Hindsight

The Will

Mister Potter,' Ragnok bowed in greeting as Harry and Hermione followed him into his office, 'May your wealth multiply and your enemies bleed at your feet.'

Harry was nonplussed at the rather bloodthirsty greeting, but he decided to return it anyway. 'Chief Ragnok. May your wealth multiply and your enemies bleed at your feet.'

Ragnok grinned appreciatively, then turned to Hermione. 'And who is this young lady?'

'She is my…uh…' Harry and Hermione exchanged a look, silently deciding to be truthful when it came to money and goblins, 'Wife. Hermione Granger.'

'Madam Granger,' Ragnok bowed again, 'May your gold flow in rivers and lesser men tremble before you.'

Hermione bowed at Ragnok. 'Chief Ragnok, may your gold fill oceans and the corpse of your enemies lay before you,' she tried something a little more creative.

Ragnok cackled. 'I like this one a lot,' he complimented, 'Have a seat, Mister Potter and Madam Granger.'

Harry and Hermione sat down opposite the Chief Goblin. 'I assume you have business with us, Chief Ragnok?' Harry asked.

Ragnok nodded. 'And I assume you do as well, Mister Potter?'

'Yes, I do. But would you like to start first?'

'I see what Urknus was saying. You are quite an unusual wizard, Mister Potter,' Ragnok commented, 'I most certainly do not complain of your respect and cordiality. Well, Mister Potter, I appreciate your consideration. However, I believe that you should begin, as what I have to tell you may be quite taxing.'

'As you wish, Chief Ragnok,' Harry replied. 'I'm here to pass to the goblins of Gringotts knowledge of a Dark Artefact hidden within your halls that violates the Treaty of 1748,' he began formally.

'Do you know the nature of this Dark Artefact, Mister Potter?'

'Hermione and I believe this object is a Horcrux, Chief Ragnok.'

Ragnok's eyebrows shot onto his forehead. 'A Horcrux? Are you certain, Mister Potter, Madam Granger?'

'We are, Chief Ragnok,' Hermione answered firmly.

'And do you know the location of this artefact?'

'It is located in the main Lestrange vault,' Hermione said.

'This is a serious accusation, Madam Granger,' Ragnok replied. 'I shall send my Deputy to send for a Guard Detachment to the Lestrange vault to investigate your claim. What does this object look like?'

'It's a cup, Chief Ragnok,' Hermione explained, 'It's made of gold and it's embossed with the crest of Helga Hufflepuff, which is a badger.'

Ragnok gave a few instructions to his Deputy, who was standing guard at the door, in rapid Gobbledegook. The Deputy left immediately with a nod.

'This search should take no more than thirty minutes to complete. Please enjoy some refreshments, courtesy of the goblins, while you wait.'

Ragnok waved his hand and three goblets of elf-made wine appeared. Harry, Hermione, and Ragnok each took one.

The Deputy returned five minutes latter and spoke to Ragnok in Gobbledegook, which he translated to the two teenagers as word that the Guards have been sent.

Harry, Hermione, and Ragnok sat in silence for twenty minutes, sipping the wine, before the Guard Captain returned with the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff.

The Guard Captain and Ragnok exchanged some words in Gobbledegook, before Ragnok bade him away, taking the Cup with him.

'Captain Bladvak has indeed confirmed that the item is a Horcrux,' Ragnok said to the two teens. 'The goblins have disposal procedures in place for these kinds of objects. It will take us about a week to remove the soul fragment, cleanse the object, and finally, restore it, at which time we will call you back.'