Author's Notes: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters. If I did, I would have Remus tied up to my bed and Sirius cooking in the kitchen while James plays with my daughter. Peter would be running from my cat. I don't own any of the Marvel Comic book Characters either. If I did, Logan would be out in the yard hurting my husband while Scott and Alex are arguing about how to hurt my husband. I don't own any of the Inu-Yasha characters. If I did, Sesshomaru would be joining Remus in my bed. Inu-Yasha would be with James playing with my daughter and Kagome and Sango would be helping Lily and Ororo beat the tar out of Miroku. I don't own any of the Star Wars characters. If I did then Qui-Gon would still be alive, Obi-Wan would not have had to train Anakin, and Anakin would not have gone to the Dark Side. I don't own the Mystic Force Power Rangers. If I did, do you really think Leanbow would have become Korag? I don't own Charmed or anyone from them. If I did, do you really think I would have them fight all those stupid demons that seem to think that they can take them out? I was just laughing at the thought of owning Lord of the Rings, Fantastic Four, or even Pirates of the Caribbean. It's just so flipping funny! Enjoy!
If you're reading this I'll tell you like I tell everyone else. This story is of my design, and me drinking one too many wine coolers, and the question "What would happen if...?". If you don't like whom I've hooked up or how I spell some of the names, don't review about it. I don't follow the stuff that others write. I like to stick to the books. If I find that they are spelled a different way then I will go ahead and change it. But until that day arrives, take your purist thinking, wad it in a tight little ball, and stuff where the sun don't shine. If you don't like my tales then you don't have to read it. Also when I finally get more than one chapter up, please don't just read the first chapter and then tell me that it sucks. How the bloody hell would you know anyhow? Are you Stan Lee, J.K. Rowling, Rumiko Takahaski, or George Lucas? I didn't think so. If you are the above people, my apologies for using your ideas and thank you for not suing me.
October 18, 1996
Dumbledore hurried down the hall toward the DADA office and the rooms behind it. He saw Piper and Veronica coming toward him with Leo, Wyatt, and Chris. "Just the ladies I was looking for." Albus leaned down and ruffled Wyatt's hair.
Veronica shifted Leo slightly so that he wasn't pressed against her stomach. "What did you need, Headmaster?"
"I received a letter from Gringotts this morning. There seems to be something wrong in the vault that Barty Crouch Sr. left to me." Dumbledore pulled the letter form one of his many packets. "I believe it may be another Horcrux."
Veronica held out her hand for the letter. Dumbledore handed her the official looking letter.
Professor Dumbledore,
It has come to our attention that you are now responsible for the vault formerly owned by Bartemius Crouch Sr. We request that you come and inspect your new vault for an unusual deposit was made before Mr. Crouch's death. Please come at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Gornuk
Head Goblin
Veronica handed the letter to Piper. "What do you need us to do?"
"Perhaps a small group would like to join me." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brightly. If it is a Horcrux, we will bring it back here and find a way to destroy it with the others."
Piper quickly folded the letter and handed it to Dumbledore. "Do you think you can handle the children? I mean at least until you get to Poppy?" She looked at Veronica. "If not I'll call Leo and have him orb them to the Hospital Wing."
"I will help Ms. Lupin with the children." Dumbledore lifted Chris out of Piper's arms as Wyatt attached himself to Dumbledore's robes.
"I think you should take Johnny, Susan, Sesshomaru, Paige, Tonks, Daggeron, Legolas, Nick, Will, Scott, and Obi-Wan with you." Veronica reached for Wyatt's hand.
"We'll meet in my office. The password is Skittles." Dumbledore watched Piper hurry back they way she had come. "We shouldn't keep Poppy waiting."
"Of course Headmaster."
Piper slammed open the door to the DADA quarters. Johnny and Tonks turned to look at the panting woman.
Tonks hurried to Piper's side. "What's wrong? Is Voldemort attacking?"
"No but Dumbledore thinks we're one step closer to destroying him." Piper flipped her hair over her shoulder.
Johnny's head turned as he looked at each woman. "Huh? What are you two talking about?"
Tonks ignored Johnny as she straightened her robes and made sure that her wand was secure in her wand holster. "Where to?"
"We'll meet in Dumbledore's office but first I need to get Susan, Sesshomaru, Paige, and Obi-Wan." Piper had finally caught her breath and noticed Johnny's confused look. "We'll explain it all later, Johnny."
Johnny grabbed Tonks and whipped her around to face him. "I want to know what is going on!"
"You heard Piper. We'll explain it later." Tonks pulled her arm from his grasp.
"But I want to know what's going on around here!" Johnny threw his hands into the air. "Veronica won't talk to me and Tori's husband keeps growling at me!"
Johnny hadn't seen Sesshomaru step into the room but did hear him growl. "You want to know why I growl at you." Sesshomaru stalked toward Johnny who had started to look for a hiding place. "You pushed her out of a canoe because she wouldn't give you the oar."
"Uh…Sorry?" Johnny tried to slip past Sesshomaru but Sesshomaru grabbed his shoulder.
"Sorry does not cut it. She almost did not finish our quest because of you and your temper." Sesshomaru's amber eyes bore into Johnny's blue ones.
"I got it! I'll tell Tori I'm sorry as soon as I see her today." Johnny winced slightly as Sesshomaru let him go.
"See that you do." Sesshomaru turned on his heel and stalked toward the door to the hallway to wait for everyone else.
Piper stepped into the common room with Susan and Obi-Wan right behind her. Susan was tying her hair back in a ponytail while Obi-Wan was pulling on his Jedi robes. Paige appeared in the room among a swirling column of light. Susan saw Johnny standing as far away from Sesshomaru as he could without leaving the room. She looked over at Tonks who seemed a bit smug at the fact that Johnny had just been put in his place.
"I'll tell you later." Tonks grinned as Susan nodded.
It must have something to do with why Tori and Sesshomaru keep away from Johnny. Susan looked down at her outfit to make sure her uniform was hidden beneath the robes. "Morning, everyone."
"Too early if you ask me." Nick half-stumbled from the hallway and headed for the coffeepot sitting on one of the tables lined up against the wall.
"Too much caffeine isn't good for you." Scott made his way over to Nick's side. "But if you don't tell Jean, I won't tell Jean."
"Deal." Nick grinned as Daggeron followed Legolas and Will into the room.
Will joined Scott and Nick around the coffeepot while Paige was talking Dobby into bringing them some breakfast. Piper sank onto the sofa with her cup of coffee that she had managed to sneak away from Scott, Nick, and Will as Daggeron sat next to her.
"Care to tell us why you got us up at the crack of dawn, Piper?" Scott took a drink of his coffee.
"The Goblins of Gringotts think that they have found something in one of Dumbledore's vaults and they want him to come and check it out." Piper sipped at her coffee as her eyes skimmed over the group. "We're hoping it's one of the Horcruxes that Harry has to destroy."
"Horcruxes? What are those?" Johnny jerked his gaze to Piper.
"They're pieces of Voldemort's soul that we need to find and destroy." Veronica slammed the door to the common room closed. "Meddling old coot wants you guys to hurry with breakfast so he can leave."
"We can't rush the house elves." Piper climbed to her feet and made her way to the coffeepot. "I was just explaining what Dumbledore wanted us to do today."
"But how did he break his soul apart?" Johnny looked over at Veronica who had lowered herself to the couch beside Daggeron.
"You know what, Johnny, I don't know. You can ask Voldemort the next time we see him." Veronica closed her eyes against the headache forming. "All I know is that Dumbledore wants to get a move on sometime in the next hour."
Piper nodded slightly as Dobby and Winky appeared with the breakfast she had ordered. "I suggest we eat and then we can go."
Everyone started to fill their plates and wolf down their food. Veronica started to struggle to her feet causing Will to jump to his feet. He placed his right hand on her back while he pulled her up with his left. He steadied her as she stumbled slightly. Veronica gave Will a small smile as she turned to look at Scott. "When you guys get back, Scott, bring the Horcrux here and we'll figure out how to destroy the lot of them."
"Right. Esmeralda told the kids that we might need Gryffindor's sword." Scott wiped the crumbs from his lips before climbing to his feet. "I'm ready."
"So are we." Sesshomaru moved toward the door as Daggeron and Paige climbed to their feet.
Piper climbed to her feet and hurried to the door as everyone except Veronica followed her. Scott led the way to Dumbledore's office. The group stopped in front of the gargoyle guarding the entrance to Dumbledore's office.
"Anyone know the password?" Scott looked around the group as Piper stepped forward.
"Yeah. You won't believe it." She turned to look at the gargoyle. "Skittles."
The gargoyle jumped to the side to reveal the spiral staircase it hid. Scott turned slightly and looked at Piper. "Skittles?" He shook his head. "We've got to get that man something to eat other than candy."
"I agree." Piper started up the stairs with Scott right behind her. She raised her hand to knock when the door swung open. "I hate when he does that." She led the way into the headmaster's office. "We're here."
Dumbledore looked up from the papers scattered across the desk. "Good everyone is here. We'll be leaving in a few moments."
Paige watched as Dumbledore tapped an old tea kettle with his wand making it glow blue for a moment. I've got to get him to teach me that. Tonks grabbed Johnny's hand and held it to the kettle as everyone else touched it with a finger. With a whoosh, they disappeared from the headmaster's office. Most of the group landed in a pile in the alley behind The Leaky Cauldron.
"Will whoever is touching my ass knock it off?" Piper scrambled to her feet.
Dumbledore waited for the group to climb to their feet before opening the archway to Diagon Alley. "Follow me, please." Dumbledore started down the street with the group following him.
Johnny and Nick took in the Quidditch shop while Piper seemed to gravitate toward Madam Malkin's. Paige and Sue grabbed the wayward people and pulled them after Dumbledore. Finally they stood in front of the white marble building of Gringotts.
Paige stared up at the building before turning to Piper. "It looks like something they would have."
Nick looked between Piper and Paige for a moment. "They?"
Piper waved her wand absent mindedly. "The Elders. They're Leo's bosses and they report even higher up."
"Okay." Nick just nodded because he still didn't get it.
"Can we please get whatever it is we came for and go home?" Johnny stood on the top step waiting for the rest of the group to get there.
Dumbledore strode to the top of the stairs and through the doors. He looked around the lobby for a moment before finding an open teller. He approached the desk and waited for the goblin to finish waiting on the customer before them. Finally the goblin was free to help them. Dumbledore stepped up to the counter and pulled out the letter. "I would like to see Gornuk, please."
"May I ask why?" The goblin looked down its nose at the group.
"I received a letter and I would like to speak to him about it." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled slightly.
"The letter please." The goblin took the letter from Dumbledore and read the signature. "I will return in a moment."
The goblin hurried away from the counter and Dumbledore seemed to sag slightly. Piper hurried over to the headmaster. "Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine, Ms. Halliwell." Dumbledore patted her hand with the damaged one. "It is merely old age setting in finally." He turned as three goblins hurried toward them. "Ah, Gornuk, I came as quickly as I could."
"I see and you brought help." Gornuk bowed to the group before motioning to the third goblin. "Griphook will take you down to the vault. How many will be going with you?"
Dumbledore turned and looked at the group. "Ms. Matthews, Legolas, Daggeron, Sesshomaru, Mr. Storm, and Mr. Turner, if the four of you will join me? We won't be gone long." He turned and followed after Griphook.
Piper looked down at Gornuk. "Is there somewhere the rest of us can wait until they get back? I don't think you want us hanging around the lobby."
"You may wait in the conference room. I will send Griphook in to retrieve you when they return." Gornuk led the group toward the conference room. "I will send a house elf with tea and cakes."
"Thank you, Gornuk." Piper bowed slightly as Gornuk left the room.
Dumbledore joined Griphook in one of the carts while the others scrambled in behind him. "Shall we head down?"
"Right away, sir." Griphook snapped his fingers and the cart sped away from the landing.
Johnny screamed excitedly as Paige gripped the side of the cart. Will tried to keep his breakfast down as the cart zipped around a curve. Sesshomaru's claws gouged furrows into the side of the cart while Daggeron and Legolas watched everyone else's discomfort. Slowly the cart came to a stop in front of Vault 457. Paige scrambled over the side and knelt on the floor of the cavern.
"I will never ride in that thing again." Paige slowly climbed to her feet before turning to look at Griphook. "Can people orb in here?"
"Orb?" Griphook looked a bit confused.
"I'll show you." Paige orbed in place. "Is it possible for me to orb back to the lobby?"
"If you can do it around these vaults, then you should be able to do it in the lobby." Griphook turned to look at Dumbledore. "Key please."
Dumbledore handed Griphook a small golden key. They watched as the goblin put the key into the lock and turned it. The door swung open to reveal a nearly full vault with s pile of coins in the center. Along the walls were several pieces of art and various other artifacts.
Will stepped into the vault and looked around before turning to look at Dumbledore. "So what are we looking for?"
"A golden cup with an H etched on it. It will also have two badgers for the handles." Dumbledore moved toward the pile of coins and started to shift through them.
"I've got an idea." Paige held out her hand. "Does the cup have a name?"
"It may be Hufflepuff's cup." Dumbledore watched Paige with interest. If she can summon the cup then we can get out of here sooner.
"Hufflepuff's cup." A small column of blue and white lights appeared over her hand. When the lights cleared a small golden cup stood in the palm of her hand. "Is this it?"
Dumbledore took the cup from her hand and turned it over to look at the details. "Indeed it is." He slid the cup into his pocket before turning to Griphook. "We are finished here."
"If everyone will get back in the cart, we will head back to the lobby." Griphook started to usher the people back into the cart.
"I'll orb up but thanks for the offer." Paige backed away from the cart.
"Could you take two more people with you?" Sesshomaru and Will moved toward Paige.
"Sure. Hold on." Paige grabbed Will and Sesshomaru before they disappeared in a swirl of blue and white lights.
"The rest of us will take the cart." Dumbledore climbed into the cart followed by Legolas and Daggeron.
"I'll just fly beside you." Johnny stepped back form the cart. "Flame on!" Johnny rose from the ground slightly. "Ready when you are."
The cart took off like a shot and Johnny flew after it.