171 The Buried Vault (I)

(A/N: Sorry for the delay, lots of stuff happened including my car breaking down. On a good note though my mom had surgery yesterday to remove her cancer and it was successful. She is one of the reasons I've kept on this series so hard since she used to read it, so I got motivated to crank out another chapter. If all goes well I may do one tomorrow or the day after as well so I don't leave you guys hanging for too long. I'll try to get things out quickly I swear.

On a side note if you're a small writer or big writer doesn't matter, hit me up on discord I'm trying to remake a writing discord I used to frequent for motivation.)

-------------------------------------------

Closing the book I set it back in its proper place on the shelf and ponder to myself.

'So that black infinite I was in was the underworld? I was with Death?'

Holding out my hand I project out my fog letting it flood the surrounding area slowly. I have never actually thought too deeply about 'what' I am. I was content thinking I may be a special dementor or something like that… It is a world of magic after all.

It had crossed my mind that I may be something more but if that is me this confirms it. Then did Death make me like this? Is it the same death from the storybooks? Did Death bring me back to the land of the living or was it some kind of mistake?

Leaning against the table I take a long moment to think about my options. Is my connection to death the reason why I gain power from the deathly hallows? Although this is a new revelation it doesn't need to be acted upon immediately. Though I would like to know right now, I am immortal so taking time to learn my origins shouldn't be a big deal, right?

Covering myself in my shroud I walk back to the dorms taking my time thinking out how to change my plans. Phasing through the sleeping portrait of the fat lady I make my way up to the dorm rooms and sit on my bed. My shroud fades to black dust as I lean my face into my hands and sigh lightly.

Putting down my hands I go to lay down but stop as a streak of light hits my face through the thin window by my nightstand. With another sigh, I pull out my watch and check the time '5:57' yet again I let out a sigh but this time it is noticeably longer. Turning off my alarm clock I stand up, casting a few hygiene spells I clean myself up to head downstairs so I can wait for Hermione and Katie.

The week goes by quickly as I spend my days researching the 'Veil' and Sumerian runes. That being said I make very little progress about the 'Veil' as there are only two other books about it inside the restricted section. On the runes part I actually find quite a few useful books, I did a once more over Sid's books in my shroud and found a detailed one as well.

I made sure to check with Charlie to make sure he can watch the others while I join them in the vault. The twins have made really good progress with their store, Theo and the twins have already done a bit of business. The prank toys and Theo's magic soda has been quite the hit.

Leaving runes I step out with Hermione to see the twins waiting while talking to a few other people outside our classroom.

Giving Hermione a smile I shrug, "Guess I'll see you later today. Good luck looking for the vault."

She smirks, "Just wait we will have found it by the time you leave the vault."

With a small laugh, I start walking towards the twins who are already watching me. "I wish you luck in your search." I genuinely wish her luck since I want to get the vaults done as early as possible.

"Ready Soren?" Fred asks with his usual grin.

With a nod, I take out my large fake invisibility cloak and cover it with my shroud making it invisible. "Come on, let's go."

Fred and George look surprised at the cloak but their grins only widen, ""See ya, Lee"" They say in unison as they get under the cloak letting it fall around us. They both stand up straight surprised with how large it is for being able to cover all of us easily.

"Make sure not to bump into people since they can't see you." I say as we walk through the halls towards the ever-changing staircase.

George bumps my shoulder, "What's the point of using the cloak if we are just going to talk and give away our position?"

I smirk a bit as I eye George and the agreeing Fred, "My cloak is a bit special, no one can hear us while we are under it."

They both look even more surprised than when I pulled it out, "How expensive was it? That would take a wickedly talented alchemist."

With I shrug I don't look at them, "That's for me to know and you to never find out."

Fred clicks his tongue and George mumbles under his breath, "Rich young master."

"I heard that you know."

George shrugs, "Am I wrong?"

Finally, I smile and turn to him, "No, not at all." I emphasize my moke skin pouch on my hip with a jingle. Not that it actually jingles since that isn't how a subspace spell works in the slightest.

As we reach the unsuspecting portrait hanging on the wall of the tower staircase I pause and pull out my wand bringing the portrait into my cloak. Levitating it between the three of us I look between the both.

"Grab it on 3."

Seeing them both nod a bit more serious than their usual selves I nod in return and begin counting.

"3"

"2"

"1!"

All three of us grab it at the same time, as my hand grips it the world around me begins the warp and bends as space itself changes. The wind whips up around us and I feel Gil and Enki slip into my shirt to keep out of it. With a quick grab, I pull the fake cloak into my shroud making sure neither of the twins has their eyes open.

With a soft gust brushing against my face the world stops melting and I can see we are now in a dark cave with no entrance only a stone vault door with a giant knight's statue standing off to one side. The room is lit by ten or so torches on the walls of a stone cave that appears to be around twenty feet in diameter.

Taking a deep breath I can feel that we must be deep underground as the air is very lacking. Slowly floating to the ground the twins land on their feet easily as if they've been taking keys all their lives. Rolling my eyes a bit jealous, I land a bit hard on my feet without much of an issue. Waving my wand in a + motion I chant.

"Heiberia" The stone floor beings to fill with different plants, bushes, and rooty flora.

The twins look shocked but I shake my head, "Just a simple charm."

"Bollocks," I grin at Fred as he looks away toward the knight.

"That won't attack us right?" George asks curiously.

I shrug, "Maybe, I don't know."

Pulling out their wands they cautiously step forward, as they get near the knight creaks to life and they both raise their wands defensively. Raising its sword high it stabs down quickly piercing its sword into the ground causing the cave to shake a bit.

My brow raises in curiosity as it lets go of the sword and turns toward the door. With a slam, the knight's fingers smash their way into the crack between the two heavy vault doors. The cave rumbles as the knight slowly pulls the fifteen-foot-tall stone door open leaving us all a bit confused.

The twins look back at me with baffled gazes seeking answers, without entertaining them I gesture forward.

"Let's go, the door is open."

The twins shake their heads while keeping their wands ready as they begin to walk into the pitch-black vault.