Chapter 2
It's been 5 years since we managed to cast our first spell on our own. During this time, we've graduated from primary school with flying colors, never getting a grade lower than B2, which in our humble opinion is due to our unfairly good memory compared to others. As it turned out, despite remembering various stories and the like from our past lives, we incorrectly assessed the mental abilities of those around us. It turns out that very few people have such a memory that it's enough to read something once to remember it. For the same reason, we were able to memorize all the textbooks from the 1st to the 7th year of Hogwarts. Although with spells, everything is not so rosy.
We found out through experience that it was simply impossible to start learning the spell without the gestures specified in the book and anything remotely resembling a wand. Also, although it was not specified in any of the books, every time we cast a spell, it seems to be imprinted in our body, allowing us to cast it over time, first without unnecessary gestures, then silently, and finally with a simple wave of the hand. Why in the body, and not in the soul or mind? Because, unfortunately, when the brother was able to bring the lumos to a silent pronunciation, the sister, who was developing the levitating spell in the meantime, was unable to repeat after him, and this was a little frustrating, after all, it took a really long time to develop one spell.
And to be more precise, in these 5 years we have only fully learned 6 spells, namely: Levitation, Stun, Light, Repair, Disarm and Shield, at least after evaluating the time spent on Lumos and Leviosa , it was decided that these spells were the most useful in the short term.
Fencing also left its mark on us. We were quite well built for our age and there were also quite noticeable changes in our features, emphasizing our gender. However, even so, one look at us is enough to understand that we are twins. And what, frankly speaking, was pleasant for our pride was that since the age of 9 we participated in fencing tournaments for children under 14 three times and took first place all three times. Our coach quickly noticed that if one twin sparred while the other rested, then we became much better, not giving a single chance to the opponent. But if we both sparred at the same time, then we learned much faster. He began to use this, putting us simultaneously with increasingly better opponents each time, and also periodically pairing up with one of us while the other twin rested.
He was genuinely excited about what we could achieve if we dedicated our future to fencing. However, there is one thing. We think he knows that we are wizards, because until the very end, although he said that we were his best students, he never mentioned that we should continue studying with him in middle school, and, in fact, we never mentioned it either. It would be embarrassing if it turned out that he took it for granted and we misunderstood.
And now, on July 31, it was our eleventh birthday, we were sitting in our room looking at the gift that the director of the shelter gave us.
It was a book about the history of fencing with descriptions of various styles and pictures of techniques. It seemed she was really pleased with our results, since she was generous with a gift in addition to the congratulatory sweets.
And it was, perhaps, pleasant? We never got along with the other children, we scared them too much, however, it didn't matter to us, after all, any need for tactile contact, we could always satisfy ourselves by simply hugging, and studying magic did not allow us to get bored.
"I wonder if we'll become recluses with such success?" we voiced our thought out loud.
- Hm?! - suddenly a strange feeling of anxiety washed over us, as if if we didn't do anything something very bad would happen.
Knowing that we live in a world of magic, it would be extremely short-sighted to brush it off, so without thinking twice we ran out of the room in the direction we were drawn.
- Madame Carter's office? Why? - we were surprised to see where this feeling led us.
- Phew - slowly exhaling to calm down, we knocked.
- Come in.
Opening the door, we saw the teacher looking with confusion at a small box that was lying on the table.
- And it's you, Vega. I was just about to come to you. - the woman told us, and the anxious feeling inside us dissipated as if it had never been there.
- Did something happen? - we asked.
- Yes, I don't know why I remembered this only now, but when you were picked up there was also this package for you. - Saying this, Madame Carter picked up the box and handed it to her brother. - Here, take it, you can unpack it in your room.
"Thank you, Madam Carter," we said.
- The best way to thank me would be to find friends among other children. I have already been reprimanded more than once because you cannot socialize. - the woman snorted.
- But we have a lot of fans at school. - We didn't lie. After all, thanks to our success in fencing and studying, our aloof behavior and naturally beautiful appearance, we really did start to have fans at school, although this also happened because we were almost never together there, so we didn't scare those around us with the uncanny valley effect. Although I remember we once heard teachers discussing the oddities of our absolutely identical handwriting and answers, so at the very least they were able to pick up some creeps from us.
- And which of them do you communicate with?
-…
- That's exactly it, with no one, - the teacher correctly explained our silence.
- Haah , okay, did you want something? - the woman sighed.
- No. We just felt that we needed to come to you.
-…why do you always speak at the same time? You know, if you continue like this, you will never be able to make friends.
- Don't worry, Madam Carter, we promise we'll find friends at the new school.
- Okay, go already, - the teacher clearly didn't believe us.
- Have a nice day, - we wished before heading to our room.
Naturally, the first thing we did upon returning to the room was open the box. After all, our strange feeling and the fact that the teacher remembered it only on our 11th birthday could not have been a coincidence. Obviously, this must be a message from one of our parents.
In the box itself there were only three things: a small case, a letter and a silver key.
And although the letter was undoubtedly interesting, our attention was first drawn to the case, because it looked exactly like those in which rings are worn, and when we opened it, we saw a ring with a black stone, inside of which a coat of arms was engraved.
- Is this really what we think it is?
Without touching the ring, we finally took the letter.
"If you are reading these lines, then my fears have come true and the Black family is in decline, and I am no longer alive. I am Orion Black, apparently the former head of the most ancient and noble Black family.
I don't know where or when it all went wrong, but our numbers began to dwindle and even your grandmother seemed to be cursed and began to burn our relatives off the tapestry with her own hands, even her own son. Your father Regulus had been acting strange lately and I had to take matters into my own hands. I had to ensure the survival of the Black line. I cast the Imperius Curse on my son and made sure he lay with your mother. You don't need to know who she is.
When you were born, I thought that our family had been blessed by magic, until I learned the terrible truth, your souls had merged. One soul in two bodies, it seems so unnatural that if it had happened before, one of you would have been discarded. However, you are responsible for the continuation of our line. I named you after the brightest star in the constellation Lyra and left you where no one would think to look, making sure that you would grow up safely and that perhaps your unique condition would prove not a curse, but a blessing.
I opened a safe for you, from where no one else except you and me can withdraw money, use it wisely.
And finally, it is worth telling about the ring. This ring is passed down from generation to generation in our family to the heirs of the family. At one time, your uncle, Sirius Black, greatly let down his family and lost the right to wear it. I kept it with me, waiting for the moment when your father decides to become the heir, but it seems it is too late.
To avoid unnecessary problems, it would be better if the heir is a man and be careful, only those who have the blood of the Black family can wear this ring, but a thief will die a painful death.
Know that at 12 Grimmauld Place you will always be able to find your home.
Be strong child and do not forget your family motto "Purity of blood forever"
- So that's where that bad feeling came from. Try putting the ring on, Madam Carter, for just a moment... - we shook our heads, feeling slightly conflicted after reading the letter.
Just think, if it weren't for the final extinction of the race, we could have lost half of ourselves. With this information, although it may be wrong, we are a little glad that they are dead.
- Well, I suppose we can wear it, we certainly aren't going to refuse the inheritance. - We said, putting the ring on our brother's hand, which seemed to have been specially adjusted to him.
- By the way, how did he expect us to understand certain things, being raised in an orphanage? We weren't supposed to know about the magical world, and we certainly weren't supposed to know about the Imperius Curse .
- Looks like the brain-sniffers softened his brain, - we chuckled.
- However, we are just like those time travelers from fan fiction . And we study wandless magic before Hogwarts, and we have an inheritance, all that remains is to participate in the Triwizard Tournament, defeat Voldemort and gain immortality, to complete the set.
- By the way, if you think about it, Harry Potter can boast most of these achievements. - we suddenly realized. - Which is to be expected from the main character of a fairy tale. However, I wonder what he will be like in reality.
While we were indulging in cheerful thoughts about the fate of a time traveler , the door to our room opened.
- Vega, they are waiting for you in the director's office, hurry up. - Madame Carter said to us as she entered, looking with interest at the ring that her brother was putting on.
- Did something happen? – we asked.
- A professor from a private school came to you to invite you to study. You will find out everything from her.
- Okay, - we nodded and, putting the key from our safe in the pocket of our brother's pants, we followed the teacher.
The director's office was located on the first floor of the orphanage and in our entire adult life we were there no more than twice. The first time, when we were still little and they tried to set us up and accuse us of stealing and the second time, when they were deciding which school we would go to.
The headmistress herself was an elderly woman of 60, with grey hair and a face slightly reminiscent of a rat. I even think that this is why she was lonely all her life. However, what you can't take away from her is that she is a truly fair woman and does not treat anyone with prejudice.
"Knock-knock," Madame Carter knocked on the door.
- Come in.
- Madam Director, I brought them, - said the teacher who entered first.
"Okay, you can go," the director answered her.
Meanwhile, we looked with interest at our future transfiguration professor.
- Children, this is Minerva McGonagall , she is the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts, the school you will be attending starting this year.
- Hello, Professor McGonagall , - we greeted her before introducing ourselves. - We are Vega Black.
Minerva McGonagall is a rather tall woman with a stern appearance and, frankly, when her tenacious green eyes bore into us, we felt a little uneasy, especially when she saw the ring with the Black family crest.
- Madam Director, may we speak in private? - the professor looked away from us.
- There is no need for that. I know perfectly well what Hogwarts is. I am a Squib . - the headmistress snorted.
"Okay," the professor nodded graciously before focusing on us again.
- As I said, I am the Deputy Headmistress, but I will also be your Transfiguration teacher. I think I won't be wrong if I say that you already know about magic. - She looked expectantly into our eyes in turn.
- Yes, professor. - We did not try to deny it. - When we were 6 years old, our father's house elf contacted us.
- In that case, I suppose you've heard of Hogwarts too?
- Yes, professor.
- Excellent, in that case it will be quicker than expected. - The woman nodded as if confirming her thoughts before taking a brown envelope out of the pocket of her robe. - This is your letter of invitation to Hogwarts, it contains a complete list of what you will need to buy for school. As orphans, everything you need for school will be paid for by the school. We will go shopping right now.
"You don't mind, do you?" she asked the headmistress.
- No, I don't mind. It's a bit of a pity, though, if they weren't wizards, they could have become world champions in fencing in the future. - the headmistress answered with slight regret.
- Not all is lost, Madam Headmistress, we won't be studying at Hogwarts all our lives.
- Indeed, - the headmistress agreed with us, but she knows very well how quickly the magical world sucks you in, which is why even Muggle-borns eventually forget about their roots.
- Madam Headmistress, we have to go, - McGonagall reminded .
- Of course, I don't dare keep you.
- Follow me, children, - the professor addressed us, leaving the office. And we obediently followed, until finally we found ourselves on the street. (It's funny, by the way, that in England, they wear shoes around the house. However, they can do this because the streets are clean, which are regularly washed with special products.)
- Take my hands, - she said, offering her hands, which we took and the next moment we seemed to be pulled through an incredibly narrow tube. An extremely unpleasant sensation, to be honest, from which we even began to feel slightly nauseous, but, fortunately, we were able to suppress the nausea and finally pay attention to where we were now.
In front of us was the entrance to a rather old looking bar, which had the address "Diagon Alley 1".
- So this is the Leaky Cauldron? - we asked.
"Yes," McGonagall answered calmly , letting go of our hands. "Try not to leave me."
- Fine.
The inside of the bar was rather dark and shabby, but at the same time it had a slight fantasy tavern atmosphere, with a variety of wizards sitting at tables and noisily talking about something.
- Good day to you, Mrs. McGonagall , are you introducing newcomers to the wizarding world? - a voice came from behind the bar. The speaker was a hunchbacked, bald old man, who for some reason was now extremely happy.
- That's right, Tom. - McGonagall nodded before asking, - Did something special happen that everyone is so excited about?
- Of course! Harry Potter was just here, I even got to shake his hand! - the man answered instead of Tom, who immediately took a swig from a bottle of something especially strong.
- Really? And who saw him off? - It was a little surprising to see a smile creep onto the stern woman's face. After all, with how stern she seemed, it was hard to imagine her smiling.
- Ah, that was a scoundrel, Hagrid . Who would have thought that he would be the most trusted person of Harry's guardians.
- Hagrid ? - the Professor's smile instantly faded.
"Sorry, Tom, but we need to move on. The children are with me," the professor said before hurrying towards the door on the other side of the bar.
Behind it we were met by a solid brick wall, on which the woman quickly tapped the combination with a stick.
- What was he thinking, entrusting a child to Hagrid ? - McGonagall was so outraged that she even began to voice her thoughts out loud, while we watched the performance of the living wall, which began to rebuild itself in order to open a passage for us.
- Cool. - We commented on this spectacle, completely ignoring the professor's concern that as soon as the passage opened, she rushed forward with a quick step. And looking in the direction where she was in such a hurry, we understood the reason. There, not particularly in a hurry, a couple of a giant and a boy were walking slowly.
"It looks like we'll meet the main character sooner than we thought," we hurried after the professor with an anticipatory smile.
- Rubeus Hagrid ! Please explain to me since when has the forester been introducing orphans to the magical world?!" Professor McGonagall's voice, full of indignation, rang out , immediately attracting the attention of a couple of onlookers.
- Professor? - the three-meter forester, dressed in a fur coat, was surprised before getting his bearings. - So, I, you know, had to go to Gringotts today on business, so... er... and I suggested that we visit Harry at the same time.
The satisfied man answered.
- Hagrid , who is this? - the boy quietly asked the big guy.
- This is Harry Minerva McGonagall , your future Transfiguration professor. She is also the head of the best house at Hogwarts, Gryffindor . - the big man introduced McGonagall , who, having heard Hagrid praising her house, noticeably cooled down. And Hagrid turns out not to be as dense as shown in the films.
- Okay, since we're going the same way, we'll accompany you, - said the professor, who seemed determined to personally make sure everything was in order.
- Of course, of course, professor, I'll be glad to have your company. And this? - the forester finally turned his attention to us.
"They are orphans," the professor answered for us.
- … - we silently looked at her with an obvious question.
- ... Later, I will explain everything to you. - McGonagall pressed her lips into a thin line before finally answering us.
- Where were you heading now, Hagrid ?
- At Gringotts , I need to withdraw money so that Harry can buy supplies for school.
- Hmm . Okay, then we'll go get the wands first, and then meet at Madame Malkin's studio. - Minerva answered after thinking for a bit.
- Professor McGonagall , we also need to go to the bank. - We hastened to intervene.
- Hm?
- Today we received a parcel from our grandfather. He left us an inheritance.
Hagrid trotted after her , leaving Harry and me behind for a moment.
- Our name is Vega. - We extended our hands for a handshake. Without giving our last name.
"And I'm Harry," he replied, seeming to realize that his last name would be like a bomb exploding in the middle of the street. He shook our hands in turn, and then we hurried together after the adults.
- Here it is, Gringotts . - Hagrid announced , when we found ourselves in front of a snow-white building that towered over small shops, and near the polished bronze doors stood guard a short goblin, who, upon seeing our gaze, immediately bared his teeth, showing rows of the sharpest fangs, clearly knowing that most children would be afraid of such a thing. However, we ourselves had a desire to throw stunners at him, but we are not yet planning to say goodbye to life or gold so early, which they could demand from us as compensation.
When we passed through the doors we were greeted by a huge marble Hall, on the sides of which at least a hundred goblins sat on long chairs behind the counters, almost each of whom was busy with something.
We headed towards the nearest free one.
Hagrid decided to take over the conversation , under the slightly surprised look of McGonagall , who quickly became irritated. - We came here to get some money... er... From Mr. Harry Potter's safe and...
He hesitated at the end and looked at us.
- Vega Black, - we answered.
- Black? - The giant's eyes widened in surprise, however, no one gave him time to think.
- Do you have the keys to the storage room?
- It was somewhere, - Hagrid answered quickly , starting to rummage through his pockets, dumping various trash on the counter, causing the goblin to wrinkle his nose, and McGonagall only sighed in disappointment.
- Here, - we held out our key, which had been in my brother's pocket all this time.
- Hmmm . Everything seems to be in order. - The goblin nodded before focusing again on the scurrying giant. - Sir, are you sure you have the key?
"Yes, there you are, you little rascal!" Hagrid exclaimed , handing the tiny golden key to the goblin.
- Yes, everything is fine, now you...
- Wait, I have another letter here... er... From Professor Dumbledore . - Hagrid stuck out his chest . - It's about...
- Say no more, Hagrid , - McGonagall interrupted him coldly . - The recipient will learn everything he needs from the letter, there is no need to involve children in this.
- Ahem, ahem , excuse me... er... then that's all, - Hagrid said sheepishly .
"Wait a second," the goblin said, opening the envelope to read the letter carefully.
"Very well, you will now be taken down to your safes," he said before shouting, " Griphook , Krovnyak !"
During the time that two more goblins were walking towards us, Hagrid had just managed to return everything that he had put back into his pockets.
- Griphook , take the professor and the children to their safes, the goblin handed the keys to one of them from behind the counter.
- And you , Bloody, will take care of him. - He pointed at Hagrid, handing the letter to the second.
- Huh? Um, are we going separately? - the big guy asked uncertainly.
- Of course! Hagrid , secrets are secrets for a reason, not to tell others about them. - McGonagall answered sharply , before turning to the goblin, showing with all her appearance that she did not want to hear anything from Hagrid in the near future . - Please lead us, Griphook .
- Of course, please follow me. - The goblin led us to one of the doors inside the bank. And what was behind it was strikingly different from the hall. Instead of another room with marble walls, we found ourselves in a narrow stone corridor, illuminated by burning torches. The road with rails went steeply down
Griphook, who was standing next to us, whistled and soon a four-seater cart rolled up to us with a loud clang, in which we sat down.
- Enjoy your trip, - the goblin grinned, showing his fangs, and then the cart suddenly moved forward at great speed downwards.
- Aaaah . - We involuntarily screamed when the cart suddenly began to go straight to the bottom at an angle of 90 degrees, but rather quickly noticed. That no one fell out, and just like Harry, sitting next to us, on the contrary, enjoyed the ride, we felt quite ashamed, and we decided that no matter what this cart did, we would not scream in fear anymore! And as if hearing our thoughts, the cart began to make sharp turns and some strange somersaults more often. We even rode along the ceiling, from which, as it seems to us, even Professor McGonagall tensed up for a moment.
"Safe 687," the goblin's voice sounded when we finally stopped.
- Mister Griphook , was it just me or was the cart moving a little unusually today? - The professor asked suspiciously.
- It was the most ordinary route. - The goblin did not show it and approached a huge metal door, which swung open, just enough for the key to be in the keyhole. A cloud of green smoke burst out from inside, which for a moment blocked our view, but as soon as it dissipated, we saw piles of gold coins, neat columns of silver and whole mountains of small bronze ones. In addition to all this, in the corner you could also see stacks of books and jewelry, which could well be artifacts.
"Wow," Harry let out a sigh of admiration.
"This is your inheritance, Mr. Potter. Try to use it wisely," said Professor McGonagall.
"My inheritance?" Harry asked incredulously.
- Yes, your parents have taken care of you, Mr. Potter. And I think it's worth explaining a little about the exchange rate.
- Gold coins are galleons. One galleon is seventeen silver shekels and one shekel is twenty-nine knuts .
- Mister Griphook , tell me, are there any artifacts with invisible expansion in this safe?
- I cannot disclose to outsiders the details of what is stored in the safes of the bank's clients. But with the permission of the owner of the safe, you can see it in person.
"What is invisible extension?" Harry asked.
- To put it simply, Mr. Potter, when you could fit several times more things into a small bag than you should.
- Professor "McGonagall , there's a little bag there, maybe that's it?" we asked, pointing to a leather purse lying among the jewelry.
"Do you mind if I check, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asked .
"I don't mind," the boy answered immediately.
As it soon turned out, it really was a wallet with an invisible extension, where Harry ended up collecting quite a large number of coins of all denominations. It even seems to me that if the professor hadn't stopped him, he would have taken half of the safe with him!
Luckily, we were already heading to our safe.
- Safe 712. - said the goblin, when we arrived at our destination. Inside our safe, unlike the safe of Potter , there were no mountains of coins lying on the floor, but instead, it was filled with exquisite display cases, inside of which behind the glass lay bags, on top of notes in which it was described what to expect inside. Thus, having walked a little, we found several bags filled with coins of different denominations, and a rough calculation turned out that only galleons, grandfather left us half a million, but at the same time we counted several dozen bags with sets of protective artifacts that differed only in appearance. All of them had the same functions.
Earrings that protect against Leglimency , a ring that identifies poisons and potions in food, and finally, an amulet that protects against light curses and traces.
After a thorough examination of each set, we eventually settled on a set with blue royal sapphires for my sister and black sapphires for my brother, fortunately the earrings were studs, otherwise they would not have been comfortable to wear all the time. We decided to hide the amulet on a silver chain, despite its beauty, under our clothes, but we decided to put the rings on the middle finger, just on a whim, so to speak, stylishly send others to hell .
When the safe business was finished, we also had a short conversation with the professor, under the spell of silence. And the gist of it was quite simple. Our relatives fucked up . Father is dead, and all they know about him is that he joined the ranks of the Death Eaters, although during his studies at Hogwarts he was almost a child prodigy who passed exams in all subjects. Uncle, known as the closest supporter of Voldemort , betrayed Harry's parents. Of our three cousins, two also distinguished themselves. Both married Death Eaters, and one of them was the best thug of the dark lord, and tortured the Longbottoms to madness . In general, their actions cast a shadow on us in advance and only the third aunt, Andrameda , married a Muggle-born and is considered a completely decent girl. And you can't even tell anyone that Sirius was framed, and our father died trying to destroy Voldemort's Horcrux .
Although there are still options with Sirius Black, but it all takes time, and now, in addition to the satisfaction of gaining financial independence, we were also trying to suppress a strangely exciting feeling inside, from the realization that we, with our presence alone, seemed to have influenced the future, because if it weren't for us, McGonagall would not have met Hagrid and Harry during their shopping trip, and who knows how else this will influence the future.