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Last of The Fae Chapter 3: Gnomes?
🕑 Added 2024-08-02 14:32:42 +0000 UTCThane squeezed his eyes shut and breathed through his nose as he felt the world around him spin before coming to a screeching halt. Opening his eyes after a second, Thane let out a shaky breath, “Your right that wasn’t as bad as the first time.”
Minerva nodded, “You handled it surprisingly well, I would hate to have you throw up in front of all these nice people.”
At her prompting Thane looked around to see they were standing at the start of a wide street lined with shops and bustling with people dressed in different colored robes going about their day.
But to Thane the most breathtaking part was that the air was practically humming with magic, “What is this place?”
“This is Diagon Alley, a shopping center for all wizards, witches and mages. This is where we’ll be buying your school supplies.” Minerva answered before she reached into her robes and pulled out a sheet of parchment, “Would you like to take a look.”
Thane took the paper and began to read it out loud, “Three sets of plain black robes, protective gloves, a winter cloak…The Standard Guide to Mana and Magic. Professor, I don’t think I can afford any of this.”
Minerva smiled as Thane looked at her with a concerned look on his face, “Don’t worry it’s all included in your enrollment. But speaking of money, first and foremost we need to visit Gringotts and open a bank account in your name and get you tested.”
“Tested for what?” Thane asked as they started to walk down the street and through the crowds.
Minerva paused for a second before answering, “I wasn’t planning on giving a lesson before the school year begins so listen closely as I’ll only explain this once.”
Minerva glanced at Thane to make sure he was listening before clearing her throat and beginning her lecture, “The single defining factor that separates a wizard from a regular human is the ability to sense and control the universal magical energy called mana. However some wizards are more sensitive to mana fluctuations giving them a great control over their magic or possess grander reserves of internal mana allowing them to cast greater feats of magic. The umbrella term for this phenomenon is called Magical Affinity.
However even before this term was coined people in the past realized that if two wizards with powerful magic reproduced then there was a higher chance that their children would be just as or even more magically gifted than their parents.
As wizarding society developed so did a dangerous notion of bloodline supremacy, a practice that involves arranging marriages between families who were deemed to be pure blooded meaning they had the greatest magical potential and no muggle blood. With those who did, being seen as lesser. Oh and muggle is just another word for a non magical person.”
Thane scratched the back of his head in confusion, “So did all the families become horribly inbred?”
Minerva blinked before she glanced down at Thane and saw the amused glimmer in his eyes, and couldn’t help but smirk, “Some did, but thankfully societal norms have evolved…for the most part. Though don’t be surprised if you hear some antiquated views and behaviors.”
Thane nodded, “So then there’s a chance that I have a wizard as an ancestor?”
“Well technically every human at some point can connect their lineage to a wizard or witch. But considering your sizable reserves and innate ability to control your internal mana I’d say you have a very recent ancestor perhaps even a parent.” Minerva answered as they came to a stop in front of a marbled building with a grand entrance, “If we’re in luck they’ll have left behind a vault which you can lay claim to.”
Thane looked up at the entrance and the name chiseled into the marble, “Gringotts Wizarding Bank.”
“Come along now, also try not to stare at the tellers,” Minerva advised as she walked up to the doors with Thane in tow. Looking around in wonder Thane stared up at the high arched ceilings and the golden bars separating the bank’s customers from the tellers who Thane realized weren’t human. Instead they were short creatures with pale skin, elongated fingers and pointed ears.
“Are they Gnomes?” Thane asked as he leaned close to Minerva and whispered.
“Goblin’s actually, Gnomes are much smaller and an enemy to all avid gardeners.” Minerva answered in a whisper as well before standing up right as they approached one of the many opened desks.
“Ah Professor McGonagall, what brings you to Gringotts today?” The goblin behind the desk looked up from the parchment in his hands and smiled revealing slightly sharpened teeth.
“Good day Gorat,” Minerva responded politely with a dip of her head, “I would like to open an account for students and have a Bloodline Test Performed.”
Instead of responding the Gorat turned to look at Thane who met his beady eyes with his shimmering orbs, “Another muggle born aye? This is your first time seeing a goblin.”
Thane nodded, “You’re magic feels different, can you do the same as a wizard?”
Gorat frowned and he fixed Thane with a piercing glare, “You think I can’t manage what any wizard worth his salt can do?”
Thane opened his mouth to respond but Minerva stepped in front of him cutting Thane off, “Forgive him Gorat this is Thane’s first time seeing a nonhuman race. He’s just curious about your people.”
“Is that so?” Gorat asked suspiciously as he peered around Minerva to stare at Thane who nodded, “Fine I’ll give the kid a pass.”
Gorat then reached under his desk and pulled out a stack of papers, “Professor you can fill these out in one of our private rooms. Someone will be with you shortly to perform the Bloodline test.”
Minerva nodded as she stepped forward and took the stack of parchment, “Thank you Gorat, follow me Thane.”
Thane fell into step behind the Professor but not before receiving one more glare from the goblin who watched him walk over to the private room without a single break in eye contact.
