The instant Dumbledore disappears, the alley feels… mine. Not in some childish, possessive way, but as if the threads of power itself bend slightly toward me. Every goblin, every glimmer of gold, every etched rune catches my attention.
I walk directly to one of the counters, where a particularly sharp-eyed goblin regards me with suspicion. I smile politely. "Good day. I would like an inheritance test, please."
His eyes narrow. The test costs a single galleon, but I already know it is worth far more. He snatches the coin, muttering under his breath, and sets the process in motion.
Moments pass. Then the results appear in my mind, delivered like an infallible whisper from the system.
[Inheritance Test Complete]
Heir of Slytherin
Heir of Merlin
Descendant of the Gaunt Family
I blink. Perfect. Not only does this validate the historical bloodlines I now carry, but it opens vaults I never could have dreamed of accessing in my old life. Vaults of untold magical artifacts, gold, and ancient power.
The goblin leans forward, eyes wide. "The rings, sir… they must be placed for recognition."
I nod, removing the two rings from their velvet holders. One glimmers with green serpentine runes, the other radiates ancient, almost celestial energy. I slide them onto my fingers, feeling a subtle but undeniable resonance as the rings recognize me. It is not permission—they acknowledge ownership.
The goblin's jaw tightens, but he nods, muttering something to himself as he scurries away.
I descend the marble staircase toward Merlin's vault, every step measured, every thought precise. The door swings open at my presence; Merlin's magic feels almost sentient as I approach. Gold, jewels, and artifacts lie in neat order, but I pay them no heed. My focus is clear: acquire enough resources to solidify my position before Hogwarts even begins.
I fill my bag efficiently—gold, magical components, a few ancient scrolls that might prove useful. All the while, I catalog the layout of the vaults in my mind, noting security measures, weaknesses, and the subtle magic that enforces them.
I make a mental note to remember every goblin I encounter here. Names, faces, temperaments. Griphook, Ragnok, Bogrod… all will be allies—or tools. Respect earns compliance, but fear ensures obedience. In time, I will have them working for me, not merely serving me.
[System Notification: Heritage Confirmation — Powers and Vault Access Granted][Reward: Wealth Acquisition Bonus + Strategic Insight]
I stand, my bag heavier but my mind sharper. The rings hum faintly on my fingers—a reminder of the legacy now intertwined with my own. Slytherin's ambition, Merlin's intellect, and Gaunt cunning converge in me.
I allow a small, almost imperceptible smile. Hogwarts awaits. Dumbledore will meet the same boy he always suspected—yet this boy is far more than suspicion. Far more than a student.
[Current Objective: Prepare for Hogwarts — Utilize Heritage and Resources]
I step out of the vault, counting every coin again, feeling the thrill of absolute potential. Alone in Diagon Alley, with rings on my fingers and legacy in my blood, I am untouchable.
And yet… careful. Always careful.
The world will bend to me in time, but patience is a weapon as sharp as any wand.
For now, I smile politely at the goblins. Griphook, Ragnok, Bogrod. Remember these names. Remember this boy.
Because soon… they will serve more than just a student.