Chapter 19 – Taking It Easy
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Previously on The Forgiven. Grimm, Liar, and Norse successfully broke in and out of Gringotts as well as loot Voldemort's Vault. Their prize: a certain, modest looking goblet.
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In the library section of their underground base, Grimm, Norse, and Liar sat at a small study table. The object of their attention—sitting between the three—was their heist's boon; an ornately decorated goblet.
Grimm grabbed the cup and began flipping it through the air.
"This has to be valuable, yeah?"
Liar flipped through an open tome listing artifacts and stopped on a certain page.
"Ah ha! See that carving of the badger there? It indicates this cup originally belonged to Helga Hufflepuff."
""Oooo~h…"" Norse and Grimm awed with newly found interest. ""And?""
"Hm? And what?"
"Well, what does it do?" The witch drummed her fingers on the side of the goblet.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, it belonged to one of the founding witches of Hogwarts so it must do something, yeah?"
Liar scanned the book again.
"….No. I'm afraid the text indicates no special characteristics. It appears to be nothing more than a gaudy, boringly ugly cup."
"Perhaps it is unbreakable," Norse suggested, as she readied her wand to blast it.
Grimm and Liar instantly jumped at her arm and wrestled with her for five minutes before she gave up on her test.
"But if it's an artifact Voldemort was keeping, maybe we should destroy it- Norse! Stop! I said, 'maybe'."
"It is likely unwise to blindly destroy it…." Liar continued to tap the edges of the cup with his wand. "At least not without knowing its true purpose. There is definitely something curious about it, though…."
"Is it alive? Have we hurt its feelings with all our insults and disappointment?"
"Haha, that would be curious, indeed," Liar chuckled. "My findings have produced absolutely zero traces of magic on the artifact."
"And that is curious?"
"Absolutely zero traces of magic," he emphasized. "We've all handled it, I've tried placing some charms, some curses, and without exception, it remains unmarked by any measure of sorcery. It's as if the object itself is trying to hide anything magical about it."
All three observed the cup with a great amount of apprehension.
Grimm took it in her hands again and squinted.
"…..I'm becoming more and more inclined to let Norse destroy it."
"Evidence for the action is becoming increasingly substantial."
Norse began to roll up her sleeves.
"I do hope you are not about to do what you appear you are about to do."
The three Forgiven turned around to see Dumbledore walking towards them, Mad Eye and Kingsley in tow.
Grimm shrugged.
"It's a test."
"A test that may destroy the only real piece of evidence leading to You-know-who," Moody growled.
Dumbledore stuck his palm out to Grimm with an open gesture. For a second, the small witch considered if it would be better to keep the cup under their own supervision. But the pros and cons weighed in her thoughts, and dictated differently.
She squeezed the goblet briefly, and then placed the artifact in Dumbledore's hand.
"I will make sure to keep it safe," he assured her.
"Hold you to that, Albus."
Kingsley coughed. As was his attempt to clear the tension growing in the room—a habit he was developing as of late.
"As important as you-know-who's artifact may be and how it came to be in his possession, it seems to have no bearing on his more immediate motives. We have urgent matters to discuss."
"You've found Nicholas Flamel?"
Dumbledore gently shook his head.
"Still in the wind, I'm afraid. My old friend does loves his solitude."
"Gringotts is refusing to increase security measures…." Kingsley answered.
….
"""What?""" the Forgiven mouthed in unison.
"…..and have chose to keep your break-in, a secret."
"You're kidding me."
"I wish I were, Grimm."
"So we just did all that for nothing?"
"We have the cup."
"Fock the cup!" Liar yelled. "I lost my pinky!"
The wizard waved his bandaged nub that they were unable to regenerate.
The Forgivers sighed and waited for the Forgiven to vent some of their frustrations. When the yelling subsided and Grimm looked into the patient faces of their elders, a bad feeling crept over her.
"There's more, isn't there?"
*Ahem* Dumbledore cleared his throat
"Since your work has exposed several vulnerabilities in the security, we are moving the Sorceror's Stone to a safer location."
"…..Hogwarts," Grimm murmured with a hint of nostalgia.
"That would be correct. The Stone's primary transportation has been entrusted to Hagrid. Along with another matter of import. Before acquiring the Stone, Hagrid will be escorting Harry Potter to Diagon Alley."
The air went bitter and silent. The weight of Dumbledore's words fell heavy, not only on the Forgiven, but also his fellow Forgivers.
"We're on protective detail for the Sorceror's Stone….AND….Harry Potter," Grimm spoke with a stiff tone.
The wizened wizard nodded slowly.
"That is correct."
"Quit gaping and form up! Conditions change and you are to adapt, simple as that!" Moody scolded. "The Forgivers—besides Albus—will be on this assignment as well. No one knows the Stone will move except for Hagrid and those in this room. Even the Professors at Hogwarts won't know a damn thing until it's already in the school."
"And the little 'boy who lived'?" Grimm asked.
"He's been kept isolated and secret from the rest of our world. Threat on that front should be minimal. But don't let your guard down. You are to always exercise—"
""Constant Vigilance!""the Forgiven finished.
Grimm closed her eyes and folded her arms. Her Mentor's reasoning was sound. There was always risk for assassination, but no one had seen the boy for years. No pictures, no appearances. Conspiracy theorists have went as far as assuming he would never return to the magical side of the world for fear of his life. Potter was so removed from the Wizarding World, some doubted whether he existed at all. The crazier theorists suggested "Harry Potter" was not an actual person, but a code named weapon used by Dumbledore.
"No one knows about him? No information leaks about his arrival or anything?"
Moody grunted. "No one. Only Hagrid. Potter will draw some attention when he steps into Diagon Alley, yes, but no one knows his appearance, save his likeness to his parents and the lightning bolt scar on his head."
"Ah, yes. The famous scar. Hopefully the prat can keep from flashing it around," Liar commented.
"Protecting a boy and a rock. Should be an easier task than breaking into Gringotts."
The Forgivers and Forgiven exchanged further information, meted out the finer details. And after a few more hours of talks, Dumbledore, Kingsley, and Moody took their leave. Grimm ran her finger along the map placed in front of them, double-and-triple checking their routes to make sure there were as little vulnerabilities as possible.
"Harry Potter is going to school. The fabled secret weapon against Voldemort," Liar jested.
"I thought we were the secret weapon against Voldemort."
"We are, Norse. You really think Potter has a role to play in all this? He's ten," their leader responded without looking up from the map.
"Albus seems to think so," Liar blurted.
Grimm and Norse immediately turned to him.
"What? I took a teeny peek into his mind. Made sure he didn't notice."
"You are certain you avoided detection?"
"Yup! Couldn't mine for anything deep, but I did manage to skim the surface," Liar bragged. "And I can tell you two right now, the man has plans. BIG. JUICY. ONES. And Potter's in them."
"You think the boy is to save us from Voldemort a second time?"
"Who knows…. Any thoughts, boss?"
Norse and Liar shifted their attentions to Grimm, who was in deep contemplation.
"…..Wouldn't put it past Albus to raise some traumatized kid as a weapon against Voldemort."
The other two laughed.
"This is one of the scenarios we've expected. If it's any of the people on our side, or Harry Potter, who gets raised as the hero against Voldemort, it's the Forgiven who'll need to set it up. It's going to be us, who do the shadow and blood work." Grimm bit her scarred lip and grimaced. "We've experienced the War firsthand, and the second one will be even worse. Without the Forgiven, our side willlose. And if Potter really is the one to save us all….he'll need us, whether he knows it, or not."
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The next day…
Mad Eye, Kingsley, and the Forgiven made their last preparations before dawn arrived. While they did so, Moody addressed them.
"I know I don't have to tell you again, but I'm telling you again! Do. Not. Be. Seen."
"Your break into Gringotts has been hidden from public eye, but the Ministry knows about it," Kingsley added. "An Auror task force has been assembled to investigate."
"How serious is it?" Grimm asked.
"You three are officially unofficially the most wanted criminals in the Wizarding World," Moody grunted. "Does that sound serious enough?"
Liar rewrapped the bandages around his nub. "But they are unawares as to who we are?"
"Yes," Kingsley answered.
"Even so, we are the most wanted fugitives in the world."
"Yes."
"Huh. I'm strangely proud of us," the young man broke into a wide grin, which quickly shrunk under Moody's intense glare.
"Even if no one's seen your faces, you will take every precaution!" Mad Eye inhaled for another tirade.
"""Constant Vigilance!""" The three timed their words with his and began laughing. Even Kingsley cracked a smile.
"So who's heading the task force?" Grimm couldn't help but ask.
Upon hearing the question, Kingsley's mood did a complete reversal, as he gave a long and drawn out sigh. The Forgiven stood stalk still for a moment before understanding his silence.
Liar laughed.
"Really, Kingsley? Oh. That is perfect."
"It is proving difficult to launch a fake investigation. Luckily, you three have left virtually no evidence to work off of. The Forgiven continues to thoroughly befuddle me and my team."
"Hmph. And wouldn't you guess who else is part of the task force." Mad Eye looked directly at Grimm. "Tonks."
The blue haired witch went slack jawed, as if it were knocked loose by a sudden brick. It took a few moments for the news to register, before she went into a sort of dream state. A goofy smile plastered itself across Grimm's lips.
"Being captured by Tonks…That wouldn't be so bad. Hehehe~ " she mused with a young, girlish voice.
Strange images of bondage began filling the witch's perverted mind. Meanwhile, her teammates stared at their leader with cringing looks.
"I still find it disturbing the abrupt change Grimm's personality takes when Tonks is concerned."
"Isn't it? Normally, so bitter and cutthroat, but mention the subject of her affections and our leader transfigures into an idiotic blob of schoolgirl."
"Grimm's catnip."
"Shut up, the both of you. It's time to move out," Grimm commanded in her normal tone.
And just like that, the Forgiven set out.
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Things were going according to plan. Hagrid picked Harry up from his aunt and uncle's. The pair made their way across the Muggle cities and were about to enter Diagon Alley.
Throughout their journey, though they never caught a glimpse of them, were five secret protectors. Forgivers and Forgiven stalked their every step, rotating in and out as to not arouse suspicion. Sometimes they flew overhead and sometimes they walked right alongside the half giant and boy. Always moving, always careful, at least two pair of eyes on their targets at any time.
Once Harry and Hagrid entered Diagon Alley, things became a lot more hectic. Moody followed closely behind the two. His magic eye whirred as it alerted to every movement in the streets. He was their final line of defense should anything happen.
Ahead of them was Grimm, who acted as front guard and scout. She made sure the route ahead of the party was safe, and gave any warnings of potential dangers. Bringing up the rear, was Kingsley. The Auror made sure Hagrid and Harry's backs were safe and no one suspicious followed them.
Norse and Liar acted as side sentries for a while, but eventually moved to make sure nothing surprising came out of Knockturn alley.
News spread of Harry Potter's appearance at the Leaky Cauldron. Gossip mongers and admirers began parroting the news of "The Boy Who Lived". Naturally, this information reached the ears of –shadier individuals.
Good and bad, Norse and Liar began warding off any who approached. The Forgiven were granted full permission to do whatever it took to keep people from crowding Harry and Hagrid. The pair went on the preventative offense; Obliviating memories and sometimes conjuring walls to stop anyone from pursuing their party. A few times, Liar Imperiused some violent individuals from Knockturn alley into fighting amongst themselves.
The escort went on smoothly until they reached another critical juncture. Hagrid picked up the Sorceror's Stone and separated from Harry. At the same time, their protective detail also split up to guard their own respective targets.
Moody, Kingsley, and Grimm followed Hagrid to make sure the Stone made its way to Hogwarts. The Norse and Liar team were to continue guarding Harry until he safely made it back home.
Not much later, Gringotts would experience their second break in. Voldemort and Professor Quirrell would find their way into the vaults to steal the Sorceror's Stone, but leave empty handed. The Dark Lord and his servant would have to find another way to produce the Elixir of Life. One such method lay with the famed Alchemist: Nicholas Flamel.
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The Dursleys had moved back home, and Harry stood on the front yard of the house.
The boy had the strangest feeling that someone watching him. He quickly turned around only to find a small gecko perched on his Uncle's car window. Seeing as nothing was really out of ordinary, the boy entered the house. That night, he would dream of Hogwarts and magic. Longing for the day he would be out from under the Durselys and begin his studies of wizardy.
Liar and Norse watched Harry enter the safety of the house, before moving out. As they strolled down the street, Liar observed the Muggle residences and chatted.
"Muggle houses…all boring, all the same, it's enough to drive one mad," he commented with a drab voice.
Norse didn't show any kind of response.
"They're all lined up like copies of each other. Farm animals live more creatively."
"…"
"You could probably tip one over and they'd all topple like dominoes. Really boring dominoes or cows standing side by side."
"…"
"Alright! What's wrong? You've had that stiff upper lip for a while now. And you're writing less than usual, which makes me look like a bigger loon because I am in fact talking to myself, instead of merely looking the part."
Norse's walking came to an abrupt stop. She stared all along the streets to make sure there were only Muggles in the area. Once she was sure they were clear and would be able to hold a private conversation, the witch faced Liar.
Her eyes seemed to reflect more light than normal with the setting sun. Her lips made a sharp curl down. Norse's sorrow was sincere, most the same with any emotion she expressed. Always true, always powerful, and straightforth.
"Today's work was light. But it may not be so, next time."
"Um. Yes? Wouldn't be Forgiven work, if it wasn't. Hehe!"
"It's getting worse, isn't it?"
"What is?"
"Do not play the fool! Your condition! It is worsening!" Norse scribbled angrily. "Back at Gringotts, with the vault. Normally, you would never make such a mistake. Losing your finger so carelessly."
"What can I say? Gringott safes are nothing to scoff at."
"Do NOT lie to me!...Do not lie to us….At least not us."
Liar massaged his neck and looked down. His brow wrinkled.
"…Geez, Norse, you big softy. Why couldn't you just follow Grimm's lead and pretend not to notice?"
"Because she holds you in too high esteem. She respects you too much to address you as you should be."
"So you're going to?"
"Yes. I am."
"Norse…"
"You are a fool and I worry about you."
"And what am I supposed to do? Not do the work? Not be a Forgiven? How will that play out, I wonder."
"You possess other methods of assistance. You need not strain yourself to the extent you are now."
"I AM NOT AS SOFT OR AS FRAGILE AS YOU THINK I AM!" Liar exploded, not being able to hold his temper any longer. "I CAN HANDLE THE WORK, NO MATTER WHAT CONDITION I'M IN! I have seen you and Grimm bleed! Seen you two shatter bone, take a spit take, and fight on without so much as a breath in between! I refuse to watch you two offer your lives for risk and not put forth my own! After all these years—!... You think I'm still not strong enough—not worth standing alongside yo—"
Norse enveloped Liar in her arms.
"That is your anger speaking for you. I know those words ring untrue. Do not hurt me with them." She hugged him tighter and Liar felt his legs lose strength. "I love you, brother. Ever since our rescue of Kingsley and the Longbottoms have I ever been proud to stand at your side. To have your back, with you at mine, facing our adversities together. Never will I doubt your worthiness, your strength, or your heart. I know you."
Norse held Liar's head in her hands and pressed her forehead to his.
"No, brother. I love you, and that means I will do anything to keep you well. If I questioned your mettle, I would not bind myself to your fate, but I do."
Tears fell from her eyes.
"Promise me, you will not be so foolish. Promise me….you will not risk your life so recklessly again, or gods help me, I will break your legs to keep you from leaving home."
Liar sniffed.
"….Even if you did break my legs, I'm pretty sure I could ask Mad Eye to set me up with his peg leg man."
They both gave a raspy laugh. Every other chuckle catching in their throats.
"I promise, Norse….No more foolishness…..Well. overly foolishness."
"Your word, brother. Should your health ever—"
"My word, sister." This time, it was Liar who initiated the embrace. His hands grasped her broad back, as if begging Norse to say no more.
With a trembling voice that was barely louder than a hush, he said,
"I love you too…."