Post by Katherine Knightswood on Nov 18, 2008 12:43:01 GMT -5
Katherine had dreaded this day ever since she’d gotten that horrible package in the morning owl post. She was the sole heir to both her parent’s holdings, her Maman being the only child left on that side of the family. She knew that meant she would inherit both her Family estates, but it was still a shock getting the letters from Gringotts and the Ministry. So it was that Katherine sat a reception area off the main hall of Gringott’s Bank on a cold and dreary March Saturday. The young woman was dressed in mourning colors, her normal blues and green replaced with sadder shades. Her dress robes this day were impeccably tailored iron grey velvet, with heavy black braid and embroidery on them. With her black hair, pale skin and blue eyes, she appeared almost colorless.
Three people sat with her on the stone benches this wet morning. Her father’s barrister, one Amando Dellabracker, hovered over her sympathetically. He was like a grandfather to her, giving her and her parents sound advising over the sixty years they’d employed him. Fiona O’Neill, her mother’s barrister, also sat nearby, a deeply troubled look on her face. She’d known the family almost as long, and Katherine had called her “Aunt Fiona” for years. Fortunately, Fiona and Amando got along splendidly, so Katherine wouldn’t have to choose between them. Both legists clutched their satchels full of notes and papers, patiently awaiting their turn in the office of the Bank’s head.
Professor Bridget O’Neill, Katherine’s Head of House, was the third person on the benches. She had insisted on coming with Katherine. “After all, if your barristers have to leave, who will escort you back to campus? Let me come and keep you safe, all right?” Katherine had been warmed by the offer, and consented. Professor O’Neill was in full dress robes of blue velvet with bronze and black decoration, the Ravenclaw House badge on her left breast. From the glimpses of the light armor underneath the Professor’s robes, Katherine suspected that the former law enforcement officer was also here playing her protector.
Good grief, am I really that much of a target now? The thought amazed Katherine. Little Katherine, the ickle Firstie, was a target of the Dark Mage’s minions. How . . . strange.
Everyone’s heads came up as a well-dressed goblin came out to greet them. “My apologies for keeping you, ladies and gentlemen.” He looked at Katherine and her escort and gave a sad sigh. “Doubly sorry then. Please follow me.” The older goblin led them back to a well-appointed office, and took a seat behind a large cherrywood desk. Katherine gave him a tremulous smile as the goblin introduced himself as Grimnyr. He tucked his pointed grey beard out of the way, and then got to the business at hand.
“I understand there is no one to contest either will?” At the nods from both barristers, Grimnyr actually smiled a little. “Well then.” He addressed Katherine directly. “Your father and mother made some excellent investments, as did your grandmother, young lady. With the good help of these fine barristers, I see no reason why we can’t manage your estates for some time. There is more than enough money in the three vaults you are inheriting to manage-“
“Three vaults?” Katherine’s high-pitched and astonished tone interrupted his speech.
“Why yes.” Grimnyr’s raised eyebrow made Katherine smile a little. “Vaults 707, 1005 and 1019 belonged to your father, your mother and your Nana respectively. Your combined wills leave you with Vault 707, and the contents of all three vaults, which have been placed in your Vault.” Grimnyr sighed in satisfaction. “You have several million Galleons in your vault, plus a very deep trust fund set up to manage the Knightswood Estates in the event of a catastrophe such as this.”
“Several million Galleons?!” Katherine stared at the goblin in shock. “Pardon my asking, but do you have the exact numbers?” Katherine was rather proud of the fact that she kept her voice steady. Grimnyr handed her a tally sheet, and Katherine scanned it quickly. There were about seven million Galleons in her new account, plus other notations for valuable family items. Some of her mother’s journals and work notes were listed, as well as her father’s journals and other family items, including the family set of goblin-crafted armor. Katherine nodded and smiled, passing the sheet back.
“Now, as to the matter of you being an underage Witch, m’dear.” Grimnyr sighed. “This would be a problem, but your parents were very wise, and made provisions.”
“Really?” Katherine looked at the goblin, startled.
“Actually, yes,” interrupted Amando Dellabracker at a nod from Grimnyr. “Both your parents agreed that Fiona and I should stay on and advise you in our areas of expertise. Fiona is unmatched on the financial end, and has offered to do that. I know the law full well, and can prevent anyone from even attempting to seize your rightful inheritance. With your permissions and approvals, we’ll continue to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Family, while you concentrate on your studies.”
Katherine sat for a minute and then voiced her question. “Why am I being treated like a miniature adult?” At the shocked looks of Fiona and Amando, she relented. “I know my parents respected my opinion, but this is beyond my hopes. I expected to be fighting for my rights to any decision like a maddened jarvey. And here I am being handed what I want on a goblin-wrought silver platter.”
“Your parents trusted that they’d done their best by you,” said Fiona softly. “They gave you a solid foundation and didn’t spoil you. They surmised that with good advice, you’d make good decisions.” The two barristers exchanged a glance, and Fiona nodded. “I think they’re right in that assumption. However, you are going to need a public legal Guardian to keep people off your back and your estates.”
“I can see that,” muttered Katherine. “And I actually have a fully capable Witch in mind.”
“Ah, excellent, excellent! May I ask who?” Grimnyr leaned forward, pen in hand.
Katherine smiled like a cat in the cream. “Professor Bridget Airmedd O’Neill. My Head of House.” She sat back in her seat with a pleased look and waited for the reaction.
Three people sat with her on the stone benches this wet morning. Her father’s barrister, one Amando Dellabracker, hovered over her sympathetically. He was like a grandfather to her, giving her and her parents sound advising over the sixty years they’d employed him. Fiona O’Neill, her mother’s barrister, also sat nearby, a deeply troubled look on her face. She’d known the family almost as long, and Katherine had called her “Aunt Fiona” for years. Fortunately, Fiona and Amando got along splendidly, so Katherine wouldn’t have to choose between them. Both legists clutched their satchels full of notes and papers, patiently awaiting their turn in the office of the Bank’s head.
Professor Bridget O’Neill, Katherine’s Head of House, was the third person on the benches. She had insisted on coming with Katherine. “After all, if your barristers have to leave, who will escort you back to campus? Let me come and keep you safe, all right?” Katherine had been warmed by the offer, and consented. Professor O’Neill was in full dress robes of blue velvet with bronze and black decoration, the Ravenclaw House badge on her left breast. From the glimpses of the light armor underneath the Professor’s robes, Katherine suspected that the former law enforcement officer was also here playing her protector.
Good grief, am I really that much of a target now? The thought amazed Katherine. Little Katherine, the ickle Firstie, was a target of the Dark Mage’s minions. How . . . strange.
Everyone’s heads came up as a well-dressed goblin came out to greet them. “My apologies for keeping you, ladies and gentlemen.” He looked at Katherine and her escort and gave a sad sigh. “Doubly sorry then. Please follow me.” The older goblin led them back to a well-appointed office, and took a seat behind a large cherrywood desk. Katherine gave him a tremulous smile as the goblin introduced himself as Grimnyr. He tucked his pointed grey beard out of the way, and then got to the business at hand.
“I understand there is no one to contest either will?” At the nods from both barristers, Grimnyr actually smiled a little. “Well then.” He addressed Katherine directly. “Your father and mother made some excellent investments, as did your grandmother, young lady. With the good help of these fine barristers, I see no reason why we can’t manage your estates for some time. There is more than enough money in the three vaults you are inheriting to manage-“
“Three vaults?” Katherine’s high-pitched and astonished tone interrupted his speech.
“Why yes.” Grimnyr’s raised eyebrow made Katherine smile a little. “Vaults 707, 1005 and 1019 belonged to your father, your mother and your Nana respectively. Your combined wills leave you with Vault 707, and the contents of all three vaults, which have been placed in your Vault.” Grimnyr sighed in satisfaction. “You have several million Galleons in your vault, plus a very deep trust fund set up to manage the Knightswood Estates in the event of a catastrophe such as this.”
“Several million Galleons?!” Katherine stared at the goblin in shock. “Pardon my asking, but do you have the exact numbers?” Katherine was rather proud of the fact that she kept her voice steady. Grimnyr handed her a tally sheet, and Katherine scanned it quickly. There were about seven million Galleons in her new account, plus other notations for valuable family items. Some of her mother’s journals and work notes were listed, as well as her father’s journals and other family items, including the family set of goblin-crafted armor. Katherine nodded and smiled, passing the sheet back.
“Now, as to the matter of you being an underage Witch, m’dear.” Grimnyr sighed. “This would be a problem, but your parents were very wise, and made provisions.”
“Really?” Katherine looked at the goblin, startled.
“Actually, yes,” interrupted Amando Dellabracker at a nod from Grimnyr. “Both your parents agreed that Fiona and I should stay on and advise you in our areas of expertise. Fiona is unmatched on the financial end, and has offered to do that. I know the law full well, and can prevent anyone from even attempting to seize your rightful inheritance. With your permissions and approvals, we’ll continue to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Family, while you concentrate on your studies.”
Katherine sat for a minute and then voiced her question. “Why am I being treated like a miniature adult?” At the shocked looks of Fiona and Amando, she relented. “I know my parents respected my opinion, but this is beyond my hopes. I expected to be fighting for my rights to any decision like a maddened jarvey. And here I am being handed what I want on a goblin-wrought silver platter.”
“Your parents trusted that they’d done their best by you,” said Fiona softly. “They gave you a solid foundation and didn’t spoil you. They surmised that with good advice, you’d make good decisions.” The two barristers exchanged a glance, and Fiona nodded. “I think they’re right in that assumption. However, you are going to need a public legal Guardian to keep people off your back and your estates.”
“I can see that,” muttered Katherine. “And I actually have a fully capable Witch in mind.”
“Ah, excellent, excellent! May I ask who?” Grimnyr leaned forward, pen in hand.
Katherine smiled like a cat in the cream. “Professor Bridget Airmedd O’Neill. My Head of House.” She sat back in her seat with a pleased look and waited for the reaction.
