Chapter 344: The Story of Quirinus Quirrell (Part 3)
Chapter 344: The Story of Quirinus Quirrell (Part 3)
Quirinus Quirrell's patience was wearing thin, and he knew that he couldn't delay any further. He had to act soon.
Quirrell reminded himself silently.
Long before this day, Quirinus had secretly rehearsed his plan to break into Gringotts countless times, preparing for the moment he would steal the Philosopher's Stone.
On the last day of July, Quirinus rose early, dressed in his usual attire, and made his way to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink.
He visited the pub every day as a cover for his true intentions.
Quirinus informed the landlord, Tom, that he was in Diagon Alley to purchase a new book about vampires. He intended to create a false alibi, so no one would associate him with the thief who would soon break into Gringotts. Otherwise, whether he succeeded or failed, he would have to hide from the Ministry of Magic and the wrath of the goblins.
Just as he began to sip his drink, Quirinus noticed the bustling pub fall into an unusual silence. Following the gaze of the patrons, he saw Hagrid enter with a frail-looking boy in tow. Hagrid casually introduced the child to Tom.
This was Quirinus' first encounter with the famous Harry Potter.
Allegedly, this savior had defeated the most powerful Dark Wizard while still an infant. No one knew exactly how Harry Potter had accomplished such a feat. However, in Quirinus' opinion, the savior didn't seem to be faring so well. He looked rather... frail.
It was hard to imagine that Dumbledore would entrust the renowned Harry Potter to Muggles. This peculiar arrangement struck Quirinus as odd.
With Hagrid's introduction, Quirinus formally met Harry, shaking hands and exchanging a few awkward words.
He played his part well.
Quirinus knew that the Dark Lord might use his position at Hogwarts to find an opportunity to kill the savior.
Murdering a child who knew nothing of magic would be all too easy, even if that child was the legendary Harry Potter. At this moment, he was merely an eleven-year-old boy, vulnerable in the face of Dark Magic.
Even after Harry Potter left, the patrons continued to discuss him animatedly. Tom even generously offered a round of drinks on the house to celebrate Harry Potter's return.
Quirinus, of course, joined in the celebration. When the revelry died down, he made an excuse to leave the pub and genuinely purchased a book about vampires from Flourish and Blotts.
Then, he casually strolled into a corner shop called 'Terror Tour Services,' pretending to inquire about the Transylvanian vampire castle.
In truth, the owner of this shop was already under Quirinus' control, enslaved by the Imperius Curse. He was waiting here for a particular individual—a former roommate from Hogwarts who had often mocked and tormented him.
Quirinus intended to use a Polyjuice Potion to disguise himself as this old roommate. If the goblins found any clues, it would be that man's bad luck.
Framing his former roommate caused Quirinus no moral dilemma.
Quirinus was not foolish enough to attempt to enter Gringotts under his own identity; that would raise too much suspicion. With the aid of the Imperius Curse and Polyjuice Potion, invading Gringotts seemed like a straightforward task to him.
Half an hour later, his old roommate finally arrived.
Quirinus took the keys offered by his former tormentor and, after downing a Polyjuice Potion laced with the man's hair, assumed his appearance and headed to Gringotts to withdraw some money.
The goblins didn't suspect a thing and led him into the underground caverns.
As soon as he entered the cave, Quirinus, ensuring they were alone, cast the Imperius Curse on the goblin guide.
As for the other goblin he had initially enslaved, that one was already waiting by the designated vault, operating a second cart. Quirinus filled a large bag with galleons from the vault and then rode the other cart deeper into the cave towards vault 713.
Everything was proceeding surprisingly smoothly. The goblins soon brought him to vault 713, and Quirinus couldn't fathom why no one had successfully robbed Gringotts before.
Was every thief who had attempted to rob Gringotts so foolish? Quirinus wondered.
He was so close to obtaining the Philosopher's Stone and claiming Voldemort's reward.
The real challenge now was figuring out how to leave. He had several backup plans for exiting Gringotts, but none of them involved Apparating, as it was impossible to do so within the walls of the wizarding bank.
In the event that he encountered any trouble, Quirinus had already prepared a scapegoat.
He had carefully selected a rather unlucky thief to serve this purpose, someone who could divert attention and muddy the waters as much as possible.
Should any complications arise during his departure, Quirinus planned to hand over the bag of galleons to this thief and modify his memory, thereby shifting the blame and misdirecting any pursuit.
Yes, frame him. After all, the thief's wand would serve as evidence—the very same wand that Quirinus was currently using.
"Open the vault!" Quirinus ordered the goblin beside him.
Fortunately, under the Dark Lord's training, he had become quite proficient in the Killing Curse, or else he might have faced some real trouble.
The goblin extended a long finger and gently tapped the door.
Quirinus had learned from this goblin a long time ago that these precious vaults deep underground didn't require keys. However, they could only be opened by goblins, and any attempt by another creature to touch them would result in immediate suction into the door, trapping them within.
Quirinus was eager to lay his eyes on the Philosopher's Stone. What did it look like?
However, as he focused his attention on the door before him, he was astonished to see the goblin's body sink into the vault door.
What was happening?
Quirinus's mind went blank, a sense of foreboding washing over him. He immediately realized the reason: goblin magic! Indeed, opening this door required goblin magic, and only goblins could wield such magic and, therefore, open this door.
Damn it! Quirinus had intended to retrieve the stone quietly, but now he had no choice but to resort to more drastic measures.
Fortunately, he had prepared several backup plans.
Quirinus was furious, knowing that he had been played by the goblin before him. Even the use of Legilimency hadn't prevented this unexpected turn of events.
A jet of flame shot from the tip of Quirinus's wand, landing on the vault door and igniting into a fierce blaze.
It was the Blasting Curse—a cursed fire capable of effortlessly destroying almost any object.
The trapped goblin was quickly burned to a crisp, and the door was scorched, revealing a gaping hole.
Quirinus quickly extinguished the curse, not daring to let it spread further. If it reached the Philosopher's Stone within, it could destroy it, and if it got out of control, it might consume him as well.
So this was the extent of goblin security.
Quirinus muttered to himself, his gaze penetrating the vault entrance. What he saw caused him to freeze.
The vault was empty. There was nothing inside.
The Philosopher's Stone was gone! Had the goblin deceived him? Or had he arrived too late, and Dumbledore had already retrieved the stone? Quirinus felt as if he had fallen into an icy cave, his limbs turning cold.
No, that couldn't be! In that moment, panic set in. Quirinus couldn't bear the thought of failing to obtain the stone. He couldn't even begin to imagine how Voldemort would punish him. Perhaps he should flee, right now, and seek Dumbledore's help?
Would Dumbledore aid him?
Quirinus suddenly found the idea laughable. Was that even possible?
He had just been plotting to steal Dumbledore's Philosopher's Stone from Gringotts.
Quirinus quickly shook off his daze, knowing he had to leave immediately.
The goblins must have realized by now that someone had broken into the bank, and he had to escape before they blocked his path.
He hoped that his prepared escape route would allow him to slip away unnoticed.
Quirinus glanced at the other goblin beside him and then hopped onto the small cart, speeding back up to the upper levels.
(End of Chapter)
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