Chapter 40: Gringott's and Goblins

Severus, Draco and Narcissa arrived at Gringott's just as it was opening for business the next morning. The security guard at the door did a sweep with his wand and they nodded as he stood aside to allow them to enter. The marble floors gleamed, as did the crystal chandeliers, but the beauty of the place was offset by the uniformly ugly Goblins sitting at their desks, scratching away in the accounts books.

Severus strode down the center of the room to the main desk, Narcissa following along, as she removed her gloves and put them into her purse, Draco walking, bored expression on his face, beside her.

Griphook looked up from his paperwork and slowly put his quill down. He was slightly surprised to see Severus Snape walking about freely, but then, Griphook knew before him stood the newly appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts. He gave a mental shrug; as long as there was business to conduct, he didn't care about their personal lives.

"Good morning, Headmaster Snape, Madam Malfoy, Master Malfoy. How may I help you?"

"Good morning, Griphook. I am here to place something into the vault of Rudolphus and Bella Lestrange, for safe keeping. Here is a letter from Rudolphus to that effect." Severus produced the letter and handed it to Griphook.

"I see," Griphook muttered, as he opened and read the letter. He passed his hand over the writing and seemed satisfied it was genuine. "And Madam Malfoy is here as her sister's representative?" Griphook shifted his focus.

"Yes, and I will vouch for the validity of Severus' mission, as I was present when he and Rudolphus made the arrangements. Rudolphus is a bit . . . under the weather and Bella wanted to stay by his side, so Severus is here in their stead. As it happened I had been planning on coming here today to make a withdrawal from our vault, for a bit of shopping before the school term starts." Narcissa turned and patted Draco on the arm. He rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "It was my pleasure to accompany our new Headmaster ," Narcissa smiled at Severus, "As the vaults are almost next to each other and accomplish both at one time."

'Sucking up to the new Headmaster is more likely,' thought Griphook, wickedly. "Very well, I'll have Nagnok accompany you, if you'll be so kind as to wait over by that door," he instructed, pointing one long, boney finger to the side of the room.

"Certainly. Thank you for your prompt service, Griphook," Severus politely replied, following the expected protocol and niceties. "Narcissa, Draco." He held out his arm, allowing Narcissa to go first and then he fell into step with Draco. "So, Draco, how do you think the Slytherin Quidditch team is shaping up this year; any standouts among the younger players?"

Overhearing those last remarks, Griphook grimaced slightly, which was about as close to a smile as he could manage, thinking, " Ha, I was right; playing favorites already."

X X X

"I loathe these bloody carts!" Narcissa hissed, as they waited by the door.

"I love them!" Draco countered. "They've got speed, you can see where you're going, although it's out of your control . . . quite a rush, really, Mother. Try and enjoy it!"

"I don't think I'll ever 'enjoy' it, dear . . . if they were just a little slower," she sighed.

"That's not an option, unfortunately, Narcissa, as there are only two speeds; fast and dead stop," explained Severus, with a smirk.

Just then, the door opened and Nagnok stood back to allow them through.

"Good morning, Nagnok," intoned Severus.

"Ah, good morning Pro . . I mean Headmaster Snape. It is a pleasure to see you again. Madam Malfoy, good morning to you and to Master Malfoy, also."

"Good morning," replied Narcissa, looking anxiously at the waiting cart.

"Good morning, Nagnok," Draco smiled and then leaned down to whisper in the Goblin's ear."Mother doesn't like riding the carts, much. I, on the other hand, can't wait."

"Ah, I see. Well, everyone on board, please. I promise a smooth, although speedy ride. My apologies in advance for any discomfort this causes you, Madam Malfoy."

"It's one of those unavoidable things in life, Nagnok, so let's just get this over with, shall we?" Narcissa answered, as she settled down on the leather seat and straightened her gown. She smiled at the Goblin and then took a firm grip on the handrail.

Draco and Severus took their seats while Nagnok settled behind the controls. He pushed a few levers and the cart started rolling forward, speeding up as it went over the first dip in the tracks, then disappeared into the tunnel that led to the vaults.

X X X

The cart rolled to a stop at one of the deepest levels in the underground caves of Gringott's Bank. Severus held out his hand to assist Narcissa to alight onto the stone walkway. Draco was studying the instrument panel, asking Nagnok a few questions.

Suddenly, a roar was heard from nearby, echoing off the walls of the cavern. Draco turned to his Mother, eyebrows raised.

"Security dragon, dear. Nothing to worry about, Nagnok knows just what to do."

"Oh, right, forgot about that . . . it's been a while since Father brought me down here to our vault." Draco said, nodding. "He had me wait on the cart, for my own safety . . . it was just before my first year, when we came to Diagon Alley to shop."

"Yes, I let you go with him, avoiding the ride that day." Narcissa nodded, holding out her hand to Draco. "Now you're nearly of age . . .my, how time flies!" She gave him a kiss on the cheek, while Draco blushed.

"If you would all follow me?" Nagnok started along the walkway, the other three following him. Un-noticed by Nagnok, they each tipped a small vial of 'Felix Felicis' into their mouths and swallowed.

As they rounded the corner, they saw Nagnok take a handheld clacker from a box and start banging it, making an irritating noise. A roar of pain and anxiety came from the huge grayish/white dragon chained to the wall before them; it was cowering away from the clacking, looking for all the world like a whipped puppy.

The small group hurried across the short stretch of open floor to the stairs that led up to the hallway where the vaults were located. Nagnok turned down a short hall toward the Lestrange vault, while Narcissa and Draco waited at the junction with the main corridor. Severus walked behind Nagnok and watched as the Goblin placed his palm on the door, hearing the clanking and clinking of the locks yielding to the Goblin's touch. Nagnok took hold of the handle and swung the door open, stepping back to allow Severus entry.

"Nagnok?" Draco called. "Exactly what breed of dragon is this one?"

Nagnok looked over to see Draco leaning over the balcony railing, looking down at the huge creature, then turning his head to hear the answer to his question. Nagnok took a step past Severus to warn Draco not to expose too much of himself to the dragon; his fiery breath could possibly reach to the railing, when Severus performed the 'Imperious' spell on the Goblin. Nagnok eyes glazed over and he walked to join Draco and Narcissa, admiring the chained beast.

"That is a Ukrainian Ironbelly, Master Malfoy." Nagnok explained.

"Really? I've seen four other types of dragons, you know, during the Tri-Wizard tournament," Draco replied. "Welch Green, Chinese Fireball, Swedish Short Snout and one mean Hungarian Horntail."

As Draco continued talking to Nagnok about the dragons and what he'd seen at the First Task, Severus slipped off his watch chain and enlarged the rod carrier and the replica of the Hufflepuff cup. He had the fishing rod out of its carrying tube and put together in under ten seconds.

'Practice makes perfect,' his potion affected brain thought, cockily. Fortunately, another voice overrode that thought. 'Concentrate, you can gloat later!'

He pulled the shrunken copy of the Gryffindor Sword from his pocket and enlarged it, also. Stepping into the vault, he carefully laid the sword onto a side table, careful to not touch any of the other things already piled there.

Turning, he saw the Hufflepuff Cup sitting high on a shelf near the back of the vault, Walking as deeply as he dared between the heavily laden tables and chests of money, jewels and silverware, he reached up and put the end of the fishing rod through the handle. Lifting the silver chalice ever so carefully he jiggled the rod to make the vessel slide down to the first guide ring, where it stopped, swaying slightly.

He brought the rod down, hand over hand until he could grasp the goblet and remove it from the rod. Replacing it with the fake, he lifted the replacement to the shelf, sat it down ever so gently and then pulled the rod out of the handle. Quickly dismantling the rod he walked out of the vault, loaded the rod back into its case, shrank both the case and the cup down and re-attached them to his watch chain. Putting the watch, fob and chain back in place, he went and stood behind the group admiring the dragon.

"It is a remarkable specimen, Nagnok," he drawled.

Nagnok turned and looked a bit bewildered.

"Have you finished in the vault, Headmaster?" Nagnok looked slightly apprehensive, realizing he hadn't done his duty by watching the tall Wizard when he was in someone else's vault.

"Simple matter of placing the object on a table, Nagnok. Not at all time consuming or difficult." Severus stood there, blank expression on his face. In fact it had taken less than a minute to complete the switch.

"Very well," Nagnok, replied, trying to sound efficient. "I'll just seal the vault and then we will proceed to yours, Madam Malfoy." He bustled over to the door, but quickly peered inside to see what had been added, his eyes opening wide as he spotted the sword lying on the table. 'Oh, my. I must tell Griphook about this,' he thought frantically. But a second later, as he pushed the door closed and sealed it, a 'Memory Modifying Charm' made his recollection of what was in the vault not so urgent a matter. 'After all, it was just a small dagger, nothing important.'

X X X

"Well, that's the end of that portion of our 'Tale'," Severus said, doing a slight bow, to the smattering of applause from the Muggle visitors . . . the children in the audience were starting to fade, so those going home called it a night, picked up the sleepy youngsters and headed to the nearest Floo-connected fireplace to take them home, or to The Burrow.

The Malfoy's said their good-nights and left. The Lupins &Teddy were staying, of course, as was the other Marauder. The Hogwarts resident teachers were filing out, when Professor Trelawney staggered, swayed and would have fallen if Poppy hadn't grabbed her arm and maneuvered her to a nearby bench.

"Are you feeling unwell, Sybil?" Poppy questioned her, but Trelawney didn't reply, just sat, staring straight ahead, grasping Poppy's hand.

The others had gathered around, concerned, with Harry and Dan exchanging glances and raised eyebrows.

"Look familiar, mate?" Dan whispered, out of the side of his mouth.

"Too familiar," was Harry's reply.

Just then Sybil stiffened and pointed at Emma, who looked surprised, but not frightened. Suddenly, a strange , raspy voice came from the Divination teacher.

She is not whom she seems, this Muggle. who is a Witch.

But her Magic is different; she has the power to love

one who thinks himself unworthy; a danger to her life.

His need for her has been his reason for changing,

Will love be enough, or will it all be for naught.

Wizard and Muggle , together; in the past and in the future.

She is not whom she seems; this Muggle who is a Witch.

The whole group swung their collective gaze to Emma, who blushed, and then visibly perked up and smiled. "I feel quite proud right now . . . I'm the only Muggle she's ever given a Prophesy."

Sybil was being helped to her feet by Poppy and Professor Sprout, who were leading her out the door to escort her to her rooms, followed by Hagrid and Professor Flitwick.

"Okay, Emma, who's the lucky guy?" Tom leaned over her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, smiling wickedly.

"Not you! That's for sure . . .," she replied, tartly. tweaking Tom's nose. "It could be anyone who was in the movie, I might not have even really know him . . . . Hummm, perhaps one of the guys who were from 'Drumstrang' . . . I didn't get to meet all of them . . . or maybe one of the 'older students' when we were filming the first couple of movies. OR, one of the Death Eaters or Snatchers . . . . Oooo, this is intriguing." She wiggled her eyebrows, as Hermione, Ginny and Luna giggled. The guys just rolled their eyes.

"Well, I'm just glad it wasn't about ME this time!" Harry injected, laughing.

Draco was standing at the back of the crowd, color drained from his already pale skinned face, saying nothing; he was in such a fit of emotional turmoil, he probably couldn't have spoken a coherent sentence if his life depended on it, but then his brain calmed down so he could think properly.

'Was that me Trelawney was talking about? I know the old girl is certifiably bonkers, but she has done this before . . . look at how Harry and Dan are reacting.' He forced himself to concentrate on what Emma had been saying. 'Shit! She isn't thinking of me at all, just which Muggle it might be . . . but is that a bad thing, really? She won't remember any of this. . . . I did change, in no small part because of her total acceptance of me back when we first met . . . I've waited all this time . . . No, Trelawney is right, I am a danger to her!'

Draco felt tears springing to his eyes, so he turned and walked away. Only Albus and Severus noticed, and seeing each other watching Draco's retreat, silently agreed on their next move.

"Well, fascinating as the prospects for Miss Watson's love life are, I believe sleeping arrangements should discussed. Minerva, perhaps we should help these young people sort everything out, don't you agree? " Dumbledore stood with his back to the doors, everyone facing him. Severus, in the meanwhile, had caught up with Draco.

"Something vexes thee?" he muttered, as he drew up to Draco's side.

"Just checking the hourglasses; seems to have been a really close race this last year," was Draco's reply, having had a bit of warning, hearing Severus' approaching footsteps, to wipe away his tears and stare up at the huge glass cylinders hanging on the wall.

"Yes, I believe it was a double tie; Gryffindor and Slytherin over Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, by only a few dozen points.

"Sounds like the closest it's ever been, at least as far as I know." Draco replied.

"Indeed, even the Headmaster couldn't remember a closer score and he's been around longer than you and I put together," Snape added, with a look over his shoulder to make sure Albus didn't hear him. "And then some!"

Draco snorted, then he took a deep breath and sighed.

"Time to face her, Draco," murmured Severus. Draco jerked his head up to look at him. "If it's meant to be, it will be. Give yourself a some credit; you've more than redeemed yourself, your family and helped the Wizarding World win with a monumental 'second chance' . . . now, give yourself one!"

Draco stood there, properly gob-smacked. Severus Snape was the last person in the world he expected to give him advice about his love life. 'Merlin's baggy britches!' He nodded, acknowledging Severus' advice.

Severus turned and motioned for Draco to walk with him back to the group. Several of that crowd had noticed them looking at the House Point jars, but couldn't hear what was being said. They saw Draco nod and start to walk back toward them with Snape.

"So, now that we have the sleeping arrangements all sorted out, I'll tell the Fat Lady to admit you without the password, so you can come and go freely." Minerva smiled.

"Don't forget, the portraits will help you find your way, if you become disoriented," Albus reminded them.

"Oh, I have no doubt we'll all get lost at some point, Albus," Rupert laughed.

"It's fun getting lost, actually," Luna added, in her usual dreamy, soft tone.

"Especially if you try to find the kitchens for a midnight snack, Rupert," teased Ron.

"Oh, that reminds me! I wanted to go and thank all of the elves for the marvelous food. That would be down the left stairs, wouldn't it, Professor?" she asked, looking to Severus as Draco and he rejoined the group.

"Indeed, but there are several turns to make . . . . Draco, the dungeon halls are your territory, would you accompany Emma to the kitchens?" Severus asked, straight faced.

"Ah, oh, sure . . . be glad to be her tour guide," Draco managed to stutter.

"Well, everyone is using the Gryffindor dorm rooms, Draco, so you can also bring her to that location, afterward," Albus said, smiling benignly.

"Right . . . spending time in the Gryffindor sanctuary . . . Brilliant . . . I'll never live this down!"

Albus and Severus were both glad to see Draco's 'persona' return.

"Let's take a late evening walk outside, first. See if we can spot the giant squid swimming in the lake." suggested Luna.

"Excellent!" Fred grinned.

"Let's go skinny dipping!" George suggested.

"George!" all the females chorused, while the males snickered.

"Oh, alright, we'll just transfigure our clothes into bathing suits and take a swim . . . this is the time of year the lake is at its warmest, so we really should take full advantage." George offered as a compromise.

"Now that sounds like fun, " agreed Harry, who took one step back, turned toward the doors and took off running, calling over his shoulder, "Last one to the lake is a troll!"

With much whooping and hollering, the young people took off, Draco right with them, his sense of Slytherin competitiveness overriding his former mood.

Sirius, Remus and Tonks stood there, trying to act their ages, but after a snicker escaped from Tonks . . . they took off after the "young folk", making almost as much noise.

"You aren't going to join in the fun and games, Severus?" asked Minerva, innocently.

"No, I most certainly am not! I may take a stroll outside and observe, but I'm certainly not going close enough to be dragged into that bloody cold lake!"

"Self preservation is a strong instinct, Severus," agreed Albus, nodding sagely, although his eyes were twinkling.

Albus, Severus and Minerva stood listening to the shouts and squeals echoing through the halls and drifting in through the windows.

"I am really sorry we can't have those four remember all they've done for our world and what is means to all of us," Minerva spoke, as the three of them strolled out of the Great Hall.

"It's for the greater good that they do not remember, Minerva. It would, truly, be a danger to them, and ultimately, to us." Albus replied.

"True . . . and I understand your reasoning . . . well, good night Albus, Severus . . . I have to speak to the Fat Lady and then I'm going to try and get some sleep, despite the unusual noise level!" she motioned to a window, through which splashing and shouts could be heard.

"You know how to do a 'Silencing Charm' as well as I, Minerva . . . I suspect you'll be watching out your window, if I know my Transfiguration teacher," laughed Dumbledore.

"I might even join them . . . no, better not . . . seeing me in a bathing suit could send them all begging for a 'memory modification charm', Poppy would be swamped!"

Albus roared with laughter as Minerva started up the stairs, waving good-bye over her shoulder.

"I bet Minerva was quite a handful, herself, in her younger days," Severus observed, shaking his head in wonderment, as he watched her turn a corner and disappear.

"Indeed, my boy . . . I know tales that would . . . never mind, best keep some secrets around here." Albus chuckled.

"Old man, you've forgotten more secrets than most of us will know in a lifetime!" Severus shot back. "So, don't go all innocent on me; I know better."

"You do, indeed, Severus." Albus patted Severus' shoulder. "You do, indeed."