~~~
GRINGOTTS OR GRINGROBBED?!?
Late last night, this reporter received an anonymous report that Gringotts, one of the most secure facilities in the wizarding world, was ROBBED!
Naturally, this information should be taken with a grain of salt, as we ALL know seriously the goblins of Gringotts take their security. But at the same time, we should call upon them to launch a full investigation into this matters, and discern the truth behind this claim!
~~~
"STAY BACK!" A goblin snarled as he and several other goblins tried to keep back the growing crowd of witches and wizards from their doors.
"Was the Prophet telling the truth?!"
"Were you robbed last night?!"
"Are our vaults safe?!"
One after another, the goblins were bombarded with demands from the witches and wizards, prompting one to swear in their own language as they tried to get a handle on things.
"I don't understand! How would the Prophet already know about this?!" Demanded the Minister of Magic himself, Cornelius Fudge, as he and the upper management of Gringotts tried to figure out what was going on.
An article was published in the Daily Prophet this morning stating that Gringotts, the most secure location in the wizarding world aside from Hogwarts, was robbed during the night. Naturally, this prompted an immediate investigation by the goblins who ran Gringotts, along with the upper echelons of the Ministry that worked with the bank.
Suddenly the noise outside started to die down, heralding the arrival of a certain trio.
Leading them was a man with platinum blonde hair, and cold grey eyes that swept over the crowd emotionlessly. Beside him was a woman with long blonde hair, and cold blue eyes that looked down upon those before her like she was looking at dung instead. And behind them, struting as if he owned the world, was a young boy that looked as if he had just started at Hogwarts, his physical appearance nearly identical to that of the man leading them.
The group was none other than Lucius Malfoy, his wife Narcissa, and their son, Draco.
"Move." Lucius sneered at the crowd, his lips barely moving. And they all parted as soon as the word left his lips.
The trio continued unobstructed towards the bank, Draco sneering at those they passed like they were mere peasants in his presence. Not even the guards obstructed them as they entered Gringotts.
"Mr. Malfoy-"
"Show me my vault." Lucius immediately demanded, cutting off the goblin that tried to speak with his cold and quiet voice.
For the first time, the goblins actually appeared apprehensive as they moved to do as Lucius commanded.
Soon the Malfoy trio were hurtling down into the depths of Gringotts on one of their carts, while two more followed them. One loaded with Fudge and several Ministry officials, the other with more goblins.
Eventually they stopped at the level where the Malfoy family vault was kept, but not in front of the vault itself. First the goblin leading them, who was also in charge of the Malfoy family finances, retrieved several pieces of metal and began using them to make noise, startling the nearby dragon that guarded their vault.
Lucius and his family didn't even spare the poor beast a sideways glance as they strutted to their vault. Upon reaching it, Lucius took out his key and unlocked it, allowing the massive door to swing open slowly.
"..."
Suffocating silence enveloped the entire group, as they beheld a vault that was completely and utterly empty.
Where there had once been treasures and coins piled to the ceiling, nearly wall-to-wall, not even a single Knut remained. All that they found, was a single rolled up piece of parchment sitting in the middle of a symbol that had been carved into the stone floor. A diamond with a circle inside of it.
Lucius tapped his cane against the ground, and the parchment flew up into his hand before he woke the wax seal, and read it out loud.
~~~
Mr. Malfoy,
We are the Thieves Guild.
We have been commissioned to make an example of you. So take this lesson to heart, none are beyond our reach.
We take what we please, when we please. And there is nothing you or the Ministry can do to stop us.
Sincerely,
The Thieves Guild
~~~
"..."
Not a single word was said, nor needed to be said as Lucius finished reading what was on the parchment out loud.
The message was well received.
"We need to start on this immediately." Fudge stated firmly, turning to his Ministry employees.
"Work with the goblins, and make sure whoever did this is caught for their crimes. Comb every single inch of the bank for evidence, every single nook and cranny! Do you understand?"
"Sir!"
While Fudge was busy barking orders and making grand gestures, Lucius turned towards the goblins of the bank.
"How many other vaults have been robbed?" He asked quietly.
"None that we know of. We were about to begin searching them when you arrived." The goblin in charge of his affairs answered.
"Then how did you know mine was robbed?" Lucius asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Follow me." The goblin answered, leading the Malfoys back to the cart, and up to the surface.
Once there, they were led to the private office where the Malfoy family's documents were kept, only to find the place similarly completely empty. And just like his vault, the symbol from before had been carved onto the wall.
"I arrived to do my usual morning routine, and found it like this." The goblin explained to Lucius as he looked around for something, ANYTHING, that might have been left behind.
This office had not only held documentation of his assets, but also records of Lucius's dealings over the decades. Both legal and non.
Bribes he had paid to Ministry officials, intel he used to blackmail others, and even documents detailing action taken by his fellow Death Eaters when they were all active.
Everything he might need to maintain his position and influence in wizarding society, gone. Either destroyed or...
"We're leaving." Lucius told his wife and son suddenly, whirling around dramatically as he made to exit the bank.
There were steps to take, things to be done in order to protect himself and his progeny.
Lucius had no shortage of enemies, even amongst his so-called allies. There were several who would love to use this chance to kick him while he was down, and he needed to prepare for just that.
Before he could leave though, he heard the goblin say behind him to another, "At least we didn't have to write to him. Saved us some time to deal with this mess."
"!!!"
Lucius paused his exit suddenly, nearly making his wife and son crash into him from behind. He then turned about slowly, until he was looking directly at the goblin in question.
"What are you talking about? I came here specifically because of a notice YOU sent me, stating that we needed to discuss my vault." Lucius said slowly, making the goblin frown.
He then conversed with his fellow goblin for a moment in their own language, before he turned back to Lucius.
"We never sent any notice. We were about to when you showed up."
Lucius's eyes widened from the new information, suspicions swirling in his mind as he practically raced for the doors to the bank, his cloak billowing behind him as Narcissa and Draco followed at his heels.
The second Lucius had cleared the boundary of the bank, he vanished with a sharp 'CRACK' before his wife did the same while clutching tightly to Draco's arm.
The very second all three reappeared in front of Malfoy Manor, they were greeted by the sight of their home engulfed in flames.
"NOOOO!" Narcissa shrieked at the sight, while Draco seemingly went into shock as he just stared blankly at the sight of their home as it burned.
Lucius meanwhile watched the manor burn with a cold, calculated gaze.
He watched as ten centuries of his family's legacy burned. Ten centuries of priceless artifacts, wealth, and secrets burned.
Lucius was so livid, that he even imagined a feminine figure within the flames themselves, smirking at him before flickering out of sight.
Lucius didn't know how long he stood there, watching his home burn to the ground, but eventually he moved as he noticed something laying on the ground in front of it.
"Dobby." Lucius said as he approached the small figure, his distraught wife following him before she tried to put out the blaze with magic. But the fire moved as if it had a mind of its own.
Lucius however was focusing on the house elf, who was laying on the ground, unconscious, while something was placed on him. Something that looked like a card.
~~~
Nothing personal, just business.
Merry Christmas.
~~~
Lucius's hand shook as he read the card, which infuriated him even more as he read it.
The Malfoy patriarch then pulled his wand from its sheath in his cane, and pointed it at the sleeping figure on the ground.
"Crucio."
The poor house elf awoke screaming.
***
While the Malfoy family were coming to terms with all of their losses, Harry and Remus were seated within the House Elf Employment Emporium as the former looked over the selection of elves that had been gathered for him to peruse. Sirius was busy at Gringotts, making sure that neither his own nor Harry's vaults were touched by the thieves.
"As promised, we have prepared a selection of elves for the young Lord to make his choices from~!" The same assistant from the day before preened, as a large group of elves gathered before Harry.
Each and every one of them were looking up at him with wide eyes full of hope and expectation, obviously hoping to be picked by the new master.
The elves varied in age and gender, some looking fresh out of adolescence, while others were so old that their skin hung from their bodies. Each and every one was dressed in what looked like pure white togas, and nothing else.
Aside from not necessarily wanting a bunch of elves that were too old, Harry had no real criteria for them aside from the jobs that they were able to perform. So he started questioning them about what they were able to do.
The first elf that Harry selected to man the kitchens, was a young female named Sweets. And Harry chose her because she was just as skilled at cooking as the rest of them, and her name helped a little as well.
The next elf that Harry chose was a slightly older male by the name of Stumpy, who prided himself on grounds work like the kind Harry was specifically looking for. Naturally, it was easier for Harry to pick him since not as many house elves were experienced in grounds work.
With his two choices made, the rest of the elves were forced to give up as they walked away, tears forming in their eyes. At the same time, an elderly elf was brought out to stand before Harry as the assistant explained,
"This is the third elf you asked for, Goggles. His previous master was the owner of a shop who died a couple years ago. And due to his age, Goggles has been particularly picky about who he would dedicate the rest of his life serving."
As the assistant fell quiet, Goggles stepped forward and offered Harry a deep bow until his nose brushed the floor.
"Goggles is honored to meet the great Harry Potter. If the young master will have him, Goggles swears to serve Harry Potter for the rest of his remaining life."
Straightening as he spoke, Harry looked the elf up and down as he thought about the offer.
The elf was old, far older than Harry would have liked. But it was also difficult to find one with his particular skill set if this was the only one they could offer him.
Finally Harry spoke as he said, "If I accept you, how would you feel about taking on an apprentice in a few months after you've gotten settled working for me? I would feel a lot better about taking you in if there was someone I could entrust your work to once you're gone."
Though Harry thought Goggles might be offended by the idea of already planning for his passing, the elderly elf nodded in agreement instead.
"The young master is insightful. Goggles will happily take on an apprentice if the young master wishes."
"Alright then." Harry said, happy they came to an agreement.
He then turned towards the assistant and said, "I'll take Sweets, Stumpy and Goggles."
"Excellent choice young Lord~!" The assistant crooned, apparently pleased that Harry already planned to purchase a fourth elf in the coming months. Or maybe that was his plan all along?
Either way, Harry wasn't dissatisfied with his choices, and readily finished the process of purchasing the three elves.
A magical contract for each elf later, and they were officially property of the Potter family. Though that meant just Harry for the moment.
Sirius was waiting for them when the group of two humans and three house elves exited the emporium, his expression one of utmost glee.
"Good news! Not only are our vaults untouched, but from the sound of it the only one robbed was Malfoy's! Oh I'd give anything to see Sissy's face right now!" He exclaimed happily.
"Sissy?" Harry asked curiously.
"Narcissa. Lucius's wife, and my cousin. She has a taste for the finer things in life, and was PRETTY smug when she married into the wealthy and pure blooded Malfoy family." Sirius explained as they entered the Leaky Cauldron.
"Is that so?" Harry asked, recalling that there was very little information on Narcissa in the documents Rita Skeeter sent him.
Now that he thought about it, Harry wondered how all three of the Malfoy's were reacting right about now. He also wondered if he did enough to ruin their influence in wizarding Britain yet.
Well, he'll know tonight when Rita stops by. If he hadn't hurt their influence enough, then he had enough Intel from their vaults, accounts and home to put Lucius away for the rest of his life.