This week has flown by. I had nothing typed. So I spent today typing like a demon. Any mistakes are fine, or Grammarly is not really editing. Forgive me. Happy Easter, Joyous Ramadan, and in case I forget, enjoy Eid al-Fitr. And yes the chapter numbering is off. The websites keep fighting me on changing it and I have decided it is not worth the fight.
Chapter 25 Gringott, Horcruxes, and Oh My.
When Hermione announced her intention to meet with the Athens Gringott delegation, Bellatrix handed her the key to her vault and asked her to return some jewelry for her. "I hate those bloody carts." Hermione's account manager, Ragnar was elated to assist her in the matter.
Once the large metal door opened, she felt it, the oozing, slimy evil of a horcrux. She shivered remembering the days of wearing the locket. She turned to Ragnar. "May I have a moment? Mummy Dearest was quite detailed with her instructions. This might take a while."
The goblin nodded, "I will wait outside Join me when you are ready." She nodded and began scanning the piles of galleons and items. At the very back of the vault sitting on a tall shelf, a silver cup with a badger etched on it sat waiting for her. Carefully, she levitated it into a silk pouch and then into her bag. She needed to go to Hogwarts and collect the last one, then find a better hiding place. Especially since Voldemort had agreed to destroy the locket in order to see what happened. Finished with her assigned, and unassigned, a task she exited the vault.
Ragnar escorted her back up to the lobby, never once mentioning the Greek group. Once in the lobby, he asked her, as he always did, "Is there any other way Gringott's can be of service, Miss Lestrange?"
"Yes, would you please arrange for refreshments to be sent to wherever I can meet with the visitors from Greece?"
"At once, miss, this way, please." He led her to a large conference room. "I will summon the others and arrange for refreshments at once."
Alone, she sat at the table and cast a translation spell Godric Gryffindor designed. She was eager to test it. Speaking not a word of Greek or the Goblin language, she refused to call it Gobbledygook, this would be a good test for how well it performed. Five goblins entered bearing trays and pitchers. They quickly set up a small buffet. Bowing to her, they departed as silently as they entered.
Seconds later two goblins walked in, then two humans, followed by four guards carrying massive chests. "Greetings, Miss Lestrange. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us," the first goblin addressed her. "I am Ug, allow me to introduce Bodrad, Andreas Galanis, and Rhea Katopodis."
"Hello," Hermione waved.
Ug addressed the warriors in his own language, Hermione hearing both the spoken language and a translation, "Set those on the table, carefully now." He opened the first and switched back to English, "The deeds and details to your new properties. Circe ensured only witch descendants inherited. Until you unlock the properties no one is able to enter them, magical or muggle. They have been sealed since 1717. The first is an 11th-century villa on Ponza Island just up from the grotto where Circe lived when she encountered Odyssey. The other is a dwelling carved into the base of Mount Circeo in Italy."
Galanis sighed, "We can't tell you much about them because no one has been enter for centuries.
She nodded, "I understand."
Bodrad handed her an ancient looking key, "The other chest contains the family grimoires. Again, the locks are keyed to you."
"Do I need to open them now?" Hermione asked.
"Absolutely not," Katopodis assured her, "Like our counterparts in Britain have told you, "These are your secrets to hoard or share." She glanced wistfully at the chests.
"I do intend to share them, but on my own terms and pacing. I am tired of others deciding I owe them something because I exist, or because I have something they want." She noticed all four relax slightly.
Ug held out four thick folders, "These are the requests to visit the estates for study, sightseeing, or search the properties for something."
Bodrad smiled a mean little grin, "We took the liberty of weeding out the thrill-seekers, fortune hunters, and those who have passed on."
"That is most appreciated, thank you." She reached into her bag, "To demonstrate my willingness to share, Circe's wand for your perusal.
Galanis perked up, "Thank you, Miss Lestrange."
Katopodis quirked an eyebrow, "Honestly, I'm more interested in your little bag there."
"Undetectable extension charm paired with preservation charms. There is a modified summoning charm on the opening."
The Greek woman stared at her, mouth slightly open, "That is brilliant. Do you have your notes on the construction?"
"I, uh, really wasn't at the point in my life where I had the luxury of making notes. And it worked the first time, most things do for me." Hermione gave her a sad look.
Ug addressed Hermione, "We will leave you three to your intellectual exploits."
"First, I have questions, please. Do these estates have house elves?"
"They do."
"Is there a way to check on them? Are they okay?"
"We are able to communicate with them as the caretakers of the estate. They are well taken care of and have fulfilled their duties throughout the years."
"Good to know, please have Ragnar send it."
"As you wish."
Hermione instructed her account manager to assist her in setting the house elves to complete a comprehensive inventory of the estates. And the order to use any means they determined necessary to repel uninvited visitors of a not innocent nature. "Any means," she stressed. Galanis regarded her curiously, so she continued, "You are both intelligent enough to guess I am not a natural child of House Lestrange. I am a gamble that paid off. I have learned the hard way that those with knowledge keep it for their benefit. People want my knowledge, so will pay my price to obtain it."
"What's your price?" he asked, curious.
She flashed him a feral grin, "Their knowledge."
He nodded knowingly, "I shall be forever grateful the goblins respect your wealth and wish to foster good relations."
"Indeed," she laughed. She placed the crystal wand on the table. "You two drool over this while I organize my fan mail."
Hermione created three piles: the possible yes, the definite no, and those needing further vetting. Katopodis got her attention, "May we photograph the wand?"
"I suppose so."
"Thank you."
Hermione incinerated the no pile. The two researchers regarded her in surprise. "No sense carrying around clutter. The others will receive a form letter advising them I will not be granting any access until I have surveyed the properties personally. I know some people will be disappointed, but that's the way it is." She unlocked the grimoire chest and sent all the tomes and scrolls flying into her bag. "Have Ragnar place the deeds in my vault, please. It was nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy your time in England."
"Thank you. I hope we will, too."
Voldemort greeted her warmly, "Did you enjoy your visit at Gringotts?"
"I suppose, it was productive. I remained firmed that I will not be pressured into allowing research groups in until I have laid eyes on the estates. Ragnar is organizing the inventories as we speak."
Voldemort nodded in approval, "Rewarding good work with more responsibility can pay off."
"Speaking of that, do you have someone that could look into some people for me? They want access, but I will not have people stealing from me, or popping up claiming things belonged to their ancestors."
"I have some people."
"Thank you. Now, we are here to do things best left to supervisors, not the common rabble," she sniffed in derision.
He chuckled, "So, true." He handed her a vial, "Basilisk venom. Though I warn you, it may fight back."
She nodded once, "Noted." She prepared a workspace, removing the locket from her bag. Delicately she dropped four drops of venom onto the locket.
Dark gray smoke billowed out, twisting into shapes. A harsh voice whispered, "No one can stand you. They just want to use you. Ugly, unlovable trash. No one thinks you are worthy." Resolutely, she dropped two more drops. With a scream, the smoke twisted and dissipated.
She frowned, looking down at the blackened, twisted remains, "Such a shame to have to destroy such an artifact."
Voldemort met her gaze, frowning, "Do you believe those things?"
She shrugged, "Yes and no. Those are my insecurities, but logically I can provide myself with facts showing the opposite. Those aren't even close to the worst things I've been forced to think about me, or things that have been said to me."
He started to speak, only to double over as the fragment of his soul slammed back into him. He grunted, then panted as his breathing became labored. "This is quite unpleasant," he hissed through gritted teeth.
"I imagine it is. What can I do to help?"
"Get me a house elf, please."
"Bee," Hermione called. The small creature grinned and danced in place to be of service. "Please assist Lord Voldemort. He's experiencing discomfort."
"Of course."
Leaving the dark lord in the hands of her Malfoy house elf, Hermione placed the sizzling remains in a stout container and took it to Black Island. She placed it with the remains of the diary. She had been unable to find the ring after Dumbledore destroyed it, much to her annoyance. After a moment of hesitation, she placed the cup with the others. She would bring the diadem once she found it.
She returned to Britain and sought out Lucius. She gave him an edited version of the events. "The whole point is your lord is a bit out of commission, but absolutely know why."
Lucius nodded, "With our truce in place, I doubt he will have to be his imposing self."
"I believe that was his plan."
"Incidentally, the aurors are no longer looking for Hermione Granger or Ronald Weasley," he told her.
"But still looking for Harry?"
"But only Harry," he confirmed. "The official stance
is still that he knows something about the death of Albus Dumbledore."
"I suppose that's fair. Thanks for the warning about Ron."
-oOoOo-
Ginny tossed the newspaper onto the table with disgust. She had been raised to despise purebloods like the Lestranges, but even she couldn't believe they would stoop to adopting a mudblood. She checked the byline, Rita Skeeter. She snorted, the daft bint had completely lost the plot this time. Molly looked over, "What do you have planned today?" Ginny shrugged. "You cannot sit around and do nothing all day. You only passed with one NEWT. You won't be marrying anyone until this war is over. You need to find something to do. Or I will find you something."
Ginny wrinkled her nose. She had no interest in reorganizing the Burrow again. "I'll do the shop then, shall I?"
"That would be most helpful." Molly bustled about the kitchen creating a list of things the household needed. She handed her daughter a bag of coins, "And I want change, young lady."
Ginny rolled her eyes when Molly turned away, "Yep. Bye, Mum." She hurried out the door before Molly could think to caution her to hurry back or only venture to the nearby village. She apparated to Diagon Alley, thinking she might stop by the twins' shop. Anything to break up the monotony.
She window shopped as she made her way through the crowds. With Christmas coming shoppers were out in force hunting for the best gifts and bargains. Ginny paused in front of an exclusive boutique. She admired the chic robes in the window display. Someday she promised herself. Someday she would have the Potter vault key and access to all that beautiful money.
"You would look stunning in the green," a voice breathed into her ear, his voice husky, "Should I buy them for you?"
Without turning around, she answered, "What makes you think I can't afford them for myself?"
"Because too many children for too many generations depleted the Weasley wealth." He ran a hand down her hair. "Such a shame that a beauty like you dresses in hand me downs. Let me spoil you."
"In exchange for what?" she asked in a hard voice.
He chuckled, "Your time, your attention, perhaps a little taste of your flesh should the desire consume us. I promise we'll both enjoy it."
"And what happens when I want to end this little arrangement?"
"Either of us can walk away at any time, no questions asked," he promised.
"No questions answered. Alright then, I want my new robes first."
"But of course," he moved to her side and offered his arm. "Shall we shop then?" She kept her expression neutral when she saw his identity. Her family would lose the plot. But she was tired of waiting for nice things. She wanted to be pampered now, and she wanted someone else to do it. Why couldn't she enjoy herself a little? Mrs. Harry Potter's sex life wasn't going to be about her needs anytime soon.
She took her arm, "We shall." She beamed up at Thorfinn Rowle as he escorted her inside. That night she admired her reflection in the mirror as she twirled about in her room. The new robes did look good on her. She'd have to glamour the love bites on her neck, but the orgasms had been worth it. He explained the muggle concept of sugar daddy.
It wasn't prostitution. He would buy her things or give her money for things. In exchange she would spend time with him, she didn't have to have sex with him if she didn't want to. Three orgasms in one hour suggested she should, and would. They already had plans to meet the next afternoon. Giddy laughter bubbled out of her, "Stop it," she told herself sternly. "Don't forget your goal- Mrs. Harry Potter, the Chosen One." She nodded at her reflection. She removed the robes, glamoured her skin, and stepped into Harry's room to keep her place by his side locked in place.