Hogwarts: Era of Darkness

Sitting in the pub was kind of weird. It felt like I could understand the words around me, but in reality, I did not. I could have used magic to autotranslate their words, but who says if they don't get angered by it? For now, we weren't here to cause trouble.

"So..." I scratched my throat, turning towards Quincy, who was still red in the face, troubled by what had happened, failing to realize it was all an illusion.

"Don't even bring it up." She grumbled, pushing the words through gritted teeth.

"Okay, okay, my lips are sealed!"

"What?" Lockhart mumbled, looking at us, finally realizing the 'issue' we were having. "Oh, yes, most of these places are enchanted by magic. Touching also dispels it for real, so that's why it is forbidden in here."

"..."

"I think," I whispered, knowing Quincy was hearing it just fine, "it is best if we skip the topic, Professor."

"Oh... Yes. So... we wait, huh?"

"Yep." I leaned back, quickly getting bored, glancing at Grindelwald, who was looking ahead, his gaze unfocused, probably immersed in some kind of thoughts that only he could understand. Haah...

We were like a group of angry couples. A gathering of misery-filled companions who had a big fight just before coming in, and now everyone was angry at the other, not wanting to start the argument again, so we just sat there... in silence. Merlin, please help me! Well, he maybe heard what I was thinking about because when the door to the pub opened, I did not want to believe my eyes.

"No way..." I whispered, making Quincy turn her head, repeating my words, followed by Lockhart's hushed voice.

"Those are the ones!"

"..."

I couldn't help but exchange glances with Quincy while Grindelwald remained to stare forward, unbothered by the events, even when the two newcomers noticed us.

"As they say, the world IS small!" The woman of the pair chuckled, walking towards us at once, followed by her unhappy, grimacing husband. "How have you been, little ones?"

"Good evening, Lady Eleonora." We both said, standing up, before bowing towards the Count, "Lord Volgonid."

"Mhm. Verily, it doth vex me sore to encounter younglings within such a base tavern as this. The world hath sunk deep into debauchery more than mine own comfort can abide." The Count explained as the two sat down with us, ignoring the surprised face of Lockhart, who knew better than to ask questions right now. The air of the two was commanding enough to signal that they were only interested in speaking to us alone. They even ignored Grindelwald, which further shocked the Professor.

"Ah, dear, don't be a joykiller! It is fun! A little bit of dirt sometimes makes it exciting, don't you think? We clean the sheets so they can be dirtied again!" Eleonora giggled, licking her teeth and flashing a sharp canine between her parting, red lips. It was what made the lightbulb come to life above the Professor's head, making him yelp like a cat whose tail got stepped on.

"That is the very cause I find little favour in this place." Count Volgonid continued, sweeping a glance at the girls in the bar. "It doth whet mine appetite, my dear."

"We will snack later." She giggled, patting his hand, drawing her husband's attention back to us. "What are you two doing here?"

"It seems," I started, being forthright, knowing full well that lying or going in circles is not what they would be entertained by, "we were waiting for you two."

"Oh?" They said in the same tone, tilting their head to the left in complete sync.

"We have... something we must do." I leaned forward, talking slowly and trying to lower my voice, "We need helpers for it to work."

"Scapegoats." Quincy added, being even more forthright than me, making my eyes twitch while the Professor wanted to cry, beginning to whine like a puppy.

"Ahaha, how fun!" Eleonora giggled loudly while the Count raised his eyebrows, looking at Quincy.

"Thou hast a straight spine, young maiden, and a tongue that speaketh truths unbidden. I shall honour that for the nonce, for thou also dost respect mine own wit by speaking plain. Pray, proceed, children."

"It would be best if no unwelcome ears were listening to us." I added, and the Count nodded, standing up and releasing an aura I had never felt before and probably would never do for the rest of my life.

"Hold thy thoughts, servants!"

His words were simple, but they carried such a force; it reminded me of the imperius curse. Everyone within the building suddenly stopped, no matter what they were doing, standing, sitting, or just carrying something; it was as if time had stopped for them, freezing them into the spot they had been occupying previously.

"Now 'tis secure, young child. Speak freely or hold thy peace."

"Thank you, Count. Well... here goes nothing!" I exhaled, taking a long breath, and began from the moment we visited the goblin's city a year ago.

...

....

......

It took me a lot of time to explain everything as honestly as possible. They listened carefully, sometimes asking multiple questions that were designed to catch me in a lie. Luckily, I knew better, so every time we arrived back at the starting point of their questions, they knew I wasn't bullshitting them. Of course, it was more than just them who listened without blinking; Professor Lockhart also focused on me and wanted to get all the details he may have missed.

"We are in!" Eleonora giggled, but before I could be happy and exclaim in triumph, Volgonid raised his hand, speaking in a firm voice.

"Why should we render our aid?"

"..." I had no honest answer to that question, not even after I exchanged glances with Quincy. I even tried looking at Grindelwald, but he just sat there, arms crossed, eyes closed, as if he was sleeping. Thanks, Master... Really helpful.

"Ah, come on~!" Eleonora moaned, hugging him, "We have been traveling the world for fun, and wouldn't this be something really exciting? You have been fuming in the past few days because those pesky Englishmen are refusing your entry on bogus claims! It is not like we are regular vampires who would come to cause a plague or something!"

"That is that, my love, this is this. We may not intermingle the twain."

"You can take whatever is in the vault after we are finished with our business!" Quincy said, surprising me. From my peripheral vision, I noticed that even Grindelwald opened one of his eyes, watching not us but the two vampires. Was he ready to fight? Shit...

"Oh?" Eleonora hummed, leaning back while Volgonid's eyes narrowed, focusing on Quincy.

"Verily, 't would cast us as the foremost suspects, would it not? We would find ourselves thrust into the... How doth one phrase it now... the limelight. We would become the quarry of this... Voldemort. Would we not?"

"Well," Quincy gulped, but she shook her body, continuing with the same, brave voice, "If you are really angry about how you are being treated yet being such a powerful being... It is the best way to get back at them. Not just at the Ministry of England but at the goblins, too. The Dark Lord would not believe you did it alone and without help from the goblins!"

"She is right, my dear." Eleonora interjected, nodding, "Stealing from Gringotts can't be done, not without inside help. They are already warring amongst themselves; they wouldn't have time to look for us."

"No." Volgonid said resolutely, without leaving an opening to object to his decision, and I saw Eleonora sigh, knowing there was no way to change his mind. "We shan't pilfer aught from the vault. We are not but common thieves, my love."

"Haaah... I see." I shrugged, squeezing Quincy's thighs under the table, reassuring her as she looked just as crestfallen.

"We shall take everything."

"Huh?" Everyone at the table asked at once, including Eleonora. Even Grindelwald sat up straight, looking surprised for the first time.

"I have had my fill of their insolence. Young Conrad, thou didst mention that the goblins would succumb to thy sorcery, erasing their memories and implanting false ones, didst thou not? I shall lend my aid to this endeavor as well. We shall ensure that the vault remains unscathed and none are the wiser to our presence. Thou mayst take what thou requirest, and thereafter, we shall claim the remainder. 'Tis a fitting recompense for our assistance in this trifling affair!"

"Y-yeah, sure!" I said, feeling a bit giddy hearing his response when I was already expecting a complete refusal.

"Ahahaha, I am just sad that we won't be there when they discover it has been completely emptied out and robbed! What a farce!" Eleonora giggled, making me lean forward, saying something that made even Volgonid smile before nodding.

"Originally, we were planning to swap something within, but if you empty it out... can you leave our fake behind? Be the only thing left within? That would be an even better punch to the gut when they open it up."

...

....

......

When we returned home, I couldn't help but plop down on the couch, feeling tired.

"That made me nervous at the end!" Quincy moaned the same way, falling on top of me.

"I never met vampires of their level... I need a drink!" Lockhart added, walking past us, heading straight for the cupboard, looking for glasses and something strong.

"Volgonid always liked witty youngsters."

"Huh?" We asked, looking at Grindelwald while hugging each other.

"Why do you think I could make him owe me? He values capable and smart young wizards. Or humans. It does not really matter to him. He may be long for a time when he was one. Or sees himself in those types of children. I don't really know."

"Really...?" I murmured, thinking about it. "How are vampires born anyway? Besides turning others?"

"I don't know." He answered plainly, making our eyes grow wild, and even Lockhart's hand shook, spilling some of his scotch. Grindelwald didn't stay to explain it further. Instead, he just left through one of the double doors, heading to his own wing.

"Don't ask. I don't know either." Herpo commented in my mind at once, "They are even older beings than me."

"Oh well..." I murmured, kissing my wife, "It was a long day... Let's relax!"

"I will... go." Lockhart mumbled, holding the bottle in his hand, also leaving us alone as we continued lying on the couch, kissing and slowly undressing each other.