Vault Managers

After Ranguss Gringotts had finished his explanation he took out three small boxes.

One was made of gold and the other two, silver.

"Now you highness as I understand it you father made you heiress to all three houses, is that correct?" asked Ranguss.

"Yes that would be correct," she answered while nodding.

"Well then if you would please scratch out your hand. I will give you the rings."

Stretching out her unblemished right hand, Ranguss opened the lid to the rightmost box it was made of silver and had snakes intertwining themselves on it.

Inside there were two rings one was silver with a small snake engraved on it the other one was also silver but had the form of a snake biting its own tail its eyes were made of emerald. Reaching in Ranguss plucked out the emerald-eyed snake ring it uncoiled itself and raized its head as soon as it saw Eleanor it jumped at her hand and wrapped itself around her pinky finger.

A look of surprise passed across the faces of everybody in the room but there was no other visible reaction.

Next, he opened the silver box to his left it had a crow pitched ontop but no other distinctive features, inside there was only one ring it was silver with the crest of house Black engraved on it.

Removing the ring from the box Ranguss ever so gently slipped it onto her left hand's middle finger.

Lastly, there was the center box it was made of pure gold and had a Dragon on top with its wings protectively wrapped around the container it was made of pure ruby and its eyes were Sapphires the same as her own.

As Ranguss opened it he revealed two rings each made of gold one had the crest of house Pendragon engraved on it while the other was the shape of a dragon with two small sapphire eyes.

It suddenly spread its wings and flew over to Eleanor landing on her right hand and crawling onto her middle finger there the dragon wrapped itself around her finger and went ridged.

"Well now that we're done with this, what do you plan to do now your highness?" Ranguss asked closing all the boxes.

Leaning back in her chair Eleanor closed her eyes "I have a question, does Gringotts have a bank in the muggle world?"

Perplexed Ranguss answered, "But of course, why do you ask?"

Sighing Eleanor spoke, "You see, I'm planning to make investments in the muggle world and so I can't have the money coming out of nowhere can I."

A toothy grin spread across his face "Yes, luckily all money owned by wizards is legally recorded by the muggle government. If you'd like we could invest your money for you."

Chuckling Eleanor played with one of her rings before saying "Before we get to that I would prefer it if we move to a more comfortable room and I would like to meet the Volt managers of all my acquired volts."

Standing up he motioned for them to follow him "Of course your highness."

As soon as he opened the door the guards saluted. Looking at Urgrot and said, "Go fetch the Volt managers of Volts 2, 5, 149, 176, and 711, now."

Bowling Urgrot ran off, turning Ranguss smiled "If you would please follow me."

After about three minutes of walking, they arrived at the desired location. It was a round room with sofas around the edges and an oak table at the center.

As they entered Eleanor sat down motioning for Victoria to do the same and soon Ranguss followed. Looking around Eleanor saw a large painting with two people on it one was a man she recognized as her father and the other was the goblin king of that time they both stood there in royal garments shaking hands sadly it wasn't a moving portrait.

Ranguss saw where she was looking and smiled "Did you know we goblins admired your father a lot, he was and still is the only Monarch or minister as they call it now, who didn't want us under his rule."

A sad smile crossed Eleanor's lips as she looked down.

While they were talking Victoria just sat there awkwardly.

Just when they were about to start a new subject the door was opened and six goblins entered.

The lead goblin who had a long white beard that almost reached his ankles spoke first "Ranguss, why did call us here?"

"It will all be explained as soon as you sit down," Ranguss said pointing at the free space next to him.

They all gave their own confirmation to this as they slowly sat down.

As soon as they were all seated Ranguss pulled out the inheritance test and presented it to them.

Pushing up his glasses the goblin with the long beard red allowed.

"Name, Eleanor Pendragon." he didn't read any further the only thing he could do was stare at the parchment in shock the rest had a similar reaction some just stared blankly into space while others read further.

When all were done composing themselves the goblin with the long beard spoke up again "We are glad that you have returned your highness. But may I ask what you wish to speak with us about?"

Leaning forward Eleanor placed her elbows on the table and clasped her hands.

"As I understand it Gringotts, as a gift to my father gave the entire Royal family free services for life is that correct."

A small bead of sweat rolled down one of the goblins' brows.

Nodding the long white-bearded one spoke, "That is correct your highness, and yes that also means that Volts 2, 5, 149, 176, and 711 don't have to pay any fees."

"Excellent, now tell me the activity of each volt over the last century," Eleanor said getting excited.

First, the one to the far left spoke he shortened than most goblins and had a close-cropped dark brown beard. "The name's Kurlor I'm the Volt manager of Volt number 149 also known as King Arthur Pendragons personal Volt. There has been no activity in his Volt since his untimely death, your highness."

She just nodded and the one to Kurlor's left stood up he was of average build and had black hair with streaks of white in it. He then spoke his voice was deep and raspy and he talked deliberately. "Your highness, I am Adnuk and I manage Volt 5, there has been no activity inside the volt, except for regular checkups over the years. I personally am very glad that you have returned, safe and sound."

Eleanor smiled at that "I thank you for your concern Adnuk."

Then there was the long-bearded goblin as he stood up Eleanor saw that he had quite the belly. Raising his voice the goblin spoke in a very militaristic fashion "I'm Ullus your highness and I am the Volt manager of Volt 2. Over the last one hundred years, no one has entered the Volt."

Eleanor smiled and nodded to him before looking to the next one to the right. When he stood up she saw that this goblin was quite tall for his species and was baled with no beard to speak of.

When he opened his mouth out came a squeaky voice similar to professor Flitwilks.

"Your highness, I'm the Volt manager of Volt 176, Adgrot's the name, there has been no activity in the Volt for one thousand five hundred years."

Lastly, there was an average-looking goblin the only noticeable thing was the large scar that ran down his face it started at his right temple and ended at the left corner of his mouth.

His voice was husky like an old piece of parchment.

"I am Volt manager Nurlig I oversee Volt 711, your highness. There has been quite a bit of activity over the last one hundred years as the Black family was still quite active a few years ago.

If you would like I could have everything written down for you."

"That would very much appreciate Nurlig, thank you."

Looking around at all the goblins present she said "I will contact you if there is anything else I need of you. You may return to your work but Ranguss, Nurlig could you please stay a moment longer."

Standing up all four goblins bowed and just before they exited the room Eleanor said "And I would appreciate it if no one knew of my heritage outside the Black-line."

"Of course your highness," said Ullus respectfully before they all left through the door.

Turning back to the two remaining goblins she with a twinkle in her said: "Before you arrived Ranguss told me that Gringotts has branches in the muggle world and so I would like you Nurlig to make some investments for me."

A vicious grin spread across both Goblins faces hearing that, "Your highness I'm all ears." Said Nurlig happily.

"Firstly I would like you to buy some real estate and start renting it out for me. Secondly, could you look into some mansions or manors for me to live in while staying in the muggle world? Thirdly could you send me data of some up-and-coming businesses it doesn't matter in which country they are in and sprinkle some famous businesses in there too?"

While she was saying that Nurlig was frantically scribbling everything down she was saying when she was done he looked up at her "Anything else your highness?"

Smiling she said "No, that would be all. But before you go we need a way to explain the emergence of such a powerful family."

Intertwining his fingers Ranguss said "I have an idea and it would be the truth. We just say you are the last heir and you just found out that your family actually had loads of money stored up."

Closing her eyes Eleanor thought about it before answering "Yes that should work."

Standing up Victoria did the same "We will be taking our leave now, have a nice day." she said striding out.

Now standing in a long marble corridor they started retracing their footsteps. While walking Victoria asked, "Um, your highness?"

"Yes, Victoria." Eleanor still not looking back said.

"What are you planning to do now?" she asked nervously her.

"Well, with any luck lord black felt me being accepted by the family magic and has sent someone to fetch me. If not then I would have to ask you if you can apparate."

A smile spread across Victoria's dirty face, "I do know how to apparate your highness."

"Well isn't that fantastic?" Eleanor said turning to look at victoria properly.

Reaching the Gringotts main hall Eleanor looked around but only saw humans and goblins with no house-elf insight. Sighing she asked, "Do you see a house-elf somewhere?"

Looking around Victoria shook her head "No your highness, but maybe it's outside."

Exiting the building through the two large double doors they looked around again but saw nothing.

Sighing again Eleanor beckoned to Victoria "Could you please come closer."

Doing as she asked Victoria bent down to look Eleanor straight in the eyes.

Suddenly she felt a rush of information entered her mind, the north of Scotland, the sea, a rocky island, a castle, a name, Castle Black.

Victoria all of a student felt a bit dizzy and held her head.

"Did you get all that?" asked Eleanor.

"I-I think so?" said Victoria still a bit wobbly on her legs.

Reaching out her hand Eleanor said "Good, now please apparate us there."

Grabbing it Victoria apparated them it felt like being forced through a very tight tube.

Stumbling Eleanor looked around.