Carter was just about to answer when he didn't need to. Hi there, Jake. Lookatchu being all professional and not snogging his sister.

Aww. And look at Connor! He was the cutest guy in the whole wide world. Yes he was. Mhm.

Ahem. Wait. Yes. They were here. For reasons. "New vault." he said with a nod. He then lowered his voice. "And if we can manage a peek at the new dragon..." his voice trailed as he flicked his eyes toward Destiny.

And if they did manage to get to see the dragon, Carter had to be sure to reinforce that they were not getting one.

People!

Lucia was so excited for the opening, and as soon as folks started filing in, her excitement jumped ten levels. Plus her new baby bank prodigy was handling said people, and he was so cute being all official like. Colin had groomed him SO well.

She'd go out and help as well soon, but the elderly lady was currently located behind one of the large vases in the foyer, crouched down and spying on Jake's progress.

And the people! Them too.

Oh, hey, there was Jake!

Destiny gave him a smile and had to make sure she had an extra strong hold on Connor otherwise, the boy would've flown right out of her hands as soon as he saw him. And of course, she would've had no problems with handing him off to Jake, because heavy boy was heavy, but since he was working.. she gave her son a few pokes in the belly to distract him from his Uncle and moved even closer to Carter at the mention of the goblins.

She didn't care if they caught the goblins on a good minute or even a good second! She didn't want to go near them.

But since Jake was being all cute professional about professional stuff, she decided not to say that. Instead, she just nodded her head because Carter knew why they were really there and went about looking around the place. There should really be a sign that directed them to the dragon. Would make things so much easier. "My name goes first on the vault."

In case Carter forgot since she had told him that same thing just ten minutes ago.

New vault. So yes, they were actually here for important things. Which was good, now that Jake thought about it, because if he screwed up on something at least he'd screw up things for people he knew. That was a little more comforting than doing something bad to a bank account that was important.

"Okay. So... I think you have to see a goblin about vaults?" Maybe? Shoot. He couldn't remember. "But um. No. Yeah. I think you do." Hewassonotreadyforthiswasitobvious?

It's okay. He was okay. Smile to Connor. Woo. Alright. "But after they take care of that, I can definitely take you to your new vault, if you'd like." He lowered his voice slightly, "And you might be able to catch a glimpse of a dragon or two." Depending on if they were sleeping or not. Or eating. Because Jake had remembered to feed them today. At least that was some sort of job security, right? Professional Dragon Feeder.

Carter took Connor and wrapped his arm around his wife. It still surprised him how much Destiny loved every living thing ever... minus goblins and house elves.

It was kind of cute actually. She'd hide behind him and he'd get to be big strong husband man. He liked that. It made things like her wanting her name to go first (when C definitely came before D in the alphabet) bearable. And almost cute even.

He bounced his son a few times before digging a hand in his pocket and withdrawing a letter. "Dignitary vault actually." he said. "I think we can talk to you about that?" Hopefully? Destiny didn't like goblins. And even the thought of seeing two dragons didn't seem like enough to hold her over.

Carter was not doing a good job protecting her from having to talk to a goblin. What was the point in having real live people, real live people like Jake, working at the bank if the only thing they were going to do was show them to their vault!? If she wasn't so afraid of the bank manager being one of those goblins, she would've asked to see them.

Instead, she was just going to cling onto Carter for dear life and hope that Jake was right about them catching a glimpse of the dragons. Because only that would make this adventure worth it.

For all she was going through, it should only be her name on the vault. She gave Carter a look before leaning in closer to see what exactly was on the piece of paper that he pulled out of his pocket, but was too impressed with him being able to say such a big word to really take notice. D'awww. She wondered how long it took him to get that word right. And maybe they didn't have to talk to a goblin after all! Destiny turned her attention towards Jake hear his answer.

Did sad eyes work on him?

Ohh. Dignitary vault. Jake took the paper from Carter and read it over quickly before handing it back to him. "Yeah, I can handle those ones." He looked over at Destiny to clarify something, and that's when he saw the sad eyes. Anya had ones just like those.

"Okay, okay. Okay. No goblins, alright?" No sad eyes, either. This was a professional bank. Gosh. Jake had to at least try to keep up appearances.

"Alright," he said with a nod toward the counters. "Let's go get that taken care of, yeah?" Big fancy Dignitary Vault. Leave it to Carter to have one of those for his family.

So Nolan was apparently approved for a new vault. Or something. He wasn't entirely sure, but now that he had two kids (and more in the future, possibly) he probably should get something nice and big so he could keep his fancy belongings there. Plus some money, should something terrible happen to himself and Ginger and Scarlett and Clay were left without parents.

Plus, he had to admit - he had some nice money coming in lately. Business was BOOMING at the shop!

Alright, sooo...where did he go to get one of these said vaults? He noticed Carter, one of his fellow governors, nearby and figured he was in the right place.

Goblins sort of scared him. He'd never gotten along with them when he was still involved in divination and whatnot, since they were occasionally butting into his spirit division work, so he just kind of...waited. For one to approach him. Or something.

Oi. Wife. Don't do the sad eyes. Those were for him and he could tell they were coming. That's how they ended up with the cat. Or the other cat. Or that weird bird thing. Merlin. He couldn't keep track anymore.

"See, Des. No goblins." he said giving his wife little squeeze. And they might get to see the dragons! He bounced his son a little and telepathically sent him a excited squealish thing. Why? Because he wasn't doing that in front of Jake. That would be weird.

"Brilliant." he said walking in the direction that Jake nodded to. New vault. Woo. Maybe he could pass it down? That would be cool, huh? His great great grand kids could have the same vault.

Ooh. And there was Nolan. He nodded a greeting. He'd wave but he had a baby and a wife in his arms.

Those sad eyes were coming all right.

And if it hadn't been for Jake mentioning that they weren't going to have to talk to any goblins, they would have been right there, out in the open, AND she would've gotten another kitten. That was how good her sad eyes were and she was sure Carter knew it. Perhaps she would still be able to get that kitten after all, but first, they needed to get their vault all sorted out. And since her name WAS going to be on the thing first, that meant it was going to be her money. Right? Maybe?

Probably not.

Oh well. Destiny gave Connor a few more pokes in the belly since Carter was holding him and the little guy could squeal in his ears for a change before following them all over towards the fancy counters. "Do you have your very own personalized quill that you use at this counter?" If not, he should get some. Professionals used personalized quills.

She was still crouched behind the vase, observing her baby cursebreaker prodigy, when she noticed a man looking quite lost. He seemed familiar; maybe Lucia had seen him before? Ah, well. Colin didn't seem to be around, so she blew her cover and stepped out from her hiding spot. Didn't look as if she'd been spying, did she? No?

Okay, good.

"Hello, sir," she beamed, stepping up to the man. "Are you in need of assitance? Can I help you? Would you like a vault? Would you not like a vault? I'll get you one either way!" She would.

Coriana loved coming to Gringott's. Even though they lived in Ireland, her parents preferred to come here for their banking. Many people disliked the goblins but she knew they were only doing their jobs and being true to their nature. She followed her parents through the entrance and into the main hall. Seeing that it was a little busy, she stuck close to her parents. "Now where?" Her dad smiled and motioned to teh long line that was slowly moving. "To the line for new vaults." They quickly headed over and got into the growing line.

Boy, someone was cheerful! But Nolan was happy that the person who had come to help him was excited and happy to see him - not angry about the business or grumpy or anything. Yes. That was good. Nolan smiled at the woman and nodded.

"Yes, I'm on the Hogwarts Board of Governors and was told we got pre-approved for new vaults?" he said, raising a dark eyebrow.

Oh, he was a Governor! "Yes, sir. Twelve dignitary vaults are ready for you lot already! May I ask your name?" There were too many men on that Board for her to know who he was at first sight, but she was sure the name would be familiar. "You must know my husband. I'm Lucia Clark, manager of the bank."

Extending her hand, she took his and gave it a very strong shake for an old lady. "If you'll follow me, I can your vault set up for you right away!"

With that, she started clacking her heels over to the new vault window. He still needed to get goblin assistance, after all.

Personalized quills? Jake laughed and shook his head. "Sadly, no. I just have the boring standard ones, you know. Christmas gift, maybe?" Hint hint. But really though, personalized quills would actually be really cool. He'd never thought of that.

He rummaged through some stuff on the counter before finding what he was looking for and sliding it over to Destiny and/or Carter with a quill and an ink bottle on top of the paper. "You'll just have to fill this out so we can get the vault processed." Was processed the right word? Either way, it sounded official and Jake liked that. "Make sure to answer the questions completely, too." Just in case they weren't planning on that.

Also, would it be okay for him to hold Connor while this was happening, or would that be frowned upon?

"It would be cheaper than last year's present." Carter said with a laugh. Then again, pretty much anything would be. Unless their present was a house... or the moon.

"Sure." he said looking over the application. "Do you mind?" he asked holding Connor out toward Jake. He then got started on the vault application. He had to beat Destiny to it, or it would be her name that went first. Clearly, since they were getting a cool vault because of him, his name should go first. Then hers. Yes? Yes.

He quickly scribbled down his name then started on the rest of the application.

... and then he hoped Destiny wouldn't notice. They could just say her name went first and maybe he'd get out of whatever animal he'd need to buy her to make up for it.

Or maybe going out for chocolate fondue would be enough. ... that actually sounded really good right now. "Hey Des. That chocolate fondue place after this?" The ones where he could dip the cheesecake in it. Mm. Yes. That was totally dinner appropriate, right?

No personalized quills!?

What kind of place was Jake working at? If it was her, and thank Merlin it wasn't, because she would never be able to work around goblins, she would've quit as soon as she saw the quills. Boring, plain? She didn't like to use quills.. she didn't like to write in general, but if she had to write, she wanted to write in style. And that meant using a quill with her name on it. Jake didn't even need to hint at anything. Personalized quills for him were already there on the top of her 'To Buy' list.

Right underneath a kitten, of course.

And since they weren't using any fancy quills, Destiny didn't even care that Jake handed Carter the papers instead of her. At least, with Jake holding Connor, she was free to look right over Carter's shoulder to make sure he wrote her name on the papers first. She.. couldn't really see if he had, though, which he was probably doing on purpose for some reason, and after hopping up and down a few times without even the tiniest of glimpses, she decided to stop trying and leaned herself right up against the counter. Were they done yet? "Can I bring the fondue home with me this time?"

What was the point in bringing a bag with her if he wasn't going to let her fill it up with chocolate?

"Nolan Reynolds," Nolan replied with an air of confidence. This was the first time he'd ever been on a LIST for something! HOW EXCITING! He couldn't wait to tell Ginger how important the name Reynolds was around DA right now.

"Ah yes, I do!" he said with a smile as he followed her to get his vault. He didn't know Sherman very well, but he at least knew OF him.

He'd been staring at the shop entrance to the menagerie intermittently throughout this rare visit to Diagon Alley. He'd pass here and stare, and pass there and stare some more. All the while wandlessly conjuring Lexa Cambridge's words of advice. A kneazle. A smart animal. Smarter than an owl. Cunning. Clever and occasionally protective. But what if it was too smart? What if it betrayed him? Or got itself killed. As much as he thought it would be convenient to own an animal, he'd thought it a risky maneuver in previous years. This year would prove to be no different.

Cutty had convinced his visiting father that he thought it a good idea to let him wonder about on his own Not that Cutty found this particularly necessary. It had always seemed to him that his father found it easy to let him go. And that didn't bother him. He'd learnt to work that to his convenience and he'd found himself at the entrance to the one true sacred site: Gringotts Bank.

Still wearing his uniform from the summer curriculum his mother had thought to enroll him in, Cutty moved his way into the grand foyer of the wizarding world's bank his eye drawn upward toward the splendour. Walking briskly, he headed toward the polished wood counters.

This was her second year being in Diagon Alley, but her very first time going inside this bank. Last year her father had straightened everything out while she got her supplies with her other two sisters. Why AJ didn't come sooner was beyond her, the place looked wicked.

She read the sign, and wondered what was 'beneath our floors' She stored that question for when she was able to talk to somebody. Oh, she wondered if she would be assisted by a goblin. The lion had heard rumors, but she wasn't sure how true they were. Passing the guards, AJ walked in humming to herself. This was soooo cool. Too bad she had lost her sisters earlier in Diagon Alley, they were missing out.

Sturnik paced. He was anxious. Human children made him nervous. They were loud and distrupting his bank. Maybe he'd just go patrol the mint again. The only upside of summer was that he could stand here and spend all day making eyes at Lyzrog.

Which, might be worth it actually.

Carry on children.

He told his mum where he was going that morning, at least. They weren't exactly on speaking terms at the moment. Everything was so off and on lately. Cutty figured it was them readjusting to living together again after 7 years of his residence being divided up between summers in Canada with dad and Hogwarts having the bulk of the rest.

Or possibly he really hated her.


He wore the suit he'd purchased with Ruby Banner's careful eye for fashion-it was a friendship of mutual exploitation and it seemed to suit both Slytherins. As he stepped further into the space, the silence of it seemed more impressive than he recalled on his previous visits. How could anyone work in such quiet? He supposed he would have to learn.

She was aware of Cutty A. A. Mordaunt's presence in her entrance foyer the second he arrived, but Lucia had him wait for a good ten minutes. Let the boy stew. The calculated woman would see if he'd fidget, sweat, start goofing off.... anything to provide an idea of how he'd be the next few weeks.

It was also nice to know how people squirmed. For not only knowledge, but amusement as well.

After she'd had her fill of examination time, Lucia click-clacked her way across the floor, breaking the calm silence of the bank that morning to meet this.... Cutty. "Mr. Mordaunt? What a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Mrs. Clark."

Smiling, she extended a hand. So far, so... not horrible.

He didn't mean to case the joint, but his curiosity got the better of him. Not aware that he was being watched, Cutty's eyes traced the outside of the door ways to see how the doors were fixed to the rest of the building. The craftsmanship was quite astounding. Goblin? Of course. He knew by the patterns. It reminded him of Mona. The little Goblin girl that got away.

His eyes fixed away from the doors unsure of their construction for it looked to him as if they were fused somehow. As if one part grew out of the next and so on and so forth. And anyway a visual gaze would tell one nothing of the sort of enchantments that might be placed upon a thing. Soon he was calmly observing the hands of the bank's employees. One person counted, another person weighed, and still one more seemed to be filling out paperwork with the utmost of care. The margin for err was rice paper thin if one could be said to have existed at all.

He liked that. And was so distracted by that thought that he scarcely heard Mrs. Clark's click-clacking foot steps coming his way. They sounded like his mother's dragonhide mules, but their timing was entirely different. He turned and smiled at the older witch, who was alot older than Cutty thought she'd be (even as the Minister's wife). She was attractive to him, though. Well kept and perfectly manicured. He extended his hand toward hers and gave it a firm but gentle squeeze. "Mrs. Clark. Yes. The pleasure is all mine. Where would yew like ter start me off today?"

Observant was what she got from the little casing of her own specimen. Observant, thoughtful... and either clever enough to stay put and think about his next move, or too stupid to go anywhere, do anything, or seek out assistance. Perhaps it was rather early to decide which one.

And prompt and eager he was proving to be as well, given his little preamble and small talk. Wanted to get down and dirty already, did he? "I was quite pleased with your Gobbledegook qualifications and NEWT results, and I'd like to see how much of that knowledge you've retained." Note if he was as smart in person as on paper. "You shall exchange a few words with a goblin of Gringotts; Mr. Quizzit Wizspigot is the third goblin from the left of the new vault and maintenance counter. If you speak and understand the language well enough, you will receive your instructions for the day. Come see me if that proves to be.... difficult."

With that, Lucia turned away. Her impression of the boy was sufficiently high, but he could drop it in an instant.

She click-clacked away again, allowing the boy to go on with his task.