Chapter 9: Finishing the Horcruxes
"Thank you for helping me at the Gaunt Shack, Kingsley." Headmaster Dumbledore stated as they prepared themselves to apparate back to near Hogwarts. (Hogwarts wards prevented apparition in Hogwarts grounds) "I don't want to think about what would happen if I put the ring before destroying the soul fragment inside the stone."
"You're welcome, Headmaster." Kingsley Shacklebolt replied. "But why do you remain so interested in that ring?"
"Not the ring, Kingsley." Albus replied and then they apparated to near Hogwarts grounds. "The stone in the ring."
"What's so special about it, Albus?"
"Have you heard about the tale of the three brothers, Kingsley?"
"Headmaster, do you really believe the resurrection stone could be real?" A surprised Kingsley asked. "The tale of the three brothers is just a fairy tale."
"Gellert Grindewald didn't think like that, Kingsley." Dumbledore replied. "He even carried their symbol wherever he went."
"Do you mean that symbol wizards and witches in Europe fear and hate with the same intensity muggles fear and hate Hitler's swastika was just a sign Grindewald believed in the existence of the magical artifacts the legendary three brothers of a fairy tale?"
"Yes, but we have more pressing matters to attend." Dumbledore replied as they reached the seventh floor. Following instructions given to them by the unspeakables who read the memories of Wraith-Voldemort, Albus Dumbledore and Kingsley Shacklebolt entered the Room of Requirement and found Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem. "Kingsley, I wish I didn't have to do this to such a precious artifact but Tom left me no other choice." Dumbledore said and then stabbed the diadem with Godric Gryffindor's sword.
Meanwhile, at Number 12, Grimmauld Place, Sirius Black was trying to keep it clean from dark artifacts when he was informed of people at his door. He answered it and found Minister Fudge and Auror Dawlish. "How may I help you?" Black asked while trying to hide his disgust of them.
"Lord Black, I'm afraid we need your help to keep You-Know-Who from returning." Fudge explained. Shocked, Sirius Black invited them in, taking the precaution of not letting them anywhere where they could find an excuse to persecute, uh, prosecute him again. "I'm confused, Minister. Why do you think my help may be so needed?"
"Lord Black, are you aware of what a Horcrux is?" Fudge asked. Sirius Black's reaction to the question suggested the answer to be a 'yes'.
"Did Voldemort make one?" Sirius asked in shock. Fudge and Dawlish cringed at the mention of You-Know-Who's name.
"Don't mention that name!" Fudge shouted. "But yes."
"And how do you think I may help you, Minister?" Sirius asked.
"With all living Lestranges behind bars, you have access to their Gringotts vault as the head of the family Mrs. Lestrange came from, Lord Black." Fudge explained. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named turned a cup into a Horcrux and your cousin Bellatrix Lestrange hid it in the vault. The goblins take no sides in any Wizard Wars and we can't force them to ignore the policy. However, if someone with legal access to the Lestrange vault were to ask for the cup…"
"I'll do anything within my power to prevent that monster from returning to power." Sirius Black solemnly proclaimed.
Back at Hogwarts, Headmaster Dumbledore was showing the other professors what remained of Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem. Professor Flitwick was loudly sobbing the loss. "How could He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named befoul such an important artifact?" The Charms Professor sadly cried.
While Severus Snape, current Potions Master and former Death Eater, would usually refrain himself from questioning his former master, he couldn't help but be appalled at the atrocity of using a powerful and ancient artifact to store a soul fragment. "Why would the Dark Lord ignore the diadem's legendary powers?"
"I'm afraid, Severus, that the only thing Voldemort cares to know about the founders' relics is their connection to Hogwarts or, in the case of Salazar Slytherin's relics, his heritage." Dumbledore explained.
"Why do you speak of him in present time, Albus?" Deputy Headmistress McGonagall asked. "Didn't he die now that he lost his Horcrux?"
Dumbledore now lost the twinkle of his eyes. "Voldemort can't die for as long as one of his Horcruxes remains intact." All professors became horrified at the idea of someone making more than one Horcrux.
"Voldemort intended to make six of them to save his soul split in seven parts." Dumbledore said. "Now, if you excuse me, I'm going after the soul fragment he placed inside Salazar Slytherin's locket."
Meanwhile, at Gringotts, Sirius Orion Black was pouring drops of Basilisk venom at Helga Hufflepuff's Cup until the soul fragment inside it left. "I'm done here." He told a goblin. "Please place whatever is left of this cup back inside the Lestrange vault.
The goblin obeyed and Sirius, Fudge and Dawlish left Gringotts. "Lord Black, in name of the Ministry of Magic, I thank you for your cooperation." Fudge said.
"You're welcome, Minister." Sirius answered.
"You know, Lord Black?" Fudge asked. "England is hosting the next Quidditch World Cup and you and your godson are as of now invited to attend as my guests of honor."
"The honor is all mine, Minister!" Sirius exclaimed. "I hope England wins."
Meanwhile, the Golden Trio was working on their homework. "This is boring." Ron moaned. "Why couldn't we work on whatever they're doing to keep You-Know-Who from returning to full power?"
"Ron!" Hermione was exasperated. "We've got homework to do! And there are more qualified people than us to stop You-Know-Who."
"We did a good job last year and the year before." Ron replied.
"And I'm glad we won't have to do it again this year." Harry said. "Any year where we don't have to worry about anything worse than a detention with Snape or Filch is a good year."
Another student then showed up and told Harry Sirius wanted to talk to him at the fireplace. Harry answered. "Hi, Sirius."
"Good news, Prongslet!" Sirius exclaimed. "The Minister, probably hoping to make up for my wrongful imprisonment, offered us top entries for the upcoming Quidditch Cup."
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