Hogwarts: Don't call me the Staff Maker

Chapter 719 Gringotts

Chapter 719 Gringotts

Helga Hufflepuff's Cup, the last of the four great Hogwarts relics, was also turned into a Horcrux by Voldemort.

Siren had always known where the thing was and was prepared to find a suitable opportunity to tell Dumbledore or Harry.

He just didn't expect that Dumbledore would also find out.

"Professor, how did you find it?" Siron asked curiously as they left the wand shop.

"Actually, guessing is a more accurate word," Dumbledore said. "You must remember that we came from Hodge—oh, sorry, I forgot you haven't seen that memory."

Dumbledore paused for a moment, then continued, "It was the house-elf of Hepzba Smith, who also once owned both the Hufflepuff Cup and the Slytherin Locket, and showed them to a young Tom Riddle."

"I bet she died a horrible death," Celen whispered.

"You know, young Tom Riddle was very good at manipulating people. He always had a way of making people lower their guard without them even realizing it," Dumbledore said, but he did not deny Siren's statement.

Because shortly after Hepzibah Smith showed the two items to Tom Riddell, she was murdered, and the locket and the gold cup disappeared.

"When I learned that Tom had turned Slytherin’s locket into a Horcrux, I knew that the Golden Cup must have become one of his Horcruxes as well, but I couldn’t find any clues."

"Until recently—speaking of which, I think you must remember Lucius Malfoy, who was living in constant fear because he had lost something of Tom's."

"Of course," Siren said, casually waving his hand, and the diary floated out of his pocket, hovering quietly on his shoulder.

"I really have to thank Lucius Malfoy; this gift he sent has saved my life more than once."

Even a wizard as composed as Dumbledore couldn't help but laugh out loud after hearing Siron's words.

"Lucius Malfoy wouldn't be too happy to hear what you just said."

"Whatever, I'm pretty happy anyway," Celen shrugged. "So, does this have anything to do with him?"

"You could say that," Dumbledore nodded. "A few days ago, because someone failed to complete the task Tom gave him, Tom, in a fit of rage, brought it up again and punished Lucius Malfoy with the Crucifixion Curse."

"However, he was not the only Death Eater present who made a mistake."

"For some reason, Bellatrix Lestrange's standing in Voldemort's eyes was declining, and in her eagerness to regain Voldemort's trust, she inadvertently said something when Lucius was being punished."

"What is it?"

"Only those who are disloyal to the Dark Lord would disregard the tasks he gives them; I would never make such a basic mistake."

Dumbledore said, "This statement reveals a crucial piece of information. Can you guess what it is?"

"Bella also has something," Sirius said, "and like Lucius Malfoy, it was given to her by Voldemort himself—a Horcrux."

He didn't ask Dumbledore where he got such secret information; without a doubt, it must have been Snape, that double agent.

“Absolutely right, that’s what I think too,” Dumbledore said. “But unlike Lucius Malfoy, Lestrange has been imprisoned in Azkaban for the past decade or so. Where could she possibly hide it? Or rather, how can she guarantee it won’t be stolen without supervision?”

"In my opinion, there is only one answer." Dumbledore paused.

Siren looked up; the white marble reflected a soft halo in the sunlight as they walked right up to Gringotts.

If you're looking for a place in Diagon Alley that's least affected by Voldemort and the Death Eaters, Gringotts is the place to be.

The place remains as bustling as ever, except that the people coming and going are always in a hurry; otherwise, almost nothing has changed.

A dozen fairies sat behind a tall counter, intently manipulating the scales and gold in front of them.

It wasn't until the two reached the end of the hall that a fairy finally noticed them.

"Oh, what rare guests!" An old goblin looked at the two wizards in front of him in surprise.

"Welcome to Gringotts, Mr. Albus Dumbledore—and of course, Mr. Ollivander." The goblin glanced at Siron quickly before turning his gaze back to Dumbledore.

"Hello, Bogrod," Dumbledore said with a smile.

A hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the goblin named Bogrod, seemingly not expecting that Dumbledore would know his name.

"Well then, Mr. Albus Dumbledore, is there anything I can do for you?" the goblin asked, his tone so polite it was hardly befitting a goblin.

"Thank you, Bogrod. I'd like to go to the Dumbledore family's vault."

Upon hearing this, the fairy was even more surprised and for a moment forgot to respond.

"Is there a problem?" Dumbledore asked.

"No, not at all." The fairy shook her head repeatedly. "I'm just surprised, after all, you haven't been there for decades."

""

"Yes, I'd almost forgotten where it was," Dumbledore remarked.

"You don't need to worry about that at all, as long as you can provide the key."

"Oh, I almost forgot," said Dumbledore, quickly handing over a fine golden key.

The fairy checked it over and nodded after confirming that there were no problems.

Then it looked at Xilun.

"So, is Mr. Ollivander also going to the vault?"

"No, I'm with Professor Dumbledore this time," said Celen.

The fairy's expression changed for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.

"In that case—" it jumped off the counter, "then you two come with me. Ordinary fairies aren't qualified to open the doors to certain vaults."

"Thank you," Dumbledore said.

The two followed the fairy through the hall to the entrance of the vault, where they boarded Gringotts' signature miniature car and sped along the tracks.

This little car was going very fast, and the strong wind blowing in its face made it hard for Xilun to open his eyes.

He rarely came to Gringotts, partly because he distrusted goblins, and partly because he disliked this simple and crude mode of transportation and didn't want to have to take this kind of car every time he withdrew money.

And that wasn't all. As the car gradually moved deeper into the vault, its speed increased even more, almost as if it had fallen directly from the sky.

Squinting, Xilun had no idea where they were; all he knew was that it was getting darker and quieter around them.

All I could hear was the whistling wind and a faint, low growl.

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