Chapter 12

Once alone in his office, Head Goblin Thanos turned to his esteemed guest. "How may I be of service to you?"

Harry waved his hand, allowing the Goblin to know he wasn't kidding about being a powerful wizard. At his feet the chest dropped, causing the Head Goblin to swallow hard. Harry swept his cloak back, forcing the symbol of all Assassin Vulcans to appear once more, "I am Assassin Vulcan Shadow. As you know, we have the power to Jump time. And before you ask, no, this is not my time." Head Goblin Thanos was not stupid. He wasn't about to ask what wasn't his business. "I am here simply to open a vault. I won't be in this time very long but long enough." But of course the Head Goblin knew this. All Vulcans answered to a higher power and did as bid. All magical beings knew this, although the wizards or witches didn't. The power from a Vulcan always made the invisible lines of magic sing, announcing the arrival of something powerful. "I must stress the importance of the objects within this chest. Very rare and very valuable."

Once again, Head Goblin Thanos was not stupid. He knew the rarity of Vulcans, themselves, as well as the power. No Goblin would ever try to test that power. He, Thanos, had met the Dark Lord once and refused to serve the man. Unlike most, Goblins did not fear Dark Lords. They were quite satisfied and proud of what they could do. Not only that, they didn't think it was worth interfering in Man's battles. It was exactly what he had told the Dark Lord, leaving it stand as he vanished from the man's sight. "There is some paperwork to be done. I'll send for three other Gringotts employees to create your vault in our highest security tunnel."

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Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was trying to explain the day's actions to a very concerned Minerva McGonagall. "Who was that man, Albus?"

"He, my dear Minerva, is an Assassin Vulcan." He sucked on a lemon drop that Minerva had refused since returning to his office.

Minerva's eyes grew wide, "But, they were stories. Stories told to all children before bed."

"No, they're quite real, very rare, but real. There was a record centuries ago of a strange figure appearing in various time-lines. From what little we learned, Assassin Vulcans seemingly do what they are told. But the Ministries have no power over them."

"Then who gives the orders?"

"We do not know. This," Albus held up the same parchment he had received earlier before leaving, "is a letter from someone called Berry. It seems we have finally found our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

"Albus! We know nothing of this man! He could be a Death Eater in disguise for all we know." Minerva couldn't believe her ears. She was beginning to realize what others had been saying, Albus Dumbledore was insane. Insane for inviting an unknown man into these halls. He could hurt the children!

Albus lightly chuckled, "Lemon drop, dear?" Minerva glared coldly at him as he offered another to her and he took another couple for himself. "Vulcans are quite powerful. They are powerful in magical and physical attacks. The children could learn a lot from this type of Professor. Vulcans' training was recorded to be sacrificing, at least that's what one was able to draw from the last Vulcan. But we didn't learn much. Maybe this time you and I may learn more."

Minerva stiffly stood, "I hope for your sake, Albus, that this man does not betray this trust you too easily place in people. If not for yourself, then for the childrens' sake."

Albus could only watch as the stern witch swept out his office. "So do I, Minerva. So do I. But there may come a time the children will need his teaching, even if it means saving a life they never thought to save."

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Harry silently followed four Goblins to the cart, the only means of travel to the various vaults. He smirked at the sight of their highest security tunnel, surrounded by vicious dragons, red-eyed hellhounds, slobbering Dire Wolves, and a deep black abyss beneath the tunnel. But what really caused him to smile was the fact that the guards weren't even chained to the high walls, only illusioned to look like they were chained.

"Sir?" Harry glanced up to see the four Goblins waiting upon a concrete platform. "This is the highest security tunnel. The only way to enter, to pass the guardians, is with a Gringott employee. But the floor," they pointed at the concrete beneath their feet, "will only appear to a Gringott employee under their free will unless we deem it necessary for our guests when they visit the vaults."

Harry could see the shadows covering the floor around them, falling into that black abyss. "I see." Then stepped out behind the Goblins

He watched as the four goblins called out to the stone before them. Calling it to reshape into a new compartment, pushing the others aside slightly to make room for a new vault. He was in awe at what they could do before his attention returned to the guardians, only to be jerked back to reality moments later. "Sir, your vault is finished."

"Very well." One goblin opened the door with a snap of his fingers, until a key could be made. From the entrance, they watched as the young Assassin swept inside, laying his burden down in the middle of the floor.

Harry stepped back, flicking his left wrist towards the chest. The lid flew open, pouring out a steady silver stream, forming it into a tall pedestal. Seconds later piles of gold and silver coins and sparkling jewelry and gems flew to the floor and corners of the vault, spreading out in a bright colorful rainbow. Once the vault was sufficently covered, the stream stopped. Now large pieces of wood tumbled out and nailed themselves to the left empty wall, forming a floor-to-ceiling book case. Filling those shelves were row after row of bottles, vials, jars, and boxes of illegal and very rare potions ingredients as well as vials of highly dangerous, illegal, and rare potions. Surrounding the potions were invaluable Dark Arts objects and books. Even a few tattered but well kept books, written in various languages on various subjects, were scattered about the base of the case.

The Goblins were, in nature, greedy, shrewd creatures but very good with monetary items. But even the wealth of this curious man had them slightly overwhelmed and very joyful at receiving such a customer. And the wealth only grew larger as the man directed seven beautifully designed tapestries with sewn jewels within to the empty right wall. The Goblins could see that the dye and thread used to create such masterpieces were very rare if no longer used.

But Harry wasn't quite done. Directing the last few items, which re-grew in size as they flew from the chest, he placed them on the walls before and behind him. They all watched as Wizarding and Muggle portraits of the most infamous sorceresses, wizards, witches, and Gods appeared, each set in their own background of choice. But one portrait caught the goblins' attention, one of Salazar Slytherin within the Chamberof Secrets. They knew that no one had ever seen the Chamber and this portrait seemed to create a visual in intricate detail, especially a large snake, the Basilisk.

"Final thing." Harry reached into the chest and pulled out a small cylinder-shaped diamond. "My vault will replenish itself, should it be required. There is no need to search through anything for expiration or replenishment. I will simply need someone to hold onto the key until I have use for it."

"Very well, Sir. But, if we may ask, what is that?"

Harry smiled, holding out the diamond, "This is called a Seeker's Gem. It will detect any change in my magical self. As an Assassin Vulcan it would be difficult to try and take control of me but nothing is certain. It will also tell the holder if someone is trying to impersonate me. It should always glow a light blue, like now. Any other color and something is wrong. The Gem can be duplicated, simply ask it."

Head Goblin Thanos nodded, clasping the Gem close. "Very well, Sir. If we could return to my office? There are a few last minute things to consider."

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Almost two hours later, Harry found himself wandering the street of Diagon Alley with a Gringotts charge card, for when he was in the Muggle world, and an unlimited pouch, for in the wizarding world. He always detested carrying loose change around in his pockets. As he traveled through the various shops, a small brown owl suddenly swooped downwards, stopping inches before his face. "Well, hello." The owl perched on his shoulder, lifting a leg to release its burden. "Give me a moment and I'll have something for you."

The owl cooed, preening its feathers. He gave a slight chuckle before schooling his features. Then read:

Dear Assassin Vulcan,

To my great surprise, considering it's not often that happens, I received a letter of your capabilities. As Headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I've been pressed finding a new Professor for my Defense position. In these great times, my students can learn from an Assassin Vulcan of your caliber. I look forward to meeting you later today. The portkey enclosed will deliver you to the wards just outside the school.

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster

Harry raised a brow at the letter's contents. "Only you, Headmaster." Absently, he fed a scraps of a sandwich he didn't remember buying to the hyper owl. Opening the portkey, he smirked. A lemon drop wrapped with a slip of paper with the word, Medi-wizard, rested in his hands. "Medi-wizard."

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Waiting in his office, Albus felt the school's wards sweep over a new guest. Allowing the man to enter, the wards immediately rushed around the school in an act to protect it. Albus watched through a magical window as the Vulcan became lost, being led back to the castle by his groundskeeper, Hagrid, to the waiting Minerva McGonagall.

Harry was a bit sheepish, considering he got lost in the one place he used to know. But in a way that was good- he didn't want to give away all his secrets. "Welcome, Vulcan."

"Headmaster."

Albus understood the gesture when the Vulcan tipped his head in respect but not his eyes. "Please, sit. Call me Albus." Respectful yet wary. Powerful combination to show one can be polite but never weak or submissive.

"Shadow." Harry allowed his earlier cold tone to soften when he was offered to call the Headmaster by first name. Gaining the older wizard's trust would be essential to his mission.

"Very well. Lemon drop?"

Harry silently accepted one. "I see you're in need of a new Professor?"

"We could use someone of your skill. Welcome to Hogwarts, my new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Would you like another lemon drop?" Harry inwardly shook his head, he would never understand the man's logic.