For a moment, Shawn was thrilled at the thought that he not only had a mountain of gold, but also a vast array of businesses to inherit.
But after examining the documents further, he discovered that many contracts had lapsed, including the seat on the Hogwarts board of governors he valued most.
Shawn's expression darkened. He already knew the answer.
With no direct heir left in a family, the covetous crocodiles would naturally pounce, tearing it apart and dividing the spoils.
Those involved were probably all the interrelated pure-blood families, though the Ministry of Magic had likely taken the biggest bite.
Shawn sorted the valid contracts from the invalid ones and memorized as much of their contents as he could, weighing things up in his mind. Some matters could wait. He needed time to grow stronger. Stay steady. Don't get reckless.
Kreacher approached with a money bag.
"Young master, the money is packed."
Shawn closed the chest, then selected a few alchemical items from the family collection: a brooch that could release a powerful Shield Charm in an emergency, a necklace that protected the mind from intrusion, and a ring bearing a permanent Undetectable Extension Charm.
He left the vault with Kreacher and found Griphook waiting outside, still craning his neck to peer inside.
Kreacher gave Griphook a hard shove.
"What are you staring at? This is all the Black family's wealth."
Half an hour later, Shawn walked out of Gringotts and considered his next move.
"Come on, let's get a few properly fitted outfits made first. You'll get some too, Kreacher. A great family's house-elf needs to look presentable as well. You mustn't disgrace the Blacks."
Kreacher had been about to refuse, but after hearing the latter half and remembering that the young master would not be handing him the clothes personally, he immediately straightened his back.
Diagon Alley was bustling that day. Most Hogwarts students were doing their shopping around this time.
In the distance, Shawn even spotted a towering, ten-foot-tall man leading a skinny little boy. That had to be Hagrid and Harry.
He did not approach them to introduce himself. He had plenty to deal with already and no interest in getting involved in the Chosen One's training plan.
After buying his textbooks at Flourish and Blotts, he went to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
The plump Madam Malkin enthusiastically took his measurements. Shawn gave her a long list of requirements, and with money smoothing the way, she assured him everything would be ready very soon.
Shawn thought it over. He really had no desire to browse those shabby shops, so he decided to wait here.
He sent Kreacher to buy the rest of his school supplies, along with furniture and decorations, telling him to choose the most expensive rather than the most suitable.
Bored, Shawn took the first-year Standard Book of Spells out of his ring, sat down in a corner, and began reading.
"Dad, buy me a broom. Even a Nimbus 1700 would do. I could sneak it into school."
"No. That's too dangerous, Draco. You're still too young. I won't buy you one until your second year."
"Darling, stop making a fuss. Let's buy your school uniform first. Be good."
As Shawn became engrossed in his book, he heard two male voices and a female voice. He turned to glance at the lavishly dressed family of three.
With that distinctive platinum hair and those arrogant expressions, Shawn could have guessed who they were without even thinking.
His gaze chilled as he recalled that the Malfoy family had a hand in those lapsed contracts. Never mind Shawn himself-Sirius was not even dead yet. Though he understood that their allegiances differed, Shawn, as the current Black Patriarch, was no saint of lofty virtue. He was hardly going to watch his family's property being swallowed up, then pretend to be neutral and say, "If Narcissa hadn't taken it, someone else would have. I completely understand."
He had no intention of approaching them to acknowledge their kinship. Some scores did not need to be settled immediately.
"Hey, you. Are you going to Hogwarts too?"
Shawn wanted to focus on his book and improve his abilities, but trouble still came looking for him. He raised his head to look at Draco, who was standing on a stool.
Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy had already gone outside, leaving only this cousin of his. Draco continued in his slow drawl.
"I'm asking you a question. Are you mute or something? When a noble Malfoy speaks to you, answering is an honor."
Shawn thought Draco was a complete idiot and ignored the spoiled little brat.
Seeing that the black-haired boy still refused to acknowledge him, Draco lost his temper. He jumped off the stool and walked up to Shawn, lifting his little chin as he prepared to continue his interrogation disguised as conversation.
But the next instant, dozens of golden cards materialized around the black-haired boy, lighting up the little shop with a brilliant glow. They whirled and danced around him, giving Draco a terrible fright.
Then the cards flew toward Draco, striking him and forcing him backward. Terrified, he fell to the floor, and the cards crackled and exploded above his head.
Shawn only intended to scare him. He had kept the power of Avis carefully under control.
"Ah! Ah! Stay away from me!"
"I'm telling my father! You're finished! I'll have you thrown into Azkaban! Waaah!"
Draco shouted through his tears. His neatly slicked-back hair was a mess, and the electrical arcs accompanying the spell had made every platinum strand stand on end.
Tears were now rolling down Draco's cheeks. He looked utterly ridiculous, every trace of aristocratic poise gone.
"Good heavens, silent Wandless Magic! Is he one of this year's new students?"
Just then, a giant and a skinny boy entered the shop. They were Hagrid and Harry.
When no one answered him, Hagrid looked a little awkward. Harry, awed by the spell he had just witnessed, could not help asking him a question.
"What's silent Wandless Magic?"
Hagrid scratched his head.
"Harry, that's a very advanced way of casting spells. Most adults can't manage it. That boy reading over there is really something."
"Cool!"
"You've got plenty of talent too, Harry. Study hard once you start school, and you'll be able to do it as well."
Hagrid called Madam Malkin over to measure Harry, then went outside to help him buy the rest of his school supplies.
Madam Malkin first spent some time soothing Draco. Harry kept looking between Shawn in the corner and Draco, who was still muttering, "I'll have my father deal with you."
Once Madam Malkin finished taking Harry's measurements, she went into the back to work. Business was exceptionally good today.
Shawn had naturally noticed Harry Potter, but his attitude remained unchanged. He had no intention of going over to make friends.
But the next instant-
Ding! Main quest issued: Seize the Chosen One's renown (stage one): Prevent the Dark Lord possessing Quirrell from stealing the Philosopher's Stone. Quest rewards: 10,000 level-one faith value and one point of legendary value.
Shawn froze for a moment. This damned system really was a bastard.
It wanted him to compete with Harry Potter!
Still, the rewards were generous, especially that tempting point of legendary value.
After considering it carefully, he realized he did not need to keep watching every development in the plot. He only had to intervene at the critical moment to steal the prize.
Even with the quest, however, Shawn had no intention of getting involved immediately. He was not strong enough yet. If he wanted to snatch the prize, he would have to take his time.
"You're Harry Potter?"
As though he had forgotten his recent lesson, the now-composed Draco addressed Harry in his slow drawl again.
Harry was still a timid boy at this point. Tugging at the hem of his clothes, he answered softly.
"Yes."
Excitement flashed in Draco's eyes. He stepped forward and held out a hand, his head tilted slightly upward, his tone still begging for a punch.
"Hello. I'm a noble Malfoy. You can call me Draco. I think we could be friends."
Harry was a little overwhelmed, but politely shook Draco's hand.
Draco turned to Shawn, intending to show off that he had befriended the Boy Who Lived. His lips moved a few times, but he did not dare say anything.
As the son of a pure-blood family, he understood very well how impressive silent Wandless Magic was. He had never even seen his father perform it.
So Draco still very much wanted a gifted friend like Shawn. After all, his father had taught him the benefits of befriending the powerful.
Just then, Madam Malkin drew aside the curtain and addressed Shawn with an ingratiating smile.
"Young Master Black, your custom outfits and school uniforms are ready, along with the House-elf Butler Uniform. That will be three hundred Galleons."
Shawn closed his book and put it into his ring. He stood and accepted the pile of clothes, stored the dozen or so garments in the ring as well, then promptly paid.
The sight left both boys staring. Even though Draco belonged to the Malfoy family, he normally did not have much money he could spend freely.
Stunned once more, Draco suddenly thought of something and stammered out a question.
"Y-you're from the Black family? Why haven't I heard of you?"
With a teasing expression, Shawn turned and patted Draco on the shoulder.
"There's a lot you don't know, little cousin. Oh, and give Aunt Narcissa my regards."
With that, Shawn pushed open the door and strode out with effortless flair.
Harry thought Shawn's bearing and manner were incredibly cool.
"Um, Draco, are you related to that boy?"
Draco slowly recovered his senses.
"Yes. If his surname is Black, then he really is my cousin. But wasn't the Black family supposed to have no heir left? How did someone that impressive suddenly turn up?"
"Are all children from pure-blood families that good?"
"Ahem. Well, of course. I'm very good too. Um, you're not bad either. You're the one who defeated the Dark Lord."
Draco sounded rather unsure of himself.
He no longer had much interest in chatting with the Chosen One. After collecting the clothes Madam Malkin brought out, he hurried off to find his parents. He had to tell them this news at once.
Harry, meanwhile, suddenly felt less confident. Ever since he had arrived in Diagon Alley, everyone had marveled at who he was, leaving him a little giddy. After all, the environment he had grown up in had made him deeply insecure.
Only now did he wonder: Was this what a truly gifted boy looked like?