Lesser Virtues, Greater Goals | Tomarry

Chapter 24: Horcruxes

"Are you sure they will let us through?" Whispers Ben, unconvinced, like every time Tom has a plan and doesn't tell them what it entails. "We may have our Auror licenses with us, but isn't there a rule about asking after costumers' privet vaults?"

It's the second Sunday of the new year.

The Auror Trio has just entered Gringotts, to acquire the Cup from Bellatrix Lestrange's vault. The plan is simple, yet convenient. (And it would be even better if they actually knew of how to proceed after getting inside the inescapable building, but they didn't.)

"Trust me. Everything will work out fine." Whispers the Slytherin with a hissed, exasperated tone. "Just... keep smiling."

"We must come up with what spell to use, in case this goes wrong." Reminds Ben.

"Imperio." Says Tom. "I can perform it wandlessly."

"Or, another idea is..." Suggests Mary, eager to put a stop to Tom's tendency of using a dark curse as a solution. "Either the Confundus or an illusion charm. Umbra, for example."

"Creating illusions is risky business, Mary." Points out the youngest of the team.

"That's why you've never been good at it and stuck to your Unforgivables instead." She replies smugly, making him pause his steps and blink, trying to take in the 'burn', as Ben calls it, while she walks ahead of the two men with all the confidence in the world.

Tom looks at Ben, who simply smiles.

"What?" Asks the Ravenclaw. "You know she's right. Don't tell me you're going to hold a grudge for that, are you?"

The brunet grins and it's one of his venomous ones. "Just because you're asking nicely."

Before Ben has even pushed his mind mechanisms to find an appropriate scathing enough response, Mary calls them over, to join her on the front. "Guys, what are you yammering about? Speed up!"

"Come on." Says Tom, placing a hand on the other's shoulder and pushing him a bit forward to keep him going. "Let's focus on our task."

Ben shakes his head, evidently annoyed, but otherwise walks all the way to the second corridor to the left out of... well, he hasn't exactly counted them. They appear to be millions of them.

Mary has stopped in front of a golden stand, precisely two meters high.

When the blond man arrives there, he sees her talking to an elf with white, almost silver hair and round golden glasses. Tom is right behind her. He remains silent and leaves her to do the talking.

"So, as I was saying..." Continues the woman, "We were sent here by Mr Kingsley, Mr Bush, and I would appreciate it if you let us in. This is Ministry business. We're talking about Dark artifacts in the possession of Mme Lestrange. It's a serious offense that must be investigated."

The elf, Kyon, doesn't seem convinced at all, as he stares at the blonde with eyes filled with judgement. He reminds Tom of himself, to be honest.

Mary lastly gives the creature a weak smile. "You know what I mean, I hope."

"I think you just insulted him." Whispers Tom in her ear.

"Shut up. Not now." She hisses at him and looks back at the elf with a smile. A feigned one. "So, err... what do you say?"

Kyon's expression turns pensive as he bores his eyes at the brown ones of the young lady. "Please describe the object you're looking for, madame."

"Right..." She turns to her partner. "Ben? The drawing?"