Chamber of Secrets, Hogwarts - May 14, 1995

  The walk to the entrance of the chamber was short but nerve wracking. Harry couldn’t help but have small flashes of what happened deep beneath the earth, sparking a few moments of terror. If his present company noticed, they said nothing out of deep respect for the young man.

  He did slay his fear after all.

  “How rude of me!” Exclaimed Amelia, “I have yet to introduce our contracted friends here. Harry Potter, I would like to introduce to you Master renderer Ironfist and his apprentice Steelclaw.”

  “May gold flow to your vaults, and your enemies lay broken before you Heir Potter.” Ironfist said, tilting his head to mimic a formal bow.

  “Errm, thank you. May your vaults be filled with golden rivers of galleons and your enemies a shattered corpse before your blades Master Ironfist.” Harry responded, unsure if he got that right. “I hope I got that right? I don’t mean to offend, it’s my first real introduction with a goblin good sir. I hope you won’t think less of me.”

  Guttural laughs and words like grinding stone were exchanged between the two goblins. “Not at all Master Potter, it was an excellent first attempt. If you would wish to learn more about our culture, feel free to mention it to your Accounts manager. We rarely endorse a human to learn our culture and customs, but if what we are to render here today is a truthfully told story?”

  He hurried ahead of Harry, pausing in the corridor ahead to bow a full ninety degrees, his back parallel to the floor. “You will be named a warrior respected by our elders, and for sharing this bounty with us? We will both benefit and fill our vaults with gold.”

  Smiling at the smaller creature, he smiled lightly while clasping his hand over his heart. “I assure you Master goblin. I am not one for fanciful tales, I find the truth is far more revealing of one’s character.”

  Looking around he took note of the open mouths of the other human adults. The goblins were notorious for showing a great deal of disrespect for wizards and other creatures. The fact that in one small conversation these beings talked to an adolescent like an equal was, to them at least, confounding.

  “Now if you would follow me gentlemen, Ma’am?” Harry said, sweeping his arm with a flourish, directing them up to the second floor, east wing.

  A short walk later, they arrived. “Here we are, you can tell by all the water. Moaning Myrtle must have been in and out of her toilet a great deal due to the amount of foot traffic.”

  Leading the way inside, he checked her usual stall. Finding it empty, he smiled. The ghost creeped him out, not because she was a ghost mind you, but because the girl always acted her age. That of a hormonal teenage girl, constantly flirting with him whenever they encountered one another.

  Careful not to slip, he walked slowly over to the sinks. Focusing on the symbol his eyes briefly glowed, an inner fire brightening his striking emerald green eyes. “Open,” he hissed. Thankfully speaking in parseltongue on his first attempt.

  Looking into the deep darkness of the pipe he mused aloud, “I wonder… There’s no way Salazar Slytherin would slide down these pipes each time right? Perhaps…”

  Looking up while lost in thought, he hissed a collection of single words. Hoping to cause a stairway or something similar to appear. It took a few tries but he eventually struck gold, with a sibilant hiss of “Stairs”.

  “Eureka!” Harry grinned, “This should make it far less messy. Follow me chaps!” With a short incantation Lumos, he led the way walking deep into the dark earth.

  “Yuck. Still slimy.” Harry remarked, “The journey’s taking a lot longer than last time.”

  “Well at least we’re not taking the express route, Harry.” Amelia replied. “My auror’s tell me it was a riveting ride.” She smirked, thinking back to the previous evening when her Auror’s appeared covered in slime and muck. Amelia had to berate them for not thinking like wizards of course, but that was part of the fun of being a boss.

  Passing an older shed skin of the Basilisk was pretty intimidating. Thankfully Amelia was aware of it so she could brace herself. The goblins however were over the moon, seeing it as proof of the feat that young Mr. Potter had alluded to. “You claim this by right of conquest also Heir Potter?”

  Looking for some guidance he glanced over at Amelia, “You have the strongest claim, considering you slayed the beast that shed it. You should benefit from any products from it.”

  Nodding his head in agreement, he then confirmed it. “Of course, anything that is a product of this adventure of mine into the chamber including all remnants of the beast and any knowledge contained in the chamber is mine to keep. I didn’t see anyone else down here helping me out after all.”

  It took them a little less than an hour to get to the location of the rockfall. After which it took but a few short minutes to clear the danger and reinforce the ceiling in that area. “You were lucky to avoid being trapped here, Harry. It’s a pretty big fall.”

  “Seeker reflexes are to be thanked I guess, even though I don’t really like Quidditch.” Harry replied before seeing her gobsmacked expression. “Careful,” he chuckled, “You wouldn’t want to catch any flies with an expression like that.”

  “But you’re the youngest seeker in a century!” She exclaimed.

  Harry just shook his head, his expression morose. “Honestly I was just railroaded into it. I went along with it because clubs are a good way to make friends. Anyway, I think we’re here. Should be just around this corner…”

  Raising his wand he pulsed some extra magic into his foci. Looking up the group could see marvelously created statues, framing a door carved into the rock of the cave itself. “Are these statues gold?” Amelia asked.

  “Hmm, looks like goblin crafted bronze to me. Excellent metal for long term transfiguration.” Master Ironfits said, contemplating the surroundings.

  Amelia kept quiet, just admiring the craftsmanship. “It’s great work, I’m just not a fan of the snake motif.” She remarked quietly.

  “If you think this is bad, just wait til you see the chamber. It’s an eye-sore.” Harry laughingly said. Hissing a quick Open once more, he led the way into the chamber. The portal into the Chamber of Secrets was eye catching to say the least. Even if Harry wasn’t a fan of his nightmarish recollections of this door, it was definitely a worthy piece of magic.

  With a dramatic pronouncement, Harry put on his game show voice “I give you, Salazar’s Chamber of Secrets.”

  Everyone in the group gaped and gasped as the everburning torches within the wall sconces lit up. Revealing a pillared hall that guided the viewer's eye to a rather hideous, yet gigantic, statue of Salazar himself.

  As the group finally began to ignore the melodramatic decoration, they noticed Harry and his adverse reaction to the seventy foot scaled corpse lying to one side of the chamber. Next to a collapsed pillar.

  Amelia put her hand on his shoulder in solidarity, “That’s a worthy hunt Potter, gotta say I would have soiled myself. Good job. You saved many people, many of them would have been my Aurors.”

  This heartfelt declaration snapped young Harry back to his senses. Amelia put her arm round his shoulder, “Master goblins, if you would be so kind as to render the Basilisk down as discussed…”

  “Of course Madame Bones, would it be acceptable to discuss terms directly with Mr. Potter?”

  “As long as the set up for the Ritual of the Hunt is given as a free service, I don’t see why not.” She said, a sharp glint in her eye.

  “That wouldn’t be an imposition, after all how many people can say they get to work on a beastie this old.” The elderly goblin chuckled, his voice still hoarse as if he was chewing rocks.

  “Mr. Potter, what would you like set aside for your personal use. The part’s that you would perhaps see as unnegotiable?” Amelia asked, curious to see how his mind would tackle this problem.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  After half a minute of thought he responded, “I require the heart, for the ritual if I’m not mistaken Amelia?” At her nod he continued, “At least enough materials for three basilisk hide outfits. With three sets that I could grow into… Perhaps a more rigorous reinforced armour, a suit, and a military style overcoat in a chelsea coat style kinda like a protective leather duster? Oh and don’t forget the boots.”

  Rubbing his eyes, “Make that enough hide set aside for three sets of armour for three other people. Amelia, would you like some? As thanks for your assistance as an ally of House Potter?”

  Amelia was stunned, this was beyond generous. Harry continued, “I am also wondering if my magic has…shifted, for lack of a better explanation. Is there perhaps a viable use of some part for wand creation or adjustment? I would imagine that this was a significant milestone in my life, considering I’m about to undergo the Hunter’s Ritual, I imagine my magic will shift even more…”

  This stunned everyone present to silence, Master Ironfist was chortling along quite happily to his requests. “Smart, Heir Potter, smart. I can set aside most of that for you off the bat, the only contentious part would be the wand material. Optic nerves and muscles of such would normally be a hearty request for our nation. However we can see that your story was true in regards to their damage.” He paused, choosing his words carefully, “I can agree to your request, though the Goblin Nation would like to request preference to the basilisk meat and if you would be persuaded, the intact skeleton.”

  Humming in thought, Amelia questioned the Master Goblin quietly, “Is that appropriate serr? The skeleton is his trophy of his deed, isn’t it inappropriate to request such?”

  “There’s no wrong in asking Amelia.” Harry said quietly, “Master goblin, is there any use for Basilisk marrow that I am unaware of?”

  “Savvy question young Heir, it can be used in higher tiered antidotes, blood and magic replenishing potions. Though the other components for such a complex potion are exhaustingly expensive.”

  “Could we perhaps come to a compromise then? Perhaps we extract the marrow, split it 50/50. I allow the goblin nation to retain all the bones but the skull, however…” Harry said, pointing his finger to the sky, “I will allow you to make a copy of the skull to complete the set so to say.”

  A shark-like grin enveloped the Goblins' visage. “A reasonable proposition Mr. Potter. However, all potions crafted must be through services provided from Gringotts, I will make your account manager aware of it. Is that acceptable?”

  “I agree in principle, but if I wish to use the materials from this creature in research I hope you won’t expect me to allow that?” Harry said, smiling evilly with a crooked eyebrow.

  The goblin broke out into joyous laughter, clearly enamoured with the Potter scion. “Excellently done Heir Potter! Now the remaining valuable items would be the nerves, tendons and finally the poison. How would you propose we split such?”

  “I assume you use the tendons in the crafting of the armour? It should allow the magic to flow more freely if the materials used are all from the same creature, correct?”

  “Indeed Mr. Potter, well reasoned. We also add the nerve’s in our alchemical solutions to ‘gild’ the runic enhancements.”

  “Well then, it would only be fair that we set aside those materials for the deluxe sets of armour and boots, yes? Those that we are going to heavily enchant. So to make it fair, I would suggest one full set of equipment for Amelia, myself and enough for me to give three deluxe sets of armour to family and friends.”

  Walking towards the beast Harry voiced his question, “How many such sets do you think we will be able to get material for from this monster?”

  “Perhaps twenty to thirty sets all told. Honestly, it could be more.”

  “Well then, I would offer the goblins three tenths of the remainder. Allowing me to keep seven tenths of those not already requested. And how much spare hide would there be after that?”

  “A great deal to be honest, there’s still that full shed in the previous chamber…enough for a great deal of weaker enchanted gear, although I would recommend that you sell half of the skin for galleons, crafters would go mad over it. We would also request one tenth of the organ meat.”

  “How much would you expect to get from said leather? And is there any use for that in potions?”

  “To be quite frank, yes. However much of those are dark oriented potions as your ministry classifies it.”

  “Amelia, as an ally of house potter, is there anything that could be useful for me?”

  “That I’m aware of? No, the only one would be an enhancer to further provide protection from potion based ensorcellment. The rest are key ingredients from some of the more dehumanising dark rituals, those I would advise you to stay away from.”

  “How many of those enhancer’s could you provide from this specimen Master Ironfist?”

  “At least thirty doses, though we would request that you allow us to guarantee their quality. We would charge you no fee for the rest of the organs and two tenths of the poison.”

  “You’re going to take me for a ride here Master Goblin. I’m happy with the arrangements but I can’t help but feel you’re taking advantage. I understand the allure of these magical components and since you are doing me a favour, I wish to be accommodating. However, to put me at ease, would you agree to showing me a receipt to better understand what I’m giving up? I would also request that you balance the monetary value of the trade so that I pay no more than 20% of the total value of the kill. I hope you understand that I’m adding an extra 5% as a show of good will.”

  Amelia was shocked at this final negotiation, it was an excellent way to request that he isn’t completely skinned for the value of the beast. Quite frankly, I know now that Harry, even without access to his ancestral family vaults need not want for the rest of his life if he lived modestly.

  Nodding thoughtfully the Goblin was stunned at the generosity. “As a Master in my art, on behalf of the Goblin Nation, I agree to these terms with the following addendum. I will set that rate at 10% on the condition that you also use any services for crafting through Goblin Artisans. I assure you that only Master crafters will touch the materials that you will be using.”

  “Sounds good, now, I claim the rest of the miscellaneous stuff in the Chambers as part of my right as conquest. I hope that’s possible Amelia? I found it, finders keepers as the muggles say.”

  A thoughtful look crossed Amelia's face, “I don’t think they can stop you Harry. The entire school owes you a life debt, and quite frankly, from the stories of your past year here…They owe you a great deal more. As a representative of the ministry I can sign off on it. I’m sure the Goblins will recognise your claim.”

  “Anything that you find here I hope you allow me to keep? If there is any knowledge I believe you would find useful I can share a copy for a… modest fee, as you say.” Harry smirked across at Ironfist.

  Cackling with glee the old goblin was slapping his thigh with merriment. “Perfectly reasonable Heir Potter. With all the previous stipulations?”

  “As long as the Ritual preparation is also part of the payment I agree, Master Ironfist.” Reaching out a hand they sealed the deal. Overall Harry was happy, even if he didn’t get the ‘better’ of them. After they shook, his apprentice walked over, with a contract covering all the relevant points that were discussed. A few minutes verifying the contract on both parties with Amelia’s help of course, to which they then both signed and sealed the agreement with a blood quill.

  “Perfect! Come along now Mr. Potter, let’s get up close and personal with this beasty. I want to see the battleground and the mortal wound you gave it!” The Master said, wriggling with excitement. There are few things that instill pure joy into a goblin more than a deal well made and a battle well fought.

  “Amelia, Aurors, if you would follow me I can walk you through where and what happened before they start their work. Master Goblins, you’re welcome to hear this tale to relay back to the Goblin Nation.”

  It took another hour to fully explain and walk everyone through the harrowing battle, but with the slain beast in front of them it was easy enough for them to believe. The auror’s then took some magical readings noting down all the relevant information before the Goblins were allowed to start their work.

  Harry was standing to the side looking up at Salazar's statue when Amelia walked to his side, “I’m glad to see that you proved yourself honest Harry. It’s a terribly impressive thing that you’ve accomplished here. Quite frankly I can scarcely believe it. Why don’t you have a photo in front of your kill? A little memento if you like. I asked the Goblins to wait a moment before starting.”

  “I just want to get the ritual over and done with honestly Amelia, will it take long? I’m feeling pretty anxious in this room.”

  “Honestly, they will carve it inside out to get to the Heart. Should take no more than five minutes. You might as well get photographic evidence of your accomplishment. For your memories if nothing else.”

  “You know what? I may have hated doing it, but now that I’ve done it I should feel proud.” Harry shook his head in dismay, “I have nothing to be ashamed of so why not!”

  After he had a few photos taken with a copy going to Amelia, signed of course. Harry let the goblins get on with their business. Master Ironfist began preparing a ritual circle to the side, one that was cleared for him by one of the aurors, while his apprentice started sharpening and preparing himself to dive through the mouth of the beast to cut out its heart.

  Overall it took around another forty minutes before Steelclaw returned, covered in coagulating blood. A heart taller and wider than he was raised high above his head. “Don’t get excited now, this one was so old it had two. Bear with me.” Placing it reverently down upon a leather sheet he dove back in once more. Returning only ten minutes after with the second.

  “You never know how many these beasties can have. There are records of them having three or more, sometimes in multiple places.” Shaking off the gore he said, “You’re all set now lad, once the ritual is squared away I recommend you get stuck in.”

  “What do I have to do Amelia?”

  “It’s simple enough from your end, use your sword to stake the heart in the centre of the bigger circle whilst you proclaim your Conquest Rites. At which point I will beseech magic on your behalf to grant you a boon for this feat of strength against all odds.”

  “Now, you will feel the ritual circle power up when you first stake the heart. The tricky part is to open yourself to magic and to ‘claim’ your prize when the time is right. The longer it goes on, and it will go on for a while, the more power you will receive. Just trust your instincts, OK Harry? Don’t be nervous.”

  It was only a short while later that Harry was staring across a ritual circle from Amelia. They were in the nude which was a unique situation for Harry. He’d never seen a woman even remotely close to being naked, never mind completely starkers!

  It was very difficult for him not to stare, although it helped a great deal that he couldn’t wear his glasses for this. Holding Gryffindors sword in his dominant hand. He prepared himself, ready to beseech magic to come to his aid.

  Luckily for him? It did.