AN: YOU WILL BE LOST!!! The previous chapter: Diagonally has seen a fairly significant overhaul and should definitely be re-read prior to the reading of this chapter. Edit completed: Feb 21, 2007

Interlude: Gringotts Stones

Griphook,

I know that this is not the best form of communication, but I am naturally curious and wanted to go with Hagrid. Everything, of course, is not exactly as it seems, but most is true enough or a half truth such that it is not yet a lie. Please give this to your manager; he will know what to do with it.

Harry Potter

Stonecurser,

This letter is now keyed to you personally. Please deliver the enclosed letter to your Elders. This letter is worth more than you life and all the gold in my combined vaults – do NOT ignore it! In order to ensure compliance, I have placed a minor compulsion charm on the letter. Fight it all you will, but it would be best for all involved if you did not.

Harry Potter
Boy-Who-Lived
Heir apparent House Potter

Honored Elders,

Harry Potter is dead, or rather, he never lived. I am Alexander Marvolo Voldemort Riddle the younger heir of Slytherin and heir apparent to the current Dark Lord. Within hours of the birth of Harry Potter I was abducted by the self-proclaimed Lord of Light and Supreme Mugwump Albus Dumbledore. He gave me to the Potters who preformed the blood adoption ritual, making me heir to the Potter legacy. The Potter's memories were than modified and they remembered nothing, save that I was their son.

I tell you this so that you cannot claim ignorance and so you know the political and magical power I have at my command. This letter serves to open communications between my father's diplomats and your exalted council.

A war IS coming and this time we shall prevail. When the ministry falls all those who opposed us with be dealt with swiftly and harshly, those who stood behind us will be richly rewarded, and those who made no decision will be forced to accept whatever we are willing to grant. All correspondence should be addressed to the 'Lost Malfoy'.

Respectfully,
Alexander M.V. Riddle
Lord Potter
Heir of Gryffindor
Heir Secondus of Slytherin

To the Lost Malfoy,

We would of course be willing to open up a dialogue with you. We are interested in what you would demand and what you would be willing to grant us.

Signed,
The Goblin Council

"Ah, Hagrid! How was Diagon Alley today and how was young Mr. Potter?" Asked a twinkle eyed old man.

"'Arry was doin' just great Professor Dumbledore, Sir. He was fun to watch very polite. First…" Dumbledore tuned out Hagrid's ramblings impatiently waiting until he could ask the forgetful half-giant how his errand had turned out.

Ah, finally, "Good, good, I'm glad you had such a pleasant day, but if you don't mind my asking, how about your other task?"

"Oh, right. Got it right here," Hagrid replied as he reached into his bottommost inner right pocket. "Wait, I know I got it 'ere somewhere." Hagrid began frantically searching through his pockets, before admitting defeat. "I know I 'ad it Professor Dumbledore, Sir, I put it straight in my pocket and didn't take it out once. I didn' even stop to 'ave a drink after I dropped 'Arry off, I swear!"

"Don't worry Hagrid, if you would just let me see your memories, I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this" calmed Dumbledore, even as he raged inside at the utter incompetence of the man before him.

Dumbledore quickly whispered leglimens as soon as Hagrid had nodded his consent and gently sorted through the memories searching for the stone. When he saw the man almost knock Harry off his feet he had to assume that the stone was stolen, but how anyone knew about his plan or even managed to find it in Hagrid's massive pockets was a complete mystery. Dumbledore quickly pulled out and set about to console his loyal employee.

"Don't worry Hagrid. It appears that you have had your pockets picked by someone who is very skilled. Do you remember when you almost ran over a man in the Alley? I see that you do. I believe that he might have decided to take a dive into your pockets. We will just have to hope that he does not realize how valuable his trinket is. Now don't be upset, I can hardly blame you for the actions of a lucky thief, but if you'll excuse me I have a lot of paperwork before bed."

"O' Course Headmaster. Goodnight sir."

"Goodnight Hagrid." As soon as Hagrid was a safe distance from the gargoyle guardian, the grandfatherly mask dropped and a dark look crossed the Headmaster's face. He had wanted that stone and no two-bit thief was going to stop him. Crossing to the floo he cried out "Mundungus Fletcher, Fletcher Flat" before sitting back and waiting for the call to connect.

Damien,

Have Snape do an analysis on the trinket I gave you. No report should be sent through the Hogwarts Wards. Please alert both my father's painting and the painting of Salazaar Slytherin of any discoveries. I shall be using the miniature painting of Godric to keep in touch. Salazaar's pet knows which one I am talking about.