The Potters were sitting at dinner a few nights later when Ginny spoke up, "I asked Draco if he knew anything about the cup you're looking for."
"Do you think that was a good idea?" Harry asked looking up.
"Dad. You want to trust him and help him get redeemed right?"
"Well I suppose." Harry mumbled.
"He wants to help and he wants to stop the darkness too." Ginny pointed out.
"Yes well what did he say dear." Hermione asked.
"Well he said he would see what he could find out. It might be spring break before he discovers anything though." Ginny explained.
"Well I guess any help is better than no help at all." Harry shrugged.
===xxx===xx
A few weeks later Draco came up to Harry, "Hey dad. I got some news for you."
Harry sighed but nodded to a quiet alcove, "Alright what is it?"
"I did some talking with mother. She's a lot more amenable to my charms than father is. Aunt Bella was the favorite of the Big V. SO if anything was going to be hidden by someone she would have been it. Although I don't know where she would have put it." Draco said.
"Okay. Well that helps a little bit I suppose. Perhaps her vault at Gringott's?" Harry suggested.
"That's possible I suppose. The Goblins don't care what humans put in their vaults as long as they get their money for it."
"Okay so you think you can get us in?" Harry asked carefully.
"I don't know. I'll have to see what I can do." Draco deferred.
"Okay you do what you have to."
"I know. Leave it to me." Draco smirked. "Dad."
Harry sighed but said, "No problem Draco."
===xxx===xx
Later that evening with Hermione and the Grangers for dinner, "I wonder if we could get Bill Weasley involved to get this or something." Hermione pondered.
"Well without the vault key getting in is not going to be easy." Harry said as he remembered what the goblin that took him to his vault originally said.
"Not your problem though Harry. This seems like another let the adults handle it situation." Dan pointed out.
"I guess." Harry sighed.
"I still cannot believe that Professor Dumbledore had this great big plan where everyone would be kept in the dark and Harry would be carrying the burden of dealing with this pretty much on his own." Hermione grumped.
"I know pumpkin. Adults can do some stupid things. We'll never know exactly why he was going to do that but it's not important now." Dan sighed. "The Ministry is getting cleaned up with all the data you found out and people are being dealt with. So things will get better in the end."
"I suppose." Hermione and Harry both agreed.
===xxx===xx
A few days later was spring break. The Potters sadly parted ways with their friends as they left for vacation. Luna giving all of them hugs.
The Potters explored the quiet village of Hogsmeade and the school. It was still too cold for swimming in the lake according to Harry but Hermione found it bracing.
Ginny had a visit from Healer Masterson which went well. Saying he was quite proud of her.
In the middle of it Draco showed up at the school.
"Draco. What brings you around?"
"I need to talk to you Potter."
"Oh its Potter and not dad?" Harry chuckled trying to be in a good mood as Draco was looking very serious and concerned.
Draco frowned at him but with a slight crinkling of his mouth "Unfortunately not right now."
Looking at him in concern Harry nodded for him to go over to a bench off to the side. "What is it?"
"I overheard father talking to Nott senior. He mentioned finding him. They would be bringing him back no later than this summer. Since they can't use the tournament thing. They're going to do something big this summer is all I know."
"We'll have to tell Madam Bones or Moody."
"Tell them what that Father and one of his old friends were talking cryptically about something? What can they do?"
"Well I don't know. What can I do? And I'm still going to tell them." Harry frowned.
"You have your team of friends. Hobart has been training you and them. Do something with that. And fine if you have to tell them, tell them."
"What make our own fighting group?" Harry sarcastically said.
"Isn't that what Dumbledore had planned for you?" Draco countered.
Harry scowled, "Yeah. How do you know that?"
"I have my ways."
"Ginny told you didn't she?" Harry crossed his arms.
"Not entirely. You know she is really proud of you and being your daughter." Draco pointed out.
"Well thank you. But that still doesn't change things if you're using her."
"I told you I'm not using her. She is cute. She is interesting. I haven't even laid a hand on her." Draco crossed his arms staring at Harry who was looking at him curiously.
"Ok fine. We'll move on past this. Is that all you can tell me?"
"Only that Nott was going to try and see how much of the old gang he could gather and get them to help out. Apparently the ministry has been working hard to clean house and overcome a lot of them."
"Yeah Moody was telling Dan about it. Plus what the paper has been reporting."
"That's not the half of it. The bad guys are being rocked hard. The revelation of Dumbledore's notes and all of the meddling he did is playing a number on them too. They didn't like getting played either."
"I'm not sure I'm upset about that."
"You should be. They may be quiet right now but they are working on a plan to get back at you. They still see you as the golden boy of the light. Which still makes you a target."
Harry sighed, "Great. Okay well I'll go talk to the others I guess and get them to watch out."
"Probably a good idea. You should be careful." Draco sighed.
"What about the item that your aunt Bellatrix might have had?"
"I haven't been able to get mother to discus anything about Aunt Bella. But I do know she has Aunt Bella's key. Maybe this summer when I get home I can get my hands on it and see what we can do."
"Yeah but wouldn't that pose a direct risk to you?" Harry asked.
"So?"
"So you might get on the wrong side of your father's friends if they find out."
"I know. But the more I learn about what they did and what they stand for the less I want to be on their side." He glumly said.
"Okay thanks Draco. I can understand that." Harry said honestly "Can you stay for dinner?"
===xxx===xx
Draco stayed for dinner and cards before taking a walk with Ginny around the courtyard. Surreptitiously observed by Hermione but otherwise alone. As nothing untoward happened other than a gentle kiss on the cheek before Draco left Hermione quietly went back to their rooms.
"Problem Mione?"
"No, no problem."
"Followed Draco and he behaved himself?" Harry asked with a smirk.
"Yes. So did Ginny." Hermione frowned at him.
"Okay. So what's the frown for?"
"I don't know. It just feels odd. Draco could have the pick of any girls in our year yet he is pursuing Ginny. It makes me uncomfortable."
"He's also warning us about what is going on in the other team's court." Harry pointed out.
"I know. I didn't think we would be able to get out of this unscathed." She said snuggling against Harry.
"No but Ginny is happy and so far he hasn't hurt her so. I suppose this is how your mom and dad feel about us."
"No Mom is rather happy and supportive of us. But then she has met and knows you and I've been rather complimentary about you for some time." Hermione chuckled.
Ginny came in and flopped in the chair, looking at her mom and dad cuddling on the couch she snorted, "Gee guys I'm surprised you didn't follow us around on our walk."
"Well I wanted some alone time with Harry."
"Like you don't get enough of that already." Ginny shook her head.
"I'm thinking we'll go visit Neville before dinner and tell him whats going on." Harry said.
"True he will need to be warned, him and his amazon brigade." Hermione chortled.
"I know. Let me go floo him." Harry said getting up.
===xxx===xx
Stepping out of the floo at Neville's estate the Potters met their friend Neville. He was wearing casual clothes and grinning at them.
"Hey Nev. We had a visit from Draco. He said that due to the Ministry working hard to clean things up the bad guys are getting angry and upset. They're going to work on doing something this summer. Something that might bring Voldemort back."
"Oh great that sounds like fun." He grumped.
"What sounds like fun?" Lavender Brown asked as she came into the room wearing a nice floral pattern dress.
Neville turned and put his arm around her, "That the bad guys might be able to bring their boss back this summer."
"Oh great. And what are we going to do about it?" Lavender asked.
"Well I guess we keep training and stay ready. Be ever vigilant like Moody says." Harry explained.
"Sounds like a plan. We'll be ready and watch out." Neville agreed.
"So do you guys want to come and visit with the others? Luna was painting us." Lavender explained.
"I guess so. Sure we have some time." Hermione agreed.
===xxx===xx
Entering a side room they found Luna standing at an easel working on a painting of Neville and the girls. He was seated in the middle of them with the four of them arrayed around him in the painting. They were dressed in a casual style of clothes.
"Wow that's a nice painting Luna." Ginny said walking in behind her.
"Thank you. I wanted to paint a picture of the five of us as we have settled on this configuration for Neville's harem." Luna explained.
"Oh that's wonderful Luna." Hermione said rolling her eyes.
"Yes it is. We have of course had to determine who would be responsible for what aspects fo the relationship as well as prioritize who gets cuddles." Luna said nodding.
Lavender smiled and put her arm around the waist of the blonde girl. "Yeah Luna let me have the social and lady of the house duties and I get second place with cuddles."
"I am the one in first place for cuddles. Hannah and Susan like to cuddle with each other so they were quite acceptable with their ranking." Luna explained.
Neville just stood off to the side with his hands in his pockets, a small smile on his face. Harry shook his head at the tall teen beside him. Hermione just nodded and said, "Ahh okay Luna. That sounds quite reasonable."
"Thank you."
"Is this going to be like the paintings at the school where they move and talk and stuff?" Ginny asked.
Luna frowned, "No I am not skilled enough to create those yet. Although I hope to do so someday."
"Oh. I'm sure you will." Ginny grinned at her friend.
They stayed for a while longer before going back to the castle.
===xxx===xx
The next day Harry called and asked to speak with Moody. Soon the grizzled veteran had come to the school.
"Yeah Potter what have ye got?"
"Draco warned us that they found the spirit. They're going to try and bring him back this summer somehow."
"Great that means we need to find and destroy that last item before they bring him back. If he's still a spirit then he'll just dissipate when it goes from what Dumbledore found out." He growled.
"I know but its probably located in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault."
"According to Malfoy. We don't know for certain. Even Dumbledore had no idea and he had tracked down several others."
"I know sir. But it makes the most sense. He did give Malfoy the diary to hold on to. Bellatrix was his other lieutenant. So even Hermione agrees it makes sense."
"Yeah well goblin vaults are not wizarding territory. They are untouchable by the Wizengamut by treaty and convincing them to go crack open a vault and take a look inside takes a happy tap dance that might get us in there by the end of the decade." Moody frowned.
"That could be a problem."
"Yeah. I'll take this back to Amelia and see what we can do. Keep your ears open for anything else there. Maybe Draco isn't yanking our chain but if he is I'm gonna hang him with it."
"I'll help." Harry said with a frown.
"I know. He's chasing after yer girl so ye got mixed feelings. We got no proof he is lying, yet. But better be ready if he is."
"I will." Harry declared.
===xxx===xx
Vacation ended and the other students returned. The castle thrummed with energy once again. The rest of the school year was uneventful as the professors managed to keep everyone focused and on task.
Ginny had finally managed to get people to understand she was a totally different person, even the last holdouts had to agree. Many of them liking this version of her more than the previous one. Deciding that this one's personality was more open, friendly and nicer. More easily involved in social activities. As well as more involved in the Quidditch competition between houses.
Harry found out that Minerva had barely managed to avert the school becoming involved in an attempt to re-institute the tri-wizard tournament. Dumbledore had been instrumental in trying to bring it back for some reason. Checking the database his recorded avatar said it was part of a plan to get Riddle brought back so that they could defeat him. Harry and Madam Bones was not happy about that. Especially given that Dumbledore had plans to ensure that Harry would compete in the tournament, even though it had been stopped due to the extreme risk of death or permanently crippling injuries for the contestants.
===xxx===xx
"Okay the end of the year is coming up guys. So where do you want to go for vacation this year?" Dan asked
"Vacation? We'll actually get to have a vacation this year?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"Well that is the plan. Unless you have something else you'd rather do." He shrugged.
Harry frowned, "A vacation would be nice. But if Draco is right and they try and bring him back we need to find that last item before they do so."
Dan and Emma looked at him before sighing, "Okay. Tell you what. We will go on vacation the last two weeks of July that way you have two weeks to do something. I don't know what but something." Dan said with a shrug.
Harry considered then nodded, "Alright. I think we can deal with that right Hermione?"
She shrugged with a frown, "Well if it is going to be as difficult to get into the vaults as Moody said then I'm not sure how we could do anything."
Harry frowned then started grinning, "Bill."
"We're going to send them a bill?" Dan snarked.
"No. Bill Weasley. We contact him and see if he can sneak us in." Harry said.
Hermione nodded, "And the goblins can contact him. So we ask them to have him contact us and then see where things go from there."
"Okay so, lets say Bill can get you in there, and Draco gets the key to get you into the vault. Then what?" Dan pointed out.
"Well I suppose we bring the cup back here and hit it with the sword of Gryffindor." Harry said like it was the most logical thing.
"Okay. Well might want to run it past Hobart but I see several potential problems and I'm just geek who enjoys action movies. Dan pointed out.
"Yeah but unfortunately anything Harry does is going to be dangerous and have potential problems." Hermione stated back.
"I know pumpkin. I know. That doesn't mean I like it though." He said with a sad smile.
"It'll be alright." Harry said.
===xxx===xx
Harry discussed his plan with Professor Hobart and Moody. Neither one of them could think of anything better and with less risk. So Harry asked Ginny to invite Draco to dinner before leaving for the summer.
After their dinner Harry began to tell Draco what he was thinking of planning if Draco could get the key to get them into the vault.
"I'll see what I can do. I know Mother has the key somewhere. I'll just have to find it. You sure you can get us in and OUT safely?"
"Yeah totally. I have a plan." Harry nodded.
Draco raised his eyebrow but aside from a small frown said nothing.
===xxx===xx
Harry got permission to Floo to Diagon Alley and visit Gringott's. Francis Muldoon would meet him at the Leaky Cauldron.
"Ahh Harry me boyo. How ye doing?"
"I'm well Mr Muldoon." Harry said smiling at the short irishman.
"Ah. None of that now, none of that. Ye call me Francis. We've been through too much already to stand on formality. Now how are those lovely lasses of yers?"
"Hermione and Ginny are both good. They've been competing on their grades. I'm not sure which one is winning though."
"Ahh a fair face will fade someday a brilliant mind though remains." Muldoon opined as he and Harry made their way out into the alley.
"Yes sir. I guess." Harry chuckled.
"Ahh the feelings of youth. Trust me laddo ye'll see someday when you've had as many days happen to ye as I've seen. Only I hope ye don't have as many dark ones as I did." Muldoon said with a sigh. "Now its off ta the bank?" He said changing the subject.
"Yes. I had some business I wanted to handle. Hermione had some investment suggestions as did Dan."
"Ahh. Good to see ye taking responsibility. Too many young lords ignore their duties until its almost too late." He observed.
"Kinda hard to do with my family. And I'm not exactly a lord." Harry smiled.
"Ah yes, ye got a good woman there. A balanced and equal partner. They don't come around but once in a man's life. And I know that Harry, but ye certainly act a lot better than most o them stuffed shirts." Muldoon said clasping him on the shoulder.
===xxx===xx
Arriving at the bank Harry greeted Master Griphook and asked to speak with his accounts manager. A few minutes later he was in Rothak's office.
Handling the investments and other business deals that Hermione and Dan had suggested, Rothak making a few minor suggestions to improve the possible profits which Harry agreed with.
"Last thing I needed to give this message to Bill Weasley. Its just an invitation to dinner."
"Ahh yes. That can be arranged. Most unfortunate about his family." Rothak nodded as he took the envelope.
"I know. That's one reason we want to try and stay friends with him at least, and let Ginny stay friends with him, even if she doesn't really remember him." Harry sadly sighed.
"I will make sure Mr Weasley gets the message. Now is there anything else?"
"No I think that take scare of it."
"Good. Good. Happy profits to you." Rothak said as they parted.
===xxx===xx
A few days later Bill Weasley showed up at the castle. Minerva was pleased to see him and took him to the Potters.
"So hello Ginny, Harry, Hermione. How are all of you?"
"Doing good." They had greeted him.
Ginny was looking at her older brother like she was trying to remember him but couldn't.
"Hey. Everything okay?" Hermione quietly asked while Harry took Bill off to the side to explain their plan.
"Yeah mom. He just seems familiar but not at the same time."
"Okay well don't push it too hard that you hurt yourself."
"I know. I'm past that I think. I know he's supposed to be my brother but I don't know him. He just seems like someone I knew once. You and dad are my family now."
Hermione smiled at the girl and gave her a hug. "Okay. But you have no problem being friends with Bill do you?"
"No, no I don't. Not if you guys don't." Ginny replied with a smile.
"I think it'll be good. Bill seems to be a good guy." Hermione observed.
Bill nodded at what Harry was saying. "Yeah I can get you guys in there and back out as long as you don't trip any alarms. We'll have to be careful though and you will have to listen to me."
"No problem. I have a lot of motivation to not get in trouble." Harry said honestly.
"I know. Okay now let's figure out what we need to do. And I'll give you a way to contact me directly so you don't have to go through the goblins. Now that Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix has been dismantled and the Death Eaters are being done I can move a lot easier." Bill said rubbing his hands together as they settled in over the dinner table.
===xxx===xx
The morning before the leaving feast Harry received a letter. Checking it over he found it was from Sirius Black.
"Sirius is inviting us to the Quidditch World Cup. Its being held in Cornwall this year." Harry told Hermione and Ginny after reading it.
"Awesome dad. Can we bring a friend?" Ginny asked enthusiastically.
"I'll have to contact him to clarify things but I suppose I can ask. Who were you thinking of?"
"Well maybe Draco or Luna. Or both would be cool." Ginny smiled.
"Uh yeah. I'll ask and see. Draco may be going with his parents."
Hermione sighed, "Where would we be staying?"
"He says he has a tent and a campsite already reserved. I guess it would be an attempt to get to know us." Harry considered.
"He is your godfather. I suppose." Hermione said evenly, "And he has been writing you, and he did help out with the locket."
"Yeah. I guess we can see how things go." Harry agreed. Moving the letter to his reply pile, "We better get down to the feast and say bye to everyone."
"Yeah."
===xxx===xx
It was three days after the leaving feast when Draco showed up at the castle. "Hey guys I have the key. Mother had it hidden but I found it." He smugly declared.
"Okay. I'll contact Bill and see when we can get this done." Harry said excitedly.
"Hopefully we can get this done quickly. I doubt mother will miss this but who knows."
"Just wait here." Harry said pulling the pocket mirror that Bill had given him out, activating it he said, "Bill we are ready to go."
A few seconds later Bill's face appeared in the mirror with a grim expression, "Okay. I'll be there in a few."
Arriving Bill sat down with Draco and Harry.
"Okay Draco has a key to Bellatrix's vault. So can you get us to it?"
"Let me see the key."
Draco handed it over and Bill examined it. He frowned, "That's one of the older vaults. Pretty deep down there. One of the Dragon guarded vaults too." He handed the key back to Draco who looked at it with disgust.
"Excuse me? Dragon guarded?" Draco said with a bit of a squeak.
"Yeah. Its really kinda sad but there is a dragon down in the bottom levels that is used to guard the vaults. He is trained to respond to the paingivers and controllers though so we should be safe."
"Let's not tell Hermione about that. She might not be too happy." Harry said earnestly.
The other two males chuckled but agreed.
"I can get you down there. It'll take some time to make some preparations but I'll come back this evening to do so. Probably an hour or two after dinner."
"Okay we'll be ready."
===xxx===xx
Bill had come back after dinner and collected Harry and Draco. Much to Hermione's ire she was told by Bill that it would be best for her to remain at the castle. As it was going to be difficult enough to sneak the three of them into the vaults of the bank.
"Of course I'll be careful aren't I always?" He said with a grin.
She just raised her eyebrow at him with a frown.
A quick hug and kiss and they were gone to a small apartment in the Diagon Alley area.
"Welcome to my humble abode gentlemen." Bill said expansively gesturing around.
Draco looked at the plain rooms with a bit of distaste. "Splendid. The maid have the month off?"
Bill chuckled, "Okay get it out of your system Malfoy. When we get in there you'll need to follow me. Be quiet and if I tell you to do something do it. No backtalk, sass or snark. We are not playing a game here. The Goblins do not like interlopers and get rather violent about it."
"Well I suppose Harry could take care of this." Draco started.
"Draco. You're involved in this. Buck up and pull yourself together." Harry frowned at him.
"I'm not exactly fond of the idea of getting my throat cut."
"And if they bring back Riddle? C'mon man how do you think Ginny would feel if she saw you now."
Draco narrowed his eyes at Harry but turned to Bill and said, "Fine let's go."
===xxx===xx
Bill had led them in through a side door to the bank, down empty corridors and through a few rooms. They had to bypass a couple of corridors due to goblins congregating there until they got to a set of stairs and ramps spiraling down and down.
"Just how far down are we going? Its starting to get warm as Hades realm." Draco grumped.
"I know. We're 500 feet below street level and we'll be going down to 800." Bill said.
"Isn't that below the water table?" Harry asked.
"Yes it is. The Goblins have pumps and magical diverters to keep the warrens and vaults from flooding. How'd you know that?" Bill said with a chuckle.
"Hermione. She thought it would be important to know." Harry said with a shrug.
"Well that's no big surprise." Draco snorted.
Harry just shrugged.
Eventually they came to the lowest level. They heard a small growling, rumble, coming from the chambers ahead of them. The tracks for the carts crossed in front of the bottom of the stairs and then went into a tunnel.
Whispering Bill said, "There are some noisemakers on a shelf off to the side of the entrance. Grab one and shake it. The Dragon has been trained to be submissive when he hears them."
Harry frowned but did as Bill said, Draco right beside him. They began to shake the devices causing a clanking rattle as they entered the chamber. It was about the size of a small football stadium. With a domed ceiling far overhead and six layers of vaults wrapped around it in tiers. In the middle of the chamber sat an ancient, half blind, dragon. It scales were flaking off and its wings atrophied from lack of use. It was still quite dangerous as it reared up and hissed at them. Its talons scratching the floor as it recoiled from the noisemakers. Harry felt a rising sense of pity at the dragon but
They reached the stairs across the chamber that led to the tiers. Bill took a large iron key out of his jacket and slid it into a keyhole on the pillar causing the stairs to make a clicking noise. Harry noticed they were copper stairs with iron pillars holding them up. Once they reached the level of the vaults Bill had them place the noisemakers on another shelf.
"Okay the vault is on tier 3 so lets go." Bill said quietly.
"Is that the only way out?" Draco asked with a slight tremor in his voice.
"Yeah. This is the maximum security vault section. Everything down here is designed to kill you. Not maim, not harm, not imprison kill. So touch nothing and do not wander off." Bill said leading the way to the Lestrange vault.
Reaching it he nodded to Draco to put the key in the lock. Draco took a deep breath then hesitantly inserted the key and turned. He had his arm at full extension and his body turned away from the door like he expected the lock to explode or something.
There was a brief hum then the door made a several strange clicking and clacking sounds for a few seconds before there was a final pop and the door sprang open a few inches.
Everyone stood absolutely still before Draco looked at Bill who nodded to him. Draco took the handle and pulled the door wide open causing a light to illuminate the interior of the vault. It was large enough a fair sized sedan could have been parked inside. There were shelves carved into the walls holding all sorts of items. Strips of gold pressed latinum sat in piles, boxes labeled in ancient runes, A pair of uncomfortable looking ladies shoes covered in emeralds, several statues which Harry noticed had expressions ranging from fear to resignation on their faces stood in the center of the vault. On one of the shelves was an ornate polished bright red accordion with silver accents.
"An accordion?" Harry asked.
Draco shrugged. "I dunno. My aunt was not exactly right in the head."
As they investigated they did not find what they had come for. There were several cups but none of them looked like the cup of Helga Hufflepuff. None of them really screamed evil. There were a couple of rather unpleasant looking things in the vault that Harry did not entirely enjoy being near. A painting that showed a ship on a storm tossed sea made Harry feel very lightheaded and dizzy, he thought he heard a strange piece of music by a female singer talking about how they've only just begun. Fortunately Draco grabbed him and shook him.
"Potter! Get a grip man." He hissed.
"That painting, its cursed." Harry stammered out as he tried to reintegrate his thoughts with his body.
"Yeah. Aunt Bella liked to collect things like that. Unfortunately I don't see the fucking cup."
"Neither do I. I'm ready to go if you are." Harry said nodding towards the door.
"I know. I thought you said it would be here." Draco angrily growled.
"I thought it would be too. So did Hermione and Dumbledore."
"Well they were wrong. We need to get out of here." Draco said heading for the door.
Harry followed him grumpily looking around. "Yeah. No problem"
Leaving the vault Harry shrugged to Bill who had been watching. Reversing their steps they closed and locked the vault and grabbing the noisemakers they walked past the dragon into the antechamber only to be met with a half dozen Goblins in armor and weapons standing there.
"Greetings hew-mons. What sort of things were you trying to steal?" The apparent leader of the goblin patrol said casually leaning against the wall. His weapons sheathed still, unlike his patrol.
"We were not trying to steal anything you despotic dunce. I have the key to the vault!" Draco sneered producing said key. "By your own petty rules if someone has the key they are allowed in."
The commander looked at the key then waved his hand with his fingers in a arcane configuration. He said something to his compatriots in their language then turned back to Draco.
"If you are the holder of the key then why the subterfuge of sneaking into our bank?"
"Because I did not want anyone to know I was here. Why else?" Draco drew himself to his full height, which was only marginally more than the goblin, and sneered at him.
"Weas-ley. You helped them in their subterfuge?"
"Yes I paid him a handsome profit to help with this. Sadly you lot have an issue paying someone enough to keep them honest. You might want to look into that." Draco said rubbing his fingernails on his shirt like he was bored.
"You be silent I was not speaking with you." The goblin watch commander was glaring at Draco.
"Oh spare me your pathetic posturing. We have not broken any of your rules, nor have we done anything against any treaties. So lets just part ways amicably and forget this ever happened."
The guard looked hard at Draco, "I know who you are. You are the Malfoy child. I had to escort her down to the same vault just last week!" Snorting laughter with a sneer crossed the guard's face, "Whatever it was you wanted to take from her she must have gotten first. How disappointing then hew-mon. " He then turned to the other goblins and said something in their language again that made them laugh and sneer at Draco. Turning to Harry he sneered at him, "And the great hew-man wizard Harry Potter. Slumming with the Malfoy now?"
"No." Was all Harry said glaring back at the Goblin.
The guard captain turned to his men and they conversed for several minutes in their language before Draco interrupted.
"Yes, yes, well if you have finished your presumptuous prattle then we can be on our way out?"
"Hew-mon you are rude and have no honor. If you were not a child we would show you the hospitality of our dungeons and your illustrious father be damned." The guard sneered, "However there is profit to be had in mercy."
"Oh yes there is I suppose." Draco suddenly realized they were going to have to pay to get out. Looking at Harry expectantly caused Harry to sigh.
"Just how much profit is there in Mercy?"
"50 galleons." The commander said. "Each" With a sneer when he saw Harry look relieved.
Harry closed his eyes counting to ten like Hermione had worked with him on to control his temper. "Fine I need to visit my vault to get it so shall we?" He said gesturing towards the cart.
The goblin guard looked at Bill and said something in their language. Bill placed his wrists together with his palms facing upward and replied in their language. He than patted Harry on the shoulder and moved off towards the stairs.
"Let us visit your vault hew-mon and see what price is mercy."
===xxx===xx
As the duo was escorted out of the bank after having paid the guards their bribe money Harry remained silent. Once they were in the mostly deserted street and walking back to the Leaky Cauldron Harry sighed. "Bloody hell. 300 galleons just to avoid winding up vanishing into their dungeons. I am not at all happy."
"Oh stuff it Potter. You'll get it back soon enough. Unless you want to go enjoy the comforts of the Goblin Dungeons." Draco huffed.
"That's not the point." Harry grumped.
"Oh and what pray tell is the actual point? Your precious plan to get out of there seemed to fail. Most spectacularly. Was there even a plan at all?"
"Yes. Well. That happens." Harry shook his hands in the air and stomped ahead of Malfoy who continued at his normal pace.
===xxx===xx
Entering the Leaky Cauldron they found Bill Weasley sitting at the bar waiting for them.
"Ahh Harry, Draco. Sorry about that. I'll buy you something to make up for it."
Draco shrugged and said, "A beer would be nice."
"A butterbeer?" Harry suggested.
"Okay you guys go sit in the corner and I'll bring them over."
Draco and harry sat at a table that was in the shadows of the mostly empty pub.
Bill came back with three foaming mugs of some light brown liquid.
"Uh that doesn't look like butterbeer." Harry observed.
"Its not. Its a pale ale. I thought your nerves could use a bit of calming."
"Oh okay." Harry said taking his and sipping at it. Draco took his and drank like it was butterbeer.
"Sorry about that. Tirok is a nasty piece of work, even among goblins." Bill explained apologetically.
"So what was all that gibber jabber they were doing there?" Draco asked peevishly.
"They were discussing which would be better to kill you and claim you attacked them, to hold you hostage, or to just extort some gold out of you." Bill calmly explained causing Draco to choke on his ale.
Harry simply groaned as he held his head with his hand. "Great. Just great."
"The Goblins are an honorable race Harry but they still are made up of individuals. And individuals can vary quite a bit from what is expected of them." Bill sighed.
"Yeah well this Tirok seemed pretty interested in gold."
"Well there are two ways a goblin can advance in their society, either as a warrior or as a, the term doesn't translate very well, but businessman is close enough. The higher the rank of the goblin the better he can do. Jobs, duties, respect, mates it all depends on their rank. And since its a matriarchal society and the females are the ones who decide who is doing well enough to get their, favors, there is a lot of competition to achieve rank." Bill explained.
"Great. Well I hope he mates himself to death." Draco grumbled.
"Well I'm sure Tirok will get his in the end. He isn't very subtle with his social climbing and that doesn't always sit well with the Queen." Bill chuckled.
"Alright well I better get back home. Get this thing put back before mother notices it is gone."
"Yeah. If Tirok was right though she came and got the cup. She must have moved it somewhere thinking we were getting close to finding it." Harry frowned angrily.
"Yeah well she's no fool. Plus if they really did find him, maybe he sent people out to double check his hiding places." Draco observed quietly.
"That is a disturbing thought." Bill said.
Harry's eyes grew wide with that thought. "I need to go home and talk to Hermione." he said standing.
"Good idea." Bill agreed. Taking Harry's ale and finishing it.
Draco slid the dregs of his pint over to Bill and stood as well. "I will go home and see what I can find out."
===xxx===xx
Coming out of the floo at the castle Harry found Professor McGonnegal, Auror Moody and his family sitting in the teacher's lounge waiting for him.
"Well did you get it?" Moody gruffly asked as soon as Harry had regained his equilibrium.
"No. Narcissa Malfoy had come there last week and apparently grabbed it. Draco thinks that Voldemort has sent people to go check out his anchors."
"Blast it all to Hades realms!" Moody cursed. "That's exactly what we didn't need. He could have tossed the blasted thing anywhere by now."
Hermione frowned, "Not necessarily."
"What makes you say that Mrs Potter?" McGonnegal asked polite before Moody could grump at her.
"Simple Psychology. Looking at what Dumbledore developed of his personality, along with everything from the first war tells us Riddle things he is infallible, that he is greater, smarter and more powerful than Merlin, Grindelwald and Dumbledore put together. He wouldn't toss his soul anchor in the ocean because he doesn't believe that anyone could actually defeat him. He would put it somewhere safe but since the others have been destroyed he would keep it close to him. Somewhere he could protect it actively, or have his followers actively protect it." Hermione explained in a single breath.
Moody looked at her curiously then frowned, "That still doesn't help us. While we've whittled down the followers we could there are still a good dozen or so walking free. Anyone of them could be protecting this thing."
"I know. That is not an insurmountable problem though." Hermione confidently declared.
Moody chuckled gravely, "Maybe in your mind but in the real world we can't just go busting down doors and poke our noses around until we find whatever dark thing we're looking for."
"The legalities of the situation are your concern Sir. I am only pointing out the motivations and possible actions of the other side." Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the Auror.
"Fine. Well I better go tell Amelia the good news. At least you found that out now Potter." Moody said as he entered the floo and was whisked away.
"Yes good work Mr Potter. I only wish it had resulted in us being one step closer to ending this." Minerva sighed.
"I know ma'am. I wish it had worked out too." Harry glumly said.
"Alright let us retire for the evening and approach things with a fresh perspective in the morning."