Chapter 2!
War of the Grail chapter 2
Harry stumbles slightly as he touches down, Hermione is beside him, panting. Both archer and assassin were unfazed by the sudden apparation and were glaring daggers at each other.
"Well, that sucks." Harry mutters, "So much for sending assassin after Voldemort."
"Lancer isn't that big a deal." Assassin shrugs, "But I still have no clue as to who he is, and that's dangerous."
"Who he is?" Hermione asks.
"Each servant is a powerful witch or wizard that made an impact in their time." archer explains, "They are called back to fight for their masters in the Grail war. By determining who the enemy is, you can anticipate their moves, skills and special attributes."
"So who are you then?" Harry asks. Archer glares at hm.
"That is not for you to know." he says, "I may tell my master, but not you. And what were you thinking, just running out there? I don't care what happens to you, but I will not allow you to put my master in danger."
"I needed to retrieve the horcrux." Harry sighs. Assassin's eyes widened at this and he began staring at the locket.
"May I?" he asks venomously. Harry hands him the locket, and he begins examining it all, the while muttering, "They dare to defile my locket..."
"Your locket?" Hermione asks, than gasps, "You're Salazar Slytherin!"
"That's right." he says coldly, "Your friend used my locket as a catalyst, so I was summoned. You just used the excess magic to summon your servant. Now, if you would've so kind as to shut up, I shall destroy this abomination."
Hermione quickly shuts her mouth as Slytherin continues his examination. After a minute, he took out the same dagger as before and hissed, $Open.$
The locket clicked open and Harry gasped as he saw two eyes staring out of the locket. "I can see your fear-" the eyes muttered as Slytherin gave the dagger a violent shake over the left eye. A single drop of green liquid fell into the locket and prompted a terrifying scream. Another shake and a drop in the other eye. The screamed became louder and smoke began billowing from both eyes. Within a moment, they were silenced.
Harry was staring at the locket, the core of which was stained green, the gold melted and deformed. Assassin sneered, "Who on earth would dare to corrupt my locket with such magic?"
"Mr. Slytherin?" Hermione asks, "I thought that you were an advocate of the dark arts?"
Assassin scoffed, "Is that how I'm reported? While it is true that the dark arts are incredibly powerful and corruptive, in the right hands, many catastrophe have been prevented, and many more lives have been saved than lost. Even I however, cannot approve of such a thing. Horcrux are far beyond my ability to defend."
Harry smiled slightly. At the very least they now had a way to destroy horcrux. "Well, your last descendant has apparently made six."
Assassin glared furiously, "Than I believe it would fall on me to send him and those... Things, to hell."
"You can have the horcrux." Harry said, "But Voldemort is mine."
Assassin stares at him for a moment, than nodded, "Well I'll be. Looks like you aren't the weakling I thought you were. What can you tell me about his horcrux?"
"According to our headmaster, he was drawn to items with a history. We know that he used your locket, Hufflepuff cup, his own diary, his snake, and a ring that was passed down through his mother's family. Also, we think he used something from either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor" Hermione explained, drawing a diagram in the air, "Harry destroyed the diary in the chamber of secrets a few years ago."
"Really?" he asks smiling, "What did you think?"
"I wasn't a fan of the basilisk." Harry glared.
"What the hell was a basilisk doing in their?" he gasps, "I left my personal notes that I'd kept since I was a novice."
"Didn't you leave it there to kill muggleborns?" Hermione asks unbelievably.
"Stupid Gryffindor. Always blows thing put of proportions." he hisses, "I was the one who created the wards and the key to the wards around Hogwarts. I could have easily made muggleborns unable to pass, yet I yielded and this is how they portray me? Any idiot could've told you that without muggleborns, our world would be extinct within a few generations. One of my no good descendants must have found it and decided to act on his own."
"So you don't believe in pureblood supremacy?" Harry gaped.
"I wouldn't take it that far..." he smirked, "I freely admit that I don't feel first generation muggleborns should be allowed to attend Hogwarts, only because it would take a lifetime for them to understand our way. They could then raise their children so as to not offend their fellow students. Failure to understand the way of our world led to more than a few deaths in early Hogwarts." he says grimly.
Hermione stared at him, seemingly unable to believe what she was hearing. Assassin sighed, "Shall we get back on topic? Have you destroyed any other?"
"Dumbledore destroyed the ring last year, and you've already taken care of the locket." Harry answers, "That just leaves the snake, the cup, and the last one that we don't know."
"And you have no clue as to where they are?" assassin says calmly, and as Harry shakes his head, he snorts, "Well, I'm sure we'll find something. I was quite smart you know."
"My lord..." Bellatrix bows, "I beg your forgiveness. Travers is dead, and potter escaped."
"How?" He glares.
"Potter's servant is assassin. He caught us by surprise once, it won't happen again." Bellatrix says calmly, though her voice betrayed her fear.
"Assassin..." Voldemort smiles, "Have you any clue as to his identity?"
"No my lord." she answers. "I only caught a glimpse, and his powers weren't apparent."
"He wasn't alone." lancer says from the corner.
"Explain." Voldemort demands.
"Archer and his master were on the other side of the wards." he says, not backing down from the dark lord.
"Two servants..." he mutters, "But who with him could have such power?"
"The Weasley child?" Rowle suggests.
"All the Weasleys are accounted for, and their blood has long since lost the qualities need to become a master." Bella sneers, "I believe that the Longbottom boy could become a master."
"His master was a woman." lancer adds.
"Surely not Granger!" Malfoy laughs.
"Not necessarily." his wife says, walking back into the room, "the Grail war must be carried out. If seven able masters cannot be chosen, it will pick any strong enough to sustain a servant. Granger is sufficiently powerful. The Grail cares little for blood purity."
"We have been unable to find a trace of her." Bellatrix frowns, "She could be with potter. Lancer, did she have bushy hair?"
"Yes." he answers truthfully.
"So, Granger and Potter..." Voldemort smiles, "Castor, have you discovered their location?"
"Not yet." the old man answers, "Within assassin cloaking their path, it is unlikely that I'll be able to before they move again."
"Narcissa, you and berserker will go after them next." Voldemort smiles, "I wish I could see the look on potter face as he goes head to head with his father!"
Bellatrix looks ready to speak when she's cut off, "I understand. I will prepare immediately." Narcissa answers, walking back out the door.
"By your leave." Bellatrix bows, promptly following her sister as the Dark Lord begins giving instructions to the others.
"Cissy!" she calls out, voice echoing in the halls. With no answer she quickens her pace. Ahead, Narcissa is leaning on the side of the hall, gasping for air outside the door to her room.
"This is crazy, Cissy!" she says, helping her to her feet and into her room, "Berserker is too much for you. Even in spirit form, look at the state you're in!"
"You know that the dark lord's word is law." Cissy sighs, "I can handle this job as long as I get some sleep. Don't wake me unless you find him."
Without waiting for an answer, she falls into a deep sleep as her sister looks on in disbelief.
"So the snake would most likely be with him?" assassin asks, and Hermione nods, "Well, on the upside it's likely that I won't have too much trouble with that one once we've found it. You said that he might have wanted something from Rowena?"
"Yeah. Dumbledore thought that the idea of using the founder's objects would appeal to him, and he already had your locket and Hufflepuff cup." Harry answers.
"The diadem of Ravenclaw is the most likely candidate." he says calmly, "Though where it might be is beyond me. Perhaps he could have left it with someone he trusts..."
"Bellatrix Lestrange." Hermione says immediately, "She claims to be his most trusted subordinate, so he might have given one to her."
"Where would she keep it?" Harry wonders, "Definitely not her house. The aurors raided it when she was arrested."
"Gringotts most likely." assassin shrugs, "The goblins had a reputation for not giving up their treasure so long as the owner is alive."
"Then how could we get in there?" Hermione asks.
"You can't." archer answers, "Infiltrating Gringotts without a goblin would be suicide."
"I wish I could say otherwise, but I'm afraid so." assassin sighs, "We'll have to find some other way..."
I have a pretty crazy idea..." Harry says, drawing their attention, "What if we make her move it, then grab it between hiding places?"
"How?" archer asks, intrigued.
"What if we circulate a rumor that remnants of the old ministry were working with the goblins to clean out all death eater accounts?" Harry suggests, "All we need to do is find someone trustworthy to sell it."
"What about a goblin?" Assassin smiles, "no one would trust a human about Gringotts business, but a goblin would be irrefutable."
"What about both?" Hermione says slowly, "Goblins wouldn't trust just anyone with information like that. It would have to be someone they know."
"Who are you thinking of?" Harry asks.
"Bill." she smiles, "A curse breaker would be considered a trusted ally of Gringotts, and his position as a member of the order would further validate the story. Who better to act as a liaison?"
"Brilliant!" Assassin laughs, "Setting your enemy against an invisible foe, forcing his hand, and then taking advantage of it. I must say that I'm quite proud of Slytherin house!"
"We're both in Gryffindor." Harry chuckles.
"Spying on the enemy!" assassin roars, "Very Slytherin!"
"How are we going to do this? I doubt that any goblins would be willing to lie for us." Hermione sighs, "And what about bill? We have no way of getting in contact with him."
"Finding a willing goblin is simple enough." Archer says, "The imperious curse is quite effective against them."
"But that's illegal!" Hermione gasps.
"Hermione, he's been in control for months. By now, it's probably legal. Besides, they won't be holding back and neither should we." Harry replies, "And what about Bill?"
"While we were setting up the school, we often communicated through house elves." Assassin suggests.
Harry face palmed, "Dobby!"
The elf appeared with a crack and a bow, "How can Dobby assist Mr. Harry Potter Sir?" he asks excitedly.
"Dobby, do you know of any way to get in contact with Bill Weasley?" Harry asks.
"Dobby could take you to him now." he smiles.
"Could you go ahead and ask? I'd rather not go if I'm not wanted." Harry smiles and the elf disappears with a crack.
"If you're going to be meeting with someone, Assassin and I should probably enter spirit mode." Archer says, "Otherwise you'll have to explain why you're working with the dead ancestor of your mortal enemy."
Assassin nods, "I can see how that could be a problem. Harry, if you need me, just asks. I'll be here." and with that, he seemed to turn to mist and disappear.
Archer promptly did the same, "We'll keep a look out for other servants while in spirit form."
Dobby pops back, "They would be most happy to see you." he holds out his hand and both of them took one. Following the uncomfortable feeling of apparation, Harry breathed in the sea air.
"Hey, Harry." Bill smiled, from the porch, "Glad to see that you're okay. No one's seen you since Remus found you at Grimmauld place."
"Yeah. Death eaters kinda got in." Hermione sighs, "We've been on the run since then."
"What have you been up to?" he asks.
"You know that Dumbledore gave us a job?" Harry asks, and he nods, "Well, part of that job includes possibly having to destroy something in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault."
"That's impossible." Bill shakes his head, "It would take an army to get into Gringotts, and another to get to her vault."
"We have a plan." Hermione says, "And we need your help."
Bill sighs and calls out in French. The beautiful Fleur brings out three glasses and a bottle of firewhiskey, "I've got a feeling I'll need this." he shrugs, "Let's hear it."
"Alright. You-Know-Who might have given an item to Bellatrix. The most likely place she could have put it was in her vault." Hermione starts, "While it is in the vault, getting at it is impossible. Our plan is to start a rumor."
"A rumor?" he frowns.
"The remnants of the Old Ministry are conspiring with a select group of goblins to empty all death eater accounts." Harry grins, "If Bellatrix were to get wind of that, she'd have to move it, and that's when we'd strike."
"Good plan, except for a few points." bill says as he takes a drink, "First, No one will believe that. Even I wouldn't be able to make that story seem likely."
"Unless you had help." Hermione smiles, "Just having you, a known member of the order spreading rumors would obviously be a trap, but if someone overheard you and a goblin talking and decided to see how much he could get for that info, that would make it seem more realistic."
"No goblin would help you." he replies.
"We've got one." Harry says quickly, "All we need is for you two to meet in knockturn alley one day and, after throwing back a few beers, let slip that you're planning on draining death eater accounts."
"Which brings us to the final point." bill sighs, "How do you expect to steal it from Bellatrix Lestrange?"
"We've got a few friends and were confident that we could at least hold her off long enough to grab it." Hermione sighs, "What do you think?"
"I think that it's probably the craziest plan I've heard, save breaking into Gringotts and escaping on a dragon, but if your confident that it'll work, I'll give you a hand." bill sighs, "Just let me know when I'm meeting this goblin for drinks."
"Thanks bill, I owe you one." Harry smiles, "Hermione, how much polyjuice potion do we have?"
"Enough for about three more transformations. Why?" she asks.
"With Bill on board, we need to let our goblin friend know." he shrugs, "I'll meet him in Diagon alley, under polyjuice."
"Be careful." she says, giving him a hug and a small vial of polyjuice potion, "This one is from owner of that general store in Godrics hollow."
"Got it. Bill, where are we?" Harry asks, feeling pretty stupid.
"I forgot." he chuckles, "Welcome to Shell Cottage."
"Thanks, I'll be back." Harry says as he turns and disapprates.
He steps into the Leaky Cauldron from the apparation point and walks through the back, tapping the bricks to enter Diagon alley.
The alley was probably the emptiest he'd ever seen it. Less than ten people were walking through the usually packed streets. Harry stood nonchalantly at the end of the shops, across from Gringotts and waited.
Before long, a goblin came walking out of the bank and towards Knockturn alley. Harry steps into a side alley and throws on the invisibility cloak he'd had in his pocket, and then follows the goblin.
As soon as they stepped into knockturn alley, Harry points Hermione's wand at the goblins back. "Imperio!" he whispers. Suddenly, it feels as if some cast a disillusionment charm only on his wand arm. A chill flowed down and the goblin stopped abruptly.
'Grab my hand.' he thinks and the goblin turns, gripping his hand through the cloak. Harry throws it over him as well and carefully walks them back to the leaky cauldron and to the apparation point.
Harry and the goblin arrive back at shell cottage about thirty minutes after he'd left. Bill seemed to have been filling Fleur in as he takes one look at them and gasps, "Griphook?"
Harry thinks quickly, 'you will do anything you can to help Harry Potter.'
The goblin shakes his head, and nods, "Curse breaker Weasley. I see Mr. Potter brought you in?"
"Yeah." bill says, "Do you think the plan will work?"
"If not, we'll think of something else." the goblin grins, "Mr. Potter, what exactly do you want from the vault that is so important?"
"Either a small gold cup or a tiara with an eagle." Harry answers, surprised that he would ask that.
"I believe I know the cup you are looking for. A small goblet with a badger embossed on the side." Griphook nods, "She placed it in there two years before her arrest."
"When do we do this?" Bill asks.
"Tomorrow." the goblin grins, "Meet me at the Chimera's Pub."
"Right." bill says, "Harry, you and Hermione will be staying here for the time being. At least until we discover whether this plan of yours worked."
"Thanks bill." Harry smiles as he takes a sip of iced tea that Fleur gave to him, "with any luck, we'll be one step closer to finishing him, once and for all."
So, the trap is set. I wonder if Voldemort will take the bait...