Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the intellectual property associated with Harry Potter.

Hi all,

Here's the next chapter. Harry continues to investigate the incident with the Room of Requirement and discovers some shocking news at Gringotts.

Chapter 83

Harry found it challenging to readjust to the rhythms of Hogwarts. The day passed in a blur of catch-up work and hurried conversations with friends between classes. Throughout it all, he couldn't shake the nagging worry about the attack on Terry and the mysterious intruder in the Room of Requirement.

Periodically, he'd sneak glances at the Marauder's Map, but he knew the chances of catching their suspect during class hours were slim. Whoever it was—student or professor—they were likely following the same schedule as everyone else.

The Artisan Codex was constantly on his mind. Harry forced himself to focus on the more pressing matter at hand, promising himself he'd explore the Codex once they'd made progress on the investigation.

After fishing the day in Charms class, Harry and his friends lingered, waiting for the rush of students to subside before huddling together outside the classroom.

"Susan and I will start questioning the students to see if they saw anything in the seventh-floor corridor," Daphne said. "Since the Gryffindor Tower is on the same floor, I'll start with our house."

Harry pulled out the Marauder's Map and handed it over to her. "Here, this should help you locate people and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. If you spot anything odd, mirror me immediately."

Susan stepped forward, giving Harry a quick peck on the cheek. "We've got this, Harry. What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to have another chat with Terry," Harry replied, running a hand through his messy hair. "There might be details he's remembered since the attack."

"I've had an idea about bypassing the password for the Room of Requirement," Hermione said. "It involves a trip to the kitchens."

"The house-elves?" Harry asked. "That's a good idea. Though, I don't recall ever seeing one enter the room after we changed the password."

Hermione shrugged. "It's worth investigating. They might know something we don't."

"I'll accompany Hermione," Gabrielle interjected, linking her arm with the bushy-haired witch.

"Perhaps she'll finally share some details about your date," she added with a mischievous wink at Harry.

Hermione's cheeks flushed pink as Gabrielle led her away, her protests fading as they disappeared down the corridor.

Harry turned to Neville, who had been quietly observing the exchange. "What about you, Nev?"

Neville straightened. "I'm going to talk to Padma. We can ask the Ravenclaws if they saw anything and save Daphne and Susan the trouble of asking them."

"Okay," Harry replied. "Let's meet this evening in the Gryffindor common room. We'll compare notes and see what we've learned."

Harry didn't need the Marauder's Map to locate Terry Boot; the studious Ravenclaw's was predictable. He spotted Terry in a secluded corner of the library, his quill scratching furiously across a roll of parchment.

"Feeling better?" Harry asked, sliding into the chair opposite him.

Terry's head snapped up, startled. Dark circles under his eyes betrayed his recent ordeal. "Never better. I heard you wanted to talk to me."

"Yeah, if you're up for it. I was hoping you could shed some more light on what happened."

Terry closed his book. "It's all a bit of a muddle, to be honest. I was about to enter the Room of Requirement when I felt something that made me pause."

"Something?" Harry prompted, his brow furrowing.

"Like a presence. It reminded me of..." He trailed off.

"Of what?"

"It felt eerily similar to when I put on that blasted diadem. You remember, don't you? The one that tried to possess us?"

Harry's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

"As certain as I can be," Terry said. "It was that same cold, invasive sensation. But before I could even turn around, everything went black. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the hospital wing with Madam Pomfrey fussing over me."

Harry leaned back, his mind reeling with the implications of Terry's words. A Horcrux, possessing someone within the walls of Hogwarts? Should he alert his grandfather or gather more concrete evidence first? While he trusted Terry implicitly, acting on a mere feeling seemed rash. How was he supposed to find the individual? Could Voldemort himself be secretly lurking within the castle? The possibility was almost too horrifying to contemplate.

"Harry?" Terry's voice snapped him out of his troubled thoughts.

"Thanks, Terry," Harry said. "This helps immensely. Did you notice anything else out of the ordinary before the attack? Anyone behaving strangely or lurking about?"

"Nothing springs to mind. Be careful, won't you? Something's going on in the castle."

Harry rose from his chair. "Don't worry about me. Let's meet up later, yeah?"

Harry sought out another secluded corner in the library. He retrieved the Artisan Codex from his inventory. Despite the pressing matters at hand, he could no longer resist the allure of its secrets.

Harry attempted to prise open the cover, but it remained obstinately sealed. Frowning, he tried again, this time consciously channelling a trickle of his magic into his fingertips. The effect was instantaneous—the book warmed beneath his touch, a subtle vibration humming through his hands. He felt an inexplicable connection forming, as though the Codex were scrutinising him. After a moment, the cover sprang open.

The codex was divided into clear sections: Runic Languages, Arrays, Sequences, Materials, and Specialised Runic Tools, among others. Yet, what really caught his eye was a section called 'Rituals to Empower the Individual—Independent of Fae Influence'.

"Is that even possible?"

As he leafed through the pages, Harry noticed something extraordinary. The book seemed to respond to his thoughts and interests, with pages turning of their own volition to reveal information pertinent to his current skills and projects. It was as though the Codex possessed sentience.

His attention was drawn to the Runic Languages section, where he discovered several pages dedicated to Flux Runes.

"Flux Runes," he read aloud, "are a dynamic form of magical script that adapts to changing conditions. Unlike traditional static runes, Flux Runes can alter their function in response to external stimuli, making them ideal for creating highly responsive magical artifacts."

Harry returned to the section on rituals. He had always been wary of the subject, recalling his grandfather's stern warnings about the dangers of bargaining with capricious deities. But these rituals promised power without having to use them. Instead, they involved tapping into magical rifts—wild and unpredictable, certainly, but devoid of the cunning malevolence of sentient beings seeking to exploit unwary wizards.

One ritual, in particular, stood out to him: 'Magical Amplification'.According to the Codex, this ritual could significantly widen a wizard's magical conduit, increasing their magical reserves and the rate at which they recovered.

It was something he desperately needed. Even though his magical reserves exceeded the average witch or wizard, it wouldn't be enough if he were to use the domain to advance his projects. He had several projects that needed his attention, so having more time on his hands was important. At the moment, he could only maintain the domain for about three hours.

Harry pored over the details, his excitement growing. The ritual didn't require any questionable sacrifices or favours with a deity. Instead, it involved a complex series of runic arrays and a potion brewed under specific astronomical conditions.

Should he tell his grandfather about this? He wasn't the only one who would benefit from the ritual. As long as he could demonstrate that it was safe, all his friends and family could benefit from the ritual. And it was just one of many. The only thing he was concerned about was that it came from an unknown source. It was supposed to have come from Galahad, but he had no solid evidence to support his claim. Even if it did, he still couldn't trust the man because he had never met him.

Harry turned his attention to the section on Arrays and Sequences. Here, he found diagrams of runic configurations that made his previous work look positively amateurish by comparison. The knowledge contained within the Artisan Codex was beyond anything he had encountered before. It offered solutions to problems he hadn't considered and opened up avenues he never knew existed.

Hours slipped by unnoticed as Harry immersed himself in the Codex, absorbing as much as his mind could handle. By the time his stomach growled in protest, demanding sustenance, his head was spinning with a whirlwind of new ideas and possibilities.

Harry and his friends gathered in the Gryffindor common room. Thanks to the inter-house unity fostered over the past year, students from other houses were now welcome in each other's common rooms, provided they informed a Prefect of their presence. Only Slytherin didn't subscribe to this rule.

Harry settled into an overstuffed armchair. "Daphne, Susan, did you get information out of the students?"

Daphne sighed. "I hate to disappoint, Harry, but we've come up short. The students didn't notice anything out of the ordinary in the seventh-floor corridor."

"A fair few mentioned Terry's attack," Susan said, "but as for actual witnesses or any concrete information? Nothing."

Harry's brow furrowed. "I see. Neville, any luck with the Ravenclaws?"

Neville shook his head, absently fiddling with the sleeve of his robe. "Same story. The Ravenclaw common room is buzzing with theories, but it's all conjecture. No one seems to have any solid leads."

Padma nodded in agreement.

"Hermione, Gabrielle," Harry turned to the two girls. "Please tell me you had better luck with the house-elves."

Hermione grimaced. "Well, yes and no. The house-elves confirmed they can't access the Room of Requirement without the password, just like us. Apparently, being a founders' room, it has its own set of magical rules that they can't circumvent."

"But they did say something rather intriguing," Gabrielle added. "They hinted that you, Harry, might have another way to access the room. When we pressed for details, they clammed up. It was terribly vexing."

"Another way?" Harry mused, exchanging a meaningful glance with Blaise.

They both understood what the house-elves were hinting at, but they weren't ready to talk about it with the others just yet.

The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken words. Harry could feel the weight of his friends' curious gazes boring into him.

Finally, he cleared his throat. "Have any of you managed to reach level 3 in Occlumency yet?"

His friends exchanged puzzled looks, clearly sensing there was more to this than Harry was letting on.

Daphne was the first to respond. "As of our last assessment, we've all met the requirements for Level 3 Occlumens. Susan and I are slightly more advanced due to our head start, but everyone else has caught up."

Gabrielle flipped her silvery hair over her shoulder. "As you're aware, Harry, my Veela heritage provides me with innate protection against mind arts. I don't have to actively practice Occlumency like the others do."

Hermione leaned forward, poking Harry in the arm. "Since we've reached the required level, are you finally going to reveal what happened at the end of the first year? You've been quite mysterious about it."

"Yes!" Hannah chimed in. "I've worked tirelessly on my Occlumency for this very reason. You can't back out now, Potter."

The others nodded in agreement.

"I'm impressed you've all come this far," Harry said. "I will tell you, but I need your word that this stays between us. Revealing this information could get me or my grandparents into serious trouble."

"You can trust us, Harry," Susan promised. The others murmured their agreement.

Harry took a deep breath and explained what happened during their first year. He spoke about Merlin, and his interactions with the castle's residents, including Lady Ravenclaw. As he talked, he watched his friends' expressions shift from shock to disbelief, to wonder. It was an unbelievable tale, but none of them looked like they didn't believe him. It fit neatly with the events that went down in the castle. When he finished, his friends bombarded him with questions. Harry did his best to answer them, providing as much detail as he could until they were satisfied.

He felt Hermione practically vibrating with excitement beside him. Turning to her, he asked, "What is it, Hermione? You look like you're about to burst."

Hermione fluttered her eyelashes at him, attempting to look coy. "Can you introduce me to Lady Ravenclaw, Harry? Please?"

Harry laughed. "That might be a bit challenging. She's shut herself off from me. I'll need to find a way to re-establish communication."

Hermione's shoulders slumped in disappointment. "I see. Well, that was a waste of effort."

"Huh?" Harry sat up, indignation colouring his voice. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing," Hermione replied quickly, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks.

As his friends continued to discuss the revelations, Harry found his thoughts drifting to what the house elves had said. Something was happening with the castle concerning him, something he hadn't given much thought to until now. The ghosts' insistence on calling him 'Warden' took on a new significance. Was there someone in the castle who could explain it all to him?

"You know," Blaise interjected, "we might be overlooking the obvious solution regarding the Room of Requirement."

Harry turned to his Slytherin friend. "What do you mean?"

"Why don't we simply use the vanishing cabinet you typically keep at home to enter the Room of Requirement? Unless our mysterious attacker has taken up permanent residence there, it shouldn't be too dangerous."

A collective groan rippled through the group, with Harry's being the loudest.

Hermione slapped her forehead. "I can't believe that didn't occur to me! It's so obvious in hindsight."

Blaise straightened his collar, a look of smug satisfaction on his face. "Well, I am a Slytherin for a reason."

Harry nodded. "I'll need to speak with my grandmother to find out where she's relocated the vanishing cabinet. She moved it for safety after the attack."

"Hold on," Daphne interjected. "We need to wait before charging in. If we block access to the Room of Requirement by changing the password, we could lose our chance to identify Terry's attacker."

Blaise's gaze sharpened. "Or we could lie in wait inside the room and ambush them when they return. Catch them red-handed, as it were."

Neville shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "That sounds incredibly risky. We have no idea who we're dealing with or what they're capable of."

Harry considered his friends' suggestions, weighing the potential risks and benefits. The vanishing cabinet offered a direct route into the room, but Daphne and Neville raised valid points. They needed more information before making a move.

"You're both right," Harry said, addressing Daphne and Neville. "We can't rush into this blindly. But having the vanishing cabinet as an option gives us an advantage we didn't have before. For now, we can keep an eye out on the seventh-floor corridor through the map. There is no need to take risks at this point."

Everyone agreed with him, and they began wrapping up the meeting. His girlfriends dragged him up to his dormitory room for a discussion.

Harry sat down on his bed, surrounded by four girlfriends. The dormitory was mercifully empty, affording them some privacy. Daphne and Susan flanked him on either side, whilst Gabrielle and Hermione sat cross-legged at the foot of the bed.

"So," Hermione began, "now that I'm officially part of this, I think we need to discuss how we're going to manage our time together."

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "Manage our time? Hermione, dear, this isn't a study group."

"I know that," Hermione huffed, "but with five of us now, we need to ensure everyone gets equal time with Harry. I've drawn up a preliminary timetable—"

She was cut off by a burst of laughter from the others. Harry tried to stifle his laughter but failed miserably.

"Oh, Hermione," Gabrielle said, wiping a tear from her eye, "only you would try to organise love with a timetable."

"I just think it's important to be fair and organised about this," Hermione muttered.

Susan reached out and patted Hermione's hand. "We appreciate the thought, truly. But relationships aren't always so structured."

Harry, seeing Hermione's crestfallen expression, intervened. "Tell you what, let's give Hermione's timetable a try. If it doesn't work out, we can always adjust."

The others exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. Hermione beamed at Harry, mouthing a silent 'thank you'.

"Now that's settled," Harry said, "there's something I wanted to discuss with you all."

He told them about the ritual he'd discovered in the Artisan Codex, watching his girlfriends' expressions shift from curiosity to concern.

"Harry," Daphne said slowly, "this sounds incredibly dangerous. Meddling with your magical conduit..."

"I know," Harry nodded, "but think of the potential benefits. Daphne, do you think you could handle brewing the potion? It's quite complex."

He pulled the Artisan Codex from his robes and opened it to the page with the potion recipe.

Daphne bit her lip as she read it. "I probably could, yes. But Harry, we need to be careful about this."

"She's right," Gabrielle said. "Perhaps you should consult your grandparents before attempting anything?"

Susan nodded in agreement. "They have more experience with this sort of thing. It wouldn't hurt to get their opinion."

Harry sighed but nodded. "You're right, of course. I'll talk to them first."

"Good," Hermione said, relief evident in her voice. "Now that's settled, I believe Susan has something to show us?"

All eyes turned to Susan, who suddenly looked a bit nervous. "Right, well... I've been practising hard with Harry's grandmother and have made some progress."

She held out her arm, and before their eyes, it began to change. It shrank, growing sleek brown fur. In moments, where Susan's arm had been, there was now a small, furry limb.

"That's incredible!" Daphne exclaimed. "You've managed a partial Animagus transformation!"

Susan grinned, clearly pleased with their reactions. "Can you guess what I am?"

"Some kind of rodent?" Gabrielle ventured.

"A ferret?" Daphne suggested.

Harry squinted at the limb. "It's too big for a ferret, I think. Maybe... a squirrel?"

Hermione, ever the know-it-all, leaned in for a closer look. "No, the fur's not quite right for a squirrel. Is it... a weasel?"

Susan's grin widened. "You got it, Hermione. I'm a pine marten, which is part of the weasel family."

"That's brilliant, Susan," Harry said. "I had no idea you'd progressed so rapidly."

"I wanted to surprise you all when I'd made significant headway," Susan explained. She glanced down at her transformed arm as it slowly morphed back into her regular one.

"You've done wonderfully, Susan," Daphne said. "A pine marten is a perfect form for you—clever, agile, and fiercely protective when it counts."

Gabrielle clapped her hands. "Oh, the possibilities! Just think of all the sneaking you could undertake in that form!"

Susan smiled. "Perhaps not as effective as a Demiguise for invisibility, but I daresay it has its own advantages."

"Well," Harry said, pulling Susan into a warm embrace, "this definitely calls for a celebration. How about we adjourn to my trunk and have a party?"

9th January

The following morning, Harry rose earlier than usual, his mind set on unravelling the mystery of his 'Warden' business. He headed for the second-floor girls' lavatory, home to Moaning Myrtle.

"Myrtle? Are you here?"

A spectral figure emerged from one of the cubicles. "Oh, it's you. Come to tease poor, miserable Myrtle?"

Harry shook his head. "No, Myrtle. I've come to ask for your help. I need information about the Warden title."

Myrtle's eyes narrowed. "The Warden? Why should I tell you anything about that?"

"Because," Harry said, "the other ghosts have been calling me Warden, and I need to know why. Even you called me at one point."

Myrtle let out a high-pitched giggle. "Oh, so you don't know? How delightful!"

Harry sighed, realising this might be more challenging than he'd anticipated. "Myrtle, please. It's important. If you help me, I'll visit you more often."

The ghost paused, considering his offer. "Hmm, tempting. But not good enough. What else have you got?"

Harry racked his brain. "I could... bring you news from the living world? Tell you all the latest gossip?"

Myrtle's eyes lit up for a moment, but then she shook her head. "No, I hear plenty of gossip in here. Try again."

Frustrated, Harry blurted out, "I'll let you follow me around for a week!"

"Deal! Oh, this will be such fun!"

"Now, tell me about the Warden title," Harry pressed.

Myrtle's expression turned serious. "The Warden of Hogwarts is an ancient title, harkening back to the days when it was founded. But it has never been activated before because it requires specific conditions. I'm surprised Lady Hogwarts or Salazer didn't tell you about it already."

"What does it mean?"

"That, I don't know. But I can tell you where to find out more." Myrtle paused dramatically. "You need to go to Gringotts."

"Gringotts?" Harry asked, confused. "What does the bank have to do with this?"

"You need to ask about the Founders' Vaults."

Harry's mind raced with this new information. The Founders' Vaults?

"Thank you, Myrtle," he said. "You've been a great help."

As he turned to leave, Myrtle called out, "Remember, Potter, I get one week to follow you around."

"Fine. We can start tomorrow."

As the last class of the day ended, Harry rushed to meet his grandfather, who was waiting for him in his grandmother's office. The older Potter raised an eyebrow at Harry's evident excitement.

"Eager to visit Gringotts?" Charlus asked.

"You have no idea, Grandfather."

They flooed to the Leaky Cauldron and made their way into the alley. Harry, unable to contain himself any longer, broached the subject that had been on his mind since last night.

"Grandfather," he began cautiously, "I've discovered something in the Artisan Codex. It's a ritual that could potentially increase my magical capacity."

Charlus' steps faltered for a moment. "A ritual? Harry, that sounds incredibly dangerous. You know that deities are involved in rituals, and the price is usually not worth it."

"But the ritual I found says it doesn't involve the deities," Harry protested.

Charlus shook his head. "Absolutely not."

"But think of the potential benefits! With everything that's happening, I need every advantage I can get."

"I said no, Harry," Charlus stated, his tone brooking no argument. "Your safety is paramount."

As they continued walking, Harry persisted, outlining the ritual's details and the precautions he planned to take. Charlus listened silently, his expression unreadable.

Finally, as they neared Gringotts, Charlus sighed. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Not a chance."

"Very well," Charlus conceded. "I'll make you a deal. I'll take a look at this ritual and perform it myself first. If—and only if—nothing goes wrong, I'll consider allowing you to attempt it. But you must promise to abide by my decision, whatever it may be."

"Of course!"

Harry and Charlus entered Gringotts. The goblins peered at them suspiciously from behind high counters, their long fingers never ceasing their constant counting of gold.

Harry approached a particularly grumpy-looking teller, whose name plate read 'Gorkak'.

The goblin didn't bother to look up, continuing to scribble in his ledger. Harry waited patiently, and the goblin finally lowered his quill after a minute.

Gorkak raised his eyes slowly. "What is it, wizard? Can't you see I'm busy?"

Harry steeled himself. "I'd like to speak to someone about the Founders' Vaults, please."

The quill in Gorkak's hand snapped, splattering ink across his ledger. His beady eyes widened.

"The Founders' Vaults?" Gorkak repeated.

"That's right," Harry confirmed.

"Wait here," Gorkak growled, sliding off his high stool.

As they waited, Charlus leaned in close to Harry. "Are you sure about this, Harry?"

Before Harry could respond, Gorkak returned, his scowl even deeper than before. "Follow me," he barked.

They were led through a maze of opulent corridors, passing ornate doors and heavily guarded passages. Finally, they arrived at a door that seemed to be carved from a single piece of obsidian, bearing the name 'Ragnok, Director of Gringotts' in golden letters.

Gornuk rapped sharply on the door. A gruff voice from within called, "Enter!"

The office they stepped into was a stark contrast to the ostentatious corridors outside. It was sparsely furnished, with only a massive desk hewn from rough stone dominating the room. Behind it sat Ragnok, his fingers steepled as he glared at them.

"Hello, Lord Potter, Heir Potter," Ragnok said, motioning for them to take a seat.

Usually, they wouldn't get to meet the director, but since they helped him during the goblin rebellion, they got a certain level of privilege.

Ragnok leaned forward. "You're the one asking about the Founders' Vaults. Do you have any idea of the trouble you could be stirring up?"

"Sir, I've been referred to as 'Warden' by several ghosts at Hogwarts," Harry said. "When I sought answers, I was directed here."

"Well, that changes things." Raggnok leaned back in his chair, studying Harry intently. "The Founders' Vaults aren't some trivial matter."

Charlus stepped forward. "What exactly does this entail, Director Ragnok?"

Ragnok's gaze shifted to the elder Potter, his expression souring further. "It means, Mr. Potter, that we're dealing with magic that could shake the foundations of wizarding society. The Founders' Vaults aren't tied to bloodlines, as many of you wand-wavers believe. They can only be accessed by those who meet certain requirements."

"What kind of requirements?" Harry asked.

Ragnok sneered. "Not so fast, Heir Potter. This isn't some Hogwarts exam you can cram for. The Founders created a complex magical system to identify worthy heirs, regardless of blood relations. It tests the very essence of a wizard's magic and character."

He produced an ornate crystal orb from a drawer, placing it on the desk with a heavy thud. "This is the Founder's Orb. It will assess your worthiness. But be warned—the test is not without risk. Are you prepared to face the consequences if you fail?"

Harry glanced at his grandfather, who nodded grimly. Taking a deep breath, Harry turned back to Ragnok. "I am."

"Very well," Ragnok grumbled. "Place your hand on the orb."

As Harry's palm touched the cool surface of the orb, it began to glow. Colours swirled within— vibrant red, deep blue, warm yellow, and rich green, all pulsing and intertwining in a mesmerising dance.

Ragnok's eyes widened, his usual scowl replaced by an expression of utter disbelief. "Impossible," he muttered.

"What is it?" Charlus demanded, his hand gripping Harry's shoulder tightly.

Ragnok looked up, his voice uncharacteristically subdued. "Your grandson, Mr. Potter, has met the requirements for all four Founders' legacies."

Harry frowned. "All four? How is that possible?"

Ragnok shrugged. "The results don't lie. You now have the right to claim the legacies of all four Founders. Their vaults, their seats on the Wizengamot, and Hogwarts itself."

Charlus' eyes narrowed. "The founders' seats? But they've been dormant for centuries."

"Until now," Ragnok growled. "By accepting these legacies, you would reactivate all four Founders' bloodlines and their associated powers."

Harry felt the weight of this revelation settling on his shoulders. "I need time to think about this."

Ragnok nodded, his usual scowl returning. "Take all the time you need. But the knowledge of this orb doesn't leave this room."

As they left Gringotts, the bustling sounds of Diagon Alley seemed muted to Harry's ears. His mind was reeling with the enormity of what had just transpired.

"Grandfather," he said quietly as they walked, "what do we do now?"

Charlus sighed heavily. "We prepare. Whatever you decide, it's clear that your path is far from ordinary."

Harry nodded, feeling exhilarated by the possibilities that lay before him. He wondered what his girlfriends would think about this new development.

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Harry finishes the Potter Mobile and takes it for a spin on the Hogwarts grounds.

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