Chapter 11
When Bernard got to his mother's office, his boss the goblin, Rulock was there. Bernard was already packed with two suitcases. One for clothes and important stuff, the other healing potions and magical object. Bernard quickly greeted his boss and his mother. Charlotte Potter smiled at him. Like his Uncle James, she had long messy hair, but it was in a bun and she had brown eyes with round glasses. They almost looked like twins. Without his dyed blonde hair, Bernard would totally look like Harry's older sibling, minus the messy hair and glasses. Although, Bernard does have round reading glasses, but only uses it if he's going to read all day.
"Ah, Curse-Breaker Dowd-Potter," Rulock said. "You've arrived."
Only at work, whenever he's in the Gringotts of America, Bernard was called Dowd-Potter, but to the other magical folk and everyone else just use Dowd instead. The only reason why the goblins use both surnames was because his mother didn't change her last name when she married his father. Even when they got divorced and got back together she still hasn't change it. Bernard didn't mind being called a Potter, since he is one by blood, but he's also a Black too.
"You said one of our own has gotten cursed?" Bernard asked. "and wanted me to go to England?"
"Yes," Rulock answered. "Mrs. Potter, please explain."
"As you were informed Curse-Breaker Armstrong was sent to St. Mungos," Charlotte said. "He went to Little Hangleton because some of the muggles had gotten hurt. He went there and said there was a shack hidden away. He didn't get too far because there were protective barrier charms that surrounded the shack and he apparently touched the decoration of the shack and gotten cursed. Curse-Breaker Armstrong is currently okay, but it's going to take a while for the healers to get rid of the curse. The curse is obviously from dark magic."
Bernard pursed his lips. "Did Curse-Breaker Armstrong had a picture of this shack?"
His mother nodded. "He does."
Charlotte gave him a photo. In the photo was a shack that was hidden away from the grass and trees. On the door was a snake impaled into it and the snake was decorated forming a large S. Bernard frowned. He knew a lot about Hogwarts since his mother went there and the S and a snake represent the Slytherin house. The same house that his mother was in at her time in school. From what his mother told him, usually pureblood wizards in Slytherin would flaunt over being in Slytherin and how pure their blood is.
"Did anyone own that shack?" Bernard questioned.
"Luckily, Curse-Breaker Armstrong did his research before he tried going inside," Rulock replied. "That shack belong to the Gaunt family. Their lineage could be traced back to Slytherin himself. However, due to his condition, the healers aren't allowing visitors and wouldn't let him and anyone sent any owls. Even for work."
Bernard's eyes widened. Bernard knew full well who the Gaunts were. After all, Ilvermorny was founded by a Gaunt, the descendant of Salazar Slytherin. The Gaunts of America ended with a witch. Considering the fact that there were Gaunts in Britain, where they were originally from. Bernard wasn't sure if the Gaunt line continued, but considering that there were no other Gaunts by name, the name probably ended with a witch as well. What year was the question, though.
"Did the Gaunts had any other relatives?" Bernard asked.
"Not that we know of," Rulock said.
Bernard nodded. He wondered if he could talk to the locals about the Gaunt shack, if there were people still alive at least. There has to be a distant relative of the Gaunt family. As much as Bernard would like to look into the Hogwarts records, but he knew Dumbledore wouldn't hesitate to kick him out, even before he step foot in the area. Also a relative of a Gaunt would help with the shack, since their magical signature would still linger
"I'll keep these then," Bernard put the pictures in his robes. "I'll see what's hiding in there. Probably a cursed object. I'll get rid of it."
"Bring the object back here and I'll examine if it's good to keep in the bank." Rulock ordered.
"I will."
"Good luck, Curse-Breaker Dowd-Potter."
"Oh, I'll need it."
With that Rulock apparated. Bernard sighed and his mother put a hand on his shoulder. The two hugged for a bit. When they let go, she ruffled his hair, which automatically became messy. Bernard rolled his eyes and flatten his hair. Even when someone messes with his hair or whenever he has bed hair, he looked like a typical Potter.
"Be careful, sweetie," Charlotte said.
"I will mom," Bernard smiled. "It's not the first time I did some curse-breaking stuff in England."
"I know, but after the Dark Mark, I am worried. I haven't heard anything in the papers, aside from the Triwizard Tournament coming back. All I know is that our president is also going to England. They're having a meeting with the Wizengamont this Friday. I heard Dumbledore is going to be there."
Bernard frowned. "Why? That sounds important."
Bernard wasn't sure, but he had a feeling something was going on in England ever since the Dark Mark appeared. After all Voldemort is a threat to all wizard kind. Bernard was sure Voldemort was still alive since there was no body. If Voldemort does regain power, he'll go after Harry first. If he succeeds his plans, he'll take over Britain and then the other wizarding countries.
"I have no clue," Charlotte said. "I wish I knew."
"Do you think Harry might be involved?" Bernard asked.
"Oh Merlin, I hope not," Charlotte answered. "He's too young to be involved. He's only fourteen."
Bernard nodded. He hoped Harry wasn't involved. If he was...Bernard would do anything in his power to make sure his baby cousin is safe. He would hate it if Harry was put endanger for someone's gain. However, Bernard did wanted to see Harry again. He hadn't seen his baby cousin for thirteen years. Even if he did tried to go to Hogwarts for a simple visit, he was sure Dumbledore would kick him out before he even step into the castle. Bernard did hoped to see Harry at the Quidditch World Cup, but he never got the chance.
However, since Dumbledore was going to have that Wizengamont meeting, that meant Bernard could go and see Harry, and Dumbledore wouldn't do anything about it. If Bernard was able to finished dealing with that curse before Friday, that would be great!
"You're thinking about breaking into Hogwarts, huh?" Charlotte questioned.
Bernard made a sheepish smile. "Mom, I was only exaggerating at the time. I wasn't really going to do it."
Charlotte raised a brow and Bernard sighed. "Okay, maybe a little."
Sighing, Charlotte chuckled. "Just try not to cause any trouble, sweetie."
"Mom, we're both Potters and Blacks, I think trouble finding us is a genetic trait."
Bernard remembered all the trouble he had somehow gotten himself in Ilvermorny. He could give Gotham a run for it's money and compared how much magical trouble he had gotten himself into every month. Some where even life threatening and yet he still survived. Even being a professional, highly respected, curse-breaker, he still had trouble finding him or trouble being created for him.
"Anyway, I have to go," Bernard said. "I'll see you later mom."
"Are you going to be staying at the Leaky Cauldron or 12 Grimmauld Place?" Charlotte asked.
Bernard shrugged. "I'll figured that part out when I get there eventually."
Charlotte sighed and shook her head as she smiled. Bernard grinned back as he apparated. He went to the nearest airport and got a one way ticket to London. When he got inside the airplane, he sat at his seat and turned on a movie. Bernard had been to 12 Grimmauld Place before. He was a child at the time before Aunt Lily and Uncle James died. Uncle Sirius was teaching him about the Black Family history and showed him around. He even met Kreacher. The house elf didn't like him upon first meeting because he didn't like the fact that Charlotte Potter married a muggle. Of course Bernard was nice to Kreacher, but the house elf still didn't like him, despite his mother always telling him to be nice to house elves.
Bernard crossed his arms. He'll probably have to stay in Grimmauld Place. As much as he liked to stay in the Leaky Cauldron, but he did wanted some privacy if things get out of hand. Also he didn't want to accidently hurt the guest staying there too. He'll have to deal with Kreacher. Bernard wasn't sure if Kreacher did tolerate him. However, he knew that since Uncle Sirius was taking care of Harry, he was sure that Sirius would at least stay in that house from time to time or at least use the house to raise Harry.
When the plane landed, Bernard apparated, the first thing he did was to go to Little Hangleton. Bernard knew he had just went through a seven hour flight and was very tired, but he needed to prepare himself. Even though he overpacked everything, but it was best to be safe. As Bernard appeared behind a tree and used his wand and tap his head. Instantly, Bernard's hair changed into it's original jet black color and he put on his round reading glasses. He walked around the little village. It was a nice village and there was a large mansion. It looked abandoned. While Bernard was walking, he walked near the edge of Little Hangleton. As he scanned the area, he noticed something in the distance. Frowning, Bernard walked closer. His eyes widened as he saw a familiar looking shack. Quickly, Bernard took out the photo.
A smile grew across Bernard's face as he saw the same embedded snake on the door. Bernard knew he was at the Gaunt Shack. With a deep breath, Bernard held out his wand and shot a simple. As the spell hit the shack, Bernard saw a protective shield around the shack as it absorbed the spell. The protective shield was almost like a diamond-like dome. Bernard smirked. He knew that spell right away. It was a combination of protective enchantments and charms. It depends on which one the user placed. From the looks of it, it looked like someone was hiding something and wanted to protect it. they're using high level protective charms and cursing a decoration in case if any witch or wizard fell or touch it. Luckily for Bernard, he had broke protection shields before and the one he was facing was no different.
"What are you doing late in this time of night, lad?" a voice spoke.
Gasping, Bernard put his wand away. Luckily, it was dark enough that his wand wasn't showing. Bernard turned and saw an old woman walking with her small terrier. She was obviously a no-maj since she was wearing no-maj clothing. However, Bernard knew he needed to keep his guard up, since she could be a magical in disguise. Bernard silently swear to himself that he forgot to put on the no-maj repellent charm.
"I was visiting my grandparents and saw this shack," Bernard explained. "I just wanted to take a closer look."
"Ah, the Gaunt Shack," The old woman said.
"You know of it?" Bernard asked.
The old woman snorted. "Know of it. My parents saw them."
Bernard frowned. "Them?"
"The Gaunts!" The old woman explained. "They used to live here. There was a man, his son, and his daughter. I don't know what happened to the man and his son, but his daughter married that spoiled bloke, Tom Riddle."
Now that was a name Bernard never heard of. From all of the people he met in England whenever he did his Curse-Breaker job, he had never met or heard anyone with the last name Riddle.
"Tom Riddle?" Bernard questioned. "Who are the Riddles?"
"They're some rich folk no one liked," The old woman shrugged. "They live in that mansion over there. The Gaunt girl and him suddenly ran off and got married, but the thing is that Riddle had a fiancé and left her for the Gaunt girl in the mid 20's. Then around seven or nine months later he ran back screaming how he was bewitched and taken. Then Riddle and his parents suddenly died."
Amortentia, Bernard thought. The most powerful love potion. That could happen, however there were other factors that Tom Riddle suddenly fell for the Gaunt witch. She could've use one of the Three Unforgivable. Either that or he just realized that she was the woman for him and freaked out that she was a witch. There were many possibilities. However that seven or nine month skip...in the mid 20's...if Bernard did his math correctly, the wizard Riddle, would've been born between 1925-1930. Around that age range, he knew Alfred Pennyworth was born around that time too. So that meant the two might've went to Hogwarts together.
"Just like that?" Bernard questioned.
The old woman nodded. "Yes, no one knew how they died. They believed the Riddle's gardener Frank did it, but there was no evidence."
Bernard smiled. "I see. I should get going. My grandparents would be expecting me home soon. It was nice talking to you."
The old woman nodded as she walked away with her dog. As she disappeared into her house, Bernard hid behind a tree. He had to admit, but this was the best information he had gotten. If Riddle was alive, that meant he had no idea that his shack was being used to hide a cursed object, but if Riddle was the one who did it...well Bernard wouldn't care less since it was his job to get rid of the curse. As Bernard transfigured his hair back to blonde, he apparated. It didn't took him long to be in front of 12 Grimmauld Place. Bernard made a sour expression as he walked up the steps, taking off his reading glasses. With a deep breath, he knocked on the door. It took almost a minute for the door to open. Bernard looked down as he saw the same house elf from long ago.
"The Mistress is not expecting guest," Kreacher said.
Bernard tried to refrain himself from rolling his eyes. He knew that Walburga Black died a long time ago as well as Regulus and Orion Black. Aside from Bernard, Uncle Sirius was the only one to inherit 12 Grimmauld Place. He didn't know how Orion Black died, but from what Uncle Sirius told him, Regulus was thought to be killed by Voldemort. Bernard only heard bad things about Regulus from Uncle Sirius, including the Death Eater part.
"Hi, Kreacher," Bernard greeted. "I don't know if you remembered me, but I'm Bernard Dowd, I'm Dorea Black's only grandson. I was wondering if I could stay here for the time being. I'm just doing my curse-breaker job and when I'm done, I'll be out of here. You wouldn't noticed if I'm here."
"Is that Misses Charlotte here?" Kreacher asked.
The way he spoke of his mother was in a venomous tone. Bernard knew that the whole Black family found out that his mother married his father, which wasn't a good thing. They didn't had a problem with Dorea Black because Charlus Potter is a pureblood. Of course his grandparents didn't mind his father, but the rest of his relatives didn't, except for the Potter's obviously.
"Nope, just me," Bernard assured him. "Grandma Dorea said I can stay here if I ever need to, so is that okay?"
Bernard hated lying to Kreacher, but it was the only way to get inside. He remembered how Kreacher was nice to his grandmother and not his mom and himself. He was only "nice" to him if Dorea told him to. Which wasn't fair, but it was something Bernard had to deal with. Even though Bernard did lied to the old lady that he was visiting his grandparents, but it was something he came up with on the spot. He didn't had time to make up a better story. He wished Grandma Dorea and Grandpa Charlus was here. They're currently traveling the world.
"Since Misses Dorea said you can stay, Mister Bernard shall stay," Kreacher said.
If Bernard could do a happy dance, he would. Kreacher let him inside and Bernard tried to keep a cool composure. Like what he remembered, the whole place was still a mess. Bernard knew he'll have to clean the guest room himself, but it was enough privacy for him to do his work. However...there was an eerie presence in the house. He felt sad and...angry? Bernard remembered having this feeling when he was a child, but he just thought the house was haunted. Now he was in here again...it felt like something was causing it. But what? He felt it before, but when? Uncle Sirius only told him that there is a library full of dark magic, but even Bernard knew that there were some dark magic that wasn't even that dark.
"Thank you Kreacher," Bernard smiled. "I'll...just sleep in the living room."
Kreacher nodded and went somewhere in the house. Bernard let out a sigh. He took out his wand and gave it a wave as he cast some cleaning spells in the living room, as well as the kitchen. It only took a few minutes for everything to be cleaned. Bernard took a look around the house. He ate a couple of bag of peanuts that he saved from the plane ride. Bernard wasn't tired because of jetlag, but he knew that since London was seven hours ahead of Gotham.
When Bernard got back to the living room, he sat on the couch. Bernard took out his phone, called the number, and put it on speaker. He knew it was probably early, but he didn't care. He needed Alfred's help. Besides, Tim didn't know Alfred is a wizard and Alfred made him swore not to tell. Luckily, he didn't make him swore on his magic, though. However, Bernard still kept his promise since Alfred was like a grandfather to him. Although, Bernard had to admit, he did fanboyed a bit when he found out Tim's butler was the famous wizard, Alfred Pennyworth. Tim and the rest of the Wayne family didn't understand why, but never questioned it.
"Hello?" a familiar voice spoke.
"Alfred, it's me, Bernard," Bernard said. "I need to ask you something. It's for my Curse-Breaker job."
"What can I assist you, Mister Bernard?" Alfred asked.
"Do you know anyone at Hogwarts with the last name Riddle?" Bernard questioned.
"Why, yes, I do." Alfred answered. "I didn't had any classes with him, but he did tutor me and from what I heard from my upperclassmen, he is very smart and handsome. His name is Tom Marvolo Riddle."
"Is he alive?"
"I don't know. He disappeared after he graduated. Last I heard he tried to get a job for the Defense Against the Dark Arts, but he was declined."
Well, that wasn't that helpful. Bernard knew Alfred always know everything, but there were times that even Alfred himself wouldn't know anything. Bernard wished to find out who Tom Marvolo Riddle was. If he could somehow locate him, he could ask about the shack and see if he was the one who was hiding a cursed object or not.
Bernard nodded. "Okay. Thanks Alfred. I'll call you if I need anymore help."
Alfred chuckled. "Anytime Mister Bernard. I'll see you soon at Thanksgiving."
"Yeah, you too."
Then Bernard hung up the phone. Tom Marvolo Riddle? The Gaunt witch probably named him after the father. Since Riddle is a Gaunt, which meant he was in Slytherin, a half blood, and a parselmouth. Bernard sat down and use his wand to write the letters of Riddle's full name. As much as he wanted to go to sleep, but he couldn't. He was still jetlag, since he just got to Britain. Bernard played around the names, while he thought of a plan. He didn't know why he played the letters around. He only played with his magic whenever he was thinking in his curse-Breaking plans. However, even though he did wanted to confront Riddle, if he was alive. Curse-Breakers don't really find the culprits of whoever casted the curse, that's always aurors, but there will be times that curse-breakers will catch the culprit. For Bernard's case, usually ninety-nine percent of the time, he does find the culprit, but for now, Bernard knew that removing the curse object was more important. He could figured the rest out later.
As he played with the letters, he noticed the V, O, and L, were going with the D, L, and E. Bernard went pale and shook his head. No...this couldn't be happening. He moved more of the letters, rearranging them. Once the letters were arranged, his eyes widened as he read what the name become:
I am Lord Voldemort.
Bernard dropped his wand as the name disappeared. Tom Marvolo Riddle is...Voldemort?! That meant...the Gaunt Shack belonged to Voldemort. That meant he was the one who put the curse and protective barriers around the shack. That meant Voldemort is really alive...probably barely. Harry was probably endangered. Then Bernard's eyes widened. What if Harry was already is?
Merlin! What did he got himself into?!