New Beginning

Chapter 25


“NO! This boy is not leaving!”

Severus could hear Albus’s shout. He picked up his pace up the stairs and could see the people coming into view. Albus and Dante were at the door to the infirmary. Weasley and two Auror were in front of them.

“We have orders, the boy has to go back to the Ministry.” Percy told Albus.

Severus came up to the group. “What is going on?”

Percy turned to look at Severus. “This doesn’t concern you, Snape.” Percy narrowed his eyes when he saw Darien.

Severus moved Darien down from his shoulder and handed him over to Dante, “Take him to see Janus.”

Dante took Darien. “Come on little man. Daddy will handle this.” Dante went inside the infirmary. Percy watching Darien until he was behind the doors.

Severus glared at Percy. “This does concern me. That boy is my cousin in there. He isn’t going anywhere.”

Percy pulled out the paper, “You don’t have custody of the boy. The boy goes back, his guardian is waiting.”

Severus snatched the papers and started reading. Janus’s guardian was Adrian Conall. Severus growled when he read the name. The Conall\'s hated everything to do with Snapes. His Uncle had made sure of that, when he had stolen the woman that Adrian Conall was supposed to marry on his wedding day. His Uncle, Dylan Snape, would go after anything he wanted, included abducting a bride on her wedding day. Adrian Conall swore revenge on that whole Snape line. Twenty years ago he murdered Dylan Snape, his cousin Sarin Snape had been at school when this had happened, after Hogwarts, no one really knew what happen to Sarin. Severus noticed the papers where signed this morning.

“He won’t be going.” Severus growled out at Percy.

The two Auror pulled their wands and pointed them at Severus. These were the same Auror who had been in the castle before with Ron. Percy snatched the papers away from Severus. “Do behave your station Professor.”

“Wizarding Law, indicates that the child in question will be going to his nearest relative, Mr. Weasley.” The voice came from the stairs. Brian Trenton walked over to the group, “Sorry about this Severus. Head Auror Malfoy just informed me of the boy’s relation to you. New custody papers have been drawn up. I sent an inter office memo to Weasley here stating that the boy wasn’t supposed to be moved. I see Weasley didn’t get it.”

“Obviously.” Severus snarled his lip at Percy.

Percy glared at Severus turned to the two Auror. “Let’s leave.”

“Not until I see those papers, Weasley.” Brian stated.

Percy looked at Brian. “I don’t question you about your placements, when yours is the most questionable, letting a single witch adopt a child.”

Brian stuck his hand out. “Hand them over.”

Percy shoved the papers at Brian and left with the two Auror.

“How did Percy find out about Darien’s adoption?” Severus asked.

“Easy Severus.” Albus continued, “Percy does work in the area of Children Services in the Ministry, but Brian is over him.”

“I assure you. Percy won’t find anything on Darien.” Brian read over the papers he got from Percy. “Incompetent imbecile. How he managed to get so many NEWTs is beyond me? These papers are null and void, damn good thing too.”

“What if they were good?” Severus asked.

Brian looked at Severus, his expression grave. “The boy would have been placed in Adrian Conall’s care. Percy missed one of the places for Adrian Conall to sign, thank Merlin for that. You would had to have taken him to court for Janus, this way you won’t.” Brian pulled out papers and handed them over to Severus. “These will give you custody of Janus, plus I left it open for adoption should you and Janus want that.”

“I see.” Severus doubted Janus would want this, he didn’t want to be a Snape. They went inside the infirmary and Severus signed every place he needed too.

*******

Draco was in the lower vaults at Gringotts. The trolley they were on stopped and the goblin beside him got out. Draco stared at the steam rising from the lake that was off to his left, this was the lowest part of the caves that he had ever been in. He knew not to get near the lake when he saw the water break but could not tell what creature goe goblins kept in the black water. The air was bitingly cold down here and Draco pulled his robe closer as he stepped out of the trolley. Luminous dark-green moss grew along the granite walls, Draco was standing in front of the most warded door he had ever seen.

The goblin reached his hand out. “Key.” The word was commanded, not a request, not like the other goblins who took other investors to their vaults. Draco produced the key from his pocket. The water ripple he heard caught his attention and Draco looked back at the lake. Pale claws slid back into the water. The goblin had a yellow toothy grin when Draco looked back at him. “Precautions.”

Precautions? There is more than one? Draco thought. He handed the key over. Looking back over his shoulder the water of the lake was calm, like nothing had moved inside it, the steam was still rising from it. Draco heard a hiss in front of him, he turned back to see the door to the vault slowly open. The goblin handed the key back.

“I’ll be back to collect you.” The goblin laughed as he got in the trolley that headed up out of the cave.

‘Great! What have you gotten me into Harry? A deranged goblin brought me down here to my death.’

Draco took a step toward the vault, unsure if he really wanted to see what Harry had hidden inside this thing. The moving of the water spurred him forward, it didn’t feel it was time for him to meet his death from whatever the pale-clawed swimmer was. The vault appeared to be empty when Draco stepped inside, the first thing he noticed was small glass bell hovering in the center of the vault, beside it hovering also was small glass hammer. A gold string above the bell and hammer.

With wand drawn, Draco went around the three objects. His eyes swept back to the door of the vault, Draco saw the pairs of eyes in the lake. All looking at him.

‘Damn, I’m going to die down here. Damn that goblin for leaving me. Damn whatever is in that lake.’

Draco said a few spells at the objects but nothing happened, he knew they were enchanted. Harry had left nothing in the letter, not even a clue what would be found in this vault.

“Pull the string.” The voice was low and guttural.

Draco spun towards the voice, the creature looked half goblin, pale, its eyes crystal blue. Its head bigger than its body, and withered, wrinkled skin, looking like a prune from being in the water too long. Draco’s wand was pointing at the thing.

“Who are you? What are you?”

“I am Solon, king of the water cave dwellers.”

Draco didn’t want to laugh, he held it back. Solon, did not look like a king of anything, he was unclothed, and looked like walking water death to him. “Why should I pull the string?” Still not trusting this new creature, he was sure the thing was half goblin.

Solon smiled, his teeth were not like that of the goblins, and they weren’t yellow. His smile was almost enchanting, it conveyed trust. Draco shook his head, Potter had led him inside an enchanted vault, and now he was speaking to some water cave dweller.

“Because the young dragon will find what he seeks.” Solon bowed low, not that he had far to go, and turned and left back for the water. Draco watched as his forked tail swished behind him.

‘Harry this better be worth it.’ Draco pulled the gold string.