Chapter 20

"Mr. Potter, perhaps not in public," Severus seemed flustered by Harry's sudden bold declaration. "We still have to secure our living arrangements for the future,"

The duo put their hoods back up, and Harry followed Snape, who made a beeline for Gringotts. The bank was quite busy this morning, and they had to wait in line to see a teller. "Severus Snape to see the Prince account manager," the goblin teller said, giving both Snape and Harry a look but directing them to a waiting area.

"You're really going to do it?" Harry questioned. "You know if this is about the promise you made in the heat of the moment you don't have to. Especially if facing your maternal side of the family makes you uncomfortable."

"Unfortunately, you were right. We are indeed in need of more funds. If this is the only way to get access to them, then so be it. Facing my mother's side of the family was a long time coming, also," Severus stated.

"This whole thing does make me feel super bad though," Harry stated while not looking at Snape. "And selfish too, me asking you to bankroll my revenge. At the very least let me pay you back for all your trouble once this is over Snape because right now it just looks like you're going to be my sugar daddy,"

Severus actually let out an awkward cough at that statement. Then the Potion Master just began to laugh.

"Snape?"

"Oh... Merlin... I broke Snape!" Harry exclaimed.

"No Mr. Potter, I'm just laughing at the absurdity of it all. Next, you will claim that you are robbing the cradle as well," Severus bit his lip to stifle his laugh though Harry just groaned.

"Please don't remind me of my age," Harry muttered while blushing.

"Heir Prince, the account manager is ready for you," A goblin guard called out before directing them further down the marble-tiled hallway.

"Master Snape, a pleasure to finally meet you. May your gold flow," An elderly goblin greeted the duo as they entered. "My name is Suffet,"

"And may your enemies be crushed," Snape finished the traditional Goblin greeting.

"Prince Laggof has filled me in on the situation. He was sure you would be back to claim the Lordship." Suffet said as he grabbed a folder from his desk. "All you need to do is sign the official documents and you are good to go,"

"I believe there has been a mistake," Snape frowned. "From what I knew previously I was only eligible to claim the Heir seat. Not the Lordship,"

"Apologies. We have tried to send you a secure letter about the matter however, our owl could not deliver it. My best guess is that the wards surrounding your residence did not allow for any communication by owl. It seemed that after you and your companion left our records started updating. A rather obscure clause in the Prince family Charter stated that the holder of Pendragon's wand, if any such person existed at the time, would automatically be considered Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Prince, regardless of any designated heirs."

"Snape, is your family related to the Pendragons?" Harry questioned while thinking about the whole situation.

"Not that I know of. My mother's side of the family rose to prominence during the Norman conquest. I have no clue why they would even mention the Pendragon wand in their Charter."

"Be that as it may, the Lordship is yours to claim," Suffet stated as he presented the professor with a scroll and a bloodquil. Now Harry detested those quills and he frowned though he knew it was a necessary procedure. A Lordship couldn't be claimed without it being signed in blood.

"Congratulations Lord Prince," Suffet stated once the official document was signed. "An announcement will be sent by the bank to all family members as is procedure. Now we will have to go over the estate, vaults, and any businesses attached to the family that the previous Lords started."

It was a good three hours later that Snape and Harry left Suffet's office. They had been instructed to wait in the lobby as a Prince elf would meet them there to take them to the location. Apparently, Snape's maternal side of the family was a paranoid bunch and had warded their estate to the high heavens.

A pop sounded next to the waiting duo, and a house elf dressed much like how Dobby was when Harry had first met him. "Greetings Lord Prince and Lord Prince's friend. I am the Head elf Tibsby," The elf was cordial and even gave the duo a bow. "Would you hold onto Tobsby so we may travel?"

Both Harry and Snape took each of Tibsby's hands and off they went. Harry hated apparition but apparition by house elf seemed to be much worse. It felt like his lungs were being squeezed through a straw. What was seconds felt like minutes and he nearly buckled over once they landed. Luckily Snape caught him though he too seemed a bit unsteady.

"Tibsby very sorry," the elf grabbed her ears in nervousness and twisted them. "Wizards not used to house-elf magic. Tibsby bad elf for not warning you!" Said elf then proceeded to slam her head into the stone pillars of the iron-wrought gate.

"Tibsby, Tibsby stop!" Harry surged forward trying to stop the elf from hurting herself. "You did nothing wrong, really! We're fine!"

"We're fine aren't we Professor," Harry stressed as he looked back at Severus.

"Yes, perfectly fine," Snape nodded. "Why don't you show us inside?"

"Oh yes!" Tibsby exclaimed happily as her ears fluttered. "New Lord Prince needs the wards to accept him. Please place drop of blood on gate lock."

Snape used his wand to make a small incision on his finger and let a few drops of blood fall on the ancient-looking gatelock. The lock glowed orange for a few seconds before an audible click was heard.

"The wards have accepted New Lord Prince," Tibsby sounded very happy.

"Do I need to do anything?" Harry asked as he wasn't keyed into the wards yet.

"No no, You just need to be invited in. Ward access is only if you and New Lord Prince are bonded. Are you bonded? Did Tibsby make a mistake??!"

"No, no. We're not bonded... yet," Harry explained as he didn't want to cause the elf more anxiety. Snape raised a brow at the yet part though he didn't comment on it.

"Oh! Then Tibsby will address you as Master Lord Prince's partner!"

"Harry, please just call me Harry,"

The elf was over the moon and Harry got the distinct impression that she was never granted the privilege to call her Masters by their first name. Snape proceeded to invite Harry inside as per Tibsby's instruction. It was then that Harry finally got a good look at the estate. Flanking the wrought-iron gate were two two-storey towers. The rest of the estate formed an ellipsoid with a central area of grassy lawn in the middle. The chateau itself was three storeys high with circular towers flanking the main building. It had seen better days Harry noted. The internal lawn was unkempt with freely growing grass and weeds, dead trees lined the entranceway, and paint seemed to be peeling off the side of the building walls.

The inside of the chateau had also seen better days. It was dark and dreary, wallpaper was peeling in certain sections, and Tibsby apologized because the lighting wasn't working properly.

"This is supposed to be the main Prince estate. Why is it this... rundown?" Severus asked, more curious than angry.

"Tibsby is sorry Lord Prince!" The elf uttered while wringing her boney fingers together. "Tibsby makes do with what is available. One elf fixing up this large a place is.... TIBSBY IS VERY SORRY IT WASN'T PRESENTABLE!"

"Don't even think of punishing yourself," Snape ordered which caused the house elf to pause. "Are you saying that you are the only elf looking after this place?" The potion master followed up, looking more inquisitive than upset.

"Yes, yes. Tibsby only elf deemed necessary to take care of old Lord Prince!" The elf explained. "All other elves were....disposed of..."

"Disposed of..." Snape's voice shook at what the elf had heavily implied. "Why?"

"Because the old Lord Prince needed taking care of?" Tibsby said carefully.

"Not that," Snape hissed. "The other elves.... Why,"

"The extended family didn't want more mouths to feed with only old Lord Prince living here," She confessed. "Tibsby was old Lord Prince's nanny growing up so was deemed essential. All non-essential staff was... terminated."

"That's barbaric!" Harry exclaimed, utterly horrified at what he was hearing.

"Potter, even the Malfoy's would agree that that course of action was barbaric and they aren't known for treating their house elves kindly," Severus deadpanned.

"You mentioned my grandfather," Snape finally broached the subject. "He's still living in the estate?"

"Yes Lord Prince," Tibsby said and then pleaded. "Please don't kick old Lord Prince out! He often isn't right in the head anymore but it not his fault! Please! Old Lord Prince has nowhere else to go and Tibsby cannot take care of him if he not here!"

"I'm not going to kick him out," Snape stated, reassuring the elf. "I'm not so heartless to kick someone suffering from dementia out on the streets,"

"Oh Thank you new Lord Prince!!" Tibsby uttered while flapping her ears happily. "Thank you so much! The extended family was very cruel to old Lord Prince after everything he'd done for them. Very cruel indeed!"

"I would however like to see my grandfather's living conditions," Snape stated which seemed to make Tibsby more nervous than it should.

"Tibsby will comply, please follow," The elf uttered with an air that spelled resignment.