Disclaimer: The same as the previous chapters.

Chapter 73

Draco had turned back and was now looking at the scabbard with renewed interest. Snape and Potter had come up and were now standing by his sides. McGonagall was still overwhelmed, yet she managed to join them, around the headmaster's table.

Mafloy flicked his eyes at the Gryffindor witch and asked hesitantly, " Are you sure, Madam, it is Godric Gryffindor's first sword's scabbard?

When the Witch snapped her head and glared at him ferociously, Draco added," I am simply asking because the scabbard has Goblin's runes etched over its mouth. And the way the sorting hat is eyeing it…"

Minerva was beyond herself. Startling all of them, the sorting hat bellowed, exasperated," All of you, nitwits! When you wizards can own two wands, why is it difficult for you to imagine a soldier with two swords? Gryffindor had swords, daggers, knives, and axes. He had a brigade of an army following him. Thieves. Thieves robbed us off. Rascals, toad faced, half-sized, robbed us of our fortunes!"

Minerva spoke to it," But Gryfindor's sword?"

The hat cut her again," He had two. But he had one initially. A proud companion. A great defender. Killed those who dared to harm Magic, only the malicious ones, mind you. Wielded in the molten fire, shaped by dragon breath, cooled in the icy seawater. The Griffin's Claw. You will know it when you see it, just at the base of the guard and the blade the claw of the proud griffin was delicately etched out. The rest of the body of the Griffin coiled itself around the grip, while the pommel and the peen block served as its head. The mother's familiar had laid his life to become that part of the son's sword."

As if lost in a trance, the Hat continued, "And the scabbard, it was made out of mother's love. When his first one got lost a little after he met young Salazar Slytherin, Godric believed it to be a bad omen. And it truly was." leaving a shuddering breath, it continued," The goblins who wanted to be in favor of the Salazar family made him the other one. The young Slytherin had commissioned it. One was classy regal and the other rusty yet every bit of a prince. Salazar and Gryffindor's friendship grew thicker since then… friends did turn to relatives, and this school was born...when Helga and Rowana showed interest…"

Eyeing the gathered wizards, he spoke to Minerva, but this time his voice was less harsh," Don't feel disheartened. I felt your cub swing the revered sword. I heard it's call and roar. A true Gryffindor. If you have seen this goblin-made scabbard, you shall also see its elder brother very soon. Smart witch, even when she was hardly able she made sure to leave behind bread-crumbs."

It dropped its voice and warned," Don't forget to stew that Goblin, he knows more than he lets others' believe. Good thing Miss Granger is smart. Tricked him in his own game. But the heart grows fonder with the passing of years. The heart grows fonder…I can't believe myself as I say this, a goblin loving a witch, like his own blood, extraordinary ways, love works. Pure magic, as Albus would say."

Draco went back to studying the scabbard minutely. When he spoke again, it was apparent he was addressing the Sorting Hat. "It is possible, is it? To alter and switch something from two different scabbards. Although altering the shape is impossible, as far as the book said."

When the Hat just huffed, the man turned to his godfather for confirmation. Severus was nodding," I don't see a reason for doing that...but…"

Harry spoke up," But this is Hermione. Maybe she wanted to draw our attention to a detail which does not go along with it," waving his hand at the scabbard.

Draco was mumbling," Entire structure was reduced so that it could be hidden in the gap of the stone wall. The first clue is the presence of the Goblin Runes. But then the moment you," pointing towards Harry," pulled it out, Professor McGonagall came rushing in...Madam you said," looking at the Gryffindor witch," you felt its presence."

Minerva nodded in confirmation," Yes, I felt the strong pulsation of a rare magic. When Albus had transferred the Head House responsibilities, I had felt it. He had said, if I ever feel it again in my lifetime I should consider myself fortunate."

Harry flicked his eyes on Severus, but the man stood still glaring at the scabbard, as if wishing it to start speaking like the sorting hat any minute. For once even he wished for that. Hermione had left behind so much and so many little clues that his head was already reeling with too much information.

Draco was speaking again, rather the man had shouted," Merlin's balls...Ahem, Pardon me! It's the red sash wrapped around the thing. Look!" When others had leaned closer to inspect, Minerva couldn't resist but run her fingers over it. The rough and coarse, weather hardened material slimmered and turned into a velvet Gryffindor red sash, as new as ever. Malfoy had punched his fist in the air in excitement. Now he was talking too fast," Bloody brilliant! A moment ago it looked so like leather! Do you think Hermione pulled that trick as well?"

The Hat blew in the air and declared airily,"Gryffindor's magic! Nitwits, Godric Gryffindor's magic thrives even from beyond the grave. The true loyalists of the house will always get favours from him, when in peril. Always. You cannot alter his things without his assent."

"So, we now know the first and the second sword of Gryffindor is out there somewhere. And we can safely assume Miss Granger was in possession of both very recently. But why would she need to use them? Oh! I wish I could throttle Griphook right now and make him speak! Slimy git!" By the time McGonagall was done, she was gritting her teeth in fury.

Both Harry and Draco shared amused looks and snickered and Snape bit the insides of his cheek. When Severus showed Minerva the key wondering if she could say something about it.

"I don't remember seeing this anywhere." Minerva replied apologetically.

Harry spoke out," That key looks much like the standard ministry keys which every clerk carries on his or her person. That one is an ordinary desk key. But then..."

Snape suggested broodingly, "I think I am thoroughly prepared for Hermione to lead all of us to something more bizarre and unexpected. But I have a strong belief, we will know how to find our way into Hermione's Office. And perhaps, this would open a secret drawer of her personal desk. At least something important enough for the knights to guard it."

"Yes, yes, if there is nothing else you need to learn from here, I too suggest you three head for the ministry. Shacklebolt has asked me to inform you to floo directly to his office." McGonagall suggested.

Harry was lingering around the scabbard still lying on the table, when the Sorting Hat assured him," Hogwarts will keep its founder's treasure safe, Mr. Potter. Don't worry."

Nodding at the hat self consciously, he frowned and turned to Snape and McGonagall," Maam, it's' a long shot, but I do have a feeling. The knights of Buir na Mara and the knights of the Undead are the same people. Zabini and Malfoy have already found quite a number of similarities in their armours..."

Behind him the Sorting Hat gasped and then went still.