings. Petunia remained silent as Lady Black bid Esmeralda and Reagan entrance once more, stepping away from her to settle their business with the boutique owners. She looked back at the mirror, at the teen in it, then straightened her back, putting her shoulders back and raising her head high, stretching out her long neck, feeling, for once, elegant rather than horsey.
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"Put Heiress Evance's robe and shopping away in her room. Kreacher will show you where it is. Kreacher, instruct the masters to come down for dinner; remind them once more, we have company." The elves bowed and vanished with twin cracks "Come Heiress Evance." The girl glanced curiously around her, at the grand staircase at the end of the long hallway and haughty portraits lining the walls that peered at her just as curiously as she passed. In front of her Walburga opened a dark panelled door and gestured her ward through as her youngest son appeared at the top of the first floor staircase "Sit yourself down Heiress Evance, you'll be the second place setting on the right." Regulus sat opposite her, regarding her with quiet intrigue as his mother stepped out of the room and the two could hear her reprimanding her eldest in a harsh whisper
"That is hardly appropriate attire. You have had the entire day to prepare."
"Mother, I hardly your guest is going to care what I wear." Sirius shot back, not bothering to whisper and striding into the dining room where he stopped short blinking owlishly in shock, a light flush beginning to speckle his nose "Tunes?!" Walburga had stepped in behind him, prodding him sharply in the back and snapping
"Stop slouching. You will address Heiress Evance with her title. Now go and sit down." her son had jumped slightly at the jab and straightened mindlessly, looking away from Petunia who had looked down at her lap to hide an amused smile at Sirius' rising blush as he tugged at muggle t-shirt and dusted a hand over his jeans, ran a hand through his long hair before seating himself beside his brother. A door opened, there was the crack of house elf apparition once more then the calm voice of Lord Black addressing the elf over his shoulder as he approached the dining room. Walburga met him at the door with a soft press of hands and a quiet murmur
"Good evening Sirius, Regulus." He sat down as Walburga joined the table, taking the chair to his right "And it seems I should bid you welcome Heiress Evance." Petunia glanced at him cautiously and bobbed her head gently
"Thank you Lord Black." She answered softly as the goblets filled themselves and Kreacher, who Petunia had surmised was the family's immediate elf, served them soup. Orion picked up his spoon and gestured lightly, the cue for the others to follow she guessed as they did so. She copied, watching Walburga carefully trying to remember what dinner rules she had been taught at lunch.
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"... Use your cutlery from the outside in… Always finish what is in your mouth before speaking or drinking, you may think that is basic knowledge but many forget it… Try not to lean across anyone… Whilst at a family or a dinner of close acquaintances you may speak across the table, whilst at a dinner party or anywhere more formal you speak to your immediate partners… The dinner table is a neutral place, all sensitive or discomforting conversation should take place away from the table, it a place of polite, light conversation. Indeed, you will find even families follow that rule…" The rules had been a steady stream, almost from the moment they had sat down in a cosy little booth at The Gastrognome.
"Anything interesting happen at the ministry?" Lord Black sniffed but answered his wife
"Not a jot. Bagnold is struggling to mobilise her forces correctly, it is all reactive, rather taking proactive action. She refuses to look closer at some of her advisers. The woman is also refusing to listen to reason when it comes to the prison. She believes leaving it to the PC is a far better idea than to guard or regulate the thing properly."
"Perhaps you could take a position on the PC next council?"
"Rowle wouldn't risk relinquishing control, he is overconfident in his abilities as was his great grandfather. How was the alley today?" they had moved onto the main course now, a pasta bake made with sausage meat. Walburga paused in taking a sip of her wine
"Successful. Heaving with people of course. But successful, we shall be receiving a delivery from Norwood and Soulton in the next few days. And I shall make another appointment with Preezia once Heiress Evance has had chance to go over her assets."
"Your thoughts on the goblin Heiress Evance?" Petunia glanced up sharply but cleared swallowed her nerves
"She seems… Shrewd and fair. And willing to work. And I believe she must have kept the… the finances in somewhat decent order as there is still a…an account and an estate needing to be managed." Orion nodded, a slightly keener quirk to his mouth than his wife's but seemingly satisfied with her answer
"What have you both done today?" he addressed his sons calmly although he eyed Sirius' t-shirt with distaste "Sirius?"
"I… wrote some letters. Completed my school work. Worked on my plants in the greenhouse. Practised." his father nodded once, eyes on his heir's face as the teen met his eyes firmly
"How are they coming?"
"They're,um… developing quite well. The colours have blended properly now." The dinner plates cleared quietly, goblets replenished, additional cutlery vanishing as they spoke
"Regulus?"
"I didn't do much different Father. Homework, letters, read a little." he coloured slightly, Orion raising an eyebrow
"Who are you writing to?" Regulus' eyes darted to his father's face, then briefly to Petunia before he muttered reluctantly
"Barty."
"The Crouch heir?" Walburga asked sharply, eyes narrowing as she watched her youngest swallow and her husband press his mouth tighter, the tiniest sign of displeasure
"Tu… Heiress Evance tutors him." Sirius cut in, about to wipe his mouth with his hand before a fierce scowl from his mother had him picking up his napkin, missing the grateful look from his brother. Orion looked over to the girl, eyebrow still raised
"Do you?"
"Yes." she answered, a small defiant edge to her voice as she spoke "He's a brilliant student. And a nice kid.". Orion's mouth twitched upwards again and he locked eyes with his wife momentarily before saying
"Pardon, Heiress Evance. We hold nothing against the boy. Although I admit, his father and I will never be bosom friends." Petunia flushed and she replied hurriedly
"Forgive me. I think I have spoken out of turn."
"Nonsense. I encourage your opinions. And indeed I encourage passion in a tutor, it shows she believes in her student.".
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A handsome four poster bed had been warmed, a smouldering fire in a ornate grate, Tipley appeared as Petunia stepped behind the hand-painted dressing screen stood in the corner of the bedroom, the elf helping to loosen and remove the layers of clothing and help the teen redress in nightclothes and dressing gown then ushered her over to the dressing table to remove her make up and release her hair, smoothing another potion through it and plaiting it simply as Petunia stared at herself in the mirror, reflecting, or at least trying to reflect on the day. She gave up on it as a bad job, her mind whirring far too much and spinning on small details. She stood, crossing the room and opening her bedroom door, peeking at the dim corridor, seeing no one she stepped out, trying to remember which of the dark panelled doors was the bathroom. The first door was a bedroom, the next too dim initially to make out, there was a low growl from behind her, she turned her head, a scream rising in her throat as two bright eyes shone in the darkness and a shadow rushed at her, pushing her into the room. The door closed behind them, a large, yet gangly legged dog crouched in front of the wood. Petunia stared at it, chest heaving as her breathing sped up in panic, hand grasping automatically, uselessly for the wand she'd left on her dresser. The dog leapt onto its' hind legs, made a pained face before there was a small whoosh, like shifting air and Sirius appeared where the dog had been. The girl stared at him wide eyed for a moment before surging forward and hitting him ferociously on the arm "Ow! Ow! Tunes, stop!" he hissed, shuffling past the angry teen and further into the room
"You absolute, utter arse Sirius Black! What the hell are you playing at! Scaring me like that!" she snarled quietly and struck him again for good measure, the other caught her hands deftly and held them
"I had to talk to you. And Kreacher, the wretched little pest, will be watching for me." he whispered and she snorted
"Oh yes because a ruddy great dog sneaking around the house is going to be much better!" The boy stayed quiet as she looked away from him, glaring at the wallpaper "How did you even do that?" she snapped and Sirius smiled secretively
"I'll tell you when we get back to school. Tunes, what are you doing here?"
"Your mother is fostering me." She answered shortly, still looking away from him
"And you agreed to it?! Tunes, she'll be… raising you to be another pureblooded… airhead only fit for marriage!" he exclaimed, voice still low, hands twitching on hers as she jerked her gaze back to his and said, in a voice rather like mousetrap,
"Oh, is marriage all I'm good for?" he groaned as she pulled away, crossing her arms
"That's not what I meant." Petunia turned her back, tossing her head crossly still too annoyed by the scare to engage in the discussion Sirius wanted. She heard him huff then soft footsteps and firm, quidditch muscled arms wrapped around her "You are worth much more than marriage and that is what I am concerned about. Mother will prime you for marrying some… simpering idiot or worse a controlling bastard. I don't want you to just be…"
"How about you trust that I have a brain and won't ever allow that to happen Black?" She cut him off sharply then added in suffering sigh "Besides, we both know your mother is prepping me for marriage won't be for anyone, it's for you." she felt him sigh against her temple
"You deserve more than that." he murmured softly and she smiled slightly
"Oh I don't know. I think we could make a formidable pair." She told him lightly, uncrossing her arms and trailing her fingertips along his arm "Unless. That's not what you want." she added uncertainly. He tangled their fingers together and answered gently
"That would be one of Mother's best plans. I certainly wouldn't argue with her.".
"We should get back to bed." Petunia mumbled, Sirius hummed in agreement and slowly let her go
"It will be nice seeing you every day." he said lowly as she turned and he brushed a knuckle along her jawline, stretching his hand out to cup her face, noses rubbing together affectionately as they both leant in, a floorboard creaked on the stairs and they leapt apart as though scalded, both watching the door with wide eyes. A door on the floor below closed, and the house fell silent once more
"Perhaps not here." Petunia muttered, trying not to laugh nervously and Sirius nodded, running a hand through his hair and tiptoeing to the door. He pulled it open and pushed her out first, shifting back into his canine form, the girl felt a shiver crawl over her as she looked at the hulking shadow and glowing eyes once more, the animal brushed past her legs with silky smooth fur and seemed to melt into the shadows of the dark hallway as she shut the door.
"Heiress Evance? Are you alright?" She jumped and clapped a hand over her mouth, Regulus was walking silently up the staircase holding a mug
"Looking for the bathroom." She gasped quickly, the boy gestured down the hall
"End door. Good night.".
"Good night.".
AN: Hello! Hope you enjoyed, hope everyone is well and safe in these strange times! Thank you to all those who have kept reading and reviewing, particularly to the ones who asked if I was ok, it meant a lot. It's been a real struggle the last few years mentally and I lost motivation to write for a long time but fingers crossed that has changed. The least we can do right is entertain each other! Hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'll be posting again soon.
Stay safe!
B x