Chapter No.2
Everything seemed to pass by me in a blur after the Professor's words. Within a span of minutes, we went from the Goblin's office, to a large, cavernous stone room. It was covered in carved out runes of which I had no clue as to the meaning. I could take a guess from the following actions I was directed through. The goblins spelled a thin, white robe onto me in replacement of my too small, too old, school robes. Following, I was directed to lay on a risen stone table in the center of the room. Within moments strong bands of magic wound themselves around my arms and legs, holding me in place. I gasped in shock and moved to fight against my binds.
"The binds are there as a precautionary measure for your, and our own, safety." The Goblin Master spoke. My breath shuddered as I calmed myself down and stopped my thrashing. "We will be going through multiple procedures Mr. Potter, it may take an indeterminate amount of time, we will not be able to stop for any breaks. During this time, I will be administering the review into the actions of goblin teller Griphook so I will not be present. When your cleanse is complete Lord Snape's cleanse will commence. I will meet you both back in my office afterwards. Do you have any questions?" I shook my head no and closed my eyes, preparing myself for the worst. "Very well, I will see you soon."
The Goblin Healers magic washed over me in a soothing manner and time faded away. I only felt the soothing ebb and flow of their magic unraveling mine, soothing it and coaxing it to rid itself of its binds. I felt as if I could fall asleep to it. It was all wrenched away as the magic moved from my core and focused on my head. I screamed and could vaguely feel myself convulsing. The previously timeless floating I had been experiencing was replaced with an excruciating pain worse than the cruciatus, it was never ending. At least it felt like it. All at once It was gone and I fell flat on my back on the slab, heaving. I kept my eyes closed as I felt Professor Snape's hands help me to sit up. I was weak and practically heaving I was so out of breath. I blearily opened my eyes as I leaned into Snape. He scooped me up under my knees and moved to lay me on a soft cot on the side of the room. I vaguely processed the thought that it was conjured. I laid down on it to process and recuperate. I hadn't expected pain, wasn't previously advised of it or anything. Was that normal? I slowly sat up and took in my surroundings. I was no longer in a white robe, it had been transfigured back into my tattered, nearly too small Hogwarts robes.
Professor Snape was now the one in the robe and I could see him lying on the stone slab. I watched in wonder. I could physically see the foreign magic swirling and pulsing around the forest green that was Professor Snape's own magic. It was mesmerizing. Time flew by, yet I took note that at the end Snape experienced no pain, merely sat up and shook himself out of a daze before transfiguring his clothes back to his teaching robes and standing up. My breath was stolen as I finally got a good look at him. His complexion was smooth as stone, his eyes an endless depth of chestnuts. His hair was no longer greasy, it was silky smooth and fell softly just past his shoulders. I could see as he adjusted the sleeves of his robes how lean and muscled his body was. His lips looked luscious and his nose was an even, aristocratic slope. My breath was stolen. I shook myself out of my stupor as he lifted his gaze to meet mine.
"Professor, why did it hurt?" I asked softly. It was the first thing I could force myself to think of besides his new looks.
"I am not clear on all the specifics; I do know that it was very dark magic, however. I'm sure the Goblin Master will know more. Are you comfortable moving to his office?" I nodded and shakily stood, slowly making my way to the entrance. Snape put a steadying hand around my waist. I took the offered support, leaning into him as we made our way back to the Goblin's office. We passed a window on the way and two things caught my attention. First off was the pale blue sky of a dawning morning, evidently some time had passed, and second was my reflection. My pace slowed and Snape made a questioning noise, but I ignored him in favor of lifting a hand to trace my new features. I was almost a direct clone of Draco Malfoy, the only differences were my hair, and my size. Draco was muscled, he had filled out over the years, he was built like a chaser now. I was still short, my shoulders weren't very broad, I had an almost androgynous look to my frame and my hair, it was pitch black. However, it was now silky smooth, and a few strands fell softly on my forehead. I moved my hand up, shifting them away and breathed in harshly as I realized my scar…was gone. Snape's hand on my waist tightening to grab my attention pulled me away from my reflection and we continued on our way.
"Lord Potter-Black-Malfoy, Lord Snape. I'm glad to see you both again. Please, take a seat." The door to the Goblin Master's office opened automatically as we approached, and we were immediately greeted upon entrance. We didn't get a chance to respond. "I am pleased to say that Goblin Griphook has been summarily dismissed and faces further repercussion that will be decided by the Goblin council. Due to his crimes against you both we have waived all fees for this visit. I have taken the liberty to contact both the Drake council and the Malfoy's in preparation for your return. They will be here shortly. Before they arrive, I would like to discuss the evident pain you felt during your cleanse Mr. Potter." I sat forward eagerly in my seat. I had yet to take notice that Snape's hand had yet to move away, the only difference was instead of my waist it was on my knee. "On October 31st, 1981 the Dark Lord Voldemort attacked you and your illegally adopted parents. In the altercation Lillian Potter nee Evans cast a dark spell that would force any attacks on you unto the person attacking instead, this spell needs a sacrifice, of which Lily used herself for. The unexpected backlash of this spell on Voldemort caused an unseen side effect." I was entranced, hanging off his every word.
"Over the years we have discovered and collected six Horcruxes, made by the Dark Lord. A horcrux is a vile piece of magic that will divide your current soul in half. Voldemort intended to have seven pieces, so he made himself six in the forms of a diary, Helga Hufflepuffs goblet, Salazar Slytherin's locket, Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem, the gaunt ring, and his pet snake, Nagini. These and himself made seven parts. By the time he got to you, he had lost so much of his soul that he was insane and when the killing curse he cast hit him, his soul split one last time and latched onto the only remaining living thing, that was you. He made you a living horcrux. This did not show up on the inheritance test, but our healer discovered it during your cleanse and removed it, you should suffer no side effects but if you do, please contact us immediately. The Malfoy's will be here within the next few minutes and the drake's have merely informed me they will be here within the hour; they are not sure exactly when. Do you have any questions? Take your time." I was a bit overwhelmed, to say the least. I glanced at Snape for reassurance. That…that was something I should contemplate later… He caught my look and gently squeezed my knee and nodded. I took a deep breath. I definitely had a few questions.
"Um… First, uh, w-what's your name?" The goblin froze before chuckling with his raspy voice.
"My apologies Mr. Potter, my name is Hoofstrike." I smiled softly at him, a little sheepish.
"Um, what, or, who, are the uh, D-drake? Is that the correct term? Also, my test…it said Lily and James are alive… can we track them? W-what charges can I bring against them? Dumbledore too." Hoofstrike grinned with an alarming amount of vindictive energy.
"Why, that is just the question I was waiting for. The Drake are, and is, what you are. On your sixteenth birthday you came into a creature inheritance, I believe however the council and professor Snape will be able to better explain that. Now, over the next few years we will compile all evidence available against all perpetrators, we will of course keep you updated, and when you release us to reveal the information, we will drag them through the mud and put them up before both the Goblin laws, and the wizarding. You could do this now, but it is the recommendation of the Goblin nation to wait awhile, not only to give you time to adjust to your new status as a submissive Drake, but also to allow us time to diminish the power that Dumbledore holds within the wizarding world, no matter what we do right now, he simply has too much influence to go under for it." I nodded along slowly; I saw the appeal in waiting.
"Okay, I'll wait. I think that's all the questions I have for now…" Hoofstrike nodded sagely.
"Of course, if you have more feel free to owl me at any time." I nodded my thanks and sat back in my seat to contemplate, Snape's hand moved with me to stay in contact, I was only just realizing how grounding he had been. I was startled by a knock on the door before it swung open ominously. My head shot to look at who it was, my heart racing from adrenaline and my eyes wide. I was terrified, and for good reason too.
We're back! Thank you all for reading! If you find any mistakes feel free to leave a comment, I do not have a Beta, and I am a college student so it's not unheard of for me to overlook a few things. I sincerely you hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Franchise is entirely J.K. Rowling's, this is my spin-off interpretation and is made with the intent of receiving absolutely zero royalties.
I honestly hoped to be out of Gringotts by now but sometimes the story decides to sprint instead of jog! Harry's having a rough go of it by now. Who do you think opened the door? Take your guess, I'm sure you'll be surprised to find it's not who you may initially think.