[Discontinued] When Shadows Collide, The Game Begins

Chapter Sixteen

Harry and Draco hurried into the great hall, sitting opposite Hermione at the Ravenclaw table.

"Goodmorning, guys," she said, folding up the newspaper she had been reading.

"Mornin'. Listen, we found out something awesome last night," said Harry quickly.

"I wouldn't call a three-headed dog awesome," said Draco.

"Yeah, but it's hiding something, so there's a mystery. That's the awesome part," replied Harry.

"What are you guys talking about?" asked Hermione. Harry explained the events of the previous night, getting more and more excited with each word.

"So, what do you think it's guarding?" asked Harry.

"Maybe whatever this guy was trying to steal." Hermione handed over the newspaper she had been reading and pointed to a small article.

GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST

Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts on 31 July, widely believed to be the work of dark wizards or witches unknown.

Gringotts' goblins today insisted that nothing had been taken. The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied the same day.

'But we're not telling you what was in there, so keep your noses out if you know what's good for you,' said a Gringotts spokesgoblin this afternoon.

Harry read it quickly, then re-read it, absorbing as much information as possible.

"We need to interrogate one of the goblins. I think I know one who would talk." And with that, Harry sprinted from the hall, running all through the castle until finally arriving in the owlery. He grabbed a pen and a piece of parchment that was in one of his pockets and wrote out a short letter to Griphook. Then he called over Hedwig and tied the letter to her leg. The owl then flew from the room, soaring over the grounds. Harry watched her leave, then turned to go.

Once he was out in the hallway, he bumped into a breathless Draco and Hermione.

"Why'd you have to run?" asked Draco between gasps.

"I need answers as soon as possible, and I knew someone who will hopefully give me some," he replied. Draco looked at him oddly, but Hermione smiled. There was little more exciting than a mystery.

The three of them started walking to the library, trying to figure out what could be hidden.

"Are there any super important wizard artefacts that could be hidden here?" Harry asked Draco.

"Well, it could be the Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw, the Deathstick, the Resurrection Stone, the Philosopher's Stone, any number of lost wands, honestly, there are so many cursed or enchanted or magical objects in the world that could be hidden here, it's impossible to narrow it down," he said, sounding defeated.

"Well," said Harry, "We've got to start somewhere."

The three of them arrived at the library and began their research. Hermione scanned the shelves carefully, picking up only books that looked useful, Draco grabbed them at random, and Harry edged his way over to the restricted section.

"Don't," said Draco without looking away from the shelves.

"Don't what?" said Harry innocently.

"Don't go in the restricted section. At least, don't go there during the day." Harry smiled and went back over to his friends, picking up one of Hermione's books and starting to read.

* * *

It took two weeks for Griphook to reply.

While Harry, Draco, and Hermione had once again been trying to find out what was being hidden, and once again having no luck, Hedwig had flown through the library window and landed loudly on the desk, a letter tied to her foot. Harry took it off and opened it, Hedwig flying away immediately.