A/N: Short, but in anticipation for the next part with the Potters.

-TPT: Chapter 4-

As it turned out, zoos were actually pretty cool. None of them had ever been to one before so it was a new experience they enjoyed. To make the situation better, it was a warm and bright day despite it being winter, so it was filled with children, parents, teachers, and even couples. They had decided to check out the zoo and find Nagini's location before breaking her free. As they followed the paths in a spiral of the zoo exhibits, the reptile house ended up being their final destination. They had also seen that the animals were being taken care of and many seemed happy, so they were in a good mood as they made their way through the crowds. The reptile house was warm and dim, much to their delight. It meant this would be an easier task than expecting.

Since the trio were more powerful than your average ten year old, they had decided to do simple spells wandlessly, silently, and in parseltongue. So after 15 minutes and finally finding Nagini's habitat, they knew they were ready. -Nagini, my dear...can you hear me?- Antioch hissed softly while Cadmus and Ignotus kept watch for others.

-Tom, is that you? You are young again. And you don't smell of vile magics!- Nagini hissed back happily as she took in her wizard.

-It is my dear.- Antioch assured. She gave a sudden displeased hiss.

-I sense I have missed much.- she grumbled, making Antioch chuckle.

-All will be explained my dear. But first, I apologize for the pain you've been caused. You should never have been a horcrux. I will make that right.- Antioch swore.

-I'm certain you will. Now release me from this dismal place. Most of those here may be content and lazy, but I prefer to be free and moving.- she told him haughtily, which caused all three boys to chuckle. -More speakers!? You have much to explain my snakelet.- she hissed disapprovingly, though they could hear her joy at the prospect of freedom and more speakers. Antioch nodded and looked to his brothers who nodded. Originally, they had wanted to wait until night time when the zoo was empty, but something told them the 12 foot snake would disapprove. As luck would have it, the Reptile House was currently devoid of all but a few people and they were mostly in another room. There was one teenager there, but he was obsessively looking at an 18 foot boa constrictor on the other side of the room. Now was their chance. One of the spells they had taught themselves wandlessly was the vanishing charm, though it had taken a great deal of time and a lot of help from Professor Flitwick. Even now, wandless magic could drain them, and chances are that it would do so for some time to come. They studied the very large pane of glass, and Cadmus took it upon himself to down a simple exstimulo potion and vanish the glass himself. Wasting no time, Nagini slithered out and Antioch concentrated on his connection with the beautiful snake, and shrank her to a a third of her original size. Then he allowed her to slither around Ignotus's torso before he zipped his larger winter jacket closed. Out of the three of them, he was still the thinnest and shortest, so his larger coat would provide the most cover and protection from the elements for the serpent.

Mission accomplished, they casually looked around the rest of the house before leaving. It was as they had exited that the alarm of a large reticulated python being on the loose. They were encouraged by the ticket booth person to hurry along home as others began to be escorted from the zoo. None of the zoo personnel would discover the missing snake. It didn't take them too long to make their way to Gringotts to discuss things with Ragnok- Nagini agreeing to wait until they were somewhere less populated to question them. As luck would have it, Ragnok did know of a non-lethal way to remove the horcrux from Nagini, though it would be best to put Nagini to sleep magically so she wouldn't feel the discomfort of it's removal. With a promise of explanations after it was removed- so Voldemort couldn't see through her if it was possible- she agreed.

An hour later found them in another ritual room with Nagini rested in the center of an alter and given a mix of sleeping draught and a paralytic so she wouldn't thrash around in her sleep as the horcrux was removed and hurt herself. Around her was a deep, empty groove. Above her, floating in the air, was a large, clear orb filled with a beautiful golden liquid that seemed to shimmer with a blood red tint. "A good friend of the nation had created a potion to remove horcruxes from living hosts. So difficult to make that he is the only known creator, and even then, this potion is a closely guarded secret. He admires your mission and gave permission for it to be used. I believe one day, he will wish to meet you. Had the horcrux in you, Heir Ignotus, not been reformed as Master Antioch and instead retained upon your return, this is what would have been done for you." Ragnok explained as he and the same seven goblin mages settled into their places, the Peverell Triplets settled behind a protective barrier. "It is unpleasant if awake. Thankfully, since lady Nagini is asleep, she will feel nothing but some slight soreness after she awakes. The largest down side is that this is a bit time consuming. Are we ready?" he asked. Everyone in the room nodded. "Very well, let us proceed." Ragnok said and with a wave of his hand, the shell of the orb began to disappear from the bottom and the potion began to flow.

The moment the potion touched Nagini, a wail like the one from before sounded and the mages tensed, ready to bind and disperse the bit of soul to come. Ragnok was right. The process was indeed lengthy, as the potion continued to cover the snake at the same pace as it started with. They watched with slight worry as Nagini was completely covered in the potion, even as it flowed over her and began to spill into the groove. As the final drop fell, there was a flash of blood red and six white, serpentine heads of smoke burst forth. It was an intense battle but as they had known, the goblin mages won out and the smoking heads gave a final scream of anguish before dispersing. By this time the potion had completely slid off the snake who began to stir in the silence. -Nagini, how are you feeling my dear?- Antioch asked, approaching the snake who hissed in relief.

-I am much relieved my snakelet. So very much relieved.- Nagini hissed back, which made the brothers grin in relief.

-I'm glad to hear it.- Cadmus sighed. -I believe we owe you some explanations.- Nagini hissed the affirmative. They gave their thanks and gratitude to Ragnok who merely grinned and told them they were welcome and to get home safe. They spent the rest of the night explaining all that had transpired to Nagini, who was spitting furiously at the end about the shade, Potters, and Albus.

-I will eat them.- she hissed.

-No eating Nagini.- Ignotus replied. -They will give you indigestion, and we do not want that.- They all laughed merrily at his words. Nagini easily accepted her new charges, referring to them by their proper names and her own nicknames for them. Antioch would always be Snakelet. Cadmus as Neolate. And Ignotus as Hatchling. They found they really liked them and agreed to her terms of endearment. She also vowed to help her little clutch in their mission to dispose of the shade and to help them beware of the spider's webs. She would protect them. That was her new goal.

-TPT-

Their first Yule together was wonderful. None of them had truly celebrated it before nor with family. So to do it now was something they greatly appreciated. They decorated the cottage with fairy lights and garland. A tree with hand made ornaments and smaller fairy lights. Ignotus even had animated butterflies around it. The fireplace was also lit constantly due to the cold, which only added a warm glow to the room. They didn't believe in Santa Clause, but were more than happy to get presents for each other and bake cookies and sweets together. They had also presented the Goblin nation with the rights to the goblin weapons that had been lost in the Potter Vaults that they discovered were believed missing for sometime. Having their lost treasures back had filled the nation with joy. Filius had also received his own present. Then there had been Death, who they had held another ritual for, providing sacrifices of food, blood, and magic into the Yule fire. They couldn't believe how much happier they were now, than their past lives. They owed it to Death for giving them the chance, and they had every intention of performing their roles as his masters to the highest degree they could.

It was a wonderful Yule, and they truly enjoyed the chance to do so. They were truly happy.