An: Sorry this is so late in coming, but I have had so many problems at home and… I just haven't felt up to writing. Thank you thank you all for reviewing, I appreciate it so much!
Chapter 3 The Paradox Chasers
At the end of the street two men stood. One was tall and reed thin with a messy mop of blond hair and a vague dreaminess about his expression that reminded her of Luna. The other was short and more squarely built with salt and pepper hair that betrayed his age; there was a keenness to his eyes as he scanned the street that sent chills down her spine. Both were wearing (rather conspicuous) deep purple robes and despite this they didn't bother to hide themselves from the muggles, all of whom didn't seem to notice the two wizards at all. It must be a spell of some sort…
So far neither noticed Tom or Hermione.
"Stop staring and come on!" Tom hissed and pulled her into an alley to their right and dragged her down next to a large group of trash cans. If anyone looked down the alley they wouldn't be spotted right off.
"Tom who are those men?"
"The Paradox Chasers, they hunt time travelers. Last time we saw them you said they were Unspeakables."
Her hair on the back of her neck rose on end. "Unspeakables? You mean they work for the Ministry? But how could they know anything about me if I didn't use one of their time turners?" Hermione knew that each individual device was tracked but she hadn't been near a time turner in years. The last time she had she was in her— Fifth year. A chill worked its way down her spine. Tom said he thought it had something to do with my time traveling.
Her attention was drawn to his shrug. There was a look of vague embarrassment in his eyes as he steadfastly stared at the brick wall in front of him. I keep forgetting how young he is…
"It's ok if you don't know the answers to my questions," she said gently. "There is still plenty of time for you to learn about these things."
His lips twisted into a sneer and he said nothing.
"What can you tell me about those men right now?" He stayed stubbornly silent. "Please, Tom I need to make a plan to get us out of here… I can only do it with your help."
He turned his dark eyes to her, scanning her face as if searching for a lie. Finally, the boy sighed. "I have only seen them a couple of times before and I only know what you told me about them." His tone was slightly accusing as if she were at fault for his ignorance. "A different you I suppose. You said they were Unspeakables and then didn't explain what Unspeakables were." He sounded frustrated as he said this. "You told me their job is to track people trying to alter history, stop them, and put the time line back to the way it should be."
Hermione frowned as she mulled this over. "But I am not trying to alter history, I don't even know why I am time traveling in the first place!"
"I don't think they… hush!" Tom hissed and pulled her closer to the garbage cans, his fingers digging into her arm.
The Paradox Chasers were walking by, she could see the slight glimmer of the sun off of their velvet robes (She was surprised they could stand the fabric in this heat) as the Chasers passed precariously close to their hiding spot.
"-has to be somewhere around here. The amulet is vibrating like crazy."
"That means she hasn't been to the vault yet. We can catch her this time Zane, I can feel it!"
"You said that the last three times Booth, face facts she is a right side cleverer than you and-"
"Even clever people slip up," the man, Booth, said grimly "And when they do it, they do it spectacularly. The girl will make a mistake one day, and I plan on being there for it… now this way."
To Hermione's relief they kept on walking. A few minutes later Tom crept to the edge of the alley and peered out gesturing for her to follow.
"They are going up and down the street, if we don't want them to catch us we have to move fast. You run for it and I will distract them."
She stared at him, surprised, and he gave an annoyed glare in return. "I'm only doing it because they can't hurt me. The Cauldron is just over there, now run!"
Before she could try and stop him he dashed out into the street. Hermione's heart leapt into her throat as Tom narrowly avoiding getting run down by a horse and carriage before throwing himself at the blond Chaser. Surprised, the blond automatically brought his arms up to hold the boy and Tom proceeded to scream bloody murder.
"MURDERS! VAMPS! HELP!"
Whatever spells had been cast on the muggles to keep them oblivious to the two wizards faded and groups of people turned to stare at the stunned twosome. Tom thrashed and screamed in the blonde's arms and Hermione stared in stunned silence at what appeared to be the ultimate tantrum before realizing she had to start moving.
But what about Tom? I can't just leave him. She bit her lip and stared over at the boy who had the tall man in a death grip. Tom had claimed that they wouldn't hurt him, and it appeared they were trying their best not to as they attempted to pry him off and calm the startled muggles.
He can handle himself. She told herself weakly and started off toward The Leaky Cauldron, trying to block out the sound of the boy's shrieking behind her.
The goblin glared down at her, and Hermione glared back. I don't have time for this. She thought with a frustrated sigh and slammed her key down in front of the smug looking creature.
"I have my key right here, I don't understand why I need the manager to get into my vault."
The bank teller's lip curled. "Only the manager can give you access to your vault. I don't know why so stop asking and wait… preferably over there," he gestured toward a small stone bench flanked by two heavily armed goblin guards. "I have a lot of work to do, so if you would please." His tone held a threat.
He glared imperiously down at her until she grabbed her key and stepped out of the way for the next person in line.
As she made her way over to the bench Hermione bit down on her tongue and tried to keep from screaming. She couldn't afford to just sit there and wait, not when Tom needed her.
He could be dead for all I know and it would be my fault. She thought nervously and her jaw trembled under all the strain she put it under. Her parents would have scolded her for grinding her teeth like she was had they been there. What will happen to the timeline if something happens to him, what will happen to me if something happens to him?
Minutes ticked by with impossible slowness and she nervously drummed her fingers against her thigh, anxiously watching the front of the bank, fully expecting the men in the purple robes to burst in at any minute.
I never should have let him be a decoy; he is just a boy, just a little boy. What chance does he have against two grown wizards?
"The Manager."
The silent guard at her side announced suddenly, making her flinch in surprise. She scrambled to her feet peering around until her eyes landed on the short cloaked figure walking brusquely towards her. This goblin was completely covered from head to toe and she could see no distinguishing features under the folds of fabric. She took a breath to speak but the Manager, whom was instantly surrounded by four more guards, shook his head gesturing brusquely for her to follow.
She did with only slight hesitation. Instantly, the guards at the bench moved to flank her and she eyed them warily as she was led past dozens of patrons who stared curiously at her. Her silent guide led her through a door to a part of the bank she had never been to before.
It was a series long squat hallway filled with doors, on each door was a golden plaque with what looked like Gobbledygook etched into it. She remembered seeing some of the words from the reading she did on the goblin wars for History of Magic…. If she remembered correctly they were carved onto shields and used to try and scare the enemy by announcing the fighting prowess of the warrior wielding it.
She was tempted to ask about it before shaking her head, frustrated with herself. She didn't have time to wonder after what was most likely some vague goblin custom, she had to get to her vault and then she had to get to Tom. Knowing herself like she did (the thought gave her a headache) she knew there would be something inside that would help her- something that would help her not feel so helpless. The group stopped in front of a large door.
"In here." The manager whispered quietly in English before giving a sharp command in Gobbledygook to the guards, who instantly broke formation. Hermione frowned and eyed the guards warily, and the guards sneered back as she made her way into the room.
It was large and crescent shaped with various shelves filled to the brim with goblin made weapons. The largest being an ornamental axe that was proudly displayed behind the monstrous desk made from a wood that looked… purple?
"It's made of Irrirum, a tree long extinct."
The manager spoke softly and her attention was rapidly drawn to the small figure behind the desk, long surprisingly dainty fingers clasped in front of him. "But I will not bore you with idle talk, you are here for your vault."
"Yes… but I still don't understand why I have to go through you to access it."
"You are very young, especially in the eyes." The goblin threw back the hood of his cloak, "Yet still the same woman who came to me all those years ago… simply fascinating."
Hermione gaped. This was not a male goblin. She had the slightly darkened skin of all her kind, but she had no wrinkles to speak of, her ears were delicate and long, the tips of said ears poking out from the silvery blond hair that fell to her waist. Her eyes were wide and green and glittering slightly like gemstones. She grinned and straight rows of razor sharp teeth glittered wickedly in the light of the room.
"I am not what you expected?"
"Not even a little." She answered weakly.
The goblin woman laughed. "I know I am a true wonder. Now I think you have waited long enough for your vault."
The woman nimbly made her way over to the giant axe and tugged on the handle. There was a quiet click and a painting of a feeding Nundu to her right slowly swung open. "It is this way."
Hermione followed after the goblin slowly, flinching at the snarl of the big cat on the painting as she passed its canvas. They were in a large tunnel, rows of torches lining the walls all the way back to a giant silver vault. The woman led them to the vault quickly.
"Now because it is obviously your first time here I will explain everything. First, this is a Time Vault," the goblin said with a proud sweeping gesture. "Some of our best work, currently there are three in existence, yours being the most recent."
"There have been two others before me?"
"Yes, but only one is still in use. The other was captured by the ministry… oh now don't look so surprised. Did you honestly think you were the only time traveler in the world?"
She blushed "No- yes- I don't know this is all so very new to me."
"Adapt or die. That is the goblin way and I would recommend taking up the mantle. On to the vault- only you can enter, no one else can as the inside is connected directly to your magical core. Not only that but the interior is a thing out of time, being such you can access it fifty years in the future, place something inside, and then get that same item fifty years in the past. Ignore every law of magic or muggle science you know, it will not help you understand how it works. Just be content that it does."
Hermione was sorely tempted to ask how it did work but the look the Goblin gave her made Hermione hesitate.
"Is it dark?" She finally asked.
The goblin snorted. "By your standards no. But I don't see how it matters when it is benefitting you. Now I do believe you are in a rush so I would recommend going inside now."
That's right! I have to find Tom and make sure he is ok.
"How do I use it?"
"Just use your key and the magic will do its work. I will wait for you here."
Hermione nodded and slowly approached the smooth surface of the vault, it was silver and metal with the keyhole being its only imperfection. She drew her hand over the cool surface for a moment before bringing out her key and carefully unlocked the vault with a small click.
For a second nothing happened… then-
A wild gust of magic exploded around her hand grabbing and pulling at her as if it were a giant vacuum and she might have screamed as she was absorbed into the vault, her ears full of the goblin's cackling.