Warding Vaults

9th of September, 1995.

Kato walked into Gringotts. He was heading for his meeting with Ragnarok. He had a chat with a teller and was led to an office. Ragnarok was a muscular goblin that looked mean. Kato greeted him as he entered and then he sat down.

"You have a way with warding that we have never seen before," Ragnarok said, getting straight to the point.

"I used Dragon-tongue-based rune warding," Kato said. "You don't know how to deal with it because you don't know the language."

"You are the only person who knows Dragon Tongue?" Ragnarok asked.

"So far, yes," Kato said. "I am translating a dictionary for a friend. I'm sending it to him once I'm done."

"We need to get a goblin learning," Ragnarok said.

"Can you still read Tamrielic?" Kato asked. He picked his original book out of his shoulder bag. He placed it on Ragnarok's desk.

Ragnarok opened the book and looked through it. He could read it just fine. They would need to copy it and set up lessons for a few goblins. He would need to look into a group of potential students. That aside he wanted to start increasing security in their vaults. "How long would it take you to increase security on one of our vaults?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," Kato said. "I could always try with my own first if you would like to see. We could figure it out from there."

The ride down to Harry's vault went by quickly.

Kato walked up to the door and touched it. "I can do this a few different ways, but the easiest one is to boost what is already here," he said. "Anything else would take a lot of time and effort on my part to learn how your people ward."

"I would rather you taught a few of our warding initiates, Dragon-tongue," Ragnarok said. "Let them experiment with what can be done."

Kato nodded. He started carving words into the door. Once he was done he infused them with his magic. "How about you take a look," he said.

Ragnarok tapped into the wards and searched through everything. He could tell where Kato had added to the wards, and he liked it. If this was all Kato could do then that was good until they had goblins who could work with this. "Can you do anything else?" he asked.

"Well I could more closely link the key," Kato said. He picked his key out of his pocket and carved runes into it slowly. He placed the key in the lock and turned it as he infused the words with his magic. He locked the vault again and let Ragnarok take a look at the key.

"Can you do this with someone else's key?" Ragnarok asked.

"I believe so," Kato said.

"We need to get a hold of someone who will allow you to experiment," Ragnarok said. "And we need to set up a time for lessons. How about we head up to my office again."

Kato agreed and they went back up so they could sit down. "I think that Lord Malfoy would be alright with me experimenting. He likes being ahead of the curve and we have spoken. He is interested in my work. If he won't do it then Madam Bones probably would."

"I'll see if I can get in contact with both of them," Ragnarok said.

Kato pulled out his schedule. "I have a free period on Monday. I could come and teach a handful of Dwemer then. I could also add some lessons to Saturdays if I come in to ward the vaults then," he said.

"Sounds good," Ragnarok said. "How many vaults do you think you can do at a time?" he asked. "We could improve the security on all vaults and offer increased security on their keys."

Kato nodded. "Sounds good to me," he said. "I could probably do fifteen a day for Saturday and Sunday. That gives me a week to rest up and replenish my gems."

"So we are looking at about a year to do this," Ragnarok said. He nodded that sounded good to him. "That doesn't include keys I take it?" he asked.

"No," Kato said. "I will be able to do keys on top of those fifteen a day though I hope we can keep to just a few at a time."

"Oh, certainly," Ragnarok said. He looked over what he would need to do. "If I send you off with another Dwemer to guide you. Can you do another fourteen vaults today?" he asked.

"Absolutely," Kato said.

Ragnarok sent for another Dwemer and Kato was off through the maze of tunnels. The first few vaults he did were the bank's own vaults. The Dwemer that Ragnarok had set him up with had some kind of map that they were crossing vaults off from as Kato finished with them.

"Thank you for your aid," Kato said as they finished for the day.

"Same time tomorrow?"

"An hour or so earlier if that is alright with you," Kato said.

"That's fine."

Kato headed out. He needed to get back to Hogwarts so he could work on his homework.

10th of September, 1995.

Kato joined up with his guide the next morning. They wandered around and he warded the vaults for the day before he headed to Ragnarok's office. He knocked on the door and entered. Inside Ragnarok and another Dwemer were speaking with Lucius Malfoy. They all turned to look at him as he entered.

"It has been far too long Master Peverell," Lucius said as he rose from his chair. He shook Kato's hand.

"I must say I agree," Kato said.

"You have made quite the name for yourself. People are abuzz with how you are handling the Longbottom case," Lucius said as they sat down. "And now you are increasing security to Gringotts vaults. I'm surprised they would turn to a wizard for help. They usually do not accept help from outsiders."

"Ah, but Master Peverell is not an outsider," Ragnarok said. "He is a member of our Clan."

Lucius looked surprised. That was rare and he knew it. "I see. That is very interesting," he said. "So how is this done?" he asked.

"I will add runes to your vault that, for now, I'm the only person who understands. They will take what protections are already on your vault and increase them. Then I can infuse your key similarly. Though it would be better if you helped."

"And you have never done this before I take it?" Lucius asked.

"I have secured my own vault and the vault security has been added to several other vaults. What I haven't done is help someone else infuse the runes on their key," Kato said.

Lucius nodded. "I'm certainly interested," he said. "How about we head down?"

Lucius didn't seem to enjoy the cart ride down into the bank. He stepped out and straightened up, but he did not do anything to voice his displeasure. He watched as Kato walked up to the door to his vault and started adding runes. They were strangely beautiful and looked a lot like claws. "So this increases the security, how much?" he asked Ragnarok.

"If I put it like this," Ragnarok said. "I could dismantle the security to your vault if given enough time. However, after Kato has added his wards, that is impossible. We are considering teaching a subgroup of our warders the way that he is trained and not mixing them thereby giving us two different ways to protect the vaults and the need for two warders should someone want to get in."

Lucius nodded slowly. He saw Kato touch the door and the words glowed before mostly disappearing. "So what does this say?" he asked.

"Suleyk vahlok vokrent fen neh funt arhk vahriin mahfaeraak mul," Kato read. "It roughly reads: 'Powered guardian unbroken will never fail and sworn forever strong.' A lot of this magic is intent. I want your vault to be safe and the words hold the magic."

"Much like Runes normally work," Lucius said. He took his key out of his pocket and handed it to Kato. The carvings down to the key were tiny. When Lucius was handed the key back he looked at it. "And this reads?" he asked.

"Laan miraad zeim lah wah bex," Kato said. "Or: 'Request doorway through magic to open.'" He walked over to the door. "Now if you would place the key in the lock. Then I will guide you through the infusion," he said.

Lucius walked up to him and placed the key in. He felt Kato grabbing his shoulder.

"Focus your magic on the key," Kato said. His eyes closed and he felt how Lucius' magic moved for the key. He let his own magic guide it and he spoke the words he had carved on the key. They twisted the key and the vault opened. Kato let go of Lucius. "There you go," he said.

Lucius closed his vault again and Ragnarok looked everything over. "Incredible," he said. He looked at Kato. "You didn't even leave your own magical signature on the key so it won't even work for you. I was a little worried about that."

Lucius' bank manager looked everything over as well. "Fantastic," he said. "I agree with Master Ragnarok. This is very well done and leaves no security risks. I'm very pleased and hope that you will allow me to recommend this to my other clients."

"Of course," Kato said. "Dumac will handle any meetings I have."

They returned to the cart.

"Would you join me for tea?" Lucius asked as they reached the main floor of the bank once more.

"That sounds lovely," Kato responded.

They settled down in a nice-looking tea house that served a lovely selection of marmalades with their scones.

"So how is the family doing?" Kato asked. "Still having problems with your son?"

Lucius sighed. "I'm seriously considering what you said. I believe that Narcissa would agree to a Master the easiest. At least then he is still protected," he said.

"Then I guess the next question is: What does he want to become growing up?" Kato asked.

"I don't know and he is still young enough to change his mind several times over," Lucius said. "It will be a little easier after he has taken his OWLs."

Kato nodded slowly.

"Have you ever considered taking an apprentice?" Lucius asked as he stirred his tea.

"Certainly," Kato said. "I have a lot to teach. Someday I will most definitely start taking on apprentices. For now, I have a fair amount of things to do anyway."

Their conversation turned more general after that as they ate their scones and drank their tea.

After Kato said goodbye to Lucius, he headed over to Chiara's house to give her a check-up. She had just found out that she was pregnant and wanted him to make sure everything was fine.

11th of September, 1995.

The sun was shining for once. The rain clouds that had hung over their heads throughout the previous week were gone. Harry finished his morning run in the Owlery. He walked up to Hedwig. "Are you up for a flight honey?" he asked her. A smile spread over his lips as she hooted at him, saying that of course, she was.

"Take these to Fleur and Gabrielle," he said as he fastened the letter to her leg. "You can stay with them until they are up to sending their letters back." He petted her slowly as he walked over to one of the big open windows. She took off from his arm and spread her wings wide. He watched her disappear in the distance.

Once she was gone, Harry made his way back down the stairs. He needed to get back to the tower to clean up. He smiled at Tanya as he passed through the common room. She tended to be an early riser. He showered and got dressed quickly before making his way back down. Tanya was still sitting in front of the fireplace. She stood up when he came back down. "Can I go with you?" she asked. "My friends are still in bed."

"Sure you can," Harry said. He placed an arm over her shoulders protectively and they headed down to the Great Hall together. "So how do you like this year so far?" Harry asked.

"It is alright," Tanya said. "I think Professor Douglas is a little silly. He is mean to the Slyrthiens and I don't like that. I wish he would teach us the theory too."

"I hear you," Harry said. "I can ask Remus what a second-year should know. He taught here two years ago."

"That would be great," Tanya said. "I heard Professor Lupin was a Werewolf."

"He was but he took the Cure," Harry said.

"Yeah, that is awesome. Kato seems like such a great guy," Tanya said. "That it is given for free is so nice." She filled her plate with fruits and put some yoghurt in a bowl. "Will you continue helping us with History?" she asked. "We are working on the Medieval Assembly of European Wizards right now."

Harry nodded slowly. He thought about it for a moment. He had gone outside of their school text to fully understand what the Assembly did. As he started explaining it to Tanya, who had retrieved a piece of parchment and a quill from her bag, the Hall slowly started filling up. Other students settled down around them, some of them listening to his explanation. He would stop at times as one person or another asked a question so he could answer it before continuing.

Hermione joined them and helped Harry out so he got to eat as well as talk about history.

"Do you make notes or something?" Colin asked.

"I actually do," Harry said. "I could copy them up for you."

"That would be amazing," Katie said.

Harry chuckled and Hermione rolled her eyes. She thought they should make their own notes, but it wasn't really up to her.

Harry continued making notes during History.

Everyone was given back their homework on moonstones as they started potions. "I have awarded you the grades you would have received if you presented this work on your OWL. This should give you a realistic idea of what to expect in the examination," Snape said. He reached the front of the class and turned around to face them.

Harry looked down at his parchment. He wondered if the 'E' had hurt to place down. He knew for a fact that there was way more to Snape than his grim demeanour during class. There was a Potions Master there somewhere, and Harry had a lot of experience with those – even if they had been Alchemy Masters. Nirn Alchemy was more like potions than Alchemy anyway.

"The standard of this homework was abysmal. Most of you would have failed had this been your examination. I expect to see a great deal more effort for this week's essay on the various varieties of venom antidotes, or I shall have to start handing out detentions to those dunces who get a 'D'," Severus said. Unlike most times he was speaking to the entire class this time around. He didn't centre on the Gryffindors. Both Potter and Longbottom had passed. If they improved more he might even see bloody Potter in his NEWT class next year. He would prefer if the boy wouldn't take it though. He ignored Draco's snide comment and gave out the instructions for that day's potion.

The class finished off and the students bottled their creations and brought them forward.

Harry ate lunch quickly before heading off the school grounds. He had his first class with the Dwemer and he wanted to be on time. He was a bit nervous, but he knew he could do this. He set his classroom up and waited for his students. They weren't children. These were adults who had chosen to come to him and learn.

Kato thought the lesson had gone well as he packed his things away. His students seemed interested and he had given them enough to really catch their interest by talking to Qozul in front of them. He also showed how one could use dragon tongue as runes in warding for example. The warders in his class had found it very interesting.

"Where have you been?" Hermione asked as he joined up with her and Neville outside Defence.

"Tell you after class," Harry said.

Hermione nodded. That was good enough for her now that she knew he would actually tell her. She sat down by one of the desks and took her quill and some parchment out of her bag.

"Hello class," Professor Douglas said as he walked into the room. "Today we will be going over a few common jinxes and hexes and how to handle them."

Hermione listened to him intently at first, but then he started setting people up to cast the spells at each other and she felt disgusted. Even when he had Ron casting the same teeth-growing hex that Draco had used on her in third-year on Draco himself, she just felt uncomfortable. She noticed that Harry, Neville and herself were the only Gryffindor students who did not participate in the bullying of the Slytherin students. She saw how Harry stood up and started deflecting spells cast at the Slytherins.

"Twenty points to Gryffindor, Mr Potter. Fantastic use of shields and hex deflection," Professor Douglas said happily.

Hermione could see the hatred in Draco and Pancy's eyes. It was aimed at both the professor and Harry. She sighed. She hated that their professor was turning students against Harry when he tried to help them. She was relieved when the class finally ended.

"Thank you, Potter," Blaise said as they walked away from the classroom.

"What he is doing is just wrong," Harry said. "It pisses me off."

"I'm glad someone feels that way," Blaise said.

"Is he just as bad towards the younger students?" Harry asked.

Blaise gave him a look. "What do you think?" he asked before walking away.

Hermione and Harry's eyes met. "We have to do something," Harry said.

Hermione agreed. Snape wasn't this bad. Sure, he hissed and took points for no reason sometimes, but he didn't allow his students to attack other students. "Let's go talk to Professor McGonagall," she said.

They headed to Professor McGonagall's private rooms so they could let her know what had happened.

Minerva sighed as three of her best students left her office. They were having trouble with their new teacher. She tapped her desk. She needed to speak to Severus. Maybe she should gather all the Heads. She let them know that she wanted to see them. While she waited she got tea water going.

"You wanted to see us, Minerva," Fillius said as he sat down. He was the last to arrive.

"I was visited by three of my best-performing students today. Two are prefects," Minerva said. "They painted a worrying picture for me about Professor Douglas. He allows and encourages bullying in his classroom."

"I'm surprised that Gryffindors would stand up against him," Severus said. "He seems to favour them."

"These three will do what is right rather than what is easy," Minerva said. "We cannot let this continue."

"So what should we do?" Pomona asked.

"I will speak with Professor Douglas," Minerva said. "And we should all speak with Albus."

"He will not do anything to stop this," Severus said.

"Just like he has never stopped you," Minerva said icily. She sighed and shook her head. "Your treatment of my lions aside. What you have done is nowhere near as bad as what I've been told that Professor Douglas has done. It must stop."

The other three agreed. They had to do something to protect their students.