Chapter One: Gringots

Marianna had just finished getting ready for the day, adding the ribbon to the end of her plait she looked at herself in the mirror she was wearing black tights and black combat boots, dark silver shorts that just went past her bottom and a black quarter length sleeved top. She was a very stunning young lady especially as she was the daughter of Sirius Black and a veela Annette Du boi. She had midnight black curly hair that falls past her bottom, blue grey eyes, she's 5ft 3", she has her father's high cheek bones but has her mother's button nose, almond eye shape and heart shaped face. She's half veela as her mother Annette is a full veela. She looks like the perfect blend of both her mother and father. She keeps her hair in some form of braid; she has pale skin and plump coral pink lips. She doesn't wear like to wear bright coloured clothing as she doesn't want to attract more attention to herself as she doesn't enjoy the attention hence with all the black and silver.

Donning her leather jacket as its early October and is quite chilly, picking up her bag and the letter she received from Gringotts she read it once more still feeling confused over why she would have any part in Severus Snape's will. The only reason that came to mind was that Snape had left her something, which surprised Marianna. Although he had been more tolerant of her throughout her years at Hogwarts than he had been of the other students, she never thought he would include her in his will. As well as this, she was concerned about what her Account Manager Sharptooth wanted to discuss with her as a matter of great importance.

Lady Black,

Your presence is requested at Gringotts Bank at your earliest convenience. The last will and testament of Professor Severus Snape has recently come into our possession and your presence is required for the reading of said will.

In adision to this, I I have a matter of great importance to discuss with you.

I hope to see you soon,

Sharptooth

Black Account Manager

Placing the letter within her bag still wondering what in Merlin's name was going on as no matter how many times she read that letter it always made her feel even more confused- she made her way to the fireplace to floo to the Leaky Cauldron. Stepping in holding tightly to her bag with her left hand she threw down the powder and called out, "The Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley." before she was wipped away in a whoosh of emerald flames.

Stepping out of the fireplace she brushed the soot off of herself and made her way to the entrance to Diagon Alley, tapping the sequence of bricks as the arch opened up Marianna sighed as there were still many shops with their windows borded up, some were still under repair after being nearly torn apart. The war may have ended six months prior but the whole Wizarding world was still suffering from the after affects of it, but was slowly getting back on its feet. She noticed that there were some new shops opening up which surprised Marianna as the Wizarding World and all of its denizens, mainly the Purebloods hated change of any kind but hopefully now that the war was over and after all the destruction caused in the last couple of years change would indeed happen. She could only hope for the best as she slowly meandered her way through the small crowd up to the large white building of Gringotts, noticing that one of the new shops was in fact a new books store and she couldn't just ignore the reader in her she had to check it out at some point.

Rounding the corner, Marianna saw the pearly white building of Gringotts. She quickened her pace and entered the bank. Security had increased dramatically since Harry, Ron and Hermione had broken into the Wizarding bank. There were now several Aurors guarding the entrance all equipped with Secrecy Sensors and other gadgets used to detect concealment charms and potions.

Once Marianna passed through security, she headed towards the row of desks where the goblins sat. "Excuse me," Marianna said to the goblin, which was ignoring her presence. The Goblin sighed deeply; clearly annoyed he was being interrupted. "Yes?" he said in an irritated tone. "My name is Marianna Black. I received a letter from you about the reading of Severus Snape's will," Marianna handed the letter to the goblin. "Very well Lady Black, everything seems to be in order," the goblin said. "My name is Sharptooth. Come to my office and we shall discuss matters there." Marianna thought Sharptooth was aptly named, as with a closer look, she could see a row of very nasty looking pointed teeth. Marianna followed Sharptooth to a small office. Once she was seated at the desk, Sharptooth handed her a letter then withdrew a small pouch and set it on the desk. Marianna opened the letter first.

The Last Will and Testament of Severus Snape,

I, Severus Snape, leave the majority of my possessions to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, to Miss Marianna Lily Black, I leave my entire collection of potions supplies and ingredients as well as my personal notes on potions.

"The items left to you are in this pouch." Sharptooth said after Marianna had finished reading the will. "It is a magical pouch, enchanted with an Undetectable Extension charm and Feather Weight Charm. I have also taken the liberty of connecting it to your vault here at Gringotts, so that you may on put your hand in the pouch, think of what you need and it shall appear in your hand. That is not all I summoned you in here for Lady Black," Sharptooth said. "I also wish to inform you of some very important information which has recently come to our attention.

"The Veil of Death, which resides in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic, was, until recently, thought to be a portal between life and death. We goblins recently discovered an ancient parchment telling of its true purpose. The Veil of Death is not in fact a portal between life and death but a gateway to another world entirely." Marianna was in shock. If what Sharptooth was saying was true, the implications of it were impossible.

Sharptooth continued speaking. "I tell you this information because of how it will affect the Black family vault. As I understand, your father, Sirius Black, fell through the Veil during a duel some years ago. It is entirely possible that your father is still alive." Marianna gaped at Sharptooth. She didn't know what to say to this revelation. Her father, alive, but trapped in another world. Marianna made a snap decision in that moment. 'I have to go through the Veil and rescue my dad,' She thought. "Do you know this world on the other side of the Veil?" She asked Sharptooth.

"As it happens, I do," said Sharptooth. "It is a place called Middle Earth. Middle Earth is an entirely different world to the one that we live in. It can be a very dangerous place to be. If you are planning on journeying there, I will advise you to make some preparations. Namely, a will, in the event that you do not return. I can make the proper arrangements today if that suits you."

"What do I have to do?" Marianna asked.

"It is simple enough. All you have to do is state who will inherit your possessions and anything else you wish to pass along and I shall take care of the rest. There is also one more thing your father requested I give you this letter that he received from your mother when she dropped you off at his place seventeen years ago, it's from Annette Du Boi." Sharptooth told her as he handed her a letter.

Sirius Black,

You remember that night we spent in the three broomsticks? Well, there is a result of that.

This is our daughter. She was born on the tenth of June, and is 6 weeks old. Because she is half veela, half human, it is illegal for me to raise her, as I am a magical creature and you're a pureblood wizard. You must. It breaks my heart to do this but she must never know of my identity. It would not be safe for her and, in this life I want the very best for her. Please tell her that her mother loves her very much and I wish that things were different.

Take care of her,

Annette

After reading the letter, Marianna placed it down on the table in front of her and wiped the tears away that she didn't even know had fallen. Even though her father had told her countless times that her mother did in fact lover here was undeniable prove that she did love her daughter and was giving her, her best chance by sending her to live with her father. "On this parchment allow three drops of your blood to fall and it will reveal your account to you Lady Black." Sharptooth instructed as he passed a dagger to her. Picking up the dagger Marianna allowed three drops of blood no more any less to fall onto the parchment before healing her finger with her wand. Looking down at the parchment she couldn't stop a gasp from forcing its way out of her mouth.

Available Balance

Galleons: 18530750054

Sickles: 15517063479

Knut's: 18781300540

Stocks:

Daily Profit: 10 percent

Firebolt Company: 25 percent

Flourish and Blots: 30 percent

Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes: 20 percent

Honeydukes Sweet Shop: 35 percent

Borgin & Burkes: 60 percent

Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions: 10 percent

Potage's Cauldron Shop: 20 percent

Quality Quidditch Supplies: 35 percent

Slug and Jiggers Apothecary: 80 percent

Gladrags Wizardwear: 20 percent

Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop: 30 percent

Marianna is understandably shocked that she has so much, but Sharptooth calmly explains that quite a lot of the items in the vault were bought by members of the Black Family centuries ago, and that the Goblins value everything at the price it would be worth to cell today. After realizing this, Marianna has another question. She asks "why did you call me Lady Black?" Sharptooth explains that the Blacks are one of the 5 ancient Wizarding families who founded the Ministry of Magic. The other 4 are: the Potters, the Peverell's who became the Potter's, the Bones, and the Malfoy's. After hearing all this, Marianna writes a will and asks Sharptooth to execute it 6 months after she's gone through the veil. Marianna also left instructions to the Black account manager in the same manor. Sharptooth also gives Marianna the "Black Head of House ring" to give to Sirius. He explains that it will boost his magical core by 20%, and give him an impenetrable Occlumency shield. When Marianna asks, Sharptooth explains that the ring for the "Lady Black" Marianna is a bit different. Sirius had it made when Marianna was born. It is goblin made, containing one of Marianna's mother's hairs. Instead of an Occlumency shield, Marianna's ring protects her from being assaulted because of the Veela charm, although it does boost her magic slightly.

"May I visit my family vault?" asked Marianna. "I want to get a few things from it."

"Of course Lady Black, I shall accompany you there myself."

Sharptooth and Marianna exited the office and made their way to a cart. It was a long ride down, as the Black Family vault was one of the oldest and most protected in Gringotts. Finally though, the cart slowed down to a stop.

While Marianna walked around the vault, looking to see what she might be able to take with her, Sharptooth suggested she should get a vault pouch. This is a magical pouch connected to the Black vault. All you need to do is to put your hand inside it and think about what you want. As long as that item is in the vault, the pouch will put it into your hand. It also converts Wizarding money into any type of currency. If it is a type unknown to the pouch, all you have to do is add one of every coin or note to the pouch, and that currency will be added. The pouch is activated and protected by blood magic. One drop of your blood to activate it, and a little bit of Goblin magic to connect it to the correct vault.

On realizing how usefull this will be, Marianna also gets one for Sirius. She put several items in her magical pouch, including a pensive, an expandable backpack, a Wizarding tent and several weapons including a bow and quiver, a dagger and a throwing knife. Upon reaching the main level of the bank Marianna bowed to Sharptooth thanking him for all his help and bad him farewell.

Marianna left Gringotts, a million thoughts running circles around her mind. Her father was alive! It all felt very surreal to Marianna. She had to set some things in order before she departed on her journey and the first thing on her list was to tell Harry the good news. As Marianna walked through the archway that was the entrance to Diagon Alley she could feel her heart racing as though it were about to beat out of her chest. Her father was alive. . . 'Dad, I swear, somehow, someday, I'm going to find a way to bring you back.' She swore in her mind, he was alive and not even Voldemort, were he alive, could keep her from her mission.