Left Behind 3: Curses

Gringotts and Gryffindor

Hello lovely readers, I hope you have had a good week.

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Narcissa Malfoy walked into the great entryway of Gringotts with her head held high. She pulled the air of superiority around her in a way that only someone with a lifetime of practice could manage. Everything about her screamed that she was the kind of woman who got what she wanted. She was the kind of woman who had money, and power... and she was the kind of woman who you wanted to cater to rather than piss off.

She did not bat an eyelash or spare a glance at any of the goblins scratching away with their quills and counting the gold like her late husband had.

Without even the slightest flicker of weakness she glided purposefully across the polished floor. The stares of onlookers brushed against her skin like unwanted caresses and she let them slide off her in the manner she had learned long ago.

Don't let the daggers people throw with their eyes ever pierce your armor, her mother had told her. If they know you're weak they will use it as an excuse to find ways to cut you deeper.

Narcissa did not hesitate on her journey from one end of the hall to the other. The goblin at the end of the row raised his head from his work long before she reached him. Narcissa held his gaze unwavering.

"Mrs. Malfoy," the goblin greeted. "How may I be of assistance?"

"I am here to make a withdrawal from my sister's account," said Narcissa not beating around the bush. Her voice was steady.

"Is there a reason why Madam Lestrange is not making it herself?"

"That is none of your business," answered Narcissa dismissively. "I am still a joint account holder with her as as such, I am well within my rights to withdraw the entire contents of the vault without should we so desire."

The goblin almost smiled at her ruthless edge and unflinching nature. At the same time she could see that a part of him did not like being put in place by a wizard. Narcissa eyed him up and down. This was a delicate game to play...

"Though..." Narcissa paused for emphasis and raised her chin. "I am pleased to know that you care so deeply about your work and keep yourself above the politics," she stroked his ego, and then to make sure it didn't come across as schmoozing added with just a hint of superiority. "It's admirable dedication for one of your kind."

The appreciation that had glimmered in the Goblins eye, flickered and then turned into anger at her last comment. It did however serve the purpose she intended-to throw off any kind of question at her presence and motives.  She was led to her sister's vault without further inquiry as to why Narcissa Malfoy was making a withdrawal when Bellatrix was no longer incarcerated.

When they reached the vault Narcissa closed the door behind her and walked carefully in. 

She made sure not to touch anything in the room on route to the goblet.

While Narcissa knew the counter spell for her sisters Geminio spell, she did not know what kind of alarms and tricks Bellatrix had in place otherwise. There was still a chance that even taking the Horcrux would send some kind of a signal to her sister. 

It was not a matter of 'if' the dark Lord and her sister found out that she had taken the cup, only a matter of when. All that meant for Narcissa was that she needed to act swiftly and since time was already of the essence in her mind, that was a non-issue.

The only thing that mattered was Draco.

Dead or alive she would get her son back.

Clutching a thick satin cloth, Narcissa her perfectly manicured hand and picked up the goblet from its place amid the other treasures, careful not to let her flesh make contact with the cup. It radiated darkness, and she was thankful for the barrier.