Harry and Hermione's Unexpected Family Ties
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A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
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Chapter 14 Family Vault
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AMA - Final projects before Winter Break
Hermione was a very powerful witch, a sorceress on the Merlin scale, and their enchanting teacher was using every opportunity to encourage her.
"Your friend has a deep interest in enchanting, and you both have the intelligence and power to do incredible things in this field, Taliba Granger. I do think that you have a destiny for greatness."
Hermione blushed, looking at her little water stone. Ever since she had woken up in a Bedouin tent, safe and sound, she wanted to help those people. They had traded over half their flock of sheep to keep her safe, with no guarantee that gesture would be repaid.
It was her duty to help them.
This stone burbled softly as it slowly generated water. If put in the bottom of a dry well, it might take a few months, but eventually it would refill, and continue to refill. She had been working hard on this project, and the teacher was very impressed. The muggle 'notice-me-not' worked on her mother - to her, nothing interesting was happening at all, just a little bit of water and she needed to go make tea. The stone in the bottom of a pitcher would be ignored, and she would happily pour water from it, not noticing the source at all.
To her father, he could see water bubbling from under the rock. He could see it in the pitcher, but it didn't bother him at all.
The 'O' she got for the project was just accepted by the girl; it was the feeling of accomplishment that made her happy. Unlike every other school project ever.
And ready to make even more stones.
Harry watched her work with a smile; in the back of his mind, he was working on a water well idea, but this would serve nicely to help their desert friends until next year when they could take Engineering.
Locust season wasn't until March or so, and both Harry and Sirius along with Hermione and her family had been invited to come and help harvest.
Harry's project was an enchanted net. The Bedouin caught these scavengers to dry, roast and even stew. A source of protein for them. His net would attract, lure these flyers into the net, and keep them in. It would appear to just be floating in the wind; nothing to notice here folks.
But it would help ensure a grand harvest of the insects.
Hermione had eschewed eating them, but Harry liked conde lumbra, and thought that dried locust sounded…crunchy.
The muealim answered another student's question, but smiled at Harry. Due to these two's focus, others in the class were working on ways of improving the magic-knowing muggles' lives in the harsh desert climate.
She was proud of Hermione, who had taken what could have been a traumatic experience and turned it into a project to help others.
**OO**
Gringotts Cairo
Ɠ "The original plan had been for the Grangers to come during the winter break to open the vault with the goblin family that originally held it. Well, now that they haven't canceled, rumors are rife that your protected young witch still holds the real key."Ɠ Goldrub stated. He had been born in Egypt even though he was raised in London. Family had been chatting.
Ragnok stalked around his office. Ɠ "You want to set up a trap?! But I won't let Miss Granger be involved!" Ɠ
Ɠ "No Sire, of course not! But I foresee that this is a way back into the good graces of not only the Granger family, but the Academy. Olex caused many problems at the school that cannot be fixed easily. This might be our chance to capture the head of this evil clan if they truly want this key." Ɠ Goldrub opined.
The king gave Goldrub a hard flinty stare, Ɠ "You do know that the body of Olex was found? His death showed no mercy from even his own clansmen. No honor among thieves indeed! Not even among kin!" Ɠ
Goldrub paled, Ɠ "Kinslayers? These are honorless and I would call them unclanned!"Ɠ
Ragnok had made his point and indicated to the Master Account Manager to continue with his proposal, Ɠ "So, you have some ideas that will not endanger Miss Granger?"Ɠ
Ɠ "Nor the Black Heir. This is what I had in mind, and I have already ordered some brewing from a talented Potions Master who is willing to help…"Ɠ
The more the crafty goblin talked, the more the Goblin king smiled. Neither one knew that their 'private meeting' wasn't as private as they thought.
Later that day, Wrerx looked at the notes of their conversation, and made plans of his own to gain access to not just his daughter's vault, but hopefully to any clues on where that recalcitrant child had been working at the time of her death!
The stupid humons had done something to hide it, but it should have been a goblin-held dig all along.
The father had no remorse whatsoever in killing his own child, and planned yet innocent murder.
**OO**
Two days before Yule Holiday at Hogwarts
Hogwarts' financial projections were good. They started with a good cushion. Once it was a respectable one, Narcissa would add more classes.
The requests for tuition payments were going well, with only a few pushing back on principle. They had gotten something for free for a long time, and now it was expected.
Narcissa had tried to return the donation that James and Lily had made at Harry's birth. Lily clearly thought he would need to pay tuition, and James, avoiding a civil war at home, hadn't said anything about it.
But Sirius and Harry had talked about it, and let the Headmistress keep the money to sponsor a scholarship for the twins for the rest of their time there, and would add more money as needed for anyone who got more than three detentions for funny and non-violent pranks.
They called it the 'Prongs Fund'.
Harry and Sirius did stop by for a visit, bringing hugs and thanks, but they were not staying.
A much better school beckoned. She asked probing questions, and now had a goal to bring Hogwarts up to a "Best in Class" standard.
It was a challenge, but there were empty beds and classrooms, plenty of farmland and bored elves.
The animated and colorful brochure that Harry had given her of the Académie had her practically drooling.
Narcissa plotted and planned for the future. And unlike her former husband and his dark master who wanted to remove people from the castle, she was trying to figure out a way of more inclusiveness.
A better school, a better life. A better path.
**OO**
Harry visited a few friends, and Hannah Abbott stopped by, her sister Abigail behind her.
"Go on, squirt!" Abigail encouraged.
"Hush!" Hannah stuck her tongue out at her sister. "Harry? I'm sorry I was mean and mocked you about speaking to snakes. It was wrong. I'm sorry." Sounding rehearsed.
She had sent him letters, prompted by her sister, but she had to do this for Neville's benefit.
"Do you mean that, or are you reading a script?" Harry asked dubiously.
"Mum won't let her have her broom back until she sincerely apologizes. Hannah said that everyone was doing it. That didn't make it right for her to tease you. And for my part, I'm sorry too. I tried to make up for it by monitoring Draco all summer. He raised a bunch of mandrakes to replace…well, you know, all that he destroyed. No, twice that much. His mum is brilliant."
"Oh? Well, I accept your apology. No offense taken, Abigail. Hannah? My new school has a class on parselrunes, you know, the written snake language. There are many people in India and other places that consider it a talent. Do you know why we don't have very many here?"
"Cause most of them are evil?" Hannah guessed in a soft voice.
Abigail poked in her side, and Hannah "Ow'd" softly.
"No, because one or two were evil, so they killed everyone who could speak parseltongue. Tom was raised muggle. If he'd been born someplace else, they'd have killed him like some families do squibs." Harry shared.
That got her thinking and quiet. "You're not evil. I'm really sorry." Hannah's head was down, tears in her eyes. Neville wanted to be closer friends with Harry.
Her mother made it clear that it took several people, acting like bullies, to drive Harry Potter away. And if she was one of them, she had a duty to apologize, and not do that again.
"Apology accepted. Thank you. Now, I have to find my godfather. He's been comforting the twins."
"Pranks? Oh, yes. The Headmistress has some very strict rules on those." Abigail beamed. She would never admit to having helped them, or confessed to having seen the map they had.
But Harry confirmed his guess when he saw her react to the name, "Well, Padfoot has an idea. And a fundraising one for the school. So I am hoping it all turns out well."
"Padfoot is here? Now? With Fred and George?"
Harry laughed and offered to escort her there, waving goodbye to Hannah. She had been in second year last year, and Hufflepuffs were all about the loyalty. She couldn't have stood up for him. And Abigail, while older, was showing her remorse in how she had treated him in healthy ways. She had never taunted him, but she hadn't stood up for him either.
They found the pranksters in a side room, and she squealed over meeting her hero. One of them. When Moony joined them later, she squealed again. Of course, Harry wasn't completely sure it was Abigail, and not George who did that.
Harry wasn't worried about his investment. Owl orders were going out, inventions were happening. But the school had cracked down since Dumbledore tried to kill him.
He needed to get back to Narcissa's townhouse. After all, even with magic, Arithmancy wasn't going to do itself. And he wanted to get all of his holiday homework done before Yule.
With her new role as Headmistress, the wedding planning had been turned over to the elves, and they were having the ceremony there at Hogwarts. Very few knew Severus and she were already legally married.
This would be the social event of the season.
**OO**
Yule Eve
Narcissa and Heir Prince's wedding was not the small private ceremony they had the first time. Nope. This was the horrendous circus that Severus had feared his whole life. Between the Board of Governors, members of the Wizengamot, and all of Hogwarts, it felt like the entire Wizarding world had come.
The elves had done a lovely job in the Great Hall, and transformed it from a dining room to a magnificent medieval cathedral.
Lord Alphard Black had escorted a beaming Narcissa to her groom. Removed the veil from her face, kissed her cheek and shook the groom's hand.
"I do not give you this bride; she gives herself. She is the flower of our House. Treat her well."
Severus said nothing but bowed slightly. Lord Septimus Prince had a front row seat for this wedding, and surprised one and all when he announced at the end of the ceremony that they were Lord and Lady Prince. He would keep busy for the remainder of his days, puttering in his famous greenhouses, and raised garden beds.
He assured Narcissa that any and all children would be made welcome in the home, and she could continue in any post she wanted. He was happy to be left in charge of the babies if she wanted to work.
Narcissa was very touched by this gesture, as it was so very different from having to beg to be allowed to volunteer under her old contract.
Fawkes showed up to sing a song of hope and joy for the couple before returning to the Headmistress' office.
**OO**
Cairo, Gringotts Goblin vault area
There was a small contingent of suit-wearing goblins that were assembled outside of the vault that had come into question. They had two guards with them in armor that carried bladed weapons, and looked most fierce.
Frex was in armor as well today, and walked with the humons to the goblin vault. The new Director of Gringotts Cairo wanted to make sure that today went very smoothly, and had a pair of guards with him as well.
Hermione was there without her parents today. Harry had hired Aufrer to come with them instead. The Mameluke guard exchanged professional nods to the goblin guards across the way that they returned.
No one was here to steal a vault, and his presence was accepted.
Neither Dobby nor Daisy were allowed to come with them, due to goblin law. Harry didn't know what to think about that, so said nothing. Hermione had her ring genie, and they still had not found better, though Sirius was looking.
"Where are my guards? Goldrub demanded.
"They were going through some kind of check for contraband, I believe." One of Frex' people stated. Frex looked at him dubiously, but said nothing.
Harry, Hermione, Goldrub along with Aufrer were standing on one side of the hallway. Frex was clearly unhappy and went to check on something before returning with his clan's guards.
"They will be here shortly." one of the guards stated, having no idea they were being delayed on purpose.
Then another guard wearing a familiar clan symbol came in, bringing in the last guest.
"Professor Flitwick? Are you here to learn something?" Hermione asked.
Hermione and Harry knew from Penny that he often went on digs and such during the holiday. Clearly, there were people missing, and a few more of the suited goblins who had not been introduced as yet also left to see to the delay.
He shook his head, "I'm not sure why I am here. I was told that my mother's vault key had fallen into human hands. I was so happy to hear that people were willing to share what was inside."
"Your mother's vault? My great-grandfather said…well. I'm not sure, and we don't have a pensieve with us. He was an archaeologist, a squib whose father was killed by Grindelwald. Family somethings were put in there, according to him."
"My, my. How interesting. Well, you have the key, shall we…"
The rumbling of a dozen booted feet came down the corridor towards them.
"Hold! No part goblin nor any human are welcome in Goblin caverns! Say your prayers to whatever gods you hold, for you die this day." Yelled Wrerx, clad in armor.
They turned to face this new group that had a dozen armed and armored warriors. Harry saw their former charms teacher from the local school in that group. No! It didn't come as much of a shock. Was he about to lose his magic for this attack? Too busy to find out now!
Harry raised his shield as did Hermione, and Aufrer. Flitwick was chanting something as well. In goblin.
Crossbow bolts started flying through the air, but Frex wasn't done trying to talk peace.
Using a spell to broadcast, Frex' words echoed in the vault cavern, "Are you insane? Ragnok himself is this witch's Champion! I have an account manager from London, an Heir of a Great House!"
His attempt at a peaceful resolution was answered with deadly projectiles. Hermione switched to the dart spell. Small, fast, but not terribly accurate, these missiles stung. Their advantage was that dozens could be conjured at once, and Harry started the sandstorm spell. That reduced visibility. Not something that fussed Hermione any as her attackers were grouped together in a row. Much easier to hit than she and her small contingent were. But it was a dangerous situation.
"You have gone against your vows to your King. Oathbreakers! And worse, you have family here, with my life's blood I curse you as Kinslayers and Unclanned!"
Frex made a motion behind him. If he had written, 'Fly you fools, fly!' in the air, the message would not have been clearer.
Goldrub's guards squared up next to Frex, willing to buy him time to escape, even as daggers took to the air in addition to spells.
Hermione rubbed her ring. Genies could be vaporous or corporeal as they chose, and he was clearly a coward, but maybe Sulub could help.
Harry had had a bad feeling about this, and wore his glasses that he had purchased from Goldrub. His shield was up and in place.
"Follow me!" the Black account manager urged quietly. "Fly!"
It was clear Goldrub had gotten the message.
That gave Harry an idea, something that Hermione suggested once, and instead of going up, pulled his companions down a very warm tunnel as a severely outnumbered Frex and the few goblins with him didn't back down from the terrible odds.
Sulub appeared from Hermione's ring, and made the same appearance as he had the first time she rubbed it. A huge, muscled, bearded fierce being shouted, causing goblins to pause.
"Who dares attack my mistress!"
The humans along with the Hogwarts charms master fled, but the genie only stopped the attack for a moment. The goblins were soon back on the offensive, and Hermione tried to focus on shielding and getting away.
Blasts against the rocks near them were cutting their arms and faces, but they dared not stop. They didn't have enough weapons. Hermione turned and cast her "bombarda" at the mob behind them, but it only caused a small cave in and the attackers were more determined than the damage would stop!
Aufrer was calling into his bracelet without help coming.
"Do you know where you are going, young one?" Goldrub demanded.
"I hope so. Hermione, when we get there, I need you to cut your hand. You too Aufrer."
Blood magic was illegal in Britain, as it should be. It created a lock that would only stop once the caster had broken it or he died. In this case, they died.
Unfortunately, no one needed to cut their hands, as their enemies had done that for them.
Harry was unsure of using Flitwick's or Goldrub's blood.
Together, the goblin brothers conjured a door; Hermione and Harry never stopped casting until they were ready to put it into place. Aufrer helped to reinforce it. Harry set blood wards that he had learned from Dumbledore himself by watching the memory in a pensieve. Hermione mimicked his actions, as did the Mameluke.
The spell engaged, and now the ward would end only with all of their deaths. Muted shouts and thuds could be heard from the other side.
A moment of peace, but it wouldn't last long they knew.
"Where's Muealim Flitwick?" Hermione asked. He was by no means their favorite professor but that did not mean they wanted him harmed either. She was glad they were out of his class.
"Filip is dead. Even if his body is alive, his mind is lost; to side with such…p'tahk." The normally happy-go-lucky professor was anything but. Seeing him standing next to his mother's father had broken his heart.
Goldrub had seen him as well, "I do believe that he was in on this plot, Miss. I'm so sorry. I would never…should have told you…Filius! Brother! I swear I didn't know."
Flitwick nodded sadly. Neither had he, but the signs were plain now that he knew what to look for.
They moved further down the passageway, and Goldrub set a trap carefully; the goblins feared they were heading towards a dead or deadly end.
**OO**
Deadly boredom afflicted King Ragnok at this very moment. He was busy with the human New Year party that Gringotts, London held for its privileged clients. The annual event was essential to good customer service, or so his father had told him. And his mother, and hers.
Duty, thy crown is a heavy burden.
He was tired of being 'nice' to humons; Ragnok was itching for a fight.
When he was told that his protected witch was being attacked in Cairo, he had a very unwise reaction to it, but at least it had been in goblin.
Ɠ"Yes! Yes! Let's go!"Ɠ The goblin turned to the passage to enter his private cart, calling for his guards to attend him.
Ɠ"To arms!"Ɠ The captain called.
The assassin's dagger was ready. As the king entered the cavern from the bright room to the dark cavern, the attacker struck, but his aim was off as the goblin king was moving too fast; cutting the king's upper arm instead of his neck.
Ragnok was wearing armor for this event, and he practiced snarling at all of the young wizards. They loved that, particularly if he was eating conde lumbra. The squirming worms coming from his fearsome gaze elicited squeals amongst the humon cubs. Most satisfying.
Grabbing his "ceremonial" axe from the front of his jeweled belt, he swung without looking; swiftly removing his attacker's head! Finishing the swing he beheld the head rolling in front of him.
Ɠ "Polex! I should have known, you and Olex were always getting in trouble together. I knew that you would meet a thief's death.. Why did you leave the young witch alive that day?"Ɠ
Alas, the assassin couldn't answer him. He would delegate those questions to the Seers. He had people for that.
His guards now took point on the rest of the short distance to his private cart to Cairo.
One of his warriors took to binding his wounded shoulder once they were loaded and moving. If the dagger was poisoned, this would be a very short trip!
**OO**
As they made their way around the last bend of the tunnel, a blast of dragon flame nearly cooked Aufrer, but he had deflected it with a shield quickly put into place.
"A dragon? You want us to fight a dragon?" Aufrer demanded.
"Fight? No! Talk to? Yes! About making a flight reservation? Oh yes!" Harry beamed.
Hermione was shaking in her shoes. "No, no, no. I had this nightmare already. Not again!"
"Love, think! Do you want to be awake, aware, able to fight? If not, I can stun you and stick you to your seat. But it would be safer for you to be awake. This is how we are getting out. I didn't take you seriously about the carpet, and I'm sorry. Please! Make the decision quickly."
Hermione leveled her wand at the passageway behind them, along with Flitwick.
"Awake please. I can be obliviated later if needed."
Harry moved forward, shouting a greeting as he went. It was unwise to startle these creatures.
Yes! He was in luck. It was the same giant sand wyrm they visited on the field trip. The one he had cheered for at the summer races.
ƺ"Hello, beautiful lady. You offered me a ride not that long ago. Can I take you up on it? Me and my friends?"ƺ
ƺ "Flatterer. You are hurt, and I hear warriors clamoring for your blood, telling me to attack you. Did you try to steal something?"ƺ
ƺ "Me? No. Use a key to a vault, yes, but it's a long story. Could you, would you get us out of here. I swear, I am your friend, and would never steal. I need to get my lady to safety. My friends to safety."ƺ
ƺ "I believe you, Speaker, as you can only speak truth in this language. I know the perfect spot to take you, but it is not a short journey. You and your friends had best make the air bubble as I do not think that you can filter air from the sand as I do."ƺ
ƺ "Likely not."ƺ
The bashing on the door was getting louder. There were probably several ways around the blood magic, and it was past time to be gone from here.
"Bubble-head please. Professor? Can you do Hermione's first please?"
Flitwick did, and Aufrer pulled out an enchanted device, no two. Goldrub did a wandless spell as well.
"Alas, I do not have enough for everyone." Aufrer handed one over to Harry. He wasn't sure it would work for a goblin.
"Your device might need…adjusting." He put his long tube next to his mouth, biting around the opening. A nosepiece grew, wrapping around his face.
Harry copied him, hoping this wouldn't last long, as it was most uncomfortable.
The pounding behind them was getting desperate, and sooner or later, they would think of using a flame to just burn the door down.
Harry's hand made the "Let's ride!" motion, and vaulted to the seat behind the beast's neck ridges, backing away to make a place for Hemione. She motioned him forwards. A nod said thank you, as she was floated up and secured into place. She chose to sit behind him, wrapping her hands tightly around his waist.
Goldrub and Flitwick were next, with Aufrer in back. Flitwick conjured goggles for them all in a thrice.
The dragon made a loud burst of flame, and dove towards the cave entrance.
The warriors broke through just as they were ready to go. Harry looked back in time to see a wall of flame headed towards the attackers. Fortunately, there were no signs of the genie. Then they were moving impossibly fast through an ocean of sand.
The magical shield that protected the jockeys of the Wyrm races formed around them, and Harry let himself wonder at this strange journey through the light caramel sea.
Hermione thought she saw a very old nautilus shell on the journey. Had this once truly hosted an ocean? She was mesmerized by the journey, and held Harry close.
He patted her linked hands on his stomach in reassurance that she was safe. They all were.
**OO**
Ragnok arrived in time to find Goldrub's guards being revived by one of Frex' guards.
Ɠ "Report!"Ɠ Ragnok barked.
Ɠ "Sire, I was late to my duty station as my door was blocked. When I finally arrived at the bank floor, the clients had already left for the vault caverns. I happened to see one of the p'takhs moving a stunned guard. They dare not kill all of Goldrub's people. I took him captive, but the rest of his cursed clan were already gone. I was by myself, so I summoned help from London. I fear for my clansmen."Ɠ
One of Ragnok's senior guards asked, hurriedly, Ɠ "Do you know where they were heading?"Ɠ
Ragnok nodded in agreement to the question, Ɠ "What clan, guard? What clan?"Ɠ
Ɠ"Flitwick Sire, the old Flitwick clan of Egypt."Ɠ
Ragnok growled. He trusted Filius with his life, but after hearing about Filip Flitwick, he had been concerned there.
What happened to overcome Goldrub's guards? Filius might be adopted, but those two had been very close growing up. And were still allies.
He couldn't just go down to the caverns with a hundred loyal guards. He summoned a small cohort of imps.
Ɠ"Summon the Centurions of London, and let the ones here know that any who do not come and bend their knee to me this day will be counted as my enemy!"Ɠ
The servants, related to house-elves, nodded, and divided the tasks between them.
There were no disloyal Centurions in Cairo, fortunately. That made the hunt for traitors easier.
Where was his charge?
**OO**
The oasis was in the middle of nowhere
There was no sign it was used by muggles, and even the slim magical trace was faint.
Harry helped Hermione down and held her for a long moment before turning to the others.
They all drank deeply of the water that the Mameluke declared not just potable but vibrant. All conjured water canteens and filled them. It seemed to aid in their own healing efforts as Harry cast episkeys on others, and the Charms professor joined in as well.
Hermione, concerned for Sulub's welfare, rubbed her ring to summon him. He appeared for a moment, in his normal form.
"I'm so very tired mistress," A huge piece of baklava in his hand, a sleep mask pushed up on his face to look at her. "I was just going to have a little snack and go back to bed."
Relieved he was alright, she'd interrogate him later on what had happened. He looked fine, and she waved him back to his 'bed'.
At least no one else had serious injuries either, just suffering near magical exhaustion as clearly was the genie.
The giant dragon curled up on the sand, making a nest for Harry next to herself. He kept petting her and thanking Forsasha over and over. What a lovely dragon. Harry extended his hand to his best friend, and Hermione joined him in leaning against the surprisingly soft and warm surface.
The young ones were clearly trying to recover as best they could, but the situation had been dire.
Harry handed Aufrer back the breather tool. The Mameluke nodded as he pointed out a wing feather, and challenged the students to tell him within a week what magical creature it came from. Hermione, always curious, floated it to an expanded jar, and started to evaluate it right then.
Harry saw what the guard was doing and bowed his head to him. Bless him.
Filius Flitwick, normally jovial and of good cheer, was clearly fighting tears.
"I thought the war was over. I thought it was over." Flitwick murmured.
"Voldemort is gone sir. No matter what anyone else claims." Harry stated, "Though I don't think this was about him this time."
"Not him, though you could call it the Dark Lord of the Goblins. Grindelwald's faithful follower Wrerx. But let me backup and explain."
Professor Flitwick took a breath and looked around. This truly was such an unexpected place of peace in the desert. Proof to him of the Creator's love for his desert dwellers.
"There used to be curse-breaking teams that were made up of magical humans, goblins, dwarves, even squibs. We lived in peace. Loved in peace."
"That sounds great!" Hermione beamed, "But someone didn't like all of that, did they?"
Shaking his head sadly, their former teacher stated, "The turn of the century started a new era of interest in Archeology. Suddenly, the smaller groups got bigger. More opportunities to meet someone to connect with; magic to magic, mind to mind…"
"Heart to heart. Yes, not caring about the outside package, but what really mattered." Hermione concluded.
The professor nodded, "People started to marry the 'wrong sort'. Grindelwald influenced a lot of people: Especially the very young and impressionable. Goblins should be goblins. Hu-mons should be humans. Pure to their kind. Certainly to marry a muggle or squib was anathema. That sort of nonsense. Wrerx was the leader of a group that did all they could to 'discourage' the wrong sort of marriages. My mother ran away from home, and stayed away from her father who had tried to deny my father's proposal with an axe. But her heart was set. She married my father. Had me. But we did not fit into their philosophy. Wrerx was dedicated to it so completely. Well.
"My grandfather believed it so much he willingly killed his daughter over it." Filius stated. "Tracked her down after hearing that I was born. I was very young when she was killed."
"What?" Hermione shrieked, not noticing how pale Harry was.
"Oh yes. The leader, the most brutal terrorist, was my own mother's father. I thought both my parents were killed. But I never forgot my father's love for me.
"Charlus Potter smuggled me out in a rucksack during the attack. The creche was being demolished! You have to understand, if he had stayed to fight, he would have been killed, but his wife made him see reason."
Flitwick brushed away a tear, as did Harry who spoke in wonder, having seen this very scene.
"You were the one. The one I saved. I mean, the one he saved. He was so sad he couldn't do more, but there were too many attackers. The guards had fled. Bribed? Killed? I still don't know. You're the child! Woah!"
Filius looked at Harry, confused, "I don't understand! What are you talking about Mr Potter?"
Harry explained the vision he had when he put on the Heir ring. Knowing what he saw, he could understand why Charlus wanted James to wait until he was twenty and five years old before putting it on; But James had never worn it, sadly.
Flitwick continued, "I thought my father was killed in that raid. Everyone did. He was a squib. I don't know where he went. You don't know what it was like back then! But I remember his name now, and his love. And his name was…
"Richard Granger." Filius spoke at the same time that Hermione did, her eyes wide with sudden understanding.
"Wait, what? How do you know, Miss Granger?"
Hermione gushed, "I get it now. I thought that Papa found a key, and used the empty vault, not…but that means…YOU'RE the Son! His son that he lost!"
Hermione had the best reaction to this news and was crying. Tears of joy and happiness, hugging a beloved professor. The only one that she regretted leaving behind at Hogwarts.
"Papa loved you so much! But what happened? If you weren't killed, where did you go?" Hermione asked. "He hoped to be reunited with you in the afterlife."
"After Matka (Mother) was killed, I was taken to Gringotts London where I was given to a new clan. The Potters gave me a choice to be raised by them as they had no child of their own. I was friends with another goblin who moved to England due to the troubles, and chose that family. I was raised as Goldrub's brother. Everyone thought his father was my father as we were treated as brothers by my adoptive family."
Harry spoke up, "Your father loved you so much. You too, Hermione. He loved you both. He wanted me to tell you he's proud of you, and he loves you. He's with your mother, Professor. I saw him when… you know."
Hermione brushed another tear.
Hermione was trying to figure out why his last name wasn't the same as hers, "So Flitwick…"
"Yes, it's my mother's family's clan name; discovered via blood, long after the adoption. But in the Wizarding World, to carry a wand, Filius here was given the clan name as a last name. His birth name was Filius Filip Granger." Goldrub shared. He too remembered now. Someone had cast a family geas; it appeared to be gone.
Whoever cast it, like Dumbledore's blood wards, was dead, and the magic died with them.
Flitwick now had a young witch clamped to his arm, hanging onto it and every word.
"I married happily, and once Grindelwald was gone, we thought it was safe to move back. Cairo is and was the center of much new magic. I taught at the Académie myself for years. I learned wanded magic there. We had Filip, and he was accepted into the AMA. Somehow…somehow in the last few years, he found out that he was less than 'pure'. He cut off most interactions with me.
"He found out that he had been neutered. I certainly didn't do that! And it can't be fixed. My wife disappeared trying to find a cure for that, and her life stone went dark. That was just before you defeated the dark one, my boy, for the first time. Your victory brought light back into my life.
"Even after that, the p'takh made a pact with my grandfather over this blood purity nonsense when his great-grandfather was likely the one responsible for his being unable to father cubs. Kinslayer! Kinslayers!"
"Wrerx wanted you dead and then Filip. The last of the 'embarrassing taint'." Hermione guessed."What nonsense!"
"And he would keep my son's quarter human side a secret. I somehow found out, and was obliviated of that knowledge. I don't know how I escaped. But here we are, and my memories are returning." Filius concluded.
"With the caster's death. Our friend fried several of the terrorists I think. Likely on the way out." Harry opined. "I don't know if any of the attackers survived."
Filius pointed out, "But her mouth was in the sand…"
Harry shrugged, "Her type of dragon wasn't in our book. What I know came from talking to her and the Docent at the palace zoo. Explosive gas expellerant? Accelerant? I don't remember the term for dragons who can use fire from both ends."
Harry and Hermione were very young teens and so wanted to laugh. Only by looking down and biting lips did they manage to keep their composure.
That and deep, cleansing breaths.
Harry added more cheerfully, "They race very fast though. Now I really want to do that again. Ride a dragon, I mean."
Harry was trying to get his girl to smile, but she was looking upset. Guilty.
"Professor? I didn't mean to get you nearly killed! I just wanted to see my Papa's family's books. I'm so sorry" Hermione apologized.
Flitwick patted her hand, "As did I. This was not my father's fault or yours. We obviously thought the other was dead, or he would have raised me. I know it. I remember how much my father loved me. He gave you that key in good faith. Later on, will you tell me stories of him?"
"Of course! And share pictures! We're related, you'd be my great uncle. How marvelous. So was it Charms that was the family magic? Papa implied some kind of magical knowledge. Oh, how I wish I could have seen what was inside the vault."
Goldrub spoke up, "Brother, that key should not have put us in that situation. Director Ragnok will be furious that Wrerx pulled this stunt. I am proud of Frex' actions. He and his guards died as honorable warriors."
Goldrub was clad in a suit, and armed with a quill and parchment. He had nothing to stand up to warriors with, but still felt shamed. In addition to the curse-breakers, Goldrub had been tricked into thinking it was safe to go. Oh, someone was going to be in trouble.
He was very concerned about what had happened to his clan's guards.
Hermione took out the prayer beads, and Flitwick gasped.
"My dear niece, do you have any idea of what you hold, beyond my mother's treasured beads?"
"No? Your mother's? Of course, the vault was hers. My mum bought a similar set that Olex stole."
Was he one of the angry attackers, she pondered. And if he was not yet dead, he would likely soon be so. Attacking a client inside of Gringotts? One under the protection of Ragnok himself? Not wise.
"These are not just beads. I've heard stories, and I have a memory of my mother using her magic to somehow enfold memories inside the beads themselves. She would put them inside a huge bowl or something, and the memories would project."
"Ooo! Maybe that device is in the vault!" Hermione posited. She hoped so.
Filius nodded agreement, but put any plans on getting into the vault on hold for the moment. He then cast a tempus charm. "It should be safe to return to Gringotts London. We should call everyone's parents, guardians, commanders…"
"Oh, yeah. Daisy is going to be so angry with me." Harry joked. Daisy did like to be the commander of the house. Pulling out a mirror, he called "Rogue One to base, can you read me?"
"Harry! Harry! Daisy and Dobby popped me to Hogsmeade. Why? I'm with Remus here. Do we need to call the aurors?" Came Sirius' frantic voice.
"You're in Narcissa's house there? Good. War wards, for a time. Just in case. Goldrub? You wanna add anything?" Harry asked.
Goldrub was one very unhappy goblin, "Lord Black, I bow my neck before you in shame. I endangered your Heir needlessly…"
"And helped save Hermione's life. Tell me that a trap baited with books anywhere in the world wouldn't work for her?" Harry pointed out.
Hermione playfully smacked Harry on the arm, "I'm right here, Harry! And only certain books would work. Family magic!"
Sirius offered, "True, true. Goldrub. We are friends. If Gringotts cast you out, you and your mate, um what's her name…"
Harry interjected, "Boss, Padfoot. Just call her Boss. You were doing fine. Goldrub and his mate are…"
"Welcome in any house of mine. Or Harry's if Albie wasn't lying. Wait. If he somehow cast a fidelius on a Potter property, could we find it?" Sirius queried.
Goldrub scratched his chin, "I don't know. But trying to find it or even successfully finding it does sound like a way back into your good graces. Thank you."
Sirius' confused look was interrupted by a loud hissing or sizzling sound behind them as Forsasha took a plunge into the freshwater lake of the oasis.
"That's our rescue puppy." Harry told Sirius; turning the mirror to give his godfather a view of the sporting dragon. "Isn't she cute? Can I bring her home?" the lad asked, puppy-eyed to his dogfather.
Sirius laughed, "No, no. Just no. You can visit her, and all. Bring her nice treats. But you are not bringing home another stray. Look at what happened with the last one." Making a joke of Harry taking 'Lord Black' back to his tent in the Dursley backyard. That felt like so long ago.
"Good point!" Harry smirked.
"Oh, Padfoot, before we ring off, can you contact Ragnok or at least floo call the London branch? I'm sure someone is looking for us. They may think we've kidnapped an Account Manager and stolen a dragon! You handle things, can't you Lord Black?"
"Most certainly, but if I know the goblin king, he's already in Cairo. And very upset that his protectee was attacked. Goblins can get crankier than a niffler over these sorts of things. Right Goldrub?"
The goblin scoffed, hoping to be there when this humon compared the king to a niffler.
Lord Black then noticed the other goblin, "Professor Flitwick? Are you alright? Were you somehow swept up in this. Harry, we really need to get your luck field checked by a curse-breaker." Addressing the Professor, "It tends to drag in multiple disparate people." He stated with a sly look at his godson.
Harry choked on the water he'd been sipping. His godfather wasn't wrong, and the boy turned to the girl who'd been at his side for many of these adventures.
Harry gave Hermione another hug. Unsaid between them was a look. A look of love, contentment, peace, gratitude that they were both safe after this latest of these adventures.
Aufrer was looking at a device. "Ah! I finally know where we are. About two hundred kilometers south of the sphinx. Give or take. Our portkeys should work to get to school."
"I got in trouble the last time I did that." At Aufrer's skeptical raised eyebrow, Harry amended, "Well, not horribly, but are you sure?" Harry asked.
They were all scraped, burned, cut, jabbed and hexed. Harry and the adults had merely rendered "first aid", so first stop would likely be the infirmary for them all.
"I'm sure. Lord Black? If you want to, you can meet us in the clinic there. The school is neutral ground. They will not attack you or your heir."
And the team, after several pets of thanks, left the happy dragon.
ƺ"Until we meet again, my friend. That was an amazing adventure."ƺ Harry patted her one last time.
ƺ "Come visit me again, Speaker Friend. Perhaps your mate will not scream through the next ride."ƺForsasha shared.
Hermione had really only eeped a bit now and then, and he was glad that she couldn't understand what was said. He tried to stop himself from laughing but Hermione's hair was wilder than his own.
If they were indeed fated to be, their poor children would need buckets of great-grandpa's hair potion. Sleek-eazy had founded a family fortune, but Harry would gladly spend a bit of it to break the curse on his future progeny.
**OO**
The Centurions of London watched in amazement as the local centurions renewed vows of loyalty.
There were now a thousand armed guards with their commanders progressing in a logical plan.
Ten passages that met and criss-crossed the area where the oldest goblin vaults lay. They would go carefully and capture any survivors.
Ragnok wanted people to behead after this was taken care of, and wanted information badly while they had the ability to speak!
The vanguard down to the dragon's level were met with the stench of burnt flesh first. The smell was overpowering to their sensitive snouts.
They found survivors of a huge conflagration. The burns were horrific and aid was immediately given. Medical teams transported the injured, not caring if they were friend or foe.
Frex' hacked remains were discovered at the vault itself, telling a story of betrayal. Surrounded by half a dozen dead foes. His other guards, who had been delayed by various means. These honorable goblins had been locked in, knocked unconscious, or sent far away unexpectedly. They now formed up and escorted Frex' body to his widow with honor.
The battle here had clearly been fierce, and two clansmen had been killed with him. They too had done their duty, fought with honor, and sent Kinslayers to Gre'thor. By the numbers of the slain of the enemies, one would think a dozen had fought rather than three brave souls. Frex' and the two guards' names would be written in the Halls of Honor and remembered by cubs for generations to come.
No one would ever know or remember that the genie Sulub had helped that day. He had done an admirable job of scaring, thwarting and delaying the attack, but the odds were too great for even one of his powers to overcome.
The magic of the remnants of blood-wards was still potent; the blood wards had not fallen. The door had been blasted into shards.
"Whoever set these wards needs to come and work for us if they are not already an employee." One of the Centurions opined.
Seeing no charred remains of any humans in with the goblin dead, gave the leader of Gringotts hope that perhaps his honor would not be impugned this day.
She was alive. He checked the stone again. She was alive, unhurt.
Ragnok roared in triumph, but then was given a report that a dragon was missing. He borrowed the Mamelukes' nickname for the Boy-Who-Lived-to-be-a-Royal-Pain:
"Mushi!"
**OO**
AMA Infirmary
After they got to the school's clinic, several things happened. Aufrer's commander sent a letter of parlay to Ragnok. Zahur had sent memories from everyone as the fastest way to explain things.
Harry did not add his, as he was fairly certain that borrowing Gringotts property wasn't strictly legit. Of course, having goblins attack you inside the bank was likely a no-no. Maybe he'd get a pass for that.
The Mamelukes' healer, the only one on duty on an off-day, was delighted to see Harry again, and said so rapidly in his native tongue which was related to Arabic but wasn't quite the same. The pointing, the shouting, the gestures that others might take as rude were all welcoming him home.
So friendly, these Mamelukes.
The medic tended their wounds, and tried to save Hermione for last as was custom with his people.
When an angry young mage pointed to the young lady and said "First!" and the seven foot guard behind them nodded agreement, the medic tended to the young woman first. And then the warrior, then goblins and then Trouble last, but didn't see any reason to. He had no major injuries and had all of his limbs.
At least this time, he left his snakes at home.
After Dobby recovered from the long trip, he joined the young people at the school. Several of the Hogwarts elves accompanied them for some reason, but Harry and Hermione now had several people watching their backs until word came for where they should go.
**OO**
Ragnok was very unhappy about what nearly happened. He was already in Egypt where every guard captain and account manager was being questioned under goblin truth serum.
There were several who had been approached to see what their leanings were and refused anything to do with the 'pureblood cause', but they wound up reporting the incident to one of the people who was a part of the plot. Clever. And would have been effective to wipe out the Grangers, their 'evil' witch daughter and the abomination of the half-blood Flitwick.
Ragnok was unhappy about Frex being killed, and his guards. The treasures of all of the traitors were pooled, with the exception of Wrerx, and given evenly to those who were hurt; Goldrub, Flitwick, Hermione, Harry, and Aufrer.
The only survivors other than Wrerx were horribly burned, and since they were proven traitors, were allowed no treatment and were left to die in horrible pain.
Goblins could be very cold that way.
All treasure belonging to Wrerx, and Filip was split between Flitwick and Hermione. Filip didn't survive to see his adoptive clan beheaded to the last goblin. That terrible honor was Wrerx' alone. And before he was dealt with, he was forced to hand over his hard-earned gold to the human child he had tried to kill and his so-called half-blood grandson.
He was then given an opportunity to repent of being a betrayer and Kinslayer, but instead he started to spout the pure-blood cause.
In some ways, he sounded much like Bellatrix Lestrange. Or worse. Vernon Dursley.
His head would adorn the pike in the training room until every goblin currently living in Gringotts was questioned under the potent truth serum.
This could have been a disaster with repercussions lasting for generations if it wasn't for young Black's talent, and a cooperative Gringotts dragon.
**OO**
Hermione declined all the blood penalty and tried to give it to Flitwick, but he didn't want it either. The goblin things went to Goldrub, and the gold went to fund future Charms prodigies.
They both felt that this would cleanse the gold of all taint, helping innocents. With a joyously happy Head Girl Penelope Clearwater being offered funding for the third time.
**OO**
Harry was trying to come up with the perfect Yule gift and had an idea.
"Dobby? You know that great deal that you got on the necklace? Maybe we can get a matching set of earrings for it?"
Dobby pulled his ears, and Daisy glowed in triumph. She knew this day was coming and had told her mate to confess before it came to light.
"Master Harry? Dobby…Dobby giving you…I didn't mean…"
"I get it, Dobby. The shop went out of business or there was a special deal. How about this? Maybe we can go to the real Cumberbatch people and order real earrings."
Dobby nodded, but was uncertain how his friend would react.
The cost of said earrings were almost as much as a small home in Cairo.
Harry gulped and talked to Spurnik about local craftspeople.
The threats the boy received if he thought about taking this year's revenue to waste on a female's ear decoration was…memorable. But he never denigrated Harry as a person. Only his intelligence, horrible bodily smells, breath, nose length (too short), ears (too small), and poor eyesight.
Other than that, he was quite complementary towards the boy. Harry wondered how bad working in the mines were, and was that really an option to earn the money to buy the earrings?
Harry worked on his water enchanting project, a little portable well based on something they learned when Hermione was working on her burbling stone idea.
It was something that could be disguised as something muggle. This was for the wealthier clans out there. He planned to make enough profit this quarter to buy the earrings without having another goblin attack him. Again.
**OO**
The witch and wizard curse-breakers who had volunteered to act as Harry and Hermione were dragged before Ragnok. Both were human, experienced, and had never been disloyal to the bank before.
"Where were you two this morning? You know, for the planned trap we talked about? Hired you for? Paid good gold up front in case you were killed?"
The king's death glare saw the wizard on both knees immediately, with the witch not a breath behind him.
"Sire! We received word that the meeting had been delayed yet again." And it was true it had moved a few times, hoping to catch the terrorists, "I would never betray you or Gringotts. I returned all of the gold paid in advance since we weren't going. I did this very discreetly to your own personal assistant."
The wizard scrambled through his pockets, and pulled out a receipt and presented it rapidly to the king.
Oh, yes. Ragnok knew this stamp, it was a real receipt. Yet another head to display, sadly.
The witch bowed from her kneeling position, "I have not yet returned the gold, thinking we would be called again soon, Sire. Of course, you can have it back. I have done nothing to earn it. I'm so, so, sorry. Harry Potter is a hero in our world, and Hermione Granger's name is gaining honor as well. I would do anything to help them, and never should have taken a knut, but my account manager said that goblins do not do charity, sir."
"No, we do not accept employees volunteering when they should be earning. Return the gold later today, I sense you are both innocent. Next time, if there is a change in a plan I made, send me word! Immediately!"
"Yes, Director!" the two said together.
The goblin king waved them away, and the wizard stood, extending his hand to his co-worker.
"Would you like to get a drink after you take care of the gold thing?" The wizard asked. He was sweating as though he was out in the desert in the afternoon without cooling charms.
"Just one?" the witch asked, "I know an underground pub. I'll buy the first round."
"Deal."
**OO**
Last day of holiday, Just before Winter term began…
Goldrub had been working very hard, and thought he might have the map of where to look for the Potter lands.
Now, with Dumbledore safely dead, the leader of the terrorist clan safely dead, and the Dark Lord safely dead, Harry wanted to visit his family vault.
It was finally time for the Wills of James and Lily Potter to be read, and perhaps learn more about the adoptive parents to Padfoot, and Harry's grandparents.
**OO**
Then the day came. A pair of Centurions, with their own cohort, swore an oath to defend Flitwick and Hermione to the death if needed for this quest. A squad of Mamelukes, unhappy and fierce, lined up behind the witch and her goblin uncle.
None of them wanted to go sand surfing if it proved necessary.
Miss Granger clearly showed why the Hat chose Gryffindor for her as she made her way back to the vault. This time accompanied by her parents.
The key was inserted.
The vault door opened.
And there, preserved for all time, was a tiny bookshelf. After restoring it to normal sized, it was found to hold a dozen or so charms books, some family grimoires, and some goblin jewelry that had clearly belonged to Filius' mother. There was a small trunk full of galleons, and a ledger; Richard Granger's hard earned gold. Another trunk of his mate's wealth with her ledger in her neat hand.
But the real treasure there was the family secret - how to make a powerful grimoire that could display memories.
"This…this is the instructions for making a pensieve! A different kind than what Dumbledore has…Oh my!" Her uncle Filius was more excitable than usual and was bouncing up and down as they read the precious tome.
She thought her own linked journal from school might have come from this magic.
And there on top of the shelf, much smaller than Filius remembered, was the rune-covered device that had a small track for marbles or beads that would display them. And several lovely, ancient beads were already in the device, waiting for Filius to see!
"Do I detect a new family business?" Harry poked Hermione, "Memorable Memories?"
Hermione, sharing with Flitwick, was just staring at the Dagworth-Granger grimoire. "I don't understand what any of this means, but I can't wait to be able to." Filius could only nod, appearing as a 'bobble-head', wordlessly in agreement.
Turning, she addressed her new great uncle, "But you said you were retiring in a few years. You should get to do this first. This would have been yours as a child if you were raised by Papa."
"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the Potters. I can't believe I was made to forget that. I would have taken you in myself, Harry. I would have fought for you."
"I believe you sir, no worries."
Hermione beamed at Professor Flitwick.
"Well, I have an idea. I'll be done with my studies in another seven years…" Hermione shared.
"And I'll be retired and bored by then…" Flitwick responded.
"Do you think…"
"Yes, yes I do. Good idea."
Harry rubbed the spot where his scar used to be. "Now, I've got the twins and you doing the ping-pong thing. Can't I ever get a break?"
"No, no you can't. You're just lucky to have me." Hermione kissed his nose.
Flitwick laughed. "You can't argue with that Mr Potter."
Realizing that they were detaining lots of people, highly paid people guarding them, they decided to make copies of the books then and there, but keep the originals safe here.
The professor wrapped up the pensieve-like device carefully for transport.
Flitwick did take one of the intricate combs out.
"Would you like to have this my dear? I'm sorry to say I don't remember it, but I am sure that my mother would want you to wear it."
Hermione kissed his cheek as she bent for her diminutive relative to place it in her hair. "Thank you."
This vault was slammed and locked. But the Potter vault was soon to be opened, and what family treasure would that unlock?
**OO**
A/N: Story recommend: Your story recommendation here -
**OO**
Story recommendation by our friend csheila. Overlord by otblock57
s/13977139/1/Overlord
**OO**
A/N: Story recommendation by our friend csheila. "Becoming Neville" by Jedi Rita.
s/2736892/1/Becoming-Neville
Alexandria Magical Académie (AMA)
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language
﷼Arabic language
Dhareef al-Siddique - O & D professor
Aufrer - Mameluke guard
Daud ibn Auda - Headmaster of Alexandria Magical Académie (AMA)
Taliba female Student. Talab was the male form.
Mushkila, trouble