From 395aeb38acbba92d6156f29e5028b41361f4bf01 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Julian Blake Kongslie
Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:30:32 -0700
Subject: Reflow text.
---
novellas/a-little-greed/02-honor.mdwn | 308 ++++++++++++++++++----------------
1 file changed, 161 insertions(+), 147 deletions(-)
diff --git a/novellas/a-little-greed/02-honor.mdwn b/novellas/a-little-greed/02-honor.mdwn
index 66b9729..718ca52 100644
--- a/novellas/a-little-greed/02-honor.mdwn
+++ b/novellas/a-little-greed/02-honor.mdwn
@@ -10,25 +10,25 @@ often than he lost; the boy had acquired a handsome collection of trophies. But
against his peers, his only hope was exploiting the environment and taking them
by surprise.
-*Trickery,* that's what it was. He was good at it, but it wasn't the way battles
-should be fought. Goblins wore their intentions on their sleeves, and Harry was
-far more subtle than any other in his clan.
+*Trickery,* that's what it was. He was good at it, but it wasn't the way
+battles should be fought. Goblins wore their intentions on their sleeves, and
+Harry was far more subtle than any other in his clan.
There was an old Goblin saying, «Every father learns his son is not a Warlord.»
Sharpaxe, perhaps, learned this somewhat earlier than most.
-In other ways, however, Harry was a unique delight to raise. Goblins lived their
-lives quickly, and Sharpaxe had feared that Harry would not be able to complete
-his education with his peers at the age of 8. But Harry was intelligent, and far
-more curious and inquisitive than any of his peers; he had easily risen to the
-challenge and excelled beyond any expectation.
+In other ways, however, Harry was a unique delight to raise. Goblins lived
+their lives quickly, and Sharpaxe had feared that Harry would not be able to
+complete his education with his peers at the age of 8. But Harry was
+intelligent, and far more curious and inquisitive than any of his peers; he
+had easily risen to the challenge and excelled beyond any expectation.
Under glamours to appear as a Goblin to the foolish wizards, he had already
-worked as a teller on the main floor of Gringotts, and spent time apprenticed in
-several different departments. Sharpaxe held no doubt that he would make a fine
-foreman or subchief someday, responsible for millions of galleons in assets.
-With luck, and his longer lifespan, he could easily be a department Head. Harry
-would certainly bring honor and glory to his clan.
+worked as a teller on the main floor of Gringotts, and spent time apprenticed
+in several different departments. Sharpaxe held no doubt that he would make a
+fine foreman or subchief someday, responsible for millions of galleons in
+assets. With luck, and his longer lifespan, he could easily be a department
+Head. Harry would certainly bring honor and glory to his clan.
@@ -48,9 +48,9 @@ from lies? Unthinkable!
Ragnok quieted the assembly shortly, and demanded simply, «Explain!»
-«We Goblins,» here Harry included himself, «do not lie. Our oaths are our honor.
-Everyone knows this. But the Wizards do not trust in honor, and demand our oaths
-be contracts with magic.»
+«We Goblins,» here Harry included himself, «do not lie. Our oaths are our
+honor. Everyone knows this. But the Wizards do not trust in honor, and demand
+our oaths be contracts with magic.»
This was true. Amongst the Goblins, oaths were simple and direct; a common
farewell was «On my honor, I have not betrayed you today.» But by treaty, any
@@ -61,23 +61,23 @@ oath would ensure its truth; either the Goblin who swore it was truthful, or
they would die. Goblins universally resented such a slight against their honor;
no Goblin would willingly be called Oathbreaker!
-Harry continued, «Lacksack's life is already forfeit. Instead of executing him,
-use him to present a false contract to a wealthy client. The lazy wizard will
-not read the contract, as they never do, Lacksack will swear on his blood, the
-wizard will sign, and Lacksack will be gone from the room before he dies. Goblin
-honor is retained; the oath is true, it is not our fault that the foolish wizard
-will assume Lacksack would not willingly die.»
+Harry continued, «Lacksack's life is already forfeit. Instead of executing
+him, use him to present a false contract to a wealthy client. The lazy wizard
+will not read the contract, as they never do, Lacksack will swear on his
+blood, the wizard will sign, and Lacksack will be gone from the room before he
+dies. Goblin honor is retained; the oath is true, it is not our fault that the
+foolish wizard will assume Lacksack would not willingly die.»
-A genuinely new idea to the Goblin mindset. There was little honor lost in lying
-to a wizard; they showed by their treaties and their laws that they had no honor
-themselves. The mechanics of the treaties would seem to prevent such deception,
-but Goblins knew a loophole when they saw one, and this was an interesting
-opportunity.
+A genuinely new idea to the Goblin mindset. There was little honor lost in
+lying to a wizard; they showed by their treaties and their laws that they had
+no honor themselves. The mechanics of the treaties would seem to prevent such
+deception, but Goblins knew a loophole when they saw one, and this was an
+interesting opportunity.
-Ragnok turned to Lacksack and pronounced, «You have shown yourself to be without
-honor. You have brought shame and disgrace to your family and your clan. This
-child offers you an opportunity to die a warrior's death in service to your
-Bank. Would you die this way?»
+Ragnok turned to Lacksack and pronounced, «You have shown yourself to be
+without honor. You have brought shame and disgrace to your family and your
+clan. This child offers you an opportunity to die a warrior's death in service
+to your Bank. Would you die this way?»
The condemned needed little time to consider such an obvious question. «I would
die a warrior's death, and bring what little honor I can back to my name.»
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ Harry was proud to have found profit for his Bank.
Albus Dumbledore strode in to Gringotts bank early Saturday morning. He had to
renew the loans Hogwarts established for its incoming underprivileged students
-and collect the various forms and monies needed to cover operating costs for the
-new term.
+and collect the various forms and monies needed to cover operating costs for
+the new term.
The teller acknowledged his request to meet with Culthok, the Head of Hogwarts
Accounts, and directed him to a conference room. Shortly thereafter, Albus was
@@ -100,68 +100,71 @@ mildly surprised to see a Goblin he did not recognize enter with his documents.
"Who are you? I was to meet with Culthok."
-"My apologies, but Culthok is unavailable today because of an internal matter in
-the Bank. I am Lacksack, and I am authorized to handle your needs today."
+"My apologies, but Culthok is unavailable today because of an internal matter
+in the Bank. I am Lacksack, and I am authorized to handle your needs today."
"Very well, I assume everything is just as it was previously arranged last
year?"
Goblins were conservative when scouting unknown territory; the changes in the
-contract reflected this. A slight increase in interest rates on the loans, and a
-single fee duplicated. Nothing that could not be blamed on incompetence in
+contract reflected this. A slight increase in interest rates on the loans, and
+a single fee duplicated. Nothing that could not be blamed on incompetence in
transcription on Lacksack's part should the deception be caught.
-The briefest of scowls appeared on Lacksack's face, but he knew his duty to his
-Bank. He had failed once; never again. "Yes. Here are the contracts for you to
-sign. I swear on my blood that I have not deceived you or I shall die within the
-hour; so mote it be." A brief flash signaled magic's acceptance of the oath.
+The briefest of scowls appeared on Lacksack's face, but he knew his duty to
+his Bank. He had failed once; never again. "Yes. Here are the contracts for
+you to sign. I swear on my blood that I have not deceived you or I shall die
+within the hour; so mote it be." A brief flash signaled magic's acceptance of
+the oath.
Satisfied, Albus picked up the blood quill and signed each contract. Less than
ten minutes later he left the bank, pleased that the Goblins had not complained
about their lack of profit on the treaty-mandated Hogwarts loans. If only
Culthok could be unavailable more often!
-Lacksack staggered as he exited the conference room, his blood already starting
-to boil in his veins. Ragnok awaited him in the office across the hall, and
-presented a goblet of fine screechsnap wine, the traditional gift to a Goblin
-retiring from active duty in the bank. Lacksack drank, and sat to await his
-death. He had regained his honor; the first Liar had brought profit to his Bank.
+Lacksack staggered as he exited the conference room, his blood already
+starting to boil in his veins. Ragnok awaited him in the office across the
+hall, and presented a goblet of fine screechsnap wine, the traditional gift to
+a Goblin retiring from active duty in the bank. Lacksack drank, and sat to
+await his death. He had regained his honor; the first Liar had brought profit
+to his Bank.
As Harry had predicted, the subtle changes were unnoticed, and Gringotts
-profited by the lie. A new weapon was added to their banking arsenal, to be used
-only with care and restraint lest it be discovered. Only the largest and most
-bureaucratically enfeebled clients were targeted, and only meager gains were
-sought. Even so, Gringotts profited. What few criminals there were in Goblin
-society soon found themselves in cells instead of bloody arenas, awaiting not
-execution but the opportunity to regain a little of their honor as Liars. None
-refused.
+profited by the lie. A new weapon was added to their banking arsenal, to be
+used only with care and restraint lest it be discovered. Only the largest and
+most bureaucratically enfeebled clients were targeted, and only meager gains
+were sought. Even so, Gringotts profited. What few criminals there were in
+Goblin society soon found themselves in cells instead of bloody arenas,
+awaiting not execution but the opportunity to regain a little of their honor
+as Liars. None refused.
Harry, too, profited. In thanks for his service to the Bank, a very small
percentage of all Liar-derived profits was directed to his accounts. Sharpaxe
was pleased to be able to reward his son this way. Harry had shown he could use
-his uniquely Human perspective to bring profit to the Bank; such behaviour
-should be encouraged.
+his uniquely underhanded perspective to bring profit to the Bank; such
+behaviour should be encouraged.
-In other ways, Harry's curiosity was a burden on Sharpaxe. He deeply yearned to
-learn the arts of warding and wardbreaking, but Goblin cursebreakers found his
-magic unsuitable, and none of the Human cursebreakers were trusted with the
-knowledge of Harry's presence within the bank. There was little consensus on the
-nature of Harry's magic; it was known that wizards did not train their young
-until years later, so Sharpaxe could not say if Harry's inability to perform the
-Goblin wards was inherent to his species or merely a factor of age. Harry
-stubbornly persisted in his attempts; determined to learn one way or the other
-whether he could perform the magic he envied in his peers.
+In other ways, Harry's curiosity was a burden on Sharpaxe. He deeply yearned
+to learn the arts of warding and wardbreaking, but Goblin cursebreakers found
+his magic unsuitable, and none of the Human cursebreakers were trusted with
+the knowledge of Harry's presence within the bank. There was little consensus
+on the nature of Harry's magic; it was known that wizards did not train their
+young until years later, so Sharpaxe could not say if Harry's inability to
+perform the Goblin wards was inherent to his species or merely a factor of
+age. Harry stubbornly persisted in his attempts; determined to learn one way
+or the other whether he could perform the magic he envied in his peers.
At the very late (by Goblin standards) age of 9, Harry was rewarded for his
diligence by his first non-accidental magic. It was a weak anti-theft ward,
pitiful by Gringotts standards, but true Goblin magic nonetheless. Harry had
-some 6 years to make up in his practical education in magic, but with the theory
-already behind him, he made rapid progress. Harry was ecstatic; he would not be
-some weakling wand-waver, but could wield magic on his own power alone!
+some 6 years to make up in his practical education in magic, but with the
+theory already behind him, he made rapid progress. Harry was ecstatic; he
+would not be some weakling wand-waver, but could wield magic on his own power
+alone!
For all his relative weakness, Harry had no less of the Goblin lust for battle.
He discovered at the age of 6 that he had the talent of speaking in
@@ -178,59 +181,60 @@ that the 40-meter-long rockwyrm's name was most closely translated as «Bitey».
Harry was also a dutiful student of politics. He understood his role in the
Goblin nation: assist the reputation of Gringotts with his fame, grow to be an
asset by becoming fully-trained as both a Goblin and a Wizard, assume his
-position as the Potter of Potter, claim his seat on the Wizengamot, and become a
-voice for the Goblins in government. Along the way, he was to collect allies
+position as the Potter of Potter, claim his seat on the Wizengamot, and become
+a voice for the Goblins in government. Along the way, he was to collect allies
and, if possible, additional proxy votes or other forms of political power.
-Unfortunately, Harry himself could not be present at Wizengamot meetings; he was
-too recognizable even without his scar glamour, and any attempt to more
+Unfortunately, Harry himself could not be present at Wizengamot meetings; he
+was too recognizable even without his scar glamour, and any attempt to more
completely disguise his appearance risked detection by the Ministry wards.
Harry's education would have to be completed by proxy; a muggle-born witch,
dissatisfied with her job opportunities and selected on the basis of being
unlikely to betray the Bank, was hired to dress as a reporter and sit in on as
many Wizengamot sessions and Ministry meetings as she could, then extract her
memories of the events at Gringotts. She knew she was something like a spy, of
-course, but the material she was collecting was technically public knowledge and
-the Goblins both paid well and never insulted her parentage.
+course, but the material she was collecting was technically public knowledge
+and the Goblins both paid well and never insulted her parentage.
Eventually, other sources were acquired for Harry to consume. A promising new
-cursebreaker, one William Weasley, was asked to describe before a panel of young
-Goblins (including one under very heavy glamours who asked the most remarkably
-astute questions) everything he knew about the Ministry and the Ancient and
-Noble Houses. Bill enjoyed the experience completely, and agreed to talk to his
-old neighbors Xenophilius Lovegood and Daedelus Diggory about coming in to do
-the same, all in the name of interspecies relations, of course.
+cursebreaker, one William Weasley, was asked to describe before a panel of
+young Goblins (including one under very heavy glamours who asked the most
+remarkably astute questions) everything he knew about the Ministry and the
+Ancient and Noble Houses. Bill enjoyed the experience completely, and agreed
+to talk to his old neighbors Xenophilius Lovegood and Daedelus Diggory about
+coming in to do the same, all in the name of interspecies relations, of course.
Harry spent many hours in the Potter family vaults, reading the lore and
journals of his family. His mother's wand, recovered from the wreckage at
Godric's Hollow, was found to be an acceptable match and allowed him to begin
-his wizarding studies early; Harry resented learning wand-magic, but was no less
-skilled for all that, and reluctantly agreed that he was a better asset knowing
-both true magic and wand-waving.
+his wizarding studies early; Harry resented learning wand-magic, but was no
+less skilled for all that, and reluctantly agreed that he was a better asset
+knowing both true magic and wand-waving.
Memories donated by human cursebreakers proved to be excellent teaching aides,
both for their content of magical education and the background context of life
-at Hogwarts, where Harry would eventually attend. Harry spent his free time
-devising methods to kill each of the professors who taught there. He felt it
-unlikely to need such a thing, but contingency plans were better made and
-unneeded than unmade and needed.
+at Hogwarts, where Harry would eventually attend. Harry spent much of his free
+time devising methods to kill each of the professors who taught there. He felt
+it unlikely to require such a course of action, but contingency plans were
+better made and unneeded than unmade and needed.
-While the Goblins wished to maintain Harry's persona as mythically isolated from
-the wizarding world, it was still desirable to fan his fame with occasional
-Potter sightings. As the story spread by Albus Dumbledore was that Harry was
-safely hidden in the nonmagical world, Sharpaxe generally encouraged Harry to
-explore nonmagical London, as long as he was suitably far from Diagon Alley.
+While the Goblins wished to maintain Harry's persona as mythically isolated
+from the wizarding world, it was still desirable to fan his fame with
+occasional Potter sightings. As the story spread by Albus Dumbledore was that
+Harry was safely hidden in the nonmagical world, Sharpaxe generally encouraged
+Harry to explore nonmagical London, as long as he was suitably far from Diagon
+Alley.
Harry greatly enjoyed the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films, which he saw many
times. He watched Labyrinth once, and the resulting anger-induced accidental
magic very nearly burned down the theatre.
-The Potter accounts were soon invested in the muggle film making industry, most
-notably Lucasfilm; investments that paid off quite well over the years. David
-Bowie received what he assumed was a very strange fan letter informing him that
-he was now banned for life from the Goblin realm.
+The Potter accounts were soon heavily invested in the muggle film making
+industry, most notably Lucasfilm; investments that paid off quite well over
+the years. David Bowie received what he assumed was a very strange fan letter
+informing him that he was now banned for life from the Goblin realm.
Harry's visits to muggle London also served to widen the variety of food served
within the mines of Gringotts. Goblin delicacies were largely inedible or
@@ -249,20 +253,20 @@ somewhat endeared muggles to Ragnok, however, and he began to look at them in a
new light.
Certainly the muggleborn wand-wavers tended to be politer and more respectful
-when in the bank. And the investments and culinary discoveries Harry had made in
-London had proved worthwhile. Perhaps some old traditions of isolation deserved
-reconsideration.
+when in the bank. And the investments and culinary discoveries Harry had made
+in London had proved worthwhile. Perhaps some old traditions of isolation
+deserved reconsideration.
-The muggle economy was *enormous* in comparison to that of wizarding Britain. In
-London alone, more wealth changed hands in a day than all of Gringotts saw in a
-year. This was an opportunity for profit, and an opportunity for a degree more
-independence from the foolish wand-wavers.
+The muggle economy was *enormous* in comparison to that of wizarding Britain.
+In London alone, more wealth changed hands in a day than all of Gringotts saw
+in a year. This was an opportunity for profit, and an opportunity for a degree
+more independence from the foolish wand-wavers.
Gringotts made discreet inquiries towards squibs known to be working in muggle
-banking institutions, and gradually some informal partnerships were established.
-Gringotts would invest more and more heavily in the muggle world, in addition to
-providing subtle security for their partners and acting as a mining concern and
-provider of rare minerals.
+banking institutions, and gradually some informal partnerships were
+established. Gringotts would invest more and more heavily in the muggle world,
+in addition to providing subtle security for their partners and acting as a
+mining concern and provider of rare minerals.
Approaches were made to the muggle Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. She was,
by treaty, aware of the wizarding world, and supposedly kept up-to-date on
@@ -270,40 +274,41 @@ wizarding affairs by the Minister of Magic. In reality, she had never even been
introduced, and only knew Cornelius Fudge's name because of the very limited
profile compiled by her security teams.
-Needless to say, she had a healthy dislike of wizards. Ragnok got along with her
-famously, and an agreement to allow the Goblins to make limited introductions
-and integrate with the muggle economic machine. In return, Gringotts was happy
-to share some of its intelligence with the muggle government, and through use of
-glamours give the occasional MI5 official a tour of wizarding Britain, or give
-the occasional dignitary a dragon ride.
+Needless to say, she had a healthy dislike of wizards. Ragnok got along with
+her famously, and an agreement to allow the Goblins to make limited
+introductions and integrate with the muggle economic machine. In return,
+Gringotts was happy to share some of its intelligence with the muggle
+government, and through use of glamours give the occasional MI5 official a
+tour of wizarding Britain, or give the occasional dignitary a dragon ride.
-In less than 10 years, Gringotts was on infinitely better terms with the Queen's
-government than the Ministry of Magic.
+In less than 10 years, Gringotts was on infinitely better terms with the
+Queen's government than the Ministry of Magic.
Gradually, the wealth of Gringotts was diversified. No longer would it be tied
-to magnificent piles of gold and silver; Ragnok himself was instated as the 37th
-partner of the Baillie Gifford investment firm, which immediately began a
+to magnificent piles of gold and silver; Ragnok himself was instated as the
+37th partner of the Baillie Gifford investment firm, which immediately began a
progressive and strategic reappraisal of Bank assets and services.
By an old treaty with the Ministry of Magic, Gringotts was allowed to charge
different rates to purebloods and non-purebloods so long as "those of the most
-noble bearing and lineage are not negatively affected." Obviously, this had been
-intended by the Wizengamot as a means to further disadvantage muggleborns and
-halfbloods. Gringotts' previous stance had been to not exercise this clause; the
-Goblins were magnanimously equal in their dislike of all wizardkind.
+noble bearing and lineage are not negatively affected." Obviously, this had
+been intended by the Wizengamot as a means to further disadvantage muggleborns
+and halfbloods. Gringotts' previous stance had been to not exercise this
+clause; the Goblins were magnanimously equal in their dislike of all
+wizardkind.
Now, Ragnok had decided to exercise that clause. The appropriate standard for
-"most noble bearing and lineage" was chosen to be the inarguably qualified Queen
-Elizabeth Alexandra Mary of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Windsor
+"most noble bearing and lineage" was chosen to be the inarguably qualified
+Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Windsor
(muggle). With a legal cause for discrimination against pureblood wizards now
established, Gringotts began a slow and systematic process of manipulating
exchange rates and loans to shuffle money away from the ruling oligarchy and
towards the progressive and disenfranchised elements of wizarding society.
-By the time Harry Potter was to ascend to his seat in the Wizengamot, Gringotts
-expected society to be well-prepared for him to enact sweeping reforms. If
-nothing else, the deflation they were causing among the conservatives would make
-bribes easier for any progressive faction.
+By the time Harry Potter was to ascend to his seat in the Wizengamot,
+Gringotts expected society to be well-prepared for him to enact sweeping
+reforms. If nothing else, the deflation they were causing among the
+conservatives would make bribes easier for any progressive faction.
@@ -313,17 +318,17 @@ age group. Harry was apprenticed to Healer Goldknife, it being felt that
experience with Human anatomy would be the most useful skill he could learn in
his remaining time before Hogwarts.
-The Ascension had other ramifications. As an officially-recognized adult member
-of Goblin society, Harry was now by treaty recognized as an adult in wizarding
-society as well. He could not yet claim his seat on the Wizengamot, as that body
-was specifically limited to persons at least 18 years of age, but his
-emancipated status did allow him to assign a voting proxy.
+The Ascension had other ramifications. As an officially-recognized adult
+member of Goblin society, Harry was now by treaty recognized as an adult in
+wizarding society as well. He could not yet claim his seat on the Wizengamot,
+as that body was specifically limited to persons at least 18 years of age, but
+his emancipated status did allow him to assign a voting proxy.
A proxy that was currently filled by Albus Dumbledore, one of the most
conservative members.
-Unfortunately, as two years still remained before Harry would be revealed to the
-wizarding public as a Goblin, no attempt could be made to change the proxy
+Unfortunately, as two years still remained before Harry would be revealed to
+the wizarding public as a Goblin, no attempt could be made to change the proxy
without revealing far too much too soon. But in the mean time, preparations
could be taken so that an adequate proxy would be ready to claim the seat as
soon as Harry entered Hogwarts.
@@ -335,6 +340,12 @@ as policy decisions and treaty obligations. Security would be needed, which the
Goblin nation would happily provide. As it happened, the biggest sticking point
would be the dress code.
+Agent Bond of MI6 was reaching retirement age, anyway. A position on the
+Wizengamot would be a good use of his political acumen and charm, and surely
+being surrounded by armed pureblood wizards who hated him and wanted him dead
+would be exciting enough to prevent him from complaining too much about his
+new desk job.
+
Wand magic was not well-regarded by the Goblins, and Harry was no exception.
@@ -345,17 +356,18 @@ him a better asset to the Bank, but he didn't have to enjoy it. Still, with
power comes opportunity, and there was one opportunity afforded to wand-wavers
that *every* Goblin envied.
-With a wand, you could create a horcrux. With a horcrux, you couldn't completely
-die.
+With a wand, you could create a horcrux. With a horcrux, you couldn't
+completely die.
Harry had decided to pursue this priceless opportunity as soon as possible.
With permission from Ragnok, Harry had selected Wardstone Six as his potential
-horcrux. Of all the 13 Great Wardstones which anchored Gringotts to the magical
-fabric, Harry had always felt a particular affinity towards Six; its particular
-balance of magic seemed to call to him. The Great Wardstone was the closest an
-object could be to invulnerable, and with part of Harry infused in it, the wards
-it provided for the Bank would see a massive increase in strength.
+horcrux. Of all the 13 Great Wardstones which anchored Gringotts to the
+magical fabric, Harry had always felt a personal affinity towards Six; its
+particular balance of magic seemed to call to him. The Great Wardstone was the
+closest an object could be to invulnerable, and with part of Harry infused in
+it, the wards it provided for the Bank would see a massive increase in
+strength.
To build a horcrux requires a sacrifice; something must be given up that is so
fundamental to the wizard's soul that it strains to escape. Tom Riddle had used
@@ -365,8 +377,8 @@ and one that had probably driven him to insanity.
Harry, working with the very best of the Goblin cursebreakers, meticulously
constructed the ritual circle he would require at the base of Wardstone Six.
Stripping naked, Harry knelt at the center of the circle, with the glowing
-boulder of rune-covered obsidian held aloft above him by the massive currents of
-magic that pulsed through the Bank.
+boulder of rune-covered obsidian held aloft above him by the massive currents
+of magic that pulsed through the Bank.
Sharpaxe approached.
@@ -374,14 +386,16 @@ Sharpaxe approached.
you. How may Gringotts serve you today?»
Harry paused only briefly, contemplating what he was about to do. Pushing his
-magic through his birth mother's wand and into the ritual circle to complete the
-circuit, he spoke, «Donate half my assets to the British Red Cross.»
+magic through his birth mother's wand and into the ritual circle to complete
+the circuit, he spoke, «Donate half my liquid assets to the British Red Cross.»
A dark flash tore across Harry's body, ripping a scream from his chest as he
doubled over in pain. Simultaneously, Wardstone Six released a blinding light
-and an intense sense of greed filled the chamber. Goldknife approached to remove
-Harry's now-unconscious body for healing, while the other Goblins prepared to
-reseal the area. Harry had successfully created his horcrux.
+and an intense sense of greed filled the chamber. Goldknife approached to
+remove Harry's now-unconscious body for healing, while the other Goblins
+prepared to reseal the area. Harry had successfully shattered his soul, and
+created his horcrux.
That night, Harry cried himself to sleep. Not from the pain, but from the
knowledge that never again would gold feel quite as sweet in his hands.
+Immortality demanded a steep price indeed.
--
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