I appeared in front of the crooked building and entered. Goblins in high desks lined the path. I sauntered to the desk at the end of the path. I cleared my throat and bowed to the goblin. He looked up and bowed back.
"How may I be of assistance?" The goblin drawled. I handed him the letter. He made a noise and hopped down. The goblin led me to a door that I assumed was Ragnok's office. The goblin knocked on the door and it swung open.
"Sir, Mr. Rose-Gaunt is here." The goblin stated. Ragnok pulled out parchment and four rings. His hands folded.
"It has come to my attention that you are the heir to the Riddle lineage as well. Fortunately, you can claim them today. Would you like to?" I nodded vigorously. The goblin gave me an obsidian dagger and a piece of blank parchment.
"Cut your wrist and let several drops of blood fall." He told me. I dragged it across my wrist and winced. The paper glowed a brilliant green and the Slytherin logo appeared. Ragnok looked satisfied.
"Your dominant lordship is Slytherin." I nodded as I healed the cut on my wrist and put the rings on. I stood and fixed my tie.
"Well, I must be going Ragnok. Look after my vaults for me?" I smirked. Ragnok sat back in his chair.
"Of course, Lord Slytherin."
————
I apparated in the forest and waltzed out. I felt Zurich slither up my leg as I watched my family from afar. I sighed and walked over to them. The doors were missing. I went and stood with Father and looked at the doorframe.
"Considering the state of the room, these doorways are oddly smooth," I said softly. Father got startled at the sound of my voice. His hand wrapped around my shoulders. I felt myself stiffen at his touch. I looked at him and removed his arm slowly from my shoulder. He looked at me sadly then turned his attention to the doors. His sadness dissolved into anger.
"Son of a b**ch." He mumbled. I walked inside and opened my trunk. I pulled out a muggle book to read but was soon interrupted by the screeching of Mother.
"Oh, my god. No, no, no!" Alexis and David came into the room annoyed. I set my book down and leaned back to watch the situation unfold. Mother started to ramble on about her earrings. I huffed angrily and opened my book back up. Stevie walked past our room silently. Then mother called her back and accused her of taking her diamond earrings. When Stevie left, Mother gave up and sat next to me exasperated and deeply depressed. Suddenly, Father came in with his anger evident in his face.
"The man is a lunatic." He looked at the room, "What the hell happened here?" He asked. I pointed to my stepmother as I read with Zurich around my neck. He explained to her that her earrings went in his shoe when Alexis came in crying.
"What seems to be the trouble, dear sister?" I asked her. She looked down at her phone as I pulled out the box for my Lordship rings. I put each one except Slytherin's in their spots.
"Stavros just texted me and he ended it, he's not coming," Alexis said. I stood from the chair and hugged her. She cried into my hair. David provoked another fight between the two. Father sat in the chair Mother sat in before. The two went into the other room.
"David help me with the doors," Father asked. David turned to him.
"No, I can't I just got out of the shower." He said quickly. I put my book down and Zurich slithered on top for rest. I tapped Father's shoulder. He looked up at me and I jerked my head to the door. He and I walked out together. We grabbed the first door when he decided to make conversation.
"So, where did you go that was so important?" He asked me. I rolled my eyes and took a breath.
"If you must know, I went to the bank," I stated annoyed. He pressed further when we heard a banging sound come from the room. The two of us ran in to find Mother banging on Zurich with her shoes. My eyes welled with tears.
"NO!" I shouted. I ran and pulled him out from the shoe. I frantically looked for signs of life but there weren't any. I turned to her angry.
"HOW DARE YOU KILL MY SNAKE!" I shouted. David and Alexis came running in. Mother tried to explain herself. "SHUT UP FOR ONCE! ZURICH WAS A GIFT MY MUM GAVE ME WHEN SHE DIED!!" Tears rolled down my face. I picked up the book with Zurich on it and went outside. I set my friend down to rest at the back of the motel and walked back to the room. Father and I put the doors back up.
"Ev?" Father asked. I hummed, " Are you okay?" He tried to touch my shoulder. I rolled my eyes and scoffed.
"Not like you'd care." I walked back into the room and fumbled for a pillow and blanket. I pulled out a white shirt and sweatpants then ran into the restroom. I got dressed for bed and went and lay on my trunk depressed. My parents walked into David and Alexis's room to say goodnight. I turned to the wall and closed my eyes. They walked in silently and I felt a hand touch my head. Then two people kissed my cheek. I groaned softly and rolled over. My mind slipped into the world of dreams.