A Soul Within

*Thanks to Emerald Solitude for helping me with this chapter. She has been a great help in fixing up my mindless chatter/typing or adding a little of this, a little of that to make it read smoother for you all. This chapter is a continuation of Chapter Eleven. It had turned out kind of long, so it was decided to split it up. Haven’t started on Ch. 13 but got some ideas for it. Thanks to all that have reviewed and alerted/fav’d my story.

Chapter Twelve


Harry had been to Diagon Alley many times. It was nice to see more shops reopened following the aftermath of the war. They went into some shops like Eeylop’s Owl Emporium, Flourish & Blott’s, where they bought many books between the two of them, and Quality Quidditch Supplies, where Harry found out that Salazar never had been on a broom. Quidditch was a rising sport at that time, and Salazar never had a chance to partake in that past time. Harry vowed to show him that mode of travel himself, personally. They went into the Apothecary for potion ingredients. Harry had a struggle when trying to drag Salazar out of that one. Next it was Mad Max Muggle Boutique, where one could buy muggle items and clothing. Harry took great pleasure in helping Salazar look more muggle. One could never go wrong with a simple T-shirt and snug pair of blue jeans.

They bypassed places like the publishers, cauldron shops, and Ollivanders so they could make their way to Gringott’s. Harry led them to the head goblin that sat behind a high podium at the back of the bank. “Excuse me, I’d like to speak to Grierook, my account manager, if possible,” he smiled.

The goblin leaned over his desk, sneering at the wizarding hero, then looked suspiciously at the man beside him. He took his quill in hand and wrote a few words, then tapped it with a long fingernail causing it to disappear. “Stand aside. He will be out shortly,” he said, waving them off to sneer at the next person in line.

“They have not changed much over the years,” Salazar chuckled, getting a glare from the head goblin in return.

Harry pulled him away when he saw a familiar goblin approaching . . . a smiling goblin. “They’re not all like that,” he said, grinning at Grierook. He bowed his head respectively. “Greetings Grierook. May your jewels shine like the brightest star, and may your gold never dull.”

“Lord Potter,” Grierook replied, nodded in greeting. “I thank you for the blessing. May you line always prosper, My Lord. What can I do for you today?” He asked, leading them down a hallway towards a heavy wooden door. Harry and Salazar both ducked their heads as they followed the goblin into the room, sitting down in the lush purple velvet chairs that were placed in front of the low desk.

“It has been many years since I have graced your fine establishment,” Salazar smiled. “It has grown to be a wondrous size. Your skills and cunning over the years have done you well.” He paused as Grierook nodded his head. “Like I have said, it has been many years. I would like to withdraw some gold, and to see about my holdings.”

“And your name?” Grierook asked.

“Salazar Slytherin,” Salazar replied, not surprised to see just the briefest look of suspicion on the goblins face before it was masked behind a look of professionalism.

“I see,” Grierook said. “I’m sure you’ll understand the need for proof of your identification.” Salazar nodded his head. “Blood-based proof. Please place a drop of blood on this parchment, it will state who you are and the vault or vaults that you own.” He slid the parchment closer to Salazar and gave him a sharp jeweled dagger. Salazar pricked his finger and then held his finger over the parchment, the blood drop dark against the pale parchment. Fine tendrils of the blood spread over the paper, swirling into intricate designs until the blood-based ink stilled, the name of Salazar Slytherin boldy written.

“It appears you are indeed Salazar Slytherin. Welcome. It is an honor to meet you Lord Slytherin. It is stated here you have the one vault, number 003.”

“One vault?” Harry asked, surprised it is just the one, as he had several of his own.

“That is correct Lord Potter,” Grierook smirked. “The founders of Hogwarts were some of the few that believed in the goblins in the beginning. They readily placed their trust in us, allowing us to oversee and increase their fortunes, and as such, they are vast. It may only be one vault, but it is one of our largest that lies deep within Gringott’s, and has many protections.”

“Has it been noted if anyone other than myself has been permitted entry into the vault?” Salazar asked.

Grierook tapped his quill to Salazar’s name on the parchment, waiting for some new script to appear under the name. “It is stated here that a Druscilla Slytherin had requested, no, demanded, entry upon your death. It was not permitted.”

“That shrew of a wife,” Salazar sneered.

“There was only one other that requested entrance, and it was granted with the permission of you yourself,” Grierook added, looking down at the parchment.

“Rowena Ravenclaw,” Salazar said.

“Yes. It is stated here that she added some items to the vault but took nothing out.”

“I am in need of some gold. Would it be possible to withdraw some from my vault?” Salazar asked.

“Yes, my Lord,” Grierook replied, hopping off the chair to land on his feet. He beckoned for them to follow him to another door that led to steel tracks and a trolley.

Harry leaned into Salazar’s side once they were seated in the trolley. “Hang on,” he grinned.

Salazar had no time to question Harry, as the trolley quickly sped off, twisting and turning on the tracks. His grip on the bar in front of him was white-knuckled when the trolley seemed to fly off the track to land with a jarring jolt onto another. It was several minutes before the trolley slowed, Salazar not really paying attention since he had caught sight of a large red dragon that was following them through the twisting tunnels. The cavern walls were glittering around them, the jewels sparkling from the flames that lit to life as they neared. Grierook got out of the trolley and stood before a gold door, embossed snakes slithering around the edges of the frame. He waited patiently as Harry helped Salazar steady himself after getting onto the platform. “A drop of your blood is needed here,” he pointed a claw-like nail at the mouth of an open-mouthed snake that was embossed on the gold.

Harry stood back beside Grierook, watching Salazar once again draw blood and open the door. He smiled in reassurance when Salazar looked back at him. “I’ll wait here. Take your time. Just call me if you need me.”

Salazar took a few halting steps into the vault, the torches on the wall coming to life as he entered further into the large open cavern. One side of the cavern consisted of gold, nuggets and coins overflowing from the mountainous stacks on the tables. There was another table with jewels of all kinds, in gold settings in jewelry and weaponry. There were also suits of armor, shields, and other weaponry that he remembered using at some point in his life, including the sword he had used to kill the muggle that had killed his son. A life for a life. He felt no remorse, even all these years later.

His eyes fell to the few portraits that hung on a wall, free of dust and looking as if they were painted just days before. One was of Alexander and himself by the lake at Hogwarts. He clearly remembered the day it was painted. Alexander was about four years of age, and he was sitting on his knee looking up at him. They were both smiling at each other. He himself was sitting on the ground, his back to a tree, his robes on the ground beside him, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. If he closed his eyes, he could still remember hearing the sound of Alex’s laughter and the warmth of him on his lap. The other portrait was of Rowena and himself at her parents’ estate. It was a moving picture, but one with no sound. They were both sitting on a swing that sat on the wide wrap around porch that went around the house. They were both trying to be serious for the artesian, but couldn’t help the laughter that would begin between them when one would look at the other. They were about sixteen years of age at the time.

On the table that was between the portraits was a long thin box, and a velvet black pouch. He picked up the box, running his fingers over the fine dragon carving on the top. He gingerly flicked the latch open and opened the box. He was quite surprised to see the long, thin piece of black wood . . . his wand. Rowena must have placed it in here after he took the potion. It wasn’t something he used a lot. Even back then, he had the ability for wandless magic. He found that ability hadn’t waned after he had woken up. He picked up the velvet bag next, untying the string that clinched it closed. He upended the contents into the palm of his hand, the silver and gold of the rings glinting from the nearby torchlight. He felt the magic in both the wand and the rings as he placed them into a bottomless pouch that Grierook had given to him. He shrank down the portraits and took a few other mementoes, as well as some gold to hold him for a while. He would have to request one of those gold cards that Harry had mentioned that he could use instead of actual gold.

Harry had edged closer to the vault as he talked to Grierook, talking of the goblins family and getting some advice on his vaults. He let the sigh of relief go when he saw Salazar walking towards him, an easy smile on his face. After a reassurance that was all okay, they climbed back onto the trolley to make their way back topside. They bid their goodbyes to Grierook and continued on their way to the Alley. There were several street vendors that were selling sweetmeats and bits and bobs to passing wizards and witches rather than the anti-Dark devices that were previously sold during the war. One street vendor tried to clutch the sleeve of his robe to get his attention. The witch had long dark hair, in a wild disarray of curls and ribbons that twined through the strands. There was a wild look in her eyes that made Harry and Salazar take a step back from the stand, especially when a ragged looking stuffed bunny bounced towards them, an invisible barrier stopping its jump. The one eye was a wild looking eye, red looking veins spreading out from the amber iris; the other was just two lines of stitching in a cross. On its forehead, below the floppy ear were more lines of stitching, in a shape of a lightening bolt. The sign on the side said ‘Kay’s Plunnies for Sale’. The witch had tried to grab for his sleeve again, when Salazar tugged him back against his chest. The witch’s look grew even more crazed as she reached in her robe pocket and began to scribble onto the paper, looking at the two of them hungrily.

“Okay that was too bizarre, even for the wizarding world,” Harry grimaced, pulling Salazar further away.

They were nearing the book store, when Salazar stopped, a touch of familiar magic reaching out to his magic. “Let’s go through here,” he nodded to a darkened alley.

“Knockturn Alley?” Harry asked. “Not too many witches and wizards venture this way. There used to be a lot more shops open in this alley but the Ministry raided a lot of them, closed them down.”

“It’s just a feeling I have, that I need to go down here,” Salazar said, reaching out to take Harry’s hand.

“Okay. Right here with you then,” Harry smiled, walking at Salazar’s side. “Lead the way.”

They walked further into the darkened twisting pathways in the alley, Harry commenting quietly on some of the shops and clubs that had closed or were still open. Very few inhabitants of the alley came within touching distance, easily recognizing the one that had destroyed the Dark Lord. It came as no surprise when Salazar stopped at the blackened windows of number 13B - Borgin & Burkes. Salazar opened the door, the dull jingle over the door muted by the spiderweb that wrapped around it. The room was quite large, and was dimly lit with a thin layer of dust coating the contents of the shop. A large stone fireplace took up most of the wall with a skeletal hand on a stand on the shelf next to it. They both looked up from perusing the title of the books on the shelf when someone cleared their throat to get their attention.

“Ah . . . welcome Mister Potter,” Caractacus Burke, the owner of the shop, greeted with a smile. Burke was now the sole owner as Mister Borgin was killed by a Death Eater during the war. “What can I do for you and your . . . ” He hedged.


“My friend,” Harry finished, not really seeing the need in telling him of Salazar, for he knew that it would be spread to the dark circles that still lingered in the wizarding world. “We’re just looking around. Looking for something for Draco possibly,” he said as an excuse.

“Hmm . . . and how are the Malfoy’s doing?” Burke asked, keeping an eye out for the dark-haired stranger that was walking around the shop.

“They are doing well, as far as I know. Don’t talk to the senior Malfoy all that much,” Harry shrugged.

“As you can see . . . or feel . . . no dark artifacts here. Been nice and clean since the war,” Burke said motioning Harry towards some jewelry.

Harry knew that Burke was leading him away from some of the books and such, and he let it slide. It was not his job anymore, but he would let Ron know to possibly check out the shop. He waved him off and walked over to Salazar who was standing in front of a display of weapons.

“Your friend has great taste Mister Potter,” Burke smiled coming over to take down the sword from the wall. “This belonged to Salazar Slytherin himself. It’s one of a kind.”

Salazar looked down at the hilt of the sword when Burke handed it to him, leather strips still wound tightly around the hilt. A little further down, two metal snake heads split and wrapped around the crossguard. “It’s a fine piece of weaponry. Are there other items that belonged to Slytherin?” Salazar asked.

Harry waited until Burke walked back over to the jewelry. “Was it yours?” He quietly asked.

“No. It was my father’s though.”

“There is not much. Salazar Slytherin was a commodity during the war, anything belonging to the great founder was vied after by many pureblooded families. There are some jewel pieces that may interest you.” Burke suggested, showing the items piece by piece. He was curious why the great Harry Potter’s friend would be interested in the founder’s belongings. Harry had just stood at the man’s side, keeping his thoughts to himself.

“What kind of things have you sold of Slytherin’s in the past?” Harry asked, curious to know what other pieces of Salazar’s past might be floating around.

“Oh, many things. All not having any dark magic at all,” Burke was quick to reassure. “There were books that were written in the snake language, goblets, jewelry, and clothing. Recently, there was a grande mirror that was sold that was said to have belonged to Salazar Slytherin.”

“Must have brought a few galleons to you, huh?” Harry asked.

“A few,” Burke chuckled. “Couldn’t tell who purchased it though? It was a woman, but the cowl of her cloak covered her face. She didn’t speak, just gave me the pouch of galleons and left. I didn’t question such a good purchase.”

“Well I am sure she would enjoy it then,” Harry said, the whole transaction seeming suspicious. He would really have to have Ron check out the place.

Salazar handed Burke the sword, a few books, and a few items of jewelry to wrap for purchase. While Burke was busy salivating over the sale, Salazar pulled Harry aside. “I did not have any kind of elaborate mirrors at home or at Hogwarts. It could have belonged to my mother or Druscilla. They were both vain.”

“Or could be all a hoax. Most likely a lot of the things that supposedly belonged to you were falsehoods,” Harry quietly replied. He saw Salazar favoring his one leg. “I think we’ve had enough shopping and sight seeing for today. I think after we finish here, we should apparate to my place in London.”

“Whatever you wish Harry. I would not be averse to having you alone,” Salazar smiled.

Harry kept his eyes on Burke until the end of the transaction, then led Salazar out of the shop and Knockturn Alley. They slipped into an alcove that was used quite often for apparating. Salazar pressed Harry’s back to the wall, leaning in to kiss the side of his neck, trailing light kisses to Harry’s mouth. Harry turned his head to meet the kiss, bringing up his one hand to cup the side of Salazar’s face. “Love you Salazar,” he softly said, smiling against the kiss right before the cracking sound echoed around the stone walls.

Unknown to the two lovers, their loving embrace was witnessed, by a small roving camera fluttering next to a small beetle that hovered by a crack of the wall, and a cloaked figure that had followed them from Knockturn Alley, their nails drawing blood from their clenched fists when the two of them disappeared from their sight.


tbc

*Note: The places of Diagon Alley are facts from the book, except Mad Max Muggle Boutique is my own idea. Grierook is not a mistake for Griphook as I’m sure some people will comment. He is made up also. Number 13B Knockturn Alley is Borgin & Burkes - Owners Caractacus Burke and Mr. Borgin (no first name was mentioned). Borgin to my knowledge did not die in the books. Burkes there wasn’t much mention of.

Kay’s Plunnies - well....she is an actual person though I don’t think as crazed as my character. I got the idea from the group. Plunnies quite simply means Plot Bunnies. Just like those furry little creatures, Plot ideas seem to multiply at times. There was one member of the group that had pictures of crazy looking bunnies with funny sayings on them. They were great. There has even been known to have some of these plunnies up for adoption from other authors. So Kay.....I dedicate this chapter to you and your minions who come up with the quirkiest ideas at times.