- Chapter 10 -

"A Horcrox?" The goblin healer questioned Harry, "Yes sir. At least, that's what we think it might be."

It had taken Harry less than 30 minutes to explain their suspicions, that he was holding a piece of Voldemort in his mind and that there might be others too.

"I have not heard of one in many centuries.." Effie murmured just loud enough for him to hear then turned to the goblin healer. "Do you think the Elder Silver can help? He must know something we can do to help Lord Potter."

The goblin healer nodded solemnly, "I think it would best. I only know of these Dark Magics and how to destroy them in theory. But Elder Silver would have more knowledge on how to put theory into action."

The goblin healer turned to Harry, "Lord Potter, we wish to help you get rid of the vile thing in your mind. Now, we can't promise anything but would you allow me to bring Elder Silver here to examine you?"

Harry mulled over the request, taking a quick glance at Hermione. She had fallen into a restful sleep on the sofa once more during his talk with the goblins, her body obviously still taking time to adjust to the newly released magic.

He then turned to look at Effie for a moment, she looked genuinely worried even though she was trying to look over some random paperwork in her hand. "I trust you." Harry finally stated.

The goblins looked at him in utter surprise. "I trust both of you. So please, bring whoever you please that might be able to help." Harry confirmed, giving both goblins a small smile.

After their shock subsided, Harry got a smile from Effie and a nod from the goblin healer before they both disappeared out of the room.

-111-

Harry waited a couple of moments before sitting down next to Hermione's sleeping form. He decided to let her sleep til the goblins came back as he knew that she would want to know what the goblins could do to help them.

He tapped his fingers on his knee, mulling over the information he knew about goblins from what he read last night with Hermione's help. Last time he was here, he never knew too much about them. It's not like they taught any of their history at school. But after reading a couple chapters of "Goblin History Through the Ages", he came to find that Goblin's won't do a deal without a price.

He knew that any offer to help him would have a hefty fee to pay but he was willing to do just about anything at this point to make sure he could beat Voldemort. In the end, gold had never mattered much to him anyway.

He suddenly felt a hand over his, he turned to see a still sleepy but coherent Hermione looking up at him.

"Harry.." Hermione mumbled softly, "Where are the Goblins?"

"They are getting help for us to destroy the Horcroxes." Harry explained, pulling her to him. "They will be back any moment. Just rest for now 'Mione." She didn't pull away from him, he could see she still wanted to just sleep.

"Ok... I love you." She mumbled as she curled into his side, her hair tickling his nose.

Harry blushed at her words and his heart beat sped but he downed the feelings down. 'She meant I love you as a brother.' He told himself a couple of times until it set in.

After about 15 minutes, Effie opened the door and walked in, a hopeful look on her face and a small vial in her hand. "My Lord, Elder Silver will be here in a couple more minutes. But he did give me this for Ms. Granger." She explained as she made it to him.

Harry nudged Hermione gently awake. "'Mione, wake up." He said softly and watched as Hermione stirred awake. As she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, Effie took the stopper off the vial. "Ms. Granger, please take this potion." Effie handed the vial to Hermione, who in turn gave her a weary look. "It's like a pepper up but much stronger; or so I'm told." Effie assured her with a small smile.

Hermione sniffed the potion before nodding and gulping it down in one smooth motion. Suddenly, a healthy pink glow returned to her cheeks. When she looked over at Harry, she looked more alert and 100% awake.

"Woah..." She uttered silently, getting up from the sofa and stretching. "That helped a whole lot more than the last potion did."

This made Effie chuckle, "Yes, the last potion was a normal pepper up potion that we had in stock but this potion is actually Goblin made." She placed the vial into her suit jacket pocket then took out a scroll of parchment, handing it to Hermione.

"We don't usually give any Goblin Potion to Wizards or Witches, mainly because the ingredients are only to be known by the Goblin Nation. So, for law sake, we need you both to sign this form stating you will not let anyone out of this room know about this potion."

Both Harry and Hermione nodded, not wanting to question the Accountant. Hermione then unrolled the scroll and quickly read it over to the amusement of Harry and Effie.

"Is it a blood oath to secrecy?" Hermione asked after giving the scroll for Harry to look over which he merely glanced.

"You are correct Ms. Granger." Effie affirmed as she went over to her desk, took out a small gold dagger and walked back over to them. "But as before, your cut will automatically heal upon the blood hitting the parchment."

After handing Hermione the dagger, both Harry and her did as explained. Their cuts did automatically healed as soon the their blood hit the parchment which Effie rolled up and with a snap of her long clawed fingers, it vanished.

"Wonderful, now we just have to wait for Elder Silver an-" Effie was suddenly cut off as the doors to her office opened and a very old but tall, white bearded Goblin walked into the room with the goblin healer from earlier following behind.

Elder Silver had scars all around his face and hands, but was wearing a very expensive looking suit which amused Harry for a moment but kept features neutral.

"G'day all!" The Goblin greeted them with a rather strong, friendly and booming voice, which surprised both young wizards. "I heard that my services were needed for Lord Harry Potter."

Before Effie could speak, Harry made his way to the elder goblin, Hermione quickly behind him.

"Yes, Elder Silver." Harry confidentially stated, as he bowed deeply before the elder with Hermione following his action. "We are most honored that you decided that we are worthy of being helped." This statement made all the Goblin's go wide eyed with surprise, which made Harry chuckle internally.

At this point, Hermione already knew, Harry was really trying to charm and impress the Goblins by putting them in a higher pedestal. They both knew if they came across as angry, demanding wizards that they would get nowhere.

After a moment, Elder Silver cleared his throat and gave both of them a sharp toothy smile. "Well, My Lord, it is good that we have finally a chance to meet." He said genuinely, patting Harry on the shoulder, "Your Grandfather, Lord Charles Potter and I were very close business partners and friends." He explained with a sad yet fond look in his eyes, "It only seems right to help a kind hearted man's family in the time of need."

Harry gave Elder Silver a thankful smile, "Thank you Elder Silver."

Elder Silver returned the smile then got a serious look on his face. "Alright then! Let's have a look at you, my Lord." He took off his suit jacket and started to roll up his sleeves while the goblin healer magically conjured a Hospital bed for Harry.

"My Lord, please lay down, I need to examine you." Harry nodded and made his way to the bed, while Hermione took a seat next to Effie. Harry noted that she had been quiet this entire time but when he glanced at her, he could tell she was trying to stay calm and let him take the lead for the moment.

Elder Silver moved around the bed til he was behind Harry's head. "Okay now, I am going to have to look deep inside your mind. I am not going to look for anything but the Horcrox." Elder Silver explained and Harry nodded in response.

"However, it will be painful. This is not normal Legilimency, it is a Goblin ritual that will allow me force my magical powers inside your mind and attempt to rip the dark magic out of you." Elder Silver stated grimly. Doubt crossed Harry's mind but before he could voice any concern, he heard Hermione speak up.

"Is there a strong possibility Harry could die?" Hermione's face was completely stone serious but her voice was laced with utter worry.

"Yes," Elder Silver affirmed, "Horcroxes are very dark and dangerous when inside a living host. They are, in a muggle scientific term, symbiotic. They latch on their hosts and will suck on the life force from them while keeping them alive. Once the Horcrox is removed, if the host don't immediately die, their body will be riddled with the lingering effects of dark magic and will start to shut down slowly, almost like a cancer."

Hermione gasped, "So he could die, regardless the outcome?!"

"No," Elder Silver stated with a reassuring smile, "If he doesn't die upon removal of the Horcrox, we have a cure he will take and it should bring him back to full health in the matter of minutes."

Harry and Hermione both let out a sigh of relief, but they both still had grim looks on their faces. "Of course, we don't know the outcome." Harry stated which caused Elder Silver to nod grimly.

"Well, I guess this is a good time as any," Harry began as he took Elder Silver's scarred hand in his causing the goblin to look down at him in confusion. "I, Lord Harry James Potter, Last living Heir and sole Lord to the Potter House, pledge Alliance and Loyalty to the Goblin Nation and name them as the Protector of House Potter so mote it."

Everyone in the room gasped in shock and Effie nearly fainted as a golden light beam shot out of Harry's House Ring and surrounded them all. After a moment or so a faint ping could be heard once the light vanished.

"My Lord..." Elder Silver gaped at Harry for a moment more before schooling his features. "You made my job today a bit harder." He said with a bit of humor laced in his voice which made Harry smirk slightly.

AUTHOR NOTE:

Hope this chapter was worth the wait! I do apologize that it seems kinda short though.

I have been having a busy month and with the holidays coming up I'm a bit overwhelmed with my job and family matters. However, I am currently working on chapters 11 thru 13 as we speak so don't worry, I will update as soon as they are completed! (Always editing in my free time).

If you guys have any suggestions, comments and/or reviews, please let me know! I do love hearing that you like the story and any feedback that you have for me.

Thank you so much and Happy almost Halloween!