Chapter 258: Arriving at Switzerland (1/2)
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The link is also in the synopsis.
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”What would prompt you to bring this up?”
Quinn stared at the old goblin, who looked at him with beady eyes, a guarded posture, and the paper slip clinched tightly in his long nails.
”So you're aware of the Horcrux,” said Quinn. ”That's a good indication.”
”No, it is not. Even the mention of this vile magic is an omen of misfortune and giving an invitation to ill-fate,” said Bogrod, barring his teeth.
”Oh, come on, it's not that bad.”
Bogrod crushed the slip in his hand and pounded the fist on the table, ”It is not 'not that bad,' boy. For you to talk about the vile magic like it is nothing serious can only mean that you don't know about it!”
”I do know about it, Mr. Bogrod,” said Quinn, intertwining his finger over his thighs. ”Horcrux.. . the magic through which a magical severs a part of their soul through the act of cold-blooded murder and hide that part of the soul in an object outside the body, thus tethering the main soul to the plane of living even if the mortal coil is destroyed, thus achieving immortality or at least a type of immortality.” Bogrod looked at Quinn with stunned eyes. ”So, Mr. Bogrod, I do know what a Horcrux is and why it's considered to be one of the vilest of magic in existence.”
Bogrod didn't move an inch of his muscle, his gaze intently observing the human child in front of him. What he had thought would be a glorious day of bringing a historical part of their culture was now turning into something else. He was sure that after years when he looked back to this day, this talk would come to his mind before the memory of obtaining a thousand-year-old piece of their legacy.
”.. . I ask again, boy. Why have you brought this up?”
”Goblins, the race on this Earth that holds paramount knowledge on curses and curse-breaking. Even if your race has solidified their place as those with gold, when in need of curse-breaking, anyone with an iota of knowledge and sense would turn to goblins.”
If it was another time, Bogrod would puff his chest and turn his nose up.
”A Horcrux at its core is an enchanted object,” Quinn continued but omitted the part that a Horcrux could be a living being as well, ”meaning that with sufficient knowledge, it could be broken, so I ask of you, goblin, does your kind have a way to break a Horcrux?”
Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem and Helga Hufflepuff's Cup — two priceless artifacts created by the Hogwarts Founders, and while their creator didn't interest Quinn, he was thoroughly interested in the fact that both the artifacts were rumoured to have magical properties — he didn't know the nature of those magical properties, and wished to know. Alas, they were both tainted by Voldemort's soul, and before Quinn could even desire to study them, he needed to remove the soul fragments without destroying them.
And that's why here he was asking a goblin he was meeting for the first time about a topic that attracted the feeling of wariness and unease. But it couldn't be helped; he had tried to find a method on his own — scoured both the Hogwarts Library and Room of Requirements, but nowhere could he find a method that didn't involve the destruction of the soul's vessel.
Bogrod didn't answer immediately, instead observed Quinn, searching where this question was coming from — why did the human child want to know about the obscure magic, where had he learned of its existence, did he wish to create a Horcr—
”I do not wish to create a Horcrux, goblin,” said Quinn, startling Bogrod. ”Don't look surprised; it's written all over your face. Moreover, I respect the sanctity of my soul to split it and keep it outside of my body.” Just the thought of splitting his soul brought disgust up Quinn's throat — it was the only thing he had brought with him to this world, the sole possession that truly belonged to him.
”How do I believe you?” asked Bogrod.
”There's no need to believe me,” said Quinn. ”If I was wished to create a Horcrux, then I wouldn't have asked you, a high-ranking goblin, while sitting on goblin soil, inside Gringotts, with multiple people aware of our meeting. No. I would've found a goblin who knew about Horcrux, met him in secret, and after gaining the information, killed him to ensure my secret forever remained a secret.
Now, Mr. Bogrod, tell me, does the goblin kind knows a method to destroy a Horcrux?”
Bogrod and Quinn stared at each other at a length before the former sighed, ”No, we don't have a method to destroy a Horcrux. We have tried to look for a method, but we were never able to find how to rid an object of the soul. The godforsaken magic uses the ethereal soul to protect earthly objects.”
Quinn showed no change in expression, but internally he sighed with disappointment. ”I see,” he said, ”it's unfortunate then; I hoped that I could've learned something new today, but it seems that won't be the case.”
Bogrod stared at Quinn with disbelief. This was why he asked for Horcrux, just so that he could learn something new? If he wanted to learn something new, then look for well-known, respectable magic; why Horcrux.
Quinn stood up from his place as he had nothing more to discuss or accomplish today. ”Thank you for answering my question, Mr, Bogrod. For your time and hospitality, I would like to extend my thanks towards you,” he reached into his suit breast pocket and took out three more coin cases.
Bogrod inhaled sharply at the sight of the coin cases.
”This is my gift to you.” Quinn set down the three cases on the table and opened them to reveal an old galleon, sickle, and knut. ”It's up to you what you wish to do with these — you can turn them to Gringotts, or you can keep them for yourself. If you decide to turn them to Gringotts, justify it was as a sign of goodwill from a West, and if you decide to treat yourself, I will never speak of these coins ever again.”
Bogrod looked away from the coins up towards Quinn. He knew what that meant; whatever was discussed between the two was not to be disclosed. The gift of coins was just something to ensure that silence.
”It was a pleasure meeting you, Bogrod,” said Quinn, smiling. ”I hope that when another opportunity like this strikes our door, we will again be able to do some business.”
After all, there was something else that he wanted from the goblins; it just wasn't the right time to get it, but when the correct did come, he would come back and get it.
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- (Scene Break) -
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”Have you packed your clothes?”
”Yes, I have properly packed my clothes, and didn't you have Polly double-check? What's the use of asking me?”
Ms. Rosey narrowed her eyes, ”No matter if someone checked or not, in the end, it's your responsibility to check your work.”
”Yes, ma'am,” said Quinn.
”Hmm.. . do you have the gold secured?”
Quinn lifted his briefcase, ”All of it in here.”
”What about the gold for your use?”
”I have plenty in my pockets.”
She nodded, satisfied. Her Quinn had grown up now, so this much was enough.
Elliot entered the hallway with the main door to the West Mansion. ”It seems you're ready,” he said and raised a small lapel pin. ”I have the portkey ready.”
Quinn nodded before turning to Ms. Rosey and hugging her. ”I'll be back in a couple days. Hold down the fort for me.” Ms. Rosey snorted as she hugged Quinn back.
”Good stuff,” said Quinn, ending the hug. He turned to Elliot, ”Let's go.”
The two exited the mansion and began their walk towards the estate gates.
”This brings back memories,” said Quinn. ”Whenever I leave the country, you always walk me out.”
Elliot chuckled, ”That seems to be the case. I hope that will remain the case.”
”Sounds like a good tradition to me.”
”So, anything special you wish to do in Switzerland?”
Quinn shook his head, ”No, I wish to return to as soon as my work done is there. I'm in the middle of a project, and leaving on vacation with the project in progress doesn't fit right with me.”
”A project?”
”Yes, I'm working on this year's QWASPP. I'm almost finished, but there are a few kinks that I straighten and a few runes to fix — it's on a crucial stage, so I'll be returning to complete it.”
”Oh my, may I know what is the product this time?”