Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 10: The Attack
Before Harry knew it the day that he was supposed to meet Hermione crept on him a lot faster than he thought it would. Harry who had spent the last several weeks learning how to fight and how to govern the magical nation of his ancestors was now a changed person. No longer the naïve boy who would believe everything that he was being told. He was now a young man who while still needing guidance was more capable of handling the path that had been laid before him. Harry decided that if he was going into Diagon Alley he would dress the way that most expect to see him. At least until he get in some shopping at some muggle clothing stores.
"We are ready your Majesty" Gladius said from the door.
"Thank you" Harry responded and as he gathered up his wand that now was more of a decoration than anything else. He headed for the door.
Harry and his security detail which consisted of Gladius and three other knights who were all dressed in Muggle clothing. This was an effort to better blind in with Harry. Began to walk towards one of the older sections of the Palace.
"How are we getting there?" Harry asked truly unsure as to who they would make the journey to Diagon Alley.
"We use the gate room and gate directly to Gringotts. If anything should happen while we are out. We will return here. Gringotts is not only the bank for the Wizarding Community of Britain. It is also the Avalonian consulate. So whatever happens make sure you get back here." Gladius explained to the young king
As Harry and detail entered the gate room. He was amazed at the site before him. In front of him was a series of statues leading up to a great stone circle. At the base of the circle was an alter with a series of runes in no particular order. Harry watched as Gladius approached the alter and began to touch the runes in a strange pattern. When he was done he stepped back and watched as a large vortex was created inside of the great stone circle.
"Your Majesty we are ready just step through the gateway." Gladius said.
With that Harry walked through the gateway with his protectors flanking him. When Harry appeared on the other side of gate. He found him self in a strange room very similar to the one in the palace. The one thing that stood apart from the other were the goblin statues along the wall. Also the group of Goblins waiting for him as he appeared from the gate. Harry looked around the room taking in all of the room. It truly was impressive the floor was inlaid with gold not the usual marble that he was used to in the palace. There were a number of pillars throughout the room which had precious stones in them. Taking a deep breath Harry approached the Goblins who now were giving him a toothy grin.
"Your Majesty, I am Lord Grangor head of Gringotts and your Majesties ambassador. On behalf of the Goblins of Gringotts I welcome you." Lord Grangor said as he and his entourage took a deep bow before their sovereign.
"I thank you Lord Grangor and hope that the profits of you and yours grow along with your warriors strength." Harry said as he nodded to the Goblins
" Thank you your Majesty while I know your visit today is of a personal matter I would like to arrange a meeting to discuss some matters of state that you may be interested in." Grangor said with a deep respect.
"Of course just send word with my Lord Chamberlain as to a time that would be convient for you." Harry said motioning for Lord Grangor to follow him as he began to walk towards the great golden doors at the edge of the chamber.
" Thank you sire you are too kind. I believe that all is ready for your shopping venture. I have arranged for you a muggle credit card that you may use in the muggle part of London. I have also arranged to allow you to withdraw any money you might want to use while you are shopping in Diagon Alley. Grangor said handing Harry a key.
"Lord Grangor that won't be necessary I can simply use my family trust for any purchases I make here." Harry said not wanting to cost his people any money for his own shopping.
"I'm afraid your Majesty that will not be possible. Your trust vault is directly controlled by Headmaster Dumbledore. He established himself as your magical guardian after the death of your parents. Since your disappearance he has placed a hold on all of your vaults including the ones left to you by your Godfather Sirius and your parents personal vault." The goblin said waiting for his Kings reaction Grangor would not have to wait long.
"He WHAT!" Harry yelled as the air in the room began to crackle with magical energy. A wind began to blow inside the building.
"How could he have been allowed to do this" Harry bellowed
" I'm afraid we had no choice. As the accounts were all the personal property of citizens of magical Britain Dumbledore passed special legislation within the Wizegamot to give him magical guardianship over you. Because these accounts were not part of the royal treasury we could not intervene on diplomatic level. Since he blocked your accounts we have been attempting to circumvent these measures he has taken. I beg for your forgiveness for my failure." Lord Grangor said as he lowered himself to the floor.
This caused Harry to snap back into reality. No longer blinded by his hatred of Dumbledore Harry saw something that he had never wanted to see. Someone lowering themselves out of fear to him. He did not want to become like Voldemort who's followers bowed and kissed the very hems of his robe out of fear.
"I am sorry my friend I should not have lost control like that. Please rise we are ally's and hopefully one day friends. I am not angry with you. My anger is towards Dumbledore. Please forgive my rashness." Harry asked the goblin who only moments before was on his knees.
"Your Majesty, There is nothing to forgive, and I would like for us to become friends. Please take this key as simple of our friendship and know that the treasury is safe within our hands." Lord Grangor said handing Harry the key to another vault tied to the royal treasury of Avalon.
"Thank you, Do you know if my friends have arrived." Harry asked no looking forward to a day with his friends.
"I'm afraid the only one to arrive is Ms. Hermione Granger. We have not received Mr. Ronald Weasley. Ms. Granger is waiting for you in the Lobby. I have instructed Goblins in the lobby to act normally around you to maintain your identity.
"Thank you Lord Grangor I will now take my leave of you." Harry said and watched the powerful Goblin bow and walk towards a set of stairs.
"Well, your Majesty shall we start the day." Gladius said.
With that Harry and his guardians walked towards the main lobby. When Harry entered the lobby he saw that Gringotts was surprisingly busy. Harry began to wander the lobby occasionally noticing the wandering eye of goblins who while were awe struck seeing their monarch wandering the halls of Gringotts were doing their best to maintain themselves. Then just as Harry was about to loose hope of ever finding Hermione in the see of people he spotted her.
To say that she had changed over the summer was something of an understatement. She was always very pretty at least to him. Now she was striking. She stood a decent 5'8 and while her Harry was normally very busy. It appeared to have tamed some. What struck Harry most of all was that no longer was Hermione gangly or awkward. She now possessed just the right amount of curves. Harry quietly approached the young woman who had been his friend for so long.
"You look lost miss can I help you" Harry said in as smooth a voice as he could muster.
"I'm quite all right….." Hermione said as she turned and saw the man standing before him. Before she could continue on with her conversation she took in all of the young man before her. Despite wearing very raged looking clothes she could still see the out line of his sculpted body. He had long hair going below his shoulders and was tied in a pony tail. The two most distinctive features he had was he lighting bold scar and his brilliant emerald eyes.
"Harry your safe. I was so worried. Where have you been? What have you been doing? Why are you not with the Dursley's?" She would have continued if it was not for the laughing that now rang out in the room.
"Hermione slow down I swear that eventually I will tell you all of this, but right now is neither the time nor the place for such discussions. How about instead we go out and have a nice day of shopping and just having fun.
With that Harry and Hermione set off for Muggle London. Despite the very large series of questions that Harry knew that he would eventually have to answer. They laughed and joked as if no time had passed since they're separation and reunion . Harry had of course asked Hermione if she had spoken to Ron. She said that she had, but when ever the topic of Harry would come up he would dodge the issue and change topics. As the pair walked towards the out of the Leaky Cauldron Hermione noticed the men that were following them.
"Harry…I think we are being followed." Hermione said in a whisper that lacked of subtlety
"You mean the men in muggle clothes that have been on us since we left Gringotts." Harry said in a whisper trying to stifle the laughter within.
"Yes…You knew that they were there" Hermione said becoming more and more apprehensive.
"Of course I knew they were there they work for me" Harry said giggling at the look of horror and relief being displayed across his best friends face.
"What!…They work for you" Hermione exclaimed
"Yeah they are my security. You know I have that pesky Voldemort after me and all." Harry said
With a playful hit Hermione struck Harry in the arm. The two then got onto the Underground and Hermione dragged Harry to several of the shops on Oxford Street. While shopping Harry had introduced Hermione to Gladius. Who had offered to shrink the young couples purchases. Hermione who had thanked him went to gather more things for Harry to try on.
As the day went on Harry had decided that they should return to Diagon Alley and do some shopping in the wizards market. They also decide to get a spot to eat. The two friends sat down and enjoyed a meal in the Leaky Cauldron. While the two were dining pair of eyes were watching the young woman who he had been sent to attack. The young woman was Hermione Granger, friend of Harry Potter, he knew that Snape wanted her hurt severely. He believed that it was on the orders of the Dark Lord. He could not have possibly guessed that it was on the orders on the Champion of the Light Albus Dumbledore.
As Harry and Hermione finished their lunch they decided to stop by Flourish and Blots. As the two were exiting the small tavern and as they crossed the threshold into the Wizard Alley a bright purple curse came flying towards the tow. Before anyone could react Harry watched as the curse struck Hermione died in the chest. Harry saw the assailant and without further thought he cast a shield over Hermione and sent a reductor curse towards the man who had just struck down his best friend. Before he could do anything else he found himself on the ground from where Gladius had tackled him. Fearful that there may be other assailants.
"Your Majesty are you hurt." Gladius said as he shook Harry who was holding Hermione as tightly as he could.
"Your Majesty we must leave." Gladius said as he attempted to pull Harry off of the fallen girl.
"We're not leaving her" Harry yelled in a tone of voice that spoke of panic and fear.
"Of course not but you must allow us to move her we can't help her out in the street" Gladius said as the remainder of Harry's detail closed in around them.
Then with a swift movement Gladius took out a small circle and tossed it into the air causing a vortex to form a few meters in front of them. Once the vortex was formed Gladius picked up Hermione and waited for Harry to step through the vortex and followed after him along with the rest of the detail.
Once on the other side of the Vortex found himself once again inside of Gringotts. Harry who was still in some shock looked over at Hermione's limp body. Once he steadied himself Gladius called for assistance from the Goblins who were near by.
"The King has been attacked! He's consort has been hit we need the consulate medi-healer" Gladius yelled at the nearest goblin causing a series of events to occur.
At once a team of goblin healers rushed into the room and whisked Hermione away. Before Harry could object one of the attending goblins informed her they were taking her to the hospital wing of Gringotts. Harry knew that if anyone could do something for Hermione it was these people. At the same time the Goblins security force's had every wizard in the lobby of the bank removed. Most of the people were slightly alarmed at the sudden ejection from the wizards bank. No one inside or out side knew what was going on only that they were left with little option but to leave.
A few moments later one of the goblin healers returned to the room that Harry had been told he could wait in while they saw to Hermione.
"Your Majesty, I bring news of your consort." The goblin said as he went to one knee.
"You mean Hermione what is wrong with her?" Harry asked in haste.
"She was struck with a very dark curse. However, We have managed to stabilize her. I believe she will be better served if we can take her Avalon and she can be seen by the Healers there. I do not have the resources available to allow her to heal appropriately." The Goblin said.
With a nod of his head Harry saw the goblins begin to rush about and came out with Hermione on a stretcher. Harry grasped her hand as he and the entourage made their way to the gate room. While Harry believed the goblins he couldn't help but remain fearful that something could happen to Hermione.
While Harry and his group made their way back to Avalon a series of events were unfolding outside the white marble walls of Gringotts. After the impressive display that had occurred and numerous eyewitness who saw what occurred several Aurors appeared and took statements from the gathered. The Aurors also read the magical signature of the individual who had sent the powerful reductor curse which had destroyed the archway leading to Knocturn Alley. They also were looking for the individual who had been the target of the Reductor. The Aurors on seen determined that the person who sent the curse was none other than Harry Potter.
As Minister Fudge sat in his Office he observed a file appear on his desk concerning the most recent in a series of attacks brought forth by You-Know-Who's Death Eaters. Victim of the crime Hermione Granger friend of Harry Potter was according to witness struck with a dark curse. The news that the Aurors brought to him was almost music to his ears. Harry Potter had been there and had used magic. This was what he needed to get back at the young upstart who was presumptuous enough to go against him.
"Percy Come Here!" Fudge yelled at the arse kissing undersecretary.
"Yes! Minister" Percy said
"Inform the Albus Dumbledore I will be convening Wizegamot to bring charges against Harry Potter for the use of underage magic. I will get Harry this time." Fudge said
With that Percy took out the decree that Fudge had hastily put out. He then proceeded to go to Department of Magical Law Enforcement to serve the decree.
As Fudge was playing his part out in this scheme. One of the two architects was finishing his part in this conspiracy. Snape had retrieved the unconscious assailant from the ruble.
"Sir, Was I successful" The young Death Eater asked.
"You did your task as you were told. Now it is time for your reward Obliviate" Snape cried out and watched as the memories of the attack were removed from the young mans mind.
He then planted a false image of betraying the Dark Lord which would later prove to be fatal for the young man who almost as much a victim as Harry and Hermione. With his task complete Snape apparated to the kitchen of Number 12 Grimmauld were Professor Dumbledore was already waiting preparing for the next meeting of the Order of Phoenix.
"It is done Headmaster" Snape said with a smirk on his face.
"Very good my friend. Soon we will have Harry back safely with us." Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye.
A/N: This is my next chapter. I appreciate everybody warm thoughts this is story is kind of my escape. Thank you everyone who was kind enough to review.