The Goblin's Bargain and the Sword's Call
After Sally and the two little ones visited the Alley, showing them a completely new world, an entire week went by. The children's excitement did not fade in the slightest; they kept enjoying every single thing Sally had bought them, looking at them and playing with unending enthusiasm.
Harry lay flat on his stomach on the floor, kicking his little feet in the air as he flipped through a picture book. The illustrations moved on their own in rhythm with the reading, drawing out smiles of wonder from him.
Percy, meanwhile, was playing with a set of cards that suddenly burst into sparks and smoke, causing giggles of excitement and a couple of nervous coughs.
Sally, for her part, sat nearby reading an old, dark tome with deep concentration. From time to time, she lifted her eyes to check on the children, and a soft smile lit up her face at the sight of them so happy.
Then, quite suddenly, someone banged loudly on the door.
The noise startled all three of them. Sally frowned, tense for an instant. After all, they had a doorbell. And those knocks… they sounded furious, insistent.
She glanced at Harry and Percy with concern. Then she grabbed an iron poker from the fireplace, one used to stir the soot, and cautiously moved toward the front window to see who it was.
When she peeked out, her eyes widened in surprise. At once she set the poker aside and hurried to open the door.
"Mr. Einjard," she said, relieved and with a touch of respect.
The goblin stood there, scowling, no longer in his usual armor. Instead, he wore an elegant banker's suit, and behind him were three more goblins dressed in practical grey clothing, like builders.
"Let us in before the Muggles notice," Einjard growled harshly. His immaculate clothes made the golden pocket watch fastened to his vest stand out even more. The chain shimmered faintly, and small runes could be seen engraved upon it.
Sally immediately stepped aside to let them in.
As soon as they entered, the goblins looked around with interest, inspecting every detail of the house.
"Hurry up, we don't have all day," Einjard commanded in a firm tone.
"Yes, sir!" the three answered in unison before scattering at once.
One ran to the fireplace. With a sweep of his hand, the hearth began to expand, doubling in size. The firewood, seeds, and soot vanished in an instant. Then he pulled out a small, shining chisel-like tool and began carving runes into the inner walls.
Another goblin headed out the back door. At each corner of the property he buried a metallic object, inscribing runes into the earth around the house.
The third produced a large chest that landed on the floor with a heavy thud. He opened it calmly and pulled out a bookcase. Several books floated out, settling neatly onto the shelves, followed by glittering magical items. At last, he took out a painting.
At the sight of it, Harry's eyes grew wide, and he rushed forward excitedly.
"Grandparents!" he exclaimed, his face glowing with joy.
The portrait revealed Fleamont and Euphemia Potter, who looked at him with tender warmth.
"Hello, Harry. We're sorry for the intrusion. Is it alright if we stay here? We would like to be a little more present in the life of our grandson. Of our grandsons," Euphemia added with a gentle smile, her gaze softening toward Percy as if she had already embraced him as one of her own simply for being Harry's brother.
"Oh, there's no need for a distant room. You can stay in the living room, if you don't mind. You'd be of great help with things we need to better understand about the wizarding world," Sally replied quickly, with polite manners and a sincere smile.
"Thank you very much, child," said Fleamont, smiling gratefully.
Einjard moved the portrait and hung it on the wall beside the fireplace.
"These are the only items that can be taken out of the vault until the boy turns eleven," he explained, checking his pocket watch as if measuring the time. "Study books from various magical branches, some objects of defense and protection, and the portrait of his ancestors."
"We also made a small trade," Fleamont added proudly. "A couple of old recipes in exchange for a protective, anti-apparition, and concealment barrier for the house, as well as a goblin-secured Floo Network connection."
"And also this," Einjard said, pulling out an object resembling a modern lantern but made of tin. Upon closer look, its lens contained water, and instead of a bulb there was a transparent stone. "This is a lamp created with the Thieves' Curse. It will not cancel enchantments or disguises, but it will allow you to see through them whenever its light points at them. It is the most expensive item."
"I see… thank you very much," said Sally, deeply grateful.
Curious, Percy approached and switched on the lamp, waving it around. Unsurprisingly, it revealed nothing unusual. Harry, standing right beside him, was suddenly blinded by the beam.
"Careful with that!" Harry protested, shielding his eyes.
Sally immediately rushed over, taking the lantern away before any accident could happen.
"Mr. Einjard, may I ask how things are going with Sirius Black?" she inquired with interest.
"Mm. We already sent the evidence to someone who might take it seriously: Amelia Bones. From there, it's in her hands. If they manage to free him, it'll be his friends' problem. The goblins have done all we could, sending every piece of proof."
"I see… thank you," Sally answered sincerely.
"Madam, let me explain how the fireplace and the Floo Network work," said the goblin who had finished his task, holding a thick book in his hands.
"Book open, Floo open. Book closed, Floo closed. No one can enter unless their full name is written in the book. If it's not, they can only stick their head through to talk. If you want absolutely no one to come through or even peek their head, simply write their name and cross it out."
"And what if you don't know their name?" Harry asked immediately.
"It's obvious, Harry—you hit them on the head with the book!" Percy declared with all seriousness, nodding as if it were the most logical answer in the world.
"Well… something like that," admitted the goblin, amused though trying to keep his composure. "But it's better to use another object. On the last page, a list of the people who have used the Floo Network will appear, and from there you can pull their names."
"Few wizards have these enchantments. Even among the high class, only a handful can afford them. Most simply protect their fireplaces with their own magic," Einjard explained seriously.
Sally, upon hearing this, realized that the recipes Fleamont had handed over must have been of incalculable value.
Percy, meanwhile, noticed among the tools the goblins had brought something that caught his eye: the golden sword he had once seen in Harry's vault. He picked it up with both hands, glanced at Einjard, then back at the sword, as though an idea had just taken root in his mind.
When the goblins finished installing everything, they gathered near the fireplace, ready to leave using the newly connected Floo Network.
But Percy stepped forward, walking up to Einjard with eyes alight with excitement.
"Mr. Einjard, do you know how to use a sword?" he asked suddenly, stopping the goblin in his tracks. Einjard looked at him with annoyance, clearly uncomfortable with how casually he was being addressed.
Of course, to Percy and Harry, the goblin who had helped them so much and made their home more magical no longer felt like someone distant or threatening, but like an ally—even if he always wore that grumpy face.
"Of course. Goblins are the creators of the greatest swords to ever exist in the wizarding world. Even…" He cut himself off mid-sentence, narrowing his eyes at Percy. "What do you want?" he asked bluntly.
"Then… teach me how to use the sword," Percy said proudly, lifting the golden weapon with a wide grin.
His words froze everyone. The goblins exchanged looks of surprise. Sally tensed, Harry's grandparents in the portrait widened their eyes, and Harry tilted his head, confused but intrigued.
"Ah?" Einjard muttered, sizing him up. "You want to learn to wield a sword… from a goblin?"
"Yes," Percy replied instantly, brimming with pride.
Einjard stared at him for several long seconds. The silence grew so heavy it felt like everyone in the room was holding their breath.
"Why?" he finally asked.
Percy hesitated a moment, thinking, then answered with disarming sincerity: "Magic is awesome and all… but I think the sword is cooler."
The goblin studied him as though trying to read his very soul. Then, unexpectedly, a smile tugged at his lips.
"Ha, ha, ha… Years ago, a human asked me the same thing, and I made a fool out of him. But you… technically you're different. I stand to gain much more if you grow strong thanks to me," he said cryptically, leaving Percy utterly baffled.
For Sally, however, his words struck like a revelation. It was obvious now: Einjard had known from the start that Percy was that man's son, and perhaps he even knew the truth about Harry. A chill ran down her spine, though at the same time she realized that if he had ever wanted to harm them, he could have done so long ago.
Harry opened his mouth to say something, but Einjard cut him off:
"I cannot teach you. I'm sure someone else will appear to do so," he said firmly, making it clear he had already considered the matter.
He then turned to his companions, walking toward the expanded fireplace.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll come train you. I hope you don't cry, or I'll kick you in the backside and leave," he growled before vanishing into the green flames. His eyes, however, lingered one last time on Percy.
…
Meanwhile, in a wizarding village, an owl swooped down through the twilight. Clutched in its talons was a bulky wrapped package, which it dropped through a half-open window before soaring back into the sky.
Inside, in an office, a woman with black hair, cold features, and a severe gaze lifted her eyes from her paperwork at the sound of the thud. Her brow furrowed sharply as she aimed her wand at the package, drawing it closer without touching it.
She took an enchanted magnifying glass from her desk and examined the parcel layer by layer, as though she could see through its folds. Once satisfied there were no hidden traps, she opened it without hesitation.
Inside was a stack of documents, images, and folders. The woman leafed through them one by one with practiced speed, her frown deepening with each new piece of evidence.
At last she set the pile down on the desk, her expression now pensive, even slightly troubled. Then she raised her wand.
"Expecto Patronum."
A majestic silver owl burst forth from her wand, spreading its glowing wings.
"Moody, go directly to Azkaban. I want Sirius Black placed in the section free of Dementors, for now. Do it yourself, don't send anyone else. And send Shacklebolt to my office—I need him to verify something for me."
The owl gave a nearly human nod, as though memorizing every word, then shot out the window like a bolt of lightning, faster than any real bird could fly.
The woman looked once more at the folders, but before leaving, she raised her wand and conjured an exact duplicate of them all. Tucking the copy under her arm, she strode to the fireplace.
"Ministry of Magic, London," she declared firmly, before disappearing in a blaze of green light.