New Beginning's
Chapter 29
The Malfoy's
To say the next few days were shocking would be putting it very lightly. Narcissa much to Severus' surprise had wanted to 'talk to him'. Severus didn't bring them to the castle, not that he would have been allowed if he wished it. The only person outside of the Coven who knew about it, was Remus Lupin no one else. Nobody else was going to know either, the more that knew where it was the less secret it was, and the more likely everyone would end up knowing. When they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, he was directed to room 2, a small conference room for all sorts of dealings.
"Lucius, Narcissa," said Severus nodding curtly.
"You did not bring your son?" observed Narcissa almost unhappily.
"No," said Severus "He's a vampire, he would process and understand exactly what we are talking about." instead Remus had remained behind with Alex. Severus was trusting him, and he hoped he didn't regret it. He still had issues trusting Remus Lupin, despite he had proven himself - unfortunately hatred distrust and anger didn't disappear over night. Especially not for Severus Snape that's for sure.
"Oh, I see," said Narcissa understanding, Severus wanted to keep Alex out of it, not that she could blame him. It was the reason she was here, to keep her own son out of it, the war, Voldemort and him possibly coming back.
"So what information do you have for us that's so important?" asked Riley suspiciously. It was obvious Riley didn't trust them as far as he could throw them.
"Have you managed to destroy the Diary?" asked Lucius, the room was already warded so any eavesdroppers wouldn't hear a thing if they did trespass. He knew all too well how easy it was to do it, although he hadn't been in the leaky cauldron when he did it. Rather Hogsmeade, where Dumbledore's brother worked. Who had oddly enough cheered up! He was cleaning his place (Hogsmeade) like there was no tomorrow. He hadn't truly seen Dumbledore and his brother together, but Aberforth seemed pleased his brother had been imprisoned. He thanked Merlin he didn't have a brother if that's how they acted.
"Yes," said Severus evenly, staring at Lucius he seemed extremely different and uncomfortable.
"We think there's another Severus," explained Narcissa nervously, her eyes darting from one side of the room to the other. As though she was expecting someone to jump out and kill her for speaking.
"Why do you think that?" asked Riley, sitting down everyone calmly followed suit. Severus had only brought Riley with him, everyone else was busy. Robert and Declan were working; Remus was with Alex so he had been the only one available. At least the only one available that knew about the Horcrux's anyway. Their coven was very large, and very well respected.
"My sister bragged about it on one occasion," said Narcissa, screwing her face up at the word 'bragged' but really - there wasn't another word to describe it.
"She said what exactly?" asked Severus. Deciding not to tell her what they knew, that they had already visited the mad witch in Azkaban.
"She received a cup from him, that she was his most trusted servant," said Narcissa grimacing. All the Death Eaters knew Bellatrix's only love was Voldemort, it certainly wasn't her husband or sisters or haven forbid her niece and nephew.
"Do you know where it is?" asked Severus curtly.
"No," sighed Narcissa, "I'd imagine it might be in her vault…she has nowhere else she could have put it. Well it could possibility be in Lestrange Manor, but the contents of the manor and the manor itself were seized by the ministry as well."
"We think it's more likely to be in the vault," said Riley, playing along "It makes more sense than anything else does. It's what I would do if I received just a revered and cherished memento." it was much more than a cherished memento and they all knew it. Riley ignored the looks he was receiving from everyone.
"None of this makes sense," grunted Lucius put out.
Riley just smirked in bitter amusement. He didn't feel sorry for the blonde; he had brought everything on himself. He had joined the mad man, and from all accounts enjoyed it too. So he would just have to cope with the consequences of his actions. Then again he had gotten off with most of it, imperious curse - like that was original.
"I could get in and retrieve it, if it stops him coming back I'll do anything. I don't want a dark future for Draco…full of fear and hate. I don't want him going through what we did…pressured by our peers, family and spouses to join HIM," she explained her eyes solemn she was being extremely honest with then, which was a surprise.
Severus had been under the impression Malfoy's didn't know the meaning of the word.
"That would help," said Riley calmly, "It would save time, one of us was going to set a petition for it. It would have taken us a week at the most, so yes, saved time indeed." he was saying this, so the Malfoy's realized that they weren't helping to the extent that Sev needed it. So they wouldn't be owed any favours - just in case the Malfoy's got any ideas.
"Of course," said Lucius stiffly, understanding the underlying meaning to Riley's words, Narcissa though just seemed happy that they were letting her help.
"I'd like access to vaults 102 through 107," said Narcissa curtly, standing very tall and elegantly in her new silk clothes. You'd think she was going to an afternoon tea party, not merely visiting a dirty dank disgusting vault.
"Key please," replied the Goblin.
"I do not have the keys to them, I have permission from my sister to retrieve a particular item." stated Narcissa her form showing nothing but confidence.
"That will be hard considering they have been sealed by the Ministry," sneered the Goblin.
"Her personal vault yes, but not the Black family vaults," stated Narcissa a sneer of her own gracing her lips.
The goblin nodded its head in reluctant respect, she had figured out the way around the clause. Without more ado he took her into a conference room, and let her look at all the Black information. She wasn't the head of house, Sirius Black technically was - but he hadn't claimed his headship. So anyone with Black blood could enter the vaults, its why Head of houses were extremely important.
"Vault 106," said Narcissa noticing that's where the gold, metal, and other Black artefacts were. Ones that hadn't been in Grimmauld Place anyway, unfortunately those ones were in the process of being thrown to the gutter. Sirius Black wanted nothing to do with them, generation of Blacks were rolling in their graves at that too.
"Very well," said the Goblin, he left for five minutes; he came back with a key. Whether it was one that had belonged to Bellatrix or Goblin's (skeleton key) she wasn't sure. She certainly didn't ask, wanting this over with as soon as possible.
She remained impassive during the cart ride, seemingly unbothered by it. She had grown up riding it, so it truly didn't bother her at all. She didn't pass the lamp over, forcing the Goblin to retrieve it himself. She gracefully got herself out of the cart and waited impatiently for the door to be opened. Inside lay piles and piles of gold, she didn't touch them, knowing very well what happens. Instead she looked around, becoming even more and more concerned when she didn't see it. She was just about to give up, and then she saw it, right in front of her eyes. The Huffelpuff cup, a smirk graced her features, it seemed her sister was more predictable than she liked to think she was. She touched the cup, before grabbing it and turning around leaving the vault as quickly as possible.
"I am finished," said Narcissa.
"Very well," said the Goblin, and before long they had their return journey over with.
Narcissa didn't shrink the cup, she was afraid of what would happen should she use magic on it. Instead she put it inside her hand bag, which was of course bottomless - it fit in no problem with everything else.
Outside Gringotts she met up with Lucius, Severus and Riley, the made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron. Only once they were safely behind closed and warded doors, she removed it and passed it along to Severus.
"There," she said calmly.
"Thank you," said Severus honestly.
"You're welcome Severus…I just hope you succeed in your endeavours and stay safe. Har…Alex needs you, more than you know. Without you he would have ended up a ward of the Ministry and completely crushed." said Narcissa. She knew as well as everyone else did, that the only reason Harry/Alex didn't end up a ward of the Ministry was because of Dumbledore's quick actions. If he had been a ward of the Ministry, he would have been used, exploited, pricked like a pin cushion to find out how he had defeated Voldemort.
"I know," said Severus nodding his head grimly.
"We best get this destroyed," said Riley not wanting to stand about anymore.
"Keep us updated…if you need anything, anything at all Severus you know where we are." said Narcissa firmly.
"I do," said Severus inclining his head in understanding and respect. She truly was wiling to go above and beyond to keep her son safe. Just like he was really, and it was nice, he respected her for that even if she had made mistakes in her life that he disapproved off. Unfortunately the same could probably be said for himself.
"Well Sev…I'm officially impressed," said Riley, staring at the remains of the Huffelpuff cup. Yet another Horcrux had been destroyed and his son was marginally much safer. He wouldn't relax though until he had every one he knew about destroyed and hoped it was enough.
"Why is that?" asked Severus turning to face Riley confused.
"She's a lioness, guarding her young with her life," said Riley.
Severus smirked in amusement, it seemed Riley had been taken in by Narcissa at least. Too bad she was already married, he could only hope that Narcissa wasn't Riley's destined one - or that would make things tricky indeed. The funny thing was he had always known that Narcissa had been too good for Lucius. Arranged marriages sucked though, and that was the pureblood life.
"Yes she is and does," said Severus.
"Hm…" said Riley, before walking away completely distracted.
"Hello Alex, I'm finished for today would you like to do something?" asked Severus coming into his son's room. Severus had as promised kept the bond open, and closed the tracking beacon like Robert showed him. Well even as a vampire you learned something new ever day.
"How about swimming dad? It's really warm!" said Alex hopefully.
"Of course, will we have some lunch there too?" suggested Severus.
"YEAH!" chimed Alex grinning widely.
"Why don't you go see Alisha and pack a lunch box then?" suggested Severus.
"Okay!" said Alex jumping up and rushing off, already half way there before Severus could shake his head in amusement.
Another Horcrux down, another threat neutralized they were getting there.
Slowly but surely.
The Diary was destroyed, the Locket was destroyed, the cup was destroyed and of course the Horcrux in Alex had been destroyed the second Alex began turning. Now all they had to destroy was a ring, a diadem and a snake. One required him going to Hogwarts and searching the school.
He wasn't looking forward to that.
One thing he did know was he wanted to do it before Hogwarts started back up - he wasn't risking bumping into Black. He'd kill the man, no doubt about it. Soon Alex would be safe.
Severus never noticed the small outline of the Dark Mark was getting thinner and thinner. As he continued to destroy the Horcuxs. It was as if he was rubbing it out with a rubber, every morning.
I think I might just get this story written :) home run? if so R&R and i'll update tonight! will they destroy voldemort's fathers remains? after all they are looking into ALL ways someone could come back! or will voldemort be destined to come back? or will he as a spirit began feeling weaker and weaker until he realizes his horcuxs were getting destroyed and unable to do antyhing about it efore disappearing altogehter? dying as he should have done all those years ago when he tried to kill Harry Potter? R&R PLEASE!
