Chapter Text
Hazel eyes stared at the giant clock in front of the bank as his ring clinked against his teacup. Charlus Potter has been at the little teahouse across from Gringotts for nearly an hour despite his meeting not being for another twenty-five minutes. While not normally a nervous person, he couldn’t ignore the anxious bubbling his stomach had started in on since he’d woken up that morning.
Trying to distract himself, he’d taken to watching the crowd. Gaze flitting from one witch who’d hat was hiccupping bubbles to a wizard that had fallen fighting to get his wallet from his own animated glove. Not that it was helping, watching the normal hustle and bustle of the crowd. If anything it was making him annoyed. Did they not realize some people had-
His thoughts cut out as his name was called. “Charlie? What are you doing here at this time? Shouldn’t you be in the office?”
Head turning, Charlus was greeted by his best mate and auror partner, Theseus Scamander and his brother Newt. Theseus was a fit and tall individual. He had been since 3rd year when the man had shot up from the shortest in the year to the tallest. His brother, while of a similar build, was a bit shorter with redder hair and freckles, clearly favoring their Prewitt mother. He was carrying his ever present case. Charlus hadn’t seen him without it since it showed up five years ago.
“What?” Charlus asked, blinking
“What are you doing here?” Theseus asked again. To his right, Newt had started starting after a woman and her kneazle for some reason that Charlus could never understand.
Charlus shot his friend a glare. “Really? I’ve been worrying over this for a month yet you’re still asking?”
Theseus’ eyebrows raised. “Wait, that’s today? I thought it was next week.”
“Yes, it’s today and I’m about to be sick from nerves so kindly shove the teasing remarks I know you want to release.”
Theseus’ lips twitched into a smile but let his friend have the win. After all, today was an important day for him. Beside him, Newt suddenly joined the conversation. “S-sorry, but what’s today? If you don’t mind explaining.”
“Newt.” Theseus hissed before Charlus leaned forward towards the brothers with a smile, stopping his reprimand of his brother’s lack of social graces.
“No, Thee, it’s fine.” Charlus said, eyes lighting up at the chance to explain again. The whole auror department had already grown tired of his ramblings about it.
A month ago his mother had called him to the manor, saying it was rather important. When he’d gotten there he was pulled into the tapestry room, which was really just a sitting area with their Family Tapestry which recorded all known Potter’s going back centuries. If their magic was registered with Gringotts then they were on the tapestry and once they died their faces faded to grey. It was how his grandparents and father had known that, despite his identical twin running away, he hadn’t died for a few years after.
The family had been of the understanding that his parents and Charlus were the last of the Potters, the family being nearly wiped out some 300 years ago when they’d gotten in a blood feud with another pureblood family in India. It was the reason they’d even moved to England in the first place.
But then, a month ago, his mother had noticed a new face which made no sense as he and Dorea, his wife, hadn't gone and had a secret baby. But instead of being a descendant of his, this face was tied to his father’s dead twin. Born 1901, Azalea Peverell was, according to magic, undisputedly his cousin.
It had brought his father to tears thinking there was something out there with such a connection to his lost twin. Which was why they’d all decided to contact Gringotts in an effort to get in contact with her since if she’d finally shown up then that was because she had done an ancestry test at the bank. It had taken a bit more gold than they thought but finally the goblins had gotten them a letter in return.
And a meeting. A meeting he’d been waiting weeks for.
As Charlus finished explaining, he couldn’t help smiling. As an only child he’d been envious of Theseus and all the other people with siblings. Even if Theseus complained about how ‘weird and irresponsible’ his brother was with his intense interest in his creatures and awkward posturing, he clearly still adored Newt.
Now, even though she was technically his cousin, he may have a chance at something similar.
“You’re really excited about this.” Newt commented, his awkward smile on his face as he shifted in place.
“If you think I’m excited, you should see Mum and Dad. They’ve written a damn itinerary for whenever she comes to the manor, which if mum had her way would be tonight.” Charlus laughed, glancing at the clock.
Twenty minutes to go.
“What are you two doing together today, anyway? No offense, Thee, but Newt doesn’t often walk around Diagon at your side.” He figured a distraction may go a long way in passing the time. He didn’t want to show up too early and look strange and overzealous.
Theseus grinned, clapping his brother on the shoulder, making Newt grimace as he rocked forward a step. “Newt here is applying for a permanent international travel license at the ministry today, instead of temporary ones. You know for that book he’s writing? I’m helping him get approved.”
Charlus’ eyebrows raised. “Woah, Newt, that’s huge! Theseus didn’t even mention you’d gotten a benefactor. I thought it was all self published. What is it going to be about?”
Newt couldn’t help his grin at Charlus’ enthusiasm. Unlike Theseus’ and his family's words, even if they are proud and genuinely excited for him, somehow the Potter’s words had a level of sincerity that cut through any awkwardness. It was a trait he’d noticed all the Potters had. “Uh, creatures. Magical Creatures. Traits and facts and how to care for them. I figure if people know more about them they’d be less likely to react to them violently.”
“Finally putting the interest to work then. Good for you! You’ll have to let me know when you finally finish it so I can buy a copy. You’ve been working on it so long it must be good.”
Newt nodded, flattered. “Thank you. I will.”
Theseus glanced at the giant clock and hummed. “Come on, Newt. We gotta get going if we don’t want to be late. Charlie, you should probably head out as well. You never know how busy the Goblins will be.”
Charlus blanched at the time. He only had ten minutes. Downing his cold tea, he flicked his wand sending the cup and saucer back inside. “Wish me luck!”
Behind him as he rushed across the road there were twin ‘good lucks’ shouted making him smile. Dodging around some people, he sped up the marble steps into the bank. As used to the place as he was, it still took him aback at the craftsmanship that it took to carve everything out. It was obvious the place used to just be a cliff that they’d carved down into the bank building. All the pillars and windows and gargoyles have seamless connections so they had been worked around, not added later. The floor had been polished and stoned to make a diamond shape. On the right was a line of tellers and across from them were areas to fill out checks, paperwork or really anything.
Hurrying to an open teller, he was greeted by a sharp toothed frown; a goblin’s version of a smile. Keeping a straight face, he greeted the teller. “Hello, sir. My name is Charlus Potter. I have a meeting with Azalea Peverell in one of your back rooms.”
Having dealt with the Goblin Nation since he’d been named Heir at thirteen, he knew the best way to get service was to be quick and precise. Goblins hated ‘that human flowery language’ saying they wasted time pandering to egos they shouldn’t have.
The Goblin in front of him hummed, looking down at a paper. With a nod, he held out his hand. “Wand. The meeting requires identity verification.”
Charlus blinked in surprise but handed his wand over. The goblin, Swiftaxe the name plate said, ran the tip of his wand down a stone on the left of his desk. Hand hovering over the stone, Swiftaxe nodded. “Hand, further verification required. One drop of blood on the runic stone.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “Is this necessary?”
Despite the question he still held his left hand out. There was little fear of the goblins doing anything with his blood. Wincing at the small prick as one drop fell onto the earlier stone. Engraved runes flashed blue before fading.
“It was requested by the meeting attendee.” Swiftaxe answered. Pulling out his ‘closed teller’ sign, he slapped it down on the counter. “Follow me to the meeting room.”
Weaving between the other bank visitors, Charlus met his guide at the doors to the back. Knowing better than to make conversation, he followed silently behind. Down one hallway to another, they made nearly eight turns before they stopped at a dark red wooden door. Swiftaxe stepped to the side, gesturing to the door. “Your room. It had been booked for the rest of the day. May your enemies tremble beneath your gaze.”
Anxiety settling back in, he barely remembered to send the customary goodbye. “And yours beneath your axe.”
Taking a moment to breathe, Charlus opened the door.
The first thing he noticed was the head of wild black curls, nearly identical to his own just much longer. Beneath her bangs were the brightest emerald eyes, his own anxiety mirrored back him. As she stood as he stepped inside, he saw she was short, barely 5 feet at most. Lean muscles could be seen since she was wearing short sleeves. There were scars randomly within sight, but the two that stood out was the round puckered spot a tad bigger than a galleon on her upper arm and the red lightning bolt on her forehead that ran down into her eyebrow. Her skin was a couple shades lighter than his but still a warm brown color.
She looked a couple years younger than him, especially when she smiled. “Hello, um, I’m sure you already know but I’m Azalea Po-Peverell, your long lost cousin.”