~AN: Your Typical disclaimer. I don't Own Harry Potter. ~
Chapter One-A Letter from the Air
A small bundle of red hair and dark clothes came tumbling down the stairs and fled out the back door to the screams of a man who looked remarkably like a walrus. Small whimpers could be heard as it curled up on the "bed" made out of grass clippings in a small burlap bag. She felt her body slowly though quicker than most heal the cuts and scrapes over her body and the surely broken ankle and wrist. She whimpered softly listening to the bolt being thrown on the garden shed locking her into her "room" the only time she had a room indoors was during the late fall, winter, and early spring while it was too cold and even then it was a small cupboard under the stairs. It was better than the garden shed admittedly but also worse in its own ways.
She looked up red hair shifting back to pure black eyes shifting to a soft violet listening for a while to the sound of the three Dursleys piling into their car and driving off. All she had asked was to go to the zoo with them. She shivered softly. Ten fell years with the Dursleys. She started a bit hearing the cry of a black owl next to her. It was watching almost expectantly and held out a leg showing a letter addressed to her. Hesitantly the girl took the letter and opened it.
Dear Miss. Helena Lilly Potter,
It is to our great horror that we found recently that someone was tampering with your vaults. A large sum of gold and several Ancient Artifacts and Heirlooms of the Very Ancient and Very Noble House of Potter were reported missing in the last week. If you would please send a reply to this letter to arrange a time to meet with you, we would be much obliged.
Many Apologies,
Goblin Master, Roganok
Helen was startled and looked up at the owl who looked at her a little bemusedly. Quickly she grabbed a pen from under her mattress and a grass stained piece of paper humming softly and nervouse on what to write.
Dear Master Goblin,
I am afraid I am very ignorant on what you are speaking of and of your customs. If you could please send someone to come, get me I would gladly come and speak with you but otherwise I don't even have a way to find you.
Thank you,
Helena
PS. My name is Helena?
She quickly handed the letter to the owl after gently rubbing her head. She watched as the sweet owl flew through the hole in the roof and curled up tightly on her bed trembling softly in exhaustion as she watched to see if someone would come. Perhaps this would be a way for her to never return to this place again. She whimpered softly as an old pain spiked in her back through the many scars there that had formed before her magic was strong enough to heal her. Yes. This had to be the way out for her.
Helena's POV
A few hours had passed and I startled awake to the sound of a small pop. I looked up curling tightly into the corner in surprise seeing a strange looking little man stand before me. It kind of scared me. Who was this man? What was he? His teeth and ears were pointed and he was so short. I could feel myself shift a little bit in my fear eyes going a little lighter and hair a little darker in response to my emotions. He seemed friendly though and looked… sad even. Like he was sad that I was hurt. My bruises and cuts throbbed,
"Hello Lady Potter, I was sent to bring you to Master Roganok. From the looks of you, you left some things out of your letter. My name is Griphook. I am one of the many goblins at Gringots. You look absolutely exhausted my dear. May I carry you there, child so you need not tire yourself further?" The stra-… No Griphook the Goblin asked speaking softly. Already I felt safer with this man. Safer than I had in years.
"If it truly is no trouble. I seem even more tired than normal sir. But I also don't want to inconvenience you or make you get in trouble or cause you to be hurt by others. Do you think I will have to come back here?" I asked speaking softly looking down and carefully sliding from my spot and stumbling to my feet only to start to fall again being caught by Griphook and lifted into his arms.
"It is no trouble my lady, you poor thing. Even the goblin younglings are better off than you. Let me get you quickly to our master. Everything is worse than we thought and no you will never return here child as far as I am concerned little one." Griphook spoke softly with a sadness in his voice as he turned on a heel vanishing with a pop and carried me with him. It was so cold and I felt like I was being squeezed in on all sides. The last thing I remembered when we reappeared back out in a brightly lit building was the warmth of Griphook's arms the stinging cold and his voice murmuring softly for me to stay with him before darkness over took my senses and I knew no more. Perhaps now I was safe in this weird place.