Chapter 26
The first week of school had passed before any big events occurred. That first event was Harry being called into Professor Dumbledore’s office to meet him. Looking around the office, Harry noted that very little had changed in the time since he’d broken in.
“Quite a delight to speak with you once more, Mr. Potter.” Dumbledore began, a slight strain to his smile. “Though I do wish the circumstances could be better.”
“Most would argue that any meeting of a student with the head of their school is done under less than ideal circumstances.”
“Perhaps, but with the dire accusations levied against you, many would consider this set far worse.” Dumbledore replied. “Gringotts has claimed you not only stole from a client’s vault, but murdered one of their employees.”
Dumbledore looked on, aghast as Harry burst into laughter.
“Sorry, not an appropriate response.” Harry said once he gained a semblance of control. “Very serious accusations, but I’m fifteen, and an average student. I couldn’t even begin to suggest how I’d do all of that.”
“The goblins claim you were present on the twenty-ninth of August, and that an artifact you referenced, by the name of ‘The Soul Compass’, set off their alarms, causing you to be taken aside.” Dumbledore continued, giving Harry an odd look.
“I mean, I was in Gringotts, but that was to get funds to buy my school supplies.” Harry replied. “And while I was taken aside, it was because of my gloves. Luna enchanted them to help keep my hands warm.”
“Very well. Thank you for your time, Mr. Potter.” Dumbledore replied. “You may go.”
As Harry left the office, he could feel Dumbledore’s eyes narrow in suspicion.
Well, that would complicate things.
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As Luna danced about the Shrieking Shack, paint splattering about as she did, she thought about the way the Guild’s first meeting had ended. Ronald and Hermione had been rather quick with connecting some of the dots, helped along by the Archivist’s hints, of course, but they seemingly hadn’t learn about the Missing God or his Hidden Tower.
Oh, Mora’s fledgling priest certainly could fill a role as a Daedric envoy, but three was of father greater balance than four for such a ceremony. And truly, he fit his role far better as the orchestrator of such events.
All of a sudden, Luna came to a standstill.
“How to acquire petrified Scrye materials?” She wandered aloud. “Something to raise, I think.”
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Sequestered in his study in the Arcaneum, Harry was contemplating Dumbledore’s suspicion about his actions in Gringotts and the possible difficulties that could arise.
“Definitely going to need to let the others know at the very least.” Harry muttered to himself.
“But not before we have returned to the matter at hand.” Hermaeus Mora commented. “The schematics.”
“And the substitutions that we’ll need to make.” Harry replied. “It’ll need to be a different base material, the original Calx is too discordant, given the attunement of the architects.”
“The use of Apocryphal materials is, of course, a necessity.”
“Naturally. Lurker flesh, maybe?” Harry mused. “Or maybe petrified Scrye pieces? Lovegood’s assistance is a given, so we’ll need something from the Shivering Isles, maybe Madness?”
“Scrye parts will be more appropriate, where the Apocryphal material is concerned. Conferring with your Aureal representative would be the advisable move.”
“Then there’s the question of how many should be crafted.” Harry continued. “One for each of us, or one for each aspect?”
Sitting down at his desk, Harry pulled the schematics in front of him, picking up a pencil at the same time.
“I suppose we’ll get started then.”