HP : TRIUMPH

Loving the story so far? There's a whole world of magic and mystery waiting for you with over 85+ chapters still to come! By supporting my Patreon.

You not only get early access to new chapters but also exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special perks just for fans like you.

Join us on this enchanted journey and help shape the future of the tale. Your support makes all the difference—discover more and become part of the adventure today!

http//patreon.com/BLAKE025

(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's a creature almost like human cattle." Switchblade shrugged. "Most people don't like the taste, smell or texture. I've known some humans are sick at the though of eating it, especially when they learn it is 'goblin food'."

Harry shook his head almost ruefully.

"I've gone without food far too often to be as petty as to refuse food because of nationality."

The goblins didn't respond to that, looking away almost uneasily.

"How old are you?" Switchblade grunted gruffly.

"I turned fourteen three days ago." Harry smiled pleasantly.

"You are far wiser than any other mortal child I have met." He remarked.

Harry blushed taking that as a compliment and bit into his meat again.

shrugging. It didn't smell the greatest or look the greatest, but it was food. He took a bite and chewed a moment. The taste was as weird as the smell. It had a metallic after taste too. Harry shrugged again and took another bite. He noticed more then one goblin staring at him.

"That is Glargog meat." A goblin pointed out almost vindictively.

"What's a Glargog?" Harry blinked.

"It's a creature almost like human cattle." Switchblade shrugged. "Most people don't like the taste, smell or texture. I've known some humans are sick at the though of eating it, especially when they learn it is 'goblin food'."

Harry shook his head almost ruefully.

"I've gone without food far too often to be as petty as to refuse food because of nationality."

The goblins didn't respond to that, looking away almost uneasily.

"How old are you?" Switchblade grunted gruffly.

"I turned fourteen three days ago." Harry smiled pleasantly.

"You are far wiser than any other mortal child I have met." He remarked.

Harry blushed taking that as a compliment and bit into his meat again.

had just opened it this morning though Harry had yet to look. Harry had barely reached the group standing guard in front of the entrance when a spell flew by his head, missing by mere millimetres.

Harry threw himself to the side as a horse charged past him. It spun back at him and he realized he was in the empty space between the camp and the tomb, right in the open. Harry wasn't all that assured with his aim of spells, so he did the next best thing.

He took a running leap at the horse rider, the man crying out in shock as Harry's body morphed into that of a grim. He tackled the man to the ground, teeth going for his exposed throat by instinct. The man got an arm in the way but it was a toothpick to Harry's teeth. The man screamed in pain and Harry felt venom mix with his blood. He leapt back as the man weakly stabbed at him with a knife. Harry left him. He was already dead.

The group in front of the tomb was having a hard time. Harry leapt at a bandits exposed back and the man went down with a shrill cry. The rest realized Harry was behind them. They started to babble hysterically, pointing at his appearance. Harry's teeth crushed the man's throat and he was after another before the second took his last breath. When the ones after the tomb were dead he headed into the camp. A few tents were burning and some damaged or broken but most were fine.

Harry targeted every man he knew was not with their group. He didn't know how long he fought, but when he landed on the last opponent and the man died he growled in agitation. His Grim's bloodlust was not sated. He wanted more battle, he wanted a more worthy opponent. He prodded the dead body with his nose, almost hoping it was alive to give him a challenge.

"Harry. Change back."

Harry's ears swivelled to face Switchblade who was clenching a large axe in his hands. The weapon was lowered in a non-threatening position but could easily be moved into an attacking position. Grim-Harry snorted at the weak defence and looked between the goblin and the weapon a moment. He almost took a step forwards then shook his head and changed back.

As he did so he suddenly realized he was covered in blood. With a horrified sort of satisfaction he realized he tasted blood in his mouth. He licked his lips and felt blood smear across his teeth.

There was blood under his finger nails and sticking to hair.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go throw up." Harry said calmly.

And he did. He puked his guts out just outside of the camp. He then returned to his tent and scrubbed himself raw, brushing his teeth more then once and used a lot of mouthwash. When he finally felt just slightly better he gazed into the small mirror above the bathroom sink. He took a good long look as he silently considered his actions. He was quite positive he had killed at least six of the bandits.

He threw up again.

.-.

Harry was silent as he lay on the carpet of his tent. He'd banished the table and chairs to just lay on the carpet. He needed to feel the solid ground beneath it. A soft swish of cloth made him realize someone had entered. With a grunt a goblin joined him on the floor. He gazed up at the ceiling of the tent, not bothering to glance at Switchblade

First kills are the worst." Switchblade said after a few long moments of silence.

"That was not my first kill." Harry remarked idly, missing the surprised expression flicker across the Goblin's face. "I killed Quirell at eleven. I killed a basilisk at twelve. These were just more real."

Harry sighed and sat up.

"I…I'm not upset over the killing." He whispered softly, looking up at the goblin through his bangs.

The goblin raised a brow.

"I'm more upset and sick because I didn't feel bad about killing them. I felt so…blank. I didn't get satisfaction or joy from killing them, I just felt empty about it."

The goblin stared for a moment then sighed.

"We goblins are a warrior race. Though many go off into different careers as smiths, food producers, tanners, bankers, miners and such, a large majority of us are warriors. We are trained to kill or be killed. We're taught to embrace certain instincts and do certain things. My first kill was not enjoyable, nor was it horrible. The best way to describe it is hollow."

"Hollow." Harry agreed. "I didn't feel anything about the kill. And that scared me."

Switchblade nodded.

"I've had brethren who've given up the warrior life after their first kill, and others grow thirsty for battle. I'm considered the perfect warrior for the reason that I don't feel anything for the kills. Those who thirst for it usually get too eager, too reckless. Those who hate it get too hesitant, too desperate. Those who feel hollow go on in calm, sensible manner."

Harry looked to the carpet thoughtfully.

"So it's okay?" He asked shyly, hopefully.

"For most humans it isn't okay. The 'Light' side will hate you for your ability to kill. The 'dark' side will be more … varied in its opinion."

"So I'm more of in between light and dark."

"Yes, but leaning more towards the dark in the human mind as 'Light' humans aren't supposed to kill."

"I…" He paused and looked around as if looking for intruders, and lowered his voice, gazing at the goblin seriously. "I don't know if I want to be light."

.-.

Harry took a bite of the lizard that had been roasted to perfection. At least that's what another goblin remarked. Harry also accepted a piece of horse meat to try. The goblins had said the horses hit by strays spells shouldn't go to waste. Harry decided he didn't mind the taste. The group was oddly silent, chatter nothing more then a bare whisper. Harry finally reached into his carrier bag and pulled out a small plastic shopping bag that was tied shut.

"I've opened a café." He remarked to the silent group.

All twelve goblins attention fixed on him.

"A café?" Switchblade chuckled.

"Yes. It's in London and the magical side is open to everyone. But I realized that other species don't eat the same as humans so I'm going to be trying to get some different dishes. Any suggestions for the goblin menu?"

There was a moment of surprised silence.

"You're actually serious?" One of them asked, staring at him.

"Yes."

"Why should we tell you?" Another asked.

Harry found it amusing how Slytherin most goblins were. He reached over and untied the plastic bag. He removed the stasis spells from the food inside. He held up a brown paper bag with smirk.

"I'll give you this if you give me a short list of some main things."

"What's in it?" another asked suspiciously, waving his half eaten lizard at the bag.

Harry opened the top of the bag and reached in. he pulled out one of the items and held it up with a smirk.

"Mushrooms."

He could almost see them start to salivate. It appeared Griphook had not been lying when he said all goblins loved mushrooms. One of the goblins started to rattle off some foods. Most were pure goblin dishes, their own recipes of from their own farms. Harry quickly jotted them down and then tossed the bag of mushrooms to the one who'd listed them off. Before a fight could be started over who got them Harry pulled out a few more bags of them. He was glad he'd bought some a while back. He had been going to give them to Griphook, but he could always get more.

.-.

August 6th

Saturday

.-.

Harry checked his stuff over again before nodding to himself. He had everything packed up. Today was the day he was heading home. They hadn't finished with the tomb, far from it! But the parseltongue they had actually hired for this dig was coming today. Harry had been his fill in for the first few days.

"Harry!"

Harry glanced up and saw the mousey man from the first day waving him down.

"Good thing I caught you. We were going to offer you a look at the second chamber."

Harry blinked then smiled widely and hurried after the man. He hadn't gotten a chance to look at the second chamber yet. He left his pack outside the tomb and followed the man in. He stepped through the second day and his breath caught. This chamber was larger and Harry could feel the hum of old magic in the air. The walls seemed to shimmer in the lantern light and the hieroglyphs almost moved. Harry spotted some parseltongue writing and started to read. His eyes grew wide and he whipped his note book out. He'd been allowed to keep it after those in charge of the dig had gotten a copy. He scribbled down a few last notes before he heard some giggles.

He looked up and blinked. The rest of the people in the room where either chuckling or laughing at him.

"He'll be a great archaeologist or curse breaker." One remarked. "He went straight for the walls, not the treasure."

Treasure? He blinked and glanced around again. Sure enough gold and silver objects lay scattered about with elegant pottery and such.

"Oh."

They all continued laughing and Harry pouted, returning to the writing.

Ten minutes later Switch blade came and retrieved him. Once back in the open the goblin activated a portkey. The vanished to reappear in the same lobby they had headed from only days before. Switchblade grumbled about portkeys and shook himself like a dog out of water.

"Do you have your first portkey?" the goblin grumbled.

Harry showed him the ring. Switchblade grabbed his arm.

"Same activation as when you came."

"Sand."

And once again they were gone. They landed in another Gringotts room and Harry shivered at the horrible feeling of the portkey.

"Why didn't we just use this one straight from the camp?" Harry asked as he stood back up.

"Wards around the camp. Only certain portkeys in and out." Switchblade said curtly.

A door swung open and Griphook stepped into the room. Harry faintly realized the goblin looked much cleaner and richer in his uniform then Switchblade who was wearing leather armour.

"Any problems?" Griphook asked Switchblade.

"Bandits. They were dealt with. He didn't get a scratch."

"Your job is finished then. Your pay has been sent."

Switchblade gave a grunt of understanding and Harry blinked as he realized Switchblade had been his guard while at the camp. He shrugged it off as Griphook turned to him.

"You will also be paid for you services."

Harry shrugged and then caught a box out of the air, millimetres before it hit his face. Griphook smirked at him.

"Testing your reflexes."

Harry shot him a scowl then opened the box. He blinked in surprise. Inside the box sat two small earrings. They were beautiful red studs that when looked at more closely where seen to be small rubies.

"What is this for?" Harry asked softly.

"It is, what you humans call it, a gift." Griphook shrugged. "They are a lucky stone for you, your birth stone. Rubies are good for spells also."

Harry pulled out the plain silver studs in his ears and quickly replaced them with the beautiful red ones. He smiled at Griphook who glanced at him.

"They suit you. You look…beautiful as humans say."

Harry gaped.

"Did you just compliment me?" he squeaked.

"Yes." Griphook sneered. "Even I must admit that you are pleasant to the eyes and better company then most human filth. Intelligent also."

"Are…are you hitting on me?" Harry asked in a strangled voice.

Griphook sent him a grin of razor sharp teeth. Harry stared. Switchblade snickered.

"I think I'll be going then." Harry said awkwardly, gaining smirks.

"Of course. You have an appointment with me on Monday though, at noon. I shall meet you at your café." Griphook said.

Harry quickly nodded and hurried off.

.-.

Harry laughed as Lie latched onto his foot, rubbing against him happily. Alice had copied the tree, wrapping around his other leg. Both were purring. Alice's brothers watched from the sidelines idly, eyeing the tree with glares. Hedwig and Keiruim had landed on his shoulders and didn't budge until Harry promised to stay home all day at least.

"Any souvenirs?" Harold asked from his seat on the kitchen counter.

"Besides the blood of bandits on my teeth?" Harry chuckled ruefully, good mood plummeting.

There was an awkward silence.

"Well I have some notes on a priest's life, some odd spells, a couple of stories, and now can write parseltongue." Harry shrugged.

Then he flashed the man a grin.

"I also got a bunch of stuff from the goblins. We played a game like poker and I won quite a few games."

Harold chuckled and pushed himself to his feet.

"You are well then?"

"Yes." Harry shrugged.

"Good. We're going to work on some random summoning later. I want to see what creatures you summon."

"You mean Random Summoning?" Harry frowned as he detangled himself from his pets.

"All summoning circles have key elements that are the same on each level. There is always a specific area where you fill with runes that describe or name the demon you are summoning. If you leave it blank it will summon a demon closest to where your circle opens a portal. Majority of the time you'll summon the more common Demon Beasts, like hellhounds, Cerberus, imps, lower gargoyles, and such. But there are said do be hundreds of other types of demons. Many are able to resist being drawn into summoning circles unless specifically targeted. If you're strong enough you can override their ability to resist and draw in ones you have not seen before. I myself am not the most skilled with demon summoning and have only ever summoned Hellhounds, Cerberus, Imps, lower gargoyles, demonic bats, some zombie like sharks (which don't do well on land), and I once summoned a Nightmare. You should have the power to override almost all abilities to resist though, so I don't doubt that while around you I'll see some unknown demon beasts."

Harry frowned as he pondered this. Then he grinned.

"This should be fun."

.-.

Harry knocked gently on the door and was quickly greeted by a haggard looking Katrina.

"Oh, hello Harry." She smiled nervously.

Harry noticed her eyes dart about and a frightened air about her.

"Hello Katrina, I was just coming to say hello." He smiled holding up a pan with a cake.

She took it gently, eyes still glancing around quickly.

"Why thank you Harry. I'm sorry if this sounds rude but we're very busy at the moment."

Harry frowned but nodded as Katrina went to close the door. Harry felt a flare of magic from in their house and heard George yell for Katrina. Harry didn't think twice and shoved past the surprised woman, running for the source. He slid into the living room and paused in surprise. Cathy was laughing delightedly as she floated in the air, head bumping the roof. Jake was waving his arms about tiredly and she would go in the direction he pointed.

George was standing looking absolutely lost, frightened, and worried. His eyes widened as he saw Harry slide into the room instead of his wife. He immediately jumped in front of Harry, towering over him to hide the view. He eyes looked frightened. Harry remembered Hermione telling him about another first year who had first preformed accidental magic and how their parents had been terrified men from the government would come take them away to experiment on them.

Harry darted around George and clamped his hands on Jake's. He could feel the baby's magic draining. Cathy wouldn't stay in the air longer. Jake's magic cut off with his lost focus and Harry leapt and caught Cathy before she could hit the ground. Her own magic flared as she cried out at the sudden drop and Harry wondered how he had ever missed these two having magic. He gently set Cathy down and looked back to the sleepy looking Jake. He cast a mild sleeping spell with a wave of his hand and Jake slumped in sleep.

Katrina came running into the room and scooped Jake up, hurrying to stand behind large George who held Cathy possessively. They both looked both worried and oh so scared. But they also looked brave, their children hidden in their arms. Harry was sure they would do anything to keep those two safe.

"You can't tell anyone." Katrina blurted out.

Then she burst out sobbing.

"You just can't. They'll come and take our babies away."

"We'll protect them no matter what." George said steely, holding Cathy close and eyeing Harry.

Harry saw the man's eyes dart about the room and harry had already pinpointed all the items that could be used as weapons and all the escape routes. He knew George would protect his children no matter what.

"Calm down." Harry soothed, holding his hands up in a surrender gesture.

"You won't tell?" Katrina sobbed.

"No." Harry sighed. "Sit down. You look tired."

They both hesitantly took a seat on the couch, a child in each of their arms, both looking tense and ready. .

"Do you know what that was your children were doing?" Harry asked soothingly.

"ESP." Katrina sniffled.

"Psychic abilities." George muttered.

"That was called accidental magic." Harry said calmly.

The two blinked, Katrina blinking away tears and George blinking away the threats in his eyes. They stared at him a minute and he let them wrap their minds around this.

Loving the story so far? There's a whole world of magic and mystery waiting for you with over 85+ chapters still to come! By supporting my Patreon.

You not only get early access to new chapters but also exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special perks just for fans like you.

Join us on this enchanted journey and help shape the future of the tale. Your support makes all the difference—discover more and become part of the adventure today!

http//patreon.com/BLAKE025

(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~