Saviour of Nothing

Answers Bring More Questions

The first thought Harry had upon waking was that his head didn't hurt. For most people, this would be unremarkable. But for Harry, it was unusual. He couldn't remember the last time he didn't have some sort of headache, at least.

"You may open your eyes, young wizard," a familiar voice said.

Harry obeyed and was greeted by a dark room lit only by a few torches. The flames flickered and cast shadows on the ceiling.

"I have a list of everything that we purged here for you and your parents. One is a list of every injury that was healed." Harry recognized the voice of Bielmia this time, and he nodded. He stood from the table and accepted the pieces of parchment from the goblin healer before redressing and following her from the room.

James and Snape were waiting on opposite sides of the room when Harry entered at the same time as Lily. Both men looked up and came forward to greet them.

"Don't look at those yet. I want to go over them together," James said.

  Lily nodded and took the parchments from Harry. Harry shrugged and shuffled over to a seat in the corner. There were no magazines or anything to occupy his time, and Harry quickly grew bored. He soon became aware that he had skipped using the loo when Hermione suggested it. He really ought to have gone, because now his bladder was uncomfortably full. He bounced his leg, trying to ignore the painful urge. When he could ignore it no longer, Harry went to the goblin at what appeared to be a reception desk.

"Er, hi. I was wondering if there was a loo I could use?" Harry asked.

The goblin leveled an unimpressed stare at Harry while he bounced up onto his toes.

"Around the corner to the left, down the hall to your third right, up to your fourth left, and it's the fifth door on the right," the goblin said.

"Er, right. Thanks," Harry gulped.

He was able to follow the directions there with no problem and was quick to relieve himself. After he washed his hands, Harry stood at the door. He knew the door had been on his right, so he went left. He took the left at the end of the hall and then a right. There was a small goblin a few feet in front of him and Harry followed behind. When the little goblin fell forward and shrieked, Harry reacted on instinct. His wand was in his hand, and the Wingardium Leviosa had left his mouth before he even realized what was happening. He rushed forward and gently lowered the small goblin to the floor.

"Oh my god, are you okay?" Harry gasped.

The small goblin lurched forward and latched onto Harry. The force of their jump pushed Harry back a step, but he caught the goblin and held tight. The poor thing was shaking and crying.

"Young wizard," an imposing voice said from behind Harry.

  Harry turned and saw three goblins coming towards him. Two were obviously warriors or guards. They had several weapons displayed prominently on their bodies, and Harry guessed there were several more hidden. Harry gaped at the third goblin. It was obvious he was important, judging by the guards and the opulent way he was dressed. The goblin wore a crown encrusted with jewels and a choker around his neck. His hands glittered with several rings. The little goblin in Harry's arms shouted something in Gobbledygook and squirmed until Harry let them down. They rushed forward, and the guards parted to allow the important goblin to catch the smaller one.

Harry could hear him speaking in Gobbledygook as the smaller goblin looked suitably chastened. Harry assumed the male was the smaller goblins' father. After a moment, the older goblin looked up at Harry.

"Young wizard, you have saved my daughter's life. Neither of you should have been here, but it is fortuitous that you were here and skilled enough to secure her," the goblin said.