Author's Notes: Okay, if any of you don't get my summary of the story, I have written a full summary in my profile. To get to my profile, just click on my name: Appacio right aboveAlso, I thank all of those that reviewed. You are greatly appreciated in my life. Hmmmm... enough rambling on this, the plot will thicken, a new danger arises. Here we go.
Chapter 20: A Unknown Danger
Re-known historian Doctor Harvey Williams sat in the iron chair. The room was dark, and reeked of smells of vomit and blood. He looked down, both of his arms were clasped with iron locks, his legs seemed to have been the same, locked.
Harvey looked forward; there was a door, an iron door that had a small circular window where a single ray of sunlight flowed through stunning Dr. Williams in the eye. The door opened.
In walked a man clad in dark robes, hiding his face behind a hood. No part of his body was visible under the shades of darkness. He walked in and closed the door.
"What do you want?" Harvey cried out in anguish. The man walked forward and took out his wand.
"Something very dear to me Dr. Williams. Where is it?"
"Where is what?" The man walked closer, pulling out his wand with him.
"The source of power Doctor. Where is it?" Dr. Williams cried out in pain as he felt something cutting into his gut.
"I…don't know…" Another cutting curse was emitted from the wand as cries of pain filled the room.
"You are alone Doctor, far away from civilization. Tell me where it is." The doctor had enough pain. He had to tell this man something.
"Russia…" Harvey croaked.
"Russia, something tells me that I shouldn't believe you." The doctor groaned from the unbearable pain.
"I hid it there myself, in St. Petersburg, Pont-chartrain bank!" The man sneered as he backed up.
"Thank you Doctor, you have been a big help."
Doctor Williams watched as the man produce a thin green light from his wand. He had to ask one more question. "What is your name?"
The man smiled cruelly before answering, "White Fang."
That was the last that was heard for Doctor Williams that night as the killing curse struck straight into his chest. He slumped down, motionless knowing one thing; he had kept the location of the source secret. Everything that he told the man was lied about. He was dead, and the source shall now be lost forever.
Harry apparated, with no sound at all, to a clearing in the woods. It was dark, the trees blocking off any rays of moonlight towards the depths of the woody grounds. Harry squinted his eyes and looked around.
"Lumos!" A single point of light illuminated the surrounding area. Harry walked straight forward, the crunching sound of the fall leaves shattered the midnight silence. He was close, really close to where he needed to be.
Harry reached into his pocket and took out the map that Mr. Lee had given him. There, the 'X' on the map with the name of 'Harry Potter' was walking straight towards the destination point.
The sound of the ocean was clearly heard as waves crashed onto the nearby rocks. The trees cleared into a large plateau that was seen hanging on a cliff near the ocean. Harry walked onto the large flat land right before the cliff descended sharply into the ocean below. The Channel.
The cool ocean breeze blew a fresh wave of clean air towards Harry as his hair wavered in the strong winds. Brushing his hair away from his eyes, Harry noticed two men dressed in dark tuxedos huddling in the center of the large expanse of land. They noticed Harry's presence and began to walk towards him.
The first of the two men got to Harry first and stretched out his long hand. "Good evening Mr. Potter."
Harry shook the hand firmly before apologizing to his company. "I'm terribly sorry. I lost track of the time."
The second man walked up to him and also shook Harry's hand. "That's no problem at all Mr. Potter. We, as you contractors will go through considerable lengths to work for our boss."
Harry smiled before looking around the large plot of clear land. "Is this the place where you'll be expecting to build my future home?" The two men smiled, bringing out a large map of the area.
"Yes, this area was last the property of Mr. Cortez, your last captor. The land's now yours and Mr. Lee informed us that your wish was to build your future home here." Harry looked around.
"By the way Pierre, how large is this plot of land?" The larger man of the two calculated the numbers in his head before grinning at Harry.
"I do believe that we have roughly 10 acres to your disposal. The forest, the cliff, along with this huge expanse of flat land are all yours. That right Melvin?"
The other man nodded. Harry smiled, rubbing his hands together before conjuring up a new robe. He had left his old one with Ginny.
"Excellent, let's begin planning immediately."
Griphook waited under the Grand Entrance of Gringotts for a very special VIP. The morning sun was just appearing beyond the horizon as a fresh wave of orange sunlight illuminated the London skies. He folded his small goblin hands in front of him, waiting patiently for his special guest.
With his keen eyesight, his special guest was seen walking up the grand steps of the bank. Griphook ran forward immediately.
"Mr. Potter sir! This way please." Harry walked up the steps before being welcomed by a goblin. He was about a third of Harry's size, but seemed intimidating nonetheless, especially with those long, green hands hidden right under their miniature black tuxedos.
"Ah Griphook, so nice to see you." Griphook momentarily stopped, before starting again towards the Grand Hall of Gringotts. Harry noticed this action.
"Something wrong Griphook?" Griphook didn't stop walking before saying out in a squeaky voice.
"You're the first wizard to remember a goblin's name Harry. We, as goblins, usually don't have names. We are inferior to the higher class."
Harry snorted, higher class. This was all Lucious' fault. "You may call me Harry by the way. Do you understand the reason of my presence?"
"Yes sir, you are here to examine your current vault if I am not mistaken." They walked right past the carts going underground. Harry seemed to visibly tense.Weren't we supposed to take those carts down to my vault? Merlin, where's the little goblin taking me?
"Griphook, aren't we supposed to take one of those cars?" Griphook inwardly smiled. Harry was a first timer.
"No Harry, your vault is moved to one of our most well kept defenses in this bank. There's another way in that separates the bank of Gringotts."
Harry and Griphook kept walking straight, passing numerous superior goblins before reaching a large set of double doors. The superior goblins seemed to raise their eyebrows to the person that Griphook was escorting. No one of that age could possibly own such a large fortune that they had to have a separate, superiorly defended vault.
The doors opened to reveal a large steel platform surrounded by walls. Griphook led Harry onto the platform before the doors closed, engulfing Harry in darkness. Harry thanked Merlin he wasn't scared of closed spaces. All those years of hiding in broom closets, out of the lurking eyes of Filch and Snape paid of...in the most unexpected ways.
"Uh….Griphook?"
"Hold on tight Harry." The platform churned under Harry before it started to descend rapidly. Harry felt himself being pulled deeper into the darkness but for some reason, he just didn't fall over. Looking down, Harry found his reason.
The platform was glued to his shoes. Down the elevator went, going deeper and deeper into the Earth. After what felt like an eternity to Harry, the elevator finally stopped.
"Key Harry."
"What?"
"Your key to the vault Harry."
"Oh." Harry pulled out the small key from his pocket before giving it to the goblin.
"Thank you." Griphook stuck the key into the opening of the steel elevator. The elevator churned before descending again, this time not so deep before wavering to the right. Harry thanked his years of Quidditch and deep descents to catch the snitch that trained his stomach or he would be throwing up all over the place.
The elevator stopped. The double doors opened revealing a large cathedral style room made of stone. There was a long path leading to one final set of doors at the end. Stone soldiers guarded the road, each watching a section of the path, motionless. It was damp, almost as if the vault hasn't seen any life for centuries.
Harry walked forward and stepped onto the path. Immediately, the nearest stone soldier shrugged out of his frozen solid form and pulled out his massive sword, challenging Harry. Harry stared at the large stone soldier, apparently confused. Sweet Merlin, that sword is huge! Griphook gripped Harry's arm.
"No Mr. Potter, allow me." The goblin stepped onto the path. The stone guardian stepped back onto his platform before he was motionless again. "Stone guardians, invincible creatures. If you break them apart, they will rebuild themselves."
Harry followed the goblin towards the end of the path. Right before the doors, the goblin stopped. Harry pushed forward, this time stopped by Griphook.
"Harry, look to your sides." Harry looked to his left and right before gasping. Two enormous sleeping dragons had their heads feet away from Harry. Harry inwardly gulped.
"Griphook, I swear I didn't see them before." Griphook smirked.
"This chamber is enchanted Harry, there are a lot of things you don't see." The goblin walked forward, careful not to wake the sleeping enormous twenty-foot dragons and once again, pulled out Harry's key.
Carefully, he inserted the tiny piece of bronze before massive locks and spells were heard to be releasing themselves from the door. Griphook turned to Harry.
"Place you hand on the gate Harry." Harry was surprised at this statement.
"What? Why?" Griphook acted professionally and carefully explained to Harry.
"The gates will not open unless a member of the bloodline touches the doors. If anyone else touches it, they will be sent inside the vault, and never come out unless the doors are opened again." The goblin's high, commanding voice echoed around the chamber.
Harry nodded and placed his hand on the cold stone gate. There was a slight tingling sensation before a wave of heat hit Harry's hand. Harry stepped back, his hand almost burnt. The door groaned before opening slowly, revealing complete darkness inside.
Harry stepped into the gateway. He just noticed that the goblin had not entered with him.
"Griphook, you coming?" The goblin shook his miniature head.
"No Harry, your vault, vault 'Maximatum 1521,'is issued to be an anonymous vault. Whatever you do in your vault Harry, is none of our business. When you are ready to leave, I shall be waiting right here." Harry scratched his head. He was going to get lost in this place.
"Can you explain to me what exactly is in this vault?" The goblin smiled.
"I thought you would never ask Harry. Your vault has a combination of the your parents, the Black's, and you recent earnings. That adds up to a hefty amount of gold, hefty enough to move your vault from its' recent location to one of Gringotts most secure vaults." The goblin moved closer to Harry. "You're one of the few people in the wizarding world to earn a ten digit salary."
"So you mean that all I have in there is gold?" The goblin craned his head to look up at Harry's face.
"No Harry, anything your parents left behind, along with anything else your vault holds, are yours. Just walk past the mount of gold and you will see a stone stairway spiraling down into another chamber. There you will find your family's treasures. Be sure not to get lost Harry."
Harry smiled, this will be interesting.
Ginny arrived in her section of the Ministry. Located right next to the aurors, the investigators were the people who had the knack for figuring out puzzles and clues leading up to a crime. Ginny's excellent instincts made her an excellent investigator.
Ginny practically skipped to her boss's office before knocking on the door.
"Come in." The voice was low, almost angry sounding.
Ginny opened the door and walked into the room with a large smile on her face. Her boss, Mr. Long sat in his neat and polished black desk with his hands folded and his sharp, stern face scrunched into a near frown.
"I see you're in high spirits this morning Miss Weasley." Ginny's smile quickly faltered as she carefully sat in the seat right in front of Mr. Long's desk.
"Now," His deep voice boomed, "I have an important manner to discuss with you."
Ginny tensed up in her chair. Mr. Long stared directly into Ginny's chocolate eyes.
"Miss Weasley, I do believe that you've heard of the ancient tributary tabloid written thousand of years ago." Ginny shook her head. Mr. Long sighed, placing his hands behind his head and leaning back into his chair.
"That tabloid was rumored to contain a riddle. A secret code that is supposed to lead to some invincible power." Mr. Long scratched his baldhead. "I personally believe that this is all rubbish. According to history, no such power could've existed. But no matter the circumstances, the Minister of Magic insists that we get a hold of the tabloid."
Ginny nodded. "Sir, how do we expect to get a hold of the tabloid?" Mr. Long smiled.
'That is already taken care of. Certain organizations have held a hand to accompany us on this mission. One, being the Elite V. If they are involved with this, then this must be big. It is a necessity to get that tabloid Miss Weasley." Mr. Long opened his desk drawers and took out some documents. Briefly scanning the pages, he held them out to Ginny.
"The individual that has control over the tabloid is located in Hong Kong." He visibly grimaced. "The world-wide headquarters of secret underground mobs. I personally wouldn't go there to do business. The good side of this is you get to travel. Hong Kong is a beautiful city. Just don't go to the wrong people. Be careful Ginny."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Wait sir, you want me to go into mob central alone, and retrieve the tabloid?"
"Not at all Miss Weasley, you will have help, a trained professional if I may say, to accompany you. He will meet you at the Peninsula Hotel in Downtown Hong Kong. I have arranged to have a meeting with Mr. Chang, the individual who owns the tabloid for a wealthy couple to have interest in his artifacts." Mr. Long gazed straight into Ginny's eyes.
"You, Miss Weasley will be acting as the lucky wife of Mr. Henry Palmer." Ginny inwardly cringed. Who in the world is Henry Palmer? Another idea blasted in Ginny's mind.
"Sir, do you mean that I have to sleep in the same room as this guy?" Mr. Long sighed.
"That is what we expect. Mr. Chang is a muggle, and will certainly have spies on your backs throughout your visit to him. If one of you two act peculiarly, he will suspect something and cancel your visit. You are our only option Ginny. All of the rest of our investigators are on Winter Break." Ginny sighed. Oh brother. This doesn't seem so good anymore. Sleeping in the same room acting as someone's wife.Ginny was a strong-willed woman and she'll be damned if this agent ordered her around like some dog on a leash.
Through her contract deals, she had specifically called off Christmas breaks to try to get her mind off of Harry. The plan now backfired on her.
"Yes sir, I will do what I must." Mr. Long rose and shook Ginny's soft hand.
"Very good Miss Weasley, you will be taking the plane to Hong Kong international Airport. From there, you will be transported, muggle way, to The Peninsula Hotel. You will meet your partner at the lobby. Good Luck Miss Weasley. The fate of the tabloid is in your hand, not to mention the Minister's request. Your passport." Mr. Long pulled out a small booklet.
Ginny nodded. "I'm leaving immediately by commercial airline?"
"Precisely Miss Weasley. You have an hour to get onto that jet. I suggest youleave immediately Miss Weasley."
Ginny nodded, stood up and walked out of the office. She sighed, brushing some of her loose long hair out of her face. This was the first time that she went out of England on a mission. Hopefully not the last, Ginnythought. I like travelling.
Harry walked out of Gringotts with only one item in hand. Down by the chamber where all of the Potter family treasure was kept, Harry's eyesight met with a peculiar wooden box. Engraved upon the top, there was a small triangle, tip pointing upwards towards two large peculiar circles. Scratching his head, Harry picked up wooden box and opened it. Inside, Harry hardly believed his eyes.
Shuffling the small wooden box inside his pocket, Harry had an urgent post from Mr. Lee.
Harry,
An important manner has occurred. Please meet me at St. James Park immediately!
Signed,
Matthew W. Lee
Harry gave the owl a sickle for his services and flew down the grand stairs of Gringotts, running towards the nearest apparation point near the Leaky Caldron. Rushing past masses of daily shoppers in the morning air, Harry barely glanced at the many who pointed fingers at his recognizable face.
He had no time for signing autographs. Something was up, something terrible. There was a reason that forced Mr. Lee to come to England and Harry was just about to find out. Once near the Leaky Caldron, Harry braced himself and apparated to St. James Park.
Draco Malfoy sat, disheveled in an expensive yacht currently residing in the Thames River. After the war, his family fortunes were taken away from him, along with both of his parents. Lucious Malfoy and Narcissa were currently in Azkaban.
Draco was now terribly alone, left with nobody else in the world to care for him. For two years, Draco has searched the streets of London looking for any type of job or circumstance where he could support himself. No such luck.
He was rightly about to commit suicide before he got a ring on his muggle mobile. Picking up his cell phone, he answered.
On the other end, a strongly accented English man spat into the phone.
"Draco Malfoy I presume?" Draco gulped. This man sounded intimidating. Draco mustered up all of his courage left in him. He couldn't and wouldn't sound weak.
"This is him." Draco sighed. Who in the world would call him at this time, in the middle of the night? A cackle was heard in the phone.
"Excellent, I presume that your life is at a downfall and you're currently looking for a suitable occupation. I am asking if you are for hire?" Draco swallowed the large lump in his throat.
"Yes. My skills are for hire." A long silence was heard.
"Meet me at my Yacht tomorrow, I will send you my address by owl post." Draco couldn't place out this person's accent. Where in the hell is this guy calling me from?
Here he was, in this mysterious man's yacht waiting for his presence. Draco looked around. This man must definitely be wealthy, the large yacht's hull was at least 60 feet long. Soft Italian music played in the background.
Footsteps were heard heading up the stairs to where Draco was currently sitting. Draco stiffened. A large burly man wearing a black cloak emerged from the stairs, his body covered with the loose black cloak.
"Draco I presume." Draco nodded. The man's voice was low and gruff. He held out a black cell phone. "Press four."
Draco nodded mutely and pressed the four on the cell phone. The cell phone rang…and rang…and rang…
"Who is this?" The highly accented English man answered. Draco was between running away from this scene or answering. Draco swallowed again.
"Draco."
"Ah, Draco, my servant. I have a job for you."
"What is it sir?"
"I want you to go to St. Petersburg in Russia. From there, I want you to find me a ring." Draco cringed.
"But there are millions of rings located in Petersburg, how will I know which is the right one." There was a long silence.
"This ring is just not any ring. I do believe that it is located in a vault. Go to the Pont-chartrain Bank in Wizarding St. Petersburg. My assistant will arm you with all you need."
The large man with the dark cloak pulled out a suitcase. From the suitcase, he pulled out a large golden square and a small key.
"Take this portkey to the bank. Once the goblin asks for the key, I want you to give him this."
"Where did you get this key?" The large man seemed to be annoyed.
"You will not pick into our business. You will keep your mouth shut inthings you can't handle. For your payment, it will be sent into your vault immediately.
Draco nodded and picked up the black phone again.
"All set sir, may I ask one more question?"
"You have 10 seconds, time is power."
"What is you name?" An evil cacklewas heard on the other end.
"They call me "White Fang."
Author's Notes: Hoped you enjoyed. Review and tell me what you think! Buckle up, the ride's just starting...