Dark

Chapter 2: Betrayal

It was great to see the Alley again, alive and full of people hustling and bustling; completely opposite of what it was the last time he'd seen it.

It had been claimed by the Dark early on in the war and he hadn't seen it much since. Being their number-one target, it wasn't a good idea to wander about. The bank caught his eye, first and foremost. Gringotts, and the Goblins, were somewhat neutral throughout the War, as far as he knew. As long as money continued to flow, they were content, but war was expensive, and by the very tail ends of the entanglement, they'd begun 'investing' into the darker side of the country.

He was brought out of his thoughts be the engraving on the steely doors of the bank, bold and simple as always. It seemed like yesterday that he was reading these words for the very first time. Being in the body took quite a bit of getting used to, and though he enjoyed the fact that he was here, free from the burden that was War, it also reminded him of what once was, and how daft he'd once been.

Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there

The warning was poetic and very literal. Having broken in to this place before, he knew that it was necessary. The Goblins were always portrayed as a treacherous species in his history books, ones written by Wizards, of course, but the truth was, they were hardened by the constant betrayal of Wizards and Witches alike. They were Dark Creatures by blood, and if Professor Binns had taught him anything, it was that some things were better left alone.

They made their way through the doors and once again, he found himself gazing in awe at the wondrous and enchanting walls and ceiling of the bank.

"Name?" the Head Goblin spoke, as they'd arrived. Its scathing eyes seemed to bore into Harry, scanning for every inch of dirt that he seemed to have seen.

Before Hagrid could answer, Harry decided to speak instead, to prevent miscommunication. Hagrid's accent wasn't the most clear and he needed to be on the good side of the Goblins, if a 'good side' existed.

"Harry James Potter, sir," his squeaky eleven-year-old voice stated. He had forgotten how childish he sounded. He would have laughed if it wasn't considered rude to the Goblins. He tried his best, and the obscenely long nails that seemed to coil just slightly seemed to satiate his desire to laugh.

The Goblin looked up from whatever paperwork he was doing to look, not-so-subtly at his scar.

"Key?" he sneered.

Hagrid fished around in his numerous pockets and pulled out a couple of Bowtruckles, a Niffler and several other creatures before sighing.

"Sorry 'Arry. I think i left it at the 'ut."

Harry suppressed a roll of his eyes and turned back to the Goblin who was similarly annoyed, if the disgusted look on his features meant annoyance.

"Griphook!" he called out.

A little Goblin appeared from behind the Head Goblin and Harry was reminded of the familiar face. If he was not mistaken, Griphook had been in hiding ever since the war started, very unlike other Goblins. Most of them were bloodthirsty, seeking out those who went back on their words, or, similarly, other Goblins.

"Take Mr Potter to get his own key."

The Goblin nodded and gestured for Harry to follow him mumbling something under his breath in Gobbledegook. Harry had to stop himself from laughing. Goblins had the most creative insults he had ever heard.