Chapter Twenty-Three

Break-In

It was snowing again.

Athos sighed softly as he stood outside the bank, gazing out into the Christmas Eve night. The fluffy white blanket muted all sound in the town, and even the rowdy Christmas tunes being sung at the local pubs came off like the soft whisper of carolers singing Silent Night. Snug inside, Porthos was probably snoring by now, Athos mused. Not that he could blame him. His real job started at four in the morning, and even on Christmas, the stock needed to be cared for. There was little holiday for a farmer.

Athos, however, had every intention of spending most of the day sleeping once his Wakeful Dose potion wore off. But that would be hours from now, and first would come church and then breakfast with the family. He grinned slightly, imagining his younger brothers and sisters were probably tossing and turning in their sleep, dreaming of their presents. But where were his other two companions? Athos sighed impatiently, taking out his watch, hoping that Aramis and D'Artagnan weren't going to make him late for Christmas mass. It was, in fact, ten minutes until midnight, and even at full speed on a broom, Athos would be hard pressed to change back into Corey and make it in time for the opening announcements.

He had not missed one; not since the year after his parents had been murdered by Voldemort. He had vowed then to stay from any sort of violence then, but it didn't take long for him to realize that sometimes concessions had to be made. No matter how much he hated it, the 'direct approach' to dealing with a situation was sometimes necessary. His new parents taught him that… they and his good friend d'Artagnan, who he waited on even now.

He was so consumed with annoyance over the fact that he was going to be late that at first he didn't see the group of shadows approaching the bank. But before they got close enough to see him, he jumped further back into the shadows and around the corner, his hand in the air and poised to strike.

No doubt about it. He was going to be very late.

There was a flash of reflected metal in the hands of one of the figures, and a moment later the light in front of the bank door snuffed out, drawn into the Put-Outer. A couple more around them also went out, and as Athos' eyes finally began to adjust to the light, he realized the figures were a gang of cloaked goblins.

Just as he was about to come around the corner, a gloved hand grabbed his shoulder from behind.

"Wait, Athos, let them go in first," hissed a familiar voice. "And for god's sake, man, put your sword in your hand before you give yourself away!" It was d'Artagnan, and right behind him was Aramis, sword already out and ready.

"Porthos is in there asleep," Athos hissed back.

"Well, I doubt he'll be asleep for long," d'Artagnan grinned. "Out here they can still make excuses for why they were here, and we'll be the ones in the sling. Let them break in first, so there will be no question who's to blame."

"You're right," Athos said as his friend unsheathed the sword at his side and put it in his hand. "By the way, you're late."

"Seems to me we arrived just in time," Aramis murmured, trying to get closer to peer around the corner.

"Wait," d'Artagnan warned again, "and keep quiet."

Athos careened his neck a bit to count heads… three of them. Odd, why did this all seem so familiar?

"Almost got it," one of the goblins said. "Typical wizard crafted locking mechanism. Child's play," he said smugly. "They haven't made a lock yet we can't get into."

"Then shut up and do it," one of the others growled.

Athos leaned his head back against the wall, glancing at his companions until he finally heard the clicking of the door and the sound of it opening. Peering back around, he waited until the last figure slipped into the door before the three of them moved up, stopping the door from completely closing with the point of a sword.

"I don't smell anything up here," the second goblin declared, looking around. Nuthin' except Bonegnawer, at least."

"Just shut up and lead the way," the third goblin grunted.

"Wait a moment, I hear sumthin' down the 'all," the first one said. "They got some sort of beast tied up in here, I'd wager."

"Wagers be damned, that sounds like nuthin' but a snorin' pig wizard to me," the second said. "Quick, let's try an' get his wand an' slit his throat before he wakes up."

"That's our cue…" Athos started, but d'Artagnan covered his mouth.

"Not yet," he hissed again, taking the lead and following them down the stairs.

"Careful, Banecutter, seems he's got some steel on him," the first one said, eyeing the figure sleeping in the chair at the end of the brick hall.

"Wait a minute, I remember seein' those stoopid clothes before!" Banecutter said in a louder tone than he intended. Porthos' snoring suddenly stopped as he woke with a start, blinking to make sure what he was seeing wasn't an illusion. Before any of the goblins could react, d'Artagnan tapped Bonegnawer on the shoulder, and as the goblin turned around, pummeled him in the face.

But the goblin was only momentarily stunned as the other two whipped knives out ready for a fight. Porthos quickly leapt into action, sword in his hand and pointing it at the nearest goblin, a bolt of light blasting out of it that made Banecutter roll out of the way.

"Hold on there! Those aren't real swords, they're just bloody wands!" the first one barked. "Take them out, boys! These ain't nuthin' but costumed charlatans!"

The corridor was too close for any strategic fighting, and soon Athos found himself in the middle of a brawl as the goblins began an aggressive attack, striking at the wands so fiercely that Aramis and Porthos were forced to put them away rather than have their wands broken. D'Artagnan quickly backed up, then dove into what appeared to be a false wall, being chased by Bonegnawer who was right on his heals.

Aramis and Porthos were both on Banecutter trying to wrestle him to the ground, but the dagger was still in the goblin's hand and his movements were too swift to try and grab without risking the poison of the dagger. But the first goblin, who had somehow managed to get his back in a corner had his full attention on Athos. With lightning speed he struck at the sword with his dagger, only to have it pushed back with the unmistakable sound of steel against steel.

"Yes, mine's real," Athos said with a grim smile. "Care to press your luck, or are you going to surrender?"

"I know you," the goblin growled. "I put a dagger in your back last year. Figured you were under the ground by now."

"Aye, but you figured wrong," Athos said coldly, his sword near the goblin's throat.

"Time to finish the job, then," the goblin said, not sounding in the least bit intimidated.

"You're welcome to try." Athos said.

In a flurry the goblin smacked the sword away, sweeping in so low that Athos barely had the time or the room in the short corridor to parry. It was not an ideal area for a sword fight, and Athos was not an expert; his only advantage, it seemed, was the length of the sword, and even that was no comfort knowing the goblin was even deadlier at range than at melee. Of course, he could still cast a spell if it came to it, but how to hide it? Then again, maybe he didn't have to. He backed up, quickly releasing a hidden lever before slipping behind the wall that led towards the deposit vault.

"Maybe we should go help him," Aramis suggested. They had finally gotten their own quarry down and tied up, and in fact, Porthos was still sitting on his as they watched the battle between Athos and the leader. D'Artagnan had just hurried in from the other corridor still panting, his hand wrapped in his cravat and bleeding badly.

"No, let him handle it if he can," d'Artagnan said between breaths as Aramis tried to get a look at his hand. "We owe him that much for what happened on our last adventure. Porthos, go keep an eye on him, but don't interfere unless it gets out of hand. Aramis help me get this one into the vault with the other one. Egad, those goblins are nasty with their knives!"

That fact was something that Athos had learned the hard way once before, and he had little intention of risking another deep wound from one. It hadn't taken long for the goblin to figure out that Athos wasn't as proficient with a sword as perhaps he should be, easily twisting past his blocking attempts and getting much closer that Athos would have liked as they reached the vault door. How Athos actually managed to get it open while dodging the wicked blade, the goblin couldn't fathom. But with a quick gesture and a single word the heavy steel door slid back, and as the goblin paused to peer into the open door, Athos twisted around and gave him a solid kick, pushing him through the doorway past the tables and into the vault, the goblin kneeling on the floor to keep from falling. He spun about then and threw his knife, but Athos had anticipated it, taking cover near the door so that the blade shied off of it, leaving a heavy mark as it bounced of and went clattering to the floor, spinning madly in circles.

Athos had little time to think about how much force the dagger had to have to leave such a mark… he was too busy watching the ring of flames that had suddenly flickered to life around the goblin, a form rising behind him.

The goblin turned and cowered as the flames rose higher and higher until it reached the top of the vault, forming the shape of a Phoenix. It snapped at him, forcing him back to his knees while the rest of the flame ring narrowed into streams of fire that formed a lattice around him. Then, just as quickly as it came, the flames died and a rain of ashes came down, filling the areas where the flames had been until it then transformed into solid iron bars around the quivering goblin.

"I think," Athos said after a moment of silence, "that I was just upstaged by the most brilliant spell I have ever seen in my life."

"Yes, but you thought of using it," Porthos said from behind him, startling him. "Well done, Athos! We have just saved the day again. You might want to take a look at d'Artagnan's hand, though. It won't stop bleeding."

"Griffonlily powder in the poison, I bet," Athos said, taking out his potion wallet and handing it to Aramis to give him. "Feeling dizzy d'Artagnan?"

"Either that or the room is spinning," d'Artagnan agreed, sipping the phial. A clamor of feet announced the arrival of Harry Potter and Minister Weasley, who had managed to take time to dress but was still wearing his nightcap.

"What happened? The fireworks went off! Are you all right?" Harry asked.

"There was a break-in. We left you Christmas presents in both of the vaults," d'Artagnan said as Athos rewrapped his head.

"I was afraid you were going to say something like that," Harry said, heading down one of the corridors to check. He walked back with a very somber expression on his face.

"Well?" Arthur asked anxiously.

"Goblins," Harry said.

"I was afraid you were going to say something like that," Arthur said, pulling off the cap and stuffing it in his pocket absently.

"Not only goblins," Athos said. "These were the same three that tried to kidnap Rose Bailey last year."

"Athos, are you dead sure?"

"Well, call it nearly-dead sure," Athos said, rubbing his shoulder. "The leader admitted as much."

"I am going to send for someone to get them keyed directly to the Ministry. It won't do for goblins of any sort to be found doing this. I'll think up something to tell the crowd until we have something official on the books."

"Crowd?" Athos asked.

"The fireworks sort of gave away that something was up," Harry admitted.

"Tell them it was just a Christmas stunt," Porthos suggested. "Happy Christmas."

"Ho-ho-ho," d'Artagnan agreed less enthusiastically.

"The bleeding has stopped, at least," Aramis commented.

"Stop by my house and have it looked at. Ginny should still be awake. Nobody will be paying attention to the house if I'm here," Harry said with a hint of exasperation, handing them a key. "Go on, I know where to find you all if I need you," he added, nodding to Athos as well.

"Sorry we left a mess," Porthos said almost guiltily, but took a hold of the key anyhow and the four of them disappeared.

Harry and Arthur looked at each other almost reluctant to deal with the inevitable, before Harry gestured for Arthur to go ahead of him.

"You know, perhaps now would be a good time to retire, I think. Would you care to take my job?" Arthur suggested hopefully.

"No one could ever pay me enough," Harry swore as the two of them went upstairs. It seemed that nearly half of Hogsmeade were standing in the street, many of them still in their night robes and looking quite anxious, talking all at once when Arthur held up its hands.

"It's all right," Arthur said cheerfully. "False alarm, sorry it startled everyone. Feel free to return to your houses. Happy Christmas."

"What? Not bloody likely, not with strange folks prowling about. You must be out of your mind," an old lady in a fuzzy purple hat said, earning a lot of agreed sentiment.

"And what folks might those be miss….?"

"That's Mrs. Mayfair, Minister," she said, "And I swear not an hour ago I saw three suspicious figures walking down the street as I was putting out the cat."

"And there were three suspicious figures huddled in the Pig's Pannage," a man in a long raggedy coat said.

"And just what is so unusual about that?" Rosmerta asked.

"They had gnarled green hands, that's what. They were goblins. I figured they were spying on us."

"Yes, but do you blame them?" The voice was unmistakable; so unmistakable in fact that Arthur and Harry's faces darkened as the searched the crowd to focus in on Lucius Malfoy. "After all, the Ministry's done everything it can to take away their livelihood, so now they probably feel as if they have nothing to lose. It seems to me they might have every reason to lash out at this new bank, don't you? In fact, if I were you, I would double check to make certain you're not missing anything after that 'false alarm' of yours."

Several people began talking at once, mostly to Harry about concerns over security on their distant neighbor's money (none of them seemed to have an account themselves.)

"I assure you, no matter what else might have happened tonight, nothing's been stolen from the bank," Harry said emphatically.

"And just where are those costumed guards of yours?" Malfoy asked. "I could have sworn I had seen them lurking outside when I passed by a while ago, and yet I notice they're not here with you now. Were you aware, Minister Weasley, that this bank hired the help of local vigilantes, once accused of kidnapping?"

"Of which they were cleared by the court due to mitigating circumstances, as you recall," Arthur said with a smile that was anything but friendly. "And might I ask what you are doing here this late?"

"Having a late dinner with some friends at a local establishment, unless for some reason such patronage is going to be boycotted by the state as well."

"He wasn't in my establishment," Rosmerta put in, exchanging icy glances with the man standing nearby and folding her arms as if daring him to say something.

"And would any of those friends happen to be goblins?" Arthur asked. The crowd suddenly quieted to a murmur.

"Are you trying to accuse me of something, Minister?" Malfoy asked, his eyes sparkling dangerously. But Arthur's plastered smile had not left his face.

"Now, Lucius, I would never accuse you of anything without just cause…"

"I think the Minister has a tendency to accuse me of things 'just because'," Lucius said curtly.

"But I wouldn't do so in a situation I know will prove to have a lack of evidence because you paid them under the table and well enough that I can't get a solid confession out of them," Arthur finished. The crowd fell into a hush as Malfoy's face drained of all color.

"What gives you the right to think you can imply that I had anything to do with this? Not only is your verbal assault completely unfounded, but what would I, a man who probably has more money than that bank and this town put together want to rob one for?" Malfoy said enraged.

"Because you want to start a war," Arthur said bluntly. "I may not be the best Minister we have ever had, Lucius, but I am not blind or stupid. If any goblins did try to rob this bank tonight, it was because you paid them to, and I am not about to let one man wreck what shaky peace that we have with the goblins because you think that you can in some way benefit from it. How, I don't know, and I am not sure I want to know. But don't expect me to pretend not to know what's really going on because you find ways to legally circumvent the rules. If for some reason it does come to violence under my leadership, then I will willingly admit that I have failed. But I do promise, for myself, the Ministry, and even the goblins if it comes to it, that if that axe falls, it won't be your hand swinging it."

Arthur gestured to Thurspire then, who had been standing by quite stunned listening to the speech. The deputy and his officers quickly went in the bank without another word, followed by Arthur and lastly Harry, who couldn't help but smile as he closed the door behind them.

"You know, Arthur, I think the job is really starting to grow on you," Harry said approvingly, while Arthur merely stood with his hand in his pocket, absently rubbing his knit nightcap and thinking of his wife.

Outside, the crowd started talking excitedly all at once, completely ignoring Lucius, who was standing in the same position as he had before, his knuckles white around his gentleman's cane.

"Well, I don't know about you, but he just won my vote for another term," Rosmerta said cheerfully.