Re:HP-A New Life

I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.

https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon

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Chapter 46: The Heist at Gringotts

The shadows of Diagon Alley stretched long in the pale moonlight as Harry Potter slipped through the near-empty streets, the Invisibility Cloak draped over his body. The chill of the night air was nothing compared to the resolve coursing through his veins. This was his most daring act yet—breaking into the most secure bank in the wizarding world.

His target: the Hufflepuff Cup hidden in the Lestrange vault, one of Voldemort's Horcruxes.

Harry approached the grand marble steps of Gringotts Bank, his heart pounding in his chest. Under the cloak, he moved with silent precision, his eyes scanning for any sign of guards. As expected, the goblins inside had no reason to suspect anyone would dare infiltrate their vaults in the dead of night.

Harry waited near the grand entrance until a late-night delivery of enchanted ingots arrived. He slipped in behind the delivery cart, careful not to disturb the air or make a sound. Once inside, he watched as the goblins processed the delivery, meticulously counting and inspecting each ingot. Their focus on their work provided Harry the perfect distraction.

Sliding past the goblins, Harry made his way to the vast, spiraling stone corridors that led to the vaults. The air grew colder as he descended deeper into the bank, the faint rattle of distant carts echoing off the walls. He held his breath every time a goblin passed, staying perfectly still until they were out of sight.

The map he'd memorized about Gringotts' layout had proven invaluable. The Lestrange vault was located deep in the lower levels, guarded by ancient enchantments and traps that would deter all but the most skilled intruders. Thankfully, Harry wasn't most intruders.

The first real challenge came in the form of the waterfall that guarded the deeper vaults. Known as the Thief's Downfall, it washed away all enchantments, including invisibility cloaks, revealing any intruders. Harry had anticipated this and was prepared.

Stopping a safe distance from the waterfall, Harry pulled out a small rune-etched orb he had enchanted earlier. Whispering the incantation, he sent the orb floating through the air toward the waterfall. The orb glowed faintly before releasing a pulse of magic that disrupted the waterfall's flow for a few precious seconds. Harry darted through the gap, his cloak still intact.

Once past the waterfall, he summoned a mine cart, hiding his presence under the cloak as it sped toward the Lestrange vault. The ride was nerve-wracking, the wind whipping at his face as the cart twisted and turned through the maze of tunnels. Finally, it screeched to a halt before a massive iron door adorned with the Lestrange family crest.

The Lestrange vault was protected by a series of enchantments and goblin-forged locks that required a goblin's touch to open. But Harry had done his research. He pulled out a small dagger etched with goblin runes. The blade was enchanted to bypass most goblin locks, though it required a steady hand and precise movements.

Carefully, Harry inserted the blade into the keyhole and twisted it counterclockwise while muttering a goblin incantation he'd learned. The lock clicked once, twice, and then the iron door groaned as it swung open.

The vault was a treasure trove of dark artifacts and cursed objects. Gold and jewels were piled high, but Harry ignored the wealth. His focus was on the Horcrux.

There, on a pedestal in the center of the vault, sat the Hufflepuff Cup. Its golden surface gleamed faintly in the dim light, radiating an aura of dark magic. Harry could feel the malevolent presence of the Horcrux even from a distance. He approached cautiously, knowing the cup was likely cursed.

Pulling out a small drawstring bag lined with basilisk skin, Harry carefully levitated the cup into the bag without touching it. The basilisk skin would suppress the dark magic, preventing the Horcrux from harming him or alerting Voldemort.

With the cup secured, Harry turned to leave the vault. But as the door creaked shut behind him, a deafening alarm echoed through the tunnels. His heart sank—he must have triggered an enchantment. The sound of goblin voices and approaching carts grew louder, and Harry knew he had only moments to escape.

Thinking quickly, he cast a Disillusionment Charm over himself in addition to the cloak, hoping to mask his presence further. He sprinted back to the mine cart, which had already begun moving toward the upper levels in response to the alarm. Leaping onto the cart just in time, Harry crouched low and held his breath as the cart sped through the tunnels.

The trip back felt agonizingly slow. He passed several goblin search parties, their sharp eyes scanning the area. Once, a goblin's gaze lingered near his cart, and Harry froze, willing himself to become invisible. The goblin eventually moved on, and Harry let out a silent sigh of relief.

As the cart reached the upper levels, Harry leapt off before it could reach the station. He navigated the rest of the way on foot, dodging patrols and slipping through shadows. When he finally reached the main hall, he saw that the goblins were in a frenzy, their sharp voices barking orders as they searched for the intruder.

Harry used the same trick he had used to enter—slipping out behind a delivery cart—and finally emerged into the cool night air of Diagon Alley. His heart was pounding, but a wave of relief washed over him as he realized he had made it out undetected.

Back at the school, Harry sat in his room, staring at the bag containing the Hufflepuff Cup. The Horcrux felt like a weight in his hands, a reminder of the danger he had faced and the challenges yet to come. He knew this was only the beginning. There were still other Horcruxes to find, and Voldemort's shadow loomed ever larger.

But for now, he allowed himself a moment of triumph. He had stolen a Horcrux from the heart of Gringotts, a feat no one else could claim. The fight against Voldemort was far from over, but Harry was determined to see it through, one step at a time.