Chapter 47: Gringotts Cleaning

In the Slytherin common room, Draco cursed angrily at Weasley, and even Harry joined in, muttering, "Damn it, Potter, you don't know what's good. You should've let Goyle and Crabbe teach him a lesson."

"Alright, Draco, let's put an end to this. I don't want my mother sending me a warning letter," Martin advised his cousin Malfoy, mindful of the consequences.

As the eldest brother, Martin knew he had to intervene. Allowing his younger siblings to engage in school fights would only lead to trouble, even if their father didn't care, their mother might.

Draco sneered, feeling a surge of anger. He had long held a disdain for Weasley.

"Ben, you were impressive today. You truly lived up to being my cousin," Draco praised, acknowledging Ben's assistance in the scuffle.

They had fought side by side, and Draco couldn't deny that Ben's actions had surprised him. Despite his cold demeanor, Ben had fought fiercely, leaving Draco momentarily disoriented amidst the chaos.

"You're welcome. It would have been a mercy if I hadn't used my wand," Ben replied modestly. To him, it was merely a scuffle between children, not a full-blown wizarding duel.

Thanks to Snape's intervention, Martin and the others had managed to return unscathed. As the Slytherin Head of House, Snape was strict but also protective of his students.

Moreover, seeing Harry, who bore a striking resemblance to his old nemesis, James Potter, on the receiving end of a beating, had added an extra layer of satisfaction for Snape.

Meanwhile, in the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron nursed their injuries in silence, enduring the mocking gazes of their peers. The altercation with the Slytherins had left them bruised and humiliated.

Unable to find solace in words, Harry and Ron returned to their dormitory in silence. Neville, ever the caring friend, inquired about their well-being.

"It's alright, Neville. You're still awake?" Harry responded wearily, grateful for Neville's concern amidst their predicament.

Neville's empathy provided Harry with some comfort, reminding him that he still had friends who cared for him.

Glancing at Ron, who feigned sleep under his covers, Harry felt a surge of weariness wash over him. Despite their efforts to shield him, Harry couldn't shake off the feeling of isolation.

"Let's get some rest. We have classes tomorrow," Harry muttered tiredly, burying himself under the covers, his mind swirling with thoughts.

The next day, as Hogwarts welcomed the arrival of the morning owls, Cole received a letter from Snape detailing the previous day's altercation among the students. However, Cole paid little heed to the incident, considering it a minor skirmish among children.

Furthermore, since no serious harm had come to Martin and the others, and no dark magic had been employed, Snape's disciplinary measures were likely to be lenient.

Cole understood Snape's demeanor well—cold-faced yet benevolent towards his students.

Having gathered information about the Hogwarts students' experiences through various channels, Cole found himself intrigued by Dumbledore's decision to place members of the Weasley family in close proximity to Harry.

Ron, in particular, seemed to attract trouble wherever he went, potentially complicating Harry's social dynamics at school.

Despite being aware of the Weasley family's reputation for integrity and excellence, Cole couldn't fathom why Dumbledore had singled out Ron, who appeared to lack foresight.

Shrugging off his ponderings, Cole decided to focus on more pressing matters. With his gaze fixed on the master key obtained from the system, Cole felt a sense of satisfaction knowing its capabilities.

As he prepared to embark on his mission, Cole rendezvoused with Richie Black outside Gringotts, where they observed the arrival of Professor Quirrell—a key figure in Cole's plans.

However, Cole's intentions diverged from those of Voldemort, as he had no interest in aiding the dark wizard's quest for the Philosopher's Stone.

Instead, Cole sought to capitalize on the chaos ensuing within Gringotts to acquire valuable assets for the Black family.

With his disguise in place, Cole confidently entered Gringotts, requesting access to a private vault and presenting a purse brimming with gold galleons to the goblins.

As he descended into the depths of the bank, a sudden explosion reverberated through the tunnels, signaling the onset of a conflict below.

Peering over the edge of the platform, Cole beheld a scene of chaos—a fiery battleground illuminated by flashes of green magic.

Seizing the opportunity, Cole incapacitated a nearby goblin and prepared to execute his plan.

With determination in his eyes, Cole whispered to himself, "The cleaning has begun."