Rough Diamond (The Poisonous Princess Book 3)

Diagon buisness

On August 30th, I travelled by Floo powder to Diagon Alley. This time, i went alone and in early morning.
I let my trunk in my room at Leaky Cauldron and went to the main street. It was uncommon to see the paved road without bustle. The fresh air and grey cloudy sky was maybe what made people wait till afternoon.

It was said that i would be away from Hogwarts for two whole days so the school's staff could prepare the castle for the special year. I supposed they didn't wanted anyone to open up an hidden room or to let a murderer or creature enter, like previous years.
As for me, it was the opportunity to do my own businesses.
I walked straight to Gringotts with determination.

I didn't worry about what Snape said about my family name and danger. If Harry Potter could enjoy his life as the enemy of Voldemort, so did I.
I was not afraid of the dark lord's name and neither of mine.

The bank officers were all goblins elevated on their stools behind high desks.
I walked at the central counter and asked, as less intimidated as I could :

"Good morning. I wish to access a vault."

"What name ?" The ominous man answer without even watching me.

I hesitated, then whispered :

"Prince family."

He stopped what he was counting and looked at me.

I placed the old key I had on the counter.
"Here is my key."

He had a suspicious eye.

"I will request your wand, miss Prince."

I obeyed, took my wand out from the inside of my leather jacket and place it on the desk too.
There, I felt unarmed.

"This vault has not been visited since about fifteen years." The creature said for the record.
"Follow me please."

I followed to the underground, we took a transportation wagon that was scary like a phantom-train ride, then we arrived in front of a black and rusty door.

"Vault 317. Prince Family." The goblin announced.
He took the key, turned it and gave it back.
When he pulled the door open, he sent a light charm and I discovered a large room full of a considerable treasure !

At the center, were piles and piles of golden coins. On both side walls were wardrobes and filling cabinets with many precious trinkets. Porcelain crockery, mirrors, crystal cups,silver cutlery, jewels and medals. There was also some piles of documents on a wood dresser.
On the back wall was exposed fencing foils and paintings.

I can't believe it !
My discovery surpass by far what I had imagined. My family was not just rich, i was the heir of a aristocratic line !
This shining view mesmerised me and i took immediately a superior attitude.

"Wait for me outside." I order to the guide.
Then i pulled the door almost closed to be alone.

I spend maybe one hour there, looking at everything, inspecting the engraving on some objetcs, reading some documents, to check new informations.
I learn by one of those, that only the male descendants and their child could have the treasury, that was why Snape couldn't claim itb he was half a Prince from his mother. It should have been let to my father's son, the last Prince heir, but I was his only heiress now.

Inside the dresser were ancient diplomas, birth and marriage certificates and photo-books.
I didn't wanted to bring them outside so I seated on the floor and watched some pages. I had time, anyway.
Most of the photographies were from my parent's youth since the previous generations rarely captured images.
Henry Prince was a young classical man, light brown hair parted on the side,well combed, a mustache and kind of manic eyes. Carminella, on her side, had severe look, strict posture, even with her smooth wavy hair.
I didn't took from neither of them. Me, I look more like a fragile doll, in comparison. My body was petite and my shoulders often slumped as if the weight was eavy on them. I imagined the both telling me to stand straight, if I was living with them. "Seat upright ! How many times should I repeat it Isabella ?!" My mother could reprimand...
Then I shook my head to erase that idea.