Oh My God There's Two Of Them
Chapter 21
Cause and Affect Scenario
"Let's go then," said Sirius once both his adult godson and Snape were gone. He grabbed his wand from the kitchen table, and summoned his key to get into his vault from his bedroom. He was going to take full advantage of Remus' embarrassment to get his own way. He had been dying to buy Remus new clothes now for years. Unfortunately his very proud friend wouldn't hear off it. He had of course bought his friend a robe and a book for Christmas, but that wasn't anywhere near enough to see Remus though the years. "Gringotts first." he stated as they stood poised ready to apparate. Remus nodded curtly once before disappearing from Grimmauld Place.
They appeared near the entrance to Knockturn Alley and in front of Gringotts. Both men wasted no time in walking up to the marble building, as usual it was shiny with nothing out of place and not a speck of dirt on or in the shiny building. Sirius was extremely worried about how this would go, for some undeniable reason; he wanted to prove himself to Hadrian. Prove that he could be a good godfather to him, that he could help him. He knew Gringotts policy, and he knew he should be able to gain access to the vault. It was just a matter of whether he did gain access or not.
"I'd like to speak to the Gringotts in charge of the Black vaults," said Sirius, he wasn't sure who was in charge of them anymore. He hadn't been to Gringotts since he was released, other than to withdraw money. That didn't require seeing the head of the Black vaults. In fact he hadn't seen them since his father had been in charge, he had been a young boy and his father had made some investments. Which by the way had been very good, the Potter's were much richer than the Black's, only because the Potter's invested in Muggle companies. The Black's had felt they were far too superior to even contemplate such a thing. Pureness of the blood had meant everything to them.
"Very well sir," said the Goblin his beady eyes watching them coolly. He left his station, going deep into Gringotts and before coming back.
"Gornuk will see you now," said Alguff his face twisted in what looked like a sneer, but that might have been his normal look. They certainly hadn't been made pretty, but they were undeniably hard working. They weren't about to keep a pureblood waiting, they kept them in business after all.
Sirius and Remus followed the Goblin, solemnly, which wasn't Sirius' normal self. He was so different from his name, he was seldom serious. Remus smiled to himself secretly, thinking about it. It's something they constantly teased each other with, when they were younger. They'd say 'I'm Serious!' and Sirius would go 'No you aren't I am!' if it wasn't Sirius it was one of the others. It had become quite a joke for them; it never got old … until they did. When they had lost their friends and basically godson. Then they had just become angry and brooding at the world. Remus had as usual followed his friend, keeping his own thoughts to himself.
The door was opened and Sirius and Remus walked though, taking a seat on the opposite side from the Goblin. They paid no mind to the artefacts surrounding the room, most were actually really beautiful. Unfortunately Remus became queasy at the sight of them, as a werewolf he had a fear of silver that was ingrained into him. He couldn't bring himself to even think about looking at them.
"I'd like to audit my accounts please," said Sirius.
"Is there a problem?" asked Gornuk his black eyes widening in surprise, nobody asked for audits it just wasn't done. Unless they were new to being Head of the family and this man wasn't new to it.
"I want to know the contents of everything I own in every single Black vault…whether my name is on them or not." stated Sirius sharply, not in the mood to play games.
"Very well sir," said Gornuk clicking his fingers harshly, and his desk was soon filled to the brim with folders from all the Black Vaults in resident at Gringotts.
"I'm only interested in vaults with artefacts, not money," said Sirius staring at the alarming amount of paperwork in apprehension. He gave out a sigh of relief when more than half the folders disappeared.
"It may help if I know the artefact you are looking for?" suggested Gornuk, pleased they weren't going to go on at them for loosing money or insult them by actually checking everything. He did his job very well, and made sure they met no losses.
Sirius and Remus stared at one another, was it truly safe to let the Goblin know what they were after? Were they better just telling them and getting it over with? Or hunting maybe unsuccessfully for hours? Remus nodded his head reluctantly, they'd know the second they removed it anyway. Everything removed from the vault was put on statements and paperwork, not just the money.
"I'm looking for Helga Hufflepuff's Cup," said Sirius grimly.
Another click of his fingers Gornuk had a piece of paper in his hands.
"From Bellatrix Lestrange's vault? Vault number 102?" asked Gornuk that was in the lower vaults.
"I have the right to enter and take anything I want from any vault isn't that right?" asked Sirius sharply.
"Yes, you do as the Head of the family; it was placed in her vault while she was a Black. If she had waited until she was a Lestrange, the vaults wouldn't be accessible to you." stated the Goblin.
"Then this is the vault I want access to," said Sirius standing up, impatiently wanting it over with. Once the artefact was retrieved, he'd get some money from the teller and get a few robes for Remus.
"Very well sir, I shall escort you there myself," said Gornuk.
"You go yourself," said Remus peaking into the vault, a look of wariness on his normally gentle face.
"Remy there's no silver in here, its all gold don't worry," said Sirius not even having to rack his brain to understand what was wrong with his friend. It was the same every time they used to come here. Hell Remus even hated Sickles, and couldn't touch them either.
Remus in turn just nodded his head in acceptance, trusting his best friend. If Remus touched Silver wherever he was touching, sizzled and burnt like acid. It wasn't easy to heal, not like it would be for normal Wizards. So it's why he had made sure never to go near the stuff. He followed his best friend in, thinking they'd have a hunt on their hands. They were fortunately both very much mistaken.
The Horcrux, the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff was right across the vault from them in direct line of their view.
"Well grab it then and let's get out of here," said Remus, tugging at his robe, which was a tad too tight on his throat. He hated enclosed spaces, both as a human and as a werewolf. It probably came from the fact he was locked up, during the full moon and such.
"I'm coming," said Sirius rolling his eyes, really you'd think his friend had worked through all his fears by this. He made his way over, waddling passed all the gold, feeling all kinds of idiotic for not using his wand. He refrained from doing so, not sure what kind of affect it might have on the cup.
"Got it!" cried Sirius in triumph, the cup in his fisted hand up in the air. If James had been there, he would have reminisced of his and Sirius' first train ride. As it was James wasn't here, and wouldn't ever be back. It was Just Remus and Sirius now, and they unlike James had been given a second chance.
"Let's go," said Remus, already stepping out of the vaults, feeling a great whoosh of relief, stepping into the cart he endured the sickening ride to the top. Sirius on the other hand was enjoying himself. There was a reason Remus hadn't been on the Quidditch team. He preferred his feet on the ground, stable and secure one foot in front of the other.
"Now to get Robes," cheered Sirius grinning widely.
"Do you know where it is exactly?" asked Severus looking around warily, with good reason one wrong move and they could both end up dying because of a curse. A curse Voldemort had cast goodness knows how many years ago. He had no doubt it was as strong today as the day it was cast.
"No, I didn't retrieve it, but from what I gathered it's actually in the Gaunt house, somewhere in it anyway." shrugged Hadrian. "He actually touched it though before he got cursed so it's on the object not the surrounding."
"That's good," said Severus moving along towards the entrance to the house, opening the door with the tip of his finger. They entered the decrepit old disgusting run down, rat infested, cobweb filled cottage. Severus couldn't say his childhood home was bad, compared to this; he lived quite a privileged life. The roof was caving in on itself, dark eyes were taking everything in. looking for the ring, one of the last remaining few Horcrux's. Every step he took, he was sensitively aware, that Hadrian was being just as extremely cautious as him. Baby steps, ward raised and their jewelled colour eyes roaming everywhere missing nothing.
"So far so good," said Hadrian that was one room completely checked, it helped that it was of course empty of anything other than the odd table or chair. Anything useful would have been scavenged years ago. He had always wondered why no one took the ring; then again the place might have had Muggle repellent charms on it.
"Just be careful," said Severus tense, he knew what that spell could do. He also knew he would only be able to stop it from advancing for so long; eventually Hadrian would die if they weren't careful. He didn't care about himself; he just hoped they both survived this.
"I am," said Hadrian just as snappish as Severus, he had Harry to think about now, not just himself.
They entered the second room, moving in what looked like some bizarre game of Tic-Tac-Toe. Looking at the eyes you'd see though that they had purpose, each step they took was calculated as they looked around the empty room looking for something tiny. A thing they didn't want to happen to overlook.
"Nothing in here either, I really don't want to have to go up those stairs, so I hope the bloody ring is in the next room." said Hadrian. This cottage was reminding him of his own house; Godric's Hollow a place where he nearly died. Where his parents had protected him and died in his stead.
"Indeed," said Severus in agreement, both of them practically joint at the hip, that's the way Severus, preferred it really. He'd be more worried and likely to do something stupid if they were separated.
Making their way into the next room they looked around for five minutes, fearing the worst until Hadrian moved slightly and caught a glint of light. "Severus it's over there. Caught a glimpse of light going off in that direction." said Hadrian pointing in it.
The wards shielding it were ripped to pieces, but they had to be careful, because the main curse had yet to be removed. Stepping forward, he bent down close to it but not touching he began to mutter Latin. Hadrian watched as Severus' forehead and temple began to build up sweat. Severus began breathing abnormally loud, gritting his teeth painfully.
"Sev are you okay?" asked Hadrian, his mouth right next to Severus' ear.
Severus was barely able to nod as he continued to mutter in Latin.
Hadrian's heart just about jumped out of its ribcage, when Severus fell backwards. Grabbing him he kept Severus well out of reach of the Horcrux just in case. Settling him against his chest, keeping a grip off him until Sev regained his bearings.
"What happened?" asked Hadrian wiping away some of the sweat built up on Severus' brows.
"Its fine, I removed it - it took a lot of magic," said Severus reluctantly.
"Come on then, let's go," said Hadrian helping him up, bending down to retrieve it only to grab his wavering lover again. Both of them managed to clumsily make their way out of the cottage. Severus basically lying himself on Hadrian, thank Merlin Hadrian was a man and not a young boy anymore. Or Severus' weight would have crushed him.
"Didn't you bring any potions?" grumbled Hadrian good naturally.
"Yes," said Severus but that was quickly replaced by "Ah, shite." strangely enough he had a sneer on his face. Hadrian had assumed he remembered not bringing potions, but it wasn't the case. Severus had stopped moving staring straight out into the grounds. His face was that of pure stone and evilness.
Hadrian looked up stiffening himself before rightful fury took its place "So the bastard knew all along!" he swore angrily. He lowered Severus to the ground, his eyes nor wand moving from Dumbledore's body.
OOOooo will it be a battle to the death? severus left to finish off Hadrian's quest? bringing little Harry up himself? making it his mission to ensure voldemort never came back? ending up once more alone when he dies? who would you like to see littel harry dating when hes older? or will that never come up? will dumbledore die or both of them? R&R PLEASE!