V. L. Crawford - Sorry for the long delay.
bjq - I like that you like most of my stories. That is nice.
This guy doesnt have a clue - Thanks that you like it.
Wika0304 - I try to update regularly, but with kids and writing blocks it isn't easy I try my best. But I can promise you that I will always finish my stories, no matter how long it will take.
ulsha - I try my best and I like that you reread it.
I don't own SPN or Harry Potter.
Chapter 16 – one hell of a deal
Sam first question after that was. "Are you sure?" Not that he doesn't believe Harry, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Especially in matters of a powerful wand, such as the Elder Wand.
A sigh escapes Harry. "Unfortunately." he answers.
"Fuck." Sam curses. He doesn't curse often, but what else is there to say or do for him, besides that at the moment.
"You can say that again." Harry commands. Instead of saying anything Sam just takes him in his arms and holds him closer. As close as possible to his chest, like he wants to shield him with his body from this new reality, which he accepts without any fuss. For Sam it was clear that the other shoe would drop at some point, even if he didn't foresee it, to drop in this way.
Acceptance is the first step in the right direction. Now they have to find a way to operate in this new reality. "What are we going to do?" Harry asks his love. That question is an enormous show of trust for Sam. Normally the people look at Harry for answers or guidance at least, that is what Harry told him. But here he reaches out to someone else for guidance. Sam feels honored that Harry trust him enough to give up his hero persona, which he uses to hide his true self behind, to let him take the lead.
Sam takes a moment to think about solutions, they aren't flying around in his mind, they need to be worked out. "Ok, we will talk to Sirius tomorrow and together with him we will discuss wandlore with Mr. Ollivander." who still was living at Grimmauld Place it simply is too dangerous to relocate him to another house. They also have the space for him. More so than in other safe houses. So, he stayed here, but mostly kept to himself.
"And now?" Harry asks after a moment, because the rest of Sams solution is sound to him. But Harry hates to sit around and to do nothing in matters of dangerous situations, which are ahead of them and Sam knows that.
But it still is in the middle of the night, if they darkness outside their room is anything to go by. Sirius as well as Mr. Ollivander deserve some sleep, even if Sam and Harry probably wouldn't go back to sleep this night. Harrys mind simply will work a mile a minute now and this way sleep will not come to him. Maybe if Sam distracts Harry somehow. So he says. "Now, we do nothing?"
"Nothing?" Harry repeats Sam's words outraged, as he sits up to have a better look into Sam's beautiful face. How can he say that, he asks himself?
Without asking his question out loud, Sam understands him. Reading the other come easier with the level of their intimacy as well as the trust they have for each other. "Yes, nothing. The others are sleeping and waking them now will make them grumpy. Mr. Ollivander is still healing from Malfoy Manor." Even if it almost has been a month, the wand maker is still healing. He is old after all and with that healing takes longer. "He needs his rest. Nothing will change, if we act now, it already happened and that can't be changed."
Harry can see the truth in Sams words. But sometimes he hates, how rationalize Sam can be. One of the points, where they differ even as kindred spirits, they have some major difference between them, but that makes them stronger as a couple. Where Harry is hot-headed, temperamental, Sam is rationalizing. Where Sam is planned, Harry is unorganized, especially if they would go for a hunt together. Where Harry is fire, Sam is water. The difference is, what makes them soulmates, they are compatible this way. Begrudgingly he answers. "Ok."
Sam can hear that he isn't so fond of that idea. No wonder, it means to stay awake for him and stare at the ceiling to whole night, alone with his thoughts, because he probably will not be able to sleep. That is, why Sam asks his love. "So, what do you, want to do now?"
"Hhhhh?" was Harrys eloquent answer.
Sam laughs as he clarifies. "Do you want to play wizards chess … or?"
But before he can go on, Harry interrupts him. "You would stay awake with me?"
"Yeah, why are you so surprised?" was Sam's counter questions. He has a slight idea why, but he wants that Harry voices his thoughts and doesn't holds them back anymore in any topic that is. He doesn't need to hide himself from Sam and he needs to learn that.
That is a hard question for Harry. Not the answer, but to answer it. So, he took some time to formulate, what he wants to say. With a sigh he answers after some moments. "For a long time only, Hermione was at my side, even Ron as my apparently best mate didn't stay up with me. Only Hermione, if she found out I had a nightmare. After Sirius was freed Dadfot stayed awake with me as well. I only ever had those two people, who were at my side without any demands. The new additions with you and sometimes Dean." that surprised Sam, even if he knew that his brother and his love have become close, he didn't know that his brother would stay awake with him after a nightmare. That is something he always did for him as well. That shows Sam, how deep the sibling bond between Harry and Dean is, the bond is on the same level as Hermione and himself have with Dean, and that makes him smile. He has to thank his brother for that, but later. "are still so new to me, that I need time to get used to it." Somehow it was easy to confess this, with the lights out and only seeing a silhouette of Sams face and not looking directly into his eyes. It would break Harrys heart to see pity for him in the eyes of his lover.
But Sam doesn't feel pity for him, because in that case he would have to pity himself. He was in the same situation with only Dean at his side as a constant back-up. Someone who always was and still is there for him. No, Sam feels gratitude that he was on his way to get a place as one of the people Harry Potter trusts without question. Considering he feels the same way about Harry. That warms his heart, so he answers. "I feel the same way."
A smile starts on Harry face, he should have known that Sam never would pity him. They are kindred spirits after all. It makes him fall more in love with him at any moment, they share an experience in life and open about it. After already telling Sam that he loves him in anger, now was the perfect moment to tell it to his love without any fight as background. "Thank you. I love you." he chokes out.
It still is overwhelming to hear those words from his love. After their fight, they didn't say it again, until now and it still feels so right to say those words, even after only the short time of being together. "I love you too." Sam says as he hugs him tighter and adds. "Nothing to thank me for. I always will be at your side." A promise both know he will keep till his dying breath. Not that Harry likes that, but it still is nice to hear.
"Still thanks it means so much to me." Harry gives back.
"Good … so what do you want to do?" Sam says after a moment to lift the tension in the room a bit.
There are two things he wanted to do. But for one of that Harry knows now, that he isn't ready, so he decides on the second thing. "Can you hold me and tell me more of your hunting stories?" he asks Sam. He loves to hear him talk about his hunting live. The tales he tells are vivid, funny and Harry always has the feeling to have been there as well right beside Dean and Sam as they fight a monster.
"Ok, where were we the last time?" Sam asks. He loves to share those stories with Harry. Funny considering, he hated hunting for the most part of his life but being with Harry somehow makes it bearable.
"I don't know anymore, but Dean told me I shall ask you about clowns." Harry says with a mischievous smile.
Sam groaned. "Of course he would, let me guess he told you why?" he asks as he sees the smile on Harrys face.
"Only that you are afraid of clowns?"
Sam playfully shoves Harry away from him as he says. "Can you blame me, have you seen some of their face masks?" with that he started to tell him that clowns apparently kill. They talked and laughed almost the whole night. Until they fell asleep exhausted in the morning hours in each other's arms. They were so exhausted they slept right through breakfast. As they didn't show up for lunch Sirius went to search for them.
He knocked at their door, but nobody answered. But the house told him that they are still in their room. He opens the door without any fear to find them in an inappropriate way. The ritual still hangs in the air without a decision, so they can't have sex. As he sees them cuddled up on the bed he smiles and summons his camera from his room. They probably will be outraged that he took a picture of them in this situation. But Sirius always does what he wants to do and nobody else. He also needs some blackmail material, that can come in handy some time in the future, you never know.
Something must have happened for them to end up in this position. They probably didn't fell asleep, like that on purpose. It is way too uncomfortable in his own experience. It must have been in the early hours, that they fell asleep otherwise they would have been awake by now. Even if he really doesn't want to wake them, he knows they can't stay in bed the whole day, especially with Sam hating to spend his day in this way. He is a very active person. So he steps to the bed after banishing the camera back to his room. They don't need to know about the image just now. At Sam sides he starts to raddle him to wake him up.
It took a moment till Sam reacts to being shaken awake. For a moment he felt disorientated that lasted until his back and neck start to hurt and he remembers last night's events. He looks at Harrys peaceful face, even with the pain it feels good to wake up with Harry in his arms and to see him peaceful like that, after the night he had. After a moment of marveling in the feeling, he asks himself, why he woke up. He looks around and his eyes land on his uncle, who was standing beside their bed with a huge smile on his face. "Sirius, what are you doing here?" he asks him perplexed.
"Good morning to you to, lover boy." Sirius teases him. "After you both didn't came for breakfast and lunch I went looking for you and found you like this. Something on your mind you want to tell me?"
Instead of reacting on the obvious teasing from him, Sam asks. "What time is it?"
"Almost 2 p.m. Man someone must have worn you out?" Not that Sirius likes to think about them having Sex, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't tease them merciful about it.
This time Harry, who woke up, because of their talking, answers with still closed eyes. "It isn't, what it looks like Dadfot. I had a nightmare last night."
"Oh." Sirius teasing disappears and concern for his son surfaces. He hates when his son had a nightmare.
"Yeah, something we want to talk to you and Mr. Ollivander about." Sam continues.
That doesn't sound good. "Ok, why?" Sirius asks curious and tries to play his worry down for now.
"Tom has the Elder Wand." Harry declares dry.
"How do you know that?" Sirius asks next. He as well as Sam believes him, but he needs to know, how he knows it. Especially with the reason for the nightmare Sirius came up in his own mind, which he doesn't like. They must take actions against the influence soon.
"I saw it with my own eyes, as I unintentional let my occlumency shields fall last night." Harry answers and confirms Sirius suspicion. Yeah, they have to work on that.
"That is not good, pub."
"I know." he answers with a sigh.
"It happened. Nothing we can do against it, but we have new information to work with." Sam tires to bring them back on track.
"That is right. So get ready I meet you in the sitting room with Mr. Ollivander." with that Sirius left the two of them alone.
Instead of immediately getting up the two of them took the time and stayed in each other's arms for moments longer. Sam leans forward and captures Harrys lips in a searing kiss. "Good morning." he says after.
"Good morning." Harry greets him back. "Did you sleep well?" he asks him after a moment concerned.
"Shouldn't I ask you that?" Sam asks laughing.
"No, because I was very comfortable in your arms." Harry tells him truthfully. He would truly like to wake in his arms as often as possible.
"Yeah, that is true, but you had a nightmare or better a connection with him. That almost counts like another encounter with him." Sam says as he stretches himself to work out some of the kinks in his body.
"So, we both should have slept bad, but as I said in your arms it was as if nothing has happened." Harry answers him truthfully. Even without saying it directly he tells Sam that he is keeping Harrys monsters at bay. Hey, he is a teenager after all, who learned to take care of himself since he was two years old.
Sam sealed the declaration with a kiss. He understands Harry even without him saying the words directly. That is the beauty of their relationship. They break apart after some passionate kisses and connect their foreheads. Into Harrys eyes glancing Sam says. "As much as I wish to continue this talk, we need to speak to Mr. Ollivander."
"Yeah." Harry answers with a sigh and gets up to get ready. Not that he really likes the coming discussion about the Elder Wand, but it can't be helped.
It took them only a little time to be dressed. With one final kiss they leave for the sitting room hand in hand. Dean often teases them for their behavior like handholding, stolen kisses in the shadows of the house. But Sam and Harry care very little about his teasing, because they want to show the world, what they mean to each other. This is the way for them to do that.
As they enter the sitting room, they see that Mr. Ollivanders and Sirius were already there. Both set on one of the couches so they took the couch across from them. It was Ollivander, who spoke first. Surprisingly as soon as they sat he asks. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Winchester-Black, Mr. Black told me that you want to talk to me. Why?"
Just like the night before Harry lets Sam take lead into this discussion. "We wanted to talk about wands." Sam starts with the easy part.
A smile starts on Ollivanders face, wands and wandlore are not only his profession, but his love as well. Sam choose his next question wisely. He didn't want to give away to soon, where this is going. He wants an opinion without the influence or knowledge about the Elder Wand in play. "Would Harrys wand work for me?"
"That depends." he answers mysteriously.
"On what?"
"Normally I would say, that Mr. Potter's wand wouldn't work for you, because the wand chooses him, not you, but in your case that isn't true."
Helpful, Sam thinks sarcastically. "Ok, what is different about us?" Sam wants to know. But he wasn't the only one, who was interested in that part at the moment. Naturally Harry was curious as well, but Sirius wasn't that far behind them.
"Because of the soulmate bond it is quite literally that you share a soul and as such his wand should work for you and yours should work for him, without any problems."
"Oh." So Sam and Harry are special in more ways than one. The same can be said about Sev and Sirius. But so interesting that is, that isn't quite the point where Sam wants to go now. But he will keep this in mind and as soon as possible test it out. It will probably come in handy to have an extra wand at hand. Especially with this whole prophecy thing of Harry over their heads, maybe Sam can do more for his soulmate than he thought ever possible. "In other cases?" he digs deeper.
"A wand chooses the wizard as such it works, only for the chosen wizard." he answers.
That sounds more like, what Sam wants to hear, but he needs it clarified or specified. "So if I say found a wand and want to use it, would it work for me?"
"Partly, only a really powerful wizard can work a wand, who hasn't chosen him." Mr. Ollivander says.
In other words, Voldemort could work the Elder Wand, because of his power level, very easily. But with a wand such as this there must be some precautions in place. At least that is, what Sam thinks. But he still doesn't want to bring up that particular wand. "Ok. How do I get a wand to work for me, if ikt isn't my chosen one?"
"Simple, you have to win his allegiance?" was the answer.
"Like in a duel?" Harry for the first time takes part in the discussion.
"Yes." was the short answer.
"By killing your opponent." Sirius now wants to know.
"Not necessarily, simply disarming him can be enough. It depends on the wand and if he sees himself being defeated this way." Mr. Ollivanders explains further.
That right there, is what Sam needed, no wanted, to know. But he still has some other questions, he wants answered first, before he can concentrate on the for him important point. "Do you know about the Elder Wand?" It was time to go in the needed direction, but first playing dumb is a good idea.
Mr. Ollivanders looks at him with a glance that says, what do you think. "Yes." was the verbalized answer of course.
Sam thought he would, but he wanted to be sure and hear it from him. "Did you tell him about this wand?" Sam doesn't need to explain, who him is.
A dark shadow appears on Mr. Ollivanders face as he answers. "Yes, I have, and I am sorry. I did that, but he has ways to get what he wants and not only with torture." This confession was whispered, because Mr. Ollivander was to ashamed about, what he did, to confess it in a loud manner. In a matter of speaking, he already talked too much, about this wand.
It was Sirius, who reassured him. "Mr. Ollivander, we understand, and we don't think less of you. You aren't the only one, who break under his pressure."
It was good to hear, but Mr. Ollivander only slightly feels better, should Voldemort find the Elder Wand it would be on him and no-one else. But even if he isn't sure, if he can make the wand work for him, it still would be his fault. Even without working the wand probably the Dark Lord can do some serious damage with it. But the gratitude for Sirius statement was appreciated and acknowledged with a nod of the wandmakers head.
Sam gave the older man a moment before he continued with his questions. "Why was he interested in the Elder Wand?"
"Because of the twin cores between his and Mr. Potter's wand. He wants to prevent another wand connection between them. He fears being powerless against him, especially in a duel with the same wands." was Mr. Ollivanders answer.
"Wouldn't be another wand be enough?" Sam digs deeper.
"He tried that and it didn't work. At least that is, what he told me, and I don't know, how he acquired that other wand."
Interesting, Harry thinks, he can't remember when he and Voldemort should have spelled crossed with different wands. It means for Harry that Voldemort wanted simply something powerful and nothing more, so he chose the Elder Wand. Sam and Sirius are on the same page. He also starts to slowly work something else out in his head and hopes that Sam is done with his interrogation very soon.
There was only one more thing left, Sam wanted an answer to. "Did you know, who had the Elder Wand last?" Sam has no doubt in his mind that the wand maker knew where that wand has been in past years. This way Sam can confirm that Harrys dream was true at the same time.
It took Mr. Ollivander a moment to think about it, before he answered. "It was rumored that Gellert Grindelwald had the wand last."
"Wasn't he defeated by Dumbledore?" Harry wants to know. An answer he already knew, because the wand was in his old headmasters dead hands after all. He also knows, where his lover is going with this form of questioning.
"Yes." was Mr. Ollivanders short answer.
"That means Dumbledore probably had it last." Sirius concluded. His gut is telling him that this is the part, why his son and nephew wanted to talk with him and Mr. Ollivander. That can only mean one thing and Sirius doesn't like it one bit.
"I guess, but I never could examine it, to verify if it is the Elder wand." the wand maker explains.
"That helps thank you for your answers." Sam says after he is satisfied with the information's he gathered.
This way he signals Sirius that they are done here. Of course, his uncle got the hint and declared. "Shall I help you back to your room Mr. Ollivander."
If the old man registered that he was dismissed, he didn't show it on his face. Only curiosity was displayed, simply for the fact, why he was asked those questions. But they wouldn't give him the answer to that, but he can draw his own conclusions. That is why he didn't protest as he was leaded out of the room on the arms of Sirius Black. "I will be back in a moment." Sirius declares over his shoulder.
"We will wait!" Sams.
That is what they did, they both were deep in thought as Sirius came back in, moments later. It was clear to him that they both were working on the problem individuality for now, but a group approach wouldn't hurt so he claps his hands to get their attention, before he asks. "So, what was that all about?"
It was Sam who answered first. "I wanted to know, if Tom has the right wand and if he can use it." They started to call him Tom after Sam finished watching the memories and told the others about his findings. It was Dean and his obnoxious self, that pointed out, that calling Voldemort Tom would drive him bonkers and so they started doing it. This way they have practiced the use of his given name, when the final battle will happen. They all know an enraged person makes mistakes and that is what they want.
Harry took over from there without a problem. "We learned both things are true. But we have another problem now?" he adds with a sigh. The other two didn't voice what, but were looking at him expectantly, to tell them, what he is talking about. "We learned that you don't have to win a wand by killing his old master, simply disarming is enough."
"Ok and why is that important?" Sirius wants to know after Harry explains, without explaining really. Sometimes his son can be as irritating as Dumbledore and that is not a thought he likes.
Harry starts to pace, that helps him think and to work through the memory. "At the astronomy tower on the day Draco let the Death eaters in, HE." Harry emphasizes this part to make them understand. "disarmed Dumbledore, that makes HIM the master of the Elder Wand."
"But that is good." Sam says, because he can't see, why that is bad. Draco was living with them and this way he is save from attacks.
Harry looks at Sirius instead of Sam as he answers Sam statement. "Yes, HE is save, but not Sev."
Now Sirius was alert, because Sev safety is important to him and to learn that Harry is concerned about it, makes Sirius happy, but sad, because there is apparently danger for his love. But to keep his composure, he asks. "Why is Sev in danger?" Better to ask instead of assuming something.
"Because Sev killed Dumbledore and should Tom learn that the wand doesn't work for him, at least not like he hopes for, he will go for Sev. To him, killing is more of a winning factor than disarming an enemy, simply because he doesn't have any honor." Harry explains and Sirius gulps, his son's arguments are sound. And if one person knows, how Voldemort thinks that it is his son. So, the conclusion for Sirius is to warn Sev and get him out of Toms hold as soon as possible.
"I will tell him and hope he will listen to me." Sirius says as he looks up at his son and adds. "But we both know, that he one stubborn son of a bitch and so he will not listen and stay where he is."
With a sigh and a nod in acceptance of that fact, Harry answers, because it is nothing but the truth about Severus Snape. "At least he is warned this way and can prepare himself for the worst case scenario."
"That is true." At least some hope stays in Sirius eyes.
Silence followed until Harry asks. "What can we do about him having the Elder Wand?"
It was Sam, who answered with conviction. "Nothing." Harry wants to protest, but Sam stops him with a simply glance, before he explains. "Because if we take actions, we show our hand to him and we don't want that. It is an extra layer of protection for Sev as well as Draco. We keep training and prepare the plan for the battle, because there is nothing else for us to do."
Again, Sam's logic was right, and it was the best solution. But Harry still has his misgivings. "Shouldn't I have another wand or something as well."
That sparked an idea in Sams and Sirius minds as they look at each other for a moment. "That isn't, a bad idea. We will order Ollivander to make you a customized wand." Sirius says.
"Not as a replacement, but as a backup and we start to train you with both." Sam says with a smile. They still have time for it, the battle will only happen after all the Horcruxes are destroyed. Now that isn't in the near future.
"At the same time." Sirius ends for his nephew. A large smile is displayed on Sirius face as he thinks about his idea. Harry is wicked with one wand, so let's see what he can do with two wands. That sparked another thought, maybe they all should ask for second wands or at least Hermione and him, because Sam and Dean need their second hand for their weapons, with which they are very handy. "It think Hermione and I should get second wands as well."
That surprisingly sounds like a very good idea Harry. "Ok." was his answer and with that idea in mind he was looking forward to have a new wand in hand. "But we have to get him all the elements he needs for it." They don't have all the elements at the house, some components can only be found in a wandmakers store. Unsaid was that it was way too dangerous to let him vendor out into his store. The same goes for the others, the danger of Voldemort's Death Eaters at their heels is to high. Good that they have some helpful elves on their hands, who can fix that.
"We will talk with him. "Sirius tells his son
"Good." Sam answers.
"We only can wait for now." Harry concludes.
"Yes." Sam and Sirius say at the same time. But that is actually nothing new. But at least their strategy and attack plan are a good start to come out into the open to the other side. At least the first steps to get the next Horcruxes were already in motion. They only must wait for an okay for the plan from the outside party and that is what they did. Wait.
The waiting time was longer than they all would have liked. Most of the family is form the take imitated actions kind like Harry, Sirius, Dean and sometimes Sam. Even if they knew that Easter was still some time away during the war council, it still felt like a life time of waiting to them. Time moved like a snail. Sam is in the most cases the logical one, who plans like his sister, so he knows that is better to wait it out. But it still frustrates him. Gryffindor vs. Slytherin traits working against each other, but they all have traits from all fours houses of Hogwarts it is the situation that brings out the special traits in one moment.
Severus Snape was on board with the plan, but he limited the time frame for them. First, he needed to know, how many students would stay behind and if the Carrow's would leave. Through some careful suggestions from him to the Dark Lord he got the two Death Eaters out of his school over the holidays. They are too high of a risk, if they have stayed behind. He doesn't want any one getting wind of the operation or even put someone in danger, neither family nor student body.
The family used the time until Easter to train and learn more about things they could use in the upcoming battle. Sirius also used the time to polish the model of Hogwarts he found in the Black library, he updated it with the help of the Marauders Map and Harry as well as Hermione as current students, who have been there last. This way they have all angles of the battle ground covered and can plan in a proper way.
It took Sirius with the help of his family a week to finish it, so that they could use it to draw up battle plans. Turns out Remus and Dean bonded more over battle strategies. Remus was a born strategist and Deans life long experience with hunts, where plans failed and they had to improvise without a moment's notice, helped to work out the kinks to make it their plan possible.
Besides getting battle ready the couples used the silence before the storm to have enough time with their respective others. Some were out of the getting to know phase, also called the honeymoon phase, like Dean and Jo. After some ups and downs manly, because of Deans protectiveness during hunts, they are now a committed couple of equals. After Jo put Dean on his back during a sparring session to teach him a lesson, after he started to stop treating her with kiddy gloves and it did him some good. Dean loves being in a committed relationship, which is surprising considering that he always said being a one-woman-man wasn't it for him. But apparently the saying with the right woman every man can change, was true.
For another couple the intimacy level increased as well. It helped that they now lived together and Harry opened up to Sam. The ritual and if they should do still is hanging in the air, but even with the growing trust between them, they don't want to rush it now. At least Sam thinks that way, especially because Harry still thinks that he will not outlive the war. But Sam will make sure that he does. He sees it as his responsibility to take care of his soulmate, to put him first, to always be in his corner, after a long life of not being enough for others. Sam will show him that Harry is enough for him.
The budding triad between Draco, Hermione and Fred grew enormously. They had dates one on one even with them being confined to the house, they found ways to make it work. No wonder with three smart people in a relationship with each other. Draco surprised Hermione and Fred, he slowly found a way in both their hearts and they don't have a problem with it. On the contrary they have reached the state, where they all want to be an item. Draco even started to think of the growing twin girls in Hermione's belly as his daughters.
Slowly, but rapidly at the same time the due date for Tonks and Hermione is getting nearer. Already in the last trimester, both feel like growing balloons, who could burst at any moment now. In Hermione's case it almost is true. With Easter being at the end of March this year she is now in the middle of her eight month. Giving birth gets nearer, not only because she is caring twins and as such the next generation of magical twins in the Weasley blood line, it also means that going full term is out of the question. But she still hopes that the girls will take their time to be fully developed before they make their big entrance into the world.
All of them are on high alert no-one more than Andromeda and Hermione. But even with reaching the finish line fast, Hermione doesn't want to be left out of the planning. After a long discussion between her, Draco, Fred and Sirius it was decided that she wouldn't fight in any way until the girls were born. Reluctantly she accepts it. At least she is part of the negotiations with the Goblins, this way she feels useful.
That is, why she is currently waiting in the floo room at Grimmauld Place for the twins and Sirius. In her hand she holds a cursed box, one like her father made for the Horcrux, he had stolen. In it the twins have to store the diadem, which hopefully still will be in the Room of Requirement. This way, they only have get the thing without touching it with their bare hands as they place in the box with the help of magic. They don't want any surprises and with a piece of Voldemort soul surprises of the nastier sort are mostly included. While the twins will be at Hogwarts, where they arrive through the headmasters floo, her and Sirius will be at Gringotts. Let's hope the goblins are willing to help.
Like always with her father and the twins they arrive at the last possible moment, meaning the moment, they should leave the house. They arrive in their usual way in a joking manner. "Come on Sirius are you sure you don't want to see your dungeon bat." she hears George say. Not many can divide the twins by voices, but she can, to her they are two individuals as well as a unit at the same time. They think as one and two different people and that is the way she treats them, as two individuals.
"Yeah it must be cold and lonely in the dungeons." Fred teases him further.
Since they know about Sev and Sirius they teased him merciful about it. Sirius lets them for now, because he will be the one, who will laugh in the end. He knows that they will tease him with Sev now, but Sirius wouldn't keep their teasing to himself and so even with them fleeing from Hogwarts years ago, Sev still is their least favorite teacher. For a reason, because let's not forget that Severus Snape can be a vicious son of a bitch, if he wants to be. That is Sirius joker and for now they can bath in not being scold for their doing. Sirius only will wait, because let's not forget those who wait get rewarded. "As far as I know the headmaster doesn't sleep in the dungeons." Sirius says without any anger, but a smirk.
But to Hermione it was clear, that he will get his revenge. She doesn't want to be in the twin's shoes if that happens, she keeps it to herself for now. She doesn't want to get caught in the crossfire. No, she simply states with her crossed arms. "Finally, I thought I have to do it, all on my own."
They all can hear the bark in her voice, but there was no bite at least for now. Pregnant Hermine is angered more quickly, and it is always Fred or Draco, who gets the burn of her moods. So, in his own self-protection, Fred trips to placate the angry dragon mamma. "Sorry, Luv, but we wanted to finish our newest invention." Fred knows that she will always support him and so he often uses his job as an excuse. Under normal circumstances she would see right through him, but the baby brain works in his favor.
That is why she simply answers. "Ok, are you done now?"
"Yes." was the short answer from the twins. Both George and Sirius are impressed with Fred's diversion tactic. As far as they know, it worked all the time so far. So why change a system, if it works. But they also know that with the birth of the twin girls it probably wouldn't work anymore in the future. That means he needs a new tactic. Something he already is working on.
"Good." she says and holds out the box to Fred to take it. "Levitate the Horcrux into the box without touching it with your hands and you should be save from his influence." They don't know what touching could do to them and she isn't ready to test it out. Better safe than sorry.
Fred takes the box as George answers for them. "Yeah, we know the plan, we want to be near his soul for only a short amount of time as possible. We don't want to get a snake-face." he jokes, it is the twins way of lifting the tension at least for a bit.
Sirius barks a laugh, while Fred smiles. Hermione on the other hand doesn't find it funny. She doesn't want that her husband or his brother run into any problems no matter, what sort. So she simply stands there with a stern face and waits for them to get going. Telling them off wouldn't do much, so she doesn't even try. You must pick the battles you want to fight and win. The others caught on fast and stopped laughing. "Good, can we start now?" she asks after a moment.
"Yeah." they all say in unison like children, whose favorite toy was taken away. They know when to retreat from a fight as well after all.
"Then go." she orders them
With a wink and a salute Fred and George step into the floo, take some powder and say in a loud voice. "Headmasters office Hogwarts." with a wosh of green flames they were gone a second later.
Sirius looks at his daughter and says. "Come on we have to glamour you a bit." Traveling to Gringotts even with the goblins there, is still dangerous, but with his Lord status Sirius is save from Voldemort's minions at the bank. But they shouldn't tempt faith with Hermione arriving at the bank without any disguise in use. Not only to keep her identity hidden, but also to keep her save. Until now her pregnancy still is a secret and they want to keep it that way. No wonder, they don't often leave the house and if the travel to the America in the most cases. The danger is lower there. America isn't of interest for him now.
Waving his wand over his daughter, he changes her appearance by brightening her hair to brown without curls into a pixie cut, he also glamour's her belly. Only those, who know that she is pregnant can see the belly. She still looked curvier than before the pregnancy, which was good. They don't want the undesirable number two to be recognized, in case someone was at the Lord entrance of the bank. Considering that the Goblins weren't allowed to give out portkeys anymore. It took Sirius some moments to work his magic and make her unrecognizable. He takes a step back and looks at her, she still was beautiful and with a closer look you still find Hermione in her, but he preferred her natural state.
"That should do it." he expressed after finishing her transformation.
"Good." with that she looks at her watch and says. "We should go, we have an appointment in five minutes and you know that the goblins don't like tardiness." They set the appointment with the highest security, that still is possible for a Lord with Voldemort's control over the bank. It should keep unwanted eyes away from them.
A nod in acknowledgement of her statement was all she received as he walks to the floo. He enters. She follows him a moment later, he brings his arm around her to stabilize her, traveling in her state isn't easy, before he reaches for the powder. With hope for the best, he drops the powder and says in a clear voice. "Lord Entrance Gringotts."
In a whirl of green flames, they leave Grimmauld Place to travel through the floo network. Hermione always hates to floo travel, but with her being pregnant it got worse. All the floo addresses they travel along make her nauseous, which leads to her emptying her stomach at arrival at bank only moments later. It sucks to be pregnant sometimes. Yeah, there are good and lovely times, but they come with bad ones, just like now with throwing up in front of a goblin, who apparently waited for them. Not the impression she wanted to leave behind.
But instead of being shocked or disgusted by her current actions, he silently watches her until she was done. Sirius hands on her back was calming her and helped her get her continuance back more quickly. As she was sure that it was over, she gets up and says to the goblin. "I am sorry for that." At the same time Sirius vanishes the vomit. Hermione left her wand at home, because they don't want her magical signature all over Gringotts, that would give them away.
Without missing a beat the goblin declared. "No problem, we know that being with child isn't easy." Now they both were shocked; how did he know that Hermione was pregnant. With identical glances to her belly they check if it is still invisible, which it is. They look back up at the Goblin, but before they can voice the question, he points at his nose and says. "Magic can't fool us."
"Ok." they say a little wary.
The Goblins sees that and informs them. "No worries with your highest security level nothing will leave our bank." That is good to know, both Blacks think. With that the Goblin walks to the door and orders over his shoulder. "Follow me, we are one a tight schedule and we have to move before some of the minions come to this room on their patrol run." With a glance at his watch he adds. "That will be in four minutes and 29 seconds."
Hearing that, gets them moving. So Hermione and Sirius follow the Goblin through the bank. The corridors were new to them. That told them that they are walking the long route to their destination. This way they try to avoid running into someone and not to get unwanted attention from anyone, who could see them.
Moments later, after so many turns that neither Sirius or Hermione knew the direction they were coming from, they reach their destination. As soon as he enters Sirius knew, who is waiting for them, the Goblin king himself. Sirius anticipated that they would meet him, but he didn't inform Hermione about it. That is why she currently reaching for her wand, who is still at home. Which was good, they don't want an incident. But the guards make him nervous, but the best way to handle the Goblins is by showing no fear. So, Sirius takes the lead and hopes that she will follow, his example.
Self-confident and cocky, because that is who he is, Sirius steps in front of the Goblin King, bows his head and says in a proud voice. "Thank you for having us, King Latok." He met him once together with his father, before he was disowned. It was part of his training of becoming a Lord. The lesson was to always know all the opponents you can met on the board of life.
It took Hermione only a moment to understand, what her uncle was doing, before she followed his lead. She steps to his side and copies his movements with. "We are honored to stand in front of you." Sirius was impressed with the upkeep of his daughter, but he shouldn't be, she is smart after all.
His mushing's were interrupted by the deep voice of the King. "Lord Black, a pleasure, but I have to tell you, that I was intrigued after we received your owl calling for a high security meeting and so I wanted to know, what is going on." Directly to the point, typical Goblin, Sirius thinks. But time is money for the Goblins. At the same time the King was polite as he invites them with his hands to take a seat at the table with him. Business can't be attended while standing after all.
Both took a seat and like they discussed Sirius starts the negotiation. He has after all more experience with Goblins. "I have a business offer for the great Goblin nation." Delicate negotiation like this, need time and flattery, something Sirius has in spares. Even with the Goblins being impatience beings, it would be problematic to literally fall through the door, with your preposition so you must start simple.
"Such as?" The Goblin King asks. That is what Sirius wanted. The King has to talk as much as possible. Many make the mistakes and talk over the Goblins and never let them get a word in. This actions shows the Goblins that wizards are arrogant and don't see them as equals. Something Sirius can't have at the moment, he or better they need their cooperation.
"I need something from you, that isn't confirm with the Gringotts policy." Another lesson about handlings with the Goblins is to never lie to them. They always spot a lie and they hate liars. Your hands or other limps will grateful for it. "But I will pay the Goblin Nation enormously for it." he adds, after he sees that the Goblin kings wants to protest, and money always is a factor with them.
For a moment the King thinks, about what this means. It can't be good to change the policy or in this case to side-step it. So it has to be something good or important. "What do you want and what do you offer?"
A smile starts on Sirius face as he answers. "I want access to a vault that isn't mine." The present Goblins beside the King gasp. That was unheard of. Never before did a wizard want that. They always tried to steal, which of course never worked. Many lost their lives by trying to rob the bank. But the Goblin King's curiosity grew, and he didn't react like his underlings, at least until he heard the payment. "For that I offer you an over a Millenia old and slayed basilisk to do with it, what you want. Only some of the fangs we need, the rest is at your disposal."
Now the Goblin King reacted as his underlings before him with gasps and wide eyes. That is a huge prize for the request. But of course they also ask them something huge in return. But some questions plague the King as he thinks over the offer. Why doesn't they use the basilisk for themselves? Because if they really have such a basilisk, it is worth a fortune. Why would they only want the fangs, they are not as worthy as the venom itself? But most of all, where did they get such a huge beast and who slayed it? Because it never was announced that such a beast has been slayed and basilisk with that size is hard to hide. But the most concerning thing for him is, why do they need entry to another vault?
As the King of the Goblin nation as well as a business man he wants or better needs to know more. That is, why he starts to get some answers. "Where should be such a beast be?" He starts with the easy on or at least he lets the wizard think that he ignores the request for now. People, who feel they are save are easy to make mistakes.
But it isn't Sirius first rodeo with the Goblins, so he has an idea, what the King is doing, but business deals are well mapped dances and now the King leads. Sirius lets him as he answers with a smile. "At Hogwarts." For a moment he lets his words sink in and as he sees the eyes of the Goblin get wider he had to add for his own amusement. "In the Chamber of Secrets to be precise."
Now the eyes of the King almost fell out. For a moment he was speechless, but he found his voice again, fast. He had to be, he doesn't want to be bested by a wizard of all people. His voice, however, was only some elements above a whisper, as he says. "It was rumored, but never was it found."
Surprisingly it was Hermione, who answered instead of Sirius. "Yeah, all you needed was Harry Potter and the impossible was possible. He has a talent for that."
Something happened that hasn't happened in a long time and it shocked the present goblins and humans alike. Hermione's statement and the implication of it made the Goblin King laugh. Not a smile, not a giggle nor a reserved laugh, but a full barking laughter escaped the Goblin King. The last time a witch or a wizard made a Goblin, especially a King laugh was over 500 years ago. So to say that making a Goblin laugh isn't an easy task isn't an understatement.
Simply for that fact, the two humans gained the Goblins Kings trust. But he still has business to take care off. "Oh, I can believe that Mr. Potter does such things, finds the chamber and slays the beast while he is at it. About what size are we talking about Lord Black?"
Sirius feels that his fishing root has something on his hook. So, he absently starts to study his nails as he answers. "I would say almost 60 feet long." He told the size like it was nothing. But it doesn't happen every day that you stumble over such a beast and the Goblin King knows it.
In his head the King is calculating, how much value they can generate with selling the parts of the basilisk, because wizards need his parts for potions. Add to that the fact what Goblins were ready to pay to get some of the delicacy for their own consumption, it was lucrative business for the nation. Sirius almost can see him counting the Galleons in his mind and that was a good sign for him, but they aren't there yet. They need to get, what they came here for. Because the Goblin King didn't react to Sirius words in a speaking way at least, he decides to bring them back to, what they want from them. "We give you the beast for the entry to a vault we want, which isn't ours and 2 or 3 fangs."
That is a good deal, almost too good for a deal, the Goblin King thinks. So let's get some answers. "About whose vault are we talking?" Before he adds another question. "What do you need the access for?"
With a sigh Sirius answer, because he knows now comes the hard part. "We need access to the vault of Bellatrix Lestrange." It is after all a vault of the Ancient and Noble Houses. They have a higher standing with the Goblins, than other families. No wonder, they bring them more money. He ignored the second question for now.
Again the Goblin King was stunned, he didn't expect that. Being surprised twice in one day was quite the feed for a wizard, he must give them that. But that vault belongs to one of Voldemort's followers. Not that they like him, but they are currently being controlled by them, unfortunately. They can't afford to fight against him now, they must wait till the war between the wizards is over to take actions for the continued independence of the bank. So, he needs more information, why is that particular vault of such an interest. "What do you believe is in it, that can help with the war?" he asks his second question, in a slightly different way, because he figured out that that must be the reason for their access request.
Neither Hermione nor Sirius were surprised that the Goblin King figured it out. They kind of prepared for it. That is why Sirius answered. "We search for objects, dark objects, that keep him alive."
That took the Goblin King back. That sounded awfully like a soul anchor, but the knowledge about those things should have been destroyed. But he had to be sure, because should Voldemort have such anchors, they need to take part in this war after all. Soul anchors are against the laws and traditions of the Goblin Nation. That is why he asks. "What are those things called?"
For a moment Hermione and Sirius look at each other to silently communicate. It was a conversation with only their eyes as soon as they started it was over and Hermione answered. "A Horcrux."
The reaction of the Goblin King that followed wasn't what they expected, the King started to curse in Gobbledegook and in reference to the faces of the guards it weren't nice words. But hey, cursing isn't nice. But it still amused Hermione and Sirius to see the King in such a state. Normally Goblins are only known for their stoic expression or feral grins in business matters. This was new and a relieve. It makes Goblins more likeable to them.
It took some time for the King to calm down again. He was after all in a business meeting, that means he has no time for self-indulgence. "That chances things. We give you what you want, but instead of you entering the vaults some of my Goblins will retrieve the Horcrux." he answers, before he adds after a moment with a new thought. "Do you have an idea in what objects the soul anchor is contained?"
Another silent communication between Hermione and Sirius followed. In the end he nodded that she shall tell them all. Full discloser could be a good thing in this case. With a deep sigh Hermione answers, because she knows that the Goblins will not like the answer. "We believe the Horcrux is in the cup of Helga Hufflepuff."
Again, a cruising storm followed. At least the King found his continuance faster this time. In a hard voice he says. "He didn't have the right to sully this Goblin made artifact. It belongs to the Goblin nation and was only a loan after it was forged for Helga Hufflepuff."
Every witch or wizard knows that Goblins see their forged objects or artifacts as their property. So this remark doesn't surprise them. "We know." Sirius tries to calm the Goblin a bit. It never is a good idea to be in close proximity of a raging Goblin and the King is already on a way there. Better to diffuse the tension a little bit, they live longer this way.
Latok looks at the wizard and sees that he truly is sorry that such a travesty has taken place. Surprisingly he believes him and he also knows now, why they only need some fangs from the slayed beast. It is a way to destroy the Horcrux. For wizards at least, the Goblins have a different and better way to destroy them. "I can't let you go destroy the cup." he declares.
That shocked Hermione and Sirius until that moment they were sure they got, what they were coming for. But apparently they were wrong. But Hermione never would give up, not in this dark time. "But it has to be destroyed so that we can destroy him." she explains.
A feral grin starts on the Kings face as he answers. "Oh, no worries it will be destroyed."
"But you said that you wouldn't destroy it." Sirius repeats the Kings words with bewilderment.
"That is true. But I meant the object not the soul anchor. We Goblins can do magic just as good as you wizards, if not better." was the arrogant answer from the King, such a statement is so typical for a Goblin.
That doesn't make any sense to Hermione or Sirius. But it was Hermione who voiced it. "What does that mean?" As soon as she opened her mouth Sirius hoped that they wouldn't be slayed today. Goblins hate to be asked, about their magic and rituals, especially if the question comes from a wand waving wizard.
But the King wasn't angered by it, he expected it and they deserve to know in his opinion, especially in this matter, they are also not ordinary wizards, they gained his respect. "Simple, we will transfer the soul leech from the cup into another object first, so that it can be destroyed." he explains matter-of-factly.
That statement initiated a spark of hope in the Blacks. Maybe they finally found a solution for the Horcrux in Harry. But they have to ask to be sure. "So you can detach the soul leech without any problems?" Sirius starts.
"Yes." was the short answer.
"Can you do it with a living being?" Hermione took over the questioning.
"Yes." he answered again.
"So you can transfer a soul leech from a human for example into an object to destroy it? So that the human can live on?" They had to be sure, absolute sure, Harrys life is at stake. This meeting can change everything and make the win of the war as real as never before. With the Horcrux out of Harry killing him is more than a possibility. It is a fact, because it was the hardest Horcrux for them to destroy.
The Goblin King looks curious at the humans, who look like they found gold like a Niffler. There are still some things that he is missing, but he already decided to help them, it would be for their mutual benefit after all, so he explains. "We have a ritual for transferring a soul leech from an object into another, that can be achieved very easily. The ritual for transferring the Horcrux from a living being into an object is a little trickier. A soul anchor for the soul of the host is needed." He looks at Sirius and says. "You." he means wizards not especially him. "call them soul mates and it has to happen on a new moon with the help of the Goblin nation as well as you, your nephews and your niece."
Nothing more is said; the rest of the ritual will be in the hands of the Goblins and will not be explained to wizards. Goblins keep their secrets close to the chest. Sirius understands that. Still a huge smile starts on Hermione and Sirius faces as they look at each other. Here is, what they were looking for in the past months, in books. Instead of reading, they should have asked questions, because those who don't ask stay dumb. But Sirius knows that such a ritual will cost them. "What do you want in return?" he asks the King.
The Kings thinks a moment about it. Somehow he has the feeling he could ask them anything and they would pay it. But Goblins are not only proud, strong and smart, they are also a folk with honor. As such they would never exploit the desperate. As well would be the basilisk's for getting entry into the vault be void, because they do it themselves that leaded to the following conclusion for him. "As I already said we will retrieve the cup from the Lestrange Vault. So, we wouldn't want anything in return, so the basilisk could be the payment for the ritual." Something the King wants to acquire at all cost for the Goblin nation. "So my preposition is that we exchange the basilisk for the transfer of two soul leeches."
"Four." Hermione corrects him without thinking. For a moment Sirius was nervous how the Goblin would react to that. You don't interrupt a goblin especially during payment discussions.
Instead of being angry he looked at Hermione with big eyes and asks. "Four?" Because he can't believe what he hears, that the Dark Lord would make more than one or two of those anchors, is crazy. Two are much, but four is an enormous number. No wonder that Voldemort is off his wand for a wizard.
"Yes four. We currently have two, the third is in your vault and my husband and his twin hopefully, will find the fourth one." she explains.
Latok almost can't believe it, he needs to know more. "Can I ask, how many he made?" Not so sure if he will like the answer to that.
This time it was Sirius, who answered. "Seven." was the short and horrific answer.
"Seven." The King repeats almost stuttering.
"Yes." Sirius and Hermione answer at the same time. Another cursing storm followed this time the guards cursed right with him. Never in the History of Magic has a soul been split seven times, considering the host loses magic every time the soul is split. Voldemort is still powerful, that shows how powerful he really is or was. The soul and the magic are entwined and shouldn't be parted, one needs the other and vice versa. For magical creature that is a given law, but Wizarding kind apparently thinks that such things don't apply to them. But it cemented the Goblins Kings conviction that Voldemort needs to be stopped, no matter the costs. "What about the other three?" he wanted to know.
"Two are already destroyed and one is constantly at his side." Hermione explains.
"We save that for last." Sirius continues for her.
"So there is a plan?" the King wants to know.
"Yes." was the short answer. They don't want to give too much away. This way the information can't get out.
The King surprised them as he snips his fingers and an object appears in his hand. He holds it out to Sirius as the elder of the two present Blacks and says. "We will be ready for battle. Break this object before the battle starts and the Goblin nation will send troops to the destination to fight alongside the wizards for the first time in History. But we do it for the preservation of Magic."
Never would they have guessed that, as they got up this morning. Yeah, they hoped to achieve their goal, but not that they would bring the Goblin Nation onto their side in the process. Hermione kind of was speechless or at least didn't know, how to react without offending them. Good to have her uncle by her side as he took the gift, he bowed his head to show his respect to the King and answers. "We are honored to share the battle field with the mighty Goblin Nation. Victory will shine on us." Ever be positive and never say that the enemies forces are greater, this way you don't offend the Goblins. They are a proud and strong warrior race after all.
After Sirius set down again the Goblin King asked. "When will the basilisk delivered?" Because to both sides it was clear that the ritual will take place during the next new moon and the Goblins want their payment before that.
Instead of answering Sirius takes out his wand and says. "Expecto Patronum." A moment later Padfoot appears at his side and looks with a mischievous smile at Sirius as if he wants to say go on with what you want me to do. With a smile he says. "Go to the Weasley Twins and tell them that they can use the portkey I gave them that should bring them to me." with a nod in acknowledgement Padfoot's runs away to fulfill his task.
That means they must wait a little bit, but they would receive the basilisk body today and that is a good thing for the Goblin King. "Can I get you anything to drink or eat?" he asks the humans.
"Only tea." Sirius answers before his daughter can say anything, because everything Goblins call food isn't eatable for humans.
Of course she followed his lead. "For me as well, please. Thank you." She treats them as humans and as such they receive the curtesy of manner. The King likes that, with his hand he gestures to one of his guards to get the tea, so they can wait in comfort.
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