Chapter 14: Quest for The Gaunt's Ring
'It's gone?' Harry muttered softly under his breath, disbelief filled his emerald green eyes.
'It has to be here…. It has to be!' thought Harry, incredulous, 'No one knows about it…'
Harry took out his wand from his trousers' pocket.
'Accio, Ravenclaw's Diadem!' said Harry, convinced that the Diadem was still in the room, just hidden from view.
However, nothing flew into Harry's outstretched hand.
'Accio, Ravenclaw's Diadem!' Harry tried again.
Again, nothing flew into Harry's outstretched hand.
'Who has taken it?' Harry repeatedly asked himself, as it became apparent that the Diadem was indeed gone.
Deciding that it was no use to continue staying in the room, Harry proceeded to Dumbledore's office.
'Professor Dumbledore, the Diadem is missing!' exclaimed Harry, as he opened the door to Dumbledore's office.
'Maybe it is the wrong location?' said Dumbledore.
'No, I am sure it is the right location' said Harry.
'Who could have taken it then?' asked Dumbledore, lines creasing his face, showing his concern about the Horcrux's disappearance.
'I don't know….' replied Harry.
'Harry, we should go get the Ring first' asked Dumbledore, 'Before whoever took the Diadem took it.'
Harry nodded.
With that, Dumbledore and Harry headed out of Hogwarts into Hogmesde. Once out of the vicinity of Hogwarts, Dumbledore and Harry apparated to Gaunt's house. Harry side apparated along Dumbledore since Harry had no idea where the Gaunt's house was located.
Harry found himself in front of a run-down house, in the middle of a small quiet town. There was a strong Muggle repelling charms cast on the house. Dumbledore motioned for Harry to get inside the house. They went through the doorway of the house. Harry's senses were hype up, ready for any signs of dangers. To Harry utter amazement, they stepped through the doorway to find themselves back in the same place, in front of the house.
After a quick glance around the streets to ensure that there were no people around, Dumbledore whipped out his wand, pointed it at the doorway and muttered some spells. Dumbledore motioned for Harry to try going through the doorway again. However, yet again, they ended back in front of the house.
'Isn't there any way we can get into the house?' asked Harry, frustration showing plainly on his face and desperation evident from his tone.
'Harry, calm down first and let me think for a while' said Dumbledore, sitting down on a large stone by the side of the house.
Harry being anxious could not help but paced up and down across the length of the front of the house.
'Harry' said Dumbledore after a few minutes of silence, 'I believed that the spell works to keep more than one fully grown wizard from entering in to the house…. Your power must have remained with you so that is why it was registered.'
'You mean only one of us can enter the house?' asked Harry.
'Yes.' replied Dumbledore.
'I will do it' said Harry without any hesitation.
With those words, without waiting for Dumbledore's response, Harry quickly stepped through the doorway. This time, as Dumbledore had expected, Harry found himself inside of the house.
'Finally!' thought Harry.
'I must be careful, the last time Professor came to get the ring, his hand was cursed and became blackened and shrunk, and it took his life….' Harry cautioned himself.
With that, Harry hyped up his sense again and prepared for any dangers that might be sprung on him as he explored the house. The room which Harry was currently in was bare except for an old dusty wooden table which was chipped of at two of its corner and a couple of chairs which looked ready to break with the slightest pressure applied to it. The house was apparently deserted for many decades as the house was full of cobwebs and there was a musty smell lingering in the house. The paints were also peeling off from the walls. Despite its looks, Harry knew that it was definitely the right place as he could feel the great power residing inside the house. His years of experience as an Auror had increased his sensitivity to magical activities.
Harry noticed that a room led off the main room. Harry stepped inside the room.
'Bingo' thought Harry, as he saw an exquisite box encrusted in jewels and diamonds lying on a small table in the room. Harry knew that the box definitely contained the ring as Harry could feel magic radiating from it.
'Why can't Voldemort kept his Horcruxes in less obvious places?' thought Harry, thinking back to how Voldemort put some of his Horcruxes in conspicuous places, for example the Diadem in Hogwarts, the Diary in the Malfoy's, and now the Ring in the Gaunt's house. These are all places which were known and were quite easily accessible.
'He didn't even know we have destroyed all of his Horcruxes' mused Harry, thinking back to the night of the great battle.
The box looked harmless enough lying on the table. But, Harry having seen the horrible injuries of Dumbledore's hand caused by the ring was not fooled. Beside, Harry had sensed spells and enchantments around the box. Pointing his wand at the box, Harry muttered spells to reveal whatever spells and enchantments that were cast on the box. True enough there were a lot of high levels protection dark spells and enchantments surrounding the box. However, Harry was not a Head Auror for nothing. Within the next few minutes, Harry broke through the various spells and enchantments. Harry was still wary thou and did not dare to touch the box. Harry performed again the series of spells to double check whether there were any spells or enchantments that he had missed. There was none. Voldemort must have thought that these spells and enchantments were enough to keep his Horcrux safe? No, there definitely would be higher level and darker spells cast on the ring…. That would explain Dumbledore's hand… thought Harry. Carefully, Harry lifted the lid of the box. Harry peered expectantly inside the box.
'Gone, again?' Harry muttered softly under his breath, utter disbelief filled his eyes, mixed with shock and amazement.
There was nothing inside the box. He were too late.
*Please Review! Thanks! =)*