“A vault in Gringotts currently has a Horcrux within it.”

“Whaaat!?”

The director leapt up from his chair, sending it crashing back on the floor and Goreclaw had a feral snarl on his face. Both looked ready to rip somebody apart in sheer anger. This must have been an even bigger taboo for them than I had imagined.

“Explain yourself, warrior Icarus. How do you know of this vilest of magics. And what do you know about a Horcrux in our bank?”

“As you wish! When account manager spoke to you he must have mentioned the Chamber of Secrets wherein lay the basilisk. The Chamber was set to be only opened by a parseltongue. The last time the Chamber was opened was near 50 years ago, by Tom Marvolo Riddle, Lord Voldemort’s true identity. He had also created an object that would allow a future student to unleash the basilisk upon the school. By chance, the object ended up with an acquaintance of mine. I managed to destroy the object but only upon further research discovered the true nature of the object. It was a horcrux made by TM Riddle when he was still a sixteen-year-old student. He had attempted to possess this acquaintance of mine but was prevented in time. During that time, I discovered the existence of other horcruxes sustaining his life. This is how he is still alive after the rebounded curse 13 years ago.”

Darius had concocted this story already before he even stepped inside Gringotts. He just hoped the goblins would completely buy it without asking any more awkward questions.

The goblins had regained control of their tempers as he started speaking but almost lost their cool when they heard about their being multiple other horcruxes. Still, they waited till I had said my piece before Director Ragnarok spoke again.

“I thank you on behalf of the goblin nation for informing us of this travesty. We will destroy the horcrux as soon as we are able. May I ask if you know the vault in which it is stored?”

Director Ragnarok was much politer now and very generous in his bearing. Having a Horcrux in his bank must have really shaken him up.

“The Horcrux has been created using the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff as the container. It currently resides in the Lestrange vault. I ask that you please destroy the Horcrux without damaging the container and that the cup may be given to me.”

Ragnarok immediately called in the messenger goblin, who was waiting just outside the door and quickly gave him a lot of instructions in gobbledegook, language of goblins. The messenger rushed off immediately after receiving his instructions.

“I have sent a goblin down to the Lestrange vault to confirm your information. If proven true, Gringotts will seize all assets placed in the Lestrange vaults for their transgressions and you will be given a finder’s fee of fifty percent. The Cup is not of goblin creation and we are amenable to giving it to you for your role in this but we will deduct the payment for it from your share of the Lestrange fortune. The remainder will be deposited into your vault. Do you agree?”

This was even better than Darius had hoped. He would have to be a fool to turn down this offer.

“Yes, Director Ragnarok! I agree whole-heartedly. I ask for the Cup to be given to me after ritual cleansing of the soul taint and a request to see the process. The gold for your services may be drawn from my vault. I also wish to discuss the deal about the basilisk rendering and its contract after that.”

Darius had no need to take it back to Horcrux and into the RoR for removing the soul fragment. The Grimoire made from the Diadem is the most informative other than the soul fragment in Harry. He doesn’t need another grimoire after this. Thinking about the grimoires gave him another idea.

“Very well, I will have some senior goblin curse-breakers handle the Horcrux and cleanse it of the soul taint. Gringotts will charge the customary fees for such a service. As for the basilisk, a contract is being drawn up as we speak and will be soon brought here.”

“Thank you, Director. I also have another task that I wish to do. I wonder if goblins are capable of blood-binding an object to me similar to how the sword is bound to me. If so, I wish to have a Grimoire bound to me in the same manner.”

“Yes, we can do that. But it will cost you. If you wish, I can have a goblin brought in who can do it right now.”

This was great news. Now, he could summon the grimoire whenever he wished. The spare grimoire would be hidden in the spatial bag till he needed it or wanted to give it to someone.

“That would be great, Director Ragnarok. Please do so.”

Meanwhile, the messenger goblin rushed in and quickly spouted a whole lot of stuff in gobbledegook. From his enraged expression, it is obvious that he found the Horcrux. The director gave him some more instructions and sent him off again.

“Your information has proven accurate and our curse-breakers will deal with it now. Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to witness the ritual. It is not something meant to be seen by anyone other than goblins. I will, however, deliver you the Cup after it is cleansed. The goblin who will blood-bind the grimoire will be along shortly. Meanwhile, lets discuss the basilisk carcass.”

“I have one question, director. If someone were to, say, use a living human as a horcrux, what would be the consequences and would you be able to remove the soul fragment without harming said person?”

“Living horcruxes are very volatile ones. Rarely will they ever be used and never on humans. But, in case it is ever done, it can be removed using the goblin rituals. In fact, it is easier than other horcruxes as the living being’s own soul would assist in expelling the foreign soul fragment.

With all the revelations you have made, I am extremely unwilling to ask but I must, do you happen to know a living human horcrux?”

“I am sorry to say that I do. There is a person who is unwittingly party to such an atrocious ritual and I will endeavour to bring him to you as soon as possible. Maybe even the next month itself.”

“See that you do, warrior Icarus! As soon as possible.”

“Yes. Now about that carcass. I was thinking that the easiest way would be to make a portkey directly into the Chamber of Secrets. The chamber is not within the ward range of Hogwarts and this portkeying in is possible. If we make a two-way portkey between Gringotts and the chamber, then goblin renderers can enter the chamber, do their job and leave with none the wiser.”

“Yes, that would be the ideal method. In fact, let’s do it now! Iam one of the few people who can make a portkey directly into Gringotts walls. We goblins may not use wands but we have our own methods to substitute for it.”

Then, the director held a long rope which shone with a blue light as he held it. It was a good idea, lots of goblins could be transported together if it was a long rope. He held it out to Darius and told him to clearly envision the destination before inserting magi into the rope. He did so and the rope glowed blue again. Meanwhile, a goblin had entered with a contract and placed it on the table in front of Ragnarok.

Ragnarok took the rope and passed it to the goblin and said something in gobbledegook before the other goblin took off. Presumably, to hand the rope over to the goblin renderers.

“Well, that’s done with. Now, warrior Icarus, this is the contract for the basilisk rendering. Please read through it carefully and sign at the bottom if you agree.”

Saying so, he handed Darius a pitch-black quill with a very sharp point.

“This, warrior Icarus, is a blood-quill. It is made using a form of blood magic, but fear not, it is not dangerous. But its use is only allowed within the walls of Gringotts and if you ever find it being used outside, it is completely illegal. A signature with the quill uses your own blood and magic to make it binding.”

Darius read over the contract and everything was exactly as it should be. He signed it with a blood quill, feeling a momentary twinge of pain that soon passed.

“With that, you have entered into contract with the goblin nation. We will deposit the proceeds from the sale and rendering into your vault as soon as possible. The armours will be true goblin-crafted masterpieces and not like the shoddy work everywhere else. They will be fitted with all standard enchantments as well as a few more to further strengthen the armour. But this takes time, so the soonest you receive the armour will be about a month later.”

Another goblin, dressed in robes entered and walked up to Ragnarok and spoke to him.

“Well, here is the blood-binder you requested. Please give him the grimoire and follow his instructions carefully.”

The goblin held the grimoire and splayed his hands over it, muttering a low chant as he did so. Then, he passed Darius a short knife called a blood-blade and asked him to pierce his finger and let exactly seven drops fall on the grimoire. Darius did so and the moment the last drop of blood landed on the grimoire it shone with a blood-red light before it settled back to normal. Only difference was that the matte black book had some red finishing along with the earlier gold on it and the rune for blood embossed on the back of the grimoire, similar to the soul rune on the front. He called to the grimoire and just like the sword it appeared on his left arm, bound by chains to some kind of arm holster. He willed it away and it silently disappeared. This was awesome!

“Thank you! This is even better than I expected. You can draw the required gold for the service from my vault along with a ten percent bonus for a job well done.”

“Your generosity is appreciated! Now, with that completed, I think our business here is done for today?”

“Yes, Director Ragnarok. Thank you for your help today. I will be back again the next time when I have further tasks. Goodbye for now!”

“Fare thee well, warrior Icarus!”

Darius left the bank after that and made his way out to Diagon Alley. It had been a very productive morning and he was famished. He popped into the Leaky Cauldron for a bit and had a hearty meal there. It was time for the next task of the day.

Darius headed to a small building at one end of Diagon Alley which had a plaque that read Solicitor Omnis. According to his research it was a magical law firm run mainly by half-bloods and muggleborns. The two other magical law firms mainly consisted of and dealt with purebloods. He had no desire to deal with those snooty fools and would be much more comfortable. Another important reason was Edward ‘Ted’ Tonks worked here and knowing about him from the books, knew he might be a pleasant one to work with.

He headed in and saw a receptionist at the front desk.

“Hello, how may I help you?”

“I wish to talk with Mr Edward Tonks about a business proposition. Could you arrange a meeting with him if he is free now?”

“He is in his office right now. I will enquire if he is taking visitors right now.”

She headed up the flight of stairs and I had to wait barely a couple of minutes before she returned.

“You are in luck. He just completed his last task. You may go to his office. It is located on the first-floor, second door on the right. Have a good day!”

Darius headed up the stairs and entered Ted’s office after a couple of sharp raps on the door. The door swung open and he saw a jovial looking man sitting on a chair.

“Hello Edward Tonks! My name, as of the moment, is Nova Arcanum. As you can possibly tell that is not my real name. I desire to work with you for the near future and I thought it best if I started out with honesty." Darius removed the glamour stone and let Edward Tonks see who he really was. "My real name is Darius Icarus and I would appreciate it if you kept that a secret. I am a friend of Harry's and am trying to help him. Please treat me as you would any other adult and get started with our conversation. After this, please refer to me as Nova Arcanum in all situations." He put the runic glamour back on and the adult visage reappeared. He restarted the conversation. "I have a business proposition for you.”

“Good morning, Mr Arcanum. While I am glad that you choose to be honest about this, it still doesn’t exactly make this very comfortable. Can you at least be a bit more forth coming with your request.”

“Very well, I desire to step in as an assistant counsel-in-law for you in a particular case I give you. I want to be there in the court personally while the case is going on and this seems a good way to be right in the thick of things.”

“Alright, I may accede to that, but I make no promises. What is this case you want me to handle?”

“A case against the ministry for the wrongful incarceration of a man in Azkaban for nigh on twelve years.”

“My god, man!! Are you telling me there has been an innocent man jailed in Azkaban for more than a decade?”

“Yes, that is exactly what I’m telling you. And moreover, he is the pureblood heir apparent to a Noble and Most Ancient House.”

Darius found it difficult to stop himself from laughing at Ted Tonks expression. The man looked ready to faint at that particular bombshell. However, he managed to pull himself together and quickly pulled a parchment over to take notes.

“Moreover, said wrongfully convicted heir has been placed in that hellhole without even a trial, a courtesy offered to even those brought up on murder charges.”

If Ted Tonks was shocked before, he was absolutely fuming now. He looked ready to go and rip the minister a new one right now.

With a carefully controlled voice, so that no one can realise how close he is to completely blowing his top, he asked, “And who is this unfortunate soul who is locked away in that hell hole.”

“That would be Sirius Orion Black the third, Heir Apparent of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.”