Chapter 2. The Search Commences.
The young girl hesitantly made her way into the library. Searching, she finally found the one that she was looking for. With her head lowered she made her way over to the table that the six friends were studying at and approached Harry.
"Mr. Potter sir?" She asked her voice barely above a whisper as she stopped in front of the object of her quest.
Damn. Harry hated that all the firstys and second years seemed like they were afraid of him or worshiped him. This one seemed to have a combination of both going on. Fear and worship. Trying to put the young 'Puff' at ease he swung around in his chair so that he was facing her and taking one of her hands in his he kept his voice gentle and quiet and said, "Just Harry. What's your name?"
"C-Cindalla, Harry" she stuttered out.
Harry flashed his crooked grin at her and said as he looked into her eyes "Cindalla, that's a nice name. What can I do for you Cindalla?"
"The Headmistress wants to see you in her office." Her eyes started to take on a dazed look and feeling a little bit braver she expounded on her explanation. "She sent me to tell you"
Harry gently squeezed her hand and said "Thank you for letting me know." Gifting her with another smile he released her hand and gathered up his books. Looking down at his friends he said to them "I'll let you guys know what's going on later." With a quick wave and one last smile at his messenger he quit the library.
The young 'Puff' stood there with her hand still extended for several long seconds before she collected herself enough to wander in the general direction of the double doors. Still dazed and fantasizing about her encounter with her hero she gently missed the open doors and walked into the wall. Without seeming to even be aware of what she was doing she corrected her aim and left the library. She never even noticed that over half of the female population in the library had watched the entire encounter with open mouths or that even now five girls and one boy were glaring at her back in jealous anger because she had been the one to have her hand held and smiled at by Harry Potter.
Still in a daze and daydreaming about her meeting with Harry she never noticed when she passed her three best friends in the hall. She was heading back to her dorm to immortalize this day in her diary. In her mind she went over the encounter till she had convinced herself that Harry had been summoned because he was needed to save the world once again. Fantasy became reality and she desperately wished he would take her with him when he went to battle whatever the evil was but she knew that he wouldn't because that's the way heroes were. They always went off alone when they saved the world because they didn't want anyone else to be in danger and when they came back victorious they never complained about their hurts.
Her friends chased her down to find out what was wrong with her and as she told them about what had happened they too became convinced. Of course they envied her that she had been given the privilege of being the one to carry the message to him but they could live vicariously through her fantasy induced memories. By the end of the day the rumor mill had done its work well, no one was surprised to find Harry absent from dinner because even a hero such as him couldn't save the world all in a moment. It did take some time after all.
Hermione smiled at the little 'Puff's' glazed eyes. Harry had made another conquest and the funny part was he never even really tried. All five of the friends snickered as the girl ran into the wall. The girls exchanged knowing looks and the boys just wished that they could do that too but not being Harry they knew that if they tried they would only be laughed at.
Ginny raised her eyebrows and asked, "So what's it gonna be this time?"
Hermione pursed her lips before saying "Another dark lord."
Luna shook her head no. "I'm betting it's save the world from some undisclosed evil."
"Nope" Neville said. "It's been months since he's had a major personal tragedy. That's where my money's at."
At these words the debate was on. What had the 'Puff' decided she had heard and seen so what was the rumor going to be this time about The Defender. Whatever it was it was going to be good. Well if things held to the normal course the five would know by dinner time then they could spend it teasing Harry about his latest supposed exploits.
Harry walked up to the open portal that lead to the inner sanctum of the head of Hogwarts thinking it was much more friendly now that the entrance was left open when the head of the school was in her office. The students felt like she was much more approachable now that they could go to her with a problem without having to guess at the password. It also allowed the students and staff know when she was unavailable because it was at those times that the gargoyle blocked the door which would be shut.
When he stepped onto the moving staircase the door behind himself shut with a grinding sound and a grin flicked across the young mans face. Must be fairly important then if he warranted a private meeting like this. At the top was the closed door that led directly into McGonagall's office. He rapped on the door with his knuckles and heard the Headmistress bid him enter. Opening the door he glanced around the room swiftly before he walked in. Other than the Headmistress the room was hosting two goblins. With a grin Harry realized that he even recognized one of them.
"Griphook, you bring me honor." He bowed to the one that he knew after giving the traditional greeting in gobbledygook between two equals. The other one was much older and carried himself with a grace and dignity that announced without words that this goblin was important. Dropping to his knees in front of the older goblin Harry bowed his head in a recognized pose of submission. He raised his hands and crossed them in front of his face and bowed his head even further "How may I serve you master?"
The older goblin grinned in delight at the boy. Truly a well mannered child and so very considerate to have learned the traditions of the goblin nation. He reached over and grasped the boy's hands and gently pried them away from his face. Once the boy's hands were moved and he could see his face the older goblin nodded at him and said, "We have much to discuss with you young warrior."
"Revered elder I await instruction" said Harry completing the formula.
McGonagall stared with her mouth slack at the antics of the teen. Where on earth had the boy learned to do that? She snapped her gaze back to the two gobbling and saw something she had never seen in all of her 81 years of life. She saw respect for a wizard in their faces as they looked down at the boy. Clearing her throat she said, "Well, yes. Now you two gentlemen needed to speak to our student about something important. Do you wish for some privacy or is it ok if I remain?"
The elder goblin said without taking his eyes from the still kneeling Harry. "I do not object to your presence Headmistress if our young client does not." Harry shook his head no and the goblin smiled. "You may remain."
Harry climbed back to his feet but kept his head lowered respectfully till the goblin indicated that the empty chair that sat across from his own. With a small smile the boy sat down and waited quietly for the elder goblin to explain the nature of the meeting.
"Yesterday Gringotts was infiltrated by person or persons unknown. The Potter vault was entered but we do not know if anything was disturbed. Several other vaults were also penetrated at this time. Mr. Potter, we at Gringotts can track money but not personal possessions that are kept in the vaults. We need to have you come to Gringotts and inspect your vaults as soon as you can so that you can determine what if anything may have been stolen.
McGonagall's face became concerned at these words. "Do you have any clues as to who broke into the bank?"
"At this time I fear we are completely baffled. I would have thought before this that our bank was warded well enough to put what happened beyond the ability of anyone. I can tell you that whoever did this was not after money. None was stolen so that points to some sort of an artifact as being the target of the thieves. I can also tell you at this time that our institution was not the only one targeted that night. The Daily Prophet was severely vandalized as were several other businesses. A concern was the type of vandalization that the newspaper office suffered. It seems that every issue of the Prophet that contained a photograph of yourself Mr. Potter was dragged out of storage and spread out on the office floors and every proof picture that they had of you was taken."
The two humans in the room were deeply disturbed by this information. It seemed like Harry's life had just settled down into something approaching normalcy and now it appeared that he had a stalker or stalkers unknown with a hidden agenda. No matter which way you looked at it this was not good.
Professor McGonagall asked the goblins, "You said that other places were targeted? Do you know the names of all the places?" Griphook reached inside of his jacket and produced a list of businesses which he presented to the Headmistress. After glancing at it she handed it to Harry. As Harry studied the list she asked the goblins. "Have the Aurors been called into the investigation?"
Griphook's mouth turned up at the corners in a very small smile before he answered the question. "Madam Headmistress, not only have the Aurors been called in but the Unspeakables have as well." His eyes rapidly shifted across to his superior and receiving a quick nod he turned back to the Headmistress. "We have brought in a team to investigate the break-in ourselves. As you can well imagine the Ministry is taking this breach of security very seriously." His mouth stretched into a wide grin as he looked at the boy who was still looking over the list in his hand. "According to the ones in charge of the investigation TWO very important things had been put in jeopardy by this situation."
Harry, feeling the goblins eyes on him raised his head and returned the stare.
"Two?" the headmistress asked. "I understand about Gringott being important but what is the other thing that was put in jeopardy?"
His eyes never left the teen as he quietly said. "The other thing that appears to be in danger is Mr. Harry Potter." The boy's mouth opened in a small o shape as his face took on a look of surprise at those words.
"I was surprised that the aurors…" Griphook was interrupted by the fireplace flaring up in green flames.
Stepping out of the flames was Kingsley Shacklebolt and a team of three other aurors as well as two unspeakables. The five men took up strategic positions in front of the door and the fireplace as Kingsley stepped forward. Glancing around the room quickly his eyes rested on Harry for a moment before they settled on Professor McGonagall.
"I'm guessing that you have some advanced warning about what's going on?" he asked
Minerva nodded at her long time friend. "Some. But to be honest we just started this meeting. I'll want to hear the whole story as I'm sure Harry does too."
Kingsley gave a kind of humorless grin. "Even after you get told the whole story as we all know it you're going to find out that you know next to nothing." He moved in front of Harry and knelt down so that the two were on eye level. "I have to ask Harry, do you have any idea who would be stalking you? Anyone at all no matter how remote you think the possibility is."
Harry dropped his head into his cupped hand. Resting his elbow on the arm of the chair he started thinking. After a few minutes he looked back at Kingsley and sighed. "I have received four death threats from would be suitors. These three women and one man wrote me and asked me to marry them, when I refused they sent me death threats. Any unmarked death eater or sympathizer or even a relative of one who thinks I could have saved them. A new wannabe dark lord trying to eliminate the competition before they try to gain power. Hell, I don't know. My life hasn't been what you would call normal under any circumstance. Your best guess is probably as good as mine."
Kingsley chuckled. "I would guess that it's fair to say you have not had a normal life. I'm sorry that its being stirred up again. Harry, Madam Bones assigned me to head the team that will be guarding you till we solve this thing. The five that came in with me will be keeping you under surveillance 24/7. I'm asking you, I'll even plead with you, don't dodge them or me. We don't know what we're dealing with except that whatever it is was powerful enough to slip through Gringotts wards like they weren't even there."
"Answer a few questions first before you ask me for any promises." At Kingsley's nod Harry asked his questions. "One, why are you so sure whoever it is is after me? Two, what type of restrictions do you plan on placing on me? Three, do you have any clues as to who this could be?"
In the same vein that Harry had asked Kingsley answered. "One, the pictures, the only vaults entered was your four, the Weasleys, the members of the order and anyone else you have had close personal contact with. The only businesses targeted were those that you frequent. Two, two aurors and one unspeakable with you at all times. When your in class one will wait outside the door and the other two will be inside with you. Same goes for when your in your common room and dorm. If you leave the school grounds all six of us go with you. Three, nope, nada, zilch."
Harry sighed, "I'm not gonna win this one am I cause even if I say no you're still gonna shadow me won't you."
"Harry, we aren't going to shadow you. We are going to keep you safe. If that means giving up some of your privacy for a short time then that's the price you have to pay. Look, we don't know what they want but we can't loose you. Not now. Not after all of the hell we went through to keep you alive when Voldermort was hunting you." Kingsley said.
Harry slitted his eyes almost closed and added only one more thing. "No Dursleys!"
Kingsley held his hand out toward the teen. "No Dursleys" Harry took the hand offered and squeezed it a little before using it to pull himself to his feet.
"I believe that Griphook and the esteemed elder wanted me to check my vaults to see if I can find out if anything is missing. Will that be a problem?"
Kingsley turned to the Headmistress. "I have assigned a team of aurors to patrol around Hogwarts. They will not come onto the property unless they need to. How many Hogsmead visits are left this year?"
"Only one. Why?"
"I would like to see it canceled. The choice is of course yours but I cannot supply the level of security needed to insure the safety of the students if they are scattered across town. Will you do this for the safety of the students Minerva?"
"They will be disappointed but it will be done. Their safety comes first." She said.
The elder goblin stood and held out a ribbon. "It's a portkey that will take us directly to a secured office within Gringotts. The sooner we get this done the sooner Mr. Potter can be returned to the safety of the school."
Harry, the two goblins, the four aurors and the two unspeakables all reached out and touched the ribbon. As Harry felt the familiar pull behind his navel he realized for the first time that he never even learned the elders name.