With a rush of magic that felt like a gail of wind, Hermione watched as her best friend reappeared in the office after what felt like eons of time. Rushing to her friend, she slung her arms around Diana's neck.
"Thank goodness you are safe. Where in the world were you? What happened? Who had Kevin? How did you apparate?"
Diana let out a laugh as she hugged Hermione back, "First things first, how is Kevin?"
Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but a gentle lilting voice from behind her answered first.
"He is fine, my lady. He had a small concussion, but he's been healed. However, I found something concerning."
Hermione looked behind her at the fae healer who had appeared in Professor Flitwick's in a shower of bright light when they called for help through the crystal.
"Please lead the way."
Hermione and Diana followed the fae back into Professor Flitwick's rooms.
"It is a rather private matter perhaps the less that know..."
Diana looked to Hermione, "Can you please wait in his living room? I'm going to go talk to the healer."
"Shouldn't it be the Professor or another adult?" Hermione's voice warbled ever so slightly in her distress.
Diana sighed and looked toward her friend, "The healer will not speak to anyone else other than myself. I'll hear her out and then see what can be done, ok?"
"Ok…" Hermione nodded.
"Professor Flitwick." Diana nodded toward her Head of House as he came from his private bedroom chambers. "Could you perhaps get Hermione some tea? She's feeling quite distressed."
Filius Flitwick looked from the dark haired girl who stood regally by the fae healer then toward his other student before he gave a brief nod.
Once in the room, Diana made her way to the small figure in the center of the bed. The bed was sized perfectly for the stature of its regular occupant and yet still it seemed to dwarf the size of the small boy in the center of the bed.
"The boy has suffered several broken bones over the last couple years, however it seemed he just started to heal from a fracture barely a couple of months ago."
Diana's eyes shot toward the fae healer's, "Any sign as to who…?" Her lips were pursed, and the sinking feeling in her stomach was back.
"The consistency of the injuries would suggest either someone who was in a particular extracurricular sport on a regular basis or someone who…" The fae quieted her voice turning sad.
"Or someone who's been abused consistently."
The fae nodded, "I had a feeling, my lady, you would wish for more information. I spoke to Ragnuk who was able to acquire the child's medical records."
"So its confirmed then?" Diana's fists clenched and she breathed slowly through her nose and out through her mouth.
"Yes, my lady."
"I see, well then; I now know what my project for this summer shall be. Is there any other treatment that needs to be done currently?"
The healer shook her head, with a nod from Diana the fae popped away back to her kingdom.
~Time Skip~
After Hermione had been persuaded to finally leave for her own bed, Diana at last sat before her Head of House ready for the questions.
"My father told me of the Labyrinth's new ward, a treasure for the kingdom,'' he said. Flitwick looked into his tea cup.
"Your father? Would I know him?"
Flitwick had a brief grimace that seemed oddly reminiscent of a certain head goblin's smirk.
With a flash of brilliance, Diana leaned forward with an excited grin, "Are you perhaps related to Ragnuk?"
Flitwick's eyes blinked and peered at the perceptive child across from him, "In the records, it shows that I merely have a goblin ancestor however my goblin ancestry is indeed closer than others think."
Diana peered over curiously, "Are you perhaps a spy?"
Filius Flitwick nearly choked on the sip of tea he had been swallowing.
"I wonder why His Majesty never mentioned it." Diana tipped her head to the side, before shrugging. "I suppose it would make sense though. The goblin network is deep within the mage community already, it would make sense they'd have a contact in the most well-known academy for the magicks." Rolling her magic in one hand she summoned a crystal before speaking into it, "Ragnuk when you have a moment, I'd wish to speak to you…" After a grin and a twinkle appeared in her eye toward her professor she finished, "...in regards to your son."
Diana had barely taken a sip of her tea, before the goblin in question popped into existence.
"I should have known you'd fail me." Ragnuk strode forward, a harsh glare directed toward his son and Diana's professor.
Diana swung her head toward Ragnuk, "Oh no, Sir Ragnuk! Your son didn't reveal his identity. I guessed after I had to reveal to him my connections."
A rough grunt was the only response and brief nod was exchanged between father and son.
"Sir Ragnuk, your spy's identity here at Hogwarts is safe. After all, you were one of the final examiners of my occlumency shields; you should know that the old coot will not get the information from my mind."
At this last piece of information, Filius Flitwick's eyes widened. For he knew how ruthless his father was, the idea of him testing the shields of a child's mind caused a shiver to run down his spine. He turned his gaze back to the child to find her gazing at him with a knowing smile.
"Actually, Ragnuk I have a couple other things for you." Summoning the lamp, she handed it to the goblin who rewarded her with a bloodthirsty grin. Then with the other hand she pulled out the red Philosopher's stone from her pocket, also offering it to the goblin. Her Head of House's eyes widening in her peripherals.
"Peverell vault?" The head goblin of Gringotts asked.
"Indeed." Diana smiled. "There is another topic that I wish to speak to you regarding. First I would like to find out if there is a way within the goblin laws to offer a mortal dreams but in turn give them nightmares."
"Is this for someone specific, Heiress?"
"Yes." The child's grin was wolfish, canines glinting in the low light. "It has come to my attention that one of mine has been betrayed by his own blood. I do not believe its merely him that is suffering either. I know the goblin nation could care less about one child's abusive home, unless it was directly benefiting them or effecting one of theirs."
"You wish to make him one of ours?"
"Yes, if it comes to it. However, first I was thinking perhaps having the shields of some of your more volatile vaults being guarded by the power of a tortured soul."
A cruel chuckle came from the goblin, "Thus, the offering of dreams but giving nightmares instead. I shall talk to the king and see if its something we could manufacture."
Diana clapped her hands in darkened glee, "Excellent!"
Filius Flitwick could only look between the two with an odd sense of dread, horror and respect.