Made the rock tremble, opened its mouth, and spat a jet of fire that sent them running

Back up the passageway.

“It is partially blind,” panted Griphook, “but even more savage for that. However,

We have the means to control it. It has learned what to expect when the Clankers come.

Give them to me.”

Ron passed the bag to Griphook, and the goblin pulled out a number of small

Metal instruments that when shaken made a long ringing noise like miniature hammers on

anvils. Griphook handed them out: Bogrod accepted his meekly.

“You know what to do,” Griphook told Harry, Ron, and Hermione. “It will expect

Pain when it hears the noise. It will retreat, and Bogrod must place his palm upon the

door of the vault.”

They advanced around the corner again, shaking the Clankers, and the noise

echoed off the rocky walls, grossly magnified, so that the inside of Harry’s skull seemed

To vibrate with the den. The dragon let out another hoarse roar, then retreated. Harry

Could see it trembling, and as they drew nearer he saw the scars made by vicious slashes

Across its face, and guess that it had been taught to fear hot swords when it heard the

Sound of the Clankers.

“Make him press his hand to the door!” Griphook urged Harry, who turned his

Wand again upon Bogrod. The old goblin obeyed, pressing his palm to the wood, and the

Door of the vault melted away to reveal a cavelike opening crammed from floor to ceiling

with golden coins and goblets, silver armor, the skins of strange creatures – some with

long spines, other with drooping wings – potions in jeweled flasks, and a skull still

wearing a crown. “Search, fast!” said Harry as they all hurried inside the vault. He had

described Hufflepuff’s cap to Ron and Hermione, but if it was the other, unknown

Horcrux that resided in this vault, he did not know what it looked like. He barely had

time to glance around, however, before there was a muffled clunk from behind them: The

Door had reappeared, sealing them inside the vault, and they were plunged into total

Darkness.

“No matter, Bogrod will be able to release us!” said Griphook as Ron gave a

shout of surprise. “Light your wands, can’t you? And hurry, we have little time!”

“Lumos!”

Harry shone his lit wand around the vault: Its beam fell upon glittering jewels; he

Saw the fake sword of Gryffindor lying on a high shelf amongst a jumble of chains. Ron

And Hermione had lit their wands too, and were now examining the piles of objects

Surrounding them.

“Harry, could this be -- ? Aargh!”

Hermione screamed in pain, and Harry turned his wand on her in time to see a

Jeweled goblet tumbling from her grip. But as it fell, it split, became a shower of goblets,

So that a second later, with a great clatter, the floor was covered in identical cups rolling

In every direction, the original impossible to discern amongst them.

“It burned me!” moaned Hermione, sucking her blistered fingers.

“They have added Germino and Flagrante Curses!” said Griphook.

“Everything you touch will burn and multiply, but the copies are worthless – and

If you continue to handle the treasure, you will eventually be crushed to death by the

weight of expanding gold!”

“Okay, don’t touch anything!” said Harry desperately, but even as he said it, Ron

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 663