The Rebellion of Souls

[Asphodel]

Ian cocked his head, "Wha-?" he wasn't paying attention because he was still trying to make up excuses for why he stuck his hand in the veil.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"Approach with caution, very, very slowly," said Gringott. "These dragons are not friendly, and will not part with me very gracefully."

"So... is this place real then?" Asked Steph.

"This place is real, but only because this is the only place it exists. This is a gateway into Gringotts, but the Gringotts of the past. We have travelled back into this time that only existed for 3 seconds, in a different dimension, to claim my body, and bring it back into the world. It is the perfect preserver. I have locked it away into a world that I created and exists only because it did exist, and our Library can access all from the beginning and end of time.

"My friends, I live again."

"I thought you said you never died?" Asked Ian.

"I didn't. I was not alive in our world. But nor was I dead. I was not in our world at all."

"Where were you then?"

"In the past."

"But the past is in our world."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Draw me a map."

[Scarlet Lioness]

"So now your alive???! As in, with a body and can move everything?? And I don't feel like one of your lectures again as to why I'm wrong, yet again...can't you just tell us???" Steph asked

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"According to history, you see, I died. And it's true. Before 3 seconds were up I destroyed myself and this room. I did that so it would not impact upon history, and no one could alter it, until I could come and claim it through this portrait."

"Oh..." Steph said, sighing. She never got want she wanted. Not even an answer.

"See these scrolls in my hand?"

"Yes, Gringott..."

"I myself painted this portrait. Have you not wondered at least once why I painted scrolls in my hand?"

"A lot of portraits have scrolls, Gringott..."

"Yes... of course they do. Well these ones make me who I am. They give me a solid identity as me. I'm not just an ordinary portrait. I truly am Gringott himself. Until the time I awaken myself, of course."

"So...? Didn't you say you killed yourself?"

"Yes. So one day when my enemy returned my portrait could awaken and free me from my casket."

"Didn't you say this place only existed for 3 seconds? We've been here a lot longer for 3 seconds."

"We are at a set moment in history. But so far, only as observers. The spells I placed here were complex. Are complex. From the moment you take one step toward the casket you have 3 seconds to communcate with my past self. My future self. That is all that will be necessary. It will change history the moment he sees you. He will be expecting you."

"You? Us? We're not doing it."

"Well, how can I? I'm but a portrait. I do not hold a 3D wand. I can take you anywhere you want, and will shortly make you appear right next to the coffin, but as soon as you do you only have 3 seconds to cast this spell."

Portrait Gringott turned the scroll around.

"Alohomora?" The two of them said in unison. "That's one of the simplest spells in the world!"

"Oh, really? That's nice to hear. It wasn't then. I invented it for this purpose."

Steph and Ian just rolled their eyes.

[Scarlet Lioness]

"I was getting ready for a really difficult, spell, then this???! Alohomora?" Steph laughed...

"So do we just appear next to the coffin, cast the spell and then get out there somehow?" Ian asked

"How do we get out, Gringott??" Asked Steph curiously

[Asphodel]

Ian loocked at Steph, "We don't... we stay there for all eternity...."

Steph snorted, "Yeah, right,"

"Um...." Gringott began, "not exactly..."

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"Well, waiting for 35 centuries would be one solution to our problem. But then this room would be around for that long, and in a century or so people will start looking for me and find it, and we'd be introduced back into the time line and die many centuries away from our target."

"So.. what do we do?"

"Once I move you over to the coffin you will have 3 seconds to tap your wands on it and open the casket with 'Alohomora'. As soon as my past self realises you are here he will stop casting the destructive charm to blow this area out of time and space."

"And then?"

"And then I will transport us back to our modern day library. Or perhaps Lord Gringott shall. He created the Library itself; he knows spells people would die from reading."

"What about the dragons?" asked Ian.

"Ah, yes..."

"Yes?"

"Use some initiative."

"You don't know?"

"That appears to be the problem."

[Scarlet Lioness]

"Ummm...well can you tell us about the dragon problem..."

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"Lord Gringott probably figured if you weren't skilled enough to defeat two dragons you didn't deserve the chance to meet him. Or live."

[Asphodel]

"Okay well, show's over," Ian said as he steped away,

"You're not going anywhere," Gringott said in a calm voice.

"Watch me," Ian responded. He then realized there was no way out, "wait," Ian began, "you don't honestly expect us to fight
dragons?"

[Scarlet Lioness]

'What???! Oh gess...dragons...Harry's 4th year all over again' Steph thought...

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"Oh, come on. What's the most that can happen in three seconds anyway?"

"Er..-"

"Alright, bad question."

"So, are we going to do this or not?" asked Steph.

"Don't worry about a thing. Just do the charm and ignore the dragons, they'll take care of themselves."

[Scarlet Lioness]

"Ohk, then, let's do it..." Steph said...

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"Okay! Both of you, wands ready and out in front of you. Prepare 'Alohomora' in your minds. You will have 3 seconds to grab his attention."

"And after that?"

"Call out to me."

"Okay, let's go!"

"Kalövestë! Go!"

[Scarlet Lioness]

"Alohamora" Ian and Steph shouted as they appered in front of the coffin...it opened

"NOW!!!!" Steph shouted to Gringott