Chapter 5
He flipped through every Goblin book he could find. All said roughly the same things. A lot on Goblin wars which he already knew everything about from History of Magics class from school. He wanted to know why the wars happened from the Goblins side. Historical text is always skewed since it was written by the side that won. They would be written as heroes while the ones who lost were written as the villains.
He finally found a book on Goblin culture when he discovered something interesting.
“The blacksmith who fashioned the metalwork is the rightful owner of said work when the purchaser died and will be returned as stated.” He rushed to grab another book.
“The goblins made Godric Gryffindor's sword? Based on their culture it should have been returned to them,” Regulus said aloud.
He stared at the other book. “Does that mean the Goblins had it? But in the other book it is said some wars are for getting the sword to its rightful owners? If they don’t have it that means wizards still do but it belongs to the Goblins.” It was like a light bulb went off over his head.
“If I can find the sword and return to them I could ask to be let into Bellatrix’s vault.” He felt a grin grow on his face as he formulated a plan.
Throughout all his books Gryffindors sword was the second most elusive, the first being the Diadem. There was barely any information about the other relics but they still knew what families they belonged to. Absolutely nothing about the sword. The only thing about it is that Godric Gryffindor had the goblins craft him a sword and they wanted it back. After that there's nothing. No family heirloom, no stealing, nothing. Maybe if he can’t find it Voldemort couldn’t either.
Maybe he was buried with it.
It's a start at least.
He went to Godric's Hollow graveyard and searched around every tombstone and crypt. Then he saw it. Gryffindor’s coat of arms.
Bingo
He went to the crypt and yanked the doors open. He’s not sure what he saw inside. A coffin much too small to belong to a human. A ghostly figure appeared in front of him.
“Who are you?” Regulus was beginning to believe he's going to wish he never opened this crypt.
“I am the goblin Ragnuk! What do you want from this crypt!” The ghost, Ragnuk, seemed very angry.
“Ragnuk? The creator of Godric Gryffindor’s sword?” Regulus was wishing he hadn’t opened this crypt.
“I AM THE OWNER OF THAT SWORD! I CRAFTED IT BOY! IT BELONGS TO ME!” Regulus was really wishing he did not open this crypt.
“My apologies.” Regulus said while rubbing his ear to try and stop the ringing he was now experiencing from the goblins yelling.
“Do you happen to know where the sword is?” Regulus regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth. The face Ragnuk made was not friendly or calm.
“YOU WISH TO STEAL MY SWORD! I WILL-”
“King Ragnuk please, I believe someone placed a curse on it.” That made the goblin stop screaming.
“A curse? On my sword? Nonsense!”
“But how do you know?” Regulus really just wanted to leave this conversation but he couldn’t without knowledge about the sword.
“I crafted it! It absorbs substances to make it stronger! It's magic!” Regulus felt relief.
“So it's impossible for someone to curse it?” Regulus asked, really just needing the extra confirmation.
“Exactly!” Ragnuk looked proud of the work he did on the sword.
“Thank you King Ragnuk, it's reassuring to know the sword was crafted so well.” Regulus bowed to the goblin which he seemed to like greatly.
“However, I still need it.” Regulus said, fearing the response.
“YOU DO WISH TO STEAL MY SWORD BOY!” It seemed like he was about to cast a spell.
Regulus covered his face with his hands and quickly rushed out, “I want to return it to the goblins!” The goblin froze.
“Return it?”
Regulus nodded saying, “It rightfully belongs to the goblins.”
“Why do you wish to return it? No wizard has before.”
“To tell you the truth, I need something from the goblins but they are going to want something in return. I think my best chance is to offer the sword.” The goblin seemed to think it over.
“You swear this?”
Regulus nodded and held out his arm.
“I’m willing to make an unbreakable vow if you are willing to tell me where it is.” Ragnok looked surprised.
“You would go that far?” Regulus nodded.
“Yes. I am a man of my word.”
“The sword is in the headmaster's office at Hogwarts.”
He bowed again to Ragnok.
“Thank you for telling me King Ragnok. I shall ensure it is returned to its rightful owners.” He quickly left, shutting the crypt doors. He leaned against them and breathed out a sigh. His ears still ringing a bit from the goblins screaming but at least he knew one thing.
Godric Gryffindor's sword is not a horcrux. But it's also in a difficult place to steal.
He went home and stared at the wall trying to figure out a way to steal the sword from the headmasters office. Somewhere Dumbledore will be. There’s no way he can sneak past him. No matter how much he doesn’t trust him he knows there is no way for him to steal the sword. He’d have to pick a time Dumbledore won’t be in the office. But how would he figure out the time and what the password is. Unless there was someone he could ask. Someone in his family. His great great grandfather was a Hogwarts headmaster and his portrait would be there.
“Kreacher, I need Phineas Nigellus Black’s portrait.” Regulus said before Kreacher apparated them away portrait.
He stared at the portrait in Grimmauld Place.
“Phineas Nigellus. I need your help.”
“Regulus Arcturus. What help could you need.” His portrait stared down his nose at him. Somehow having an air of arrogance.
“I need to know when Dumbledore is out of his office.” Regulus said knowing it wasn’t going to be as easy as it sounded.
“Now what could you need me to do that for.” Every sentence that seemed like it should be a question was closer to a statement.
“I need to steal something from his office.” This seemed to delight Phineas Nigellus.
“And what are you stealing.” He leaned forward even though he couldn’t get closer.
“Something from Gryffindor,” Regulus said.
Phineas Nigellus got a wicked grin on his face.
“Something from Gryffindor? Acting like a true Slytherin.”
Whatever it took to make him agree to help.
“I’ll do as you asked.”
“Thank you Great Grandfather.” Regulus said bowing a bit to show respect.
He nodded like it was Regulus doing something for him instead of the other way around.
“Kreacher help me take this painting to Aunt Dorea’s house.”
Now all he had to do was wait.
He sat in waiting. Constantly checking Phineas Nigellus portrait for news. Finally after 3 days of waiting Phineas Nigellus came back.
Regulus stood and rushed over to the painting when he saw Phineas Nigellus return. “Well? What news?”
“Dumbledore leaves his office from 7 pm to 10 pm to go meet with The Order.” Regulus bowed his head.
“Thank you Grandfather, you’ve been very helpful.”
“I did not do this for the goodness of my heart, do not thank me. Have my portrait taken back home.”
Regulus called out for Kreacher and relayed the order which he was quick to accomplish. Regulus did not see the portrait going back to Grimmauld Place as a loss. He much prefers him to be gone and not have to deal with him when he finds out he wasn’t doing this to get back at Gryffindors but to take down Voldemort.
Now all he had to do was wait till 7.