Secondly, we have the information on the prisoner that you requested. He is still in Azkaban. He was caught immediately after killing another wizard. He had a brief "trial" in which he refused to say anything for himself. Several members of his family attempted to speak for him to secure a more lenient sentence. When asked if he had anything to say for himself he merely rolled up his sleeve to show the Dark Mark. However there are a few odd things of note. First, he surrendered without a fight to the aurors. Secondly, this occurred almost a month after the downfall of the Dark Lord, and had not been named by any of the other death eaters. Lastly according to Aurors notes he has said nothing since he went to Azkaban.
If you decide to do what I think you will, be cautious. Secure an oath. Despite what the note said, you do not know this person's motives or allegiances. Also, be aware that should you free him, we will be unable to shelter him, even if he should provide an oath. It may be possible to track someone through their mark, or even control them. We will not expose our sanctuary and ourselves to that risk.
Thirdly, the goblins capitulated to our demands. The chalice we sought within that madwoman's vaults has been delivered to us. Right now it is hidden remotely and well, and we are not likely going to be affected by it. However we will destroy it upon your request.
At that point the handwriting shifted from neat square letters to a more flowing script, that Harry immediately determined was Perenelle's.
Nicholas really enjoyed arguing with the goblins, though I believe we may have almost touched off another goblin rebellion. Not that I think that would have bothered my husband much. It's also not like the goblins need much provocation, since looking at them wrong can be cause for an uprising. They refused to give up the item, they didn't care how cursed or dark the object was. The goblin's direct response was, " Wizard problems are wizard problems and mean nothing to us. We don't care what wizards put what in their vaults. We guard and maintain the vaults."
At that point the goblin also managed to insult my husband enough that Nicholas decided to threaten the goblins. Which I think he enjoyed a bit too much. Nicholas informed them that if they didn't turn over the cup then they would regret it. You can guess how the goblins took that statement.
Draco had been reading along the letter too, and he didn't understand everything written, though he was mentally composing a list of questions to ask. However reading that last line he whistled lowly, "He threatened the goblins? Does he have a deathwish? He's lucky to survive that. What on earth could be that valuable?"
Harry shrugged and spoke quietly, "It's something that Voldemort valued on our world, and appears to be the same here. It was in the possession of your aunt actually." Harry turned his attention back to his reading.
The goblin asked if we were threatening them. Nicholas, being dramatic, of course assured the goblin that he would not dream of physically harming a goblin. Then he put on his best innocent face, (something he doesn't do well at all) and asked what might happen to the goblin bank and economy if he were to use his most famous invention to turn every brick and stone in Diagon Alley into gold.
Draco laughed out loud when he read that and Harry elbowed him lightly, though he couldn't keep a small smirk off his face as he imagined just how much enjoyment Nicholas got out of threatening the goblins and getting away with it. That got their attention. After some negotiation we have the cup in exchange for three vials of our Elixir of Life. Not a bad price all told. Ragnok seemed pleased in the end. Though we made sure that was after making sure he understood exactly what the Elixir was and was not capable of.
Now onto other topics.
I am uncertain as to why the wards at Hogwarts would seem weak to you. It has been a very long time since we were in the area. However I am aware from those experience the wards there were second to none. Given the location of the castle and the ambient magic given off by the students of Hogwarts, the wards should remain incredibly powerful. I am unaware of the location of a ward stone, and the headmaster controls the wards. Perhaps the headmaster has them low to allow the arrival of other schools. Relations between schools of magic historically were very poor. Unlike the present where schools tend to be geographically oriented, in the past schools competed for students. Often several of them would vie for the same students. The disputes became quite bitter. Occasionally even leading to one school attacking another.
The Tri-Wizard tournament was instituted during that time. Though it wasn't originally referred to as "Tri" since the number of schools for a short time reached almost a dozen. The tournament was seen as a quantifiable and visible way for schools to establish bragging rights and claim to be the best for prospective students. This was a less destructive way to establish dominance. It has winnowed down to the "Tri-Wizard" tournament because those are the only three european schools left.
Though I never made a close examination of Hogwarts' wards, they were built to withstand a full-scale and protracted war. This would have included attacks from other schools. So it's entirely possible that the Headmaster needed to lower the wards to allow the other schools entrance.
They are either down at his command or something else has weakened the wards. I suggest you investigate. Finding the central wardstone would probably be a good place to start.
It is interesting that you mentioned the arrival of another person from your world. That's very curious. However I'm not sure it clears anything up. Based on what you told me he came through the mirror as a ghost. "You told them about me?" Draco half asked, half demanded, more than a little bit of anger in his voice. In Draco's mind he had a brief flash of paranoia at being discovered and then revealed to his father and then by extension Voldemort.
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